Category: Advocacy

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)

Century Tuna Superbods, executives, and volunteers posing for a photo after their shore clean-up at Anilao in Mabini, Batangas

The Philippines is now taking more steps to achieve cleaner and livelier seas as Century Tuna kicked off its Saving Our Seas Campaign, becoming the biggest beach clean-up in the history of Mabini, Batangas. In partnership with the impact organization HOPE, and Aling Tindera’s Waste-to-Cash program which encourages the public to become responsible in plastic waste management — the country’s leading canned tuna brand aims to continue their Saving Our Seas program not just this year, but also in the years to come.

Being in the canned tuna industry for more than 40 years, Century Tuna wants to stay and provide nourishment to Filipinos for hundreds of years and beyond. In order to do that, the brand aims to fish sustainably by removing anything that makes the seas unhealthy.

Carlo Endaya, VP & GM of Branded Tuna Business together with Mabini Mayor Nilo M. Villanueva, and Greg Banzon, EVP & COO of Century Pacific Food, Inc. during the clean-up weekend

“We should see it as a historic moment because Century Tuna has moved forward in terms of taking an initiative on sustainability, by putting together the right elements that will make it sustainable. I think it’s a start, and given the response, it’s inspiring to continue this campaign,” said Century Pacific Food, Inc. EVP & COO Mr. Greg Banzon.

Century Tuna Superbods Selena Reyes & Michelle Arceo, together with Yannick Tuason picking up trash on the shores of Anilao, Batangas

The commencement of the campaign which started in Anilao, Batangas saw a successful turnout, as the first day of the shore and reef clean-up gathered a total of 156 trash bags with 805.4 kilograms of trash collected by a total of 212 clean-up volunteers, joined by Century Tuna Ambassador Alden Richards and the Century Tuna Superbods. This makes the event the biggest beach clean-up ever in Mabini, Batangas.

HOPE Managing Director Ilusion Farias & Founder Nanette Medved-Po carrying bags filled with trash collected under the sea

Mr. Carlo Endaya, Century Pacific Food, Inc.’s VP & GM for Branded Tuna Business emphasized that even if the clean-up started in Anilao, the program will happen nationwide.

“We still want everybody in the Philippines to join even if they’re not at the beach, because plastic pollution prevention starts in our home. Our usage of plastic has to make its way into the right material and recovering facility, and the Aling Tindera sites are also nationwide. That’s what we want to communicate to people,” said Mr. Endaya.

SOS Volunteers picking up waste from the shores and reef of Anilao, Batangas

More than just a clean-up activity, Century Tuna aims to inspire Filipinos through the Saving Our Seas campaign to take part in lessening the plastic pollution in the seas, and taking action to clear away existing plastic waste. With the help of the public in joining the advocacy, the brand’s goal is to collect 10 metric tons of plastic away from the seas this year.

“We want to create more awareness for sustainability and more awareness towards taking plastic out of the system so that microplastics don’t leak into our ocean and eventually go into our food. We want to inspire more people to join the initiative as any effort, whether big or small, is important for our future,” said Mr. Leonardo Po, Director & Treasurer of Century Pacific Food, Inc.

Century Tuna Superbods Samantha Lo, Kathleen Paton, and Kirk Bondad together with Tim Yap and Century Tuna Ambassador Alden Richards during the community visit in Anilao, Batangas

Prior to the campaign, Century Tuna has been plastic-neutral in their operations for 3 years now. The brand recognizes Aling Tindera and HOPE Foundation as the gamechangers in completing the plastic circular economy, as they allow communities to earn money from collecting plastic, and makes sure that the plastic collected goes to the right facilities to be properly recycled or disposed of.

Marine Conservationist Robert Suntay, Anilao Dive Instructor Avic Maramot, and Mabini Tourism Representative Ian Bueno during the program primer

Alongside the Saving Our Seas campaign launch, Century Tuna also introduced their newest product Ventresca, the brand’s most premium tuna full of indulgence. The brand also commemorated this year’s Earth Hour movement during the event as a symbol of commitment to saving the planet.

Century Tuna’s “Saving Our Seas” campaign is just a start of their many initiatives to help our planet. The campaign is not just a one-time, big-time event, as the brand still continues to track the plastic recovered in Anilao sites monthly. It also aims to stay aware of other clean-up efforts done by different organizations and find ways to support/help them—and ultimately save the planet.

For more information, feel free to visit the newest Saving our Seas microsite at centurytuna.ph/SavingOurSeas/ or visit Century Tuna Saving Our Seas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CenturyTunaSavingOurSeas/ or @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram for more updates.