PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH wins the most prestigious Grand Anvil at the 58th Anvil Awards

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The entrepreneurship advocacy has helped thousands of mompreneurs succeed in their online home businesses amidst the COVI9-19 pandemic

PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH community won the Grand Anvil Award. In this photo (L-R): PRSP President Harold Geronimo, Stratworks Managing Director Mark Christian Parlade, PLDT Home’s Head of Digital Content Marketing Mabie Encarnacion, PLDT Home’s Manager for Fixed Wireless Postpaid Kat Yulo, PLDT Home’s AVP for Product Marketing (Digital Services) Janice Lagaso, PLDT Home’s Senior Manager for Marketing Communications Linette Garcia-Perez, PLDT Home’s Product Manager for Entertainment Tin Rementilla, PLDT Home’s PR Manager and Community Lead for MMPH Daphne Gripal, PLDT Home’s Digital Content Specialist Elaine Lara, Former DTI and DepEd Secretary and Alliance Global Group Independent Director Jesli A. Lapus, AVP and Head of PLDT Home Public Relations and Influencer Management Cheryl Maxine Loyola, PRSP Trustee and 58th Anvil Awards Chairperson Georgina “Joji” Banzon, and Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management President and CEO Justin Green

PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) online community won the prestigious Grand Anvil Award, the highest honors at the 58th Anvil Awards this year. The community’s first ever annual awards that celebrates exceptional mompreneurs, Gawad Madiskarte 2022, was also a recipient of a Gold Anvil Award under the PR tools category.

“We are humbled to have won the prestigious Grand Anvil Award for an advocacy that our brand truly believes in, and it’s made even more meaningful to have received the recognition on International Women’s Day,” said Cheryl P. Loyola, Assistant Vice President and Head of Public Relations and Influencer Management at PLDT Home.

“It is our privilege and honor to empower and support our hardworking, dedicated, and passionate mompreneurs. We are always committed to help them be financially independent and succeed in life by providing the fastest and most reliable PLDT Home broadband to power their online businesses,” she added.

MMPH is an online community launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic which had gravely affected many working Filipino women; some lost their jobs while some were forced to leave their work in order to focus on their domestic duties. Understanding the increasing financial responsibilities that their families face, PLDT Home and a group of Filipino moms launched Madiskarte Moms PH in September 2020. A Filipino term for someone resourceful, “madiskarte” fittingly captured the spirit of Filipino moms who took on the challenge of digital entrepreneurship amid the pandemic.

An online community for aspiring, starting, and experienced mother entrepreneurs or mompreneurs, MMPH aims to educate moms on how to successfully start, manage, or grow their business by providing them with information and resources; build a strong support system with like-minded moms in a safe online space; and empower them to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey through technology and skills training in partnership with industry leaders as well as providing them with business starter kits.

Madiskarte Moms PH also launched the first ever Gawad Madiskarte 2022: A Tribute to Outstanding Filipina Mompreneurs on Women’s Month last March 2022, which also won a Gold Anvil Award. It is an awards ceremony that recognizes exceptional mompreneurs who thrived despite the hardships brought about by the pandemic. MMPH honored mompreneurs who overcame challenges and flourished during these trying times.

Madiskarte Moms PH also previously won a Silver Stevie Award for Innovation in Community Relations or Public Relations at the 2022 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards.

The Anvil Awards, presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, is the "Oscars" of public relations in the country where they recognize the most excellent and outstanding PR programs and tools every year.

The Stratworks, Inc. and Playback team along with the PLDT Home PR and Influencer Management team

PLDT Home also bagged eight Anvil Awards for their impactful and meaningful campaigns and advocacies.

New PLDT Home Fiber Plans now with 2x more speeds at the same price

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What would you do if you have more speed to power your digital lifestyle? What if you could have the opportunity to experience up to twice the speed you’re getting now? That can be a reality now as PLDT Home rolls out the biggest speed upgrade with the newest Fiber Plans this February.

Faster Fiber Plans Yet

The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli Plans are double the previous speed offers and can now reach up to 600 Mbps for as low as P2699 monthly.

What’s more, all these new Home Fiber plans get faster speeds with the same price as previous plans. Now, that’s a treat especially for the new subscribers. Meanwhile, existing subscribers will need not apply for any plan upgrade to get the same faster speeds as they will automatically get the new Fiber plan speeds starting this month.

Fiber Unli Plan	Previous speed	New speed
Plan 1699	100 Mbps	200 Mbps
Plan 2099	200 Mbps	400 Mbps
Plan 2699	400 Mbps	600 Mbps

What does it mean for PLDT Home Fiber customers?

Families at home with dynamic digital lifestyles will highly benefit from the faster internet speeds of the new PLDT Home Fiber plans:

● For those who like to surf the Internet: Fiber Unli Plan 1699, 2099, and 2699 with the new speeds of 200, 400, and 600 Mbps respectively, allow users to load websites and pages within seconds, making browsing an even more enjoyable experience.

● For those who love to stream their movies and TV series: Fiber Unli Plan 1699 with 200 Mbps makes streaming SD and HD content on a few devices smooth and seamless. Fiber Unli Plan 2099’s 400 Mbps allows smooth streaming of HD and Ultra HD content on more demanding devices like smart TVs and PCs. The full power of Fiber Unli Plan 2699’s 600 Mbps speed makes streaming up to 4K HD and even 8K on the latest smart TVs easier than ever.

● For those who need to work online: The 200 Mbps from Fiber Unli Plan 1699 makes video conferencing easier with none of the dreaded lagging and dropping out, and users can also download all the files they need in minutes or even seconds. Fiber Unli Plan 2099’s 400 Mbps is there for bigger download demands, and for those who need to work with the largest files all the time, Fiber Unli Plan 2699 is the ideal setup.

● For those who demand better gaming support: Fiber Unli Plan 1699’s 200 Mbps will give a lag-free gaming experience on one or two devices such as a PC and/or gaming console. For more devices at home, 400 Mbps from Fiber Unli Plan 2099 will maintain that low latency. For those with the biggest gaming setups at home with multiple devices, Fiber Unli Plan 2699’s 600 Mbps will easily power it all.

● For those into content creation: Fiber Unli Plan 1699 allows for quick and easy content uploading to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more. For streamers on platforms like Twitch, Fiber Unli Plan 2099 and 2699 ensure a consistent livestreaming experience at all times.

Whole-home coverage with Fiber Plus Plans

On top of the improved Fiber Unli Plans, PLDT Home has also upgraded its Fiber Plus Plans, which come with three Mesh WiFi devices to eliminate wi-fi dead spots in larger homes.

Fiber Plus Plan	Previous speed	New speed
Plan 2399	200 Mbps	400 Mbps
Plan 2999	400 Mbps	600 Mbps

Mesh WiFi creates a wider wi-fi coverage within the home, with devices only needing to connect to one network no matter where they are in the area.

The fastest fixed network in the Philippines

The launch of the new PLDT Home Fiber Plans plays a big role in PLDT Home’s status as the fastest broadband in the Philippines. PLDT Home has consistently received this recognition in global internet testing firm Ookla’s regular rankings.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has also steadily climbed up the Speedtest Global Index over the past year, jumping two places higher in the January 2023 edition with a median download speed of 88.13 Mbps. This rise is due in part to PLDT Home’s contributions to the constant improvement of the country’s network infrastructure.

Experience the possibilities of even faster fiber internet with PLDT Home’s upgraded Fiber Plans. Visit this link today to find out more.

Watch Maxene Magalona’s Valentine’s Day Video for #HerFirstLove

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We can find all kinds of love in this lifetime, but nothing compares to a first love. Sometimes, it’s not the first person that gave them kilig, nor the puppy love that gave us butterflies when we were kids—for some of us, our first love actually began at home.

For most of us, our parents are the ones who loved us first, unconditionally. Actress, host, and meditation teacher Maxene Magalona realizes this meaningful truth and shares it with everyone in a new Valentine’s Day video from PLDT Home.

In the video, she pens a letter to her late father, the iconic and legendary master rapper Francis Magalona.

Maxene describes how her father taught her the true meaning of love. “For you, love is about acceptance and non-judgment. You love others the way you want to be loved—by just letting you be who you are,” she writes.

“The love my dad showed me is my first love. He was a very genuine person. He showed everyone sincerity and respect. And to me, that’s love – accepting people for who and where they are,” Maxene says.

Love, indeed, is patient and kind. Maxene continues to live on the love that her dad taught her. “The love you experience at home is the love that you model,” she shares. “Love is a safe space where you will be accepted and not judged.”

In her letter, she mentions how her dad showed her unconditional love through his actions. “You always tell me what I need to hear, but in a kind and gentle way,” she writes. “You would laugh and giggle as you tell me that heartbreak and pain are a natural part of life.”

This Valentine’s Day, Maxene shares #herfirstlove story with PLDT Home. “I’m very honored to be part of a project that speaks of this kind of love. When you experience that kind of love at home you’re able to share it with others. I’m happy and honored that PLDT Home chose me to share this message to others,” she says.

She adds that her favorite part of the video is the love letter for her dad. “I get to reconnect with him even if he’s not here physically. It was a comforting and heartwarming experience because it makes me remember that even if I am physically alone, love really knows no bounds. My dad’s love lives in me. I want to continue that legacy of his love.”

Maxene concludes the letter by declaring that despite the painful heartbreaks, she’s not afraid to love again. 

“I will never give up. I will never lose hope. I know deep in my heart that I will find my true love one day because you showed me what true love is about. Thank you, Pop. I found my first love at home.”

Watch Maxene Magalona’s heartwarming video on PLDT Home’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Celeste Cortesi backed by family, friends, and faith in Miss Universe journey

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Our young and determined Miss PLDT Home hopes to mark her ‘uniquely beautiful’ journey with a crown

Celeste Cortesi  - Miss Universe Philippines

Miss PLDT Home 

Filipinos from all over the world, get ready to cheer for our very own Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi as she takes on the biggest competition of her life. Catch our very own contender, concurrently crowned Miss PLDT Home, at the world’s most prestigious and anticipated pageant as it returns for its 2022 edition on January 15, 9 a.m. (Philippine time).

Miss Universe celebrates what makes each queen “uniquely beautiful.” This includes being their best and most beautiful selves by proudly representing their roots and culture and supporting meaningful advocacies with hopes to impact the world. With this campaign, Miss Universe seeks to empower women from all over the world to exemplify their charitable hearts and reveal their better and stronger versions.

Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi easily embodies a beautiful queen inside and out. The Filipino-Italian model and PLDT Home ambassador strongly advocates women’s education, alongside protecting and preserving the country’s indigenous people and culture.

A family woman, Cortesi has spoken about her deep care and love for her family – who has been extra supportive of her entire beauty pageant journey.

“My mom always expressed her desire for me joining and becoming Miss Universe. She’s always been very supportive of me. She would always encourage and motivate me during challenging times in my competitions. She is my strength,” Cortesi told the press months before the Miss Universe pageant.

Cortesi, who represented Pasay City, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines last April succeeding Beatrice Luigi Gomez. She also bagged that night’s Miss Photogenic and Best in Swimsuit among her other special awards.

Following her win and as part of her journey to the bigger stage, Cortesi has since been exposed to more workshops and training sessions. She has also participated in more publicity events and charity works – big and small – that altogether primed her on her way to the Miss Universe crown.

Celeste, however, admitted that her road to the big stage naturally came across challenges. But it’s the connections with her support group – made much stronger courtesy of PLDT Home – that only shaped her to be more ready than ever.

“I connect with my mother in Italy through the many social platforms available. She is constantly updated with my daily activities and whereabouts,” the 25-year-old model said. “We are so thankful for good internet connectivity because I can video-call my mother, my sister, and my best friend all the way from Italy with no interruptions. We get to catch up and see how much we’ve grown since the last time we saw each other physically.”

Ahead of Miss Universe, Cortesi is now in New Orleans, Louisiana making waves with her gorgeous looks she has since been posting on social media. She will be witness to another star-studded event, with Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and Emmy award-winning TV personality Jeannie Mai Jenkins as hosts and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and entertainment host Zuri Hall as backstage commentators.

With family, friends, fellow queens, and the rest of Filipinos behind this young, determined queen, Cortesi looks to succeed India’s Harnaaz Sandhu and take home the Philippines’ fifth Miss Universe crown. She has come prepared, but for now, she said, it all boils down to faith.

“My life story is still being written. Every day is a new page on the scripts. I expect to make my story more inspiring.”

Photo Credits:

Celeste Cortesi/ Miss Universe Philippines

PLDT Home (Miss Universe Philippines shot)

Watch Song Joong Ki’s new starrer ‘Reborn Rich’ plus more riveting revenge shows only on Viu powered by PLDT Home!

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Catch these tales of redemption seamlessly with your Viu Premium, powered by the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home

There’s just something so satisfying about a good revenge drama. From watching the downtrodden protagonists get their bearings and become this determinedly vengeful and scheming protagonist to finally witnessing the villains get their well-deserved comeuppance, revenge dramas show that sometimes you just have to take karma into your own hands.

With Viu, the go-to streaming platform for all things Korean and Asian entertainment content, fans of the genre can have their pick of the most nail-biting and addictive revenge dramas –many of which are played by some of the industry’s biggest stars.

If you’re on the lookout good revenge K-dramas, here are some of the biggest titles available on Viu – best streamed through the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home.

Reborn Rich (2022)

In Reborn Rich, this year’s most anticipated series exclusively shown in the Philippines on Viu, certified K-drama hottie Song Joong Ki plays Yoon Hyun-Woo, a long-serving steward of the Soonyang Conglomerate. Finding himself falsely accused of embezzlement by the conglomerate's family, he is killed by their youngest son Jin Do-Joon.

That should’ve been the end of his story, but fate has other plans for our wronged hero, as shortly after his death, Yoon Hyun-Woo wakes up in the body of his killer. Not one to miss a chance for revenge, Hyun-Woo decides to not only destroy the family from within, he also schemes to take over and run the company himself.

The Innocent Man (2012)

Song Joong Ki is no stranger to shows where he plays characters out for revenge. He is as equally broody and scheming in his debut drama from 10 years ago, The Innocent Man. In the series, Joong Ki plays a promising young student who gets betrayed by his lover who left him for another – richer – man. Years later, he becomes a bartender-gigolo out to exact revenge on his former lover. What happens next: The student becomes the master as he then seduces the daughter of the man she earlier left him for.

Lawless Lawyer (2018)

In the series, yet another K-drama heartthrob, Lee Joon Gi, who shows you how revenge is best served cold. A lawyer raised by his gang member uncle, Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) uses what he learned – which often skirts the definition of what’s legal – to mete out justice. This, all while he’s investigating and trying to avenge his mother’s death.

Taxi Driver (2021)

Perfect for fans of true crime, Taxi Driver is a series based on recent crimes that happened in South Korea with the offenders being punished lightly or, in some instances, let go. Lee Je Hoon plays Kim Do Gi, a not-so-ordinary taxi driver as he is part of a company that provides “revenge service.” The underground group drives their taxis around the city hunting down criminals themselves.

The World of the Married (2020)

Based on a popular BBC UK drama, The World of the Married stars Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo, a successful doctor who discovers that her ideal life isn’t what it seems after she begins to uncover all the lies surrounding her and discovering her husband’s affair. They say hell hath no fury than a woman scorned with Sun Woo being the perfect personification. The show has become one of the highest-rated K-dramas in Korea and has spawned its own hit Filipino adaptation, The Broken Marriage Vow.

Get your K-drama fix with your Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home – and win prizes!

Watch today’s top-trending revenge show Reborn Rich and more drama series through a Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home, the country’s fastest fastest and most reliable broadband service. With PLDT Home, enjoy more shows with no ads and with same-day subtitled releases for select titles at just P80/month – the most affordable Viu Premium subscription in the Philippines. Subscribe now at pldthome.com/viu.

This December, new and existing PLDT Home customers can binge more of Asia’s hottest entertainment content on Viu while getting a chance to win P5,000,000 cash in the PLDT Home Grand Giveaway. To know more about the giveaway, visit pldthome.com/grandgiveaway.

Zone V Camera Club, PLDT Home bring digital learning to underprivileged students

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Zone V Camera Club and PLDT Home executives with ERDA-SaBaNa beneficiaries

A premier club of photographers, Zone V Camera Club and PLDT Home continue with their mission of building online learning hubs for underprivileged youth with students of ERDA SaBaNa (Educational Research and Development Assistance, Samahan ng mga Batang Nananambakan) in Tondo, Manila as the latest beneficiary.

To empower the students to do better in school and in life, Zone V Camera Club donated computers while PLDT Home provided a 400 Mbps broadband connection for the next two years. Jointly, Zone V Camera Club and PLDT Home have refurbished ERDA’s computer room to make it more conducive for learning, while the walls and tables have also been repainted. A mural on one wall was painted to depict the modern-day life of the students in Tondo, Manila, and how they cope with digital learning.

(L-R) Ms. Dolora Cardeno, ERDA Executive Director,  Ms. Angela Panlilio, Vice President Zone V Camera Club, Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ, ERDA President, Ms. Bern Wong, Zone V Camera Club President, Mr. Ruben Castor Ranin, Zone V Camera Club Special Projects Head and Mr. John Henri Yanez, First Vice President, PLDT Home Marketing at the ERDA Foundation Inc. SaBaNa Learning Hub Turnover Ceremony

Beneficiary ERDA SaBaNa Foundation in Tondo has been providing educational assistance including school supplies, bags and uniforms, tutorials and workshops, and leadership and life skills training for disadvantaged children to experience holistic education. ERDA has so far assisted more than 800,000 children in their school and real-life education since 1974.

These kids belong to the generation of digital natives, but they don’t have access to computers at home or the physical space to concentrate on researching for their class assignments. PLDT Home’s connections mean they now have a wealth of information at their fingertips to aid them in their school education, so that they may satisfy their curious minds and their thirst for knowledge about the world around them. This will also give them access to educational videos without lag and download or upload faster.

Last year, Zone V Camera Club chose Assumption Development Foundation (ADF) in Sapang Palay, Bulacan as the first beneficiary of their flagship project, Images of H.O.P.E (Helping Others Prosper and Excel). Zone V sells printed photos taken by its members to raise funds and build more online learning hubs for underprivileged Filipino students while PLDT Home provides the broadband connection.

Zone V Camera Club was founded in 1978 through the help of the late professional photographer Vic Valenciano. Club members are composed of professional photographers and enthusiasts who won in various local and international photography competitions.

Start your holiday shopping early this 11.11 Lazada’s Biggest Sale with PLDT Home Rewards!

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November is finally here and that means you can score the best deals on 11.11 Lazada’s Biggest Sale! With the infinite selection of stuff that you can get from the leading ecommerce platform, there’s no shortage of gifts for your family and friends—and rewards for yourself, too. After all, getting into the Christmas spirit of giving and sharing is the best way to kick off the holiday season.

Luckily for PLDT Home Rewards members, five P100,000 Lazada gift cards are up for grabs in this month’s Grand Giveaway promo, and joining the raffle is fast and easy.

If you are a PLDT Home subscriber but not yet a member of the loyalty program, you can simply enroll your account to PLDT Home Rewards and start earning Crystals and raffle entries. If you are an existing member, just pay your PLDT bill in full and on time, upgrade your plan, apply for paperless and auto-charge payment, or pay via digital channels to start earning Crystals and raffle entries.

You can also exchange 10 Crystals for a Lazada voucher that gives you P100 off for a minimum spend of P1,000 during Lazada’s Biggest sale from today until November 13— for which you’ll also automatically get two raffle entries to the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway this month.

Here are some of the awesome finds that you can get with your P100,000 Lazada gift cards on the most awaited sale:

1. Fashion

Update your wardrobe or give your family and friends some stylish clothes that you can get at a discount this 11.11. From fashion essentials like jeans and shorts, stylish and colorful tops, to the most trending sneakers, you can express yourself creatively without breaking the bank.

For those looking for great deals on fashion essentials, a cute pair of Levi’s denim shorts or these elegant and chic ZANZEA khaki chinos look good in your OOTDs. You’ll also want to look good in stylish tops and dresses, which is why getting a dress like a pretty Crissa woven dress or a fashionable Plains and Prints vintage top gives you great style options for parties and reunions this holiday season. If you want something sporty, get a pair of the Fila Lite Matrix Run or the timeless Adidas Stan Smith.

2. Home essentials

Looking to level up your house? There’s a whole range of home improvement choices available online, such as furniture, accessories, decorations, and other unique pieces. If you saw it on social media like Facebook and TikTok, you’ll most likely find it on Lazada.

You can give your living room an upgrade by getting a piece like a new BAIERDI luxury sofa bed set perfect for a cozy holiday movie night with the family. Try something new for your dining room at home like the 16-piece Corelle dinnerware set that can add more flair to your Noche Buena. If you want a comfier holiday sleeping experience over the break, then getting a new Uratex foam mattress is definitely the perfect choice.

3. Games, consoles, and accessories

Holidays mean long breaks and more quality time to spend with family and loved ones. Bond over action-packed and fun video games.

Playing the hottest games of 2022 on a brand-new Sony PlayStation 5 will surely be the highlight of your family’s holiday season. Don’t forget to add one or more extra PS5 controllers to your cart for fun multiplayer sessions with more family members. For solo players, you can get a copy of Elden Ring, one of the best PS5 games right now. You can also buy other gaming accessories and peripherals during the 11.11 sale, like the HyperX Alloy Origins mechanical keyboard, which is a great gift idea for PC gamers who are also keyboard enthusiasts.

4. Work and study at home essentials

Grab productivity essentials like office and study tools, gadgets, electronics, and more at great deals in the 11.11 sale.

For the hardworking go-getter in your life, the Infinix INbook X1 is one of the best value-for-money laptops available right now. If they prefer to work or study on a device that’s more portable, another good option is a reliable tablet like the Huawei MatePad T10. Meanwhile, you can also upgrade your home workstation with the HP Deskjet Ink Advantage 2337 3 in 1 Printer, which gives you and the family an easier and more hassle-free time in printing important documents for school or work.

5. Beauty must-haves

Feel great, beautiful, and confident this holiday season without breaking the bank. Lazada also offers a wide variety of health and beauty products from makeup to skincare.

Score nice deals on effective skincare products like the Garnier Sakura All Star Kit, which can give you dazzling glass skin in one week. A set of RP Frozen Collagen Face Masks can also keep your face clean, cool, and healthy all the time. For gift ideas to give your friends or family, you can’t go wrong with something like the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser bundle.

There’s an infinite number of deals to score in this year’s Lazada 11.11 sale! So, don’t forget to register to PLDT Home Rewards, pay your PLDT bill in full and on time, upgrade your plan, apply for paperless and auto charge payment, or pay via digital channels to get a chance to win a Lazada gift card in PLDT Home Rewards’ Grand Giveaway Promo this month.

It doesn’t stop there—your raffle entries serve as your tickets to win the grand prize: a whopping P5 million pesos! Make the most of PLDT Home Rewards and join the Grand Giveaway Promo today. 

Visit https://pldthome.com/grandgiveaway to find out more.

Weekend watchlist: 10 most haunting horror and thriller flicks to catch on Lionsgate Play

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Frights and scares continue with these fan favorites – watch them all uninterrupted only with PLDT Home!

(Photo credits: Twisted Pictures)

The Halloween season is here and with the long weekend approaching, it’s indeed the best time to enjoy some horror and thriller guilty pleasures in peace and (creepy) quiet.

PLDT Home customers can easily watch many of these blockbusters on Lionsgate Play by simply activating their free Lionsgate Play vouchers online until June 1, 2023. With every activation, PLDT Home customers will not only enjoy a scare-fest — they’ll also get the chance to win special prizes including a 65” LG OLED TV as part of the monthly raffle promo.

So, get your Lionsgate Play app and popcorn ready. Here are 10 of the spookiest flicks to make the next few days of vacay a weekend-long — yikes! — nightmare!

Saw (movie series)

There are now nine Saw movies in the psychological thriller franchise featuring the serial killer Jigsaw. With the titular character testing his victims’ will to survive and skill at sawing off their limbs to find the key for their restraints, the Saw series takes you to witness the poor victims’ horrifying self-mutilation to save their loved ones. Lionsgate Play features Saw II, Saw IV, Saw VI, Saw: The Final Chapter, and Jigsaw.

Scream 4

The Scream franchise that started in 1996 produced one of the most popular Halloween costumes in history — Ghostface. In this fourth installment, Sidney Prescott from the first film’s set of protagonists returns to Woodsboro where the Ghostface Killer once terrorized. She is keen to promote her self-help book and to meet some old friends — and perhaps including an old friend.

The Grudge 2 and The Grudge 3

The sequels to the supernatural horror The Grudge follow the curse that’s born when someone dies in extreme rage or sorrow. The curse is an entity created where the death occurs and is passed from one victim to another. In The Grudge 2, the protagonists become haunted by Kayako (who was killed in a horrific manner in the first movie) all while trying to put an end to the curse. The Grudge 3 is set after the events of the second installment, with Kayako’s ghost attacking the protagonist in an asylum. The curse from the original film continues with new characters becoming possessed.

The Mist

Based on the novella by Stephen King, The Mist is a science-fiction horror film released in 2007. It revolves around a group of people from a small town in Maine who gets trapped in a supermarket following a power outage. An unnatural mist descends on the town and conceals monsters as tension rise among the survivors. Not only is this film chockful of scares — it also shows how the fear of the unknown and desperation can wreak havoc on one’s emotions.

Open Water 2: Adrift

A treat for fans of psychological thrillers, the story revolves around a group of friends who jump off a yacht to swim, but with no one having lowered the ladder for them to get back. Two people and a baby are on the boat until only the baby is left aboard. Hysteria, fighting, and deaths occur while they tread water and try to figure out how to survive. Lionsgate also features Open Water, the original film based on the true story of divers finding themselves marooned in shark-infested waters.

The Perfect Student

The crime thriller begins when a student is brutally murdered on campus and her body is thrown into the ocean. The police suspect her roommate Jordan, but well-respected criminology professor Nicole Johnson believes someone is trying to frame her student. She begins her own investigation to prove Jordan’s innocence. After she gets Jordan released, the professor finds herself in danger with doubts beginning to surface around the crime.

The Messengers

Produced by Sami Raimi mostly known for his horror and superhero genre work, this film features a family that moves into a house in North Dakota where a family murder had occurred. Supernatural things manifest in the new homeowners’ midst – with ghosts of the mother and her children appearing and black crows attacking. The new family soon discovers the horrifying secret of the farmhand that will put their entire family in danger. Lionsgate Play also features the prequel Messengers 2: The Scarecrow.

Wrong Turn

A man crashes his car on his way to a job interview and meets some others who are on a hiking trip. The group splits up with some venturing off into the woods — only to meet a group of mountain dwellers who now find them a threat. Expect suspense and gory chills in the backwoods as a fight for survival ensues.

Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2

The sequel to one of the scariest movies ever made features four young fans researching mythology and mass hysteria. They go on tour in the woods where the first movie was filmed, and various strange things happen as they descend into a night of murder, madness, and perception-bending supernatural horror. Scared out of their wits and questioned by the police later, they have their accounts contradicted by film footage that shows them committing rather horrific acts. Lionsgate Play also features the original film The Blair Witch Project.

Begin the scary binge with your family and friends at home only on Lionsgate Play powered by PLDT Home’s fastest internet speeds. By activating your Lionsgate Play voucher that’s exclusive with PLDT Home, you not only get to enjoy Lionsgate’s wide range of world-class shows – you also have a chance to win special smart home gadgets including an Anker Nebula Capsule II, a Samsung Freestyle projector, and an 65” LG OLED TV. 

Visit https://pldthome.com/lionsgateplay-activation-raffle to join the promo.

Get the shopping spree of your dreams! PLDT Home Rewards gives away five P100K shopping sprees at SM!

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The year may be almost over but there’s still plenty of time for those fresh starts and simple upgrades. From small pieces that spark joy to major furnishings that you’ve longed to have, it’s easy to find inspiration online to refresh your home, your wardrobe, and even your lifestyle, especially if you have a fast and reliable broadband connection from PLDT Home. It’s even easier to achieve these goals with the return of the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway promo.

This October, PLDT Home Rewards is giving away five (5) P100,000 SM Gift Cards to lucky members. All you have to do is register your PLDT Home account to the PLDT Home Rewards program and make the most out of your dream shopping list with these five tips.

1. Have fun with your furnishings.

Do your furniture and home accessories still spark joy?

Furnishings are the backdrop of our lives, not just pieces to sleep or sit on. Soft furnishings such as curtains, linens, and throws are not just there to make our lives comfortable; they also complete our home and highlight our style.

From color blocks or patterns to mix and match, fabric upholstery or leather, wood or plastic, single or king size, the SM Store’s Home Department has a wide variety of home furnishings that suit different budgets and styles.

Tip: When buying furniture pieces like a sofa, make sure you measure your space and get the scale right. To visualize it, put masking tape on the floor to outline the space where the piece will go and measure it. This way, you won’t need to ask yourself when you’re in the store, “Is this going to fit?”

2. Update your wardrobe.

As pandemic restrictions ease, most people are back at the office and are socializing too, so now just might be the best time to update your wardrobe with SM’s Women’s Fashion. Choose clothes that go from day to night as you go from boardroom meetings to bar hopping with friends.

Tip: For women, a solid-color tailored blazer shows you mean business at work even if you have a soft or printed fabric blouse inside. Remove the jacket and you’re ready to go partying in the Metro. For men, time to add some color into your lives whether it’s baby pink or light lavender. Pair it with jeans, leather shoes and a smart jacket, and you’re sure to turn heads.  

3. Be inspired in the kitchen.

Your personal design style extends to your kitchen, too. Should you go porcelain, stone, or clay? Crystal or glass? It depends on your budget but consider their use as well.

Don’t save the expensive wares for guests. Buy to use! Choose cookware that will inspire the inner chef in you, dinnerware that will give your meals a little more oomph, and storage to start organizing things around the house.

Tip: Always choose quality.  These are some of the most used pieces in your home, so make sure that apart from looking good, your dinnerware and flatware can withstand frequent washing and microwaving without fading or looking dull.

4. Treat the kids.

For two years, children were confined at home and couldn’t see their friends. To help them renew their social skills, throw a weekend afternoon party. Shop for toys or games they can use at Toy Kingdom. Better yet, if it’s your child’s birthday, invite their friends and the neighborhood kids to help them get reacquainted or make new connections.   

Tip: Children are easy to please. Make party favors for them to take home. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to be creative.

5. Be active again!

Start your fitness journey by shopping for new exercise gear at SM’s Sports Central. From shoes to shorts, yoga pants to gym bags, you’ll find them at the SM Store. You may also check out the Electronics department for gadgets to make your active life more enjoyable—Bluetooth earphones for the gym, drones for your long runs outdoors, and watches to track your health.

Tip: One of the most common reasons people stop exercising is that they get bored with their routine. Mix it up! Find an exercise buddy, don’t stick to one sport, find different places to run or bike or play volleyball.

A FREE P100,000 shopping spree at the SM Store should help you try out new things and start that big reinvention. Find out how you can win by signing up for PLDT Home Rewards today.

 

Magical, mystery-filled Viu Originals that will make you believe in second chances

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Hop aboard your couch for another emotional K-drama ride with the family. Catch these new, exciting ‘second chance’ shows on Viu through your PLDT Home Fiber.

 

Humanity has always had a fascination with the afterlife — an unsolved riddle embedded in some religions and cultures since time immemorial. Buddhists and Hindus believe in reincarnation while Christians believe in eternal life.

 

The concept is also popular in Korean culture. The K-drama industry, in particular, isn’t shy when it comes to exploring death and rebirth so much so it has spawned a new genre — Second Chances.

 

There’s the time-travel historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), where the epilogue hints at the star-crossed lovers meeting each other again in the present time after a tragic ending to their previous romance. There’s also the fantasy-thriller romcom My Love From the Star (2013), where an immortal alien lead finds the reincarnated version of his true love who had died several hundred years ago. These two shows are some of the über-popular dramas touching on the concept of “second chances” — made available on top K-content streaming service Viu.

K-drama fans can access unlimited entertainment and seamless viewing experience using their PLDT Home Fiber. At P80/month, PLDT Home offers the cheapest Viu Premium access in the Philippines and charges it to every subscriber’s monthly bill hassle-free.

 

For those on the hunt for the biggest second chance shows, Viu has got you covered. For starters, there are Viu Originals Again My Life; From Now On, Showtime; and Why Her — all of which are sure to take viewers through journeys of rebirth, redemption, and justice.

 

What’s hot now on Viu

What makes second chance dramas so popular? Maybe it’s how the viewers resonate with the characters’ quest to fix the “timeline” for the better and eventually redeem themselves.

 

 

Again My Life explores this arc. Based on Kim Hae-nal's popular webtoon, the story follows Kim Hee-woo (Lee Joon-gi) — a man who rises from the bottom of his high school class to becoming one of his city's hotshot prosecutors. Unfortunately, Kim Hee-woo meets his untimely death in the hands of unidentified men, found to be connected to a corruption investigation on a politician he is handling. But his story isn’t over just yet as a run-in with a sympathetic Grim Reaper gives him a second chance at life. Brought back to his time as a high school student, Kim Hee-woo now sets out on a retributive mission to solve the mystery that ended his past life.

 

Not everyone gets to be reborn, though. Redemption and second chances can also come through ghostly assistance. In the mystery romcom series From Now On, Showtime, a third-eye-possessing magician Cha Cha-woong (Park Hae-jin) reluctantly pairs up with police officer Go Seul-hae (Jin Ki-joo). As Cha Cha-woong’s special talent gets discovered, he is roped in Go Seul-hae’s mission to solve crimes in their city. To get to the bottom of these cases, the duo commissions the help of, yes, ghost witnesses and the victims themselves.

 

Similar tropes have been explored in K-dramas but with a magician as the main character, Cha Cha-woong makes crime solving a little more fun with his tricks and disguises.

 

Of all these stories, one might say the best kind of ‘second chance’ is when the character doesn’t have to die — just like in Why Her. This new Viu Original makes a perfect case for a second chance series rooted in everyday life.

 

Why Her follows the story of Oh Soo-jae (Seo Hyun-jin), the youngest partner of a top law firm known for her drive, desire to win, and take-no-prisoners approach to her cases. Her flourishing career comes crashing down when office politics and a corrupt law firm chairman demotes her for sticking her nose in a case involving the very firm she works for. Oh Soo-jae is then forced out of her company, taking a position as a professor in a local law school.

 

Unwilling to endure injustice and see the end of all she’s worked for, Oh Soo-jae stages a comeback by working on the case that has ruined her career. In the process, she meets law student Gong Chan (Hwang In-yeop) who may just be the key to break the case wide open and help Soo-jae get her second chance at the top.

 

Again My Life; From Now On, Showtime; and Why Her  — three different shows with distinct stories and character motivations, but carrying one message: that people can always right their wrongs and strive to be better.

 

Follow more trending K-drama series by subscribing to a Viu Premium account with your PLDT Home Fiber!

 

Watch Again My Life; From Now On, Showtime; Why Her; and more of the hottest Viu Originals through a Viu Premium access – powered by PLDT Home’s fastest and strongest connections. Enjoy more of the biggest content in Korea and across Asia with no ads and with same-day subtitled releases for select titles at just P80/month – the cheapest in the Philippines – through your PLDT Home Fiber. Automatically opt for convenient payment by charging your Viu Premium subscription fee to your PLDT Home account. Subscribe now by visiting https://pldthome.com/viu.