Globe’s Visibility… MY Visibility

My Visibility continues to serve me well…

It’s been more than two years now since I’ve taken advantage of this “high speed” service… who would not be attracted to an unlimited wireless data with speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps and may sometimes peak at 1.8 Mbps? The remarkable potential of being truly mobile was at the works and the ever experimental me wanted to take advantage of this.

I had to do some pencil pushing to justify the costs… Php 2,000/month with a free Huawei E220 USB modem… I mean, the device itself would pay off for half of my lock-in subscription of 24 months… factor in the benefits I would get of accessing email and the internet not only in the confines of my home but everywhere I go… there was no way anyone would stop me from getting that subscription.

Being a pioneer subscriber of most mobile telco services since 1993, I could attest that Globe’s Visibility had left their competitors behind. Sure there were others who were first but Globe’s Visibility had the most number of HSDPA sites to be accessed and this meant faster speeds in more areas… faster speeds meant more data when I needed them… more data to make quick decisions at the time when most needed.

The past 2 years saw the emergence of internet based applications for business and pleasure. The tweaking of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) had never ceased to amaze me and one just needed a reliable data line connection. Instant Messengers have been transformed from simple chatting to virtual presence where one can send files, pictures, music or just anything at the push of a button. Online conferences and even online gaming may not be new but what made it more exciting is being able to enjoy its benefits outside our homes and/or offices and make anyplace an extension of these places. Truly, to stress the importance of data lines and more so, WIRELESS data lines, is an understatement. Enter Globe Visibility and the world around us changes.

As with any other service, Visibility has had its problems. HSDPA coverage throughout the country could still be improved. Though it still has the most number of HSDPA capable sites, competitors are starting to realize that they would have to jump the gun on Globe anytime now. Smart had recently started to offer a “nationwide” unlimited wireless broadband service for Php 1,500 claiming that a lot of their sites are now HSDPA capable. Sun likewise is offering unlimited HSDPA service for Php 1,999 and an unlimited but lower UMTS speed for Php 999 though good for Metro Manila only. I have noticed a slight increase of dropped connections due to the drastic changes of HSDPA signals from a bar in the strength signal in one minute then surging to a full scale in another. Perhaps Globe is tweaking their sites for the better? That, I would like to think so.

For me, the benefits far outweigh the headaches so I’ve decided to have myself tied up for another 2 years. The convenience it brings to me gives me more quality time in living my life to its fullest. Would I recommend it? You don’t even have to think twice.

Let’s move on…

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog as the task of moving a family from our humble condo (with a nice view) to a more spacious house (Related post : http://dlreyes.blogspot.com/2007/02/its-been-while.html) was not an easy task. After so many revisions and a lot of arguments with our contractor regarding the implantation of designs, the anxiety (and money) was worth it.

In November 8, 2007, we settled in our new place… a place with a prepaid landline and an internet service relying on a wireless service called Globe Visibility.

Ninong! (Godfather)

I would stand again as Ninong (Godfather) to the marriage of another Pinoybadminton couple this Saturday, May 5, 2007 (The first being Condrad Vidad and Aina Iledan... see my post of September 11, 2006).

The formal bonding of Tom Enriquez (Pecto) to Mitch Tanchoco (Porky) through the Holy Matrimony to be held at the Claret Church is a much awaited affair as the two have been steadies for quite some time now.

I met the couple about 2 years ago through badminton when they started joining our playing group in Centro Atletico. They have become active members of the forum both in Kelvin's and that of Pinoybadminton Inc. (www.pinoybadminton.com.ph).

In the case of Tom, he helped me post the Monday Centro Atletico games in Kelvin's forum when Kelvin unceremonously banned me from his forum when it became obvious that I was exposing his misdeeds, misrepresentations and the deception he was doing to the members of his forum.

Tom for some time also handled the Tuesday, Thursday group playing in Battledore when Kelvin threatened the Vargas couple, owners of Battledore, of withdrawal of PB from the playing venue from the simple reason that Kelvin's unreasonable demand could not be accomodated.

As with Conrad and Aina, I will be standing in as principal sponsor to Tom and Mitch not because of my age or social stature as Tom and Mitch are just a few years younger than me, but because of my zeal to keep the marital flame alive and the fervor to build strong foundations in strengthening the family. I am very honored of this responsibility to be a true guardian of this life-long commitment they are making.

Congratulations Tom and my very best of wishes to Mitch.

Pinoybadminton Inc. in Badminton Extreme TV Show

Pinoybadminton was invited by the producers of Badminton Extreme for an episode shoot of their TV show aired at Studio 23 every Saturdays at 1pm.

To be aired on March 31, Kennie Asuncion gives tips and corrects our mistakes as she sees us doing actual play. She then answers our questions on strategy and proper positioning which many will find quite informative if aired without any cuts.

Remember the date, March 31, 2007 (Saturday) 1pm at Studio 23.

It's been a while...

More than a month without a post... I feel guilty...

The renovation of our place is taking place and keeping us very busy tending and spending from morning till night. I had a pre-paid phone line installed there temporarily but still no stable internet access. I rely mostly on my Globe Visibility account (wireless) but I could not get HSDPA (wireless broadband) signals from that place and I am forced to be patient on GPRS (it's like a wireless data but only with dial-up speed).

We have started knocking down walls and partitions so our new home would be airy, spacey and welcomey. Aside from repairing the old roof, we are having another layer of roof installed on top of the old one with a gap to dissipate heat. 2 of the 5 bathrooms have to be retiled and 3 of the 5 bedrooms' floorings have to be changed. We are proud of our newly landscaped frontage as we were able to retain the year round fruiting Maracas tree which is rarely seen in the Philippines. The young blue grass is adapting vey well and the blue vine has started to flower. The African daisies are alive and a lot of those purple petalled and purple leafed plants which Lorna (who else?) tendered have started to bloom against the shimmering sun.

We envision it to be open to all, a social place, a place to meet, a place to rest. 6oo square meters of floor area is too big for us, but not big enough to acccomodate a badminton court.

Just yesterday, the association president called to inform me that I was elected new director of the subdivision we were moving in to. Funny that this happened as I declined another term as association chairman of our present place.

Somebody who looked like Kelvin Montalbo

Happy New Year and what a way to start it all…

After the endless eating sprees during the holidays, we decided on a very simple celebration of my wife Lorna’s birthday yesterday by attending the 6pm Mass at the Megamall Chapel and a light dinner at the nearby Dulcinea outlet. After giving our orders, I momentarily left Lorna and my daughter Sophie to check out the department store for the availability of the much requested “Crocs” inspired and “value for money” Planet Shoes (http://pinoybadminton.com.ph/forums/index.php?showtopic=611&pid=9485&st=0&#entry9485 and http://www.bncxe.org/showthread.php?t=18787).

While looking around, I received a call from my wife who told me that somebody who looked like Kelvin Montalbo, moved like Kelvin Montalbo, acted like Kelvin Montalbo was seated a few tables across her… “this I have to see”, I told myself as I rushed back to the restaurant.

True enough as I entered and observed, there was this man seated with a male and 2 females who looked like Kelvin Montalbo, moved like Kelvin Montalbo, acted like Kelvin Montalbo who I thought was purposely trying to seek cover by using his female companion as a shield.

Thoughts of Kelvin Montalbo banning my wife and myself from his forum despite our willingness to help him get out of his ruined reputation in badminton flashed into my mind. Frankly, we felt insulted by his actions and still could not understand why he did those things. We had provided him venues to communicate his desires but he would constantly evade issues perhaps to hide what he had done in the past. Those who would talk against him were silenced purposely and he would seek sympathy from those who would not know of the real situation.

Of those who are now active in his forum, how many really know Kelvin Montalbo? How many have actually met him? How many were in Pinoybadminton from the very start? How many really know what happened to Pinoybadminton?

Despite all these, we had the intention of greeting him for the new year but before we knew it, the person who looked like Kelvin Montalbo, moved like Kelvin Montalbo, acted like Kelvin Montalbo left with his group and evaded our looks… just like Kelvin Montalbo…

Happy New Year!

Another Plugging...

My family and I will be the guests in Father Bel San Luis' radio program "Salitang Buhay" on Sunday (Holy Family Sunday), December 31, 2006, 9pm over at DZMM, 630khz on the AM Band.

It is not the first time that I've guested in this radio program as I have been a resource speaker when it comes to family matters not only here but also in Radio Veritas in the past. So aside from badminton, a little bit of myself is being revealed little by little...

Plugging…

MCO Foundation and Equitable PCIBank present, Ariel Arambulo’s “MUSIC FOR CHRIST”, original compositions.

Featuring
Oliver Salonga, pianist
Lorna and Sophie Llames Reyes, sopranos
Herrick Ortiz, cellist and the
Greenhills Music Studio Ensemble

(Ok… I’ll be singing here too for the tenor part but only in one song.)

December 30, 2006, Saturday, 7pm at the Francisco Santiago Hall, Equitable PCIBank Tower 1, Makati Ave. cor. H.V. de la Costa St., Makati City.

FREE ADMISSION but donations would be appreciated for the benefit of ANG ARKO NG PILIPINAS, the local affiliate of L’ARCHE INTERNATIONAL, an international network of communities involved in creating and nurturing homes and day programs for people with developmental disabilities and those who share life with them (http://www.larche.org/).