Social hub in Las Piñas

More than a year ago, this vast expanse on Daang Hari in Las Piñas was a huge stretch of barren land. Today, it is fast evolving into a very active social hub for residents of the gated villages around it and motorists from the neighboring Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. Credit must be given to the developers for having the foresight to provide the communities with most of the things they need in their daily life.

The first structure that emerged was a small mall with a chain supermarket as as anchor store. While a little bit more pricey than their counterparts, we thought probably that the owners thought we should pay for convenience offered. One only needs to wait for buy one-take one promos to save a few pesos. Inside there is the small Reyes Barbecue corner where we passed relaxing moments with our barkada. There is the sitsirya counter that sells chicharon, including the microwaveable variant. By the exit door on the left is Bread Talk where we get our apo B’s favorite cheese roll.

To the left as one makes an exit are chain restaurants, one of which is a favorite for a time when distance was not an issue. We have not visited it in a long time. Racks has not faltered in they their commitment to quality. They have been known for their fall-off-the bones barbecue. On this, they have not changed. Each plate that comes with meat glazed with specially well-blended original sauce is a winner. Extra hot, these BBQs will challenge one’s endurance to spicy food. We stick to the regular. Check their menu, they offer Racks beef ribs and Angus au jus and US rib eye.

On the coffee side, there is Starbucks, which needs very badly to train their staff on attending to senior card holders. On two occasions the lady attendant had a smirk on her face when given the cards. It took the cashier a loong time to work out the bill. We have transferred to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, where the salmon sandwich is soft and tasty. Service is accommodating too.

There are more facilities in the basement. Mercury Drug is there where the staff graciously receive phone orders for collection during the day. There is Ace Hardware to meet household needs, from nails to electric generators. There are BPI and BDO ATM dispensers. But the former is often off. There is a neat and beautiful customer lounge.

Soon a new and bigger mall will open. Today only Shoe Source is there. When fully operational, do the developers have contingency plans for the dreaded horrendous traffic situation? We hope so.

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