The Days When Every Phone Call Counted
In a nostalgic podcast conversation, Alex Calleja reflects on how technology changed the way Filipinos maintain relationships across distance
Before group chats, video calls, and unlimited messaging apps became part of everyday life, staying connected meant waiting by the phone — and hoping no one else in the house picked up the extension first. For many Filipinos, the landline was once the lifeline that kept families, friendships, and long-distance relationships together.
This wave of nostalgia became the heart of comedian and host Alex Calleja’s conversation with guest Israel Buenaobra in a recent podcast episode, where the two looked back on the days when every phone call came with a ticking clock — and a corresponding bill.
“Ang mahal noon. Tatlong minuto ’yan, pare,” Calleja recalled, laughing with Buenaobra as they talked about how people stretched every second just to catch up with loved ones.
But beyond the humor, the episode tapped into something deeply familiar for many Filipino families: the effort people once made just to stay connected. Before instant replies and read receipts, communication required patience. Some relied on handwritten letters, while others sent cassette voice recordings across cities — or even countries — just to hear someone’s voice.
The conversation also touched on the misunderstandings that came with slower communication. Delayed responses could spark overthinking, while letters often carried emotions differently depending on who was reading them.
“Yung sulat, wala na siyang control pag pinasa na sa’yo. Babasahin ’yun based on your emotion,” Calleja pointed out.
It’s a sentiment many can still relate to today, even in an age where communication is faster than ever. Technology may have made staying in touch easier, but as Calleja shared during the episode, connection still depends on reliability.
“Kahit gaano kaganda ang phone, kung wala kang connection na maayos, tapos ka.”
The power of communication
For decades, PLDT has been part of that story of connection for Filipino households — from late-night landline calls to today’s video chats and online family catchups. It’s why the company’s latest campaign leans into the idea of being the “OG ng LDR,” a familiar presence in many long-distance relationships through the years.
With its Broadband Free Forever (BFF) promo, new subscribers of PLDT Home Fiber plans 1299 and up get the chance to win free broadband for life. Four grand prize winners — one each from Luzon, NCR, Visayas, and Mindanao — will receive the lifetime broadband prize, while 75 additional winners will enjoy free broadband for one year.
Subscribers can also enjoy perks like up to 2x faster speeds for six months, waived installation fees worth P3,600, a free IGV Game Pass for one year, and discounts on select Samsung home products. Those switching to PLDT Home Fiber will likewise receive a free Always On modem for six months.
In true Calleja fashion, the episode balanced humor with relatable truths about relationships and communication. He and Buenaobra even joked about how much easier long-distance love would have been back then if reliable internet — and free broadband — already existed.
The episode closed on a nostalgic note as the pair talked about “Telephone” by Sheena Easton, the 1983 hit about waiting for a call that never comes. It felt like the perfect soundtrack to a conversation centered on love, distance, and the ways Filipinos have always found ways to stay connected.
For longtime fans, the podcast also serves as another reminder of why Calleja’s brand of storytelling continues to resonate. From listening to his stand-up specials like Tamang Panahon and the newly released Past is Past, or through candid podcast conversations, his observations land because they feel authentic — rooted in the everyday experiences many Filipinos grew up with.
Frequently Asked Questions
The two comedians talked about how Filipinos communicated before smartphones and messaging apps became common, including landline calls, handwritten letters, and cassette voice recordings.
Landlines were one of the main ways families and loved ones stayed connected, especially for long-distance communication before internet-based messaging became available.
People dealt with expensive long-distance calls, delayed responses, miscommunication through letters, and limited opportunities to contact loved ones instantly.
The promo gives new subscribers of eligible PLDT Home Fiber plans the chance to win free broadband for life, along with additional perks and rewards.
Stories of communication
Denise Laurel: Motherhood as a Mindset
This is How Andi Manzano-Reyes Keeps Her Daughters Active, Entertained, and Connected in Quarantine
Joy and Edric Mendoza on Raising Different Kids in the Digital Age
