SM’s loyalty program raises PHP30M to help address lack of food security, quality education

Half of the raised funds, almost PHP15 million, were donated to SM Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the SM Group. In photo are (from left to right): Ramon Gil Macapagal, Board of Trustee of SM Foundation, Yaracel Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing of SMAC, Carmen Atayde, Director for Education of SM Foundation, and Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC. 

In partnership with Globe's Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation, SMAC, SM's loyalty program, raised almost PHP30 million between December 2023 and January 2024 to address involuntary hunger and lack of access to high-quality education nationwide.

SMAC and the Hapag Movement have partnered for the second year with the goal of providing 100,000 Filipino families with training for sustainable livelihoods and supplemental feeding. 10,000 families benefited from the PHP5.5 million raised during the campaign last year.  

Every time a SMAC kit was sold, P50 was donated to the campaign, which SMAC supported. Moreover, bonus points were contributed to the campaign for each eligible purchase made from participating SM Retail affiliates, such as SM Store, SM Fashion, SM Beauty, SM Appliance Center, Kultura, Our Home, Surplus, Sport Central, Silk Issues, Levi's, Forever 21, The Body Shop, Echo, and Crate and Barrel. 

“We owe our success to the participation of our loyal SMAC membership. Every purchase they made, every point they donated, goes a long way to the underprivileged families. Together, we can build a future where no one goes hungry. These will go into programs that will directly impact the lives of many Filipinos. Hapag's vision of fighting involuntary hunger resonates with SMAC, our retail partners, and our SMAC member base.” ~Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer, SMAC

The partnership between SMAC and Globe this year generated close to 30 million points, which will be given to the SM Foundation and the Hapag Movement. 

United to make a difference

Hunger in the nation has increased from 14.2% in March 2024 to 17.6% in June 2024, according to the most recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey. 

Globe's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Yoly Crisanto, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of working with SMAC.

“This partnership goes beyond seasonal efforts, providing sustainable support to families. By helping stave off involuntary hunger and enabling households to improve their livelihood, we’re building a foundation for lasting change. We are excited to continue this work and invite other organizations to collaborate with us so that together, we can make a difference.” Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer

Partner organizations of the Hapag Movement include UN World Food Programme, Ayala Foundation, and World Vision Philippines. 

Collaborating for good: SMAC and Globe executives as well as the campaign’s beneficiaries attended the turnover ceremony. From left to right: David Y. Jo, Head of Partnerships, Communications and Reports, UN World Food Programme; Eduardo C. Jimenez, Vice Chairperson, World Vision; Jun N. Godornes, Director for Resource Development, World Vision; Celerina R. Amores, Senior Director for Corporate Communications, Ayala Foundation; Yoly C. Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, Globe; Kevin Y. Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC; and Yaracel S. Macalindong, VP for Sales and Marketing of SMAC.

“SMAC has proven that business and customers can unite to make a meaningful difference, and together we are helping build communities across the nation. Simply chose to give have changed lives, especially for economically challenged but deserving students from vulnerable communities. SMFI shares with our fellow recipients, our fellow beneficiaries, the deep appreciation of SMAC's big heart to make a difference in the lives of the underserved members of our society.” ~Carmen Atayde, Director for Education, SM Foundation

The donation will allow 35 underprivileged students to pursue and finish their education. On the 31st year of the SM Foundation, they have already supported 4,500 graduates. 

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.

Globe, SM Advantage Card (SMAC) #UniteVsHunger, join hands for the Hapag Movement

With every purchase of a SMAC card and every checkout, shoppers can now help support a family in need.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe and SM Advantage Card (SMAC), the loyalty card of retail giant SM, have come together to help put meals on the table of those in need through the Hapag Movement, Globe’s technology-driven program against involuntary hunger.

“We are excited to partner with SMAC at the most joyful time of the year so we can bring cheer to our fellow Filipinos who continue to suffer due to involuntary hunger. Now, it’s easier for shoppers to share their blessings to the needy, bring food to the table, and get assistance for decent livelihood as we mark this Christmas season post-pandemic.” ~Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer

Through the partnership, P50.00 will be donated to the Hapag Movement and other SM Foundation programs for every purchase of a new SMAC card.

On top of this, SMAC members who will shop select items at the SM Store, SM Beauty, SM Appliance, Kultura, Surplus, Our Home, Baby Company, Crate and Barrel, Levi's, The Body Shop, Forever21, Ecco, and Miniso will earn up to 1,000 EXTRA SMAC Points, and half of the EXTRA points they earn will be donated to the movement starting December 15, 2022 until January 15, 2023, in time for this season of giving.

“Our collaboration with Globe for the Hapag Movement is a pioneering partnership for us as it aligns with the SM brand’s goal of providing support to Filipinos every way we can. This is the time for us to rally behind this cause to help those who continue to reel from the impact of the pandemic and challenges due to rising living costs. Ibalik natin ang sarap ng Pasko. We celebrate the season of giving with our SMAC members with the gift of giving— letting them share blessings with our most vulnerable kababayans.” ~Jay Beltran, SMAC SAVP Head of Sales and Marketing

Globe’s Hapag Movement leverages on technology and collaboration to help 100,000 families experiencing involuntary hunger through supplemental feeding and livelihood support.

Globe initiated the program to help Filipinos severely affected by the pandemic, with its effects still felt until today.  An estimated 2.9 million individuals reported suffering from involuntary hunger as of October this year, largely unchanged from the quarter before, according to a Social Weather Stations Survey.

To learn more about the Hapag Movement, visit its official page. You may also visit smac.ph or download the SMAC app to know more.