World’s Largest Shopping Malls

Forbes Magazine came up with the latest ranking on the World’s largest shopping malls based on the amount of “gross leasable area” in square feet. Would you believe that eight of these malls are found in Asia? And what’s more exciting is that the Philippines has the lion’s share of this feat, well, maybe the lioness’ share.

In reversed order, here are the World’s Largest Shopping Malls as of March 2007:
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10. King of Prussia Mall
Location: Philadelphia, USA
Year Opened: 1962
Gross Leasable Area: 2.8 million square feet
Features: 400 stores
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9. SM City North Edsa
Location: Quezon City Philippines
Year Opened: 1985
Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
Features: 100 retail outlets and restaurants, 12 cinemas, bowling alley, and soon, an IMAX theater.
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8. Zhengjia Plaza
Location: Guangzhou, China
Year Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3 million square feet
Features: retail stores plus hotel and office spaces.
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7. Beijing Mall
Location: Beijing, China
Year Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
Features: parking for 8,000 cars, man-made beach.
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6. Berjaya Times Square
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Year Opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 3.4 million square feet
Features: 1,000 retail shops, 12-storey-high roller coaster, pool, skating rink and children’s theme park.
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5. SM Megamall
Location: Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Year Opened: 1991
Gross Leasable Area: 3.6 million square feet
Features: Bowling alley, ice skating rink, 12 cinemas, health clinic and arcades.
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4. West Edmonton Mall
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Year Opened: 1981
Gross Leasable Area: 3.8 million square feet
Features: 800 stores, water park, skating rink, casino and rides.
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3. SM Mall of Asia
Location: Pasay City, Philippines
Year Opened: 2006
Gross Leasable Area: 4.2 million square feet
Features: First Olympic size ice-skating rink, IMAX theater, 20-seat tram.
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2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall
Location: Beijing, China
Year Opened: 2004
Gross Leasable Area: 6 million square feet
Features: 1,000 stores.
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1. South China Mall
Location: Dongguan, China
Year opened: 2005
Gross Leasable Area: 7.1 million square feet
Features: wind mills, theme parks and a replica of Arc de Triomphe.

Filipinos are 7th Most Patriotic in the World

A recent survey of 34 democracies ranked USA as the no. 1 most patriotic country in the world while the Philippines ranked no. 7 and the only Asian country in the top 10.

People rated in the survey how proud they were of their countries in 10 areas such as sports, history, economy, politics, etc. The survey was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the Univeristy of Chicago.

Other areas in which countries were ranked included social security, the way their democracy works, science and technology, arts and literature, military and fair treatment of all groups in society. Ex-colonies like the Philippines and newer nations were more likely to rank high on the list, while Western European, East Asian and former Socialist countries ranked near the bottom.

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The Top 20:

USA

Venezuela

Ireland

South Africa

Australia

Canada

Philippines

Austria

New Zealand

Chile

England

Israel

Uruguay

Finland

Spain

Denmark

Switzerland

Japan

France

Portugal

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Pride moments compel the Filipinos to celebrate despite political unrest like when Precious Lara Quigaman was crowned Miss International, when Jasmine Trias placed 3rd in American Idol, when Jed Madela captured the overall title for the Philippines in the World Championships of Performing Arts, when our athletes became over-all champion in SEA games, when Manny Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales in the ring, and last month when Filipinos reached the top of the world for the successful climb of Mt. Everest by Leo Oracion, Erwin Mata, Dale Abenojar and Romy Garduce.

Top 10 Best Selling Albums of 2006

These are the 10 best selling albums of 2006 (in # of units sold). Disney scored another first!

1. High School Musical Soundtrack - 3,719,071

2. Rascal Flatts - Me and My Gang - 3,479,994

3. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts - 3,015,950

4. Nickelback - All the Right Reasons - 2,688,166

5. Justin Timberlake - FutureSex - 2,377,127

6. James Blunt - Back to Bedlam - 2,137,142

7. Beyonce - B’Day - 2,010,311

8. Soundtrack - Hannah Montana - 1,987,681

9. Dixie Chicks - Taking the Long Way - 1,856,284

10. Hinder - Extreme Behavior - 1,817,350

What 2006 Has Taught Me

Life can be wildly tragic at times, and I've had my share. But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude. In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh.

I've learned...

That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

That when you're in love, it shows. I’m in love. I have always been in love. =)

That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

That being kind is more important than being right.

That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

That money doesn't buy class and love and friends.… That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

That in love --- time heals all wounds.

That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.

That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.