Disclaimer, this review is aimed at helpig non-Filipinos make an informed decision. I'm not trying to offend anyone so I apologise in advance for not being politically correct. I'm married to a Filipina and she fully endorses my comments, given she feels embarrassed by the behaviour she often sees from other Filipinos.

MOA was previously one of our favourite malls, but now not so much. Last time we were here was March 2019 when more than 50% of the stores were closed for rennovation. This time there were a lot of rennovated stores open for business and the mall looks very nice and clean. However, the layout is quite confusing and it takes a couple of hours of walking around to start getting your bearings. The toilets are small and not capable of handling the extraordinary volume of customers constantly streaming through. There's also no tissue so you need to bring your own just in case.

The shopping experience: If, like me you're not Filipino you need to understand that as a general rule Filipinos won't line up or wait their turn, preferring to just shove in and talk over the customer service person serving you while essentially throwing scrunched up money at them. They also opperate on a two speed system, "hungry" or "not hungry".

Speed 1 - "Not hungry" is categorised by waddling in slow motion whilst dragging their heals in a semi-side to side motion with no direction or purpose, stopping every 5 seconds to change direction, take a selfie or photograph their kids. The kids can best be described as rude, undisciplined and out of control (my own nieces and nephews included, not unlike many western kids nowadays).

Speed 2 - "Hungry" is categorised by laser-like focus and ruthless abandon as they attempt to break all land speed records in the pursuit of their prey. The most dangersous of these Filipinos is the middle-aged women standing at less than 5' and weighing more than 65kg. Their ferocity increases based on how long it's been since they last ate rice. If it's been more than 3 hours you're taking your life in your hands if you dare get in their way. Elbows flying as they charge through the crowd essetially dragging their now fully compliant kids by their ears. Once fed they'll return to their previous state of slow motion activity, choosing to stop and congregate at the bottom of escallators causing chaos for people trying to get off or standing in groups just outside the entrance or exit of shops while they trying decide what Ate Gina should be cooking for dinner for Jojo's birthday in two weeks time.

That said the waterfront walk is nice and there are some great restaurants to choose from as well as lots to keep kids of all ages occupied.

If you were offended, just remember this a pretty tongue-in-cheek post ;-)

It's always more fun in the Philippines.