The Araneta Center celebrates the 40th anniversary of the iconic Ali Mall – the first-ever fully enclosed shopping mall in the country. Named after the late legendary world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, Ali Mall was inaugurated on June 30, 1976 with Ali himself in attendance. Ali fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines after winning against Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila” bout the year before and was the guest of honor at the event attended by VIPs, government officials, Araneta Center executives, and members of the Araneta family. Ali Mall recently commemorated the passing of Muhammad Ali with an exhibit of rare photos and memorabilia billed ‘Forever the Greatest: Remembering Muhammad Ali!’ Photo supplied by the Araneta Group Although the concept of a mall has since evolved, Ali Mall was the first to house a Cineplex and to introduce the concept of a food court, located at [...]
