The Galeón: a New Museum to rise in Manila

Last Tuesday November 11, 2013 , a press con ground breaking of a new museum held in the place where it will be build named Galeon Museum at SM MOA grounds Manila.

17^th -18^th century Bronze Cast, Signal cannon - Used to signal the sighting of ships, whether friend or foe.

The SM Group of Companies in collaboration with Museo Del Galeón, Inc. held today the ground-breaking ceremony for The Galeon, enivisioned to be a worthy addition to the community of museums, to open in late 2015.

The Manila – Acapulco Galleon Museum will be a cultural facility with an 8,000 sqm. Total exhibition space, featuring a full-scale reproduction of a magnificent galleon. Unlike all other galleon reproductions attempted before in the Philippines, the new museum bases its reproduction on a very precise set of naval architectural plan published in 18^th century Manila.
“What was then just an idea is now fast becoming a reality,” said Hans T. Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. When briefed on the project, Hans T. Sy graciously offered a beachfront location in the Mall of Asia complex as the site for the museum. The support given is towards facilitating the circulation of vital knowledge of the first globalization of trade and commerce, in which the Philippines and Mexico were polar points of activity.
The Galeón will convey accurate, exciting information that will throw light on the roots of today’s banking, shipping, commerce, and cultural exchange in the Pacific region. Silver, gold, and potatoes from the Americas and wine, tools, and furniture from Europe were traded for Asian silk, spices, and ceramics in global circuits that are still used today by more than 40 modern nations.

Bronze coins were brought to Manila from Mexico and Peru for the Asian trade.
The 300 year exchange produced extraordinary cultural change on both sides of the Pacific. Notably, the thousand year old tradition of boat-building in the Philippine archipelago transitioned into ship-building according to European design.
When Madame Margarita Zavala, spouse of former Mexican President Felipe Calderón, visited the Philippines in 2011, she enthusiastically endorsed the plan to build a galleon museum in Manila.
His Excellency Ambassador Julio Camarena of Mexico and Hans T. Sy initiated the ground-breaking ceremony at the Mall of Asia. Also present was Pasay City Mayor, the Honorable Antonio G. Calixto. The program featured Ms. Marian Roces, Lead Curator of TAO Inc. as the keynote speaker, and Senator Edgardo J. Angara who is also a member of Museo Del Galeón, Inc.
Upon completion, The GALEÓN will command magnificent views of the glittering Manila Bay. Construction will begin November 2014 with completion expected on the last quarter of 2015.


About SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated
SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated or SMLEI is the lifestyle and entertainment solutions arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. that offers the best in movies, events, leisure and technology. Starting with SM Cinema, the largest cinema exhibitor in the country, as its sole marque, the company grew into 12 major brands. Currently tucked under its belt are brands such as SM Cinema, Director’s Club Cinema, IMAX Theatre, WM Cinemas, SM Skating Rink, SM Bowling and Leisure Center, Exploreum, Snack Time, e-PLUS Tap to Pay, e-PLUS Digital, SM Tickets, and Mall of Asia Arena. SMLEI aims to promote bonding activities among Filipino families and friends, through entertainment and leisure facilities, while advocating the ease of use and personalized service created to complement the Filipino lifestyle.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. Sets a Heroes Welcome to the Homecoming of Winter Olympian Michael Martinez

Yesterday, SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property conglomerate of the SM Group of Companies, had given a heroes and  warm welcome to the Winter Olympian and homegrown skating rink talent Michael Martinez as he comes home  February 23, 2014 from Sochi at SM Mall of Asia beside Skating Rink.


Mr. Hans Sy together with Manuel V. Veguillas President of Philippine Skating Union Congratulates and welcomes our hero on Ice Skating Michael Martinez.
 
Mr. Sy Awarded Michael Martinez $10,000.00 and a Lifetime Membership Privilege to any of the branch of SM Ice Skating access. 

Michael Martinez first started ice skating at the tender age of 8 in SM Southmall Skating Rink enrolling in formal acting lessons towards fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional figure skater. Eventually, he transferred to SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink, which had a bigger rink, to continue his trainings and participate in many local skating competitions. To date, Martinez has garnered 194 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. Martinez clinched 7th place at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany that qualified him for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Through the years, SM and the Philippine Skating Union have conducted several figure skating competitions that have ushered in international champions such as Martinez.  The excellence demonstrated by skaters during competitions is a mark of quality of the world-class venue and facilities of the SM Ice Skating Rink. 
“We made the SM Skating Rink to allow Filipinos to experience the kind of entertainment that four-season countries enjoy. Little did we know that through this, we’d also be able to hone the first ever South East Asian Winter Olympian. Of course, we are very happy about what Michael Martinez has accomplished and we promise to continue to support and produce more world class Filipino figure skaters like him,” shares Ed Tejerero, President of SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLE)
Property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings, Inc. operates ice skating rinks through SM Lifestyle and Entertainment, Inc. at the SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, SM Southmall in Las Pinas and SM Clark in Pampanga.
To honor Martinez, SM will hold a motorcade at the Mall of Asia grounds on February 23 at 4 PM, which will culminate in an awarding ceremony inside the mall.
As a way to thank his fans for their unwavering support, Michael Martinez will be at the SM Southmall Ice Skating Rink for a meet and greet on February 24 at 4-5 PM, SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink on February 25 at 12- 1 PM, and at the SM Skating Rink in Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall on February 25 at 4-5 PM.
For information, please visit SM Skating Rink’s website at www.smiceskating.com or visit an SM Skating Rink near you.