RVR Siklab Awards for young entreps sparks hope in 2023 comeback

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The Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards or RVR Siklab Awards once again opens its nationwide search for young trailblazers who bring together sustainable entrepreneurship and nation-building efforts after a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organized jointly by the PHINMA Group and De La Salle University RVR College of Business, the RVR Siklab Awards aims to recognize youth entrepreneurs aged 25 to 40 years old who demonstrates exceptional leadership in their respective fields through organizing and managing sustainable businesses, social enterprises, or self-initiated programs that uplift the lives of others.

To formally launch this year’s call for nominations, the youth leadership award had a kick-off event attended by youth organizations, foundations, and enterprise groups on Saturday, March 18 at Acceler8 Legazpi, Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

Representatives from mission-driven organizations gather at the RVR Siklab Awards kick-off event on March 18 to amplify the 2023 call for nomination.

“The youth has and will always be a key component in building the foundations for a better future. If we want genuine social change to happen, the private sector should not proceed with business as usual. Businesses should empower, lead, and transform the next generation into good leaders and nation builders our country needs,” said Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., PHINMA Chairman and CEO and RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges co-chair.

L-R: Engr. Karl Pacolor of DTI, Gary Ayuste and JB Tan from the first batch of Siklab awardees talked about the vital role of the youth in introducing positive change.

The 2023 Siklab search committee will recognize young and bright business leaders who pioneered positive change, exemplified exceptional leadership skills in their organization, maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset, and embodied the ideals of the late Ambassador and PHINMA founder Ramon V. del Rosario (RVR): a leader, entrepreneur, and nation-builder at a critical time in Philippine history. He was an icon in both business and the diplomatic service, having served as the first Filipino General Manager of IBM Philippines, the first Filipino Executive Vice-President of Philam Life, and ambassador to Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Dr. Aris Alip, a Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building recipient, talked about his work in poverty eradication and the humble beginnings of CARD MRI, a group of institutions with the common goal of uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

The RVR Siklab Awards was launched in 2018 as part of the PHINMA Group's 60 years of making lives better celebration and to mark RVR’s 100th birth anniversary. It has recognized five exceptional individuals as its inaugural batch of awardees in 2019: JB Tan, co-founder of iVolunteer and The Good Store PH; Clarissa Delgado, co-founder and CEO of Teach for the Philippines; Edgar Elago, founder of Project Scholar, Project ADAMMS (Adopt a Mamanwa, a Manobo student), and Cooltura Couture; Gary Ayuste, founder of BEEngo Farm; and Melissa Yap, founder and executive director of Got Heart Foundation.

“This year, we hope to expand our search and connect with potential partners to be able to provide a wider platform for young entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact in their own communities. PHINMA, in line with our business as a force of good advocacy, will continue to recognize the passion, dedication, and energy of our youth in working towards a better future for our country through the Siklab Awards,” said Peter Perfecto, PHINMA Vice President for Public Affairs and Siklab selection committee member.

Groups and individuals may nominate a potential Siklab awardee by filling out the online nomination form at bit.ly/RVRSIKLAB2023_CallForNominations. The nomination period will be open until April 15, 2023.

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About PHINMA

PHINMA is a proudly-Filipino conglomerate that seeks to make lives better through successfully run and profitable businesses in education, construction materials, property development and hospitality. We aim to give communities, not only in the Philippines but wherever else we might find the need, improved access to the essentials of a dignified life.

About RVR Siklab Awards

The Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards is a national search organized by PHINMA and DLSU Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVRCOB) for young entrepreneurs who have made lives better for their communities through their work and shall ignite the spark for other young leaders to become positive change makers of tomorrow. It seeks to honor individuals who are established leaders, who display an entrepreneurial spirit, who embody a passion to make lives better, and who have a proven commitment to nation building.

Eligibility:

● Filipino citizens or holders of a Philippine passport

● Those of Filipino ethnicity whose work has made an impact on a community in the Philippines

● 25 to 40 years old (on July 1, 2023)

● Must possess a significant leadership role in an organization for at least three years

● Must exemplify the following qualities of entrepreneurial spirit, impact of business or social enterprise, corporate citizenship, and social responsibility

● Must not have been charged with any case nor have any pending cases in any courts

More information on the RVR Siklab Awards is available on its official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RVRSiklabAwards.

Chevron sponsors AmCham Foundation ScholaRun to help send youths to school

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To help send disadvantaged youths to school, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, together with its shared services center, Chevron Holdings Inc., sponsored the recent 9th AmCham Eat and Run ScholaRUN at the Liwasang Ulalim, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

The run-for-a-cause is an annual event by the American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ACFPI) to help raise funds for its scholarship program. ACFPI supports underprivileged youth through various development and education initiatives.

The scholarship enables students in high school, college, and vocational courses to fund their tuition fees and school supplies and provides allowance and guidance all to way to their on-the-job training. At least 2,000 former AmCham scholars were able to finish their studies since the program started which Chevron has always supported.

About 175 employees from CHI and CPI joined the run in support of the AmCham Foundation's cause. The event registered over 3,000 runners.

“We have been a long-time partner of AmCham and its initiatives and programs. Through this activity, we were able to further strengthen our relationship and commitment to the foundation as well as our support to their scholars. We trust that through our collective efforts, students get a chance to have a better life and more opportunities to succeed,” shared Chevron Human Resources Regional Manager Mark Quebral.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that your mere presence and participation is already helping underprivileged students in their studies. As added bonus, you also get to do something good for yourself through exercising and staying active. Chevron believes in AmCham’s cause of contributing to the community and helping people in need, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them and supporting their other events and activities,” CHI General Manager Ethan Flowers shared.

At the awards ceremony after the run, CHI Corporate Affairs Manager Arlita Narag accepted a plaque of appreciation as AmCham’s co-presenter of the 9th ScholaRUN. Hammering on its unique eat-and-run concept, participants got to taste American favorites such as pizza, burgers and donuts upon reaching the pit stop. The 9th Eat and Run ScholaRUN featured categories in 200M, 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K.

“We are very happy with the turnout and the general mood of the run. We are, after all, doing this for students and youth in need, so we are beyond grateful to all who participated. Currently, we have 50 scholars studying vocational technology at Don Bosco Makati. All the proceeds from our fundraising events, including the ScholaRUN - Eat & Run, go to our scholarship programs. So as always, we appreciate our sponsors, partners and participants who made this event possible,” said Edwin Feist, President of ACFPI.

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About Chevron

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and growing lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

Teleperformance supports youth education for talent-building

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Teleperformance Philippines employees with senior high school students from PHINMA Southwestern University during ACCESS--their site tour as part of the TP Launchpad Program where TP opens its doors to graduating students to give them an idea of their work environment.

Teleperformance, the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, recently announced the annual results of its sustainability initiative to support children’s education. Over 50 countries where Teleperformance Group operates were responsible for this effort, where more than 60,000 children in situations of vulnerability were supported as part of its proprietary corporate social responsibility program Citizen of the World.

“Teleperformance is always fortunate to give back to the communities through our CSR program, especially to support vulnerable children and their families,” said Clémentine Gauthier-Medina, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Teleperformance Group. “We are ready to help and happy to contribute to building a future where they can thrive and reach their full potential, independently of challenging initial life conditions. Our company is grateful for partnering with committed and reputable NGOs, local governments, universities, and other stakeholders devoted to improving people’s lives worldwide.”

Francisco Lara, Teleperformance Philippines Chief Executive Officer, shares, “It is our mission at Teleperformance to provide development support and career opportunities to those with potential, regardless of their status, gender, or orientation. We will continue to uphold these worthy causes to enable underserved communities, improve people's lives, and provide access to opportunities that will one day reward them with life-long success in their chosen fields.”

In the Philippines, among these partnerships are with universities, student organizations, and government and industry institutions to help develop and hone around 10,000 young people on their flight to become future business services professionals.

Their most recent initiative is their partnership with Life Project for 4 Youth (LP4Y), a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional and social integration of young adults living in extreme poverty and exclusion. Teleperformance employees participate in volunteer opportunities to help youth participants at LP4Y centers, including mentorship programs and contact center skills training. Teleperformance also donated five million pesos in 2022 to sponsor 75 young people who will undergo the six-month LP4Y program of professional integration and character formation.

Teleperformance likewise donated to Project Angel Tree, a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) program under its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. This project aims to aid victims of child labor, and Teleperformance provided shoes, clothes, bags, and office supplies.

To help Filipinos looking to upskill to increase their job market competitiveness, especially after the lockdowns, Teleperformance also launched the English Communication Webinar Series, which were live virtual sessions about various English and grammar topics. With English being a basic requirement for Teleperformance customer service agents, the sessions were taught by Teleperformance communication experts that benefited not just their employees but the general public.

In addition, Teleperformance partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and industry organizations such as the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to focus on promoting talent development in the countryside by providing training opportunities for locals. In 2022, Teleperformance inked a partnership with the Negros Occidental Language Information Technology Center (NOLITC), wherein graduates of NOLITC and its associated institutions would be given priority in job application, screening and recruitment processing.

Moreover, Teleperformance formed the TP Launchpad, the company’s university relations program that helps build students’ capabilities and prepares them for future careers through mentorships and seminars, internships, mock interviews, and campus job fairs. The company also supported conferences that recognize and foster talent development and innovation among the youth. For instance, Teleperformance partnered with the Philippine Marketing Association to stage the StratMark Strategic Marketing Conference for Students and the Agora Youth Awards, which recognizes exemplary students in a marketing case competition.

Teleperformance employees continue to dedicate their time for education causes by participating in Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s annual nationwide volunteer activity. Teleperformance volunteers visit public schools to do school maintenance and repairs in preparation for the opening of classes.

Teleperformance Citizen of the World aims to improve people’s lives worldwide by implementing various local social work initiatives. Learn more about Teleperformance’s philanthropic projects in different countries here.

PLDT Home, Google launch Be Internet Awesome online series

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New kid-oriented show aims to teach kids how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online

Be Internet Awesome’s lead characters - Sam Elora (L) and Robo-berto

Following its partnership announcement to further strengthen efforts in educating Filipino kids and families about internet safety and digital responsibility, the Philippines’ leading home broadband and digital service provider PLDT Home and Google joined forces in creating a kid-oriented video series online.

The Be Internet Awesome online series combines animation and live action — featuring Gen Alpha whiz Sam and his trusty friend Robo-berto in fun-filled yet enlightening adventures on how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online. The series is based on the values of Google’s Be Internet Awesome global program and is directed by Manny Angeles, an award-winning director and producer of kid-oriented and animated shows.

Available in both English and Filipino in the Philippines, Be Internet Awesome aims to teach children the fundamentals of leading a digital life which includes what kind of information to post on social media and how to deal with cyberbullying among others. This is part of the many efforts of Google to help keep people safe online.

(L-R): PLDT Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Business Home Group, Jeremiah de la Cruz; Google Philippines Marketing Head, Gabby Roxas; First Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Product Management and Marketing, John Henri Yanez

“Our children are true digital natives. They grew up with the internet and everything the digital world has to offer. But as they broaden their horizons for discovery and learning, it also exposes them to risks and dangers,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Home Group, PLDT Inc. “Through this original series, we at PLDT Home want to translate the teachings from Google’s Be Internet Awesome program into an entertaining and practical show that children can enjoy watching while learning about online safety early on.”

“PLDT Home’s partnership with Google for Be Internet Awesome aligns with our larger group-wide commitment: to strengthen customer-centricity. At PLDT, we not only find ways to simplify technology and experience for our customers, but we also strive to do business responsibly by putting their safety and well-being at the forefront of all our products and services,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT Inc. And Smart Communications, Inc.

In 2021, PLDT also invested over P2 billion in cybersecurity and protection filtering. The country’s largest integrated telco has since been very active in detecting, responding, and preventing both domain and content-level access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) within the network. PLDT’s Child Protection Platform has blocked almost 300,000 URLs linked CSAM by the end of May and prevented more than a billion attempts to access these illegal sites from November last year to May this year.

“After launching Be Internet Awesome in 2021 in the Philippines, we are glad to have found a like-minded partner in PLDT who champions the same values when it comes to protecting kids online. Through PLDT and more potential partners in the future, we hope to scale Be Internet Awesome and provide more families with a practical way of teaching digital safety and wellness to their children so they can become responsible, confident explorers of the online world,” said Bernadette Nacario, Country Director of Google Philippines.

Actor and TV host KC Montero and family

Stratworks PR Director Mark Christian Parlade and sons

Edu-preneurs and media personalities Edric and Joy Mendoza with their family

(L-R) Actor, singer and writer Franco Laurel and daughter with PLDT Assistant Vice President and Head of Marketing PR

The Be Internet Awesome online series will premiere on the PLDT Home YouTube channel on July 8, 2022.

Ready for Adulting? ShopeePay shares Financial Tips for Fresh Graduate

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Get instant savings when you send money, buy load, pay bills, and more with ShopeePay.

Social media feeds are flooded with graduation photos, videos, and congratulatory greetings. With one chapter closing, comes another one. If you’re a fresh college graduate, it’s time to welcome the “adulting life” and the grown-up responsibilities that come with it. As you build your career and earn your own money, you’ll have greater purchasing power. Hence, it’s important to take control of your finances early on. ShopeePay, Shopee’s integrated mobile wallet, can help you in this aspect.

With ShopeePay’s cost-saving features and rewarding perks, you can become a financially-savvy young adult. Here are tips to help you get ready for adulting:

Set aside a budget for savings and expenses

Allocate a portion of your monthly income for expenses and a percentage for savings. To avoid accidentally using your savings, you can transfer your allotted expenses to your ShopeePay wallet and use it for your transactions. Skip admin fees and cash in for free when you link your BPI or UnionBank account. For other banks, simply use your bank’s online app and cash in via InstaPay to get up to P25 cashback on your first two InstaPay transactions per month.

Send money for free when you make your transactions

Online money transfers are very convenient. However, you have to pay additional interbank or e-wallet fees if your recipients have different bank accounts. The fees seem like a small amount at first, but they add up over time. If you’re using ShopeePay, you don’t need to settle any fees because you can send money for free to any bank, e-wallet, or Shopee user.

Aside from the instant savings, you’ll also stand a chance to win coins and money when you join ShopeePay promos like ShopeePay Mission and Happy Hour. If you’re lucky, you can add your winnings to your budget.

Be more cost-effective when giving gifts

When it comes to gift-giving, you don’t necessarily have to purchase actual presents and pay additional delivery fees. Sending money is an economical and practical alternative to convey your good wishes. Now that you’re an adult, you’ll come to realize that a lot of people appreciate monetary gifts. ShopeePay has a feature called Ang Pao that allows you to instantly send money to multiple people in one go, all for free, which is a perfect way to gift your friends during special occasions. You can also use Ang Pao to surprise your parents—a thoughtful way of giving back to them after putting you through school.

Take advantage of discounts when paying bills and personal necessities

As you take on more responsibilities in your household, bills tend to pile up. Every month, you’ll have to pay for utilities like electricity, water, cable, landline, and internet. With ShopeePay, you can conveniently pay your monthly bills online and even get up to 100% cashback for your transactions for new users (minimum spend P180, capped at 180 coins).

Connection is important as you grow your professional network, both online and face-to-face. When reloading your prepaid SIM, buy mobile data and load with ShopeePay to get up to a 10% discount.

Be a smart spender and bargain hunter

Adulting is also about having fun and rewarding yourself as long as it’s within your budget. Before making a purchase, think hard first if it’s something you’ll be using for a long time. The next thing you should consider is where to buy it and how to pay for it so you can get your money’s worth. If it’s on Shopee, pay for it with ShopeePay to access shipping discounts and cashback vouchers. For more bargains, make it a habit to check “ShopeePay Near Me” on the Shopee app to enjoy exclusive deals for as low as P1 from groceries, gas stations, food & beverage outlets, and more.

Navigating the real world and taking on financial responsibilities can be challenging for new graduates. Follow these tips from ShopeePay and start developing good financial habits.

To learn more about ShopeePay, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-pay. Follow ShopeePay’s Instagram and Facebook pages to be updated with the latest promos.

Jollibee celebrates the unique Joy of being Pinoy in music video featuring Francine Diaz, Adie, and Alex Bruce

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In celebration of the Philippines’ 124th Independence Day, the country’s number one fast-food chain, Jollibee, sparked hope and #JOYngPinoy through the youth with a new campaign music video featuring a rendition of the OPM classic “Awit ng Kabataan.”

"We celebrate this year's Philippine Independence Day by looking toward the future of our country and amplifying their voices," said Arline Adeva, Jollibee Philippines’ Assistant Vice President and Head of Brand PR, Engagement, and Digital Marketing. "In our Joy ng Pinoy video, we want to show how the Filipino youth express their love for country – from using their skills to help their communities, being proud of their world-class talents, or by simply sharing a meal with their loved ones and making the people around them smile with their youthful spirit."

(From left) Alex Bruce, Francine Diaz, and Adie celebrate the unique Joy of being Pinoy in Jollibee’s new Independence Day music video

Teen star Francine Diaz, as well as rising artists Adie and Alex Bruce headline the music video as they represent the voices of today’s youth and encourage every Filipino to proclaim why they are proud to be Pinoy. In less than a week, the video gained over 20 million combined views in Facebook and YouTube.

Teen rapper Alex Bruce raps about different positive traits of Pinoy youth

“Despite it being released even before I was born, this song’s message of hope is definitely something I can relate to and it plays an important role in shaping society,” Alex said.

Actress, model, and endorser Francine Diaz feels happy and proud

to represent the voices of the youth

For Francine, the song is all about loving being Filipino. “[The song calls on all of us] na bumalik ang pagmamahal nila sa pagiging Pinoy at maging proud sila na Pinoy ako! Pinoy tayo!”

Being part of Jollibee’s Independence Day campaign, Francine feels proud that she was able to use her voice to remind everyone–especially her peers in this new generation–that it’s important to love the Philippines and embrace being Filipinos. "Sobrang nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso na masali ako sa special project na 'to ng Jollibee. Pag nagche-check po ako ng social media ko, nakikita ko na ganitong [karaming tao] na pala yung naaabot ko, hanggang dito pala kilala nila ako. Ito yung right time to use my voice in the right way," she said.

Singer-songwriter Adie sings about Pinoys’ courage to face challenges

Adie also shares the same sentiment. “Honestly, I’m so proud na kasama ako sa project na ito–especially because the music video sends a message for every Filipino to appreciate our country and share our joy of being Filipinos through art, through community service, and our culture,” he said.

With Jollibee amplifying the voices of this generation and allowing them to express themselves through its latest campaign, the brand hopes that more of the youth will be inspired to express what “Joy ng Pinoy” means to them.

Watch Jollibee’s latest Independence Day video, “Joy ng Pinoy!”, on Jollibee’s official Facebook page and on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel, and join the conversation online by using the hashtag #JOYngPinoy.

World Vision’s “Reasons Campaign” gives children a reason to hope

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After two years living with COVID-19, cases have declined and most people are now adjusting as quarantine regulations are easing under the new normal. However, the effects of the pandemic can still be felt around the world, especially among the most vulnerable populations.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are 3.53 million out-of-school children and youth in the country, with 597,000 child laborers working in hazardous or harmful conditions. These children are more at risk to the negative effects of the pandemic, and now more than ever, there’s a reason to help them.

In line with this, World Vision in the Philippines launched the “Reasons Campaign” aiming to raise awareness and rally support for children through the organization’s sponsorship program. With the urgent need to help one another through the worst humanitarian crisis in decades, each of us has the ability to care for those around us, especially those who are more vulnerable and less able to seek the assistance that they need.

“Through the Reasons Campaign, World Vision encourages people to make a lasting difference in children’s lives. It is our prayer that God will continue to bless you, and we thank you for being with us in bringing hope, joy and justice for all children,” said Rommel V. Fuerte, National Director of World Vision Development Foundation.

There have never been more reasons to sponsor a child than today, and you can be one of the reasons to give them hope. Through World Vision's Reasons Campaign, the organization aims to support and empower children and communities in the country. For more information on how you can help secure a child's future today, visit www.worldvision.org.ph/reasons.

TikTok Creators talk about how to leverage the platform for building healthy habits

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TikTok Philippines has completed the first of its virtual discussion series, TikTok Creator Convos. Last November 26, one of the strings of webinars aims to put the spotlight on remarkable local creators featured in two of the biggest content categories on the platform, education, and entertainment. 

Top local creators tell their stories and raise awareness on the importance of physical and mental health in a virtual discussion presented by TikTok.

Hello to Healthy Habits, the first event in this exclusive series, focuses on health and wellness, a highly relevant topic around the world today. During the session, invited guests from the media had the opportunity to learn about how to care for one’s physical and mental health, and why this is important.

Two key speakers, who are both well-known TikTok creators and experts in health and wellness, shared their stories at the webinar. First was Chappy Callanta, an internationally-certified fitness and nutrition specialist, who also works as the strength and condition coach for some of the best basketball and volleyball teams in the Philippines. Following Coach Chappy was Alex Dayrit, an advocate of sustainable fitness and self-love, who has won an international physique competition, and was crowned Miss Philippines Earth - Fire. 

Visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQz83zWvEcf1fA_mjw5qajL0UBdJzEr4/view?usp=sharing

Some insights gained from the talk included the benefits of having a daily exercise routine, the impact of healthy eating and physical fitness on a person’s overall wellness, and why you should consult a professional before starting a new diet or exercise program. An easy-to-follow fitness routine was also shared with the attendees, showing how digital platforms can be used as a tool for improving physical health. 

Through the discussion on mental wellness, awareness was raised on the importance of seeking professional help for overcoming a mental health condition. Attendees learned about identifying key factors that may trigger or affect mental health conditions, and how to set boundaries to protect and improve your mental wellbeing. The speaker also enlightened listeners on what can be done to support someone who is suffering from a mental health condition, and what to do if you suspect you might have one yourself.

“We launched in October the hashtag campaign #MentalHealthMovement on TikTok. In just 2 weeks, videos created/ submitted by our users were able to accumulate 26.3M views already. But it doesn’t end there. This has been a timeless advocacy for TikTok. Today’s Creator Convos sustains our mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. We know that raising awareness for this very important topic should be a long-term campaign until we end the stigma and normalize talking about mental health,” said Alexis Soon, Community Operations Manager, TikTok Philippines.

As a platform for self expression that advocates inclusivity, TikTok supports the health and wellbeing of its users by providing a safe environment for learning, creativity and self-expression, and supporting creators who advocate health and wellness. TikTok also ensures that systems and features are in place to help protect the digital wellbeing of everyone on the app. 

Be part of the amazing TikTok community, where you can be your authentic self, and everyone is welcome. Download the app today on your iOS and Android devices to get started.

PIA rallies PH youth to be responsible online users thru #cyberREADI

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QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Philippine Information Agency, the official information arm of the Republic of the Philippines, has taken huge strides to safeguard the youth against the dangers in the online world by aggressively pushing for the promotion of its nationwide cyber wellness campaign.

Nationwide cyber wellness campaign targeting the Filipino youth dubbed #cyberREADI stands for the five (5) ASEAN Core Values on Digital Literacy- Responsibility, Empathy, Authenticity, Discernment and Integrity.

This campaign is part of the ASEAN-Japan Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for the Youth Project which the PIA is spearheading in partnership with the InfoComm Media Development Authority of Singapore and with funding support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).

The campaign official logo and branding focused on #cyberREADI – with READI representing the five (5) ASEAN Core Values on Digital Literacy adopted by the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information in May 2018. These values served as a framework for the digital literacy programs in the region:

CORE VALUES DESCRIPTION

Responsibility  -  We should think first and be responsible for what we post online.

Empathy   -  We should be respectful and thoughtful of how our online interactions may affect others.

Authenticity  - We should be sincere in our online interactions and prepared to stand by what we post.

Discernment        - We should critically evaluate the online information before acting on it.

Integrity - We should do the right thing, stand up for what is right and speak up against negative online behaviour.

After the logo and branding were launched, the PIA has released various multimedia materials and resources developed with the help of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation Inc. (UPCMCFI). These materials are products of an audience analysis on youth’s level of awareness regarding online safety, using focus group discussions conducted with Filipino youth representatives in different areas in the country.

Also greatly considered in the production of these materials were the insights on the changing media consumption habits of the youth and initiatives and best practices in promoting media and information literacy as discussed by speakers from the Philippines, Singapore, Japan, UNESCO, and Facebook and in group workshops by representatives from public information, media, academe, and youth sectors of the ten (10) ASEAN Member States during the ASEAN-Japan Forum on Media and Literacy: Cyber Wellness for the Youth on March 2018.

o Cyberbullying

o Online gaming

o Online dating

o Online scam

o Online privacy

o Internet addiction

A dedicated webpage for the cyber wellness campaign is also in the works. PIA regional and provincial offices are rolling out their respective activities to further spread the cyberREADI advocacy.

H.E. Kung Phoak, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community stressed that the Cyber-Wellness campaign is a timely project since digital media has increasingly become the primary source of information among ASEAN people. He says: “There is a need to build information resiliency among the youth and protect them from the risk of getting misled by fake news and misinformation. With enhanced media and information literacy, the youth is expected to become smart consumers and responsible producers of online information. Through this project, we hope young people would better understand, inquire, create, communicate and think critically while digitally engaged”.

To know more about #cyberREADI, visit https://web.facebook.com/CyberREADiPH/?_rdc=1&_rdr

About the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund

The Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) was officially established in March 2006, based on a pledge made by then Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Junichiro Koizumi at the 9th ASEAN-Japan Summit held in December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

JAIF aims at supporting integration efforts to create the ASEAN Community by facilitating the implementation of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, which consists of the blueprints for the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), as well as the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025. JAIF also aims at promoting greater cooperation between ASEAN and Japan.

About the Philippine Information Agency

The Philippine Information Agency is the official information arm of the Republic of the Philippines and is an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). It was created through Executive Order No. 100 signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Visit the website: http://pia.gov.ph