Smart gives Pinoy seafarer brand new cars

FOR Jimmy Balacuit, a 10-year veteran Filipino seaman, affordable phone calls while at sea are heaven-sent. It is through these phone calls that Jimmy is able to keep in touch with his loved ones, and to dream big with his family. And in one particular phone call that Jimmy made while at sea to his home in Zamboanga City, one of his dreams came true.

Jimmy's Smart Link phone calls made it possible for him to become the grand prize winner of a brand new Isuzu Crosswind in the recently concluded Dial to Drive promo. This raffle promo that received entries from thousands of Filipino seafarers onboard ships was launched by leading wireless service provider--Smart, in cooperation with Isuzu Philippines and ACeS Philippines.

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"I thank Smart for bridging the communication gap between the seafarers like me and our families through the affordable and convenient services offered by Smart Link," said Jimmy in a phone interview. "I cannot wait to take our new family car around our hometown in Zamboanga City when I get home," added Jimmy who was in Japan at the time of the awarding.

"My husband feels even more secure now because our children and I no longer need to commute to school or to church," said Rosvie, Jimmy's wife, who claimed the Isuzu Crosswind during the recent turnover ceremonies. "This vehicle is a very big help for the family in terms of safety and convenience, especially whenever we visit places when my husband is around," shared Rosvie.

Under the 'Dial-to-Drive' promo, Filipino seafarers simply had to access and listen to the one-minute Isuzu ad aired over Smart Link terminals for a chance to win brand new cell phones, P5,000-worth Smart Link load, or the grand prize of an Isuzu Crosswind XL.

"The partnership between Isuzu and Smart has always been very successful," shares Isuzu Vice President for Corporate Business Arthur Balmadrid. "We are one with the Smart in saluting Overseas Filipino Workers."

"Dial to Drive is our way of recognizing and rewarding our hardworking Filipino seafarers," said Smart Global Access Group Head Tina Z. Mariano. "Through this promo, we renew Smart's commitment of not only providing affordable and reliable communication solutions via Smart Link, but also to develop programs and promos that will help improve the lives of sea-based Filipino workers and their families," Mariano added.

Smart Link is the first and only Philippine prepaid satellite telephony service that provides incoming and outgoing voice services in areas without landline and cellular access. It offers satellite voice call rates for as low as P15/minute, making it the preferred communication tool of thousands of Filipino seafarers. POEA statistics show that Filipinos now comprise over 28 percent of all seafarers manning world's 51,000 ocean-going vessels—translating to close to 300,000 sea-based Filipinos all over the world.

According to Rosvie, her husband was not expecting to win because on their vessel alone, there were already a lot of seafarers who joined the promo. "My husband is very excited to get off the ship to test our brand new car. We are very happy because all those affordable calls paved the way for us to realize our dream of owning a car," Rosvie.

Rosvie is back in Zamboanga City and is starting to learn how to drive so she can do so while her husband is onboard. "I want to fetch my husband when he arrives in Manila. He will surely be surprised when he sees the entire family fetching him aboard our brand new car."

The Balacuit family is just one of the many Filipino "seaman families" being helped by Smart Link. Providing reliable and affordable communication services for stronger family ties, and devising exciting promos to improve their lives, are part of Smart Link's commitment to the Filipino worker, especially Filipino seafarers and their loved ones. (PR)