SCHOOL READY with SM

Back-to-school season is here once again, and with it comes the familiar rush of early mornings, lunch packing, uniform prep, and supply shopping. As families get ready for another school year, one thing makes the process a whole lot easier: having everything you need in one convenient place.

At SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela, back-to-school shopping becomes a more enjoyable experience. From school basics to tech upgrades and style essentials, SM brings together trusted stores, practical finds, and great value under one roof.

School Essentials

No back-to-school checklist is complete without notebooks, pencils, art materials, and everyday classroom must-haves. Shoppers can head to National Bookstore and The SM Store’s SM Stationery for a wide selection of affordable school supplies that make prep time easier for parents and students alike. For those looking for convenience and value, the SM Stationery All-in-One School Pack offers a handy bundle of everyday essentials designed to help families save time while staying organized for the school year ahead.

Style That Works for School Days

Getting ready for campus life also means choosing pieces that are both practical and presentable. At The SM Store, students can find uniforms, sturdy black shoes, and backpacks that balance function with style. Whether it is a classic backpack for everyday use or a pair of sneakers with a more modern edge, The SM Store offers options that suit different personalities and school routines. It is an easy way to make sure students head out feeling prepared and confident.

Tech That Supports Learning

In today’s classrooms, learning is not limited to books and notebooks. With digital tools now playing a bigger role in education, SM Cyberzone is a smart stop for students and parents looking to upgrade their gadgets. From laptops and tablets to headphones and other learning accessories, shoppers can explore tech essentials that support both schoolwork and study habits at home. It is a practical way to keep students ready for both online and offline learning.

For many families, back-to-school shopping at SM has become part of the season’s tradition. It is not just about crossing items off a list; it is also a chance to spend time together before the busy school routine begins. Between errands, families can take a break, enjoy a meal, snap a few photos at themed displays, or catch a movie before the school year officially kicks off. At SM, preparing for school becomes less of a chore and more of a shared experience.

So, before the first bell rings, make your way to SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Valenzuela. From everyday essentials to tech and style finds, SM makes back-to-school shopping simple, convenient, and stress-free.

HOPE Builds 25 Classrooms in 2025

Since its founding in 2012, HOPE has built a total of 167 classrooms, providing safe and conducive learning environments for over 53,000 Filipino children nationwide, and will continue to benefit future generations of students. This underscores HOPE’s long-term commitment to improving access to quality education for Filipino youth. 

As a way to help the future of our country, HOPE recognizes the need for investments in the Philippine education sector, specifically public school classrooms, and giving attention to the “last mile schools” or those located in the remote areas in the country. 

“I am deeply grateful to be rooted in the work of HOPE at a time when the world continues to ask so much of the human spirit. The past year was shaped by people who chose HOPE and translated that choice into action through partnerships, communities, and everyday decisions that moved our work forward,” said Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE Chairperson and Founder. 

One of HOPE’s highlights of 2025 is the launch of Generation HOPE, a partnership with the country’s most beloved brands to help address the urgent need of building more public-school classrooms nationwide. Together with BDO, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, Grab, SM Supermalls, The Aivee Clinic, and Penshoppe, different initiatives were kick-started to invite every Filipino to join the wave of building public-school classrooms. 

“To every individual who chooses to support, share, and participate, this is your impact. Your belief fuels this work and allows hope to reach more communities, classrooms, and futures across the Philippines,” she added. 

To know more about HOPE’s 2025 Impact Report, please visit https://generationhope.ph/hope-impact. Please follow HOPE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/generationhope.ph or @generationhope.ph on Instagram for more updates.

Vena Energy Turns Over 1,000 “Seats for Sustainability” to Talim Island Schools, Improving the Learning Environment for Students While Creating Livelihood for Locals

[Philippines, 27 January 2026] Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions company in the Asia-Pacific region, has successfully turned over 1,000 handcrafted armchairs to elementary schools in the municipalities of Binangonan and Cardona on Talim Island.

The initiative, titled, “Seats for Sustainability,” was led by Vena Energy’s subsidiary, Island Wind Energy Corp. (IWEC). It marks a significant milestone in the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, delivering a dual impact: improving the learning environment for thousands of students while providing sustainable livelihood opportunities for the island’s residents. 

Empowering Education in Remote Communities

The turnover ceremonies were held on 22 January 2026 at Kasile Covered Court (Binangonan) and 23 January 2026 at Lambac Covered Court (Cardona). The donation benefits multiple schools, including Kasile Elementary School, Bombong Elementary School, Kinagatan Elementary School, and Lambac Elementary School. 

For remote areas like Talim Island, logistical challenges often hinder the delivery of school facilities. This donation addresses a critical infrastructure gap, ensuring that students have access to comfortable, DepEd-standard furniture that fosters a better learning environment. 

From Skills to Livelihood

What sets the “Seats for Sustainability” project apart is its commitment to the local circular economy. Rather than sourcing furniture from external suppliers, Vena Energy partnered with local communities to manufacture the chairs.

Residents were trained by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in carpentry and craftsmanship. Following their training, these local community members were hired by Vena Energy to build the 1,000 chairs. This not only ensured the furniture met quality standards but also injected income directly into local households, turning a charitable donation into a driver for economic empowerment.

A Commitment to Host Communities

“Seats for Sustainability” aligns with Vena Energy’s broader CSR strategy, which prioritizes Education, Infrastructure Development, and Community Well-being. By engaging the community in the solution, the company reinforces its core value of enabling sustainable social and economic development within its host communities.

“We believe that  a community means giving them thempoweringe necessary tools to build their own future,” said Samrinder Nehria, Head of The Philippines at Vena Energy. “This project is special because the fathers and neighbors of these students built the very chairs their children will sit on. It is a story of pride, resilience, and sustainability.” 

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including representatives from IWEC, local government officials from Binangonan and Cardona, school officials, and residents of Talim Island.

HOPE and SM Supermalls Make Every Movie Ticket Count with HOPE in a Movie

HOPE, the Philippines’ first certified B Corp and a leading impact organization, has partnered with SM Supermalls, the country’s leading mall operator, to launch HOPE in a Movie, an initiative that transforms moviegoing into meaningful support for public education.

For every movie ticket sold at SM Cinema branches, PHP5 will be invested in building public school classrooms through HOPE. The initiative is part of SM Supermalls’ commitment to help build at least 10 classrooms under the Generation HOPE campaign, launched to scale HOPE’s impact through purpose-driven collaborations.

HOPE Founder Nanette Medved-Po shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration, “I would like to thank SM Supermalls for their support. They have shown an amazing commitment to education and to this mission. We invite everyone to enjoy every film at SM, because every time you buy a movie ticket at SM Cinema, you help educate a child.”

HOPE in a Movie was officially launched at SM Mall of Asia’s ScreenX, the first 270-degree panoramic cinema in the Philippines, highlighting how innovation and entertainment can come together in the service of nation-building.

Just in time for the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival, HOPE in a Movie gives families, friends, and movie lovers another reason to head to the cinemas.

Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, emphasized the significance of the initiative, “This is where entertainment meets purpose. Every ticket purchased at SM Cinema becomes more than just a movie, it becomes an opportunity to give back. HOPE in a Movie offers a simple yet meaningful way for families, friends, and moviegoers to help build classrooms, one ticket at a time.”

Through HOPE in a Movie, HOPE and SM Supermalls invite the public to be part of a shared mission: transforming moviegoing into lasting impact and helping ensure better learning environments for Filipino students across the country.

Book your tickets now at SM Cinema branches nationwide, via the SM Cinema app, or at https://www.smcinema.com/ 

For more information about Generation HOPE, please visit https://www.generationhope.ph/ or follow HOPE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/generationhope.ph or @generationhope.ph on Instagram for more updates.

Inspiring Journeys of Academic Growth and Excellence of Filipinos in the EU

From the stage of the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) to success stories across the EU, the journey continues this year. EHEF celebrates not just opportunities, but also the inspiring achievements of Filipino students who once walked the halls of the fair. Now scholars, professionals, and changemakers in various fields, these Goodwill Ambassadors stand as living proof of how education can open doors to global excellence, cross-cultural growth, and lifelong learning impact. 

“The EHEF is more than a fair; it’s a bridge and a pathway that connects dreams to possibilities, and talent to opportunities waiting in the EU,” said EU Ambassador H.E. Massimo Santoro.

From Policy Studies to Public Service 

Oliver James Soriano Dulay, Germany’s Goodwill Ambassador, embodies global citizenship shaped by education and purpose. A Helmut Schmidt Scholarship recipient under DAAD, he earned his Master’s in Analysis and Design of Policies and Security Studies in 2023. Now a Medico-Legal Officer III at the Commission on Human Rights, Oliver upholds justice, human rights, and public service through his work.

“My journey was transformative, teaching me the value of critical thinking. Studying in the EU is not just about academics; it’s about growing as a global citizen. The world is our home. Embrace this chance to learn, grow, and breathe excellence,” said Dulay. 

Bridging Cultures, Building Excellence

Jessica Isabelle Badua, Spain’s Goodwill Ambassador, exemplifies how international education bridges cultures and builds leaders. A British Council IELTS Prize Scholar and recipient of the Premio Extraordinario Fin de Máster, she earned her Bilingual Master’s in International Relations and Migrations at the University of Cádiz and a BA in European Languages (cum laude) from UP Diliman. Now an Assistant/Archivist at the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, Jessica continues to promote collaboration and diversity, shaped by her EU academic and professional journey.

Badua shared, “Studying in the EU is about growth, discovery, and building lifelong connections. If you have the opportunity to return to the Philippines, use what you have learned to give back and help create positive change. Alternatively, if you become part of something bigger internationally, that’s great too!” 

Nurturing Innovation Through Science and Service

Johnrell Zuniega, France’s Goodwill Ambassador, shows how scientific collaboration drives innovation. A 2024 PhD graduate in Agroresources, Food, Bio products and Nutrition from L'Institut Agro Montpellier, he has contributed to sustainable plant protection research and presented internationally. Now an Assistant Professor at UP Los Baños, he continues linking European research excellence with Filipino agricultural development while actively engaging in community and professional networks.

According to Zuniega, “This experience showed me that excellence is not about individual achievement, but about learning together and uniting diverse perspectives to solve global challenges.”

Learning Without Limits

Frances Lee Sanchez, Italy’s Goodwill Ambassador, embodies how education opens minds and builds purpose beyond borders. A Master’s graduate in International Management from Italy, she presented research on generative AI’s impact on Metro Manila e-commerce consumers. Now a Virtual Assistant for an Australian firm and a Faculty Member at Dr. Carlos Lanting College, Frances inspires students to pursue excellence and embrace global perspectives, proving that learning knows no boundaries.

“Had I not studied in Italy, I would not have gained this perspective. That experience sparked in me a dream: to return to the Philippines and share what I have learned with Filipino students. My EU higher education equipped me with knowledge, skills, and a global outlook that I now carry with purpose,” said Frances Sanchez.

Transforming Through Science 

Alexis Cabahug Achacoso, Hungary’s Goodwill Ambassador, exemplifies how education and research drive excellence. A PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of Debrecen, he explores innovations in MRI probe technology. Active in mentoring and student leadership, Alexis promotes collaboration and growth among international scholars. Describing his EU experience as transformative, he continues to advance science while inspiring young Filipinos to learn, lead, and create meaningful change.

As the EHEF marks another year of empowering Filipino learners, the stories of its Goodwill Ambassadors stand as proof that education in the EU goes beyond degrees, it shapes leaders, nurtures innovation, and inspires service. Each alumnus carries forward the EHEF spirit of excellence, bridging nations through knowledge and purpose. 

Join EHEF 2025 on 21 and 22 November at the Midtown Atrium, Robinsons Manila, and on 24 November for the online sessions. For more information, visit ehefphilippines.com and stay updated by following EHEF Philippines (@EHEFPhilippines) on Facebook, Instagram, and X.