SM Store celebrates 65th founding anniversary with Share Shoes Campaign
Some international non-profit organizations claim that shoes, or the lack thereof, are one of the most visible signs of poverty.
This is the challenge that the SM Store intends to address through the Share Shoes campaign — to provide school shoes to the poverty-stricken students of the Philippines.
In line with the celebration of SM’s 65th founding anniversary and through the help of its dedicated customers and partner-organizations, SM Store aims to donate more than sixteen thousand (16,000+) pairs of shoes to the last-mile schools and communities in the country. With a minimum of Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000) single-receipt-spend at any SM Store, a customer is entitled to donate a pair of shoes, which originally retails for P299, for only Sixty Five Pesos (P65.00) and shall be considered as a Share Shoes Champion.
In a statement, Mr. Dhinno S Tiu, executive vice president of SM Store, exemplifies the value and symbolism of shoes for both SM and its advocacy to support the community: “Shoes have been the core of our business for over 65 years. Thus, giving out thousands of shoes to the Filipino children who need them the most through the generosity of our customers, is a symbolic gesture of our commitment to continue to live the legacy of sharing and giving back to our partner communities.”
More than a material donation, SM Store hopes that these pairs of shoes would help the children’s journey towards a better life. Through a simple act of giving, these underprivileged children will be able to learn, play, and flourish in school. And by protecting their young feet, time will come when they can confidently step, walk, run, and even leap towards their individual goals and dreams.
Shop at your favorite SM Store from September 1 to November 15 to support a child in need. For only P65, you can help transform a life by being a Share Shoes Champion.
Painting life with data for a better tomorrow
Our society is powered and inspired by data sets that propel economies, explore possibilities, and change lives. All of this happens both onscreen and off-screen. Data is king, and it brings new and contemporary delights and advancements with it. Most significant of its gifts is helping bridge the knowledge of ages ago to enrich our modern lives. Literally painting life powered by data with the brushstrokes of masters past.
The Wisdom of Da Vinci: An Immersive AI Experience is one such gift brought to life by information. The immersive art experience merges the power of data processing and the masterworks of Leonardo Da Vinci and other iconic artists into an audio-visual display.
The exhibit can be visited at One Bonifacio High Street until October.
This convergence of hard data and art is what drew the attention of EastWest Ageas. The exhibit’s imagery was sourced from paintings, books, traditional CSV files, and even statistics to create art that evokes the deepest of emotions and imaginations.
“We decided to sponsor this exhibition because our business is about data and emotions,” shares Sjoerd Smeets, president and CEO of EastWest Ageas. The business of ensuring the people’s future and assets has a bedrock built on data and information.
“In the end, we are here to serve our customers at difficult moments,” Sjoerd says. “Our business has a clear purpose: protect families during their most vulnerable moments and bring them comfort and security.”
EastWest Ageas believes that it is the union of the human capacity to empathize and the clear sightedness of data that can elevate the industry into the next level of service.
InLife recognized as one of the best companies to work for in Asia
Insular Life (InLife) was recently recognized as among the recipients of the HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2023 Award and the Digital Transformation Award.
InLife President and CEO Raoul E. Littaua said the accolades attest to the company’s commitment to provide A Lifetime for Good to Filipinos, starting with its hundreds of employees nationwide.
InLife Chief Human Resources Officer Rozana G. Pecson noted that the company invests in digital transformation to boost employee productivity.
The country’s first and largest Filipino life insurance company, InLife, has almost 700 employees in its corporate office in Muntinlupa City and across its 55 branches nationwide.
Since 2013, HR Asia, a publication of Business Media International, recognizes organizations across 13 Asian countries that implement the best HR practices and demonstrate high levels of employee engagement and excellent workplace cultures. The Best Companies to Work for in Asia Award focuses on organizational culture and ethics, leadership and career empowerment, employees’ emotional engagement and commitment, and team dynamics. The Asia Digital Transformation Award, on the other hand, recognizes digital transformation initiatives to enhance employee and customer experience.
MPIF grants P1.5M for marine conservation in Mabini Batangas LGU
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, Inc. (MPIF) and the Municipality of Mabini recently gathered for the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, solidifying their commitment to the conservation and protection of the coastal and marine environment in Mabini, Batangas.
One of its flagship programs of MPIF is the Marine Protection, Inspection, and Conservation Guardians (MPIC Guardians), aimed at preserving the country’s coastal and marine biodiversity. MPIF commits to allocate P1.5M over 3 years to cover training, allowances, uniforms, equipment, and logistical support to implement the MPIC Guardians program in Mabini.
Partnering with MPIF, the Municipality of Mabini will play an essential role in ensuring the success of the project. They will provide management and monitoring support, collaborate with aligned national government agencies, and institutionalize the project through council resolutions and ordinances.
Beyond the marine conservation efforts, both parties expressed their desire to promote and support other programs initiated by MPIF. These include the Shore It Up Weekend which seeks to raise awareness and encourage participation in environmental protection initiatives not only in Mabini but also in other local government units and national government agencies.
The Marine Guardians of MPIF are local fish wardens or “Bantay Dagat”— individuals committed to the conservation of marine biodiversity in Mabini. By actively monitoring the MPAs, these dedicated guardians play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of these protected areas. Their presence acts as a deterrent to illegal fishing practices, pollution, and other harmful activities that pose a threat to the marine ecosystem.
As the Marine Guardians continue to champion the cause of marine conservation, they sow the seeds for a sustainable future, not only for Mabini but also for the entire Verde Island Passage, home to over 300 species of corals and more than 1,700 species of fish.
