SM: A commitment that's in the blood
When somebody says SM, the first thing that might come to mind is shopping. “We’ve got it all for you” is the perfect tag line: glorious shopping for people from all walks of life, bargains, great deals, and anything and everything you need under one roof.
In the late ‘80s, when the first SM Mall sprouted in the middle of nowhere on EDSA, it became the place to be for more glorious shopping, great food and endless fun. Everybody wanted to be seen at SM. I remember as a student, my friends and I would be waiting outside for the mall to open in the morning, or rush there after classes in the afternoon. Even with our meager allowances, we always found ways to have fun.
When I graduated from college, the first company I thought of joining was SM. I really didn’t know what I wanted, but I wanted to join SM. I had my first job at the SM Department Store head office where I was the “vault keeper” at the treasury department, then at the consignors’ office for a very short time. Two of my cousins were also working at SM then; one was in merchandising, the other in marketing. A lot of my officemates also had relatives who were their officemates, so it was almost like a family affair. During my stint at the consignors’ office, Mrs. Coson saw something in me and felt that I should be working at SM Supermarket where I could better develop my interests and strengths. At that time, I still didn’t know what I really wanted to do with my life. I took up chemistry in college just for the sake of having a college diploma and not because I wanted to develop a mind-boggling formula, like a youth elixir or a love potion. So I was quite surprised that TSC saw a flicker of promise in me and glimpsed which field I should go into. Thus, I transferred to SM Supermarket head office in Pasig as a buyer. A bunch of us started with no knowledge of the business — as in totally zilch. But Mr. Herbert Sy really took the time to train and help us understand the business. He was not selfish with information and gave us important pointers that we not only applied to our job then, but could also use in the future. He was not just a boss, he was almost like a father (or older brother) to us. His treatment gave me a greater sense of self-worth and taught me the value of hard work and money. Working at SM Supermarket was really hard work with heavy responsibilities, but our boss, my officemates and the family environment made it so much fun and worthwhile.
My relationship with my officemates also developed into deeper friendships. We became godmothers to each other’s children. Unlike other friendships that started in the workplace wherein communication is lost when one leaves the company, ours was so much deeper than that. Happy times and sad times, we were together and united. We knew each other’s strengths and flaws, and we didn’t sugarcoat the painful truths. Even after SM, we still make sure that we all maintain constant communications with each other. Get-togethers, vacations and parties are spent with each other’s families. Through thick and thin, sick and sin, we were always there for each other. One of them even donated her blood when I was hospitalized (even though she was scared stiff of needles). That was the kind of relationship that was started, developed and nurtured from SM.
Now, I am applying everything I have learned from SM and Mr. Herbert Sy to my husband’s own family business. I still visit the head office to say “Hi” and Mr. Herbert hasn’t changed: he still gives pointers, suggestions and extends as much help as he did in the past. One piece of advice he gave was to not only remember what we’re taught, but to apply it in our everyday business.
For me, my SM experience is not just great food, endless fun and glorious shopping; it is also surprising discoveries, promising beginnings, nurturing relationships, a strong work ethic, deeper friendships, worthwhile training, unsurpassed wisdom, immense respect — and the list goes on.
