“Holiday Christmas Royale” at SM City Manila

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SM City Manila kicks-off the Christmas season with its “Holiday Christmas Royale” themed Christmas centerpiece lighting event at the Event Center, Upper Ground Level, November 7, 2020. 

Adorned with giant bells and hundreds of Christmas balls, the 25 feet tall giant Christmas tree is a sight to behold and a celebration of the holiday season. 

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, together with SM City Manila kicked off the Christmas season with its “Holiday Music Royale” themed Christmas centerpiece lighting event at the Event Center, Upper Ground Level, last November 7, 2020. The 25 feet tall giant Christmas tree is a sight to behold and a celebration of the holiday season.

True to this year’s message, the event is a reminder to shoppers that shoppers will steel feel the warmth and happiness that the Christmas season brings despite of the challenges that this year has, dahil ngayong Pasko, sama- sama tayo sa SM Supermalls. 

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna  were at the event and hosted by TV personality and Lifestyle Blogger Valerie Roxas Tan and with performances from Los Cantantes de Manila, an international award-winning choir group as well as Violet Ocampo, a Tawag ng Tanghalan finalist. 

The event also highlights SM’s its annual Bears of Joy project which enables shoppers to purchase a pair of frontliner toy bears for P200- one they can keep and the other will be donated to SM City Manila’s chosen group. The Bears of Joy Booth is located at the Event Center, UGL. 

This year, SM City Manila will endorse the donated bears to the frontliners of Manila Medical Center. Aside from the Bears of Joy project, the spirit of sharing is amplified with the #ShareHopeWithSM Promo where shoppers have the chance to nominate frontliners for them to have a chance to get SM gift certificates. 

SM City Manila also continues to open its doors in support to MSMEs. Shoppers may visit the Christmas Market at Upper Ground Level near Event Center where locally-sourced products and goods are available. This effort in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Buy Local, Go Lokal aims to help local businesses restart and recover. 

The event’s main highlight, the Christmas tree lighting,  preceded with a countdown and a ceremonial ringing of the bell by Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and SM Executives, an act that aims to signify bouncing back better and stronger together.

 

This year's event is a reminder to shoppers of the warmth and happiness that the Christmas season brings despite of the challenges that this year has, dahil #SamaSamaTayoSaPaskoAtSM.

 

 

 

SM toy bears bring joy to PWD kids

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There is something magical that every stuffed toy bear brings to its owner; but to a disadvantaged person, child or adult, the effect is passionately special. This is the inspiration that the Bears of Joy of SM Supermalls, through its SM Cares CSR arm, bring to every recipient.

For several years now, SM has been giving its special edition stuffed toy bear aptly called Bears of Joy to chosen depressed communities and partner organizations where an SM mall operates. This year, there are a total of 66 communities nationwide that will be receiving Bears of Joy for the yuletide. Some of the recipients will be 176 students with special needs of Lagro Elementary School, through the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) Lagro Chapter.

Marieta F. Tan, head of the ASP Lagro Chapter, said that this is the second time that the school will be receiving the special bears from SM. Judging from last year’s response from the recipients and their parents, Tan expects to see more happy smiles from the children with autism.

“It’s truly special because the toy bears are given in person by people from SM themselves. The kids really treasure the toys they are given, especially when they see that they are from SM. Once they see the brand, they already feel they belong,” Tan affirms. “They are familiar with SM since we are always invited to mall events where the kids get free entertainment and fun activities.”

ASP is only one of several PWD organizations that are being supported by SM Cares. The annual Angels Walk is especially held for ASP members.

Tan explains that something as simple as a toy bear can help a lot in taking care of a child with autism. “The bear serves as their companion – a close friend and confidante. The toy bears somehow calm them down whenever they have emotional breakdowns,” Tan said.

According to Tan, this particular project of SM Cares “has heart because they really think of ways to support PWDs and their families. Naiintindihan nila ang pangangailangan ng mga bata. Napakalaking bagay nito sa kanila.”

The SM Bears of Joy are being sold as pairs in participating SM malls nationwide. For every pair sold, one goes to the customer while the other goes to a recipient from an adopted community or organization.