Robina Gokongwei-Pe, chairman of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. poses with the snake-themed decor.

Billionaire business woman Robina Gokongwei-Pe has once again proven her humor by playfully addressing the urban legend about her alleged snake “twin” at Robinsons Mall. The myth, which has fascinated Filipinos since the 1990s, claims a half-human, half-snake creature resides in the basement of Robinsons Mall, preying on unsuspecting shoppers in the fitting rooms. On Monday (January 27), Gokongwei-Pe, chairman of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc., posted on her Facebook account a photo of herself standing beside snake-themed decorations at a Robinsons mall, part of the Chinese New Year celebrations marking the Year of the Snake. Accompanying the photo was a tongue-in-cheek caption: “Look who finally decided to come out of hiding—my shining, shimmering golden twin (with his pretty in pink girlfriend)!” she quipped. “Here’s to a good Year of the Snake!” The post quickly went viral, amassing over 20,000 reactions and nearly 5,000 shares, as netizens praised her humor in addressing the bizarre yet enduring urban legend.

A legend from the ‘90s

The myth originated decades ago, with tales of a half-man, half-snake creature hiding beneath the fitting rooms of Robinsons Department Store in Ortigas. Rumors claimed the snake targeted beautiful women, who were either devoured or never seen again. The story even implicated actress Alice Dixson, alleging she escaped an encounter with the “snake twin” after falling through a trapdoor. Dixson, however, debunked the rumor in a 2020 vlog, calling it completely untrue. "I don't even recall why I was in Robinsons Galleria," Dixson said in her video. "Perhaps my silence was a contributing factor to the growth of this rumor." She hypothesized that the tale might have been part of a mass communication project to study the spread of misinformation. Gokongwei-Pe first addressed the rumor in 1991, denying its validity. Over the years, she has often used humor to tackle the persistent legend. Her brother, Lance Gokongwei, joked about it during an interview with Ayala Corporation chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, saying, “If there would’ve been a snake, my sister Robina would’ve caught it and converted it into a handbag.” Gokongwei-Pe’s Facebook post continues this lighthearted approach. By embracing the myth as a source of amusement, she has turned what could have been a frustrating narrative into an opportunity for engagement. Despite the bizarre rumors, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. has grown into one of the largest retail operators in the Philippines, with malls nationwide. The snake myth, rather than hindering its success, has ironically become a part of its unique cultural identity. As the Year of the Snake unfolds, Gokongwei-Pe’s witty post serves as a reminder of how humor can diffuse even the most outrageous rumors. For many Filipinos, the urban legend will always be an entertaining, albeit fictional, piece of history. PIA/Expat Media
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