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| (Image Source: Rappler/Smart Communications Inc.) |
TNT subscribers can now order embedded SIM or eSIM via digital delivery. This means TNT users may now simply order their TNT eSIM from the Smart Online Store and have their SIM via QR code conveniently delivered to their email instantly. Upon receiving their TNT eSIMs, users only need to scan the unique QR code and register to activate it and start enjoying data, call, and text services paired with TNT’s affordable offers powered by Smart’s award-winning mobile network. The Smart Online Store is easily accessible on any mobile or web browser so users won’t have to download and log in to a separate app just to order their eSIM. It also accepts a wide range of cashless transactions such as Maya, GCash, SPay, DragonPay, and more.
“We are making it easier for our TNT KaTropas to switch to eSIM, which is designed to perfectly complement our affordable offers. Now that it’s available via digital delivery, our subscribers can instantly and seamlessly make the most out of eSIM technology powered by Smart’s superior network,” said Smart's Head of Prepaid Lloyd R. Manaloto. “With eSIMs, users can switch networks without hassle and without the need to buy a physical SIM, making the process of managing mobile connectivity simpler and more efficient,” said Smart's Vice President and Head of Innovations and Digital Services Jerome Y. Almirante. TNT offers its Prepaid eSIM for only Php89 which includes up to 21 GB of FREE data plus 10 mins All-Net Calls and 100 All-Net Texts, enabling users to quickly connect online and communicate with loved ones and friends from the get-go. Users can also enjoy TNT’s offers such as the recently launched promo TNT TikTok Saya 50, which comes with Unli TikTok plus 3 GB open access data for apps and sites and Unli Texts to All Networks, valid for three days for only Php50.
Compatible with the latest eSIM-capable handsets from Apple, Google, Huawei, and Samsung among other device brands, the TNT eSIM offers a hassle-free experience for mobile users. As there is no physical SIM card, eSIM users will not have to worry about the lack of a SIM slot in their device or losing or damaging their physical SIM. Moreover, the eSIM enables users to enjoy multiple lines even if they only have one physical SIM slot in their handset. With the eSIM, they may now conveniently switch between two or more accounts or SIM profiles on their phones. TNT is powered by Smart’s award-winning mobile network, which was recently recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience by independent network analytics from Opensignal.
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Cebu Pacific Launches Cadet Pilot Program With Airworks Aviation
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| Cebu Pacific Vice President for Flight Operations Capt. Samuel Avila II and Airworks Aviation President Vincent Charles Ong formalized their partnership agreement for the former's Cadet Pilot Program (Image Source: SunStar/Cebu Pacific) |
Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has launched its Cadet Pilot Program in partnership with Cebu-based flight training school Airworks Aviation, offering aspiring pilots with high-quality training experience, mentorship, and guaranteed employment path with the airline. CEB and Airworks Aviation formalized their partnership on the said program through a memorandum of agreement signed last June 6, 2024 at NUSTAR in Cebu City which was attended by Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Hon. Joseph Pangatungan and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo.
The CEB Cadet Pilot Program is a 96-week, self-funded program that trains candidates to become licensed commercial pilots. The first phase of the application period recently concluded where interested applicants expressed their participation in the program through a link to its official application form made accessible through CEB’s official communication platforms. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend a panel interview with CEB. After which, those who pass the panel interview will be referred to a partner health facility to undergo medical assessment. Candidates who complete all medical assessments will then be slotted for a training batch subject to agreement of the terms and conditions of the Cadet Pilot Program. The 96-week-long program is divided into three phases:
• The first phase is dedicated to a four-week Aviation Foundation Course conducted in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
• For the second phase, the cadets will be sent to study and train at the Airworks Aviation Academy at Mactan International Airport, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu where they will complete the Basic Flight Training for 68 weeks.
• Lastly, the cadets will be sent back to Pasay City in Metro Manila for the Airline Integration Training which is set to run for 24 weeks.
To assist aspiring pilots with the financial requirements of their training, CEB has partnered with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to provide loan offers exclusive for the Cadet Pilot Program. Loan offers from BPI are also available for sponsors, such as parents or guardians, of the cadet applicants.
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Globe Warns Against Fake SIM Card Registration Links, Reminds Customers To Use Official Online Channels
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| (Image Source: MegaBites/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom warns its customers against fake SIM registration links circulating online which lead to malicious sites aimed at duping customers into sharing sensitive information. Fraudsters have been spreading fake links on social media, enticing mobile users to register. Once clicked, these fake URLs lead to blogs filled with online ads. “We appeal to our customers to please use only our official platforms to register new SIMs. The only way to register your new SIMs is through our SIM registration site or the GlobeOne app. Any other site pretending to be a registration portal is fraudulent and dangerous. Please be vigilant,” said Globe Vice President and Consumer Mobile Business Head Darius Delgado. Customers should register new SIMs only through the following official platforms:
• Globe SIM registration site: https://new.globe.com.ph/simreg
• GlobeOne app: https://www.globe.com.ph/apps-content/globeone#gref
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) earlier warned the public against these fake SIM registration sites, saying these are geared towards getting sensitive information from SIM users. Globe earlier completed major improvements to its SIM registration channels as it hopes to protect customer data and deter fraud. These include advanced encryption protocols to secure data transmission during registration, live photo capture, and use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology for document verification.
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AirAsia Philippines Takes Flight To Save Lives Through Bloodletting Drive
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| (Image Source: AirAsia Philippines) |
AirAsia Philippines is not only revolutionizing air travel but also touching the lives of many Filipinos as they hosted a bloodletting drive at the airline’s RedPoint headquarters in Pasay City. In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), over 200 Allstars and PAF personnel participated in a bloodletting activity, responding to the urgent call for blood reserves by the Department of Health (DOH) and PRC. AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla stated, “Our core value of making a difference goes beyond the skies. We’re not just transporting passengers, we’re transporting hope. For the first time, AirAsia came together as one with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Air Force to boost efforts to meet the rising demand for national blood reserves. The blood units collected will surely help our kababayans in need."
Throughout the years, the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline has forged strong partnerships under its AlwaysReady: Anytime, Anywhere CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), showcasing their commitment to community service and the love for the country. Since 2015, AirAsia has conducted more than 10 blood donation drives in collaboration with the PRC. AirAsia’s partnership with the PAF, established in 2019 as a 1st Airlift Wing Reserve unit, has been marked by significant milestones including being recognized as the Best Reserve Unit nationwide. “We thank AirAsia and the Philippine Air Force for their commitment to support our mission of saving lives. Through your annual blood donation drives, you have once again proved that AirAsia does more than just bring Filipino families together across distances. We commend your commitment to help many Filipinos in urgent need of blood, including children, cancer patients, mothers giving birth, and accident victims, reunite with their loved ones once again,” said PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang.
AirAsia, PAF, and PRC’s “Donate Blood, Save Lives” activity aims to help increase the Red Cross’ blood bank reserves in support of the agency’s target of covering 70% of the country’s blood demand this year. The activity also aims to entice more people to donate blood, especially that blood donations saw a decline since 2020. Apart from saving the lives of the beneficiaries, donating blood also provides health benefits to individuals as it lessens the risk of heart and liver diseases, help lower cholesterol level, and produce new blood cells.
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GCash Shares Best Practices Against Online Exploitation At International Workshop
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| (L-R) National Investigations and Law Enforcement Development Director Atty. Noel Eballe, International Justice Mission's Karlo Taboada, GCash Chief Risk Officer Ingrid Beroña, International Justice Mission's Internet Crimes Against Children specialist Bill Maddox (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/GCash) |
The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the ASEAN (Southeast Asia) region due to its ease of access to technology and well-established financial transaction facilities according to a research by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This was revealed during the recent Advanced Investigation Workshop 2024 which was organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM) to tackle critical issues surrounding Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).
During the workshop, GCash, the country’s leading finance app, was invited to share its best practices against OSAEC, as part of its continued efforts to battle cybercrimes and promote a safe and secure digital ecosystem. GCash Chief Risk Officer Ingrid Beroña shared before international law enforcer participants the critical role of inter-agency partnerships in the fight against women and children’s exploitation. “Last year, over 100 possible OSAEC transactions were endorsed to GCash by one our partner remittance center and Anti-Money Laundering Council. What we do is we monitor these possible cases and if found suspicious, relevant accounts are blacklisted and reported back to them for further investigation. Aside from reports from our partners, our system also alerts us of suspicious transactions that could possibly be related to sexual abuse of children online,” said Beroña.
Participants of the 10-day workshop included representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC), Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Netherlands Police, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA). To ensure the safety of its users, GCash, the largest cashless ecosystem in the country, continues to closely work with top law enforcement authorities including the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), to combat cybercrime. “Considering our thrust towards financial inclusion, we believe in helping the marginalized so that we can truly be an organization that serves all. More than just scams and fraud, GCash believes that it also has a social responsibility to use its resources against other crimes against persons, especially helpless women and children,” concluded Beroña.
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PLDT Home Enhances Customer Service Hotline With Cebuano Language Support
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| (Image Source: PLDT Home) |
PLDT Home, the leading broadband service provider in the Philippines, enhances its customer service portfolio by expanding its 171 hotline to include Cebuano language support. Starting this month, PLDT Home callers will have the option to choose Cebuano, making the service more accessible and personalized for Cebuano-speaking customers. “We want to connect better with our customers by improving our customer care channels. Localizing our hotline for Cebuano speakers is a significant step in that direction,” said PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business-Home Jeremiah Dela Cruz.
The new 171 hotline experience begins with a welcome message, both in English and Cebuano. If the call comes from the Cebu area code (032), callers will first hear a greeting in Cebuano, followed by an English option. Customers who select Cebuano as their preferred language will be connected to a Cebuano-speaking agent. This ensures that every customer can communicate in the language they are most comfortable with, enhancing their call experience. With the addition of the Cebuano language option, PLDT Home is making customer interactions more personal. Customers can now communicate their concerns in Cebuano, ensuring they are understood and assisted promptly by Cebuano-speaking agents whether for service inquiries, technical support, or other after-sales concerns.
This initiative aligns with PLDT’s commitment to providing accessible and reliable customer service, a key part of its broader goal to elevate the overall customer experience. This year, PLDT Home has introduced several customer service enhancements, including digital chatbots, proactive customer updates, and improved installation and repair services. “We plan to add more dialects in the future and continue innovating our customer care channels,” added Dela Cruz.
