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Look: Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap deliver her 1st State of the City Address.

SM Store Tarlac’s 3-Day Sale is your ultimate discount-maxxing destination!

💙 Up to 50% OFF on great finds
➕ 10% OFF with SMAC & Prestige (no minimum spend, no discount cap)
➕ Up to 10% OFF with BDO, RCBC, Metrobank, Security Bank, and Atome 💳 0% Interest on Buy Now Pay Later (3 months installment)

✨ SMAC Prestige Early Access: Aug 13 (Thurs)
🎉 Hydrofresh Espresso Tumbler 200ml for only ₱299*

*With a min. ₱2,000 single-receipt spend.
T&Cs apply: smstore.com/3ds

DTI # 259219, S2026 See less

🚨3 DAY SALE ALERT! 🚨

🔥It’s time to go ALL OUT for the biggest and much-awaited 3 DAY SALE at SM City Tarlac happening on August 14, 15 and 16, from 10am to 9pm! 🛍️✨

Enjoy up to 70% OFF on fashion fits, beauty must-haves, home finds, and much more! 🤩🛒 Plus, get a chance to win a brand-new SUZUKI FRONX GLX AT HYBRID! 🚗💨

📆 Mark your calendars and Gala to the MAX at your most loved SM City Tarlac! 🛍️

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-262368, Series of 2026.

SM Supermalls brings together today’s biggest tech, gaming, and fandom communities for Tech & Play Month

Technology has changed more than the way people work, communicate, and play—it has transformed the way communities are built.

Gaming has become a global spectator sport. Collecting has evolved into a thriving hobby culture. Content creation is now a career, while cosplay, trading card games, and pop culture fandoms continue to bring people together both online and offline.

Recognizing this shift, your most loved SM Supermalls launches Tech & Play Month, a month-long nationwide celebration from August 1 to 31, transforming malls into vibrant destinations where technology, gaming, creativity, and fandom converge through immersive maxed-out experiences designed for today’s generation.

More than a seasonal campaign, Tech & Play Month reflects SM Supermalls’ continued evolution into a destination where communities gather, passions are celebrated, and shared interests come to life.

Players Collective: Where every game begins
Whether you’re a casual gamer looking for your next favorite title or a seasoned competitor chasing your next win, Players Collective brings the excitement of gaming beyond the screen. Throughout Tech & Play Month, visitors can join esports tournaments, watch thrilling competitions, connect with fellow players, and experience interactive gaming activations that celebrate one of today’s fastest-growing communities.

Looking to level up your setup? Explore the latest consoles, games, accessories, and gaming gear at Game One Tech Store (SM North Edsa, SM Megamall), where enthusiasts can discover new releases, try the latest hardware, and find everything they need for their next adventure. With SMART powering the celebration through interactive gaming experiences and exclusive offers, every match is backed by the reliable connectivity that today’s gamers demand.

Builders Society: Build your perfect setup
For tech enthusiasts, every upgrade is an opportunity to create something better. Whether you’re assembling your first gaming rig, upgrading your workstation, or discovering smart innovations for everyday living, Builders Society showcases the latest technology designed to power work, play, and everything in between. At the heart of the experience is Cyberzone, SM Supermalls’ premier destination for technology, where shoppers can compare products, receive expert advice, and enjoy the confidence of Tech-Assured Shopping through authentic products from authorized retailers.

Creators United: Turn ideas into reality
Every creator starts with an idea—and the right tools can help bring it to life. Whether you’re capturing cinematic moments, producing content for social media, launching a livestream, or exploring photography for the first time, Creators United is designed to inspire creativity through hands-on experiences and the latest innovations. From creator showcases and live demonstrations to interactive experiences with the latest creative technology, Tech & Play Month celebrates the growing community of storytellers, photographers, filmmakers, and digital creators shaping today’s culture.

Collectors Club: Find your next great discovery
For collectors and fans, the thrill isn’t just about owning something rare—it’s about sharing the experience with a community that understands your passion.

Throughout August, Collectors Club transforms participating SM malls into gathering places for hobbyists and enthusiasts through trading card game battles, cosplay showcases, collectible marketplaces, and fandom events that celebrate today’s biggest pop culture communities. Whether you’re searching for exclusive merchandise, expanding your collection, meeting fellow fans, or simply discovering a new hobby, every visit offers something unexpected to take home—and memories to share long after the event ends.

More than a mall destination
As technology continues to shape the way people live, learn, create, and connect, SM Supermalls is redefining what the modern mall experience can be.

Through Tech & Play Month, malls become more than places to shop—they become spaces where gamers compete, creators find inspiration, tech enthusiasts discover the latest innovations, and collectors connect over shared passions.

This August, whether you’re upgrading your gear, discovering your next favorite hobby, or simply looking for a fun day out with family and friends, there’s always something new to experience at SM Supermalls.

Experience Tech & Play Month from August 1 to 31 at participating SM Supermalls nationwide and discover the latest in technology, gaming, creativity, collectibles, and entertainment—all in one destination.

DISCOVER YOUR NEW STYLE AT SUNNIES STUDIOS IN SM CITY TARLAC

The newest destination for style and everyday essentials has arrived at SM City Tarlac with the opening of Sunnies Studios on Level 2.

Known for its trendy and handy eyewear, Sunnies Studios offers a wide selection of glasses perfect for work, casual outings, and special occasions. The store also offers trendy customizable flasks that combine practicality and personal style, making them ideal for everyday use.

To make the promotion even more exciting, Sunnies Studios is treating customers to exclusive freebies from July 27 to August 2, or while supplies last. Customers who purchase a flask bundle will receive a free Pebble Ice Tray, while every purchase comes with a complimentary sticker. It’s the perfect time to grab your favorites and enjoy these special rewards.

Customer can also enjoy free engraving on every Sunnies Flask, adding a personalized touch to their favorite flask---all of this waiting, All for You at Your Most Loved Mall.

Visit Sunnies Studios at SM City Tarlac and discover stylish essentials designed to elevate your everyday lifestyle.

CLOCK OUT & SAVE UP! 🕒

Enjoy these After Office Weekday Deals from 5pm onwards!

🏷️ 10% off on all items when you present your office ID!
🌀 Jisulife Life 10S for only P799, with P2,000 minimum single-receipt spend
💳Shop with ease and enjoy 0% interest via Buy Now Pay Later and Home Credit

📅 July 27 to 31 only

See you at SM Store Tarlac, Your Every Day Store!

DTI Fair Trade Permit No. R3-TAR 097, Series of 2026. Terms and conditions apply

SM Recognized in UN Annual Report for Transforming Retail Spaces into Platforms for Global Causes

In an era where corporate citizenship is defined by action, the intersection of public-private partnerships has proven to be a powerful catalyst for national awareness.

The United Nations Philippines recently released its 2025 Annual Results Report, highlighting the critical role of private sector collaboration in bringing global causes to local communities. Among the key partners recognized were SM Prime and SM Cares, commended for serving as vital amplifiers for major international campaigns, including the UN@80 Campaign and National Women’s Month.

The UN report underscores how SM utilized its massive physical footprint—spanning malls, digital screens, and cinemas—to transform everyday public spaces into hubs for civic engagement and global advocacy.

Bridging the Global to the Local
SM’s inclusion in the UN report signals a shift toward a new era of corporate citizenship—where collaboration reinforces the reach of good work.

Hosting UN initiatives such as the nationwide Women’s Month and UN@80 activations, SM has enabled greater access for these campaigns through the everyday spaces where Filipinos gather allowed the initiatives to achieve unprecedented reach, engaging tens of millions of mall-goers.

"True sustainability and development cannot happen in a vacuum," says Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls. "Our malls are modern plazas where communities gather. We are deeply honored by the UN's recognition, but the real credit belongs to the millions of Filipinos who stopped, engaged, and took these conversations to heart."

A Blueprint for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
The collaboration directly aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating how the private sector can provide the infrastructure needed to amplify humanitarian and developmental messages.

During the Women’s Month initiatives, SM's digital assets amplified gender equality and empowerment. Later in the year, the UN@80 Campaign utilized SM’s high-traffic areas to educate the public on eight decades of global peace, human rights, and sustainable development efforts, making international diplomacy tangible for the everyday commuter and family.

As the UN looks toward future milestones, the success of these campaigns provides a clear blueprint for how corporations can lend their scale to causes that matter. By stepping up as the facilitator, SM has shown that the ultimate metric of corporate success is how well a company can serve the community it inhabits.

Balog-Balog irrigation project in Tarlac hits nearly 46% completion
By JERRY M. HERNANDEZ
The Manila Times

16 July 2026

SAN JOSE, Tarlac – The decades-long implementation of Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project Phase 2 (BBMP-2) here has reached 45.79 percent completion as the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) intensified its efforts to accelerate its realization.

Acting on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen led a project inspection and assessment of the BBMP-2 along with representatives from national and local government agencies, irrigation associations, and other agricultural stakeholders.

Guillen said the administration remains committed to fast-track the project to ensure that its benefits would reach farmers and rural communities at the soonest possible time, including food security and expanded irrigation services.

“The President’s mindset is not about political colors, but rather about what will best serve the interests and welfare of the Filipino people,” he added.

Once completed, the entire BBMP project is expected to provide a reliable year-round irrigation water supply to 34,410 hectares of agricultural land and directly benefit around 21,776 farmers in Central Luzon, helping boost agricultural productivity, generate employment, and support the government's food security agenda.

Guillen also noted that the project's impact extends beyond irrigation, describing it as a key nation-building initiative.

“This project offers much more. It will support aquaculture, power generation, flood control, and even tourism development, creating many opportunities for communities,” he said.

The P20.544 billion BBMP includes the construction of storage dam and related structures with a capacity of 559 million cubic meters of water, 313.10 kilometers of irrigation canals and drainage facilities, a 150-hectare fishery component, and a 43.5-megawatt hydropower facility.

The project is also expected to generate 43.5 megawatts of renewable energy for Central Luzon once operational.

NIA also highlighted the government's whole-of-government approach in implementing the project, including coordination with concerned agencies to address relocation concerns and ensure that affected communities would benefit from the development initiative.

Meanwhile, Alberto Sagun, chairman of an irrigation association in Victoria, Tarlac, expressed gratitude to the national government for pursuing the project, saying it would provide long-term benefits to farming communities.

“We are grateful to our beloved President, President BBM. This is a major project that we will be able to utilize in the future for the betterment of our families," he said.

As construction progresses, NIA vowed that the agency will continue to work in order to ensure that the irrigation project will be completed and will serve its purpose by the year 2028.

1,100 New Scholars Join SM Foundation, Largest College Scholarship Batch in Program History; SM City Tarlac welcomes 14 new scholars

SM Foundation formally welcomed its largest-ever batch of 1,100 college scholars during its Scholarship Awarding Ceremony, strengthening its long-standing commitment to expanding access to higher education for deserving but financially challenged Filipino youth.

The 1,100 new scholars represent the largest batch accepted into the SM College Scholarship Program since its establishment, marking another milestone in the Foundation's efforts to make quality education more accessible to the Filipino youth. They join thousands of scholars from across the country who have pursued higher education through the program, many of whom have gone on to build meaningful careers and uplift their families and communities.

𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐜, 𝟏𝟒 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐜 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

Established by SM founder Henry "Tatang" Sy Sr., the SM College Scholarship Program was created on the belief that education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for lasting social mobility. Beyond financial assistance, the program equips scholars with holistic support throughout their college journey, helping them develop the knowledge, values, and confidence needed to succeed.

Since its establishment, the SM College Scholarship Program has supported 7,376 scholars and produced 4,640 graduates. Each scholar represents a story of hope transformed into opportunity through education.

As the newest members of the SM scholar community begin their academic journey, they carry with them not only the support of SM Foundation but also the opportunity to create lasting impact in their families, communities, and the nation.