SM Foundation, together with its partners, threw a celebration for its program beneficiaries during its 10th Pistang Pinoy held last December 10 at Costa del Hamilo in Nasugbu, Batangas.
Led by SMFI, other participating companies were Pico de Loro, Pico Sands and Hotel; Costa del Hamilo Development Corp.; Manila Southcoast Development Corp.; Savemore and SM Hypermarket in Batangas.
These participating companies prepared an entertainment number and games with prizes for more than 600 beneficiaries who attended. The barangay beneficiaries also battled for the best folk dance team competition. Moreover, a sumptuous lunch was served by the SM executives and everyone received their individual gifts.
SM Investments Corp. assistant vice president for corporate affairs Victor Chan said this annual celebration of social good is an expression of gratitude of SM Group of Companies for the residents of Barangays Papaya, Looc, Calaya, and Bulihan, the host communities of SM in Nasugbu.
Chan said SMFI ensures that its social good initiatives in education (scholarship and school building), health and wellness (medical mission and health facilities upgrade), farmers’ training reach the grassroots communities.
“Aside from the execution of the various Social Good Pillars of SMFI, we believe that we should also engage our host communities. That there’s an important distinction to be made between giving and engaging,” he said.
While giving serves to further the commitment corporations make in communities, engagement serves to build the social capital that allows companies to maintain the relationships that make giving impactful, Chan added.
“Given their complementary nature, engagement serves to further financial investments made in the social impact space,” he said.
SMFI executive director for education Carmen Linda Atayde encouraged the high school students present at the event to study hard so they can qualify for the SM College and Technical-Vocational Scholarships.
