SM Launches 60TH Anniversary Celebrations

SM launched its 60^th Anniversary celebrations by lighting up the iconic Mall of Asia globe, and with it, starting off a series of exciting 60 themed visual attractions, fun experiences, and interactive activities for its customers from May to October in SM malls nationwide.

The iconic globe at the SM Mall of Asia lights up with the anniversary to launch SM’s 60th Anniversary celebrations. SM, which was established as a shoe store by Henry Sy, Sr. in downtown Manila in 1958, has since grown to become part of the lives of millions of Filipinos through its retail stores, malls, residential condominiums, hotels and convention centers, and banks.

The SM story began in 1958 when founder Henry Sy, Sr. opened the first Shoemart store in downtown Manila, introducing exciting new merchandising and retailing concepts. At that time, Mr. Sy, who has been honored as the Father of Philippine Retail by the Philippine Retailers Association, thought that if he could sell a pair of shoes to every Filipino, he could be a successful man.

In the 1960s, Shoemart expanded its shoe store chain and became one of the pioneers in the new urban centers in Makati and Cubao. In the seventies, Shoemart evolved into a department store, becoming SM, which has been synonymous with one-stop shopping excitement. SM positioned itself for growth in the 1980s, expanding its department store chain and venturing in the supermarket and appliance business.

1985 saw the opening of the first SM shopping center, SM City North EDSA. It was a time of a major political and economic crisis, but the mall was an instant success, paving way for the so-called malling phenomenon in the Philippines. Malls became part of the Filipino lifestyle, places where families and friends could shop together, dine together, and have fun together in world class surroundings.

At the ceremonial toast of SM’s 60th Anniversary launch. From left SM Chairman for Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, SM Retail Vice Chair Herbert Sy, SM Investments Vice Chair Tessie Sy Coson, and SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. President Elizabeth Sy

Today, SM has close to a thousand retail stores, and 70 malls in the Philippines, and 7 malls in China. Through its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, SM has also become a leading developer of residential condominiums in Metro Manila, where residents could live like a star at affordable prices. Mr. Sy always believed in tourism as a catalyst, and with that, built destination malls like the SM Mall of Asia. Through SM Hotels and Conventions, the company now owns and operates world-class hotels, a state of the art arena, convention and exhibition centers, and premier beach and mountain resorts.

In the finance area, the acquisition of Banco de Oro in the 1980s enabled SM to provide better cash management services to its suppliers and retail banking services to its customers. Today, as the country’s largest bank in terms of resources, deposits, and loans, BDO has made finance inclusive for millions of Filipinos.

Through SM Foundation, SM reaches out to communities with its educational, health, and livelihood training programs aimed at making farmers self-sufficient. Through SM Cares, SM has undertaken environmental programs by building green spaces in its malls, as well as sustainability efforts, trash to cash recycling, and disaster risk reduction programs. It has also made going around the malls easier for those with difficulties through PWD program.

SM Supermalls 60^th Year Anniversary Celebration at SM CDO Downtown Premier

Last May 25, 2017 – In line with SM’s 60^th Year Anniversary, a celebration took place at the SM CDO Downtown Premier at the Event Center. The event was graced by SM Mall Executives, Media, and Bloggers in the City and Miss Cdo 2017 (Katrina Acaylar).

The event was hosted by Elton Ladd Batinga. It all started with a quick introduction by the host and a Balloon Drop to which everyone who was there who caught the 60 balloons with a surprise can win shopping money from SM Supermalls! It was such a fun experience as confetti fell from the 4^th floor as well as the balloons with prizes.

After this exciting moment which drove everyone into a frenzy, the guests were treated to another fun experience at Boysen Color Play, an exhibit which enabled everyone to take some puzzle pieces which had different shapes; a triangle, square, rectangle and circle.

These pieces were then placed into a canvass mold where each one can paint using various Boysen paint colors. After painting their creations, get them dried up at the dryer and take home as souvenirs! What a fun and creative activity for everyone!

Before anybody gets home, SM distributed 600 Krispy Kreme Original Glazed donuts for everybody to enjoy which totally brought smiles to everyone in attendance.