Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – SM,  the Philippines’ leader in the retail industry, announced today that it was converting some of its department stores into PX Goods Centers. PX stands for Post Exchange which is basically the military department store. It sold goods that the average local store didn’t have. Servicemen would bring their native girlfriends or wives shopping on base. PX goods were extremely popular during the tenure of U.S. Military bases in the Philippines.

Now, as the Philippines and the United States prepare to sign a new 10-year agreement allowing renewed American military presence in this Southeast Asian country, SM said it would start converting some of its major stores into PX centers, starting with cities in which there are (or have been) military bases.  These include the former Clark Airforce Base in Angeles City, Subic Naval Base in Olongapo City and John Hay Airforce Base in Baguio City.  SM said it will also convert some of its department stores in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Filipino Americans hailed the SM announcement saying that this will eliminate the need to include such American goods like SPAM, Libby’s Corned Beef, Taster’s Choice Instant Coffee and Dove soap in balikbayan boxes they regularly ship to loved ones in the Philippines.