Cabanatuan City councilor Peewee Mendoza and SM Megacenter assistant mall manager Ryan Malicdem switch on the light launching Christmas display at SM Megacenter. Photo by Armand Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – Featuring huge gift boxes with health protocols-compliant arrangement of chairs and table inside, food and gifts stalls, large season symbols, and a 20-foot Christmas tree as centerpiece, the Yuletide season opens at SM Megacenter here.
“We want our customers to have a complete experience (of the season) here,” said assistant mall manager Ryan Malicdem in an interview during the Christmas launch on Thursday.
“Parang they’re shopping and then there’s Christmas village wherein they go and they can have some pictures and dine in,” Malicdem said, adding that SM employees are now hundred percent vaccinated.
Malicdem said the mall and most of its tenants were recipient of safety seals from concerned government agencies.
“Aside from Christmas village, meron tayo dung mga food carts as we are planning to sell Christmas foods, goodies, comfort food na ii-enjoy ng ating mga customers,” he said.
Malicdem said that SM malls nationwide had engaged in various activities to cushion the impact of pandemic. This includes the distribution of plastic dividers for tricycles for the safety of drivers and passengers alike.
The traditional Bears of Joy project which aimed at giving joy to children from less fortunate families is also ongoing, he said.
City Councilor Peewee Mendoza lauded the mall for continuously inspiring people amidst the pandemic.
“Nais iparating ni Mayor Myca (Vergara) sa SM na despite the pandemic ay nandito pa rin sila para i-uplift ang spirit ng Cabanatueño,” Mendoza who represented the local government unit said during the launch.
“Na maski na merong pandemic ay dapat pa rin nating i-celebrate ang Kapaskuhan. Malungkot pero dapat pa rin nating i-celebrate ang kapanganakan ng ating Panginoon,” he added.
He stressed that the LGU has been working hard to help residents cope with the impact of Covid-2019 since it started last year.
Also present during the launch was city disaster risk reduction management office chief Eugene Mintu.
