It’s not the ususal SM Savemore grocery opening you know. With a number of SM Savemore stores opening stores around the Philippines, what makes this particular launch in Sta. Ana Manila unique is its first-of-a-kind facade and environment-conscious efforts.
SM Savemore Sta. Ana Grand Opening: (from left) Jojo Tagbo, VP for operations of Savemore; Manila City Councilor Honey Lacuna – Pangan; celebrity guest Bayani Agbayani; 2010 Ms. Earth winners Miss Earth Air Victoria Shchukina of Russia; Miss Earth Water 2011 Wattsaporn Wattanakon of Thailand; and reigning Miss Earth Nicole Faria of India; celebrity guest Sunshine Cruz; Felicidad Sy; Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim; Sta. Ana Heritage Board chairman Vilma Labrador; Parish Priest Andrew Litigio of Our Lady of Abandoned; and SM Supermarket president Herbert T. Sy.
Out-of-the-Box Facade
You might be used to the usual box-type yellow SM Savemore shops, SM Savemore Sta.Ana is the first to incorporate a cultural aspect to the design and architecture. It now looks more Asian in design and blends with the local community.
Environment-Conscious
The original lot has as longstanding Dita Tree which is more than 200 years old. SM Savemore decided to preserve and take care of the tree as a local community heritage. In fact, almost a third of the total land area was alotted for an open courtyard area with the Dita Tree at its center.
Different Facade Design from other SM Savemore Stores
International Miss Earth 2011 Winners Posed with the Dita Tree in Background
Young Narra Trees (lower left of previous photo) were also symbolically planted by International Miss Earth winners Nicole Faria of India, Miss Earth Air Victoria Shchukina of Russia and Miss Earth Water 2011 Wattsaporn Wattanakon of Thailand at the back part of the building facing the river. It also serves as customer parking lot.
P50 WHole Chicken Pormo
A ground structure (left of 4th photo) was also preserved and made into a showcase area. It is said to be an old relic (various structure) of an old wine cellar usually referred to as ‘bahay na bato‘ which has been there for hundreds of years. These are the commitment made by Savemore to the Sta. Ana community towards the preservation of its heritage.
These are all in addition to Savemore’s ongoing commitment to the environment where trademark SM Food Retail Group’s reusable Greenbag are used. The Greenbags now comes in green, blue and black, with various designs that shoppers can choose from starting at P10 each (aside from the points gained by SM Advantage cardholders).
The Program
The celebration was started by the ceremonial ribbon cutting with guests led by Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim.
Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim (rightmost) with SM Executives and Guests
Miss Earth winners also graced the event and went on an actual grocery shopping of their own.
Miss Earth 2011 Winners Grocery Shopping
Celebrities Sunshine Cruz and Bayani Agbayani were also present at the event. They are Sta.Ana residents themselves.
Sunshine Cruz & Bayani Agbayani (left); SM Savemore Staff Dancing in the Opening
Here are some photos of the actual grocery inside embodied with the concept of neighborhood convenient shopping at affordable prices.:
SM Savemore Grocery Items
Magnolia Ice Cream and Fresh Fruits / Goods Section