The Curious Mom

Cleene CLIO makes Clean Teeth possible for Families this World Oral Health Day 2022

Mar 20, 2022

On World Oral Health Day, Cleene CLIO invites everyone to celebrate by practicing proper oral healthcare with their families.

A product of proudly Filipino company PHILUSA Corporation, Cleene CLIO has been an ardent supporter of this global oral health initiative, especially with oral care given less priority during the pandemic when accessibility to dentists and visits to oral health facilities were challenging at the height of the lockdowns.

To emphasize the importance of good oral health practices at home, Cleene CLIO has partnered with Manila Water Foundation and Philippine Dental Association to provide oral health kits to various barangays and schools as part of this year’s World Oral Health Day activities. Over 2,000 health kits containing Cleene CLIO toothbrushes and Dental Floss Premium from Cleene CLIO and PHILUSA were distributed to 12 barangays and to the chosen hygiene facility in Dinalaonan Elementary School in Pangasinan.

And as a special treat for World Oral Health Day, selected Cleene CLIO products will be sold at 20% off exclusively in Mercury Drug stores nationwide until April 15, 2022.

Cleene CLIO continues to be the partner of every Filipino family in promoting good oral hygiene by offering a wide range of affordable and quality toothbrushes.

Cleene CLIO toothbrushes are made with MicroFine Soft Bristles that help penetrate and clean hard-to-reach areas for better interdental cleaning and a gentle brushing experience. The tapered bristles penetrate between teeth and gums for a thorough cleaning, while the rounded shape of the bristles removes plaque and prevents teeth and gum damage.

There is a Cleene CLIO toothbrush for every member of the family that is affordable and has world-class quality. For those wanting extra care and protection for your teeth, Cleene CLIO offers its Refreshing Green Tea and Ultimax Charcoal under their Special care line. While for those needing specialized care, Cleene CLIO has it's Kiddie and Junior as well as 40+ for sensitive gum and teeth. It also has its economy toothbrushes for general oral health care for any age.

Cleene CLIO is available at Mercury Drug, leading supermarkets, drugstores, and other retail stores nationwide as well as on all leading e-commerce websites: Shopee, Lazada, and the PHILUSA Online Store.

The Curious Mom is a part of Mommy Bloggers Philippines.

Sustainable living for everyone

Mar 19, 2022

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.

SM Prime: Building strong foundations of responsible development

The topic of sustainability in property development has surged since the world experienced Covid-19. Having to redefine the use of spaces, people soon realized how instrumental real estate is in the journey towards a more sustainable way of life. With the threat of climate change looming on the horizon and a growing population to sustain, the need to build more sustainable and resilient cities only continues to rise.

SM Prime traces its journey on sustainable design and development way before the concept has gone mainstream. At the heart of SM is its commitment to serve its customers – designing its malls to bring better comfort and an enjoyable experience in every visit to SM Supermalls.

Sustainable Comfort

Built through several phases of development, SM Megamall, among SM’s 78 malls across the country, has grown into the complex it is today with 800 shops including 250 dining outlets and 16 anchor tenants. Customers explore the expanse of the 10-hectare development from its convenient parking grounds, relaxed atmosphere, and beautiful façade. Behind this is sophisticated engineering anchored on sustainable design and technology.

SM Megamall is energy and water-efficient. The building is enveloped with EIFS or Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems board which helps boost wall insulation, making it more resistant to heat. It only uses an LED lighting system allowing a 50% energy saving. The mall also tracks a lighting operating schedule following the supply requirement of our mall activity and does not contribute to environmental lighting pollution so as not to disturb nocturnal animals. It also uses sensor-activated escalators that contribute to about 30% energy savings. Its air handling system uses high-efficiency air-conditioning system that has greater environmental stewardship. Lastly, it uses efficient water fixtures for water savings and recycles water.

SM Megamall

SM Megamall works with the natural environment. The mall utilizes green walls, skylights, and clerestory or a high section wall that contains windows above eye level to increase the flow of natural light. It is surrounded by plants of local varieties and a selection of trees and shrubs.

SM Megamall Bicycle Racks

SM Megamall promotes mobility. Situated in the middle of EDSA, SM Megamall brings 550 buses into one integrated system to promote easier mobility. Green hybrid transports provide options for the more environmentally conscious passengers. All public transport is required to meet mandated emission levels in support of the Clean Air Act. The mall is pedestrian-friendly with about 1,595 square meters of covered walkways. Throughout the mall, designated bike lanes and parking spaces are provided. Lastly, parking sensors not only make parking easier but have also reduced emissions in the parking areas.

SM MegaTower

SM Megamall practices responsible materials management. The mall uses an Echostop ceiling finish for noise absorption which is made from gypsum and paper liner made from 100% reclaimed and recycled paper. The Mega Tower uses insulated glass units which keep heat out during summer months and Low E-glass to minimize the amount of ultraviolet light that comes through the windows, with both features maximizing energy savings. It also has a Material Recovery Facility dividing recyclables, biodegradable waste, residual waste, and hazardous waste

Environmental Strategy

All these initiatives are aligned with SM Prime's environmental strategy of developing, designing, and building integrated lifestyle cities with sustainability and resiliency considerations in mind.

Echoing these efforts, SM Prime continues on its transition to clean energy. Aside from investing in energy efficiency programs, the company is broadening its renewable energy investments. SM Prime targets to increase its demand for electricity sourced from renewables by more than 50% across all of its business segments by end of 2022 in support of the Department of Energy's goal of moving the country's renewable energy supply component up to 35% by the end of the decade.

Moreover, as part of a growing movement of responsible and sustainability-centered enterprises, SM Prime has joined the 2,500 organizations worldwide in supporting the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and its goal of creating a more resilient financial system through better climate risk disclosures. Through this, it hopes to continue to drive its business to adopt more sustainability initiatives related to climate change.

At Hamilo Coast, SM property in Nasugbu, Batangas, it continues to uphold its commitment to sustainability and conservation as it planted 50,000 more mangroves which cover 100,000 square meters of the estate. This is also touted as one of the largest mangrove areas in Nasugbu. Hamilo Coast continues to protect its mangrove ecosystem together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines—a partnership it has nurtured since 2007.

Hamilo Coast also undertook the initiative to declare three of its coves, namely Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo as Marine Protected Areas in 2009.

SM is regreening the countryside through its tree-planting program led by SM City Baguio. This is in partnership with the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR), Baguio Water District, the local government of Baguio City, and 25 media organizations in Baguio.

As of January 2022, over 600,000 trees have already been planted in Baguio City and neighboring towns in Benguet.

SM further promotes sustainable practices through water recycling and the adoption of technologies that promote smart water use. In 2020, it was able to recycle 28.9 million cubic meters of water.

In terms of solid waste management, SM Prime has intensified its campaign by requiring all contractors to implement proper waste management procedures during construction. A long-running program through SM Cares, the monthly Trash to Cash (TTC) provides an avenue for the community, including properties’ tenants, to participate in solid waste management. This initiative ran for nine months in 74 malls and five SM Development Corporation properties in 2020, saving 134,067 seven-year-old trees to date.

It also undertakes paper recycling in partnership with the Trust International Paper Corporation and the responsible transport, treatment, storage, and disposal or processing of the properties’ generated hazardous waste, compliant to the government’s implementing rules and regulations.

Resiliency as a Necessity

While SM serves millions of customers every day, its impact goes beyond its businesses – touching the lives of millions more in the communities wherever it is present. For a country like the Philippines, the impact of climate change can already be felt with typhoons getting stronger and more frequent.

Hans T. Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime has served in leadership roles in both national and international organizations focused on disaster resiliency and its impact on business and society. Leading by example, SM integrates disaster resiliency in its business strategy as well as its city and mall designs and developments. This, not only allows SM businesses to operate during calamities, instead, also helps communities become more resilient to typhoons.

“I believe in an age-old adage; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. SM Prime has taken deliberate steps to reinforce resiliency across its properties and provide a focused approach on sustainability in order to preserve communities and save lives,” said Mr. Sy.

Such is the impact created by SM Masinag.

Vermont Park Phase 1 is located near SM Masinag. For years, it would undergo flooding during typhoons. However, the story has changed. Since SM Masinag opened to serve the community, it has been equipped with a water catchment facility that can detain 17,681 cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 7 Olympic size swimming pools. This helped control the flooding of nearby villages during typhoons.

Meanwhile, SM Marikina, which is also in a high-flood rate zone, is able to serve as a first responder and a safe haven to affected families during times of calamities. This is because it is standing on 246 stilts with an elevation higher than the highest recorded water level rise in Marikina City.

Sustainability and Resiliency as Strong Foundations for Responsible Development

SM Prime anchors its development on both sustainability and disaster resiliency. For SM, both serve as strong foundations for responsible development – to address the increasing demand for urban areas and to address the threat of climate change.

From the onset of concept design, SM Prime allocates around 10% of capital expenditure to incorporate sustainability features and disaster resilience when building malls, offices, and even integrated lifestyle cities.

"The safety of the communities, employees, customers, and the facility structure remains top priorities in all SM Prime developments. As I tell my design teams ever so frequently, ensuring safety is the only way I can sleep well,” Mr. Sy said.”

For SM, this means the hard infrastructure capacities as well as how spaces are designed to facilitate mobility, green transport options, greener buildings, and even green technology such as being powered by solar energy. As such, wherever SM operates, SM Prime makes every effort to help create the spaces and cities we need in order to sustain ourselves into the future.

SM reinvents ‘Building on Stilts’ as a Climate Resilient Design for the Futur

Floods and rising water levels brought about by typhoons are perennial problems in Marikina city, which is considered as one of the low-lying areas of Metro Manila. During typhoons, the Marikina River’s water can rise up to 23 meters compared to its normal average level of 13 meters. While this causes the communities surrounding the Marikina Watershed to be underwater, SM Marikina stands tall, serving as a safe haven to its neighboring communities.

The secret? It is sitting on 246 stilts.

SM City Marikina is uniquely designed. The 6-hectare mall property which is located within the Marikina River Watershed is an elevated mall built on top of 246 stilts.

“A critical part of building climate resilient structures is to understand weather patterns and how it affects the environment where your city or building will be,” explained Architect Fides Garcia-Hsu, Vice President of SM Engineering Design and Development (SM EDD). “During the design phase of SM City Marikina, we considered the long-term flood cycles of the Marikina Watershed, which was identified to be a high-risk area by the World Bank in 1977.”

Building on stilts traces back to ancient civilizations from different parts of the world. The answer lies in its powerful functionality. Elevated construction had been the way earliest people groups would protect themselves from flooding, moisture, and surface organisms. It also gives them provision for open space storage or cultural activities. Lastly, it reduces the cost of modifying natural terrain. While building on stilts has been adopted by modern architects through the years, people had lost interest in it during the rise of urbanization.

SM revisited the functionality of ‘building on stilts’ and reinvented the concept as a climate resilient feature. This design was complemented with other disaster preparedness considerations to help reduce the risk of damages during extreme flooding. As such, SM City Marikina was built an additional 20 meters farther than the suggested 90-meter distance from the Marikina River centerline. Moreover, the ground floor parking was purposely laid out as an open-design, without walls to allow water to flow, while the second floor was elevated at 20.5 meters, which is higher than the maximum recorded flood levels.

During super typhoons, SM Marikina’s resiliency saves an average of Php1 billion in terms of losses from business sales alone. This means that it is able to help its tenants, especially the micro, small and medium enterprises that depend on the mall for their business continuity and growth.

For its neighboring communities, SM Marikina also serves as a safe haven and a first responder to families who are affected during calamities. It also provides free parking spaces for those who are stranded and need a safe place to wait for floodwater to recede.

“Our ultimate goal is to help build the resilience of our stakeholders. This begins by building our own resilience to serve as a good foundation they could rely on especially during calamities,” Garcia-Hsu said.

Beyond the city of Marikina, building on stilts may be experiencing a revival in other parts of the world as urbanization begins to rise along with a greater demand for greener spaces. This would allow for high-rise developments while keeping ground levels reserved for much-needed green open spaces.

While it took SM an additional 15% in its capital investments to make SM City Marikina a disaster-resilient mall, the group sees it as an essential investment in its commitment to creating shared value for its stakeholders. This, complemented with a science-based approach to climate scenario risk analysis, allows SM City Marikina to defy odds and prove that integrating resiliency is the way to a climate-resilient future.

5 Tips For Planning Your New Home

Mar 8, 2022

When it comes to your future, you want to plan and buy a house so that you can have something to pass through the generations, something to decorate, and something to be proud of. No one gets home buying right the first time, but you can get it right the next time if you plan it correctly. You don't want to make mistakes when you are buying a house and that’s why you need to plan it correctly.

Whether you choose to buy an established house or you buy one of the beautiful homestead house design options that are out there, you need to know how to plan this properly so that you don't make any new mistakes from it. So, we’ve helpfully put together five simple tips for planning your new home so that you can get it right the first time and avoid anything going wrong.

Image Source: Pexels

Know the legal requirements. Before you build a house, you need to know exactly what the legal requirements are and what the permissions are that you need. The best thing that you can do is contact your local council and tell them all about your development plans, and they will be able to walk you through the things that are realistic and what really isn't!
Consider the design. Whether you plan to design your home yourself or you choose to choose a company that can help you with the design, you need to think about so many different things to make it work. You need to look at how you can use the landscape, what the safety parameters are and how you can ensure that your home is going to be built in the best possible way. You should also consider things like the eco-friendly design and the green living options that you have so that you can make your home feel like yours.
Get yourself a designer. If you don't have the time and all you want to do is plan the pretty things in your home, you need to think about hiring a designer to help. A designer will help you with the drawings and the planning of your home and you will also be able to see your ideas become a reality.
Get a builder. You can have all the plans and designs in the world but without a builder, you’re going to fail a little along the way. Ask friends and family for recommendations and get online with a local internet search. This will help you to find the right one. You can then interview and check the credentials of the builders you’ve been recommended and make the best possible choice. Planning your new home is going to be much easier with this one!
Enjoy it. The process can be long but watching your home ideas come to life is pretty impressive. You can feel inspired by the work put in to build your house from the ground up - it’s awesome to watch.