SM SUPERMALLS and BFP Conduct Fire Drill to Commemorate Fire Prevention Month

by Info @Brand Zone | March 15, 2024

More than 21k employees, security guards, janitors, other agency personnel, customers, BFP personnel in more than 106 SM malls, offices and properties participated in 3rd SM Supermalls  and Bureau of Fire Protection Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill on March 13, 2024.

Smoke was seen coming out of the Megamall as part of the fire and evacuation drill conducted in SM Megamall where members of the BFP Mandaluyong Rope Rescue Team rescued trapped consumers from the rooftop.

The drill simulated the occurrence of a 7.2. magnitude earthquake which resulted to destructive fire, explosion of gas farm, and collapsed of some structures with injuries to people inside the mall, missing persons, and trapped victims. SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City was the main venue of the fire drill.

The Mandaluyong City Fire Station, Mandaluyong CDRRMO, PNP, MMDA, barangay, together with SM’s fire brigade teams and tenants  demonstrated their respective capabilities including rope rescue and high angle rescue by the BFP Special Rescue Force, tenant employees demonstrated how to use fire blankets and fire extinguishers, and SM Fire Brigade Team as first responders on the scene.

The nationwide simultaneous fire drill is one of the ways in which SM affirms its contribution to the creation of risk-resilient societies. The Public-Private Partnership with the BFP give priority to the constant training of SM’s personnel to respond to disasters including earthquakes and destructive fires. This in turn help in ensuring the safety of SM’s stakeholders including costumers, tenants, employees, nearby communities and the general public.

Present in the Megamall Fire Drill were L-R: FSupt Nazrudyn M. Cablayan (Mandaluyong  City Fire Marshal), Ian Mathay (SM Supermalls Megamall AVP), Atty. Pearl Jayagan Turley (SM Supermalls AVP for Corporate Compliance), CSupt Manuel Golino (BFP Director  for Fire Safety Enforcement), Engr. Liza B. Silerio (SM Supermalls VP for Corporate Compliance), Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr.,  USec Serafin Barreto of DILG,  Engr. Junias Eusebio (VP Mall Operations of SM Supermalls),   SSupt Rodrigo Reyes (ARDO of BFP NCR).

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

by Info @Brand Zone | March 13, 2024

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

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)

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.

(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

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.

Opening the summit were SM Sup

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan at UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez (L-R)

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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.

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)

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)

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. Sy said, “Investing in women is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic imperative for a better world.”

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

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.

SM2SM Run Year 12: Over 13,000 runner strong

by Info @Brand Zone | March 4, 2024

The 12th edition of the SM2SM Run, held on March 3, 2024, witnessed an impressive turnout of over 13,000 enthusiastic runners hailing from various corners of the country. This remarkable figure surpasses last year's record of 9,500 participants, setting a new milestone for the event.

Commencing from the sprawling SM Seaside City Cebu complex located at the South Road Properties, the race course led participants through iconic landmarks, including Plaza Independencia. Runners in the 8k category traversed S. Osmena Street, while those in the 12k category made their turnaround at SM City Cebu. Meanwhile, participants in the challenging 21k category journeyed all the way to Brgy. Banilad in Cebu City.

Renowned for its lucrative prizes in the Visayas region, the SM2SM Run 12 distributed over 2 million pesos in cash and raffle prizes. The prizes included 12 Smart TVs, 12 smartphones, SM Gift Certificates, and brand new Suzuki car as grand prize.

"This is truly unbelievable, and you made this year's run happen. Thank you for joining us today. I will see you all next year during the SM2SM Run 13 on March 2, 2025." expressed SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Vice President  Marissa Fernan.

The SM2SM Run in Cebu City is an annual running event organized by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. It aims to promote health and fitness while bringing together communities through the spirit of running. 

With each edition, SM2SM Run continues to attract participants from across the Philippines, making it one of the most anticipated running events in the region.