How Third World Can You Get?
By anne25penn
@anne25penn (3305)
Philippines
February 16, 2011 9:10am CST
Okay, I am aware of the saying to be thankful for what you have. But a lot of things have happened today and I just simply want to rant. I know that I live in a third world country, but how third world can you really get?
We have been dubbed as the texting (okay short-messaging-system) country in the world. If that is true, how come my phone is saying "No Access to Network" then? If we are so keen in texting, how come I can't get my network signal here at home?
I don't even live that far from Manila, my house is 15minutes away from Marikina. When I say Rizal people think that I live in some far off place and when we get to my house they are always surprised because it doesn't take too long to get to my place. Now, let's talk about transportation. When I am in Baguio or Laguna, which are provinces by the way, the public transportation is 24hours. Here where I live, if you don't catch the last jeep ride at 8:30PM you're doomed. The next jeep is at 4AM. And there are only jeeps, no vans, shuttles, tricycles or horses. Just these jeeps.
I am just ranting here because my phone doesn't have a signal and it's 11PM and I can't go anywhere. I have already missed the last jeep ride to Manila.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
I think the politically correct word is developing country :) Seriously, your cellular provider still has some wishy-washy connections there in Rizal? And public transportations have curfews? I'm sorry, this just came as a bit of a surprise. So I was right all along. A close friend of mine lives in Cogeo, and each time I drive her home, I always tell her, well, out of jest that is, that I like offering her a ride 'cause it's an opportunity for me to visit a province :)
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
Just checked my phone, nope. No signal yet. I am tempted to climb the roof to get a signal. It's so late 90's when you had to sway around to get a signal. When I first visited this place with the person who was selling the house, she told me that the transportation was 24hrs. She hasn't shown her face up to now. Thank you for your response.
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
16 Feb 11
I'm waiting for a reply to a text message I sent. You know how annoying it is when you think your message was ignored. But the truth is...my phone doesn't have a signal! Don't get me started on the internet. It took me three years to get a decent phone line with internet.
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
About the signal, I too don't have a cellphone signal inside my room, I think your room / house just happens to be at the wrong place. Hehe. When I go out of my room I get full signal, I think there is something blocking the signals inside my room that's why I don't get any. There are places where cellphone signal just doesn't reach, it's really in the placing of the cellphone tower, and of course any walls / buildings / houses that is blocking it. With the transportation.. well, there is really nothing I can say about that, except try to move to a new location maybe? LOL
. I too can't believe that the transport in your place have curfews! What about those working the night shift? 
How are they suppose to go to work? Weird....
. I too can't believe that the transport in your place have curfews! What about those working the night shift? How are they suppose to go to work? Weird....@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
When I was in the early morning shift (230AM) I would have to get up around 7Pm so as to get that last jeep ride to Manila. Needless to say, it took a real toll on my health and getting a room in Manila was out of the question because I am still taking care of my mother. Thank you for your response.
1 person likes this
@Ingkingderders (3832)
• Philippines
20 Feb 11
Well, that was really hard for you I guess.. Maybe you should just get your own car maybe?
@sandymay16 (1617)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
Oh oh, I've been to places where there's no signal whatsoever of the three different service providers. And the place I have been to recently is in the upland barangay of one of the cities here in central Philippines. Yes, anybody can get a signal when you climb up the tallest coconut tree and get a sun cellular signal 
. So, for two days I didn't get to use my mobile phone but just for the alarm but in the middle of the night a text message came through that was sent 6 oclock in the evening.
And going there to that remote place, where my co-worker's family came from, we have to ride the 6 AM bus or else we can't leave until the next one at 1 PM, then we hiked for almost an hour.
Some parts of the Philippines or most parts are still third world, there's no electricity either and the next neighbor lives hundreds of meters away and you have to shout.
. So, for two days I didn't get to use my mobile phone but just for the alarm but in the middle of the night a text message came through that was sent 6 oclock in the evening.
And going there to that remote place, where my co-worker's family came from, we have to ride the 6 AM bus or else we can't leave until the next one at 1 PM, then we hiked for almost an hour.
Some parts of the Philippines or most parts are still third world, there's no electricity either and the next neighbor lives hundreds of meters away and you have to shout.@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
I understand that there are a lot of places here still have no signal from the major cell phone providers. That's why when I see their TV commercials I laugh out loud because ironically I don't have a signal here in my place and it's not that remote. I just live in Rizal. Thank you for your response.
. Thank you for your response.
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
For me if you win the best then go for it it is your choice.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
21 Feb 11
I will admit that I pictured you and this situation as somewhat childish but I decided that I should give some leeway since you did admit that this post is a rant.
As for the third world call, I think that yes, our country fits that description but not entirely. We have some utilities and services that other countries might perceived as luxurious depending on the comparison of economic standing. The mention and the convenience of affording a cellphone and having it loaded for time to time can be considered as luxurious to others while to us, it is simply a daily ritual.
Even though we are blessed with technology, technology itself can fail. As per for your transportation mishap, I guess you cannot expect the system in your area to be flawless. Other areas do have a round clock service for reasons that might not be applicable in your area.
@hlgmdt (300)
• Philippines
17 Feb 11
Haha..I understand how you feel. I've been feeling so frustrated to with what's going in our country. I have always told myself that I am proud of and I love my nation, but sometimes, small things could really pissed me off - small things that shouldn't even be problems, but sadly, they are issues in our country. You are ranting about your phone, while I have been ranting about my internet connection. For the past month, I always experience no connection and very slow internet speed. The service provider keeps on saying that the lines are ok, but how come I still encounter such problems. I am really pissed off because I use the internet a lot. And then we have traffic lights issues. I'm angered by people and drivers who cannot even follow simple traffic signals, that's why road accidents are very common. Who's to blame??? Another thing that frustrates me is the need to fall in line to avail of some services.
