The long wait is finally over!
“The past year has been spent in undertaking the renovations of the affected areas, including the replacement of various damaged equipment and enhancement of the mall’s interiors,” shares Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC)’s Commercial Centers Division Senior Vice President and
General Manager.
And so a bigger, brighter, safer and eco-friendlier Robinsons Place Tacloban welcomes shoppers back to their “happy place.” “The mall has been the ‘happy place’ of many residents, not just of Tacloban, but of the neighboring towns as well,” Magtibay enthuses. “It’s where they celebrate special occasions, buy their essentials, unwind and de-stress.” The mall now has enhanced lighting and a brighter feel, with contemporary ceiling designs and floor patterns.
SHOPPERS’ SAFETY COMES FIRST
With the strict and health sanitation protocols in place in all of its malls, mall-goers are encouraged to adhere to these rules: no face mask/face shield, no entry; temperature check upon entry, scanning of personal QR Code, observe social distancing, stepping on foot bath and proper hand sanitation. On top
of that, the number of customers allowed inside stores, restrooms, elevators, and restaurants will be limited to regulate foot traffic.
“Our sanitation teams will be regularly cleaning and disinfecting all the common areas,” shares Magtibay. “Our tenants have also been provided with a Re-opening Guidebook that details all the policies and procedures that they have to implement such as maximum capacity and social distancing provisions, among others. As always, we will coordinate with the local government unit to ensure that specific guidelines they issue are always strictly observed.”
As people become more conscious of the need to engage in healthier and greener practices, more and more customers are now using the eco-friendly bike to go about their errands. “The mall would like to encourage this and is committed to make it convenient for bikers to come over to the mall,” enthuses Magtibay. Robinsons Place Tacloban’s new bicycle parking and bike repair station is now available to the public.
REDISCOVER THE JOYS OF SHOPPING & DINING
Located in the city’s Marasbaras district, the new Robinsons Place Tacloban remains to be a foodie haven. Some restaurants and food outlets to look forward to include: Canto Fresco, Bagnet and Beyond, Charito’s Delights, Tita Dina’s Seafood and Tia Tita’s, Annyeong Samgyupsal, Max’s, Kuya J, Cabalen, Hap Chan, Shakey’s, Jollibee, Greenwich, KFC, Yellow Cab, Pancake House, Figaro, Pepper Lunch, Goldilocks, Icebergs, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Macao Imperial, Bo’s Coffee, Chow King, Rai Rai Ken, Dunkin Donuts and many more.
Some retail therapy outlets that will open soon: Uniqlo, Guess, Adidas, Toby’s, Levi’s, Restoerun, Bench, Penshoppe, Plains and Prints, Bayo, Regatta, Oxygen, Alberto The Travel Club, Unica Hija, Vise Versa, Converse, The Athlete’s Foot, Outland, Gibi, Sandugo, Watch Central, RRJ, Macbeth, and Blued, among others.
‘NO ONE’S GONNA BE LEFT BEHIND’
As the biggest commercial establishment in the city, the mall’s temporary closure has impacted several thousands of people who are directly employed by the shops and restaurants found within the mall, or are part of the supply chain.
Robinsons Place Tacloban, which has withstood even the strongest typhoon, once again signifies its solidarity with and faith in its host city by reopening its doors to serve better a growing and more vibrant market.
“No one’s gonna be left behind. It’s our way of giving back to city and its people who have always been most welcoming of Robinsons Malls,” notes Magtibay. “The mall first opened back in 2009 and the Taclobanons immediately embraced it as their own.”
Subsequently, the mall expanded in 2011, adding the Go Hotel and expanding its array of shops and restaurants.
“Despite the logistical challenges brought about by the pandemic, the mall finally reopens,” enthuses Magtibay. “And so amid the fear, loneliness and depression, it is our hope that the re-opening of the mall will once again uplift the spirits of Taclobanons — just like the old days.”
Yes, happy days are here again!
