SM Foundation helps victims of quake-hit Türkiye, Syria

 

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Türkiye and northwest Syria has created an urgent humanitarian crisis. The disaster was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, hitting southern Turkiye, which led to additional casualties and damages. It drawed relief and aid workers from around the world.

And to help victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last February 27, 2023.

SMFI’s Connie Angeles hands the donation to PRC chairperson Dick Gordon (third from left). Joining the turnover are PRC Governor Ernesto Isla and PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.

PRC volunteers prepare to ship 200 units of gasoline generators donated by SM Foundation for quake-hit Türkiye and Syria.



Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to the quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

Additionally, the social good arm of SM also donated ₱5 million to help address the needs of earthquake victims.

Do follow @SMFoundationInc on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to learn more about SM Foundation’s social good programs or visit www.sm-foundation.org

SM Supermalls provides FREE charging stations for e-vehicles in 27 branches across the Philippines

 

Feel the thrill of excitement using your plug-in car hybrids as you travel anywhere, knowing that you can recharge at SM Supermalls' Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in multiple locations nationwide. 

With the installation of public commercial charging stations at the SM Supermalls, electric car drivers need not worry about running out of juice while exploring the country.  Traveling sustainably using e-Vehicles is made easier and convenient with

public chargers increasingly made available in local communities all for free!  

From an initial rollout in 2022 of 15 EV charging stations in Metro Manila alone and one in SM City Baguio, SM Supermalls will be opening EV charging stations from Luzon to Mindanao so shoppers and travelers can charge e-nywhere, as long as there is an SM mall. Check out the list of additional locations below:

SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown
SM City Clark
SM City Trece Martires
SM City Sta. Rosa
Sky Ranch Tagaytay
SM City Naga
SM City Cebu
SM Seaside City Cebu
SM City CDO Uptown
SM CDO Downtown Premier
SM Lanang Premier

Each SM mall will have one Wallbox Pulsar Plus AC charger with charging power of up to 7.4kW and a 5m integrated charging cable. It is compatible with all Type 2 electric cars including Audi e-tron, BMW i3, Hyundai Ioniq, Jaguar, Kia, Range Rover, Renault Zoe, Mercedes Benz EQC, Mini Countryman, Porsche Taycan, Tesla, Volkswagen, Volvo XC T8, as well as Japanese cars Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander, and China cars such as BYD, Weltmeister, and Chery.

Department of Transportation, and the Department of Trade and Industry to accelerate the government’s sustainability initiatives.

Do wisit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms for news and updates on exciting deals and promos.

Exceptional Valentine's Day Ideas at SM Supermalls

 

Amp up the romance with chocolate-covered activities as SM Supermalls  gives you the sweetest Valentine’s Day ever.

This love month, SM Supermalls offers a slew of activities from 1 to 14 February. So if you are looking for ways to celebrate the sweetest valentine, look no further because SM Supermalls’ gotchu!

Keep the love burning with the sweetest dining deals 

They say food is the way to a man’s heart. So why not treat your SO to a sumptuous dining experience? With hundreds of restaurants to choose from, SM got lotsa lovin’ vibe to share and the sweetest dining deals to offer. Plus, there are very cute dining spots and IG-worthy outdoor hubs to dine into. But if you want a more romantic ambiance, there are also alfresco spots available for you.

Self-love is the best kind of love

Happiness begins with loving yourself so celebrate self-love at your favorite SM mall when you gift yourself with a few pampering items. From skin care packages and discounts on fashion items to solo dining promos, SM will definitely shower you with tons of sweet self-love deals to enjoy a love-filled month.

Sweets for your sweet at the Sweet A-fair 

What’s Valentine’s Day without a Sweet A-fair? If you’re looking for the sweetest Valentine’s gifts, there’s no need to scour far and wide just to get them. Check out SM Supermalls’ pop-up bazaar and get your hands on sweet items like chocolates, cakes, and other treats to spoil your loved ones.

Dance to sweet beats and retro nights

This season of love, give your fangirl/fanboy self a sweet reward at the mini-concert held every weekend from 1 to 14 February. Your favorite DJs and Tiktok artists will play beats from the 1980s to the 2000s, so be there and catch their one-of-a-kind performances.

Make room for sweet vibes only

Everyone deserves a special someone who can take good IG photos. But if you don’t have one, it’s A-ok. You can grab your friends and capture the love at the Sweet Beats Stage or at the V-day installations that will surely make this year’s hearts’ day extra memorable for you.

Kiss and Treat at the furry kissing booth

If your best friend has a fur and a tail, let your furry friend sashay away in Valentine’s Day-inspired costumes at the activity center and get a chance to win amazing prizes.

Or, if you don’t have pets to flex, you can still experience sweet puppy love. Check out SM Supermalls’ cutest and sweetest Kissing Booth featuring trained dogs. And the best part is, it’s absolutely free!

Nothing says Valentine like shopping, dining, and getting entertained at SM Supermalls. Whether you’re single, in a committed relationship, or just happy and in love with the fam, do
 come and celebrate the sweetest Valentine’s at your favorite SM mall.

Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media for more sweet V-day ideas.

Face-to-face Dinagyang 2023 surpasses expectations

 

After two years of Digital Dinagyang fest due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, Iloilo City's famous cultural celebration made a bigger, bolder, and brighter comeback! 

Akin to the Ati-atihan celebrations widely observed in other parts of the country, Dinagyang Festival is known for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo craftsmanship and artistry. Dinagyang is the Hiligaynon word for revelry or "merrymaking". The face-to-face Dinagyang this 2023 filled the streets of the City of Love with drumbeats, cheers, , and songs in honor of Señor Santo Niño once again in its week-long celebration.

The festival’s top sponsor was SM City Iloilo with the biggest assistance given at ₱17 million of which ₱10 million is in cash. It also served as venue for many Dinagyang activities, and concert of various performing artists including Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, among others.

Festivity highlights include staging of the first-ever Dinagyang ILOmination tribes competition on the evening of January 21, 2023 alongside the Floats Parade of Lights in Iloilo City. Seven tribes representing the seven districts of Iloilo City – City Proper, Mandurriao, La Paz, Jaro, Molo, Arevalo and La Puz competed with their illuminated costumes and dazzling performances.

The special guests seen at the ILOmination night at SM City Iloilo with Mayor Jerry Treñas, were  SM’s SVP for Operations Bien Mateo, Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong, Youtube celebrity Small Laude,veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, philanthropist and influencer Tessa Prieto, eventologist Tim Yap, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and Chef Rafael Jardeleza Jr.

With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors packing various festival activities, Dinagyang’s return to the city’s streets exceeded expectations, according to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback… It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas.

Treñas congratulated the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI), organizer of Dinagyang 2023, the participating tribes and corporate sponsors, among others.

“I acknowledge all our sponsors from the private sector for their significant contributions in the success of Dinagyang. Of course, sa inyo tanan, mga pinalangga ko nga Ilonggo. Ang tanan nga ini bangud sa inyo kag para man sa inyo. Your strong support in all our activities played a meaningful role in the overall success of the festival,” said Treñas.

The festivities were graced by no less than First Lady of the Philippines Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos. Also present during Dinagyang’s main event were House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Francis Tolentino, Bong Revilla, former senator Franklin Drilon, among others. YouTube sensation Small Laude, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, lifestyle columnist and philanthropist Tessa Prieto Valdez, television presenter and entrepreneur Tim Yap were also there to join in the festivities. They were warmly welcomed by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.

Foreign dignitaries who graced the festival were full of praises. VIPs who attended the festivities include Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Raduta Dana Matache with Mr. Constantin Matache; Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Agus Widjojo and his wife, Mme. Ranny Agus Widjojo; Royal Thai Ambassador to the Philippines HE Tull Traisorat; Royal Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines HE Christian Halaas Lyster; Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines HE Titanilla Toth; Embassy of Polland Ambassador to the Philippines HE Jaroslaw Szczepankiewicz ; Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ms. P.G.P. Kaushalya; Consul General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; and Embassy of the United States in the Philippines Chief Consuls Kristofer Graf and Leo Balantac.

One million pesos cash prize each were awarded to this year’s champions for Dinagyang Festival 2023 “Dagyang sa Barangay” and “ILOmination” tribe competition.

During the awarding ceremony, January 22, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon, city councilors, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) executives, and other dignitaries awarded the ceremonial checks and trophies for the winners of the said competitions and other highlight rivalries of the celebration.

Parianon, Jalaud and La Paz tribes were recognized as Dinagyang 2023 champions.

Hailed Dagyang sa Barangay champion,  Tribu Parianon of the Molo district also won awards for best in music, best in choreography, and best in performance.

Dinagyang also featured the best performances of the neighboring provinces and towns of Iloilo City through their colorful and vibrant cultures in the “Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahan” competition.

This year, Tribu Jalaud of Calinog town in Iloilo province was hailed as the champion, bagging the ₱400,000 grand prize.

Their performance showcased the indigenous Panay Bukidnon people performing a part of the longest epic of the island while  proclaiming their faith in the Child Jesus.

They also snagged various minor awards such as best in costume, best designer, best in street dance, best in choreography, and best choreographer.

Call in Prosperity as You Hop into the Year of the Rabbit

It’s time to usher in the spirited rabbit as you celebrate Chinese New Year at your favorite SM malls nationwide.

Hop your way to luck at SM Supermalls as the Lunar New Year that begins January 22 ushers in the Year of the Water Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac calendar.

SM Supermalls has lined up some hoppin’ fun adventures, and exciting activities for a prosperous Year of the Water Rabbit festivities. Hop on luck and enjoy all these exclusive CNY deals and activities conveniently at your favorite SM Mall!

a photo with the whole family at the Bunny Family Photo Spot, or take selfies at the magnificent Money Trees and the lighted rabbits. You can also read through your luck this year with the Zodiac Forecast Panels or put your A-game on at the Lucky Finds Pop-Ups in the area to win CNY exclusive deals.

Witness a Lion and Dragon Dance

Who would want to miss a signature lion dance during the Chinese New Year? At SM, lion and dragon dance performers will go around the mall to get all the lucky hanging hong baos. Catch them perform live from January 13 to 22!

Usher in good fortune this year with tips from a Feng Shui expert!

SM Supermalls knows how you can harness the positive energy that the new year brings when it comes to Feng Shui. And with the help of Feng Shui expert, Ms. Marites Allen, you’ll surely discover what 2023 has in store for you.

Just present a minimum SM receipt worth ₱ 1,000 to get a chance to talk to her in person in the following malls:

● January 19, 2PM - SM City Fairview

● January 20, 2PM - SM City Dasmariñas

● January 20, 5PM - SM City Sta. Rosa

● January 21, 2PM - SM Megamall

● January 21, 5PM - SM City North EDSA

● January 22, 2PM - SM City Bacoor

● January 22, 5PM - SM Mall of Asia

Scan and win amazing prizes in the AR hunt game

Test your luck at the Lucky Rabbit Hunt in SM malls! Join the AR hunt game by opening the app on your mobile device. Hunt for the triggers, scan the area, and catch lucky rabbits all around the mall with your family and friends.

As the Year of the Water Rabbit predicts hope this 2023, SM Supermalls wishes shoppers longevity, peace, and prosperity this Chinese New Year.

Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media for more updates.

Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI) and UST seals partnership for Henry Sy Sr. Hall build up

A new structure will soon rise on UST main campus in Manila to respond to the needs of digital medical education.

Pursuing its objective of driving Philippine social development by fostering the youth and the culture of excellence through education, the Henry Sy Foundation, Inc. (HSFI) recently inked a partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Research and Endowment Foundation to construct a building that elevates health education in the country.

Named in honor of the late SM Founder, the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall of UST is a landmark for the Philippines' relentless push towards cutting edge medical innovation. It is expected to cater to the needs of digital medical education and help boost health education.

Designed by C.A. Ventura & Partners, the upcoming Henry Sy., Sr. Hall in UST is envisioned to propel the health education of future physicians in the country.

The Hall will feature technologically advanced facilities and equipment that complement UST’s teaching, learning, and research practices. It will also house the simulation and research facility of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (UST-FMS).

Leaders of Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI), led by the Sy family Harley Sy, Hans Sy, Elizabeth Sy, Debbie Sy, Tessie Sy, Henry Sy Jr, Engr. Ramon Gil Macapagal, formalize its partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas Rector Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Domingo, Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP, Fr. Maximo Gatela, OP

Paragons with passion


Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Rector of UST, thanked the Sy family as they work together to provide the best education to future physicians and increase UST’s research productivity to fill the gaps where communities are disadvantaged.

“Your family consists of industry leaders who have visions for the Filipino community. Your choice to support this endeavor of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is a significant stamp of approval to the work and tradition of this medical institution,” Fr. Ang said in a letter to the Sy family.

“Your family’s Patriarch, Henry Sy, Sr., had principles in life that we, as an institution, give our best to also follow. We aim to lead as paragons with passion, integrity, far-reaching and optimistic vision, sensible priorities, and discipline. At the core of this is a deep sense of charity for God, the church, and the nation,” Fr. Ang added.

UST’s future Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

Rising as an intellectual hub for future physicians, the building has a dedicated floor for the Faculties of Medicine and Surgery Research Center and the Medicine and Surgery Graduate Programs and Ethics Review Board. In here, medical education research and various medical-related specialty research will be reviewed and conducted.

The building will include specialized centers, rooms, and laboratories, such as Medical Simulation Centers and Care Ultrasound Institute, and Otorhinolaryngology Laboratory. These will be equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology to develop medical students’ competencies in multiple simulated healthcare settings crossing the human lifespan.

The HSFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization inspired by SM founder Henry Sy, Sr.’s desire to aid educational institutions to drive Philippine social development. Its projects are undertaken in partnership with the SM group and its foundations to honor the SM founder by supporting educational institutions striving toeards academic excellence.

It’s a Happy Christmas at SM Supermalls with the first ever out-of-this world #ChristmasInSpace

SM Supermalls brings back the excitement in every visit, joy in every sight, and a magical connection in every experience that will make every Filipino’s Christmas happier and brighter.

SM Megamall spreads sparks of happiness with an out-of-this-world Christmas celebration

SM officially ushered in the holiday season with an out-of-this-world celebration at the Mega & Bright: Christmas in Space 2022 at the SM Megamall last October 20.

The lighting of the mall’s mega Christmas Tree signals the start of SM’s nationwide Happy Christmas campaign. SM shoppers can have a glimpse of the universe through SM Megamall’s Mega Space Odyssey until December. The 3D LED tunnel transports individuals into space and allows them to view it immersively. .

 

SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones!

Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls have their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Do drop by your favorite SM mall and watch its Christmas trees dazzle with lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.

SM Supermalls has lined up exciting and festive activities just for you and your loved ones!

Apart from SM Megamall, other premier SM malls have their massive 50-foot Christmas trees to share hope, joy, and love with every SM shopper. Do drop by your favorite SM mall and watch its Christmas trees dazzle with lights, stars, and colorful ornaments.
lights

SM Supermalls has  created outdoor attractions for that picture-perfect, memorable shopping, dining, and leisure activities for the whole family as well. At The Podium, shoppers are in for Joie De Vivre with its Holiday Night Cap on October 21-23 and 28-30 at the ADB Al Fresco, and the Food Lab on October 24-30 at the Atrium East Level 2 so everyone can discover new food specials this Christmas. You can also enjoy special treats, promos, and exclusive deals from your favorite restaurants and food merchants at the SM mall near you!

Turn Christmas AReality at SM

Don’t miss out on a phygital Christmas experience as SM incorporates the festive season with Augmented Reality. In SM Megamall, four AR filters have been made available, including Santa Claus, Reindeer, Snowman, and Sparkle. You just need to scan the QR code at the SM mall near you and see the Christmas centerpiece and magical spots come alive!

Check out the Happiness Stations

SM installed various happiness stations where you can create lasting memories with family and friends. Spot the giant bears with lights at Bears of Joy corner, the happiness photo wall, the Christmas tree decors with your family photos, or the huge TV screen where you can watch your recently filmed Tiktok or IG video at your favorite mall.

Make your furbabies feel the happiness and love
happiness in their homes and communities as we celebrate this year’s holiday festivities,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

A new light of experiences will bring happiness and kindness to every Filipino as SM Supermalls create more magical memories and opportunities to touch  people’s lives this holiday season. Do check out www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on  social media  to stay updated on the various holiday happenings.