AIA Philippines, The Medical City, ABS-CBN Foundation, and DepEd Bring Breast Cancer Screening to Bulacan Teachers

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In celebration of National Teacher’s Month, AIA Philippines (formerly Philam Life) and The Medical City (TMC), alongside the ABS-CBN Foundation and the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of San Jose del Monte, launched this year’s Hope Mobi Clinic program to deliver free breast cancer screening to 100 public school teachers in Bulacan.

The outreach brought critical health services directly to women educators in San Jose del Monte. The initiative was further formalized through a ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the organizations, reinforcing a shared, long-term commitment to expanding access to community-based breast healthcare.

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Addressing Barriers to Preventive Care

Through the Hope Mobi Clinic’s mobile medical setup, participating teachers received comprehensive breast cancer screenings without the typical logistical hurdles, such as high costs, lengthy travel times, or limited access to local facilities.

The program comes at a critical time for women’s health in the country. Breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among Filipino women:

• 28,000+ New Cases: Estimated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) for the Philippines, representing 32% of all female cancer diagnoses.
• 11,160 Annual Deaths: Highlighted in global health reports due to late-stage detection.
• Asymptomatic Early Stages: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early detection is vital because breast cancer often shows no obvious physical symptoms early on.

“Teachers dedicate themselves to caring for others, inspiring potential, shaping character, and helping build the future through every life they touch. This Teacher’s Month, we want to help educators take care of their own health by making preventive breast cancer screening more accessible and encouraging them to take action early with confidence and courage.”

— Melita Teo, President and CEO, AIA Philippines

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Cross-Sector Collaboration for Community Wellness

The Hope Mobi Clinic initiative reflects AIA Philippines’ broader Rethink Healthy movement, which champions preventive health alongside mental, financial, and environmental well-being.

In addition to breast cancer screenings, participating educators received:

• Free blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, and blood typing provided by The Medical City.
• Grocery supply packages distributed by the local government unit (LGU).
• Guidance on self-examination routines and clear follow-up pathways for further medical care.

“Early detection can change a patient’s health journey. Through Hope Mobi Clinic, we bring screening closer to communities so more women can take an important step toward protecting their health.”

— Dr. Carlo Angelo Cajucom, Director of Augusto P. Sarmiento Cancer Institute, The Medical City

Levi Grace Ambon-Rota, Head of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Bata program, added: “Working alongside AIA Philippines and our partners allows us to further invest in community well-being, ensuring that more women educators receive the health support they need to continue making a difference in the lives of others.”

DepEd Senior Education Program Specialist Merlita Ynciong expressed gratitude on behalf of the division, emphasizing that health education empowers teachers to continue inspiring students and contributing to national growth.

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Operating since 2023, the Hope Mobi Clinic partnership between AIA Philippines and The Medical City continues to demonstrate how public-private sector cooperation can bridge health equity gaps for Filipino women.

SM, OCENR, CENRO Leads International Coastal Cleanup in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, 19 September 2026 – Demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement, SM Cares, through SM City Zamboanga and SM City Mindpro, in partnership with Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office – Zamboanga City (CENRO) successfully conducted the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2026 along R.T. Lim Boulevard on September 19.

The initiative gathered 1,145 volunteers from various local and national government agencies, uniformed personnel, non-government organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, civic groups, private companies, and community members, all united by a common goal of protecting the city's coastal environment and promoting responsible waste management.

Through the collective efforts of the participants, a total of 1,076.4 kilograms of marine litter and waste materials were collected from the coastline, helping prevent debris from reaching the sea and threatening marine ecosystems.

The annual International Coastal Cleanup serves as a global movement that highlights the importance of preserving oceans, shorelines, and waterways while fostering environmental awareness and volunteerism among communities.

“Today's cleanup is a powerful reminder that environmental protection is a shared responsibility. We are grateful to all our partners and volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to this meaningful cause. Through collective action, we can create cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable communities for future generations,” said Engr. Rommel Bellen, Assistant Mall Manager of SM City Mindpro.

The activity showcased the strong collaboration among government agencies, environmental advocates, educational institutions, and the private sector in advancing environmental conservation efforts in Zamboanga City.

As part of SM's ongoing sustainability programs, the coastal cleanup reflects its commitment to creating positive environmental impact through initiatives that encourage community participation, proper waste management, and environmental responsibility.

SM Supermalls in Zamboanga extends its sincere appreciation to all partner organizations, volunteers, and stakeholders whose support contributed to the success of the International Coastal Cleanup and reaffirmed the community's shared commitment to protecting the environment. 

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About SM Cares

As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, SM Cares is focused on enriching the lives of Filipinos through socially-conscious and environmentally-responsible programs meant to Empower Communities into long-lasting, impactful improvement.

SM Foundation’s communications initiatives earn accolades in Asia-Pacific

The foundation received the Silver Stevie® Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications and the Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Videos. These accolades underscore SM Foundation’s commitment to harnessing the power of storytelling to drive social development.

SM Foundation, the social good arm of the SM Group, has been internationally recognized for its innovative communication initiatives, bringing home two honors from the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards held in Seoul, South Korea.

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards honor innovation in business across 29 markets in the region. Each year, the program recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence and creativity across various fields—including corporate communications and sustainability.

Accepting the awards on behalf of SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, SM Investments Senior Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Victor Chan said that the awards highlight development communications' effectiveness in fostering social good.

Stories that spark collective action and sustainable change. The SM Foundation communications team, represented by SM Investments Senior AVP Victor Persius Chan and Asst. Communications Manager Rheza Candelaria, during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards held in Seoul, South Korea

“At SM Foundation, we believe in the power of development communications to tell stories that uplift, connect, and inspire,” Chan said. “It’s through these stories of hope that we’re able to bring people together—across sectors and communities—to spark collective action and sustainable change.”

“We dedicate this recognition to the communities who continue to inspire our work and to our partners in social good who help turn purpose into progress,” he added.

The foundation received the Silver Stevie® Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications and the Bronze Stevie® Award for Innovation in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Videos.

These recent wins reinforce SM Foundation’s growing recognition for its development communication efforts—leveraging storytelling, multimedia, and strategic messaging to amplify its advocacies in health, education, disaster response, livelihood, and agriculture.

To learn more about SM Foundation’s social good initiatives, visit www.sm-foundation.org and follow @smfoundationinc on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). (SM Foundation)