Small steps that go a long way The SM Store Share Shoes Program brings joy to kids in Isabela

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Shoes are essential in one’s journey through life, especially forstudents. With a pair of good shoes, they will not only be able to fulfill their daily tasks with ease, but it can also inspire them to work hard and take little steps to achieve their dream. 

Students of Diasan Elementary School in Echague, Isabela celebrate after receiving their new pair of shoes.

For most students in the city, a school bus or a stroll down the sidewalk are their usual commute. But for students in the province, it is a different story. 

Samantha, a student from the Diasan Elementary School, shared the hardships she and her classmates face to reach school. 

“Malayo po ang nilalakad namin ng nakapaa. Madulas po ‘pag umuulan at mahirap, maputik ang daan. ‘Yung mga iba po na nakatira sa may bundok, naglalakad po sila ng malayo. (My classmates and I have to walk a long way to get to our school. When the rainy season comes, the slopes become slippery and dangerous which makes it harder for us. The others who live near the mountain walk even farther),” Samantha said. 

Diasan Elementary School is tucked in the middle of the Barangay Diasan, a remote farming community in Isabela with over 600 residents. Students like Samantha have to walk an hour or more on rough terrain to get to and from school and are sometimes forced to skip classes if the river is swollen due to heavy rains.

Despite the challenges, one would be surprised at the great lengths they are willing to go to for their education. The simple gift of a new pair of shoes will allow them to walk to and back to school in comfort and safety. 

These are the kinds of stories that inspired the SM Store’s Share Shoes program to reach to the community to continue its mission of bringing joy - through the gift of shoes that can help make the journey of the students easier and more comfortable. 

Sharing the gift of new shoes

Most students in Diasan have not set foot in a mall before, let alone a shop selling shoes, so as a treat for the kids, employee volunteers from The SM Store, Savemore and SM Foundationtransformed one of the classrooms into a shoe store. They assisted the kids in choosing and fitting their very own shoes from the display of clogs, sneakers, sandals, flats and slip-ons donated by The SM Store MLC Shoes and Bags, and SM’s retail affiliates Crocs and Simply Shoes.

A volunteer washes the feet of one of the kids to teach him the value of proper hygiene. 

Replicating the shopping experience, an employee volunteer from The SM Store Cauayan assists a kid in fitting her new footwear. 

The employee and community volunteers also set up a “Feet Washing Corner” before the shoe fitting to impart the importance of taking care of one’s feet. The kids could not hide their joy as they selected and tried on their new footwear. 

Apart from receiving new shoes, the kids were treated to fun games and groceries from Savemore. The kids even gamely participated in a Zumba dance number led by The SM Store Cauayan employee volunteers. Wearing their new pairs of shoes, the kids enjoyed the activities knowing their feet were comfortable and secure. 

Taking steps to a brighter future

Samantha said that having a pair of shoes is important to protect their feet from injuries.

“Masaya po ako nu’ng nakita ko ‘yung mga kaibigan ko na suot na nila ‘yung sapatos kasi ‘di na sila mahihirapan maglakad ng isang oras papunta ng iskul (I was so happy to see my friends wearing their shoes because now, they won’t have a hard time walking an hour to school),” Samantha said. 

An employee volunteer from The SM Store Cauayan assists a kid in choosing his new pair of shoes. 

Teacher in charge Domenador Mayuyo Jr. shared that for some of the kids, it was their first time to own a pair of shoes, with many of them walking to school wearing slippers or barefoot. 

“It’s the first time for some of our students to receive a pair of shoes. Having a new pair of shoes is like a dream come true for them. It is a blessing for them to receive new pair of shoes that they can use to go to school,” Mayuyo said. 

Through the gift of new shoes, The SM Store hopes to inspire these kids to take those important steps toward achieving their goals. 

A student of Diasan Elementary School walkshome with his new pair of shoes from The SM Store’s Share Shoes Movement. 

Promoting the culture of sharing and purposeful giving

The shoe donation was also accompanied by a medical mission through the partnership of The SM Store with the SM Foundation, Caritas Philippines and the Diocesan Social Action Center of Ilagan. Residents of the community were able to avail of medical and dental consultations, laboratory works, and had X-ray and ECG examinations, and medicines courtesy of the SM Foundation’s Mobile Clinic, all for free.

An employee volunteer and student beneficiaries bond after the program. 

The activity was a part of the SM Share Movement, a program promoting a culture of sharing and purposeful giving among SM shoppers all year long. Since 2015, the SM Share Movement has collected over 1.3 million donations composed of shoes, clothing, books, school kits, disaster kits and toys.

The SM Store’s Share Shoes program encourages its shoppers to donate brand new and pre-loved footwear not just to help kidswalk safely and reach their desired destinations, but to also inspire them to take important steps toward achieving their goals. 

“We would like to thank all the shoppers and our partners who donated and participated in The SM Store’s Share Shoes Movement. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Given the rough terrain and the challenges that these students of Diasan face just to get to their school, the new pair of shoes is a great help to them,” said Cielito Velasquez, Assistant Branch Manager of The SM Store Cauayan. 

One of the classrooms is transformed by SM employee volunteers into a shoe store to give the kids a shopping experience. 

Through the #SMShareMovement Project, the SM Store remains committed to its promise to give back to communities and to be a partner in their development. Through the simple but valuable gift of shoes, they can continue to be a part of Barangay Diasan’s journey as the children take steps toward a brighter future. 

Find out more about the #SMShareMovement’s quarterly donation drives and ways to contribute to upcoming projects, by liking The SM Store Facebook page and by following @TheSMStore on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Anne Curtis launches Dream Machine platform vs Dream Shaming

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The undisputed “Diyosa” and style icon of Philippine showbiz Anne Curtis launched her passion project, Dream Machine platform.

The Dream Machine platform hopes to stop dream shaming and empower dreamers to reach for and live out their dreams.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine https://twitter.com/DreamMachinePH/status/899611618123948032

Anne confessed that she entered showbiz with big dreams and she’s grateful that most of these dreams have come true. 

“I have always been a dreamer. In my 20 years in showbiz, I have worked hard to reach for my dreams. I am blessed to have already achieved most of my dreams and it’s now my turn to be a blessing to others through the Dream Machine platform,” Anne said during in an intimate press conference, held August 21, 2017.

Anne, who has been doing charity works quietly for many years, decided to put up the Dream Machine after hearing stories of dream shaming. 

“It is sad when people set dreams in their hearts only to be dream-shamed by people either because of their color, their status in life, their current skills. It gets worse when it is their own family or their loved ones who shoot down their dreams. The Dream Machine platform hopes to encourage dreamers to continue chasing their dreams and we will do our best to help them,” she adds.

Anne Curtis-Smith with sister Jasmine Curtis who hosted the event launch

Anne revealed that she also was a victim of dream shaming when people called her out for holding the Annebisyosa concert, saying she did not have the right chops to sing, much less do a concert. 

“To sing before a huge audience was my dream. And I worked hard to make it happen. It was not something that I did just for myself, but the Annebisyosa concert was also my way of encouraging people to always fight for their dreams in the face of those that say you can’t do it,” Anne recalled.

Through Dream Machine, Anne hopes to connect with dreamers and learn more about their dreams through the Dream Machine website. 

There are three categories of dreams that Dream Machine will be supporting:

Youth, Education and Empowerment.

“Before the school year started, we were approached by the General Roxas Elementary School in Quezon City for support in their school renovation. Dream Machine was very happy to help and we are hoping that the renovation will inspire the students to study better,” Anne shared.

To officially kickstart the platform, Dream Machine is hosting the Color Run to empower the dreams of disabled children under the auspices of UNICEF. Anne has been a UNICEF ambassador for 2 years already. 

“Proceeds of the Dream Machine Color Run will all go to the children with disabilities being taken care of by UNICEF. These children are dreamers, too, and you’ll be surprised that some of their dreams are not really for themselves but for their families,” Anne said.

Dream Machine will also roll out the red carpet for the dream weddings of three couples on the first quarter of next year. Couples are invited to share their love stories with Anne through the Dream Machine website. Three couples will be chosen and will be provided their own dream weddings by the Dream Machine.

“The Dream Machine wants to put a stop to dream shaming and instead would like to inspire and encourage more people to dream big. The Dream Machine wants to connect with the dreamers, the dream chasers. The platform serves as the dream-weaver, and will try to find ways to finally turn dream chasers into dream catchers,” Anne explained.

Anne Curtis- Smith Dream Machine

Anne said she’ll be happy to welcome other people who would want to be part of the Dream Machine as dream-givers as much as she would love to hear the stories of the dreamers. 

“At the end of the day, what Dream Machine hopes to achieve is to be able to inspire the dreamers, help them achieve their dreams and hopefully be able to start a dream revolution where there’ll be a lot of dream-givers to help the dreamers. The world will be a much happier place when that happens,” Anne said.

Dreamers may start sending in their dreams via the Dream Machine website http://www.dreammachine.ph/.

Send your ultimate Valentine’s SURPRISE through M&M’s® Fun First Move Project!

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Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate romance, love and surprises to our love ones and special people around us. Sometimes you're so excited and thinking of how to express your feelings and send your message across to someone special to you. 

Are you adventurous enough to make the first move to surprise your loved one and show how truly special he or she is? Or are you finally ready to reveal yourself to your secret crush? Or how about making your partner fall in love with you again?

If you’re wanting to share your feelings but clueless on how to do it, then worry no more as you will now have a chance to be that romantic guy or fun girl you always want to be through M&M’S® Fun First Move Project! 

M&M’S® is bringing in its spontaneous fun to the most romantic time of the year. Through M&M’S® Fun First Move project, get a chance to win a special delivery service through M&M’S® Characters Red, Yellow and Green that will make your Valentine’s celebration fun and truly unforgettable. 

A surprise through the M&M’s Fun First Move Red package

M&M’S® Red, the leader of the gang, will tag along a boyband to have an exclusive live serenade for your special someone which will surely make her fall head over heels for you. Red adds, “If you can’t say it, you sing it!” 

M&M’s Fun First Move Yellow package delivered by Azkals player Misagh Bahadoran to his girlfriend, Sam Pinto.

M&M’S® Yellow, the friendliest of them all, will send lots of warmth and love together with his life-size Teddy Bear mate. Yellow says, “Who will not have a soft spot for an adorable Teddy especially when I’m bringing it along with M&M’S® chocolates?” 

Social media’s it couple Mark Agas and Kara Gozali enjoying the fun moment with the M&M’s Fun First Move Green package

And of course, M&M’S® Green, the confident and smart diva, never fails with her surprises. True to her personality of owning all things good-looking, she brings along a hot real-life cupid to deliver you and your gifts to your partner. Ms. Green affirms, “We are sure to make heads turn and have others literally turn green with envy!”

The biggest surprise is for the lucky grand winner! The ultimate Valentine’s date -– a helicopter ride going to the scenic south of Manila for a dinner at an exclusive place where more romantic surprises await your special someone! “How could someone forget an epic date like this, right?” says Red.

So, are you game with the idea and curious on how to join?

All you need to do :

* Buy any two (2) packs of M&M’S® products from leading supermarkets.

* Post a photo of the M&M’S® products you bought on your Facebook or Instagram accounts with the hashtag #mmsfunfirstmove. 

* Make sure your Facebook and Instagram accounts are on public setting.  

* Alternatively, you can present your proof of purchase to the M&M’S® sales promoters in store so they can process your registration. 

If you win, M&M’S® will get in touch with you to plan your ultimate Fun First Move! Promo runs from January 9 to February 5 2017 in time for the Valentine’s Day. 

It’s easy to make your loved one’s Valentine’s Day truly memorable, right? So what are you waiting for? Join the M&M’S® Fun First Move project and give your special someone the fun surprise this Valentine’s Day!

For full contest details, please follow www.facebook.com/MMsPhilippines. Watch M&Ms Fun First Move video  HERE.

Thousands of youth in Philippines to join regional Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build campaign

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Annual campaign rallies young people to speak out, raise funds and build decent homes

Housing organization, Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP), announces today its 2017 launch of Young Leaders Build. The campaign is Habitat’s largest youth movement in the Asia-Pacific region. Organized for the sixth consecutive year, the regional campaign is driven by dynamic and socially responsible youth to ensure decent housing for all in a region where one in eight people live in slums, according to the United Nations. 

The Philippines is currently facing a housing crisis with 5.5 million Filipino families lacking access to their own safe, decent home. 

“At Habitat, we aim to serve these families in need by partnering with others to build better communities, and a better nation – together. We believe the best way to face this crisis is work alongside the next generation of empowered youth leaders who are socially conscious and energetic to volunteer, fundraise and advocate for poverty alleviation,” Charlie Ayco, HFHP Managing Director and CEO said. 

HFHP has engaged more than 1.2 million volunteers in the past fiscal year, which garnered more than 2.5 million volunteer hours and the organization looks forward to engaging even more youth volunteers through the Young Leaders Build campaign in the coming months. 

The Young Leaders Build was first pioneered more than a decade ago by Alexandra Eduque, Founder and Chairwoman of the Habitat Youth Council, who kick-started the project as a national effort. Now, due to the campaign’s successes, it is now a global youth movement. 

“We look forward to this years Young Leaders Build to be more empowering to the youth and more transforming for the families and communities we serve,” Ayco added. 

In the coming months, youth, celebrities, schools and corporate supporters will volunteer, raise funds and lend their voices to help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Events planned across the region include workshops, rallies, runs, volunteer trips, a youth forum, an advocacy grant program and a Twitter party.

The multi-month Young Leaders Build campaign will culminate on 22 April 2017 with thousands of young people taking part in simultaneous activities across Asia-Pacific. These include house building, school cleaning, fundraising events, and advocating for decent housing on social media.

The campaign in the past year (2016 campaign video link) saw a record 2,448,914 supporters from 16 countries and one Special Administrative Region in the Asia-Pacific region. Volunteers worked on 420 houses, and served 7,620 families. The campaign raised US$ 1.6 million to enable families to have a decent place to live. 

Join the Habitat Young Leaders Build community on Facebook bit.ly/HabitatYLB.
Post on social media with the hashtag #HabitatYLB. Follow on Instagram @HabitatYLB.

About Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build

Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build brings together youth from across the Asia-Pacific region in support of affordable housing for everyone. Young people volunteer, fundraise and lend their voices to help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. The campaign motivates youth to take the lead in building homes and communities, on a Habitat build site and/or online through their social networks.

About Habitat for Humanity Philippines 

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has become a leading global nonprofit working in nearly 70 countries. In the Philippines since 1988, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 140,000 people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower.

To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.ph.

Viral elderly gets livelihood support through Jollibee’s Grand Thank You project

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Lola Maria and her family enjoying their langhap-sarap meals in Jollibee SM Lucena City last September 11, Grandparents’ Day

Jollibee, the Philippines’ leading fast-food chain, is known for its unparalleled support for Filipino family values. Following the viral advertisement #KwentongJollibee “Kahera”, the brand released yet another heartwarming online video, “Handog Kay Lola Maria”, that featured the exemplary proof of the selflessness, support, and love of grandparents.

Jollibee, in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, made Lola Maria’s dream come true by granting her a sari-sari store.

The video featured a 74-year-old Badjao grandmother named Lola Maria Tequillo who, despite her old age, dove for coins thrown by tourists at a nearby pier in Lucena, Quezon Province to support her family, most especially her four grandchildren. Lola Maria was discovered through a viral feature of broadcasting network GMA’s documentary program, Front Row.

Lola Maria and her husband and grandchildren celebrate Grandparent’s Day with a toast.

“Ang hanap-buhay ko ay maninisid araw-araw, mga bente-anyos na ako maninisid dito, (I dive for spare coins for a living and I’ve been doing it every day for 20 years now),” said Lola Maria in the video. “Pupunta ako sapier, mag-aabang talaga ako ng barko at manghihingi talaga ako ng barya. Minsan parang ako’y aabutan ng mahinang katawan, kaya lang, konting tiis para naman meron kaming makain. (I head to the pier, wait for a ship to pass by, and ask its passengers to throw in some coins for me. Sometimes, my body would be too weak but I have to continue doing this so my family will have something to eat).”

Jollibee celebrated this year’s Grandparent’s Day by heading to Quezon Province to treat Lola Maria and her loved ones to a hearty Jollibee feast. Soon after, Jollibee, in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, granted Lola Maria her dream sari-sari store so that she never has to dive for coins again. Through the Coca-Cola partnership, Lola Maria and her daughter was also provided important sari-sari management tips and basic information on how to effectively run and maintain their new source of income.

The special Grandparents’ Day activity for Lola Maria also became the launchpad for Jollibee’s Grand Thank You project which aims to help ease the plight of elderly people. The Grand Thank You project encourages everyone to take part in providing support and possibly more sustainable livelihood to elderly Filipinos in need.

Jollibee, in partnership with Coca-Cola Philippines, officially turns over the sari-sari store to Lola Maria and her daughter. Photo shows (from left) Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability Manager Gilda Maquilan, Jollibee Brand Communications and Public Relations Director Arline Adeva, and Brand PR and Engagement Manager Cat Triviño.

“Jollibee recognizes the hard work and tireless effort that lolos and lolas go through to support and show their love for their families,” said Francis Flores, Jollibee Global Brand CMO. “Apart from Jollibee’s well-loved,langhap-sarap products, an endeavor such as the Grand Thank You project furthers our thrust of providing joy to countless Filipino families.”

Watch “Handog para kay Lola Maria” on the Jollibee YouTube channel 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0HfTKwFMWU 

or on the Jollibee Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines/videos/1229473180432239/

For more information and details on Jollibee’s Grand Thank You Project, email grandtyproject@jollibee.com.ph. 

You may also follow Jollibee on Twitter and Instagram at @jollibee.

Blue Market : Weekend Markets at Ateneo

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Here's fun, festive, exciting, and enriching experience, and many things to different people!

In celebration of our silver jubilee, we, the Ateneo de Manila High School Class of 1987, bring you the Blue Market - a weekend fair with a twist. Not unlike the usual Saturday-Sunday bazaars full of great deals, curious finds, and gastronomic delights, the Blue Market serves up all that, and so much more. It is a special batch fundraising project, in support of social entrepreneurs, student business initiatives, and similar micro enterprises, for the benefit of the Tulong-Dunong Foundation and the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.

Beyond providing a venue for buyers and sellers to come together, the Blue Market is a vehicle for helping social enterprises and student ventures take off at minimal cost, with a ready clientele. As a natural draw for members of the Ateneo community, as well as residents of neighboring villages such as Xavierville, La Vista, and the like, the Blue Market easily assures these incubating endeavors of a constant and loyal customer base. This gives them instant access to a large group of shoppers with tremendous purchasing power, and affords them a unique opportunity to understand, interact and build relationships with a broader spectrum of consumers they would otherwise have little chance of tapping.

For some, an innovative product or a particularly worthy advocacy may find favor with benefactors willing to throw their full support to see such ideas and undertakings to fruition. Aside from this, the Blue Market is also a valuable marketing resource. It can provide significant exposure to the various social enterprises via its website, and promote their products and services to an infinitely wider audience.

For market-goers, this is a chance for spending time with family, touching base with old friends, forging new partnerships, relaxing, unwinding, and sharing blessings while making great new finds and savoring the joys of shopping. It is a simple yet effective outlet for lending support to young companies and apostolate communities, and in so doing, taking part in nation-building and the empowerment of the less fortunate.

The Blue Market is many things to different people. It is a unique and solid launch pad for young, commercial undertakings. It is a practical learning lab for budding entrepreneurs. It is an arena for giving back to the community. It is a fun, festive, exciting, and enriching experience, where everyone can answer the Ignatian call towards being men and women for others.

The Blue Market, a fundraiser by the Ateneo de Manila High School Batch of `87, takes place November 17-18, and 24-25, between gates 1 and 2 of the Ateneo de Manila parking lot in front of the Blue Eagle Gym, right along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.