The Curious Mom

When the pandemic put the country in a standstill, many of the everyday yet vital services Filipinos had access to were revoked—one of which was transportation

The absence of public transportation due to social distancing effectively limited every household's capability to commute for essentials, and many relied on biking as their lifeline.

Recognizing the urgency in supporting its customers and surrounding communities during the challenges of the pandemic, SM Supermalls strengthened the drive for Active Mobility across all of its malls nationwide. Since then, the mall leader has become a home and advocate for Active Mobility, remaining consistent in forging spaces that not only accommodate, but protect bikers.

Because of this effort, SM has won the trust and confidence of its stakeholders in advocating for sustainable travel, culminating in a record-breaking 34-win citation at the 2025 Mobility awards.

"What began as a heartfelt initiative to support bikers during COVID, has now become an integrated bike program spanning every single SM mall in the country," said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin. "Active Mobility plays a crucial role not just in preserving the environment but in the enrichment of every Filipino. Thus, SM aims to continually foster the culture of biking across its properties by creating beloved places where movement is safe, easy, and inclusive for everyone."

Active Mobility Advances Through Coaction

Through a collaboration between its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM Cares, its mall operations, and biking communities, SM continues to refine itself as a bike-friendly space championing maxed-out Active Mobility, cycling, and inclusive transport.

"It started with us setting up parking spots exclusive to bikes to ease access for cyclists picking up essentials in our malls. Then when the volume of cyclists picked up even as the lockdown eased, we knew we had to do more for them," said Mina Kahn, SM Division Head and Assistant Vice President for Transportation Management.

For the mall leader, this meant improving transport access through sustainable means it could easily replicate across its properties nationwide. This involved carving out dedicated spaces equipped with essential tools to safeguard and repair bikes, protecting bikes from scratches with upcycled tires cushioning racks, the introduction of intuitive bike lanes for biker safety, and the promotion of the culture of cycling.

From there, bike-friendly features have become staples even in recent developments and renovations with plans to implement more secure bike parking, install more racks, and clearer cycling lanes around the malls. Cycling groups also found a conducive haven for activities at SM properties. Biking events were regularly encouraged and hosted, with surrounding tenants adjusting operating hours to accommodate cyclists, further promoting biking not just as a mode of transportation but as a lifestyle and sport one could enjoy.

This in turn earned SM a total of 34 accolades at the recent Mobility Awards: One Gold, 11 Silver and 22 bronze for nationwide mall efforts in promoting and protecting cycling as a culture across its properties.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) cited SM's sustainable approach as a demonstration of its leadership, innovation and long-term commitment to making active transport safer and more accessible to Filipinos. Its Pedal Power 2025 program was highlighted for this year's Notable Advocacy Program and the SM Supermalls Sustainable Mobility and Bike-Friendly program received a citation for Notable Development by the Private Sector.

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With the Southeast Asian (SEA) Open Short Track Speed Skating trophy's Philippine return, SM hopes the country's success at the international derby captures a crucial window of opportunity to further enrich local skating talent.

Designed as an entry-level international competition, the SEA Trophy gives young and emerging skaters the opportunity to compete, learn, and gain exposure on a friendly yet structured stage.

“We are thrilled with the results of the latest season of this international competition,” said Joseph Silva, Senior Assistant Vice President for SM Skating. “Since its inaugural run, we’ve seen steady growth in participation, and this year marks our highest turnout yet, along with the country’s strongest medal haul to date. Coupled with the surge of interest in ice sports following the Philippines’ recent SEA Games successes, we see this as a pivotal moment to spotlight the potential of our young, emerging athletes and further strengthen support for the development of their talent.”

On its third local mounting, the SEA Trophy has registered its largest volume of participants at 90 athletes ages six to 24 years old representing the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, and Indonesia. The Philippines emerged with a total medal win of 12 gold, 11 silver, and 6 bronze medals.

"Most of the athletes who join are starting out on their skating journeys. With this international competition, they gain more than a chance of winning medals. They attain access to a professional arena, while competing against regional athletes exposing them to different styles of athleticism," said Nikki Cheng, President of the Philippine Skating Union.

Giving young, emerging athletes a home and an arena to shine

A long-time advocate of ice sports in the Philippines, SM has been home to the SEA Trophy since 2023. Mounted by SM through its Sports and Leisure Center (SLC) and SM Skating, the competition was hosted at the Olympic-sized rink of SM Skating Mall of Asia—one of the country's most established ice sports venues.

Backed by the International Skating Union (ISU) Development Commission and the Philippine Sports Commission, the SEA Trophy also serves as a development platform that ensures global participation in ice sports while encouraging skills progression, coaching exchange, and cross border-collaboration.

“Beyond providing conducive spaces for athletes to train and compete, SM recognizes that true skill development comes from exposure to international competition,” said Silva. “Events like this put everything they’ve trained for to the test, while fostering camaraderie and sportsmanship, values that are honed only on the ice, alongside fellow athletes.”

Through this holistic approach, SM has given both emerging and competitive athletes a home that hones them into champions. SEA Games podium finisher Hans Buemio, started his skating journey at SM's skating rinks. He has gone on to qualify as the country’s first homegrown speed skater for the ISU Junior World Cup series and is preparing for the next competition in Utah. Meanwhile, emerging international skating athletes have also been honed through the SEA Trophy. Chinese skater Bingzhen Dai is also a product of the tournament and has been training in SM’s Skating Rinks for the last two years. Silva hopes that with holistic support, more emerging athletes like them can come to fulfill their potential.

"With SM, our skating industry will always have a home one that provides inclusive and accessible pathways for our talents to grow and succeed. Through the 2026 SEA Trophy, we look forward to discovering our future champions and showcasing their excellence to the world.”

Building on the first-ever Matcha Fest held at the Mall of Asia last year, your most loved, SM Supermalls returns with a larger, better, and more maxed experience celebrating all things matcha! SM Supermalls’ Matcha Fest 2026 is a great space for specialty cafes to connect with matcha fanatics. Local vendors get a chance to showcase their creativity to eager customers who want to explore the different varieties of the beloved Japanese green tea across your favorite SM malls.

Through the Matcha Fest, SM Supermalls continues to shape malls not just as spaces for shopping, but as destinations for discovery, community, and food and lifestyle experiences. As a gift to the matcha-loving community, SM levels up the celebration with a festival packed with even more matcha goodness, all thoughtfully curated, all for you.

The first-ever Matcha Fest in Cebu at SM J Mall brings together celebrated brands such as Atelier Matcha, Your Daily Go Cafe, Kasa Brew, Celso’s Crib, No Bitter Feelings, Tsoko, DP Sweets, Oh Nata!, Ice Ice Baby, and Rampa Beads Bar. These cafes offer a modern twist to matcha, including lattes, whisked variants, and decadent desserts. The festival also features interactive experiences such as Matcha Painting sessions, Make Your Own Matcha Workshops on February 7 and 11, and Love Beats with Moni-Moni on February 14.

At SM City Davao, the festival aptly named Find Your Match-a, caters to matcha-loving couples who want to celebrate the month of hearts with a cup of matcha in their hands. Exhibitors include Matcha Ureshi Bar, Matcha Baby, Thirty Third Café, Hey Matcha People, Matchanagi, Matcha Deux, Ms. Matcha, and so many more. These cafes will sell a plethora of variants, including Dirty Matcha for those who want a caffeine kick, the finest Uji matcha lattes from Kyoto, Japan, and even some tropical flavors.

At SM CDO Downtown, tenants are gearing up for the festival with beloved local matcha shops and cafes. Matcha in different forms — sweet beverages, leche flans with matcha sauce, and even unique desserts will be offered for almost the entire month of February!

At SM Podium, matcha lovers can savor exciting creations from cafes such as Betcha! By Gaby Brews, Day Off Space, Hakone Matcha, Kokorobi Matcha, Kyoto House, Maison Midori, Matcha Folk, Shizu Matcha Bar, Take Five, and Whisk & Sip. Patrons can choose from a slew of matcha and hojicha flavors while dancing to live DJ sets or shopping for accessories, perfumes, and other trinkets.

SM Supermalls’ Matcha Fest is more than a celebration of flavor, but a toast to creativity, culture, and local businesses. The Matcha Fest is made for longtime connoisseurs and enthusiastic newcomers who want to join a growing community overflowing with love, curiosity, and a shared passion for discovering all things matcha—all for you, only at your most loved mall, SM.

The year is officially underway, and it’s looking good. 2026 is already taking shape through everyday moments, familiar routines, and plans that are finally happening.

This is no quiet reset or a low-key start, it’s a hard launch to show up, step out, and strut through the year with confidence.

Across your most loved SM Supermalls, new lifestyle and fashion spaces are opening with firsts and fresh concepts that can easily fit into your routine, giving you more places to go, more things to try, and more reasons to be out and about.

Time to show off our best selves with the year ahead!

These are the upgrades people notice without you having to point them out—how you smell, how your space feels, how put-together your everyday looks.

At Bath & Body Works at Level 2, City Center of SM North EDSA, everyday scents and self-care staples fit easily into your routine. Not to mention, the White Barn section adds home fragrances and candles that can set the mood and instantly make any room feel nicer.

Some moments are meant to be seen, not just saved.

At Beyond Studio, the first in SM at the Centralwalk Basement of SM City Fairview, everyday moments turn into something you can actually bring out and show. Forget just posting, here's three cheers to photos you can print, frame, and actually put out there.

These aren’t one-time trial activities. These are the ones you'll actually keep coming back too, less about being performative and more about following through, because spoilers: you'll enjoy it

Show off your athletic side this 2026. At Prime Golf–the first premium golf simulator in SM at level 5 SM Podium, you can sharpen your swing on the simulator, aim for a hole-in-one, and indulge in premium dining.

For 2026 and beyond, it's time to prioritize your health. Work up a sweat and flaunt a fitter, better you at Lulou Wellness–the first in SM, now opened at the 4th Level of SM Podium, a space designed for adults who take their routines seriously.

Sometimes the most practical things are the ones that keep you happy.

With the first POP MART in BGC at the 2nd Level of SM Aura, collecting is something you’ll proudly commit to, smiling over trinkets you pick, unbox, and keep out for display for everyone to see.

Hard launch complete. From here on out, it’s about stepping into what works for you and letting it be seen.

As new spaces continue to open across SM Supermalls, it stays part of everyday life where errands, plans, and in-between moments already happen. There is always something new to walk into, try out, and make part of your routine.

Follow @smsupermalls on social media or visit www.smsupermalls.com to see what’s new and what’s coming next.

For the new year, let’s raise the standards.

This is the year you stop making compromises when it comes to your cravings. No rushed decisions. No “this is good enough.” And more importantly, no more meals that feel like an afterthought.

SM Supermalls is starting the year by bringing in new dining spots that can transport you to a new era full of fresher concepts, bolder flavors, and better choices. Proving time and time again why it deserves to be your most beloved mall with spots that raise expectations, break routines, and make eating out feel fun again.

So before your calendar fills up with plan after plan, consider this your ultimate craving promise: to never negotiate when it comes to where and how you eat. Because if there’s one thing we’re not bringing into the year, it’s settling.

Snacking isn’t something you do just to get by–it’s something you do because you actually want to eat. This year, snacks have to show up with flavor, personality, and zero shortcuts. Whether it’s something cheesy, crispy, or straight-up addictive, quick bites should still feel worth the stop.

Prepare to blast off into a galaxy of flavors at Pizza Planet, located at the Annex, Upper Ground Level of SM North EDSA. When the craving hits, cheesy and gooey is the only right answer–and this fun, playful spot delivers every time. It’s your sure fix for comfort food done right, serving an out-of-this-world experience for kids, kids at heart, and anyone who takes their pizza seriously.

From Taiwan’s streets straight to your plate–Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks at the Foodcourt, SM City Fairview serves crispy, juicy hits you won’t want to miss. XXL Chicken, Handmade Oyster Mee Sua, and all the bold flavors.

All-you-can-eat only works when it actually delivers. No half-hearted spreads. No playing it safe. This year, if you’re committing to unlimited, it has to feel generous, intentional, and satisfying from the first plate to the last.

Feast like royalty at King’s Feast Luxury Buffet by Buffet 101, soon to open at the 5th Level of The Block at SM North EDSA. This luxurious all-you-can-eat experience features mouthwatering local and international flavors that never skimp on quality or taste, promising a truly decadent dining adventure fit for kings and queens.

Say “more, more!” to good food at Mo-Mo Paradise–the first in PH at the Level 3, Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall. When the plan is unlimited hot pot, this is the place you go straight to. Slow-simmered shabu-shabu and sukiyaki set the standard for sharing, slurping, and lingering over a proper meal.

This is the year we stop dialing it down. Big flavors, strong profiles, and dishes that don’t hold back—because great meals should leave an impression. If you’re craving something with heat, depth, or attitude, subtle isn’t part of the plan.

For local flavors with a twist you won’t want to miss, head on over to Siklab+ at the ground level of S Maison. This is the kind of place that resets your expectations, where Paboritong Pork Sisig, Kuhol ni Tanggol, and Kalamay sa Latik become the benchmark you compare everything else to.

When the craving is Thai, you don’t experiment... you go straight to Thaiwadee, soon opening at the Foodcourt of SM Southmall. Their Pad Thai and Tom Yum Goong stay true to that

mix of heat, tang, depth, and all that you’re looking for when you’re not in the mood to compromise.

Satisfy your curry cravings at Royal Indian Curry House Bistro soon to open on the 5th Level of The Block at SM North EDSA. When you’re in the mood for Indian food, bold flavor and real spice aren’t optional—and this is where you go for it. From their rich Murgh Makhani to their fragrant Hyderabadi Biryani, every dish hits exactly the way it should.

Healthy doesn’t mean boring, and it definitely shouldn’t feel like a compromise. With the first Salady in PH at the Level 5 of the Fashion Hall in SM Megamall, choosing lighter meals no longer feels like you’re missing out.

Coffee isn’t just about the drink, it’s about slowing down, sitting longer than planned, and pairing it with something you’ll still think about later. Cafe Kulture brings that energy to the Level 3, South MOA Sky of SM Mall of Asia, turning coffee and pastries into a moment, not just a routine.

The standards are set, so let your cravings do the rest.

You don’t need a plan for this part, you’ll know when you’re hungry. And when your craving finally calls, your favorite SM Supermalls has already answered with more new spaces, new names, and better food options than ever.

No overthinking, no settling. Just choosing what feels right in the moment, and knowing there’s always something new waiting the next time you come back.

Follow @smsupermalls on social media or visit www.smsupermalls.com for the latest updates and events.