As campaign versus text spam/scam intensifies to protect customers Globe blocks close to 31M spam/scam messages in less than a year

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Globe Telecom blocked a total of 30.8 million of spam and scam text messages in less than a year as the mobile operator intensifies its campaign to rid its network of such annoying and unwanted messages and protect its customers.

The leading telecommunication provider expanded coverage of an automated filtering functionality that keeps its customers from receiving scam and spam messages. With the expansion, majority of the company’s 2.3 million postpaid customers are now covered by the filtering mechanism, said Joel Agustin, Globe Senior Vice President for Service Management Division, Network Technical Group. 

Such filtering mechanism, which prevents the transmittal of scam messages to mobile devices, has substantially reduced the number of text scams/scams going through the Globe network, Agustin explained. Globe operationalized the automated filtering mechanism in October 2014 as part of the telecommunication provider’s efforts to rid its network of both spam and scam messages.

The volume of messages blocked by the network filtering system averages about 90,000/day, reaching a peak of around 200,000 in July this year. The filtering mechanism can be reconfigured to address the kind of spam and scam messages that goes through the Globe network, Agustin said. Recently, bulk of spam and scam messages delivered to Globe customers originate from sim cards of competition (with prefixes 0922, 0943), he noted.

“We will never tolerate the use of the Globe network by some unscrupulous individuals who want to take advantage of our customers for their own personal gain. Globe has been long committed in eliminating text scam spam as part of our commitment to provide wonderful customer experience,” Agustin stressed. He added that the company is continually developing mechanisms that will purge its network of text spams/scams. According to him, mobile numbers that are identified to be a constant source of spam and scam messages will be temporarily disconnected from service.

Aside from the filtering mechanism, Globe implemented an awareness drive to educate its customers and keep them from falling victims to text spam/text scams through its #stopspam campaign. In addition, Globe made it easier for its customers to immediately report text scams or text spams that they get on their mobile devices thru http://www.globe.com.ph/stopspam. Customers just need to provide all the details required and numbers that are reported as source of text scams will be immediately blocked from the network. 

Mobile customers of Globe Telecom reached 48.4 million at the end of the first half, a 13% rise from 42.7 million a year

Feeling weak and sick? You might be lacking these vitamins

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Do you often feel weak, fatigued, or sick? Was there ever a time when muscle and joint pains kept you from doing your work? You may be lacking vitamins. 

“Vitamins play vital roles in bodily functions such as metabolism, immunity and digestion. Without sufficient vitamin intake, a person may feel lethargic, be vulnerable to infection and develop other serious complications that can endanger his/her health and life.” MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya stated. 

Take note of these essential vitamins that your body needs to function properly: 

Vitamin A. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in bone growth, reproduction, and immune system health. Vitamin A also improves vision, reduces the risk of heart disease, and may slow skin aging. However, lack of vitamin A can cause night blindness and compromises the immune system. Vitamin A can be found in organ meats, some types of fish (e.g. salmon), carrots, and sweet potato. 

B Vitamins. The B vitamin family is made up of eight B vitamins: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Biotin, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12. These vitamins help maintain metabolism, muscle tone, and a sharp mind. They also help form red blood cells. Poor absorption of B vitamins can result in fatigue, confusion, and anemia. Skin rashes can also occur. Foods that are full of B vitamins are seeds like chia and flax, asparagus, and oats. 

Vitamin C. Also called ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is good for strengthening blood vessels, giving the skin its elasticity, anti-oxidant function and iron absorption. It is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. People who don’t get enough Vitamin C often experience bleeding gums, feeling lethargic, bone pain, and joint pain. Another sign are wounds that don’t heal or break open after they appear to have healed. Good sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell pepper, and cucumber.

Vitamin D. Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D can be produced in the body with mild sun exposure. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times a week is enough to produce the body’s requirement of vitamin D because it stimulates Vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is needed for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. Apart from spending a few minutes out in the sun, vitamin D can also be found on eggs, fortified milk, fish such as tuna, and mushrooms. 

Calcium. Almost all calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it supports their structure and hardness. Calcium also helps the blood clot, nerves send messages, and muscles contract. When a person doesn’t get enough calcium, he/she increases the risk of developing diseases such as osteoporosis and calcium deficiency disease or hypocalcemia. Aside from milk, calcium can also be acquired in yogurt, cheese, sardines, and soybeans.

Vitamin K. This vitamin plays a key role in helping the blood clot thus preventing excessive bleeding. Vitamin K is also important for developing essential proteins for the blood and bones. However, insufficient dietary intake, inadequate absorption and decreased storage of the vitamin due to liver disease can cause Vitamin K deficiency. Hence, eating foods that are high in Vitamin K such as leafy greens (e.g. kale, spinach, and broccoli) are recommended. 

MediCard has 12 free-standing clinics nationwide that offer consultations, diagnostic tests and specialty medical services for young and adult patients. 

For more information, visit a MediCard clinic located near you or check out their website at www.medicardphils.com.

TV5 launches 'Bilang Pilipino 2016', Fastest, deepest Philippines election coverage over all platforms

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ABC TV5 launched its election coverage campaign, promising unparalleled engagement with Filipino voters via data-driven content pushed over broadcast, digital, mobile and social platforms.

“There will be a 360-coverage as only the Kapatid Network can deliver,” TV5 President and CEO Noel Lorenzana said at the launch held at Marriott Grand Ballroom as he raised the curtains on “Bilang Pilipino 2016,” the official handle of the network’s election coverage.

“In partnership with PLDT, Smart, Cignal, Philippine Star, Business World, Radyo Singko, InterAksyon.com, and Bloomberg Philippines, Bilang Pilipino will deliver news, information, opinion, and insights about the elections wherever and however Filipinos consume content. BIlang Pilipino will be on TV, radio, cable, your phones, computers, tablets, and – thanks to Philippine Star and BusinessWorld, even on newspapers. It will engage with everyone over social media.

Date-Driven

News5 Head Luchi Cruz Valdes promised “the fastest, deepest, and most credible election coverage” leveraging not only off the multi-platform distribution capacities of the PLDT Group of which TV5 is a member, but also off strategic partnership forged with government, civil society, the academe, and the private sector. 

Bilang Pilipino 2016 will be mounted in cooperation with, among others: Comelec, Namfrel, PPCRV, CBCP, KBP; academic communities of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Ateneo, UP, FEU, UST; the Social Weather Stations, Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Philippine Chamber of Business Commerce and Industry. TV5 will also have as technology partners PLDT Alpha, Voyager, and Talas. 

‘As Filipinos…’

“Bilang’ means a number of things, and ‘Bilang Pilipino’ signals three things about our coverage,” Valdes explained. 

- “First, it speaks to our content: It will be heavy not just with facts, but with numbers. ‘Bilang’ commits us to data-driven content so we can assure our audience of reliable information and insights. 

- Second, “Bilang Pilipino’ speaks to our mission: in an election, every vote, every voter, every Filipino counts. 

- Finally, “Bilang Pilipino’ is a call to action. In English, it literally also means ‘As Filipinos…’ Thus, Bilang Pilipino, as Filipinos, we are all called to be responsible, to take these elections seriously, to think beyond the elections for the betterment of our nation. ‘Bilang Pilipino’ carries this promise: We will deliver not only as professional journalists, but as proud citizens of a hopeful Philippines.”

Rich Content, Widest Reach

Lorenzana said TV5 will have seamless content partnership with Philippine Star, the country’s leading broadsheet daily, BusinessWorld, the Philippines’ leading business newspaper, Radyo Singko, the No. 1 all-news FM station, InterAksyon.com, which, given its phenomenal growth was recently announced to be spun off from TV5 as a standalone digital news platform, and Bloomberg Philippines, instantly a game-changer in business news coverage in the cable industry dominated by Cignal TV. “This wide and deep partnership for content will be amplified by the unparalleled reach afforded by our technology and platform partners,” he said.

“Beyond the broadcast audience of TV5 and Radyo Singko, we will reach more than 75M PLDT, Smart, Sun and TnT subscribers, more than 11.2 million combined fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter, the millions of registered mobile users empowered over Voyager’s free-data Safezone community.”

Tourism Promotions Board’s (TPB) campaign VPA 2016 gains support from private sector

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"It's more fun in the Philippines!" Tourists will once again behold the beauty of the Philippines and experience a year of even bigger and more thrilling events and attractions as the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board’s (TPB) campaign Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 gain support from the country’s private sector as they offer perks and privileges to returning visitors.

VPA 2016 will surely attract more foreigners to the Philippines and make them want to visit the country all over again.

VPA2016 is a retail-based campaign recently launched by DOT and TPB to drive urgency and excitement among foreign travelers to visit the Philippines and return for more fun, friendship, feel-good adventures, and fabulous memories to cherish in 2016. In cooperation with the private sector, selected tour operators, travel agencies and hotels are giving returning visitors blockbuster discounts on travel deals, flights, hotel accommodations, and tour packages.

Bigger, greater and more exciting events and destinations that showcase the beauty of the Philippine islands and the warmth of its people also await foreign visitors. Lots of rip-roaring, top-notch events will once again make their stay in the country worthwhile and productive, including the Asian Tourism Forum 2016 and Routes Asia 2016 for jetsetters and business people; Madrid Fusión Manila 

2016 for foodies, 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, and the MTV Music Evolution 2016 for music and concert lovers. VPA 2016’s bigger and better attractions will provide unending reasons for visitors to return to the country again and another bright year for the tourism sector. 

TPB COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III

“VPY 2015 was truly a huge success. And with VPA 2016, we are confident that it will be another spectacular year for the tourism industry, not just with the help of the government and private sector, but also with the heart of the Filipino people. With the Filipinos as our most important asset, VPA 2016 will surely captivate tourists even more as they return next year. With our country’s magnificent attractions and the smiling faces of the Filipinos, the Philippines is definitely worth visiting over and over,” says TPB COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III. 

This year’s campaign, Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015, attracted a total of 2.6 million international visitors from January to June 2015 alone and has total earnings generated from tourism activities to P111.05 billion for the first six months of 2015. And with the continued support between the different private organizations, individuals, and the government sector, VPA 2016 will prove to be more successful.

Must Love Free Stuff! LIMITED OFFER: Free film with Every Instax Camera Purchase

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FUJIFILM Philippines presents a special treat called Instax Special Twin Package - way of thanking photo- and memory-loving Filipinos for the warm welcome to the Instax Mini instant cameras.

The Instax Mini Camera wave is sweeping through country, especially among Filipino families, couples, and friends. With the tremendous response to the return of the well-loved artifact that is the printed picture. 

Consumers who purchase Instax Mini 8 and Mini 90 instant cameras from August 28 to October 15, 2015 will get a free Twin Pack (Mini Glossy Film 10 sheets x 2) from authorized sellers nationwide. Enjoy savings of P680.00 from this special treat. 

Instax Mini camera fans can choose from the following Instax Mini 8 and Mini 90 instant cameras --- Instax Mini 8 that comes in seven colors namely raspberry, grape, white, pink, blue, yellow and black and sells for P3,699.00; Instax Mini 8 Mickey Mouse and Instax Mini 8 Winnie the Pooh, both pegged at P4,199.00; and Instax Mini 90 which sells for P8,990.00 and comes in two colors namely black and brown.

With FUJIFILM Philippines, Inc., preserving and printing special memories always comes first.