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Plan epic watch parties this February with new titles from Lionsgate Play

January 30, 2024 9:15 p.m.

Mark your calendars as Lionsgate Play unveils must-watch titles hitting their platform this month – from suspenseful thrillers and gripping true crime docu-series to heartwarming comedies and everything in between. It’s an entertainment-packed February, perfect for planning that barkada binge or organizing an indoor date night with that special someone. Check out what’s new on Lionsgate Play this month.

Mark your calendars as Lionsgate Play unveils must-watch titles hitting their platform this month – from suspenseful thrillers and gripping true crime docu-series to heartwarming comedies and everything in between. It’s an entertainment-packed February, perfect for planning that barkada binge or organizing an indoor date night with that special someone. Check out what’s new on Lionsgate Play this month.

Top picks for the month

The Rental (Film) – Release Date: February 2

Dave Franco’s directorial debut is a slow-burn edge-of-your-seat thriller meant to scratch at the viewer’s paranoia. It follows two couples who retreat to an oceanside getaway which quickly turns into a nightmare vacation when they discover that their Airbnb host might be spying on them. Tensions also rise as hidden resentments and secrets begin to surface among the four old friends. The Rental stars Jeremy Allen White, Dan Steves, Alison Brie, and Shiela Vand.

Midsommar (Film) – Release date: February 9

Ari Aster’s Midsommar has cemented itself as one of the most iconic films in its genre. The horror-thriller features a young American couple traveling to Northern Europe to visit a rural hometown’s fabled Swedish mid-summer festival. What starts as an idyllic escape descends into a nightmare as they get tangled in the community’s violent and sinister pagan rituals. Midsommar stars Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Will Poulter, and William Jackson Harper.

Deadbeat Seasons 1-3 (Series) – Release date: February 9

Those in the mood for a comedy binge will find what they need in Deadbeat, a hilarious supernatural series following the misadventures of Kevin, a medium for hire. Across Deadbeat’s seasons, Kevin juggles attempts to solve various ghosts’ unresolved problems while dealing with his messy personal life. Occasionally, he gets help from his best friend-slash-drug dealer, Roofie. Deadbeat stars Tyler Labine, Kal Penn, Brandon T. Jackson, and Cat Deeley.

Wrong Man Seasons 1-2 (Series) – Release date: February 16

Wrong Man is a docu-series that sheds light on the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions. It investigates the criminal convictions of people who claim their innocence: A Black man sentenced to death for the alleged brutal murder of a babysitter in 1984, a woman convicted of the kidnapping and murder of her ex-boyfriend’s wife and infant son, another woman accused of beating someone to death, and more. More than being an interesting watch for true crime enthusiasts, Wrong Man teaches viewers about the importance of due process and the fight for human rights within the legal system.

More exciting content this month

Insomnia (Series) – Release date: February 2

Norwegian thriller Insomnia follows a group of strangers who wake up and find themselves trapped in a building, forced to play a game called “Insomnia.” As it turns out, the illegal game is a costly form of entertainment held once a year in an exclusive casino for the rich who place bets on the players.

Knowing (Movie) – Release date: February 9

In Knowing, Nicholas Cage plays MIT professor John Koestler who discovers a mysterious list of numbers that somehow correspond to past and future world disasters. Convinced the sequence predicts future tragedies, John sets out to decipher the list and prevent the ultimate catastrophe.

Pulse (Movie) – Release date: February 16

Pulse, the American remake of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Japanese horror film, Kairo, delves into a world of digital horror. It centers around a computer hacker who accidentally channels a mysterious wireless signal and awakens a terrifying evil that starts to take over the world.

Bite Me Seasons 1-2 (Series) – Release date: February 16

Three die-hard gamers discover their town is overrun by zombies in American comedy-horror Bite Me. Threatened with a zombie apocalypse, the trio realizes they must use their gaming skills to survive, rescue their friends, and ultimately save the world.

Soul Survivors (Movie) – Release date: February 16

After surviving a fatal car accident that killed her boyfriend, college student Cassie is haunted by guilt and terrifying supernatural visions. Cassie spends time in limbo, torn between the land of the living and the afterlife, where she believes her lover is trapped. Her friends Annabel and Matt attempt to help her cope with her grief, but somewhere along the way, Cassie begins to doubt their intentions.

Aside from these exciting titles, Lionsgate Play is also set to release Fear the Nighton February 2 and Power Book III: Raising Kanan on February 23.

Catch these must-watch movies and series plus more only on Lionsgate Play on PLDT Home!

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.

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SM Prime, DTI empower MSMEs with 83 SM mall spaces, training, mentorship

(L-R): SM Prime Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual

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.

SM Supermalls’ President Steven Tan (3rd from left) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual (3rd from right) with (L-R): SM Supermalls’ Assistant Vice President for Operations Royston Cabunag, SM Supermalls’ Vice President for Operations Junias Eusebio, DTI Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque, and DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines Director Marievic Bonoan
Key signatories from SM and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sign the Memorandum of Agreement.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Micro-, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development Group Cristina Roque

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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.

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