October 26, 2023 2:23 p.m.

The story of Henry Sy, Sr., who profoundly changed the way Filipinos shop, dine, and entertain themselves through his SM mall and retail chains, is the stuff of legends. 

Indeed, the well-documented and eventful life story of the Father of Philippine Retailing has been told and retold over the years, providing a rich source of lessons and inspiration to many Filipinos, especially those who are valued partners of the SM Group.

Amelia Manas, co-founder and chairperson of Bruno’s Barbers, did not have the pleasure of directly interacting with Tatang, as Sy was fondly called, but recalls seeing him from afar in one of malls that he had built.

Even then, Manas was inspired to pursue the growth and diversification for Bruno’s Barbers, guided by Tatang’s example of how big things such as SM can come from small beginnings.

Manas draws parallels with the story of Bruno’s Barbers that also started from a single branch in Alabang and has now grown to some 70 branches, of which 35 percent are in SM Malls.

“There is the story of how Henry Sy, Sr. and his family would gather for weekend lunch. We do the same. And like them, we also always end up talking about business,” Manas shared with a smile.

For her son Marco Pascual, who took over the reins of Bruno’s Barbers as president in 2019, Tatang also demonstrated by example how it is important to work for a vision that goes beyond just the business.

“As leaders, what we bring to the table should be beyond oneself. His life and accomplishments will always be an inspiration for me because of his contributions to the economy of the country and the Filipino people,” said Pascual.

Following Tatang’s footsteps, Bruno’s Barbers contributes what it can by providing jobs to some 1,200 people which creates a positive ripple effect for their families and lives that they touch.

 “We at Bruno’s Barbers continue to be aligned with SM. We want to be closer to our customers while providing livelihood for our countrymen,” he said.

“The growth we are experiencing with SM continues to be exciting. With their 2026 goal of 100 malls, we hope to continue reaching new markets in the country which otherwise would have been difficult to penetrate, especially those outside of the Metro Manila area,” Pascual added.

Like Pascual, Adrian Dimacali, Director of the group behind the popular and fast-expanding chain of Mary Grace Cafes that was founded on the baking skills of his mother, Grace, was also encouraged by Tatang’s oft-retold rags-to-riches story, of how rewards inevitably come from honest hard work and discipline.

“I remember one time, my Mom and I were meeting someone and I saw a picture of Henry Sy, Sr. and his family. We were reflecting on how difficult the business was and questioning whether we should keep building. I told her, we are just opening restaurants, they are opening big malls,” he said, “They are doing their part to keep the economy going, to provide opportunities to tenants. I guess we have to keep opening too, to help our people and our suppliers.”

Mary Grace Café opened its first SM branch at SM Southmall in 2012 and from there expanded its SM footprint to 20 cafes out of 73 all over the country and then 31 out of 70 kiosks.

“Now we have a five-year plan because when you reach a certain point, you have to protect what we have built,” said Mary Grace, “That is always my prayer because it is a gift, this business of ours. Good thing that I have my daughter and my sons with me and each have their own talents that make the business whole!” 

Indeed, an example of a family working together like the one nurtured by Tatang, whose diverse companies are now ably run by his children. 

Malou Fores, the driving force behind the acclaimed Mamou restaurants, and her husband Jorge “Oye” Araneta Fores, who is in charge of finance and marketing for the chain, can certainly relate to the challenges as well as the rewards from harnessing the power of family to grow an enterprise from the ground up.

And like the Dimacalis, they are constantly inspired by Tatang’s compelling and unique growth story that has lost none of its significance from every retelling.

Jorge shares that Tatang – who had an SM Department Store in the Araneta Center – was a regular visitor to the Cubao home of his uncle, Araneta Group CEO Jorge Araneta, and he recalled how he and his siblings and cousins were not allowed to disturb them while they had their discussions over a hearty home-cooked meal.

“That must have been about 35 years ago when they would have one-on-ones in the house. I was moved by that sight, of these two people I admired who saw each other as equals and partners, not one who is a lessor and one who is a tenant. There was mutual respect,” he said.

Malou and Jorge Fores apply the same principle of partnership and collaboration in the way they are growing their business, seeing SM Supermalls, for example, as an integral partner in the success of Mamou, which now has six restaurants including the latest branch at SM’s S Maison at Conrad Manila.

“I always see business as something that is a partnership. I have worked on both sides, as a mall manager and now as a lessee. I know that for a relationship to work, you cannot say I am a landlord and you are a tenant. It has to be a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Jorge.

That business principle has paid dividends for the SM Group and promises to do the same for the celebrated Mamou.

For Eric Teng, CEO of The Mango Tree and Gengki Sushi, what Tatang went through to grow his empire from the Shoemart store in Manila showed them that to succeed, one must be willing to work harder than everybody else.

“Do it for family. For their security. For their future. Don’t quit. The harder times are just part of life that we overcome,” said Teng.

“I totally agree with Tatang on the value of hard work. Being able to see things others cannot and lead everyone through hard times to thriving times is a gift [of Tatang that] I wish I have. You can’t go wrong by working hard. And we must surround ourselves with people who are equally driven by the same life principles,” added Teng.

George Mirani, chair of the dominant Mirani Group that retails and distributes internationally recognized fashion and lifestyle accessories brands in the Philippines, certainly shares similar life principles with the Sy family whom they have known for decades.

Indeed, the SM Group has been instrumental in the continuing success of the Mirani Group, which operates 70 concession spaces for timepieces, 31 stores for timepieces such as Watch Republic and Times, and 35 stores for top fashion brands including Parfois, Triumph, Etam, Ever New, and Yves Rocher in SM Supermalls.

Mirani, however, started the group’s relationship with SM back in 1974 when as an 18-year-old, he would sell houseware, gift products, and a number of small appliances such as oven toasters to what was then Shoemart.

Over the succeeding years, as the SM Group rapidly expanded, the Mirani group did, too, diversifying from housewares to distribution of one brand after another. Today, it is one of the most formidable groups in the retail and distribution business, thanks in large part to its partnership with the Sys.

 “What you learn from Tatang through doing business with Tessie [Sy-Coson] is to think ahead,” said Mirani. “From 1976 to until about 1986, we were all, at that time, short-sighted business people. Nobody knew about transformation, where things were headed after the [Ninoy Aquino] assassination. But then there was this gentleman opening a mall. I remember that, at the time, people were saying Tatang was going to go broke and wouldn’t be able to pay the banks,” he shared.

Tatang certainly proved his naysayers wrong, and the opening of SM North Edsa at that time catapulted him to a higher level, Mirani said. And it has continued to reach higher goals long after Tatang’s passing, taking along partners such as the Mirani Group.

Indeed, it seems likely that the SM Group continues to grow, with the reins firmly in the capable hands of Tatang’s children. The smooth transition of the family and the greater SM family, including tenants and partners, is Tatang’s greatest legacy.

In honor of its 65th anniversary, SM is reconnecting with its tenants who have gained valuable insights from Tatang and have grown their own businesses to pass on to the next generation. 

To know more about SM’s 65^th-anniversary activities, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow us at @smsupermalls on social media.