So many advantages, so many sweet memories

My boyfriend Aldrin and I have been together for seven years now, and in this relationship of ours, I would say SM stands for Sweet Memories. SM City Sta. Mesa (formerly SM Centerpoint) is our favorite hangout. We were students back then, and I still remember our first date was at SM Food Court. We watched our first movie together at SM Cinema (oops, I’m starting to get kiligin, as I reminisce) and most of the movies we now watch, even with my family, are still at SM, and I guess it will stay that way. This habit became more frequent when Cinema One was renovated and transformed into a more convenient movie house, with great improvement in its sound system, crisper images and more comfortable seats.

 And speaking of movies and relaxed atmosphere, SM’s introduction of the state-of-the-art IMAX Theater was a cool experience for Aldrin and I. The first time we watched at IMAX in MOA was quite an experience — we were like little children, chuckling and giggling with amazement as the 3D experience exploded onscreen, not to mention the literally HUGE screen and quality sounds. It’s so great that it makes you feel like you’re part of the movie.

Our first anniversary, and every anniversary afterwards, was also celebrated here. My birthdays, his birthdays, our graduations, and the outfits, cards and gifts for these occasions were bought at SM. From everyday happenings to special occasions, be it to have fun, to stroll, to look for materials for projects, music, to relax, to pay bills, etc. Indeed, the tag line “We’ve got it all for you” is describes SM in its truest sense.

Back to SM City Sta. Mesa. As I was saying, it’s been a regular hangout for us every Sunday. Since the start of our relationship, our Sunday routine is to go to SM, and have our dinner after going to Mass. It’s only a five-minute ride from the church. It was on a recent Sunday that, after eating at the food court (at our favorite Inihaw Express and Aling Lucing for sisig), we went to the department store for our personal items such as lotions and soap for me, and toothpaste and cologne for him at Watson’s. With my SM Advantage Card, I even got a free pair of flip-flops for making the minimum purchase. Upon payment, along with my Advantage Card, I presented the P50 discount coupon, issued by SM for its 50th anniversary. And with prices going up nowadays, SM is very smart for providing discount coupons to its customers — thus my bill was reduced that day. And in line with reductions, one of the features of the SM Advantage Card is that it rewards members with points and these points can be used to redeem anything sold at SM Department Store and SM Supermarket. Isn’t that great? Rewards and benefits every time you shop. How can you beat that?

Having finished with our shopping at Watsons we went to the second floor of the department store to shop for pants. “Anu pong size ang hanap niyo, Sir? (What size are you looking for, Sir?)” an accommodating sales lady asked my boyfriend.

The sales people of SM, in general, are always present to assist clients, always exhibiting that glowing smile and providing quality customer service.

“I need a size 32 of this, please,” replied Aldrin, as he pointed to the pants he wanted.

 As the saleslady handed over the size he requested, he proceeded to the fitting room to fit the jeans. After checking out the jeans we continued to the cashier area with our other stuff, then strolled over to the shirts. In the meantime, I noticed my companion was suddenly looking for something. And when I asked him, he said he was missing the shopping bag of items we’d bought at Watsons earlier.

 “Try to recall the places you’ve been to,” I said. Then he hurriedly went to the fitting room as he remembered having left it there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t there anymore. We sought the help of the salesladies and inquired about the missing shopping bag. One of them assisted us, asking other staff people if they had seen our things. This led us to the stockroom where a kind salesperson keeps customers’ items safe when they lose them in the store. Of course, they probed us first about the contents of our bag, and reminded us to take care of our belongings.

We were very happy to have our things back, and the experience actually strengthened our patronage of SM, for it showed the honesty of the people working there and their true concern for the customers.

For several years of continuously providing good products, excellent customer service, in line with today’s fast-paced lifestyle, SM will always be part of our daily living.