Faces of Davao 01 - Abreeza Ayala Mall

I've written several posts about Davao City here which should reflect our fondness of this immense southern Philippine city. Davao City is vast, and it has everything: it's a tasteful admixture of riches. It has malls for the cosmopolitan soul; it has beaches and islands, it has hills and mountains, it has cheap food and the seafood variety is to die for. It is teeming with the most exotic fruits: Durian, Mangosteen, Marang, Rambutan, Dragon Fruit, Lanzones, Pomelo; name it, it's in Davao.

But it's also a bustling activity of construction, and traffic is starting to echo that of metropolitan Manila. That isn't good news. Despite being in the throes of frenetic development, Davao maintains its laidback demeanor. People are nicer, with some exceptions, of course. Development, after all, has its drawback, including a percentage of the jaded population - like the people manning the front desk of Roadway Inn who find it painful to smile to their guests; or the police man who chuckles when he is asked about a street - and you wonder what was funny! There are nincompoops wherever you go, and Davao is no exception.

Despite all that, Davao offers a bigger slice of joy where tourists are concerned. In the following posts, we shall feature "Everyday Davao" taken during a recent, albeit very short two-day visit.

In this post, we have the cosmopolitan Abreeza Ayala Mall which is the brainchild of the Ayalas of Manila and the Florendos of Davao. It is the first Ayala Mall in the city, probably the first in Mindanao. Though its present structure is relatively smaller than that of Manila's, this classy mall is a work in progress and constructions are continuously being undertaken at the back of the compound.

Within this mall is a Robinson's Department Store too. The cinema halls at the 3rd level are relatively smaller compared to their SM Mall counterparts, but the seats are state-of-the-art - comfortable and classy! My favorite part is the Food Court because of the shell-styled canopy. It reminds me of SM Baguio City. Though the gastronomic expanse has a limited number of food stalls, the whole dining area ushers to a wide open space, providing an amazing view of the cityscape, including the mountains from yonder. If the food stalls don't quite satisfy your taste, there are individual restaurants spread around the mall; fast food franchises, buffet, specialty cuisine. Abreeza is just one of Davao's coterie of malls. There are several Gaisano Malls, two SM Mall, NCCC, Felcris, etc. Then there is Aldevinco. The city is a shopper's paradise.

Abreeza Ayala Mall - aka Abreeza Ayala Business Park - is located along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Bajada District.

This is the Eye in the Sky!














Dragon fruits are on display outside this Ranchero restaurant.


A mini-garden leading to the food court.


Awesome view from the food court.





Tables and seats at the food court.


Construction on going at the back of the mall.








Cinema Complex has 4 movie halls


Children could get their "rides" at the ground floor.