SM City San Pablo Celebrates the Return of the Grand Magical Christmas Parade!

The holidays just got brighter with the return of the SM Supermalls' Grand Magical Christmas Parade! After five-long years, the most anticipated holiday event has made a comeback to SM City San Pablo bringing festive cheer to children and families, shoppers and mall-goers, and the community in general. This beloved holiday happening showcases a vibrant and whimsical celebration filled with colorful characters, enchanting music, and the heartwarming magic of Christmas. 

The SM City San Pablo Mall Atrium is all dolled up for the holidays!

The Grand Magical Christmas Parade has returned to SM City San Pablo!

The kick-off parade was held last November 16, 2024 at SM City Bacoor with the grand launch graced by the presence of Zeinab Harake and her kids, as well as her fiance', basketball star Ray Parks. Zeinab was once a Grand Magical Parade Princess before she shot to social media fame. 

Zeinab Harake and kids, together with Ray Parks, during the kick-off parade at SM City Bacoor.
Photo credit: When in Manila.

The celebration continued the following weekend, November 23, with the parade moving to SM Supermalls across South Luzon. First stop down south was our very own SM City San Pablo, where the mall hosted its own Grand Magical Christmas Parade. Shoppers and their families were treated to a lively display as the whimsical characters marched through the mall, spreading joy and good cheer and the true spirit of the holiday season.

The highlight of the parade, of course, was the appearance of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who greeted everyone with huge smiles and big waves, and even posing for photos with the children.

The magic of the SM Supermalls will continue across various SM Supermalls in South Luzon, bringing joy to families all over the region and giving everyone a chance to experience the warmth and wonder of Christmas. Mark your calendars and bring your loved ones for a celebration that’s sure to be unforgettable!

Catch the Grand Magical Christmas Parade at an SM Supermall near you!

The Grand Magical Christmas Parade is more than just an event—it’s a joyful experience filled with magic, laughter, and the warmth of holiday togetherness. Don’t miss out on this magical holiday celebration—it’s Christmas, the SM Supermalls way! 

After Tree Dessert Cafe Opens at SM City San Pablo.

A good cuppa, some flatlay-friendly food, and an Instagrammable ambience to boot - these are just some of the qualities that I look out for whenever I go cafe hopping or visit a coffee place. After Tree Dessert Cafe, with its newly opened branch at SM City San Pablo, has all these bases covered. 

After Tree Dessert Cafe is now open at SM City San Pablo!

Located at the mall's ground floor - you can't miss it!

Coffee? Meet me at After Tree. :)

Originating from Malaysia, After Tree has found its roots in the Philippines when they opened their first branch last year at SM City Santa Rosa. With the opening of their sixth branch in SM City San Pablo, After Tree continues to gain popularity with their eye-catching desserts, exceptional service, and excellent coffee.

A wide selection of cakes and pastries.

The Strawberry Basque Cheesecake is a must-try!

After Tree's menu includes a wide selection of cakes and pastries, frappes, and tea, even toast and kakigori (Japanese shaved ice). 

Milo Dinosaur Kakigori.

The highlight, of course, is the Signature Egg Tart made with 128 layers of preservative-free homemade crust. This beloved egg tart is also available in two new flavors Ube Taro and Salted Egg. (Best served chilled, take my word for it!)  

Taro and Signature Egg Tart plus my all-time favorite Spanish Latte.

Cappuccino paired with Tiramisu and Chocolate Macadamia Indulgence.

If you're in San Pablo City, don't forget to swing by After Tree located at the Ground Floor of SM City San Pablo. It's smack dab in the middle of the mall, you can't miss it! Don't forget to follow After Tree on Facebook and Instagram for promos and updates.

Countdown to Christmas | 100 Days of Joy at SM Supermalls.

SM Supermalls is ringing in the holiday spirit with its 100 Days of Joy countdown, spreading cheer and generosity all over the Philippines. Every day from September 16 to December 25, SM will be giving back to the shoppers and communities that have made the malls a joyful place all year round.

With 86 malls nationwide, SM is proud to serve as community hubs and the setting of countless memories, cultural celebrations, and everyday delights. Every day until Christmas, SM will be sharing a video showcasing how each mall has found new ways to make the merriest season of all shine even brighter for their local communities.

The Bears are Back

As with the previous years, SM will still continue its beloved Bears of Joy initiative. This time, however, the bears come with a more cuddly, fluffy look! The mechanics remain the same, though - for every bear purchased, another will be donated to a child in need, spreading warmth and comfort to those craving the magic of Christmas. And for this year, SM is introducing Hug-A-Mood, a collection of huggable expressions that reflect the wide range of emotions children experience.

Countdown to Christmas

Starting September 16, SM will spread joy nationwide through a series of heartwarming surprises and festive activities. Shoppers can expect to be greeted by enchanting light projections across its malls, each displaying a cheerful “100 Days to Christmas” greeting alongside vibrant decorations. This dazzling display will set the tone for the holiday excitement, signaling that the season of joy has officially begun.

As we countdown to Christmas, SM calls on everyone to embrace their communities and spread the joy of the season. Whether through the Bears of Joy initiative, nominating communities for special recognition, or simply enjoying the holiday atmosphere at SM malls, there are countless ways to share the Christmas spirit.

Let’s make this Christmas season the most meaningful one yet by embracing the communities that make our families and lives so much bigger. Let the countdown begin!

Yogorino Italy Opens at SM City San Pablo.

Yogorino, World's Loved Frozen Yogurt and Gelato from Italy opens its doors to customers in SM City San Pablo on September 7, 2023. In celebration of opening its 14th yogurteria, Yogorino offers an irresistible treat - its famed frozen yogurt in bambino size for Php 75 only, plus non-stop raining of Free Choco Torrone topping. Residents can also enjoy designing their own Yogorino together with Yogorista of the day and VIVA artist Marco Gallo, and other fun and exciting promo and activities.

Yogorino at SM City San Pablo.

Yogorino has captivated its customers throughout the world with presence in 30 countries and growing. Since opening its flagship branch in Makati City, it has been offering a positive and happy lifestyle with its array of healthy and guiltless sweet menu, winning the taste buds of Filipinos across all age groups. Yogorino was brought to the Philippines by Viva International Food & Restaurants, Inc. under the leadership of Vicente "Boss Vic' del Rosario, Jr. and the company behind Botejyu, Greyhound Cafe, Papermoon, and Wing Zone, among others.

The refreshing vibe of store design eases you into a comfortable seating, making it a perfect chill spot. Locals can enjoy a fast casual service with colorful premium ingredients displayed on the counter where they can place their orders and enjoy the theatrics of having their food made before their eyes.

"We have customers who tells us that Yogorino is the best-tasting frozen yogurt and gelato they ever had. It is this strong reception and patronage of our customers that drove us to constantly innovate and evolve. And with the brands positioning as a dessert cafe, we have aggressive plans in place to grow Yogorino across the country," says Vicente Raphael del Rosario IV, President and COO of Viva International Food & Restaurants, Inc.

Why is Yogorino the best tasting frozen yogurt? It is made only with all-natural, low-calorie, and best quality ingredients. It's naturally white, velvety creamy, with a balanced sweetness and light sour flavor. You can Design-Your-Own Yogorino with combinations of fresh fruits, crunchy toppings, and sauces, or choose from the best-tasting concoctions. A 100-gram Yogorino contains only 131 calories, 1.18 gram fat, and probiotic enzymes - a little indulgence you can have any time of the day.

On the other hand, their authentic Italian Gelato has a natural, creamy, and delicate flavor. Made fresh daily, they use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients for this guilt-free dessert. Crowd-favorite flavors include Rocher, Matcha, Tiramisu, and the classic Italian Milk.

Other specialties include the Parfait with layers of YOgoodness in a cup, the cooling yogurt-based Smoothies perfect for our tropical climate, and the sweet and handy Cone Crepe with 48 selections.

Follow the Yogorino social media pages for promos and updates! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YogorinoPH

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogorino_ph

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yogorinoph

Botejyu SM City San Pablo for your Japanese Food Cravings.

In the past year and a half, so many new cafes, restaurants, and diners have popped up in my beloved hometown. My siblings and I would often say, "feeling Seoul ang San Pablo" (San Pablo feels like Seoul), because of the numerous coffee shops and (milk) tea houses that have mushroomed practically everywhere - from the city proper to the outskirts, even in the most far-flung barangays.

And that's a good thing, actually. These new cafes and restaurants are a sign that the food and beverage industry is slowly recovering from the COVID slump. In addition, San Pableños now have a plethora of food options all over the city. I'm thinking of visiting and trying out as many new and relatively new restaurants as I can, as part of my 'aspiration' to blog more often this year and share more quality content.

Botejyu, home of authentic Japanese cuisine.

First on the list is Botejyu, a world-renowned restaurant chain that originated from Osaka, Japan. The very first Botejyu restaurant was established in the city of Tamade in 1946, with okonomiyaki and okosoba as its specialties. Now on its 77th year in the industry, Botejyu boasts of 126 shops worldwide, 64 of which are in the Philippines.

One of those branches happen to be in SM City San Pablo, and I could not be more ecstatic! Finally, an authentic Japanese restaurant in the city to satisfy our ramen, katsu, and yakisoba cravings!

Botejyu finally made it to SM City San Pablo!

Botejyu SM City San Pablo held its grand opening last January 6 but it wasn't until last week that we finally had the chance to dine at the restaurant. And we had a good reason to indulge in some great food - Yue's grades went up this quarter and he retained his spot on the list of  students with high honors. That called for a celebration by all means!

Here's a glimpse of what we had at Botejyu.

First off, Chicken Karaage because Yue loves chicken, haha. This was the first thing he had in mind when I told him that we're going to the mall for some Japanese food. Crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned... it's no surprise that Botejyu's karaage is the number one karaage in Japan.

Large Chicken Karaage, Php 520.

For his main course, Yue had the Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet with Egg Teishoku. The term 'teishoku' means set meal, and this one comes with a bowl of rice, some fresh side salad, a bowl of miso soup, and a small plate of kimchi.

Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet.

I tried a small piece of the Tonkatsu, and I'm impressed by how thick, tender, and flavorful the meat is. Yue absolutely loved it, being a huge fan of my homecooked tonkatsu, which of course, pales in comparison to this one.

Pork Tonkatsu Cutlet with Egg Teishoku, Php 415.

The rest of us had donburi, or rice bowls served with meat or fish, and vegetables.

Steakdon (Diced Beef Garlic Rice Bowl), Php 545.

Jaymee had Steakdon, and I could tell how delighted she was with surprisingly tender beef pieces. She was smiling from ear to ear after one bite! :)

Tendon (Tempura Rice Bowl), Php 325.

Our resident shrimp eater, Thomas, had the Tempura. He was pretty much impressed with the crispy and crunchy batter and the juicy, perfectly cooked prawns. 

Butadon (Grilled Pork Rice Bowl), Php 325.

As for me, I had the Butadon because I was in the mood for pork. The tender and flavorful meat and the slightly sweet and savory sauce make a perfect combination.

Of course, no gastronomic trip to Botejyu would be complete without a bowl of ramen. We had their bestseller, Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Char Siu Pork, and omg, one sip of the creamy, (slightly) fatty broth was enough to blow me away. It's heaven in a bowl with the milky broth, springy noodles, and tender meat. Really, you have to try it to understand. 

Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Char Siu Pork, Php 485.

The boys enjoyed their first Botejyu experience, and it seems there will a be second, third, fourth, and so on visit. The food may be a little bit on the pricey side, but trust me, you're paying for really good, authentic Japanese food. 

Two tables full and Php 3k worth of food.

Congrats to you two! 

Botejyu 

2F SM City San Pablo 

Brgy. San Rafael, San Pablo City, Laguna

(0917) 805 7234

My Bioessence Experience | Swedish + Hot Stone Massage.

I used to get massages quite often when I was still a single, corporate employee. Like, I'd treat myself to a massage almost on a monthly basis.

When I became a mom, massages then became quite a luxury. Me-time is considered a luxury when you have tons of chores to do and a kid to look after, if you understand what I mean. What used to be a monthly treat for myself became like a bi-annual thing (not even quarterly, haha).

And then the pandemic came, and massages became a thing of the past for me. 'Extinct', as I would jokingly call it. Spas, salons, and the like were not considered "essential goods/services" during the pandemic and were closed for the most part of 2020 until the early months of 2021, at least here in the Philippines. It was only during the latter part of 2021, when most cities and provinces in the country started lifting restrictions, that spas and salons slowly began to reopen. And while my siblings and my Mum got massages as soon as their favorite spa resumed operations, it took me quite some time to pluck my courage and treat myself to a much-needed massage. 

Yesterday, I finally did. After almost two years of struggling with COVID anxiety, I finally had the courage to walk into a spa and get a massage. But instead of visiting the spa where my Mum usually goes to, I went to Bioessence instead. Since I was already at SM San Pablo yesterday, I thought getting a massage there would be much more practical than having to commute elsewhere, spend a lot on gas fare, and get stuck in hellish traffic.

Bioessence Slimzone at SM City San Pablo.

A premium beauty and wellness center, Bioessence specializes in skin, slimming, and spa services tailor fitted for Filipinos. Its pioneer branch was built in Davao City in 1994 by its founder, Dr. Emma Beleno, a renowned dermatologist and skin care specialist. Now on its 29th year in the industry, Bioessence has over 30 branches nationwide, majority of them located in leading malls.

The services they offer.

You usually need an appointment to avail of Bioessence's services, but thankfully, they accommodated me even if I was a walk-in. And that's probably because not too many people get massages at 2pm like I did, haha.

Cozy waiting area.

My original plan was to get just the good old traditional Swedish massage, but the nice and congenial branch manager was able to convince me to make it a complete package and add the Hot Stone massage. I thought, well, since this is my first time to get a massage in two (almost three) years, might as well go a little extra! And so I did. I got the Swedish massage (Php 700) and added the Hot Stone massage (Php 380) for an hour and a half of well-deserved and badly needed R&R. 

The hallway leading to the treatment rooms.

As they prepared my 'treatment room', I sat in the waiting area and was offered a cup of tea. I asked for water instead, since I was at Starbucks earlier and had just finished my first cup of coffee for the day. It took them about ten minutes to prepare the room, but I didn't mind because sitting in the waiting area was already very relaxing, with the soothing scent of peppermint and lavender wafting throughout the place. 

A glimpse at one of the treatment rooms.

The branch manager then led me to my treatment room, where my therapist was waiting. Before we started my 'treatment', she asked me to change into my spa robe and soak my feet in a basin of lukewarm water. After a few minutes, she dried my feet and asked me to lie face down on the massage table for what turned out to be the most relaxing 90 minutes of my life. 

Treatment rooms are regularly cleaned and sanitized.

Halfway through my session, the therapist stopped for a few minutes to prepare the stones. And oh my goodness, the Hot Stone Massage was soooo soothing and warm and relaxing. As my therapist was rubbing the warm stones on my back and then lining them up along my spine afterwards, I was thinking, "this is one of the best decisions I have ever made, post-pandemic". The massage was so good that I seemed to have dozed off along the way. Lol!

Hot Stone Massage - highly recommended!

After my treatment, I was advised by my therapist to lie down for five more minutes, which I did. She also reminded me to drink lots of water for the next 24 hours, not shower immediately, and use warm water for bathing. After getting dressed, I was given a hot cup of tea - the perfect way to end a rejuvenating massage.

Thank you, Bioessence SM San Pablo!

Overall, I truly enjoyed my first Bioessence experience. Their services might be priced a bit higher compared to other spas here in San Pablo, but the quality, comfort, and results that you get is truly worth it. No more aching back and stiff joints! Definitely coming back for another massage!

Bioessence Slimzone

2F SM City San Pablo

Brgy. San Rafael, San Pablo City, Laguna

(0910) 686 5920 / (049) 521 0119