Eat Well. Travel Often: pldt

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Aug 20, 2024

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo joins PLDT Home at Kadayawan 2024

Home for Kadayawan Festival Chelsea Manalo

The Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, known as the "King of Festivals," is a lively celebration highlighting the area's rich cultural tapestry. Running from August 7 to 18, this year's festival promises to be a sensory delight, drawing in both locals and tourists eager to dive into Davao's vibrant traditions.

Embracing Diversity

Central to the Kadayawan Festival is the tribute to the 11 indigenous tribes of Davao, including the Bagobo-Tagabawa, Sama, Ata, Tausug, Bagobo, Iranun, Kagan, Maranao, Matigsalug, Obu Manuvu, and Maguindanaon. This contemporary take on their traditional harvest festival showcases the beauty and strength of these communities.

PLDT Home proudly collaborated with the festival and hosted various exciting events, including the highly anticipated Hiyas ng Kadayawan pageant. On August 16, Jane Rose Miones, representing the Bagobo-Plata tribe, was crowned "Hiyas ng PLDT." This unique pageant aims to celebrate the modern Davaoeña who exemplifies the qualities of an ideal role model, highlighting the talents and cultural heritage of women from all 11 tribes.

Special Guests and Exclusive Offers

On August 17, Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea Manalo, attended a media luncheon to discuss PLDT Home's initiatives during the festival. She introduced the Kadayawan Festival Sale, featuring a P3,600 discount on Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 installations throughout August. After the luncheon, Manalo visited the PLDT Smart Ponciano Store and the NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza Booth, wrapping up her day at the PLDT Home main booth in Ramon Magsaysay Park.

PLDT Home set up booths in key locations throughout the festival. The Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 now offers double the speed, providing 100 Mbps for quicker streaming and video editing, along with an upgraded Unli Fam Call feature for unlimited calls and texts within the family.

Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo and Jexx Hinggo

Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Chelsea Manalo

Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo with PLDT

Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Manalo w PLDT Home

A Culinary Journey

The Kadayawan Festival is not just about lively dances and colorful outfits; it’s also a culinary adventure. Davao's food scene beautifully blends indigenous, Malay, and Spanish influences. From the distinctive durian to the popular pomelo, the region boasts an array of fresh produce. Seafood lovers can enjoy grilled delicacies like inihaw na panga, while the adventurous might want to sample crocodile sisig. Coffee aficionados can relish the unique flavors of beans grown in Mount Apo.

Experience the Celebration

With around 250,000 visitors expected this year, the Kadayawan Festival is a vibrant homage to Davao's rich cultural heritage. Street dancers, dressed in colorful, intricately woven costumes, fill the streets with their rhythmic movements during the Indak-Indak sa Kadalan, a street dancing competition that serves as a heartfelt tribute to a bountiful harvest.

Join us in celebrating the enduring beauty of Davao's heritage at this year's Kadayawan Festival! With PLDT Home's Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, capture every moment and share your unforgettable experiences with stunning photos and videos. Experience the magic of Kadayawan!

May 14, 2024

ePLDT Ascend Cloud Tech Day: Empowering Enterprises with Cutting-Edge Solutions

Jexx Hinggo 11:58 PM events , pldt 0 Comments

I recently attended the insightful ePLDT 'ASCEND' Cloud Tech Day today at SEDA Hotel. I met with industry leaders who shared their cutting-edge services in AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity. ePLDT aims to deliver customized ICT services through its suite of Multi-Cloud and Data Centers, which will enable enterprises to achieve their digital transformation vision.

ePLDT offers a range of services including cloud computing, data center solutions, managed services, and cybersecurity - all of which can be particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses. Their flexible, scalable solutions allow SMEs to access enterprise-grade technology and infrastructure, empowering them to innovate and grow without the need for hefty upfront investments.

I was impressed to learn about ePLDT's success stories right here in Mindanao. RD Pawnshop in Davao utilized VITRO to safeguard their data outside the city, while educational institutions like Holy Cross College of Davao, University of Immaculate Concepcion, and Davao Medical School Foundation have also leveraged ePLDT's solutions. Additionally, Parasat Cable in Cagayan de Oro uses ePLDT's ViX or VITRO Internet Exchange to provide high-quality service to their gaming customers.

As a content creator, this event was invaluable in learning about the latest tech solutions that could benefit my audience. Looking forward to exploring how these innovative offerings from ePLDT can enhance my digital projects and improve the solutions of many companies in the Philippines.

Learn more about ePLDT here.

Apr 30, 2024

PLDT Home Fiber Fastbreak: Connecting Hoops Passion in Mindanao

Jexx Hinggo 4:08 AM events , pldt 0 Comments

PLDT Home recently held an event called the Fiber Fastbreak in Davao City. This is the 2nd leg of their tour series, and they brought together basketball fans and their favorite players. The event featured stars like Peter June Simon, who's known as the 'Scoring Apostle', and players from the TNT Tropang Giga team, such as Gryann Mendoza, Poy Erram, and Glenn Khobuntin. Jayson "The Blur" Castro also joined the tour and made the local basketball community very excited.

Mindanao has always been a place with a lot of talented basketball players. Some well-known players from the region include Baser Amer, Alvin Pasaol, and Peter June Simon. PLDT Home's event in Davao was a way to connect with this passionate basketball scene.

During the event, fans got to meet and interact with their favorite players. Peter June Simon, who is now retired, was also there as the Deputy Commissioner for Mindanao in the Pilipinas Super League. The presence of players like Gryann Mendoza, Poy Erram, and Glenn Khobuntin, who are from Mindanao, showed the region's rich basketball history. Their success stories inspire young players and prove that talent can come from anywhere.

PLDT Home Fiber Fast Break Davao Gryann Mendoza

The Fiber Fastbreak series will continue to other cities like Lipa, Batangas, and Metro Manila. The final event in SM Megamall will have a star-studded lineup and exciting activities for basketball fans.

PLDT Home is offering a special promo for new Fiber customers to celebrate the basketball fever. From April 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024, new applicants of the Fiber Unli All 2099 plan will get a complimentary one-month NBA League Pass they can use to catch more live games and moments right inside the comforts of their home.

Join PLDT Home in celebrating the Filipino passion for basketball. Sign up for a PLDT Home Fiber plan and experience the thrill of the NBA Playoffs and the Fiber Fastbreak series!

Sep 28, 2016

PLDT Home Smart Watch with Regine Velasquez and Nate Alcasid

Jexx Hinggo 3:41 PM events , pldt 0 Comments

Moms are everyday heroes!

They play different roles in the workplace and in the community. Sometimes, they would sacrifice their "me" time just to attend to the needs of her family. It's also a challenge for a modern working mom to achieve a piece of mind especially when they go to work and leave the kids at home. But these days, smart gadgets and high-speed internet can help moms control the family's safety and security.

Photo above: http://itsmegracee.blogspot.com/2016/08/pldt-home-launches-smart-watch.html

Just ask Asia’s Songbird and modern-day mom Regine Velasquez – Alcasid. Mom to four-year-old Nathaniel James, more fondly known as Nate, Regine exemplifies the modern-day Filipino mom who strikes the balance between her hectic work schedule and her role as a family woman.

“Technology helps me become a better mom,” she revealed. “Specifically, I get a lot of help from PLDT HOME.” Regine, who is also an ambassador for the brand, added, “They have a suite of products and services that are designed to give moms like me peace of mind through the power of technology. So far, super helpful talaga siya for me especially when I have to be away for work.”

Forefront of strongest connections at home

As the leader in digital innovations for the home, PLDT HOME designs its products and services to help parents like Regine effectively multi-task while ensuring the safety of their families. Two products which promote peace of mind among working moms are the Fam Cam and Smart Watch.

The Fam Cam is a home monitoring system which allows parents to check on their children remotely, and even communicate with them. The Smart Watch, a personal favorite of Nate, is a multi-functional gadget which kids can use to take photos, play music, and even record voice messages.

According to Regine, they use the Smart Watch to easily talk to Nate because he can directly answer calls using his watch when it is connected to their Telpad or a smart phone. The Alcasids also use it as a WiFi remote for the Telpad or smart phone cameras so it’s easier to take selfies or groufies wherever they are.

Regine also shared how the watch helps teach Nate to become more responsible and aware of his surroundings. Nate’s Smart Watch can come to the rescue using the anti-lost feature. He simply has to click on a button and the connected device will make a sound so it can be located. The Smart Watch will also vibrate if Nate goes more than 10 meters away from the paired device so if the Telpad or smart phone is with Mommy Regine or Daddy Ogie, it will remind him to go back to them.

“Nate really loves his Smart Watch,” Regine said. “As a parent, this is a gadget na approve sa akin kasi I can really see that it helps us bond better as a family.”

Nate Alcasid as the new PLDT Home Endorser

Following his mother’s footsteps, Nate was recently launched as the new ambassador for the Smart Watch.

“We’re very excited to have Nate on board,“ PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “He represents the kids of his generation—perennially curious, smart and dynamic. Together with his mom, we look forward to reaching to more families and educating them about the ways technology can help bring them closer.”

Regine added, “Siyempre, I’m super proud of my baby boy! PLDT HOME is close to our hearts and as a family, we are proof that technology can really help make our lives safer and easier.”

PLDT HOME subscribers who upgrade to a Telpad plan automatically get a free 1Mbps HOME DSL speed boost, and for only an additional P199 per month, they can already top up with a Smart Watch. The watch is also available to existing Telpad subscribers. Simply order online and it will be delivered for free. For more information, visit pldthome.com/telpad/smartwatch.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day ahead! - Jexx

Sep 27, 2016

PLDT SME Nation launched BroGo

Jexx Hinggo 1:00 AM broadband , davao 0 Comments

pldt sme nation brogo smart biz lte mobile broadband sun cellular

As most travelers today carry a smartphone with mobile technology, PLDT SME Nation aims to enhance customer and hospitality experience by introducing a brand new wireless broadband connection, BroGo. The first of its kind in the Philippines, BroGo is PLDT SME Nation's newest bundle tailored fit to every entrepreneur and top-grade businesses. It allows internet connection to hotel guests even beyond the walls of the hotel.

This exclusive bundle comes with gadgets and mobile data connection devices. BroGo enables hotels to deliver reliable mobile internet connectivity to their guests at an affordable price.

"Technology has changed the way people travel, experience, and share travel experiences across the globe. Her in the Philippines, PLDT SME Nation recognizes this growing need from entrepreneurs in our hotel industry for a solution that enables them to cater to today's on-the-go mobile consumers," shares Neph Denosta, AVP/Head of SME Nation Wireless Marketing.

"With BroGo, internet connectivity for hotel guests and travelers does not stop inside the premises of these establishments. They could easily continue to be looped in online and conveniently share their travel experiences with family and friends through easy-to-bring pocket WiFis and their mobile devices - fast and in real-time."

BroGo comes an internet load portal with which hotel entrepreneurs can easily access and manage multiple prepaid sims and pocket WiFis that they can lend or rent out to their guests. As a result, hotels can attain up to 200% return on investment from their BroGo subscription.

PLDT BroGo is already available since September 2016. To know more about the PLDT SME Nation, please visit www.smenation.com.ph.

pldt sme nation brogo davao bloggers society

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx

Sep 26, 2016

PLDT partners with Roku to launch a new streaming service in PH

Jexx Hinggo 3:54 PM events , pldt 0 Comments

PLDT has partnered with US-based Roku, the world's leading video streaming platform, to bring the best entertainment to Filipinos right from their TV screens through access to over 3,500 viewing apps, including Netflix, YouTube, and HBO Now.

"We are seeing a growing demand for internet-delivered TV services in the country and there is no better partner for us to give Filipinos the world of entertainment than Roku which has the largest base of active streaming users in the world," PLDT FVP and Head of HOME Operations Oscar Reyes Jr. said.

Roku has nine million active accounts in 10 countries, including the US, UK, and Australia. It also has more than twice the usage of Google Chromecast, according to independent surveys and Roku’s own tracker conducted in November 2015.

"Roku's powerful platform will be a strong complement to PLDT HOME's current array of content from various providers that include iflix and Fox International Channels," Reyes pointed out.

PLDT HOME broadband subscribers currently enjoy subscription video on demand (SVOD) through their iflix accounts which include not just western but also Asian and local TV shows and films while the partnership with Fox also allowed live streaming and catch-up television of the various shows on Fox channels.

PLDT HOME has also been increasing the speed of its Fibr plans with the most recent upgrade reaching as high as 1 Gbps to satisfy the growing appetite of subscribers for bandwidth heavy apps like video streaming.

The demand for internet TV in the world has grown dramatically in the past five years, with the fastest year-on-year growth of 73% registered in 2015 with one over-the-top (OTT) box now streaming 5.5 billion hours at the end of 2015.

"In the past, operators first had to build or lease dedicated infrastructure in order to deliver TV services to the home, with streaming that is no longer the case. As a result, we see a lot of interest from all over the world for our Roku Powered program from both telecom and pay TV operators," said Andrew Ferrone, vice president pay TV at Roku. "With its fast fiber & DSL infrastructure, PLDT is in a perfect position to leverage the Roku streaming platform and quickly deploy a proven, low-cost, turn-key solution and launch an innovative TV service to its broadband customers."

According to recent surveys, video consumption via OTT boxes has been growing dramatically in the US and accounted for 58% of total views as of March last year from 44% the previous year and against 24% for PC and 17% for mobile devices.

"We foresee the Philippines eventually following this trend as more Filipinos' viewing habits involve more and more video. The partnership with Roku is consistent with PLDT HOME's objective of having the widest and best video portfolio in the Philippines," said Reyes.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day ahead! - Jexx

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Press Release from PLDT Home

Sep 23, 2016

Gabay Guro: Building the nation one teacher at a time

Jexx Hinggo 4:00 PM events , gabay guro 0 Comments

An advocacy for teachers was created over coffee from a small group of like-minded PLDT executives nine years ago. With a common dream of being a catalyst of change in the lives of teachers, Gabay Guro was born and became the CSR arm under the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

What transpired after that fateful day revolutionized education-based advocacy efforts in so many levels giving birth to a holistic approach that was anchored on the now famous Gabay Guro pillars - Scholarships, Trainings, Housing and Educational Facilities, Livelihood Programs, Broadbanding and Computerization, and Teachers’ Tribute.

Gabay Guro managed to write off mediocrity since then, championing excellence and paying tribute to teachers all over the country (and nearby countries) by bringing attention to their heroic deeds and at the same time, providing them with the necessary tools to contribute to the change in the lives of their students and their families.

To this day, Gabay Guro managed to thrive on volunteerism – mostly among the ranks of the executives from PLDT and Smart.

Nine years after, Gabay Guro has over 1,100 scholars in various state colleges and universities nationwide. There are over 300 LET passers, 496 active scholars as of August, 2016 and a projected 167 graduates in 2017. Gabay Guro also celebrates the fact that 137 scholars graduated with honors – 112 cum laudes and 25 magna cum laudes. Gabay Guro has also partnered with local government units to further teacher education.

The foundation has conducted trainings for over 16,000 teachers in the course of its nine years. Today, it runs eight training programs for teachers around the country namely: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Training; Computer Literacy; Emotional Intelligence; Teacher’s Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. At the same time, Gabay Guro answers to the needs of the times by doing grassroots anti-drugs trainings in schools.

Gabay Guro’s initiative on Broadband and Computerization has had great impact nationwide. All partner-schools were recipients of either computers/laptop or internet connections from PLDT or Smart.

Knowing that shortage of educational facilities is a major disaster area in the Philippine education system, Gabay Guro has taken the cudgels in the construction of classrooms in the provinces, mostly those that have been hit by debilitating calamities. There is over 40 classrooms constructed and donated already in the ff. provinces: Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Capiz.

Gabay Guro has grown to be the force that it is today. Whereas in the beginning, there were only a couple of thousand member-teachers under its stable, 2016 sees 20,000-strong membership (and growing!) at its helm and has easily taken over the leadership, the one that sets the bar of service, in all education-related NGOs around the nation.

Ms. Chaye Revilla and the Gabay Guro team of visionaries with her in the foundation, were propelled by this belief: “our nation’s children depend on our nation’s teachers to lead them to the future. And this teachers’ month, Gabay Guro gives tribute to those who teach the next generation of nation-builders.”

The pinnacle of Gabay Guro’s celebration is embodied in the tribute event held every year at the MOA Arena. Year after year, the organizers leave no stone unturned ensuring that it is in Gabay Guro where teachers get to be treated like royalty. Generosity at its finest, raffle prizes have grown to be the staggering house and lot and vehicle showcases and livelihood opportunities that they are today in every Gabay Guro tribute event.

The Gabay Guro’s 9th Teacher’s Tribute this year, the biggest gathering of the country’s celebrities, will not disappoint on Sept. 25 at the MOA Arena. Stellar names set to give the teachers the time of their lives on this day are Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Pops Fernandez, James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Ms. Lea Salonga and Mega star Ms. Sharon Cuneta and more surprise guests on the big day.

This is the day where our teachers get to let their hair loose, meet the biggest celebrities, be treated to a whole day of entertainment and huge raffle prizes beginning with house and lot and vehicles., anything to remind them of their invaluable presence in our lives.

This year’s event is made possible through the help of the ff. sponsors: Perry’s Group of Companies (for the house and lot), Foton for the (Gratour Van), Intel, Devant, Motorlandia (for the Honda and Suzuki motorcyles), Ropali, Penshoppe, National Bookstore, Enchanted Kingdom, Splash, Tempra, Flanax, Bonamine, Vivalyte, Mundipharma, Gardenia, Bic, Art Attack, Microsoft, Smart Bro, Ultera, Talk N Text and 51 Talk.

The PLDT Gabay Guro grand tribute event is exclusive for teachers only. Admission is free. Follow Gabay Guro on Facebook, twitter and Instagram at @PLDTGabayGuro or visit the Gabay Guro official website gabayguro.com for more details.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx

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Press Release from PLDT Home

Sep 3, 2016

SMART and PLDT boost connectivity in General Santos Airport

Jexx Hinggo 11:14 AM events , general santos 0 Comments

PLDT and Smart Communications recently installed high-speed internet in the General Santos International Airport to serve the increasing demand for mobile data services among travelers, both local and foreign.

The deployment is part of the first phase of the nationwide rollout of carrier-grade Smart Wifi in key transport hubs such as airports, seaports, and mass transport systems nationwide, including MRT and LRT in Metro Manila.

Smart has allocated close to P1 billion this year for the rollout of Smart Wifi in public spots all over the country to address consumer demand for high-speed internet as more Filipinos embrace the digital lifestyle.

General Santos International Airport serves the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and the independent cities of General Santos, and Cotabato.

The installation of Smart Wifi also coincides with the airport’s ongoing development, which is considered one of the priority projects under the Mindanao Development Corridors Program to enhance air connectivity for better movement of people and products.

Smart Wifi is now available in the Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City; Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental; Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Silay City; Iloilo International Airport in Iloilo City; Roxas Airport in Roxas City; Zamboanga Airport in Zamboanga City, Clark International Airport in the Clark Special Economic Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga, Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport in Negros Oriental, and Laoag International Airport in Laoag City. Soon, Smart Wifi will also be reinforced in all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, as well as installed in other airports, including that of Cebu, Kalibo, Caticlan, and Palawan and Bohol.

More high traffic areas such as city halls, schools, hospitals, and malls, among others, will be covered by the service over time.

“More Filipinos are making the digital shift. With a backhaul of up to 1 gigabit per second, Smart Wifi users in General Santos International Airport will have seamless digital experience whether surfing the web for their favorite sites, or keeping connected with home and office while travelling. With our suite of digital content and relevant services, waiting at the airport is now enjoyable, and productive,” said Kat Luna-Abelarde, FVP and Wireless Consumer Operations Head at Smart.

“The deployment of carrier-grade Smart Wifi in 24 key transport hubs, including General Santos International Airport, is our answer to the government’s call and the public’s clamor for more Wifi hotspots in the country. It is also a strategic business move for the PLDT group as this will help us understand and shape usage of the fast-growing data business,” said Eric R. Alberto, EVP for PLDT/Smart, and president and CEO, ePLDT.

The deployment is backed by the group’s robust and resilient wireless and fixed-line network infrastructure, and is part of Smart’s three-year massive network modernization program to handle the expected rise in data traffic.

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PRESS RELEASE from Smart Communications, Inc.

Jul 29, 2016

PLDT Home celebrates strongest connection with Regine Series Live in Davao

Jexx Hinggo 7:13 PM davao , events 2 Comments

Asia's Songbird is coming to Davao!

OPM icon and PLDT HOME Ambassador Regine Velasquez is coming to Davao to perform live via the widely popular Regine Concert Series.

Powered by PLDT HOME, the musical extravaganza is a show of gratitude from the country’s number one digital and multimedia services provider for the massive support throughout the years.

The concert series, which was extended for a second year due to its unstoppable success, aims to help promote the titular Regine Telset Series—a set of limited edition landline phones available for only P99 per month—launched last year to great acclaim, with stocks running out fast as soon as it was made available to the public.

Its initial kickoff last April 10 at SM Bacoor in Cavite was followed by another full house gig at SM City Pampanga. From one jam-packed mall to another and in response to insistent public demand, the Regine Concert Series is finally on its way to the Queen City of the South on July 30 for its much-awaited VisMin debut.

The Cebu leg will feature a 10-piece band helmed by award-winning musical director Raul Mitra, with a special performance by Your Face Sounds Familiar first runner-up Michael Pangilinan.

PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said, “The Regine Telsets, when bundled with PLDT HOME DSL, form the foundation of a digitally connected and smart home. PLDT HOME has been making it big in the hearts of Cebuano families, and we look forward to helping them forge the strongest connections with their families through powerful connections and world-class music.”

pldt home with regine series concert in davao

regine velasquez concert in davao with pldt home

pldt home regine series concert in davao

After Cebu, the Regine Concert Series will then be scheduled for a Davao stopover onAugust 6 at SM Ecoland. Fans will be in for a free world-class musical treat as Regine performs her well-loved hits.

For more information on the Regine Telset Series, visit pldthome.com/landline.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great day! - Jexx

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From the PR of PLDT Home c/o Ms. Jojie Alcantara