SM Prime Holdings hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup together with SM Cares, SM By the Bay

SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world's seas, oceans, and other bodies of water. The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year's ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected.

Among those who graced the event were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group Head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments President and CEO and 2GO Group President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY Mall Manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines’ Markets and Assurance Executive Director Allan Cao.

SM By The Bay and SM Cares’ ICC event for this year was done in collaboration with different private and government agencies

The ICC is a yearly global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Every year, thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities join the efforts to help ensure the cleanliness of the shorelines and waterways in the country.

“The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime’s various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So.

This year's event was made possible by SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines. DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard were also present to provide their support.

Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, just to name a few.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares. 

UNDRR, SM Prime Laud Women Leaders in Disaster Resilience

1 SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) recently announced its support for the global search for women leaders in disaster resilience.

2 For the second consecutive year, SMPHI is sponsoring Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

3 SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said that the support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction. “This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience.”

4 UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, policies, plans and programs in their regions. Their stories reflect the diversity of solutions required to meet the converging challenges of accelerating climate change and disasters in the region.”

5 “We look forward to continued collaboration with SM in our DRR agenda,” Secretary General Mizutori added.
6 The WIN DRR Excellence Awards 2022 sponsored by SM Prime has 15 finalists shortlisted from 420 nominations received from across 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane on 21 September 2022. US$10,000 will be awarded to an individual woman who has achieved exceptional professional success in DRR.

7 The WIN DRR partnership is consistent with SM Prime Holdings’ social commitment towards women empowerment, resilience, good health and well-being of women. The company’s corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports programs that advance these causes.

8 The Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) is a professional network to support women working in disaster risk reduction, in all their diversity. Its overall goal is to empower women to attain leadership and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The WIN DRR Philippine Network is powered by SM Prime and Asia Pacific College.

9 Earlier this year, SM Prime through its SM CARES, partnered with UNDRR in celebrating women empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized “women’s equal participation and leadership in public life including disaster risk reduction is important and it is also essential to reducing disaster risk in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.”
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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.

Tale of the Winter Forest in SM Southmall

This Christmas, witness the magical tale of the joy of giving as SM Southmall, premier mall of the South metro, presents The Tale of the Winter Forest.

The launch features the unveiling of the mall's first Christmas centerpieces with a play production by Stages and a full performance of the Manila String Machine presenting The Tale of the Winter Forest.

It is a story of two children getting lost in an enchanted forest, where the only way to find the right path is to give up everything. In the forest, they meet a wounded rabbit, a lost cardinal, and a hungry tiger. The children helped the animals, giving up their clothing and food for them, after which the Winter Fairy appears and shows them the path home.

SM Southmall wanted to kick-off this amazing season by sending out an inspiring message of selflessness and kindness that is characteristic of the Christmas season. The story aims to set a good example for children while still giving them an enjoyable visual treat.

In the spirit of the season, SM Southmall invited the children from SOS Children's Villages and Child Haus and gave them special gifts that they may enjoy.

Multi-talented Anne Curtis Turns A Page as Book Author

Just when one thinks she has done it all, multi-talented actress and UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children Anne Curtis is making another mark in her illustrious career – this time, as a children’s book author for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). On February 19, Anne will be signing her book entitled “Anita, the Duckling Diva” at SM North EDSA The Block during the Children First! Storybooks launch.

Anne’s fondness for children has been evident among her followers and fans. As an advocate of UNICEF, she is lending her lesser known talent as a writer to help the organization raise funds for its various programs for less privileged children in the Philippines. These include programs on education; health and nutrition; water, sanitation, and hygiene; child protection, and disaster risk and reduction and emergencies.

Aside from Anne’s book, UNICEF will also launch five of its own children’s books: Ang Sabi ni Nanay, Ang Sabi ni Tatay by Sacha Calagopi; Ang Dalawang Haring Siga by Rene O. Villanueva; Ang Bata sa Basket by Augie Rivera; Yaya Niya, Nanay Ko by Ma. Corazon Remigio; and Nina Wonders, Nina Asks by Marcy Dans Lee. Each book has both English and Filipino text to encourage wider readership.

From February 19 to 25, an exhibit will be showcasing original artworks from UNICEF’s books. These artworks are created by members of Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK), which is the first and only organization of Filipino illustrators for children.

The public will also be given a chance to contribute to the organization’s programs for children throughout the weeklong exhibit. Anne will likewise read to children in the venue along with other featured storytellers on the day of the UNICEF Children First! Storybooks launch.

The event is being made possible by a partnership between UNICEF and SM Cares. A corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, SM Cares maintains various programs that focus on children’s and women’s welfare, elderly care, PWD inclusion, and other endeavors that makes the mall a “mall for all”. The two organizations have been partners since 2008.

To know more about the event, you may call UNICEF at 758-1000.

*This is Press Release

Have You Said ‘Thank You’ Today?

An old saying reminds us that we should always count our blessings. However, with all the stress and problems that we encounter on a daily basis, this sometimes becomes difficult to do. It is easier to complain than to express gratitude for the big and small good things that we receive.

Everyday, we have to take time to be thankful for the blessings we have. Here is a quick list to remind you of some of the things you can say ‘thank you’ for:

·       Be thankful for the opportunities that are about to come your way.

·       Be thankful for the possibility of turning things around.

·       Be thankful for the great moments you had this year.

·       Be thankful for the chance to become better and better each day.

·       Be thankful for the choices you’re allowed to make.

·       Be thankful for the clothes that are keeping you warm.

·       Be thankful for the love you receive from the people around you.

·       Be thankful for your friends.

·        Be thankful for your family.

 

Join SM in celebrating the #NationalThankYouDay, today, November 26 in all its malls nationwide. This year’s celebration officially begins at 9:00 AM with a Thanksgiving mass. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy the exciting dining deals for lechon dishes and food bundles in various restaurants and capture fun snapshots at the “Thank You” photo area with your loved ones. This week, you can spend time and create memorable moments at SM with the people you are truly thankful for.

For more information about the #NationalThankYouDay celebration at SM, please visit www.smsupermalls.com, or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber.

So, have you said ‘thank you’ today?

Happy Walk For Down Syndrome Awareness

One in every 800 births; 1,875 cases a year; more than 100,000 affected families—those are the numbers revealed last year by the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) on the incidence of down syndrome in the country.
According to DSAPI, down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been part of the human condition, universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines. It usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.
Over a decade ago, February was dubbed as Down Syndrome Consciousness Month to make more Filipinos aware of the condition. In support, DSAPI and SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs came up with Happy Walk, a day-long program that not only raises much-needed awareness for down syndrome patients, but showcases their talents and triumphs.
In the event, DSAPI president Elmer Lapena and SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs head Engr. Bien Mateo will look back at what they had accomplished in 2014 and give the latest information on the state of down syndrome in the Philippines.
Happy Walk will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Skydome of SM City North Edsa.




Objective
Raise public awareness of down syndrome by organizing a special event for patients and their families

Resource Persons

1. Mr. Elmer Lapena, President of DSAPI
2. Engr. Bien Mateo, Head, SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs

Other Sources
http://dsapi.org/
http://smcares.com.ph/disability
http://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/proclamations/proclamation-no-157/

SM Exec Readies Business Students For Climate Risks

Future business leaders need to be ready for the risks associated with a changing climate, according to SM Environment Committee head Liza Silerio, when she addressed the delegates of the 7th Business Management Student's Convention in De La Salle University in Manila.

In her speech, she stressed the importance of sustainable measures by future private sector leaders to safeguard local communities during calamities and cushion the impact of an increase in carbon emissions, population, and demand for basic needs.

As an example of sustainable efforts, she bared the details of SM's sustainability framework, a five level structure that aims to engage different stakeholders, from employees to multinationals. "Each level reaches a wider array of people which holistically provides a foundation of the sustainability management system of the company," she said.

Further, she explained how the SM Group manages to improve its sustainability programs by using a Plan-Do-Check-Act-Report cycle, which plans out and evaluates the events and initiatives of the company within the year.

"For 2013, our intensity power consumption decreased by 11% at 153 kilowatt hours per square meter per year. This is a 16% decrease since the benchmark year of 2010." Silerio said, noting the positive impact of the cycle to the company's energy consumption. Apart from lowering the intensity consumption, SM also started using renewable solar power in China and the Philippines.

The Business Management Student's Convention aimed to spur awareness and commitment to corporate sustainability, environmentalism, and social responsibility by introducing attendees to business approaches, strategies and programs that incorporate sustainability principles.