Smart launches text-based quiz game

Smart Communications Inc. has launched the first text-based quiz game in the country with a one-million-peso top prize in the monthly draw.

Called "Text to Millions Smart zed Quiz Game," the text-based trivia game will also give away high-end Smart GSM cell phones for the daily raffle.

"We are excited over this groundbreaking promotion based on the popular and affordable technology, text messaging. ‘Text to Millions’ is fun and, at the same time, mind-challenging. This is also Smart’s way of giving back to our customers our appreciation for their continuous patronage of our services," said Edgardo Bautista, Smart product development head.

All Smart GSM subscribers are eligible to join. Just send a text message Quiz Join (full name)/ (address) and send to 288. For example, Quiz Join John Bautista/ 5 Marikit st., Quezon City.

Once registered, the subscriber will start to receive four multiple-choice questions daily starting the following day. Each question will be sent on the following time schedule: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

To answer the multiple choice question, key in Quiz and send to 288. For example, Quiz 1 C. The answer should be sent within the time limit set included in the questionnaire text message.

Participants who reply correctly to all four questions for the day will automatically qualify for the daily raffle. A perfect score for the day is considered as one raffle entry for the daily and monthly raffle.

Once a wrong answer is sent, the participant is eliminated for that day and will no longer receive the rest of the questions for that day. Unanswered questions will be considered wrong answers. Participants will receive a text message if his answer is correct or not. After 5:30 p.m. daily, participants will be notified if they are qualified for the daily and monthly raffle.

Texting a quiz entry costs P2.50 per send. "Pushed" questions or trivia questions sent during the day will cost the subscriber P1.00 per question received.

To keep track of the number of raffle entries the participant has so far, just type in Quiz Entry and send to 288. A text message will be sent by Smart updating the participant of his cumulated raffle entry points.

A subscriber can register under several Smart GSM cell phone numbers but only one name can correspond to a cell phone number. The latest name registered under the cell phone number will be the name recognized.

Daily raffle started May 12 and will last up to July 6. For each week, a different Smart GSM cell phone models will be raffled like Siemens S35i, Philips Ozeo, Ericsson A2618 with Bluetooth headset, Alcatel 701, and the MP3 Player-capable Siemens SL45.

One winner each will win the P1-million grand prize for the monthly draws scheduled on June 8 and July 6.

All winners will be informed via text message and a telegram. Winners will have until 60 days from receipt of the letter of notification to claim their prize.

A participant may win more than once for the daily raffles. Participants who did not win the daily raffles will still be eligible for the monthly draw. After the first monthly raffle, a new game starts.

"Information and entertainment are among Smart zed’s most popular services. This contest combines the best of both worlds while allowing Smart subscribers a chance to win prizes," Bautista added.

The "Text to Millions Smart zed Quiz Game" was developed locally in partnership with Wolfpac Communications.

Smart zed, the mobile portal for personalized wireless services, was launched by Smart last November. Its services range from the most practical like news, information and mobile mail to the playful and entertaining such as virtual pets and online text games.

Smart Communications, the wireless subsidiary of dominant telephone company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), has now over three million GSM subscribers as of end-March.

It has been introducing cutting-edge services for mobile value-added services and mobile commerce such as the internationally award-winning e-cash card "Smart Money."