The name of business tycoon Henry Sy Sr. may be synonymous to SM and its malls, but more than his business success, he is also widely known for his philanthropic works.
 
The establishment of SM Foundation paved the way for the creation of the SM College Scholarship Program in 1993 which has since then branched out to provide technical-vocational scholarships and donate and renovate school buildings in communities nationwide.
 
Just recently, SM turned over a nine-level building to the University of the Philippines (UP) Professional Schools at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Last year, the Henry Sy Foundation built a new innovation center-art, science and technology lab at Miriam College in Quezon City.
 
In 2012, he also donated P300 million to De La Salle University for the construction of the Henry Sy, Sr. Centennial Hall which features the Learning Commons that houses one million books, making it the Philippines’ largest collection of educational materials in an academic setting.
 
According to the SM website, the SM Scholarship Program has already produced over 1,900 graduates and currently supports 1,500 scholars in its 82 partner colleges and universities. This is in addition to the 361 technical-vocational graduates that it has produced with partner schools.
 
Also, as of end 2014, the foundation has donated 67 public school buildings with 196 classrooms, all fully furnished with armchairs, wall fans, blackboards, teachers’ desk sets and toilets.
 
Meanwhile, the SM Foundation renovated and expanded the Tacloban City hospital that was destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda. Serving the city’s 138 barangays, the hospital’s capacity has been doubled to 100 beds.
 
In Bogo, Cebu, 200 new disaster resilient homes were turned over by SM Cares to Yolanda survivors. About 800 more houses will be built by SM Cares in other villages. The Sy family has also pledged P100 million to buildi stronger homes, community centers, schools, and churches in several areas.