SM SUPERMALLS BAGS TOP HONOR AT 2026 ASIA-PACIFIC STEVIE AWARDS

 

Recognized as the Organization of the Year, SM Supermalls won 30 awards across diverse categories

Aside from the Organization of the Year recognition, SM Supermalls also won four Gold, 13 Silver, and 13 Bronze Stevies.

PHILIPPINES - At MACAO, last 17 April 2026,SM Supermalls continues to raise the bar for customer excellence after being named Organization of the Year at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, one of the region’s most prestigious programs recognizing innovation in business.

The win marks the second time SM Supermalls has received the prestigious honor, earning a total of 52 award points across Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie recognitions. The achievement highlights the company’s sustained commitment to delivering meaningful, innovative, and customer-first experiences across its most-loved malls.

SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Joaquin L. San Agustin (third from right) and Senior Assistant Vice President for China Marketing Vivian Chen (second from right) led the company’s delegation in Macao.

“On behalf of SM Supermalls in the Philippines and China, we would like to thank the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for this honor. This is a testament to how we continue to evolve and innovate to deliver a truly maxed-out experience for our customers,” said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President Joaquin L. San Agustin, who accepted the recognition.

“We dedicate this to the millions of our customers back home, as well as to our tenant partners and employees who make these experiences possible.”

Driving Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship

From solar-powered rooftops to coastal cleanups and water conservation initiatives, SM Supermalls continues to lead with purpose—championing sustainable practices that empower communities and create a greener future across your most-loved SM Supermalls.

SM Supermalls continues to embed sustainability into its core operations through impactful initiatives such as SM Green Movement, International Coastal Cleanup 2025, Powered by the Sun, and Save Water.

These programs highlight the company’s long-term commitment to environmental responsibility—encouraging everyday action while building greener, more resilient communities, especially in times of crisis.

Championing Social Good and Inclusive Communities

Through initiatives like Movies for the Blind and nationwide job fairs, SM Supermalls continues to open doors—creating inclusive spaces where opportunities and experiences are accessible to all.

Beyond environmental efforts, purpose-driven initiatives remain at the heart of SM Supermalls’ mission. Programs like Mall for All, Empowering Communities, Empowering Together, and SM Job Fairs create meaningful opportunities for Filipinos, while Movies for the Blind ensures that mall experiences are inclusive and accessible to all.

Together, these initiatives reflect SM Supermalls’ role as a space where communities come together and where everyone can truly Gala To The Max.

Celebrating Local Arts, Culture, and Creativity

From colorful festivals to world-class spectacles like the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition, SM Supermalls transforms everyday spaces into cultural stages where creativity and community come alive.

SM Supermalls continues to bring culture and creativity closer to communities through initiatives such as Mindanao Art, Philippine International Pyromusical Competition, Konnichiwa Japan, Animezing North, and Art from All.

These programs transform mall spaces into vibrant cultural destinations—where stories are shared, traditions are celebrated, and creativity thrives across your most-loved SM Supermalls.

Empowering Youth and Strengthening Family Connections

Young talents take center stage at your most-loved SM Supermalls through programs like SM Super Spelling Bee, SM Little Stars, and Besties of Joy, creating moments where families connect, and kids shine in a truly maxed-out experience.

Creating spaces for young talents and families to grow remains a key focus. Initiatives like SM Super Spelling Bee, SM Little Stars, and Besties of Joy provide platforms that inspire learning, creativity, and connection.

Through these programs, SM Supermalls continues to nurture the next generation while strengthening family bonds—making every visit a chance to enjoy a maxed-out experience together.

Expanding Destinations and Elevating Experiences

From the grand opening of SM City Laoag to purpose-led spaces like the Mallseum in SM City La Union, SM Supermalls continues to shape vibrant destinations where communities can gather, explore, and Gala To The Max.

SM Supermalls’ continuous growth is anchored in thoughtful, community-driven development. The recognition of SM City Laoag and SM City La Union’s Opening in 2025 highlights the company’s continued expansion across the country.

Meanwhile, initiatives such as SM City La Union’s Translating Local Identity into Purpose-led Brand Experience and its Mallseum showcase how each development reflects the unique identity and heritage of its locale.

From large-scale spectacles to everyday engagement, SM Supermalls continues to redefine the malling experience. Crowd-favorite activations such as SM Active Hub, Pride Pheerayde, and SM Mall of Asia Night of Lights bring communities together through dynamic and immersive events.

These experiences embody the brand’s commitment to creating moments that go beyond shopping—inviting everyone to Gala To The Max in every visit.

Extending Innovation Across SM China

A burst of color and energy takes over SM Yangzhou with Mango Vibes Only, bringing together music, community, and immersive experiences that reflect SM Supermalls’ vibrant spirit across borders.

Beyond the Philippines, SM Supermalls’ excellence is mirrored in its China portfolio through locally resonant, highly engaging campaigns. Initiatives such as SM City Zibo: Let’s Wave, SM City Tianjin: Three Color Sports 6.0, and SM City Yangzhou: Mango Vibes Only highlight the brand’s ability to create vibrant, lifestyle-driven experiences tailored to diverse communities.

A whimsical, family-friendly experience unfolds at SM Chengdu with The Frog Prince, blending storytelling and interactive play to create magical, maxed-out moments for all ages.

Seasonal and cultural storytelling also took center stage with SM City Xiamen: Chinese New Year with Songxi Woodblock Prints and SM City Chengdu: The Frog Prince, blending tradition and creativity to deliver immersive mall experiences.

Wellness meets fun at SM Jinjiang, where playful installations and engaging activities invite mallgoers to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a lighthearted escape.

Meanwhile, SM City Jinjiang: Bean There, Beat That Stress! showcases innovative wellness-driven engagement, while SM Haicang: Grand Opening reflects the continued expansion and growing footprint of SM Supermalls in the region.

Together, these initiatives underscore SM Supermalls’ strength as a regional brand—capable of delivering impactful, culturally relevant, and truly maxed-out experiences across markets.

BRIDGES TO SUCCESS: EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FUTURE-READY TALENT

  

PHILIPPINES – The Bridges to Success (BTS) Career Fair 2026 successfully returned last March 21, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Enabling  community opportunities, the joint initiative between SM Offices and National University brought together over 3,500 students, graduates, and industry leaders in a shared mission: turning education into real-world opportunity. 

Now on its third year, BTS also continues its commitment to bridging the gap between the academe and the workplace by connecting NU students and graduates with leading companies across multiple industries.

The whole-day event featured a dynamic mix of career talks, panel discussions, and on-site recruitment activities, creating a space where young professionals could gain insights from industry leaders while exploring immediate employment opportunities. 

More than a traditional job fair, BTS 2026 served as both a learning forum and a hiring platform, encouraging meaningful conversations between aspiring professionals and potential employers. Through these interactions, participants gained valuable career guidance, industry perspectives, and access to real employment pathways. 

EXPLORE NEW DINING AND LIFESTYLE FINDS AT SM SUPERMALLS VISAYAS

 

PHILIPPINES – 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.

SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE AND GOODDAY IS LEADING THE VIBE

PHILIPPINES – When you look at your socials during the summer, blink, and your feed is already packed with beach sunsets, island-hopping clips, and out-of-town escapes that look straight out of a travel vlog. It’s the season of getaways, and as the posts keep coming, it’s hard not to pause and think, “Sana all!” 

But summer doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s highlight reel. While some are off chasing waves, others are finding joy right where they are—spending the season in the city, discovering simple pleasures, and creating their own kind of fun. It’s a reminder that summer can be just as meaningful and memorable, even in everyday moments.

The season can manifest itself in many different moments, big or small. This can show up in small pauses in between busy days, where you just go for a walk or go on a quick merienda break. This can also be those fun little after-office hangouts that stretch into the evening, or basking in the sunset during golden hour, just as the city starts to slow down. 

Summer is not just a season of fun and excitement; it’s also a season of relaxation and a great time to meditate, reflect, and rest in the midst of busy months and seasons. 

BEYOND TASTE: HOW THESE 3 FOOD CONCEPTS ARE TRANSFORMING DINING

  

How GCash for Business Helps Bring Those Experiences to Life

PHILIPPINES – The local food scene has never been more exciting than in the past few years. With new concepts emerging and a constant demand for something fresh, business owners are constantly thinking about how to ensure they’re set for success. 

The modern dining experience is holistic, and the most successful food entrepreneurs understand that every detail shapes how a brand is remembered. Today, it’s not just about what’s on the plate. It’s about every touchpoint before and after the meal – from how customers first discover a restaurant online, to how they’re welcomed, how efficiently they’re served.

Yet across today’s food scene, the experience is constantly challenged by a recurring issue: friction and delays in payment. For three food entrepreneurs, solving this has become central to building their businesses. 

Designing the full experience with the customer in mind

For one of Manila’s coolest new gelato shops, Kariton, designing the experience begins with putting the customer first. 



“The name Kariton comes from the street carts many of us grew up with, so when people walk in, I want them to feel an instant sense of warmth and curiosity. It should feel approachable, not intimidating, but once you taste our gelato, you’ll realize that it’s made with serious technique and high-quality, local ingredients,” Leon Taira, Global Partner of Kariton, explains.

Kariton blends Filipino culture and nostalgia with a fun, Australian-inspired charm to use gelato as a shareable way to introduce local ingredients and culture. But because gelato melts quickly, service speed is a priority. “Very early on, we realized that small details matter a lot. Things like queue flow, signage, temperature control, portioning, and how staff greet you. At the same time, we don’t want to rush the customer, and we want to make sure we have time to tell them our story and the stories in each scoop.” 

OWWA, GCASH PARTNER TO PROVIDE DIGITAL PAYMENT ACCESS TO OFWS GLOBALLY OFWS CAN PAY OWWA MEMBERSHIP THROUGH GCASH, AT ZERO FEES FROM APRIL 16 TO JULY 16, 2026

 PHILIPPINES  – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and GCash have partnered to enable OFWs to pay their membership fees via the GCash app. OFWs can now pay membership fees conveniently and securely using the Bills Pay feature of GCash, anytime, anywhere. This comes at a critical time, as the ongoing Middle East conflict heightens the need for safe, reliable, and accessible digital solutions for Filipinos. 

Active membership provides essential support, including emergency repatriation services and reintegration, as well as social benefits like healthcare, legal assistance, and livelihood programs. By digitizing the renewal process, OWWA and GCash are helping ensure that Filipinos have uninterrupted access to these benefits and protections, especially during crises.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE EXPRESS NOW SERVING YOU AT SM CITY CALOOCAN

 

PHILIPPINES — SM Supermalls, in partnership with the City Government of Caloocan and key national government agencies, officially inaugurated the Government Service Express (GSE) at SM City Caloocan on March 25, 2026. The GSE makes essential public services more accessible, all for the local community through a convenient, people-centered hub in their most-loved SM Supermall.

The opening was led by Chris Martin D. Coquia, Regional Operations Head of SM together with representatives from participating government agencies, including the Caloocan City LGU, PNP, PRC, PhilHealth, SSS, and Pag-IBIG.

The GSE at SM City Caloocan marks the 18th Government Service Express in SM malls nationwide, reinforcing SM Supermalls’ commitment to transforming malls into community hubs that go beyond retail—spaces where everyday needs, essential services, and meaningful experiences come together.

Designed as a one-stop hub, the Government Service Express enables customers to conveniently complete government transactions within the mall environment—supporting parents processing family documents, jobseekers completing employment requirements, entrepreneurs and workers navigating essential services, and everyday citizens seeking efficient and reliable public service.

“As we open this new Government Service Express, we do so guided by our commitment of All For You—putting the needs of our customers and communities at the heart of everything we do,” said Coquia. “By making essential services more accessible and experiences more seamless, we help our customers truly maximize their experience every time they visit our malls.”

Beyond Convenience: Enabling Everyday Progress for Filipino Workers and Families

More than just accessibility, the Government Service Express delivers real, everyday impact—particularly for the working and middle-income segments who rely on efficient, reliable government services to move forward in life.

By bringing together agencies such as the Caloocan Business Permit and Licensing Office, BFP, PNP, PhilHealth, and PRC in one location, GSE allows individuals to:

·         Process employment requirements and benefits without taking multiple days off work

·         Complete business and professional requirements in a single trip

In select locations, GSEs also serve as access points for free services, including medical assistance and medicines through partner agencies—helping ease the financial burden of everyday needs while maintaining dignity and independence.

Functioning as a modern-day community service hub, GSE complements local government services by providing a more accessible, organized, and customer-friendly environment—especially for urban, working populations who value time, efficiency, and reliability.

Rather than being a space solely for aid, the Government Service Express empowers individuals to participate more actively in the economy—whether by securing employment, accessing benefits, or building their future through government-supported programs.

The launch highlights the strength of public-private collaboration in improving service accessibility and quality. By integrating government offices into the mall, SM Supermalls helps simplify processes, reduce barriers, and create more inclusive access to services that matter in daily life.

Through initiatives that respond directly to community needs, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its role as the most loved mall—building spaces that serve not just transactions, but people and communities.

NO BALANCE? NO PROBLEM! SMART ALTERNATIVES WHEN YOUR TRAIN CARD RUNS OUT

  In a rush and dealing with top-up issues or checking your balance? Commuters now have a reliable way to pay for trains with GCash.

PHILIPPINES – Days move fast. For daily commuters, they are a constant juggle—beating the rush, staying on schedule, and making sure you get from home to work as quickly as possible.

Which is why nothing spikes commuter stress like realizing you’re low on balance—right when you’re already in line, already late, and already surrounded by equally rushed strangers. 

Suddenly, it’s a scramble: searching for a top-up station, queuing behind others, or dealing with reloading machines that seem to break only during peak hours or even the ticket booths where card top-up lines merge with single-journey ticket purchases. In the middle of rush hour, these small hiccups turn into full-blown setbacks, proving that top-up problems don’t just delay your commute—they derail your entire day.

STRONG MSME ENGAGEMENT SETS THE STAGE FOR SM SUPERMAILS’ 2026 PROGRAMS

   Nationwide malls drive MSME upskilling, growth, and sustainable enterprise

Under the SM for MSMEs program, MSME Hub owners Alamanga and Rainbow Scoops bring locally made flavors and proudly Filipino products closer to the community—proof that when small businesses are given the right platform, they grow and thrive.

PHILIPPINES — Building on strong MSME momentum in 2025, SM Supermalls is entering 2026 with a renewed and sharped focus on empowering Filipino entrepreneurs, leveraging its nationwide mall network to create tangible growth opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Through its SM for MSMEs program, SM Supermalls empowered 920 new MSMEs and start-ups in 2025, with nearly 10% successfully transitioning into regular mall tenants through kiosks, counters, or in-line stores nationwide. Since its enhanced rollout in March 2024, the program has supported 2,288 unique MSMEs, providing real-world platforms where entrepreneurs can test, refine, and scale their businesses.

In 2025 alone, 28,761 MSME booth activations were mounted nationwide, driven by a growing consumer demand for locally made, experience-led products across food and beverage, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle categories.

WELCOME 2026 WITH ELEVATED EXPERIENCES AT SM SUPERMAILS CEBU

 

PHILIPPINES – The New Year calls for a bigger, bolder start and blazing-hot adventures. Saying goodbye to 2025 and stepping into a clean slate—while bittersweet, is undeniably exciting, and SM Supermalls is here to ensure you begin the year in the most elevated and exhilarating way possible.

Let’s welcome 2026 together with a show-stopping tour of the latest crown jewel in Cebuano shopping: SM J Mall. From flash-worthy finds to lifestyle upgrades that make noise, this carefully curated lineup of must-haves is guaranteed to satisfy your bold, ever-evolving taste. Let’s all set the New Year ablaze with fiery new energy and explosive possibilities!

Trendy Finds and Explosive Surprises

With its vibrant interiors and shelves bursting with everything your heart desires, the newly opened KKV is not just a lifestyle hub—it’s a full-on treasure hunt waiting to happen. Bring your friends and wander through endless aisles of trendy must-haves, from makeup and skincare to delicious snacks and tech accessories. Who knows? You might just score the perfect little gem to kick off the New Year with a bang!

YOUR DREAM TRIP IS WITHIN REACH AT ROBINSONS 2026 TRAVEL FAIR – WIN IT FOR FREE!

  PHILIPPINES – Every great adventure begins with deliberate preparation: choosing the right gear, planning ahead, and making smart decisions long before the journey begins. Booking the best deals for your itinerary is only half the story. What follows matters just as much: gearing up with essentials that keep you comfortable, confident, and ready for wherever the trip takes you. 

So your next stop after (or even before) booking your flights, hotels, and tours is Robinsons Department Store’s Your Next Stop Travel Fair 2026, where pre-trip rituals become effortless.

 

RDS brings everything you need in one destination at prices that don’t eat into your travel fund. The special fair features a wide selection of brands — up to 70 % off — loved by travelers for their fashion-forward design and comfort, making exploring cities, beaches and mountains abroad easy.

 

You can roam Paris’ Champs-Élysées in a stylish spring ensemble, wander the streets of Tokyo in comfort-driven essentials, bask under the sun in Boracay with beach-ready staples, explore Seoul with looks that move easily from day to night, or head into the outdoors for a nature escape fully equipped and adventure-ready.

 

GCASH ENABLES SEAMLESS CASHLESS PAYOUTS FOR QUEZON CITY SCHOLARS

 PHILIPPINES – The Quezon City Government, through the Youth Development Office (YDO), has begun disbursing scholarship grants through GCash as part of its efforts to make education support more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of youth scholars across the city. This partnership allows students to receive and use financial assistance with greater ease and flexibility.

 

Under the cashless setup, scholarship funds are credited directly to scholars’ GCash wallets, reducing delays and removing the need for in-person collection or manual processing. Scholars can use their grants for tuition and other education-related expenses, while the inclusion of GCash Visa Cards allows funds to be spent both online and at physical merchants that accept card payments.

 

The new system gives scholars greater control over day-to-day education costs such as books, school supplies, transportation, and meals, while also minimizing the risks and inconvenience associated with handling cash, particularly for students managing full academic schedules.

 

Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte said the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to making public services more practical and accessible for young people.