Mediaquest and TV5 officially welcomed TVJ and the ‘legit Dabarkads’

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This is it! The iconic showbiz entertainment trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, has signed an agreement with TV5 and MediaQuest Ventures.

MQuest Ventures has signed an agreement under which it will acquire 51% equity of TVJ Productions, Inc., the media production company set up by the iconic entertainment trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon.

This agreement solidifies the partnership between Mediaquest and Tito, Vic, and Joey to produce media content for the various distribution channels and platforms of Mediaquest.

TVJ Productions’ initial project is the new noontime show of TVJ which is set to air its pilot episode on July 1.

“Welcome home, TVJ.”, said MQuest Ventures President and CEO, Jane Basas.

“Our new show with TVJ and Dabarkads is only the beginning. We plan to make TV series, live shows, and movies at TVJ Productions. This will surely delight Pinoys here at home and overseas.”, she added.

“This is it. It’s good to be home.”, said former Senator Tito Sotto, Chairman of TVJ Productions. “We appreciate the warm welcome from our Mediaquest family. Now it’s time to get to work.”

MPIC-mWell leaders win back-to-back international honors

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The Philippines’ first fully integrated health app, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC) mWell, enters the new year with global honors for its Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and CEO Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla.

MPIC Chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan, was named Asia's Best CEO (Investor Relations) in the 12th Asian Excellence Awards 2022 Corporate Governance Asia.

Mr. Pangilinan, who was also named as a 2022 BizNews Asia Management Excellence Awardee, said, "MPIC was established with a goal of achieving synthesis between global governance standards and Asian values and practices. This recognition is a welcome affirmation of our work. We regard this award as a responsibility to set a higher standard for companies in the Philippines, as well as in Asia. This inspires us to perform better, so that we may live up to the distinction bestowed on us."

Ms. Cabal-Revilla, MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer and mWell CEO, was cited as Asia's Best CFO (Investor Relations) in the 12th Asian Excellence Awards 2022 Corporate Governance Asia and received the Management Excellence in Finance Award from BizNews Asia.

She has also been named as the Best Sustainability Officer in The Asset ESG Corporate Awards 2022, which recognizes the top teams in investor relations and sustainability. Dubbed by peers as the “Queen of Sustainability” in the Philippines, she led the company’s business transformation by modernizing its enterprise resource planning systems and steered the company to achieve global firsts, which included the launch of mWell app. She firmly believes that digital transformation is necessary for sustainability as it optimizes costs, accelerates growth, and places the company a step ahead in preparing for a more digital future.

Also hailed as the 2022 Sustainability Leader of Campaign’s Women Leading Change Awards Asia-Pacific, Cabal-Revilla has transformed the business beyond being purely profit-driven, futureproofing its operations and its advocacies for generations to come.

Cognizant of the need for better access to healthcare, she led the launch of the country’s first fully integrated health and wellness app – mWell PH – to support the Filipino’s holistic well-being by providing accessible professional consultations, wellness programs, products, and medicine delivery services. mWell seeks to democratize healthcare by making it accessible to more Filipinos anytime, anywhere. She also inspired the creation of the National mWellness Day, the first online digital medical mission where Filipinos can avail of free consultations from mWell’s volunteer doctors. She also pioneered the mWell OnTheGo, a portable digital clinic in a backpack, to bring healthcare access closer to remote communities, especially the Indigenous Peoples. The bag contains a tablet with a pre-installed mWell app, a solar panel and battery, and an mWellness gift box that has a thermometer, oximeter, and sphygmomanometer.

“Sustainability and the passion for inspiring positive change have always been the backbone of the work that we do, allowing us to do good while doing well. I gratefully share this recognition with my MPIC and mWell Family, who share the same purpose of making a difference in the lives of many. We are committed to bolstering our sustainability efforts and be an instrument to our country’s sustainable development,” Cabal-Revilla said.

With her empowering leadership, MPIC also bested giants in the global business arena and clinched the most coveted Finance for the Future Award. After a rigorous three-stage judging process, MPIC emerged as the winner in the “Embedding an Integrated Approach” category in the solely merit-based sustainability accolade. The Finance for the Future Award is a partnership between Accounting for Sustainability, Deloitte, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It recognizes organizations and individuals that support the integration of sustainability into financial decision-making.

She was also named Best CFO (1st Place, Sell Side, Industrials) in the 12th Institutional Investor Research (II Research). II Research recognizes Asia’s leading CEOs, CFOs, Investor Relations Officers, Investor Relations programs and ESG attributes that best uphold corporate governance standards and facilitate investment into their company.

Paving the way for health-tech innovation in the Philippines

Supported by globally recognized leaders, mWell continues to set the standards in digital healthcare. A DOH-recognized Telelemedicine Service Provider, it brings together technology, medicine, wellness, and healthcare experts in one sustainable living ecosystem. It is backed by the leading names in insurance--PhilCare and Generali. Technology partners include global leaders in wellness, Active8me and Aktivo. The robust platform is built on Microsoft Azure to ensure protection against cyber threats. mWell is supported by sophisticated technologies and highly skilled cybersecurity professionals.

As part of the MPIC Group, mWell is committed to working towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. It also supports the MVP Group’s “Gabay Kalusugan” advocacy focusing on quality and affordable healthcare.

Download the mWell PH app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and register. Follow mWell on Facebook and mwellph on Instagram for more updates.

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ABOUT mWell

mWell, is the health technology platform developed by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation that offers telemedicine, health and wellness programs, e-commerce, among others, in an integrated, tech-based healthcare digital ecosystem. Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, the leading infrastructure investment company in the Philippines with investments in various infrastructure assets including healthcare.

MVP & TV Executives meet Coco Martin and Cast of “FPJ's Batang Quiapo"

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MediaQuest Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and "Hari ng Primetime" Coco Martin, along with other cast members of FPJ's Batang Quiapo such as Cherry Pie Picache, John Estrada, Mark Lapid, McCoy de Leon, and Director Malu Sevilla, recently met in a dinner event. The event was attended by Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio, Mediaquest and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Basas and TV5 President and CEO Guido R. Zaballero.

(From L-R:) MediaQuest Holdings and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Basas,ABS-CBN Chief Partnership Officer Bobby Barreiro, Cherry Pie Picache, Mark Lapid, TV5 President and CEO Guido R. Zaballero, ABS-CBN COO Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, Coco Martin, MediaQuest Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and PLDT and Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio)

Additionally, executives from ABS-CBN Corp. were present, including Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and Chief Partnership Officer Bobby Barreiro.

The dinner was held to welcome the cast members of the highly anticipated television series "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo." The TV executives got to meet the crew up-close and personal. Coco Martin, in particular, eagerly and passionately talked about his work and vision for Batang Quiapo throughout the event. The star’s active involvement with the show’s production and deep understanding of his audience made it very clear why he has been dubbed "Hari ng Primetime."

(From L-R:) ABS-CBN Chief Partnership Officer Bobby Barreiro, ‘Batang Quiapo’ Director Malu Sevilla, MediaQuest Holdings and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Basas, John Estrada, McCoy De Leon, ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, PLDT and Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio, Coco Martin, TV5 President and CEO Guido R. Zaballero, ABS-CBN COO Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, Cherry Pie Picache and Mark Lapid

After the successful run of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, the Filipino audience can now look forward to another FPJ classic, "Batang Quiapo," a tale of hope, resilience, and the power of the human spirit. It's a story that reminds us that even in the darkest of places, there is always the chance for love, kindness, and bravery to shine through.

With an all-star cast, stunning cinematography, and a talented creative team, "Batang Quiapo" is a powerful series that captures the grit, humor, and heart of life in the city. Don't miss this thrilling journey of a lifetime, as "Batang Quiapo" promises to be a timeless classic, much like the legendary Fernando Poe Jr.'s other works.

FPJ’s “Batang Quiapo” premieres on Monday, February 13 on TV5.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines -#SmartHyunBin

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Get ready to fall head over heels with our newest ambassador #SmartHyunBin

"Hello Philippines, I am Hyun Bin," the Korean actor said in a video where he's seen looking dapper in an all-black ensemble.

The video was posted on Facebook, a day after the telco's CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan confirmed that the Korean actor is the telco's newest endorser.

Hyun Bin's sweet greeting came a day after the telco dropped a teaser video featuring The CLOY star looking cool as he entered a sports car.

Crash Landing On You’s Captain Ri, is definitely landing on the Philippines. An article by Inquirer.net quoted a text message from Bench owner Ben Chan saying, “… hopefully end of this year or early next year when traveling is allowed and when all is relatively back to normal.”

This, after Bench’s Instagram page teased fans and set the internet roaring with OMGs by sharing a simple animation of the words “Your crush, landing soon.” With the caption, “After months of keeping it a secret, the wait is almost over,” a lot can’t possibly contain the energy spike it induced.

Bench is known for being able to sign on Korean stars as its brand ambassadors and eventually invite them to visit the country. Some of these include Lee Min-ho and Park Seo-joon.

It seems that the Korean actor’s ties to the Philippines are quite cemented. Just to add to Bench’s announcement, communication giant Smart also launched Hyun as its endorser, this time setting Twitter on fire with his “Mahal ko kayo.”

Smart Communications posted a nine-seconder ad teaser with the big RiVeal on June 1st.

“Crash Landing on You” is a Korean drama that immediately got the hearts of Filipinos swooning. 

It stars Hyun as Captain Ri, who plays a North Korean army captain and Son Ye-jin, as Se-ri, an heiress in South Korea who accidentally paraglides to the North.

The K-drama’s finale in February this year broke the rating records of the finale of “Goblin” back in January 2017 for broadcasting station TVN, according to Nielsen Korea. It scored a nationwide average rating of 21.683 percent and a peak rating of 24.1 percent.

Live network by first half of 2019: Smart and Ericsson to deploy 5G in PH

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PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Ericsson have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy the country’s first 5G pilot network by the first half of 2019.

Smart and Ericsson team up for 5G in PH. At the signing were PLDT Chief Corporate Services Officer Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Ericsson Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania and India Nunzio Mirtillo and Martin Wiktorin, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Pacific Islands.

Smart and Ericsson team up for 5G in PH. At the signing were PLDT Chief Corporate Services Officer Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Ericsson Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania and India Nunzio Mirtillo and Martin Wiktorin, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Pacific Islands.

Under the MoU, the 5G network will be first deployed in Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island where about a third of the population work and live.

The 3GPP compliant 5G Trial System that will be deployed in Smart includes Ericsson 5G RAN, Core and Transport solutions. The 5G pilot deployment will allow Smart to explore industry partnership engagements, collaborate with schools and universities, and further develop competence in 5G.

“As 5G opens up more opportunities for new services and solutions to offer to our customers, we are investing in future-proofing our network and making sure that our network is ready for 5G,” said PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

“Our partnership with Ericsson is part of our commitment to bring to the country the latest technologies to improve the experience of our customers, as well as boost the digital transformation of enterprises and industries,” he added.

“We are happy to partner with Smart to pioneer 5G in the Philippines. We believe first movers in 5G can reshape the market, grow market share and increase revenue streams. Combining improved capacity and ultra-low latency, 5G will help realize new use cases and business models and capture new revenue opportunities by addressing industry digitalization,” said Martin Wiktorin, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Pacific Islands.

All set for 5G. Gracing the MoU signing were Ericsson vice president and key account manager Anthony Valdez, PLDT-Smart Chief Technology and Information Advisor Joachim Horn, PLDT Chief Corporate Services Officer Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Ericsson Head of Market Area South East Asia, Oceania and India Nunzio Mirtillo, PLDT-Smart Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto, Head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and Pacific Islands Martin Wiktorin and PLDT-Smart head of Consumer Business for Customer Development Alex O. Caeg.

Future-proofed network

“To be able to deliver 5G services to its customers in the future, Smart is upgrading its network’s Core and Transport elements. This includes upgrading to fiber the backhaul connecting the network’s cell sites around the country and deploying 5G-ready equipment in the ongoing LTE roll-out,” according to Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT and Smart Senior Vice President for Network Planning and Engineering.

“As we continue to ramp up the roll-out of LTE, LTE-Advanced and carrier aggregation technology nationwide, we are also making sure that these are already future-proof and 5G-capable,” Tamayo added.

Under its current upgrades, Smart is installing 5G-compatible radio equipment across its network, which now has over 2,000 5G-ready sites.

Exciting possibilities

With its capability to deliver extremely high speeds coupled with low latency, 5G opens up exciting possibilities for Internet of Things (IoT) applications for Filipinos, particularly in healthcare and smart cities.

Smart has been testing 5G since 2016, when it achieved with technology partner Nokia 5G speeds of 2.5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) using 100 MHz with latency of just 1 millisecond over a ‘live’ network--the first in the Philippines.

Months later, PLDT and Smart announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with technology partner Huawei Technologies Phils. “to shape the strategic and commercial development of the 5G ecosystem in the Philippines.” In particular, the two parties were looking to identify and develop the areas of technological innovation needed to deliver 5G, which is expected to provide the foundation for the digital connected society.

In June, Smart launched its 5G TechnoLab, which is the company’s flagship facility for the research and development, standardization, and testing of 5G and is designed to be a sustainable environment for innovative services.

With Huawei, Smart also successfully breached 5G speeds of over 14Gbps in a test held at the 5G TechnoLab using 5G New Radio, in which the second set of global standards have been recently ratified.

Parent company PLDT has committed historic levels of resources for network transformation. For 2018, PLDT capex is expected to reach P58 billion, which includes allocations for the aggressive roll-out of its fiber broadband service, which also supports the stepped-up deployment of the mobile network by providing high-capacity links for cellular base stations.

China to host 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup

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(L-R) Chinese delegation, basketball star Yao Ming, Chinese Olympic Committee vice president Gao Zhidan : Vice Mayor of Beijing and China 2019 bid committee chairman Zhang Jiandong; and Philippines’ delegation, president of Philippines Basketball Manuel V Pangilinan; Eight-time world boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao; and actor Lou Diamond Phillips during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup host announcement ceremony in Tokyo on August 7, 2015. (Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/ AFP)

China wins the bidding war against the Philippines in the final presentations to become the official host of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the FIBA Central Board announced Friday, August 7 in Tokyo, Japan.for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup hosting.

The delegations of the People's Republic of China and of the Republic of the Philippines presented clear impressions that the love of the sport is what drives them to want to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

China edged Philippines, which banked on the Filipinos’ passion for the sports and reach on social media in its bid for the hosting, with a presentation focusing on its strength in infrastructure, hosting experience, and resources.

The Chinese have hosted several international tournaments including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 Asian Games and the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics. They will also host the upcoming 2015 Fiba Asia Championships. Last Friday, July 31, China also won the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. 

China also boasted of holding the Fiba World Cup, which is held every four years, in eight keys cities which are easily connected by several forms of modern transportation.

Presenters for the Philippine pitch were business tycoon and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan; Filipino Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips; former national team player Jimmy Alapag; and former national team head coach Chot Reyes.

The Philippine bid highlighted the Southeast Asian nation's deep-rooted love affair with basketball as FIBA's ticket to achieving its goal. It also leverage the country's Internet reach as the Social Media Capital of the world.

Basketball's world governing body made the decision after a stringent process that began right after last year's World Cup in Spain, and culiminated Friday in Tokyo with 20-minute presentations from each country followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Here are some of the strong statements of intent that were made. An evident as the leading figures behind both bids addressed the media, just hours before FIBA's Central Board is set to make its decision.

Yao Ming, China 2019 Ambassador and basketball star (asked to compare, based on his visits to the Philippines, the love of basketball there compared to the love of basketball in China): "You can't say that one type of love is better than the other. Both are great. Both countries have a great passion for basketball, particularly for FIBA basketball."

Manny Pacquiao, Philippines Congressman and eight-time world boxing champion: "I am a boxer but I am here because I love basketball so that tells you the passion that Filipinos have for basketball. If we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can show that passion to the world."

Zhang Jiandong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Chairman of the China 2019 bid committee: "At least 300 million people play basketball in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can increase that participation. China is the most populous country in the world and we can make basketball the most popular sport in the world. We believe that we can make the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup a complete success because of China's economic stability, strong financial guarantee and the government's complete support. We can make it a safe, most reliable and risk-free event."

Manuel V Pangilinan, President of the Philippines Basketball Association: "In our country, basketball is number one. Ninety percent of the population play, watch or follow the sport in one way or another. It's not just Filipinos in the Philippines that are passionate about the sport. It's Filipinos all over the world. Football may be number one in many places around the world, but basketball is number one in the Philippines."

Gao Zhidan, Vice-President of the Chinese Olympic Committee: "Basketball is very popular in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can foresee a great rise in that popularity. This will have a great impact on the professional league (CBA) as well as the university league which is developing very fast. It will help with our aim to train more athletes and get a bigger pool of talented players."

Lou Diamond Phillips, Filipino actor and director: "The Philippines has come of age and we are incredibly hopeful of geting to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. We are the biggest social media country and we already have more than two billion impressions of #PUSO2019."

Source : 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

MVP Announces FREE INTERNET for Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text Prepaid!

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The much awaited announcement by Manny V. Pangilinan made at the Makati Shangrila Hotel, September 26, 2014. It wasn’t about running for public office but the announcement is for an advocacy and promo they want to give more to people - Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text Prepaid subscribers.

In an unprecedented move, wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) together with Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular today announced that they will start providing free Internet access to its prepaid subscriber base via their mobile phones.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, (MVP) chairman of Smart and its parent company PLDT has announced that all subscribers of Smart Prepaid, Sun Prepaid and Talk ‘N Text will be able to use mobile internet for free. He said that these subscribers can post status on Facebook, upload photos on Instagram, listen to streaming music on Spinnr, shopping on Lazada or Zalora, and of course browse your favorite websites.

"We are launching this initiative to provide a much larger number of Filipinos the opportunity to try out and experience the Internet, enjoy its benefits and, as we at Smart like to say, live more," MVP said.

“This special offer is specifically designed to assist our prepaid subscribers who make up the bulk of our population. Many of them have the mobile devices capable of accessing the Internet but have yet to use them to go online,” said MVP.

Through this special offer, all of the 66 million Smart Prepaid, Talk ‘N Text, and Sun Cellular Prepaid subscribers can use their data-enabled cellphones to browse through and post on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, visit their favorites websites, search on Google and Wikipedia, use navigation tools like Waze and Google Maps, book a cab or limo service via Easy Taxi and Uber, or use traffic info sites such as the MMDA's and InterAksyon's.

They can also send and receive emails, read their favorite blogs or update their own blogs, listen to songs via Smart’s Spinnr music service, shop via online stores like Zalora, Lazada, book their travel details through sites like Skyscanner and Expedia, among other things – all without incurring data charges.

Orlando B. Vea, Smart's chief wireless advisor said, "This special offer is in line with our advocacy of 'Internet for All'."

"It complements the affordable mobile Internet packages that Smart has been introducing over the past year. Among the latest of such innovations are PowerApp and PisoNet service which provides 10 minutes of mobile Internet access for one peso."

They’re encouraging prepaid subscribers to go online and experience mobile internet life without having to pay and subscribe for special prepaid data promos.

To avail of this promo, subscribers must:

**  have an available airtime balance of at least PhP 1 or is subscribed to any load bucket or promo

** register each day by sending "FREE" to "9999" (registration is free)

An SMS confirmation will be received upon successful registration.

Once registered, subscribers can enjoy free data of up to 30MB per day. However, data charges apply to peer-to-peer uploads and download, VOIP, and messaging.

Smart, Sun and Talk ‘N Text prepaid subscribers can start using their free mobile data starting today with at least 1 peso in their prepaid balance. Though The Big Boss of PLDT, MVP mentioned and encouraged that mobile browsing and app usage that requires internet connectivity can be used with their free mobile data, accessing streaming videos like YouTube and torrent downloading are not allowed. A paywall would appear and will advise the user to top-up their credits to access those features. “Free” here means no data charges, not unlimited bandwidth.

Smart, Sun Cellular, or Talk ‘n Text prepaid SIM on a data-enabled mobile device, you can enjoy up to 30mb of FREE mobile Internet per day for two months. Subscribers can access the internet either through data-capable feature phones or smartphones running on Android, iOS and Windows operating systems. 

The promo is good up to November 30, 2014.

This move complements Smart’s other affordable Internet access innovations, such as PisoNet, which gives users 10 minutes of mobile Internet access for one peso.

Unrivaled network

Smart’s free mobile Internet offer follows the telco leader’s recent announcement that it has stepped up the deployment of its mobile internet network, to meet the growing demand for mobile data services.

Smart recently reported a 73% hike in mobile data traffic, as smartphone prices continue to fall and innovative services like SmartNet and PisoNet allow more and more Filipinos to gain access to the Internet via their mobile phones.

“The strength and resiliency of our mobile data infrastructure enable us to make this special free internet offer available to our prepaid subscribers. Moreover, we continue to expand the reach of our network so that we can bring the internet to more communities all over the country,” said Napoleon L. Nazareno, president and CEO of Smart and PLDT.

The PLDT Group has thus far rolled out about 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables all over the country which provides the transmission facilities needed to support internet services. It has also the most extensive international cable systems needed to connect the Philippines to the rest of the world.