SM CITY MARILAO STRENGTHENED PWD KNOWLEDGE

Over the years, SM Supermalls have been known in spearheading initiatives to promote awareness and understanding on the needs of people with disabilities. It is the heart of SM to provide continuous quality customer care service and make everyone’s malling experience as enjoyable as possible.

True to its commitment, the management of SM City Marilao recently conducted a seminar on handling special customers. This year, the seminar focused on encouraging mobilization for the dignity, rights and well-being of people with disabilities through education on the different kinds of disabilities and approaches to handling such.

 “Disability comes in different forms” said Autism Society of the Philippines National Vice President Perlita So. “It may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional and, developmental or combination of these, so it is important to be knowledgeable on how to respond” she continued.

Highlighted in the seminar was a special talk on the proper response to people with ‘unseen disability’ such as epilepsy. “One challenge in responding to these epileptic attacks and seizures is the lack of knowledge” said Philippine League Against Epilepsy Neurologist Dr. Christina Cruz- Urbi.

Dr. Urbi explained what causes the attacks and showed video of different epileptic seizures. Likewise, she shared tips on how to respond effectively to prevent the person with epilepsy from injuries.

Over 209 employees participated in the seminar. Topics like autism and down syndrome were likewise taken. Power house speakers include Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Operations Manager Ma. Redetta Dela Paz and Autism Society of the Philippines National Vice President Perlita So.

SM Marilao donates to elementary school

When the grade school students of Northville Elementary School arrive in their classrooms on next academic year 2013- 2014, a mountain of school supplies will be waiting.

A total of 600 brand new school supplies that included packs of pencils, writing papers and notebooks were donated by SM City Marilao to Northville Youth Reliable Organization, a community organization seeking ways to improve youth welfare through community service and youth oriented programs.

Through SM Foundation Incorporated, the donation sought to supply the needs of children and schools in less affluent areas of the basic materials they will need to carry out their education.

According to Northville Youth Reliable Organization President Jayson Sta. Rosa, parents typically struggle to provide the expensive list of items required for school like pencils, notebooks, papers, glue and colors. He also noted that students often use hand me downs or come to school with nothing at all.

Receiving the brand new school supplies from SM City Marilao will motivate students to do well in school. “We are thankful for the generous donation of SM City Marilao. Children will now be excited to go to school. The school supplies will surely help them to grow and flourish” Sta. Rosa explained.

Sta. Rosa added that the organization is also planning to give a part of the school supplies to students who were affected by the recent calamity. Many students don’t have the materials to begin with since classes resumed after the massive flooding in Bulacan. The donated school supplies will help students to start fresh.

SM Marilao donates to elementary school

When the grade school students of Northville Elementary School arrive in their classrooms on next academic year 2013- 2014, a mountain of school supplies will be waiting.

A total of 600 brand new school supplies that included packs of pencils, writing papers and notebooks were donated by SM City Marilao to Northville Youth Reliable Organization, a community organization seeking ways to improve youth welfare through community service and youth oriented programs.

Through SM Foundation Incorporated, the donation sought to supply the needs of children and schools in less affluent areas of the basic materials they will need to carry out their education.

According to Northville Youth Reliable Organization President Jayson Sta. Rosa, parents typically struggle to provide the expensive list of items required for school like pencils, notebooks, papers, glue and colors. He also noted that students often use hand me downs or come to school with nothing at all.

Receiving the brand new school supplies from SM City Marilao will motivate students to do well in school. “We are thankful for the generous donation of SM City Marilao. Children will now be excited to go to school. The school supplies will surely help them to grow and flourish” Sta. Rosa explained.

Sta. Rosa added that the organization is also planning to give a part of the school supplies to students who were affected by the recent calamity. Many students don’t have the materials to begin with since classes resumed after the massive flooding in Bulacan. The donated school supplies will help students to start fresh.

SM SUPERMALLS SUPPORT NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR BOOK READING

JULY 17, 2012- A simultaneous celebration on the advocacy of instilling the culture of reading in young people was recently held at SM City Marilao, SM City Baliwag and SM Supercenter Valenzuela. Various activities which included puppet shows, storytelling sessions, book donation drives and exhibits surely made the youngsters enjoy the wonderful world of literature.
The activity, spearheaded by SM Cares through SM Committee on Youth and Children’s Welfare, is aimed to encourage students to make reading a daily habit. Likewise, its main purpose was to let kids have fun while learning through interactive storytelling which helps reinforce a child’s rich and colorful imagination while proper and moral values are imparted.
Four different books complemented with visual presentations, role playing and vivid illustrations were read by invited storytellers to students aged 6-9. BDO Foundation Representatives in all malls read the book “Arroz Caldo ni Lolo Waldo” and relate the moral of the story to money management for kids. Featured stories were, ‘The Cardinal and the Cats’ based on a couple of charming vignettes that talks about the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI and his lifelong love for music and cats, ‘Ang Pagong at ang Matsing’, a Filipino animal tale about a gentle turtle and a wily monkey who plant halves of a banana tree and ‘Ang Malaking Kahon ng Sorpresa’, a fun story about parents working abroad, balikbayan boxes full of chocolates, and family togetherness.
 Highlight of the event was the turnover of brand new books to Marilao, Baliwag and Valenzuela public schools in support of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. Likewise, students received school supplies giveaways from National Bookstore, Vibal Publishing Inc. and BDO.

SM City Marilao’s week-long celebration for Mother Earth

Eco-fashion show, exhibit and performances at the event center signaled the beginning of week-long celebration of earth day in SM City Marilao. Over 200 people came to participate in the fun filled activities for children, families and people of all ages. 

With a theme ‘Earth Day every day, everywhere ’SM City Marilao advocated the long term environmental stewardship and reduction of waste through the trash to cash program and three R’s- reduce, re-use and recycle activity. Shoppers lined-up to surrender their recyclables in exchange to cash. Free eco-bags were likewise given to customers to instill recycling and conservation as part of their daily routine. 

The indoor landscape by Floridana’s garden and the sound of chirping birds brought shoppers to contemplative nature of reflection on the importance of saving the environment. Alongside, exhibit from Haribon Foundation highlighted the endangered species and the need for conservation of Philippine biodiversity. In the same manner, the messages of recycling was delivered loud and clear through the art creation of Mr. Jojo Cruz, who made miniature robots out of recycled materials. 

 

Capping off the celebration was an eco-fashion show presenting clothes made from used materials. Models strutted down the runway in recycled couture. Newspapers and garbage bags were repurposed into cocktail dresses while ice-cream sticks and straws were weaved into men’s clothing.

Earth Day celebration is an annual activity of SM Supermalls as part of its advocacy for environmental conservation. The week-long celebration in SM City Marilao is sure to offer exciting opportunities for the general public on ways to engage in greener act. It will also serve as a reminder to people of their role in saving Mother Earth.

A glimpse of gift of faith at SM City Marilao

Filipino Altar Vestments are more than a colorful and fine needlework garment used by the priests. They are treasures of Filipinos' unwavering faith, rich culture, heritage and deep rooted traditions.

In celebration of the National Heritage Month and Annual Feast of St. Michael, SM City Marilao in cooperation with Sining Marileño Incorporated launched 'Abito: Pamanang Kasuotan ng mga Pari ng Marilao', a week-long exhibition featuring the 20 antique piece collection of liturgical vestments worn by Parish Priests of Marilao.

The 'abitos' documented the beauty of embroidery and intricacy of the different Philippine hand-woven holy garments made from indigenous materials. It highlighted the legacies of the past and town's identity. Details of the exhibit exuded the indigenous practices and classical artistry.

"Vestments or abitos are important aspect of our culture. They are the narratives of our faith and our glorious past. They are enshrined to bring us closer to the Creator", said Bulacan Historian Jaime Salvador Corpuz. "I am glad that SM Supermalls was able to accommodate this kind of exhibit. It helps to educate the public on our rich history and our strong faith in God", he added. 

Most of the garments that were featured in the exhibit were selected ecclesiastical garments of priests in the town of Marilao from 1920 to 1950. Highlighted in the exhibit was the ceremonial robe of Father Rufino Santos, the first Filipino Cardinal of the Catholic Church in 1932. Also featured were some garments by Father Roberto de la cruz (1934- 1938), Father Marcelino Fajardo (1938-1939), Father Gabino Baluyot (1939- 1945), Father Florentino Fuentes (1945- 1954), Father Angel Pengson (1954- 1956) and Father Avelino Santos (2001-present)

The exhibit kicked off with folk singing and theatre play replicating the re-enactment of events during the Colonial Era. Abito exhibit will run until May 11, 2012 at the event center of SM City Marilao.

THOUSANDS TROOPED TO LABOR DAY JOB FAIR AT SM

May 1, 2012, Labor Day- Two hours before the start of the registration, a heavy turnout of jobseekers flocked and started to queue outside SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag for the Job Fair 2012.

 This year’s job fair carried the theme “We Create Jobs” as a response to the National Government’s endeavor of providing a full, decent and productive employment for every Filipino. Held at the event centers of both SM Supermalls in Bulacan, the fair was organized by the Department of Labor and Employment Region 3 (DOLE-R3) in cooperation with the Bulacan Provincial Youth Sports, Employment, Arts, and Culture Office (PYSEACO) and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Baliwag and Marilao. Local officials of the provinces, with DOLE, PESO and SM Executives, welcomed the graduates of class 2012 and other job hopefuls looking for better opportunities.

During the event, Ms. Elizabeth Alonzo, president of PESOPHIL Federation, thanked SM for being the perfect venue for all jobseekers to meet potential employers. She also encouraged companies to evaluate the applicants right away for possible ready employment or hire on the spot.

The fair had drawn a crowd of 4,325 applicants and 111 participating companies. Particularly in SM City Marilao, a total of 61 companies participated while over 50 employers joined in SM City Baliwag, offering 7,191 job vacancies. Over hundred applicants were hired on the spot at SM City Marilao and SM City Baliwag.

Aside from the job fair, applicants also benefitted on the one-stop-shop where various government services were offered including NBI clearance, SSS membership, community tax certificate, police clearance and PhilHealth membership. Likewise, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) conducted skills demonstration on massage therapy, as well as the basics in electrical and cellphone repair.


The job fair was simultaneously held in all 46 SM Supermalls nationwide as part of its corporate social responsibility. It brings together private and government sectors in pursuit of generating job employment and aims to lessen the inconvenience of job seeking process by providing valuable exposure to companies of their respective industries and vacancies.

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SM City Marilao prioritizes safety and emergency preparedness

MARILAO, Bulacan – As part of precautionary measure to ensure safety of clients, mall tenants and employees, SM City Marilao recently conducted its mall based earthquake and fire drill.

The emergency preparedness exercise provided opportunity for the participants to put into practice the things they have learned and work together in case of fire and earthquake. Simulations of earthquake and fire incidents were executed to illustrate the proper response before, during and after these hazards happen. This action sought to enhance skills in mobilization, communication and response, as well as the ability to account for all the people within the affected premises.

Likewise, the drill served as a refresher course for the emergency response team (ERT). Topics like prevention, nature of earthquake and fire disasters, emergency and first aid treatment were also discussed in an earlier seminar.

The earthquake and fire drill was a part of the simultaneous program observed by different government agencies in Bulacan. It is also a national activity in which all provinces, cities and towns are encouraged to participate to convey the importance of being alert in case tragedy happens.

SM CITY MARILAO BOOSTS TOURISM AWARENESS AMONG ITS EMPLOYEES

MARILAO, Bulacan -- In partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Marilao Tourism Council, SM City Marilao rounded up its first month of the year with a specialized tourism awareness seminar to one hundred ninety two frontline service personnel at the event center.

The seminar aimed to equip tenants and mall staff members with the knowledge needed to serve the growing number of local and foreign tourists visiting the mall. Likewise, the seminar is expected to upgrade customer service and eventually contribute to the tourism process. By being a tourist oriented establishment, tourists can get information or directions on spots or festivals they plan to see or visit.

During the seminar, speakers emphasized the important role of SM employees in promoting tourism and further nation building. Employees were also asked to stimulate pride and love for the country.  “Malling is not only to entertain but also a way of educating tourists and visitors who frequent our malls for shopping and leisure”, added by SM City Marilao Mall Manager Ms. Bernadette D. Velasco.

Topics like introduction and overview of Philippine Tourism, behavioral patterns and local tourism products and services were likewise undertaken. Speakers were Ms. Avon Timbol from Department of Tourism, Councilor Allane Sayo and Chairman Ricky Manalo from Marilao Tourism Council in Bulacan.

Yes Tourism is one of the programs of SM Cares that is simultaneously conducted in all SM Supermalls.