I am really so amazed now at how easy it is to communicate somebody from the other side of the world. Can you believe it, just 2 decades ago it was hard for me just to make a phone call to Bob in the States. I had to go to the phone service office and make my call there. I had to wait in line for my turn and its only on the weekend too. Can’t call abroad during weekdays. There are times when I would go to the office that the line to call abroad is off. Gosh, I had to wait until the next week for me to call again. I really wonder sometimes, how did we make it? During that time we were also using the post office to send our mail. It took me like a month to get Bob’s first mail and vice versa.
Nowadays with email in just seconds the other person gets it instantly. You can even use your cell phone now to send email. Cell phones were popular in the States in the mid or late 90’s. I remember when we took our vacation here in the Philippines in 1999. My goodness I didn’t know then about texting. As soon as the plane hit the runway, you could hear a lot of noise in peoples pockets. At first I thought the people were just playing games. I didn’t realized that it was a text message. Philippines were way ahead on that than in the States. As you know the texting were being popular in the States in the early 2000s. If not that we move here I probably don’t know and would be lazy of texting. I hated it at first. I hated carrying a cell phone here. In the States I usually leave my cell phone in my car or just inside my purse. Now, I can see a lot of people in the States carry their cell phone with them. A lot of people now know how to text too. Once in awhile I received text from my friends from the States and some other countries. I think its more expensive here for texting than in the States not sure on that though.
Here even the people plowing the fields in the middle of nowhere has a cell phone in his pocket. Sometimes me and my nieces here were talking about their neighbor in Patag, my birth place. In that place a lot of times you can’t get signal from our cell phone provider. We have to find a good spot to get the signal. Its really a pain. We will have a good laugh sometimes my niece told me that a their neighbor in Patag whose job is to get coconut wine (tuba) from a coconut. What he does he will climb the coconut tree and he will text or call his daughter who works in Manila or other place in the Philippines. He has good signal on top of the coconut tree!
A thought struck me a few days ago. A friend of mine lives in the States for over 2 years now. She’s been having difficulty adjusting to being alone there. I mean with just the husband and the kids of the husband with them there. I feel she’s really lonely for a family there. My gosh I was thinking of my time in the States before with myself and only Bob and his family were my immediate family there. I didn’t have any close relatives in the States. For me it was very hard at first. A lot of nights we have to run to Bob’s parents house just for me to cry my heart out with mom (Bob’s mom). She was really a big help for me and Bob. I found some friends. They too were having difficulty, but at least some of them had cousins or friends that live in a different State that they can communicate. They also tried to tell mom their lonely times there. Thes get together were the best part we could talk and share our loneliness. Calling to the Philippines in the mid 90’s was getting better then. We have what we called the calling card. Just scratch and get the number in the back of the card. It was pretty good back then. Sometimes the connections were horrible, can’t hear the other end or they can’t hear me. It’s frustrating sometimes, but it helpedw me at that time. I have been trying to connect with some of my friends back in the States. Most of my friends were way older than me a few were younger. The older ones, they will just let their kids do the email and stuff. The kids would tell me that “mom’s not really into the internet thing”. Usually we just talk on the phone. Lucky for me we have Vonage. It’s just like talking on a regular phone. Good connection too. It’s a US line and it rings here in our house in the Philippines. So, I can talk with my friends anytime with no problem. Some friends want to communicate in Skype no problem too. Of course to have internet here you get an internet provider. Right now we are using SmartBro. We are happy with it. We even have 2 SmartBro accounts in our house. It’s easy to get it too.
Now, to connect with an old classmate or long lost family member just use Google or some other way of looking up in the Internet. Amazingly you will find what you are looking for. The internet really is the best way to communicate. I know most of us can’t live without it. I know for sure if our internet be off in just few hours we really get upset. We are internet and cell phone addicts.
Do you think the instant communication would make the people more homesick? Would it be better do you think to not communicate with the loved one (the person that lives abroad) more often for them to adjust easily? What do you think guys?
Cheers!
Hi Feyma,
Yes communication has come a long way,and much cheaper.
I can call a cellphone or landline in PI for US15c a minute from UK.
With Yahoo instant messaging,if both people have a pc they can make free live calls pc to pc and back it up with webcam viewing.
After initial free set up,i can receive Txt from PI direct on to my pc,i believe it costs the sender in PI about P5 from a cellphone.However it costs them to receive a txt if i reply through my pc.
regards Chas.
Hi chasdv – In the Philippines, it never costs money to receive a call or a text. Only the sender pays here.
Feyma,..Me and my G/F communicate with sms alot,and also cam 2 cam when she can go to the cafe'
It really is hard sometimes not being there in person,but we are thankful for the net,and cell,it's a great way to connect when we are so far from one another.
Texting here in the states has come a long way,.you can now pay a flat rate and have unlimited texting.
Randy
Hi Feyms,
I still communicate with mom, brothers thru chatting (YM), it’s easier because we can see each other on cam & the kids like it a lot. I like to chat with my cousins, sometime I’m jealous because they all gather at our house and eating pinoy food that I can’t have and wish I’m there to enjoy the festivities.
I can’t live w/out communicating with my family… even though sometimes, you don’t want to hear problems, but that’s life, no matter where you go there always problems. Believe it or not I still get homesick. I still have “Pinoy system all over me” after 19 yrs still long to come home.
TC Feym.
Hi Feyma
I know when I was corresponding with my girlfriend (now my wife), we send letters (people used to write on paper using ink)- seems very old idea these days !!! as well as the odd telephone call.
In times when I was alone, I really appreaciated re-reading these letters, maybe also looking at some photo's she sent. Telephone calls are nice but once the call is finished, that's it.
Sometimes I wished she was on pc so we could send email to eachother, but there is something very special about receiving a letter thru the post.
Hi Feyma,
About your Filipino friends that may feel isolated here in the USA there are many many Philippine / American associations here in the USA. Have your friends here do some websurfing and maybe they can find one in their area. I found a bunch of them while websurfing about The Philippines. These apppear to be social and some business associations ( or clubs ) made up of people from The Philippines who have moved here to live, work, or for other reasons. I have seen pics of some of the social events they have including " Filipino Home Made " traditional foods !
Yes, communication sure has evolved over the past few decades. the early " car Phones " had a box the size of a suit case in the trunk of the car with the necessary " vintage Electronics " necessary to make a call in those days.
Long before the internet and PC's however those with an interest in it could communicate worldwide by Amateur Radio by voice, telegraphic code and my favorite in those days was by Radio-Teletype in which you could send and receive printed text on paper and for the most part was instantanious ! You could not however communicate with those in far off places in the world at any time you wanted to, the signal conditions had to be favorable for that.
When I compare now by using PC and Internet compared to how I used Radio Teletype back in the 60's and 70's it is a breathtaking comparison.
I never got into the Cell Phone " craze " however as when I am away from my landline phone I don't wat to be bothered with phone calls LOL. I know for business they are invaluable though.
I was amazed at the texting in the Philippines, it seemed everyone everywhere was occupied with their cell phone reading a txt or originating one LOL. When I thought about it though, txt is a lot more polite as it is not as noisey or annoying as it is here sometimes with people talking so loudly into their cell phones in a restaurant, at the movies, and yes even at a funeral ! People don't seem to realize that cell phones have sensitive microphones and you don't have to " shout " into them to be heard on the other end LOL !
Todays internet as we have it now and for the last decade or more I think has really changed the way a lot of the world lives although at times it can become quite an addiction.
Chances are, I never would have known much or learned anything at all about the Philippines, let alone come and visit if it were not for the Internet and the PC !
Kamusta ka Feyma,
It would have driven me crazy to not hear from Rose for more than a day, so I could imagine what you and Bob went through, when you both were first communicating with each other. But those were the times, and things have changed drastically.
As for the person overseas who is feeling homesick and lonely, I would think it good for them to keep in contact with family and friends in the Philippines, either by phone or computer email or instant messaging. But also if possible for her to go out and make some new friends as well, maybe from neighbors, community functions, church, and other social events.
I can imagine a filipina or filipino, or really anyone being a little homesick, I would be too. Even when I moved to Florida away from my brothers, and good friends, I talked to them as much as possible, and then slowly didn't call as much, and settled into my environment. Then eventually bought my first computer(1998), and kept in contact that way, even played internet games with brothers when possible.
Rose has told me that she would be homesick of course at first and miss her family back in Philippines, but also was looking forward to having my family around to help her, and keep her company as well, and make new friends here in USA. But the first thing she always said was, "The technology is so great nowadays, I can talk to them very often from USA to Philippines".
Salamat kaayo, ingatz!!
Danny 🙂
I don't understand the need for constant instant communication with the world. I hardly ever know where my phone is. Sometimes Melanie will say I was trying to call. Sorry I left it in the shop. I just don't feel that need.
I see friends out with eachother, and most in the group are texting, or talking with someone. Could it be the person across the table?….lololol
Melanie on the other hand has to save the world, and be ready to recieve, or send a message NOW! Don't get me wrong I love the ease of it. I just don't understand the constant use of it. Then again for decades I was a single-handed sailor, and completely content with being alone, and being left alone……i2f…..John
Hi Bob,
I stand corrected on that point LOL.
regards Chas.
Hi Feyma,
I was just thinking about the first computer i saw in the early 1970,s.It was about the size of a wardrobe and housed in a dust free room,it could only do what a small hand held calculator can do today.
Also the first mobile cell phone i ever saw was the size of a brick.
regards Chas.
Hi chasdv – Ha ha ha very true. At that time I'm sure if you have computer you are the high up people in town. 😉
Oh yeah the humongous cell phone it was cool back then. Its embarrassing now to have that kind. So many cool and unique cell phone nowadays.
Hey are you still keeping some in your attic? 😉
Take care.
Hi chasdv – Yes a lot of people use yahoo messenger (they will say YM).
To receive call or text here it would not cost any money. To text outside the Philippines it cost 15pesos. But some people will buy like globe or smart sim. If you chose the globe sim you go then to the globe office and have your sim go for international roaming. So then if you bring your sim outside the Philippines anybody that text you from the Philippines will just pay one peso only. We know of some people that use the roaming sim.
If a person in the Philippines reply to the text from the PC it cost 2.50 pesos.
Hope the info help to some people here.
Take care.
Hi Randy – True enough though. Thank God for the internet.
When we left the States not much people used sms. Nowadays a lot of people are crazy about it. Good way to communicate.
Thank you for stopping by here.
Hi Ann – Its really good to communicate but I hear you on seeing your family enjoying the Filipino food. Thats a bit of a torture. 😉 Hey that's one of the reason sometimes I don't talk much about our food here. I know your feeling. Been there my dear. You know me when I used to live there I never know how to cook any good Pinoy dish.
Anyway, good thing with the internet now all of us learn more from each other and know more places too.
You take care always.
Hi Bacolod Barry – For me its something to talk about with my kids. They just could not believed the way Bob and I communicate. They just thought it was easy.
I hear you. The communication before has the nostalgic side of it. Going back to the love letters and its really handwritten. I know sometimes its hard to read but its okay though. The greeting card its really for real, its not virtual.
Oh well, all of us can't live without the internet and cell phone now. Instant communication is really good too.
Good to see you here.
Hi Feyma,
Ha Ha sorry no really old cell phones in my attic,but i do have one of the first microwave ovens invented, stored in my attic.A Cordon Bleu,it weighs a ton LOL.
regards Chas.
Hi Feyma – My comms with back in the States is limited, but on purpose. We left there and only want to talk with our sons and other direct relatives. Now, our comms are with friends & relatives here.
Oh yeah, and Vonage calls with Bob! 😆
Judging from all I've read, I think home-sickness for the Philippines is a worrying thing, and something to take into account when anyone from there moves abroad. The kind of social friendliness I read about is very scarce in most other places. Maybe the video-call technology is something to include as a priority in any plans. If relatives left in Phils have and can use the hardware, it must be a big help. Of course, it depends where those relatives are re connectivity etc. as you mention about the coconut tree. Can't put a desktop pc up there, it would rain for sure.
Hi Paul – Hey if that works good for you guys.
Take care.
Hi jonaky – Really with the technology nowadays anything is possible.
With coconut, hmmm maybe use wireless on that. Can even use the cell phone for surfing. 😉
Thanks for stopping by.
Should check out Chikka, free for people outside philippines to txt to PI cell phones and local txt rates for filipinos to send to the usa
Vanessa uses it daily and has so since she came to the USA.
Hi Rich – I personally hate it when somebody sends me a text through Chikka. As a matter of fact, I don't respond to Chikka texts. Yeah, it's free for you to send… it is not "local text rates" for people in the Philippines, though. It is expensive to reply to a Chikka text.