Independence Day is the time to celebrate our heroes. And amid these uncertain times, there are many modern-day heroes – the front-liners who serve the community during the pandemic and the work-from-home warriors – practically all of us who have experienced various challenges in the past year.

The government expressed gratitude to the business sector for its continued support to the inoculation drive.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) properties fully support the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in their campaign to phase out single-use plastics (SUPs) in the tourism sector as it partners with the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI) under the Transforming Tourism Value Chains (TVC) Project, and the Department of Tourism through their sustainability thrust Save Our Spots.

Delivery and errand riders have become partners of the malls in bringing essential services and products to customers’ doorsteps.

Clark Freeport remains to be an attractive location for various investors as its operator Clark Development Corp. (CDC) pursues more investments and developments in the key business zone.

SM City Yangzhou, a project of Southeast Asian property developer SM Group, was recently awarded the Golden Coordinate of “Annual Highly-Anticipated Commercial Real Estate Project” at the 16th China Commercial Real Estate Festival.

On June 5th, 2021, SM City North EDSA was named the first mall in Quezon City (QC) to be awarded the Safety Seal certification from the local government. This Safety Seal is given when the establishment shows it deserves the certification through proper implementation and strict compliance of government-mandated COVID-19 safety and health protocols.

The city government of San Fernando has awarded a safety seal to six malls here found compliant with its minimum public health standards (MPHS).

One of the most important milestones in Philippine history is the declaration of our independence as a nation. It is the time to celebrate our heroes. And there are many modern-day heroes – the frontliners who serve the community during this pandemic, the work-from-home warriors – parents who juggle work and childcare, and practically all of us who have experienced various challenges in the past year. For 2021, we propose to free ourselves momentarily from our worries and stress. Be it work deadlines, bills to pay or a general anxiety, we say – take this occasion to care for yourself and bask in your “me time.” Let these days be called your “New Days of Freedom” starting this June 1 to 12.