In accounting, a balance that cannot be settled in one period moves to the next, and it stays on the books until someone closes it. Robert C. Toledano Jr. grew up with a balance like that. His mother dreamed of becoming a certified public accountant, but financial hardship kept her from taking the board exam. … Continued

Now a Science teacher, Niño Carl Parado pays his opportunities forward by guiding the next generation of learners. In many Filipino families, a college diploma is a shared achievement. It carries years of sacrifice, late-night side hustles, scholarship applications, and the constant support of family members who gave whatever they could.  Behind every effort is … Continued

A teenager gathers the courage to seek confidential guidance on a personal health question. An expectant mother prepares to give birth without fearing a hazardous trek down a mountain. An elderly resident longs for basic medical attention provided with warmth and respect. These real-life experiences reflect the healthcare needs of Filipino communities and the people … Continued

Rohan Ardiente with his parents at CIT-U, in front of a wall of gold plaques honoring the university’s achievers. His mother first introduced him to the SM College Scholarship Program by applying on his behalf, helping open doors to his engineering education. (Photo courtesy of CIT-U) SM Scholar Rohan Ardiente from Cebu City topped the … Continued

A child and an older adult share a light moment inside the Barugo Municipal Hospital Wellness Hub, where pediatric and geriatric patients are welcomed in the same community space. The intergenerational setup reflects the facility’s aim of making care more personal, comfortable, and connected to family life. For most Filipino families, good healthcare does not … Continued

Volunteers assist in loading SM Kalinga Packs onto trucks for distribution to affected communities. There are times when the most memorable part of a relief operation is not the long hours or the physical demands, but the knowledge that help has reached someone who needs it.  For volunteers, seeing an affected family receive assistance can … Continued

SM Foundation turned over the newly renovated Assumption Socio-Educational Center (ASEC) in Barrio Obrero, Iloilo City on September 16, 2026, capping a renovation project that touched nearly every corner of the campus. Family, staff, and the Assumption sisters filled ASEC’s newly restored chapel for the turnover mass. The renovation project reached nearly every corner of … Continued

For SM Scholar-Graduate Vermeil Chern Caspillan, the scholarship provided more than tuition. It offered stability when his path shifted, leading him to design pages for a national daily. A scholarship is usually counted in tuition paid. Vermeil Chern Caspillan counts his in room: room to stay in school when his plans fell apart, room to … Continued

A sweet milestone made official: Newlyweds share a memorable moment during the reception at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Thirty-two couples, many having already shared years of partnership, parenthood, and homebuilding, exchanged sacred vows on October 12 at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. The group wedding marked the … Continued

BRIDGING THE GAP. Seventeen scholars gather for their send-off ceremony after two months of intensive training, preparing to enter the retail workforce without prior experience. PASAY CITY, Philippines, October 5, 2026 | SM Retail officially integrated the pioneer batch of the SM Foundation’s Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program into its workforce following a Recognition and Send-Off Ceremony … Continued

SM Foundation officially blessed and unveiled its 7th mobile clinic on October 5, 2026, strengthening its commitment to accessible healthcare across the Philippines. Supporting the flagship “Gamot Para sa Kapwa” Medical Missions, the newly blessed unit features state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities to deliver essential health services directly to underserved communities. It offers x-ray, ECG, glucose, uric … Continued

DANAO CITY, Cebu, Philippines, September 30, 2026 | SM Foundation has turned over the Barangay Lawaan Health Station and Birthing Center to the City Government of Danao, providing a modern, two-story healthcare facility that will serve as the primary health hub for eleven upland barangays. City health officers and barangay officials tour the grounds of … Continued