To help strengthen the link between mental wellness and social inclusion in sports enabled by technology among Filipinos, PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are tapping a fresh set of Filipino athletes to support its #BetterToday advocacy on digital wellness, in time for the celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

In partnership with the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) and Football for Humanity (FFH), PLDT and Smart are organizing this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project, which features a series of videos called “Better Today Conversations” featuring Filipino athletes and young sports personalities from PLDT High Speed Hitters, Smart Omega, TNT Tropang Giga, Philippine Azkals, Philippine Women’s National Football Team, among others.

“We believe sports can help create a more mentally resilient community. We want to share a message anchored on a deep sense of community and camaraderie – and more importantly, a message of hope: that you are not alone. Because with a community that supports one another, nobody is left behind,” said Jude Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, and Executive Director at MVPSF.

A fundamental part of the telco’s advocacy on digital wellness, the Better Today: Power Move Project reached almost 1.2 million users and over 15.6 million record views on its maiden run last year.

“By linking our sports advocacy to the #BetterToday program through the Power Move Project, we hope to educate more Filipinos about empathy, inclusion, and values that we can learn from sports as we navigate a digital world,” added Turcuato.

This year’s Power Move Project will also launch Safe Spaces at Play, where athletes-advocates will be joining kids and coaches for a day of football drills and play together with FFH.

“The youth today is very engaged, and hyperconnected because of the internet and social media. Through this project, we hope to promote a safe space online and offline for them and introduce football and game-based strategies to develop their values and mental fortitude through sports,” said Belle Tiongco, VP and co-founder at Football for Humanity.

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

Catch the Power Move Project on Better Today’s Facebook and Instagram.