SingTel, one of Singapore’s main telco, has just launched a new feature for all its prepaid subscribers. They can now share their existing or extra talk time credit with telco subscribers in Philippines.
To do this, simply SMS <country code><Recipient’s Overseas Prepaid Mobile Number> to 70202.
This feature is of course limited to only 3 main telcos in Philippines, which are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications as well as Sun Cellular. If you do not have anyone in Philippines to share your extra prepaid talk time with, you can also transfer some of those credits to another SingTel Prepaid user in Singapore by SMS “HSS<space><Recipient’s hi!Card number>” to 70201.
Filipino’s Independance Day Preparation in Singapore
This campaign comes timely with the upcoming Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Singapore, which has been making the news recently. Many Filipinos were being targeted online for planning to celebrate their Independence Day in Singapore.
The Pilipino Independence Day Council Singapore (PIDCS), a group of Filipino volunteers, put up a post on Facebook about the event last weekend and drew fire almost immediately.
The poster carrying this year’s Independence Day theme of “independence and interdependence” appeared to have been given a different meaning by those who posted criticisms.
Negative comments from Singaporeans flooded in, with Facebook page “Say ‘No’ to an overpopulated Singapore” urging locals to protest on the PIDCS page.
“It is unfortunate that the images and words used give the impression of the Philippines planting their flag onto Singapore soil and declaring it as part of their own. There seems to be no sensitivity in it. Almost like it was done on purpose,” said one comment. This pertained to the event poster bearing the words, “Two Nations, One Community” beside a logo of a rising sun above two crossing hand palms made to shape like a blue and red dove beside a silhouette of Singapore’s signature Marina Bay skyline.
“Don’t let them celebrate their independence day at Takashimaya[.] We should stop them and throw them back to their country,” said another.
Also read: SingTel launches Singapore’s first discounted mobile plans for seniors