SM malls set movie screenings for PWDs

MANILA, Philippines - SM Supermalls has set a series of special movie screenings for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in its malls nationwide.

The Special Movie Screening for the Blind and Deaf will start today at 9 a.m. at different SM malls. The featured movies have an audio-description and subtitles to benefit persons with visual and hearing impairments.

In Metro Manila, SM North Edsa is the venue of the special screening of the movie “Hugo.”

There will also be simultaneous screenings in other SM malls such as SM Baguio, which will feature the movie “Life of Pi;” SM Davao, which will show “Les Miserables;” and SM Iloilo, which will screen the movie “Taken 2.”

SM Supermalls also held a special screening last year at SM Megamall. Due to positive feedback, the company is repeating and expanding the special screening to other SM malls nationwide to accommodate more persons with visual and hearing impairments.

SM Supermalls plans to hold the special screening every quarter, said Bien Mateo, program director of the disability affairs of SM Cares and SM Supermalls vice president for North Luzon.

“The PWD sector has accepted this program very positively. The families of the PWDs who experienced the sensory friendly movies in SM Cinemas are very thankful for the experience that they see their children enjoy the cinema just like anyone else,” he said.

He explained that SM Supermalls launched the program consistent with the thrust of the company of promoting inclusion rather than segregation.

“It has been part of the corporate social responsibility of SM to make all SM malls a Mall for All, that no one gets left behind, even those members of the family that are physically challenged such as the blind and the deaf. This is one way to integrate them in our society, for them to enjoy the malls and all its offerings just like everyone else,” he added.

The special movie screening is spearheaded by SM Cares, a division of SM Foundation.