'Tis the time of the year when excitement builds up as everyone prepares to "deck the halls with boughs of holly", or waiting for someone who "is coming to town". While some are getting ready to "rock the night away" or just do some "pa rum pum pum pum", other just prefer a "silent night". No matter what the choices are, it only means one thing - Christmas is really just around the corner!
And so SM City Iloilo brought the Yuletide cheers by sharing A Christmas Moment with the Ilonggos as it unveiled its MerrySMChristmas centerpiece with musical spectacle.
SM City Iloilo mall manager Gilbert Domingo welcomed guests and while Iloilo City Mayor delivered a cheerful message of thanks to SM for its support to the development of the city.
The event also launched SM Cares' Bears of Joy project that will bring cheers to the less fortunate children this Christmas. For PhP200, donors will get two stuffed bears - one for themselves and the other for the child beneficiary. This Bears of Joy drive will run from Nov. 10, 2014 up to Jan. 6, 2015 with the booth placed in strategic areas around the mall.
Also part of SM City Iloilo's outreach is the 1Meal Program. The project aims to make a difference in the lives of the Filipino Youth through the collection of funds at participating restaurants in Iloilo. The 1Meal Program aims to improve facilities in less privileged public schools across the country. Specially marked cans serving as "piggy banks" are placed in booths and places around the mall for donations.
A musical extravaganza perked up the afternoon participated in SM Little Stars finalists including the 2014 (national) Grand Winner JC Gumacal (rightmost) wearing various international costumes.It was a production of songs and ballet dances across the world featuring those inspired by China and Spain.
It set up the mood high as finally the MerrySMChristmas centerpiece was unveiled with special guest Markki Stroem performing Joy to the World with the U.S.A. Troubadours.
Markki Stroem once again jazzed up the afternoon singing his signature tunes and moves...
... exciting the crowd across the mall.
He was joined again by the SM kids as he closed his performance with a jazz version of Pharell Williams' Happy.
Because I'm happy ... Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy ... Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy ... Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do"
Finally, what's Christmas without Santa Claus? For the kids and those kids-at-heart, seeing a bearded man in red and white always makes a perfect Christmas.
And everybody then rushed to have their pictures taken with the man of the season!
It was a fun-filled afternoon that ushered the coming of Christmas at SM City Iloilo. And as always, the mall will bring more fun and surprises to the Ilonggos as the Yuletide Season comes near.
And finally, as an on-going treat, SM is giving away prizes to the social media savvy Ilonggos. Just have your pictures taken in the SM Bears of Joy booth or the Christmas display at the event center and tag it #MerrySMChristmas for a chance to win special prizes in their weekly raffle.
Indeed, Christmas is merrier at SM Supermalls!
Indeed, Christmas is merrier at SM Supermalls!