BATAAN has welcomed retail giant SM as it opened its first mall in the province and the 83rd nationwide.
SM City Bataan is reflective of the values of the local community as it employs local talents to comprise more than 96 percent of the mall’s administration staff, including two in leadership roles.
Having over a thousand employees across mall tenants—and still increasing—the mall showcases the skills and expertise of the community.
Congressman Albert S. Garcia graced the opening rite, expressing his support and highlighting the positive economic impact of the mall’s establishment to the whole province.
“When we had the ocular for the different stores during the blessing, we found out that almost everyone working there is from Bataan. They are residents of either Balanga, Pilar, Orani, Orion, or Hermosa. I’m happy to know that these jobs are filled by Bataeños. That is really what we were aiming for to begin with—to present more job opportunities that will help make the lives of every Bataeño better,” said the representative of the second district of Bataan.
Garcia also praised SM for its effort to extend support to the province’s local development by featuring homegrown businesses (including family-owned brands and locally managed franchises) in different prominent spaces within the mall which makes it a hub that links communities across the province.
One of the local tenants, Roberto Santos, the owner of Chedeng’s Snack Bar, expressed his joy at the presence of many local brands that are now in SM City Bataan. He said: “It’s a big thing that homegrown local brands are now in SM. In addition to helping fellow Bataeños, many will be motivated as well to go out and do business with SM to promote the local food industries of the province.”
Bataan within the mall
LOCAL identities are present in SM City Bataan.
Stepping into the mall, visitors are greeted by a mural with clay pots or “banga” that capture an aspect of the cultural identity of its residents celebrating the namesake of its capital Balanga.
Entrance two on the other end shoes the commitment of the province to preserving its environment as gel lights-formed birds representing the Ibong Dayo festival were integrated into another mural as a nod to the efforts of the city’s Wetland and Nature Park, an outdoor sanctuary in the protection of migratory birds.
Elevated mall experience
UNIQUE as it is like the other Sy family-owned malls nationwide, SM City Bataan takes pride in its lively and modern take on how a shopping mall should make one feel.
Apart from the abundance of shopping and dining options, there are also installations like The Art In Motion that level up the mall experience.
Once there, viewers are taken on a captivating journey via different natural backdrops, creating an immersive and dynamic atmosphere within the mall. It goes naturally with the wood-like accents and earthy tones throughout the mall.
Go-to destination
STRATEGICALLY located in Downtown Balanga, Bataan’s capital city, the newest mall stands as a reliable community partner with its residents not only through its local economic contribution but by serving as a center of accessibility with the incorporation of the Bataan Common Terminal in the mall compound.
“The common terminal serves all public utility vehicles in and out of the city,” said Jhoanalyn Gatdula, assistant mall manager of SM City Bataan. “Not only will this help the general workforce of the mall, but it will also bring comfort to all our commuting customers.
With the terminal hubs surrounding SM City Bataan, the mall also serves as a gateway to conveniently explore interesting places in the province, such as the Spanish-inspired Plaza Mayor in the capital, or the hidden gem that is Dunsulan Falls behind Mt. Samat.
Overall, SM City Bataan, developed by SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property arm of SM Investments Corp., does not fail to beyond the box-type feel usually seen in other malls.
From its design to the tenants, it seeks to return the warmth it received from the community and celebrate the identity of the province and the people it serves.
Image credits: SM Supermalls
