THE COUNTRY’S premier mall went full colors in its celebration of Independence Day, with splashes of Filipino culture and craft, and then some more.
A flag-shaped giant – 6’x12’ – bibingkang nasi (giant rice cake) prepared by the Northpoint Culinary School of Arts took the centerstage at SM City Pampanga after stirring speeches and interpretative dances. The celebration was capped by a mini-concert of the Tres Marias – Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios and Cookie Chua – doing nationalistic and folk numbers.
And yes, the rice cake was later served to the mall-goers. SM City Clark unveiled a rendition of the flag in bamboo that also served as backdrop to art pieces with patriotic themes.
A variation of the same theme obtained in SM City Tarlac with a giant fl ag made of sawali (woven bamboo slats), a product of the city. Specially made for the occasion by Sto. Tomas potters, a six-foot jar inscribed with love of PH made the centrepiece at SM SF Downtown. A demonstration of pottery-making completed the affair.
Water bottles re-purposed for nationalistic inspiration made the ID display at SM City Olongapo. Some bottom half of 1,700 plastic bottles were painted in red, white and blue, yellow too for the stars and sun, and stacked in an arch.
Needless to say, all the SM malls drew record ID crowds.
