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Tutuban for the true ‘frugalistas’

FINAL CUT

Edsel-Thadeus O. Lorete

02/27/2009

It was 21 years this February when Tutuban Mall underwent conversion into one of the biggest shopping destinations in old Manila.

The old Tutuban train station, as it was originally known by Escolta folks and which remains a common tourist attraction, was destroyed during sporadic bombings at the height of the second World War. The station was rebuilt after the war, through friendly efforts between American and Filipino allies, into a functional transportation system that became the Philippine National Railways (PNR). Years of usage and costly maintenance problems eventually took their toll, halting some of the PNR’s national services.

“Despite that, Tutuban remains an important historic site for Filipinos though many regard Tutuban, among other popular destinations inside Divisoria, as a premiere shopping choice for budget-conscious consumers,” said Ding Espiritu, head of Tutuban’s day-today operations.

Aside from the weekly entertainment, food and clothing choices, the U-shaped mall ensures that a wide variety of local and imported (China, Thailand and Korea) bargain products are always available. Tutuban’s midnight street market remains popular among late shoppers.

“The original objective was to construct Tutuban into a shopping complex without distorting its historic relevance. The same goes with the affordable products we sell,” said Espiritu.

The re-development of Tutuban, which was met by public objections fearing the construction might destroy a national heritage, helped change Divisoria’s crowded tiangge market image into a modern weekend getaway for Manileños.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, it took a full day to get one’s shopping list done across Tutuban. Divisoria was crowded. It was a tiring and unpleasant task looking for a great bargain.

Tutuban’s modern retail and wholesale business approach changed everything. Showcasing every product the mall has been proudly selling for decades, for its 21st founding celebration Tutuban held a fashion show complete with high-end models.

The featured designs, in fairness to Tutuban’s growing tenant participation, were sensibly chic and simmering in summer style. It started with a late fashion runway highlighting Tutuban’s ready-to-wear teen clothing line. Sporting nearly a mounting blend of hand, machine and digitally printed designs, the show’s casual picks later advanced to a more sophisticated selection. Its fashion vision was defined, perhaps more exquisite and daring than what Divisoria’s shoppers expected.

The looks presented, giving credit to Tutuban’s in-house fashion team’s creative input, richly reflected modern European and American fashions.

“This is Tutuban’s way of suggesting to the public that the mall is modern. We are as competitive as other high-end shopping malls. Our designs have been crafted to redefine the needs of the times,” Espiritu said.

The last two segments of the show, which came on as a huge surprise, featured a series of elegant evening gowns and fancy cocktail party dresses.

A day with the Angfourgettables

Jorge Javier was jubilant upon learning that Pinky Marquez would be arriving late for the pocket interview for their celebrated singing comic group Angfourgettables, one of the few remaining original slapstick singing acts from the 1980s composed of Javier, Marquez, Bo Cerrudo and Miss Saigon’s Isay Alvarez.

“This is a good time to ask, talk before she (Pinky) does. We’ll never get to butt in once she is around,” Javier joked about his long-time stage friend.

Seeing Javier seated with the rest of us, Pinky quickly jumped in our table, eliciting laughter from the two. “Our act starts with me and Jorge picking on each other’s nerves. The rest follows, which is normally a series of random gags, with lots of happy singing,” said Marquez.

“The trick is to do clean gags. Walang bastusan! Everything, depending on crowd, age and interest, goes non-stop from that point. People love that kind of crazy humor that has stuck with us ever since,” Javier relates while recalling their performances in America, Germany and the Middle East.

Isay, who arrived soon after Pinky and Bo, joined the group just as she was concluding her Miss Saigon stint. “I am sort of the icebreaker. What they (Jorge and Pinky) started I set pace for the next act to move forward,” Isay said.

Bo entered the group at the time Javier was searching for a talented jazz singer with a thing for comedy. Bo slid into the picture not knowing he had a knack for theater. “It started that way and, as far back as it went, I found it to be fun so I stayed on with the group. Jorge and I became buddies,” he shared.

What’s the secret that has kept the Angfourgettables intact for 10 years now? “Well, we are all good friends. We know each other well. Our families know each other, and respect each other’s space. That is the chemistry of the group,” said Javier.

The Angfourgettables is reuniting for a reunion concert, “Kantahan, Katatawanan, Kayang Kaya” on April 24, 7 p.m., at the GSIS Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, call 721-2266, 0915-9942110, or 0917-3738685. Proceeds will benefit organizations working with people with Down’s syndrome.

Playing secret agent

Clive Owen, who was considered for the 007 role (Casino Royale) that went to Daniel Craig, is pulling a thrilling James Bond-type role in the fast-paced action-thriller The International. Despite Owen’s unshaven bad boy image that stuck with the famed British actor since appearing in Frank Miller’s Sin City, the actor went for role playing a lawful Interpol agent who goes against a highly connected international bank that finances murder for odd governments and fictitious organizations. Meantime, The Reader, the Stephen Daldry World War 2 drama that recently won Kate Winslet the 81st Academy Award’s Best Actress trophy, and Revolutionary Road, her comeback movie with Titanic co-star Leo DiCaprio that also won her a major acting award in the 2009 Golden Globe Awards, will both have special screenings exclusively at the Ayala Malls. The International is currently screening on leading theaters nationwide.

Another juicy scandal on Gossip Girl

A new juicy scandal about to break out? Know all about it in the Gossip Girl season 2 airing on ETC (Entertainment Central). After a tough breakup with lonely boy Dan Humphrey, Serena van der Woodsen spends the summer hanging out with Nate Archibald. It seems that they’ve got everyone fooled that they’re together, but something else is cooking up Nate’s sleeve. A new love interest, perhaps? Or a secret affair with a sexy, older and married woman? And speaking of hookups, Blair Waldorf was supposed to spend a romantic summer getaway with Chuck Bass. Unfortunately, little miss perfect got stood up. And what’s a Blair Waldorf got to do? Get back at the cunning Chuck Bass with a new boy by her side. It seems Blair is mastering the art of jealousy, but is this enough to hide her budding true love for Chuck? Find out as the past, present and future collide on Gossip Girl season 2.