SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA, Ana Datu, an SM employee-volunteer

Regional Operations Head Ana Datu delivers essential relief to a flood-impacted resident, embodying the spirit of SM's volunteerism. She ensures even those in hard-to-reach areas feel: "Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan."

Communities in the Philippines frequently confront the difficult challenge of having to reconstruct lives overnight in a nation that experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually and is prone to earthquakes. Collaboration becomes essential during these times, particularly for thousands of Filipinos whose lives have been turned upside down by natural disasters.

Assisting communities in getting back on their feet is more than simply a duty for the SM Group; it is a shared commitment ingrained in its service culture. Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), the disaster response program of the SM Foundation, is at the center of this endeavor.

OPTE, which is carried out in close collaboration between the SM Foundation, SM Markets, and SM Supermalls, brings together devoted volunteer teams that share a common goal to serving those in need. SM Markets staff assemble Kalinga Packs in warehouse hubs that also serve as packing facilities, while SM vehicles and vans distribute the products to the impacted areas. On the ground, employee-volunteers from the foundation and SM Supermalls conduct relief distribution in the spirit of bayanihan, personally distributing essentials and—in harder-hit areas—supporting medical missions that provide free consultations, first aid, and medications.

For Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga, service is rooted in lived experiences, especially since her family was among those affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Years later, she witnessed devastation firsthand during the 2019 earthquake that affected her province and the rest of Luzon.

“We were at the forefront during that time na tumutulong. In fact, as soon as tumigil ang pagyanig nung time na ‘yun, all hands on deck na kami. Hindi ko pa nun alam kung ano yung OPTE, pero ‘yung mga kasama ko sa mall, sabi nila, may opportunity para makatulong dun sa mga nabaha nearby. Sabi nila, ‘sama tayo. Nung inabutan namin, umiyak siya nang umiyak. Sabi niya, hindi siya makapunta dun sa barangay hall kasi binaha ang bahay niya... Sabi niya, parang akala niya, makakalimutan na siya. Pero ang saya-saya niya na pinuntahan namin siya, na may pag-asa. It’s really great to be part of a team, a group that is able to support and help the community in good times and in bad times.” ~Andrea Rodriguez, SM Supermalls Regional Operations Head for Pampanga

Her first OPTE experience came earlier when, as a new SM employee, flooding hit communities near the San Fernando mall. One of her most vivid memories was when they provided support to an 80-year-old resident in a remote barangay in Angeles following widespread floods during the pandemic.

According to Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA, the company’s strong culture of helping others has shaped the way employees live and work. Because of this, lending a hand has become second nature.

“We normally conduct OPTE in basketball courts so that mas marami ‘yung mapuntahan namin. But we also take time to go to the eskinitas — na kung minsan may naiiwan na mga bata at matatanda. Kapag nakita mo sila, parang may lungkot. ‘Nakalimutan kami, naiwan kami kasi nandun sila lahat sa basketball court. But when they see us there with the Kalinga Packs at inabot mo ito sa kanila, they feel ‘Wow! Hindi kami nakalimutan. These are the people who remember us.’ When I joined SM, I learned that community service and social responsibility are a big thing here. It has been a culture. It has been a habit. And it's not difficult to imbibe this because you see it, and it transcends. It starts from the leaders, trickling down to the entire team. So, everybody's moving. If you see the environment and the environment forges you to help and to be empathetic to the plight of everyone surrounding the community, surrounding the mall, your community; then mai-imbibe mo siya.” ~Ana Datu, Regional Operations Head for Bulacan and CAMANAVA

A heartfelt embrace from a CAMANAVA resident receiving essential relief. By reaching deep into communities, SM volunteers ensure those affected feels remembered and supported, embodying the commitment of OPTE.

Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), a social good collaboration of SM Foundation, SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is the group’s disaster response initiative that provides immediate relief and essential goods to communities affected by calamities. In heavily impacted areas, it also deploys medical missions that offer basic healthcare and first aid.

SM named among TIME’s World’s Best Companies for second year

TIME and Statista have once again named SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the main company of the SM Group, to their coveted "World's Best Companies 2025" list. This is SM Investments' second consecutive year on the list, demonstrating its commitment to responsible growth based on outstanding financial performance, employee engagement, and sustainable initiatives.

SM Investments ranked third out of 10 Philippine corporations in the global ranking. China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), one of SM's banking affiliates, was also acknowledged.

“This recognition inspires us to keep strengthening our efforts in creating value for our stakeholders and contributing positively to our communities. It also reflects our balanced approach to growth, delivering strong results for shareholders while also fostering long-term value and resilience for employees, partners, and communities.” ~Frederic DyBuncio, SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer

The TIME World's Best Companies list recognizes and honors the most remarkable organizations from all industries around the world. SM Investments was named to TIME's Asia-Pacific Best Companies 2025 list earlier this year, following its inclusion on the World's Best Companies list in 2024.

The evaluation method included a three-stage screening. Companies had to have earned at least USD100 million in revenue in the previous fiscal year. They were then evaluated on revenue growth over the previous three years, followed by detailed employer questionnaires to determine employee happiness. Finally, sustainability performance and transparency were considered in the final result.

About SM Investments Corporation 

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com 

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com 

Manila Overseas Press Club fetes SM for contribution to tourism

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent business of the SM Group, was just awarded the Grand Tourism Excellence Award by The Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) on August 15, 2025.  The award celebrates the company's superior execution and management throughout the SM Group, which has benefited many tourism-related MSMEs and contributed to a healthy, fulfilling travel industry.

The award recognizes SM's strategic investments in integrated tourism developments throughout the Philippines, including hotel and resort properties, shipping and logistics, retail businesses, and entertainment complexes catering to both domestic and foreign passengers.

Amando M. Tetangco Jr. accepted the prize on behalf of the company.  Chairman of the Board of SM Investments (center).  He was accompanied by (from left) Christina Garcia Frasco, Secretary of Tourism (DOT); First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos; and MOPC Chairman and President Tony Lopez and Eric Canoy.

About SM Investments Corporation 

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com 

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com

The Business of Social Good: National University marks 125th year with expansion to 14 campuses

Committed to providing more access to quality education, the National University is celebrating its 125^th anniversary this year with the opening of two new campuses in Cebu and Las Piñas this year. (Photo is artist’s perspective of NU Cebu)

The National University (NU) celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2025 with the opening of two new campuses in Cebu and Las Piñas on SM Properties. This brings the total campus count to 14 this year.  This expansion is planned to raise student enrollment to 85,000, demonstrating NU's commitment to its purpose of providing more Filipinos with accessible and high-quality education. 

The expansion represents the SM Group and NU's shared aim of promoting good change through education and community development.

The additional campuses, which are set to open later this year, are an important component of NU's mission of reaching more students across the country.  This symbolizes the SM Group and NU's commitment to social good, as they collaborate to break down barriers and create opportunities for all Filipinos. 

Henry Sy, Sr. truly felt that education is the key to overcoming the cycle of poverty, and this idea has guided the Sy family's support for NU since 2008.

“We've been expanding with the purpose of providing more access to quality education, which is core to the SM Group's commitment to social good. For us, giving back means ensuring that excellence in education reaches more Filipinos, regardless of their background. The Sy family has always aimed for excellence at NU—whether in academics, infrastructure, or sports. We are focused on building international credibility for NU. This recognition from our international peers is a testament to our commitment to our students and graduates. Our chairman, Dr. Hans Sy, recognizes the value of research and faculty development, which is why we are transforming NU into a research-oriented university. This is in direct alignment with the SM Group's long-standing advocacy for advancing education and social progress. Our students can rise above their circumstances through hard work, dedication, patience, humility, strength, and conviction. With the continued support of the SM Group, together, we embark on this ongoing journey to success, driving social good through education.” ~Dr. Renato Carlos H. Ermita, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NU

In keeping with SM's commitment to inclusion and accessibility, as well as its conviction in every student's potential, NU maintains an open admissions policy and invests in assessments to determine the necessary intervention to enable Senior High School (SHS) graduates become college-ready.  This assures that more Filipino students, regardless of background or status, have the opportunity to pursue higher education.  This is consistent with and supportive of the SM Group's overall goal of promoting possibilities for growth and social mobility through education.

NU's continued pursuit of excellence is evident in its expanding international reputation.  The institution just received a QS 3 Star rating, with 5 Stars in Employability and 4 Stars in Teaching, Social Impact, Facilities, and Good Governance, out of 13 areas evaluated by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).  QS is the world's top provider of services, analytics, and insights for the global higher education sector, and NU's ranking demonstrates the university's dedication to worldwide educational best practices.

Committed to providing more access to quality education, the National University is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with the opening of two new campuses in Cebu and Las Piñas this year. (Photo is artist’s perspective of NU Las Pinas)

As part of this strategy, NU intends to provide more international mobility for its students, ensuring that their qualifications are widely recognized.  This, combined with SM's support, increases students' possibilities to participate in the global marketplace.

About SM Investments Corporation 

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy. 

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank. 

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com.

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com. 

SM Maintains Confidence in the Country’s Growth Trajectory

SM’s property firm, SM Prime recently unveiled its investment plan for the development of malls, residences and integrated properties.

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, is enthusiastic about the Philippines' growth momentum and has reaffirmed its commitment to the economy's future, according to Erwin G. Pato, Executive Vice President for Treasury, Finance, and Planning.

In recent interviews with CNBC and Bloomberg, Mr. Pato expressed SM Investments' confidence in the country's growth trajectory.  He stressed that the group's synergized investments in retail, real estate, and financial services will continue to support the Philippines' consumption-led economy.

The business also recently announced a PHP60-billion share buyback scheme, billed as the largest in Philippine corporate history. This project shows SM's optimistic perspective for the country's economic future.  SM's move to repurchase shares worth USD1 billion demonstrates the company's confidence in its value appreciation and the Philippine economy's continuing expansion.

“We're having this buyback because we believe in our company and its growth potential. We believe that growth in the Philippines will continue to be consumption-driven. Seventy percent of our gross domestic product (GDP) is consumption-driven, and our business is right within that footprint. Our offerings in retail, integrated property development, and financial services will continue to be key players in this consumption-driven growth. We’re a proxy of the Philippine economy because of our scale and the communities we serve. With lowering interest rates, we believe this will help our macroeconomics and could lead our economic managers to achieve our inflation rate within the 2% to 4% range. If that happens, it suggests a strong tailwind for the consumer story.” ~Erwin G. Pato, Executive Vice President for Treasury, Finance, and Planning

SM Investments' consolidated net income increased 7% in 2024, reaching PHP82.6 billion from PHP77.0 billion in 2023. Meanwhile, SM Retail Inc., the group's retail division, reported a net income of PHP20.9 billion, up from PHP19.9 billion the previous year.

As one of the country's top property developers, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., the group's property arm, plans to invest PHP100 billion this year in the building of malls, apartments, offices, hotels, and conference centers.  This investment is motivated by the prospect of continued increase in consumer demand and corporate activity.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com 

For inquiries, please contact: smic_corpcomm@sminvestments.com