Gaisano Grand Malls Opening in Kalibo Marks 46th Branch

By Markief Arryn Z. Guzman

Malls in small towns serve as catalysts for the local community, economy, and lifestyle, significantly boosting tourism, employment, and income. They add to the rich culture of the place and become another go-to hub for the people. They employ locals, providing income and improved quality of life. They have shops for groceries, clothes, school supplies, toys, and more. They even give homegrown local businesses space to thrive, which helps keep spending within the community.

The Gaisano family’s retail journey began in 1947 when Bienvenido Gaisano opened a small retail store in Cebu City. This store became the pioneer of Gaisano Grand Malls, a chain of shopping malls under the Philippine-based Gaisano Grand Group of Companies. Gaisano Grand Malls, founded by Benito S. Gaisano, operates primarily within the Visayas, Luzon, and Mindanao regions and currently has 46 Gaisano Grand Malls in Visayas and Mindanao, 13 of which are found within the island of Cebu.

Gaisano Grand Kalibo is the latest addition that opened on October 15 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Gaisano Grand Malls. Present in the opening were Kalibo municipal officials, with Vice Mayor Cynthia Dela Cruz representing Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro. Msgr. Nestor G. Nalangan, Fr. Josue R. Escalona Jr., Fr. Edren F. Gicole, Fr. Charlie C. Reyes, and Rev. Randy Villanueva of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish officiated the blessing of the event followed by a Chinese lion dance for prosperity.

The mall has basement parking and four floors accessible through escalators, elevators, and stairs. The ground floor includes a grocery, food court, gadget stores, and an exhibit area for small and medium-sized enterprises. On the second floor is a department store for adults and a play area for children. The third floor has a department store for children’s clothes, toys, and school supplies while the fourth floor has a variety of home furniture and essentials. Most food stalls are local establishments in Aklan, allowing business owners to promote their products.

With Gaisano Grand Kalibo, there is no need to travel to adjacent provinces to buy necessities, shop, dine, or look for entertainment. There is now a new place for people to gather, spend time together, and engage in leisure activities. The charm of quaint Kalibo town life and the benefits of modern development symbolize growth and progress.