SM Supermalls, in collaboration
with its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units and partner
schools and organizations joined the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day
at SM malls nationwide on April 22, 2023.
1700 children celebrate Earth Day at SM malls nationwide.
With the theme "Invest In Our
Planet, Invest In Our Youth," SM Supermalls and SM Cares lined up various
activities that aimed to raise awareness among children and their families
about the importance of coming together across various sectors to take care of
the environment. SM malls nationwide simultaneously held relevant and impactful
celebrations with activities such as Children’s Storytelling, Coloring, and
Sustainability Tours, gathering 1700 children and 350 employee volunteers.
These activities aimed to encourage everyone in the family, particularly the
young ones, to protect and respect Mother Earth.
Earth Day is an annual celebration
led by the Earth Day Network that puts the spotlight on issues that are affecting
the environment. First held in 1970, Earth Day was the result of a need for a
unified response against various environmental problems like pollution and
resource depletion. Today, the event is considered the biggest environmental
movement in the world, with millions joining celebrations every year.
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Children learn about how to
protect the environment individually and as a community through art,
storytelling and a Sustainability tour around SM malls |
“At SM, every day is Earth Day.
However, today we are reminded of our responsibility to protect the planet we
live in. We believe that we must all come together and take the necessary steps
against this climate crisis and accelerate a greener and more equitable future
for everyone,” shared Ms. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for
Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment.
SM Supermalls featured the art of
multi-awarded Filipino artist, sculptor and illustrator, Manuel Baldemor. His
works depict the rich cultural aspects of the Philippines and can be found in
multiple institutions worldwide. His drawings and Earth Day poem inspired the
Earth Day program at SM, reflecting a long-time partnership on SM Cares
programs for the environment, starting with his design of SM’s first eco bags
in 2007.
The storytelling activity featured
a special Earth Day story based on Baldemor’s artworks. The story reflected
simple ways children can participate in living sustainably on their own and
with their families. Meanwhile, kids and kids-at-heart were welcomed at the
coloring activity section. Participants were given art materials and a
selection of Baldemor's drawings to color in. Malls used recycled materials in
designing the activity areas.
And to cap off the celebration, a
sustainability tour was held wherein everyone participated in a guided tour to
one or more of the mall’s eco-friendly facilities such as the EV charging stations,
water recycling treatment plants, waste segregation bins, Plastic Waste
Collection booths, E-waste Collection bins and various bicycle amenities.
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Filipino artist Manuel
Baldemor’s artistic contribution provide inspiration for the Earth Day program.
Joining him at SM City Fairview were DENR NCR Director Mr. Manuel T.
Escasura; Quezon City Vice Mayor, Honorable Gian Sotto; Ms. Andrea
Villaroman, Head of the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental
Sustainability Department, Planet CORA’s Partnerships Director, Cat Trivino
and SM Supermalls executives. |
To highlight the role of
collaborating with the public sector in driving environmental programs forward,
SM City Fairview hosted the DENR Gawad Taga-ilog Awards photo exhibit, which
recognized winning local government units who are leading in protecting Metro
Manila’s waterways. The agency also further provided 800 tree seedlings to
participants and customers through a DENR Community Pan-TREE to encourage at SM
Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM City Fairview, SM City Novaliches,
SM City Marikina, SM City East Ortigas and SM Southmall.
The Quezon City Climate Change and
Environmental Sustainability Department also promoted the city’s Trash to Cashback
program to encourage its citizens to be Eco Warriors and promote recycling.
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Youth participants join forces
with SM Supermalls for a sustainable future. |
The Earth Day celebration is just
one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting sustainable living among
Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at helping care for the
environment. These are the Trash to Cash Recycling Market held every first Friday
and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling systems, and environmental
campaigns such as the Green Film Festival, Green Retail Agenda, and the
International Coastal Cleanup Drive, just to name a few.
SM Cares is the corporate social
responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that
promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’
advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with
Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the
Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.
To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
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