For those who love to build things through their imagination, a Lego brick set has always been a perfect tool. It allows its wielders to create as they please, making countless contraptions and environments to their hearts’ content. With every unique piece, anything is possible. This time around, the beloved brick toy has broken new ground as Ayala Manila Bay opens up a Lego-certified store in partnership with the Lego Group and Ban Kee Trading Inc. 

On opening day, children dressed in Filipiniana-themed outfits lined up for a special Lego passport that would allow them to collect stamps from the various Lego stores they could visit. Many of the children found themselves flocking toward the mini building area, where they could build what they could with the available pieces, making their own towers, characters, and whatever their imagination could conjure up. There were also fun giveaways and contests throughout the opening ceremony to keep everyone hyped up.

As the doors opened, guests were greeted by a giant 3-D model of Mamang Sorbetero and his Philippine ice cream cart. A mural of notable Filipino landmarks like Mt. Mayon, the Lion Head of Baguio, and cultural symbols such as the Philippine Eagle and the barong Tagalog hung on the wall. Each of the shelves also had sets perfect for all folks, young and old, to get creative and build as they please, featuring environments and characters from popular franchises like Fortnite, Minecraft, Star Wars, and so on. 

“We wanted to incorporate what makes our Filipino culture unique into the in-store experience. Filipinos value strong family bonds and a sense of community, so we’ve infused these elements into the store experience and created an environment that feels welcoming and familiar to the Filipino LEGO fans,” said Justin Bautista, sales and marketing manager at Ban Kee Trading Inc. “Ultimately, we want our guests to build not just bricks, but also memories that reflect on our identity.”