The National Resilience Council (NRC) of the Philippines convened a diverse group of stakeholders for the event “From Surviving to Thriving: Transformative Strategies through Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Innovations.” As a science and technology-driven public-private partnership, the NRC unites national and local governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector to advance the interconnected objectives of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, Paris Climate Agreement, New Urban Agenda, and other global commitments.

Held as the 2025 Resilient Local Government Unit Program (RGLUP) Colloquium, the event showcased progress and updates from participating cities and municipalities in the NRC’s Adopt a City (AAC) Initiative. This initiative enables corporations to move beyond disaster relief, investing in risk reduction through preparedness funding, prevention, pre-disaster recovery planning, and long-term resilience programs. By empowering local governments, AAC promotes collaborative efforts to build safer, more resilient communities.




National Resilience Council (NRC) Co-Chairman for the Private Sector Hans Sy, in his message of support, reiterates that resilience is a continuous journey and is a collective responsibility to build on progress, promote innovation, and ensure lasting impact.

The colloquium also welcomed NRC’s private and public sector partners, with notable participation from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of National Defense, and the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies – Philippine network. The event opened with inspiring messages from NRC Co-Chairman for the private sector and SM Prime Holdings Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, NRC Vice Chairman for civil service organizations and Zuellig Family Foundation President Austere Panadero, and NRC Vice Chairman for the scientific organizations and academe and Director of the Manila Observatory Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ.

National Resilience Council (NRC) Executive Director Silvestre Barrameda Jr., NRC Vice Chair for the academe Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin SJ, NRC Co-Chair Hans Sy, and NRC Vice Chair for civil service organizations Austere Panadero listen as participants of the Adopt-a-City Initiative present their progress towards disaster resilience.

Cities in the AAC’s Prepare phase—Baguio, Iligan, Mandaue, and Tiwi, Albay—presented their innovative disaster resilience strategies. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong emphasized, “Baguio’s resilience journey highlights the power of collaboration and national support.” Meanwhile, cities in the Adapt and Transform phase, the initiative’s next stages —Naga, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bataan, Manila, and Ormoc—highlighted their advanced strides. Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez shared, “I am very proud to say that because of Project Transform, together with our esteemed partners, Ormoc City is always on track in terms of environmental stewardship and resilience.”



At the National Resilience Council (NRC) Colloquium, local government units in the Adopt-a-City Initiative deliver a public narrative and take part in a panel discussion with leading resilience experts.

Public officials take the opportunity to proudly expound on the programs developed together with the support of the National Resilience Council (NRC) and other partners.
A highlight of the event was the launch of the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss), a tool designed to strengthen local government capabilities in disaster resilience. Drawing from the NRC’s mission, the colloquium underscored the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving transformative change. By bridging sectors and promoting innovation, the NRC and its partners are paving the way for a resilient Philippines.



The National Resilience Council (NRC) Board launches the Resilience Competency Assessment (CompAss) at the colloquium together with representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of National Defense, the United Nations ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies – Philippine network, and the City Mayor of Baguio, Hon. Benjamin Magalong, and Mayor of the Municipality of Tiwi, Albay, Hon. Jaime Villanueva.


More than 150 members, partners, supporters and participants of the National Resilience Council (NRC)’s programs came together to celebrate the achievements of local government units in the realm of disaster risk resilience.

This March 30, 2025, thousands of families, advocates, and supporters will come together to celebrate Happy Walk 2025, a nationwide movement dedicated to fostering awareness, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with Down Syndrome.

Hosted by SM Cares in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), this year’s event will take place at SMX Convention Center – Manila with simultaneous celebrations at SM City Cebu, SM City Bacolod, and SM CDO Downtown Premier, making it a truly nationwide effort to highlight the abilities and aspirations of individuals with Down Syndrome.

More Than Just a Walk: A Movement for Inclusion

For more than two decades, Happy Walk has been more than an event—it is a powerful movement that highlights the strengths, talents, and contributions of individuals with Down Syndrome. It is a day of joy, unity, and acceptance, where communities come together to celebrate not just differences, but also shared dreams and aspirations.

“Happy Walk is not just about taking steps; it’s about making a difference. Every year, this event brings people together to reaffirm that individuals with Down Syndrome deserve the same opportunities, recognition, and support as everyone else. It is a celebration of abilities, not limitations,” said Nill Patrick Arroyo, DSAPI Board Member & Head, Happy Walk 2025. 

A Nationwide Call for Participation

With the theme “321 & Beyond”, Happy Walk 2025 is expected to draw thousands of participants, from individuals with Down Syndrome and their families to volunteers, educators, corporate partners, and inclusivity advocates. The event will feature various activities, including performances, inspirational stories, and community-building initiatives that reinforce the importance of inclusivity in society.

“SM Cares has been a proud partner of Happy Walk for years because we believe in the importance of creating a society where everyone feels valued and included. This event is a reminder that inclusivity is not just an initiative—it is a responsibility we all share,” said Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Disability Affairs.

Join the Movement: How to Be Part of Happy Walk 2025

Everyone is encouraged to take part in this inspiring event—whether by walking, volunteering, or simply showing support. To register, kindly visit the official Happy Walk 2025 registration page at: https://portal.dsapi.ph/dsapi/Register/RegParticipant. For more details on how to join, follow SM Cares’ social media pages.

About SM Cares

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, leading initiatives on inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and community development. Through its long-standing partnership with DSAPI, SM Cares continues to advocate for persons with disabilities, ensuring that every SM mall is a place where everyone feels welcome and valued.

About DSAPI

The Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Through education, awareness campaigns, and community-building efforts like Happy Walk, DSAPI works to create a more inclusive society.

     SM Supermalls is making job hunting easier, faster, and more rewarding! February’s job fairs set the stage for 2025, with the SM Retail Job Fair at SM North EDSA successfully connecting more than a thousand job seekers with top employers. Now, the momentum continues with a nationwide series of job fairs this March, offering even more opportunities for Filipinos to build their careers.

 MARCH is all about YOU. This Women's Month, SM is celebrating empowered women with beauty, wellness and joy-filled experiences.

The SM Waste-Free Future initiative endeavors to reduce waste generation and increase the rate of diversion.

It is not “out of sight, out of mind”; landfills are not just eyesores in remote areas, but they also pose a significant health risk to the communities around them and emit a substantial amount of greenhouse gases from decaying food waste.

The RDC, or Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable bins at SM Supermalls, are not only for show but serve as the start of the journey to achieve a net-zero landfill and beyond.

SM has recycled 130,250kg of its internal non-essential documents through its bulk paper recycling program.

SM’s environmental programs, such as the monthly Trash to Cash recycling market, continue to support communities towards sustainable living.

For recyclable waste, SM has initiatives like the "Trash to Cash" recycling market, which successfully gathers over 1 million kilograms annually of plastic, paper, and other materials for reuse or recycling. The program aims to reduce solid waste pollution and promote a circular economy within communities. SM understands the importance of segregating at the source, and the company does this through partnerships with various companies, such as Trust International Paper Corporation for internal bulk paper recycling. The program has avoided landfill waste equivalent to the annual waste of more than 3,000 households while ensuring recyclables are properly processed.

For disposable, non-recyclable waste, SM Prime formed a joint venture with the Japanese environmental solutions company GUUN to establish SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGECI). This partnership enhances its waste-to-fuel factory to convert non-recyclable waste, like single-use plastics, non-recyclable paper, and used rags, into cement fuel called “fluff fuel” to reduce coal usage. The “fluff fuel” produced is then used by eco-conscious cement companies like APO Cement, Holcim, and Taiheiyo Cement in a practice they call “co-processing,” where the ash from the fuel is also used as a cement ingredient, making it an integral part of the waste reduction ecosystem.

In 2024, SM GUUN Environmental Company converted over 6,000 metric tons of non-recyclable waste into “fluff fuel,” avoiding the annual landfill burden for 12,000 households. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently visited the facility and recognized its significance to various stakeholders, particularly in the reduction of their carbon footprints and the efficient management of solid waste. 

In 2024, SM GUUN enabled the conversion of 6,000 metric tons of non-recyclable waste into fuel for cement companies.

SM GUUN's Cebu plant is capable of processing 50-70 tons of waste daily.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) representatives, led by Assistant Secretary and concurrent Bureau Director Jaqueline Caancan were joined by the National Solid Waste Management Commission Head Engr. Vizminda Osorio and DENR Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Central Visayas Regional Director Ma. Victoria Abrera in a recent visit to SM GUUN Environmental Company in Consolacion, Cebu.

For compostable waste, SM GUUN is experimenting with a Singaporean system for its malls and hawker centers that transforms compostable food residues into landscape soil, achieving over 70% volume reduction within 48 hours. This helps create new soil for gardens, parks, and golf courses, thereby reducing the burden on landfills and contributing to soil health and urban greenery.

SM has other customer-facing programs on solid waste management, like the Plastic Waste Collection program, E-Waste Collection, as well as awareness campaigns for clean water bodies and regular estero and coastal cleanup activities. These programs are also done to support the government in promoting responsible solid waste management through RA 9004, RA 11898, and similar laws.

With solutions identified, the journey towards SM’s #SMWasteFreeFuture becomes more realistic. It needs the help of everyone--from the proper way we “Bin it Right” to the further development of waste solutions to create an ecosystem of recovery and consumption where the word “waste” can be a thing of the past. Let’s do our part for the journey to a “waste-free future.”

To learn more about SM’s solid waste management initiatives, visit https://www.smsupermalls.com/smcares/events/environmental-programs-on-solid-waste-management.

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.

The London-based sensation started and found its success by focusing on two ingredients—perfecting them with precision and passion. By mastering the art of crafting exceptional burgers and cooking wild-caught lobsters to perfection, Burger & Lobster became a dining institution, drawing in food lovers from New York to Dubai, Singapore, and beyond. The result? Burgers toooooo good. Lobsters sooooo good. You’ll question your whole life after just one bite. Now, it's Manila’s turn to get #OfficiallyObsessed.

An Unapologetically Bold Dining Experience 

With a modern yet welcoming atmosphere, a passion for top-quality ingredients, and a menu built on expertise and simplicity, Burger & Lobster isn’t just another restaurant—it’s a destination. Manila’s young professionals, food lovers, and trend-conscious diners will find themselves coming back, not just for the food, but for the experience that comes with every bite.

Burger & Lobster at SM Aura delivers more than delightful meals but a laid-back yet luxurious dining experience that fits perfectly into Manila’s dynamic food scene. Whether it’s a long-awaited indulgence, a spontaneous craving, or a new go-to spot, every visit is designed to be an explosion of rich, bold flavors—each bite delivering pure, unfiltered satisfaction, because life’s too short for boring bites!

Burger & Lobster will take you on an adventure with their dishes like The Burger, featuring 100% prime beef grilled to perfection in a brioche bun with their secret sauce; The Lobster, a whole Canadian lobster served grilled or steamed; and The Lobster Roll, a buttery brioche roll filled with succulent lobster meat and Japanese mayo,  crafted with their signature dedication to quality and bold flavors. Each plate promises a memorable and decadent experience, making it clear why this brand has become a global favorite.

Join the Obsession!

Manila has been hungry for something fresh, exciting, and obsessively satisfying—and Burger & Lobster is finally here to deliver. One thing is certain—once you taste Burger & Lobster, there’s no going back. Bite in, dress up, and get ready to #SERVE and be #OfficiallyObsessed.

At SM Supermalls, we take pride in bringing the best of the world to Filipino food lovers—from first-to-market brands to groundbreaking dining experiences that redefine what it means to have it all. With Burger & Lobster’s arrival at SM Aura, we continue to curate a lineup of iconic global brands, offering one-of-a-kind culinary experiences for those who crave adventure on a plate.

Don’t miss out on the obsession—visit Burger & Lobster at SM Aura, Ground Floor today!

Stay updated! Follow @burgerandlobsterph on Instagram for exclusive content and sneak peeks. For more exciting first-to-market brands, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.