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Everything is grand at SM City Grand Central

Caloocan City officials Mayor Oscar “Oca” G. Malapitan (3rd from right), 2nd District Representative Edgar R. Erice (3rd from left), and Vice Mayor Macario “Maca” Asistio III (2nd from right) graced the recent opening of SM City Grand Central. It is SM Prime Holding’s 78th supermall; and the second in Caloocan City after SM Center Sangandaan. The six level 116,000 square meter mall will serve customers in the CaMaNaVa sub-region – Caloocan, Navotas, Malabon, and Novaliches, as well as Manila and Quezon City. Joining them are SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Jeffrey Lim (2nd from left), SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr. (left), SM Prime Director Herbert Sy (right), and Reverend Father Jeronimo Cruz (center), Rector of the Cathedral and Vicar General of the Diocese of Kalookan.

Posted on Nov. 26, 2021, 5:20 p.m.

Caloocan is known as the Makasaysayang Lungsod, the Historic City. This was the place where the Katipuneros, a secret militant society, was formed during the Spanish colonization in the country. It was here where they held their clandestine meetings, and where the members of the Katipunan, made their historic “Unang Sigaw” which served as the starting point for the Philippine Revolution.

Located along Rizal Avenue Ext. corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central is a destination to everything grand, bringing exciting world class shopping, leisure, and entertainment to the historic and bustling city.
 

It’s another date with history in Caloocan on November 26, 2021 when SM City Grand Central opens its doors, bringing great shopping, leisure and entertainment to this storied city. SM City Grand Central is SM Prime Holdings Inc. 78th supermall and second SM mall in Caloocan after SM Center Sangandaan in 2015.

Caloocan today is a first class and highly urbanized city, the fourth most populous in the Philippines. It is among the top cities in the Philippines with highest equity ratings due to infrastructure, transportation, communications system, and educational attainment of human resources. The city continues to enjoy rapid economic growth today from new waves of investors coming in including shopping malls.

Strategically located in a 22,901.80 square-meter site along Rizal Ave Ext. corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central will serve shoppers in Caloocan, as well as those from other parts of the CaMaNaVa sub-region – Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela; Manila, and Quezon City. More than that, it will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.

The six-level mall 116,000 square meter mall is a destination to everything grand. A series of dynamic geometric forms creates a bold backdrop that emphasizes a strong street presence.  The random, vertical pattern provides a playful touch further enhancing the main elevation with dynamic flair.  Colors are bold and powerful, strategically applied to enhance the grand, impressive building frontage.

The interiors of SM City Grand Central are organized around a large, curved atrium and a perpendicular mall corridor that intersect to create a clear line-of-sight to all shops on all levels at all times. Carefully placed bridges provide access to all portions of the mall, supplemented by a centrally located glass elevator, dynamic stairs, and elevators for optimal customer convenience.

The main interior features a sophisticated, modern palette of colors and materials with light gray and wood accents. Pops of color are provided through planting and seating. Large skylights above the main atrium and wrap-around clerestory provide glare-free daylight to all areas of the mall.

The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Grand Central’s major anchors along with SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Pet Express, Uniqlo, The Body Shop, Crocs, and Miniso. It will also have fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores; as well as a Cyberzone and service and wellness centers.

Eating out options include a Food Court, specialty restaurants like Hawker Chan, Mesa and Nono’s, and international and local food chains like Kenny Rodgers, Classic Savory, Pancake House, Caramia, Café Mary Grace, Breadtalk, and Goldilocks.

SM City Grand Central will also have four state of the art cinemas and two Director’s Clubs that offer a premium movie experience, leather recliners, and a crystal-clear laser projection system.

The top floor of SM City Grand Central features the Skylight Park, an indoor sky garden with open green spaces. Shops and restaurants line the curved, circular paths where customers can shop and dine while enjoying the Skylight Park ambiance. A Chapel and Multi-Purpose space bookend and anchor additional green space. These spaces are designed as compliments to the overall concept and further enhance its unique and grand character.

For the customer’s convenience and enhanced malling experience, SM City Grand Central has a total of 700 parking slots including regular car slots, PWD car slots, and  motorcycle slots.

SM City Grand Central’s project team includes DSGN & Associates, Design Consultant; WCY Architects, Architect-of-Record; Constech Management Group Inc., Project Management; and Monolith Construction Development Corp., General Contractor.

UP TO DATE

The search is over for the perfect cup of Joe! Experience coffee time at its finest at SM Supermalls this July

July 11, 2023 1:27 p.m.

Filipinos love their coffee! It’s a staple beverage among Pinoys for a reason: a cup of Joe fuels their day and boosts their energy.

This is why SM Supermalls makes everyone’s coffee time a leveled-up experience with only the best deals and promos for the love of a perfect cup of Joe!

Grab the best in-store coffee time deals

From July 1 to 16, coffee lovers can get over 800 deals available on artisan and specialty iced coffee from well-loved coffee shops at SM. There will also be hot bundles and pairings for those who love their coffee piping hot.

Where art, coffee, and locals come together

A consideration among avid coffee drinkers is having the ambiance to the perfect cup and conversation. Look no further because trendy spots are up at SM! Your favorite malls will set up booths where coffee-preneurs can sell their products. Treat your senses to different blends and varieties of coffee made by a pop-up of small and medium businesses owned by the locals in your area. These spots will have comfortable lounges and eye- catching art backdrops.
Baristas will also show off their skills at the Barista Face-Off, while musicians fill the lounge with mellow music on weekends from July 1 to 16.

Let your #CoffeeTok skills shine through

If you are on TikTok, this is your sign to make the most creative content about coffee! AweSM prizes are at stake for the best Coffee Hangout TikTok entries, with the most likes and views.

For details on how to join, go to @SMSupermalls on all social media.

Enjoy an adventurous ride and sip at the same time

Just outside the malls, SM will be dressing up designated areas for a Coffee Time Biker’s Pit Stop. Bike, stop, and sip your fave drink as SM creates a special stop where bikes may be temporarily parked near the café or at the malls with available open areas or al fresco.

Whether it’s a morning pick-me-up or a midday break, SM Supermalls makes coffee time even more special with its own blend of caffeinated activities from July 1 to 16.

To know more about Coffee Time at SM, check out www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

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UP TO DATE

Women bartenders on creating cocktails with Tanduay, defying stereotypes, thriving in a male-dominated field

March 29, 5:30 p.m.

As renewed interest in cocktails continue to grow, bartenders are also taking the spotlight, and in El Nido and Siargao, two bartenders are paving the way for women to shine in a male-dominated industry. 

Sharleen Antonio works with her husband and fellow bartending professional, Larry Guevara, in one of Palawan’s top beach destinations. Riza Delguime, meanwhile, is a bartender for a leading resort in the country’s surfing haven.

Creating Tanduay-Infused Cocktails

Both women have been bartending for years and share a preference for Tanduay in creating cocktails.

“It’s very easy to mix in cocktails because of its unique and bold character. I usually go for the classic Tanduay Dark Rum in my root beer and rum with a squeeze of fresh lemon,” Antonio said.

She shared that they used Tanduay rums in her bar management class back in college, so she is very familiar with the brand. Collaborating with the brand, she came up with three Tanduay-infused cocktails that are perfect for any time of the year — the Mango Basil Mojito, Tanduay Espresso Martini, and Tanduay Old Fashioned.

Delguime likes Tanduay’s sweet and strong flavor. Foreign customers would usually ask what rum brand she uses in her cocktails and would then request drinks infused with Tanduay rums.

“I have my own signature cocktail, which is perfect when I mix it with Tanduay. We have female guests here in the resort who would request for cocktails that are not too strong, and I would make one for them also using Tanduay,” she said.

Delguime further shared that the bartending scene in Siargao has always been “good and clean.”

“There are different varieties of bars here like sports bars and pool bars, and they are all super busy because of the many tourists who visit our island,” she said. 

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Antonio shared working in a male-dominated industry wasn’t easy in the beginning. Women bartenders used to be seen as just “cotton candies” behind the bar to attract male clients and rake in tips.

“While I may have experienced some catcalling and received some indecent proposals from male guests in some instances, I have to say that I have been lucky to have always worked with my husband behind the bar. In 2016, we joined Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5 to show that there is more to bartending than meets the eye,” she shared.

Advice for Aspiring Bartenders

Delguime advised aspiring bartenders to just be themselves. 

“That would be the key to your success. Bartending is fun, and you get to entertain guests,” she said.

Antonio, meanwhile, has made it her advocacy to educate people about bartending as hospitality and F&B professionals.

“Gone are the days when women were simply considered as bar backs or force multipliers during busy bar shifts. Or worse, simply as ornaments behind the bar,” she noted.

Antonio wants to motivate, inspire, and empower women bartenders and those who would like to start a career in the bartending industry. She and her husband have been conducting workshops and seminars around the country to help aspiring bartenders better their craft.

“It is my wish that female bartenders will continue to flourish and leave their own mark in the field we all so love and are passionate about,” she said.

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NEWS

First in Manila! All immersive experiences lead to SM with its 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway, dazzling light shows

November 2, 2022 8:43 p.m.

A 3D Whale Shark Billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway and Dazzling Light shows
take over the Holidays in Manila.

3D Whale Shark


SM Supermalls celebrates not just joyful, but also fun, immersive and experiential holidays.

This year, we take you to the deep oceans with SM Megamall’s first-ever 3D Whale Shark LED billboard, see the Northern lights at the Aurora Trail of SM City North Edsa, Sparkle at the Light show and Holiday fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, enter the Golden gateway of SM Aura Premier and explore the outer space at the Mega Space Odyssey.

NORTH EDSA’S AURORA TRAIL

Aurora Walk

The illuminating lights of the Aurora Borealis is at the North this Christmas. Walk and indulge in a family friendly immersive experience at the Aurora trail ascending the giant holiday tree with a magical array of lights, forestry, rein-bears & holiday polar express.

MEGA SPACE ODYSSEY & 3D WHALE SHARK

Mega Space Odyssey

Travel to majestic galaxies in outer space and take photos and videos with your space explorer friends.

Experience the first-ever immersive 3D LED tunnel in Manila on October 21 to December 25 at the ground level Mega Fashion Hall (at the back of the Giant Christmas Tree).

SM Supermalls introduces the new 3D technology along EDSA by screening a hyper-realistic 3D Whale Shark at SM Megamall’s LED billboard.

Bringing you the first in the Philippines, High-Definition Immersive content at the heart of the bustling metropolis.

Netizens are awestruck of a larger-than-life Whale Shark peeking out of a digital billboard spanning over 2,000 square foot.

The Mega Whale Shark was first teased on April 27 but customers, tourists and motorists can catch the short preview every 15 minutes starting April 28 at peak hours from 12nn to 10pm daily.

Watch out for the new 3D content this Christmas.

The Philippines has the 2nd largest population of whale shark in the world at over 1,950.

MOA SPARKLE OF LIGHT SHOW AND HOLIDAY FIREWORKS

Sparkle of Light Show

Feel the Christmas spirit as you watch the brightest and merriest indoor Christmas tree music and lights show.

Be in awe as you watch over one hundred thousand lights set to music.

Catch the show DAILY, every hour from 10am to 10pm until end of December at the Central Atrium.

Holiday Fireworks

Enjoy the most awaited and better than ever fireworks display at the MOA Complex every Friday and Saturday from November to December 2022. Make sure to experience this magical moment with your families and loved ones.

AURA’s GOLDEN GATEWAY and NIGHTS OF DAZZLING LIGHTS

Golden Gateway

Tucked behind the giant Christmas tree is a golden gemstone-shaped immersive experience.

In partnership with global smartphone brand TECNO Mobile, technology and art meet to transport all who enter this enclosure into scenes of an opulent holiday palace and fantastical golden worlds.

Simply present P1,000 in single or collected receipts and enter a whole new world filled with glitz and glamour.

The theatrical room isn’t the only technological experience the mall has. Equally spectacular is a choreographed light and sound display at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark at Level 5.

Visitors of the Skypark enter a space with tall tree-like sculptures made of strings of lights. As they go through a forest of lights, a jaw-dropping musical show will entrance and excite them.

Visitors can stop and enjoy the choreographed audio and visual performance at 7pm on all Sunday nights of December, including December 25th itself.

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