The Philippines’ leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) gave their all-out support for the vibrant return of Bacolod City’s famed MassKara Festival 2024, through various on-ground engagements and network infrastructure enhancements.
“Our network expansion in Bacolod City reflects our dedication to enhance the festival experience for both locals and tourists, and to empower the entire community with fast and reliable connectivity, ensuring that everyone can fully enjoy the celebrations,” said Debbie Hu, PLDT and Smart First Vice President and Head of Network Build, Operations and Management. “These network upgrades will continue serving Bacolodnons beyond the festival season, enabling local businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital economy, boosting jobs and fostering economic growth in the city and the region,” she added.
Smart also provided on-ground support via strategically placed merchandising collaterals and sales booths offering special promos for all festival enjoyers. Smart also backed one of the festival’s highlight events, the Ms. Bacolod MassKara 2024, amplifying the event’s excitement with a text polling system that enabled public voting and by providing smartphone units as prizes.
The augmented network capacity proved crucial during the festival activities, as thousands of attendees shared photos and videos on social media, streamed live events, and stayed connected with friends and family. Festival goer Jessabel Baylosis shared, “I really enjoyed this year’s festival. I was able to post on social media about what’s happening at Masskara. I posted on ‘My Day’ and even went live to show my Masskara moments to family and friends who can’t come and celebrate with me here.”
Smart’s infrastructure investments and community engagement initiatives demonstrate the company’s long-standing commitment to support local culture. These also form part of the Group’s wider efforts to narrow the digital divide, bringing the benefits of the internet closer to more Filipinos across the country, and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly on SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
