Spotify is now in the Philippines (Update)

Check out updates from Globe's GoSurf Plan (old PowerSurf) and get Spotify for Free!

Image by Spotify (Perszone van Spotify) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Wanna Spotify without using up your allocated mobile internet subscription? Since the Fair Usage Policy (FUP) A.K.A. Data Capping has taken effect, Globe changed its Surf plans by offering GoSurf instead of PowerSurf. Globe has allocated a separate data allowance for Spotify! You can enjoy Basic or Premium Spotify access for a first time 6-month trial period. 

These are the available GoSurf promos for Globe prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

For Prepaid Subscribers:

GoSurf Validity	GoSurf Price	GoSurf MB Allocation	GoSurf Free Spotify	GoSurf  Spotify Allocation	GoSurf How To Register
1 Day	10 Php	10 MB	Basic	200 MB	Text GOSURF 10 to 8888
1 Day	30 Php	50 MB	Basic	200 MB	Text GOSURF 30 to 8888
2 Days	15 Php	20 MB	Basic	300 MB	Text GOSURF 15 to 8888
3 Days	50 Php	250 MB	Basic	400 MB	Text GOSURF 50 to 8888
30 Days	99 Php	100 MB	Basic	1GB	Text GOSURF 99 to 8888
30 Days	299 Php	700 MB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 299 to 8888
30 Days	499 Php	1.5 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 499 to 8888
30 Days	799 Php	3 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 799 to 8888
30 Days	999 Php	5 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 999 to 8888
30 Days	1799 Php	10 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 1799 to 8888
30 Days	2499 Php	15 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 2499 to 8888

For Postpaid Subscribers:

GoSurf Validity	GoSurf Price	GoSurf MB Allocation	GoSurf Free Spotify	GoSurf  Spotify  Allocation	GoSurf How To Register
1 Day	30 Php	50 MB	Basic	200 MB	Text GOSURF 30 to 8888
2 Days	15 Php	20 MB	Basic	300 MB	Text GOSURF 15 to 8888
3 Days	50 Php	250 MB	Basic	400 MB	Text GOSURF 50 to 8888
30 Days	99 Php	100 MB	Basic	1GB	Text GOSURF 99 to 8888
30 Days	299 Php	700 MB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 299 to 8888
30 Days	499 Php	1.5 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 499 to 8888
30 Days	799 Php	3 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 799 to 8888
30 Days	999 Php	5 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 999 to 8888
30 Days	1799 Php	10 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 1799 to 8888
30 Days	2499 Php	15 GB	Premium	1GB	Text GOSURF 2499 to 8888

Review of Globe for Spotify:

Having a Globe prepaid or postpaid plan does not automatically give you free Basic or Premium Spotify Access. If you want to enjoy Spotify via Globe's GoSurf Plan, you have to register first by texting to 8888.

E.g. If you normally get a prepaid load of 299 per month or a monthly postpaid plan of 299 per month, register and enjoy Spotify by following these steps: 

• Text GOSURF 299
• Send to 8888

Why register to Spotify using GoSurf Promo? Aside from the allocated MBs for GOSurf subscription that you have usually used for internet browsing, Globe has allocated separate MBs for you to enjoy music streaming via Spotify!

Please take note that if you use up your allocated Spotify MBs and you still want to enjoy Spotify, Spotify will use your allocated GoSurf subcription MBs. Now, you might be also thinking the same first question that I had - How would I make sure I haven't used up all my spotify allocated MBs?

E.g. For GoSurf prepaid plan Spotify Status check:

• Text SPOTIFY STATUS
• Send to 8888

      For GoSurf postpaid plans, Globe advised to download My Data Manager to monitor data usage.

I would suggest for postpaid GoSurf users to follow these steps when checking Spotify MB usage:

• From your android phone/tablet, select Settings
• Under Connections Tab, Click Data usage
• Scroll down and see how much MB was used for Spotify

If you are currently subscribed to Globe's prepaid/postpaid plan 999, registering to Spotify will enable you to enjoy and maximize Spotify Premium by linking your account into 3 mobile devices.

What's great about Spotify's 6-month trial period is that you can enjoy Spotify for succeeding 5 months even if you do not continuously subscribe to any of the GoSurf Plans. Once you have registered in any GoSurf promo as a postpaid subscriber, you will be automatically enrolled for a 6-month trial period for Spotify Premium Promo subscription. If postpaid users do not unsubscribe from Spotify, it will automatically renew itself with default value of Spotify 299 per month.

If you want to register for a premium account in Spotify, register by texting to 8888.

	Spotify Validity	Spotify Rate	Spotify MB	How To Register to GoSurf Spotify
Spotify20	1 Day	20 Php	200 MB	SPOTIFY 20 to 8888	SPOTIFY 20 to 8888
Spotify30	2 Days	30 Php	300 MB	SPOTIFY 30 to 8888	SPOTIFY 30 to 8888
Spotify99	7 Days	99 Php	500 MB	SPOTIFY 99 to 8888	SPOTIFY 99 to 8888
Spotify299	30 Days	299 Php	1 GB	SPOTIFY 299 to 8888	SPOTIFY 299 to 8888

Steps to Unsubscribe from Spotify:

• Text SPOTIFY STOP
• Send to 8888

I hope that I'm getting this right. Let's Spotify!

Visit Globe for more information.

See previous article about Spotify

Spotify is now in the Philippines

Image by Spotify (Perszone van Spotify) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Music has been innate in each of us since pre-school days. You may not be the best singer in town, but I'm sure that those set of toes must have tapped on it own along with your muted hums. As for me, my golden singing voice only comes on mornings and goes away as soon as I put back the shower head on its place haha. Anyway, I discovered a great way to experience music, all for free via Spotify.

Review of Spotify:

As I scrolled down Spotify's website, the experience reminded me of browsing for my favorite albums in our old family tower of CDs. CDs have now been replaced with digital tracks in our PCs, tablets, smart phones, and music gadgets, eliminating clutter in our rooms. 

My mom is a big fan of Teresa Teng, The Carpenters, Abba, Air Supply; all of her favorite songs were spotified! I even found my kindergarten dance song, “天下的妈妈都是一样的" (All mothers are the same). Spotify really boast of its 24 million songs and counting. So go ahead, I challenge you to ask your grandma's favorite song, even your great grandma's and search it in Spotify's song database.

When comparing Spotify to other music channels that are available in the Philippines like iTunes and Torrent:

•  iTunes is usually on a per song basis, $0.69/0.99/1.29 per song. Only 1 medium quality is available.
• Torrent, contains FLAC versions of the songs, but this is most likely illegal.

What I like about spotify is that there is NO long waiting time for all your tracks to download and then filter which versions have the best audibility. If you're a bit of an old school, then there is no more tuning needed for your favorite music channel in the radio. It's as if you're using YouTube on a radio component. I can just type my kind of music, singer, song title, or mood and listen.

Spotify also comes with a premium version which is offered at a 3rd world county rate of 129 PHP/month (about 3 USD) which is really really affordable compared to our more developed neighbors. Spotify is 48 HKD (6.19 USD) in Hong Kong, 9.9 SGD (7.93 USD) in Singapore. The version I am trying out is the free version that has a limited skipping chances - pardon my channel surfing syndrome (-_-) - I found that free Spotify version only allows me to use skip button for 6 times per hour to get to the next track. If you don't have CSS, then there's no problem. By the way, the free version is ad supported, ads will pop up after a certain number of minutes. The good news is that, the PC version of Spotify does not have the 6 skip limit. However, audio quality is limited to 192 kbps and it is also Ad supported.

If you're an audiophile, this service might not be up to your standards. Buying your own CD and ripping it to uncompressed formats like FLAC, WAV, etc. is still better. But if you're like me, who wants to have all kinds of music (including the latest ones) with freedom to personalize and find your special kind of music, then Spotify is perfect for you.

Download Spotify on your Desktop via following steps:

Go to: https://www.spotify.com/ph/

Download Spotify installer and save to a preferred pathfile

Run the installer and it will automatically run as a free version

Login and start listening

For Android and IOS users:

Go to the playstore or appstore

Download the Spotify App

Sign in using your Spotify or Facebook account and start listening

Based on the Globe website,  GoSurf Mobile Plan will have bundled access to Spotify just by subscribing to the said plans:

Prepaid Subscribers:

• GoSurf 10 -  10MB for 24 hours (unlimited spotify streaming of free version)

Postpaid Subscribers:

• GoSurf 299 - 700MB for 30 days (premium spotify access)
• GoSurf 999 - 5GB for 30 days (premium spotify access)

Note: Spotify does not consume the allotted MB of the mobile plans.

Let's wait for the official launch of these plans on April 13, 2014.

Likes:

Webpage design is revolutionary and refreshing.

Good quality of music with wide accessibility.

Unlimited music database.

Dislikes:

Randomly popping ads (free version).

Only Shuffle Play is allowed (mobile free version).

Price:

For the free version, it's for Free!!

Subscribe with the premium version for only 129.00 PHP/month

Globe users on the new GoSurf plans will have access to premium service

Visit https://www.spotify.com/ph/ for more information.

Happy Sound Tripping.

Link next Article on Spotify Updates

Valory

NAIA Terminal 1

I remember how I held polite smiles as a child as I tried to be behave like a good girl when asked to answer small talk questions like, “How old are you now?” I would sometimes pull away because my cheeks were swollen from their incessant pinching (note: I was a fat kid with so much wobbly bits good for pinching). The questions have obviously evolved to “Are you working already?” I call it the plateau, when all people just stop there and acknowledge whichever company you’re working for.

I still enjoy being in the plateau, but I already entered that weird age when everyone is not sure how to ask how I am at age 27. I had my few toink moments back then when people would assume things that I’m not yet acquainted with:

•  I remember bumping into one of my old Chinese class teachers from high school while I was in 3^rd year college. She just blurted out: “Are you married already?” I laughed my wits out and we were both slightly hysterically embarrassed.
• One time at the office, my new co-worker asked me if I’m also married like the others in the meeting room; I was like: “NBSB here.” Okay, that was embarrassing too, I laughed it all out and was never really dramatic about it.
• The last time was a year ago when I passed by a mini day care center at the mall and the saleslady was offering me to check their place out. Okay, though I would sometimes imagine what if I already had a child (because they are too adorable).
•  Nowadays, my new Cantonese teacher and classmate asked me if the other half and I are already married.

I’m beginning to think that all these might not have been coincidental. Was life has just been passing me by or have I thoughtlessly been passing through life?

I always thought that I was still young and had this whimsical dream of maturing into a beautiful swan someday. I felt insecure here and there during high school and college, I would think to myself that I was the fairest of them all in my own castle of being and everything was fine. I was not assuming and never claimed to be the alpha female of any sort, because I had my own sense of mind; thinking that each person has her own sense of beauty and worth.

I’m the type of girl who did not show much insecurity on the outside and have always been chose being right than happy. I have always been over weight, clumsy, and wore back brace in high school. Yup, I wasn’t popular, pretty, nor the nerdy type. I was just an average person was a bit full of herself, who held back to her being on the top ten honor roll when my pretty meter was being tested, thinking: “I’m smart anyway, I don’t have to be pretty.”

Sure, I had my share of experimentation with hair relaxers in the name of pursuing beauty. I always thought that I had all the time in the world; I could save and spend it sometime in the future “when I’ve matured into a swan”. I spent my off times on manicures/pedicures and back massages. Then I hit 27, newbies in the office and I have about 4-5 years gap. Suddenly, I’m not so young anymore; what was I doing and more importantly, why? I was never the PC tweaking person in the family nor in school in the first place. I was always mellow and trusted the promise of tomorrow, confined within my bounds of comfort.

I realized that I was my happy memories as a young student was when I was drawing in art club and art class, writing for the school paper, handling puppets, acting and doing pantomime in black lights with my friends, even secretly squeezing into the kindergarten classrooms to play the piano during black theater rehearsals (even if I didn’t know how, I find the tones and pull them up into a familiar song). My college years was highlighted with my writer/associate editor extra-curricular activity job in our college’s newsletter for the last 2 years, aside from cutting class for “special” occasions.

I have always hated math in my primary years, in fact I hated doing practice math problems. In high school, I excelled in Social studies, Biology and English, careered all art projects and flunked for the first time in Chemistry. I never really persevered and pushed myself to pull my ranks up the top ten list, I was simply contented being in it. If I wasn’t in it, I would try to be in it again the next semester, but never beyond the top 5 because I thought that I wasn’t good enough. I think I would sometimes be at top 5, but the point is that I was already happy about it.

During 4^th year high school, I was simply impressed by myself because I got 90+ in Math and even attended remedial class with math whiz kids (I was the noob haha, but I didn’t care haha). I thought that I was becoming good in Math (thanks to our cool math teacher) and might as well use it. My ego got me into engineering, ignoring all other hobbies to have a more rewarding career. I selected ECE because it sounded good and modern, not that I know anything about it. I stayed away from the famous nursing course because I thought that everyone was taking it and I didn’t want to join the bandwagon. That was it, I set limit to myself since back then. Though I graduated in college with an ECE diploma, I was clueless what to do after graduation.

I was over 6 months jobless after graduation, I was accepted as a research consultant that paid well and I liked what I did, but the set up did not work out and I’d like to see the outside world. I took a purchasing job with a Chinese company, but the set up was not my type and I wanted more money. I took a job in an American IT company doing BPO job, I got assigned to a dedicated project after 6 months and got promoted after about 1.8 years. I was definitely driven and inspired during my newbie years, I even remember liking the graveyard shift because it meant night differential pay and peaceful ambience in the office. I was hooked and was rarely late.

Yes, the money was good, but I tell you; drooling while accidentally falling asleep at 9am in the bus/train didn't feel good. And it didn't feel good when I have completely succumbed to brain dysfunction and forgot to pay the bus driver who smiled at me, as he waited for me to pay my fare. I tried to go to sleep and got usually confused with what time it was when I woke up. Excluding migraines and all sorts of bloating and hair fall, my pride and self-worth was really shaken. I was thinking, “If I can’t do this, then what?” In my biased opinion, it’s a sad thing when you see people - even myself - not knowing what to do in times of doubt, other than to choose what they currently have.

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Sometimes, I regret the time when I turned my back on my “hobbies”, convinced that I had to be an adult. I just couldn't wash them out of me. Writing was just always been part of me; in fact, it saved me when I was on shambles while my artistic side always came in handy. I have been too afraid to fail and too afraid to admit where I am better and interested at, if not best. One of the funniest indication of my awakening was that I was more excited to write up an article for the company newsletter than to do my actual work. I was not “the best” writer of all time; some were hit, some were miss, but I didn't care much because I liked how I was telling stories about my teammate’s achievements and activities. In fact, the highlight of my yearly office rating was more of my writing for the company newsletter and being published in the company’s website version of the newsletter.

It’s just sad that writers have been accompanied with poor compensation, I was so happy with what I achieved as a past research consultant and newsletter writer again but was still afraid and bound by my ideals. I’m lucky that I met my other half who empowered me at all times, and a few role models and supporters, who have decided to walk through the road less taken by those who choose to fueled with passion and determination.

As I stayed in the office, I encountered all sorts of people. I was surviving, but I did not feel the same with my work as days passed by. I saw these people, who were passionate at work and ones who were not. Each person’s passion transcends to their output. In my biased opinion, I do not want to see myself in the same position that will make me surrender to eventual self-destruction, wherein going to work will be as if I'm climbing an uphill off-road mountain and wild hungry wolves will be everywhere, waiting for me to be off-guard.

I tried freelance writing on my own and was excessively exhilarated when got a few rackets. My penchant for beautiful places, artistic whims and my funny quirks actually got me a job that I have been excited about every day. It was not as big as my monthly salary as an IT person, but I was at awe! I am now an official writer - who got paid for my nonsense haha.

In an era where Princess Anna and Elsa redefined stereotypes and have fully emphasized woman empowerment, I just couldn’t help but see myself in their shoes! Timely and timeless. I just love the part when Anna stopped Kristoff, so that she could defend herself to Hans. On the other hand, Elsa has been too unsure of herself for so long; she accepted her own true self and learned to channel her powers to good use. I quit my IT job and I am now accepting what I am; a noob, trying to write her way into the world.

So I sing on my personal day of valor, “Let it go… let it go…” 

Singapore Day 1: Night Safari and Ulu Ulu Restaurant

Waiting for Bus 927 in Choa Chu Kang

From Marsiling MTR station, we took a bus ride via bus 927 from Choa Chu Kang bus interchange. I must say, I was really encouraged to use my 2 legs in Singapore. It was a Friday, commuting was a breeze during rush hour while on our way to Night Safari.

Parkhopper promos, Night Safari, Singapore

We availed the 3-in-1 parkhopper package that includes entrance to Night Safari, River Safari, and Bird Park for $69. By the time Mr. DQ and I arrived, the first run of the animal show was canceled due to rainfall. The internal tour tram already left too. Our next option was to have dinner at one of those safari-themed restaurants inside Night Safari while we wait for the next one.

Note: Try to choose a day when rainfall is least likely to happen to maximize your visit at Night Safari.

Ulu Ulu Restaurant, Night Safari, Singapore

Ulu Ulu Restaurant Review:

It was about time for us to try some Singaporean staples, we tried out Ulu Ulu Restaurant over other restaurants. “Ulu Ulu” sounded Asian and of Malay descent. According to this source, “ulu” means remote in Malay. The restaurant have several cuisine stands that cater Chinese, Halal, Indian food etc. I guess, they were trying to market Asian or remotely available cuisines, relative to where other tourists came from. Even if I come from a local Chinatown, I really am a fan of good old comforting Chinese food, though I find other cuisines interesting to try out. We needed comfort and tummy-filling food for sustenance. Lighting was dim and warm as if all of it were coming from fire torches hung in wooden posts. You might wanna take precaution if you have someone in your tour group who has poor eyesight. Ulu Ulu was packed, we separated and looked for a table. It was also drizzling a bit, not many people dined outdoors like we did.

PRAAAAAWWWWNs and veggies, Ulu Ulu, Night Safari, Singapore

We ordered sweet and sour prawns, with vegetables and white rice, and additional crab rice. Pretty 

pricey stuff. Upon payment, I hoped that the food shall deliver, thinking there might be some reason why the place is packed because unlike other restaurants.  The order taker asked where to deliver the food, but we both realized that it was hard to point at something from the crowd. He asked me to walk back to my table and was told that he would follow me with his eyesight and see where I sat. That went well.

Crabrice, Ulu Ulu, Night Safari, Singapore

You know that feeling of constantly shuffling the fried rice bowl to loot in some meat? I did not have to do that because the crab meat in the crab rice were evenly incorporated. It can be eaten on its own; nevertheless, the crab rice also complemented the sweet and sour prawns and veggie sidings. The prawns were puffy, sweet and tender. I think I ate about 4-5 giant ones, sorry I lost count. Disregarding the fried batter casing, the prawns were really large and each bite gave me an umami kind of crunch that you get from properly cooked fresh seafood. The prawn set meal was in an upscaled price, but the size and quality of the prawns were one of the best that I had in my life. Someday, I might come back for these prawns.

Beef Mutton Satay, Ulu Ulu, Night Safari, Singapore

Mr. DQ enjoyed the veggie and went crazy over satay. We ordered not less than 4 orders of satays. Nearby was a satay stand, that served mutton and beef satays, with a small piece of rice cake and onion-cucumber salad. The rice cake reminded me of the Filipino suman after getting a hint of coconut milk and Chinese sweet rice cake (di ke in Hokien dialiect). It had a more jelly-like texture, but less sweet than the Filipino Suman. We went crazy for the satay and peanut sauce! The mutton meat was tender and savory, the beef slid off the stick so easily. Eating rice with satay's peanut sauce is already good enough by itself – I swear I would gulp down the whole cup of peanut sauce if I weren't still aware of my personal public decorum. I give 5 stars for the satay and peanut sauce.

Night Safari, Singapore photo op area

(Look out for the featured animal that you can take pictures with, I was too early for the owl)

Review of Night Safari Tour:

It's not every day that you get to visit a zoo at night time. Come to think of it, visiting the night safari at night means less exposure to sunlight and heat. I wonder who got the idea first, night safari or night museum? Thanks to the drizzling rain, they canceled the initial run and we were able to grab a bite before the show. They resumed the show after the rain stopped. Be careful with the downward steps towards the sunken open amphitheater. (Spoiler alert) Do not sit near the front stage if you cannot handle surprises from our little furry or rather slippery friends. I also refrained from taking pictures since I needed flash to take proper pictures, and flashes may harm our animal friends.

I am usually not a big fan of animal shows because I believe in leaving the animals in their natural surroundings. This one is nice though. A mix of foreign tourists and locals populated the theater. The humor of the emcee was priceless and timely. Everyone in the audience who was English literate laughed at one point during the show. If not, the story line or the gestures and story plot will be enough to entertain the viewers.

After the animal show, we hopped into a tram ride that circled the whole night safari grounds. Just before the tram tour, some young ushers came over to take our pictures. The albums were available right after the tour. I never went for these type of souvenirs before, but we purchased one for SGD 30 since we did not have any clear photos of us to relive the great time that we had. The photo frame was encased in a thick cardboard frame with flap cover, pretty nice.

The trail visited the Fishing Cat Trail, Leopard Trail, East Lodge Trail, and the new Wallaby Trail.  See Trail map here.We took the first seat on the second coaster, right next to the first tram where the driver and tour guide were. Even though we did not have people's head blocking the view, the glass panel is somewhat a nuisance. Both sides of the tram are open and the visitors could hop out of the tram if they desire to observe more. I suggest that you finish the quick tour first and then choose where else you want to visit. Next time, I will try to sit in the middle or at the back of the tram coaster, so that we could have larger actual viewing space. The tour guide knew what to say and how to handle the whole tram ride experience, speakers were placed in each tram coaster. The mellowness of her voice, dim lighting of the safari, and the cool wind was lulling me into slumber, but I refused to surrender. I was having as much fun as the local kid behind us, who couldn't help reacting to what he was seeing. He kept on asking his parents the 5 W's, they tried to answer but they also reminded for him to keep quiet to avoid disturbing the animals and other tram riders. Nice to have children with so much enthusiasm onboard, the aura is viral. They did not have question and answer with the guide, I bet the kid might have asked all the questions no one onboard could have thought of on the spot.

Seeing the animals without fences was a unique experience. Night Safari's open fence zoo set up solicited a natural rapport between us and the animals: Respect. Some dangerous animals like leopards have safety enclosures for obvious reasons, while other less threatening did not. At one time, the tram was turning right through a curb, one family of deer was just sitting there and just busy being themselves. I've never seen a deer this close! Likewise, a large bird that was standing beyond their living space and was standing at the rear left side of the trail. It was staring at us from my left as the tram drove forward. Nothing unusual for these birds, but it was really exciting for me. Please see the Night Safari trail here. I personally love the Wallaby trail, where wallabies roamed and hopped freely. Their so cute! Bennett's wallaby and Parma wallaby are also found here. Parma wallaby was thought to be extinct, so it was quite a treat to see them.

Price:

69 SGD, All for Night Safari + River Safari + Bird Park

Likes:

The whole idea of visiting the zoo at night

Ambience, I felt like a survivor contestant

Parkhopper promo

Clean and odor-free zoo

Calm voice of the tram tourguide

Ulu Ulu restaurant Chinese food is FTW

Funny animal show host

My heart beat skipped a couple of times while walking around the zoo at night on foot, with the thought of something might just be lingering behind you  haha

Dislikes:

The possibility of animal show cancellation when it rains

Link to Singapore Day 1

Keywords: Ulu Ulu, Night Safari, Singapore, Suman, mutton, satay, beef,  Fishing Cat Trail, Leopard Trail, East Lodge Trail,Wallaby trail, Bennett's wallaby, Parma wallaby, animal