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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/PLDT Home) |
Emergency preparedness begins at home, going beyond basic supplies such as food, water, medicine, flashlights, and batteries to include a clear communication plan for urgent situations. Households are encouraged to identify who to call in an emergency, keep important numbers visible, and ensure family members can quickly contact hotlines, barangays, hospitals, relatives, and first responders when needed.
As families rely on different ways to stay connected, a dedicated home phone line may form part of a broader preparedness plan. A landline provides a fixed point of contact for children, seniors, and household helpers to reach emergency services and relatives during urgent situations, offering an added layer of accessibility and peace of mind. Families are also urged to keep emergency numbers in visible and easy-to-reach places such as near the phone, on the refrigerator, by the main door, or inside an emergency kit so anyone in the household can act quickly under pressure. Key numbers often kept on hand include 911 for national emergencies, 117 or (02) 8722-0650 for the Philippine National Police, 143 for the Philippine Red Cross, and 136 for the MMDA, along with local fire, hospital, and barangay hotlines that vary by area. The Philippine Information Agency reported that the Unified 911 Emergency Hotline received more than 5.2 million calls from January to April 2026, underscoring the growing reliance on emergency services in urgent situations. To strengthen preparedness, families are advised to post emergency numbers in common areas, teach children and seniors how to call for help, save both national and local hotlines, and include communication steps in household emergency plans alongside essential supplies.
Emergency readiness, officials and advocates say, is not only about supplies but also about ensuring clear and reliable ways to contact help when needed. PLDT Home supports connected households through fiber internet plans bundled with landline services designed to help families maintain accessible communication lines for both daily use and emergencies. For more information, visit www.pldthome.com.
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Filipino Students Get Mandalorian-Themed Campus Experience
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Globe Telecom) |
Globe Telecom and Disney have teamed up to bring a “The Mandalorian” themed experience to Filipino students, with block screenings and campus activities aimed at promoting connection, empowerment, and community-building. Students from Cabanatuan City, Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao were invited by their schools and student organizations to free screenings of The Mandalorian and Grogu, giving them a chance to engage with the Star Wars universe while participating in on-site activities with fellow student leaders.
The initiative is part of a broader collaboration between Globe and Disney, which have long partnered in the Philippines. The program also featured raffles for exclusive merchandise and promoted student-focused perks, including access to Globe Rewards and offers such as beep™ card load, snacks, drinks, free Timezone credits, and Disney+ plans. Disney+ is available through Globe in several packages, including a basic 30-day plan for Php265 or 12 months for Php2,185, and a premium 30-day plan for Php575 or 12 months for Php4,600. Customers can text DISNEYPLUS INFO to 8080 for details.
Globe also highlighted its student program, which invites student organizations to submit project proposals that may receive company support. “At Globe, we believe that the youth are the architects of our nation. By continuing to partner with Disney to bring stories of courage, resilience, and progress to life, we hope to inspire students to see themselves as heroes in their own journeys,” said Globe Head of Consumer Marketing Roche Vandenberghe.
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Visa Introduces ‘Visa University’ To Advance Payments Education And Build Future Leaders In Banking And Finance
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Visa Philippines) |
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has introduced Visa University, Visa’s global learning platform for payments and banking professionals, combining Visa’s payments expertise with real-world global and regional case studies. With courses on payments and payments technology for banking and finance professionals in the Philippines, Visa University aims to advance professional education and capacity-building in payments and finance.
Led by Visa Consulting and Analytics (VCA), Visa’s advisory and analytics arm helping clients navigate payments and commerce, Visa University held its first forum at the Asian Institute of Management. The event drew more than 100 participants from banks, fintechs, merchants, and other financial institutions, and explored payments fundamentals and emerging trends in payments technology including agentic commerce and risk solutions. “The rapidly evolving payments landscape requires leaders who are curious and agile, while being strongly grounded in fundamentals. Through Visa University, we are investing in the development of future payments talent to help strengthen the resilience of the Philippine payments ecosystem. By equipping professionals with the right skills and knowledge, we aim to support the country’s ambitions to build a more inclusive, innovative, and secure digital economy,” said Visa Philippines Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro.
Visa University complements VCA’s strategic advisory services for banks and financial institutions. For its inaugural forum, Visa University tackled fundamental courses on payments such as issuing, acquiring, and credit card profit and loss for early-career banking employees. Previously, Visa University has partnered with globally renowned business school INSEAD to train local banking executives in emerging payments innovations. Visa University is currently exploring partnerships with local higher education institutions and professional organizations to expand access and develop bespoke courses and modules.
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Globe AT HOME GFiber Elevates Intelligent Homes, Launches GFiber Plan With ‘Choose Your Own Voucher’ Program
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| (Image Source: Let's Go Philippines/Globe Telecom) |
The modern Filipino home is evolving into an AI‑powered, fully connected ecosystem, and Globe AT HOME is leading the way with GFiber Plans designed to deliver seamless, future‑ready connectivity. With speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps and powered by the latest WiFi 7 technology, GFiber is more than just the internet, it is the foundation of the next‑generation of intelligent home experience.
From streaming and gaming to remote work, smart appliances, and IoT‑enabled living, GFiber ensures families enjoy uninterrupted digital lifestyles. To make intelligent home living even more accessible, Globe introduces the “Choose Your Own Voucher” program, giving subscribers up to ₱9,000 worth of vouchers from partner brands like TP‑Link, Xiaomi, Samsung, Abensons, and Digital Walker, helping households instantly build their own connected, AI‑powered homes. Launching last May 2026, GFiber Plan takes reliability to the next level. Powered by next‑generation modems with built-in AI capabilities, GFiber Plan intelligently prioritizes key applications such as gaming, streaming, online learning, and virtual meetings. With Trouble‑Free features like UPS battery backup and ONU mesh, families stay connected even during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity when it matters most. “Every Filipino family deserves a home that works as hard as they do. It’s not just about ‘fast internet’ anymore, it’s about the peace of mind knowing your home security is active, the joy of a lag-free movie night with the kids, and the power to pursue your dreams from your home office. Because your family deserves the future today,” said Globe Telecom Vice President and Head of Broadband Business Brand Management Abigail Cardino.
By embedding intelligence, speed, and flexibility into GFiber Plans, Globe AT HOME is elevating home internet into a complete digital lifestyle enabler. With fast and consistent connectivity, Globe empowers Filipino families to embrace the future of intelligent living, bridging the digital divide and redefining what it means to be truly connected at home. To learn more about Globe AT HOME GFiber Plans, visit https://glbe.com.ph/GAH-PR.
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HONOR 600 Fever Takes Over Mall Of Asia As Thousands Of Fans Flock To First Day Sale Event
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| (Image Source: TheManilaPost.net/HONOR Philippines) |
Massive crowd excitement was seen as leading global AI device provider HONOR Philippines officially kicked off the first day sale of the highly anticipated HONOR 600 Series at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last May 30, 2026 – drawing thousands of fans, tech enthusiasts, and shoppers eager to get their hands on the newest AI smartphone sensation.
The celebration transformed the iconic venue into a full-scale fan fest, highlighted by a star-studded lineup of performers and celebrity guests such as the up-and-coming P-Pop sensations FINA and It All Started In May; newly-crowned The Miss Philippines queens Allyson Hetland, Jenrose Javier, Trexy Roxas, Marian Arellano, and Catherine Wardle; and reigning Miss Earth Philippines 2025 Joy Barcoma as the host. The biggest young stars of Pinoy Big Brother were also in attendance – Sofia Pablo, Marco Masa, Ashley Sarmiento, and Rave Victoria with an electric performance by Carmelle Collado. “We are truly overwhelmed by the incredible support we have been getting for HONOR 600. The turnout at our first day sale event proves how excited Filipinos are about AI-powered innovation. HONOR 600 is designed to bring flagship-level AI experiences to more users, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our HONOR fans,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng. As for the main show, Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji delighted attendees with special performances and fan interactions. The crowd erupted even more as James Reid took the stage to serenade the thousands of fans who attended the event while Mayonnaise capped off the celebration with a crowd-pleasing set that had the entire venue singing along.
Beyond the entertainment, visitors enjoyed immersive demo zones where they explored the HONOR 600’s revolutionary AI capabilities, including AI Image to Video, AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, and its advanced portrait photography features. The successful first day sale event marks another major milestone for HONOR Philippines following the successful launch of the HONOR 600 Series. With its powerful AI innovations, premium design, and compelling value proposition, the HONOR 600 continues to capture the attention of consumers nationwide. The HONOR 600 Series sees HONOR 600 5G priced at Php28,999 for 8 GB + 256 GB, Php32,999 for 12 GB + 256 GB, and Php37,999 for 12 GB + 512 GB – and HONOR 600 5G Pro with 12 GB + 512 GB for Php 49,999 and can be purchased at any HONOR Experience and Partner Store or online via Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
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DAZN Brings Africa’s Premier MMA Action With Global Extreme Fighting Championship Partnership
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| (Image Source: DAZN Group/Extreme Fighting Championship) |
DAZN, the world’s leading sports entertainment platform, has agreed a multi-year rights partnership with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC), expanding its global combat sports portfolio. DAZN will broadcast EFC events free-to-view worldwide, excluding Sub-Saharan Africa and Poland. EFC is widely regarded as Africa’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.
The partnership kicked off with EFC 134 which took place at the World Sports Betting EFC Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa last June 4, 2026 where reigning women's flyweight champion Amanda “Mad Dog” Lino was able to defend the title against Juliet Chukwu of Nigeria via a dramatic third-round submission victory in one of the most significant women’s championship fights in African MMA history and standout performances in key matchups set the stage for future world title fights such as Thapelo Seabi getting the biggest win of his career, outpointing highly regarded flyweight contender Sisa Jungula via unanimous decision over three rounds, and solidifying his position as a top contender in the division and Tebatso Molele outlasting Zimbabwe’s Lecture Gumbi in a Fight of the Night bout. The event also included contests featuring fighters from South Africa and across the region, highlighting the depth of talent emerging from Africa’s mixed martial arts scene.
Following EFC 134, DAZN’s users can look forward to a packed schedule of EFC events for the rest of the year which includes: EFC 135 on July 2, EFC 136 on August 6, EFC 137 on September 10, EFC 138 on October 8, EFC 139 on November 5, and EFC 140 on December 3. DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev said, “DAZN is the global home of sport, and alongside enhancing our portfolio of top-tier fight sport content this partnership with EFC also reflects our commitment to supporting fast-growing sports. We are helping EFC expand their global reach and introduce elite African MMA to fans around the world.”
