The Unlawyer

The TriNoma mall, located at the corner of Epifanio de Los Santos, North, and Mindanao Avenues in Quezon City, opened its doors to the public in what was billed as a soft opening by Ayala Malls officials last Wednesday, and almost immediately, bloggers filled the blogosphere with their words and pictures – and videos too – about their experiences in this, the latest member of Ayala Malls’ stable of shopping centers.

A Technorati search for the tag “Trinoma” and “Trinoma mall” show 603 and 75 results, respectively. A Google blogsearch for the same terms reveal 584 and 62 results. Not bad for a mall that just opened for business a scant five days ago. These figures will certainly grow as more visitors – and bloggers – trek to this shopping center.

I might as well add that there are bloggers and forum denizens who now operate – or will operate – shops inside Trinoma. Maita of Child of the Waters blogged about the opening of her Maxine store, while Charlie of the PhilMUG forums will be opening their Crumpler store in July.

What is it that fascinates Filipinos to malls? Since we spend so much time in them, I suppose it’s a natural item of conversation, and what better way to start one than to say you have just visited Metro Manila’s latest shopping mecca?

The Trinoma experience online is hardly unique. Many bloggers have also commented on another Ayala Land commercial center, the Piazza Serendra and the Bonifacio High Street complexes at the former Fort Bonifacio military reservation, with 2,242 and 625 Technorati search results, respectively.

I believe the first Philippine shopping mall to receive extended blogger attention was the SM Mall of Asia, which was opened to the public one year ago today, with 2,784 Technorati search results. A similar blogserch on Google revealed 4,825 search results.

I don’t know if my landlords at Ayala Land and SM Prime Holdings have noticed this trend, but I think it’s one that they should pay attention to and encourage.