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Showing posts from March, 2023

SM scholar-alumna takes the road less travelled

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  Rosalie Macaspac (left) interprets the contents of the program for her students. Teaching surpasses the realms of jobs or professions–it encompasses service, vocation, and life mission.  Proving this day and night are millions of Filipino teachers who stand as second mothers to students. One of them is Rosalie Macaspac, an SM scholar alumna who chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED). Life’s work Choosing to teach, especially pursue SPED, is a path less travelled. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners. With much dedication and determination to have the right skills for her students, she pursued graduate studies in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and D

Daughter of former flower farmers lives a vibrant life through the SM Scholarship grant

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  Stability is the foundation of a well-lived life. With basic needs fulfilled, people have the opportunity to develop themselves, explore various facets of life, and contribute to the welfare of the community. When aspiring youth, especially those from low-income households, are given the chance to stand on solid ground, they readily take the chance. They utilize it as a seedbed where they can cultivate their dreams and aspirations. One testament to this is SM scholar alumna  Jonnah Jane Sacamay , who grew up in a family where stability seemed like an uncharted territory. Years back, Jonnah’s family’s main source of living was flower farming. This made them walk on a thin line as the demand for flowers was seasonal, and they were also often affected by unpredictable weather disturbances.  But while they had journeyed through life with uncertainty, they had always planted in her mind the power of education. “Given that the nature of farming is very seasonal, our income is not stable. A

SM Foundation aids quake-hit Türkiye, Syria

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  SMFI’s Connie Angeles (second from left) hands the donation to PRC chairperson Dick Gordon (third from left). Joining the turnover are  PRC Governor Ernesto Isla and PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang (first and fourth from left, respectively). Photo from PRC. In solidarity with earthquake-hit countries Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last Feb. 27, 2023. Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to the quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria. Additionally, the social good arm of SM also donated Php5 million to help address the needs of earthquake victims. PRC volunteers prepare to ship 200 units of gasoline generators donated by SM Foundation for quake-hit Türkiye and Syria. Photo from PRC. The aid comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria. The disaster was followed b

SM Supermalls, SM Cares to join Earth Hour 2023

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  SM Supermalls, together with its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, is joining the rest of the world in observing Earth Hour this coming March 25 as the company renews its commitment to environmental stewardship. This year's Earth Hour is all about "creating the Biggest Hour for Earth," and those who want to participate in the global activity are encouraged to spend 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet, in addition to switching off their lights. SM Supermalls has been supporting Earth Hour and the WWF since the initiative was first held in the Philippines in 2008. This year, customers, tenants and employees at SM malls nationwide are once again encouraged to “Give an Hour for Earth” as SM Supermalls joins the annual Global Lights Switch Off from 8:30 PM to 9:30PM on March 25.  This day also marks the start of the World Wildlife Fund’s Virtual Earth Hour Run, a self-paced run supported by SM Cares, to be held from March 25 to April 30, 2023. Th