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3 June 2025

SM Harnesses Business Ecosystem To Support an Evolving Job Market

SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM group, is harnessing the strength of its diverse business ecosystem to help bridge the country’s skills gap and prepare the workforce for the demands of a rapidly evolving, tech-driven economy.

With interests across retail, property, banking, and investments, SM is aligned with the implementation of the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework—a newly enacted law aimed at strengthening public-private collaboration, especially in the industry and education sectors. The EBET Framework promotes industry-driven apprenticeships and training programs that equip Filipino workers with job-ready skills aligned with actual market needs.

“SM can function at its optimum because of the skills of our people. As our businesses continue to grow, so too does our need for more skilled and resilient professionals to join our workforce. We shall continue to do our share to upskill and professionalize the Filipino workforce to make them competitive in the ever-evolving job market,” said Mr Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and CEO of SM Investments.

He added that SM’s responsibility to contribute to a skilled, resilient workforce goes beyond employing them within the SM ecosystem.

“Whether they work for us or even in other companies, we are committed to equipping them with the right tools, as we have been doing so with our investments in education through institutions like the National University and Asia-Pacific College, both non-profits, and of course the SM Foundation, which has been graduating scholars for more than 40 years,” Mr DyBuncio said.

Right people, right jobs

As of 2024, SM has over 142,000 employees across its ecosystem of businesses operating in key areas nationwide, making it one of the country’s top job creators. A majority of job functions in SM are sales, engineering, IT, and other STEM-related positions.

SM Investments’ vice chairperson, Teresita Sy-Coson, is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Education and Jobs group, a public-private partnership established in 2022 to address employment gaps.

A key initiative resulting from this partnership is job fairs mounted in SM malls across the country as part of the group’s J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities Building Skills) programme.

From 2024 to May 2025, SM held 244 job fairs in its malls, during which 8,095 employers, 149,626 job seekers, and 20,616 were immediately hired.

Recently, BDO Unibank launched an accelerated hiring process for IT and cybersecurity professionals. The positions offered included project management, cloud technologies and operations, security analyst, security engineer, customer relationship management delivery, and other IT-related jobs.

Better education, better opportunities

In 2024, the SM Foundation welcomed more than 1,100 new college scholars, its largest batch to date. The program has nurtured over 4,600 graduates since its founding. In a recent alumni homecoming, 925 graduates across 27 batches shared their career journeys, with a majority now gainfully employed across various fields.

Additionally, 71% of the alumni have pursued further studies, including master’s degrees, PhDs, secondary degrees, and other professional programs.

The SM Foundation Scholarship Programme provides full tuition coverage, comprehensive enrichment activities, part-time jobs, internship placements and potential career opportunities within the SM Group.

National University, one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, founded in 1900, was acquired by SM in 2008 and has since embarked on a long-term campus expansion strategy to make education within reach. With the expansion, NU is aiming to reach 100,000 students in 2027.

While some programs in NU, particularly in Allied Health and Engineering, are long-established, of note are the courses offered in their College of Computing and Information Technologies that lean towards the future of digitalization, among them: BS Computer Science with specialization in Digital Forensics and Machine Learning; BS Information Technology with specialization in Mobile and Web Applications and Multimedia Arts and Animation.

Asia Pacific College, founded in 1991 as a partnership between SM Foundation and IBM Philippines, has been championing an industry-based curriculum that combines traditional classroom learning and hands-on experience calibrated to produce competitive IT professionals.

APC’s Multimedia Arts program is notable for combining technology and creativity, merging current disciplines in the creative field and the relevant knowledge of the digital creative tools currently used in the industry.

APC recently announced that 97.28% of its graduates as of 2024 have successfully secured employment after graduation.

14 January 2025

Art Education At Asia Pacific College Leads To Real-World Employment Opportunities

The new era of “content creation,” in which creativity and technology come together to populate the contemporary media landscape, is providing new work prospects, particularly in the sector of creative digital marketing.

This increasing trend positions educational institutions such as Asia Pacific College (APC), a member of the SM Group, and its Multimedia Arts program at the forefront of providing an art education that can lead to solid professions.

According to human resource consulting company John Clements Consultants, digital marketing is one of the top five rising careers in the Philippines in 2024, with a focus on providing content in various formats for usage on social media platforms. According to the online job search platform Jobstreet, a digital marketing professional’s current average monthly compensation is Php 30,000.

Arts in the Multimedia Age

APC was founded in 1991 as a cooperation between the SM Foundation and IBM Philippines, and it has been pushing a curriculum designed to develop competitive IT professionals in the country.

SM has long been a strong supporter of quality education for the impoverished, which leads to practical and fulfilling work. APC is a direct product of this endeavor, as it is a non-profit, non-stock organization.

Their multimedia arts program, which presently enrolls 384 students, meets the demand for education that combines technology and art. The curriculum is intended to include the most recent disciplines in the creative area, as well as relevant understanding of the digital creative tools now utilized in the industry.

Students can use a variety of program-specific tools to help them work on projects involving 2D and 3D animation, digital sculpting and painting, multimedia publishing, sound design, video production, and photography.

Aside from the digital resources available to students in their courses, APC’s Multimedia Arts program takes a project-based approach.

“Our program is unique in that it offers very targeted and in-depth training,” explains APC Executive Director Robert Besana. “The many hours students spend in the studio creating creative works are critical to their education. They improve their skills as they spend more time in the studio. Furthermore, the mentor-apprentice relationship between professors and students is critical to developing a more engaging learning environment. Professors serve as facilitators of learning rather than lecturers,” Mr. Besana says.

Teachers as mentors

Many of the instructors in APC’s Multimedia Arts department are industry practitioners themselves, so students get real-world industry insights and valuable on-the-job experience.

Jaime Pacena II teaches video production, post-production techniques, scenography, and photography. Mr. Pacena II, a seasoned visual artist, music video director, and filmmaker, earned the Best Director award at the 2024 Cinemalaya Film Festival for his film Kono-Basho, which was shot entirely in Japan.

“I incorporate a large number of my pupils in most of my personal efforts. I have worked with many of them on music video projects. “Some of them had really worked with me on the film I shot in Japan,” Mr. Pacena explains.

APC’s project-based learning allows students to collaborate with various clients who are APC partners.

“We have a subject called seminars, in which we bring various industry executives to speak with our students directly and intimately in a classroom setting.

APC Multimedia Arts graduates have gone on to work in a variety of disciplines within the rapidly expanding digital creative economy.

“Many have pursued careers in post-production, studio design, music video production, television directing, and corporate videos, among others. Some have opened their own studios, creating opportunities for themselves,” Mr. Pacena explains.

26 November 2024

SM and Mastercard Empower Ten Outstanding STEM Students (TOSS) with Scholarship Grants

SM, through SM Store and SM Retail, in partnership with Mastercard, and SM Foundation have launched a new initiative to empower Filipino students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through this collaboration, ten exceptional students from the Ten Outstanding STEM Students (TOSS) program will receive scholarship grants and access to critical digital learning tools to help them succeed in today’s tech-driven world.

Mastercard will donate P100 to SM Foundation for every eligible transaction made using a Philippine-issued Mastercard at SM Stores. The funds raised between November 15 and 17 during the promo period will go directly toward supporting the scholarships for these students, enabling them to pursue higher education and build careers in the technology sector.

In addition to financial support, the program also seeks to address the digital divide in the Philippines. Previous efforts have already equipped thousands of students with e-tablets and established digital learning hubs in public schools. In 2023 alone, nearly 10,000 students benefited from these resources, gaining access to modern technology that enhances their educational experience.

According to a 2020 Department of Education survey, only 64% of Filipino students had access to smartphones, and just 55% had access to laptops—critical tools for participating in digital learning.

23 October 2024

SM’s loyalty program raises PHP30M to solve food insecurity and quality education.

SMAC, SM’s loyalty program, raised over PHP30 million between December 2023 and January 2024 to assist in solving involuntary hunger and a lack of access to excellent education across the country, in conjunction with Globe’s Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation.
This is SMAC’s second year working with the Hapag Movement, which aims to provide supplemental meals and sustainable livelihood training to 100,000 Filipino families. Last year’s campaign raised PHP5.5 million, benefiting 10,000 people.

SMAC sponsored the campaign by donating P50 for every SMAC kit sold. Bonus points were also donated to the campaign for every eligible purchase made at participating SM Retail affiliates, which included SM Store, SM Fashion, SM Beauty, SM Appliance Centre, Kultura, Our Home, Surplus, Sport Central, Silk Issues, Levi’s, Forever 21, The Body Shop, Echo, and Crate and Barrel.

“We credit our success to the support of our devoted SMAC members. Every purchase they make, every point they donate, helps needy families. “Together, we can create a future in which no one goes hungry,” said Kevin Hartigan-Go, Chief Operating Officer of SMAC.

This year, SMAC and Globe’s collaboration generated approximately 30 million points, which will be donated to the Hapag Movement and the SM Foundation. Hartigan-Go emphasized that “these will be put into programs that will directly impact the lives of many Filipinos.”

Unite to make a difference.

According to the most recent June 2024 Social Weather Station (SWS) poll, the country’s hunger rate has risen to 17.6% from 14.2% in March.

Hartigan-Go shared that “Hapag’s vision of fighting involuntary hunger resonates with SMAC, our retail partners, and our SMAC member base.”
Meanwhile, Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer, emphasized the importance of working with SMAC.

“This cooperation extends beyond seasonal efforts to provide families with long-term support. We are laying the groundwork for long-term change by reducing involuntary hunger and empowering households to better their livelihoods. We are delighted to continue this effort and invite other organizations to partner with us so that we can make a difference,” Crisanto stated.

The Hapag Movement’s partner organizations include the UN World Food Programme, the Ayala Foundation, and World Vision Philippines.

4 August 2024

Increased Assistance from SM to Communities Affected by Typhoon Carina

Thanks to the SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) program, the SM Group has stepped up its assistance efforts following the devastating effects of Typhoon Carina on Luzon and Metro Manila. Those impacted by the torrential rains and widespread flooding have received over 23,000 “Kalinga” aid packets from the foundation.

Several impacted areas, including Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite, have received Kalinga Packs from SM employee volunteers in the field. To ease the urgent demands and bring comfort to families who have been relocated, these bags contain necessities.

As part of a concerted effort, SM Supermalls and the Philippine Red Cross have set up OPTE booths. These booths are central locations for providing aid and distributing relief supplies to those in need.

The SM malls have gone above and beyond to serve the community by providing free WiFi and phone charging stations, free overnight parking for those who are stuck, and other amenities to help people stay connected with their loved ones. Help desks have also been set up at several SM Supermalls to give locals the information and support they need during this difficult time.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, the SM Foundation, SM Supermalls, and SM Markets work together through their social responsibility initiative, Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), to ensure that people receive prompt assistance. More than 800,000 Kalinga packs have been distributed across the country since the campaign began.

25 July 2024

A Rise in SM’s Foot Traffic is Attributed to the Mall’s Enhanced Activities.

With an increase from 3.3 million in the same period last year, SM Supermalls recorded a rise in foot traffic, reaching an average of over 4 million daily visitors in the first quarter of 2024. This consistent increase demonstrates SM’s dedication to enhancing the mall experience by offering a wide range of exciting activities that meet the changing interests of consumers.

The rise in customer traffic is a direct result of our unwavering dedication to fulfilling our customers’ everyday demands and requirements, says Steven T. Tan, president of SM Supermalls. At our malls, you’ll find a perfect combination of cutting-edge retail services and thriving entrepreneurial atmospheres.

With its integrated property developments, SM has turned its malls into places where the whole Filipino family can enjoy immersive experiences.

The Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is the first-ever immersive art museum in the Philippines.

Filipino consumers are increasingly flocking to malls for entertainment and culinary experiences, driven by a move towards discretionary spending. Food tenants now occupy 30% of mall spaces, up from 10% a decade ago, and non-food tenants, such as entertainment, occupy 50%. Other tenants that are service-related complement the varied offers.

S Maison’s Space & Time Cube+ is the Philippines’ first fully immersive art museum.

An immersive art museum with 20 themed attractions like LED tunnels and holographic displays, the Space & Time Cube+ at S Maison is a recent innovation that showcases SM’s dedication to combining art with entertainment.

No matter what kind of fandom you’re into—K-pop, anime, or music—SM Supermalls is a place to support your favorite groups and artists. SM is thrilled to be a part of these communities and the gathering spot for fans of all ages and walks of life.

At SM City Fairview, there is a new attraction called Cosplay City, where fans may express themselves. This multi-district location has everything a community could want: toy displays, anime-themed zones, and that perfect Tokyo City ambiance for those Instagram-worthy photos.

Over 500 cosplayers from Metro Manila excitedly gather at SM City Fairview to check out Cosplay City.

With much anticipation, more than 500 cosplayers from the Metro Manila area assemble at SM City Fairview to see Cosplay City.

Launched in November 2023, the 1,947 square meter indoor entertainment complex inside SM Mall of Asia’s flagship location, Game Park, offers a variety of activities to suit varied interests, including bowling, basketball, e-darts, and an indoor archery range.

A family creates lasting memories at the Pyromusical Competition in SM by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia Complex

“SM always finds new ways to wow their customers,” Mr. Tan confirmed. “Our goal is to create lasting memories through dynamic destinations that complement traditional shopping.”