DITO Caps Off the Year with Philippines' Fastest Mobile Network Award

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Leading the Way in Delivering Exceptional Mobile and 5G Experiences for Every Filipino

In this season of love and thanksgiving, DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telco provider in the country, sends its heartfelt gratitude as DITO ends the year with another significant milestone.

Eric Alberto, Chief Executive Officer of DITO Telecommunity

During the recently concluded DITO year-end thanksgiving, DITO Chief Executive Officer Eric Alberto announced that the young telco is now the Philippines' Fastest Mobile Network* as awarded by independent mobile analytics company Opensignal, dominating in 14 categories and outranking the two telco giants in the speed race.

"I'm honored to share with all of you that independent mobile analytics Opensignal awarded DITO as the Fastest Mobile Network in the Philippines, where we excelled in the speed race. These milestones are not just accomplishments nor mere awards; they are reflections of DITO's dedication and affirm the strength and reliability of our network," Alberto said.

Based on Opensignal's October 2024 Mobile Network Experience report, DITO stood out in the awards, earning recognition across numerous categories. This achievement highlights the young telco as the country's most awarded and fastest in 5G speeds and overall experience.

In terms of speed, DITO sweeps all four speed awards across overall and 5G. DITO confirms its superiority in 5G download speed, boasting a speed of 287.2 Mbps, nearly double Smart's figure trailing with 147.5 Mbps and easily surpassing Globe's 95.2 Mbps. Users also see the fastest overall download speeds on DITO's network at 34.6 Mbps with the two telco giants Smart and Globe behind at 28.6 Mbps and 20.9 Mbps, respectively.

2024 is indeed a break-out year for DITO. Alberto also shared the other significant milestones of DITO this year including the successful fifth and final technical audit with 86.3 percent coverage, capping off the year with 14 million subscribers, and winning back-to-back Ookla wins as the Rated # 1 Mobile Network in the country (Q3-Q4 2023 and Q1-Q2 2024) to now the Fastest Mobile Network*— DITO is indeed making strides in the Philippine telco landscape and its presence is highly felt and recognized.

As this year ends, Alberto remains steadfast in saying that DITO will continue to innovate and improve its technology because DITO's mission remains clear— to bridge the digital divide and uplift Filipino communities.

Eric Alberto, Chief Executive Officer of DITO Telecommunity

"While our recent milestones validate the meaningful progress we've achieved so far, we understand that progress is not a one-time achievement—it is a continuous journey of building and improving. We at DITO remain committed to bridging the digital divide and contributing meaningfully to nation-building," Alberto said.

GALING DITO SA PUSO KO

This year, DITO also launched two of its biggest campaigns— Galing DITO, which champions Filipino talent and excellence, headlined by Pinoy pop boy group Alamat, and DITO sa Puso Ko, featuring power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, a campaign that celebrates the love and trust of DITO subscribers nationwide.

DITO Executives with Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, and Alamat

Fittingly for the holiday season, DITO unifies these two campaigns into a powerful message that underscores DITO's heartfelt service to the Filipino people.

DITO Executives with Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, and Alamat

L-R: Atty. Adel Tamano, Chief Revenue Officer for Enterprise, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Evelyn Jimenez, Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business

"GALING DITO SA PUSO KO speaks volumes about who we are and what we stand for. Every campaign, every product, and every service we offer comes straight from the heart—ours to yours," said Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business.

Evelyn Jimenez, Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business

Jimenez also said the company remains committed to building on this momentum as DITO moves forward into the new year.

"Our work to expand and innovate our infrastructure is far from done. Together, we will continue to connect underserved communities, inspire dreams, and make a difference in the lives of Filipinos." Jimenez concluded.

Evelyn Jimenez, Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business

To learn more about DITO's value-for-money products and services, from mobile prepaid to postpaid and home, visit https://dito.ph/. Interested customers can also shop directly via the DITO App and online stores in Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok.

Are You Getting the “True 5G” Experience? Everything we need to know about 5G and wireless broadband

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The bandwagon rollout of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology has paved the way for a new era of connectivity in the digital landscape. While the earlier generations like 2G up to 4G have advanced network connectivity and ushered in groundbreaking HD streaming and video conferencing capabilities, the advent of 5G, by far, a monumental leap forward.

Compared to its 4G predecessor, 5G is indeed 20 times faster and 100x better in capacity and reliability. 5G allows for faster speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps), reduces latency, and provides better network reliability and capacity. 5G has radically changed the game from speed to reliability and has become the new golden standard in the telecom industry across the globe.

In the 5G spectrum, there are two types of networking systems which operators can run with- a basic 5G Non-Standalone Network (NSA), and then there’s the more advanced 5G Standalone Network (SA). 5G NSA can be found in the early deployments of 5G, wherein operators used their existing 4G and LTE towers as springboards for 5G technology. 5G NSA is deemed as the most basic and more affordable way to roll out 5G; however, this NSA architecture doesn’t truly capture the full promise and potential of the 5G spectrum.

On the other hand, 5G standalone (SA) systems are dedicated infrastructures or towers built specifically for 5G, unlocking the full potential and capabilities that 5G can offer, such as high speed, lower latency, increased capacity, and maximum reliability. Essentially, 5G SA is the “true 5G” experience.

In the Philippines, DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telco provider in the country, prides itself on being the only telecom operator at this time to have the more advanced 5G SA technology bringing to our shores the real power of “true 5G.”

During the recently concluded 5G Core Summit in the United Arab Emirates, DITO also received the "Best Network 5G SA Core Network Construction Award" by Informa, recognizing the young telco’s outstanding contribution to 5G Core construction ideas and execution.

DITO now has over 7,000 cell sites covering over 830 cities and network coverage at 84 percent.

“Our strength lies in our standalone 5G technology that brings forth greater capacity, wider coverage, and internet connection speeds that are 20 times faster than 4G. This allows us to deliver minimum average broadband speeds (MABS) of 639 Mbps for 5G for all sites,” said Retired Major General Rodolfo Santiago, DITO Chief Technology Officer.

“I believe we are on track in targeting around 87 percent network coverage before the year ends, strengthening our current coverage, providing more reliability, and capacity,” Santiago added.

DITO Home’s wireless broadband: The standard of true 5G

As mentioned, not all 5Gs are created equal. Powered by true 5G, DITO Home launched into the market with wireless broadband offerings for prepaid and postpaid, boasting speeds of up to 500 megabits per second (Mbps). In today’s fast-paced world, DITO’s wireless broadband advantage is a big step up from wired connections, offering faster speeds and greater reliability versus Fiber, which is prone to rampant fiber cuts and prolonged downtimes.

Globally, the demand for wireless broadband is also on the rise due to its high speed, flexibility, and mobility. Data from Credence Research, a worldwide market research and counseling firm, showed that the 5G wireless broadband market is projected to grow from USD 30,128.47 million in 2023 to USD 224,474.59 million by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have the fastest growth rate due to the increasing technological adoption of 5G technology.

This positive trend in 5G wireless broadband’s growth rate can be associated with the increasing demand for faster, more convenient, and more reliable broadband internet systems, especially in underserved rural areas,

5G wireless broadband provides fiber-like speeds or even faster in some instances, without messy wires and heavy installation – cut the cord, again, just plug and play! Such connections make a better choice for densely populated urban areas where wired connections are no longer feasible, and going wireless presents itself as the most practical and hassle-free connectivity solution, given its plug-and-play advantage.

5G wireless modems are also very resilient, especially in disasters and physical calamities, eliminating the fear of disconnection due to damaged wires or cables and fiber cuts that take hours and even days to fix.

With DITO Home, Filipino households can now enjoy affordable, high-speed true 5G connectivity with greater convenience, allowing faster uploads and downloads, more gaming, streaming, and browsing- without interruptions- paving the way for a more connected and empowered future for the Filipino people.

For more information about DITO Home and its wireless broadband products, check out @DITOphofficial on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok or visit https://dito.ph/.

PVL shows support for Team Philippines ahead of Paris 2024

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As Team Philippines gears up for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Premier Volleyball League found a unique way to show their support.

A week before the country's top athletes compete on the world stage, the Cignal HD Spikers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans donned special shirts during their warmups in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday evening.

From Left to Right: Lut Malaluan, Pia General, and Issa Molde proudly donning their support shirts for Team Philippines during the PVL Reinforced Conference games.

Each shirt bore the names of  Filipino Olympians who are set to represent the nation with pride.

Premier Volleyball League (PVL) President Richard Palou expressed the league's commitment to supporting Team Philippines in its Olympic journey.

"This is our way of showing our unwavering support for our athletes. We believe in their talent and determination, and we hope our small gesture inspires them to perform their best in these Olympics. Good luck to all our Olympians, and make our country proud!" said Palou.

PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo aired the same support for the Pinoy athletes: “This initiative is part of our broader mission to highlight the dedication and hard work of Filipino athletes across the various sports, as we want our PVL fans and growing volleyball community to go all in on their support in the days leading up to the games in France.”

A total of 22 Filipinos will compete in Paris 2024, led by pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial. Other notable athletes include gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar; weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza; hurdlers John Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman; golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; rower Joanie Delgaco; and swimmers Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez. Fencer Sam Catantan and boxers Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan round out the Filipino contingent in France.

From Left to Right: Gel Cayuna (Elreen Ando), Jacqueline Acuna (Nesthy Petecio), Riri Meneses (Hergie Bacyadan), Rose Doria (Carlo Paalam), and Ishie Lalongisip (Carlos Yulo) showcasing the names of Filipino Olympians on their special shirts.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be carried by Cignal TV as the official broadcaster and will deliver a multi-platform coverage through their free-to-air (TV5, One Sports & RPTV), pay TV (One Sports+ and 24/7 Pop-Up Channels) & OTT (Pilipinas Live & Cignal Play) platforms beginning July 26 until August 11.

From Left to Right: Lut Malaluan, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, guest player Zoi Faki, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, and Deanna Wong displaying their solidarity with the Philippine Olympic Team during the PVL event.

Join us in cheering for our athletes as they strive for glory and bring honor to the Philippines.

About Premiere Volleyball League: The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is the first and largest professional volleyball league in the Philippines that showcases the best volleyball talent in the country. Committed to promoting the sport and supporting local athletes, PVL continues to play a pivotal role in the development of volleyball in the Philippines.

PLDT and Cignal TV support Philippine Hosting of 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship

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The Philippines’ world-first solo hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship has gotten a boost as PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Cignal TV announced their support for the prestigious volleyball tournament taking place on September 12-28, 2025.

(L-R) Sen Alan Peter S. Cayetano, DOT Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Roberto Alabado III, Mediaquest Holdings Inc. and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Jimenez Basas, and PNVF President Ramon Suzara at the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship press conference at the Marquis Events Place at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The country’s largest telco network PLDT will be the official broadband partner of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Cignal TV, the pay TV arm of the MediaQuest Group, will be the event’s official broadcaster.

“This is a great opportunity to inspire a new generation of Filipino athletes and showcase our countrymen's passion for sports,” said Manuel V Pangilinan, Chairman and CEO of PLDT. “The Philippines is now taking center stage in the world of volleyball. We look forward to working with the DOT and the PNVF to provide a top-notch experience for fans all over the world.”

DOT Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Roberto Alabado III, Sen Alan Peter S. Cayetano, PNVF President Ramon Suzara, and MediaQuest Holdings Inc. and Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Jimenez Basas pose with top UAAP, NCAA men’s volleyball players at the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship press event.

The Philippines is the first solo host nation of the biggest men’s volleyball tournament in the world. The event will also be the biggest FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship to date, as the tournament format expands to 32 teams. The sport has rapidly grown in popularity in the Philippines over the past few years, with a passionate fanbase supporting highly competitive leagues such as Spikers’ Turf, Premier Volleyball League (PVL), and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League.

PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan with Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) officers and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon Suzara (3rd from left) and Secretary-General Don Caringal (rightmost).

“It will be a huge challenge to host the highest-ranking teams and fans from all over the world. But as Filipinos, we know we can create the best environment for everyone to compete at the highest level on our home soil.”, said PNVF president Ramon Suzara.

The Philippine men’s national volleyball team’s preparations will begin with a comprehensive selection process for the player pool and the unveiling of a new team name. Aside from supporting the national team, PLDT was a key partner in the recent 2023 Volleyball Nations League in Manila.

Palo Alto Networks warns of travel-related scams to watch out for this Holy Week

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Holy Week is one of the peak travel seasons in the Philippines. The Civil Aviation Authority anticipates two million passengers to fly domestically to observe the holiday. With this many prospective Filipinos travelling simultaneously, there is expected to be fierce competition for travel tickets and bookings and good deals through online travel agents and apps. Meanwhile, scammers see this as an opportunity to be exploited, particularly through social engineering and phishing. Attackers target individuals and groups during this time as individuals are focused on family time and religious practice, and organizations have lesser manpower for security. In response, Palo Alto Networks, the global cybersecurity leader, shares insights and solutions to address this increasing cyber risk during Holy Week.

“We’ve seen time and time again how scammers capitalize on people’s eagerness to travel as well as their desire to travel affordably,” said Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President, ASEAN, at Palo Alto Networks. “The travel industry is especially attractive for scammers as it is a huge source of sensitive and personal data, including stolen usernames, emails, and passwords, as well as customer data such as identity, payment, and contact information, which means both travellers and travel companies need to be very cautious.”

According to Palo Alto Networks, some of the most common travel-related scams include:

●       The use of malicious domains and URLs that impersonate well-known brands and websites.

●       Phishing emails/SMS/WhatsApp texts to end users to trick them into either downloading malicious attachments or APK files or clicking on links that lead to malicious website pages or attachments. Threat actors use themes that invoke a sense of urgency (such as outstanding invoices) or emotional appeal to the end users with homecoming-themed emails as we approach Eid).

●       Offering a “shadow travel agency” service, they reach out to travellers through various social media platforms, providing travel-related bookings at heavily discounted prices. While travellers transfer clean money to the “shadow travel agency,” the “shadow travel agency” pays the actual service providers, such as hotels or airlines, with stolen payment information. Due to the time gap in payment processing, service providers only realize they have been defrauded when they see the disputed card transactions or chargebacks weeks or months later.

Meanwhile, organizations must implement security awareness training to improve employees’ ability to identify fraudulent emails, ensure that their organization’s data is regularly backed up as a defense against ransomware attacks initiated via phishing emails, enforce multi-factor authentication on all business-related logins as an added layer of security, and implement an end-to-end cybersecurity solution that allows for advanced URL filtering that detects unknown, newly malicious URLs quickly, identifies known samples as malware, and tracks related malware activities.

“Scammers and attacks may affect the individual traveller, major travel corporations, as well as small travel agents and operators—which means everyone needs to stay vigilant in implementing ways to avoid these threats. As Filipinos travel to celebrate Holy Week and spend time with their families, they must also remain aware and cautious of malicious actors to stay safe amid the holidays,” closed Steven.

 

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About Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cybersecurity leader. We innovate to outpace cyber threats so that organizations can confidently embrace technology. We provide next-gen cybersecurity to thousands of customers globally across all sectors. Our best-in-class cybersecurity platforms and services are backed by industry-leading threat intelligence and strengthened by state-of-the-art automation. Whether deploying our products to enable the Zero Trust Enterprise, responding to a security incident, or partnering to deliver better security outcomes through a world-class partner ecosystem, we’re committed to helping ensure each day is safer than the one before. It’s what makes us the cybersecurity partner of choice.

At Palo Alto Networks, we’re committed to bringing together the very best people in service of our mission, so we’re also proud to be the cybersecurity workplace of choice, recognized among Newsweek’s Most Loved Workplaces (2021), Comparably Best Companies for Diversity (2021), and HRC's Best Places for LGBTQ Equality (2022). For more information, visit www.paloaltonetworks.com.

 

TV5 and ABS-CBN boost primetime TV with new shows Dirty Linen and FPJ’s Batang Quiapo

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The groundbreaking collaboration between media giants TV5 and ABS-CBN makes 2023 even more jam-packed and action-filled with the domination of primetime TV by star-studded programs like Dirty Linen and the much-awaited return of Coco Martin in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, in commemoration of Fernando Poe Jr.’s 18th Death Anniversary.

Dirty Linen, which premiered on TV5 on January 23, stars Janine Gutierrez and Zanjoe Marudo with an all-star ensemble cast led by John Arcilla, Joel Torre, Janice De Belen, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin, under the direction of Onat Diaz and Andoy Ranay. Also gracing the show is Golden Globe nominee Dolly De Leon and Harlem International Film Festival Winner Ruby Ruiz. Dirty Linen follows the story of the Fiero family whose lives are threatened by those who wish to seek justice as a result of their family’s wrongdoing. This gripping story “stained by lies, washed by truth, and handled with care” is sure to captivate Filipino audiences, leaving them wanting for more.

Moreover, TV5 and ABS-CBN have the biggest offerings in line for the fans of the long running TV series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, as the Primetime King Coco Martin returns with the adaptation of Fernando Poe Jr.’s 1986 action-comedy film, Batang Quiapo. In commemoration of Fernando Poe Jr’s 18th Death Anniversary, Coco teams up with Dreamscape Entertainment and FPJ’s daughter, Lovi Poe, for a promising, action-packed, and timeless small screen adaption of the beloved FPJ film.

Joining the cast of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo are Lito Lapid, Christopher De Leon, Susan Africa, John Estrada, Pen Medina, Cherry Pie Picache, Benzon Dalina, Mark Lapid, Ronwaldo Martin, Ping Medina, Mercedes Cabral, Alan Paule, and Tommy Abuel. The show will be headed and directed by Martin and Malu Sevilla, set to air on TV5 this year.

Since the much-lauded collaboration between TV5 and ABS-CBN last year, Kapatid and Kapamilya viewers alike have enjoyed top-notch entertainment on free TV across the country. As TV5 beefs up its lineup with ABS-CBN’s programs, Filipino households will have fun-filled and exciting stories to be enjoyed by the entire family. Alongside much awaited programs like Dirty Linen and FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, viewers can expect even more exciting shows this 2023 as TV5 and ABS-CBN continue their collaboration to bring us more top-quality entertainment.

Catch the  debut of ABS-CBN’s Dirty Linen on TV5, Monday to Friday at 9:30pm, and stay tuned for the upcoming premiere of FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, soon on TV5.

Anne Curtis, Jane de Leon team up in Smart's new powerful campaign

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Smart Communications, Inc. ,  is the Best Mobile Network in the Philippines for the first half of 2022, according to Speedtest by Ookla.

Bannering the best customer experience that subscribers enjoy on the Smart network, multi-hyphenate star Anne Curtis and rising actress Jane de Leon have suited up as two powerful superheroes in Smart’s latest campaign video, revealing its groundbreaking “Best Mobile Network” recognition from Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

A first for a mobile operator in the Philippines, the “Best Mobile Network” award was given to Smart after winning Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage for Q1 to Q2 2022.

“We want to celebrate this milestone by putting together two of today's remarkable women—this generation’s Dyosa and Darna—in one campaign that shows just how Filipinos are empowered with the best mobile experience on the Smart network. Anne has been a long-time Smart user and endorser while Jane is excited to further explore the power of Smart. Like Anne and Jane, we want our customers to enjoy the same powerful experience,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business - Individual at Smart.

Powerful women in their own way

Indeed, as Anne and Jane power through obstacles in the action-packed video complete with dynamic effects and stunts, they assert: “When you have the power of the fastest speed, and when you have the power of the widest coverage, you get the best overall experience.”

According to Flores, although Anne and Jane are in different phases of their careers, both are powerful women in their own special way.

A Smart endorser for over 10 years now, Anne has seen Smart evolve through the years even as she established herself as one of the biggest local celebrities today and remains as the most followed Filipino celebrity on social media.

“I have been a loyal Smart subscriber for years, and it's because Smart has allowed me to do so much - it’s almost like having superpowers. I’ve always been so proud to be part of this family and even happier now that the brand that has empowered me all these years is today’s Best Mobile Network,” said Anne.

On the other hand, Jane is about to make her mark in showbiz as she becomes the iconic Filipino superhero Darna. Her journey in getting this life-changing role serves as an inspiration for everyone to power through challenges, according to Flores.

“I’m happy to be part of the Smart family. I can’t even begin to tell you guys how much this means to me because I’m so excited to endorse a network that really empowers me to do what I want,” said Jane.

Experience the Power of Smart

With Smart’s fastest speeds, subscribers can do and accomplish more – from connecting with loved ones in crystal-clear calls, sending important work and school files in seconds, sharing content on social media in real-time, to enjoying their favorite videos, music, and games seamlessly.

Smart’s widest coverage means subscribers can stay connected more – whether it’s from the comfort of their home or office, the commute to school or work, or outside the city for a well-deserved break.

The latest Ookla Speedtest Awards add to Smart’s recent string of citations that reinforce its network leadership. Last April, independent firm Opensignal declared Smart as the “operator to beat in the Philippines” as it dominated the Opensignal Mobile Experience Awards**, covering the essential aspects of service, especially speed and experience. These awards include Best Overall Experience for Video, Games, Voice App, and Download Speed across all technologies.

Non-Smart subscribers can experience the power of Smart without changing their number through Mobile Number Portability, a service that can be conveniently booked via https://smart.com.ph/Pages/mobilenumberportability and at Smart Stores nationwide. To know more about the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Network, visit www.smart.com.ph.

SENDali lang 'yan! Smart Padala makes receiving remittances from abroad easy with its most accessible agent network

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Receiving remittances from your loved ones abroad? Enjoy a SENDali experience when you receive Western Union money transfers at select Smart Padala agents nationwide! 

With Smart Padala, kaunting kembot lang, you can already receive your much-needed remittance from Western Union because Smart Padala agents are just 6 minutes away from wherever you are! The Western Union money transfer service is available across more than 1,000 Smart Padala agents nationwide. 

To claim your remittance, all you need is the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) from your loved ones overseas. Once received, you can simply walk into any participating Smart Padala agent and receive your money transfers without incurring any additional fees. 

Claiming international remittance at these Smart Padala agent touchpoints is easy. All customers have to do is follow these simple steps:  

1. Go to https://smartpadala.ph/find-a-smart-padala-agent, enter location details and select Western Union on the partner drop-down menu to find the nearest agent. 
2. At the agent location, receivers can provide their name, mobile number and the MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) they received from the sender. 
3. A 6-digit OTP (one-time PIN) will be sent to the receiver’s mobile number, which they can share with the Smart Padala agent to complete the transaction and receive their Western Union money transfer. 

Once the funds are received, you can even use it to pay your utility bills or purchase prepaid load at your trusted Smart Padala agent - making your remittance and other everyday transactions more convenient in just one stop. 

With Smart Padala partner agent touchpoints present in 92% of the cities and municipalities across the country, convenient remittance services are more accessible within minutes in your barangay – this is the SENDali experience.  

There are so many other ways Smart Padala brings a SENDali experience to your remittance transactions! You can opt to send domestic money transfers to your friends and family from your trusted Smart Padala agent or via your PayMaya account, to be claimed directly at a Smart Padala agent close to them.  

Apart from added convenience and accessibility, Smart Padala also offers exclusive rewards for its customers. From now until January 15, 2022, Smart Padala is giving away P3,000,000 worth of prizes where two (2) lucky winners will take home a grand prize of P1,000,000 each, nine (9) winners will enjoy a P50,000 prize each, and sixty (60) winners will take home P10,000 each! To earn a raffle entry, simply send or receive at least P500 worth of padala at your trusted Smart Padala agent. You can even earn two (2) raffle entries for your transaction if you send or receive over P2,000.   

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, communities, and government.    

It provides more than 41 million Filipinos with access to financial services through its consumer platforms. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 380,000 digital touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 60,000 partner agent touchpoints serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved access to digital services. Through its enterprise business, it is the largest digital payments processor for key industries in the country, including "every day" merchants such as the largest retail, food, gas, and eCommerce merchants, as well as government agencies and units.      

To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more details on Smart Padala, visit https://smartpadala.ph/. 

PLDT opens premier VITRO Data Center in Makati

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Leading telecoms and digital services provider PLDT has opened the country’s biggest data center at Makati City, the country’s premier business district, to serve a wide range of organizations, particularly those handling vital data such as banks, business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, IT and content providers and government institutions.

VITRO, set up by PLDT subsidiary ePLDT,  is a network of world-class data centers, guaranteeing continuous business operations for enterprise organizations. Highly robust, secure and scalable infrastructure, unparalleled connectivity, and 24×7 technical support capabilities, allowing you to focus on your core competencies.

(L-R) Opening of VITRO Data Center Makati with Jovy Hernandez, FVP; Eric Alberto, PLDT EVP & ePLDT President and CEO; Nerrisa Ramos, Chief Operating Officer; and David Simon, Chief Technology Officer & Service Delivery & Operations Group Head.

The newest VITRO Data Center sits on a nearly two-hectare property with 3,600-rack capacity. It is equipped with systems and facilities to guarantee continuous operations, ensuring that businesses can utilize robust and scalable digital infrastructure, as well as world-class 24/7 technical support capabilities.

“PLDT is investing heavily in our VITRO data centers as we believe that these facilities are one of the basic building blocks of the country’s digital economy. This data center will be a vital resource for companies as they ramp up their own digital services,” said PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

The new earthquake-resistant, purpose-built data center in Makati is built on solid ground without seismic faults within its proximity. In addition, special architectural techniques and materials planning were implemented to provide the data center with fire-rated concrete walls and flood-protected design.

VITRO Makati is rated to withstand earthquakes up to intensity eight in the Richter scale. The data center is also compliant with global design standards.

“PLDT recognizes how vital it is for enterprises to ensure stable operations despite changes in the external environment. The need for scalable and secure hosting facilities to house and manage critical platforms is also growing in importance as the enterprise becomes more data-driven as a result of continuous digital transformation initiatives,” said PLDT Executive Vice President and ePLDT President and CEO Eric R. Alberto.

VITRO Makati offers one of the most secure and impenetrable structures in the Philippines with an eight-layer security design, guaranteeing that data and applications will always be protected and secured 

Each major component of the facility is configured with redundant counterparts in place that seamlessly operate to anticipate adverse events, including power generators and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units, among others. 

As part of the VITRO network of data centers, VITRO Makati also serves as a carrier-neutral Internet Exchange facility that provides numerous IP peering services, enabling access to local and international content.

VITRO Makati is also a Nexcenter-certified facility, allowing its clients to use globally standardized Nexcenter services of world leader NTT Com at some 140 locations in 84 cities of 19 countries, in addition to NTT Com’s Arcstar Universal One private-network service, which is already available in the Philippines and which is largely used by the country’s BPO industry.

“As the world becomes even more digitally connected, Filipino enterprises must leverage on new technologies to ensure the security and resilience of their operations. PLDT’s digital platforms can enable enterprises to take advantage of disruptive technologies, secure their operations, and promote growth in their businesses,” said Alberto.

The PLDT Group now operates seven data centers all over the country with a total rack capacity of nearly 7,000 to serve the needs of small, medium, and large enterprises across various industries, including banking, financial services, outsourcing, telecoms, and gaming.