SM Balikbayan Center. Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Banco de Oro chairman Teresita Sy Coson (second from right) and SM Prime President Hans Sy (right) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of SM Balikbayan Center at the Atrium of SM,Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

WITH two malls in this historic province, there’s more reason for the SM Supermalls to celebrate Bulacan’s ‘Singkaban Festival.’ And SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag have lined up events that highlight the history, culture and people of Bulacan.

SM Supermalls and the Unicef have joined hands to raise awareness on the need for clean water, sanitation and hygiene. The pilot project for this campaign is Masbate, where the key program activities are envisioned to benefit a community and six elementary schools with 1,500 schoolchildren. The project was conceived when 2000 was declared as the ‘International Year of Sanitation’ with the aim to help increase access of Filipinos to safe drinking water, and practice good sanitation and hygiene.

TO decongest the city-owned and government owned hospitals of minor cases, the SM Foundation lnc., under SMFI executive director Connie Angeles, is rehabilitating Health centers where minor health-care concerns can

SOME 30 percent to 40 percent of the Philippine population is estimated to be below the poverty threshold. The high population growth rate presents a serious challenge to the delivery of health services.

TWO more wholesaler Makro outlets in Metro Manila would be converted into SM Hypermarkets before the end of the year, the holding company of the Sy family said.

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is spending some P600 million to P900 million to convert three warehouse club branches of subsidiary Pilipinas Makro Inc. into SM Hypermarkets to boost weaker sales.

THE HENRY Sy-led SM retail chain plans to convert two more Makro wholesale outlets into SM Hypermarkets, banking on the success of the strategy for the erstwhile Makro outlet in Mandaluyong.

The sleek architecture of Oceana was inspired by the venue’s panoramic view of the bay.The latest and hippest place to rise in the Mall of Asia complex in Manila is also shaping up to become both a fitting tribute to modern Philippine architecture and a popular venue for important gatherings and events.

MANILA, Philippines – It’s never too early to be environmentally conscious, and kids can start making a difference with Toy Kingdom’s own version of the reusable shopping bag — the Brainy Buddy Bag.