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)