2024 Noble Queen of Culrure and Arts International Visual Artist Myse Salonga honored to present her artwork titled “Blossoms of Unity” to H.E. Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, on June 17 2025. The painting features Malaysia’s national flower, the Hibiscus (Bunga Raya), and the Philippines’ Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac) beautifully entwined to symbolize harmony, friendship, and the growing collaboration in tourism between our two nations. A heartfelt tribute to unity through art.

As the country commemorates National Volunteerism Month, SM Cares reaffirmed its commitment to building a more compassionate, resilient, and sustainable nation through a series of volunteer-driven programs and partnerships. Throughout the year, SM employee-volunteers, tenants, and community members joined forces in outreach and sustainability efforts aimed at uplifting lives and protecting the environment. Among the highlights were large-scale coastal cleanup drives, youth-led initiatives like the Global Youth Summit, community-focused events such as the Happy Walk and ASP Angels Walk, and service-oriented employee engagements including Brigada Eskwela and Operation Tulong Express. Each program exemplifies SM Cares’ mission to engage the community in purposeful action. In 2024, over 1,500 SM employees actively participated in various volunteer initiatives, including Angels Walk, Happy Walk, Operation Tulong Express, and Brigada Eskwela. Coastal cleanup drives mobilized more than 27,000 volunteers, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, the Global Youth Summit brought together approximately a thousand student volunteers, highlighting the power of youth engagement in driving positive change. These initiatives were made possible through impactful collaborations with organizations such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Global Peace Foundation, among others. More than just events, these volunteer efforts are designed to empower individuals and foster inclusion—encouraging employees, partners, and everyday citizens to be change makers in their own communities. “Through volunteerism, we build bridges of empathy, understanding, and shared purpose. SM Cares is proud to cultivate this culture of giving back—one where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can take part in creating a better future,” said Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. As SM Cares continues to champion volunteerism, the public is encouraged to join upcoming activities and discover how small acts of service can lead to big changes—one community at a time. To learn more about SM Cares’ volunteer programs and how you can take part in upcoming initiatives, visit https://linktr.ee/smcares.        

  By Jerome Labis — PPIO-PAMRE On June 11, 2025, the D.O. Plaza Sports Complex covered court in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur came alive with faith, music and inspiration during the spiritual gathering, Fully Awake: Pilgrims of Hope led by renowned Catholic lay preacher Bo Sanchez. Hundreds of attendees gathered, filling the venue with expectant hearts and vibrant energy. The event served as both a spiritual revival and a celebration of hope, anchored in the message of awakening to God’s purpose in today’s challenging world. Sanchez, known for his dynamic preaching and practical wisdom, delivered heartfelt talks that encouraged the crowd to live fully in God’s grace. “To be fully awake is to be fully alive in your purpose, in your faith, and in your love,” Sanchez declared, drawing loud applause and deep reflection. The event featured uplifting praise and worship, personal testimonies and moments of communal prayer, making it a deeply moving experience. Pilgrims of Hope reminded everyone that in times of uncertainty, faith remains the strongest anchor. As participants left the venue, many expressed renewed courage and clarity. One attendee shared, “Today, I woke up not just physically, but spiritually. I’m ready to walk in hope.” The event concluded with a blessing over the crowd, sending them forth as modern-day pilgrims—fully awake and full of hope.  

Forty two award points were amassed by the SM Group at the Asia Pacific Stevies , with SM Supermalls clinching 12 trophies and SM Retail and SM Foundation earning two each – propelling the group to win the coveted title of Most Honored Organization of the Year. But beyond these awards, for SM Supermalls in particular, lies a compelling story for SM’s partners: the power of innovation, community engagement, and operational excellence to fuel shared growth. The award-winning initiatives, such as the dynamic SM Art Market and SM Job Fairs, are not just events, but strategic tools that drive foot traffic, build deeper connections with consumers, and boost the visibility of partner brands. Equally noteworthy are SM Cares’ initiatives, like the Book Nook and Energy Efficiency Journey, which highlight the company’s holistic approach to sustainability and social responsibility—values increasingly important to modern consumers. By aligning with these initiatives, tenants and business partners can amplify their brand narratives around community involvement and environmental stewardship. For retailers and service providers, these wins underscore SM Supermalls’ proven ability to create high-impact, experiential environments that translate into tangible ROI. Whether it’s co-hosting community festivals, integrating with corporate social responsibility programs, or leveraging SM Supermalls’ digital reach, partners gain unparalleled access to engaged audiences and the credibility of a multi-awarded platform. Meanwhile, SM China’s eight awards reflect the brand’s global reach and adaptability—an assurance to partners that collaboration with SM Supermalls can unlock opportunities in diverse markets across Asia and beyond. These global recognitions are not merely awards—they are a testament to SM’s relentless pursuit of excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact. From setting new standards in retail experiences and digital transformation to uplifting communities through purpose-driven campaigns, the SM brand continues to elevate the customer journey while fostering inclusive growth. “For us, these awards aren’t just accolades—they’re a reflection of the dedication and passion of our entire team. At the heart of it all, our true mission is to enrich the lives of every customer, partner, and community we touch. That’s what drives us forward,” said Steven T. Tan, President of SM Supermalls. As a retail leader with a heart for service and a vision that transcends borders, SM proves that the power of a brand lies in how it serves, uplifts, and inspires its communities.        

AI isn’t just changing how people work, it’s changing what people need to thrive at work. According to the 2024 Work Trend Index, 75% of knowledge workers around the world are already using AI on the job. More and more leaders are also looking for talent with AI skills. But here’s the catch: only 39% of those using AI at work have actually received formal training from their companies. That gap is telling, especially when 76% of people believe that knowing how to use AI is key to staying competitive in today’s job market. At Globe, that shift is already happening. AI is reshaping how teams hire, plan, solve problems, and connect. It’s helping the company move faster, make better decisions, and still stay deeply human on how it relates to employees and customers. “Today we’re using AI to speed up automation,” said Carl Cruz, Globe President and CEO. “We’re also using it to elevate and improve the quality of decisions, and make our operations more responsive. Innovation only matters if it creates real impact.” The most measurable gains are coming from various areas in the organization.  One of them is the Human Resources group, which has fully integrated AI into its recruitment process through the use of HireVue, an AI-powered platform that combines video interviews with skills assessments to help evaluate candidates more objectively and effectively. Globe  piloted its AI-powered video and coding assessments for digital, IT, and tech-focused groups at the start of the year.  The successful pilot led to a full-scale rollout across all groups, including its portfolio companies. The shift replaced manual pre-screening and cut the overall hiring cycle from weeks to just a few days. Processing qualitative data alone, which previously took three to five days, was cut down in half, enabling faster candidate turnaround and more confident decision-making from hiring teams. Beyond efficiencies, Globe’s approach to AI-powered hiring has also gained international recognition. This April, Globe was honored with the Impact Star Award at the 2025 HireVue Customer Excellence Awards. The award celebrates organizations that have made a meaningful impact and driven innovation through skills-based, tech-enabled recruitment. Globe was also previously named a Rising Star at the 2024 awards, highlighting its continued commitment to modernizing hiring for both speed and quality. AI has also played a pivotal role in strengthening Globe’s Risk Management processes. By automating data capture, transcription, and insight generation, AI significantly reduced data processing time—delivering results within days instead of weeks. Real-time dashboards allowed teams to visualize and compare risks at both group and company levels, making data more digestible and actionable for leadership. This automation also helped in mitigating human bias in data interpretation, and enabled more accurate linkages between identified risks and corporate strategy. Moving forward, Globe is exploring AI-powered tools for proactive risk scanning and identifying emerging threats before they escalate. Meanwhile, Globe’s Network Group is leveraging AI in streamlining internal processes to enhance service quality. Teams now use AI from coding and data forecasting to anomaly detection and repair diagnostics. The company has also implemented AI-assisted power-saving solutions through the EdgeWise platform, optimizing energy consumption by temporarily shutting down low-traffic transceivers in its Radio Access Network—an initiative that supports both cost control and Globe’s broader sustainability goals. As of Q1 2025, Globe had already activated 235 new 5G sites, supporting over 9.5 million devices nationwide. AI is central to this scale, providing live operational dashboards, build prioritization, and predictive maintenance across network assets. In the area of Marketing, AI is being used to accelerate content creation, simplify workflows, and improve internal knowledge sharing. Teams rely on tools like Gemini and ChatGPT to draft memos, presentations, and reports, while design platforms like Canva Magic Studio help quickly produce high-impact visuals. Knowledge bases and technical guidelines are also being managed more efficiently using NotebookLM and custom-built AI search tools. Beyond productivity, AI enables quicker, more inclusive storytelling—from employee communications to public campaigns—allowing the Marketing team to move at the speed of the business. Across all these functions, Globe is applying AI to scale in order to serve its customers better and faster. Expanding the use of chatbots for service efficiency, adopting large language models for sentiment analysis, and enabling plain-language data queries through integrated platforms are more examples by which the company sees the value of AI that would redound to less operating costs and better customer experience. “Our ambition is clear,” Cruz concluded. “We want Globe to be among the most admired companies in the country. We use technology with empathy, insight and purpose to better serve our customers.  This is how we will make Globe resilient, by enabling our people with better tools to build our business for the future.”

SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI), SM Supermalls, and SM Development Corporation (SMDC) have been honored as among the Philippines’ Best Employer Brands for 2025. This recognition underscores the group’s unwavering commitment to excellence in people management. “Being recognized as the Best Employer Brand affirms our commitment to creating opportunities for every employee to experience ‘More to Life’ — by empowering our people, enriching lives, and shaping a better future for the communities we serve,” said Jeffrey Lim, President of SMPHI. “This achievement was further strengthened by the individual recognition received by some of our Human Resources (HR) leaders, whose vision and dedication have been instrumental in building improvements in employee experience across the SM Prime Group.” The accolade highlights SM Prime Group’s collective efforts in promoting a workplace culture that champions growth, collaboration, and inclusivity. Across its diverse businesses—from integrated property development to retail and residential services—SM Prime Group continues to implement strategies and initiatives designed to enhance the employee experience while achieving organizational goals. Key initiatives such as digital learning platforms, employee wellness programs, coaching and mentoring, career mobility pathways, and community engagement activities have cultivated an environment where employees can learn, lead, and make a meaningful impact. These efforts not only contribute to individual growth but also promote a sense of belonging and purpose within the organization. This achievement was further validated by the individual awards received by some of SM Prime Group’s HR Heads: Cheryll Ruth Agsaoay, Senior Vice President-HR of SM Supermalls, was recognized as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the year; Margarita Castaneda, Vice President-HR of SM Prime Holdings, was honored as Top HR Icon; and Rhodora de Leon, Senior Assistant Vice President-HR of SMDC, was recognized among the Top Most HR Leaders. Additionally, Jay Rodriguez, Head for Recruitment and Employer Branding, and Clark del Carmen, Head for Digital Employee Experience, both from SM Supermalls, received individual recognitions for HR Super Achiever and Visionary Leader awards, respectively.      

Globe is making it easier for Filipinos to be connected across the country by rolling out new technologies that improve both mobile and home internet experiences. As of March, Globe has expanded its 5G coverage to 98.71% in Metro Manila and 97.97% in key cities across the Visayas and Mindanao, thanks to the addition of 235 new 5G sites. This means faster, more reliable connections for millions of Filipinos who use their mobile phones anywhere from work to entertainment. These new sites are already supporting over 9.5 million 5G devices, helping make high-speed internet available to even more people across the country. “We’re focused on making sure Filipinos get the best mobile experience possible,” said Carl Cruz, Globe’s President and CEO. “This is about more than speed — it’s about making sure every Filipino, wherever they are, can tap into the future. It’s key for supporting future technologies like AI, and as the cost of 5G devices goes down, we want to make sure more people can access these advancements.” In the first quarter of this year, Globe built 487 new cell towers and upgraded 3,940 existing ones with LTE technology, making sure that the network stays strong, even during busy times. Plus, with new technology like 32T32R Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), the network is becoming faster and more stable for customers in crowded areas. Globe is steadily changing the story. Under the Connectivity Plan Task Force (CPTF) led by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), it has already switched on 600 new cell sites in geographically disadvantaged and isolated areas. From northern mountain provinces to island barangays in the south, each new site brings essential access to education, livelihood, health services, and hope. And the mission isn’t over. By the end of 2025, Globe aims to expand this further to 700 as part of a broader industry-wide movement to close the digital gap and ensure that no Filipino is left offline. Globe’s efforts have also been recognized globally. At the Mobile World Congress 2025, the company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Consistent Mobile Network from 2022 to 2024. Globe was also honored with the Excellent All-Optical Network for AI Enablement award for creating energy-efficient infrastructure that supports the needs of today’s digital world. “Connectivity is no longer a privilege, it’s a right,” Cruz added. “Globe is working to make sure that right is protected, expanded, and felt in every home and every pocket in this country.” With ongoing upgrades and continued expansion, Globe is ensuring millions of Filipinos have access to fast, reliable mobile and home internet while driving innovation and growth across the country.

SM Supermalls emerged victorious at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards, collecting an impressive array of accolades, including the prestigious Grand Stevie Award for Most Honored Organization of the Year — a historic recognition shared by SM Supermalls, SM Foundation, and SM Retail under the SM Group. With a total of 42 award points, the SM Group stood tall as the most celebrated organization across Asia-Pacific this year, solidifying its reputation as a trailblazer in innovation, sustainability, and meaningful community impact. SM Supermalls’ 12 Stevie Awards were formally received during the APAC Stevie Awards Banquet held on May 13 at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, by SM Supermalls’ Joaquin L. San Agustin, EVP for Marketing; Jefferson S. Suarez, Senior AVP for North Luzon Marketing; and, Richard A. Caluyo AVP for SM Cares, SM Family Entertainment Center, and Sports & Leisure Center Marketing. 𝗔 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Leading with the Gold recognition was the SM Art Market, winning the Award for Innovation in the Use of Events. This initiative not only redefined the retail experience but also spotlighted Filipino creativity, turning mall spaces into vibrant hubs for local artisans and cultural expression. Garnering Silver awards, multiple programs across SM Malls captured attention for their impactful and purpose-driven initiatives: AweSM Visayas Festivals – Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications SM Davao’s Vibrant Kadayawan – Award for Innovation in the Use of Events SM Cares’ Energy Efficiency Journey – Saving Energy SM Cares’ Book Nook – Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications SM Cares’ Innovative CSR Impact – Innovative Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility SM Job Fairs – Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Service Communications SM Megamall’s Maki-Holo Christmas Spectacle – Award for Innovation in Entertainment Events SM Prime continued its winning streak with Bronze recognitions for programs that showcased the group’s diversity in storytelling and outreach: SM 100 Days of Joy – Award for Innovation in Content Marketing/Branded Editorial SM Baguio’s Community Initiatives – Award for Innovation in Community Service or Public Relations SM Cares’ Global Youth Summit – Climate Protection and Sustainability Campaign of the Year SM Aura’s Sinag at Saya – Award for Innovation in the Use of Events “This recognition is a celebration of how we at SM strive to innovate and evolve to serve the ever-changing needs of our customers,” said San Agustin. “We dedicate this honor to every team member, partner, and community who make our mission of service come to life.” The Asia-Pacific Stevie® Awards are the only business awards program that recognizes innovation in the workplace across the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, the awards honored organizations from 23 markets, including Australia, China, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, among others. With its 2025 wins, SM Supermalls reaffirms its standing not only as a retail leader, but also as a force for positive change in the Asia-Pacific region, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering passion to uplift lives.

  BAGUIO CITY – A powerful multimedia exhibit titled “80 & Still Free” is now open to the public, showcasing the resilience of Baguio and its people during World War II and how the city ultimately gained its freedom from Japanese invaders. The exhibit, which will run until May 5, extending beyond the celebration of Baguio Liberation Day on April 27. Organized by a dedicated team led by Atty. Sam Gallardo and Art Tibaldo, the exhibit highlights the struggles faced by Baguio’s residents during the war and the sacrifices made by previous generations to ensure the freedoms enjoyed by today’s youth. Gallardo emphasized the importance of passing down this critical history to younger generations so they can better understand and appreciate the efforts and struggles of the past. A unique feature of the exhibit includes the volunteer efforts of Baguio’s hobby photographers, who captured composite images that place soldiers in some of today’s most familiar Baguio locations. These striking visuals show soldiers in scenes set at iconic sites such as the Baguio Cathedral, Naguilian Road, Kennon Road and Session Road. These composite images provide a powerful visual reminder of Baguio’s transformation over the years while honoring its rich historical past. Adding to the immersive experience, the exhibit will also feature archival photos displayed side by side with present-day photos of the same sites, offering a compelling before-and-after perspective that visually captures Baguio’s evolution. In addition, scale models of the types of vehicles used during the war, crafted specifically for this event by the International Plastic Modellers’ Society-Baguio—will be on display, providing a tangible connection to the tools and technology of the time. The exhibit also includes a variety of historical photographs and immersive displays that offer a detailed narrative of Baguio’s wartime experiences and the liberation that followed. These exhibits tell stories of courage, survival, and the eventual triumph of the city’s residents in their fight for freedom. “80 & Still Free” offers an opportunity for reflection and education, inviting visitors to learn about the impact of World War II on Baguio, and how the city’s enduring spirit led to the freedom it enjoys today. The exhibit emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought for Baguio’s liberation. As a strong advocate for the arts, SM City Baguio remains committed to providing platforms for local artists to share their creativity with a wider audience. The exhibit will remain open until May 5 at SM City Baguio Lower Basement, giving visitors, particularly the younger generation, a chance to experience this significant chapter of Baguio’s history.