Happy Walk 2025 Brings Over 8,000 Attendees to Celebrate Abilities and Inclusion

In a powerful display of unity, inclusivity, and advocacy, Happy Walk 2025 successfully gathered thousands of individuals with Down Syndrome, their families, and supporters across the country on March 30, 2025. The nationwide event, hosted by SM Cares in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), was celebrated at SMX Manila (SM Mall of Asia Complex) and in simultaneous events at SM City Cebu and SM City Bacolod. Additionally, SM CDO Downtown Premier held its celebration earlier on March 23, 2025, while SM Center Ormoc joined the movement with the All for Down Night Run last March 27, 2025.

Step Forward for Inclusion: Happy Walk 2025 Unites Communities Nationwide

This March 30, 2025, thousands of families, advocates, and supporters will come together to celebrate Happy Walk 2025, a nationwide movement dedicated to fostering awareness, inclusion, and empowerment for individuals with Down Syndrome.

Hosted by SM Cares in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI), this year’s event will take place at SMX Convention Center – Manila with simultaneous celebrations at SM City Cebu, SM City Bacolod, and SM CDO Downtown Premier, making it a truly nationwide effort to highlight the abilities and aspirations of individuals with Down Syndrome.

Inclusion, accessibility take center stage as Book Nook and Best Buddies Philippines hold book launch celebrating Down Syndrome

Jacey, Gelli, and Joey sharing a moment before the inclusive celebration.

As part of its goal of creating inclusive spaces for SM mallgoers regardless of their ability or  disability, Book Nook and Best Buddies Philippines (BBP), hosted a book  launch for a groundbreaking fiction series that celebrates Down Syndrome in all its beauty, held  last Oct. 6 at the Book Nook SM Aura branch in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. 

Michelle Aventajado, Richard Caluyo, Arianne Reyes, as  Katrina Gutierrez turns over copies of One Extra Sparkle: Ellie and the Marriage List to the SM BOOK NOOK.

Happy Walk 2024 at SM: Celebrating Inclusivity for our Natatanging Nilalang

Join Happy Walk, an annual celebration with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines and SM Cares, on March 24 at SM Mall of Asia Complex, SM City Cebu and SM City Bacolod.

Since its inception in 2003, Happy Walk has been synonymous with spreading joy, raising awareness, and fostering inclusivity for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. What started as a humble gathering has grown into an annual program in various parts of the country, thanks to the unwavering support of SM Cares and the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines.

SM Cares reiterates support for "mga Natatanging Nilalang" at 2023 Happy Walk for Down Syndrome led by DSAPI

A security guard poses with one of the ‘Natatanging Nilalang’
kids during the Happy Walk celebration at SM City Bacolod.

"Today, we express our love once again to our special friends in our midst. Today, we show that we care about their well-being. Today, we show that we shall always walk in solidarity to ensure that they have a bright future."

This was one of the key points of SM Cares Program Director for Persons with Disabilities, Engr. Bien Mateo's speech at the 2023 Happy Walk for Down Syndrome of the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. (DSAPI); which took place last February 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.