SM Foundation, partners’ medical missions reach 3,000 in Laguna, Bohol

With the rising prevalence of diseases straining healthcare systems, preventive healthcare has become an urgent priority to identify and address potential health issues before they develop.

Early detection and intervention are key to stopping health problems in their tracks, leading to better health outcomes and a lighter burden on both individuals and healthcare systems.

Amidst this, SM Foundation continues its mission of uplifting low-income communities by providing free medical services through its medical missions with its social good partners.

Its recent outreach programs in Bohol with BDO Network as well as SM City Sta. Rosa, Laguna saw roughly 3,000 patients receive vital healthcare check-ups.

These medical missions prioritize preventive healthcare, offering services, including medical consultations, basic laboratory tests, dental check-ups, and free medicines. This focus on early detection of potential health issues empowers residents to take control of their well-being.

The two legs of the medical mission were a social good collaboration between SM Foundation, Jonelta Foundation, Perpetual Help Medical Center, Brgy. Dita, Sta. Rosa in Laguna; BDO Network Bank, MX3-DMIRIE Foundation, 21st Special Force Company Philippine Army, JCI, LGUs of Carmen, Jagna, and Calape in Bohol.

SM Foundation's commitment goes beyond immediate care. SM Foundation also rehabilitates local health centers to upgrade equipment and facilities. This strengthens the healthcare infrastructure in these communities, ensuring better access to quality care in the long run.

By bringing preventive healthcare directly to underserved areas, SM Foundation's health and medical pillar continues to promote better health outcomes for the communities they serve. (SM Foundation)

SM Supermalls champions wellness and community: Health and Beauty Caravan 2024 returns!

SM Supermalls kicks off the continuation of Women's Month celebrations with the press launch of the 3rd Health and Beauty Caravan by Ricky Reyes at SM Megamall. In cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Cancer Society, and Local Government Units (LGUs), this special project spearheaded by the Filipino Hairdressers' Association (FILHAIR) for the Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundations Inc. (MMMSFI) has become a cornerstone event, promoting health, beauty, and social responsibility within communities. Building on the success of the 2023 edition, this year's caravan will take place from April 16 to June 26, 2024, across SM malls nationwide.

(L-R, front): Ricky Reyes, Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, SM Supermalls’ Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos, Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation Inc. (MMMSFI) Vice President and Muntinlupa First Lady Trina Biazon, MMMSFI Treasurer and Valenzuela First Lady Tiffany Gatchalian, and MMMSFI Secretary and Caloocan First Lady Aubrey Malapitan, alongside the leaders of the Health and Beauty Caravan 2024.

In the press launch, FILHAIR President "Mother" Ricky Reyes shared her vision for the caravan, emphasizing its focus on not just outward beauty but also inner wellness. Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos highlighted the positive impact the caravan will have on women in the community, particularly in terms of health and empowerment. Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang stressed the importance of well-being and social responsibility. Representatives from the MMMSFI, including Vice President Trina Biazon of Muntinlupa, Treasurer Tiffany Gatchalian of Valenzuela, and Secretary Aubrey Malapitan of Caloocan, accepted the project and expressed gratitude.

FILHAIR President "Mother" Ricky Reyes

Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos

Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang

The Health Caravan will again be joined by LGUs to provide free medical services for 800 participants, including women, children, and senior citizens. This will include the distribution of medicines and vitamins; training for barangay health workers on emergency preparedness; blood typing; blood sugar checks; feeding programs; and more. The Philippine Cancer Society will also offer cancer screenings for all women. China Bank will likewise participate in this event by offering a specialized Insurance Program designed for beauty practitioners, salon owners, salon employees, and makeup artists.

Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation Inc. Vice President and Muntinlupa First Lady Trina Biazon

Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation Inc. (MMMSFI) Treasurer and Valenzuela First Lady Tiffany Gatchalian and MMMSFI Secretary and Caloocan First Lady Aubrey Malapitan

The Beauty Caravan aims to help all beauty practitioners, salon owners, hair and makeup artists, and everyone involved in the beauty industry. It will achieve this through seminars and competitions in different categories, such as the UNISEX HAIR COLORING STYLING COMPETITION, which focuses on the latest trends in hair color and styling. There's also the REBOND PLUS CATEGORY, a competition for the best hair rebonding service, the BRIDAL MAKEUP CATEGORY for the best Makeup Artist, and the newest and much-awaited category this year, the HIGH FASHION, GANDA NG LOLA CATEGORY, a competition celebrating style and confidence among senior citizens.

The model of Unisex Color Styling Champion 2023, Marvin Habla

The model of Bridal Makeup Champion 2023, Paulo Torda

More details about participating SM malls and the complete competition categories will be revealed soon. Stay tuned! (SM Supermalls)

10% off every first Tuesday! Celebrate Kabayan Day at SM Malls with BDO Remit

Great news for Filipino families with overseas workers! BDO Remit, the trusted remittance service of BDO Unibank, partners with SM to launch “Kabayan Day,” an exclusive year-round treat happening every first Tuesday of the month.

Kabayan Day is more than just discounts. It's a way to say thank you to our hardworking Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. Enjoy up to 10% off at participating SM affiliates nationwide, including: SM Store, SM Appliance, SM Cinema, SM Skating, SM Bowling, SM Game Park, Sports Central, Toy Kingdom, Baby Company, Watsons, Miniso, Surplus, and Ace Hardware.

This initiative reflects the commitment of both BDO Remit and SM to empower and honor Filipinos. It goes beyond remittance services, creating a dedicated day to show appreciation for the sacrifices and contributions of OFWs.

Ready to celebrate Kabayan Day? Visit your nearest SM branch on the first Tuesday of the month and don't forget to bring your BDO Kabayan Savings ATM card, Passbook, or a validated remittance payment slip to avail the discounts.

For more details, you can visit http://www.bdo.com.ph or follow the BDO Kabayan Facebook page.

SM Prime Embarks on a Unified Waste Management Program for an #SMWasteFreeFuture

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, is embarking on a unified waste management and segregation campaign in response to the growing global crises on waste. SM Prime aims to bring all its property groups and stakeholders toward an #SMWasteFreeFuture.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), humanity generates more than 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, of which 45 percent is mismanaged. Without urgent action, municipal solid waste will double to almost 4 billion tons each year by 2050. On December 14, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 30 as the International Day of Zero Waste.

The largest haul and biggest participation to-date: The 38th International Coastal Clean-up had 17,000 volunteers across 15 SM Malls in 12 locations nationwide. It is an annual community-driven partnership between SM Supermalls, SM Cares, the DENR, LGU’s and the volunteers from the SM community.

The following year, UNEP inaugurated the First International Day of Zero Waste, to bolster actions to address the global pollution crisis. It aims to encourage global action and bring the world’s attention to zero waste.

Strong foundations
SM Prime’s founding leader, Henry Sy, believed that “business growth and social development must go hand in hand.” The company follows this guiding principle and has formed a sustainability policy that commits to the following: Resource Conservation and Efficiency, Disaster Resilience, Climate Advocacy, Social Integration, and Transparent Reporting.

Scaled to perfection: One of the first recycling markets the country, Trash-to-Cash’s valuable example that waste can have monetary benefits. The recycling market is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month in all SM Supermalls to encourage waste segregation and recycling among SM customers, tenants, and the community. The recycling market is open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Anchored on these sustainability commitments are the SM Supermalls’ Environmental Programs on Waste Management. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, SM Supermalls has pioneered longstanding programs such as the Trash to Cash recycling market, and provided support to the annual International Coastal Clean Up, among other national events.

Closing the loop: SMHCC’s sustainability efforts are anchored on the 7Gs or Seven Green Goals, based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The overall thrust for sustainability is cascaded to the rest of properties, ensuring that it is embedded at every step of the hotel’s operations, ensured by property Sustainability Champions.

In the hotel and tourism sector, SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has taken the lead in mitigating global food waste by implementing sustainable initiatives across its properties in the Philippines. Their key initiatives include the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Sustainable Diner Program, aiming to transform and help the food service sector minimize its impact on the environment thru resource efficiency, plastic refusal and food waste management and contribute to the world’s future food security.

To support these programs, SM Prime also recently unveiled its waste-to-fuel partnership with GUUN Co. Ltd. (GUNN) to implement the Japanese technique of reducing landfill impact. The technology converts non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle packaging into alternative fuel.

No time to waste: Sorting through the amount of trash at the GUUN Facility in Cebu. Unfit for recycling and reuse, the waste material recovered avoids the landfill and is then reconverted to fuel resource.

 

A Vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture
To mark the International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, 2024, SM Prime is releasing its vision for an #SMWasteFreeFuture. “As a community, we strongly believe in our ability to contribute to solving today's waste issues,” said Hans “Chico” Sy, Jr., President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corporation (SMEDD) and SM sustainability champion.

SM Prime’s announcement of its vision of an #SMWasteFreeFuture demonstrates the company’s strong commitment and sustainability stewardship, by inviting its stakeholders to engage in activities that will help spread zero-waste awareness and work for a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach on waste management.

“We understand that this may seem like a daunting challenge to overcome However, by joining forces, we can create a world that our future generations truly deserve – if we have the courage to take on this journey together,” said Sy.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future. (SM Supermalls)