Tag: SM Supermalls

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BÚTLAK at 40: How the Negros Trade Fair Blooms with Heritage, Flavor, and Enterprise

Leaders and partners behind BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair come together during the media launch. From left: Royce Cabuñag, AVP and Head of SM Communities; Chef JJ Yulo; Mary Anne Colmenares, NTF Chairperson; Chef Tony Boy Escalante, owner of Antonio’s; Francis Esteban, owner of Breakfast at Antonio’s; Christina Gaston, ANP President; Antonio Sebastian Escalante of Antonio’s; Pats Lim Dy, SAVP for SM Communities; and Joaquin San Agustin, EVP for Marketing of SM Supermalls.

Step into SM Aura this September, and you’ll find yourself transported—not just to a mall, but to Negros Island itself. For 40 years, the Negros Trade Fair has been more than a marketplace; it’s been a living showcase of Filipino creativity, resilience, and pride. This year’s milestone edition, aptly called BÚTLAK (to bloom), brings together 178 brands under one roof at the SMX Convention Center Aura from September 22 to 27, 2026.

Unveiled during the media launch, the official BÚTLAK video sweeps across Negros—its landscapes, landmarks, fashion, and artistry—bringing the island’s creative spirit to life.

A Journey Without a Plane Ticket

The launch preview captured the essence of Negros through a stirring video that whisked guests across its landscapes, kitchens, and workshops. It was the kind of reel that makes you want to book a flight—but the fair itself brings Negros to Manila, offering six days of food, fashion, art, and handcrafted treasures.

ANP President Christina Gaston reminded everyone why this fair matters: “MSME development is about giving people the opportunity to discover what they can create, what they can become, and where their creativity can take them.” Over four decades, small ventures have grown into enterprises, and local products have reached markets once thought impossible.

Flavors That Tell Stories

Guests at the launch were treated to a culinary journey led by Negrense icons JJ Yulo, Joel Torre, and Chef JP Anglo. From heirloom recipes to bold new interpretations, the tasting was a delicious preview of what’s to come.

Joel Torre, actor-restaurateur and proud Negrense, summed it up simply: “I’m very proud of Negros products.” Chef JP Anglo added, “Life is always changing; it’s a constant evolution. That’s why the Negros Trade Fair is thriving—it’s about the chase for perfection and love for craftsmanship.”

From savory empanadas and sisig to ube halaya and distinctive local ice cream flavors, the BÚTLAK media launch served a flavorful celebration of Negros—featuring Wawa Bing’s, JT’s Manukan, Cocina Javellana, and Marcelo’s Microcreamery.

Expect beloved names like Bob’s Café, 21 Restaurant, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products, alongside fresh food concepts and pasalubong finds that go far beyond inasal.

Fashion, Crafts, and Culture

Beyond the table, the fair is a treasure trove of wearable art and homegrown design. Labels like Arête and Ellege Handcrafted Fashion showcase accessories and clothing rooted in tradition yet styled for today. Meanwhile, Hacienda Crafts, Tumandok Crafts Industries, and Artisana Island Crafts transform abaca, bamboo, capiz, and other indigenous materials into décor and furniture that sustain artisan livelihoods.

The fair will feature 178 brands across food, fashion, furniture, homeware, art, and local crafts—bringing come for the names they already love and leaving with a new favorite—or several.

For Stephanie and Cristina Claparols of Lakat Sustainables, the fair feels like family: “There are a lot of new brands to discover, especially from the new generation. That’s the most exciting part.”

Roots and Blooms

The anniversary theme, explained by ANP Vice President Mary Anne Colmenares, captures the fair’s spirit: “Our roots are found in traditions, skills, and stories handed down to us. Our blooms are the new ideas, new enterprises, and new generations emerging from those roots.”

SM Supermalls EVP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin echoed the sentiment: “We’re celebrating 40 remarkable years—but we’re equally excited about the next 40.”

Final Take

The 40th Negros Trade Fair isn’t just about shopping. It’s about heritage, talent, and heart. It’s about supporting local makers while discovering flavors, fashions, and crafts that carry the soul of Negros. Bring your family, bring your friends, and take home a piece of the island.

See you at BÚTLAK!

 

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SM Group receives 12 Stevie® Awards for reporting and community programs

The SM Group received 12 Stevie Awards at the 2026 International Business Awards, recognizing both parent-company reporting and programs delivered through its malls and communities.

The SM Group’s parent company, SM Investments Corporation, received four awards. It received Gold Stevie Awards in the Conglomerates (Large) and Best Annual Report (Publicly Held Corporations) categories for its 2025 Integrated Report.

Its 2025 Sustainability Report was awarded Bronze for Best Sustainability Report. The SM Sustainability School was also awarded Bronze in the Asia, Australia, and New Zealand Sustainability Initiative of the Year category.

“Clear reporting provides investors and other stakeholders with a better understanding of how we make decisions, manage the business, and plan for the long term,” stated Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of SM Investments. “The other awards demonstrate how our businesses carry that same sense of responsibility into the communities they serve.”

That work can be seen in the eight awards received by SM Supermalls.

“People experience a mall based on what they do there, not what we say about it,” SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan explained. “A place to read, an event that promotes local art, or a program that makes the mall more user-friendly can all make a tangible difference in a community.”

The Philippine International Pyromusical Competition won Gold for Brand Experience of the Year (Consumer), while the Find Your SM campaign took Silver in the same category.

The SM Green Movement received Silver for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility. The SM Cares Coastal Cleanup initiative received Silver for Environmental Achievement, and SM Cares: A Mall for All received Silver for Diversity and Inclusion.

The SM Cares Book Nook won Bronze for Most Innovative Creative Project. The program creates spaces in malls for people to read and share books. The Empowering Communities campaign was also named the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

SM Mindanao Art received Bronze in the Corporate and Community (Community Engagement Event) category, bringing Mindanaoan artists and their work to a wider audience.

Over 300 business professionals participated in two months of judging. Winners were determined based on their average scores.

The International Business Awards, now in their 23rd year, honor organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and teams worldwide.

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Strong Performance, Stronger Trust: How SM Supermalls Is Shaping the Future of Filipino Mall Culture

SM Supermalls isn’t just keeping pace with the times—it’s setting the rhythm. Fresh off a record-breaking first half of 2026, the country’s largest mall operator is proving that strong numbers are only part of the story. The real win lies in trust: the enduring confidence of tenants, shoppers, and communities who continue to see SM as more than a mall—it’s a lifestyle hub.

A Business Built on Foot Traffic and Faith

From January to June, SM Supermalls grew revenues by 8%, hitting ₱41.8 billion. That growth was fueled by expanding leasable space, more tenant sign-ups, and steady foot traffic averaging 3.7 million daily. With over 23,000 tenants now under its roof, SM’s portfolio is bigger, busier, and more diverse than ever.

President Steven Tan summed it up best: “Our growth reflects the enduring trust of our tenants and shoppers. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, they continue to find value in the variety of our offerings and the strong sense of community in our malls.”

Beyond Retail: Pickleball, Marathons, and More

Transformation at SM isn’t just about square meters—it’s about experiences. In the first half of 2026 alone, SM added 41 new Pickleball courts, bringing the nationwide total to 102 across 32 properties. Sports and leisure are now part of the mall DNA.

And then came June 12: the Galaxy Manila Marathon, the first-ever full marathon to take over EDSA. With 25,000 runners pounding the pavement, SM proved it could turn the country’s busiest highway into a stage for wellness and community.

Sustainability at Scale

SM’s transformation isn’t just about fun—it’s about responsibility. The company expanded its rooftop solar PV system to 122 MWp, powering malls with clean energy. It also achieved 100% coverage for free EV charging stations across all 90 malls, with 203 chargers now available nationwide.

These moves reinforce SM’s role as a community partner, not just a commercial landlord.

Strongest Brand, Strongest Bond

For the second year running, SM Supermalls was named the Philippines’ Strongest Brand by Brand Finance, scoring 95.3 out of 100 on the Brand Strength Index. With an AAA+ rating, SM isn’t just leading in revenues—it’s leading in relevance.

The Next Chapter: My SM

Looking ahead, SM is rolling out My SM, a five-year transformation platform designed to evolve malls around the changing needs of Filipino communities. From new entertainment acts to leisure concepts, the strategy is clear: keep innovating, keep connecting.

The highlight? The upcoming opening of SM Nuvali, the 91st mall in the portfolio. Positioned in South Luzon’s growth corridor, it promises an upscale concept unlike anything the Philippine market has seen before.

Final Take

SM Supermalls is proving that malls can be more than shopping centers—they can be ecosystems of trust, innovation, and community. With strong performance fueling stronger bonds, the brand is evolving for the next generation of Filipinos who want more than retail—they want experiences, sustainability, and a sense of belonging.