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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Smart Communications) |
The launch of Smart's Free Games For All comes on the heels of a recent report by games analytics and market insights firm Newzoo citing that 74% of the Philippines' online population plays games on their mobile devices in 2019, and it is expected to grow further as many Filipinos turn to mobile games as among the most preferred forms of entertainment amidst the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smart Communications is among the first brands to recognize and empower the Philippine gaming community as strongly evidenced by the Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines (MPL-PH), the all-female eSports league Liga Adarna, and the launch of the country's first 5G-powered gaming hub, just to name a few. With Free Games For All powered by the fastest mobile internet network in the Philippines, Smart remains on the right track in its advocacy for mobile gamers and eSports in the country.
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Out of 192 squads hailing from different parts of the country, four teams have earned the chance to represent the Philippines and compete against the best in Southeast Asia for national pride and glory in the PUBG Mobile Club Open Fall Split 2020: SEA Wildcard (PMCO) following their triumphs at the recently concluded Grand Finals of the PUBG Mobile Philippines National Championship (PPNC), the first PUBG Mobile tournament organized by the Philippine Pro Gaming League (PPGL), held last September 5th and 6th.
The winning teams were led by the PUBG Mobile PH National Champions BERSERKER. Joining the champions who have also earned the right to carry the Filipino flag against the rest of the Southeast Asian contingent were Blacklist International, Almost Evil Adrastos and All-Star Team Puyat. Slated to take place on a later date, the PUBG Mobile Club Open Fall Split 2020: SEA Wildcard will be exclusively streamed online live on the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of PUBG Mobile eSports (YouTube).
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College students and teachers can now worry-free access to quality educational resources on their PCs and smartphones through PHL CHED Connect, an online platform developed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) designed to maximize the use and boost the availability of educational materials for self-learning at home, as long as their devices are powered by either a Globe prepaid or TM SIM card.
Through the partnership of CHED and Globe Telecom, Globe and TM subscribers can now access a wide range of higher education course materials in text, media or other digital resources that cover humanities, architecture, business, engineering, information technology (IT), mass communication, criminal justice, agriculture, forestry and fishery and other courses and can be useful for teaching, learning and research purposes without any data charges. Take note, though, that accessing links outside PHL CHED Connect may incur standard data charges.
Prior to PHL CHED Connect, Globe has provided free access to DepEd Commons, the online learning platform of the Department of Education (DepEd) for elementary and secondary students and teachers, and TESDA Online Program for technical vocational students as well as its own online library (https://globeelibrary.ph) where Globe and TM users can view and download from more than 1,000 eBook titles and eLearner videos for free.
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GMA Network Inc., the largest broadcasting network in the Philippines, is providing the free use of two of its digital terrestrial television channels for the implementation of the Department of Education's blended learning approach for SY 2020-2021 as the Philippines continues to combat the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic where face-to-face classes are strictly prohibited as mandated by health and safety protocols implemented amidst the pandemic. These channels can be utilized for the new school year, which is set to start on October 5, 2020, in order to support the country's efforts in preventing and containing the further spread of the virus and, at the same time, provide students with worry-free access to various educational resources which can be used for self-learning within the safe comforts of home.
