Magnolia halts NLEX in 2OT

September 8, 2021 | 6:53 pm

PBA-Images — THE Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok halted erstwhile streaking NLEX Road Warriors, 112-105, in double overtime in PBA Philippine Cup action on Wednesday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok halted erstwhile streaking NLEX Road Warriors, 112-105, in double overtime (2OT) in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup action on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor,  Pampanga.

Magnolia fashioned out a ferocious comeback in the fourth period to force the contest into extra time where it battled through to complete the dig-deep victory.

The contest was close right from the get-go, with the teams fighting to a 49-46 count, and the Road Warriors ahead, at the break.

NLEX then exploded in the third canto, outscoring the Hotshots, 35-26, to end up with a 13-point cushion, 84-71, heading into the payoff quarter.

In the fourth, it was Magnolia’s turn to wax hot, scoring 23 points to NLEX’s 10 points to send the game to overtime.

The first overtime saw the Road Warriors seemingly on their way to victory after it held a four-point lead, 103-99, with 18 seconds to play.

But a 5-1 run after — two made free throws by Paul Lee and a triple by reserve Aris Dionisio —towed Magnolia in sending the contest to another five minutes.

In the second overtime, it was all Hotshots, with big man Ian Sangalang scoring six of the team’s eight points and the team holding Road Warriors to a solitary point.

Calvin Abueva top-scored with 23 points for Magnolia, which improved to a 6-2 record in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association tournament. He also grabbed 12 rebounds, had four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Mr. Sangalang had 21 points while Mr. Lee added 18 markers.

For NLEX (4-3), which saw its win streak stopped at three, it was Jericho Cruz who led with 21 points, followed by Don Trollano with 15 and JR Quinahan with 14.

TIONGSON
Meanwhile, Juami Tiongson of the Terrafirma Dyip was named player of the week of the PBA.

No-nonsense guard Tiongson averaged 23 points, on 50% shooting; 5.3 assists, three rebounds and two steals in helping the Dyip go 3-0 in the opening week of the PBA restart from Sept. 1 to 5.

Two of the wins came at the expense of powerhouse teams San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, where he scored 28 and 31 points, respectively.

In winning the weekly award, the former Ateneo guard Tiongson beat TnT Filipino-American rookie Mikey Williams and teammate Roger Pogoy, NLEX’s Cruz and Quinahan and Kevin Alas, and Aldrech Ramos of Terrafirma.

Games on Thursday, meanwhile, will see the Northport Batang Pier (1-3) play the Blackwater Bossing (0-7) in a battle of tail-ending teams scheduled for 4:35 p.m.

The other game will feature streaking Terrafirma (3-4) and struggling Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2-5) at 2 p.m.

Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez holds nerve to reach US Open semifinals

September 8, 2021 | 6:53 pm

NEW YORK — Fil-Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez continued her US Open dream run on Tuesday by storming into her first Grand Slam semifinal with a battling (6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5)) win over Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina.

It was yet another upset win for Fernandez, but hardly a shock considering she had already knocked out four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the third round and three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber in the fourth.

If there was any lingering worry that the fearless Fil-Canadian would buckle under the mounting pressure, Fernandez removed it by prevailing in a nerve-jangling third set tie-break 7-5 to clinch a spot in the last four.

Rated one of the best players yet to win a major, Svitolina might have fancied her chances of returning to the US Open semifinals against a 73^rd ranked teen.

But Fernandez, who celebrated her 19^th birthday on Monday, has shown that she is no ordinary teenager after registering a string of upsets that have made her a Flushing Meadows darling.

Fernandez joined in the last four by compatriot Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

“I would say it’s the maple syrup,” said Fernandez when asked what they were feeding them up north to make the Canadians perform so well at the US Open.

The confident Canadian has played to the raucous crowd, using their energy to help fuel a charge into the last eight and the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd was once again in her corner on Tuesday.

In a US Open hit by a number of big-name withdrawals, young talents such as Fernandez and 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu have stepped up to grab the spotlight in the absence of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams.

Raducanu will get her chance to follow Fernandez into the semifinals on Wednesday when she takes on Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

But until then, it is the charismatic Fil-Canadian stealing all the attention with her brash, gutsy play.

Svitolina came into the contest riding a nine-match winning streak and she had not dropped a set en route to the quarterfinals — Fernandez ended both.

The Fil-Canadian lefthander had Svitolina off-balance from the start, denying the 26-year-old a single break opportunity as she bagged the opening set.

Playing with more aggression, Svitolina would get her chances in the second set as she broke Fernandez twice to build a 5-1 advantage.

But the Ukrainian was still made to work for the set, Fernandez breaking back and threatening a second break before Svitolina would close out with an ace to level the match. Fernandez, however, remained unfazed, getting a break in the third to go in front 4-2 before windmilling her arms to urge the crowd to respond to her effort which they did with a mighty roar.

Down 5-3 and with Fernandez serving for the match, Svitolina showed some fighting spirit of her own to break the Canadian and then held serve to get back on level terms.

With the contest stretched into a deciding tie-break, Svitolina might have been better equipped to handle the incredible pressure, but again it was Fernandez who was rock solid as she pulled off another upset victory. — Reuters

Eala advances to next round of US Open girls’ tournament

September 8, 2021 | 6:53 pm

TEEN tennis ace Alex M. Eala of the Philippines advanced to the next round of the 2021 US Open girls’ tournament after defeating American Charlotte Owensby (6-3, 6-3) in her opening match on Tuesday night (Manila time).

Ms. Eala, 16, bucked slow starts on both sets to complete the impressive victory at Court 14 of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City to make her way to the Round of 16.

She fell 0-2 early in the second set, but no sooner got her groove to first level the count at 2-2, then took four of the next five games for the win.

The Rafa Nadal Academy scholar, who is the second seed in the tournament, will next play Michaela Laki of Greece in a match set for 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

In the US Open, Ms. Eala, the number two juniors player in the world, is seeking another Grand Slam title after winning a couple of titles in doubles play — the 2020 Australian Open Juniors Doubles with Indonesian partner Priska Nugroho and 2021 French Open Juniors Doubles with Russian partner Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Ms. Eala is currently ranked 754^th in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

UAAP and Cignal TV launch first-ever Varsity Channel

September 8, 2021 | 6:52 pm

AS THE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) makes its way to resuming activities, it has worked with broadcast partner Cignal TV to reach out to the league’s fans for the launch of the first-ever UAAP Varsity Channel.

The 24/7 high-definition sports channel, which is available starting Sept. 8, provides year-round programming for UAAP fans.

It will initially offer an archive of the best UAAP games in the past two decades, including from marquee events basketball, volleyball, football and cheer dance.

The channel will also launch original magazine shows, featuring current athletes and some of the league’s legends.

The UAAP Varsity Channel will be the home as well to the coverage of the UAAP, which is angling to resume activities next year after being sidelined by the pandemic since the second quarter of 2020.

It is slated to broadcast live games and events plus multiple repeat telecasts.

“The UAAP Varsity Channel is Cignal’s answer to the clamor of countless UAAP fans for unlimited access to their favorite teams and players, and a chance to relive the best moments in UAAP history any time of the day across multiple platforms,” said Robert P. Galang, Cignal TV president and CEO, in a statement.

For the UAAP, the dedicated channel for the league is a welcome development, just as it expressed hope that it would be the start of more productive collaboration with Cignal TV.

“To launch a channel when there are no games yet is testament to the strength of the league made possible by the blood, sweat and tears of each and every student- athlete. We thank them for giving us enough memories worth reliving. This is for the UAAP community as we continue to navigate this pandemic,” said UAAP Executive Director Rebo Q. Saguisag.

The UAAP Varsity Channel is on Cignal TV CH. 263 (HD) and SatLite CH. 55 and is available for open viewing to all new and active subscribers until Oct. 15. Fans can also access the channel through Cignal’s OTT platform, Cignal Play. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Sotto banking on resiliency in his basketball journey

September 8, 2021 | 6:52 pm

SET to take his next basketball journey in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), Filipino young gun Kai P. Sotto is banking on resiliency and willingness to try to see his goals through.

To play for the Adelaide 36ers in the upcoming season of the NBL, Mr. Sotto, 19, shared that challenges lie ahead, but these are something he is willing to take on, recognizing that they would only help him grow as a player.

“Believe in yourself, just put the work in. On the basketball court, you should not give up easily. The same goes in life,” said the former Ateneo High School standout in a video interview for Smart Double Giga Stories.

“As time goes on, you’ll improve. Through the challenges, you’ll face you get tougher,” he continued.

The 7-foot-3 center went on to say that the support of his family, including father, Erwin, who is a former Philippine Basketball Association player, has been a big help in his push to build a career in basketball.

“The word ‘family’ is big for me. Probably, the biggest word in my vocabulary,” said Mr. Sotto, citing the confidence to try things out as one of the lessons inculcated to him by his family.

“[There will be doubts], but don’t be afraid to fail because it will be part of your journey and lead to your success,” he said.

Mr. Sotto recently played for Gilas Pilipinas in the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, in June.

He averaged 9.3 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 assists in three games in said tournament.

To view Mr. Sotto’s latest video collaboration with Smart, click on the link https://fb.watch/7tzJCmYxGU/.

Smart subscribers can also share their journey in pursuing their passions and spirit of resilience by way of Smart Double GIGA Stories, which give subscribers unlimited access to social media and video streaming apps.

Double GIGA Stories comes with 2GB for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Kumu guaranteed every day, plus data for all sites. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Spaniard Jon Rahm named PGA of America’s Player of the Year

September 8, 2021 | 6:52 pm

US Open champion Jon Rahm added further accolades to a stellar campaign on Tuesday as the Spaniard was named the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America Player of the Year and also collected the Vardon Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average.

For world number one Rahm, who finished runner-up to Justin Thomas for the PGA of America honors last year, it marked the first time in his career that he clinched the points-based award that factors in tournament wins, official money and scoring average. Rahm, who finished one shot back of Patrick Cantlay in the season-ending Tour Championship on Sunday in Atlanta, tallied a career-best 75 Player of the Year points.

Rahm, who recorded a PGA Tour-leading 15 top-10 finishes in 22 events, also won the Vardon Trophy with an average score of 69.3. Dustin Johnson finished runner-up (69.619) while South African Louis Oosthuizen (69.714) was third. — Reuters

Griezmann double fires France to victory over Finland

September 8, 2021 | 6:52 pm

LYON, France — Antoine Griezmann played chief tormentor as France sprung back into life to end a five-game winless streak by beating visitors Finland (2-0) in a World Cup Group D qualifier on Tuesday.

Griezmann struck in each half after his partnership with Karim Benzema bore fruit in satisfying fashion to put the world champions on 12 points from six matches at the top of the group.

Finland, who had a decent opening half, are third on five points, but have two games in hand of the French.

Bosnia is fourth on three points from four games after a 2-2 draw with bottom side Kazakhstan, who also have three points. Ukraine are second on five points from as many matches.

“Even it was not perfect, we showed determination and with that came some more technical quality,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.

“We had more confidence, it was more like us. It’s a very important result for us, now we have to finish the job in November.”

After two 1-1 draws against Bosnia and Ukraine, Deschamps’ tinkering paid off as France started in an usual 5-2-3 formation with Leo Dubois and Theo Hernandez as fullbacks and Griezmann, Anthony Martial and Benzema up front.

But it was Finland who had the first clear chance through Urho Nissila, whose floating strike was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris.

Les Bleus, however, were on the attack and Lukas Hradecky pulled off a nice save in the 22^nd minute to deny Benzema.

Griezmann found the back of the net when he whipped the ball past Hradecky with the outside of his foot after collecting a clever deflection in the box by Benzema on 25 minutes.

Finland continued to threaten on the break, but France proved clinical early in the second half.

After some more nice work from Benzema, Dubois found Griezmann in the area and the forward sneaked the ball between Hradecky and the left-hand post to give the hosts some breathing space in the 53^rd.

He has now scored 41 international goals to become France’s joint third all-time top scorer alongside Michel Platini.

Shortly afterwards, Martial missed Hernandez’s cross for what would have been France’s third.

France controlled the end game, keeping the ball high on the pitch and creating a few chances through Benzema, who had a night to remember on his visit to his former stadium, 12 years after leaving Olympique Lyonnais for Real Madrid. — Reuters

NFL: Quarterbacks old and new battle for glory as season kicks off

September 8, 2021 | 6:51 pm

LOS ANGELES — Veteran quarterbacks including Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers will look to maintain their dominance amid an influx of new talent in the sport’s most crucial position when the National Football League (NFL) season kicks off this week.

A record eight QBs were taken in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, but it is the sport’s biggest names who are best positioned for further success.

Brady led Tampa Bay to a blowout Super Bowl victory last season in his first year with the franchise to claim his record-extending seventh championship ring.

The 44-year-old is looking to improve in his 22^nd season and make the Buccaneers the first team in 16 years to win back-to-back titles, leaving desperate fans in the NFC South to ponder whether there is any hope for a postseason.

“(Offensive coordinator) Byron Leftwich said something really good the other day: It’s a very simple game that’s so hard to execute,” Brady said in an interview with NBC Sports.

“It’s a totally imperfect game that you’re trying to do as perfectly as possible. Every day, I come out trying to do it. I’m hoping this is my best year.”

Brady said he planned to play until he is no longer a “championship-level quarterback,” which could be another several years given his mastery of the position.

Reigning league MVP Rodgers could also have renewed focus following a drama-filled offseason where it appeared the 37-year-old might not return to Green Bay.

The Packers raised eyebrows when the team traded up to select quarterback and possible eventual Rodgers replacement Jordan Love in the 2020 draft.

Rodgers said his future with the team was uncertain after falling to the Bucs in the NFC Championship last season.

But the fiercely competitive Rodgers will be back under center for the Packers and if he can channel any lingering frustration into his play on the field, the rest of the league better look out.

Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes will look to avenge last season’s Super Bowl thumping at the hands of Brady and the overpowering Bucs defense.

Mahomes, 25, was touted as the future of the league after he led the Chiefs to a come-from-behind victory over San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV and will be out to prove that his lethal combination of speed and accuracy is the future of the position.

Mahomes last year signed a blockbuster 10-year, $503-million contract extension, the biggest in NFL history.

ROOKIE CALLERS
But rookie signal callers are also poised to make their presence felt.

First overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence will make his debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday while second pick Zach Wilson will be handed the keys to the struggling New York Jets franchise.

Mac Jones, selected in the first round by New England, will also be thrown right into action after the Patriots’ surprising decision last month to part ways with veteran quarterback Cam Newton, who underwhelmed last season after a strong start.

Jones has impressed during the preseason and will look to keep that momentum going in the league’s expanded, 17-game regular season.

Quarterback drama could play out in San Francisco, where the 49ers will have to decide whether to stick with the established, but often-injured Jimmy Garoppolo or hand the reigns to rookie Trey Lance, who the team took with the No. 3 pick.

And fans will be fascinated to see how Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff respond after switching teams this offseason, with Stafford now part of the Los Angeles Rams and Goff a member of the Detroit Lions.

The NFL’s 102^nd season begins on Thursday when the Bucs host the Dallas Cowboys. — Reuters

Alcaraz retires to send Auger-Aliassime into US Open semifinals

September 8, 2021 | 6:51 pm

NEW YORK — Felix Auger-Aliassime moved into the US Open semifinals on Tuesday when Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz retired due to an abductor injury while trailing (6-3, 3-1).

The 18-year-old Spaniard showed no signs of distress as Auger-Aliassime took the opening set, but after the Canadian broke to open the second Alcaraz slumped.

During the first changeover of the second set, Alcaraz called for the physiotherapist, but did not receive any treatment. A game later, however, the Spaniard turned and indicated he could not go on.

“It’s really tough to end a great tournament like this,” said Alcaraz. “I had no choice to still playing.

“First of all, I have to take care of my body.

“I didn’t feel good to still playing, so I had to retire.”

Coming off grueling back-to-back five-set matches, including a third-round win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alcaraz stepped onto the court with both legs heavily strapped and seemed to lack the power and energy that had carried him to the quarterfinals.

“I didn’t see it coming. It’s unfortunate to finish like this,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I didn’t really see anything.

“Either I was too focused on my game or I’m not seeing things.”

Auger-Aliassime becomes the first Canadian man to reach the US Open semifinals where he will take on second seeded Daniil Medvedev of Russia.

The 21-year-old joins compatriot Leylah Fernandez, who booked her spot in the women’s last four earlier in the day by beating Elina Svitolina.

“It’s great for Canada. It’s great for Quebec,” said Auger-Aliassime. “I never thought a day like this would come.

“Both a little girl and a little boy from Montreal, both at the same time in the semifinals of the US Open.

“It’s special.

“I hope the people back home appreciate the moment also.

“It’s great, but it would be amazing if we were both in a final.” — Reuters

Ahead of 9.9 sale, environmental groups call on Lazada and Shopee to lead zero-waste initiatives

September 8, 2021 | 5:26 pm

bataris-petition-poster — Image courtesy of Bataris/Greenpeace

Environmental groups are demanding that e-commerce giants Lazada and Shopee commit to concrete forms of environmental sustainability. This comes a day before the much anticipated 9.9 sale on both platforms.

More than 14,000 individuals signed an online petition by Youth for Climate Philippines calling for transparency on plastic packaging waste.

In a statement, Youth Strike for Climate Philippines, Greenpeace Philippines, and JuanBag petitioned Lazada and Shopee to reveal data on waste estimates; reduce current waste production by introducing reduction targets; and redesign current systems by exploring reusable and returnable packaging and incentives for both buyers and sellers.

“The global e-commerce plastic packaging market will continue to expand at a projected annual growth rate of 14.2%,” said Marian Frances T. Ledesma, Greenpeace Philippines Zero Waste Campaigner, citing a 2020 study on the plastic problem by Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation organization.

“That’s why it’s imperative that e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee act on our calls,” she said in a press briefing Tuesday.

Although Lazada previously organized roundtable discussions on reducing plastic waste and Shopee mounted a campaign to “shop green” by providing discounts for eco-friendly products, neither has displayed a more concrete course of action, according to Greenpeace Philippines.

Instead of using the same packaging for all kinds of items, Ms. Ledesma recommended reusable packaging for non-fragile items that don’t need to be carefully and thickly packaged in plastic.

One option is JuanBag, a returnable and reusable packaging provider that picks up plastic bags and other wrapping materials to be sanitized and upcycled, care of their partner weavers.

The products are offered to online sellers as alternative packaging, which consumers can choose upon check-out then return via pick-up points for repair and reuse.

“We want to create a culture shift through packaging,” said Rachelle Lacanlale, JuanBag’s founder. “We’re lowering the cost of packaging and increasing consumers’ engagement with environmental solutions. We’re also providing income to vulnerable communities through sanitation and repair.”

To mitigate additional cost (which consumers have to shoulder when they choose returnable packaging), Ms. Lacanlale suggested that e-commerce platforms partner with malls, convenience stores, and logistics providers.

According to Jefferson M. Chua, campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines, environmental sustainability can be profitable. Reports on the future of e-commerce have shown that consumers today are willing to patronize more environmentally sustainable brands.

“If these e-commerce platforms are able to lead the way and introduce more rational approaches to packaging, we can all work together to make packaging less environmentally harmful,” he said.

On Sept. 9, Lazada responded with a statement that reads in part: “We believe that everyone plays a vital role in preserving our planet and we continue to be staunchly committed in working with all of our industry partners in building a sustainable eCommerce ecosystem and in addressing the environmental impact of waste in-line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.”

LazMall recently partnered with Starbucks to offer accessories and drinkware made from recycled coffee grounds. It also launched a beauty e-commerce sustainability program with the L’Oréal Group wherein customers who purchase products from Garnier, Maybelline, and L’Oréal Paris via the respective LazMall flagship stores will receive parcels that use alternative sustainable packaging materials. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

95% herd immunity vs Delta is ‘a myth,’ says infectious disease expert

September 8, 2021 | 4:49 pm

Commuters-face-mask — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

Targeting 95% herd immunity against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unachievable in light of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus, according to Tikki E. Pangestu, an infectious disease expert and visiting professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in Singapore.

With the Delta variant now dominant in most countries, the target should instead be disease immunity, or the prevention of severe disease and deaths from the virus, he said at a Sept. 8 event organized by pharmaceutical company MSD.

“With the Delta variant having a multiplication value close to 8, getting a herd immunity of 95% is a myth,” Mr. Pangestu said. “For me, the target of COVID-19 vaccines is not to stop the spread of infection, but to stop severe disease [and] prevent people from ending up on a ventilator and dying.”

The basic reproductive number (R0 or R-naught) for the Delta variant ranges from 3.2 to 8, according to the Journal of Travel Medicine. To compare, the R0 of the influenza virus is between 0.9 and 2.1.

R0 is the average number of people that one infectious individual is likely to infect in a population without any immunity or any interventions.

Mr. Pangestu also cautioned against comparing countries like the Philippines and Indonesia with countries like Singapore, which has already fully vaccinated close to 80% of its population.

The comparison is unrealistic, he said. “The logistical challenges in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia are more challenging than small island [nations] like Singapore.”

Ending the pandemic and securing global recovery, according to the World Health Organization, depends on vaccine equity.

“Equity is a problem,” said Dr. Lulu C. Bravo, emeritus professor of pediatric infectious and tropical diseases at the University of the Philippines Manila. “We have made recommendations that ensure that those in high density areas are given priority.”

The country, she added, has the infrastructure to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to those who need them the most.

“We have midwives and LGUs [local government units]. We have a home delivery system that can bring vaccines to far-flung areas. It’s the supply we have to be concerned about,” Dr. Bravo said, adding that poor nations should be vaccinated before rich ones start considering booster shots.

A concurrent concern is vaccine hesitancy, or the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccine services.

“Vaccine hesitancy is a spectrum, a broad continuum of opinion,” said Mr. Pangestu, adding that efforts should focus on the 70% who sit in the middle of this spectrum — those who will ultimately refuse, delay, or eventually accept vaccination.

If there’s a silver lining in the pandemic, it’s the unprecedented solidarity of different stakeholders coming together for collective action, said Lynn D’Silva Cinelli, MSD’s executive director for manufacturing operations.

“That’s what a crisis does. It gives you focus,” she said. MSD partnered with Johson & Johnson to expand the manufacturing capacity of its COVID-19 vaccine. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Globe At Home makes internet access more affordable to bridge the digital divide on e-learning

September 8, 2021 | 4:25 pm

The global health crisis has exposed the technological gap especially in the education sector as more households still clamor for decent and accessible connectivity to cope with learning from home. In response to this, Globe At Home continues to pursue an aggressive cell site build and network improvement program, while delivering an evolving product portfolio that prioritizes accessibility and convenience for the Filipino family.

According to a report published by The World Bank late last year¹, most Filipino households are lagging behind digital adoption given that internet connectivity is a luxury for them.

To bridge the digital divide and address the continuously rising need for stable connectivity among the underserved, Globe ramped up its rollout of high-speed broadband lines across the country, reporting over 600,000 Fiber-to-the-Home lines delivered in 1H21 versus FY20 build.

Apart from build improvements, some of Globe At Home current customer offerings and innovations are designed so that they may uplift and be of further service especially to struggling households.

One of which is Globe At Home’s fast and secure community WiFi service, KonekTayo. Ideal for highly-dense communities, the goal of KonekTayo is to uplift low-income families by providing them with an affordable internet connection and enable home-based learning even with the ongoing pandemic. As of July 2021, there are 43 KonekTayoWiFi sites reaching 45,607 households in different areas from Luzon to Visayas.

Globe also has reliable yet affordable WiFi devices that’s useful for both on-the-go or for-the-home.

One is Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi which is Globe’s budget-friendly connectivity option for families seeking reliable yet affordable internet. It offers bigger data allocations that can be shared among family members. For a limited time only, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi modems will be available for only Php 499 for the until the end of August.

Globe At Home is also offering its lowest most affordable fiber plan for postpaid subscribers with UNLI FIBER UP Plan 1499. The wallet-friendly price comes with up to 35 Mbps internet speed and is reliable enough to support each family members’ connectivity needs, especially the learners.

Globe MyFi, Globe’s pocket device, is currently priced at Php499 at the end of August to make it more accessible to individuals with heavier digital daily needs. Today’s learners can already have a pocket wifi device with free 9GB all-access data good for 7 days. The ultimate companion for today’s e-learners, Globe MyFi is a portable heavy data-lifter that can carry hours of online classes as well as downloading modules for the e-learners.

“We hope to play a role in the struggles of e-learners caused by the health crisis by providing them with an affordable internet connection for their educational needs. This is just one of the many ways that Globe At Home shows its commitment to provide affordable and accessible internet for all, including the masses,” said Barbie Dapul, Vice President for Marketing of Globe At Home.

Globe continues to provide solutions to push affordable and equitable internet for all, in order to bridge the digital divide most especially in the education sector.

This is part of the telco’s larger commitment to carry out its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), one of which is UN SDG No. 4 which aims to provide equitable and quality education to all, especially to those most in need.

To know more about Globe’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html

To know more about Globe At Home’s tools to support e-learning, visit: https://www.globe.com.ph/broadband

¹ Harnessing Digital Technologies Can Help Philippines Overcome Impact of Pandemic, Hasten Recovery

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