Loving Lipa at 'My City, My SM' launch

MANILA, Philippines - Prominent families from Lipa came to celebrate its rustic beauty and rich cultural traditions during the recent “My City, My SM” launch at SM City Lipa. This very special event also honored two generations of Lipenos headed by National Artist and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera.

It also honored four young members of the distinguished Katigbak clan, who are descendants of Segunda Katigbak, said to be Jose Rizal’s first love, and whose ancestral home, Casa de Segunda, is a National Heritage site — Paolo, who is executive vice president of Kia Balai; Cayo, an agri-industrial entrepreneur; Andre, a student of culinary arts; and Keena, Mutya ng Lipa 2011.

The event, which was hosted by Taal and Batangas Heritage Advocate Dindo Montenegro, had an Art Deco and Art Nouveau design theme inspired by the upcoming celebrations of the 150th year of one of Batangas’ beloved sons, Leon Apacible. Guests noted the black and white marble tiles, the stained glass designs, and the peacock feathers that defined the early 20th-century movement.

The Apacible ancestral home provided the perfect backdrop onstage, while an Art Deco theater designed showcase featured posters from Dr. Lumbera’s plays like Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari, as well his award-winning books on poetry and literary criticism, and of course, his prestigious awards. Family photographs and mementos from the Katigbak family, who have contributed much to Lipa’s economy since the time of the coffee boom in the late 1900s, meanwhile were highlighted in Art Deco interiors with windows showing a view of Mount Malarayat.

The program also revealed SM’s love for Lipa. SM City Lipa mall manager Liza F. Dimaculangan turned over an audio-visual presentation about the beautiful city to Mayor Meynard A. Sabili; while members of the Malabanan family, also descendants of Segunda Katigbak, were also cited for their participation in SM’s Generations campaign during its 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2008.

During the program, members of Artist Inc. narrated three of Dr. Lumbera’s poems — “Umaga sa Lipa,” “Pinoy” and “Tayo ang Gumuhit”; and also treated the audience to excerpts from the song Noong Unang Panahon from Tales of the Manuvu.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the panels featuring the honorees. In his response, Dr. Lumbera thanked SM for promoting his beloved city, saying “Ang puso ko ay palaging nakabaon sa lupa ng aking mga ninuno.” For the Katigbaks, meanwhile, it was a family affair with members of the four honorees’ families in full force.

Guest, including Lipa Tourism Council president Alex Maralit; Teddy Katigbak, who owns the Mabini Academy where Dr. Lumbera graduated; retired colonel Nicetas Katigbak, owner of the Katigbak Farms, enjoyed the buffet spread, which showcased some of Lipa’s best delicacies in cocktail form. These include tawilis pasta, sumang Lipa, putong malagkit with sauce, adobo flakes with kesong puti sandwich, and frozen nilupak.

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

SM City Lipa honoree Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera (third from left) with Lipa City Mayor Meynard A. Sabili (second from left), with SM VP for marketing Millie Dizon, (center), SM City Lipa mall manager Liza Dimaculangan, SM regional manager Cid Luis Victoria and Lipa City Tourism Council president Alex Maralit (right).

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 Don 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” honored 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 Miliani and Gilda Salonga-Cruz of Le Donne. 

“Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” highlighted the city’s Maytime festivities at SM City Masinag with honorees Chiqui Roa-Puno and Susan and Florence Hassig; and just last month, “Come Home to Calamba” was in time for Jose Rizal’s 150th birth celebrations, depicting him as a global hero with honorees Barbara Gonzalez, who is a descendant, and artist Mark Cosico.

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