Saturday, August 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUG 28, 2026
Think You Know Coconut? Discover 5 Ideas That May Surprise You
From Gen Z innovation to zero-waste businesses, Filipino coco-preneurs are taking coconut somewhere new.
A coconut may be familiar, but what Filipino entrepreneurs are doing with it is anything but. A college feasibility study has become a Gen Z-run coconut milk business. Surplus coconut shells are being transformed into handcrafted bags while helping provide livelihood to more than 100 workers. And one entrepreneur has developed around 40 products by finding new uses for virtually every part of the coconut.
Around 300 Filipino coco-preneurs are transforming the country’s “tree of life” into fresh ideas, innovative products, and businesses ready to grow.
These are among the ideas and founder stories waiting to be discovered at the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026, now underway at SMX Convention Center Manila until August 30.
“Over the next five days, we bring our coco-preneurs, our buyers, shoppers and partners together under one roof here in SMX as we celebrate National Coconut Week,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista during the opening ceremony.
Mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) and supported by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the fair brings together around 300 coconut MSMEs nationwide. With SM Supermalls, through SM for MSMEs, providing a marketplace that gives entrepreneurs greater visibility and access to more customers, visitors get an early look at fresh ideas—and perhaps the next great Filipino brands waiting to be discovered.
Here are five discoveries worth making before the fair ends.
1. One coconut. More possibilities than you imagined.
For Elmer Marbello, General Manager of Marbello’s Processed Foods Manufacturing, virtually every part of the coconut can inspire another product. He has developed around 40, including coconut liniment and coconut bagoong made from coconut remnants.
“Mahilig po talaga akong mag-develop ng products. I have about 40 that I have developed. Lahat po ng parte ng coconut, ginamit ko na… Tree of life po talaga ang coconut.”
Adrian Ramilo of Ayanas is also pushing coconut in unexpected directions with coconut wine. “Hindi po siya tuba—and masarap po siya,” he shared. More importantly, demand generated through trade fairs is helping create jobs in their community: “Marami po kaming produkto na nabebenta sa trade fair kaya may mga trabaho na sa amin.”
One crop. Dozens of possibilities. And hundreds of entrepreneurs finding new ones.
2. A Gen Z school project can become a real business.
For Dehusk, the business began with a college feasibility study—and a very personal problem. One of its founders is lactose intolerant. At the same time, the young entrepreneurs saw an opportunity in the country’s surplus of coconuts. Their solution was to develop drinkable coconut milk as a milk alternative, rather than coconut milk traditionally used for cooking. That school project eventually became a Gen Z-run business.
“We are very proud to have come up with this product, being the only one in the market locally producing drinkable milk from coconut—not for cooking. It’s a great alternative to other milk alternatives. Our company is also proudly run by Generation Z!” said Chloe De Ocampo, Marketing Lead of Dehusk.
From feasibility study to trade fair floor, Dehusk shows how a personal need, a local resource, and a fresh idea can become a promising Filipino business.
3. What looks like waste can create livelihoods.
For Virna Morales of Venice Rose Integrated Farms and Johnalyn Lamprea of Lampre’s Integrated Farm, surplus coconut shells weren’t something to throw away. They saw raw material—and opportunity. The partners transform the shells into handcrafted bags, alkansya, and other useful products.
“We believe nothing from the coconut should go to waste. We transform surplus shells into handcrafted products—creating new value from what could have been discarded. Today, this innovation helps provide livelihood to more than 100 workers.”
Morales, a nurse by profession, returned to help with her family’s farming business. Their coconut-shell bag venture is only in its first year, and with DTI Iloilo helping expand their market linkages, their first showcase at SMX opens another opportunity to connect with potential buyers. Less waste. More value. More than 100 livelihoods.
4. The right opportunity can turn a skill into a growing business.
Juvy Crusina of Crusina’s Handicrafts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte began her entrepreneurial journey by learning the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program. She eventually moved from being part of a cooperative to becoming a sole proprietor in 2024. Then another turning point came when she joined DTI’s National Trade Fair at SM Megamall.
“I learned the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program, and today I have my own business. Joining the National Trade Fair at SM gave us so much exposure that orders became overwhelming. Now at my first COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair here at SMX, I’m excited to be discovered by even more customers.”
Her story shows how opportunities can build on one another—from learning a skill, to starting a business, to finding a bigger market. Learn. Build. Be discovered. Grow.
5. Big ideas go further when the right partners open doors.
Behind these individual success stories is a bigger ambition: helping promising Filipino ideas become sustainable businesses that create jobs and reach wider markets. DTI and DA-PCA help develop coconut farmers and enterprises, while SM and SMX provide a highly visible marketplace where entrepreneurs can showcase their products, meet shoppers and buyers, and explore new opportunities.
As DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque emphasized during the opening, “Our challenge is turning good products into lasting and sustainable businesses that can provide income for our country and provide jobs for our people.” She also called for stronger collaboration between government and business to create more Filipino success stories: “Let us now continue to create more Filipino products and more superstars through stronger coordination between private sector and government as we continue to build better lives for our farmers and for our communities.”
Where style meets purpose. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque celebrate Filipino creativity and enterprise at the COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026—championing the coco-preneurs turning local ideas into Filipino brands.
For Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls, SM’s long-standing partnership with DTI is about helping those ideas reach the market. “Some of the most exciting Filipino brands begin with a simple idea and an entrepreneur willing to pursue it. Through our long-standing partnership with DTI, we help bring these ideas closer to the market—giving MSMEs opportunities to be discovered, connect with customers, and grow.” There’s still more to discover.
A school project turned into a Gen Z business. Surplus coconut shells turned into livelihoods. A craft learned through mentoring became an enterprise. And around 300 coconut MSMEs are showing just how many possibilities can grow from one of the Philippines’ most familiar resources.
A marketplace for Filipino ingenuity. COCONUTPhilippines brings hundreds of coconut MSMEs under one roof, giving homegrown businesses greater visibility and opportunities to connect with shoppers, buyers, and new markets.
The coco-preneurs are here. Their ideas are ready to be discovered. Come meet the founders, try something unexpected, and proudly support Filipino businesses. Somewhere on the trade fair floor could be the next great Filipino brand waiting for its big break. The DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026 runs until August 30 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City. FREE ADMISSION.
See it. Discover it. Experience it.
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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs
SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators with 90 malls nationwide—continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship through SM for MSMEs, creating opportunities that are relevant, inclusive, and designed around what entrepreneurs need most. As the country's most loved retail destination, SM supports MSMEs across different stages of growth by providing market access, greater visibility, strategic partnerships, and platforms that help local businesses thrive. By connecting communities with proudly Filipino brands, SM continues to empower entrepreneurs while building stronger, more resilient local economies.
SM Megamall Becomes Part of Metro Manila’s Transit Backbone with Busway Link
As ridership on the EDSA Bus Carousel increases, infrastructure evolves to meet daily demand
Commuters no longer have to take the inconvenient walk across EDSA to arrive at the SM Megamall station
MANILA, Philippines, 28 August 2026 - Every day, over 170,000 commuters board the EDSA Bus Carousel to get to work, school, and everywhere in between – and this passenger count continues to climb. As more Filipinos turn to the EDSA busway as their daily mode of transportation, the infrastructure around its busiest stations is being pushed to keep pace, with one of the initiatives being a direct walkway linking the bus station to SM Megamall.
The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse, which opened to the public on April 2026, is an elevated, weather-protected walkway that connects the EDSA Bus Carousel’s SM Megamall station to SM Megamall Building A, eliminating the need for commuters to traverse the lengthy stretch across EDSA. It houses escalators and elevators to ensure convenient access for all, including commuters with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.
The SM Megamall busway link features escalators and elevators for easier mobility from the entrance to exit points
The concourse was developed by your most loved SM Supermalls in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), as part of joint efforts to improve the commuter experience. The link provides direct access to the bus platform that serves northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
This development reflects a broader shift in how Philippine malls are evolving in design – being positioned not only as shopping and leisure destinations, but also as functional nodes within the country’s urban mobility network. SM Megamall’s busway link builds on a similar model previously introduced at SM North EDSA, signaling a pattern that may be replicated across other SM Supermalls strategically located along major transit corridors.
Under the My SM campaign, the mall operator highlights its larger commitment to enhancing and reenvisioning how daily activities – like commuting – can be made more seamless, comfortable, and safe for every Filipino. For more information, visit @smmegamall or https://www.smsupermalls.com/.
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About SM Supermalls
SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. Every Filipino has an SM story. For generations, SM has been more than a place to shop. It has become part of everyday Filipino life, a place where families gather, friendships grow, milestones are celebrated, passions are discovered, and communities come together. As Filipinos’ lifestyles continue to evolve, SM continues to transform its destinations through My SM creating malls that are more connected, experiential, and meaningful, while remaining the place Filipinos know, trust, and call home. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.
Forty years of Negrense creativity, craftsmanship, and enterprise—all coming together under one roof. Food, fashion, home, and craftsmanship at BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair, in partnership with SM for MSMEs, brings homegrown businesses closer to more customers and opportunities at SMX Convention Center Aura, September 22–27.
Some fairs are worth visiting for the shopping. Others for the food. BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair gives you 40 years of reasons to come. From September 22 to 27, 2026, the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair returns to SMX Convention Center Aura, bringing the best of Negros closer to Metro
Manila shoppers for its milestone 40th anniversary.Through SM for MSMEs, SM Supermalls continues its collaboration with the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), helping provide Negrense entrepreneurs a highly visible marketplace where their products, stories and craftsmanship can connect with more customers and potential markets.
Crafted in Negros, made to be discovered. Negrense artisans give traditional craftsmanship a fresh, contemporary spin.
This year’s theme, BÚTLAK, celebrates a legacy moving forward with fresh energy: honoring the flavors, craftsmanship and stories that made the fair an institution while giving Negrense creativity a distinctly contemporary spin. Whether you come to eat, shop, discover something new—or all three—here are 7 reasons this milestone edition deserves a spot on your calendar.
1. Because the Big 4-0 is going BIG!
Forty years doesn't happen every day. More than 115 Negrense entrepreneurs are preparing to fill 178 booths with the best of the island—from beloved food and fashion to handcrafted furniture, home accents, art and more. For longtime NTF fans, it's a homecoming. For first-timers, this may be the best year to finally discover why generations of shoppers keep coming back. Six days. 178 booths. One island's creativity under one roof.
Hot off the griddle—and always worth the wait! One of the most sought-after experiences at the Negros Trade Fair is watching the iconic piaya freshly heated and served warm on-site. Crisp on the outside with its sweet, gooey filling inside, this beloved Negrense delicacy proves that some favorites are simply best enjoyed fresh, warm, and straight from the fair.
2. Come hungry. Very hungry.
Ask an NTF regular what they're looking forward to and chances are, food is somewhere near the top of the list.
21 Restaurant is bringing Bacolod favorites including its Signature Batchoy, Spanish-style Boquerones and Lola Nitang's Bibingka.
Quan Delicacies brings the ultimate Negrense comfort-food haul: classic kakanin, napoleones, chicken
pie and Frozen Sud-an—including Cansi—alongside newer creations such as Puto Sorbetes and Batuan Focaccia.Then there's Sir and Ma'am Restaurant's heirloom Morcon, a family tradition dating back to 1962.
Casa Carmela's small-batch Negrense dishes and culinary staples made for stocking the pantry.
Come hungry. Leave with enough pasalubong to make everyone at home very happy.
Discover old favorites and new finds from Quan Delicacies, Casa Carmela, 21 Restaurant, Sir and Ma’am Restaurant, and more—proof that at the Negros Trade Fair, there’s always something worth coming back for seconds.
3. Wear Negros differently.
This isn't heritage that stays behind glass. At BÚTLAK, traditional craftsmanship finds its way into pieces made for today's wardrobe.
Behind every contemporary Negrense fashion piece are skilled hands transforming fabric, texture, and tradition into something made for today.
Negrense makers transform craftsmanship and tradition into fashion designed for today.
Tia Lacson The Label's Medina Collection brings effortless resort dressing in natural linen, lace, fine piña and recycled materials, with selected pieces supporting mother-embroiderers in Silay and local seamstresses across Bacolod and Talisay.
Ellege Handcrafted Fashion keeps Negros Occidental's intricate hand-smocking tradition alive, translating a painstaking heritage technique into elegant contemporary clothing.
And Arête brings handcrafted island-style accessories made with indigenous Philippine materials and created in partnership with local Local fashion, but make it unmistakably Negrense.
Negrense style, reimagined. From contemporary fashion to handcrafted accessories, local makers bring heritage, artistry, and modern design together—unmistakably Negros.
4. Bring a little bit of Negros home.Consider this fair dangerous territory for anyone who says, “I'm just looking.”
Hacienda Crafts transforms abaca, rattan, bamboo and coconut twigs into export-grade lighting and home décor while providing livelihoods to sugarcane communities during tiempo muerto. Around 90% of its artisans are local mothers who weave from home.
Hacienda Crafts: Woven with purpose. Local materials become beautiful home pieces while creating livelihoods for Negrense artisan communities.
Tumandok Crafts Industries turns carefully treated capiz shells into premium houseware and statement décor, preserving a craft it has developed since 1988.
Meanwhile, Artisana Island Crafts combines ceramics with wild pandan harvested from the foothills of Mt. Kanlaon to create eco-luxury table décor while supporting livelihoods for wives of local sugarcane farmers.
Crafted by nature, shaped by Negros. Capiz, ceramics, and wild pandan are transformed into distinctive pieces that bring Negrense artistry home.
These aren't simply beautiful objects. They're pieces of Negros—and the communities behind them—that you can bring home.
5. Be among the first to discover what's new.Here's where the 40th gets particularly exciting. Five product specialists from the Design Center of the Philippines went directly into Negros workshops to collaborate with ANP makers, exploring local raw materials and combining time-honored skills with contemporary design perspectives. The result? Fresh, market-ready collections debuting at the 40th Negros Trade Fair, alongside the 2026 Bulawan Awards pieces.
After four decades, Negros isn't simply looking back. It's designing what comes next.
6. Find something you never expected to buy.
One of the best things about NTF has always been discovery.
A typhoon once stripped Chef Mae Selene Puentespina-Resultay's Sarisa trees of their fruit. Instead of looking at what was lost, she looked at what remained—the leaves—and eventually transformed them into Rensel's crispy Sarisa Chips.
Come for your favorites, leave with a new discovery. From Sarisa chips and mosaic art to clay sculptures, NTF is full of unexpected finds shaped by creativity, resourcefulness, and purpose.
Artist Ramon De los Santos makes his official NTF debut with Lutak Art Sculptures, combining clay and raw earth in textured works inspired by the nostalgia of Larong Pinoy.And NVC Foundation transforms discarded materials such as broken tiles and used Nespresso capsules into intricate mosaic art, with every purchase helping fund nutrition, education and livelihood initiatives in Negros Occidental.
Made in Negros, designed to stand out. Natural and repurposed materials are handcrafted into one-of-a-kind décor and art pieces—showcasing the ingenuity behind Negrense craftsmanship.
Come looking for your favorites. Leave having discovered a new one
7. Because when the right partners open doors, local businesses can go further.
The Negros Trade Fair has always been more than a place to shop. For four decades, it has helped give Negrense entrepreneurs a marketplace for their creativity, craftsmanship and products. This milestone edition builds on that legacy by bringing together ANP, the Provincial Government, SM Supermalls through the SM for MSMEs program and SMX Aura around a shared opportunity: helping more Filipino enterprises reach more people.
Through SM for MSMEs, SM helps bring platforms such as the Negros Trade Fair closer to a ready, high-traffic market—providing entrepreneurs with greater market access, business visibility and opportunities to connect with customers.
It's an idea at the heart of SM for MSMEs: when Filipino entrepreneurs are given the right marketplace and the right opportunities, small businesses have more room to grow.
After 40 years, NTF offers plenty of proof of what can happen when communities, entrepreneurs and partners grow together. 40 years brought them here. Come see where they go next. BÚTLAK is more than an anniversary. It's a chance to taste recipes passed through generations, wear craftsmanship reimagined for today, bring home extraordinary Filipino design, meet the people behind the products—and support businesses helping keep Negrense culture and enterprise thriving. So come hungry. Come curious. And perhaps come with an extra shopping bag!
BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair
September 22–27, 2026
SMX Convention Center Aura
Taste it. Wear it. Bring it home. And be part of the next 40 years of Negros.
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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs
SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses and opportunities come together. Through SM for MSMEs, SM continues to evolve with the needs of Filipino entrepreneurs by creating opportunities that help businesses start, grow and thrive. From market access and business visibility to strategic partnerships and entrepreneurship platforms, SM empowers MSMEs across different stages and sectors—connecting homegrown brands with more customers and communities nationwide. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.
FROM JOBSEEKER TO HIRED! Successful applicants proudly mark their new beginnings after being hired on the spot at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026, where SM Job Fair and PMAP brought employment opportunities closer to Filipino communities.
Held in celebration of the People Management Association of the Philippines' (PMAP) 70th Anniversary, the career fair carried the theme “HumanITy Forward 2026: Empowering Talent in a Digital World,” putting the spotlight not only on getting Filipinos hired, but also on helping them become better prepared for the changing world of work.
SM Supermalls’ Royston Cabunag, 1st District Councilor Hon. Charm Ferrer, PMAP President Gilbert Camasura, PMAP Past President Obet Policarpio, PMAP’s Ghie Lara and Jemai Duque-Gomez, and DOLE QC Director Rowella Grande, officially open the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to creating more employment opportunities and building a future-ready Filipino workforce.
More than getting hiredFor Ghie Lara, Chairperson of PMAP's Employability Committee, the event represented a broader approach to helping Filipinos build sustainable careers. “What we have here is not just a job fair but an employability ecosystem which includes our employer partners. This year, we also have the upskilling zone and the career-coaching zone where volunteers can give guidance to our jobseekers. We are here not only to employ but also to upskill.”
HIRED ON THE SPOT! Newly hired applicants celebrate their career milestone with Ghie Lara, Chairperson of PMAP’s Employability Committee, at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026. Their success reflects what the event’s employability ecosystem is all about—connecting Filipino talent with employers, career support, and opportunities that can lead to meaningful employment.
That approach complements the continuing evolution of SM Job Fair—bringing employment opportunities closer to communities while creating pathways for jobseekers to develop the skills and confidence they need to compete in today's workplace.
Showing up for opportunityFor the jobseekers who came despite the weather, the experience was far more personal. Richmond Carl Bello arrived determined to find work and left hired on the spot as Administrative Staff at Readyman.
“Pumunta po ako ngayon kasi kailangan po talaga ng work. Umulan man o bumagyo, kailangan ng trabaho.”
Hired-on-the-spot applicant Richmond Carl Bello celebrates his new opportunity with SM Supermalls executives Royston Cabunag, Asst. Vice President and Head of SM Communities; Pats Lim-Dy, Senior Asst. Vice President for SM Communities Marketing; and Cedrik Forbes, Lead for SM Job Fairs, at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026.
For Sweet Ehricka Toledo, who was hired on the spot as a Cashier at SM Hypermarket, having the job fair inside the mall made pursuing an opportunity easier despite the conditions outside.
“Hindi ako mapipigilan ng ulan sa paghahanap ng trabaho. Buti po dito sa SM ang job fair, secured po mula sa panahon at maayos ang lugar.”
Their stories underscore why bringing job fairs into accessible community spaces matters: when opportunities are closer and easier to reach, more Filipinos have the chance to pursue them.
HIRED ON THE SPOT! A successful applicant proudly celebrates landing a new job at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026—turning a day of job hunting into a fresh career start.
The benefits extend to employers looking for skilled people. Jhane Unciano, Administrative Manager of Dewan Architects and Engineers, said the event helped the company build its talent pool as it expands its presence in the Philippines. “We are also trying to promote our company's needs for Architects and Engineers... and we think this partnership with PMAP and SM is helping us tremendously with this.”
Joaquin Feliciano, University Relations Partner and Talent Sourcer at Meralco, likewise noted the turnout despite the weather, citing the collaboration among Quezon City LGU, PMAP and SM as a strength of the event. By bringing employers and jobseekers into the same accessible venue, SM Job Fair helps shorten the distance between available talent and available opportunities.
Making the employment journey easier
Jobseekers were also able to access digital government assistance through eGovPH, helping facilitate requirements such as TIN, Pag-IBIG, and SSS.Pauline Faye Agtarap, Project Development Officer II of DICT, said the service helps reduce the steps jobseekers need to take as they prepare for employment. “Happy po ako kasi natutulungan natin ang mga naghahanap ng trabaho, bawas po sa pag-asikaso nila. It's a great opportunity to have SM as a partner in promoting the programs of DICT in helping Filipino jobseekers.”
This reflects the broader direction of SM Job Fair: making the journey to employment more convenient—not only by bringing jobs closer, but by connecting Filipinos with skills development and essential support services along the way.
OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN REACH. Jobseekers connect directly with recruiters at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026, exploring career opportunities from multiple employers—all under one roof.
Opportunities closer to home
The PMAP Mega Job Fair is part of SM Supermalls' continuing nationwide employment advocacy, bringing together employers, government and industry partners to make career opportunities more accessible to different communities. From a jobseeker braving bad weather for an interview to an applicant walking out with a new job, the impact ultimately comes down to individual lives moving forward.
Because sometimes, the distance between looking for an opportunity and finding one can be as simple as having the right people, support, and opportunities within reach.ONE HANDSHAKE CLOSER TO A NEW CAREER. A jobseeker connects with a recruiter at the PMAP Mega Job Fair 2026, where face-to-face conversations open doors to new career possibilities.
More SM Job Fairs ahead
Following the successful PMAP Mega Job Fair, SM Job Fair continues to bring employment opportunities closer to communities through a nationwide lineup of hiring events:
August 25 – SM City Davao I SM City Tuguegarao
August 26 – SM City Fairview I SM City Cabanatuan
August 27 – SM City Pampanga I SM City Bacoor I SM City Trece Martires I SM Center Muntinlupa
August 29 – SM City Baguio
August 31 - SM Center San Pedro
September 1 – SM City Sto. Tomas
September 3 – SM City Manila
September 4 – SM City Sta. Mesa
September 7–8 – SM City Butuan
September 8–9 – SM City Iloilo I SM City Davao
September 9 – SM City Baguio
September 9–10 – SM City Cebu I SM CDO Downtown Premier
September 10 – SM City Trece Martires I SM City Tuguegarao I SM City North EDSA I SM City Zamboanga
September 12 – SM City La Union I SM City San Pablo
September 16–17 – SM Seaside City Cebu
September 24 – SM City Trece Martires I SM City Calamba
September 29 – SM City Bacoor
Schedules and participating malls may change without prior notice.
Each event provides jobseekers with direct access to employers from various industries, allowing them to explore career opportunities, submit applications, and participate in on-the-spot interviews—all in one convenient and accessible location.
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About SM Supermalls – Job Fairs
SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together. Through SM Job Fairs, SM continues to evolve with the aspirations of Filipino job seekers by making employment opportunities more accessible across its malls nationwide. Designed for diverse job seeker communities—from fresh graduates and career shifters to experienced professionals—SM connects talent with employers through meaningful partnerships that support workforce development and inclusive economic growth.
My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.
SM malls are evolving to support access to key transportation points. (In photo: The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse and Pedestrian Bridge enhances pedestrian circulation and seamless access within one of Metro Manila’s busiest commercial and transport hubs.) MANILA, Philippines, [INSERT DATE] — For millions of Filipinos navigating EDSA, the daily commute could soon become safe, more seamless, and more convenient. As SM continues its transformation journey beyond its retail and shared spaces, its malls are also evolving to make getting to and from key transport hubs easier for commuters.
In the coming months, mallgoers can look forward to improved connections through the SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse and Pedestrian Bridge and SM North EDSA MRT-7 link. The projects aim to shorten long walks to transportation hubs while giving commuters familiar, well-lit, and ventilated access and departure points.
The completion of the SM Megamall EDSA Busway link, which connects SM Megamall to the Ortigas station of the EDSA Bus Carousel, provides an accessible entrance and exit point for commuters.
Prior to the completion of the elevated walkway, commuters had to pass through the congested MRT-3 footbridge to reach the EDSA Carousel. The new pedestrian bridge
significantly shortens the long, inconvenient walk, allowing easier access and smoother commuter flow in the busy transportation hub.The elevated walkway is fully covered, protecting commuters from rough weather conditions. The vast space has ramps and an elevator to ensure easy access for commuters, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.
The SM Megamall Busway Link features an elevated enclosed pedestrian bridge and
concourse spanning EDSA.
The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Link provides commuters with easier access to the bus carousel platform, which offers northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
Meanwhile, the ongoing construction of the SM North EDSA–MRT 7 Link will provide commuters with seamless access to the Common Station linking MRT-3, LRT-1, the soon-to-be-operational MRT-7, and nearby establishments. Pedestrians can safely walk from hub to hub as the walkway will be fully covered to protect them from harsh weather conditions.
These pedestrian walkways, done in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, are part of SM Supermalls’ broader initiative to create commuter-friendly facilities around their most-loved SM Supermalls.
Under the MY SM Transportation e, the mall operator is reimagining the daily commute—not simply by improving access to transportation, but by creating safer, more comfortable, and more convenient journeys for everyone. By putting everyday commuter needs at the heart of these improvements, SM aims to make getting from one place to another a more seamless part of everyday life.
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About SM Supermalls
SM Supermalls is evolving—shaping how people live, connect, and experience life today. More than a place to shop, it is the country’s most loved mall and an everyday destination designed around the lifestyles, passions, and needs of Filipino communities, delivering new finds, fresh concepts, and meaningful experiences, All For You.
As one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China, SM Supermalls continues to evolve its spaces, experiences, and partnerships, building destinations that grow with communities and remain trusted, relevant, and loved for generations. Your Most Loved Supermall, SM — All For You.
BAGUIO, PHILIPPINES – Learning knows no age. At SM City Baguio, children and senior citizens came together to discover the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during an interactive learning session held in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DICT-CAR).
More than an introduction to emerging technology, the session created a space where generations could learn together, ask questions, and discover how AI can be used responsibly in everyday life.
10-year-old Jacob Jimenez raises questions during the AI learning session, exploring how Artificial Intelligence can support learning and creativity.
For young participants, the activity encouraged curiosity and creativity, showing how AI can support learning and inspire new ideas. Ten-year-old Jacob Jimenez, a Grade 5 student, was eager to explore more.
“I want to know more about AI because it is futuristic technology. I tried a game where you have to use AI, and I also made an app,” Jacob shared.
His mother, Joan Jimenez, appreciated the opportunity for children to become more familiar with technology that is increasingly part of their everyday lives.
“I am very thankful kasi ino-open ng SM City Baguio ang mga ganitong opportunities para sa mga kids. I hope na mas marami pang ganitong programs,” she shared.
Senior citizens actively engage in a discussion on Artificial Intelligence with DICT-CAR, gaining practical insights on how AI can be used safely and responsibly in everyday life.
For senior citizens, the session offered a chance to become more comfortable with digital technology while learning important lessons on online safety and scams.
Cheryl Alquiza proudly shows her certificate after completing the AI learning session led by DICT-CAR at SM City Baguio
Senior participant Cheryl Alquiza shared how the discussions helped her become more aware of potential risks in the digital space.
“We learned so much information... Sometimes, we are very vulnerable to scams,” Cheryl shared.
AI FOR ALL AGES – Senior citizens and kids actively participate in the AI learning session led by DICT-CAR.
The inclusive nature of the activity highlighted how technology can bring people together across generations.
“From kids to seniors, it only goes to show na yung technology ay walang pinipiling edad. Very inclusive siya,” said DICT-CAR Engineer Katherine Aguilar.
For SM City Baguio, the initiative reflects its commitment to creating meaningful experiences that bring communities closer, making the mall not only a place for shopping and entertainment, but also a space for learning, connection, and growth.
Through initiatives like this, SM continues to share the Love of Community by creating opportunities where everyone, regardless of age, can learn, participate, and embrace the possibilities of a digital future.
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