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Galing Pook Foundation Recognizes Outstanding Local Government Programs for 2022

 

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. recognizes the 10 winners of the Galing Pook Foundation 2022 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace. He commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top-performing LGUs. With them in the photo are Galing Pook Foundation chairman Mel Sarmiento, Local Government secretary Benjamin Abalos, and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.


Ten outstanding local governance programs were recognized in the 2022 Galing Pook Awards held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace last Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

Galing Pook Foundation with its co-presenters SM Prime Holdings Inc., and the DILG-Local Government Academy, and sponsors Cebu Pacific and Airspeed-named local government units from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that promote innovation and excellence.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commended the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing and incentivizing top-performing LGUs. He stressed how strong collaboration between the public and private sectors can lead to more meaningful and successful programs that truly benefit the Filipino people.

“The recognition you give to cities and municipalities inspires them to accelerate their drive towards improvement and encourages LGUs to adopt practices that make us paragons of excellence in public service. It is necessary for us to underscore the importance of strengthening partnerships between the government and private organizations, such as the Galing Pook Foundation, especially as we bring about meaningful progress in the country.”


Galing Pook Chairperson Mel Sarmiento expressed his gratitude to all the local executives and LGU teams that participated this year: “It’s truly inspiring to see the impact of the work that you do, and I’m sure you’ve brought value to many Filipinos all over the country. Our collaborations bring us closer to realizing our shared vision, na ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino, may simple pero kumportableng buhay.”


The winners of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards were: The Green Wall of Alcala (Alcala, Cagayan); Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment (Basilan Province); Bataan Public-Private Partnership Programs (Bataan Province);
Balik-Biñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation (Biñan City, Laguna); From Black to Green: Fishponds, Eco-Tourism and Full Employment (Brgy. Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal); Trekking to Unlock Community Ailments and Difficulties (TUCAD) (Goa, Camarines Sur); “I-BIKE” A Program Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture (Iloilo City); Yaru: A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management (Itbayat, Batanes); Libertad Fish Forever Savings Club (Libertad, Antique); and Basta Piddigueño, AgriHenyo: Consolidated Farm Production System (Piddig, Ilocos Norte).

The 10 winners were chosen from 18 finalists and a record field of 196 applications from different LGUs in the country.

Launched on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook Awards has recognized 329 LGU programs from 200 LGUs in the country that has been promoted for replication to benefit more communities.




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SM provides learners with environment conducive to learning

 

SM School building in General Santos City




More than just an area where students gather to hold classes, a school environment plays a vital role in learners’ cognitive development. Research has shown that with an environment conducive to learning, students increase their attention and focus, and they are more motivated to practice higher-level critical thinking skills.

Adamant to provide students with venues where they can fully hone their skills and knowledge, SM Foundation (SMFI)—the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM group—cemented its partnership with the Department of Education (DepED) in 2002 through DepEd’s Adopt-A-School Program.

Through this, SMFI builds SM school buildings in grassroots communities with basic furniture and equipment. More so, SMFI integrates specialized features into each SM school building to address the unique needs of their school recipients—some received rooms dedicated as a guidance office, a clinic, a mini-library, and some even got a water tank and a handwashing facility.

To date, SMFI has turned over more than 100 SM school buildings nationwide with the help of its partners, which share the same aspirations for Filipino learners and teachers. One of which is SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) - one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia. Since the project’s inception, over 90 SM school buildings out of the more than 100 have been built through the social good collaboration with SM Prime.


SM school building in Sorsogon City



Infrastructure for calamity-prone areas

SMFI and SMPH ensure that the SM school buildings incorporate a disaster-resilient design to guarantee the safety of the students, teachers, and other school personnel. Emergency lights at both staircases, and fire and earthquake alarm bells are also installed.

Principal Joji Buelvo, school principal of Basud Elementary School (BES) in Sorsogon City, shared the state of their school community before they accepted the fully furnished SM school building from SMFI and SM Prime in 2021: “Ang aming paaralan ay saksi sa maraming kalamidad. Kaya karamihan ng mga classrooms ay may kalumaan na, ang mga kisame ay malapit na bumagsak—talagang hindi na conducive for learning.”

“But through your [SMFI and SM Prime] donation, our BES learners now have a haven where we can nurture their young minds to be academically-ready and well-rounded members of the community,” Buelvo further expressed.


Every classroom in an SM school building is well-ventilated and spacious enough to allow the students to have a better learning experience.




Addressing classroom shortage

The continuous rapid growth of the country’s population is taking a toll on schools—leaving the students, even the teachers, with overcrowded classrooms which affect learners’ academic performance.

In 2012, the Banisil National High School (BNHS) in General Santos City received its first SM school building. But being the only secondary school in Barangay Tambler, BNHS records a significant increase in their enrollment per year. With this challenge, SM Foundation decided to provide another edifice of hope for the sub-urban Muslim community in 2021, addressing the growing needs of BNHS learners and teachers.

BNHS then principal Shiela Balbon said, “Yung patuloy na paglobo ng population every year ay talagang naging suliranin namin.”

“Pagpasok ng 2020, nagkaroon ng COVID. So naisip ko baka hindi na matuloy. Pero itong SM Foundation, walang pande-pandemya sa kanila. Talagang desidido silang matugunan yung pangangailangan sa classroom ng mga estudyante,” she added.

“Our salute to our longtime partners, SM Foundation and SM Prime, for being so generous and proactive in providing us with school buildings that are conducive to learning. We are so grateful for your extended support to our school amidst the pandemic,” Balbon concluded.

SM Foundation, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School project. This social good initiative aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide.

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UST’s Henry Sy Sr. Hall to boost health education

Designed by C.A. Ventura & Partners, the upcoming Henry Sy., Sr. Hall in UST is envisioned to propel the health education of future physicians in the country.


The Henry Sy Foundation, Inc. (HSFI) recently announced a partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas to further its goal of driving Philippine social development by fostering youth and a culture of excellence through education. Tomas (UST) Research and Endowment Foundation to build a facility that will improve health education in the country.
Named after the late SM Founder,  Henry Sy, Sr. The UST Hall will be built on the main campus in Manila to meet the needs of digital medical education.

The Hall will include cutting-edge technology and equipment that will complement UST's teaching, learning, and research practices. It will house the simulation and research facility of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, as well as a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration in medical studies (UST-FMS).

Leaders of Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI), led by the Sy family (L-R: Harley Sy, Hans Sy, Elizabeth Sy, Debbie Sy, Tessie Sy, Henry Sy Jr, Engr. Ramon Gil Macapagal (extreme right)), formalize its partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas (L-R: UST Rector Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Domingo, Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP, Fr. Maximo Gatela, OP)


Paragons with passion

Fr. Richard Gaw Ang, OP, Rector of UST, thanked the Sy family as they work together to provide the best education to future physicians and increase UST’s research productivity to fill the gaps where communities are disadvantaged.

“Your family consists of industry leaders with visions for the Filipino community. Your choice to support this endeavor of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is a significant stamp of approval to the work and tradition of this medical institution,” Fr. Ang said in a letter to the Sy family.

“Your family’s Patriarch, Henry Sy, Sr., had principles in life that we, as an institution, give our best to also follow. We aim to lead as paragons with passion, integrity, far-reaching and optimistic vision, sensible priorities, and discipline. At the core of this is a deep sense of charity for God, the church, and the nation,” Fr. Ang added.

Thumbs up! Leaders of the Henry Sy Foundation Inc. (HSFI) and the University of Sto Tomas during the Henry Sy Sr. Hall partnership signing.


UST’s future Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

Rising as an intellectual hub for future physicians, the building has a dedicated floor for the Faculties of Medicine and Surgery Research Center and the Medicine and Surgery Graduate Programs and Ethics Review Board. Here, medical education research and various medical-related specialty research will be reviewed and conducted.

The building will include specialized centers, rooms, and laboratories, such as Medical Simulation Centers, Care Ultrasound Institute, and Otorhinolaryngology Laboratory. These will be equipped with cutting-edge tools and technology to develop medical students’ competencies in multiple simulated healthcare settings crossing the human lifespan. 









The HSFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization inspired by SM founder Henry Sy, Sr.’s desire to aid educational institutions to drive Philippine social development. Its projects are undertaken in partnership with the SM group and its foundations to honor the SM founder by supporting educational institutions in promoting academic excellence as a key to a brighter future for the youth. Through the years, the foundation established and supported several academic infrastructures, such as the Henry Sy Sr. Primary School Building in Xavier School, Nuvali Laguna; Henry Sy Sr. Innovation Center in Miriam College, Quezon City; NU Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna; NU Nazareth School in Manila; and a Henry Sy Sr. Hall each at Immaculate Conception Academy, San Juan City, and Assumption College.










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LEVEL ZERO II CONCERT PARTY AND RAFFLE FOR A CAUSE





On December 11, 2022, at Amoranto Sports Complex - Filed Oval, featuring Al James, Pricetagg, Jp Bacallan, the Maneuvers/Street Boys /UMD Selection, DJ Jennifer Lee, Urban Crew, V2 sisters, King Murph with 1008 and Surprise Guests. The car and bike show will be provided by VIP Productions.

Tickets for the raffle are PHP 100.00, and two tickets will get you into the venue with two raffle tickets purchased through Yogo.ph. In collaboration with the Fraternal Order of Eagles Philippines, a portion of the concert proceeds will go to "the gift 6, #alaykapuspalad2022" to purchase basic necessities for less fortunate families and indigent communities throughout the Philippines. Eagles is our country's first fraternal socio-civic organization. Raffle prizes include a brand-new sedan car, 30 motorcycles, more than 100 smartwatches, phones, laptops, and other gadgets, 200 JVE devices with pods, and 10 cash winners.





Level zero is set to be a nationwide event with 20 key cities already signed up including a grand celebration in March 2023 at the Philippine arena
Presented by LZ Media and produced by Master J. For more information about the Level Zero event: https://www.facebook.com/levelzero.II.
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A 3D Whale Shark billboard, Space Tunnel, Golden Gateway and Dazzling Light shows- ALL Immersive experiences lead to SM

 

(Hero picture: 3D Whale and Space Tunnel)







SM Supermalls celebrates not just joyful, but also fun, immersive, and experiential holidays. This year, we take you to the deep oceans with SM Megamall’s first-ever 3D Whale Shark LED billboard, see the Northern lights at the Aurora Trail of SM City North Edsa, Sparkle at the Light show and Holiday fireworks at SM Mall of Asia, enter the Golden gateway of SM Aura Premier and explore the outer space at the Mega Space Odyssey.

NORTH EDSA’S AURORA TRAIL
The illuminating lights of the Aurora Borealis are at the North this Christmas. Walk and indulge in a family-friendly immersive experience at the Aurora trail ascending the giant holiday tree with a magical array of lights, forestry, reinbears & holiday polar express.

MEGA SPACE ODYSSEY & 3D WHALE SHARK
Travel to majestic galaxies in outer space and take photos and videos with your space explorer friends.
Experience the first-ever immersive 3D LED tunnel in Manila on October 21 to December 25 at the
ground-level Mega Fashion Hall (at the back of the Giant Christmas Tree).

SM Supermalls introduces the new 3D technology along EDSA by screening a hyper-realistic 3D Whale Shark at SM Megamall’s LED billboard. Bringing you the first in the Philippines, High-Definition Immersive content at the heart of the bustling metropolis. Netizens are awestruck by a larger-than-life Whale Shark peeking out of a digital billboard spanning over 2,000 square feet. The Mega Whale Shark was first teased on April 27 but customers, tourists, and motorists can catch the short preview every 15 minutes starting April 28 at peak hours from 12nn to 10pm daily. Watch out for the new 3D content this Christmas. The Philippines has the 2nd largest population of whale sharks in the world at over 1,950.

MOA SPARKLE OF LIGHT SHOW AND HOLIDAY FIREWORKS
Feel the Christmas spirit as you watch the brightest and merriest indoor Christmas tree music and lights
show. Be in awe as you watch over one hundred thousand lights set to music. Catch the show DAILY,
every hour from 10am to 10pm until the end of December at the Central Atrium. Enjoy the most awaited and better-than-ever fireworks display at the MOA Complex every Friday and Saturday from November to December 2022. Make sure to experience this magical moment with your families and loved ones.

AURA’s GOLDEN GATEWAY and NIGHTS OF DAZZLING LIGHTS
Tucked behind the giant Christmas tree is a golden gemstone-shaped immersive experience. In partnership with global smartphone brand TECNO Mobile, technology and art meet to transport all who
enter this enclosure into scenes of an opulent holiday palace and fantastical golden worlds. Simply present PHP 1,000 in single or collected receipts and enter a whole new world filled with glitz and glamour.

The theatrical room isn’t the only technological experience the mall has. Equally spectacular is a choreographed light and sound display at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark at Level 5. Visitors of the Skypark enter a space with tall tree-like sculptures made of strings of lights. As they go through a forest of lights, a jaw-dropping musical show will enter and excite them. Visitors can stop and enjoy the choreographed audio and visual performance at 7pm on all Sunday nights in December, including December 25 itself.
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