This Christmas, SM Malls in the East Metro makes holiday shopping effortless with an exciting selection of ready-to-give gifts—complete, beautifully packed, and easy to find across your favorite brands. Whether you’re looking for last-minute presents or curated sets for everyone on your list, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo, and SM Center Antipolo Downtown offer a seamless shopping experience that covers all your gifting needs in one place.
With gift sets thoughtfully arranged and easy to spot across stores, shoppers can enjoy the convenience of choosing presents that are already packaged, themed, and carefully bundled—saving you time without sacrificing quality or style.
Shoppers can enjoy breeze-free gift-giving with easy-to-spot gifts from fashion, beauty, wellness, and specialty brands across the malls. SM Store, Penshoppe, Bench, Havaianas, and Alberto offer complete apparel and lifestyle bundles that make ready-to-wrap gifting effortless.
Beauty and self-care lovers will also find curated sets from Ian Darcy with its signature scents; The Face Shop and The Body Shop featuring skincare must-haves, bath essentials, and makeup picks; Unisilver with elegant silver accessories; and Zen Zest offering personal and home fragrances.
For those who prefer thoughtful treats, Marks & Spencer has gift bundles filled with chocolates, biscuits, wine, and other premium goodies. Meanwhile, wellness options like Katinko provide relief-focused packs with products for muscle pain, headaches, and everyday discomfort—perfect for practical and caring gifting.
At SM Malls in the East, finding the perfect present is as easy as strolling through your favorite halls. With complete gift sets, easy-find displays, and everything in one place, holiday shopping becomes not just stress-free but enjoyable and festive.
Discover effortless gifting with Holiday Giftables at SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo, and SM Center Antipolo Downtown today.
Filipinas now have a new reason to smile at SM City Grand Central, and it comes in the form of soft-focus skin, weightless tints, and that unmistakable, radiant glow. Happy Skin, the beloved homegrown beauty brand that seamlessly merges makeup with skincare, has officially opened its latest boutique, bringing its cult-favorite essentials closer to the Northern Metro’s busy, beauty-loving crowd.
For years, Filipina women have faced a familiar struggle: finding makeup that enhances without harming, and skincare that delivers results without draining the wallet. Happy Skin cracked the code back in 2013, and more than a decade later, it continues to redefine local beauty by offering products that nurture skin while you wear them. The brand’s newest store at SM City Grand Central makes that promise even more accessible to beauty enthusiasts in the region.
The store itself is a reflection of the brand’s signature aesthetic: clean, modern, and airy, with soft pink accents and warm neutrals that create a calm, inviting atmosphere. But the real attraction lies in the experience: a thoughtfully curated playground of makeup and skincare sourced from the world’s beauty capitals, including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, all formulated with skin-loving ingredients designed for the Philippine climate and diverse Filipina skin tones.
Shoppers now can explore Happy Skin’s signature favorites, from the iconic “Shut Up & Kiss Me” lippies and ‘Eye Am Here to Stay” gel liners to its celebrated weightless tints and hydrating skincare lines. Each product is crafted with ingredients that care for skin while delivering effortless beauty, making it easier than ever for women to look and feel their best.
The SM City Grand Central opening reinforces Happy Skin’s mission: making world-class beauty accessible, empowering women with products that blend style and skincare effortlessly.
With playful packaging, easy-to-use formulas, and a commitment to cruelty-free, skin-friendly beauty, Happy Skin continues to prove that glowing, healthy skin is always in vogue.
Visit SM City Grand Central and discover the perfect balance of glow and care that your skin will thank you.
(L-R) Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau assistant director Maria Katrina Rivera; Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines Inc. VP for information publication and public affairs Denice Sy (Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.); secretary Aio Nery (CCT Chemicals); and president-elect Dr. Janina Gutierrez Tan (JRadiance Corporation)
The Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines, Inc. (CCIP) was conferred the Gawad ng Hiraya’t Sikhay: Exporters’ Choice for Outstanding Export Enabler Award during the National Exporters’ Week 2025 held at EDSA Shangri-La Manila.
Presented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the award recognizes institutions that have demonstrated consistent and meaningful support to the development and growth of Philippine exporters. CCIP was cited for its initiatives in strengthening the global competitiveness of the country’s cosmetics and personal care sector.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Chamber were CCIP president-elect Dr. Janina Gutierrez Tan of JRadiance Corporation, CCIP secretary Aio Nery of CCT Chemicals, and CCIP vice president for information, publication, and public affairs, Denice Sy of Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc.
In response to the recognition, Dr. Janina Gutierrez Tan shared, “This recognition is truly a shared honor. It represents the passion and hard work of our members who continue to uplift Filipino-made beauty and personal care products. Through its capacity-building seminars on regulatory compliance, business development and intellectual property, and through CCIP’s collaboration with different government agencies, trade associations and business partners. CCIP is committed to supporting local brands and manufacturers as they innovate, grow, and shine globally”
The program featured opening remarks from DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, who underscored the importance of strong partnerships between government and industry stakeholders in advancing export excellence. The event concluded with closing remarks from DTI Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) Director Bianca Sykimte, who highlighted the contributions of organizations like CCIP in supporting exporters nationwide.
CCIP’s recognition reflects the growing role of the Philippine cosmetics industry in boosting the country’s export performance and elevating locally produced beauty and personal care products in the international market.
MANILA, Philippines – For many of us, a holiday trip isn’t just a break – it’s the moment we look forward to all year, the hard-earned vacation after months of juggling work. But as every traveler knows, holiday travel often brings added stress. With hotel and flight bookings filling up fast, experiences selling out quickly, and larger crowds of travelers everywhere, the trip you’ve been anticipating can easily become stressful.
This year, make it different. A truly worthwhile holiday trip starts with being prepared for everything. As you start getting ready, check out these four pro tips to make sure that every second of this long-awaited trip is worth it.
Arrive earlier than normal during the holiday rush
With reports of long lines at the bag drop and longer queues at immigration, traveling during the holidays calls for being just a little bit earlier than usual – and doing everything you can ahead of time.
Check in online through your airline’s app or website, complete your e-travel in advance, and keep all your documents organized in one secure, easy-access pouch with digital copies also ready and saved on your phone. A few extra steps of preparation can save you a lot of airport stress later.
Leave a little room for spontaneous moments
Theme parks, ski passes, and city tours sell out fast in December. Of course, it helps as early as possible – but sometimes, even that can’t be helped. Here’s a pro tip: when planning your itinerary for a city or area, secure at least one main activity—the non-negotiable experience you really want to do—then leave space for spontaneous adventures and exploring on your own.
Monitor the weather, and pack for it
Experiencing a “white Christmas” is on many people’s bucket lists this year. If you’re flying to Seoul, Nagoya, New York, or any other snowy destination, make sure you’ve packed your thermals, layers, and warm socks. Also, have a coat ready at the plane, so you don’t get too cold upon arrival!
Use GCash to pay for an ultimate guilt-free, shock-free spending holiday
One of the biggest stressors while traveling is managing expenses. Bill shock from credit cards, unexpectedly high exchange rates, hidden fees, and overspending that you only realize weeks later can quickly disrupt a trip meant to be relaxing. This year, you can avoid all that with GCash and by following its simple shock-proof, worry-proof shopping method: Scan-Swipe-Tap.
When you pay with GCash abroad, you gain real-time control over your spending, enjoy low forex rates that update instantly in the app, avoid hidden service fees, and benefit from fast, convenient transactions all throughout your trip. Here’s how:
Scan: Pay with GCash to Scan to Pay at merchants abroad. Simply look for the Alipay+ logo when paying in-store or ordering at restaurants. This way, you don’t need to scramble for cash, and you can even unlock exclusive promos along the way!
Swipe: You can also pay with the GCash Visa Card abroad, especially for the bigger items you’ve saved up for. Unlike credit cards with high FX fees, there are no additional charges with the GCash Visa Card. Your transactions are automatically recorded in-app, so you always see how much you’ve spent – no bill shock.
Tap: For Android users, take your payments even further with the new GCash Tap to Pay feature. Just tap your phone on any NFC-enabled terminal and pay within seconds – perfect for major shopping hubs and seamless checkouts in crowded places where convenience is key.
Don’t forget these 4 pro-tips and make sure you Scan–Swipe–Tap for a trip that’s easier, lighter, and truly worth it—just as a holiday should be.
(From L-R) Maria Carmen Kahn, SM Supermalls Assistant Vice President for Transportation management, Mall Manager Francis Brian Cruz, and Regional Marketing Head Khristine Lenon, receive the gold award for SM City Marikina for Bicycle-Friendly Large Establishment category at the 2025 Mobility Awards ceremony.
SM City Marikina proudly announces its Gold Award from the Mobility Awards 2025, recognizing the mall as one of the country’s most bike-friendly large establishments. The award celebrates SM City Marikina’s strong commitment to active mobility and creating accessible spaces for cyclists in the East Metro.
Secure racks with a total of 124 slots and ample space to maneuver make SM’s bike parking a trusted spot for daily riders and weekend bikers.
The Central Bike Station provides cyclists a safe, organized, and convenient area to park their bikes while enjoying the mall.
This recognition highlights the mall’s cyclist amenities, led by its secure and spacious bike parking facility, strategically located for easy access. The mall also supports biking communities through regular cycling activities, partnerships with local riders, and facilities that make it convenient for cyclists to transition from their ride into the mall.
Cyclists from Marikina and nearby cities participate in the National Bike Day celebration at the mall
“Our commitment to providing secure, thoughtfully designed bike parking facilities and our regular cycling-focused activities reflect our dedication to supporting not just Marikina riders but the wider biking community who visit us from across the metro”, said Francis Brian Cruz, mall manager of SM City Marikina.
The recognition aligns with SM Supermalls and SM Cares’ efforts to promote greener mobility and encourage healthier, more sustainable travel habits. SM City Marikina, situated in a city well-known for its cycling culture, continues to complement local government initiatives by providing infrastructure that supports daily commuters, leisure riders, and biking groups.
SM City Grand Central marked the National Bike Day with a vibrant celebration that put young cyclists at the center of the movement toward a greener, healthier future. Sixty-eight children aged 5 to 10 from Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela joined the Kid’s Push Bike Ride, a fun and educational activity promoting safe cycling and sustainable mobility.
The event, part of SM Supermalls’ nationwide Bike Day celebration, highlighted the importance of cycling as a culture of care. Young participants learned bike basics, practiced on a mini obstacle course, and took part in helmet and safety check demonstrations designed to build confidence and awareness at an early age. Parents and guardians cheered on the kids as the mall transformed into a hub of active play and environmental advocacy.
SM City Grand Central was selected as one of the flagship venues based on the SM Bicycle Count Traffic Report, which identified it as among the top malls with the highest volume of cyclists using the facilities for work, play, and wellness. Its consistent support for sustainable mobility and strong relationship with the local biking community made it a fitting ground for the celebration.
Beyond promoting cycling as a healthy hobby, the activity aligned with SM’s broader sustainability goals under the #SMWasteFreeFuture campaign, advancing cleaner transport options, encouraging community wellness, and strengthening inclusive, bike-friendly spaces.
With every push of a pedal, the young riders not only enjoyed a day of fun but also became part of a growing movement toward a more sustainable and connected community.
An OG has arrived at SM Bulacan malls, and we’re totally here for it. Presenting the Conti’s Take Out Nooks, now serving freshly baked cakes and awesome goodies at SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan.
Shoppers may now conveniently take-home breads, pies, pastries, cookies, frozen ready-to-eat dishes, and, of course, iconic cakes as Conti’s Take Out Nooks finally open at the ground level of SM City Baliwag and SM Center Pulilan.
Whether it’s a celebration, a gift, or just a little ‘pick-me-up’ kind of moment, know that Conti’s is just a few steps away to sweeten the day. For food alerts and promos, check out https://www.facebook.com/smbaliwag and https://www.facebook.com/smcenterpulilan.
Christmas in the Philippines is more than a season. It is a grand, months-long celebration filled with music, memories and traditions shared with the people we love. As families prepare for the much-awaited Noche Buena feast, SM City Valenzuela, SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Grand Central make holiday dining extra delightful with a wide selection of Filipino favorites that define the season.
Whether you are planning a small family dinner or a festive gathering for the whole clan, these SM malls bring together the flavors that make every Filipino Christmas feel complete.
Quezo de Bola: A Taste of Tradition
Nothing captures the spirit of the holidays quite like a bright red ball of Quezo de Bola on the table. Its sharp yet creamy flavor is perfect with bread, crackers, fruits or even as a special touch in homemade dishes. Stock up on premium Quezo de Bola at the Hypermarket in SM City Valenzuela and add a classic taste to your celebration.
Lumpiang Shanghai: The Crowd Favorite
Crispy, savory and always a bestseller, Lumpiang Shanghai is a staple at every Filipino feast. Freshly cooked and served with sweet and sour sauce, it is a guaranteed hit among guests of all ages. Enjoy this all-time favorite from Classic Savory at SM Center Sangandaan and watch the platter disappear in minutes.
Crispy Lechon Belly: The Star of the Feast
No Noche Buena is complete without the rich, festive aroma of Lechon Belly. With its golden crackling skin and juicy, flavorful meat, it instantly becomes the centerpiece of the holiday table. Get your perfectly seasoned Lechon Belly from Mesa in SM City Grand Central and make your feast truly unforgettable.
Christmas Ham: A Yuletide Classic
Sweet, smoky and tender, Christmas Ham remains one of the season’s most iconic dishes. It is comforting, familiar and always welcome at any holiday spread. Pick up your Christmas Ham from SM Supermarket Sangandaan and bring a warm slice of tradition to your dinner table.
Classic Ube Cake: A Slice of Filipino Sweetness
Give your feast a vibrant finale with a Classic Ube Cake. Soft, creamy and proudly Filipino, this beloved dessert offers both beauty and flavor in every slice. Find your perfect Ube Cake at Conti’s in SM City Grand Central and make your celebration even sweeter.
Creamy Leche Flan: A Timeless Dessert
Silky, smooth and delicately sweet, Leche Flan remains a holiday essential that never fails to make guests smile. Indulge in Goldilocks’ famous recipe, available at SM City Valenzuela and SM City Grand Central, and enjoy a dessert that brings pure comfort with every spoonful.
Whatever your Noche Buena plans, SM City Valenzuela, SM Center Sangandaan and SM City Grand Central as everything you need to make the season merry, bright, and absolutely delicious. For holiday mall hours and updates, follow our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/smcityvalenzuela, https://www.facebook.com/smcentersangandaan, https://www.facebook.com/smgrandcentral.Let the feasting begin!
Manila, Philippines, 18 December 2025 — AXA Philippines, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing insurance providers, capped 2025 with multiple wins across global and local award-giving bodies, including the Global Insurance Innovation Awards 2025, Golden Arrow Awards 2025, 16th Asia CEO Awards 2025, Tripzilla Excellence Awards 2025, Marketech APAC’s NEXT Awards 2025, Great Place to Work® Certification, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista’s Best Employers in the Philippines. These recognitions highlight AXA’s leadership in digital innovation, customer experience, corporate governance, employee engagement, and social responsibility.
At the Global Insurance Innovation Awards 2025, AXA Philippines received honors for Excellence in Digital Innovation and Best Mobile Insurance App for its breakthrough platforms SWITCH and EMMA by AXA PH. SWITCH streamlines the distributor journey with real-time updates and automated workflows, while EMMA by AXA PH empowers customers with easier policy access, secure payments, and digital support.
The 2025 Golden Arrow Awards recognized AXA Philippines as a top-performing insurance company for demonstrating excellence in corporate governance.
The company was also recognized with a One Golden Arrow at the Golden Arrow Awards by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), as one of the companies that meet high standards of corporate governance, as assessed through the Annual Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS).
“This distinction reflects our shared vision as One AXA and underscores the strength of our governance journey — from Board oversight to risk management, ethics, and stakeholder value creation. For decades, we have stood at the forefront of the insurance and financial services industry, guided by our purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters,” said Ayman Kandil, AXA Philippines CEO.
The 16th Asia CEO Awards 2025 highlighted AXA Philippines for its standout wellness and CSR efforts, selecting the Awesome AXA program and AXA Hearts in Action as Circle of Excellence finalists.
AXA Philippines was also recognized among the Circle of Excellence finalists at the 16th Asia CEO Awards 2025 for Wellness Company of the Year for its Awesome AXA program and for CSR Company of the Year for the AXA Hearts in Action initiative. Launched in 2024, The Awesome AXA Program unites employee engagement and holistic wellness, ensuring employees feel supported in all aspects of their lives, while its AXA Hearts in Action global volunteering initiative includes key programs like the AXA Forest in Laguna, AXA Clean Water Project, AXA Week for Good, and Financial Literacy workshops.
In travel insurance, AXA’s commitment to empowering Filipino travelers earned multiple recognitions. The #GoBigWithAXASmartTraveller campaign won the Silver Award for Most Innovative Public Relations Campaign at Marketech APAC’s NEXT Awards 2025, encouraging Filipinos to pursue their travel plans with confidence through stronger protection.
Complementing this achievement, AXA Smart Traveller was once again named Best Travel Insurance (Single Trip) at the Tripzilla Excellence Awards 2025, marking the second consecutive year of recognition. Together, these honors underscore AXA’s dedication to providing comprehensive travel protection that enables Filipinos to enjoy their dream vacations with confidence.
Celebrating a Silver win at the 2025 NEXT Awards! AXA Philippines’ #GoBigWithAXASmartTraveller campaign is recognized for innovation in PR.
Reflecting AXA’s culture of care and commitment to empowering employees to thrive, AXA Philippines has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year and made an exceptional leap as one of the Best Employers in the Philippines, moving from rank 203 to rank 26 among 300 companies recognized by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista.
AXA Philippines was named one of the country’s Best Employers by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista’s list of the top 300 companies.
“These awards remind us that when we take care of our people, they are empowered to take even better care of our customers. As we close the year, we remain focused on what matters—enabling our customers to feel protected, supported, and confident with AXA by their side,” Ayman concludes.
Holiday spending hits differently when it comes with a chance to win big; and this year, Maya is making every peso work harder and smarter. As the #1 Digital Bank in the Philippines, Maya is giving you the easiest way to become a Twinyonaryo: win ₱1 million for yourself and another ₱1 million for your chosen person just by borrowing or spending with Maya.
And here’s the plot twist: the fastest way to rack up entries? Borrowing — responsibly.
Maya Easy Credit: Your Instant, Smart Extra Budget Need a little holiday boost for noche buena grocery, gifts, reunions, or last-minute bills? Maya Easy Credit gives you up to ₱30,000 revolving credit you can use instantly. No paperwork, no waiting, just tap and go. And every ₱1,000 you borrow or pay using Maya Easy Credit earns you 5 raffle entries, one of the highest multipliers in the promo. And since you can use it to pay directly at stores via QR, using your borrowed credit is fast, seamless, and holiday-rush ready.
Maya Personal Loan: Bigger Borrowing, Still Zero Hassle For larger holiday budgets: from getting your dream gadget to booking that much-awaited trip, Maya Personal Loan lets you borrow up to ₱250,000, payable up to 24 months. Once approved, the full amount lands straight in your Maya Wallet. Every ₱1,000 you borrow gives you 5 raffle entries, too. So your big-ticket plans come with big ticket chances to win.
Borrowing isn’t your only way in—your everyday Maya habits earn raffle entries too: 5 entries — Pay ₱1,000 via Maya Easy Credit 1 entry — Pay ₱1,000 using your Maya Card, QR, Wallet, or Maya Credit Cards 1 entry — Buy ₱1,000 load, transport, and more in Maya Shop 1 entry — Pay any ₱1,000 bill in the app 1 entry — Buy a Maya Card 10 entries (the highest!) — Refer a friend using your @username and get them to upgrade
Whether it’s borrowing for your holiday gastos or simply doing what you already do every day, every move gets you closer to that ₱1M win. Who knows? You and your chosen person might just be the next Twinyonaryos this Christmas.
Check out www.maya.ph/xmas, and follow @mayaiseverything on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for updates. Maya Philippines, Inc. and Maya Bank, Inc. are regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (www.bsp.gov.ph). Deposits are insured by PDIC up to ₱1 million per depositor.
