The Incomparable Journey of One SM Employee (An Experience to Remember)

“Everything that I wanted to be didn’t happen, what came true was something that I didn’t imagine.”

I never thought that I would be working here in SM. And believe it or not, I am here for almost ten months now. My application days before were really a great and long story to tell. It was really a memorable experience for me as a fresh-graduate applicant and as a “promdi” seeking a good future here in Manila. It was very tiring and I even lose hope to get hired. However, God and fate has been very good to me and it was undeniably a journey to remember.

I got my first ever job as a Planetarium Control Operator for the newly-opened Science Discovery Center on a job fair conducted in UP Diliman for all the DOST scholars. Being part of this company really changes my life in all aspects. From improving my own personality to helping my family were the biggest contributions SM has ever done to me.

Now I was able to help my family is assisting their needs. I am sharing part of my salary for the bills they are paying for. Every time I visit them in Batangas I always bring “pasalubong”. Simple “pasalubongs” that may seem so cheap for those who can easily afford it, but for us who is just a simple individuals, its really something that can bring precious smiles and memories we can talk about someday. I can still remember last Christmas when I gave them money so that they can buy whatever stuff they want. More importantly, I was able to send my younger sisters in high school and the other one in college who’s currently in her second year. I am the one supporting their tuition fees and other school needs. This has been one of my dreams ever since, to give my family the things we never had and the experience we never experienced before.

My work separated me from my family, since they are in Batangas and I am here in Manila. But I don’t consider that as a hindrance or a problem for it made me become a total independent person, a responsible son, a caring brother and a good friend, I must say. Even though we do not see each other, I still get in touch with them and visit them whenever I have the time. And since I’m living alone here, I am the one managing my own money. I learned how to budget my salary for the monthly bills like electricity, water, and rentals for the apartment. I learned how would I divide it for my family and for my personal needs. I also do everything for my self just to cope up with the kind of life I have right now. I wash my clothes, cook my dinner and clean the house.

And also, I was able to meet new people, my very understanding bosses and caring co-employees, or should I say, my new friends. They are the people around me nine hours everyday for a couple of months now. They are my friends who serve as my brothers and sisters during the times of longings and financial problems. They are the people I have been hanging out with every funny “inumans” and “asarans” especially during 10th and 25th of every month. Even though I’m enjoying my social life with them I can still balance my time and money without neglecting my responsibility to my loved ones.

As day passes by, I’m continuously enjoying my life as an employee of SM. Through the nature of my job; I was exposed in different breakthroughs in science and technology, from robotics to nanotechnology, from architectural designs to photography, from virtual games to transportation evolution plus the hundreds of students that visit us everyday for their educational tour. It always reminds me of the same experience when I was still studying. Another thing that amazed me more is the planetarium that serves as my crib where I learned the show programming or scripting, manipulating programs and applications and the latest techniques in 3D and digital theater. I consider myself very lucky because I’m one of the few to experience such things which is the first in our country and if I were not mistaken, in the whole Southeast Asia.

SM is not just a mall that provides us the things we needed in our daily life. It is not just a company that opens its door for so many opportunities for every Filipinos, whether you have a college diploma or not. But it serves as a training ground and a workplace that molds and develops one’s personality and attitude. And being part of SM is something every employee should be grateful for.



(This is supposed to be my entry in the essay writing contest conducted by SM Management as part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary last 2008. I was about to submit it but when I went to the ADMIN office no one knew where to submit it or who will receive it. But in the announcement they posted, it says that it should be submitted there. That moment I was so disappointed and felt my efforts were turned into trash. Anyway, since I have now my blog site, I decided to post it here, para kahit pano naman, hindi masayang effort ko, pampalubagl-oob ba!)