Stream unli entertainment from HBO, Warner Bros., the DC Universe, and more in Max – powered by PLDT Home

Tweet

A brand-new streaming experience coming to your home when you apply for PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799!

Max – a brand-new streaming experience will now be available to more fans in the Philippines through PLDT Home. Fans can stream the latest blockbuster movies, groundbreaking series, iconic hits, real-life stories, and family favorites from beloved brands like HBO, Harry Potter, the DC Universe, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Discovery, and beyond.

From December 10, 2024 to February 9, 2025, new customers of PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799 will have two months access to the Max Standard plan included with their subscription. T&Cs apply.

Home of fan favorite content

Fans can access Hollywood blockbusters, culture-defining shows, best in class real-life stories across food, home, lifestyle, and documentary, family favorites, as well as recent premieres such as the HBO Original Dune: Prophecy, Max Original adult animation Creature Commandos and many more. Subscribers can also stream favorites like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon,The Last of Us,And Just Like That..., The White Lotus, True Detective, and much more.

Enjoy HBO Originals including Dune: Prophecy, The Last of Us, Creature Commandos, and Succession on Max, now available through PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799!

From the best of Hollywood movies, including the complete Harry Potter movie collection, Dune: Part Two, Barbie, AquamanandThe Lost Kingdom, Wonka, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, fans of Warner Bros. Discovery’s beloved collections can also stream Friends, hits from the DC Universe, The Conjuring Universe, The Matrix, and Sex and the City. Fans in the Philippines can also enjoy Drag Race Philippines and local originals like On The Job on Max.

For the first time, real-life stories from Warner Bros. Discovery’s renowned unscripted programming from Discovery, TLC, AFN, Food Network, ID (Investigation Discovery), and HGTV will be available on one streaming destination, featuring hits including Deadliest Catch, Ghost Adventures, Property Brothers, Gold Rush, Dr. Pimple Popper, and Selena + Restaurant.

With Max, kids can also catch their favorite shows from Cartoon Network and CARTOONITO’s wide selection of content for kids and families from Adventure Time, We Bare Bears, and Tom and Jerry, to Looney Tunes and Teen Titans Go!

Better streaming experience

PLDT Home customers can enjoy an elevated streaming experience with Max on multiple devices (depending on their Max plan) with an easy-to-navigate interface including personalized recommendations, seamless search, genre rails, and brand hubs. Providing a more intuitive way of exploring Max, customers can create up to five unique profiles, each customizable with favorite characters as avatars, receive content picks based on viewing habits and customize profiles for kids, curated with age-appropriate content, and parental controls.

Catering to multiple types of households, Max’s subscription plans comprise the following:

Standard

● Stream on 2 devices at once

● Full HD video resolution

● Watch on more devices, including TVs

● 30 downloads to watch on the go

Ultimate

● Stream on 4 devices at once

● 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos as available

● Watch on more devices, including TVs

● 100 downloads to watch on the go (limits apply)

Iconic hits such as the Harry Potter movie collection, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Beetlejuice: Beetlejuice, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning can be streamed on Max seamlessly with your PLDT Home Fiber connection!

Unli entertainment guaranteed

Max is PLDT Home’s latest addition to its roster of global partners in entertainment. As the Philippines’ leading digital services provider, it is working on more content partnerships to further provide customers with the best entertainment experience at home.

“As Max launches across Southeast Asia, we are pleased to expand our partnership with PLDT to bring even more quality entertainment and iconic brands to Filipino audiences,” Tony Qiu, GM, Greater China and Southeast Asia at Warner Bros. Discovery, said.

Meanwhile, PLDT Home First Vice President of Acquistion Marketing Patrick S. Tang said, “Our new and exciting partnership with Max is PLDT Home’s way of delivering not just unli entertainment to our customers, but also a reinforcement of our commitment to making quality time for Filipino families at home as fun, fulfilling, and meaningful as possible with its endless variety of entertaining content.”

“As the Philippines’ leading digital services provider, we aim to bridge Filipino families to the world’s best content platforms and other lifestyle innovations to further better their life at home in more ways than one.”

Enjoy unli entertainment on Max when you apply for PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1799, with two months of access to the Max Standard plan included with your subscription. For more information on PLDT Home’s partnership with Max, visit pldthome.com/max.

From Property Brothers and Selena + Restaurant to Drag Race Philippines and We Bare Bears, there’s more to binge for each member of the family on Max – powered by PLDT Home!

Escaping the city this Christmas? Five Roadtrip ideas for your Holiday Getaway

Tweet

Christmas season means a lot of parties and reunions for many. The holiday gatherings may be hectic and the best way to unwind during the busy season is some quality R&R with families and loved ones.

If you’re still looking for ideas, PLDT Home and Caltex got you more reasons to hit the road for your next Christmas celebration. 

PLDT Home and Caltex are making your family roadtrips more rewarding with the Fuel your Fiber Promo, where you can get a one-time P150 fuel discount at Caltex and even a chance to win P10,000 worth of fuel vouchers.

If you haven’t got plans to travel this Christmas, here are five easy roadtrip destinations for your friends and family:

1. North: Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Paoay Sand Dunes

The usual mountain options for the cool-weather season are nice, but since everyone wants to enjoy the cold, they’ll also be packed full of tourists. Why not take it all the way up north to Ilocos and bask in the colonial history and heritage of Vigan?

If you’ve never been or haven’t been in a while, it’s a great place to visit. Enjoy the old-school vibe at Calle Crisologo and the city’s old town, see historic destinations like the Baluarte, and even go on an adventure a little farther north at the Paoay Sand Dunes.

2. South: San Pablo, Laguna

Pandin Lake in San Pablo, Laguna

If you’re only willing to travel a couple of hours outside the Metro for your roadtrip, consider heading south into the province of Laguna – specifically, the city of San Pablo, also known as the City of Seven Lakes.

This charming destination offers a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Explore the breathtaking namesake seven crater lakes, each with its unique allure, from the serene waters of Lake Sampaloc to the picturesque Lake Pandin. For a taste of history, step into Sulyap Gallery Cafe, housed in a beautifully preserved Spanish-era house that offers a glimpse into the past. The food scene in the city is also vibrant, making it a fun destination to go on a food trip with family and friends.

3. West: The island coves of Zambales

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

If you’re thinking of the beach, it’s likely that most people will be headed to La Union in the north or Batangas in the south, if they’re not flying to the Visayas. There’s another direction you can take, though: drive west to the Zambales coastline facing the West Philippine Sea, and take a mesmerizing boat ride to any of its popular coves.

There’s the well-known Anawangin and Nagsasa Coves, which take around an hour to get to by motorboat from the shores of San Antonio, Zambales. You can spend a few days camping on its tranquil land while enjoying the pure, untouched wonders of nature.

4. East: The province of Aurora

Ditumabo Falls, Baler, Aurora

From the Northern Luzon Expressway, you can also choose to head east to visit the province of Aurora. While the most well-known spot in the area is the surfing town of Baler, there are also a number of gems waiting to be discovered.

You’ll reach Aurora after driving through the stunning mountain landscape of Nueva Vizcaya, and from there you can choose to visit places like the grand Ditumabo Falls, better known as the Mother Falls, the Millennium Balete tree which stands as an ancient natural wonder, and the Dinalungan River, where you can hike and take in the rare wildlife. And you can also head to and chill at Baler after everything!

5. The Metro: Antipolo

Pinto Art Museum

Fancy a drive but don’t want to pass through an expressway? There’s always nearby Antipolo just east of the main Metro Manila.

Antipolo, as well as the nearby towns and cities in the closer parts of Rizal province, has quite the number of attractions within reach. There’s the popular HinulugangTaktak waterfalls, the MasungiGeoreserve for hiking and adventure enthusiasts, and the Antipolo Cathedral and the Pinto Art Museum for those who want to take in some culture.

No matter where you choose to drive to this Christmas, make sure to enjoy your exclusive rewards from PLDT Home and Caltex. PLDT Home subscribers can get a one-time P150 fuel discount at Caltex. When they log into their Home Rewards account, they get a special referral code that they can use to register to Caltex Rewards. The savings can get you much farther for your next roadtrip, and at the same time, you get a chance to win P10,000 in fuel voucher at Caltex or P10,000 in Maya cash prize in a grand raffle!

Simply use the Caltex referral code from PLDT Home Rewards to enjoy the instant reward,and keep paying your PLDT Home bills on time consistently or upgrade your current plan, to earn raffle entries!

To learn more about PLDT Home Rewards and sign up, visit https://www.pldthome.com/loyalty-and-rewards.

Things you Need To Know about 5G

Tweet

Have you ever wanted to experience the real power of 5G at home? PLDT Home’s new Home WiFi 5G+ might be the answer. Bringing the future of 5G connectivity into your home, it offers faster speeds, greater capacity, and enhanced flexibility. Here’s why upgrading to 5G+ could transform your home internet experience.

Unlocking the Real Power of 5G

Faster Speed:

Imagine your current LTE internet speed multiplied by up to 10—that’s the kind of performance boost 5G delivers. The new standard for wireless connectivity, 5G can deliver as high as gigabit speeds for your device. With faster speeds versus its previous generation, 5G also delivers a more stable upload and download experience on a wireless connection.

Better Support for Connected Devices: 

When several smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, home security cameras, and even your personal smartwatch are connected all at once at home, 5G can support all these high bandwidth demand. As more household devices nowadays require connectivity, 5G allows better handling of simultaneous internet use.

Latency:

Latency refers to the delay between sending data from your device and receiving a response. 5Gcan reduce latency to as little as 1 millisecond. This is especially useful for interconnected devices at home and real-time online activities like gaming, video calls, and even emerging technologies like virtual reality, where every millisecond counts.

Why Choose PLDT Home WiFi 5G+?

Uncapped speeds and WiFi 6 Technology: 

The PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ device can deliver uncapped speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps, far surpassing the capabilities of other 5G devices some competitors use. With these speeds, downloading a full-length movie in seconds is possible! PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ also excels at connecting multiple devices up to 15 gadgets simultaneously. Whether it's video conferencing, HD streaming or gaming, PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ ensures smoother, more reliable internet for the whole family.

PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ also uses WiFi 6 technology, which supports faster data transfer and higher bandwidth compared to older standards. This enhances indoor coverage and performance, ensuring seamlessand uninterrupted online activities.

Network Coverage: 

PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) covers 97% of the population and is part of the Philippines’ largest integrated network that includes PLDT’s most extensive fiber infrastructure. With PLDT Home WiFi 5G+, you’re getting faster speeds and more stable and consistent connection with Smart’s 5G network that’s available in over 600 cities and municipalities nationwide.

Plug-and-Play Convenience: 

Setting up PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ is hassle-free. With a plug-and-play modem, there's no need for professional installation—just plug it in, register the SIM to activate, and start using high-speed internet right away. Whether purchased from PLDT and Smart stores, PLDT and Smart official store in Shopee, or in SM touchpoints, it’s never been easier to get connected.

True Unli and Flexible Experience: 

PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ offers a prepaid service. For a promotional price of ₱1,495, you get a modem, a 5G SIM card, and 15 days of unlimited WiFi. After that, simply reload your data as needed. What makes this even more unique is the true unlimited experience. While other prepaid services still use volume cap for loading, PLDT Home gives users a true unli experience whether you’re using a 4G or 5G device. You won’t need to worry about reloading and you have flexible load options depending on your need.

For more information or to check if your area is covered by Smart’s 5G network, visit PLDT Home WiFi 5G+.

PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid Offers Free Eat Bulaga Livestream Everyday

Tweet

Remember your childhood when you would spend noontimes watching your favorite TV show Eat Bulaga?

Well, Eat Bulaga! has gone digital now, livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube during their usual Monday to Saturday timeslot. Now, you don’t have to miss a single episode of the kulitan and tawanan, even if you’re not in front of a TV! PLDT HomeWiFi makes it easier too because now all its FamLoad All Access gives1GB of data for Eat Bulaga! live steam from Monday to Saturday 11:30AM to 2:30PM.

Of course, there’s more to these PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid perks! Here are five things you need to know:

1. You can get affordable internet for as low as P99

Fast internet at home is now more affordable and accessible! PLDT Home’s FamLoad data packs go for as low as P99 for up to 12GB of internet for three days. PLDT HomeWiFi’sFamload All Access offers give families to options to choose data packages up to 186GB that’s good for 30 days.

2. You can get data packages that’s right for your family’s needs

The FamLoad data packages are super flexible, and you can subscribe to the ones that best fit your needs.

You can adjust to a budget and grab something manageable like FamLoad All Access 199 for 38GB for seven days if you just need to do some light browsing, streaming, or social media surfing. Or if you and the family have huge data demands for work, school, and play, then the FamLoad All Access 1149 package is the best for you! It has a total of 186GB allowing everyone to do what they need with 2GB all access every day, 1GB data for Eat Bulaga Live Stream and 100GB more data for worry-free internet use of the whole family. You choose and control how much data you spend at home.

3. You can use it to watch Eat Bulaga! every day

The great thing about FamLoad promos is that not only does it give you the data you need for work and school, but it also makes sure you don’t miss a single day of Eat Bulaga! Famload All Access gives 1GB data every day to livestream Eat Bulaga! from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, as long as your data pack is active.

4. You get free unlimited data for 15 days when you buy a new PLDT Home WiFi Prepaid device

For those who haven’t taken the plunge yet, PLDT Home WiFiLTE Advancedand 5G+ also make it enticing to get one: every new device comes with 15 days of unlimited data. That’s great value for your money right out of the box, meaning you and your family don’t have to wait to start enjoying fast and reliable internet at home! After the 15 days run out, you can then keep getting sulitinternet with the FamLoad All Access data packages.

5. It’s easy to subscribe to a FamLoad promo

You don’t have to run to any store to subscribe to a FamLoad promo every time you need to go online. While you can go to retail partners that have it available, you can also subscribe to a FamLoad promo anytime you need via the Smart App, as well as Maya and GCash, and other banking apps. It’s that easy!

To learn more about PLDT Home Prepaid Home WiFi, visit http://pldthome.com/homewifi.

PLDT Home Uncaps 5G+ Experience with Home WiFi

Tweet

PLDT Home ushers a new era of 5G technology in the country with the new PLDT Home WiFi 5G+, capable of delivering uncapped speeds of up to 1.5Gbps at the ground-breaking introductory price of only P1,495.

“PLDT Home has always been at the forefront of driving innovations in broadband technologies in the country. Backed by our robust network, our fixed wireless access (FWA) has the capability to deliver up to 1.5 Gbps. With an advanced device that connects to the 5G and 4G network, our PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ is changing the game in the wireless segment,” says Jeremiah de la Cruz, PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business Home Group.

PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ is leading the next wave of fixed wireless evolution for Filipinos. "As we continue to expand our network nationwide, our customers on 4G can already enjoy its benefits now and look forward to the 5G experience with our continuous 5G roll-out. With the continued demand for fixed wireless solutions in the country, our focus remains – to deliver reliable connectivity for our customers’ better digital experiences at home,” he adds.

Delivering Gigabit speeds with 5G+

In today’s digital world, a strong internet connection is essential for work, school, and staying connected with loved ones. PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ features WiFi 6 technology that addresses these needs head-on, capable of speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps.

WiFi 6 offers dual band, built-in antenna and connects up to 15 devices at home, ensuring that everyone in the family can stay connected. This technology supports faster data transfer and higher bandwidth compared to earlier standards other internet providers still use. This enhances speed, range, and performance, ensuring seamless 4K streaming, smooth online gaming, and uninterrupted video calls for remote work or online classes.

Offering flexible connectivity

PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ stands out for its affordability and flexibility. The reloadable prepaid model allows families to manage their internet expenses effectively, avoiding installation fees and giving them control over their usage—perfect for those on a budget.

Its plug-and-play setup is user-friendly, requiring no complex installation, and customers can easily top up their data with options like FamLoad All Access, Unlifam, and Magic Data. With load prices starting at just ₱99, families can tailor their WiFi access to fit their daily needs.

To kickstart the real 5G experience, PLDT Home WiFi 5G+ offers unlimited WiFi for 15 days without any speed cap, available upon successful registration of the SIM that comes with the device.

Widest network in PH

The PLDT Group’s continued investments in enhancing its integrated network and in innovating its products and services are aligned with the group’s commitment to democratize access to the latest technologies like 5G, enable 5G for all, and deliver leveled-up customer experience across the country. Its mobile network Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) covers 97% of the population and is part of the Philippines’ largest integrated network that includes PLDT’s most extensive fiber infrastructure.

This initiative contributes to the PLDT Group’s endeavors to narrow the digital divide, provide connectivity to all, and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) particularly SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. These also reinforce the Group’s support for the Government's overall digitalization thrust.

For more information on PLDT Home WiFi, visit PLDT Home WiFi 5G+.

Best Deal Alert! Supercharge your home with an all-in-one broadband plan

Tweet

Five reasons why you should get PLDT Home Fiber Unli All

Today’s digital life has many advantages-- from the convenience of working remotely to staying connected with your family and having a variety of choices for entertainment at home.

But while more Filipinos have access to the internet today—an estimated 69 million who spend an average of nine hours online daily—the reality is that consumers are tightening their belts to prioritize their needs. At the end of the day, we must be smarter with our budget.

Fully understanding customers’ digital needs, PLDT Home offers a new Fiber Unli All plan which bundles unlimited internet with up to 2x more speeds, unlimited mobile and landline calls, and unlimited entertainment via Cignal TV. Thus, giving families more value for their money.

1. Unli mobile calls

The Fiber Unli All Plans come with an enhanced unlimited mobile calls feature, which lets the whole family enjoy free calls and texts from mobile to mobile, unlimited calls from mobile to landline, landline to landline, and landline to mobile. To enjoy this feature, customers can register five (5) Smart or TNT numbers.

2. Unli internet with faster speeds

The Fiber Unli All plan 1399 now comes with speeds of up to 100 Mbps speeds, which is twice as fast as the previous plan at 50 Mbps. Your whole family can enjoy playing games or watching online videos on multiple devices seamlessly. Downloading and uploading heavy files from the cloud can be done in a snap at double the speed!

3. Minimize spending on a plan

Not all internet usage is the same. A household of five obviously has heavier usage than solo nesters. Conversely, the same number of people may have bigger demands if they’re gamers or working from home, and lesser demand if they’re at the office all day.

Solo nesters may opt for the Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 while families with heavy bandwidth requirement may choose Fiber Unli All Plan 1799, ensuring that they get the best deal for their internet subscription based on their digital lifestyle.

4. Premium movies and TV shows

With Fiber Unli All, you can get Cignal Plan 290 with 93 amazing channels bundled into the deal!

This gives you access to Cignal’s vast selection of premium channels that feature daily choices of popular international and local movies, TV shows, sports, news and kids’ programming. There’s really something for everyone in the family to enjoy, whether it’s classic movies and TV series or highly anticipated new blockbusters. It’ll take your family’s movie night to the next level, for sure!

5. Simplified billing, multiple services

Receiving and paying for one bill for multiple services make it easier to do monthly budget and tracking expenses, potentially leading to further savings. The convenience of paying for an internet and cable TV services (plus unlimited calls or texts for free) all in one account also enables the convenience of using digital payment apps to schedule monthly payments.

PLDT Home gives customers the option to choose between Fiber Unli All Plans 1399 and 1799, ensuring that they get the best deal for their internet subscription.

Check out how PLDT Home Fiber Unli All plans can supercharge your home by visiting this link.

Miss Universe PH 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo bares all in Metro.Style cover

Tweet

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo talks about staying connected with her loved ones and being her best self in Metro.Style’s latest digital cover story.

Photo By Dookie Ducay

----------------------------------------------------------------

The Bulaceña stunner talks about home, family, and growing up in every sense of the word as she becomes super charged for an exciting journey ahead

----------------------------------------------------------------

Chelsea impressed the whole nation with her performance in Miss Universe Philippines’ swimwear and eveningwear segments. But it was her Q&A about overcoming restrictive beauty standards that captured the hearts of Filipinos and ultimately secured her the win.

Photo By Dookie Ducay

Speaking to Metro.Style, Chelsea candidly talks about being away from her family in Bulacan, especially now that her Miss Universe journey is running at full speed. A lesson that she learned from her Miss Universe Philippines stint is the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones.

“(I always) value the time with the people who are really close to my heart,” she tells Metro.Style. When away from home, Chelsea makes sure to keep in touch with loved ones via landline, mobile, or the internet with reliable connection powered by PLDT Home. The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 with speeds of up to 100 Mbps and unlimited landline and mobile calls covering 5 Smart/TNT numbers in the family allows her to go all out with stories and updates for her loved ones – providing her no limits as she inches closer to her dream.

Photo By PLDT Home

During her Q&A at Miss Universe Philippines 2024 most especially, Chelsea mentioned her mom to be instrumental in building her self-confidence – with constant reminders to believe in herself. Being the first Filipina of African descent to represent the Philippines, Chelsea not only aims to bring representation and diversity to the international pageant, but also to inspire women as her mom did.

Chelsea shows that staying connected with people who lift you up will bring out your best self. It’s also proof that your best self starts at home – with family and friends who have always been there since the beginning. Now, it’s her turn to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower women not just in the Philippines but from around the world.

Read Metro.Style’s cover story on Chelsea Manalo here. Know more on who have always been there for her through her journey — and how she relies on PLDT Home to connect with her loved ones, fulfill her advocacies, and ultimately conquer her dreams here:

Just like Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo, you too can be your best self at home by subscribing to PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, designed to give customers the best value for their money. Go super charged as you enjoy unlimited Fiber connection with speeds of up to 100Mbps, unlimited entertainment with Cignal, and unlimited calls to Smart/TNT all in one plan!

Never miss a connection with your friends and family. To know more about the PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, visit pldthome.com/fiber for more details.

Is your online lover too good to be true? Know the red flags of a love scammer

Tweet

Dating in the digital age has become easier with so many apps and services to choose from. By the end of 2023, it was reported that 441 million people were using dating apps actively, generating around $8.7 billion in revenues globally through matchmaking services.

The appeal of dating apps is that you’re not limited by geography. You can meet people online in your city or in another country; you get to see how they look like from their profiles; find out their interests; and if you begin chatting, you can judge if you’re compatible enough to go on a first date.

 

Many Filipinos have fallen victim to romance scams, among other fakery proliferating online. Now there’s a Facebook page that crowdsources information and experiences so that you can be more aware about scams. Called Online Alerto, it’s a Facebook community page dedicated to the dissemination of invaluable insights, resources, and strategies related to digital literacy, cybersecurity, and responsible online behavior.

 

Acting as a collaborative platform, it facilitates members in validating their online purchases and transactions while fostering an environment where personal experiences are exchanged to help enhance online safety and awareness among all members. Online Alerto is absolutely free—all you need to do is join the community page to raise your own awareness about cybercrimes.

 

While identity theft and hacking are the leading cybercrimes globally, love scams are rapidly on the rise. In Southeast Asia, these crimes have two victims: those deceived by the scam and those that are trafficked into doing the scams.

 

Online Alerto has pooled resources on the internet for warnings and tips on avoiding love scams.   

 

                                                   

Avoid these red flags

• ·       The person expresses strong emotions and love for you very quickly, often within days or weeks of initial contact.
• ·     They quickly ask you to leave a dating service or social media site to communicate directly on WhatsApp or SMS, where they can manipulate you more easily.
• ·       If an individual attempts to isolate you from friends and family or requests inappropriate photos or financial information, they could later blackmail you or extort money from you.
• ·       When you make plans to meet in person, they always come up with an excuse why they can’t.
• ·       They ask for money for various reasons such as travel expenses, medical emergencies, or business opportunities. This is often the biggest and most obvious red flag.
• ·       They tell you stories to elicit sympathy, such as being widowed, having a sick child, or facing some urgent crisis.
• ·       They ask you many personal questions, but they avoid sharing their personal details or give information that cannot be verified such as a home address or workplace.

 

What scammers say to hook you in

"I or someone close to me is sick, hurt, or in jail."

"I can teach you how to invest."

"I'm in the military far away."

"I need help with an important delivery."

"We've never met, but let's talk about marriage."

"I've come into some money or gold."

"I'm on an oil rig or ship."

"You can trust me with your private pictures."

 

Ways to protect yourself

• ·       Reverse search the person’s photo by using online searches like Google Images.
• ·      Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers use details shared on social media  and dating sites to better understand and target you.
• ·       Maintain a healthy level of skepticism, especially if things seem too good to be true.
• ·       Suggest a video call early in your communication.
• ·    Check their social media profiles for consistency with what they've told you. Look for a reasonable number of friends, photos, and posts over time. A lack of social media presence or a newly created profile can be a red flag.
• ·       If you decide to meet in person, choose a public place and inform a friend or family member about your plans. Ensure the person you meet matches their online presence.
• ·      Some dating apps offer identity verification features, like blue checkmarks, to indicate users who have verified their identity through the app.

Join Online Alerto on Facebook to better protect yourself from romance and other scams and learn from other people’s experiences.

 

 

PLDT Home’s first and biggest nationwide Fiber Fest brings exclusive deals and rewards

Tweet

PLDT Home launches Fiber Fest, the country’s first broadband festival, bringing its exclusive offers and rewards closer to families nationwide. Celebrity couple Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles are set to headline the event happening on June 15, 2024 in Brgy. Santa Cruz, Antipolo City.

Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles lead the Fiber Fest Squad

Kim Molina

Jerald Napoles

Adding excitement to this special weekend are professional basketball team, TNT Tropang Giga and e-sports personality and cosplayer, Een Mercado. Aside from getting a chance to do a meet-and-greet with their favorite stars and PLDT Home ambassadors during this fun-filled weekend, families will get access to the new Fiber Unli All plans, exclusive promos, entertaining activities and rewards from PLDT Home.

“We are here for every Filipino family. Through our nationwide PLDT Home Fiber Fest promotion, we’re bringing our digital services closer to their homes. We will be going from city to city to make sure that we’re able to power every household with our most reliable digital solutions within 24 hours,” says Patrick Tang, PLDT First Vice President and Head of Home Acquisition Marketing.

E-sports personality Een Mercado

TNT Tropang Giga Rookie Kim Aurin

TNT Tropang Giga Ping Exciminiano

Feast on Exciting Deals

Offering the best value for money, PLDT Home offers Fiber Unli All broadband plans that come with unlimited Fiber internet, unlimited entertainment content from Cignal TV, and unlimited calls to PLDT, Smart and TNT.

At the PLDT Home Fiber Fest, customers who subscribe to Fiber Unli All Plan 1799 will enjoy free installation and savings of up to P3,600. Customers may also opt for P100 discount for their monthly service fee for the whole year.

Customers also get to enjoy freebies and prizes from PLDT Home, Cignal, Maya, MWell, Carmen’s Best. PLDT Home is also giving customers up to 220 Rewards Crystals which they can use for bill rebates and discounts from partner brands.

For existing subscribers who choose to upgrade their plans at the Fiber Fest weekend, they’ll enjoy P200 off from their monthly subscription fee for six (6) months.

And ultimately, subscribers can get a chance to win free one-year PLDT Home Fiber subscriptions and cash prizes up to P1 Million with PLDT Home’s One Million Giveaway (OMG) promo. PLDT Home Fiber Fest features a lot of exciting raffle prizes including cash and home appliances.

As part of the PLDT Group’s effort to also promote responsible electronic waste management and circularity among communities, PLDT Home brings its ‘Be Kind. Recycle.’ electronic waste (e-waste) collection drive at the Fiber Fest series. In cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the Global Environment Facility, PLDT’s ‘Be Kind. Recycle.’ program encourages families to donate for proper disposal and recycling their old and broken electronic devices, such as mobile phones, landline phones, routers, laptops, and chargers. E-waste boxes will be available at the PLDT Home Fiber Fest locations.

Starting this June in Antipolo, PLDT Home is set to bring the Fiber Fest in different cities nationwide throughout the year including Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Cebu, Zamboanga, and key areas in Metro Manila as a start.

Watch out for more details and event announcements about the PLDT Home Fiber Fest events on PLDT Home’s Facebook page here.

The enduring spirit of Independence Day heroes lives on in mompreneurs

Tweet

As we commemorate the country’s 126th Independence Day, we also reflect on its meaning and relevance in today's world. Just as we had inspiring heroes fighting for the Philippines’ right to self-government and freedom from colonial rule in 1898, we have modern-day heroes that continue to contribute to the nation’s growth and to individual self-sufficiency today.

These are Filipinos who overcome hardships to achieve personal and financial empowerment through entrepreneurship. According to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, MSMEs “generate 62.4 percent of the country's total employment, contribute 36 percent of gross value added, and account for 25 percent of total exports.”

Madiskarte Moms PH, an online community that supports starting and established mompreneurs, exemplifies the enduring spirit of Filipinos whose businesses create opportunities for our people.

By creating products using materials and designs that are Filipino-centric impacts everyone in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It creates direct and indirect employment for suppliers and communities.

If there is any modern-day example of heroes, it is Filipino mothers who are smart to realize that it doesn’t takes a huge capital to start a business. When they changed their mindset that it could be done, they did it. After all, when you’re fighting for your family’s future, you become brave like the hero you can be.

From OFWs to business owners

For Lois Gabriel, mother of three daughters and an OFW in Dubai for six years in the early 2000s, the secret to becoming an entrepreneur was using her biggest skill: coordinating things. “Not everyone can coordinate with too many suppliers all at the same time. I am very good at reminding clients, following up suppliers, and doing quality control during execution.”

In Dubai, her degree in communication and her skill at organizing events paved the way to a side hustle in putting up events for her friends and church mates. When she came home to the Philippines to give birth, she decided to put up Lois Gabriel Events where she wears many hats as event coordinator, host and professional makeup artist.

“My first attempt didn’t materialize. In 2008, I enrolled at the School Fashion and Arts (SOFA) , where I took up makeup artistry. That was a game changer. I launched my makeup artistry page, clients were also looking for event coordination and that was the rebirth of Lois Gabriel Events. Currently, I have five people on staff and on call staff whenever I have events booked.”

The pandemic all but stopped her business but not her dreams. “My husband was earning enough for our daily needs, but we had no savings. Also, a very important reason for starting a business was my self-fulfillment as a woman and human being—that I am able to surpass the mediocrity cast upon women. It takes a lot of sweat and tears to be able to sustain a business.”

Another former OFW, April Ocampo worked in Macau and Singapore until the pandemic. In 2020, she was in the Philippines on maternity leave. For the next three years she was unemployed and became a full-time mom.

She wasn’t used to not working and suffered from post-partum depression. It caused her to question her worth, caused her anxiety and self-pity.“Napakaganda ng tinatakbo ng career ko noongwala pa akonganak. OFW po ako at tumutulongsapangangailangan ng pamilyanamin, may sarilingpera at kalayaan dati. Nawalan ako ng identity.”

To be honest, she says, putting up a business in the beginning was simply for herself, “para saakingsarili, para po sa sanity, at lalonglalo na po sa self-worth ko.”

In January this year, she put up Bounty Honey which sources wild honey in Mindanao. Her business began with only 18 bottles and P3,200.

Now, she is faced with the happy problem of supply since the demand for her honey is rising.

Leaving the comfort of the corporate world

Mommy Princess is a mompreneur who embodies an entrepreneur who tries her hand at business while an employee (she worked in BPO for 18 years) until she finally does it full time. During the pandemic, her company paid their employees three months despite halting work (they went back to the office after).

While stuck at home she sold homemade body wash under the name ISLA but pressed pause because she couldn’t find the right supplier. In 2022, she pivoted ISLA to handmade accessories using macramé and clay because they didn’t expire. “I’m a single parent with a 10-year-old and I still handcraft my jelwery pieces. When I have a lot of orders, I ask for help.” She employs stay-at-home moms and working students.

Mommy Princess says one of the biggest challenges in starting a business is limting one’s belief. “Whenyou’re surrounded by people that are not business minded, you get inputs like ‘Mahirapyan,’ ‘Naku saturated na ang market.’ The advantage in 2022 was it felt like everyone is starting a new normal life. So why not defy all the odds? What kept me going was my assurance that God got my back. His grace is sufficient.

Another corporate employee since she graduated from college, Ayeng Antonio-Mendez opened Abuela Café and Bakery in the last quarter of 2022 and began full operations in August the following year.

When you have a full-time job, starting a business takes courage because you are either leaving a regular income or if you don’t leave you’re adding more stress to your life. “In terms of our corporate job, we were doing very well. But on the business side, this is the most complicated because construction is ongoing then and there have been delays and additional costs.”

Mom to a four-year-old daughter, Ayeng says her family—her brother and sister-in-law, Ayeng and her husband—started the café because it was a long-held dream of her mom. “We are all working in the corporate world, and we thought why not we try to build our own business that someday our children will also benefit from and maybe continue. We also carry some recipes we had inherited from our grandmothers too. It’s like making their legacy and ours, combined, to continue evolving.”

These women have created a chain of impact around them—not only economically but also mentally: to be brave, to be open to new possibilities, to take on challenges along the way—that’s true freedom.

Empower yourself like these Filipino moms. Join Madiskarte Moms PH on Facebook.