FSSI supports Filipina social entrepreneurs in redefining rural development

Rural poverty in the Philippines affects 25.7% of the population, including many farmers and fisherfolk.

Women-led social enterprises such as Caviteño Isabelino Multipurpose Cooperative and Lourdes Multipurpose Cooperative are creating sustainable livelihoods and driving values-based innovations in agriculture and cooperatives.

Guided by the triple bottom line (3BL) framework of people, planet, and profit, the Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI), a social investment nonprofit, supports women-led enterprises in expanding services, scaling operations, and improving communities. 

Strengthening Food Security Through Local Wisdom

La Ode visited Rimba Gupung and learned more about the local food wisdom

Across many parts of Asia, flavor is not just a matter of taste; it is a legacy, an identity, and a reflection of the human connection to nature. In Southeast Asia, the rich spices and traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations thrive due to the abundance of local food sources, including forests, fields, rice paddies, and rivers. However, climate change and the exploitation of natural resources are now threatening the continued availability of these local food sources.

In the Philippines, 2025 food security efforts increasingly focus on empowering communities and reviving indigenous farming. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set ambitious goals, including raising rice output  to 20.46 million metric tons and cutting post-harvest losses. Still, grassroots initiatives best reflect the nation’s wisdom. In Mindanao and the Cordillera, farmers cultivate traditional rice varieties like Tinawon and Unoy through ancestral practices that value biodiversity, seed saving, and communal labor. These methods have shown resilience to climate shocks and market shifts.

G Productions Turns 3, and the Spotlight Shines on Advocacy

Matteo and Sarah Put Education, Cancer Care, and Sustainability at the Heart of the Celebration

G Productions, founded by celebrity couple Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli, is celebrating its third anniversary this October with a renewed commitment to purpose. Now three years strong, the company is proving that its stage goes beyond entertainment, shining a spotlight on causes that matter: literacy, cancer care, and sustainability.

For Matteo and Sarah, G Productions has always been more than a creative venture. “From the beginning, we wanted our work to inspire. This year, we also want it to make a tangible impact,” Sarah shares.

SNAP brings ESG to the forefront in series of forums across its host communities

SNAP-Magat Host Communities’ Forum held in Santiago City on September 17, 2025. 

Renewable energy solutions provider, SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by placing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles at the center of its annual Host Communities’ Forums this September.

Themed “Redefining Impact: ESG in Community Development,” the forums brought together more than 200 representatives from local government units (LGUs) and indigenous peoples’ organizations from the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya. The forum highlighted how ESG principles can strengthen resilience and sustainability in host communities.

Nationwide Global Youth Summit 2025 Empowers Over 40,000 Youth

Powered by SM Cares’ unwavering commitment to uplift children and youth, the Global Youth Summit 2025 brings together passionate youth advocates, transforming bold visions into lasting change for communities nationwide.

The Global Youth Summit (GYS) 2025 has marked a historic milestone, gathering over 40,000 young leaders, innovators, and advocates nationwide through simultaneous events across SM malls. Organized by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Philippines, the summit highlighted the strength of the Filipino youth as a nationwide movement for change.

From Luzon to Mindanao, students, youth groups, and advocates came together for thought-provoking discussions, keynote sessions, and collaborative activities that amplified the collective voice of the Filipino youth. The summit tackled pressing themes of empowerment, sustainability, innovation, and leadership, reflecting the youth’s role in shaping the country’s future.

Young changemakers show up strong at the Global Youth Summit 2025 in SM Center Pulilan—ready to spark impact and inspire communities nationwide.

A student advocate raises a powerful question at the Global Youth Summit 2025 in SM City Butuan— amplifying youth voices for meaningful community change.

“The youth are not just leaders of tomorrow—they are a driving force for change today. The Global Youth Summit proves what is possible when we empower young people nationwide,” said Royston Cabunag, SM Cares Program Director for Children and Youth.

Leonard Faustino, Executive Director of Global Peace Foundation Philippines, added: “Collaboration across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao has created one of the largest youth platforms in the country. This summit is proof that when given space and support, our youth can lead transformative change.”

While the SM Mall of Asia Arena leg drew thousands of participants and nationwide recognition, the heart of GYS 2025 was its collective nationwide reach—with simultaneous summits held across 17 SM malls.

Each of the 17 provincial summit locations was deliberately anchored on one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that every global goal receives equal importance within a holistic platform that champions innovative and actionable solutions for communities nationwide. In line with this, the provincial legs gave young people in local communities the chance to share solutions and contribute to projects aligned with the respective SDGs.

Youth advocates at SM City Iloilo celebrate youth empowerment during the Global Youth Summit 2025—energized to lead change and uplift communities.

Driven by shared hope and collective action, youth advocates at SM Southmall stand together at the Global Youth Summit 2025 to shape a better future for their communities.

With conviction and hope, a young changemaker takes the Youth Pledge at SM Center Dagupan during the Global Youth Summit 2025—committing to lead with purpose and drive positive change.

Boy Scouts of the Philippines present the scout salute at SM City Bacoor during the Global Youth Summit 2025—honoring youth leadership and unity.

By empowering more than 40,000 Filipino youth across regions, SM Cares and its partners reaffirm their commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful youth participation on a national scale. The Global Youth Summit 2025 stands as one of the largest youth movements in the Philippines, uniting voices that will shape the country’s future.

Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers with 88 malls in the Philippines—marks four decades of growing with Filipinos and becoming a trusted space where diverse lifestyles and generations connect, while continuously evolving to redefine the malling experience through sustainability, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of retail and urban life with inclusive and meaningful experiences.

LCF Launches League-Wide Efforts in Basilan to Address Child Malnutrition

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) is intensifying its efforts to address child malnutrition in Basilan, the first province under its LIFE (LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment) program, with the launch of its two key projects: the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Central Kitchen in Isabela City, spearheaded by Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), and a water system development project in Tipo-Tipo led by Manila Water Foundation (MWF).

The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) strengthens its fight against child malnutrition in Basilan through LIFE (Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment), launching two key projects: Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF) BLT Central Kitchen in Isabela City and Manila Water Foundation’s (MWF) water system development in Tipo-Tipo. Photos from LCF. 

Lessons from Indonesia: Forests and Traditions as Anchors of Culture-Based Ecotourism

Participants welcomed by traditional Dayak Desa dance at Rumah Betang Ensaid Panjang

A 2025 study by Booking.com shows travelers are becoming more aware of tourism’s impact on communities and are increasingly interested in authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Tourism plays a major role in the Philippine economy, with the WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Research projecting a record PHP 5.9 trillion contribution this year, cementing travel and tourism as key economic pillars.

However, nature-based tourism faces threats from climate change and land conversion. In Southeast Asia, 30% of land has been converted to agriculture, putting 5,678 species at risk—including 25 already extinct and over 1,100 critically endangered. This loss also harms indigenous communities who rely on forests for food, medicine, crafts, and rituals, as many plants and natural resources become scarce.