Zig Dulay: “One of the challenges of indie films is finding the right avenue to showcase our films, as we strive to develop an audience. SM’s support for filmmakers like myself is a big contribution to the local film industry.”

With this edition of My Story, My SM, we begin our journey around the Philippines and get to know how SM has touched lives, from as far north as Tuguegarao and as far south as General Santos.

These are stories from customers, business partners and prominent personalities from cities where SM has malls and serves the community. Along with their stories, we will get to know more about our country’s rich history, diverse culture and its many talented and inspiring people who have brought much honor to the Philippines.

Our first stop takes us up north to beautiful Baguio, where we will get a glimpse of its breathtaking scenery, the rich ethnic culture of the Cordilleras, and the landscape that has made it a city like no other.

We will meet Karen Navarrete-Anton, a businesswoman and dance enthusiast who says that her daily life—her work, performances, shopping, time with the family—revolves much around SM City Baguio.

Karen Navarrete-Anton: “As someone who has grown up with SM, I consider it our heart of the city. It is where I work, shop, perform and bring my kids. It’s like everything I do in my daily life is in SM.”

We will then get a glimpse of the Tam-awan Village—part museum of indigenous culture and part artist collective—through artists Jordan Mang-osan, Art Lozano and Alfred Dato, and learn how SM’s cultural events have led the way for greater appreciation of the works of local artists.

Zig Dulay, an award-winning filmmaker, takes us to his home province of Isabela and the Bambanti Festival, with parades, costume pageants, dance and cook-off competitions that celebrate its fertile farmlands.

The Bambanti was Zig’s inspiration for an award-winning film, and he relates how overwhelmed he was when busloads of students went to watch it at SM City Cauayan’s cinema.

Tourist destination

The province of Cagayan stands out as a tourist destination with its picturesque mountains, bird sanctuaries, limestone caves, fluvial attractions, museums, landmarks and centuries-old churches. Our journey then takes us to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan’s capital, a major urban center in Northern Luzon and a Primary Growth Center.

We will be inspired to know how Cagayanons who have spent many years away—like Jennyluck Remolacio and the Perkins family—have come back to their roots to serve customers at SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown. Jennyluck promotes beauty and wellness at her Skinceuticals outlet, while the Perkinses—Tarny, Tess, Jesse and Christian—serve the perfect cup of coffee and share their faith with The Cup of Faith.

The Perkins family—Tarny, Tess, Jesse and Christian—with Jennyluck Remolacio: “Working with SM has made us realize how it has become a catalyst for employment for Cagayanons, and how the mall has brought families together in one place to spend more time with each other. We are blessed to be part of a place that serves the needs of the community.”

We will get to meet the Perkins twins, Jesse and Christian, who are making waves with their unique brand of entertainment. They are also SM Youth music ambassadors.

Karen, Jordan, Art, Alfred, Zig, Jennyluck and the Perkins family join in SM’s 60th Anniversary celebrations by sharing their inspiring stories in the “My Story, My SM” series, featuring 60 lives touched over 60 years of SM.

Stories to tell

With its roots in retailing, SM has, over the years, become part of the lives of millions of Filipinos—customers, business partners, employees—each with a wonderful story to tell.

Discover more about their inspiring stories at the “My Story, My SM” microsite at https://mystorymysm.com. See why Karen says that for her, the heart of their city is SM; how the Tam-awan artists collaborate with SM to inspire young people to embrace art as a way of life; Zig’s homecoming at SM City Cauayan; and how Jennyluck and the Perkins family have given back by serving customers at SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown at youtube.com/MyStoryMySM.