A Flavorful First in Pampanga: SM Supermalls Ushers in a New Era of Asian Dining Excellence

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a province globally celebrated for its culinary prowess, SM Supermalls just raised the bar even higher. Welcome to a New Era of Firsts—a landmark moment for Pampanga’s food scene, where the rich traditions of Asian cuisine collide with innovation, sustainability, and premium dining experiences.

This isn’t just a food trend. It’s a culinary revolution—and it starts right here, at SM City Clark and SM City Pampanga. For the first time in the province, three of Asia’s most celebrated flavors—Taiwanese, Japanese, and Thai—are being served with a daring twist through first-to-Pampanga brands: Ninepot, The Matcha Tokyo, and Purple Rice.

Ninepot: Taiwan’s Art of Hot Pot, Perfected

At the heart of SM City Clark’s Tech Hub 2 simmers a pot of destiny—Ninepot, the newest name in elevated Taiwanese hot pot culture. Named after the lucky number "nine," a symbol of fortune in Taiwan, Ninepot brings more than just soup—it brings soul.

In a world where quantity often overshadows quality, Ninepot flips the narrative. This is not your typical unlimited hot pot. Each meticulously curated set meal follows a six-step process, ensuring that flavor and freshness are front and center.

From the umami-rich Taiwan Stone Hot Pot to the comforting Sesame Oil, the delicate Dashi Broth, and the fiery Szechuan Hot Pot, each broth base tells its own story. Guests are treated to a full-course experience—complete with protein, sides, vegetables, dessert, and a rotating weekly special drink. It’s a dining ritual rooted in heritage and finished with flair.

The Matcha Tokyo: Japan’s Green Gold, Now in Pampanga

The global matcha craze finds its premium expression at The Matcha Tokyo, located at the ground level of SM City Clark. But this isn’t just another matcha joint—it’s the authority on authentic, organic matcha straight from Japan.

What makes The Matcha Tokyo a cut above the rest? 100% organic matcha, thoughtfully grown, carefully whisked, and elegantly served. Whether you're a seasoned matcha aficionado or a curious newcomer, the flavors here are profound, earthy, and exquisitely balanced.

Start with their best-selling Organic Matcha Latte, beloved across all global branches. Then take a sip of something closer to home—the exclusive-to-the-Philippines Ube Matcha Latte, where two iconic flavors collide in perfect harmony.

Beyond drinks, The Matcha Tokyo offers matcha-infused pastries, chocolate, snacks, and even pure matcha powder for those looking to take the experience home. It’s a lifestyle, a movement, and now—finally—a local destination.

Purple Rice: Thai Cuisine Reinvented with Filipino Heart

If there’s one place that marries tradition with future-forward food philosophy, it’s Purple Rice at SM City Pampanga. This vibrant culinary space is more than a restaurant—it’s a storytelling platform for Thai heritage, Filipino warmth, and sustainability.

Purple Rice goes beyond green curry and Pad Thai. It reimagines what Thai food can be—introducing dishes like Purple Yam Woon Sen, Khao Soi, and the indulgent Red Angus Beef Curry. And who could forget their show-stopping take on dessert? The Thai Halo-Halo is a cool, colorful celebration of Southeast Asian flavor fusion.

Their use of naturally purple rice isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s symbolic. It represents the blending of traditions, the boldness of reimagining cuisine, and the commitment to eco-conscious ingredients. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared to offer authentic flavor while embracing innovative methods and sustainable practices.

SM Supermalls: Redefining Culinary Culture, One Flavor at a Time

SM Supermalls has long been a hub for shopping, leisure, and entertainment. Now, with the arrival of Ninepot, The Matcha Tokyo, and Purple Rice, it's solidifying its reputation as a culinary destination—one that respects the past while boldly stepping into the future.

This New Era of Firsts is more than just a campaign. It’s a commitment to deliver world-class experiences that are both meaningful and memorable. It’s about connecting communities, elevating tastes, and celebrating diversity—all through the universal language of food.

Whether you’re a Kapampangan foodie with a seasoned palate, a traveler seeking new flavors, or simply someone who appreciates good food done right—there’s something here for you. Because at SM, there’s always something new to enjoy, and always more to share.

Experience Asia like never before—only at SM City Clark and SM City Pampanga.

To discover more first-to-market brands and exclusive dining experiences, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

One Year, One Vision: SM Prime’s Bold March Toward a Waste-Free Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a nation grappling with the staggering weight of over 60,000 metric tons of daily waste, a new chapter has begun—one that could redefine how the Philippines tackles environmental sustainability. In 2024, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) took a decisive leap forward with the launch of its “SM Waste-Free Future” initiative, signaling not just a corporate campaign, but a nationwide movement towards lasting change.

Now, one year in, the results are both inspiring and urgent—a powerful reminder that sustainability is not a luxury, but a responsibility.

The Ground Zero of Green Change

It all began at the iconic SM Mall of Asia. With towering ambition and a clear-eyed focus, SM Prime unveiled its flagship environmental sustainability program aimed at reducing overall waste generation through effective segregation, diversion from landfills, and sustainable disposal practices.

But this wasn’t just a token effort. In just twelve months, the SM Waste-Free Future program expanded across the vast SM Prime ecosystem—malls, residences, office buildings, hotels, convention centers, and estates—nationwide. It was a rapid rollout that few could have imagined, let alone operationalized, but SM Prime did just that.

By integrating waste segregation systems rooted in the RDC model—Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable—SM made waste management simple, visual, and universal. Clear bins with vivid labels now line hallways, food courts, and lobbies, encouraging customers, tenants, and employees alike to “bin it right.”

A Ripple That Became a Wave

The movement didn’t stop at the doorstep of SM Prime. What began as a program soon evolved into a group-wide crusade across the broader SM portfolio. SM Retail deployed RDC bins in all SM Store branches, while SM Markets pushed ahead with its reusable bag system, and Goldilocks Bakeshop followed suit, adopting waste segregation practices across all SM Supermalls where it operates.

The result? A more unified, systematized approach to responsible waste management that transcends business units and verticals. Waste is no longer someone else’s problem—it’s everyone’s mission.

Innovation Meets Impact

SM Prime’s strength lies not just in its scale, but in how it mobilizes that scale for good. From SM Hotels’ textile upcycling program, Tela Tales, which transforms condemned linens into livelihood-generating products for women in partner communities, to SMDC’s partnership with Globe’s Hapag Movement, which rescues surplus food and feeds hungry families—this is sustainability made tangible.

The innovation continues in the digital space. In partnership with PLDT and Smart, SM Supermalls launched an E-Waste Collection Program at Cyberzone locations, offering the public an accessible and responsible way to dispose of electronic gadgets. It’s a small act with a big footprint—one gadget saved from landfill is a win for the planet.

More Than a Campaign—It’s a Culture Shift

To drive deeper change, SM Cares—the social good arm of SM Prime—launched targeted social media and grassroots campaigns designed to engage the youth and inspire long-term behavioral shifts. Most notably, on World Oceans Day, over 5,000 volunteers across 18 SM malls came together to remove more than 30,000 kilograms of waste from Philippine shorelines.

“This isn’t just about clean malls. It’s about cleaner oceans, healthier communities, and a culture that values sustainability at every level,” said Engr. Liza Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance and Program Director of SM Cares for Environment. “Waste-Free Future is more than just a program—it’s a mindset shift. And we’re only getting started.”

A Future Built Together

The message is clear: A waste-free Philippines is no longer a distant dream. With strategic partnerships, widespread adoption, and strong public engagement, SM Prime is building a blueprint not just for business, but for national transformation.

Through every RDC bin placed, every gadget recycled, and every shoreline cleaned, the impact ripples outward—inviting more people, more organizations, and more communities to join in the shared vision.

Because in the end, this isn’t just SM Prime’s journey. It’s everyone’s future.

And that future is waste-free.

About SM Prime:

SM Prime is committed to shaping sustainable and innovative lifestyle cities that elevate quality of life and drive economic growth. As a catalyst for inclusive progress, the company advocates responsible development to create long-term value for Filipino communities.

A Blueprint for the Future: DTI, PRA, SCMAP, and SM Supermalls Launch a Bold Employment Initiative to Transform the Philippine Retail Sector

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

June 16, 2025 — SM City North EDSA became more than just a shopping destination. It transformed into a launchpad for dreams, a marketplace of opportunity, and a symbol of unity among the government, private sector, and the Filipino workforce. On this historic day, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), in partnership with SM Supermalls, unveiled the ambitious and visionary “Section G: Job Blueprint for the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector.”

This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ drive to create a more inclusive, responsive, and resilient employment landscape—especially in one of the nation’s most pivotal sectors: wholesale and retail trade. With over 10 million Filipinos employed in this sector, the blueprint could not have arrived at a more critical time.

More Than a Launch—A Lifeline for the Filipino Worker

At the heart of the event was a two-day job fair—but it was no ordinary hiring event. It was a full-scale mobilization of talent, ambition, and cooperation. Hundreds of job seekers flooded the halls of SM City North EDSA, resumes in hand, hope in their hearts, and determination in their eyes. For many, it wasn’t just about landing a job—it was about regaining dignity, stability, and a chance to build a better future.

Roles in merchandising, warehousing, logistics, and frontline retail were on offer, with member companies from PRA and SCMAP actively recruiting on-site. From fresh graduates eager to take their first professional steps, to seasoned workers displaced by the pandemic and inflation, the event catered to all.

"This is more than just a job fair—it’s a call to action,” declared Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President of Marketing at SM Supermalls. “We are proud to partner with DTI, PRA, and SCMAP in hosting this meaningful initiative that connects people to opportunity and promotes inclusive employment.”

The Power of Collaboration: Government, Business, and Malls Unite

The presence of key industry leaders at the media launch underscored the significance of this joint endeavor. Among those leading the charge were:

DTI Secretary Cristina Roque

DTI Assistant Secretary Engelbert Chua

PRA President Roberto Claudio Sr.

SCMAP President Dennis Llovido

SM Supermalls AVP for Job Fairs Royce Cabunag

Their unified front spoke volumes about the power of cross-sectoral collaboration to address real-world challenges—especially in closing employment gaps and addressing the evolving needs of the modern retail and logistics industries.

Developed after extensive stakeholder consultations, the Section G Job Blueprint provides a strategic roadmap for future workforce reforms. It identifies skill gaps, forecasts labor trends, and recommends training and employment solutions aligned with current and future demands of the retail and supply chain ecosystem.

SM Supermalls: Championing Economic Recovery, One Job at a Time

With its nationwide presence and deep community roots, SM Supermalls has long been a catalyst for grassroots transformation. Hosting the job fair was not a mere gesture—it was a reflection of the mall giant’s larger commitment to nation-building and sustainable development.

Through programs that empower micro-, small-, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), champion career mobility, and enable community entrepreneurship, SM continues to redefine what it means to be a business for the people.

“SM is not just about retail—it’s about relationships,” said a participant from a logistics firm at the event. “And today, we’re building relationships that could change lives.”

A Stronger Retail Trade Sector on the Horizon

As the dust settles and resumes are exchanged for employment contracts, one thing becomes crystal clear: the launch of Section G is just the beginning.

With its actionable recommendations and sector-specific focus, the blueprint is poised to serve as the backbone of future reforms in trade employment. It is an acknowledgment that retail is not just about selling goods—it’s about sustaining livelihoods, fueling economies, and empowering people.

And for the thousands of Filipinos who left the job fair with newfound purpose and a promise of employment, this was not just another government program.

It was a life-changing blueprint.

About SM Supermalls Job Fairs

As a key division of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., SM Supermalls leads not only in mall development but also in community upliftment. Its job fairs are more than corporate social responsibility—they are engines of opportunity that bridge the gap between job seekers and inclusive economic growth. Through these platforms, SM continues to prove that malls can be more than commercial spaces—they can be gateways to hope.

From Vision to Action: The Road Ahead

With Section G now in motion, the real work begins—training, hiring, scaling, and adapting to future challenges. But with partnerships like this and a clear path ahead, the Philippines’ retail and supply chain sectors are poised not just to recover—but to thrive.

Indeed, the future of Philippine employment just got a powerful new roadmap—and it’s signed, sealed, and launched by those who believe that every Filipino deserves a fair shot at a better life.