Celebrating seniors through inclusive spaces

A walk in the morning followed by an afternoon of learning opportunities on keeping a healthy lifestyle and navigating the digital world, with a dance session closing out the day. This was how 650 senior citizens celebrated Elderly Filipino Week 2026 with SM Cares.

Organized annually by SM’s Corporate Social Responsibility arm in partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall was transformed into a space enabling the empowerment of the country’s foundational sector.

“SM’s commitment to serving as a Mall for All involves our seniors,” said Engr. Junias Eusebio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations. “We believe our lolos and lolas continually contribute to nation building by standing as crucial members of our community who help build up the next generation. SM wants to partner with our seniors by engaging and empowering them through the opportunities we foster in our spaces.”

The celebration carried the theme “Nakatatandang Pilipino: May Halaga at Karapatan, May Boses at Ambag sa Bayan,” recognizing senior citizens as active members of society whose voices, experiences, and contributions continue to matter.

The morning began with a Thanksgiving Mass and Walk for Life. Participants later joined discussions on digital literacy, nutrition and muscle health, and dementia awareness, before taking part in a Zumba and retro community dance. Information booths from participating organizations also offered useful resources to attendees.

For SM Cares, creating inclusive experiences for senior citizens extends well beyond the annual celebration.

Its continuing efforts include promoting active aging and wellness, conducting emergency preparedness initiatives, helping build inclusive communities, and working with organizations such as the NCSC. These initiatives form part of SM’s broad goal of making its establishments accessible and welcoming to different members of the community.

“We are grateful to have partners like SM Cares who consistently put the welfare of our senior citizens at the heart of their initiatives,” said Atty. Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). “Its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our elderly reflects the importance of ensuring that every Filipino senior citizen feels valued, respected, and cared for. Through partnerships like this, we can continue building communities where our seniors can live with dignity, remain active, and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Elderly Filipino Week may happen once a year, but the idea behind it carries into the everyday.

For SM Cares, it is part of a big, continuing effort to help create communities where senior citizens may age with dignity, remain connected, and continue to live active and meaningful lives—and where growing older never has to mean stepping away from community life.