All-Around Pinay Mama

SM Prime Holdings Hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup Together with SM Cares, SM By the Bay

September 25, 2022

Bringing together thousands of volunteers into an event that underscored the importance of protecting the world's seas, oceans, and other bodies of water, SM Prime Holdings, together with SM Cares and SM By the Bay once again took part in the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). The event was held last September 17 at the SM By the Bay Central Park, SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

A total of 2,438 volunteers joined this year's ICC, composed of students, professionals, and others from different private and public organizations. An estimated 12,158 kgs of trash, equivalent to a total of 1,613 trash bags filled, was successfully collected at the end of the activity.

Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson Sec. Robert Borje, Department of Environment and Natural Resources - National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline A. Caancan, DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Engr. Ignacio R. Almira, DENR-NCR Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group Head Chris Villarin, DENR-NCR Communication Development Officer II Ariz Abad, SM Investments President and CEO and 2GO Group President and CEO Frederic DyBuncio, SM Prime Holdings Inc. SVP Glenn Ang, SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So, SM By the BAY Mall Manager Marie Charlene Claire K. Canoy-Narvasa and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines’ Markets and Assurance Executive Director Allan Cao were among those who graced the event.

SM By The Bay and SM Cares’ ICC event for this year was done in collaboration with different private and government agencies

The ICC is a yearly global event that encourages individuals to be part of the movement for cleaner seas and oceans. Annually, thousands of Filipino volunteers from various sectors and communities join the efforts to help ensure the cleanliness of the shorelines and waterways in the country.

“The International Coastal Clean Up is part of the overall SM Green Movement. As a proven responsible property developer and community partner, SM Prime’s various Sustainability programs across its malls, residences, hotels, and leisure properties promote resource conservation & environmental protection for an improved quality of life in the communities it serves,” said SM Supermalls SAVP for Operations Perkin So.

SM Offices, 2GO, PwC, Maynilad, and International Coastal Clean Up Philippines made this year's event possible. DENR-NCR, the Climate Change Commission, and the Philippine Coast Guard were also present to provide their support.

Aside from the annual observance of ICC, other sustainability projects of SM Cares include the Trash-To-Cash Recycling Market where individuals can drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for cash; the Plastic Waste and Electronic Waste Collection Programs which promotes responsible plastic and electronic waste management affecting our seas, just to name a few.

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs for 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.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

UNDRR and SM Prime Laud Women Leaders in Disaster Resilience

September 11, 2022

For the second consecutive year, SM Prime Holdings (SMPHI) is sponsoring the Women’s International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Leadership Awards, a flagship program of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

“This is important in inspiring other women to fully and effectively participate in promoting gender equality and empowerment while building our collective resilience,” SMPHI Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza B. Silerio said. The support is aligned with the company’s drive to recognize women’s leadership in disaster risk reduction.

“The awards highlight the key role of women as leaders and agents of change in building resilience and actively participating in the creation and implementation of DRR strategies, policies, plans, and programs in their regions. Their stories reflect the diversity of solutions required to meet the converging challenges of accelerating climate change and disasters in the region,” UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori stated as an expression of gratitude for the SNPHI's support. “We look forward to continued collaboration with SM in our DRR agenda,” he added.

The WIN DRR Excellence Awards 2022 sponsored by SM Prime has 15 finalists shortlisted from 420 nominations received from across 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific. The winner will be announced at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Brisbane on 21st of September 2022. US$10,000 will be awarded to an individual woman who has achieved exceptional professional success in DRR. The Women's International Network on Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) is a professional network to support women working in disaster risk reduction, in all their diversity, and its overall goal is to empower women to attain leadership and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in Asia-Pacific. The WIN DRR Philippine Network is powered by SM Prime and Asia Pacific College. WIN DRR partnership is consistent with SM Prime Holdings’ social commitment towards empowerment, resilience, good health, and well-being of women. The company’s corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, supports programs that advance these causes.

Earlier this year, SM Prime through its SM CARES, partnered with UNDRR in celebrating women empowerment through a webinar on the role of women in disaster resilience. In her keynote message, Mizutori emphasized “women’s equal participation and leadership in public life including disaster risk reduction is important and it is also essential to reducing disaster risk in achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.”

********************

About SM Prime Holdings

SM Prime, one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, 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. Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Resilience form part of SM Prime's core business strategies. It ensures that its risk-informed investments catalyze sustainable development and positive change in the communities where it operates.

For more information on SM Prime Holdings and its other programs towards disaster preparedness, visit its website at www.smprime.com.

The Sunshine Behind The Crafter’s Marketplace

July 01, 2022

Have you ever met someone who loved arts and crafts so much that they turned it into a business and because of their love and passion, made it successful? If not, then you need to meet Sunshine Asuncion, owner and founder of The Crafter’s Marketplace also known as TCM.

TCM was born in 2015, the same week Sunshine’s youngest daughter was born! She started by sourcing coloring materials and hard-to-find adult coloring books for clients from Manila. As their customer base grew and their social media accounts gained more followers, their product line evolved and grew as well to meet the rising demand of customers.

So, why TCM? Does it cover all types of crafts?

Shine had this to say, “My dream has always been to have a crafting space that welcomes every kind of crafter: the card maker, the paper crafter, colorista, those who sew, work with yarn, quilters, clayists, hair bow designers. We each have a special affinity to a certain craft, while some are curious about other crafts. The beauty of this is that when we are in one space, we get to share with each other what makes our craft so special to us.”

Though TCM carries different crafting lines, it’s the crafting kits, scrapbook paper, stamps, ink pads, and crafting machines that sell like hotcakes whenever Shine posts about its availability to her community. It also helps that when Sine says “It’s so pretty!” it really is pretty and you can bet that it’ll sell out.

The Crafter's Marketplace, Journaling, Press Release, Crafting, The Happy Planner

The Crafter's Marketplace, Journaling, Press Release, Crafting, The Happy Planner, Honey Bee Stamps

The Crafter's Marketplace, Journaling, Press Release, Crafting, The Happy Planner, Washi Tapes

One of the key challenges Shine initially had was the fact that she was located in Canada making her 12 hours behind her market. However, she soon realized that this was actually her biggest strength because she had easy access to brands that most of her customers didn’t have access to. She could also lead the pack with new releases and sales that would never be available in the Philippines.

Over the years, Shine has had her fair share of life lessons and growing pains from managing TCM. She has realized that clients will always come and go, but they will always bring something special to the community. You always need to be quick on your feet if not one step ahead, in order to keep the community engaged and growing. But with all the effort that you put in, the best part is having a community that loves you hard and supports you all the way.

One of the benefits of crafting is to heal and calm the mind. It is something that a lot of people have turned to, especially during the pandemic. It was a great way for them to connect with their creative side that has been silenced by the reality of adulting.

Crafting will stay relevant in our lives as long as we welcome and embrace it. When the world becomes too noisy and disruptive, crafting allows you to disconnect, create something magical and personal, and rediscover yourself in the process. It is that part of our soul that gives us balance, that allows us to say what’s in our hearts without using words.

For Shine, crafting has and will always be a big part of her life. From cross-stitching, sewing, card making, and her true love, scrapbooking. This has allowed her to keep intact her memories, fostering her love for paper, stickers, and ribbon, while earning money on the side.

She may be far from her home country but she doesn’t feel alone because she is constantly surrounded by people who are supportive of what she is doing and she has built a strong community of crafters, people who speak and understand her craft language.

From creating a small business to brand partnerships all over the world, from a small team to a growing team internationally, and from doing things by herself to being able to share with a community of crafters in an instant, Sunshine is definitely shining brightly in the world of crafting.

The Manila Hotel's Red Jade Restaurant Reopens

June 14, 2022

The Manila Hotel’s stunning Red Jade Restaurant, which specializes in authentic Chinese dishes, reopens on Friday, June 10, 2022. After a hiatus, Red Jade once again welcomes diners with not just crowd-pleasers and best-selling dishes, but an expanded menu selection.

Red Jade Restaurant, The Manila Hotel, Press Release

Red Jade Restaurant wall relief murals in Jade

Diners can expect to explore a menu of traditional Chinese dishes prepared with a modern flair along with nods to other regional cuisines of China. The historic Manila Hotel’s local and foreign clientele who have either dined in its main hall or booked its function rooms for private gatherings know that Red Jade is famed for food prepared with time-honored cooking techniques, premium ingredients, and uncompromising quality.

Diners have long celebrated the famed Red Jade’s Imperial Peking Duck, which takes hours to prepare and is expertly carved for patrons. Dim sum lovers can enjoy a wide selection of items, among them the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling “Har Gao,” Crispy-Fried Shrimp Stuffed with Cheese, and Pan-Fried Radish Cake “Bi Feng Tang” style. Other menu highlights include the Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce appetizer, Honey-Roasted Pork Barbecue, Roasted Suckling Pig, Crispy Pork Belly (Lechon Macau), Stuffed Chicken with Eight Treasures in Lotus Leaf, Fresh Garoupa served steamed or braised, as well as male mud crabs and green lobsters, and many others. It’s even got its line-up of desserts like the Red Jade Signature Chilled Mango Pudding, Chocolate Sesame Ball, and Chilled Almond Beancurd with Lychee, to name a few.

Imperial Peking Duck

Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce appetizer

Red Jade Soup 3

Honey Roasted Barbecue Pork

Fried Red Brown Rice

One of its most popular offerings, however, has been the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” special. Available beginning Monday, June 13 along with Red Jade’s comeback, guests can enjoy delightful dim sums that are meticulously hand-crafted by our chefs to bring out amazing flavors and textures. Guests can order them to their heart’s content for only P1,288 nett per head. Soon, Red Jade will also launch the “Dim Sum All-You-Can” discounted vouchers for a limited time this June. Be sure to catch the promo! The “Dim Sum All-You-Can” offer is available at lunchtime from Monday to Friday only.

Red Jade is known to its loyal guests as one of the most beautifully decorated Chinese restaurants in the country. Guests who enter Red Jade feel like they have been transported to a different world, a place that evokes a sense of majesty. The restaurant is highlighted by the stunning décor of wall relief murals in jade. A luxurious ambiance permeates the space, drawn out by the dramatic lighting that creates a lovely contrast with the stylish wallpapers, detailed ceilings, and red tones all-around—an elegant tribute to Chinese traditions and flavors right in the heart of Manila.

Red Jade Restaurant Interior

With its name and ambiance calling to mind luck and prosperity, Red Jade will surely be a venue for joyous celebrations among family, friends, colleagues, and associates over expertly prepared food, flawless service, and a refined atmosphere. Experience all of it again, starting this Friday, by booking a table now!

Red Jade, located on the ground floor of the historic Manila Hotel, is open daily from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM for lunch, and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM for dinner. Reservations can be made by calling (632) 8527 0011, (632) 531 0011, or emailing restaurantsrsvn@themanilahotel.com.

The Manila Prince Hotel Reopens to Let Guests Experience Affordable Luxury in the City

June 05, 2022

The Manila Prince Hotel by The Mania Hotel is delighted to officially announce its highly anticipated reopening on June 1, 2022. This heralds an exciting new chapter in the property’s history as it establishes itself as a perfect staycation place in the heart of the city.

Those looking for a nice, quiet getaway within the city are welcome at Manila Prince Hotel, which has its own pool where you can spend time with your family.

The newly reopened Manila Prince Hotel offers guests affordable luxury with a reopening rate of only P1,999 nett for an overnight stay in a Deluxe room. This royal treatment can be enjoyed by two (2) adults and two (2) kids 12 years old and below, along with set breakfast for two.

Manila Prince Hotel’s Deluxe Room with a king bed offers a perfectly comfortable stay for a very affordable reopening rate.

Staycation seekers, weary urban warriors, working folk, and even guests from outside Metro Manila can expect unrivaled comfort and inimitable service while enjoying the hotel’s facilities and spaces. The hotel boasts of a pool where you can take your kids to enjoy an afternoon of fun, while the rest of the day can be spent having a hearty meal at the hotel’s Marcelino Street Café, which serves a la carte dishes for now. Eventually, Manila Prince Hotel’s amazingly decorated Chinese restaurant, Dragon Court, will reopen at a later date.

For its reopening, Manila Prince Hotel’s dining outlet, Marcelino Street Café, offers a la carte dining for stay-in and walk-in guests.

Guests are also within walking distance to malls and commercial establishments—the closest being UN Square, which has an array of fast-food choices on the ground floor like Tim Horton’s, Café France, Karate Kid, and many others. The hotel is in the center of everything, and convenient enough to be near banks, hospitals, schools, convenience stores, churches, and many others.

But Manila Prince Hotel is not just welcoming stay-in guests but also those who are looking for the perfect venue for events that have been postponed or rescheduled because of the pandemic. With the return of social events and gatherings, Manila Prince Hotel gives guests an option of an affordable but grand venue for conferences, meetings, and even gatherings like wedding receptions, anniversaries, and more.

Manila Prince Hotel’s Grand Ballroom offers a stunning venue for big events.

A clean and safe environment

Manila Prince Hotel is a multi-use establishment that welcomes both staycation/leisure guests, and even guests who need mandatory stay bookings for a few days. Strict safety guidelines will be implemented.

With the reinforcement of cleaning and disinfection procedures implemented in rooms, common areas, function halls, dining outlets, and kitchen and employee areas, Manila Prince Hotel has adapted to current guidelines from the government to ensure guest safety and comfort.

Reservation for staycations as well as function rooms for meetings/conventions, launches, and other occasions are now accepted. For inquiries and reservations, guests may call 0998-591-1912; visit https://www.manilaprince.com; or email info@themanilaprince.com.

Manila Price Hotel Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ManilaPrinceHotel/
Manila Prince Hotel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manilaprincehotel/

Rex Education and PPCRV Call for Voters to Discern Well, Vote According to Our Values, and be Maka-Pilipinas

May 04, 2022

With the National Elections just within reach, Rex Education and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) are working together to help educate voters about the values we should be looking for in the leaders we will elect.

“How the Philippines will come out of this pandemic and handle the impending global economic recession will rely on the next 6 years. This is why it is crucial that the leaders we will elect in the upcoming May 9 elections share the heart of the Filipino people and possess the values to stand for and serve our country. We have to choose well and vote for someone who is truly Maka-Pilipinas,” said Rex Education CEO, Don Timothy Buhain.

The leader we deserve is Maka-Pilipinas

Varying standards, opinions, and principles come into play in the bid for national and local positions. What matters in the end when electing a leader is that it’s not enough to choose someone wise and experienced; we must also choose a leader who embodies the virtues of a true Filipino citizen and champion. PPCRV launched the voter education program that highlights what it takes to be Maka-Pilipinas to emphasize the values that make a true Filipino leader.

To be Maka-Pilipinas is to be maka-Diyos (faithful to God), maka-tao (respects life and people), maka-bayan(patriotic), at maka-kalikasan (environmentally concerned). These are the four good citizenship core values embedded in the 1987 Constitution, which highlights these core values’ roots and importance in our culture and history.

To help Filipinos better understand what makes a leader truly Maka-Pilipinas, PPCRV broke down the four core values—maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan, at maka-kalikasan—into 16 good citizenship values. Does your candidate tick all the boxesof this checklist?

“We believe that through the living and the sharing of these basic values—not only by ourselves, but especially by our candidates—can our national vision of improving moral standards in government and in society be achieved,” PPCRV Chair Myla Villanueva said during the launch of the Maka-Pilipinas voter education program.

A champion of the people is a champion of education

Everyone is part of the solution. As champions of education—as Edukampyons—it is every Filipino’s duty to embody the 16 good citizenship values that we wish to see in our leaders. It is also up to each of us to encourage our fellow Edukampyons to live these values, so they may also know what it means to elect a leader who is truly Maka-Pilipinas.

“Voter’s education starts at home, where values are introduced and cultivated in our families. Under REX’s Edukampyon campaign, we want to give every Filipino learner an opportunity to have a good education, stable well-being, and a future where they can be their best selves. To do that, we must have the support of government leaders who value the same things, after our own heart, and cares just as much for the development of our learners,” Buhain shared further.

To serve as a reminder to choose with discernment and vote responsibly this coming election, PPCRV created a Maka-Pilipinas comics that promote the 16 good citizenship values. A line from the comics read: “Your vote is your hope. Your vote is your prayer. Vote wisely.”

The Maka-Pilipinas comics in English can be read through the PPCRV Facebook page here. Printed copies of the comics were also sponsored by Rex Education and distributed to various schools and communities.

It is also available in various Filipino dialects: Bikolano, Bisaya, Ilokano, Ilonggo, Tagalog, and Taglish.

SM Prime Holdings Hold 2022 International Coastal Cleanup Together with SM Cares, SM By the Bay

UNDRR and SM Prime Laud Women Leaders in Disaster Resilience

The Sunshine Behind The Crafter’s Marketplace

The Manila Hotel's Red Jade Restaurant Reopens

The Manila Prince Hotel Reopens to Let Guests Experience Affordable Luxury in the City

Rex Education and PPCRV Call for Voters to Discern Well, Vote According to Our Values, and be Maka-Pilipinas

SJ Valdez

GET OUR BOOKS

Join Us

WE SUPPORT

Recent Post

SM Prime Taps Citicore Renewables for the Supply of Clean Energy

Top Posts

PROUD MEMBER

NETWORKS

Recognition

Blog Archive

Subscribe