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| (Image Source: World Vision Philippines) |
World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, together with its celebrity ambassadors and donor PSBank, recently held a learner’s kit distribution program for students in Manila and Malabon who are set to go back to school. A total of 2,300 children received new learning kits which include notebooks, pencils, and a pack of crayons, among others. The learner’s kit distribution program is part of World Vision’s annual Back to School campaign, which aims to alleviate school supply costs on families while uplifting and empowering children with hope as they return to school. This year, the campaign is dubbed One Bag One Dream with the goal to raise enough funds to provide new learning kits worth Php1,000 per kit.
Present during the distribution were World Vision celebrity ambassadors Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Paolo Valenciano with his wife Sam and their daughter Leia, Emilienne Vigier, as well as World Vision youth ambassador Zachi Chua, and representatives from longtime World Vision partner PSBank. During the event, guest ambassadors encouraged the children with inspiring messages as they prepare for the upcoming school year. The Valenciano family gave the kids a story-telling session while PSBank volunteers and Chua joined in a stop-dance competition with the children. Meanwhile, through the distribution program, Curtis-Smith emphasized the importance of education in a child’s growth, saying, "Education is the key to your bright future. With the new bag and school supplies that you have received, we hope that this will inspire you to enjoy going back to school.”
For PSBank's Head of People Communications and Events John Denver Castro, he wished the children another year of gained knowledge and wisdom as they go back to the four corners of the classroom, saying, “I hope that you study hard as classes start, not only to be successful in the future but to be able to give back." For World Vision-assisted children like nine-year-old Shienna, receiving her learner kit made her look forward to going back to school. “I’m excited to go back to school because I will get to learn new things again! I will study hard to become a doctor so I could treat the sick," said Shienna.
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PLDT SFU Exchange Strengthens Resilience With Business Continuity Awareness Program
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/PLDT Inc.) |
The Philippines’ leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) continue to boost the resilience of their operations by upskilling their workforce through their Business Continuity (BC) Awareness Program. Spearheaded by PLDT Group’s Business Continuity and Resilience Office, the program was recently held at PLDT San Fernando La Union (SFU) Exchange in time for the Philippines' observance of National Disaster Resilience Month.
“Through this program, we aim to empower employees, solidify the company’s preparedness for unforeseen disruptions, and extend the knowledge they have gained to their families,” said PLDT and Smart’s Business Continuity Analytics and Strategy Division Head Analeen See Co. “We join the BCRO in urging everyone to continue applying and practicing the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance PLDT and Smart’s resilience through this BC Awareness Program,” said PLDT Zone Head Terrence Mallari. The PLDT SFU Exchange has been ISO 22301 certified since 2021 with business units included in the certification scope comprise of PLDT Network Operations (Core Network Operations and Fixed Field Services), Smart Network Operations (Wireless Core Network Operations and SMART Network Field Operations -Wireless Field Services) with support group consisting of Properties and Facilities Management and Asset Protection Divisions. The program offered a comprehensive learning experience, covering topics such as Business Continuity Fundamental Processes Discussion (B.O.O.S.T Resilience), Personal & Family Disaster Preparedness (PLDT Smart Resilient Citizen), and HANDA Overview / Discussions.
PLDT Group’s BCRO BC Awareness program supports the company’s thrust for resiliency and industry-leading operational excellence for enhanced stakeholder confidence. These initiatives also align with PLDT Group’s commitment to support the Philippine government’s overall digitalization thrust and the country’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG #9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
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Timezone Makes It Rain With 2024 Basketball Challenge
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Timezone Philippines) |
Coinciding with the Olympic season, the country’s biggest indoor amusement park chain pulled out all the stops for a competition that engaged ballers of all ages. Timezone’s Make It Rain Basketball Challenge 2024 brought together the best ballers from across the nation to compete in a high-stakes tournament where skill and strategy reign supreme. Held last August 10, 2024 at Timezone Ayala Malls Feliz, audiences were treated to an electrifying event where sharpshooters tossed basket after basket, scoring points off the competition and having a blast.
Every shot counted during the finals but in the end, Michael Rasco representing Timezone Cloverleaf came away as the Grand Champion, taking home his very own Slam and Jam machine and beating the very best shooters from different Timezone branches in 32 locations nationwide. Of course, the 1st runner Raylord Roxas representing Timezone SM Mall of Asia up and second runner Efren Christopher Flaminia representing Timezone Ayala Center Cebu brought home cash prizes of Php10,000 and Php5,000, respectively, as the competition came to a fruitful completion. Of course, the challenge finals was gracefully attended by some of the country's renowned basketball players including Chris Newsome, Ben Adamos, William Navarro and Prince Carlos and representatives of Pepsi and Timezone Philippines.
Participants aged 15 and older signed up at their Timezone branch of choice to try their hands at the prize since the start of the challenge last June 29, 2024. Each contestant got two plays to score as many points in order to move on to the next round. Qualifying participants went through a triple wringer of trials: the weekly competitions seeking out the best in individual locales and the venue finals where individual champions were selected to represent different branches. Those who survived those grueling rounds made it to a grand showdown where the country’s best ballers finally determined who was the 2024 baller king. But while this year’s champ stands tall as Timezone’s MVP, the fun isn’t over at all with Timezone’s upcoming competitions waiting to be commenced all round.
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MPT South Delivers Vital Relief To Communities Impacted By Typhoon Carina
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| MPT South's relief operations team with ENS Celine C. Chan of the Philippine Navy's Civil Military Operations Group (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Metro Pacific Tollways South) |
In a compassionate display of corporate social responsibility, Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), sprang into action to provide critical aid to communities devastated by the wrath of Typhoon Carina that hit Metro Manila and Cavite. On August 5 and 6, 2024, MPT South delivered a total of 600 relief packages to affected host communities including Brgy. Pulvorista and Aplaya in Kawit, Cavite; Brgy. Talaba II in Bacoor, Cavite; Brgy. Tambo, Don Galo, and San Dionisio in Parañaque; and Barangay 201 in Pasay City.
Recognizing the profound impact of the storm, MPT South also shared 100 relief packages with its valued partners, the Philippine Navy and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), underscoring the company’s commitment to supporting a wide network of stakeholders. “We hope these relief packages will help families and communities see that there is always hope, even in these trying times. It is essential that we support each other in any way we can," said MPT South Vice President for Communications and Stakeholder Management Arlette V. Capistrano. This swift and compassionate response from MPT South demonstrates the company’s unwavering commitment to its corporate mission and responsibility to support its host communities, especially in times of crisis.
MPT South, together with the people who revolve around it, embodies the strong sense of ‘Bayanihan’ – a uniquely Filipino spirit of community, cooperation, and mutual aid – and is dedicated to sharing this spirit with those in greatest need. MPT South is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the infrastructure arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC). Aside from the CALAX and CAVITEX network of toll roads, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.
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KRAFTON Strengthens Global Presence Through Strategic Integration Of Tango Gameworks And Hi-Fi RUSH
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| (Image Source: InsideSport/Tango Gameworks) |
KRAFTON Inc. has officially welcomed the talented people of Tango Gameworks to its team, marking an exciting moment in the company's global expansion and its first significant investment in the Japanese video game market. This strategic move will include the rights to Tango Gameworks' acclaimed IP (Intellectual Property) title Hi-Fi RUSH.
Founded in 2010, Tango Gameworks quickly established itself as a leading development studio, renowned for creating the critically acclaimed Hi-Fi RUSH along with the survival horror titles The Evil Within and The Evil Within 2 and the action-adventure game Ghostwire: Tokyo. The studio became part of Xbox when ZeniMax was acquired by Xbox in 2021. Hi-Fi RUSH, a flagship title for Tango Gameworks, is a rhythm action combat game that has captivated audiences worldwide. The game has achieved widespread acclaim, receiving ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews on Steam. Additionally, Hi-Fi RUSH has garnered prestigious awards including 'Best Animation' at the BAFTA Games Awards, 'Best Audio Design' at The Game Awards, and a Game Developers' Choice award for 'Best Audio'.
As part of this strategic agreement, KRAFTON intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects. KRAFTON intends to support the Tango Gameworks team to continue its commitment to innovation and delivering fresh and exciting experiences for fans. There will be no impact on the existing game catalog of The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the original Hi-Fi RUSH game. This integration reinforces KRAFTON’s dedication to expanding its global footprint and enhancing its portfolio with innovative and high-quality content. The addition of Tango Gameworks represents a strategic alignment with KRAFTON's mission to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
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ABS-CBN, Knowledge Channel Win Four Awards In Anak TV's Sinebata Competition
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Four child-friendly and child-sensitive shows from ABS-CBN and Knowledge Channel were honored at Anak TV’s Sinebata Video Competition, a national contest of video works for, about, and by children and the youth with the theme, “Friendship in Diversity". These winners were recognized during an awarding ceremony held last August 7, 2024 at The Peninsula Manila where they will be presented and showcased during the Southeast Asia Video Festival for Children on November.
Two shows under YeY Channel, “Storyey: Ang Planetang Makulay" and “Game Play: Teamwork", were honored in the Professional Fiction (8-12) category and Professional Non-fiction (8-12) category, respectively. "Storyey: Ang Planetang Makulay," explores the importance of respecting diversity and embracing individuality while “Game Play: Teamwork" is a show about a group of friends (Team YeY) with clashing ideas on their hangout's makeover. In the end, they were able to transform their space into a vibrant reflection of their unique personalities, proving that true friendship can overcome any obstacle.
Meanwhile, “Hero City Kids Force: Hero Festival", a children’s animated show featuring Darna, Captain Barbell, and Lastikman who must overcome their differences and fight together against villains sabotaging the Hero Festival, won in the Professional Non-fiction Under 7 category. Knowledge Channel's "Kwentoons: Si Bino, Si Buboy, Si Bantay, Magkaibigang Tunay", a story about friends that aims to share with kids the right way of taking care of animals, also won in the Professional Fiction Category for 7 years old and under. The Sinebata Video Competition was organized by Anak TV, an advocacy organization that promotes television literacy and pushes the agenda for child-sensitive, family-friendly television in the Philippines.
