SM accepts donations at all malls, gives immediate relief, shelter to Typhoon Odette-hit areas

by SM - @Brand Zone | December 23, 2021

The Gift of Giving to Those in Need: SM accepts donations at all malls, gives immediate relief, shelter to Typhoon Odette-hit areas

SM Foundation, Inc. through its Operation Tulong Express program, the relief operations program that gives immediate assistance in the form of basic needs in times of disasters, provided tens of thousands of Kalinga (care and relief packs) consisting of rice, bottled water and other essentials to over 5,000 families in Butuan (Agustan del Norte), Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

Moreover, SM’s retail stores and malls were open when typhoon Odette struck to provide essential needs.

SM malls in Cebu, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Puerto Princesa provided temporary shelter to customers and nearby residents by offering free Wi-Fi, charging stations, drinking water, light snacks, free overnight parking and help desks ready to serve customers affected by the typhoon.

“Our malls always serve as temporary shelter during critical times to serve our communities’ needs. We are always ready to help those most vulnerable in the affected disaster areas and deploy our Operation Tulong Express outreach program immediately.” SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan said.

Donations for the communities affected by Typhoon Odette will be accepted in 86 SM malls nationwide, including 8 SMDC malls. There are 3 ways to give – through cash donation boxes located at the SM Cares Bears of Joy booths and mall entrances, through direct deposit to the Philippine Red Cross (Account Name: PHILIPPINE RED CROSS; Banco De Oro – EDSA, Mandaluyong Branch; Account Number: 012928001854; SWIFT CODE: BNORPHMM) and through scanning the PRC QR codes below. All proceeds will go directly through the PRC, a partner of SM Cares and the SM Foundation, Inc.

Know more, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

SM Supermalls opens first batch of SM StartUp Markets nationwide

by SM - @Brand Zone | December 18, 2021

SM Supermalls opens first batch of SM StartUp Markets nationwide

Eight online MSMEs are given an opportunity to open their first physical store at SM

SM Supermalls launched the first batch of MSME shops at the opening of the SM StartUp Markets today, December 15, at the SM Megamall.

During the launch, SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan announced that they will be opening eight shops under the SM StartUp Package in SM Megamall. "From Clark and Pampanga to Cagayan De Oro and Davao, we will be seeing new concepts and fresh products in 13 SM malls under various categories by January."

The eight MSME owners chosen for SM Megamall’s StartUp Market include Kurimu, a Japanese-inspired premium handcrafted ice cream brand;

The Truffle Peddler, maker of artisanal chocolate products from Philippine cacao;

Ronin Asia, a Japanese aburi maki specialty kitchen;

Isaw To Go, which offers frozen, vacuum-sealed street foods straight from Bulacan;

AC-San, a one-stop shop for gold-plated and stainless steel jewelry;

Alta Skincare Whitening System, a line of clinically-tested skin whitening products;

Kahel Shirts, which source their fabrics locally;

and True, creator of natural, clean, and hypoallergenic products meant for babies and those with sensitive skin.

All the MSMEs shared similar humble beginnings. Due to the struggles they faced during the pandemic, they were prompted to start a business as a means to support their families. Most used social media to promote their ventures, and now, thanks to SM Supermalls, newly-born entrepreneurs were given the push they needed to grow.

“[The SM StartUp Market] has taken us out [of our platforms] and given us a boost,” said Martin Lugtu, founder and chocolatier of The Truffle Peddler. “Now, we’re not only on social media, we’re also physically and visibly seen by a lot more people, so it’s really taken our business to the next level.”

The SM StartUp Market is not reserved to just these brands, however. SM Supermalls promises a variety of MSMEs in every mall, where new concepts and fresh products under the categories of Health & Wellness, Home Hobbies and At-Home Experiences, Smart Gadgets for Productivity, Functional Fashion, and Comfort Food will be seen at each of the SM StartUp Markets.

"We would like to congratulate the MSMEs who were inspired to follow in the footsteps of “Tatang” and grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Tan.

The SM StartUp Package was launched virtually last October. Under the program, MSME owners who have ongoing online businesses can register and will be given the support they need to set up their first physical store in one of the high-traffic malls included in the SM StartUp Markets list.

By joining the SM StartUp Package, MSMEs are given the assistance in opening their first brick-and-mortar shops. The package offers start-up-friendly rental rates and use of kiosks or carts free of charge; marketing assistance to give the brand free exposure in SM online assets and ad spaces inside malls; financial assistance with BDO; and mentorship from SM experts on operations and marketing.

SM Supermalls encouraged online store owners to sign up at the program. On the other hand, shoppers are urged to support their favorite online MSMEs at the StartUp Markets which will be opened in the following locations:

• SM Megamall

• SM North EDSA

• SM Mall of Asia

• SM Southmall

• SM City Pampanga

• SM City Clark

• SM City Grand Central

• SM City Santa Rosa

• SM City Cebu

• SM City Iloilo

• SM City Bacolod

• SM CDO Downtown Premier

• SM Lanang Premier

“This is a testament to our commitment to the country and to you, our MSMEs,” Tan said in closing. “We are on the road to recovery and we will be with you every step of the way.”

To know more about the SM StartUp Market, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

SM Supermalls unites with gov’t for Bayanihan Bakunahan

by SM - @Brand Zone | December 3, 2021

SM Supermalls unites with gov’t for Bayanihan Bakunahan

Encourages Filipinos to get vaccinated for a better, safer Christmas celebration

In its bid to further ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the Philippines, SM Supermalls joined the government’s endeavor to inoculate 9 million Filipinos nationwide, starting November 29 until December 1.

Dubbed Bayanihan Bakunahan, the three-day vaccination drive’s ceremonial launch at SM City Masinag was attended by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer; Health Secretary Francisco Duque III; Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Demography;

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzena; Rizal Governor Rebecca "Nini" Ynares; SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan; members of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force; Cabinet Secretaries; and partners from the private and public sectors.

Bayanihan Bakunahan is a collaborative effort of the government, led by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in cooperation with the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, together with various communities and private organizations.

"This multi-sectoral event is a resounding expression of our Bayanihan spirit, which coincides with the nation’s observance of Bonifacio Day on November 30. The heroic example of Gat Andres Bonifacio’s courage resonates in each of us as we work together to fast-track and intensify our efforts to overcome this pandemic," said President Duterte in a speech.

Bayanihan Bakunahan was rolled out nationwide to increase the country's coverage of the first dose to 70% as well as to increase the booster jabs across 16 regions outside Metro Manila. The second wave of the vaccination drive was slated on December 15 to 17.

"The concept of Bayanihan Bakunahan is that you and I, we're both heroes. And we can be heroes if we vaccinate ourselves against COVID-19, not only for ourselves and our families but also for the people around us," said Ma. Florinda Princess E. Duque, Director IV, Bureau of Communications Services.

During the event, the government mentioned that the Philippines is expecting to vaccinate 54M Filipinos by the end of the year including 80% of minors aged 12 to 17 years old. President Duterte also said that the government seeks to complete booster shots of fully-vaccinated seniors, health workers and people with comorbidities by the end of 2021. As of November, over 35 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the government has also assured that there’s enough supply for the three-day vaccination drive. “It is safe to say that we have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for the National Vaccination Days. The national government is continuously working with the local government in terms of vaccine supply. Also, preparations have been done beforehand so that we can reach our goal of inoculating 3 million individuals per day," said Communications Director Duque.

Under the collaboration, SM Supermalls, along with over 8,000 vaccination sites, will be opened to accommodate the target population. To date, SM Supermalls has already administered 6 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in over 71 malls around the country, of that number 200,000 are children aged 12 to 17 years old inoculated at 45 malls.

“We at SM Supermalls have always believed that getting vaccinated is the best defense Filipinos have against the COVID-19 virus. In the past months of working together with the government, we have achieved great things. We thank the government for the opportunity to serve the country and our fellow Filipinos as we open more convenient and accessible mall vaccination sites nationwide,” said Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

Apart from opening 66 mall vaccination sites, SM Supermalls also announced the participation of the National University in this endeavor. Over 500 alumni, employees, and students from the said university have registered to volunteer during the Bayanihan Bakunahan.

During the three-day Bayanihan Bakunahan event, Filipinos can walk in and register at the identified sites. For adults who want to get vaccinated, they are required to bring a government-issued ID and a medical certificate for those who have comorbidities. Pregnant and lactating mothers are also encouraged to get immunization shots.

For kids aged 12 to 17 years old, the parent/guardian should secure the following: any valid ID of the parent/guardian as well as a birth certificate, baptismal, or passport of the child. For children with health risks, parents/guardians are advised to get a medical certificate from their child’s attending pediatrician or physician showing that the child is eligible for vaccination. If both parents are not available during the vaccination day, an authorization letter signed by parents indicating the name of the assigned guardian with a valid ID will be needed.

And for those who have been vaccinated, booster shots will only be administered to those who had their 2nd dose for at least 6 months. Individuals who will avail of the booster shot should present a copy of their vaccination card. Apart from that, vaccinated individuals are also encouraged to volunteer in their respective LGUs and to rally behind the government to be vaccine advocates in their communities.

“Let us be heroes in this fight against COVID-19. Get vaccinated, volunteer, and encourage your families, friends, workplaces, and communities to get jabbed. Let us all strive to make this Christmas safer and better for the people we value most. Because it is only through our collective will to put an end to this crisis will we be able to build back better for a brighter future,” Tan closed.

For more information and up-to-date news on vaccination schedules at the SM malls in your LGU, follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.