Thursday, October 23, 2008
ON MALLING AND CONSUMERISM IN MANILA
As many know by now, I'm sure, malling has become a verb in Manila; it's definition: the act of going to a shopping mall and whiling away the hours.
Overall, about 80 percent of the Philippines' population go to shopping centers and around 36 million people visit shopping plazas once or twice a month, according to Nielsen Media Research. However, not everyone who goes malling do so to shop. For the most part, people frequent the mall to stay cool; seeking respite from the city's muggy weather.
But of more interest, according to a Newsbreak article, compared to citizens of the developed world, the Filipinos have smaller carbon footprint, which means the local lifestyle is generally less energy dependent.
As listed in the 2008 Philippines in Figures published by the National Statistics Office, the common electrical appliances owned by Filipinos -- the radio and television -- indicate minimal outlets of energy. As of 2000, over 11 million Filipino families owned a radio, while eight million had a television set. Other common household appliances are refrigerators (present in about five million Filipino households), washing machines and video cassette recorders (each of which is present in about three million homes).
The appliances that emit more carbon are those which have bigger power ratings such as the flat irons, microwave ovens and air conditioners. The most energy-exhaustive is the refrigerator as it has to be plugged in 24/7. Likewise, air-conditioners, which have power ratings ranging from 400 to a whopping 3,500 watts, also suck up tremendous amounts of energy.
As for cell phones, ownership of which among Filipinos jumped from around 400,000 in 1990 to 2 million in 2000. This figure has more than doubled in the last eight years. Energy wastage in cellular phones actually happen when people charge their phone batteries. Like other appliances, battery chargers which remain plugged in still consume 25 percent of energy. The solution then is to simply unplug appliances and other electrical items when not in use.
As for fuel, aside from the use of diesel and gasoline for transportation, local folks also use fossil fuels right in their own homes. To offset greenhouse gas emissions, Filipinos need to curb the use of fossil fuels. As of 2005, around four million Filipino families still rely on kerosene for lighting. This makes it second only to electricity which is used in some 10 million homes.
For over-all household fuel use, the share of kerosene has been going down, registering a decrease of 23.6 percentage points from 79.9 percent in 1995 to 56.3 percent in 2004. For the same period, the number of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) household users doubled in number from 4.2 million households to 8.6 million households.
To read the complete Newsbreak article, click here.
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Labels: life in Manila
posted by Señor Enrique at 8:09 AM
24 Comments:
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said... hi.i love your blog. i read them often.may i ask if you have any info about the NAMES of the restaurants or panceterias in escolta?
my parents used to eat there but they forgot the name and it wasn't there anymore when they went back.
they love to buy empanada.it was near capitol and lyric.they said after buying their empanada, they will watch a movie.
im not sure but i think it was in the late 50's and until the late 60's. the years when they used to have a DATE.
thank u very much!-
FilMasons NSW said... It is good to hear that the Philippines and the Filipinos have a small carbon footprint compared to other countries.
This is not only enviromentally good but also financially better -lesser bills to pay.-
Unknown said...
Tama ka, Eric. Malling has become a way of life. Kids as young as 2 years old have “megamall” in their vocabulary. Heck, even my dog loves malling!:D
One of my inaanaks had his 5th birthday recently, and when he opened his gifts, he smelled it one by one and happily declared---Amoy SM! I teased him saying those gifts were bought from ukay-ukay. He pouted and insisted they smelled like SM. The boy’s dad predicted that his little boy has a future in security---he would probably replace those K-9s in the malls someday. :D-
nutart said...
that is so funny, Luna!!! I also say "amoy airport, or amoy Sm or amoy sunog (heehee)
This is an interesting post again, Eric! I heard a lot of people involved in telecommunication (that is cellphones) buy/rent properties in Ayala Alabang along with condos and whatnots. Talagang they have put celphones in history!
I'm also thinking of using the plantsadora (andaming brownouts dito kasi!)...will that add to the carbon thingamajing? :-)-
Sidney said...
No wonder Henry Sy is now the richest man in the Philippines...
Instead of renaming a street after him...shouldn't we rename a city.
Sy city or SM city instead of Manila. ;-)-
said...
That's very interesting info. I wonder however if there are any stats about emissions from the burning of garbage and dried leaves esp in the provinces where it seems to be a daily 4pm ritual. In fact, the smell of burnt leaves always reminds me of home :)
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said...
and what economic crisis are they talking about? last weekend, the mega sale events...from trinoma, to rockwell, to MOA, to galleria, to megamall proved that we love 'em malls. Lol. Unless, nagpapahangin lang karamihan sa malls.
I enjoy reading your blog.-
Photo Cache said...
Before malling was ever a word, I was doing it, so did a lot of Pinoys. It was a good place to walk around wasting time without sweating like a pig.
But now that I have grown up and am spending what I earn, I find every reason not to go to the mall anymore :D
Good to hear about Pinoy's minimal carbon footprint.-
NOYPETES said...
Dapat magbigay ng tax incentive ang pamahalaan sa mga may-ari ng mga mall at samantalahin nila ang hilig ng marami sa mall para makapaglagay ng aklatan o kaya sibi(annex) ng pambansang museo ng kasaysayang pilipino at iba pang mga sibi ng ka-alaman na makakatulong sa ating mga kabataan. Tambay sabay aral o kaya magkita kayo ng kasintahan mo sa aklatan sa mall at sa harap ng computer ay puwede rin kayong mag-aral o kaya tumingin ng mga dag-dag ka-alaman habang kayo ay nag-lalambingan.
Dapat samantalahin din sa Pilipinas ang lakas na makukuha sa araw at sa init nito. Lakas sa agos ng tubig at ang katutubong ka-alaman sa maraming bagay na di na kailangan ng gas o gasolina. Sa madaling salita...ay Solar Power at Hydropower Plants ika nga sa salitang ingles. Kung itinutulak na ka-alaman ito ng pamahalaan at mga guro, malaking pakinabang ang ka-alaman na ito sa sambayang Pilipinas.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Anonymous!
Many thanks for visiting. Haven't compiled a list of eateries on Escolta since my memories placed Santa Cruz Plaza as where we usually ate. However, this is a good idea you'd given and I will try doing some research on it.-
Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Mario. Considering that many locals are very much into gadgets and whatnot, I'm indeed surprised myself.
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Señor Enrique said...
Wow! Your inaanak is gifted, Luna. I'd get into scent designing if I were him like in the movie, "Perfume." He'd make lots more money than being an airport sniffer ... hehehe.
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Señor Enrique said...
It's truly amazing how cell phones had become very much of modern man's existence, Bernadette. Who was that American politico who made a fortune on cellular technology?
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Señor Enrique said...
I'm afraid that the Sys would soon buy their way to change Carriedo Street to Sy Street, Sidney, since their very first store was located on that street.
But then, I'm hoping what a city councilor had told me is true: "It isn't as easy as before for the city council to change the names of the streets. It's the National Historical Institute who has final approval."-
Señor Enrique said...
There is a city ordinance that prohibits the burning of dried leaves, woods and whatnot, BW. A neighbor can call the barangay office who can escalate the complaint to a criminal charge.
Not sure out in the provinces, though.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks for visiting, Conventional Wisdom!
Study indicates that for the most part, the OFW dollars support the existence of these malls. It's truly astounding the number of malls we have in Metro Manila and their close proximity to one another, which would never receive zoning approval in any major city in America.-
Señor Enrique said...
Having grown up in Manila in which the main shopping center is downtown Manila, and then later Manhattan, made not enjoy malls that much, Photo Cache. When online shopping came about, I switched about 75% of my shopping activities on the Internet. I just never enjoyed going into major malls or stores to do my shopping. I love the neighborhood ambience of shopping.
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Señor Enrique said...
That's a very good idea, Noypete! I'm all for it :)
Although these days, you can do your motoring business at the LTO kiosks/offices in some Manila malls. Also, some stage play presentations for high school students are now held at SM movie theater facilities.
But a library inside the mall is a wonderful idea!-
escape said...
wow! 80% pala. daming mall rats sa pinas at malamang isa na ako dun.
ok din tong ginawa mong research. sana nga lang napupublish din sa dyaryo.-
Unknown said...
Hi Eric!
Thanks for posting this.
Also the Philippines is getting more updated in Green Technology or renewable energy. Wind and Solar energy.
I always dreamed that one day I will live in a solar powered house. I mentioned this to one of our partners in Romblon. I know that they live in the barrio and have very humble setting. I was amazed when she said that they have solar panel because of one project and they have tv, radio, light, battery and they only spend less than 200 pesos a month. I am going to write a post on it. Maybe soon. I am neglecting my blog among other things recently.
So there I was talking to nanay lina and she is living my dream already. Almost zero carbon foot print.
Go renewable!!!-
Señor Enrique said...
Manila seems hotter than a couple of decades ago; hence, many folks enjoy the sprawling malls we have, donG!
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Señor Enrique said...
I am really surprised that wind and solar power are not used more locally, Daisy.
Is it possible that many of our businesses may lose tremendous revenues if these should gain widespread popularity?-
said...
Awesome blog! I just created this map of Manila. Please check it out if you want to explore all the "Malling" Metro Manila has to offer.
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Señor Enrique said...
That's one fine map site of Manila you have, ManilaDude! I had bookmarked it and will be making use of it, most definitely.
By the way, wish I can take screen shot to include on some of my posts, abd give your site due credit.
Thanks for sharing!
