Eastwood City: The place to shop, dine, relax and have fun!

MANILA, Philippines - Visitors have often observed that Filipinos stroll through malls the way people in other countries take walks in the park. If Manhattan has Central Park, Eastwood City in Quezon City has three signature attractions: Eastwood Mall, Eastwood City Walk and Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall. Like any other park, pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome at Eastwood City, which has been a long-term partner of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and has been awarded the Golden Paw Award and the Order of the Platinum Paw this year for being the first pet-friendly mall since 2004.

However, unlike most parks, Eastwood City also offers great shopping, dining and nightlife establishments, along with playing host to major events, like the month-long Beer Festival every October and the annual New Year countdown, featuring the Dazzling Star Drop. This year, the New Year’s celebration will include performances by Jessica Sanchez, Mitoy Yonting, Bamboo, South Border, Updharmadown, along with sets by DJ Ace Ramos.

A shopper’s paradise

At Eastwood Mall, there is a mix of local and international brands, as well as complimentary butler service, a first in the country. From carrying shopping bags, buying coffee, holding your pets and even providing guided tours, butlers are there to make your shopping experience hassle-free. For visitors who want to bring home clothing that is proudly Filipino designed and made, there is Fino, Bench, Human, Bayo, Kashieca, Espada, Folded & Hung, Maldita and Penshoppe. However, for those who want to keep up with international trends, there is 158 Designers’ Blvd., which carries premium brands, like Tod’s, Gucci, Prada, Kate Spade, DKNY and Bally, along with other standalone stores like Kenneth Cole, Nautica, Cache Cache, Gant, Giordano, Calvin Klein, Gap, Dorothy Perkins, Springfield, Marks & Spencer and Mango. Personally, my favorite stores include Beauty Bar, MAC and The Body Shop because buying the right cosmetics will always fit, whether your lose or gain a few pounds.

When you want to take it easy, you can find respite in many of the chef-driven restaurants that offer al-fresco dining and a wide variety of cuisines, such as Cibo, MoMo Cafe, The Flying Pig, Mr. Kurosawa, House of Wagyu, Crisostomo, Cyma, Mesclun Bistro, Uncle Cheffy, Red Crab Alimango House, along with Galileo Enoteca, a wine cellar that serves authentic Italian dishes that is known for being Eastwood City’s best-kept secret. However, if you’re looking for something a little more familiar, check out international franchises, like California Pizza Kitchen, Italianni’s, Sbarro, Johhny Rockets, Pepper Lunch, and even a J.Co donuts branch that’s open 24-hours.

If you’d like to kick up your feet and lie down, there’s always the Eastwood Mall Cinemas. Offering a posh cinematic experience with fully carpeted theaters, plush and cozy interiors and, best of all, fully reclining rocker seats with retractable armrests, you’ll never want to set foot in an ordinary cinema again. But if you want VIP entertainment, head to Gold Cinemas 5 and 6 and the Ultra 7 Cinema to experience the country’s first fully reclining seats with refillable popcorn and bottomless drinks served by butlers.

Steals and deals

If you’re looking to upgrade to the latest technology while still staying on budget, check out the Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall, which features stores like Abenson, CameraHaus, Kodak Express, Wellcom Telecom Supermarket, E-Pipe, MemoXpress, CD-R King and Game Xtreme. It isn’t all just gadgets, though. If there are still some people you missed out on your Christmas shopping list, you can find gift items at National Bookstore, Clipper, Banana Peel and Nava. Take a break and get pampered at Skintrends and Validosa Salon or get a snack at Krispy Kreme and Serenitea before heading home.

Fun for everyone

Eastwood City Walk is the soul of Eastwood City’s nightlife, lined with bars like Agave Mexican Cantina, Bone & Barrel Bistro, Chop Stop, Gerry’s Grill, The Distillery, Publiko and Rue Bourbon, each offering a different partying experience, from loud, bass-heavy dance music to chill environments where friends can catch up over a few beers. If it turns out to be a really good night of partying, you just might end up immortalizing the experience at P&P Tattoo, where you can get work done by ink masters like Myke Sambajon, Ronian Poe, Jake Cuerpo, Pablo Tobias and Sarah Gaugler.

However, not all people associate the words “alcohol” and “dancing” with partying. Other peoples’ idea of parties include LAN (local area network) parties where they can unleash their inner geeks and stay up till morning playing video games. If this your idea of fun, you and your buddies can crash at Station 168. But if laughter and loud music isn’t really your style, go the other direction and throw a “spa-rty” (as in, a spa party) with your friends at Big Apple Express Spa or Spa’a, the country’s first authentic fish spa. When you’ve reached relaxation point, continue the pampering by getting groomed at Azta Urban Salon and The Brow Studio and pick up a few products at Etude House, Tony Moly and The Body Shop, so you can take the spa experience home.

Eastwood City Walk also offers family-friendly entertainment with Paeng’s Bowling Center, where you can bowl and play a round of billiards, along with the Cinemas, where you can spend quality time at the movies. Whatever your idea of fun happens to be, Eastwood City Walk has the perfect venue.

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For more information, call the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls concierge at 709-9888, 0917-8380111 or visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com. Like them on Facebook.com/EastwoodCity or follow them on Twitter @Eastwoodmall.