Rediscover the New and Bigger Robinsons Place Antipolo
Antipolo for decades was known as a Catholic pilgrimage site. Visitors to this hilly city located east of Manila headed straight to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. The black image of the Virgin Mary dates back to the 17th century and is the central figure in the cathedral.
In books and online, one can find idyllic paintings of Filipinas dressed in balintawak (informal terno) being ferried in woven hammocks to the shrine or to the waterfalls of Hinulugang Taktak. The city is also known for its cashews and the perfect pairing of sweet ripe mangoes and suman (native ricecakes).
Much has changed since then but Antipolo continues to attract not just visitors but also people who have made the city their home. In fact there is a fast growing middle class in the area. This month, residents and visitors alike have much to look forward to with the opening of Robinsons Place Antipolo’s mall expansion with more stores, more restaurants and more fun-filled events and activities for the whole family. It will also feature a brand new food hall, additional cinemas, and Artablado, an arts center where local artists can showcase their talents to a wider audience.
The original Robinsons Place Antipolo opened eight years ago in 2014 with a gross floor area of over 43,000 square meters with more than 200 stores spread across two levels. The mall expansion doubles the total gross floor area to over 80,000 square meters including more parking spaces. Soon as all the tenant-partners have opened for business, customers can look forward to more than 100 new exciting stores spread across four floors.
“We expanded the mall to be bigger and better for Rizalenos
We expanded the mall to be bigger and better for Rizalenos and visitors alike. And with more shopping, dining and leisure options available, our customers will continue to enjoy their favorites while discovering new ones
Arlene Magtibay SVP and General Manager of Robinsons Malls
and visitors alike. And with more shopping, dining and leisure options available, our customers will continue to enjoy their favorites while discovering new ones,” says Arlene Magtibay, SVP and General Manager of Robinsons Malls.
Beyond the dining and shopping options, however, Robinsons Place Antipolo has another ace up its proverbial sleeve. The new expansion will house an artisan’s studio that will serve as the venue for a livelihood workshop series where residents can learn how to craft scented candles, soaps and other income-generating products, and develop skills on product branding and selling. A three-day bazaar will serve as the culminating activity where participants can sell and earn from their handcrafted products. For this initial event, the beneficiary will be the Antipolo Ynares Unified Ladies’ Association (YULA).
The pandemic forced many of us to rethink what we hold dear. For many, we place value on time spent with family and friends whether it’s over a shared meal, a road trip or even a simple visit to the mall. When visiting the expansion mall, take time to admire the tropical-inspired interiors with their unique leaf- seed-stone-shaped designs chosen to tell the story of Antipolo’s history, people and lifestyle. More places to dine alfresco is one that many shoppers now appreciate, and one that is offered with a unique touch at Robinsons Place Antipolo. “We recognize our customers’ need for more open spaces so we designed the expansion to have more outdoor dining so they can enjoy the cool summer breeze of Antipolo. We also have bigger space for bikers and a new pet park to cater to the area’s huge pet community,” added Magtibay.
When the expansion mall opens on May 28, there will be cultural and band performances, a children’s musical show, Bayanihan Market,
Subaru and Toyota exhibits, and popup stores of Potato Corner, Hungry Box, Papermoon, and Timezone. Digital Walker will hold its Madness Sale with gadget deals for as low as P99 on select items. For the enthusiasts, ARTablado at the upper ground floor will hype Rizal as one of the country’s art capitals. Watch out for exciting events in June, including the PBA 3x3 event, Father’s Day Specials, and a whole lot more.
Shoppers are eagerly
awaiting the opening of favorite brands, which include Uniqlo, Vikings, Mary Grace Café, Tong Yang Plus, Marugame Udon, Ramen Nagi, Mama Lou’s, Owndays, @Tokyo, Popeyes, Breadtalk, JCO Donuts, Classic Savory, Tiger Sugar, Coco Fresh and Tea, Angel’s Pizza, Oh My Greek, Zig Salad, G-Shock, Tech 101 and Hydroflask. Handyman, No Brand, Daiso, Pet Lovers Center, Serenitea, Dooki Korean Topokki Buffet, Nailaholics, Happy Brows, Skin
Station, Sports Barbers, Hey Sugar, Moderne Studio, Lenovo, SVGA+Silicon Valley, Mandaue Foam, Tom’s World, Kidzoona, Nature Republic, and NCAT will soon start welcoming customers, too.
Antipolo is considered a pilgrimage site for Catholic devotees but with the expansion of Robinsons Place Antipolo, it is now also a place where both residents and visitors can experience shopping, dining, and recharging like never before.