Preserving the past: SM Group breathes new life into heritage sites

The SM Group, through the Henry Sy Foundation and SM Foundation, is making inroads in the restoration of cultural landmarks that underscores its commitment beyond financial growth to create lasting social impact.

- By JAMES A. LOYOLA

The SM Group, through the Henry Sy Foundation and SM Foundation, is making inroads in the restoration of cultural landmarks that underscores its commitment beyond financial growth to create lasting social impact.

SM recently completed the restoration of West Visayas State University's (WVSU) Quezon Hall in Iloilo City, a bona fide educational and architectural landmark protected under the 2009 National Heritage Act, as identified by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

SM has long been complementing its business expansion across the country with initiatives that foster growth and well-being in the communities they are in, with the restoration of architectural icons among its recent social investments.

"These cultural landmarks are irreplaceable-once lost, we cannot bring them back," said SM Foundation Executive Director Deborah P. Sy.

She noted that, "Preservation is a collective responsibility. It goes beyond installing commemorative plaques; it means breathing new life into these spaces, so they continue to serve, inspire, and remain accessible to future generations." The restoration project strictly adhered to the guidelines set by the NHCP to ensure its structural and cultural integrity.