Smart 'broadbands' Visayan homage to Señor Sto. Niño

MANILA, Philippines –  Every January, millions of people flock to Cebu City for the Sinulog Festival to pay homage to the Child Jesus amid song, dance, and religious fervor. This time, millions more all over the world will be able to do so in real time and over the Internet.

SunStar Network Online (www.sunstar.com.ph) tapped Smart Communications Inc. to provide high-speed, wireless broadband Internet to power the live video streaming of the grand Sinulog festivities.

 “We are glad to provide connectivity to help promote the grandeur of Sinulog to a global audience, especially to our kababayan abroad who surely miss participating in this uniquely Filipino tradition,” said Danilo Mojica, head of Smart’s Wireless Consumer Division. 

Smart is also beefing up its support for local tourism and development in other areas in the Visayas through its partnerships with the organizers of the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo, Aklan and Dinagyang in Iloilo — both of which will also be held this January.

“Our participation in this series of festivals in the Visayas underscores our commitment to help boost the progress of these cities not only with the most advanced wireless communication services but also through the promotion of local culture,” said Mojica.

Smart also announced that it continues to fortify its cellular and broadband networks in the Visayas.

“We know that our subscribers no longer just text or call. They send photos and videos of memorable experiences, such as festivals, direct from their mobile phone. They share with their online social network the goings-on through the mobile Internet. We have the network with the reach and capacity to support these growing needs and wants of our subscribers, and we continue to fortify it nationwide, especially in strategic areas such as Cebu, Kalibo, and Iloilo,” Mojica said.

The telco leader provides cellular and broadband coverage to 1,629 cities and municipalities in the country, and Smart subscribers in the Visayas enjoy high-quality mobile and broadband services such as voice, SMS, wireless Internet, mobile banking, financial services, info-on-demand, and other value-added services, at affordable cost.

“Providing both basic and advanced services and creating opportunities for our subscribers in the Visayas continue to be among our priorities. We are excited to contribute to the progress of the cities of Cebu, Kalibo, Iloilo, and the rest of the Visayas,” said Mojica.