Connect with us

NEWS

Albay bishop launches big prayer rally for Rosals

October 16, 2022 12:30 p.m.

A BISHOP from the province of Bicol led a peaceful prayer rally, dubbed as “Dasal para kay Rosal” over the weekend to support Governor Noel E. Rosal and Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal for a beautiful province of Albay.

Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi City graced the peaceful rally, with more than 25,000 Rasal supporters at the Peñaranda Park, saying that the Albayanons (people of Albay) had already decided who to elect last election.

Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi City


“Let the will of the people prevail, and let’s go to work for a progressive Albay. The election is already done here. The people have already chosen their leaders so let’s stop politicking,” Baylon said.

“The Church has joined the people today to support the leaders they chose.”

Banners and tarpaulins with messages of support were also seen carried by thousands of supporters from various barangays and municipalities during the peaceful rally, praying for a divine intervention to reverse the Commission on Elections’ disqualification case against the elected governor and his mayor wife.

“The entire community has expressed their support to the leaders they know who will serve them. Our governor here is doing his best to find solutions to fight illegal quarrying, put up hospitals in some areas and make projects for the people.”

Albay crowd


The COMELEC, according to reports, disqualified Rosal from the provincial electoral race last month for violating the 45-day ban on the release of public funds by government agencies for social welfare projects, particularly the approval of cash assistance to tricycle drivers in April.

According to a Rappler report, Mayor Geraldine Rosal was also disqualified for the same offense last October 4, just two weeks after the first division of Comelec disqualified her husband.

Baylon added, though, that they would always respect the law, but he is praying that true justice will prevail for the benefit of the 469, 481 Filipinos who voted for Governor Rosal and wife Mayor Geraldine.



“My message to our political leaders is we will always respect the law, the law which stands for the truth, that respect and love the dignity of one another. There are many things that can cause us divided or may turn against one another. But the loser in the end will be the people of this land,” he added.

Despite the peaceful rally, the people that attended had a strong message, saying they know who are the true people behind the ongoing battle of their beloved governor and Legazpi City mayor.

“We are praying for divine intervention from God to reverse that ruling. We cannot allow to lose the people’s governor, who really serves us,” Tabaco City Councilor Oden Berces of first district said. “He is the real governor of Albay.”

“He is the only governor who visits the tiny islands of Tabaco, according to the people there, and he’s very approachable. He also reorganized the hospital here to help the people.”

A 70-year-old retired teacher Rose Ajero, who joined the rally said they love the governor because of his great environment advocacy to limit the quarrying activities around Albay to prevent the catastrophe that happened way back 2006.

“The people of Albay don’t want a repeat of that tragic calamity in 2006 when typhoon Reming hits the town of Padang, where many have perished because of illegal quarrying,” Ajero said. “We know the bad effect of illegal quarrying.”

“We know who are behind this issue and we’re asking them to just take care of their issues, the scandals they’ve been, because our governor and mayor here are working hard as true public servant,” she added.

The supporters of the husband-and-wife governor and mayor believe that the issues hurled at them are political and baseless.

The first-time governor and the mayor will continue to function as an elected head of the province and the city until the court orders them with finality to vacate their positions, according to Rosal’s social media account.

NEWS

Converge collaborates with volunteer groups to bring green initiatives, health services to Aeta community in Pampanga

10:11 a.m. February 6, 2026

LEADING fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. recently engaged with an Aeta community in Angeles City, Pampanga, through a day of tree-planting and outreach activities aimed at creating lasting, positive impact at the grassroots level.

Working alongside socio-civic group The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Kandili Chapter and the all-women volunteer organization Inner Wheel Club of Taguig, Converge sowed 300 fruit bearing seedlings in the Sapangbato Watershed. 

The initiative supports the local government’s watershed reforestation efforts while also helping strengthen the livelihood opportunities of farmers in the community.

After the tree planting, the said organizations also conducted a medical mission to bring essential health and dental services directly to residents. Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Taguig gave a health education session on proper oral hygiene, provided basic dental care services, and distributed hygiene kits to community members as part of the outreach.

In addition to these, Converge and the Philippine Eagles also distributed grocery packs, medicines and vitamins, including garments to help address the immediate needs of the families in Sitio Target, Sapangbato.

“This initiative reflects our shared goal of supporting communities in ways that respond to their needs. By working together with other organizations, we were able to do so much for the environment, for the people’s livelihoods, and also in promoting the health and well-being of the community, all in one meaningful effort,” said Converge VP and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado. 

The engagement of Converge with Sitio Sapangbato builds on an earlier effort where 1,000 mandarin and coffee seedlings were sowed by its employees last year as part of its Women’s Month celebration, led by the mentors and mentees of its women’s leadership program, Grace Under Pressure: MentorSHE.

Overall, Converge planted a total of 4,700 seedlings for the watershed in 2025 in partnership with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Angeles City, Pampanga.

The sustainability commitment of Converge includes a strong focus on creating positive community impact, which the company fulfills by engaging with marginalized communities through the capabilities of its business.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Grab, MOVE IT strengthen on-trip protection with expanded COCOLIFE partnership 

8:12 a.m. February 3, 2026

Grab Philippines and motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT have expanded their emergency insurance support with COCOLIFE, widening hospital assistance and financial protection for both rider-partners and passengers in a bid to make coverage more accessible and comprehensive for users of the on-demand mobility services. 

Through the deepened partnership, rider-partners and passengers gain 24/7 access to a wider network of more than 700 COCOLIFE-accredited hospitals nationwide for emergency situations involving a Grab or MOVE IT ride.

The expanded hospital assistance with COCOLIFE strengthens Grab Philippines and MOVE IT’s protection ecosystem by addressing the most time-critical gap in on-trip incidents: emergency care and hospitalization support for both rider-partners and passengers. 

It is designed to complement existing coverage across the platforms. Grab and MOVE IT’s group personal accident insurance, administered through AIG Philippines, continues to provide complimentary on-trip protection for fatal injuries, permanent disablement, and accident-related medical expenses for passengers and partners, while AXA-backed life and disability protection remains an incentive-based benefit for top-performing driver-, delivery-, and rider-partners. 

“Safety and protection have to keep evolving with the realities our partners and passengers face every day,” said Ronald Roda, Managing Director of Grab Philippines. “This expanded support with COCOLIFE builds on our work to strengthen welfare protection in the gig economy. Grab and MOVE IT remain committed to the people who make every trip possible, and to the passengers who place their trust in us with every booking. We’ll keep investing in stronger safety nets so partners can keep earning with confidence, and passengers can ride with greater peace of mind.” 

Under the expanded coverage, Grab and MOVE IT riders and passengers nationwide are entitled to hospital assistance for accidents that occur while a trip is active on the platform. The policy provides up to P50,000 per member per year to help cover essential accident-related healthcare costs, with benefits available for emergency room, inpatient, and outpatient services across COCOLIFE’s accredited hospital network nationwide – with additional assistance available subject to case assessment. 

Continue Reading

NEWS

TCL shines at 61st Anvil Awards, securing 4 major honors

3:05 p.m. January 30, 2026

TCL Electronics, the Triple Global Top 1 TV Brand, a leading force in consumer electronics, and the No.1 ranking in global fresh air AC sales, has achieved four recognitions at the recently concluded 61st Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal held last January 28 at Solaire Resort, North Quezon City.

Marking a historic milestone, TCL secured its first-ever Anvil trophies, officially placing the brand among the country’s top communicators and demonstrating its excellence in press relations, marketing, and technology.

The Anvil Awards received by TCL highlights how the brand combines innovation, social impact, and strategic communication to deliver meaningful results. The TCL-TESDA Air Conditioning Training Program, which earned top marks in both Good Governance and Government Relations got Gold and Silver awards, the TCL x Olympic Basketball Project, which gained recognition in CSR bagging a Silver award and finally the TCL FreshIN 3.0 Campaign which won in Marketing and Brand Communication got Silver award.

We are beyond honored to be recognized by the PRSP. Bringing home not just one, but four Anvil awards is a monumental achievement for us. We are absolutely grateful, yet deeply humbled to be among this year’s top-tier honorees. These awards inspire us to continue pushing boundaries, to innovate boldly, and to deliver initiatives that make a meaningful impact on our customers and communities,” TCL Brand Manager Joseph Cerntichez shares.

The 61st Anvil Awards recognizes those who go beyond the conventional, celebrating bold leadership, creative brilliance, and impactful results for communities and brands alike. As one of the most respected programs in the Philippine communications industry, the Anvil Awards, organized annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, honors outstanding public relations tools, programs, and campaigns that demonstrate strategic insight, creativity, and measurable impact. Winners are carefully selected by a distinguished, multi-sectoral jury of communication professionals, academics, business leaders, and industry representatives, ensuring a rigorous and credible evaluation process.

Headlining TCL’s historic debut at the Anvil Awards is a Gold trophy in the Public Relations Program for Corporate Responsibility and Good Governance. This prestigious award honors the TCL-TESDA Training Center, a landmark initiative that seamlessly integrates social impact with brand leadership. More than just a facility, this fully equipped hub allows students to master advanced climate control technology through direct mentorship from TCL experts. By pioneering a ‘structured enrollment-to-employment’ pathway, TCL has created a sustainable solution to the industry’s skills gap—transforming graduates into certified professionals within its own service network. This award-winning program stands as a masterclass in nation-building, reflecting TCL’s enduring commitment to the Filipino workforce. TCL-TESDA Air Conditioning Training Program also got a Silver award for Public Relations Program Government Relations category.

TCL’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and good governance was once again honored with a Silver Anvil for the TCL Basketball Camp, a project that perfectly embodies the brand’s ‘Inspire Greatness’ mission. Located in the bustling heart of Manila, the camp provided a platform for young athletes to hone their skills and chase their dreams. The campaign’s success across Tech, Education, and Sports media highlights TCL’s unique ability to empower the Filipino youth through multifaceted engagement. As the world looks toward the World Olympics, this initiative stands as a testament to TCL’s dedication to fostering the next generation of champions.

TCL’s FreshIN 3.0 Campaign took home the Silver Anvil for its brilliant execution of a consumer-centric marketing strategy. Recognized in the ‘Marketing and Brand Communication’ category, the program stood out for its seamless integration of experiential touchpoints and multi-channel outreach. By transforming traditional PR into an interactive journey for the public, TCL didn’t just market a product—it built a lasting brand connection, proving its mastery in the art of modern storytelling and external engagement.

Beyond the impressive specs of the FreshIN 3.0 AC, the campaign’s success was driven by the TCL Cool Truck, which brought superior cooling directly to high-traffic areas. By integrating a skills-building partnership with TESDA, TCL showcased a holistic brand philosophy: delivering top-tier appliances while empowering the next generation of Filipino professionals. The result was a massive surge in brand sentiment and a reinforced standing as an industry innovator.

Marking a landmark achievement in its Philippine journey, TCL has solidified its standing as a leader in electronics and communications. These maiden ANVIL honors are a testament to a brand that refuses to settle, successfully merging technical brilliance with the art of storytelling to define the future of the industry

TCL’s growth is driven by a ‘trailblazer mindset’ under the leadership of TCL Philippines CEO Peter Chen. The brand has outlined a strategic roadmap centered on technical leadership and brand elevation. This directive aims to systematically upgrade TCL’s brand value through collaborative industry progress and the continuous pursuit of cutting-edge consumer experiences.

Looking ahead, TCL is set to roll out several key initiatives in the coming week. The mission remains unchanged, Inspire Greatness upholding the highest standards of quality and service, ensuring that the brand will consistently deliver world-class experiences to their loyal customers.

Continue Reading