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| Inside a local government unit (LGU)'s Emergency Response Center powered by NGA911 Philippines in partnership with PLDT and Smart Communications (Image Source: Corner Magazine PH/E911 National Office) |
The vision of a unified and integrated 911 emergency response system across the Philippines is swiftly moving towards realization. Advanced technology from Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) began to enable the seamless routing of 911 calls to the activated Local Command Centers in Morong, Rizal; Alaminos City, Pangasinan; and Cagayan De Oro City in October. For PLDT and Smart subscribers in these areas, emergency calls are now routed directly to the respective local government unit’s (LGU) Local Emergency Response Centers. The streamlined process eliminates the previous step of routing calls through the Emergency 911 (E911) National Office and results in faster and more direct responses to emergencies.
“The primary mandate of the E911 National Office under the 911 National Program is to provide and ensure improved public safety services to the general public by providing a clear command structure for responsibility and accessibility. We should also facilitate the prompt deployment of a seamless nationwide communication infrastructure for emergency services through the joint efforts of the government, the private sector, and civil society,” said NGA911 (Next Generation Advanced 911) Philippines Executive Director Francis Fajardo who eventually thanked PLDT and Smart for their commitment to ensure that their subscribers have quick and direct access to emergency assistance and urged other telecommunications providers to join this life-saving initiative for the greater public’s good, safety, and survival.
NGA 911 Philippines Country Head Rob Llaguno echoed these sentiments, commending PLDT and Smart for facilitating the early routing of their subscribers’ 911 calls to the LGU Command Centers. According to Llaguno, this significant advancement further speeds up emergency response, enhancing the LGUs’ ability to protect lives and property. He added, “We are integration-ready for any telco and eager to work with all concerned to equip our local government units with our NextGen emergency response system that is faster, more responsive, and resilient." Llaguno emphasized the comprehensive support provided to the LGUs they serve, including the Philippine National Police Public Safety Command Center (PNP PCC), saying, “Our services include fully recorded 911 environments, seamless conference and transfer facilities for responders, and advanced mapping and location detection capabilities. Recent statistics indicate that approximately 90% of 911 calls received by the PNP PCC in NCR are met with response times of five minutes or less as a result.”
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SM Supermalls Opens Newest Lifestyle Hub In Metro Cebu
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| SM J Mall in Mandaue City, SM Supermalls' 87th mall in the Philippines and fourth in the province of Cebu (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
SM Supermalls’ highly anticipated premier lifestyle destination, SM J Mall, officially welcomed its first guests last October 24, 2024, Thursday. With its stunning design inspired by Japanese aesthetics, this dynamic hub in Mandaue City is ready to usher in a new era for shopping and entertainment in the region. The launch event of SM Supermalls' 87th mall in the Philippines, and fourth in Cebu, was an exclusive affair that gave a select group of guests a sneak peek into SM J Mall’s premium offerings. Held at the Mall Atrium, the well-attended event saw guests such as SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy and his family, Super Shopping Market Inc. Chairman Herbert Sy, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, officials of the local government led by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, Mandaue City Mayor Glenn Bercede, Provincial Board Member Glenn Soco, and businessman Justin Uy.
“SM J Mall is SM Supermalls’ latest lifestyle offering for the modern Cebuano looking for an establishment that is more than just shopping, or dining, or entertainment. There is definitely something new for everyone, premier options and incredible experiences curated especially for our customers here in beautiful Cebu," said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. The launch kicked off with a heartfelt blessing ceremony, followed by a captivating Taiko drum performance. Guests raised their glasses for a champagne toast as beautiful cherry blossom petals floated down — a magical moment to remember. After the formal program, tenant ribbon cuttings were led by Tan with simultaneous guided tours of the mall’s unique features given to key guests. The excitement carried over to the Izakaya Terrace, SM J Mall’s unique spot for authentic Japanese food and drinks, for an exclusive after party where guests indulged in mouthwatering Japanese cuisine and cocktails while grooving to the beats from Cebu's own DJ Kate Jagdon.
The next day, October 25, 2024, SM J Mall officially opened its doors to the public through a special ceremony attended by SM representatives, affiliates, and officials of the local government, symbolically welcoming everyone to this new and exciting SM mall. SM J Mall is not just another shopping destination — it’s a lively lifestyle center that celebrates Cebu’s culture and offers an incredible selection of brands, restaurants, entertainment and experiences, for the sophisticated, ahead-of-the-trend individual in cosmopolitan Cebu. For more updates on the latest deals and happenings at Metro Cebu's newest lifestyle hub, visit and follow SM J Mall (@smjmall) on Facebook and Instagram or check out www.smsupermalls.com.
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Strike A Pose With CHERRY Philippines And Heart Evangelista-Escudero
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| (L-R): CHERRY Philippines Head of Public Relations Agnes Conopio, Heart Evangelista-Escudero, CHERRY Philippines Chief Operating Officer Michelle Ngu-Cinco (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/CHERRY Philippines) |
CHERRY Philippines and Heart Evangelista-Escudero partnered in an event last November 4, 2024 at Cork Elite with the winners of the Strike A Pose social media photo contest who have showed their creativity by posing fashionably like Philippine social media's Queen of Creative Collaborations and unleashed their inner fashionista through this contest. The opportunity to flaunt their flair was seized so they highlighted their unique personality and style as fashion enthusiasts. CHERRY Philippines' Strike A Pose social media photo contest is not just about showcasing their best looks because it’s about celebrating creativity and individuality — the art of self-expression.
The venue buzzed with anticipation as people arrived to meet and greet Heart. CHERRY Philippines Chief Operating Officer (COO) Michelle Ngu-Cinco stated, “It is no longer a secret that we recently announced Mrs. Heart Evangelista-Escudero as our fashionably smart brand ambassador. We are very happy to have her with our growing roaster of IoT or smart devices that promote convenience.” The attendees chattered as the atmosphere was vibrant while Heart radiated warmth and charm as she gracefully greeted the media/blogger partners including the CHERRY Strike A Pose winners. She emphasized the importance of self-expression in fashion, stating, “Fashion is not just about what you wear; it’s about how you feel in what you wear. Every outfit tells a story, and I love seeing how people interpret that.” Her presence at the event inspired attendees to embrace their personal style, and she encouraged them to take risks with their fashion choices. As she interacted with the crowd, Heart shared her favorite products from CHERRY including the recently-released CHERRY Move And View where she stated, “It’s like your own personal, on-the-go mobile smart TV. Imagine a 32-inch FHD IPS screen that you can rotate, built-in speakers that pack a punch, and even an 8MP camera! Plus, it comes with built-in apps ready to enjoy anytime, anywhere.” She also highlighted certain products like the KTV series for entertainment, security cameras for safety, and CHERRY fans for cooling, pet essentials for furbabies, devices for air treatment, and the all-new Core Flasks by CHERRY.
The excitement remained palpable as the meet and greet drew to a close. CHERRY Philippines' Head of Public Relations Agnes Conopio stated, "We’re very thankful to the media, bloggers, partners, and to all the participants of CHERRY Strike A Pose contest. At CHERRY Philippines, we believe in the power of creativity and self-expression, and today is all about embracing that spirit.” People left with both memories and a new sense of confidence and creativity. They received gift bags from CHERRY Philippines which included the newest Core Flasks and the CHERRY High Speed Ice Cooling Fan. In the end, it was all about individuality and self-expression.
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Cabal: Infinite Combo Draws Over 700,000 Players On Launch Day
| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/Combo Interactive) |
Cabal: Infinite Combo, which marks the return of a legendary MMORPG to Southeast Asia (SEA), has drawn over 700,000 players on its massive launch last October 31, 2024. Following a successful pre-registration period with more than 500,000 players eager to join the epic battle, Cabal: Infinite Combo brings the legendary experience of Cabal Online to mobile, reigniting memories for devoted fans and inviting a new generation to join the great war of the region. Exclusive photo sets from renowned Brand Ambassadors like Rocco, Myrtle, Charess, Een, and ChooxTV bring the game’s world to life. These famous cosplayers, actors, and streamers who grew up with Cabal celebrate its return by sharing their experiences and excitement for the game launches.
Cabal: Infinite Combo brings back the iconic features that made it a favorite among MMORPG fans such as:
• Intense PvP Combat: Dive into thrilling 100 vs. 100 Mission Wars, where players across SEA battle for supremacy.
• 9 Unique Classes & Level Cap of 110: Choose your path, customize your abilities, and level up to master powerful skills and design your unique skill combos.
• Marketplace & Guild System: Experience a strong community vibe with the marketplace for trading items and a guild system for teamwork and camaraderie.
• Challenging Dungeons: Tackle PvE dungeons filled with fearsome monsters, testing your strength and skill.
To celebrate its launch, Cabal: Infinite Combo offers the following special events:
• Daily Login Rewards: Log in daily to collect exclusive items.
• Beginning of Journey Event: Hunt monsters in dungeons, collect letters, and exchange them for rare costumes and mounts.
Cabal: Infinite Combo invites players to claim their place anew in this legendary MMORPG. Join the community, rise as the true king, and become part of the legend. New players will receive a special gift code MEAKOLNS, which expires on November 30, 2024, in celebration of the game's launch. Be part of the legend and download Cabal: Infinite Combo at https://playcbm.com/cabalmphdler. For more information on Cabal: Infinite Combo, visit its official website at https://combocabalm.com/sea/.
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Garena To Publish Tactical FPS Game Delta Force For PC And Mobile In Select Markets Worldwide
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| (Image Source: Pocket Gamer/TiMi Studio Group) |
Garena officially announced that it will publish Delta Force, a tactical first-person shooter (FPS) game set to be released for iOS, Android and PC, in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Central and South America, Brazil, the Middle East, and North Africa. Players can now pre-register for the PC Open Beta which will be available for download on Garena Delta Force's website at http://df.garena.com starting December 5, 2024. Besides exclusive rewards, those who play the PC version through Garena's PC Client Pack will score a special weapon reward. Garena's PC Client Pack and mobile builds will also feature cross-progression, allowing players to sync their progress when Garena launches the mobile version early next year.
In Delta Force, players take on the role of Operators equipped with different skill sets. Situated on maps of different terrains, players will have to work together to conquer the battlefield using equipment and vehicles. The game also offers plenty of customizable weapon choices, allowing players to strategize their attacks to their liking. Developed by Team Jade from TiMi Studio Group, Delta Force features realistic graphics and several gameplay modes, promising an immersive combat experience for fans of the shooter game genre. Two Player versus Player (PvP) modes have been revealed:
1. Warfare
Warfare is a large-scale mode engaging up to 64 players at a time. Players will take part in massive 32 versus 32 battles across land, air, and sea. On each side, players will be split into squads of four and cooperate strategically by choosing between operators equipped with different abilities, such as smoke cover, vehicle destruction, and healing, to secure victory.
2. Operations
In this extraction shooter mode, players set out in teams of three to explore the map, gather supplies, and reach the extraction point within a set time. Collected items can be sold for in-game currency or used in future matches, but players will lose their equipment and supplies if they fail the match. Successful eliminations allow players to claim their opponents' resources. This mode also features special missions, restricted areas, and bosses dropping valuable rewards. Additionally, players who obtain the rare "MandelBrick" will get to unlock exclusive skins. There is just one catch — their location will be instantly broadcast to all the other players, turning them into prime targets and raising the stakes for survival.
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ANC's Business Expert Stephen CuUnjieng Hosts New Weekly Talk Show "Banker After Dark"
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Global investment banker and ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel)'s resident business analyst Stephen CuUnjieng gets up close and personal with various industry leaders on insightful business advice and life beyond the bustling corporate world in his show "Banker After Dark", which premiered last November 8, 2024. "Banker After Dark" is a weekly talk series where Stephen himself engages in meaningful discussions with the country's business giants including Century Pacific Group's Christopher and Nanette Po, Cebuana Lhuillier magnate Jean Henri Lhuillier, BDO president Nestor Tan, among others — featuring casual conversations about career, economics, and more.
Stephen serves as a familiar face for ANC, having been the go-to economics expert on its daily business show "Market Edge" with Michelle Ong during his segment "Stevienomics" where he tackles the ins and outs of the global economy. For his expertise in the financial and investments sector, Stephen held senior executive posts in various multinational companies. Most recently, he was also appointed to join the ASEAN Advisory Group of the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council. Catch "Banker After Dark" with Stephen CuUnjieng every Friday at 6:00 pm efore TV Patrol on ANC on SKYcable and Converge Vision, iWantTFC, and streaming via the ANC 24/7 YouTube page. Viewers can also have more exclusive access to on-demand business news, lifestyle, and exclusive members-only perks on ANC Prestige via ANC's YouTube channel.
