In today’s chaotic and harried world, most people dream of a restful life surrounded by simple pleasures. This is a reality for ‘single senior’ Nomar Sorensen whose peaceful, everyday existence in seaside Balatero in Puerto Galera is made all the richer by an affordable and unlimited internet connection.
In a time where most millennials are trying to embody the ‘slow, intentional’ life, Nomar is actually living it.
“Ang routine ko ay dito lang sa bahay, mag-ga-garden sa likod, at ‘pag pagod na ako, magpapahinga ako at magbubukas ng TV. Minsan kasama ko apo ko kapag may trabaho ‘yung mga magulang niya sa gabi,” said Nomar.
With Surf2Sawa – Converge’s no-data cap prepaid fiber plan – coming to Oriental Mindoro in 2024, she wasted no time in signing up for it. Switching from mobile data internet to prepaid fiber proved to be a significant cost-effective move for the senior.
“Ang pagkakaiba sa paglo-load sa cellphone at dito sa pagkabit sa Surf2Sawa, nakatipid po ako. May oras din na one week ‘yung load na Php 50 na dapat three days, hindi na umaabot. Magpapa-load na naman ako ng Php 100 or Php 250. Ang laking gastos,” said Nomar, who’s subscribed to the S2S Php 700 plan, good for an entire month.
“Pinapanood ko si Tanggol tapos ‘yung mga pelikulang gusto ko panoorin, napapanood ko na. Minsan news, minsan nag-mu-music na lang ako. Minsan nilalakasan ko ‘pag nandito ako naglilinis o sa garden kaya at least kahit mag-isa ako, nalilibang ang katawan ko, nalilibang ang isip ko, at masaya ako,” she added.
What others could interpret as a ‘lonely’ experience is anything but for the spritely and independent Nomar; with the unlimited connection, if she’s not watching Batang Quiapo or vibing to her music in the evenings, she’s on her favorite platform, Tiktok.
“Maganda talaga yung connection lalo na ‘pag nagti-Tiktok ako. Tuloy-tuloy ang sayaw ko doon. Marami ring mga views, followers, at engagement. Na-e-engganyo sila kahit mali sayaw ko, pinagkakamalan pa akong 35 or 40 sa ganitong edad ko! Maraming nanonood sa akin sa Tiktok, tuloy-tuloy lang sayaw ko,” she said happily.
Nomar describes her Tiktok activities of dancing and singing as a way of staying active and to relax her mind. The internet – Tiktok, video and music streaming – has become the perfect ‘companion’ to her idyllic existence in the seaside town.
A clear advocate of the digital lifestyle, Nomar recommends Surf2Sawa to her neighbors in nearby towns.
“Marami sa kapitbahay ng anak ko, mga four houses doon sa barangay niya, meron na. Ako kasi, satisfied na ako, kaya sinasabi ko sa iba, bakit ka pa magpapa-load sa cellphone lang? Hindi naman tumatagal ‘yan. Kaya ayun, marami na ring lumipat sa Surf2Sawa,” Sorensen ended.
