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Happy Walk 2026 assembled 10,500 advocates, breaking record as largest gathering for Down Syndrome in Asia

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Happy Walk 2026 broke records as the largest gathering of allies for the Down Syndrome community in Asia with 10,500 advocates gathering all over the country as the strongest show of solidarity and empowerment to date. Led by SM Cares and the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc., the celebration was held simultaneously on March 29 in SMX Manila, SM City Bacolod, and SM City Cebu. This year’s Happy Walk showed that the strength of the movement is not only found in size, but in SM’s commitment to create spaces where people with Down syndrome are seen, celebrated, and encouraged to thrive. Big change through continued, united steps Since the very first Happy Walk in 2003, the event serves as a joyful gathering for the Down syndrome community and its supporters. This year’s program highlighted self-expression, talent, and community participation through activities such as the Happy Walk parade, stage performances, activity booths, and DS Got Talent. All milestones were designe...

UP FOR A PLOT TWIST? Explore Unexpected Finds in Visayas at SM Supermalls

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Not everything goes according to script, but honestly, that’s where the best parts can happen. It’s all twist after twist, one minute you’re in a regular run, the next you’ve stumbled on something you didn’t expect, and suddenly it’s the highlight of your day. The kind you didn’t plan for, but made the detour oh-so-worth-it. So if you’re up for a little scene switch, there’s always something waiting to surprise you at SM Supermalls in Visayas, where new and upcoming spots bring unexpected finds, exciting firsts, and moments that are all for you. A Sudden Drip Addition Just when everything’s right on track, a new name enters the mix to change the scene. Here comes the first-ever Salomon in Cebu, now open at the 2nd Level of SM J Mall–bringing in performance-driven design that moves seamlessly between function and everyday wear, adding a fresh, unexpected edge to your usual lineup.  A Tasty Surprise  Right when you think you’ve seen it all, something new slips in and changes the...

SM reinforces public safety through nationwide Fire Prevention Month programs

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Reaffirming its commitment to public safety and community resilience, SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), led a series of impactful, nationwide initiatives in celebration of Fire Prevention Month, empowering Filipinos with life-saving knowledge, preparedness skills, and a shared responsibility for fire safety across its network of most-loved malls. Mounted through SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, the 5th SM & BFP Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill engaged almost 30,000 participants composed of SM employees, tenant employees, security and janitorial personnel, students, mall goers, and residents of barangays near SM malls which was a 30% increase in participants versus the previous year. With the theme ‘Sa pag-iwas sa sunog hindi ka nag-iisa, kababaihan kasama mo!’, the drill strengthened coordination in emergency response, especially helping communities practice life-saving evacuation procedures. In addition, th...

PLDT Enterprise Bolsters Regional Network Through Partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp.

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PLDT Enterprise continues to reinforce its regional presence across the Philippines through its long-standing partnership with Siquijor Island Cable TV Systems Corp., supporting the cable operator’s growth and enabling reliable digital services for subscribers across Siquijor Island.   The collaboration highlights how enterprise-grade connectivity can help regional service providers overcome geographic limitations, expand operations, and deliver stable digital services in island communities.   A Commitment to Supporting Cable Operators Nationwide   PLDT Enterprise remains committed to supporting cable operators and regional connectivity providers across the country. By delivering dedicated internet and Ethernet transport solutions, PLDT Enterprise helps improve network performance, expand service coverage, support digital transformation initiatives, and enable enterprise-grade data transport.   “Through our continued, growing, and evolving partnership with Siquijor I...

DOST-PCHRD Backs SpeakClinic to Expand Teletherapy Access for Children with Autism This World Autism Awareness Month

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SpeakClinic , a digital health platform designed to connect families with licensed clinicians, is expanding access to teletherapy services for children with autism after receiving support from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) .  The support comes through DOST-PCHRD’s Startup Research Grant Program,  which funds continued development of the platform. The grant provides a one-year research and development roadmap  that includes an integrated therapy appointment and reservation system, as well as machine learning capabilities to support more efficient pediatric intervention and evidence-based care. SpeakClinic enables families to access teletherapy services by connecting them with licensed clinicians for scheduling and e-consultations. It operates alongside Mylo Speech Buddy, a speech therapy support app, which helps with both clinical consultations and daily language development. The platform was...

Oil price hikes trigger 'stockpiling’ in sari-sari stores, sales surge 90% - Packworks study

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As global oil prices climb amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, sari-sari stores recorded a 90% surge in sales this March, as micro-retailers and consumers aggressively stock up against looming price hikes and delivery disruptions. Latest insights from Filipino tech startup Packworks , derived from over 1 million transactions via its Sari.PH Pro app, reveal that Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) across its network of 300,000 stores reached PHP 3.73 billion in March, up from PHP 1.97 billion in February. The most notable surge occurred on March 21, when GMV skyrocketed by 265%. This followed the announcement of double-digit fuel price increases on March 17, signaling a preemptive move by store owners to secure inventory before logistical costs trickled down to retail prices. The concerns at the grassroots level are noticeable. A sari-sari store owner from Uson, Masbate, shared, “Nag-stock up kami dahil natatakot kaming maubusan ng paninda at magkaroon ng delay sa delivery mula sa mga sup...

POV: You’re Romanticizing Life with All These FIRSTS IN ZAMBOANGA at SM Supermalls

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Career, hobbies, social life, relationships—with so many things vying for our attention, sometimes it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters: living in the moment and finding joy in the mundane. Now, picture this: a Saturday afternoon stroll, slow weekends, a cup of tea in hand. Honestly, when’s the last time you allowed yourself to pause for a while and breathe in times like these? To idealize each and every waking moment, making them seem grander than they are—have you ever wondered what it’s like to fall in love with life again? Well, wander no more, because here at your most-loved SM Supermalls, we’ll show you what it’s like to live with intention and make your happiness the central plot of your own story. From fresh new eats to new finds and experiences to discover, SM City Zamboanga is here to help you imagine what it’s like to experience the best from your point of view. Moments Become Worth Savoring All of a sudden, the food tastes better. You get to enjoy each meal as if y...