SM Mall of Asia: The 3rd Largest Shopping Mall in the World

The Philippines has over a hundred shopping malls with a variety of sizes, theme, amenities and shops. That’s the reason why foreigners love to shop in this country. One of the most prestigious and magnificent malls, the SM Mall of Asia (Opened: 2006, Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet), is considered as the 3^rd largest shopping mall in the world according to Forbes’ World’s 10 Largest Shopping Malls – following South China Mall in Dongguan, China (Opened: 2005, Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet) and Golden Resources Shopping Mall in Beijing, China (Opened: 2004, Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet).

It is situated in the City of Pasay in the Philippines, located just near the SM Central Business Park, the Manila Bay and the southern end of EDSA. It is about 10-15 minutes from the city center of Manila if the traffic flow is normal.

SM Mall of Asia or commonly known as MOA is developed and owned by SM Prime Holdings (the largest mall owner and developer in the country). It is the country’s largest shopping mall which has a land area of 42 hectares and has a gross floor area of an approximate 390,193 m².  Mall of Asia draws daily average foot traffic of 200,000 people.

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia Landscape

The construction of MOA began in mid-2002 with the design team including Arquitectonica (an international architecture, interior design and planning corporation) and Design Architect Robert Carag Ong and Associates. The mall was officially inaugurated by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last May 20, 2006.

The Fountain of MOA

In front of Mall of Asia is a roundabout with a huge round globe similar to that of the Universal Studios Theme Parks and that of Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. The globe was turned into an LED Globe known as GlobeAmaze last November 18, 2009. GlobeAmaze is the first and only full global video display in Asia with its high resolution and full display graphics made possible by the LED’s with 26,300 pieces of point lights. It is weather-proof, has superior brightness and a long lifetime.

GlobeAmaze of SM Mall of Asia

Four buildings make up the ground of SM Mall of Asia which is interconnected by walkways. These are the Main Mall, Entertainment Mall, and the North and South Carpark Buildings (which can park 5,000 cars). Shopping and dining establishments as well as food court are found in the Main Mall while the Entertainment Mall is two story complex facing Manila Bay and majority of which is open-air. Aside from the parking spaces available in the South and North Park Building, it also houses the SM department store and SM Hypermarket.

A Tourist Destination

SM Mall of Asia is more than just a mall. It is a tourist destination that has raised the standard of shopping, entertainment and leisure in the Philippines. Almost everything you need are all found inside the mall with at least 600 shops all trying to take your hard earned cash. But rest assured that all shops will not disappoint you.

Inside Mall of Asia

One of the MOA’s main attractions is the first ever IMAX theater (the most widely used system for special-venue film presentations) in the country. The San Miguel-Coca-Cola IMAX Theatre is one of the world’s biggest IMAX screens in 3D.

The mall also features the country’s first Olympic-sized ice skating rink which is described as the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia with a size of 61 x 30 meters. With its size, it can hold both recreational and competitive figure skating, as well as ice hockey. A figure skating and ice hockey training program are being offered by the operators of the rink.

Science Center of SM Mall of Asia

SM Science Discovery Center, the first of its kind in the world was opened last October 10, 2007. It features a digital planetarium and a wide range of technology and science-themed exhibits.

Within SM Mall of Asia one can also find the SMX Convention Center which is the Philippines’ largest privately run exhibition and convention center. It can fit approximately 6,000 people with its 46,647-square meter building. Aside from that, SM Mall of Asia also has the OneE-comCenter (105,857 square meter) also known as the SM Corporate Center which aims to provide for the office and workspace requirements of prospective IT-related companies and for support office and backroom operations of business process outsourcing. Its first occupant is Fitness First opened last October 12, 2007.

Inside MOA

SM Mall of Asia also has a ferry service (Metro Star Ferry) in which the terminal is adjacent to the convention center. It is a ferry terminal to service passengers who wish to travel to peninsular Cavite City. It also serves as a passenger port for tourists who will travel to SM’s tourism estate. Now, it service passengers who wish to cruise along Manila Bay for an hour at a price of P120.00 per person.

Fireworks Show at SM Mall of Asia

At the back of the mall, you can find the Esplanade (it is a long, open, level area next to a body of water where people can walk) which is also known as the SM Mall of Asia’s boardwalk area. This is where the first and the second World Pyro Olympics were held. It is also where SM Mall of Asia holds its own fireworks display during Fridays and Saturdays at exactly 7:00 pm and admission is for free. People stroll around this area mostly in the afternoon to watch the sunset at Manila Bay and at night to catch the cold sea breeze. There is a fountain located at the center, where a mime statue, contracted by MOA, entertains the people. San Miguel by the Bay at the Esplanade which have retail shops and restaurants is an extension of the retail facilities of the SM Mall of Asia. The dining strip also features a small seafood market (known as Dampa) where patrons can buy fresh seafood and request to cook them in Paluto stalls.

Ferris Wheel

Be sure to add SM Mall of Asia to your itinerary when traveling to Manila and prepare for a lengthy walk.

Mime Statue of Mall of Asia

Grand Carousel

Fireworks at MOA

Interactive Touch Screen Map

Landscape inside the Mall

Mark, Lisa, Bouying, RC, Jim2x at Mall of Asia

Open-air Stage

SM Mall of Asia Fireworks Display

Prestigious Mall of Asia Landscape

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.