The Curious Mom

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.

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

For the second consecutive year, SMPHI is sponsoring the 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 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 to 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's empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized that “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.” 

Buying a house might be a bit overwhelming, especially for first-timers, and it is not wrong to feel that way. After all, owning such property is both a great investment and a huge responsibility. Not to mention the fact that it is a daunting process that requires a lot of money, knowledge, and thorough research, among others. But among the many steps, where do you start?

Fret not because Lumina Homes got you covered with this 5-step Buyer's Guide by Lumina.

A good buyer is the one who asks. It is only understandable for every first-timer to have a lot of questions. Good thing the basic details about Lumina Home Properties are just a click away. Access information about your preferred property or house models at Lumina's website (www.lumina.com.ph) and even chat with a Lumina Expert using the chat button on the website should you need further assistance.

This is probably one of the exciting parts of scouting your next home. Seeing the actual community you might be moving into, visiting those dressed-up units where you can draw inspiration when designing your new home, or just seeing for yourself if the place exudes a home vibe. Lumina understands this and offers a free site viewing with a Lumina expert to assist you.

But if you have yet to set the date for your site viewing, make use of the 3D virtual tour of Lumina Homes Showcase Area (https://storage.net-fs.com/hosting/6413202/22/index.htm).

Once you're already set with the location and property that you wish to purchase, submitting the reservation application is the next step for you.

Lumina makes it easier for homebuyers to make a reservation through Lumina Homes Online. It is an online portal where you can easily view and select your preferred block and lot, and settle the reservation fee through various payment channels such as credit or debit card, GCash, or over-the-counter. Upon successful application, you will receive an email confirmation that includes a link to Lumina Homes' Electronic Buyer's Information Sheet (EBIS), Electronic Quotation Sheet (EQS), and Electronic Reservation Agreement (ERA).

Lumina Homes is committed to providing quality service to all of its clients. After placing your reservation, an assigned Lumina Marketing and Admin Staff will be in touch with you for briefing, which includes information about the property you are set to buy, documentary requirements, step-by-step process prior to turning over of your Lumina Home, housing, and admin policies, and the project timeline.

After completing the briefing, you are only one step away from being a homeowner. The assigned Lumina expert will ask you to fill out some forms and submit documentary requirements within 30 days.

The list of documentary requirements varies and depends on two factors--employment status and financing options. Either way, Lumina Expert will be available to assist you with any further concerns.

Lumina Homes continuously evolves to accommodate the growing needs of its homeowners by providing digital real-estate solutions like virtual home tours and subdivision walkthroughs, online reservations, online appointment booking, and online payment options through digital wallets and digital banking in partnership with national bank players.

"Lumina Homes is committed to going beyond what is expected of an affordable housing community. We will maximize our developments' potential in providing our residents the quality home and life that they deserve," Estrellita Tan, Group Head of Lumina Homes said.

Start your homeowner journey at https://www.lumina.com.ph/property-listing.

The 100 Days of Happiness initiative by SM Supermalls, which aims to build a circle of happiness with 76 participating malls, customers, artists, cause-oriented groups, and certain local government units, was launched on September 16 to start the countdown to Christmas.

"We want to create a circle of happiness in all our SM malls by featuring products of cause-oriented programs which we will offer to our shoppers who, in turn, give them to friends and family, and ultimately, benefit the communities that created these products," said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan.

Through the campaign, SM Supermalls encourages Filipinos to support the advocacies of individuals and organizations that provide opportunities and create a livelihood for their communities. For this year, SM partnered with bag designer Zarah Juan, Spark PH, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists of the Philippines, UNICEF, and the Quezon City LGU for its Vote to Tote initiative, among others.

The launch event held at SM North EDSA The Block was attended by SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and SVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, and select councilors of the city; Spark PH Founder Mica Teves; GSP President Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson; designer Zarah Juan; and Brownies Unlimited Marketing head Dustin Ngo.

For this year’s 100 Days campaign, SM Megamall, along with 9 other SM malls, is collaborating with Brownies Unlimited and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. For every purchase of a special GSP-themed box of brownies in-mall and via the SM Malls Online App, one girl will be sponsored with a GSP membership for a year.

"We have a lot of young girls across the country and they've had such difficult times during the pandemic. Our membership dropped significantly. By buying a box, you can sponsor a girl for one year and she can learn so many things like being independent, loving her country more, and helping her community," said GSP President Nina Lim-Yuson.

Recently, SM Supermalls helped the GSP vaccinate all its 70,000 members nationwide. By providing them with convenient and safe COVID-19 vaccines, SM Supermalls was able to ensure that the GSP members have access to quality healthcare services.

SM shoppers can purchase a box of brownies from 46 Brownies Unlimited branches nationwide and the SM Malls Online App.

Apart from the GSP partnership, SM Supermalls also partnered with the local government of Quezon City for its Vote to Tote program, Spark PH, and bag designer Zarah Juan to sell upcycled tarpaulin handmade tote bags sewn by marginalized women and female persons deprived of liberty.

And in the south of Metro Manila, the SM Mall of Asia family will be partnering with the Association of Foot and Mouth Artists in selling painted Christmas cards to the shoppers.

"All these and more will start to unfold in the coming days as we continue spreading happiness across all SM malls around the country. Let us not waste our next 100 days and use them to make one another happy by giving. Today, let the countdown begin to a hundred days of happiness!” Tan closed.

This is the second time SM Supermalls has started a holiday countdown campaign. In 2021, the biggest mall network in the Philippines showed the world more than a hundred ways of giving through 100 Days of Caring. Underserved communities surrounding the 76 SM malls were provided with their urgent needs through in-kind and monetary donations by the malls, their various business units, and the employees.

For the list of all partner institutions and their beneficiaries visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media accounts.

A healthy diet and plenty of exercises are essential for a child's growth and development, but did you know that there are other things you can do to help your kids be healthier? The following blog post will discuss tips on ensuring your children are as healthy as possible. Follow these tips, and you can be sure that your kids will be happier and healthier!

 

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s leading integrated property developers and leading conservation organization World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines has entered a collaboration in adopting a more robust reporting framework to address the climate crisis.

This is a major partnership of WWF with a Philippine company towards the development of a bespoke program for decarbonization.

Sustainability at SM Prime is at the core of its corporate identity. SM Prime is at the forefront of spearheading sustainable practices as well as setting records in pioneering programs to consciously protect the environment and strongly focus on resilience in its developments.

Under the partnership, SM Prime will adopt the Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI), WWF-Philippines’ flagship program that provides an actionable framework for organizations to operate sustainably within the paradigm of the climate crisis.

“We are delighted to work with WWF Philippines on this sustainable journey. Focusing on sustainability within the context of the Philippines ensures that our strategies and projects are highly material, efficient, and more responsive in addressing local concerns surrounding resilience and adaptation. We need to be one with the worldwide community to achieve this and we need to work with global experts to get this right,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

Climate change is one of the most pressing and defining global issues today. The Philippines currently ranks third globally when it comes to climate change vulnerability. In relation to its geographical location, it is more exposed to altering intensities of climate change manifested through erratic weather systems and natural calamities.

These risks are rife with complexity and uncertainty and organizations typically fail to properly assess their implications. The CBPI program takes a holistic approach to this pivotal issue, addressing these risks from a custom-built, science-based perspective.

By partnering with the WWF, SM Prime will be able to enhance and determine climate change solutions that will be reflected through responsible and transparent reporting.

The first phase of CBPI involves gauging where SM Prime stands in its sustainability initiatives and setting a science-based target in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. SM Prime published its first Integrated Report in 2021 under the Integrated Reporting Framework which provides an overview of our value creation model — how we seek to create value for our stakeholders by contributing to national progress through investments and interventions critical to the country’s socio-economic growth.

As a champion of climate action in the Philippines, our partnership with WWF adds another enhancement to transparent reporting by ensuring greenhouse gas (GHG) computations are accurate and use appropriate methodologies.

With the need to broaden efforts to protect the environment, this partnership forms part of group-wide efforts under the SM Green Movement that aims to improve the quality of life of communities through sustainable solutions to promote a green planet, green living, and a green culture.

SM Prime’s partnership with WWF dates back to 2007 under Hamilo Coast, its leisure resort development in Nasugbu, Batangas.

WWF closely monitors the health and viability of the Hamilo Coast area including three of its coves designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—the Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo.

In recognition of its conservation efforts, Hamilo Coast was cited by WWF-Philippines as its longest-standing Sustainability Partner in 2020.

Your backyard should be your oasis, a place where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. But if your backyard is just a boring lawn, it might be time to consider adding some features to make it more enjoyable. Here are 10 functional additions to your backyard that you should consider.

If you want to increase privacy in your backyard, a fence or wall is a great addition. It will also help keep kids and pets safe while they’re playing in the yard.

As I became older, I realized many vital things in our lives, including financial literacy. The first step to being stable in terms of finances is when you know how to manage, know your plans in life, and ways to save. Of course, this knowledge is better when we learned it in our younger years. Of course, if we knew all of the ways and tips about finances, then we could avoid having bad credit. 

It's tiring and makes us exhausted working 8 hours a day to make a living and provide for all our expenses, yet there is still not enough. We do extra work to have funds for emergencies and things are now becoming more expensive.

My top responsibility as a parent is to make sure that my children have all they need, yet doing so can be incredibly expensive. As a result, taking charge right away is crucial. To be honest, it's challenging to provide because there are times when members of the family encounter unexpected expenses. Realizing where you stand financially enables you to seek any short-term relief or additional help that is actually needed.  Money isn't everything, and no parent wants to take on more debt. Nevertheless, finances aren't everything. Providing your child with a happy upbringing is the most rewarding thing you can do in life. If this form of assistance allows you to do it, that’s great.

Hamilo Coast, the premier beach resort town in Nasugbu, Batangas, maybe the weekend haven of the country’s affluent set, yet it is on track as a thriving model of sustainable eco-tourism practices.

Touting 5,800 hectares of prime seaside development, Hamilo Coast is a project of SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. (CDHI), which carefully integrates residential, resort, leisure, commercial, and institutional land uses in the sprawling estate. But beyond its vast scope and stunning vistas, Hamilo Coast embraces sustainable tourism at the core of its philosophy and shows how beautiful beachfront homes can harmonize with nature and the environment.

2022 marks Hamilo Coast’s 15th year of productive partnership with the conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF). Hamilo Coast and WWF have been working together on key areas for sustainability—coastal resource management, ridge-to-reef management, solid waste management, mangrove reforestation, the use of renewable energy sources, and environmental awareness.

This long-standing collaboration with WWF signifies Hamilo Coast’s determination to pursue eco-tourism and sustainability while upholding international standards for leisure property development.

Ms. Imee G. Francisco, Vice President and Head of CDHI Projects and Operations, takes pride in the partnership’s objectives. “More than building and maintaining a beautiful community, we seek to create and sustain a world that future generations can enjoy. To help serve this end, CDHI continues to develop Hamilo Coast without compromising the quality of wildlife living around it.”

This year, Hamilo Coast and WWF will focus on addressing the major components of waste management, which include the assessment of solid waste, water, and wastewater management practices, formulation of the environmental management plan, and the promotion of foodshed farming systems. Apart from these, Hamilo Coast and WWF will continuously work on programs that will help conserve, protect, and nurture the environment.

For one, Hamilo Coast and WWF’s Ridge to Reef program declared three of Hamilo Coast’s 13 coves–Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo–as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These are coastal zones where human activities are strictly regulated to ensure their long-term conservation. Declaring more MPAs would also mean expanding Hamilo Coast’s scope in safeguarding more marine ecosystems and resources.