SM Supermalls turns bottled water sales into classrooms

SM Supermalls has teamed up with social enterprise HOPE and the department of education of the Philippines to convert bottled water sales into real infrastructure for public schools. Through the Generation Hope campaign, launched on 26 May 2025 at SM Aura, every bottle of SM-branded water sold will help fund the construction of ten new classrooms across the Philippines.

“At SM, we believe that investing in education is investing in the future,” said Steven Tan (pictured, right), president of SM Supermalls. “Through this partnership, we hope to empower the next generation of Filipino students by creating safe, inclusive spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive.”

The initiative brings together a coalition of brands - BDO, Grab, Penshoppe, Carmen’s Best, Aivee, and Sunnies - all lending their platforms to address the country’s classroom shortage.

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“We are grateful to our partners for joining us in turning everyday actions - like buying bottled water - into lasting change,” said Nanette Medved-Po (pictured, left), founder of HOPE.

This continues a recent shift in how SM engages with social impact - embedding cause-driven behaviour into a common consumer act. The campaign builds on the SM Foundation’s long track record in education, which includes 374 classrooms built across 110 schools to date. 

“Generation Hope is a reflection of our commitment to make quality education accessible to all,” said education secretary Sonny Angara.

Beyond educational efforts, SM Cares also continues to champion inclusivity. Over 40,000 advocates and families gathered at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the 2025 ASP Angels Walk for Autism, the largest assembly of autism advocates in the country this year.

The event celebrated SM Supermalls’ 40th anniversary and featured performances by individuals on the autism spectrum, celebrity appearances, and the presentation of the HTS Leadership Award to Senator Risa Hontiveros for her work in promoting inclusion.

SM Cares will also mobilise thousands of volunteers for a nationwide coastal cleanup on 7 June to mark World Oceans Day, in line with the 2025 theme, “WONDER: Sustaining What Sustains Us.” The activity is part of SM’s broader sustainability agenda, which includes plastic waste reduction, recycling markets, and e-waste disposal programmes.

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