The reality is that no two people experienced the COVID-19 pandemic the same way. The epidemic was a solitary time of self-discovery, emotional development, and paradigm-shifting insights. It altered people, and in the process, it influenced how many of us perceive ourselves and the outside world.

As a result, consumer preferences and habits have changed. Studies reveal that consumers today want a different experience, one that is kinder and more accepting of the changes that each individual had gone through in the previous two years, as opposed to a pre-pandemic world where people frequently spent on luxuries and experiences that allowed them to celebrate their accomplishments. People increasingly place a higher priority on their own well-being and support goods and services that promote development.

Brands are beginning to adjust to the shifts in consumer tastes. And as the entire company is getting ready for a revamp this year, SM is prepared with a slew of new items, staying true to its core commitment to making people happy.

“The history of SM Supermalls is one that has been built on innovation and change to serve the needs of millions of Filipinos,” says SM Supermalls President, Steven Tan. “We’ve been with our customers through their every milestone for almost four decades. And we are committed to always changing, always growing with our customers in the years and decades to come.”

SM Supermalls: Welcoming Every Change in You

SM continues to stay true to its mission to provide Filipino families with a fun and engaging in-mall experience so they can go home with a smile on their faces.

There will always be a plethora of experiences for each person who comes through SM’s doors. This is true for the various personalities that emerged during the pandemic; from eco-warriors and Plantitas to health buffs and sports personalities who embraced biking, healthy eating, and home gyms, and bakers and homemakers who turned their passion projects into small businesses.

“I believe that now more than ever, it is important to recognize the new changes to our world,” adds SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “And people are continuing to grow as they invest in experiences that uplift their lives.”

Ushering the Future with the Transformation of SM Supermalls

In the next few months, Filipinos across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will get to experience the wellness-oriented and sustainability-driven transformation of SM Supermalls with a host of new and exciting activities. These include paw parks for pet moms and dads, al fresco dining areas for hangout groups, plant hubs for eco-enthusiasts, bike facilities for the growing cycling community, co-working spaces, experiential retail, blockbuster and larger-than-life cinema escapades and so much more.

Curiosity seekers, foodies, friends, and families will have a lot to rediscover as the Philippine mall experience is refreshed by SM’s brand refresh campaign. You’re always welcome here, so come on in!

Follow SM Supermalls on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls for additional details, and visit any SM Supermall today to see what’s new!

EMPOWERING MSMEs IN VISAYAS. Cebuana Lhuillier Bank opened its first branch in the Visayas region, setting another expansion milestone pioneering Cebu City. Present in the photo are (from left to right) Dennis Valdes, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank President; Mrs. Edna D. Lhuillier, wife of Ambassador Lhuillier; Amb. Philippe Jones Lhuillier, Chairman and Founder of PJ Lhuillier Inc.; Mrs. Camille Lhuillier-Albani, Mr. Andrea Albani, and Jimmy Ang, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank Vice President

With the establishment of its first branch in Cebu City, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CLB), one of the nation’s rural banks with the highest rate of growth, has set its sights on further expansion in the Visayas area.

The action is in keeping with the bank’s goal of ensuring financial inclusion for all Filipinos, particularly for consumers from rural areas. In particular, CLB is attempting to connect with mom-and-pop shops and micro, small, and medium-sized firms (MSMEs), whose operations unquestionably required a boost in the wake of the difficulties the economy has faced over the previous two years.

“MSMEs have always been the backbone of our economy, with 99% of total businesses in the Philippines considered falling under this sector. They are also a major source of employment, and also a major contributor in our total export revenues. However, in spite their huge contributions to the economy, MSMEs often lack financial resources that will help in their growth and development,” Cebuana Lhuillier Bank president Dennis Valdes said. “True to the mission of becoming a partner for progress, CLB’s first-ever branch here in Central Visayas is open to all, especially to the more than 65,000 MSMEs looking to further grow their business.”

Located within the business center of the city, CLB’s newest branch can be found in Acacia St., Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City. The bank offers a wide variety of business loan products primarily aimed to provide financial assistance to MSME business owners for their working capital, business expansion, and investment. Depending on the business size and profile of the clients, CLB offers loan products such as Microfinance Loans, SME loans, and Corporate Business Loans.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, the parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier and Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, enthuses, “As a conglomerate, PJ Lhuillier has always been guided by its mission of financial inclusion. We make sure that this is reflected in all the products we offer in our companies, and a vital part of how we extend our services to the millions of Filipinos who rely on us for their micro financial needs. Our banking arm, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank is guided by this vision—from their ground-breaking micro savings product which empowered close to 6M Filipinos to start saving for their future, to their expansion plans to Visayas and Mindanao which will allow them to serve more of our kababayans and MSMEs in rural communities.”

Amb. Lhuillier welcoming the expansion of Cebuana Lhuillier Bank in Cebu

CLB currently offers housing loans and business loans in the province. With low interest rates, fast application process, and flexible loan payments, CLB aims to empower MSMEs and business owners. Qualified CLB clients can get a maximum loan amount of PHP300,000 for business loan.

Aside from business loans, CLB also offers housing loans, and soon to be available in its Cebu branch, the Teachers Loan and Motorcycle Loan products.

The Mindanao region is anticipated to be served by CLB before the year is up, and the company now has five (5) branches nationally. In order to use Cebuana Lhuillier’s more than 3,000 branches countrywide for its Micro Savings product, CLB, the banking division of Cebuana Lhuillier, recently hired the sector leader to act as its cash agent. Due to the mobility offered by the eCebuana app, which allows users to effortlessly access microfinancial services including Micro Savings, Money Remittance, Bills Payment, and E-load services among others, the bank and its customers were more accessible thanks to the extensive network presence.

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.