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.

SM Prime reinforces the SM Green Movement: Simple Acts, shared & lasting impact for a greener tomorrow

As environmental challenges continue to grow, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. believes that the journey to a better future is built on the mindful choices we make each day and the stronger communities we form when we act together.

This is the heart of the SM Green Movement, SM Prime’s sustainability initiative and call to action for communities across the country. Born during the height of the pandemic, the Green Movement began with personal stories—employees choosing to reduce waste, conserve water, and use energy responsibly, even while under lockdown. These simple acts planted the seeds for something bigger: a movement that brings together the company, communities, and the country in pursuit of shared prosperity and a more climate-resilient future.

SM and DOST Lead the Future of Sustainability Bringing Innovation & Business through SUSTEX 2025

SM Prime Holdings, Inc., through SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and ARISE Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies officially staged the inaugural SM Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX 2025) at the SMX Convention Center Aura, Taguig.

The two-day event, themed “Innovation for Environmental Stewardship,” brought together over 50 exhibitors, government agency leaders, the private sector, the international community and sustainability advocates to showcase cutting-edge solutions that advance a greener and more resilient future.

SM Prime Launches Manual for a Waste-Free Future

The SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) campaign for a Waste-Free Future and its Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable, or RDC model aims to make segregation simple, easy, and actionable. 

In the recent Sustainability Expo (SUSTEX 2025), SM Prime launched the SM Waste Free Future Manual – a playbook that encourages individuals and communities to learn about RDC and building better segregation habits. 

Small steps, big impact 

In the Philippines, the country generates up to 61,000 tons of waste daily and an annual 2.7 million tons of plastic waste. A figure that will rise with urbanization and poor waste disposal practices. 

Inspired by the SM Green Movement’s strong call to action to make sustainability part of everyday life, SM Waste Free Future invites everyone to become part of the solution. 

Women Forest Guardians: Empowering Our Food Security

Maria Fatima Bunga when trying to transport water from Ae Wuka springs for daily needs

Women in rural and forest communities are essential to protecting natural resources and ensuring food on the table, especially as climate change disrupts agriculture. Their traditional knowledge, often passed through generations, helps communities adapt to extreme weather, resource scarcity, and shifting growing conditions.

SNAP-Benguet gathers host communities to redefine impact through ESG

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) brought together over 80 representatives from local government units (LGUs) and indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPOs) for its annual Host Communities’ Forum (HCF), anchored on the theme “Redefining Impact: ESG in Community Development.”

This year’s guest speaker, Aboitiz Foundation Chief Operating Officer Mardi Mapa-Suplido, emphasized how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles are evolving from a corporate framework into a powerful driver of inclusive, accountable, and resilient community development.

LAB for ALL Caravan Brings Free Healthcare to 1,500 San Juan Residents

Left photo: Bell-Kenz Chief Executive Officer Dr. Luis Go hands over free prescription medicines and vitamins to an event attendee during the Lab for All outreach in San Juan on August 26, 2025; Right photo: First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos visits the Bell-Kenz booth during the Lab for All event with her is Bell-Kenz Corporate Branding and PR Head Patrick Larraga.

The LAB for ALL caravan brought its health services to San Juan City on August 26, holding its mission at the FilOil Centre. Spearheaded by the First Lady Liza-Araneta Marcos, the initiative opened its doors to more than 1,500 San Juaneños, offering free medical consultations, medicines, vitamins, and laboratory procedures such as X-rays, ECGs, and other diagnostic screenings. To date, the nationwide caravan has reached over 1,200 registered patients, delivering 3,312 medical services and 77 dental treatments across its missions, underscoring the program’s advocacy of lifting the financial burden of healthcare and making essetial services accessible to every Filipino family.

Bell-Kenz Pharma launched Sagip CPR Program to Address Persisting High Fatalities from Heart Disease

Bell-Kenz formally launched Sagip CPR on August 14, 2025 at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Association Northwestern Mindanao, PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, City Scholars Association in PHINMA COC, and CDO Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department. More than 500 students, police personnel, and volunteers were trained on the Check–Call–Compress method and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Filipino pharmaceutical company Bell-Kenz Pharma has recently launched Sagip CPR, a nationwide campaign that provides free hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training to Filipinos. The program seeks to equip 1 million people within a year with the knowledge and confidence to act during cardiac emergencies—making CPR a life skill every Filipino can rely on.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines, claiming an average of 317 lives every day, according to the Department of Health. Nearly half of these cases are caused by Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), where survival depends on immediate CPR to be performed within the first 4 to 6 minutes. However, only 2 in 10 Filipinos know how to perform it.

“With 8 out of 10 cardiac arrests happening at home, survival often depends on family members knowing CPR,” said Dr. James Cayetano, Cardiologist and President of the Bell-Kenz Foundation. “Through Sagip CPR, Bell-Kenz is one with the government in making CPR second nature for every Filipino.”

Sagip CPR Kickoff in Cagayan de Oro

Bell-Kenz formally launched Sagip CPR on August 14, 2025 at PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Association Northwestern Mindanao, PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office, City Scholars Association in PHINMA COC, and CDO Disaster Risk Reduction Management Department. More than 500 students, police personnel, and volunteers were trained on the Check–Call–Compress method and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

“Bell-Kenz’s Sagip CPR is a big help, because it extends training to people who are not reached by agencies such as the Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Red Cross, and the Department of Health,” Dr. Francis Lavapie, Cardiologist and Past Chair for PHA Council on CPR, echoes. “We have taught many people, and many are already teaching CPR, but still, it’s not enough — not everyone is reached,” says Dr. Francis Lavapie.

Filling Critical Gaps and Creating A Nation of Everyday Heroes

While Republic Act 10871, or the Samboy Lim Law, requires schools to provide CPR training, many young Filipinos have yet to receive it. Sagip CPR bridges this gap, ensuring that knowledge of CPR spreads not just in classrooms, but across homes, barangays, and civic groups.

Aligned with Proclamation No. 511 declaring July 17 as National CPR Day, Sagip CPR is more than a health campaign—it is a call to action. By training 1 million Filipinos in CPR, Bell-Kenz Pharma envisions a network of everyday heroes ready to save lives when it matters most.

“By equipping 1 million people with hands-only CPR training, we are building a country where help is never more than a few steps away,” Dr. Cayetano added.

Sagip CPR will be rolled out to schools, barangays, and civic groups across the country for a whole year, until it reaches 1 Million CPR-Ready Filipinos trained— steadily building a nationwide network of “everyday heroes” who are ready to act in a crisis.

Building Better Communities: PNB Holdings Corporation’s Purposeful CSR Through Project Solicitude

Project Solicitude Gift-Giving Drive at Brgy. 76, Pasay City

In today’s rapidly evolving real estate sector, PNB Holdings Corporation (PHC) is steadily establishing its presence—not only through its properties, but through its commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. As part of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, PHC understands that its role extends beyond property management. It includes contributing to the development of communities that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.