Life's Journey

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

SM Foundation introduces rainwater harvesting system at the Bgy. Irawan Birthing Facility

The SM group, through SM Foundation, recently established a rainwater harvesting system at the Bgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan to maximize the efficiencies of the center in delivering quality medical services.

The said SM Green Movement initiative aims to strengthen their goal of preserving the environment and ensuring the health and wellness of Bgy. Irawan's future generations. Barangay Irawan Birthing Facility has been catering to the healthcare needs of over 9,000 individuals residing in five barangays.

SMFI Health and Medical Programs Senior Project Manager Albert Uy inspects the water catchment to ensure it reliability.

To enhance water conservation and management in the facility, the system collects rainwater from the roof and gutter, passing it through vinyl-coated mesh filters to help ensure water quality. With an 800-liter storage capacity, the harvested water serves the facility’s non-potable needs like watering plants, cleaning, and toilet flushing.

The rainwater harvesting facility also operates without electricity and features labeled faucets for intuitive recycled water use.

Faucets connected to the rainwater catchment ensures a sustainable and efficient water source for the community.

Midwife Narcisa Jagmis observes as the system collects rainwater from the gutters.

SMFI fitted the facilities with sustainable fixtures and infrastructures on top of its rainwater catchment system. Midwife Narcisa Jagmis, who leads the said birthing facility, said that the facility will help them reduce their reliance on the city’s water supply systems.

“Mahalagang hindi kami nawawalan ng tubig sa center, lalo na po pag nagsimula kaming magoperate bilang birthing clinic. Ngunit minsan po, walang dumadaloy na tubig at wala kaming mapagkukunan,” Jagmis shared.

“Kaya napaka laking tulog po ng natural na tubig mula sa rainwater catchment system na. Madali namin itong naaccess upang gamiting panglinis o pandilig dahil konektado ito sa mga gripo. Ang tubig naman mula sa main line ay maitatabi namin para sa aming sterile operations,” she said.

The Barangay Irawan Birthing Facility was turned over on July 11, 2023, bringing SMFI’s total refurbished health centers to 195.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

SM Supermalls, Mesa ni Misis team up for the healthiest SuperMoms Meetup

Just in time for Nutrition Month, SM Supermalls partnered with Mesa ni Misis to celebrate the healthiest SuperMoms Meetup at the SM Megamall Event Atrium on July 22, Saturday.

SuperMoms gathered once again for the biggest and grandest super momma convention, which also marked the launch of Juana’s Table, the newest recipe book by Mesa ni Misis’ Juana Manahan Yupangco.

“We SuperMoms hold the power to shape the future of our children’s health. By embracing a plant-based diet and introducing it to our families, we can ensure that our little ones grow up strong, vibrant, and armed with the necessary tools to lead a healthy and fulfilled life.” said Grace Magno, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing.

During the event, participants were treated to a cooking demo by Yupangco, who was then joined by celebrities and certified SuperMoms, Dimples Romana and Patti Grandidge Herrera who whipped up a veggie gimbap using fresh, local ingredients.

They showcased how easily one can create a delicious and healthy meal for the whole family using one of the many recipes found in the book.

Also, moms got the chance to discover how to practice sustainability in the household through cooking.

The meetup featured on-ground activities for moms such as the SuperMoms Club Photo wall where SuperMoms got to take photos with their goodie bags and a raffle draw where lucky SuperMoms won special prizes and other awesome surprises from partners and sponsors.

“This meetup was designed with your well-being in mind. We want to make you feel valued and cared for, and at the same time, we want to give you a voice to be heard at home, in the workplace, and in your community. Your SM Supermalls family will always be here for you, listening to you and understanding your needs and helping you throughout your motherhood journey,” said Juana Manahan Yupangco.

The healthiest SuperMoms Club meetup in the metro was supported by SM Markets, SM Store, Fully Booked, Viu, NutriAsia, UnMeat, Tévian, Skin Poem, Designer Blooms, and Blims Furniture.

Monday, July 24, 2023

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.

Saturday, May 27, 2023

Local farmers in Calabarzon receive modern agri-skills

Last April 13, 2023, SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) launched its Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) to enhance the agriculture and entrepreneurial skills of farmers across various locations in Calabarzon.
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Over the years, the program has evolved into a comprehensive training program that generates opportunities for skills development, employment, and livelihood.

KSK-SAP has helped more than 28,000 marginalized farmers from rural and urban areas across the country since its inception in 2007. As a result, some of the program's graduates have turned into seasonal suppliers for the SM group and other local markets.

SM Foundation’s KSK-SAP is conducted in partnership with SM Supermalls, TESDA, DA, DSWD, DOST, DTI, DOT and partner farm schools.

Monday, May 22, 2023

SM group partners with DepEd to build new school buildings in Laguna and Batangas

SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) and the Department of Education (DepEd), have recently collaborated to construct two new school buildings in Laguna and Batangas.

Upon the completion of the joint initiative, two two-story four-classroom school buildings will be donated to the Laguna Resettlement Community School in San Pedro City, Laguna and the San Antonio Elementary School in Sto. Tomas City, Batangas.
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To formalize the partnership, representatives from the SMFI, DepEd, and the local government units of said provinces attended the memorandum of agreement signing last April 28, 2023, at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) in Malvar, Batangas.

SM Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd in various educational programs. This social good initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide. To date, it has turned over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

Urban development aspirations for Metro Manila

Metro Manila’s forecast of becoming a global power city is challenged by the consequences of rapid urbanization. The UN-Habitat lists the effects of climate change, natural disasters that hamper urban infrastructures and city competitiveness, unequal livability, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Is there a way out of Metro Manila’s challenges? Architect and urban designer Chintan Raveshia, and urban planner and sustainability consultant Tony Chan of Singapore-based Arup emphasize urban development should also consider people’s aspirations, its changing needs and expectations, and the national identity of the residents.

Finding the identity of the city

Raveshia inspires responsible stakeholders to ask themselves first the most fundamental question: “What’s the identity of the city and how do we make its residents proud?”

He quips, “Singapore, a city that is high on everyone’s liveability list, is also working with citizens and grass roots organizations to inculcate a sense of ‘lovability’ for the city. This helps to strengthen the societal bond, increase equity, improve community safety, and exude pride and a feeling of ownership of the city amongst the residents. The balance of liveability, efficiency, and lovability paves the way for a true success of our cities in this climate emergency era”.

For his part, Chan believes that a successful sustainable urban development goes hand in hand with the capability to enhance people’s quality of life.[RKRC1] “We must develop and harness models of development that have low-carbon targets, which are also of a human scale, thriving and inclusive; models that are also just, secured and enhances the quality of life for all its residents. In addition, we should look at creative ways to increase local citizen participation as well as new technologies or products that can support the overarching vision and development objectives”, says Chan.
economic driver – accounting for 32% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) – it’s often challenged in sustaining accessible living conditions for residents across all social classes. UK-based The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranked Metro Manila 105th out of 139 cities in the Global Liveability Index 2022. The increasing population density in Metro Manila has resulted in some inconveniences in daily conditions like vehicular traffic situations, least green open spaces, high carbon footprint, inaccessibility to affordable housing, and unequal income opportunities.
The impact was even more drastic in Metro Manila due to population density, crowded space, and insufficient parks and open areas.

Aside from improving air quality and enhancing biodiversity, green spaces also moderate temperatures during the warm season.

3. Enhancing Human health and wellbeing

Cities with sufficient healthcare facilities, access to health coverage, and infrastructures that enhance well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle, produce prosperous societies.

The way stakeholders are heard and taken into account. Because it encourages more inclusive growth and makes the urban environment an extension of their homes, this will have a long-term effect on Metro Manila’s future and its citizens.

A city is moving toward competitiveness and unlocked future potential when it accepts its history, celebrates its landmarks, innovates and adopts for the future, and most importantly, nourishes its citizens and responds to their desires.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

SM Prime inks partnership with UPLB for sustainability scholarship

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) has partnered with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to further promote the country’s pursuit of sustainable development.

Through a scholarship grant, SM Prime aims to assist select students pursue undergraduate degrees in Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology (BSHE) and Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) – courses geared towards sustainability.

The scholarship will be awarded to students from low-income households in Pasay City intended to provide better employment prospects and help reduce poverty and inequality, which are major obstacles to sustainable development.

Collaboration for innovation and sustainability

In an interview, UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho, Jr. shared his optimism about the partnership, citing the impact of education, especially sustainability-related fields of studies, in social and economic mobility.

“The scholarship will enable more students to pursue their studies in areas related to sustainability such as environmental science, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. By investing in education in these areas, we are preparing a new generation of leaders who will have the knowledge and skills to address the complex environmental and social challenges facing our world today,” Dr. Camacho said.

"It will encourage research and development in areas related to sustainability. By providing support for students to pursue advanced studies, we are creating a pipeline of future researchers and innovators who can develop solutions to pressing environmental and social problems,” he added.

The UPLB chancellor believes that the scholarship can produce competent leaders capable of solving complex environmental and social challenges, and create a pipeline of innovative researchers.

He further stressed how fostering collaborations and innovation in sustainability between the academic community and the private sector can lead to new environmentally and socially responsible products, technologies, and services that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ripples of Social Good

SM Prime aims to assist select students pursue undergraduate degrees in Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology (BSHE) and Bachelor of Science in Forestry (BSF) through a scholarship grant . SM Prime hopes to create ripples of social good within families and communities by supporting the education of would-be scholars. Its ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and equitable society.

The scholarship will be awarded to students from low-income households in Pasay City. By enabling students to pursue their education without financial burden, the foundation is able to provide better employment prospects and help reduce poverty and inequality---- which are major obstacles to sustainable development.

“The scholarship will enable more students to pursue their studies in areas related to sustainability such as environmental science, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture,” said UPLB Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho Jr.

“By investing in education in these areas, we are preparing a new generation of leaders who will have the knowledge and skills to address the complex environmental and social challenges facing our world today,” he added.

SM Prime AVP and Head of Marketing, PR, and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo shared that the partnership between SM Prime and UPLB is a testament to the shared commitment of both institutions towards promoting sustainability and creating a better future for the next generation.

The SM Prime Sustainability Scholarship is open to students from Pasay City, under UPLB’s BSHE and BSF programs with an annual gross family income of not more than ₱150,000.

Interested applicants may contact the UPLB OSG at +63 49 536 3209 for more information, or send queries via email at osg.uplb@up.edu.ph.