MANILA, Philippines – JUST A THOUGHT: Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain

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SM INTO MOVIE MAKING: Viva Films has facilitated the entry of SM Holdings into the world of filmmaking by way of a joint partnership in the romance comedy, “Who’s That Girl?”

The Sy-run business conglomerate debuts as film producer in the Anne Curtis-Luis Manzano-led movie tackling mistaken identity and then some.

Vincent del Rosario credits his father, Vic del Rosario’s long association with the SM patriarch, Henry Sy, as the key to the new joint venture. They have known each other for decades and have done business together just as long since both were originally based in Quiapo, then the center of trade for shoes and records, among others, in Metro Manila back in the 1970s.

Mr. Sy was then just starting Shoemart, a small shoe store along Carriedo Street while Mr. Del Rosario was a fledgling record producer behind Vicor Records operating in Quiapo’s Raon area.

Raon was then known as the country’s Tin Pan Alley, the mecca of record buyers and producers.

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FEEL-GOOD MOVIES ONLY: Shoemart Development Corporation’s (SMDC) entry into moviemaking infuses fresh capital into the industry.

Vincent del Rosario says several film projects were pitched to SMDC, but they picked “Who’s That Girl?” as their first venture.

His sister, Veronique, says SMDC wants to invest only in feel-good romantic comedies and not in serious dramas. Without mentioning how much amount was sunk by SM into the project, Del Rosario said the partnership is split on a 50-50 basis. Viva handles all production requirements.

The synergy with Viva is expected to be followed by more joint productions. SM’s entry

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