Wazzup Pilipinas!?
SM Supermalls champions bayanihan spirit as it transforms public schools into cleaner, safer, and more inspiring places for learning.
June 9–13, 2025 — Across the nation, a different kind of transformation was unfolding—not in the bustling corridors of malls but in the humble classrooms of public schools. In an awe-inspiring show of unity, SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm SM Cares, rallied more than a thousand employee-volunteers to actively participate in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2025. The initiative, themed “Nagkakaisa para sa Handa at Ligtas na Pagbabalik Eskwela,” saw the heart of SM beating in perfect rhythm with the communities it serves.
From Luzon to Mindanao, the movement was palpable. In 75 SM malls nationwide, teams of dedicated employees rolled up their sleeves, picked up brooms, brushes, and tools—not to serve shoppers this time, but to serve 66 public schools, bringing fresh color, structure, and spirit into classrooms that will soon welcome eager young learners.
.jpg)
A Modern-Day Bayanihan
The sight was both moving and powerful—SM North EDSA volunteers sweeping dusty hallways, SM Center Pasig employees meticulously organizing learning materials, SM City Sorsogon teams repainting chairs with renewed care. At SM City Baliwag, an employee stacked hollow blocks with quiet determination, reinforcing not just a school wall, but a child’s future.
This wasn’t just about cleaning or repainting. It was about presence, compassion, and a collective promise that no child should return to a classroom that doesn't inspire them to dream big.
“We are proud to be part of Brigada Eskwela again this year. Education is the cornerstone of nation-building, and through volunteerism and shared responsibility, we aim to help create safe and welcoming learning spaces for students all across the country,” shared Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls.
Where Corporate Purpose Meets Community Progress
Brigada Eskwela 2025 didn’t just touch the walls of schools—it strengthened the very fabric of communities. In collaboration with DepEd, local government units, school officials, and neighborhood volunteers, the effort highlighted what can be achieved when businesses and communities unite for a cause bigger than themselves.
Volunteers engaged in a spectrum of meaningful tasks:
Cleaning and disinfecting classrooms
Repainting learning spaces and facades
Repairing chairs, desks, and minor infrastructure
Distributing essential learning materials
And most importantly, spreading hope
These acts of kindness, no matter how small, rippled through the hearts of students, parents, and educators—proving once more that every gesture counts when done with love and purpose.
Building Futures, Supporting Global Goals
Beyond the walls of the schools and the days of volunteer work, SM Supermalls’ participation in Brigada Eskwela aligns with its greater mission: contributing to inclusive, sustainable development. This advocacy echoes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Through SM Cares, SM continues to nurture programs that empower the most vulnerable sectors—children and youth, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women and breastfeeding mothers, and even bike-friendly communities—furthering its role as a community builder beyond commerce.
A Heart for Education, A Home for Every Child’s Dream
SM Supermalls has proven once again that meaningful change doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with a mop, a paintbrush, a hammer—or simply, with people who care.
As students prepare to return to school this academic year, many of them will walk into newly cleaned classrooms, sit on freshly painted chairs, and learn in safe, functional, and inspiring spaces. They may not know the names of the volunteers who made it possible—but they will feel the impact, deeply and daily.
And that is the true essence of community. That is the legacy of Brigada Eskwela 2025.
For more stories on how SM Cares is making a difference, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares or follow @OfficialSMCares on social media.
Together, let’s build more than malls. Let’s build futures.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
