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| (Image Source: adobo Magazine/GMA Network) |
Media giant GMA Network, Inc. has appointed Oliver Victor B. Amoroso as Senior Vice President for Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy. A loyal Kapuso for 16 years, Amoroso graduated with distinction from Silliman University’s College of Mass Communication. Amoroso led the successful integration of GMA News Manila, GMA Regional TV, GMA News Online, and Super Radyo DZBB into GMA Integrated News, solidifying its position as the Philippines’ top multimedia news source and the “News Authority of the Filipino", living up to its commitment to bring top-notch reportage across all platforms - from exposés such as the alleged killing of high-profile inmates at the Bilibid to special reports such as the series “Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima” (The Climate Change Threat Series). With weather news being an integral part of our daily lives, this 2023, GMA Integrated News also leveled-up its Weather Center, equipped with the latest technology, a new look and an expanded roster of forecasters.
Under Amoroso’s leadership, the Network’s flagship weekday newscast “24 Oras" is the highest-rating program in Total Philippines based on Nielsen’s TV Audience Measurement people ratings for the period January to latest May 2023 readings. The newscast consistently topped the nationwide TV monthly ratings charts. In the span of six months, GMA Integrated News has evolved into a dynamic multimedia mega newsroom while staying true to journalism principles and facing the challenges of media organizations in this Digital Age. On television, GMA has a formidable line-up of award-winning and top-rating national and local newscasts, while online, GMA Integrated News has had over 5.11 billion views on its social platforms this year. It is also among the top publishers worldwide on average viewership, alongside global news brands NBC News, BBC News, and Yahoo.
As the News Chief, Amoroso grew Regional TV news operations from three newscasts in 2016 to eleven newscasts in 2022, four of which were launched at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Heeding the clamor from viewers in urban and rural areas, RTV launched the #LocalNewsMatters campaign which gives importance to community news. Amoroso also oversees the Network’s regional operations, content and production, and business development which include 12 TV stations strategically located across the Philippines and handles the Network's various initiatives and partnerships including sports production.
With Amoroso at the helm, GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy recently won local and international awards including the New York Festivals TV and Film Awards Silver World Medal for ‘Limitless', two Excellence honors at the Philippine Quill Awards for the ‘GMA Masterclass Series’ and 'Kapuso Barangayan on Wheels' initiatives, PMPC Star Awards for TV Best News Program for ‘24 Oras', and received the 'Best Regional TV Network' at the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards, among others.
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Energy, Wellness, Innovation Mark Launch Of KonsultaMD SuperApp
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/ColorFest Manila) |
KonsultaMD and ColorFest Manila’s successful #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run launched the revolutionary KonsultaMD SuperApp with over 2,400 runners, including barkadas, families, couples, and athletes, gathering at Vermosa Sports Hub in Carmona, Cavite on April 30, 2023 for a vibrant celebration of health, wellness, and innovation. The atmosphere was electric with pulsating music, colorful decorations, and lively booths. Participants of all ages embraced the vibrant experience, donning white ColorFest Run shirts and sunglasses.
To kickstart the run, hosts Zara Carbonell and Steve Near led an energizing warm-up routine, igniting the crowd and preparing them for the race ahead. Runners enjoyed the scenic route, colorful powder showers, and refreshing drinks at watering stations. After crossing the finish line, they received a unique #IWantToBeHere Cassette Keychain. The event also included the “Konsulta Kembot Challenge” with dance performances and exciting prizes from Huawei. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the official KonsultaMD SuperApp through an engaging video presentation. Packed with enhanced features such as 24/7 doctor consultations, mental health support, at-home laboratory and diagnostics, and medicine delivery, the SuperApp aims to change the healthcare landscape in the country, bringing unprecedented convenience and accessibility to users.
With a vast network of over 1,000 healthcare practitioners, covering more than 60 specializations and speaking 16 languages and dialects, the KonsultaMD SuperApp promises to be a one-stop shop for all healthcare needs. “The launch of the KonsultaMD SuperApp at the #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run is a significant milestone for us. Our SuperApp is designed to transform healthcare in the Philippines, enhancing accessibility and convenience for every individual. We are excited to introduce this game-changing platform to our valued users and usher in a new era of healthcare delivery,” said KonsultaMD Chief Executive Officer Cholo Tagaysay. The #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run culminated in a post-race party that provided the perfect opportunity for participants to unwind and celebrate their achievements. The crowd danced to the infectious beats spun by DJ Marx Monterola, capturing the vibrant essence of the ColorFest experience. The event area was awash with colorful selfies, creating a captivating tapestry of joy and camaraderie.
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Meralco Partners With DILG In Support Of Government's Campaign Against Illegal Drugs
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| Meralco and DILG officials during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the two companies formalizing the former's participation in the national government's "Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan" (BIDA) anti-drug campaign (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Manila Electric Company) |
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has joined the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in its nationwide campaign against illegal drugs. Meralco recently entered into a memorandum of undertaking (MOU) to formalize its participation in the government’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) program which advocates for the reduction of illicit drug supply and demand.
Under the MOU, Meralco pledged to continuously implement a drug-free workplace, conduct regular and random drug testing among its employees, and hold orientations and seminars for employees about narcotics and their physical, social, and psychological effects. Meralco will also help promote the BIDA campaign to raise awareness of the harmful effects of illegal drugs. BIDA is the six-year anti-illegal drugs advocacy program of the DILG that aims to employ a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach in combating the proliferation of narcotics in the country. In his speech, DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. said the participation of private companies in the BIDA program is crucial to ensuring the national success of the holistic campaign against illegal drugs.
For his part, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said, “We, at Meralco, consider our stakeholders as invaluable partners and we are committed to continuously provide a safe and healthy work environment for our employees. That is why we have policies and programs in place that ensure a drug-free workplace.” “Through our strong partnership with DILG and our participation in the BIDA program, we also reaffirm our commitment to support the government’s push to promote human and social development and to continuously educate Filipinos on the effects of illegal drugs,” he added.
Besides Meralco, other companies chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan also joined the BIDA campaign. These include PLDT-Smart, Maynilad, and Metro Pacific Tollways. “We look forward to continuing this worthy endeavor with the DILG to once and for all address the scourge that is drug abuse, and we commit all our available resources in support of the BIDA campaign,” Zaldarriaga concluded.
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McDonald's Breaks Category Conventions With New Gender Inclusive Ad
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| (Image Source: adobo Magazine/McDonald’s Philippines) |
In time for the celebration of Pride Month this June, quick service restaurant (QSR) giant McDonald's Philippines has made hearts melt with its latest ad. Truly a McDonald’s signature, this film’s feel-good story makes it impossible not to smile. A young skater girl circles the Ride-Thru over and over, ordering all sorts of menu items. Her cheeky smiles at the female Ride-Thru crew tickle the audience and keep them intrigued. Apart from the film’s cute twist at the end, what was even more pleasantly surprising was how McDonald’s broke category conventions by featuring a GL (Girl Love) story.
When asked about the creation of the ad, McDonald’s Philippines Corporate Relations Director Adi Hernandez shares, “Despite its rare representation locally, it was important that this love story is depicted as a regular, everyday occurrence at McDonald’s Philippines. Gender inclusivity is ingrained in our brand experience from our customers to our employees. No matter who you are, you are welcome and safe to come back here again and again – that’s what we wanted our audience to know.” And the story behind the effortless acting that made everyone feel giddy? The brand along with its advertising agency, TBWA\SMP, factored in proper representation in casting and tapped a real member of the LGBTQ+ community. “We wanted to do it right, and we wanted to make sure they (the actors) felt comfortable," says Hernandez.
Last year, McDonald’s gained praises for sponsoring Pride March 2022 and now with this feel-good film, the brand is constantly proving that it’s not shying away from gender inclusivity. What’s next? Hernandez says, “There’s more to come. This is a part of a broader campaign to show our commitment to ensuring McDonald’s continues to be everyone’s happy place.” And we can’t help but say, we’re lovin’ this step towards inclusivity for McDonald’s.
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XTREME Appliances Starts Expansion In Northern Luzon With Two New Branches
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| XTREME Appliances SM Center Tuguegarao (left) and SM Megacenter Cabanatuan (right) (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/XTREME Appliances) |
XTREME Appliances, the leading one-stop-shop appliance brand, shares the recent opening of its new stores in SM Center Tuguegarao and SM Megacenter Cabanatuan this month. These expansions pave way in giving access to its high-quality appliances to the residents of Northern Luzon. With the new store locations situated in the center of Cagayan and Nueva Ecija, XTREME Appliances targets to cater to the demand and needs of each Filipino household. Residents can now conveniently access a wide range of appliances that offer functionality without breaking the bank. From home entertainment, cooling, washing, and kitchen essentials, XTREME Appliances strives to be the go-to brand for all home appliance needs.
XTREME Appliances stores showcase all products in different variants, colors, and sizes – from the basic to the latest models, providing an immersive shopping experience to customers. “We stay true to our word about our expansion, we will build more branches in each corner of the country to make our products accessible to every Filipino. It’s going to be a busy second half of 2023 I must say.” shares XTREME Appliances Brand Marketing Manager Paula Dizon. “We always share this but it is really our mission to provide quality products at the right prices and we are confident that our customers will enjoy shopping with us because of our wide assortment,” Dizon added.
To celebrate the grand opening of these new stores, XTREME Appliances will be offering exclusive promos for a limited time. Customers can take home a 50” TV as a freebie when they buy the corresponding participating product. XTREME Appliances is expected to open branches in the second half of 2023 in the following locations: Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
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Official Celebrity Boxing Signs Five-Event Deal With FITE
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| (Image Source: FITE/Official Celebrity Boxing) |
FITE has signed a deal to present Official Celebrity Boxing's next five events live via PPV, continuing the relationship between combat sports biggest and most reliable global streaming platform and the promotion that started the celebrity fight craze two decades ago. The first event, Clash in the Metaverse, will be on June 30th when Roy Jones Jr. faces NDO Champ in technological first–live physical boxing in the metaverse. Additional dates will be announced soon but Official Celebrity Boxing founder Damon Feldman has confirmed Mark Coleman will fight in the second event.
Clash in the Metaverse will make history with tech-partner Galaxy Arena and is the latest step in FITE's innovation in sports that has included new and under-represented sports and leagues, technology such as the AI tools that power the FITE platform. FITE was recently shortlisted in the Sports Technology Awards for its hologram press conference with Proto Inc. and Manny Pacquiao. In addition to the PPV events, FITE's SVOD platform FITE+ will host the Official Celebrity Boxing podcast with Feldman and special guests weekly. Feldman is the inventor of celebrity boxing, having put on hundreds matches between famous and infamous athletes, movie stars and pop culture icons and footnotes of every kind, including Tonya Harding, Octomom, Joey Buttafouco, Rodney King, Jose Canseco, Kato Kaelin and Coolio. "There's no question Damon Feldman had a huge influence on sports when he created Official Celebrity Boxing. And it's not just that he has kept going – he's kept switching stances so no competitor can beat him. With Clash in the Metaverse we'll expect traditional boxing viewers, newcomers inspired by social media, and other crossover fans of all kinds interested in the tech. No matter what – it's going to be a hell of a fight," said FITE Co-Founder and COO Michael Weber.
The Official Celebrity Boxing podcast joins a tremendous roster of new events and archived content included in the FITE+ subscription, which is quite simply the Best Value in Combat Sports, is only $7.99 monthly and $69.99 yearly. New customers can enjoy a 7-day free trial. Subscribers get a special selection of premium events from pro wrestling promotions including Major League Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, Insane Championship Wrestling and more; as well as the ultra red-hot Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events and other leading boxing, MMA and grappling and promotions like Triller Fight Club, Fight2Win, SlapFight Championship, and Shamrock FC. The subscription also offers unlimited on-demand access to the entire FITE+ library with over 4000 hours from more than 100 organizations from around the world.
