Is Talk 'N Text stealing from its cash-strapped subscriber?

Is Talk 'N Text, "a wholly owned subsidiary of SMART," stealing from a cash-strapped subscriber?

This morning I loaded Gaantxt 10 onto my cellphone, a load equivalent to 55 texts to Talk ‘N Text/Smart + 5 texts to all networks! But when I replied to a very urgent text message, what appeared was not "Message Sent." It was "Check Operator Services." This happened before. Maybe my phone is so dumb that it needs a little time to absorb the fact that I have just loaded onto it. So I waited for about five minutes. Then I resent the message. Still, it was "Check Operator Services."

I refer the matter to my sister, who said maybe I just need to reload it. So I loaded it again with P30 ECONOMY Pack. Still, I was told to "Check Operator Services."

Now, I started to get irritated. No, naglagot na ko. Kita pa nga gatipid, kita pay kuwaan ug load.

I inquired 15001. Then I received a text message informing me that as of 29April 09:03 I have a "Load Bal: P30 Free Txt to Smart/TNT:100 Free Txt to all networks:5.

If so, why can't I text? And every time I do, why am I always told to "Check Operator Services?" Is Talk 'N Text suffering from a Dr.Jekyll-and-Mr.Hyde syndrome? It says that I still have a load, but in truth I don't.

Did Talk 'N Text, "a wholly owned subsidiary of SMART," just steal from me, a cash-strapped subscriber?

I'm afraid it did. The bad news is that I'm one of the many victims of this "cellphone load robbery," as Senator Juan Ponce Enrile put it. The good news is that I'm one of the many victims of this "cellphone load robbery."

I recall that no less than Senator Juan Ponce Enrile also fell prey to this "cellphone load robbery."

Now I begin to wonder: if Senator Enrile fell prey to this, how much more if the subscriber is a lowly one like me, a cash-strapped subscriber?

Update: Talk 'N Text is now back to normal. Which is to say, I can now send messages. But I won't delete this post. Let this be a reminder that once upon a time, Talk 'N Text went awry.

Poll automation, no matter what

A new way of doing things will always give feelings of discomfort to those who are accustomed or programmed to doing things their way---which is the old way. Just imagine you grandparents, who have never seen, let alone touch a computer, signing up for Facebook.

But if we know the old way is no longer working, what should we do? Obstinately stick to it? Or look for a new way of doing it? Of course, the latter is the more sound choice.

With regard to our elections, there is a clear need to look for a new way of doing it. Critics of the poll automation feel that there will be failures at some point. They are damn right. Surely, there will be failures.

But the risk of failure should not justify our inactivity.

Where have I been these past three days?

DAY ONE: April 25 (Sunday) - Compostela, Comval Province

[caption id="attachment_1701" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="L-R: Melay, Arvin, Elisa, Gracey, Lloyd, Wengkai, Etong, Chane, GR"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1702" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Lechon: The most delicious pig in the world, according to Time magazine. "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1703" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="What the eyes can't see, the mouth can taste. Brownout ani nga panahon. Pero wala mi magpapugong."][/caption]

DAY TWO: April 26 (Monday) - Bamboo Mountain Resort, New Bataan, Comval Province







DAY THREE: April 27 (Tuesday) - Sitio Panas, Brgy. Carcor, New Corella

[caption id="attachment_1710" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Panas Waterfalls"][/caption]

Project Law School: Why take up law?

I was twice asked why I want to take up law? My aunt asked me the first time. When she asked me that, I stared at her. Just stared. Then nodded. Then said, "I don't know."

"You have to have a reason," she said. Yes, I have to have a reason. But does everything we do need to have a reason? Can we not do it without being asked why we do it?

The second time I was asked was when I applied for a teaching position in one of the Catholic schools in Davao. (Clue: It's located on Obrero St.). The principal asked me "What would you with the salary?"

Simple. I said, "The salary I will use to support my law studies."

"So you're planning to take up law?" the principal asked. "Yes, ma'am," I said.

"Why do you want to be a lawyer?" Unlike my aunt's question, I thought I was obligated to answer this one. So I said, "I want to be a lawyer because I want to advance good causes. And I believe that the law is a powerful tool by which I can advance good causes. Aside, of course, from teaching."

Anyone who enters law school, I guess, enters with a certain degree of idealism. I am no exemption. I didn't lie to the principal when I said that I want to be a lawyer because I want to advance good causes.

But whether I will be financially rewarded while advancing good causes is another matter.

NOYNOY