Baguio Visit - The SM Phenomenon

Baguio has again changed, I would say leaps and bounds during the last couple of years. This I think was brought on about by the SM phenomenon. That's right SM as in ShoeMart, the biggest mall chain in the Philippines and possibly in Asia.

It's amazing to see people at the mall. Session Rd. is still there, which used to be the hub of the city. It is still there but the hub could soon change to SM. Much like being in Manila, the place to go to is at the mall, or even in the states where one's thought of leisure time is going to the mall to see movies or window shop or have a bite to eat. That mindset is dawning in Baguio. There were pre-SM malls - the Center Mall located in Magsaysay Ave and the CooYeeSan Mall that is now almost closed that was located in Naguilian Rd. Those two showed signs of fluorish and that Baguio was indeed ready to become the next SM bastion.

The SM Baguio Mall is a combination of a lot of Baguio things. I have only been there once but I could see some Baguio legends represented in the structure of the building. Most notable is the patio or viewdeck. This is reminiscent of Mines View park with a view not of the mines but of the city. Burnham park could be seen, so is the Cathedral and everything in between. This view of course is the same view you had when you checked in one of the Pines Hotel top floors prior to when it was burned down in the early 80's.

Another thing, I am not sure is intentional is the presence of a glass elevator in the middle of the mall. Memories of Hyatt Terraces perhaps prior to it's destruction in the Big Earthquake of 1991. So is the tiered look of the facade is again a hint of the terraces. The granstand is there to maybe replace Melving Jones as the spot for outdoor concerts and of course the Movie theaters are there to finally have a first rate, comfortable place to watch movies.

Of course the people are here. This is the place to meet, the hub of the city. It has definitely changed Baguio's landscape, and many other things. One thing for sure if you have not been there yet, this is a place to go in itself. The pictures that I took today appear amazing today but for sure every Baguio visitor in the future will have the same views available to him or her and will pobably become Baguio's most photographed site. But if you've never been or before you come visit, here's the view of the SM viewdeck.

Harrison Rd with Burnham Park to the Left and the city to the right.

A view of SM from the Athletic Bowl.

SM at night, busy until 9pm.