CHRISTMAS came early to the SM Mall of Asia with a double celebration: the formal launch of The SM Store and MasterCard’s 120 VIP Travel Packages to Resorts World Sentosa Singapore, and the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting at the SM Mall of Asia.

In line with the holiday spirit, The SM Store will be giving a special gift to its shoppers who have made the store part of their lives for many years. Every P3,000 minimum purchase using their Philippines-issued MasterCard at any SM Store entitles SM Advantage Card holders to a raffle coupon and a chance to w i n one of 120 VIP Travel Packages for two to Resorts World Sentosa Singapore. The promo period is until December 31.

Joining i n the toast during the celebration were SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy, SM Store President Jorge Mendiola, Resorts World Sentosa Singapore Vice President for Engagement/Partnership Noel Hawkes and MasterCard Vice President Judith Dayrit. The event was well attended by bankers and the Resorts World Sentosa group.

Completing the holiday tableau was the Lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree, an annual SM Mall of Asia tradition since it opened in 2006. The 50-foot Christmas tree, which is said to be the tallest indoor Christmas tree in the Philippines, has around 500 ornaments and a string of 40,000 LED lights, and is embellished w i t h gold metal sheets at the heart of the tree, and decorated w i t h acrylic and shimmering holographic foil stars in gleaming gold and sparkling silver. The base of the tree is an enchanting red brick house w i t h a quaint pebbled fireplace.

Needless to say, the red brick house is guarded by Santa’s real-life nutcracker soldiers watching over Santa’s ruby-red couchannel.