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 Group, local partners turn Lolo, Lola into #SeniorDigizens in digital inclusion push

Leading digital solutions platform Globe Group is set to transform the digital landscape for Filipino seniors with its innovative "Teach Me How To Digi" #SeniorDigizen Learning Session, set on January 25 at the Skydome, SM North Edsa. 

Gathering at least 220 senior citizens in half a day of enriching tech learning, the #SeniorDigizens event is backed by some of the biggest brands in tech and retail, and by senior citizen advocates from the government. 

“It’s really very important that our senior citizens learn digital skills because in the future, a lot of services will truly become fully digital. We have to help the seniors overcome their fear. And I guarantee you that once you try it, it’s going to be as easy or much easier than the old manual way.” ~Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO

“As digitalization accelerates, tech adoption should be simple and easy for everyone, no matter the age. Technology should not be intimidating or difficult for our seniors, and they should be able to enjoy its benefits. The goal of our #SeniorDigizens campaign is to equip them with knowledge that will help them adopt new tech and apps that address their day to day pain points.” ~Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer of the Globe Group

The event features learning sessions on digital skills: How to create a Gmail account to be facilitated by Google, a 101 course on using smartphones via Globe, and sessions on using fintech platform GCash and telehealth service KonsultaMD. 

 

Apart from hosting the event at Sky Dome, retail giant, SM, is providing an opportunity for senior citizens to join the Super Grannies Club (SGC), the grandest Facebook community for seasoned individuals. As SGC members, participants gain early access to events, exclusive mall deals and updates on SM Cares programs. These include health and wellness activities like Walk for Life, the award-winning Emergency Preparedness Forum and community service programs that enable a fun, active and productive lifestyle for lolos and lolas. 

SM’s loyalty program SMAC, meanwhile, sponsored the event in SM Malls, as it is one with Globe in giving importance and joy to senior citizens. 

“We are happy to support Globe in bringing to fruition our shared vision of digitalizing seniors. SM has long given seniors priority in our initiatives, and so our partnership with Globe for the #SeniorDigizens campaign is natural and seamless.” ~Jay Beltran, Head of Sales and Marketing, Digital Advantage Corporation (DAC)

The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), led by its Chairperson and CEO Atty. Frank Quijano, has a booth where seniors will be guided on how to register in its database, which the agency hopes to build to take stock of the living situation, health concerns, skills and other important information about the country’s roughly 11 million senior citizens. The NCSC will also bring volunteers to help seniors in tech tutorials. 

“We thank Globe for embarking on this program that addresses major concerns when it comes to seniors: digitalization and online safety. We at NCSC have been pursuing our own efforts to bring the elderly into the digital space safely, and we are happy to find an ally in the private sector to introduce seniors to new technologies while at the same time protecting them from the dangers that lurk online.” ~Atty. Frank Quijano, The National Commission of Senior Citizens Chairperson and CEO

Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of United Senior Citizens Partylist is also on board, bringing senior citizen delegates to the event.

“We’d like to congratulate Globe for giving seniors priority through its #SeniorDigizens campaign. This is an initiative worth emulating. United Senior Citizens Partylist is one with Globe in seeing this through.” ~Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay of United Senior Citizens Partylist

The Quezon City government also brought a delegation of senior citizens to the event and provided crucial logistics support. 

“The city government of Quezon City is proud to partner with Globe in this undertaking. In QC, we give our seniors top priority in terms of public services to help them live their sunset years as active and productive members of society. This project is key in helping them transition into a digital life and help them enjoy the benefits of modern technology.” ~Joy Belmonte, Quezon City Mayor

Meanwhile, #TeamGlobeofGood influencers Kiray Celis and Chuckie Dreyfus are lending their talent and bringing entertainment to the event, while internet personality Lester “Buji” Babiera, a talent of Globe Group agency NYMA, is bringing his brand of dynamic hosting onstage. 

The #SeniorDigizen learning session, a significant effort to close the digital divide for the elderly, follows the success of the “Teach Me How to Digi” TikTok contest held in September last year. The contest received over 200 impressive videos showcasing tech lessons imparted by younger family members to their senior loved ones. 

At the event, Globe will award 25 winners with prizes worth P25,000. They will also get to take part in the learning session. 

"We are excited to help our senior citizens take their first steps into the digital world, ensuring they are not left behind in this fast-paced digital era. This event is our commitment to ensuring that they are not just consumers of technology but actively engaged in the evolving tech-savvy society.” ~Liza Reyes, Public Relations and Communications Strategy Head at the Globe Group

Globe’s #SeniorDigizen campaign promises not only to educate but also inspire a new generation of empowered seniors, ready to engage and connect in today's rapidly evolving digital environment.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph. 

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.