If there is one mall I conveniently frequent every so often it is SM Masinag. The perks of living just across SM can be numerous. Especially the errands I needed to do on a daily basis within the duration of our house expansion project that took more than 3 months! You can very well guess what particular store I am practically go to – Ace Hardware. Yes, I also bought my lighting fixtures at SM Store. It is super convenient, I don’t have to go elsewhere for practically everything I need. 🙂
More than the convenience SM Supermalls bring, what I am particularly delighted about is SM actively participating in efforts like that of the recent Earth Day 2013. After witnessing for myself how SM Supermalls simultaneously celebrated last month’s Earth Hour, I am actually no longer surprised.
When Earth Day officially became an environmental holiday in the Philippines via Presidential Proclamations, SM has taken part on doing its share in influencing people towards national environmental consciousness. After spearheading the use of eco bags from years ago, SM has totally let go of using traditional non-biodegradable plastic bags. Aside from making use of recycled water in their SM toilets. Yes, I started noticing those trivial things from years ago and from then on, SM has earned my respect even as they follow through on their numerous environmental projects.
At first, it was a big issue for me when SM started constructing SM Masinag right across our village. I was all too worried about flood becoming worse. But as it turned out, when SM Masinag was up and erected, I actually noticed floods subsiding a lot faster. I recently learned that underneath SM Masinag is a huge water tank that sucks rainwater and flood. I’m not really sure what innovation they call it. But from what I have heard, it’s a system that collects rainwater and flood. I asked around how big that huge water tank is and it was said to be as big as the whole of SM Masinag and 2 storeys high. The water that SM Masinag collects during flooding is recycled in comfort room flushing, irrigation, cooling towers and grounds maintenance. For someone who has experienced the wrath of Ondoy in 2009, that is really a big deal for me and my family. I just had to mention that since I strongly feel from our very traumatic Ondoy experience, that you can’t get more “earth conscious” than that. Kudos to SM for a job well done! 🙂
As a big fan of organic and all natural stuff, I roamed around the SM Masinag Eco-Fair during this particular Earth Day exhibitor caught my attention. The producers of these all natural and organic products hails from Rizal and have been around for a few years now. The proprietor of these organic stuff also spoke during the opening of Earth Day in SM Masinag. Introducing these all natural products to the general public allows for more people to be aware that there are better alternative products that promotes health better than preservative-laden brands. Above is a shot of essential oils that I also have at home: Eucalyptus, Lemongrass and Citronella.
Malunggay and Kamote Chips, anyone?
If you have been following this blog long enough, you know that I lean towards organic and all natural products. These organic finds – soap and anti-mosquito spray are part of the Eco-Fair exhibit. Here’s hoping that SM will welcome more of these brands soon for its patrons, even beyond Earth Day and these exhibits. 🙂
Earth Day 2013 focused on ECOGOVERNANCE. As this year marks the midterm of Pres. Benigno Aquino III, people are made aware of our progress in the Environmental Performance Index and the total log ban issued by Pres. Aquino at the beginning of his term to the recent concerns on the Tubbataha Reefs and the mining- related incidents. These are only a few of the many matters that make the celebration of Earth Day all the more significant.
Aside from this, 2013 also happens to be the Network’s 15th anniversary. It was in 1999 that Mr. Mark Dubois of Earth Day International visited the Philippines and helped form the Earth Day Network Philippines in the house of the late Odette Alcantara, the founding Country Coordinator. Efforts like this by huge companies like SM has a huge impact in our culture. Kudos to SM Supermalls and here’s looking forward to more of SM’s environment-conscious projects! 😀