When my wife picked the area where we would build our house in the Philippines she didn’t let me know and wanted to suprise me. After visiting the area of Laguna we decided to settle in, it was a very good suprise. One of the best parts of that area are the malls around it. In particular, is the Pavilion Mall, which is located in Binan. This mall is actually a 5-10 minute delightful walk from our home in Laguna.

The Pavilion Mall, although not classified as a Super Mall, has the shops that are most important for visiting frequently. Also, it is a great place for one of my favorite pastimes which is people watching. Within the walls of the mall are stores such as CDRKing which I can’t pass without spending a few minutes even though my wife is trying to drag me away. Also there is a hardware store which I can’t recall the name of which is very well stocked with things I use around the house.

Of course, the ever important Western Union Money Transfer which can be a life saver for Americans living in the Philippines. Along with that there is a National Bookstore where I spend much of my time due to loving books and office supplies. Another important place is Mercury Drug Store, a friendly store where I had to do some buying on my last trip (bronchitis). There is also the BMP Magazine kiosk where I bought my daily paper every morning and the Time Zone arcade which gave me some quality time with my young niece. Top it off with the Ink for Less kiosk and Asianics Computer Store, very important places.

Now you’ve probably thought, he’s left off the most important part of the mall. No it’s not the beauty parlors of which there are some, Ricky Reyes comes to mind, it’s the food. Yes there are plenty of opportunities for getting food. How about Shakey’s Pizza or Pizza Hut Kiosk for starters. I have never been a fan of pizza in the Philippines as I was spoiled growing up in a city full of Italian people and eateries. I don’t like assembly line pizzas from anywhere. Greenwich pizza is also in the Pavilion so now I believe I’ve covered all the pizza.

My two favorite places to eat in the Philippines are well represented in the Pavilion Mall. There is a ChowKing and their delicious halo-halo and Jolibee and their french fries which are a daily staple of my niece Zyra’s diet. Top all that good eating off with the Goldilocks bakery and we would be about ready to make the walk home. But of course I have to stop at the Puregold Supermarket for some groceries and one those Zagu Shakes like halo-halo. So now you see why I am glad that my home in the Philippines is where it is.