Robinsons Malls has strengthened its presence in the Visayas region with the opening of Robinsons Place Ormoc, a three-level, full-service mall in Ormoc City.
It offers a variety of national and global brands along with the chains of Daiso Japan, Handyman, Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Supermarket.
Its products and services extend to health and beauty, gadgets, banking, courier and government-related processes and requirements with its Robinsons Malls Lingkod Pinoy Center.
Along Almeda Highway and Roxas Avenue in Naga City, the three-level mall offers 31,000 sqm of gross leasable area, 81 per cent of which is already occupied.
Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo will open by next year, taking up most of the remaining space.
RLC president Frederick Go attended the mall’s launch, along with Wildflower stars Maja Salvador, Joseph Marco and RK Bagatsing as special guests.
It is RLC’s 46th mall in the Philippines, and the company’s 28th branch in Luzon. It is part of a mixed-use development that also includes a business-process outsourcing office and two hotels.
“That means a lot of jobs for all the Bicolanos and the people of Naga City,” Go told guests at the opening.
Offering 120 rooms altogether, the two Robinsons hotels – the upscale Summit and budget Go Hotel – are targeted to open within 12 months.
Similar to its properties in other provinces, RLC incorporates local elements into the mall to complement international brands and its key stores, Handyman, Robinsons Appliance, Robinsons Department Store and Robinsons Supermarket.
Its ceiling features a leaf-shaped motif reminiscent of gabi (taro) leaves, a popular ingredient in Bicolano cooking. There is also the “Tree of Life,” a 15m fiberglass structure by Jefre Manuel also inspired by gabi leaves.
On the third floor are Naga-themed murals by Anina Rubio, known for her artworks in last year’s independent movie Sakaling Hindi Makarating.
Bicol restaurants have outlets in the mall, including Bigg’s Diner, Bob Marlin, Crown Park, First Colonial, Molino Grill, Triboo Grill and Tugawe Cove. Local treat pasalubong is available at Baker’s Plaza, Caramel and J. Emmanuel, each offering pili snacks.