Rappler's latest stories on communications
'Personal grudges, interests' prevailed in rejection of ABS-CBN franchise – academics
The Philippine Association of Communication Educators promises to join electoral education initiatives 'to remind voters that no one, not even lawmakers, shall curtail press freedom'

Unlock new possibilities with Smart Bro
Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Pocket WiFi now comes at a lower price and with a promo

'Pride 20' fights back, accuses MPD of illegal arrest, sexual harassment
'Gamit ang dahas, pananakot, at pananakit, pa-traidor na binuwag nila ang aming mapayapang pagkilos,' says the so-called Pride 20 in their complaint against 32 Manila policemen
DepEd ramps up online education platform ahead of new school year
The education department is doubling the capacity of DepEd Commons to accommodate at least 17 million users by August 24

Gov't to allow religious gatherings at 10% capacity in GCQ areas
Services besides haircuts will be allowed in salons and barber shops, too, pending official guidelines

Dito Telecom to miss July 2020 target for cell sites amid lockdown
Dito Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano says securing permits to build towers would not be as difficult, had it not been for the pandemic

Duterte extends GCQ in Metro Manila until July 15
Only Cebu City remains under enhanced community quarantine

Manila Pride protesters freed, to sue police
(UPDATED) 'Expect that we will file countercharges against the Manila police,' says Bahaghari's Rey Valmores-Salinas
Being trans in tech: Championing equality with Google’s Melai Lopez
'Never let anyone tell them that they do not belong in a certain space'

'Sulong 'wag patinag': In a pandemic, Metro Manila Pride 2020 goes online
No virus can stop the rainbow flag from flying
‘Resist injustice’: Newly sworn lawyer helps detained Pride protesters
Bernardo says the protesters asked for his legal advice prior to the short gathering and during its planning

‘Is this the new normal?’ Catriona Gray questions Pride march arrests
‘Now is the time to speak up,’ Miss Universe 2018 urges her followers

'Hindi makatarungan': Artists, celebrities speak out vs arrest of Pride march protesters
On social media, several artists and celebrities condemn the arrests and call for the release of the protesters

Netizens call to free detained Pride protesters: ‘Pride is protest’
Using the hashtag #FreePride20, netizens express disbelief over the arrest of 20 protesters on Friday, June 26

C’mon guys, it’s 2020: Debunking LGBTQ+ stereotypes
To this day, LGBTQ+ members still experience prejudice and endure stereotypes that may harm them

At least 20 arrested at Pride march in Manila
(UPDATED) 'Nasa batas iyan na bawal iyan,' police tell the protesters, who observed physical distancing and wore face masks

Robredo tells LGBTQ+ in positions of power to ‘use your influence to change mindsets'
'Push lang nang push, mga besh!' Vice President Leni Robredo tells the community as she asks them to continue doing small but concrete steps to promote gender equality

73% of Filipinos think 'homosexuality should be accepted by society' – report
The Philippines' acceptance of homosexuality did not change between 2013 and 2019, according to a Pew Research survey

Here's how you can march for Pride and help LGBTQ+ communities during pandemic
Through the March for Pride website, advocates and members of the LGBTQ+ can lead their own Pride marches from the safety of their homes

Keep your stories going with 16 GB from Smart Giga Stories 99
With Smart's Free Stories for All, subscribers won't be disconnected from online stories again

Zonal lockdowns: Is your house, street, or city a critical zone?
Here's a quick explainer on what could trigger a hard lockdown of your area, or tougher quarantine measures if you are near a critical zone in the fight against the coronavirus

YouTube, Smart bring Creator Camp LIVE to help creators adapt to uncertain times
The series will feature different personalities like Erwan Heussaff, Wil Dasovich, and Alodia Gosiengfiao

Smart WiFi continues providing services as it commemorates #WorldWiFiDay
PLDT-Smart reinstates their commitment to make public Wi-Fi accessible to everyone on #WorldWiFiDay

Smart to release Hyun Bin’s second TV commercial
The mobile services provider also provides fanservice with a new Hyun Bin TVC

These LGBTQ+ films are streaming on iWant for Cinema One Originals' Pride Film Festival
You can now stream '2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,' 'Shift,' and 'Changing Partners' for free from June 19 to July 20

Raven-Symoné ties the knot with girlfriend
The 'That's So Raven' star weds her girlfriend Miranda Maday during a private backyard wedding ceremony

U.S. wants undersea data cable to skip Hong Kong
The Pacific Light Cable Network pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission should connect the US, Taiwan, and the Philippines but not go through Hong Kong as planned

Smart is now accepting pre-orders for the visionary Huawei P40 Series
You can pre-order online or at any Smart Stores nationwide

Esperon denies he had Rio removed from DICT
It was the President's prerogative to accept ICT undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr's dormant resignation, says National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr

Duterte extends Metro Manila GCQ until June 30
President Rodrigo Duterte's decision comes as the National Capital Region remains a battleground in the country's fight against the coronavirus

Duterte places Cebu City on lockdown again
After a spike in coronavirus cases, Cebu City is back to enhanced community quarantine starting June 16, from the more relaxed general community quarantine

Cavite eases some restrictions as it prepares to shift to MGCQ
Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla is suspending the number coding scheme to make it easier for people to go to work and quarantine pass holders can now go to malls within the province provided they only stay for an hour and a half


Emma Watson, Eddie Redmayne defend transgender people following JK Rowling's anti-trans tweets
The actors both appeared in films in the 'Harry Potter' universe

Rio suspects Esperon behind his removal from DICT
The removal of the former DICT official opens a Pandora's Box of issues in the department and in the government's coronavirus response

IN PHOTOS: ‘My jeepney, our home’
Without a home and livelihood for nearly 3 months because of the coronavirus lockdown, driver Julius Evangelista and his family live inside his jeepney

No Pride march? Here are other activities to celebrate Pride 2020
(UPDATED) Straying away from an extravagant Pride march due to quarantine restrictions, the Filipino LGBTQ+ community continues to celebrate Pride month through various activities online. Here are some you can join.

Daniel Radcliffe speaks up in support of transgender, nonbinary persons
The 'Boy Who Lived' releases a statement through the Trevor Project – an organization that provides support for LGBTQ+ youth

Gov't changes mind: Kids, seniors must stay home even under MGCQ
Even under the most relaxed form of community quarantine, those 21 and below, the elderly, and pregnant women can only leave their residences to obtain essential goods or to work

Planning to leave your province or the metro under GCQ? What you should know
Unless you or a member of your immediate family are facing a life-or-death situation, you will likely need ‘travel authority’ from your local police chief

Smart launches new LTE-Advanced Pocket WiFi plans starting at only P699 per month
It comes with a data rollover feature so you can carry over unused data to the next month

'Localized lockdowns' to contain coronavirus during GCQ, MGCQ
It could be a building, a block, or an entire barangay, but if there are two or more coronavirus cases in one place, the authorities will swoop in and lock it down

Coronavirus Updates: Metro Manila, Cebu City relax restrictions
We label June 1 as ‘The Hunger Games: NCR, Cavite, and Cebu City Editions.’ For those returning to work, it’s like getting into a death match.

'Priceless investment': Why PH telco Smart tapped Hyun Bin for new campaign
The South Korean actor's contract includes a Philippine visit with 3 events, but Smart says they'll have to 'work out' when that's going to happen

[EDITORIAL] Bangungot ng Kamaynilaan: Lalong humihirap ang maging mahirap
Sa gitna ng lumalalang antas ng pamumuhay sa kalunsuran dulot ng congestion at trapiko, at banta pa sa kalusugan dulot ng virus – saan lulugar ang pobreng mahirap?

Volleyball stars serve up help for match-day workers
Charo Soriano, Alyssa Valdez, and Aby Maraño lead a fundraising variety show to help volleyball personnel amid the sports shutdown

WATCH: Hyun Bin is the star of Smart’s latest campaign
The full commercial airs on June 1

Baguio mayor seeks reclassification of city's community quarantine
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong appeals to the government's coronavirus task force to reclassify the city as under modified general community quarantine

House committee passes bill requiring masks, distancing post-pandemic
Wearing of face masks and physical distancing in public vehicles and areas would become mandatory in post-pandemic Philippines if this bill becomes law

Smart changes LTE SIM upgrade process after SIM-jacking incidents
Smart says it made the process of upgrading to an LTE-capable SIM more secure