1700 children celebrate Earth Day at SM malls nationwide

SM Supermalls, in collaboration with its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units and partner schools and organizations joined the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day at SM malls nationwide on April 22, 2023.

With the theme “Invest In Our Planet, Invest In Our Youth,” SM Supermalls and SM Cares lined up various activities that aimed to raise awareness among children and their families about the importance of coming together across various sectors to take care of the environment. SM malls nationwide simultaneously held relevant and impactful celebrations with activities such as Children’s Storytelling, Coloring, and Sustainability Tours, gathering 1700 children and 350 employee volunteers. These activities aimed to encourage everyone in the family, particularly the young ones, to protect and respect Mother Earth.

 

Earth Day is an annual celebration led by the Earth Day Network that puts the spotlight on issues that are affecting the environment. First held in 1970, Earth Day was the result of a need for a unified response against various environmental problems like pollution and resource depletion. Today, the event is considered the biggest environmental movement in the world, with millions joining celebrations every year.

 

Children learn about how to protect the environment individually and as a community through art, storytelling and a Sustainability tour around SM malls

“At SM, every day is Earth Day. However, today we are reminded of our responsibility to protect the planet we live in. We believe that we must all come together and take the necessary steps against this climate crisis and accelerate a greener and more equitable future for everyone,” shared Ms. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment.

 

SM Supermalls featured the art of multi-awarded Filipino artist, sculptor and illustrator, Manuel Baldemor. His works depict the rich cultural aspects of the Philippines and can be found in multiple institutions worldwide. His drawings and Earth Day poem inspired the Earth Day program at SM, reflecting a long-time partnership on SM Cares programs for the environment, starting with his design of SM’s first eco bags in 2007.

The storytelling activity featured a special Earth Day story based on Baldemor’s artworks. The story reflected simple ways children can participate in living sustainably on their own and with their families. Meanwhile, kids and kids-at-heart were welcomed at the coloring activity section. Participants were given art materials and a selection of Baldemor’s drawings to color in. Malls used recycled materials in designing the activity areas.

And to cap off the celebration, a sustainability tour was held wherein everyone participated in a guided tour to one or more of the mall’s eco-friendly facilities such as the EV charging stations, water recycling treatment plants, waste segregation bins, Plastic Waste Collection booths, E-waste Collection bins and various bicycle amenities.

 

Filipino artist Manuel Baldemor’s artistic contribution provide inspiration for the Earth Day program. Joining him at SM City Fairview were DENR NCR Director Mr. Manuel T. Escasura; Quezon City Vice Mayor, Honorable Gian Sotto; Ms. Andrea Villaroman, Head of the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department, Planet CORA’s Partnerships Director, Cat Trivino and SM Supermalls executives.

 

To highlight the role of collaborating with the public sector in driving environmental programs forward, SM City Fairview hosted the DENR Gawad Taga-ilog Awards photo exhibit, which recognized winning local government units who are leading in protecting Metro Manila’s waterways. The agency also further provided 800 tree seedlings to participants and customers through a DENR Community Pan-TREE to encourage at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM City Fairview, SM City Novaliches, SM City Marikina, SM City East Ortigas and SM Southmall.

 

The Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department also promoted the city’s Trash to Cashback program to encourage its citizens to be Eco Warriors and promote recycling.

 

Youth participants join forces with SM Supermalls for a sustainable future

The Earth Day celebration is just one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting sustainable living among Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at helping care for the environment. These are the Trash to Cash Recycling Market held every first Friday and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling systems, and environmental campaigns such as the Green Film Festival, Green Retail Agenda, and the International Coastal Cleanup Drive, 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 on 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.

Food for Her: Ajinomoto shares recipes for women's health

International Women’s Month is celebrated every March, but every day is an opportunity to celebrate and express our love to the women in our lives. To strongly cap off the month-long celebration, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC Group) shares special recipes to better take care of women's health.

 

Proper nutrition plays a key role to help keep women’s overall health.  Below are some recipes that women can follow to lead a healthier life:

Asparagus-Mushroom Stir-fry

Asparagus is an excellent source of iron and folate, which is needed for the production and maintenance of healthy red blood cells. It is also rich in bone-building vitamin K.

This recipe features AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, a kitchen staple that brings out the savory-deliciousness of any kind of dish. Good to note that the brand has a new 45g size available in sustainable paper packaging as an option for earth-friendly consumption. Follow the recipe for Asparagus-Mushroom Stir-fry here.

Sweet Potato “Kamote” Nachos

This dish is rich in carbohydrates from sweet potato and protein from beef, beans, and cheese. Carbohydrates are good for energy and physical functions, while protein helps repair the body after injuries.

Sweet potatoes are also perfect for breastfeeding mothers because they are packed with vitamin A, an essential nutrient for infants. It aids newborn development and protects against infections.

The recipe is made ginisarap with AJI-GINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix that provides meaty gisa deliciousness. See the recipe for Sweet Potato “Kamote” Nachos here.

Mini Spinach and Cheese Pizza

Spinach contains calcium, iron, and vitamin A to maintain bodily functions, including bone and muscle development. Vitamin E also reduces inflammation.

This dish uses PORKSAVOR® All-In-One Seasoning Mix. It is made from real pork extract and is complete with spices and seasonings. Make the Mini Spinach and Cheese Pizza by following the recipe here.

 

Eat Well, Live Well

 

“We at Ajinomoto do our best to uphold our Eat Well, Live Well promise.  At the core of our mission is to better take care of our consumers’ health.  Kudos to women who do so much for their families and communities. We hope that through these recipes we help take care of them too so they can continue to be amazing and achieve their goals,” says Roann Co, APC Group General Manager for Corporate Planning and Public Relations. 

 

For more delicious and healthy recipes, visit Ajinomoto’s Cookmunity website at cookmunitybyajinomoto.com.

 

Raising well-rounded children through positive reinforcement

In this day and age, modern parenting styles and new child behavior management methods have been developed. Just as every child is unique, every family also has their own set of ways for child-rearing, and what might work for one, might not work for another.

 

We often hear of positive reinforcement and how it has become one of the most advocated forms of establishing discipline in children. Many believe that acknowledging your child’s good behavior might work better even if it seems counterproductive at the beginning.

Berkeley Well-Being Institute¹ describes positive reinforcement as the method of increasing the future occurrence of some response or behavior by following that behavior with an enjoyable consequence. To put it plainly, recognizing and rewarding your child’s good behavior can eventually promote the recurrence of that behavior in the future.    

Why positive reinforcement?

The way you discipline your children can affect their long-term behavior. While it is critical that children should be disciplined, this does not imply that harsh verbal and physical punishments should be used. Positive reinforcement has the potential to provide longer-term benefits, which include a significant improvement in the bond between parent and child.

It can also help develop your child’s personality². Children are innately smart. They know that good behavior can lead to favorable consequences like rewards or even simple recognition. As they continue doing good and getting praised for it, the value of self-discipline and responsibility gets instilled in them. Children prompted by apprehension, on the contrary, may only conform with minimal effort — they only do the bare minimum to avoid punishment.

When you recognize your child’s positive behavior, you make them more confident and feel great about themselves. Your words of affirmation will surely set up your children for future accomplishments and successes. Rather than making them feel bad and focusing on what they did wrong, positive reinforcement can make them realize that they are innately good, and they can do great things.         

 

Finding the right partner in raising your child

“With all the million things that preoccupy our minds every day, thinking about our health and well-being might take a back seat,” Nandy Villar, AXA Philippines Chief Marketing Officer said. “Prioritizing your family’s needs doesn’t equate to neglecting your own. Somebody has to watch out for you as well, and this is where AXA Philippines comes in and provides you with protection you need.”

To help you focus on raising your children while looking out for yourself, AXA offers affordable health insurance products such as the Health Start Family plan, which can cover you and a loved one against top critical conditions like cancer, stroke, and heart attack for as low as P1,500 a month for a P1 million coverage. This plan can be shared between you and a spouse, a parent, a child aged 18 and above, or even a sibling. It also includes a built-in child cover worth P200,000 for children under 18 years of age, helping insure an entire family in a single plan.

Health Start Family also comes with a life insurance benefit, to help in taking care of your family’s needs in case of untimely demise. It also provides other value-added services such as free 24-hour medical teleconsultation, and mental health counselling through the Emma by AXA PH app.

Avail of Health Start through AXA’s trusted financial advisors. Visit axa.com.ph/healthstart to get you started today.

Choosing to give a voice amidst the silence : SM Scholar Alumna pursues a career in SPED

 Teaching surpasses the realms of jobs or professions–it encompasses service, vocation, and life mission. 

Proving this day and night are millions of Filipino teachers who stand as second mothers to students. One of them is Rosalie Macaspac, an SM scholar alumna who chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED).

Life’s work

Choosing to teach, especially pursue SPED, is a path less travelled. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners.

Rosalie Macaspac (left) interprets the contents of the program for her students.

With much dedication and determination to have the right skills for her students, she pursued graduate studies in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, respectively. 

She currently teaches at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay, the only government-owned institution for the deaf in the country. Here, she spearheaded the numeracy skills training program for deaf learners.

Embedding grit, greatness

Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner. 

“In the early years of my life as a three year old, awareness of how hard life is became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on and promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.

The weight on their shoulder became heavier when her mother became bedridden for half a year. Instead of slowing her down, it did the opposite. She continued her studies with much determination. With the help of her uncle, the Missionaries of Charity, and the puto bigas she sold, they could get by. 

She finished primary school with good grades, and was a consistent honor student in high school, despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.

“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me as she was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.

“When I was in fourth year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education.  Then, God in all His goodness, stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.

Rosalie (fifth from left) and her fellow scholar alumni take a photo with SMIC Executive Director Harley Sy (third from left)

She vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application at the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo and how she learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number has since become unforgettable for her. By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.

According to her, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success. The activities provided by SM Foundation, such as the scholars’ assembly, the orientation, leadership training, sports fest and annual retreat, were very memorable for her.

“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem and opened my world to service,” she said.

Rosalie at the Philippine School for the Deaf

Before teaching, she first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office, which was then located in Calle Echague, Manila. She was hired immediately after college.

Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today: “Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public-school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.”  

“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning and I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry “Tatang” Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars, most especially, my mother. They are all the instruments to why I chose to give back to a special community and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”

Reckitt kicks off Christmas sale on Shopee with member-exclusive deals and discounts

As the so-called “ber” months come in, the days get cooler, and the air gets more festive, Filipinos know the holiday season is about to get in full swing–and with it come the numerous Christmas sales for just about everything you can imagine.

 

That means it’s as great a time as any to take advantage of the holiday sales to stock up on household essentials, and personal care products that you and your family need. Reckitt, the global leader in health, hygiene, and nutrition is once again partnering up with Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, to host a Super Brand Day on their Christmas Kickoff Sale this coming September 26 and 27.

 

On the Super Brand Day, families can get amazing deals such as up to 50% off, free shipping, buy 1 take 1, and vouchers on Reckitt’s trusted brands Enfagrow A+ Four, Lactum 3+6, Sustagen and Provital Adult Milks, Lysol, Durex, Veet, and Mortein. New and current brand members can earn points from their purchases on Shopee to redeem vouchers or gifts, get extra perks of 1.5x more brand membership points, and collect up to 8% coins cashback during the campaign. 

 

Get exclusive perks when you sign up for brand membership

Being a Reckitt exclusive brand member is a great extra bonus for families looking to get the most for their money. Once you become a member, you’ll get points with every purchase, a virtual membership card, exclusive vouchers and gifts, regular updates, and the ability to redeem free products using the points you earned.

 

An exclusive Brand Membership is free and easy to get–you just have to follow these three steps:

1.       On the Shopee mobile app, visit the Reckitt brand store (Enfagrow Official Store, Lactum Official Store, Provital & Sustagen Adult Milk Store, Veet Official Store, Reckitt Wellness PH Store, Lysol Official Store) and locate the "Membership" tab on the menu bar.

2.       Select the "Join Membership Now" button, verify your details, and accept the T&Cs. 

3.       You’ll get 100 free bonus points, which you can use to shop and save now.

 

On top of the perks of being an Enfagrow Official Store brand member, moms can add on to the bonuses they get by also being a Club Mama member. On Club Mama, you can get points for your Enfagrow A+ Four Nurapro and Enfamama A+ purchases, as well as exclusive member discounts, access, events, and more! To join, all you have to do is read and accept the Terms and Conditions pop-up, and complete the sign up on both Shopee and Club Mama to get 500 bonus points¹. 

 

 

 

 

Exciting discounts, deals on personal and home care products

Get silky, smooth skin that lasts up to 4 weeks with Veet! Get up to 50% off, an extra 10% off voucher with a minimum spend of P250 (capped at P40), and 100% free shipping! With a minimum spend of P500 on Veet, get a free mini selfie clip-on right light plus, get an extra 15% off when you buy any three Veet products.

 

Aside from looking good, part of staying healthy is practicing wise and safe sex with your spouse or partner. Durex condoms are electronically tested for holes, dermatologically tested for comfort, and they perform better than standard in global quality tests, so everyone everywhere is free to enjoy sex that feels good with anyone, anywhere. Grab up to 50% off and an extra 10% off voucher with a minimum spend of P300 on the Reckitt Wellness Official Store. To add, you can get a free Bussy Cup (Vibrating) or Midoko Angel Underwear Sexy Lace Thong Panties with a minimum spend of P600 and an extra 15% off when you purchase any three Durex products.

 

Lastly, protect your home from over 100-illness causing germs with Lysol! Get up to 50% off with an extra 10% off voucher with a minimum spend of P1,299 (capped at P150) and nationwide free shipping with a minimum spend of P1,000 (capped at P50). You can also get a free Herb Seed Starter Kit with a purchase of participating Lysol bundles!

 

Protect the future of your family from dengue with up to 20% off on Mortein! Get nationwide free shipping with a minimum spend of P1,000 (capped at P50) and an extra 10% off voucher with a minimum spend of P1,299 (capped at P150 ). Plus, get a free foldable umbrella with a purchase of Mortein and Safer Homes bundles. 

 

For both Lysol and Mortein, get free Lysol On-the-Go Antibacterial Hand and Body Wipes for every order.

 

So what are you waiting for? Kick off the holiday season off right and grab your nutrition, health and home must-haves from Enfagrow A+ Four, as well as Lactum 3+6, Sustagen and Provital Adult Milks, Veet, Durex, Lysol, and Mortein products during Shopee’s Christmas Kickoff Sale on September 26 and 27! Head to the stores’ official brand pages on Shopee, sign up for an exclusive Brand Membership, and start shopping!

 

¹Get the full 500 bonus points when you sign up for both Enfagrow Official Store Brand Membership and Club Mama. 200 points will be rewarded upon signing up for Enfagrow Official Store Brand Membership, and an additional 300 points will be given if you continue with the Club Mama form. 

 

²With proper nutrition and stimulation. 

 

³Superior DHA levels in Enfagrow A+ Nurapro Gentlease 3+ 35mg vs. other premium growing-up milk brands. 

 

Disclaimer: All promos (i.e. Club Mama Loyalty Program, Shopee Brand Membership under all Reckitt Stores, discounts, deals) on this article are applicable only to promotable products.

Shopee sends relief efforts to earthquake victims in Abra

As part of its mission to better the lives of the underserved through technology, Shopee recently partnered with the Luzon Clean Water Development Corporation, Indoplas, and Metro Bangued Water District to provide aid to those affected by the magnitude 5.2 earthquake which impacted key areas of Abra last 28 August. 

 

Through its logistics arm, Shopee Xpress, Shopee delivered drinking water and donated 10,000 face masks for over 300 families in Barangay Lusuac in the Municipality of Peñarrubia and Barangay Patucannay in the Municipality of Tayum. This initiative is part of Shopee Bayanihan, the company's umbrella CSR arm that seeks to provide support for communities in need through partnerships with various humanitarian organizations.

 

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said “Shopee remains committed to utilizing our platform and resources to benefit local communities   and part of this is providing help where we can, most especially in times of need. We hope for the recovery and continued safety of these affected communities.”

 

With Shopee Bayanihan, Shopee furthers its objective of serving the underserved through technology, by helping communities benefit from the power of digital transformation wherever they are in the Philippines.

SM Prime and WWF Philippines announce partnership towards responsible reporting on climate change solutions

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s leading integrated property developers and leading conservation organization World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines have 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 towards 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 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 towards 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.