Tiendesitas: Enjoying Pinoy’s best... everyday

Ortigas & Company, one of the Philippine’s most respected names in the real estate and property development industry, recently inaugurated Tiendesitas, a new shopping experience expected to rival the highly successful and world-renowned Chatuchak Market of Bangkok, Thailand. The management team of Greenhills Shopping Center, the country’s value-shopping mecca, will also manage the Tiendesitas operations. This will ensure the complementation and synergy of both shopping destinations which cater primarily to value-conscious foreign and domestic shoppers.

Tiendesitas is an integral part of Frontera Verde, an interim 18.5-hectare Ortigas development project at the corner of Ortigas Avenue and E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave (C-5), Barangay Ugong, Pasig City. Other locators in Frontera Verde are SM Hypermart, a Fun Ranch for Kids, an Automall, a Wellness Center, a Technology Corridor, a Shell super station with retail outlets, and restaurants strategically spread around the complex. "Pasig City’s newest shopping and family entertainment corridor will be the Philippine’s pride," says Cathy Casares-Ko, head of Ortigas & Company’s Real Estate Division.

Philippine Showcase

Tiendesitas will showcase the best the Philippines can offer — native food, fashion wear and accessories, furniture, antiques, handicrafts, personal care and novelty items, pets, plants and other proudly Philippine-made products. It is a 30,000 sqm – complex of "villages" featuring stylized and unique Filipino architecture. The 12 pavilions in the complex took inspiration from Maranao architecture, which in turn traces its roots back to the bahay kubo. Indigenous materials were used in creative ways. Cogon grass was chemically treated and used for the roof; old calesa wheels were transformed into chandelier frames to light up the restrooms; duyans were scattered around the development to allow for short breaks amidst frenzied shopping activities. Special attention was given to the needs of the disabled and the elderly in the design of the complex. The result is a novel interpretation of the conventional bahay kubo form. Lush tropical landscaping around and within the development provide a refreshing respite from the mall-complex atmosphere, and contributes to a totally pleasurable shopping experience. All these elements make Tiendesitas the perfect place to showcase Pinoy’s Best…Everyday.

More than 450 traders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao specializing in merchandise from all the regions not usually found in mainstream retail outlets are exhibiting their wares in Tiendesitas’ conveniently laid-out shoping pavilions. Haggling ala-tiangge will be the norm as shoppers discover the treasures and pleasures of Philippine-made goods and produce.

A welcome feature of Tiendesitas is that shopping hours are from 12 noon to 12 midnight. "This is the best time for working people who can only shop after work. And, tourists love the idea of the night market," says Joey Santos, general manager. Acoustics and show bands will perform during weekends to create a festive atmosphere.

An area in Tiendesitas will be dedicated to special trade show, exhibits, and unique Filipino cultural presentations that are scheduled year-round.

"The whole place will be bustling with activity and we epect it to become one of Asia’s major shopping and entertainment attractions," says COO Rex Drilon II.

"As we have incubated hundreds of now successful businesses and national brands in Greenhills Shopping Center like Bayo, Kamiseta, Toby’s and Folded & Hung, we hope to produce an even greater number of successful entrepreneurs in Tiendesitas," says Drilon.

With Tiendesitas, entrepreneurs from the provinces with unique products or products with outstanding value propositions can find a home in Metro Manila.

"It is a source of pride and privilege that we in Ortigas & Company, in partnership wth hundreds of entrepreneurs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, are given this opportunity to showcase the best that the Filipino can create and produce. If more Filipinos can see the creativity, the beauty, and the quality of products made by Filipinos, perhaps we can learn to love our country a little bit more," he adds.