Lost Urban History | Harrison Plaza

03.20.2019 - Harrison Plaza is a local shopping centre in the Philippines, and the first mall with air conditioning that opened in the mid-197os. There’s a lot of history to go about this mall for those who have grown up in the area of Malate in Manila, and there were a lot good memories in this place that made it even more special. But sadly, things have not been the same lately that appears that this mall has become a shell of its former place. News has it that this might close down by the end of 2019 with possible demolition and redevelopment by the new owners signaling what could be another ‘end of an era’ considered as a historical landmark for its time.

Originally, prior to being built as the first modern shopping mall in the country it was known to be an old cemetery and Fort San Antonio Abad during the Spanish Colonial Period that were destroyed during WWII. It was leased by Martel Family, and had redeveloped under contract under the city government to build a commercial space. It first opened its doors in 1976, but by the early 1980s it was razed by fire and it was closed for two years and had a second re-opening sometime in 1984-1985. This was the second peak Harison Plaza when SM department store opened the following year.

I recall started visiting this place frequently in high school, but the first time since re-opening it was sometime in 1987. The most places I recall making the visit was the Gibson’s bookstore and Giftgate, which was the sole local distributor for the LEGO brand at that time and Rustan’s doesn’t even had spin-off a grocery.

There were so many highlight events in this place notably near the fountain area, where you can find Giftgate just in front of what is Shopwise owned by Rustan’s In the 1990s it doesn’t even known by that name, but just part of the retail company’s extended part of their space. Besides the aforementioned stores I go to the one still standing now is the hobby shop near the former cinemas. They’re a local importer of Tamiya model kits and radio control cars, which includes parts and other related,

So much memories when you look around, but for someone who has not visited or have known this place its entirely just another empty mall. Back then events happened there with Giftgate hosting a LEGO event in this part, where you see brick built pirates and moving carousel of horses as those themed attractions and in the early 1990s the late Francis Magalona, the country’s iconic entertainer in music with rap and rock had launched his album on this place.

The Fountain, where it used to be, and also during the Holidays where they put up the giant tree.

At it’s second life after the fire had become popular as this is where I bought my first desktop at Silicon Valley and adjacent to it is the sister company that was defunct after the rise of home computers becoming the norm prior to the internet age.

Through there are images I’ve taken the lierty of breaking down some of the stores that used to be there and what they are now to give you an idea how Harrison Plaza was way ahead for its time that just fallen from mismanagement in the last decade.

Here’s a list of stores that used to be located and still currently standing:

• Bench
• National Bookstore
• Filbar’s
• Giftgate
• Nova Fontana
• Gibson’s
• JMN’s Hobby Shop
• Inside SM Department Store

Bench

In 1987, Bench was a new clothing store by Ben Chan before it became an empire it was a small store located and still standing in its original location. The logo, colours, design, and theme may have changed no doubt this was where Bench started as one of its original locations.

National Bookstore

It’s where I bought school supplies; hang out with my mate Paeng at the sports section where he used to be crazy over Bruce Lee and martial arts during our freshmen days. I also get to buy Garfield books published by Ravette (it’s the UK publication for international release),

Filbar’s

During the early 1980s and 1990s Filbar’s was on top of its game surpassing even its local rival Comic Quest for store locations. It had a branch at the back of National Bookstore and there never was any competition when it comes to updated and current titles unless you want to dig in on the back issues at Book Sale or Gibson’s, which both stores are located in the same area. This is now a CDR King which is also having a decline of its own, but that’s another story to tell.

Giftgate

It was a store about trinkets and little things for girls, but what made them known was for bringing the LEGO brand to the country. They were the original distributor for the toy that was from Denmark. They used to be located at what the Red Ribbon is now stands (sorry, bad photo where you can find Red Ribbon next to this store).

Nova Fontana

Even though the store closed down nearly two decades ago it is still being mentioned in stories by older toy collectors in the hobby community. It was known for bringing imported toys from Hasbro, Kenner, Tyco, Tonka, Mattel, and other names you may no longer have heard of. Some of the names of the toy brands still exist today merging with other brands, but that’s where you’ll find those rare gems that general retail stores that don’t have. Sadly, this is now just some generic used clothing store.

Gibson’s

The store’s primary content is a gift shop of mostly anything and everything. It was short lived in the 1990s. It’s where I got my very first copy of a G.I. Joe issue no. 64 in their back issue bins. Usually, there were so many people digging in that section and comicbooks at that time is still expensive for a kid. It’s now a Guess store that you can see taken from the second level.

JMN’s Hobby Shop

This store could be considered the ‘last man standing’ of all the stores that’s been around the area. It’s the place where I bought plastic bearings for my 1/10 scale RC car and also where I got the Avante Jr. Black Special even before the mini4wd was not yet the thing you see that had a recent resurgence for local hobbyists.

Inside SM Department Store

It was one of the newest additions to Harrison Plaza in the mid-1980s and I frequently visit this place back in high school. This were I saved my lunch money just to buy my first TMNT action figure, namely the hard head variant of Michelangelo for ₱ 150.00 Pesos. But what’s most notable is at the ground floor just at the escalators where it used to have a record bar selling cassettes, CDs, and even LPs.

Sadly, at the start of this year physical media is slowly declining as most record stores are almost non-existent due to the rampant piracy for movies and music in this country. But going back there are memories here at Harrison Plaza. It is also becoming just a distant memory for those who can still recall their last visit.

I may not have the opportunity to visit this place and this was the only chance I had the moment to pass through and look at what it is the current state. In the next few months this would be just nothing more of a casualty to throwaway culture.

There was a potential to still keep it going, but witnessing its decline this was inevitable. But what I’d keep in the last few photos I’ve taken is the time I went there despite that it’s not what it used to be, but because there were strong memories that will still be there that would also probably remind others their roots and beginnings how life was simple back then.