Integrated telco PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) continue to push for safer online spaces, particularly in the gaming community, as the Group backs this year’s global celebration of Safer Internet Day and continues its support for esports. 

Citing the Global Overview Report, an annual report on worldwide social media and digital trends, the Group said the Philippines currently tops the list of countries in terms of the percentage of users who play video games on any device at 95.8%, ahead of neighboring countries Indonesia (94.8%), Vietnam (93.1%) and Thailand (93%). 

“Gaming’s popularity among Filipinos, especially the youth, makes it all the more important for key stakeholders like PLDT and Smart to help create and maintain safe online spaces, particularly in these digital playgrounds which are popular among our younger users,” said Cathy Yang, FVP and group head of Corporate Communications, PLDT and Smart. 

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To raise awareness, PLDT and Smart’s Better Today PH (Better Today) program is launching a series of conversations on internet safety among gaming industry experts and advocates this month. 

This aligns with the Group’s initiatives as a supporter of Philippine sports, including esports, celebrating the positive impact of discipline, perseverance, and a winning mindset in life and business.

As a longtime advocate of esports development in the Philippines, Smart marked its 5th year of partnership with Moonton last year with the 2022 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League tournaments that recognized the amazing talents of the Filipino youth in esports in the global arena. 

Further honing the passion, skill, and talent of Filipino gamers, Smart also launched the first all-in-one esports platform for Filipino mobile gamers, GIGA Arena. The platform is open to all Smart and TNT customers and lets users match up with fellow players to compete in daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments for prestige and cash prizes. 

Aside from organizing esports events and backing Filipino esports athletes, Smart also supports gamers with relevant data offers and services, such as the enhanced GIGA Games, a data-packed offer that enables Filipinos to play their favorite games, such as Mobile Legends. Subscribers can register to Power All and Giga Games 99 by logging into the GigaLife App, or by dialing *123#.