When the ‘good guys’ come in first

“Good guys finish last” is the phrase often used to refer to the general lack of incentive / respect that society provides for virtuous behavior and rewards those with more superficial qualities. So maybe it takes a global pandemic for us to finally recalibrate that point of view and acknowledge the good guys who find simple but meaningful ways to show proper care and concern for their employees, their stakeholders, their consumers, and us, your audience.

Since the inception of the COVID-19 Community Quarantine in March, SM Prime Holdings, Inc, and two of its major subsidiaries, SM Supermalls & SM Development Corporation, have led the way to showcase Corporate Social Responsibility at a time when their revenues for integrated development it would take a hit. While there was a saving grace in Q1 2020 seeing growth for SMDC, the big picture for SM Prime saw them absorbing an 80% drop in Q2 compared to the same period in 2019. Given the current health and economic crisis, it was time to look beyond the results, follow the example of the Sy family, embrace SM’s core values, and find ways to serve the government and the entire population.

As SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim was ready to point out, one of the best decisions made during this national health crisis has been to turn the MOA Arena into a gigantic swab testing facility for returning OFWs. It was recognized that it was not fair to assume that the Government could solve the problem on its own; and needed the full support of the private sector. The continued employment of SM Prime staff was highlighted; And whether at the numerous SMDC properties or at the 74 SM Supermalls shopping centers across the country, strict security protocols were strictly adhered to.

At SMDC, President José Mari Banzón was proud to say that uninterrupted service by on-site staff was guaranteed as transportation was provided. Weekend markets were organized to provide residents with access to fresh produce, as well as personal shopping services for seniors and people with disabilities. There were blood-shedding activities to encourage volunteerism; and created webinars, focused on mental health, cyber safety, fitness and wellness, and even promoting entrepreneurship.

As can be expected, SM Supermalls was hit the hardest by the prolonged Community Quarantine. As Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, says, 70% of its tenants are SMEs that do not have financial resources and rental concessions were arranged. As the Malls gradually reopened under GCQ, it was crucial that the safety of Mall goers was ensured; and this included antimicrobial copper film for elevator buttons and ultraviolet light disinfection for escalator handrails.

In the provinces, where third-party delivery systems are not robust, SM reached out to displaced jeepey drivers and recruited them to make deliveries. Online shopping, and such deliveries or take-out, became the norm as SM looked for ways and means to support its tenants and help them get through this difficult time for all. Viber Groups kept the SM Malls community aware of what was available and how it might reach you.

Now let’s scratch the surface; Get to know a little about the good guys at SM Prime, go beyond the titles they carry:

José Mari Banzón is the one you don’t want to get caught up in a foot race with. A marathon enthusiast; when pressed, he admitted he has a best time of 26.2 miles of 3 hours and 32 minutes (breaking 4 hours is the “wall” that most non-professional runners look for). We laughed at his anecdote about the pandemic that after just two months, his home treadmill broke as it wasn’t built for distance. He swears by his wife’s roast chicken as his comfort food. Putting the right value on the relationships you create is your best-learned COVID lesson; Working with others, trusting them, and recognizing how they, in turn, trust you, we feel stressed during this health crisis.

Steven’s Choice Radish Cake, steamed dim sum style, is the inside joke of what is Steven Tan’s favorite pandemic food choice. And for Steven, the most crucial lesson learned over the past six months is the importance of health. , referring to the health of family, friends, co-workers and Supermalls customers. A manager passed away in March, succumbing to the virus. Steven’s friends know how much he loves to travel, and if there’s one place he really misses, it’s Paris. There he took his MBA; And since he was 21 years old, he could be found strolling down the Rive Gauche at some point of the year. For Steven, a visit to the City of Lights is his recharging ritual.

If pressed to say what new things he “learned” during the pandemic, Jeffrey C. Lim would laugh and say that he is more tech-savvy than ever. Hard-boiled eggs were his simplest food during the pandemic, and it resonates with how he realized that “you really don’t need that much to live from day to day.” The quarantine took him away from his love of golf, and he shakes his head admitting that it affected his handicap tremendously, in a bad way. I asked around, and the people who came to the corral were unanimous in saying that Mr. Lim is super simple and always accessible; so it came as no surprise that when I asked him what was the hardest thing he had to do during this pandemic, his eyes twinkled and he joked, ‘This video recording.