Malls replace traditional public squares as the preferred gathering place

Paradise found: Couples participating in a mass wedding at a shopping mall in Manila. — AFP

MANILA: As she eyes the colourful ice cream on offer at a Baskin-Robbins in one of Manila’s most luxurious shopping centres, Philippine teenager Jamie Gamboa admits to being an incurable mall rat – but not only for the shopping.

“It is the only place where you can just walk around without having to spend, and there are a lot of things to entertain us,” said the petite 16-year-old, surrounded by a gaggle of friends.