Bago magtapos ang October ngayong taon, one of the first groceries in Pasig has returned to it's surface back for business. Free Choice Mart Supermarket or simply know as FCM Supermarket has re-open it's doors to cater Pasigueños shopping that they deserve.

Hindi ko matandaan kung kelan unang nagbukas ang FCM Supermarket. Pero, ito ang unang grocery na napuntahan ko. Bago pa siya maging FCM Supermarket, kilala ang grocery na ito sa pangalang Pasig Supermarket. Located right in front of the Pasig Public Market now dubbed as Pasig Mega Public Market, it became the outlet of fast consumer goods like can goods, supplies and more. The accessible of it's location made it stand to competition when I was a kid then. Lagi kasi akong kasama ni Nanay before when she went to market. Pagkatapos bumili ng meats and veggies, tatawid ka lang for your one month supply of grocery goods.



The Battles

From being Pasig Supermarket, they changed their name to Free Choice Mart in early 2000. That time the grocery business we're not in good shape because of economy status of the country. Unting-unting nagtataasan ang presyo ng mga bilihin tulad ng mga delata, noodles at iba pang pangunahing binibili sa grocery ng simpleng mamamayan. Kumonti ang mga namimili sa grocery. Hindi nagtagal at nagsara na ang major branch ng kalabang grocery shop na Sumulong Grocery na makikita sa kabilang side ng Pasig Public Market.

In 2004, nagbukas ang Lianas Supermarket and Department Store sa dating kinatatayuan ng Sumulong Grocery at ang Jaynit's Supermarket. Ang Lianas Supermarket and Department Store ang naging pangunahing bilihan ng taong iyon. Ito ay may 5 floors, fully air-conditioned na meron din dalawang sinehan. Naging alternatibo na ding bilihan ang Jaynit's Supermarket na naging bilihan naman ng may mga sari-sari store. Naging mahina ang laban ng FCM Supermarket dahil sa pagbukas ng dalawang bagong grocery shop. Sinundan pa ito ng maliliit na grocery stores sa loob ng Pasig Public Market pagkatapos ng pagrerenovate nito.

Ang bagyong Ondoy ang tuluyang nagpasara sa FCM Supermarket. Bagamat muling nagbukas ang ibang grocery shop pagkatapos ng pagbaha sa Pasig, nanatili itong sarado.

Standing Proud

Ngayon, muling nagbukas ang pinto ng FCM Supermarket. Malaki ang pinagbago nito, mula sa sistema ng kanilang operation hanggang sa pagbibihis ng employees nila.

Fully-airconditioned na ang FCM Supermarket. At meron na din silang tindang mga prutas, gulay at mga fresh meat.

May mga appliances na din at kitchen wares.



Wine Section, tamang-tama sa pasko!



Watsons, for your medicine needs.





Kapansin-pansin ang pagkakahalintulad ng bihis ng FCM Supermarket ngayon sa SM Savemore. Nakausap ko ang isa sa kanilang sales lady at nalamang kong nabili na ito ng SM. Hindi lang pumayag ang dating may-ari na baguhin ang pangalan nito.



Isang maliking pag-asenso ito para sa Pasig. New FCM Supermarket offers new shopping experience to Pasigueños as well. We look for healthy competition to the grocery shops here in Pasig.

Shopping Alternatives

Lina's Supermarket and Department Store- at the other side of Pasig Mega Public Market. With five floors, fully air-conditioned, and two cinema complex.

Jaynit's Supermarket- owned by Sia family (also owns the Mang Inasal Pasig Palengke branch). Popular for sari-sari store owners. Right across the Market Ave. going towards barangay Palatiw.

Sumulong Grocers- near Pasig Simbahan in barangay San Jose.

Puregold- San Joaqin and C. Raymundo branch. Part of the biggest grocery chain in the country.

South Supermarket- across Amang Rodriguez Ave., grocery spot for Rosario area.