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.

Filipino Figure Skater Michael Christian Martinez Wins Gold in Slovenia

Homegrown Olympian Bags Gold in Slovenia Tourney

Michael Christian Martinez (center) (Photo from Martinez’s Facebook Page)

Homegrown Olympian Michael Christian Martinez bagged the gold in the recently held Triglav Trophy International Figure Skating Competition in Jesenice, Slovenia. The 18-year old Martinez finished the free skate finals in the Senior Men’s category with a score of 195.13 points, besting Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, Austria and Norway.

“I thank God for this blessing, another gold medal in the senior event. I’m very happy I made it to first place,” Martinez said on his Facebook page.
With the Triglav Trophy, Martinez now has three gold medals in the senior level which includes the recent Skate Helena in Serbia and the Crystal Skate in 2012 in Romania.

Filipino American Samantha Cabiles finished 6th in the Junior Ladies’ category out of 21 skaters with a score of 100.04 points.
The Philippine Skating Union (PhSU), which is a member of the International Skating Union (ISU) named  Martinez and Cabiles as the country’s representatives to the Triglav Trophy.

Every year since 1992, the Triglav Trophy gathers over 100 of the best young figure skaters from all over the world. The competition is hosted in Jesenice ice hall Podmežakla and has its roots in 1992.
Martinez took up figure skating when he was eight, inspired by skaters spinning and jumping while shopping with his mother at SM Southmall. He began training in 2010 in the United States and since then his lifelong dream has been to win an Olympic medal. Martinez has garnered over 190 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions.

Samantha Cabiles  (Photo from Cabiles' Facebook Page)

Cabiles, who was born in Hawaii and is now based in Michigan started skating since she was 11. Of Filipino decent, Cabiles also competes in the Philippine Nationals and recently ranked second in the 2013 Philippine National Figure Skating Championships held at SM Mall of Asia every year. Cabiles also placed 10th in the Junior category of the recent Dragon Trophy competition in Ljubjana, Slovenia in February 2014. She trains in Toronto, Canada.  Due to her high and powerful jumps, she earned the moniker, “The Skating Gazelle”.

SM has been the primary supporter of the PhSU since the latter was established in 2005. SM also provides a venue for the events of PhSU for the promotion of ice skating in the Philippines. PhSU received accreditation from the ISU in 2006, coinciding with the opening of the SM Mall of Asia skating rink that year.  In turn, PhSU, as the sole governing body for Figure and Speed Skating provides SM and its ice skating rinks with marketing tools such as local and international skating events and its network of skating athletes.

Through the years, SM and the PhSU have conducted several figure skating competitions that have given birth to international champions such as Martinez.
The PhSU is the governing body in the country for figure skating and speed skating. It is a member of the ISU which is the exclusive international sports federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The ISU administers speed and figure skating throughout the world. It is composed of a number of national organizations called ISU members who administer ISU sports at the national level.

The excellence demonstrated by skaters especially during competitions is a mark of quality that the SM Skating Rink can provide with its world-class venue and facilities. Property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings, Inc. operates skating rinks through SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. at the SM Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, and SM Southmall in Las Pinas.

Nothing but Praises for Filipino Figure Skater Michael Martinez

Warm Welcome Awaits Winter Olympian Michael Martinez at MOA on Feb 23 

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property conglomerate of the SM Group of Companies, is all set to give a warm welcome for winter Olympian and homegrown skating rink talent Michael Martinez as he comes home on February 23, 2014 from a sensational performance at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia. 

“We are very proud of Michael. He is indeed a shining example for the youth as someone who saw no limits to what he can achieve. He has already inspired millions by following his dreams and by competing in the Winter Olympics and will continue to inspire us all as he works towards earning more medals in the future Olympic competitions,” SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy said.   

To honor Martinez, SM has surprise gifts when he arrives where he will be given a motorcade at the Mall of Asia grounds starting at 4 PM which will culminate in an awarding ceremony inside the mall. During his formative years as a figure skater, Martinez frequented SM Southmall in Las Pinas and much later on SM Mall of Asia for figure skating competitions despite frequent bouts of asthma. Since skating at 8 years old, Martinez has garnered 194 medals and trophies from various international and local competitions. He is currently ranked 19th in the world based on his recent performance at the Winter Olympics. Martinez clinched 7th place at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany that qualified him for the 2014 Winter Olympics.   Through the years, SM and the Philippine Skating Union have conducted several figure skating competitions that have given birth to international champions such as Martinez.  

The excellence demonstrated by skaters especially during competitions is a mark of quality that the SM Ice Skating Rink can provide with its world-class venue and facilities.    

Property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings, Inc. operates ice skating rinks through SM Lifestyle and Entertainment, INc. at the SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, SM Southmall in Las Pinas and SM Clark in Pampanga.   

To thank his fans for their unwavering support, Michael Martinez will be at the SM Southmall Ice Skating Rink for a meet and greet on February 24 at 4-5 PM, SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink on February 25 at 12- 1 PM, and at the SM Skating Rink in Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall on February 25 at 4-5 PM.   

For information, please visit SM Skating Rink’s website at www.smiceskating.com or visit an SM Skating Rink near you.