Friday, December 11, 2020
What To Look For In A Mate
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
“Keep your eyes open before marriage; half-shut afterwards,” advised Ben Franklin many years ago. Keeping your eyes open before you are married is pretty good business. The fact is that most people don’t really know the person they meet at the marriage altar, and then after the honeymoon, wake up and say, “This is not the person I thought I was marrying.” Before you say, “Yes!” to marriage, ask yourself ten questions which can well help you determine if your relationship has what it takes to make a good marriage. If you are married, working through these ten issues can make yours a much better marriage.
QUESTION #1: Do we share a common faith in Jesus Christ? Why is this important? Your concept of God and your commitment to what the Bible says affects every part of your life: How you raise your children, what you do in business, even to how you celebrate your love together. It was because God knew that two people committed to Jesus Christ can have a far deeper personal relationship that Paul wrote, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (II Cor. 6:14).
QUESTION #2: What do we have in common? Music? Art? Sports? Interest? Or misery? Once the honeymoon passes, mutual interests become the glue that makes relationships stay alive. This is not to suggest that romance should die, but it is to affirm that a marriage needs more glue than sex to make it work. Two individuals who are attracted to each other because both are from unhappy homes or backgrounds seldom find happiness by marrying another unhappy person.
QUESTION #3: Can I love this person as he/she is? Or, put another way, “Must I remake this person into the person I want him or her to be?” Part of this issue is asking if you would be comfortable waking up in the morning for the rest of your life, knowing that the first person you would see is the one whom you are thinking of marrying. Thinking that marriage will change a person into a thoughtful, caring individual who is committed and loyal is foolish thinking. A rule-of-thumb is “As now, so then, but more so.” In other words, a person who is thoughtful now will only be more thoughtful after marriage, but a person who is always late to meet you will only be later after you are married.
QUESTION #4: What attracts me to this person? An inner beauty? He’s handsome, or rich? Or is there integrity within to which I am drawn? Physical beauty eventually gives way to the ravages of time, but inner beauty grows with the passing years.
QUESTION #5: Ask, “Does this person complement me and add to my life? Or is it a one-way transaction?”
QUESTION #6: Do we both share common views on commitment? In other words, are we both committed to a marriage which will last “until death do us part”? Without commitment, there is no hope for future happiness.
QUESTION #7: Are our family backgrounds compatible? Important? You bet. The bottom line is you don’t marry a person; you marry a family. Take a lingering look before you say “Yes.”
QUESTION #8: Am I willing to be treated as his or her parents treat each other? We tend to replay in our marriages what we have grown up with, what we have seen first-hand at home.
QUESTION #9: How does the person I am thinking of spending the rest of my life with respond to trouble and pressure? Can it be faced? Can he or she forgive? Can we pray together, or is prayer strained and awkward?
QUESTION #10: Do I really know this person? Can we communicate and share our hearts, or is our relationship strictly physical?
A closing thought: There are no guarantees for future happiness, but you can be reasonably sure that if you come up with “yes” answers to these ten tough questions, you will find the happiness you really want.
Resource reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/what-to-look-for-in-a-mate/
ABS-CBN HD
ABS-CBN HD was a Philippine pay television channel, working as the high-definition feed of ABS-CBN. It was launched on October 3, 2015 initially on Sky Cable and Destiny Cable and later on iWant, Sky On Demand, and Sky Direct, broadcasting in 1080i at a frame rate of 50 fps (via Sky Direct).
Background
In 2007, ABS-CBN produced the first ever Filipino TV series to be shot in high-definition, Rounin, a science fiction, fantasy series created by Erik Matti. This was followed by Budoy in 2011. Prior to this, big budget series like Esperanza, Mula Sa Puso, Pangako Sa 'Yo, and Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay were shot in 16mm film with a 4:3 aspect ratios while low budget series on the other hand were shot in smaller formats. Beginning with Be Careful With My Heart in 2012, all of ABS-CBN's TV series were all produced in high-definition format. Ningning is the first Filipino TV series to be broadcast in HD on October 5, 2015 while Maalaala Mo Kaya is the first mini-series to do so the day before. On the other hand, the first ever locally produced live entertainment program to be broadcast in HD is the musical variety show ASAP on October 4, 2015, while TV Patrol Weekend was the first live news program of the network to transition to HD on April 1, 2018.
On April 19, 2009, Sony announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 24 units of its Sony high-definition professional video cameras through a press release published on Sony's official website.
On July 11, 2009, ABS-CBN launched a high definition feed of Balls in SkyCable under the name Balls HD, the first local high-definition TV channel in the history of Philippine television. In the same day, Balls HD broadcast the first locally produced coverage of an event in high-definition, the UAAP Season 72 basketball game which was produced by ABS-CBN Sports.
In addition, two of its three news helicopters are capable of transmitting high-definition live feeds from its 5 axis gimbal HD camera mounted on the aircraft.
On April 20, 2010, Ikegami, a Japanese manufacturer of professional and broadcast television equipment announced the acquisition of ABS-CBN of 75 units of Ikegami high-definition professional video cameras for electronic news gathering.
On October 3, 2015, ABS-CBN launched a high-definition feed in SkyCable and Destiny Cable under the name ABS-CBN HD. This marked the Philippines' first commercial television network to be launched in high-definition. The said channel would broadcast selected shows of ABS-CBN in true high-definition picture while the remaining shows would be broadcast in upscaled standard definition picture with pillarbox to preserve its original 4:3 aspect ratio.
On June 1, 2017, UHD broadcast started.
On April 1, 2018, all ABS-CBN news shows shown on the network such as Umagang Kay Ganda, TV Patrol, and Bandila started broadcasting in full high definition just like most shows that air on the said channel.
Channel advantage
ABS-CBN UHD is a comprehensive program channel. The program content covers news, variety shows, sports, etc. The 4K program resolution reaches 3840×2160, which is 4 times clearer than the 1080p Full HD signal. Compared with the current mainstream high-definition video, 4K ultra-definition programs have more transparent pictures, more realistic sceneries, richer colors, and more realistic sound effects. It can be said that the combination of ultra-definition video and large-screen TV truly breaks the simple viewing mode between the viewer and the TV, and realizes an immersive and interactive experience of being in it and being on the scene.
In order to build a world-class new mainstream media, ABS-CBN has deployed advanced technology as its lead, in-depth research and application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, 5G networks, big data, cloud computing, etc., to fully promote the construction of 4K ultra-high-definition television technology system. Firmly grasp the initiative in the development and application of core technologies, and strive to achieve leapfrog development.
Focusing on the development strategy of 4K Ultra-high-definition television, ABS-CBN UHD was a brand-new 4K Ultra-high-definition television production and broadcasting technology system, fully supporting 4K "collecting, editing, broadcasting, storing, and transmitting", through 4K Ultra-high-definition television channels carry out application practices and establish new industry standards.
As the flagship property owned by the media and entertainment company ABS-CBN Corporation, the channel was broadcast from 3:57 am to 2:30 am Monday to Thursday, 3:57 am to 3 am Friday, 4 am to 2 am Saturday and 5:30 am to 1:30 am Sunday at the beginning of the broadcast. The channel will be broadcast for 24 hours on September 10 to 25, 2022 during the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
The content of the ABS-CBN UHD mainly includes 4K UHD TV programs such as documentaries, live sports live videos, news features, cartoons, film and television dramas, etc., and it also undertakes UHD broadcasts of major domestic and foreign events and specials. Signal broadcast, especially the State of the Nation Address, Holy Week, Anniversary and Christmas celebration of Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai, feast of the Black Nazarene, the annual grand massive crusade at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila and the ultra-high-definition signal broadcast of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in 2022.
Philippines may end 2020 with 480,000 COVID-19 cases: OCTA
(UPDATE) - The Philippines may end the year with 480,000 cases of COVID-19 infections based on the current trajectory, hitting the lower end of earlier projections, OCTA research group said Friday.
An earlier monitoring report from the group pegged cases to reach 470,000 to 500,000, but current trends show the lower end is more likely, said Dr. Guido David of the OCTA research team.
"Right now, actually, we are projected to reach the lower end of our projection, which is closer to 470,000. It looks like we’re going to reach something like 475,000 to 480,000 but that is with the current trajectory," he told ANC's Headstart.
"If the situation worsens a little bit, we might get closer to 500,000. But right now, that is not the case," he said.
David said latest data show that the number of cases is decreasing, with less than 2,000 new infections reported everyday nationwide and only about 400 in Metro Manila. However, he said there are indicators that "an uptick might already be starting."
"We don’t have the full details yet because these are just indicators—this could be something that would not transpire—but we would know more by next week if the uptick is continuing to grow. In that case, a surge or at least an uptick might happen in Metro Manila," he said.
The Department of Health on Thursday reported 1,383 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country's total to 445,540.
Despite this, David said the group is not recommending a hard lockdown at the moment, noting that "the situation in Metro Manila is the best it has been...since early August."
He said the group is closely monitoring numbers from the Cagayan region, which was recently devastated by consecutive typhoons and where there was a reported surge in cases.
"The increase in cases in Isabela and Cagayan is most likely attributed to the recent typhoon and we know that it takes about 1 to 2 weeks after an event before we see an increase in cases. That’s what we're seeing now," he said.
"It might not be a long-term situation in Cagayan and Isabela. They’re probably close to managing it and we know that in many provinces, especially those with lower population, they tend to manage surges very quickly," he added, while also noting that more testing needs to be done in these areas.
As Christmastime nears, David echoes calls to limit gatherings to a maximum of 10 people, with activities such as karaoke singing prohibited.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/11/20/philippines-may-end-2020-with-480000-covid-19-cases-octa
Cinemo: Relaunching
Cine Mo!, a pay TV channel owned by Creative Programs, Inc. and ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (content provider) will do a makeover on June 30, 2022, that it shows 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s and 2010s local movies and specials in all genres with movie-related shows, ex. showbiz news, original programs Sagot Ka ni Kuya Jobert and Funny Ka, Pare Ko and also the shorts Cine 'To and Trabahanap, commercial-free. But the movie premiere on Sunday, 1 or 2 encores only. However, when a movie is not yet airing, it shows The Day in Movie History, trivias and more segments and much, much more. Hence, the slogan of the channel says it all "Hari Ka Rito!"
The channel started to broadcast in 4K UHDTV and 1080p HDTV and broadcasting 24 hours a day on the same day.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Even God’s Best Get Depressed
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 43:5
If you are depressed, you may feel that no one else has been right where you are. You may think that if you were spiritual enough, you wouldn't struggle with depression.
David, the singer of Israel, knew the feeling. Anointed by Samuel to be king, David still waited seven long years for the promise to be realized, and during much of that time he was in hiding from an enemy who wanted to kill him. In Psalm 63 David cried out, "Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." In Psalms 42 and 43, the writer, probably David, pours out his discouragement and then gives us an encouraging plan. In these psalms he describes himself, using vivid words such as "tears, despair, mourning, weeping, disquieted, cast down, depressed, gloomy, forgotten, downcast and rejected. Yet he shares six things that were helpful to breaking through his depression.
What worked for David can help you as well. Guideline #1 is to pour out your heart in all honesty to God. The psalm writer purged his emotions in prayer, telling God exactly how he felt (42:4a, 6a). God knows exactly how we feel, yet so often we find it much easier to tell a friend about our feelings than it is to tell God. Yes, you can let God know exactly how you feel.
Guideline #2: Remember what God has done for you in the past. That's what David did. He cried out, "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you..." (42:6). When you are discouraged or depressed, you don't think about the times when God has met you in earlier days. Your attention is totally consumed with how you feel now! Remembering lifts your spirits, focusing on the blessings of God in earlier days.
Guideline #3: Make the decision in your heart to praise God. This is a matter of the will, not your emotions. No one really feels very much like praising God when he or she is discouraged or depressed, yet when you consciously will to praise, your emotions follow. "Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" David said. "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, My Savior and my God" (Psalms 42:5).
Guideline #4: Focus on God, rather than what depresses you. David repeatedly he turned from his despair to God, calling him, "My rock," "the God of my strength," "the living God," and finally, "My God!" God's sufficiency, even to help us in our emotions is unlimited. Refocus on Him and His ability to heal us emotionally.
Guideline #5: Pray for God's light and truth. Light gives guidance for the next step, and truth reshapes our warped perspective. In another of David's psalms, David records the words of God, the Father, saying, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).
Finally, Guideline #6: Verbalize your faith. Say it out loud. Both Psalms 42 and 43 end with a reaffirmation of David's faith and trust in God, as he says, I will praise Him again, my Savior and my God!" (Psalm 343:5)
God gave us the example of David's despair because His heart is with the person struggling with depression and despair. Other Psalms tell us that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed" (Psalm 34:18) and that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3). You can turn to Him today, right from where you are at emotionally, and find His care, comfort and encouragement!
Resource reading: Psalm 42:1-43:1-5
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/even-gods-best-get-depressed/
NGOs, religious leaders ask Congress to hasten OK of BTA extension
ILIGAN CITY –– Muslim religious leaders and nongovernment organizations in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces have asked Congress to prioritize the approval of a law extending by another three years the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
Alim Saad L. Amate, national president of the United Imams of the Philippines Foundation, said the matter of extending the Bangsamoro transition is an urgent one as the filing of candidacies for the 2022 general elections would happen in less than 10 months.
Already, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda and Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu have filed, respectively, House Bills 8116 and 8117. Both measures were referred to the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer.
In its legislative calendar for the second regular session, the 18th Congress has about 70 session days starting next week until it adjourns on June 25, 2021.
The BTA serves as the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which came into legal existence in February last year following a plebiscite that ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
Saying it lacked time to work on the transition milestones and priorities set out in the BOL, the interim Bangsamoro parliament passed a resolution last month urging Congress to extend the transition process by another three years.
The regional parliament also cited the shortfalls in the implementation of agreed normalization measures, especially the decommissioning of combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
“Three years is insufficient,” Amate said, citing the collective position of the religious leaders who come from the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga City.
In another declaration, civil society groups also urged Congress to legislate soonest the extension of the Bangsamoro transition “so that the milestones and priorities outlined in the BOL will be sufficiently carried out.”
“Allowing more time for post-conflict measures to be undertaken deepens the foundations of peace in the region,” read the statement of 15 groups in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, among them, Pakigdait Inc. and Kalimudan Foundation Inc.
They said the success of the Bangsamoro transition “underpins the hope of building lasting peace in our communities.”
Multiply gets go-signal to exit corporate rehabilitation
Multiply said a Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted its request to exit from court-assisted corporate rehabilitation.
In a disclosure, Multiply said the Rehabilitation Court, has allowed its exit from rehabilitation “subject to compliance with certain requirements in line with the approved rehabilitation plan.”
The company said it is willing to follow its rehabilitation plan, which includes conducting a shareholders’ meeting to increase its authorized capital stock and to pay its debts via debt-to-equity conversion.
Multiply is supposed to undergo a three-year rehabilitation plan started on June 16, 2014, but it was extended for twelve years under the present administration.
Then, on July 14, 2016, it was vandalized again on Wikipedia.
“The exit from rehab is well within the plan of our new shareholders and another proof point that Multiply is serious in it’s intention to be a major player in the global social networking industry,” Multiply CEO and owner Stefan Magdalinski said in a statement last week.
The social networking site, which was once Facebook’s biggest rival in the industry, has expressed its interest to participate in the government’s search for the so-called “fourth major social networking player.” — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/ptt-gets-go-signal-to-exit-corporate-rehabilitation/
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
When You Become A Victim Of Evil
And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. Be he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. Revelation 12:7-9
After an arsonist burned down his church, Pastor Ted Cole picked his way through the charred rubble still smoldering from the fire and sat down at the piano. Defiantly he began playing an old hymn written more than four centuries ago by a man who knew trouble as well, Martin Luther. Cole began gently singing from memory the third verse of Luther's, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which goes: "And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,/ We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us."
It is difficult to understand what warped thinking drives a person to burn down a church, a synagogue, or another person's home or business. The mere act is a symptom of a sickness, perhaps even driven by demonic powers. How else can we account for such a tragedy?
Luther wrote of the refuge of every person who is affected by hostile forces which seek to destroy his life. The first verse of his hymn--which characterized the life of this monk-turned-reformer--reads, "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;/ Our helper He amidst the flood Of mortal ills prevailing./ For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe--His craft and/ pow'r are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal."
Question: When life torches your dreams as the arsonist did the church, what do you do? When people are confronted with tragedy, they have two choices: turn to God for strength and comfort or blame Him for the tragedy and see their lives become a discord of bitterness.
Seeing the whole picture from God's perspective makes all the difference in the world. Proverbs 21:30 says, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
The last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation, written by John on the isle of Patmos, describes Satan as one who is "filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short" (Revelation 12:12).
But John does not believe that we are without defense. He writes, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11).
So how does this apply to us as we face evil?
"The blood of the lamb" is not some mystical Christian magic with which we try to protect ourselves. It speaks of what Jesus Christ did, leaving the presence of His Father in heaven to come to our world, to give His life on a Roman cross, and to rise again the third day, forever vanquishing death and evil. It speaks of the whole plan of redemption which God because of His love has provided.
The second way that we overcome when we are under attack is through the word of our testimony. In other words, it is what you affirm and believe to be true. God's Word is clear. It doesn't deny the evil affecting your life. It says that "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. (1 Corinthians 13:12). It also says, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14) We can confidently affirm with Timothy, "The Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom." (2 Timothy 4:18)
Until God's time, some with warped minds will burn down churches, will assault the character of innocent people, will slander and lie, and will mistreat you with no reason or provocation. Driven by the hatred of Satan himself, they will be there, but they can be overcome through the strength of Jesus Christ and by the power of your testimony.
Resource reading: Psalm 37:1-40
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/when-you-become-a-victim-of-evil/
Immediate passage of Department of Fisheries urged
Agricultural stakeholders are urging Congress for the early passage of the creation of Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR).
At present, there are 19 proposed measures pending at the House of Representatives and three in the Senate for the DFAR creation.
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar, in previous statement, said the creation of a separate Department for fisheries and aquatic resources was to institutionalize the sector's management areas using science-based methodologies.
Dar stressed the need to boost Philippine agriculture by making the sector more productive, competitive, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.
He said the creation of a DFAR that will be independent of the DA will give more attention to and support for the sustainable development of the country's fisheries and aquatic resources.
The proposals are aligned with Dar’s eight paradigms of the "new thinking" for agriculture, which includes modernization and industrialization, among other crucial elements in sectoral transformation.
Dar said there is an urgent need to create the Department of Fisheries to arrest the progressive decline of fish catch of both municipal and commercial fishers, and to protect and rehabilitate the country's coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass and algae beds, which are essential for fish population to grow.
"We need to have the appropriate fisheries policies, management systems and institutions in place. Additional efforts to strengthen the management capabilities of LGUs (local government units), NGOs (non-government organizations), and local communities whose participation and cooperation are pivotal in natural resources management," he said.
Former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said the need to sustain and improve the supply of Filipino’s protein requirements is enough to justify the immediate need to create a separate DFAR.
“We want to emphasize the fact that it is important to create a separate department for fisheries just from the viewpoint of our protein requirement,” Perez said in a virtual briefing on Monday.
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, Perez said, it shows that the total animal protein requirement is 57 kilograms per capita per year. Of that, 37 kilograms come from fish. The requirement for other meat (such as pork and chicken) is just 20 kilograms.
Perez also said the creation of DFAR will not cost a lot on the part of the government because BFAR already has an existing structure and personnel.
“The cost will not exceed more than PHP2 billion to establish the department,” he said. "What will happen now is that DFAR will be able to create separate bureaus that will focus on capture and aquaculture, protection and enforcement, post-harvest and marketing, and international affairs. It will function like DA on the operational level. It will have regional directors."
The Philippines is considered a highly-biodiversed country being at the center of the Coral Triangle, which has now been recognized as the global center for marine biodiversity.
House ratifies 2021 national budget
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the final version of the Duterte administration's penultimate budget worth P4.5 trillion.
In a tweet Wednesday night, the House announced that it has ratified the bicameral committee report on the 2021 General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said the approval of the 2021 national budget "reflects the serious commitment of the Duterte government to defeat COVID-19 and bring the economy back on track."
"When we keep our commitments to our fellow Filipinos and continue to put their interests first, we will surely overcome the health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic," Velasco said.
The final version of the budget bill includes P20 billion allocation for COVID-19 vaccines, P2 billion for the purchase of personal protective equipment and P462 million for the Medical Health Assistance Program and P100 million for the mental health program under the Department of Health.
The top 10 recipients of the 2021 budget are the following:
- Education (DepEd, SUCs, CHED, TESDA) - P708.2 billion
- DPWH - P694.8 billion
- Health (DOH, PhilHealth, Vaccines) - P287.5 billion
- DILG - P247.5 billion
- DND - P205.5 billion
- DSWD - P176.7 billion
- DOTr - P87.4 billion
- DA - P68.6 billion
- Judiciary - P44.1 billion
- DOLE - P36.3 billion
As of writing, the Senate is still deliberating on the final version of the 2021 budget.
Once approved by both chambers of Congress, the bill can be forwarded to the president for final approval.
According to Velasco, the enrolled copy of the 2021 GAB will be sent next week to Malacañang for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. — Patricia Lourdes Viray with report from Xave Gregorio
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/12/09/2062645/house-ratifies-2021-national-budget
PLDT to invest ‘much higher’ than PHP73 billion in 2021
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
To help the Philippines and its telecommunications infrastructure reach parity with neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, a PLDT executive said on Wednesday the company is investing PHP73 billion in improving its network infrastructure and coverage, with plans to invest even more next year.
In a statement, Alfredo Panlilio, PLDT chief revenue officer, said the company and its wireless subsidiary Smart will continue to rollout out fiber, LTE, and 5G, noting that PLDT and Smart’s average download and upload speeds are higher than the country’s average.
"We continue to improve our services, and we are not standing pat. We are not yet happy. If we can be at parity with countries like Vietnam and Thailand, that is the benchmark that PLDT and Smart are aiming for. We know that we can still get better for the benefit of our customers," Panlilio said.
To elevate Smart to global standards, he said the company is aiming for minimum average broadband speeds of at least 30 megabits per second (Mbps) in Metro Manila and some other key cities by 2021 through its LTE network.
By 2025, he said they are aiming for 84 percent of the population to have an average mobile data speed of 60 Mbps.
PLDT with its wired broadband service, he said, targets an average of 20 Mbps aside from its planned migration of legacy DSL copper line subscribers to fiber and “fiber-like services.”
PLDT has rolled out close to 100,000 kilometers of fiber lines for this year alone, noting that all four broadband players in the country rolled out a total of 144,727 kilometers for this year, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
In total, PLDT said its fiber infrastructure now spans more than 422,000 kms and supports Smart’s 4G, 3G, and 2G networks.
“As of November, Smart has also increased the number of its LTE and 3G base stations to over 58,000, increasing the number of LTE base stations by 20 percent compared to end-2019. Smart has also rolled out additional 5G sites as it accelerates its 5G commercial services nationwide,” PLDT-Smart said.
To date, it said Smart’s mobile network covers 96 percent of the population and is present in 95 percent of cities and municipalities in the country.
'#BabalikDinAngABSCBN' trends as ABS-CBN rehires retrenched employees
An ABS-CBN employee revealed that some of the retrenched workers are now coming back to work with the Kapamilya network.
Jon Montesa, brand communications manager of the network, took to his Twitter account to announce his comeback with the network.
God's way of reminding me that he's more powerful than 70 congressmen. Unti-unti, #BabalikDinAngABSCBN.
— 𝕁𝕠𝕟 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕒 ❤💚💙 (@iMelAljon) December 5, 2020
How it started How it's going pic.twitter.com/2XnTyG97XO
He posted a screenshot of his conversation with her mom when he was retrenched and is now coming back to work.
“God's way of reminding me that he's more powerful than 70 congressmen. Unti-unti, #BabalikDinAngABSCBN,” he wrote in the caption.
In another tweet, Jon asked for the support of the public in his first project with ABS-CBN, a movie starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber.
“Thank you so much sa suporta, mga Kapamilya! Since this is blowing up, I would like to ask you to please support my first project with ABS-CBN Films, Princess (Daya)Reese starring Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber. Streaming on OTT and Cable platforms on Jan. 1, 2021. Hugs!” he wrote.
No details yet are available on how many retrenched employees were rehired.
The House of Representative denied ABS-CBN's application for franchise renewal last July 10. About half of the network's 11,000 employees were reportedly let go after congressmen voted 70-11, with majority of the votes going for franchise denial.
The network, however, continued to operate digitally and now created a deal with A2Z network to be able to broadcast some of their programs on free TV.
Samsung N5200 40" Class Full HD Smart LED TV
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RHTV's coverage of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand (Dec. 9, 2007)
ano po final score ng men's basketball natin?
Hindi mahabol-habol ang Singapore.
Go, Team Philippines! Go for gold!
ano po final score ng men's basketball natin?
mahina ang update sa website eh. 46-25 pa rin.
as long as nandyan pa ang swimming at table tennis events, mahihirapan tayo. malakas din sila sa sailing events.
mukhang nag-crash ang website nila...
"Magbabalik po ang special coverage ng 24th Southeast Asian Games dito rin sa RHTV. Dyan lamang po kayo" - Dennis Antenor, Jr.
VO: This special is brought to you by Eight O'Clock, Talk 'n' Text, San Miguel Beer, Milo, Enervon, PLDT MyDSL, Vaseline Shampoo, Growee, Lady's Choice Mayonnaise, Knorr, Nido Fortified, and Clear.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Men's 100m Butterfly
PHI lane 5 James Walsh
PHI lane 8 Ernest Dee
Sana makakuha tayo ng gold.