My firsts at SM

Winner, ‘My City, My SM’

MANILA, Philippines - It was April Fool’s Day in 1989 when I first traveled to Cagayan de Oro City alone. Had it not been for my desire to study college in the city, I wouldn’t have dared ride a bus alone and endure the long three-hour and 15 minutes travel from my hometown in Maramag, Bukidnon.

While on the bus, I wondered what was in store for me in the City of Golden Friendship. Back then, I thought after finishing the four-year nursing course, I would go back to my hometown, practice what I had learned, and settle there for good.

But things went differently. Yes, I finished nursing and passed the board exam. But for the four years that I lived in the city, I started to love its culture, learned the Kagay-anon language like tsada (beautiful), grew fascinated by its scenery and enjoyed the long walk within the Divisoria area where the first school I enrolled in, Xavier University, is located.

Back then, me and my friends loved strolling at the Gaston Park after hearing Mass at the St. Augustine Cathedral. We would often throw coins at the fountain and make a wish — wishes that were oftentimes related to love. 

Eight months after I graduated in 1993, I got married to a Kagay-anon (I consider him as such because he was born and raised in Cagayan de Oro though his father was from Bohol).

We were married in a Catholic church in Maramag but we decided to settle in Cagayan de Oro. It is where we both tried to earn a living, raise a family and enjoy life at the same time. We were blessed with four children, aged 16, 12, nine and five.

While struggling to earn for our family, me and my husband Alain always try to expose our children to things that they can learn from and enjoy at the same time. It’s fortunate that Cagayan de Oro is like a one-stop shop where consumers like us can find all the things we need.

Our family loves to dine out, and in Cagayan de Oro, you can find an array of restaurants and fast-food chains that can provide a great gastronomic experience.

We also love outdoor adventure so we really find time to go out and explore Mother Nature. One time, we brought the kids to the Malasag Eco-Tourism Village in Barangay Cugman where we had a grand time trekking and watching the birds, monkeys and other animals placed in a cage within the village.

When it’s fiesta time in the city (Aug. 28), we never fail to watch the grand parade, the street dancing, the horseshow competition,

This photo was taken right after the grand finals of the “Mother-and-Daughter Look-Alike Contest” in 2006.

motor racing and all other fiesta activities.

On Sundays, we often go mall-hopping and treat the kids to fun rides.

But it was the year 2002 that made all of us very excited. Why? Because it was the year that SM City Cagayan de Oro first opened.

I can’t forget the day when SM City Cagayan de Oro opened: Nov. 15, 2002. It was the worst traffic situation I had ever seen here. Almost all vehicles in the city were heading toward Upper Carmen where SM City is located, all trying to get a firsthand glimpse of the biggest mall to open in the city. The usual 20-minute ride from downtown Cagayan de Oro to Upper Carmen became a grueling two hours. But the sacrifice was worth it as SM City Cagayan de Oro went beyond our expectations. It’s a complete one-stop-shop where we can buy all our needs — from food, to clothes, to kitchenware items and school supplies. And the kids can enjoy all the fun rides, too, while we do our shopping.

Since the day it opened — and up until now — I consider SM City Cagayan de Oro as a part of my life. It is because the mall shared some of the “firsts” in my life, and my kids, too.

I had my first taste of impromptu solo hosting at SM City Cagayan de Oro in 2005 during the turnover of books for the project of SM Foundation; it is where I first joined a contest, the Mother-and-Daughter Look-Alike contest, with my daughter April in 2006; had my first makeover at David’s Salon; and had a chance to see Sikat, the country’s Solar-Powered Car.

I was invited once to co-host a taped TV show for a government agency but at SM City Cagayan de Oro, it was a nerve-wracking experience. It was a colleague who was supposed to host the turnover but since he was to deliver a message later, he “appointed” me to host the activity instead. And I was informed right after entering the main entrance of the mall. I was caught off-guard since hosting is not really my forte and I was scheduled to fetch my son from school by lunchtime. But thank God I did it — despite chills and tears — since later, my son, who was five years old then, thought I forgot him.

The “Mother-and-Daughter Look-Alike Contest” did not give us medals but it gave me experience I’ll never forget. Though we did not win, we were chosen among the finalists. As a gift for landing in the finals, we were treated to a makeover session at David’s Salon, my first since I am not really fond of treating myself to salons other than having a haircut.

My children also had their share of firsts at SM City Cagayan de Oro. One was when they had a “joyride” inside an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) or army’s armored vehicle that traveled within the vicinity of SM and the first fireworks display competition that SM hosted, which literally gave them a beautiful experience.

My youngest son Aldwyn had his first movie treat at SM Cinema while his elder brother Aldex had his first “train” ride, also at SM. We also had our first family videoke session at the World of Fun.

There have been countless firsts that we have experienced at SM City Cagayan de Oro. We may not remember them all but it’s a sure thing that SM has become a big part of our family life.

My children practically grew up with SM. And so have I.