Cavite is a province known for its history, heroes, and heritage. It is the cradle of the Philippine Revolution and the birthplace of Philippine Independence, a place long known for the scenic beauty of its upland areas, and its world- class beach resorts.

Caviteños are said to be magiting, marangal, tapat . . . ipagmamalaki mo sa buong mundo. While it stands proudly as a place with a glorious past, its people are known to be highly skilled as well as opening receptive to the entry and exchange of culture and technology. One of the country’s fastest growing provinces, it is home to four SM Malls – in Bacoor, Dasmariñas, Molino, and Rosario.

Just as they are proud of their heritage, Caviteños are proud of their crafts.

Mallgoers recently had a glimpse of Caviteño crafts when My City, My SM, My Crafts recently made its eighth stop at SM City Dasmariñas. A joint project of SM, DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade, and the Philippine Star with support from CITEM and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, it is a celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design in the cities where SM has malls.

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Domestic Trade, My Craft’s project partner, showed their full support with the presence of DTI Regional Director Marilou Toledo.

SM officials led by SM Vice President for Marketing Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Eric Tan, AVP for Marketing Richie Gonzales, and SM City Dasmariñas Mall Manager Emmanuel Magsino gave her and the rest of the guests a warm welcome.

They enjoyed the program, which included a video presentation featuring the crafts of Cavite with CNN Hero of the Year and My City, My SM honoree Efren Peñaflorida as the guide.

After each presentation, the Teatro Baile de San Jose presented creative dance vignettes of Cavite’s different crafts – bamboo, amulets, cutlery, shellcraft, honey products, furniture – as the participating exhibitors were called on stage.

One of the program highlights was the awarding of the winner of the Bamboo Lamp contest with workshop participants in competition. Marciano Sernat got the judges’ nod for the top prize, for which he received P5,000 worth of gift certificates.

Judges included Cavite Historical Society and De La Salle University Director for Marketing and Communications Annie Sarile, Cavite Tourism Officer Liberty Herrera, and DTI Regional Director Marilou Toledo.

But the My City, My SM, My Crafts centerpiece was clearly the Craft Market inspired by the traditional Bahay na Bato in Luzon. This beautifully designed showcase was a treasure trove of the best of the best crafts in the province, and was an instant hit among SM City Dasmariñas shoppers.

The Craft Market showcased Bacoor Shell Crafts, which transforms gifts from the sea into picture frames, lamps, and home décor; Abundant Place, which is known for its beautiful curtains, drapery, and hand woven bags; Maragondon Bamboo Crafts’ lamps, wine holders, and picture frames; and NU Design’s world class wooden furniture inspired by experience and the arts.

Two Caviteño traditional crafts: Agimat’s amulets and charms; and the Hebron Brothers Cutlery’s bolo knives for farming, gardening, and logging attracted a lot of interest. Ilog Maria’s healthy and healing honey products, Forest Candle’s flower shaped smokeless tapers; and Corner Stone Pottery’s exquisite designs were also great hits among shoppers.

My City, My SM, My Crafts is a take-off from the previous My City, My SM campaign, which promotes tourism, and My City, My SM, My Cuisine, which highlights the culinary specialties in cities were SM has malls.

A celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design, it aims to showcase the best of the best Philippine crafts in each host city, providing livelihood opportunities, as well as a platform for cultural exchange.

The Dasmariñas launch is the eighth in the My City, My SM, My Crafts road show after SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Lucena, SM City Batangas, SM City Davao, SM City Naga, SM City Cagayan de Oro, and SM City Marilao. The next stop will be in SM City Taytay.