SM Prime: Building strong foundations of responsible development

The topic of sustainability in property development has surged since the world experienced Covid-19. Having to redefine the use of spaces, people soon realized how instrumental real estate is in the journey towards a more sustainable way of life. With the threat of climate change looming in the horizon and a growing population to sustain, the need to build more sustainable and resilient cities only continue to rise. 

SM Prime traces its journey on sustainable design and development way before the concept has gone main stream. At the heart of SM is its commitment to serve its customers – designing its malls to bring better comfort and an enjoyable experience in every visit to SM Supermalls. 

Sustainable Comfort 

Built through several phases of development, SM Megamall, among SM’s 78 malls across the country, has grown into the complex it is today with 800 shops including 250 dining outlets and 16 anchor tenants. Customers explore the expanse of the 10-hectare development from its convenient parking grounds, relaxed atmosphere and beautiful façade. Behind this is sophisticated engineering anchored on sustainable design and technology. 

SM Megamall is energy and water efficient. The building is enveloped with EIFS or Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems board which helps boosts wall insulation, making it more resistant to heat. It only uses LED lighting system allowing a 50% energy saving. The mall also tracks a lighting operating schedule following the supply requirement of our mall activity and does not contribute to environmental lighting pollution so as not disturb nocturnal animals. It also uses sensor activated escalators that contribute to about 30% energy savings. It’s air handling system uses high-efficiency air-conditioning system that has greater environmental stewardship. Lastly, it uses efficient water fixture for water savings and recycles water.

SM Megamall

SM Megamall works with the natural environment. The mall utilizes green walls, skylights and clerestory or a high section wall that contains windows above eye level to increase the flow of natural light. It is surrounded with plants of local varieties and selection of trees and shrubs.

SM Megamall Bicycle Racks

SM Megamall promotes mobility. 

Situated in the middle of EDSA, SM Megamall brings 550 buses into one integrated system to promote easier mobility. Green hybrid transports provide options for the more environmentally conscious passengers. All public transports are required to meet mandated emission levels in support of the Clean Air Act. The mall is pedestrian-friendly with about 1,595 square meters of covered walk ways. Throughout the mall, designated bike lanes and parking spaces are provided. Lastly, parking sensors not only make parking easier but has also reduced emissions in the parking areas.

SM MegaTower

SM Megamall practices responsible materials management. The mall uses Echostop ceiling finish for noise absorption which is made from gypsum and paper liner made from 100% reclaimed and recycled paper. The Mega Tower uses insulated glass units which keeps heat out during summer months and Low E-glass to minimize the amount of ultraviolet light that comes through the windows, with both features maximizing energy savings. It also has a Material Recovery Facility dividing recyclables, biodegradable waste, residual waste and hazardous waste.

Environmental Strategy

All these initiatives are aligned with SM Prime's environmental strategy of developing, designing, and building integrated lifestyle cities with sustainability and resiliency considerations in mind. 

Echoing these efforts, SM Prime continues on its transition to clean energy. Aside from investing in energy efficient programs, the company is broadening its renewable energy investments. SM Prime targets to increase its demand for electricity sourced from renewables by more than 50% across all of its business segments by end of 2022 in support of the Department of Energy's goal of moving the country's renewable energy supply component up to 35% by the end of the decade. 

Moreover, as part of a growing movement of responsible and sustainability-centered enterprises, SM Prime has joined the 2,500 organizations worldwide in supporting the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and its goal of creating a more resilient financial system through better climate risk disclosures. Through this, it hopes to continue to drive its business to adopt more sustainability initiatives related to climate change.

At Hamilo Coast, SM property in Nasugbu, Batangas, it continues to uphold its commitment to sustainability and conservation as it planted 50,000 more mangroves which covers 100,000 square meters of the estate. This is also touted as one of the largest mangrove areas in Nasugbu.  Hamilo Coast continues to protect its mangrove ecosystem together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines—a partnership it has nurtured since 2007.

Hamilo Coast also undertook the initiative to declare three of its coves, namely Pico de Loro, Etayo, and Santelmo as Marine Protected Areas in 2009.

SM is regreening the country sides through its tree planting program led by SM City Baguio. This is in partnership with the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR), Baguio Water District, the local government of Baguio City and 25 media organizations in Baguio. 

As of January 2022, over 600,000 trees have already been planted in Baguio City and neighboring towns in Benguet.

SM further promotes sustainable practices through water recycling and the adoption of technologies that promote smart water use. In 2020, it was able to recycle 28.9 million cubic meters of water.

In terms of solid waste management, SM Prime has intensified its campaign by requiring all contractors to implement proper waste management procedures during construction.   A long-running program through SM Cares, the monthly Trash to Cash (TTC) provides an avenue for the community, including properties’ tenants, to participate in solid waste management. This initiative ran for nine months in 74 malls and five SM Development Corporation properties in 2020, saving 134,067 seven-year-old trees to date.

It also undertakes paper recycling in partnership with the Trust International Paper Corporation and the responsible transport, treatment, storage and disposal or processing of the properties’ generated hazardous waste, compliant to the government’s implementing rules and regulations. 

Resiliency as a Necessity

While SM serves millions of customers every day, its impact goes beyond its businesses – touching the lives of millions more in the communities wherever it is present. For a country like the Philippines, the impact of climate change can already be felt with typhoons getting stronger and more frequent. 

Hans T. Sy, chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime has served in leadership roles in both national and international organizations focused on disaster resiliency and its impact to business and society. Leading by example, SM integrates disaster resiliency in its business strategy as well as its city and mall designs and developments. This, not only allows SM businesses to operate during calamities, instead, also helps communities become more resilient to typhoons. 

“I believe in an age-old adage; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. SM Prime has taken deliberate steps to reinforce resiliency across its properties and provide a focused approach on sustainability in order to preserve communities and save lives,” said Mr. Sy.

Such is the impact created by SM Masinag.

Vermont Park Phase 1 is located near SM Masinag. For years, it would undergo flooding during typhoons. However, the story has changed. Since SM Masinag opened to serve the community, it has been equipped with a water catchment facility that can detain 17,681 cubic meters of water, which is equivalent to 7 Olympic size swimming pools. This helped control the flooding of nearby villages during typhoons.

Meanwhile, SM Marikina, which is also in a high-flood rate zone, is able to serve as first responder and a safe haven to affected families during times of calamities. This is because it is standing on 246 stilts with an elevation higher than the highest recorded water level rise in Marikina City. 

Sustainability and Resiliency as Strong Foundations for Responsible Development

SM Prime anchors its development on both sustainability and disaster resiliency. For SM, both serve as strong foundations for responsible development – to address the increasing demand for urban areas and to address the threat of climate change. 

From the onset of concept design, SM Prime allocates around 10% of capital expenditure to incorporate sustainability features and disaster resilience when building malls, offices and even integrated lifestyle cities. 

"The safety of the communities, employees, customers, and the facility structure remains top priorities in all SM Prime developments. As I tell my design teams ever so frequently, ensuring safety is the only way I can sleep well,” Mr Sy said.”     

For SM, this means the hard infrastructure capacities as well as how spaces are designed to facilitate mobility, green transport options, greener buildings and even green technology such as being powered by solar energy. As such, wherever SM operates, SM Prime makes every effort to help create the spaces and cities we need in order to sustain ourselves into the future. 

Ground Up: a new coworking space in Parañaque

A lot of companies globally these days open to employees to work remotely, since there are a lot of work that can be done online through our laptops, tablets and smartphones wherever we may be. Entrepreneurs, business owners and start-ups are also doing remote work, outside of the normal office space. 

Is Coworking for you? Visit Impact Hub Manila

Work is no longer a typical 9am-6pm job in the office. It can be at anytime, anywhere. Owing to the global connectivity of the internet, entrepreneurs, independent freelancers, digital nomads, and remote workers can now operate self-autonomously. More and more, location independence is becoming the norm for these millennial career persons. There are currently over 160,000 members worldwide spanning over 3,000 different co-working spaces around the world.

Real Living Space exhibit at The Magnolia Residences | October 25-26, 2014

Real Living magazine brings another dash of inspiration in creating beautiful and practical homes through its ultimate shopping and design showhouse and exhibition dubbed as “Real Living Space.” 

Set against the cosmopolitan backdrop of New Manila in Quezon City and presented by Robinsons Residences and HardieFlex by JamesHardie, “Real Living Space” showcases the impressive work of nine (9) designers who will style six spaces of The Magnolia Residences, including five one-bedroom condos. To give consumers an opportunity to draw inspiration and shop for their own homes, the exhibition will be open to the public from October 25 to 26, 2014.

Chino Roque, first Filipino Astronaut selected by AXE Apollo Space Academy

AXE, the no. 1 fragrance brand in the world, unveiled a campaign in January 2013 to take the first Filipino to space with over 20 others from over 160 countries worldwide to celebrate the launch of AXE Apollo, its newest and possibly most iconic fragrance yet. It was iconic and unique that many got interested to try out a competition that will give a chance to a select few to be sent to space and become astronauts.

The Competition
The Philippines was among the top countries that participated in the global campaign with over 28,000 applications for the opportunity to become the first Filipino to ever go to space. Many were called in to take on various challenges to test their mind, body and spirit. Participants were slowly eliminated in each round.

Site and Space: Modernist Directions in Sculpture (Forum + Exhibit) | March 14-May 19, 2013

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Google Drive gives us 5GB free space on the cloud

Google introduces the all-new Google Drive. Now we can access our files, including the big ones, from wherever we are. Share them with whomever you want, and edit them together in real time. Learn more about Google Drive. Google Drive is available for FREE at 5GB in space, which is upgradable to 25GB for less than $2.50 per month.

Google Drive: Introduction

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Invigorate at Sparga Wellness Spa

A new home for wellness can now be found at the heart of Roxas Boulevard in Manila. Sparga Wellness Spa was launched on February 3, 2011.  Ruth Gautier, Sparga Owner, shared her passion for wellness by demonstrating massage treatments offered in the spa. She also personally prepared and served sumptuous selections of canapés, pasta, beef burgers, salads, and deserts.

Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences: The fine art of living

The landscape of traveling is changing and evolving. Over the years, traditional hotels have taken a backseat to boutique hotels or designer residences. Business travelers and vacationers these days are not simply looking for a place to stay, but also for unique experiences that balance the comforts of home with innovations in hospitality.

Flow magazine 5.2 launches a themed issue on Space

October Eighty Publications has launched Flow 5.2 at Three Sixty bar in A. Venue Mall  in Makati City on April 14, 2010. Flow 5.2 is the magazine's 6th issue, that culminates the second part of the issue on Space from its Flow 5.1. Flow is a groundbreaking bi-monthly magazine on art, design & culture, and a recipient of Editorial Merit Award by HOW Magazine's 2010 International Design Awards (April 2010 issue).

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Flow 5.2 Editorial Board: Joey Yupangco (Curator), Patrick Apacible (Executive Editor), Miguel Rosales (Editor), Marie Laurice Lupoy (Managing Editor), Lizza Gutierrez & Daniel Dennis Lim (Graphic Designers), Heinz Ngo (Media & Marketing Director), Ian Belleza (Assistant Media Director), Mario Alaman & Paelo Pedrajas (Media Managers).

When I first heard about Flow magazine's issue on Space, I really got intrigued of it because I also love exploring the concept of Space. Space is a very interesting subject, not only in the visual arts, but also in literature and psychology. In 2002, I wrote a creative non-fiction piece, entitled "Ang Espasyo sa Tula" that tackles the functions of space in poetry (whether literal or figurative, physical or imaginary). 

Flow 5.2 presents a man who is recognized for his design work, which is known for its imaginative solutions and thoroughly contemporary vision. Here, Joey Yupangco tackles a concept that is prevalent in his profession: Space. For someone who constantly deals with space in a 3-D manner, doing a magazine with its 2-D reality was an interesting challenge that could not be ignored.  What has resulted is a fantastic collaboration with over twenty six contributors from around the world, who in their various disciplines, rose to the occasion and presented us with their own exploration of 'space' and its possibilities. From engineers who have built some of the worlds most groundbreaking and iconic structures, to a designer whose work was showcased on a top rated reality show, and to photographers that explore the space between two people, this double issue expounds on the concept and offers the reader outstanding individual insights. 

Get a copy of Flow magazine and be amazed of its layout, design and essays. It's a visual treat that will arouse your artistic sensibilities.

Follow Flow Magazine in Facebook Fan Page and Twitter. 

"The Fourth Kind," a shocking thriller

One of the most mystifying subjects science has dealt with is the idea that there are aliens abducting humans. The new science fiction-horror film The Fourth Kind puts the matter in cinematic form as Resident Evil star Milla Jovovich portrays psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler who years ago conducted a sleep disorder that revealed terrifying data connected to it.


The movie, based on actual case studies, is a reenactment of an original documentary set in Nome, Alaska, with never-before seen archival footage integrated into the film. Writer-director Olatunde Osunsanmi exposes shocking revelations from multiple witnesses—all leading to significant conclusions about non-human entities abducting earthlings. Their accounts of being visited by aliens are looked upon closely, assuring viewers' of goosebumps and eerie realizations.

Shot in Vitosha and Sofia in Bulgaria, in Los Angeles, California, and of course, Alaska, The Fourth Kind is the first major film by Osunsanmi who is a protégé of independent film director Joe Carnahan. The title is derived from how J. Allen Hynek classified  'close encounters with aliens,' having noted that the 'Fourth Kind' denotes alien abduction. This particular scale (of measurement) is considered the most difficult to document, making this movie a rare kind of data gathering.

In October 2004, Osunsanmi traveled to North Carolina for post production of a project he was doing.  While there, a colleague told him of Dr. Tyler who relocated to a remote town along the Bering Sea. The latter is said to have been convinced that her patient's stories of alien abductions are real. She even discovered a history of missing people and mysteriously bizarre happenings around the region dating back to 1960s.

 


The movie also stars Elias Koteas and Will Patton. It opened in the US last November and grossed with a total $24,619,000, surprisingly topping its $10 million budget.

Reported alien activity in Alaska is famous among UFO enthusiasts, including that of captured flying saucers over Alaskan airspace and the disappearance of Alaska's US State Sen. Nick Begich in 1972 that was again connected to E.T. presence.

The Fourth Kind, distributed locally by Viva International Pictures, opens in the Philippines on March 3, 2010.

Earth Hour 2010

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Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Poetry as Public Space: A lecture by Marc Gaba

Pinoypoets, in partnership with Fully Booked, invites everyone to "Poetry as Public Space," a lecture by 2006 Boston Review Poetry Prize Winner and visual artist Marc Gaba. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will be held on January 24, Sunday, 2:00 PM at The Forum, 4th Floor, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. 

The last of a five-part series celebrating Pinoypoets' fifth anniversary, the talk is a lyrical exploration of the architectural in poetry, finding parallels between architecture, or the art of articulating spaces, and the creation of rhythms, distances, memory, and meaningful interactions in language. It will also celebrate the launch of Gaba's chapbook "Nouveau Bored" in Fully Booked.

This event was organized with the support of High Chair and Filipinas Heritage Library. Visit www.pinoypoets.com for details, or contact Pinoypoets through mail@pinoypoets.com or 0917-6934821 for inquiries.