SM Supermalls Begins 100 Days of Happiness

To kick-start the Christmas countdown, SM Supermalls began its 100 Days of Happiness last September 16, where they aim to create a circle of happiness with 76 participating malls, shoppers, the marginalized communities of women, persons deprived of liberty, artisans, cause-oriented organizations, and select local government units.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan giving his welcome remarks during the launch of 100 Days of Happiness.

"We want to create a circle of happiness in all our SM malls by featuring products of cause-oriented programs which we will offer to our shoppers who, in turn, give them to friends and family, and ultimately, benefit the communities that created these products," said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto advocate for the “Vote to Tote” project during the Happiness Walk.

Through the campaign, SM Supermalls encourages Filipinos to support the advocacies of individuals and organizations that provide opportunities and create livelihood for their communities. For this year, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, UNICEF, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative, among others.

The launch event held at SM North EDSA The Block was attended by SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and select councilors of the city; Spark PH Founder Mica Teves; GSP President Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson; designer Zarah Juan; and Brownies Unlimited Marketing head Dustin Ngo.

 

Equipping young girls to lead and build the future, one box of brownies at a time

For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM Megamall, along with 9 other SM malls, is collaborating with Brownies Unlimited and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. For every purchase of a special GSP-themed box of brownies in-mall and via the SM Malls Online App, one girl will be sponsored with a GSP membership for a year.

In its commitment to building communities, especially for women and the youth, SM Supermalls and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines sign a memorandum of agreement to formalize a meaningful partnership beyond the year 2022.

Ladies in Green: The Girl Scouts of the Philippines come together to celebrate Girl Scouts Week 2022 at SM City North EDSA.

"We have a lot of young girls across the country and they've had such difficult times during the pandemic. Our membership dropped significantly. By buying a box, you can sponsor a girl for one year and she can learn so many things like being independent, loving her country more, and helping her community," said GSP President Nina Lim-Yuson.

Recently, SM Supermalls helped the GSP vaccinate all its 70,000 members nationwide. By providing them with convenient and safe COVID-19 vaccines, SM Supermalls was able to ensure that the GSP members have access to quality healthcare services.

SM shoppers can purchase a box of brownies from 46 Brownies Unlimited branches nationwide and the SM Malls Online App.

 

Giving marginalized women and persons deprived of liberty hope for the future

Apart from the GSP partnership, SM Supermalls also partnered with the local government of Quezon City for its Vote to Tote program, Spark PH, and bag designer Zarah Juan to sell upcycled tarpaulin handmade tote bags sewn by marginalized women and female persons deprived of liberty.

Designer Zarah Juan, along with the local government of QC, Spark PH, and SM Supermalls partner on the Vote to Tote program - an initiative fueled for, and by, marginalized women and female persons deprived of liberty.

"Christmas is all about giving. We are very happy that this year, the communities of Quezon City are included as beneficiaries in this program. And apart from helping the women in our communities, we are also able to help the environment by upcycling 70 tons of election tarpaulins that we've collected." said Mayor Belmonte.

Members of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. come together to spread the holiday cheer.

Juan, the designer, was the brainchild of the upcycling initiative. "During the elections, there were tons of election campaign wastes. I wanted to do something and I thought I have my platform– my designs. If my designs can actually solve this problem, then it's worthwhile. Then I pitched the idea to Maica Teves, the founder of Spark PH. From there, we gathered all the help we can– from the Quezon City LGU who will help us collect tarpaulins, the women communities that can help us create, and SM Supermalls who can provide us the platform to distribute."

A Happiness Walk was done to showcase the upcycled tote bags that shoppers can buy in SM malls. Joining the Happiness Walk were men and women of substance including select Girl Scouts members, Jeremy Lapena and Bernce Sevilla of the Downs Syndrome Association of the Phils, Mylene Abiva of WomenBiz, media celebrities Ces Oreña Drilon, and Gina Pareño among others.

Women of Substance: Gina Pareño walk the runway to show support for the 100 Days of Happiness’ causes and initiatives.

Women of Substance: Ces Drilon walk the runway to show support for the 100 Days of Happiness’ causes and initiatives.

The proceeds of the upcycled tote bags will be given to the women PDLs in Camp Karingal, and the marginalized women of Barangays Sto. Cristo, Greater Lagro, and Pinyahan in Quezon City. The tote bags will be sold in the following SM malls:

●     SM Aura Premier

●     SM Southmall

●     SM City Fairview

●     SM City North EDSA 

●     SM Megamall 

 

Helping a community of artists

And in the south of Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia family will be partnering with the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists in selling painted Christmas cards to the shoppers.

In photo: men and women of substance from the Quezon City LGU, SM Supermalls, Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Brownies Unlimited, Spark PH, and Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines.

 

"All these and more will start to unfold in the coming days as we continue spreading happiness across all SM malls around the country. Let us not waste our next 100 days and use it to make one another happy by giving. Today, let the countdown begin to a hundred days of happiness!” Tan closed.

This is the second time SM Supermalls has started a holiday countdown campaign. In 2021, the biggest mall network in the Philippines showed the world more than a hundred ways of giving through 100 Days of Caring. Underserved communities surrounding the 76 SM malls were provided with their urgent needs through in-kind and monetary donations by the malls, its various business units, and the employees.

For the list of all partner institutions and their beneficiaries visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts. (SM PR)

The New Workwear at The SM Store

Workwear has evolved through the years from Wall Street pinstripes to Silicon Valley casual.  With many more heading to the office after two years of WFH arrangements, welcome to the new world of workwear at SM Store.

Smart and Preppy. Mainstreet blazer, pants, and Baleno tee paired with a Salvatore Mann duffle bag, Hush Puppies loafers and a watch from SM Accessories.

Boardroom elegance. SM Woman vest dress worn with Antepara eyewear, a Parisian shoulder bag and platform shoes.

Like the new way of going to work, dressing up for the office is in a sense- hybrid. Some brands call it “power casual” or “business comfort”. Heels are lower, silhouettes are more relaxed, and Silicon Valley execs are said to be wearing graphic tees under blazers. And it’s the perfect time to give your office wardrobe a reboot and refresh with three new looks that from the SM Store that cross fashion boundaries – Minimalist, Preppy, and Workleisure.

Cool and casual. Baleno sports shirt, Code Blue jacket, Mainstreet pants, Salvatore Mann Sling bag and leather shoes. All available at SM Store’s Men’s Department.

Dress up for work comfortably and confidently with this SM Woman sleeveless blouse, vest, mini skirt matched with, a Parisian cross body bag and platform shoes, and a watch from SM Accessories.

Minimalist looks are best for more traditional office arrangements. It combines simplicity with elegance like SM Woman’s Prima collection worn with Parisian’s heels, pumps, bags and Raya’s set of earrings and necklaces. For men, there are dress shirts and pants from Baleno, Smyth, and Mainstreet; as well as shoes and bags from Milanos and Salvatore Mann.

Minimalist memo. Monochromatic satin blouse and pants from SM Woman paired with Raya jewelry and a Parisian bag.

Corporate basics – a dress shirt and slacks available at SM Store’s Men’s Department.

Preppy styles, on the other hand, highlight business comfort. Think relaxed cardigans and jackets, and slacks paired with sling bags, backpacks, duffle bags, leather shoes, loafers and watches for men.  There are also casual dresses, vests, and coordinates best paired with accessories watches, platform shoes, backless loafers, crossbody, sling and shoulder bags.

Contemporary classics. Mainstreet shirt, Baleno pants, Salvatore Mann Bag and Milanos shoes from SM Store’s Men’s Department.

Dress up for work wearing different pieces together that fall within the same color from the SM Woman Department.

Workleisure outfits underscore how lines have blurred between working and living by combining corporate style with an athleisure attitude many have embraced work. Think of women wearing blazers with sports bras, as well as more denim and sneaker sightings in the workplace.

Head back to the office comfortably with work leisure style outfits for men. Maxwear blazer, Baleno shirt, Mainstreet pants all paired with a leather clutch, and two-toned sneaker. All available at the SM Store.

Workleisure outfits combine corporate style with athleisure attitude like wearing blazers, shorts, active sports bras matched with nylon tote and sneakers from SM Store’s Woman’s Department.

Check out the new WorkWear at all SM Stores nationwide. (SM PR)

SM City Mindpro Inked Partnership with the Local Academe

SM Supermalls, thru SM City Mindpro, sealed its very first academic partnership in Western Mindanao with Ateneo De Zamboanga University (ADZU) to help students in internship programs and future job placements during the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing held at the Level 4 of SM City Mindpro on September 13, 2022. 

(L-R) Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez (Mall Manager), Engr. Jonathan Nick D. Santos (AVP for Operations in Mindanao-2), Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ (ADZU President), and Fr. Rene Tacastacas, SJ (ADZU VP for Higher Education) signed a memorandum of agreement to seal the partnership between SM City Mindpro and Ateneo De Zamboanga University.

Gracing the ceremonial signing were Ateneo De Zamboanga University Academic Executives, namely President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, Vice President for Higher Education Fr. Rene Tacastas, SJ, Assistant to the Vice President for Higher Education Dr. Evelyn Chavez, School of Liberal Arts Dean Dr. Robin delos Reyes, School of Management and Accountancy Dean Mr. Dexter Velez, and SM Supermalls representatives led by Mindanao-2 Assistant Vice President for Operations Engr. Jonathan Nick D. Santos.

The deal signals exciting collaboration in areas of learning and development, as well as recruitment and future job placement, providing future graduates with vast career opportunities. SM City Mindpro will also provide students the opportunity to take part in the company’s internship programs and learning sessions which will help students be equipped with knowledge and skills when they embark in the corporate sphere.

SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations in Mindanao-2 Engr. Jonathan Nick D. Santos delivering his message during the ceremonial MOA signing held at the Level 4 of SM City Mindpro.

“Through the spirit of mutualism, SM Supermalls and the university bring about an innovative learning approach through this formal academic partnership which aims to provide an opportunity for students to apply the theories they learned from the classroom to the workplace and broaden their knowledge through market exposure and practical experience”, shared SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Operations in Mindanao-2 Engr. Jonathan Nick D. Santos during the MOA signing ceremony.

Aside from Ateneo De Zamboanga University (ADZU), Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ) are expected to forge the same partnership with SM City Mindpro in the coming days.

SM’s academic partnerships and participation in job fairs are just some of the many ways SM gives back to its community. With the recent partnership, SM City Mindpro hopes to contribute to the community development in the city through academic linkages. (SM PR)

#ExperienceAweSMZamboanga at SM City Mindpro

#ExperienceAweSMZamboanga and #LetYourselfBloom at SM City Mindpro!

Snap Instagrammable moments with your family and friends at SM’s new IG-worthy spot located at Level 6, Carpark Building.

Enjoy these fun moments because whatever you're into, whoever you are, #YoureAlwaysWelcomeHereAtSM!

SM Foundation Set to Welcome Over 300 New SM Scholars

SM Foundation (SMFI), the corporate social good arm of the SM group, is set to award scholarship grants to more than 300 college freshmen for SY 2022-2023 this coming August 27 at 1:45-5:00 PM. The said event will be broadcasted live via SMFI’s Facebook page: @SMFoundationInc

File Photo: SM Scholars General Assembly 2019

Of the more than 300 new SM scholars, 40% are from the National Capital Region and 60% are from the provinces across the country. This makes the total current number of SM college scholars to more than 1,300.

Under the flagship program of SM Foundation, scholars enjoy full tuition and miscellaneous fees subsidy. They also receive monthly stipend and are exposed to various enrichment activities and job opportunities at SM malls during their semestral or Christmas breaks. After graduating, they also have a chance to land their dream jobs in companies within SM.

The program covers the following field of studies: Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, and Electronics), Education (Elementary and Secondary); Accountancy, and Financial Management, among others.

SMFI, through its Scholarship program, provides deserving and qualified students with access to college education and technical-vocational studies since 1993. To date, SMFI has produced more than 8,000 scholar-graduates. (SM PR)