The push for digital classrooms in the Philippines is gaining speed. Ericsson, together with Qualcomm, Smart Communications, DepEd Muntinlupa, and the Philippine Normal University (PNU), has rolled out the second phase of its Connect to Learn: Teaching with Technology program.
After training 1,700 teachers since 2022, the initiative is now scaling up to reach even more educators and students.
1. Second phase officially launched in the Philippines Ericsson’s first education project in the country that blends online and Virtual Reality (VR) training is back for a new run, this time targeting more public high school teachers and pre-service educators.
2. Over 1,700 teachers already trained The first phase supported 1,700 teachers from DepEd Muntinlupa and PNU, helping them sharpen ICT skills and bring technology-driven teaching into classrooms.
3. Addressing a key barrier in Philippine education The GSMA Future of Learning Report (2024) cited inadequate teacher training as a barrier to digital adoption. This program tackles that challenge with flexible, self-paced digital learning modules.
4. Supporting 80,000 secondary school students in Muntinlupa With Muntinlupa’s large student population, expanding the program ensures more learners benefit from teachers equipped with digital-first teaching skills.
5. VR and e-learning at the center of the initiative Custom-built VR simulations designed by Ericsson give teachers hands-on training. VR headsets donated to DepEd Muntinlupa and PNU make the modules accessible.
6. Smart powers connectivity for smooth training Smart Communications supported the program rollout by providing pocket WiFi devices, home WiFi units, and prepaid load cards to ensure reliable access.
7. First-phase results show strong improvements Independent evaluation confirmed teachers adopted better ICT integration, diversified teaching methods, and collaborative learning strategies after completing the training.
8. A shared commitment to digital transformation Ericsson Country Manager Arda Cetiner highlighted that the initiative supports the government’s digital skills and socio-economic agenda, proving the impact of partnerships between government, academia, and industry.
With these eight big moves, Teaching with Technology is not just a program but a growing model for how partnerships can prepare Filipino teachers and students for a future shaped by digital learning.
This Father’s Day, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and mWell are set to empower dads with an exclusive and all-in-one health and wellness deal with the Smart Health Pass.
From June 15 to 21, 2024, Smart subscribers can redeem a PHP 399 worth Health Pass for only 199 GigaPoints via the Smart App, for a thoughtful Father’s Day gift.
The limited-offer Smart Health Pass provides all-in-one access to health and wellness features for the recipient, including:
• 1 Doctor Consultation: Access to a free 24/7 video consult with primary care doctor
• Free e-Medical Certificate and e-Prescription: Obtain a digital medical certificate and prescription at no extra cost.
• Free Lab Request: Get lab referrals as needed. Patients can then conveniently book a lab or diagnostic service through mWell HealthHub.
• Accident Insurance: Enjoy P20,000 worth of accident insurance, valid for one month.
• mWellness Score – a free tracker that measures physical health based on daily activities – exercise, light activity, steps and sleep
• Mind Health Score – provides insights and access to rich repository of content, guided meditations, and on-demand resources tailored to enhance your mental well-being
This Smart Health pass is part of Smart’s commitment to making health and wellness accessible and affordable for more Filipinos.
Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “The Smart Health Pass is the perfect opportunity to give back to our dads this Father’s Day. This collaboration with mWell also allows us at Smart to enable our subscribers’ dads with an instant health package so we hope our customers can take advantage of this gift of wellness,” he said.
“At the heart of mWell lies our passion for making health and wellness accessible, available, and affordable to anyone, anytime, anywhere. With the Smart Health Pass, Smart subscribers can provide their fathers with all-in-one access to mWell’s health and wellness features, including the mWellness Score, Mind Health Score, and 24/7 Teleconsult. The Health Pass makes for a perfect gift for our superdads who deserve nothing but the best,” said Chaye A. Cabal–Revilla, Chief Executive Officer of mWell.
How to avail
To redeem the Smart Health Pass, simply follow these steps:
1. Download the Smart App: Available on the App Store and Google Play.
2. Sign-Up or Log-In: Use your Smart credentials to access your account.
3. Redeem the Health Pass: Select the Smart Health Pass for 399 points and use 199 GigaPoints to avail of the discounted offer.
The code is valid until December 31, 2024, and the pass remains valid for 30 days once activated. This provides ample time for dads to make the most of their health and wellness benefits.
The Smart Health Pass not only offers immediate health benefits but also includes access to the mWell app, featuring tools like the mWellness Score for tracking daily fitness activities and the Mind Health Score for mental wellness assessments.
“Apart from the teleconsultation, e-medical certificate, e-lab test referrals, and accident insurance, the Smart Health Pass powered by mWell provides a holistic approach to ensure dads can monitor and improve their overall well-being,” said Dexter Chan, Head of Content Business Development at Smart.
Celebrate Father’s Day by giving the gift of health and wellness. Visit the Smart app to redeem the Smart Health Pass and empower your dad to live a healthier, happier life. For more details, visit https://smrt.ph/GetSmartApp.
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide accessible and affordable insurance for all, regional insurtech Igloo, together with the Philippines’ largest mobile network Smart, has announced phone protection plans for its growing 55 million subscriber base.
This partnership not only furthers Smart’s commitment to enhancing customer experience but also highlights Igloo’s mission to provide as many avenues to device protection as possible for Filipinos, especially with the country being one of the social media capitals in the world.
“In the Philippines, 84.4% of the population own smartphones, and individuals spend nearly four hours daily on social media, well above the global average of two and a half hours. As a highly connected and social nation, the importance of these devices for communication, productivity, and entertainment is undeniable,” remarked Roberto Vea, Commercial Lead at Igloo Philippines.
“Recognizing the essential role of these devices and the need to safeguard them, Igloo has partnered with Smart to introduce phone protection plans, providing our customers with peace of mind.”
Smart subscribers gain exclusive access to Phone Protect where they can purchase a phone protection plan with their preferred coverage and duration. It offers subscribers protection against accidental and liquid damage and includes professional repair and service at authorized centers for the Basic tier and additional protection against losses due to theft and robbery for the Plus tier.
Plans start as low P125 for one year coverage and is one of the most affordable and comprehensive gadget care products available in the market.
The insurance plan seamlessly integrates into the checkout process, allowing customers to review the plan details, associated premium, and terms and conditions before finalizing payment. This transparency ensures customers have a clear understanding of the additional cost and the benefits it adds to their transaction, enhancing their overall experience.
“We’re excited to expand access to device protection products with Smart, as it aligns with our goal to democratize and enhance the experience of protecting your devices. We’ve worked to make every aspect—from customer experience to pricing, coverage, purchase, and claims—easy and convenient. Partnering with Smart allows us to reach the widest possible audience.” Vea explained.
The value of partnerships in providing insurance for all
Igloo and its partners’ gadget protection and cracked screen protection products have become some of the most popular segments in the country, with over 15.8 million policies sold through various distribution platforms since January 2023.
From consumer finance to e-commerce, Igloo has been working to provide insurance to various sectors in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia. One of its most recent partnerships with Skyro and Salmon provided protection access to the underbanked segment, many of whom rely on digital lending companies for installment purchases.
Additionally, in collaboration with Growsari, an MSME enabler, Igloo piloted the Personal + Business Protection plan. This initiative aims to cover over 200,000 sari-sari stores across the country with financial assistance in case of unwanted incidents arising from natural calamities, such as floods from torrential rains.
“At Igloo, we believe that to provide insurance tailored to the needs of its market, partnerships are crucial in enabling broader audience reach while offering diverse coverage options. With our partners, we can continuously improve and innovate our offerings to serve as many people as possible,” Vea said.
Igloo’s collaboration with Smart and other partners is part of its mission to expand its reach across Southeast Asia and provide innovative insurance solutions to nearly 700 million people in the region.
Do you have an eSIM-capable device but are still unsure whether you should upgrade to an eSIM? Here are five compelling reasons to finally switch to a Smart eSIM and maximize its benefits.
1. You can keep your current number when you switch to a Smart eSIM. No, you won’t have to give up your current number when you switch to a Smart eSIM. Whether you are a Smart or non-Smart subscriber, you can now upgrade to a Smart eSIM and still keep your number. This means you don’t have to go through the tedious process of informing all your contacts about your number, or painstakingly update all the social media apps, e-wallets, and banking apps linked to your number.
2. You can conveniently transfer your Smart eSIM to another device. Say, you want to switch phones or upgrade to a new handset, all you have to do is first delete your existing eSIM Profile on your old device, then re-scan the QR code containing your eSIM profile, and your account will be up and running in no time. Just make sure that your new device is open-line and eSIM-capable.
3. You can easily upgrade to a Smart eSIM, and conveniently keep your QR code in your email. Upgrading to a Smart eSIM is simple and easy. If you are a Smart Prepaid subscriber, you can switch to an eSIM for only Php99 by presenting your physical SIM and any valid government ID at the nearest Smart Store. On the other hand, Smart Signature subscribers and Smart Infinity members may upgrade to an eSIM by heading to any Smart Store.
Meanwhile, if you are a non-Smart subscriber, you can also upgrade to Smart Prepaid eSIM without changing your number by obtaining your Unique Subscriber Code from your current network provider and submitting the required documents – such as a valid government ID, a screenshot of your current balance, and a signed application form, among others – to the nearest Smart Store.
Once you have secured your Smart eSIM, you can conveniently keep the QR code containing your eSIM profile in your email for future reference or use.
4. You can access innovative and value-packed offers with a Smart eSIM. If you are a non-Smart subscriber, switching to a Smart eSIM unlocks access to a host of innovative and value-packed offers, such as Power All, All Data, and Magic Data, which offer bigger data allocation, longer validity, and no expiry, respectively, to suit everyone’s digital lifestyle. Being a Smart subscriber also means enjoying exclusive perks and epic experiences, including access to the biggest concerts, groundbreaking events, and exciting promos that are accessible on the Smart App.
5. You can experience the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage and 5G Availability. By upgrading to a Smart eSIM, you can experience Smart’s award-winning mobile network, which was recently recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage and Best 5G Availability by independent network analytics from Opensignal. Smart’s Best 5G Coverage and 5G Availability empowers customers to instantly upload and share photos, reels, or stories; post epic concert, festival, and travel experiences, enjoy an advantage over their peers while playing their favorite mobile games with 5G’s low-latency; and stream series and movies in Ultra-HD without interruption.
BlockchainSpace, a leading Web3 community enabler in Southeast Asia, has partnered with Smart Communications, the leading telecommunications provider in the Philippines, to explore Web3-powered solutions that can connect communities, unlock new opportunities, and drive growth for all stakeholders.
The partnership marks a major milestone for Web3 adoption in the Philippines and beyond, according to Peter Ing, CEO of BlockchainSpace. He further described the collaboration as an indication of continued growth in enterprise interest in contributing to a Web3-enabled future.
“Filipinos have been at the forefront of utilizing Web3 since the peak of the pandemic. With millions already owning crypto wallets and participating in GameFi, the Philippines has consistently been one of the leaders of Web3 adoption in Southeast Asia. Through this partnership, BlockchainSpace and Smart will continue to build on that foundation by enabling more communities to connect in a truly open, meaningful and secure manner,” Ing said.
“This partnership aligns with Smart’s mission to empower FIlipinos with the latest digital innovations so they can live more today,” said Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart.
He added that the company has always been an early adopter of the latest technology and is constantly on the lookout for programs that appeal to the passions of its subscribers, which it can turn into more immersive experiences.
“By leveraging the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network, as recognized by Ookla, and the country’s widest 5G network, we believe that Smart is in the best position to unlock the value of Web3 in tandem with BlockchainSpace to benefit more Filipinos through accessibility and connectivity,” Manaloto said.
BlockchainSpace traces its roots to the city of Makati in 2018 when its founder and CEO successfully organized over a hundred in-person gatherings of various Web3 investors and founders to help grow the crypto industry in the region.
The company has since evolved into a Web3 solutions provider that powers Southeast Asia’s communities with more than just blockchain technology.
Since 2020, BlockchainSpace has empowered over 100 communities and raised $20 million from top investors, including Animoca Brands, Spartan Group, and Crypto.com Capital.
To further enable communities to thrive in the space, BlockchainSpace provides guild leaders, gamers, creators, and everyone in between with blockchain solutions as well as trademark community programs such as the Guild Partner Program and Creator Circle.
The Creator Circle, which will soon be publicly launched for creators in tandem with Smart, already has more than 150 creator sign ups regionally–amounting to an aggregate following of more than 20M across all social networks despite only being in closed beta.
This program was introduced to empower those within the creator economy, an emerging type of market which connects creators to their fans and brands and allows the creator to monetize their content, output, or skills all while building a community.
The Creator Circle is a natural progression for BlockchainSpace as it enables the company to utilize its successes and lessons from supporting gaming guilds and extend similar tools, support, and opportunities to creators, artists, and influencers, explained Aspen Sañez, Global Head of Marketing at BlockchainSpace.
By teaming up with Smart, which has an established network and history of impactful engagements with artists and their fan groups, BlockchainSpace will be able to maximize the capabilities of and establish a solid roster in Creator Circle.
“We could not have found a better partner in venturing into a Web3-enabled creator economy than BlockchainSpace, which has the expertise and experience when it comes to Web3 gaming and supporting guilds. With our concerted efforts, we are confident on translating things positively in the Creator Circle,” added Dexter Chan, Assistant Vice President for Content Business Development at Smart.
Aside from the Creator Circle, Filipinos can look forward to more initiatives from BlockchainSpace and Smart that will help unlock the full potential of Web3 for all.
The two companies are working closely together to deliver exciting new programs and innovative solutions that would continue to empower communities to scale sustainably and benefit from Web3.
TikTok is bringing the heat to the Philippines with its first-ever gaming competition, The Greatest Gamer Philippines. This unique reality show concept will house 10 selected players in a villa for three weeks, where they’ll compete in various real-world and gaming challenges to showcase what it takes to be a professional gamer.
Get ready for some serious gaming action and drama as these contestants battle it out to be crowned the greatest gamer in the country! With TikTok’s reputation for inspiring creativity and bringing joy, this competition is sure to be a blast.
After its successful pilot in Indonesia in 2021 and mobile gaming’s rapid growth in the Philippines, TikTok along with partners Smart, Smart Omega, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), as well as support from Grab and Samsung, team up to search for ‘The Greatest Gamer’ in the country.
In a recent report conducted by Meltwater, 2023 Global Digital Report, over 95% of internet users in the Philippines are avid gamers, confirming that the Filipino community has a strong and vibrant gaming culture.
Tapping on this passionate community, The Greatest Gamer Philippines is an important initiative that seeks to further nurture and grow potential professional gamers.
“We are thrilled to bring The Greatest Gamer to the Philippines, where there is a thriving and welcoming gaming community that aspires to grow and excel as skillful gamers. The Greatest Gamer Philippines showcases the journey to becoming a professional gamer as well as engaging the gaming community by providing relevant entertainment, highlighting the skills, passion, and dedication that is necessary to excel in Esports. We also hope to empower the local gaming community, nurture its growth, and provide a space for enthusiasts to continue displaying their skills and creativity,” says Vanessa Brown, Director, Business Development, APAC, TikTok.
Numerous activities are lined up during the campaign, providing an immersive and engaging experience as the selected contestants will take part in fun livestreams of mini games, weekly tournament gameplays and other online and offline challenges in the course of learning what it takes to be a professional gamer.
TikTok is a space that allows gaming and culture to collide, unlocking new ways to play and be entertained. The platform provides a window into the gaming lifestyle by revealing contestants’ interactions with Creators, weekly interviews, content on their backstories, and various program highlights, enabling TikTok users and Esports fans to see firsthand what these rising talents will go through to achieve their dreams.
Powered by Smart, the official telco provider of The Greatest Gamer Philippines, TikTok is leveraging the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network as recognized by Ookla, to ensure seamless gameplay and uninterrupted connection for all contestants, gaming enthusiasts and its community.
With TikTok and Smart working hand in hand, Esports fans can look forward to a new era of interactive gaming experiences and memorable moments through The Greatest Gamer Philippines.
“Smart has been a leading patron of Philippine Esports because we’ve always believed that Filipinos have the passion, talent, and skill to dominate in this field. As the official telco provider of TikTok’s The Greatest Gamer Philippines, we aim to elevate the players’ gameplay experience with our fastest and best mobile network. We believe that this would also translate to an enjoyable viewing experience for all Esports fans,” says Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart.
Smart Prepaid and TNT subscribers can join in on the action as well as tune into the journey of The Greatest Gamer Philippines aspirants on TikTok by registering to Power All and Saya All offers, which come with daily access to TikTok.
Aspiring professional Esports gamers can submit their audition videos from May 24 to June 14, 2023, on TikTok.
Pinoy gamers interested in going professional and joining The Greatest Gamer Philippines must follow @thegreatestgamer and @smartcommunications on TikTok and create audition video content by introducing themselves and showcasing their MLBB skills, using the official audition filter and hashtag #TheGreatestGamerPH, and tagging the official @thegreatestgamer and @smartcommunications TikTok accounts.
Aside from gaining awesome experiences with today’s top content creators, The Greatest Gamer winner will take home a cash prize worth P250,000 and a contract with Smart Omega that gives them a chance to suit up and be part of their MLBB roster.
“Filipinos have always been enthusiastic about gaming, whether online or offline, and we are excited to witness their talents and passions in The Greatest Gamer Philippines auditions. TikTok’s gaming community rallies behind one another to cheer on key wins, support after disappointing losses, and shares tips to help each level up in their favorite games. It would be very interesting, entertaining and educational to see how Pinoy gamers strategise to be the next professional gamer,” says Brown.
Fans can look forward to watching The Greatest Gamer Philippines and rooting for their favorite player soon. For more information on The Greatest Gamer Philippines, visit https://www.tiktok.com/@thegreatestgamer.
