Welcome PAL Trainers!

Welcome to the PAL Trainer’s Blog. We are Arvee and GG, your blogmates. We are bravely, boldly and proudly announcing the new internet blog for PAL trainers and line trainers.

We see this site as a reflection of our community--PAL Learning Center. A site that mirrors our passion for learning and development.

Passion is when you don’t stop learning and improving. Remember the long Saturdays, busy Sundays and late nights? Those moments inspire us to train harder, longer and smarter.

Reflection is what’s happening inside and outside PLC. The current events, the highs and lows, the inevitable changes; and how they shape our community.

Our approach is based on open and responsible journalism mixed with an audio-visual sense.

Tblog is also a spa for your heart, brain and soul. It is a mix of entertainment, lifestyle and soul-searching. “Go home and have a life!” (sounds familiar?) Now with this blog, we can go home and have a life at the same time.

We embrace them all as they are the days in the lives of PAL Trainers.

To officially open the PAL Trainer’s Blog, below are some words of support from Ms. Mean Llamzon.

"When I read the e-mail of Arvee announcing the launching of the Trainer’s Blog, I was pleased. I have been wanting to find a way to communicate more with our colleagues in a quick, casual and direct style, without being limited in the classroom. The TRAINER’S BLOG is clearly an approach that will be welcomed by many.

My sincere appreciation to each one who put together his/her ideas and creativity that made this BLOG possible.

I encourage everybody to visit the TRAINER’S BLOG and start sharing information, facts, data, tips, insights, and words of wisdom that will enrich one’s know-how and understanding, and promote camaraderie.

I AM REALLY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM!"

So, before we get mushy and carried away, LETS START BLOGGING!

What is a Blog?

We all know PAL. We all know what a TRAINER is. But what about a BLOG?

So before we join the bandwagon, let us clarify the word that has been sweeping the world wide web.

According to Wikipedia, a blog is a type of website with regular entries of commentary, description of events, usually using text with photos, videos or audio. The word lately is being used as a verb similar to the cellphone lingo "text". "Text or call me" or "write or blog about it" as they say.

Uses

Most blogs provide commentary or news about a particular subject. The most popular use of blogs nowadays is as online diaries or journals or "personal blogs".

Francis Magalona, a famous musician and showbiz celebrity, documented his battle with leukemia in his personal blog happy battle.

Others use blogs for business purposes. The boom of internet commerce can be attributed to the free blogsites where pictures, descriptions, prices of products and services can be conveniently shown.

There are many types of blogs. They range from photoblogs (photo documentary), vblogs (video streams), community blogs (organizations, clubs), to podcasts (music/audio). A blog depends on its content and its medium of delivery.

Features

Blogging has been so popular because of the ease it provides to internet social media. Following the success of Friendster, Facebook, Multiply and Twitter, expressing yourself can not only reach your family or friends, but the whole world. The beauty of blogs is that readers can leave comments on how they think and feel about it. They can also choose to forward your blog through e-mail or advertise using hyperlink.

For example, "Wow iba talaga ang service ng PAL! Distinctly Filipino! Now you can buy tickets online here philippineairlines.com."

Responsible Freedom of Expression

Blogging as a form of communication has risks too, and it can have unforeseen consequences if not written carefully.

Several issues have been brought to court against bloggers concerning issues of defamation or libel. Delta Airlines fired a flight attendant because she posted photographs of herself in uniform on an airplane. And she posted comments like, "Queen of Sky: Diary of a Flight Attendant", which the employer deemed inappropriate. The employer argued that employees who blog about elements of their place of employment raise the issue of employee branding, since their activities can begin to affect the brand recognition of their employer. The case highlighted the issue of personal blogging and freedom of expression vs. employer rights and responsibilities.

Freedom of expression is not absolute. It should be well thought of and handled reponsibly in the light of preventing harm to others.

Bloggers, Lets Blog!

Scientists have proven that writing about personal experiences has therapeutic benefits. With the advent of technology, blogging is the most convenient way to write your personal experience.

Research shows that it improves memory and sleep, and it boosts our cell activity.

So what are you waiting for?

Arvee Veloso
Reference: wikipedia.org

Trip Pass: Corregidor

Sometime last year, my family came back home and celebrated my grandpa's 80th birthday. Being the balikbayans they were, the idea of taking them around was the first thing that came into my mind. So after some time Googling, I suggested that we all spend a day in Corregidor.

The Trip

The easiest way to visit Corregidor is to book a day tour with Sun Cruises. You can call for reservations or drop by their office located at CCP Terminal A. They offer day tours as well as overnight accomodations. You will spend roughly about Php 2,000.00 per pax for the day tour. This includes round trip ferry transfers, entrance and terminal fees, guided island tour, and buffet lunch at the Corregidor Inn.



We boarded a ferry and left the terminal as early as 7:30 am. I must admit that I was impressed with the level of service Sun Cruises provided. The ship was "quite" modern and fast, seats were clearly marked with life vests securely tucked underneath, and the lavatory was clean as well. The crew was pleasant and approachable. During the trip, we were treated to an audio-visual presentation of the history of Corregidor. A visible tour guide spoke, adding footnotes and other hitorical anecdotes. The hour long trip was a breeze, no byahilo for me!

From the boat, a tiny speck on the horizon took shape. Calm blue waters surrounded a green rock in the mouth of Manila Bay. On a clear day, the Bataan Peninsula could be seen behind Corregidor. Another smaller island, Caballo, gently broke the solitude of the fortified rock filled with history.



Speaking of history, here's a thing or two about Corregidor:

Corregidor is known the world over for its role in war, bravery, and history. It is three miles long and 1 ½ miles at its widest point, facing the China Sea and flanked by the provinces of Bataan and Cavite. A rock island remarkably shaped like a tadpole at the entrance of Manila Bay, Corregidor's strategic location was vital in the defense of Manila during World War II.

The name 'Corregidor' came from the Spanish 'corregir', or 'to correct', since the island was a checkpoint for vessels entering Manila Bay during the Spanish and American occupations.

Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied Forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine Pres. Manuel Quezon and MacArthur left for Australia in February leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.

Today, Corregidor's rich history continues to draw Filipinos and foreign tourists alike, making the island one of the most visited tourist spots in the country. – Sun Cruises

The Tour



Once docked, we were directed to our designated tram. These reconfigured buses were made to look like old school trams that serviced Manila's commute at the turn of the century. Each tram can easily fit around 20-30 individuals. The trams were open aired, and in case of a sudden downpour, awnings could be easily deployed. Quite frankly, apart from the smell of diesel fumes these buses emitted, they actually looked and played the part.

During the tour, you are allowed to look around and take photographs for about 10-15 mins each stop. You can explore longer stops depending on the tour guide.



Our first stop was the Middleside Barracks. These were the ruins of an existing structure which housed the enlisted men and officers stationed in the island. It also claimed to include a PX store, school house, and a hospital.



Going up a gradient slope, we reached Battery Way. The battery consisted of 12 inch mortars wich could fire in any direction (360 degrees) and leveled anything that got in its way. Another might gun, Battery Geary stood proudly, overlooking the Bataan Peninsula. These behemoths have long been silenced after the end of WWII.

Our tram now headed towards the Topside. The place held most of the primary functions of Corregidor. In it were the following noteworthy sites: Mile Long barracks, the Pacific War Memorial and museum, and the island's Spanish Lighthouse.



The Mile Long barracks housed the American officers back then. It was a multi level complex with an indoor swimming pool. Our tour guide allowed us to roam inside the ruins. The dilapidated structure provided an excellent photo op for the more adventurous tourists.

The Pacific War Memorial and museum stands adjacent to the barracks. The marble and cement edifice was erected by the US Government to honor the fallen Filipino and American soldiers who fought during WWII. A side trip inside the museum is also a good idea. Old relics, antiques, and other war memorabilia are available for viewing.



Another worthy site to see is the Spanish Lighthouse. A quick and steep climb to the top and visitors will be treated to an excellent all around view of the whole island. This, for me , is a must -see-and-do attraction of the tour.

By this time, our tour guide took us to Corregidor Inn for a late buffet lunch. The food was simple, just an assortment of chicken and pork. It wasn't exactly gourmet food, but for someone who had been strolling and taking pictures for the past 4 hours, I'd say "Pwede na".

The last stop of the tour was the Malinta Tunnel. The tunnel was a huge underground complex which served as the headquarters of the USAFFE during WWII. The existing remains of the structure were preserved, and for an additional Php 150.00, you could experience the Light and Sound show depicting the final hours of Corregidor before it fell into the hands of the Japanese.

And that was it.

Rain started falling by late afternoon, signaling the end of our tour. Our tram made its way around the island for the last time as the rainclouds covered the dimming afternoon light. Back on the boat, I bid farewell to the tiny island and did my best to appreciate its rich history and legacy.



It is said that Corregidor's stubbornness screwed up Imperial Japan's timetable to conquer the rest of Asia and Australia. I think I did better. It only took me a day to conquer Corregidor.



Words and photos by GG Garcia

For more info on Corregidor, click Sun Cruises.

When to Facilitate, When to Coach

As trainers, we perform additional roles, primarily the role of a facilitator and a coach. There are no rules on when one should perform a particular role. However, there are general guides that indicate which role to fill based on the situation. Below are a few tips on when to faciliate and when to coach.

When You Might Fill the Facilitator Role

When the training needs commitment and participation of learners.
Ongoing contributions usually do not come from learners. Instead, the buy-in of participants comes from knowing that their beliefs and opinions are being solicited and valued. This can be especially important when a diverse group will be mixed in one training class. The essence of facilitation is to bring out those various beliefs and opinions from participants, and to help them decide on what they want to do and how they want to do it.

Remember that part of the workshop when we ask for learning expectations and when we setup norms? That is a simple example of bringing out what they have in mind, and to help them decide on what to do with their collective ideas.

To maximize an individual’s learning from experience.
It is said that the best way adults learn is through experience. This is why trainers use the Structured Learning Experience(SLE). SLEs are activities that can bring out experiential learning by effective facilitating. Below is a guide on facilitating SLEs.

After the activity, the following questions are discussed:

- What happened during activity?
- What helped? What difficulties did you encounter?
- How can we improve?

With this, participants can learn from themselves and from others with the facilitator as the medium.

When participants are seasoned.
When participants are showing non-verbal signs that they have knowledge or experience about the topic such as when their eyes seem lit up, it can be taken as an advantage. The trainer can ask questions that are direct or indirectly suggestive. "Tell me about your experience with an irate customer and what did you realize from that experience". This is a way to make the participants learn from an actual experience. Also, it can make the learner a resource person.


When You Might Fill the Coaching Role

A learner in the class seems stalled or troubled.
Coaching can be a powerful means to guide and support an individual to clarify current learning challenges, to identify suitable strategies to address the challenges, and then to actually implement those strategies.

People have different learning styles and there are times when participants find it hard to cope with the learning pace. As a coach, this is the time when you clarify with the learner the following points:

- What part of the training do you find challenging?
- How do you think you can learn better?

In this case, thorough guidance is needed by providing regular feedback to the learner.

The trainees need skills that are highly specialized and proceduralized.
For example, using the reservations system, conducting training needs analysis, conforming to policies and procedures, flying an aircraft, and use of specific tools for problem solving and decision making.

Coaching usually focuses on skills.

Knowing the difference between coaching and facilitating is important. Knowing "when to use which, and what to use where" is the next step.

by Arvee Veloso
Reference: managementhelp.org

The Training Dictionary

Can’t find the right training term? Check out The Training Dictionary. It's an online training resource. Currently, the site contains 834 general to specific and simple to complex training terms. The beauty of the site is that you can contribute a training term in the dictionary. One example is...

Mind Map
It is a technique to organize brainstorming sessions, take notes, plan your work and make presentations. Mind maps were developed in the late 60s by Tony Buzan as a way of helping students make notes that used only key words and images. They are much quicker to make, and because of their visual quality,much easier to remember and review.

Hmmm, how about a PLC Dictionary?

sourced by Arvee Veloso

Philippine Fashion Week (Holiday '09)

Last night, I found myself seated right in front of a catwalk. People from all walks of life were gathered with growing anticipation each passing minute. They have come to see the latest designs to clothe the next generation. Security was tight. Only those with invites were allowed to enter the seating area. There was quite a commotion here and there... they ran out of seats for some unlucky patrons who were left with two choices ---either to stand or to sit on the floor during the entire show.

Soon the crowd started cheering, as the pink, blue, and yellow lights of SM Mall of Asia's Main Atrium started to glow. House music tempered the atmosphere. Chill. The show was about to start.



The featured fashion designers came out from backstage and paraded onto the catwalk. Ava Paguyo, Nikki Sonico, Julius Tarog, Nicky Martinez, Richie Abad, Twinkle Ferraren, and Ziggy Savella waved at the crowd. Swimwear designer Twinkle Ferraren sent flying kisses to her faithful followers, who in turn wildly cheered as the lights placed them on the spotlight. The air got warm. The show was on its way.





As the program got on, more and more interesting designs started to show. Some of the pieces had bold designs, others a bit tempered, only to be adorned with beads and sequins. Neutral colors were the in thing for the day. Black and white dresses retained their classic glamour. In essence, it was all about one thing: ready to wear.





I was lucky to have been invited. As the last model strutted down the runway, the show made me realize one thing:
Pinoys have a very good sense of style.



Words and photos by GG Garcia

HRTDS Get-Together

HRTDS still managed to spend some time together to eat and have fun amidst the neck- deep pile of work!

May 23, 2009 – Aside from celebrating Mr. Andrew Sulit’s birthday, HRTDS paused for a while to have a simple “Get-Together”. The event was aimed at promoting camaraderie in HRTDS. Team members are a mix of different members from each division including the Management Associates.

- Churva Chenes Kalachuchi
- Supah Papalicious Sampaguita
- Bonggang Bonggang Bougainvilla
- Ka Kinang-kinang Katuray

Each team went through a relay ala “Amazing Race” :

- Scavenger Hunt
- Bibigay Ka Ba Sa Bibingka?
- Itaob ang Coke
- Longest Line
- Cheering Competition

Supah Papalicious Sampaguita team won overall. We were never wrong to have them pose competitively.

Thanks to all those who helped in making the event successful. We will distribute copies of all pictures and videos to each divison. Let the pictures speak a thousand words.

Pictures by GG Garcia and Arvee Veloso

The Economic Costs of H1N1

As experts develop a greater understanding of the current influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, economists and business professionals are attempting to wrap their hands around the costs of this epidemic on the world economy.

At this current trajectory the current “swine flu” outbreak will not reach the human toll of the 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic that killed an estimated 50-100 million people, or even the economic toll of SARS, which caused approximately 8000 confirmed cases but cost the global economy as much as US$ 60 billion. But an increasingly interconnected global market, the very mechanisms that facilitate global travel and supply chains have made the world more vulnerable to pandemics. So when a new pathogen is discovered, countries and citizens can over-react by shutting down these transit lines of commerce, even when science tells them otherwise. Such “solutions” can have staggering costs, often in disproportion to the number of people infected.

Concrete estimates on how much the 2009 outbreak will cost the global economy are difficult to pinpoint. Economic analysts can only provide best guesses on the direct and indirect costs. There are, however, current observable economic impacts directly attributable to influenza A (H1N1) outbreak that we will discuss below.


The Epicenter
The direct economic costs to Mexico have been quite pronounced. Credit Suisse estimates that for every day of the “swine flu,” Mexico loses approximately $US 150 million. After petroleum exports and remittances from abroad, tourism accounts for approximately 8% of Mexican GDP. Mexican Finance Minister Agustin Carstens said the impact of influenza A (H1N1) had been devastating for tourism and has cost "close to 0.3%" of GDP or US$ 2.3 billion. Banamex, Mexico’s second largest bank, expects the Mexican economy to contract by about 5% for 2009, consistent with a short-lived economic crisis. Additionally, the Mexican peso has suffered significant volatility as currency speculators attempt to gauge whether the outbreak has peaked.

What the economic story cannot tell is the change in the daily life for the average citizen of Mexico City. With most forms of social interactions curtailed, many Mexicans living in a city of over 20 million are simply not consuming. Facing anemic global demand since mid 2008, countries like Mexico are forced to rely on domestic demand to weather the storm. If Mexican consumption and productivity are hampered, they can expect a difficult climb out of the global recession.

International Travel and Trade
Already six months into a globally synchronized recession, consumer confidence has taken an additional beating amidst fears of a potential pandemic. Oil prices have dropped by 2.7% since the discovery of the new flu strain, and airline stocks have plummeted. Continental Airlines shares dropped by 16% on May 3rd, while United Airlines, Delta Airlines and American Airlines saw declines of around 14%.

Since WWII, the global economy has sustained long-term growth through international trade. In late 2008, when it was clear that Lehman Brothers’ collapse would trigger a global financial meltdown, trade economists warned against protectionism. In the grip of a potential pandemic, however, the ability to veil politically motivated trade diversion under the guise of national health security increases. Import bans may be rooted not in any scientific finding, but instead a desire to protect domestic producers already facing soft global demand and increasing competition.

Misnamed Fears
Despite assurances from health authorities that pig farming and pork products pose no particular risk in the current epidemic, the label “swine flu” allowed some governments to act on politics rather than evidence.

Pig farmers in Alberta, where 200 cases of “swine flu” in pigs have been confirmed, face bans on their exports. As of May 6th, a Canadian pork producer can expect about $1.23/ kg of pork - 7 cents below breakeven price. Reports from the US pork industry indicate that the current outbreak has exacerbated an already pessimistic economic outlook. Pork producers have lost an average of $20 per hog over the last 19 months with average hog prices dropping from $124 a head on April 24 to $118 on April 28. In total, the industry estimates that under current conditions, the industry is losing about $US 2.5 million per day. With the combination of weak demand and import bans in 20 countries, the picture begins to looks increasingly bleak at a point in the season when the pork industry expects its highest profits. Should global concern about influenza A (H1N1) endure, global pork consumers can expect to see higher pork prices as producers raise their margins to offset losses.

Influenza A (H1N1)/”swine flu” fears also take on political overtones where pork consumption has cultural implications, as in the Egyptian government’s decision to cull the nation’s pig population, primarily owned by the Coptic Christian minority.

At the Global and Community Levels
For the US economy at large, it is still hard to ascertain the cost of precaution. As many schools close temporarily, parents must find alternative care or take time off. This affects overall productivity as absenteeism in the workplace increases; not to mention losses faced by private after-school care providers. Furthermore, the extent to which Americans have changed their travel behavior is still unquantifiable. Although the US government cautions against non-essential travel to Mexico, it has not banned the movement of goods or peoples across its shared southern border.

Almost assuredly, future global pandemics of varying virulence will carry hefty price tags. The present situation, unlike SARS, takes place during a global recession. With trade protectionism always a concern, outbreaks of pathogens like influenza A (H1N1) have the potential to critically derail global trade and investment. As such, it becomes increasingly clear that world economic activities from Jakarta to Cairo are increasingly dependent on managing global risks. Moreover, political-economic analysis demonstrates the need for concerted preparation, scientific education and information dissemination to prevent trends of unnecessary and often costly knee-jerk reactions. Viewed in this light, global health security and the capacity to respond to crises in a proportional and informed manner are vital to long -term consumer confidence and support of a functioning global economy.



By Vidal Seegobin, researcher and writer from Henry L. Stimson Center

As a Matter of FAT

TEN TIPS to Lose that FAT!

1. Go for GREEN!
Drink Green tea. It helps you burn additional 70 calories because of metabolism-enhancing antioxidants.

2. Eat your fruits!
· The body does not register liquid calories the same way it does solid calories.
· Liquid won't make you feel satisfied the way eating solid food will.

3. Need a lift?
· Get a set of 3-5 pound weights
· Strength training builds lean muscle tissue, which burns more calories – at work or at rest –24 hours, a day, 7 days a week. Do it 3-4 times per week.

4.Go slow on salt!
· Salt contributes to water retention, making you look and feel bloated.
· Daily value suggests no more than 2,400 mg a day(about 1 tsp)

5.Spice it up!
· Eating hot peppers –chili and jalapeno – can boost one's basal metabolism (the total calories the body burns at rest).
· Capsaicin, a compound found in jalapeno and cayenne pepper may increase the body's release of adrenaline to speed up metabolism. It also helps curb your cravings.
· Try low-calorie chili or salsa on salads.

6.Sleep on it!
· Sleep deprivation can make you susceptible to late night munching, and it slows down your metabolism.
· Enough sleep is relative--- for some people, 4 hours is enough while others would need 6-8 hours to recharge.

7. Take a walk
· Go for an evening walk
· evening may be beneficial because many people's metabolism slows down toward the end of the day.
· 30 minutes of aerobic exercise before dinner increases your metabolic rate and may keep it elevated for another 2-3 hours, even while you are at rest.

8. “Thou shall not skip!”
· Skipping a meal backfires because your body thinks food is in short supply, so it slows down your metabolism in order to conserve energy.
· When you do eat, even if you consume the same food as always, your body will go slow in using these calories as fuel, thus creating a backlog of unwanted pounds

9. You’ve gotta move it, move it!
· Add 20 minutes of exercise each day
· Aside from working out 3 times a week, add something extra each day. Take the stairs, walk to the bus stop, etc.

10. At least eight a day…
· Drinking 64 oz of water daily is one of the easiest ways to speed up weight loss.
· Water efficiently metabolizes stored fat
· Short-changing your supply slows down calorie-burning process
· At least 8 glasses of water a day will keep your system running smoothly

by Bing Bercades
condensed from Prevention Magazine

Nokia 5800: The iPhone Killer?

The iPhone created a new trend in the world of cellphones. The whole touch-screen system and the applications drove millions of Filipinos crazy. But now, things are a bit different. Unlike the golden times for Apple, Nokia 5800 has proven that the iPhone is not the only one in the game. That's probably the reason why we are comparing the Nokia 5800 to the iPhone. Overall, a lot of people think that Nokia 5800 was built to counter the growing influence of the iPhone. So let's compare the two "touch" phones side by side and look at the important features that customers value in a cellphone.

Size

iPhone size: 115.5 X 62.1 X 12.3 mm
Nokia 5800 size: 111 X 51.7 X 15.5 mm

The iPhone is bigger in size.

Weight

iPhone: 133g
Nokia 5800: 109g

Nokia 5800 is 25g lighter than iPhone in weight.

Screen Resolution

The iPhone has 3.5” screen while Nokia 5800 has 3.2”.
iPhone: 480 by 320
Nokia 5800: 640 by 360

The iPhone has a bigger screen by .3" while the 5800 has higher resolution.

Storage

iPhone comes with two options- 8GB & 16GB internal memory.
Nokia offers 8GB with micro SD card which is expandable upto 16GB.

Nokia owners can expand memory size.

Input Methods

iPhone: Finger
Nokia 5800: Finger, stylus, plectrum, handwriting recognition.

Colors

iPhone: Black for 8 & 16 GB, White for 16 GB only.
Nokia 5800: Red, Blue and Black.

Battery

Apple iPhone claims that it can play music for 24 hrs.

Nokia 5800 provides up to 35 hrs of music playing.

iPhone: 5 hrs talk-time, 300 hrs standby, not removable.
Nokia 5800: 8.8 hrs talk-time, 406 hrs standby, removable battery.

Camera

iPhone: 2 MP, no flash, no zoom.
Nokia 5800: 3.2 MP, Flash, 3x digital zoom with Carl Zeiss lens.

Music Service

iPphone: Apple Itunes Store.
Nokia 5800: Xpressmusic

Voice Dialing

iPhone: Not Available
Nokia 5800: Available

Voice Recording

iPhone: Through software download.
Nokia 5800: Available

Web Browser

iPhone: Webkit based Safari browser
Nokia 5800: Webkit based browser

FM Radio

iPhone: Not Available
Nokia 5800: Available

Bluetooth

iPhone: Bluetooth is available for just handsfree, no file sharing possible.
Nokia 5800: Bluetooth available for handsfree and file sharing is possible.

Messaging

The iPhone, by default, does not support message forwarding, multiple SMS deletion, sending SMS to multiple recipients and multimedia messages (MMS). You have to update your firmware to the latest version.

With Nokia 5800, all of the above is possible, plus it has MMS ver 1.3, message size upto 600kb, and automatic resizing of Images for MMS.

Price

iPhone: P39, 000. (more or less)
5800: P16, 000. (more or less)

Experience

Apple: The first phone ever launched by Apple is the iPhone, with no prior experience in the telecom market. It’s a novice with a very little market share, despite having millions of iPhone sold.

Nokia: With ages of experience, hundreds of success stories, and dozens of smart handsets in its current portfolio, Nokia has about 40% market share. It owns the No.1 spot --- with no close competitors! Certainly, it's the king when it comes to brand value, service, and experience.

Verdict

Almost all the major brands around the world like Samsung, HTC, LG, etc launched their touchscreen smartphones in the hope of beating Apple’s iPhone. No one came close to the iPhone when it comes to looks, style, feel and features.

It seems that the Nokia 5800 has edged ahead of the iPhone in terms of major features: size, weight, screen resolution, battery, camera, storage system, color choices, multimedia, and messaging system. It even costs 60% less, considering that it's the market leader in cellphones. But that's not the end of the story. When it comes to the user interface, the Nokia 5800 seems inferior to the iPhone. And while the look and feel of the 5800 leans towards the "common consumer", the iPhone's classy style and prestigious branding appeals to the "elite consumer".

So, should I get one? In the end, it all boils down to personal preference, needs and budget.

by Arvee Veloso

condensed from the reviews of www.tube5800.com, www.gsmarena.com and www.3arn.net.

Help Us Help YOU!

Hello trainers! We are PLC's photobloggers. As you see in our avatar, one of the things that we like doing is telling stories through pictures while laughing at ourselves.

Join us in our endeavor to make PLC a better workplace.

If there's a story you want to tell, shoot us a mail in arvee_veloso@pal.com.ph and gg_garcia@pal.com.ph or simply approach us.

Comments and suggestions are most welcome, as we always want the blog to be the best.

Cheers!