Feature: Premier Experience at Lanang

Like this post? View presentation animations for more fun post from the Author.


This article was published in MindanaoTimes last September 29, 2012.

Everyone knows why SM stands out as the best Mall in the Philippines. To lay the common reasons down, there are tenants choice, excellent customer service and, well, the overall package and design that just makes it easy for people to shop. Compared to its rival malls all over the country, SM Malls do not present an elitist projection making it welcome different kinds of customers from all the letter class, not only limited to the “A” or altas.

For someone who has an Architect twin sister, Gloryrose Dy, who happens to be one of the design officers of the recently opened and biggest mall of Mindanao, SM Lanang, I’ve come to be more sensitive to immense and minute details that make a mall successful such as that of SM.

some members of the people behind the SM Lanang Design.
Stephen, Gloryrose Dy. At the back are also Architects.

People might think how tasking it is to regularly check the quality of ceilings, stairs, and railings and over all zoning of a mall while initially planning to just go about leisurely. But knowing a little about the technicalities has made me appreciate SM Lanang Premier mall even more.

I have come to know that large posters were not built as decorations but are actually board ups to save customers from the inconvenience of seeing construction on site.

A neat and edgy design for the roof and stairs.

The huge place is traced with attractive lines that accentuate the design
and guide people to the right area, at the same time.

2D or 3D: the intriguing ceiling of SM Lanang Premier.

A festival of lines that makes a professional photographer want to click continuous.

the  stairs inspired by origami  and robotics which defines the contemporary design of SM Lanang. photo by Prof. Nino Soria De Veyra

The Cyberzone ceiling, a potential production design for a runway of the tech savvy .
photo by Prof. Nino Soria De Veyra

First of all, the reason why SM Lanang Premier is so sophisticated is not only because of its choices for tenants but it is because of the vibe that communicates to customers upon entrance which comes from the umbrella rib assembly and runner hub looking ceiling with lights that radiates among the newly made mall advocates of Mindanao. In fact during the opening, Glam models looked up in awe stretching their necks like swans towards the sky as they rested from welcoming guests of the blessing of the mall.

The atrium where the Mass of the blessing of
SM Lanang Premier was held last September 27, 2012

Railings and T-designed escalator extends safety to every guest.

Welcoming women to the ladies room are these minimalist decorations
anyone wants in their homes. 

Featuring this skylights roof window that helps save energy source
and provides enough light for  a dramatic day at SM Lanang.

Adding to the stylish sense are the omnipresent railings surrounding each levels of the mall showing that protection against the height can be presented with class. There is no stairs and escalator in SM Lanang and probably in all SM malls that would make a person cringe in fear of falling. That is due to the sincere concern for safety that the design and operations department of the mall focuses on.

Now what I also like about SM Malls is that when I eat at any restaurant, my eyes are free from the sight of shoes or any other non-food related goods from neighboring tenants. My twin told me a little secret that this is one of the primary concerns of SM Malls. They don’t want to mix up the zoning and thanks to that, customers have the ease of being led to the proper area when they choose to dine, shop or just have fun. Aside from the signs that serve like actual customer service crews guiding customers where to go, SM Lanang’s design operates like a tour guide on its own leading customers to the proper direction. I can’t hear people saying “I got lost in SM!” even if the mall is large enough to fill over a million people.

Talking about shopping, signs and zoning, one of my favorite spots in all SM Malls is the Supermarket. I love clothes, but getting those groceries done is my special de-stressing favorite. So working as one of the new media team, representing  Davaobloggers, I was able to have a quick tour at SM Supermarket and found out more facets and opportunities for convenience that are unique in this new mall. 

SM Supermarket is proud to present the Queue Buster exclusively offered by SM Lanang Supermarket. This utility is set to reduce the hassle of lining up as it automatically provides a receipt and priority number to the cashier especially for people purchasing in large bundles. Aside from this, SM Lanang Supermarket has intensified its customer service experience through the “Press for Help buttons” or what I would call “Life Savers”. Customers can just press the switch button right beside the corners of each lane and once the blue light glows, a customer service agent will be ready to help.

Presenting the Queue Buster!

And here's the "Press for Help buttons" I'd like to call "Life Savers!"

In SM Supermarket Lanang, the zoning is incredible. Aside from the helpful signage, the market is just neatly placed. There’s an area for every unique category that allows people to get the best out of their shopping experience.

At the entrance, the fruit stands call everyone's attention through fresh and bright colors. And as the supermarket crew smiles and utters "Open to serve you!", extra highlights welcome providing a comfortable and safe place to purchase.

                                         

This is the SM Advantage Card, Prestige or BDO Rewards Card area where card owners can use the SWIPE machine to get promo list of discounts and giveaways.

The crew is wearing a “Sneeze guard” which complements the cold chain that maintains the temperature of fresh items and prevents bacteria from the source to store display. 
There are also plastic bags, gloves and tongs provided to each customer.

Happy Hour. This is where the must-catch discounts in 60 minutes on fresh and food items are. 

Hydroponic vegetables. These are veggies without soil which means reduced bacterial contamination
and overall cleaner and healthier veggy experience.

Fresh section. Everything from meat, poultry, seafood and bright smiles from helpful service crew is here. 

Home Department. Just when people think that SM Supermarket only sells grocery, they also have a line of classy and urbane appliances, furniture and home and kitchen items at affordable prices.

Green Bag. Supporting the City Ordinance that promotes earth loving by discouraging use of plastic non-biodegradable materials, SM strictly encourages all customers to use the green bags.

SM Lanang Supermarket is open daily 10:am to 9:00pm (Mon. – Thurs.) and 9:00am to 9:00pm (Fri. Sun). 

After the blessing of SM Lanang last yesterday, the stores opened and invited Mindanaoans to the view and taste of new designs, products, fashion and food. There’s the SM Lanang SMX area, one of my favorites. Here is a post about it courtesy of J.Lab’s Life. As fashion bloggers were salivating on new brands at the Department store and anticipated tenants like Forever 21, I was giddily checking my clock for 5pm for the Tokyo Tokyo invite.

                             

  

Tokyo Tokyo is one of my favorite fast food restaurants in Manila because it’s where I can find affordable versions of authentic Japanese cuisine. They have been in the business for over 30 years starting off a branch in Quad Park, Makati.  Tokyo Tokyo at SM Lanang Premier is the first branch outside Luzon. The marketing manager of Tokyo Tokyo, Joan Pamplona, confessed that they particularly chose to launch a branch in Davao because of the common knowledge that Davaoenos are food lovers and are always up for a new dining experience. True enough, food bloggers immediately enjoyed the moment by photographing the food and writing about the excellent dining experience to the extent of even trying out the Maki making session.  

 

Aside from the Maki, Prawn Tempura, Pork Tonkatsu, Beef Misono, Chicken Teriyaki and Red Iced Tea were also served. Renz, a food and travel blogger talks more about Tokyo Tokyo here The Traveling Nomad.

“We’re very happy to be opening not only the first branch to be build outside Luzon, but also the beginning of our long-awaited expansion plans in the VisMin Region”, Pamplona said. For regular updates, visit Tokyo Toko at TokyoTokyo at Facebook.

To wrap up an experience this premier mall -- the SM Lanang way, means to over indulge by visual display in all forms and fancy. SM guests who adore a rhythmic touch with music, color and water in sync, can view the water show at the Alfresco where lights and sounds celebrate boasting an eager atmosphere for applause and tear jerking moment. Mindanaoans will not need to invest on a Manila trip in order to experience this famous show regularly presented in Ocean Park.

Of course, for those who love simulation, prefer a caress of contemporary or are gearing to experience the future at its best, the iMAX at the Cinema is open to play with imagination, maximize escapism and successfully mimic reality. Just a word of caution, don't hit the ball if it aims for you, you might hit the person in front!

SM Lanang Premiere is now open for everyone in Mindanao. This is the biggest mall in the Island, so far, so grab those Sunday dress and prep up for an ecstatic or even hysterical experience!

Like this post? View presentation animations for more fun post from the Author.