15 December 2015 – The “Parul Sampernandu” exhibit at SM Xiamen was successfully launched last November 27. The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen, in cooperation with SM Xiamen, organized the exhibit which showcases lanterns made of capiz seashells handcrafted in the City of San Fernando (CSFP), Pampanga. The CSFP, along with the Giant Lantern Festival Foundation, are the Consulate General’s partners in promoting Philippine Christmas traditions in Xiamen. The last collaboration resulted in the installation of the Giant Lantern in Xiamen’s Annual Lantern Festival last February-March 2014. 

SM Xiamen Manager Von Aaron Tan, together with Philippine Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores, pulled the ceremonial curtain to signal the lighting of the lanterns installed at the Corcierge of SM 1 which was witnessed by the mall’s peak hour crowd of around 500 shoppers and guests. 

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Allan Brosas, SM China Head and SM officials and staff, Engineer Roman T. Go, Chairman of the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) and faculty members, Mr. Edward Tenorio, President of Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), FAX officers and members, Mr. Aaron Tan, owner of Xia Men Cheng Xing Industry and Trading Co., Ltd, the Consulate General’s officers and staff, and members of the Filipino community.

The lantern display will run for the duration of the Christmas holidays and Chinese New Year until 19 February 2016.  The display is expected to be viewed by at least 60,000 people daily during the holiday periods. SM Xiamen complex (SM 1 and SM 2) is the most popular mall in the city, given its strategic location in downtown Xiamen. END