SM: Creating Shared Value through Tech-Voc Education

One of the flagship programs of SM Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the SM group, is its scholarship program. Aside from the college education offerings, the program also provides venues for students who would like to pursue a career in the skilled labor industry.

The gradual reopening of economy not just in the country, but around the world, brings hope to more job opportunities for Filipinos who lost their jobs because of the health crisis. Indeed, the support for individuals eyeing to be part of the skilled industry is needed now more than ever.

It was in this light when SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), together with SM Foundation (SMFI), Don Bosco One TVET Phils. Inc., and the city government of Pasay partnered to give educational support to 20 deserving youth coming from Pasay. To date, SMFI has already produced more than 4,500 tech-voc graduates who are now gainfully employed.

A dream to be fulfilled
One of the current SM tech-voc scholars from Pasay is Stephen Parina. His dream is to put up his own automotive shop since aside from his interest in cars and motorcycles, he intends to uplift the economic status of his family. Both of his parents are temporary employees at the Pasay City Hall.

“Nakita ko sa Facebook post ng SM Foundation na nandun ang aking gustong course kaya dali-dali akong pumunta sa city hall ng Pasay para alamin ang mga detalye nito at kinabukasan ay nagpasa na ako agad ng mga requirements,” said Stephen, who is now studying Automotive Mechanic course at the Don Bosco Makati.

“Gusto kong matuto kung paano mag ayos ng mga sasakyan at makatapos ng pag-aaral dahil hirap kami sa aming pamumuhay. Alam ko na makakatulong ang edukasyon, kagaya ng techvoc upang matupad ang aking pangarap na makapagpatayo ng sarili kong automotive shop. Magiging susi ito upang mai-angat ko ang antas ng pamumuhay ng aking pamilya” he added.

“Taos pusong pasasalamat sa SM at sa Sy family dahil nabigyan nyo ako ng pagkakataon na makabalik muli sa pag aaral. Hinding hindi ko ito malilimutan. Dadalhin ko ito hanggang sa aking pag tanda,” Stephen said.

Ticket to success
Another current tech-voc scholar is Jeorge Angelo Madrid. He is also studying Automotive Mechanic course at the Don Bosco Makati. His father works as a painter of houses and buildings while his mother works at the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Jeorge is the youngest and most of his five siblings already have their own families.

According to Jeorge, he sees this opportunity of going back to school as his ticket towards achieving his dreams: “Nag-apply ako sa SM Foundation kasi wla po akong kakayahan na makapag aral at makapagtapos. Wala po akong pagkukuhanan ng pang tuition para maipang bayad sa eskwelahan.”

Jeorge is adamant to find a gainful employment right after he finish his studies. “Salamat po sa SM Foundation. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi madaragdagan ang kaalaman ko tungkol sa automotive. Magagamit ko ito sa aking paghahanap ng trabaho at kinalaunan, masuportahan ang aking sarili, mga pamangkin at ang aking mga magulang,” Jeorge further shared.

Reaping the fruits of his efforts
Anthony Andales, an SM tech-voc scholar alumnus, also took the time to share his inspiring story. He graduated from the Dualtech Training Center in 2019 and is now employed as a staff technician in a known company which manufactures various electronic products for home and office use.

“Bago ako mag-training sa Dualtech, nagtrabaho muna ako bilang isang helper sa isang refilling station. Ang aking arawang sweldo ay P220 lamang. Akala ko dati, wala na akong mararating sa buhay at hindi na makapagtatapos ng pag-aaral,” Anthony recalled.

“But God gave me the privilege to be chosen as one of the SM Foundation scholars para makapag-aral ako nang walang binayaran kahit piso. Ang tanging puhunan ko lang ay ang aking lakas ng loob at ang aking mga pangarap sa buhay na balang araw, makatutulong ako sa aking pamilya upang kahit papano ay makaahon sa buhay,” he further added.

Right after his on-the-job training, he was absorbed by the program’s OJT- partner company and was given a job as a staff technician because of his skills and work ethics.

“Napagawa na namin ang bahay kahit papaano, hindi man bato pero at least maayos at safe kapag may bagyo. Hindi po kagaya dati na pag umuulan ay may pa-shower kami kasi butas-butas na ang bubong at tagpi-tagpi ang dingding ng aming tahanan. Walang imposible kapag ikaw ay may pangarap at determinasyon upang maabot ito sapagkat maraming tao at institusyon na handang tumulong. Kaya sobrang thankful po talaga ako sa mga taong tumulong sa akin para magkaroon ng maliwanag na kinabukasan.” Anthony concluded.

SM Foundation, through its Scholarship program, provides deserving and qualified students with access to college education and technical-vocational studies since 1993.

SM by the BAY to Steer Environmental Consciousness through the International Coastal Cleanup

SM by the BAY and SM Mall of Asia, in partnership with DENR-NCR, International Coastal Cleanup Philippines, Pasay City CENRO, Philippine Coast Guard, the local government of Pasay City, and SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., are set to hold the global celebration of the 34th International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21 to spread awareness in keeping the coastline clean for generations to come.

To be held at the Central Park of the bay area, inside the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is one of the biggest events of SM by the BAY, to support its advocacy in caring for the environment.

This year’s coastal cleanup is expected to encourage thousands of volunteers to participate and show their concern for the environment in cleaning the coastal stretch of the SM by the BAY. Through the years, participantshave come from different sectors of the society including students, firemen, policemen, teachers, athletes, SM employees and many more.

Paired volunteers will be assigned to different stations wherein one will serve as the collector and other, the tabulator. Data collected will then be forwarded to Ocean Conservancy for final tabulation.

The coastal cleanup supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water, which aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, and safeguard them from all kinds of harmful land-based activities.

In fact, the 2019 ICC Philippines poster includes a turtle entangled in fishing net, which was inspired from an event last August 10, 2019, where a Green Sea Turtle was rescued near the coast of Manila Bay. That image serves as a reminder on the damaging effects if our activities are left unchecked and coasts are remain unkempt.

“Each year, tons of garbage wind up in the oceans, with 60% being composed of plastic material. These are very hazardous to marine life. Now more than ever, the effects of climate change are seen and felt everywhere. We only have one earth; let’s get involved in putting an end to marine pollution for future generations,” said Perkin So, Senior Assistant Vice President of SM Mall of Asia, who will lead the hundreds of SM volunteers for the cleanup.

Since 2015, SM By the BAY’s regular coastal cleanup initiative has already collected 682,000 kilograms of garbage, in more than 5,000 trash bags, and supported by close to 9,000 volunteers.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Other environment and sustainability programs of SM include SM by the BAY’s quarterly cleanup drive; Solar panel rooftop installations which promote the use of clean energy; Water recycling treatment for all malls wherein all recycled water is used back for non-potable and industrial needs; the Automated Weather Stations; the monthly Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market; and the Green Film Festival, to name a few.

As a responsible member of the community, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares,  or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com.

Interested volunteers may register at https://bit.ly/2YxuWyT. To know more about the International Coastal Cleanup, you may visit www.facebook.com/SMbytheBAY, send an email to thesmbythebay@gmail.com, or contact (02) 556-0364.