The Seconds time around

If Gindaco isn't reason enough to go to Megamall more often, they're adding this:

Yup! This Korean fast-fashion brand which is one of my usual Seoul stops is going to be just a few minutes away. They're going to be on the 2nd floor of the Fashion Hall, where American Eagle used to stand.

After Top 10, now there's 8 Seconds!

And not a second too soon.

Monki see. Monki do. Monki gone.

So that's why the Monki store in Megamall looked emptier and emptier with every visit.

Yup, they're closing down.

Apparently, it's a corporate decision and they're shuttering all the Monki stores worldwide and integrating them with the "Weekend" brand.

Another brand bites the dust.

Bot first, coffee

Talk about automation taken to a new level.

Now, there's even a robot barista!

Found this kiosk at SM Megamall, and saw people ordering out of curiosity.

Can a robot make coffee as good as a person can? We have to try it out first, though.

Also Ran

Went to SM Megamall for  a quick errand for Mom,. 

Upon entering, there was a huge crowd gathered at the atrium of Fashion Hall. There was a large crowd gathered there, all excited and all screaming for something.

Checked it out, and this was the reason why:

Ran Takahashi, the famous Japanese volleyball player, was there for a meet-and-greet!

Aside from being a great player, people remember Ran because of his emotional moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It showed how athletes are human, too.

But upon seeing him all smiles at the huge crowd cheering for him here in the Philippines, it looked like there's a different - and more positive emotion - he's feeling now.

Delicious in degrees

Two things that remind of of Taiwan: Boba Tea & Scallion Pancakes.

Now, these two things are just within arms reach!

I've been seeing Nineteen Degrees in SM Megamall for more than a year now, but never got around to trying their stuff. Today, I did! And I'm super glad to have finally tried them.

This combo of Orange Tea and Floss Scallion Pancakes brought me back to Taiwan.

This is awesome to an unimaginable degree.

You know the espadrille

Having family in Spain made us aware of espadrilles at a very young age.

Whenever my Tita and cousins would visit Manila, we'd often see them wearing these fabric shoes with jute soles. Each one wore different styles of these shoes - some were mules, some were sandals, some were flat, some were heeled.

Aside from wearing them, they'd bring us some pairs as pasalubong. But we always had a hard time wearing them. It felt too casual to wear for going out, but it was too nice to treat it like slippers at home. So, we'd often wear them at the beach.

Whenever we'd go to BCN, one store we'd always visit it a local espadrille chain called Toni Pons.

It's been making espadrilles for more than a century, and is one of the more popular Spanish espadrille maker, along with Castaner.

Because the Philippines is heavily influenced by Spain, it's no surprise that Toni Pons will find itself here in Manila. Last month, they opened their first store in SM Megamall.

Maybe it's time for me to look for those pairs of espadrilles that I've hidden for the past years.

Looks like espadrilles will be back in style soon.

Pining for Peppermint

Speaking of cupcakes, whatever happened to Peppermint Patty by Cupcakes by Sonja’s?

This is my all-time fave from this shop. Unfortunately, their Megamall kiosk doesn’t carry it anymore.

Gotta find it and get my Peppermint fix soon.

M People

No, this post isn’t about the band.

Admittedly. Though, i’m A fan of that group and still play “Moving on up” on repeat.

So, what’s this “M”?

It’s the fact that Magnolia Bakery has finally opened near the office! They now have a stall in Megamall.

Of course, I had to drop by and get some banana pudding for dessert.

M so happy!

Haan Solo

"Cole Haan" should be an easy brand to spell, right?

Apparently not.

Yup, this is a real board-up in SM Megamall. Maybe they thought this brand is an extension of Mann Hann.

Proofreader please.

Sale Away

It's been 4 years since I've been to a Bath and Body Works Sale in person. The last time was in FLA and GA, both at outlets and mall stores.

Since then, all of my Bath and Body Works Sale loot were gathered and bought online. (Thanks Bibs and Ate Lissa!)

But that all changed yesterday.

Bath and Body Works is having their Semi-Annual Sale in their Megamall branch!

After seeing all the scents and products on sale, this is what I  have to say:

Shop, shop and away!

You better Works!

After much anticipation and a long time waiting, we finally have an official Bath and Body Works store in the Philippines!

Yes! Their first mall store in SM Megamall is finally open!

Work, Bath and Body Works, Work!

"A" big mistake

It's amazing how a single letter can turn an otherwise good sentence into an erroneous one.

Exhibit A. Literally.

See how a misplaced "A" made a difference? It ruined this perfectly designed poster at SM Megamall.

Proofreader, please!

Make it Works!

Do my eyes deceive me?

Is my all-time favorite store finally opening in mainstream MNL?

Apparently, it is:

Bath and Body Works is finally making it here! It’s going to open in SM Megamall!

Now, I don’t have to go to the US, SG and ID to get my scent fix.

Eggzoited!

FMM: Going Loco

I’ve said this before, i’ll say it again: “Sometimes, the best plan is to have no plan at all.”

The past 2 years, there were plans to personally meet-up with some of the Melrose folks, but while most of them have been able to see each other, I'd always be busy or absent. Thus, I haven't seen them since January 2020!

Today, while doing a quick mall run at SM Megamall to buy a gift for Baby Kai, lo and behold, Fiesta and LG were also there!

And because the 3 of us were there already, we naturally went to eat at the place we were talking about last week during Patis' birthday.

El Pollo Loco!

In honour of this fun and unexpected meeting at El Pollo Loco, today's Friday Magic Madness is a 1987 classic - and the first major international hit of Kylie Minogue:

Yes, let's do the Loco-motion since we're in El Pollo Loco!

Here's the the next - and planned - meet up.

Mystery, revealed!

After more than a year of wondering about the mystery statue in SM Megamall, I finally saw the actual and uncovered art piece!

And no, it wasn't Henry Sy Sr.! It's a sculpture by Filipino-American artist JEFRE, and is entitled "Time."

Can't wait to drop by SM Megamall and see this up close. While I've read about the sculpture online, it would be good to find out more about the concept and story behind this revelation.

Mega Man of Mystery

When we passed by SM Megamall yesterday afternoon, this immediately caught my eye.

It's a gigantic statue of a mystery man. He's all wrapped up in secrecy, which made me more curious who this person is.

My guess is that it's Henry Sy, Sr.

We'll have to wait for the unveiling before the mystery is revealed.

Hey, hey, we’re the Monkis!

The good news: Monki has finally opened its first Philippine store in SM Megamall! 

Before, I had to fly to HKG to get my Monki fix. But now, it's just a stone's throw away from where I live, and much closer to where I work.

The not-so-good news: we're still not going to the malls.

Well, at least I know that Monki will just be there when we need it.

Missing Mega

It's more than 5 months since I last stepped into the hallowed halls of SM Megamall.

And given this current situation, I'm not entirely sure when we'll be able to comfortably and confidently step into these halls again.

Soon. Hopefully soon.

So near, yet so far part 2

With the MECQ now up, SM Megamall is now open.

SM Megamall is now open, so H&M Megamall is now open, too!

They posted this photo, and I just can't help but want to go there and get that Johanna Ortiz x H&M dress on the window. The rightmost one!

Methinks this is the nearest H&M that's open now. Gateway and UP Town Center is still closed, upon checking.

Despite that, I don't think I'm going there anytime soon. Far from it, actually.

Monki business in Manila!

They might be a little Johnny-come-lately, but I guess better-late-than-never.

Monki - the young and more frivolous brand in the H&M family - is finally coming to Manila! As evidenced by their board-up in SM Megamall.

Their designs are quite loud, so I'm not sure how the local market will react to this brand.

We shall see.