SM Foundation named one of Manila Bulletin’s Newsmakers of the Year 2025
Representing SM Foundation at the 2025 Newsmakers of the Year awarding ceremony were (from left) Victor Chan, Senior Assistant Vice President for Communications and Sustainability, and Carmen Linda Atayde, Executive Director for Education Programs. The award was presented to the foundation by Ed Bartilad, Executive Editor of Manila Bulletin.
SM Foundation was named one of Manila Bulletin’s Newsmakers of the Year 2025 during a ceremony on Feb. 10, 2025 at the Manila Hotel Tent City, as part of the newspaper’s 125th anniversary celebration.
The award recognized the foundation’s outstanding contributions to education, health, livelihood, agriculture, and disaster relief, continuing the legacy of its founder, Henry Sy, Sr.
The Newsmaker Awards recognize individuals and institutions, from athletics, business, and innovation, to entertainment, public service, and sustainability, that uplift the nation. This year, 18 honorees were celebrated for their impact.
Receiving the award on behalf of SM Foundation were Executive Director for Education Programs Carmen Linda Atayde and Senior Assistant Vice President for Communications and Sustainability Victor Chan. The foundation remains committed to the vision of its founder, Henry Sy, Sr.
“At SM Foundation, we believe stories have the power to inspire and uplift communities. Through education, healthcare, disaster relief, and agriculture, we strive to amplify voices that deserve to be heard,” said Atayde in her speech. “We thank Manila Bulletin for sharing these stories and we dedicate this honor to our team, stakeholders, and communities.”
SM Foundation’s initiatives include building 110 school buildings, supporting more than 4,600 scholars, rehabilitating over 200 health centers, and conducting more than 1,700 medical missions. Its farming program has trained close to 32,400 farmers and connected them to markets through the SM Sunday Market. In times of calamity, the foundation has provided roughly 980,000 Kalinga Packs to affected communities.
Meanwhile, Manila Bulletin is among the oldest newspapers in the Philippines, established in 1900. Its long history has positioned it as one of the country’s leading publications, delivering news and information to a wide readership.
