WE ATE THAT! Best New Eats in the Metro at SM Supermalls

When you know it’s good, you know it’s good. And when it comes to food recommendations that just hit, SM is here to serve and deliver us the best of the best foodie experiences in the Metro.

Get ready to dine with your most-loved mall as we spotlight new dining destinations guaranteed to satisfy your cravings and get you saying, ‘Girl, we ate that!’

It’s giving OG eats from Japan 

Nothing beats the real ones! So, when it comes to Japanese flavors, we crave nothing but authenticity.

Kaiju Ramen

Serving authentic Japanese ramen, the soon-to-open Kaiju Ramen offers broths and noodles that hit just right. Their tonkotsu and shoyu bowls? Absolutely ate. First in the PH, every bite is a moment of pure, slurp‑worthy satisfaction at Level 5, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall.

Yappari

It’s giving classic. It’s giving rich. It’s giving TASTE! Known for its premium steak offerings, this new Japanese restaurant in Upper Ground, SM Southmall, turns every slice into celebration.

Slayin’ the soft life, one sip at a time

Life’s solid when everything’s just chill, with vibes that leave you feeling happy, unbothered, and completely in your lane.

Super Matcha

For soft-life vibes, watch out for the first-in-PH Super Matcha, soon to open at Ground Level, Mega Fashion Hall-SM Megamall, and indulge in drinks that are as aesthetic as they are delicious. Enjoy matcha lattes, iced blends, and visuals that are giving 10s across the board.

These Crowd Flavorites are a SERVE

Eat it, eat it, eat it! Category is: global dining faves! We’re here to serve you meals perfect for your discerning taste.

PoBros

Here’s a bowl deserving of a star-studded applause: known for its loaded rice bowls, hearty portions, and bold flavor combos, PoBros at Level 2, SM Southmall, is sure to keep you coming back for that mouth-watering comfort.

Goobne

Here to serve Korean flavors with unclockable finesse, Goobne specializes in oven-roasted chicken with juicy, perfectly seasoned meat. Find your satisfying match at Upper Ground Floor, SM Southmall.

Ate and left no crumbs—LITERALLY! That’s just how good food in the Metro is when experienced with the best. From Japanese classics to global cuisines, SM Supermalls is your most loved mall for all things foodie. 

 

Follow @smsupermalls on social media or visit www.smsupermalls.com for the latest updates and events.

SM Supermalls Supports First-Ever TESDA Jobs and Skills Matching Fair

In collaboration with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Muntinlupa, the Muntinlupa Local Government Unit (LGU), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), SM Center Muntinlupa will host the pilot run of the Jobs and Skills Matching Fair on June 19, 2025. This one-day event offers jobseekers—particularly those interested in the IT- Business Process Management (BPM) industry—a streamlined path from employment screening to skills training and re-employment.

A job seeker reviews a list of job vacancies while a uniformed professional helps them with information at the SM Job Fair.

The fair begins with an on-site job matching session, where walk-in and registered applicants can undergo interviews with participating companies. Qualified candidates may be hired on the spot, while “near-hires” will be referred to the Skills Hub for personalized consultations facilitated by DTI-PTTC.

Applicants can meet future employers at the first-ever Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Jobs and Skills Matching Fair in SM Center Muntinlupa on June 19.

At the Skills Hub, jobseekers will undergo a one-on-one evaluation using the Philippine Skills Framework (PSF). This identifies any skills gaps and recommends tailored training programs and career pathways. TESDA will then match these near-hires with accredited training institutions and available scholarship opportunities.

After completing their upskilling journey, participants will be reconnected with partner employers—ensuring a full-circle career pipeline from application to employment readiness.

While this launch is a low-key pilot, it signifies a major step forward in creating more responsive, skills-based employment solutions. 

The Jobs and Skills Matching Fair represents a next-gen approach to job fairs—one that goes beyond resumes and job vacancies to focus on real-time skills-building and industry needs.

SM Job Fairs open real employment opportunities, with jobseekers like this landing roles on the spot.

Join the movement. Start something life-changing.

This isn’t just another job fair—it’s a one-stop opportunity hub. Aside from hundreds of job openings and on-the-spot hiring, attendees can access skills training, career guidance, and essential government services such as the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)—all in one convenient, accessible, and air-conditioned SM mall.

From interview to hired—SM Supermalls empowers jobseekers to land their dream roles.

So, update that resume, bring extra copies, dress to impress, and show up as your most professional self. Your next big opportunity starts here.

For full schedules and updates, follow SM Supermalls on Facebook or visit www.smsupermalls.com.

What’s New at SM Supermalls? Must-See Firsts in Metro Manila

Let your thirst for trying out new things lead you this month of June.

Be fun, be free, and let spontaneity take the wheel with these new and upcoming gems heading

your way. From immersive experiences to robust cuisines from around the globe, to standout

fashion pieces—you have the power to make the mundane magical when you choose to see

every day as a canvas of possibilities.

Wander to wonder, and embrace the magic of curiosity and exploration with SM

Supermalls—right here in Metro Manila.

Variety & Great Options at SM Mall of Asia

With more options, you uncover more paths, opening doors to fresh experiences and delightful discoveries—whether it be trying out different meals at once or spicing up your everyday style!

Enjoy the diverse flavors of Japan at Kiwami: Japanese Master Kitchens, opening their first-ever SM flagship store soon—their biggest one yet! Offering a variety of authentic dishes all

under one roof, indulge in an extensive dining experience and savor the best of Yabu (katsu), Ippudo (ramen), Hachibei (yakitori), and Hannosuke (tempura)—each offering their own distinct and authentic taste of Japan.

Meanwhile, our stylish go-getters can look forward to more soon-to-open stores, serving up options after options in everyday fashion and sportswear:

● JD Sports—elevate your active lifestyle with impactful design and exclusive picks from top-performing brands. Britain’s leading retailer in street and activewear is bringing its first-ever store to the Philippines within the next few months.

● 8 Seconds.—an iconic Korean clothing brand is opening its first-in-PH store this July. Prepare to K-style your everyday look with trendy apparel ready to captivate you in under 8 seconds.

 

Magical Moments at SM North EDSA

Having the heart to wander rewards you with unexpected moments of magic. Give yourself the chance to experience those pleasant surprises and set out to explore these newly opened go-to destinations:

Space & Time Cube, the Philippines’ first immersive digital museum blending art and technology across multiple themed attractions, opened last May 16, extending its signature multi-sensory experience to our adventure seekers here in Quezon City. Their latest highlight, Fantasy Cinema, delivers an exhilarating 9D feature—combining virtual reality, motion

simulation, and rich sensory effects to transport guests into an awe-inspiring cinematic world.

Meanwhile, Moon Hey—an engaging hot pot & grill restaurant—will launch their first-in-SM store this June, serving diners with their own satisfying dining experience by having individualized cooking stations and a customizable set of ingredients that revolves around the room.

Low-impact Fashion at SM Megamall

Wander responsibly. And have a conscious effort to care about the environment wherever your feet lead you. Make a fashionable statement with sustainable designs from VIVAIA—a rising gem in global footwear that recently opened its first in-mall store here in the Philippines.

Offering a wide selection of on-trend shoes made notably from recycled PET materials, VIVAIA brings a commitment to eco-friendly footwear crafted for comfort, style, and responsible consumption.

German Flavors at SM Podium

Wandering is not complete without some time for relaxation, because the best part about taking a wondrous journey comes out when you're having fun!

Experience the embodiment of good cheers with the best of German cuisine. Originating from Singapore, Brotzeit is a world-renowned German bier bar and restaurant which recently opened its first-in-SM store. It serves Bavarian meals and rich German beers in a perfectly welcoming space—ideal for a chill and fun night. Enjoy a diverse selection of sausage platters, schnitzel, pork knuckles, all perfectly complemented by—of course—beers!

Having a heart for adventure leads to surprising moments of awe. Discover exciting and noteworthy delights here in Metro Manila, and enrich your stories of wander and wonder—only

at SM Supermalls, bringing you a #NewEraOfFirsts.

Don’t forget to like and follow @smsupermalls on social media or visit

www.smsupermalls.com for the latest updates and events!

World's Thinnest Foldable Phone HONOR Magic V2 Now Available, HONOR Opens New Experience Store at SM Megamall Cyberzone

Manila, Philippines, March 02, 2023 – Leading smart devices provider in the Philippines, HONOR, continues to expand all over in the country as it opens its latest HONOR Experience Store at the heart of the Metro, in SM Megamall. Today also marks the First Day Sale of the highly-anticipated HONOR Magic V2, dubbed as The World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone available in the market, currently priced at Php 79,999.

“Given the pricepoint of the HONOR Magic V2, we are highly surprised with the amount of queries we have gotten since its launch just this February 21, but even more so with its offline and online pre-order performance. We’re taking this not only as an indication of HONOR’s promising growth in the forseeable future, but also as a sign of our HONOR fan’s continuous and unwavering support for the brand – and this encourages us to make our services more accessible to many more Filipinos,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR Magic V2 now available for Php 79,999

Officiated by HONOR Philippines GTM Manager Steven Yan, PR Manager Pao Oga, Brand Marketing Manager Joepy Libo-on, together with Wide Solutions Inc. Area Manager Ray Mark Chavez, and SM Megamall Assistant Manager Isabella Manjon, this Grand Opening signifies yet another success for the tech giant. 

HONOR community and fans were able to see the industry-leading specs of The World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone, the HONOR Magic V2, through a series of tests initiated by HONOR Star, Pauline Amelincx, and HONOR Brand Marketing Manager, Joepy Libo-on.

Consumers can now Experience Magic Beyond the Galaxy with The Thinnest Foldable Phone for only Php 79,999. Equipped with cutting-edge specs ranging from its 5000mAh HONOR Silicon-Carbon Dual Batteries, SGS 5-star certified fold durability of up to 400,000 folds, and its exceptional 9.9 mm-thin folded thickness, HONOR Magic V2 ensures outstanding performance befitting even the most exquisite lifestyles.

Available in Purple and Midnight Black, HONOR Magic V2 can be purchased through selected HONOR Experience Stores, and via Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_V2_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_V2_PR), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_V2_PR).

HONOR 3.3 Mega Sale is Coming Your Way!

Shop for your favorite HONOR devices and enjoy up to 50% discount on top of Exclusive Vouchers and Freebies from March 1 to 15, 2024 via Shopee (https://bit.ly/HONOR_Shop33Sale_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/HONOR_Laz33Sale_PR), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/HONOR_TikTok33Sale_PR)! Get the HONOR Magic5 Pro for only Php 49,990; HONOR X9a 5G for Php 14,990, HONOR 90 Lite 5G for Php 10,990; and HONOR X8a for only Php 7,990!

For more exciting announcements, head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

2023 NATIONAL FOOD FAIR HIGHLIGHTS INNOVATIONS AND GLOBAL FOOD TRENDS

The theme “Go Discover, Taste, Enjoy!” for the upcoming 2023 National Food Fair truly embodies this much-awaited event, as it highlights the fusion of science and tradition in bringing innovations into the Philippine food industry. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) in partnership with the DTI-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG), the 2023 National Food Fair will be held from July 12-16, at Megatrade Halls 1-3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Grounded on landmark research at state colleges and universities, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Science and Technology, the event will introduce trailblazing products generated by biotechnology as well as production techniques that have the potential to disrupt the food value chain. These will be showcased in the Philippine Food Industry Innovation Lounge as well as in the exhibits of the Innovative and Biotech Products Cluster.

The Philippines is among the world’s top coconut producers, and the 2023 National Food Fair will continue to showcase this wealth-generating product through the Philippine Coconut Industry Pavilion and Coconut-based MSME Cluster. As part of the promotional activities, a series of “Cooking with Coconut” short videos will be released on BDTP’s social media accounts ahead of the event.

Meanwhile, the Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project, one of the DTI projects to be featured at the NFF aims to provide economic and sustainable development by helping smallholder farmers and stakeholders increase their income and generate employment through the value chain approach for selected products such as cacao, coffee, coconut and processed fruits and nuts.

During the five-day event, there will be a daily program of activities consisting of entrepreneurship talks, live cooking demonstrations by Chefs Claude Tayag, Boy Logro, Tatung Sarthou, Jam Melchor and Laudico Guevarra, wine-mixing tutorials, and presentations on various food and business-related topics. This is open to the public and free of charge. The daily program will also be livestreamed on BDTP social media channels for remote viewers.

“The 2023 National Food Fair is a physical show with an online counterpart on Lazada with featured exhibitors making their products available to all serviceable areas nationwide” said BDTP Director Marievic Bonoan.

To know more about the 2023 National Food Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). You may also email BDTP Director Marievic M. Bononan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph.

Planting Dreams with ‘Grow Trees Community’ in Benguet

Like his father before him, John Dizon, Jr. and his family have been long-time stewards of protected trees in their community in Tuba, Benguet. When the time came for him to take up the mantle, he did so willingly to honor his father’s legacy.

“My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.

A year later, Mr. Dizon, who now heads Benguet-based environmental conservation group, Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc.  (NAMALISA), started working closely with the SM Foundation for an inaugural tree-planting campaign back in 2013 to pick up where his father had left off in his advocacy. 

With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.

He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.

To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign. 

The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.

People’s Organization NAMALISA plant trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Tuba, Benguet

The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba. 

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga.  Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules. 

It is in support of the SM Green Movement that seeks 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. 

SM Prime Builds Better, Greener Offices

Many people have become more aware of the importance of sustainability in everyday living during the two years that the world faced the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmental awareness has caught on through practices such as shifting to paperless, reducing plastic use and planting more trees. For property developers, taking part in this movement means transitioning into green buildings and developments.

Such is the case for SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), a publicly listed subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) that is committed to building innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities. SM Prime is future-proofing its developments to be more responsive and adaptive to community needs and the effects of climate change in line with comprehensive sustainability goals ranging from energy to ecology.

Over the years, SM Prime has continued to elevate its approach to building and development of community spaces.  All these green initiatives have been recognized by reputable and well-known organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which awarded Conrad Hotel Manila and SM Aura Premier the Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. 

“When we build, we build with the community in mind. This is why it is important to integrate sustainability in our developments and operations. We remain committed as an environmentally-conscious and responsible integrated property developer ready to serve the ever-changing needs and aspirations of our communities and stakeholders,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim.

   
Building green office spaces

SM’s Commercial Property Group is renowned for balancing green design features with operational and practical considerations, enabling more companies and locators to enjoy environmentally sound commercial developments. 

The CPG’s flagship properties are its five E-com Centers – all future-forward buildings catering mainly to technological, business process outsourcing, and Fortune 500 companies. All five E-com Centers are located in the MOA Complex. Each building has a proportionate amount of green open spaces and communal areas where workers can socialize and decompress from work.

CPG further promotes sustainable practices with its LEED gold-certified office buildings, solidifying its foothold and commitment to building green offices and commercial developments.  These certifications are a testament to SM Prime’s dedication to reducing its contribution to global climate change—all while enhancing the quality of life within its communities.

The ThreeE-com Center boasts architectural wonders and green features that eventually earned its LEED Gold certification. These include water recycling for landscape and non-potable use. The building is fitted with glass windows that minimizes heat from entering the building, allowing tenants to use less air conditioning. This 15-storey, semi-circular twin-tower office building features function and aesthetic complemented with state-of-the-art facilities.  While it was the first office building in the Mall of Asia Complex to receive such an honor, the new FourE-com Center also recently achieved the same certification—designed with its tenants’ needs in mind, improving work-life balance and office culture accordingly.

Both designed by globally renowned firm, Arquitectonica, the Three and Four E-coms are unique amongst business centers. “We designed the E-coms to functionally meet the BPO industry’s need for large, continuous floorplates, but also sculpted them in interesting ways so as to allow views and airflows between the buildings, while also, of course, giving them interesting architectural identities. At the same time, their landscaped podium decks create attractive communal green spaces for the tenants; they are envisaged to be interconnected via landscaped skybridges in the future. The combination of all these factors, architectural design and green spaces, have made the E-coms highly attractive to multinational companies and brands,” said David Zaballero, Arquitectonica Director.

SM Mega Tower

Meanwhile, SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper located along EDSA will also join the company’s growing roster of LEED-certified green buildings. Called Mega Tower, the 50-story office building is future-ready as it provides spaces that respect both its tenants and nature itself. 

Strategically located in the busy Ortigas Centre, the 50-storey LEED registered skyscraper is flexibly designed to meet the requirements of both corporate and BPO tenants. Though its design is highly sculptural, each floorplate remains efficiently planned – combining functionality and iconic identity. 

“Incorporating sustainability in property development means having the whole life cycle of a building in mind. We invest a tenth of our capital expenditure to ensure that sustainability is integrated into our properties as we carefully plan our developments for our communities, the environment, and future generations ,” SM Prime’s Mr. Lim said.

In close collaboration with the SM Group’s other business units, the CPG’s multi-segment or mixed-use approach maximizes the socio-economic potential of its buildings and developments. As a result, SM’s commercial developments are connected to our malls, residences, and parks and civic spaces.  Notably, they are all easily accessible to transport hubs to ensure mobility for pedestrians and the commuting public. This interconnectivity, alongside each property’s green and safety features, reduces the company’s carbon footprint, attracts more tenants and locators, and encourages greater productivity among its workforce.

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About SM Prime

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, is committed to providing safe and sustainable spaces for its stakeholders.  Its development strategy is anchored on the responsible use of resources. In the communities it serves, it is able to promote resource conservation, environmental protection, and disaster resiliency by implementing solutions for water, waste, and energy management.

SM Prime is a key player in 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.

Find out more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement-- visit www.smprime.com and www.sminvestments.com/sustainability/sm-for-the-community/sm-green-movement/

It’s #SuperMoms Day at SM Supermalls!

If there’s one thing that our #SuperMoms love about Mother’s Day, it’s spending quality time with the whole family. This Sunday, make the day extra special when you celebrate at SM Supermalls!

Got no idea what to do this weekend? Don’t worry because SM Supermalls’ got your back! Get awesome discounts on food, shopping, and pampering for your #SuperMoms at SM!

Cater to her cravings and give her a memorable feast

Treat mom to a scrumptious meal in the mall or at home because SM Supermalls has all the perfect deals for you. From May 1-8, there are a lot of SuperMoms Deals from the participating tenants to choose from! Just check out SM Deals for the full list of exciting deals and promo bundles.

Grab a sweet treat at the SuperMoms Fair

Short on gift ideas for the #SuperMoms on your list? The SuperMoms Fair has all the hearty treats that #SuperMoms will really love. SM tenants will be selling different cakes and flowers so you can indulge your moms, grandmas, titas, sisters, and all other momma figures out there this Mother’s day!

Take her to the cool SuperMom Photo Spots

Moms love looking at pictures and seeing family members with all their happy faces. Take her to the coolest photo spots at SM so she’ll have something to look at while remembering all the good memories you’ve made with her this Mother’s Day.

Give her a treatment fit for a queen

The queens of our household really deserve VIP treatment. Give her convenient and safe ways to get her celebration essentials at SM. There are dedicated exclusive sales, vouchers, and promotions, as well as discounts for advance reservations or online orders just for them!

Arrange a special day for furmoms and their pets

There are different types of moms and this includes furmoms, too! Indulge furmoms and their furbabies in a bonding treat like no other! Pawsome activities await them like the PAW Pageant where they can wear twinning outfits as well as paw-friendly games that both of them can join.

Dedicate some prayer time for the #SuperMoms

Motherhood is not only physically demanding; it can be spiritually demanding, too! So to celebrate this special day, SM Supermalls will be hosting a Mother’s Day Mass at the malls’ event centers or chapels which will also be live-streamed via Facebook. Moms pray for our wellbeing all year round, so this Sunday, make it your time say a prayer for thank you for our #SuperMoms.

“This day, we honor our wonderful SuperMoms who have been there for us all throughout our lives. Their unconditional love and hard work for the family are truly remarkable and incomparable. And as they look forward to celebrating this day with us, it’s our goal to make it even more special as we help you create more memories together here at SM in a safe and fun way,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan.

No think to overthink this.  Plan the best, most convenient, and safest Mother’s Day celebration for your SuperMoms this Sunday at your nearest SM Supermall! 

Find out more about the Mother’s Day celebration at SM and visit https://www.smsupermalls.com/super-moms-day-at-sm/?utm_source=media&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SuperMomsDayatSM. For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

Why Disaster Preparedness Should be Part of Your Plan

The Philippines has long been considered calamity-prone and vulnerable to disasters. In fact, it placed third among all the highest-risk countries worldwide, according to the World Risk Report of 2018.

A big contributor is the country’s geographical location and make-up. As an archipelago, the Philippines is composed of many small islands and is surrounded by water. It is also located within the Typhoon belt and the “Ring of Fire” and between the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates. Thus, natural occurrences such as typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are almost always a disaster waiting to happen - literally.

Just recently, the Visayas and Mindanao regions suffered from the devastating effects of Typhoon Odette. Taal Volcano’s last eruption was only in 2020, and it affected more than 736,000 people. Filipinos constantly experience a barrage of natural disasters, and yet, a study from the Harvard

Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) in 2018 shows that 47.5% of all the respondents said they have not done anything to prepare themselves for a disaster within the past five years, and only 36% feel prepared enough.

November 2013. Tacloban, Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, known as Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record.

Still, there seems to be hope in encouraging Filipinos to start prioritizing their safety and investing in disaster preparedness. In the same Harvard study,4 many of the respondents said if they had enough funds and resources, they would definitely be willing to prepare ahead. This shows that, in spite of it all, Filipinos do want to be ready.

So, what can we as individuals do to make sure that we are well-equipped when the next typhoon, earthquake, or volcanic eruption hits? The first step is to know your location well. Is it prone to flooding? How far away is it from the nearest volcano? Is it close to a fault line? All this information can be found with just a click of a button, thanks to digitalized documentation efforts led by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (Link: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/gisweb-hazard-maps) 

Once you have assessed your location’s vulnerabilities, now you can actively prepare yourself and your home for any incoming calamities. Check your house for any damages, and if it is made from materials that can withstand ground movement or strong winds. Keep a Go Bag with emergency resources accessible, both in your homes and places of work. 

SM Lanang Premier in Davao has a rain water catchment tank with a capacity of 600 cubic meters

Finally, make it a habit to listen to the radio and the news for any updates, and monitor your local government unit’s social media for any announcements. Familiarize yourself with as many routes as you can to your nearest evacuation center. Schools, barangay courts, and even malls like SM Supermalls often open their doors to receive evacuees in times of crisis.

   

SM DRR Facilities: (Left) Automated Weather Stations: SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has inked a partnership with the Manila Observatory for the “High Definition Clean Energy, Climate, and Weather Forecasts for the Philippines” Project, a data-driven system that utilizes automated weather stations (AWS) and high-performance computer modeling to provide clean energy and weather forecasts up to five days in advance. (Right) SM has also installed Earthquake Recording Instrumentations (ERI) on all malls for earth movement real time monitoring being recorded in an ERI dashboard.

SM, as a responsible member of the community, has taken disaster resilience as a necessary investment to help ensure that our communities thrive. SM allots 10% of its capital expenditures to incorporate disaster-resilient features, of which installing water management design features is one of them. By ensuring that its investments, employees, tenants and partners are resilient, no Filipino will be left behind.

“It is simply not a matter of if, but when,” said Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings. “We already know that there will always be another typhoon, another earthquake, another natural calamity. Our best bet to avoid personal losses and damages is to be ready for when it comes.” 

SM Marikina stands tall above a 23-meter Marikina River water lever rise because it sits on 246 stilts and an additional 20 meters farther than the suggested 90-meter distance from the Marikina River centerline. 

Some of SM’s notable resilient infrastructure is SM City Marikina and SM Mall of Asia, designed to help mitigate the effect of flooding in the community. Most SM malls feature disaster-resilient designs including SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan wherein the mall es elevated approximately 1.40 meters from the City Road, thus preventing it to be flooded from the heavy rain throughout the year. SM City Consolacion in Cebu has an adequately designed draining system discharging to adjacent creek and area surface drain along the perimeter walls.

SM Seaside City Cebu 

SM Seaside City Cebu's protection against storm surges is provided by elevating the site above mean sea level, thereby allowing the mall to be a place of refuge during times of flooding. The complex road was constructed 4.0m (not 3.0m) higher than the city road. Instead of flood barrier walls as a solution to the threat of flooding, the building's main floor was also elevated at 4.0m (not 4.5m) from the complex roads. The first level was designed to be a parking area with a 4.0m elevation difference from the main floor.

“We often ask ourselves – how else can we make it better for the people? We don’t want to just simply build malls, but more importantly, we make sure that our developments improve the lives of the community by adding disaster-resilient features to help mitigate the potential effects of disasters,” Sy added. 

ABOUT SM PRIME HOLDINGS

SM Prime, one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. Sustainability and Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience form part of SM Prime’s core business strategies. It ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates.

 

For more information on SM Prime Holdings and its other programs towards disaster preparedness, visit their website at www.smprime.com.