This is the third installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article uncovers the socio-economic, cultural, and technological barriers hindering Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the country, and explores effective solutions to promote digital literacy and critical thinking. The previous article tackled how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education faces an uphill battle on how to make it accessible to several students regardless of their geographic location and their socio-economic status in the Philippines.These obstacles are due to several barriers such as socio-economic and cultural factors. They limit the widespread adoption and effectiveness of MIL education. These issues have to be addressed to ensure that the critical thinking and responsible media consumption of Filipino students are upskilled. It is MIL education that builds a well-informed and empowered citizenry. Socio-Economic Barriers Poverty This is probably one of the most significant obstacles to MIL access in the Philippines. Since a larger portion of the population lives below the poverty line, many families cannot afford essential digital devices or internet connectivity. As a result, students from low-income families are at a disadvantage that they are unable to practice and develop MIL skills, which are increasingly necessary in today's digital world. Resource Scarcity in Schools Underfunded public schools often face severe resource limitations. They lack the educational materials that are necessary to aid their education. Sadly, this negatively impacts inaccessibility to MIL-related materials because they are deemed secondary important compared to classrooms, chalks, and the like. Without the said materials, it is difficult to build MIL skills for children because it takes practice to hone these skill sets. Teacher Training and Professional Development The effectiveness of MIL education heavily relies on the preparedness of teachers. Unfortunately, many educators in the Philippines report feeling inadequately prepared to teach MIL. This is largely due to insufficient training and limited access to professional development opportunities that focus on MIL. Without proper training, teachers may lack the confidence and skills needed to effectively deliver MIL content, resulting in a diminished educational experience for students. Solutions to these problems First, the government must ensure that economic mobility is improved so that they can afford the said digital resources. Then, the government should allocate better funding for these projects. Get private sector donations to fill in the gap when necessary such as tax breaks on information technology and the like. Lastly, set some priorities for the development of MIL access. It may seem MIL-related materials are deemed unnecessary compared to STEM subjects but the fast-changing world is now relying on more recent information and these materials could bridge that gap. Cultural Barriers Cultural Differences and Traditional Beliefs Cultural attitudes towards media consumption and information dissemination can significantly impact MIL. Different cultures have different ways to absorb information. Sometimes, this information does not adhere to the philosophies of these cultures. Even if others argue that this is the price of critical thinking, it is hard to change minds in a snap especially if these are the cultural norms they grew up with. Language Barriers The Philippines is a multilingual nation; hence, there are several spoken languages that they are accustomed to or more proficient with. Usually, the medium of communication among these MIL-related contents is in English. So, usually, there may be some miscommunication along the communication process. However, with the advancement of technology, this became less of a problem due to the translation abilities of such technology. The solution to these problems The initiatives of awareness campaigns and more people becoming vocal about presenting a different point of view. Yes, there may be some clashes of thoughts but that is the payment to make all people open to different points of view which are essential to MIL. Technological Obstacles Due to the lack of technological infrastructure and affordability, technological obstacles persist. First, the stark digital divide remains a significant challenge because poverty prevents households from buying the necessary gadgets that canteach them MIL skills. Even if they could buy or avail such technology, internet connection is slow, expensive and unreliable, especially to rural and remote areas. Overcoming the Technological Barriers A multi-faceted approach is necessary to overcome these challenges. The following include: Policy interventions can ensure equitable access to digital resources and training for both students and teachers. Infrastructure development is crucial to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable internet access. Community engagement programs can address cultural and socio-economic barriers, while enhanced teacher training can equip educators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively teach MIL. Conclusion The barriers to MIL proficiency stem from different kinds of barriers such as socio-economic barriers, cultural barriers, and technological barriers. Each barrier has its own solutions and it is up to the government and community-based initiatives to implement those recommendations above in order to improve MIL access and its proficiency. Coach Boost Gio About Kwento Co Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands. This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

 

This is the third installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article uncovers the socio-economic, cultural, and technological barriers hindering Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the country, and explores effective solutions to promote digital literacy and critical thinking.

The previous article tackled how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) education faces an uphill battle on how to make it accessible to several students regardless of their geographic location and their socio-economic status in the Philippines.These obstacles are due to several barriers such as socio-economic and cultural factors. They limit the widespread adoption and effectiveness of MIL education. 

These issues have to be addressed to ensure that the critical thinking and responsible media consumption of Filipino students are upskilled. It is MIL education that builds a well-informed and empowered citizenry.

Socio-Economic Barriers

Poverty

This is probably one of the most significant obstacles to MIL access in the Philippines. Since a larger portion of the population lives below the poverty line, many families cannot afford essential digital devices or internet connectivity. As a result, students from low-income families are at a disadvantage that they are unable to practice and develop MIL skills, which are increasingly necessary in today's digital world.

Resource Scarcity in Schools

Underfunded public schools often face severe resource limitations. They lack the educational materials that are necessary to aid their education. Sadly, this negatively impacts inaccessibility to MIL-related materials because they are deemed secondary important compared to classrooms, chalks, and the like. Without the said materials, it is difficult to build MIL skills for children because it takes practice to hone these skill sets.

Teacher Training and Professional Development

The effectiveness of MIL education heavily relies on the preparedness of teachers. Unfortunately, many educators in the Philippines report feeling inadequately prepared to teach MIL. This is largely due to insufficient training and limited access to professional development opportunities that focus on MIL. Without proper training, teachers may lack the confidence and skills needed to effectively deliver MIL content, resulting in a diminished educational experience for students.

Solutions to these problems

First, the government must ensure that economic mobility is improved so that they can afford the said digital resources. Then, the government should allocate better funding for these projects. Get private sector donations to fill in the gap when necessary such as tax breaks on information technology and the like. Lastly, set some priorities for the development of MIL access. It may seem MIL-related materials are deemed unnecessary compared to STEM subjects but the fast-changing world is now relying on more recent information and these materials could bridge that gap.

Cultural Barriers

Cultural Differences and Traditional Beliefs

Cultural attitudes towards media consumption and information dissemination can significantly impact MIL. Different cultures have different ways to absorb information. Sometimes, this information does not adhere to the philosophies of these cultures. Even if others argue that this is the price of critical thinking, it is hard to change minds in a snap especially if these are the cultural norms they grew up with.

Language Barriers

The Philippines is a multilingual nation; hence, there are several spoken languages that they are accustomed to or more proficient with. Usually, the medium of communication among these MIL-related contents is in English. So, usually, there may be some miscommunication along the communication process. However, with the advancement of technology, this became less of a problem due to the translation abilities of such technology. 

The solution to these problems

The initiatives of awareness campaigns and more people becoming vocal about presenting a different point of view. Yes, there may be some clashes of thoughts but that is the payment to make all people open to different points of view which are essential to MIL. 

Technological Obstacles

Due to the lack of technological infrastructure and affordability, technological obstacles persist. First, the stark digital divide remains a significant challenge because poverty prevents households from buying the necessary gadgets that canteach them MIL skills.

Even if they could buy or avail such technology, internet connection is slow, expensive and unreliable, especially to rural and remote areas. 

Overcoming the Technological Barriers

A multi-faceted approach is necessary to overcome these challenges. The following include:

• Policy interventions can ensure equitable access to digital resources and training for both students and teachers. 

• Infrastructure development is crucial to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable internet access. 

• Community engagement programs can address cultural and socio-economic barriers, while enhanced teacher training can equip educators with the necessary skills and resources to effectively teach MIL.

Conclusion

The barriers to MIL proficiency stem from different kinds of barriers such as socio-economic barriers, cultural barriers, and technological barriers. Each barrier has its own solutions and it is up to the government and community-based initiatives to implement those recommendations above in order to improve MIL access and its proficiency.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

Encouraging Teachers for Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines

  

In the second installment of the four-part series of Media and Information Literacy Education in the Philippine Classrooms. This article delves into how the Philippines is preparing teachers for Media and Information Literacy (MIL). This also tackles about current challenges, innovative training programs, and strategies to empower educators.

For nations to succeed in the global digital revolution, media and information literacy (MIL) is the educational bedrock that we need right now. The Philippines recognizes this opportunity. They integrated MIL education into its K-12 curriculum. However, in the previous article, we know for a fact that there is a digital divide and infrastructure issues to make MIL accessible.

In this article, we’ll dive into the human resource part of the equation – the teachers. The success of this initiative rests in their hands. Sadly, the government is not making enough effort to ensure that every teacher is well-equipped and well-prepared in the digital golden age.

In the following section, we will discuss the importance of teacher empowerment, and the solutions to make our teachers proficient in MIL.

The Need for Teacher Empowerment

It is the first step that the Philippines integrated MIL into its curriculum. Nonetheless, there are still significant gaps in teacher readiness. Many teachers feel ill-equipped to teach MIL effectively primarily due to insufficient training and resources.

We have to understand that MIL is a new subject that has been introduced to meet the demands of the digital world. Hence, the information is relatively new and not yet effectively democratized. This explains why teachers are ill-prepared. Aside from the content component problem, they also need to be trained on the execution component.

What exacerbates this problem is that they also lack the resources to avail technologies that will train them to be MIL proficient. It is not reasonable for them to shoulder all the burden of this initiative where in fact they are not being paid enough in their current role. It is clear that our educators need more support.

A Two-Pronged Approach to Teacher Training

To empower our teachers, we need a robust approach to their training. This means comprehensive initial preparation. This covers teaching them the basics of MIL and effective strategies. Furthermore, we must also provide ongoing professional development, keeping them up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and technology trends.

Continuous Learning for Educators

Think of it like a continuous learning journey for our teachers. Workshops, seminars, and peer learning groups can all help them hone their skills and stay ahead of the curve. This constant engagement ensures that oureducators remain confident and capable in this ever-changing digital landscape.

Understand that the digital landscape is also continuously evolving. Hence, there are new trends that teachers must learn in order to keep up. So, failure to finance their ongoing training for MIL will make Filipino students further left behind compared to their international counterparts who are investing in MIL.

In addition, teachers are the main actors in making the whole system effective. Contents of the MIL instruction could be obsolete down the line but the pattern recognition and the skills that these teachers will develop over time will not. So, we must invest in teacher education in MIL instruction.

Engaging Pedagogy for MIL

Effective MIL training isn't just about lectures. It's about fostering critical thinking and real-world problem-solving. We need to use a variety of teaching methods like inquiry-based learning, case studies, and even simulations. This makes MIL more engaging and relatable for students.

Now, this is a challenge for the whole educational system in the Philippines where rote memorization is the key component of instruction and assessment. For years, students have demanded to memorize rather than scrutinize the facts that they dealt with. For example, history lessons make you memorize dates and the persons involved. What they should be teaching is why the event took place, whether should it have taken place and what are wegoing to do to prevent it from happening again.

This should be the norm in teaching MIL. Students must be taught how to scrutinize the credibility and accuracy of the medium they are going to consume. Then, they must use critical thinking skills like inference and drawing conclusions based on their context and other perspective.

What we’re saying is the pedagogy for MIL should not be rote memorization but analytical thinking.

Investing in Teachers, Investing in the Future

The key message here is if we invest in our teachers, we invest in our students. They should be given support through comprehensive training and ongoing development. The end result is that the next generation has the critical thinking skills to withstand our complex media environment. The future of MIL education in the Philippines is bright, and it all starts with empowering our teachers.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Announcement: MoU Signed Between Midori Climate Partner and MITSUSHO for Biochar Project Development in Malaysia

  

It has been announced that Midori Climate Partner has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MITSUSHO to co-develop biochar carbon removal projects in Malaysia.

About the Partnership

This strategic partnership unites Midori Climate Partner, a Singapore-based leader in carbon credit development and ecosystem restoration, with MITSUSHO, a leading provider of GHG consultation and ESG services in Malaysia. The collaboration will provide comprehensive project structuring support to biomass suppliers—including food processing factories, forest management companies, and farmers' cooperatives—who will act as project owners.

Benefits for Project Owners

Project owners, who will supply biomass waste such as coconut shells, durian seeds, and wood chips, will benefit from several key advantages. The financial support from carbon credit sales enables the development of high-quality projects, providing opportunities to generate profits, supply biochar-based organic fertilizer to community farmers at affordable prices, implement advanced waste management through a circular economy model, and produce green energy.

Call for Biomass Suppliers

We are actively seeking biomass suppliers who can provide substantial quantities of biomass waste for our initiative. In Malaysia, we are particularly interested in coconut shells, fruit seeds, wood chips, and pulp sludge, though we are open to other suitable materials as well.

Contact Information

For more information and to explore partnership opportunities, please contact info@midori-partner.com. This collaboration represents a significant advancement in environmental sustainability and sustainable waste management in Malaysia.

About MITSUSHO Sdn. Bhd.

MITSUSHO is the first carbon desk in Malaysia offering full suites of decarbonization products and services such as:

(1) Corporate Training on Carbon Market and GHG Measurement

(2) Access to Malaysia and Global Environment Products

(3) Consultancy

(4)Access to Sustainable Agricultural products

Representatives: CHAI Yihn Chan, CEO

Website: https://www.mitsushogreen.com/

About Midori Climate Partner Pte. Ltd.

Midori Climate Partner is a carbon credit developer specializing in ecosystem restoration, with a focus on addressing climate change, food sustainability, soil degradation, and biodiversity. By offering both technical and financial support to drive impactful change and generate high-quality carbon credits,

We are actively structuring projects across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. We seek collaboration partners interested in decarbonizing their assets and offer both technical and financial support to drive impactful change and generate high-quality carbon credits.

Representative: Ririko Takano, CEO

Website: https://midori-partner.com/

Address: 111 North Bridge Road #21-01 Peninsula Plaza 179098 Singapore

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

The Philippine Media and Information Literacy Landscape: An Overview

 

This is the second installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series. This article explores the strengths and weaknesses of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Philippines. It highlights the integration of MIL as a subject into the Senior High School curriculum and the challenges in implementation.

Start Them Young

The Philippines recognizes Media and Information Literacy (MIL) as crucial in developing an active and well-informed citizenry in the modern world. Hence, the Department of Education (DepED) integrated this into its Senior High School (SHS) curriculum.

As a good initiative, this article will examine the policies and the subject content. It will also disect the progress made and the challenges that remain.

The Evolution of MIL in the Philippines

Media and Information Literacy  in the Philippines is a response to both global trends and local needs for enhanced media literacy. With the advent of social media and the proliferation of fake news, the national adoption of MIL as a course demonstrates a commitment to equipping students with the critical skills needed to navigate the complex media landscape of the 21st century.

MIL in the SHS Curriculum

The inclusion of MIL as a core subject in the SHS curriculum is a significant step forward. It aims to guide students to become responsible media consumers and producers. This covers topics like media evolution, information literacy, media sources, and ethical media practices.

Key Components and Teacher Training

The said curriculum is comprehensive since it encompasses both traditional and digital media. To effectively deliver this curriculum, teacher training programs like the "Understanding and Utilizing Media in Teaching" seminar-workshops have been implemented.

However, challenges in teacher preparation and aligning training with curriculum requirements persist. These include the lack of relevant materials aligned with the curriculum and the lack of the competency of the teacher to teach the subjects and limited resources as well.

The Role of Teachers and Community Engagement

Despite the challenges teachers face in teaching MIL education to their students, they are willing to take the challenge because they recognize the importance of a well-informed citizenry in shaping the future of the Philippines. On the other hand, there are community engagement initiatives like the #FactsFirstPH of Rappler that plays a critical role in extending MIL education beyond formal settings. These programs promote critical thinking skills and digital hygiene to combating disinformation.

Localized Efforts and Strengths

There are localized efforts to widen the reach of MIL education in the country. An example would be the likes of those in Isla Culion in Palawan. This shows the strengths of the Philippine MIL landscape. First, the Philippines prioritized the inclusion of MIL in the national curriculum. Second, it is inclusive to all Filipinos especially in remote areas because these initiatives addressed such problems through community-based approaches by going to far-flung places.

Weaknesses and Challenges

Despite these strengths, weaknesses remain. These include the lack of teacher preparedness, limited resources, time constraints within the curriculum, and disparities in regional implementation. To address these disparities, the Philippine government must target efforts to ensure equitable access to resources and training across the country.

Moreover, MIL education is useless if there is no access to information among people in remote areas so it should be a priority of the government to make information as affordable and accessible as possible.

Impact on Students and Policy Recommendations

MIL education equips students with critical thinking, digital literacy, and responsible media consumption skills. These are essential to explore the media-saturated world. Hence, when these youth become eligible voters they can decipher the facts against propaganda among bad actors that aim to skew elections and tarnish public opinions on certain issues. This could make young students as informed citizens of the future.

With regards to policy recommendations, there should government support to ensure that the goals of MIL education are met. This includes funding, collaboration with NGO’s, and policy interventions.

The success of MIL in the Philippines depends on how the government address current weaknesses, the build up on existing strengths, and the continouous adaptability to meet the changing media landscape.

After all, the ultimate goal is to empower future generations with the skills to critically engage with media and information, ensuring a well-informed and discerning citizenry.

Conclusion

The Philippine MIL landscape has made remarkable progress, but there are still improvements to be done. Through strengthened teacher training, ensured resource availability, and proper curriculum implementation, the full potential of MIL education can be realized. This will benefit students across the nation and will foster a more media-literate society.

Coach Boost Gio

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

A Cornerstone: The Role of Media and Information Literacy

 

In the first installment of the State of the Media and Information Literacy in the Philippines series, discover how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) empowers citizens in a democracy, combating misinformation and fostering active participation in democratic processes.

Media and Information Literacy strengthens Democracy

Democracy relies on an informed and engaged citizenry. This makes or breaks a nation due to the policy choices of the said citizens. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is crucial among voters. MIL is a skill that teaches individuals to filter out the vast information landscape. Such skill sets include the ability to discern facts from fiction, and the ability to make informed decisions that impact their lives and communities. 

Unfortunately, the modern digital society has enabled bad actors to spread misinformation that causes a rift among people. It is understood that a minority of people want to benefit from policy choices that might harm most people. This makes MIL more essential in shaping responsible citizens, protecting them from bad actors, and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes.

What is Media and Information Literacy (MIL)?

This encompasses the knowledge and skills needed to access, evaluate, and create information and media content effectively. It ensures that individuals make informed decisions, engage in critical thinking, and participate actively in society and democracy.

Why is MIL Important in a Democracy?

In democratic societies, citizens need to make decisions based on accurate information. Without this skill, people are vulnerable to misinformation. In effect, the actions caused by misinformation can distort democratic processes and erode public trust. Misinformation campaigns can lead to harmful outcomes, such as skewed elections and social divisions. For example, the United Kingdom had some remorse when the country left the European Union through Brexit. In the United States, people are more divided due to the polarization of their political climate.

These harmful effects are what MIL tries to prevent. So, to ensure that people are safe from harm due to the minimization of inaccurate information, MIL must be a bedrock of every decision-making process in our society.

How do we minimize misinformation? It is through determining that our information could be misleading and hold the government and businesses accountable for a more media and information-literate society.

The Challenges of Misinformation Across Democracies

The digital age has transformed how information is disseminated. Now, more people, especially the younger generations, consume information through social media than traditional news sources. Sadly, these pieces of information are sometimes not fact-checked. 

Most of the time, they are not even held accountable for spreading false information. 

As a result, the spread of misinformation increased rapidly posing significant threats to democracy. MIL aids individuals to critically evaluate pieces of information and to recognize media biases. As a result, this could lead to more balanced and informed opinions.

How MIL Fosters an Informed Citizenry?

The core of MIL is to develop critical thinking skills. This enables individuals to question the reliability of information and reduces the impact of misinformation. 

MIL also helps people to recognize media biases. This helps people to question their own beliefs and hold media companies accountable to demand better and more accurate information. 

Furthermore, this skill strengthens the democratic process because informed citizens are more likely to engage in discussions, vote responsibly, and advocate for transparency in governance.

The Impact of Misinformation in the Digital Age

Misinformation is the false or misleading pieces of information spread to other people. This can negatively skew public opinion and decision-making. For example, fake news and manipulated images can influence electoral outcomes to vote for a propaganda-reliant party. Furthermore, it can fuel social divisions because people cannot agree on facts. Moreover, undermines the trust in institutions. Lastly, it can incite violence and disrupt public order in extreme cases.

Preventing Misinformation Through MIL

The promotion of Media and Information Literacy is key to combat misinformation. It starts with educational institutions. They should develop critical thinking skills in their curricula to develop the ability of students to discern facts from fiction and acknowledge biases from the content they consume. Meanwhile, social media companies should be regulated. To accommodate MIL in their platforms for the benefit of their users, these companies should promote transparency, provide tools for users to report misinformation, and limit the spread of false content.

MIL as a Tool for Combating Misinformation

With the help of MIL, it equips individuals to identify credible sources, fact-check information, and share content responsibly. By fostering skepticism and critical thinking, this helps reduce the spread of misinformation which promotes a more informed and engaged citizenry.

Conclusion

In a digital world where misinformation proliferates, Media and Information Literacy is an indispensable tool to strengthen democracy. It empowers citizens to make informed decisions, hold leaders accountable, and participate actively in civic life. Prioritizing MIL initiatives is essential to allow a resilient democracy that can withstand the challenges of the digital age.

Coach Boost Gio 

About Kwento Co

Kwento Co is a diverse and dynamic media and information literacy website. We are a team of accomplished content creators, artists, influencers, and young entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping micro to macro-sized businesses market their services through effective digital marketing strategies- tailored for their brands.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES

AiAssistWorks Launches New AI Google Sheets Add-On to Boost Productivity with Over 50 AI Models, No Complex Formulas Needed

  

 AiAssistWorks has launched a powerful AI Google Sheets add-on, crafted to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge AI technology into Google Sheets for streamlined filling tasks and comprehensive data analysis, enabling both novice and expert users to enhance their productivity.

In recent years, the proliferation of AI tools has reshaped various aspects of daily life and work, with companies, from startups to major corporations, developing their own AI models to optimize operations and decision-making. AiAssistWorks capitalizes on this trend by embedding a versatile AI solution within Google Sheets, one of the most widely used tools for data analysis and management.

No Complex Formulas

Unlike typical AI integrations requiring complex setups and specialized knowledge, AiAssistWorks offers a unique approach that eliminates the need for writing custom formulas like "=GPT.” Users can interact with the add-on through a straightforward, user-friendly interface, allowing them to save and reuse AI prompts without the hassle of complex formula configurations. This feature not only simplifies the user experience but also enhances productivity by reducing the time and effort spent on repetitive data tasks.

Over 50 AI Models (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, Perplexity,etc)

The AiAssistWorks add-on supports connections to numerous AI providers, including industry leaders such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini, using individual API keys. This flexibility enables users to employ a wide range of AI models, making it possible to leverage nearly all available large language models (LLMs) directly within their spreadsheets. This level of integration is unprecedented in the realm of Google Sheets AI tools.

“Our product stands out because it democratizes access to advanced AI functionalities, allowing users to enhance their Google Sheets experience without the need for extensive technical knowledge or financial investment,” explained a spokesperson for AiAssistWorks. “By making our tool affordable and easy to use, we are opening up a world of possibilities for utilizing advanced AI models in daily life that were previously only available to specialists.”

As businesses continue to embrace AI technologies to gain competitive advantages, tools like AiAssistWorks are becoming essential for anyone looking to incorporate AI into their daily workflows efficiently and affordably. This add-on is not just a tool; it’s a bridge to the future of work, where AI and human ingenuity combine to create unprecedented opportunities for innovation and efficiency.

For more information about AiAssistWorks and to start integrating AI into your Google Sheets, please visit www.aiassistworks.com or get it from Google Workspace Marketplace.

About AiAssistWorks

AiAssistWorks is a forward-thinking company committed to making artificial intelligence accessible to all by offering state-of-the-art, cost-effective AI solutions. Our goal is to revolutionize how people interact with technology, enabling individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises to excel in a smarter, more interconnected world.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

Ely Buendia marks triumphant comeback with new single “Bulaklak Sa Buwan”

 

 His latest track serves as his first solo release since 2021’s “Metro”

  Ely Buendia enters a new era of his solo music career with the release of “Bulaklak Sa Buwan.”

 The fuzzy, alt-rock number serves as the first single off his upcoming sophomore album, Method     Adaptor, which will be out on November 8, 2024, via Sony Music Entertainment and Offshore     Music.

The track’s release coincides with the prevalence of fabricated stories and propaganda-driven atrocities in online spaces, challenging listeners to raise awareness for factual truth and combat misinformation.

“I’ve been watching documentaries a lot, and I tried to distill everything in one song,” the legendary Pinoy rock artist explains. “The track is all about the quest for the truth. It's about seeking knowledge while resisting the confines of dogma.”

Sonically, “Bulaklak Sa Buwan” stands out without the need to constantly show off. The disarming pop gem continues Buendia's knack for composure and effortlessness: his gift for melodies is still as sharp and instinctive as his best output with his previous bands, and his guitar work is still at its most ferociously sounding in over two decades.

Ely Buendia’s frequent collaborator and Pupil bandmate Jerome Velasco produced the song, delivering a pristine but straightforward production approach that doesn’t take away the material’s anthemic charm.

 “I wanted it to be buoyant-sounding and surprising,” shares the award-winning OPM icon. “The song is very upbeat, and I utilized several modulation techniques to make it seem like the music goes higher and higher every time.”

“Bulaklak Sa Buwan” is accompanied by the release of a music video directed by Niko Cezar and Aimee Aznar of KNYA Collective. According to Ely, the visual narrative finds him wandering in the woods looking for a particular flower. “Upon finding it, I get into some upside-down vibes (like Stranger Things), getting transported into another dimension.”

Ely Buendia’s “Bulaklak Sa Buwan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide. Watch out for the official music video on August 16, 2024, Friday at 6pm on Ely Buendia’s official YouTube channel.

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About Sony Music Entertainment

 At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, and even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.