SM Supermalls hosts COMELEC Mall Voting on May 12.

Heads up, voters! The countdown to the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections has begun—and this year, casting your vote just got a whole lot easier.

In partnership with the Commission on Elections, SM Supermalls is proud to roll out the Mall Voting Program in 20 select SM malls nationwide, bringing democracy closer to home—literally.

Gone are the days of sweltering heat and overcrowded school gyms. This May 12, eligible voters assigned to MVP locations can head to their designated SM mall to vote in a secure, accessible, and air-conditioned environment. Whether you’re a busy parent, a working professional, or a senior citizen looking for comfort and ease, the MVP is designed to improve your voting experience—one step (or escalator ride) at a time.

Who Can Vote in the Mall?

Only voters whose precincts were officially transferred to a mall. This is indicated in the final list from COMELEC.

How Can I Confirm If I Vote in a Mall?

Check any of the following: 

• precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph
• Your Voter Information Sheet
• Mall posters or tarps
• Barangay caravans or your local COMELEC office

Voting Hours at the Mall:

• 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM — Priority: Seniors, PWDs, Pregnant voters
• 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM — Regular voting hours

Can I Bring Someone to Help Me Vote?

Yes, a relative (up to 4th degree) or Electoral Board member may assist.

Can My Companion Vote at the Mall Too?

Only if their precinct was also officially transferred to the same mall.

Here’s a list of the participating SM Supermalls where you can conveniently vote this coming May 12:

1. SM City Manila
2. SM City North EDSA
3. SM City Fairview
4. SM City Sucat
5. SM City Bicutan
6. SM City BF Parañaque
7. SM City East Ortigas
8. SM City Southmall
9. SM City Cauayan
10. SM City Baliwag
11. SM City Tarlac
12. SM City Batangas
13. SM City Santa Rosa
14. SM City Puerto Princesa
15. SM City Legazpi
16. SM City Iloilo
17. SM City Consolacion
18. SM CDO Uptown
19. SM CDO Downtown
20. SM City Butuan

From Luzon to Mindanao, SM Supermalls is proud to open its doors—rent-free—for the benefit of Filipino voters. And don’t worry, COMELEC’s got the backend handled: trained election personnel, full compliance with electoral rules, and tight coordination for logistics and security.

Why mall voting works

The goal? A smoother, more inclusive voting experience—especially for Persons with Disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant voters. Think ramps, elevators, comfortable seating, and spacious voting areas—all in a familiar and accessible setting.

“We believe democracy should be inclusive, convenient, and secure,” shared Junias Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations at SM Supermalls. “By offering our malls as voting venues, we’re not just making it easier to vote—we’re helping empower every Filipino to make their voice heard.”

Democracy meets convenience

This isn’t SM’s first time teaming up with government agencies. Through the SM Government Service Express, select SM malls already offer one-stop access to services like ID processing, permits, and more. The MVP is yet another way SM Supermalls is stepping up to serve the public in meaningful ways.

Plan ahead

Eligible for mall voting? Expect an official advisory from COMELEC about your assigned voting venue. Then, on May 12, head to your designated SM mall, bring a valid ID, and vote with ease.

Let’s all do our part—vote smart, vote safe, and vote comfortably.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Lemon Square Bakery Treats' Berry Blossom Bouquet!

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your love and appreciation than with a beautifully crafted cake? This year, Lemon Square Bakery Treats introduces its latest masterpiece: the Berry Blossom Bouquet Cake—a delightful fusion of elegance, freshness, and flavor that perfectly captures the essence of spring and the warmth of a mother's love.

Blooming with Love in Every Slice

The Berry Blossom Bouquet Cake is a true celebration of the mom's love. Delicately layered with moist vanilla and strawberry chiffon with mixed berries filling in between, this cake is also adorned with blooms of buttercream rosebuds guaranteed to melt any mom's heart. The Berry Blossom Bouquet Cake is not just a dessert, but a centerpiece worthy of any Mother's Day celebration.

Perfect for Your Mother's Day Celebration

Whether it's a small Sunday brunch with the family or a grand celebration with guests and all, the Berry Blossom Bouquet Cake is the perfect addition to your table. Its dainty design and delicate taste are sure to impress not only your mom but everyone around. Pair it with a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of wine to elevate your Mother's Day experience.

The Berry Blossom Bouquet is available at all Lemon Square Bakery Treats branches for just Php 495. Also available for Mother's Day are the Special Brownies (Php 109 per box of 6), Special Cake Pops (Php 199 per box of 12), and Rose Chocolate Bouquet (Php 125). These blooming treats are also available for delivery via FoodPanda and Grab.

Philippine books make their mark at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025.

The Philippines made a stunning comeback at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, with a strong presence that highlighted the country's growing role in the international book market.

This year's event—which took place from April 26 to May 5, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre—was defined by the collaboration between the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), alongside a number of Filipino publishers who were keen to make their mark in the Arab market. Notably, all participating publishers are members of the BDAP, further underscoring their commitment to elevating Philippine publishing on the global stage.

Photo credit: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

The Philippine delegation was jointly led by NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade and BDAP President Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores. The publisher-focused lineup was composed of Atty. Pasion-Flores herself (Milflores Publishing), Ken Ortiz (Anvil Publishing), Jhorie Arciga (University of the Philippines Press), Gwenn Galvez (REX Education), Mary Ann Ordinario (ABC Educational Development Center), Cindy Wong (8Letters Bookstore and Publishing), Ruth Ann Octaviano (Central Books), and Jerico Silvers (J. Silvers Publishing). Together, they represented a variety of literary genres, from scholarly works and children's books to graphic novels and poetry.

The Philippine delegation at the ADIBF 2025.

Having a publisher-focused delegation is a strategic move, as the Philippine book industry targets more opportunities for distribution and translation. Each publisher promoted a carefully curated number of works that reflect the Philippines' literary diversity, from visual narratives in the form of comics to educational materials that convey the country’s culture and values.

“For the Philippines, the Arab book market is still largely untapped,“ said Aquino-Tugade, “and it’s time that we change that because, as our participation at Abu Dhabi has confirmed, our stories are very much in demand in this part of the world. To call it a significant market would be an understatement as it's also notably a point of convergence for many of the most interesting players in the book world, including Egypt, Azerbaijan, and Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan.” Aquino-Tugade continued, “These are countries that actually picked up our rights at the fair. We're setting our sights to new markets and readerships, and I think we were able to do just that at Abu Dhabi."

Interestingly, the genres that garnered the most attention during the ADIBF 2025 were Children and Young Adult, Literature, and General Interest, among others. This further highlights the fascination and curiosity as to what Philippine literature can offer to readers and publishers from the Arab market and beyond.

Aside from the showcase, the Philippine delegation also hosted a reception last April 27, during which key figures in the Arab publishing and literary circles attended to learn more about stories from the Philippines. The collaboration between the NBDB and BDAP has been vital in promoting the visibility of Philippine books on the global scene. BDAP's participation in the event emphasized the importance of cooperation in fueling the development of the local publishing industry, making the Philippines an influential player in the global book market.

“One of the biggest accomplishments of this delegation was having myself, the NBDB, and the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver meet with the Arab Language Center,” said Atty. Pasion-Flores. “I think we will be coming into the Arabic market stronger in the next couple of years, particularly in 2027 where we are aiming to be the ADIBF’s Guest of Honor.” Atty. Pasion-Flores added, “There was a wide variety of books that people were looking for in retail. In terms of rights selling, the quickest results can be seen from the sales of children’s picture books. Apparently, 10% of the UAE's population is Filipino. We found a hunger for Filipino books, both for children and adults, that distributors there want to address. I think we can make an even stronger showing of Filipino books in the coming couple of years.”

The participation of the Philippine delegation in the ADIBF is part of the strategy to cement the Philippines as a center for creative content in Southeast Asia. With the country's appointment as the Guest of Honour for the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, the world's biggest book fair, the Philippines is poised to further expand its reach across global markets with the support of initiatives like the NBDB's translation subsidy program. This program provides funding assistance to foreign publishers who are willing to translate Filipino literary works into other languages, further boosting the international dissemination of Philippine literature.

Photo credit: Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

At the closing of the event, the participation of the Philippine delegation in the ADIBF represents a major milestone in reaching the international market for Filipino-written books. The NBDB and BDAP are dedicated to further generating more avenues for Filipino authors and publishers to share their tales with readers around the world.