SM and the Philippine Star launch the My City My SM Contest

Let us know why you love your city and why you love SM and get a chance to win P5,000worth of SM Gift Cards or one of six Sony Ericsson phones!

During the last few months, prominent personalities brought us on a visual tour of their hometown in the My City, My SM campaign, sharing with us why they love their city and why they love SM.

Multi-awarded film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson let us know why despite all their success, they Left their Heart in San Fernando; while the entrepreneurial Aldeguer brothers – Jay, Michael, and Chris, and socialite Teresin Mendezona talked about their booming and beautiful city in Cebu, Cebu.

Mang Inasal’s Edgar Sia II and Dr. Josette Biyo, who has a planet named after her, gave us a tour of Sweet Home Iloilo; while National artist Bencab and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2001 and lawyer Zorayda Ruth Andam shared with us why it is Baguio on My Mind for each of them.

Artist, writer, and foodie Claude Tayag and educator and CHED Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles were upbeat about their hometown in Up, Up, and Away at Clark; while Philippine Tatler Magazine’s Managing Editor and Rotary District 3820 Governor Chit Lijauco and the Tiongco Brothers – Emil, Jun, and Art – showed us the other side of progressive Santa Rosa in If You Are Going to Santa Rosa.

Now it's your turn to be our tour guide and share with us the attractions, festivals, history, culture, and lifestyle of your hometown in the Philippine Star and SM’s My City, My SM Contest. Simply let us know why you love your city and why you love the SM mall in it –in a photo essay- and get a chance to win exciting prizes from SM and Sony Ericsson.

The contest will run from April 4 – July 2010, and you can join by simply sending an email of your photo essay to pstar_smmycity@yahoo.com.
(underscore after pstar).

Or write to us at the following addresses:

The Lifestyle Section
The Philippine Star
R. Oca, Jr. and Railroad Streets
Port Area, Manila

The Publicity Department
SM Retail, Inc., Building C
SM Corporate Office
J.W. Diokno Avenue, Roxas Boulevard,
Pasay City

SM will choose one lucky winner per week, who will be entitled to P5,000.00 worth of SM Gift Cards, and whose write up will be published in the Lifestyle section of the Philippine Star. Winners can claim their prizes from SM’s Publicity Department at Building C, SM Corporate Office at J.W. Diokno Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

There will also be a Special Category for photo essays using a camera phone, wherein winners will be awarded one of six Sony Ericsson phones. Five (5) winners will each be entitled to a C510 Cyber-Shot phone with the famous smile shutter and intuitive zero-click access to Facebook. One also has a chance to winning this category’s Grand Prize – the Sony Ericsson Vivaz, the second installment in a new family of communication entertainment phones that introduces HD video capabilities in the portfolio.

The My City, My SM contest is a joint project of SM and the Philippine Star with support from Sony Ericsson.

SM Cinekada Search On

Whether viewing a Hollywood blockbuster or homegrown hit, there’s nothing like watching movies with your barkada. Somehow, the laughter is louder, the cry harder, and the movie’s dialogue finds its way io your everyday conversation.

At SM Cinema, it’s not only fun watching movies with your group mates at our screens across the country, but you can also win prizes at its First Cinekada Search. You and your barkada have a chance to win a three days and two nights trip to Boracay, P100,000 cash, gadgets, gift certificates, gift packs, and one day VIP treatment in various spas and wellness clinics. You and your friends can also have a chance to appear in SM Cinema advertisements.

How to win? Barkadas of five from 18 to 25 years old can head over to the nearest SM Cinema or IMAX Theater with a handy camera in tow. Send your photos to the SM Cinema Facebook account with a write up of not more than 200 words on Why We Should be Chosen as the 1st Cinekada and Why We Watch at SM Cinema. Photos should be taken within cinema lobbies of SM or IMAX theaters.

SM Cinema fans will have the privilege of voting for their favorite barkada by liking the photos uploaded on the page. The most liked barkadas will join the grand finals at the Centerstage of the SM Mall of Asia on July 24, 6 p.m.

The SM Cinekada Search will also have a caravan with live performances, mini fashion shows, photo ops, and a Cinekada of the Day Search. There will also be a lot of freebies and raffle items at the caravan, which will take place at the SM Cinemas in Clark on June 11; Manila, June 14; SM Mall of Asia, June 16; Sta. Mesa, June 23; Southmall, June 27; Sta. Rosa, June 25; and Megamall, June 30.

For details, log on to www.smcinema.com.

SM Sta. Rosa holds 2nd Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Graduation

Graduates of the 2nd Batch of Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program proudly display their certificates during graduation day. With them in photo are (from L-R) SM Brand Manager Armind Cajala; City Agriculturist Engr. Eusebio Cajucom; SM Supermarket Store Manager Ronnie Rangasa; SM Sta. Rosa Mall Manager Dominador Caringal Jr. (3rd from right); SM Foundation AVP Christie Angeles and Harbest Agribusiness President Arsenio Barcelona.

Vegetable and fruit growers of Brgy. Macabling in Sta. Rosa Laguna celebrated the ending of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program, a three-month training program given by SM Foundation and Harbest Agribusiness, via a graduation ceremony held at the Event Center of SM City Sta. Rosa last June 23, 2010 .

More than 50 local farmers were given certificates of completion by SM Foundation’s Assistant Vice President Christie Angeles and Harbest Agribusiness President Arsenio Barcelona. Also present during the event was Ronnie Rangasa, Store Manager of SM Supermarket in SM Sta. Rosa who pledged his support by providing the farmers a space inside the supermarket where they can sell their crops. The farmers, on the other hand, gave their assurance that they will be providing SM with fruits and vegetables of the best quality.

The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program, is a project of SM Foundation whose main aim is to help local farmers produce high-quality, off-season fruits and vegetables year-round, using simple and do-able technology taught by Harbest. Part of the program trained farmers on how to grow seedlings using F1-hybrid seeds from Known-You in seedling trays with the growing medium Growell. Aside from this, farmers also learned the proper technique on how to do land preparation with basal fertilization, pruning, irrigation and fertilization; pest and diseases identification and control; proper harvesting and general farm management. The program was started late 2007 and has since supported hundreds of local farmers in areas where there is an SM Supermall. Local farmers of Brgy. Macabling, Sta. Rosa Laguna enjoying the day's harvest. The day's harvest consisted of watermelons, honey dews, string beans (sitaw), green finger peppers (siling haba), eggplants, bitter melons (ampalaya), bottle gourd (upo), and loofah (patola). SM Foundation Assistant Vice President Christie Angeles (center) together with SM City Sta. Rosa Public Relations Officer Pamela Baun (right).


Sta. Rosa City Head Agriculturist Engr. Eusebio Cajucom, supervising agriculturist Joselito Batitis, SM Sta. Rosa Mall Manager Dominador Caringal Jr. and SM Marketing Brand Manager Armind Cajala were likewise present during the event. Some of the vegetables which were sold and displayed during the event inlcuded the Jade Dragon hybrid amplaya, Amargozo Jade Dragon, Fond Long talong, Green Arrow yardlong sitaw, the Phoenix solo kalabasa, honey dew, siling haba, and watermelon.

The Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmers Training Program ran for approximately 90 days and included seminars and actual planting and harvesting. The Program is a project of the SM Foundation Inc., in partnership with Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Agriculture and TechGen with support from the Local Government of Sta. Rosa.

2nd run of SM's Green Film Festival kicks off this June

This June, until December 2010, SM Supermalls in cooperation with the Department of Education will be hosting in all its 38 malls, the Green Film Festival, a one day film screening of award winning environmental documentaries which will be shown free of charge to public school students in their respective areas.

With the aim of spreading environmental advocacy using visual medium, the Green Film Festival advocates to show the beauty of our planet, to teach the value of conserving shared resources and to plan and practice environmental efforts towards a sustainable future.

With its initial screenings set on June 21-22, 2010 at SM City Sta. Rosa, environmental documentaries to be shown include award winning films such as The 11th hour, a thought provoking documentary about the fragile state of our planet's ecosystem, which stars actor Leonardo Di Caprio and gathers an impressive list of supporters, including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIAR James Woolsey, and over 50 leading scientist. Other films include Warnings from the Wild, a documentary, produced by The New York Times, that examines the effect of global warming on the natural world and Planet Earth, known as the most expensive nature documentary series ever commissioned by BBC, the series will take viewers to the last wildernesses and show them the planet and its wildlife as they have never seen before.


The SM Green Film Festival is a project of the SM Environment Committee under the SM Cares program. Screening schedules will be every 3rd Monday and Tuesday of the month. Interested schools may contact Mr. Earth Olazo, SM Sta. Rosa Building Administration Officer and Ms. Pamela P. Baun, Public Relations Officer, at tel. Nos. (049) 534-9811 / (02) 9012027 for screening dates and schedules.

My City My SM uncovers other side of Sta. Rosa

My City My SM personalities The Tiongco Brothers and Ms. Chit Lijauco (2nd from right) together with Ms. Josephina Arcillas (3rd from right), SM's VP for Marketing and Communications Millie Dizon (far right), Kilusang Cuartel President Archt. Mario Zavalla (center) and Ms. Nonia Tiongco (4th from left) during the unveiling.

To those of us who have come to know Santa Rosa, Laguna for its progress – the techno parks, automobile plants, and upmarket residential communities, the recent My City, My SM launch at SM City Santa Rosa gave guests a rare glimpse of its other side.

Ms. Lijauco, together with Ms. Dizon and Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, as they unveil the ad material that came out in the Philippine Star.

This is a side proud of its history and culture- its old churches and ancestral homes, artifacts, local cuisine, and famous people. And the prominent families of old Santa Rosa – the Tiongcos, the Carpenas, Zavallas, and Lijaucos – gathered together in Filipiniana attire as SM honored four prominent Rosarians – the Philippine Tatler's Managing Editor and Rotary District 3820 Governor Chit Lijauco and the Tinig Hall of Fame Awardees, the Tiongco Brothers – Emil, Jun, and Art.

Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas Nazareno led the tribute that culminated in the unveiling of the two panels featuring Ms. Lijauco and the Tiongco Brothers. SM City Sta. Rosa Mall Manager Domindaor Caringal, as well as SM's VP for Operations Glenn Ang, and VP for Marketing and Communications Millie Dizon joined them.



The Mayor's mother, Ms. Josephina Arcillas, Santa Rosa City Councilor Arnel DC Gomez, Southern Tagalog Tourism Council Director Andrew Nocon, and Binan Tourism Officer Jazmine Alonte were also present. They enjoyed the program, which consisted of a performance by the University of Perpetual Help Cultural Dancers and the Tiongco Brothers, who wowed the crowd as they serenaded them with their signature songs. They also enjoyed Santa Rosa delicacies – like Matse, Atole, Lumpiang Hubad, and Sinukmane with Kinilaw na Puso ng Saging which were served with a modern take during the event, together with the popular homegrown Bok's Ice Cream.

The local atole is a lot like the maja blanca. Sinukmane with kinilaw na puso ng saging by Alice Gomez Catering.

One of the highlights of the event was the exhibit organized by Santa Rosa historian Nonia Tiongco. It featured photos of old Santa Rosa and its well -known people, as well as artifacts and antiques from the private collection of Architect Mario Zavalla. Mallgoers were seen crowding around the exhibit, with a sense of wonder as they discovered the city's glorious past.

An old sewing machine and a fisherman's lamp were some of the antiques featured at the exhibit. The fabulous Tiongco Brothers posing with one of the many costumes they wore during their international concerts. The University of Perpetual Help Cultural Dancers The Asin at Ilaw Chorale The Tiongco Brothers, Art, Emil and Jun, serenading Ms. Dizon and Ms. Lijauco. Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno giving her message. The beautiful Rosas ng Sta. Rosa 2009 winners with their equally stunning gowns.

The My City, My SM event at SM City Santa Rosa is the sixth in this tourism driven campaign that features the many cities around the Philippines where SM is located in. The first, I Left My Heart in San Fernando, honored internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson; Cebu, Cebu highlighted the best of Cebu through socialite Teresin Mendezona and the Aldeguer brothers –Jay, Michael, and Chris; while Sweet Home Iloilo featured Dr. Josette Biyo and Mang Inasal's Edgar Sia II.

Just in time for the Panagbenga and Hot Air Balloon Festivals in February, Baguio on My Mind paid tribute to National Artist Bencab and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2001 and lawyer Zora Andam; while Up, Up, and Away at Clark featured CHED Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, and artist, foodie, and writer Claude Tayag.

My City, My SM is a project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from the Philippine Star.

The entire SM Publicity Family unwinding after a very succesful event!

The New Kid on the Block

There's a new kid on the block!
SM City Sta. Rosa brought SM’s shopping, leisure, and entertainment excitement to Laguna when it opened its doors to the public on Friday, February 17, 2006.
Located on a 170,740 square meter property in Barrio Tagapo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, SM Prime’s twenty third supermall has two levels and a floor area of 88,000 square meters. It will serve customers in Laguna and neighboring provinces, making it part of Santa Rosa’s dynamism as an investment hub, tourism and educational center, and upwardly mobile residential community.



The malls major anchors are the trendsetting and innovative SM Department Store and SM Supermarket, as well as retail outlets like home stores, toy stores, appliance centers, fashion boutiques, book stores, novelty shops, sports stores, and jewelry shops that add to the shopping excitement




SM City Sta. Rosa also offers a wide array of well known international and local fast food chains, plus specialty restaurants including the SM Food Court which is known for serving good food..fast!




The mall also has four state of the art cinemas, an entertainment plaza, and 3, 351 parking slots for customer convenience.



One of the mall’s major attractions is its design, which is unlike that any of the other SM Malls. These includes a new approach to advertising signages and banner designs, outdoor dining areas along the arcade, and louvered panels.

A butterfly garden right at the center of the mall is also a welcome respite from all the hustle and bustle of everyday living.


So come and visit SM City Sta. Rosa today! Where everyone has a place under the sun!





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