IN 1993, the first shopping mall in Davao City, Victoria Plaza, was built.
It had become one of the tourist attractions of the city back in the days when it was still trying to catch up with other big cities. Along with its attractive scenes were the book shops, fast-food restaurants, the carousel that has been a part of many childhood memories, and of course, the giant Christmas tree that has withstood the time.
Many locals and tourists did not miss the chance to take a photo outside the shopping mall, right where the giant Christmas tree could be seen.
According to Jenalyn Requillo, marketing and leasing officer of Victoria Plaza, the Christmas tree was put up between 1994 and 1995 and that everytime it's lighted up in the month of November, it sends signal to Dabawenyos that Christmas is really here.
"It adds attraction to the shoppers," Requillo said, adding that the giant Christmas tree has become a part of most Dabawenyos' Christmas celebration.
On the same month each year, the shopping mall also starts giving out discounts through sales on Christmas decorations.
The shopping mall was known to have affordable Christmas decors with various options to choose from.
Younger generation may no longer know how many stories had happened inside the oldest shopping mall or in front of the giant Christmas tree. There were probably a lot of couples who had their first "I love you" or first kiss there. Or even guys who kneeled and proposed to the one they love in front of the giant Christmas tree.
Some families may have spent a lot of their after-church bondings, few good laughs and seeing their children happy inside the shopping mall.
Whatever the story may be, one thing is certain, Victoria Plaza and its giant Christmas tree hold a lot of memories that are worth looking back.
