Antipolo and the arts in My City, My sm launch

MANILA, Philippines - The recent My City, My SM launch in SM City Masinag highlighted Antipolo’s vibrant arts scene, depicting the beautiful city through the eyes of the masters and contemporary artists.

Held in time for the popular Maytime Fiesta in Antipolo where devotees traditionally make a pilgrimage to the city’s cathedral venerate Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, the event honored TV host and news anchor Chiqui Roa-Puno and Vieux Chalet Swiss Restaurant’s Susan Reyes Hassig and daughter Florence.

During the event, the mall’s atrium was transformed into an art gallery with larger than life replicas of paintings depicting Antipolo by the masters – Fernando Amorsolo’s “Maytime in Antipolo, 1943” and “Under the Mango Tree, 1935”; and LA Salgado’s “Hinulugang Taktak.” Old prints of Antipolo, were also showcased during the event, as was a diorama depicting the arrival of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in the Philippines.

The My City, My SM launch was also just in time for the 119th birth anniversary of National Artist for Painting Fernando Amorsolo, and his daughters Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo, Helen Amorsolo-Martinez, Luz Amorsolo-Abelardo, Rosie Amorsolo-Cheng, and Emma Amorsolo-Castaneda were special guests during the event.

Antipolo’s vibrant arts scene, on the other hand, was shown through sculptor Jerry Araos, who very generously lent his wooden sculptures, including his benches, to the launch and graced the event. Also representing the city’s modern art scene was Andy Orencio of the Pinto Art Museum.

Performances by the Banda Kawayan of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the University of Rizal System Antipolo Dancers, who performed a Tayo na sa Antipolo tableaux delighted the guests, as did delicious spreads of Antipolo’s suman sa ibos, mangoes, and cashew nuts.

Among those present were Antipolo Congressman Robbie Puno, Rizal board member Ronald Barcena, Rizal Tourism head Jenny Sumulong, and Antipolo City Tourism head Norbie Mendoza. SM officials led by SM VP for marketing Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls regional operations manager Johanna Rupisan, SM City Masinag mall manager Berna Velasco, and assistant mall manager Don Edward Vijandre.

The My City, My SM launch in SM City Masinag in Antipolo is the fourth in the second year of this tourism- oriented campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM malls and stores are located.

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 just 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 Nicolette Henson; and had a grand finale with The Genteel Charm of Bacolod marking the opening day of the 31st Masskara Festival with honorees Raymund Javellana and the dynamic Association of Negros Producers board members Mary Anne Colmenares, Cristina Gaston, Mary Anne Sicangco Hagad, and Josephine Locsin.

This year’s My City, My SM campaign began in January with The Lakeside Charm of San Pablo with Ado Escudero and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Dr. Jaime Alip was awardees. In March former Prime Minister E.A. Cesar Virata and Island Cove and Leisure Park managing director Gilbert Remulla were honored in Celebrating Cavite. My Marikina was launched last month honoring former Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando along with the city’s shoemakers and retailers — Nelson Valentino of Valentino Shoes, Erlinda Salonga-Pastoral of Ohrelle, Anita Puzon-Salonga of Milani, and Gilda Salonga-Cruz of Le Donne.

My City, My SM is a joint project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from The Philippine Star.