It appears to be a yearly thing, the quest for the latest greatest whoop tee do Cella Phone, with APP’s you (Meaning I) will never understand or use, I won’t even list the super dupper things it can do. But I do know it will do all the things that last year’s model will do and won’t even do them better. I still have a large screen “MyPhone” (PNP 3,000.00) that does exactly what I want it to do.
It allows me to make and receive phone calls, to text and receive incoming texts in large font. It allows me to charge it all the time and it will collect dust on my dresser, but I do check it during the day for Msg’s and mis-calls. It has a camera that takes blurry photos, but I have a nice camera that when needed I carry with me more often than any phone. I can go on line with it but never have, because I own a computer that I keep at home. Now it has a great volume button and the font is large, and I figured out how to use the on screen key board. For me it’s the perfect cella phone (Okay I know Smart Phone is the proper term) But if my wife calls it a cella phone, who am I to correct her?
Garbage, typhoons, And Augmented teeth, this has been one busy month, Mayang joined me outside while I was enjoying an adult beverage (Not my first and definitely not my last) When the subject of new cella phones came up. Not really a new phone for her, but she was willing to pass down to me her Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos GT 19082 Smart type (Cella) Phone (PNP 14,000.00) so I would have a much nicer one than I now have. Do you see where this was going? I certainly did.
I exclaimed: “Oh Mahal, you always think of my needs first, and what a wonderful idea!” She has a confused look on her face, wondering if it was my steady beer consuming, or had I lost it while battling my augmented new teeth that caused me discomfort.
As I mentioned last week, yes; I had fell off a turnip truck but it was sixty years ago. So I asked what new phone she would need in order to make this sacrifice for me? I explained that especially since I had no idea how to operate her wiz-bang high tech cella smart phone, Ahh the look of disappointment and rejection, which came over my wife’s face when I said that.
Mayang, could there be another reason a new cella (smart) phone is required? Could it be at Texas Joe’s the other day your friends all had new type smarty farty cella phones? Well, her eyes dropped down and to the left, so once more I said; Honey Ko. Is that the reason? It seems that it was, but I loved the convoluted way she brought up the subject. Knowing that over the years she has asked for little and given so much, so yes, there is a new cella phone in her future. My phone will remain the “My-Phone” sitting on my dresser doing its tireless work of receiving texts and mis-call that I might or might not answer, and not forgetting that one bank that’s been wanting to loan me Millions of Peso will be ignored for sure.
So I said to Mrs. Thompson; “You know that you are not my Mother, but because the coming Sunday is “Mother’s Day” I will take you for lunch…. (Wait for it) and a new Cella smart phone at the Mall first! Brown eyes went brighter, feet commenced to tapping (But in that good way) and she dashed to tell her sister and our daughter the news. Two minutes later I had a fresh adult beverage in my hand, which she would have done no matter what the outcome would have been.
Mother’s Day at the mall; arrived Sunday morning at opening time, off to the second deck where it is electronics heaped upon electronics and the Cella Phone is king, accessories for these smart gadgets runs a close second. Samsung Store where a young man wearing more make up than my wife daughter and niece combined waited on us in mortal fear of the “Kano” but I started joking with him/her and put him at ease and he started to joke back, he even introduced me to his boy friend in Tennessee via a video call. But he was very helpful in the selection of Mayang’s new Cella Smart Phone the Samsung Galaxy E7 (PNP 18,000.00) with all the bells and whistles that her old phone had but brand new.
Because of economics there was no way her old phone was being relegated to a drawer as a spare or part of an odd collection. But now and against my wishes it fell into my most un-capable hands, it took me months to get the “MyPhone” to respond to me and do what I wanted it to, now the trek starts anew.
So standing beside me is my sweet 15 year old niece Shay-shay who I know has an outdated cell phone with no internet ability. I slowly turned and handed her “The MyPhone” with PNP 1, 00.00 to accessorize it to please her and then the light that came out of her cute brown eyes would blind a person as surely as looking into the sun. She was soon lost to the wonders of the World Wide Web, or at least Facebook for sure, for the next few hours.
It’s a funny thing about the care and feeding of the Filipina once the shopping is completed, an overwhelming desire for food comes upon them, and I’ll admit I was a bit peckish myself. Off to Vasco’s Water Front Restaurant overlooking Subic Bay or the Pirate Place as it’s called by my grandson, because of all the nautical equipment on display. The food was flowing and the harbor views are spectacular but all three ladies had their heads down looking at the new and the newly acquired cella smart phones. Mine was in the glove box in the car, where it should be. Jaden was spinning the old fashion Pirates Ship’s Wheel. And sailing the Spanish Main in his imagiation.
Now Mayang will be the one to be the one with the wondrous new Cella Smart Phone at the next meeting of the ladies. Yes their husbands will have something to say to me, but I know we’ll have a cocktail and a laugh over it, and they’ll be heading to the mall on the way home.
Cast of Characters:
Paul now has the Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos GT 19082 sitting on the dresser in his bedroom.
Mayang now has the Samsung Galaxy Grand E7 within reach during all waking hours
Shay-Shay (My niece) now has the famous “MyPhone” big screen phone that went on and stayed on the internet for the first time in the phones life. She is off to Facebook and has not been seen since.
Ymir Thea (Our daughter) has the I-Phone 5 but seems to like the Samsungs phones more. But is forever video calling her husband in Florida.
Jaden: Has a tablet that he plays learning games on. But the ship’s wheel at Vasco’s was more fun for him.
We’ll do it all over again next year……..
Hey, hey pssssssssst, yeah you over there….! Don’t tell anyone as I have a reputation to uphold, but damn I really like that new Smart Cella Phone Mayang gave me… Don’t tell a damn Soul, or I’ll send a tiny pirate to get you!
Paul,
Good story, it reminded me of visit to Roxas City last month and decide it was time to buy my “adopted” daughter her first cell phone along with my niece who had been helping us watch our son during vacation. After about a 30 minute wait and continually watching the sales girls take new customers over Kano, I asked my brother in law for help. Once he said Kano was buy the 2 girls new smart phones with accessories and loads they stopped what they were doing and jumped to help me. When they realized it was open wallet, smiles started to come up. All I can do is laugh, as some Kano must have been rude so they didn’t want to help me. The girls were happy, that’s all that matters.
Early on during my trip I bought a globe pocket MIFI and loved it. Now my in laws can keep in touch
Dirk;
It is not that the salespeople didn’t want to serve you it was the “Fear of Nosebleeds” (The speaking of English) that tends to cause them to stand back. Or in my case the fear that I was a homophobic Kano, which I quickly disproved. But the English hesitation happens quite often to me. Now what was funny is how even with me out of the conversation, the product is presented using 90% English anyway. Go figure that!
But you have risen to the ranks of “National Hero” anytime you equip two young ladies with new Cella Smart Phones; your place in heaven is now reserved. (LOL)
As usual Paul, your post is a light sided description of ” FAMILY LIFE” here in the Philippines. While Electronic gadgets are not as big of a deal for my wife ( she is completely content with Bob Martins slightly used Galaxy tab That I bought her two years ago ), Trendy clothes shoes and Handbags are another mater. While she has more new shoes and hand bags than Emelda Marcos and no place left in our small house to put a new dress, jeans or blouse. When we have a special event coming up, she has noting to wear. “How about the new blue dress I got you before we went to Singapore?” (” I wore that two years ago at a wedding, Don’t you remember?” ) I fully understand her need to “keep up with the Jones es (an Expat living 300 meters west of us) or the Durands ( another expat living a bout the same distance to our east) My budget just does not allow for that kind of spending here.
Thursday is our third wedding anniversary and I have bought tickets for the ferry to Cebu to spend a week there as a little bit of a vacation for her and I . The boat leaves Tomorrow night so she is packing out luggage for the trip as I write this. (” Honey, Honey. when we get there we need to go to the Mall Before we go to my Sisters house because I have nothing new to wear!” ) Oh good grief Charlie Brown!!!!
Joe;
As I posted on Facebook the other day; “New clothes are overrated as 90% of the really good times we have are done naked.” But that never works when you tell them that. Mayang brings home something new when out shopping with the ladies, but not that much that it matters. The Cella Smart Phone is the most important part of her ensemble, and for years I’ve bought her a new and different wrist watch for all birthdays and each Christmas, to the point that she could wear a different one every day for a couple of months. I laugh because she’ll ask about a particular watch and I say; “Oh, Hanna, Yhen or Colleen was wearing that one.”
Hi Paul and Hey Joe –
That’s what the Filipino word, “bonggahan”, means – to outclass one another. The pressure is greater to out-bongga everyone else in the barkada (the circle of friends), if the wife is married to a Kano.
Joe, you really can’t expect your wife to dress like a “pulubi” (beggar), or wear the same dress her sister has seen before, before she go meet her sister, do you? In the eyes of friends and relatives and the entire barrio, your wife is rich. It would be embarrassing for her not to play the part.
Like it or not, the obligatory dues you pay are all part of the territory for having married a loyal, “until death do us part” Pinay. 🙂
John Reyes;
I brought an “Envelope” (Cash Gram) home to a friend’s wife in the early 90’s; I’d never met her before. When we met up at a watering hole owned by a mutual friend, she asked my wife if I worked for her husband. (Establishing the pecking order) In fact we worked in different sections of the ship, (but I was the higher paid) all I said was, no I don’t work for Charlie. There are times when it can become very petty. All my wife ever knew was I was a Merchant Seaman.
I am still wearing the same Shirts, Pants that I brought over here 3 Years ago and the same 6 paairs of shorts and sport shirts I bought when I got here. I can getall of my clothing and shoes into one suitcase. I have more electronics in my small house that Gaisano’s stocks. I have a motorcycle now 3 years old and a Suzuki multicab I bought almost 2 years ago but the wife says we need a new High lux! I tell her maybe in five years> I will be 69 years old in December but the 5 year answer satisfies her, She just don’t get the 12th of Never concept!
Now, Joe, with all the spare and probably expensive electronics you got parked in your living room, I am not at all surprised that Susan feels justified in asking for a brand new outfit for every occasion. In her mind, how is a 250 peso dress from SM going to put a dent on the wealth of someone who can afford to buy those electronics? She may not understand the 12th of never concept, but she has a long memory. Watch how she will ask you again to buy that new High Lux in 5 years time. 🙂
John Reyes;
Great advice to Joe, I see you like to stir it up also. (LOL)
Joe;
You have all that and begrudge her a new dress? For shame, I agree with her!!! (LOL) But I do like to stir stuff up…
Once the sun is over the yard arm I dont care they can have anything, well almost lol.
John, Make sure the Yard arm is laying flat on the ground. That ensures less stress and lowers the GAF factor.
John J.
Now that most Malls have the Beer Stations strategically located, shopping has become more fun for me.
Got it Joe lol.
One year is too fast of a turn around time for me. It takes me at least that long to figure out how to use a new cell phone. If it hadda been me, I would have kept my old reliable and handed off the wife’s old one to the youngster.
I’ve encountered folks who are reluctant to speak with me for fear that their English isn’t good enough. I’ve had about as many try to speak to me because they are proud of their English.
And so far, I’ve only scared one bakla. One Christmas, I needed a haircut prior to entertaining a house full of guests. Since I had waited so long, all the shops were either closed or had a line waiting out the door. We popped into the only one available. One of the little sheet metal and tarpaulin booths attached to a real building. The guy/gal was a little hesitant, but agreed to cut my hair. But I saw the look of terror when I asked for a military high and tight. Fortunately my wife was there to calm him down and coach him through it. Things got comical when he asked Marlyn what he should do about the bald spot on top of my head. He was whispering as if perhaps I wasn’t aware that I had the spotlight up there.
Pete;
I’ll have the phone and texting all figured out within 6 months. As it sits on the dresser collecting brand new dust. Sending a 15 year old off to school carrying a expensive cella phone could cause her injury, but carrying a “My Phone” she is just one of many with the same phone class of phone with a low envy factor. I had to think out that.
I don’t know why they think we are homophobic (Unless some are). I live and let live and always will. But you see Pete you changed his view of Kano’s in a good way. I have that spotlight too.
I saw a lot of these new fancy cell phones on my recent visit. I even used my ” only in The Philippines ” basic Samsung that I think I bought for something like 800 Peso a few years ago. I am not a big fan of cell phones and I don’t have one for use here at home in the USA. The primary reason I bought one for use on my visits was to relieve some of my friends of all the texting they used to do for me handling messages from others. I get about a once a year self-refresher course on how to use it. LOL At least on my recent visit I remembered where the space key is.
I don’t know if you remember this one Paul but all this talk of the latest and greatest cella phones reminds me of an old hit song by Linda Laurie, titled ” Ambrose Part 5 ” ( you can find it on Youtube ) Her mother would not allow her to have a party at her house because her mother was ashamed that they did not have a color telephone ” . Time have changed, phones have changed but in many ways people have not.
Thanks for another informative article Paul about the Filipino version of ” keeping up with the Joneses ” . I wonder what expression is used for that, there ?
Enjoy your updated cell phone. One thing that does impress me is when I saw friends there take pics with their phones and in a matter of seconds the pics went worldwide on the internet. Makes the old news ” wirephotos ” seem like ancient history, I guess they really are.
Bob (NY)
PLDT years ago moved at their own speed and cared not if you ever got a phone hooked up. I’ve been sitting on the mountain without a land line, and was informed 16 years ago that if “I” paid the cost of the wire and labor they would run the line the 500 meters from the National Highway to my house. Then cella phones came to town and land lines (Except for internet service) went the way of the duck (South). Now PLDT is hurting and can’t figure out why. I rebel against Cella Phones as I consider them an electronic leash, no one should have unfretted access to me 27-7. That’s what the dresser is for. My wife and girls have learned that if they are talking to me they would be wise not to take that call or answer that text. This new generation has become the rudest people on earth and don’t realize it.
I was in a bank after taking a number and waiting, while sitting with the man at his desk his phone rang and he was going to answer it, I put my hand over his phone and said; “That person is cutting in line in front of me.” What a odd look he gave me.
Paul,
While in the States Anne bought all the expensive things that she wanted to get. The only expensive thing i wanted was one of the new Apple Macbooks(Only $1299 lol). But fate would have it they where not in stock and would not be available until June. But as long as she got what she wanted all is good. She’s already mentioned a couple of things she wants for the next time we go. I’m like you never carry my phone with me when i go somewhere, never receive any calls anyways and very rarely make any calls. You have the same phone i have too.
PapaDuck
So you are back in the states, and the salesclerk says; “Not in stock” Didn’t you for a minute think you were back home in the Philippines?
We were sitting at a bar and a friend kept interrupting the fun and jokes with his incessant texting and calling. We told him to go be with the person on the phone and stop bothering us or turn the phone the hell off.
My brother in law Mike Ward from Arkansas joined the navy and was station at subic got retired and went back over there, obviously he like that place, he like women and bbq plus a beer on the left hand a woman on the right, i saw on fb. He’s My only buddy in diving here in Guam, i guess it’s more fun in Subic than here.
Chance;
For years I was on MSC ship’s in Guam, Guam is a nice place, but when my tour was up I went to the Philippines. Your buddy Mike has the right idea.
Excellent and humorous post as always, Paul! My dearest and I just moved here in March, so we’re still in the “honeymoon” phase of our retirement in this wonderful place. However, before we moved here, we decided to spend the cash in the US and get ourselves the latest and greatest phones, with the idea that they would last us a good while here. We spent a significant amount of US$ to get her an iPhone 6 Plus, and me an iPhone 6, factory unlocked. Those two electronic devices have certainly created interesting stares of envy from a good number of people, but they will last. Not only that, we have our “old” iPhone 4s units that are also unlocked that we will use when we travel. The idea: land in a new country, find the nearest sim card vendor, and buy ourselves a local number. We’ll see how that goes!
I hope your dental augmentation procedures go well for you, and one of the next (seems to happen once a week on average) few visits to Zambales, we can all hook up for lunch and/or a beer (or six). Or, if for some unfathomable reason, you find yourself in Cabanatuan City, give us a buzz!
Doug;
Sitting at dinner the other night at the By-the-Sea Resort, my friend had his I-phone 6 and was explaining what it will do. I picked it up and said; “Even with my bi-focal’s I can’t read the screen. Whereas with the Samsung I can, I mean why drive a Ferrari if your feet don’t reach the pedals?
I just wish I has had my phone with me so I could show him, but it was home on the dresser as I was out with friends.
I’m having oral surgery over the next few weeks, but after that I would love to get together.