Women's Run PH at SM By the Bay: A celebration of strength, sisterhood, and fitness

SM Supermalls and the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC) successfully hosted the Women's Run PH at SM By the Bay on March 10, 2024, highlighting a triumphant return for the event during International Women's Month in March.

Runners unite for the empowering Women’s Run.

Thousands of women, from seasoned runners to enthusiastic novices, participated in the various race categories, including a 1KM Kids Dash, a 5KM Women's Run, a 10KM Women's Run, and a 10KM Buddy Run for male-female pairs.

The top finishers in the 10K category are Maria Jonna Lina Abutas, winning 1st place (center), followed by Maricar Camacho in 2nd place (left), and Jennelyn Isibido in 3rd place.

In the 5K category, Tes Nocyao secures first place (center), with Krysha Anne Macalalad taking 2nd place (left), and Rhazanica Sarah Bautista finishing 3rd.

Princess Valerie Oaperina clinches first place in the 1K Kids race (third from left), flanked by Leeara Kirzen Sagun in 2nd place (second from left) and Rienethsme Bella in 3rd place (third from right). They are joined by Women’s Run PH founder Nicole de la Cruz (second from right), and Filipina CEO Circle (FCC)’s Ambe Tierro (left) and Karen Roa (right).

Watsons Philippines honors inspiring women, including (L-R): 76-year-old Linda Ogsimer, Breast Cancer survivor April Perreras, visually-impaired athlete Andrea Estrella, fitness coach and athlete Tes Nocyao, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) advocate Thysz Estrada, who participated in the run.

The success of the Women's Run PH at SM By the Bay underscores the growing importance of women's health and fitness initiatives. The event not only promoted physical well-being but also fostered a sense of community and unlocked potential among Filipina participants.

The Women's Run breaks barriers with the power of inclusion.

76-year-old runner Linda Ogsimer shows that diligence in running knows no bounds.

Kids conquer the course with passionate tenacity

Planting the seeds of fitness, children get to enjoy the run with their families.

The 2024 Filipina CEO Circle Women's Run PH honors female triumph and impact.

“SM Supermalls is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and empowering women,” stated SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno. “We are proud to support the Women's Run PH, where they showcased their resilience, spirit, and pure joy of running. This event proved that, together, Filipinas can conquer any finish line.”

Filipina CEO Circle (FCC)’s Karen Roa

Filipina CEO Circle (FCC)’s Ambe Tierro

Women’s Run PH founder Nicole de la Cruz

Committed to championing Filipina business leaders, the FCC collaborated with Women’s Run PH and SM Supermalls to ignite women's inspiration through running, emphasizing their unified strength and amplifying their successes.

Kim Chiu

Digital creator Mika Lagdameo

To know more about SM Supermalls’ Women’s Month initiatives, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media. (SM Supermalls)

DINO HEUTOPIA : WHERE JURASSIC MEETS IMAGINATION AT SM SEASIDE

It’s a summer like no other at SM Seaside, where imagination takes flight into a world where Jurassic inspires imagination at Dino Huetopia, the newest multi-sensory attraction located at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu.

This vibrant display brings back these prehistoric Dinosaurs to life in a vivid display of colors that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. As you wander through the attraction, be prepared to hear the thunderous roars of the dinosaurs echoing through the air, adding an extra layer of excitement to your visit.

But the fun doesn't stop there - kids can also participate in the weekly Artventures of Dina & the Dino Squad every Sunday. Let Dina and her trusty Dino Squad lead you to a creative journey filled with arts and crafts inspired by the ancient world of dinosaurs.

Be summer-ready with Dino Huetopia's Summer Market, where you’ll find everything from toys to seasonal must-haves.

Let the vibrant hues of summer lead you to SM Seaside City Cebu and hop on a radiant neon adventure at Dino Huetopia - where the past comes alive in a burst of color and excitement. Follow SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) on Facebook to catch more exciting SM Wonderland attractions coming your way this year! (SM Supermalls)

PCW, UN summit at SM amplifies call to invest in women to drive progress

Women’s rights advocates and gender equality champions gathered at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura recently for an International Women’s Day (IWD) summit spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and UN Women, in partnership with SM Supermalls.

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (third from left) with from right: SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado and Deputy Executive Director Kristine Balmes, and moderator Bernadette Sembrano.

Anchored on the global theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ the one-day summit covered crucial topics such as poverty alleviation, institutional strengthening, gender-inclusive financing, and the role of technology in enabling women, particularly entrepreneurs.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan (right), Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers (third from right), UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez (second from left), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado (third from left), UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina (left), and Bernadette Sembrano (second from right)

Opening the summit were SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, PCW Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, and UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, whose messages also served as a unifying call to action for the advancement of women’s empowerment and equality towards nation-building.

(L-R): SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Prime Holdings Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy, Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, and SM Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda spoke about the role of legislation in promoting women’s rights. She highlighted the burden of unpaid care and domestic work by women, which her bill (Unpaid Care Workers Welfare Act of 2022) seeks to address to ensure fair sharing of household and caregiving duties. Senator Legarda’s legislative efforts have included supporting the passage of crucial laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, among others.

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan

UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez

For an international perspective, esteemed panelists Australian Ambassador HK Yu, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan, and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung spurred insightful discussions on championing women through their gender-inclusive development programs in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador HK Yu (third from right), Canadian Ambassador David Hartman (right), UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran (second from left), International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan (left), and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung (third from left), with Rissa Mananquil Trillo (second from right)

On the Philippines’ efforts, experts from key government agencies – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Atty. Charina De Vera Yap, Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Anna Liza Bonagua, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development’s Jeanne Frances Illo, Philippine Commission on Women’s Anita Baleda, Commission on Audit’s Fortunata Rubico, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Miramel Garcia-Laxa – shared transformative strategies and outcomes of financing through a gender lens and gender-responsive budgeting.

(L-R): Philippine Commission on Women’s Anita Baleda, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development’s Jeanne Frances Illo, Commission on Audit’s Fortunata Rubico, and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Miramel Garcia-Laxa

Guest speaker, Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers, set the tone for sessions on the pivotal role of technology in advancing women’s empowerment in business.

Robers highlighted the importance of women's diverse perspectives in technology having said, “We cannot understate the benefits of a world where women are involved in shaping our future through technology.”

Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers

The sessions highlighted how businesses can leverage technology to bridge gender gaps and promote social change. Panelists Anne Emperado-Macababat (Malanne), Eliza Antonino (Moment Group), and creative and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan, served as a testament to empowered women creating livelihood opportunities to uplift the lives of many more women.

Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers (left), Anne Emperado-Macababat of Malanne (second from right), Eliza Antonino of Moment Group (third from left), and creative and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan (second from left), with UN Women Champion Bianca Gonzalez (right)

Landbank’s Leila Martin (third from left), BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco (left) and Joel Andres (second from right), Connected Women’s Gina Romero (second from left), and UN Women Champion Bianca Gonzalez (right)

Likewise, a panel discussion with Landbank’s Leila Martin, BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco and Joel Andres, and Connected Women’s Gina Romero helped participants navigate the benefits and challenges of technology, addressing the risks of fraud and scams, and the safety and security of financial transactions.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy

Capping the summit was SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy who reiterated the theme of the summit in her closing remarks saying, “Investing in women is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic imperative for a better world.”

Actress and film producer Bella Padilla

The IWD summit is one of the highlights of SM Supermalls’ celebration of Women’s Month this March and was also supported by BDO, Belle du Jour, Brittany Hotel, Brownies Unlimited, Crate & Barrel, Toby’s Estate, Goldilocks, and SM Store. (SM Supermalls PR)