SM Group receives 15 Philippine Quill Awards for stakeholder communications

SM Foundation's health and wellness programs continue to bring basic healthcare services directly to communities nationwide.

SM Group companies received 15 Philippine Quill Awards, including six Excellence Awards, for communications programs spanning community engagement, customer service, financial education, investor relations and digital communications.

The awards went to SM Investments Corporation, the parent company of the SM Group, and businesses across the Group, including SM Foundation, Inc., SM Supermalls (Shopping Center Management Corporation), BDO Unibank, Inc., China Banking Corporation and Signature Series by SM Residences (Signatures Development Corp).

“Good communication helps people understand what our businesses do and why it matters to them,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments. “These awards reflect the work across the Group to communicate clearly with the customers, investors, partners and communities we serve.”

SM Foundation received four awards, including three Excellence Awards. Its “Utilizing Social Good as a Force for Transformation” campaign received Excellence Awards for Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility, while #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online: Transforming Lives Through Heartfelt Storytelling received an Excellence Award for Social Media. Its social good report was also recognized under Publications.

“Communication is an important part of strengthening the impact of development programs,” said Debbie Sy, Executive Director of SM Foundation. “It helps communities understand the opportunities available to them, gives people a voice, and brings partners closer to our mission. That is what spreading social good means to us, using communication to help social good initiatives reach and engage more people.” 

BDO received four awards, including three Excellence Awards. “Life Insurance: The Key to Heaven?” and “Tuloy ang Plano: Making Plan B a Family Necessity” received Excellence Awards for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication, while “Your Child’s Dreams Need a Plan B” received an Excellence Award for Audio/Visual Communication. BDO Remit’s “Alagang Kabayan: Where Every Kabayan Belongs” was also recognized for Social Media.

SM In Focus host Rico Hizon (center) visits the Philippine Geothermal Production Company’s Tiwi site to gather groundbreaking business initiatives and sustainability stories for the online channel.

SM Investments was recognized for SM In Focus, a group-wide online channel as part of SM’s evolving approach to stakeholder communication, leveraging on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to provide timely, structured, and relevant insights on the group’s operations and impact.

Through Mindanao Art, SM Supermalls provides a platform for Filipino artists to showcase Mindanao's diverse creativity and cultural heritage.

SM Supermalls received three awards for Active Hub, Mindanao Art, and International Coastal Cleanup 2025, covering Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility. 

“Our programs begin with understanding what our customers and communities need,” said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “Communication helps us listen, respond and keep improving how we serve them.”

Chinabank received two awards. Its Investor Relations: Focused on Value campaign was recognized for Financial Communication and Investor Relations, while My CBC Campaign: An App Fit for Beauty Queens was recognized for Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication.

Signature Series was recognized for “Setting a New Mark in Premium Residential Living” under Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication.

Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC), the Philippine Quill Awards recognize communication programs and practices across organizations in the country. This year’s winners were selected from more than 800 entries evaluated against IABC standards.

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About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is an owner-operator of market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy. Through its portfolio, SM generates resilient cash flows and reinvests with discipline to compound value over the long term.

Its retail operations are the largest and most diversified in the country. Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines. Its banking interests include BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, one of the country’s largest private domestic banks.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

SM City Zamboanga Leads Lifesaving Blood Donation Drive

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, 25 August 2026 – In a powerful display of community solidarity and social responsibility, SM City Zamboanga successfully conducted a Bloodletting Activity on August 25, bringing together volunteers, partners, and advocates in a collective effort to help address the growing demand for blood supplies amid the increasing number of dengue cases in Zamboanga City.

The lifesaving initiative was held in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross - Zamboanga City Chapter, alongside the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Wing - Western Mindanao (TOW-WESTMIN), Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), and the City Health Office (CHO). The event gathered uniformed personnel, employees, tenants, and members of the community who generously rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life through blood donation.

As dengue cases continue to rise in the city, the need for readily available blood units has become increasingly critical, making every donation a vital resource in helping save lives and strengthen the local healthcare system's response.

“At SM City Zamboanga, we believe that caring for the community goes beyond providing a place to shop and gather. Through initiatives like this bloodletting activity, we create opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” said Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, SM City Zamboanga Mall Manager.

The activity underscored the importance of volunteerism and collective action, demonstrating how partnerships among government agencies, healthcare institutions, and private organizations can create a lasting impact. The Philippine Red Cross ensured the safe and efficient collection of blood donations, while partner agencies lent their support to encourage greater community participation.

As SM City Zamboanga remains committed to championing programs that promote health, wellness, and community resilience, the mall encourages the public to continue supporting blood donation campaigns and other initiatives that help build a healthier and stronger city for all.

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About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together.

Through “My SM”, SM continues to evolve with the changing lifestyles and needs of Filipino communities, reimagining the mall experience through thoughtfully designed spaces, better connectivity, innovative digital conveniences, and meaningful experiences that foster connection and strengthen communities.

My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.

SM Foundation Welcomes New Batch of Scholars in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines, 5 August 2026 — Six (6) deserving students officially joined the growing family of SM Scholars as SM Foundation awarded scholarships to its newest beneficiaries during a ceremonial contract signing held at SM City Mindpro, together with their parents and guardians.

The event marked the beginning of a life-changing educational journey for the new scholars, reinforcing SM Foundation's long-standing commitment to making quality education accessible to talented and hardworking Filipino youth.

The scholars and their families were warmly welcomed by SM City Mindpro Assistant Mall Manager Engr. Rommel P. Bellen and SM Foundation Education Program Assistant Lynneth Gelilio, who both encouraged the students to pursue their dreams with determination, excellence, and gratitude.

In his welcome message, Engr. Bellen congratulated the new scholars for earning the opportunity through their perseverance and reminded them that the scholarship is more than financial assistance—it is an investment in their future and in the communities they will one day serve.

Representing SM Foundation, Gelilio introduced the Education Program and shared how the scholarship continues to transform lives by supporting students throughout their college education while nurturing values of leadership, service, and social responsibility.

Parents and guardians also took part in the ceremony, underscoring the important role of family support in every scholar's academic journey. Their presence highlighted the shared commitment between SM Foundation and families in helping students achieve their aspirations.

The SM Foundation Scholarship Program provides comprehensive educational assistance to qualified students, helping remove financial barriers to higher education while empowering them to become future professionals and nation-builders.

To date, there are thirty-eight (38) SM Scholars in Zamboanga City, reflecting SM Foundation's sustained investment in developing future leaders and creating opportunities that uplift families and communities through education.

For decades, SM Foundation has remained steadfast in its belief that education is one of the most powerful tools for nation-building. By opening doors to deserving students, the Foundation continues to inspire hope and transform lives—one scholar, one family, and one community at a time.

SM Foundation Turns Over Rehabilitated Health Center in Zamboanga City

(L-R): Dr. Rhodora Rivera of Edwin Andrews Air Base, District Medical Director Dr. Rossana Arquiza, Niña Jean Pagotaisidro representing Congressman Jerry Perez, City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite, Putik Barangay Chairman Geronimo Lao, Kaiser Adan Olaso representing City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Ms. Connie Angeles, SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Programs Ms. Ms. Linda Atayde, and SM City Mindpro Mall Manager Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

Zamboanga City – SM Foundation formally turned over the newly rehabilitated Putik Health Center to the Zamboanga City government, reinforcing its commitment to accessible and quality primary healthcare for residents of Barangay Putik.

 

Serving a population of 23,247 as of 2025, the health center has been a vital frontline facility since the early 1990s. Its rehabilitation upgrades the facility to better deliver consultations, treatment, free medicines when available, immunization, nutrition programs, maternal and family planning services, tuberculosis treatment, non-communicable disease monitoring, and infectious disease surveillance.

 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted strong public-private partnership, with representatives of City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso and Congressman Jerry Perez in attendance, alongside SM Foundation executives led by Ms. Connie Angeles, Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs, and Ms. Linda Atayde, Executive Director for Education Programs. They were joined by SM City Mindpro Mall Manager Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite, District Medical Director Dr. Rossana Arquiza, Dr. Rhodora Rivera of Edwin Andrews Air Base, and Barangay Chairman Geronimo Lao.

 

During the ceremony, Angeles shared that the facility is the 226th SM Foundation Wellness Center and the 91st community health center supported nationwide. She emphasized that beyond upgrading infrastructure, the initiative aims to improve healthcare delivery and support health workers, with continued maintenance assistance from SM Foundation and SM malls in Zamboanga.

 

The turnover forms part of SM Foundation’s Health and Medical Program, which has supported more than 200 health centers nationwide, benefiting over seven million patients. For Barangay Putik, the renewed facility stands as a symbol of strengthened partnership and a continued commitment to community health in Zamboanga City.

SM Foundation Opens Online Registration for College Scholarship Program

SM Foundation has officially opened the online registration for its College Scholarship Program from February 1-28, 2026, extending greater educational opportunities to deserving senior high school graduates across the Philippines, including Zamboanga City, with the continued support of SM malls in Zamboanga.

 

The SM College Scholarship Program offers full college scholarships to qualified public high school graduates, covering tuition fees, as well as a monthly allowance to help with daily school expenses. The program aims to empower academically driven but financially challenged students to pursue higher education and build brighter futures.

 

Through SM City Mindpro and SM City Zamboanga, SM Foundation strengthens its reach in Mindanao by promoting access to education as a key pillar of inclusive growth. Scholars are also provided with values formation, leadership development, and volunteer engagement opportunities that help mold them into responsible professionals and community leaders.

“Education has always been at the heart of nation-building,” said Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, Mall Manager of SM City Mindpro. “Through the SM Foundation Scholarship Program, we are proud to help open doors for young Zamboangueños so they can achieve their dreams and, in turn, uplift their families and communities.”

Over the years, SM Foundation produced over 8,000 scholar graduates and are now thriving in various professions, becoming living proof of how education can transform lives.

 

Eligible applicants from Zamboanga City and in the region may now apply via the official SM Foundation website. The fully online application process makes it easier and more accessible for students from both urban and far-flung areas to submit their requirements.

As registration opens this month, SM Foundation and SM malls in Zamboanga encourage qualified students to take this important step toward a better future, reaffirming their shared commitment to empowering the youth through education.

For complete application guidelines, partner schools, and updates, applicants are advised to visit the official SM Foundation website here: https://www.sm-foundation.org/what_we_do/college-scholarship-program/

SM Foundation Earns Silver Anvil Award for its #SpreadingSocialGood Online Campaign

SM Foundation (SMFI) received a Silver Anvil Award under the PR Tools, Multimedia category from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for its #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online campaign. The initiative strengthened the Foundation’s digital presence and translated online engagement into tangible social impact. Through strategic storytelling on Facebook, SMFI grew its online community to more than one million followers and deepened engagement around its social good initiatives.

Grounded in the belief that stories can inspire action, SMFI continues to invest in social media as a platform to amplify social good, inspire more Filipinos, and honor the enduring legacy of SM founder Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr., whose vision of creating opportunities for Filipinos continues to resonate across generations. Alongside Facebook, the Foundation maintains an active presence on Instagram and TikTok, extending the reach of its social good stories across multiple platforms and audiences.

The #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online campaign was designed to bring the Foundation’s mission to life by sharing authentic, people-centered stories on Facebook, a platform used by around 102 million Filipinos to connect, engage, and discover, while complementing these efforts with platform-specific content on Instagram and TikTok. Through dynamic and audience-focused storytelling, the campaign ensured that SM Foundation’s narratives remained visible, relatable, inclusive, and accessible, while encouraging partners and communities to take part in life-changing programs through collaboration.

By combining meaningful storytelling with deliberate digital engagement, SM Foundation shows how social media can go beyond communication and become a catalyst for action, a gateway to opportunities, and a space for nationwide collaboration. With every like, share, and comment, more Filipinos are drawn into a shared mission to uplift communities and spread social good across the country, reflecting Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr.’s philosophy of people helping people.

 

SM Investments Senior Assistant Vice President Victor Chan (third from left), Anne Racoma, SMFI External Programs Manager (second from left), Joy Guevarra, SMFI Manager for Partnerships (third from right), and Darel Colarina, SMFI Senior Program Manager for the Livelihood Program (second from right), receive the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, recognizing SM Foundation’s #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online campaign and its effective use of digital storytelling to drive meaningful social impact.

 

SM Investments Senior Assistant Vice President Victor Chan (second from left), Anne Racoma, SM Foundation External Programs Manager (first from left), Joy Guevarra, SM Foundation Manager for Partnerships (second from right), and Darel Colarina, SM Foundation Senior Program Manager for the Livelihood Program (rightmost), receive the Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

 

The Silver Anvil Award trophy received by SM Foundation for its #SpreadingSocialGood Stories Online campaign, recognizing the Foundation’s effective use of digital storytelling to expand its reach and drive meaningful social impact. (SM Foundation)

All SM Malls Unite for Cebu: A Nationwide Call to Hope and Empowerment

All SM malls across the country light up in green to symbolize hope and unity for communities in Cebu affected by Typhoon Tino—reflecting the Filipino spirit of bayanihan and compassion during times of adversity.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Tino, SM Supermalls, through SM Foundation and SM Cares, has launched a nationwide campaign titled “All SM Malls Unite for Cebu,” mobilizing support and solidarity to uplift communities affected by the disaster. 

SM City Cebu’s Christmas centerpiece glows as part of the “All SM Malls Unite for Cebu” campaign. The lighting ceremony, held on November 13, brings together SM employees, partners, and local stakeholders to express solidarity with those impacted by the recent typhoon.

With the campaign’s message, “HOPE calls for an empowered community,” SM invites Filipinos across the country to extend compassion and generosity—uniting to bring grace, hope, and strength to those in need.

Lighting the Way for Cebu

The initiative was launched during the SM City Cebu Christmas display kickoff on November 13, themed “Unwrapping the Gift of Grace and Hope.” At exactly 6 PM, all SM malls nationwide illuminated their displays in GREEN—a powerful symbol of hope, unity, and the Filipino spirit of bayanihan.

SM City Cebu extends 200 Bundles of Hope honoring responders, volunteers, and everyday heroes who stood strong for the community in the aftermath of recent calamities. Leading the ceremonial handover is Ms. Marissa Fernan, Vice President for SM Prime Holdings, Incorporated.

“This season, we are reminded that the true gift of Christmas lies in giving,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls. “Through this campaign, we aim to bring light, hope, and solidarity to Cebu and its people, who continue to show courage and resilience amid challenges.”

A heartwarming initiative by SM City Cebu, delivering Bundles of Hope to Cebu’s first responders—reflecting our commitment to supporting those on the frontlines and sharing the spirit of the season.

As part of the ceremony, SM City Cebu also honored the courageous first responders who served as beacons of hope during the recent earthquake and typhoon. In gratitude for their unwavering service, the mall turned over 200 Bundles of Hope to representatives from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), BFP Mabolo, PNP Mabolo, and Barangay Mabolo BRRMO and Welfare Workers. The gesture recognized the compassion, courage, and commitment of the responders who stood at the frontlines to help communities rise again.

Real Acts of Compassion

Through Operation Tulong Express, SM Foundation and SM Supermalls distribute over 8,000 Kalinga Packs containing food and essentials to affected families in Cebu, made possible through collaboration with local government units and volunteers.

Beyond the event and the symbolic lighting, SM also turned compassion into action through a series of relief and recovery initiatives:

• 8,000 Kalinga Packs donated through Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) for affected families, including SM employees.
• Cash donation booths deployed across all SM malls nationwide, providing shoppers with easy access to contribute directly to relief operations.
• SM Mobile Clinic deployed to affected communities to deliver essential health services and medical outreach. 

SM employees in Cebu also receive Kalinga Packs as part of SM Supermalls’ ongoing commitment to care for its people and communities

These efforts are coordinated with local government units, partner organizations, and volunteers, reflecting SM’s continued commitment to community resilience and long-term empowerment.

The SM Foundation Mobile Clinic provides free medical consultations, X-rays, ECGs, and basic healthcare services, helping address urgent medical needs in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino.

Mallgoers participate in SM’s nationwide donation drive, with cash donation booths set up in all 89 SM malls to raise funds for Cebu’s relief and recovery programs under Operation Tulong Express

Gift of Grace, Gift of Hope

As part of SM’s corporate social responsibility mission, SM Foundation and SM Cares reaffirm their dedication to sustainable community support and proactive disaster response.

“Through ‘All SM Malls Unite for Cebu,’ we are not only extending immediate aid, but also building stronger, more resilient communities that can rise above adversity,” said Tan.

The campaign serves as a reminder that every act of kindness—no matter how small—can help illuminate Cebu’s path to recovery. (SM PRIME)