The Curious Mom

Residential home security systems are often mistaken for another expensive monthly service or an outdated method for protecting your home and family. Today’s best home security systems are much more high-tech and feature-rich compared to traditional systems. Some can even be mistaken for a smart assistant device!

As the school year ends, more family members will be home for the summer. It’s important that home security systems are up to date, and the entire family is up to speed on how to use your system. They should know how to use your home security service in emergency situations, but it’s also useful to demonstrate that a security system is not intimidating and can, in fact, do so much more than just sound a loud alarm.

Home security systems keep your family safe

A residential home security system will make your life easier, but it will also keep you protected, letting you rest assured. If you choose a company that offers professional monitoring (for systems with video or without), your home and family are protected 24/7 with authorities only a phone call or the push of a button away.

The whole family should be familiar with what constitutes an emergency and the necessary steps to take. Be sure that family members of age know the Duress Code. It’s also worth mentioning to elementary-age kids that a home security system is not something to be afraid of – it’s there for protection.

Convenient for families on the go

Whether you’re a family of two or ten, it can seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. It’s inevitable that a school lunch gets forgotten, the garage gets left open, or you forget to arm your security system. A smartphone home security system will take away the burden of remembering so many things.

Utilize your system’s geo-fencing capabilities so that your system automatically arms itself once you get a certain distance from your home, or reminds you that the garage is open. Arm your home security monitoring service or close the garage with the touch of a button or voice command. Your system will even let you disarm and unlock your door with a voice code if your hands are full of groceries, mail and whatever else.

A security schedule that allows you to set what time you want to automatically arm or disarm your smartphone home security system is always a great fallback option to have in place, especially when families have people coming and going all the time.

Make everyday routines easier

Ever wonder what your kids or pets do after you turn off the lights or when you’re out of the house? A security system that has an Image Sensor with a night-vision LED flash allows you to do stay on top of your home activity at night or in a dark room. A home security system with the video that has an indoor camera even lets you speak through the camera to anyone in the room.

Many home security monitoring service providers offer an array of add-on products available to beef up your system, such as a video doorbell camera. Rather than dropping what you’re doing, interrupting meals or morning routines, a video doorbell allows you to conveniently check to see who’s at your door or pulling into your driveway right on your phone or smartwatch.

When considering which home security service to purchase, be sure to buy one that includes special features and frequent updates. For example, Brinks Home Security’s ‘Scene’ setting automatically turns lights down or off, sets your thermostat and locks all the doors. You can customize a scene for kids’ bedtime, movie time or even holidays.

Compatible with your favorite smart home devices

What’s the point of adding another device to your home that essentially doesn’t “talk” to your other devices? Find a security system that’s compatible with the devices you use on a daily basis.

Contemporary alarm systems allow you to control any number of devices through your system – from adjusting your thermostat to giving voice commands to turning on smart appliances. Your home security service and system, with the latest features and updates, will become the hub of your smart home.

Beyond traditional security, smart home systems are now essential for preventing catastrophic property damage. Many contemporary security providers offer integrated environmental sensors, including those for water and temperature changes. These powerful devices can alert you instantly to a pipe burst or slow leak, allowing you to address an issue before it leads to serious flooding. Proactively monitoring your home’s main water lines and crucial plumbing points can save homeowners thousands of dollars in water damage repair and insurance claims.

Smart security systems are pet-friendly and kid-friendly

Choosing a smartphone home security system with video monitoring makes it easy to check on pets when you’re not home. Use an indoor security camera or image sensor to let kids keep an eye on their pets and even speak to them using an indoor camera’s speaker.

Show kids that home security systems are not something to be intimated by, but they’re also not to be used for fun. Think of your home security panel like a fancy picture frame: It’s not something for kids to play with, but a device to observe and know how to pick up and look at when the time comes. In fact, you actually can use your security panel as a picture frame and upload photos that rotate throughout the day!

Not all security systems are created equal, but with a little research and the right questions, it’s easy to find a system that fits all your family’s security needs and financial budget. The right home security service will enhance your daily routine by being beneficial for the whole family while keeping your family protected around the clock.

Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, in partnership with SM Supermalls, welcomed entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and key stakeholders to the MSME Summit 2025 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. The event showcased the shared commitment of Jobstreet and SM Supermalls to empower Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and foster sustainable growth for the nation’s backbone industries. Ms. Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, highlighted the summit’s goal: supporting MSMEs as a driving force of the Philippine economy.

“SM is not just a venue—it’s a partner in every MSME’s success story,” said Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing, SM Supermalls. “When MSMEs grow, the nation grows. Every small business that thrives represents a dream realized, a livelihood sustained, and a community strengthened.” SM’s own growth story mirrors that of its MSME partners. From a small shoe store in Carriedo to 88 malls nationwide, SM understands the value of small beginnings. “Almost 70% of our tenants are MSMEs—their success is the foundation of SM’s continued growth,” San Agustin added. Through the SM for MSMEs program, the company provides high-foot-traffic spaces, market access, and visibility to help entrepreneurs scale sustainably.

Key sessions addressed practical needs for MSMEs. Participants learned how to scale their first hire with Mr. Henry Jose “Joey” Yusingco of Jobstreet, explored AI applications for small businesses with Ms. Arlynne Roa-Awayan of Asia Pacific College, and received insights on logistics and operations from Lalamove PH, 2GO Travel, and DITO BizBayan. Ms. Life Dawn Cervero of TikTok guided attendees on smart marketing on a budget, while a panel from BDO, Maya, RCBC, BanKo, and Asialink shared finance hacks for sustainable growth.

Success stories, like Kay & Karl Santos of 1919 Chocolate, inspired participants with real-life examples of scaling Filipino businesses. Partner demos and the Partner Passport Challenge reinforced networking, learning, and practical engagement.

The MSME Summit 2025 reaffirmed SM Supermalls’ commitment to Filipino entrepreneurship, providing programs, spaces, and partnerships that help MSMEs innovate, scale, and thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Life’s more fun when you have more access to discovering new things. From small errands to bigger adventures, you get to enjoy the best of living when you continue to expand the things you love!

SM Supermalls brings a new era of firsts to explore and discover, with exciting brands heading your way—now closer than ever, right here in Cebu. With SM Supermalls, you no longer have to travel across regions, because the best experiences are now within reach.

Craving for some authentic Japanese food experience? Check out the newly opened YAYOI—savor the taste of traditional Japanese Teishoku, offering a completely satisfying set meal of main entrée, steamed rice, miso soup, and seasonal sides.

Lookout for these food spots heading your way this May, serving food items you’ll love closer to you:

The experience of Japan continues in Mandaue City, Cebu with Yuki-Kun—savor Japanese cuisines, featuring familiar in flavors and beloved dishes available at the mall’s Food Hall area.

Expect more fun soon with even more First in Cebu experiences:

Satisfy your sweet cravings with these new dessert and dining destinations opening their first stores in Cebu:

Giving coffee lovers more to look forward to, the rapidly growing Pickup Coffee headlines their upcoming first-in-SM premium café concept, offering elevated brews perfect for a productive lifestyle.

Never run out of things to add to your itinerary. Explore beyond limits and discover exciting firsts here in Cebu with SM Supermalls.

Expand your horizons here in Cebu—only here at SM Supermalls, bringing you a #NewEraOfFirsts.

This month marks a new chapter for Davao as SM Supermalls welcomes a bold new era with evolving finds just for you.

SM City Davao, the first and largest SM mall in Mindanao, opens its Expansion Building bringing fresh urban experiences for every Davaoeño. From Insta-worthy dining scenes to stylish hangouts, every spot is designed to be pure feed goals.

With over 120,000 sqm of added space, this is more than an expansion—it’s an evolving destination made for shopping, style, and leisure to come together in ways you’ve never seen before. All to show that here at SM Supermalls, we truly got it all for you.

Hungry? You’re in for a culinary treat as we bring you a lineup of handpicked restaurants serving everything from casual fine dining to comforting Filipino classics and bold Singaporean flavors.

Making its first mark in Davao, Puffy’s is bringing its signature charm to the 1st Level, Main Mall Expansion. Known for its cloud-like soufflé pancakes, this sweet spot is the newest must-try in SM Supermall’s irresistibly crave-worthy lineup. Whether you go for Original, Crème Brûlée, or Tiramisu, every bite is delightfully light and perfectly Instagrammable!

Looking to add a little more everyday flair? From customizing your Aquaflask tumbler to finally grabbing that self-help book you’ve been eyeing—or even spotting that one item you didn’t know you needed—discover a specially chosen mix of finds to make your every visit more exciting.

Who says activewear has to be drab? For the first time in Davao, Anta at the 1st Level, Main Mall Expansion lets you turn the gym into your personal runway. Featuring a premium sports line of ready-to-wear apparel, trainers, and bags, it’s everything you need to break a sweat—in style!

From crave-worthy food hubs and fashion finds to accessories and quirky trinkets, every corner is made to make your feed more aesthetic. No matter how you spend your time, enjoy curated experiences not just to enjoy, but to share, only here in this #NewEraOfSMSupermalls.

Don’t forget to like and follow @smsupermalls on social media or visit www.smsupermalls.com for the latest updates and events!

At SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), water stewardship has come a long way since its early initiatives. As part of its environmental sustainability strategy, the programmatic Water for Tomorrow campaign looks beyond water recycling and efficient water management.

For SM Supermalls, this urgent call to action to protect and preserve a valuable resource makes any large-scale investment in water security a sound opportunity to do good for both people and planet.

 

With 89 malls nationwide, SM Supermalls high-impact yet practical water management systems and circularity practices build long-term capacity for future water disruptions and reflect the malls’ greater ecosystem.

Having introduced sewage treatment plants nearly three decades ago, well before any compliance requirements, SM Supermalls also made significant investments in efficient low-flow fixtures and water-saving technologies to prevent unnecessary consumption at scale. In 2023, the first rainwater treatment facility by a mall opened in Baguio to convert rainwater into another potable resource, alleviating pressure on the local water grid.

At a cultural level, SM Supermalls becomes a living sustainability classroom where mallgoers, employees, and tenant-partners are made aware of its water, waste, and energy programs. Partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and civic groups also sustain water conversations through the mall’s broad reach and are crucial to the sustainability agenda.

Embedding the message of water sustainability, SM Cares champions UN SDG6 – using every mall touchpoint and social media to create content on water conservation, access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for health and well-being

As a vital community hub, the malls promote the wider SM Green Movement campaign, empowering people to practice responsible water use.

Water’s essential role supports human activity and economic growth. As climate concerns accelerate and affect water supply, SM Prime’s unified stance on water stewardship prepares for challenges ahead.

SM Supermalls not only assists larger partner-tenants with compliance and the bottom line. It similarly inspires smaller businesses and other stakeholders that depend on mall operations to adopt innovative solutions.

“The scale of what we are doing today for water is already proof that we are reaping the benefits of the innovative vision of our leadership,” says Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls.

“What makes our programs truly meaningful is how they bring people and purpose together. It creates a ripple effect of sustainability that reaches beyond our walls,” said Tan.