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| (Image Source: Manila Republic/PLDT/Smart Communications) |
Since launching the Better Today Conversations program in October 2020, PLDT and Smart Communications have garnered over one million views for its online series on mental health awareness, including the Time Capsule Project and Power Move Project. Launched in May 2021 in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, the Time Capsule Project invited the youth to use art as a form of catharsis and mental healthcare. They were encouraged to share their stories by submitting visual art, poems and short stories. The top four winners each received PHP 25,000 worth of connectivity and an opportunity for matching donation to their chosen mental health advocacy group.
PLDT and Smart also invited storytellers including Words Anonymous, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) and World Health Organization to join the conversation on mental health awareness. “Our Time Capsule Project tells the stories of our world today for ourselves tomorrow. We open doors to possibilities and limitless potential. In our safe space, we are trying to keep afloat amid the darkest times. We are reminded that we have a community that reinforces support and strives to create a culture of empathy and kindness,” said PLDT and Smart Communications First Vice President and Corporate Communications Group Head Cathy Yap-Yang.
Meanwhile, PLDT and Smart, in partnership with the MVP Sports Foundation, also launched the Power Move Project, a conversations series on sports and mental resilience, in time for World Mental Health Day in October 10. It invited some of the country’s world-class athletes including Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Gilas superstars Dwight Ramos, Isaac Go, and SJ Belangel to join the conversations on mental health awareness. Through the Power Move Project, PLDT and Smart also partnered with global company TikTok to launch the #BetterTodayAffirmations challenge, which has garnered over 14 million views. The challenge recognized top five winners who each received PHP10,000 and had the opportunity to do a matching donation to their chosen mental health organizations.
