Daily Newsmakers

Heads up, voters! The countdown to the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections has begun—and  this year, casting your vote just got a whole lot easier.

Manila’s food scene is about to get a major upgrade. Global dining sensation Burger & Lobster is finally  making its Philippine debut at SM, the #HomeofFirsts, bringing its world-famous wild-caught lobsters and  prime cut burgers to Manila’s most discerning foodies, ready to redefine casual dining with a premium feel in  the country.

In a dynamic celebration of Filipino entrepreneurship, SM Supermalls proudly unveiled the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Champions' Wall, a visual tribute to the resilience, dedication, and excellence of the country’s 17,000 MSMEs. Held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA), the special event gathered distinguished  guests to honor the 2024 Presidential Awardees for MSMEs, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the  nation’s business landscape.

Milksha, Taiwan’s beloved milk tea brand, proudly opens its first-ever concept store in the Philippines!  Get ready for a delightful sip filled with pure, fresh, and natural milk tea creations made with the finest  ingredients. Officially opening its doors at SM North EDSA, the Milksha concept store is inviting even more  Filipinos to experience its fresh and most flavorful milk tea straight from Taiwan. 

The SM Book Nook Reading Festival, held on January 31, 2025, at the Book Nook in SM Aura, drew 500  book lovers of all ages for a dynamic celebration of Filipino literature and creativity. From engaging author  meet-and-greets to lively performances and informative workshops, the festival offered a rich array of literary experiences.

The much-anticipated second leg of the Viyline Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises ( MSME)  Caravan is setto take place at SM City Baguio from February 19-25, 2025, bringing together an exciting array of MSMEs  and community members for a dynamic shopping experience. This collaboration  between Viyline and  SM aimsto boost local businesses while promoting community engagement, and  the event is poised to  be a  game-changer for MSMEs in the region. 

This year’s Panagbenga has been nothing short of a color spectacle showcasing Baguio’s arts and  culture.  through its artistry. This display features works by Kabunyan de Guia, Guiller Lagac, and  Oliver  Olivete— collectively known as The Mighty Bhutens. Their pieces, inspired by National Artist Kidlat  Tahimik, reflect a  spontaneous, playful approach that remains true to the rich heritage of the  region.

Discover what’s next and what’s new at SM Supermalls—your ultimate destination for the freshest flavors, trendiest lifestyle finds, and exclusive collectibles. With exciting new openings and upcoming must-visit spots, there’s always something to look forward to!

Christmas is officially on at all SM malls nationwide with the launch of its “Merry SM Christmas 2015” campaign beginning this October. A premier holiday shopping destination, SM also wishes to continue its tradition of spreading cheer and the spirit of giving beyond the walls of the mall through this Yuletide campaign. Beginning Thursday (October 1), all of SM’s 52 malls will be adorned with grand Christmas garlands, lights, and visual Christmas countdowns accompanied by continuous playing of well-loved Christmas carols. All mall decors are expected to be more thrilling as the season progresses with a series of special events lined up, including the Grand Christmas Centerpiece Launch, Toy Fair, Meet and Greet with Santa Claus and other popular characters, and the Grand Christmas Parade.

In a short visit to the Philippines this week, U.S. Special Advisor on Disability Rights Judith Heumann met with executives of SM Supermalls to discuss the company’s programs on the social inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWD). SM, through its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, has been strongly promoting a barrier-free and disability-inclusive environment for everybody for many years now.

SM Supermalls Senior Vice President (fourth from right) Steven Tan receives the Mall China Golden Mall Award on behalf of SM. With Mr. Tan are the other winners and the presenter (first from right) Michael Lloyd, Chairman of The TOMLIK Group. SM Prime Wins Gold Award for China Mall Property conglomerate  SM Prime Holdings, Inc . received the prestigious Mall China Golden Mall Awards 2015 Commercial Asset Management Company Gold Award for its first mall in China, SM City Xiamen/SM Lifestyle Center, located at the Fujian Province.

As a sign of solidarity with the Filipino family's inherent respect for elders, SM Supermalls gives its shoppers the longest Grandparents' Day celebration, where grandmas and grandpas take the spotlight in all of SM's 52 malls nationwide for two whole weeks. From August 31 up to the actual Grandparents' Day on  September 13 , SM malls will have their "Grand Gifts and Treats" activities where special treats and discounts are offered by various mall tenants during the whole two-week celebration.

SM Supermalls, the country's biggest mall network, announced a strategic partnership with Waze (Waze.com), the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. This is the first time a Philippine mall chain tied up with a global pioneer in social navigation.