Lifestyle

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.

BPI Foundation extends opportunities to micro and small enterprises through its new program, SEAL-SEGA.

BPI Foundation, the Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) social development arm, today announced the launch of BPI Small Enterprise Acceleration Lab (SEAL), a program for the development of local micro and small enterprises (MSEs), with its first track, Small Enterprise Growth Agenda (SEGA), in collaboration with Bayan Academy.

BPI SEAL-SEGA is a search for start-up companies that are ready to expand their enterprises. This programme aims to satisfy the needs of new firms by providing training, mentoring, and cash grants. The training program is designed to assist entrepreneurs in evaluating their products, services, operations, and marketing, as well as formulating their start-up firm development plan. I’m so fortunate to be able to learn from this webinar many things regarding these SMEs and how BPI is able to help them. It was indeed a great experience acquiring knowledge from them as they were able to share their knowledge with us.

Taken during the zoom meeting

Photo shows, clockwise from upper left: DTI Undersecretary of Regional Operations Group Blesila A. Lantayona, BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo, Start Up Village President Carlo Calimon, and Bayan Academy President and Chairman Prof. Francisco “Jay” Bernardo.

“It’s no secret that the past two years have been extra tough for the entire business community, most especially for the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) which faced multiple challenges including the lack of funds to maintain their businesses after a series of lockdowns. To help address the pressing need for an intervention and spur growth to the MSE sector, we are excited to kick-off the pilot run of the BPI SEAL-SEGA,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

In 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that 99.51% of all businesses across the country belong to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.  Micro enterprises account for 88.77%, while 10.25% are small enterprises.

According to a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in 2018, this sector continues to struggle in the value chain, primarily due to lack of access to finance, labor and technical and management know-how. SEAL-SEGA aims to help bridge the gaps.

“Startups proved to us that crisis can also be a strong driving force for creativity and innovation,” DTI Undersecretary of Regional Operations Group Blesila A. Lantayona noted. “If this new normal has taught us anything, it is harnessing the benefits of digital technologies and transformation that could be an opportunity to create sustainable and adaptable businesses.”

Bayan Academy President and Chairman Prof. Francisco “Jay” Bernardo said, “BPI SEAL SEGA is dedicated to helping startups sustain, develop and scale up their businesses. We are here to be part of the nation-building efforts that SMEs have been providing us.”

Fifty (50) MSEs will be chosen to attend the boot camps and present their plans to a panel of judges in a business pitch. The Top 1–10 will each earn a P100,000 cash prize, while the Top 11–20 will each receive Php50,000. The business challenge is available to 18-year-old and older start-up entrepreneurs with a total asset value of less than Php1 million. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2022.

Visit https://bpifoundation.org/page/bpi-seal-sega and follow BPI Foundation on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about SEAL.

KSK Farmers’ Market Day at SM City Sta. Rosa

Market access and limited market information are two main roadblocks to enhanced smallholder farmer income. Farmers in grassroot communities, according to studies, frequently lack access to viable, value-added marketplaces. Farmers struggle to shift their traditional subsistence farms into viable commercially focused production in the absence of crucial supporting activities such as infrastructure and service supply. Buyers, such as wholesalers, have a hard time getting the quantity and quality of produce they want for processing on a timely basis.

Because of this challenge, SM Foundation collaborated with various government agencies, and engaged various SM business units such as the SM Development Corp. (SMDC), SM Supermalls and SM Markets to ensure that local farmers under the Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program have venues where they can sell their produce amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SMDC Weekend Market

KSK Pop-up booths in Davao

SMFI, in partnership with other SM business units, exploited the power of collaboration to create farm-market connectivity – a major driver of rural poverty reduction.

Team social good

The Good Guys Market links KSK farmers to consumers while ensuring food security in SMDC communities.

The Good Guys Market is a weekend market set up in SMDC properties to connect small-scale farmers directly with consumers—condo residents. This initiative links around 26,000 small-scale farmers directly with consumers.

Together with SM Supermalls, SMFI launched the Green Lane initiative. Led by the wives of the KSK farmers, the social enterprise offers a wide variety of quality yet affordable indoor and landscape plants which cater to every enthusiast’s preference. In addition, the team also launched the KSK Farmers’ Market Day to provide farmers with market exposure in select SM Malls nationwide.

Locally farmed onions by KSK farmers in SM Markets

Meanwhile, SMFI also partnered with SM Markets in creating market for onion farmers. Through the partnership, SMFI was able to establish specialized onion pop-up booths creating a stable market for small scale onion farmers.

Millions of smallholder farmers are seeking ways to improve the productivity of their farms and to improve their market performance. Modern farming technologies, paired with market linkage, such as the SM KSK, plays a vital role in improving the livelihood of small-scale farmers and their families.

Green lane: an agri-enterprise led by the wives of KSK farmers

The SM Foundation’s Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program on sustainable agriculture is SMFI’s Social Good program that aims to improve the lives of Filipinos in grassroot communities through sustainable agriculture through technology transfer, product development, and farm-market linkage. To date, the initiative has trained over 28,500 farmers from over 900 cities and municipalities across the country.

L-R: Atty. Mel Georgie B. Racela – Executive Director, AMLC Secretariat; Atty. Rodel U. Buenaventura – Acting Director of the Commitments and Policy Group, AMLC Secretariat; Cecilio D. San Pedro – SBA President & CEO; Luisito S. Mayor – SBA Sr. Vice President & Operations Group Head

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and Sterling Bank of Asia (SBA) have signed an Information Sharing Protocol (ISP) Agreement to help government efforts to combat financial crime in the country. The ISP framework strives to control, detect, and investigate money laundering (ML), terrorism, and terrorism financing (FT) in the country. It will also encompass information sharing and capacity-building measures to improve the ability to combat money laundering, terrorism, and financial terrorism. In addition, the ISP intends to provide an acceptable documentation framework for performing targeted suspicious transaction monitoring and reporting, as well as developing valuable/breakthrough investigation leads.

“This is in line with the Bank’s efforts in promoting a strong and good corporate governance culture,” said Cecilio San Pedro, SBA’s President and CEO.

SBA recognizes the importance of the collaboration between the public and the private sector in upholding a framework that will deliver a more efficient and effective identification and detection of financial crime patterns and trends. “Sterling Bank will extend its full cooperation in the exchange of information and financial intelligence and full support in the capacity-building measure of AMLC,” said San Pedro.

Visit www.sterlingbankasia.com for additional information and updates on Sterling Bank of Asia, and download the Sterling Bank Online App for secure and convenient banking.