PH BLOG ➹

The award-winning documentary feature, “ Delikado ,” which draws focus on environmental crusaders who risk their lives protecting the rainforests of Palawan will finally have its Philippine premiere. The 96-minute enviro-thriller docu directed by journalist Karl Malakunas will be screened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) on Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m. It will be among the closing films of the 18th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival . In “Delikado,” Malakunas takes viewers to one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations—Palawan. But the former Manila bureau chief of Agence France Presse shies away from the tropical paradise angle and instead shines the light on environmental defenders who are fighting to preserve their natural resources from big developers, politicians, illegal loggers and others who threaten the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier.” The film follows Robert “Bobby” Chan, lawyer and executive director of the P...

The honest truth: No one came out of the COVID-19 pandemic in quite the same way. The pandemic was an isolating period of self-discovery, emotional growth, and life-altering realizations. It changed people, and in the process, it shaped the way so many of us view ourselves and the world around us. Because of this, consumer tastes and behaviors have shifted. Where in a pre-pandemic world, people often spent on luxuries and experiences that allowed them to celebrate their accomplishments, studies show that consumers now want a different experience, one that is kinder and more embracing of the changes that each individual had gone through in the past 2 years. People are now prioritizing their personal wellness and supporting products and services that champion growth. As consumer tastes have shifted, brands are starting to adapt to these changes. And true to its foundational commitment to make people happy, SM is ready with a host of new offerings as the entire brand is poised for a refre...

Get ready for an aweSM summer as  SM Supermalls  gives kids a glimpse into the future with a brand-new virtual entertainment zone in the Metaverse where they can immerse themselves in the biggest gaming and social experience platform for kids, Roblox!  This new aweSM space by  SM Supermalls  is now open for super kids to safely explore, play, and meet with friends.  With restrictions easing up, SM Supermalls wanted to bring the excitement of going back to the malls online through a virtual space in the metaverse gaming platform, Roblox – the most popular gaming app for Filipino children. Roblox serves as an avenue for kids to express themselves through custom avatars, while also serving as a safe place for kids to reconnect with their friends digitally in over 4 million different worlds!  SM Supermalls partnered with SVEN The Digital 1st Agency, as its metaverse partner, to become the first mall chain in the Philippines to enter the metaverse. With th...

This July is a good time for a family bonding activity as South Korea’s cutest trio is coming to Manila! For the first time, Sam, William, and Bentley are coming to meet Filipino fans at The Hammingtons in Juanderland: Fanmeeting in Manila . The event is scheduled to take place on July 17, 2022, Sunday, 3 PM at the New Frontier Theater.  The South Korean stars rose to fame in 2016 when they joined the roster for “ The Return of Superman ,” a reality show featuring celebrity dads and their children. Initially, it was only Sam and William (now five years old) who appeared on the show. Bentley (now four years old) joined a year later after he was born. The three quickly became fan favorites and eventually brought home the prestigious “Grand Prize” (locally known as “Daesang”) at the 2018 KBS Entertainment Awards along with the other cast. Earlier this year, the family decided to step down from the show to pursue other opportunities. One of which is “Wilbengers: Suspicious Camping Comm...

 July may mean rainy days, but for 2022, it also means some executive couch time at SM Cinema with one of Marvel ’s blockbuster movies, Thor: Love and Thunder . Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Love and Thunder will surely entertain the whole family as the God of Thunder marks his big-screen comeback. Embarking a special journey of self-discovery, Thor’s efforts are interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr, the God Butcher, who seeks the extinction of the gods.  To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of new and old allies like King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it is too late. Catch the adventure and most awaited Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder on July 6 in SM Cinemas o...

Twenty years ago, high school student Rizaly Lim and her four siblings would watch in awe every time they pass by the construction of the first SM City in her hometown Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  All five children, packed in the tricycle their father rides for a living, were all excitedly looking forward to happy family weekends they would be spending at the huge mall. Today, after graduating Summa Cum Laude through a scholarship from SM Foundation, Rizaly is now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) working as Accounting Manager for the head office of SM Prime Holdings, a leading property developer in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.  From SM Foundation scholar to SM Prime accounting manager At a young age, Rizaly was headstrong about getting her family out of poverty. She shares, “My father was the only one who worked for our family, and because we were a large family, his daily earnings as a tricycle driver were never enough.” Rizaly finished high school at the Balibago National ...