SM Supermalls Celebrates the Power of Pinoy Netizens on Social Media Day

Posted by on July 27, 2015

The Philippines' biggest mall network, SM Supermalls, recently converged with hundreds of Filipino netizens for the highly anticipated Social Media Day 2015.

Tech website Mashable spearheaded the annual event worldwide — which fittingly carried the hashtag #SMDay — while TweetUpMNL was the lead organizer in the Philippines. This grand meet-up of dynamic online communities and digital brands acclaims the power of social media as instrumental for societal change.

A digital-savvy brand itself, SM Supermalls is actively engaging on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Viber Public Chat. It shares rich content that is helpful and valuable to customers, spreading the word (and the images) of its best and latest in dining, retail, and entertainment. Beyond demonstrating that at SM Supermalls, indeed #EverythingsHere, its social media platforms also support SM Foundation’s CSR programs that further improve the Filipino life. All such digital campaigns aim for stronger connectivity and community building with patrons.

Resonant with SM Supermalls’ digital drives, #SMDay in the Philippines was all about #ChangePH. The events thus featured digital innovations and trends that have fueled the lives of many Pinoys.

“It is an opportunity to look at new apps, tools, and tech that help bring about significant changes, big and small: changes in how we Filipinos live, work, do business, travel, study, express, communicate, share, and form relationships,” TweetUpMNL, co-founded by Rosario Juan, released in a statement.

#SMDay in the Philippines gathered groups from different social media platforms in one grand meet-up. The event served as an opportunity to team up on programs and initiatives. Blogger and columnist Tonyo Cruz, also a TweetUpMNL co-founder, emphasized that this cooperation allows everybody to “do things better, work better, achieve more, and help solve more problems.” SM Supermalls is keen to support such dynamic online communities, and this allows the malls to stay closely attuned to the needs and interests of the netizens the groups represent.

Attendees enjoyed several lightning talks on #ChangePH. Speakers included urban planning expert Paolo Alcazaren, spoken word performer Juan Miguel Severo, film writer and director Antoinette Jadaone, LGBT advocates Thysz Estrada and Stefan Punongbayan, social media leader Jayvee Fernandez, bitcoin champion Christine Aguilar, youth leader Miggy Azurin, and the team behind The Soshal Network. There were also performances from SoundCloud Philippines, Words Anonymous, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Zeus Collins.

To celebrate with the netizens, SM Supermalls gave away fun gifts to attendees. Online communities LoveLikeShare and JCI each received 50 ride certificates at SM MOA by the Bay Amusement Park, while Igers Manila and TumblrPH got 50 passes each to Sky Ranch Tagaytay. SM Supermalls also held an hourly raffle for Instagram followers. Prizes included gift certificates for Sun Cruises, NIU by Vikings, Flawless, and an e-Plus entertainment package that includes bowling and skating at SM malls.

After hosting Social Media Day last year at SM Aura Premier and the success of the 2015 event, SM Supermalls looks toward greater engagement with such a robust digital community.