Beyond Retail: The Day Lives Changed at SM City North EDSA

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The bustling halls of SM City North EDSA recently transformed from a premier shopping destination into a high-stakes arena of opportunity. The SM Group Job Fair was not just an event; it was a life-altering catalyst where the distance between a resume and a career was bridged in a single day.

Instant Jobs, Real Impact

For many, the air was thick with the nervous energy of hope. Felo Garcia, who walked in seeking a future and walked out as a newly hired Sales Associate, captured the shock of immediate success.

“Hindi ko po akalain na matatanggap ako ngayon,” Garcia shared, his voice reflecting the gravity of the moment. “Salamat po SM dahil makaka-provide na ako sa mga pangangailangan ng anak ko at pamilya ko.” 

Garcia was not alone. The fair saw a staggering 236 applicants hired on the spot (HOTS)—roughly 22% of the more than one thousand job seekers who attended. This efficiency dismantled the traditional, grueling wait times of recruitment, replacing them with real-time assessments and instant relief.

A Powerhouse of Opportunity

Led by SM Retail, the event was a massive convergence of the SM Group’s diverse ecosystem. Job seekers didn't just find retail roles; they found doors opening into:

Banking and Education 

Logistics and Real Estate 

Food & Beverage and Malls 

Joel Azores, another successful applicant, noted the event's undeniable credibility. “One hundred percent ka po matatanggap sa Mega Job Fair dahil puro legit na company dito,” he emphasized, highlighting the trust job seekers place in the SM brand.

The "One-Stop" Revolution

What set this job fair apart was the SM Government Service Express. Recognizing that a job offer is only half the battle, SM provided a one-stop hub where new hires could immediately process pre-employment requirements. Agencies on-site included:

SSS and PhilHealth 

Pag-IBIG Fund 

Philippine National Police (for police clearance) 

Adolf Hernandez of PhilHealth QC explained the dramatic shift in the applicant experience: “May hired on the spot ka na, at nandito na rin ang mga government agencies para sa requirements.” It was a masterclass in public-private collaboration, designed to move Filipinos into the workforce faster than ever before.

A Nationwide Mission

The success at North EDSA is merely a prelude. SM Supermalls is taking this mission across the Philippines throughout March, with upcoming fairs scheduled for:

March 25: SM City Urdaneta Central 

March 26: SM City Tuguegarao 

March 27: SM City Trece Martires and SM City Cauayan 

As these malls evolve into "platforms for empowerment," they are proving that for the Filipino worker, opportunity doesn't just exist—it finally feels possible.

The Era of the Stan: Why We’re Obsessed with Luzon’s Hottest New Icons at SM

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

We are living in the age of the "Stan." It’s more than just being a fan; it’s an all-consuming energy where "fanboy/fangirl mode" is permanently activated. Whether it’s a rising artist’s new album, a lifestyle we aspire to, or a freshly opened concept store that perfectly resonates with who we want to be, we aren’t just observing—we are stanning hard. 

At SM Supermalls, this culture of hype and passion finds its home. From the northern reaches to the bustling hubs of Luzon, a new wave of stores and dining destinations has arrived to hook us, hit different, and keep us hyped for months. 

The Culinary Icons: Soulful Bowls and Bold Bites

For the "Foodie Stans," the mission is clear: seek out the flavors that spark a soul-level connection. 

Pho Hoa (SM City Bacoor): Prepare for a first-in-Cavite experience. Located at the Upper Ground Level, Pho Hoa serves soulful bowls of Vietnamese classics, from spring rolls to rice plates that transport you straight back to the streets of Vietnam. 

Frankie’s New York Buffalo Wings (SM City Marilao): Bulacan stans, your time has come. The first-in-province Frankie’s is now at the West Wing, serving up legendary Garlic Parmesan and Honey Sriracha wings that will have you digging in until you drop. 

Manam (SM City Marilao): If you stan Filipino comfort food with a creative edge, Manam’s Ground Level location is essential. Their iconic Watermelon Beef Sinigang is the ultimate testament to why they are masters of the "creative twist." 

The Lifestyle Revolution: Accessories and Tech

If it’s trending, we’re having it. Trends are the threads that connect us to a community where we truly belong. 

Sunnies Studios (SM City San Pablo): Bringing signature "cool" to the Ground Level, this newest staple offers trendy and timeless eyewear to get you looking exactly like your idol. 

AquaFlask Designs (SM City Batangas): Opening soon at the Ground Level, this first-in-Batangas spot lets your personality shine through customizable, sleek tumblers. It’s hydration, but make it fashion. 

The Loop (SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown): For the tech-savvy, Level 3 is now the go-to destination for gadgets and accessories that empower your life, whether you’re a professional or just vibin’. 

The Wellness Warriors: Gearing Up and Resetting

We lowkey aspire to be those people who put wellness first—and now, we can. 

Decathlon (SM City Grand Central): Sport and adventure stans can find equipment for over 70 sports at Level 3. From hiking gear to swim essentials, it’s a one-stop shop for an active life. 

Iremia Headspa (SM City Clark): A true "first in SM," this 2nd Level sanctuary offers structured scalp treatments for the ultimate reset. It’s the perfect place to become your own #1 fan. 

Anytime Fitness (SM City Trece Martires): The globally recognized 24/7 gym experience has arrived at the Lower Ground Floor, equipped with every tool needed to build a healthier body on your own schedule. 

More Than a Mall: A Destination Designed for You

SM Supermalls is evolving into a new era, moving beyond simple shopping to become an everyday destination designed around the passions and needs of Filipino communities. As one of Southeast Asia’s largest developers, with 89 malls across the Philippines, SM continues to build spaces that remain trusted, relevant, and—above all—loved. 

Whatever you’re stanning in life, your most-loved SM Supermall has it all for you. 

From Waste to Wonder: The 30-Year Evolution of SM’s Water Legacy

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

For three decades, a quiet revolution has been flowing beneath the bustling corridors of the Philippines' most iconic shopping destinations. What began in the late 1990s as a single investment in a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at SM Southmall has surged into a nationwide movement of resilience and radical conservation. Today, SM Prime Holdings Inc. isn't just building malls; it is engineering a future where every drop of water is treated as a universal human right.

The Blueprint of Resilience: The Rise of the STP

In an era before "sustainability" was a global buzzword, SM was already laying the groundwork for environmental protection. By standardizing STPs across all 89 malls, the company transformed these centers into bastions of public health and ecological safety.

These plants do more than just process waste; they serve as the heart of a circular water economy:

Total Coverage: Every single mall in the SM network now features an STP to reduce pollution and safeguard local water resources.

The Circular Flow: Recycled water is breatheing new life into operations—powering water closets for flushing, maintaining lush greenery, and keeping facilities pristine.

Precision Engineering: Beyond recycling, the malls utilize low-flow fixtures and cutting-edge technologies to stop unnecessary consumption before it even starts.

Breaking Frontiers: Turning Rain into Refreshment

While others see a storm, SM City Baguio sees a solution. In a feat of industry-leading innovation, the mall launched a Rainwater Treatment Facility that has already processed nearly 20,000 cubic meters of rainwater into potable (drinking) water.

The impact is staggering. Since 2023, this facility has provided 30% of the mall’s clean water requirement, saving a volume equivalent to 8 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 12.7 million 1.5-liter bottles from the local grid. It is a bold testament to what is possible when technology meets a commitment to "maximize what we borrow from the environment".

A Vision for Tomorrow: Centralized and Scaled

The journey doesn't stop at the mall's edge. SM is currently evaluating centralized STPs—massive systems designed to serve multiple developments at once. By allowing for inter-building treatment, SM aims to:

Enhance Process Efficiency: Streamlining how water moves through urban landscapes.

Build Long-Term Capacity: Ensuring communities can withstand future water disruptions.

Lower Operational Costs: Proving that doing good for the planet is also good for sustainable business.

More Than Infrastructure: A Movement for the People

SM's water stewardship is anchored by the SM Green Movement, an initiative that empowers families and individuals to join the fight for energy efficiency and waste management. Through its CSR arm, SM Cares, the company is turning its nationwide reach into a platform for education, cultivating a new generation of "water stewards" across the Philippines.

This proactive stance has not gone unnoticed. From the Bantayog ng Lawa Award to the prestigious Gawad Taga-Ilog Award—the first ever given to a private entity—the industry is recognizing SM as a leader in the race for a resilient water future.

"We’ve come a long way since the 90’s... we continue to work harder for future generations because water is a universal human right."

— Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls VP and Head of Sustainability and Resilience 

As SM Supermalls continues to evolve, it remains a trusted destination designed around the lives and passions of Filipino communities—ensuring that the "Most Loved Supermall" is also the most responsible.