Monday, November 26, 2007

My 300-peso Phone

It's sturdy, it's functional, it's practical and it's brand new! I got a "new" retro brick mobile phone last Saturday (a.k.a. Jurassic phone). We saw a huge sign in front of Semicon announcing their mobile phone sale with units as low as 300 Pesos (approx USD7.00). We dropped by hoping to get a good deal but the sale had been running for over a week so the “nice” models are already gone. But the trip was not totally wasted as we got a real frugal find.

Featuring the Nokia 1610 mobile phone:

1) Made in Finland in 1996 (duly marked)

2) Supersized - similar to a cordless phone at home. And I thought my Nokia 6680 was large.

3) This was the first GSM Digital Nokia (everything else before that was analogue). The one I got works with any Globe SIM.

4) A real bargain at 300 pesos (even if I don't need a new phone)

5) It’s fully operational and in almost perfect condition (no scratches!).

6) It came with the original box, manual and charger (made in Germany). Still had to review the manual cause even though old models ay very basic they're not as user-friendly.This phone will be really useful for commuting and for trips to Divisoria and Quiapo. I'm just hoping to turn-off some snatchers.For now, the 1610 serves as Nicole’s new gadget. At least it diverted her attention from my cellphone.
cheap: the snatched phones in Recto will cost more
cool: retro is in

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Almost Famous

Today I shook hands with the President of the Republic of the Philippines. No kidding! Not Ate Glow or Bitoy dressed in drag, but PGMA herself. She was here in the office to deliver a "keynote address" at the Aid for Trade Conference. You can presume that I don't meet too many celebrities. It's not everyday that I get a photo-op with someone famous.

Some notes -
(1) She really is small;
(2) She's got soft hands;
(3) She had 20 black Toyota Landcruisers in her entourage...now, where does the upkeep for these come from?

cheap: just a shortride down the elevator, only calories spent
cool: rubbing elbows with any country's topdog does not happen everyday