Marikina Riverbanks

Located mid-way to Araneta Center in Quezon City and to the countryside charm of Rizal, Riverbanks Center or Marikina Riverbanks takes pride of having the so-called first interactive science center in the country as well as to what Guinness Book of Records has certified as “the biggest shoes in the world.” This commercial complex may not be as big as SM Mall of Asia or as upscale as Greenbelt, but it offers plenty of attractions and outdoor recreational activities for the whole family.

(Photo by karenchili)

Eco-friendly

Since it is built alongside the Marikina River, Riverbanks Center aims to promote people’s love for nature through its motto: ECOlogy, ECOnomy and E-COmmerce. ECOlogy is reflected in the mall’s FunPamilya Park, a family recreational hub with sports and leisure facilities for biking, pedal boating, basketball, swimming, riverside jogging, open-air karaoke, spa, and airsoft games. The center also holds occasional activities like scrabble tournaments, storytelling festivals, and free concerts and movie passes.

Bikes for rent at Marikina Riverbanks (Photo by Dave Ceasar Dela Cruz)

ECOnomy comes in the mall’s hundreds of retail branded outlet stores, fast food chains, food courts, restaurants, and Off-Price Department Store, where you can allegedly “stretch your peso beyond limits” in shopping for bargain clothes, accessories, shoes, furniture, toys, appliances, and many more.

As for E-Commerce, the Riverbanks Center has an ICT and an E-COM building that house BPO offices as well as snack bars and several banks.

World’s biggest shoes

Manufacturers of Marikina-made shoes are also housed in one roof: the Marikina Shoe Gallery, located at the Riverbanks Mall. It is home to the biggest shoes in the world, certified by the Guinness Book Records. The pair of shoes is 5.29 meters long and 2.37 meters wide. It can be worn by a 125-foot tall person and 30 people can fit inside it. It is made of authentic leather and other materials that can be used to make 250 pairs of average shoes. Among the famous personalities that have been photographed with the shoes is Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

Philippine’s first interactive science museum

Also inside the mall is the Philippine Science Centrum, operated and managed by the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology. It is said to be the Philippines’ first interactive science center that boasts of interactive exhibits, as well as shows and demonstrations that aim to enhance children’s experience of science.

Opening hours and fees

Riverbanks Center and Marikina Shoe Gallery are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The Philippine Science Centrum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday. It is also open to bookings for group tours. Entrance fee to Marikina Shoe Gallery is P20, for the Philippine Science Centrum: P100.

Contact details

Riverbanks Center

Tel. nos.: 948-0006 to 10
Telefax: 948-9791
Fax no.: 948-9758
E-mail: info@riverbankscenter.com
Website: http://www.riverbankscenter.com/index.html

Philippine Science Centrum

Address: E-Com Bldg., Riverbanks Center, Barangka, Marikina City
Tel. nos.: 942-4137, 942-5136
Website: http://www.science-centrum.ph/

How to get there

Riverbanks Center is in 84 A. Bonifacio Ave., Barangka, Marikina City. From Cubao, you may take a jeepney or FX going to SSS, Parang, Calumpang, Fortune, or San Mateo. You may also take the LRT Line-2 from Cubao, get off at the Katipunan station, and take a jeepney or an FX en route to the places mentioned earlier. Ask the driver to drop you off in Riverbanks Center.

Tags: Day trip, Dining, Entertainment, Manila, Marikina, Restaurants, Shopping