Vinta Market sets sail at newly opened SM City Zamboanga, championing local MSMEs

April 3, 2026


The ceremonial opening marks the launch of Vinta Market, a vibrant marketplace dedicated to showcasing proudly local products from MSMEs across the Zamboanga Peninsula.


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — As SM City Zamboanga opened its doors on March 20, the vibrant spirit of local entrepreneurship and culture took center stage with the unveiling of Vinta Market, a colorful marketplace dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Launched in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 9 and the SM for MSMEs program, the Vinta Market brings together 20 local MSMEs, showcasing proudly regional products ranging from handcrafted items and artisanal goods to local delicacies, fashion pieces, and unique souvenirs.

SM Supermalls executives and DTI Region 9 officials lead the ceremonial opening of the Vinta Market at SM City Zamboanga, celebrating a new platform for local MSMEs. (L-R: DTI Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Director, Ma. Rovie Manzanares; DTI Zamboanga City Office Provincial Director, Grace Aduca; SM Supermalls AVP for SM Communities Program, Royston Cabunag; DTI Regional Director Al-Zamir Lipae; SM Supermalls SAVP for SM Communities Marketing, Pats Dy; DTI Assistant Regional Director, Maridel Dengal; and SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing, Joaquin San Agustin)

Inspired by the iconic vinta, the traditional sailboat known for its vibrant sails and deep cultural roots in Mindanao, the Vinta Market reflects the same spirit of color, movement, and community. The marketplace brings together passionate entrepreneurs and skilled artisans, offering mallgoers a lively and meaningful shopping experience rooted in local culture. 

More than just a retail destination, the Vinta Market serves as a growth platform for MSMEs—and for many entrepreneurs, this opportunity translates into real business expansion and sustained livelihood.

“We are very happy for the opportunity given to us by SM City Zamboanga… because of that, I have a growing market and a lot of suki na at SM,” shared Maria Donna of Marya Soaps and Scents from Pagadian, highlighting how increased visibility at SM has helped strengthen her customer base.


For heritage artisans, the impact goes beyond business—it’s about preserving culture and passing traditions to future generations. “Maraming salamat sa mga opportunity na mga ganito na pwede kaming magbenta para makahanap lalo ng market… kayo na ‘yung kasangga namin sa pag-promote ng aming weave,” said Evelinda Otong, a 4th generation Yakan weaver, underscoring the importance of platforms like SM in sustaining local craftsmanship.

Through capacity-building programs and expanded market access, MSMEs are also able to scale their operations and reach wider audiences.
“With their trainings and seminars, we’ve learned a lot… we’re proud to say that we supply all over the Philippines—and with SM Supermalls, our products can reach around the country and are now in the mainstream market,” shared Shaun Alavar of Alavar Food Products, reflecting the broader growth opportunities enabled through the partnership.



Featured MSMEs proudly showcase their locally made products at the Vinta Market, highlighting the passion and dedication behind every creation.
During the launch event, SM Supermalls executives, DTI officials, and partner stakeholders joined entrepreneurs and guests in celebrating the opening of the marketplace—highlighting a shared commitment to empower local businesses and provide them with greater market opportunities.
Visitors explored booths filled with proudly local products—each representing stories of craftsmanship, passion, and perseverance. The marketplace quickly became a vibrant hub where mallgoers discovered unique regional goods while supporting local livelihoods.
Intricately crafted local products showcase the artistry and cultural heritage of Mindanao’s talented artisans.


The launch of Vinta Market stands as one of the highlights of the opening of SM City Zamboanga, the city’s newest lifestyle destination bringing together shopping, dining, entertainment, and community experiences closer to Zamboangueños.


Locally made delicacies from MSMEs offer shoppers a taste of Zamboanga’s rich culinary heritage at the Vinta Market.
Through initiatives like the Vinta Market, SM Supermalls continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship, providing MSMEs with accessible platforms to grow their businesses while celebrating the rich culture and creativity of local communities.
As shoppers explore the colorful stalls and meet the passionate makers behind the products, the Vinta Market stands as a vibrant symbol of Zamboanga’s thriving entrepreneurial spirit—where tradition, creativity, and opportunity sail forward together.

About SM Supermalls – MSMEs
SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators with 89 malls nationwide—continues to maximize the MSME experience by creating opportunities designed around what Filipino entrepreneurs need most. As the country’s most preferred and loved retail destination, SM champions entrepreneurship by supporting MSMEs across different stages and sectors—serving diverse business tribes through market access, visibility, mentorship, and platforms that help enterprises grow and thrive. From emerging startups to growing homegrown brands, SM provides a marketplace where Filipino innovation can flourish, connecting entrepreneurs to communities and customers in meaningful ways. Because when MSMEs succeed, communities grow stronger—and every opportunity created is part of SM’s commitment to building a future designed All For You. To learn more, visit msme.smsupermalls.com or email customercare@smsupermalls.com.






















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First International Business Summit on Mindanao Slated on June 28 (Saturday)



June 28, 2014 marks a significant milestone in the history of Mindanao as business leaders all over the world converge at the Manila Hotel for the First International Business Summit on Mindanao!
In line with the vision "RESTORE THE LOST GLORY OF MINDANAO", the summit aims to showcase Mindanao to the world business community and to encourage global investors as well as businessmen to personally interact with local community leaders and entrepreneurs.

The recent signing of the much awaited and historic Bangsamoro Agreement has tremendously enhanced the investment climate of Mindanao and has paved the way both for domestic and international investors, businessmen and entrepreneurs.

This event, which is the first and frontrunner summit on Mindanao, will be attended by both local and international investors, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and other organizations which have an immense interest in further developing Mindanao as a core business region.

The panelists to the summit will include, but not limited to, persons and entities which have more than enough exposure and experiences about Mindanao and have plans of further improving the overall development of the region.

Mindanao, with its rich mineral resources, ecological value, human talents and skills, and economic potentials was, in the past, regarded as one of the richest regions not only in the Philippines, but in the whole world.
But events changed the prosperity once enjoyed by Mindanao and its people.  Diversities led to divisions and the unity of the people of Mindanao in the past was disrupted by selfish motives.  Business was corrupted by the desire to make profits in dishonorable ways and means. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.

However, recent events have altered this unwanted environment.  With globalization, Mindanao has started to change for the better. Mindanao is now stable and ready to cultivate and nourish intensive and harmonious business links and investment tie-ups with the global community.

Summit organizer, Unity For Revival Foundation (URF) Chairman Shariff Ibrahim Albani is confident that, with the active and productive participation of various sectors in the summit, bright and achievable ideas will emerge to make Mindanao PROGRESSIVE AND UNITED ONCE AGAIN.


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Queen Sofia of Spain supports the fight against hunger in the Philippines





Her Majesty Queen Sofia of the Kingdom of Spain (leftmost) listens intently as Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman (third from right) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Country Director Asaka Nyangara (rightmost) jointly brief her regarding emergency relief and rehabilitation activities mounted in response to Tropical Storm Sendong. The presentation was made during Queen Sofia’s visit to the Climate Change Academy in Bicol province earlier this month. With Queen Sofia was Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation Jesus Gracia (third from left).  


The Kingdom of Spain, through its Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacionalpara el Desarrollo (AECID) or Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, is a major donor to the Philippines and strongly supports the fight against hunger and malnutrition in the country. Since 2009, Spain has given over USD4.5million (Php190.6 million) to support various WFP programmes, implemented in close partnership with DSWD,  that help ensure proper nourishment for children and pregnant and lactating women who have been displaced by conflict in Mindanao, as well as for relief and rehabilitation of communities affected by natural disasters.
           


Photo Credit: WFP/Mei Nebreja/Philippines




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WFP RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION FROM PIZZA HUT & TACO BELL FOR SENDONG SURVIVORS AND PROGRAMMES IN MINDANAO



MANILA – Through the Yum! Brands World Hunger Relief campaign, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in the Philippines have contributed Php 6.1 million (US$144,000) to the United Nations World Food Programme  (WFP) for its activities in Mindanao. The donation will support the on-going relief and early recovery operation for victims of Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) and school meals programme in conflict-affected areas of central Mindanao.

“We are deeply impressed with the dedication of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell staff who actively promoted the World Hunger Relief campaign in their restaurants, and in the process raised generous support to help fight hunger,” said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson. “We are also grateful that they extended their campaign to seek additional assistance for Tropical Storm Washi survivors.”






About 155 Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants, which are part of the Yum! Brands chain, collected donations throughout the country during a campaign from November 2011 to January 2012. As part of the campaign, Taco Bell donated Php 10 to WFP from each purchase of a special meal dedicated to supporting school meals programmes. Contributions were also collected in nationally distributed donation boxes.

Customers who donated Php 40 or more received a Christmas postcard featuring World Hunger Relief Volunteer Ms. Venus Raj, who is a Department of Social Welfare and Development Ambassador for Poor Children’s Rights and Welfare.

“We are very proud of our Pizza Hut and Taco Bell employees, and thank our customers whose efforts allowed us to exceed our campaign goals,” said Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Philippines Chief Operating Officer Lars Peterson. “This means more Tropical Storm Washi survivors will receive much-needed assistance, and more school children will benefit from WFP school meal programmes.”      




Last year, Pizza Hut donated Php 4.5 million to WFP to support the school meals programme in Central Mindanao, which provided 450,000 meals for 80,000 primary schoolchildren. School meals encourage children to attend school and help them to learn better when they get there. By providing children with the food they need to develop their physical and intellectual potential, school meals act as an important investment in the next generation and help to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.

The World Hunger Relief campaign raises both awareness and funds for WFP’s most urgent hunger needs, especially school meals programmes. Since its launch in 2007, World Hunger Relief has raised nearly US$85 million for WFP and other hunger-fighting organizations, providing more than 350 million meals and saving the lives of millions of people in 39 countries.




WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss

Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and @wfp_media
Facebook: WFP Philippines

Special thanks to Flow Galindez of  www.angsawariko.com























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Showing posts with label Mindanao. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mindanao. Show all posts