Saturday, October 18, 2008 Amazing family shopping race By Janette Huang Teves Mom-about-town
"READY, get set, shop!"
Three adventurous families had an awesome and unforgettable experience as they participated in SM City Davao's "Amazing Family Shopping Marathon", one of the fun-filled activities included in the mall's celebration of the National Family Week recently.
"SM City Davao pays tribute to the value of the family by creating not just wholesome places for extraordinary shopping, dining, and entertainment but also well-meaning activities that refine family bonding as well," shares SM City Davao's brand manager John Maynard Gan.
"Aside from the shopping race, SM City Davao had a photo exhibit entitled 'Bonds of Love, Portraits of a Family' which featured 3 families that exemplify the Filipino value of close family ties strengthened by love. In addition, there was 'A Family Tree, Post Your Family Photo' where mall-goers could post lovable, fun, and wacky family pictures at the entrance of the Event Center," adds John.
Budgeting skills challenge
Joining the "Amazing Family Shopping Marathon" were the Blue Team composed of Jay and Ivy Fernandez with their children John and Janelle; the Yellow Team represented by Arnold and Dina Aquino with their kids Kianu Paolo and Keenan Paco; and the White Team comprised of Emmanuel and Susan Antepuesto with their daughter Karissa Angela and son Jaime Raphael.
Each family's shopping skills were put to the test as the challenges required them to purchase certain items using an assigned amount in every destination.
The Fernandez, Aquino, and Antepuesto families each received P5,000 worth of SM gift cards to spend for the shopping spree.
For the various missions, the three teams utilized SM gift cards with a denomination of P500. Unlike using a cash transaction, the card did not dispense loose change so every team had to properly budget the items allowed to be bought in the selected stores.
Whenever the team went over the specified budget, they had to pay the amount with their own cash. If the team's excess or deficit was more than twenty pesos, there were corresponding penalties as well.
For each mistake or wrong answer to the task, the team was given a penalty of two minutes additional to the time registered when they completed their last challenge.
Amazing family shopping marathon
The thrilling race began at the Event Center with the first mission challenging the contestants to count how many pieces of whole tiles were at the center.
At Watson's, the focus was on 'Mom'. The participants had to buy colorful items that were specifically "sweet-smelling, can be applied on the body, or used to wipe with" by mom.
On the other hand, at Toy Kingdom, the families were challenged to "choose either a small or big item that will make a child happy."
The next task was for the teams to purchase items at the power tools section of Ace Hardware, which will come in handy for dad.
Afterwards, finding the best bargains and value for one's money was the assignment of the three families at the SM Department Store.
At the budget paradise, Surplus Shop, the teams' mission was to procure as many shirts and shorts that would fit their set budget.
Lastly, the final challenge was for the different teams to order a family size pizza from Yellow Cab Pizza and bring it to the Event Center.
On stage, each family showed the audience how appetizing and delicious the pizza was by eating it with much gusto. After consuming the entire pizza, the whole family cheerfully sang the catchy SM jingle, "Here at SM, we've got it all for you!"
For being the fastest to complete the shopping list with the correct shopping budget, the Antepuesto family was proudly declared as the "Amazing Family Shopping Marathon" winners for 2008.
The winning family received P3,000 worth of SM gift cards and as a bonus, all the three families got to keep the items they purchased during the contest.
Cheers to you!
E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.
