SM employees participate in Brigada Eskwela 2023

As the new school year starts in 2023-2024, SM employees from SM Cherry Antipolo, SM City Masinag, SM Center Angono, and SM City San Mateo embark on another fun employee volunteerism activity with Brigada Eskwela.

Volunteer employees from SM Center Angono repaints arm chairs used in Regional Lead School for the Arts

Employees of SM City Masinag and SM Cherry Antipolo busily clean a classroom in Mayamot National High School, Antipolo City

Employees and agency volunteers worked together to improve the facilities of select school beneficiaries—Mayamot National High School in Antipolo City, Ampid 1 Elementary School in San Mateo, and Regional Lead School for the Arts in Angono.

SM City San Mateo Mall Manager Francis Lira and Assistant Mall Manager Naelah Tulayba lead the turnover of cleaning and painting materials to the school heads of Ampid 1 Elementary School in San Mateo

Aside from repainting and general cleaning of classrooms, new cleaning materials were turned over to selected schools for the entire school year.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual employee volunteer project of the SCMC employees through SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls. 

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SM pushes for eco-mobility, celebrates World Bike Day nationwide

The Philippines has made greater strides toward eco-mobility in the past two years. The growth of bikeownership allowed more Pinoys to go out and use a bike, which prompted SM Supermalls to build more bike-friendly spaces.

In celebration of World Bike Day, SM Supermalls together with its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares, invites cyclists of all ages to join the 2023 Bike Fest from June 3 to 30. 

Celebrating World Bike Day

Calling all cyclists! On June 3, as we celebrate World Bike Day at SM Mall of Asia, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM City Clark, SM City Sta. Rosa, SM Seaside City Cebu, and SM Lanang Premier join us in our community fun bike ride around the mall complex as part of our advocacy of creating bike-friendly communities across the country.

A Kiddie Bike Clinic will also take place at SM Mall of Asia, SM City Fairview, and SM City Marikina. Where kids, aged 8 to 12, can learn and practice bike handling skills in a fun, safe, and encouraging atmosphere. Kids will also learn about the value of bicycle safety during the workshop. 

Drive to the Best Deals and #AweSM Green Finds

From June 20 to 30, bike aficionados are in for a treat as various promos and deals are available online via the SM Deals and SM Malls Online apps, and on-ground in select malls. Tons of cool cycling gear, accessories, and merchandise will be up for grabs so mark your calendars for this 10-day bicycle galore! On June 27, bikers get free weekend treats!

As advocates of a cleaner and sustainable environment, SM has you covered with our Green Finds. Through the Green Finds badge, customers can easily find eco-friendly and sustainable products. Alongside SM retail affiliate brands, SM Green Finds offer products made from natural ingredients that are resourcefully made, promote local artisans, and support community livelihood. Check out our pop-up shops at the SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Makati, SM City Marikina, SM City Bacolod, SM City Legazpi, and SM Lanang. 

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives thatpromote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs for Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on the Environment.

To learn more about our initiatives, visit www.smsupermalls.com and www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or check out @smsupermalls and @officialsmcares on social media.

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SM and Fast Retailing Foundation Launch ‘Grow Trees Community’ in Nasugbu

SM Foundation, Inc. the social good arm of the SM group, and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan, formally launched the ‘Grow Trees Community’ project in Nasugbu, Batangas last September 27 as the first stop of three provinces for their ‘treescaping’ and reforestation initiative.

The Grow Trees Community project aims to plant and grow trees across the Philippines while helping create livelihood opportunities by working closely with the people’s organizations in the communities. The project also joins hands with Costa del Hamilo, Inc., Manila Southcoast Development, Inc and the local government of Nasugbu.

“The core of our program is to go beyond planting trees. It also addresses the social and economic needs of communities by providing them with the means to engage in agroforestry. With this in mind, we want to build a strong foundation to keep growing communities by fostering collaboration and leadership in caring for the environment” said Cristie S. Angeles, SM Foundation Assistant Vice President for Livelihood.

FR Foundation Secretary-General Yoshio Ishida (right) plants flowering trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Nasugbu, Batangas

“Facilitating sustainable development is one of the core activities of FR Foundation and we support this program to further promote environmental stewardship, preservation and the economic development among communities. We are delighted to partner with SM Foundation who has an extensive experience in community development and tree planting programs in the Philippines,” Mr. Yoshio Ishida, Secretary-General of FR Foundation said.

The project is also seen enhancing prospects for eco-tourism and in turn, job creation for the community.

“This endeavor will definitely boost the eco-tourism here in Nasugbu moving forward with the flowering trees creating a picturesque view of the property. This will promote not just Hamilo Coast, but also the local community with no other property hosting this vast array of Palawan Cherry and other flowering trees,” Franklin M. Bolalin, Assistant Vice President for Hamilo Estate Management said.

Hamilo Coast looks after one of the largest mangrove forests in the province of Batangas in partnership with WWF Philippines since 2007. The 24-hectare mangrove belt is covered by lush 50,000 mangrove trees.

Three of Hamilo Coast’s coves, namely Pico de Loro, Etayo and Santelmo, have been declared as Marine Protected Areas by the (Organization) since 2009.

The site serves as a marine sanctuary to an exuberant diversity of marine animals and a resilient locale for migratory and unique species of birds, now totaling 96, which includes the vulnerable Philippine eagle-owl (Bubo philippensis).

The presence of more trees in these areas will act as natural protection against erosion, and absorption of planet-warming greenhouse gases.

Grow Trees Community is in support of the SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

FR Foundation focuses on promoting research designed to help make the world a better place, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.

It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns well-loved casual wear brand, Uniqlo.

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SM Foundation conducts medical mission in SM City Angono

SM Foundation brings back its Gamot Para sa Kapwa Medical and Dental mission in SM Center Angono for the people of Angono, Rizal. This beautiful initiative documents that SM Foundation truly looks after its stakeholders wellbeing as the pandemic precautions come to an ease.

With the assistance from Angono Municipal Health Office (MHO), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD) and the health workers of Barangay San Roque, SM Foundation has extended its services to pre-determined 336 residents of Angono who belong to the 4Ps.

The medical mission provided free medical services including medical consultation, dental checkups, tooth extraction at the Angono MHO, free medicines, blood tests including Glucose, Blood Cholesterol, Uric acid and Hemoglobin. Digital X-Ray imaging and Electrocardiogram or ECG are also made available to the beneficiaries. A total of 630 services were provided by SM Foundation and medical volunteers.

“With the generosity of SM Foundation, we are delighted to bring these free medical services to the communities here in Angono who need them the most. We are thankful also to our LGU partners who have extended their time and effort to us. We are happy that through this medical mission, we have provided the needed medical attention and somehow peace of mind to the beneficiaries,” said Paolo Gunao, Assistant Mall Manager of SM Center Angono.

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Share Your Extras with The SM Store and get P100 vouchers with every donation

A joint project of The SM Store in partnership with SM Foundation and local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), shoppers can donate their slightly used or brand new clothes (tops and bottoms) for infants to adults. All the items collected will be for the benefit of those affected by the recent Typhoon Odette.

Shoppers can drop off their donations or purchase new ones from The SM Store until February 15 in all branches in Metro Manila, and from February 1 to 28 in the rest of the stores nationwide.

Each donation will entitle shoppers to a P100 discount coupon voucher courtesy of The SM Store. The discount coupon can be redeemed at any The SM Store branch, from January 15, 2022 until February 28, 2023 with a minimum P1000 single-receipt purchase of any denim item from SM Woman, GTW Urban, Just Jeans, Code Blue, and SMYTH.

Share Your Extras is part of the annual donation drive of The SM Store and SM Foundation. Previous beneficiaries included communities in need such as in Marawi, Isabela, and many other communities across the country. As mentioned earlier, this year’s campaign will benefit families affected by Typhoon Odette, which has displaced thousands of families in MIMAROPA, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Share Your Extras is one of the ways The SM Store reaches out to the communities. Other store based projects include Donate-A-Book, Share-A-Toy, Share Shoes, Share-A-Gift, and Gamot Para sa Kapwa.

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Share A Toy at The SM Store

SM shoppers can play Santa this Christmas with their Share-A-Toy project happening from November 1-December 31, 2021. Give cheer to less fortunate children by purchasing from Toy Kingdom's adorable stuffed Teddy bears, books, play sets or educational toy sets. You can also buy these in Share-A-Toy booths in SM Supermalls nationwide. You can also donate bought or pre-loved items to the booths for the benefit of SM Foundation beneficiaries.

Shoppers can also be entitled to a P100 discount coupon for every item donated which can be redeemed on a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P1000.

These toys will be donated to thousands of less fortunate children from The SM Store and SM Foundation’s partner organization within the branch vicinities. These include organizations catering to kids 10 years old and below, schools, socio civic and government organizations, and NGOs in a simple turnover ceremony that can be also be done online.

Through the Share A Toy campaign under the SM Share Movement, The SM Store and its loyal customers join together to celebrate this joyous season of giving and hope with a generous heart as a way of bringing smiles to children and sharing the happiness and hope to them even amid pandemic. Other SM Store also campaigns like Donate a Book and Share a Gift have received overwhelming support from customers.

Share A Toy purchases and donations are also valid in-store and Call To Deliver transactions. For more updates about the SM Share Movement and ways on how you could donate, visit www.thesmstore.com  and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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SM Foundation and UNIQLO Philippines improve health facility in Montalban

SM Foundation (SMFI), in partnership with UNIQLO Philippines, announced today that the newly improved Montalban Infirmary Hospital was turned over to the local government unit and people of Rodriguez, Rizal on October 14, 2021.

Now ready to provide quality healthcare services, the health facility now boasts the following improvements: patients waiting lounge, reception area, out-patient department, male and female wards, pharmacy, emergency room, treatment area, birthing facility, mobile play cabinet for children, and a laboratory - all stocked with basic medical equipment.

Patients’ ward

Nurses’ Station

Medical laboratory

UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Masayoshi Nakamura underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in bringing social good to grassroots communities, “Today, we are pleased to open the health clinic that we constructed in partnership with SM Foundation. UNIQLO is grateful and honored to play a role in improving the health infrastructure in your area. Through our partnership efforts, we hope to uplift the people living in your community and ensure that everyone has access to primary medical care.”

This was seconded by SMFI Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Connie Angeles, “At SM Foundation, we believe that working alone as a single entity yields lesser benefits than when working together as a team. The formation of partnerships through our multi-sector approach has played a very significant role in our CSR programs. Such partnerships bring businesses, people and organizations together in order to achieve our social good goals.”

Angeles further expressed her gratitude to UNIQLO for this sustained collaboration, “There is much more that needs to be done, but with partners like UNIQLO, we at SM Foundation are confident that we will be able to attain our social good goals sooner rather than later. Thank you, UNIQLO, for spreading social good with us through this project!”

Empowering the frontliners
The newly improved Montalban Infirmary Hospital boosts the capacity of the frontliners in protecting the community from various health threats, especially during the pandemic.

Through this social development project, the health center was able to transition to the new normal.

“Our medical frontliners must be supported by a strong medical infrastructure, which in turn, will ensure the welfare of the patients and communities that they serve. We hope that through this project with UNIQLO, we are able to provide our medical frontliners with a fully equipped medical infrastructure that will empower them to spread social good through health and wellness,” Angeles said.

Aside from the Montalban Infirmary Hospital, UNIQLO Philippines and SM Foundation are also set to launch and turn over six improved health centers in the months to come.

SM Foundation, through its Health and Medical Programs, upgrades public health centers in its host communities, complemented by its medical caravans across the country. To date, it has renovated more than 170 health and wellness centers and served more than 1.1 million patients during its medical missions.

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Bata donates 1800 pairs of shoes to PGH frontliners through SM Foundation

Bata, a world-renowned shoe brand with over 6,000 retail stores across the globe, partnered anew with SM Foundation (SMFI) in donating 1,800 pairs of shoes for the front -liners of the Philippine General Hospital. This is part of Bata's Global 1 Million Pairs donation project.

“Due to long and often times back-to-back work shifts, a number of our health workers are experiencing foot and back pain,” says SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy. “The need to constantly disinfect their shoes also results in faster wearing out of their footwear. With this, SMFI and Bata wanted to provide our health workers with quality footwear to address this need and provide them with comfortable footwear and protection while at work and doing their rounds.”

“Bata Philippines donated these shoes as our way of saying thank you to our front-liners for the help that they have extended to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Bata Philippines General Manager Arlyn Guanlao. UP PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi expressed his gratitude to SM Foundation and Bata, “I'd like to thank SM Foundation for being ever supportive of our COVID-19 fight here in PGH. You have covered the whole spectrum of our needs from ventilators and now sneakers. Thank you to Bata shoes for having shared their different kinds of sneakers which I'm sure would go a long way into making our front-liners feel appreciated and comfortable when they work.”

Since the onset of the outbreak, Bata through its “Bata Heroes” initiative has been working with its long-standing foundations, charitable partners, government agencies, and other organization to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the years, SMFI and Bata have been collaborating on social good projects. In 2018, they teamed up to construct a new school building for Telabastagan

Integrated School in San Fernando, Pampanga. More recently, in March 2020 for the distribution of 400 pairs of shoes for the students of Looc Elementary School in Nasugbu, Batangas.

If you want to help front-liners and causes against COVID-19 pandemic, you may contact different organizations like SM Foundation Inc. through https://www.sm-foundation.org/

Other COVID-19 response team
GMA Kapuso Foundation: https://www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/donate

But still better to #StayAtHome

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