1700 children celebrate
Earth Day at SM malls nationwide.
SM
Supermalls, in collaboration with its corporate social responsibility arm, SM
Cares, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local
government units and partner schools and organizations joined the rest of the
world in celebrating Earth Day at SM malls nationwide on April 22, 2023.
With
the theme "Invest In Our Planet, Invest In Our Youth," SM Supermalls
and SM Cares lined up various activities that aimed to raise awareness among
children and their families about the importance of coming together across
various sectors to take care of the environment. SM malls nationwide
simultaneously held relevant and impactful celebrations with activities such as
Children’s Storytelling, Coloring, and Sustainability Tours, gathering 1700
children and 350 employee volunteers. These activities aimed to encourage
everyone in the family, particularly the young ones, to protect and respect
Mother Earth.
Earth
Day is an annual celebration led by the Earth Day Network that puts the
spotlight on issues that are affecting the environment. First held in 1970,
Earth Day was the result of a need for a unified response against various
environmental problems like pollution and resource depletion. Today, the event
is considered the biggest environmental movement in the world, with millions
joining celebrations every year.
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Children learn
about how to protect the environment individually and as a community through
art, storytelling and a Sustainability tour around SM malls |
“At
SM, every day is Earth Day. However, today we are reminded of our
responsibility to protect the planet we live in. We believe that we must all
come together and take the necessary steps against this climate crisis and
accelerate a greener and more equitable future for everyone,” shared Ms. Liza
B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares
Program Director for the Environment.
SM
Supermalls featured the art of multi-awarded Filipino artist, sculptor and
illustrator, Manuel Baldemor. His works depict the rich cultural aspects of the
Philippines and can be found in multiple institutions worldwide. His drawings
and Earth Day poem inspired the Earth Day program at SM, reflecting a long-time
partnership on SM Cares programs for the environment, starting with his design
of SM’s first eco bags in 2007.
The
storytelling activity featured a special Earth Day story based on Baldemor’s
artworks. The story reflected simple ways children can participate in living
sustainably on their own and with their families. Meanwhile, kids and
kids-at-heart were welcomed at the coloring activity section. Participants were
given art materials and a selection of Baldemor's drawings to color in. Malls
used recycled materials in designing the activity areas.
And
to cap off the celebration, a sustainability tour was held wherein everyone
participated in a guided tour to one or more of the mall’s eco-friendly
facilities such as the EV charging stations, water recycling treatment plants, waste
segregation bins, Plastic Waste Collection booths, E-waste Collection bins and
various bicycle amenities.
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Filipino artist
Manuel Baldemor’s artistic contribution provide inspiration for the Earth Day
program. Joining him at SM City Fairview were DENR NCR Director Mr. Manuel T.
Escasura; Quezon City Vice Mayor, Honorable Gian Sotto; Ms. Andrea
Villaroman, Head of the Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Department, Planet CORA’s Partnerships Director, Cat Trivino and SM
Supermalls executives. |
To
highlight the role of collaborating with the public sector in driving
environmental programs forward, SM City Fairview hosted the DENR Gawad Taga-ilog
Awards photo exhibit, which recognized winning local government units who are
leading in protecting Metro Manila’s waterways. The agency also further
provided 800 tree seedlings to participants and customers through a DENR
Community Pan-TREE to encourage at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA,
SM City Fairview, SM City Novaliches, SM City Marikina, SM City East Ortigas
and SM Southmall.
The
Quezon City Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department also
promoted the city’s Trash to Cashback program to encourage its citizens to be
Eco Warriors and promote recycling.
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Youth
participants join forces with SM Supermalls for a sustainable future. |
The
Earth Day celebration is just one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting
sustainable living among Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at
helping care for the environment. These are the Trash to Cash Recycling Market
held every first Friday and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling
systems, and environmental campaigns such as the Green Film Festival, Green
Retail Agenda, and the International Coastal Cleanup Drive, just to name a few.
SM
Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings,
responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of
the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding
Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as
well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on
Environment.
To
learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.
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