Finally, a real mall in Boracay
The compact CityMall offers cinemas, a food court and an activity area
Boracay has just opened a real mall—where it’s not unusual to run into shoppers in bikinis buying sunscreen and snacks.
CityMall, dubbed as a “community mall,” is located in Barangay Yapak across Fairways and Bluewaters resort. It has a cinema, a supermarket and unique dining options. It is a game changer on the island, says Ferdinand Sia, president of DoubleDragon Properties Corp.
His company partnered with SM Investments Corp. in pioneering the community mall concept in the Philippines—not as big as the ones in Metro Manila, but just the right size for a tourist destination like Boracay.
It doesn’t sit on the beach, but can be reached through a leisurely walk or a short tricycle ride from the back roads of Station 1.
CityMall Boracay has two levels. On the ground floor are the SM anchor stores: Savemore Market, SM Appliance, Simply Shoes, Watsons, Ace Hardware and BDO. Food World serves comfort food from Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking and Highlands Coffee.
Homegrown products
There’s a central activity area for cultural shows and fun activities like Zumba classes. It is also a venue for homegrown trade fairs.
“CityMall promotes Filipino products through the Go Local project,” Sia said. “We partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry which gathers and curates food, homeware, and souvenirs from the provincial towns through the help of the local government.”
Walking around the mall, we spotted pasalubong shops such as Fiesta! and Kingsmen, as well as kiosks selling local stuff like virgin coconut oil, coffee wine and “flavored soap” (papaya, carrot, mangosteen).
How about some hot ube piaya? Bacolod’s BongBong’s bakeshop serves them fresh off the griddle, along with sweet delicacies such as biscocho, butterscotch and caramel tarts.
The pious can hear Mass every Sunday at 11 a.m. on the second floor, which also houses the two cinemas.
Chill hangout
ABS-CBN stars Darren Espanto and Arci Muñoz performed before a large crowd at the CityMall Boracay opening on Feb. 25. It is the 14th CityMall in the Philippines, with 20 more opening soon around the country—from Tarlac to Cagayan de Oro.
“All CityMalls have a standard size and look: compact and simple,” Sia said. “For sustainability, there are solar panels on the roofdeck; the building also makes use of a rainwater harvesting system.”
CityMall Boracay is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it’s the newest place to chill when it gets too hot on the beach.
Sia grew up in Roxas City, and finished high school and college in Iloilo. He said a proper mall in the region addresses the everyday needs of the residents.
“Having a CityMall in Boracay provides convenience to the community. In Food World, for example, families can dine together in one table even if someone likes Jollibee and another likes Chowking—that’s something new on the island.”
