Food On Four at SM Aura reopens

Everyone’s favorite dining destination – Food On Four at SM Aura – is back, and as the city’s newest food and market hall, it’s springing up exciting new flavors and elevated culinary experiences.

(L-R): Deli by Chele’s Chef Carlos Villaflor, Diggy’s Pizza’s Diego Virata, Sushi Nori’s Benj Ramos, Cinnabon’s Rene Santos, Delimondo Café’s Dani Enrile, Le Chon Prime’s Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Carol Sy, SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan, Pepper Lunch’s Cecile Zamora, Kevin Ong Patisserie’s Kevin Ong, Nadai Fujisoba’s Chef Yoshiaki Kudo and David Guevarra, and Teakha’s Kyle Go

Food On Four’s stunning transformation features bright, contemporary, and inviting interiors, almost reminiscent of springtime, with décor inspired by the season: vibrant wildflower blooms, pockets of lush foliage and potted palms, and delightful hummingbird hologram installations. An impressive central skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in light.

Food On Four at SM Aura is where modern design meets a bright space for a stylish and memorable dining experience.

Diners are spoiled for choice with Food On Four’s exciting lineup of tenants, catering to every craving and palate – from chef-driven concepts to exciting new players and returning crowd favorites.

Food enthusiasts are in for a gastronomic treat with chef-driven concepts: Deli by Chele by Chef Chele González and Chef Carlos Villaflor, a New York-style deli bringing to Manila its signature pastrami and artisanal sandwiches; Kevin Ong Patisserie by Chef Kevin Ong renowned for his exquisitely handcrafted chocolate bonbons, choux pastries, and mirror-glazed mousse cakes; Nadai Fujisoba by Japanese Chef Yoshiaki Kudo, casual Japanese dining specializing in authentic soba noodles; Le Chon Prime by Chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu who brings a different twist to the usual lechon by incorporating French techniques and flavors to the beloved Filipino dish. 

Soon to open is Diggy’s California Style Pizza, headed by Chef Carlos Garcia, who has over 14 years of experience at Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid and London. Diggy’s California Style Pizza’s SM Aura branch will be first in the market; and Delimondo Café by Chef Hermogenes Hernandez serves up all-day comfort food such as rice bowls, pasta, and coffee.

Deli by Chele's NY-Style Brisket Pastrami is a symphony of savory in every bite.

In celebration of SM’s 65th anniversary, SM Markets brings exciting treats and promos for shoppers.

Kevin Ong Patisserie is renowned for its elegant handcrafted bonbons.

Pastry Chef Kevin Ong of Kevin Ong Patisserie is celebrated for his mastery in creating exquisite confections.

Authentic Japanese noodles are offered at Nadai Fujisoba, a renowned chain popular for its delectable offerings.

Nadai Fujisoba's Chef Yoshiaki Kudo is a master of soba noodles.

Experience a true feast at Le Chon Prime with their Cebu Le Chon belly infused with Tanglad Butter flavor, accompanied by signature Butter Rice and a trio of dipping sauces.

Happy Ongpauco-Tiu is the heart and soul of Le Chon Prime's culinary magic.

Not to be missed are: Bored & Hungry, the US-based burger joint famous for its smashed patties, and Teakha, with its delectable menu of Chinese comfort food including their freshly crafted dimsum. Both are also making their debut at Food On Four and in the city.

Bored & Hungry's smashed patty takes your burger game to the next level.

Restaurateur Charlie Paw brings California-style burgers with an NFT twist via Bored & Hungry.

Teakha elevates traditional Chinese flavors with a contemporary touch.

Angelita and Kyle Go reimagines Chinese cuisine with a modern approach at Teakha.

Delimondo Café’s assortment of delicious pastries and buns.

Food enthusiasts will be thrilled to see their beloved Cinnabon, Frankie’s New York Buffalo Wings, Pepper Lunch Express, Puffy’s Souffle Pancakes, Sizzling Plate, and Sushi Nori are back at Food on Four.

Cinnabon's swirls are packed with gooey cinnamon filling that harmonizes with creamy frosting for a decadent treat.

Frankie’s Classic Buffalo Wings, the OG recipe that keeps Frankie's famous.

Ed Firmalo is the secret weapon behind Frankie's New York Buffalo Wings' addictive flavors.

Pepper Lunch Express' appetizing Beef Pepper Rice

Puffy's Souffle Pancake Café's bestselling Oreo Cheesecake Pancake

Kyrah and Lester Tan of Puffy's Souffle Pancake Café.

Unleash a wave of flavor and satisfaction with Sizzling Plate's iconic meat dishes.

Carol Sy of Sizzling Plate.

Experience the joy of chirashi with Sushi Nori: salmon, tuna, tamago, kani, and ebiko with cucumber and nori strips.

Whetting our appetites are soon-to-open tenants: Saboten Express, coming straight from Shinjuku, Tokyo in Japan, Saboten is known for being one of the largest Tonkatsu chains, serving crunchy cutlets of pork, chicken, and seafood; Pronto, an on-the-go food retail concept that specializes in serving epicurean dishes and wholesome meals. They will have a retail row offering a curated selection of gourmand finds from wines, preserved goods, truffle snacks, and more. Pronto’s SM Aura branch will be the first in the market; likewise, Malabar is set to revolutionize traditional beverage offerings with their unique and innovative take on both cocktails and non-alcoholic options, opens its first branch at Food On Four. 

Whether you’re craving classic comfort food or looking for exciting new flavors to tickle your palate, Food On Four is a culinary haven waiting to be explored.  

Food On Four is located on Level 4 at SM Aura.

SM SUPERMALLS and BFP Conduct Fire Drill to Commemorate Fire Prevention Month

by Info @Brand Zone | March 15, 2024

More than 21k employees, security guards, janitors, other agency personnel, customers, BFP personnel in more than 106 SM malls, offices and properties participated in 3rd SM Supermalls  and Bureau of Fire Protection Nationwide Simultaneous Fire Drill on March 13, 2024.

Smoke was seen coming out of the Megamall as part of the fire and evacuation drill conducted in SM Megamall where members of the BFP Mandaluyong Rope Rescue Team rescued trapped consumers from the rooftop.

The drill simulated the occurrence of a 7.2. magnitude earthquake which resulted to destructive fire, explosion of gas farm, and collapsed of some structures with injuries to people inside the mall, missing persons, and trapped victims. SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City was the main venue of the fire drill.

The Mandaluyong City Fire Station, Mandaluyong CDRRMO, PNP, MMDA, barangay, together with SM’s fire brigade teams and tenants  demonstrated their respective capabilities including rope rescue and high angle rescue by the BFP Special Rescue Force, tenant employees demonstrated how to use fire blankets and fire extinguishers, and SM Fire Brigade Team as first responders on the scene.

The nationwide simultaneous fire drill is one of the ways in which SM affirms its contribution to the creation of risk-resilient societies. The Public-Private Partnership with the BFP give priority to the constant training of SM’s personnel to respond to disasters including earthquakes and destructive fires. This in turn help in ensuring the safety of SM’s stakeholders including costumers, tenants, employees, nearby communities and the general public.

Present in the Megamall Fire Drill were L-R: FSupt Nazrudyn M. Cablayan (Mandaluyong  City Fire Marshal), Ian Mathay (SM Supermalls Megamall AVP), Atty. Pearl Jayagan Turley (SM Supermalls AVP for Corporate Compliance), CSupt Manuel Golino (BFP Director  for Fire Safety Enforcement), Engr. Liza B. Silerio (SM Supermalls VP for Corporate Compliance), Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr.,  USec Serafin Barreto of DILG,  Engr. Junias Eusebio (VP Mall Operations of SM Supermalls),   SSupt Rodrigo Reyes (ARDO of BFP NCR).

PCW, UN summit at SM amplifies call to invest in women to drive progress

by Info @Brand Zone | March 13, 2024

Women’s rights advocates and gender equality champions gathered at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura recently for an International Women’s Day (IWD) summit spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and UN Women, in partnership with SM Supermalls.

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (third from left) with from right: SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado and Deputy Executive Director Kristine Balmes, and moderator Bernadette Sembrano

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan (right), Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers (third from right), UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez (second from left), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado (third from left), UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina (left), and Bernadette Sembrano (second from right)

Anchored on the global theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ the one-day summit covered crucial topics such as poverty alleviation, institutional strengthening, gender-inclusive financing, and the role of technology in enabling women, particularly entrepreneurs.

(L-R): SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin, SM Prime Holdings Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy, Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, and SM Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza Silerio

Opening the summit were SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, PCW Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado, and UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, whose messages also served as a unifying call to action for the advancement of women’s empowerment and equality towards nation-building.

Opening the summit were SM Sup

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan at UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez (L-R)

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda spoke about the role of legislation in promoting women’s rights. She highlighted the burden of unpaid care and domestic work by women, which her bill (Unpaid Care Workers Welfare Act of 2022) seeks to address to ensure fair sharing of household and caregiving duties. Senator Legarda’s legislative efforts have included supporting the passage of crucial laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, among others.

Keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda

For an international perspective, esteemed panelists Australian Ambassador HK Yu, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran, International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan, and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung spurred insightful discussions on championing women through their gender-inclusive development programs in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador HK Yu (third from right), Canadian Ambassador David Hartman (right), UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran (second from left), International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan (left), and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung (third from left), with Rissa Mananquil Trillo (second from right)

Australian Ambassador HK Yu (second from right), Canadian Ambassador David Hartman (third from right), UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran (third from left), International Labour Organization Country Director Khalid Hassan (second from left), and Asian Development Bank Director Samantha Hung (left), with Rissa Mananquil Trillo (right)

On the Philippines’ efforts, experts from key government agencies – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Atty. Charina De Vera Yap, Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Anna Liza Bonagua, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development’s Jeanne Frances Illo, Philippine Commission on Women’s Anita Baleda, Commission on Audit’s Fortunata Rubico, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Miramel Garcia-Laxa – shared transformative strategies and outcomes of financing through a gender lens and gender-responsive budgeting.

(L-R): Philippine Commission on Women’s Anita Baleda, UPPAF Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development’s Jeanne Frances Illo, Commission on Audit’s Fortunata Rubico, and Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Miramel Garcia-Laxa

Guest speaker, Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers, set the tone for sessions on the pivotal role of technology in advancing women’s empowerment in business.

Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers

Robers highlighted the importance of women's diverse perspectives in technology. She said, "We cannot understate the benefits of a world where women are involved in shaping our future through technology."

The sessions highlighted how businesses can leverage technology to bridge gender gaps and promote social change. Panelists Anne Emperado-Macababat (Malanne), Eliza Antonino (Moment Group), and creative and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan, served as a testament to empowered women creating livelihood opportunities to uplift the lives of many more women.

Singapore-based She Loves Tech co-founder, Leanne Robers (left), Anne Emperado-Macababat of Malanne (second from right), Eliza Antonino of Moment Group (third from left), and creative and social entrepreneur Zarah Juan (second from left), with UN Women Champion Bianca Gonzalez (right)

Likewise, a panel discussion with Landbank’s Leila Martin, BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco and Joel Andres, and Connected Women’s Gina Romero helped participants navigate the benefits and challenges of technology, addressing the risks of fraud and scams, and the safety and security of financial transactions.

Landbank’s Leila Martin (third from left), BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco (left) and Joel Andres (second from right), Connected Women’s Gina Romero (second from left), and UN Women Champion Bianca Gonzalez (right)

Landbank’s Leila Martin (third from left), BDO Unibank’s Atty. Federico Tancongco (left) and Joel Andres (second from right), Connected Women’s Gina Romero (second from left), and UN Women Champion Bianca Gonzalez (right)

Capping the summit was SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy who reiterated the theme of the summit in her closing remarks. Sy said, “Investing in women is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic imperative for a better world.”

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Assistant Vice President and Program Director Jessica Sy

Actress and film producer Bella Padilla

The IWD summit is one of the highlights of SM Supermalls’ celebration of Women’s Month this March and was also supported by BDO, Belle du Jour, Brittany Hotel, Brownies Unlimited, Crate & Barrel, Toby’s Estate, Goldilocks, and SM Store.