FEATURES

The highly anticipated annual festival ‘MOA Night of Lights’ returns for its third edition at the SM Mall of Asia. This year’s holiday spectacle has a lot of surprises as customers explore a trail of wonder and enchantment with the brightest sights, twinkling lights, and immersive attractions all in one area for FREE.

Taking place on a massive newly opened area at the top of the mall located at Level 3, South Entertainment Mall, the larger-than-life installations will bring a magical experience and spread holiday cheer to all kids and kids-at-heart starting November 16 until January 7, 2024, 5:30PM until the mall closes.

This year, visitors will be able to explore different pop-themed areas, all made possible with over 3 million lights with music.

Jingle Bell Swings

Step into the world where joy takes flight on Christmas-themed gift box swings adorned with enchanting lights. These whimsical swings are a festive spectacle, wrapped in vibrant holiday hues and tied with glittering bows.

Christmas Tunnel of Lights

One of the main attractions of the Christmas illumination park is the programmable tunnel of lights, a breathtaking spectacle designed to transport customers into a realm of wonder. As you stroll through, the tunnel comes alive with synchronized lights that twinkle and swirl in harmony with the festive spirit.

Field of Holiday Lights

Be in awe of the Field of Holiday Lights, where the night comes alive in a breathtaking display of bright lights. Step into a dazzling dreamscape with each light a flicker of holiday magic, turning the ordinary into an extraordinary display of festive brilliance.

Holly Jolly Station

Welcome to Santa’s Pop Wonderland – a vibrant and energetic zone filled with eye-catching giant candy canes, colorful gift boxes, brightly-lit trees and dazzling neon lights. This magical area will spark the imagination and fill hearts with wonder, inviting visitors of all ages to explore and discover the magic hidden within each corner.

Magical Glow Globes

Step onto the enchanted grounds, walk through a kaleidoscope of Christmas joy and let the Magical Glow Globes light up your night as we transform your surroundings into a whimsical realm of excitement.

Merry Melodies

MOA takes you on a musical journey as you sing along and belt it all out to the festive songs and holiday tunes as you walk through the Merry Melodies wall.

And that’s not all, standing tall and proud at the heart of the park is a majestic towering Christmas Tree, its branches adorned with an abundance of ornaments, shimmering lights, and bright sparkles. The tree serves as the focal point, radiating a warm and festive energy that captivates all who behold it. 

Experience the mesmerizing MOA Night of Lights Park atop the mall, where every corner brings forth the magic of the season. Wander through a dazzling tunnel of lights, immersed in the magic of the season with festive Christmas elements, creating a truly enchanting spectacle for all. 

The MOA Night of Lights Christmas Park is a place where the spirit of the season comes alive in a symphony of lights, laughter, and holiday cheer.

#MOANightofLights

#MOAChristmasAllStars

#HappiestChristmasatSM

With Christmas just around the corner, the Thanksgiving weekend is a time to give thanks by spending a hearty week-long feast with your loved ones at SM Supermalls with these amazing offerings. 

Say a little Thanksgiving prayer for your loved ones

Because it’s Thanksgiving, pause and reflect on the blessings of the past year. On November 26th, SM will be bringing its whole community together to offer thanks for all the blessings received throughout the year in a special Thanksgiving Holy Mass. 

Share a Thanksgiving Roast with the family

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without mouthwatering roast chicken, crispy pata, and lechon platters adorned with plenty of side dishes that will surely treat your taste buds. From November 19 to 26, let SM Supermalls indulge you in a Thanksgiving Roasts Dining Feast and experience a delectable selection of roasted goodness. 

Savor National Thank You Day with special treats

Say ‘Thank You’ to your loved ones with a special treat from McDonald’s and SM Supermalls! On November 23rd– a day dedicated to expressing gratitude– head over to McDonald’s stores in SM malls and discover exclusive Thanksgiving instant upsize or BOGO (Buy One, Get One) offers. 

Friendsgiving is extra special with these party bundles

Make your next dine-out with the squad extra memorable with these Friendsgiving Feast Party Bundles at SM. Perfect for sharing with your best pals. At SM, Thanksgiving is not just about family; it’s also about cherishing treasured bonds with friends. 

Create cherished photos at the Thanksgiving Photo Spots

Create core thanksgiving memories with your loved ones at SM Supermalls’ Thanksgiving Photo Spots. These spots are adorned with fun and playful Thanksgiving party-themed décor, featuring F.R.I.E.N.D.S-inspired props and balloon arc decorations. Fill your IG or your #FYPs with these snaps and share your gratitude with the world!

Thanksgiving is such a perfect time to not just count your blessings, but also create beautiful memories with your loved ones. So, gather your family and friends, head to your nearest SM mall, and experience a heartwarming Thanksgiving celebration filled with love, laughter, and treasured family moments! 

To know more about SM Supermalls’ Thanksgiving activities, visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @SMSupermalls on social media. 

SM Megamall has partnered with Peanuts Worldwide to bring Snoopy and friends to life through a unique and interactive exhibit. The exhibit will feature the first-ever biggest and largest inflatable in the Philippines. SM Megamall invites everyone to a year-long Mega Adventure with the beloved Peanuts gang starting November 17.

Hit the road to fun and excitement by visiting the Snoopy Mega Adventure Tunnel located at the Event Center, Mega A. Present any Php 1,000 single receipt purchase from SM Megamall, SM Center Shaw, or SM Center Pasig at the exhibit entrance to get two passes to enter. Valid receipts are those dated from November 17, 2023 to January 6, 2024. 

At the Snoopy Mega Adventure exhibition, you can experience an extraordinary 360 degrees’ immersive journey of four seasons with Snoopy and friends through a multimedia display of Snoopy’s Comic Strips with whimsical bursts of colors – cool tones for winter, bright pastels for spring, bright and vivid shades for summer, and earthy tones for fall. In addition, you can also bring home Snoopy collectibles and merchandise from our partner MINISO at the end of the exhibit. 

The nostalgic mega-adventure gets even more exciting as SM Megamall installs a camera-worthy, larger-than-life Snoopy Inflatable at the rooftop of Mega Fashion Hall to warm the hearts of the young and the young-at-heart. The 50ft gigantic Snoopy will be on display from November 17, 2023, until December 31, 2024.

The Snoopy fever does not stop there. Fur-parents will also be thrilled as SM Megamall’s Paw Park, located at the 5th Level Mega Fashion Hall gets a Snoopy revamp starting December 2023.

Since his debut in the 1950s in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, Snoopy continues to delight and inspire people of all ages, so don’t miss out on the fun, visit SM Megamall today.

Follow @smmegamall on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more exciting updates. 

Panahon na naman ng Kapaskuhan. Marami na namang mga bata ang uutusan ng kanilang mga magulang na mag-bless sa kanilang mga ninong at ninang para mabigyan ng aguinaldo.

Hindi na bago sa kultura nating mga Pilipino ang pagmamano. Ngunit pansin mo rin bang hindi na ito masyadong laganap ngayon, maliban na lang tuwing Kapaskuhan?

Bahagi ng kultura at kaugalian nating mga Pilipino ang pagmamano. Mula ang salitang mano sa Spanish word na kamay. Sa madaling salita, ang literal translation ng mano po ay “kamay mo po.”

Sa pamamagitan ng paghingi ng kamay ng mas nakatatanda at pagdampi nito sa noo natin, naipakikita na ang respeto, paggalang, at pagmamahal natin sa kanila.

Ayon kay Emmanuel Abalos ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, walang ibang kultura sa Asya, Europa, o kahit sa Amerika ang gumagawa ng ganitong klaseng gesture bilang pagbigay ng paggalang sa mga nakatatanda.

Mula pagkabata, tinuturuan na ang mga Pilipino na irespeto ang mga matatanda—kapamilya man o hindi. Unfortunately, hindi na ito common sa panahon ngayon. Isa sa mga dahilan nito ang paglaganap ng teknolohiya at globalisasyon kung saan naiimpluwensyahan ang kaugalian ng mga kabataan. Isa rin sa mga dahilan ay ang pagka-busy ng mga magulang kaya hindi na nila consistent na natuturuang magmano ang kanilang mga anak.

Nagbabago man ang panahon, mahalaga pa ring ituro sa mga kabataan ang pagmamano, hindi lang tuwing Pasko kundi sa pang-araw araw na buhay, upang mapanatili ang tradisyon at kultura natin. Sa pagmamano, matututo ang mga kabataan maging magalang at mapagkumbaba.

Hindi lang isang simpleng tradisyon ang pagmamano, kundi isang paraan upang lumaking mabuti at marespeto ang isang tao. Kaya naman, huwag nating putulin ang kahanga-hangang tradisyong ito. Huwag mag-bless dahil may kapalit. Mag-bless dahil sumasalamin ito sa pagkatao mo.

Kaya ikaw, nagmano ka na ba?

At the Pre-COP28 gathering in Abu Dhabi, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) underscored the need for heightened collaboration on nature-based solutions to tackle the climate action gap. CCC Commissioner Rachel Anne Herrera emphasized the pivotal role of carbon sequestration in nature’s contribution to reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.

“Ecosystems, like forests and wetlands, function as crucial carbon reservoirs, sequestering carbon and serving as protective buffers against increasingly perilous storm surges due to rising sea levels. They also act as sanctuaries for fish spawning, ensuring food security. Recognizing and valuing these ecosystem services could generate financial flows through carbon and biodiversity credit systems, effectively managing climate risks on both local and global scales,” Commissioner Herrera explained.

The Philippines is taking strides toward sustainable development by establishing a geospatial database to support a new system of natural capital accounting, acknowledging the genuine economic and social contributions of its ecosystems.

Within the National Adaptation Plan, a comprehensive strategy outlining the country’s climate change challenges, the scaling up of nature-based solutions is highlighted as a key adaptation measure. To gauge progress, the Philippines advocates for standardized metrics and Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for nature-based solutions, underpinned by rigorous scientific research, data transparency, and accessibility to assess their performance and impact.

Commissioner Herrera concluded by stressing the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of human, natural, and engineered systems to collectively instigate transformative change and close the climate action gap by 2030.

The pivotal event, “Accelerating Collaboration on Nature to Close the Climate Action Gap to 2030,” hosted in Abu Dhabi from October 30-31, was presided over by UN Climate Change High-Level Champion H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, who also serves as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Philippine Delegation to the event, led by Ambassador H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver and featuring officials such as DENR Secretary and Official Representative of the CCC Chairperson Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, DENR Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh, and Commissioner Herrera, actively participated in discussions aimed at fostering global collaboration on nature-based solutions.

SM Store and Mastercard are teaming up again for an exciting partnership that will uplift the learning experience of select public schools in the country.

In partnership with SM Foundation, four (4) public schools, across the country, will be equipped with 20 computer desktop sets and LCD TVs, providing students with the proper tools for their digital learning activities, collaboration and training. These partner-schools are Tuba Central Elementary School in Baguio (Northern Luzon), Lemery Pilot School in Batangas (Southern Luzon), Efraim Santibanez National High School in Ilo-Ilo (Visayas), and Macasandig Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao).

Through continuous collaboration, the vision to provide students an accessible and modern approach to learning is a dream within reach. From November 10-12, 2023, customers of SM Store will be given the opportunity to take part in this noble initiative by shopping using their Mastercard. For every P3,000 minimum single-receipt spent at any SM Store, P100 will be donated to SM Foundation. These donations will directly contribute to the creation of digital learning hubs in different provinces within the country.

Visit your favorite SM Store from November 10-12, 2023, and use your Mastercard and be an instrument into building progressive learning facilities for Filipino students. SM Store and Mastercard invite everyone to partake in this initiative that provides tools and equipment that may help improve the digital learning experience. Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-178682 Series of 2023.

Balik sigla na ang mga negosyo sa Lungsod ng San Juan.

Binigyang-diin ito ni San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora matapos pangunahan ang pagbubukas ng GH Greenhills Night Market bilang hudyat nang pagsisimula ng Christmas festivities sa lungsod.

Ipinabatid ni Mayor Zamora na mula 6,900 companies nuong isang taon ang naitala nila sa ngayon nasa 7, 100 businesses ang nasa Lungsod ng San Juan.

Kaya naman, sinabi ni Mayor Zamora na responsibilidad niyang tiyakin ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng lahat partikular ng mga bibisita sa kanilang lungsod.

Globe has recorded its highest Mobile revenue market share (RMS) since Q3 2019, consistently holding revenue leadership with 54.9% by the end of Q3 2023. This sustains its Mobile RMS supremacy since the fourth quarter of 2016, with the margin steadily growing this year.

 Its RMS at the close of September represents a 0.3% rise from Q2 2023, increasing on the back of higher data use and ARPU, as Globe’s subscriber base showed more consistent activity following SIM Registration.

“Globe continues to lead where it matters. This year, our revenue market share has been consistently growing quarter on quarter, and Mobile continues to gain with higher quality acquisitions and more active loaders using our services for longer periods,” said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

Globe’s current subscriber count is 54.7 million, representing an addition of 1 million newly acquired users from its total 53.7 million by end July 2023, the deadline for registration of existing SIMs. It had deactivated 30 million inactive SIMs following the SIM registration process.

“We have always looked at RMS as the most important metric of Mobile leadership. As we near the close of 2023, we are proud to have sustained our edge in the last seven years,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.

Globe’s mobile service revenues from July to September 2023 was at PHP28.4 billion, a 7% increase from the same period in 2022 at PHP26.5 billion. Meanwhile, year-to-date mobile revenue growth (January to September 2023) was at a record-high PHP83.2 billion, a notable 3% increase from PHP80.6 billion in the same period last year.

Globe attributes this to consistently rising demand for mobile data usage, with its diverse and affordable offerings keeping the prepaid market vigorous. 

From a product standpoint, mobile data peaked this year at PHP67.0 billion by the end of September, a hike of 7% from PHP62.5 billion in the same period last year. This was driven by the surge in mobile data traffic to 4,360 petabytes, soaring from 3,365 petabytes in Q3 2022. 

Post the SIM registration, ARPU also improved for Globe’s Prepaid and TM brands. For Globe Prepaid, it registered a 25% increase by Q3 2023 compared to the same period last year, and the same level of increase compared to the last quarter. TM, meanwhile, logged a 35% increase in ARPU year-on-year by end September 2023, and a 28% improvement compared to Q2 of this year.

“We are encouraged by these consistently improving numbers to drive harder and provide best-in-class value-for-money services for our customers,” Delgado said.

To learn more about Globe’s Mobile offerings, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

The Felicidad T. Sy Foundation (FTSFI), an affiliate of SM Foundation dedicated to
promoting Catholic living and supporting various initiatives within the community, has
recently rekindled its Sacristy Upkeep & Floral Art in the Service of the Liturgy.

The project aims to enhance the knowledge of religious heads and facilitate the proper
care of religious vessels while creating appropriate floral arrangements for different
church seasons.

Temporarily halted during the pandemic, it has helped transform some churches and
SM Malls with chapels into sacred places for worship for shoppers, tenants, and other
clients.

The project's revival has brought renewed vigor to the training sessions, providing
participants with the essential skills and knowledge to enhance the liturgical experience
for the faithful. FTSFI has also held spiritual recollections, lector’s formations, lector’s
renewal, and various learning sessions to enrich the Catholic faith.

Deepening faith, finding life’s work

Karen Cruz, a supervisor from SM City Fairview is one of the many employees joining
FTSFI’s learning sessions. She joined the religious committee of the SM group in 2006,
which paved for a deeper faith and commitment to the Lord.

“For 17 years now, being a member of the religious committee is one of my biggest
achievements as an SM employee. Beyond all the blessings and answered prayers, I
was able to learn about different floral arrangements based on the Liturgical Celebration
and other proper preparations for the Eucharistic Celebrations held at SM,” she said.

“Floral arrangements go beyond design; they symbolize spiritual joy while honoring
God,” she added. “Through the activities of FTSFI and being part of this ministry has
improved my spiritual life. It allowed me to find my mission.  This year, I became a
member of the lector-commentator ministry in our parish.”

Karen Cruz assists during the 7 th Kasalan sa SM, another project of FTSFI.
SM employees observe as Sr. M. Ruth Nardo, PDDM leads the lectures on
Floral Art at the Service of Liturgy.

(from left) Sr. M. Ruth Nardo and Sr. M. Cecilia Payawal share their passion for
floral arrangement in one of FTSFI’s Sacristy Upkeep & Floral Art of the Liturgy project.

SM employees apply their learnings and create their own floral arrangements.
Karen Cruz, an SM employee from SM City Fairview (sixth from left), snaps a

photo after completing their floral arrangement learning session.

Karen proudly shows their floral arrangement output of SM employees

Inspired by FTSFI’s work, Karen now serves at her local parish as a

member of the lector-commentator ministry.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe and top universal bank Security Bank have
signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to further boost cybersecurity
initiatives to address the rising volume and complexity of financial crimes in the
country.
The agreement aims to enhance the joint capability of Globe and Security Bank to
fight financial crime and identity theft and to work together in fraud investigations,
in compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations by both the National Privacy
Commission (NPC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
This two-year agreement will enable Globe, one of the country’s largest
telecommunications companies, and Security Bank, one of the country’s best
capitalized private domestic universal banks, to share data for fraud prevention and
investigation.
“Partnering with banks and financial institutions has greatly enhanced our fraud
prevention, detection, and investigation efforts, leading to better customer
protection. In the first half of the year, we have seen a dramatic 46% year-on-year
decline in the volume of bank-related scam and spam messages blocked in our
network, indicating that our efforts are making headway,” said Atty. Irish
Salandanan-Almeida, Globe Chief Privacy Officer.
“We are proud and excited to have Security Bank as our latest partner in our
continuing fight against online fraud. As our network of partners grows bigger, we
are able to stop more fraud attempts and expand our protection to more
customers,” she added.
“An integral part of the BetterBanking promise we make to our customers is the
safety and security of their personal and financial information when transacting. This
holds especially true now given current fraud trends and increased adoption of
digital payment channels,” said Albert dela Cruz, Chief Information Security Officer at
Security Bank.
“Our partnership with Globe will help us secure the data of our clients and ensure
they enjoy seamless, safe, and smooth digital payment experiences. This is one of our
main initiatives towards driving the bank to be the most customer-centric bank in
the Philippines,” dela Cruz added.
The disclosure of personal information for purposes of fraud investigation is allowed
under Section 12 (f) of the Data Privacy Act, per NPC Advisory Opinion No. 2021-026.

Further, BSP Memorandum No. M-2021-059 advised BSP Supervised Financial
Institutions to cooperate and share relevant information.
Globe has been partnering with all major commercial banks and online retailers to
provide a direct and round-the-clock communication channel to report any
malicious or fraudulent activities for immediate investigation or blocking.
In August last year, Globe inked an agreement with the Bankers Association of the
Philippines (BAP) to establish a framework of cooperation for the sharing of data and
intelligence for fraud prevention and investigation. The agreement with the
organization, which has 45 major banks as members, aims to address the rising
volume and complexity of financial crimes, identity theft, phishing, spam messages
and other forms of fraud severely affecting Filipino consumers.
Last March, Globe also signed separate agreements with the Rizal Commercial
Banking Corp. (RCBC) and consumer finance firm Home Credit as part of its
commitment to fight spam and scams.
In 2014, Globe embarked on a mission to enhance its cybersecurity, fortifying its
defenses against potential threats to its infrastructure and ensuring the safety of its
customers.
The company has invested approximately $20 million in bolstering its SMS detection
and blocking mechanisms against spam and scam SMS. This effort is supported by a
dedicated 24/7 security operations center, ensuring swift detection and response to
any breaches or attacks. It has also launched various initiatives to address growing
threats brought about by spam and scam SMS, including the #StopSPAM portal,
where customers may report these unwanted messages.
Since the heightened collaboration with banks and online retailers, latest data shows
the number of bank-related scam and spam messages in the first half of the year
dropped by 46.5 percent to 4.85 million from 9.06 million in the same period last
year.
In the second quarter alone, the figure went down to 779,254 from the 5.1 million
reported in the same quarter last year.
Unscrupulous persons and organizations often utilize scam and spam messages to
extract personal information from mobile users. Once in possession of this data,
cybercriminals can hijack online accounts and drain funds from the victims' bank or
e-wallet accounts.
Globe is strongly supporting the efforts of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to
convert 50 percent of total retail transactions in the country to electronic channels

and increase the number of banked Filipino adults to 70 percent under its Digital
Payments Transformation Roadmap.
Meanwhile, Security Bank proactively works with organizations such as the Bankers
Association of the Philippines (BAP) and the Bank Association of the Philippines
(BMAP) to spread awareness on fraud, cybersecurity, and online safety to its
customers and the general banking public.
To learn more about Security Bank, visit www.securitybank.com. To know more
about Globe, check out www.globe.com.ph, respectively.

###

About Globe
Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines and publicly
listed in the PSE with the stock symbol GLO. The company serves the telecommunications
and technology needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and
services including mobile, fixed, broadband, data connectivity, internet and managed
services. It has major interests in financial technology, digital marketing solutions, venture
capital funding for startups, and virtual healthcare. In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the
United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability
principles. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singtel, acknowledged industry leaders
in the country and in the region.
About Security Bank
Established in 1951, Security Bank is one of the Philippines' leading universal banks, and is
publicly listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE:SECB) in 1995. The Bank's major
businesses cover retail, corporate, commercial, and business banking, offering a wide range
of services including financing, leasing, foreign exchange, stock brokerage, investment
banking, and asset management.
Security Bank differentiates itself from competition as a strong, independent, domestic
bank with a global reach. The Bank provides superior customer experience in line with its
brand promise of BetterBanking, stemming from an in-depth understanding of customers'
needs and providing solutions in a professional, problem-free, personalized and prompt
manner. With the Bank's strategic partnership with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG),
the largest financial group in Japan, it is also able to provide customers access to an
extensive global network.
The Bank has been recognized by international and local organizations for its continuous
product innovation, market leadership, and best-in-class management practices.

For more information, please contact:
For Globe:
Yoly C. Crisanto
Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer
Globe Group
Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph
Globe Press Room: https:/ www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom.html
Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: http:/ www.facebook.com/globeph
For Security Bank:
Tanya Ansaldo-Deakin
Corporate Communications and Brand Division Head
+63 920 901 7900; TDeakin@securitybank.com.ph