Simultaneous Earth Hour ceremonies in all SM Supermalls in the Philippines and China

For eight years now, Earth Hour have been creating tremendous impact on the global awareness of climate change. More people around the world are beginning to understand the significance of going beyond one hour to really make a difference. The Philippines, once proclaimed as the "Earth Hour Hero Country" for having the most number of participating communities, will once again try to take the lead – thanks to private companies like SM Supermalls.

All 52 SM malls around the country and six in China will simultaneously turn off their lights to show SM's continued support to the annual Earth Hour climate change awareness campaign of World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). With all SM malls hosting Earth Hour ceremonies for its respective communities, it will not be surprising if the country becomes a "hero" again for this environmental campaign.

All SM malls will provide the crowd with inspiring videos leading to the switch-off countdown. After the lights have been switched off, candles will be distributed to the crowd while an exciting lineup of entertainers will be presented for free.

SM Mall of Asia will be the host mall for the ceremony, with candidates from Ms. Earth as guests, among others, and AVP for Operations Mr. Perkin So to lead the switching off of the lights.

Happy Walk For Down Syndrome Awareness

One in every 800 births; 1,875 cases a year; more than 100,000 affected families—those are the numbers revealed last year by the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. (DSAPI) on the incidence of down syndrome in the country.
According to DSAPI, down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been part of the human condition, universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines. It usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.
Over a decade ago, February was dubbed as Down Syndrome Consciousness Month to make more Filipinos aware of the condition. In support, DSAPI and SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs came up with Happy Walk, a day-long program that not only raises much-needed awareness for down syndrome patients, but showcases their talents and triumphs.
In the event, DSAPI president Elmer Lapena and SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs head Engr. Bien Mateo will look back at what they had accomplished in 2014 and give the latest information on the state of down syndrome in the Philippines.
Happy Walk will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Skydome of SM City North Edsa.




Objective
Raise public awareness of down syndrome by organizing a special event for patients and their families

Resource Persons

1. Mr. Elmer Lapena, President of DSAPI
2. Engr. Bien Mateo, Head, SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs

Other Sources
http://dsapi.org/
http://smcares.com.ph/disability
http://www.ncda.gov.ph/disability-laws/proclamations/proclamation-no-157/

“Green Switch,” SM’s Solar Rooftop Project

SM City North EDSA is now the biggest solar powered mall in the world with over 5,760 solar panels with a maximum capacity of 1.5 megawatts!

With President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor. See his Speech (source: official gazette)

SM City North EDSA launched the country’s largest solar rooftop power plant on Nov. 24, Monday. The Green Switch SM Solar Rooftop Launch, hosted by Kim Atienza, took place in SM North’s Northlink Building roof deck where government officials such as President Noynoy Aquino, Senator Loren Legarda, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Q.C. Mayor Herbert Bautista were in attendance. The president of Solar Philippines, Leandro Leviste, was also there to welcome the honored guests in celebrating the mall’s contribution to a healthier and safer environment.

This initiative to use renewable energy resource, such as solar energy, has been previously adapted by SM City Xiamen in main land China. Solar Philippines hopes to locally promote cleaner air, save electricity, and prevent climate change through partnering with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. by establishing more solar panels that has started with SM North EDSA, and will hopefully progress to other SM Malls.


President of SM Supermalls, Annie Garcia, informed all that they are already aiming to initiate this same project to a number of SM branches. “After SM City North EDSA’s green switch today, we shall begin installing solar panels in SM City Cavite and SM City Dasamariñas in Cavite. SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City shall follow next with 10,534 solar panels to be installed,“ said Garcia.

“With the future generation in mind, we shall continue to seek ways and solutions to climate change. We shall continue to collaborate with the best,” added the president of SM Supermalls.

Currently, the 5,760 solar panels in SM North EDSA have the capability of powering 16,000 lighting fixtures, 59 escalators and 20 elevators while counteracting 1,200 tons of carbon emissions (CO2) per year. These panels are also expected to generate 1.5 megawatts of solar energy, which is equivalent to covering five percent of the mall’s consumption per day, therefore saving an estimated two million pesos a month.

Alejandro Leviste, 21 year old founder of Solar Philippines, also shared his thoughts about the joyous milestone of this project. He expressed how SM’s involvement in solar energy could inspire more businesses to get into the use of renewable energy to save the environment. “The one thing I want to underscore in this message is that SM’s support for solar energy is important far beyond this project in itself. Today marks a watershed moment for solar in the Philippines, because where SM goes, the rest of Philippines will follow. SM is a spark that ignites the future of a massive shift towards solar energy,” said Leviste.

With the country facing a potential energy shortage in 2015, harnessing the sun’s power will grant long-term benefits for the Philippines, both environmentally and economically. It is SM’s hope that their new way of conserving electricity and saving the environment will also inspire other establishments to follow

Brickfire A Budget Friendly Steakhouse

First and foremost, Brickfire is a budget-friendly steakhouse. Its flagship dishes are The Duke and the Cowgirl Annie, which are generous cuts of tender local beef classically seasoned with salt and pepper.
That is where Brickfire stops being your typical budget steakhouse and becomes so much more.
One of the biggest differences with Brickfire is how the beef is cooked. Instead of the steaks being grilled, they are baked in a Brickfire oven, keeping the steaks tender and sealing in the flavorful juices, which is key to that irresistible beefy taste often found lacking in thinly cut, grilled steaks.

Brickfire doesn’t just stop differentiating itself there. It takes further steps into the diverse art of preparing steaks by offering two additional playful flavors: Honey Mustard and Wasabi. The Honey Mustard steaks are made with the famous Filipino sweet tooth in mind and are a nice alternative to the traditional salt and pepper flavor.

Brickfire katipunan 41 2/F Xavier Residence Bldg., cor. R. Alvero and E.Abada St., Loyola heights, Q.C. Philippines (02) 426 2254 +63 917 354 7318
Brickfire SM North Edsa Ground Flr annex (02) 441 4464 +63 927 523 1130

SM Bowling Celebrates 25th Gives Biggest Prizes Ever with Php 2M + Car

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc., the company that carries you major brands such as SM Cinema, IMAX, Mall of Asia Arena, e-PLUS, and SM Skating Rink, brings you the SM Bowling and Leisure Center’s biggest and most competitive bowling tournament: In celebration of the SM Bowling’s year anniversary, SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. will be launching the first ever SM Bowling 25th Millionaire’s Cup.

This year, SM will be giving away over Php 5 Million in prizes, including P2 million and a car for the grand prize winner – The biggest prize in Philippine Bowling History! To encourage the players of the preliminary rounds, the winner of the center finals will receive an initial P 100,000. 1st P 25,000. During the championship, the top victor of the grandslam finals will receive a whopping P 2,000,000 and a car. Subsequent winners will not go empty handed: 1stP 500,000, 2nd place finisher will still receive P 25,000 each. 16th SM Bowling and Leisure Center is a one-stop entertainment hub that offers not only the best in bowling, but in billiards, games, and even KTV. Currently, the SM Bowling and Leisure Center has also launched the “Match Your Bowling Games with Free Food” promo, wherein bowlers will be given complimentary snacks in line with availing at least two games at the bowling and leisure center. Currently, SM Bowling has branches in SM Fairview, SM North EDSA, SM Valenzuela, SM Mega Mall, SM South Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Cebu and SM Lanang Davao.

SM Lifestyle Entertainment Incorporated or SMLEI is the lifestyle and entertainment solutions company of SM Prime Holdings Inc. that offers the best in movies, events, leisure and technology. Starting with SM Cinema, the largest cinema exhibitor in the country, as its sole marque, the company grew into 12 major brands. Currently tucked under its belt are brands such as SM Cinema, Director’s Club Cinema, IMAX Theatre, WM Cinemas, SM Skating Rink, SM Bowling and Leisure Center, Exploreum, Snack Time, e-PLUS Tap to Pay, e-PLUS Digital, and SM Tickets. SMLEI aims to promote bonding activities among Filipino families and friends, through entertainment and leisure facilities, while advocating the ease of use and personalized service created to complement the Filipino lifestyle.

To find out further details on the biggest bowling competition, the SM Bowling Millionaires Cup, you may visit www.smbowling.com or contact the SM Bowling and Leisure Center at 862-7609 / 0917-8602850.  runner up will receive P 50,000 while 2nd and 3rd runner up will take home  runner up will take home P 250,000, 3rd runner up will earn P 150,000, and the 5th