Building sustainable communities: The future of Cities

The 7th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024) Conference on Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovations is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). (L-R): Dr. Jennifer Marie S. Amparo, Dean, CHE, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. Chancellor, UPLB, Dr. Thomas Schneider, Chief Executive, APRU, Makati Mayor Hon. Abigail Binay, Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, SMPHI and SMDC Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy, Dr. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr., Conference Director, ICHSPD, Assoc. Professor, UPLB, and Dr. Yekang Ko, Director, APRU-SCL, Assoc. Professor, University of Oregon.  

What makes a city thrive is a combination of how developers create opportunities for movement, synergy, and prosperity. It’s a combination of celebrating life to its fullest capacity with the community at its very heart. 

“At SM Prime (SMPHI), we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success. Our commitment to developing sustainable integrated properties is matched by our efforts to foster vibrant, inclusive communities wherever we build legacy properties that weather the challenges of time and that last for generations. We are developing this living framework together with our knowledge partners. Currently the ambition is to combine our efforts and actionable items under six themes of – transport, energy, water, biodiversity, built form and materials. We believe this will be the future of cities in the Philippines and we are committed to delivering it to our future generations. ” ~Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy for SMPHI and SM Development Corporation (SMDC).

Sy joins a list of esteemed local and international professors, climate specialists, and government officials at the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024). 

The theme for this year’s three-day conference is Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

As one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, SM Prime’s strong track record in sustainability and disaster resilience is central to the company’s projects. In a climate-vulnerable country like the Philippines, disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience are priorities, with a goal to scale efforts to a city level. 

The rapid city growth increases energy demand, necessitating innovative and efficient renewable energy solutions. SM Prime has partnered with franchise holders to systematically manage energy use and move towards net-zero emissions.

For future large-scale master planned developments, Sy shares that SM Prime is taking a systems approach to utility infrastructure down to embedding them in the urban design guidelines at the precinct or plot level developments.

Sy carries this clear vision to heart as an invaluable part of the path forward. 

SM Prime 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. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future. 

The 7th APRU-SCL 2024 is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baňos, at the SMX Aura Convention Center, from August 6-8, 2024. For more information, email: hspdconf@up.edu.ph or visit the website: dcerp.che.uplb.edu.ph/ichspd. 

Create Waves of Positive Change with SM at the 2024 International Coastal Clean-Up

The International Coastal Clean-Up (ICC) is back for another year and is shaping up to be the biggest one yet, taking place simultaneously on September 21 in 15 different SM Supermalls across the country: SM By the Bay at SM Mall of Asia Complex, SM Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Bataan, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Sorsogon, SM City Legazpi, SM Daet, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Roxas, SM City Cebu, SM City Seaside Cebu, SM City Mindpro, and SM City General Santos. Together, we can make a significant impact on our oceans and create a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

In 2023, SM Cares recorded more than 100,000 kg of trash collected with the help of an estimated 17,000 total volunteers from 15 SM Supermalls nationwide. This year, in celebration of its 20th year of supporting communities and creating a positive impact on the environment, SM Cares aims to double the amount of solid waste collected to 200,000 kg, eyeing a volunteer count of 20,000.

If you're interested in joining the global movement towards cleaner seas and oceans, SM Cares is inviting you to be part of this year's ICC!

For participants from NCR, you may register via SM Malls Online through this link: https://click.smmallsonline.com/DFqS/ICC2024

For participants from Cebu, you may register via SM Malls Online at https://click.smmallsonline.com/DFqS/ICCSMSSXSMCC

For outside of NCR and Cebu, you may visit this link: https://bit.ly/ICC2024-Registration

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, 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.

Shop your Stitch Favorites at MR.DIY!

Don't miss out on this chance to grab your Stitch favorites with Stitch-tastic savings!

Score your favorite Stitch items with discounts of up to 30% –making it the perfect opportunity to add some fun to your collection.

Stock up on your Stitch favorites that will surely make work or play cutesy and fun.

Snag these limited-edition Stitch merchandise perfect for gifting or treating yourself!

From plush toys to home essentials–grab these Stitch–tastic deals only at MR.DIY.

Visit your nearest MR.DIY store to take advantage of this fantastic offer before it ends!

For more details, visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more details.

Promo runs from August 15 - August 30, 2024. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-198218, eries of 2024.

About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with over 3,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money, holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more details.

Win Big with MR.DIY's Cool School Craze!

Leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY is thrilled to announce its "Cool School Craze" promotion, offering customers the chance to win an educational fund just in time for the back-to-school season.

From July 1 to 31, 2024, customers who visit MR.DIY stores can shop for participating back-to-school essentials and stand a chance to win an educational fund.

For a minimum spend of P500 including three (3) participating items, three lucky winners from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will get a chance to win P10,000 each. So whether you’re

looking for stationery, school supplies, or other essentials–MR.DIY has everything you need to start off the school year right.

Don’t miss out on this chance to make your back-to-school shopping experience rewarding. Visit your nearest MR.DIY store today and be part of the Cool School Craze!

MR.DIY's Cool School Craze runs from July 1 - 31, 2024 in all MR.DIY stores nationwide. For more information about the Cool School Craze promo, visit https://www.mrdiy.com/ph/cool-school-craze-2024 or follow MR.DIY Philippines on https://www.facebook.com/mrdiyPH/, Instagram and TikTok, and Youtube.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-195768, Series of 2024.

About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money,

holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mrdiyPH/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mrdiy.philippines/) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@mrdiy.philippines) for more details.

“Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY” Optical Mission brings clarity to CarSiGMA Communities

Beneficiaries of all ages eagerly await their turn for eye check-up at the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission

Gray skies did not deter residents of Silang and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) Cavite from making their way to Bulihan National High School in Silang for the “Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY” Optical Mission.

The event buzzed with anticipation as 400 adults and 100 children from Silang availed of essential eye care services–a rare opportunity to have their eyes examined to achieve clearer vision.

Representatives from MR.DIY, volunteer optometrists, local government officials, and beneficiaries come together for the 'Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY' Optical Mission.

As part of MR.DIY’s overarching CSR program–Acts of Kindness (AOK) –this initiative highlights the company's steadfast dedication to enabling and empowering communities by harnessing the power of goodwill to address healthcare needs, in partnership with the local government units of Carmona, Silang, and GMA (CarSiGMA).

In her message to the community, Carmona Mayor Dr. Dahlia Loyola emphasized the importance of eye health, sharing stories of how clear vision can transform lives by helping children excel in school and enabling adults to work more efficiently.

Mayor Dahlia Loyola of Carmona, Cavite, who is also a medical doctor, welcomes the beneficiaries of the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission.

Meanwhile, Ms. Marla Papas, Integrated Marketing Communications Manager of MR.DIY articulated the goals of MR.DIY’s Acts of Kindness Campaign, highlights the necessity of caring for one’s eyesight, a vital aspect of health that is often overlooked.

Optometrists conduct comprehensive eye examinations to identify vision issues and ensure optimal eye health, carefully assessing patients depending on their eye care needs.

Ms. Marla Papas, Integrated Marketing Communications Manager of MR.DIY, shares the importance of taking care of one’s eyesight and the objectives of MR.DIY’s Acts of Kindness Campaign. 

Selected patients received reading glasses, while more advanced cases received referrals for prescription eyewear and cataract surgery, courtesy of the local government.

The 'Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY' Optical Mission catered to 500 beneficiaries from the towns of Carmona, Silang and GMA (CarSiGMA) in Cavite.

What started as a gloomy Saturday morning turned bright and clear, as the Alagang Paningin, Alagang MR.DIY Optical Mission demonstrated the profound impact of collaborative efforts in addressing healthcare needs, ultimately making a meaningful impact in people's lives for years to come.

About MR.DIY

MR D.I.Y. is the largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,000 stores across Southeast Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, India, and Europe in Turkey and Spain. The home improvement retailer has dedicated itself to making a positive difference in the lives of its valued customers by offering convenience at all its stores nationwide.

All MR. D.I.Y. stores are managed directly and the company often works in collaboration with other mass merchandise retailers or owners of malls or shopfront properties. MR. D.I.Y. stores offer a wide selection of — approximately 18,000 SKUs — across 5 major categories, namely hardware; household and furnishing; electrical; stationery and sports equipment products; and others (comprising amongst others toys, car accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics).

The company strives to put customers first by operating an innovative business that is flexible when it comes to providing a wide variety of products, good quality, and value-for-money,

holding true to the Company’s motto of “ALWAYS LOW PRICES”. Visit www.mrdiy.com/ph/ and our official social media accounts at Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for more details.

UnionBank Maintains Strong Position Among PH's Strongest and Most Valued Brands

“The growth in value of the most valuable Philippine brands echoes the positive sentiments of their nation’s economic outlook. Brands in the banking and real estate sectors benefited from strong post-pandemic economic rebound, improving financial literacy as well as continued urbanization and gentrification.” ~Brand Finance in their Report

In the Brand Directory 2024 report recently released by Brand Finance, UnionBank retained its position as part of the Top 10 Most Valuable and Strongest brands in the PHILIPPINES. This is UnionBank’s second consecutive year in this esteemed list since entering it in 2023. 

Brand Finance, a leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy firm based in London, released the study that gauges Brand Value and Brand Strength. The report cites that UnionBank’s brand grew in value by 22% from $557M in 2023 to $679M in 2024.

UnionBank is locally and internationally recognized and awarded as one of the best digitally transformed banks that has changed the way consumers view and do banking.  As early as 2016, UnionBank bet on the digital future of banking, even before it was fashionable, and has not looked back since.  The underlying motivation for UnionBank’s digital transformation was to provide consumers with a better banking experience, where customers would actually look forward to transacting with their bank rather than seeing it as a dreaded chore.

Making it again to this year’s Brand Finance ranking affirms that investing on the customer and placing them at the core of product and technological innovations pays off.

“We are delighted to see that our efforts to provide our customers with advanced, innovative and user-centric banking services have once again placed us among the Philippines’ best brands.  With now serving over 14 million retail customers, we are motivated more than ever to ensure we never stop looking for ways to deliver a better banking experience tailored to our customers’ ever-evolving lifestyle in this digital world.” ~Albert Cuadrante, UnionBank Chief Marketing Officer

For more information, visit the UnionBank website at www.unionbankph.com, or follow for updates on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Youtube.

For reference:

https://brandirectory.com/rankings/philippines/table

Teachers for a Day: MR.DIY, World Vision, empower Baseco Youth through ‘Brigada Pagbasa’

The Department of Education launched Brigada Pagbasa, an after-school reading intervention program that collaborates with community partners to enhance students' reading abilities. It uses the Lit DAPAT tool to evaluate reading readiness and comprehension levels, allowing for targeted interventions to meet particular learning needs.

For Alex, one of MR.DIY's employee volunteers, who has long been searching for a chance to instruct young people, it was a Saturday to remember.

He finds satisfaction in witnessing pupils grasp concepts and derive meaning from their tasks while developing sincere relationships with their "teachers for a day."

Claire, an employee turned volunteer, felt that teaching the kids was a gift because she saw how appreciative and selfless they were, which made her realize how fortunate she is.

Along with Alex and Claire, 16 other staff members and volunteers from MR.DIY, a well-known home improvement store, teamed up with World Vision International on Saturday, April 20, at the Baseco Compound in Manila, to empower youth through the Brigada Pagbasa Program.

Volunteers from MR.DIY engaging in fun activities with 34 schoolchildren from the Sen. Benigno Aquino Elementary School during the Brigada Pagbasa last April 22.

The partnership with World Vision acknowledges the significance of education in ensuring a better future for children, grounded in one of Acts of Kindness (AOK), the overarching corporate social responsibility program of MR.DIY. This program is based on the core pillar of youth and education. 

The program's goal was to help 34 Sen. Benigno Aquino Elementary School students in Grades 4 through 7 become more proficient readers. As soon as these students complete all 16 sessions of the Brigada Pagbasa Program, they will be scheduled for a post-test to evaluate their development. 

Ms. Mydee David, MR.DIY Philippines’ Head of HR, delivers her remarks for the volunteers and participants of the Brigada Pagbasa program.

Mr. Charles Salecina, MR.DIY Philippines’ Deputy Head of Marketing speaks before school children participating in Brigada Pagbasa.

He affirmed that education is a priceless gift that will never fade and that MR. DIY is prepared to help students become better understanders. He also emphasized the significance of reading as a foundational skill for students' futures.

This cooperative project by Mr. DIY, World Vision, and DepEd's Brigada Pagbasa is a ray of hope that demonstrates the transforming potential of community partnerships in creating a more promising future for future generations.