Future is in the bag

CEBU, Philippines - SM Supermalls launched simultaneously the more refreshing, stylishly chic, and contemporary designs of eco bags last August 6 with the younger market for an inspiration.

“We cannot think about the future without thinking about the youth,” said Maria Teresa “Tata” Mempin, SM City Cebu assistant manager, in her presentation of the rationalé of the launch at the SM City Cebu Event Center.

“With over 40 million youth population, our country is dominated by young people aged 13 to 35 and almost 20 million are enrolled in schools,” she said.

“We recognize the important role of the youth in nation-building and through these new eco bags, we hope to imbibe in them four simple philosophies – Renew, Spark, Flow and Breathe; simple words that inspire a life change,” according to Mempin.

The multifunctional eco bag is made from 100-percent polypropylene, a non-toxic material that is also non-reactive to skin – a notch better than single-use plastic bags.

Mempin stressed that the youth can help renew the earth by reducing waste and by sparking a revolution in smart energy so we can let waters flow with life again and so we can also breathe clean, pristine air once more.”

“With repetition, these evolve to a declaration, an advocacy,” she said.

The launch of the eco bags came with an audio-video presentation that encapsulates SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s philosophy from no less than its president, Mr. Hans T. Sy.

Sy works on the conviction that SM Prime is no longer just a business but a partner in nation building. “As we have the privilege of serving millions of people daily, we are deeply aware that this comes with great responsibility,” he said through the three-minute AVP.

The first eco-friendly green bag was launched January 16, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia. World renowned artist Manny Baldemor’s creative genius gave birth to four distinctive designs – Graces from the Sea, Graces from the Air, Graces from the Land, and Spiritual Light and Supreme Energy.

Introducing the green bag last year was SM’s step to inform the public and raise awareness about reducing wastes and the minimal use of plastics.

Since then, Mempin further said, 1.5 million SM green bags have been distributed and that the ubiquitous green sack bag has been spotted in various parts of the globe – from key cities in Asia like Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, and Malaysia to various states of America, all the way to European countries and cities like United Kingdom, France, Rome, Spain, Venice, Paris, among many others.

Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera - chairperson of the Council Committee on Environment; Lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos – environmental advocate; Sherry Tuvilla – mall manager; Hester Jane Amigo, assistant vice president for marketing (VisMin); stakeholder Angelo Parcon; Cadet Scouts of the Cebu City National Science High School headed by Emerita Noval of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines-Visayas Regional Office; representatives from the Florencio Urot Memorial National High School led by Science teacher Rommel Cinco; and members of Cebu media, including the Cebu Bloggers Society, graced the unveiling of the eco bags which marked a new chapter in the “crusade to mitigate and hopefully avert an impending global environmental catastrophe.”