Blogger's note : Finally , the long wait is over for the launch of the Apple Iphone in Manila. Some people will have this as their Christmas gifts for themselves. Well.. Manila.. Enjoy the Iphone !!
Business News
Thousands flock to launch of iPhone in Manila
By Channel NewsAsia's Philippines Correspondent Christine Ong | Posted: 23 August 2008 0031 hrs
MANILA: Thousands of Filipinos flocked to the launch of the revolutionary second-generation 3G iPhone at Manila's central business district in Makati on Friday.
Mon Eugenio, an Apple fan, said: "I have always wanted to have an iPhone because I am a gadget guy and I like new technology. This represents the best in new technology. I have a MacBook, an iPod, and now I have an iPhone 3G."
Apple fanatic Nina Sarmiento had waited in line since 3pm on Thursday to get her reserved unit.
"I have been waiting for it for a year! It is very useful for myself and it is very cool," she said.
Exclusive Philippine distributor Globe Telecom believes that high inflation and rising food and fuel costs will not deter Filipinos from buying the revolutionary phone.
Globe Telecom is banking on the stylish Apple iPhone to boost its profits for the year. In fact, a week before the launch on Friday, Globe Telecom even slashed its prices by ten per cent to attract more subscribers.
Prepaid subscribers can get an 8-gigabyte iPhone for US$835, while a 16-gigabyte iPhone costs around US$973.
The 8-gigabyte iPhone is free for subscribers of the highest postpaid plan of US$111 a month.
Manny Aligada, head of Customer Engagement, Globe Telecom, said: "Filipinos are very tech-savvy, and a good portion of the population is also very fashionable and practical. Because of the things that you can do with an iPhone, it will become very popular. We are coming out with it before the peak of the Christmas season so that people can start using it."
Globe Telecom - a joint venture between Philippines' largest conglomerate, Ayala Corporation, and Singapore Telecom - is the country's second largest phone company with 22.7 million subscribers.
- CNA/so
