CLARK FREEPORT—SM City Clark raised P800,000 in its Tree of Life, Tree of Light fund-raising program for the victims of Supertyphoon Yolanda (international code name Haiyan) in Monday’s ceremony at the mall’s north-east wing acacia promenade here.

SM City Clark Mall Manager Ana Datu said the project intends to raise P1.5 million from donors in the Metro Clark area who would donate P1,000 for every Capiz-made Christmas ball which will be hung on an assigned acacia tree for their city or municipality.

Five acacia trees, one each for the municipalities of Porac and Magalang and the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat and another for the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and SM City Clark, can accommodate 300 Christmas balls or P300,000 for each tree, for a combined total of P1.5 million for the five acacia trees.

Datu  said the proceeds of the project would  be used to build homes for the victims of Yolanda. SM’s Henry Sy earlier donated P100 million for the rebuilding of the houses destroyed by the super typhoon.

Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, City Councilor Edu Pamintuan and a boy from the city began the ceremony by placing the Capiz-made Christmas ball on a pedestal which turned on the lights on the assigned acacia tree for Angeles City.

The representatives from Magalang were led by Vice Mayor Norman Lacson and Clark International Airport Corp. President and CEO Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano, a prominent resident of the town.

Mabalacat City was represented by Vice Mayor Christian Halili, Councilor Benny Jocson and Jhune Magbalot who placed the Capiz ball on the pedestal to light the tree for the city.

Porac town was represented by Vice Mayor Dexter David and Councilor Mark Anthony E. Valencia, while SM and CDC were represented by CDC Vice President for Finance Noel Mananquil and SM Regional Operations Manager Rheybie C. Nipas.

The tree-lighting ceremony was followed by a solemn candle-lighting ceremony, while representatives from the City College of Angeles sang “We Are The World” which capped the event.

Others who supported the event were Pruds S. Garcia of Mekeni Foods Corp., Rep. Yeng Guiao (First District, Pampanga), Lito Mercado of PLDT Clark, Asian College of Aeronautics, AA Dodge Pest Control, Pest Away, Paravisble, VDC Contractor Inc., MSV Sounds and Lights, Chrisney Sounds and Lights, Job Clean Manpower and General Services, Aresun Manpower Services, John Bailey, and the Clark Investors and Locators Association.