Planting dreams with ‘Grow Trees Community’ in Benguet

Like his father before him, John Dizon, Jr. and his family have been long-time stewards of protected trees in their community in Tuba, Benguet. When the time came for him to take up the mantle, he did so willingly to honor his father’s legacy.

“My father passed away in 2012. It was then that we found out that the area he is managing in collaboration with the government was part of a community-based forest management program,” said Mr. Dizon.

John Dizon, Jr. of Benguet-based environmental conservation group NAMALISA plants trees in support of SM Foundation’s and Fast Retailing Foundation’s Grow Trees Community project. 

A year later, Mr. Dizon, who now heads Benguet-based environmental conservation group, Nagawa, Manganese, Liw-Liw, Sadle Agroforestry Assoc. Inc.  (NAMALISA), started working closely with the SM Foundation for an inaugural tree-planting campaign back in 2013 to pick up where his father had left off in his advocacy.

With the impact of climate change more felt in recent years, Mr. Dizon shared the importance of planting more trees in communities to thin out air pollutants in keeping the air fresh and people healthier. The trees which his father planted also helped prevent soil erosion and landslides caused by earthquakes.

People’s Organization NAMALISA plant trees at the launch of Grow Trees Community in Tuba, Benguet.

He nurtures a dream that some of his children will take after him to help protect the environment. Getting closer to that dream, one of his sons is eyeing a career in forestry, a nod to his father’s chosen field.

To further this advocacy, Mr. Dizon supports the reforestation initiative of SM Foundation, Inc., the social good arm of SM and the Fast Retailing Foundation (FR Foundation), a general incorporated foundation in Japan through the Grow Trees Community campaign.

The project aims to plant and grow forest trees such as the Benguet pine, Alnus or Calliandra and Coffee trees to also help create livelihood opportunities for the community by working closely with People’s Organizations such as NAMALISA in Tuba, Benguet.

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga.  Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.

The proponents teamed up with SM Supermalls and government partners such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine National Police, Philippine Information Agency and the local government of Tuba.

Grow Trees Community was previously launched in Nasugbu, Batangas and Macabebe, Pampanga.  Across the three locations, the project aims to plant over 200,000 seedlings and propagules.

It is in support of the SM Green Movement that seeks to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living and a green culture.

FR Foundation focuses on promoting research designed to help make the world a better place, spurring technological development, nurturing human resources, and supporting socially vulnerable individuals or groups.

It is part of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., the leading Japanese retail company that owns well-loved casual wear brand, Uniqlo. (SM PR)

SM ENTERS ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY (WMSU)

SM Supermalls, thru SM City Mindpro, sealed another academic partnership in the city with Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) to help students in internship programs and future job placements during the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing held at the WMSU’s College of Home Economics Function Room today, October 25. 

Sealed! SM and WMSU formally established another academic partnership in the city to help students and graduates for their internship program and job placement. Present during the MOA signing were (L-R) WMSU Vice President for Admin and Finance Dr. Joselito Madroñal, Mall Director Arthur To, WMSU President Dr. Ma. Carla Ochotorena, Mall Manager Ms. Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, and University Legal Officer Atty. Roberto Rivero III.

Gracing the ceremonial signing were Western Mindanao State University Academic Executives, namely University President Dr. Ma. Carla Ochotorena, Vice President for Research, Extension Services, and External Linkages Dr. Teresita Narvaez, Vice President for Admin and Finance Dr. Joselito Madroñal, Vice President for Resource Generation Dr. Fredelino San Juan, Regent and Faculty Union President Dr. Adrian Semorlan, University Legal Officer Atty. Roberto Rivero III, and SM Supermalls representatives led by Mall Manager Ms. Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez and HR Manager Mr. Allen Macaso.

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 world.

“This maybe a small drop in the ocean of actions, but through this partnership, we will be able to strengthen the foundation for a fair and meaningful work globally. We also believe that as we provide opportunities, we are creating an avenue for innovation that drives the future of work”, shared SM City Mindpro’s HR Manager Mr. Allen Macaso during the MOA signing ceremony.

Aside from Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), SM City Mindpro forged the same partnership with Ateneo De Zamboanga University (ADZU) and Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ).

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 partnerships, SM City Mindpro hopes to contribute to the community development in the city through academic linkages. (SM PR)

Best Cebu Blog Awards 2022 | Cebu Street Journal

Cebu Street Journal Journey

Hey! It's been a while since I wrote something personal about this blog. I've been blogging since college and use multiply.com as my online diary. Wow! Am I that old? Ha ha ha! 

For the love of Sto. Niño, I started Cebu Street Journal as a blog exclusively for Sinulog events. The main goal is to showcase the Sinulog festival to the world, especially those Cebuano OFWs who have not been home for years. So I posted the Novena Mass schedules online and streamed the Sinulog grand parade online. Then as time went by, I was invited to numerous PR events in the city then started blogging up until today.  

BCBA

For almost ten years in the blogging industry, I am happy to announce that CebuStreetJournal.com has been nominated as one of the Top Three Finalists for the Best Cebu Blogs Awards (BCBA) 2022 - Events/Entertainment Category. This is unexpected. Being nominated is already an achievement. I thank God for this beautiful gift. 

You can vote for our blog using the link below:

bcba.cedriclucero.com

This event will not be possible without the help of our sponsors. This prestigious event will not be possible without your support. Thank you to Holiday Inn, PLDT Home, Megaworld Corporation, BPI, Mi Philippines, Home Credit, Cebu Pacific Air, and Maya Philippines.

To the people behind this prestigious award, a BIG thank you to all of you! 

#BCBA2022 #TopCebuBloggers 

SM INKS ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA (UZ)

SM Supermalls formally established an academic partnership with Universidad de Zamboanga for the university's students and alumni through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed earlier today, October 24. The academic partnership will highlight the recruitment and job placement, internship program, and learning sessions for the students of the university.

The ceremonial signing of MOA was graced by SM and Universidad de Zamboanga execs at SM Cinema Mindpro on October 24. Present were (L-R) Mr. Allen Macaso (HR Manager - SM City Mindpro), Mr. Enber Pacheco (UZ Student Affairs and Services Director), Dr. Jo-anne Bernardo (UZ Vice President for Academic Affairs), Mr. Abram Eustaquio (UZ President), Mr. Arthur To (Mall Director), and Ms. Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez (Mall Manager - SM City Mindpro)

SM City Mindpro will also provide their 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 world.

“Through the spirit of mutualism, SM Supermalls and the university bring about an innovative learning approach through this formal academic partnership that 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”, said Mall Manager Ms. Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez during the MOA signing held at Cinema 4 of SM City Mindpro.

Gracing the ceremonial MOA signing were the university executives led by its President, Mr. Abram M. Eustaquio, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jo-anne Bernardo, Student Affairs and Services Director, Mr. Enber Pacheco, School of Business and Management Dean, Dr. Richard Mariano, and School of Engineering, Information and Communications Technology Dean, Dr. Ednalyn Reyes.

SM Supermalls was represented by Ms. Aileen Ann Villa-Enriquez, SM City Mindpro Mall Manager, Engr. Rommel Bellen, Assistant Mall Manager, and Mr. Allen Macaso, HR Manager.

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.