Since opening its doors in 1998, Festival Mall has become an iconic development in the south offering diverse shopping, dining, and leisure experiences. From local and foreign brands to family-focused amusement centers and choice restaurants to generous outdoor and indoor spaces, Festival Mall brings together a lifestyle of safety, comfort, and ease to its loyal customers.
“Festival Mall has achieved many milestones over the past 25 years, but what makes me very proud is the way it has become a cherished part of the community in the south of Metro Manila. Back in 1998, we dared to be ahead of our time by opening a regional mall that was not just about shopping, but about creating a place where families and the community could build dreams and memories together,” says President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun Yap.
President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun Yap
Earlier this week, Festival Mall celebrated with key people who have been integral to their growth. Josephine couldn’t help but reminisce on how they started, sharing in her speech on stage, “The one night that I could not sleep was when we were about to open the mall. We only had 30 stalls, mostly in the food court, and we had no anchor stores or supermarket, and Festival Mall is a big mall.”
From left to right: Mitch A. Dumlao, FSI first vice-president & retail business head; Amb. Joseph M. Yap, former ambassador of the Philippines to Singapore, chairman, FREIT Fund Managers Inc.; Hon. Jaime R. Fresnedi, congressman of City Government of Muntinlupa; Josephine Gotianun Yap, director, president and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation; Hon. Ruffy B. Biazon, mayor, City Government of Muntinlupa; Tristan Las Marias, president and CEO of Filinvest Land Inc.
Providing fun for all ages
“Working with a leading architectural firm, we designed Festival Mall to have not just one, but two large theme parks inside the mall. True to its name, we brought the fun and exciting elements of a carnival inside the mall. Today, it has become a hub where customers can conveniently shop and dine, and where businesses can prosper and people can bond with their loved ones. Knowing that we have played a role in creating this space for them is something we are incredibly proud of.”
Over the years, Festival Mall has evolved and expanded, keeping up with the changing needs and demands of its patrons. It is the fifth largest mall in the Philippines housing two indoor amusement centers for people of all ages: X-Site with exciting attractions for the whole family, such as Xtreme Coaster, Xyber Trax and Xplo Drive and the enchanting Pixie Forest with fun rides like Flying Dwarves, Elfin Waves, and Fairy’s Wheel. In-mall amusement rides such as the iconic Festival Grand Carousel, the whimsical train station-inspired Festival Grand Station, the indoor race track at Kiddo Driving School, plus eight cinemas, and over 800 local and international brands are reasons why families flock to Festival Mall.
Expanding non-stop
Festival Mall has two wings—East and West. The West Wing, also known as the main mall, opened its doors to the public last May 15, 1998. This is where you will find basic necessities, and the most popular local and global brands and specialty stores. There is also a variety of food concepts and the Carousel Court, a venue for live performances and entertainment.
The East Wing, commonly called the expansion wing, was designed to integrate an organic river and natural contour of the land through the Water Garden and the River Park that initially opened in 2014. It completes the mall’s offerings by providing retail brands that uplift your shopping and dining experience. These include places that promote an active lifestyle like WiiJUMP Trampoline Park, Surge Fitness, and the newly-opened amusement arcade Timezone, to name a few.
From beauty to wellness shops, global fashion brands, hardware and department stores, activities for children, and a dining destination that features culinary concepts from classic comfort food to international cuisine, Festival Mall is committed to uplifting its customers’ experiences—whether it be dining, shopping, everyday moments, or occasions when one wants to splurge.
Celebrating its rich history
Festival Mall also takes pride in the 99-year old Art Deco building that was restored and incorporated into the mall, and is now home to renowned Spanish restaurant, Las Flores. The near century-old space welcomes guests with timeless features that resonate with the rich history of the building and its design-driven architecture. Not to be missed is the replica statue of JosÈ Rizal's The Triumph of Science Over Death clay sculpture by Genaro Sy-Changco, located adjacent to the building.
Prioritizing sustainability and giving back
Located at the heart of Filinvest City, certified with a LEED Gold for Neighborhood Development, the mall actively promotes sustainability by implementing sustainable practices in its daily operations, such as using energy-efficient lighting, specialized segregation bins, water efficient solutions, recycling, and waste reduction to reduce its environmental impact.
The mall also installed a 2.8 MWp state-of-the-art solar panel on the rooftop that will supply about 28 percent of the mall’s peak demand and save close to 41,000 Tons of CO2, equivalent to removing 8,855 cars off the roads of Metro Manila annually.
Festival Mall has also been a long-time supporter of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), through hosting events and activities that will raise awareness for the foundation’s advocacy. Last April, the mall conducted a two-day immersion program with the kids of DSAPI where the kids got first-hand experience being part of mall operations such as security, housekeeping, and ride operators. This initiative highlighted the mall as a safe place while also fostering inclusivity. Photos taken during the immersion will be showcased in a mall exhibit that will run from May 26 to June 12, 2023.
Enhancing the shopping experience
What is next after this milestone celebration? New brands, fresh and innovative retail concepts that are both accessible and engaging, and continuing to invest in cutting-edge technologies that will enhance the shopping experience, making it more convenient and personalized.
"We would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our customers, merchants, suppliers, and employees who have journeyed with us through the years. It is humbling to think that when we first opened the mall, we only had 30 stores and no anchor supermarket. But thousands of visitors came on our first day, attracted by our amusement centers, cinemas, and food court. And now the mall has 800 tenants and eight leading anchor stores. We value our collaboration with major retailers, which has enabled us to bring together SaveMore, Ace Hardware, Robinson's Department Store, Handyman, Shopwise, H&M, Decathlon, and Landmark all under one roof. As we build on its strong foundations for the future, we see Festival Mall continuing to serve as a place where time stops for making memories with family and friends,” Josephine adds.
After 25 years, Festival Mall remains committed to its vision of a complete and balanced lifestyle mall with amenities and options for the whole family—a premier Lifemall in southern Metro Manila that provides the best experiences to all of its patrons, bringing a lifestyle of ease, convenience, and joy to everyday life.
To know more, visit: www.filinvestlifemalls.com