These are the statements SM Supermalls is sharing with the youth through the introduction of its new line of SM Eco Bags. The four simple philosophies are the main designs in the reusable bags and intend to inspire a life change among the younger generations.
The bags launched simultaneously in all SM Supermalls nationwide on the 6th of August, with the SM Megamall Mega A Event Center as the main venue which gathered a mix of business, government, and NGO officials, plus students ranging from grade school all the way to college level.
The day began with Ms. Annie S. Garcia, President of SM Supermalls who introduced the new SM Eco Bags as the latest milestone. She enjoined the youth to take a stand in protecting the environment by “adapting the lifestyle of recycling,” which is why the eco-friendly bags were created. Her speech led into the a video of Mr. Hans T. Sy, President of SM Primeholdings, Inc. and head of SM Cares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm whose environment program includes continuing projects that involve the protection of land, energy, water, and air. Other recent projects of SM Cares include the Green Film Festival, which featured movies and documentaries to raise awareness about global warming and climate change, as well as the visit of former US President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Al Gore.
Following this was a video of the new SM Eco Bags, which featured students getting into the spirit of things by eagerly participating in the preparations for the event: the transformation of the venue into a lush, green oasis was due to their valuable help.
The youth also took centerstage in the program, with eight schools presenting their own interpretations for Renew (DLSU’s Harlequin Theater Guild and FEU’s Art Theater Clinic), Spark (PUP’s Sining Lahi Theater Guild and San Beda’s Bedan Ecological Society Group), Flow (Miriam’s Teatro Kolehiyo ng Miriam and the Adamson University Biology Society), and Breathe (UA&P’s Dulaang Rock Opera Company and San Sebastian’s Theater Arts Guild). It was proceeded by a performance by the internationally-acclaimed Mandaluyong Children’s Choir and inspiring speeches by the event’s special guests, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos, and Senator Loren Legarda, who credited SM for its commitment to involving the youth in helping shape the environment.
SM Supermalls introduced its first line of reusable bags over one year ago to give shoppers an alternative to plastic grocery bags. Paintings by prominent Filipino artist Manuel D. Baldemor were printed on the bags and were an astounding success with close to 1.5 million sold. The popularity of the bags even spanned borders, and can still be spotted in many other countries around the world such as Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and in cities across the USA and Asia.
The hip, new bags can now be purchased for just P35.00 in all SM Supermalls nationwide. The polypropylene material is even durable enough to last up to two years of weekly use, so the youth can show off their support to save the earth anywhere they go. And while making a stylish statement, they really will be helping out, as a portion of the proceeds from every bag purchased will be for the benefit of an environmental cause.
