Pinoys abroad are abreast of local news
THANKS to satellite communications feeding live television broadcasts to major cities around the world, and the ubiquitous mobile phones (cellphones to us), Pinoys abroad are kept abreast with news at home.In some major cities in the US and Canada I visited recently, Filipino communities were up-to-date with major developments at home.
Their main interest, as expected, is politics. For example, the SoNA of President Arroyo was well-received by Filipino-Americans in these cities. However, there are some who readily disagreed with what she enumerated as her achievements in 2006.
Next to politics, showbiz’ happenings occupy Pinoy’s leisure hours at home. Typical of Filipinos pastimes they are all in the latest gossips in the local movieland.
The Filipino Channel (TFC) appears to have more subscribers than GMA’s Channel 7. The patronage includes Willie Revillame’s noontime show, TV Patrol and ANC news programs.
I would say that Eat Bulaga and 24-Oras news hour of Channel 7 are getting an increasing number of following and subscribers (average monthly subscription is $ 30).
One advantage of ABS-CBN is that it is now offering to Pinoys who are TFC subscribers money-transfer services, with service fees much lower than bank rates. The broadcasting company is likely to hit pay dirt here.
And the ubiquitous cellphones? Believe it or not, cellphone cards are selling like the proverbial cakes in Filipino stores in major cities in the US and Canada. Texting to friends and relatives back home has become a pre-occupation of Fil-Ams.
In fact, what Pinoys are now saying is that it was they who taught Americans how to send short messages (including the use of unique abbreviations). To friends from their cellphones.
And yes, it has now become easier for Pinoys to communicate with their families here with the use of the cellphone as to when is the next Balikbayan box is to arrive here.
CELLPHONE ROAMING RIP-OFF. When Globe wireless telecom advertised in different newspapers last June about its prepaid roaming World Widest Service, I took advantage of it thinking that it would be convenient for one who was to be out of the country for more than a month. There was no such international service. Instead I was fleeced of P700.
While in the US and in Canada, I received only one call and three TXT messages from the Philippines. Worse, I could not reply either by calls or TXT.
Instead, I received nearly two dozens of "Welcome to the USA/Canada" messages and other "advisories" from Globe. Each of those meaningless messages, I understand, were charged to me.
Arriving here last Monday, I immediately dialed Globe for a de-activation of that supposedly worldwide (in 100 countries, "daw") calling and texting service. Believe it or not, this is what Globe answers:
"Sorry, your request cannot be processed. No active roaming yet."
Help, National Telecommunication Commission!
