Balitang Ilocos Online

21/10/2025

SM Cares Strengthens Advocacy for Seniors During Elderly Filipino Week

Pasay City, Philippines – October 1, 2025. Leading the Elderly Filipino Week 2025 celebration at SM Mall of Asia, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) honored the pivotal role of Filipino seniors in nation-building, while advocating for their continued inclusion and empowerment.

With the theme “Embracing Age: Living a Life with Dignity and Purpose,” the event gathered hundreds of senior citizens and partner organizations for a day filled with wellness activities, recreation, and meaningful engagement. The program featured a Eucharistic celebration, a Walk for Life, uplifting messages from senior citizen advocates, and a lively Zumba session that highlighted the energy and vitality of the elderly community.

Wellness booths offering free services—including medical consultations, massage and acupuncture, eye care, and e-government ID registration—were set up around the venue, providing participants with access to programs that promote health, inclusion, and continuous learning.
“Our seniors have given so much to their families and communities. Through Elderly Filipino Week, SM Cares reaffirms its commitment to championing the welfare of our elderly, making sure they feel celebrated, supported, and empowered,” said Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SM Cares Program Director for Senior Citizens.

“We are deeply grateful to SM Cares for walking hand in hand with us in celebrating and empowering our senior citizens through meaningful activities like this,” shared Ana Marie C. Calapit, Acting Executive Director of the National Commission of Senior Citizens.

This year’s celebration once again reinforced SM Supermalls’ commitment to inclusivity by fostering spaces where generations can meaningfully connect. It also highlighted the importance of building supportive communities for seniors—both within the mall and in the broader society.

For years, SM Cares has been at the forefront of programs for senior citizens, from barrier-free mall facilities, emergency preparedness forums to social development initiatives. Through Elderly Filipino Week 2025, SM Cares continues to highlight the invaluable contributions of seniors while promoting wellness, dignity, and purpose at every stage of life.

Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.
Gab

16/10/2025

CONG SANDRO MARCOS, IGINIIT NA WALANG GHOST PROJECT SA 1ST DISTRICT NG ILOCOS NORTE ...

16/10/2025

16/10/2025

16/10/2025

03/10/2025

✨ The biggest shopping spree of the season is here! 🛍️
The SM 3-Day Sale is finally happening this October 17, 18 & 19! 🎉

Enjoy up to 70% OFF on fashion, tech, skincare, and more great finds — plus, shop for a chance to WIN a brand-new Suzuki Jimny 5-Door GL MT! 🚙

🕙 Mall Hours:
Fri–Sat: 10AM–10PM
Sun: 10AM–9PM

Celebrate your hard work, treat yourself to amazing deals, and don’t miss the sale you’ve been waiting for! ✨

01/10/2025

Cash donations for the communities affected by the recent earthquake in Northern Cebu are now being accepted at SM Supermalls nationwide.

You may also donate through the details below. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. 💙

30/09/2025

30/09/2025

Shared tables: Discover Fun Family Dining at SM City Laoag

Family dining at SM City Laoag is more than just grabbing a bite with your loved ones. It’s an experience worth sharing and an adventure that brings everyone closer.

Picture this: you walk into CA Chinese, and the inviting smiles of the crew combined with their colorful plates of their crowd favorites greet you. Here, every dish is meant to be shared, a perfect way to connect over savory and authentic flavors.

Next, the family strolls to Old Soul, a cozy café that feels like a hidden gem. No need to travel to Vigan as the interior resembles Calle Crisologo. The soft hum of conversations and the aroma of the garlicky Steak Bites fill the air, making stories flow naturally.

Finally, you find yourselves at Meltdown Burger, where the casual and fun atmosphere makes it impossible not to smile. Watching the kids’ faces light up with every juicy bite and the adults enjoying the light mood reminds you why burger nights are a family favorite.

At SM City Laoag, dining together isn’t just about food, it’s about moments shared, flavors explored, and memories made. Whether you’re craving rich Chinese dishes, cozy café vibes, or indulgent burgers, these spots offer a perfect blend of fun and connection for families to enjoy.

Follow on social media for more updates and promos!

30/09/2025

In a flavorful and festive showcase of Ilocano culinary pride, SM City Laoag successfully served a total of 1,150 Ilocos empanadas in what is now hailed as the largest empanada serving in Laoag City. The record-breaking event was one of the highlights of the SM City Laoag's Food Fest 2025, drawing in hundreds of mallgoers and food enthusiasts.

The event transformed the SM City Laoag Event Center into a vibrant hub of aroma, culture, and live performances, as empanadas were freshly served on a sun-shaped platform symbolizing the ‘Sunshine City’.

To create this feast, organizers used a staggering 1,150 eggs and approximately 40 kilograms of Ilocos longganisa, staying true to the authentic Ilocos empanada recipe that generations of Ilocanos have come to love.

A Community Effort
The historic feat was made possible through the joint efforts of the following key partners:
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
• Northwestern University
• City Government of Laoag
• Lanie’s Empanada
• Empanada ni Behang
• Culinary Generals of the North
• Saramsam Resto Bar
• Balai Taste of Home
• Buko Express
• CS_DBC
• Martin Development Corporation

A Celebration Beyond the Plate
Adding to the energy of the occasion were live performances from local groups and Ilocano talents, bringing traditional music, dance, and artistry to the stage. The event turned into a cultural experience, uniting food and heritage in true Ilocano fashion.

A Proud Moment for Ilocos Norte
The successful serving of 1,150 empanadas stands as a testament to Ilocos Norte’s rich culinary tradition and the strong community spirit that continues to thrive in the region. SM City Laoag, together with its partners, proudly dedicates this achievement to the people of Laoag and the wider Ilocano community.

SM Supermalls' Food Fest 2025 continues to celebrate Filipino flavors and traditions not just in Ilocos, but across all SM malls nationwide.

30/09/2025

Over 48,800 Volunteers Collect 200 Metric Tons of Trash in Nationwide Coastal Cleanup

Over 48,800 volunteers from across the Philippines gathered simultaneously at 28 SM malls nationwide to mark the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2025, the world’s largest volunteer
effort for ocean health collecting over 200,000 kilograms of trash.
Leading the nationwide movement, SM By the Bay served as the flagship site, bringing together thousands of volunteers to clear Manila Bay’s shoreline of marine debris. Across Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao, SM malls became community hubs where over groups—spanning private organizations, government agencies, NGOs, schools, civil society, and local communities—united
to protect the country’s waterways.

This year’s ICC coincides with SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and community collaboration through its
campaign. The cleanup also forms a major part of the SM Green Movement, which integrates environmental, social, and community initiatives into SM’s
programs.

“Through our Waste-Free Future vision, we commit to empowering communities and championing responsible waste management, recycling, and circular practices, making
them a part of everyday life, through simple, everyday actions,” said Steven T. Tan, President
of SM Supermalls. “To every volunteer, you embody the true spirit of bayanihan: lifting not just waste from our shores, but lifting each other toward a higher standard of care for our common home,”
he added.

This year, more than 200,000 kilograms of trash were collected. And beyond numbers, the human stories—families, youth, employees, and community members taking part—show how collective
action can create lasting change.

Partner organizations also underscored the value of collaboration. “Working with SM Cares amplifies the impact of ICC by providing venues, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting
diverse groups for one shared mission: protecting marine biodiversity,” said Marilou G. Erni, Chief of Staff and Supervising Undersecretary for Strategic Communications of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources.

“Joining the cleanup made me realize that every small action counts. Seeing thousands of people—students, families, co-workers—all working together for the same cause gave me
hope that we can build a cleaner, healthier future for the next generation,” said Marife Rapa, a volunteer participant from WSAudiology Philippines Corp.

SM Cares has been a consistent partner of ICC for years, with each edition seeing growing scale
and influence. This year, as ICC marks its 40th anniversary, SM continues to be recognized as its
largest private sector partner in the Philippines—demonstrating how private-public partnerships can accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future.

Through efforts like coastal cleanups, SM Supermalls continues to strengthen its role as a
community builder—creating malls that are more than destinations for leisure and shopping, but
hubs where citizens can come together to shape a waste-free, sustainable tomorrow.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) is one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, committed to creating sustainable, innovative, and inclusive spaces for Filipinos.
Guided by its vision of building a better future, SM Prime develops malls, residences, offices, hotels, and leisure properties that support the growth of communities across the Philippines.
Through the SM Green Movement, SM Prime champions sustainability by focusing on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers individuals, families, and communities to take part in simple acts that create shared
prosperity for generations to come.
Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast
Asia’s largest mall developers—continuously evolving to lead the way in sustainable development by integrating green design, energy efficiency, disaster resilience, and environmental stewardship into its 88 malls in the Philippines, all while creating inclusive spaces that enrich communities,
support climate action, and ensure a better, more sustainable future for generations of Filipino
shoppers.