Contemporary News and Events

Coastal land reclamation is increasing and will continue to grow and be a popular urban strategy in places that experience urban growth. This is according to a study, “Mapping 21st Century Global Coastal Land Reclamation,” that analyzed Landsat satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to quantify the spatial extent, scale, and land use of urban coastal reclamation of 135 cities globally with populations exceeding one million. Key findings indicate that 78% of these cities have turned to reclamation to create additional land, resulting in 253,000 hectares of new land, an area equivalent to Luxembourg. Land reclamation is the process of creating new land from the sea. It’s often used in places with scarcity of land and high population density for many purposes. From Western Europe and West Africa to the Middle East, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, these countries’ cities reclaim lands for port extension, residential/commercial, and industrial purposes aimed at creating tourist and green spaces.

In line with the SM Green Movement, the SM group, through SM Foundation, recently established a rainwater harvesting system at the Brgy. Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The initiative aims to strengthen their goal of preserving the environment and ensuring the health and wellness of future generations.  SMFI Health and Medical Programs Senior Project Manager Albert Uy inspects the water catchment to ensure its reliability. To enhance water conservation and management in the facility, the system collects rainwater from the roof and gutter, passing it through vinyl-coated mesh filters to help ensure water quality. With an 800-liter storage capacity, the harvested water serves the facility’s non-potable needs like watering plants, cleaning, and toilet flushing. Faucets connected to the rainwater catchment are duly marked to help guide the community. The rainwater harvesting facility also operates without electricity and features labeled faucets for intuitive rec

SCPW president Arch. Celestino Ulep leads a discussion on nature-based architecture during the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium . As the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) joined the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands, Inc. (SCPW) hosted the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on May 29th at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex. Bannering the theme “Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture,” the hybrid symposium featured presentations centered on fostering knowledge and awareness about wetland conservation and innovative design approaches. SCPW president Ar. Celestino Ulep leads the opening of the Wetland Center Design Symposium SCPW president Ar. Celestino Ulep opened the symposium by sharing his optimism on how collaboration and embracing nature-based architecture can pave the way toward creating a future where wetlands thrive and biodiversit

  At the multi-stakeholder forum, “Towards a Greener Footprint”, in Iloilo City recently, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga shared solutions-focused guidelines to help the local government reduce carbon footprint, with emphasis on water conservation to address the looming water crisis and increase access to safe water and sanitation. From left to right: Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas, journalist Ces Drilon, Secretary Loyzaga, urban planning and landscape architect Paulo Alcazaren, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) co-chair Michaela Rossette Santo-Tayag and SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Liza Silerio. Photo credits to Arnold Almacen/Iloilo City Office of the Mayor. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the leading real estate developers in Southeast Asia, recently called on local public officials to avoid the extraction of groundwater and, instead, invest in rainwater colle

This 9.9 Super Shopping Day, Shopee delivers more unbeatable deals, non-stop entertainment, and continuous support for local entrepreneurs across the country Shopee continues to bring joy to the Filipino community as it kicks off the highly-anticipated shopping season with more fun and entertainment for users, a wide assortment of unbeatable deals, and a commitment to digitize MSMEs across the nation through its partnership with the League of Provinces of the Philippines. Shopee gives Filipinos plenty to look forward to as this year’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day promises to be bigger, better, and more rewarding than ever. Delivering  unkabogable  fun and joy as Vice Ganda joins the Shopee family Keeping to its promise of giving users delightful shopping experiences, Shopee proudly welcomes the  Unkabogable  Star Vice Ganda as the newest brand ambassador. The multi-talented comedy icon will serve as the face of Shopee’s campaigns and community initiatives, amplifying the platform’s commitmen

A trip to Jollibee means instant happiness because you get delicious food that is loved from all over the world, guaranteed. But there are days when we long for an extra filling meal to keep us satiated for the rest of the day, or as we end the day. For those pursuits for something extra filling, you can opt for a Jollibee Super Meal, an all-in-one meal which features its best-tasting hits through winning set combinations. Customers can enjoy set combinations of some of their favorite menu items like the Crispylicious, Juicylicious Chickenjoy, the Sweet-Sarap Jolly Spaghetti, the Langhap-Sarap Yumburger, the Beefy-Saucy Linamnam Ulam Burger Steak, and more. “Super Meals are Jollibee’s best option for those who want an extra big meal because they can be sure that each component of that meal will be delightful,” said Mari Aldecoa, Assistant Vice President. “The Super Meal is extra sulit as it has no subpar fillers—just pure goodness in every bite—and it will be finished off without any w