Of all occasions, I had to find out during the funeral of my uncle that my mother Emily Relucio Lopez had played an integral role in one of the most iconic institutions in the country. No, it wasn’t Greenpeace or the Women’s Liberation movement — that was for later. Henry Sy went up to my mom and started reminiscing about how she was the lucky charm of SM. Apparently, my mother, the architect of my crazy childhood and sometime muse to my fashion whims, was the first face of SM.

If we Lopez girls have a gold medal in something, it’s shopping. So it was only fitting and honorable that she was part of the birth of this retail giant.

Of course, back then SM was a zygote to the leviathan it is now; my mother always still blushes at the memory. For her, the modeling days were a lifetime ago. She has since moved on to politics and now has retired as a devoted wife to my dad and mother to her two chihuahuas. “I’m so proud to be part of the history of Shoemart. It’s a symbol of Philippine excellence and our global potential,�? she enthuses.

She adds, “When I started as a model, SM got me and it was sort of like we grew up with each other. I couldn’t help feeling happy as I saw Henry’s empire grow to unbelievable heights. It was inspiring.�?

“I remember just doing it for free and I got a pair of shoes as a ‘thank you’ gift. I was thrilled,�? she continues. “I was happy doing it for free. There was a part of me that idolized him and I saw the future in him through his hard work and industriousness. He was someone you wanted to just be supportive of even then.�?

My mother’s most memorable job with SM was the calendar she did with her good friend Monie Locsin, the sister of the famed architect Lindy Locsin. After that, my mother started modeling here and in Europe, being the face for Sabena Airlines (that generation’s Virgin Airlines), an ambassador for Elizabeth Arden and traveled the world promoting Philippine fashion with Filipino couturiers along with Tingting Cojuangco, Chona Kasten and the like.

However, her stint with SM remains close to her heart: “It reminds me of my beginnings and the chances and opportunities life has given me.�?

Though her modeling career took her around the globe, her ties to the Sy family were always there.

“Years later, when I married Albertito, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Henry was a good friend of my father-in-law Fernando,�? she continues.

True enough, growing up, my Lulu (my nickname for my beloved grandfather) would make sure I got a new pair of shoes every Sunday after Mass at Shoemart. Sometimes I would meet his friend Henry in the store. I always chose the craziest colors. So you can see the roots of my shoe fetish.

Summers in Iloilo were always idle, our highlight was always a trip to SM to get either beach gear, a new dress for Mass or just random little toys to peel myself away from the television. My dad (of all people) bought me my first makeup set there, without telling my mom. He was already being my stage dad, feeding my delusions of stardom. SM was always a happy place. It was a place where I spent many priceless memories with my grandfather doing what I loved most even then: shopping.

One particular summer, I decided to get down to business and set up a “salon�? funded by Lulu. It was the official salon of our family compound in Iloilo. I bought all my cosmetics and potions in SM and proceeded to “treat and beautify�? my cousins and our yayas. I think I saw the future of mint masks as I mixed clay mask with toothpaste. Of course, no one knew the components that made this cocktail and it was a hit in the compound. You could say SM was the  original supplier to the first of my many entrepreneurial endeavors.

Even later on, SM played a big part in my adulthood. When I first moved out of my parents’ home, I bought my very first Christmas tree at SM. It was so special that it decorated my Christmas card that year.

SM still continues to bring joy and memories to every family. I’m sure each Filipino family has their own special stories to share.  Knowing my mother played a small part in it makes me feel proud.