IT'S that time of year when SM Supermalls light up Christmas centerpieces that ushers in the spirit of the season.

At SM City Clark, it's more than just bright lights and shiny ornaments.

"This year's Christmas may be far from how we imagined it, but if we continue to help and uplift each other, we hope to bounce forward, stronger, together," Engineer Junias Eusebio, SM Supermalls assistant vice-president for Operations in North Luzon, shared during the Christmas launch on Sunday, November 7.

The mall's 32-fee Christmas tree centerpiece aims to do just that -- give hope and remind everyone who visits the mall of the spirit of the Christmas season.

The towering Christmas tree stands on a giant lantern, more popularly known as the Parul Kapampangan.

SM City Clark Mall manager Jerwin Jalandoni explained that the 45-feet in diameter Parul Kapampangan is made by local lantern makers from the City of San Fernando, known as the home of the giant lanterns.

Jalandoni added that the Parul Kapampangan on their Christmas centerpiece consists of 1,180 bulbs, while 20 smaller lanterns serve decorations to the tree, and a four-feet lantern as a Christmas tree topper.

"Since the pandemic has brought a lot of challenges to all of us, this is SM Supermalls' way of boosting the morale of our fellow Kapampangans and everyone else who will see this Christmas centerpiece," Jalandoni shared.

Jalandoni added that it's a way to boost the morale of local lantern makers, as well.

"We want to support our local lantern makers by putting up a Christmas centerpiece that we could easily identify as Kapampangan-made," he said.

The Parul Kapampangan center piece at SM City Clark was lighted up by SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations in North Luzon Engineer Eusebio, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Clark Development Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Officer-in-Charge Mariza Mandocdoc, and Department of Tourism Central Luzon Chief Carolina Uy.

Also present during the lighting ceremonies were Clark International Airport Corporation Vice President for Operations Irish Calaguas, Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, Mabalacat City Vice Mayor Attorney Geld Aquino, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager North IV Andrea Maglangbayan, SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Marketing in North Luzon Jefferson Suarez, SM City Clark Assistant Mall Managers Ronald Mendoza and Marianne Grace Miranda, and SM City Clark Public Relations Manager Venus Manalang.

"Even as it is a challenging year, we want to bring you joy - from beautiful Christmas center pieces, to holiday discounts and new online shopping experiences, because in our malls and in your homes, SM wants to be a part of your Christmas joy," SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations in North Luzon Engineer Eusebio.

(Palagay sa box) SM City Clark's Parul Kapampangan Christmas centerpiece is located at the mall's Event Center 1, in front of SM Foodcourt. The mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.