MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino recently presented the Outstanding Exemplar in the Private Sector Award to Tessie Sy-Coson for SM Foundation’s programs during the annual Bulong Pulungan Christmas Party at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
The Outstanding Exemplar Award is given yearly to individuals from both the government and private sector who have made great contributions in nation building.
As the lead convenor of the SM Group’s corporate social responsibility efforts, SM Foundation envisions a Philippines where everyone has the opportunity for self-improvement and the environment is sustained for future generations.
Since it was founded in 1983, it has been committed to uplift the quality of life of Filipinos through strategic social investments in education, health care, livelihood and shelter, as well as the environment. These are initiatives that have an impact on the lives of communities SM serves and are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The event also marked the Bulong Pulungan’s 29th anniversary. The group was organized in 1986 by a group of women journalists with the goal of gathering members of the media to discuss various national issues.