MANILA, Philippines - The City of Davao is known for its beauty and bounty — exotic fruits and flowers, Mount Apo (the country’s tallest peak), and breathtaking beaches. It is likewise the premier economic and tourism hub in Mindanao and the site of two SM Malls. A multicultural city, it also has a vibrant arts scene with exciting players in the visual arts, music, fashion and design.
The recent “My City, My SM†launch at SM Lanang Premier celebrated the good life in Davao and honored Davaoeños that have contributed much to the city’s cultural scene — Ballet Philippines artistic director Paul Alexander Morales and Hijos de Davao officers Atty. Rose Cabaguio, Bebot Estanislao and Jackie Dizon.
Paul Alexander Morales is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, theater director and filmmaker. His great grandfather Anastacio Campo migrated to Davao before the war and was the city’s military commander; while his mother Maria Virginia Morales wrote about her family’s wartime exploits in her book Davao War Diary.
The Hijos de Davao, on the other hand, is an organization composed of Davao’s pioneering families that spearheads cultural programs that celebrate Davao’s history and heritage. At the same time, the group reaches out to the less fortunate with their civic projects.
While they belong to Davao’s prominent families, the “My City, My SM†honorees are individually accomplished in their own fields. Los Hijos president Bebot Estanislao is a dynamic businesswoman and civic leader; while secretary Atty. Rose Cabaguio is an eminent lawyer, law professor, and is now into farming. Vice president Jacqueline Garcia-Dizon belongs to one of Davao’s pioneering families — the Garcias — and is active in her husband Sonny Dizon’s business endeavors in agriculture, crocodile farming in Davao Crocodile Park, resorts and restaurants, and adventure tours like the Davao Whitewater Rafting and Maxima Aquafun.
Two elegant showcases in SM’s new upscale mall — SM Lanang Premier — gave mallgoers a glimpse of the good life in Davao. The first highlighted the world-class performances of Ballet Philippines and its artistic director Paul Alexander Morales while the second was a magnificent ballroom replica with a stunning exhibit of gowns worn by Los Hijos members.
Prominent Davaoeños were there to celebrate Rose Alcantara, Sonia Gempesaw, Davao Marina Tuna Corporation CEO Domingo Ang, Angel and Jing Puentespina of Malagos Farms, as well as members of the Los Hijos. Artist Victor Secuya, writer-painter Aida Rivera-Ford, writer Nenita Azarcon-Belda, and ballerina and fashion designer Daisy Estipona-Estioko highlighted Davao’s exciting arts scene; while Paul’s mother Maria Virginia Yap Morales and Mila Cabaguio-Jocson represented the academe. Department of Tourism XI chief tourism officer Eden David and Mary Ann “Baby†Montemayor, who prepared a delightful cocktail spread, were also present.
SM executives led by vice president for marketing and communications group Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls AVP for operations-Mindanao Debby Go, and AVP for marketing Russel Alaba welcomed guests.
As it is in all the “My City, My SM†events, the program’s highlight was the unveiling of the honoree panels. The Royeca School of Ballet dancers led the unveiling of Paul Morales’s panel, while dapper Little Star finalists MJ Latip and Drackxe Kyle Marcohon escorted the Los Hijos honorees on stage. Talented Davaoeña Juliet Bahala serenaded guests with classical songs.
Now in its fourth year, “My City, My SM†is a tourism-oriented campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM malls and stores are located. The campaign was launched in December 2009 with “I Left My Heart in San Fernando†featuring Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson as honorees. So far, the “My City, My SM†road show has visited 28 cities in the Philippines, featuring prominent personalities in each area as tour guides.
The launch at SM Lanang Premier is the first for 2013. This comes after the 2012 series: “Ang Aking Magandang GenSan†featuring boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and T’boli princess and civic leader Gida Ofong de la Cruz; “I Really Left My Heart in San Fernando†with Cabalen’s Maritel Nievera and sons Ian and Aji; as well as Louie, Loo and Dulzzi Gutierrez of Silverworks and Ocampo’s Jewelry; and Wow Olongapo featuring Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon and beauty queen Darlene Carbungco-Isip.
“My City, My SM†is a joint project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from The Philippine STAR.