Smart Buddy Php 2 per Minute Call Promo

When I performed pasaload from my old Smart SIM to my Smart Bro plugit, I also receive this info as part of the confirmation SMS.

Smart Buddy's P2.00/min calls. Dial *2222+11digit Smart/TNT/Red#

That means Smart subscribers can still squeeze a one- minute call (to Smart/TNT/Red Mobile subscribers) right up to his/her last 2 peso prepaid load.

There was no mention of maintaining balance or duration of this promo.

Feel free to share your experience using this Smart promo. :)

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Finding My Old Smart SIM Card For My Upcoming Nokia C2-00

I'm so hopeful of owning a Nokia C2-00 dual sim phone next month. Together with my Globe sim, I intend to use a Smart SIM on the other slot. It is easy to get a new Smart sim these days but I thought my old Smart sim would do just fine.

That is, if I find it and if my old Smart sim is still active.

I stopped using my old Smart sim when my cherry mobile C55 cellphone gave up on me early this year and forgot about it until today. Fortunately, I was able to find my C55 among my clutter and the Smart sim inside it.

I can't remember when I last loaded it. So, you can imagine my great relief to see the Smart Gold logo when I inserted it to my current cellphone - Nokia 1110.

I feel that my old Smart sim will help me be contacted by long lost friends/colleagues and former prepaid loading associates.

When I finally use that Nokia C2-00, I feel that I'm giving my friends more ways to reach me using cellphones promos they find cheaper from either Globe and Smart.

A dual sim phone is greatly advantageous for my loading business as I also offer pasaload (for Smart) subscribers and share-a-load for (Globe subscribers). Using both Smart and Globe also help this blog as I can share first-hand experience using both.

There are other advantages in using a dual sim phone as enumerated by Nokia. And today, cellphone users have a lot of choices for dual sim brands. I just really like Nokia because all my Nokia phones lasted long enough. And I expect the Nokia C2-00 to be also that durable.


My Globe and Smart sim cards are eagerly waiting their next home, the Nokia C2-00 Dual SIM phone.

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Excessive Cellphone Use Harm Humans, Brain? I guess more to our wallets.

I came across an article from gmanews.tv about recent studies whose findings revealed that heavy exposure to radiation from cellphones and cell sites can lead to memory defects, brain damage and pregnancy complications.

I adhere to the Filipino adage that everything excessive isn't good. (Loose English translation of "lahat ng sobra masama". I don't see anything wrong if we use our cellphones moderately, not just because of health considerations but also of financial and environmental concerns.

Images via wylio.com - collated and collaged.

Harmful effects of cellphone use has long been debated by scientists and up to now, there is still no conclusive evidence of cellphone harmful effects. The findings of the study cited in the article were against mice, rats and rabbits. I would argue that the human body and human brain is made more special, complex and may respond differently.

In one of the studies, mice exposed to two hours per day of radio frequency emissions from a transmitting cellphone were less able to to learn and rerun mazes, suggesting that cellphone radiation might impair spatial memory -- the kind of recall that helps us navigate from place to place.

I just talked with my GF moments ago for about 3 minutes and I immediately forgot what I was about to do prior to her call. I used my cellphone more for texting and other functions like games, alarm clock and calculator. If anything, I risk finger strain and arthritis on my hands at the worst.

The ubiquitous use of cellphone by Filipinos and the world in general is just about four decades. I think it would require a longer time frame to study the significant effects of cellphones to humans.

But I would advocate moderation in its use not only because of health concerns. Excessive use of cellphones thru calling is not economical (unless unlimited service is availed). Granted that cellphones are designed for longer talk time, heavy use in calls will accelerate the discharge of its battery. To recharge a cellphone requires energy and additional cost in power.

Also since the study points out possible harmful effects on the brain, it make sense for heavy cellphone users to place their cellphones as far away as possible. Headsets and hand's free gadgets can help excessive cellphone users continue with the call but lessening their exposure.

How long do you celebabad with your cellphones? Oh, well. Use your cellphone excessively at your own wallet's risk.

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Nokia C2-00 Dual Sim Phone - My Highs & Lows

In a matter of 2 days, I've felt high and low about a cellphone model I strongly liked and wanted, the Nokia C2-00 dual sim phone.

When yugatech wondered yesterday, if the Nokia C2-00 phone will ever be released in the Philippines, I've sense that my chances of having one has become more grim.

But the Nokia Blog, buoyed my spirits today. One of those Nokia phone models could still find its way to my hands.

Nokia C2-00 Dual Sim Phones
Image from Nokia Blog

I first learned about the Nokia C2-00 dual sim phone model from yugatech around June last year. About that time, my dual sim phone Cherry Mobile C55, was starting to show some wear and tear, just 3 months since I bought it. And with the service center so out of my usual route, I forego availing the service warranty. I thought why bother, I'm going to buy a new dual sim phone, anyway - assuming that the Nokia C2-00 will be released in September 2010. I can even wait till December.

Yesterday, yugatech wondered why the Nokia unit is taking so long to be released here, too. And with that, I have started to accept that Nokia wouldn't release the cellphone unit here. Perhaps Nokia saw that the market for dual sim phones are already saturated by MyPhone, Cherry Mobile, Torque, Firefly and a lot of other makers from China.

But a post from the Nokia blog made my day today and gave me some hope of owning a Nokia C2-00.

The Nokia X1-01 and Nokia C2-00 will ship this quarter in India, China, South-East Asia/Pacific region, Middle East and Africa, Eurasia and Brazil. Before local taxes or subsidies, the X1-01 will cost €34 while the C2-00 will cost €45.

- from the Nokia Blog

I am greatly hoping that the Philippines will be included in the shipment for South-East Asia/Pacific region. I hope that I could get my hands on this silver Nokia C2-00 soon.

I have my eyes set on this Silver Nokia C2-00
Image from Nokia Blog

More about Nokia C2-00

The Nokia C2-00 offers a number of additional features. The main one is the way the SIM cards are arranged, offering Easy Swap, a feature that’s only on offer from Nokia. One SIM card is stored internally, like a traditional phone. The second card is easily accessible through a slot in the side – so you don’t have to open or even switch the phone off to change SIMs.

... the Nokia C2-00 runs Series 40, which offers some key advantages in the form of internet access, a web browser and Nokia Messaging for email. The Nokia C2-00 also sports a VGA camera and allows for MMS messaging. There’s support for up to 32GB of storage using an SD card, allowing users to carry thousands of photos, videos and music files.

- from the Nokia Blog

I've got to start saving around 5,000 php for this Nokia cellphone. But even without cash, I still have my BPI credit card to get me one of those Nokia C2-00 dual sim phones.

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Is Smart's Extra Awesome Weekends really awesome?

Weekends are supposed to be off-work days for rest and leisure. I wouldn't consider my weekend awesome if I find myself using my cellphone for more texting or calling even during the weekends.

But for those smart subscribers who essentially must get in touch with some one else during the weekends, their weekends could truly be awesome with Smart's Extra Awesome Weekends.


Each week, Smart will feature a favorite prepaid offer that subscribers can enjoy more texts, longer calls and longer validity.

You can learn more here.

Smart's Extra Awesome Weekend
Image from Smart's Website

I rarely use my SMART sim since my dual sim phone broke down. But I would take a closer look at Smart's Extra Awesome Weekends if I should use it more frequently. And if Smart's weekend offering for its subscribers is better than Globe's old weekend promo.

:)

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No SMS Way to Check UNLISURF Status

I wish that SMART Bro would come up with a way to check the status of your UNLISURF subscription via SMS or Text Message.

Early this morning, I found out that all text messages in the inbox of my prepaid SMART Bro plugit is gone. And along with those message, is my registration notification for UNLISURF. I wanted to know the specific time my UNLISURF subscription will expire that I spent some time finding a way to check my UNLISURF status via SMS/Text Message.

I failed to find it. Luckily, my UNLISURF subscription lasted enough to be able to check it online.

I remembered that today that my unlisurf will expire today but I wanted to know the specific time.

So, I searched the internet on how to check your UNLISURF status via SMS. But so far, found none. I even resorted to guessing. Like sending "STATUS" or "UNLISURF STATUS" and tried sending it 2200. But it proved to be unsuccessful and I was charged a peso for each of that transaction attempt.

Also, I tried registering to UNLISURF again, hoping that the SMART Bro system would respond that my number is still registered until a certain specific time. Yes, SMART Bro system replied that but did not specified until when. Another transaction charged.

Well, there was no choice for me but to go http://smart.com.ph/connect/ . Luckily, my account can still access the internet via UNLISURF, enough for me to be able to register my smart bro, verify via SMS, verify the e-mail I used to register.

Finally, I found out that I only have 30 minutes left out of my UNLISURF subscription. Hopefully, enough to post this entry.

In this advance technology era, it seems so easy for SMART Bro to program keywords and hotline numbers to give its prepaid broadband subscribers a way to check their prepaid subscription via SMS/ Text messages.

Or maybe I just missed it. I'm far from the know-it-all tech guy. Feel free to point out to me how.

But if I'm correct, I hope that someone from SMART Bro get to read this and do so.



* Texting BRO BAL to 2200 only provided the prepaid load balance of your SMART Bro account and not expiration of your UNLISURF subscription.

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My Mother's Day Text Message Got Published on Manila Bulletin

The Mother's Day message I submitted via SMS was picked and got published on today's issue of the Manila Bulletin.

I joined Manila Bulletin's MomNotes offering and took my chance. I'm really glad that the simple risk paid off.

To all the other mothers out there;

Happy Mother's Day and thank you for all the love, care, sacrifice, teachings and all the other things you've given for your children's sake.

More than the Pacquiao vs Mosley fight, I was excited to check that broadsheet first thing on the day. Initial scanning indicated that the SMS I submitted was picked.

Then, I started reading the message published from the start, and it was only then that I saw my message to my Nanay on page SS-10. When I called her up later, I had an extra thing to share to her.

Happy Mother's Day, Nanay! 

And don't buy all the Manila Bulletin copies you can get your hands with. LOL! :)

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Another Reason Globe Sucks

Globe rewards program sucks. They recently changed the items you can redeem. And the changes do not reflect on its website.

Case in point: Unlimited text 20, which if you try to redeem [REDEEM UNLI20], you'll receive a text reply that it is an invalid keyword.

But Globe gets away with it because of an escape clause "Rewards are subject to availability and may change without prior notice."

Here's what I did. I sent STOP to 4438. I've had enough of these Globe promos.

If you already did that earlier, better for you. You may still believe that Globe wants to reward its subscriber. I wish you'd be luckier than me.

When I say promos, I meant those e-raffles and rewards. And not prepaid services/products offered in "promo" periods.

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My Nokia 1112 is Indestructible

My cellphone - a Nokia 1112 fell to the floor once again today. A little higher than the usual height I normally pushed it. Hehehe!

After putting together its casing, I sighed a huge relief after it turned on. Thank goodness! I still have a working cellphone.

Sorry, I am a pro-Nokia cellphone guy. I just like to trumpet the idea that old Nokia cellphone models are built to last. One even survived getting buried.

Here's an episode of the US TV Sitcom, Scrubs.





Around 5:12 in the video, the main character attempts to destroy his pal's phone but the phone survived the attempt and caller voice stills get through. The phone is not a Nokia, but that's basically what I think of my cellphone.

Still on the video, this scrubs clothing cast of a tv show isn't that funny enough for me. But I watched the whole episode because I remembered my college infatuation with nursing students who I find sexier in their intern uniforms such as these http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/

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An SMS Chance to Have Your Mother's Day Message For Your Mom Get Published

The coming Sunday is Mother's Day. I'm sure each of us already have plans on how to greet our respective moms or how to make the day extra special for her.

I think it would be awesome if my Nanay* would read my message on a newspaper of wide circulation.

Here's a great chance on how to shout to the rest of country our gratitude and love to our mothers. And I already took my chance.

Manila Bulletin offers the chance for our mother's day message to be published on that day with - MOM NOTES.

In 50 words or less, compose a thank you message for your mom and submit it to them. Submissions can either be handcarried, be mailed via postal, be e-mailed or be texted.

The text format is as follows:

MB[space]SAY[space]MOMNOTES[space]COMPLETE NAME OF YOUR MOTHER[space]MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE FOR YOUR MOM[space]YOUR COMPLETE NAME

Then, send to 2256 for Globe subscribers or 6800 for Smart subscribers. Deadline for submissions of MomNotes is on May 5, 2011, 5 pm only.

I already texted mine. A little hard to squeeze in the message as one text in my cellphone is only 160 characters. Nevertheless, I was able to compose and send.

I got this as a reply:

MB SAY:Your msg was forwarded to our service officer for proper handling. If needed, you will get a reply soon. Check your daily MB issue for instructions or text MB TEXT for other services. Snd to 2256. Php 2.50/msg. For questions, call (02)5247884 M-F, 9am-5pm. Thank you!

I will also submit what I texted via e-mail just for good measure. For e-mail submissions, this is the format;

COMPLETE NAME OF YOUR MOTHER, YOUR MOTHER'S DAY MESSAGE FOR YOUR MOM, YOUR COMPLETE NAME.

And send to momnotes(at)mb.com.ph

Yes, it might be a long shot. But if I got lucky, I could make the day more special for my Nanay as compared to just simply calling her. She's staying in Cavite now with her eldest child and enjoying the company of two lovely grand daughters.

Care to share how you plan to make your Mother's Day greeting special?



* Nanay is a Filipino word for mother.

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