[See article update, July 3: 2nd wave of SEAOIL's Pricelock gas promo]

Ayos ‘to, ah. Pre-paid na ang Gasolina! With the price of Gasoline going up up up, I sure could use some way to cushion the impact on my gasoline expense.

Below, you’ll find the full article about the SEOIL Prepaid card. It’s called “Price Lock” and the consumers are at the lucky winning end of this promot. Further below, there’s a little commentary from me and my friend who’s in the motoring business.

SEAOIL fixes gas price at P53.50 a liter through Prepaid Card

SEAOIL Philippines Inc., the largest independent retailer of petroleum products in the country, has introduced an industry-first prepaid card that pegs a customer’s gasoline purchase at P53.50 per liter.

Company officials explained that the Price Lock Prepaid Fuel Card can be used to buy 20 liters of gasoline (G5 X-treme and Unleaded) from any SEAOIL participating stations. The selling period is from June 10-22, 2008. Each card costs P1,070 and is valid for 10 weeks (June 10 up to August 16, 2008).

[See article update, July 3: 2nd wave of SEAOIL's Pricelock gas promo]

Since the price has been fixed, cardholders will have an easier time budgeting their fuel expenses as they will be insulated from further spikes in gasoline costs during the promo period.

In the less likely event of a price rollback also during the period, i.e. the price goes down to less than P53.50 a liter, SEAOIL will refund unused (unscratched) fuel prepaid cards.

The Price Lock Prepaid Fuel Card will be made available at the following participating SEAOIL stations: EDSA, Imelda Avenue, Maybunga, P.Tuazon, Pasig Boulevard, Commonwealth, Malabon, Merville, Paco, E. Rodriguez, Paraluman, Mindanao Avenue, Panaderos, Tandang Sora and Buendia.

Satellite selling sites:
1. Tiendesitas – June 20 to 21(5pm to 11pm)
– June 22 (11am to 5pm)
2. Shopwise – June 20 to 22 (1pm to 7pm)
3. Metrowalk – June 20 to 21 (5pm to 11pm)
4. Greenhills (Peri Peri, beside Teriyaki Boy Promenade) – ongoing daily till June 22 (1pm to 7pm)
5. Greenhills (V-Mall) – June 20 to June 22 (1pm to 7pm)

[See article update, July 3: 2nd wave of SEAOIL's Pricelock gas promo]

The card is valid for a single transaction only, which means customers should use up its entire 20-liter value since any unconsumed amount, such as a 19-liter purchase, will forfeit the remaining card value.

Only SEAOIL station attendants are authorized to scratch the silver coating of the prepaid card upon purchase and claim the same card after the customer fills up.

[See article update, July 3: 2nd wave of SEAOIL's Pricelock gas promo]

It’s interesting. It’s the first of its kind that I’ve heard of for a commodity that has such a volatile price.

My friend from the motoring industry has his take on the promo:

I think it’s very innovative and it’s a great campaign. The customer has everything to gain e. I like Seaoil’s (not Sea Oil) out-of-the-box thinking.

Some airlines already do this–order fuel for delivery at a future date with the price pre-determined now. I think it’s called hedging.

I guess it’s SEAOIL’s opportunity to reel in some new customers. In the past, there was really not much reason for motorists to adventure away from their usual gasoline station. But with the prices of gas hitting the ceiling, we all could use some help keeping the gas expenses to a minimum.

It’s a good promo they have here. The thing is, you’ll need to have a long pisi (pin money) to fully avail of this promo. 20 Liters of gasoline from P1,070 prepaid card can only bring you so far.

One way to make the most from this promo is to … buy many prepaid cards (that requires a lot of cash), keep them unused for a few weeks, then use them (or sell them) when the prices of gas go way beyond the P53.50 per liter. That maximizes the spread between prevailing price and the fixed pre-paid price.

Hmmmm….. opportunity knocks!

Related Links:

• Visit the SEAOIL Philippines website
• An Inquirer Headline projects P65.00 price of gasoline per liter

UPDATE (JULY 3): 2nd Wave of SEAOIL’s Pricelock Gas Promo

The 2nd installment of Price Lock this week. The prepaid card can be bought at P1,180 for 20 liters (P59.00 per liter).

The cards will be available from July 5 to July 20, 2008 and are valid from July 5 to September 20, 2008.

This time all SEAOIL stations in Metro Manila and Rizal are included in the promo. Customers may buy and redeem cards at these stations:

1. A. Bonifacio
2. Binangonan
3. Buendia
4. Cainta
5. Commonwealth
6. Dagat-dagatan
7. Dimasalang
8. EDSA
9. E. Rodriguez
10. Gulod
11. Imalda Avenue
12. Karuhatan
13. Malabon
14. Marikina
15. Maybunga
16. Merville
17. Mindanao Ave.
18. Montalban
19. North Bay
20. P. Tuazon
21. Paco
22. Palatiw
23. Panaderos
24. Paraluman
25. Pasig
26. Payatas
27. Pritil
28. Retiro
29. San Juan
30. San Mateo
31. St. Dominic
32. Sucat
33. Tandang Sora
34. Taguig
Stations to open in July:
35. Arkong Bato
36. Sta. Cruz
37. Legarda
38. Del Monte

We will also resume off-site selling in Greenhills Theatre Mall (in front of Starbucks), Greenhills V-Mall (in front of SM Appliance Center), Shopwise (2nd level parking) and Metrowalk (Activity Center near Starbucks).

Here’s the schedule:
Theatre Mall, V-Mall, Shopwise – July 4-6 and July 11-13 (Fridays-Sundays), 11am-6pm
Metrowalk – July 4-5 and July 11-12 (Fridays and Saturdays), 5pm-12mn

ka edong
katok katok

Disclaimer: I am not connected with wi-max.ph.  You may contact wi-max.ph directly. (Added August 8, 2006).

URL seen on a company vehicle: “wi-max.ph”.

Curious. I look it up, expecting to read something about the wireless technology being developed by Intel – like WiFi on steroids.

But wi-max.ph has nothing to do with the Wi-Max as I know it. (Another misnomer here, just like Smart WiFi is NOT WiFi in the technical sense).

From the few minutes I browsed their website, I conclude that Wi-Max is a business model, a franchise package. Wi-Max, as I picked-up, is a collection of electronic services that includes cellphone loading, pre-paid internet loading, bills payment, payments to banks and others.

I didn’t dig deeper, although I should (another time), in the interest of my eOFW blog. But this much I found out: the company is chaired by Wilson Ng, highly-successful entrepreneur, father, blogger, on-line friend.

Nothing to do with Wi-Max, but quite an interesting find. Visit wi-max.ph

Here’s a round-up of Globe’s current call and text promos, taken from an Inquirer advertisement:

• P0.10 per second
  Diyes sentimos kada-segundo
  Globe-to-Globe
  Just dial 232+10-digit globe number of the party you’re calling
  Example: 232917xxxxxxx
  Promo until March 16, 2006
• Globe UNLIMITXT
  For good na!

  Gobe-to-Globe
  P15/1 day.
  P25/2 days.
  P50/5 days.
  Text UNLIMITXT to 2870

• P10 per 3-minute call (for prepaid subscribers)
  P3.33/min (for postpaid subscribers)
  Globe-to-Globe. No registration.
  Just dial 235+10-digit Globe number of the party you’re calling
  Example; 235917xxxxxxx
  Promo until March 15, 2006
• Globe Tipid IDD rates
  US$0.20/min.
  Dial 12800(country code)(area colde)(phone no.)
  Promo until March 25, 2006
• Globe TIPID IDD
  Special US/Canada rate
  P7.50/min
  Dial 12808(country code)(area code)(phone no.)
  Promo is available from 10PM-5:59am Philippine time.
  Promo until March 22

Thanks for the round-up one clean and clear advertisement on Inquirer.
There’s a similar advertisement that lists all the on-going promos for TM to TM calls and texts.
I just don’t have a copy of the advertisement.

Next step: simplify.

With so many promos going on, isn’t there a way to just dial or text in one format and then the subscriber is given the best rate for that particular call or text?

This reminds me of an online service in the US I saw maaaannnny years ago. The user inputs the state to be called, the number to be called. The online service outputs the best time to call and through which telephone service that provides the cheapest call.

Any volunteers? Who wants to do something like this for the Philippines?

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Volunteer fire fighter

Links: Here’s a codigo of telephone numbers of Smart, Globe and Sun Cellular.

What I’m looking for is a codigo of PLDT numbers nationwide so that we can avail of the Smart-PLDT promo knowing that we’re indeed calling a PLDT landline.

I’ve always been aware of satellite phones – those cellphones with large antennas which can place calls from anywhere on the planet (calls need to be made outdoors to connect to the satellite). I’m also aware of how expensive they could get.

Smart has a product called Smart Link that works like a satellite phone. Difference: the handset is a telephone and not a cellular phone. Further, Smart Link uses a disk antenna, a telephone set and another box (like a modem).

The service is packaged for OFWs especially seamen. This allows OFWs in remote areas of the world to make calls to the Philippines.

From a Smart Link poster in the Smart Wireless center in Megamall:

Smart Link FR-190 Kit
P14,990.00 only
(Special offer for Filipino seafarers only. To apply, bring copy of seaman’s book or any valid ID and latest contract of employment. For seafarer relatives, bring same requirements plus relative’s valid ID. For seafarer represetntatives, bring same requirements plus authorization letter and representative’s valid ID.)

FR-190 G Kit (Data Capable)
P26,000.00 only
(Available to the general public. To apply, accomplish Service Application Form.)

For inquiries, call +63 (2) 511-2642; *888 using Smart Link, *777 using Smart & Talk ‘N Text cellphone

Ah, this article is perfect for my baby blog, eOFW, which I haven’t been updating. Tsk tsk tsk …

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everywhere and nowhere

Smart has a campaign against scam SMS messages. They have posters aimed at increasing awareness on how to distinguish between legitimate contest announcements and scam messages promising big winnings.

Mga text na natatanggap n’yo:

PANALO o PANLOLOKO?

Alamin ang pagkakaiba para hindi mabiktima!

PANALO!
Kapag ang taway ay mula sa 7777, opisyal mula sa SMART ang tumawag sa ‘yo! Ika’y PANALO!

Magpapadala din sa ’yo ang SMART ng Registered Mail na kapag natanggp mo, ika’y PANALO!

PANLOKO!

Kapag may nag-text na may libreng load ka daw pag nag-forward ng text sa mga tao, wag maniwala. Ito’y PANLOKO!

Kapag may nag-text na nanalo ka sa raffle (at dapat mong bayaran ang premyo), wag sundin! Ito’y PANLOLOKO!

I-report ang mga manloloko sa National Telecommunications Commission One-Stop Public Access Center (OSPAC)
BIR East Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City.
Tel. No.: 926-7722 or 436-7722
E-mail: ntc@ntc.gov.ph or ospac@ntc.ph (sic)

Some thoughts:

First, Scam messages actually contribute to Smart’s revenue. Proliferation of scam messages means more SMS messages going around and more pesos in Smart’s pockets.

Campaigning against scam SMS potentially decreases (perhaps insignificantly) Smart’s revenue.

Okay, it’s an public service effort from Smart and it’s better than nothing. But it’s not much compared to the millions of pesos Smart spends on full page ads selling ringtones.

Second, this reminds me of the scam message I reported to NTC. Result: I wasn’t informed whether any action was taken against the scammer.

Bottom-line: Let’s see more action and less lip service.

• Where can I see a list of blocked numbers resulting from reports to the NTC? None that I see at the NTC website.
• By the way, is Smart aware that their poster is displaying a wrong NTC contact e-mail address (ospac@ntc.ph should be ospac@ntc.gov.ph).

Drives home the point, doesn’t it?

pilosopo edong
tech usiyosero

p.s. I too made the mistake of publishing “ospac@ntc.ph” in an article in PTB. I’m *not* holier than thou.

Hello friends,

Hope we find Filipinos who could make a difference through this fellowship.
Do forward.

Mabu-hey!

Edwin

Announcement

The Reuters Digital Vision Program (RDVP) at Stanford University is
accepting applications for the 2006-07 academic year (September 2006 -
June 2007). The deadline is April 3, 2006. Fellowships will be awarded
at the end of May, 2006.

The Program

The Digital Vision Program supports social entrepreneurs who seek to
leverage technology-based solutions in the interest of humanitarian,
educational, and sustainable development goals. The Program fosters
interdisciplinary projects and prototyping efforts that address real
needs in underserved communities. For the 2006-07 academic year, the
program will focus on the following broad categories:

– Advancing Financial Services (Microfinance, microinsurance,
remittances, market information, e-commerce)
– Knowledge and Empowerment (Literacy and numeracy,
e-learning and training, e-government, social networks, and community
building)
– Networked Health and Welfare (Health administration, health
research and sciences, public health and safety, telemedicine, relief
services, advocacy)

The core of the Program is a nine-month fellowship that brings
individuals from around the globe to the Stanford University Campus.
Digital Vision Fellows collaborate with faculty, students, private
sector firms, non-government organizations, and most importantly, each
other. Digital Vision Fellows have Visiting Scholar privileges at
Stanford University, including the ability to audit courses. Fellows
also participate in a structured Sanford Digital Vision Program with
weekly meetings, workshops, and seminars.

Fees and Scholarships

The Reuters Foundation and other DV Program partners will award
approximately a dozen full-time fellowships, covering all Stanford
University fees and expenses. Living stipends may be available for
fellows accepted from developing world countries. The Digital Vision
Program also offers “Corporate Fellowships” to individuals from
organizations who continue to perform their full-time professional
duties in their organizations, while participating in the seminars,
workshops, and other organized activities of the DVP. For additional
information on the fellowships please click on the “Become a Fellow”
link on our website at < http://rdvp.org >.

Stuart Gannes, Director
Reuters Digital Vision Program
Stanford University

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I’m republishing press releases seen on a Smart 3G poster inside a Smart Wireless center. Check out the discussion on 3G press releases on Pinoy.Tech.Blog.

Smart Communications, Inc., the country’s leading wireless service provider started preparations for a seamless transition to 3G as early as five years ago. In December 2000, Smart, in cooperation with Nokia Networks conducted the first successful 3G video call in the country in the presence of NTC officials. Using experimental equipment, this test call recorded data transfer rates of up to 216.9Kbps.

SMART’s installation of 3G-upgradable base station equipment in its GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network has made a transition to 3G easier and faster.

“The installation of this modular GSM equipment fits neatly into SMART’s overall 3G preparations and operations. And now that the 3G equipment is available, the 3G capability of these base stations can be readily activated, greatly simplifying the roll-out of 3G infrastructure,” Smart’s Nazareno said.

I’m republishing press releases seen on a Smart 3G poster inside a Smart Wireless center. Some parts of the 3G press release discussion on Pinoy.Tech.Blog refer to the article below. There’s more to come in the next days, here’s the first:

SMART leads the next big thing in mobile technology

A Perfect “30”

Among the companies that applied for a Third Generation (3G) license, SMART ranked highest, garnering a perfect score of 30 based on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) 30-point grading system designed to gauge the capability of aspiring telco operators to massively and effectively provide 3G services.

As a result, Smart has been assigned the largest radio frequency allocation – 15 MHz compared to 10 MHz for the other operators. Moreover, it now has the choice of the best frequency spectrum. This will enable Smart to rapidly deploy its 3G network nationwide and also offer the highest quality 3G service to its subscribers.

“We have already ordered the network facilities needed to establish nationwide 3G coverage in the shortest possible time,” Smart President and CEO Napoleon Nazareno said. “We will repeat the rapid roll-out that we accomplished in deploying, first, our analog and then, our GSM network infrastructures. We are in 3G for real.”

Get ready to experience technology that allows for faster data transmission speeds from 114Kbps up to 2Mbps. Soon, Smart subscribers here and abroad will benefit from the convenience of high-speed data communications and mobile multimedia services such as video conferencing, audio streaming and mobile internet.

ka edong