My Many Hats

 In support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) annual Brigada Eskwela initiative, SM Supermalls mobilized thousands of volunteers across its malls nationwide from June 9 to 13, 2025, to help prepare public schools for the upcoming academic year. This year’s Brigada Eskwela carried the theme, “ Nagkakaisa para sa Handa at Ligtas na Pagbabalik Eskwela .” Driven by the spirit of bayanihan, SM employee volunteers join Brigada Eskwela to help public schools prepare for the new academic year—fostering cleaner, safer, and more welcoming spaces where students and communities can thrive. SM employees in action—offering their hands and hearts to help schools gear up for another inspiring year of learning. SM North EDSA volunteers sweep hallways for Brigada Eskwela—helping create clean, focused spaces where students can learn and grow As a long-time DepEd partner, SM Supermalls once again participated in Brigada Eskwela 2025 as part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment, enviro...

  DTI kicked off the Bagong Pilipinas Wedding Fair 2025 at SMX Aura headed by DTI Sec. Cristina Roque, bringing together MSMEs from across the country in a celebration of love, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Taguig City, Philippines – Love, tradition, and local entrepreneurship shared the spotlight at the Bagong Pilipinas Wedding Fair 2025, held from June 27 to 29 at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the three-day event successfully showcased over 100 Filipino MSMEs, celebrating Filipino creativity while driving real business opportunities in the events and wedding industry. The fair welcomed industry professionals, wedding planners, creatives, and couples preparing for their big day to explore everything from couture bridalwear and floral arrangements to photography, catering, travel services, and more. The highlight of Day 1 was a runway fashion show featuring Filipino bridal designers, who elevated traditional fab...

 SM Supermalls continues its unwavering support for Filipino artistry with the nationwide launch of Art for Everyone—a month-long celebration of creativity, culture, and community across 18 malls this July. Building on the remarkable success of the 2024 Art Market, which earned the prestigious Gold Stevie® Award for Innovation in the Use of Events, SM Supermalls continues to elevate its commitment to championing the local art scene. Last year’s Art Market featured over 1,200 Filipino artists and showcased more than 4,000 artworks, providing a platform that not only celebrated local creativity but also offered meaningful support to emerging and established artists alike. The overwhelming success of the event sparked renewed enthusiasm within the community, with many of last year’s participating artists eager to return, a testament to the event’s impact and SM’s growing role as a catalyst for Filipino creative expression. Ilonggo artists  Joel Ferraris and Joy Fernando at last y...

 According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the global production of plastics is forecasted to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050, with severe environmental, social, economic, and human health consequences. As one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) remains committed to creating thriving, sustainable cities. With a waste-free future as part of its environmental strategy, SM Prime encourages the observation of International Plastic-free Day on May 25 and its call to rethink single-use plastics (SUP) for one day. Moreover, SM Prime celebrates the group-wide strides made to support the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022. The Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable-labeled bins support SM's waste-free future initiative and align with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 . A group-wide movement for the EPR Law Th...

  If there’s one thing that binds Asian culture together, it's how our legacy and tradition are preserved through food. From the careful sourcing of ingredients to the creativity and innovation in preparation, Asian cuisines are truly made to be extraordinary.   SM Supermalls upholds this by delivering Taiwanese, Japanese, and Thai excellence to one of the centres of Filipino gastronomy—Pampanga. With the same sense of richness and attention to quality, Ninepot, The Matcha Tokyo, and Purple Rice establish themselves as must-try places at SM City Clark and SM City Pampanga! Ninepot—Quality Taiwanese Hot Pot Experience With the growing popularity of East Asian hot pot restaurants, Ninepot—its name reflecting the Taiwanese cultural belief that the number nine brings good fortune—sets itself apart by putting traditional Taiwanese flavors in the spotlight at the Tech Hub 2 of SM City Clark. Unlike many hot pot restaurants that focus on unlimited servings, Ninepot prioritizes qualit...

 According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines generates over 60,000 metric tons of waste daily, a figure expected to rise with urban growth and economic activity. Together as one community, 2024 marks the launch of SM Waste-Free Future in SM Mall of Asia. Recognizing the urgency, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) launched the SM Waste-Free Future program in 2024 as one of its flagship environmental sustainability programs to reduce overall waste generation through effective waste segregation and divert waste away from landfills through recycling, composting, and other sustainable disposal methods. In its first year, it implemented a new waste management segregation system across its properties, including all malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers, and estates nationwide. Beyond SM Prime, the campaign on waste has extended its reach to other SM groups and portfolio companies, making SM Waste-Free Future a group-wid...

 The future of employment in the Philippines' wholesale and retail trade sector got a major boost on June 16, 2025. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), together with the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), officially launched Section G: Job Blueprint for the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector at SM City North EDSA. The initiative included a two-day job fair, offering immediate hiring opportunities to Filipino job seekers. (L-R):  Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) President Dennis Llovido, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Engelbert Chua, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, and Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) President Roberto Claudio Sr. attend the media launch of the  Section G: Job Blueprint for Wholesale and Retail Trade on June 16, 2025, at SM North EDSA. The Section G Job Blueprint, developed through extensive consultations with ind...