NEWS
SCG’s Sharing the Dream: Helping PH students realize their goals
October 4, 2022 1:30 p.m.
Siam Cement Group (SCG) recently recognized their scholars during their annual turnover event for their Sharing The Dream Scholarship Program. After two years of holding the event online via Zoom, the eager scholars and SCG executives returned to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last September 15, Thursday.
“I feel very excited and proud of SCG that we resumed this kind of event to congratulate our scholarship students,” said Country Director Jakkrit Suwansilp.
SCG Country Director Jakkrit Suwansilp encourages their scholars to keep dreaming and turn them into reality to create a better community
Through their Sharing The Dream scholarship program, SCG envisions teaching their students how to become model citizens, who follow the company’s concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Good Governance) whenever applicable. Simply put, the company aspires that its scholarship program produces students and citizens who want to make a better community for themselves and others.
For years, SCG’s Sharing The Dream scholarship program supported students from Bulacan, Taguig, Batangas, and Manila schools as they achieved their dreams through education. Although challenging, SCG hopes that its scholars maintain their perseverance in life.
“Continue and follow your dreams,” Suwansilp advised the scholars. “Poverty can’t stop you from your dream. Please continue to dream, but not only dream. Please make it happen. Once you make it happen, you’ll be proud of yourself and make your parents, community, teacher, and country proud.”
Besides the Sharing The Dream scholarship program, SCG supports education in the Philippines in several aspects to further develop quality learning within the country. Another is the Adopt-A-School program, which began five to six years ago in partnership with DepEd.
Suwansilp explained that in the Adopt-A-School program, they work closely with DepEd to renovate schools in rural areas to provide a conducive learning environment for students. Moreover, they also have another program focused on nutrition by providing healthy meals to undernourished students.
An experience worth sharing
This 2022, DepEd recorded more than 27 million enrollees for the academic year 2022 to 2023, more than the previous year’s 26.3 million. These numbers show that despite challenges in society, the youth are eager to learn and work towards a brighter future for themselves and their families.
Poverty is one of the leading causes that keep many Filipinos from attending school. SCG’s scholarship program allowed thousands of students to surpass the struggle and pursue their desired careers.
“I was able to sustain my needs as a student. Aside from that, SCG helps me grow holistically. Last 2019, I was able to go to Thailand and experience meeting other scholars. I realized na sobrang halaga pala maka-meet ng ibang tao, especially from diverse cultures,” said Ly-ann Ferolino, a SCG scholar who graduated from the Batangas State University, Malvar Campus.
Ferolino is now a teacher who helps mold students to become the next global leaders. She believes that her success is by and for SCG.
SCG Sharing The Dream scholarship recipients Lara Jhane Arellano (left) and Ly-ann Ferolino hopes to extend the company’s ESG concepts in their own ways
Meanwhile, Lara Jhane Arellano, a current scholar from Upper Bicutan National High School, is grateful to SCG for their financial support, proving to her and many others that poverty can’t stop dreamers from achieving their goals.
Arellano added that SCG empowered her as a scholar because their support, through the Sharing The Dream program, made her feel capable of achieving her aspirations.
On learning and living
Learning lessons within the classroom isn’t the only way SCG saw its scholars grow. The scholarship program exposed the students to scenarios that tested their mettle.
Now that Ferolino works as a teacher, she constantly adjusts to her profession and community. Nonetheless, she finds the time to enjoy herself because she’s close to living the life she envisioned. Her sense of balance between living and achieving pushes her to become an efficient mentor who prioritizes her well-being.
While some find student life challenging, Arellano found a way to cope with the responsibilities on her shoulders, especially as a student leader. She draws strength, courage, and inspiration from those who believe in her. Although the road to graduation is still some ways before completion, Arellano has laid out a vision of what she hopes to be after she crosses that bridge.
“Years from now, I think I am the person I always wanted to be. I believe in myself na kakayanin ko kung sino man ako tomorrow,” she said.
Arellano also plans to obtain a degree in psychology someday. She shared how SCG inspired her to dream big and pursue that goal. As a scholar, Arellano faces expectations from the company and the people around her. Despite that, she knows how SCG nurtures and believes in her talent, which is why they chose her among their numerous scholarship recipients.
Implementing SCG’s ESG
SCG’s Sharing The Dream scholarship program also teaches its students about the concept of ESG. Each scholar has their way of practicing the tenet in their profession or life.
Ferolino serves as an example for her students. Since her trip to Thailand left a significant and positive mark on her, she drew inspiration from a project that hopes to teach students proper segregation. With her initiative, she hopes to extend SCG’s way of giving back to the community by instilling a sense of empathy within her students.
On the other hand, Arellano, who is a STEM student, always thinks of where she could practice her passion for the better. She often looks for organizations to join that coincide with the ESG concept.
SCG also employs many of its scholars to guide toward an ESG-centric path. Some of the companies under SCG include Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc., SCG Marketing Philippines, Inc., SCG Packaging or United Pulp and Paper Company, SCG BuilkOne Philippines, Inc., and SCG International Philippines, Inc.
Thousands of Filipinos realized their dreams of a better life and future by receiving a quality education. SCG proves that poverty shouldn’t hinder students who want to learn more about making the world a better place for themselves and everyone else.
NEWS
DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025
DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.
“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.
The Telco that Truly Takes Care of its Users
DITO’s prepaid solutions eliminate the frustration of wasted data through Level-Up Packs with ViLTE technology, making DITO the primary telco offering unlimited DITO-to-DITO HD video calls and unli mobile calls. Combined with Viber and Prime Video inclusions and flexible data packages with longer validity periods, users can now maximize their every peso without worrying about abruptly expiring data allocations.
The Telco that Offers Value-Packed Postpaid Plans
DITOFlexPlan 888 redefines what postpaid should offer—comprehensive inclusions and generous data at prices that make sense for Filipino budgets. Whether you choose SIM-only or device bundles, these plans prove that premium network performance doesn’t have to break the bank, empowering users to pursue their goals without connectivity compromises.
The Telco that Brings True 5G Home Internet Convenience
DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home connectivity effortless with a year-long unlimited connection that works when you need it. Families enjoy the convenience of reliable internet for work, study, and entertainment without the inconvenience of data top-ups and complicated installations; just network performance that simplifies your digital life at home. Just ask any of your relatives and friends who have already ditched ordinary WiFi and jumped onto WoWFi— they will tell you what you’ve been missing out on.
The Telco that Built Everything You Need in One App
The DITO App represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive digital platforms, built from the ground up to handle the entire customer journey. From SIM and load purchase to account management and a wide range of OTT apps, users enjoy complete digital control with custom special offers, DITO Rewards points, and 24/7 customer support—managing everything while earning exclusive benefits.
NEWS
Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins
11:39 a.m. August 27, 2025
GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is making everyday payments more rewarding with “Pay It, Win It”, where every ₱50 spent on GCash builds your chances to win over ₱20 million worth of exciting rewards.
With “Pay It, Win It”, everyday payments turn into extraordinary wins with prizes designed to match the passion and lifestyle of all GCash users. Every two weeks, new and bigger rewards drop, bringing you closer to the life upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.
GCash takes it further by listening to what its users truly value and showing up where they are. Whether it’s in the daily grind, their fandoms, or their passions, rewards don’t just excite, but they resonate in everyday life.
Upgrade Your Everyday
Every peso spent gives users a chance to win must-have prizes that can upgrade their everyday lives– from driving home a brand-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic or zipping through the city on a Yamaha NMAX, to bringing homea Samsung Smart TV.
A Trip to the K-Land
For all dedicated and passionate K-pop fans, you can turn your bills and shopping receipts into plane tickets, taking you a step closer to your bias. Win a trip for two to Seoul or Busan and make your ultimate K-dream a reality.
Level Up Your Play
For PC and console gamers, leveling up has never been this thrilling. Win the latest gaming console (PlayStation™ 5), a high-performance gaming laptop (ASUS ROG Strix G16), and the ultimate gaming phone (ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro), because every gamer knows that better gear leads to better performance.
Joining is simple; just head over to the “Pay It, Win It” page by clicking the “Tap for Promos” banner on your GCash app and choosing a prize to register. Every ₱50 spent instantly counts as a raffle entry.
Pay any way you like, whether it’s scanning or generating a QR code, paying with your GCash Card, paying online, buying load or paying bills inside the GCash app, paying with GCash Tap to Pay, or generating a QR with your Huawei Watch. No extra forms, no fuss, just keep using GCash everyday.
Winners are drawn weekly and announced every Friday through the official social media channels of GCash and in-app promo page. All winners will be notified via email, and in-app alerts.
With “Pay It, Win It,” GCash proves that every payment isn’t just a flow of funds from users’ wallets; it’s a step toward progress, a connection to your passion, and a chance to unlock rewards that truly matter. For more information about GCash, visit www.new.gcash.com.
NEWS
‘Gender dimension’ will make urban spaces more inclusive, useful — expert
11:12 a.m. August 26, 2025
Urban planners must consider the “gender dimension” to make public spaces more inclusive and allow better use of infrastructures designed to make users move comfortably, according to a US-based expert supporting movements for greater public mobility.
Benjie de la Peña, CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and chair of the Global Network for Popular Transportation, said buildings, walkways or sidewalks, and transport terminals should not be mere infrastructures as they must be public spaces where people should be able to move comfortably.
Engineers tend to think of efficiency and movement alone and they don’t think about the waiting part, right? … It’s always about the moving and not about the waiting. But in a good system, you think about how it is to wait and dwell,” De la Peña told participants of the Philippine Mobility Series 2025’s “Mobility Chat” recently.
For instance, De la Peña said, women and caregivers have different trip patterns from men and regular office workers, hence, the significance to create mobility hubs for women, as well as caregivers.
In their analysis, De la Peña noted that in most cities, available public transport services go to the employment areas and serves particular times, but that’s not how women and caregivers move.
“They sometimes have to stop over at school to drop off the kids, or on the way home, stop over and pick up a grocery, or if they’re caring for someone older, they have to take them to the doctor or to the pharmacy. And so, none of the public transportation systems are particularly friendly to that,” said the Filipino urban transport expert.
“This is precisely why Grab in the Philippines is supporting the Philippine Mobility Series 2025. We need to hear more civilian voices. We need a platform to allow exchanges of ideas to flow in order to improve mobility in the country,” according to Booey Bonifacio of Grab.
After interviewing 100 women aged 11 to 95 on their transportation needs and challenges, De la Peña noted how the framework they designed had radically changed when gender dimension was added.
If we design for the people with the most challenges, it works better for everyone else,” De la Peña told the “Mobility Chat” organized by AltMobility PH and co-presented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with Grab and the Move As One Coalition.
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DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities
Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins
