SM Employees Continue to Reach More Communities

There's a saying that goes "If you choose your passion, you never have to work a day in your life!". Those words actually come close to my personal journey. This is also true for some of our friends from SM. You see, they've been doing a lot of things in the shadows and they've won several internal and external awards through their CSR arm SM Cares. I personally witnessed this when they helped a foundation that serves persons that are differently abled, the deaf and mute. They have some really good employees, they also help children, the elderly and less privileged communities.

It's quite nice to see private corporations insert these things on their employee relationships. It gets the ordinary people a chance to help those in need and make them better versions of themselves. Mr. Kevin Bonifacio who is a Resident Engineer of SM City Tarlac says "I really love participating in activities like these with my colleagues. Through the Adopt a Daycare Program of SM, we were able to take time off our busy schedules and participate in a worthwhile program that can make us feel better. It also reminds me of when I was a kid, where the simplest gift and show of concern for someone can already bring me genuine happiness. We also get motivated and get the needed morale boost so we can work efficiently the next day when we go back to the four corners of our office. That to me is priceless!"

Michael Uy, one of SM's Mall Managers says that the experience is quite humbling. Being a volunteer at SM North EDSA’s Brigada Eskwela, he was able to be a part of the team that helped repair damaged classroom furniture and repaint walls of a public school near their area. He adds “It inspires us to work harder. The most fun part is the teamwork that all volunteers had during the whole activity!”. Having a mall in different parts of the Philippines has not only proven to have benefited the economy but bring a different change in the community. They've been doing this for quite some time now and it has really brought out the best in their employees, to have the chance to help a brethren in need. That feeling of volunteerism brings pride, makes the employees be more positive in the office and in turn make them more productive even if it's outside their office. That's about 2,500 of their workforce, and they've never been happier. 

I wish I could do the same in my community. I really appreciate it when they take their time and help other people, we all should do that! 

For more information about their cause:

SM CARES

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http://www.smcares.com.ph/

The Plight of a Mall Security Guard

It was Independence day when I was writing this piece. I thought about the men and women out there who are still working even if it's a holiday. Small things, may likely feel nothing to us. I feel though that we should be thanking these people who still take the time to serve us in times when they could have been just resting at home. Have you ever said "thanks" to an SM Mall security guard?

These men and women put themselves out there, they get paid salaries just like the rest of us but think about it... they're actually protecting us from bad elements while inside the mall. The amount of money they actually get in one day cost around 20 thousand Philippine pesos to 2 thousand dollars yet they go the mile and return it to their respectable owners. They barely are even seen by the public and can always take it for themselves, but they chose to give it back to their proper owners or surrender it to mall administration instead. Isn't that a selfless act? Shouldn't that be something to be proud of? Even if sometimes they get smirks and bad comments from mall goers they still do it out of their own will. They're not just serving the mall, they're practically serving you too! Their integrity, is just insurmountable. You would be proud about if you knew about the amount of mobile phones, gadgets and things they find and return in a single day. They just want to make sure the next time you shop, you won't find gang members, pickpockets, shoplifters and bad men inside it as well.

SM prides itself in making security a top priority. They also have made arrangements recently to honor some of them in ceremonies at SM Skydome a few weeks ago. Arrests, apprehensions were also possible because of them so it was a nice thing they were honoring these men for doing a good job, for keeping us safe during mall hours. In behalf of everyone, I'd like to say thank you to Mr. Jayred C. Martin, Mr. Norberto S. Bautista, Jr., Mr. Angelito P. Fuentes, Mr. Dominador O. Apawan, Mr. Lourince Z. Olog, Mr. Dexter P. Gadot, Mr. Melvin O. Muramatsu, Mr. Rowell R. Condolon, Mr. Oliver M. Maramag and Mr. Ramon P. De Leon for going beyond their duty and helped SM, the people and ordinary Juan's community safe all these years. They also have in their own way helped different communities that they visit through SM Cares.

The next time you go to a mall, say "Thank You" to show how much you appreciate their work the next time they need to check your things going inside the mall. They deserve every bit of that and it would be good to make mall security officers feel how thankful you are as they keep the place safe no matter when, where and whatever it takes. Their lives are on the line most of the time, so isn't that too small of a favor? We at least owe them that.

For more information about their organization:

Official SM Cares

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Visit their official website

http://www.smcares.com.ph/

PWD Farmer Plants Seed and Goes Global

Let's change the mood a bit and read some good news. See the photo above? You're looking at a very inspiring and determined man. His name is Donald Carpo, a man who works as a maintenance guy from SM City Rosales in Pangasinan - a province in Central Luzon. Just like the rest of us, he's got a family too. He's trying to make ends meet, trying to use the little things he earns so he could feed the people at home.

You see, Mr. Carpo suffers from a congenital indisposition in his limbs. He's got his left hand and legs in this predicament but this doesn't stop him from striving hard to provide for his family. So when the opportunity for training arrived, he immediately grabbed it. There, he learned to grow, plant, harvest and sell crops like papayas. His profit went to the welfare of his family, so they could live a comfortable life. The training was sparked by the Committee on Disability Affairs under SM Cares. SM Cares is the mall company's CSR arm. Words seems to have spread of how this program helped Mr. Carpo, so when SM’s project and efforts were recognized by the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, they sent Mr. Carpo as a delegate - and finally made him go to Bangkok, Thailand.

The 2 day workshop was sponsored by United Nations. It focused on Building and Enabling PWD's. Donald says "Even in my wildest dreams I didn't know that I would be able to go to another country. I thought it was impossible because of my condition, but because of SM I was given the opportunity to not only step in foreign soil but also come to a seminar that I didn't think I would even be invited to. We listened to fellow PWD's who talked about how they improved their harvests. I also shared them my experiences here. I also went to learn from different seminars there which I could use further improve the yield of my own crops and share them in my community. I feel so confident now that I'm earning much better every month. Because of SM I have been able to get a decent job. I have been able to get a life changing experience because of them and I won't hesitate to do the same with my fellow PWD's!"

Mr. Donald Carpo definitely feels like he's accomplished a lot. He's been given a lot of opportunities despite of his condition, he has steadfastly proven that hard work really pays off. He's not just going to harvest the fruits of his labor but also share it with his fellow men. Now that is something that we Filipinos must always try to learn from. No matter what the future brings, what ever challenges we see, there's always hope if we are given the chance, the opportunity. I hope other corporations would follow suit and hire more PWD's and help integrate them into the workforce. It's a good thing.

For more information about their organization:

Official SM Cares

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Visit their official website

http://www.smcares.com.ph/