SM celebrates the lakeside charm of San Pablo

MANILA, Philippines - Just in time for Laguna’s Coconut Festival in January, SM celebrated the lakeside charm of San Pablo during the My City, My SM launch in the City of Seven Lakes.

The event, which showcased the natural beauty of San Pablo through landscaped settings, honored two of its distinguished sons — Villa Escudero Plantation Resort president and general manager Don Ado Escudero, who has transformed his family’s coconut plantation into a major tourist attraction; and CARD MRI founder and managing director Dr. Jaime Aristotle Alip, who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 2008 for his micro-finance programs.

City officials led by adminstrator Loreto “Amben” Amante, as well as provincial board members Neil Nocon, Angelica Jones Alarva, and Rey Paras led the tribute. They were joined by SM officials led by SM VP for marketing Millie Dizon, regional operations manager Jason Terrenal, mall manager Gabriel Timothy Exconde, and assistant mall manager Ma. Odessa Galicia.

Members of the Escudero family including Rosie Escudero Blume, Millie Escudero, and Don Escudero; as well as the Alip family including mother Olympia Alip, wife Aniceta Alip, and son Julius Alip also graced the occasion. The event was also a reunion of sorts with the presence of other My City, My SM honorees from the southern Tagalog region, Hollywood beauty expert James Cooper from Lucena, and the Tiongco brothers – Jun, Arthur, and Emil of Santa Rosa.

Guests including designer Patis Tesoro, award-winning production designer Joey Luna, and San Pablo Chamber of Commerce executive director Rey de Leon and charter president Sofronio Exconde enjoyed the program, which featured a cultural presentation by the Villa Escudero Folkloric Group and Rondalla Ensemble. This was only the second time that the troupe has performed outside the villa, the first at Malacañang for Prince Andrew. The Tiongco brothers also thrilled the audience with their songs and their showmanship.

In celebration of the Coconut Festival, guests were treated to a spread of coconut specialties served cocktail-style during the event. Delicacies were palakpakin guintaang hipon, a rare delicacy from Lake Palakpakin; kulawong talong; tilapia sticks; suman sa ibos placed in tinutong; carioca balls; and maja mais served with buko pandan juice and pink lady. Colette’s also served its well-known buko pie and other delicacies.

Guests enjoyed San Pablo’s famous Collete’s buko pies and delicacies

They also learned more about San Pablo through an exhibit that highlighted the city through San Pablo’s Seven Lakes — Sampalok, Bunot, Yambo, Pandin, Mohicap, Calibato, and Palakpakin, as well as other landmarks like the St. Paul the First Hermit Cathedral, Bato Springs, Tarak Falls, and Marilim Cave.

The exhibit also featured San Pablo’s vibrant art scene through sculptor Carlito Ortega, painters Lito Ballaran, Arnon Bondad, mouth painter Bernard Pesigan, and Komikero Gerry Alanginlan. It also showcased local products made from water lily by Melo Jean; and Rosita’s favorite pasalubong — sampaloc champoy and peanut brittle.

The My City, My SM launch in San Pablo is first for the second year of this tourism driven campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM malls and stores are located. It is a joint project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from the Philippine STAR.

The first, “I Left My Heart in San Fernando,” honored internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson. “Cebu, Cebu” showcased the best of the Queen City of the South through socialite Teresin Mendezona and the Aldeguer brothers — Jay, Michael, and Chris; while “Sweet Home Iloilo” featured Dr. Josette Biyo and Mang Inasal founder Edgar Sia II.

Just in time for the Panagbenga Festival in February, “Baguio on My Mind” paid tribute to National Artist Bencab and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2001 and lawyer Zorayda Ruth Andam. During the same month, “Up, Up, and Away at Clark” highlighted the Hot Air Balloon Festival and featured Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles and artist-foodie-writer Claude Tayag.

“If You Are Going to Santa Rosa” gave a rare glimpse of old Santa Rosa through Tatler Philippines managing editor Chit Lijauco and the Tiongco brothers — Emil, Art, and Jun. “On the Road to Rosales” paid tribute to two generations, National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose and young talents like chess prodigy Samantha Revita and Sudoku champion Sarah Jane Cua. “Happiness is Lucena” captured the joy of life of Quezonians through Hollywood beauty expert James Cooper and businesswoman Nova Veluz.

The Villa Escudero Rondalla Ensemble

In June, “Kalayaan sa Cavite” celebrated the province’s history, heritage, and heroes through CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida, Emilio Aguinaldo IV, and 1996 Mutya ng Pilipinas International Sheryl Santarin. Just in time for the Sublian Festival in July, the “Best of Batangas” was highlighted through Atty. Antonio Pastor and beauty queen Kristine Reyes Alzar.

The Beauty and Bounty of Davao was featured through Miss Universe 1973 and Ballet Philippines president Margie Moran Floirendo and the Puentespina family; while the “Golden Smiles of Cagayan de Oro” showcased international pianist Rudolf Golez and Bigby’s Hendrik and Joanna Yu.

“Meet Me in Marilao” paid tribute to Bulacan’s rich history and artistry through international accessories designer Arnel Papa and historian and book author Jaime Salvador Corpus. “Faith, Family, and Naga” was launched in time for the 300th Anniversary of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia featuring artist Pancho Piano, who is known as the Painter of Ina; and DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and daughter Aika. The “Genteel Charm of Bacolod’s” launch marked the opening day of the 31st Maskara Festival with honorees Raymund Javellana and dynamic board members of the Association of Negros Producers — Mary Ann Colmenares, Cristina Gaston, Mary Ann Sicangco-Hagad, and Josephine Locsin.