June 12, Philippines — The spirit of freedom came alive in Northern Metro Manila as SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela mounted a patriotic tribute to the 127th Philippine Independence Day, blending culture and community empowerment in this year’s commemorations.

At SM City Grand Central and SM Center Sangandaan, hundreds of mall employees, tenants, and members of the community gathered for solemn flag-raising ceremonies that kicked off the day’s festivities. The ceremonies were followed by cultural showcases that paid homage to Filipino heritage. At SM City Grand Central, folk dances such as Sayaw sa Bangko and Binasuan drew enthusiastic crowds. Over at SM Center Sangandaan, students and performers delivered a rousing Sabayang Bigkas that echoed the themes of courage and nationalism.

More than just a commemoration of the past, the Independence Day program at SM City Grand Central also paved a way forward for jobseekers. The Kalayaan Job Fair, a major feature of the event, gathered 51 companies offering a total of 3,563 job openings both locally and overseas. With the mall packed with applicants lining up with resumes in hand, the event reflected the true spirit of kalayaan—empowerment through opportunity.

Meanwhile, SM City Valenzuela echoed the same patriotic fervor with its own lineup of traditional performances and Filipino-themed presentations. Its celebration will culminate on June 27 with a job fair focused on overseas employment—offering another avenue for jobseekers to secure a brighter future.

Through vibrant performances and job-generating initiatives, the SM malls in Caloocan and Valenzuela have turned Independence Day into a celebration not only of the country’s freedom but also of its people’s continuing pursuit of progress.

Published: 2025-06-13 18:51:14