On The Radar: PLDT, Smart's Online Child Protection Initiatives Lauded In Visayas

ON THE RADAR | August 30, 2023

(Image Source: Smart Communications, Inc.)

The government continues to recognize the child protection initiatives of PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) aimed at addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Recently, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and their Children – Region 7 (IACAT 7-ACP-VAWC) cited PLDT and Smart for their significant contribution to the fight against OSAEC and human trafficking during the celebration of the World Day Against Trafficking.

“This award reinforces PLDT and Smart’s resolve to continue investing in and innovating our technologies, collaborating and advocating for a world free from the shackles of exploitation. We dedicate this honor to every survivor, every activist, every social worker, and every soul affected by trafficking, as they inspire us to press forward with unwavering determination,” said PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations Head Marylou Gocotano. In Region 7 or Central Visayas, PLDT and Smart collaborate with Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Asia and Bidlisiw Foundation Inc. – Philippines for the Safety For Children and Their Rights Online (SCROL) Project to help local government units and law enforcers effectively carry out child internet safety programs. “The Council recognizes PLDT and Smart for their efforts in the prevention and elimination of trafficking especially in Cyberspace. Your initiatives help a lot in protecting people, especially children from online sexual abuse or exploitation,” said DSWD Regional Field Office VII's Led Inter-Agency Council Project Development Officer III Shalamel Sollano.

On a larger scale, PLDT and Smart keep children safe online through their pioneering Child Protection Platform that blocks child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) at the more difficult content level. PLDT Enterprise, the B2B arm of PLDT, is working with CWC in setting up the MAKABATA 1383 Helpline. The platform is an efficient referral system and delivery of service that addresses concerns affecting children and their families, especially child abuse cases. In July, the national office of the IACAT has also cited PLDT and Smart for their anti-OSAEC efforts. The PLDT Group’s initiatives to protect children online underscore its long-term commitment to help the country attain United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 16 which promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

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AGON By AOC Reveals New Competitive OLED Gaming Monitor – The 26.5-Inch AGON PRO AG276QZD

(Image Source: OC3D/AGON By AOC)

Leading gaming monitor and IT accessories brand AGON by AOC, the world's number one Gaming PC Monitor brand based on data from International Data Corporation (IDC)'s Q1 2023 Quarterly Gaming Tracker report, has recently announced its latest OLED competitive gaming monitor, the 26.5-inch AGON PRO AG276QZD, featuring an anti-glare OLED panel with a low reflection polarizer, lightning fast 240Hz refresh rate, and 0.01ms pixel response time, representing the tip of the iceberg of why it is ideal for the success of competitive gamers. With a crisp 1440p native resolution (2,560 x 1,440) alongside a 586.75 (H) × 330.05 (V) viewing area, this monitor’s OLED panel brings details to sharp focus, further complementing the monitor’s already exceptional refresh rate and response time. In addition, this competitive monitor is the first AGON PRO to ever feature Sniper Scope, and the new and improved Dynamic Dial Point, features specially designed to enhance FPS gaming.

The 16:9 AGON PRO AG276QZD delivers outstanding visual performance featuring HDR10, 1,000 nits peak brightness, alongside sRGB 100% and DCI-P3 98.5%, for breathtaking color accuracy and visual vibrancy. To support the AGON PRO AG276QZD’s delivery of stunning visuals and unprecedented fluidity, the monitor supports G-sync compatibility for smooth tear-free immersion, as well as HDMI 2.0 ports and DisplayPort 1.4 connections for maximum convenience and high-speed data transmittance. To make matters more spectacular, OLED’s strengths of deeper blacks, higher contrast ratio, and fuller viewing angles, are amplified with the new and improved Dynamic Dial Point, a feature that is able to dynamically change the colors of in-game crosshairs by detecting the combination of colors of the game background. Another novelty of the AGON PRO AG276QZD is the Sniper Scope feature, allowing gamers to partially magnify the center of the screen using three different sized windows of 1.0x, 1.5x, and 2x magnifications. This makes the AGON PRO AG276QZD the perfect complement to gamers who love sniping in FPS shooters.

AGON BY AOC is committed to providing gamers with the utmost safety and satisfaction. The AGON PRO AG276QZD is a Red Dot Winner in 2023 featuring the essential ergonomic features of a pentagon base designed to save desk space while still providing optimal stability, allowing gamers more space in their setup for in-game movements while also allowing them the flexibility to adjust and play the most comfortably. In addition, this outstanding monitor ensures gamers are performing at their best through featuring TUV and UL Low Blue Light certification alongside UL Flicker Free certification to protect gamers’ eyes from long hours of play. Following AOC’s commitment to sustainability and fostering a better world for all, every monitor comes in sustainable green packaging.

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FITE Lives In WrestleQuest's RPG Gaming World

(Image Source: FITE/MegaCat Studios)

FITE and MegaCat Studios announced a partnership that puts the former in WrestleQuest, the new turn-based role playing game with real-life wrestling legends. The recently released highly anticipated game brings to life a world where toys, action figures and wrestling collide – and over 30 legendary wrestlers as part of their game, each with their own side quest, from Jeff Jarrett to Randy Savage to AndrĂ© the Giant to Jake the Snake. And just as FITE is ubiquitous in the real life of any true wrestling fan, presenting the best promotions from around the world as blockbuster PPV events and on its FITE+ subscription service, players in WrestleQuest will encounter FITE's presence throughout the RPG's world.

WrestleQuest is not affiliated with any one promotion (especially not the corporate megalith that crowds out the sport's indie spirit) – and is instead a loving tribute to the spectacle of pro wrestling as we knew it in the 80's and 90's. Storytelling, which is both at the heart of wrestling and the leading promotions FITE presents year around, is front and center in WrestleQuest. The game also incorporates styles from all over the world including Lucha Libre, Japanese strong style Puroresu and hardcore wrestling, just as FITE spans every style and region to present the best of the sport. So FITE is the perfect sports media brand to become part of the WrestleQuest world. You'll see FITE venues, billboards and more.

"A wrestling fan's dream universe wouldn't be complete without FITE. We have a big vision for the Quest franchise that starts with our launch. Trust me, there is more in store for FITE in the WrestleQuest universe," said MegaCat Studios' James Dieghan. "The minute I heard about WrestleQuest, I knew FITE needed to be a part of it. I've seen every kind of promotion and what I've learned is you can't make it in wrestling unless you truly love it – the same goes for James and the Mega Cat team – their deep connection to the legends, the stories, the lore is what makes this game an incredible experience," said FITE co-Founder and COO Michael Weber who has an extensive background in the professional wrestling business. WrestleQuest is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, and Netflix (for all subscribers).

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FC Barcelona Crowned eFootball Champions In Riyadh

Global eSports Federation (GEF) Global eSports Tour Riyadh 2023 eFootball Champions
FC Barcelona's Alejandro “AlexAlguacil_8” Alguacil Seguira and Saul Adrian “The Palma” Chavez Saucedo brought home the top prize as eFootball Champions of Global eSports Federation (GEF)'s Global eSports Tour Riyadh 2023. (Image Source: Global eSports Federation)

The Global eSports Federation (GEF)’s professional gaming series, the Global eSports Tour, returned for the third year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Gamers8 international gaming and esports festival. Staged over a heart-pounding weekend of August 26-27, 2023, the arena roared with excitement as elite eFootball athletes collided, alliances were forged, and champions were crowned. The unstoppable duo from FC Barcelona – Alejandro “AlexAlguacil_8” Alguacil Seguira and Saul Adrian “The Palma” Chavez Saucedo – surged to a 2-1 victory, beating three-time eFootball world champion Rachid “Usmakabyle” Tebane and the formidable Milosz “TheOnly1Zilo” Mateusz Zietek, to win the eFootball crown.

Usmakabyle and TheOnly1Zilo were a whisker away from seizing the crown after clinching the win in Round 1. The intensity was palpable as these titans clashed, showcasing tactics and precision that would be the envy of even the most seasoned players. Meanwhile, the duo of the indomitable Rizky “Zeus_Faidan” Faidan and the fierce Elga “ZEUS_ELGACOR” Chaya Putra battled valiantly to secure a podium finish in third place. The synergy of these athletes at the Global eSports Tour was legendary and their gameplay an exquisite masterpiece. The $50,000 prize pool at the Global eSports Tour Riyadh 2023 is a testament to the GEF’s commitment to honor the dedication and mastery of these digital gladiators.

GEF CEO Paul J. Foster who witnessed the fiercely competitive occasion stated, “In the heart of Riyadh, we found the heartbeat of eSports – the passion of every athlete, every team, and every fan. It’s more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our #worldconnected eSports community that’s united by the love of fierce competition.” The action continues as the Global eSports Tour sails next to Brazil, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The battlefields shall witness awe-inspiring gameplay and tactical wizardry as the GEF plans for even more global stages beyond 2023. The Global eSports Tour celebrates the spirit of competition and camaraderie within the eSports community. With elite-level athletes and teams vying for supremacy, the GET continues to elevate eSports to new heights.

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Mercato Centrale Opens Food Festival At Festival Mall Water Garden

Mercato Centrale Food Festival At Water Garden, Festival Mall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Welcome to the Mercato Centrale Food Festival at the Festival Mall Water Garden in Alabang, Muntinlupa City!! (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/Mercato Centrale)

Mercato Centrale invited all food enthusiasts and families to join the highly anticipated grand opening of the Food Festival by Mercato Centrale at Festival Mall Water Garden in Alabang, Muntinlupa City held last August 25, 2023. From international delicacies to local favorites, the Food Festival features an impressive selection of food stalls offering an extensive range of culinary creations. Everything from tasty Korean street food to mouthwatering cheesecakes and classic Filipino grills, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.

The Food Festival by Mercato Centrale is designed to be a family-friendly destination, with picnic tables and live music while you enjoy all the handpicked food from their merchants. Families can enjoy live music performances by local bands and artists, creating a lively ambiance for visitors to enjoy as they savor their meals. The Food Festival by Mercato Centrale is open every Thursday to Sunday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm located at the Festival Mall Water Garden, and admission is free to everyone who would like to dine and unwind.

“In our newest gastronomic venture, we aim to bring a world of flavors right to your plate. The Food Festival by Mercato Centrale is not just a place to eat; it’s an experience – a celebration of culture, music, and the shared love for food. Whether you’re seeking international tastes or local classics, every dish tells a story. We invite everyone to join us, feast together under the stars, and be a part of this vibrant culinary journey,” said Mercato Centrale founder RJ Ledesma.

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CHERRY Roam Is Still Your Ultimate Travel Pocket WiFi Companion

(Image Source: Business Mirror/CHERRY Philippines)

Traveling is one of life’s most rewarding experiences, and CHERRY Roam provides travel pocket WiFi with a sweet spot of selection and attractive prices. With the upcoming holidays, a lot of people are getting ready for their international trips. If you’re looking for a travel WiFi companion, you can choose from the CHERRY Roam G3 or CHERRY Roam T2 Slim, both priced at Php1,990, or you may prefer the CHERRY Roam T1 Style for Php1,290.

All devices have a user-oriented mobile application, flexible data packages, and extensive coverage in more than 140 countries worldwide. Capture and share your moments while trying out novel things. You can enjoy 1 GB with 3 days of validity for as low as Php250. Regardless if you’re doing it for business or pleasure, you can gain a fresh outlook on life by visiting far-off places or taking part in unusual activities. While roaming around the globe, you can also experience 5G ultra-fast and smooth connection with CHERRY Roam U50 for Php16,000. If you travel frequently, having a CHERRY Roam in your pocket can be worthwhile. So, globetrotters, get your preferred CHERRY Roam device and bring it on your every international trip!!

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