10 things I love about Eastwood Mall

Hey, what are you doing here?” Kevin Tan, handsome Megaworld Commercial Division head, curiously asked me one afternoon as we bumped into each other inside Eastwood Mall. “Shopping!” I quipped. I seriously thought he was a bit surprised as I answered that so matter-of-factly. Little did he know that going to Eastwood Mall comes naturally to me — it’s like breathing. It’s honestly one of my favorite malls in Manila.

I’ve had countless memorable dinners at Eastwood Mall with my solid barkada of 18 years. It’s here we’ve announced wedding engagements, met the new boyfriends, and celebrated our traditional Christmas dinners. When I instantly need a fashionable outfit, Eastwood Mall, temple to the trendy, always saves the day for me. When the must-see movies are finally out, the cinemas of Eastwood Mall are simply the best! And just a while ago as I write this article, my better half Paolo spontaneously decided that we eat out for dinner. And where did we go? Naturally, to Eastwood Mall.

Wondering why I frequent the place? Here are the 10 things I love about Eastwood Mall.

1) I love the way it looks.

The first time I saw Eastwood Mall, I fell in love with it. I couldn’t help but rave about it to my friends. The mall’s impressive four-level glass, concrete and steel design gives a modern vibe. Imposing but not snooty. I felt right at home and I was sure I’d come back.

2) The Eastwood Mall Open Park is awesome.

VIP treatment: The Eastwood Mall Concierge raises the bar in shopping convenience by offering the first-ever mall butler service in the country.

Fronting the mall building, the Eastwood Mall Open Park features six-meter-high palm trees, lush tropical plants, a water fountain and a freeform lagoon punctuated by an arched bridge. Every time I’m here, I see so many pet lovers walking their cute dogs and shoppers taking a break on the granite sitting areas while enjoying the breeze. This is often the meeting place for many young fashionistas and their barkadas as well as the venue for many outdoor events. And no fail — there are always a handful of people having their picture taken here. Nope, they aren’t tourists but locals who love the place. Even my own barkada has a picture here! The place is just so darn nice – day and night. The huge outdoor LCD screen reminds me of the luxe shopping districts in Tokyo and Shanghai. A light show called “Symphony of Lights” and a dancing fountain show entertain mall goers every evening.

3) I never feel cramped or uncomfortable here.

As you enter, the automatic glass doors of Eastwood Mall, high ceilings and wide hallways greet you. At the heart of the mall is the large Atrium, the perfect venue for art exhibits, intimate music performances and fashion bazaars. I can’t help but draw my eyes upward to the expansive skylight every time I enter. It just reminds me how spacious the mall is.

4) You feel like a VIP.

Did you know you can also request the services of your very own butler? The Eastwood Mall Concierge raises the bar in shopping convenience by offering the first-ever mall butler service in the country. Have your butler fall in line at the cashier for you, carry your shopping bags, purchase your movie ticket or buy your coffee. He can even watch over your pet or give you a guided mall tour of the 200 mall establishments at the Eastwood Mall! And yes, your butler will assist you all the way to your car at the parking area and even do last-minute errands for you anywhere in Eastwood City!

5) It’s a fashion haven for those who want to save and splurge.

Located at the ground floor of Eastwood Mall, 158 Designers’ Blvd. is one of my favorites. Here you can find designer labels side by side — Anne Klein, DKNY, Liz Claiborne, Zegna, Marc Jacobs, Tod’s, Diesel, Polo Jeans Co., Kate Spade, Furla, Enzo Angiolini, and Gucci. My favorite local brands can also be found here. I proudly buy Bench clothes for myself and my tweener son. I’m such a big fan of R.A.F. (Rich and Famous) by Plains & Prints for their chic dresses, tops and pants while Luca is my go-to store for party frocks I need in any color. For stylish and sexy street smart fashion, Folded and Hung never disappoints me. I am so loving Maldita now for featuring Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez as their new image model. My most recent purchases? Proudly Pinoy pieces from designer Rhett Eala’s latest collection for Collezione C2 and three bagsful of the most figure-flattering dresses by Randy Ortiz for Kashieca.

6) Pampering is just a stone’s throw away.

Never feel cramped or uncomfortable with Eastwood Mall’s high ceilings and wide hallways. Comfy lounge areas with sleek and modern furniture will tempt the tired shop-per.

Need to have your hair and makeup done? Or maybe your mane thirsts for that much needed treatment? My favorite salon, Bench Fix, is conveniently located at the second level of Eastwood Mall. Connected to the mall is Richmonde Hotel which is home to Basement Salon (try their permanent blow-dry) and The Spa which I love for their divine peppermint foot rub and heavenly massages. Cross the street to One Orchard building and you’ll find Blue Water Day Spa which offers facials and body treatments, Svelte Wellness Center which promises centimeters lost in a single session with their slimming treatments (you can easily do this during your lunch break!), and Nail Tropics, the oasis for total hands, feet and nail care.

7) Their cinemas are one of the best in Manila.

If there’s one thing that frustrates me, it’s watching a movie with a bad screen and a poor sound system. In another mall, I experienced a sound system so bad that I couldn’t fully understand what the actors in the movie were saying! And then in another cinema, it bugged me so much that I could actually hear the sounds of the cinema right next to it! But this has never happened to me in Eastwood Mall. Their cinemas boast Dolby Digital Surround EX system, gigantic screens, comfy rocker seats with leather headrests and retractable armrests, and one of the roomiest legrooms I’ve seen! If you want luxurious comfort, you have to experience the Ultra 7 cinema. It’s the first in the country to offer fully reclining twin-seat suede couches – makes you feel like you’re at the comfort of your own bed!

8) Beauty finds come easy.

I love shopping not just for clothes but also for beauty products. Try the face masks of Korean beauty brand The Face Shop. This is the perfect 20-minute treatment right before a romantic date, big event or wedding. From The Body Shop, I love the Vitamin C Facial Radiance Powder Mix – the recipe for radiant skin is now in a bottle! And I can’t leave the mall without stopping by Beauty Bar for their makeup and Dashing Diva for their polish. Try Dashing Diva polish in the shade New York Slice – it’s the perfect shade of red that will flatter all skin tones. And for your personal care needs, I already saw Watson’s already open along the perimeter of the mall.

9) The Weekend Gourmet Market is a must-visit.

I love to eat and the goodies at the Weekend Gourmet Market are a weekly treat! With over 20 food stall tenants set up in the spacious hallways of Eastwood Mall, you’ll find fresh fruits, organic herbs, chicken and eggs, wheatgrass, gourmet tinapa, roasted Peking duck, chilled taho, fresh carabao’s milk, gourmet dressings, Filipino delights, Turkish desserts, and lip-smacking sweet treats such as cookies, ensaymada, brownies, cakes and pastries.  

10) They’ve made the malling experience convenient for every one and all.

The Eastwood Mall Concierge not only serves as your source for general information and stores directory, they offer umbrellas on loan and even a sewing kit for those fashion emergencies! They can take care of restaurant, cinema and VIP seat reservations as well as luggage and bag storage. They also provide the complimentary use of wheelchairs and parking for expectant mothers and the handicapped. Diaper changing stations are located at all the powder rooms of the mall while the breastfeeding station is located on the third floor. Always on the internet? Enjoy free Wi-Fi at the Eastwood Mall and Citywalk 1 and 2. For your communication ease, worry not because you can make your emergency calls and text messages with their concierge. And don’t worry, if you’ve shopped till you dropped – literally – head to the mall clinic located at basement 1 where there’s a nurse on duty all the time.