Mulanay: Finding ‘Paraiso’ Through Digital Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities

The town of Mulanay in Quezon province has come a long way from the underserved rural community portrayed in the 1996 award-winning film Mulanay: Sa Pusod ng Paraiso, directed by Gil Portes. While the movie depicted a village lacking in infrastructure and a community deeply rooted in tradition and reluctant to embrace modern medicine, present-day Mulanay is now a first-class municipality where diversity and inclusion thrive, opening opportunities for residents in challenging circumstances such as persons with disabilities.

These opportunities pave the way for programs that uplift Mulanay’s most vulnerable sectors, including a partnership that the local government, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) office, forged with ATRIEV, PLDT, and Smart to train residents with disabilities on the basics of entrepreneurship and the use of digital innovations to grow their businesses. This partnership aligns with the PLDT Group’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Advocacy through Technology (IDEATe) program.

 

“As a father to a child with autism, I understand the challenges that persons with disabilities face,” said Mulanay Mayor Aristotle Aguirre. “That is why we are working with like-minded organizations to provide them with digital skills and entrepreneurial opportunities, so they can start or grow their own businesses and thrive in today’s economy.”

 

Conducted by ATRIEV and also supported by NORFIL Foundation, more than 20 persons with disabilities and carers of persons with impairments attended the Digital Business Basics Training (DBBT). The eight-day workshop was divided into two modules. The first focused on starting a business, covering essential topics such as branding, connecting with target markets, fund sourcing, and pricing and costing strategies.

 

Sergio Macarang, 55, saw his clients dwindle after he got into a vehicular accident that limited his mobility. He was a construction foreman prior to the accident. He turned to selling medical masks and wipes to supplement his income. And now, he wants to grow his business.

 

“You need careful planning,” Macarang said. “You have to learn proper costing, so you don’t end up selling your products at a loss.”

 

Pricing was also the most important skill for 26-year-old Jerald Regencia, a reseller of beauty products born with physical impairments. “I was intimidated at first because I have forgotten my Math,” he recalled. “But I brushed up on my Math skills to ensure that I am earning from my business. You have to factor in all your expenses.”

The second module gave participants hands-on experience using digital tools and social media platforms to expand their reach, such as setting up Facebook and Tiktok accounts and creating content for their pages.

 

“I was even able to design a logo for my business using a mobile app,” Macarang added. “Through Facebook and other online platforms, I can now reach more people and potential customers. My business is no longer limited to foot traffic on our street — it has grown beyond our community.”

 

“Selling online has really made things easier for me,” Regencia shared. “Before, I had to personally visit my suki to show them new items or ask if they wanted to order again — which wasn’t easy because of my condition. Now, I can just promote my products online and connect with them through messaging apps.”

 

Through inclusive initiatives like this, the stories of persons with disabilities in Mulanay are moving toward brighter chapters. Equipped with digital skills and business know-how, their journeys are only just beginning.

 

“At PLDT and Smart, we believe that technology is a powerful equalizer,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Team. “Through programs like IDEATe, we are opening doors for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the digital economy, giving them the tools and opportunities to improve their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.”

IDEATe activities are aligned with PLDT and Smart’s commitment to help the country achieve UNSDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and UNSDG 10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.

“East Asia Super League – The Terrific 12” Star Players Express Excitement About Games Ahead “Our plan is to win the championship…” – Liaoning Flying Leopards’ guard, Lance Stephenson

[HONG KONG SAR – September 9] – The world will soon witness a battle royale when top club teams from China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines face off in The Terrific 12 from September 17-22 at Macao’s Tap Seac Multi-Sport Pavilion. The Terrific 12 is filled to the brim with All-Star and national team talent from the best teams across East Asia, each of whom are championship contenders in their respective leagues.

Teams are leaving nothing to chance and have assembled their best rosters, including national team players and foreign imports. “I can’t wait to play in The Terrific 12 with my new teammates. I’m excited to play in such a great tournament this early in the season. It should really help us unite as a team and help me acclimate to this new style of play more easily,” said Liaoning Flying Leopards’ new star guard, Lance Stephenson.

Lance Stephenson is one of many former NBA players who will join top teams as a foreign import player in The Terrific 12. After signing with the Leopards earlier this offseason, Lance is ready for his debut with the club and to bring The Terrific 12 trophy to Liaoning. He also added, “Our plan is to win the championship, so that momentum will help us as a club heading into the regular season.”

The best clubs and players go up against their international champion counterparts which has players chomping at the bit. The Filipino star from TNT KaTropa known as “The Blur”, Jayson Castro, will go head to head with Lance Stephenson specified, “I’m going to show them what speed really looks like. They’ll never see me coming. We’re going to show these other teams how the PBA does things.”

The Terrific 12 presents an opportunity to showcase respective leagues and players to basketball fans in other geographies. International sensation from Utsunomiya Brex, Makoto Hiejima, mentioned “Although the Japanese teams are getting stronger, there's a need to experience more games against top opponents through EASL. We will energize not only Asia, but also the world via the games!”

Each club will clash with new challengers they’ve never faced before. The diverse opponents galvanize player development and improve club performance. The Super 8 Finals champion and leader of the Chiba Jets, Ryumo Ono, stated “I am so excited to enjoy and participate in the games of The Terrific 12, because it’s totally different from our league. Each team is very sophisticated and just as strong as any team we've ever gone up against. I cannot wait!.”

The Terrific 12 features key positional matchups and players are eager to find out how they’ll fare. Shenzhen big man, Li Muhao, stated “I really look forward to going up against Filipino big man, June Mar Fajardo. He’s a legendary player, but I don’t think he knows what he’s getting himself into.” San Miguel Beermen’s big man responded, “We’ve got a pretty tough group. We’ll be up against some strong big men, especially the guys from Shenzhen. But, we've seen it all in terms of competition and will be relying on our team effort and championship experience to carry us through.”

The Zhejiang Guangsha Lions return to Macao led by star guard, Sun Minghui. It’s championship or nothing for this team as Sun noted “This is my third year participating in an EASL event and I’m not going home empty handed.” Shen Zijie of the Shenzhen Aviators also returns to EASL and is eager to compete, “We’re ready to prove that we deserve to be here and showcase what the CBA brings to the table.”

Last year’s champion, The Ryukyu Golden Kings, return to defend their title. However, this time around, everyone wants their shot at the champs. San Miguel Beermen’s “Golden Boy” Terrence Romeo stated “I really feel like I'm on my game and the experience with San Miguel enhanced my skills and confidence. Ryuichi Kishimoto is good so it will be an interesting matchup individually and a team basis.”

KCC Egis All-star, Lee Junghyun, stated “The best way to become an elite club is through competition. The Terrific 12 provides that opportunity and the ability for the KBL to showcase its clubs and star talent.” The games are sure to provide an action-packed week of basketball featuring the best club to club competition East Asia has to offer.

ESPN5, YouTube Live to Air SMB, TNT and Blackwater games in Macao’s Terrific 12 September 17-22

When San Miguel Beer, TNT Katropa and Blackwater Elite compete against other top pro teams from Japan, China and Korea in the East Asia Super League’s Terrific 12 this September, Pinoy basketball fans can cheer them on via broadcast and online platforms in the comfort of their own homes.

ESPN5 and ESPN YouTube Live will bring the action of this FIBA-recognized premier tournament live from Macao’s Tap Seac Multi-Sport Pavilion from September 17 to 22 on primetime. This best-of-the-best Asian basketball competition – now making waves in Asian basketball -- will also be covered by 22 networks on major global broadcast and streaming networks.

The three year-old East Asia Super League was born in Macao in 2017 with just eight teams participating in “Super 8”. In 2018 the country was represented for the first time by a PBA D-League selection called the iECO Green Warriors in a 12-team competition which renamed the tournament as “Terrific 12”. Growing bigger by the year, the much awaited toe-to-toe of the top ball clubs in the region has now succeeded at luring top-calibre PBA teams into its orbit.

The three PBA squads will compete in a tournament against four Japanese, three Chinese and two Korean ball clubs: Liaoning Flying Leopards, Shenzhen Aviators, and Zhejiang Guangsha Lions from China; Chiba Jets,Niigata Albirex, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Utsunomiya Brex from Japan; and Jeonju KCC Egis and Seoul SK Knights from Korea.

The ball clubs will be grouped into four brackets with the top team from each group advancing to the semi-finals scheduled on September 21. The finals will be played on September 22 with the champion going home with a USD 150,000 prize. The runner-up will receive USD 100,000 while second runner-up gets USD 50,000.

Fans may also tune into live streams of press conferences, including the Tip-Off press conference (local time 12:00 noon on 17^th September) and the Final Four press conference (local time 3:30pm on 20^th September) on the various digital platforms to learn more about the competition and the stars of the show.

For more in-depth, exclusive and behind-the-scenes information about East Asia Super League and THE TERRIFIC 12, please follow the following official website and social media pages:

·      Official website: www.eastasiasuperleague.com

·      Facebook: www.facebook.com/eastasiasuperleague/

·      Instagram: www.instagram.com/eastasiasuperleague/

·      Twitter: www.twitter.com/EASLofficial

For ticket details please visit www.macauticket.com.

SMB, TNT and Blackwater Elite to Compete in Terrific 12 East Asia Super League (EASL) in Macao this September

Now that San Miguel Beer has taken home the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Trophy from TNT, the two Finals protagonists will rekindle their rivalry in a foreign tournament in Macao come September. They will be joined by Blackwater Elite in a 12-team competition that will also include ball clubs from China, Japan and South Korea.

Dubbed The Terrific 12, the FIBA-recognized basketball tournament features three clubs from the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), four from the B.LEAGUE (Japan), two from the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and three from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). It will be held at the Tap Seac Multisports Pavilion in Macao from September 17-22, 2019.

The participating teams in East Asia Super League, Asia’s premier basketball tournament include the Liaoning Flying Leopards, the Shenzhen Aviators, and the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions from China; the Chiba Jets, the Niigata Albirex, the Ryukyu Golden Kings and the Utsunomiya Brex from Japan; the Jeonju KCC Egis and the Seoul SK Knights from Korea and the three PBA teams.

Sixteen games total will be played in three stages : the Group Stage, Semi-Finals and Finals to crown this year’s champion. In the Group Stage, clubs will be divided into four groups of three, with each team playing two games. The top team from each group will advance to compete in the Semi-Finals following a rest day on September 20. The champion will be awarded USD 150,000, the runner- up will be awarded USD 100,000 and third place will be awarded USD 50,000.

The “Super League” started in Macao in 2017 with eight teams participating in Summer Super 8. Last year the number of teams grew to 12 and began to be known as the Terrific 12. where the Philippines was represented by a PBA D-League selection called the iECO Green Warriors. This year, the PBA’s top two teams and quarter finalist Blackwater Elite will add more punch to the Philippine representation.

For more information on Terrific 12 2019, please go to eastasiasuperleague.com and follow EAST ASIA SUPER LEAGUE on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media accounts. Tickets are available at eastasiasuperleague.com.