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twatkcox · 6 years ago

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[The Keihancarl Diaries: June 22, 2019]

Keihancarl here, on a trip down south. Hope everything goes well for this one, despite the possibility of a thunderstorm.

As promised, it's gonna be the same outfit as last time. And I'm off!

I left the house around 9:45 AM, just the usual. I was greeted by moderate to heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue, but I somehow find it tolerable at the moment. After all, there's no point in getting agitated over heavy traffic and other inconveniences along the way.

Reaching Antipolo St., I crossed the newly-built footbridge to PNR España Station. I immediately bought a ticket and head to the platform.

It will take a while before the next train arrives, so I decided to relax for a bit.

The restroom still has the three thrones (toilet bowls), but two of them are covered.

While PNR had some improvements (like the digital clock in every PNR station), the PNR trains definitely need better air conditioning. It is incredibly stuffy inside, especially when it’s crowded.

Anyway, travel time is noticeably faster than last time, as the train speeds up in certain parts of the rail line (particularly in Bicutan and Sucat areas). There's also a ticket inspector on board, asking commuters to present their tickets. I arrived at PNR Alabang exactly an hour later.

I got inside Starmall Alabang through the All Day Supermarket entrance. The supermarket's interiors are awesome.

Anyway, I only check a couple of shops in the mall.

This one is just like any other fast fashion shops, offering various items ranging from socks and accessories to beauty products and perfumes.

Of course, I always check for red socks, though this one I've found there is either maroon or red-violet in color.

Well, it is a pair of men's socks, judging from the design.

On my way out of the mall, a couple of sales agents approached me. Just the usual stuff, they'll probably try to sell you a card or anything. I just keep shrugging them off as I made my way inside Mumuso, and later, outside the mall.

I decided to head to my next stop, Ayala Malls Southpark Alabang. It's actually a short walk from Starmall Alabang, not even a kilometer away.

My last visit there nearly two years ago proved to be chaotic, as I made a stupid decision of riding a jeep, thinking that it will pass by National Road (where the mall is located), but the jeep took South Luzon Expressway instead and I ended up at Susana Heights, which is a couple of kilometers from these malls. Of course, I did waste more than an hour getting there and getting stuck in traffic on a rainy weekend afternoon.

I reached the mall within five minutes and checked a couple of shops there. I also decided to freshen up first, since I've been on a bumpy hot ride inside the train. While there, I saw a reminder asking the mallgoers not to drink the water coming out of the faucet.

Of course, the water isn't potable, hence the reminder.

I checked the Food Choices area, and I saw Mr. Ninja's branch there (the sign just said Ninja), combined with Flaming Franks (the sign only shows Flaming). The former used to have a branch in Robinsons Novaliches, but it is now closed.

I decided to have lunch at Andok's, a rice bowl meal of chicken pops and gravy. The food server asked if I want a bowl of soup and he did bring a small bowl of sinigang broth.

After that, I checked the rest of the mall... but not after bumping right into the glass window instead of the glass door. I was a little disoriented at that time, and it was an accident. Good thing nothing happened to me, my glasses, or the glass window. One of the service crew kindly showed me the way to the door.

Moving on, I just noticed that a few shops, including Robinsons Department Store, are closed. I read all about the store closures first in the forums. In the former department store area, there's a tarp that says "Discover Something New" and the hashtag #SParkDiscoveries. Maybe some new shops, maybe a concept similar to Japan Town or K-Town that are both located in Ayala Malls Vertis North. Who knows?

There were government services inside the mall (fourth level), including the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Local Civil Registry Office. There's also Yexel's Toy House (at the third level) as well. I then uploaded the pics to my newly-made alternate Instagram account.

Getting out of the mall, the sky looked a little dim, but there's no possibility of rainfall. I can even see the Alabang Viaduct from right outside the mall.

Anyway, I took a jeep to South Station and crossed the footbridge to Festival Alabang. Instead of heading to the mall's entrance, I turn left towards the River Park and Water Garden areas. I sit down and relax for a while before heading inside the mall area.

I then checked the garden area, which is still closed to mall goers. Looks like there are two art installations that look quite similar to the Eiffel Tower. A new attraction, perhaps?

Inside, I checked a few shops, including Comic Alley. For a while, I've been thinking of replacing my Attack on Titan cap, but I'll probably hold off for now.

Anyway, I also checked the glass floors near Landmark Alabang. Some people are scared to walk on these floors, but there are others who bravely did. Anyway, the creek below makes it scarier to walk on these see-through floors.

And on to my next destination, Alabang Town Center. Traffic is light in that part of Alabang-Zapote road.

Reaching the mall, I only checked the Fully Booked branch there.

There was a performance in the garden area.

I then uploaded more pictures to my Instagram accounts. Anyway, there's one more place to go: SM Southmall.

I was greeted by heavy traffic at the boundary of Muntinlupa and Las Piñas, which is kind of typical, I guess.

Reaching SM Southmall, I only checked a few shops and had a budget meal at the supermarket area.

And it's time to head home. And guess what, it actually rained on some parts of Alabang-Zapote road, but not outside the mall area... yet. When I got outside, there’s just a flash of lightning. Oh, and just a sec, maybe I can drop by SM Mall Of Asia to buy something first as the UV Express I’ve just ridden will only take me to the MOA Complex instead of Lawton in Manila. I got off at the overpass in front of the mall.

Looks like the mall is really undergoing a beautiful transformation as the mall’s renovation is still ongoing. I didn’t take any pictures as my phone’s battery is running out.

From there, I just take the UV Express to SM Fairview, passing by J.W. Diokno Boulevard, the CCP Complex, Taft Avenue, España Boulevard, and Quezon Avenue. Never mind the traffic, I had such a wonderful time that I don't really need to mind the traffic situation along my path for once.

I got home at exactly 11:10 PM, which is kind of late. That means I’ve spent 13 hours and 25 minutes during the entire trip.

Everything went well, save for the traffic along Alabang-Zapote Road. And despite that embarrassing moment I had while heading out of Andok's Southpark branch, it is quite a great trip. And where’s the thunderstorm? As mentioned, I saw a flash of lightning outside while waiting for the UV Express near SM Southmall area, but it rained elsewhere.

I'll definitely look forward to Ortigas-Greenhills for the next trip. And by the way, there's something I wanted to announce. I'll save that for the next TWATK-Tumblr post.

Most of the pics are from my official Instagram account @kcox_105, and the selfie pics are from my private Instagram account @kcox105. The screenshot featuring Alabang and South Park areas (both in Muntinlupa City) are provided by yours truly, Keihancarl, courtesy of Google Maps.

#mall-hopping #going places #Alabang #Las Piñas #red and black #PNR #Mall Of Asia Complex

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