SM PRIME Holdings Inc. is building four SM Supermalls in North Luzon, one of which is at Pampanga’s capital city, a high-ranking SM official said recently.
Engr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations in North Luzon, disclosed that the construction of their mall at Barangay Telabastagan, City of San Fernando “has started.”
The three other SM Supermalls under construction in North Luzon are in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Dagupan City and Urdaneta City, both in Pangasinan, added Mateo, who spoke to iOrbitNews.com at the opening of Ramen Nagi Universal Noodles at SM City Pampanga last week.
The some 10-hectare property of the country’s largest mall developer is a few meters away from Barangay Sto. Domingo, Angeles City, near the Essel Subdivision, where an SM Savemore is operating.
The Sys, owner of the 55 SM Supermalls in the country, earlier purchased the property from the prominent Lazatin family of the City of San Fernando.
“The new mall will be more like the SM Aura Premier,” said Mateo, referring to the SMPHI’s upscale shopping mall located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
The SM Supermalls at the northern portion of the City of San Fernando will be the third mall of SM in the city. The two others are the SM City San Fernando Downtown located at the central portion of the capital, and SM City Pampanga. SM City Pampanga is one biggest malls of the SMPHI and it sits on a 32-hectare property at the boundary of San Fernando and Mexico town.
“The people in Pampanga really support our malls and they buy a lot. The economy of the province is strong and getting better,” said Mateo, who joined Pampanga’s Gov. Lilia Pineda, Second District Rep. Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo, Third District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago, Mexico town Mayor Teddy Tumang and Board Member and Fritzie David-Dizon at the opening of Ramen Nagi’s first branch outside of Metro Manila.
“We have been bullish over the economy of Pampanga. SM City Pampanga has between 90,000 and 100,000 visitors daily during peak hours.” said Mateo, who handles the SM City Valenzuela and the 14 other malls north of SM Valenzuela.
Meanwhile, Mateo said they are asking owners of “global brands” to invest at its malls for the benefit of its customers.
“We are continuously attracting global brands for the benefit of our growing customers and loyal shoppers,” said Mateo.
Mateo added that “wholesome shopping and fun will be really achieved if we have the famous international brands.”
Ramen Nagi has eight outlets in Metro Manila and most of which are at SM malls. The first was put up in 2013 at SM Aura Premier.
“This restaurant is widely patronized and we are happy its owners decided to put their first provincial branch at an SM mall in Pampanga,” said Mateo.
Roxanne E. Farillas, one of the owners of the Ramen Nagi’s outlets in the country, said “there were really long lines at our branch at the SM Aura after we opened.”
“We still enjoy good business three years after we opened that’s why we are expanding,” she added.
Farillas said they invested in Pampanga because its people “appreciate great-tasting food and we know that market and business are growing here.” She disclosed that they will put up a second provincial branch in Baguio City and “most likely it will be at the SM City Baguio.”
“This restaurant’s specialty are customized Ramen based on customer’s preferences on the taste. They also serve different sumptuous Japanese dishes made with quality and imported ingredients providing authentic gourmet items just like the one being served in Japan,” said Will Garcia of Will Explore Philippines on September 16.
“This growing restaurant was founded by Ikuta Satoshi in Fukuoka, Japan where he started with a small space with few tables and chairs. Because of the best tasting ramen being served, this restaurant continued to grow and now expanding in the Philippines specifically in Metro Manila and now in Pampanga,” he added.
Ramen Nagi Universal Noodles has branches at other Asian countries, including at Japan, Indonesia, China and Taiwan.