Nakalukaten! What to expect at SM City Laoag

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LAOAG CITY, Philippines – Nakalukaten (Now open)! What can we expect from the 88th SM City in the Philippines?

Laoag unveiled to the public the first SM City in Ilocos Norte on Friday, May 30, and there’s clearly a touch of Ilokano.

Located along Airport Road in Barangay 51-B Nangalisan, Laoag City, an eight-minute ride from the Ilocos Norte provincial capitol in the city center, the three-level complex covers 51,000 square meters of gross leasable space.

This latest branch from the mall magnates of the Sy family infused local heritage and culture, drawing inspiration from the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation in Burgos, Paoay Sand Dunes, and the inabel textile.

Designed by architect Royal Pineda, who also worked on aesthetics of the Clark International Airport and the New Clark City Sports Hub’s Athletics Stadium, the mall features many Ilocandia details, like the garlic-inspired chandeliers.

The Ilocos Region is known as the garlic capital of the Philippines, producing 76.51% of the country’s output in 2022.

According to a statement by SM Prime, 90% of its space was already “lease awarded” and is expected to provide 4,000 jobs for Ilokanos.

SM City Laoag is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.

Aside from city locals, the mall expects visitors rom different towns in Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces, including Ilocos Sur and Cagayan.

A day before the public opening, a mall blessing was held led by Most Reverend Renato Mayugba of the Diocese of Laoag City, followed by a ribbon-cutting.

SM Prime officials who graced the event were SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation president Hans Sy Jr., Shopping Center and Management Corporation president Steven Tan, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Jeffrey Lim, and chairman Herbert Sy.

Also present in the opening ceremony were incumbent local officials, including Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Manotoc, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angelo Marcos Barba, Laoag City Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, Laoag City Vice Mayor Rey Carlo Fariñas, and Bryan Alcid, the Laoag councilor and mayor-elect. Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Assistant Secretary Ana Carmela Remigio also attended the event.

The P2.4-billion SM City Laoag was originally set to open in 2024, but later moved to 2025.

Here’s a sneak of the different levels, inside and outside the mall:

Lower ground

On the lower ground, you can find stores for food, drinks, clothing, gadgets, and self-care products.

SM Store and SM Appliance Center are found on the first floor. You can also check out Memo, Regatta, Forme, Sports Central, Havaianas, Nike, Chris Sports, Adidas, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, and Plains & Prints.

For kids and families, they can go to FantasyWorld, Kidzoona, Pet Express, or Photoline.

For drinks and desserts, Kenangan Coffee, Dunkin’, May Yoghurt House, Swirls Ice Cream, Macao Imperial Tea, llaollao, Taho Klasiko, Paququin’s Sentro Café, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf can be visited by mall-goers.

If you are looking for something to eat, you can go to Jollibee, Classic Savory, Tokyo Tokyo, Nabe Unlimited Japanese Hotpot, Kenny Rogers, Gerry’s, Greenwich, Sumo Niku, Taters, KFC, Shakey’s, or Chowking.

For beauty and self-hygiene, you may buy products at Happy Skin, The Body Shop, and ScentsSmith. For household needs, go to Ace Hardware.

DTI also has a section in the mall dubbed “Treasures of Ilocos Norte,” where local products can be bought.

Upper ground level

A variety of stores can also be found in the upper ground level. You can also find the SM Store and SM Supermarket here.

There’s Ilocos Sur’s Amian Cafe, Baguio City’s Foam Coffee, as well as other food spots like J.CO Donuts and Coffee, Italy’s Kiko Milano, Max’s Restaurant, Mesa, Pancake House, Starbucks, Bo’s Coffee Italian restaurant Trattoria Altrov’e, After Tree Dessert, BreadTalk, Marugame Udon, and Boteyju.

For fashion, skincare, and eyewear stores, there are CLN, Levi’s, Executive Optical, Kiko Milano, Ideal Vision Center, Paras Alter Station, Bench, Penshoppe, and Watch Republic.

You can also find stores for leisure, such as Quantum, Fully Booked, and Luxure Holidays Travel & Tour. It also has BDO, Cyber Excalade, and Lighters Galore.

Second Level

If you are looking for wellness, cyber, and entertainment spaces, you can find them on the top floor.

The SM Foodcourt is located on this floor. Among the concessionaires are Thaiwadee, Chix Inasal, Turks, Balai Taste of Home, Yugo, Mr. Kimbob, Little Saigon, Salo, Steakbreak, Potato Corner, Fruitas House of Desserts, Batac’s Lanie’s Empanada, and Laoag’s Sam’s Sugarcane. SM Store is also situated here.

You can enjoy Quantum and SM Cinema’s Director’s Club here if you are looking for somewhere to spend your time.

For personal care, you may go to LaOriental Wellness Spa, Sunny Smiles Station Dental Clinic, Morena Beauty Studio, Madison’s Hammam & Spa, David’s Salon, SkinStation, The Nail Lounge Laoag, Ilocos Norte’s MD Glow Prime, and Watsons.

The Ilocos’ finest cakes at Leigh’s Cakeshop are also available on the top floor.

In the Cyberzone, you can check out the products at the Power Mac Center, Electroworld, and Vivo.

Outside the mall

You can also enjoy Dap-ayan Park, an Ilokano term for a community hangout space where you can find art installations such as rock paintings, sculptures, pinwheels, paw space, and Ilokano phrases.

One interesting art piece in the Dap-ayan Park is the sculpture titled “Flow,” designed by local sculptor Raphael Daniel David, symbolizing movement, progress, and continuation of culture.

“It symbolizes the dynamic energy of the Ilocano people — fluid yet resilient, modern yet deeply rooted in tradition,” the description in the sculpture reads.

More shops are expected to open in the following months.