An anxious Ilongga’s refuge in a mall

There was a time whenever I go to a crowded and noisy place, I would have an anxiety attack.

One unforgettable experience was when I went to SM City Iloilo to buy something. It must have been the combined sound of loud music and simultaneous chattering of the crowd that triggered my anxiety. As soon as I felt the symptoms start, I wasted no time and looked for an escape - SM Southpoint.

Thankfully, there’s an open area with faux grass and a bench near a steakhouse on the second floor. There, I did some breathing exercises until the anxiety goes away.

(Tip: an anxiety attack happens when a person least expects it. It’s not like one goes to a place and starts to think “this place is crazy, I am going to have an attack”. When your companion is having an anxiety attack, stay with him/her but do not attempt a conversation, let the person sit and breathe in silence until ready).

Breathe. If you're dealing with anxiety, be gentle with yourself. It takes strength to pull yourself out of an anxiety attack. If you've done that today (or any day) be proud of yourself.

FINDING REFUGE

One Sunday morning found me at SM Southpoint again. Feeling bored after weeks of being holed up at the apartment, I just grabbed my book and headed off to Mrs. Wharton London Bakes and English Teas located at the far end of the building’s ground floor. It is home to great tasting cakes, tarts, scones, pudding, tea and savory, Instagrammable wall and warm and friendly people.

I ordered my favorite Caramel Biscoff Cake and cream cheese sandwich and immersed in the powerfully written words of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Love in the Time of Cholera). Once in a while, I would fix my eyes on the fountain and greens which are visible through the glass walls of the restaurant. It was enough to pump energy back into my being.

The fountain with its soothing water sounds

I’m not the only one who finds refuge at SM Southpoint. "I love sitting outside my shop and enjoy the time pass by," said Marie Wharton, owner of Mrs. Wharton London Bakes and English Teas. When she said this, I imagined her sitting at the table outside her charming British shop’s entrance, sipping tea or dining with her husband and daughter.

"SM Southpoint is where time is not rushed. Where dates are more enjoyable. Where you can play with your dogs in an open and clean space," she added. Pets are now allowed in SM as long as they are on leash and owners will tend to them when nature calls.

The go-to-place of the gang after school

"If there's one thing I like about SM Southpoint, it's the fountain. It is like the focal point so whenever I'm with my kids or friends and it's already dusk, we sit on the benches near the fountain and talk. That's probably what I like the most about SM Southpoint. Parang, one can chill lang talaga. Relaxing siya," said LJ Alameda, another Mrs. Wharton habitue.

“During the early morning, I get to have my own quiet time away from everyone inside the mall. It's a safe place and I know that more than anything I will be treated like a family member by her staff. Everyone is warm. I do know that the place is sincere in its desire to just serve good food to everyone who enters it," she added, referring to Mrs. Wharton.

SM Southpoint’s open space allows for more recreation and activity

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

SM Southpoint is the closest resemblance to nature that I could find in a mall. It is an attractive and functional open space that is akin to a park. It’s a breath of fresh air in this progressive urban jungle of ours.

Everywhere the eyes wander, one will see the color green which evokes the feeling of being rested, tranquil and cheerful. Green is also a color for optimism and growth. These plants absorb noise and improve the quality of air.

The fountain and the soothing sound of the water drown out other unwanted sounds. But it’s useless to have a fountain if you don’t have anywhere to sit and watch, right? Fortunately, one can sit on any of the benches or the faux grass. With no signs that say “Don’t sit here”, everyone feels welcome at SM Southpoint.

This nook outside of Mrs. Wharton London Bakes and English Teas is directly in front of the fountain

The open space allows for more recreation and activity. They had a wall climbing area provided by a local mountaineering club at one time, yoga sessions or bands playing for some weekends, and hosted the start and endpoint of fun run events.

During the weekends or after school, a familiar sight is children running around while teens and adults sit on the benches or the grass while talking, laughing, eating, or taking a selfie. In the evenings, the restaurants are packed with families, workmates and barkadas who prefer a relaxed dining experience and great conversations.

A relaxing time with a good book, cream cheese sandwich with bacon and Caramel Biscoff Cake

Open space, greens everywhere, the element of water, delicious food from homegrown restaurants, and most of all, this one thing that I never expected to find in a mall - breathing space when anxiety strikes again. Having all these is bliss./Kathy Villalon

I just had to include this Instagrammable wall of Mrs. Wharton London Bakes and English Teas