Insider Spotlight
The move comes as the landmark shopping center celebrates its 50th anniversary, underscoring five decades of shaping the Philippine retail landscape.
Named after boxing icon Muhammad Ali following the historic "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975, the mall opened on June 30, 1976, with Ali himself leading its inauguration.
Why it matters
Ali Mall introduced several industry firsts that helped redefine the local shopping experience and influenced the development of malls across the country.
Among its pioneering features were the country's first two cinemas inside a shopping mall, the first seven-screen cineplex, and the first multi-level parking facility directly connected to every mall floor.
In 1979, it launched the Philippines' first dedicated fast-food center inside a shopping mall through the Food Gallery.
The big picture
The property has steadily expanded beyond retail to become a one-stop destination for commerce and government services.
Today, Ali Mall houses a centralized hub for banking and essential government satellite offices, including one of the Department of Foreign Affairs' largest NCR branches.
It also introduced Ali X, a lifestyle wing dedicated to antiques, art, memorabilia, and nostalgia, broadening its appeal to both longtime patrons and younger visitors.
By the numbers
To commemorate its golden anniversary, the mall is running a digital promotion from June 30 to July 5, 2026, for individuals born in 1976. Fifty winners will each receive a limited-edition Ali Mall 50th Anniversary Copper Medal.
What's next
Managed by ACI Inc., one of the Araneta Group's five business units, Ali Mall is expected to continue its modernization while preserving the heritage that has made it one of Metro Manila's most recognizable commercial landmarks and a cornerstone of Araneta City's long-term development. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
