Requirement/Space #4: Physical Space: Venue for Interactions and Realities

proteus.brown.edu

"In this loveless everyday life eroticism is a substitute for love." -Henri Lefebvre

"In premodern societies, space and place largely coincided....Modernity increasingly tears space away from place" -Anthony Giddens

TALKING ABOUT SPACES, it comes as to no surprise that even this is subject to deep political theorizing. Good thing is, I do not see the need to reiterate the discussions we had in class - we had already taken up this topic two terms back. However, this blog entry focuses on the critique and application of this theoretical tradition - well sort of.

 Paseo de Sta. Rosa

It was my first time to go to Paseo. Malls which I frequented are Power Plant and Greenbelt. So everything was new to me. I've never thought that a mall could thrive along a highway. And when I asked around, people actually flock there especially during weekends.

At first glance, I thought that the stalls would be catering to common goods. But when we actually toured around, I've noticed that there were also premiere shops inside like Nike. Thought, there were certain portions of the mall grounds that actually cater to services such as dog grooming businesses and the like, there were also a part of it that is a marketplace. Here, every type of shop seems to be agglomerated with their kind and each of this groups is actually isolated from one another.The premiere shops (along with more expensive dining places) are at one place, same goes with the market (along with the carinderia or turo-turo stalls), the services and also the thrift stores building.

Here, I can see the ingenuity of ground planning. This complex was made in order to cater to all social classes even though there is a connotation that this is for upper middle class shoppers. Through the proper segregation of stores, it made sure that one class is not estranged or marginalized heavily from the others. It attempted to house several spaces which specifically cater to a specific group of people.

SM will always be viewed as the mall for the masses. For me, is a market place with air-conditioned facility and tiles. Yes tiles. I love tiles.

When we first came inside, I thought that it was any typical SM mall. Like SM North Edsa and Mall of Asia which are both expansive and ridiculously over-decorated for my taste, well, this SM is very much simpler in so many aspects. First, the structure is just simple, rectangular. Unlike Paseo wherein you could be lost through the many complexes, here you can glance at your friend at the other side of the mall. Second, the segregation of shops is simple too. First floor and second floor are generally for services and entertainment while the remaining others cater to food and leisure clothing. Third, The decoration is very minimalistic and not elaborate. It gives the impression that the space is very neutral. It does not wish to impose or secure segregation standards for visitors. It just is one venue that attempts to fit all walks of life.

Aerobics. We watched an aerobics session there. It was not for free (600 per month). The participants were following a dress code which equalizes all things (though there were resistance and postmodernist overtones when some of the old ladies in the group wore eccentric attires, still in light of the). The songs played are more dynamic and modern compared to the music played during the aerobics inside the UP campus. Talking about the politics of space, the aerobics sessions in SM became an aerobics of entertainment. Why? because I can see in the face of the other participants that they were enjoying giving a show to the mall goers which is actually a good thing! It gave them the inspiration to work on those stiff muscles! :)

Liliw, Laguna (Yey!) \:)/

OH MY GOD. I LOVE LILIW. My father usually brings us to Liliw to shop for shoes! Yey! :D Over time, I have already established some favorites - Badong and Entrada. This is because I know that they are the ones making their shoes and they do not just import from China and stamp their brand labels into the shoes. Their shoes are also long-lasting and comfortable. Most of all, both of these shops are certified Filipino brands! And I love it when Filipino natives establish good businesses. I patronize Filipino products. That is my advocacy. Well, based on my latest count, I have already bought at least 20 pairs of shoes from this place (Liliw)! I will always come back to this place. Always.

It was sad that we only spent 30 minutes in Liliw. I was only able to buy 4 pairs of shoes. Sadly (again), this is the first time that I went there without my family. My Papa is my shopping buddy and fashionista daddy. His taste in shoes is so... purrfect. I'm so bano when it comes to choosing shoes thought I really love shoes a lot. 

Politics of space: Liliw is very unconventional. The shops are located along the streets and in-between houses. It's like Paris or Singapore! Here, at this little piece of Laguna, you can actually make sense of how it is like living in Laguna. You can have a glimpse on how the locals make their shoes and how they spend their everyday lives, simple and traditional in its sweetest blend.

UP Los Banos at Night

My mother was furious that we were set free in the streets late at night. 

But it was memorable. The nightlife in UP was pretty liberating. Too sad, most of the shops are not filled with people wince it was a weekend and the students were probably back in their homes. None the less, I had a fun night. Along with my CULPOLI field trip buddies, Jarvin, Levin and Tria, we scoured the place and went on to spend some bonding time at a pizza diner overlooking the UP night town.

Talking about the politics of space, well, UPLB's night life was a mix of everything. There were expensive and non-expensive stalls. However, there is still a bit of segregation. Some of the cheapest stores are housed at the back of those not-so-cheap stores lined along the highway. It appears for me, that there is a slight marginalization of establishments in this space.

Aerobics at UPLB

If I was not feeling well, I could have joined the aerobics! I really loved the communitarian feel of the whole thing. Especially during the segment of Prof. Contreras. The songs sounded tribal yet very very conducive for a very in-depth exercising. But I saw in the faces of my classmates who tried - the pain of attempting to follow the movements and steps. Uh. The pain was funny in their faces. There were some who gave up during the whole thing. I can't blame them. As a witness to that aerobics segment, I already felt the pain.

Talking about the politics of space, compared to the paid-for aerobics in SM Calamba, the aerobics in UPLB accommodated more people. I feel and see that people are less motivated and happy. It did not feel like a show but more like a sleepy-morning routine.✻