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| (Image Source: ONE Championship) |
ONE Championship (ONE), the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and Asia's most valuable global sports media property, officially announced three bouts slated to headline ONE 166: Qatar, the promotion’s debut in the country set to be held on March 1, 2024 at the Lusail Sports Arena. The historic card will feature a highly anticipated rematch for MMA gold as ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks of the U.S. defends his title against former World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines.
ONE 166: Qatar will also showcase a clash of heavyweight contenders as red-hot Iranian star Amir Aliakbari — who is riding a three-fight, three knockout winning streak — takes on former ONE heavyweight king Arjan Bhullar of India. The event will also play host to a battle between former ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title challengers as Yemeni-Saudi BJJ black belt Osamah Almarwai takes on former IBJJF World Champion Cleber Sousa of Brazil. Meanwhile, in its efforts to develop martial arts talent in the region, ONE will also host a Road to ONE submission grappling tournament during the ONE 166: Qatar fight week. In addition to playing host to a pair of grappling super-fights, Qatar’s finest men’s and women’s grapplers will compete for US$100,000 contracts across multiple divisions as they attempt to realize their dream of competing on ONE Championship’s global stage.
Additional details on the ONE 166: Qatar fight card and the Road to ONE submission grappling tournament will be revealed in the coming weeks. ONE 166: Qatar will be broadcast in the Middle East region on beIN Sports starting at 3:30pm AST. Details on how to watch the global broadcast, which can be viewed in over 190 countries worldwide, will be announced at a later date. ONE 166: Qatar will be made possible with the support and cooperation of ONE's official partners for this event — presenting partner Qatar Tourism, media partner Media City Qatar, and Ooredoo.
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Find Your Calm With Off The Record's Groundbreaking Release "Ear Piece"
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Off The Record) |
Manila-based music label Off The Record is thrilled to announce the release of its groundbreaking first album entitled “Ear Peace". This release marks a significant milestone as Off The Record becomes the first local label to specialize in creating and producing original instrumental pieces released as thematic albums. Spinning on the label's ‘Hits Different’ mantra, “Ear Peace” is the initial offering in what promises to be a soul-stirring journey through sound. The album is a carefully curated collection of ten (10) calming and atmospheric piano pieces that embody relaxation and serenity. Designed to transport listeners to a place of peace and tranquility, “Ear Peace” is an auditory escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
“Ear Peace” is a collection of ten (10) calming and atmospheric piano pieces that can transport a listener to a peaceful and serene place. It’s the background music and ambiance sounds you can play to boost your productivity, match your mood, or wind down. With each track paired with visualizers featuring local sceneries, “Ear Peace” offers a multi-sensory experience that will captivate and soothe. “Ear Peace” is just the beginning. Off The Record plans to expand this innovative concept with a series of thematic albums. Each album will feature seven (7) or more tracks and will revolve around a specific theme, utilizing a central instrument. Listeners can look forward to an array of sonic landscapes, from relaxing piano pieces and chill lo-fi beats to funky guitars, heavenly harps, symphonic violins, and whimsical flutes.
Off The Record's thematic albums are more than just music; they’re an experience. Whether you’re looking to boost your productivity, match your mood, or simply wind down, our collections offer the perfect backdrop. It’s the background music and ambiance sounds that don’t just fill the silence but enhance every moment.
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News5 Boosts Fearless And In-Depth Journalism With Addition Of Jiggy Manicad In Frontline Pilipinas
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| Frontline Pilipinas' newest anchor, seasoned broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad (third from right), with top officials of TV5 Network Inc. (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/TV5 Network Inc.) |
Seasoned journalist Jiggy Manicad returns to the frontlines of Philippine newscasting as he joins the formidable roster of Frontline Pilipinas news anchors on TV5. Expect Jiggy to bring his remarkable passion and dedication for fearless and in-depth news coverage back to the forefront of journalism in his return to news and current affairs. Viewers will once again witness his unwavering commitment to inform, inspire, and give voice to the voiceless.
Frontline Pilipinas warmly welcomes Jiggy Manicad, recognizing his credibility and enthusiasm which is aligned with the program’s commitment to deliver unbiased and comprehensive news coverage on national television. Known for his unparalleled news coverage on various civil, political, and humanitarian issues, Jiggy further strengthens Frontline Pilipinas as among the Filipinos' preferred sources for the latest news and information. His dedication to delivering thorough and insightful reports will further bring him recognition and respect among audiences nationwide.
With Jiggy Manicad fortifying Frontline Pilipinas with his inimitable passion for public service, TV5 reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the network’s primetime newscast and deliver credible information to Kapatid viewers all across the country. Catch Jiggy Manicad as the newest anchor on TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas regularly on Mondays to Fridays at 6:30 pm.
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TikTok Inspires Joy And Hope Through Community Giving
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/TikTok Philippines) |
TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile videos, transcends digital boundaries with initiatives that underscore the platform’s commitment to positive societal contributions, revealing narratives that celebrate community, resilience, and the transformative power of giving. Among them is the recent turnover ceremony of the #CreatorsGiveBack donations at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) held last December 20, 2023, representing a significant milestone for TikTok and TikTok Shop.
In collaboration with partners Moonton, PLDT Home and ANTA and through the #CreatorsGiveBack initiative and the 12.12 TikTok Shop live streams, the TikTok community actively engaged in generating donations of essential items like groceries, equipment, and other necessities. These contributions were specifically aimed at catering to the needs of patients and the NCH. TikTok Shop, in partnership with HOPE, a local non-government organization dedicated to enhancing public school infrastructure, also invested Php1.8M to fund the construction of two classrooms in Casini Elementary School, a local primary school in Sorsogon. The initiative, themed “#TikTokShopGiveHopeToLife", witnessed wholehearted contributions from the platform’s merchants, transforming each sale into a meaningful gesture of support.
“At TikTok, we believe that authentic expression builds connection and a strong sense of community that in turn brings positive impact. These initiatives thrive on the active involvement of Filipino TikTok users, creators, sellers, and partners, highlighting the platform’s capability to bring people together for a meaningful cause,” said TikTok Philippines Head of Public Policy Toff Rada. TikTok is committed to continue inviting its community users, creators, and partners alike to join hands in crafting a narrative that celebrates generosity, the joy of shared experiences, and the hopeful vision of a brighter future.
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HITS NOW To Broadcast 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards
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| (Image Source: Astro Malaysia Holdings/The Recording Academy) |
Rewind Networks announced that the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards® presented by The Recording Academy®, the biggest night in music set to honor outstanding achievements in the industry that occurred from October 1, 2022 to September 15, 2023, will be exclusively aired on HITS NOW on February 5, 2024 at 9:00 am in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. Distributed worldwide by Paramount Global Content Distribution, the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards® will celebrate many big milestones and is in particular a great year for female artists.
Of the nine most-nominated artists, eight are women. SZA boasts the most nominations, with 9 under her belt. The Barbie soundtrack also dominates with 11 GRAMMY nominations. Both iconic tracks from the film, “Dance the Night” and “What Was I Made For?”, are nominated for Song Of The Year. On the watchlist this year is also Taylor Swift, who has yet again been nominated for Album Of The Year. If she takes home the prize, she will make history as the artist with the most wins in the category ever. Trevor Noah returns to host in his fourth consecutive year as master of ceremonies for the event. He will also serve as a producer on the show alongside executive producers Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins.
“We are thrilled to bring The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards® in 2024 to audiences across Asia. The GRAMMYs are one-of-a-kind, and demonstrates our commitment to bringing the best content to audiences across Asia. We look forward to celebrating great music and spectacular entertainment with our HITS NOW viewers across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Maldives and Sri Lanka," said Rewind Networks Executive Vice President Sandie Lee. HITS NOW, the newest destination for popular and top-rated reality, variety, drama, game and talk shows from the US, is available in the Philippines via Cignal.
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PLDT, Smart Enable Entrepreneurs With Disabilities Through Digital Economy
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PLDT Inc.) |
Further promoting digital inclusion nationwide, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) enable Filipino entrepreneurs with disabilities towards productivity through digital technology. “Technology can be a great equalizer. It improves the lives of persons in unique circumstances. Through IDEATe, we help persons with disabilities (PWDs) develop skills that will help them accomplish essential tasks independently and offer alternative, tech-enabled ways of doing business,” said PLDT and Smart Assistant Vice President and Head of Stakeholder Management Team Stephanie V. Orlino.
Under the IDEATe (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology) program, PLDT and Smart have also strengthened partnerships with local governments, private sector, and non-profit organizations such as ATRIEV or Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired to further advance their digital inclusion advocacy. “Our mission is to achieve a fully inclusive society for people with disabilities. We were fortunate enough to be given a dynamic partner, PLDT and Smart, who supported our Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT) and provided connectivity, smart devices, and technical know-how. Through our partnership, we were able to reach and train the most vulnerable, underserved sectors, including geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” said ATRIEV Executive Director Antonio D. Llanes, Jr. DBBT has provided graduates a chance to start their own businesses online using available digital tools.
“I learned a lot about using available digital tools for my business from DBBT. This encouraged me to become a trainer, so I can share my knowledge and skills with other PWDs, especially with those who do not know where and how to start. As a way of paying it forward, we do not just educate other PWDs on available digital tools, but we also aim to empower them into adapting to technology through DBBT,” said Veronica Tabrilla, one of the DBBT graduates. “We are grateful for the assistance PLDT and Smart have extended to PWDs through ATRIEV. Sometimes PWDs just need the right opportunities from the right partners. PLDT and Smart’s support to DBBT has led PWDs to discover new ways of earning through available digital tools,” Veronica added. PLDT and Smart’s IDEATe programs also contribute to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which include UNSDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and UNSDG #10: Reduced Inequalities by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.
