MANILA, PHILIPPINES — PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have strengthened their partnership with TikTok, the global platform for short-form mobile videos, for a campaign that advocates mental health awareness for Filipinos.
Amassing 14 million views on TikTok so far since its launch on October 25, the #BetterTodayAffirmations TikTok Challenge allowed netizens to create a video side-by-side with athletes and other inspiring leaders and share words of encouragement that can help them get through difficult times.
“When you look at the essence of sports, it teaches you many values that are important to life – the discipline, the focus, the commitment to excellence. It’s important to have that mental balance because sports are a grueling activity. It is important to maintain your mental health if you want to win. Just look at Hidilyn’s performance in Tokyo, she was really focused. That’s mental health at its best,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman at PLDT and MVPSF.
“It takes a village to win in the Olympics,” said Olympic gold medalist and Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. “I always go back to my ‘why’ – why am I doing this, what is my purpose – and that is to win the gold medal. If I want to win, I really must give everything, trust God, and believe in myself.”
The #BetterTodayAffirmations TikTok Challenge is part of the Power Move Project, where world-class Filipino athletes, mental health experts, and sports organization leaders from Football for Humanity and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) have shared insights on how sports help people become mentally resilient.
“At TikTok, it is our continuous mission to inspire creativity and bring joy. The #BetterTodayAffirmations campaign is a testament that we can build a positive platform that not only inspires others to do better but also encourage and uplift one another, to be a beacon of light for those in need. Mental Health awareness is an important issue that at TikTok we strongly advocate. This campaign and the supportive feedback it has received truly drives us to do more and create positive change across the industry,” said Kristoffer Rada, TikTok Head of Policy, the Philippines.
The TikTok Challenge follows the success of Better Today Conversations 2020 and Better Today Time Capsule Project 2021. Better Today is a collaborative initiative and platform that concretizes PLDT and Smart’s commitment to promoting wellness, safe spaces, and changemaking in the digital world. Amplifying the campaign, #BetterTodayAffirmations TikTok Challenge is selecting five of the best entries, for a prize money of P10,000 each. Partners will also match the prize money won and donate to the winners’ chosen mental health advocacy group.
The Power Move Project earlier garnered over half a million views on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube combined.
“This pandemic has affected me physically and mentally. I was not allowed to go to the gym to train, and there was a lot of uncertainty,” shared 25-year-old Gilas Pilipinas center Isaac Go. “I coped by focusing on the things that I can control and by finding a support group,” he added.
“Volleyball has been a huge part of my life,” shared PLDT Fibr Hitters captain and volleyball national team player Rhea Dimaculangan. “It is where I learned how to be strong and steadfast, and how to never give up easily no matter the obstacles, especially during the pandemic.”
PLDT and Smart seek to uplift and improve the overall physical and mental wellness of Filipinos through initiatives that ensure food security, improve nutrition, and create awareness online. These initiatives emphasize the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN Sustainable Development Goals #3: Good Health and Well-Being.
Listen to Filipino athletes as they share their insights on the Power Move Project on Better Today’s Facebook and Instagram.
Join the #BetterTodayAffirmations TikTok Challenge by creatively expressing yourselves through these five affirmations: “I am strong. I am brave. I believe in pursuing my passion with purpose. I am a winner. I am Better Today” and include some songs from the #BetterToday Playlist. Check out the challenge on TikTok and post your videos on the app.
