Globe Conducts Relief Operations in Bicol Region

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom conducted relief operations in Bicol Region provinces which were severely hit by Typhoon Nina during Christmas day. A total of 900 relief packs were delivered to Albay and Camarines Sur while 86 boxes of mineral water were transported to Catanduanes. Globe also set up Libreng Tawag and Charging stations in 16 locations across Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Sorsogon, and Marinduque to assist the residents with their communication needs. In photo, Relief Operations SPOC Sabrina Lumibao (leftmost) accepts the relief packs for Polangui, Albay on behalf of Representative Joey Salceda. With her are (from L-R): Jocy Silo, Globe Territorial Sales Head, Ren Osero, Globe Regional Sales Head for South Luzon 2 and Al Canete, Globe Territorial Sales Head.

New Year’s Resolution Again and Again

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It may have been said over and over again but the top “New Year’s Resolution” of almost all the Filipinos is “I will make sure to manage my body and my weight”. It sounds so cliché but it’s the reality, every year we feel like we are given another chance to make things right and have a fresh start. And to start it off, you focus on the things you can change within yourself. Aside from you will be a better person emotionally and mentally, you also strive to be a better person physically and this wouldn’t be so hard. Yes you need to exercise for the betterment of your health, you also need to eat properly to avoid getting ill and you must take a supplement that helps you detox and cleanse!

FatOut’s strength is its ability to REALLY help clean the colon and get rid of the waste as it is easily taken out of our system. The body flushes away the bad fat and toxins that may cause problems in our colon in the most convenient way possible! With FatOut, you will experience the revolutionary Sweep and Shred Formula which cleanses the colon and burn down fats for a healthier and sexier you which mainly promotes detoxification.

With Pu’er Tea extract which eliminates fats that are hard to digest, Aloe Vera Powder that detoxifies and cleanses the colon, Alfalfa that nourishes the digestive system, Oat Fiber that controls the appetite. Moreover, The Green Tea Extract is best known to effectively burn and shred fats by speeding up the metabolism andPsyllium Husk that sweeps away the toxins and cholesterol.

This New Year, you better make sure your body is healthy. Fit and sexy are just bonuses, you must focus on being healthy with FatOut!

FatOut is high content 100% Pure extract of Pu’er Tea, Aloe Vera, Alfalfa, Oat Fiber, Green Tea and Psyllium Husk that is made more effective than powdered ingredients. It is a product of extensive research and development that guarantees top quality and excellent promising health results which makes it absolutely different from other slimming supplements.

Note that, FatOut is not a medicinal drug and should not be used to treat the symptoms of any disease.

FatOut should be taken daily, before every meal, preferably with a warm glass of water. Available at all Mercury Drug and other leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Available at a special promo BUY ONE TAKE ONE for a LIMITED TIME OFFER only.

Like ATC FatOut on Facebook.

Temper Trap, The Ting Tings to Co-Headline 2017 Wanderland Music Fest Line-Up

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Wanderers dove deep into the unexplored parts of the #GlobeWanderland jungle last weekend, as they discovered the final acts of local & international artists for the annual music and arts festival this 2017! Globe in partnership with Karpos Multimedia, is bringing Wanderland for the 5th time in the Philippines. This time around, it will be held in the Filinvest City Event Grounds, Alabang on March 4, 2017.

“Globe once again brings its customers the jungle that is #GlobeWanderland. With a fantastic line up in the past 5 years, no doubt that this 2017, the audience will be in for another unforgettable show. With events such as Wanderland, we continue to be an inherent part of the digital lifestyle of our youth today, enabling them to enjoy what they love the most-- wonderful music from their favorite artists,” shares Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing, IssaCabreira.

Last November 4, 2016 at The Globe Iconic Store, 11 booming acts were announced during the #GlobeWanderland Jungle Battle - starting off with international acts, Mickey Sulit (AU), Honne (UK), LANY (US), and Woodlock (AU). Local talent line up then included Up Dharma Down (PH), Gab and John of Urbandub (PH), Tom’s Story (PH), Reese Lansangan (PH), Lola Amour (PH), Jensen and the Flips (PH), AngBandang Shirley (PH), and BannaHarbera (PH).

And finally the long wait is over for Wanderers who are bellowing for more acts to be announced when the remaining acts to complete the lineup was announced last December 17, 2016 during the Wanderland Line Up Reveal. Headlining international acts are Yuna(US), The Temper Trap (US), Explosions in the Sky (US), The Ting Tings (UK), Purity Ring (CA),and Fools and Foes (PH), and they are all set to give everyone a taste of the untamed jungle at #GlobeWanderland. 

Healthcare at the Digital Age

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2016 has been a year of adjustment and growth for the country’s healthcare industry. Developments such as the implementation of a universal health coverage through PhilHealth, the strengthened execution of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RP-RH) Law, the promotion of mental health education and assistance, and the government’s recent plan to distribute free medicine worth PHP2 billion to marginalized Filipino families show that the Philippines’ health sector is ripe for disruption especially with more focused government spending and investments on the digitization of healthcare.

For a long time, there has been a high demand for treatment and a low supply of accessible and affordable hospitals, equipment, and doctors. In fact, the ratio of rural doctors to the number of patients accommodated is 3 is to 100,000, while there are 7 city doctors for every 100,000 patients. On an average, it takes close to an hour or two for families to reach health facilities. Public hospital patients have to deal with overcrowding, while bearing with the pains of recovery. Even with the presence of medical programs and infrastructures for public use, majority of Filipinos still shell out money for medicine and other fees, which is why many forgo consultations and opt for self-medication.

The Department of Health (DOH) acknowledges that there is a clear disparity between the quality of service received by those who can afford medical aid and those who cannot. In its Philippine Health Agenda, DOH unveiled its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for years 2016 to 2022. These include financial protection and lower healthcare costs, quality medical services both in private and public infrastructures, and a responsive health system.

One of DOH’s many initiatives to achieve its SDGs is an eHealth Strategic Framework, which aims to integrate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with healthcare. This allows medical facilities to streamline information systems, make use of electronic medical records, process online submission and receipt of clinical results, automate operations and business processes, and create fast access to data and research for healthcare workers. For instance, Telemedicine—the use of ICT to connect with patients for immediate treatment—is quickly gaining popularity, especially in the Philippines where many areas are still in great need of accessible healthcare.

Globe Business, SCMAP Partner to Forward PH Supply Chain Industry

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The rise of the internet has definitely pushed businesses to respond quickly to market demands. It is not only crucial that enterprises give customers what they want, but also ensure that their supply chains are running smoothly and efficiently. To discuss the future of the supply chain industry, Globe Business, the information and communication technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, held a Supply Chain Interactive Workshop for executives from various retail, manufacturing, and logistics companies.

The goal for the workshop was to promote sustainable practices of improving supply chain management with Globe spearheading the Code of Conduct for suppliers.

What made the workshop different from other forums was that it enabled over a hundred guests to not only participate as an audience, but also to discuss the pain points and intended improvements on the supply chain industry. Participants were also able to witness the synergy of their industries through various group activities. The speakers tied up these activities with product solutions from Globe Business, putting emphasis on how these can help supply chains all over the country.

“Globe Business always makes it a point to provide enterprises with up-to-date technology that will ease the flow of operations. In turn, businesses can focus more on their customers. The point of this workshop is to facilitate an exchange of ideas, which will help us understand what your supply chains need and enable us to offer you the best solutions,” said Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT-Enabled Services Group.

Energy Sector Pushes “Bayanihan” for Quick Restoration of Power in Town Centers and Nearby Communities by New Year

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As Typhoon Nina exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility, the entire energy sector, spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE), has mobilized various assets for the quick restoration of power facilities in Southern Luzon and parts of Visayas downed by superTyphoon Nina.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi instructed immediate restoration of power facilities using “bayanihan” or Task Force Kapatid in the typhoon-hit area as the priority of DOE and the energy family.

“The DOE commits to mobilize as many technical personnel and transport the necessary equipment and facilities to attain 100% energization of main commercial areas with hospitals, vital government offices, banks and other necessary communal facilities before New Year,” emphasized Sec. Cusi.

He added that priority towns include: Daet in Camarines Norte; Naga City, Goa, Tinambac, Iriga City, Libmanan in Camarines Sur; Ligao City, Legazpi City and Tabaco City in Albay; Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; Boac in Marinduque; and, Calapan in Mindoro Oriental.

10 Productivity Tools for Writers You Don’t Want to Miss

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Whether it comes to academic papers, copywriting, content writing, blogging, fanfiction writing, or anything in between, being a writer is not that easy, even if you are fond of what you are doing. However, while students can order their papers from professional writing companies like Your Writers, for freelance writers it’s the way to earn a livelihood. The truth is that sometimes it is simply hard to focus on what you are writing about. No wonder, productivity continues to be the top issue for writers of any kind. If it is true for you too, consider the following tools you don’t want to miss!

1. Oktopost

Oktopost is an easy-to-use online marketing tool that allows you to manage and measure all of your publishing activities across different social media accounts. It can greatly facilitate communication with potential customers.

2. Anti-Social 

Make a step further and turn off the social parts of the Internet while working. Anti-Social is an incredibly simple and effective productivity tool that blocks you from all your social media accounts.

3. Everhour

Everhour is a time tracking app that easily integrates with the most popular project management tools. It offers many useful opportunities for writers, including the ability to create highly customized reports and accurate invoices.

4. Writing Prompts

If you are stuck with your writing, Writing Prompts may come in handy. This user-friendly app that randomly generates different words, colors, sketches, and other types of writing is a great tool for inspiration.

5. Calendly

Since the writer’s productivity largely depends on scheduling, you need a handy tool for planning your work, meetings, conversations, etc. Calendly is a good choice for such a task. This app can easily save your time and improve productivity.

6. Grammarly

Grammarly is one of the best online proofreading tools that can not only help you avoid all possible grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors but also check your paper for style and plagiarism. Besides, it can be your personal grammar coach.

7. Canva

This easy-to-use online service makes design simple for everyone. So the next time you need an eye-catching blog post, presentation, or any other content, Canva is the right tool for creating images and graphics. 

8. PromodoroApp

If you think that frequent breaks help stay mentally agile, PromodoroApp is just for you. This useful time management tool can help you learn and measure your productivity.

9. Powtoon

Powtoon can create amazing animated videos and personalized presentations, which makes it a must-have tool for web content writers who want their work to be more unique and interesting to website visitors.

10. Evernote

Last but not least is Evernote. This effective online note management tool is exactly what you need to write down your ideas and thoughts on the go. Install this app on your mobile device, and you will be ready for even the most unexpected brainwave moments.

These online tools can greatly facilitate the process of writing and increase your productivity. Just try them out, and you will never go back to working on your own!

Globe, GCash, Cauayan City Ink Strategic Partnership to Deliver 1st World Internet

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Globe Telecom and the Cauayan City government have hammered out a strategic partnership to deliver 1st world internet services as well as create a digital cashless ecosystem, which will be undertaken through GCash.

The partnership involves deployment of an integrated network plan to improve mobile coverage and provide high-speed internet service in the city. The rollout forms part of Globe Telecom’s One Digital City initiative, intended to expand network coverage and enhance capacities, particularly for fixed-line, in a bid to elevate the state of the country’s internet.

“Accelerating ICT development enhances inclusive economic development as it significantly improves delivery of public services, enables enterprises to access valuable information and spur transformation in growth areas. We are grateful for the support that the Cauayan city government extended to Globe and we hope to replicate this partnership in other areas in the country,” Globe President & CEO Ernest Cu said.

As part of using technology for governance, GCash, the mobile money platform of Globe, and Cauayan City have embarked on a pioneer initiative to implement the co-branded Citizen ID cards initially for 5,000 government employees and constituents to provide easy access to social and financial services that will bolster the economy forward. Eventually, the IDs will be rolled-out to all 130,000 constituents of the city.

The Citizen ID may be used to electronically pay government fees and taxes, utilities and other bills electronically and purchases from local merchants; for disbursement of salaries, stipends, allowances and other benefits to citizens, government employees and volunteers; and in the provision of easy, fast and flexible Fuse loans for sustainable livelihood development programs for micro and small and medium enterprises.

Enabling e-payments will help increase access to social and financial services for citizens, reduce opportunity cost lost in cash handling, and tighten security of funds and transparency in government transactions.

Globe has been aggressively ramping up network investments as it gained access to new spectrum resources following partial acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication assets such as the 700 megahertz (MHz). Specifically, the company committed to deploy 4,500 sites in about 95% of cities and municipalities in the country within a 3-year period.

The company’s collaboration with the Cauayan city government is also in line with its initiative, which started early this year, of creating an internet superhighway by deploying high-speed broadband technology. Specifically, the company plans to deploy high-speed broadband technology in 2 million homes nationwide by 2020.

Globe has also been pouring significant investment for its corporate data network with additional investment of $50 million. The company started rolling out a capacity expansion program for its corporate data network to address bandwidth requirement of its enterprise clients as they make use of various data solutions to improve business efficiency, enhance productivity, and boost competitiveness. With the partnership, the initiative to enhance Globe Telecom’s corporate data network is also expected to benefit enterprises based in Cauayan as well as help promote social inclusion through technology.

Paperless Billing to Save Thousands of Trees for Environmental Sustainability

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As a strong advocate of environmental sustainability, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom encourages its millions of postpaid customers to help save thousands of trees and reduce greenhouse gas emission by enrolling their fixed and mobile accounts in the paperless billing program.

Moreover, the program not only allows Globe postpaid customers to do their share in environmental protection and conservation but also provides convenience and up-to-date delivery of electronic billing statements and notification via text messages. All customers who opted to go paperless can enjoy the benefits of receiving their bills within five days after the cut-off date, viewing their bills online anytime and anywhere, and easily downloading their bills in their computers, tablets, or mobile phones.

“We work in solidarity with the rest of the world in ensuring that we take better care of the planet for the sake of the generations that will come after us. We thus make every effort to ensure that while we do our best to meet the current and future needs of our customers, we do so without compromising the welfare of the environment,” said Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.

She added: “We can reduce the impact of our business operations to the environment by doing this together with our employees, business partners, and clients. When our customers subscribe to Globe Paperless Billing, for instance, they are in their own small way helping save the earth by lessening the amount of trees that are cut down to make paper.”

Gabi ng Parangal: Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 Winners

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"MMFF is a lot like Hunger Games... complete with fancy parties and a grand parade before they make us kill each other. While I wish our film survives, I'm hoping all 8 entries Mockingjay's the shit out of the Establishment. May the odds be in our favor. #Reelvolution" - Avid Liongoren

Congratulations to all the winners of the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 which were recognized during the Gabi ng Parangal awards night held on December 29, 2016 at the Kia Theater located in Araneta Center, Cubao. Erik Matti's Seklusyon dominates the MMFF 2016 from which he also won as Best Director. Seklusyon have won all category directing towards the top award but the movie about the private lives of OFWs living in Hong Kong, Sunday Beauty Queen, wins as Best Picture. This inspiring movie is the first ever documentary to ever make it to the festival, and surprisingly won the highest award.

The People's Choice Awardee is Die Beautiful where Paolo Ballesteros wins as Best Actor. Ballesteros also received the accolade at the Tokyo International Festival in November. Christian Bables wins as Best Supporting Actor for Die Beautiful.

As expected, Irma Adlawan wins as Best Actress for Alvin Yapan's Oro.

However, Nora Aunor starrer Kabisera and Eugene Domingo starrer Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2, did not win any single award.

According to MMFF spokesperson Noel Ferrer, unlike previous MMFFs, this year's competition is more "democratized". However, these movies must fill up at least 10% to 20% of the cinemas where they are being screened so they can stay in the bigger theaters. Otherwise, they will either be transferred to smaller theaters or be pulled out of cinemas.

Theaters are asked to extend MMFF 2016 movies ’til January 7, 2017.

In other news, what can you say about Mocha Uson's performance as #MMFF2016 ambassador?

Start the New Year Right with Color Manila’s Biggest Event

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COLOR MANILA, the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer gears up for its biggest and most colorful event to date - the COLOR MANILA RUN YEAR 5, to be held on January 8, 2017, at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Grounds.

The organizers, headed by Jay Em and Justine Cordero, expect around 12,000 runners who would be joining this much anticipated event.

According to COLOR MANILA’s President, Jay Em, “The annual COLOR MANILA RUN has always been designed to help the participants jump start their fitness goals for the year. We are lucky enough to have had participants who have been with us, and have supported us from the inception. Now on our 5th year, we intend to encourage more runners and non-runners alike, to join our various events held in different cities.”

Justine Cordero, VP of COLOR MANILA, says, “Since this is our 5th year, we have made COLOR MANILA RUN YEAR 5 very special by coming up with exciting race kits that our loyal participants and new registrants would love. Our Deluxe kit includes a dry fit shirt, sunglasses, race bib, finisher’s medal and a color packet. Then for the Rockstar package, there’s an additional headwear and drawstring bag. And of course, for the 21K runners, their race kit includes - singlet, sunglasses, drawstring bag, pillow, race bib, timing chip, the finisher's medal, finisher's shirt, GU Energy Gel and the color packet. Most of our participants have also enjoyed collecting our merchandise.”

Participants may also expect celebrities to join the event. Notable celebrities and athletes who have joined the event in the past years include Karylle, Kuya Kim, Yassi Pressman, Dominique Roque, Sam YG, Bubbles Paraiso, Yael Yuzon, Rojun Cruz, Katarina Rodriguez, Clea Pineda, Coach Jim Saret, Sheena Halili, Rica Peralejo, Jodilly Pelendre, Betong Sumaya, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, Miss Universe Maxine Medina, 1st runner-up Ms International Nicole Cordovez, Phil and James Younghusband, Crystal Belo, Maxine Magalona, JC Intal, Elmo Magalona, Patricia Tumulak, Bb Pilipinas Ann Colis, Eric Virata, Toni-Toni, Gerard Pizaras, Jan Marini, Diana Zubiri, Zara Carbonell, Will Devaughn, Eruption and Volcanoes’ Chris Everingham.

Participants can also choose from 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K. Registration is still ongoing at www.colormanilarun.com.

10 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays at Home

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Christmas is the most enjoyable time of the year. For one whole month, we get to eat our favorite food, see friends and family we haven’t seen all year, and give and receive presents from the people we love. One of the best parts about the holiday is that we get time off from school and work - and this means we get to do some of the coolest things!

As we have shifted to the digital age, new holiday traditions are now being created by Globe Broadband. Now Filipinos have more ways to enjoy their digital lifestyle at home with fast and reliable connections.

With loads of entertainment right your fingertips, here are the top 10 ways to have a blast at home for the holidays!

1. Binge-watch shows on Netflix

Take advantage of the holiday​break and catch up on some of the most popular titles on Netflix, online or via offline mode. Netflix produces award-winning original shows, such as the political thriller Designated Survivor, the prison comedy-drama Orange is the New Black, the sci-fi homage to ‘80s classics Stranger Things, and the period drama The Crown. In January 2017, Netflix is also releasing the TV series A Series of Unfortunate Events. Based on the internationally best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) and starring Emmy and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris, A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans -- Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – whose evil guardian Count Olaf will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance.

2. Watch blockbusters on HOOQ

Those who like more variety in content can tune in to HOOQ. Together with hit international TV and movie titles, the video-on-demand service also carries a wide selection of Filipino content through its partnerships with the likes of ABS-CBN, GMA, VIVA, and Regal. Relive the classics by watching the films of Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, indie favorites from Cinemalaya, and recent TV shows. Early next year, HOOQ and Globe studios, will release the first ever co-produced Subscription Video on Demand original series in Southeast Asia: On The Job, a spinoff on the award-winning Erik Matti film of the same name.

3. Get to know the up and coming ballers with NBA League Pass

Fans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) can watch live games in high-definition video, as well as exclusive content on NBA League Pass. They can even watch game replays from recent seasons, classic NBA games, special features, interviews, and documentaries!

4. Let your kids learn on YouTube Kids

Parents who are looking for educational entertainment can certainly find some of the best videos on YouTube Kids. Its content is specifically curated for kids through 4 categories – Shows, Music, Learning, and Explore. With built-in parental controls, moms and dads are assured that their kids are able to watch quality content that will help them learn new things. 

5. ​Relive your favorite Disney stories

Take the magic of Disney everywhere and even relive your favorite fairy tales using the Disney Channels Apps! From the Disney Princesses to hit shows such as Phineas and Ferb, Gravity Falls, Art Attack, and Girl Meets World, among others, the Disney Channel Apps has some of the best episodes to keep the family entertained. It even has Disney Original movies, music videos, and short clips! Younger ones will enjoy Disney Junior Asia, which has episodes of Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and more! Disney XD Asia is more action-packed with content like Avengers Ultron Revolution, Star Wars Rebels, and Guardians of the Galaxy!

6. Rock out to Spotify

Music lovers get to party with their favorite tunes w​ith premium access to Spotify and its millions of playlists perfect for every occasion. Spotify Premium lets you create your own playlists, share them with friends and even download it for offline listening. The Discover feature also lets one listen to new tracks and similar songs you may like based on your recently played music.  Ever get-together will definitely have its own playlist!

7. Let out your inner diva with Sing! Karaoke by Smule

Belt out to your most favorite tunes with Sing! Karaoke by Smule. This new app changes the way you do sing-alongs because you can now take it anywhere with your smartphone. Fulfill your dreams of becoming the Philippines’ next superstar by recording a song on the app to an audience of thousands. Now you can take your shower concerts to the next level and even jam with your favorite artists that are featured on the app!

8. Conquer the world on Garena, Steam, PlayPark, and Gameclub

Gamers in the family will have the coolest time playing games online without worrying about running out of credits! Gamers can now easily get e-pins for Garena, Steam, PlayPark, or Gameclub to build bases, conquer worlds, and defeat the enemies before mom calls you for Noche Buena dinner.

9. Enjoy your favorite apps on faster speeds!

Entertainment apps are best enjoyed with fast and reliable speeds. For only 1299/month, you can get your movie marathons, karaoke sessions, and even game nights with Globe Broadband speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Customers also have the option to boost their monthly data allowance or their WiFi connection for maximum viewing pleasure.

10. The best devices for an awesome experience

Changing the way families enjoy broadband, Globe now offers customizable plans that allows customers to bundle it with a variety of devices! From Android and smart TVs to streaming devices such as Google Chromecast and Apple TV, you can pick the device that matches your home digital lifestyle.

The holidays let us have more time to enjoy and discover new things. With a reliable connection coupled with some of the most entertaining content, everyone is up for another memorable time filled with awesome flicks, cool hits and fun games all from Globe Broadband.

To know how you can get a Globe Broadband plan today, visit broadband.globe.com.ph

Globe Provides Support to Communities Affected by Typhoon Nina as Restoration Activities Continue

Wazzup Pilipinas!

As of 2 pm Tuesday, Globe Telecom is now able to provide critical telecommunication services in majority of areas heavily affected by Typhoon Nina amid accelerated efforts to restore the company’s wireless network.

According to Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications, the company has restored 53% of service areas that were adversely impacted within the last 24 hour period.

Widespread commercial power outages and multiple fiber cuts following strong winds caused service disruptions especially in critical areas such as Legazpi, Albay and in Pili, Camarines Sur.

“Globe will continue to step up restoration efforts until we have completely restored voice, text, and data services in all typhoon-hit areas,” she emphasized.

Alongside restoration efforts, Globe is helping the victims of Typhoon Nina by providing libreng tawag and libreng charging stations in Boac, Marinduque and in Barangay Tinago, Naga City.

Hontiveros: We Didn't Need 6,000 People Dead to Implement a Public Health Policy on Drug Abuse

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Asserting that the country's drug problem has always been a public health concern, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros today said that the government should have implemented a public health policy on drug abuse from the very start, instead of encouraging a climate of killing in its war on drugs.

"Our country did not need more than 6,000 people to die in order to see drug abuse as a public health issue. The government's supposed shift to a public health approach in its anti-drugs campaign should have come first in a comprehensive response. At this point, I am afraid that this is an attempt to appropriate the public health advocacy without stopping and exacting accountability for the extrajudicial killings. Malacañang is painting a picture of victory and is using the public health discourse to provide a humane face to its deadly war on drugs and evade accountability for the patent abuses," Hontiveros said.

It was reported that on Tuesday, Malacañang announced that the country’s drug problem has now become a “public health issue" after it claimed "victory" in its war on drugs. This is despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s failure to make good on his electoral promise to end the drug problem in six months.


"Add rehab centers and stir"

Hontiveros said that the Duterte government can't just use an "add rehab centers and stir" approach in its belated attempt to add a health angle to its deadly war on drugs.

"It would be mechanical and tokenistic. The government might think that by simply building a mega-drug rehabilitation center and putting all the drug addicts there, it has sufficiently addressed the health needs of the drug users. Yet, what the majority of the drug users actually need are not inpatient care but outpatient healthcare interventions," Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros, who is Chair of the Senate Committee on Heath, said that only 9% of suspected drugs users who have surrendered under Oplan Tokhang were committed in rehabilitation facilities. The 91% who do not need institutionalized support went back to their communities. She said that the progress in modern drug rehabilitation and comprehensive out-patient healthcare programs guarantee that only those who are extremely addicted to illegal drugs are admitted to a drug rehabilitation facility.

"The government should have heeded our appeal at the outset and mobilized resources in the funding of out-patient rehabilitation programs and community drop-in centers, as well as harm reduction capacity-building sessions for local governments, health agencies and non-government organizations. Now, much harm, which could have been prevented, has been inflicted on thousands of dead, drug dependents further cut off from health services and poor people deprived of public funds used for Tokhang instead of for social and economic programs," Hontiveros said.



End the killings, best public health approach

The senator said that the best public health approach now appropriate for the situation is for the government to put a stop to the extrajudicial killings.

"Ending the killings and holding all those responsible for these atrocities must be done alongside the implementation of a public health agenda on the anti-drugs campaign. Failure to do so will fuel further speculations that the government not only condones the EJKs, but sanctions them, to the detriment of the people's health," Hontiveros concluded.

Restoration Activities Undertaken Amidst Typhoon Nina Aftermath

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Globe Telecom has dispatched technical personnel to immediately restore network services affected by Typhoon Nina in some parts of Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Sorsogon and Masbate, Oriental Mindoro and Quezon as of 12 pm Monday.

Strong winds from Typhoon Nina that caused commercial power interruption and multiple fiber cuts resulted in temporary service disruptions especially in Albay and Camarines Sur. Business continuity protocols including network redundancies have been activated to reduce the impact of service disruption to customers in the said areas.

"Based on our network team assessment, intermittent services were mostly caused by commercial power outages in the Bicol Region. Generator sets for cell towers are now being used to allow customers to use basic telecommunications services such as calls and text messaging. However, at least 6 towers located in Camarines Sur (4 towers) Albay and Marinduque were structurally affected which will make full service restoration longer. The towers were reportedly damaged because of strong winds that ran up to 200 km per hour. Multiple fiber cuts were also reported from Pili to Legaspi," said Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Corporate Communications of Globe.

Globe technical teams have been deployed to make restoration efforts as soon as weather permits. Globe is likewise coordinating with government agencies relating to deployment of relief operations in areas affected by the typhoon.