MANILA, Philippines - All roads may have as well led to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City when Shopwise unveiled its eighth hypermarket (and counting) last Friday in that racy, oh-so-busy part of the city to celebrate its 11th anniversary. And if you had been to a Shopwise opening, you know this one was just as full of surprises and full of fun, with everyone going home with their carts — and hearts — full.
But of course, before it opened its doors to the public, Shopwise Commonwealth invited its special friends and members of the Shopwise family to a special preview of the place.
But before that, let’s all hear it from the man of the hour, Shopwise president Donnie Tantoco, who welcomed everyone to the Fil-American-themed affair. Says Donnie, “Every worthwhile endeavor begins with the planting of a seed. Over 11 years ago, my grandfather (Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr.) gave me the mandate to open the first hypermarket in the Philippines. It was to be the seed that would grow into what is now Shopwise; the seed which has produced employment for over 3,000 employees; the seed that has allowed our partners to grow along with us; the seed that would give ordinary Filipinos a convenient, enjoyable, and most importantly, affordable shopping experience. It was also the seed that would lend more vibrancy and dynamism to the mass retailing industry. I am filled with pride with what we have produced so far. This endeavor has been watered with hard work, sacrifice, and most importantly, love … This store is the result of our collective efforts. May we all continue to produce the sweet fruit of our labor.”
As in all Shopwise soft openings, there was food, glorious food. We had a smacking taste of history via the delicious table setting creatively designed by Nena Tantoco. Each table had an almeres, palo-palo, and sangkalan that hark back to the olden days. There were polvorons (sugar-free, as we were delighted to learn from Nena Tantoco) and Home Chef Suzy Q.’s most yummy apple pie which we savored without guilt — like they say, never say diet!
It was one of the most irresistible table settings we had ever laid eyes (and hands) on. “Yes, everything on the table is edible,” Nena tempts us.
While everyone was enjoying the sumptuous brunch, theater stalwarts Menchu Lauchengco and Michael Williams went on stage to serenade guests. There was a touch of Hollywood, too, circa the 1930s-1950s with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Elvis Presley impersonators as star attractions. Then there was dancing, with entertainers doing a musical number from Grease. After that, as smooth as greased ghosts, we all streamed into the store for the main event — shopping, but of course!
First stop on our shopping itinerary was the meat section, where there was a buy-one-take-one offer on the pork sukiyaki that cost only P275.75 per kg.; a 1.18 kg. and .5 kg. of shank bulalo were priced at only P265.79; hams were at marked-down prices. At the Le Gourmet delicatessen, we had a truly deli-cious time hovering over the shelves of cheeses, franks, and hams. In the fish section, we picked up several bags of cream dory selling for P179 per kg. Almost every section had something at discounted prices. We grabbed some bangus belly, sweet pusit and dried fish, Sure Buy sweet peas, seedless grapes. There was a buy-one-take-one on the breads, too. Then we moved on to dry goods and got ourselves some pillowcases selling at P49 for a pair; vigil candles, some ladies’ tees, leggings, dresses, men’s shirts, a pair of kiddie slippers and a shirt, and even some toys. Imagine shirts at only P99! And colorful printed canvas bags at only P195. We were tempted to do our Christmas shopping already.
As if we didn’t already get enough discounts, after paying for our purchases, we found out we could get the Shopwise promo black tiger prawns for only P300 per kg. and fresh eggs at only P29 a dozen (with a minimum purchase of P2,500).
And there’s so much more at so much less. So, c’mon over to Shopwise Commonwealth.