SMFI and DepEd join hands for PSD renovation project

In a world where communication relies heavily on spoken words, navigating life for deafened people may be tough. Being hearing-impaired is a challenge in itself as one's language abilities are often affected.

In the Philippines, this challenge further creates a gap. Students with a hearing loss do require accommodations to have access to education, but opportunities are limited. The struggle is intensified as only a few secondary learning institutions are catering to their unique needs, with affordability and facility conditions further hindering their pursuit of skills and knowledge.

Shery Funcion, the Principal of the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City, is no stranger to these challenges.

Her dedication to the cause began with her college thesis, focusing on job opportunities for deaf learners. Since then, she has immersed herself in various organizations and volunteer activities, gaining firsthand insights into the limited opportunities available to deaf learners.

She eventually became a SPED teacher, before taking on the role of principal in PSD.

"The immersive experience really showed me how important these projects are for our students—kung gaano kahalaga ang pagbibigay ng mga pasilidad sa mga mag aaral lalo na sa mga bingi," she underscored the importance of providing facilities for students with hearing impairment.

A facility that produces opportunities

The collaborative project of the Henry Sy Foundation, SM Foundation (SMFI), and the Department of Education's Schools Division Office of Pasay City equips students with in-demand skills that will prepare them for employment upon graduation.

In the century-old PSD, their senior high school laboratory building serves as the training ground for students. Its classrooms and halls, no matter how old, have always played their role in honing and preparing deaf students to have solid career prospects after PSD.

Amidst the competing priorities within the school and the broader Philippine educational system, the facility barely had enough funds for the rehabilitation and major repairs it needed. Students and teachers worked around issues ranging from dim lighting and leaking roofs to uneven floors dor years. These not only presented structural concerns but also hindered the overall learning experience of students.

"Our deaf learners need special accommodation to fulfill their special educational needs. They need to have a conducive learning environment so we can optimize the activities and learning programs," Funcion stressed.

Funcion further shared that the 2023 collaborative project of the Henry Sy Foundation, SM Foundation (SMFI) —the social good arm of the SM Group, and the Department of Education's Schools Division Office of Pasay City came in at an opportune time.

"The rehabilitation of the Home Economics (HE) laboratories is crucial because students need to fulfill their performance tasks. These are vital components of our senior high school program to ensure that they acquire essential skills and competencies for employment post-graduation from PSD."

Through the collaboration, PSD has been provided with the much-needed facilities in dressmaking, beauty care, cookery, electrical, bartending, food and beverage preparation, ICT, and dance.

CHILD Haus celebrates its 21st-year milestone

 

Last October 29, 2023, CHILD Haus celebrated its 21st anniversary at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

An institution founded by ‘Mader’ Ricky Reyes, CHILD Haus serves as a beacon of hope for children stricken by cancer. Throughout its history, one consistent major supporter of the establishment has been the Sy family – in its early years, Henry ‘Tatang’ Sy, Sr., and over the last decade, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy continuing the tradition established by his father.

Leading the event were Mr. Sy and ‘Mader’ Ricky, and several individuals and companies who, over the years, have contributed to the well-being of CHILD Haus were invited. Many children, who have been ‘adopted’ by CHILD Haus and now call it home, were also in attendance. The media was present as well, recognizing how establishments like CHILD Haus make a big difference and become the ‘answered prayers’ of so many children and their parents.

Three CHILD Haus stories, featuring Aya, Laura, and Jessa, were turned into video vignettes that highlighted the message of hope and the life-saving work of the organization. While it is easy to describe such events as heartwarming and tear-jerking, it was truly remarkable to witness even the most seasoned press photographers being moved to tears by these videos. This is a clear testament to the profound impact that these testimonials had on the audience at the event.

After CHILD Haus founder ‘Mader’ Ricky's heartwarming welcome, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy took the stage to present plaques of appreciation to the many friends of CHILD Haus whose generous donations have made the organization's life-saving work possible.


The cancer-stricken kids are ‘adopted’ and provided food and shelter. Until the children are declared cancer-free and/or have completed their treatments and medical procedures, one child and one parent are allowed to live at CHILD Haus. If it’s an infant, both parents can stay. There are presently two CHILD Haus locations - one in Manila, near the Philippine General Hospital, and one in Quezon City.

A longtime supporter and regular visitor to CHILD Haus, Karylle, led the children in a rousing song composed by Karylle’s husband, Yael Yuzon. Then ‘Mader’ Ricky’s daughter sang a rendition of Florante’s ‘Handog’ that had been reworded to fit the sentiments of the children at CHILD Haus. These were two songs that the children had learnt and practiced as a “thank you” to the many guests who have helped make the ‘haus’ a reality.

In the end, both ‘Mader’ Ricky and Mr. Sy acknowledged the significance of this event, which commemorates 21 years of compassion, fortitude, and the spirit of giving and sharing.

Do visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media to know more about inspiring stories and events at SM.

SM Scholars seek to share the Gift of Education

 

"I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation," says 18-year-old SM scholar, Princess Eunice Motel

Motel is currently pursuing her education at the Philippine Normal University. Motel is one of two children of Hildajane, an on-call factory re-packer, and Richard, a set man, hailing from Caloocan City.

Her dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong aspiration, deeply rooted in her heart and mind----a calling that became even more pronounced when she embraced her Christian faith.

Jhona opted to study education specializing in English after considering other career paths,  drawing inspiration from her mother, who is also an educator. "Watching, observing, and listening to her, I learned the basics," she shared. 

SM Foundation fosters Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program initiative

Who would have thought that this vision of Henry Sy, Sr., back in 2007, would have been so uncanny in predicting the mounting problems and issues we face today in agriculture, sustainable food production, food security, and urban development?

Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) is the SM founder's vision and dream that the SM Foundation is proudly fostering.

This Urban Farming initiative is uplifting the farmer community, fostering environmental consciousness, food security, and creating livelihood and income opportunities for marginalized urban communities. KSK-SAP offers a comprehensive program of urban farming techniques, product development, marketing, and basic accounting directed at strategically-located field schools.

This Urban Farming initiative is uplifting the farmer community, fostering environmental consciousness, food security, and creating livelihood and income opportunities for marginalized urban communities. KSK-SAP offers a comprehensive program of urban farming techniques, product development, marketing, and basic accounting directed at strategically-located field schools.

Trainings have taken place in both rural and urban settings, where participants have been exposed to sustainable farming modules that promote the cultivation of nutritious, high-quality vegetables and fruits.

To date, the KSK program has successfully conducted over 260 sustainable agricultural trainings, benefiting a total of 28,550 farmers.

The SM Foundation creates strategic partnerships with government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Tourism and LGUs to ensure the viability of the program. Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) teaches them what and how to farm and then patches them up with outlets to monetize this harvest, thereby creatung end-to-end true income opportunities for marginalized farming communities.

Join in and commit to a more sustainable lifestyle at smgreenmovement.com and #SMGreenMovement.

Sinag Schools program powers up Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas

SM Foundation (SMFI), together with Maxeon Solar Technologies, recently kick-started the Lemery Pilot Elementary School (LPES) in Batangas through its Sinag Schools program.

This social good collaboration between SMFI and Maxeon aims to provide clean and renewable energy to schools in grassroot communities by installing solar panels on an SM school building, especially to those that have low operating expenses.

More than the solar panel installation which intends to power positive change in the way energy is consumed in public schools, the program aims to enhance the understanding of students in terms of energy management and the need to transition to cleaner energy alternatives with lower environmental impacts as well.

“Through this program, we want to power up the learning and development of young people. We want to help teach young people about solar energy, about renewable energy. We want to power up the next generation to help save our planet,” Maxeon Fab4 General Manager Glenn Everett said.

The SM school building at the LPES, which was donated by SMFI in partnership with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) in 2017, now boasts 21 solar panels—estimated to produce 6510 watt-p. With the savings on electricity, the school may realign their budget to more efforts and other innovations that will give the students an environment more conducive to learning.

It takes a village to raise a child

SMFI executive director Debbie Sy underscored the importance of collective efforts in advancing the learning experience of every student in the country: “We believe that collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good in addressing societal challenges. CSR partnerships can create solutions that improve society by fostering learning, promoting innovation and gaining access to new technologies, such as the Sinag schools program. CSR collaboration can pool resources, both financial and human resources - between multiple organizations which can amplify social good impact.”

“The establishment of an ever-evolving CSR strategy and partnerships will help companies and non-government organizations in developing and implementing crucial social good programs over decades while having procedures in place that integrate social and environmental priorities into CSR core strategy – all in close collaboration with stakeholders,” she further added.

Moreover, Everett mentioned how SMFI and Maxeon share the similar set of values and interest when it comes to helping Filipino learners: “We have this concept of powering positive change in the world. We are happy to be working together with SM Foundation to power up the Lemery Pilot Elementary School.”

“Individually, we can do so much. But together we can do actually more. For us to bring our solar technology and SMFI to bring in their schools, these things are much better together than they would be apart,” he concluded.

Spreading social good all the way

SM Foundation made sure to truly touch the lives of the learners and teachers of LPES as it donated eight desktop computers, 200 bags with school supplies, and more than 160 pcs brand new kinder and elementary books to further promote the love for reading among the students. Clothing items for parents were also distributed.

Do follow @SMFoundationInc on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for more information about this initiative.