Bingoplus Introduces Piolo Pascual as Newest Endorser in the Spectacular “Bingoplus Day: The Papa P Day!”

Multi-awarded Filipino film and television actor, recording artist, host, commercial model and film producer Piolo Pascual is the newest celebrity endorser of BingoPlus, the first live-streaming bingo in the Philippines.

The popular bingo brand that staunchly supports Filipino music, Pinoy cultural events, sports and quality entertainment had its fourth big celebration since its launch via a dazzling evening of games, prizes, performances and A-Plus entertainment called BingoPlus Day 4: The PAPA P DAY! at the SM Sky Dome on October 7.

The event’s main highlight was the revelation of “the ever-handsome and most-sought after actor in the country, Mr. Piolo Pascual” as BingoPlus’ newest celebrity endorser. DigiPlus president Mr. Andy Tsui warmly welcomed the celebrity superstar to the growing BP family. “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest endorser, Mr. Piolo Pascual to the DigiPlus and BingoPlus family. We are looking forward to this new partnership and to more BingoPlus Day celebrations with you.”

Fan screams filled the Sky Dome as Piolo Pascual was introduced and grew even louder when he serenaded the audience with a song. The heartthrob expressed his joy and gratitude to represent a brand that’s full of positivity. “It’s nice to represent a brand that you know is always full of good vibes, that opens up opportunities for people to have the good life that they’re aspiring for. It’s a good feeling to be able to represent something that is very positive.”

At the event, BingoPlus also awarded a lucky player who won the jackpot prize of P54 million pesos cash – the second biggest winnings so far after the record-setting jackpot prize of P74+ million pesos, which was the biggest jackpot prize awarded ever in the brand’s history.

Mr. Jasper VIcencio, president of AB Leisure Exponent Inc., congratulated the lucky players and gave them valuable advice. “I want to remind all our winners to be wise in spending their winnings. Set your priorities, because opportunities like these only knock once, so let’s not let them go to waste. Always be a blessing to your families and others.”

In an interview aired during “BingoPlus Day 4: The PAPA P Day!” it was revealed that the P74+ million pesos winner would use her prize money to put up a scholarship program for the youth. “The youth are our hope for a better future, and because of BingoPlus, it wasn’t just me or my family who won. I can also help young people and share them my blessings,” she said.

Numerous artists and influencers like boy group VXON, Arci Muñoz and Empoy also joined the spectacular event and entertained with powerful performances that thoroughly entertained the BingoPlus community.

The audience at “BingoPlus Day: The Papa P Day!” also played games and won grand prizes such as two iPhone 15 Pro Max’s and three luxurious all-expenses paid trips to Boracay.

The Story Beyond the Finish Line: Mervin Santiago's Impact on Triathlons, Health, and Global Aspirations

Quezon City, Philippines – October 11, 2023 – Competing in Nice, France, while proudly carrying Philippine flag, was no small feat for Mervin Rencel Santiago, a member of the Santé Barley Tri-Team, who recently celebrated as the fastest Filipino finisher in the IRONMAN World Championship.

This achievement marked a challenging balance between life, career, and a fervent passion for sports. Yet, Santiago's unwavering determination rendered him unstoppable, propelling him to new heights both personally and for the local triathlon scene. Here, he shares his story beyond the finish line.

More than passion: a lifestyle. Known for his love of sports, Santiago's journey into triathlons is more of a lifestyle than aiming to win. Beyond being a triathlete, he serves as a fitness coach and bike fitter. Sports seamlessly integrated into his career, hobby, and passion, making the disciplined training for triathlons a natural extension of his routine.

"Some train solely for competition, but my goal is to stay healthy. Beyond IRONMAN training, it has become my regular workout routine so, naturally, it became part of my lifestyle. Honestly, even without competition, I would still follow this vigorous training," Santiago shared.

His dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by fellow Santé Barley Tri-Team members, including Santé CEO Joey Marcelo and Santé Barley Tri-Team Captain Jonah Rivera. Santiago's commitment to training, even at unconventional hours, is a quality admired by the team.

"It's rare to find a triathlete so passionate that sport becomes his reason for being. Sometimes you would catch him training even at night, and that is why he continues to achieve great feats in the triathlon scene," Marcelo remarked.

Despite the demanding schedule, Santiago maintains a well-balanced life. As a family man, he finds time to take breaks and bond with his loved ones, a sentiment emphasized by Rivera, acknowledging the challenge of balancing family life with the demands of being a triathlete.

The role of nutrition and health. Everything that transpired during the competition exceeded Santiago's expectations—a sentiment he emphasized when recalling his thoughts at the finish line. While he aimed to perform at his best because he carries the pride of Filipinos on his shoulders, Santiago's primary goal was to surpass his personal record.

"One thing about always aiming to be the best in competitions is it overshadows your true purpose—to grow and be better for yourself. My focus that day was to beat my own PR (Personal Record), with other achievements as a bonus," Santiago emphasized.

For Santiago, triathlons are a constant battle to maintain overall health. Losing focus before, during, or after the race was never an option. Ensuring a healthy body, mind, and soul became paramount, with Santé playing a vital role.

"Nutrition is crucial in endurance sports. Even with physical strength, without proper nutrition, it's futile. Santé's products provided the nutrition and supplements I needed to stay at the top of my game, allowing me to push my limits and achieve my goals," Santiago added.

Marcelo echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the rigorous process of preparing for a triathlon necessitates a healthy companion. In a race involving three sports—biking, swimming, and running—a healthy support system is essential, one Santiago found with Santé and in Marcelo, Rivera, and the rest of the Santé Barley Tri-Team.

"The Santé Barley Tri-team started because we all share the same passion for the sport. This has become our bond and support system, strengthening camaraderie both as a team and as friends," Rivera said.

Shaping the future of triathlons in the country. Winning as the fastest Filipino finisher in this year’s IRONMAN World Championship is like claiming a gold medal in the Olympics, as described by Marcelo. It's more than bringing home the trophy; it serves as a reminder to support Filipino athletes in sports.

Santiago shares this sentiment, viewing the competition as an opportunity to inspire people to explore sports for both lifestyle improvement and a potential career. "Of course, I will continue exploring the world stage and be the best version of myself. My journey as a triathlete continues, as does my mission to empower people to live more, do more," Santiago added.

The Santé Barley Tri-Team is poised to expand its reach, with plans to create a team for kids and teens. Their goal is to train them either for the Santé Barley Tri-team’s professional team or the Philippine National Triathlon Team. Regardless of the direction, Rivera hopes Santiago's feat inspires people to engage in sports and exercise.

"All it takes is that very first step. That single step is enough to change your life because sports and exercising are good starting points to instill discipline and productivity," Rivera shared.

Perhaps, Santiago's story beyond the finish line will transcend racetracks and initiate a healthier change not just in the Philippines but across the globe.

With its mission to help people live better lives, Santé promotes, produces, and distributes natural health and wellness products and services. As the leading barley brand, Santé consistently delivers top-quality products to its loyal customers globally, solidifying its position as the barley authority.

To learn more about the Santé, the Santé Barley Tri-team, and its health and wellness products and services, visit its website at mySanté.com.

Palo Alto Networks: 1 in 3 SMEs not confident in Hybrid Work Security

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—Global cybersecurity leader Palo Alto Networks revealed in its 2023 State of Cybersecurity in ASEAN Report that one out of three small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines and Southeast Asia is not confident in tracking cybersecurity breaches amid a hybrid work environment. With 41% of their infrastructure and processes running in the cloud for onsite and work-from-home setup, SMEs are most concerned about password attacks (63%), malware attacks (56%), and account takeovers (53%).

Steven Scheurmann, Vice President for ASEAN at Palo Alto Networks, shared, "In observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we are reinforcing our mission of empowering SMEs with a stronger cybersecurity posture, recognizing their pivotal role as the backbone of our economy. It's crucial to remember that SMEs, just like larger organizations, hold valuable data sought after by cyber attackers for financial gain.”

For two years in a row, adopting cloud security has been a top cybersecurity strategy for SMEs. However, hybrid work continues to pose challenges for SMEs in securing their cloud applications and services due to risks associated with unsecured home networks and personal devices. These risks include data breaches, which can threaten both SME employees and customers, potentially leading to identity theft and unauthorized financial transactions. These vulnerabilities make it challenging for almost one-third of SMEs to procure a broader range of cybersecurity solutions for hybrid work.

To stay ahead of threats, Scheurmann underscored non-negotiables that SMEs should look for when securing cloud infrastructure in hybrid environments.

Holistic visibility of network traffic. Imagine your company's network as a bustling airport, where employees work from different 'terminals' or physical locations, such as offices, homes, or remote sites. The challenge resembles airport security—knowing who's allowed to board 'network flights' and who's not. The airport needs to have visibility on every 'passenger' (devices and users) and verify their 'boarding passes' (access permissions). This holistic visibility ensures SMEs that only authorised users and devices get access to data and applications.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). ZTNA operates on the principle of 'never trust, always verify.' If an SME's network is a mall establishment, not all of its tenants can freely move around the building. ZTNA acts as the diligent security manager, ensuring that each 'tenant' (employee) must show their identification and state their purpose before gaining access to areas reserved for authorized personnel only.

AI and machine learning. Artificial intelligence (AI)-backed machine learning in network security is like having personalized content recommendations on your social media. Just as algorithms analyze your preferences for tailored suggestions, AI-driven firewalls with machine learning analyze network traffic, predict, and prevent cyber threats that are also increasingly sophisticated due to AI. They continually adapt, ensuring SMEs are equipped to protect themselves from emerging threats.

"Even small-sized and resource-constrained businesses can establish a formidable security posture, rendering it challenging for attackers to breach, provided a strong cybersecurity hygiene culture prevails within the company. Holistic visibility, a zero-trust approach, and AI integration will help ensure that SMEs can scale up their cloud security to protect against both current and future threats, no matter where they choose to work,” concluded Scheurmann.sddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd