The Relentless Rizaly - From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager

Twenty years ago, high school student Rizaly Lim and her four siblings would watch in awe every time they pass by the construction of the first SM City in her hometown Sta. Rosa, Laguna. All five children, packed in the tricycle their father rides for a living, were all excitedly looking forward to happy family weekends they would be spending at the huge mall.

Today, after graduating Summa Cum Laude through a scholarship from SM Foundation, Rizaly is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working as Accounting Manager for the head office of SM Prime Holdings, a leading property developer in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager
At a young age, Rizaly was headstrong about getting her family out of poverty. She shares, “My father was the only one who worked for our family, and because we were a large family, his daily earnings as a tricycle driver were never enough.”

Rizaly finished high school at the Balibago National High School as class valedictorian in 2005 and was already sending applications for other college scholarships when her teacher asked the top 10 students to go to SM City Sta. Rosa for an interview with SM Foundation.

“Sa umpisa, hindi po ako naniwala kasi bago pa lang sa amin noon ang SM City Sta. Rosa,” she recalls. She proceeded of course, driven by the one goal of finishing college and helping her family. “Gusto ko rin po makapag-aral at makapagtapos noon. Maka-work at makatulong sa family.”

A few exams and interviews later, SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) went to visit her and her family at home to inform them that she will be receiving a full scholarship with monthly allowance until she finishes her course.

In 2010, Rizaly graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. She went on to pass the Philippine CPA Board Exams on first try in October 2010. The assistance of SMFI, she said, went beyond tuition and allowances. “With full scholarship grants and monthly allowances, as well as the opportunity to work at SM Store during our summer and Christmas vacations, the SMFI scholarship has enabled me to help my family financially.”

“I am the master of my fate”
While other parents were buying their college kids the latest Nokia phone back in the summers of 2000’s, Rizaly’s father gave her and her siblings weekly assignments to accomplish during the summer vacation. “Our late father instilled in us the love of reading and the value of studying,” she shared. “During summer, he would assign us English words and their meanings to memorize and asked us to recite these to him.“

Then there's the memorization of motivational poems and speeches, one of which stuck with her for life: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” She shared that this last stanza of “Invictus” by W.E. Henley had kept her motivated to look past the limitations of her circumstances and focus on her personal goals.


Career at SM
SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy as the heart of the SM group. It has established programs that are focused on nurturing and caring for underserved communities where SM is present. It supports and empowers host communities through education, healthcare, shelter, disaster response, sustainable agriculture, and care for persons with special needs.

To date, SM Foundation has assisted more than 8,000 college and technical/vocational students, and has donated over 100 school buildings with a total of 334 classrooms built across the country.

Nurturing the graduates extends beyond the classroom as SM Foundation also provides job opportunities across the different companies of the SM group. The foundation organizes a Career Fair specifically designed for its scholars.

From the Career Fair organized by SM Foundation, Rizaly was able to get job offers from three companies – among which was SM Prime Holdings, one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia that offers innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities with the development of malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers. It is also the largest, in terms of asset, in the Philippines.

I still want to level up
“I haven't accomplished much yet, but I value what I have already accomplished and received so far,” said Rizaly, referring to the highest honors she has received in high school and college, becoming a CPA, and being promoted to manager in within only a few years of her work at SM Prime. “These are just a few of the accomplishments for which I will be eternally grateful. I'm also proud of my daily achievements at work, such as fulfilling particular duties assigned to me. They make me happy and proud of myself, and they inspire me to do better.”

“Ang mga dating pinapangarap ko lang, nagagawa ko na ngayon,” Rizaly said as she related how she has been able to travel to Taiwan for vacation and do the tri-city tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But her biggest dreams, she said, remain centered on her family: to provide better for her family by sharing with them what she has now. “Nothing is simple. Nothing is easy. Hindi ko naman to straight line lang na na-achieve. Life is full of challenges. Just stay strong, keep the faith and always give your best effort.”

Tatay Treats this Father’s Day

Thoughtful. Hardworking. Selfless. Filipino fathers are among the best kinds of dads. He provides without expecting anything in return. He braves through any turbulence for the sake of his family. And, like a candle, he consumes himself to illuminate his children's paths.

Indeed, fathers play a pivotal role in making a family whole. He might not say much, but his love is clearly felt at home. He might not be perfect, but his actions show he is trying. He might be too strict, but he is also the reason you are whole.

What can we say? Dads are great! They taught you everything you know from how to ride a bike to how to change a tire and everything in between. They offer a steady hand to hold and a supportive shoulder to cry on. Sometimes, he might even throw in a little joke so bad, that it’s good. But that is why we love them, not because they know how to land a joke or they sing Air Supply songs a little too much. They are our dads.

For starters, you can buy him a gift with Robinsons Appliances’ Father’s Day Special. With a minimum purchase of Php 20,000.00 on our website, you’ll get a FREE Robinsons Supermarket eGift Certificate worth P1000.

Below are some gift ideas to make your dad feel special on his day, including more information on Robinsons Appliances’ Father’s Day Special:

1.   A separate refrigerator for all his beverages.

 

As they age, they’ve probably tried every bit of diet regimens to keep their bodies healthy. And in the process, they’ve developed a liking for juices and… sodas. It’s okay, we get it. After binging on healthy foods, they might miss the sugar every now and then, even if it means hiding cans and bottles of it from their wives. Aren’t dads so silly?

 

Of course, refrigerators store more than beverages. You can even keep your leftover Max’s Chicken from your family dinner. How about a bunch of fruits to keep them fresh? Best believe, your dad will love all the refrigerator storage for his workout fuel and/or midnight snack. Click here for some refrigerator options.

2.   A new laptop to make his WFH set-up easier.

 

As the breadwinner, our dads deserve equipment to make his work easier at home. The shift to digital must’ve been jarring so after buying him a new laptop, maybe show him the ropes to get started. Just make sure to get a warranty on it, in case something unlikely happens. Checkout laptops, desktops and tablet options here.

3.   A new TV to watch in front of his favorite couch.

 

Raise your hands if your dad spends his weekends on the couch! Did everyone raise their hands? Thought so. We’re not sure why but dads and TV’s have an unspoken love affair. They do everything together—even sleep. But if your dad prefers to eat chicken or drink his cold-pressed juice while watching the NBA Playoff Finals, buying a new TV would be the best gift ever to him. Good luck getting that remote control from him! Here are some options for TV to browse from.

4.   A set of speakers to jam to his favorite tunes.

 

We might not share the same music taste as our dads, but nothing would make him happier than hearing songs from his heydays. Give him a much-needed throwback from the ’80s and play tunes out loud by Lionel Richie, Wham!, and more. The latest speaker set would do just the job to transport him back! Check them our here.

5.   An air conditioner for a cool slumber.

 

Because dad works so hard to provide for his family’s necessities, he needs a comfortable sleep so he can do it all again with love, strength, and care the next day. What better device to give him that than an air conditioner? An air conditioning unit will get him the Zzzs he needs. He’ll wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed after his cool slumber. We can’t promise he won’t snore, though! Click here to view air cooling options.

 

With Robinsons Appliances’ Father’s Day Special, you can get a FREE Robinsons Supermarket eGift Certificate worth P1000 with a minimum purchase of Php 20,000.00 on Robinsons Appliances’ website. You won’t only receive your ordered appliances, but you’ll also get an eGift Certificate to use on Father’s Day!

The promo runs from June 18 to 20 on the Robinson Appliances’ website only. No more last-minute runs to the shopping mall to avail this offer because, with just a click of a button on our website, you can easily carry out your shopping!

 

Upon receiving your orders, you will also get the eGift Certificate/voucher code. Remember, you won’t be able to claim it unless you’ve already received your orders.

 

Shop online to give the men of your lives a treat this Father’s Day! Join now! 

Mickey & Minnie Mouse goes local with ‘Mickey Go Philippines’ at SM Supermalls!

Disney’s most-loved iconic characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse have delighted the hearts of many across decades, and this year SM Supermalls and Disney have teamed up to launch the Mickey Go Philippines collection at The SM Store, featuring a range of merchandise with a Pinoy twist! What’s more, SM and Disney have planned a surprise virtual party for Mickey and Minnie on their birthday this November 27, and we’re expecting you to join us!

Be among the first to get exclusive Mickey Go PH merchandise! Get first dibs on adorable Mickey and Minnie collectibles from clothes and footwear to tote bags, pillows, tumblers, kitchen appliances, and more! Mickey Go PH and Mickey & Minnie classic merchandise will be available at the live selling events on:

November 18 at 1pm-2m via Toy Kingdom’s official Facebook page

November 24 at 1pm -2pm via The SM Store’s official Facebook page

Join Mickey & Minnie’s first virtual surprise birthday party! After you’ve shopped to your heart’s content during the live-selling events on Facebook, or at participating SM Store branches, you will automatically get a code to enter the virtual surprise birthday party on November 27. All you need is a minimum of PHP 500 single-receipt purchase of Mickey Go PH or Mickey Mouse Classic merchandise in any participating The SM Store (Character Shop, Kids’ Wear, Boy’s Teens Wear, Girl’s Teens Wear, Kids’ Shoes, Baby Company & Toy Kingdom Express) or Toy Kingdom outlet.

To join, simply scan the QR code to register from November 23-25. A confirmation email or SMS from SM Supermalls with the website link and passcode will be sent to you to join Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Birthday Party! Mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on this big day filled with fun games, activities, and surprises!

Help Plan Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Birthday Party! Join us as we secretly plan for

Mickey and Minnie’s party! Don’t spoil the fun okay? There are lots of games and prizes to be won! Kids will also get the chance to greet both of them and create their very own birthday card which they will be making during the event! Mickey and Minnie will surely appreciate the sweet gesture! After all the fun and games, it’s time to meet & greet Minnie, so get ready to strike a pose. Mickey and Minnie are excited to meet their Filipino fans!

It’s going to be one special and memorable surprise birthday party for Mickey and Minnie, and we want you and your kids to join us! It’s time to bring back the nostalgia and relive your favorite childhood memories with Mickey & Minnie by celebrating their birthday only at SM Supermalls!

SM implements strict #SafeMallingAtSM protocols nationwide and offers an equally convenient online shopping option with the SM Malls Online app on the Google Play or App Store. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts.

Ortigas Malls Holds Online Fundraising Concert for the Benefit of Live Production Workers

It’s no secret that the entertainment industry has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic as closed live spaces from cinemas, concert venues, and theaters, meant that thousands of live event workers went out of work. And despite the gradual easing of restrictions, the industry has yet to recover from one of the longest lockdowns in the world.

Ortigas Malls, understanding the plight of entertainment workers, launched a holiday campaign and a fundraising concert to help get the industry back on its feet. Titled Christmas with the Stars, the online fundraising concert will see performances from the country’s brightest stars featuring the Kilabotitos--Ogie Alcasid and Ian Veneracion—Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Jose Mari Chan, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, and many more on December 11, 7 p.m.

 

“Filipinos love going to performances and to concerts and this is an industry that employs thousands of Filipinos, many of whom found themselves out of work because of the pandemic. Until now, data has shown that unlike other sectors, the entertainment industry is still suffering from 90% loss in revenues since the lockdowns started,” said Arch. Renee C. Bacani, Vice President of Ortigas Malls. “This is why Ortigas Malls, in its aim to leave no one behind in recovery, created Christmas with the Stars to encourage Filipinos to help the entertainment industry, while enjoying the heartfelt and beautiful performances from our biggest stars.”

 

Funds raised for the concert and accompanying programs will be in support of the Independent Production Workers Group (IPWG), an organization that seeks to professionalize the production industry in the country and represents thousands of live events workers nationwide.

 

The concert is in partnership with Alcasid Total Entertainment and Artist Management (ATEAM).

 

"These workers have been the backbone of every single live production and seeing the industry has been so badly affected makes us feel we need to help. We are thankful for Ortigas Malls for this opportunity," said Ogie Alcasid, Founder/President of ATEAM and OPM President.

 

Those who want to attend the concert can donate a set amount on the Christmas with the Stars ktx.ph page to gain a ticket to the concert. Select mall-goers can also score a free ticket for a P1,000 minimum purchase (single or accumulated) at Ortigas Malls from Nov. 4-Dec. 10. They just need to log on to www.ortigasmalls.com and upload their receipts.

 

“Thousands of live event workers are still grappling with the effects of the lockdowns on their incomes which remain a fraction of what it used to be. Fundraising concerts like these help workers not only through monetary benefits but also impart hope that everything will get better soon,” said Aio Hernandez, President of IPWG.

Beyond the fundraising concert, Ortigas Malls will also be holding a series of online mini concerts titled KUMUnity Nights on Nov. 20, 27, and Dec. 24 as a lead up to the main concert where viewers can watch performances with an option to support the cause online. The concerts will be streamed live on the KUMU app with recorded replays on the Ortigas Malls’ Facebook pages (Greenhills, Tiendesitas, Estancia, and Industria).

 

“Christmas is the season of giving and we hope that our patrons and fans can join us for several nights of good music and company all while supporting a good cause,” Arch. Bacani added.

 

Mall visitors can also shop freely and safely while enjoying great holiday tunes with the Community Live Sessions starting Dec. 6 in Greenhills, Tiendesitas, and Estancia. They can also support the cause onsite via donation boxes located at the live session locations and at the Greenhills Night Market.

 

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About Ortigas Malls

Ortigas Malls prides itself in developing leisure destinations that enrich the community. For more information, visit the Ortigas Malls website at ortigasmalls.com, and the official Facebook pages @greenhillsofficial, @tiendesitas, @EstanciaPH, @IndustriaAtCirculoVerde. Download the Ortigas Malls app on App Store or Google Play.