Convenience, value for money & life with SM

Being Las Piñas residents, the nearest SM store for us in the ‘80s was SM Makati. We would wake up on a Saturday morning before school opening and wait at the doors of SM to open at 10 a.m. While waiting, we would exchange stories of summers spent with friends from the neighborhood while gazing at the stone structures of a herd of carabao near the entrance of SM Makati. My mother would say, “Mabuti nang maaga.” (“It’s better to be early than to be trampled on by throngs of SM-goers.”) Now, the carabao sculpture can be seen near the Sto. Niño de la Paz Church in Greenbelt. I even had a picture taken last year with my high school friend whom I hadn’t seen for 15 years standing beside the carabao by the Greenbelt Chapel. 

We were overjoyed when Southmall opened its doors in the ‘90s. SM became a weekend treat with just a jeepney ride from our village. We would spend special occasions at Southmall with lunch at Maxim’s Teahouse, now known as Myx. On ordinary days, we would frequent their food court at the basement and order lunch from Kipp’s or at Chicken Bacolod and merienda from Goto King, Dunkin’ Donuts or Red Ribbon. Today, they’ve reinvented the food court by introducing Food Street with a completely new dining experience, including coffee shops. 

Many would say they grew up with SM. I bought my first pink and white rubber shoes at SM Makati for my PE class when I was in grade school. My parents bought my first teenage ladies’ wristwatch as a birthday present, also from SM Makati. My mother and I would shop for casual clothes at the teens’ section of the store and later on at the ladies’ section. We would at times loiter and window shop at their SM Botique Square just to see the latest in fashion — cocktail and Sunday dresses. When I first entered the workforce, I saved up to buy my special Parisian office shoes at SM.

At SM we always found value for money. The first time I got to travel to Cebu, I found and bought my entire attire (from hat, sunglasses to jeans and sandals) at Southmall at bargain prices. This summer, I got my traveling clothes for my trip to Palawan from Surplus Shop. Like I said, quality at affordable prices. 

SM never fails to provide treats for the whole family. Holding the World Pyro Olympics at SM Mall of Asia was a great idea, and a delight. Our family enjoyed watching the one-night show of fireworks in 2006. Offering its SM Advantage cardholders group insurance for a minimum number of points also shows how much they value their patrons. 

Southmall houses a variety of stores, all spelling convenience. Here’s a typical one-stop shopping store, catering to all our needs: 

We always duck into National Book Store for supplies, textbooks for my graduate studies and pocket books for my spare time. 

It’s a perfect meeting place. I fondly remember reuniting with my college classmate at Southmall’s Dulcinea. 

For emergencies, you can quickly find over-the-counter medicines at Watsons pharmacy.

For computer repairs and other computer needs, there’s the third level of Southmall devoted to techies.

Cooking at home is easier with SM supermarket serving pre-marinated meats (like chicken pandan). As for other grocery needs — the special Cebu longganisa, luncheon meats in garlic flavor, kitchen utensils and bathroom furnishings can all be found at the enormous and spacious Savemore outlet in Alabang. 

Paying monthly bills becomes more convenient with SM anticipating customers’ needs and providing the Bills Payment Facility.  

At SM, it’s all about options. Shopping for clothes is a breeze with SM Department Store located at the mall center with branded clothes located everywhere. Home furnishings can be found at Southmall’s third level and also at SM Department Store’s basement. And you’ll never run out of gift ideas for Christmas, weddings, christenings and all occasions with SM.  

I’ve found arts and crafts supplies at SM, too (cross-stitching is now a hobby). When I was in between jobs, my friend introduced me to Stitches n’ Things by giving me the cross-stitch pattern “Let Heaven and Nature Sing” as a gift. Being retired from corporate life at age 30 and staying at home made me pursue the craft even more. After Stitches n’ Things came DMC for all my stitching needs. 

From my grade school needs, through my teenage years; joining the workforce to pursuing further studies; from traveling to my retirement from government service, SM was there every step of the way. May we continue to enjoy growing up into our golden years with SM.