IMAGINE life without cell phones.

MANILA, Philippines- Think 50 million Filipinos bereft of the primary, sometimes the only, means of communication with family, friends, and the outside world. Or 50 million deprived of announcements, greetings, chain messages, spiritual support and jokes that come via the short messaging service (sms), otherwise known as a ?text message.?

Fifty million?more than 60 percent of the population! That?s how many are actually subscribed to service networks, and all of them using at least one cell phone unit on a daily basis.

Since the introduction of this mode of communications technology, the mobile phone has steadily and permanently ingrained itself into the Filipino lifestyle, evolving new customs and even shaping history. (Wasn?t EDSA Dos, the second People Power Revolution, launched via texting?)

Now the industry has taken technology to the next level, creating additional features and services that cater to an increasingly tech-savvy generation. Mobile phones are the new status symbols today, when a unit without a camera is a dinosaur, bluetooth technology is mandatory, and a large memory to store images, videos, audio tracks, recordings and messages is standard.

All in all, however, a mobile phone?s basic functions are simply means to keep in touch. And if Filipinos can?t imagine leaving home or living without their cell phones, it?s because Filipinos want and do need to stay in touch?whether for serious, urgent or professional reasons, or simply to pass on the latest joke.

So what does it feel like without a cell phone? Unattended, out of reach, unconnected, aaaargh! Emil Sarmiento