September 24, 2026
A meeting of hearts, a meeting of missions
By Dr. Anton Mari Lim
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines, led by CEO Henry Yuñez together with Deputy CEOs Dr. Anton Lim and Peggy Sy Jiang, and Atty. Ed Escaño, recently met with the leadership of SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) to explore how the two organizations can walk together in advancing the noble mission of compassion across the Philippines.
They were graciously welcomed by SM Prime EVPs Cris Noel E. Torres, together with Atty. Helene D. Go and Jose Mari C. Tan Cha. They were later joined by SM Prime executives, Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, President Jeffrey C. Lim, and Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng C. Ong. Their presence and openness to dialogue reflect a shared belief: that business and philanthropy need not be separate paths, but can walk hand in hand toward genuine nation-building.
As Dharma Master Cheng Yen has long taught, Tzu Chi's mission is both to help the poor and to educate the rich—to invite those with means and influence, especially in business, to turn their success into a channel for lifting others out of hardship.
The late SM Group founder, Henry Sy Sr., lived by that same spirit. As he once put it, "There are other considerations more important besides just money." It's a simple reminder from a man who built one of the country's largest business empires—that success, in the end, is measured not just by profit, but by how much of it is shared.
Great love knows no boundaries—not of industry, not of institution. Tzu Chi is grateful for this first step, and it looks forward to what compassion and collaboration can build together for Filipinos.
(Seated, from left) SM Prime EVP Cris Noel E. Torres, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Dr. Anton Lim. (Standing, from left) SM Prime Senior Assistant Vice President Jose Mari C. Tan Cha, Atty. Ed Escaño, Atty. SM Prime Senior Assistant Vice President Helene D. Go, Tzu Chi Philippines Deputy CEO Peggy, Sy Jiang, and SM Prime Chief Finance Officer John Nai Peng C. Ong.