Call & Text Combo 10
10mins. of Sun-to-Sun calls
40 Sun-to-Sun texts
10 texts to other networks
valid for 1 day

CTC 10 and send to 223

Call & Text Combo 20
25mins. of Sun-to-Sun calls
80 Sun-to-Sun texts
25 texts to other networks
valid for 1 day

CTC 20 and send to 223

Text Unlimited 20
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
valid for 2 days

TU 20 to 247

Text Unlimited 50
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
1 hour voice calls
valid for 7 days

TU 50 to 247

Text Unlimited 150
Unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting
4 hours voice calls
valid for 30 days

TU 150 to 247

Globe Telecom

Unlimited All Day Texting
Php 20 - unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT20 to 2870

Php 40 - unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT40 to 2870

Php 80 - unlimited texting for 5 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXT80 to 2870

Unlimited Daytime Texting (8am to 4:59pm)
Php 15 - unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTD15 to 2870

Php 30 - unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTD30 to 2870

Unlimited Nighttime Texting (10pm to 7:59pm)
Php 10 - unlimited texting for 1 day (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTN10 to 2870

Php 20 - unlimited texting for 2 days (until Oct 21, 2008)

Text UNLITXTN20 to 2870

DTI# 2374 series of 2008

Smart Communications

ALLTEXT UNLI25
P25 = Unlimited texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 10 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI- NCR Permit No. 1920, Series of 2008

UNLI25 to 258

ALLTEXT 20
P20 = 100 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 10 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 1918, Series of 2008.

Text AT20 to 2827

ALLTEXT 40
P40 = 200 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 20 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2046, Series of 2008.

Text AT40 to 2827

ALLTEXT50
P50 = 300 texts SMART to SMART/Talk ‘N Text
& 30 texts to other networks
Promo runs until October 31, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 2046, Series of 2008.

Text AT50 to 2827

Smart Money is the world’s first electronic wallet card linked to a mobile phone which won the 2001 GSM Awards for “Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers”. It was also cited as the “Best Product Innovation” award at the MasterCard Marketing Awards in Australia. [from smart.com.ph]

To activate Smart Money:

1. Text MONEY to 343
2. Enter desired W-PIN (6-digits)
3. Re-enter W-PIN, press OK
4. Choose ‘Get Account’ press OK
5. Select BDO
6. Wait for your confirmation message

After activation, you can now apply for a Smart Money MasterCard. Click here on how to apply.

Once you get your card, you can now link your Smart Money MasterCard to your mobile phone. Only a maximum of two (2) Smart Money MasterCards/Accounts may be linked.

Go to your nearest Smart Wireless Center or Smart Money Accredited Outlet to load money into your Smart Money Account.

To start sending Smart Money,

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Transfer, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter your beneficiary’s Smart Money Number, press OK
5. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
6. Select source of funds, press OK
7. Enter amount you would like to send, press OK
8. You will receive a prompt message to confirm your transaction, press OK
9. Enter W-PIN, press OK
10. You will receive a confirmation message of your transaction
11. Beneficiary will also receive a confirmation message instantly

To buy load using Smart Money:

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Reload Buddy, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter Mobile Number, press OK
5. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
6. Select source of funds, press OK
7. Select amount, press OK
8. You will receive a prompt message confirming the transaction, press OK
9. Enter W-PIN, press OK
10. You will receive an SMS confirmation for every successful transaction
11. Beneficiary will also receive an SMS notification instantly

To pay bills using Smart Money:

1. Go to Smart Menu, select Smart Money
2. Select Pay Bills, press OK
3. Select Others, press OK
4. Enter Biller Code, press OK
5. Enter Bill Account Number (please refer to your billing statement), press OK
6. You will receive a prompt message, press OK
7. Select source of funds, press OK
8. Enter amount you would like to pay, press OK
9. You will receive a prompt message confirming the transaction, press OK
10. Enter W-PIN, press OK
11. Subscriber will receive an SMS confirmation of his transaction

To purchase at selected establishments using Smart Money, text

<Store Code> <AMOUNT> and send to 270

You can also use your Smart Money MasterCard to pay at any MasterCard establishments worldwide.

Smart Money has a maximum withdrawable amount of Php 20,000 per day. The maximum amount of money you may transfer per day is Php 10,000.

Globe’s flagship M-Commerce service, was born from a simple goal of transforming a mobile phone into a wallet. With its launch in October 2004, G-CASH has effectively given Globe and TM subscribers access to a cashless and cardless method of facilitating money remittance, donations, loan settlement, disbursement of salaries or commissions, and payment of bills, products and services, with just a text message. G-Cash won the “Best Mobile Messaging Service” in the 2005 GSM Awards.

To register for G-CASH, type

REG <4-digit PIN/mother’s maiden name/first name/last name/address> to 2882

Make sure that your First Name and Last Name match the information that appears in any valid ID of yours. This is important for future G-CASH transactions.

After you’ve registered, you will need to load your mobile wallet with G-CASH. This is done via a cash-in transaction which is the process of converting your cash to G-CASH at a Globe Center or at any accredited G-CASH partner. (Most 7-Eleven branches are accredited G-cash outlets)

To send G-CASH, type

AMOUNT <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882+10 digit cellphone number of the recipient

To buy load using G-CASH, type

LOAD <amount> <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882, if you’re loading your self.

If you are loading for someone else, send to 2882+10 digit cellphone number of the recipient.

To pay bills using G-CASH, type

BILLPAY <amount> <4-digit PIN> <institution code> <account reference number> and send to 2882

For list of institution codes, click here.

To use G-CASH to pay at SM Malls, type

PAY SM <store code cashier> <amount to be paid> and send to 2318.

The store code is unique to each cashier.

To donate to charitable institutions using G-CASH, type

DONATE <amount> <4-digit PIN> <institution code> and send to 2882.

For a list of charitable institution codes, click here.

To check your balance, type

BAL <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To check last transaction, type

TXN <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To change 4-digit PIN, type

CHG <old 4-digit PIN> <new 4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To suspend account, type

SUS <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

To re-activate account, type

ACT <4-digit PIN> and send to 2882

Converting your G-CASH to cash is called a cash out transaction. It is done at a Globe Center or at any accredited GCASH partner. G-CASH has a maximum transaction limit of P40,000 per day and a maximum transaction limit of P100,000 per month (both for incoming and outgoing transactions). This is to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

1 vs 100. To register to become a studio contestant, text

MOB <name/age/gender/address/landline number> to 2366 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Go Bingo. Requires a ‘Go Bingo scratch card’ to join as homepartner.

GOBINGO <unique textart 1-50> <code> / <name age gender address> to 2344 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 367 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal

To register to become a studio contestant, text

DEAL <name/age/gender/address/landline number> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

To join Deal or No Deal as homepartner, text

ABS DEAL to 2366, if you think the banker’s final offer is higher than the amount in the chosen briefcase. (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

If you think otherwise, text

ABS NODEAL to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

When joining as home partner, texters will be asked to register to earn an entry and qualify for the text promo.

DEAL REG <name/age/gender/address> to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only)

Pilipinas, Game KNB? To register to become a studio contestant, text

GKNB STUDIO <name/age/address> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Taktak Mo o Tatakbo (Eat Bulaga segment). To join as homepartner, text

EB <letter of answer> / <name age gender address> to 2344 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 2.50/text)

The Singing Bee. To join as homepartner, text

BEE <letter of answer> to 2366 (For Globe subscribers only, Php 15/download)

Whammy! Push Your Luck. To join as homepartner, text

PLAY to 4627 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 367 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Wheel of Fortune

To register to become a studio contestant, text

STUDIO WOF <name/age/gender/address> to 2366 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

To join as homepartner, text

WOF <answer> to 2366 (Php 15/download)

Wowowee. To register to become a studio contestant, text

WSTUDIO <name/age/gender/address> to 2331 (Globe, TM, Sun Cellular, Php 2.50/text) or 231 (Smart, Talk n Text, Addict Mobile, Php 2.00/text)

Let’s take the “100 peso load” as an example
I need to receive 200 ads to get a 100 peso load.
With a 100 peso load, I can:

• send 666 text messages (Php 0.15/text u to u) or
• call up to 20 mins (Php 5/min u to u)

Receiving 200 ads per month is equivalent to 50 ads/week. So that means, receiving 50 ads/week can give me:

• 166 text messages per week or
• 5 mins talk time per week

I can assume that:
Receiving 7 ads/day, gives me:

1. 300 text messages, AND
2. 11 mins of talk time per month

300 text messages * o.15 = 45 pesos
11mins * 5 = 55 pesos
45 pesos + 55 = 100 pesos

300 text messages per month is a lot already. If I’m an active texter, Umobile can work for me. But if I call more often than text, I can choose to answer only 7 ads/day, and buy an additional 300 peso load. That will give me 80 mins more talk time. But that will depend on how I want to spend my load.

Not sure if Umobile’s low charging rates are enough for people to drop their existing postpaids/prepaids and completely switch to Umobile. But Umobile has this ‘change number’ feature which makes people proud of their personalized 0999 number and this could possibly attract them to keep Umobile as their secondary SIM. If everyone else is on Umobile, then their low rates for voice calls and text messages will be more appreciated.

Then next morning, ümobile Customer Service sent me an invite code.

We’re so happy that you want to be part of our ümobile family! And as requested, here’s your invite code: xxxxxxxxxxx

Now all you have to do is plug in your invite code at www.umobile.com.ph and complete the forms. If accepted, we’ll send an email to notify you.

(Email date: July 3, Thursday, 6:41am)
(Email read: July 3, Thursday, 11:45am)

So I signed up right away. I filled out a LONG application form including the first 3 lifestyle questionnaires. Then I immediately got a reply from ümobile:

Thanks for applying and answering the first round of lifestyle questionnaires on the site.

However, there’s another group of lifestyle questionnaires that you left unanswered. Maybe you’d like to go back and complete them so that we can get to know you even better.

(Email date: July 3, Thursday, 12:03 pm)

So I logged in to my ümobile account and answered the remaining set of lifestyle questionnaires. Then I got another email:

Thanks for applying and finishing the questionnaires!

Your application is being processed. Just sit tight for our email saying that you’ve been approved as a ümobile subscriber.

Then log on to www.umobile.com.ph and enter an exciting world of ümobile.

(Email Date: July 3, Thursday, 12:10pm)

After 4 days, my application was approved.

It’s official! You are now part of the wonderful world of ümobile. As part of the ümobile community, you can call, text, MMS, surf the net, and chat online for free! Well, almost.

Wait for the call from our courier to confirm your SIM delivery details. Upon delivery of your new ümobile SIM, please present 1 valid ID and submit a photocopy of this to the delivery personnel.

(Email Date: July 7, Monday, 9:02pm)

After 3 days, I got a text message from Zip Bus Srvs, the courier hired by Umobile to deliver the SIM. They asked me to call thru landline so we can discuss about the sim delivery. (SMS Date: July 10, Thursday, 4:21pm)

So I called and requested my SIM to be delivered the next day, July 11 at 10am. When she asked for my complete address, I told her that I will send it via text so she won’t have to write it down.

The next day, July 11, Friday, the sim didn’t arrive at the time I expected, which is 10am. The delivery guy arrived at 2pm. So late! I can’t complain, because it’s just a free sim.

Anyway, here it is, my Umobile SIM!

Umobile

Umobile is targeting the 15 to 35 age bracket or the ‘youth and yuppies’ sector in the Philippines. Customers get P0.50 worth of pre-paid load each time a mobile ad message is received. As of now, membership is by invite only.

Important things to know about ümobile

• Their prefix number is 0999.
• They have launched a website that will allow their customers to:

Change mobile number anytime, anywhere online. First change in number is FREE. Succeeding changes is only P50.00/change.

Send invite codes to friends.

• They have partnered with fring, a VoIP (www.fring.com). This enables customers to make VOIP calls, chat and interact with friends all over the world from his mobile to another PC and vice-versa. With ümobile, you only have to pay for data minutes.
• Soon, they will be offering a product that will allow you to make calls and send/receive texts via PC to another ümobile account and vice-versa with ümobile’s virtual phone service.

Subscriber benefits
Customers approved between June 1st and August 31st 2008 will enjoy the following benefits

• FREE ümobile SIM
• P100 free load for the very month for the next 6 months
• Earn rewards for every ad message received
• Enhanced communication with Fring (mobile VoIP)
• Nationwide coverage
• Earn rewards with every ad you see
• Mobile broadband surfing
• PC calling with Virtual Phone * (coming soon)

Service Rates

Voice Call

• ümobile to ümobile P5.00
• ümobile to other networks P7.00
• ümobile to landline P7.25
• IDD P10.00
• Video Call
• ümobile to ümobile 6.50

FringTM Call

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.

SMS

• ümobile to ümobile P0.15
• ümobile to other networks P0.75
• ISMS P8.00

MMS

• ü to ü P0.50
• IMMS P15.00

FringTM Messaging

• Date Rate P10.00/30mins.

Forms of Textspeak in the Philippines

Acronyms - originated from chatrooms, then were later brought into texting. They are more used in other countries than in the Philippines. A list of textspeak acronyms can be seen here. Examples:

LOL - laughing out loud
BTW - by the way

Contractions - shortening a word by omitting a letter or a group of letters, especially vowels and double letters. This is easier to read because there’s no need to refer to translation aids like the Acronyms. The word can still be read by pronouncing the consonants without the vowels.

tmorow = tomorrow
pls = please
tnx = thanks
ppnta ako = pupunta ako (Tagalog example)
tmkbo = tumakbo (Tagalog example)
tmtkbo = tumatakbo (Tagalog example)

Phonetics - reading the letters as they are pronounced. Sometimes, numbers can be used too. A very common example would be:

C u l8r = see you later
Il b l8 = ill be late
d2 n kme = dito na kame (Tagalog example)

Special Characters - substituting ordinary letters with special characters. Sometimes, combining a group of special characters are also used to project an image. This form of textspeak is usually observed in forwarded quotes. Example:

The ¡ (inverted exclamation) is used to replace the letter i

Luv ¡snt abt g¡v & tke, bt
rathr, g¡v & g¡v

Using alphabets with accents

Névér be tiréd öf döing lìttlè things for öthers

Projecting an image

,¤’¤,
,¤’¤’¤, Caring for
””V/””a friend is
,,,)(,,, like a tree!

TxtBuff advice
Not all people who text, knows textspeak. Its like a new language that only active texters can understand. We should learn to respect others who are not comfortable using the language. Some people love it, some people hate it. I believe that language is always evolving and we cannot do something about it. (source)

It is easy to see the evolution of languages from a simple look at the lists of new words added to the Oxford English Dictionary every year. There are always words, which a few years before, would not have been understood by anyone. Imagine this over many thousands of years and you begin to see the pattern in which languages evolve.

We can see it in our own language of English. If we look back to Old English, and the likes of Beowulf, the language is almost impossible to understand without some kind of translation aid.

The evolution of languages is a complicated and complex topic. It happens over many thousands of years, but what cannot be disputed is that language does change.

1. Go to Quickmark website and install the software on your mobile phone.
2. Run the program.
   
3. Go to TxtBuff and look for your favorite text message. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you find the barcode image.
   
4. Aim for the barcode image until it fits the guide box, and make sure the image is clear.
   vs
5. Quickmark software will automatically recognize the image and convert to its equivalent text message. (Note: Most mobile phones can decode automatically without pressing “Enter” key.)
   
6. Choose “Select”, then “Send via text message” or “Save to notes”.
   
   
   

1. Energetic Texters - those who are very active in texting. They make the most out of their unlimited texting packages and text under the table, in the car, under the tree, anywhere, everyday. They can talk about anything and everything under the sun. They chat, they flirt, they debate. These kinds of texters are mostly teenagers, couples, or yuppies.
2. Passive Texters - those who text only when you text them and reply only when they really have to.
3. The Forwarders - those who are fond of forwarding text messages that they feel are worth forwarding.
   1. Funny Forwarders - those who forward funny text messages.
   2. Love Forwarders - those who forward love text messages.
   3. Religious Forwarders - those who forward religious text messages.
   4. Seasonal Forwarders - those who send messages only on special occasions like christmas text messages, valentines text messages, lenten text messages.

   Tip: Send the right text messages to the right people. You wouldn’t send a Christmas text message on lent, right? Or would you send a Ramadan greeting to a Buddhist who don’t celebrate Ramadan?

4. Blog Texters - those who send text messages to tell how their day was as they would in blogging, and forward them to all their friends.
5. Extinct Texters - those who’s mobile phones have turned to beepers. They read messages, but they will reply only when they want to.
6. Marketing Texters - those who text to promote an event, a product, or a job posting. Its like its part of their job or just helping a friend to promote something.

Just so you know, I am a funny forwarder to my funny forwarder friends. I maybe an extinct texter to some people. But to the rest of my contacts, I am a passive texter.

So what kind of texter are you?