IT’S THE happiest time of the year again – and SM City Iloilo sure got a lot of love to give!
Having lighted a 50-feet, Paris-inspired Christmas tree at its Northpoint area last Nov. 10, SM City Iloilo officially launched its “Bears of Joy” campaign.
Under the campaign, mallgoers are encouraged to buy a pair of bears worth P200 – one they can keep and the other, to be given to a chosen charity for children.
This year, SM City Iloilo chose kids from SOS Children’s Village in Zarraga, Iloilo as beneficiaries.
SOS Children’s Village is the largest nongovernmental organization focused on supporting children without parental care and families at risk, according to its website.
SOS Children’s Villages provide different kinds of support to the community. Its family strengthening program, for example, gives assistance to families who are at risk of abandoning their children. The organization also works with the local officials and the private sector – like SM – to provide nutritional, educational and health support.
“With the support of qualified professionals they are guided through this new stage of their lives, as they start vocational training courses, attend higher education and start looking for work. The young people are encouraged to develop perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions,” the organization said.
SM City Iloilo – the mall that llonggos have grown to love – wants to help organizations like this with a good cause, also in the spirit of gift-giving.
Nine kids from the SOS Children’s Village were present during the Christmas tree-lighting event. They received their gifts from no other than Santa Claus himself, making the start of this year’s holiday season memorable for them.
Rivermaya former frontman Jason Fernandez was also present during the event. He rendered a series of song numbers which definitely hyped up the crowd, a great way to welcome the holidays.
Everyone is welcome to take pictures at the holiday display titled “Eiffel in Love This Christmas at SM City Iloilo.”
SM City Iloilo time and time again has proven that it has nothing to give but love, making sure that its shoppers would have the best holiday experience ever. (By Jonel Amio/PN)
