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.
