We made a decision to try PLDT MyDSL broadband service about five months ago. This was after shopping around, comparing and attempting to subscribe to Globe WiMAX and SmartBro. Two months later, I complained about PLDT's poor customer service after a bad experience while attempting to pay our bill in one of its business centers, which then reminded me about past encounters with and inefficiencies of the PLDT system and its personnel.

Today, after two billing cycles since and about five months of generally good broadband connection, I am writing this "how to" advice so others may also lessen the chances of encounter with PLDT's poor customer service as I thankfully have so far and instead just focus on their reliable internet connection (cross my fingers).

First is to altogether avoid any relationship with PLDT if you can.  This company is well-known for its inefficiency and poor customer service ever since I can remember.  There's no other surefire way to avoid frustrations and headaches than to not establish any relationship at all.  Back in Davao City, we went for the alternative telephone and broadband service provider, Bayantel, and this newcomer lived up to its promise of good service.  However, here in Laguna and after the failed attempts to connect to wireless broadband services of Globe WiMAX and SmartBro in our location, we had no choice but to go for PLDT MyDSL and to wait for weeks for installation when the wireless broadband providers can hook us up within a couple of days!

Second, when you cannot help but subscribe to PLDT broadband service (i.e. you don't have any choice like what happened to us), lower your expectations! You might then be pleasantly surprised just like we were that unlike earlier customers that waited for two to three months for installation, it was ONLY two to three WEEKS...now that's progress! (just don't compare this with installation time of Globe and Smart, which is only one to two days).  Also, lower expectations when you call or personally go to PLDT business centers for assistance. Who knows, you might also chance upon the very few (most likely the young and well-trained ones) who'd surprise you with courteous and efficient service.

Third, hope and pray that something like a typhoon will not cause any interruption to your good broadband connection. Response time is known to be less than desirable, so refer to the second tip above just in case something bad happens to your broadband connection.

Fourth, pay your PLDT bill online. I have done it through BPI Express Online, which saved me a lot of hassles. I enrolled our PLDT, SMART and Meralco accounts through our friendly local BPI branch. With this arrangement, I avoided unnecessary contacts with PLDT personnel, thus sparing me from needless vexations.

We must learn to adjust to things we have no control over... learn to live with them and be happy despite of them. In the end, I am grateful for small favors like finding ways to avoid aggravations and freeing myself to appreciate the bright side of life.

I made the same plea in May and I am going to do it again today- GO OUT AND VOTE! This 2010 Barangay and SK Elections is a continuation of the process of change the Philippines is undergoing, i.e. towards political maturity and economic prosperity.

Regardless of one's political affiliation and preference, your right to vote is a moral obligation to yourself and your children and their future. Some of us have heard of or even witnessed the old practices and dirty tricks of money politics in our own locale. Some of us were repulsed and disgusted, while others had to bear with it because of poverty and similar reasons. It's easy to get frustrated and discouraged because of the shameless acts of vote-buying and underhanded tactics, an obvious backslide to the progress made during the May 2010 elections.

Others may be angered, while many more may just clam up and refrain from participating in a tainted exercise. However, I believe that it is not in our interest to abstain or boycott the elections ("walang kwenta yan...wala ring mangyayari"). It is also not in our best interest to be cynical ("pare-pareho lang yan sila" or "basta kumita ako").

I hope we go out today to vote not because of fear, of frustration, of despair, of cynicism. Let's vote today because of hope...hope that it's an important step towards a better future of our community. Let's all be hopeful and see our dreams and aspirations unfold...not immediately but eventually...in the right time.

P. S. You only have until 2pm today to cast your vote.

There's some clamor for the lyrics of Daddy's catchy campaign jingle when the community heard it for the first time yesterday. So we came up with another video incorporating the lyrics.

Here it is and please play and share to friends, especially residents of Barangay Bambang, Los Banos, Laguna.

We have never been involved in any of my Father's political moves. His triumphs meant sorrow for us his children because it felt like losing him for the rest of the community. He may have shortcomings as a father like everyone else...he is not perfect but I admired him dearly for his leadership, his dedication to serve and his truthful governance. The projects he spearheaded and the respect he earned from people speak for what he had become as a public servant.

He served for more than a decade as Councilor and Barangay Chairman. We were younger then so we wanted more of him and therefore grudgingly shared him with the rest of the community. Now that we are, well, a bit older and wiser or shall we say more forgiving and accepting, we can now willingly share him and therefore freely express our support for his candidacy as Chairman of Barangay Bambang in Los Baños, Laguna.



With confidence, we are campaigning for our father who's passion is to serve others and lead people to the best of his ability.

Checking my Hubpages account reminded me of my backlogs in writing. I should be publishing my Christmas hubs by now…

A video project is waiting for soundtracks to be added…

It’s been almost two weeks since I last posted a blog…

But while in front of the computer, attempting to finish an article and several tabs were open, my arms opened up for Nadine who wanted to sit on my lap. She immediately fell asleep nestled on my chest. I can feel her heartbeat next to mine. I can smell her sweet baby scent. I should lay her down to bed but no, not yet…let me savor the moment some more. I stared at her angelic face and it just feels great. I am not accomplishing any tangible thing and yet it feels sooo right!!! Nadine feels so secure in her Mom’s arms but I guess it’s both ways because I find comfort in her warmth. If I was able to defer my professional career for my Nadine girl then everything else can wait for this wondrous moment. For a moment, I rested all my thoughts and worries and focused on this lovely being I am currently holding. That moment is gone when my school kids excitedly arrived to tell me that they did well in their exam.

I had to put down Nadine to attend to the needs of her newly arrived Ate and Kuya from school then the other Kuya shouted. The noise awakened Nadine. Now I have to attend to the simultaneous demands of four little kiddos…mainly attention, attention, attention and attention. This is the moment of truth!!!

Anyway, my kiddos won’t mind if I have many unfinished and unpublished works

I just don’t know with Papa Sez :P will he?