Sunday malling at Biñán's Pavilion Mall

Pavilion Mall, Biñán, La Laguna.

In Philippine History, Biñán is known to many as the town where National Hero José Rizal took his rudimentary studies and was also his father's hometown. To the provinciano at heart, it is the source of the gently sweet rice cake called Puto Biñán, the crunchy sweet rice snacks made from roasted malagquít (spelled nowadays as malagkit) called pinipig and ampáo, and locally made slippers and hats. And to the contemporary world, it is already a bustling metropolis known as "The Industrial City of CALABARZON" mainly because many multinational companies have set up shop there (particularly in Laguna Technopark, Inc. and the Laguna International Industrial Park).

For me and my family, it still remains as the old-fashioned Filipino town that we have always known it to be (despite its rapidly changing features) since our first visit there nine years ago: a place of heritage houses and energetic business establishments, and of pastoral gentry and boisterous market-goers and vendors. It remains close to our hearts because we were fortunate to have been inside to Biñán's most prized tangible heritage jewel, the fabled Alberto Mansion, before its demise. For sure, Biñán today is a dichotomy in full swing: its economy is rapidly growing each and every moment as it still clings on, in a somewhat desperate manner, to a precious past epoch which formed it in the first place.

But that is the stark reality: in a globalized world, no small town is safe from rapid change.

Indeed, gone are the days when Metro Manileños from all over had to flock to Macati (SM Makati, Quad), San Juan (V-Mall), or Quezon City (Ali Mall, SM City North EDSA) to shop or enjoy a flick. Several malls sprout almost everywhere each year, so now they are within reach of almost every shopping community. And this economic revolution is led by everybody's favorite Filipino-Chinese uncle, Henry Sy. In the mall industry, he is rivaled by another Filipino-Chinese tycoon, John Gokongwei, armed with his equally ubiquitous Robinsons Malls. But there is another third player which we prefer: the Ayala Malls of the legendary Zóbel de Ayala clan. Not only are the Ayala Malls founded and owned by authentic Filipino citizens but each of their malls has their own personality. It is easy to pinpoint an SM or Robinsons branch, but you cannot say the same with an Ayala Mall, all of which exudes elegance and posh features.

And so in Biñán the wealthy Zóbel de Ayalas must have found something promising, for they also have a mall there: the Pavilion Mall (which they classify as a Community Mall).

Yesterday, after attending morning Mass at our parish church, we had a biglaang lacad (impromptu trip). After lunching in some fast food in Pacita and purchasing a new fridge, I was in the mood to have some coffee. So I invited my family to go to Starbucks in cool Tagaytay, Cavite to relax for just a few hours. their branch in Maharlika is my favorite hangout because of its scenic setting: it overlooks Taal Lake and its world-famous volcano as customers are treated with an icy breeze to die for (my family loves cold weather). I could sit there virtually for hours while thinking and doing nothing at all.

But there was a light drizzle after the Mass. And Yeyette and Krystal didn't feel like traveling all the way up to Tagaytay. Besides, Krystal suddenly remembered that she needed to buy a few things for an upcoming school project. So we just decided to go to Pavilion Mall in nearby Biñán instead to buy some school supplies for her. Anyway, that mall also has a Starbucks branch.

Just arrived.

Palm trees and tianguê stalls dot the mall's sidewalks.

This road slices through the middle of the mall.

At Starbucks.

Cuya Jefe goofing around!

Back inside.

Cuya Momay's turn!

Showing her boys that she's got it, too!

Ate Krystal drew up a crowd with her cute blast beats!

National Book Store ATBP.

The colors of Christmas are here!

Going home.

Remember: you just don't go to a mall to shop or watch a movie. You can also go there to relax and unwind, and much better with the whole family.

CLICK HERE for more photos of our biglaang lacad!

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

TRIVIA! The road slicing through the middle of Pavilion Mall serves as a unique entrance to Jubilation New Biñán, a gated community, and the new city hall of Biñán.