The 100 days and ways of sharing
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
It’s that time of the year, our annual countdown to the holiday season – with many malls kicking off their 100 days of festivities leading up to Christmas Day. And on Sept.16, SM Supermalls launched their “100 Days of Happiness” at the SM North EDSA; with the other supermalls creating their own versions of the 100 Days “messaging umbrella” for this year. Via these 100 Days, the malls intend to uplift various communities through viable livelihood support to NGO’s, organizations, and LGU’s – in order to raise funds and resources for their noble and earnest advocacies.
If you recall, the SM Supermalls theme last Christmas was 100 Days of Caring; an initiative that was extended, and took on a special meaning in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette. Then, the spirit of bayanihan came to stark reality; working together to help those most affected by the disaster. SM called on its 76 malls to be collection points for relief goods and services. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan was moved, remembering last year, during his speech welcoming their guests; as were Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and her Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.
For this year, SM Megamall is partnering with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Brownies Unlimited to provide one year’s membership to a Girl Scout, for every box of brownies sold. The time-honored association of brownies to Girl Scouts make this such a natural fit; and when it comes to value formation of young girls, our Girl Scouts have always led the way. QC Mayor Joy Belmonte disclosed that she had been a Girl Scout when she was growing up.
SM North EDSA teamed up with the local government of QC, with Spark Philippines, and with bag designer Zarah Juan, to create upcycled tarpaulin tote bags, as sewn by women communities of Quezon City. Proceeds from the sale of these colorful bags will go to women PDL’s of Spark Philippines.
And at the SM Mall of Asia, underprivileged children will be extended help via a collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland. The Embassy has an “Angels for Angels” program that’s geared towards women empowerment, livelihood, and nutrition. Expect to hear more from the other Supermalls throughout the country, as they disclose their own initiatives.
What I appreciated was how these actions of SM Supermalls had a direct bearing to their commitment to the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals, and would help extend our appreciation of what these goals represent. In the months prior, we had heard a lot about the SM Green Movement and SM Retail’s SM Green Finds. These had more to do with water and waste management, disaster preparedness, and in the case of SM Retail, encouraging more responsible consumer choices. A common thread running through these initiatives was the concern for the environment – our response to disasters, or retail brands that champion environment-friendly products.
With their 100 Days of Happiness, as SM Supermalls President Steven Tan declared, SM Supermalls were embarking on initiatives that would impact on the sustainability goals of no poverty, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, and partnerships for the goals. And I’d like to add to these goals, responsible consumption and production, as well as sustainable cities and communities. Perusing these goals, you’ll appreciate that these all have more to do with a corporation’s social agenda, and not just their environment agenda.
I loved how this would help people expand their perception of sustainability – one thing that we at the Manila Bulletin are hoping to achieve with the Sustainability Forum that we are mounting in November of this year. It’s our hope to make the citizenry more aware of the multi-dimensions of sustainability, that it goes beyond being green. While the environment and climate control are important cornerstones of any sustainability initiative, there should also be the social and governance aspects to take into account.
As for the 100 Days of Happiness launch, it was indeed a joyous occasion, with the QC Councilors getting into the act, and capped by a mini-fashion show that highlighted inclusivity, regardless of gender, age, or body size – it was a celebration of diverse representation, and the audience had so much fun!