Empowering communities through #SocialGood
Debbie Sy

The private sector plays a significant role when it comes to economic growth in the Philippines by generating more jobs and contributing to our gross domestic product (GDP). Beyond that, it is also considered to be a driving force for inclusive and sustainable development in the country as more and more businesses employ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to address social and environmental concerns within the communities where they operate.

By helping improve the quality of life of the people in these host communities, business is able to flourish. As such, CSR has become a key pillar of successful business management through the years. SM’s visionary founder, Henry “Tatang” Sy, Sr., put it best in his principle that social development and investment go hand in hand with business growth to achieve a better future.

The SM group has embraced the responsibility to contribute to nation building through its social good arm, the SM Foundation, Inc. (SMFI). For nearly four decades, we have focused our resources, time, and reach to ensure that we are able to create opportunities wherever SM is present through social good programs that are geared towards quality education, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and disaster response.

SM Scholars General Assembly

SM Employees show their spirit of volunteerism as they help repaint an SM school building

Anchored on Tatang’s belief that education is the greatest equalizer, SMFI established the SM Scholarship Program in 1993 to provide the youth access to quality tertiary and vocational education. We believe that through our scholarship grants, SM will be able to contribute to eradicating the intergenerational poverty cycle by granting scholarships to economically challenged but deserving students. And to complement this and more importantly, to address the challenges being faced by our public school system, SMFI, together with social good partners such as SM Prime, we have provided school buildings equipped with key facilities and equipment to underserved communities. 

SM KSK Urban Farmers from Pasay City

Another social good pillar of SMFI is sustainable agriculture that aims to address the dilemma of the aging farmer population in the country as well as the growing gap between supply and demand for local food sources. In 2007, the foundation launched the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan (KSK) program to bring modern and sustainable farming skills and linkages in both rural and urban communities, empowering farmers to have food on their table and creating market linkage to provide them with economic opportunities. 

Residents from Foreshore, Tondo Manila can now utilize a fully equipped Super Health Center from SM

Accessible healthcare and timely disaster response are also at the heart of the foundation’s advocacy. Through its Health and Wellness program, SMFI helps address the shortage of quality healthcare facilities in the country by constructing and upgrading health centers in host communities supplemented by medical mission activities nationwide. The Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), on the other hand, gives immediate assistance in the form of relief goods and medical services in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets to communities affected by calamities and disasters that frequently occur in the country.

Staying true to its commitment, SMFI is one of the first responders after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette

During the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, SMFI was one of the first organizations to assume an active role in assisting in the pandemic response by expanding the reach and impact of the Health and Wellness program and utilizing its partnerships to extend a helping hand to frontliners and Filipinos nationwide, especially those in SM host communities.

Through these social good programs, we continuously aspire to be a development partner for our host communities and serve as model for other organizations in terms of bringing social development specially in areas where they operate.

Implementing CSR involves a dynamic learning process given that social and environmental good are moving targets – and these cannot be fully achieved through one-time activities and decisions. Instead, companies should view and approach CSR as a process of continuous improvement that involves being constantly alert to new issues and considerations, which can be achieved through consistent community consultation and engagement.

And contrary to the notion that CSR is only an approach for large corporations and multi-national businesses, small and medium-scale enterprises can also have the means to benefit their respective communities in their own ways. In fact, they are more likely to effectively facilitate local-level CSR programs as they are more deeply embedded in their communities. Examples of these include sourcing of raw materials from community-based suppliers, matching and encouraging charitable work by employees, and even as simple as going paperless in their daily business operations.

CSR programs, no matter the size or scale, are valuable to the communities they are serving because of their pivotal role in promoting sustainable, just, and balanced development, and contribution in addressing social and environmental challenges.

SM Supermalls and PHILHAIR launch National Beauty Caravan

Invites shoppers, PH hairdressers, and makeup artists to join the beauty and wellness event

Fun and beautiful days ahead await mallgoers as beauty and wellness take over in 18 SM malls!

Starting February 28, shoppers and beauty and wellness enthusiasts are in for a treat as SM Supermalls and the Philippine Hairdressers Association launch the National Beauty Caravan which will run until April 2022.

As part of the two-month event, SM Supermalls and the Philippine Hairdressers Association (PHILHAIR) are inviting all local hairdressers and makeup artists to showcase their talents at the Hair and Makeup Trends 2022. 

A series of three-day caravans will be staged in select SM malls from February 28 to April 30, 2022. Local makeup, beauty, and wellness brands will be featured at the trade fairs, and discounts and promos are up for grabs during the first two days of the caravan series. Meanwhile, beauty demos, workshops, and other beauty activities will be held along with the competition among beauty industry professionals will be held on the third day. 

The winners for each leg will compete at the Grand Finals at SM Megamall on April 29 where Mr. & Ms. Health and Beauty Ambassadors will be crowned.

”We want to thank SM Supermalls for giving us the opportunity to put the spotlight on the talents and skills of our local beauty practitioners, as well as the brands at the trade fairs. I encourage all my fellow practicing hairdressers and makeup artists from different regions to join the Hair and Makeup Trends 2022 competition,” said Mader Ricky Reyes, president of PHILHAIR. 

To register for the event, the interested hairdressers and makeup artists can contact the corresponding PHILHAIR leaders in their respective areas. Medals, cash prizes, and gift packs from SM Supermalls and PHILHAIR await the lucky winners of the competition. 

“At the National Beauty Caravan, you can discover a plethora of beauty and wellness brands that can give them a luxe pampering and self-care experience. Shop for your holy grail beauty, health, and personal care items in a safe and convenient manner, the #SafeMallingAtSM way!” said Mr.San Agustin.

Visit SM Supermalls and indulge in #AweSM beauty and wellness deals like no other! And to get all the latest updates about SM Supermalls, make sure to log on to www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

6 Myths About Personal Finance That Still Persist Today

Managing your hard-earned money can seem like a complicated affair, especially with an abundance of financial advice going around that can sometimes be more impractical than helpful. There may also be instances when you encounter conflicting suggestions from the experts, which can make things even more confusing and challenging.

To help you become better at handling your finances, here are some of the most persistent myths about personal finance that you should STOP believing right now:

Saving Money Means Giving Up Fun

One of the first things that financial advisors tell you to do in order to save more money is to cut down on your frivolous expenses. This can feel quite limiting, to the point that you’re not encouraged to save anymore because you feel guilty and miserable.

However, the key word you need to focus on is “cut down.” It doesn’t mean you have to stop spending money on the things you enjoy; rather, you just need to reduce and prioritize. If you order from your favorite restaurant once a week, consider making it just once a month instead. If you usually get a large cup of cold brew from your neighborhood cafe, switch to a smaller size so you can still get your fix.

Indeed, when it comes to saving, don’t deprive yourself. You’ll feel more inspired to work towards your financial goals if you still give yourself treats from time to time.

When you’re building your savings, it can feel discouraging to see only a small amount in your account or if you’re only able to save a couple of hundred pesos every time. Still, any amount saved is better than nothing at all. Besides, as the saying goes, big things have small beginnings. As you get more used to saving money and as you eliminate a bigger chunk of debt, you can start saving more and more. Before you know it, you’ll have a big amount ready for emergencies or waiting for your next big purchase.

Credit Cards Are a Gateway to Debt

There are many reasons Filipinos don’t want to get their own credit cards, and getting saddled with debt is one of them. Of course, there’s some truth to it. When you use a credit card, it’s just like taking out a small loan from the card provider. However, as long as you’re paying your bills in full and on time, you won’t have any issues. 

Besides, there are actually a lot of perks when you use credit cards. Philippines’ top retailers often have partnerships that let you earn rewards points or enjoy automatic discounts when you use your credit cards to pay. Many providers also take note of your payment standing and increase your spending limit if you’re a good customer; this can give you more options to circulate your funds and maximize your points.

You’re also not obligated to use your credit card each and every time! There are certain transactions that are best paid with cash, while some are ideal to be charged to your card. The bottom line here is that in the hands of a responsible individual, a credit card is a powerful financial tool.

One of the best ways to grow your money is to invest it. Yes, your money earns interest in the bank but investing it can give you much better returns. Fortunately, investing doesn’t actually require a lot of money. Even if you can only allocate Php 1,000 or even Php 500 per month, you can already start investing your money.

The key is to know your options. Do your own research as well, and ask for advice from experts. Little by little, you’ll be more confident in your knowledge and you can start investing more.

Retirement Savings Can Come Later

You’re never too young to start saving for your retirement! In fact, the earlier you start, the better. This gives your money more time to grow and by the time you’re ready to retire, all you have to do is enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Consistency is your friend here. Again, it’s perfectly fine if you’re only able to save a small amount each month. Just open an account as early as you can so that you can give your retirement money some time to grow.

You Don’t Need a Budget

If you already know where your money is going every month—utility bills, groceries, savings, rent—do you still need an honest-to-goodness itemized budget? The answer is yes. Having a record of your earnings and expenses helps you better keep track of things and also get a good look into your financial status in the future.

Having a budget also makes it easier for you to achieve your individual financial goals, such as saving for a new gadget or setting up your emergency funds.

When it comes to handling your personal finances, remember that there’s no “one size fits all” solution. Again, it’s personal and everyone has different situations. Nevertheless, you can take note of these myths—now debunked! They can help make financial management a little easier.

Top 5 Tips to Make Your Smartphone Last Longer

When it comes to the latest smart phone, The Philippines’s consumer base certainly won’t be left behind. Practically everyone keeps up with the latest tech news, with retailers and telecommunications companies alike offering great deals as soon as the latest models arrive.

Of course, this doesn’t take away the fact that most smartphones cost thousands of pesos. Indeed, they can be considerable investments; some smartphone models cost as much or even more than a laptop for sale online! As such, practical-minded Filipinos prefer to keep their smartphones in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

Fortunately, keeping your smartphone in good shape is pretty straightforward. Here are some tips:

Download OS and App Updates ASAP

Both smartphone manufacturers and app developers release periodic updates. Make sure you download these as soon as you can to keep your smartphone running as smoothly as possible. That’s because these updates are designed for performance optimization. They fix bugs, bring new features, and improve security, among many other functions.

Fortunately, you can set your phone to download automatic updates of the operating system (OS), as well as all the apps you currently have installed. Just activate this setting and you’ll be all set. To save on data, select the option to download the updates only when connected to WiFi. Remember as well that some major OS updates may not be automatically installed unless your device is plugged in and charging.

Get a Protective Case

No matter how careful you are, you’ll probably accidentally drop your phone once or twice. To keep it safe and free from dents and cracks, it’s best to get a protective case for it. Some styles may admittedly be bulky, but they can also offer the most protection. There are also plenty of cases that have a slim design; while they may not be as sturdy, they nevertheless prevent your phone from getting damaged at the slightest fall.

What’s great about using a case for your phone is that if you ever decide to sell it in the future, you can get a higher price for it!

Keep It Clean

Whenever you hold your phone, you inadvertently transfer some natural body oils onto it. After a while, these oils will accumulate, attract dust, and result in a buildup of dirt and greasy smudges. Yuck!

To keep your smartphone in good shape, you need to keep it clean. Make it a habit to wipe the screen and back panel every so often. Use a soft cloth, like the ones you use for cleaning eyeglasses or microfiber. If there’s a bit of stubborn grime, dampen the cloth with a bit of water before wiping. There are also plenty of disinfecting wipes you can use; just make sure to get the moisture away from the ports.

Speaking of ports, you should also give the charging port, headphone jack, speaker grilles, and mic clean. You can use a soft brush to get rid of dust before they accumulate on the ports. There are some rubber plugs or covers you can buy, but they can be difficult to put on and replace if you’re using a cover.

Keep It Cool and Dry

Aside from keeping your phone clean, you should also keep it cool and dry. Keep it at room temperature or lower, since extreme heat can affect the battery and fry the circuits. When charging your smartphone, try to keep it away from other gadgets such as your laptop. All kinds of electronics emit heat when they’re running; when you keep them close together, the heat and ambient temperature can accumulate and rise.

At the same time, you should also keep your phone dry. Avoid bringing it with you to the bathroom—you don’t want your phone to accidentally fall into the toilet bowl, do you?—as well as near deep water. There are waterproof smartphones, of course, but it’s better not to risk it dropping into the sea or swimming pool for a selfie.

If you absolutely must bring your phone near the water, for whatever reason, get a waterproof case or bag to put your phone in.

Maintain the Battery

Last but certainly not least, to keep your phone in good shape, you need to take care of its battery. After all, if your smartphone doesn’t have a healthy battery, it can’t run properly or at all.

The number one thing you should do is keep its charge cycles low. You can do this by not fully charging up your phone every time, and not letting it get drained fully as well. Ideally, you should keep your phone charged between 40% and 80%. You should also avoid using your phone while it’s charging. This can generate extra heat and put additional strain on the battery.

If your phone is still working well and the only problem is the battery life, consider getting a genuine replacement battery. In most cases, this is more affordable than getting a brand new phone.

When you keep your smartphone in good shape, you’ll be able to make the most of its capabilities. More importantly, you can save a lot of money! Keep these tips in mind to maximize your smartphone and maintain its good quality for years.

 PAWS LAUNCHES “KAPON FOR ALL PETS” TO SOLVE STRAY PROBLEM

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM: NOT SPAYING YOUR PETS

Many communities all over the country have long dealt with the issue of stray dogs and cats. For many years, the only programs that the local government units (LGUs) have in place are impounding activities and vaccination drives. Unfortunately, these measures only scratch the surface of the issue and do not preventively address the problem of homeless animals at its root.

Strays come from owned pets. Pets get pregnant or get other pets pregnant and once they give birth, people give the puppies and kittens away. There are always takers for the puppies but when they are all grown up, sometimes they end up on the streets. Spay-Neuter (SN) programs for stray dogs also do not address the problem of stray dogs who end up sick, with a contagious skin problem, or with transmissible venereal tumor since no one really brings them to the vet. The SN groups for stray dogs quickly realize that they are to run as "mini-shelters" themselves, and so they end up bringing the sick dogs to the vet. The SN groups for stray dogs will eventually run out of steam, enthusiasm, manpower, and funding, especially as long as owned pets keep reproducing. Owned pets, therefore, must be spayed or neutered to solve the problem of pet homelessness for the long term. 

As part of its mission to prevent cruelty to animals and to offer sustainable solutions to the issue of stray dogs and cats in communities, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has long promoted Spay-Neuter (Kapon) programs for companion animals. Since 2009, PAWS operates a low-cost spay-neuter clinic in Quezon City and gives free spay-neuter to indigent pet owners. In addition, its “KabaliCAT” project implements Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-and-Release (TNR) activities for managing stray cats in neighborhoods. Also, all dogs and cats that are available for adoption from PAWS’ animal shelter are spayed/neutered.

photo from Wikimedia

PAWS’ NEWEST INITIATIVE: “KAPON FOR ALL PETS”

PAWS’ newest campaign is its “Kapon for All Pets” program which proposes incentives to be offered by local government units to veterinary clinics operating within their cities and municipalities. A three-way partnership between PAWS and participating LGUs, the program seeks to provide free or affordable kapon procedures for pets owned by the LGUs’ constituents. 

Participating veterinary clinics within the city or municipality will be working alongside the local government to implement the program. The LGUs that will take part in the program will be included on PAWS’ List of Progressive Kapon-friendly Cities and Municipalities, a list that the organization will be putting out on all of their social media channels in celebration of World Spay Day on February 22, 2022.  The first ten (10) LGUs to implement the Kapon for All Pets fiscal and non-fiscal incentives will receive P50,000 worth of surgery materials from PAWS and a plaque of recognition as a “Pioneer KAPON FOR ALL PETS LGU Partner”.

PAWS believes that providing free or affordable kapon for pets is the long-term and sustainable solution to pet homelessness. It is not having bigger pounds, turning pounds into shelters, or putting up new signages proclaiming that a building is now an ‘animal rehabilitation center’. “Kapon for All Pets” is proof that private-public partnerships can promote animal welfare, which is directly connected to public health issues and the eradication of rabies. LGUs that are interested to work with PAWS to implement the “Kapon for All Pets” campaign within their jurisdiction may email PAWS’ Executive Director, Anna Cabrera at kapon@paws.org.ph. 

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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a non-profit, non-government, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the promotion of kind treatment to animals and the prevention of animal cruelty through humane education. PAWS is the organization that lobbied for the country’s first Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485) and its amendment in 2013 to RA 10631. PAWS is an institutional member of the Department of Agriculture - Committee on Animal Welfare, which draws up rules and regulations on the proper treatment of animals.

Weddings are oftentimes a big occasion, with hundreds of guests and a lot of relatives in attendance. The bride is always the center of attention for the guests at any wedding ceremony. Every single guest is hoping to get a glimpse of the bride. This is why it is even more important for brides to look absolutely lovely on their big day. There are numerous considerations that would-be brides must make to maintain the best appearance on their big day. Choosing the best bridal makeup artist is usually the first step.

Hiring a bridal makeup artist during the wedding season can be a difficult task. Many reputable and skilled artists are booked two to three months ahead. This means that you have to act fast when it comes to selecting the finest bridal makeup artist. It is also important that you do not make a mistake while you are searching for one. To walk through this stage successfully, you may need a guide.

Fortunately, this article will discuss tips to help you choose the best bridal makeup and hair packages to help you look beautiful on your big day. Please continue reading as we explain more.

Features of the Best Bridal Makeup and Hair Packages

The following are some attributes to look out for:

All-in-one Solution 

When discussing bridal makeup packages, various services such as manicure, pedicure, hair straightening, and others should be included. With this, you wouldn't need to worry about working with different service providers on your big day. A good step would be to work with a company that provides a wide range of makeup and hair services.

Experience

In other situations, it is fine to try out an inexperienced makeup artist. However, when it comes to your wedding, you must select someone with a lot of experience. Even when working and performing under duress, experienced hair stylists and artists have the ability to deliver. Experience helps them to know which actions can make things go wrong, making them remain vigilant.

On the other hand, if you want to handle your makeup and you need a step-by-step guide, you can check here: https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Makeup-for-Beginners

Offers you a Free Trial

The best hairstylists and makeup artists will gladly offer you at least one free trial. This free trial allows you to visit their salon once you have agreed to work with them on your big day. The trial should be at least four weeks before the wedding.

Proper Care

Wedding rites can take several hours to complete in some parts of the world. It might be difficult for a woman to maintain her makeup look and hairstyle for a long time. A makeup of poor quality has a negative impact on the skin but you wouldn’t get this with a good service taking care of your skin and hair on your wedding day. You can also watch this video to get more insights on suitable bridal makeup and hairstyles. 

How to Find the Best Bridal Makeup and Hair Service

The following are some tips to guide you: 

Use Referrals

You can ask close relatives and friends who have had celebrations recently to recommend a good beauty service. You will be provided with some names that you can easily choose the best from. One rule of thumb when using referrals is to conduct personal research. This way, you will be able to confirm some of the claims made by these people. 

Check Online

There are a variety of beauty services that have websites where prospective clients can reach them. You can visit their websites to see the services they render. With this, you can decide whether or not they can meet your needs. While you are checking out their website, ensure to read comments and reviews from old clients. If they do not have positive reviews about their services, move on to the next option.

Another important thing to know is that reviews can be manipulated by website owners to paint a picture of their services. Keep an eye out for reviews that seem too good to be true. You can also read articles explaining how to identify fake reviews for assistance.

Conclusion

Looking good on your wedding day isn’t up for debate. From your hair down to your skin, you need to get your looks right. We recommend that you reach out to a good beauty service to get the best bridal makeup package that will make you look beautiful on your big day.  

Ever since I was young, whenever they asked me what my dreams were, one of the things that I always tell them is to be able to have a very nice house for my family. It was not easy to achieve this since we are not really wealthy but we are trying our best to have a property that we can call our own and that we will be proud to live in. 

We already started our way to reach this dream as we mortgaged a house under my name and slowly but surely, we are making renovations and upgrades to make it a beautiful home. I'm very happy that I am able to provide more than what I can before as I began to work abroad and while me and my sister were browsing as to what great ideas we can incorporate to our house, we stumbled upon making eco-friendly upgrades.

Just to share to you what it means to upgrade your home to be eco-friendly, it means that you make your household emit less carbon footprint (amount of carbon dioxide/other carbon compounds emitted due to consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum), have an adequate lighting/ventilation and consume less energy and water. In short, it means that your home should care for the environment. To be able to do this, you will need a lot of money at first, but in the long run, you will be saving money and saving the earth, too. 

I've come across a site that contains real estate for sale in Whistler and they have amazing homes that I had the chance to be made as inspirations as to how I would upgrade my own home to be eco-friendly. 

The first upgrade that we are planning to do is to convert to smart technology. From lighting, to ventilation, to appliances, we intend to purchase what we can afford one step at a time. For example, there are smart motion light sensors that automatically turns off the lighting when no one is in the room and adjusts the brightness depending on the natural lighting present. Another one is the smart thermostat that would regulate your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Smart appliances also contribute to lesser energy consumption.

photo grabbed from Walmart

photo grabbed from Service Champions

photo grabbed from American Trust Escrow

photo grabbed from Quora