Manila Eastwood mall by Chic n Cheap Living

CnC Living Travel Log: Manila Styles, part 1 of 3 – malls and churches

January 13, 2010

When you visit Manila, 2 things strike you about the lifestyle: malls and a sense of spiritualism (specifically Catholicism).

We reached our family in Manila close to 4 am and saw twinkling lights and the church lit up.  I asked my new uncle why so many people were out.  He explained that there were 4 am masses closer to Christmas.  Wow, that is devotion.  It was somewhat beautiful and special to see people so dedicated in their faith.
How can you tell the churches are truly an integral part of the Pinoy lifestyle?
Churches in malls.  Yep.  You heard me – go to the Gap, get a smoothie, go to mass.
Here is an example of a church in a mall:
(at the left with the angel in Green Hills Mall)
Manila green hills church by Chic n Cheap Living
There were also more commercial and cute examples of Christmas cheer at the Eastwood mall and Greenbelt
Manila Eastwood mall by Chic n Cheap LivingManila mall and stars by Chic n Cheap Living
LUXE ALERT

There was a very tempting Marc By Marc Jacobs store and an Escada store at Greenbelt – nicest or at least highest end mall we visited.  You can certainly tell how high-end the mall is by the shops that inhabit each mall – Balenciaga may be featured at one mall while another may have local shops.

Mr. Gadget theorizes that malls are prevalent in the Philippines because:

1) it’s a warm country and a centralized place with air-conditioning would appeal to the masses and

2) it is somewhat of a homage of sorts to American consumerism.

Interestingly enough, I didn’t actually recall too many shoppers with bags and wondered how profitable the malls actually were.   But I can see malls as a meeting point, shop windows as an aspirational escape, and the act of shopping as a family activity.  It seems natural then to have churches centrally located so families can pray together in the midst of doing shopping or eating.

Thus my little observations on malls and churches in Manila.  Onto food and styles in parts 2 and 3 …

little luxury list

All posts
  • PartyPlannerGal January 13, 2010 at 15:01

    Wow, this is so cool! Maybe I would find the motivation to go to church more if there were churches in the malls here! Haha.

  • THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE January 13, 2010 at 18:28

    how interesting. can’t wait to hear more and see more pix. oh and i left u an award on over at my blog today. enjoy, love 🙂

  • Post Grad Hair Cut January 13, 2010 at 18:40

    I’ve always been interest in Manila! Glad you are posting about it.

  • Chocolate Lover January 13, 2010 at 21:22

    Thats so interesting! I had no idea! Can’t wait to read posts 2 and 3!

  • Shop N' Chomp January 14, 2010 at 02:40

    Churches in mall? That is intense. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3!

  • Nina (Femme Rationale) January 14, 2010 at 04:52

    i’ve always wanted to visit manila. apparently there are a lot of koreans there! who knew…

  • LENORENEVERMORE January 14, 2010 at 09:21

    When I was in Singapore, there was also churches at the mall…not only that in Hotel ballrooms as well!
    xo*

  • anna bu January 14, 2010 at 13:49

    churches at the mall….weird 🙂

    http://justbuit.blogspot.com

  • Hanako66 January 15, 2010 at 00:36

    love hearing about your travels!

  • honey my heart January 15, 2010 at 18:33

    your trip looks like great fun. i never knew there were churches in malls, that is too much. my mom always talks about Christmas time in the philippines and this makes me want to take a trip there 🙂

  • MizzJ January 15, 2010 at 22:40

    haha churches in malls seems such a funny concept, but hey whatever floats your boat 🙂

  • Jessica January 16, 2010 at 00:50

    How strange! I’m not sure how I’d feel about praying in the same place I shop. I’d probably end up praying for good sales on shoes! 😉

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