Newsletter: Naga City Just Declared War on Corruption — with a 100% Filipino-Made Technology

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While corruption scandals dominate national headlines, one city decided to fight back — quietly, intelligently, and without fanfare. Naga City just made history as the first local government in the Philippines to deploy a full-scale, AI-powered anti-corruption system — a groundbreaking innovation built entirely by Filipino StartUp founders, scientists and innovators determined to make corruption impossible before it starts. Under the visionary leadership of Mayor Leni, Naga didn’t wait for directives or debates. Instead, it built a system that turns transparency into technology — ensuring that every project, every peso, and every promise is tracked, verified, and delivered with integrity. The platform, first unveiled at the Asian Institute of Management during the Masters in Innovation and Business Demo Day on September 2, 2023, represents a turning point in Philippine governance — where honesty is not just a virtue, but a system. No politics. No noise. Just proof that good governance can be engineered. And as others continue to talk about reform, Naga quietly showed the nation what it actually looks like.

Newsletter: Globe GoGIVE: Enabling young Pinoys to live their digital life with purpose

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Daily social media scrolling, mobile gaming marathons, and endless video calls can now support social and environmental causes to create change that matters.

Newsletter: Meet CIRIS: The Watchdog Fighting Disinformation in the West Philippine Sea

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From L-R: CIRIS Co-Founder Christopher Balagtas,

CIRIS Executive Director Andre del Rosario, CIRIS Co-Founder Erik Chua 

In the escalating battle over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), disinformation has emerged as a powerful weapon. Standing at the frontlines of this information war is the Center for Information Resilience and Integrity Studies or CIRIS, a non-profit organization committed to exposing disinformation and strengthening national resilience through credible storytelling and strategic communications.

Newsletter: Green groups, advocates deliver bold message to governments: End plastic now

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

 As United Nations member states continue talks this week in Busan, South Korea for the fifth and most critical session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5)[1] to develop a Global Plastics Treaty, Greenpeace Philippines, together with Young Earth Savers, Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union, Dalumpinas Oeste Eco Rangers, San Juan Resort Restaurant Hotel Association Inc., and communities in La Union, unfurled a giant banner on the shorelines of Urbiztondo, with a bold message to world leaders to “END PLASTIC NOW.” 

Newsletter: Sony Music Entertainment and SPARK! release an empowering documentary for girls

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(From L to R, Sofia Abrogar of Any Name’s Okay; Hazel Faith; Jennifer Goldstein, Asst. Cultural Affairs Officer, US Embassy in the Philippines; Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines; Diane Romero, Executive Director, J. Amado Araneta Foundation; Maica Teves, Executive Director, SPARK!; Carmen del Prado, Sine Niña Director)

“There is always light,” says 21-year old Irish Miras, as she remembers the trauma she experienced as a child. Her voice is soft, her words strong. “If I could talk to my younger self, I would tell her: ‘We are alive. We are doing okay.’”

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart boost National Teachers’ Month 2023 kick off

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Philippines’ largest integrated telecommunications network, PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. enabled the National Teachers’ Month 2023 kickoff at the Bohol Wisdom School in Tagbilaran City, providing fast and reliable fiber connectivity for the livestreamed event. PLDT and Smart have long supported the education sector, and count this support as among their most important advocacies. 

 

Newsletter: Linya-Linya strengthens community-driven initiatives with launch of “Tulong-Tulong” at Linya-Linya Land 2023

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Along with the country’s top musicians, comedians, and artists, Linya-Linya will be bringing its partner organizations to Linya-Linya Land 2023 where they will be given a space to inform and educate the public about their causes, get donations for their beneficiaries, and recruit volunteers for their projects.

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart and Catholic Church partner for digital and mental wellness advocacy

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have launched a meaningful partnership under its Digital health and wellness banner program Better Today PH with the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Youth and university-based Psychology Center, Kauban—facilitating community-based digital and mental health programs reaching Cebu’s various grassroots communities. 

PLDT and Smart's mental health initiatives score 1M views

12/24/2021 12:53:39 PM

Two months since its inception, PLDT and Smart have garnered over 1 million views for its online series on mental health awareness, including the Time Capsule Project and Power Move Project.

McDo PH Founder-Chairman George T. Yang and PH music icon Jose Mari Chan team up for 'Share the Light' campaign video

12/24/2021 12:31:31 PM

The partnership between McDonald's Philippines Chairman and Founder George T. Yang and one of the country’s OPM icons, Jose Mari Chan took place once again. This time, the two personalities joined forces in an online video to share the light and happiness of the holiday season.

Coins.ph launches Coins Movement

12/04/2021 09:58:25 AM

Coins.ph has recently launched a campaign that encourages financial empowerment by moving forward into the future of money.

McDonald’s lets everyone share the light with exciting Christmas offers and merry antics!

12/05/2021 01:05:33 PM

Even with the pandemic still looming around the world, McDonald's Philippines believes that the Holidays is still the most wonderful time of the year, with their offerings and experiences that are set to ignite the holiday spirit and give Filipinos a holiday celebration to remember. 

World-class Filipino athletes attract 14 million TikTok views for mental wellness project by PLDT and Smart

11/27/2021 12:15:08 PM

As part of their drive in relation to mental health awareness, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have strengthened their partnership with TikTok. And as a result, the #BetterTodayAffirmations TikTok Challenge, which allows netizens to create a video side-by-side with athletes and other inspiring leaders and share words of encouragement that can help them get through difficult times, has garnered 15 million views on the global platform for short-form mobile videos since launching this past 25 October 2021

PLDT and Smart collaborates with Lingayen LGU for Better Today

11/21/2021 03:18:14 PM 

PLDT and Smart bring its Better Today Conversations series in Lingayen with speakers, including mental health professionals Dr. Ricardo Guanzon, psychologist Arvin Villalon, and singer-songwriter and mental health advocate Claudia Barretto. 

PLDT and Smart continues to spread its advocacy of mental wellness to more communities when it recently teamed up with the local government unit (LGU) of Lingayen.

ChildHope scholars receive School-in-a-Bag, learning kits from MPL Cares and Smart

11/13/2021 01:23:45 AM

Scholars and street children beneficiaries from the ChildHope Philippines Foundation, Inc. (ChildHope) will receive a package that will help them learn soon. This came off the heels of a partnership between PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) in the Philippines.

Hidilyn Diaz sports psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad teams up with PLDT and Smart in advocating mental health in sports

11/10/2021 01:16:03 PM

PLDT and Smart has recently launched the Power Move Project, a conversations series on sports and mental resilience, as part of the companies 'firm commitment in  championing mental health awareness.

UE Jam Sessions encourage the youth to rock the vote with inspiring new anthem “Pinto”

10/24/2021 01:00:47 PM

Members of UE Jam Sessions and promising newcomers COSINE, Shareena, and Autumn Tandog collaborated for a song that encourages the general public to vote for competent candidates who are willing to take a stand on important social issues and make a significant change.

PLDT and Smart's mental health initiatives being welcomed by more advocacy groups and LGUs

10/16/2021 01:09:37 AM

PLDT and Smart have scales up their mental health initiatives online by linking up with more advocacy groups, organizations, and local government units (LGUs).

Alden Richards leads the cooking for McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen

12/22/2020 04:09:24 AM

Author's Note: actor/host/recording artist Alden Richards, also known for being half of the phenomenal AlDub tandem and ambassador to McDonald's charity arm stars in the music video as a way of encouraging more people to help those in need for the coming Yuletide season.

Read more of his involvement in the McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen in the press release below.

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Barbie Almalbis gives tribute to animal welfare with An AsPin's Song

12/04/2020 10:02:04 PM

As Barbie Almalbis is gunning for the release of her upcoming full-length album by next year, she recently released a new single – a heartfelt tribute to her grandaunt and known animal rights advocate Nita Hontiveros-Lichauco.