It was up, up and away at Clark in the 'My City, My SM' launch

MANILA, Philippines - The spirit of hometown pride soared during the recent launch of My City, My SM at SM City Clark, just in time for the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which celebrates “everything that flies.” The event showcased the world-class Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, which with its own international airport has become a hub of aviation, business and tourism in Central Luzon; as well as Pampanga’s food and artistry.

The event honored two prominent Kapampangans who have contributed much to the city — CHED chairman Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, educator and former chairman of the Clark Development Corporation; and artist, foodie and writer Claude Tayag.

Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting and city tourism officer Pie A. Flores led the tribute that culminated in the unveiling of the two panels featuring Dr. Angeles and Tayag. SM City Clark mall manager Ana Datu and SM VP for marketing and communications Millie Dizon joined them.

Dr. Angeles’ wife Dr. Cornelia Lukban-Angeles and grandchildren Matthew Dominic and Theodore James, as well as Claude’s wife Mary Anne and sister Greater Clark Visitors Bureau chairperson Carmen McTavish joined in the celebrations.

Guests included Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Allan Ballesteros with wife Evelyn, Center of American Studies director Ron Nethercut, and Angeles University Foundation academic officers — Graduate School dean Dr. Bella Panlilio, School of Medicine dean Dr. Armida Sanchez, Business and Accounting dean Chere Yturalde, College of Art and Science dean Carmela Dizon, and International Affairs director Lou Nepomuceno, who came with husband Marco.

They enjoyed the wonderful performance of the Angeles University Foundation Performing Arts Group, as well as the food, which featured Kapampangan specialties with a nouvelle touch — cheese rolls with pepper and tocino, sisig with tokwa’t baboy, longganisa bread with pate, tibuk tibuk with ube, chocolate with kamote, and of course, the iconic Claude’s Dream, Claude Tayag’s own buko pandan concoction.

The event also featured an exhibit of the Clark Freeport Zone, as well as highlights from the career of Dr. Angeles and the books written about him. It also showcased the many talents of Claude Tayag — as a furniture designer, artist, writer, and chef.

The My City, My SM event in Clark is the fifth in this tourism-driven campaign that features the many cities around the country SM is located in. The first, “I Left My Heart in San Fernando,” honored internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson; “Cebu, Cebu” highlighted the best of Cebu through socialite Teresin Mendezona and the Aldeguer brothers — Jay, Michael, and Chris; “Sweet Home Iloilo” featured Dr. Josette Biyo and Mang Inasal’s Edgar Sia II; and “Baguio on My Mind” paid tribute to National Artist Bencab and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2001 and lawyer Zora Andam.

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