COMELEC and SM Supermalls Forge New Covenant for Accessible Democracy!

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Landmark Partnership Renewed for 2026 Barangay & SK Elections

Manila, Philippines – The spirit of democratic participation is set to soar to new heights as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and SM Supermalls formally renewed their groundbreaking partnership on December 2. This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) cements the commitment of both institutions to implement the Voter Registration Program and Mall Voting for the upcoming 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

A Milestone for Modernized Voting

The signing ceremony, held at the COMELEC Office in Intramuros, Manila, marked a crucial milestone in the shared mission to make essential voter services more accessible, safer, and more convenient for millions of Filipinos across the nation.

The renewed partnership was formally sealed by key officials:

COMELEC: Chairman George Garcia and Commissioner Rey E. Bulay.

SM Supermalls: Vice President for Mall Operations Junias Eusebio and Assistant Vice President Royston Cabunag.

Exponential Growth: From Six to Twenty Malls

In his message, SM Supermalls Vice President for Mall Operations, Mr. Junias Eusebio, highlighted the impressive growth of the Mall Voting Program, which demonstrates the public's overwhelming confidence in the initiative:

2023 BSKE: Six participating malls.

2025 National and Local Elections: Successfully expanded to 20 malls.

The expansion is continuing, with 23 SM malls already scheduled to serve as voter registration sites—a figure that is the most nationwide—with more locations expected to be added through May 2026.

“These numbers reflect not just steady expansion, but the public’s overwhelming preference for organized, secure, and accessible venues where they can register and exercise their right to vote,” said Mr. Eusebio.

Bringing Service Closer to the People

The choice of SM malls as venues is strategic, as it offers a comfortable, well-lit, and highly accessible environment that particularly benefits vulnerable sectors:

Senior citizens 

Persons with disabilities 

Pregnant voters 

First-time youth voters 

COMELEC officials expressed deep appreciation for SM Supermalls’ continued support, recognizing how mall-based services significantly benefit these voters.

“This partnership proves that when the public and private sectors work hand in hand, we can modernize the voting experience and strengthen our democratic participation.” 

Public Engagement Takes Center Stage

The timing of this renewed agreement is opportune, coinciding with a surge in public participation:

During the special registration in August 2025, 47 sites across the country opened their doors to voters.

An extraordinary over 2.8 million Filipinos have already registered in just the last 10 days, demonstrating strong public interest early in the electoral cycle.

Through this ongoing partnership, selected SM malls will continue to provide easy venues for both voter registration and actual voting, leading to a higher voter turnout and an overall better election experience for communities nationwide. It underscores a shared mission to empower every Filipino to participate fully in the country’s democratic processes.

The Dawn of a New Era: Metro Manila's Best New Finds Await at SM Supermalls

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Metro Manila pulses with choice, and this season, SM Supermalls is igniting a "New Era" with captivating openings that promise to transform your lifestyle and fashion. Forget the ordinary; a bold new era full of evolving finds has arrived, thoughtfully curated to bring fresh styles, unique experiences, and everyday essentials designed for the dynamic Manileño shopper. It’s a space that adapts and grows with you, proving once again that SM truly has it all.

Step into Your Stride: Performance Meets Premium Style

Ready to conquer your day in impeccable style? SM Supermalls has curated picks for footwear and apparel that seamlessly blend premium comfort, high-level performance, and sharp design.

REV*: Making its highly-anticipated Philippine debut on the 2nd Level of S Maison, REV* is built for movement and designed to look exceptional. Their pieces mix sharp design with all-day comfort, making them perfect for any activity, from competitive marathons to casual coffee runs. It's fashion that never misses a beat, keeping your style perfectly on point.

FitFlop: Get ready to take a walk on the supremely comfy side! Located at the 2nd Level, Building A of SM Megamall, FitFlop ensures every pair keeps your steps light and your style effortless. Offering everything from sleek sandals to sporty sneakers, they have what you need to keep moving all day without a single fashion faux pas.

Looks that Speak Volumes: Refresh Your Wardrobe

Your fashion should tell your story. Refresh your wardrobe with pieces—from minimalist everyday essentials to romantic, statement styles—made to fit every mood and moment.

Beyond the Vines: Find the ultimate blend of minimalist design, functionality, and effortless cool at Beyond the Vines, located at the 2nd Level, Building A of SM Megamall. Their pieces, from roomy carryalls to sleek crossbodies, are crafted to complement your style while keeping up with the demands of your day. This is the kind of practicality that makes every outfit feel truly complete.

Ever New: Bringing a touch of romance to your wardrobe, Ever New at the 2nd Level of SM Aura features styles made for life's most picture-perfect moments. Think flowing dresses, chic coordinates, and polished staples that are just right for celebrations, big or small. It's your essential go-to for outfits that make every moment feel like a grand occasion.

A Touch of Timeless: Heirloom-Worthy Luxury

While trends are fleeting, some pieces are destined to outlast every season.

Tessera: Located on the 3rd Level of SM Podium, Tessera is a fine jewelry brand chosen for its ability to make every moment unforgettable. Tessera offers both heirloom-worthy classics and fresh, contemporary styles. Their designs pair effortlessly with a crisp white shirt or elegant evening wear, ensuring each piece brings a touch of luxury to your everyday and makes your milestones truly memorable. Because true style isn't just worn—it's remembered.

Life in Every Angle: Capture the Experience

Some moments demand more than just a quick snap; they deserve to be remembered exactly as they happened.

Insta360: With Insta360 at SM Aura, you gain the power to capture life in all its dimensions. From wide-open landscapes to up-close details, all in stunning clarity, every shot is a chance to tell your story from a fresh perspective. Whether you're chasing new adventures or simply documenting the everyday, the best memories aren't just kept—they’re experienced again and again.

Find your next go-to piece among Metro Manila's newest fashion and lifestyle finds to mix things up this season. From fresh fits to exciting gadgets, these hot picks are made to keep pace with your mood, style, and momentum, welcoming you into the #NewEraOfSMSupermalls.

Rising to the Challenge: SM City La Union Fights Climate Change with Climate-Smart Infrastructure

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

As climate change continues to drive heavier rains and more frequent floods across the Philippines, the need for proactive flood prevention has never been more critical in building resilient communities. Standing as a new beacon of climate-smart development, SM City La Union is tackling this challenge head-on by launching a powerful new defense against the rising waters: a massive rainwater catchment system.

This newly opened mall is now the 30th SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) property to feature this essential climate-resilient infrastructure.

A Bulwark Against the Flood

The primary purpose of SM Supermalls' catchment facilities is to collect and store large volumes of stormwater, effectively preventing the uncontrolled runoff that can quickly overwhelm local drainage networks.

The system is designed to temporarily hold stormwater during heavy rainfall.

This storage allows for the water to be discharged gradually through proper channels, mitigating flood risk.

Collectively, the underground rainwater catchment system at SM City La Union boasts a total capacity of 760 cubic meters.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan emphasized the profound importance of these installations: “Our rainwater catchment systems go beyond flood control — they help create safer spaces for our communities. We hope to show how climate-smart infrastructure and innovation can protect lives, livelihoods, and progress”.

Water for Tomorrow: A Sustainable Vision

SM Prime’s commitment to climate resilience extends beyond flood mitigation, weaving into a comprehensive strategy for sustainable water use. By focusing on managing available resources, the company aims to meet the needs of future generations.

A key part of this vision, dubbed Water for Tomorrow, involves the treating and reusing of water as a supplemental source, which significantly decreases freshwater consumption. The results of these efforts are compelling:

In 2024, SM Prime achieved a 26.23% increase in recycled water volume.

The volume rose dramatically from 4.42 million cubic meters in 2023 to 5.59 million cubic meters.

Empowering Community Action

Physical infrastructure is only one part of the solution; social resilience is equally important. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares empowers the public by raising awareness on water conservation and promoting the adoption of sustainable practices in daily life.

SM Prime’s dedication to sustainability is championed through the SM Green Movement, which focuses on waste management, water stewardship, and energy efficiency for lasting impact. The movement empowers Filipinos—individuals, families, and communities—to take part in simple acts that create shared prosperity for generations to come.

Every design decision, every drop of stored water, and every community initiative contributes to a safer, more sustainable future for all. SM City La Union is not just a mall; it is a powerful demonstration of how business innovation protects communities in the face of a changing climate.