(Source: ABS-CBN News | December 22, 2018)
Bukidnon is famous for its mountains and fertile land and is home to one of the largest pineapple plantations in the country, making this tropical fruit its top product. And this fruit became the inspiration to Bukidnon’s newest mall.
From Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), traversing Sayre Highway going into Valencia City in Bukidnon, one of the first structures that greets motorists is the new Robinsons Place Valencia. Surrounded by cornfields, the new mall stands out from all the greenery.
The three-storey structure is mostly colored gray but accented by bright yellow lines and that vibrant red color of the brand. The crisscrossing lines form multiple diamond shapes, the geometric representation of a pineapple’s natural pattern.
“The mall is inspired by the pineapple,” said Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) senior vice president and general manager for Commercial Centers Division, during the mall’s recent grand opening. “It was designed by Lichauco Guilas + Villanueva, the same architect that designed Robinsons Place Naga.”
The pineapple inspiration can be seen all throughout the mall. The pillars in the main atrium has the same yellow color and diamond pattern. The atrium’s ceiling follows the same geometric shape. Public seating areas use pineapple slices-shaped round benches.
But more than taking inspiration from the fruit, the overall design is inspired by nature. The front courtyard has pockets of greens scattered in the area. There’s also a beautiful koi pond as an added attraction. The columns of the portico or the covered area before the entrance, is covered with ferns, creating cylindrical vertical gardens.
“When you look at Bukidonon it’s all nature, very lush, the mountains. So that’s why we decided to put something that will be more nature-like,” Magtibay said.
The al fresco area of the mall that is lined with restaurants are also has garden areas. The Skypark on the third floor is beautified by garden landscaping. This area has an impressive view of the Pantaron mountain range.
And in honor of Bukidnon, RLC tapped the talent of artist Sam Penaso to create a sculpture piece inspired by Bukidnon. He created a piece that represents the seven tribes of the province—Talaandig, Higa-onon, Bukidnon, Umayamnon, Matigsalug, Manobo, and Tigwahanon.
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