Friday, September 22, 2023
The simple things in life are oftentimes taken for granted. To some people, tangible objects like clothes, bags, or shoes are normal commodities that they can easily buy and eventually dispose of at will. Meanwhile, millions of people around the world, specifically children, walk barefoot as they lack financial resources to avail themselves of decent footwear.
According to a 2017 article by William Blischke, an American Sociology professor at the California State University Dominguez Hills, 14% of the earth’s inhabitants lack shoes or have inadequate footwear. He adds that in some developing countries, shoeless children cannot attend school because they may communicate and contract diseases from their foot sores. This is why some international non-profit organizations claim that shoes, or the lack thereof, are one of the most visible signs of poverty.
In the Philippines, there is no available academic study that justifies Filipino children’s actual lack of shoes. However, this phenomenon can be substantiated by the 2023 report of the Department of Education, which states that one of the most pressing issues in the basic education system is the lack of access to resources. Since school shoes are an integral part of a student’s uniform even in public schools, it will be difficult for less-privileged families to purchase them. Thus, leaving children with no choice but to either use their old and ill-fitting shoes, or worse, walk barefoot – just to complete their education.
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 at SM malls in Baliwag and Marilao until November 15, 2023 to support a child in need. For only P65, you can help transform a life by being a Share Shoes Champion! Help us put shoes on a child’s feet and together, let us witness how they walk through life with smiles on their faces. (Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-172377, Series of 2023)
Monday, June 13, 2022
Now that more offices are opening up, there is a real want for returning employees to chat in real life, work next to their colleagues, and go back to work events again. But with work from home – as well as hybrid - arrangements still very much in practice, it’s time to give your working wardrobe a reboot with a little help from The SM Store.
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The pandemic has fast-tracked the move towards smart/casual dressing once reserved for dress down Fridays. That’s because companies have realized that you don’t have to dress strictly corporate to look professional and do you jobs properly.
Now it is acceptable to bring some personality and self-expression to work. This means having a wardrobe full of smart separates, key pieces that will get you spot-on and enjoy dressing in a more creative and interesting way.
While it’s clear dress codes have relaxed, it’s still important to look professional at work. It is really part of your tool kit for success as well as showing you mean business, and take your job seriously.
Working girls can inject a hint of something fresh into their look – online or offline – with short suits, with a more relaxed take on tailoring from SM Woman. The basic white top remains a mainstay as do relaxed pants for casual codes. These go well with Slip on Sandals and flat mules from Parisian Woman and flat pumps from Solemate; as well as trendy and functional shoulder and sling bags from Parisian and Secosana.
For guys, there are Jusi barongs for more formal occasions, button down tops, smart casual pants, and bomber jackets for the office commute. These can be worn with classic leather loafers from Milano’s and Salvatore Mann and Herschel’s Little America backpacks and Salvatore Mann Armon sling bags.
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Shop now at SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag and SM City San Jose Del Monte. You may also add to cart: https://bit.ly/
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Last November 26, 2021, Caloocan have set another historic date when SM City Grand Central opened its doors, offering outstanding shopping, leisure, and entertainment to this historic city. After SM Center Sangandaan in 2015, SM City Grand Central is SM Prime Holdings Inc.'s 78th supermall and the second SM mall in Caloocan.
Caloocan is known as the Makasaysayang Lungsod, the Historic City. This was the place where the Katipuneros, a secret militant society, was formed during the Spanish colonization in the country. It was here where they held their clandestine meetings, and where the members of the Katipunan, made their historic “Unang Sigaw” which served as the starting point for the Philippine Revolution.
Caloocan today is a first-class and highly urbanized city, the fourth most populous in the Philippines. It is among the top cities in the Philippines with the highest equity ratings due to infrastructure, transportation, communications system, and educational attainment of human resources. The city continues to enjoy rapid economic growth today from new waves of investors coming in including shopping malls.
Strategically located in a 22,901.80 square-meter site along Rizal Ave Ext., corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central will serve shoppers in Caloocan, as well as those from other parts of the CaMaNaVa sub- region - Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela; Manila, and Quezon City. More than that, it will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.
The six-level116,000 square meter mall is a destination to everything grand. A series of dynamic geometric forms create a bold backdrop that emphasizes a strong street presence. The random, vertical pattern provides a playful touch further enhancing the main elevation with dynamic flair. Colors are bold and powerful, strategically applied to enhance the grand, impressive building frontage.
The interiors of SM City Grand Central are organized around a large, curved atrium and a perpendicular mall corridor that intersect to create a clear line of sight to all shops on all levels at all times. Carefully placed bridges provide access to all portions of the mall, supplemented by a centrally located glass elevator, dynamic stairs, and elevators for optimal customer convenience.
The main interior features a sophisticated, modern palette of colors and materials with light gray and wood accents. Pops of color are provided through planting and seating. Large skylights above the main atrium and wrap-around clerestory provide glare-free daylight to all areas of the mall.
The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Grand Central’s major anchors along with SM Appliance Center, ACE hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus Shop, Sports Central, Pet Express, Uniqlo, The Body Shop, Crocs, and Miniso. It will also have fashion boutiques, jewelry stores, bookstores; as well as a Cyberzone and service and wellness centers.
Eating out options include a Food Court, specialty restaurants like Hawker Chan, Mesa and Nono’s, and international and local food chains like Kenny Rodgers, Classic Savory, Pancake House, Caramia, Café Mary Grace, Breadtalk, and Goldilocks.
SM City Grand Central will also have four state-of-the-art cinemas and two Director’s Clubs that offer a premium movie experience, leather recliners, and a crystal-clear laser projection system.
The top floor of SM City Grand Central features the Skylight Park, an indoor sky garden with open green spaces. Shops and restaurants line the curved, circular paths where customers can shop and dine while enjoying the Skylight Park ambiance.
A Chapel and Multi-Purpose space bookend and anchor additional green space. These spaces are designed as complements to the overall concept and further, enhance its unique and grand character.
For the customer’s convenience and enhanced malling experience, SM City Grand Central has a total of 700 parking slots including regular car slots, PWD car slots, and motorcycle slots.
SM City Grand Central’s project team includes DSGN & Associates, Design Consultant; WCY Architects, Architect-of-Record; Constech Management Group, Inc., Project Management; and Monolith Construction Development Corp., General Contractor.
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