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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom’s GFiber Prepaid has partnered with Kumu, a leading community livestreaming platform in the Philippines, to offer more Filipinos the advantages of an affordable, fast, reliable, and reloadable unlimited internet connection. The partnership showcases the “Kumu Kada", initially composed of nine creators who will engage, entertain and educate their Kumu followers about the benefits of having prepaid fiber at home. This summer, GFiber Prepaid offers a Php500 discount to customers who will apply for GFiber Prepaid. Exclusive to Globe customers, they will also get an additional Php500 cashback for just 1 Globe Rewards point.
The “Kumu Kada” is comprised of Olga Buenaventura (@olgaofficial), Jeffrey Hernandez (@prince), Aldwin Steven Go (@aldwinsteven), Jeffrey Benitez (@sirhep), Bini Bini (@beenibinii), Mark Hilongo (@mark.hilongo), Lyrica Garcia (@lyricaaaaaa), Glaiza Orido (@mhiyokhinn), and Mary Grace Cruz (@graceycrazy) who will host live streams to demonstrate how GFiber Prepaid integrates seamlessly into daily life. GFiber Prepaid was launched in 2023 to provide fiber-strong connectivity to more Filipinos at affordable prices in line with Globe At Home’s push for digital inclusion as it champions sustainable fiber connectivity. It provides fiber-fast internet for remote work, learning, digital entertainment and online diskarte, enabling home-based livelihood to thrive through reliable connectivity. Watch out for Kumu Kada streams for promo/games, powered by GFiber Prepaid. Designed to be immersive, this activity encourages viewer interaction and questions and features exclusive promos, games, and a referral program.
“Through our collaboration with Kumu and the influential voices of our selected creators, we aim to highlight the critical role of a reliable and affordable internet service in today’s digital age. With GFiber Prepaid, we provide Filipinos another way to explore new opportunities, learn, and grow without limitations,” said Globe Vice President and Head of Broadband Business Brand Management Abigail Cardino. “We are excited about this partnership as it allows us to connect more deeply with our community. Our platform is all about creating connections and engaging content. With GFiber Prepaid, our creators can do just that without any interruptions, enhancing both user and viewer experience," said Kumu's Nannah Labayen. GFiber Prepaid is tailored to meet the diverse needs of Filipino families and individuals, offering fast speeds of up to 50Mbps. For as low as Php999 for 30 days, this flexible and reloadable service includes no monthly bills, no documents needed, and can be installed within 24 hours, ensuring a hassle-free connectivity experience without long-term commitments.
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SB19 And Apl.de.Ap Take Filipino Music To Greater Heights With Club Anthem "Ready"
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| (Image Source: Where's RR/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
After setting the dancefloor on fire with the euphoric banger “Moonlight", SB19 returns with another monumental collaboration featuring Filipino-American hip-hop superstar Apl.de.Ap. The two powerhouse icons take Filipino music artistry to the next level with the release of “Ready", a shiny club number that captures the sound of summer effortlessly regardless of the season. Going extremely hard with bombastic beats and exciting sonic builds, the track finds SB19 and Apl concocting a confident bop with global appeal and strong crossover potential.
Keith Harris, a longtime collaborator of the Black Eyed Peas, produced the song. According to Apl, Harris did an amazing job blending pop music influences with electronic music elements, dance music, and Afrobeats. The resident BEP rapper also penned “Ready” with Jean-Baptiste, Vince Nantes, and Denzel. SB19’s very own Pablo and Josue (Radkidz), on the other hand, contributed to the production of the track, adding final touches and subtle sonic elements. With party-starting vocals gliding atop carefully structured production, “Ready” highlights the individual strengths of both SB19 and Apl while nurturing their chemistry with pure, instinctive joy.
SB19's Justin shares, “We never got the chance to record together in a single booth, but Apl.de.Ap was such a great guy to work with. It's an honor to collaborate with a global superstar of his caliber. We’ve learned so much from his generosity and creative feedback.” SB19’s Stell was also ecstatic about sharing how game-changing the entire experience was, saying, “It was something new for the group. We appreciate the chance to delve into new genres and production styles that come with unfamiliar territory. But with Apl.de.Ap at the helm of the creative process, we’re just blessed to take on this assignment. It’s not every day that you get to work with an artist you look up to.” SB19 and Apl.de.Ap’s “Ready” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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PLDT, Smart Link Up With Lanao Del Sur LGU, Boosting Maranao Digital Entrepreneurship
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| (Image Source: Manila Insight/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Over 100 Maranao entrepreneurs recently learned how to create engaging content and promote their businesses and products via e-commerce during a training organized by PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) in partnership with the provincial government of Lanao del Sur. “We have been partnering with the local government of Lanao del Sur for several years now, and we at PLDT and Smart are quite happy to work with like-minded organizations whose goals are aligned with ours. We will continue to create and implement more programs to help bring the Maranao people into the digital economy,” said PLDT and Smart Mindanao Relations Head Judee D. Chaves.
The initiative is part of PLDT and Smart’s eBizNovation program, aimed at boosting livelihood opportunities for Micro-, Small-, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives through technology and helping them succeed in the digital age. “These days, e-commerce is the way to go, but here in the province, it is not yet widely used. With this training, we want to introduce this platform to our Maranao entrepreneurs and enhance their skills so that they will have the capability to reach more markets nationwide,” said Provincial Cooperative Officer Ashadie Alonto. In Lanao del Sur, the eBizNovation program has become an avenue for various women-led enterprises to upskill and improve their businesses. Aslia Dimaocom, chairperson of Pinduguan Farm Producer Cooperative, is among repeat participants of the program. Having learned the basics of social media marketing during PLDT and Smart’s first training program in 2022, Dimaocom has further expanded her skills with the latest training and is now able to create content and use online platforms.
“I am thankful to have participated in PLDT and Smart’s training program for the second time because using an e-commerce platform would have been difficult for me without the lessons on how to create content,” said Dimaocom. PLDT and Smart’s eBizNovation program aims to leverage digital technologies to develop and improve the lives and livelihoods of communities across the country. These efforts are part of the group’s commitment to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly UNSDG #1: No Poverty, UNSDG #5: Gender Equality, and UNSDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
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"Balitanghali" Strengthens GTV's Morning News Block With New Timeslot, Regional TV News Segment
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
Balitanghali, GMA Integrated News’ award-winning morning newscast on GTV, further strengthens its commitment to delivering timely and relevant news as it moves to a longer and earlier timeslot. Anchored by seasoned broadcast journalists Connie Sison and Raffy Tima, Balitanghali now airs a full hour of the latest and the biggest developing news from Monday to Friday at 10:00 am. Joining Connie and Raffy is “Mare, Ano’ng Latest” segment host and entertainment reporter Aubrey Carampel for the hottest showbiz news and lifestyle features.
Fortifying Balitanghali is “Regional TV News" which brings to the fore the most relevant and timely stories from the different regions in the country. Hosting this segment are veteran broadcast journalists Cris Zuñiga of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon, Cecille Quibod-Castro of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, and Sarah Hilomen-Velasco of GMA Regional TV One Mindanao. Connie Sison underscores Balitanghali’s public service for almost two decades, stating, “For almost 19 years, Balitanghali has been with our viewers. Rest assured of our continued efforts to deliver to you, our loyal viewers, all the important events from every corner of the world, with the full force of GMA Integrated News.” Raffy Tima reechoes this commitment, saying, “In the continued delivery of news by Balitanghali, you will witness a stronger and broader coverage from more news teams scattered throughout the country. This is part of not only our desire to provide accurate information to viewers but also news that the public can use in their decision-making. This is our broader mission.”
“With the integration of ‘Regional TV News’ in Balitanghali, viewers can expect reports on local issues and stories that directly impact communities across the Philippines. This is a testament to GMA Integrated News’ ‘mas malaking misyon, mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan'. It underscores our duty to serve Filipinos wherever they may be, highlighting that ‘Local News Matters', and ensuring that Filipinos are well-informed about what matters most in their local community,” said GMA Network Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso. Balitanghali airs on weekdays from 10:00 am on GTV and is simulcast on digital channel Pinoy Hits, GMA Integrated News' official YouTube channel and Balitanghali's official Facebook page. Kapuso viewers outside the Philippines can watch the newscast on the Network’s international channels GMA News TV and GMA Life TV.
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DoubleDragon Welcomes First Jollibee Group Multi-Brand Store Conversion In Citymall Calamba Laguna
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| (Image Source: Philippines Graphic/DoubleDragon) |
DoubleDragon’s CityMall Calamba Laguna welcomes the opening of the first Jollibee Group Multi-Brand Store conversion last May 31, 2024 with the innovative format of Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich and Chowking combined in a single kitchen. Combining your favorite foods at one go from Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Greenwich and Jollibee is now possible for customers and foodies as they can now Mix and Match their favorites in combined ordering process without any need to queue though they need to pay for them in each of the brands separately.
“DoubleDragon expects this new and innovative Multi-Brand format of the Jollibee Group to complement and blend well to the provincial community center concept of CityMall, and we are looking forward to soon see this new innovative format eventually in all the CityMalls in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar Injap Sia II. As recently announced, DoubleDragon is set to open its 50th CityMall in Antique in H2 2024. The 50th CityMall opening milestone is to officially make DoubleDragon move up as the 3rd largest mall developer in the Philippines this year 2024. DoubleDragon’s network of 50 operating CityMalls strategically positioned in the provincial areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao is expected to achieve its optimal market relevance by 2025.
DoubleDragon in less than 10 years has completed over 1.3 million square meters of diversified asset portfolio consisting of a chain of provincial community malls in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, office buildings in Metro Manila, hotels in the Philippines and overseas, and warehouse complexes around the country. DoubleDragon is one of the few Philippine companies that operates its modern community malls in the countryside, in provincial areas as far as Cotabato City, Koronadal City, Dipolog City in Zamboanga Del Norte and Isulan in Sultan Kudarat that further stimulates the countryside local economy, but at the same time enables the positive economic growth to be felt by the real provincial countryside and enables DoubleDragon to plant its hard asset seeds and future-proofs the company for the long term. DoubleDragon is one of the very few companies that has commercial investment as far as Basilan and Sulu in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
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Runrio Unveils 2024 Half-Marathon Series
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Peter Atencio) |
Runrio Inc. has recently launched the 2024 Philippine Half-Marathon Series that aims to promote nationwide travel among participating runners. Running enthusiasts across the country will soon have new opportunities to explore the Philippines. The top-tier organizer has announced the 2024 Philippine Half-Marathon Series which aims to combine the thrill of running with the joy of travel. In collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Runrio plans to stage 21-km races in ten cities nationwide. These cities include Baguio City, Capas in Tarlac, Manila, Davao, Legazpi, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Dapitan. CEO and President Rio de la Cruz revealed that the dates for these races are currently being finalized.
“We want our runners to travel around the Philippines and experience Runrio events. This is about creating travel experiences through running,” said de la Cruz. The partnership between Runrio and the DOT was solidified through a memorandum of understanding signed by de la Cruz, DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Tamano, and Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Roberto Alabado III. While the initial focus will be on the Philippine Half-Marathon, de la Cruz hinted at the potential expansion to other races in the future. With this collaboration, organizers hope to attract both local and international runners, encouraging them to travel and compete in various locations throughout the Philippines.
In addition to the 21-km races, there will be 10-km and 5-km categories, offering opportunities for runners of all levels to participate and excel. “These races will give our local runners opportunities to shine in these categories as well,” added de la Cruz. Runrio has a busy calendar lined up for the year featuring events such as the New Clark City Marathon, the Manila Marathon, the Trilogy Run Asia, and the Asian Midnight Series.
