A tale of two moms

MANILA, Philippines - “Back in the day, me and my cousins used to go here a lot to watch Tagalog movies; it was kind of our thing. Now, I go here with my husband and kids to eat or catch the latest blockbuster,” Vernice Songco, mother of two, fondly reminisced as she scanned every inch space of Alabang Town Center’s Cortes de las Palmas — teeming with cozy shops that could cater to both needs and whims. In between sips of fresh lemon juice and sweet recollections, she gushed about how homey and relaxed the place is — like how it has always been for the past years.

 Across the wide covered space was another mom who was also having a delightful flashback moment while enjoying the enticing aroma brewing inside the coffee shop. “Much has changed, we have more options now, but it still feels like home,” she said with much glee.

 Her name’s Elaine Andaya, a devoted mom and certified “Southerner” like Vernice.  Both Alabang moms are patrons of the mall, like most people from the area. Both women had nothing but wonderful things to say about the mall that had practically seen them grow and experience a lot of life’s milestones. From teenage girls who giddily met up with their dates at Town Plaza to becoming hands-on mommies who sift through store after store in search of the cutest kiddie outfits and sturdiest school supplies, the mall has always been there for both ladies. Much like a supportive BFF or that charming tita who always seems to have whatever we’re looking for.

 For Vernice and Elaine — and for a great number of moms in the South — Alabang Town Center is not just a shopping mall, it’s an extension of their homes.

 “I love that we can go here totally not made up. If I’m stressed, I just go here and shop in my plain shirt and comfy shorts,” Elaine gladly shared.

 Alabang Town Center may have come a long way from being just a cinema place with a few restaurants housed inside a single complex, but its laidback vibe remains unchanged.

 “The place has gotten more modern and we have so many choices now, for both dining and shopping, but it doesn’t feel unfamiliar. That’s what we all love,” Vernice pointed out.

 Aside from its relaxed atmosphere, both moms appreciate how Alabang Town Center religiously organize events, like free concerts,  interschool competitions and Zumbadance classes, that not just entertain and promote health, but continue to foster a sense of community that is so important in a tight-knit area such as Alabang.

 Elaine and Vernice have witnessed how Alabang Town Center has gone through several transformations, much like how the mall watched them grow up. And as the mall continues to evolve, it will look less and less like the little cinema place they both snuck into as high school girls. But don’t we all keep coming back to places that always feel like home?