TNT's SIM Registration video wins back-to-back golds at ADFEST 2025

 

TNT, the value brand of PLDT mobile wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), won another gold award for its viral SIM Registration video, “Mother,” at ADFEST 2025, Asia's renowned international festival of advertising creativity.

This year, it won the prestigious gold award in the Effective Lotus category, continuing its winning streak after grabbing the gold award in the Film Lotus category last year, besting around 200 entries.

Produced in collaboration with advertising agency GIGIL and production company Arcade Film Factory, the one-minute and 28-second video tells the story of a mother soaked in the rain outside their house because her family could not recognize her mobile number.

True to its brand essence, TNT’s campaign used absurd humor to encourage subscribers to register their SIMs, in accordance to SIM Registration Act, which was enacted to protect mobile phone users from spam and scam texts, which have become rampant since the pandemic.

ADFEST described the Effective Lotus category winner as “works that are not only creative, but also have significant and measurable impact.” The juries based the recognition on four criteria, including Creativity/Idea/Insight with 30%; Strategy with 15%; Execution with 15%; and Results with 40%.

Launched in April 2023, TNT’s SIM Registration campaign videos immediately gained over 100 million views across social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, with viewers organically sharing them for being “unskippable,” “creative,” and “funny”. Within just 10 days since the videos were posted, over 7 million subscribers registered their SIM, proving the campaign’s effectiveness.

A string of local and international awards

As of end-2024, TNT remains the biggest mobile brand in the Philippines with almost 35 million subscribers.

“We thank our colleagues in the marketing and advertising industry in the region for recognizing TNT’s efforts to inform and protect our customers,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP at Smart. “We share this accolade with our almost 35 million subscribers who continue to put their trust in TNT,” he added.

TNT's back-to-back ADFEST gold awards adds to its string of local and international recognition for the campaign's creativity and effectiveness. It bagged a gold in Stevies 2024; silver awards at the 2024 APAC Effie Awards, Kidlat Awards 2024, and Boomerang 2023 Awards; crystal awards in South Korea’s MAD Stars 2023; and a bronze in Tambuli 2024.

Moreover, the campaign won the ‘Force for Good’ Award in the 2024 YouTube Works Awards Philippines and was cited as Best Ad of the Week by Bestads. The viral video was also shortlisted at the prestigious New York Festivals 2023 Advertising Awards.

The ADFEST 2025 Effective Lotus gold award is another milestone for TNT, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Aptly called “AniberSaya 25,” TNT lives true to its promise of being the people’s mobile brand as it caters to the mobile needs of ordinary Filipinos through its superior mobile network, affordable and value-packed data offers, and fun-filled experiences.

For more information, follow TNT’s official accounts on Facebook, X, and TikTok, or visit its official website at https://tntph.com. #

DonBelle, Maine go on a special group date with lucky Smart subscribers

In line with Smart’s commitment to empower subscribers with amazing experiences that go beyond connectivity, select subscribers enjoyed some rare quality time getting to know Smart ambassadors Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, and Maine Mendoza in a series of meet-and-greet sessions.

Through Smart’s Holideals promo, Donny and Belle treated fans like family last February 15 while Maine had an extended bonding session with her supporters last February 22.

Group date with DonBelle

For DonBelle fans who joined the Smart Holideals Meet-and-Greet promo, there was no better way to spend the love month than with the country’s most-sought after on-screen loveteam.

Ten lucky fans—who also participated in getting-to-know games moderated by Rammy Bitong— went all out to prepare personalized gifts for DonBelle and even sang Happy Birthday for Donny who celebrated his birthday last February 10.

The event also saw DonBelle interacting with each subscriber, taking time to truly talk to each of them about their own personal experiences, and even making video calls for their friends. The winners did not just have their photos with DonBelle taken but were also able to share their stories with the loveteam, who in turn reminisced about their career and personal journey through the years.

“We really enjoyed spending time with you guys. Thank you for coming out here. We know marami rin kayong agenda sa buhay or pinagdadaanan but you still showed up for us," said Donny.

"Belle and I would not be here without you guys. We consider you guys family. We just hope we all could all continue to lift each other up and spread positivity. Thank you, guys. We love you so much. Thank you, Smart, for this opportunity,” he added.

For her part, Belle said, “It’s rare that we get to have this kind of interaction with you na talagang very intimate. You know so much about us so it’s really nice to have this opportunity for us to know more about you.”

She also echoed Donny’s sentiments by saying, “I agree with Donny na tayong lahat, marami tayong pinagdadaanan but despite all that, we have each other to lift each other up. We have different fan groups but it’s nice that we can create a community and grow together as a family and this event does just that. To our Smart family, thank you so much for doing this. We truly appreciate this!”

The supporters took time to do a group video about the event to collectively thank Smart: “We weren’t expecting this meet-and-greet to be this personal. Thank you so much to Smart!”

A trip down memory lane with Maine

On the other hand, Maine Mendoza immediately took off from her noontime show to surprise nine lucky Smart subscribers having lunch at a restaurant in Quezon City. The fans were in knee-deep conversation with P-Pop Daydream member Denise Silva, hosting the event and reminiscing about Maine’s colorful career.

Among them is 36-year-old Elvira Abad, who traveled all the way from Meycauayan, Bulacan to interact with her idol. Elvira has been a Smart subscriber since 2015. “Very relatable siya nung nag-start pa lang siya sa showbiz. As a fellow introvert, medyo naka-relate ako sa part na ‘yun,” Elvira shared.

Another lucky Smart subscriber for 21 years, 52-year-old Leonora Aquino from Navotas, said that like Maine, Smart makes her life easier, especially in her work at school. “As a teacher, ginagamit ko ‘yung PowerAll for my school presentations. Hindi ko na dinadala ang laptop ko; ini-screen mirror ko na lang siya kapag walang Wi-Fi sa school. Ginagamit ko ‘yung mobile data para magpanood ng educational YouTube videos sa klase,” Leonora shared.

Meanwhile, Mary Graze Oalog, a former OFW in Saudi Arabia said it was worth it going back home to meet Maine. “Actually, sumasali kami sa Smart promos dahil kay Maine. Nung nasa abroad ako, siya ‘yung stress reliever namin,” she recalled.

Maine, who is celebrating her 10th anniversary in the entertainment industry this year, also thanked the Smart subscribers for supporting her all this time.

“Ang dami nating firsts today! Ten years na kayong supporters ko at ang dami pa nating nalalaman about each other. Kasi hindi talaga natin ito nagagawa. It’s always fast meetings and encounters. Today, sobrang dami kong nalaman na stories na ngayon ko lang narinig so thank you for sharing, thank you for letting me know, and thank you for the experience,” said Maine.

To learn more about Smart’s special promos and meet-and-greet rewards, load PowerAll 99 with the following inclusions: Unli Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram or Unli TikTok; 10 GB for all apps; unlimited calls; and unlimited texts—all valid for 7 days.

For more details, follow Smart’s Facebook (Smart Communications, Inc.) and @livesmart on Instagram, and X. 

Get a chance to win 5G smartphones and more on Smart App’s 9.19 amazing anniversary promo

Here’s your chance to win a 5G smartphone and other exciting instant prizes as mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is celebrating the anniversary of the Smart App from Sept. 19 to 22, 2024.

 

Unveiled in September 2020, the Smart App has been the go-to app of Smart Prepaid and Smart Postpaid subscribers as it offers a simple, easy, and rewarding experience for customers to manage their digital activities through convenient features such as checking of account details, monitoring data usage and promo consumption, convenient reloading and registering to the latest offers, paying bills, and redeeming app-exclusive rewards and perks, among others.

 

In line with its commitment to deliver “5G For All” to more Filipinos and give back to Smart App users across the country, Smart is giving away nineteen (19) Smart ZTE Blade A75 5G and five (5) HONOR 200 5G smartphones, points, data freebies, lifestyle vouchers from Viu and Food Panda, and more in an exciting ‘Scratch and Win’ game on the app.

 

Recently launched as part of Smart’s 5G for All campaign, the Smart ZTE Blade A75 5G is a highly-capable 5G device in Diamond Black colorway sporting a 6.6-inch 120Hz HD+ display, 50MP main camera with Bokeh and LED flash with Super Night Mode. It has 4GB RAM  plus 4GB Extended RAM for a total of 8GB Dynamic RAM) and 128GB internal storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with USB-C 10W charger.

 

On the other hand, the HONOR 200 5G has a 6.7-display with FHD+ 2664x1200 with aspect ratio of 19.98:9 with Triple Rear Camera, 50MP Wide Camera & Telephoto with 3840x2160 pixels of Video Resolution, and digital zoom Focus Mode in Amoled and screen Aluminosilicate glass finish. 

  

To join and test your luck, simply log into the Smart App, tap the ‘Scratch and Win Now’ button to see if you get three matching tiles on the virtual scratch card bearing an instant prize – it’s that easy!

 

Every user gets one scratch card per day on the Smart App throughout the promo period. After winning, the user will be redirected to the rewards page to claim the prize.

 

“With this exciting anniversary promo, we’re making good on our promise to make the Smart App experience truly simple, easy, and rewarding for all our subscribers,” said Kristine A. Go, Senior Vice President for Smart Consumer Wireless Business. “This also allows us to take another step toward our ‘5G For All’ goal of empowering our customers with a 5G-enabled digital life,” added Go.

 

The Smart App is powered by Smart, which has been recognized for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience by network analytics firm Opensignal.

 

Download the Smart App on Google Play or the App Store now! For more updates on Smart App’s anniversary celebration, make sure to follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube

Smart bags Gold at Panata Awards for awe-inspiring MOA Ball

Smart bags the Gold Panata Award for the MOA Ball. Accepting the award are Smart representatives Lloyd R. Manaloto and Lorenzo E. Torres (fifth and sixth from left, respectively). Also in the photo are (from left to right): Zard Lao, Chief Executive Officer of Up Rising Corporation; John Andes, Chief Marketing Officer of Up Rising Corporation; Mark Ibardaloza, Senior OOH Media Manager of Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp.; Neil Andre Abad, General Manager of Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp.; Mick Atienza, PANA President; Onet Diño, Chief Operating Officer of Up Rising Corporation; and Did Diño, Creative Director of Up Rising Corporation.

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. took home the lone Gold citation for Single Medium – Out of Home (OOH) Marketing Communications Channels category at the 2024 Panata Brand Effectiveness Awards held last September 6 at Seda Hotel, Bonifacio Global City.

 

Organized by the Philippine Association of National Advertisers, the annual awards is a grand celebration of excellence and effectiveness in advertising in the country.

 

Smart, an official global partner of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, hosted the historic basketball tournament and turned the Mall of Asia (MOA) Ball into a massive basketball with a hoop OOH to celebrate the tournament and the Filipinos’ love of the game.  With the help of Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp. & Up Rising Corporation, Smart was able to light up the MOA ball, considered one of the most awe-inspiring and larger-than-life basketball tributes in the country, and perhaps the world.

 

“We share this citation with the teams that worked on this project and our partner agencies for making the MOA Ball basketball tribute part of the country’s basketball history and one memorable reminder for Filipinos to be truly proud of as we successfully hosted the climax of the FIBA World Cup 2023,” said Kristine A. Go, Senior Vice President for Wireless Consumer Business at Smart.

 

“Smart’s MOA Ball OOH really took our FIBA World Cup 2023 hosting to a whole new level for basketball fans and FIBA delegates from all over the world,” added Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President at Smart.

 

Aside from the Panata gold award, the Smart MOA Ball execution also earned prestigious recognitions from local and international award-giving bodies including a bronze award from the 2023 CLIO Sports Awards, Excellence in OOH Advertising from the Marketing Excellence Awards 2024, and Best Outdoor Ad from BestAdsOnTV.com.

 

The MOA Ball measuring 1.5 meters in diameter inside a goal with 111 meters in circumference was the result of the hard work of 248 workers (on-site workers, engineers, safety officers, and designers among others) who made sure basketball fans were in for a mesmerizing and worthy reminder that Filipinos were able to welcome the world’s best basketball players and teams for a once in a lifetime experience.

 

Smart remains a global partner of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 to be held in Qatar. The four-year partnership extension results from Smart’s stellar promotional work for FIBA 2023.

Smart Communications Unveils Magic Apps with NO-EXPIRY Data

 Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has launched the revolutionary Magic Apps promo, offering NO-EXPIRY data for specific popular apps. For just P99, users can enjoy 3 GB of data without worrying about expiration dates. This promo covers apps such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Gmail, and TikTok.

Flexible Data Plans for All Your Needs

Smart's Magic Apps promo provides flexible options to cater to various needs:

• P99 for 3 GB
• P199 for 9 GB
• P399 for 36 GB

These plans ensure you stay connected, productive, and entertained without the hassle of data expiry.

Seamless Connectivity with Smart Magic Apps

According to Lloyd R. Manaloto, Head of Prepaid at Smart, “We are thrilled to offer our customers worry-free data usage with Magic Apps. This innovation allows subscribers to stay connected to their essential apps without interruption, benefiting from Smart’s superior network coverage.”

Ideal for Various Users

• Value Seekers: Opt for bulk data purchases and use them over an extended period.
• Frequent Travelers: Stay connected whenever you return, without worrying about monthly data usage.
• Occasional Users: Keep devices connected with minimal data usage, without the fear of expiration.

Easy Registration and Accessibility

Register for Magic Apps easily through:

• Smart App
• *Dialing 123#
• Convenience Stores
• Smart Online Store
• Mobile Wallets

Additional Offers

Subscribers can also avail of Smart Magic Data, offering NO-EXPIRY open access data:

• P99 for 2 GB
• P199 for 6 GB
• P399 for 24 GB
• P499 for 36 GB
• P599 for 48 GB
• P699 for 60 GB

Powered by Smart's Award-Winning Network

Smart Magic Apps are backed by Smart's award-winning mobile network, recognized by Opensignal for delivering the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage Experience.

Stay Updated with Smart Prepaid Offers

Visit Smart Prepaid for more information, and follow @livesmart on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Embrace the freedom of NO-EXPIRY data with Smart’s Magic Apps and enjoy uninterrupted connectivity on your favorite apps today!

Empower your dad’s health this Father’s Day with Smart and mWell

 This Father’s Day, Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and mWell are set to empower dads with an exclusive and all-in-one health and wellness deal with the Smart Health Pass. 

 

From June 15 to 21, 2024, Smart subscribers can redeem a PHP 399 worth Health Pass for only 199 GigaPoints via the Smart App, for a thoughtful Father’s Day gift.

 

The limited-offer Smart Health Pass provides all-in-one access to health and wellness features for the recipient, including:

• 1 Doctor Consultation: Access to a free 24/7 video consult with primary care doctor

• Free e-Medical Certificate and e-Prescription: Obtain a digital medical certificate and prescription at no extra cost.

• Free Lab Request: Get lab referrals as needed. Patients can then conveniently book a lab or diagnostic service through mWell HealthHub.

• Accident Insurance: Enjoy P20,000 worth of accident insurance, valid for one month.

• mWellness Score - a free tracker that measures physical health based on daily activities – exercise, light activity, steps and sleep

• Mind Health Score - provides insights and access to rich repository of content, guided meditations, and on-demand resources tailored to enhance your mental well-being

 

This Smart Health pass is part of Smart’s commitment to making health and wellness accessible and affordable for more Filipinos.

 

Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “The Smart Health Pass is the perfect opportunity to give back to our dads this Father’s Day. This collaboration with mWell also allows us at Smart to enable our subscribers’ dads with an instant health package so we hope our customers can take advantage of this gift of wellness,” he said.

 

“At the heart of mWell lies our passion for making health and wellness accessible, available, and affordable to anyone, anytime, anywhere. With the Smart Health Pass, Smart subscribers can provide their fathers with all-in-one access to mWell’s health and wellness features, including the mWellness Score, Mind Health Score, and 24/7 Teleconsult. The Health Pass makes for a perfect gift for our superdads who deserve nothing but the best,” said Chaye A. Cabal–Revilla, Chief Executive Officer of mWell. 

 

How to avail

 

To redeem the Smart Health Pass, simply follow these steps:

1. Download the Smart App: Available on the App Store and Google Play.

2. Sign-Up or Log-In: Use your Smart credentials to access your account.

3. Redeem the Health Pass: Select the Smart Health Pass for 399 points and use 199 GigaPoints to avail of the discounted offer.

 

The code is valid until December 31, 2024, and the pass remains valid for 30 days once activated. This provides ample time for dads to make the most of their health and wellness benefits.

 

The Smart Health Pass not only offers immediate health benefits but also includes access to the mWell app, featuring tools like the mWellness Score for tracking daily fitness activities and the Mind Health Score for mental wellness assessments. 

 

“Apart from the teleconsultation, e-medical certificate, e-lab test referrals, and accident insurance, the Smart Health Pass powered by mWell provides a holistic approach to ensure dads can monitor and improve their overall well-being,” said Dexter Chan, Head of Content Business Development at Smart.

 

Celebrate Father’s Day by giving the gift of health and wellness. Visit the Smart app to redeem the Smart Health Pass and empower your dad to live a healthier, happier life. For more details, visit https://smrt.ph/GetSmartApp. 

Smart partners with Home Credit to offer affordable financing options to Filipinos

 PLDT mobile services arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has partnered with Home Credit Philippines, the country’s leading consumer finance company, to make the latest devices more accessible to Filipinos through affordable financing options.     

Under the strategic partnership, Home Credit agents will be present at select Smart Stores nationwide to offer fast, hassle-free, and secure product loans, which customers can repay through easy monthly installments.

“Our partnership with Home Credit is a huge step towards our thrust to bring the latest mobile innovations to the fingertips of Filipinos. Through this collaboration, we're making it a lot easier for customers to upgrade to the latest Smart-powered device and enjoy the many game-changing benefits of our superior network,” said Alex O. Caeg, Head of Smart Consumer Wireless Business.

“Smart now has more channels and touchpoints reachable for our customers. Aside from our current postpaid plan offerings in the Smart Store, we are making it easier for Filipinos to access authentic and affordable prepaid devices with the most flexible payment terms, made possible by one of the most trusted financing and credit partners in the country. Come and visit the Smart Store and discover unlimited possibilities,” said John Y. Palanca, Head for Sales and Development at PLDT and Smart.

 “We are thrilled to partner with Smart, which enables us to expand our footprint and cater to more Filipinos who need convenient access to our innovative financial solutions,” said Zdenek Jankovsky, Treasury and Funding Director of Home Credit Philippines.

Get a smartphone for as low as P899 per month

Widely known for its customer-friendly financial solutions, Home Credit provides a wide range of credit products with minimal to no downpayment available for qualified customers and a quick approval process.

With a Home Credit installment, customers can easily upgrade to an iPhone 11 (64GB) for only Php971 per month for 18 months, with a one-time downpayment of Php6,816. Customers can also get the latest iPhone 15 (128GB) for only Php1,807 per month for 18 months, with a one-time downpayment of Php23,253.

On the other hand, mobile users planning to get a 5G Android device may conveniently upgrade to a Samsung A15 5G for only Php462 per month for 18 months, with a one-time downpayment of 30% or Php3,267.

Other iPhone models and Android handsets are also available at Smart Stores, and each device is bundled with a FREE Smart Prepaid eSIM and Magic Data 99, which comes with 2 GB of non-expiring data.

Straightforward loan application and approval

Customers interested in availing themselves of Home Credit’s financing options can visit any participating Smart Store.

The process is simple: Customers may choose their device and then discuss the available financing options with a Home Credit representative. Customers shall then submit only one valid ID for the quick approval process. Upon securing Home Credit’s approval, customers can walk away with their new device, enjoying flexible payment terms.

This partnership covers a wide range of devices, ensuring there is something for everyone – from professionals needing the latest flagship devices for greater productivity at work, students requiring a reliable gadget for online classes and group activities, to tech enthusiasts eager to try out the newest powerhouse smartphone in the market.

Smart empowers Filipinos with the Best 5G Coverage Experience in the country, as recognized by leading third-party network analytics firm Opensignal.

To know more about available devices and financing options, visit the nearest Smart Store or check out Smart’s official social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

How DonBelle lives for real to live more

 This generation’s phenomenal loveteam, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano or DonBelle, disclosed that living for real is the secret to living more. In a recent interview for their latest Smart Prepaid campaign, the tandem shared that navigating fame in the digital age could be tricky, but grounding oneself in reality makes all the difference.

 

Below, DonBelle peels the layers of online fame by sharing tips on authenticity, finding balance and voice during social media-heavy times. As Gen Zs themselves, Donny and Belle recognize the need to keep things grounded and authentic despite fame, and this is something their followers would spot and relate to right away.

 

Don’t let social media dictate who you are

 

It’s easy to join the bandwagon and post what everybody else is posting but for DonBelle, authenticity is a priority and people should find beauty in imperfection.

 

“Don't let the digital world dictate who you are. Being true to yourself and finding your voice is what makes you genuinely shine,” said Donny to start the conversation.

 

Belle agreed, “Totoo ‘yan. It’s our real stories, our truths, that connect us.”

 

Unfiltered bravery in social media realness

 

For DonBelle, being real means being brave. It takes courage to be real, they said as Donny elaborated on the courage it takes to showcase one's true self. 

 

“In an age where everyone is curating their online personas, being authentic is a brave act. It's about peeling off the layers of expectation and daring to be seen for who you really are,” he added.

 

Belle added, “Mahirap sometimes, pero worth it. Real beats perfect any day. And you also become more relatable.”

 

Finding balance when it comes to sharing things online

 

The young actors find balance in knowing what to share and when to share things on social media.

 

“Every day is an opportunity to be a better version of ourselves. It's not about the likes or the follows, but being real with yourself and with others,” Donny said. 

 

Belle echoed, “Stay true, kahit online. Even though we may be in the public eye, we are still normal people who value family and friends the most.”

 

Donny intimated that achieving balance online “is about finding those moments of quiet in a day that's constantly buzzing with notifications.”

 

On the other hand, Belle offered a glimpse into her strategy, “Simple joys lang, like reading or spending time with family, help me stay true to myself.”

 

Evolve to inspire

 

“The real challenge is to continuously evolve and share that journey with others. It's about being genuine, which truly connects us,” said Donny, underscoring the impact of authenticity on forming meaningful connections. 

 

Belle supported this sentiment with a simple yet powerful message, “Be real, inspire. If we can somehow encourage our community to be better versions of themselves, if we can bring joy to their lives, and if we can help them live for real to live more, happy na kami ni Donny.”

 

‘Live for Real’ with Smart Prepaid 

 

Like DonBelle, Smart Prepaid encourages subscribers to 'Live for Real' to live more in its latest campaign.’ This campaign highlights their commitment to enabling genuine and real connections through innovative offers, highlighting Smart’s latest prepaid offerings such as Power All, Magic Data, and Smart Prepaid eSIM.

 

PowerAll 99 offers 8 GB data for all sites and apps, Unlimited All-Net Texts, and Unlimited TikTok for 7 days, while Magic Data 99 comes with NO EXPIRY 2 GB for all sites and apps with no expiration, Magic Data starts at 99. Subscribers can conveniently register for these offers via the Smart App or through their trusted retailers.

 

 

On the other hand, the Smart Prepaid eSIM makes it so much easier for subscribers to enjoy greater flexibility with multiple SIMs in one device - without the need for a physical SIM card. Mobile users can now order the Smart Prepaid eSIM at the Smart Online Store and can be digitally delivered via email instantly. It is also available at accredited retailers at local and international airports, malls, and Smart flagship stores on e-commerce sites like Lazada and Shopee.

 

Smart Prepaid's value-packed offers are powered by the Smart mobile network, recently recognized for delivering the Philippines' Best 5G Coverage and 5G Availability in the latest report by independent analytics firm Opensignal.

 

To know more about Smart Prepaid offers, visit https://smart.com.ph/Prepaid/liveforreal or follow its official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. #

Smart subscribers enjoy ‘perfect’ time at Ed Sheeran’s ‘Mathematics Tour’

 Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) made sure subscribers had fun at the the much-anticipated “+-= ÷x Tour” or the “Mathematics Tour” of global music icon Ed Sheeran happening at the SMDC Festival Grounds last Saturday, March 9.

 

Sheeran, who’s been rocking his tour since April 2022, performed songs from his latest album alongside his old chart-toppers like “Tides,” “I’m A Mess,” “Shivers,” “The A Team,” “Castle On The Hill,” “Perfect,” “Lego House,” “Shape Of You,” and “Thinking Out Loud,” among others.

 

As an added treat to fans, viral British singer Callum Scott and hit Filipino band Ben&Ben also performed at the Manila leg of the tour. 

 

Smart Prepaid and Smart Postpaid subscribers were able to do the math last Saturday night by exchanging their points on the Smart App, which is downloadable on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

 

Sheeran, who was last here for his “Divide” concert back in 2018, switched up the visual spectacle during the concert via larger-than-life LED setups. 

 

Subscribers were able to rely on Smart network as they instantly post and share photos, videos, reels, and stories about their favorite moments in the concert with their friends and loved ones via their go-to apps.

 

Sheeran’s 2024 concert follows a string of world-class acts that Smart brought closer to subscribers, including the Asia Artist Awards 2023, TWICE 5th World Tour “Ready To Be,” and Harry Styles’ “Love on Tour.”

 

To stay updated about the latest exclusive perks and awesome experiences for Smart subscribers, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

Celebrity photographers share AI tips in mobile photography at the Smart Postpaid Series

CELEBRITY photographers Dookie Ducay and Andrei Suleik at the Smart Postpaid Series event.

 Celebrity photographers Dookie Ducay and Andrei Suleik took Smart Postpaid subscribers behind the lens recently at the SM Megamall leg of the Smart Postpaid Series to show how they harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, the latest flagship device of the Korean tech giant.

 

AI tools for mobile photography

 

For Suleik, a photographer of the stars, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has made his work easier, especially when using the AI functions Generative Edit and Edit Suggestions. He shared that he was hesitant at first to edit photos on a smartphone because he was used to editing photos on his laptop.

 

“But now that it has Generative Edit and Edit Suggestions, it automatically analyzes the photos that you took and edits it in like two seconds,” he said. “It makes it vibrant; it gives it more life.

 

He also likes to use the Remaster feature. “From this one, it looks a bit pale,” Suleik said showing the original image. “But after remastering, now it looks vibrant. Actually, it looks like a painting to me!”

 

Ducay, who has made a mark in fashion photography and advertising, shared that his favorite AI feature on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the Live Translate. “When we went to Anilao [for a photo shoot], there were a lot of Japanese and I actually used it while chit-chatting with them,” he said.

 

He also demonstrated how easy it was to edit out people from the photo of a car he took, using the Object Eraser feature. “I’ll just pick the Object Eraser and then encircle the people I want out of the photo and then, for a few seconds, ayan, ‘diba, [they’re gone] - it’s seamless,” he said. Ducay also noticed that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s processor is so fast, which is perfect for photographers on the go.

 

On the hardware side, he is fond of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera lens with 5x optical zoom, which is close to what he uses in professional work.

 

Pro tips for mobile photography

 

But while AI in mobile photography has somewhat changed the game and made it easier for hobbyists, this serves as a tool to complement one’s eye for good images and skills in handling subjects.

 

“Top one is ‘capturing emotions’, second is ‘light your background’, third is the editing part,” Suleik said when asked for tips on how to get good photos. He added that one should just take as many photos as they can and “see what looks nice.”

 

“Don’t get pressured to take photos and try to be perfect. It will take time but it’s always up to you, whatever your style is,” he added.

 

Ducay echoed Suleik’s tip, “Shoot as many photos as you can because eventually it will train your eyes and you will get better.”

He also shared two practical tips for beginners: “Don’t stand. Try different angles, different views.”

 

“And if you’re shooting [photos of] people, make them feel beautiful, make them feel that they’re at their best,” Ducay added.

RICHARD MATHEW 'SHING' DIMAGIBA, VP and Head of Smart Postpaid.

 

Powered by Smart 5G

 

Both Ducay and Suilek shared how reliable and strong Smart 5G was during their respective shoots in Batangas and Pangasinan, with the former saying he was uploading photos while en route to the event in Mandaluyong City from Pangasinan.

 

“With the AI technology of Samsung S24 Series plus the unlimited 5G Smart has, it’s going to be truly an impressive experience with the customers,” said Smart Postpaid Head Shing Dimagiba.

 

The Smart Postpaid Series is an initiative of the telco giant to teach its subscribers how to maximize AI on their phones, particularly the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The customers also got a chance to win raffle prizes and even enjoyed waffles in the Smart Store. The next Smart Postpaid Series will be held on March 16 in SM Davao.

 

At the first Smart Postpaid Series held at the Smart flagship store in SM Megamall last Feb. 10, the subscribers experienced first-hand how beneficial this partnership would be in their lives.

 

“I think Samsung S24 Ultra is one of the best, if not the best phone this year, [and now that it’s] tied up with Smart Postpaid, the downloading and uploading of files and data are so much faster,” Ducay said. “With the huge coverage of Smart, everything is seamless,” he added.

 

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Ultra is the latest entry in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series, best experienced with Smart Signature Plans+ 999, which comes with UNLI 5G for 12 months, 20 GB monthly data, Unli All-Net Calls and Texts, Unli Landline Calls, and a Netflix Mobile Plan.

 

Smart Infinity members, meanwhile, may also get the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series starting with Infinity Plan 3500, which comes with Unlimited Data, Unlimited Texts & Calls to all local networks & landline, and a host of exclusive privileges, such as access to a Personal Relationship Manager, a dedicated hotline for concerns, worldwide concierge, and specially curated perks and events. The 1TB variant of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is also exclusively available with Smart Infinity.

 

Order the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra now with Smart Signature and Infinity at Smart Stores nationwide. To learn more about Smart Postpaid offers, visit https://smart.com.ph/Postpaid/GalaxyS24.#