TNT pushes Internet.org by Facebook to uplift Iloilo community
We dreamt of having free access to information online
and now it has become a reality, thanks to Internet.org by Facebook through
Talk ‘N Text (TNT), the value brand of the wireless services leader Smart
Communications, Inc. (Smart).
“Because of Internet.org which I can access through my
phone, I no longer need to go to the computer shop and spend money in order to
be connected to the Internet. I use the app to interact with my friends through
Facebook, research for school assignments and read the news. My classmates also
use Internet.org,” Caren Mae Tabugon, 16, said during the Iloilo leg of the
Panalo ang May Alam Party, organized by Talk ‘N Text .
Tabugon is one of the residents of Brgy. Sooc in Arevalo
District, Iloilo City who attended an interactive gathering where they were
treated to enjoyable activities and experiential learning games on using
Internet.org, which provides communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America with
free access to basic internet services so they can improve their lives and
their communities.
Another participant, Joemichael Pineda, 22, said that he
has tried accessing Internet.org in the past but only got a better understanding of its importance during the TNT’s Panalo ang May Alam party. “It
has so many sites that can help increase my knowledge. For example,
Dictionary.com will help improve my vocabulary. I will definitely use it more
because it’s free and because ‘panalo ang may alam’,” he said.
Herminia Pineda, a former scavenger
who is now head of the tarpaulin division of Sooc Social Ventures that recycles
tarpaulins into bags, wallets and more, said that the app would help her access
information that will benefit their livelihood project.
Meanwhile, daycare worker Lorena Sison said,
“Internet.org will be a big help in my work as a da care worker. For example,
weather updates are important when we assist during calamities. I can also help
the youth become employable through TESDA.”
The participants of Talk ‘N Text Panalo Ang May Alam
party in Iloilo searched answers to the questions of the facilitators from the
websites available via Internet.org.
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They are among the millions of Filipinos who now have
free access to 30 websites through Internet.org. Among these sites are
Accuweather and Rain Check for weather updates; Ask.com, Bing Search, WikiHow
and Wikipedia for general information; BabyCenter and MAMA for pregnancy and
childcare; Interaksyon.com, Inquirer.net, PhilStar.com, GMA News Online,
Rappler and Sun.Star for news updates;
ESPN and Spin.ph for sports updates; PEP.ph for
entertainment news; Facts for Life for health and hygiene; Girl Effect for tips
and articles for girls; iMoney.ph and Your Money for personal finances,
JobStreet.com for job search; Facebook and Messenger; OLX for online shopping;
Sakay.ph for bus and train directions; TESDA for free programs and training;
Wattpad for books and stories; and Dictionary.com.
Prior to Iloilo City, TNT also held Panalo Ang May Alam
parties in Quezon City, Malabon City, and Bacolod. The next legs will be in
Bicol, Sorsogon, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Davao.
TNT subscribers who are Android users may download the
Internet.org app on Google Play Store while non-Android users can access the
site by typing www.internet.org on their
mobile browser. For step-by-step instructions, text INTERNET to 9999 or visit
talkntext.com.ph/internetorg.