Made It Through Mum

SM City Valenzuela volunteer proudly hands an SM Bear of Joy to a child with disability. The mall contributed 700 bears, matched by SM City Grand Central, totaling 1,400 plush toys for children with special needs and PWDs. In a season marked by joy and giving, SM Malls in Grand Central and Valenzuela closed 2024 on a heartwarming note with their annual Bears of Joy donation, bringing smiles to children with special needs and persons with disabilities. The campaign, which underscores SM’s commitment to community upliftment, saw the donation of 1,400 plush toys to various beneficiaries across Caloocan and Valenzuela. SM City Valenzuela spearheaded the effort, contributing 700 bears, while SM City Grand Central added 700 to the tally. The plushies—adorable oval-shaped companions inspired by the viral Squishmallow trend—were distributed to beneficiaries such as Valenzuela’s Persons with Disability Affairs Office and the Alliance of PWD in Caloocan City Inc. An SM volunteer lights up the da...

From left to right: Uratex Monoblock Enna Chair & Charlotte Armchair Filipino families are known for their festive spirit, often beginning their holiday celebrations even before December. This love for celebrating— even the smallest of occasions reflects the deep joy and togetherness that define the true Filipino culture. From delicious feasts to thoughtful gifts, and even transforming the smallest corners of their homes into festive spaces, these efforts are all about creating special memories with their loved ones.  As homes and outdoor spaces become the heart of gathering spots for family celebrations, having the right furniture is essential for keeping everyone comfortable and relaxed during this festive season. That’s where Uratex Monoblock comes in, offering durable, high-quality plastic furniture that’s built to last. Strong enough to handle any celebration, Uratex Monoblock helps Filipino families host worry-free gatherings year after year. Whether it’s a Christmas din...

  The holidays are not just a time of gift-giving but also a time for festive feasts with family and friends. It’s a time where everyone gets the chance to prepare their special recipes and devour their favorite dishes in one sitting. Century Tuna, with its extensive flavor offerings, makes it easy to incorporate into various holiday recipes, ensuring your Noche Buena and Media Noche celebrations have delicious, satisfying meals that everyone will love. Packed with Omega 3 DHA that’s good for the heart and mind, Century Tuna is also low in cholesterol and has no preservatives added, ensuring that you can prioritize your health and fitness even during the holiday season. Creamy tuna pesto made with Century Tuna Flakes in Oil For pesto lovers, you can never go wrong with Century Tuna Flakes in Oil. Simply whip up your favorite pesto sauce and combine it with the tuna and you have an easy pesto recipe that never compromises in taste. You can season to your heart’s desire and even add ...

Fresh from the blockbuster success of her recent movie, "Hello, Love, Again," TNT KaTropa Kathryn Bernardo is looking to make Christmas extra special by spending the holidays with her family. “Ang importante naman ay ‘yung makakasama mo sa Pasko. We’ll keep it very simple, so you’re hopefully surrounded with love and good energy, and sana ‘yun yung makuha ko this year. This will be our first Christmas in our new house so nandito kami Christmas at New Year,” she said. Kathryn revealed that this Christmas will be all about a simple dinner, exchange of gifts, and a family photo shot in their first Christmas in their new home. “Hindi na kami makikipagsabay sa mga umaalis na tao this year. The past few months medyo dire-diretso ang work ko so I just want to stay home, get some rest, and then bond with my family. We’ll keep it very simple,” she said. Kathryn’s ideal Christmas would not be complete if she couldn’t get hold of her friends and loved ones abroad, so she relies on her p...

  The holiday season calls for a lot of reconnecting and getting together. While it's almost true that the Philippines has the longest celebration of Christmas, it goes without saying that gatherings during this season won’t be complete without the traditional Noche Buena feast. As such, here’s a rundown of some dishes—from classic to modern—that you may find at SM malls in Marilao, Baliwag, and Pulilan.  Ready your list and make sure to fill your table with any of these well-loved delicacies: Pinoy Favorite Lumpiang Shanghai Nothing beats a classic Filipino favorite—Lumpiang Shanghai. Imagine these crispy spring rolls filled with an appetizing mixture of meat, vegetables, and spices, dipped in a sweet and sour sauce. Grab these at Gerry’s Grill for a worthwhile Noche Buena feast. Traditional Queso de Bola A traditional treat everybody loves during Noche Buena, Queso de Bola is considered the ‘versatile’ cheese that goes well with variety of foods, including crackers, bread, f...

This Christmas season, IKEA Pasay City is bringing back the magic of Filipino Christmas caroling!  From December 16th to 20th, they're hosting a week-long celebration filled with festive cheer, heartwarming traditions, and a chance to win amazing prizes. Forget the usual mall rush; IKEA is creating a unique and immersive experience.  Imagine strolling through beautifully decorated room settings, the air filled with the joyful sounds of traditional Christmas carols.  This isn't just about listening; you're invited to participate!  Whether you're a seasoned caroler or just love to sing along, you're welcome to join in and fill IKEA with holiday spirit. But that's not all.  IKEA is adding a creative, sustainable twist.  Participants can craft their own instruments using eco-friendly materials, making the experience even more memorable and in line with IKEA's commitment to sustainability.  After performing one or two carols, you'll get a chance to draw an ...

The Grab Be Present Bus assists passengers in getting home this holiday season, helping them avoid potential challenges with accessing regular transport options and ride-hailing services amid peak in travel demand The Grab Be Present Bus assists passengers in getting home this holiday season, helping them avoid potential challenges with accessing regular transport options and ride-hailing services amid peak in travel demand Grab Philippines, in partnership with the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) and OneAyala, is providing free shuttle rides for Filipinos arriving at Terminals 2 and 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport – the busiest terminals this holiday season.  The Grab Be Present Bus provides convenient point-to-point transportation for Overseas Filipino Workers and other domestic travelers, connecting NAIA Terminals 2 and 3 directly to the OneAyala Transport Hub. Ride-hailing platforms in the Philippines are facing increased pressure this holiday season as surging demand co...

Get ready for an unforgettable holiday movie marathon with the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024, showing at SM Cinemas of SM City Grand Central, SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Valenzuela! This year’s lineup offers something for everyone—from heartwarming romances to spine-tingling horrors and high-octane action. Experience the magical love story in “My Future You,” where Karen and Lex defy time to alter their destinies. For a gripping thriller, dive into “Uninvited,” set in a billionaire’s mansion where secrets unravel during a chaotic birthday celebration. In “Topakk,” action fans will be on the edge of their seats as an ex-special forces operative faces dangerous forces to protect an innocent woman. Romantic souls will fall for “Hold Me Close,” a beautifully emotional journey about love, fate, and the search for belonging. If you crave supernatural thrills, “Espantaho” offers a chilling story rooted in Filipino horror. “And the Breadwinner Is...” brings heart and humor in a t...

Christmas season is a time for family, celebration, the much-anticipated Noche Buena feast and a lot of get-together parties. This year, why not go beyond the usual dishes and surprise your loved ones by getting creative with some unforgettable recipes?  Mr. Hat Gulaman makes it easy to add a festive twist to your holiday table. With its wide variety of flavors and versatility, it’s a great ingredient for crafting show-stopping dishes that can bring everyone together. Mr. Hat Gulaman: Your All-Season Kitchen Essential  Mr. Hat Gulaman isn’t your ordinary gulaman. It’s made from the natural seaweed extract, it’s a powder-based dessert that is not only economical but also easy to prepare. Its quick-setting formula allows you to whip up impressive creations in no time, saving you precious moments during the busy holiday season.  With seven flavored options like mango, strawberry, buko pandan, coffee, grapes, orange and lychee, each brings unique flavors to your recipes. For ...

The holidays are here once more, ushering in the joyful season of gift-giving! Yet, all too often, when selecting gifts for our children, we restrict ourselves to the usual—toys, clothes, gadgets, or even cash. In doing so, we overlook one priceless gift that should be our priority: the gift of knowledge. Corny? Perhaps. Cliché? Likely. But the truth remains undeniable. As adults, we carry the important responsibility of imparting knowledge and wisdom to our children, and we must embrace this role with renewed vigor. There are many ways we can accomplish this. We can share invaluable life lessons directly with our kids and become actively engaged in their educational journeys. Alternatively, we can provide them with enriching learning materials, particularly books that will ignite their curiosity and foster a love for learning. By gifting them with books, we are laying a solid foundation for our children’s lifelong learning at a pivotal time when their minds are most active and inquisi...

In the spirit of gratitude, HUAWEI Philippines is helping customers gear up for the holiday festivities with “HUAWEI Service Giving Season” offerings. From November 15 to December 31, HUAWEI users can get their devices in top shape for the new year with free services and repair discounts available in all HUAWEI Authorized Service Centers nationwide. Free Service Offerings and Gift Vouchers During HUAWEI Service Giving Season, HUAWEI Authorized Service Centers will offer free labor for out-of-warranty repair services. Customers will only have to pay the fees for parts replacement based on the repair quotation. While there is no limit in the number of devices that customers can have repaired, each device can only be repaired once within the HUAWEI Service Giving Season period. Additionally, customers who get their HUAWEI phones repaired during this season will also receive a free tempered glass screen protector for their phones. A HUAWEI Service Center personnel will assist with the inst...

Thanksgiving at SM Malls in the East  As Thanksgiving approaches, SM Malls in the East offer the perfect settings for gathering with loved ones to enjoy hearty, delicious meals that blend Filipino flavors with global inspiration. Each mall has a lineup of restaurants with group meals and family feasts that make celebrating easier, whether you’re craving Filipino comfort food, an international buffet, or something uniquely local. Here’s a guide to the best places to dine this Thanksgiving season. Comfort Food and Filipino Classics to Warm the Heart The timeless goodness of a red velvet cake from The Taste of Czaczacza never fails even for Thanksgiving  The Taste of Czaczacza in SM City San Mateo and Masinag: Enjoy a Filipino twist on Thanksgiving with reimagined traditional dishes, creative desserts, and indulgent cakes and donuts.  Pasta, cakes, entrees and anything delicious for Thanksgiving at Mary Grace Café at SM City Masinag, SM City Marikina and SM City East Ortiga...

The holiday season is all about spreading love and joy, and there's no better way to do it than with thoughtful, personalized presents. SM is here to transform your gift-giving experience into a heartfelt expression of care. With options ranging from versatile gift cards to curated Christmas baskets and even DIY fragrances, SM offers something truly special for everyone on your list.   Gift of Choice: Gift Cards and Gift Certificates Struggling to pick the perfect gift? Let your loved ones decide! The SM Store's gift certificates and gift cards are a fail-proof option, offering endless possibilities for fashion enthusiasts, tech fans, or home decorators. With SM’s extensive selection, recipients can shop to their heart's content and pick exactly what they want, turning your gift into a stress-free and memorable experience. Classic Christmas Baskets: Gourmet Goodness Bring festive cheer with baskets brimming with holiday treats! SM Supermarket and Hypermarket in SM City Gran...