SM City Bacolod, at your service, yes!

MANILA, Philippines - I can remember when there was no SM in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, when I would always go to SM City Iloilo, and spend my whole day shopping when there was a big sale. But not until March 2007 did Bacolod get its own SM City at the heart of the city.

Once a barren land with tall grasses, the reclamation area is where now stands SM City Bacolod: a 16-hectare lot that was converted into the newest shopping center in the city of smiles.

Prior to its advancement, the city was occupied by Spaniards in 1565; at the turn of the 20th century it was under American rule; and during the Second World War, it was under the regime of the Japanese. A blend of different customs and practices, it is now a growing modern metropolis, built by the past and molded by recent technologies and developments.

Bacolod City is a city that serves as the portal to the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines,” Negros Occidental. The sweet smiles of the Bacoleños can be compared to the sweet and rich foods it produces, such as delicious piaya, or the tasty and juicy Bacolod chicken inasal at Manukan Country, a chain of stalls known for its mouth-watering grilled chicken and just a walking distance from SM North. At the back of Provincial Capitol, an organic market and restaurant can be found selling very affordable and healthy produce.

The city has its notable festivals. The world-famous Masskara festival, one of the most popular feasts in the province, is held every October; and of course the most celebrated is the Panaad sa Negros or Panaad Festival, a hiligaynon word that means “promise,” and a form of thanksgiving to the Divine Providence. The festival of all festivals is also held each year in the month of April, where all towns and cities of the province converge to showcase their individual festivals, history, cultural heritage, commercek, industry and tourism.

Combined with this dashing city, showing off its unique and modern architecture, is SM City Bacolod, a one-stop shopping place, as I see it, for it has everything an individual needs, from the latest technology in its Cyberzone area to the newest trends in the market. SM also has been part of the daily living of every Bacolenos, where it provides the locals with amenities, comforts and the latest gigs in the city.

All of these can only be found in the city itself, and only SM brings so much fun and closeness to every Filipino family. And just as I hear every day when I go to SM, it comes through in the synchronized voices and handclaps of the employees, together with those kids who already knew the chant: “At your service, yes!”

Definitely, SM City Bacolod has got it all for you!