Linggo, Abril 24, 2022

Preparedness during natural calamities by knowing what to do - and doing it.

“It is simply not a matter of if, but when. We already know that there will always be another typhoon, another earthquake, another natural calamity. Our best bet to avoid personal losses and damages is to be ready for when it comes. We often ask ourselves – how else can we make it better for the people? We don’t want to just simply build malls, but more importantly, we make sure that our developments improve the lives of the community by adding disaster-resilient features to help mitigate the potential effects of disasters.” ~Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings
Aftermath of Typhoon Odette, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, December 2021


Aftermath of Typhoon Odette, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, December 2021. Why disaster preparedness should be part of your plan. Prioritize your safety during natural calamities by knowing what to do - and doing it.

The Philippines has long been considered calamity-prone and vulnerable to disasters. In fact, it placed third among all the highest-risk countries worldwide, according to the World Risk Report of 2018.

A big contributor is the country’s geographical location and make-up. As an archipelago, the Philippines is composed of many small islands and is surrounded by water. It is also located within the Typhoon belt and the “Ring of Fire” and between the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates. Thus, natural occurrences such as typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, are almost always a disaster waiting to happen - literally.

Just recently, the Visayas and Mindanao regions suffered from the devastating effects of Typhoon Odette. Taal Volcano’s last eruption was only in 2020, and it affected more than 736,000 people. Filipinos constantly experience a barrage of natural disasters, and yet, a study from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) in 2018 shows that 47.5% of all the respondents said they have not done anything to prepare themselves for a disaster within the past five years, and only 36% feel prepared enough.


November 2013. Tacloban, Philippines. Typhoon Haiyan, known as Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was one of the most intense tropical cyclones on record.


Still, there seems to be hope in encouraging Filipinos to start prioritizing their safety and investing in disaster preparedness. In the same Harvard study,4 many of the respondents said if they had enough funds and resources, they would definitely be willing to prepare ahead. This shows that, in spite of it all, Filipinos do want to be ready.

So, what can we as individuals do to make sure that we are well-equipped when the next typhoon, earthquake, or volcanic eruption hits? The first step is to know your location well. Is it prone to flooding? How far away is it from the nearest volcano? Is it close to a fault line? All this information can be found with just a click of a button, thanks to digitalized documentation efforts led by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (Link: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/gisweb-hazard-maps

Once you have assessed your location’s vulnerabilities, now you can actively prepare yourself and your home for any incoming calamities. Check your house for any damages, and if it is made from materials that can withstand ground movement or strong winds. Keep a Go Bag with emergency resources accessible, both in your homes and places of work. 


SM Lanang Premier in Davao has a rain water catchment tank with a capacity of 600 cubic meters.


Finally, make it a habit to listen to the radio and the news for any updates, and monitor your local government unit’s social media for any announcements. Familiarize yourself with as many routes as you can to your nearest evacuation center. Schools, barangay courts, and even malls like SM Supermalls often open their doors to receive evacuees in times of crisis.


SM DRR Facilities: (Left) Automated Weather Stations: SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has inked a partnership with the Manila Observatory for the “High Definition Clean Energy, Climate, and Weather Forecasts for the Philippines” Project, a data-driven system that utilizes automated weather stations (AWS) and high-performance computer modeling to provide clean energy and weather forecasts up to five days in advance. (Right) SM has also installed


Earthquake Recording Instrumentations (ERI) on all malls for earth movement real time monitoring being recorded in an ERI dashboard.

SM, as a responsible member of the community, has taken disaster resilience as a necessary investment to help ensure that our communities thrive. SM allots 10% of its capital expenditures to incorporate disaster-resilient features, of which installing water management design features is one of them. By ensuring that its investments, employees, tenants and partners are resilient, no Filipino will be left behind.

“It is simply not a matter of if, but when. We already know that there will always be another typhoon, another earthquake, another natural calamity. Our best bet to avoid personal losses and damages is to be ready for when it comes.” ~Hans T. Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings

SM Marikina stands tall above a 23-meter Marikina River water lever rise because it sits on 246 stilts and an additional 20 meters farther than the suggested 90-meter distance from the Marikina River centerline.


Some of SM’s notable resilient infrastructure is SM City Marikina and SM Mall of Asia, designed to help mitigate the effect of flooding in the community. Most SM malls feature disaster-resilient designs including SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan wherein the mall es elevated approximately 1.40 meters from the City Road, thus preventing it to be flooded from the heavy rain throughout the year. SM City Consolacion in Cebu has an adequately designed draining system discharging to adjacent creek and area surface drain along the perimeter walls. 


SM Seaside City Cebu


SM Seaside City Cebu's protection against storm surges is provided by elevating the site above mean sea level, thereby allowing the mall to be a place of refuge during times of flooding. The complex road was constructed 4.0m (not 3.0m) higher than the city road. Instead of flood barrier walls as a solution to the threat of flooding, the building's main floor was also elevated at 4.0m (not 4.5m) from the complex roads. The first level was designed to be a parking area with a 4.0m elevation difference from the main floor.

For more information on SM Prime Holdings and its other programs towards disaster preparedness, visit their website at www.smprime.com.











ABOUT SM PRIME HOLDINGS
SM Prime, one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. Sustainability and Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience form part of SM Prime’s core business strategies. It ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates.

Subway® Saves The Day!



It is always a busy day at work with numerous deadlines to meet while everything must be completed with urgency and promptness. With the daily challenges at the workplace, one of the things that helps us get by is making the better choice of fresh, delightful, and, great food to save the day!

The SubSavers™ menu is perfectly better and worth it for you.  It includes Subway® Snacks that starts at Php35, Subway Six-Inch®, Subs at Php109, and Subway Footlong® Subs + Drink at Php255.  It shall be available all year round until December 31, 2022! 

For the Subway® Snacks, you can choose from a 1pc Cookie for Php35 or 3pcs Cookies for Php85; Toasties for Php89 (choose either Pepperoni & Cheese, Egg & Cheese, or Ham & Cheese); and Quesadilla for Php99 (choose either Cheesy Pork, Ultimate Cheese, or Classic Beef & Cheese).

The Subway Six-Inch® Sub has 2 choices with either Pepperoni Delight or Bacon & Sliced Chicken flavors for only Php109.  If you’re craving for bigger & better, you can get the Subway Footlong® Sub + a 16oz Drink and choose between Pepperoni Delight or Bacon & Sliced Chicken for only Php255.

Visit us now at a Subway® restaurant near you and get all of these SubSavers™ offerings through dine-in and take-out transactions.  Also available via Grab* or FoodPanda* for delivery (*prices vary).


Miyerkules, Abril 20, 2022

SM Supermalls has partnered with none other than Mobile Legends: Bang Bang



SM Supermalls has partnered with none other than Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and is the official venue for the Season 9 Playoffs watch party happening on April 28 to May 1, 2022.

In partnership with SM Cinema, SM Cyberzone, and Smart Communications, Inc., enjoy an immersive viewing experience as you cheer for your favorite teams while watching the matches on the big screen! Select SM Supermalls would include SM City San Lazaro, SM City Sta. Mesa and SM City Bicutan who will be having their viewing parties on April 28-29, and SM City Taytay, SM City Masinag, SM City Manila, SM City BF Paranaque and SM City Sucat on April 30-May 1, or until the Grand Finals. Tickets are sold at only Php170, inclusive of a tub of popcorn and exclusive freebies from Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Fans may purchase tickets from SM Cinema's official website, SM Cinema ticket booths, or  via the SM Cinema app. 

The MLBB Professional League Watch Party is part of SM Supermalls’ Super Fun Mania Campaign –your ultimate hub for aweSM new experiences dedicated for the avid online gamer, music lover, sports enthusiast, and certified social media techie!

Lunes, Abril 18, 2022

Herbalife Nutrition and National Parks Development Committee Plant “Seedling” Bike Racks in Luneta Park

Herbalife Nutrition and National Parks Development Committee Plant “Seedling” Bike Racks in Luneta Park


Herbalife Nutrition, in collaboration  with the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), unveiled on April 2, 2022 bike racks in Luneta Park. The installation of Herbalife Nutrition-branded bike racks in various locations around the park represents a further step taken by the Company to encourage sustainable mobility and a healthy active lifestyle among Filipinos. 

“We have noticed that the Philippines is starting to develop a cycling culture as a result of the challenges in mobility caused by the pandemic. More Filipinos have started cycling not just for recreation, but for traveling to work, the grocery and other destinations. As a global nutrition company that advocates a healthy active lifestyle supported by good nutrition, we are glad to see our fellow Filipinos becoming more physically active.” ~Allan Domingo, General Manager of Herbalife Nutrition Philippines

Herbalife Nutrition and National Parks Development Committee Plant “Seedling” Bike Racks in Luneta Park


Domingo noted that not only would cycling bring health benefits to people, but also contribute to  a healthier environment.

“Environmental sustainability is part of Herbalife Nutrition’s commitment to supporting a better, healthier World, and is embedded in both our day-to-day activities and our long-term business strategy.” ~Allan Domingo, General Manager of Herbalife Nutrition Philippines

Luneta Park, also known as Rizal Park, is one of the largest urban parks in Asia, covering 58 hectares. Located in the capital city of Manila, it is one of the country’s major tourist attractions, visited by local and foreign tourists alike.


Herbalife Nutrition and National Parks Development Committee Plant “Seedling” Bike Racks in Luneta Park


The bike racks in Rizal Park were constructed based on a design by Eggshell Worldwide Communications, Inc., the creative agency behind the bike rack art installations that were also launched in Manila last year.

Called “Seedlings”, the bike racks serve as a reminder that nature also needs time and care to reach their optimal state.

The Philippines is one of the countries in  Asia Pacific with strong private sector participation in driving sustainability programs. Herbalife Nutrition seeks to partner with more private companies and local government units to establish more cycling  infrastructure in key cities across the country.








About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Herbalife Nutrition (NYSE: HLF) is a global company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company's global campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing nutrition and education to communities around the world.

For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.

Hamilo Coast through its developer, SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc.



Hamilo Coast through its developer, SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo, Inc. safeguards a 20-hectare mangrove forest, the largest of its kind in Nasugbu, Batangas. Together with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), Hamilo Coast continues to preserve over 50,000 mangrove trees to date as it remains committed to its advocacy for environmental and social sustainability.


Sabado, Abril 9, 2022

Discover a new side of Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman and Rei Germar in the latest OPPO TVC



The global smart device brand OPPO recently unveiled their newest TVC, featuring multidimensional personalities who are known to push the boundaries in their respective crafts: Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman and Rei Germar. Throughout the video, the three women showed they’re not just one-trick ponies - they can do it all!  

Vlogger and content creator Rei Germar kicked off the video revealing her inner thrill-seeker. Known for her fashion inspirations, this time Rei was shown as a daring go-getter, drifting and doing car tricks behind the wheel.  

Meanwhile, entertainer and entrepreneur Yassi Pressman who, throughout her career, has graced the stage with her show-stopping dance moves, unveiled her classical ballet training to show her elegance.  

Finally, multihyphenate Nadine Lustre took on the world, rounding up the video in the heart of Paris. Dressed in head-turning pieces representing how she can pull off any style and conquer any role, Nadine sashayed across the French capital’s bridges, captured by the OPPO Reno7. 


Catch the new OPPO TVC here: 



Adventurous, creative, unapologetic - whatever your personality, the OPPO Reno7 can capture it all. #ThePortraitExpert empowers you to explore your whole self and share every part of you with the world.  


Unlock the unlimited you in portrait with the OPPO Reno7 Series 

Just like Nadine, Yassi and Rei, you too can discover every part of yourself with the all-new OPPO Reno7 Series. With its flagship portrait camera system powered by AI algorithms, #ThePortraitExpert acts like a professional camera that fits in the palm of your hand, allowing you to capture the unique you with industry-leading features like Portrait Mode, AI Highlight Video, and Bokeh Flare Portrait. 

Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G SoC and  Qualcomm Snapdragon 6952, the OPPO Reno7 5G and Reno7Z 5G are each packed with a 4,500mAh battery and SuperVOOC charging technology, so you can snap unlimited moments and portraits all day.  

Available in eye-catching colors - Startrails Blue and Starry Black for Reno7 5G, and Rainbow Spectrum and Cosmic Black for Reno7 Z 5G - the OPPO Reno7 Series is the key to expressing yourself freely and sharing it with the world.  

The OPPO Reno7 Series is now available for purchase through OPPO Flagship Stores on Lazada and Shopee, partner dealers and OPPO Brand Stores Nationwide. For more information, visit the OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines

















About OPPO 
OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone - “Smiley Face” - in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO provides its users with the ColorOS operating system and internet services like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+. OPPO operates in more than 40 countries and regions, with 6 Research Institutes and 5 R&D Centers worldwide, as well as an International Design Center in London. More than 40,000 of OPPO's employees are dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

SM Supermalls will color you happy this summer!



Bursting with color starting April, SM Supermalls is giving its shoppers of all ages a spectrum of hope, happiness, and fun with delightful and safe activities that everyone in the family can look forward to when they visit their favorite SM mall.







Snap-worthy rainbow play areas! Multifunctional play pods in all colors of the rainbow await you at the indoor and outdoor play pods that kids and kids-at-heart will love. From rainbow staircases to larger than life displays, you’ll have no trouble getting the best and most colorful #POTD entry!







Sizzling hot summer deals! What’s summer without a mall-wide sale? Go on a shopping spree and get all your summer essentials, including must-have toys, at the nearest SM mall. Delight your kids with sporty knick knacks, inflatables, and bikes to amp up their summer activities even while at home. Visit the pop-up stores in select SM malls for great finds and exclusive deals!






Sweet treats and Summer Eats! Sip, eat, repeat, and satisfy those cravings with a wide array of food and drink choices at SM Summer Eats!  A weekend al fresco market awaits you with delicious meals and refreshing drinks all in IG-worthy colorful dining spaces! Watch out for Summer Teas happening on April 16 to 30 where there will be lots of discounts on the best milk teas to quench your thirst too! 





Summer fun under the sun! Time to flex that Tiktok talent! Be witty and wacky, colorful and bright, at the SM Summer Tiktok challenge which you can shoot at any of the the malls’ colorful outdoor and indoor displays. For pawrents, you can have a furry fun time with your pets when you join the pet olympics, go on a picnic with them, or treat them with a pampering session. For the fitness buff, there’s going to be a 7-day fitness blitz for adults and kids at select SM malls where you can blow off steam and sweat it out. Whatever your passion is, we have lots of summer fun activities lined up for you!




From safe dining to shopping and everything in between, make it a fun and colorful summer to remember at SM Supermalls! Make sure to visit www.smsupermalls.com or like and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms for the latest news, promos, and activities.


Miyerkules, Abril 6, 2022

SM Turns to Rain Water Harvesting a key to Living Flood Free

Climate change is real and Filipinos are among those who can attest to the devastating effects it brings to everyday life. Faced with about 20 typhoons a year, the Asian Development Bank reported that the total impact from storms have reached about US$20 billion from 1990 to 2020. It causes a temporary disruption due to mass evacuations which bring about an average of 2-8% reduction in gross domestic product annually. 

Despite the reoccurring devastation felt during calamities, Filipinos still manage to see the humorous side of life and are often reported as one of the happiest people in the world. However, this may soon be tested as, according to the latest report of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, things are about to get worse as the planet heats up, accelerating the effects of climate change and making the Philippines more vulnerable to drastic changes in weather patterns. 

On average, the Philippines receives about 2,400 millimeters of rainfall each year, one of the highest in the world. While this poses a problem for the country, there is a silver lining, as it can also be the solution for water scarcity. However, currently the Philippines only harvests around 6% of its rainwater compared to India which harvests around 60% of the 700-millimeter average rainfall it receives each year. 



Rain Water – a friend or a foe?

Water is a scarce resource. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 6 identifies access to clean water as one of the global priorities to be achieved by 2030. Aligned to its environmental responsibility programs, SM takes a closer look at the use of water and how it can be turned from a foe to a friend.

SM builds its malls and integrated lifestyle cities with resilience and sustainability in mind. Understanding the value of water, SM builds rain water catchments in its malls to harvest large volumes of rain water particularly in flood prone areas.

“We approach it two ways: resilience – to help communities be flood free; and sustainability – to optimize water which is a scarce resource so we can use it for other purposes rather than just waste it. Wherever SM is, we try to help our communities become resilient to changing weather patterns. Nationwide, we have 20 malls equipped with rainwater catchment facilities that help rain water management to avoid flash floods for surrounding communities.” ~Architect Fides Garcia-Hsu, Vice President at SM Engineering Design and Development

Vermont Park and Vermont Royale are two communities that once saw rain as a foe. Every time it rained, their neighborhoods ended up under water, damaging their homes. Today, home owners welcome the rain as water that can be harvested and stored for future use. The reason? SM City Masinag’s rain water catchment facility!   It has a 17,681 cubic meter water capacity. The two communities connected their drainage systems to the mall which is equipped with three 30HP submersible pumps which are used to pump out accumulated rain water. 

As a company SM invests 10% of its capital expenditure to integrate disaster resilient and sustainability features in its malls and integrated lifestyle city designs. “We take a long-term view on resilience and when we talk about sustainability, we look at how we can address perennial problems like flooding and address systemic change,” Arch. Garcia-Hsu expounds.

Serving as pioneers in the installation of rain water catchment facilities, SM was instrumental in the passing ordinances and inclusion of the installation of water catchment facilities for developments by regulatory bodies. In recent years, Senator Manny Pacquiao passed the ‘Rain Water Harvesting Act – Senate Bill 1309’ mandating the establishment, maintenance and management of rain water harvesting systems in the country. 

“Aside from building resilient infrastructure, we also build the resilience of our stakeholders by providing disaster preparedness training through our SM Cares programs. We have programs targeted to senior citizens and those with special needs as they are the ones left most vulnerable during times of calamities.” ~Chito Bauzon, SM Cares Marketing Asst. Vice President

With the threat of climate change looming, typhoons are only expected to get stronger with intensified rainfall. With more Filipinos moving to urban centers, the Philippines will need to retrofit its cities for resiliency or build new sustainability cities to finally live flood free.