It’s a Happy Christmas at SM Supermalls!

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SM Megamall starts to spread sparks of happiness with an out-of-this-world Christmas event

SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter.


Ode to outer space: An out-of-this-world celebration starts at SM Megamall

SM officially ushered the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall on October 20.

The mall’s mega Christmas Tree decked in stars and lights was lit, signaling the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. And starting October 20 until December, SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively.

If you missed the SM Megamall Christmas event, there are still more ways to celebrate the joys of the holidays. SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones! Check out the details below:



More Christmas Tree lighting activities in your favorite SM mall!

Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls will light up their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Check out the dates below so you can drop by your favorite SM mall and watch the lighting of its dazzling trees full of lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.




Santa-approved Christmas Playpark

Witness as your favorite SM mall opens a new world of Christmas with towering centerpieces, functional spaces, and sprawling activities at the Christmas Playpark. Explore the Christmas markets and play areas, and watch out for Santa appearances, character meet and greets, and other surprises! Plus, you also get to have a multisensory experience at the playpark’s light and sound shows, festive eats and holiday treats, and a whole lot more scents and feels that will embrace you in holiday warmth and ambiance.



Sparkling lights to brighten up your holidays

Christmas won’t be festive without lights. Be in awe as you pass by hallways decked with twinkling lights, illuminated tunnels, beaming driveways, and lit parking spaces as they glow at their best.



Dining out al fresco style at the Super Spots decked with lights

SM Supermalls has also created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!



Turn Christmas AReality at SM

Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!



Check out the Happiness Stations

SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.



Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love

Christmas is for the whole family including furbabies! Make them happy and feel loved by joining the Holiday Paw Play Dates and Costume PAWty. You can also flex them at the Christmas photo challenge and win amazing prizes, or shop for them at the Christmas markets. Also, SM Supermalls will be partnering again with organizations for a pet adoption drive so you can help the little ones find a home in time for the holiday.



Unlock a bigger, better, and brighter virtual Christmas Village

SM will reopen its virtual Christmas Village to bring an exciting, engaging, and rewarding holiday experience to Filipinos. Check out https://gosm.link/ChristmasVillage2022 as it goes live from October 28 to January 5 for an awesome augmented reality shopping, dining, and leisure experience. Create your own avatar, e-meet fellow shoppers and SM ambassadors, and enjoy bonding time with your family and friends while playing fun games at the immersive virtual Christmas zones made for you.



Create circles of happiness by buying products for cause-oriented programs

Since it’s the season of giving, you can support cause-oriented advocacies of individuals and organizations by purchasing products that provide opportunities and livelihood to marginalized sectors. For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative.



“This Christmas, we are sending a message of happiness to every Filipino. With every activity we have for them, we hope to inspire everyone to spread sparks of happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls.



A new light of experiences will bring happiness and kindness to every Filipino as SM Supermalls create more magical memories and opportunities to touch other people’s lives this holiday season. Check out www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts to stay updated on the various holiday happenings.

PVL welcomes BingoPlus as official gaming partner

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On October 27, BingoPlus, the newest entertainment offering of Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC) entered a sponsorship deal with the Premiere Volleyball League (PVL) to be its Official Gaming Partner.

The signing ceremony was attended by LRWC President Andy Tsui, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. (ABLE) President Jasper Vicencio, PVL Tournament Director Tonyboy Liao, and Sports Vision Management Group Inc., President Ricky Palou, which was held at the PhilSports Arena.

In his speech, LRWC President Tsui highlighted that the management was anticipating this event for quite some time. “The partnership between BingoPlus and PVL is one of our highlights this year. We are looking forward to reaching more supporters through PVL and we hope that this partnership would spark more opportunities for both parties” Tsui said. Moreover, ABLE President Vicencio stated that BingoPlus is actively partnering with other organizations that have the same interest as the brand. Vicencio in addition highlighted that BingoPlus can be accessed through www.bingoplus.com and can be visited at 150 BingoPlus branches nationwide.

BingoPlus is the first and only live-streaming bingo in the Philippines that has secured a license from the PAGCOR. To date, BingoPlus has more than 900 jackpot and bingo winners since January.

Drinking while grieving: Filipinos turn to alcohol to remember departed loved ones during ‘Undas’ – Study

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Many people worldwide turn to alcohol when coping with grief, usually from watching a loved one pass on, breaking up with a partner, or dealing with a personal or financial loss. However, on some occasions, alcohol is widely considered as something that makes people feel good and elevates their mood. Filipinos have found a way to incorporate both into the holiday that commemorates their departed loved ones.

Packworks Sari IQ finds that sales of alcoholic beverages jumped up to 14.29% from October 31 to November 2, 2021 from 11.10% on October 1 to 30, 2021. The data sets compare a month of a typical day’s worth of market share to the three-day “Undas” holiday last year.

“This is expected as Filipinos consider ‘Undas’ as a time to remember loved ones in a social context, meaning a lot of gatherings that revolve the consumption of alcoholic beverages is common,” Packworks Chief Data Officer Andres Montiel said.

According to Sari IQ data, different alcoholic drinks dominated the market share during the holiday last year, with Brandy rising from 1.65% for normal days to 2.70% during the holiday; Rum from 2.42% to 3.20%; Gin from 5.32% to 5.94%; and Beer from 1.14% to 1.61%

On the other hand, cigarettes decreased by 1.02% in market share even though it recorded the highest percentage during the normal period (21.91%) and the holidays (20.92%).

“The decrease may be because, in a period of solemnity in the presence of the dead, we stay away from products that may have caused the death of our loved ones. A poignant reminder that life is short and people want to enjoy it longer,” Montiel added.

On the other hand, sales of Tea, Coffee, and Creamers decreased by 0.65% during the same period.

“This might be due to people sleeping late nights in the cemetery, drinking alcohol, and not waking up early to have their morning coffee or tea,” Montiel expressed.

Even with the increasing market share for alcohol, Sari IQ finds that daily sales during “Undas” were typically lower than in the whole month of October, where total sales daily decreased by 19.78%.

Montiel said, “this might be due to people leaving their houses to visit graves; thus, some local sari-sari stores might be closed during this time to celebrate the long holiday at their home province or in the cemetery.”


‘Sin’ products continued patronage

These “sin” products have been heavily taxed by the government as part of its Universal Health Care Program, as the duties from these products may be a potential revenue source that will help the program.

According to the Sin Tax Bill, higher taxes and consequently higher costs will discourage the consumption of Filipinos from these “sin” products, especially cigarettes that cause lung cancer, which is the leading form of cancer in the country.

However, based on the data presented, Filipinos continue patronizing the use of “sin” products by buying from these sari-sari stores even though prices have increased due to the higher tax imposed.