Globe extends Free Facebook until April 24

 On the back of strong customer take-up, Globe Telecom is extending its Free Facebook offer available to over 38 million subscribers until April 24, 2014, allowing access to the top social networking site with no data charges.

            “Due to the overwhelming response from our subscribers, we are happy to extend Globe Free Facebook until April 24, just in time for the summer season, to allow more users to enjoy an innovative, seamless, and worry-free Free Facebook experience. As the country’s leading digital brand and preferred partner of technology leaders around the world, we hope to get more Filipinos online on their mobile devices and be part of a wonderful, connected world,” shared Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Vice President for Mobile Data Services at Globe Telecom.

The said promo was recently showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain by Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg in his keynote. Zuckerberg cited the partnership with Globe in connecting more Filipinos to the Internet, as he shared his vision of a connected world through his pioneering project Internet.org launched last year. The collaboration between Globe and Facebook paved the way for all Globe prepaid, postpaid, and TM customers to enjoy free access to the social networking site alongside customer experience innovations that address the fear of mobile browsing.

Among these customer experience innovations include accessibility on feature phones and smartphones* across all Facebook mobile platforms whether via the Facebook app or Facebook’s mobile site m.facebook.com.

Customers are also guaranteed of no billshock or “nakaw load” as they will be notified if they will incur data charges once a link that leads out of Facebook is clicked.

For a seamless experience, subscribers can also enjoy a one-click registration to the data plan of choice to continue browsing sites or links outside Facebook without having to leave the site. In the spirit of customization, recommended data plans consider a subscriber’s available prepaid balance and/or megabytes (MB) balance of existing data plan.

Finally, customers with not enough prepaid load can “loan” a 10MB data plan for only P10 which will be deducted on their succeeding top-up so they can fully explore content outside Facebook.

            Subscribers can dial *143# and select FREE FB or text FREEFB to 8888 to get more. Subscribers may also go to m.facebook.com/free on the phone's web browser or open the Facebook mobile app while on the Globe network to access Free Facebook.

*Except BlackBerry.  Free Facebook will soon be available to Nokia Xpress and Opera Mini users

Globe boosts product portfolio with enhanced prepaid offer

Sustaining momentum of its prepaid business, Globe Telecom beefs up its product portfolio by enhancing its most availed prepaid promo GoUNLI25 with additional access to social networking and search sites for the same price.

With the new GoUNLI25, prepaid subscribers can send unlimited texts and make unlimited calls to Globe/TM, and now get free access to Facebook plus another free internet site or app of their choice still for P25 valid for 1 day.

Subscribers can choose from any of six top social and search sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Google, Yahoo, Viber or Foursquare to boost their new GoUNLI25 promo bundle, allowing them to tweet, post photos, search the Web, send stickers and emoticons, and check-in with no Wi-Fi or additional data charges needed.

To register to the new GoUNLI25, subscribers can dial *143#, select GoSakto, select New GoUnli25, choose Select your free site, and then select Subscribe Now. Prepaid subscribers can also register to the new GoUNLI25 using the GoSAKTO app now available in iOS and Android-powered devices, giving users a digital experience on mobile.

“As Globe Prepaid moves into serving the youth and their digital lifestyle, we take a leap into understanding that their social networks are now an extension of their lives,” shares Issa Cabreira, Vice President for Globe Prepaid Business. “This is the inspiration behind the new GoUNLI25, which offers unlimited calls and texts to Globe/TM and now unlimited Facebook, and additional free access to the social networking or search site of choice without the need for Wi-Fi, providing the youth with more ways to explore and to stay connected online anytime, anywhere, without hurting their pockets. With the new GoUNLI25, we help the youth and the young at heart create a wonderful digital world that they can enjoy.”

According to TNS’ Mobile Life 2013, an annual study on behaviors of mobile users from 40 countries including the Philippines which involved 500 Metro Manila respondents aged 16-60, about 45% browse the internet from 32% in 2012 while 44% are accessing their social networking sites compared to 34% a year ago.

To know more about the new GoUnli25, visit www.globe.com.ph/gounli25. 

Love Apptually: The Top 5 Romantic Apps for Valentine’s Day

The day of hearts is just around the corner and its meaning varies for different people in diversified relationship status. Whether it’s finding that significant other, or booking that romantic dinner, we unveil the Top 5 Romantic Apps to make this Valentine’s Day most romantic, memorable or just a tad more bearable.   

FOR THOSE WHO ARE SINGLE

OkCupid

Let’s face it, there is no other day that a single person dreads more than February 14^th. Just imagine all the traffic and packed restaurants filled with gleam-eyed couples trading spoonfuls of dark chocolate cake. So as a means of prevention for this state of romantic solitude, we suggest you get your hands on the OkCupid app—the absolutely-free worldwide dating app that helps you find a suitable date with someone close by or on the other end of the world. OkCupid lets you sign up with your Facebook account or make a separate account on your mobile. The app’s Quick Match feature takes its Cupid status a little further by ranking potential dates for you, while shooting out arrows for your potential Match, Friend, and Enemy.

FOR THOSE IN THE FRIEND ZONE

Love Quotes 500

The Love Quotes 500 compiles the finest collection of quotes from history’s greatest writers and thinkers so that you, yes you, can convey just how you really feel for your special friend. Borrow the sonnets of Shakespeare, or the tenets of Thoreau, and share your heart desires on Instagram or Facebook and patiently wait for that favorable reply. And if all these wonderful, passion-affirming words fail, then at least you can claim that you’re simply channeling your inner hopeless romantic by sending love to all your friends, which is probably what you guys are going to be from then on.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ONLY JUST BEGUN

Love Test Calculator

Amidst the glossy filters of new romance, make it a point to discover just how compatible you guys really are with the help of modern science. The Love Test Calculator app takes all those slum book questions to the realms of your favorite now-defunct dating show, with quizzes and questions that greatly gauge your compatibility. And once you passed this stage, the Love Test Calculator takes it a notch further with dares and challenges that fire the passion of your new love; think of it as the Truth or Dare of the digital age. And once the glitter and confetti of new love subsides, and you run out of sweet things to say, swipe over its Tender Words feature to take on a few romantic quotes.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE DATING

Zomato

A lifestyle and dining app that rates hotels and restaurants in the Metro could come in handy when planning your next sentimental hang out. With handy menu lists, reviews, and photos to inspire your momentous table for two, Zomato makes it easier for you to contact your neighborhood hole-in-the-wall for that special banquet reservation, or foo

d delivery, should you decide to eat in. And with special listings in 11 countries worldwide, you can never run out of options for your passionate affairs.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE EXCLUSIVE

Red Stamp

After the courtship and the constant dates, by now your romantic life has left a dent on your bank account, and you are advised to spend wisely from here on out should you wish to take your relationship further. So, anything cheap and cheesy becomes more desirable when reigniting that fire of amore between you. The Red Stamp app lets you send stylishly personalized cards and notes to your loved one’s. And since it doesn’t cost a penny, maybe consistency is key to keep the swoon coming, and with hundreds of pegged designs and styles, Red Stamp could keep your significant other guessing while poring over sweet love notes for every single day of the year.

And to nurture your blossoming romance, from finders to keepers, an instant, reliable, and strong mobile internet connection is best to have and to hold. Globe PowerSurf 299 offers a consumable mobile internet plan to keep that passion burning, while keeping unnecessary billshock out of your blossoming relationship.

Loved by both Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers, Globe PowerSurf 299 comes with 3000MB of mobile data that is good for 30 days of non-stop connectivity.

To register for dial *143#.  For more information on PowerSurf, visit http://.globe.com.ph/surf

Tattoo Offers the Fastest Internet Connection with its New and Improved Post-Paid Plans

Success entails the ability to multi-task and stay ahead – keeping yourself informed, delivering breakthrough results and completely unleashing your strengths. This year, Tattoo allows you to do just that as it transforms every minute into an opportunity to defy expectations with its fastest and most affordable Tattoo postpaid plans.

A wonderful mobile online experience awaits subscribers as Tattoo offers a wider range of postpaid plans that utilize the latest technology to deliver ultra-high-speed internet access. Starting with plan 299, all Tattoo post-paid plans are now LTE-ready allowing you to boost your regular connection to enjoy LTE speeds of up to 42 Mbps – no lag, waiting and buffering. Made specifically for goal-getters, Tattoo promises an internet connection speed that will allow you to instantly be updated with the latest trends, news and information. As internet connection speeds affect the amount of information that you can access, only Tattoo’s fastest connection assures you of the many possibilities that await.

“Tattoo has always been an enabler, a tool for our customers to create their own mark and defy the norms. We always seek to transform the way our subscribers live, work and play by offering them only the best postpaid plans. Knowing how fun-loving, dynamic, competitive, and goal-oriented our Tattoo subscribers are, it is just right to keep updating our offers to match their needs. This time, Tattoo offers seamless connectivity with its LTE-ready devices enabling you to become one step ahead of others,” said Dong Ronquillo, Globe Vice President, Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business.

With Tattoo, you can now avail a mobile Wi-Fi under Plan 299 and 499 for only Php 500 one-time cash out. Also stay on-the-go and never miss an opportunity with Tattoo’s free LTE stick or regular mobile Wi-Fi with your Plan 999. Stay online anytime, anywhere you need to with plan 1299/1799/2499 that now comes with a free LTE mobile Wi-Fi. All mobile Wi-Fi devices can power up to 10 devices. Subscribers of Plan 299, Plan 499 and Plan 999 may also upgrade their browsing speeds from 12 Mbps to LTE speeds of up to 42 Mbps for only P300 per month.

Open yourself to wonderful possibilities and experience a high-performance internet for an affordable price only with Tattoo.

Experience a blazing fast internet connection with Tattoo Post-paid Plans now all with LTE-ready devices. Learn more about these new offers at tattoo.globe.com.ph, visit any Globe store nearest you, or call 730-1010.

Globe broadband services now available to local enterprises in typhoon-hit areas

With the recent normalization of Globe Telecom’s network in the Visayas region following extensive damage brought by Typhoon Yolanda, local enterprises may now avail of broadband services offered by the telecommunications provider in the region.

“We recognize the importance of communication services as a tool that could enhance business opportunities. We want to help the local economy in these typhoon-hit areas by making it our priority to restore network services that include not only voice and text services but also mobile data services, “said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.  He stressed that in support of the government’s rebuilding efforts, Globe has accelerated the restoration of telco services in the area to encourage local businesses to resume normal operations, provide livelihood for local residents and in turn spur the local economy.

Following the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region, Globe Telecom recently launched Project Wonderful, which aims to provide support in rebuilding communities through sustainable development. The company’s corporate response to nation building, Project Wonderful endeavors to provide shelter to the homeless, bring education to the children, and generate livelihood opportunities for the jobless.

                For the housing sector, Globe through a P15-million donation of its mobile and home broadband brand Tattoo, will build houses in the Gawad Kalinga Rotary Village in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte for the benefit of 100 families as well as provide livelihood projects for the  residents. Repair kits for 500 homes will also be given to affected host communities in Culion, Palawan; Daanbantayan, Cebu; and Guiuan, Eastern Samar in partnership with Habitat for Humanity while another 940 shelter kits will be distributed in Malaya and Madalag, Aklan in partnership with Non-Timber Forest Products.

                For the education sector, Globe will establish 100 tent classrooms in totally damaged elementary and secondary high schools as well as distribute at least 5,000 learning kits for students and teachers in identified tent schools. Latest statistics showed that Typhoon Yolanda damaged over 1 million houses, more than 20,000 classrooms of public schools, and P17 billion worth of agricultural products in regions 4B, 6, 7, and 8.

Globe subscribers to enjoy Free Facebook until February 14

Citing strong demand for one of its biggest promos to date, Globe Telecom is extending its Free Facebook offer available to its over 36 million subscribers until February 14, 2014, allowing users to post, like, comment, chat, add friends, upload photos, and share posts without the need for Wi-Fi.

                Globe collaborated with Facebook last year to offer its postpaid, prepaid, and TM subscribers access to the leading social networking site on mobile at zero data charges, alongside first-of-its-kind mobile innovations that address fear of mobile browsing, making the telco’s Free Facebook offer a world-first.

               

Among these customer experience innovations include accessibility on feature phones and smartphones across all Facebook mobile platforms whether via the Facebook app or Facebook’s mobile site m.facebook.com.

Customers are also guaranteed of no billshock or “nakaw load” as they will be notified if they will incur data charges once a link that leads out of Facebook is clicked.

For a seamless experience, subscribers can also enjoy a one-click registration to the data plan of choice to continue browsing sites or links outside Facebook without having to leave the site. In the spirit of customization, recommended data plans consider a subscriber’s available prepaid balance and/or megabytes (MB) balance of existing data plan.

Finally, customers with not enough prepaid load can “loan” a 10MB data plan for only P10 which will be deducted on their succeeding top-up so they can fully explore content outside Facebook.

                “Due to the overwhelming response and take-up from our subscribers, we are happy to extend Globe Free Facebook until February 14 to allow more users to enjoy an innovative, seamless, and worry-free Free Facebook experience, anytime, anywhere. As the country’s leading digital brand and preferred partner of technology leaders around the world, we hope to get more Filipinos online on their mobile devices and be part of a wonderful, connected world,” said Peter Bithos, Chief Operating Advisor of Globe.

Subscribers can dial *143# and select FREE FB or text FREEFB to 8888 to download more information or access Free Facebook. Subscribers may also go tom.facebook.com/free on the phone’s web browser or open the Facebook mobile app while on the Globe network to access Free Facebook.

Globe secures Ayala Alabang community support for more cell sites

Homeowners at the Ayala Alabang village joined a growing number of upscale subdivisions supportive of Globe Telecom’s bid to provide tailor-fit solutions that would significantly enhance connectivity in posh villages amid growing popularity of bandwidth-intensive devices.

The telecommunications provider started to address clamor for improved mobile coverage in Ayala Alabang in 2011 by investing significant capital expenditure to install additional cell sites and improve connectivity within the village. Ayala Alabang currently houses three Globe cell sites.  

Given the size of the village, seven to eight more cell sites are needed to further enhance connectivity inside the village, said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Head of Network Technologies Strategy.

“There are approximately 4,000 houses constructed of high grade materials and almost 30,000 residents inside the village. Households situated farther from base stations could experience poor mobile coverage as cellular signal and quality diminish with distance.  In addition,  there are  about 9,000 full-grown trees that could pose a challenge to providing deep indoor coverage for our customers in the area,” Estrada said.

He further noted that mobile data explosion amid growing access to internet connectivity, which requires more bandwidth than traditional voice and text messaging services, demands the establishment of more cell sites to ensure and deliver superior mobile data services especially indoors. In that way,  customers can access popular social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter on their smartphones in the comfort of their homes.

To squarely address subscriber requirement for higher bandwidth capacity, Globe is ready to implement tailor-fit solutions that would boost cellular coverage that would benefit the entire AAVA community, Estrada said.

Such solutions include the use of outdoor distributed antenna system (ODAS), which makes use of a specialized lamp posts built with radio signal transmission capability, as well as the use of cell sites disguised as palm trees or other aesthetically designed cell sites to blend with the surrounding areas such as those deployed in Urdaneta Village in Makati.

Exclusive villages that have approved or shown openness in allowing the installation of cell sites within their communities include Dasmarinas, Urdaneta, Bel-Air, San Lorenzo and Forbes Park. In Dasmarinas Village in Makati, homeowners allowed the installation of ODAS in the upscale subdivision. The ODAS technology is a network of small cell sites, instead of typical macro cell sites with shared equipment connected through fiber optic links. The solution makes use of a specialized lamp posts with radio signal transmission capability deployed along sidewalks. 

Sinulog 2014 goes digital with Globe Telecom

Turns to social media to create a wonderful festival through photos

With the advent of digital technology, Globe Telecom makes its presence felt at the Sinulog Festival in Cebu from January 16-19, 2014 by harnessing social media to showcase the vibrant and lively celebration to the rest of the world.

This year, the leading telecommunications company turns to social networking sites Instagram and Twitter to engage locals and tourists participating in one of the country’s biggest and most attended festivals with a photo submission contest.

To join the contest, Sinulog attendees should capture and upload photos taken from the Globe Neon Carnival on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtags #Wonderful2014 and #GlobeSinulog2014. The photos must tell the story of “Globe creating a wonderful world of festivals and celebrations at the Sinulog 2014”.

Five winners of Globe prepaid load cards plus 1 grand winner of P5,000 worth of prizes from Globe Telecom’s mass market brand TM will be awarded daily during the 4-day event.

Located at Block 11 Cebu IT Park, Apas in Cebu City, the Globe Neon Carnival is a village-like attraction that houses the Globe Mobility Store-on-the-Go, a one-stop shop showcasing the telco’s line-up of prepaid, postpaid and Tattoo broadband offers as well as exclusive Sinulog deals for subscribers to enjoy.

Aside from the roving Globe Store, the Globe Neon Carnival also features food carts and drinks stations, interactive game booths, and exciting prizes for lucky locals and tourists. Entertainment acts from blacklight dancers, local bands, and local and international DJs are expected to provide the fanfare at the event.

One of the highlights of the Globe Neon Carnival is the “Kaloka-like” contest, a concept that originated from a noontime show open to the public. Participants are to showcase their looks and talents to convince the crowd and the judges that they deserve to win the title. Three (3) celebrities composed of an international singer, a primetime TV queen, and a men’s magazine model will form the panel of judges.

In addition, a daily raffle will be open to subscribers who will avail of Globe Prepaid, Postpaid and Tattoo offers, with exciting prizes such as tablets, handsets, and gift certificates from partner-establishments.

“We invite both the locals and tourists attending the Sinulog Festival to ready their smartphones and take photos from the Globe Neon Carnival to be part of this year’s biggest Sinulog social media craze courtesy of Globe as we experience a brand new Globe network in Cebu. With a quick snapshot of the energy-filled festival celebration in Cebu, you can win prizes by showing to the whole world, via social media, that it’s really more fun in the Philippines,” said Globe Retail Transformation and Management Head Joe Caliro.

Open daily from 4:00PM until the wee hours of the morning the next day, the four-day event is open to the public for free but Globe subscribers will be greeted with a slew of food treats and freebies upon entry. To know more about #GlobeSinulog2014, follow @enjoyGLOBE on Twitter and like Globe Telecom on Facebook at www.facebook.com/globeph. 

Get the iPhone 5c for as low as P1,349 monthly from Globe

The iPhone 5s now available at P1,799 monthly with unlimited LTE

Globe Telecom is now offering the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s at more affordable price points under its fully-customizable Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, a next-generation postpaid plan that features fully-customizable plan components and a bigger plan value.

                The iPhone 5c 16GB is now available for as low as P1,349 monthly at Plan 499 with a monthly cashout* of P850 for a 24-month contract period. The postpaid plan bundle comes with 300 megabytes (MB) of mobile Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing and free calls and texts.

                On the other hand, the iPhone 5s 16GB is offered for as low as P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout* of P800 for a 24-month contract period. The plan is bundled with unlimited LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

                “Customers can now purchase the newest iPhones under our suite of fully-customizable postpaid plans at a price that’s easier on their pockets and enjoy the same best deals and innovative offers only from the leader in postpaid and trusted expert in iPhone,” shares Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid.

               On top of the offers now made more affordable, Globe subscribers also get free subscription to Globe Gadget Care, the complete mobile phone protection program against theft and accidental damage available in the market today, as well as free access to Facebook along with customer experience innovations until January 2014.

Globe is also offering the iPhone 5c 16GB in prepaid for only P29,000 and the iPhone 5s 16GB at P34,400 payable via credit card for up to 12-month installment at 0% interest. The prepaid kit comes with a free prepaid nano-SIM and free 900 MB of mobile browsing for 3 months.

                New and existing Globe subscribers who are loyal iPhone users can also avail of the iPhone Forever plan, an exclusive phone upgrade program that allows them to swap their current devices to get a new iPhone every year for free or with minimal cashout. The iPhone 5c 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1599, while the iPhone 5s 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1999, both for a contract period of 24 months. Both plans are bundled with 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

                To know more about the Globe iPhone offers, visit www.globe.com.ph or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

*Cash-out for 24 months payable at 0% installment via participating credit cards 

Globe to aid in community reconstruction via P15M Gawad Kalinga donation; holds disaster relief caravans

Concerned citizens flock at the Globe Prepaid On The Go caravan booth in Market!Market! to give donations for typhoon victims

Globe Telecom through its Bangon Pinoy (#BangonPinoy) program has pledged P15 million to help community reconstruction activities of Gawad Kalinga (GK) in the typhoon-devastated provinces even as the company holds mobile caravans to encourage donations for disaster relief efforts.

                The amount will be used primarily to build houses in GK Rotary Village in Brgy. Tambulilid, Ormoc, Leyte for the benefit of 100 families while part of the funds will be set aside for livelihood support to the residents.

                The institutional grant for GK was pulled together by Tattoo, Globe Telecom’s mobile and home broadband brand. A significant portion of the P15 million will come from the sale profits of Tattoo Prepaid Mobile WiFi from now until yearend and the 100 % profit donation from the plans sold by Tattoo Home Broadband in November and December 2013.

In addition, Tattoo will give 5,000 units of various Tattoo Prepaid Mobile Wifi and stick devices to be disseminated to the typhoon victims.

Gilbert Simpao, Head of Globe Broadband, said: "Apart from providing reliable connectivity, Tattoo would also want to extend all our resources to assist those who are most in need. And with majority of the families in badly hit areas losing their homes, Tattoo chose to focus on rebuilding and giving back sustainable life to families starting with Brgy. Tambulilid."

At the same time, the Enterprise Group of Globe Business provided WiFi connectivity to the GK Command Center in FTI Complex in Taguig City to enable fast coordination with the organization’s various partners in different parts of the country.  GK uses the internet service to perform webcasts via Ustream and to send real time updates of their activities. With GK relief operations in full swing this week, the business ICT arm of Globe Telecom will be increasing the bandwidth to 10 MBPS.

Meanwhile, Globe rolls out its Globe Prepaid On the Go caravan to raise subscribers’ awareness on various ways to help the typhoon victims.  Through the caravans which started at Market!Market! in Taguig City and Abreeza Mall in Davao City last November 16 to 17,  Globe subscribers may donate via any of five options:

1.       With every peso loaded in the Globe Prepaid On the Go Caravan, Globe Prepaid will match it with the same amount of donation for typhoon Yolanda victims. ​

2.       Through SMS. Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe).  Amount can be any of the following denominations - 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000.

3.       Donation of old phones to be given to subscribers in affected areas.

4.      Redemption of Globe Rewards points in 5, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 denominations.  Text DONATE<space>YOLANDA<amount> to 4438.  One point is equal to P1.

5.       GCash donation to Red Cross via Mobile GCash APP or by dialing *143#> GCash > Others > Donate > Amount > MPIN > Red Cross.

The Globe Prepaid On the Go caravan will also be held on November 23 and 24 at the Activity Center of The District mall in Imus, Cavite; November 30 and December 1 at the Promenade of Harbour Point in Olongapo City, Zambales; and December 14 and 15 at Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Globe currently has 26 Libreng Tawag stations, 39 Libreng Charging sites, 8 Libreng Tawag and Charging booths, and three Libreng Internet facilities in Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Antique, Capiz, and Pasay City. 

Over 200 Globe employee volunteers have so far provided relief packages to almost 4,500 families and hot meals to 3,000 individuals.

Details of Globe Bangon Pinoy efforts can be viewed at http://globe.com.ph/bangonpinoy.

Globe Bangon Pinoy is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by the recent calamity to benefit from relief operations, free call and text services, network restoration, and a series of community-rebuilding activities. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country.  

Globe “Bangon Pinoy” provides relief ops, hot meals to thousands of families in the Visayas

Various relief activities of Globe Bangon Pinoy (clockwise):  Manapla, Negros Occidental; Antique; Capiz; and San Remigio, Cebu.

Globe Telecom employee volunteers have trooped to typhoon-devastated areas in the Visayas region to provide relief packages to almost 5,000 families and hot meals to 3,000 individuals.

Globe Bangon Pinoy relief operations were held in Panay, Bogo, Bantayan, San Remigio, and Malapascua in Cebu;  Ormoc and Tacloban, Leyte;  Poblacion, Iloilo; Roxas City, Capiz; Barbaza, Antique, Manapla, Negros Occidental, and Kalibo, Aklan.

Hot meals, on the other hand, were distributed via Red Cross Mobile Kitchen in San Dionisio and Concepcion, Iloilo and Roxas, Capiz. while 50 sacks of rice were turned over to the Iloilo provincial office.

The relief packs are composed of basic necessities such as food and bottled water even as the company is set to send donations of usable clothes and footwear, sanitation kits, and blankets.

At the same time, Globe volunteers again lent their time and efforts to the repacking operations at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City.

                Meanwhile, Globe Tattoo has put up Libreng Internet sites at the Globe Store, Ground Floor, MFT Bldg., Real St, Ormoc City; JCT Hub, Ormoc City Plaza; and Mactan International Airport in Cebu.  This is in addition to the Tattoo Libreng Internet booths already operational in Villamor Air Base, Philippine Naval Base in Cebu.

Four more Libreng Tawag and Charging centers were also set up in Iloilo namely:  Lemery Municipal Hall, Concepcion Municipal Hall, San Dionisio Municipal Hall, and San Rafael Municipal Hall.  To date, there are 36 Libreng Tawag and 58 Libreng Charging booths in Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Iloilo, Antique, and Capiz.

Outside of the affected areas, Globe Bangon Pinoy is rallying for help across the Philippines.  One of the initiatives is the TM Republikaravan, a one-stop-shop where subscribers may know more about typhoon-related activities of TM.

Likewise, TM has started its TM Republikaravan at the Angeles City National High School in Pampanga and Golden State University in General Santos City over the weekend.  More are scheduled at the University of Southern Philippines, Davao City (Nov. 20); Mindanao State University, Iligan City (Nov. 22); Brgy. 72 Covered Court, Moriones, Tondo, Manila (Nov. 23); Commonwealth National High School, Quezon City (Nov. 29); Waltermart, Gapan, Nueva Ecity (Dec. 1);  Glorietta, Baliwag, Bulacan (Week of Dec. 2-8); and Polytechnic State College, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur (Dec. 13).

During the TM Republikaravan events, TM will match every load purchased by the subscribers for donation to the typhoon victims and will also encourage teachers and students to give anything in kind.  All Rewards points used to purchase items in TM Sari-sari Store will be donated as well.

TM Republikaravan has also organized  “Dance for a Cause,” an Inter-barkada dance competition wherein the winning group will be donating half of their cash prize for the affected families.

Bangon Pinoy is Globe Telecom’s enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. It is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by calamities to benefit from various efforts geared towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country. 

For more updates visit www.globe.com.ph/BangonPinoy. Follow us on Twitter @EnjoyGlobe (#BangonPinoy) and on Facebook.com/globeph.

Globe Telecom ups service in 16 more towns mostly in Samar, Leyte

Globe Telecom expanded further its cellular service in Leyte and Samar provinces as the telecommunications company continues to prioritize restoration of cell sites in areas that are hardest hit by the typhoon.

Globe said mobile services are now available in the towns of Isabel and Palo in Leyte; Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Lope de Vega  in Northern Samar; Hinunangan, Limasawa and Sogod in Southern Leyte;  San Sebastian and Pagsanghan in Western Samar and Culasi and Laua-an in Antique, Dumarao in Capiz and Daanbantayan in Cebu

“Optimization of cell sites by increasing transmission power has resulted in substantial expansion of its cellular coverage in typhoon-stricken areas,” noted Robert Tan, Globe Chief Technical adviser.

The telecommunications provider said it also expects to restore cellular service in Borongan, Eastern Samar anytime soon. “A major cell site facility in Borongan is essentially intact and that would give us good umbrella coverage once transmission alignment is completed,” Tan said.

Globe has already restored network coverage in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Guimaras and Siquijor.

In Leyte, municipalities with cellular coverage are as follows:  Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palompon, Palo, Santa Fe, Tabango and the cities of Baybay, Ormoc and Tacloban as well as the towns of Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Lilo-an,  Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos,  Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, Silago, Sogod  and in Tomas Oppus in Southern Leyte.

In Samar island, on the other hand, areas with cellular coverage include Calbayog City, Catbalogan City as well as the towns of Gandara, Hinabangan, Jiiabong, Pagsanghan, San Sebastian, Marabut, Motiong, Paranas, Pinabacdao, Pagsanghan , San Jorge, Santa Margarita, Santa Rita, San Sebastian, Tarangnan, Villareal and Zumarraga all in Western Samar as well as the municipalities of Bobon, Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Lavezares,  Lope de Vega, Mondragon, Palapag, Pambujan, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Victoria, all in Northern Samar.

In Panay, areas with mobile services include the municipalities of Altavas, Banga, Ibajay, Kalibo, Lezo, Makato, Malay, Malinao, Numancia, Tangalan, Nabas and  New Washington in Aklan and the areas of Ivisan, Dumarao, Tapaz and Roxas City in Capiz as well as the towns of  Anini-y, Barbaza, Belison, Bugasong, Culasi, Hamtic, Laua-an Patnongon, San Jose, San Remigio, Sibalom, Tibiao and Tobias Fornier in Antique.

Two Globe Bangon Pinoy Libreng Tawag centers up in Tacloban City; Libreng Internet offered in Mactan and Villamor airbase

Globe Telecom, through its Bangon Pinoy program (#BangonPinoy), has put up two Libreng Tawag Centers in Tacloban City as well as Libreng Internet facilities in Mactan and Villamor airbase for easier communications between the typhoon victims and their kins.

                The first Libreng Tawag station was set up at Globe FOBN in Naga-Naga while the second one is being housed at the Department of Labor and Employment Office, DOLE Compound, Trece Martirez St.

For Tacloban residents who opted to leave for Cebu and Manila, Libreng Internet is also being offered by Globe at the Mactan Airbase and Villamor Airbase, respectively.

                Power and communication services were completely cut off in Tacloban City for several days after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda, leaving the severely-devastated area isolated from the rest of the country.

               

Globe also provided Libreng Internet via MyFi to Red Cross in San Jose, Antique to allow Red Cross to respond to online inquiries as to the whereabouts of residents in Culasi, Antique.

                Globe currently has 17 Libreng Tawag stations, 32 Libreng Charging sites, eight Libreng Tawag and Charging booths, and two Libreng Internet facilities  in Iloilo, Cebu, Leyte, Bohol, Antique, Capiz, and Pasay City.

                Meanwhile, Globe Bangon Pinoy continues to call for donations either in cash or in kind.  Relief goods such as clothes, footwear, mosquito nets, and blankets may be dropped off in all Globe Prepaid On-The-Go caravans, details of which can be viewed from http://globe.com.ph/bangonpinoy.  TM Republikaravan will also match every load credit sold in the caravans with a donation.

                For cash donations to Red Cross, it may be done via Mobile GCash APP or by dialing *143#> GCash > Others > Donate > Amount > MPIN > Red Cross. Overseas Filipino Workers who want to help may also visit any GCash Remit partner outlet in the country where they are staying to send their donation.