SM for MSMEs Champions Filipino Creativity and Youth Entrepreneurship to ASEAN Opportunity

FILIPINO CREATIVITY ON DISPLAY. Design, visual art and cultural exhibits showcase the breadth of creative talent at the ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy 2026 at SMX Convention Center Aura.

Filipino talent needs opportunities to translate into sustainable livelihoods. Through two engagements on September 18, SM Supermalls joined government, business and community partners in supporting a shared goal: helping creators, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs build stronger businesses through market exposure, mentorship and collaboration.

At the ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy 2026, held from September 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center Aura, Filipino creators and entrepreneurs took center stage as the country celebrated the talent, innovation and cultural heritage driving its creative economy. Led by the Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat, the expo highlighted how Filipino talent and cultural heritage can generate businesses, jobs and economic value. DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina “Cris” Roque emphasized the importance of stronger government and private-sector collaboration in helping the creative industries contribute to employment, trade and tourism.

CREATIVITY ACROSS DISCIPLINES. Art, gastronomy and cultural publications highlight the range of creative work featured at the ASEAN Creative Industries Expo by Malikhaing Pinoy 2026.

For creators and small businesses, this means building on the exposure gained at exhibitions through stronger business connections and opportunities to reach customers. Through SM for MSMEs, SM Supermalls continues its collaboration with DTI by connecting homegrown businesses to high-traffic marketplaces, greater visibility, new customers and potential partners. These opportunities help entrepreneurs introduce their products, learn from consumers and strengthen their businesses.

“Filipino creativity is already world-class. The opportunity is to help more creators turn that talent into sustainable enterprises, connect them to customers and markets, and give them platforms where they can grow,” said Royston Cabunag, AVP and Head of SM Communities at SM Supermalls.

CREATING BUSINESS CONNECTIONS. Exhibits and interactions at the DTI-led expo bring creative products and homegrown brands closer to visitors and industry stakeholders

Market exposure is one part of building a business. For young entrepreneurs, training, mentorship and a supportive community are equally essential. These needs were at the heart of the September 18 engagement with ASEAN-BAC Philippines at Citadines Bay City Manila in Pasay City. Led by ASEAN-BAC Philippines Chair Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, the gathering formalized collaboration connected with the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit and the broader ASEAN youth entrepreneurship agenda. The initiative aims to strengthen access to entrepreneurship education, mentors, business networks and regional collaboration.

“Our young people do not lack ideas or ambition. What they often need are the right tools, the right training and the right community to help turn those ideas into opportunities,” Cabunag added.

SUPPORTING YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Partners mark the formalization of collaboration connected with the ASEAN Youth Entrepreneurship Summit during the September 18 engagement at Citadines Bay City Manila, alongside the ASEAN-BAC and JBC meetings.

Through SM Cares’ Children and Youth programs, SM works with government, civil society and private-sector partners to encourage youth participation, leadership and development. These efforts complement SM for MSMEs’ work in helping entrepreneurs gain visibility and reach customers.

Together, the engagements underscored why creative enterprise and youth entrepreneurship need sustained public-private support. SM contributes through its marketplaces and partnerships, helping local businesses build customer relationships while supporting initiatives that equip the next generation of entrepreneurs to grow.

CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS COMMERCE. Fashion, accessories and locally created products illustrate how Filipino design and cultural expression can take shape as marketable goods.

FILIPINO DESIGN IN FOCUS. Garments and embellished pieces at the expo showcase the craftsmanship and creative detail behind locally designed fashion.

With its nationwide reach and strong network of partners, SM continues to bring opportunities closer to communities—helping Filipino creators, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs move from ideas to enterprise, and supporting their ambitions for growth. Creativity creates possibilities. Entrepreneurship turns possibilities into livelihoods. Partnership allows both to grow.

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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together. Through SM for MSMEs, SM continues to evolve with the needs of Filipino entrepreneurs by creating opportunities that help businesses start, grow, and thrive. From market access and business visibility to strategic partnerships and entrepreneurship platforms, SM empowers MSMEs across different stages and sectors—connecting homegrown brands with more customers and communities nationwide.

My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.