Some questions you might ask.

Abot Tanaw is a social media network that allows Global Filipinos to be in touch with their loved ones in the Philippines through highly-advanced voice and video telephony services without any cost to the beneficiaries, and without the need for expensive mobile and internet subscriptions, and investments in hardware (computers, mobile & pc phones, etc.).

Unlike other free voice and video platforms available in the web, Abot Tanaw’s system is highly-advanced: videos are clear and crisp and the audio is so clear, it sounds like you are just talking face to face.

Majority of the so many millions of Filipinos working abroad are just forced by domestic economic circumstances to leave family and friends to pursue more lucrative endeavors in other countries. The degree of missing someone is mostly heightened for those who seem to have no choice but to leave parents, a spouse and most especially, miss the opportunity to see a child grow up. So much so, that this deep longing, cannot just be compensated by hearing the voice or reading the letter of a loved one.

Any OFW in any part of the globe can become a member as well as any member of their family or even acquaintances in the Philippines, most especially those who do not have access to the internet or telephone in the workplace, or at home.

Yes, Abot Tanaw allows members to avail of the first 15 minutes of its teleconferencing service absolutely free. However, should the members wish to extend the teleconference beyond 15 minutes, he/she can buy additional time at a minimum cost.

Abot Tanaw is mainly supported by sponsorships of companies who share the same advocacy with Abot Tanaw which is to provide support and well-being services to our beloved OFWs and their families.

Abot Tanaw has established SERVICE HUBS, which are technical communication centers located in the Philippines (specifically inside strategic SM Malls), and in different parts of the world where overseas Filipinos are mostly living in. The Abot Tanaw Service Hubs provide the Call Centers or Calling Stations where members can avail of its free teleconferencing services. The surrounds of these Service Hubs are equipped with digital multi-media boards where OFWs and their loved ones can find out about the latest services for them. The Hubs also serve as strategic locations where people and families availing of Abot Tanaw’s services can interface with one another, thus becoming venues of the “social communication network” that Abot Tanaw aims to establish.

1. Register for a membership account by visiting an Abot Tanaw Service Hub, or by visiting its website at www.abottanaw.com. 2. Activate your membership by visiting an Abot Tanaw Service Hub and claiming your Membership ID.

1. Once you have activated your membership, you can now schedule a teleconferencing session called an “ABOT”.

a. Decide on a particular time and day when you and your loved one abroad can go to a Service Hub in your respective locations for the teleconferencing session.

b. Reserve that timeslot by following the scheduling, re-scheduling & cancellation instructions provided upon membership.

2. Check in for an Abot at the Service Hub.

a. Check-in time is 15 minutes before the scheduled abot. Both you and your ka-abot must be at the Service Hub before the check-in time.

b. Check-in at the Check-In Desk. Make sure you have your member ID and the appointment confirmation number. Once checked-in, the Abot Tanaw personnel will confirm if your ka-abot has already checked in as well. If your ka-abot is already checked-in, the attending personnel will give you your booth ID.

3. The attending personnel will then give you the prompt to go to your designated calling booths to start your session with your “ka-abot”.

No, both parties of an ‘abot’ should check-in 15 mins. before scheduled time for them to be able to avail of the teleconferencing service. If one or both parties arrives late (less than 15 mins. before the scheduled time), and therefore is unable to check-in, the ‘abot’ is considered a “no show” and the booth is assigned to another member and his/her 'ka abot'.

A member can request to be waitlisted for a particular slot through phone or by visiting a Service Hub. Then, the member and his 'ka abot' must arrive in their respective Service Hubs, no later than 15 minutes before their preferred slot. If there are “no shows” for a particular slot, the members on the waiting list for that particular slot are accommodated depending on their priority in the waiting list.

Yes, a member and his 'ka abot' can just go to a Service Hub, and wait there to be accommodated. If there are “no shows” for a particular slot and there are no one on the waitlist, they can be accommodated. In this case, it will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.