The Philippines tops the list of countries with the highest disaster risk, thus building our capacity to respond, bounce back and adapt to intensifying climate impacts is a nationwide priority and shared responsibility.

“Any program that aims to build climate resilience requires strong partnerships and working together across all sectors,” said World-Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-PH) Executive Director, Katherine Custodio at the breakout session of the 7th Annual Conference of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024).

“There is definite opportunity for platforms or networks to come together and bring to life our national policies and our commitments, but for these to succeed, there needs to be sincere effort and openness to work across different sectors and disciplines,” said Custodio. The session on creating connections and partnerships was hosted by Jonas Marie Dumdum, Senior Consultant and Sustainability Service Lead of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila Branch.

Jonas Dumdum of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Manila and World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio on Collaborative Partnerships for Climate Resilience, at the breakout session of the 7th Annual Association of Pacific Rim Universities – Sustainable Cities and Landscapes Conference and Student Symposium 2024 (APRU-SCL 2024) Conference on Advancing Sustainable Cities and Communities through Science, Technology, and Innovations, is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

“Finding the right champions within the company – that’s very important. It helps to engage the leaders from the top,” said Custodio, who has seen the history of the shared goals between the NGO and its many corporate partners over the years.

Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy for SM Prime and SMDC, shares her insights on sustainable and climate-resilient integrated properties. 

WWF-Philippines and SM Prime Holdings, Inc., (SM Prime) have partnered on successful programs such as the YOUth are the Future, the annual Earth Hour campaign with SM Supermalls, SM Hotel’s Sustainable Diner, and the Hamilo Coast Sustainable Development project that’s now in its 14th year.

“At SM Prime, we dream big for our shared future. True prosperity transcends financial success. Our commitment to developing sustainable integrated properties is matched by our efforts to foster vibrant, inclusive communities wherever we build legacy properties that weather the challenges of time and that last for generations,” said Ms. Jessica Bianca Sy, Lead Executive for Design, Innovation and Strategy for SM Prime and SM Development Corporation (SMDC), during the event.

As one of Asia’s leading integrated property developers, SM Prime believes that taking the right climate action must be grounded in science and endeavor to transition to a net-zero economy. SM Prime’s partnership with WWF-PH ensures that its near and long-term science-based targets for 2030 and 2040, align with the global commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.

“WWF-PH is pleased to work with SM Prime on their decarbonization efforts through our Corporates for a Better Planet Initiative (CBPI) program. Companies such as SM Prime are guided in identifying climate-related risks, working on a roadmap, and publicly committing to their science-based targets,” said Custodio.

“Change does not happen overnight. This is something we have learned in our work with communities all over the country. True partners are willing to work together for a long time, and actively listen to each other,” said Custodio, when asked by Dumdum about climate partnerships and shared purpose. “When your project positively impacts people’s livelihood and wellbeing - when people’s lives improve in a durable way, that’s when you know you’ve created an impact,” she said.

SM Prime remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities, thereby enriching the quality of life of millions of people. SM Prime is pursuing the next horizon on integrated property development and onward to building sustainable cities of the future.

The 7th APRU-SCL 2024 is hosted and organized this year by the University of the Philippines Los Baňos, at the SMX Aura Convention Center, from August 6-8, 2024. For more information, email: hspdconf@up.edu.ph or visit the website: dcerp.che.uplb.edu.ph/ichspd. ###.

Busy Mommies are up again for another busy start of school days. The need to take care of what our kids will be needing for school. Of  course we need to pick the best school materials.  Good thing that Acer Philippines have their promo for Back to School. Here are some of the details of the promo;
Acer Philippines, a leading tech and innovations company, has collaborated with American luggage and travel bag manufacturer Samsonite for its back-to-school promo. The launch event was held last May at the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.


This year, Acer Philippines’ back-to-school promo is especially made for millennials. Seeing the world’s biggest generation’s constant thirst for adventure and new experiences, the tech giant uses travelling as a motivation to inspire the youth to do well, whether in school or in their professions. Aptly called “#CarryOn”, the Promo encourages the youth to power through the hurdles they encounter in pursuit of their dreams and goals.


“If there’s one thing we’ve learned about millennials, it’s that they are very passionate individuals who are unstoppable if they are truly motivated,” shares Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines’ Sales and Marketing Director. “Travel is, without a doubt, one of their strongest motivations. This is why we’ve partnered with Samsonite, a household name when it comes to travelling, to help us propel this cause forward. Hand in hand, we are hopeful that we will be able to not only motivate our millennials, but also reward them for their hard work by fueling their wanderlust.”
Befitting a movement that advocates trying out different things and enjoying new experiences, Acer Philippines’ Back-to-School Promo was launched through a travel-inspired event, where guests filled out a passport by completing various activities.

The affair also saw the debut of the #CarryOn video, which shows what the back-to-school campaign is all about. Directed by Ms. Irene Villamor, known for her works in Camp Sawi and Meet Me In St. Gallen, the film depicts how the youth turn to travelling as a way to cope and re-energize in the face of the stresses of their daily lives. The full video may be seen in the Acer Facebook Page.
“Travel inspires a different form of education – it makes you learn about new environments, exposes you to different cultures, and gives you a clearer view of the world,” shares Ciely Buenviaje, Country Head of Samsonite Philippines. “Samsonite could not be happier to be partnering with Acer in promoting such a holistic growth for the millennial generation.”

The Acer Philippines #CarryOn Back-to-School Promo will run until June 30, 2018, during which every purchase of qualified Acer and Predator laptops, Acer projectors, and Acer desktop will come with free Samsonite luggage.



For more information on the Promo, visit the Acer Philippines Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/AcerPH and the Acer Philippines website at www.acer.com.ph, and follow @acerphils on Twitter. You may also purchase online via http://ph-store.acer.com/.