The Curious Mom

Vinta Market sets sail at newly opened SM City Zamboanga, championing local MSMEs

Mar 31, 2026

The ceremonial opening marks the launch of Vinta Market, a vibrant marketplace dedicated to showcasing proudly local products from MSMEs across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

As SM City Zamboanga opened its doors on March 20, the vibrant spirit of local entrepreneurship and culture took center stage with the unveiling of Vinta Market, a colorful marketplace dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Launched in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 9 and the SM for MSMEs program, the Vinta Market brings together 20 local MSMEs, showcasing proudly regional products ranging from handcrafted items and artisanal goods to local delicacies, fashion pieces, and unique souvenirs.

SM Supermalls executives and DTI Region 9 officials lead the ceremonial opening of the Vinta Market at SM City Zamboanga, celebrating a new platform for local MSMEs. (L-R: DTI Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Director, Ma. Rovie Manzanares; DTI Zamboanga City Office Provincial Director, Grace Aduca; SM Supermalls AVP for SM Communities Program, Royston Cabunag; DTI Regional Director Al-Zamir Lipae; SM Supermalls SAVP for SM Communities Marketing, Pats Dy; DTI Assistant Regional Director, Maridel Dengal; and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin)

Inspired by the iconic vinta, the traditional sailboat known for its vibrant sails and deep cultural roots in Mindanao, the Vinta Market reflects the same spirit of color, movement, and community. The marketplace brings together passionate entrepreneurs and skilled artisans, offering mallgoers a lively and meaningful shopping experience rooted in local culture.

More than just a retail destination, the Vinta Market serves as a growth platform for MSMEs—and for many entrepreneurs, this opportunity translates into real business expansion and sustained livelihood.

“We are very happy for the opportunity given to us by SM City Zamboanga… because of that, I have a growing market and a lot of suki na at SM,” shared Maria Donna of Marya Soaps and Scents from Pagadian, highlighting how increased visibility at SM has helped strengthen her customer base

For heritage artisans, the impact goes beyond business—it’s about preserving culture and passing traditions to future generations. “Maraming salamat sa mga opportunity na mga ganito na pwede kaming magbenta para makahanap lalo ng market… kayo na ‘yung kasangga namin sa pag-promote ng aming weave,” said Evelinda Otong, a 4th generation Yakan weaver, underscoring the importance of platforms like SM in sustaining local craftsmanship

Through capacity-building programs and expanded market access, MSMEs are also able to scale their operations and reach wider audiences.

“With their trainings and seminars, we’ve learned a lot… we’re proud to say that we supply all over the Philippines—and with SM Supermalls, our products can reach around the country and are now in the mainstream market,” shared Shaun Alavar of Alavar Food Products, reflecting the broader growth opportunities enabled through the partnership.

Featured MSMEs proudly showcase their locally made products at the Vinta Market, highlighting the passion and dedication behind every creation.

During the launch event, SM Supermalls executives, DTI officials, and partner stakeholders joined entrepreneurs and guests in celebrating the opening of the marketplace—highlighting a shared commitment to empower local businesses and provide them with greater market opportunities.

Visitors explored booths filled with proudly local products—each representing stories of craftsmanship, passion, and perseverance. The marketplace quickly became a vibrant hub where mallgoers discovered unique regional goods while supporting local livelihoods.

Intricately crafted local products showcase the artistry and cultural heritage of Mindanao’s talented artisans

The launch of Vinta Market stands as one of the highlights of the opening of SM City Zamboanga, the city’s newest lifestyle destination bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment, and community experiences closer to Zamboangueños.

Locally made delicacies from MSMEs offer shoppers a taste of Zamboanga’s rich culinary heritage at the Vinta Market.

Through initiatives like the Vinta Market, SM Supermalls continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship, providing MSMEs with accessible platforms to grow their businesses while celebrating the rich culture and creativity of local communities.

As shoppers explore the colorful stalls and meet the passionate makers behind the products, the Vinta Market stands as a vibrant symbol of Zamboanga’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit—where tradition, creativity, and opportunity sail forward together.

No Classroom Required: Could Homeschooling Be The Right Choice For Your Family?

Feb 24, 2026

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All over the world homeschooling is growing in popularity - once just the bastion of a select few, more and more families are now seeing the benefits of learning in a non-traditional way, with approximately 3.4% of American children now being educated in this way. But what makes them choose this path, and could it be the right fit for your family?

Embracing Individuality

One of the main problems with a traditional school environment is that it is very difficult for a teacher to give individual attention to everyone in the class, even with teaching assistants and parent volunteers to help out. All children learn in different ways and at different rates, so a big benefit of homeschooling is being able to tailor it to your particular child's needs. Are they a kinaesthetic individual who learns through doing, or maybe an auditory learner, who learns better by listening to you and repeating it back? Homeschooling means that you can not only play to their strengths, but also to their interests - if your child is going through a phase where they love dinosaurs then it can be a great opportunity to learn about that era, including the geography and science that goes along with it. Just playing with Lego can provide many opportunities to learn about STEM subjects... the options are endless, and you can work with your child to ensure they have the best possible learning experience.

Many families find that they need more structure than a purely parent-led approach. A formal Online High School South Africa is a helpful option because it has a set path for students to follow. These platforms use teachers to handle the grading and lesson plans, which takes the pressure off the parents. It is a way to keep the flexibility of home learning while the child meets all the necessary academic standards. This setup works well for older students who prepare for university or their future careers.

Challenging Situations

Although fun and exciting, homeschooling can also provide challenges: a major one is the time commitment it involves on behalf of the parent (although the flexibility of homeschooling means that some are able to juggle work around it). It can also be expensive - not just through the loss of hours that you could be working if they were in a traditional school setting, but also purchasing curricula, courses for them to work though, and the resources that go along with them. It's also important to bear in mind that different countries (and even states or areas within countries) can have different requirements, with many requesting regular visits and proof of ongoing education, so check with your local government department before embarking on the journey. For many families around the world though, the benefits of homeschooling far outweigh these challenges.

Making The Right Choice For Your Family

Overall, it's important to remember that homeschooling will not be the right fit for every family - it's a big responsibility for the parent who is taking on the teaching role, and a big commitment from all involved to make it work. For those who embrace it though, it can be an amazing learning choice, allowing their children to flourish and grow at their own pace and in their own way.

SM Supermalls Brings February Job Fairs Nationwide, Making Job Search Easier for Filipinos

Feb 9, 2026

SM Supermalls rolls out its February SM Job Fairs nationwide, enabling community opportunities through accessible employment channels making the application process faster and more convenient, All For job-hunting Filipinos. Held across SM malls, the monthly #SMJobFair series connects jobseekers with employers from retail, services, logistics, manufacturing, and other key industries.

In celebration of the Banatu Festival, celebrating the 76th founding anniversary of Cabanatuan City, SM

Supermalls kicked off February with a highly successful job fair at SM City Cabanatuan, demonstrating how career opportunities can be meaningfully woven into local festivities. Held last February 3, the job fair brought together 32 employers and a thousand jobseekers, with 90 applicants hired on the spot—underscoring the impact of aligning employment initiatives with community celebrations. By integrating career opportunities into high-traffic events such as local holidays and festivals, SM Supermalls enhances the malling experience by offering purposeful activities that customers can conveniently engage with in their most-loved SM destinations. Beyond serving as venues for celebration, SM malls evolve into community platforms that create pathways to livelihood, growth, and long-term opportunity for Filipinos nationwide.

Flagship SM Group Job Fair set for February 26 at SM North EDSA

Culminating the month’s activities is the highly anticipated SM Group Job Fair led by SM Retail on February 26 at SM City North EDSA—one of the strongest and most sought-after hiring events in the SM Job Fair calendar. Employers from across the SM Group—including retail, real estate, food, logistics, and banking—will be offering a wide range of opportunities, reinforcing why so many Filipinos aspire to join the SM family. As the largest retail chain in the Philippines, SM Retail continues to champion a workplace where people truly belong, thrive, and grow. Job seekers can look forward to purposeful challenges, meaningful career opportunities, and a culture where efforts are recognized and celebrated—making it #SoMuchFun to build a career at SM Retail. Because at SM Retail, we’ve got it all for you—#OnlyAtSMRetail.

One-Stop Job Application Made Easy

SM Job Fairs go beyond job matching by offering on-site government services, allowing applicants to complete key employment requirements in one location. Participating agencies typically include the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Social Security System, and PhilHealth, among others—saving jobseekers time, cost, and multiple trips.

February SM Job Fair Schedule

• February 12 – SM City Taytay

• February 13 – SM City Trece Martires

• February 16 – SM City Olongapo Central

• February 20 – SM City Legazpi

• February 25 – SM City Davao

• February 26 – SM City North EDSA

• February 27 – SM Center Muntinlupa

• February 27 – SM City Trece Martires

• February 28 – SM Seaside City Cebu

Jobseekers are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resumes and valid IDs and visit the nearest SM Job Fair this February. For updates and mall-specific details, follow SM Supermalls on social media and join the movement through #SMJobFair. SM Supermalls Champions MSMEs—and the Filipino workforce.

The Art of Self-Luvin’ with SM Supermalls

Can you feel it? Love is in the air! But it’s not the kind that sweeps you off your feet, just the love that feels safe, warm, and homey. Self love, of course!

Hey self-lovers, consider this a sign for you to slow down and to show yourself some well-deserved LUUUUV. Because this Heart’s Day, it’s no longer just about romance, it’s about keeping your heart happy, healthy, and glowing.

Through the melody of Olivia Dean, it really is so easy to fall in love—especially with the person who’s been with you through it all. And at your most loved mall, self-care comes as easy. Because from beauty essentials to wellness musts, we’re here to help you lean into the soft life, effortlessly unbothered. So mark your calendars, set the vibe, and celebrate love your way because #LuvIsYourVibeAtSM.

STEP 1: Cleanse Out Your Worries

Love needs breathin’, so let your self-LUV journey start with a clean base. Let go of the overthinking, the stress, and everything that’s been weighing you down. Reset the vibe, and give yourself a chance to clear space for a bolder, lighter version of you.

Aivee Clinic

Let Heart’s Day redefine what it’s like to destress and declutter. Revitalize your glow and go beyond skin deep with Aivee Clinic. Be prepared to welcome a brighter, new era of you. From tailored facials to advanced and doctor-led skin care treatments, your way to self-luvin’ is conveniently located here at the 5th Level, Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall.

STEP 2: Treat Yourself To A Nail-Boosting Glow

Now, for the ba-ba-ba-baby steps. Because once the vibe is set, it’s time to step up the glow-up. The kind that instantly lifts your mood and reminds you that beauty has always been with you.

French Tips Organic Nail Lounge

Soft, natural, and oh-so-elegant… just like every nail art lover’s dream! Situated at SM Aura, French Tips Organic Nail Lounge gives your fingertips the glow up they deserve. Using organic-focused formulas and holistic approach to nail care, it’s the kind of self-care that looks good and feels even better.

Other Branches: SM Megamall, SM Podium

Noon Talk Nail Lounge

Self-LUV should always feel like a celebration! Located at SM Mall of Asia, Noon Talk Nail Lounge can make every manicure feel like a milestone moment. With colors and finishes that frame your mood just right, this is where your nail glow-up gets personal and fun.

Other Branches: SM Megamall

Ukiyo Beauty Bar

Make every look feel effortlessly put-together with minimalist hues and soft textures to match your vibe. At Ukiyo Beauty Bar, enjoy manicure and pedicure services you truly deserve. Its curated approach to nail care blends modern chic with timeless elegance, bringing in beauty with intention at S Maison.

STEP 3: Moisturize Your Spirit, Protect Your Vibe

The final step? Lock it all in. Protect your peace, nourish your soul, and keep anything that disrupts your energy at bay. Let your freshly pampered self start anew. Softer, stronger, and glowing from the inside out.

Ayumi Elite

Extend the good vibrations and accessorize your look with intention. Experience the grooming techniques of Japan at SM Aura with Ayumi Elite, delivering an instant confidence boost through top-tier eyelash extension styling.

Other Branches: SM North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Podium

The Spa Wellness

Seal in the softness through a deeply moisturizing treatment and wrap up your self-care journey at The Spa Wellness at the 5th Level of SM Podium, where peace meets pampering. From deeply relaxing massages to rich body treatments, this is your final moment to melt tension away, recharge your spirit, and walk out feeling all the LUUUV.

That's the art of luvin’, and anyone with a heart would agree. It's so easy to make yourself feel the love with SM Supermalls. Valentine’s Day or not, there’s always room to make time for care, calm, and a little indulgence.

This Valentine’s Day, #LuvIsYourVibeAtSM, your most loved mall of firsts and evolving finds. Because we’re here to make your Saturday night—and the rest of your life—filled with love.

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

Feed Your Empty PET Bottles into SM’s New Green Recycling Machines

Your empty PET bottles have somewhere better to go than landfills—and SM is taking them there.

Through the newly-deployed Green Recycling Machines (GR Machines), SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) uses the nationwide reach of SM Supermalls to make sustainable action easy, accessible, and rewarding for mallgoers all over the country.

"The GR Machines enrich the SM Group's existing waste management efforts under the SM Green Movement," said SM Supermalls President, Steven Tan. "Through the deployment of these machines, we hope to collaborate with our customers in caring for the environment by helping recycle PET bottles whenever they enter their most loved SM Supermalls."

Each GR Machine can be operated with ease by any user and can accept PET bottles up to two liters. Together, the GR Machines nationwide can collectively hold up to 5,000 bottles in one collection cycle which are compressed in-machine. The compressed PET blocks are then collected and given a second life by SM's hauling partner Sentinel which transforms the blocks into reusable items such as food trays.

Little makes much: Preserving the environment one diverted bottle at a time

According to the World Bank, the Philippines leaks more than 300 million metric tons of plastic waste into the sea annually—equivalent to around 9 percent of its improperly handled plastic waste. The Philippines was also noted as one of East Asia and the Pacific region's top contributors to ocean plastic pollution.

Recognizing that sustainability and protecting the environment is beyond the effort of one entity, SM has leveraged its presence nationwide through its properties to engage its customers and surrounding communities in maximizing the collection of recyclables especially plastics. Through SM Cares, its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, SM empowers communities to adopting sustainable practices through simple and accessible ways to take part in protecting the environment. Arresting the growing issue on pollution, the SM Group has enhanced waste segregation efforts to increase its collection and diversion of plastics from the environment since 2007 with its pioneer program, the Trash to Cash recycling market.

SM Group's Trash to Cash initiative was organized by SM Cares as the pilot community program that encouraged customers to segregate recyclables like metal, paper, and plastic and exchange these for cash on a monthly basis. SM Supermalls also followed up this effort with the launch of two Reverse Vending Machines in SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall which empowered customers to segregate aluminum cans and empty PETs in exchange for discounts on sports and leisure attractions. On top of these, SM also hosts nationwide coastal clean-up drives annually through the strength and effort of its workforce volunteers.

With the latest in mobile recycling technology, SM's GR Machines encourage customers to turn good intentions into daily environmentally-conscious actions in three easy steps:

Feed any PET bottle up to 2 liters into the machine
Confirm your deposit by pressing the prompt on the screen
Await your reward

"This is just a glimpse into how SM aims to enrich the Circular Economy through the elevated role we play in integrating seamless waste management efforts, all for Filipinos. We are hopeful that with the addition of the SM GR Machines, our continued partnership with our customers in protecting the environment yields a more sustainable future" said Tan.

Customers can start depositing their plastic bottles in SM GR Machines across the following malls: SM North EDSA, SM City San Lazaro, SM Megamall, SM The Podium, SM Aura, SM Southmall, SM Mall of Asia, S’Maison, SM Seaside City Cebu and SM Lanang.