Lifestyle

Did you know that the 67-hectare Mall of Asia Complex, where the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) is located, is built to resist disasters brought on by natural disasters? We all know that the MOA is a well-liked location for amazing culinary and recreational experiences.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, implements disaster resiliency measures in every project, with the MOA Complex as one of its biggest investments, the Mall of Asia Complex’s foundation was built to be safe and secure.

Before the MOA complex was built, SM Prime worked with a group of regional and international experts to ensure its viability on land and in the water. After that, Jan de Nul, a renowned coastal development construction company in Belgium, built the MOA complex from the ground up.

The reputable Jan de Nul made sure the terrain was stable and the complex’s roads were made resistant to earthquakes and erosion, in accordance with the National Structural Code of the Philippines and approved by both the Philippine Reclamation Authority and the National Government.

Three important disaster resiliency features were used in protecting the Complex and the coastal community of Pasay from tides and waves: One, a three-kilometer seawall built to stand against liquefaction; two, a meter-high inverted wave return to serve as defense against high waves; and three, a drainage channel to prevent floods during storm surges. This was put to test when Typhoon Pedring hit in 2011, and the Mall of Asia Complex was spared from destructive waves and flooding that submerged many other surrounding establishments.

As an added feature, both the Complex’s main road and all its structures are elevated 4 meters above the parameters set by the National Building Code. Pilings strengthened its foundation and greatly improved its soil bearing capacity.

Family fun, leisure and entertainment are the objectives behind the awe-inspiring grandeur of SM Mall of Asia, but this vision is founded on a commitment to safety and a secure foundation throughout the Complex. This is a firm philosophy of SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Mr. Hans T. Sy, a champion for disaster resilience, who continuously invests in DRR and in allocating 10% of the company’s expenditure for DRR in all of SM’s infrastructures throughout the country.

 “Today, disasters have become more frequent and severe. The government and the private sector must work together to find solutions for greater resiliency.  SM prime as a responsible property developer places Disaster Risk Reduction as one of its core strategies. It simply makes good business sense.” emphasizes Mr Hans Sy. He believes that not only is DRR an effective way to grow the business but it protects the communities where SM is located amid the increasing risks of climat echange.

Today, the MOA Complex is a bustling realization of Mr. Henry Sy Sr.’s grand vision for it to become both a premiere integrated leisure destination with a complimentary business and lifestyle district – one of the country’s truly revolutionary mixed-use developments, and a thriving example of disaster risk reduction at work.

It will be comforting to know that SM Prime has worked to ensure your safety and security ever since the development’s conception and 2006 opening, whether you’re visiting the MOA Complex to check out the largest IKEA in the world, watch the sunset from the top of the MOA Eye, or just to shop and eat with your loved ones. to the present and future.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading property developers in Southeast Asia, is committed to providing safe and sustainable spaces for its stakeholders.  Its development strategy is anchored on the responsible use of resources. In the communities it serves, it is able to promote resource conservation, environmental protection, and disaster resiliency by implementing solutions for water, waste, and energy management.

A major participant in the SM Green Movement, which seeks to create a greener world, greener living, and a greener culture through sustainable solutions, is SM Prime. Visit www.smprime.com and www.sminvestments.com/sustainability/sm-for-the-community/sm-green-movement/ to learn more about SM Prime and the SM Green Movement.

Nowadays, purchasing and collecting gold jewelry extends beyond aesthetics. The ideal time to buy jewelry is right now because gold’s value is always rising and is even predicted to overcome inflation threats (source). It’s a financial investment you can use for leisure as well as a trustworthy source of funds in an emergency.

With the announcement of its “Rainy Day Gold Rush Sale,” scheduled to run from July 13 to July 19, Cebuana Lhuillier is offering its devoted customers and the wider public another taste of its eagerly awaited jewelry sales.

The country’s most trusted micro financial services company is offering discounts
of 10% off plus up to 50% off for selected jewelry available in more than 3,000 branches nationwide. Meanwhile, clients can enjoy discounts up to 25% off when they purchase in any of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium (CLJP) and Just Jewel branches nationwide.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO, has always encouraged the public to take advantage of gold sales in order to build a sizable investment that can serve as back-up during times of emergency. “Unlike high-end gadgets, gold jewelry will never lose its value over time. Instead, it will serve as a good source of emergency fund during times of need. Buying jewelry will always serve as a wise purchase,” he adds.

Contrary to the usual, pawnshops are also good source of jewelry. Buyers are assured on the quality and authenticity of the items purchased, especially since all the items offered have been thoroughly appraised.

The main website of Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry, cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com, as well as any e-commerce websites like Shopee, Lazada, and Zalora, where all items are available at a 10% discount, all offer discounts. Visit www.cebuanalhuillier.com or https://www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop for additional information.

The biggest and most awaited digital conference in the Philippines, organized by the Internet & Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP), has officially released its 2018 topic. With brands, advertising experts, and business leaders, DigiCon Valley 2022 will address the panorama of digital marketing transformation in an effort to recognize creativity, problem-solving, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Philippine businesses. Official attendees will have access to four brand-new tracks that cover the distinct stages of innovation from October 10–14 from 9 AM to 1 PM PST: Launchpad, Hypergrowth, Breakthrough, and Enterprise.

This year’s theme is an allude at the Gobi-Core Philippine Fund Ecosystem Report of 2021 which perceived that the growing startup scene in the country is ripe for it to finally become a key player in the technology sphere, in relation to ASEAN counterparts.

The future for development and expansion is projected with optimism as logistics, e-commerce, and fintech sectors continue to rise locally, especially in a post-pandemic economy. It is expected that Philippine firms will raise more investments in the next three years versus the past five years combined.

Leading 100 speakers across the 65 sessions of the 5-day event, keynote Speakers include world-renowned marketing expert and academic, Mark Ritson; one of the most influential female entrepreneurs in the world and founder of the Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington; and the co-founder of Character Ventures and the inventor of the Design Sprint, Jake Knapp. More internationally-acclaimed speakers and guests are set to be announced soon.

After two years of virtual connections, DigiCon Valley 2022 is finally bringing back face-to-face networking through the DigiCon After-hours. Held between 6-9 PM on select evenings across the city, major sponsors will host physical gatherings which promise to provide cocktails, entertainment, and speed networking, allowing delegates to reconnect with others in the industry.

Tickets are now available for purchase with the early bird discount at 40% off in limited supply. For more information and updates on DigiCon Valley 2022, visit www.digicon.com.ph and follow their social pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

ViVYD is going to power this event. Visit https://www.qairos.asia/vivyd to find out more information about this platform.

Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government, is the Gold Sponsor of IMMAP DigiCon Valley 2022. Silver Sponsor Hepmil Philippines and Platinum Sponsors Manulife Philippines and Tiktok are also acknowledged.

Rizaly Lim, a high school student, and her four siblings used to stop and marvel whenever they passed the first SM City being built in their hometown of twenty years ago, Sta. Rosa Laguna. The five kids, crammed onto the tricycle their father drives for a living, were all anticipating fun family weekends spent at the enormous mall.

Rizaly is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having graduated from Summa Cum Laude thanks to a scholarship from the SM Foundation, and she works as the accounting manager for the corporate office of SM Prime Holdings, a prominent property developer.

From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager

At a young age, Rizaly was headstrong about getting her family out of poverty. She shares, “My father was the only one who worked for our family, and because we were a large family, his daily earnings as a tricycle driver were never enough.”

Rizaly finished high school at the Balibago National High School as class valedictorian in 2005 and was already sending applications for other college scholarships when her teacher asked the top 10 students to go to SM City Sta. Rosa for an interview with SM Foundation.

“Sa umpisa, hindi po ako naniwala kasi bago pa lang sa amin noon ang SM City Sta. Rosa,” she recalls. She proceeded of course, driven by the one goal of finishing college and helping her family. “Gusto ko rin po makapag-aral at makapagtapos noon. Maka-work at makatulong sa family.”

A few exams and interviews later, SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI) went to visit her and her family at home to inform them that she will be receiving a full scholarship with monthly allowance until she finishes her course.

In 2010, Rizaly graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy. She went on to pass the Philippine CPA Board Exams on first try in October 2010. The assistance of SMFI, she said, went beyond tuition and allowances. “With full scholarship grants and monthly allowances, as well as the opportunity to work at SM Store during our summer and Christmas vacations, the SMFI scholarship has enabled me to help my family financially.”

“I am the master of my fate”

While other parents were buying their college kids the latest Nokia phone back in the summers of 2000’s, Rizaly’s father gave her and her siblings weekly assignments to accomplish during the summer vacation. “Our late father instilled in us the love of reading and the value of studying,” she shared. “During summer, he would assign us English words and their meanings to memorize and asked us to recite these to him.“

Then there’s the memorization of motivational poems and speeches, one of which stuck with her for life: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” She shared that this last stanza of “Invictus” by W.E. Henley had kept her motivated to look past the limitations of her circumstances and focus on her personal goals.

Career at SM

SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy as the heart of the SM group. It has established programs that are focused on nurturing and caring for underserved communities where SM is present. It supports and empowers host communities through education, healthcare, shelter, disaster response, sustainable agriculture, and care for persons with special needs.

To date, SM Foundation has assisted more than 8,000 college and technical/vocational students, and has donated over 100 school buildings with a total of 334 classrooms built across the country.

The SM Foundation offers career possibilities across the various SM group firms, so nurturing graduates goes beyond the classroom. A Career Fair organized by the organization is intended especially for its scholars.

Rizaly received job offers from three businesses as a result of the Career Fair held by the SM Foundation, one of which was SM Prime Holdings, one of the biggest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia that offers sustainable and innovative lifestyle cities through the construction of malls, homes, offices, hotels, and convention centers. In terms of assets, it is also the biggest in the Philippines.

I still want to level up

“I haven’t accomplished much yet, but I value what I have already accomplished and received so far,” said Rizaly, referring to the highest honors she has received in high school and college, becoming a CPA, and being promoted to manager in within only a few years of her work at SM Prime.  “These are just a few of the accomplishments for which I will be eternally grateful. I’m also proud of my daily achievements at work, such as fulfilling particular duties assigned to me. They make me happy and proud of myself, and they inspire me to do better.”

“Ang mga dating pinapangarap ko lang, nagagawa ko na ngayon,” Rizaly said as she related how she has been able to travel to Taiwan for vacation and do the tri-city tour of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. But her biggest dreams, she said, remain centered on her family: to provide better for her family by sharing with them what she has now. “Nothing is simple. Nothing is easy. Hindi ko naman to straight line lang na na-achieve. Life is full of challenges. Just stay strong, keep the faith and always give your best effort.”

Standing from left: Mercedes Litan, HMO/Philhealth Staff; Charlie Bacerra, Nurse; PS Ramos, Patient Coordinator/Nurse; Dr. Edmund Mercado, Chief of Clinics and Head of Surgery, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines; Giorgia Danga, Speech Language Pathologist; Van Davidon, Communications Manager for Southeast Asia, Smile Train; Dr. Chrys Marquez, Orthodontist. Seated from left: Tompet Lolarga, Program Manager, Smile Train Philippines; Bettina Mercado, Smile Train Student Ambassador; Dr. Jenny Deoduco-Mercado, Program Coordinator for Smile Train, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, Medical Director, Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital; Dr. Jocelyn Rivera, Pediatrician Consultant
As the hospital formally opens its Smile Train Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) center, Smile Train and the Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital renew their commitment to offering the community safe and high-quality cleft treatment as they commemorate their 12-year partnership in improving the lives of those born with clefts.

For adults and kids born with a cleft lip and/or palate, access to safe, effective, and timely treatment is improved thanks to Smile Train’s sustainable strategy of collaboration with regional hospitals and medical professionals. The Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital provides free cleft surgery, orthodontic and dental care, and speech therapy, like many of its CCC partners. Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives and to make a donation.

In the Philippines, where more than 5,000 babies are born with a cleft palate every year, access to various cleft-related treatments remains vital. Thus, individuals living in Marikina, Rizal, and nearby provinces who are unable to afford cleft care will continue to benefit from these services, which are essential components of effective and impactful cleft treatment. Families who learn of the high-quality treatment at the center travel from all over the country to receive care in the hospital.

“It has been 12 years since we partnered with Smile Train to provide free treatment and care for individuals with cleft and their families. Being able to offer comprehensive cleft care strengthens our resolve to provide life-changing treatment for the cleft community all-year round and in the future,” says Dr. Jenny Deoduco-Mercado, Program Coordinator for Smile Train at Marikina St. Vincent’s General Hospital.

Aside from Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital, Smile Train offers comprehensive cleft care through partners such as the Philippine Band of Mercy, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, Craniofacial Foundation of the Philippines, San Fernandino Hospital in Pampanga, Mabuhay Deseret Foundation in ARC Hospital in Cebu, and Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao. Through the help of its partners, Smile Train has been able to support more than 68,000 cleft surgeries in the Philippines.

“To date, our partnership with Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital has helped thousands of Filipinos in need of comprehensive cleft care, performing over 4,900 life-changing surgeries. As the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, it is our vision to partner with more local hospitals and make cleft care more accessible for Filipinos all-year round,” said Jun Grimares, Program Director, Smile Train Philippines.

Visit smiletrain.ph/get-help to find out more about the local programs offered by Smile Train in the Philippines and to suggest a patient who needs aid. Like Smile Train Philippines on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines and follow us on Instagram at @SmileTrainPh. 

Climate change cannot be stopped at the current rate at which people practice sustainability. If everyone is, so to speak, “cast in the same mold,” environmentally conscious efforts will only produce noticeable benefits, whether they involve using fewer disposable things or saving more energy. The government and big organizations, including multinationals, are in charge of high-impact worldwide sustainable development.

An early adopter of sustainable practices, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., one of Southeast Asia’s largest integrated property developers, recognized the importance of this role. This upscale beachside development in Nasugbu, Batangas, creates a real connection with nature thanks to SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo Inc., a pioneer in the leisure resort sector and the brains behind Hamilo Coast. With a focus on sustainable development, Hamilo Coast, which is celebrating its quincentennial year, looks back at its landmarks and accomplishments.

“Sustainability has been at the forefront of our vision in providing a resort lifestyle. We strive to practice both environmental and social sustainability in our operations through our partners and commnunities,” Franklin M. Bolalin, Assistant Vice President for Hamilo Estate Management, said.

Disaster risk reduction

Every year, the country deals with an average of 19 typhoons, with some often resulting  in damages to properties and loss of life.  Coastal defenses such as seawalls and breakwater structures are often implemented to resist storm surges. In the case of Hamilo Coast, mangrove trees are the key.

Hamilo Coast’s 100,000 square-meter or equivalent to 10 hectares mangrove belt is one of the largest mangrove areas in the municipality. The sustainable beach resort town has since planted 50,000 mangrove propagules, protected hand-in-hand with the conservation organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

Biodiversity conservation

Apart from disaster mitigation, mangrove trees also benefit the climate by absorbing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and carbon dioxide. This capacity nurtures the ecosystem and biodiversity in the area, providing habitat for a wide array of species.

Hamilo is home to rich marine life and abundant flora and fauna.  Its conservation programs and various sustainability initiatives have nurtured and conserved its precious biodiversity.  There are about 96 various bird species found at the estate. Among these bird species are the rough-crested Malkoha and the Philippine eagle-owl.

From growing local plants to conducting regular coastal clean-up drives, coastal resource conservation initiatives are active in Hamilo Coast. With the help of WWF, they can increase their fisheries’ biological capacity and monitor their Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)—the Pico de Loro, Etayo and Santelmo coves which are among the three MPAs for Costa Del Hamilo’s Sustainable Development Project.  Hamilo has been working with WWF since 2007 monitoring the health and viability of Hamilo Coast area.

In recognition of its conservation efforts, Hamilo Coast was cited by the World Wide Fund for Nature as its longest Sustainability Partner in 2020.

“Over the years, our partnership with SM significantly contributed to the impact we are making in our work in Hamilo Coast. From liquid waste and coral monitoring, to our present work on integrated waste management and food sheds, we hope that this continuing partnership would help us realize our vision of making Hamilo a holistic model of sustainability”, says Katherine Custodio, WWF-Philippines’ Executive Director.

Green buildings development

The path towards a sustainable future is paved with many interventions, including zero waste, dematerialization, zero emissions and resource efficiency practices. For its part, Hamilo Coast makes its intention to be a premiere sustainability community possible by making sure its buildings are designed with the environment in mind.

Some of the estate’s facilities are powered by alternative sources of energy. For example, its lamp posts use solar power more than traditional ones to function. Natural lighting and ventilation are also noticeable in some of its residential areas, which benefits the environment as well as its tenants. Additionally, Hamilo Coast implements a solid waste management plan that consists of recovery of materials and vermicomposting, among others.

Sustainable living

At Hamilo Coast’s core is how a distinct beachfront home can harmonize with its surrounding environment. As people crave for a more relaxed environment, closer to nature and the outdoors amid a work-from-home setup pushed by the ongoing pandemic, Hamilo homes give access to invigorating landscapes, coves to explore and the calming sea.

After fifteen years, Hamilo Coast has outgrown its status as a weekend getaway. For those wishing to live on the coast in a sustainable community, it is now one of the greatest settlement possibilities.