Yet for Hans T. Sy, chair of SM Prime Holdings and this year’s MAP Management Person of the Year, the honor is less a personal milestone than a reminder of the SM Group’s focus on stewardship.
“I have never seen myself as someone deserving of awards or recognition. I simply try to do my part,” said Sy, who is chair of SM Prime’s executive committee.
“At SM, it has long been our responsibility to create spaces that protect people, support communities, and help Filipinos stand stronger for the future,” he said. “What matters most to me is using what we build to make a difference in our country,” he added.
The MAP Management Person of the Year is one of the country’s most prestigious business distinctions, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional management excellence and contributed significantly to national progress.
Sy is the third member of the Sy family to receive the award after Henry Sy Sr. in 1999 and Teresita Sy-Coson in 2016, placing the family alongside the Zobels, who also have three awardees. The conferment ceremony will be held on November 24, 2025.
The MAP cited Sy’s “lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, social inclusion, good governance, and resilience,” saying he has established SM Prime as a benchmark for sustainable and resilient urban development.
Under his leadership, SM Prime has integrated ESG+R principles into its strategy, advancing programs that empower MSMEs, local governments, and communities through sustainable retail and mall development.
He was also recognized for his role in disaster risk reduction, representing the Philippines in the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and founding ARISE Philippines to promote public–private partnerships for resilience.
Beyond business, Sy was lauded for his support of education and health initiatives, notably through the National University and Child Haus, which provides care for indigent children with cancer.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
