Santa’s workshop is SM City Cabanatuan’s Christmas centerpiece this year. Photo by Armand M. Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – No happy children with their loving parents in the mall – it makes this Christmas season all too different from Yuletide seasons past, noted Ian Ezekiel Balao, SM regional manager.
“But still with the same message of hope, yung hope kasi, it’s something that we look forward to kahit na iba yung okasyon ngayon,” Balao said in an interview at the sidelines of the launch of SM City Cabanatuan Christmas Centerpiece on Saturday.
The mall, he said, remains steadfast in spreading the spirit of the season and bring hope to the family: “That’s why we came up with the lot of things that not only, of course, offer shopping and other things pero charitable causes.“
Due to quarantine restrictions being implemented amidst the fight against the coronavirus disease, children below 15 years and seniors above 65 years of age are not allowed to leave their residences, except for provision of essentials like food and medicines.
Balao led the activity that was graced by ranking officials from industry stakeholders, namely, senior provincial tourism officer Atty. Jose Maria Ceasar San Pedro, DTI provincial director Brigida Pili, NE-IATF spokesperson Fr. Arnold Abelardo, and Cabanatuan City councilor Oscar Peewee Mendoza.
Highlighting the event was the launch of SM City Cabanatuan’s Christmas centerpiece depicting Santa’s workshop where the toys he gives out on Christmas Day are manufactured by hardworking elves with no other desire but to bring joy and fulfill the wishes of children everywhere.
Balao said like the little elves of lore, “we make sure that everyone may delight in all things merry and bright as we are committed to continuously provide delightful experiences to shoppers may it be on-ground or online.”
“Amid of the pandemic that we are facing right now, SM still want to bring the Christmas spirit not only in the mall but in every home that we serve,” Balao added.
Aside from the centerpiece launch, SM also promotes the annual “Bears of Joy” campaign where shoppers can buy two bears for P200 – one to keep and the other one to give. At the end of the campaign, SM will give the donated bears to chosen charity for the less fortunate children to feel the happiness and excitement this Christmas.
