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| SM Cares officially turns over more than 70,000
books collected through its Book Nook Donation Drive across 88 SM malls to 88
partner libraries—strengthening its commitment to promote lifelong learning
nationwide. (L-R) SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President Ms. Hanna Carinna T.
Sy, SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Hans T. Sy,
National Library of the Philippines Director Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano, Book
Nook Pioneer Ms. Shereen T. Sy, and SM Engineering Design and Development
President Mr. Hans “Chico” T. Sy Jr. |
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, SM Cares, the corporate social
responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, wrapped up the Book Nook Book Donation
Drive with an inspiring show of community spirit, collecting over 70,000
pre-loved books across 88 SM malls nationwide. The initiative brought together
thousands of Filipinos in a shared mission to spark the joy of reading and
promote lifelong learning.
From Spark to Movement
“When SM celebrated its 40th anniversary, the focus was not on
grandeur, but on purpose: to transform this spirit of sharing into a
full-fledged Book Nook Book Donation Drive,” shared Mr. Cesar Gilbert
Q. Adriano, Director of the National Library of the Philippines. “From
that spark, the journey truly took root, born from a shared belief that stories
are gifts meant to be passed on.”
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| SM City Bacolod and its community delivers
5,600+ books to the Provincial Library of Negros Occidental —bringing stories
closer to the community. |
From July 7 to October 15, 2025, mallgoers from Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao donated books of all kinds — from children’s stories and educational
materials to novels and reference titles — to benefit public libraries and
community reading spaces across the country.
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SM City Novaliches joins the
nationwide Book Nook Book Donation Drive, turning over boxes of pre-loved books
to local communities and schools to spread the joy of reading and learning.
|
The reach of this initiative speaks volumes: the Book Nook Book
Donation Drive has enriched 88 libraries and reading centers nationwide,
including 74 affiliated public libraries in Luzon, 7 in the Visayas, and 7 in
Mindanao. This collective effort will benefit an estimated 219,936 students,
families, and educators, transforming libraries into vibrant hubs where learning
thrives and stories come alive.
Celebrating Literacy and
Community Partnership
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| The youth remain at the heart of the Book Nook
Book Donation Drive—equipping future generations with knowledge and learning
opportunities through the gift of books. |
The culmination of the drive was marked by a ceremonial turnover held
on November 27, 2025, at the National Library of the Philippines, where SM
Cares formally turned over the collected books to its 88 partner library
communities.
The event stood as a milestone celebration of how the Book Nook
program continues to strengthen literacy and learning through accessible,
community-based reading spaces located in SM malls nationwide.
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| Book Nook honors librarians nationwide who
champion the love of reading and transform libraries into vibrant centers of
learning. |
“Through the Book Nook, we hope to nurture curiosity and creativity in
every Filipino,” said Ms. Shereen T. Sy, Pioneer of the Book Nook
program under SM Cares. “This initiative shows us how collective
action can create lasting impact — one book, one reader, one community at a
time.”
Honoring the Champions of
Literacy
During the turnover, Book Nook also recognized exemplary public
librarians who have gone above and beyond in fostering literacy and learning in
their communities. The Heart of the Library Award for Most Outstanding
Librarian was presented to Ms. Michael “Aiko” Nagas of the City Library of San
Fernando, La Union, for her dedication to making books and knowledge accessible
to all.
Meanwhile, the Literacy Partner Award was presented to outstanding
librarians across the country, including Ms. Rosena Roman of the City of Imus
Public Library, Ms. Easter Wahayna-Pablo of the Baguio City Public Library, Ms.
Mylene Villanueva of the Manila City Library, and Mr. Michael Pinto of the
Cagayan Provincial Learning and Resource Center. These individuals were honored
for their invaluable efforts in promoting reading, cultivating lifelong
learning, and inspiring their communities to grow through knowledge.
This milestone is more than a celebration—it’s a promise. SM Cares
remains dedicated to empowering future generations through literacy and
learning. Through initiatives like Book Nook, we aim to nurture curiosity,
creativity, and connection. Learn more at https://linktr.ee/smbooknook or
follow @OfficialSMCares and @SMBookNook.
Celebrating 40 Super Years of
Evolving with Every You
SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest
mall developers and operators with 89 malls in the Philippines and 8 in
China—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space
where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously redefining
the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep
commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and
meaningful experiences. (SM PRIME)
