January 2023

Smile Train has provided comprehensive cleft care and 100% free cleft repair surgery to Filipinos born with cleft lip and palate for over 24 years, making it the largest cleft-focused charity in the world.

Following the successful release of the first speech therapy app in the world in the Filipino language in 2021, Smile Train has since concentrated on growing and extending its Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC) locations outside of Metro Manila to serve more Filipinos in need of cleft support.

“Over the years, Smile Train has worked toward providing comprehensive cleft care for Filipinos at zero cost – from surgery to post-surgery care, and other cleft treatment such as speech therapy, orthodontics, and even breast-feeding support for mothers of children with cleft. To continue providing high-quality treatment for the years to come, we have worked toward training more Filipino medical professionals and partnering with more healthcare institutions such as Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital and Allegiant Regional Care Hospitals to launch more CCC centers across the country”, said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train Vice President, South East Asia.

Bringing more smiles to Filipinos across the country

In 2022, Smile Train celebrated the first anniversary of its first CCC center in Cebu in partnership with Allegiant Regional Care Hospitals and Mabuhay Deseret Foundation. Since its launch, over a hundred patients have received life-changing cleft surgery and post-surgery care in the Eastern Visayas region.

Smile Train also celebrated its 12-year partnership with Marikina St. Vincent General Hospital with the launch of its CCC Center. The hospital has helped over 5,000 patients with cleft surgery, and other cleft treatment such as orthodontic and dental treatment and speech therapy at no cost. The CCC Center provides free treatment and care all-year for individuals living in Marikina, Rizal, and nearby provinces.

Local partners at the forefront of success

The success of Smile Train’s sustainable model is anchored on partnerships with local medical professionals and hospitals in the country. With this, Smile Train continued its support for local medical professionals through skills enhancement training opportunities.

In 2022, Smile Train, in collaboration with the Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (PAPRAS), hosted the PAPRAS – Smile Train Cleft Training Program which trains plastic aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons through a three-month-long observership. Participants are given hands-on training for various types of cleft surgeries, exposure to managing comprehensive cleft care with the help of the program.

Smile Train and Glaxo-Smith Klein (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, one of the world’s leading providers in specialist oral health, also supported a three-day Comprehensive Cleft Care Webinar series. Organized by the Association of Philippine Orthodontists (APO), the webinar series offered highly informative online sessions on various stages of cleft treatment for a child born with a cleft.

Accelerating cleft lip and palate expertise

Another highlight for Smile Train was the introduction of its first and only Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Simulator, the latest addition to its growing series of high-fidelity cleft surgery simulators.  Produced by Simulare Medical, a division of Smile Train, the simulator aims to accelerate learning in cleft lip and palate reconstructive surgical training, ultimately reducing patient risk, lessening training costs, and elevating the competence of surgeons locally and globally.

“Last year, Smile Train celebrated many milestones in the Philippines that helped advance our local expertise in treating cleft and then eventually expanding by launching more comprehensive cleft care centers in farther communities. By investing in our local healthcare professionals and hospitals, we can reach more patients and provide safe, high-quality, and timely treatment for adults and children born with cleft lip and/or palate,” said Flaviano.

Flaviano said that Smile Train Philippines is getting ready to open more Comprehensive Cleft Care facilities in 2023. Visit smiletrain.org to learn more about Smile Train’s global initiatives or to make a donation.

Visit smiletrain.ph, follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines to find out more about our regional initiatives in the Philippines.

This year, the annual Kind Heart Gives CSR project of Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) incorporates an environmental project at Masungi Georeserve in Bara, Rizal.

The Masungi Landscape in Baras, Rizal, is the focus of the award-winning conservation initiative known as the Masungi Georeserve. The program gave 50 SBA employees the chance to take part in the reserve’s “Nurture-a-Grove” reforestation initiative.

The Sterling Bank of Asia is dedicated to fulfilling its duties to promote social and environmental responsibility.

“Sterling Bank of Asia takes part in saving the denuded forests around the reserve. It is also one of our ways to strengthen our sustainability efforts and to give back to the environment,” said Arlene Siongco, Head of Human Resources Group at Sterling Bank of Asia.

“We’d like to thank Masungi Georeserve for welcoming us. Activities such as these are necessary for the company as it is one of the ways we uphold environmental appreciation and conservation,” said Cecilio Paul San Pedro, SBA’s President and CEO.

The Masungi Georeserve project has received recognition for preserving the more than 400 species of flora and fauna as well as the 60-million-year-old limestone structures in Baras, Rizal.

To know more about this visit their website https://www.sterlingbankasia.com

With the first stop of its nationwide “Go Electrifying with Toyota” tour taking place January 19–22 at the Activity Center of Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) gave 2023 off to an electrified start.

Toyota has a large selection of HEVs to choose from and is the nation’s pioneer in electrified transportation. The Camry, Corolla Altis, Corolla Cross, and RAV4 are all current models and will all be on display during the “Go Electrified” event.

Visitors to the electrified experiential booth will also have the chance to test drive the featured HEVs and learn more from TMP’s pool of electrified vehicle experts, who are available to respond to any questions or provide clarification to the public regarding various electric car technologies, in addition to viewing the displayed vehicles. For those who actively participate in the numerous learning and immersion activities, prizes are also up for grabs.

With its current portfolio of HEV’s, TMP believes in giving its customers diverse and accessible choices in order to shift electrified vehicles while still addressing their specific mobility needs today. This step is aligned with the principle that electrified vehicles can only make a significant impact to the environment with massive adoption of various carbon-neutral vehicle technologies. Under its multi-path approach to sustainable mobility, Toyota offers various technologies around the world from HEVs to Plug-In Electric Vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles, and Fuel Cell and Hydrogen-powered vehicles.

To find out more, go to the Go Electrified with Toyota Tour stop in Metro Manila. Soon, the trip will stop at other cities around the nation to promote carbon-neutral transportation. Visit toyota.com.ph, follow ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter, like Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook, and join our Toyota PH Viber community to stay up to date.

This 2023, as you celebrate Chinese New Year at your favorite SM malls nationwide, bid farewell to the roaring tiger and welcome the energetic rabbit!

SM Supermalls has planned interesting activities and events for the Year of the Water Rabbit celebrations from January 9 to January 22. Here are some special CNY deals for you to take advantage of if you’re looking for some hopping fun excursions.

Share good fortune while dining at SM

Chinese New Year will always be about gathering with family for meals and other activities. Enjoy this month’s Lucky Feast specials from participating tenants while enjoying a delightful dine-in experience at SM with the whole family.

Have a stroll at the Lucky Park

Don’t miss out on the fun of strolling around SM Supermalls’ Lucky Park. Snap a photo with the whole family at the Bunny Family Photo Spot, or take selfies at the magnificent Money Trees and the lighted rabbits. You can also read through your luck this year with the Zodiac Forecast Panels or put your A-game on at the Lucky Finds Pop-Ups in the area to win CNY exclusive deals.

Witness a Lion and Dragon Dance

Who would want to miss a signature lion dance during the Chinese New Year? At SM, lion and dragon dance performers will go around the mall to get all the lucky hanging hong baos. Catch them perform live from January 13 to 22!

Usher in good fortune this year with tips from a Feng Shui expert!

When it comes to Feng Shui, SM Supermalls knows how you can harness the positive energy that the new year brings. And with the help of Feng Shui expert, Ms. Marites Allen, you’ll surely discover what 2023 has in store for you.

Just present a minimum SM receipt worth Php 1,000 to get a chance to talk to her in person in the following malls:

• January 14, 2PM – SM City Olongapo Central
• January 15, 2PM – SM City San Lazaro
• January 19, 2PM – SM City Fairview
• January 20, 2PM – SM City Dasmariñas
• January 20, 5PM – SM City Sta. Rosa
• January 2 1, 2PM – SM Megamall
• January 21, 5PM – SM City North EDSA
• January 22, 2PM – SM City Bacoor
• January 22, 5PM – SM Mall of Asia
  
  

Scan and win amazing prizes in this AR hunt game

Test your luck at the Lucky Rabbit Hunt in SM malls! Join this AR hunt game by opening the app on your mobile device. Hunt for the triggers, scan the area, and catch lucky rabbits all around the mall with your family and friends.

SM Supermalls wishes its customers life, serenity, and prosperity for the coming year of the water rabbit, which is 2023. So, good luck and have fun while securely and conveniently taking part in all these CNY-themed activities at your favorite SM Mall!

Visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media for additional updates.