I got a phone call from a dear friend a few days ago. I could tell that there was something wrong because she called me up. Our communications are usually through email, or I always call her up because I have a Vonage phone and can call cheaply. When I answered the phone I could tell that something was up. So, after saying how are you? I then asked her what’s the matter? Is there something wrong? She asked me if there is a big threat in Southern Mindanao? I said as far as I know there is none that I can think of. She asked again, threat to bomb the communication line like the land line provider? I told her none whatsoever that I heard. So she then told me that she had been told that there is. This friend of mine has been living abroad for over 20 years now. So, its been a long time for her to be away from the Philippines.
A couple of months ago she had the land line provider hook up a phone line at her Mom’s house. It was fine for awhile until last week she, when she couldn’t get a hold of her Mom or any member of her family. She finally made contact with somebody and asked this person to go to her Mom’s house and tell her mom to call. So, the Mom called her up.
When she talked to her Mom, she asked, “what’s going on with your phone?” The mom just said that she didn’t know but would go to the the phone company that day and ask them what happened to their line.
When the Mom went and asked at the phone company, one of the people there told her that “The reason you don’t have line right now is due to the threat here in Mindanao.” Hmm, strange, I thought. So I told my friend that if there is a threat here they will just cut us off on our land line then? My friend just thought of this scenario that they might be just telling her mom that because her mom looks so poor and thin?
The problem is there are lots of poor and thin looking people here. In reality this is a third world country. I am not ashamed of that, its just true. I hope that its not a reason to make up such stories. I told my friend, “is that really the statement from the phone company or your family just say those thing because they know that you are already mad at them on some matters too?” Did they just make up the story? Maybe they didn’t pay the bill? She said that she believed her family over the phone company. I really told my friend that the only place that has a threat in Mindanao right now that I know of is in Jolo, Sulu.
The phone company had another story when they came to fix it. They said that its the line outside the house had the problem. But, they didn’t tell the Mom exactly what the problem was. I just got an email from my friend and she still has no idea what the problem is, and it still is not working.
I was really smiling upon reading my friend’s email. I could tell that she’s already been away for a long, long time from this country. I saw myself in her when we first moved here.
My gosh she was really fuming over this matter and she’s asking me, “what will happen if there is an emergency over the weekend? Would somebody ever help you?” The reason also that they didn’t fix anything at her mom’s phone is because its a weekend. It could also be a holiday too. No, they will not come to your house during a weekend. Some places might work during the weekend, other places do not, though.
For all of you readers that want to live in the Philippines, expect problems like this. I know its not easy to keep your cool. I’m the first one to admit that I’ve been there. Lots of times my blood is boiling over simple stuff, but Ifinally realized that these people will not change for me. I have to change and accept the way they do business here or I’m going to be dead in a few years from the stress. Now I just look the other way or bite my lips to remind myself to be quiet. Of course sometime I slip, I’m just human you know. Just take it easy.
i know from my wifes family in mandaue city and the experiences i hear from them and my wife of course nothing moves quick.in my mind i wouldnt move quick either if i was only getting paid 4-6 dollars a day as a worker fixing or connecting things.
It is amazing the excuses the utilities use. They didn't your friend's mother that she was in danger only the phone. I can see my first year or so I am going to have do as and keep mouth shut to them. Have a great day and I know if I could not to my family, I would be so worried too.
Oh by the way a story of utilities even in US. I live now for 4 more months in California. But about 10 months ago my Internet was out and it was costing about $40.00 a week to Josey happy. I kept calling Internet Company to find out the problem. They would always will be fixed in hours. Then Local newspaper came out and and said squirrel decided chewed through fiber optic cable. So I call again and got same answer. I asked where she was out and when she said Florida and I told her the truth we both had good laugh and she was glad to know truth. They never tell call center people anything. One thing I know is not the person that can really do anything but what they are told. Oh they did say they would give me credit but only took 4 months to get.
Hello Feyma,
We had the same problem. Maybe we have the same tel company. "Bayantel" their service is slow when it comes to telephone, internet problems. We’re up to date when it comes to paying our bills, coz’ if you’re late, by the 5th day they shut off our lines. But when there is a problem occurred, it took them forever to fix our tel lines. I actually have to call the main office in Manila to let these people know, that no one showed up in my house to fix it. And when they showed up! No one can tell me what’s going on… Hmmm…
In spite any of this; I’m still longing to go back and retire in BXU someday… I’ll have to say that, yes! This is third world country so expect a third world glitz… hehehehhe
Best regards
Hello Feyma! Interesting topic. I have called my friend in Davao City on occassion from my pc using Yahoo voice to her cell phone and someone else answers. The never say anything except "hello."
Later, I will reach my friend when she says that her cell is with her and no one else answers her phone.
One of my mom's nurses seems to suppose that someone else there has the same number as my friend. Would anyone have any other explanation?
I am calling the right number since it is already programmed into my YM/IM so there is no need to dial the numbers. Another problem I am having to work through is her not hearing me from my pc to her pc.
Thanks for offering any possible solutions.
Maybe she needs a cell phone ..Sound like the phone company tells the people anything to keep them quit ….Here we blame it on the weather ,there they blame it on the rebels …..Phil n Jess
Phil & Jess,
I like that blame it on the rebels… new one to me.. hehehehe 🙂
Hey Phil here in California they blame it on squirrels. Oh and something is wrong with my outlook express I don't seem to be able to send emails.
Hi Mike – I know what you mean. Thats one thing here most employers don't give any incentives to their employees for the job well done.
I guess Philippines has a lot to learn though.
Happy Easter!
Hi Andy Wooldridge – Only in the Philippines. 😉
Honestly I love living here. Theirs just some little things that annoys me here. My friend's dilemma is just one of them.
Happy Easter!
Hi Andy Wooldridge – Hmmm, I guess I had to take back what I said "Only in the Philippines". I guess this is a global problems too. 😉 Ha ha ha..
I'm glad everything works out for you. Good thing you already had experiences there about this matter. When this will ever happen to you here in the Philippines you can just laugh it off. 😉 Hope it will not.
Cheers…
Hi Ann – My friend's family uses Phil Tel. Oh yeah it will take them forever to fix anything. They will not give you something for the days that you didn't have connection.
Hey I am happy that you are not scared to adjust back to the life we have here. Really if you can just accept it, its really not that bad here. 😉
Easy life….
Happy Easter to you and Family!
Hi Phil n Jess R.- Thats what I told my friend. If they will tell her that they can't text her because they don't have load that I will send them load and my friend will just pay me later. I think if this problem don't improved that she will just have the phone be cut off for good then.
Really I just don't like it that the phone company makes excuses thats not even true.
Good to see you here again.
Happy Easter!
Hi Ann – Its new to me too.
Hi Andy Wooldridge – Ha ha ha…
From my experience public and some private utilities are similar world wide. The person taking the call rarely knows what the real problem is in the first place. If they do, then their supervisors tell them to spin some story to keep the customer at arms length. Welcome to life. The Pines is no different.
I feel a lot of the blame comes down to the customer, they don't complain or demand action. It is a proven that if enough people demand action things will change, even if the change is slow in coming.
For example, my pinay partner will order a meal at a restaurant,
when it arrives it may not be the food she ordered. She will say "that's okay i will eat this". I say no, send it back and get what you ordered. If the service is not up to standard, I will advise the management and demand satisfaction. Eventually they get the message and things slowly improve. It is not your problem how much money they get, you are the customer get what you pay for. Suffering in silence and being a martyr went out with Joan of Ark. You only got one life, make them work for their money.
Kamusta ka Feyma,
What ever happens with the utility companies there, I hope your friend can find a better way of keeping contact with her mother and family there. That must be very very frustrating for her to "not know what is going on" and whether they are safe or not.
Salamat kaayo,
Danny
Feyma,
I don't know if you still remember me, i emailed you awhile back about properties and real estate broker in davao. Anyway, just reading this post and realize that this is one issue i'm not ready to deal with. I live my life in the philippines hating they system. Now in the US for 8yrs, i still think about the stress i have to go through once my family and i move there soon.
P.s my family lives in Mati.
Vanessa Pawly
Hi Pete – Thats the problem here people don't want to complain though. Thats why we always says in this site it is hard to change the 80 million more people. So with us here we will just go with the flow.
They just don't complain here.
Nice to see you here. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Danny – Thank goodness we have cell phone here. I told my friend that her family don't really need a phone line because with the cell phone and internet they can get connected in an instant nowadays.
Anyway, luckily the problem was taking care already by the phone company now but of course with a lot of complaining a long the way.
Thank you so much for your comment. Nice to see you again here.
Hi banot – Of course I remember you. Your a friend of a friend of mine. Anyway, to be able to live here for good your going to have a lot of commitment on your part and your partner. Its not an easy move. You might end up going back in the States in just a month. Lots of times the adjustment period might tear you apart. But if you are committed to make it work it will. Lots of prayers a long the way too.
Try to read some more here maybe theirs some stuff you can pick up and might help you.
Good luck to you and your family on you guys move soon. If you have more questions please feel free to ask.
Good to see you here.
Feyma,
Thanks for the email. Yes Effy, John and I are still seeing each other, i was just at their house 2 weeks ago for dinner. A friend of ours in Virginia was visiting, you know na mga pinay get together dayon. I don't have a problem about Richard settling since he knows what to expect. His been all over the world mostly third world countries that complaining was never his thing. He knows he can't expect much. Actually he is the down calming me down when i get frustrated with the Philippine system. So corrupt, eventhough i grew up with the poor system their in pinas i still can't get over it. I get upset especially when i have to deal with the government under the table.
Anyway, i text Effy and said hello from you. I would love to meet you and bob in person, if you don't mind. We will be in davao for three weeks starting october 2.