 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Smart Communications Inc.) |
Gilas Pilipinas star and Smart Ambassador Dwight Ramos embarks on a deeply personal homecoming in Rooted, a three-part documentary series exclusively streaming on PLDT and Smart-supported PusoP.com, which is free and requires no subscription. The series follows the Gilas stalwart Dwight Ramos as he returns to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, the hometown of his father, marking his first visit to the community in many years. Much has changed since then. When he last visited, Ramos was still an up-and-coming player. Today, he returns as one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine basketball and a key figure in the Gilas Pilipinas program.
More than a look back, Rooted explores Ramos’ growing connection to his Filipino heritage and his desire to make a meaningful impact in the community that helped shape his family’s story. “By me doing this, it’s kind of like me trying to be more part of the community. More part of the Philippines. I just want to make some steps forward, especially in a town like my dad’s hometown,” said Ramos. At the heart of the documentary is Ramos’ basketball camp in Narvacan, an initiative designed to inspire young athletes and provide opportunities for local youth. Through the camp, Ramos shares his experiences, mentors aspiring players, and gives back to a community that has supported his journey from afar. Rooted offers fans an intimate look at a different side of the Gilas standout, away from packed arenas and international competitions. Through personal reflections, family connections, and interactions with the people of Narvacan, the documentary paints a portrait of an athlete embracing his identity while strengthening ties with his roots.
“The series captures the significance of Dwight’s return, showcasing how sports can bridge generations, communities, and cultures while highlighting the importance of remembering where one came from. It also reflects why Smart continues to support grassroots sports development,” said PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Sports Jude H. Turcuato. For basketball fans, Rooted is more than a documentary about Ramos’ journey. It is a story of family, heritage, community, and a Filipino sports star finding a deeper connection to the place he proudly calls home.
* * * *
Taboola Adds GMA Network, Philstar Global, And Manila Bulletin To PH Publisher Network
 |
| (Image Source: Marketing-Interactive/Taboola) |
Taboola has expanded its premium publisher network in the Philippines through exclusive partnerships with GMA Network, Philstar Global, and Manila Bulletin as the digital media industry continues to look for ways to deepen audience engagement and build sustainable revenue streams. Through the partnerships, the three publishers will use Taboola's technology including Taboola Feed, Newsroom, and Taboola News to personalize content experiences, improve reader engagement and develop new monetisation opportunities across their digital properties.
GMA Network is among the Philippines' leading media organizations with audiences across broadcast and digital platforms. Philstar Global operates Philstar.com and serves a strong readership among professionals and urban audiences while Manila Bulletin is one of the country's oldest English-language news organizations, covering areas including national news, business, lifestyle and opinion. For publishers, the push comes as digital media businesses seek to balance audience growth with the need for sustainable monetization. Taboola said the new partnerships will allow the three publishers to use its platform to create more engaging content experiences while supporting their longer-term digital strategies. “These partnerships significantly expand Taboola's work with premium publishers in the market and reflect our commitment to helping them deepen audience engagement, strengthen monetization and build sustainable digital businesses through our technology,” said Taboola Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adam Singolda. For GMA Network, the partnership is also positioned around making digital content discovery more relevant to its audiences. “People are consuming content across more digital platforms than ever, and we're constantly looking for ways to make those experiences more relevant and engaging. Our partnership with Taboola helps audiences discover more of the content they value, while supporting our broader vision for a stronger, more connected digital ecosystem,” said GMA New Media Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dennis Augusto L. Caharian.
Philstar Global, on the other hand, said the partnership will help it use audience insights to inform how it distributes its journalism while maintaining editorial standards. “This partnership is an important step toward deeper audience insight. By leveraging Taboola's technology, we are transforming how we deliver our journalism to ensure it is more relevant, accessible, and timely for our readers. It empowers us to make data-driven decisions that enhance audience retention and reach, supporting Philstar.com's business growth without compromising the quality and integrity of our journalism,” said Philstar Global Corporation COO Rose Anne Belmonte. These new partnership deals mark another step in Taboola's investment in the Philippine market and its wider expansion among premium publishers across Southeast Asia. Taboola's existing relationships with premium publishers in the Philippines include Inquirer, Summit Media, PEP.ph and Philstar Life.
* * * *
ASAP XP Returns To TV5 Through Co-Production Partnership With ABS-CBN
 |
| (Image Source: Sunstar/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN Corporation and TV5 Network Inc. have strengthened their renewed content partnership through a co-production agreement for the long-running Sunday variety show “ASAP XP” which will make its long-awaired return on TV5 starting October 18. The deal will also bring artists from TV5’s STAR WORX talent management arm together with ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya stars, adding more familiar faces and fresh talent to the show’s lineup.
The partnership was formalized in a ceremonial signing event held during “ASAP XP” inside the Lapid Arena in Angeles City, Pampanga last October 11, 2026 led by ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO Cory Vidanes, and Chief Partnership Officer Bobby Barreiro as well as MediaQuest Ventures Inc. and TV5 Network Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, MediaQuest Ventures Inc. President and CEO Victorico Vargas, and TV5 Network Inc. Officer-in-Charge Chaye Cabal-Revilla. “This partnership brings together the creative strengths of TV5 and ABS-CBN, supported by the broader reach and capabilities of the MVP Group ecosystem. We believe that working together makes the Philippine entertainment industry stronger, creates more opportunities for Filipino artists, and allows us to bring quality entertainment to more audiences, wherever they are,” said Pangilinan in a statement. Cabal-Revilla emphasized the significance of the co-production agreement, stating, “For TV5, the return of ASAP XP marks another meaningful chapter in our partnership with ABS-CBN. This collaboration reflects the mutual trust, respect, and shared commitment that both networks have over the years. By bringing together our creative strengths and talents, we have an opportunity to make the show even more exciting and memorable for Filipino audiences. We look forward to working even more closely together, creating fresh performances and new talent combinations that bring Kapatid and Kapamilya viewers together every Sunday.”
Celebrating the partnership with their presence were Ogie Alcasid, Piolo Pascual, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto, Alexa Ilacad, Robi Domingo, Belle Mariano, and Donny Pangilinan as well as STAR WORX artists Dylan Menor, Carmela Lorzano, Selina Griffin and Nico Matugas. Viewers can now catch “ASAP XP” on TV5 every Sunday simultaneously with its airing on ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook at 7:00-8:45 pm. “ASAP XP” is also available worldwide on iWant and TFC outside the Philippines. For more than three decades, “ASAP” has brought Filipino audiences together every Sunday through live musical performances, dance numbers, and collaborations featuring some of the country’s biggest stars and rising artists.
* * * *
Emirates To Hold Its First Pilot Recruitment Roadshow In Manila
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/Emirates) |
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is stepping up its recruitment efforts in the Philippines to meet the strong surge in customer demand. In cooperation with IPAMS (Industrial Personnel and Management Services Inc.), the airline will hold its first pilot roadshow in Manila on October 28-29, 2026 to recruit experienced commercial pilots. Experienced pilots who are keen to join Emirates as First Officers, Direct Entry Captains, or via the Accelerated Command Programme are welcome to register here.
At the session, prospective Emirates pilots can find out more about the airline’s new Narrowbody to Widebody Direct Entry Captain Campaign, recruitment process, available opportunities, training programmes, expected career trajectory, and benefits, as well as speak to pilots currently flying with Emirates. Emirates’ Country Manager for the Philippines Khalid Al Zarooni said, “Emirates pilots fly one of the world’s youngest and most modern all wide-body fleets across a global network. They will have the opportunity to undergo robust in-house training at Emirates’ cutting-edge training facility and be based in the vibrant city of Dubai. We look forward to welcoming more pilots from the Philippines onboard our airline as we ramp up our operations globally.” With a network spanning six continents, Emirates pilots fly to a diverse range of destinations. The airline has taken delivery of 27 A350s, with a further 47 on order, alongside 270 Boeing 777Xs.
Emirates pilots and their families receive a comprehensive range of benefits including a competitive tax-free salary, 42 days’ annual leave with tickets for themselves and their immediate family, company-provided accommodation in gated communities, child education allowance, life, medical and dental insurance, deeply discounted travel benefits for wider family and friends, and more. New joiners complete robust, evidence- and competency-based in-house training at Emirates advanced pilot training facilities in Dubai, Including the newly opened Emirates Crew Training Centre, a US$135M (135 million US dollars) purpose-built facility housing six Full Flight Simulator Bays for its A350 and 777X aircrafts. More information about eligibility criteria, career opportunities and benefits is available at https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots/.
* * * *
Tacloban Learners And Educators Champion Safer, More Resilient Schools
 |
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/Smart Communications Inc.) |
As second homes to children, schools play a vital role in providing safe and nurturing environments where students can learn and grow. In times of crises, equipping school communities with the knowledge, skills, and resources to respond effectively is essential to safeguarding learners’ well-being and strengthening resilience. Underscoring their #KonektedforResilience advocacy, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) partnered with the Department of Education Region VIII (DepEd Region VII), the Department of Education Schools Division of Tacloban City (DepEd Tacloban City), and St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban Inc. (STEFTI) to conduct a three-day series of wellness and resilience-building activities in Tacloban City.
“With the recent crisis faced by our division, we found it timely and necessary to provide psychosocial support to our learners and empower our school heads to become psychological first aiders. Beyond building knowledge and skills, this effort helps ensure that our schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for all Taclobanon learners,” said DepEd Tacloban City Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita A. Palma. Grade 9 and 10 students from San Jose National High School participated in a mental wellness session that taught them practical strategies for managing personal challenges and responding to crisis situations they may encounter in their daily lives. The initiative was likewise extended to junior and senior high school students of STEFTI. Through interactive discussions and activities, the learners gained a better understanding of common stressors, healthy coping mechanisms, and mental health myths as well as learned appropriate responses to difficult situations while maintaining their mental well-being. Meanwhile, a training-of-trainers session on Psychological First Aid (PFA) equipped DepEd Tacloban City school heads and STEFTI teaching and non-teaching personnel with practical tools to provide immediate psychosocial support during emergencies. Participants were also encouraged to cascade these learnings to their fellow teachers and staff. “The partnership with PLDT and Smart allowed us to have students and representatives from our school to participate in these important initiatives. While we are trained as educators, understanding mental health and helping students care for their well-being requires specialized expertise. We greatly appreciate and welcome every opportunity to strengthen our capabilities and provide better support to our students,” said STEFTI School Director Mary Bernadette Palami.
DepEd Tacloban City and STEFTI also received PLDT and Smart’s “Ang Paglalakbay Ni Tala” (The Adventures Of Tala) books to help raise awareness on internet safety among children and encourage them to be responsible digital citizens. “Children and the youth are among our most important stakeholders, and their safety and well-being, both offline and online, remain among PLDT and Smart’s priorities. We are grateful to work alongside DepEd and STEFTI in reaching students in Tacloban and helping foster environments where they feel secure, supported, and empowered,” said PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Group Head of Visayas Relations Marylou B. Gocotano. These efforts are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to helping the country achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly SDG No. 3: Mental Well-being and Health and SDG No. 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
* * * *
Finding The Perfect Balance Of Power And Portability With The Jackery Explorer 500 V2
 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Jackery) |
Sometimes, what we need is one that falls somewhere right in the middle; one that’s ‘just right’. For example, you don’t need a massive generator to power up a small space, but at the same time, a pocket-sized power bank is definitely not going to cut it when you want to keep several gadgets running for your remote work setup. Life, is then, often lived in the in-betweens. Whether it is ensuring the Wi-Fi stays on so the kids can finish their online homework or needing emergency power for unexpected brownouts, there’s a solution that offers just the right amount of dependable power without the heavy bulk.
The new Jackery Explorer 500 V2 is the ultimate backup for everyday household and outdoor energy. Designed to blend seamlessly into your home, this unit packs a 512Wh battery capacity and a 500W maximum output into a sleek frame that is 29% smaller than its predecessor. Its clean and modern exterior also looks more like a premium piece of home tech, making it a welcome addition to any space. Weighing a manageable 5.7 kilograms, it features a convenient fold-down handle that makes it easy to carry wherever you need it. You can seamlessly bring it to the kitchen to keep a small refrigerator cold for 4 hours, move it to the home office and power up your Wi-Fi router for up to 30 hours, or to the living room and use a desk fan for up to 3.8 hours – the must-haves for everyday essentials and comfort. The true convenience of the Explorer 500 V2 shines during unpredictable power dips, especially during brownouts and heavy rains. Thanks to its built-in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) capability, it can detect a grid failure and switch to battery power in less than 10 milliseconds; this means that your internet router never drops its connection and your desktop stays on, providing a seamless transition that keeps your family’s daily routine completely uninterrupted.
The Jackery Explorer 500 V2 balances power and portability for everyday comfort and productivity at home or wherever you go. Shop this perfect addition to your daily setup at the Jackery official online stores on Shopee and Lazada or drop by the official Jackery kiosk at SM Fairview and other partner stores.
