A game of bowling with Best Buddies

For regular shoppers, it may have been just an ordinary afternoon at the mall, but for Vico, 28, it was a special day to spend a few hours enjoying a game of bowling with his friends from Best Buddies Philippines.   The group of friends were at the mall, with other pairs of best friends, for a friendly bowling tournament organized by Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement for one-to-one friendships and inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The activity is one of the many initiatives organized by Best Buddies, in partnership with SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. During the event, individuals with IDD like Vico, had a fun afternoon hanging out with their Peer Buddies volunteers who committed to spend time, have fun activities, communicate on a regular basis and enrich their lives through friendships with individuals like Vico. 

Catherine Cham, mother of Vico, said that events like the Best Buddies Bowling Game give her son an avenue to socialize and feel he is a regular part of a group. She is very thankful for Best Buddies which she said helped her find a best buddy for Vico. 

“His peer buddy is Buboy Palomares. They’ve been friends for 4 years. They used to jog regularly twice a month or watch a movie. They also engage in group activities. With Buboy, Vico was able to find a friend whom he would text regularly.  It is really important for parents because it’s really not easy to entrust your child to somebody.” 

“We are very thankful for the support that we have received from our volunteers and sponsors,” exclaims Michelle Aventajado, executive director of Best Buddies Philippines. “Events like these strengthen the friendship between volunteers and individuals with IDD. It’s a great opportunity to promote inclusion, have fun, and enrich the lives of everyone involved in the Best Buddies program.”  

For SM Cares, the event is another opportunity to support and give back to the community. “At SM, we believe that establishing good relations can positively affect and inspire those with special needs. We strive to make every SM Mall, a mall for all, and by supporting activities such as this, everyone can enjoy the same fun and leisure in SM, as anyone would do,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, program director of SM Cares Program on PWDs. 

Best Buddies Philippines is looking into partnering with private entities like SM who can   support them in their advocacy and their other programs. It also aims to widen its scope in the next 5 years by establishing Friendship Chapters in more schools nationwide. 

To know more about Best Buddies Philippines you may visit www.bestbuddiesphilippines.com, https://www.facebook.com/BestBuddiesPhilippines/, or send an e-mail to bestbuddiesmanila@gmail.com.

To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares, or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com.

Girl with Down Syndrome crowned Miss Possibilities 2019

Miss Possibilities 2019 Cielo Marie Guico with Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2000 Nina Ricci Alagao (left)

and Miss Possibilities Foundation Founder Suzanna Yuzon (right)

A talented 14-year-old girl with Down Syndrome is the titleholder of this year’s Miss Possibilities, a Filipino beauty pageant for young women with special needs. Organized by Miss Possibilities Foundation and supported by SM Cares, the pageant attracted young women with special needs from different parts of the Philippines and even from a province in Thailand who competed during the coronation night which was held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Cielo Marie Guico - the youngest of 5 siblings and dubbed as the pageant’s Miss Perfect - brought home the crown with her heartwarming talent in singing. She also impressed the audience during the Q&A portion when asked who her favorite singer was, which she replied with “Ariana Grande”, after which she sang a few lines of the pop star’s song. The Miss Possibilities Pageant aims to celebrate beauty without limits, and to promote a more inclusive society.

The event also gave recognition to private organizations that support the differently-abled such as Accenture Philippines, which encourages PWDs to practice their profession and maximize their skills by employing them; and SM Kids which featured children with special needs as models for one of its campaigns that promote inclusivity.

Aside from Guico, the other 9 participants received special awards: Ms. Charming Lis Alexandra Flores; Ms. Congeniality Tielo Princess Paller; Ms. Inspirational Vell Baria; Ms. Unstoppable Aeryk Eessabelle Perez; Ms. Spirited Benecee Pratharn; Ms. Limitless Angel Mae Sison; Ms. Fashionista Chelsea Joy Disuanco; Ms. Amazing Angela Gayle Angeles; and Ms. Photogenic Darryl Gwen Fernandez.

Another highlight of the event is the inclusive Fashion Show with celebrities that featured prominent media personalities who walked alongside children with special needs. Some of the celebrities present were Miss International 2005 Lara Quigaman and husband Marco Alcaraz, Michael Flores, ABS-CBN reporter Jeff Canoy, Denise Laurel, Vicky Morales, Bettina Carlos, Patricia Javier, Pen Medina, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo.

Founded in 2015, the beauty pageant aims to convey the message that everything is possible for girls, even those with special needs. This message of social inclusion is aligned with the thrust of SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., that promote a disability-inclusive environment in its malls. Annual activities like Happy Walk for Down Syndrome and Angel’s Walk for Autism are some of the projects that SM Cares supports, in its bid to support communities and promote inclusion.

To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares, or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com.

Young people take charge of the future at Global Youth Summit 2019

Organizers and speakers. From left: SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan, tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, SM Cares Children and Youth program director Royston Cabunag, Global Peace Foundation vice-president for Global Partnerships David Caprara, and Global Youth Summit head Leonard Faustino

More than 13,000 student leaders proved that young people can achieve great things during the Global Youth Summit 2019, the largest gathering for young Filipino leaders that aims to engage and inspire the world's future experts, held recently at the SM MOA Arena. 

Hosted by SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., and Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Global Youth Summit (GYS) aims to engage and inspire young minds by providing a space where they can share their ideas and utilize their diverse skill-sets, knowledge, and networks to effectively address today’s persistent problems.

“If you do not make a move to change the world, who else will make the Philippines the best it can become? That is why we enjoin everyone to use this forum as a platform to build a very strong foundation and uplift the role of the youth in decision-making. Today, we work harder to create an impact and start positive change by being the example of change to a global community that truly cares,” said SM Cares Children and Youth program director Royston Cabunag.

David Caprara, vice president for strategic partnerships of Global Peace Foundation, also emphasized the important role that young people must undertake in achieving the global goals. He reminded thousands of attendees, “You [the youth] are today's pioneers in applying innovative technology and entrepreneurial spirit, inspired by universal values that underlie a vision for a more prosperous world. Your efforts and accomplishments are crucial small steps in ultimately accomplishing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.”

Prior to the main summit, participating students had the opportunity to develop and present project ideas that can be implemented in communities to help advance this year’s topics for Global Youth Summit which are: (1) Inclusive education; (2) Youth-responsive health services; (3) Creating youth-enabling employment and self-employment; (4) Ecosystems in sustainable tourism; (5) Civic awareness and participation; and (6) Creating safe spaces and reducing all forms of violence against children. 

The highlight was the awarding of five innovative youth ideas, namely BoluntirMISMO, an end-to-end youth caravan that aims to build nationwide awareness and appreciation of volunteerism and the role that it plays in nation building; ToReal Peace, a promotional and peace training program designed to enlighten youth with the real vision of TORIL, an Islamic Institution, toward REAL PEACE and development; Project 97, a project that will provide 475 internally displaced youth of Marawi City access to sustainable livelihood opportunities through tourism promotion and entrepreneurship development; Cafesidad: Good Food Crafted by Good Hearts, a project which aims to raise awareness, break barriers and highlight the abilities of exceptional learners to be equipped with the necessary skills for their future employment while building bridges towards a more inclusive society; and Mindify (Mental Intuitive Device for Filipino Youth), an application and device that will provide accessible and subjective mental health support, to improve the well-being of Filipino youth. 

Dozens of entries were received from all over the country, and each of the winning concept were awarded P200,000.00. These targets are aligned with the priority areas of the UN Youth Strategy for Sustainable Development launched in September 2018.

Influencers, international and local speakers, gave inspiring talks about their advocacies and the role of youth in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Guest speakers included Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Anne Curtis, United Nations Development Program Ambassador Antoinette Taus, G-Talks Host and Health-XPh co-Founder Dr. Gia Sison, Consuelo Foundation President and CEO Greg Auberry, and Asian Institute Management’s Executive Director, Prim Paypon.

“Every child has the right to grow up in an environment where they feel safe and secure, have basic services and clean air and water, can play, learn and grow and where their 

voices are heard and matter,” said UNICEF national goodwill ambassador Anne Curtis.

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peace building. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Environment, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers. 

This year’s Global Youth Summit was organized by SM Cares and Global Peace Foundation and endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education. It is supported by Mall of Asia Arena, Cebu Pacific Air, Consuelo Foundation, CIE British School, Inner Wheel Club Central Ortigas, Rotary International District 3830, Lions Club District 301-A2, Lopez Group Foundation, Skin Rejuve, Unilever, SM Youth & Huawei.

A Cebu-leg of the Global Youth Summit is scheduled on August 24, 2019, at the Cebu Trade Hall, SM City Cebu. 

SM Cinema treats kids to a free screening of “The Lion King”

More than 400 children, along with parents and caregivers from the Payatas community in Quezon City, flocked to SM Cinema’s free screening of the much-anticipated live action movie “The Lion King,” held at SM City North EDSA recently.

During the film, kids and kids-at-heart couldn’t help but be amazed by the fascinating effects, characters, and of course, the phenomenal songs from the movie. This once in a lifetime opportunity for some of the underprivileged children in the community, hopes to convey the message that SM is a place for all.

“We always ensure that our corporate social responsibility activities serve as a catalyst for positive change in communities where our cinemas and malls are present. Today, we embark on a simple, yet meaningful step to enjoin the children and families from Payatas Community, to experience the wonderful world of SM,” said Ruby Ann Reyes, SM Cinema Vice President for Corporate Marketing.

SM Cinema, supported by SM Cares, offered this free, exclusive viewing of Disney’s “The Lion King” to indigent families from Payatas, Quezon City as testament to their pledge in supporting communities wherever SM is present.

“We want to provide these kids from the Payatas community a venue where they can discover and develop their love for movies,” added SM’s Ruby Reyes.

Daily Manna Feeding Payatas Community volunteer Gemma Rabe shared that the kids couldn’t contain their excitement over the experience. “Very grateful kami na may ganitong activity ang SM. Talagang excited sila dahil makakatungtong sila saSM. Makakapasyal sila at makakanuod na rin sa wakas ng movie sa SM,” she said.

SM Cares is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Its advocacies include Programs on Persons with Disabilities, Children and Youth, Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Environment Sustainability, Senior Citizens, and Overseas Filipino Workers (SM Global Pinoy).

As a responsible integrated property developer, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www.smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares or email smcares@smsupermalls.com.

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