 |
| (Image Source: Business Mirror/Globe Telecom) |
Volunteerism has been a key part of Globe Telecom's corporate culture through its various employee engagement programs. In contributing to nation-building, the company is encouraging its employees and customers to actively support community engagement programs this International Volunteer Day (IVD). IVD, as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly, is an annual celebration marked every December 5 and is viewed as a chance for volunteers and organizations to share knowledge and promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.
Globe embeds the spirit of bayanihan or “civic unity and cooperation” in its corporate culture through the Volunteer Time-Off (VTO) program – a benefit that allows employees to volunteer at least once a year in their chosen advocacy or community. Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto said, “At Globe, we create ways to enable employees and customers to contribute to the greater good. Just like how our kababayans supported each other this year through the community pantries, we too, are ready to support nation-building together with our Ka-Globe.” The company has opened numerous channels for its employees and stakeholders to share their time, talents, and resources. At the onset of the pandemic, Globe pivoted efforts by promoting digital volunteerism through fundraising using digital platforms such as GCash and Globe Rewards.
Currently, Globe is holding another internal fundraising campaign called The Purpose Tree, which supports hunger alleviation and livelihood initiatives of the Ayala Foundation and its partners under the #BrigadangAyala: Ka-Akay Program. The program aims to assist 10,000 families of displaced workers in the National Capital Region. Globe is also extending volunteering opportunities to their customers. This December, the #ForFutureHeroes program is opening up a new avenue of donation through Globe Rewards via the new GlobeOne app. With this, Globe Platinum hopes to expand its reach to other education-focused advocacies such as the Ayala Foundation, Teach for the Philippines, and the Hero Foundation.
Since 2020, customers have been actively supporting Filipino students within the program — matching their participation and purchases from select Globe Platinum initiatives with equivalent DepEd-approved school kits through donations to World Vision. Globe and TM customers can donate their Rewards points to various advocacies through the new GlobeOne app. All they have to do is visit the Rewards section on the app, click “DONATE,” and choose the organization and corresponding denomination they want to support with the “REDEEM” button. A confirmation message will be sent by 4438 upon successful donation.
* * * *
PLDT, Smart Link Up With MakatiMed Foundation, Department Of Tourism Championing Mental Health
 |
| (Image Source: Business Mirror/PLDT) |
The Philippines’ tourism industry was among the many sectors severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With most tourism efforts halted the past year, people in the industry experienced devastating loss, taking a toll on their mental health. Addressing tourism officers and operators during the annual Tourism Convention, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region I Director Jeff Ortega said, “Travel today is more than leisure. Travel is a necessity to refresh someone’s mental well-being in these trying times. But we must remember to travel safely and responsibly always. I hope that you never lose hope. If we work together, I believe that tourism will rise again."
Conducted as a special segment during the Tourism Convention, “Better Today Conversations” was held as a hyper-collaborative initiative between PLDT, Smart, Makati Medical Center Foundation, and the Department of Tourism Region 1, as a platform the tourism officers and operators to discuss topics related to mental health. The conversations series took a deep dive into the topic of grief and loss led by MakatiMed Wellness Center Director Dr. Gia Sison. According to Dr. Gia, grief manifests in different forms, including anger, shock, disbelief, confusion, sadness, and yearning. She mentioned the term, “languishing”, coined by Adam Grant in his New York Times article.
“When you say, “languishing”, it’s really the middle feeling of depression and being okay. It’s when you’re often asked kung kumusta ka (how are you) and you simply say, “I’m okay.” – it’s that feeling of isolation and withdrawal,” Dr. Gia said. Dr. Gia also underscored the importance of recognizing your own feelings. “Identify your feelings and get to know them because that can bring some much-needed clarity. Acknowledge that there will be obstacles and recognize ways to remove these to help you with your healing,” she added. Dr. Gia also shared important reminders on how to cope with grief that can contribute to healing, including acknowledging things to be grateful for, taking things one step at a time, and prioritizing self-care by checking in with oneself every day.
* * * *
realme Reunites Fans With Their Families In Heartwarming Christmas Video
 |
| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/realme Philippines) |
This Christmas, there truly is no better gift than the gift of family. The holiday season is the perfect time to bring families together, and reconnect with our loved ones especially during these challenging times. There is, however, an unfortunate reality that some of us do not have the means to go home to our families, and are forced to spend Christmas away from their loved ones.
This is why realme, the Philippines' number one smartphone brand for three consecutive quarters in 2021, recently sought out Squad members with inspiring stories to give them the opportunity to be reunited with their families for the holidays. Two lucky fans were chosen and realme, in partnership with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, finally brought them home to their families after several years. The reunion was featured in a heartwarming video posted on December 5 on realme Philippines’ official Facebook page and YouTube channel. The video also features the winning entry from the brand’s recently concluded #realmeWithYou Christmas Songwriting Contest where aspiring musicians and composers got the chance to compose their own title lyrics for realme’s official Christmas track.
This initiative is in part of the brand’s #realmeWithYou holiday campaign that aims to spread the love and give back to its loyal fans for their unwavering support. “The holiday season is all about love and togetherness. We hope that through this simple gesture, we were able to help make Christmas more special for our ever supportive fans, and be one with them in the most wonderful time of the year,” shares realme Philippines Vice President for Marketing Austine Huang.
* * * *
PLDT, Smart, TikTok Announce Winners Of #BetterTodayAffirmations Challenge
 |
| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PLDT) |
PLDT and Smart, in partnership with TikTok, launched the #BetterTodayAffirmations Challenge to invite the public to share their stories that champion mental health and resilience. To date, the TikTok Challenge has garnered over 14 million views. The top five winners of the TikTok Challenge will each receive Php10,000 cash and a matching donation to their chosen mental health advocacy group.
The winners include 32-year-old Kayleen Ortiz, a movement artist and an international pole champion, who shared that her piece PHOTOMORPHOGENESIS represents her movement journey. “It is in the darkest of times when we appreciate the warmth of light. As the storm passes, we realize that in the most unique of ways, there is beauty in the storm,” said Ortiz. Certified fitness instructor, 24-year-old Sam Corrales shared how movement has been a huge part of her life. “During the pandemic, I tried to stay disciplined and found a deeper sense of purpose. Having a set routine helped me find my rhythm during these difficult times,” Corrales said. For fitness coach Gabriel Zarraga, the #BetterTodayAffirmations campaign is about spreading positivity. “I wanted to inspire my clients who are also battling mental [health] issues, to continue their fitness journey no matter how hard it can be,” Zarraga said.
For fitness enthusiast Carmila Tuazon, someone close to her who is battling depression and anxiety inspired her to join the challenge. “I wanted him to see that he is not alone in this fight,” Tuazon said. 26-year-old Kyla Gancayco, a fitness instructor and aspiring powerlifter, said that it “seemed like a great way to share my story and my views on mental resilience, and it would be a way to let people who might be in a similar situation know that they are not alone in the battles they face”. The chosen mental health organizations of the winners include Communitails; UP Diliman Psychosocial Services; Youth for Mental Health Coalition; Mariveles Mental Wellness & General Hospital; and the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services.
