Mompreneurs win big at Gawad Madiskarte 2023 for their hard work, creativity, innovation

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Women entrepreneurs helping each other is a beautiful thing to witness. By fostering a supportive ecosystem and prioritizing social impact, they are driving positive change on multiple fronts. These women are the inspiring mompreneurs of Madiskarte Moms (MMPH), an online community of Filipino mothers who want to learn, start, and grow their online home businesses while enjoying their home life.

Gawad Madiskarte 2023 Winners (From L-R) Joelle Dianne F. Venegas of Golden Pots Agriculture, Jazel T. Gallaza of Kapekoh, Irene D. Herrero of Jacob's Gourmet Food, Eraiza Camille A. Ramos of Eleira’s Crochet, Catherine K. Fabello of Cami Candles, Erica Joana Angela Redrico of Produkto PH, Rojerette May Martin-Pimentel of Moms@Work Management Consultancy Firm and DigiTalent, and Ayn Stephanie Buyco Angeles of HERS by Godfather

At the second annual Gawad Madiskarte, which recognizes mompreneurs with creative and innovative businesses, eight women stood out for creating successful businesses that made a transformative impact not only in their own lives, but also in the communities around them.

PLDT Home first launched Gawad Madiskarte in 2022 to celebrate mompreneurs and to encourage more women to act on their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs.

The audience at the awards luncheon -- many of them also tireless and hardworking mompreneurs—was inspired to hear the winners talk about their struggles and successes, many with tears in their eyes. It was also heartwarming to hear how Madiskarte Moms PH, the tight-knit community of local mompreneurs honored by Gawad Madiskarte, was the catalyst that changed their lives for the better.

Six winners from the Start Up and Scale Up categories received P100,000 each, three Special Award winners received P50,000 each from PLDT Home, and a trophy by world-class sculptor Ram Mallari. Each winner also received a one-year PLDT Home Fiber subscription, a laptop from ASUS, and a one-year Canva Pro subscription.

Start-Up Category

Gawad Madiskate 2023 Start-Up Winners

In the Start Up category, Diskarteng Angat was awarded to Catherine K. Fabello of Cami Candles; Diskarteng Digital went to Eraiza Camille A. Ramos of Eleira’s Crochet; and Diskarteng May-Puso went to Joelle Dianne F. Venegas of Golden Pots Agriculture.

Eraiza Camille Ramos learned to crochet because she didn’t have the money to buy nice clothes for her newborn daughter, she said when she accepted the trophy. When she started posting monthly photos of her baby wearing crochet headbands, hats, socks, and dresses on Facebook, her inbox was flooded by mommies inquiring whether she was selling them online. “I started and grew my business online,” she said as her cute products were flashed on the screen behind her.

Today, Eleira’s Crochet sells crocheted baby clothes and accessories, dolls and toys, and even Christmas ornaments. The young mom has truly embraced digital tools to help her business grow.

Mom of three boys Catherine Fabello of Cami Candles said that during the pandemic, she experienced anxiety and couldn’t sleep. Instead of allowing her mental health to deteriorate or passively waiting for the pandemic to be over, she leapt into action.

“Why not make something out of the problem I’m currently dealing with?” she said. The solution for her was to make aromatic candles. “I also wanted to help others who were experiencing the same thing, lalo na yung mga mahirap makapag-relax,” she added.

Remember the plantito and plantita craze that reached its peak during pandemic? Joelle Dianne F. Venegas of Golden Pots Agriculture started selling plants knowing that people found them relaxing to have around in their houses and gave them something to physically care for.

“Then I discovered that there was a better product with fewer competitors—organic fertilizers,” she narrated. For the first two years she sold only one type of organic fertilizer but has since expanded and focused on seeds, herbs, and other organics.

“As a mother, I realized that it’s important to teach children environmental protection, and that we can reconsider our lifestyle choices to ensure that we have a bright future,” she said.

Scale Up Category

Gawad Madiskate 2023 Scale-Up Winners

In the Scale Up category, the award for Diskarteng Angat was given to Irene D. Herrero of Jacob's Gourmet Food; Diskarteng Digital went to Rojerette May Martin-Pimentel of Moms@Work Management Consultancy Firm and DigiTalent; and Diskarteng May-Puso went to Erica Joana Angela Redrico of Produkto PH.

Irene D. Herrero or “Chef Irene” is a single mom of four kids. She’s one of the pioneer manufacturers of 100% organic gourmet food in the Philippines. Chef Irene believes that everyone has the power to keep toxins out of their body—but they must have products to choose from to make that decision.

“I started with three kilos of tuyo,” she said. “And from there, dumami ang products namin.” Jacob's Gourmet Food’s product range includes pasta sauces like creamy tuna pesto and Italian pepperoni; Filipino favorites tuyo, dulong, dilis, bagnet, gambas and suka. Chef Irene scaled up Jacob's Gourmet Food not only in the Philippines, but in 28 other countries as well.

Rojerette May Martin-Pimentel’s Moms@Work provides consultation and talent, and education for moms who want to become freelancers. “Freelancing allows anyone to work remotely,” she said, “and you can offer that service to clients anywhere in the world.” Her company “wants mothers to be able to earn a living while looking after their families.”

Moms@Work is a one-stop website for those looking for talents and those offering their particular set of skills to employers. “Technology really brings us closer to our dreams and closer to our goals.”

Thirty-one-year-old Erica Joana Angela Redrico, wife and mother to an 11-year-old, considers her company a “curator” of products. Produkto PH is a multi-vendor online marketplace for ingenious Filipino entrepreneurs. More than just a retail concept, it brings together like-minded people who want to support their communities, so buyers need only one online store to choose from multiple vendors.

Produkto PH also holds physical pop-up events. “Wherever you look, there are products and people who make them,” she said. “They just need someone to support them.” As an example, she mentioned the weavers from Aklan who made P100,000 in two days of a Produkto PH selling event. “This enabled them to open a small shop in Aklan.”

Special Awards

Gawad Madiskate 2023 Special Awardees

Gawad Madiskarte also gave special awards to three mompreneurs. Diskarteng Malikhain went to Ayn Stephanie Buyco Angeles of HERS by Godfather; Diskarteng Pasulong was awarded to Jazel T. Gallaza of Kapekoh; and Diskarteng Homebiz to Eraiza Camille A. Ramos of Eleira’s Crochet.

Jazel T. Gallaza, mother of two, is a former OFW and creator of Kopekoh corn coffee. During the pandemic, she found herself unemployed and without income. She was torn between going back to working on a cruise ship or staying in the Philippines and putting up a business.

Jazel said she prayed to God for a sign on what to do. Despite the uncertainties, the latter option won in her heart. “Nagkasakit ako ng acid reflux, and I thought, what did my lolo give us kapag sumasakit ang tiyan namin? That gave me the idea to make corn coffee, and we had to go to Bukidnon to source the corn.”

Kapekoh proves that even an old idea (corn coffee is common in the provinces) can become new again to a whole new market.

Ayn Stephanie Buyco Angeles said that 95% of their clients for handcrafted shoes by HERS by Godfather are online. The Marikina-made shoes are loved by their clients from different parts of the Philippines and abroad. Her brand has become synonymous with quality, good design and craftsmanship.

Ayn said that entrepreneurs need to shut out the “noise and discouragement of other people and focus on themselves, their dreams, and their products.”

Compelling Stories

Actress Marjorie Barretto, one of this year’s Gawad Madiskarte judges, told the women during the awarding, “I want to be like all of you. It was so hard to judge the entries—it took me several days. I read all your stories and sineryoso ko.”

Barretto herself is an entrepreneur with her own online home and clothing brand called Everything Avery. Joining her as judges were Maxine Loyola, AVP & Head of PLDT Home Marketing Public Relations, Influencer Marketing and Brand Advocacies; entrepreneurs Jorge Wieneke and Jenny Wieneke; Janine Khazaiealiabady, owner of Massage MNL; Donna Nievera-Conda, president and co-CEO of Stratworks, Inc.; and Maisie Littaua, Head of Growth for Canva Philippines.

“Big dreams often start with small beginnings, and we have mompreneurs to prove that. They have shown us that motherhood is not an obstacle but the inspiration to do things better at work and in life,” PLDT Home Senior Manager Linette Garcia-Perez said after the awards.

“They have shown us that the love they pour into their families is the same love that fuels their entrepreneurial spirit. For that, we are all grateful.”

Mompreneurs who are already working hard or still aspiring can get the support they need from fellow moms by joining the Madiskarte Moms PH group on Facebook and subscribing on its YouTube channel.

One Year and Counting: Lionsgate Play & PLDT Home Celebrate a Successful Partnership in the Philippines

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Lionsgate Play (LGP) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) have just marked a significant milestone as they celebrate the first anniversary of their successful partnership. Over the past year, this collaboration has seen the video-on-demand (VOD) platform build strong brand awareness and generate massive trial rates -- the highest ever in PLDT history.

June 2022, wasn't the easiest time to launch a VOD service. It was right after the pandemic, and many Filipinos had already gotten accustomed to other VOD services. Yet LGP stepped up to the challenge, differentiating itself quickly from the competition with its edgy, irreverent, and high-octane titles.

Evert Chris Miranda - PLDT Home Vice President & Digital Services Head 

of Product & Marketing

#PlayMoreBrowseLess

Though Lionsgate Studios owns a vast library of over 17,000 titles, they don't overwhelm the audience with an excessive amount of releases. Instead, LGP curates a selection of content to captivate the audience, enabling their audience to #PlayMoreBrowseLess. To do so, LGP draws on the most exciting current releases with exclusive rights to premiere TV shows from LGP’s US parent network STARZ, as well as smash hits from the premium Lionsgate library. From time to time, LGP also secures Academy Award®-winning films from other studios.

“Since the grand launch of the partnership in June 2022, PLDT Home's collaboration with Lionsgate Play has introduced a fresh wave of entertainment to its valued Filipino customers,” says Evert Miranda, PLDT Home Vice President and Digital Services Head of Product & Marketing (Beyond Access). “The partnership allowed customers to immerse themselves in a world of unlimited entertainment courtesy of Lionsgate Play’s wide array of international and award-winning content.”

Over the past year, the LGP audience gravitated towards LGP's box-office titles, which include franchises like John Wick, Hunger Games, Twilight, and Saw. Bruce Willis' new, never-before-seen movies like APEX and Corrective Measures were popular watches, as were unique, intriguing series like Spartacus, Power, Gaslit  and The Serpent Queen.

LGP subscribers can continue to look forward to exclusive titles like the high-adrenaline, action-packed series like Heels, Gangs of London, Kandahar, and Gray; and new Lionsgate films like One Ranger and Fear the Night. LGP will also be exclusively live-streaming The Emmy Awards for the second year in a row, with seven of its titles receiving nominations.

The secret to LGP's success

LGP's partnership with PLDT was key to their success. PLDT took the bold step to give their subscribers 12 months of access to LGP. And because PLDT is lauded for being the country's fastest fixed internet by Ookla, PLDT subscribers were able to enjoy LGP titles with fast, reliable internet.

Amit Dhanuka, Lionsgate Play Executive Vice President

"We have been the torchbearers in understanding that partnerships are essential in this market to grow subscribers," says Amit Dhanuka, LGP Executive Vice President. "The growth is skewed towards the partnerships because they open up a larger funnel than what we would be able to get ourselves. These partnerships took time to evolve. So, we had a lot of customers come onto the platform earlier and they have stayed. Now, the partnerships are driving subscriber growth."

"As we celebrate the anniversary of this successful partnership, we eagerly anticipate Lionsgate Play's commitment to enriching the platform with an expanded selection of content," adds Miranda. "With the introduction of paid subscriptions, we hope to witness the arrival of highly anticipated releases such as John Wick 4 and other upcoming masterpieces from Lionsgate and Starz. Our ultimate goal is to provide Filipino homes with the best of the best in entertainment.”

 

Madiskarte Moms PH community celebrates three years of supporting Filipino mompreneurs with Gawad Madiskarte 2023

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The community of women entrepreneurs, Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) is bringing back Gawad Madiskarte to honor outstanding mompreneurs with over P1 million worth of prizes including ASUS laptops, PLDT Home broadband connection, one-year Canva Pro subscriptions, cash, and mentorship.

The awards showcase the success stories of mompreneurs who have subverted conventional expectations to embrace their entrepreneurial spirit. Their businesses are innovative, creative, and run by very hardworking women who do double duty as the glue that holds the family together, run their household and their business.

Major categories for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte include Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business), Diskarteng Digital (Best Multi-Channel Business) and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise). Two major winners per category will be chosen from the Startup Division and Scale Up Division. The former are home or online businesses that recently started and show great potential while the latter are businesses that have been running for at least 13 months and are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Special awards will also be given to three deserving finalists. These awards are Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Creative Business Branding), Diskarteng Pasulong (Most Innovative Product) and Diskarteng Home Biz (Mompreneurs’ Choice Award).

Chosen by industry luminaries

The judges for this year’s Gawad Madiskarte come from the business, telco, communications and creative industries. Maxine Loyola, AVP & Head of PLDT Home Marketing Public Relations, Influencer Marketing and Brand Advocacies, has launched the biggest marketing campaigns for Philippine Internet—from dial-up to prepaid internet cards, DSL and finally the Fiber broadband we enjoy today.

Joining her are entrepreneurs Jorge Wieneke and Jenny Wieneke, who are Mr. and Mrs. Negosyo and PLDT Home Biz ambassadors. Jorge is a GoNegosyo Angelpreneur who serves as consultant to aspiring and starting entrepreneurs all over the country; he also created Kalye Negosyo, a mentoring program for budding entrepreneurs. Jenny is an advertising expert with over 30 years of experience building brands and a PCE-GoNegosyo mentor since 2015. Entrepreneur Janine Khazaiealiabady, owner of Massage MNL, started her career at a fast food and moved to marketing and online commerce before founding Massage MNL five years ago.

From the creative and marketing industries, the judges are Donna Nievera-Conda, Maisie Littaua, and Marjorie Barretto. 

Nievera-Conda leads the integrated marketing communications agency Stratworks as President and co-CEO, and ID8, a digital publishing agency.

Littaua is the Head of Growth for Canva Philippines, a free online visual communication and collaboration platform launched in 2013. Today, Canva has grown to over 135 million monthly active users across 190 countries, with more than 200 designs created per second.

Barretto, actress and entrepreneur, launched her own online home and clothing brand Everything Avery during the pandemic, and opened her stunning River Garden Rest House for private rentals—a true-blue madiskarte mom.

Winners of this year’s Gawad Madiskarte will receive a trophy created by sculptor Ram Mallari, who works with discarded metal and forms them into provocative works of art in the steampunk style.

Mallari grew up in an impoverished district of Manila with his mother, whom he describes as “madiskarte,” and dedicates his Gawad Madiskarte design to all mompreneurs and his own mother.

Celebrating three years of supporting Filipino mompreneurs

Gawad Madiskarte also ushers in the third year of Madiskarte Moms PH as it welcomes more members to its current 162,000-strong base. An online community, MMPH manages a Facebook group and  YouTube channel that give valuable insights into finding business opportunities for all moms, whether they are stay-at-home or have day jobs and are looking for a side hustle to augment the family income.

MMPH’s online platforms also showcase the success stories of their members and how they can take advantage of social media to market and sell their products. But beyond digital interactions, MMPH is fostering economic growth in communities by nurturing a generation of mompreneurs who contribute to everyone’s success.

Mompreneurs are doers, a force for positive change and empowerment. Two of the most heartfelt messages from their stories is that opportunities are everywhere and that inspiration can come from one’s experience.

Their stories are all different and the women take different paths to get their businesses off the ground and scale up. But one thing that threads these experiences together is an openness to learn and to be part of a community that celebrates all their efforts and ideas.

“Our small business has become our primary source of income,” one mom said. “With it, we are able to pay our bills every month and even have some savings.”

We all can learn lessons from these inspiring moms, and Gawad Madiskarte urges us to celebrate them all.

Know more about Gawad Madiskarte and the inspiring moms of Madiskarte Moms PH by visiting pldthome.info/GawadMadiskarteAwards2023.

Lucky OFW wins life changing P5 million in PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway Promo

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There are about 490,000 Filipino seafarers working on ships around the world, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of passengers on cruise ships, and helping make sure that cargo arrives safely to their destinations.

(From L to R) Cheryl Maxine P. Loyola, AVP and Head, PLDT Home Marketing PR, 5-Million PLDT Home Rewards 2022 Grand Giveaway Promo Winner, Partner of 5-Million PLDT Home Rewards 2022 Grand Giveaway Promo Winner, Jason Ignacio, AVP and Head, PLDT Home Loyalty and Planning

One seafarer who has been away from his family for most of the past 12 years—missing Christmases, New Year celebrations, his son’s first steps and birthdays—says he can now be with them full time, thanks to the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway Promo’s P5 million prize! From the simple desire to earn rewards and discounts from their PLDT Home subscription via the PLDT Home Rewards program, the 36-year-old OFW won the ultimate cash prize in the second year of PLDT Home Reward’s Grand Giveaway promo.

The Grand Giveaway Promo simply requires PLDT Home subscribers to join the PLDT Home Rewards program for free. In addition to the various perks and discounts available from partner merchants, all PLDT Home Home Rewards members are automatically signed up and eligible to win the many raffle prizes of the Grand Giveaway Promo that are up for grabs.

They plan to use part of the prize to pay for their house. “Aside from that we will set aside some of the prize money as savings because we have a four-year-old son, so it’s going toward his schooling. We also plan to use the prize as seed money to start a business,” they said as they collected the check from the PLDT head office in Makati.

A fortunate switch to PLDT Home

The winner’s partner, who works from home for a BPO company, agrees with him on starting a business. She was actually instrumental in their winning because it was she who signed them up to the PLDT Home Rewards program while her huband was away at sea.

“We actually switched to PLDT Home,” she says. “When we were living with my parents, their internet connection was PLDT Home. When we bought our own house, we tried to have it transferred, but at the time there were few households in the area and there was no available line yet. So, we used another service provider, pero sobrang mahal. In 2017, we switched back to PLDT Home.”

During the pandemic, her BPO company sent their employees to work from home but with a required minimum internet speed. She then upgraded their plan to P1,669, which came with a discount of P200.

“We are very happy with the internet speed and the consistency of service, like when they’re doing maintenance, we always get a notification ahead of schedule,” she says. “We also got the FamCam promo so that while he was on the ship, he could monitor our son and see what we’re doing when we’re home. That was really important to us because our son was growing up and we wanted him to feel close to his dad even when he wasn’t beside us.”

When PLDT Home announced its bigger and better rewards program, she signed them up, not knowing that the simple act of joining and earning Crystals automatically entered them into the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway raffle promo.

“We’ve never won a raffle in our life,” she says. “I got a notification with a link from PLDT Home last May. At first, we thought it might be one of those scams but we verified that it came from PLDT Home, and then we got a phone call that changed our lives.”

5-Million PLDT Home Rewards 2022 Grand Giveaway Promo Winner

A well-deserved rest at home

P5 million is an enormous windfall for anyone, but for the 36-year-old OFW, it is a gift that allows him to become a full-time partner and father. Seafaring contracts in the Philippines are usually for a period of several months to a year maximum and Filipino seafarers often sign back-to back-contracts to ensure that their income is continuous and they’re able to support their families back home, especially when they are working toward goals like a house, car, business or their children’s schooling.

Now, they can enjoy the fruits of his labor and all his sacrifices as an OFW: simply being with his family in a house they bought several years ago. He is now a full-time dad to his son, and is right beside him to guide him in his early years and watch him grow up.

“Rest muna sa seafaring and hopefully I never have to go back. That’s very possible if we choose the right business to invest in,” he says with relief in his voice, seemingly remembering all those years when he was abroad, lonely and missing his young family.

These days, the couple is always on the lookout for even more benefits of being a loyal PLDT Home subscriber. “We’re looking at the PLDT Home Rewards program more closely and what we can exchange for our points,” she says with a smile.

This new millionaire couple’s advice to people is to switch to PLDT Home because it’s faster, more reliable and generous to loyal subscribers. “If you’re already a subscriber, sign up for the PLDT Home Rewards. As long as you pay on time, you earn points that you can exchange for rewards,” she says.

PLDT Home Rewards ​​lets you enjoy various perks and benefits, such as vouchers for a wide variety of partner brands and merchants, as well as entry into recurring, all by paying bills and earning Home Rewards Crystals. PLDT Home customers can sign up for the Home Rewards program by visiting the PLDT Home Rewards .

Join the Binge Buddy Blowout: Don’t Miss Out on Lionsgate Play Philippines' Anniversary Promo!

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Lionsgate Play Philippines (LGP) is celebrating its first anniversary in the country, and they're roaring with excitement. To mark this extra special milestone, LGP is giving its subscribers an opportunity to win incredible prizes through a social media contest. One lucky winner will have the chance to take home a brand-new APPLE AIRPODS GEN 3, while three other participants will be rewarded with the JBL WAVE BUDS TWS EARBUDS.

Submissions end on August 15, so act fast and don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to celebrate Lionsgate Play Philippines' first anniversary!

Promo Mechanics:

1. Like the promo announcement post and follow Lionsgate Play on Instagram: @lionsgateplayphl
2. Tag your favorite binge buddy in the comments section.
3. Write a caption in the comment section about why you love Lionsgate Play. THE BEST CAPTIONS WIN!
4. Don’t forget to include the official hashtags in your captions: #LionsgatePlayPH #LGPBingeBuddy
5. Promo runs from August 1 to August 15, 2023

Let your creativity run wild, because each entry will be reviewed based on the submitted captions. And don’t forget to keep checking LGP’s official Instagram account @lionsgateplayphl, because that’s where the winners will be announced! For more details, check out the official promo post.

Don't miss out on this roaring opportunity to win the coveted prizes! Stay tuned to Lionsgate Play on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and exciting entertainment offerings.

‘There’s Something Primal About Water and Rebirth’: Lead Writer Peter McTighe on The Rising’s Powerful Opening Scene

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What would it be like to live in a different plane of existence? Watch Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard) navigate through this exact horrifying predicament in The Rising, an 8-part British crime drama with a supernatural twist. Neve uses her newfound paranormal abilities to seek justice and catch her killer. But as she digs deeper into her life, buried secrets start to rise, and Neve — along with the audience — starts to piece together clues to the puzzle of her murder.

Dive into the world of The Rising as its creators and actors talk more about filming the supernatural murder mystery series

Buzzing with excitement for the whole world to enjoy their masterpiece, the show’s lead writer and executive producer share why they chose to film in the chilly mountains of England’s Lake District and what made them decide on the show’s powerful opening scene.

Talking about why they picked the Lake District as the show’s setting, Julian Stevens, executive producer, said, The Lake District is this ancient space that has this sense of isolation that we wanted to portray in this. The exterior locations are a combination of the Lake District and the Peak District. It gives us this sense of epic scale and enclosure, that sense of the mountains surrounding you and you feeling very tiny in that landscape. That’s what we tried to capture in that opening scene how much of a little dot Neve would be in the lake and how terrifying it would be to find yourself in that situation.

Asked if the story’s powerful opening sequence of Neve floating in the lake was planned from the beginning, lead writer and executive producer Peter McTighe said, “Yes, it was there from the beginning. There is something primal about water and rebirth. I wanted the show to be anchored by the environment and the elements. The Lake District and the Peak District where we shot play a huge part in setting the mood and tone much like Twin Peaks did back in the day – the way that David Lynch and Mark Frost used that landscape is so evocative.”

Looking back to when they filmed the show, The Rising’s lead cast recall filming in the freezing water and how the show’s setting made an impact on them as actors.

Lead actress Clara Rugaard who plays Neve Kelly and who spent the most time submerged in the lake, recounts her experience and said, “Ooh, bit nippy. I mean it was fun. It’s fun to complain in the moment because it was freezing and my lips were blue but you come away with such amazing experiences. I would never have done that had I not had to. It was invigorating. I do take cold showers from time to time now after that because of the whole Wim Hof idea. But it was freezing.”

Solly McLeod who plays Joseph Wyatt, Neve Kelly’s boyfriend, also talked about his fair share of wading in the freezing water: “It was really good fun, but it was cold. It was the first day of filming for me. I was literally thrown in the deep end of a 50 ft to100 ft deep lake. That was probably just what I needed. Any nervousness I had was washed away by this ice cold water. It was super-hard-hitting, super-emotional. So to get that out of the way and be around all the other cast was really good. I was so immersed in it.”

 

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Official synopsis: Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard) is dead. Understandably, she’s scared and confused by this new (non) existence, but moreover, when she realizes she has been murdered, she’s furious. Determined to find her killer and get justice, she takes advantage of her new supernatural abilities to investigate her own death. In doing so, she uncovers deeply buried secrets and is forced to re-examine everything about her life and the people she cared about.

About Lionsgate Play

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming service from Lionsgate India and Starz, offers bespoke quality content to its users. It boasts premium and curated content including Premieres, billion-dollar Franchise Movies and binge-worthy Box Sets. Lionsgate Play is accessible to consumers in the Philippines via the app. For a monthly subscription cost of PHP 79, the titles can be streamed with a PLDT Home account.

For more information about Lionsgate Play Philippines, visit lionsgateplay.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.

 

About PLDT Home

PLDT Home is trusted by Filipinos to deliver the fastest internet connection and future-ready innovations to their homes. It is the only telco in the Philippines that has received the most prestigious “Fastest Fixed Internet, Five Years In a Row” award at the Ookla® Speedtest Awards™ 2022 – a first for PLDT and the Philippines. Enabling moments that bring the family closer together, PLDT Home offers unli-entertainment including Lionsgate Play and its library of award-winning titles.

From thrilling sports action to drama, you can find all these shows on Cignal TV

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A relaxing weekend at home calls for a perfect bonding time with the family. You can stay-in and huddle in front of the TV while watching your favorite shows and feasting over your comfort homecooked meals.

Fortunately, you have everything at home to make this possible with the new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan, which comes with unli internet, landline with unli mobile calls, and unli entertainment from Cignal TV.

From the world’s biggest sports events to the hottest movies and shows, here are the best shows to watch on Cignal TV:

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 | On One Sports+ (Ch. 91)

Filipinos and families looking to satisfy their passion for basketball will love bonding over the historic action slated to happen on home soil in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Hosted jointly by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, 32 of the best basketball teams from around the world will compete for the most prestigious title in the sport. The past four editions of the World Cup were dominated by Spain and the USA, but all teams remain poised to bring success to their respective nations. However, new regions are on the rise and are ready to take the crown for themselves. The question is: who will emerge as champions?

It’s an even bigger deal for this basketball-loving nation, as Gilas Pilipinas represents the country in the biggest and most anticipated international sporting event of the year. Can’t watch the game live? You can go all-out when you watch the games in the comfort of your home.

Black Adam | On HBO (Ch. 210 HD)

Superhero and comics fans looking for a new icon may tune in to HBO to watch Black Adam. Megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as an ancient Egyptian slave who was given the powers of Egyptian gods to become the people's champion. After being awakened, he goes on a rampage until the Justice Society helps him use this incredible power to become a protector for his people. Realizing his potential, Black Adam helps his fellow heroes to stop a threat, known as Sabbac, from taking over the world. Families looking for a fresh new superhero story to follow can enjoy one of DC Comics’ most action-packed titles in recent memory. The film also stars legendary James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, popular young actor Noah Centineo, as well as an awesome cameo by beloved Superman actor Henry Cavill.

It’s definitely a treat for comic fans who might want to relive the adrenaline rush of one of the biggest superhero movies of 2022, in the comfort of their own homes.

The Hows of Us | On Cinema One (Ch. 45)

This emotional romantic drama about the trials and tribulations of a young couple named Primo and George, respectively played by iconic Filipino actors Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, can be seen on Cinema One.

Despite their relative youth, they have been in a long-term relationship and have dreamt of growing old together and having a fairy-tale ending. However, they must face many growing pains and overcome difficult challenges together. This includes sacrificing their dreams to support each other’s needs, and even going through a prolonged break-up that tests the limits of their relationship.

The Hows of Us was a highly successful film both in the Philippines and around the world thanks to the powerful performances of the popular leads. KathNiel fans—as well as those looking for a heartwarming love story—will feel that familiar kilig and fall in love when they relive the magic all over again on TV, especially on cozy days when you’re feeling more than a little senti.

It’s even better for those watching it for the first time, as they get to experience and find out why Daniel and Kathryn are two of the most-acclaimed local actors of their generation.

Unlimited entertainment with PLDT Home

Now, it's easier than ever to catch all these red-hot titles with Cignal TV, which now comes with your internet subscription at home thanks to PLDT Home's new Fiber Unli All plans.

Cignal TV offers a wide range of entertainment, with over 85 channels. This includes the best movie channels, sporting leagues and events, music, and family entertainment. With these channels, there’s no shortage of quality home entertainment for PLDT Home subscribers.

With the all-new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All plans, you can also experience the fastest internet speeds and other awesome perks for your digital needs at home.

You get a complete home setup for entertainment, work, play, and more all in one package when you subscribe to Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 or 1799. On top of PLDT Home's award-winning fastest internet, as certified by Ookla®, you also get access to seamless HD TV, all the way up to 4K streaming. The blazing-fast home broadband allows for hassle-free and uninterrupted work and study, quick file transfers, as well as lag-free video calls and conferences; and when it's time to unwind, indulge in high-quality online gaming connections at home.

The PLDT Home Fiber Unli All also lets you keep in touch with everyone with unlimited mobile calls from PLDT landline to Smart, TNT, and Sun. Moreover, the whole family gets to stay healthy and safe with the built-in access to the best digital healthcare with a Health Pass from mWell and an Emergency Pass from Lifeline.

Enjoy the best digital home experience with award-winning internet speeds, top-level entertainment, unlimited calls, and thoughtful healthcare with the PLDT Home Fiber Unli All plans.

Visit this link to find out more!

Seven ways tech and AI can help parents raise digitally responsible kids

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Kids today have access to information in a way that previous generations never had growing up. The challenge for parents is to help them learn how to be responsible digital citizens.

Thankfully, parents also have access to AI-powered apps and devices that can help them safeguard their kids’ online and real-life safety. Tech and AI can provide valuable, accessible, and round-the-clock assistance in safeguarding their children’s wellbeing.

Here are 7 ways tech and AI can help parents raise digitally responsible kids and make parenting a little easier.

1. Maximize generative AI to make learning about internet safety more interesting!

Besides capturing their attention, it’s also equally important to make sure that kids are interested in what we’re trying to engage them in.

If you’re looking for fun, creative ways to teach your kids about internet safety, try asking Bard—Google’s conversational generative AI chatbot! Simple questions like “What's a fun way to teach internet safety to kids?” or prompts like “Interactive websites that teach internet safety” can give you an entire list of ideas and activities that you can try out with your kids.

From book and story recommendations, interactive online games, conversation starters, and even additional tips, Bard will never run out of ideas on how you can make learning about internet safety an enjoyable experience.

2. Monitoring and limiting kids’ online interactions.

Tech can help protect kids from potential risks through content filtering based on their age. Tools by Google, for instance, make it possible for parents to monitor their children’s screen time, set limits and shut off their devices at bedtime.

If your kid is under 13, you can download Google's Family Link to track and control online activity, including text messaging and social media, using your own phone. TikTok's Digital Wellbeing features also allow you to remotely manage your kid’s TikTok from your phone. Circle Home Plus is a device and subscription service that pairs with your existing router and lets you pause access to the internet, create time limits, and add content filters to all devices on your home network (including Wi-Fi devices), plus manage phones and tablets outside the home.

3. Teaching kids empathy through situations IRL.

PLDT Home and Google’s Be Internet Awesome video series features Sam and his AI friend Robo-berto in fun and enlightening adventures that illustrate how kids can be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

The songs and situations that Sam finds himself in impart valuable lessons on digital responsibility such as thinking before you click and bullying. In one episode, Sam discovers that forwarding the posts of his friends can hurt them.

“Ako po’y nanliliit, ako ba ay nanglait? Parang di niya na gets, ibang react ba ang ipapalit?” he sings and turns to his friend Robo-berto. The robot sings, “Pag online chikahan, medyo hirap maintindihan.”

4. Making it easier to raise critical thinkers.

AI can analyze web content and online interactions to detect and block inappropriate or harmful websites and social media platforms. It can also identify signs of cyberbullying and harassment and analyze patterns and potential risks by monitoring various data sources.

At a young age, children can be trained to think critically about the accuracy of the information they read or watch. Is the story or post backed by credible evidence? AI can help filter information and trace the source of a story and its authenticity.

AI has given us countless hours of entertainment, allowing us to enjoy computer-generated images in movies and TV shows. Because they are so used to technology in a way their parents aren’t, kids can learn for themselves how to evaluate deepfake technology when it’s being used to sway or harm their young minds.

5. Keeping parents well-informed about their children’s location.

AI-powered GPS and geolocation technologies can help parents keep abreast of their children’s whereabouts. Are they in school, with friends, in the mall? Or are they in a place where they would normally not go? Wearable devices like watches or smartphone apps use AI algorithms to provide real-time location updates and geofencing capabilities. They can also alert parents if their child goes beyond predetermined safe zones.

6. Making homes more secure.

Surveillance and security systems are now so advanced that you can monitor your home 24/7 from your phone. AI-powered cameras and systems use algorithms to analyze video feeds to detect unusual behavior, identify potential dangers — like if someone left the door open — and send an alert.

7. Monitoring the family’s health.

Tech has made it possible for wearable devices and smartphones to track vital signs and provide health monitoring. They can detect irregularities in their sleep patterns, heart rate and activity levels among many others. When these irregularities are detected in your children, the device will alert you to potential health issues.

8. Assessing children’s development.

Apps and online tools use AI algorithms to analyze videos or recordings of a child's behavior and provide insights on their cognitive, motor, and social development. Parents can also use AI-powered scheduling apps to manage their kids’ school routines and homework to simplify the family’s daily schedule.

PLDT Home is committed to keeping children safe online and at the same time giving them access to information that helps in their education, wellbeing, and growth. This contributes to the PLDT Group’s broader commitment to help the country attain UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 which promotes just, peaceful and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

Smart and Dark League Studios join forces to further grow Esports in the Philippines

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PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with Esports event management and production team, Dark League Studios (DLS) to further advance Esports and empower aspiring gamers from the grassroots to level up to the pro leagues and become national athletes.

Smart and DLS will also work together to bring more exciting and immersive gaming experiences through the Smart GIGA Arena, the country's first all-in-one Esports platform that offers tournament experience to amateur players of popular games including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Call of Duty Mobile, Player’s Unknown Battleground, and League of Legends Wild Rift.

ESPORTS FOR ALL. PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. and Dark League Studios have formally launched their groundbreaking partnership to help boost the national esports program and provide a platform for aspiring esports players across the country to fulfill their dream. In the photo are: Bobby Y. Rosales, Co-founder and Chairman of Dark League Studios; Al S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart President and CEO; and Alfrancis P.. Chua, Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios.

The partnership will allow Smart to further grow GIGA Arena in terms of the number of tournaments, onboarding of game developers, and provide consumer centric activities within the platform.

Since its launch in 2022, Smart GIGA Arena has hosted over 2 million users in nearly 1,000 tournaments, offering more than PHP 4.2 million in prizes.

Through this partnership, Smart and DLS have also committed to work closely and collaborate with the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSo) to adopt industry best practices and maintain the highest standards of integrity.

Both Smart and DLS are gearing up to engage more Filipino gamers with new tournaments and enhanced features on the GIGA Arena platform.

Bringing the best gaming experience to Filipinos

“Our partnership with DLS is in line with our commitment to provide the best gaming experience to Filipinos. We at Smart have always believed in the ability of Filipinos to dominate sports of all kinds – including Esports. Through our collaboration with DLS, we hope to empower more aspiring Esports athletes to level up their gameplay and compete in a much bigger arena," said Al S. Panlilio, PLDT Inc and Smart Communications President and CEO.

“We share Smart's vision for Philippine Esports, and we are excited to leverage our expertise and experience in engaging the gaming community and inspiring Filipino gamers to fulfill their dream," said Alfrancis Chua, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer of Dark League Studios.

“We are glad to see the support of Smart to elevate the industry and align our initiatives in favor of the sport. This will help generate more opportunities for aspiring Filipino gamers to showcase and develop their skills as they aspire to become the next generation of Team SIBOL athletes.” said Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director of Philippine Esports Organization.

The Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network

Smart empowers Filipino gamers with the Philippines' fastest and best mobile network, as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

Smart is first and only Philippine mobile operator to win Ookla’s Best Mobile Network award in Q1-Q2 2022 and Q3-Q4 2022. To get this rare and prestigious recognition, Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards within the same reporting periods.

As of end-March 2023, Smart's 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G network covers 97 percent of the country's population.

To learn more about Smart's Esports programs and efforts and services, follow its official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or visit its official website at smart.com.ph.

From work to entertainment, PLDT Home lets you have it all at home

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What better way to enjoy everything at home with a broadband plan that gives you an all-in-one unlimited access to the internet, Pay TV, and mobile services.

The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All plan offers the best value for money with a bundled package that comes with unlimited fiber internet, unlimited entertainment content from Cignal TV, and unlimited calls to PLDT, Smart and TNT.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the new Fiber Unli All plans available and their internet speeds:

PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan	Unli Speeds	Unli Entertainment	Unli Calls
Fiber Unli All Plan 1399	Up to 50 Mbps	85 Cignal channels with free setup box	Landline calls with unli FamCall to PLDT and up to five (5) Smart and TNT mobile numbers
Fiber Unli All Plan 1799	Up to 200 Mbps

Whether you want to stream your favorite videos, TV series, and movies, the new Fiber Unli All plans deliver what the whole family wants with the fast broadband internet and a wide range of entertainment options on premium Pay TV. With the Philippines’ largest Pay TV provider Cignal, the new Fiber Unli All plans also give families a wide selection of high-definition channels and content ranging from sports, kids, and documentaries.

The Fiber Unli All plans are perfect for the whole family as it also comes with a health pass from mWell, a fully integrated health and wellness app. The mWell health pass comes with consultation session, Emergency Quick Response by Lifeline, e-prescription, e-medical certificate, e-lab request, fitness and nutrition programs, and wellness recipe library at no cost.

Make the most of your digital lifestyles by getting a broadband plan that gives you the best value for your money! Subscribe or upgrade now to the new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All plan and enjoy having it all at home. To find out more, visit this link.