PLDT, Smart empower GenSan youth through storytelling series on mental health

PLDT, Smart empower GenSan youth through storytelling series on mental health

Friday, March 11, 2022

PLDT and Smart, through its Better Today program, supported the “Sugakod Series” of the local government of General Santos (GenSan) City. Led by its Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), the storytelling series took a deep dive into GenSan’s community-based mental health program, Project Hinabi. Last year’s Sugakod series has garnered over 66,000 social media reach.

‘Hinabi’ is a Cebuano word for conversation and the Tagalog word for woven. Project Hinabi is a series of woven efforts of the community to create safe spaces and conversations.

“The youth of GenSan aims to cultivate a culture of empathy and kindness within our communities. When we launched “Project Hinabi” last year, we thought of ways where we can reach out to individuals who are in most need of mental health support. With “Project Hinabi”, we are creating safe spaces for people to seek help,” said Sangguniang Kabataan for General Santos City Federation President John Demdam. “Our Sugakod series is a place where we can talk about relevant issues and promote initiatives related to mental health. We are happy to share our different mental health programs made for and by the GenSan youth.”

The City Mayor’s Office, through its Youth Affairs and Development Office (YADO) and SK, launched Project Hinabi last year, a youth-led community-based mental health initiative.

Better Today is a key part of PLDT and Smart’s continuing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #3 that stands for good health and well-being, and UNSDG #16 that stands against abuse, violence, and exploitation of children.

“We envisioned Better Today to be a safe space where the youth takes an active role towards changemaking and nation-building. General Santos is our model city when it comes to mental health initiatives, and we hope to replicate and create ripple effects of change among our other partner LGUs as well,” said Jose Lukban Rosete, Smart Assistant Vice President for Government Relations.

“The national government has prioritized General Santos City for transformation into a digital city. This is why it is important that we start creating safe spaces on the internet for the youth early,” Rosete added.

For collaborations and conversations on wellness, safe spaces, and changemaking in the digital space, follow @BetterTodayPH on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube.

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5 Easy Tips and Shopee Useful Items to Stay Organized

5 Easy Tips and Shopee Useful Items to Stay Organized

Friday, January 7, 2022

It’s time to declutter and make room for your new goals

Hello, 2022! 

After taking the time to reflect on the past year, it’s time to get ready for new beginnings. Not sure where to start? For a truly clean slate, your first step should be to clear and rewire your brain. And what better way to do that than with some decluttering and organizing? With a clean, put-together space (and mind!), you can stay focused on your new goals.

Check out five easy tips to help you stay organized throughout 2022. Below, you can also discover product recommendations from Shopee, your go-to source for organization items, essentials, and everything in between at the best prices:

Write down your to-do list

If you’ve got a lot on your plate, don’t attempt to keep your to-do list in your brain—this will only overwhelm and stress you out. Instead, stay on track with a planner. This Undated Planner from National Bookstore, perfect for fans of the hit TV show Friends, features undated pages and blank weekly pages on which you can jot down your checklists and more.

Set your priorities

Got a long to-do list? Don’t attempt to accomplish everything all at once. Set clear priorities by color-coding your planner. You can process each day’s tasks easily by just glancing at color-coded sticky notes. This set of Sticky Notes includes stationery in different colors and sizes.

Manage your workload

How often have you taken on extra deliverables or said yes to engagements, only to realize that your calendar is too full? This year, take care of your mental health and say no when you have to. Stay on top of your schedule with a handy pocket-sized Animal Desk Calendar. These colorful calendars, which come in pretty pastel colors, feature monthly views.

Keep your workspace tidy

It’s perfectly understandable if you don’t always have the time to keep your workspace spotless when you’re busy, but as much as possible, try to keep everything in its proper place. This Wooden Desk Organizer makes it easier to arrange your documents, notes, pens, and other supplies.

Track your finances consistently

Spent more than you intended during the holidays? It’s fine to treat yourself, but remember to set some savings aside as well. Get your finances back on track this year with a Budget Planner. Place your budget for each week inside the binder pockets and jot down your expenditures on the colored labels.

If you’re looking to buy these great finds to kick-start your 2022, check out with ShopeePay to avail of daily free shipping and cashback vouchers. With ShopeePay, Shopee’s all-in-one e-wallet, you can also buy load, pay bills, and scan to pay at thousands of merchants nationwide. Get up to 10% off on load across all networks and up to 25% cashback on your monthly bills from over 60 billers. If you need to stock up on groceries or go on a much-needed food-trip, get big savings when you avail of ₱1 Deals via “ShopeePay Near Me” and redeem your discounts when you pay via ShopeePay at their physical stores.

Enjoy free and real-time transfers with ShopeePay. Cash in and do bank transfers for free via InstaPay; get up to ₱25 cashback on your InstaPay fee when you cash in. You can also send money for free to any ShopeePay user. To enjoy these exclusive deals and more, activate your ShopeePay now for a rewarding cashless experience.

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

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Baguio City latest to join PLDT, Smart conversations series on mental health awareness

Baguio City latest to join PLDT, Smart conversations series on mental health awareness

Thursday, December 16, 2021

PLDT and Smart continues its Better Today conversations series on mental health, this time with Baguio City.

Mental health professionals Riyan Portuguez and JP Silvestre, and advocate Claudia Barretto took part in the virtual event. Portuguez and Silvestre discussed suicide, coping mechanisms, prevention, and destigmatizing mental illness, especially among peers and within communities. Meanwhile, Barretto shared her personal experience as a mental health survivor and student.

According to Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Levy Lloyd Braza Orcales, the Local Government of Baguio aims to create a safe space and platform for the youth to discuss mental health. “We hope that this will help our youth, especially those facing challenges when it comes to school,” Orcales said.

A number of universities in Baguio recently faced an alarming rate of suicide, depression and anxiety cases, especially when it comes to dealing with online classes. The City implemented an academic break to give time for the youth to take care of their mental well-being.

Baguio City Vice Mayor Faustino Atiwag Olowan shared that the City passed its Mental Health Ordinance, which was authored by Orcales, to help ensure people’s well-being. Vice Mayor Olowan recognized PLDT and Smart for bringing the Better Today mental health program to Baguio. “We hope that this will serve as a [mental health] break for our youth. Together with PLDT and Smart, the City of Baguio will continue to create mental health programs that will empower our youth. They are our future and they play a critical role in our country’s nation-building,” Olowan said.

The discussion also touched on the importance of digital technology when it comes to opening lines for communication. For PLDT and Smart, and with the youth as today’s digital natives, the Internet becomes a great catalyst of their generation, which enables them to access information and provides more opportunities to learn, to be more informed, and to be better.

PLDT and Smart seek to uplift and improve the overall physical and mental wellness of Filipinos through food security, improving nutrition, and creating awareness online.

These initiatives emphasize the Group’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being.

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