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| PLDT and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio and Zone V Camera Club President Angela Panlilio with the beneficiaries of Virlanie Foundation inside The Learning Hub, Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/PLDT Inc.) |
In line with its commitment to make digital services accessible for Filipinos and to help uplift lives across the country, PLDT Home, together with Zone V Camera Club and the Virlanie Foundation, launched The Learning Hub in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. This initiative aims to empower Filipino students and their communities through reliable broadband internet connectivity, linking them with the rest of the world, and providing much-needed access to quality learning resources.
The Learning Hub seeks to provide Filipino children with a free-to-use learning space, powered by fast internet connection from PLDT Home and learning tools such as computers with digital applications. This initiative was likewise designed to unlock livelihood opportunities to benefit low-income families, while also offering communities with a safe entertainment hub. “PLDT has long been committed to building a digitally-inclusive Philippines where communities are empowered through technology. Connectivity has become a human right, and we believe in the project’s goal of helping provide quality education to ensure that no learner is left behind. We want kids in these communities to have access to the internet’s global databank and create a learning hub,” said PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) Board Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alfredo S. Panlilio.
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| The Learning Hub, Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/PLDT Inc.) |
“Witnessing the transformative impact that The Learning Hub will have on our beneficiary communities will be amazing. The potential for a graduating student to positively influence their family’s life is profound, and we are honored to be part of such meaningful change,” said Angela Panlilio, President of the Zone V Camera Club which donated the gadgets for communities to use. “The Learning Hub is a very helpful program, and it fits our foundation’s goals of providing quality education to children,” said Arlene Fernandez, Executive Director of Virlanie Foundation, an organization that provides a safe space for children of abuse. The Learning Hub also aims to become a sustainable initiative, aligning the PLDT Group with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by boosting the country’s overall digital inclusivity. It likewise supports PLDT and Smart’s continuing contributions to the UN SDGs – particularly SDG #1: No Poverty and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – and reinforces the Group’s broader goal to promote technologies that foster educational and livelihood opportunities.
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Porsche Design And HONOR Join Forces To Combine Cutting-Edge Technologies With Functional Design
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| Porsche Lifestyle Group's Executive Board Chairman Stefan Buescher and HONOR Chief Executive Officer George Zhao shake hands to mark the strategic partnership between the two globally renouned brands. (Image Source: Gadget Pilipinas/HONOR Global) |
Giant technology brand HONOR and luxury lifestyle brand Porsche Design have announced a strategic partnership to create cutting-edge smart devices that combine exceptional design and advanced technology. The collaboration aims to deliver a range of high-end products, offering consumers a sophisticated and luxurious electronic experience that embodies the best of both brands.
“HONOR’s human-centric design melds with Porsche Design’s brand philosophy to create intelligent luxury products that will accelerate the mobile lifestyle of tech enthusiasts and Porsche aficionados alike. This long-term collaboration between HONOR and Porsche Design opens exciting new opportunities to bolster our growth in markets around the world,” said HONOR Chief Executive Officer George Zhao. The excitement surrounding this limited-edition collaboration escalated with a teaser poster showcasing Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the original designer of the iconic Porsche 911, who also created the world’s first all-black wristwatch. The poster highlighted the goal of becoming a future classic, paying homage to Porsche’s design legacy.
According to Porsche Lifestyle Group's Executive Board Chairman Stefan Buescher, the exclusive partnership with HONOR is a milestone for the further expansion of Porsche Design’s iconic electronics product portfolio as Porsche and HONOR share the same goal to become leaders in the modern luxury segment of smart devices. HONOR and Porsche Design will introduce their first jointly developed smart device in China in January 2024.
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KonsultaMD Joins Forces With Ciudad Medical Zamboanga To Revolutionize Healthcare In Zamboanga City
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| (L-R) Ciudad Medical Zamboanga Vice President April Charmaine Dalguntas and President Atty. Jhihann Hairun-Natividad and KonsultaMD Chief Business and Medical Affairs Officer Dr. Chelsea Elizabeth Samson signing a landmark partnership agreement that aim to improve healthcare in Zamboanga City (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Ciudad Medical Zamboanga) |
Leading digital healthcare service provider KonsultaMD has entered into a landmark partnership with Ciudad Medical Zamboanga (CMZ) to bring cutting-edge healthcare services closer to residents of Zamboanga City. This venture, sealed in a recent ceremonial signing, represents KonsultaMD’s domestic market expansion and leverages CMZ’s comprehensive healthcare services to deliver an unprecedented level of convenience and efficiency to patients. CMZ is the leading medical organization in the region, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a full range of diagnostic and medical services.
The collaboration introduces a seamless, digital-first approach to healthcare, streamlining every step from appointment scheduling to payment, ensuring that patients receive prompt attention and care. It is a critical component of KonsultaMD’s mission to provide holistic care, including teleconsultations, pharmaceutical services, and home-based nursing. Through the KonsultaMD SuperApp, Zamboanga City residents can now book both at-home and in-hospital diagnostic services provided by CMZ with just a few clicks, revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered in Mindanao. “The partnership with KonsultaMD will give a whole new meaning to both quality and accessibility of healthcare in Zamboanga City. The synergy will deliver both care and convenience like no other, challenging traditional platforms and setting a new innovative approach to proactively respond to current trends and demands, and changing habits and inclinations,” said CMZ President Atty. Jhihann C. Hairun-Natividad.
KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay echoed the sentiment saying, “This strategic partnership boils down to our shared values and vision with Ciudad Medical Zamboanga of providing: Better Access. Better Service. Better Health. With KonsultaMD’s goal of democratizing healthcare in the country, it’s just the start of building a strong network of medical providers and professionals in just one app.” This initiative reflects the shared vision of KonsultaMD and CMZ to provide exceptional healthcare services that are both accessible and convenient, eliminating the need for physical queuing and reducing wait times. It supports KonsultaMD’s larger goal of providing easy access to quality healthcare to Filipinos nationwide.
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Globe GFiber Prepaid Brightens Holidays With Exciting Promos, Freebies
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom amplifies the festive cheer this holiday season with its enticing GFiber Prepaid offerings. Welcoming families nationwide into a world of digital delight, the Globe unveils exclusive promos and freebies for its customers. New customers can now enjoy a free BlastTV subscription when they sign up for GFiber Prepaid. This unlocks a diverse range of entertainment channels such as Blast Cinema, Action and Blast Family, along with popular movies and series such as “Despicable Me", “Jaws", “Bridesmaids", "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"- and “The Office". Activation is hassle-free. Simply connect to a GFiber Prepaid modem with an active GFiberSURF promo, visit the BlastTV website, and enjoy seamless streaming without the need for app downloads or logins.
They will also get a free Viu Premium 3-month voucher and Tower of Fantasy loot items. This promotion runs until December 31, 2023 and continues with a Viu Premium offer valid from January 1 to March 31, 2024. Additionally, customers can avail of a Php200 discount on any regular GFiberSURF promo load available in the Globe One app. For existing subscribers, Globe has not held back on the holiday cheer. By signing up for the raffle and sharing their unique referral code, they can earn a raffle entry whenever their code is used for a successful installation of GFiber Prepaid. This applies to all installations completed between November 29, 2023 and January 12, 2024. Prizes up for grabs include a Samsung 50″ Class Crystal UHD CU7000, an iPad 10.9 WiFi 64 GB 10th Gen, an iPhone 14 Pro Max 128 GB, and Php5,000 in GCash credits.
Without monthly bills and with the flexibility of paying for WiFi in advance, GFiber Prepaid customers can enjoy their holidays worry-free. This is especially convenient for those setting up temporary residences in their vacation homes as it provides peace of mind and continuous access to online resources and entertainment. “This holiday season, we are excited to bring more brightness into the homes of our customers. With GFiber Prepaid, families can enjoy fast, stable and affordable internet connection, along with freebies and promos that will enhance their holiday experience,” said Globe Group Vice President of Globe at Home Broadband Business Raymond Policarpio. As families gather to celebrate the holidays, Globe’s GFiber Prepaid promises to be a valuable companion in every home, ensuring that every moment is connected, entertained, and brightened. With Globe, families can now create more memorable moments together, making the holiday season even more special and joyous. Kaya mo now! Angat ang buong pamilya with GFiber Prepaid.
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Quirino Province Promotes Mental Health Awareness Through PLDT-Smart's #BetterToday Program
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| (Image Source: Rappler/PLDT Inc.) |
In partnership with PLDT and Smart, the Provincial Government of Quirino recently held a mental health awareness summit with students and government employees from the said province. Advocating mental health awareness in communities, PLDT Group featured mental health professionals including Riyan Portuguez (“Your Millennial Psychologist”), doctor and podcaster Dr. Gia Sison, and popular content creator Macoy Dubs.
“We are grateful to our partners from PLDT and Smart for bringing this mental health awareness summit to Quirino. This is an important initiative that aims to shed light on the importance of taking care of our mental health. By providing this space to talk about mental health and wellness, we are able to destigmatize these important matters and are able to share the message that there is hope,” said Quirino Provincial Governor Hon. Dakila Carlo “Dax” E. Cua. “With our Better Today program, we aim to provide a safe space for everyone to create and spark inter-generational conversations on mental health and wellness. As a community platform, Better Today strengthens the vision of togetherness and camaraderie – and how, in every way, it becomes an important reminder that you are not alone. This is a key part of our advocacy in PLDT and Smart to provide a safe, inclusive space for everyone, to help enhance the positive impacts of technology in the lives of Filipino people,” said PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Group Head for Corporate Communications Cathy Yang.
The summit enabled the participants to process the lessons learned during the breakout sessions. They were also given an opportunity to engage with Portuguez by asking their questions on mental health-related topics, including self-care, managing and regulating strong emotions, and creating healthy habits to enhance one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Promoting digital wellness is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) #3 that stands for good health and well-being.
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Mang Inasal Stores In Zamboanga Start Using Solar Panels
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| (Image Source: Filipino News Sentinel/Mang Inasal) |
Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, kicks off its commitment to greater environmental sustainability with some of its stores installing solar panel-mounted rooftops. “In support of Jollibee Group’s efforts to shift to renewable energy, Mang Inasal is taking initial steps towards environmental sustainability. And being a highly franchised brand, we are thankful that our franchisees back us up in this endeavor," said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. As of December 2023, Mang Inasal has launched the use of solar panels in its Sindangan and Molave stores in Zamboanga City.
Mang Inasal Sindangan franchisee Hanzel Uy said the focus on being environmentally responsible makes running the business more meaningful as it does not only give them a more cost-effective option for energy consumption but also helps ensure a better world for future generations. “Apart from the long-term savings on utility costs, we feel good knowing that we are able to contribute to a cleaner environment by tapping renewable source of energy,” shared Uy. With the installation of solar panel-mounted rooftops, Mang Inasal Sindangan and Molave generated a total estimated annual savings of 48,000-kilowatt hour and reducing carbon dioxide emission of 34,000 kg.
