Everyday, 200 studio audiences, called as Bingoers, will play and compete against the Solo Studio contestatant. The Bingoers can win 50,000 pesos for every game, while the Solo Studio contestant can win up to 1 million pesos. Home viewers will also have a chance to play either as Home Player or Text Player and can win 200,000 pesos.

To join as texter, text

PBN <last name>,<first name>/<age>/<gender>/<address> to 2366

P2.50/txt for Globe, TM,  Smart, Talk and Text
P2/txt for Sun Cellular

TxtCEB allows anyone to get updates on Cebu Pacific’s special flights and promos or book a Cebu Pacific flight through their cellphones (domestic bookings only). To start, here’s how:

For Globe, Touch Mobile subscribers, text

CEB FLIGHT or CEB HELP and send to 2982.

For Smart, Talk N’ Text and Addict Mobile subscribers, text

CEB to 2952

For Sun Cellular subscribers, text

CEB or CEB HELP and send to 2982

Then follow the SMS prompts. It only takes a minimum of 5 SMS messages to book a Cebu Pacific flight. You will be charged a minimal amount per text message received; P2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Addict Mobile and P2.00 for Sun Cellular subscribers. Confirmed bookings cannot be paid via SMS. You still have to pay over the counter at any Cebu Pacific ticket office. You will be charged the fare confirmed by txtCEB at the date of ticket purchase.

Tests were conducted last year (Sept. 17 to Oct. 6, 2008) by NTC engineers on three cellular service operators, namely Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular to measure the quality of services rendered. They made 2,475 network-to-network calls per operator in 13 Metro Manila cities, as part of the tests.

Three areas were reviewed namely network accessibility (circuit switch), service accessibility (telephony), and call completion rate circuit switch (telephony), to measure the quality of service indicators.

Network accessibility (Circuit Switch). All three got perfect scores.
Globe 100%
Smart 100%
Sun 100%

Service Accessibility (Telephony). Globe got the highest mark.
Globe 97.98%
Smart 96.24%
Sun 83.02%

Call Completion Rate Circuit Switch (Telephony). Globe and Smart tied at 98.55%.
Globe 98.55%
Smart 98.55%
Sun 97.65%

Signal Strength
Smart 91.81%
Globe 86.58%
Sun 84.48%

Signal Quality
Globe 93.79%
Smart 93%
Sun 84.47%

Hand Over Success Rate
Smart 99.03%
Globe 98.27%
Sun 96.72%

Call Set-up Time (based on the 2,475 sample calls)
Globe 97.29%
Smart 95.76%
Sun 80.12%

In terms of blocked and dropped calls, a lower percentage is desirable to ensure higher quality of service and therefore, the operator with a lower percentage was given a higher ranking.

Blocked Calls (based on the 2,475 sample calls). Blocked calls are failed connection to the network due to unavailability of signal.
Globe 49 (1.99%)
Smart 93 (3.79%)
Sun 779 (17.05%)

Dropped Calls (based on the 2,475 sample calls). A call is considered dropped when the signal has been cut just a few seconds upon connection.
Globe 35 (1.42%)
Smart 35 (1.42%)
Sun 48 (1.95%)

Under the NTC’s circular on service performance standards for CMTS, the allowable drop call rate is 5 percent. NTC also noted that blocked and dropped calls are caused by network congestion and system failure.

In an interview, Smart Spokesman Ramon R. Isberto said a promotion that allows subscribers to make unlimited calls at night and send as many text messages as they can would not be made available from Dec. 23 to Dec. 25, and from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1.

Likewise, a similar promotion from Globe will not be made available on Dec. 24 and 25, and on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, said Froilan M. Castelo, Globe’s regulatory division head.

This is to help prevent their networks from overloading at a time when most Filipinos greet their friends and relatives with Christmas greetings.

“What we are doing is managing our network, in case there are any serious obstructions [during the holidays],” Mr. Isberto said.

“We are not taking any chances. We want to protect the network from abuse,” Mr. Castelo said. “We want to avoid any congestion. We just want to clear the airwaves,” he added.

A billion text messages are sent locally everyday as estimated by both Smart and Globe. This can increase during the holidays as Filipinos greet their friends and relatives.

Plurk is similar to Twitter only that your updates (called plurks) and your friends’ are arranged in a timeline so your friends can easily view and comment on them. Plurks can be posted with qualifiers, which are one-word verbs used to represent a thought (ex. “feels”, “thinks”, “loves”, etc.). Its like an instant messenger / social networking / forum / micro-blogging service rolled into one.

An easier way to update your Plurk and Twitter is to use SMS or text messaging.

To start plurking via SMS, sign up first at phplurk.com. Then, register your PLURK account to their gateway by sending:

PREG <plurk username> <password>

To update your timeline, send either

PLURK <your update>

or

PLURK <qualifier> <your update>

Valid qualifiers:

loves, likes, shares, gives, hates, wants, wishes, has, will, asks, was, feels, thinks, says, is

mahal, ipinamamahagi, nagbibigay, kinasusuklam, gusto, naghahangad, nagtatanong, nararamdaman, iniisip, sinasabi, ay

To start twitting via SMS, sign up first at phtwitters.com. Then, register your TWITTER account to phtwitters.com, by sending:

REG <twitter username> <password>

To update your timeline, send

TWIT <your update>

To send a direct message, text

TWITD <username> <your message>

The gateway numbers to send to:

GLOBE – +63-916-4967171
SMART – +63-929-3632359
Update: SUN CELLULAR – +63-923-8852052

Jam 88.3 – Your Kind of Mix
Jam 883 <song request> (Send to 2968 for Globe)

Wave 89.1 – Your Lifestyle, Your Music
Wave 891 <song request> (Send to 2968 for Globe)

Magic 89.9 – Today’s Best Music
Magic 899 <song request> (Send to 2968 for Globe)

Love Radio 90.7 – Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?
Love <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

Energy 91.5 – Hi Pangga! May Energy Ka Ba?
Energy <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

RX 93.1 – Manila’s Hottest
RX <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

IFM 93.9 – I! FM
IFM <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

Mellow Touch 94.7 – Relaxing All Day Long
MellowTouch <song request> (Send to 29761947)

WRock 96.3 – The Heart of Lite Rock
<song request> (Send to 29761963)

Home Radio 97.9 – Like It Easy
Home <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

Yes FM 101.1 – Sarap… all the time!
YES <song request> (Send to 2299 for Globe)

Star FM 102.7 – Iba ang Dating
STAR SM <song request> (Send to 29765)

Max FM 103.5
KLITE 1035 <song request> (Send to 2968 for Globe)

Land Transportation Office (LTO) is an agency of the Philippine government responsible for improving land transportation services and facilities and implementing various transportation laws, rules, and regulations.

LTO’s Info-Text service will allow any person with a mobile phone to ask LTO about rules and procedures, and even data on certain vehicles.

To get vehicle details, text:

LTO VEHICLE <plate number with no spaces> to 2600

To get license details:, text:

LTO LICENSE <license number with no spaces> to 2600

For motor vehicle transactions, text:

LTO MV to 2600

For driver’s license and other permit transactions, text:

LTO DL to 2600

For a menu of LTO’s services, text:

LTO HELP to 2600

Facebook UPD8 allows you to receive unlimited Facebook alerts on the latest messages, applications, events and changes in relationship status among your friends! You can also enjoy unlimited Facebook status changes from your phone. Enjoy unlimited Facebook alerts for P15 for 24 hours or P50 for 5 days. You can also upload photos straight to your account via MMS in your phone for P10/10 MMS Uploads within 3 days.

To start using Facebook UPD8 you must add the UPD8 application online.

Facebook UPD8 Registration

1. Log-in to www.facebook.com via the Internet.
2. Go to the search box, type in “UPD8” and click on Search.
3. Click on View Application to start installing the UPD8 application.
4. Click on “Go to Application”.
5. You will see a prompt asking you whether you would allow access to your information. Click on “Allow” to continue.
6. Enter your mobile number to link your Facebook account. Then Click on “Register”.
7. You should then receive a text message confirming your registration. Make sure you reply “AGREE” to the text message from 2838 before you click on “OK”. After that, click on “Next” to continue. If you were not able to receive a confirmation message, click on “here” to update your phone.
8. Check the box beside “I AGREE” and click on “OK” to continue.
9. You will then see the UPD8 main menu window. This contains the buttons for your STATUS UPD8, PHOTO UPD8, and UNLITEXT UPD8. To enable STATUS UPD8, check the box beside “I AGREE” and click “OK”. To enable PHOTO UPD8, choose a plan (whether P10 for 3 days or P30 for 10 days ). Check the box beside “I AGREE” and click “OK”. To enable UNLI Text UPD8, choose a plan (whether P15 for one day or P50 for 5 days). Check the box beside “I AGREE” and click “OK”.

UNLI15 24-hours

• After choosing UNLI Text UPD8 P15 in Facebook UPD8 application, you can now enjoy unlimited SMS alerts for only P15.00 for 24 hours! You can get in touch and chitchat with the whole barkada through an unlimited number of updates.
• You will receive a confirmation text stating that you have been charged P15.
• Always make sure you are subscribed successfully before you use UNLI15 plan. If you have not received any confirmation message, you will be charged P2.50 per update. Also, you will not be able to receive SMS alerts.
• Once your subscription has expired, you will be sent an invitation to subscribe again.
• You will not be able to register to UNLI50 plan until your UNLI15 plan has expired.

You can also purchase this plan via SMS by texting UNLI15 and sending it to 2838.

UNLI50 5-Days

• After choosing UNLI Text UPD8 P50 in Facebook UPD8 application, you can now send and receive an unlimited number of Facebook updates with only P50.00 for 5 days. Never miss out on the latest kwentuhan and the most fabulous party ever again!.
• You will receive a confirmation text stating that you have been charged P50.
• Always make sure you are subscribed to UNLI50 plan for continuous alerts. If you have not received any confirmation message, each text on any comment or reply to an alert will be charged P2.50. You will not be able to receive SMS alerts. Should you not receive the confirmation message after registering to UNLI50, the system will keep trying to subscribe you every 4 hours from 8AM to 8PM and will continue until successful or until you decide to opt out.
• Prior to the expiration of the weekly subscription, a notification message will be sent 24 hours before informing you about your impending expiration. This will come with instructions to opt out (i.e. text STOP UNLI).
• If you decide not to opt out and continue with the service, you will be sent a charging message informing you about the renewal of your subscription for one more week.
• Once you have been successfully rebilled, you will continue to send and receive updates.
• If you decide to opt out at any time, just text STOP UNLI and send to 2838 for FREE.

You can also purchase this plan via SMS by texting UNLI50 and sending it to 2838.

MMS10 and MMS30 plan

With MMS10 plan you can bulk purchase 10 MMS Photo Uploads for P10.00 under the MMS10 plan. The photo upload credits availed will need to be used within 3 days.

The MMS30 plan is also available for the purchase of 40 MMS Photo Uploads for P30.00. Upload credits must be consumed within 10 days.

Other than using your Facebook UPD8 application to purchase your plan, you can also purchase your plan via SMS. For MMS10 plan, simply text

MMS10 and send to 2838

For MMS30 plan, text

MMS30 and send to 2838

Before sending an MMS to your account, make sure that you have received the confirmation message stating that you have been successfully charged for the promo. Also, make sure that you are always enabled to do photo uploads in your Facebook UPD8 application in your Facebook account.

To upload photos to your account, simply send an MMS message to 2838 with your photos and text as caption. You can send an MMS of up to 300kB in size.

Upon upload, you will receive a confirmation message stating:

You now have <upload count> photo uploads to avail before <expiry date and time>.

Once your upload credits have been exhausted or the availing period has lapsed, you will receive a message inviting you to purchase more credits.

Should you opt not to purchase more credits and decide to upload photos via SMS, you will be charged P2.50 for each upload.

To change your status, text

UPD8 <status message> then send to 2838. (Example: UPD8 Very sleepy)

Help Information

Text HELP and send to 2838. (P2.50/txt or for FREE if under any of the UNLI plan)

For further information, you can also text

MORE HELP and send to 2838

Facebook UPD8 is exclusive to all Globe and TM subscribers.
Promo period is from August 22 to September 22, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 4208 Series of 2008

Friendster UPD8 allows you to send and receive unlimited alerts on comments and testimonials, bulletin posts and friend requests for P15 for 24 hours or P50 for 5 days. You can also upload photos to your Friendster gallery via MMS for P1.00/MMS.

To avail of Friendster UPD8, you need to register the e-mail address and password you use for your Friendster account. Registering to Friendster UPD8 is FREE for Globe and TM subscribers.

REG <your e-mail address> <password> to 2276

Upon registration, you will receive this message:

Welcome to FRIENDSTER MOBILE!

Reply UNLI15 & enjoy UNLIMITED alerts and sending of msgs, friend requests & more for 24hrs for P15, or UNLI50 for 5 days for P50 only.

Update your Friendster Gallery by sending your photo via MMS to 2276 for only P1.00/MMS upload!

For more info, reply HELP. P2.50/txt

Promo fr 8/22 to 9/22,2008 DTI-NCR# 4206. Srs of 2008. See flyers for info.

This msg is FREE.

Once you are successfully registered, you can start enjoying the following promos:

UNLI15 24-hours

To send and receive unlimited Friendster alerts for 24 hours for P15, register to UNLI15 24-hours by doing the following:

Text UNLI15 and send to 2276.

Once the amount has been deducted from your balance, you will receive a confirmation text.

Until you receive the confirmation text or if you have insufficient balance, the following will apply:

• You will not be able to receive alerts.
• But you can send alerts while standard rates apply (P2.50/text)

Once your subscription has expired, you will receive a notification message inviting you to subscribe again.

During the validity of your UNLI15 24-hour promo, you will not be able to register to the UNLI50 5-day promo. Registering to UNLI50 can be done once your current subscription ends.

UNLI50 5-days

To send and receive unlimited Friendster alerts for 5 days for P50, register to UNLI50 5-days by doing the following:

Text UNLI50 and send to 2276.

Once the amount has been deducted from your balance, you will receive a confirmation text.

Until you receive the confirmation text or if you have insufficient balance, the following will apply:

• You will not be able to receive alerts.
• But you can send alerts while standard rates apply (P2.50/text)
• The system will try to rebill you every 4 hours from 8AM to 8PM and will continue until successful or until you decide to cancel the subscription.

Before your UNLI50 5-Day plan expires, you will receive a notification message 24 hours before your subscription expires. You can then either renew your subscription for 5 more days or stop availing of the promo.

If you no longer wish to continue with UNLI50,

Text STOP UNLI for free to 2276.

You can also receive Friendster alerts charged P2.50/text unless you avail of unlimited alerts with UNLI15 for 24 hours and UNLI50 for 5 days promos.

MMS Photo Upload

Upload photos to your Friendster account via MMS for only P1.00 per upload.

1. From your Menu, open the Gallery.
2. Select the photo you wish to upload.
3. Click on Options and Send via multimedia.
4. Send to 2276.

After sending a photo via MMS, you will receive a confirmation message.

Help Information

Text HELP to 2276. (P2.50/text or free if under UNLI)

Friendster UPD8 is exclusive to all Globe and TM subscribers.
Promo period is from August 22, 2008 to September 22, 2008.
Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 4206 Series of 2008.

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 Globe-to-Globe and Globe-to-Touch Mobile texting

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