Wifi Junkie and Globe Visibility
The first thing I do when I wake up is to open my laptop. Check my e-mail, then log to my IM and surf.
It’s been a daily ritual. So, it was a major shakeup when my laptop died on me few days before my “Wide†Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing road show. Laptop won’t boot. I don’t know if it’s a memory problem, hard disk or motherboard.
Anyway, I found a shop near my place that fixed laptop. They diagnosed that my motherboard needs to be replaced. Oh good, that means there’s no need to buy a new laptop. Yahoo! Plus, my PCMCIA slot will be fixed. (Got this problem with my PCMCIA slot ever since I accidentally dropped my laptop, the PCMCIA slot got torn from my motherboard.) Unfortunately, I can’t bring my laptop with me for the Digitalfilipino and YOSSN roadshow.
You know, not having an internet access during those days was like. I’m in a withdrawal syndrome. Yup, my companions got their laptops with them. But, it was only Janet’s who’s always online via Globe Visibility. Stephanie and Cannie always scouting for wi-fi! Hahaha. Thus, they connote a term “Wi-fi Junkine†Always looking for a wi-fi hotspots.
In Cagayan de Oro, almost all restos there offers free wi-fi access. Unlike, in Manila, few restos offers free wi-fi, the only coffee shop I know that offers free wi-fi – Baang Coffee along Tomas Morato. Another, Shangri-La and Robinson’s Galleria offers free wi-fi too. And, yesterday I discovered a free wi-fi at G/F of Podium. Hehehe
Oh wi-fi is good, but I hate to be restricted. Last time when I went to Boracay, I bought with me my GSM modem. Planning to access the interent via Globe GPRS, I thought I will be charged a very minimal fee since I will just be accessing my e-mails and its 0.15/kb. To my surprise my bill shoots to 2000 pesos in just one day! So, I went around the place and scout for a free wi-fi. At the d’ Mall, there are free wi-fi by restaurants there. But, of course you have to order food that will cost you around 300-500 bucks. That would be cheap, if I will stay the whole afternoon. But, my dear hubby won’t let me.
To get free from being a wi-fi junkie, I’ve considered two options. Subscribe to Smart to get a free 3G phone. Smart charges 10 pesos for 30 mins usage, this is my choice. However, I heard a lot of stories. According to some, Smart 3G is slow! So, I move to my next option getting a Globe Visibility plan. Witnessing Janet high speed access using Globe Visibility, I’m game! For only 2000 pesos a month, you can surf and download all you want as long as there’s a Globe signal. How sweet is that! Compared to my one day GPRS usage, sulit!
My first attempt is to get the “Laptop + Phone + Globe Visibilityâ€, this is a globe promo that includes a free HP laptop, HSDPA/3G Phone and PCMCIA card for only 7000 a month. I signed up one week prior to our road show. Unfortunately, have not heard from Globe, so after the road show. My second attempt was to signed up at Globe DigitalExchange at Glorietta. I thought at that time I could get my PCMCIA card already. Since, I asked the Chris (Globe staff) if there’s an available unit if I signed up. He said yes, so I’m excited. I even texted Janet that I’ll be getting a Globe Visibility. At that time, Janet was at the Bed Bar preparing for the IMMAP event. Unfortunately, there’s also someone beside me signing up. He beat me by a mere minute! After he passed his form, I followed. Unfortunately, Chris (Globe staff) informed me that there’s only one unit left. And, the guy who passed the form will be the one to get the last unit! ARrrgH! Third attempt, me and hubby shopping at SM Hypermart at Libis then I saw a newly opened Globe Business Center! I immediately went in and inquired if there’s a unit available. The friendly staff informed me that there’s one unit available. And asked if I want the PCMCIA or USB device, I told her I want the PCMCIA device. Good, I was told. They only have a PCMCIA device on stock. I shared with her that I’m so glad. Because, the last time I was beaten to it, then the staff informed me. If the guy before me chose a PCMCIA then I’m beat again. Fortunately, the guy wants a USB device.
Okay, to make the long story short. Finally and finally, I got my globe visibility! I just waited 3 working days to have it activated! And, viola! I’m hooked!
Wide Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing
Okay, I won’t go to the story telling of our trip. Stephanie and Aileen beat me to that already. Oh, amongst us Manual Villoria was the first to blog about the event. (Nice to meet this guy, thanks for sharing your knowledge about online marketing)
Here are some blog / news coverage about the event too:
• More Women Doing Business Online (Janette Toral)
• CDO-Davao-Cebu Travel Blog (Aileen Apolo)
• CDO-Davao-Cebu Roadshow (Aileen Apolo)
• DigitalFilipino IT Amazing Race, Women’s Series (Stephanie Caragos)
• My Author’s Avenue Leatherbound Journal (Janette Toral)
• Women in Web, Wireless, and Outsourcing (Manuel Viloria)
• Getting serious about e-commerce (Janette Toral)
• Women in eCommerce (Janette Toral)
It was my first time to join a road show. Last Nov 21 to 23, 2006, Janet Toral of digitalfilipino.com and Cannie May of yossn.com organized a road show entitled Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing. The road show covered Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Cebu City and Manila.
The road show for me was exciting, educating and empowering. I was excited because it’s my first time to go to Cagayan de Oro, first time to go back to Davao City after 25 years (Oh, I’m a Davao Girl by the way. My family migrated to Manila when I was 7 years old) and lastly I’m going to Cebu!
I really enjoyed and learned a lot from this trip. Just by merely being there opened my eyes to so many things.
*Oh, regarding the topic! 
It was actually a joke amongst us speakers. The tour was entitled Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing, but we’re all big women! Well, except of course, Aileen Apolo of Google.
I want a Google Shirt sized XL!
Everybody is crazy about getting a Google Shirt. Am I right? Well, I’m one of them.
Last month, before the “Wide†Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing road show, Janet organized a workshop on search engine optimization at my internet café ( Alfox Computer Center – Kamuning Road cor EDSA ) and Aileen Apollo, lone Philippine consultant of Google, graced the event.
Aileen presented her Online Marketing slideshow. She discussed several Google products. And, during the presentation she asked the participants questions about Google product. This is where I got my first Google Shirt, when I got “Google Adwords†correctly. Oh yes, I’m ecstatic! My dad was there at the event. I showed him my Google Shirt.
After the event, I have partially forgotten about the Google Shirt. Until I visited my parents home and saw the Google Shirt. I asked my dad how it got there. Oh, my dad simply told me “Size Medium, hindi siya kasya sa iyo.†(Size Medium, it will not fit you.) Aw, yup my dad is right it will not fit me nor it will fit him! Hahaha
Next, as I was chatting with Stephanie Caragos of Syntactics, I shared with her that Google will be giving out shirt. But warned her that, “Hanggang tingin lang tayo Steph, too big for us!†(We can just look at the Google Shirt; it’s too big for us!) And, we just laughed it off.
During the road show, Aileen proceeded with her usual presentation plus the question and answer part. While, me and Stephanie will just bicker that we can just look at the Google Shirt. Though, we chided Aileen that there should be an XL! Aileen shared that Google might have perceived that Filipino are small. Because they always met with Aileen, and…. hehehehe
On our last night in Cebu, (well it’s always a last night for us in every city we visited, since we stay one day for each city 
) Cannie and Stephanie both got a plastic bag from Aileen, in it was a Google Shirt sized XL! Grrrr, I’m envious! Moreso, Stephanie even modeled the shirt in front of me. Showing that the shirt fits!
Next day, I complained to Aileen. Well, she promised me for one when we get to Manila.
So, yesterday, there was a Digitalfilipino club meeting. And, the theme is Online Marketing. Yes, Aileen is one of the speakers again. And, I’m ready to answer. Finally, I got a Google Shirt sized XL! That night, I tried the shirt and it fits me! Yehey!
Digitalfilipino’s Christmas Party
(L-R) Aileen Apolo (Google), Jay Frank de Jesus (titikpilipino.com), Michael Limueco (etrade.com.ph), Jovel Cipriano (pinoydelikasi.com), Janet Toral (digitalfilipino.com), Abby Ongyanco-Lim (virramall.com), Alfredo Ongyanco (alfox.net), Charlie Gaw (acclaim butterflies), Chris Angeles (CSA Marketing), Joan Pinon (mylittlebaker.com) - Photo from Aileen
Yesterday, me and dad attended the Web Marketing Forum / Christmas Party by Digitalfilipino.com. The event was hosted by yehey.com at Automall, Silver City (at the back of SM Hypermart along C5)
Too bad, we were late. I was really looking forward to hear the presentation of Manny Viloria. During the last digitalfilipino club event, the Manila Leg of Women on Web, Wireless and Outsourcing, Manny was selflessly sharing what he know about online marketing. From him, I learned that one should be comitted in publishing on a scheduled time and day (e.g. religiously blog at a specified time and day) Also, one should at least publish a 250 words article. Lastly,he shared that the quickest way to get a PR5 is to published at least 5 podcast at itunes. Hmmm, I have not tried this.
Anyway, I catch Manny sharing with the group about “Where are the people?”
For me, this is like what are people doing online and what are there activities. I remember little (my poor memory). Hehehe will just download the slides from digitialfilipino.com
Next, Aileen presented Web Marketing Online. She talked about Google products and marketing your website online. Hey, I got a XL Google Shirt! I was able to enumerate Google products. Hehehehe
Then, Jonas de los Reyes of yehey.com, shared to the group yehey online marketing initiatives for the past 10 years. Also, he announced to the group the upcoming payment gateway of yehey.com that accepts Bancnet, Visa/Mastercard/JCB, G-Cash and Smart Money.
Finally, Wilson Chua of Bitstop Network Services, shared to the group his experience in Search Engine Optimization.