Tessie Sy-Coson: We celebrate not history, but the future

­­­­­­­­Many thoughts came into my mind as the confetti and balloons descended on us during the celebration of 60 years of #AweSM last Monday at the Mall of Asia.

On my right side, across the aisle, I saw Tessie Sy-Coson, seated beside her mom Felicidad Sy and brother Hans Sy, all of them looking upward with the rain of confetti almost covering their faces.

 It reminded me of what Tessie earlier said about SM turning 60: “We are celebrating not history, but the future.”

That is typically Tessie, the one I first met in the late-‘70s, so very hands-on at SM Makati, which I remember having such chic, fashion-forward window displays that I always made it a point to pass by to see what the mannequins would be wearing next.

What happens next, what tomorrow’s look would be, obviously was always top of mind for Tessie. I was fortunate to have lunched in her chic home (as she was not the multi-tasking Forbes lister yet at that time) and I saw how well-put-together her busy life then was as a homemaker and, at the same time, SM Department Store’s visionary. Once a fashion retailer, always a fashion retailer. Because even as she is now busier with corporate and banking matters, Tessie still makes it a point to oversee the merchandising for SM. I can’t imagine how she manages to do so much on a typical working day.

Then I remember how Hans, during the days of our eating club (which included Loren Legarda and Kiko Pangilinan when they were not senators yet, and Robina Gokongwei who made us laugh together with hubby Perry Pe and his witty bantering with fellow lawyer SP Sumulong) would talk about work, work, work even as we were supposed to eat, play and relax from work. Years after, Hans would bask in the construction of SM Arena, recalling its minutest details. What many people don't know is that Hans Sy built structures more spectacular — and moving — than the Arena: nice, comfortable buildings for underprivileged children afflicted with cancer, and seeing to it that they get medical treatment too. A project Hans did, with Ricky Reyes

coordinating.

I also remember how I would see their sister Betty (Elizabeth) at Cafe Elysee which was my fave at SM Makati, with the macaroni au gratin which I never got tired of ordering and which I dearly miss. Artist and family friend Juvenal Sanso would always proudly remind me that he designed the Cafe Elysee logo for Betty. The cafe is gone but now Betty has her plate full as she oversees, among other properties, the Conrad Hotel where the China Blue restaurant is sheer heaven for lovers of really good food.

 Work, work, work is the mantra ingrained by Henry Sy Sr. in his children Tessie, Hans, Betty, Big Boy (Henry Sy Jr.), Herbert and Harley. This is probably the most important lesson we have learned from the Sy family: an admirable work ethic that the third generation now embraces, and that we could all ponder on and emulate. Coupled with that, such humility ingrained in their souls.

Seated on my left was Millie Dizon, SM’s indefatigable marketing and communications senior VP, an SM stalwart who has devoted her life to this company and family that has showed this country what industrial success is all about. It is so awesome it deserves more than just a shower of confetti.

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The SM family and retail partners on 60 years of #AweSM

Tessie Sy-Coson in a pensive moment with mother Felicidad Sy and brother Hans Sy

Tessie sy-coson, vice chair, SM Investments — SM has gone through a lot of challenges in the past decades of transformation, and we’ve survived well.

Our coming transformation for the future generation, with new digital and lifestyle experiences, is the new challenge we will be facing. We’re determined to stay relevant to our future customers . 

Jollibee’s William Tan-Untiong with SM’s SAVP for mall-based units Froilan Manotok

Hans sy, chairman, SM Prime executive committee — For me, the  most fulfilling part of SM’s 60 years would be the SM Cares created by our Shopping Center Group and fully supported by the family. SM Cares project focuses on extending add-on services to persons with disability (PWD), senior citizens, women, children and overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
There are too many memorable events to count  , but vivid in my thoughts are my father’s vision of the Mall of Asia complex and his steadfast fair and impartial decision makings.

Chico Sy

Chico Sy, president, SM EDD — The best  lesson I learned frommy elders at SM? Never say that we ( the third generation) have  done our best especially at an early age, because we still have the potential to do better. I am thinking that if this is what has been be done in 60 years, it will be interesting to see where we can go for the next 60 years. 

Felicidad T. Sy with granddaughter Mara Coson.

Mara Coson, senior merchandiser, SM Home — Having joined SM,what I am enjoying right now is that I am  learning a lot from
my mother . She has taught me to observe always what’s around me. We often go around and get ideas from different places and things, see how they work, apply them, and see if they work for us. My mom is an out- of -the- box thinker-- a very rare and almost impossible skill to teach. People who will look at the same thing don’t draw the same observations as she does. Sometimes we’re just sitting having coffee, and she’ll have an idea. Usually the idea works.

SM stalwarts Millie Dizon and Tonichi Nocom with Grace Laurel, advertising manager of Philippine Star

Millie Dizon, SVP, SM marketing and communications — It’s been quite a journey having seen SM grow through the years.  I will always be grateful to the SM management for this. And it’s been all about moving forward to be able to serve the ever changing needs of our customers through the changing times. It’s about working for the future with the core values of our founder as our guiding light.

Stevan Tan, Hayden Kho, Vicki Belo, Hans Sy

 Steven Tan, COO, SM Supermalls — I cherish the time when we just opened Mall of Asia, Tatang (Henry Sy Sr.) would call for me every afternoon and for around 30 minutes, we would sit together in Starbucks and he would share his observations and personal insights on how the business should be run. However brief, these lessons have guided me in doing my job in the best way I can. I feel that being with the company completely changed my point of view in life and the world, and I learned how to think out of the box at all times.  I have deep admiration for the Sy family for their genuine humility in all that they do. They have no qualms in getting their hands dirty if only to get the job done. It inspires everyone in the company to emulate this quality.

Ben Chan

Ben Chan, executive creative director of Bench and founder and chairman of Suyen Corporation —There is nothing more memorable than opening my first Bench store at SM Makati’s Boutique Square. It’s been 31 years since then that I would be at the store almost everyday, meeting my first buyers, making mistakes, learning, growing, becoming what we are today.

Rikki Dee

Rikki Dee, CEO, Foodee Group — I had the chance to meet Henry Sy Sr. 30 years ago .He was a regular guest at our fish head restaurant , and a very special one .He would bring friends and family regularly. He would always request us to close a little later as he usually dined late ,coming from his Quiapo office on Wednesdays. 
I’m very thankful to him for introducing and bringing us into the mall , at that time , the first integrated mall , SM North Edsa . He would personally supervise our entry as well as guide us how to do it , he mentored us at the start, even monitoring our sales . 
We would also bump into him regularly at the seaside market on Sundays,discussing the best catch of the day .He is indeed a good merchandiser.

Kenneth Yang and wife Cindy

Kenneth Yang, president and CEO, McDonalds Philippines — The Sy family are visionaries who paved the way for retail in the Philippines. McDonald’s was there in their first mall SM City North Edsa and we continue to grow with them as they build more malls all over the country.

Emerson Yao, managing director, Lucerne Group — It’s such a great pleasure to work with the visionary Sy family. They have inspired us to grow and develop our businesses through the years and I am grateful to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Emerson Yao and wife Lingling

Xandra Ramos-Padilla

Xandra Ramos-Padilla, managing director, National Book Store — When we attend SM Mall openings, the ceremonies are simple but very efficient. There’s a Mass followed by a ribbon-cutting and then a group of priests goes around the mall, and blesses each store. We are amazed that a high number of stores open that day and despite the challenges of opening a store, the entire National Book Store (NBS) organization coordinates and makes it a point to celebrate that important milestone with them. We appreciate the support of the entire SM team in facilitating during the many phases from construction to permit processing to ensure that we can open on time.??This simple event and the great work that goes behind it is something we look forward to and are grateful for because it does not only represent the decades-long relationship SM and NBS have but is a testament to the future — a continued collaboration in delivering quality products and great experiences to our customers. Recently, I had the privilege of seeing Tessie Sy-Coson during the opening of our store in SM Urdaneta and she told me that they appreciated that we consistently attend their mall openings and that it is a symbol of our strong partnership. It is always a pleasure as well to see Hans Sy, Annie Garcia and Steven Tan on opening days when they visit the different tenants of the mall and personally thank us.

National Book Store’s vice president Presentacion Ramos

Max’s Group Inc.’s chairman Sharon Fuentebella

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Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook@milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mmmananquil@philstarmedia.com.