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From Classrooms to Communities: How PLDT and Smart are Modernizing Philippine Education

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From pen and paper to artificial intelligence (AI) and interactive applications, PLDT and Smart’s #KonektedforLearning initiative champions learning for all by integrating technology into Philippine classrooms and boosting education resiliency through crisis-tested teaching strategies. "Technology has the power to expand opportunities for learning, but its true value lies in how it helps students, teachers, and communities overcome barriers," said Stephanie V. Orlino, Assistant Vice President and Head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. "Through KonektedforLearning, we work with partners to ensure that more Filipino learners can access quality education, develop future-ready skills, and continue learning even in challenging circumstances." For decades, PLDT and Smart have worked alongside the Department of Education (DepEd) to help bring inclusive and quality learning opportunities to underserved communities, including geographically isolated schools and ar...

Say Goodbye to Long Ticket Queues. GCash Commute QR is Now Live on the LRT-2!

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Passengers of Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) can now pay for their fares directly from their phones using GCash Commute QR, making their commutes faster and more convenient.   GCash joined the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Manila Transit Authority (LRTA), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), and Visa in the official launch of cashless payment options, including GCash Commute QR, at the LRT-2 servicing stations spanning Manila, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, and Antipolo.   This is part of LRT-2's transition to a cashless payment system, which now also supports NFC-enabled Tap-to-Pay as well as Visa and Mastercard payments.   “This initiative supports rail modernization and the adoption of a National Standard for Automated Fare Collection, enabling more seamless, efficient, and integrated payments across transport modes,” said DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez.   GCash for Business General Manager, Paul Al...

GCash Takes a Stand Against Fraud, Shutting Down 6,700 Rogue Gambling Sites Using QRPH Payments

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As QRPh continues to transform the way Filipinos pay for everyday purchases, scammers are also evolving their tactics to exploit the country's growing reliance on QR-based transactions. To help keep digital payments safe, GCash has intensified its efforts against fraudulent merchants and fake payment pages, blocking over 6,700 suspicious accounts linked to QRPh-related scams while continuing to educate users on how to identify and avoid emerging threats. How scammers exploit QRPh payments Fraud monitoring teams at GCash have flagged a sharp rise in schemes where fake websites mimic legitimate GCash payment pages and use QRPh codes to collect payments. An example of a growing scam is known as “quishing” or QR phishing. In these schemes, fraudsters exploit QRPh codes to redirect users to malicious payment pages or steal sensitive information, while misusing official branding to appear credible and deceive users into completing unauthorized transactions. Some cases also involve fraudu...

Fold Without Fear: How Premium Aviation Engineering Powers the OPPO Find N6

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Foldable smartphones have come a long way in recent years. While users once questioned their durability and reliability, today's innovations have transformed foldables into everyday productivity companions that are built to last. Leading this evolution is the OPPO Find N6, a foldable smartphone engineered to withstand the demands of modern life without compromising on design, performance, or portability. Built around OPPO's Armour Shield Architecture, the Find N6 combines aerospace-inspired engineering, industry-leading durability, and flagship innovations to prove that foldables can be just as dependable as they are sophisticated. Engineered to Go Further At the heart of the OPPO Find N6 is its Armour Shield Architecture, an advanced structural design that reinforces the device using premium materials while maintaining an ultra-slim profile. Despite its refined form factor and the industry's thinnest bezels on a book-style foldable, the OPPO Find N6 is designed to withstan...

HUAWEI Just Dropped the Pura 90s Series Globally with Mind-Blowing Camera Tech, and it’s Heading to the PH Next Month!

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Manila, Philippines (July 14, 2026) — HUAWEI unveiled its latest devices during the Flagship Product Global Launch Event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The launch was headlined by the highly anticipated HUAWEI Pura 90s Series and the all-new HUAWEI MatePad Air.   The HUAWEI Pura 90s Series arrives with a refreshed name and a host of unprecedented upgrades, reinforcing the series’ position as the “King of Imaging”. Alongside the versatile new HUAWEI MatePad Air, the newest devices from HUAWEI highlight the brand’s vision of delivering innovation that empower expression, creativity, and productivity.  A new era of innovation will rise in the Philippines as both the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series and the HUAWEI MatePad Air are set to launch soon in the country.    Advanced Imaging, Designed for Expression and Capturing Every Meaningful Moment  At the forefront of HUAWEI’s new lineup is the HUAWEI Pura 90s Series, which delivers flagship imaging to empower bold strides fo...

Smarter, Faster, and More Responsive: Inside Cabanatuan City's New AI-Powered Public Service Push

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Cabanatuan City takes a huge leap into a smarter future with PLDT and Smart’s AI-in-a-Box program. Under the initiative, the city government will develop its own AI-powered solution aimed at making public services smarter and more efficient.   "We see artificial intelligence as a practical tool for improving governance and delivering better outcomes for our people,” said Mayor Myca Elizabeth R. Vergara of Cabanatuan City. “We are committed to institutionalizing this initiative and integrating it into our operations. This is part of our broader vision of building a smarter, more responsive city government that listens, acts, and serves more effectively."   With support from PLDT-Smart Foundation and Microsoft Philippines, AI-in-a-Box is the PLDT Group’s initiative to make artificial intelligence more accessible to communities, combining digital tools, connectivity, and training to help organizations and local governments turn emerging technologies into practical solutions. Eac...

Eastern Communications Advocates for Stronger Regional Networks to Fuel Local Businesses at CLICKCONEX

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NAGA CITY — Eastern Communications underscored the role of digital infrastructure in accelerating regional development during the 10th Convergence of Luzon ICT Champions Conference and Exhibit (CLICKCONEX) 2026. Co-organized by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), the Naga City Government, and the ICT Council of Bicol, the conference brought together leaders from government, industry, and the technology sector to discuss digital development and regional competitiveness. The event featured a distinguished roster of keynote speakers, including Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.  As one of the conference’s keynote speakers, Eastern’s Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer, Edsel Paglinawan. Paglinawan discussed how telecommunications infrastructure has evolved from a basic utility into a strategic enabler of innovation, economic growth, and regional digital transformation.  In his pre...