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Tag: SM Cares

  • 65,000 Smiles: SM Spreads Joy to Children Across Communities

    SM Cares, together with SM Supermalls and Toy Kingdom, launched in November of last year the first-ever Bear Pop (B-POP) group for 2023’s Bears of Joy Christmas charity project. The Bear Pop Squad’s massive success all comes down to the Christmas spirit of generosity, where fans all pitched in to support children in need.

    SM SMiles 1

    65,000 bears were sold and given to children in need, right in time for SM’s 65th anniversary.

    SM Smiles 2

    There were 76 beneficiaries of the Bears of Joy B-POP collection, all organizations chosen by SM Supermalls.

    SM also celebrated the #HappiestChristmasAtSM through the ChriSMiles Employee Volunteerism Program, a yearly Christmas program that calls for SM employee volunteers to bring smiles to special needs communities.

    SM Smiles 3

    Around 1,000 SM employees nationwide participated in the annual ChriSMiles volunteer program.

    The SM Cares Bears of Joy and ChriSMiles volunteerism programs follow the annual Christmas Cheers gift-giving of noche buena packs by SM Foundation and SM Supermalls, as part of efforts to bring joy, smiles and cheers during the holidays.

  • SM Cares Advocates for Creating Safe Spaces for Breastfeeding with Free to Feed Photo Campaign

    In celebration of National Breastfeeding Month this August, SM Cares continues to promote breastfeeding awareness by mounting the “Free to Feed: Championing Safe Spaces for Breastfeeding at SM” photo contest and exhibit.

    Free to Feed KV

    The Free to Feed photo contest is open to all photo enthusiasts. Interested participants are invited to submit original photos featuring breastfeeding mothers in any area within any SM mall, such as the food court, car park, tenant areas and more, but most especially the designated breastfeeding station, until August 21, 2023. Winning entries will be announced on August 28 at SM City North EDSA, and will be awarded as much as Php 30,000 in prizes. Participants may send their entries through this link: www.bit.ly/FreeToFeedAtSM

    Breastfeeding Mom 2
    80 SM malls nationwide provide a breastfeeding station as a safe space for mothers to continue nourishing their child

    A photo exhibit roadshow and forum will be held throughout August to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting mothers in their breastfeeding journey. Visitors can view the Free to Feed exhibit during the following schedules at these participating SM malls: August 10-20 at SM City Davao, August 15-21 at SM City Pampanga, August 16-20 at SM City Dasmariñas, August 19-24 at SM City Iloilo, and August 28 to September 2 at SM City North EDSA.

    As the World Health Organization focuses on promoting breastfeeding in the workplace, SM Supermalls provides accessible and safe spaces for nursing mothers through 80 breastfeeding stations available for customers and employees across SM malls nationwide.

    SM Cares 1
    SM Mall Nurses conduct sensitivity training sessions for frontliners to help create a welcoming environment for breastfeeding mothers. 

    “We came up with this photo competition and exhibit because we believe in the importance of advocating breastfeeding awareness among Filipinos and encouraging safe and welcoming spaces for mothers,” said SM Cares Committee on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers Program Director Atty. Pearl Jayagan Turley. “SM malls are a prime example of such a place where mothers are free to breastfeed anywhere, while also having breastfeeding stations that are fully equipped with anything moms might need to nourish their babies.”

    For more information, please visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow SM Cares on www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares

  • SM Cares, DOTr Launch Share the Road Video Campaign to Promote Safer, More Accessible Roads

    In a bid to promote safer and more accessible roads in the country, SM Cares and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently launched their joint “Share the Road” campaign that aims to educate road transport stakeholders on the importance of sharing the road. The launch was held last March 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.

    Among the key individuals who attended the event were DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista, DOTr Usec. for Road Transport and Infrastructure Atty. Mark Steven Pastor, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, and SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Engr. Bien Mateo. Representatives from various active transport groups were also present, including transport advocacy group Move as One Coalition’s co-convener Dr. Robbie Siy.

    The “Share the Road” campaign is an information, education, and communication campaign that seeks to promote a culture of sharing the road among Filipinos, regardless of their preferred mode of transport, through a change in mindset. It is centered on a video that communicates road sharing guidelines and road safety tips in a way that’s fun and easy to understand, narrated by no other than Kim Atienza.

    “From respecting road rules, to understanding that everyone has the same rights as us, there are a number of things that we need to remember so we can enable a culture of sharing the road,” said Tan.

    “We need every Filipino to adopt and accept the mindset that every cyclist, every pedestrian, has an equal share on the road,” said Usec. Pastor. “More importantly, we need private sector partners like SM to help us expand our horizon, to help us make people understand what we’re trying to achieve. The culture should change now.”

    “This event shall reaffirm the Department’s partnership with SM to intensify and strengthen our information and education campaign for the benefit and empowerment of active transport users across the country,” said Sec. Bautista.

    Near the end of the event, SM and DOTr led by their representatives recited a Pledge of Commitment to reaffirm the partnership and vowed to continue pushing for enhanced and wider coverage in promoting the active transport agenda, and for activities that will enable more educated and disciplined road users.

    Through the joint initiative, SM Cares supports the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being” and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.” 

    Other initiatives in line with promoting road safety are dedicated bike lanes in key SM Malls, expanded parking areas for bikes, 24-hour vending machine stations where riders can purchase tools and refreshments, and service repair stations that bikers can use free of charge, as well as continuous information, education, and communication campaigns focused on road safety and motorist etiquette.

    SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, with programs that support communities, promote social inclusion, and care for the environment. Aside from the creation of bike-friendly SM Malls, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, and Senior Citizens.

    To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares. 

  • SM Supermalls, SM Cares Recognized for Programs on Inclusion, Sustainability, Employee Experience

    From encouraging mall-goers to adopt more sustainable ways to dispose of their solid waste, to promoting emergency and disaster preparedness that is inclusive of persons with disabilities and the elderly, to employee engagement efforts that ensure a happy and productive workforce, SM Supermalls and its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares are known for their advocacies that continuously leave a positive impact on communities and the environment.

    In recognition of their unwavering commitment to these advocacies, SM Supermalls and SM Cares took home a total of three awards at the recently concluded “Gabi ng Parangal” of the 58th Anvil Awards, organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines last March 8 at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

    SM Cares took home a Silver Anvil award for its efforts to help address solid waste pollution in the country through its Trash-to-Cash and Plastic Waste Collection initiatives, which are part of its Environmental Programs on Solid Waste Management.

    By the end of the eligibility period, SM Cares successfully collected a total of 1,247 tons of solid waste, and has helped many SM mall-goers develop the habit of disposing of their solid waste properly.

    SM Cares also took home a SIlver Anvil award for the 2022 iteration of its “Emergency Preparedness Forum,” an event designed to provide emergency preparedness training that is tailored to the unique needs of PWDs and senior citizens.

    Held from July 13 to August 3, 2022 in four of the most disaster-prone cities in the country–Baguio City, Quezon City, Legazpi City, and Cebu City–the forum was able to help more than 1,900 participants become better equipped to keep themselves safe during disasters.

    Meanwhile, SM Supermalls won a Silver Anvil award for its initiative SM LIFE, which aims to promote purpose, performance, and passion and help employees adapt and grow to the evolving needs of the business, and to stay happy, resilient, and productive at work.

    Through the initiative, SM Supermalls was able to retain 93 percent of its high-potential talents, and saw an average of 98 percent in terms of training coverage, with participation in engagement programs at 100 percent, among other positive results. The company also recovered and sustained its mall revenue, foot traffic, and occupancy through 2021 and 2022.

    SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, supporting initiatives focused on communities and the environment. Aside from the program on PWDs, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative.To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

  • Natatanging Nilalang: SM Cares, DSAPI celebrate people with Down syndrome through Happy Walk

    As a song dedicated to people with Down Syndrome, Ronnie Lee’s “Natatanging Nilalang” highlights all the characteristics that make these individuals special. Composed with a fondness for those who have the condition (he himself has a nephew who has Down Syndrome), Lee’s song is one of empowerment not only for these individuals, but also for their loved ones.

    Happy Walk Poster

    Empowering people with Down Syndrome and their families has been one of the advocacies of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI). Since its establishment in 1991, the organization has been active in implementing initiatives that cater to these people, one of which is the Happy Walk for Down Syndrome in partnership with SM Cares.

    Happy Walk for Down Syndrome is an annual event that gathers persons with Down Syndrome and their loved ones into a day-long family-oriented event filled with fun activities and entertainment. Held every February as part of the celebration of National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month, it aims to promote awareness and better understanding of those living with the condition.

    “Happy Walk for Down Syndrome is all about bringing those with the condition and their families together. More importantly, the goal of the event is to give them a platform for their voices to be heard, so that the everyone can know more about them, about the challenges that they encounter every day, and what all of us can do to make life better for them,” said Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs. 

    After a three-year break, DSAPI and SM Cares are once again holding a physical version of the long-running event this coming February 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. Among the activities that the attendees can expect at this year’s event are the Happy Walk Parade and the ShowDOWN segment, where those with Down Syndrome can show off their talents. They can also expect games and fun activities offered at booths within the venue.

    Interested participants may register through DSAPI’s official Facebook page or register onsite on the day of the event by visiting the SM Employees Booth at the Mall of Asia Music Hall from 7:30AM.

    SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, with programs that support communities, promote social inclusion, and care for the environment. Aside from the program on PWDs, its advocacies include Programs for the Environment, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the SM Bike-friendly initiative. To learn more, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

  • SM Cares, SM Prime Lead Turnover of Food Carts to SM PadyaKabuhayan Program Beneficiaries

    SM Cares and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently led the turnover ceremony of bike food carts to the pioneer beneficiaries of the SM PadyaKabuhayan Program, an initiative that aims to provide sustainable sources of income to those in need with a focus on sustainable mobility. 

    The ceremony was held last Dec. 5 at Pasay City Hall and was graced by representatives from SM Cares, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the City’s local government unit, and Kalye Negosyo.

    Among the attendees were Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Head Angelica Yu, Pasay City Social Welfare Development Officer Evelyn Marquez, DTI Chief of Trade and Industry Development and Area Director Olivia Rivera, Think Bizz Trading Corp. President Neil Sicat (for Kalye Negosyo) and SM Supermalls Senior Vice President & SM Cares Director for Bicycle-Friendly SM Bien Mateo.

    PadyaKabuhayan is a livelihood program for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries that provides a means of earning for families in need, highlights the economic benefit of environment-friendly bikes, and enables the private sector to extend resources for the greater good.

    During the ceremony, a total of six beneficiaries from Pasay City were each awarded with PadyaKabuhayan Carts, which are bike food carts outfitted with food storage and cooking equipment. They were also given cash assistance from the DTI amounting to P10,000 per recipient. The beneficiaries were selected in partnership with the Pasay City Social Welfare and Development Office.

    Prior to the turnover, the beneficiaries were provided with free technical training through a three-day Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, where they were taught how to think like an entrepreneur, how to do product development, product costing, and food preparation, and how to do accounting and marketing while understanding financial literacy, among other topics.

    “SM Cares is about ‘Supporting Communities’ and this project aligns perfectly to our advocacies for the Environment and a Bicycle-Friendly SM as we promote the use of bikes as eco-friendly means to improve the quality of life of Filipinos. Isang padyak ng bisikleta; Isang padyak patungo sa kaunlaran,” said Mr. Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President and SM Cares Program Director.

    “For our beneficiaries, we hope to plant the seed of entrepreneurship, perseverance and hard work, as inspired by the story of our Founder, Mr. Henry Sy Sr. As he famously said, ‘You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan well, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.’”

    The SM PadyaKabuhayan Program is in line with SM Cares’ Programs for the Environment and the Bike-friendly SM initiative, and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, particularly “SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth,” and “SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.” 

    SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, responsible for initiatives focused on sustainability and community development. Aside from its Program on Environment and Bike-Friendly SM initiative, its other Programs include those on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth.

    To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.