Young stars join TXT N MATCH

So chivalry still exists. Isn’t that refreshing especially in this modern times? Chivalry definitely ruled, especially when six young celebrities recently took part of a dating game called TXT N Match held at GMA 7’s daytime program SIS with Janice and Gelli de Belen.

In TXT N Match, Chynna Ortaleza, Cheska Garcia, Antoinette Taus, Polo Ravales, Railey Valeroso, AJ Eigenmann – were matched by asking getting-to-know-you questions ranging from something as simple as who gets to pay on the first date, to something as revealing as when, where and with whom was his/her first kiss.

When AJ Eigenmann was asked to text a smiley face to one of the three girls who was his type, without hesitation he sent an SMS to Chynna, who squealed with delight upon receiving his text. "She’s really nice and easy to get along with," AJ said.

On the other hand, Railey was rather surprised when he was texted by all three as the guy who most intimidate them. "He’s quiet on the outside but kind of raging on the inside – that’s scary," shared Antoinette Taus.

Judging from the revelations made by these youngsters as each of them carefully yet candidly answered the questions, it was quite obvious that they can express themselves more openly and comfortably through text messaging.

"Texting has become a way of life for us Filipinos," shared guest sociologist and University of Sto. Tomas professor Josephine "Peppin" Aguilar. "The more we accept text messaging as a vital part of our daily lives, the more comfortable we become especially in expressing our thoughts and feelings through text," she said.

The game was inspired by a recent survey conducted by the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile). The survey, entitled Siemens Lifestyle Survey III, tackled how people have become creative and inspiring when it comes to using their mobile phones in their everyday life, especially in love and relationships. The survey was conducted across six countries in South East Asia, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

This was proven right by the Siemens Mobile Lifestyle Survey, which showed 58 percent of Filipinos are more expressive in love after having a mobile phone, making it the most romantic in the six regions surveyed.

On the other hand, 57 percent of Filipinos have experience having their mobile phones ring during intimate moments with their partners – not surprisingly as only nine percent switch off their phones when they are together with their loved ones.

Filipinos are also a peaceful lot – 37 percent would fight with their partners via SMS instead of shouting. We ought to be more careful though in pledging our love through SMS because 35 percent have sent intimate SMSes to the wrong number (as compared with 24 percent across the region).

The Siemens Mobile Lifestyle Survey was completed in December 2002 with 1,400 interviews conducted by an independent research house, Asia Market Intelligence. The survey focused on males and females within two age brackets (15 to 19 years and 20 to 29 years).

In the Philippines, 288 people were surveyed, including 134 males and 154 females.