Twelve-year-old Bea and her friends, Joanna, 11, and Jovelyn, 13, are all smiles during an afternoon of storytelling, games, and fun. It’s a welcome respite.
They are among 364 children who were given temporary shelter at the ULTRA. The girls and their families are among those in Pasig City who were displaced by Typhoon Ondoy, and whose homes remain flooded two weeks after the typhoon struck.
Unable to return home or go to school, these children have to wait–perhaps as long as two months–for things to go back to normal.
“They need activities like storytelling and drawing to help them cope after experiencing something very traumatic,” said Zenaida Perez, who works for the city government as a consultant on education and Pasig day care services.
Perez and her day care teachers are holding 11 multi-grade classes for the child evacuees. Employee-volunteers of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) are complementing their efforts by bringing the telco’s Read-to-be-SMART program to the ULTRA for four days.
“We tutor in public schools using modules and lesson plans. But for the children affected by Ondoy, we’ve conceptualized activities that are not so structured,” explained Luz Hermoso, one of the leaders of Read-to-be-SMART. “We’re here mainly to entertain the kids. After what they’ve been through, they need to have fun.”
On their first afternoon with the children, the SMART employee-volunteers brought books that were donated by the Community of Learners Foundation for this activity. “It will be our first time to use these Tagalog books,” said Hermoso. “We’ve also prepared games, drawing activities, etc.”
The children, including Bea and her friends, came in droves after the Read-to-be-SMART volunteers unloaded their books, mats and drawing materials. A total of 132, consisting mostly of elementary school children, attended the afternoon session. They were further grouped according to age and school level, and each group was managed by a volunteer.
The kids crowded around their storytellers. They listened eagerly, asked and answered questions, enjoyed the book illustrations, and also got the chance to create their own drawings or to color pictures. The Read-to-be-SMART volunteers told the stories with gusto, keeping their “classes” lively, interesting and interactive. The kids giggled and laughed when volunteers acted out the stories before them, appealing to their sense of humor with tales like “Ang Prinsipeng ‘di Naliligo.”
“Masaya po kami (We’re happy),” blurted out Bea and Joanna at the same time. “Maganda po ang kuwento. Gusto po naming maglaro at mag-aral (The stories are nice. We like playing and learning).”
The girls, who have been friends even before the typhoon struck, said life in the evacuation center was “okay.” It gave them a good opportunity to help each other.
“Kung anong natatanggap namin, we share din sa iba (We share whatever we receive),” explained Jovelyn.
Perez said SMART’s activity is very close to the program that she and her teachers are offering the children. “When I saw the situation of the evacuees in ULTRA, I realized it would be more beneficial to bring my teachers here since many of the day care centers are flooded, even city hall is flooded. I told them it’s okay even if they’re not used to handling older children, just keep them occupied with stories,” she shared.
“Some people were good enough to donate paper, crayons and pencils so the children could also draw. And their drawings illustrate what happened to them during the crisis. One boy drew a matchstick figure lying on the bed. When asked about it, he said it was a drawing of himself. When he woke up his room was already flooded.”
“Thank you very much to SMART for holding this activity with the children!” Perez said. “It has given my 82 teachers time to rest. Aside from teaching the kids, they also help in the kitchen.”
And for SMART employee-volunteers like Deivid Rioferio, it was time well spent.
“I’m excited to be here,” he shared. “We want the kids to enjoy themselves. At the same time, we’re teaching them to share with others. Aside from telling them stories, we also impart story-telling techniques to the older kids so they can do it for the younger ones after we’ve gone.”
SMART Advisory: Preparing for Typhoon Ramil
[October 19, 2009] Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) is providing mobile phone users the following tips to prepare for typhoon ‘Ramil’, which is expected to make landfall in the early hours of Thursday in northern Luzon.
1. Fully charge cell phone batteries and ensure that you have airtime for at least three days.
2. In the event of power outages, conserve battery power. Use voice calls wisely keeping in mind that text messaging uses less power.
3. Store emergency numbers in your cell phone — family members you can call for help, television and radio stations where you can get storm information, and responding relief agencies like the National Disaster Coordinating Council, local government units, local police, local chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross, etc. Keep a hard copy as well in case you run out of battery and need to use these numbers.
4. Keep a battery-operated radio handy as well as spare batteries to make sure you stay informed about important news like evacuation warnings, storm updates, rescue developments, etc. in case electric and communication facilities shut down.
5. Keep your cell phone dry. Wrap it in plastic or use cling-wrap for easy use.
6. Pack your charger so that you can easily re-charge your cell phone battery once power is restored or made available via other means such as charging stations of SMART Libreng Tawag Centers.
Typhoon Related Services:
Ask For Load:
SMART Buddy and Talk ‘N Text subscribers can also resort to the “Ask for Load” service which enables them to ask for airtime from friends or relatives for free even at zero balance. This is useful during scenarios when they need to top up and there is no access to retailers.
To “Ask for Load”, dial *808 + 11-digit cell phone number of a SMART prepaid or postpaid subscriber then press call.
All Ask for Load requests are fixed at P5 airtime load. Request is free of charge.
The donor should have a minimum balance of P6 to be able to transfer load to the requesting party.
Subscribers in need of load can “Ask for Load” from 3 different donors per day, but only once per donor.
Succeeding requests will be disallowed and will be charged P1.
Donors have until 12 midnight of the same day to reply to “Ask for Load” requests.
SMART and Talk ‘N Text subscribers can also receive weather updates from PAGASA via SMS.
They just need to register for free by texting ULAN<space>REG<space>NAME/ADDRESS/AGE and to 717-ULAN (7178526).
They can then subscribe to the service and start receiving weather updates by texting ULAN <space>PUSH <space>ON to 717-ULAN (7178526).
They can also initiate the query and not wait for an update by texting ULAN <space> INFO <space> ADVISORY to 700-ULAN (700-8526).
Those who later want to unsubscribe can text ULAN <space> PUSH <space>OFF to 700-8526. This service is free of charge
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The lines of people charging their cell phones were as long as, if not longer than, those wanting to make free calls at the SMART Libreng Tawag centers for victims of typhoon ‘Pepeng’ in North Luzon.
Although its operations were slightly affected, Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) was able to maintain communication services in the hard-hit provinces of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Isabela, when ‘Pepeng’ caused floods and landslides and disrupted power supply over the weekend.
Thus, subscribers were unable to re-charge their cell phone batteries and lined up at the Libreng Tawag Centers set up in Tuguegarao City; Laoag City; the towns of Badoc and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte and Magsingal and Santo Domingo in Ilocos Sur; and Barangay San Pedro, Tumauini and the town of Sta. Maria in Isabela province.
Even those who availed of free calls also needed to charge their cell phones to access the contact numbers in their phone book.
Aside from free cell phone charging and calls, free Internet access was also made available via Smart Bro at the Libreng Tawag Center in Tuguegarao City.
The PLDT Group, through the PLDT-SMART Foundation, has been deploying resources to provide communication support, relief distribution and medical missions since typhoon Ondoy struck the country last September 26.
‘Ondoy’ efforts are now focused on supporting evacuees housed at the Philippine sports arena (formerly Ultra), under the auspices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
PLDT and SMART have set up a Libreng Tawag center to provide free calls via Hellow IDD – the country’s first reloadable IDD card — and domestic calls via PLDT Landline Plus as well as cell phone charging.
SMART has also set up three laptops with Internet access provided by Smart Bro, designating one for the use of DSWD personnel for operational purposes and the rest for families that need to email and connect to loved ones abroad.
SMART has also committed to provide cooked food for the victims as well as cooking equipment to support groups that have set up soup kitchens. Plans include the deployment of a medical mission by PLDT Medical Services and the mobilization of employee-volunteers to conduct learning sessions among kids at the evacuation center via Read-to-be-Smart, the company’s employee-initiated reading program for public school children.
SMART cuts call rates during Typhoon Pepeng
As posted on SMART Customer Care’s Twitter account (@SMARTCares), domestic call rates have been reduced to only P3.00 per minute from October 3 (2AM) to October 5 (2AM).
This is effective for all calls – no registration needed.
You can follow SMART Cares on Twitter at http://twitter.com/smartcares
Here’s a public advisory to all SMART subscribers just released today.
SMART is preparing for Typhoon ‘Pepeng’, which is expected to make landfall early morning of Saturday in Aurora. Plans are in place to maintain communication services and ensure speedy response and restoration should facilities be adversely affected.
To date, SMART has restored 98 percent of the cell sites affected by typhoon ‘Ondoy’ in Metro Manila and central and northern Luzon.
All mobile phone users, meanwhile, are encouraged to:
1. Fully charge cell phone batteries and ensure that you have airtime for at least three days.
2. In the event of power outages, conserve battery power. Make judicious use of voice calls. Text messaging uses less power.
3. Store emergency numbers in your cell phone — family members you can call for help, television and radio stations where you can get storm information, and responding relief agencies like the National Disaster Coordinating Council, local government units, local police, local chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross, etc. Keep a hard copy as well in case you run out of battery and need to use the numbers.
4. Keep a battery-operated radio handy as well as spare batteries to make sure you stay informed about important news like evacuation warnings, storm updates, rescue developments, etc. in case electric and communication facilities shut down.
5. Keep your cell phone dry. Wrap it in plastic or use cling-wrap for easy use.
6. Pack your charger so that you can easily re-charge your cell phone battery once power is restored or made available via other means such as charging stations of Smart Libreng Tawag Centers.
Despite Ondoy, Smart keeps the signal going
Photo: SMART engineers work round-the-clock to restore communication services in hard-hit areas and to provide communications support to Libreng Tawag centers.
[September 30, 2009/MANILA] At the height of typhoon ‘Ondoy’, SMART subscribers reached for their cell phones and found them working.
“Maraming salamat sa SMART sa magandang signal nila kahit na binagyo na ang Cainta. Napakahalaga ng komunikasyon sa panahon ng mga kalamidad upang makipag-ugnayan sa mga kinuukulan at mga pamilya ng biktima, (We thank SMART for maintaining their signal in Cainta during the storm, which enabled us to reach authorities and family members)” said Junior Bona, a resident of Cainta.
With the need for communications even more vital in times of disasters, Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) immediately set up Libreng Tawag centers at the Barangka Barangay Hall in Marikina City, Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City and at the Cainta Municipal Hall to enable affected residents to make free calls. This was crucial since SMART was still available in these areas even if operations had been affected by the floods and the succeeding power shortages.
“Lumubog po ang bahay namin. Ang tatay ko naglilinis pa kaya inutusan niya ako tumawag kay mama sa Singapore. Nagpapasalamat kami sa Libreng Tawag ng Smart. Kung wala nito, siguradong hanggang ngayon nag-aalala pa rin ang nanay ko kung ano na ang nangyari sa amin, (Since my father had to clean our house, which was submerged in floodwaters, he sent me to the Libreng Tawag Center to call my mom in Singapore. If not for SMART, my mother would still be worrying about us.)” said Trisha Zapanta.
Even before ‘Ondoy’ struck, SMART had already mobilized its service watch command center to better mobilize troubleshooting and response in case any of its service facilities were affected by the typhoon.
Hence, employees and contractors were immediately deployed in the storm’s aftermath to re-activate 1,081 of SMART’s base stations that had experienced downtime either because they had been destroyed by the floods or lacked power supply.
Two days after ‘Ondoy’ unleashed its fury, SMART was able to restore some 811 or 75 percent of the base stations that had been affected.
Tropical storm Ondoy lashed the country Saturday causing severe flooding in several areas. The whole of Metro Manila and 25 Luzon provinces were placed under a state of calamity. SMART’s typhoon Ondoy relief operations is part of Kabalikat sa Kaligtasan, its disaster-response and emergency preparedness program and the ‘Community Care’ program of the Customer Care Experience Center.
[September 29, 2009/MANILA] The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Group, through wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) and the PLDT-SMART Foundation, were among those that quickly came to the aid of communities affected by tropical storm Ondoy.
The PLDT Group donated P5 million to the ABS-CBN Foundation for its response and relief efforts. The PLDT-SMART Foundation, with the help of employee-volunteers from SMART and the Tollways Management Corp., also distributed relief packs among affected residents in barangays Barangka and Tañong in Marikina City. Similar relief distribution activities will also be scheduled in Pasig City and Cainta.
SMART is also arranging for the distribution of relief goods among affected residents in Marilao, Bulacan and Arayat, Pampanga within the week.
Libreng Tawag centers were immediately set up at the Barangka Barangay Hall in Marikina City, Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City and at the Cainta Municipal Hall to enable affected residents to make free calls, especially since SMART was the only telco whose communication signal remained strong at this time. An additional free calling facility will also be set up in San Mateo, Rizal. In addition to free calls, charging of cell phones are also accommodated at the SMART Libreng Tawag centers.
Free medical consultations and medicines will also be made available in clinics that will be set up next to the Libreng Tawag Centers by PLDT Medical Services, Makati Medical Center and Cardinal Santos.
SMART, a long-time active partner of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) in disaster-preparedness and response, is also helping facilitate donations via SMS and Smart Money .
SMART subscribers interested in donating to PNRC can text RED<space>AMOUNT to 4483 for free. Cash donations in P10, P25, P50 and P100 denominations are accepted via the SMS facility. Only the donated amount will be deducted from the subscriber’s current load. To donate via Smart Money, subscribers can text ONDOY <amount> to 270 for only P1 per transaction. The donated amount will be deducted from the subscriber’s Smart Money account.
Those who want to donate relief goods can turn them over to selected SMART and PLDT business centers that include: SM Muntinlupa, SM Bicutan, SM Sucat, Festival Mall, Ali Mall, Gateway, SM Fairview, SM North Annex, ATC South Mall and Megamall.
Tropical storm Ondoy lashed the country Saturday causing severe flooding in several areas. The whole of Metro Manila and 25 Luzon provinces were placed under a state of calamity. SMART’s typhoon Ondoy relief operations is part of Kabalikat sa Kaligtasan, its disaster-response and emergency preparedness program and the ‘Community Care’ program of the Customer Care Experience Center.
Here’s a summary of how SMART subscribers can donate to Typhoon Ondoy relief efforts:
Donate Via SMART Money:
SMART Money account holders can help victims of typhoon Ondoy by donating to the PLDT Smart Foundation Inc. (PSF) Ondoy-Smart Money account.
Text ONDOY <amount> to 270.
Or go to your Smart Money menu > purchase > mpay > store code (ONDOY) > pay from > choose card > amount > confirmation (OK) > enter W-Pin.
Donating to the Red Cross:
SMART subscribers may help victims of typhoon Ondoy by donating to the Philippine National Red Cross via text.
Text RED <10, 25, 50, or 100> to 4483.
For Example: To donate P100, text RED 100 to 4483.
Only the donated amount will be deducted from your current load. No other charges will be applied.
Donating Relief Goods:
Donation in the form of relief goods may be turned over at the following SMART Wireless Centers:
SM Muntinlupa
SM Bicutan
SM Sucat
Festival Mall,
Ali Mall
Gateway Mall
SM Fairview
SM North Annex
ATC South Mall
SM Megamall
Selected PLDT business offices (locations to be announced) will also be accepting donated relief goods.
Relief Operations in Progress
Here’s a listing of some of the ongoing relief operations and services being organized as of today (9/28/2009).
Free Calls
SMART Libreng Tawag Centers are located at the following locations:
- Barangay Barangka Hall in Marikina City
- Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City
- Cainta Municipal Hall
Affected residents may make calls for free and/or charge cellphones for free.
Another Libreng Tawag Center to be set up ASAP in San Mateo, Rizal.
Relief Goods Distribution
SMART Relief Goods Distribution Centers will be set up within the week right by the SMART Libreng Tawag Centers at Ever Gotesco Mall in Pasig City and Cainta Municipal Hall.
SMART relief distribution will also be done within the week in Marilao, Bulacan and Arayat, Pampanga.
Emergency Medical Services
PLDT Medical Services at Barangay Barangka Hall in Marikina City provides emergency medical assistance.
Additional medical assistance to be set up by Makati Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital ASAP beside the other stations SMART Libreng Tawag Centers (Pasig, Cainta, and soon San Mateo).
SMART Typhoon Relief 