"Ngayon, Ako Naman Ma” video brings us all the feels this Mother’s Day

This true-to-life story reminds us of a mother’s unconditional love

This Mother’s Day, let us spread forth the spirit of gratitude, of love and affection, towards the most extraordinary woman in our life—our mothers. And these days, as we find ourselves in extraordinarily difficult times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this gesture has become all the more relevant and timely. These days, families and loved ones are unfortunately brought apart by social distancing, with some having family members who are healthworkers at the forefront of the fight against the health crisis.

Ultra Combo, 6Cyclemind and other OPM bands come together for Smart Music Live Online Sessions

Since the start of Enhanced Community Quarantine, the public turned to live online concerts for entertainment. OPM bands were amongst the first group of artists to share their music for free and for a cause. This trend continues to bring meaningful connections with our loved ones during these hard times.

On cue, Smart also took this opportunity to go beyond bringing international acts to Manila to delight subscribers’ passion for music. To raise funds for COVID-19 frontliners, Smart Music Live (SML) Online Sessions brings a more relaxed version of the gig scene in a series of online streaming concerts on Facebook.

Extra special Mother’s Day at home with The Manila Hotel

Mother’s Day is a yearly reminder to cherish our relationship with our moms. Given this year’s unique circumstances, many of us will be celebrating this special day at home or even away from the special women in our lives—mom, grandmas, and aunts. Still, even when fancy dinners are impossible, Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be canceled. With some creativity and preparation, you can still give the most special woman in your life the Mother’s Day she deserves.

The Manila Hotel pulls all the stops for you to still be able to give her a memorable Mother’s Day. This home celebration will have a five-star hotel feel and The Manila Hotel will make sure it gets close to a real feast. 

The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day Surprise gives you discounts when you choose to order the food-and-cake bundle and pay online on or before May 8, 2020 (Friday). You may choose items from the A La Carte Menu or Home Buffet sets (Filipino, Italian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese favotires, as well as Certified Halal items) and get a 20% discount on your food bill, and a 10% discount on the cake of your choice. 

Globe extends free unlimited WiFi to more LGUs and hospitals nationwide

GoWiFi now available in quarantine areas, more hospitals and local government offices 

With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other high risk provinces to May 15, Globe is extending its free unlimited Internet via GoWiFi, in government designated quarantine areas, residence areas and more hospitals for the benefit of medical frontliners and patients.

Smart celebrates Mother’s Day with a big Signature Sale from May 6 to 15

Get exclusive gadget deals and freebies at the Smart Online Store

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is celebrating Mother’s Day in a big way as it brings its Signature Sale on the Smart Online Store (www.store.smart.com.ph)  from May 6 to 15, 2020.         

With exclusive freebies and huge discounts of up to 50% off on select Apple, Huawei, Samsung and OPPO devices, the Smart Signature Sale offers a wide range of gift options to make Mother’s Day even more special.      

ABS-CBN Shutdown Shocks The Nation

Today May 5 in the unfortunate year of 2020, a sad yet infuriating news about the fate of the largest television network shocked the country. As the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order to ABS-CBN and its subsidiary broadcast channels. This order came after the deadline of the broadcast franchise by the NTC in which there is also a pending bill in congress discussing the franchise.

In the final broadcast of TV patrol, they acknowledged the order by the NTC and also delivered news that still talks about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However this broadcast is heavy to watch as they also have their anchors Noli De Castro, Ted Failon, and Bernadette Sembrano tell the sad news to the public. 

Statement On Thr Cease And Desist Order Issued By The NTC To ABS-CBN

Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight (5 May 2020) when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is in compliance with the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) today that prohibits ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations effective immediately.

Rico Blanco returns with inspiring new anthem “This Too Shall Pass”

After a four-year hiatus in making songs of his own, Rico Blanco returns with a rousing new anthem to help us deal with the uncertainty of the times.

This Too Shall Pass is Rico Blanco’s first solo single in four years, as well as his first under Sony Music Philippines. The song was written from a place of discomfort and fear, witnessing how the much louder tremor of pandemic anxiety instantly changed our lives and left us with little time to mourn and move forward.

Singaporean Electronic Producer Foxela and Singer-Songwriter Chelsea Cara Release ‘wanted you so bad’ Via Umami Records

Singaporean Electronic Producer Foxela and Singer-Songwriter Chelsea Cara Release ‘wanted you so bad’ Via Umami Records

17-year-old Singaporean electronic producer Foxela and singer-songwriter Chelsea Cara have released their brand new single ‘wanted you so bad’ today via Singapore indie label Umami Records.

Chelsea decided to write the song after experiencing rejection from someone she really liked. “I tried to show the dilemma I was facing and the painful choices I had to make,” the alt pop singer-songwriter shares, “I had all these emotions I was trying to make sense of.”

“Am I building a wall just to break it / am I strong enough to hold it down / but with one look, oh no you got me now”, sings Chelsea, building up to Foxela’s cathartic instrumental drop. She channels her frustrations with a delicate but soulful performance that feels at home with the song’s tropical house-inspired production.  

Shopee resumes full operations and nationwide fulfillment for all goods

Users can buy all their essential and non-essential goods from the safety of their own home

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, announced today that it will resume full operations and fulfillment of all orders nationwide -- including non-essential goods like beauty products, fashion, and many more. Cash on Delivery will also be available for all items. 

Martin Yu, Associate Director of Shopee Philippines, said: ​“We’re glad to announce that Shopee will be resuming full operations and nationwide fulfillment for all goods and services. Aside from essential goods, our Filipino users can now have access to non-essential goods from different categories like fashion, beauty, and many more. We are also working closely with our brands, sellers, and partners to ensure that we continue to provide our users with greater convenience and value during this period and beyond Covid-19.”