PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) enlist more schools to the #BeCyberSmart movement in the new schoolyear to teach children how to navigate the digital world safely and safeguard their rights. The initiative kicked off alongside the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela, reaching students, teachers, and parents in key schools across the Philippines.
Learners from West Rembo Elementary School in Taguig City and Maguikay Elementary School in Mandaue City in the province of Cebu gathered for storytelling sessions featuring the PLDT Group’s original storybook—Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala (The Adventures of Tala). The book, developed in partnership with Kids for Kids PH and the Positive Youth Development Network and co-launched with the Department of Justice in November 2024, follows Tala, a 9-year-old girl who explores the metaverse and learns about her rights and different online dangers.
“When children understand the world they’re growing up in—online and offline—they learn to protect themselves,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Team at PLDT and Smart. “Being cybersmart is more than about safety—it’s about giving kids the confidence to explore and act wisely in today’s digital world.”
“Advocating for children’s rights begins with awareness,” said Ma. Julieta Cecilia San Jose, Principal at West Rembo Elementary School. “When children understand their rights, they become active defenders—not just of themselves, but of others.”
Students of Maguikay Elementary School in Mandaue City in the province of Cebu listen in on the story of Tala.
The storybook integrates interactive activities to reinforce lessons about online threats such as cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. Copies were donated to schools to encourage continued learning beyond the classroom.
“The story is creatively put together, making it easy for children to grasp the message even on their own,” said Mary Shaine Llegad, a Grade 3 teacher at West Rembo Elementary School. “During our storytelling session, it was clear they picked up on the lessons right away.”
“This is a good way to guide learners on how to navigate the digital world responsibly, and support their reading development as well,” said Karen Joy Gutang, Library Coordinator at Maguikay Elementary School.
Students at Pilar P. Rodriguez Integrated School in Davao City in the province of Davao del Sur can likewise read Tala’s story after PLDT and Smart turned over copies of the book.
The campaign also included an insightful #BeCyberSmart discussion, where students and their parents learned how to identify and avoid technology-aided crimes like text scams, love scams, online fraud, and social engineering tactics.
PLDT Group’s original storybook Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala
"We can’t always be with our children. In time, they need to become independent,” said Christina Untalan, who attended the seminar with her friend’s Grade 3 son. “When they’re out there, they should be able to tell if someone is trying to deceive them or not."
The PLDT Group also donated copies of ‘Ang Paglalakbay ni Tala’ to Abelardo G. Tinio Elementary School in Angeles City in the province of Pampanga, CAA Elementary School n Las Piñas City, Balara Elementary School in Quezon City, Dasmariñas and Salitran elementary schools in the province of Cavite.
PLDT and Smart worked with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in bringing Tala’s story to more schools across the country. The partners previously teamed up in 2024 for the nationwide Brigada Eskwela, where PLDT and Smart employees volunteered to clean, repair and prepare classrooms ahead of the opening of classes.
PLDT and Smart’s support for DepEd’s annual Brigada Eskwela campaign, and efforts to protect children from online threats support the the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG No. 4, which promotes quality education, and SDG No. 16, which promotes peaceful, just, and inclusive societies—particularly by ending violence, exploitation, and abuse of children.
