Two months after she was formally introduced as brand ambassador of popular video-on-demand streaming service iflix, Kris Aquino has also now become the new face of PLDT and Smart.
The actress, TV host, and former presidential sister dubbed as the Queen of All Media was formally introduced as an official member of the PLDT and Smart family during the #PLDTSmartCelebrations event held Wednesday at the High Street Lounge of Shangri-La at the Fort hotel.
Kris joins an A-list roster of PLDT Home celebrity ambassadors including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, “Bossing” Vic Sotto, Jericho Rosales, celebrity moms Camille Prats and Bettina Carlos, celebrity family Isabel and John Prats and daughter Feather; and Smart’s celebrity ambassadors Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, Maja Salvador, and Matteo Guidicelli.
Most of these celebrities were present at the event to welcome Kris.
Kris’ involvement with PLDT and Smart comes at a time when she has developed a strong online presence particularly in social media where she now hosts and produces several online video series for her official Facebook page.
These include “Wear Kris” for fashion tips, “The Kris List” for her personal list of new experiences and conversations with people, “Heart to Heart with Kris” for a glimpse into her daily activities and adventures, and “Kris Travels” for fans who want to virtually join her as she travels the world with her loved ones.
For PLDT Home’s Smart Home suite of products and services, Kris will host a special edition of “The Kris List” as part of the partnership. For its part, Smart will enable “Digital Kris” as she navigates her lifestyle, businesses, social media and the fast-changing digital landscape powered by Smart’s LTE, named fastest by wireless research coverage firm OpenSignal.
According to Kris, PLDT’s integrated HOME technology is a perfect match for her own lifestyle, as she raises two digitally savvy sons and expands her personal brand into the realm of digital media.
“This is super exciting for me because PLDT is really a big part of our home and our family, so to be officially an ambassador is a huge honor,” she said. “I can’t wait to share my own stories about how technology affects the way I raise my children and the way we communicate. I always want the best for my family and being with PLDT is definitely one of those decisions.”
When it comes to allowing her followers an intimate look at her travels, live blogs, and online contents, Kris said she relies on Smart.
“Everything now is digital. You know how watching TV has shifted over to binge-watching in gadgets? That’s the same pivot I see for my digital needs. With Smart’s reliable LTE speed, I know that reaching a broader audience, particularly the millennials, is now a lot easier.”
PLDT-Smart FVP and Head of Consumer Business for Market Development Oscar A. Reyes, Jr. said both telecommunication companies are “honored to have Kris as part of the PLDT family.”
“I am confident that, together, we can really empower and inspire more Filipino families to build the strongest connections at home through world-class internet and technology,” Reyes added.
For years, Kris has been regarded as the country’s top brand endorser, a distinction she held until this year when Smart ambassador Maine Mendoza became the most sought after celebrity endorser according to the Philippine Association of Philippine Advertisers. But that may soon change as Kris is more visible again with more endorsement deals coming her way.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that she’s also taking on more projects on emerging non-traditional platforms as well. As she earlier announced in an Instagram post last June, Kris will also headline exclusive content for internet TV service iflix, starting with an upcoming online-only movie, the details of which neither she nor iflix executives have yet to disclose. She is also a key advisor for iflix and will play a role in jointly developing projects for iflix Original Productions.
During the #PLDTSmartCelebrations event, Kris revealed that she is also scheduled to meet with iflix officials from Kuala Lumpur for what she described as “an exhilarating pitch meeting.”
Kris has also been openly talking about her involvement in the Hollywood film “Crazy Rich Asians,” especially her friendship with Kevin Kwan, the author of the bestselling novel of the same title where the film is based on.
No release date has been announced for the film which is now in post-production.
