Celebrating Cavite at My City, My SM launch

MANILA, Philippines - Cavite’s rich history and heritage, as well as its illustrious heroes, took center stage during the recent My City, My SM launch at SM City Dasmariñas.

The event also highlighted the celebration of the 114th Tejeros Convention, during which the first presidential and vice presidential elections were held in the Philippines. The convention, which was held on March 22, 1897, officially gave birth to the revolutionary government formed and headed by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

The stage, which was decorated to look like the original venue of the Tejeros Convention, was a fitting backdrop to honor two outstanding Caviteños: former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, himself a grand nephew of General Emilio Aguinaldo; and broadcast journalist and former Cavite Congressman Gilbert Remulla, managing director of Island Cove and Leisure Park.

Vice Governor Recto Cantimbuhan, Provincial Board Member Rex Mangubat, Dasmariñas Councilor Robin Catimbuhan, and Bacoor DOT officer Nelson Madrid joined in the festivities. Also in attendance were last year’s My City, My SM honoree, 2009 CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida, Indonesian actress Sarjoey Djojohadukusi, Georgia Isabel Roa-Remulla, Gilbert’s lovely wife. They were welcomed by SM VP for marketing Millie Dizon, assistant mall managers Reymie delos Reyes, Joseph Forosuelo, and Editha Ragodo; and group brand manager Ritchie Tan Gonzales.

The Baldomero Shrine replica: This restored historical edifice was originally built in 1906, and served as the official residence of Gen. Baldomero Aguinaldo (first cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo) and his family.

The launch, which also featured a reenactment of the Philippine Revolution and a tableau leading to the Philippine National Anthem by the Teatro Baile de Cavite, as well as virtuoso performances by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, transported guests back in time with beautifully crafted, two-dimensional exhibits of four historical landmarks in Cavite. These included replicas of the Aguinaldo Shrine, the Tejeros Convention, the Baldomero Shrine and the St. Magdalene Church.

Guests later enjoyed cocktail versions of Cavite delicacies like pinalamang na kamatis, binalot na tahong at keso, tinapa canapes, halo-halo and suman na lihiya.

Cavite delicacies — pinalamanang kamatis, binalot na tahong at keso and tinapa at itlog na pula — from Alexis Cuisine

The My City, My SM launch in SM City Dasmariñas is the second in the second year of this tourism-driven campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM malls and stores are located. It is a joint project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from the Philippine STAR.

Last year’s My City, My SM road show brought readers to 15 cities in the Philippines with prominent personalities from each area as tour guides. It began in time for the Giant Lantern Festival in December 2009 with “I Left My Heart in San Fernando” with internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan, and had a grand finale with “The Genteel Charm of Bacolod,” which marked the opening day of the 31st Masskara Festival with honorees Raymund Javellana and dynamic board members of the Association of Negros Producers Mary Anne Colmenares, Cristina Gaston, Mary Anne Sicangco-Hagad and Josephine Locsin.

This year’s My City, My SM began in January with “The Lakeside Charm of San Pablo” with Don Ado Escudero and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Dr. Jaime Alip as honorees.