Social media network targets OFWS

CEBU, Philippines - Looking at tapping the huge population of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad, Abot Tanaw, a social media networking service provider will be putting up call stations in the country and overseas with the aim of connecting Filipino families from different parts of the globe through free videoconferencing.

The concept of Abot Tanaw allows OFWs in different parts of the world to talk with and see their loved ones in the Philippines via the internet through videoconferencing, said its chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Dennis M. Go.

However, he said that their service has different features from free voice and video platforms available in the worldwide web such as Yahoo Messenger because the Abot Tanaw system is highly-advanced as videos are clear and crisp while the audio is clear as if callers are just talking face to face.

The concept of Abot Tanaw started when Go was approached on how they can address the need of OFWs to connect with their loved ones here in the country.

Currently, there are about an estimated eight million overseas workers deployed all over the world as of 2007 which make the Philippines one of the biggest labor service providers in the world.

Since Filipinos have a culture of having a closely knit family ties, Abot Tanaw hopes to address the need of OFWs to constantly communicate with their loved ones minus the high cost incurred to keep connected through utilizing cellular phone, landline and email.

Go said that Abot Tanaw’s free service could be considered as a boon to OFW families who cannot afford monthly subscription to mobile and internet services and those who cannot invest in hardware communication gadgets such as computers and mobile phones.

After launching Abot Tanaw in Hong Kong and in Manila last June, Go said that they are scheduling to launch the service here in Cebu.

Right now, Abot Tanaw has service hub locations or technical communication centers for their call stations at the SMX in the Mall of Asia in Pasay City with about 17 booths, SM North Edsa, SM Pampanga, SM Cebu with about 21 booths, SM Davao, and at the PAGCOR Hyatt Mabini in Malate, Manila and outside the Philippines, they have hub locations in Hong Kong and in Macau.

These service hubs would contain call stations or call centers that deliver voice, video and telephony services to families of OFWs. — Rhia de Pablo