THE Anvil Awards has recognized SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., for its outstanding achievements in promoting
its pioneering and innovative CSR programs that uplift communities and strengthens nation-building.
 
In ceremonies held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City, SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), bagged three awards at the 51st Anvil Awards spearheaded by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP).
 
The Anvil Awards is- he PR profession’s most distinguished award that recognizes and raises the bar of PR practice as a fundamental part of businesses and organizations, as well as promoting social responsibility.
 
The Special Movie Screening for the Blind and Deaf, SM’s Casual Employment Program for Senior Citizens and the SM Cares Housing Project for the Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda were given the Anvil awards for showcasing exceptional public-relations practice. SM has always endeavored to make CSR as an integral part of its
operations. It has been leading efforts to execute and promote pioneering programs that aim to make a difference in the lives of the Filipino people.
 
The Special Movie Screening for the Blind and Deaf is the first of its kind in the country, where movies are fitted with audio-description and closed captioning to allow the visual impaired and hard at hearing a chance to enjoy going to the cinemas. The project is in partnership with the Deaf Blind Support Philippines (DBSP).
 
The Casual Employment Program for Senior Citizens gives senior citizens a chance to regain their self worth by giving them employment opportunities in SM malls. This
initiative is in partnership with the Office of the Seniors Citizens Affairs.
 
The SM Cares Housing Project for the Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda is a distinct manifestation of the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit in the face of adversity. An initiative spearheaded by SM Prime President Hans Sy in the aftermath of Super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)in 2013, the project gathered the donations of SM’s business partners,
tenants and other groups and individuals to raise P200 million to build 1,000 disaster-resilient houses in the areas badly hit by Yolanda in the Visayas region.