Taiwan Excellence brings 24 innovative brands to the Philippines, opening new opportunities for business

Taiwan is bringing its innovation capabilities closer to the Philippine market as the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion takes part in Taiwan Expo 2026 from September 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. Under the theme “Empowering a Smarter Future,” the pavilion will feature 24 Taiwan Excellence-awarded brands spanning Intelligent Technology, Smart Life, Smart Healthcare, and Consumer Electronics, presenting a cross-section of Taiwan expertise to Philippine companies and industry leaders.

The showcase comes at a time when businesses are looking for technologies that can strengthen their operations, respond to changing market demands, and create new avenues for growth. By bringing Taiwan brands and their capabilities to Manila, the pavilion provides a venue for Philippine businesses to explore technologies, establish industry connections, and consider potential areas of cooperation.

Rather than focusing solely on individual products, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion highlights the broader capabilities behind them, from research, design, manufacturing, and technology. The participating brands demonstrate how Taiwan’s innovation ecosystem continues to develop products with applications across multiple sectors and international markets.

Connecting Taiwan’s Technology with Philippine Businesses

For companies seeking new technologies and international partners, Taiwan Expo 2026 offers an avenue to engage with Taiwan businesses and understand their areas of expertise.

The pavilion will feature messages from representatives of participating Taiwan companies and organizations, offering perspectives on their work and the role of innovation in addressing emerging market needs. The exhibition also creates space for potential business relationships. Philippine companies can explore solutions relevant to their sectors, while Taiwan participants gain an opportunity to better understand the Philippine market and identify areas for future partnerships.

Four Sectors, One Vision for Growth

The 24 featured products are grouped into four categories: Intelligent Technology, Smart Life, Smart Healthcare, and Consumer Electronics. Intelligent Technology covers developments in connected systems and advanced computing. Smart Life focuses on products designed for modern environments and changing consumer needs. Smart Healthcare brings together tools related to health, wellness, and care, while Consumer Electronics highlights products supporting an increasingly digital economy.

It also illustrates how innovation can extend across sectors rather than confined to a single field. As technology becomes increasingly interconnected with business, healthcare and daily life, cross-industry expertise becomes an systemic part of building a resilient market.

Strengthening Regional Business Connections

The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion forms part of a wider effort to strengthen trade relationships between Taiwan and international markets. The value of the exhibition extends beyond the three-day event. Business conversations that begin at the pavilion can lead to deeper discussions around market entry, distribution, technology integration, and other forms of commercial collaboration.

Bringing Innovation to a Wider Philippine Audience

The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion will also feature Ivana Alawi and Dimples Romana, who will join the event and explore the consumer benefits of participating Taiwan brands. Their involvement connects the business-focused exhibition with a wider Filipino audience, showing that developments in technology can have relevance beyond the corporate environment.

Fu Bear, the brand ambassador of Taiwan Excellence, whose job is to share Taiwan’s best products, tech, healthy, and eco-friendly lifestyle with the world, will likewise be present throughout the three-day event, welcoming guests and adding an interactive element to the pavilion experience.

As Taiwan and the Philippines continue to build stronger connections, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion stands as a meeting point for ideas, industries and opportunities that can help shape what comes next.

For more information and updates on the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion at Taiwan Expo 2026, follow Taiwan Excellence on social media (FB: @TaiwanExcellence.ph, IG: @taiwanexcellence_ph, LinkedIn: Taiwan- excellence).

SM Job Fair marks 500th milestone, expands access to jobs and future-ready skills

 For thousands of Filipinos, finding the right job begins with having the right opportunity within reach. SM Job Fair marked a major milestone while widening access to employment and skills development—from celebrating its 500th nationwide job fair and bringing SM Group employers directly to communities, to working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to connect technical-vocational training with careers. Together, these initiatives reflect SM Supermalls’ continuing commitment to make the journey from preparing for work to finding meaningful employment more accessible to Filipinos.

OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN REACH. Across SM malls nationwide, jobseekers are finding new ways to connect with jobs, skills, and brighter possibilities.

500 JOB FAIRS—AND COUNTING! 

On August 12, SM City Daet hosted the 500th SM Job Fair, marking an important milestone in SM Supermalls’ nationwide jobs advocacy.  As of its 500th Job Fair, the program has connected around 330,000 jobseekers with thousands of employers nationwide, resulting in more than 42,000 applicants hired on the spot (HOTS). Behind those numbers are individual journeys—from fresh graduates looking for their first break and career shifters starting again to breadwinners and experienced professionals taking their next step.

500 JOB FAIRS, THOUSANDS OF NEW BEGINNINGS. At SM City Daet, a nationwide milestone became personal as another jobseeker walked away hired on the spot.

Through partnerships with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), local Public Employment Service Offices (PESO), employers, and industry organizations, SM continues to use its nationwide mall network to bring jobs closer to communities.

FROM OPPORTUNITY TO EMPLOYMENT AT THE SM GROUP JOB FAIR

ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CAREER. Jobseekers meet SM Group recruiters face-to-face, turning applications and interviews into possibilities for a fresh start.

The momentum continued on August 18 at SM City Fairview, where the SM Group Job Fair connected jobseekers with career opportunities across the SM Group. 

Applicants met recruiters face-to-face, explored vacancies, submitted applications, and underwent interviews in one accessible venue—simplifying the hiring journey while helping participating companies meet potential talent from the community.

For fresh graduate May Stephanie, the search for her first job ended with good news when she was hired by Savemore. “Masaya po kasi mahirap po maghanap ng work lalo po pag fresh grad ka po.” Her experience reflects the human impact behind every successful match: a chance to begin a career, earn a livelihood, and build toward a more secure future. 

FROM SKILLS TO OPPORTUNITIES WITH TESDA

SKILLS IN ACTION. Hands-on training turns learning into practical skills that can open doors to the workplace.

As industries evolve, Filipinos need both access to jobs and the skills to succeed in them. Last August, SM Supermalls and TESDA brought the World Café of Opportunities (WCO) to SM malls nationwide in celebration of 2026 National Tech-Voc Day, connecting technical-vocational graduates and jobseekers with employers and industry partners.

READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT. From technology to creative skills, Filipino talent gets hands-on experience for an evolving world of work.

At the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on August 24, more than 1,000 jobseekers met 54 participating employers offering more than 4,000 job opportunities. Job matching was complemented by skills demonstrations in HVAC, autonomous robotics, driving, animation, and coffee barista—showing how practical training can translate into workplace readiness.

For Jeff Justine Geraga, a BS IT student at the University of Makati who took Computer Systems Servicing through TESDA, gaining additional skills has helped strengthen his confidence in a competitive job market. 

“Definitely tumaas ang value ko dahil may added skills ako from TESDA, more opportunities for me. Requirement na po ang upskilling dahil competitive po ngayon.”

A key highlight was the launch of the TESDA Skills Compass, a career guidance and job-matching platform that helps Filipinos explore career pathways and connect their competencies with in-demand jobs. For some participants, the connection between skills and employment became immediate. 

After traveling from Mindoro in search of work, Cristyl Faith Robles was hired on the spot as a barista at French Baker.  

“Masaya po kasi last week pa po kami nag-aapply ng work kasi galing pa po kami sa Mindoro... Para po ito sa magulang ko at sa kapatid ko para matulungan ko po siya sa college.”

Employers also recognize the value of skills-based training. CJ Bajamunde, HR Assistant at SMC Repairs and Maintenance, shared that TESDA training and certifications are among the qualifications the company looks for when recruiting skilled workers. 

 “Nakatulong po talaga ang TESDA hindi lang sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho, kundi sa aming mga employers din.” 

Through the World Café of Opportunities, SM and TESDA are helping turn skills into employability—connecting training, talent, and industry needs in ways that can lead to meaningful careers.

LEARNING THAT MOVES PEOPLE FORWARD. Free upskilling brings future-ready knowledge closer to learners in SM communities.

MORE JOBS AND SKILLS THIS SEPTEMBER

The momentum continues this September as SM Job Fair brings another nationwide lineup of employment activities to SM malls, complemented by government career opportunities and upskilling sessions with partners.

SEPTEMBER JOB FAIR SCHEDULE

• September 1 – SM City Sto. Tomas

• September 3 – SM City Manila

• September 4 – SM City Sta. Mesa

• September 7–8 – SM City Butuan

• September 8–9 – SM City Iloilo

• September 8–9 – SM City Davao

• September 9 – SM City Baguio

• September 9–10 – SM City Cebu

• September 9–10 – SM CDO Downtown Premier

• September 10 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 10 – SM Center Muntinlupa

• September 10 – SM City Tuguegarao

• September 10 – SM City North EDSA

• September 10 – SM City Zamboanga

• September 10 – SM Center Muntinlupa

• September 12 – SM City La Union

• September 12 – SM City San Pablo

• September 14 – SM Center Antipolo

• September 14 – SM CDO Downtown Premier

• September 16–17 – SM Seaside City Cebu

• September 22–23 – SM Seaside City Cebu

• September 23 – SM City Calamba

• September 24 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 24 – SM Center Pulilan

• September 24 – SM City Bacoor

*Schedules, venues, and participating partners may be subject to change.

UPSKILLING SESSIONS

Jobseekers and learners can also take advantage of upskilling activities scheduled throughout the month:

• September 10 – SM City Trece Martires

• September 12 – SM Center Sangandaan

• September 12 – SM City North EDSA 

• September 24 – SM City Trece Martires

MORE THAN JOBS

SM’s employment advocacy continues beyond recruitment. Through partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, and industry organizations, SM Supermalls has provided free upskilling opportunities to more than 1,600 learners, covering artificial intelligence, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and other emerging workplace competencies. In select malls, SM Government Service Express (GSE) also brings essential government services closer to communities, with selected locations serving as Upskilling Hubs.

From reaching the 500th SM Job Fair to helping a fresh graduate land a first job, and from gaining a technical skill to finding where it can lead, August demonstrated what can happen when employment, learning, services, and strong partnerships come together.

THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY STARTS HERE. Beyond the 500th milestone, SM Job Fair continues to connect more Filipinos with employers and possibilities closer to home.

And as SM Job Fair moves beyond its 500th milestone, the work continues—helping more Filipinos find jobs, build relevant skills, and move toward better futures closer to home. To learn more about upcoming SM Job Fairs and free upskilling opportunities, visit the SM Supermalls website or follow SM Supermalls’ official social media pages.

EVERY CONVERSATION CAN OPEN A DOOR. Jobseekers meet recruiters face-to-face at SM Job Fairs, taking another step toward their next career opportunity.

Strong performance, stronger trust: SM Supermalls evolves for the next generation of customers

 SM Supermalls delivered record revenues in the first half the year, expanding 8% to P41.8 billion from P38.6 billion. Its exceptional performance was driven by higher leasable space and tenant sign-ups, along with steady foot traffic. 

Mall operator sustains portfolio transformation reinforced with customer-obsessed strategy following strong H1 business performance  

Total gross leasable area grew 3 percent to 5.1 million square meters from 5.0 million square meters, while the number of tenants rose 4 percent to 23,174 from 22,192. Average daily foot traffic was steady at 3.7 million.  

“Our growth reflects the enduring trust of our tenants and shoppers. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, they continue to find value in the variety of our offerings and the strong sense of community in our malls,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. “This gives us confidence to keep investing in spaces and experiences that respond to their changing needs.”

SM’s Transformation Journey

Noting market demand for diverse and unique experiences beyond retail, SM enhanced its spaces with refreshed sports, leisure, and entertainment offerings. The mall operator sustained foot traffic through the addition of 41 Pickleball courts in its first-half inventory, bringing up the number of its courts to 102 courts across 32 properties nationwide.

On June 12, 2026, SM Supermalls also co-hosted the Galaxy Manila Marathon, the first-ever full marathon to take over EDSA, drawing over 25,000 runners across multiple categories.

On top of these, SM also emphasized its corporate purpose of driving value to its surrounding communities through sustainable facilities developed in its malls. From 100 Megawatt peak (MWp) solar power generated through its mall rooftop solar PV system, SM has increased its capacity to 122 MWp with further plans on expansion until the end of the year. SM also recently reached 100% coverage for free EV Charging Stations across all 90 of its malls at 203 EV charging stations.

Because of its sustained innovation and pioneering customer-centric vision, SM Supermalls was heralded as the Philippines’ Strongest Brand for the second year in a row by leading global brand valuation consultancy firm Brand Finance. Fueled by its strong customer, community, and advocacy initiatives, SM Supermalls scored a 95.3 out of 100 on the Brand Strength Index, surpassing its 2025 performance to retain its AAA+ rating in the Philippines 50 2026 report.

The next chapter of My SM

With these milestones, SM aims to sustain its customer-defined transformation through My SM—its five-year platform for evolving SM malls around the changing needs, lifestyles and aspirations of Filipino communities.

“Our growth plan for the rest of 2026 and beyond is to continue evolving for our customers. SM will keep building business momentum through the introduction of exciting new brands, cinema and entertainment acts, as well as leisure offerings that will sustain market interest. With the upcoming opening of our 91st mall, SM Nuvali, we are expanding our business footprint in the emerging growth corridor of South Luzon and Calabarzon with an innovative upscale mall concept never experienced in the Philippine market before,” said Tan.