IN PHOTO (Left to right): SM Supermalls Vice President Liza Silerio, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, GUUN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda, GUUN Philippine Branch Senior Managing Director and General Manager Takeshi Konishi

Leading real estate developer in Southeast Asia, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s GUUN Co. Ltd. to explore a potential partnership to implement waste management solutions by recycling waste paper and plastics as an alternative source of energy called ‘fluff fuel’.

Fluff Fuels are one type of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) which are produced from shredded and compressed plastics, papers, and fibers. These are used as fuels in cement manufacturing, paper mill companies, or power companies in Japan.

SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy is positive that a partnership with GUUN will contribute to the waste reduction goals of the country. “Today, Japan’s waste management and recycling technology is among the most advanced in the world,” he said. “There is no better partner for SM because we do not just talk about being big, we make sure we do it; we do not talk about being environment friendly but we do take bold steps to save the environment. I am looking forward to growing with GUUN as among leaders in solving environmental issues in the Philippines.”

GUUN Co., Ltd., founded in March 2001 and headquartered in Yokohama City, Japan, piloted the production of fluff fuel from plastic waste in Inayawan, Cebu in 2014 and recently inaugurated its P200-million, 2,400-square meter waste recycling plant in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.

Since then, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted GUUN’s waste-to-fuel technology as a model for advanced low-carbon technology innovation for further deployment in developing countries.

“This will be a milestone partnership for us,” GUNN Chief Executive Officer Shinji Fujieda said after the signing ceremony. "I understand very much how important waste management is for SM and for the Philippines and we look forward to more projects we can do with the properties of SM Prime.”

SM Prime’s initiatives for waste management include waste reduction and effective waste collection and segregation. Over the years, it has implemented programs such as Trash to Cash, Plastic Waste Collection, and E-Waste Collection that have contributed to reducing the total solid waste generation across its real estate portfolio.

Through its pioneering Trash to Cash recycling market, SM Prime has collected and recycled 1.4M kg of plastics, paper, metals, and others in 2022. “We have saved 16,766 trees from the 986,222 kg of paper recycled,” SM Prime disclosed in its 2022 Integrated Report to shareholders.

Meanwhile, SM’s Plastic Waste Collection program, a partnership with the Plastic Credit Exchange that was launched in February 2021, has accumulated 42,541kg of plastic waste from 14 mall sites. Also present in all its 83 SM Supermalls is the E-Waste Collection program for the responsible disposal of WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment). This drive has helped process close to 7,000 kilograms of e-waste.

New SM scholars recently joined the contract signing event in Pasay.

"I desire to become an educator not just to fulfill a dream but also to be a blessing to the next generation."

These inspiring words come from 18-year-old Princess Eunice Motel, an SM scholar currently pursuing her education at the Philippine Normal University. She is one of two children of Hildajane, an on-call factory re-packer, and Richard, a set man, hailing from Caloocan City.

Princess' dream of becoming a teacher has been a lifelong aspiration, deeply rooted in her heart and mind since her childhood. This calling became even more pronounced when she embraced her Christian faith.

SM Scholar and aspiring educator Princess Eunice Motel

"My unwavering commitment to becoming a teacher is directly inspired by the Kidz Life Ministry, a cherished initiative of our church dedicated to teaching children about God's word. I aspire to be a vessel for sharing knowledge, instilling hope, and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation," she said.

To pursue her dreams, Princess has chosen to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education at the Philippine Normal University, her dream institution. "PNU is renowned for its ability to nurture exceptional teachers," she remarked. "As I aspire to become an educator, I also strive for greatness and excellence, and there's no better place to achieve that than at PNU."

Following in her mother's footsteps, Jhona Bolinas is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education with English as her major. Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, she passed entrance exams at other universities but opted to enroll at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela due to its proximity to her family.

Despite considering other career paths, Jhona opted education, drawing inspiration from her mother, who is also an educator. "Watching, observing, and listening to her, I learned the basics," she shared. Driven by her love for reading and writing, she also chose to specialize in English.

SM scholar Krissa May Oquindo (right) aspires to be a teacher for her family and community.

When asked if she plans to work abroad after graduation, Jhona keeps her options open, recognizing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "But right now, I want to ensure that my mother enjoys a good life before making such a significant decision," she explained.

Another aspiring educator is Krissa May Oquindo. Her father, a cable technician, is the family's sole breadwinner while her mother dedicates her time to caring for the family. Krissa completed her senior high school education at the Universidad de Manila. She applied to four State universities and ultimately chose to enroll at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), known for producing graduates highly sought after by employers, as per a recent survey.

SM scholar Krissa May Oquindo (right) aspires to be a teacher for her family and community.

When asked about her motivation to become a teacher, Krissa responded, "Being an educator has always been my passion. From the moment I set foot on a school campus, the idea of standing in front of students and sharing knowledge excites me." She has selected Science as her major to deepen her understanding of the subject and to enlighten others about it.

Krissa has no plans to teach abroad. She believes that while there is demand for teachers overseas, the same holds true in the Philippines: "My passion for teaching is rooted in caring for the next generation, especially for the youth of our country."

Through the years, the SM college scholarship program has empowered 3,791 graduates who have enrolled in over 120 partner colleges and universities across the nation. These scholars enjoy full tuition benefits, monthly allowances, part-time work opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks, job offers from the SM Group upon graduation, and engaging activities and enrichment programs.

Additionally, SM's tech-voc scholarship program has produced 4,669 graduates, further contributing to the development of skilled professionals in various fields.

SM scholars from Roxas City volunteer to clean the new school building ahead of its turnover.

In time for the school year opening, SM Prime through SM Foundation turned over a fully furnished two-storey building to the President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas.

The 104th school building made through the collaboration is built in accordance with specifications set by the Department of Education (DepEd). It holds four classrooms, each furnished with desks, chairs for left-handed students, toilets per classroom, including a special toilet for PWDs on the ground floor.

It also includes concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting. Emergency lights were installed in the stairways for emergency-preparedness.-

Supporting DepEd’s commitment to ensure that learners have access to water for hygiene and sanitation, SM Foundation installed a handwashing facility along with liquid soap for the community’s use.

To further assist, the SM group will help with the maintenance and upkeep of the said school. Social Good

SMFI School Building head, Juris Soliman (center) leads the preparation if the school building turnover.

It was earlier announced by DepEd that roughly 21 million students enrolled this school year 2023-2024. Amidst this, the agency reported that only over 100,000 out of the more than 300,000 school buildings are in good condition.

Believing in the power of education in uplifting communities, SM Foundation has been an active member of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program since 2002, turning over more than 100 school buildings to grassroots communities nationwide. The said program intends to address overcrowding in schools and provide an environment conducive for learning.

Manila Prince Hotel is excited to announce the reopening of its esteemed Chinese restaurant, Dragon Court. Locatedat lobby level, Dragon Court’s reopening is part of the hotel’s month-long anniversary celebration and is set to welcome guests to an unforgettable dining experience starting September 27, 2023.

Abundance of Flavors

Dragon Court’s food and beverageteamwent through extensive preparationsto ensure the restaurant maintains its signature taste while introducing new items to cater to the most discerning palates. Guests can expect a wide array of dishes that showcaseChinese cuisine. From delicate dim sum to flavorful specialties, every plate at Dragon Court is crafted with precision and passion. The menu includes timeless favorites such as Shrimp Dumpling, Roasted Pork Barbecue, White Chicken with Ginger and Leeks, Eight Treasure Diced Winter Melon Soup, Honey Beef in Pepper Sauce, Lapu-Lapu Fillet in Soy Sauce, andBaked Mango Tapioca Pudding.

Mid-Autumn Festival Set Menu Packages

In addition to the a la carte offerings, Dragon Court introducesMid-Autumn Festival Set Menu packages which include dice game paraphernalia and special prizes. These packages add fun and excitement to one’s groupdining experience while celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival.

Manila Prince Hotel’s director of sales and marketing, Marvin Kim Tan, expressed hisenthusiasm about the reopening of Dragon Court. "We are delighted to reintroduce Dragon Court to our guests in celebration of Manila Prince Hotel’s anniversary. We are confident that Dragon Court will be another reason for our loyal guests to keep on coming back to our hotel and will definitely attract new clientele.”

Starting September 27, 2023, Dragon Court will be open daily for lunch from 11am to 3pm, and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call (+632) 5328 2222 or email fnb@manilaprince.com.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) shared their vision for the Philippines’ at Eat Well, Live Well Towards a Better Tomorrow, a media forum held last September 20, 2023 at Shangri-La The Fort.

The event, hosted by multi-hyphenate power mom Iya Villania Arellano, was held as part of the company’s 65th anniversary celebration and brought to light how APC aims to be a significant ally of Filipinos for many more decades to come in terms of advancing proper nutrition and sustainability.

From the discovery of umami – the fifth basic taste which paved the launched on AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning in 1909, the Ajinomoto Group has grown to be the word’s leading maker of amino acids with operation based 36 countries and regions worldwide.

Its first landing in the Philippines was in 1958 and since then, the company has become a staple in Filipino household kitchen making delicious meals with products such as such as Ajinomoto Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix, Crispy Fry® breading mix, and Sarsaya® oyster sauce to name a few. Leveraging its amino science expertise, Ajinomoto has helped hundreds of thousands of Filipinos cook more flavorful—and more nutritious—meals.

“Since the discovery of umami, the journey of Ajinomoto Group to contribute to the well-being of society has begun.The original aspiration captured with our corporate slogan “Eat Well, Live Well” remains true to present times.”, shared by APC President Koichi Ozaki.

Mr. Koichi Ozaki, APC President

One highlight of the event was the “The Umami Experience” where media guests were treated to a sensorial sampling of umami-rich foods to appreciate its difference from the other basic tastes like sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.

In line with Philippines nutrition challenges, which was the focal message of keynote speaker Miss Eloisa Villaraza, Nutritionist-Dieticians Association of the Philippines (NDAP) president, a fireside talk on power of nutrition followed suit. This was participated by Dr. Jansen Calalan – lifestyle medical doctor, Debbie Fajarda RND – registered nutritionist-dietician and APC Nutrition Advancement Manager, Roann Co – APC General Manager for Corporate Planning and Public Relations and Chef Sau del Rosario – renown chef.

Opening the segment on sustainability was a special message from Mr. Crispian Lao, President of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS). This was followed by presentation from APC Chief Sustainability Officer Ernie Carlos detailing APC’s roadmap towards more environmentally responsible practices.

“As the global movement towards sustainable and equitable development accelerates, companies are faced with the challenge of adopting their own sustainable initiatives. At APC, guided by the Ajinomoto Group Creating Shared Values ASV) Principles, we see this as an opportunity to foster environmental stewardship among Filipinos in order to build sustainable communities.” – shared by E. Carlos.

Closing out the forum was a presentation by APC Research and Development Department Head Madelin Dofiles on the unique value of Ajinomoto’s technology in terms of food ingredients contributing to the advancement of food industry’s health and wellness and sustainable procurement.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has cemented its place in Filipino lives by being a trusted partner in our kitchens for 65 years. With new plans coming up to help Filipinos not only achieve better health through nutrition, but also live in a healthier environment, APC is setting the stage for even stronger years to follow.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 concludes with Europe as the new powerhouse in the biggest sports spectacle anticipated by more than 12,000 fans. Gatorade, the World’s No. 1 Sports Drink in the World, congratulates Germany for it sweeping campaign, capped off by an 83-77 triumph over Serbia at the finals match.

As the official sports drink of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Gatorade joins FIBA in bringing the biggest hoop spectacle to life. Hosted in not one but three countries for the first time, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 set multiple milestones – including the most-attended FIBA game held at the Philippine Arena on August 25 with a record-breaking crowd of 38,115. This even surpassed the 32,616 previously set in the 1994 games when Team USA defeated Russia, 137-91, for the gold medal.

Manila co-hosted the event with Okinawa and Jakarta wherein the latter posted a new mark in attendance during the group stage matches – a total of 111,000 spectators from August 25 to September 3 held at the newly built Indonesia Arena Stadium. It was the highest ever achieved in Indonesian basketball, according to Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise Minister Erick Thohir.

Basketball is life for many Filipino fans which is why Gatorade was present both on and off the court. Only the Number 1 Sports Drink can bring fans closer to the action with halftime segments, namely the 3-Point Shootout and the Gatorade No Sugar Fit-O-Meter. Gatorade also surprised fans queuing for snacks outside the court with a Gatorade shooting game and a Gatorade No Sugar bike challenge. For those who couldn’t watch the games in person, Gatorade partnered up with supermarkets, gearing the fans with sports bottle and ticket raffles.

This made for a truly unforgettable basketball experience here in the Philippines, as it brought together fans and supporters from all over the world to our very own homecourt. All teams that qualified to the quarterfinals and the classification stage matches were welcomed by basketball obsessed Filipinos - truly a one-of-a-kind event where world-class basketball talents were on full display. Even after Gilas Pilpinas ended its campaign with a morale-boosting 96-75 triumph over China on September 2, Filipino fans showed tremendous love for the game, played passionately by all teams.

Team USA was a treat for the fans, composed by an all-star NBA squad with champion coaches, Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra. Notable players included Austin Reaves and Anthony Edwards. NBA stars playing for their home countries, Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, were highly anticipated by fans. However, Germany and Serbian players dominated the courts – leading to a European showdown.

“Even if nobody asked me, but I’m going to say it, I really appreciate it. It was so amazing. So many fans (here) support me,” said Doncic, the star player of the Dallas Mavericks said even after watching his team got beaten by Canada during the quarterfinal match.

Pinoy fans also gave their support to the other teams like Canada led by Dillon Brooks, Serbia bannered by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Germany spearheaded by Dennis Schroder. In between these milestones, world-class performance and sportsmanship were showcased by basketball players and sports enthusiasts – all fueled by Gatorade, the World’s No. 1 Sports Drink.

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO marks the 5th anniversary of its Global Flagship store in the Philippines with exciting experiences and fun-filled activities for everyone to enjoy.

Since its opening in 2018, the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store has brought customers exciting things over the years. Being the biggest Global Flagship store in Southeast Asia, it is the home to the complete line-up of LifeWear items in the country, as well as unique experiences such as the custom printing service, UTme!, and special displays and collaborations with various local talents.

As part of the brand’s appreciation for being part of Filipinos’ daily lives, UNIQLO is bringing customers an even better shopping experience as they ring in their 5th year from October 13 to 26, 2023. 

Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.

UNIQLO Manila’s 5th anniversary promises to be one for the books with the theme “Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.”

Bringing the concept to life is UNIQLO’s partnership with five young and distinguished individuals who have achieved global recognition in their respective fields. Each partner represents one of the brand’s biggest item lines which all hold innovative functionality at its core. These LifeWear items champion the Filipino people, elevating everyone’s essentials, wardrobe, and lifestyle. 

Food and lifestyle content creator Erwan Heussaff, recognized by the prestigious James Beard Media Awards last June, joins the group for AIRism

Groundbreaking director Martika Escobar, the first Philippine director to win an award at the Sundance Film Festival, represents HEATTECH

Part of the group as well modeling for the AirSense line-up is entrepreneur Gio Visitacion, owner of the Good Cup Coffee Company and 2020 Philippine Brewers Cup champion

Southeast Asian Games Medalist and Guinness World Record holder Kaizen Dela Serna for UV Protection products

Award-winning singer and actress, popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo for Bra Tops

Discover new experiences

Opening on the second floor of the Global Flagship Store, customers are treated to new and revamped experiences. 

UNIQLO is introducing UNIQLO Coffee to the country, bringing Filipinos the brand’s cafe-style offerings that first opened in 2021 at the renewed UNIQLO Global Flagship Store in Ginza. Highlighting the brand’s commitment to being one with the community, the coffee drinks will be made with locally sourced, high quality coffee beans from Mt. Apo, and will feature goods and pastries that mix Filipino and Japanese flavors. 

As part of the brand’s commitment to sustainability, UNIQLO is also set to bring to Manila its Re.UNIQLO Studio. Visitors to the Global Flagship Store will get to enjoy repair services on their pre-loved UNIQLO items, bringing new life to their favorite LifeWear pieces. This stays true to the LifeWear philosophy of quality, enabling customers to enjoy their UNIQLO items for a longer period of time.

Lastly, UNIQLO refreshes their UTme! line-up, collaborating with local artists from all over the country to bring customers unique designs they can customize on t-shirts and tote bags. The artists include Gianne Encarnacion and Ross Du of Metro Manila, Johanna Velasco and Myka Arnado of Cebu, and Kajo Baldisimo of Davao. Muralist Glendford Lumbao also joins in to contribute a piece to be displayed at the new experience areas on the second floor of the Flagship Store.

Enjoy special UNIQLO items and limited-time offers

The celebration doesn’t stop here! From October 13 to 31, customers can expect exciting freebies and promos exclusive to the UNIQLO Manila Flagship store. 

Moreover, customers should also stay tuned for fun and educational workshops led by select UTme! artists and endorsers throughout the month of October. 

Make the most of the fun activities and special offers by visiting the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship store in Glorietta 5 in Makati City from October 13 to 26, 2023.

Stay updated on the latest news and promos by following UNIQLO Philippines on Facebook, @uniqlophofficial on Instagram and Tiktok, and on www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/.