SM Malls in Grand Central, Sangandaan and Valenzuela Donated 4,808 Books to Public Libraries

A total of 4,808 books were officially handed over by SM City Valenzuela, SM Center Sangandaan, and SM City Grand Central to libraries in Valenzuela City, Malabon City, and the nearby municipality of Guiguinto in Bulacan, capping a months-long literacy drive that drew strong community support.

The turnover followed the July 7, 2025 launch of the SM Cares book donation drive, anchored on the theme “Under the Same Sky: Share the Magic of Stories.” The initiative invited mallgoers, tenants, business partners, and local communities to donate quality, pre-loved books for public use.

Of the total donations, 765 books were turned over by SM City Valenzuela to the Valenzuela City Library. SM Center Sangandaan contributed 624 books to the Guiguinto Municipal Library, while SM City Grand Central accounted for the largest share with 3,419 books donated to the Malabon City Library.

During the campaign’s pre-release and rollout phase, each participating mall served as an official drop-off point, with specially designed donation boxes placed in strategic in-mall locations. Donors were encouraged to give books in good condition, including fiction and non-fiction titles, children’s and young adult books, academic, and reference materials, as well as magazines and comics.

SM Cares said the strong turnout reflected a shared commitment to promoting reading and learning, particularly among children and underserved communities. Beyond collecting books, the campaign underscored the group’s long-term vision of transforming SM malls into spaces that support inclusive education, community engagement, and social development.

HONOR 500 Series, Launched Globally

Manila, Philippines, December 12, 2025 -   Global AI device ecosystem company HONOR today announced the launch of the all-new HONOR 500 Series, comprising the HONOR 500 Pro and HONOR 500. The HONOR 500 Series redefines the mid-range segment with flagship-class portrait imaging, all-scenario live capture capabilities, extended endurance, and an upgraded MagicOS 10 experience designed for the next generation of young, always-on creators.   

 

“With the HONOR 500 Series, we are redefining what consumers should expect from a standard, mid-range smartphone. The HONOR 500 is ‘standard’ done right, delivering a complete, well-rounded user experience that is engineered to impress. The HONOR 500 Pro goes a step beyond, building upon the solid foundation to improve upon every facet of the experience, just like what a ‘Pro’ model is expected to do,” said Fei Fang, President of Products at HONOR.  

 

200MP Portrait Engine: All-Scenario Live Photo 
 

Both models in the HONOR 500 Series feature the new 200MP AI Ultra-Clear Main Camera, equipped with a category-leading 1/1.4-inch CMOS sensor, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The HONOR 500 Pro also comes with a 50MP telephoto camera that supports HONOR’s self-developed SOIS stabilization system, delivering flagship-grade CIPA5.0 image stabilization performance to ensure images remain crisp and steady even during fast-paced or handheld shooting. 

 

The HONOR 500 Series delivers a comprehensive live imaging experience with industry-first front-and-rear Live portrait modes that add background blur, beauty effects, and atmosphere to every frame. It also introduces an industry-leading range of immersive film-inspired color options, offering six distinct Film Live modes for users to choose from. Additionally, the innovative Live Passerby Removal feature ensures that dynamic moments remain free from distractions, keeping you the focal point at all times. The series also supports effortless 4K-to-Live conversion, enabling users to easily transform 4K videos into 4K Live clips for seamless sharing on social media. 

 

Snapdragon Flagship Power: Smooth, Fast, and Reliable Performance 
 

The HONOR 500 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, while the HONOR 500 Pro upgrades to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, delivering flagship-level speed and responsiveness across both models. Paired with the HONOR Phantom Engine 3.0, which accurately anticipates graphical workloads and optimizes rendering processes, the HONOR 500 Series delivers remarkably stable gaming performance, with consistent frame rates in popular titles including Honor of Kings and Genshin Impact.   

 

8,000mAh Battery: Two-Day Endurance in a Slim 6.55-inch Body 
 

The HONOR 500 Series features the class-leading 8,000mAh HONOR Silicon-carbon Battery, with an incredible energy density. HONOR 500 Pro and HONOR 500 also support 27W Wired Reverse Charging, providing a convenient way to power accessories and other devices on the go. The standard model also supports 80W wired charging, while the Pro model supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging for effortless, rapid battery top-up. 

 

Flagship-Level Experience: Display, Connectivity, and MagicOS 10 Intelligence 
 

HONOR continues to lead the industry in eye-protecting display technology. The HONOR 500 Series supports a wide range of eye protection features, helping to alleviate discomfort from natural light fluctuation, flicker, brightness, and more. It also supports features such as AI Defocus Display and AI Motion Sickness Relief to enhance the viewing experience in everyday use.  

 

The HONOR 500 Pro also features the self-developed HONOR C1+ RF Enhanced Chip, which significantly improves signal reception, network stability, and uplink speed, ensuring smoother streaming, faster uploads in high-traffic and signal-weak areas.  

 

The HONOR 500 series is equipped with the all-new MagicOS 10 operating system, featuring the industry’s only tiered AI Button. This customizable one-touch button provides instant access to frequently used functions, delivering a more convenient and intelligent interaction experience, making smart living effortlessly accessible. 

 

Stunning Crystal-Clear Straight Display: Redefining Texture Standards with Exquisite Craftsmanship 
 

The HONOR 500 Series features an industry-leading integrated cold-carved unibody design, in which the camera module and rear glass are crafted as a single seamless piece. This creates a unified, sculptural surface with a refined hand feel. Benefiting from the redesigned body architecture, the device achieves an ultra-slim 7.75mm profile and an industry-leading narrow 1.05mm bezel. Its new horizontal camera layout emphasizes clean aesthetic lines while freeing internal space for a larger battery, and offers a more comfortable, unobstructed grip in both portrait and landscape orientation. With IP68 / IP69 / IP69K water and dust resistance, the HONOR 500 Series raises the bar for durability and tactile sophistication. 

 

Color and Availability 
 

The HONOR 500 Series is available in four crystal-inspired color options: Blue, Pink, Silver and Black. The HONOR 500 Series will be available in China. 

 

Never miss the latest updates—visit HONOR Philippines’ official website at www.hihonor.com, or follow their social media platforms: Facebook (@HonorPhilippines), Instagram (@honorph), and TikTok (@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Holiday Gift Wraps at SM

Gift-giving is a cherished tradition, and how you wrap your presents can make all the difference. But with the holiday rush, finding the time to perfect each package can be a challenge. This season, SM City Grand Central and SM City Valenzuela have you covered with a delightful array of gift bags and accessories from SM Stationery.

There are wraps in classic Christmas red and green, as well as merry metallics in gold and silver. You’ll make presents perfect with stylish gift totes, eco-friendly pouches and gift bags, and treat boxes for

saying it sweet. Make your gifts more festive with eye catching gift toppers, glittery bows, holly bells, and colorful twines. Express your holiday wishes in gift labels.

For those searching for versatile and thoughtful gift options, National Book Store at SM Center Sangandaan offers a wide array of items perfect for everyone on your list. From books and planners to crafting essentials, you’ll find meaningful gifts that show you care.

Shop these gift-giving essentials at SM Stationery or visit your favorite SM Malls in Grand Central, Sangandaan, and Valenzuela. Wrap your holidays in style and make every gift unforgettable with SM!