CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The SM Supermalls in Pampanga launched over the weekend their respective Christmas theme and each mall invited prominent entertainment and public personalities to add glamor and class to the triple events marking the start of the Yuletide season at the 46 Henry Sy-owned malls in the country.
SM City Pampanga and SM City Clark – which collectively have some 200,000 customers in a day on weekends – unveiled their Christmas traditions on Friday and Saturday in grand yet meaningful style.
SM City San Fernando, the newest mall of the SM Prime Holdings Inc. in Pampanga, will hold a concert featuring singer Jaya Nov. 13 as its Christmas tradition treat.
“It’s the start of the early Christmas season in our 46 SM supermalls,” said SM Pampanga mall manager Lana Eroba in her opening speech at the launch held at the eastern portion of the country’s longest contiguous mall.
Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Board Members Olga Frances “Fritzie” David-Dizon, Trina Dizon, Salvador Dimson Jr., Monina Laus and Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. attended the 45-minute launch of SM Pampanga featuring Disneyland’s famous Glitter Avenue.
Lisa Teresita Pacheco Macuja-Elizalde, the first Philippine-based Prima Ballerina and first foreign soloist who joined the world renowned Kirov Ballet in 1984, performed at the SM Pampanga launch, which was also attended by Jim Jimenez and Rene Romero and his wife Agnes of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) Inc.
SM Regional Operations Manager Rheybie Nipas, who joined the launch at SM Pampanga late Friday afternoon, said they are benefitting from the progress in the province and “good purchasing attitude” of the local residents.
Nipas said there was an average of some 50,000 daily customers when SM Pampanga was launched in 2000. He added “now we have more than 100,000 daily clients during weekends.”
Nipas said SM Clark, which was opened in 2006, is now enjoying “between 50,000 and 70,000” customers daily on peak days.
SM San Fernando City, which opened last July at the heart of the capital city, is peaking up in terms on the number of customers and sales, said Nipas. He said they have at least 20,000 customers daily.
Giant Candyland
On Saturday, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and his wife Herminia, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, mayor’s chief of staff Alex Cauguiran and Councilor Willie Rivera led the opening of the SM Clark’s Giant Candyland.
Cosplays queens Alodia Gosiengfiao and her younger sister Ashley hosted the launch at the SM Event Centre.
SM Supermalls President Anne Garcia gave a message coursed through their mall managers and it was read by SM City Clark Manager Ana Datu.
“This Christmas, SM Supermalls is celebrating the holidays by remembering all the things that make Christmas merry: Music, laughter, indulgence, gift-giving and the spirit of sharing,” said SM Clark Mall Manager Ana Datu who read the message of Garcia.
“Music will be in the air in all 46 Supermalls as we serenade you with childrens’ choirs, the Von Trapp Family Singers, Zendee, SM’s ‘random girl’ and a host of other musical talents,” the message said.
Students of the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) performed a dance and song number to culminate the launching of the Giant Candyland.
“This is one of the best traditions I have seen in all SM malls. What caught my attention was the great show of the AUF students and the equally attractive Giant Candyland,” said Georgia Estrada of Balibago, Angeles City.
In Photo: Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde (second from left) and Gov. Lilia Pineda (center) are joined by (from left) SM Regional Operations Manager Rheybie Nipas, Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon and SM Pampanga Mall Manager Lana Eroba at the launch of the Glitter Avenue Christmas tradition on Friday. (Ric Gonzales)