Dual SIM mobile phone from China

During the trip to Escolta, we visited the 168 Mall where goods can be bought at wholesale prices. One of the electronic products on sale is a mobile phone with TV and dual SIM capabilities.

This phone that costs 10,000 pesos bears the brand "PDA Phone" and is probably made in China (based on the Chinese characters in the opening screen). It features a touch screen and other basic features of a mobile phone.

Marketed as a PDA phone, it does not live up to my needs. It does not have a word or spreadsheet capability and does not even have a notes feature. It does have an alarm clock and to-do list.

It's TV capability offers analog TV and supposedly CATV capabilities. Its stylus acts as the antenna. Though the reception when we tested it is not that good (due to weak signals according to the sales person) it is free compared to the soon-to-be-pay-per-view myTV feature of a local service provider.

The phone's dual SIM capability allows a user to switch from one network to another by simply turning off the unit. This is good for us since we have a prepaid electronic loading business that requires two phones to use for both major networks (and we are running out of phones).

Sadly, the 10,000 peso unit is the only one with dual SIM. there are cheaper units with TV features but without the convenience of dual SIM.

For those interested, you can visit that stall at the 3rd floor of 168 Mall near the food court. 168 Mall is in the Divisoria District of the City of Manila, just a ride away from the Escolta station of the Pasig Ferry.

By the way, this is not a paid review. :)

Pasig Ferry Ride 2

Just this afternoon, we went into another Pasig Ferry trip. We got right on time arriving at the ferry station in Bambang, Pasig City for the 12:30pm pick-up.

Ferry service from Bambang to Escolta starts from 5.30am. Last trip from Bambang to Escolta is at 8.40pm

Ferry service from Escolta to Bambang starts at 6.05am and the last trip leaves at 8.40pm for Bambang.


At present, the Bambang station is a mere pontoon set-up along side the river waiting for the more modern and air conditioned station to be finished.


The Kalawaan station looks pretty much like the pontoon Bambang Station. No on-going construction, however, indicates the construction of a more modern stations.


Guadalupe station, the next stop to Escolta, is the first station I have ever noticed. I have seen the construction in 2006 and passed by it last February 2007 after arriving from Tacloban City, Leyte.


Hulo station is next. Hulo is located somewhere in Mandaluyong City a few minutes from the Guadalupe station.


Lambingan station is also located in Mandaluyong City. Lambingan, if translated to English means romancing. :-)


Sta. Ana station located in the City of Manila is probably near the famous Sta. Ana race track (Sorry, I was not able to confirm). As you can see, the "T" in Sta. does not look too good when I took the picture before the recent storm. The last time we passed by, the "T" is nowhere to be seen. hehehe

The next station is the station behind the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Good for the students!

After this, the ferry passes under the Nagtahan bridge on to a scenic view of the Malacanan Palace, the seat of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Alas, all passengers are prohibited from taking photographs while passing through Malacanan. A member of the Presidential Security Group is present to ensure that. And every time the ferry passes. the crew are on the watch in case a passenger pulls out a camera.

And the final stop, Escolta station.

It was a relaxing 1 hour 10 minute ride with a Transformers movie feature on the ferry's front-mounted HDTV.

Hope you'll enjoy the ride as well. Just don't mind the shanties you pass and the garbage floating by.

Cruise along Pasig River

Two weeks ago, me and my wife went to cruise along Pasig River on board an airconditioned catamaran. It has plastic seats, good view of the river (and its garbage) and a front mounted HDTV for entertainment.

It was a Sunday so we planned to bum around Manila. We took the ferry from the San Joaquin Station. Since it was a Sunday, they offered a flat rate of P25.00. It took more than one hour to get to Escolta, the last station. Across the river is the Philippine Post Office.

After a long stroll in Raon and the China Town, we again took the ferry back to Pasig.

Even though the trip took more than an hour, it was stress free inspite of the garbage floating around. And since it is airconditioned, we sat comfortably not being bothered by the possibility of a foul smell outside.

I would recommend to readers to take the ferry. For those interested it has stations in Kalawaan, San Joaquin, Guadalupe, Lambingan, Sta. Ana, PUP, and Escolta.

A map at the back of the ferry shows possible expansion to Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, and Marikina almost to San Mateo.

Hope you will also enjoy the ride as we did.