Araneta City: Then and Now

(SPOT.ph) You can't talk about Cubao without talking about the Araneta establishments. Some people may know it to be Araneta City right now but before its rename and rebrand, many of the Metro's commuters and workers just had a map of landmarks in their heads without really knowing it's an Araneta property. The family and the business have been around for years—close to 70, actually—establishing roots in Cubao and continuing to develop the area for millions of people from all walks of life.

Cubao means many things and carries countless memories for the Metro Manila resident, and because we know how potent nostalgia can be, we decided to look back on how the area developed over the decades, complete with photos from the Araneta City Archives.

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The landmarks of Araneta City

Araneta Coliseum

We can't talk about Cubao and Araneta City without bringing up the Coliseum. The structure, once the only thing present in the area, has been witness to countless historical matches, games, and performances. First opened in March 16, 1960, the multi-purpose sports arena has undergone renovations throughout the years so it can continue to host crowds and events up until today. 

Some of the notable events held in the 36,000-capacity arena include the "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975, a sold out affair. In the realm of entertainment, the coliseum first comes to mind when the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant is brought up. The 11th and 34th FAMAS Awards also took place here. In 2006, the venue saw record-high earnings—a whopping P96.2 million—thanks to Manny Pacquiao's match with Mexican boxer Óscar Larios. 

In 2011, Araneta entered a naming rights deal with Smart Communications to rename Araneta Coliseum to Smart Araneta Coliseum—which it maintains until today. More recent events held in the coliseum were the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and an onslaught of concerts featuring international artists looking to meet or reconnect with the Filipino crowds after the pandemic.

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Ali Mall

Opened to the public on June 30, 1976, Ali Mall was named after Muhammad Ali who won the historic Thrilla in Manila boxing match the year prior. Ali returned to the Philippines just in time for the mall's inauguration as guest of honor. 

Just like the figure it's named after, Ali Mall was pretty grand with all its exciting offerings. It once had the largest indoor skating rink called Skatetown and the first Cineplex. It also pioneered the concept of a mall food court. Parking spaces connected to malls are practically the norm nowadays but before the layout and format hit it big, it was only Ali Mall that integrated a shopping complex with a parking facility in the country.

Fast forward to today and Ali Mall still functions as a mall with cinemas, shopping and dining choices, and even government and banking centers.

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Farmer's Market

Farmer's Market was where you could score the best prices and deals on everyday needs—from fresh seafood to imported fruits and vegetables, to high-quality protein and a variety of cooking ingredients, the market had it all. Nowadays, the space still functions as a wet market and resource point for life's necessities. If you're not on the lookout for typical palengke fare, consider strolling along the many flower stalls that have popped up in the market.

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Farmer's Plaza

In case you didn't know, Farmer's Plaza was actually the first air-conditioned mall in the Philippines, and while it's no longer the newest Araneta establishtment in the area, countless people still march to the mall in search of food, entertainment, and everything else in between.

The five-story complex is actually one of the oldest commercial buildings in the country, having opened in 1969. It has renovated four times: in 1986, 1991, 2011, and 2014.

At present, you'll find that Farmer's Plaza is still filled with lifestyle and electronic shops both local and foreign, along with dining outlets and entertainment facilities. The star of the plaza is its bazaar center where you could score goods at low prices. It might not be as snazzy and updated as its younger siblings—the Gateway Mall and Gateway Mall 2—but it remains reliable even after all these years.

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Christmas on Display and Fiesta Carnival

While most commercial complexes in the Metro now take Christmas celebrations seriously, it would only be fair to say Araneta was known for transforming an area into Winter Wonderland as early as 1966, way ahead of all other local malls. It was in 1966 that they first put up the Christmas on Display exhibition at the Manila COD Department Store, which relocated to Cubao that year. Featuring moving parts, animated mannequins, and real-life statues that depicted Christmas tales, the annual holiday exhibition drew crowds of all ages.

The Fiesta Carnival was located near COD. Instead of providing a show, entertainment came in the form of rides and various games and activities both kids and adults could partake in. 

Recently brought back, the annual COD presentation continues to bring joy to audiences during the holidays, with improved tech and better displays. Fiesta Carnival, which was paused years back, has also returned with fun activities, rides, snacks, and the spirit of festive Christmases past.

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The future of Araneta City

Gateway Mall is young compared to its other siblings in the Araneta family but it has become an important convergence point for many in the short time it's been around. Its much younger sibling—the Gateway Mall 2—may be sleeker and more high-end but both are here to stay to serve every type of shopper and diner in the Metro.

Being a newer establishment, the Gateway Mall 2 is proud to offer the best of the best in terms of dining options, shop selections, and even entertainment facilities. It has a huge Timezone Arcade, and it's set to open an even bigger bowling facility and multiple cinemas to bring films closer to Filipinos.

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You'll never expect a hotel atop the new Gateway Mall 2, but it's up there with a swimming pool, fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar. Though considered a business hotel, it offers a pretty pleasant alternative to your usual accommodations in case you want a quick staycation in the city, or your lodging arrangements if you're watching a concert at the coliseum. Right next to the hotel at the new mall's roofdeck is the Sagrada Famiglia Church which holds Saturday and Sunday masses, and special masses for religious holidays.

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All roads lead to Cubao one way or another, and Araneta City is doing its part in making sure everyone who finds their way in the area has something interesting to do, something good to eat, and something worth seeing. There's something here for everyone—be it memories of the past, the pleasures of the present, and reasons to be eager for the future.

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