Good news for cellphone lovers

The cellphone has become an invaluable communications tool. It is now a must-have for everyone. My manikurista Paloma has changed cellphone models a number of times. And she guards it like the Golden Buddha. I know my driver Sammy has two units and several SIM cards. Why, only he knows. They would troop to the malls just to find out if there is an on-going sale of cellphones. In my house, I suspect that someone buys and sells cellphones as a sideline. One morning, I overheard a neighbor’s maid pawning her cellphone to a voice so familiar but before I could go close, the deal was done and they were gone. One of these days, I will catch this 5-6 operator right under my nose.

Just a few years ago, cellphones didn’t exist. All we had were landlines or payphones. In the blink of an eye, the cellphone changed everything. It’s amazing how this gadget has become part of our lives. For us in showbiz, the cellphone is a must – from managing schedules and bookings, to keeping in touch, or for the stars like my friend and "sister" Kris Aquino – a medium for communicating with fans.

In our New Year episode of The Buzz, Kris showed us the latest cellphone craze. It was a video call from no less than PLDT and Smart chairman Manny V. Pangilinan using Smart 3G phones.

The Buzz showed the amazing video footage of that call. Imagine being able to see the person you are talking to – on your cellphone! When video calls become popular, there is no reason for us not to look good while talking on the phone.

According to my good friend Butch Jimenez who’s now with PLDT and Smart, 3G (short for third generation cellular technology), will give us richer, more interactive content. And for cellphone-loving Pinoys, 3G makes possible services such as video calls, video streaming, high speed Internet access and a whole lot more.

MVP is a friend of Kris (and mine, too!) and from time to time, she greets him during our show. But last New Year was the first time our viewers saw him on The Buzz. Due to their recent busy schedules, they didn’t have time to see each other. So Kris was really excited when just before New Year, she received a video call from MVP while she was shooting a billboard ad for Smart.

Kris chatted with MVP on how Smart 3G will allow both of them to still see each other – even if they’re unable to escape their busy schedules. I can see that Kris will be a big fan of 3G. Already, she’s planning on giving Smart 3G phones to her son Josh and boyfriend James Yap.

Recently, Smart and three other operators were awarded 3G licenses. Smart earned a perfect score in the grading system used by the government to rate companies asking for a license to operate a 3G service. As a result, Smart got the largest radio frequency allocation, 15MHz compared to just 10MHz for others, and the best part of the radio spectrum, a fact that will help Smart deliver quality service.

For those of you who, like Kris, can’t wait for the Smart 3G launch, Butch Jimenez says you can try it out for yourself in the following Smart Wireless Centers: Smart Tower on Ayala Ave., Alabang Town Center, EDSA Shangri-La Mall, Power Plant in Rockwell, and SM Cebu. This early, you can preview content such as movie trailers and video clips.

Ciara’s new album

Ciara Sotto is back with a new album The Way of Love, a collection of classic romantic standards. Ciara sings 12 romantic songs penned by the world’s greatest songwriters like Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers, Henry Mancini, Benjamin Weisman and Clive Westlake, among others.

Recorded for over a year, The Way of Love includes the title track and the songs Aldila, All I See is You, Manana de Carnival, Ebb Tide, Climb Every Mountain, Moonriver, Noche de Ronda, Why Can’t I Remember To Forget You, All The Things You Are, You Don’t Own Me and Where Is Tomorrow?

"This is the album I am truly proud of. The songs are very memorable to my parents and are truly unforgettable to me. I am so thankful to them for sharing me these beautifully-written songs, though they were ahead of me," says Ciara.

The Way of Love, a must-have for classical music aficionados is produced by Ciara’s father, former senator Tito Sotto and Ben Escasa and arranged by Homer Flores. The Way of Love under Sony BMG music entertainment is available at all record stores nationwide.