Sports project highlights Para athletes’ bravery, persistence, resilience

To celebrate this year's World Mental Health Day, PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. continue their advocacy to champion mental health and wellness through sports with the Better Today: Power Move Project, in partnership with the MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity.

The third Better Today: Power Move Project has been made more special because the storytellers are athletes with disabilities and personalities from obstacle course racing, football and many other fields who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery and mental resilience.

"As Filipinos, our love for sports helps strengthen the belief that anything is possible. It defines what true greatness is all about. These athletes, in their own extraordinary ways, have underscored the important message of how sports does not discriminate. Instead, sports instills a deep sense of community and solidarity," said Jude Turcuato, PLDT and Smart FVP and head of Sports, and MVPSF executive director.

A fundamental part of the telco's advocacy on digital wellness, the Better Today: Power Move Project has achieved over 15 million in social media reach since the program launch in 2021, featuring various athletes backed by PLDT, Smart and MVPSF and advocacy partners.

"In PLDT and Smart, through sports and mental resilience, it is our goal to help cultivate a culture of empathy and safe spaces. By creating a more inclusive community, we become champions of a better, safer and more resilient world and a better tomorrow which starts today," added Turcuato.

The Power Move Project is also a continuing effort to inspire Filipino youth to become better citizens and help in the fight against discrimination and abuse.

"Through this project, we want to prompt social change and help break down barriers by promoting a culture of solidarity and inclusivity through sports," said Belle Tiongco, VP and co-founder of Football for Humanity.

PLDT and Smart also recently partnered with non-profit organization ATRIEV to train people with visual impairments in using the Android Accessibility Suite program so that they can maximize the use of their smartphones for daily living.

"PLDT and Smart have long championed digital inclusion, accessibility and innovation. Together with our partners, we support inclusive programs that break barriers and ensure that no one is left behind," said Stephanie Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

Beyond sports, PLDT and Smart's Better Today program has also partnered with local governments, organizations, youth leaders, educational institutions and social media influencers nationwide to advocate for mental health awareness and train front-liners in psychological first aid.

Through this initiative, PLDT and Smart seek to uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of both companies to UN Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being.