SM City Mindpro and ZPPSU Seal Partnership for a Greener Future Through Trash-to-Cash Campaign

Formalizing the partnership between SM City Mindpro and Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU), a MOA signing was held at the university grounds on October 17 for the Trash-to-Cash Campaign of SM.

Strengthening its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, SM City Mindpro formalized a partnership with the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University (ZPPSU) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing held on October 17, 2025 at the university grounds.

 

The collaboration underscores the shared advocacy of both institutions to promote environmental awareness and proper waste management practices through SM’s Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market, a long-running sustainability initiative that encourages waste segregation and recycling among communities. 

Leading the ceremony were Dr. Nelson Cabral, University President of ZPPSU, and Engr. Rommel Bellen, Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Mindpro, who represented the mall’s management team.

 

In his message, Engr. Bellen emphasized the importance of empowering young people to take the lead in driving environmental change.

“By joining hands with ZPPSU, we are empowering the next generation of changemakers: students, educators, and future innovators – to lead the way toward a cleaner, greener Zamboanga,” Bellen said. “This partnership reminds us that environmental stewardship thrives when everyone takes part – the government, private sector, academe, and the community. Together, we can create ripples of change that reach far beyond the walls of our campus and our mall,” he added. 

The partnership aims to engage the university community in SM’s Trash-to-Cash initiative by promoting recycling practices, setting up collection points, and integrating sustainability into student-led activities and projects. Through this collaboration, SM City Mindpro and ZPPSU hope to inspire lasting behavioral change among the youth while reducing the city’s solid waste footprint.

 

The Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market is a nationwide environmental program of SM Supermalls held every first Friday and Saturday of the month. It provides customers and partner institutions a convenient venue to exchange recyclable waste materials such as papers, plastics, and metals for cash, promoting responsible waste disposal and circular economy principles.

This partnership marks another milestone in SM Cares’ initiative, reinforcing the company’s role as a catalyst for positive environmental impact and community collaboration.

With collective efforts between SM City Mindpro and ZPPSU, a more sustainable and eco-conscious Zamboanga Peninsula is within reach – one recyclable at a time.

SM City Mindpro Invites SuperKids to a Monsterrific Halloween Celebration

 

It’s that time of the year again when the little ones transform into their favorite characters for a day of spooky fun and creativity! SM City Mindpro invites all SuperKids to join the Monsterrific Halloween Kids Costume Contest on October 31, 2:00 PM at the mall’s Level 4 Event Area.

 

Children are encouraged to showcase their most imaginative costumes: from cute monsters and fairies to animals, aliens, or beloved movie characters for a chance to win exciting prizes. The event promises a day filled with laughter, surprises, and plenty of #AweSM moments for families to enjoy.

 

But the fun doesn’t stop there! After the costume contest, SuperKids can continue the celebration with a Trick-or-Treat around the mall. Kids will have the chance to visit participating stores to collect sweet treats and delightful surprises, making it a truly magical Halloween experience. 

How to Join

To register, shoppers simply need to present a single or accumulated receipt worth at least ₱1,500 from any SM City Mindpro store and sign up through the SM Malls Online app.

1. Download the SM Malls Online app.
2. Search for “SuperKidsHalloween” on the homepage under mall events.
3. Swipe to redeem and screenshot your event pass.
4. Tap the pop-up to access the online registration form.
5. Complete the form and click Submit. 

 

Registration is open from October 17 until October 31, 12NN. For full contest mechanics, visit https://bit.ly/HalloweenCostumeContest2025Mechanics

 

Let your little heroes, cosplayers, and adorable monsters take center stage and make unforgettable Halloween memories at SM City Mindpro. It’s a celebration of fun, family, and creativity, because everything’s here for every SuperKid at SM!

SM Prime Opens 89th Mall: SM City La Union to Feature ‘Sandbox’ Outdoor Space

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, will open SM City La Union, its 89th mall in the Philippines, on October 17.

SM City La Union features the ‘Sandbox’, a tropical-inspired space made for both playing and relaxation such sports tournaments, mini-concerts, yoga and even Zumba.

Located along Diversion Road, Barangay Biday in San Fernando City, SM City La Union spans more than 51,000 square meters of leasable area, over 80% of which has already been taken up.

“This is our ninth mall in Northern Luzon and we designed it to serve as a landmark for both residents and tourists,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim. “As the surfing capital of the region, La Union deserves a retail center that reflects its vibrant lifestyle and rich culture.”

SM City La Union facade

A highlight of SM City La Union is the Sandbox, a 1,348-square meter outdoor venue designed for sports tournaments, mini-concerts, yoga, Zumba and other community activities. Alongside it runs a bike lane parallel to a manmade sandbar, giving cyclists a unique way to enjoy the area’s open-air setting.

SM City La Union will be anchored by major tenants such as SM Store, SM Markets, Ace Hardware, Toy Kingdom, Levi’s, Watsons, Surplus, Pet Express, Adidas, Miniso, Sports Central, SM Appliance Center, Puma, UNIQLO, National Bookstore and BDO.

For dining and leisure, SM City La Union will feature an SM Foodhall offering Ilocano, Filipino and international dishes, while SM Cinema will showcase the first Director’s Club in the province.

“With our diverse and unique offerings, we hope to strengthen La Union’s position as both a tourism and economic hub in Northern Luzon,” said Lim.

In 2024, La Union’s tourism industry generated over P1 billion in revenues, driven by an increase in spending per visitor. The average length of stay also slightly grew year-on-year from 1.33 days to 1.39 days.

With more than 500,000 tourist arrivals in the same year, San Fernando City, San Juan and Bauang municipalities ranked as the top three destinations in the province. (SM PRIME)

Chinabank, SSS partner for MySSS Card powered by Chinabank Debit Visa for convenient disbursements

In a new partnership set to benefit millions, Chinabank and the Social Security System will be launching the MySSS Card powered by Chinabank Debit Visa. This new debit card is designed to provide SSS members with a more secure and convenient way to receive their benefits and loans. It also serves as an official Social Security System card, taking the place of the traditional Unified Multi-Purpose Identification card.

1 - CBC President & CEO Romeo Uyan Jr. and SSS President & CEO Robert Joseph M. De Claro holding mock-up MySSS cards. Flanking them are CBC Consumer Banking Segment Head Aloysius Alday Jr. and SSS Corporate Services Sector & IT Management Group EVP Elvira Alcantara-Resare.

Chinabank and Social Security System officials formalized the agreement on October 7 at the bank's head office in Makati City. At the signing were CBC President & Chief Executive Officer Romeo Uyan Jr., Consumer Banking Segment Head Aloysius Alday Jr., and Cash Management Services & Operations Group Head Domingo Dayro Jr., with SSS President & CEO Robert Joseph M. De Claro, Corporate Services Sector & IT Management Group EVP Elvira Alcantara-Resare, and Benefits Administration Division VP Joy Villacorta. 

"We at Chinabank are very proud to be part of the SSS Paycard Program as it represents a significant step towards true financial inclusion," Uyan said. "By leveraging the power of our combined institutions, we have created a product that seamlessly merges trusted government service with convenient and secure financial access. The result is an innovative tool that will empower millions of SSS members." 

The MySSS Card powered by Chinabank Debit Visa comes with no maintaining balance and the first card will be free, making it an accessible option for all SSS members. It can be opened at any Chinabank branch for secure and convenient crediting of SSS sickness, maternity, unemployment, and retirement benefits, as well as proceeds of salary, calamity, and pension loans.

Being a Debit Visa card, it can be used at any ATM and VISA-partner establishment and online store in the Philippines and abroad. It can also be enrolled in My CBC for digital banking convenience. The MySSS Card powered by Chinabank Debit Visa is part of the digital transformation of government services.

"Chinabank is among the first banks who partnered with us in bringing MySSS card to full implementation. Through the MySSS card, members and beneficiaries will experience greater convenience. We are truly looking forward to the success of this endeavor for both institutions," De Claro said.

More details about the MySSS Card powered by Chinabank Debit Visa will be announced soon.

About Chinabank

China Banking Corporation (Chinabank; PSE: CBC), founded in 1920, is the fourth largest private universal bank in the Philippines and a member of the SM Group, one of the country’s biggest conglomerates. Driven by its brand promise, “Focused on You,” Chinabank supports individuals, small- and middle-market businesses, and large corporations, with its consolidated network of 650 branches, 1,109 ATMs, and 24/7 digital banking channels: My CBC App and My CBC Online. The bank also offers a wide range of allied financial services through its subsidiaries China Bank Savings, Chinabank Capital, Chinabank Securities, Chinabank Insurance Brokers, and affiliate Manulife Chinabank Life Assurance.

For over a century, Chinabank has built a deep connection with its customers and the communities it serves, leveraging the dedication and diversity of its empowered people and the strength of its enduring partnerships to help uplift the lives of Filipinos.

For more information, visit www.chinabank.ph or follow ChinabankPH on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. (SM Supermalls)

SM Prime Named Among Hubexo Asia Top 10 Developers for 11th Consecutive Year

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of Southeast Asia’s leading integrated property developers, has once again been recognized as one of the Hubexo Asia Top 10 Developers for 2025, marking its 11th consecutive year of inclusion since 2015.

(From left to right) Carla Cruz, Brand Marketing Head at Concepcion Carrier; Alphonso Rodriguez, Director for Business Development at Concepcion Carrier; Noel Torres, Senior Vice President of SM Prime; Alexis Ortiga, Vice President and Head of SM Offices at SM Prime; John Nai Peng Ong, Chief Finance Officer at SM Prime; Shannan Golding, Head of Events at Hubexo-Asia Pacific and Paolo Rellama, Data Partner Manager at Hubexo-Asia Pacific during the awarding ceremony on September 26, 2025 at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

This distinction reaffirms SM Prime’s continued leadership and contribution to the growth and development of Asia’s real estate and built environment.

“Receiving this honor for 11 consecutive years affirms our continued commitment to excellence. It reflects the dedication and teamwork across all our business units that make every SM development a place where people can connect, celebrate and discover,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

The Hubexo Asia Top 10 Developers Award honors outstanding property developers for their significant impact on the urban landscape across Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Now in its 20th year, the award continues to uphold its legacy of acknowledging excellence in architecture, design, and sustainable urban development.

SM Prime continues to transform spaces into integrated, sustainable communities that support inclusive growth and enhance quality of life. Through its diversified portfolio, which spans malls, residences, offices, hotels and leisure properties, the company remains focused on creating long-term value for its stakeholders and contributing to the progress of the regions it serves.

As the Hubexo Asia Awards celebrates its 20th anniversary, this recognition underscores SM Prime’s enduring role in shaping the region’s-built environment and promoting responsible urbanization that supports economic and social progress. (SM PRIME)