FITS ON POINT, RAIN OR SHINE AT SM

For students rushing to class and young professionals navigating the daily commute, getting dressed in the Philippines can sometimes feel like a weather forecast guessing game.

One minute, the sky is gray and rain is pouring. A few hours later, the sun is out and the heat is back. Then, just when you think the day is clear, another shower arrives.

The answer is not to overhaul your wardrobe every time the weather changes. Instead, build outfits around easy, lightweight and versatile pieces that can keep up with a rainy-to-sunny-to-rainy kind of day.

Whether you are heading to class, meeting friends after lectures or going straight from the office to dinner, these five styling tips can help keep your fits comfortable and on point, whatever the weather brings.

1. Keep It Light with an Easy Shirt

Start with a lightweight shirt that lets you breathe when temperatures rise but can still work as a base layer when the weather cools down.

Think relaxed-fit tees, lightweight polos or casual button-downs that can be worn on their own under the sun or layered when rain and cooler air arrive. Choose breathable fabrics and uncomplicated silhouettes so you can move comfortably from the classroom to the commute.

For everyday staples, check out Penshoppe at SM Center Sangandaan for easy pieces that can become the foundation of your school or work wardrobe.

Style move: Pick neutral or easy-to-match shades so one shirt can work with several bottoms throughout the week.

2. Choose Lightweight Bottoms

Rainy days are not the time for clothes that feel heavy, restrictive or take forever to dry.

Go for lightweight trousers, relaxed pants, chinos or other easy bottoms that give you room to move. For students, this means going from one class to another without feeling weighed down. For young professionals, it means staying polished without sacrificing comfort during the commute.

Style move: Keep the silhouette relaxed but intentional. A clean, straight or slightly loose cut can look put-together without feeling too formal.

Look to Bench at SM Center Sangandaan for versatile everyday styles that can easily transition from campus hours to after-work plans.

3. Make Comfortable Shoes Your Everyday MVP

A great outfit can quickly become a bad day when your shoes are uncomfortable or soaked.

For unpredictable weather, choose footwear that is comfortable enough for walking, commuting and long days on your feet. Sneakers and other practical everyday styles can work with both casual and slightly dressed-up outfits, making them a reliable choice whether the forecast calls for rain or sunshine.

Style move: Keep a pair of easy-to-clean shoes in your rotation, especially for days when rain is likely. The goal is simple. Look good, but make sure your feet can keep up.

4. Layer Smart, Not Heavy

The trick to dressing for unpredictable weather is having a layer you can actually remove when the sun comes out.

A lightweight overshirt, casual jacket or breathable outer layer can instantly change the look of an outfit while giving you an extra barrier against cool air, sudden showers or heavily air-conditioned classrooms and offices.

For a more relaxed, youthful look, wear the layer open over a simple shirt. When the temperature rises, simply take it off and carry it instead of letting the heat dictate your entire outfit. For more fashion finds, BNY at SM City Valenzuela offers pieces that can easily fit into a young, everyday wardrobe.

Style move: Choose lightweight layers that fold easily into a tote or backpack. The best extra layer is one you will not mind carrying.

5. Do Not Forget What Is Underneath

Good style starts with comfort, and that includes the pieces no one sees.

When the weather swings between humid heat and sudden rain, breathable, comfortable basics can make a noticeable difference. Choose everyday essentials that feel good against the skin and help you stay comfortable through long hours away from home.

Jockey at SM Center Sangandaan offers everyday essentials that can complement a practical, weather-ready wardrobe.

Style move: Build your basics first. When the foundation is comfortable, everything else you wear becomes easier to style.

Dress for the Day You Actually Have

The best rainy-day outfit is not necessarily the one designed exclusively for rain. It is the one that can handle whatever happens next.

A lightweight shirt can survive the heat. Easy bottoms can take you from class to coffee. Comfortable shoes can handle a long commute. A removable layer can come off when the sun appears. Reliable basics can keep you comfortable from morning until the last stop of the day.

Through Styleverse, SM Supermalls brings together fashion finds that let everyone express their own take on style. Because personal style is not about dressing for a perfect forecast. It is about finding what works for you and making it your own.

Because when the Philippine weather refuses to stick to one forecast, your outfit should not have to either.

Rain or shine, keep your fit stay on point with your most-loved SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Valenzuela.

Project Ugnayan Beneficiaries Reach Over 7.6 Million People in Greater Metro Manila Poor Communities

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-todoor in the lowest-income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

"We are grateful for this opportunity to be part of this business community effort to help people in a time of crisis. This is a movement we should nurture as we prepare to let people return to work and to re-start our economy in the post-quarantine period.” said PDRF Co-Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

“The unity in diversity demonstrated by Project Ugnayan reveals the private sector’s serious commitment to help our country recover from the lost economic momentum because of the pandemic. We are proud to be part of this extraordinary collaboration of industries which will prove most valuable in getting the economy back on track,” PDRF Co-Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

According to Father Anton CT Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, the initiative earned praises from Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico and other Prelates of the Suffragan Dioceses of Manila. The Prelates thanked the businessmen and private organization who collectively help to make Project Ugnayan possible.

“The true spirit of Easter is about hope and has special significance in these difficult times. We thank all the generous benefactors of Project Ugnayan for this opportunity to fulfill a great mission of compassion for our vulnerable brothers and sisters. Your gifts have warmed their hearts and uplifted their spirits,” Father Pascual said.

Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan, the project’s main distributor of emergency cash through P1,000
supermarket gift certificates has so far reached 1,070,854 families or 5,354,270 people. It is on
target to deliver gift certificates to 1,366,495 families or 6,832,475 people by Wednesday, April 15
(the original end-date of the Enhanced Community Quarantine).

ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig has reached 238,854 families or 1,194,270 people through food
packs delivered through Local Government Units. They will reach a total of 631,921 families or
3,151,605 people by the end of their program.

ADB and the Government’s Bayan, Bayanihan has delivered food packages to 13,370 families or 66,850 people through the Philippine Army and DSWD. ADB has provided funding to reach 80,000 families or a total of 400,000 people.

Jollibee’s FoodAID program delivers ready-to-cook chicken to low-income families from its commissary through a network composed of Don Bosco, Caritas Manila, and the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP). So far, they have delivered to 199,491 families or 977,455 people. They are targeting to reach 500,000 families or 2,500,000 people by end-April.

“In sum, Project Ugnayan and its Partners have reached 1,522,569 families or 7,612,845 people in just over three weeks. This number will rise as all deliveries have already been programmed by the partners,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

The donors of Project Ugnayan are (in alphabetical order): Aboitiz Group, ABSCBN/First Gen, Alaska Milk Corporation, Alliance Global Group & Megaworld, AY Foundation & RCBC, Ayala Corporation. Bench/Suyen Corp, Bonifacio West Devt Corp. Carmelray Group, Cathay Land, Inc, Cebuana Lhullier, Century Pacific, Coca Cola Philippines, Concepcion Industrial, Consuelo "Chito" Madrigal Foundation, Inc., Daiichi Properties, DMCI Group of Companies, Dowell Container and Packaging Corporation, Far Eastern University, First Life Financial Company, Focus Global, Inc., Global Food Group, Glorious Commercial Exports, Inc., Gokongwei Group of Companies/Robinsons Retail Holdings, ICTSI, JAKA Group 1, Jollibee, J.P. Morgan, Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc., Leonio Group, Mercury Drug Corporation, Metrobank, Mumuso Group, National Grid Corp of the Philippines, New World Hotel, Nutri-Asia, Oishi/Liwayway Marketing Group, One Meralco Foundation, Penshoppe, People R People, PepsiCo/PepsiCo Foundation, Philippine Racing Club, Inc, PLDT/Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Puregold, Ramon S. Ang & Family, RRK/Lee Jeans, Shang Properties Inc, SM/BDO, Sta. Elena Construction, Sugar Junction Inc.. Sunlife of Canada, Super Prime Holdings, Inc, Supreme Steel Pipe Corp, The Alpha Suites Inc., Unilab, and Wilcon Depot.

NEC 2019 Showcases Top PH Exporters, Export Enablers

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), together with Export Development Council (EDC) and Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), recognized the top Philippine companies for their noteworthy export performance in 2018 during the National Export Congress (NEC) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on December 06, 2019.

Also, DTI-EMB and Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM) collaborated for the Export Enablers Exhibit which showcased trade regulatory government agencies, financial institutions, and private organizations.

The top exporters were acknowledged based on their track record, excellence, and innovation in the delivery of services. Their grit to achieve success and persistence to make Filipino products be globally competitive has contributed to the country’s export revenue.

DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, DTI-Trade Promotions Group (TPG) and Special Concerns Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman, DTI-EMB Director Senen M. Perlada, Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCCI) Chairman George T. Barcelon, and DTI Assistant Secretary Angelo B. Taningco presented the awards to 21 exemplary exporters of the country.

This year’s Hall of Fame Awardee is Nestle Philippines, Inc. for Processed Food and Beverages. The Hall of Fame Award is given to exporters who were awarded consistently as Top Export Performers in the last three consecutive years.

The Top Sectoral Exporters Award were given to Amkor Technology Philippines Inc. for Electronics; B/E Aerospace B.V. (Philippine Branch) for Machinery and Transport Equipment; Lear Automotive Services (Netherlands) B.V. (Philippine branch) for Motor Vehicle Parts (Ignition Wiring Sets); Petron Corporation for Chemicals; Sumifru (Philippines) Corporation for Fresh Fruits; Platinum Group Metals Corporation for Minerals; and Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc. for Coconut Oil.

Other awardees were L&T International Group Philippines, Inc. for Apparel and Clothing Accessories; Nestle Philippines, Inc. for Processed Food and Beverages; SCAD Services PTE. Ltd. for Woodcrafts (Builder’s Woodworks); FPF Corporation for Travel Goods and Handbags; and Millenium Ocean Star Corporation for Fish Shrimps and Prawns/Fresh or Preserved.

Moreover, the Excellence Award for Services Sectors were awarded to Synergy88 Group of Companies for Animation Services; Suyen Corporation (Bench) for Franchising Services; GameOps, Inc. for Game Development Services; ADEC innovations, Inc. for IT-BPM Services (Knowledge Process Outsourcing); and Alliance Software, Inc. for IT Services (Software Development).

The Excellence Award for Services Sectors is given to exporters who were excellent in their respective fields and have shown a praiseworthy contribution to the industry.

Furthermore, the Most Outstanding Ripples Plus Awards were conferred to Primex Coco Products for Luzon; Profood International Corporation for Visayas; and PHILBEST Canning Corporation for Mindanao.

The Most Outstanding Ripples Plus Award was based on Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) ranking for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This is also a recognition of these exporters’ remarkable success in penetrating global markets.

The exporters’ recognition aims to inspire the country’s exporting community to continuously innovate and improve. It is also to acknowledge their hard work and a testimony of the robust partnership of the government and the private sector in pursuing inclusive growth and improving the exports’ development through innovation.

Meanwhile, in line with the NEC’s theme “Driving Exports through Digital Transformation,” the organizers featured the services of the following organizations during the Export Enablers Exhibition held simultaneously with the NEC at the Mezzanine of the Plenary Hall PICC: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Board of Investments (BOI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Import Services (BIS), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), CITEM, Cobena, and DTI-EMB / 1Export Trade and Services Inc.

Also featured were FedEx Express, Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Highly Succeed, Inc. Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL), Keepr Storage PH, Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Optical Media Board (OMB), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), PHILEXPORT, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PHILFIDA), Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO), UnionBank | UBX, Vesl, and World Trade Center (WTC).

The NEC is the highlight event of the National Exporters' Week (NEW). Every first week of December is the annual celebration of the NEW per presidential proclamation 931, Series 0f 1996 and House Resolution 33. It highlights the government and the private sector’s commitment to continuously work together to sustain export promotion and development.