MANILA, Philippines – The unprecedented flash floods brought by Typhoon “Ondoy” are seen costing businesses, households and the government large reconstruction requirements.

Pilipinas Malao Inc. will launch the fourth and last batch of its 2009 Extravaganza on October 1-3 after a successful 8-week run that began in August.

One of the highlights of shopping at the new SM Hypermarket in Makati is being able to buy fresh items straight from the source at the Fresh Section, where customers get a taste of the wet market experience in clean and air- conditioned surroundings.

Mari Paul Soriano (center), executive director of the Education Department’s Adopt-a-School program, leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the opening of the Green Film Festival at The Block, SM North Edsa

Barely a few months in existence, SM North EDSA’s music and events venue had not seen an act like Bamboo. The storm inside the Skydome caused by the biggest local rock group’s performance was far stronger than the actual typhoon raging outside. Hardcore fans came in droves to fill up the 1,500 capacity stadium. Up Dharma Down was the hot front act that warmed up the crowd.

Active Fun Play and Party Center opens its new branch at the SM North Edsa. Being the very first inside the mall and in Quezon City, Active Fun is off to a party-rrific fun time with its wonderful kid’s party packages. Active Fun makes magical things happen making sure that birthdays have never been this fun and exciting by making your kid’s birthday a memorable occasion without the hassle and bustle that comes with the preparation and planning

There were mothers, babies and toddlers everywhere when SM City Iloilo celebrated the National Breastfeeding Month at its Event Center recently. The event was in cooperation with the Office of Councilor Julienne Baronda and the SM Committee on Breastfeeding, and supported by Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog.

SM PRIME HOLDINGS INC., the biggest mall operator in the Philippines, seems largely resilient to the global recession as it aims for a growth of at least 8 percent in consolidated net income.

Earnings of SM Prime Holdings Inc. will remain within single-digit levels this year but will most likely be higher than last year’s profits, its president said.

LISTED SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the country’s largest mall operator, sees profits growing by 8%-9% this year, a little better than in 2008, as consumer spending continues to hold up.