Excellence gave way to a night filled with heightened emotions and gripping drama. What started as a showcase of powerful performances evolved into a poignant scene, as contestants and judges alike found themselves overwhelmed by the depth of their emotions. It wasn't merely a display of dramatic flair; instead, it unfolded as an emotional roller coaster ride, impacting not only the contestants but also the judges who doubled as mentors.

 

Feeling #GToBeLucky this 2023? This could be your lucky year as GCash Lucky Load is back - with bigger prizes and more chances to win each week!

GCash users in NCR, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have the chance to win up to Php 100,000 weekly from the Lucky Load draw when they load, play, and match the winning combination!

For every Php 50 worth of mobile, broadband, or even non-telco load that you purchase on the GCash app, you automatically earn one ticket to join the Lucky Load promo.

There are three ways to play and access your tickets.

• ●Click on the pop-up banner on your screen after successfully buying load
• ●Check the Lucky Load notification in your GCash inbox
• ●Tap the Lucky Load icon under the Enjoy section of your GCash app menu

How to Play GCash Lucky Load
Players who correctly match with the lucky icon combination each week will split the regional prize pot equally among them. Once on the Lucky Load dashboard, select 6 icons from the roster of 30.

After choosing your icons, submit your ticket entry! The winning Lucky Load combination will be announced every Monday, and all winners for the week are announced on the GCash app and Facebook page every Tuesday.

This year, a grand pot prize of Php 100,000 per broad region will be given out by GCash every week:

• ●6 matched Icons – NCR (Php 100,000)
• ●6 matched Icons – North Luzon (Php 100,000)
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• ●6 matched Icons – Visayas (Php 100,000)
• ●6 matched Icons – Mindanao (Php 100,000)

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Download the GCash app from the App Store or Google Play today.

Good day mga KaToto! Just read this exciting and shareable news all. After a six-year break, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is reviving its nationwide photography contest, and this time with even bigger prizes!

The theme of this year's contest is "Sa’n Tayo Next?" and it aims to showcase the raw beauty and potential of lesser-known destinations in the Philippines. This is a wonderful opportunity for both amateur and professional photographers to share their vision of the country's stunning landscapes and win some generous cash prizes.

The contest will begin on February 15th, 2023 and PAGCOR's Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications, Carmelita Valdez, said that the state-run gaming agency wants to give photographers of all skill levels a chance to showcase the beauty of the Philippines. A total of P1.6 million will be given away in cash prizes to the winners and finalists.

The theme "Sa’n Tayo Next?" is inspired by the common question travelers ask each other after experiencing an incredible trip. It's a question that sparks excitement for the next adventure, and the PAGCOR Photography Contest 2023 hopes to tap into that energy to help boost the tourism sector as it recovers from the pandemic.

This year's contest will have two categories: Conventional and Mobile. The Conventional Category includes photos taken with traditional cameras like Single Lens Reflex or Digital SLR, compact cameras, etc. The Mobile Category includes photos taken with apps on mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, drone-mounted cameras, and action cameras. Participants must be 18 years or older and can submit up to two entries under one category or one entry for each category.

The deadline for submissions is on July 31st, 2023. The grand winners of the Conventional Category will receive P80,000 each, while the grand winners of the Mobile Category will receive P35,000 each. There will also be cash prizes for the non-winning grand finalists and a special prize for the "Most Liked Photo" in each category.

This is the 5th time PAGCOR is holding its nationwide photography contest, and it's a great opportunity for photographers to showcase their skills and passion for capturing the beauty of the Philippines.

For more information on the PAGCOR Photography Contest 2023, visit www.pagcor.ph or follow PAGCOR's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pagcor.ph). I hope to see some of you there, let's show the world the beauty of the Philippines through our lenses!

Reference:
PAGCOR PR

As our way of saying thank you for the years of reading, watching, and following Kwento Ni Toto, we're having a small mystery box raffle. Like our teaser show, we have three (3) boxes to be raffled off, and it will be until the year ends. Prizes are small but let us have fun and do the activities.

During the whole duration of the Mystery Box Raffle, we will post instructions on what to do to join the raffle. So better watch out and find out where we'll post the instructions for each box. Whether on our blog, Youtube channel, or other social media accounts. Just remember to follow Kwento Ni Toto! Always remember the yellow logo with me in it!

So, better subscribe, follow and like and social media accounts @kwentonitoto because we're counting down. Few more days 'till we launch!!!!

 

Click the link to try this simple and fun quiz https://gosm.link/ShoppingQuizFB  Who knows, you might be one of the 3 lucky winners of P5K SM Gift Certificates!!! You have the whole Women's Month to play. Make sure to join every day for more chances of winning!

Queens, share your results on social media and use the hashtag #WomensWorldAtSMQuiz20200

So, if you're eager and hopes to be shortlisted, and get through, here are some advice from the Ex-PBB housemates. 

Start of the new season! Yes, beginning today, October 3, a new breed of talented contenders will battle it out towards becoming the next singing sensation on GMA Network’s all-original musical competition – The Clash Season 3!

Known for its exciting twists at every round, this season promises fiercer and tougher singing face-offs where only the best of the best Clashers all over the country will make it to the top.

Returning as Clash Masters are Total Heartthrob Rayver Cruz and Asia’s Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose who are both eager to be back on-stage as the competition’s hosts.

“Masaya and excited kami,” Rayver said. “Alam namin na mahirap magbalik-trabaho lalo na sa panahon ngayon pero nandito kami para ihatid ang minahal ng viewers na mga pasabog ng The Clash at para ipakilala ang bagong mahuhusay na Clashers.”

Julie Anne shared that preparations for the show were taken to another level to ensure that strict safety protocols were followed, “Unang-una is to observe physical distancing and follow the guidelines and safety protocols. Preparations had to be taken to another level. Wala kaming audience, mas kaunti ‘yung tao. Nevertheless, I’m very excited about the Clashers’ performances.” 

The TRUTH? I'm worried, I'm stressed, and I'm scared! It's not only for me but for my family.

Perhaps this is our initial reaction when we face things that are unknown and uncertain. Like in horror suspense movies that we always watch, it was something similar to that. The only difference is, it is not on reels this time.

Who wouldn't get frightened? It is real, and it's happening right before our eyes. It is always on the news, the affected, the recoveries, and the one that we hate to see, the figure of deaths. If for the number of gross earned per movie from a world premiere, that would be great, but the sad part is that we're counting the number of people infected by the virus, worse the number of deaths.

I love movies, and I love history! I enjoy reliving the past through the works of movie creators, but today, after experiencing it personally, it's much better than films. It's real-life experiences and genuine emotions, no-frills. I am human, and this made me realize things.


The Outbreak

Of all the movies that have viruses, zombie apocalypse, and outbreak themes, we didn't even bother to have precautions (probably there was, but it wasn't taken seriously). There were no presentations of "what if these things happen in real life?" It only shows that we have vivid imaginations, even to the point that it happens right before our eyes, but we couldn't do much because we were never able. I am not ready, and I am not prepared.


Probably, the situation has created an ideally immense impact when it comes to safety, security, and health. Just like in the movie "Outbreak," a single carrier, which is a monkey, had placed the entire town to chaos and spread the virus. But then again, we shouldn't be too paranoid to think about this, but instead, live a life of being aware.


Lockdown or Community Quarantine

I remember the movie "Resident Evil," it is one of the horrific suspense movies that time, and it took me a certain point to probably watch the whole film. One part of the movie, where the entire facility was lockdown because of the virus, is somewhat similar to what we have experienced. It all started when the virus made its way into the city and began to spread. I was scared to go out, primarily when the number of virus-affected individuals increases.


Then it happened, the thing that everyone is scared of, the lockdown. I'm afraid and worried at the same time because I don't have much savings for my family. No event means no income, and no income means no money to buy food for the time of stay-at-home.


The Tribute

For one month, no one is allowed to go out of their houses except for those who will buy necessities like foods, medicines, and other things needed to survive this pandemic. Like most of the people, my initial reactions were 'how are we going to survive?', 'what will be our source of income?", and 'where are we going to buy food?'.

Quarantine Passes were issued to us by our barangay, and when I got this pass, which is I think is a quarter size of a long bond paper, I thought of the tributes in the movie "Hunger Games." I felt I was one of them, the chosen one for the district, and in my case for my family.


It's not easy being the tribute of the family. You need to be in full gear when you're going out to buy foods or medicines or other necessities for the family. You need to have your mask, your quarantine pass, your alcohol, your hat, your phone, your eco bag, and of course, always have a prayer. These are my battle gears when facing the world outside of our house.

Every time I go out, I always have an understanding and learning about our life, particularly the present one. Fathers or not, we are all ready to take on any difficulties for the sake of our family. And this crisis will be overcome if we trust and believe that God is above all.


The Quarantine Life

If you have seen the movie "Swiss Family Robinson," well I can say that our life during the quarantine period is similar to theirs except for the gadgets and the internet. We're isolating our family from the rest of the community to avoid contracting the deadly coronavirus, but not living all alone in the world.

Like the Swiss Family Robinson, we tried to save and use every possible supply that we have. We don't know until when this quarantine is.


The birthday celebrations are not the usual, foods are limited, and birthday greetings are only online. It's a small celebration but memorable. My youngest son, Gelo, celebrated his 9th Birthday with a French Fries Tower like cake and pool themed family party.


The good part of the lockdown is that we get to learn a lot of things, clean the house, declutter, and communicate more with God. Maybe this is God's way of letting us find his love and mercy in the fast-phased environment that we are living before this pandemic and thanking Him for life and the blessings.


Of course, whether we like it or not, we always look at our social media accounts, witnessing the different issues of the government and also the lives of several celebrities.


Help Comes When You Least Expect

When Harry Potter faces the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore's phoenix flew towards Harry and dropped the Sorting Hat. Out of nowhere, the sword of Gryffindor appeared inside the Sorting hat. Just like what I have experienced during this quarantine and lockdown period, help comes when you least expect it. Friends from the blogging community and entertainment industry are God's sent angels because their assistance is just what we need.


Maybe it is natural for us Filipinos to extend help to others who are in need. There were many stories of "malasakit" and "bayanihan" that are praised and commended by a lot of people. Some were given more resources to be able to extend more help to other people.


Though my friends' deeds aren't as sensational as the ones featured on any news, in my heart, they will always be my hero.


Share Your Blessings

Blessings are not just items that we usually receive, but its actually beyond the physical appearance. I am thankful that I am blessed with so many things in life, my family, who are there to give me strength and to my friends who help in times of need.

Perhaps helping is innate to us, it's a part of our culture, the Filipino culture. Remember the 'bayanihan,' that is probably the best picture to describe us Pinoys. It may not be similar, but the movie "Pay It Forward" is one of the best visualizations of the helping deeds. I haven't fully watched the film, but I like how it describes the way how to repay the help given out to you.


In my case, during the quarantine/lockdown period where we all are in need, my way of repaying was through my services. I am the leader of our homeowners' association in our area, and the only way I can help is by coordinating with our barangay for the assistance to reach our community.

Helping even in simple things, are great, the feeling is unexplainable. Seeing the relief from their eyes, and hear those short thank yous are enough for me.


The True Value of Time

Right before the outbreak, we are all living in a fast-phased environment, a world where innovations happen in a short period. We definitely take the meaning of time by intentively doing multi-tasks activities and work almost every minute from the moment that we learn how to compute. That is how we live before, but when the NCov19, now CoVid19, break out, lives started to move slow. Most of the people are inside their houses together with the families.

I remember when I was still working in the corporate world, most of the employees are looking forward to the dates of the holidays. During the quarantine, their wish was granted. All they needed to do was spend it wisely, and most of them spent it with their families. I did it too, and with the help of my wife, we spent that time with the kids by having different activities together.


Perhaps this is also one of the lessons in our life we should take time off from our work and activities to spend it with our loved ones. Good thing that our era doesn't uses time as a currency. Unlike in the movie "In Time," a science fiction story where the people stop aging when they reach 25, their money is their time. They work to have more time in order to live.


The Heart of Men

In the background story of "Lord of the Rings," Isildur, the one who manages to kill Sauron and get a chance to destroy the one ring, was described as the weak men and easily corrupted. It is true. Like Isildur, I'm also tempted to do the unworthy ones, especially during the crisis. But thankfully, God covers it with his love and better yet my heart is more of Aragorn. A human core with a strong will to overcome the crisis that we are facing.


I learned that in times of pandemic, there are people who tend to go selfish, but there are still others who are willing to do and give more of what they have just to help.


Moving Forward

One of my favorite lines from the movie "Forrest Gump," 'Life is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get.' Life continues even though that there's still the Covid-19 scare, but knowing that I have my family to support, it inspires me to do more. I know work and events are limited, but I have to do what it takes to have something to support my family's needs.


Life now is really uncertain, but it is better to do something rather than nothing at all. Since most of the people now are transacting online, we too jump in the wagon of online sellers. It is aside from my writing gigs, graphic designs, and social media account management. So if I'm off with my online gigs, I do the delivery of the orders. Since I don't have a bicycle, I use 'Cadillac' - 'Kadali Lumakad.'


How many calamities and crises had passed in our country already? Actually, I lost count. We, Pinoys, are resilient, we always find positivity in every situation. We are like bamboos, no matter how strong the storm, we just sway it around and come up standing tall again when it is over.


Learn to Appreciate Small Things

At this time, every little thing that we have is necessary. Our life is short, and let us make every second a moment to cherish.

If you're a fan of Eddie Murphy, I'm sure this movie won't escape your radar, the "Holy Man." It is about a strange person who appreciates life that changed the perception of the other main character.


I like how the character, Mr. G, truthfully describes the value of things around us. The smell of the grass and even the effort of hugging a person (unfortunately, we couldn't do that at the moment because of social distancing). But my point is, we're alive and surviving, so let us appreciate more of the small things in life.


As we face this new normal, let us always find the good and the strength in each person.


This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia's "Write to Ignite Blogging Project". The initiative is a response to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. Igniting and championing the human spirit, "Write to Ignite blog Project" aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. This project is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, co-presented Eastern Communications, and sponsored by Electrolux, Jobstreet, and Teleperformance.