NEWS
Building true champs in life thru sports
The year 2021 will go down in Philippine sports history as the year of Filipino champions. In the recent Tokyo Olympics, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz brought home the first ever gold medal for the country.
Team Pilipinas also hauled in two silver and one bronze medals – its most successful contingent in over a century. Diaz and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial showed what true Filipino champions are made of, lifting the spirit of the entire nation during a pandemic and igniting hope for what our young athletes can achieve in the future.
This is exactly the reason why Nestlé continues to build Filipino life champions through sports. Since 1964, Nestlé nourishes the youth with nutritious energy to jump start their own journey to success through the MILO Sports Programs.
It is not surprising that Nestlé has been able to inspire more than 35 million Filipinos to grow with sports and pursue their love for basketball, volleyball, taekwondo, football, swimming, gymnastics, arnis, among others. Look no further with Bea Lucero, Caloy Yulo, Kiefer Ravena, Jamie Lim and Pauline Lopez as some of MILO’s best and most notable athletes.
But sports is not only about competing and getting a podium finish. Former athletes Dr. Micco Sollano and Atty. Madeline Mina proved that champions are not only measured by mere skill, but also by heart and character. Their humble beginnings with Nestlé and MILO Sports programs have been the foundation of their ongoing success. Today, they try to live by these values while pursuing their other passions in life
The fight continues, on and off court
“I was in Grade School when my mom enrolled me in the MILO BEST Center program,” Dr. Sollano shared.
Founded by Coach Nic Jorge, the MILO BEST Center recognizes sports as an integral part of a child’s growth. The aspiring doctor continued to play basketball, competing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines or UAAP as part of the champion teams of both Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University during his college years.
“Sports is a great teacher. I learned about discipline and teamwork. I also gained confidence to face challenges, on and off the court,” he emphasized, adding that the whole experience taught him to never give up. A trait, he admits, helped him while pursuing his medical degree later on.
In 2020, however, Dr. Sollano had to dig deeper and flight like he had never done before. “I was the first medical frontliner to test positive for COVID-19. I knew in my heart that I needed to fight because that is how MILO nurtured me,” he said.
He made sure he won this most challenging personal battle yet. Because for Dr. Sollano, other people were counting on frontliners like him and depending on their team to win the fight against COVID.
Champions are not built overnight
One’s champion journey is never easy. When Atty. Mina’s father enrolled her at 10 years old in MILO Club Gymnastica in Pasig, where Lucero and Yulo also trained, she had to prove to herself that she could do what kids two to four years her junior were already capable of.
“Hindi siya basta-basta. You have to go through the process of training for a particular skill. Because in progressive trainings, especially for gymnastics, everything will get harder and more complex,” Atty. Mina explained.
She committed herself to train both at home and in the gym to improve her somersaults and stick the landing of her vault routine. And when local and international competitions came, all the hard work to be at the highest competitive level was rewarded with medals and loud cheers of “Go, Madel!” from her family and teammates.
But after winning in four competitions, Atty. Mina felt like she wanted to give up. Her dream of becoming a champion gymnast in the Olympics remained just that – a dream.
“It was that time when I felt overfatigue and no longer improving. I had to overcome such frustration, that even though I was no longer competing as a gymnast, I could still do what I love as a member of our cheerleading teams in high school and college.”
She went on to join and win titles with her new teammates at the Pasig Catholic College Pep Squad and San Beda Cheerleading Association.
Struggles, she stressed, are part of the whole journey. “Sometimes being a champion means taking failure in stride, allowing yourself to mourn and picking yourself up again to do better and bounce back higher,” she said. From being a gymnast to becoming a lawyer, Atty. Mina is now focusing her energy by taking part in the speedy administration of justice under the Supreme Court. It is about championing others this time around, she said.
It starts with a champion’s mindset
Nestlé has been championing the health and wellness of Filipino families for 110 years. As Nestlé adapts to the times, Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability and Communications, said the company has pivoted its MILO Sports program into the MILO Home Court online to continue helping kids stay active and healthy even while at home.
“A champion’s journey starts with fostering a champion’s mindset. As the Kasambuhay of Filipino families, Nestlé is excited to build the next generation of true champions while cheering them on at every stage of their journey.
It may have been five decades since Nestlé launched its first MILO Sports program but the determination, discipline and self-confidence that it has instilled in millions of Filipino youth through sports will, hopefully, prepare them to become champions in life,” Tan-Bantoto said.
NEWS
TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
7:01 p.m. July 16, 2023
TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, is taking further steps to ensure a safer and more transparent platform for its Filipino community. In response to the evolving digital landscape and the rise of AI-generated content (AIGC), these initiatives are designed to maintain a secure environment, uphold community guidelines, and ensure users can trust the content they encounter on the platform.
Strengthening Community Guidelines Enforcement
As part of its ongoing efforts to safeguard its community, TikTok recently published its Q1 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report. During this period from January 1 to March 31, 2024, TikTok removed 4.26 million videos in the Philippines for violations of its Community Guidelines. Of these, 99.7% were removed proactively, and 95% were taken down within 24 hours.
To further enhance transparency, TikTok updated its Community Guidelines in April to provide clearer rules and introduce new features that help creators understand and comply with policies. Available in English and Filipino, these guidelines include detailed definitions and outline moderation practices for features like Search, LIVE, and the For You feed, ensuring policies are clear and accessible to all users.
Advancing AI-Generated Content Transparency
In response to the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content, TikTok has implemented new measures for transparency. Since May, TikTok has automatically labeled AI-generated content uploaded from specific platforms. This initiative is part of a collaboration with MediaWise, a program of the Poynter Institute, and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), making TikTok the first video-sharing platform to adopt C2PA’s Content Credentials technology. These labels aim to provide users with clear context about the nature of the content they consume.
Educating the Community with Media Literacy Tools
To support its community in navigating AI-generated content and combating misinformation, TikTok is launching new media literacy resources. Developed in collaboration with experts, these resources are integral to TikTok’s broader strategy to enhance user understanding and foster a more informed community. As part of this initiative, TikTok has partnered with MediaWise to release 12 educational videos throughout the year. These videos aim to teach universal media literacy skills and explain how TikTok’s AI-generated content labels can help contextualize content. This partnership underscores TikTok’s commitment to educating its community and fostering a more informed user base.
Expanding AIGC Labeling Through Partnerships
Building on its efforts to ensure content transparency, TikTok has extended its auto-labeling capabilities for AI-generated content created on other platforms. By integrating the ability to read Content Credentials from C2PA, TikTok automatically recognizes and labels AI-generated content, with plans to expand this to audio-only content soon.
In the coming months, TikTok plans to attach Content Credentials to its content, ensuring transparency even when content is downloaded, allowing users to utilize C2PA’s Verify tool to identify AI-generated content and understand its creation details.
Driving Industry-Wide Adoption
In its mission to promote industry-wide adoption of Content Credentials, TikTok has joined the Adobe-led Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI). As the first video-sharing platform to implement Content Credentials, TikTok is at the forefront of encouraging transparent content practices across the industry. The gradual increase in auto-labeled AI-generated content on TikTok is expected to grow as more platforms adopt this technology, fostering a more transparent digital landscape.
For You Feed and Creator Code of Conduct
To further enhance safety, TikTok has introduced new standards that will temporarily restrict accounts that repeatedly violate content standards. These accounts and their content will be harder to find in search, with creators being notified and given the option to appeal.
Additionally, TikTok published a Creator Code of Conduct outlining the standards expected from creators involved in TikTok programs, features, events, and campaigns. This code reinforces TikTok’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive platform.
Through these measures, TikTok continues to focus on helping its community, especially creators, understand its rules and enforcement methods to ensure a safer experience for its users. By embracing continuous innovation and collaboration, TikTok strives to create a secure and inclusive space for creativity and connection.
NEWS
SM Prime, DTI empower MSMEs with 83 SM mall spaces, training, mentorship
9:15 p.m. July 12, 2024
Good news for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)! SM Prime Holdings (SM Prime) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) solidified a partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held on July 1 at the SM Prime Headquarters.
This collaboration empowers MSMEs with prime mall space in 83 SM Malls nationwide, aligning with the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines program. Besides providing space, SM Prime offers MSMEs discounted booth rentals, training programs on product development, marketing, financial management, and mentorship opportunities with experienced business leaders.
NEWS
DTI National Food Fair celebrates local flavors at SM Megamall
8:26 p.m. July 11, 2024
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) successfully concluded the 10th National Food Fair at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls 1-3, held from July 3-7, 2024. This premier event showcased the rich flavors of the Philippines and empowered over 200 Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs).
Food enthusiasts enjoyed a bounty of fresh produce, regional specialties, and delectable treats from all corners of the country. Attendees had the opportunity to stock up on pantry staples, explore health-conscious options, and discover unique ingredients to elevate their cooking skills.
(L-R): Megatrade Hall’s Maite Quiogue, SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Operations Royston Cabunag, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, SM Megamall Assistant Vice President for Operations Christian Mathay, SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Corporate Marketing Grace Magno, DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan, and SM Megamall Assistant Mall Manager Isabella Manjon
(L-R): Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, Guest of Honor Winnie Chua-Go, and DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan
The 2024 Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair brings together the best food and flavors from all 16 regions.
Fresh pomelos and other local fruits take center stage at the National Food Fair in Megatrade Hall.
A potential buyer gets ready to take home bottled Bicol Express and Laing at the 10th National Food Fair in SM Megamall.
Crispy, salty, and packed with nutrients —these water spinach chips are the perfect healthy snack.
Bottled honey and baked fruit crisps, all made with local ingredients.
Davao del Sur and Misamis Oriental’s chocolate products are crafted from premium cacao beans.
Quality golden salted eggs from Rizal.
A variety of coconut products from San Pablo, Laguna.
TECHSHAKE announces strategic business alliance with Mirai Works
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TikTok enhances safety, transparency for Filipino community with new initiatives
