SM TURNS OVER 200 NEW HOUSES FOR YOLANDA SURVIVORS IN BOGO, CEBU

Just in time for the first anniversary super typhoon Yolanda, SM Foundation through the SM Cares Housing Program gave hope to typhoon victims by turning over 200 homes at the SM Cares Village in Brgy. Polambato, Bogo City in northern Cebu.

The 200 houses is the first of the 1,000 disaster resilient homes that will be given for free to chosen beneficiary survivors of super typhoon Yolanda. Another 200 homes will be built in Çoncepcion, Iloilo, as well as 400 in New Kawayan, Tacloban City. SM Foundation is also set to break ground for another SM Cares Village with 200 houses in Ormoc City.

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (PARR)’s Secretary Panfilo Lacson, United Nations Chief of International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Asia and Pacific Margareta Whalstrom, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, and Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez, Jr. led the ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the donor’s wall and village marker together with SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy and SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, and members of the Fernan family who donated the lot.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Trustee Fr. and  Ernesto Javier led the blessing of the houses.  Keys and certificates were then distributed to the families to officially identify them as beneficiaries of the program.

 “These houses send the message that indeed, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mayor Celestino Martinez. “These homes provide a start for these families- a new beginning.” He also thanked the Sy family, the Fernan family who donated the land, and “all those who worked hard to make this dream come true for the beneficiaries of the project.”

Governor Davide thanked the SM Group for partnering with the local government unit in giving not just houses, but a village to the community. “Now I can say that Bogo City has risen. Life goes on and we are determined to bring the northern part of Cebu to full recovery.”

Secretary Panfilo Lacson, on the other hand, was happy to note that, “SM followed the standards with the structure of these houses, and we are classifying these housing units as permanent shelters because they followed the 250 km per hour wind resistance.

Each of the 20 x 23 square meter houses is designed to exceed the requirements of the Building Code and mandated standards, each house can withstand the winds and strength of a Category 5 super typhoon without any major material damages.

The village has utilities, basic amenities like streetlights, community center and basketball court. In addition to its disaster resiliency features, the houses will also have heat resistant painted roofing to help lower interior temperature and increase energy efficiency.

The turnover ceremonies brought a lot of joy to the beneficiaries. Ernesto Orque, who works in a fishpond, luckily saved all his ten children but lost his wife during the typhoon. They lost their home, too and for a year lived with friends and neighbors. Ernesto thanked SM for “providing my family a new shelter and a new hope to pick up the missing pieces of our lives ".

Eufrecina Tepait and her family lived in a shanty and lost hope after the typhoon badly damaged their house. After we learned that we are one of the beneficiaries of the housing project, our hearts leaped with joy,” said Eufrecina.

"After the program, donors were able to meet with the different beneficiaries who were all survivors of the super typhoon. Families thanked the donors for the early Christmas gift they received.

Among the very generous donors present were Ramon Aboitiz Foundation President Robert Aboitiz, Rotary International Past District Governor Ed Chiongbian, and Bernie and Alice Liu of Golden ABC. Also present were FCB Manila’s Nikki Diyco, Jun Young Bang and Tony Park of Tony and Jackey Beauty Salon; as well as executives from  the SM Store, Watsons, SM Appliance Center.  Also present were USEC Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Danny Antonio and SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia.

The village’s streets are named after the major donors –Fernan Street, Acre Aircon Street, All Around Street, Asya Design Street, SM Appliance Street, Watsons Street, Boysen Street, Rotary International Street, and Paul Harris Street. British model David Gandy, also a donor, had the street named after his grandmother Doreen.

The SM Cares Housing project is fully privately-funded by SM, its business partners, stakeholders and by the communities it serves.

The SM Cares Housing Project is on top of the P100 million SM has already committed to rehabilitate areas hard hit by super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Visayas.

       Beneficiaries of the homes in the SM Cares Village in Bogo Cebu receive their keys and certificates from SM Prime Holdings president Hans T. Sy, SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, UNISDR Margareta Wahlstrom, Governor HIlario Davide III, Secetary Panfilo Lacson and Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez, Jr. 

      Beneficiary Enersto Orque with UNISDR Chief Margareta Wahlstrom stand in front of his new home at the SM Cares Village in Bogo City, Cebu. One of the 200 beneficiaries, he considers his new home “a new shelter and new hope.”

         SM Prime Holdings president Hans T. Sy, UNISDR Chief Margareta Wahlstrom and Secretary Panfilo Lacson lead the unveiling of the Donors’ wall and Village Marker at the SM Cares Village. Also shown in the photo are (left to right) Lot donors Nena Fernan del Rosario and Eloisa Fernan, SM Foundation Executive Director Debbie Sy, Rotary International Past District Governor Ed Chiongbian, Governor Hilario Davide III, Provincial Board Member Tining Martinez, Tony and Jackey president Tony Park, SM Prime Holdings Vice President for Vismin Marissa Fernan.

         Eufrecinia Tepait, one of the beneficiaries of the SM Cares Housing Project in Polambato, in Bogo City, Cebu, is very thankful to the Sy family for her family’s new home.

         The 200 homes in the SM Cares Village in Bogo, Cebu is the first of the 1,000 disaster resilient homes that will be given for free to chosen beneficiary survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda. 

SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU LAUNCHES LANDMARK CENTERPIECE

SM Seaside City Cebu recently opened The Cube, the landmark centerpiece of the world- class mall, which set to open on October 2015 at the South Road Properties in Cebu City.

The Cube is the second landmark to open in the much-anticipated mall after the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod, which was launched just in time for Thanksgiving Mass following the canonization of the Visayan saint. The first of its kind urban development at the SRP, SM Seaside City Cebu is envisioned to dramatically change the landscape of the city with its nautilus inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space.

Located on a 304,544 sq. m. site fronting the Cebu Channel, SM Seaside City Cebu is very much like the SM Mall of Asia, which has Manila Bay and its glorious sunset as a picturesque backdrop.  And The Cube is envisioned to be an iconic landmark to the mall in the same way the Globe has been to the SM Mall of Asia.

A steel 21 -meter by 21 meter sculptural piece, the Cube is a symbol of strength and stability. It is a tribute to the resilience of the Cebuanos in particular and the Filipino people in general.

Viewed from any angle and perspective, The Cube consistently appears the same. This consistency reflects the philosophy of the SM group to bring to its customers the same high level of quality service in all areas it operates. Interestingly, the letters of the word Cube when re-arranged, from the word Cebu.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was the guest of honor during the landmark’s launch. SM Prime Holdings EVP and CFO Jeffrey Lim, SM Supermalls President Annie Garica and SM Prime Vice President Marissa Fernan joined him along with the mall’s future tenants. Msgr. Vicente Tupas, Jr., rector of the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod, officiated the blessing of The Cube.

Mayor Michael Rama expressed his appreciation to SM for launching of Cebu City’s the newest landmark, which coincidentally coincided with his birthday.

SM Prime Holdings EVP and CFO Jeffrey Lim, meanwhile said that the SM Group remains confident in the potentials of Cebu City with its “dynamic population and flourishing business landscape”.

He added that, “The launching of The Cube is just the start of many exciting features coming to SM Seaside City Cebu. The public will now begin to experience the unfolding of a whole new Cebuano lifestyle that will transform the way people live, work and play in this community”,

SM Seaside City will be the third mall in the Queen City of the South after SM City Cebu in the North Reclamation Area and SM City Consolacion in northern Cebu. When open, the mall will have over 800 food and retail shops, including international brands.  It will also have furniture zone and a fashion boulevard to showcase the talent of Cebu’s many local designers.

The 460,791 square meter mall will have multiple anchors, including a two storey The SM Store and SM Hypermarket, a four-theater Cinema, 2 theater Director’s Club, Centerstage, a large format Cinema, and 16-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, a Food Court, an Ice Skating Rink, and a Roof Garden.

With SM Seaside City Cebu’s landmark centerpiece leading the way, visitors can now take photos with The Cube as perfect background for pictorials such as weddings, debuts, and photo shoots, among others.

The Cube is open daily. For mall developments, like SM Seaside City Cebu (Official) on Facebook.

     Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama (center) was the guest of honor during the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Cube at SM Seaside Cebu. He is shown  with (L-R) South Road Properties Manager Roberto Varquez, , SM Prime Holdings, Inc. executive vice president and chief finance officer Jeffrey Lim,  Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod rector Msgr. Vicente Tupas, and SCMC president Annie Garcia.

       A steel 21 -meter by 21 meter sculptural and landmark centerpiece of SM Seaside Cebu, the Cube is a symbol of strength and stability. It is a tribute to the resilience of the Cebuanos in particular and the Filipino people in general.

       SM Seaside City will be the third mall in the Queen City of the South after SM City Cebu in the North Reclamation Area and SM City Consolacion in northern Cebu. It is envisioned to  dramatically change the landscape of the city with its nautilus inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space.

SM CITY BACOLOD’S NORTH WING IS NOW OPEN

           The City of Smiles has even more to smile about with the recent opening of the North Wing at SM City Bacolod.  The new wing creates an updated identity and revitalizes the mall known as the Western Visayas’ version of the iconic SM Mall of Asia, with its breathtaking view of the Guimaras Strait, which mirrors the scenic view of the Mall of Asia and Manila Bay.

            The North Wing’s opening was held just in time for Bacolod’s Maskarra Festival, and highlighted by a special Mask Exhibit by artist Jojo Vito. Bacolod Congressman Bing Leonardia, Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentebella and Silay Mayor Oti Montelibano were the guests of honor during the opening, and warmly welcomed by no less than SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy.

            The new wing increases the mall’s gross floor area to 133,893 square meters from its original 71,759 square meter space when it first opened its doors to the public on March 1, 2007.  More than that, its updated and vibrant look reflects SM’s innovative approach to retail, leisure and entertainment with exciting new concepts.

At the North Wing, a bold, gridded exterior wall creates a vivid backdrop for three prominent entrances, while maintaining continuity with the lines and geometries of the original mall. Each of the new entrances combines a dynamic signage panel, a glass curtain wall, and a curved canopy. A new colonnade connects all entrances, providing shelter from the elements for shoppers as they approach the expanded mall.

Colors of the expansion are bright and memorable, strategically applied to focus the shopper’s attention to key elements and features, especially the entrances.  The colors are also applied to the existing mall, uniting the expansion and original, while extending the new identity.

The three level North Wing’s interiors features and graceful and expansive Atrium, with ample space for exhibits, activities, and entertainment. Customers entering the Atrium, they will be drawn to the large, sweeping curve that defines interior space.  Conveniently placed bridges, escalators, and balconies provides convenient access to all portions of the expansion, as well as the existing mall.

What’s in-store for customers at the North Wing? SM anchors like the bigger SM Store, which opened earlier, as well as a Foodcourt and Cyberzone. An SMX Convention Center is located at the third floor for trade fairs, conventions and big events.

Bacolod’s stylish set will love its fashion boutiques – Human, Maldita, Dickies, Bench, Penshoppe, Celine, Guess, Unica Hija and Bayo; as well as its shoe stores like Payless Shoe Source, So Fab!, DC Shoes, Yosi Samra Sperry,  Sledgers, and Flip Flops. There are also premier sports stores like Columbia and The North Face.

The North Wing is also a foodie destination with specialty restaurants like Vikings Buffet Restaurant, Café Bobs, Bob’s Restaurant, and Rai Rai Ken. It also has fast food chains like Jollibee, McDonalds, Chicken Charlie, Max’s, KFC, Chowking, Pizza Hut, Yellow Cab, Bon Chon, Dimsum Break, Sbarro and Shakeys. Krispey Kreme, Goldilocks, and Famous Belgian Waffles, on the other hand, celebrate the sweet life.

            For customer convenience, a new parking structure will provide 1,800 parking slots for the expanded mall, as well as leasable area for a Business Process Office space on the upper levels.

Designed by DSGN Associates’ Design, the North Wing at SM City Bacolod, located along Bishop Antonio Y. Fortich Avenue (Rizal Street) in the Reclamation Area.

          The launch of SM City Bacolod’s North Wing was held in time for the Maskarra Festival and featured a Masskara Exhibit by artist Jojo Vito. Congressman Evelio Leonardia (left), Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentebella (second from right) and Silay Mayor Oti Montelibano (right) were guests of honor during the opening and are shown with are shown with SM Prime Holdings Inc president Hans T. Sy and Mask designer Jojo Vito.

      Located on a prime 17 hectare property in the downtown area, SM City Bacolod’s new North Wing has an updated and vibrant look that reflects SM’s innovative approach to retail. 

The graceful and expansive Atrium of the North Wing for big events and mall activities.

      

      The three-level SM Store at SM City Bacolod brings great design and great retail to the City of Smiles. Its grand new entrance connects to the newly opened North Wing of the mall. 

        The SM Convention Center for trade fairs and conventions is located at the third level of The North Wing of SM City Bacolod.

            The Cyberzone at the The North Wing for techie enthusiasts.

       The new Foodcourt for foodie fun.

1       The new North Wing has bold, gridded exterior walls and has square forms in its pillars.

The ceiling of the North Wing of SM City Bacolod has vibrant colors in white and purple that blend with the gridded walls.

       The North Wing has three levels and has glass elevators. 

       The Atrium of the North Wing is highlighted by spiral stairs connecting the three levels of the building.

SM CITY CAUAYAN IS NOW OPEN

               Isabela shoppers recently gave SM a warm welcome when it opened SM City Cauayan, SM Prime’s 49^th supermall and its first in the vast Cagayan Valley Region.

               Located on a 41,000 square meter property along Maharlika Highway, the 66,300 square meter mall will serve shoppers in bustling Isabela as well as nearby provinces in the Cagayan Valley – Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

                As the second largest province in the Philippines, Isabela – which is home to Magat Dam, a major source of power and water supply in Northern Luzon – is an ideal point in building SM’s presence in the region.

                Largely agricultural, it is known as the hybrid corn and rice champion in the Philippines, and home to the biggest corn processing facility in Southeast Asia.  Strategically located between the Cagayan Economic Zone and Metro Manila, it also has a lot of potentials in tourism.

                Cauayan City has been selected to host the proposed Isabela Special Economic Zone and the Regional Agro-Industrial Growth Center.  It is home to numerous subdivisions, schools, and business centers – banks, real estate businesses, and commercial establishments.

                SM City Cauayan will give residents of this bustling city an alfresco malling experience similar to that in SM’s Premier Malls.  The two- storey building featuring a roof deck with a vibrant landscape.

                More than just being a center of shopping and fun, SM City Cauayan is also environmentally friendly.  Passive cooling, which is a green and cost effective approach, was considered in the overall design of the mall, walkways, and storefront hallways.  Its exterior features are highlighted by brightly colored louvers, which also act as sun shades.

The SM Store and SM Supermarket lead the shopping excitement along with the SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, and Watsons.  Global fashion brands like Giordano, Payless Shoesource, and Guess will have stores in the mall along with homegrown favorites like Bench, Penshoppe, and Prima Donna.       

Eating out at SM City Cauayan is a mix of international food chains like McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, and Mister Donuts, as well as well-loved local players like Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich, Chowking, Gerry’s Grill, Cindy’s, and Red Ribbon.

                It will also feature some of Isabela’s best food stops – Café Isabela, Chocolate Coffeeline, Yah! Coffee, and Hiroshi Tokyo Style Takoyaki.    

                SM City Cauayan also has a Cyberzone for techies, services for busy shoppers, and wellness centers for pampering.               

                It’s also a place for great entertainment – six state of the art cinemas, as well as amusement areas like Quantum, I Play n Ride, Sportszone, QBox Station, and Bingo Bonanza.         

                For customer convenience, SM City Cauayan has 530 parking slots and 130 motorcycle slots.

                SM City Cauayan’s design team includes DSGN, Design Architect; JRP Design, Inc., Architect of Record; Bo Steiber Lighting Design, Lighting Consultant; EA Aurelio Landscape Architects, Landscape Design; and New Golden City Builders, General Contractor.

        SM Prime Holding president welcomes the first wave of shoppers of SM City Cauayan with the street performers.

Opening day at SM City Cauayan finds the mall jam packed with crowds lining up to enter the mall

        The SM City Cauayan, the 49^th SM Supermall, is the first in the vast Cagayan Valley region and will serve shoppers in bustling Isabela as well as nearby provinces in Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

                 The mall has colored patterns in orange, green and blue to give it a festive mood.

      SM City Cauayan’s exteriors features are highlighted by brightly colored louvers, which also act as sunshades.

Shoppers can experience the alfresco malling experience with SM City Cauayan’s  arcaded walkways and storefront hallways.

                             Bright blue posts line up at the hallways to give a burst of color.

       The mall is environmentally friendly with its passive cooling, a green and cost effective approach. 

       The new mall brings SM’s shopping, leisure, and entertainment experience to Isabela and the Cagayan Valley

                             The two- storey building features a roof deck with a vibrant landscape.

               

               

SM BY THE BAY JOINS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN UP

SM by the Bay is staying true to its commitment to promote and support the International Coastal Cleanup Day with its Coastal Cleanup Challenge within its 1.2km promenade in Pasay City.

Organized by the non- profit organization Ocean Conservancy, this international event aims to raise awareness on the importance of protecting our waterways such as the beach, rivers and the bay free from litter and commercial trash. Volunteer organizations, patrons of SM Mall of Asia and SM by the Bay, and LGU representatives from the Municipality of Pasay, DENR, the Philippine Coastguard and GSIS participated in the Coastal Cleanup Challenge. 

During the challenge, volunteers plied the SM by the Bay promenade to collect data and litter. The team with the most number of trash and corresponding data collected were awarded a special prize by the organizers.

On record, the Coastal Clean-Up Challenge collected 2,454.50 kgs of trash,

including 2,293 pieces of slippers and shoes, 1,813 pcs of food wrappers, 1,495 pieces of take away containers, 998 bamboo and woods, 882 beverage bottles, 605 pcs cigarette butts and much more.

Seeing the success of the event and the impact it has made to the volunteers and participants, SM by the Bay aims to continue to protect its coastal perimeters via series of other pro-environment events in the future.

The event was presented by SM by the Bay, SM Cares and SM Mall of Asia and made possible by the support of Columbia Sportswear Philippines, The Pad and Gatorade in partnership with DENR, Municipality of Pasay, DENR and GSIS.

So proud of these volunteers! Let's continue to save the environment. See you next year for the Coastal Clean Up!

SM SOON AT PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN

A sign that business is going strong :-)

What's more exciting is I'm going to cover the ground breaking. Can't wait till the mall is finally done and opens to the public. :-)

SM AURA PREMIER OFFICE TOWER NOW OPEN

   Well, one of the most photogenic site at BGC, the SM Aura Premier has recently launched  it's Office Tower. I remember when the mall was about to open and even after the opening, my FB page and Instagram flooded with the snap shots and panoramic shots of this mall, more so when the fashion icon Jessica Parker personally opened this, the aura of this mall has become more famous. 

One year has passed and people were still  wondering what's in the tower.  The 2,000 square meter area tower has 29 storeys which is getting certified for LEED-Gold. Some companies, mostly government have already started their operations. Taguig Office of course, accomdated two floors, PAG-IBIG, Phil Health, PhilPost, PRC and LRA, have excitedly started their services there. 

 Other features include 400 fully-equipped seats, Meeting rooms, Business Lounge, Conference rooms, High-security (biometrics scan access or proximity card) 24/7, Variety of office fit-outs for 1-140 employees, 24/7 IT support, Dell IT Infrastructure, Premium-grade building.  The Office Tower has 2,000 parking slots in the basement parking and is within reach of main transportation hub.

For Leasing Inquiries:

Email info@sm-auratower.com or contact 837-AURA (2872)  or 838 -AURA (2872)

The Asean Culinary Delights, the Food Fair at SM Aura Premier

ASEAN Culinary Delights, The Food Fair at SM Aura Premier
Mallgoers will have the rare opportunity to taste authentic culinary specialties from Southeast Asian countries in ASEAN Culinary Delights, The Food Fair at SM Aura Premier’s SMX Convention Center on Saturday, August 9, 2014.

These include global foodie favorites like Sate Pentul from Indonesia, Onde Onde from Malaysia, Laksa from Singapore, Chicken Relleno from the Philippines, Tom Yum Kung from Thailand and Beef Noodle Soup from Vietnam.

The event will also give shoppers a taste of delightful – but rarely sampled – regional specialties: Banana Heart Kerabu from Brunei, Nhom Bankear Misour (Rice Vermicelli Shrimp Salad) from Cambodia, Ohn Noh Khkuk Swe from Myannmar, as well signature dishes from Laos.

A project of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation in partnership with SM Aura Premier, the food fair will feature the cuisine from the ten ASEAN member countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

These culinary gems are part of the cookbook, ASEAN Culinary Delights, a project by the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, which is composed of the first ladies of ASEAN ambassadors, who organize charity and outreach programs to help enrich the lives of the less fortunate The proceeds of the event will be donated to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of typhoon-ravaged areas in the Visayas.
ASEAN Culinary Delights is divided into five sections: Childhood Favorites, Signature Dishes, Delectable Delights, Festive Fare, and Celebrity Chefs.
The cookbook ASEAN Culinary Delights will be available during the fair at P499 at SMX Convention Center, 3/Floor, Function Hall 3. The event will start at 10:00 will also feature cultural presentations, as well as lots of Asian Food.
ASEAN Culinary Delights, The Food Fair is one of the many exciting events at SM Aura Premier.