Four Malls, Four Cities, One Highway (Marcos Highway)

The Commuter is back. Well, I wasn't really gone. My mini-adventures within NCR didn't stop. I did realize that despite my absence, the blog is still being read. Today, I'd like to share my mall hopping experience. Mind you, I didn't do all these trips in one day. The four malls are the ones  that are easily accessible to those who live near the vicinity of one of the busiest highways in the country--Marcos Highway.

Marcos Highway, in front of Robinsons Metro East; now cleared of the repairs and renovation

Last year, Marcos Highway was riddled with repairs and renovation (see blog Capture It! The Price of Progress). Now with the repairs all finished, it's the perfect spot for malls to thrive. And the highway cuts across four different cities, namely Antipolo, Cainta, Pasig, and Marikina. Residents of these areas wouldn't need to go so far to hang out in a mall when there are four malls easily accessible through this highway. Here, I give only general descriptions of what's inside these malls.

SM City Masinag (Antipolo City)

From the bridge way, sun setting at this time

Among the four malls, this is the newest that has opened. Located in Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City, the mall is conveniently located close to the Masinag junction where terminals, a supermarket, a wet and dry market, as well as convenient stores make this area one of the busiest places. Just a few walks down from the junction, SM City Masinag is the mall that caters to those who live within Barangay Mayamot as well as other barangays close by such as Mambugan and Cupang.

The mall has three levels. On the third level are four cinemas and among the four malls, this one offers one of the cheapest theater rates. The mall has a variety of shops on the first and second level. The first level is filled with various types of restaurants and eateries such as fast food, casual diners / restaurants, bake shops, and dessert kiosks. More food choices and varieties are also found in the second level and the Food Court which is on the third level of the mall, next to the cinemas.

Bookstores, hardware stores, appliance stores, pharmacy, health and beauty, and a host of services (driving institute, beauty salons, courier services, laundry service), make this mall an all-in-one convenient shopping place. This mall also boasts of housing one of the biggest supermarkets in the area. Located on the eastern section of the mall, it is housed in its own building.

Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall (Cainta)

The original mall, along Marcos Highway

From the newest mall, we go to the oldest mall and the first that was ever built along Marcos Highway--Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. The mall has undergone two extension phases. The original mall can be seen easily from the highway. As the years passed, its developers decided to add sections and eventually a bigger building that now houses the Grand Mall.

At the Grand Mall, the cinemas (after its renovation) are the only ones that still have a separate pricing for the upper and lower section of the cinema. Catching up with its newer counterparts, it also has a 3D and 2D theater. If you feel like having a coffee break after the movie, Figaro is conveniently located within the vicinity of the cinema section. On the same floor, one could move on to the mall's recreational center--World's of Fun. Snack time is a breeze in this area too with a host of snack kiosks surrounding the place.

The department store has three levels. Stepping out of the department store, one can have more shopping choices with two levels housing a variety of shops and boutiques. There are two appliance centers in the mall--one located on the second level and the other located on the mall's lower ground floor or basement.

The basement is busy as a bee with a flea market (Tiangge) offering easy to afford goods and services. The mall's food court is also located here. And this area has a huge empty space that serves as an atrium where concerts, variety shows, and holy masses are being held. The lower ground floor also houses the mall's supermarket. In time, it also constructed a smaller but still complete supermarket at the older Sta. Lucia mall.

Robinsons Metro East (Pasig City)

Newly renovated Robinsons Metro East

If you really want to mall hop, there's no other place to conveniently do it than here. Literally located beside Sta. Lucia, a walk around the corner will take you to the mall's landscaped walkway. Newly renovated, the mall was redesigned to house newer restos and shopping boutiques. Fitness buffs thrive in this mall with the presence of Fitness First. The cinemas were also renovated and now have 2D and 3D theaters. The fourth floor houses the recreational center, the cinemas, and church communities.

The department store is at the middle of the mall and is housed in two levels. The third level houses the hardware, the fitness and health centers, and the cyber section of the mall. The upper and lower ground levels house various types of restaurants, diners, and fast food chains. A bookstore, clothing boutiques, a video and DVD shop, and the chains of food stores make the upper ground level a place that's filled with shoppers and diners.

The supermarket is located on the lower ground level. It's well lighted area and wide spaced aisle make it a relaxing place to do your groceries.

SM City Marikina (Marikina City)

Captured from the platform of LRT-2 while I was waiting for the train; the sky is clear and the clouds are puffy

This is the mall located beside the riverbanks of Marikina River. Going there is quite easy via jeepney. It is also walking distance from the Santolan station of LRT-2, the purple train.

The mall is divided into three levels. The topmost level houses eight cinemas and the recreational center. The second level houses a variety of shopping boutiques and restaurants. It also houses the department store. The first level houses SM Cyberzone, and a host of diners and fast food chains. This is also the level where the supermarket is located. It is one of the biggest in terms of floor area. On a non-crowded day, the wide space and aisle make it quite a relaxing place to walk around and do your groceries. If you happen to get hungry right after shopping, then there are several food kiosks located just outside the supermarket.

There you have the ultimate mall hopping experience: four malls, four cities, one highway.