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| (Image Source: Smart Communications Inc.) |
Aligned with their thrust to support inclusive initiatives enabling people with disabilities, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), in partnership with Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV), recently supported the Festival of Talents and Disability Knowledge Bowl Tournament Quiz Bee hosted by the Office of the Provincial Governor – Office of the Provincial Persons with Disability Affairs Officer (OPG-OPPDAO) in the province of Cavite. Representatives from the different offices under the Offices of the Provincial Vice Governor and First District Board Member (Chairperson on Social Welfare, Family, Women, Children, and Elderly) also attended the event at SM City Dasmariñas.
For Ace John Mamauag of Cavite State University-Carmona, his participation was a chance for him to showcase his talent and ability and share it with other people with disabilities. He believes that the support from government agencies and firms like PLDT and Smart for this event is important, saying, “We would like to thank them for supporting this kind of program for people with disabilities.” On the other hand, Gabriel Querubin joined the event to show what people with disabilities can do, stating, "We just need to open our minds to see that everyone has their own ability and creativity that can contribute to the development of this world.” He also says that getting support from the public and private sectors is vital in this advocacy. “We can’t do this alone. We need the support of people to show talents and capabilities,” he added.
OPG-OPPDAO is a team under the Office of the Provincial Governor of Cavite mandated to develop and implement disability programs, services, and policies to support and put forward the rights of people with disabilities. “The support of different organizations is important because it takes a whole-of-nation approach to address the needs of people with disabilities and to promote inclusion. PLDT and Smart’s assistance really added to our resources, helping us highlight the talents of people with disabilities,” said OPG-OPPDAO Disability Affairs Officer IV Marie Shiela Haloc. This partnership is aligned with the PLDT Group’s commitment to helping the country achieve United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (UNSDG) #10: Reduced Inequalities.
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PLDT, Smart Adopt Hybrid Learning For First Aiders, Boosting Workplace Safety
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/PLDT Inc./Smart Communications Inc.) |
In celebration of World First Aid Day last September, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) boost workplace safety with the adoption of blended learning for first responders among its workforce. The PLDT Group has tapped the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to provide Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support Training to the company’s emergency team through its online ‘e-learnified’ platform. “Understanding the different roles of our core emergency team at PLDT and Smart, we have engaged the PRC to provide a flexible training platform that will boost the knowledge and skills of our responders in attending to emergencies and life-threatening situations, as we expand our efforts to protect our most valuable asset – the workforce,” said PLDT Vice President for Property and Facilities Management Leo A. Gonzales.
Composed of volunteer employees, PLDT and Smart’s first aiders are part of a broader Emergency Management Team (EMT) that responds to critical situations in the workplace. Other units include the Volunteer Fire Brigade including search and rescue units, communication teams from Security Command Administration, and evacuation teams in different facilities. Reinforcing the PLDT Group’s culture of preparedness, EMT members regularly attend trainings and capacity building activities on Fire Safety, Emergency Management, Disaster Risk Assessment and Management, and Disaster Mitigation Preparedness and Response. PLDT and Smart also regularly conduct emergency simulations to prepare their employees for unexpected disruptive events. Key employees, likewise, attend Emergency Management conferences organized by experts. The PLDT Group also participates in the quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills to reinforce its culture of preparedness.
The PLDT Group’s initiatives to train employee emergency responders underscore its efforts to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (UNSDG) #8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, by promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers, and #11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. They also highlight PLDT and Smart’s wider commitment to promote disaster resilience among Filipinos towards a #SafeandSmart Philippines through continuous availability of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster.
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KZ Tandingan Headlines First Ayala Museum Arts And Music Fest
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Ayala Foundation Inc.) |
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| Ayala Museum inks partnership with Cornerstone Entertainment for the first ever AMplify Arts and Music Festival. From L-R (front): Cornerstone artist Markki Stroem, Cornerstone Entertainment Vice President Jeffrey Vadillo, Ayala Museum Senior Director Mariles Gustilo, Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) Senior Director for Marketing & Donor Relations Paul Mercado. The signing was witnessed by (L-R, 2nd row) Cornerstone Senior Sales & Marketing Officer David Magtalas and AFI Senior Manager for Marketing & Donor Relations Monica Tiosejo. (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Ayala Foundation Inc.) |
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Ayala Museum, managed by Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) through its Arts and Culture Division, is set to hold its first-ever whole-day arts and music festival, AMplify, on October 19, 2024. Headlined by Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan, AMplify will be held in partnership with premier entertainment and talent management agency Cornerstone Entertainment. Aside from KZ, the music festival will also be bannered by other Cornerstone artists such as Zephanie, Markki Stroemm, and Agsunta. The Manila Symphony Orchestra, Ayala Museum's frequent concert collaborator, joins the roster of the event's featured artists as well as Viva Voce Voice Lab, classical guitarist Aaron Rafael Aguila III, ABECADARIO guitar quartet, harpist Vien Ignacio and DJ Arthur Tan from After the Noon Records.
“On our 50th anniversary, we are presenting AMplify, the next big step in our music program. AMplify will celebrate the Filipino voice by marrying our fascinating collections and exhibitions with music and performance from some of the most popular and talented Filipino music acts. And in this endeavor, we have found the perfect partner in Cornerstone Entertainment,” said Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI)'s Senior Director for Arts and Culture Mariles Gustilo during the launch event of AFI's partnership with Cornerstone. Aside from musical performances, guests can also access all of the museum exhibitions throughout the day, attend various art activities such as live sketching with Urban Sketchers and a shadow play performance by Mahiwaga St. Players, and listen to a lecture on Filipino music by the Filipinas Heritage Library. A whole day event, its activities will be held in all the venues inside Ayala Museum with the banner performances to be held in the evening in the expanded lobby with a view of the Greenbelt Garden.
Tickets for AMplify are now available at ayalamuseum.org/amplify and are priced at Php2,250 for the Festival Pass which includes access to all the musical performances and art activities during the day and the headline performances during the evening, Php1,900 for the Night Pass which includes access to the headline performances during the evening, and Php850 for the Day Pass which includes access to all the musical performances and art activities during the day. There’s also a Barkada Bundle of three (3) Festival Passes for Php6,000.
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Abdouraguimov's Return To SmartCage To Headline PFL Europe Championships Lyon On December 14, 2024
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| (Image Source: FightMag/Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative combat sports league, announced that PFL Europe Championships Lyon on December 14, 2024 at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Decines, France will be headlined by the return of France’s Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov (18-1) to the SmartCage, taking on Argentina’s Laureano “Pepi” Staropoli (13-6) in a Welterweight main event. Abdouraguimov is currently on an eight fight win-streak, and recently showcased his grappling prowess in a world-class match-up against Jack Grant this March at PFL Europe Paris as the two threatened each other with an array of submission attempts that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Staropoli has over half of his wins coming by way of knockout, making him a danger on the feet in a fight that is bound to entertain the masses on the 14th of December.
After an incredible evening of mixed martial arts at PFL Europe Glasgow held last September 28, the Championship fights for PFL Europe Championships Lyon, the first major mixed martial arts (MMA) event to take place in Lyon-Decines, are now set. England’s Lewis McGrillen (10-1) and Germany’s Alexander Luster (9-1) will compete for the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship after each fighter put on an unbelievable performance at the Playoffs. Italy’s Daniele Miceli (13-5-0, 1 NC) will face off against Albania’s Florim Zendeli (9-1-1) in the PFL Europe Welterweight Championship with England’s Connor Hughes (10-1) set to fight the 2023 title winner Jakub Kaszuba (13-0) in the PFL Europe Lightweight Championship. To cap off the evening of new 2024 champions, England’s Shanelle Dyer (6-0) will enter the SmartCage against Paulina Wiśniewska (4-0) to fight for the right to call themselves the PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Champion.
“France has quickly become one of the biggest MMA destinations in the world, not only due to the high-level athletes that are being produced by the country, but the incredible fans that bring world-class atmosphere every single time we visit. It was an easy decision to bring the PFL Europe Championships here, and there was no better time to make our debut in Lyon. Our PFL Europe Championships will see the continent’s best mixed martial artists compete for our prestigious title and a $100,000 prize, and with everything on the line, we know the fans are in for a night of MMA that will be talked about for years to come," said PFL CEO Peter Murray. PFL Europe Championships Lyon will be streaming live in France and the UK on DAZN and airing in the Philippines via Setanta Sports.
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All Episodes Of "Senior High" And "High Street" Available In US And Canada Via ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube Channel
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN’s hit mystery-thriller series “Senior High” and its sequel “High Street” are making their way to the United States and Canada where their full episodes are available for free on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel. The two shows, which are both top-billed by Andrea Brillantes, were a hit among viewers for their intriguing stories about socially-relevant issues and mental health when they aired on Philippine primetime TV. These shows also launched the popular tandems of “RoxChie” (Xyriel Manabat and Elijah Canlas) and “TimPoch” (Zaijian Jaranilla and Miggy Jimenez).
“Senior High” follows Sky’s (Andrea) unsettling quest for justice after the mysterious death of her twin sister Luna. The series amassed one billion views on TikTok and over 38 million digital views across YouTube, Facebook, and iWantTFC in only the first two weeks of its premiere. “High Street", meanwhile, sees Sky and her friends entering adulthood where their lives are put at risk when they become the target of an unknown group that is out to exact revenge. Additionally, viewers in the United States and Canada can also binge-watch full episodes of other hit shows like “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Linlang" as well as "High Street Fast Cuts" and “Pamilya Sagrado Fast Cuts" which are condensed versions of week-long episodes that feature the main highlights of each series.
ABS-CBN, the premiere media and entertainment company in the Philippines and the country's leading content provider, continues to make its programs available in various countries through YouTube as part of its commitment to stay connected to more audiences around the world. ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel remains the number one YouTube channel in Southeast Asia in the media and entertainment category with now over 49.7 million subscribers and counting and featuring exclusive online content and Kapamilya Online Live.
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BLAST Premier World Final 2024: Finalists Confirmed For Ultimate Counter-Strike Showdown In Singapore
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/BLAST Premier) |
BLAST Premier, the world's leading Counter-Strike tournament, has announced the complete lineup of finalists competing in the World Final 2024 which will take place at the prestigious Resorts World Convention Centre in Sentosa, Singapore on October 30-November 3, 2024. Following the BLAST Premier Fall Final event in Copenhagen, Denmark which took place last September 25-29, 2024, eight teams have now emerged victorious to secure places at the World Final event and take a shot at the trophy and a slice of the US$1,000,000 prize pool. This includes current world ranking leader NAVI, defending champions Vitality and other finalists G2 Esports, Team Spirit, FaZe Clan, Team Liquid, Astralis and MOUZ.
“Singapore is the place to be for eSports and Counter-Strike fans as we prepare to stage BLAST’s first major eSports tournament event in the South-East Asia region. Singapore has over 500,000 active eSports enthusiasts, and the country is starting to emerge as one of the world’s top sports and eSports destinations with the tourism and technology infrastructure to match the explosion in the popularity of competitive gaming. We are thrilled to be working with Singapore Tourism Board and AEG Presents Asia to stage the World Final and welcome teams and guests to such an exciting event," said BLAST Director of Market Development James Woollard. “We’re delighted to qualify for the World Final and we’re looking forward to competing in front of thousands of fans in Singapore next month. It’s a tough challenge – we are up against some of the best CS players in the world, but we are relishing the opportunity to play in an incredible new location," said Team Liquid's Keith "NAF" Markovic.
BLAST has also announced that Singapore will be the destination for the BLAST Dota Slam in 2025 with full details of the event to be revealed soon. eSports fans and gaming enthusiasts can still catch up on the opportunity to watch the competitive Counter-Strike action live and in-person on November 1-3, 2024 by purchasing tickets exclusively via Ticketmaster.sg.
