SM Supermalls has long surpassed its reputation as just a one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment–it has grown to become a place where individuals, families, and friends celebrate the many joys of love and life. Since its humble beginnings in 1958 as a small shoe store in Carriedo, Manila, SM has always strived to create an environment where everyone can share wonderful and memorable experiences with the people who matter most.
With more than 60 years of excellent service and over 4.2 million daily visitors nationwide, one can only wonder just how many million amazing moments took place at SM Supermalls–how many dreams are made, how many bonds have blossomed, and how many generations have grown. Believing that such riveting tales deserve to be heard, we have made it our mission to uncover these incredible stories and share them with you here at #AweSM Moments.
In this inaugural article of our new series, we feature three different stories of regular mall-goers that share a common thread–childhood memories at SM Supermalls. Read through these fun and inspiring experiences and take a trip down the memory lane with us!
Agatha’s Cool Summer Experience
“Every time I step into SM Megamall, I can only think of one thing—the cool and endless fun of ice skating at their historic rink.
I grew up in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, which is more than 12 hours of land travel away from the hustle and bustle of the country’s capital. We didn’t really have malls, amusement parks, or arcades in town when I was young. So, one summer, my family went on a road trip to the south to make the vacation worthwhile. We stopped by SM Megamall to shop, dine, and pass the time.
It was sometime in the late 1990s or the early 2000s, I can’t quite recall. What I do remember is the shock on everyone’s faces when we saw a massive ice rink inside the mall. Ice skating was something we only saw on television, so of course, we tried it out! Who in their right mind would pass up on an opportunity to enjoy some ice skating fun on a hot summer afternoon?
We were so eager to hit the rink. Once we finished putting on ice skates and protective gear, my younger siblings and I played on ice without a care in the world! We were stumbling, falling flat on our behinds, and barely gliding across the smooth ice, but we were having so much fun! It was pure, unadulterated joy.
Nowadays, whenever I pass by SM Megamall, I can’t help but smile and think about that experience. It feels like an eternity ago, but that day remains a fond memory of mine. Come to think of it, maybe I should invite my family to try ice skating again the next time they visit me here in the metro? Just the thought of it makes me so excited!”
- Agatha
Writer, 26
Kim’s Discovery of the Cinema
“My idea of fun and leisure is going to the movies. In this age of web streaming, I still make the effort of hitting the theaters to catch great flicks. Sure, watching films online is convenient–I can watch while in my pajamas, I can pause the video to go to the bathroom, and I can get snacks straight from the kitchen. But the excitement I feel every time the lights go out, the screen lights up, and the opening credits start rolling is something I can’t imagine trading for any convenience. Call me traditional or sentimental, but I prefer seeing movies at cinemas for the complete experience.
I used to watch rented movies as a kid. I remember going to Video City with my siblings to lease DVDs we could watch at home with Mom and Dad. We used to rent all the time that we even became good friends with the store attendants. But things changed the first time I saw a film at the cinema.
It was my 10th birthday and as a treat, my parents took me and my siblings to SM City San Lazaro to celebrate. We ate to our heart’s content, feasting over all our food favorites like there was no tomorrow. We then roamed around the mall to pass the time. We passed by SM Cinema and the big movie posters immediately caught my attention. I grabbed my Mom’s hand and ran toward the posters with her in tow. The next thing I knew, my entire family was seated up in the balcony section of a dark theater, buckets of popcorn and drinks in hand, watching “Sky High.”
I remember feeling so overwhelmed by the large screen throughout our time in the cinema. I couldn’t help but think that I was part of the movie–that somehow, I was sitting in a class of superheroes or that I was watching the main characters fight from a corner. Then I would get distracted by everybody’s cheers, and I would realize that I was just sitting in the theater.
Our small TV at home couldn’t compare to the big screens in cinemas–a fact that I realized after my 10th birthday. I still enjoyed renting movies and watching them with my family, but I always found myself imagining how those films would look if they were projected on the big screen. My parents and siblings were a loud audience at home, but I wondered how everyone would react if we were watching in a cinema.
So I promised myself that I would go back to the movie theaters again. And so I did on the following Christmas, then again on my next birthday, and again on the following Christmas, and so on until it became a habit I proudly do even now. That first trip to the movies was truly memorable and life-changing, for I believe it has greatly influenced who I am today. I’m forever thankful that my family let me experience SM Cinema.”
- Kim
Artist, 24
Agnes and Bert’s After-Office Arcade Adventures With Their Son
“We don’t have any childhood memories at SM Supermalls because we grew up in the province, and there wasn’t even a single shopping mall or supermarket in any of our hometowns in the 1970s. It wasn’t until we moved to Manila in the late 1980s when we first stepped foot in an SM Department Store.
In 2000, two of our three sons started schooling and our relatives were kind enough to look after them while both of us were working. Our youngest son, who was five years old at that time, would always go with us to the office so we could take him to SM City Sta. Mesa, then called SM Centerpoint.
The mall was along our way to work and the first time we took him to the office with us, he pointed to the big “SM” signage and asked what it was. We told him that it was a big mall and promised to take him after work. Once we got to our workplace, he never stopped asking us if it’s already time to go to the mall–he was an impatient kid.
Later that day, we did bring him to the mall and we remember him screaming “wow” when we took him to World of Fun. We knew he loved to play, so the arcade was the perfect destination. We let him roam around the shop and choose whatever game he wanted to try, and we played so many.
He got tired from too much gaming that he requested some snacks before heading home. We carried him as we checked out restaurants and coffee shops to eat and drink, but we ended up dining at his favorite fast food joint since he was also a picky eater. Once we got home, he told his brothers about his experience with much excitement.
The next day, our youngest kid asked if we could take him again to work. Little did we know that it would be the start of our year-long after-office trips to SM Supermalls. But we enjoyed every second of it.
Our son is now the one taking us out to shop and dine at SM. Every time we pass by an arcade center, he would always mention how his favorite memory of his childhood was about us hanging out at the mall.
Every now and then, we wonder: how different would our childhood have been if SM had been part of it?”
- Agnes and Bert
57 and 52, Retired Couple
Awesome moments do take place at SM Supermalls, and these are just three of the many million magical experiences that did happen. More extraordinary tales are bound to come, so make sure to visit us again next month for another dose of lighthearted, nostalgic SM stories.
We also invite everyone to join in our quest to discover the many fascinating experiences of regular mall-goers. Do you have an unforgettable SM story? We would love to hear about it! You can share your favorite moments with us through the official SM Supermalls Facebook page. Be it a meet-cute with your special someone while shopping or a fun experience while lounging at your favorite café at SM, your story is much welcome! We look forward to hearing from you.
Agatha’s Cool Summer Experience
“Every time I step into SM Megamall, I can only think of one thing—the cool and endless fun of ice skating at their historic rink.
I grew up in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, which is more than 12 hours of land travel away from the hustle and bustle of the country’s capital. We didn’t really have malls, amusement parks, or arcades in town when I was young. So, one summer, my family went on a road trip to the south to make the vacation worthwhile. We stopped by SM Megamall to shop, dine, and pass the time.
It was sometime in the late 1990s or the early 2000s, I can’t quite recall. What I do remember is the shock on everyone’s faces when we saw a massive ice rink inside the mall. Ice skating was something we only saw on television, so of course, we tried it out! Who in their right mind would pass up on an opportunity to enjoy some ice skating fun on a hot summer afternoon?
We were so eager to hit the rink. Once we finished putting on ice skates and protective gear, my younger siblings and I played on ice without a care in the world! We were stumbling, falling flat on our behinds, and barely gliding across the smooth ice, but we were having so much fun! It was pure, unadulterated joy.
Nowadays, whenever I pass by SM Megamall, I can’t help but smile and think about that experience. It feels like an eternity ago, but that day remains a fond memory of mine. Come to think of it, maybe I should invite my family to try ice skating again the next time they visit me here in the metro? Just the thought of it makes me so excited!”
- Agatha
Writer, 26
