By Tito Mike
SM Supermalls first mall in Cagayan de Oro City has rebranded with a new moniker to mark its 20th anniversary milestone.
Now officially known as SM City CDO Uptown to differentiate it from its downtown sibling, the rebranding was also part of its 20th commemoration to mark its redevelopment.
“We started our 20th year commemoration last June 30, 2022 with the opening of the North Wing, an expansion building that features fresh, open and enjoyable spaces for a unique uptown feel,” said Oliver John R. Tiu, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations- Mindanao, during a virtual press briefing with some members of the press on 15 November 2022.
“We also launched the mall’s new name to SM City CDO Uptown to kick off the mall’s redevelopment project, another expression of our commitment to provide a world-class mall experience for the Uptown CDO market,” Mr. Tiu added.
SM City CDO Uptown was the 1st SM Mall in Cagayan de Oro, its 13th mall nationwide, which has now grown to a network of over 80 malls two decades later.
Mr. Tiu reminisced how Uptown Cagayan de Oro was still quite sleepy during that time with very few businesses and residents, yet SM was committed to serve the community and serve as an instrument to change the landscape of the area.
“Twenty years later, here we are, looking back with gratitude to the community for giving us a home in Cagayan de Oro City,” he said. “Today is also a fitting time to give back as a symbol of renewing our commitment to continue to provide uplifting and fun mall experience that makes every day better for everyone.”
As part of its 20th Anniversary commemoration, SM Supermalls donated a Garbage Compactor Truck to the Pueblo de Oro Association of Commercial and Institutional Establishments, Inc. (PACE).
“This simple gesture is a testament to SM City CDO Uptown’s pledge to the partnership with the Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation by supporting programs that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable,” Mr. Tiu stressed.
The donation was received by Engr. Chrysler Acebu, VP and GM of Pueblo de Oro Township in his concurrent capacity as President of PACE.
“SM is actually donating this garbage truck to PACE and not Pueblo de Oro, to clarify,” Engr. Acebu said. “PACE is the association of business establishments in the 25 hectare Pueblo Business Park which includes the Xavier Ateneo integrated grade school and high school campus, as well as the St Francis Parish Church.”
Engr. Acebu said the donation was discussed with Mr. Tiu as early as 3 years ago, since SM City CDO Uptown was an anchor locator occupying six hectares and had the biggest foot traffic among its locators.
“With SM expanding its leasable area with the recently opened NorthWing, they initially offered to donate a fire truck,” he noted. “However, since Pueblo already has two fire trucks, they eventually agreed to instead donate a compactor type garbage truck to address the solid waste generated by locators in the business park.”
-30-
