By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
CEBU, Philippines–I have never been to an SM mall this spacious. Not even that overly hyped Mall of Asia sitting near (no, on top of) Manila Bay.
While covering a Smart event held at SM Cebu, I got to kill some time in the recently opened North Wing. The picture above was taken from the second floor. Also this one below but from the other side — and on a different day, spot the difference yet?
Or maybe because the place is still brand-spanking new (a guard told me it opened only last December), which explains the gleaming floors and the brightly-lit ceilings. But take a look at the wide, wide walking space. Wider than Mall of Asia, I think.
To illustrate further, I took a 360-degree video while standing inside that smaller circle in the lobby. And then it hit me (after getting a bit woozy from turning), it looks a lot similar to malls I’ve been to in Singapore.
Should you get hungry walking around, here’s one restaurant I can recommend — Chikahan, located on the second floor. Try their crispy pata – crispy all right but soft and chewy on the inside.
5 Feedbacks on "Not the usual SM"
Enrique T. Dominguez
Nice article Lawrence. This is your Tito Rikki Dominguez from Abu Dhabi. How can I read your past articles?
lawrence
Thanks. You can click on my name under Categories column to read past articles.
Also, you can email me at: lawrence.casiraya@gmail.com. Will be more than glad to keep in touch. Am definitely interested to listen how life is like for you there in the Middle East.
Cheers.
CKS
SM got to where they are now with the way they’re treating their employees. Mediocre benefits, over worked and underpaid employees, 6-day work week, poor policy regarding vacation leaves. They don’t even upgrade their equipment. Poor employees using outdated computers, servers, pos machines, and printers.
Management always want to make sure they can save up on everything. They let employees use old streamers as folders, they ask employees to turn of office lights during lunch time. Kuripot talaga ang SM!
So if you wanna be rich, be as kuripot as SM.
Momon
Wow! My daughter will love to shop there. What is the are in sq. ft.?
Rikki. Unta Guy! Si nomar adi from Iriga. e-mail me @ r(my last name)@juno.com
Vina
I think that HUGE space is RESERVED for tiangges or PROMOTIONs, ex. display a car to promote it. For ex., at school opening or before Xmas, maybe that SPACE might even be smaller….just a thought…is it possible? Thanks!
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