Surviving without a cell phone

September 25, 2017  Klaus Doring, Opinion

Mr. Klaus Doring

I REMEMBER the time, when one of my first Japanese friends kept on complaining, why I didn’t operate a cell phone. Believe me, during that time, sometime in 2000 or 2001, I even typed my articles on an old typewriter from Germany.
My Japanese friend then bought me a computer - and a cellphone! Some other friends congratulated me: “Welcome back to the world!” 
Last Sunday, I really got mad. Attending mass, I observed a family (father, mother, boy and girl) keeping on using their cell phones during almost the whole ongoing mass. Heaven forbid! Even, while falling in line receiving the holy communion, the father kept on texting and browsing in Facebook. Step by step. Just in front of me! Heaven forbid! Guys, why are you still attending mass? Later on, the children kept on playing video games....
Sometimes, I observed (business-)people operating with two or even more cell phones at the same time. Even while taking lunch in a restaurant. I asked them: “How did you survive doing business before without these units?” Believe me or not. The answers have been mostly: I really don’t know!
Doing business nowadays without a cell phone? Even in  very private life? Many people can’t imagine it anymore. I can! Though Philippines’ cell phone companies really provide us with the widest distribution and the broadest coverage to very affordable charges. I really enjoy, for example, the “unlimited call” experience - just to mention one. But, not at any time!
Two handsets or even three. Ok lang, as long it keeps my business running. Again, I am not available 24/7! I am sorry, I am not!
But then it happened! I thought I had lost my cell phone. I got panic, losing all my important connections. This “thing” really got a special meaning for me. And here we are: not only for business. Just even for a short 
“Hi - kumusta ka?” I really felt lonely!
A couple of hours later, I found IT. Misplaced somewhere in the bathroom under a towel in silent mode. Four miscalls (yippee!), several text messages. Not only “Hi - kumusta ka?” A special evening meeting had to be confirmed... .I only got one big problem. I need a translator, if the words of text messages indeed go weird.
Allow me to quote Philippine Star columnist Igan D’Bayan, who wrote a couple of years ago: “We don’t speak like Hamlet any more. Most of us speak Taglish and write in Filipinzed English. And while holding a mobile phone, we type ‘2b or not 2b’. And that’s supposition!”
Btw (‘by the way’), during night time, I turn off my cell phone. How about you? And, I really get mad, if my students keep on using their “machine” during class....

SMART, GLOBE, SUN - An Amazing Cellphone Company Competition in The Philippines

The cellphone companies' competition in the Philippines is becoming smarter and smarter, more globally under the sun. 

Speaking of competition: Leading wireless service provider SMART  is rallying running enthusiasts and nature lovers (including me) to join an advocacy run for the benefit of the environment.

Dubbed "Run for the Environment', the event will be held in partnership with the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature - Philippines) on May 22, at 5 a.m. at SM City of Davao City.

Be there and JOIN! See you there!

And check out more:

http://www.germaninthephilippines.tropicalpenpals.com 

Do you have a cellphone? SMART or GLOBE?

Anyway, fact is: the cellphone companies' competition is getting more and more  preheated.

Really, it's an other first in prepaid history: the new SMART BUDDY SIM keep no-expiry reserve load. It's indeed like having a secret pocket in your SIM. Wow, imagine: now, addition to regular load and call & text load, SMART BUDDY gives you no-expiry reserve load that stays safe in your sim's RESERVE LOAD wallet until you're ready to use it. Just draw from your RESERVE LOAD and convert it to regular airtime or any call and text offer. Just visit your favorite retail outlet.

When I browse the Internet, I found another interesting article: Phone a friend with GLOBE Tattoo Broadband! I am sure you agree with me: Have you ever had one of those days when you slept through your alarm and woke up sweetly a half-hour later, only to be enveloped by the icy panic that pushes you to rush in a frenzy to start your hectic day grind? You leave the house in record time, waving down a ride, yet with a sinking feeling you've forgotten something. That's when it hits you: your precious mobile phone is sitting comfortably on your nightstand at home. Yipee, this just happened to me last week. I really started smiling while reading this. 

In a pinch, GLOBE has the lifesaver for us. All we need to do is whip out our laptops, plug in our new GLOBE Tatoo Broadband stick, and we cal call away, straight from our PC. Yes, I also find a website: surf over to www.globe.com.ph/tattoo.

We are really lucky under the SUN... .