Press Release
Smart Link and NYK-Fil strengthen family ties
STRENGHTHENING FAMILY TIES. Photo shows NYK-Fil Seafarers and their families at the Smart Link Satellite Phone Booth during the Seafarers’ Dialogue & Seafarers’ Dependents Assembly at the Sarabia Hotel in Iloilo City. Smart Link offered free Smart Link Satellite phone units to NYK-Fil shipping vessels as Smart Link Satellite phone strengthens family ties with real time communication anytime, anywhere even in the far reaches of the ocean.
[June 3, 2008/ Manila] - Leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) through its Global Access Group recently joined ship manning agency NYK-Fil Management, Inc. in conducting their series of Seafarers’ Dialogue and Seafarers’ Dependents Assembly held in Cebu, Iloilo and Davao.
Close to 1,200 participants attended the assemblies that also served as a family day for NYK-Fil’s vacationing seafarers and their families. Global Access, which provides Smart Link – the satellite phone that enables seafarers to connect with families and loved ones even while in the middle of the ocean – supported NYK-Fil’s efforts of reaching out to their seafarers and promoting close family ties. Also supporting the event by offering services the seafarers and their families can use were cash card Smart Money, wireless broadband Smart Bro and international mobile services Smart Pinoy.
At the Sarabia Hotel, where NYK-Fil officials, seafarers and their families gathered for the Iloilo leg of the series of assemblies, 31-year old Rhea Dilag, wife of AB Armand Dilag shared that being a seaman has always been her husband’s dream but along with this dream came several challenges.
“Being separated geographically was very hard for us. It took a lot of time and money for us to communicate constantly. It is good to know that now, with Smart Link, my husband does not have to wait to reach port to buy a phone card and call. I don’t have to wait for weeks or months before we can hear from him again,” said Rhea.
37-year old OLR Jose Dexter Torrique of M/V Takahashi meanwhile said, “I have been using Smart Link Satellite Phone since its initial launch. I have no complaints about Smart Link’s services. In fact, it has made me and my wife Ma. Lona and kids Johndel Matthew and Joseph Marlo bond even if I’m in transit from one port to another.”
Torrique adds “I’ve been with NYK for 19 years and the advent of Smart Link’s Satellite Phone has made being far from my family much bearable. With Smart Link’s affordable rates, I can call my family anytime. My kids even take turns in talking to me about what has been happening to them in school and with their friends.”
“It is also a very big help in keeping the romance alive between me and my wife,” Torrique quipped smiling. “I get to call her on special occasions such as Valentine’s Day to profess my love over and over again.” In agreement, Ma. Lona added, “Using Smart Link means I get to talk to my husband in private, and in real time.”
Ruby Geraldoy and son Ryle Brean also gets to talk with the head of their family, Brendo Geraldoy of M/V Ocean Champion, every other day. “Even if mobile phones have no signal when he is out at sea, we can still connect with each other through their ship’s Smart Link Satellite phone,” said Ruby.
Smart Link Senior Sales Manager Jonathan Huertas meanwhile shared the good news to all the seafarers present. “We understand the value of communication in maintaining close family ties, that’s why we are constantly giving our seafarers easy and affordable ways to stay connected to their loved ones back home, even while in the middle of the ocean. That’s why Smart Link is giving away free satellite phone units to ships that do not have a Smart Link satellite phone yet. This offer is for all Filipino seafarers so make sure you talk to your captains or manning agencies and ask them to request from us your free Smart Link.”
Smart Link currently covers the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Indian Ocean plus parts of Russia and Australia. By 2009, Smart Link is expected to launch its full global coverage.