SM Cares Earth Hour 2025 Unite Communities to Promote Environmental Awareness

 For the 17th consecutive year, SM Supermalls reaffirmed its continued commitment to environmental sustainability by joining the 2025 Earth Hour movement, a global initiative led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 

 

On March 22, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, SM malls across the country participated in the symbolic lights-off event, encouraging customers, tenants, and employees to “Give an Hour for Earth” by taking simple yet impactful actions to protect the planet.

 

SM Seaside City Cebu and the 86 SM Supermalls nationwide give an hour for Earth by turning off non-essential lights during Earth Hour 2025.

SM Mall of Asia participate in the Global Lights Switch Off to raise awareness about climate change.

 

A Collective Effort for a Sustainable Future

SM Supermalls took part in the Global Lights Switch Off, reducing energy consumption and raising awareness about climate change. According to PwC Isla Lipana and Co., the total energy saved during the one-hour switch-off in 87 malls nationwide will be equivalent to 319,759 number of smartphones charged or 1.4 tons of waste recycled.

 

With this year’s Earth Hour theme of “Creating the Biggest Hour for Earth,” beyond turning off non-essential lights, SM Cares encouraged the public to spend their 60 minutes engaging in sustainable activities. From musical performances, arts and craft to fitness activities, shoppersexperienced an hour away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoyed a soulful night with live music, an enhanced well-being after a good run and other eco-friendly events for the environment. 

An electrifying LED dance performance showing the 60+ Earth Hour symbol lights up SM City Clark, emphasizing a broader commitment to environmental protection.

SM Lanang takes part in the annual global initiative with live music, inspiring for change and adopt sustainable practices.

 

More than 200 cyclists in the Earth Hour: Go & Glow Bike Challenge 2025pedal forward to SM City San Mateo, demonstrating a collective effort topromote energy conservation.

Grooving and glowing, customers in SM City Masinag dance to ignite the community for a greener future.

 

In partnership with UPB Astronomy Society and Baguio Astronomy Enthusiasts, students enjoy a magical cosmic experience in SM City Baguio during Earth Hour 2025.

Customers and advocates from Marikina Run Club take part in a meaningful activity as a symbolic gesture of solidarity and commitment for the planet.

 

Beyond Earth Hour: SM Cares’ Commitment to Sustainability

SM Supermalls’ Earth Hour participation is just one of its many sustainability efforts. Through SM Cares, the company champions programs that encourage responsible waste management and environmental stewardship, such as the Trash to Cash recycling market, Plastic Waste Collection and E-waste Collection initiatives. Mobilizing thousands of volunteers, the International Coastal Cleanup helps keep the Philippine shorelines free from waste pollution. 

 

"Through Earth Hour and our year-round sustainability programs, SM remains committed to inspiring and enabling communities to take meaningful steps toward environmental conservation," said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group and SM Cares Program Director for Environment and Sustainability.

 

Empowering the Next Generation of Climate Advocates

This year, SM also engaged students from National University and Asia Pacific College in creating a special social media campaign showcasing how they can "Give an Hour for Earth." The video highlights the importance of disconnecting online to reconnect with the environment and the community. Watch the Earth Hour videos via these links:https://bit.ly/SMEarthHour2025-NUxSM and https://bit.ly/SMEarthHour2025-APCxSM.

 

Young volunteers in SM City Butuan spend an hour away from their phones and reconnect with the community.

SM Center Ormoc and Earth Hour Ormoc join hands with students to perform a dance of lights to the song “Liwanag saDilim”, strengthening their commitment to make a difference year-round.

 

SM Supermalls invites everyone to continue practicing sustainability beyond Earth Hour by making small yet impactful choices every day. For more updates on SM Cares’ environmental programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow @SMCaresOfficial on social media. 

 

SM Prime Holdings hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup together with SM Cares

SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world's seas, oceans, and other bodies of water. The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year's ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. At the end of the activity, an estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected.

 

Among those who graced the event were Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group Head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments President and CEO and 2GO Group President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY Mall Manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines’ Markets and Assurance Executive Director Allan Cao.

SM By The Bay and SM Cares’ ICC event for this year was done in collaboration with different private and government agencies

 
SM By The Bay and SM Cares’ ICC event for this year was done in collaboration with different private and government agencies

The ICC is a yearly global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Every year, thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities join the efforts to help ensure the cleanliness of the shorelines and waterways in the country.

“The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime’s various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So.

This year's event was made possible by SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines. DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard were also present to provide their support.

 

Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, just to name a few.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

SM Prime laud women leaders in disaster resilience

   SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) recently announced its support for the global search for women leaders in disaster resilience. 

             For the second consecutive year, SMPHI is sponsoring Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). 

          SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said that the support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction. “This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience.”

             UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, policies, plans and programs in their regions. Their stories reflect the diversity of solutions required to meet the converging challenges of accelerating climate change and disasters in the region.”

           “We look forward to continued collaboration with SM in our DRR agenda,” Secretary General Mizutori added. 

            The WIN DRR Excellence Awards 2022  sponsored by SM Prime has 15 finalists shortlisted from 420 nominations received from across 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane on 21 September 2022. US$10,000 will be awarded to an individual woman who has achieved exceptional professional success in DRR. 

 

           The WIN DRR partnership is consistent with SM Prime Holdings’ social commitment towards women empowerment, resilience, good health and well-being of women. The company’s corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports programs that advance these causes.  

              The Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) is a professional network to support women working in disaster risk reduction, in all their diversity. Its overall goal is to empower women to attain leadership and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The WIN DRR Philippine Network is powered by SM Prime and Asia Pacific College. 

 

              Earlier this year, SM Prime through its SM CARES, partnered with UNDRR in celebrating women empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized “women’s equal participation and leadership in public life including disaster risk reduction is important and it is also essential to reducing disaster risk in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.”             

Sustainable living for everyone

Today, living an eco-friendlier life has become much more manageable. With many simple yet effective ways to make our everyday lives more sustainable, and with many groups ready to help us take that first step toward a greener future, there is every reason to start today. Living a personal sustainable lifestyle can be impactful only if we do it together to preserve our planet for generations to come.

One of the best things to live sustainably is to reduce your carbon footprint. Many seemingly harmless daily activities can contribute to a higher carbon footprint or other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere, leading to dramatic climate changes. An increased carbon footprint includes high electric consumption, driving our cars over short distances, and the excessive use of aerosols and air conditioners, to name a few. Try to identify and minimize these activities if you can, or look for more eco-friendly alternatives, if available.

 

You can also lower your carbon footprint by using energy efficiently. Use energy-efficient appliances, replace your old lighting fixtures with LED lights, and turn off energy-consuming items when not in use. Doing these eliminates energy waste in your home and helps you save more on utility expenses.

 

The 2020 Climate Transparency Report disclosed that the Philippines generated 1.18 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita in 2017. The country will need to reduce its emissions to below 132 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 and below -198 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050. It is to meet the 1.5°C-compliant climate change mitigation goals of the Paris Agreement, of which the country is a signatory. 

Together with the Plastic Credit Exchange, SM Cares helps gather empty, clean, and dry plastic waste at select SM Supermalls nationwide. Plastic waste may be dropped off every day from 10AM to 5PM.

 

Another way to make your lifestyle more sustainable is to correctly manage and segregate your garbage. Sort and separate your waste by type (e.g., paper/carton, plastic, glass, metal, electronics, etc.). It helps to find out more about your community's waste collection and management policies. You can even make extra cash if you dispose of your non-organic waste through the proper channels.

 

You can also minimize the waste you generate at home. There are many simple ways to do this. It includes reusing plastic bags, opting for eco-bags when shopping, and avoiding single-use items. By being mindful of our food consumption, we can also significantly reduce food waste and packaging. 

 

The 2020 Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment report that the Philippines ranked third among the world contributors to plastic pollution, with 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste each year.

 

SM's Trash to Cash recycling market happens every first Friday and Saturday of the month 

from 10 AM to 2 PM across all SM Malls and select SDMC Malls nationwide.

 

As a responsible member of the community, SM has consistently implemented programs to inspire Filipinos to be more sustainable, educating them on the importance of sustainability and how to help protect the environment. It includes the long-running Green Film Festival, which features the free screening of environmental documentaries for students and other program partnerships that promote alternative options to plastic. 

 

SM also has projects that directly engage its mall-goers, focusing on solid waste management. These are the monthly Trash to Cash recycling market and the collection of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs), the Electronic Waste Collection program, and the Plastic Waste Collection program held in partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange. To date, SM Supermalls have collected more than 11,600 kg. of plastic waste, 2,000 kg. of electronic waste and 908,000 kg. of assorted recyclable waste. 

 

Customers can drop off their electronic waste at bins in the Cyberzone and selected locations 

of SM Supermalls nationwide.

 

In addition, SM has been exploring renewable alternatives as its malls' energy source. For instance, in 2020, the company generated 9,620 MWh of energy from solar roof panels installed in ten different malls nationwide. The company has also completed solar panel retrofits in other malls. SM hopes to achieve its goal of having 50% of the energy it consumes being sourced from renewable sources by the end of this year.

 

"We have always been an advocate of sustainable living. Proof of this is the numerous environmental initiatives that the company has implemented. We build our malls with the environment and community in mind, and we make sure that our developments contribute to environmental protection," said Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls' Corporate Compliance Head. "More importantly, we know that personal sustainability is key to achieving the green future that we want. We will continue to implement programs that encourage positive change within our community partners."

 

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, with programs to support communities, promote social inclusion and care for the environment. Its CSR advocacies include the Environment, Persons with Disabilities, Women & Breastfeeding Mothers, Children & Youth, Senior Citizens, and the Bike-Friendly SM Program. 

 

To learn more about these programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

P&G and Watsons support SM Cares and Plastic Credit Exchange to boost and incentivize plastic waste collection this Holiday season

More people are becoming environmentally conscious as pressing climate  issues arise on a global scale. This keeps multinational FMCG company  Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines committed to achieving its environmental  sustainability goals under P&G Ambition 2030. It aims to reduce carbon  footprint, conserve resources, and restore the world in the environmental areas  of Waste, Water, and Climate by enabling responsible consumption across their  brands, supply chain, employees and with external partners such as their  customers and consumers. 

In line with this, P&G partners with Watsons, the health and beauty care chain  store, and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls,  to support SM’s Plastic Waste Collection Program (PWC) with NGO Plastic  Credit Exchange (PCX) and with program sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers,  Nestle Philippines and Colgate-Palmolive Philippines. The program aims to  reduce plastic waste in landfills and oceans through proper plastic segregation  and disposal. The malls become venues for customers, tenants, and  surrounding offices to participate actively in the circular economy or the reuse  of plastic material.

Collect and Drop Off Plastic Waste to Earn Shopping Perks with P&G  and Watsons 

Through P&G’s support, consumers who will turn in their used plastic products  and other waste until December 20 will be given 10% discount incentives (redeemable via QR code points) on selected Safeguard and Oral B products  when they buy in any Watsons branch.  

Consumers can donate their plastic waste daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Blue  PWC container vans are located in the following malls to date - SM Megamall,  SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM City Fairview, SM City Marikina, SM  City East Ortigas, SM Marilao, and SM Southmall.  

The PWC program accepts all kinds of plastic wastes excluding PVC pipes and  material. Examples are plastic sando bags, PET and HDPE bottles, Styrofoam,  disposable containers, utensils and straw, sachets, snack packs, shampoo,  conditioner and detergent containers, bubble wrap, e-commerce pouches and  small tires. The plastics must be empty, clean and dry. 

PCX will then weigh and haul the plastics and bring them to valorizing affiliates  which co-process them as coal alternative for cement manufacturing, into paver  blocks or planks and soon recycled PET bottles. 

P&G’s Ambition 2030 as a business priority

SM Cares and Safeguard educate people to practice proper handwashing

We usually wash our hands fast – but did you know that there are proper steps of handwashing? 

SM Cares and Safeguard team up for the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign to educate and encourage people to practice the five steps of proper handwashing – especially in this time of pandemic. 

“As part of our safe malling commitment, handwashing is our first line of defense against illnesses, and is also crucial during a global health crisis. We very excited to partner with Procter & Gamble’s Safeguard, the leading brand in health and personal care, to raise awareness on the importance of this matter,” said SM Supermalls President Mr. Steven Tan. 

To ensure that all areas of your hands are properly washed, simply follow these steps: (1) wash palms; (2) back of hand; (3) in between fingers; (4) fingernails; (5) and thumbs, and keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Afterward, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly, since good handwashing is our most effective shield and protection from all kinds of viruses.

“Safeguard, being 54 years in the country, has become much of a household name. From our beige bar soap from long ago to our hand sanitizers and liquid hand soap now, we have always committed ourselves to serve the needs of the Filipino people, just like SM has. And in the same way, I believe that both have been ingrained so much in Filipino culture that it is only natural to do this partnership,” said Procter & Gamble Vice President for Skin & Personal Care Ms. Shweta Sharma.

As part of the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign, Safeguard has made its liquid hand soap available in restrooms of all SM malls across the country to help the community fight the spread disease-causing germs. Information materials on the five steps of handwashing are also deployed in restrooms and high-traffic areas in SM to remind customers while in the mall. 

With this, Safeguard and #SMDaresYOU to take on the #SafeHandsAtSM Challenge on TikTok from June 23 to 30. Just take a full body video of you properly washing your hands and dancing to your favorite tunes, tag your squad and use the official hashtag #SafeHandsAtSM, and be one of the 10 lucky winners who’ll get exciting giveaways!

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM’s programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

Through simple efforts like washing your hands, not only are you protecting yourself, but those around you. To know more about #SafeHandsAtSM, visit www.smsupermalls.com and https://www.safeguard.ph, or visit their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok.

Strengthening abilities and forming bonds in the new norm

As the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be a global problem, disruptions to daily life continue to affect many people all over the world. This can be said especially for parents of children with disabilities, who may now look into online alternatives when it comes to therapy for their children, since in-person therapy sessions are not possible due to health risks brought about by the virus. 

Therapy may be essential for the development of some children with disabilities. It allows them and their families to develop abilities that are important in everyday life. And two of the most important therapies in this regard are speech language therapy and occupational therapy, according to speech language pathologist Ma. Rowena “Weng” Arao-Ynion.

Ynion is Program Director at Trails Center for Children, Inc., a therapy center specializing in individualized pediatric services, whose mission is “to guide children in discovering their gifts.” She has actively participated in the annual Angels Walk for Autism organized by SM Cares and the Autism Society Philippines (ASP).

"Speech language therapists teach them how to communicate with other people properly and be able to form relationships with them," Ynion said. "Occupational therapists, on the other hand, teaches them to become better when carrying out simple everyday tasks, so that they can function independently as individuals in all aspects of their lives."

According to Ynion, these two therapies were typically implemented through in-person sessions. But with the threat posed by COVID-19 on the health and safety of children with disabilities - who typically have compromised immune systems - in-person sessions may not be viable especially in places where there are strict community quarantine protocols.

Routine disruptions

COVID-19’s impact on the lives of children with disabilities goes beyond making in-person sessions inaccessible and those who were able to establish a routine prior to the pandemic may have had their daily habits disrupted. This was the case for Maebelline Evangelista and her daughter Erin, and Carmela Pedroso and her son Miguel.

“Being thrown out of routine was definitely a big challenge. Getting back on track was difficult at first, but and I’m really thankful that Miguel got back into it eventually,” Pedroso said about Miguel, who has autism.

“The sudden changes in our everyday life in the first few days of the ECQ heightened my daughter’s hyperactivity, because there were less things to do since we couldn’t go out of the house,” said Evangelista of Erin, who has Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder —and who, like Miguel, eventually got back into routine.

For Evangelista, she encourages Erin to engage in physical activity together with the latter’s younger brother Enrico. For Pedroso, she continues to support Miguel’s hobby in painting, not only to keep him preoccupied with something that he loves, but to help him practice as they prepare for an online painting competition later this year.

“Teletherapy” may be the safer option

Ynion, or “Teacher Weng” as she is fondly called, said that teletherapy is currently the best option because parents can still help their children without exposing them to the virus. Therapy centers have to abide by the guidelines set by the Local Government Units specifically on Infection Prevention and Control before accommodating children for in-person sessions.

Online therapy sessions have always been an alternative to in-person sessions, typically availed by those who don't have easy access to the latter, like those in far-flung areas, according to occupational therapist “Teacher Karen” Navarro, who is also the co-founder of Special Achievers, a non-government organization that helps children with disabilities reach their full potential. Special Achievers has partnered with SM Cares for several of its projects that highlight the abilities and promote the inclusion of PWDs. 

Both Evangelista and Pedroso have been availing of online therapy sessions for their children, and they said that so far, doing so has been producing favorable results.

Navarro noted that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, online therapy was not as widely accepted. But now, with social distancing becoming part of the new normal, authorities have started releasing guidelines for it. One example of such is a set of guidelines by the Philippine Academy of Occupational Therapists, Inc. that was published on March 16, 2020.

With more parents now opting for online sessions, Navarro said she personally had to make some adjustments in her way of teaching. "I find myself talking to parents much more now whenever I do online therapy sessions," Navarro said. "I had to re-calibrate the way I teach so that I am able to teach the child and at the same time provide coaching for parents on how they can help their child learn."

Speaking on which option is more effective, Navarro said that with in-person therapy, intervention is direct, there are no limitations in terms of how old the patient is, and therapists can use equipment and toys to make each session more productive.

For online therapy, she said that while there is still direct intervention, the focus is more on parent
coaching and caregiver training, wherein they are asked to help therapists design activities for the
children or do the intervention for their child with the therapist's guidance. Other than that, online sessions allow therapists to reach even more people unlike before.

Ynion, meanwhile, pointed out that online therapy sessions have variable effects as children have varying needs. But while this is the case, Ynion said that they are working hard to acquire key learnings and establish best practices for parents to follow.

“Right now, we do not know the full extent of how helpful online therapy is for a lot of children with disabilities. However, we are continuously learning as we gather data and insights from parents, support groups and professional organizations like the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists,” Ynion said.

SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, have instituted programs that promote social inclusion and in creating a barrier-free environment for PWDs in all its malls. And with the modified and new normal way of doing things brought about by the pandemic, SM feels that societies should continue to have conversations about the welfare of PWDs.

"We hope that by having continuous discussions about this advocacy, we are able to inspire others to move towards inclusion and innovation for PWDs. We will continue to support families, individuals and organizations whose commitment to PWDs align well with ours," said Engr. Bien Mateo, SVP Operations and SM Cares Director for Program on PWDs.