“Green Switch,” SM’s Solar Rooftop Project

SM City North EDSA is now the biggest solar powered mall in the world with over 5,760 solar panels with a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts!

With President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor. See his Speech (source: official gazette)

SM City North EDSA launched the country’s largest solar rooftop power plant on Nov. 24, Monday. The Green Switch SM Solar Rooftop Launch, hosted by Kim Atienza, took place in SM North’s Northlink Building roof deck where government officials such as President Noynoy Aquino, Senator Loren Legarda, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Q.C. Mayor Herbert Bautista were in attendance. The president of Solar Philippines, Leandro Leviste, was also there to welcome the honored guests in celebrating the mall’s contribution to a healthier and safer environment.

This initiative to use renewable energy resource, such as solar energy, has been previously adapted by SM City Xiamen in main land China. Solar Philippines hopes to locally promote cleaner air, save electricity, and prevent climate change through partnering with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. by establishing more solar panels that has started with SM North EDSA, and will hopefully progress to other SM Malls.


President of SM Supermalls, Annie Garcia, informed all that they are already aiming to initiate this same project to a number of SM branches. “After SM City North EDSA’s green switch today, we shall begin installing solar panels in SM City Cavite and SM City Dasamariñas in Cavite. SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City shall follow next with 10,534 solar panels to be installed,“ said Garcia.

“With the future generation in mind, we shall continue to seek ways and solutions to climate change. We shall continue to collaborate with the best,” added the president of SM Supermalls.

Currently, the 5,760 solar panels in SM North EDSA have the capability of powering 16,000 lighting fixtures, 59 escalators and 20 elevators while counteracting 1,200 tons of carbon emissions (CO2) per year. These panels are also expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of solar energy, which is equivalent to covering five percent of the mall’s consumption per day, therefore saving an estimated two million pesos a month.

Alejandro Leviste, 21 year old founder of Solar Philippines, also shared his thoughts about the joyous milestone of this project. He expressed how SM’s involvement in solar energy could inspire more businesses to get into the use of renewable energy to save the environment. “The one thing I want to underscore in this message is that SM’s support for solar energy is important far beyond this project in itself. Today marks a watershed moment for solar in the Philippines, because where SM goes, the rest of Philippines will follow. SM is a spark that ignites the future of a massive shift towards solar energy,” said Leviste.

With the country facing a potential energy shortage in 2015, harnessing the sun’s power will grant long-term benefits for the Philippines, both environmentally and economically. It is SM’s hope that their new way of conserving electricity and saving the environment will also inspire other establishments to follow

BUTLER-POTARD REMATCH SET FOR ONE FC: WARRIOR'S WAY

At ONE FC: TOTAL DOMINATION last year, light heavyweights Sylvain Potard and Jake Butler faced off in a highly anticipated contest. Jake Butler, the former NCAA wrestler and captain of his wrestling team at Princeton University was riding a three-fight winning streak with all finishes, and was hoping to add another win to his record. Meanwhile, the unheralded Potard was making his ONE FC debut.

Potard though, had other plans. After a close first round, the Frenchman started the second round with a left hook that landed on Butler’s chin. He then followed it up with a series of relentless strikes that called an end to the contest. The win was a huge upset that silenced the 12,000-strong crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Butler, the Ivy League alum who gave up Wall Street for an MMA career is hungry for revenge. He believes that he is the better mixed martial artist and simply got caught. He bounced back from the defeat by trouncing Egypt’s Mohamed Ali, and immediately asked for the rematch. Butler was granted his request.  Now more than a year removed from that contest, Butler and Potard are once again set to lock horns at ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY.

Butler stated, “He’s the only loss on my record. I would love to get in there and do it again. I’m pretty confident I can beat him. I think the last bout was not a reflection of the type of fighter that I am and what I can do.”

To achieve victory, Butler would probably be well suited to return to his wrestling roots. His takedowns have proved unstoppable thus far in his career. In their first meeting, Butler managed to take Potard down in the final seconds of the first round. Butler will be the strong favorite to emerge victorious should he be able to bring the bout to the canvas.

Manila fans will also be treated to another light heavyweight clash as James McSweeney faces Roger Gracie. ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY could determine the future of the ONE FC light heavyweight division.

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Tickets for ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY on 5 December in Manila are on sale now at SM Tickets (http://www.smtickets.com). Ticket categories begin with the full Red Carpet and cageside experience for VIPs at PHP 6,360 followed by Patron PHP 3,180, Lower Box PHP 1,280, Upper Box PHP 640 and General Admission PHP 220.  Prices include ticketing fee. Pre-sale packages are currently available.

Strike up the fun at SM Bowling’s FREE Bowling Trial

In celebration of the biggest bowling tournament in the    country – the SM Bowling Millionaire’s Cup, the SM Bowling and Leisure Center lets you bowl for FREE at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and SM City Fairview Event Center.
For the first time in the Philippines, the SM Bowling and Leisure Center provided mobile bowling lanes to encourage all mall goers to try the sport and strike out their inner bowling prowess. Adding to this event’s excitement, all registrants get a coupon entitling them to a free game on their visit to any SM Bowling & Leisure Center nationwide. And to add up to the fun, players who can score a spare, or better yet a strike, gets an amazing prize!
Catch the mobile bowling lane and get to bowl for free at SM Mall of Asia on November 19 – 21 and SM Fairview on November 28 - 30, 2014.

To find out further details on the biggest bowling competition, the SM Bowling Millionaires Cup, you may visit www.smbowling.com or contact the SM Bowling and Leisure Center at 862-7609 / 0917-8602850.

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SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated or SMLEI is the educational, sports, and recreational arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. that offers the best in movies, events, leisure and technology. Starting with SM Cinema, the largest cinema exhibitor in the country, as its sole marque, the company grew into 12 major brands in just a short span of five years. Currently tucked under its belt are brands such as Director’s Club Cinema, IMAX Theatre, WM Cinemas, SM Skating Rink, SM Bowling Center, SM Science Center, Snack Time, ePLUS and SM Tickets.  SMLEI aims to promote bonding activities among Filipino families and friends, through entertainment and leisure facilities, while advocating the ease of use and personalized service created to complement the Filipino lifestyle.