President Aquino recently presented the Outstanding Exemplar in the Private Sector Award to Tessie Sy-Coson for SM Foundation’s programs during the annual Bulong Pulungan Christmas Party at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
 
The Outstanding Exemplar Award is given yearly to individuals from both the government and private sector who have made great contributions in nation-building.
 
As the lead convenor of the SM Group’s corporate social responsibility efforts, SM Foundation envisions the Philippines where everyone has the opportunity for self-improvement and the environment is sustained for future generations.
 

OUTSTANDING EXEMPLAR – SM Investments Vice Chair Tessie Sy-Coson (right) poses with President Aquino (center) and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma after she received, on behalf of the SM Foundation, the Outstanding Exemplar in the Private Sector Award for its education, health care, livelihood, shelter, and environmental programs. The Award is bestowed yearly on individuals both in the government and private sector which have made great contributions to nation-building.
 
Since it was founded in 1983, it has been committed to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos through strategic social investments in education, health care, livelihood, and shelter, as well as the environment. These are initiatives that have an impact on the lives of communities that SM serves and are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
 
The event also marked Bulong Pulungan’s 29th anniversary. The group was organized in 1986 by a group of women journalists with the goal of gathering members of the media to discuss various national issues.