Category: Advocacy

Global award-winning communications group COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises (COMCO Mundo) has culminated its 7th anniversary celebration with the recently held COMCO Epic 7 Years Main Event, highlighting its growth as an umbrella organization alongside its agencies COMCO Southeast Asia (COMCO SEA), COMCO Middle East and Africa (COMCO MEA), and TARO AOX Inc.; the formal introduction of its three new major offerings Story Lab Communications Development and Support Ecosystem, CODEVA or Communications Development Academy, and SEA Wave & Spice Multimedia Content Studio; and the kick-off of COMCO Southeast Asia – Singapore.

Growth in Southeast Asia and Middle East and Africa
To further pursue its brand of Meaningful Storytelling, COMCO Southeast Asia has expanded its services through its new streamlined divisions: Public Relations and Communications (PRC) and Communications and Marketing Services (CMS). PRC services include Consumer Marketing and Brand Communications; Corporate Public Relations; Corporate Social Responsibility; Internal Communications; Influencer Engagement and Grassroots Communications; and Issues and Crisis Communications; while CMS offers Events and Activation; Special Media and Advertising Executions; and Branding. COMCO SEA marked the year with continued partnership with its long-time clients including Aseana City, Eastern Communications, European Union, Jobstreet, PHILUSA Corporation, Rémy Martin, Takeda, Teleperformance, and Lenovo; and onboarding of new brand partners such as AirAsia Superapp, Century Tuna, Uratex Mattresses, Uratex Monoblock, Alaxan FR, LaLiga, MDI Novare, Sony, Toshiba, and Concepcion Midea Inc.

Reaping off major metals from various local and international award-giving bodies over the years, COMCO SEA made history by being the 1st and only PR agency in the Philippines to win PR Consultancy of the Year (Medium Consultancy Category) in the prestigious PRCA APAC (Public Relations and Communications Association Asia-Pacific) Awards 2023. The Consultancy of the Year is awarded to an agency that has exemplary operations on business, effective results, community leadership, and innovation.

Sustaining its remarkable debut in the industry and maintaining its position as the PR agency that banks on building brand love across the region, COMCO Middle East and Africa further accelerates with major account wins this year across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the rest of the MEA region. Some of COMCO MEA’s key clients include Costa Coffee, the Middle East Film and Comic Convention, Empire Entertainment, Paramount Hotels, LEOS Development, The Wizarding World Shop by Fandom, Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi and Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, and Geidea, one of the top fintech companies in Saudi Arabia.

The year 2023 also served as the launch of COMCO Mundo’s specialist agency for digital and integrated communications, TARO AOX Inc. The Agency has two divisions – Digital, Social, and Emerging Platforms (DSE) and Integrated Communications (ICOM). DSE focuses on Social Media, Digital Activation, Content Marketing, Virtual and Online Events, Social Listening, Digital Analytics, Media Buying and Planning, Search Optimization and Marketing, and Website and Application Management; while ICOM offers Digital PR, Integrated Communications, and Influencer Marketing. TARO AOX Inc. has just started but is now in full blast handling major accounts such as Goodyear, Hallmark, HLA Fashion, Lamoiyan Corporation, Samsung Mobile, and Sun Life Global Solutions.

Ultimately, COMCO Mundo as a parent and flagship unit reinforces its work for the Group’s Executive Leadership and Governance; MARCOMAX (Marketing, Communications, Advocacy and Excellence; Project CODY (Corporate Identity and Branding); MEXINAC (Media, Experts, Influencers, Activators and Communities); and ACTDEV (Agency Culture and Team Development); and also continues to lead landmark initiatives such as the recently held UNMASKED: The COMCO Mundo Write to Ignite Season 3 and work on key advocacy projects through the Group’s Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program and Camp COMCO Alumni Society.

Furthermore, COMCO Mundo reintroduces COMCOffee Club which serves as COMCO Mundo’s shared services for the Group’s companies, business units, and programs, covering Finance and Accounting; ARC or Audit, Risk Management, and Compliance; and Administration which includes Office Management, Team Care (Talent Development), Legal Affairs, and Information Technology.

Three New Offerings
A testament to COMCO’s unwavering dedication to meaningful storytelling is the birth of Story Lab Communications Development and Support Ecosystem, an exciting addition to COMCO’s specialized offerings set to revolutionize the way brands connect with their audiences. Story Lab specializes in Communications Research and Planning, Editorial and Publication Services, and Media Monitoring, Measurement, and Analytics.

Meanwhile, CODEVA, or Communications Development Academy will manage the training and development programs and offerings of the group. Aside from the award-winning Camp COMCO Mentorship Program, COMCO Mundo will house in CODEVA the group’s professional training programs for Media Affairs, Crisis Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Cause Related Marketing, Advocacy Communications, Social Media, and Content Marketing, among others.

COMCO Mundo will also broaden the services of SEA Wave Pop Culture Magazine and introduce the SEA Wave & Spice Multimedia Content Studio. The SEA Wave & Spice Multimedia Content Studio will diversify and create studio-produced titles encompassing the SEA Wave Pop Culture Magazine which will include content for Facebook, YouTube, and podcasts, among others. Expanding its content arsenal, SEA Wave & Spice will also offer Content, Multimedia Arts, and Video Storytelling services for brands and Talent Management for bloggers, content creators, and influencers.

Regional Reinforcement
In a move that exemplifies COMCO’s commitment to regional excellence, the Agency is thrilled to kickstart the opening of COMCO Southeast Asia – Singapore this 4th quarter of 2023. This strategic expansion allows COMCO to deepen its presence in the dynamic Southeast Asian market, providing clients with localized expertise and access to a broader network. Like COMCO SEA Philippines, COMCO SEA Singapore is set to be a regional hub for excellence in the field of communications, public relations, and social media.

“What we built is more than a group of companies but a community that became a creativity playground and craftsmanship vessel for talents who want to do the best work of their lives and brands and organizations that persevere to have meaningful connections to their publics and make positive impact to communities. On our 5th year, we did the impossible by pivoting amid the pandemic and expanding from Southeast Asia to the Middle East and Africa. And each time we accomplish something, it paves the way for the beginning of a new journey. Hence, this COMCO Epic Seven Years celebration is the kickstart of another great adventure,” said Ferdinand L. Bondoy, Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder of COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises.

To know more and stay updated with COMCO Mundo, please visit www.comcomundo.com or follow fb.com/comcomundo on Facebook, linkedin.com/company/comcomundo on LinkedIn and @comcomundo on Instagram.

About COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises
A trailblazing and global award-winning communications group, COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is a collective of agencies and programs dedicated to advancing the communications profession and related disciplines such as digital, media, advocacy, training, education, and entrepreneurship, among others; to be a force for social change; to nurturing talent growth and workplace community culture; and to championing borderless collaboration. The COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises is comprised of COMCO Southeast Asia Philippines, COMCO Middle East & Africa, TARO AOX Inc., COMCO Southeast Asia Singapore, SEA Wave & Spice Multimedia Content Studio, Camp COMCO Alumni Society, and Citizen COMCO Advocacy Program.

COMCO has been awarded Medium Consultancy of the Year in Asia Pacific at PRCA APAC Awards, thrice as Agency of the Year 2nd Runner-up at the IABC Quill Awards; Agency of the Year – Silver Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards; Finalist for Boutique PR Consultancy of the Year at Campaign Asia Pacific’s PR Awards Asia, Marketing Interactive’s PR Awards Asia-Pacific, and the global CIPR Excellence Awards; and 150 metals from various local and international award-giving bodies

The COMCO Mundo League of Enterprises

COMCO Mundo with the COMCOmigos from brand partners, industry, media, the blogosphere, and Camp COMCO Alumni Society

COMCO Mundo executives together with the recipients of the Loyalty and Excellence Award. In photo are (1st row, standing, from left): Rachel Syfargo – Communications Support Services Director / Partner, COMCO Mundo; Janela Mauryn Bufi – Associate Account Operations Manager and Business Unit Administrator Pro Tempore for Integrated Communications, TARO AOX Inc.; Patricia Anne Rana – Senior Corporate Services Officer and Special Assistant to the Comptroller, COMCO Mundo; Ferdinand L. Bondoy – Group Chief Executive Director and Lead Strategic Communications Counsel / Partner and Co-Founder, COMCO Mundo; Joan Maslang – Corporate Services Director and Comptroller / Partner, COMCO Mundo; and Queenie Joy Resmundo – Senior Account Operations Manager and Business Unit Administrator Pro Tempore for Public Relations and Communications, COMCO Southeast Asia; Also in photo are (2nd row, from left): Justin Harvey Llamosa – Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Executive Director and Senior Executive Initiatives and Communications Manager /Partner, COMCO Mundo; Ramil Balaong – Production and Logistics Attendant, COMCO Mundo; and Albin Christian Recio – Senior Manager and Business Unit Administrator Pro Tempore for Multimedia Content Studio / Partner, SEA Wave & Spice Multimedia Content Studio).

SM scholars from Roxas City volunteer to clean the new school building ahead of its turnover.

In time for the school year opening, SM Prime through SM Foundation turned over a fully furnished two-storey building to the President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas.
The 104th school building made through the collaboration is built in accordance with specifications set by the Department of Education (DepEd). It holds four classrooms, each furnished with desks, chairs for left-handed students, toilets per classroom, including a special toilet for PWDs on the ground floor.
It also includes concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting. Emergency lights were installed in the stairways for emergency-preparedness.
Supporting DepEd’s commitment to ensure that learners have access to water for hygiene and sanitation, SM Foundation installed a handwashing facility along with liquid soap for the community’s use.
To further assist, the SM group will help with the maintenance and upkeep of the said school.
Social Good

SMFI School Building head, Juris Soliman (center) leads the preparation if the school building turnover.

It was earlier announced by DepEd that roughly 21 million students enrolled this school year 2023-2024. Amidst this, the agency reported that only over 100,000 out of the more than 300,000 school buildings are in good condition.
Believing in the power of education in uplifting communities, SM Foundation has been an active member of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program since 2002, turning over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities nationwide. The said program intends to address overcrowding in schools and provide an environment conducive for learning.
Download high-resolution photos here: https://bit.ly/3YTsX3G
Victor Persius F. Chan 
SAVP for Corporate Affairs and Sustainability 
(632) 8857-0100 local 0117 
victor.chan@sminvestments.com 

New SM scholars recently joined the contract signing event in Pasay.

“I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation.”

These inspiring words come from 18-year-old Princess Eunice Motel, an SM scholar currently pursuing her education at the Philippine Normal University. She is one of two children of Hildajane, an on-call factory re-packer, and Richard, a set man, hailing from Caloocan City.

Princess’ dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong aspiration, deeply rooted in her heart and mind since her childhood. This calling became even more pronounced when she embraced her Christian faith.

SM Scholar and aspiring educator Princess Eunice Motel

“My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church dedicated to teaching children about God’s word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope, and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation,” she said.

To pursue her dreams, Princess has chosen to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution. “PNU is renowned for its ability to nurture exceptional teachers,” she remarked. “As I aspire to become an educator, I also strive for greatness and excellence, and there’s no better place to achieve that than at PNU.”

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Jhona Bolinas is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but opted to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

Despite considering other career paths, Jhona opted education, drawing inspiration from her mother, who is also an educator. “Watching, observing, and listening to her, I learned the basics,” she shared. Driven by her love for reading and writing, she also chose to specialize in English.

When asked if she plans to work abroad after graduation, Jhona keeps her options open, recognizing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “But right now, I want to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision,” she explained.

Another aspiring educator is Krissa May Oquindo. Her father, a cable technician, is the family’s sole breadwinner while her mother dedicates her time to caring for the family. Krissa completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four State universities and ultimately chose to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), known for producing graduates highly sought after by employers, as per a recent survey.

SM scholar Krissa May Oquindo (right) aspires to be a teacher for her family and community.

When asked about her motivation to become a teacher, Krissa responded, “Being an educator has always been my passion. From the moment I set foot on a school campus, the idea of standing in front of students and sharing knowledge excites me.” She has selected Science as her major to deepen her understanding of the subject and to enlighten others about it.

Krissa has no plans to teach abroad. She believes that while there is demand for teachers overseas, the same holds true in the Philippines: “My passion for teaching is rooted in caring for the next generation, especially for the youth of our country.”

Through the years, the SM college scholarship program has empowered 3,791 graduates who have enrolled in over 120 partner colleges and universities across the nation. These scholars enjoy full tuition benefits, monthly allowances, part-time work opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks, job offers from the SM Group upon graduation, and engaging activities and enrichment programs.

Additionally, SM’s tech-voc scholarship program has produced 4,669 graduates, further contributing to the development of skilled professionals in various fields.

To download the high-resolution photos, please click here: https://bit.ly/485Xa3J

To learn more, please contact:

Victor Persius F. Chan
SAVP for Corporate Affairs & Sustainability
(632) 8857-0100 local 0117
victor.chan@sminvestments.com

IN PHOTO (Left to right): SM Supermalls Vice President Liza Silerio, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, GUUN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda, GUUN Philippine Branch Senior Managing Director and General Manager Takeshi Konishi
Leading real estate developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. to explore a potential partnership to implement waste management solutions by recycling waste paper and plastics as an alternative source of energy called ‘fluff fuel’.
Fluff Fuels are one type of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which are produced from shredded and compressed plastics, papers, and fibers. These are used as fuels in cement manufacturing, paper mill companies, or power companies in Japan.
SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy is positive that a partnership with GUUN will contribute to the waste reduction goals of the country. “Today, Japan’s waste management and recycling technology is among the most advanced in the world,” he said. “There is no better partner for SM because we do not just talk about being big, we make sure we do it; we do not talk about being environment friendly but we do take bold steps to save the environment. I am looking forward to growing with GUUN as among leaders in solving environmental issues in the Philippines.”
GUUN Co., Ltd., founded in March 2001 and headquartered in Yokohama City, Japan, piloted the production of fluff fuel from plastic waste in Inayawan, Cebu in 2014 and recently inaugurated its P200-million, 2,400-square meter waste recycling plant in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.
Since then, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted GUUN’s waste-to-fuel technology as a model for advanced low-carbon technology innovation for further deployment in developing countries.
“This will be a milestone partnership for us,” GUNN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda said after the signing ceremony. “I understand very much how important waste management is for SM and for the Philippines and we look forward to more projects we can do with the properties of SM Prime.”
SM Prime’s initiatives for waste management include waste reduction and effective waste collection and segregation. Over the years, it has implemented programs such as Trash to Cash, Plastic Waste Collection, and E-Waste Collection that have contributed to reducing the total solid waste generation across its real estate portfolio.

Through its pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market, SM Prime has collected and recycled 1.4M kg of plastics, paper, metals, and others in 2022. “We have saved 16,766 trees from the 986,222 kg of paper recycled,” SM Prime disclosed in its 2022 Integrated Report to shareholders.

Meanwhile, SM’s Plastic Waste Collection program, a partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange that was launched in February 2021, has accumulated 42,541kg of plastic waste from 14 mall sites. Also present in all its 83 SM Supermalls is the E-Waste Collection program for the responsible disposal of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment). This drive has helped process close to 7,000 kilograms of e-waste. (ENDS)

RESOURCES:
1. Photos
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SsLiKITJq8coBP18os5F_RiGxQs1P-58?usp=sharing

2. About SM Prime
SM Prime

3. About GUNN
220119_02_15.pdf (jica.go.jp)

The ripple effect of the water crisis has reached every part of the globe. According to the World
Wildlife Fund, some 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and a total of 2.7 billion
find water scarce for at least one month of the year. Worst, two-thirds of the global population
may face water shortages by 2025 and ecosystems will suffer.
As the gravity of these issues becomes increasingly apparent, several countries have taken
significant steps to forge a more sustainable future for the Earth. Noteworthy examples include
Singapore's water management plan and The Netherlands' intricate conservation practices.

Singapore’s

Desalination Plant

Source: https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater

The Delta Works in The
Netherlands was built by Rijkswaterstaat to protect the country against flooding from the North

Sea.

Source: https://www.water-technology.net/projects/delta-works-flood-netherlands/

Inspiration for the Philippines
In the Philippines, a multifaceted approach has also been embraced by the public and private
sectors in safeguarding and managing water resources. SM Supermalls are at the forefront of
the conservation and management of water resources in its mall facilities. Its endeavors form
the foundation of a more sustainable and water-secure future that the company has long been
advocating.
SM's Vision: Greening the Future
SM has been recycling water since the 1990s, treating an average of 1 billion gallons of water
annually in recent years, equivalent to 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In line with the SM
Green Movement, SM has been continuously working towards responsible consumption and
water conservation in its properties.
To illustrate, the SM Supermalls’ comfort rooms have smart fixtures to manage water flow.
There are also signages in the mall that advocate wise water use. Wastewater is channeled to
the malls’ sewage treatment plants that recycle an estimated total of 4 million cubic meters of
water, lessening their dependence on freshwater sources for non-potable uses. SM did this
even before the measure was required by way of the Clean Water Act in 2004.

SM Mall of Asia has been involved in various sustainability and environmental initiatives,
including water recycling among others.

SM
Supermalls

utilizes recycled wastewater from the mall for irrigating its gardens.

SM Malls have “Save Water” signages that typically
aim to create awareness about water conservation and
inspire people to take simple actions to reduce their water consumption

Recently, SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water
filtration system at SM City Baguio. This facility can turn collected rainwater into potable water
for mall tenant use such as washing and cooking as well as dishwashing and handwashing,
allowing the mall to further lessen its dependence on the freshwater supply of the Baguio
community.

SM took a step further in resource management by launching the first-ever water filtration
system at SM City Baguio.

The Rainwater Treatment Facility at SM City
Baguio Baguio City Mayor Benjamin
Magalong (right) samples the potable water
from the SM Baguio rainwater treatment
facility with SM SVP for Marketing Joaquin
San Agustin (left) and SM VP for Corporate
Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio (center).
SM's dedication aligns with the world’s environmental sustainability and climate action goals.
Rainwater catchment basins in flood-prone areas and the rainwater filtration in SM Baguio

further exemplify this commitment. These significant efforts underscore the ongoing need for
sustainable practices and policies.
A Brighter Future Ahead
The journey towards sustainable water management is ongoing. SM Supermalls, through its
initiatives, paves the way for a greener, more secure future.
Learn more at SM Cares or follow SM Supermalls on social media.