 |
| Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) Director Franz de Leon in 68th Session Of Commission On The Status Of Women (CSW68) (Image Source: Mindanao Journal/Department Of Science And Technology) |
In an interactive dialogue for the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City last March 22, 2024, Department of Science and Technology-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) Director Franz de Leon emphasized the reaffirming commitment of the country to leveraging technology to promote gender equality during the interactive dialogue on the emerging issue of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to advance gender equality.
“While there are significant challenges to overcome, AI presents numerous opportunities for advancing gender equality when developed and deployed thoughtfully, ethically, and inclusively. It requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, technologists, researchers, and civil society organizations, to harness the full potential of AI for promoting gender equality,” said Dir. de Leon. In his presentation, De Leon highlights how the Philippines, through its various government agencies, train women in AI, data science, analytics, and related fields through online learning, as well as the government initiatives to refine the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap with the aim of mainstreaming gender in PH AI policies. To protect women and girls from the potential harms of AI, the Philippines has implemented various gender-related laws such as the Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Safe Spaces Act, Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act, and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, among others.
Meanwhile, in his message, Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Antonio M. Lagdameo reminded everyone of the shared responsibility to eradicate women’s and girls’ poverty and address all the barriers that are standing in the way. “We are meeting today at a critical time for the lives and livelihoods of women and girls. The challenges to fulfill their rights and needs are unprecedented in scale and complexity. Foremost among these is their fundamental right to a life of safety, dignity, and prosperity,” said Ambassador Lagdameo. The CSW68 interactive dialogue provides an opportunity to delve deeper into Artificial Intelligence and how it can be harnessed to fulfill the human rights of women and girls. With the theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective", the Commission serves as the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
* * * *
Teach For The Philippines Receives US$250K Grant From Visa Foundation To Address Learning Loss In Public School Communities
 |
| Teach For The Philippines CEO Mavie Almeda Ungco (eighth from left) and Visa Vice President Patsian Low (ninth from left) with representatives from the Visa volunteers team pictured at the Global Money Week event recently held at the Visa office in the Philippines (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Teach For The Philippines) |
Teach For The Philippines (TFP) announced a US$250,000 grant from the Visa Foundation to support its nationwide student and leadership development programs. Visa Foundation will enable TFP to help public school students and communities recover from learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. The grant will support student development programs that significantly improve the reading, numeracy, and life skills of early graders and leadership development programs that deploy transformative teachers and changemakers in schools as well as education governance agencies. Through this partnership, TFP aims to improve learning and life outcomes for Filipino children and communities nationwide.
The grant is a part of the Visa Foundation Gives program, an ongoing initiative launched in 2022 dedicated to addressing local social issues in the communities where Visa employees live and work. The initiative will also enable Visa employees to volunteer with Teach For The Philippines to further advance its mission and amplify their impact in the community. TFP Chief Executive Officer Mavie Almeda Ungco shares, “We are deeply grateful for the grant, as it allows us to directly improve functional literacy and life skills for Filipino students. It also allows us to develop the future education leaders of the Philippines. Having Visa Foundation’s support allows us to contribute towards sustainable and positive change in the Philippine education space.”
Visa Foundation is committed to supporting inclusive economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive. “Visa Foundation is working around the world with partners to help ensure the communities where employees live and work thrive. We are proud to launch Visa Foundation Gives in the Philippines and partner with one of the leading organizations focused on uplifting young people through education," said Visa Foundation President Graham Macmillan.
* * * *
BGC Arts Center Extends "Monet And Friends Alive" Exhibition Until April 28, 2024
 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc.) |
Art enthusiasts in the Philippines have a reason to celebrate as the highly regarded “Monet And Friends Alive” exhibition in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Arts Center has been extended until April 28, 2024. Created and produced by Grande Experiences and presented by the Bonifacio Art Foundation Inc., this exhibition marks its first stop in the Philippines, bringing to life the works of Monet and other prominent artists through state-of-the-art technology and immersive experiences.
From the vibrant landscapes of Monet to the captivating scenes of Renoir and Degas, visitors are transported into the artistic universe of these masters in a way that’s never been seen before. The BGC Arts Center offers more time for visitors to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing world of renowned French impressionist Claude Monet and his contemporaries. One of the exhibition’s highlights is the integration of cutting-edge multimedia installations, allowing visitors to interact with the artworks like never before. Through this innovative approach, visitors can gain deeper insights into the techniques and inspirations behind each masterpiece, enhancing their appreciation for the artists and their creations.
Moreover, the success of “Monet And Friends Alive” wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Del Monte Philippines, TicketWorld, LG Philippines, Alveo, and the City Government of Taguig. With advanced display technology bringing this exhibition to life, visitors can enjoy an unmatched experience. Whether you’re an experienced art enthusiast or just looking for inspiration, “Monet and Friends Alive” offers an unforgettable journey through impressionism, right here in the Philippines. Explore the world of Monet and his fellow artists until April 28th so get your tickets now at the BGC Arts Center Box Office, or Ticketworld outlets or online. For more details, visit https://www.bgcartscenter.org/mfa or follow BGC Arts Center on Facebook and Instagram.
* * * *
Smart Expands Roaming Services For Tourists Visiting The Philippines
 |
| (Image Source: Technobaboy/Smart Communications Inc.) |
There are many opportunities for the Philippines to welcome the influx of international tourists to its shores. To help the country support the connectivity needs of visitors, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has partnered with international mobile service providers from Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, Africa, and other countries in Asia to enable their customers to connect to Smart’s fastest network using their local SIM’s roaming services when they arrive in the Philippines. This allows inbound tourists to upload their vacation photos and videos, communicate with their families and friends via messaging apps, and work remotely while enjoying the different tourist spots in the country.
Smart's mobile network covers 97% of the population with 4G/LTE and 5G as of end-2023. This mobile network is supported by PLDT's fiber infrastructure which was at over 1.1 million cable kilometers including international and domestic fiber. Meanwhile, for customers with Smart 5G SIMs and 5G-capable devices who are flying out whether for international conferences, family trips, or even attend concerts of their favorite artists overseas, they can rely on Smart’s 5G roaming partnerships with 167 global partners in 89 destinations including Aland Island, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Northern Marianas, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Uzbekistan, the Vatican, Vietnam, and Wales.
To subscribe and check roaming status and other promos and information, customers can visit https://gigaroam.smart.com.ph/. To activate their roaming service before travelling abroad, prepaid customers must text ROAM
* * * *
Join Great vivo Scavenger Hunt At SM Supermalls For A Chance To Win V30 Series
 |
| (Image Source: Business Mirror/vivo Philippines) |
April is gearing up to be an exhilarating month with vivo hosting an exciting scavenger hunt for everyone. Similar to traditional Easter egg hunts, vivo is adding a twist of fun and excitement to your April plans. Following the successful launch of the vivo V30 Series, the brand is kicking off the Great vivo Scavenger Hunt starting April 1, 2024. This interactive activity will take place both physically at selected SM malls in Metro Manila and online, inviting all vivo enthusiasts to participate for a chance to win fantastic prizes.
Collaborating with various SM malls, vivo will hide special V tokens for participants to discover. Keep a close watch on vivo’s social media platforms throughout April for weekly announcements unveiling the specific mall locations where these V tokens will be hidden. The hunt officially begins with vivo’s social media posts every Wednesday in April leading to the thrilling hunting activities scheduled for April 6, 13, 20, and 27 (Saturdays). Winners will be announced on April 8, 15, 22, and 29 across Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms. Once you’ve found a V token, head to designated vivo stores within partner malls to redeem your prize. Prizes range from trendy keychains and premium earbuds to stylish tumblers with the coveted vivo V30 Series as the grand prize.
The Great vivo Scavenger Hunt promises a month-long adventure filled with excitement. Don’t forget to mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates. And to ensure you don’t miss any of these updates, turn on your notifications and follow vivo’s official Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok pages. Visit vivo’s official website to learn more about the thrilling V30 Series and join us for an unforgettable adventure to kickstart your summer.
* * * *
TFC Kids Zone Presents Learning And Discovery Treats For Children Around The World
 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Continuing the celebration of its 30th anniversary, TFC (The Filipino Channel), the flagship multimedia brand of ABS-CBN Global group of companies, unveiled a delightful treat for Filipino children around the world. The TFC Kids' Zone, which debuted last March 11, 2024, promises a rich treasure trove of learning and discovery that parents and their young ones will find enriching and empowering. TFC Kids' Zone program block has three learning pillars:
• Kwentoons which offers animated short stories that impart values and lessons to children;
• Musikantahan which features Filipino and English nursery rhymes and songs; and
• Wikaharian which are Filipino language lessons hosted by Teacher Michelle Agas.
The Kid Zone block, which incorporates the use of the Filipino language, also envisions the programs to serve as a platform for children to acquire the confidence to learn and speak Filipino which further helps in appreciating Filipino heritage and cultural traditions.
"TFC Kids' Zone is a much welcome addition to TFC's programming on multiple platforms. We want families to have an easy, accessible go-to media destination for safe educational content that contributes to the learning process of children but at the same time is fun to watch. We hope to engage young viewers and help foster their learning and valuing of Filipino roots," said ABS-CBN Global Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jun Del Rosario. TFC Kids Zone airs daily on TFC broadcast and digital platforms worldwide outside the Philippines at 8:30 am PT in the U.S., 6:00 am in Saudi Arabia and London, 4:00 pm in Hong Kong and Singapore, and 6:00 pm in Guam.
