The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli Plans are double the previous speed offers and can now reach up to 600 Mbps

What would you do if you have more speed to power your digital lifestyle? What if you could have the opportunity to experience up to twice the speed you’re getting now? That can be a reality now as PLDT Home rolls out the biggest speed upgrade with the newest Fiber Plans this February.   

Faster Fiber Plans Yet

The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli Plans are double the previous speed offers and can now reach up to 600 Mbps for as low as P2699 monthly. 

 

What’s more, all these new Home Fiber plans get faster speeds with the same price as previous plans. Now, that’s a treat especially for the new subscribers. Meanwhile, existing subscribers will need not apply for any plan upgrade to get the same faster speeds as they will automatically get the new Fiber plan speeds starting this month. 

 

Fiber Unli Plan	Previous speed	New speed
Plan 1699	100 Mbps	200 Mbps
Plan 2099	200 Mbps	400 Mbps
Plan 2699	400 Mbps	600 Mbps

 

What does it mean for PLDT Home Fiber customers?

 

Families at home with dynamic digital lifestyles will highly benefit from the faster internet speeds of the new PLDT Home Fiber plans:

 

●      For those who like to surf the Internet: Fiber Unli Plan 1699, 2099, and 2699 with the new speeds of 200, 400, and 600 Mbps respectively, allow users to load websites and pages within seconds, making browsing an even more enjoyable experience.

●      For those who love to stream their movies and TV series: Fiber Unli Plan 1699 with 200 Mbps makes streaming SD and HD content on a few devices smooth and seamless. Fiber Unli Plan 2099’s 400 Mbps allows smooth streaming of HD and Ultra HD content on more demanding devices like smart TVs and PCs. The full power of Fiber Unli Plan 2699’s 600 Mbps speed makes streaming up to 4K HD and even 8K on the latest smart TVs easier than ever.

●      For those who need to work online: The 200 Mbps from Fiber Unli Plan 1699 makes video conferencing easier with none of the dreaded lagging and dropping out, and users can also download all the files they need in minutes or even seconds. Fiber Unli Plan 2099’s 400 Mbps is there for bigger download demands, and for those who need to work with the largest files all the time, Fiber Unli Plan 2699 is the ideal setup.

●      For those who demand better gaming support: Fiber Unli Plan 1699’s 200 Mbps will give a lag-free gaming experience on one or two devices such as a PC and/or gaming console. For more devices at home, 400 Mbps from Fiber Unli Plan 2099 will maintain that low latency. For those with the biggest gaming setups at home with multiple devices, Fiber Unli Plan 2699’s 600 Mbps will easily power it all.

●      For those into content creation: Fiber Unli Plan 1699 allows for quick and easy content uploading to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and more. For streamers on platforms like Twitch, Fiber Unli Plan 2099 and 2699 ensure a consistent livestreaming experience at all times.

 

Whole-home coverage with Fiber Plus Plans

 

On top of the improved Fiber Unli Plans, PLDT Home has also upgraded its Fiber Plus Plans, which come with three Mesh WiFi devices to eliminate wi-fi dead spots in larger homes.

 

Fiber Plus Plan	Previous speed	New speed
Plan 2399	200 Mbps	400 Mbps
Plan 2999	400 Mbps	600 Mbps

 

Mesh WiFi creates a wider wi-fi coverage within the home, with devices only needing to connect to one network no matter where they are in the area.

 

The fastest fixed network in the Philippines

 

The launch of the new PLDT Home Fiber Plans plays a big role in PLDT Home’s status as the fastest broadband in the Philippines. PLDT Home has consistently received this recognition in global internet testing firm Ookla’s regular rankings. 

 

Meanwhile, the Philippines has also steadily climbed up the Speedtest Global Index over the past year, jumping two places higher in the January 2023 edition with a median download speed of 88.13 Mbps. This rise is due in part to PLDT Home’s contributions to the constant improvement of the country’s network infrastructure.

 

Experience the possibilities of even faster fiber internet with PLDT Home’s upgraded Fiber Plans. Visit thislink today to find out more.

 

The new wireless Samsung Sound Tower can keep you company whenever and wherever you like, no matter the occasion

Music makes everything better, especially when heard in the greatest quality possible. Inconveniences such as audio distortion, blown speakers, poor bass, and treble quality can be a total mood killer. It’s about time that you invest in a well-rounded device that will allow you to experience powerful sound wherever you go, something that the new Samsung Sound Tower ST50B provides! 

The new wireless Samsung Sound Tower can keep you company whenever and wherever you like, no matter the occasion. 

Take Incredible Sound With You Everywhere

The Samsung Sound Tower ST50B is geared for all of life’s experiences. With a strong internal battery lasting up to 18 hours, it plays ultra-powerful audio that allows you to enjoy unplugged entertainment all day and all night.  

Music by the poolside? No worries! The Sound Tower ST50B is water-resistant with an IPX5 feature ensuring that it is protected against low-pressure water streams. There's no need to be anxious that a night of non-stop partying and accidental drink spills will ruin your speakers. 

Powerful Music, One Device

Share your music with others with the Sound Tower’s wireless capabilities. Pair up to two mobiles with the Sound Tower simultaneously and enjoy music with your friends with the Bluetooth multi-connection feature. You can also amplify your sound experience by connecting up to ten Sound Towers wirelessly with the Group Play feature, perfect for gatherings or even if you just want it loud. 

Enjoying concerts and movie marathons with friends and family anywhere in great quality is possible with the Sound Tower. It's simple to connect your TV to the sound tower–so sit back, relax, and experience amplified sound quality with its seamless wireless TV connection. 

Partying At Home Sounds Better Than Ever

The Samsung Sound Tower ST50B is always up for a party! Get the room jumping and keep the good vibes flowing with its unique bi-directional speakers, which allow sound to be heard and clearly in multiple directions. Whether your party is indoors or outdoors, shaking it up with incredible, immersive, sound is just a push of a button away.

It just isn’t a party without an awesome light show–so go all-out with the Sound Tower’s built-in LED party lights that set the mood through dynamic lighting effects such as party, ambient, and dance modes. Choose how these sparkly lights will enliven the venue through the use of the Samsung Sound Tower App on your mobile device. Be the disc jockey yourself using the DJ Effect for the best sound available for all types of music. 

Karaoke sessions with family and friends get a level up! Own the stage and sing your hearts out with the Samsung Sound Tower ST50B’s Karaoke Mode plus dedicated mic input. 

Ready to experience powerful sound wherever you go? Have a blast with the Samsung Sound Tower ST50B and get your well-rounded sound device now! For more exciting updates on Samsung TV and Sound Devices, check out www.samsung.com/ph, and follow Samsung on their official Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Suicidality can be a serious manifestation of encephalitis

Encephalitis patients are at a high risk of suicide and self-harm, two new, ground-breaking research papers, published for World Encephalitis Day 22^nd February 2023, have identified. 

 

The two papers, from authors in the UK and Mexico, reveal important statistics relating to suicide, self-harm and mental health. 

The UK paper titled ‘Mental health outcomes of encephalitis, an international web-based study,’ which was written by a team of leading specialists including senior author Dr Tom Pollak of Kings College London and published on a pre-print platform, surveyed 445 respondents from 31 countries and found that 37.5% of survivors of Encephalitis reported they had thought about or attempted (4.4%) suicide^[1].

 

The summary and recommendation of the paper was; ‘Overall, the large international survey indicates that psychiatric symptoms following encephalitis are common. Overall, these results highlight a need for increased provision of proactive psychiatric care for these patients and represent a call to action for increased research on mental health outcomes of encephalitis so that this patient group can be better supported. Given the treatment-responsiveness of many mental health symptoms and diagnoses, this is likely to represent a global opportunity for reducing morbidity and mortality in this challenging condition.’

 

While ‘Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Anti-Nmdar Encephalitis: Psychopathological features and clinical outcomes’ published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, by a group of leading specialists including senior author Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez, gained data from 120 patients with a headline outcome being 12.5% of patients had suicidal behaviours during early stages of the illness with nearly half (5.83%) carrying out a suicide attempt^[2].

 

Within the papers’ conclusions  it was noted; ‘According to our study, suicidality is not uncommon during the acute phase of ANMDARE, including both first episodes and relapses. Clinicians must be aware of this potentially lethal risk, particularly in those presenting with symptoms of psychotic depression. Although the persistence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors after immunotherapy is rare, we encourage a long-term risk assessment for suicidal and no suicidal self-directed violence throughout the different stages of the disease’.

 

Both papers have been released in association with the Encephalitis Society to help raise awareness of World Encephalitis Day which takes place on 22nd February 2023.  

 

CEO of the Encephalitis Society and co-author on both papers Dr Ava Easton said: “These impactful and important research papers raise awareness that suicidality can be a not uncommon and serious manifestation of encephalitis in the early stages as a result of the illness, during relapses, and perhaps later in people’s journey of recovery. 

 

“We want anyone affected by encephalitis and mental health problems, including thoughts of suicide and self-harm, to know that symptoms are often highly treatable and help and support are available from the Encephalitis Society wherever they live in the world.

 

“World Encephalitis Day is a focal point for our global community who have been affected or impacted by Encephalitis. On this very important day we want to project unity, common ground and offer support while we raise awareness.”

Mental Health & Encephalitis

Mental health issues, self-injurious thoughts and suicidal behaviours following encephalitis may occur for a number of reasons:  the direct biological effects on the brain of their encephalitis during the early stages when people are very poorly; as a result of disease-related psychological or physical consequences or disability: impaired self-image, limited social life, reduced financial security, dependency on others, pain, substance use; or as an adverse effect of treatments given to help with the encephalitis itself or its consequences.

 

Psychiatric symptoms and syndromes have been less investigated than neurological deficits and symptoms in autoimmune encephalitis patients which means that these symptoms may likely be underdiagnosed in this patient group. Thus there is a need for more research addressing the breadth, nature, causes and impacts of psychiatric symptoms in patients who have had encephalitis.

 

A 2020 study in Denmark^[3] found that suicide rates in patients diagnosed with a neurological disorder were significantly higher (nearly double) that of people not diagnosed with a neurological disorder (44 per 100,000 person-years compared to 20.1 per 100,000 person-years). In encephalitis specifically they found the suicide rate to be nearly double that of people without the diagnosis of a neurological disorder (39.7 per 100,000 person years).

 

For more information about encephalitis and World Encephalitis Day, visit www.worldencephalitisday.org

 

What is Encephalitis? 

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It is caused either by an infection invading the brain (infectious encephalitis) or through the immune system attacking the brain in error (post-infectious or autoimmune encephalitis).

In many countries the condition has a higher incidence than motor neurone disease (MND/ALS), bacterial meningitis and multiple sclerosis (MS) and affects one person every minute globally, ye 77%^[4]

---

[1] Abdat, Y., Butler, M., Zandi, M., Michael, B., Nicholson, T.R., Easton, A., Pollak, T. Feb 2023.  Mental health outcomes of encephalitis, an international web-based study.  medRxiv 2023.02.03.23285344; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.03.23285344 (This article is a preprint and has not yet been certified by peer review.  It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.

 

[2] Tellez-Martinez, A., Restrepo-Martinez, M., Espinola-Nadurille, M., Martinez-Angeles, V., Martinez-Carillo, F., Easton, A., Pollak, T., Ramirez-Bermudez, J. Feb 2023.  Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in anti-NMDAR encephalitis: psychopathological features and clinical outcomes.  Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences: https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/

[3] Erlangsen A, Stenager E, Conwell Y, Andersen PK, Hawton K, Benros ME, Nordentoft M, Stenager E. Association Between Neurological Disorders and Death by Suicide in Denmark. JAMA. 2020 Feb 4;323(5):444-454. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.21834. PMID: 32016308; PMCID: PMC7042859.

[4] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc on behalf of the Encephalitis Society.  Sample sizes and 2021 field work dates varied according to country (Five countries were surveyed: UK, USA, Germany, India, and Australia). By people we mean adults (aged 18+) in the general public.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy a happier and fuller life with Pacific Cross’ Blue Royale Medical Insurance Plan

 

When illness strikes, you undoubtedly want to look for the best ways to secure yourself and your loved ones' health. The rising costs of hospitalization and medical treatment are one of the pressures you have to deal with in today’s times.

 

Pacific Cross can help you, including your loved ones, financially prepare for life’s uncertainties with the Blue Royale Medical Insurance Plan. Blue Royale offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of medical insurance benefits available in the Philippines. It has coverage for individuals and families, infants to seniors, can cover up to USD2M, provides an option to reimburse or no-cash-outlay, has maternity benefits, and many more.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that in the Philippines, deaths related to Non-communicable Diseases are attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) with 33%. In fact, according to the Department of Health (DOH), CVDs are the number one cause of death, with an estimated 50,000 dying every year in the Philippines. 

As February is the Philippine Heart Month, DOH advised that in order to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, Filipinos should maintain a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, controlling blood pressure, and getting enough sleep.

 

Beside these practical steps in changing a healthier lifestyle, getting a medical insurance plan will benefit you and your loved ones in the long-run too. Pacific Cross recognizes that it is important to make the most out of life’s precious moments. As a testament to its commitment, Pacific Cross understands that you want to keep those who matter most to you safe and would do anything to keep them secured. 

 

Express your love and care towards your family and loved ones by giving them the gift of peace of mind. A Pacific Cross Medical Plan is more than just a policy. It’s a trusted ally during difficult times, one that could save your life. Get a Blue Royale Medical Plan today! Call 8899-8001 local 7202 or visit https://bit.ly/PacificCrossIsHereForYou. Pacific Cross is #HereForYou.

P&G Philippines handed out Safeguard Handwash products to LRT-2 commuters

(LRT-2 commuters with their Safeguard Handwash products) 

 

Amidst the rising cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease and the recently detected presence of COVID-19 omicron subvariant  XXB.1.5 in the PH, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Philippines, the multinational consumer goods company with a diverse range of superior health care, home care, beauty, and grooming products, through its partnership with the Manila Water Foundation (MWF) handed out Safeguard Handwash products as a pre-Valentine’s day gift to LRT-2 commuters. 

 

According to the Department of Health, handwashing with soap is key to fighting against COVID-19, and regular handwashing with soap can reduce the likelihood of common coronavirus infection by 36%. However, not all Filipinos have access to handwashing facilities, water, and/or soap.

 

“It’s crucial to remind the public of the importance of WASH, or water, sanitation, and hygiene, to our health. Through this project, not only are we promoting proper handwashing with soap, which is one of the key preventive measures against diseases and infections, but we are also bringing access to proper handwashing stations closer to Filipinos” says Tasha Santos, Sr. Communications Manager of Safeguard  Philippines.

 

Over 2,000 pieces of Safeguard Liquid Handsoaps were given out in LRT-2 stations Antipolo, Araneta Center Cubao, Legarda, and Recto. Five (5) portable handwashing stations called HappyTaps were also set up in each station to encourage frequent and proper handwashing with soap and water with Safeguard’s Insta-foam Handwash. Passengers who washed their hands in the stations were given the chance to win a gift pack of hygiene products through MWF’s electronic raffle.  

(Portable handwashing stations set up by MWF in LRT)

 

The project, titled “We Love Safe Hands sa Riles” is part of the series of MWF 18th Anniversary events. Other projects such as outreach programs, donation handovers, and #SafeWASH seminars are also in the pipeline for P&G and MWF in the coming weeks. 

 

“As we celebrate our 18th Anniversary, we remember with heartfelt thanks our dedicated partners like P&G Philippines who have been a force for good in enabling MWF’s mission and we look forward to more collaborations with P&G to bring WASH for all communities,” said Reginald Andal, Executive Director of MWF.

 

P&G is a consistent partner of MWF in helping build the nation and empowering communities by promoting health and hygiene. The partnership started with the construction of hand hygiene facilities and provision of hygiene supplies under the Lingap Linis Lusog Kabataan project in 2019 and has since expanded to other MWF WASH programs such as #SafeWASH in Communities and Schools, reaching over 1M Filipinos across over 55 cities and municipalities across the country. In 2021, Typhoon Odette victims were also able to receive care packages filled with P&G products thanks to MWF’s assistance. Most recently, P&G, in collaboration with MWF, donated Vicks ZzzQuil Natura sleep gummies to over 4,000 beneficiaries to promote proper rest and sleep. 

 

Discover for yourself what the HOKA rave is all about

This is good news to all HOKA fans out there. There's no need for you to go online or make pasabuy for a HOKA purchase. Just because youe favorite running and stylish shoes is now here in the Philippines!

Now Open: First HOKA Store in the Philippines

Are you ready to fly? Hoka is opening their doors to the Philippines.  Head to the first
HOKA Concept Store in the country starting February 15, 2023 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay
(2nd Floor, Bldg B).

With established stores in the UK and USA, HOKA has been pursuing its plans of global
expansion by setting up stores in Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, and now in the
Philippines. More than a shop, it has become a hub for hardcore and leisure runners.

Known to be highly-cushioned, amazingly lightweight, and impressively breathable, HOKA has been making waves in the running community, both for professional and recreational runners for their comfortable fit and support.

You can now enjoy running, jogging, or even your casual walks around town like Bella Hadid, Adam Sandler, Britney Spears, Gwyneth Palthrow, Cameron Diaz and Reese Witherspoon.

Check out the different models and actually fit it in store. Discover for yourself what the HOKA
rave is all about; why more and more people are finding how well it fits into their running
performance and lifestyles.

The fashion forward designs of HOKA shoes make it a show stopper and fun to incorporate into the fast-paced lives you live today. It has become more than a sport, it has become a lifestyle brand.

What to expect in a HOKA Store?
Moved by its line #flyhumanfly - the HOKAs

store offers a unique experience of this
high-performing brand. Do better than your best. Choose from the wide array of shoe models
they offer; categorized into SKY, GLIDE and 

FLY. Each with unique features and purposes to

fulfill.

You will be greeted by HOKA specialists, ready to answer your questions. 

They could also help you know more about your feet, its movement and which HOKA model suits you best. There’s an available feet scanner and gait analysis (treadmill) in the store so you get to try before you purchase. 

You can also complete your look with the equally stylish HOKA apparel and accessories
displayed in store. There’s a wide range of products you can choose from to help compliment both your lifestyle and running experience.

Hurry! Fly and get that HOKA experience. Visit from 10am to 9pm, Monday to Thursday and
10am to 10pm from Friday to Sunday.