PASAY CITY, Philippines, SM Retail officially integrated the pioneer batch of the SM Foundation’s Upskill-to-Work Scholarship Program into its workforce following a Recognition and Send-Off Ceremony today at the company’s headquarters in Pasay City.
Seventeen scholars completed two months of intensive training led by SM Retail’s HR and Training team, earning Retail Customer Service Certifications. The graduates have now been deployed across SM Retail stores and business units throughout Metro Manila.
The program bridges a critical employment gap for senior high school graduates and first-time jobseekers who face barriers due to a lack of prior work experience, aligning with SM Foundation’s mission of empowering youth through career development by providing scholarship opportunities.
Beyond retail operations and customer service, the curriculum emphasizes workplace professionalism and values formation to ensure high-quality customer experiences across SM stores.
During the ceremony, scholars received certificates of completion and special awards, including the DELITE Champion, Customer Service Star, Future Leader Award, and Attendance Excellence Award.
The event concluded with a Commitment Ceremony, where graduates recited their pledge to uphold dependability, coachability, and service excellence on the retail floor.
Reflecting on the journey, scholar speaker Rizlyn Poringuez likened the training to building a solid foundation. “A building does not stand because of what people see on the outside, but because of what is underneath it, solid enough to carry the weight,” she shared.
For fellow graduate Andrea Mae Gallego, the program provided a vital pathway into the workforce. “It was hard to find a job because most employers look for experience. Now, after our training, I feel ready for the professional world,” she said.
For Kyle James Oga, the transformation was personal: “Before entering this program, I doubted myself. Now that I’ve graduated, I have this newfound confidence that I know I can succeed.”
SM Retail Mentors and leaders emphasized the sustainable impact of early-career intervention. Leny Hernandez, SM Retail Vice President for Human Resources, encouraged the graduates to serve as catalysts for growth within their teams. “You are the leaven—the element that helps everything rise,” Portillo said, urging them to embrace continuous learning and resilience.
Eleanor Lansang, SM Foundation Vice President for Scholarship Programs, reminded scholars to align their ambitions with the vision of SM’s late founder, Henry Sy, Sr. “Always dare to dream like our founder did, you never know where life takes you as long as you persevere,” Lansang stated. “This is just the beginning of what you can achieve.”
