Saturday, April 30, 2022
Forum Robinsons mall to close shop
MANDALUYONG City-based commercial shopping mall Forum Robinsons is set to close permanently on Sunday, after 18 years.
Earlier this month, an announcement was made on the mall's Facebook page that the mall will close in May "to make way for a new and exciting development." Formerly called Robinsons Place Pioneer, the mall, located along EDSA and Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City, opened on Nov. 17, 2004, and according to its information on the Robinsons Malls website, is focused on technology products.
"It was repositioned as a cyber lifestyle mall to better serve the needs of the tech generation, a large concentration of whom resides and works in the Cybergate community and neighboring cities," the mall's description wrote on the Robinsons Malls website.
"Forum Robinsons highlights information technology product categories such as computers, cellphones and other mobile/wireless gadgets, digital cameras, and audio-video and computer gaming equipment. Complementing this mix are four anchor stores, four state-of-the-art cinemas including one 3D cinema, and a host of satisfying shopping, dining, amusement and service outlets," it continued.
Though it was home to technology stores and other anchor stores, among its longest tenants was Victory, a Christian church with multiple locations nationwide. Its Pioneer branch was located on the mall's third floor from December 2007 to Feb. 15, 2020, and held worship services on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. That congregation now meets in two locations, in Estancia at Capitol Commons in Pasig City (across Kapitolyo) and at the Aster Building in Mandala Park along Shaw Boulevard.
The church's former main hall was converted to a Covid-19 vaccination facility for Mandaluyong City residents.
It had also housed a business process outsourcing recruitment office, a video game arcade, and a "Food Loft" that was later converted to a "workplace station." The mall was initially supposed to close in the middle of 2020 but was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Before its closure, the mall's department store is holding an "all-out clearance sale" with select items being sold up to 80-percent off their price.
On its Facebook page, Forum Robinsons has asked netizens to post photos of the memories in the mall and will be included in a special video presentation on Saturday, the mall's last day of operations.
Forum Robinsons is set to be replaced by an "upscale shopping mall" and a mixed-use development facility with four office towers.
Friday, April 29, 2022
Thursday, April 28, 2022
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Cops say 80K crowd in Pasay rally; Robredo camp sticks to 400K
By Marita Moaje
The police have downgraded the crowd estimate at Vice President Leni Robredo’s campaign rally in Pasay City on Saturday but the camp of the presidential contender is sticking to its data.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday said about 70,000 to 80,000 attended the “generally peaceful” event along Macapagal Boulevard.
In a text message sent to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday, lawyer Barry Gutierrez, the spokesperson of Robredo, said they stand by their estimate of 412,000 attendees.
“Macapagal is five kilometers long and 32 meters wide and was packed with volunteers and supporters. Anyone can use online tools to verify the crowd estimate and we are confident our numbers will be sustained,” Gutierrez said.
The rally lasted until 11 p.m. and covered the stretch from the corner of Gil Puyat Avenue to Edsa Extension.
The NCRPO noted that “a great number of rallyists did not stay for the whole duration of the event but left after a while”.
The VP Leni Robredo Facebook page on Sunday posted its appreciation to supporters.
“Ibang klaseng pagmamahal at pakiisa ang nakita natin sa 400,000+ strong na crowd kahapon! Nakakataba ng puso ang inyong pagtindig para sa ating mga ipinaglalaban. Dalawang linggo na lang, kaya ipakita na natin ang tunay na lakas ng nagkakaisang sambayanan. Tara, ipanalo na natin ito para sa lahat (We saw an unbelievable kind of love and solidarity in the 400,000+ strong crowd yesterday [Saturday]! It was heartwarming to stand up for what we are fighting for. There are only two weeks left, so let's show the true strength of a united people. Let's win this for everyone),” the post read.
Monday, April 25, 2022
Isko to continue PRRD's 'Build, Build, Build' program
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso will continue the massive infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, “Build, Build, Build.”
In a campaign sortie in Cebu on Monday, Domagoso said if he wins the presidency, his administration will address poverty, hunger, unemployment, inequality, and social injustice through an inclusive and equitable infrastructure development program as spelled out under his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.
To achieve this, Domagoso said he would continue the "Build, Build, Build" program, with a focus on building more public housing, schools, and hospitals across the country to create jobs.
To further alleviate the plight of the masses and protect industries, Domagoso said he would work closely with Congress to reduce the taxes on two of the most basic commodities – petroleum and electricity.
He also vowed to revive and support the MSME sector through various government interventions, as well as promote a culture of sustainable tourism by developing tourism highways and tourism circuits among others.
Domagoso and his party were warmly received by Carles town Mayor Siegfried Betita and Vice Mayor Arnold Betita at the municipal hall.
After the courtesy call, he and his slate proceeded to the town hall meeting attended by at least 5,000 residents where he spoke of his “Life and Livelihood” program.
Meanwhile, Domagoso failed to attend the “Grand Iskoncert-Rally'' in Carcar, Cebu on Sunday evening but his actor-son Joaquin Domagoso and Mocha Uson of the Mothers for Change (MoCha) party list were present at the event.
“There was no talent fee. Volunteerism lahat ang nag-perform (All performers all acted on volunteerism),” event organizer Winley de la Fuente said. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
BIZ BUZZ: SM’s growing Manila footprint
After bagging the right to redevelop the Harrison Plaza property in Manila, property giant SM Prime Holdings has continued to expand its footprint in the capital city with the acquisition of a smaller but strategically located property just beside the shopping mall complex.
We’re talking about the commercial strip right beside Harrison Plaza across the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and beside Century Park Hotel. Our industry sources said the acquisition happened sometime during this COVID-19 pandemic and a spokesperson from SM confirmed the transaction, without providing additional details.
This property is much smaller than the 75,000-square-meter lot area of Harrison Plaza itself—may be less than a third—but it can complement the latter’s entire redevelopment project, earlier estimated at P40 billion.
SM Prime plans to transform the Harrison Plaza area into a mixed-use development “comprising several residential towers and a world-class mall, similar to the Podium.”
The city government of Manila had brought in SM Prime—a long-time anchor tenant since the Harrison Plaza complex was inaugurated in 1976—as its new partner in the redevelopment of the complex.
SM Prime replaced the long-time concessionaire, the Martel family, as the city government seeks to unlock greater value from this prime area.
Sunday, April 24, 2022
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Friday, April 22, 2022
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Forum Robinsons Is Closing Down After 18 Years; Here's What They're Building in Its Place
The mall's last day of operations is on April 30.
(SPOT.ph) It was announced in early April that Mandaluyong mall Forum Robinsons would be closing down starting May 1 after nearly two decades of operation. Originally called Robinsons Place Pioneer, the mall opened in 2004 as part of the Cybergate Complex, which was initially built to be a cyber hub in the Metro. The mall's name was changed to Forum Robinsons in 2010 and its last day of operations is on April 30. However, while the landmark structure on the corner of EDSA and Pioneer Street will be demolished, the area isn't going to stay empty. Upon announcing the mall's closure, Forum Robinsons noted that they would be making way for "a new and exciting development." According to a statement from Robinsons Land Corporation, "a new lifestyle mall" from the real-estate developer will soon take Forum Robinsons' place.
What to Expect From the New Development Being Built-in Forum Robinsons' Place
Accoring to Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), the Forum Robinsons property will be tranformed into a "mixed-use development," which will include four office towers and "an upscale shopping mall." The soon-to-be-constructed mall will consist of seven levels with new dining and retail concepts, improved cinemas, and even expansive outdoor amenities. The addition of an outdoor space comes as no surprise—Forum Robinsons previously had no outdoor spaces in its vicinity, but the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for al-fresco spaces across Metro Manila. According to Robinsons Malls Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager Arlene G. Magtibay, RLC has "tapped consultants that are among the best in the field and are collaborating with them to make sure the new mall will raise the bar in providing a delightful malling experience."
A new food hall will also be built in the premises and it's expected to be operational by September. Magtibay also shares that "there will also be a food bazaar and food trucks that will provide varied dining options" to customers, passersby, and office workers in the area while the new development is being built. In their statement, RLC also noted that during the demolition and construction of the new development in the coming months, the transport terminal in the area will still be operational.
Forum Robinsons is at EDSA corner Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Monday, April 18, 2022
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Saturday, April 16, 2022
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Wednesday, April 13, 2022
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Sunday, April 10, 2022
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Thursday, April 7, 2022
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Monday, April 4, 2022
First batch of Japan-funded NSCR rolling stocks unveiled
Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko on March 18 joined Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade at the unveiling ceremony for the first batch of rolling stocks for the ongoing Japan-funded North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project.
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| The train sets utilize state-of-the art Japanese railway technology that uses energyefficient and reliable trains. |
Financed by the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the first batch of rolling stocks for the 38-km railway is part of the 104 brand-new rolling stocks provided by Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) for NSCR Malolos-Tutuban segment. These train sets utilize state-of-the-art Japanese railway technology that uses energy-efficient and reliable trains.
Ambassador Koshikawa said that "[The] unveiling of this NSCR rolling stock is one of the banner achievements of our railway cooperation and our joint railway projects are seen to drive economic revitalization after the pandemic. By easing traffic congestion and providing efficient transportation, the NSCR will help lead to an improved business environment."
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| Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko (left) and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (center) |
The Ambassador also assured us that "we commit our continuous support for the successful completion of the NSCR and all the other railway projects."
The NSCR is one of the key infrastructure projects supported by Japan under the Philippine government's "Build, Build, Build" program. The NSCR is expected to serve around 300,000 passengers and reduce travel time from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila from the current 90 minutes to only 35 minutes.