Oriental Shopping Experience at Tutuban Mall

There’s an old adage – “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” – that is still very much an accepted practice in the modern world. An article that just was published some time ago carried a very appropriate title: “Pinoy Shopping Experience...” Surely, there are nuances distinct to particular cultures so when we say “Pinoy experience,” the images conjured in the mind are absolutely distinct from what is evoked by “A Taste of China,” “A Taste of Shanghai,” and the like… But when we say Oriental shopping experience, what is evoked is the best of the blending of two or more cultures.

Bargain hunting and haggling are shopping practices that are typically Pinoy. But even foreigners who frequent the country and get to pick up this practice start liking it and become just as expert as the real Macoys in haggling.

With things getting global these days, it is of little wonder how one creative mind who has “seen” the world, or at least much of it, can think of “transplanting” a little of Shanghai into the Philippines’ hottest shopping place in the metro where consumers get the best value for their money in terms of quality, choices, and prices. The fertile mind of Tutuban Mall Marketing & Sales Vice President Bernardo “Ding” Espiritu whose itchy feet have taken him to places far and wide has made it possible and by October 17 will make his concept come alive as Little Shanghai is launched. He is your typical global corporate executive – one whose concepts are far from being hemmed in by cultural and geographic boundaries. His international stint in the Big Apple and travels in Europe and Asia gave him an inexorable reservoir of concepts that may come in handy in planning on projects for malls and other establishments – whatever will earn generate more revenues not just for the shareholders but also for the participating community members such as stall owners and other merchants.

This executive’s acumen in mall management has been greatly enriched by his decade-long career at the Araneta Center. Imagine adding international flavor to that woven into his richly creative nature! There really is no end to what this man can conceptualize and create.

Little Shanghai at the Tutuban Mall is not just a conceptual rendition in terms of design execution but also in terms of the very essence of its execution, from detail to detail. Add to the “taste of a part of China” the enjoyable shopping Pinoy practices of discount hunting and haggling and you get the most out of the ideal shopping experience – the best of two worlds. Consumers will be treated to a festive shopping experience starting October 17 at the 2nd floor of Tutuban Mall Cluster 1 where all of 33 stalls will showcase an array of the finest Shanghai products at very reasonable prices. Imagine getting the feel of a rich assortment in vivid colors of Chinese silk, carpets, and decorative items, to name a few – anything and everything that will make perfect gifts for the Christmas season.

The gateway to the site is heralded by a giant mock-up of ambience-setting Shanghai motif in blaring red and gold designs. Shanghai is China’s upbeat financial district with great modernity executed without losing that old Oriental touch. Hence, the stalls, now all fully booked, are not your typical ordinary makeshift booths made of thin grilles or wooden planks and secured only at nights by nets and small padlocks. Ding Espiritu has foreseen that those stalls would all be sold out during pre-selling with his novel concept of modular encasement, all items securely kept within the confine of Cluster Building 1. How modern and how convenient!

This man has so much fire in his spirit such that when he describes his concepts, his whole being comes alive with his profuse preoccupation not just with aesthetics and business revenues for the shareholders, but most importantly, his passion to make the common people take delight in his handiwork and take a piece of the action not just as a consumer but as possible stallholder. Thus, he made provisions for expansion – his sequel to Little Shanghai coming up soon after the launch in time for Christmas shopping is – Little Beijing and Little Xiamen – in an area of considerable proximity to Little Shanghai. Thus, the entire 2nd floor premises of Tutuban Mall Cluster Building will eventually be transformed into a Little China with the best elements of chinese cultures featured and a splattering of great Pinoy shopping thrills.

Ding Espiritu has the foresight and humane touch to make sure there is provision for tired shoppers to rest in while at the Little Shanghai venue. And when they feel their throat is parched or when their tummy rumbles, there’s a perfect place adjacent to the cluster of stalls. There’s no need to drag one’s aching feet to walk some distance for this oasis of drinks…and food (authentic yummy Oriental dishes and delicacies)…and rest. See? Ding has thought of everything! He could have converted the rest area into more stalls for more revenues given expressed demand among stall applicants but this man has the heart and mind to provide a place for the weary.