SM’S UNIFIED EFFORT IN SAVING THE EARTH

As the clock strikes 8:30 pm, SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag slipped into darkness and joined the global community in a simultaneous switching off of lights in support of the Worldwide Fund for Nature’s (WWF) Earth Hour Campaign.

               

Pledges of love for Mother Earth

On its 4^th consecutive year, SM City Marilao proudly continues the tradition of joining the world’s largest environment campaign to foster awareness on the global issue of climate change. Evident in the altered and unpredictable weather patterns as well as the major storms that have affected the Philippines, SM City Marilao aims to push the advocacy further by focusing on promoting and practicing sustainability as well as in taking an active role to engage the community in energy conservation.

“Earth hour gives us the opportunity to highlight the relevance of each individual in saving the environment” said SM City Marilao Mall Manager Bernadette Velasco. “We at SM City Marilao encourage everyone to not only commemorate Earth Hour 2013, but to go beyond the hour by observing energy saving disciplines” she added.  

 

During the program, a collaborative effort that involves support from various groups from both private and public sectors took place at SM City Marilao’s public terminal today. Days before the earth hour, students from different schools in Marilao, community members, institutions and local government authorities wrote their pledge of commitment in saving the environment. The massive turn out of pledges was formed into symbolic 60 minutes and was highlighted as the mall 100% switched off the buildings’ logo including external signages, bill boards and lamp posts. Preceded by the 10-second countdown, stores and car park lights were set at the minimum level to conserve energy while ensuring the safety of mall customers.

Making the darkness more festive and meaningful, pledges of commitment were recited while plants and seedlings were given to guests and participants to encourage green acts and to remind them of sustainable living.

Musical performances from You Tube Sensation JAMICH and Yexel Sebastian complete the festivity as participants used colorful glow sticks to light up the venue. LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs were also used as an alternative source of power during the show.

Lights off, firefly glow on

A hundred replicas of fireflies illuminated the façade area of SM City Baliwag to highlight the 60-minute lights off for the Earth Hour Celebration. Since the program focuses on the use of energy-efficient materials and waste-management practices, discarded soda bottles gathered from mall employees were used for the firefly reproductions which were then installed with solar-powered bulbs courtesy of Solar Tech Enterprise.

The program included the ‘Pedal N’ Skate for Mother Earth’ where over a hundred cyclists trailed around town to raise awareness on the unified effort to save energy. Youngsters unplugged from their gaming devices to and hit the ramp with their skateboards during the ‘60-degrees Skating Exhibition’.

Sharing the advocacy to protect the environment were guests from the local government led by Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, Mayor Romy Estrella and Vice Mayor Tony Patawaran together with Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Chief Eugenio Payongayong, SM City Baliwag Asst. Mall Manager Ardee Tolentino and Bulacan State University’s Dr. Mariano De Jesus. 

 

SM Supermalls continuously makes a conscious effort in the observance of sustainable business ethics and effective stewardship through the implementation of unified environmental programs under the SM Cares. One of the programs included is the monthly Trash to Cash program which highlights the importance of recycling and proper solid waste management to its customers and tenants alike. Moreover, the malls also upgraded its equipment with energy and water-saving systems such as waterless urinals and sewage treatment plant.

SIGHT TO BEHOLD

One of the most colorful revelries in Taiwan is the Sky Lantern Festival. It is held every year in the remote hillside town of Pingxi. People get a chance to write their wishes on the sky lanterns and release them to the skies in a hope of making their wishes known to heaven. 

Sky lanterns (Tien-Deng) have been an Asian tradition for hundreds of years. In the past, the lanterns are used by those who worked or farmed in the mountains to inform their families that they are safe. Likewise, it was also used as a warning signal to their families that they need help when faced with danger. Today, the sky lanterns are not use as warfare signals anymore; it is used as cultural attraction symbolizing peace and good fortune. 

Seeing this festivity makes me feel like Rapunzel in the Disney Movie ‘Tangle’. It was beautiful and breathtaking. I can’t take off my eyes to the thousands of floating lanterns drifting upwards into the stillness of the night. They are like shooting stars; beautiful and romantic. They are so magical and mesmerizing to behold. 

Rapunzel:
All those days watching from the windows
All those years outside looking in
All that time never even knowing
Just how blind I've been
Now I'm here, blinking in the starlight
Now I'm here, suddenly I see
Standing here, it's oh so clear
I'm where I'm meant to be
(Chorus)
And at last I see the light
And it's like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it's like the sky is new
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you

Eugene(Flynn):
All those days chasing down a daydream
All those years living in a blur
All that time never truly seeing
Things, the way they were
Now she's here shining in the starlight
Now she's here, suddenly I know

If she's here it's crystal clear
I'm where I'm meant to go

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Eugene (Flynn):
And it's like the fog is lifted

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And at last I see the light

Rapunzel:
And it's like the sky is new

Rapunzel & Eugene (Flynn):
And it's warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted

All at once, everything is different
Now that I see you,
Now that I see you!

One day these lanterns will be part of my biggest day ever!

SUMMER SWAGGER SALE AT SM CITY MARILAO

Three things to love about today: it's a new month, summer is near, and prices have no choice but to go way, way DOWN with SM City Marilao’s amazing 3-DAY Sale!

Yes! You are right! Summer sizzles even more as SM City Marilao drops down prices on its first 3 Day Mallwide Sale happening on March 15, 16, and 17, 2013.

Great discounts of up to 70% off shall be applied to countless items mall-wide. Grab the latest summer must-haves from SM Department Store, SM Hypermarket, Ace Hardware, Our Home, Toy Kingdom, Watson’s and SM Appliance Center, and at over 200 stores at the mall.

SM Advantage Card holders are also in great luck as there will be an additional 10% off on prices on top of the given discount exclusive from 10:00 AM-12:00NN on the first day of the sale, March 15. Plus, lucky shoppers may win in the 3 Day Sale raffle promo. For a minimum purchase of P500.00, single or accumulated, gives shoppers a chance to win one of the three (3) Devant 50” Smart Internet TV during the draw on March 17.  

Be on your way to that better version of yourself by updating your wardrobe with the latest summer fashion at ultra-low prices available at SM Department Store, Bench, Penshoppe, Jewels, Mossimo, Human, Folded & Hung, Mint, Shapes, G By Guess, Jag, HangTen, Oxygen, Plains & Prints, Mossimo, Sabella, Genevieve, American Boulevard, People R People, Scoop, Xquisite, Arrow, Karimadon, For Me, Ducks Unlimited, Petit Monde, Xquisite, Giordano, Monnakiki, Alixandre and Artwork.

         

Recharge your beauty batteries with the topnotch skin regimen promos from Bioessence, Dermclinic, Dermstrata, Dermtrend, Forever Flawless, Let’s Face It, Skin Perfect, Skin Station and Surgilight and face the rest of the year with killer confidence. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a fab haircut and hair color at Shia Salon, where you can bid dull, dry hair au revoir at a special discount!

Begin the string of grand gestures with a feast like no other at your local favorites such as Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Goldilocks, Barrio Fiesta, Max’s, Red Ribbon, Shakey’s, Reyes Barbeque and Mang Inasal; international chains like KFC, Pizza Hut, Kenny Rogers, Wendy’s and McDonalds; and specialty restaurants such as The Classic Savory, Tokyo Tokyo and David’s Tea House.

          With infinite reasons to love SM City Marilao, you’ll definitely have to make it the coolest place to hang out in the sizzling summertime. Bargain hunt only at SM City Marilao on its 3 Day Sale, snag the best deals and bring home loads and loads of goodies for you and your family! 

SM stride for more customer service excellence

Marilao, Bulacan –SM City Marilao and SM Center Valenzuela marked its continuous stride to achieve quality customer service through the merge Joint Tactical Inspection held recently at the SM City Marilao’s parking lot.

This program is part of SM’s commitment to uplift the quality of service of all the security and utility services of both malls through thorough examination of the state of each unit in the aspect of preparedness and morale.

More than 100 security personnel underwent the inspection. Honed by persistent practice, the participants were able to carry out their excellent quality of training. Both malls were proud of their guards and janitorial service for the performance they showed during the inspection.

Apart from the inspection, commendation and awards were also given to employees and guards who turned in money, cellphones and other valuables to mall patrons.  “Our employees and guards have shown remarkable commitment and exemplary honesty. Through this (commendation) we encourage them to never grow weary in doing well” said SM Marilao CRS Manager Jose C. Berong.

SM Regional Operations Manager Emmanuel P. Navera also gave words of encouragement particularly on discipline and courtesy as tangible traits to work on. He reiterated that customers are the most vital asset of the company therefore security and customer satisfaction should be the heart of each one’s responsibility.

Present to grace and inspect the security force’s performance is SM’s Senior Vice President for Engineering and Security Affairs Engr. Antolin Paule. Also present were Senior Assistant Vice President for Customer Relations Service (CRS) Felipe H. Buena, AVP for Customer Relations Service Almus J. Alabe and Regional Operation Manager for North Luzon 3 Emmanuel P. Navera Jr.

Sharing honors are Valenzuela Chief of Police PSSupt. Rhoderick C. Armamento, Marilao Chief of Police  PSSupt. Gerardo Almario Andaya and Police Director for Bulacan PSSupt. Joel Sabio Orduna.