Gone to the John

Just one day, in those shoes...

2011-07-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

[o]

It was already 8 in the morning but this kid is still very much asleep. Maybe he was dreaming that some day he may fit in those shoes...

[o]

Real Men Ain't Hangin

2011-07-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

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Inspirational Photo and Quote For the Day

Next: How to iron 'em fast.

[o]

Rainy Season Health Alert - Dengue

2011-07-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

[o]

Dengue is another disease that we should look out for especially this rainy season.

I remember when an outbreak occurred in this all boys school that I used to stay in. We thought one classmate is just playing by running fast and in circles in the second floor lobby. It turns out that he was already deliriously infected and his case was already life-threathening. He told us that he could not control anymore what he was doing as if he is not control of his mind and actions anymore.

Dengue is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever. Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

The following are the most common symptoms of Dengue:

• high fever
• headaches
• joint and muscle pain
• vomiting
• rashes

Most people with dengue recover within 2 weeks. Until then, drinking lots of fluids, resting and taking non-aspirin feverreducing medicines might help. Sometimes dengue turns into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes bleeding from your nose, gums or under your skin. It can also become dengue shock syndrome, which causes massive bleeding and shock. These forms of dengue are life-threatening

How to Treat

• There is no specific medicine or vaccine to treat dengue because it is caused by a virus. The treatment is to relieve the patient of the symptoms.
• To treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, intravenous fluids and electrolytes are necessary.
• Blood transfusions may be needed to control bleeding.
• Rest is important

How to Prevent

• The best prevention measure is to maintain a clean environment.
• Properly dispose tin cans, bottles, tires and other containers so that these do not become artificial mosquito-breeding places.
• Water drums should be kept covered at all times
• Roof gutters should be kept clean and dry, all the time.
• Keep all vacant lots clean and make sure that no puddle of water exists.
• Turn empty pots, pails, wash basins and coconut shells upside down in order to keep it free of water.

Let us keep our surroundings clean. Be safe everyone.

[o]

BAWAL TUMAWID NAKAMAMATAY

2011-07-03T22:39:00.000-07:00

Sinabi nang bawal tumawid!

"Weh?!! Di nga?", ang sabi ng squirrel.

Ang lagay eh magaling pala magpatintero ang kaibigan natin.

Parang mga pasaway na pinoy lang noh? hehehe

"Saved!!!"

ALL HAIL SARA DUTERTE!!!

2011-07-01T20:26:00.000-07:00

Davao is in turmoil nowadays. The flash flood that occurred devastated lives and property. Now is the time for a leader to lead but he or she is leading the leader must also be respected.

The case of Sara Duterte punching the city sheriff is a case of of a leader trying to control a dire situation but was disrespected.

The sudden flood killed more than 30 Davaoeños. Almost all houses by the river banks were damaged. A lot more are in the evacuation center. There are still some missing persons. Everyone is asking that they be given attention by the city government.

The mayor was in the midst of attending to these needs but somehow some one thought that it is more important to demolish shanties than help ease up the effects of the flash flood.

Now, the demolition is very much legal as there was a court order for it to be done. The legal owner of the property where the shanties are located is already claiming the land. Legal. I always frown on squatters who thought that because the land is there, they can just settle and use it as their own even if the land is not theirs. Blame the Lina Law.

The big No No here however is timing when they want to demolish the area. Again the city is already in anguish. All resources are needed by the city government to help the calamity stricken. There is no such thing on the court order as for the exact hour when the demolition should take place. Perhaps it can be delayed for at least a few hours. For a sheriff to think that he is doing right by placing more importance to a demolition of shanties, even if it was pre-scheduled already, is a big dumb-ass idea. There is so much pain in your area of responsibility and yet that is what you put your office resources to? You drag the police who could have been helping secure some of the areas that are directly hit by the calamity. You drag demolition guys who could have instead assisted in making the river side safe again or at least helping damaged houses be repaired to avoid further accidents.

The mayor was actually just asking for another 2 more hours allowance time so she could personally make sure that nothing untoward will happen in the demolition. She could not go to the place right away as she was trying to facilitate the assistance to those who were affected by the flood. But the sheriff do not want to give her that. He disregarded her. Disrespected to say the least. And so what the mayor feared for happened. A riot ensued. A policeman was brought to the hospital. A number of Davaoeños were injured. How do you think would a mayor feel?

Disregarding a humble appeal from the mayor to delay the demolition is like disregarding the fact that there are other people in the community who needs much needed importance. Disrespectful to the mayor, disrespectful to his own anguished kababayans.

If I was the mayor, I would have done the same. That is my opinion on this.

Good job Ms Duterte!

NBA LOCKOUT 2011 -2012 Season

2011-06-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

[o]

It is a sad day for us NBA Basketball Fans. The National Basketball ASSociation team owners and the the players union just could not find a way to unite their differences.

So it seems this is going to be another 1999 season or worst there could even be no season altogether. At least in 1999, right after Jordan and the Chicago Bulls Dynasty disbanded, there was still what came out to be a short season making way for the very first ring of the San Antonio Spurs.

I guess I will not be able to watch my Lakers this year.

But on a positive note, it allows more time for Kobe and the rest of the tired and injury prone Lakerland to recuperate. Most players will just bum around, but we know how Kobe works. He does not waste his time. He sure is going to let his knee, fingers, lower back and toe heal. He's got so many injuries he was still able to finish the season.

Go Lakers!!! And to you NBA Owners man up! Just pay these guys their dues, you owe it to them that they go to NBA and not to some disheveled leauge in Europe where there is no limit in what they can pay players.

*** Side Note: Laker guard Shannon Brown has opted out of his contract making him an unrestricted free agent. Any team could get to hire him in their front court. This doesn't mean though that he is not a Laker anymore. It is still up to the Lakers if they can give him another offer.

[o]

Boykot Raw

2011-06-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

[o]

Napaisip ako sa dahil Spratlys. Medyo napukaw ang makabayang gilid ng aking puso kung baga. Kapag sumugod ang mga Tsino sa Pilipinas at sinakop tayo, sisiguruhin kong safe ang aking pamilya, pagkatapos hahanapin ko ang Chinese embassy at...

...pipiktyuran ko.

Hehe sensya na. Akala mo naman me magagawa ako. Eh humawak nga ng baril di ko magawa. Wala sa kabunasan ko ang karahasan. Maliban na lamang at ako ay sinukol saka lamang lalabas ang mala-asong ulol sa akin, mang-uunday ako ng kagat. Sisiguruhin kong baon ang gilagid ng pustiso kong three years old sa sinumang abutang Intsik na mang-aalipin sa atin.

Lamang eh hanggang ganun na lamang yun.

Kahit saan daanin ay napag-iwanan na tayo ng mga Tsino sa larangan ng pakikipag-away. Hindi lang sila may Jackie Chan, meron na rin silang Aircraft Carrier, Stealth Fighter, ICBMs, nuclear warheads, Army of hackers at milyon milyong sundalo.

Patay ang naglason pag nakipag one-on-one tayo sa kanila. Dun na lang sa bilang ng mga sundalo natin paktay na. As if mapapataob ng ating Rajah Humabon ang Chinese carrier. Sinabayan pa na merong mga Pilipinong ang turing yata sa tsina ay ang kanilang motherland. Kung makasipsip todo. Hindi lahat pero kasama na dito yung mga may dugong Intsik, mga gustong maging Intsik, mga militanteng may Amerika-lang-ang-demonyo atittude, at pati na rin ang mga komunistang rebeldeng pulpul na hanggang ngayon ay tago pa rin ng tago sa bundok na 'kala mo ay nasa dekada utsenta pa sila. Di nila matanggap na matagal nang pinatay ni Bernabe Buscayno si Kumander Dante.

Kahit ang Amerika, di natin maasahang tayo ay talagang tutulungan. Sa dami ba naman ng kanilang kalaban, bakit sila sasali sa isang digmaan na papatay sa kanilang pansariling interes at kapakanan?

Pinauso ni Joey Salceda ang Boycott China na konsepto. Napakahirap gawin, dahil sa ngayon nga lang tiningnan ko ang keyboard na aking pinagtitipaan, ang mouse na panggalaw ng cursor, ang monitor, ang suot na sapatos, ang door knob, ang armchair... Lahat gawang Tsina. Paano ko iboboykot ang tsina kung lahat ng gamit na kailangan natin gawa na sa kanila?

Nagpunta ako sa murang tindahan ng kung anu-ano na malapit sa bahay para sa mga suplay sa bahay. Ang hirap maghanap ng Made in the Philippines ang nakalagay. Hindi naman nakapagtataka kase yun nga mismong may ari ng grocery e ni hindi marunong magtagalog kase tsekwa din.

Isa lang ang nabili kong may malinaw na gawang Pilipinas na nakasulat, garbage bag pa. Yung walis tingting naman siguro gawa na dito sa atin no?

Nakapagtataka kung bakit hindi magawa ng mga Pilipino na mag-manufacture nung mga bagay na minamanufacture din ng Tsina. Hindi naman kailangang pirata rin ang gawin natin di ba? Kung sa bagay, pati nga bigas inaangkat na natin eh samantalang nandito sa atin ang International Rice Research Institute. Tayo na nga ma-kanin! (Dati)

Masakit isipin, pero ganito na ba kawalang-kwenta ang pagkamalikhain ng mga Pilipino ngayon? Ganito ba kahina ang ating kakayahan na kailangan pa nating angkatin pati ang ating mga pampunas ng tumbong sa kubeta? Hindi kagandahan ang kalagayan ng edukasyon sa bansa ngayon pero hindi natin masasabing mahihina ang ating mga gradweyt. At lalong hindi naman siguro mas maganda ang mga kolehiyo sa Tsina para tayo mapag-iwanan. Hindi ba natin kayang gamitin ang kakayahan ng libo-libong matatalinong nagtatapos taun-taon? Ganun ba kabobo ang Pilipino? Maraming matalino pero bobo. Nu kaya yun? Never mind.

Ang hirap sa ating gobyerno eh parang pababayaan na lamang ang kanyang mga mamamayan na parating sa labas ng bansa na lang aasa ng trabaho at kabuhayan. Lahat tuloy ng magagaling nauubos at pumapalaot.

Bakit hindi simulan ng gobyerno na mag-ukol ng pananalapi para sa pansariling pagmamanufacture ng ating mga gamit? Maging self sufficient tayo. The hell with APEC and our other economic partners kuno. Sa mga partnership na yan, tayo lang naman parate ang talo.

Simulan kaya ng gobyerno kahit pabrika man lang ng casing ng computer. Tutal naman ipinagmamalaki nila na may program silang PPP. Eh kahit yun wala eh. Tapos go from there. Mouse. Keyboards. Ethernet cables. Yung mga tipong pwedeng isabay sa mga tindang gawang Tsina ni CD-R King. Isa-isa lang.

Pag ganun, tingin ko luluhod rin si Mao. At hindi na natin kailangan umasa kay Sam. Magsama sila.

Basta tayong mga Pinoy, maging matapat lang. At wag gawin ulit ang ginawa natin sa Intel na naging dahilan para lumipat na lang sila sa Tsina.

Mga kababayan, kung may opsyon rin lang, hanggat maaari Pilipino muna.

Ako nagsimula sa garbage bag. yari ka ngayon Chinese Bag Manufacturer. Malulugi ka sa akin. :D

[o]

Rainy Season Healthcare: LEPTOSPIROSIS

2011-06-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

[o]

One of the most common diseases that we should be aware of this rainy season is LEPTOSPIROSIS. Leptospirosis is a rare and severe bacterial infection that occurs when people are exposed to certain environments

Leptospirosis is caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. It occurs in countries with warmer climates like the Philippines. Although it is not spread from person to person, there are very rare cases when it is transmitted through breast milk or from a mother to her unborn child.

Due to the constant flooding that occurs in our country every rainy season, more and more people are reportedly being infected with this.

The most common symptoms of Leptospirosis are the following:
• Dry cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Shaking chills

There could be other symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal lung sounds
• Bone pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Joint aches
• Muscle rigidity
• Muscle tenderness
• Skin rash
• Sore throat

The following are the Risk Factors for Leptospirosis:
• Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel

• Recreational activities -- fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas

• Household exposure -- pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodent

Normally, if a person is diagnosed with Leptospirosis his or her blood is tested for antibodies to the bacteria. As per doctor's orders tests like CBC or Complete Blood Count, Creatine kinase, Liver enzymes and Urinalysis can be done as well.

You may consult your physician to get the exact medication that you should have. Antibiotics can be used to treat the infection especially if the disease was diagnosed early.

In order to prevent Leptospirosis everyone is encouraged:
• to avoid swimming or wading in waters that might be contaminated with animal urine and
• to drain potentially contaminated water when possible.
• Those who are exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or any other activities are advised to wear protective clothings and footwear.
• Those who have open wounds are advised to have more care.
• Control rats in the household by using rat traps or rat poison, maintaining cleanliness in the house.

Your health is your wealth. Sabi nga sa TV, prevention is better than cure.

For more information, you may check the Department of Health website.

http://www.doh.gov.ph/healthadvisories/leptospirosis

Chosen Few

2011-06-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

[o]

I was 18, with failing grades in college and was a confused adolescent when I asked an older brother, "What if I enter the seminary?". His answer was that I have to give it some deep thought and make sure first that that is what I really wanted to do.

It was not out-of-the-ordinary for someone from my fathers side of the family to enter the seminary. When I was a kid, it was one of the options that I always say to those who would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up. If I am not going to be married, I'll be a priest.

But seminary life was not for me. My rebellious attitude does not conform to the strict religous life of those who are called. Yes, I was called (for a bit) but I was not chosen. So I left. I was called for a different vocation. Thankfully, marrying Che is what God has called me for. This is after more than 8 years of knowing each other. To be her husband now and forever is what is just right for me. Really, God has His very mysterious ways.

Saint Joseph Marello

One and a half-year after my wedding, it is another group of brothers turn to take their vows. This time though they went to the altar with neither wedding rings nor brides. They went to the altar with only themselves to offer. Out of the number of guys in our batch who were called to make the Lord as their only lifetime partner, only Willie, Nemuel and Joeffrey were chosen.

"You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

There is no way of knowing the great burden that you guys are now going to lift until the day you die. For in your shoulders rests the salvation of souls of each person you touch. While I am merely thinking about the future of my family, you are agonizing over the lost souls of the world. While I chose to have another person to be with me, you have chosen to live as a celibate for Him. While I have chosen to stay with my family, you have chosen to be sent to anywhere in the world that you are asked to go to propagate the Lords work.

We are proud of you our new priests! We will pray that you are able to do the duties that you so desired in the most benevolent way.

Congratulations Father Nemy, Father Willie and Father Jeoff of the Oblates of Saint Joseph!

[o]

Metta World Peace

2011-06-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

[o]

Lets go light this time.

I do not know how to categorized this on whether it is good or bad news for my dear Lakerland. Do not even know if this still fits as a sports news coz I think it's more of an odd one.

Ron Artest is changing his name to.... (drum roll please)

METTA WORLD PEACE!!!!! (toinks!)

This maybe some kind of an evolution from the great World B. Free (also of the NBA) but there was no explanation yet as to why he would want his name tag changed. Artest is a cool name already but the man is a nut job who (in these days)everybody likes. Well, except for the Pistons.

This latest foray into the weirdness made me scratch my basketballs a lil bit harder. We know he's trying to be better. I am just not sure if having Metta as first name, World as middle and Peace as last will ever last. Especially in Lakerland where every game is a war.

I am still inclined to buy his jersey though. How cool would it be to dunk over an opponent, p[ush him over the sideline, trash talk him some more and then turn my back where he'll read "PEACE!!!".

Go Lakers!!! Mavs verlieren im nächsten Jahr!

[o]

EXCEL: In Your Face

2011-06-22T21:50:00.001-07:00

[o]

Let it be said, I did not vote for Pnoy or Noynoy or whatever you want to call him. And that was for a reason. I voted for Gordon. Too bad he lost huhuhu. :P But there was nothing we can do with it when almost 15 million Filipinos thought PNoy being the heir of the Aquinos is good enough a criterion for electing him as the leader we must have. He won, I and my minions (LOLz) accepted, no hurt feelings.

But even so comes the PAINFUL part.

The Stradcom, LTO, Virgie Torres mess has come full circle. The ball is in the hands of the President now. As President, we expect him to give this some careful thought and to seep through every little holes to find the best solution. That is what a President should be doing , right? We do not expect a president to just give an uneducated opinion on a matter of national importance.

But then again, we were proven wrong.

His latest statement about this issue has now gone viral. He was complaining about the huge fee being paid by the government to Stradcom. He then said that instead of going through the system being implemented by Stradcom,

"why not just use COMPUTERS WITH MICROSOFT EXCEL TO ENTER ALL THE VEHICLE INFO...."

I was like HUWAAAAAAATTTTTTTT!?!?!??!?! SERIOUSLY!!!!??????

This is coming from the President of the Republic of the Philippines? Who is his Secretary for DOST? Can you please give this guy some basic lecture on computes and Microsoft office and then give him the difference on what an actual system database can do in a computerized system vs his simplistic resolution of using Excel.

Man oh man. No wonder why he was not able to pass any law in Congress!

We catch a fish through its mouth. Good thing there it wasn't a fish kill. Kung hindi, na-prito pati tayo. O hindi pa ba?

Hayyys and all we could do is watch... and RANT!

[o]

Latest Noose (Pinakahuling Balita)

2011-06-21T02:55:00.000-07:00

[o]

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa, maiinis o maghuhurumentado ako. Muntik na akong kumuha ng malaking "gulok" at maghamon ng away. Tulo sipon kase habang nagbabasa ng dyaryo.

Hindi ko sinasadya pero habang kinakalikot ko ang ilong ko kasama si Gugol natisod ko ito. Makabasa ka ba naman ng balitang gaya nito:

Old news na pero plakda pa rin ako ng aking mabasa. Take note of the date na lang po. September 11, 2011. Hindi ko ito nabalitaan kase malamang busy ako sa World Trade pero kung wala yun, ito na siguro ang pinakamalaking balita sa TV nung araw na yun. Aba eh kahit ang mga terorista nung mga araw na iyon hindi gagawin ang ginawa ni Boy Salisi eh.

So dahil napunta na lang rin ako sa dyaryong nakasulat sa itaas, nagbasa na ako ng balita. Eto ang sa akin ay bumulaga:

Sabi nga sa amin sa Batangas, "Nagpa-uyuhan pa eh!". Eh pare-pareho naman sila. Matindi rin tong si Pareng JV, nakalimutan na nung panahon ni tatay niya ay naging OTSENTA PETOT ang halaga ng kada ISANG DOLLAR. Grrrrrrr!

Isa pa. Wala na yatang magandang balita dito sa Pilipinas. Sa laki-laki ng country side eh ito lang ang balita:

Kung hindi may napisak eh may bulagta. Jung walang bulagta ay may dedo. Pag hindi dedo, ayan at sugatan. At saan pa ba matatapos e di sa dun sa nasuwag ng kalabaw.

Sobrang positive na mga balita, hano!

Ang masama nito ay yung balitang nakakalito. Di ko tuloy malaman kung "factual" pa ba na news ang binabasa ko. Tingnan nyo ang sunod na tatlong imahe.

Nagtaka ako kase parang de javu ang nangyaring aksidente.

So binasa ko yung sa Batangas. Aba naman at may bayan pala ng Limay sa aking probinsyang sinilangan? Ano ito?

Naisip ko may pagakakamali lang sa artikulo sa itaas, at naisip ko na ang nasa baba ay ang corrected version. Kaya nga at pinalitan na ang title.

Nyay, kinorek na mali pa rin? Panawagan kay Vilma, Gob pakihanap po ng Limay sa Batangas. Pandagdag din sa botante.

Mag-apply kaya ako na proof reader sa dyaryo. Baka kahit papano ay hindi malilito ang mga tao.

Ito ang problema sa mundong ating ginagalawan sa kasalukuyan. Isang mundong kontrolado at pinapatakbo ng media. Walang paraan kung paano maihihiwalay ang katotohanan sa gawa-gawa lamang.

Minsan pa naman mas maraming stupid.

Na-curious tuloy ako. Hindi kaya at ang mga balitang ito ay patibong lang ng Tsina. Para pag nagkagera dahil sa Spratlys, malilito ang mga Pilipino kung saan ba talaga ang Batangas at ang Bataan?

Gusto nyo ng ebidensya?

SINGWAHHHH!!!!?!?!??!

Kung bakit ba naman local news, kailangan pang import? Yan tuloy pirated! Tsk tsk tsk!

[o]

PhotoShoot for a Cause to Benefit Another Photog

2011-06-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

[o]

Someone tagged me in FB about this. I do not think I am going to be able to attend, so just to make sure I can help I am posting it here.

I am not privy to the exact details, please do contact the number indicated in the poster for more information.

Mutant... And Proud!

2011-06-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

[o]

I am a simple working guy..

Recently, I have met some people. I do not know who they are but they do seem to know me well. They know my name, the company I work for, my birth date. They even know my grandparents.

They look like regular guys like I look like another regular guy. But I sensed that they are different like I have known that I am different.

At first I was wary. I did not think that there could be some other guys like me. I thought I was alone in this world. Not until I met the mind reader.

I have been informed of a revolution in progress right in the midst of this world we call earth. I am being called to take sides. My hidden abilities are needed to help the first and to conquer the other. I was informed of the coming uprising.

All my life I have always wanted to know someone else whom I can share these secret abilities that I have been hiding. Not even my parents know about it although they know that I am special. Now that these people have approached me, I am more confused than ever.

The last few days have been gut-wrenching. It seems that some people from the most powerful government in the world have been informed about us. Guys in black suit that you would not normally see in the run down areas I normally go to are quietly observing. A guy tatt'd up in red keeps visiting me with messages from his boss. I was being asked to join their side instead.

Who should I trust now? Who should I believe? I was undecided until today...

The red-skinned guy visited me again. This time he came with my mom. It was annoying that he had to ask for my mothers assistance in persuading me to go take their side again. Mother knows best.

But I know my mom better. The one in front of me has the warm smile of mom but something is different. I am missing something...

Her hair.

I remember those summer times when I was younger. My mother would ask me to pluck the white hairs that she was starting to have. This is while she was trying to take her afternoon nap. I do not like doing it but I still did. It makes her sleepy which means that I can play outside. Also, removing her white hair makes her look younger. Which is why even now that it has been years after those summers, she is still looking young. She goes to the salon to have her hair dyed black now.

"Who are you?", I asked slowly. It was not a question. I know the one in front of me can only be a shapeshifter.

"I am Mystique" shifting into her real form.

I am now angry. I felt my veins. I felt blood in my eyes.

Not my family. Lalong hindi si inay ko.

I grabbed the red-skinned guy. He tried to pop-off but my powers stopped him. I held him in his tails and slammed him into the floor. I could feel that I became stronger a hundred times.

All of a sudden, I have now my portable keyboard. I started to type even if it is not connected to a computer. Words, letters and other mumbo-jumbos flew through the air out of it, straight towards the irreverent one who tried to imitate my Inay. The last thing I heard was her shriek. Mystique is dead pierced with the letters of the alphabet out lined by 7 special characters on her forehead.

I have made my choice. I am joining the mind reader. My keyboard and I.

I have a secret. I never thought it will come to this and I will have to tell you who I really am. I can see through walls. I can breathe under water. I am a fast typer.

I am Blogga Bulaga! A Mutant... And Proud!

:X

Korni... LOL! Watch the film, I didn't sleep inside the cinema which means the movie's great!

[o]

No Littering Please

2011-06-14T01:13:00.001-07:00

[o]

Enjoy kami ni Misis nung tahakin namin ang Bulkang Pinatubo may dalawang Linggo na ang nakararaan. Isang hindi matatawarang karanasan ang makadaupang palad ang isang pagkaganda-gandang lawa sa taas ng bundok na siya ring bunganga ng mismong bulkan na nagdulot ng sobrang sakuna at pighati noong nakaraang siglo hindi lamang sa mga mamamayan ng Gitnang Luzon kung hindi pati na rin sa buong mundo. Sinasabing ang pagsabog ng bulkang Pinatubo ay isang napakalaking penomena na nagpabilis ng pagbutas sa Ozone Layer na siya namang may kinalaman sa malawakang pagbabago ng klima sa daigdig.

Hindi ako yosi-boy, tanging utot ko lamang ang aking kontribusyon sa lumalalang polusyon sa hangin. Kung magbabackread kayo, ang adbokasiya ko pa nga ay isang smoke-free na society. Hindi rin ako nagda-drive so wala akong kotseng nagpapadilim ng EDSA. Buti na lamang at wala akong pambili ng kotse.

Hindi ako sobrang panatikong malinis na malinis. Inaamin ko na nakakapagtapon ako ng basura sa kung saan-saan pero gaya nang aking asawa pinipilit ko na rin na gayahin ang ibang bansang may disiplina sa mga maliliit na basura tulad ng balat ng candy o wrapper ng kung anu mang pagkain sa pamamagitan ng pansumandaling paglalagay muna ng mga ito sa bulsa o sa bag bago itapon kapag may nakitang basurahan.

Sa akin lang may mga lugar na mas mataas ang libel ng "awareness" dapat natin pagdating sa pagkakalat at pagsasawalang-bahala ganitong gawain.

Isa sa mga nakita kong paalala nung pag-akyat namin sa Pinatubo ay ang karatulang ito:

Isang karapat-dapat na paalala sa isang lugar na birhen sa kadalisayan. Pero sa ka katunayan, hindi na dapat kailangan pang maglagay ng kagayang babala sa lugar na ito dahil sentido kumon naman na dapat lang na huwag magtapon ng basura nang basta-basta na lamang lalo na at makakasira ito sa sa natural na balanse ng kapaligiran.

Masakit mang isipin. Ito ay hindi ang karaniwang kalakaran.

Mas masakit isipin kung ang nakita mong nag-iwan ng dumi sa isang lugar na gaya ng lawa sa Pinatubo ay isang kasamahan sa pagsusulat sa internet. Kung paanong pinuri at inadhika na huwag sanang mawala ang ganda ng ngayon ay nananahimik na Pinatubo sa mga sinusulat ay siya namang bilis ng pagkalimot sa pansariling responsibilidad na maging ehemplo sa iba na nagnanais na marating rin ang lugar. Kung ganito-nang ganito, baka paglalaon ay mawalan ng magandang maisusulat tungkol sa lugar ang ibang blogger na duon ay pupunta dahil natambakan na ito ng basura.

Ako ba ay nanininisi? Hindi naman, nataymingan lang na may napindot ang aking pagka-nature lover. Tuwang tuwa pa nga kami ng aking butihing asawa na pulutin at ilagay sa likod ng aking bag ang mga botelyang iniwan o hindi sinasadyang naiwan sa lugar at sa landas palabas ng Pinatubo. Nakarami rin kami ni es-mi. Gaya nang nakalagay sa kanang gilid ng blog na ito, Prawd na Pinoy kami nung mga oras na iyon. Feel na feel namin ang pagiging one with nature namin hehe. HHWW pa nga kami ni misis habang naglalakad while cramping on the side.

Sana lang sa next time at ito ay habang meron pang next time, inumin na rin ang bote kung kakalimutan din lang. Joke pero seryoso.

Salamat...

[o]

MUNTING PAKULO 3 Mula sa Walang Humpay na Damuhan

2011-06-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

[o]

Ngayong nagkakaubusan na ng IP Address, aba ay hindi biro biro ang makatisod ng isang domain name na libreng magagamit sa loob ng tatlong taon. Lalong suwerte kung ito ay manggagaling sa isang Damuhan. Aba'y dyakpat!

Buong sigasig kong ipopost ito sapagkat sa pagpopost nito ay magkakaroon ako ng isang karagdagang "entry" sa munting pakulo ng ating kasamahang blogger from the grasslands sa pagdiriwang niya ng kanyang ikatlong taon sa blogosphere. Ang unang entry ay nakuha ko sa pamamagitan lang ng paglalagay ng comment sa kanyang original post patungkol dito sa pakulo na ito.

Kung ikaw ay blogger at nais mong makatisod ng datcom o kaya datnet o kaya datpi-eytsh o kaya kahit anong may dat, that blog is where you should go and at magkomento.

Eto ulet ang link : Pakulo sa Damuhan

Dos puntos para mi! :D

Congratulations ulet sa mga taga-Damuhan!

[0]

May Nag-Text!!

2011-06-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

[o]

May Nag-Text!!??????

Hindi ito galing sa isang palabas sa telebisyon na hindi ko na lang babanggitin ang pangalan.

Galing ito sa butihing company nurse namin nang may matanggap silang teksto (text nga, slow!) mula sa isang empleyado. Kaagad na naging viral ang kwento uko sa nabanggit na text. Ang bilis kumalat eheheh. Hindi na binaggit pa kung sino ang nagpadala ng mensahe for privacy purposes nga naman. Pero talagang nakakapagpa-smile na merong empleyado na magpapadala ng ganitong message nung lumalakas ang bagyong Dodong.

Here goes:

Sa katotohanan, wala naman talagang masama sa ginawa ng ating kasamahan sa trabaho. Nagtatanong lang 'ika nga.

Mas nakakatuwa ang sagot nila sa nagtext...

"Ahhmmm.. Sino nga pala ulit class adviser mo?"

Hehehe! YUNA!

[o]

'Going Shylock' with These Indonesians

2011-06-08T19:11:00.001-07:00

[o]

What happened to another blogger and her friend in Indonesia simply is outrageous! No outrageous is not enough of a term. KARUMALDUMAL!!! VERY UNACCEPTABLE!!! If you have not read, seen or heard it in the news yet, here is her blog post.

I wonder how many other Filipinos get to be treated that way in Indonesia? This branding and profiling is not something that we Filipinos should just let pass. We have to do something about this.

As if some of their countrymen have not done the same!?!?!?! Our immigration guys caught one just recently. Her name is Media Aprideri. Read the full story here. And here is another story about three Indonesian drug mules caught in our country.

I say, go and treat them the same way. For every Indonesian that goes in and out. Subject them the same respect that they've subjected our countrymen. I know this maybe harsh and maybe I am being inhumane just like their immigration guys who can't even speak good English, but my temper is boiling as of the moment.

Ahhhhhhhh!

I know, i know, we should be diplomatic and all but at times we have to act and think as Shylock did:

To bait fish withal: if it feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge! If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge! The villainy you teach me I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

One thing is for sure, our government must do everything possible to ensure that this kind of profiling does not happen ever again to another Filipino!

[o]

REVELATOR ELEVATOR

2011-06-08T01:08:00.000-07:00

[o]

Isang hindi payat na babae ang kasabay kong pumasok sa entrada ng gusaling aking pinapasukan. Siya ay hangos na hangos na animo'y talagang nagmamadali. Sumimangot pa sa sekyu nang pakiusapn siyang buksan ang dala-dala niyang bag na may baliktarang letrang C ang logo. Sabay satsat, "Tsk!"

Tagaktak ang pawis na maya't maya niyang pinupunasan ng panyolito, kasabay ko rin siyang naghintay sa isa sa pinakaimportante at walang kupas na imbensyon ng ikalabingsiyam na siglo... The Elevatorrrrr.

Panay ang tingin ng kasabay kong babae sa kanyang relos. At sa kada taas ng kaliwa niyang braso upang tingnan ang oras may tumutunog na "Tsk!". Halatang late na ang naturang paksa ng talatang ito. Makailang beses pa siyang tumingin sa relos niya na nung nagtagal ay para nang ritmo ng relos ang kada "Tsk!" niya.

Muntik ko na siyang tanungin, "Miss, isa ka bang butiki?".

Buti nakapagpigil ako kung hindi ay baka natamasa ko na ang bagsik ng mamahaling bag sa aking mukha. "At least Chanel", isip-isip ko na napapangiti.

Kapag medyo minamalas-malas lang tong si Ate, nagkataon na alas-nueve rin ang labasan ng mga nagtatrabaho sa mga call center na meron sa ikalima hanggang sa may ikalabing dalawang palapag ng building. Naturalmente pa, sobrang tagal ng pagbaba ng elevator.

Di ko rin alam kung bakit ganoon. Sa tuwina na lang na out-of-the-office at uwian na itong mga empleyado sa nasabing mga kumpanya, kailangang huminto ng elevator sa kada palapag.

Me pagkakataon pa na huminto ang elevator sa isang palapag pero walang sumakay nung makitang me lamang tatlong tao sa loob. Ayaw pa ng may sakay na iba? malaking abala sa buhay ng iba ang mga damuho.

Lesson that they should learn: Ang taxi po ay pahalang ang takbo at hindi akyat-manaog sa buildings.

Balik tayo kay Ate. Eto nga at inip na inip na siya. At sa wakas nagsalita rin siya nang salitang tao bagaman at may lizard slang pa rin sa hulihan. Gigil na gigil na si Ate.

(basahin mo ito na nanggigigil at malalaman mo ang itsura niya)

"Uhhhhhh ano baaaahhhh? Ang tagal namaaannnnn!!!" sabay "Tsk!"

May papikit-pikit pa ng mata. Naging kapansin-pansin na rin sa ibang naghihintay ang pagiging kakaiba ng pasensya ni Ate. Lahat nakatungo pero kita mong madalas pumapasyal ang mga mata sa nagdadabog na paa ni ate. Hindi ko alam kung kagaya ko silang mga tsismoso rin o nag-iingat lang sila at baka maapakan ng parang sibat na takong na suot nito.

At sa wakas matapos ang siguro ay may limang minuto naming paghihintay... "DING!"

Bumukas ang tarangkahan ng elevator na magdadala sa amin palapit sa langit. Maingay. Mukhang mga bagong gradweyt ang mga sakay. Inglisan nang inglisan.

Si Ate di na talaga makahintay, nagsimulang umabante. HARANG!!!

Wala siyang nagawa umurong ng konti. At pilang parang langgam na lumabas ang mga batang isip na ang akala sa elevator ay playground. Siksikan na nga nagtutulakan pa.

May isa pang palabas pero sugod na si Ate pagpasok at pumindot ng numero. Sumunod na rin lahat pagkatapos niya. Ako pinindot ko ang 13. Oo, sa malas na floor ako kumukuha ng suwerte.

Tsismosong mga mouse...

Sumarado ang pinto. Pero wala pang 3 segundo may tumunog na "DING!!!". Nakulili ang tenga ko.

"2nd floor pa lang ah...", sabi ng isip ko. Nagsalubong kilay at tiningnan ang mga kasabay.

Nak nang putahe! Si Ate!!!

Nagmarakulyo ang utak ko. Second Floor lang pala kung makagawa ng scandal sa baba!!! Sampung baitang lang meron ang hagdan manang!!!

May bumulong na kasabay sa elevator, "Kaya ka tumataba... Tamad!"

Haaaaay piece of mind...

[o]

May SLR Ka Nga, Umuulan Naman

2011-06-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

[o]

Taas ang kamay ng Guilty!!!

Malayo-layong lakaran ang nakaumang sa amin nang araw ng Sabado. Nilinis ang mga lente at pati ang body. Sinigurong nakahanda ang tripod. Napagpasyahan na ang dadalahin ay isang 70 - 300mm na zoom lens pang-ispat ng malalayo at mga hubo (FYI may mga katutubo sa pupuntahan kaya hubo, wag bosero ang isip) at ang makamandag na kit lens, the everlasting 18 - 55mm. At sa wakas magagamit ko na rin ang bagong biling generic na filter para maging mas ma-asul ang langit.

kaya lang, Nyemas! Hindi nakisama si mother of all mothers!

Makulimlim na kalangitan ang sumalubong sa amin. Nagkasya na lang na kuhaan ang naglalakihang 4x4 na sunod-sunod na na pumainlanlang sa hangin ang ingay ng mga makina.

May mga nadaanan kaming katutubong Aeta naglalakad mula sa hindi namin alam. Bigla na lang silang sumusulpot.

"San kaya sila nanggagaling?" tanong ng isang kalbong noon ko lang nakilala. Wala namang kabahayan sa lugar kaya kahit ako eh napaisip. Buti na lang me nagpaliwanag, sa ministop raw. Natawa kami lahat dito.

Walanghiya, ano nga kaya at me makita kaming Ministop sa gitna nang dating daluyan ng nag-aalimpuyong lahar? (Malamang alam nyo na kung saan ang aming destinasyon?)

Gaya nang aking nakagawian sa tuwinang napapapunta ako sa malalayong lugar at nakakita ng mga lokal na katutubong pinoy man o hindi, kinawayan ko ang mga Aeta sa aktong pang Ms Universe. At gaya rin ng inaasahan, kumaway rin sila na puno ng ngiti sa mga mata. Ganyan lahat ng mga tao sa napupuntahan kong lugar Pilipinas. Sarap talaga ng ngiti ng kapwa Pilipino.

Sayang di ko sila napiktyuran. Mabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan sa rough road na daan. Malaking ilog ba naman na galing sa bulkan. Hirap magfocus ang autofocus. Ilang beses ding nabunggo ang aking siko sa kanto ng nakahugpong na bakal.

Aaaahhhhhhhrgggggg!!! Walang kwenta.

At maya-maya pa, may tumama sa bandang kanang braso ko. Isa pa, isa pa, isa pa! pati sa mukha! Ratatatatatat! Ambus!

"Dapa!!!!", ang sigaw ng kasamahan ko na may dala ring baril (SLR baliw! di ako marahas!).

"Nakupo nayari na!"

Dakli kong inabot ang camera sa aking asawa na siyang malapit sa aking bag. Walang asul na langit na maasahan. Baka masira pa ang dalang kagamitan. Not worth risking lives. Walang pambili ng bagong SLR. Di pa bayad. Kasalukuyang pinatutubuan pa ni CiudadBanco.

Ganito ang panahon habang patuloy naming tinahak ang aming destinasyon. Hindi pa rin tumila ang ulan kahit sa trek portion na nang paglalakbay. Uulan, hihina nang ga-ambon. Hindi pa rin namin mailabas si butihing SLR.

Ang bigat ng damuhong gadyet, di naman magamit.

Sa kanan at kaliwa namin, nang-iinggit ang iba naming kasamahan. Buti pa ang point and shoot nila, pang - "come hell or high water, more picture much better!!!"

Me nang-asar pa, ano ngayon mga shooters? Barilan tayo!!! Haaysss! Sarap pukpukin ng traypod ng gago! Ngingiti pa na nakakaloko. :D

Buti na lang nung malapit na kami sa isa sa pinakamagagandang lugar sa Pilipinas, tumila at sumilay ang haring araw. Nagka-sunburn pa nga ako sa paliligo sa sa napakalamig at ma-asul na lawa. Pati ang langit nakisama, hinawi ang alapaap.

Kaya gaya nang inaasahan sa ganitong panahon. Patay ang naglason. Jumampshat ang mga mahihilig. Isinimpat ko ang aking mashinggan. Patay sila lahat. Pati ang point and shooters. Willing victims... Death by friendly fire.

Sarap! Wala lang sanang presyuran sa pag-upload at pag-tag ha. ;p

[o]

Lunes 'Takte

2011-05-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

[o]

"Naku na naman!", yan ang aking nabigkas nang makita ko ang pay slip. Alam ko na kung bakit parang kulang ang sweldong pumasok sa ey-ti-em. "Yari sila sa akin!" pag ganitong nagmahal ang ensaymada sa paborito kong tindahan eh wag silang sasagot ng pabalang.

Pagdating ko sa opisina ng akawnting hindi nga nila ako sinagot ng pabalang. Inunahan na kaagad ako ng salita ng ulo ng mga maling magkompyut.

"Oh John... I am really sorry. We failed to add this and that to the computation of your salary for this month. I-add na lang namin sa sunod na pay period mo."

Alam na pala nila na may issue ang sweldo. Di man lang ako mainform through email o kahit ano pa at nang hindi na iinit ang ulo ko. Pinagod pa ko ng paglakad punta sa opisina nila.

Tapos sasabihin sa kin na i-add na lang para sa next payroll. E pano ang mga bills ko na dapat bayaran ko ngayon? Nak nang tipaklong.

"Can't you credit it to my account right away? I need them now for my bills."

Wala rin. Pasensya na raw, talaga lang na busy sila ngayon. Dito ako nabagot dahil nung papasok ako kita ko ang isa nilang staff na naka-open ang fb. Pero I stayed cool. May araw din kayo.

To make it short sa susunod na payout na lang raw yung kulang sa sweldo na pinaghirapan ko. Hindi ko alam kung pano pa nagkakamali ang computation e kompyuter na nga ang nagkokompyut para sa kanila. Tamad lang talaga ang mga tinamaan ng magaling!

Pagbaba ko sa aking munting sulok sa opisina. Nakita ko ang network switch. Port number 17, may label na accounting.

Ay naku nahugot bigla!!! (grin)

Wala pang isang minuto. Nag-ring ang telepono sa tabi ko. Si Ms pa-ingil-inglis ang nasa linya.

"John we lost our internet connection... can you help us please?"

"Mam sa sunod na pay period na lang rin po, pwede?"

Read more magtiblogz
[o]

Ano ba ang Ispayweyr?

2011-05-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

[o]

Hindi ako magaling magsulat sa Tagalog bagama't inaamin kong hindi rin naman ayus ang mga artikulo kong nasulat sa Ingles. Kaya lang ang hirap talagang isulat lahat kapag sinusubukan kong sa sariling wika ko na lang gagawin ang aking blog. Ito nga at pangalawang subok ko na ito sa loob ng isang oras. Dumadating kasi sa punto na parang sobrang korni na kapag nasa kalagitnaan na at kapag nagkaganoon ay mas madalas na kino-close ko na lang ang ginagawa ko at itutulog ko na lang.

Subok uli....

May nagtanong sa akin ngayun-ngayon lang kung ano raw ba talaga ang "spyware". Sa kagustuhan kong makatulong at kasabay nito ay mapraktis ang aking pagsusulat ng tagalog ay nagpilit ako na bigyan ng kahulugan ang ibig sabihin nito.

Mula sa salitang "Spyware" itself (heheh sorry cant help it :D ), ang "spy" ay nangangahulugang tiktik o maniktik. Ang "ware" naman ay nangangahulugang paninda o pang-akit.

Kaya naman kung susumahin, ang "spyware" ay bagay na nagmumula sa isang entitidad sa internet na ang dahilan kung bakit ginawa ay upang maniktik sa anumang kompyuter na kung saan ito ay naiinstol. Kadalasan ito ay naglalayon na makapagtinda o makaakit ng kostumer para sa isang bagay kung kaya at madalas na kapag may impeksyon ng spyware ang kompyuter may lumalabas na sulpot-pataas-na-patalastas (pop-up ad, ungas!) . Mas malala pa rito ay walang kaalam-alam ang gumagamit ng kompyuter na ang kanilang makina ay nainstolan na ng nasabing spyware.

Bakit kaya hindi alam ng mga gumagamit ng kompyuter na may ispiyang-paninda na sa kanilang makina?

Una, dahil sa kawalan ng kaalaman. Karamihan ng mga gumagamit ng kompyuter at nag-iinternet ay basta na lamang klik nang klik ng kahit anong makita nilang interesante. Kaya nga sinabing "pang-akit" ang ispayweyr ay para ito ay madaling mapansin. Karamihan ng mga nabibiktima nito ay mga kabataan o iyong mga baguhan sa larangan ng kompyuter. Magbigay tayo ng halimbawa.

Habang nagbabrowse si Tanga (di mo ito tunay na pangalan) sa websayt na peysbukdatkom ay may lumabas na poste na ang sabi ay "Tulungan mo kami na maging ligtas ang peysbukdatkom sa pamamagitan ng pagpindot sa SECURE na butones sa ibaba". Kaya naman si Tanga (inuulit ko, hindi mo ito tunay na pangalan) kara-karakang itinuro ang cursor sa SECURE na butones sabay pindot (at gigil na gigil pa!).

Pwedeng mangyari sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ay sa halip na naging ligtas ay nainstol na pala sa kompyuter ang isang ispayweyr na nangongolekta ng impormasyon ng gumagamit ng makina. Pwedeng magkaroon ng palagiang paglabas ng sulpot-pataas-na-patalastas na nagbebenta ng kung anu-anong bagay. Pwede rin naman na makuha ang mahahalagang password nang dahil dito. Karaniwang nakakainis (annoying) ang mga ispayweyr dahil pinapabagal nila ang kompyuter dahil sa mga prosesong pinapatakbo nito nang hindi natin alam.

Pangalawang rason ay dahil walang sapat na seguridad na nakalagay sa kompyuter para maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng impeksyon.

Kung may security software na nakalagay sa makina, maaaring bago pa man maapektuhan ng impeksyon ng ispayweyr ay makikita na kaagad ito at mapupuksa. Pwede rin na kahit magkaroon ng impeksyon ay madiditek ng isang magaling na anti-spyware ang nasabing impeksyon at kaagad na matatanggal. Kaya nga mahigpit na inirerekomenda ng inyong lingkod na kayo ay magkaroon ng magaling na pangontra.

Isa sa maayos na anti-spyware o anti-malware kung tawagin ng iba ay ang Malwarebytes. Libre lamang ang nasabing malambot-na-pang-akit (software tongeks!) kaya hindi ninyo kailangang magbayad. Mahalaga na mayroon kayo ng ganitong klaseng seguridad sa inyong makina kung hindi ninyo afford ang mga mas mahal (pero mas matinding security software) na meron na ring anti-virus na kakayahan.

:P

[o]

Weekend Quicky

2011-05-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

[o]
Weekend Quicky
by magtiblogz

We extol sunsets for how beautiful they are
And we welcome the moon for its solemn light - (sempai thanks!)
And whilst waves crash into the sandy shore
We beg for more of this dreamy lore...

Catapulted to where time comes to a grinding halt,
Where we can walk barefoot and run hand in hand
Where soft grasses alternate for urbanity's asphalt
Where natures voices make for symphonic background...

On top of mountains and their incessant winds
Where we view the greatness of His great realm
Where our voices are muffled by the screaming calm
Our soul depleted is immersed once more...

Then it hits us with realism's recoil
We leave Utopia for the modern(?) toil
we breathe fresheners and walk carpeted floors
where we feed the mouth yet drain our soul...

Click for More Magtiblogz
[o]

RH BILL MEANS: BUWIS NATIN ANG IBIBILI NG CONTRACEPTIVE AT CONDOM NG MGA WALANG KONTROL SA SARILI PARA KUMITA NG MALAKI ANG MGA PHARMA COMPANY

2011-05-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

[o]

Bakit nga ba talaga masyado silang pursigido sa RH Bill na yan? Kahit nga naman wala yan e libre namang nabibili ang condom sa 7-11 at contraceptives sa botica, hindi naman illegal... Meron na ngang seminar parate bago magpakasal tungkol dyan... MAY KIKITA KAYA?

An excerpt from Mr Avila's column in Philstar

“Dear Bobit, I have always wondered why the RH Bill is being pushed through even though with or without it, the consumer is free to purchase contraceptives in the counter. So I made some analysis. Based on National Census Statistics Board data 2000, about 24 percent of the Philippine population is above 20 years old. Based on the same statistics, about 50 percent of that are females.

“Considering we have a total population of about 90 million that means the total population of Filipinos above 20 years old is about 22 million. Half of that would be 11 million females. This is the present target market for contraceptives. If I am not mistaken, based on what I have found out from the internet, the cost of using birth control pills is about P1,000 a month.

“The total potential value of the market in the Philippines is therefore computed to be: 11 million x P1,000 per month x 12 months or a total of P132 billion per year. The problem for the contraceptive manufacturers is that 90 percent of the market belongs to the lower income who cannot afford to spend P1,000 per month. So in order to give this market purchasing power, the RH Bill is now being pushed to enable the government to use taxpayer’s money to subsidize these contraceptives.

“To further expand the market, the 10 to 15 years old will be given sex education in school and they will be allowed to purchase contraceptives even without the consent of their parents. That could mean another 4,000,000 potential users. The value of this additional market is calculated to be another P48 billion. Adding the two markets gives us a whooping valuation of P180 billion per year. Now I understand why the RH Bill is being pushed very hard. God bless! - Bobby Tordesillas.”

YUNA! Gagamitin na pambili ang ibinabayad nating buwis para sa contaceptive nila??? Pambibili ng condoms ang ating buwis???? HALA!!!! Ipapasa para kumita ang mga manufacturer ng gamot mula sa buwis na ibinabayad natin???? Aba libre silang magbembangan pero hindi nila gagamitin ang buwis ko dahil hindi sila marunong magcontrol!!!!

Ibili nyo sila kung gusto nyo, pero wag gamit ang perang pinaghirapan namin. Ipagpapaaral ko na lang yan sa aking mga pamangkin!!!!

More Magtiblogz

[o]

DETECT DUBIOUS LINKS IN FACEBOOK

2011-05-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

[o]

Just a few days ago we got so annoyed by the continous spam attacks through wall posts asking FB users to verify accounts to avoid receiving spam posts.

The wall post states, "Please do your part in PREVENTING SPAM by VERIFYING YOUR ACCOUNT. Click VERIFY MY ACCOUNT right next to comment below to begin the verification process...". A Verify My Account link is then located directly after the post.

A lot of FB users were duped to click the verify link which unknowingly allowed it to be reposted to all of their friends facebook walls. A total annoyance. We are not really sure if that is the only thing it did. We are not I had to post a request to on my own wall so that they wont have to click such links anymore. It was even featured in the news.

I thought by now they would have known how such clickjacking practices work but apparently a lot of our friends still have not learned their lessons. Just now, I have received requests on my wall asking people to click the activate a new feature on FB for disliking posts. Apparently they clicked on a button that says ACTIVATE DISLIKE BUTTON. What is worse is that this one is not new and has been out there even before the verify spam came out.

Some people just never learn.

One of the reasons why people still click on such links (aside from plain stupidity) is because they have no idea if it is for real or not.

For those who still have not learned. Here is one simple way of checking out if such a link is dubious or not.

1) Put the mouse cursor over the link. Do not click on it. In this example, the mouse is over the link that says ACTIVATE DISLIKE BUTTON.

2) Look at the status bar at the bottom of your browser and you will find the url where the "Activate.." button is linked to. In this one, it clearly shows that it routes to a website called www.livejournal.com which is not in anyway connected to Facebook.

Now note that if the "dislike message" is indeed from Facebook it should have been linked to the Facebook domain and not to this livejournal guys.

As simple as that really. Safe surfing everyone!!!

For more of MagtiBlogz, click the word MagtiBlogz.

[o]

FB Chat : A Social Experiment Kuno

2011-05-17T05:28:00.000-07:00

[o]

I recently joined this photocontest and was asking most of my "kamukha" (**ka-facebook, Tan-dyi-ey!) to share the link and like the photo as well to maximize my chances of winning.

Unknowingly, as I was going through the motions of requesting for facebook likes, I realized how each of my kamukha differs with each other in terms of how they communicate, how they react, how they let the communication through chat go on to the extent that I was able to at least somewhat measure what kind and what degree of friendship we are having.

(Go to the main blogger page by clicking the word Magtiblogz)

Now, I am not a chat addict. I rarely even go chat using other media like YM or AIM or Skype. I also do not normally set myself to visible especially on FB as I am not comfortable chatting with people except when I needed to say something to some one or if a task calls for it.

So I thought of a plan. I would try to chat up anyone under the guise of making a specific request coming from a friend and see how the other side would react. This is not some seriously themed Emo plot to know who my real friends are, katuwaan lang ika nga. And since I seem to have all the time in the world right now to do this (hindi pa busy) why-not-chocnut is the decision.

I PM'ed Bryan (***hindi ito ang hindi tunay nyang pangalan) and as soon I sent a message the recipient of the message went offline. I was like Whoah!!, sabay smayl na parang nakatuklas ng bagong specie. Ang kaibahan lamang ay hindi ito ang nanganganib na uri (endangered ungas! tagalog na nga eh nalito pa!).

About 35% of all those I chatted in my kamuks' (pinaiksi ng kamukha o kameysmuk!) seem to have the same weird attitude of turning off chat once they receive one. LOL. It is like an auto-logoff button is being activated as soon as a new message comes in. There are some however who would entertain my initial greeting na parang when I say Hello they say Hi and then kapoom! Nakita ko na lang ay ang bilog na kulay grey sa gilid ng kanilang pangalan sa chatbox (***ooops titingnan mo kung ano ang grey na bilog sa fb chat sa puntong ito) na ang ibig sabihin ay offline ang kausap ko.

As much as I want to judge people hindi ako hukom at lalong hindi ako si Lord. So sa benefit ng doubt, naisip ko na baka naman biglang naubos ang pambayad sa computer shop o nahuli ng boss sa office kaya nawala sa FB. Or it might be that they just do not want to exhaust their massive tupperware elemental presets (kaplastikan) so instead of chatting, just-end-it-right-away mode. It is also possible that the person I chatted with is choosy like me, may mga biases sa friends kung sino ang gusto kausap. Or lastly malamang sobra talagang busy. Although I normally do not just log off like that on somebody. I always make it a point to say adieu as gently (dahan dahan, yung hindi masakit, respectful) as possible.

What I am happy though is that majority, even those who barely even remember me, had been courteous and in fact even tried to open other topics that we can discuss. Some chats even lasted an hour or more, even if as I have said, i am not a chat guy. I could barely even talk to most of you face to face alone chat pa kaya. Buti na nga lang naiipasa ko mga job interviews ko eh!

But these guys who chatted with me head-on as my guinea pigs without them knowing it during the duration of this social experiment are the best!

Someone asked me if I can go to this place (na hindi ko talaga alam basta nsa makati lang yun) later that night just for old times sake. Another one knows me so well he started throwing jokes and insults at me LOL in a friendly and fun way. One is sweet enough to send her regards to my wife (haha Tenchu Ate Mhaye!!).

Those friends we cherish! Man oh man, if I can only save one glass of beer everytime I drink. But you know me.. cant even drink a can of cali since it is not even sold in the market no more. (Not drinking much anymore ever since that embarrassing and messy situation years ago that my wife knows all too well heheh, another story.)

But then again this is not scientific. I myself knows that there are some who talk better and are more comfortable through chat. Others just find it not.

So in the end this experiement isn't really worth a nick' compared to how the Philippine Stock Market was up or compared to Osama Bin Laden's controversial demise. But is it worth trying? Yup! You may also want to try it when you're free. Who knows you may learn a thing or two about your kamuks character heheh? Learned a lot about them, I learned a lot about me :D

Peace and I'm out!

[o]

*** haha nakatuwaan ko lang kung paano magsulat si Master Jamin, ang aking mestrong mahusay magsulat at magsalita habang nagmumura duon sa dati kong pinagtatrabahuhang kumpanya.sensya na po kung may naapektuhang damdamin ng mga salita LOL paminsan minsan healthy ang mag-iba ng salakay bagamat inaamin ko na hindi ko gusto na kayo'y murahin, liban na lamang kung talagang tan-dyi-ey ang nagbabasa, hindi na mura yun kundi riyalidad LOL.

For more of Magtiblogz, click the word MagtiBlogz

The "Pamasahe" Syndicate

2011-05-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

[o]

I was walking towards Amorsolo Street in Makati the other night to meet my wife when two women approached me. One of two is about 40 to 45 years old while the other one looks frail and maybe about 60 to 70 years old. The younger one was the who spoke asking for help. She said that they were left behind by their companions and needs fare money to get home.

( Read this through the main Blogger page HERE )

Now this is not the first time that some one has approached me and asked for such fare money with the same modus. What made it interesting though was that, someone else did that to me before at the same exact spot. That was a few months ago and I can barely remember that it was a lady and an adolescent kid who were there last time out.

I was like having this Deja Vu feeling at that instance. Matrix the movie came to my mind and I thought I have to do something different right there and then. Wearing my black jacket ala laurence Fishburne I stopped walking, looked slowly towards the two women and in a Keanu Reeves like tone spoke:

"Alam nyo po mas maganda kung sasamahan ko kayo sa pulis. May mga naka-station dyan sa kanto. Mas matutulungan nila kayo."

I can see the womens eyes became alert all of a sudden. The younger of the two hurriedly took the hand of the elder one. The elder one who was looking frail and pitiful stiffened and fixed how she was wearing her slippers.(tatakbo???)

From there, I knew I touched some nerves.

"Ano po? Nandiyan po sila sa kanto, me nakita akong mobil nila. Malamang ihahatid pa kayo ng mga yun."

The younger one said, "Mababait ba mga yun?"

"Opo naman!", was my retort. "Tara po."

"Hindi, kami na lang. Nakakahiya naman sa iyo. Okay na kami."

They then turned away and moved towards the opposite the direction from where I told them the police mobile is.

This modus operandi is very very rampant these days here in Metro Manila. So rampant that there was a time when the same guy whom I've given fare money to while I was in UP Diliman, came up to me also in Ayala in Makati asking for "pamasahe pauwi".

Coincidence? - No!

A Scam? - Definitely!!!

A light scam some calls it as they are not asking for millions but instead asking for coins. The scammer would say, "Kahit piso lang po pandagdag sa pamsahe.". The scammee (heheh imbento ko lang ang salita) on the other hand will have a sudden rush of mercy and give more than just a piso and will in fact give the exact amount of the fare needed to reach Sn Fernando in Pampanga. And so the scammer goes home with more that what he/she asked for.

Now imagine if in one full day the scammer is able to convince a hundred person to give the exact fare each to Pampanga. Riding a van to San Fernando is about a hundred bucks. That is a whopping P10000 all in a days (scam) job.

Budol-budol stems from this kind of scam. Based on my observation, most of those who asks for fare money targets passersby who are in their lonesome. It would be easier for them to scam a single person than do it to two or to a bunch. If they can do this now and still think that they are not doing anything wrong with the failed reasoning that what they are getting were given for free and not stolen, what stops them from being monsters of deception at a later time. For all we know it could be possible that they are already one big syndicate prowling the metro just like those street kids who are asked to beg for alms by criminal gangs.

The solution for this is simple. Do not to give them the money that they are asking. For as long as we give them a few coins, it translates as more fuel for them to ask for more and to continue. If your conscience bothers you, help them but not by giving money. Offer bringing them to a government office whose job is to assist them.

Just like what I did. The police could have helped those two women.

Or may have detained them... if my gut feel was correct.

Read more Magtiblogz, click HERE

[o]

Cervical Cancer Free Screening

2011-05-09T01:12:00.001-07:00

I should have posted this before Mothers Day para naman tamang-tama sana para sa kababaihan at hindi a day after but as the saying goes "Better Late than Later".

The Department of Health is giving a month long free cervical cancer screening for women within the age of 30 to 45. This is being offered at all 58 DOH accredited hospitals nationwide in accordance with the celebration of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

For NCR the free screening is available every Mondays of the May.
For Luzon it will be every Wednesdays of May.
For Visayas it will be for Thusrdays of May.
It will be available every Fridays of May in Mindanao.

Cervical cancer occurs when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. It is usually caused by a chronic and persistent cancer-causing type of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection that leads to pre-malignant lesions and progress to cancer.

Kindly tell your moms and all the women you love about this.

More Magtiblogz

5 Summer Diseases

2011-05-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

[o]

The Department of Health (DOH) is asking Filipinos to watch out for the following summer diseases as temperatures in the country start to rise this month:

Health Alert 1: Measles
Health Alert 2: Sore eyes
Health Alert 3: Sunburn
Health Alert 4: Food and Water-borne diseases (such as typhoid, cholera,hepatitis A, food poisoning and diarrhea)
Health Alert 5: Mosquito-borne diseases (such as dengue and malaria)

The DOH provided some useful tips to help Filipinos stay away from these summer diseases:

On eating/drinking and food preparation:
- Cook food properly.
- Eat food immediately after cooking or while it's still hot.
- Refrigerate leftover food and reheat before eating.
- Wash hands before and after food preparation, and before and after eating.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Make sure to wash and peel them before eating.

At the beach:
- Do not allow children to swim without the company of an adult who can swim and is
not drunk.
- Avoid staying under the sun for more than 3 hours.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Wear light clothing.

On the road:
- Check your vehicle before going on a trip
- Always bring a repair kit in case of accidents and emergencies.
- When drunk, never attempt to drive.

Reference: http://doh.gov.ph

For more of magtiblogz click THIS
[o]

Ang Pagbati

2011-04-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

[o]

The Dance of Pagbati is hundred year tradition in the town of Ibaan in Batangas. This happens every Easter Sunday after the traditional Salubong and Dagit. The dance itself is naturally performed in quick tempo to commemorate the happiness felt for Christs' Rising. The Pagbati is danced by one lady who acts as the kapitana and two male escorts.

This years Kapitana is Miss Giselle Ann Cayetano.

One of the little angels who performed the "dagit".

The dance started with a bow to the audience and to the risen Lord.

During this day, most parishioners normally wake up early to attend the early mass and be able to watch the Salubong and Dagit and the Pagbati afterwards.

For more click Gone to the John

Oh no he didn't!!! Kobe Bean Bryant Over Emeka Okafor!!!

2011-04-27T00:01:00.001-07:00

Three consecutive Finals appearances. Two Consecutive Championships. 5 Rings. And yet some guys have not learned basketball wisdom.

Been hearing a lot of flak lately with the way the purple and gold are playing especially the black mamba himself. One guy atrociously have to claim that this year is the year when the Lakeshow becomes a no-show with the series with Hornets being tied at 2-2 and all and with Kobe just having this ankle sprain added to his list of injuries.

LOL If only this guys dreams can come true. Too bad in the world where all fans are not created equal cause bunch of them are of the losing kind, here is for you:

I just love the anchors reaction - "Oh No He didn't!!!"

I say, "Oh yes he did!!! Smile Okafor! You've been posterized!!!"

Ankle what??? Nuff said!!!

Buti Na Lang May PhotoRec : Best Free Recovery Application

2011-04-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have been a Nikon user for much of my days as a trying too hard photography hobbyist. So naturally I became used to taking , saving and processing photos the basic fanboy way especially when shooting in Raw.

I was given the chance recently however to bring along a Canon 550D in one of our trips up north. Due to my unfamiliarity with this Canon model, I decided to select Raw mode whenever I think shooting in jpeg would risk having improper exposures, white balance etc. I am just too amateur of a photographer to rely solely on my instincts. And so I did for duration of our travel. Shooting in jpeg most of the time and then going Raw whenever I think there is a need for it.

The problem happened when we got home after the three day trip. I instinctively transferred all photos off the memory cards to the laptop using the Nikon Transfer software that came with my D60, totally forgetting that the software will only read NEF files and not the Canon's version for RAW which is CR2. What's worse? It is my habit to automatically reformat memory cards after I each transfers. It was too late for me to realize that I was not able to copy the Canon Raw files to the computer. ALL memory cards have been reformatted already.

Good thing my wife is there to suggest using a freeware recovery program called PhotoRec that we downloaded from this link.

PhotoRec is file data recovery software designed for recovering lost files which include videos, documents and archives from hard disks, CD-ROMs, and lost pictures from digital camera memory. What it does is that it ignores the file system and goes after the underlying data, so it will still work even if your media's file system has been severely damaged or "REFORMATTED" by someone dumb like me.

Distributed under GNU General Public License, this open source multi-platform application is very much free to use. I do not need to pay a single centavo. Had I not found out about this from my wife, I might have been $40 poorer now as that is what other recovery software normally costs. It does not matter also whether you have MAC, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris etc as the program runs in almost all OS platforms. It can even be compiled in most Unix systems.

This application really made up an almost ruined day. It was so easy to use but if you want step by step instructions you can go to this link or this youtube vid. Was able to sleep well in less than 30 minutes of using the software to recover everything. Imagine if I was not able to recover all those photos. Batanes would be madly missed.

Read more of my blog here.

Wasted Weekend Warrior

2011-04-18T01:32:00.000-07:00

[o]

It was one busy weekend. So busy, I felt like not reporting for work this early Monday morning due to these stiffed legs. Just imagine feeling like having cramps all day. 7 hours of sleep from the day before simply was not enough.

As usual, the weekend started early for yours truly considering that Friday is also my off along with Sarturday and Sundays (not unless I am requested to do OT on the weekends). So off to the mall I go and at first did the usual window salivating. I am not into shopping so that is what I do, salivate.. and drool too. That is part of the itinerary whenever a poor-as-a-poor like me goes to such places.

But I came to the mall for two main reasons.

First, I want to buy "mi wifey" something. I do not care what it was going to be but I just want to give her a gift that she'll appreciate which is not really hard to do. It is just that I heard her complaining about headaches in her sleep (not because of me, it's her work!!!) that I wanted to give her something that will soothe her.

The second reason was to get myself a CPL filter for my 52mm lenses. Was planning to get a Hoya but Pixel Pro was out of stock. Due to the immediacy of my need for one, I got sales talked and went for the Nisi CPL instead. I am not sure if Nisi is a good brand for filters but I got it for only a little more than a thousand bucks which is way cheaper than the Hoya. Anyways, it is my first time trying a CPL so I do not really care.. for now (hehe maybe later I will).

A group from Sorsogon representing the Sosogon Festival in the recent Aliwan Fest 2011

Went back home after that quick tour of Megamall but I was off again after 30 minutes of staying cool in front of our older-than-me-(I think) electric fan. Manila's weather is blistering hot this summer but I have to start this little project about our National Hero Jose Rizal or else I might lose my drive again and place it in the backseat photography priorities.

As part of his 150th birthday, I am planning to shoot as many Rizal monuments, statues, busts and memorabilias of Rizal that I will post here in this blog and on facebook before the year ends.

I visited first the Jose Rizal University located in Shaw Blvd asking if I can take some snaps of the Rizal statue that I saw there before. The guard on duty promptly asked me to gain permission first from the school admin. I have no time for that at that moment so I courteously said thanks and decided to try the other university in this city.

Thinking that I will have a better chance since it is a state university, I went straight to RTU or Rizal technological University only to be informed again that permits are needed first.

Palm Sunday in Antipolo, Rizal Province

Dismayed, I went ahead to Maysilo Circle, where the seat of the city is located. I remembered that a statue of Jose Rizal is standing at the place back in the days when the place was still a good spot during our skateboarding days. Rizal was a witness to some of the bruises and other under the cover of darkness stuff that happened under those seemly innocent shrubs and trees heheh. Upon arriving, I noticed right away that the pedestal is now empty. Good ol' Jose is gone. A City hall employee was quick to explain that the statue was already transferred to Welfareville.. it must be another baranggay or subdvision but I am not in the mood of doing searches anymore. So to Makati I went.

Just like Mandaluyong, parts of Makati (if not the whole city) used to be a part of the province of Rizal. It was during the creation of the Metropolitan Manila area that makati and other cities like Pasig and others became separate locales of their own. This is the reason also why our old friend Jose is famous in these areas, hence the statues and monuments in his honor.

And there, right in front of old Makati City hall building stands in his splendor Rizal, the subject. I placed the new CPL filter into my 35mm 1.8 lens and started shooting. Switched lens to the 18-55 mm kit. Shoot some more. Switch lenses one more time and then I am satisfied. It was time to pick up wifey from work. My legs were starting to cramp up also.

This photography hobby is making me feel like a wimp. Saturday, was again a tiring day. I went and covered the Aliwan Festival 2011 held in Grandstand all the way to the CCP area in Pasay through Roxas Boulevard. It was a long walk and so there goes my legs again and still needs to travel that evening to Taytay, Rizal where we were going to spend the night.

Palm Sunday was the reason why I asked my wife that we spend the night in my in-laws place. I want us to go to the Antipolo Cathedral and celebrate it there. That way I can also shoot how the people of Antipolo celebrate the start of the Holy Week. I was there also last year, I was just hoping to get better photographs this time. After the mass and the "shoot", we ate lunch in SM Taytay so another semi-walk occured as what happens inside these "convenience" malls.

It was already about 6 pm when we reach home in Mandaluyong. My wife who is into running, decided that she wanted to do so. After advising her that she may not be able to run at the Maysilo circle due to the mass being celebrated in the church by the city hall, she decided that she'll run instead at the Ayala Triangle.

The Ayala Triangle has transformed from just being the center of business. It also now is a great spot for after-work-hours fun.

I wouldn't want her to go there alone, right?!?! Being the gentleman husband as I am (weeeh) and to the disgust of my aching legs and busted right foot, I went with my wife and did brisk walking from Boni to Ayala Triangle... non-stop!!! I did some running laps as well wanting to make sure that wifey will enjoy our "date" heheh. I was even able to do stairs when she asked me to do it!!!

I am strong hahah!!! Not!!!

Apparently, I am fatigued. But as of the moment, let me enjoy every bit of me sitting with my legs resting on top of this table.

For tomorrow is another day... and I will tell you all about it when I return.

(Will be packing my bag, clothes and gears in few minutes... gotta go where we not always go)

For more of my blog, click the link: magtiblogz.blogspot.com
[o]

Desecration

2011-04-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

''

"I do not know the dignity of his birth, but I know the glory of his death"

This is what is written by the entrance of the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig. As we all know the place is a hallowed ground for martyrs and heroes of this country. This is one place considered so sacred that motherland howls and outcry were heard in the bellows of our "brilliant" congressmen and women's chambers after 193 of them signed a resolution urging PNoy to allow the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried under its soil.

We do not really know what is the reasoning behind this so sudden resolve by our "outstanding congresistas" to shove this idea to the President who so happens to be the son of dead dictators' most righteous foe. Surely the congresswoman from Ilocos herself is one of the main proponent of this resolution that was introduced by Salvador Escudero III, which is understandable for a wife. Escudero himnself, who is the father of Chiz, was the Marcos regime's Food and Agriculture minister. But the other 191 others seem to also want to nip the bud of the President and all other anti-Martial rule and anti-dictatorship citizens of this country.

You can see the full list of congresspipz who signed the resolution here.

Man oh man! Do they have amnesia or what!?! Clearly, their thinking is to set aside the atrocities that occured during marcos rule, forget the supposed fallacy of Marcos' Maharlika soldiers claims as proven by the documentations made by American and Filipino war historians and forget that there are even claims that some of the supposed maharlika even collaborated with the Japanese occupiers, set aside the fact that the marcos regime was found guilty of harsh human rights abuses, that even before the current military scandal involving secret accounts of AFP came to life there was already the secret swiss accounts. We could go on and on and yet still these tsongresistas will not remember them all.

For them it is a matter of convenience.This shows their dogged two-faced nature. For while they are celabrating the merits and benefits and freedom of EDSA 1 every year, they also will want to give honor to the dead one who for all intents and purposes was the reason why the people had to go and face tanks and death in that same EDSA uprising. For them, it is better to walk the halls of the House of Congress with a smiling Imelda walking beside them than see her again and again and be plastic for they know she does not like those who do not want her husband in The Fort.

It seems that they are hell bent in allowing the dead dictator rest under the heroes soil. This even if we all know that when marcos left and exiled himself out of the country, glory was not there no more as a hero. There was dignity in Marcos birth, he obviously became a veteran and that was dignifying as well. But when he became president and dictator and used it for his family and his crony and forgot the country, where could glory be?

Read More of MagtiBlogz

8 Day Non-Working-Holiday (Happy 8 Bill)

2010-10-29T02:56:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday and a start of another long weekend here in the Philippines as Monday is an official holiday. Tuesday would have been the fourth day for slouchers had not the president decided that it is too much vacation already. However, December is fast approaching and I am pretty sure that all of us are as excited as I am for the days off coming. And yes, bonuses are expected!!! Woohooo!

Did you know that there is a motion to add more vacation days during the Christmas season. Oh yeah! I am not kidding. Id this motion is passed, not only are we going to have the longest Christmas season in the whole world, but we are also going to be having the worlds longest official non-working holiday during the already looong Chrismas season.

Another reason to celebrate for most employees especially for the weekend warriors. Another bitter taste in the mouth on the side of big business ,foreign investors and also to the taxi drivers and others like him in the city.

A group of Manila employees turned weekend warriors enjoying a long weekend in Northern Luzon.

Just recently, House Bill 3152 was filed by a Cebuano representative in the lower house. Coined as Happy 8, it is "An Act Declaring Dec. 25 to Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 as Special Non-Working Holidays." According to the main proponent of the bill, he is just copying a bill in the United States where holidays are long weekends.

I am an employee, and I am pretty sure that I am going to benefit from this. It is either that I do not report for work at all during the said period (AS IF!!!) or that I work and be given additional pay incentive. Haha! Lucky me! But then again, I want this post to be socially relevant (LOL) and so I will try to prolong my rant.

The former administrator of the Republic of the Philippines (PH or PHL for short according to ISO standards ) made it automatic that holidays be celebrated the day next to Saturdays or Sundays for the very same reason. This allows people to travel and boost tourism and help SME's in the countryside. This is why we have seen in the last few years the surge of people going to the different tourist hotspots all over the Philippines. Now, just one look at the recent feeds in Facebook and we'd see photos and updates regarding our friends travels locally or even as far as going nearby countries . It used to be that mostly this type of trips happen only during the Philippines summer period. It is a different case now. Why do you think local travel and touring businesses peaked even if there was recession? Employees will not travel if there is a gap between the two day week-end and a holiday falling on a Tuesday or Thursday. That is not just practical. And so due to this, Anawangin was discovered by not just a few but by the throngs of Weekend Warriors who finally were able to find a way to spend holidays away from the city without thinking of the need to rush back after only one day of stay in Bohol or Pagudpud. And that is also the reason why Maricris Francisco and Jverly Pornea are in Sagada as of this writing hehe (sorry guys just cant help it since you did not invite your other classmates LIKE ME!!! LOL :D ).

Now back to where I was, the proponent of the bill was quoted by the Philippine Star as saying, ""The bill that I filed is very simple. It's called the 'Happy 8.' You know, I'm smart. My bill is only one page. I don't want to spend a lot of time on it. I just want to make something that will make people happy,"

First, to some degree the bill is a duplication of what is already being done or what was already being done. The previous administration made it a point to recognize long weekends, which is why they used to call it the holiday economics.

Big business like my man Ayala won't be taking the biggest hit, the ones to really lose are the small time guys left trying to make a living in the city who can't go to any province as there is simply no money to allow them to.

Second, the current administration basically said before that they find the former administrations holiday economics as unappealing to them. The main proponent of the bill is part of the current administration so there goes the question about the support factor from the current President who incidentally was widely supported by Big Business (except of course by Manny Villar's). If this bill passes, will Aquino sign it considering that it seemed they find almost all of Gloria's works as questionable. This the very same reason why November 2 was made a non-working holiday and then at the last minute the powers-that-be-had-second-thoughts and totally wiped out the idea.

Third, he based this from US standards. Compared to the Philippines, how many non-working holidays does the US have? The Philippines almost has one holiday every month. The US tends to celebrate only the Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas, Independence Day... (feel free to post a comment if there is any other holiday as I can't think of anything else.)

Personally, even if I find this beneficial to my personal needs for more moolah (hate this materialistic world LOL heheh), I find it still unfair for the company that I work for. There are some businesses who relies on fixed income especially the ones whose income are based on US working days. There are a lot of companies who are not tourism based. And there are companies who are in the brink of getting bankcrupt and it just so happened that the company that I am working for is one of those about-to-be-discarded (no I am just exaggerating). And I really think that they will bear the brunt of the 8 day non working holiday proposed by our smart Cebuano friend.

I can understand the vision of the honorable legislator but then again, he's got to look into the other side of the coin. Just this morning, my wife and I were talking about this abd the cab driver all of a sudden said, "How about us? If they are going to do that how many p[assengers will be left in the city? Those congressmen have all the money already, they do not even have to work even if it is not a holiday!"

Alright, alright he spoke in Tagalog and he added some slurs of hate but are you getting my point?? I am just translating it so our non-Tagalog speaking honorables will understand better!

It has to be balanced. All sectors has to be given adequate study. Anyways, that is what a law should be.. fairness for all.

My feelings for this... 50/50. Happy halloween guys!! Cheers!!

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A Family Reunion

2010-10-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

When we got home last night, my wife had to jump back and make a double turn, spooked by what she saw as soon as she entered our gate.

I have never seen a manananggal in such a lil wendy hair and smile. Must be some rushed school project is what I thought. This chiz curl inspired creature could have been more of a character straight out of sesame street than one to be used for scare tactics. But still, my scared (pride on the line) wife disagrees. LOL NO worries there, it is almost halloween anyways.

Speaking of November 1, it has been a year since that impromptu reunion and inuman of sorts that our family had in Batangas. It is by tradition that the whole Magti clan will be gathered in the old Lino and Mariquita's abode every All Saints / Souls Day. Typically, the whole family will pray for our dearly departed and then have a salu-salo consist of whatever is put on the table by our Tita Mercing and Tiya Lucing. But last year was different, as it was more special. This was because two memebers of the family were to get married in a few weeks time. Maris was to marry Allexis, while yours truly was to be tied to my now wife. So it was also the day where we were able to introduce the about to be members of the clan to the whole gang. It has never happened before also that after the prayers and the salu-salo there would be an inuman. It started with about 2 to 4 younger members of the clan sitting in a semi-circle with beer at hand. After some time, the elder ones amongst the cousins joined in. It was a night of laughter. It has been a long time since were like that. Last time I think (but without the red horse) was when I was still in gradeschool when our granmother Mariquita was still living and singing songs about the tamarind tree. It was really a fun night with Kuya Jun and Kuya Boy serving as "bangka" while Ninong Gonie through the sponsorship of Kuya Father Alex as "taya". When the night ended, every one realized how memorable it was, that soon talk about doing it again after one year came up.

To be honest, I am excited. I am not sure if it is going to be the same as last years. But still I am looking forward to that day. I just hope I do not have to go to work which would really be a bummer.

The Hosts:

Prayer time:

And then these:

[Updated] Miami slimed green by the Celtics btb Kobe being Kobe

2010-10-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

*******************************
UPDATED: In a champions fashion, the reigning heavyweight Los Angeles Lakers trounced the Houston Rockets in a thrilling come from behind win! Who else is involved in the game winning play? Of course, it is the Black Mamba itself through a slick assist pass to new teammate Steve Blake! (My cousin Ina is surely celebrating right now!!!)

And did I say "Nuf Said" earlier??? Lakers will 3-Peat!!!

*******************************

This is just quick. Given all the hoopla about Lebrons coming to Miami, the "uninformed" all of a sudden thought that their drive through the season would be easy. Again, I like Wade and Spoelstra, but adding James into the picture just did not put me in a lockjaw moment for the reason that I have mentioned already in some previous posts I made: The LakeShow is "The" Team.

Now, most of you readers would have heard the news already, James attempt at winning started again in futility. They were clobbered by the Defending Easter Conference Champs. They could pile up all the best players in the league in their team but it does not guarantee a winning result. Only 5 players can be on the floor and only one person can have the ball at any given time. And if one of those 5 is LeBoink, man he sure is gonna choke... again! Nuf said!

Lakers will 3-peat!!!

This Lakers cap was given to me after the Lakers won last seasons championship straight from LA. I have it with me while watching todays game. :)

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Up in Bangui

2010-10-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I used to look at the map and can't help but be curious on how it would feel like if I am on top of the country. I imagined myself falling off it as I thought the gravitational pull would be different since being on top means you are the edge of the world. Well my imagination is just that. As soon as I got off the van and stepped into the Bangui beach which is near the northernmost tip of Luzon, I knew I was safe. I forgot that the beach was facing north so I was looking towards the sea for the sun. It was only when I saw the sun to the right side of the beach that I realized that I could be seeing Taiwan ahead of me if only the world is flat as a map.

The Windmills of Ilocos is just awesome. I have to give kudos to Bonggang bonggang BongBOng Marcos for this. My feeling is biased against the family considering what we all know about the Marcos years but this one just allows one to think about the positives instead. Forgot how many windmills there are but they are huge.

The Windmills are located in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. I took the photo above at about 8 or 9 in the morning in our last day of our Northern Philippine trip. Had fun while we were there. Wish we had more time. But then again, there is always time to go back, just like this blog. Or maybe we can go further next... Hmmm.. Anyone thinking Batanes?? :D LOL

Here is another photo of the Windmill:

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Back! And No Turning Back!

2010-10-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

Whoah! I am welcoming myself back to the blogging world. It has been so long since my last post I could not remember where the New Post button is on this blog. But since I found it already, fun times are back!

I've got lots of things happening to me lately and not just those friendly neighborhood or not-neighborly "inumans". We got to travel some and got to practice a lot of my supposed photgraphy skills as an extra in weddings and prenups. Went out with my family a lot also in the last few months, bonded with my wife, reunited with some close relatives, bought something really pricy but a very good investment, made upgrades on my gear, fb. Woooh! I assure you if I discuss everything, I'd be nuts in no time.

Moving on, I am planning to make this more and more a photoblog. I am really liking shooting streets lately that I'd be posting some shots I took in Boni in the coming days. And since I love shooting lovers, I think you will also see some of my wedding and prenup shots here. But not all photos will be posted as a friend and office mate is already setting me up a website specifically for that genre. DreamVinta is coming guys...

And speaking of, I am also offering back up photography services at least to my friends for now for weddings. I just want to be more familiar with the ins and outs of the job. Recently, some friends allowed us to shoot their prenups. The first one was in Batangas with Melody and Erwin. And about two weeks ago it was Tac and Nanette's. I then went back to Batangas a few days after to cover the actual wedding this time of Melody and Erwin. I want to thank them. A lot of learning and realizations are due. I am planning to be a pro but right now I am not yet there. But I will be.

Good thing that I have yet to meet a fellow photographer who is not keen on teaching a noob like me. At least that is in person, I encountered some online and I think they're just that because it is easier to shy away from teaching a noob shooter online than in person although I have a feeling that if I am face-on talking to that person he would not have second guessed himself and teach me some tricks of the trade. I am not sure, but I have a feeling that each photographer had to start from something and because of this he or she feels obligated to share what he / she learned from those master who came and taught him / her before. And that is cool.
One thing though, they will not teach you any if you are not even keen on reading the manuals of your gear as that is the basic rule. If not you'll only get RTM responses from fellow hobbyists.

So there.. a reborn, the return, the comeback.. whatever you call it.. I am back abd there is no turning back.. tis a new life to crunch out some blog attacks!

Lakers Will Defeat Miami Come Next Season

2010-07-23T05:20:00.000-07:00

[o]

It is the Off-Season so it is not really the time to blog about the Lakeshow... Yeah right!

I'd rather talk about the Lakers than go silly with what is happening in the PBA (PBA what?).I just got so excited with the news that the Lakers are able to acquire Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff. Huwaw! Notwithstanding that Steve Blake signed up already earlier, these are three veterans coming to the fold. And so right here and right now I declare, WE WILL BEAT MIAMI!!!

Ok, so Miami has Wade, LeBoink and Bosh. So what? LA has Kobe and Kobe and Kobe! Add Pau and Fish and Ronron and Will, how's the Heat gonna dry up the Lake? No way Jose!!! Let us just say that even if there is a group of big time playa's plus one con from Akron playing in South Beach, that means nothin'. Hear me? It seems that everyone forgot that such group already exists and at the fore for the last two years in Hollywood. Everyone is saying that Miami is now the favorite. I am like, "HUH!?!"

We are the Champs!!! So give us a break! Will you?

The latest roster according to NBA.COM is as follows:

Lakers Roster

37 Ron Artest F 6-7 260 11/13/1979 St. John's 11
5 Steve Blake G 6-3 172 02/26/1980 Maryland 7
12 Shannon Brown(FA) G 6-4 210 11/29/1985 Michigan State 4
24 Kobe Bryant G 6-6 205 08/23/1978 Lower Merion HS (PA) 14
17 Andrew Bynum C 7-0 285 10/27/1987 St. Joseph HS (NJ) 5
Derrick Caracter ** F 6-9 265 05/04/1988 Texas-El Paso R
Devin Ebanks ** F 6-9 215 10/28/1989 West Virginia R
2 Derek Fisher G 6-1 210 08/09/1974 Arkansas-Little Rock 14
16 Pau Gasol F-C 7-0 250 07/06/1980 Barcelona, Spain 9
28 Didier Ilunga-Mbenga(FA) C 7-0 255 12/30/1980 Kinshasa, DRC 6
6 Adam Morrison(FA) F 6-8 205 07/19/1984 Gonzaga 3
7 Lamar Odom F 6-10 230 11/06/1979 Rhode Island 11
21 Josh Powell(FA) F 6-9 240 01/25/1983 North Carolina State 5
50 Theo Ratliff C 6-10 235 04/17/1973 Wyoming 15
18 Sasha Vujacic G 6-7 205 03/08/1984 Maribor, Slovenia 6
4 Luke Walton F 6-8 235 03/28/1980 Arizona 7

C - Captain
** - Unsigned Draft Pick
(FA) - Free Agent

Now do you see what I mean??? Lakers will 3Peat!!!

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Is PAGASA to Blame?

2010-07-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

[o]

Everybody is again playing the blame game with the much maligned Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). No less than the President of the Republic of the Philippines repremanded our poor weather forecasters for "not doing what they are supposed to do", as he claimed. He also admonished them "That information it is sorely lacking and we have had this problem for quite a long time."

I can not help but feel for the employees of PAG-ASA. Each time something like this happens, they are sure to be blamed. In fact, even when there is no weather disaster , everyone is pointing their fingers already at them. PAGASA is guilty not by reasonable doubt but by mere default.

No one is looking for the exact reason for the failure of the system. The President can wash his fingers straight from Poncius Pilate's bowl of water by hurriedly issuing statements like the ones he stated. The media can mock hopelessness at the institution and show their arrogance as if they are well aware of everything. And everybody else can grumble and taunt the forecasting team. But what everyone lacks is the common sense to just sit back, think and think again.

PAGASA, contrary to the accusations of the President and everybody else, is doing its job. It has been doing its job for a very long time. It did its job when Milenyo came, during Ondoy and when Basyang arrived. These forecasters are scientists and mathematicians. Their jobs specification is to do the Math. They calculate the incoming weather and estimate its approach. It is an exact science. All information are provided by their current system and all they needed to do is do the necessary calculations using the prescribed formula. It is not as if PAGASA is blurting out weather alerts by simply going online and looking at the satellite shots shown on the monitor like what most of us internet addicts are doing. It is not as if they derive conclusions based on what is safe and covenient to say in public. No that is not how they work.

They conclude based on the data not because the President and the public would have liked to hear something else from them.

If we are to blame anyone, blame it to the inutileness of the politicians. (Oooops! Duck Noynoy as this might hit you!) PAGASA from time immemorial has been complaining about the lack of support it is getting from the government to make sure that they are going to be able to provide accurate forecasts especially during the typhoon season. This is older than before Ernie Baron started forecasting for TV Patrol. It has been there already even when Noynoys mom was still the President. I remember hearing about this issue already back in the days when lahar was just starting to devastate Central Luzon.

It is only during the time of the previous administration of Gloria that PAGASA was handed out two new doppler systems to better track down weather systems. But given the vast area and the topology of the country considering its mountain ranges, two doppler radar systems will not be enough. Five more doppler radars are to be installed this year as part of that upgrade commissioned by Arroyo.

If only this was done at a much earlier time, maybe we could have made better preparations for Milenyo, Ondoy and Basyang.

The President is correct though in saying that "we have had this problem for quite a long time". The question is what did he do about it? What did his mother do about it? What did all his politician friends, relatives and co-horts do about it? They have been in power for so long, why didn't he do anything about it?

My guess, he can not do anything about it! Heck, he can't even pass any law as a Congressman which is his job before. Wait? Who again is not doing what he was supposed to do?

The Philippine forecasters are doing their job Mr President! In fact they are very good at what they are doing. This is the reason why most of them are are now giving their services outside of the country as succesful weather forecasters in the Middle East, Australia and other countries who have better equipments. If you notice, Ka Tani is not the one being interviewed on TV any more. At present, the ones that you would see are unfamiliar faces, some of whom seem to be new graduates.

The best forecasters are already gone, Mr President. Who can blame them? They are not being properly treated at home...

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MuzikPoint in Ibaan

2010-07-19T00:18:00.001-07:00

[o]

As a kid in Batangas, me and my cousins were encouraged by our elders to learn instruments and be more active musically. Unfortunately, music never liked me as much as I craved to be a musician. I used to study piano through my aunt in Ibaan but basically bailed out one night due to boredom. So when a grade 6 student asked me if I can help her with her music project, I was left wondering why I did not pursue music the same way that my cousins in Ibaan did. Now, I am contemplating on going back to the basics even if I am a little bit older to begin lessons. I know exactly whom to approach.

Good thing MusikPoint is established. MuzikPoint is a band rehearsal studio complete with all band instruments needed by enthusiasts to use. The place is managed by one of the foremost musical phenom in Ibaan, Batangas. His name... John Paul Pateña. This musical genius is the man to look for when it comes to learning, experiencing, (and if you are old) reliving music into your heart. He is practically trained in all kinds of musical instruments like Guitars, Piano, Drums, and a lot more. He is also very much adept at using indigeneous musical instruments. John Paul is so gifted as a musician, I am starting to envy him. Good thing I look better than him or else, I would have killed myself already. :P

Mr Pateña offers tutorial services. He does piano / keyboard, guitar, and drum lessons. Voice lessons are also being offered by members of his family. So if ever you are interested in making it big as a musician and you are in the vicinity of Ibaan Batangas, there is only one man to look for and one place to go to, MuzikPoint!

MuzikPoint is located at I. Guerra Street, Poblacion in Ibaan, Batangas. You can reach the Maestro himself at 09216268048.

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Nikon 55-200mm VR Lens

2010-07-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

[o]

Had the chance to test a Nikon 55-200mm Lens with my Nikon D60. An officemate of wifey was nice enough to lend it to us overnight. He is actually trying to sell it.

I have heard so much about this lens in the forums. They say that it is good enough paparazzi lens for poor photography hobbyists like me. I find it good though not as powerful as I thought it was. I could not understand also why there seems to be some specs of noise no matter how bright the surrounding light is. Tried it also early this morning to get a taste of how it is going to be with natural light around but I was still not able to find it really acceptable for me. Maybe I had overestimated what it can do given the praises I have read about it in the forums. Or maybe I am just really not a good photographer, which is perfectly acceptable also hehe. But it is with a just yet. I promise, I will get better at this GRRRRRR!

For one, I find it very limiting since most of the time I want to be able to take wide angle shots. I normally take portrait shots and then add wide shots of the subject. With the 55-200mm it will not allow you to take as much wide area shots as possible. The only way to do so is to try to step back and recompose through the viewfinder. And I found it difficult to always switch glasses from the 55-200mm to my kit lens eveerytime I need to shoot wide angle. Maybe I wanted the 18-200mm instead.

It could have been a good buy since the lense was being sold at 8500 pesos only with hood. And my wife was told that it could be payed in delayed terms. However, I am not an instinct buyer. I buy when I think it is time to buy and when it is ok to buy (trans: I do not have the money heheheh). Also, I noticed some scratches on the glass itself also. I think I also heard some subtle whirring sound that is far different from the sound it usually makes when the lens is trying to focus. That added some additional sirens to my gut feel. The owner said it was just about 2 -3 months old but I think I'll go for broke instead and buy it a much higher price from one of the Hidalgo shops if ever.

Thank you however for letting us try it boss.

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A Taste of the Batangueño Dialect

2010-07-06T00:50:00.000-07:00

[o]

Most non-Batangueños think that the Batangueño slang is a separate dialect in itself. I do not agree to that notion. Although I am not a linguistic scholar, I tend to normally explain that the words we tend to use is still Tagalog, albeit much (for lack of better word that I can think of) "deeper" hehe (trans: malalim, tunge!) as most of them are words from the olden days that the people in Manila is not using anymore. Almost all of the other words we Ala-eh citizens use are still Tagalog and should be understood easily by other Filipinos. If not for the way we Ala-ehs speak and the way our intonation is blurted out, every one should not find it hard to communicate with us. Aside from that, there is no difference at all.

A fine example is my wife's experience. When I first brought her to batanggas she was quite inconvenienced by the fact that she can not seem to understand what were talking about. Everything was new to her and she can not comprehend even the simplest of terms. This is because we in Batanggas tend to talk at a much faster phase and weith that distinct diction and intonation. However, when she got used to it, she realized that there was really not much of a difference like I said earlier.

Here is a piece that I wrote. Most of the words you wouldn't understand are either pronounced by Batangueños differently or merely from the olden days of the Katagalugan.

"Ala! Ay ngali-ngali ko nang hinagad ang akala mo'y lungkuying kawatan kung hindi ko laang naisip na sanaw ang parteng pulta ng kalihon at mababasa ang aking bagong ribok. Di ang aking ginawa na laang e pumalahaw para ang manghagad e yung mga ahit sa kadais na tanghuran. Matagal tagal ding nagpagatan, ay di kaya pat na-korner din. ALa ay nung masumbi at matangkab ng ninakawan e nagwasang na parang pagirpir ang luko. Palakat na eh! Piro nakuha pang kumana! Kainaman na! Nung magdikit e nagpasirok sirok sa hagdan pariho. Dagasa na sa may banling. Magaling na laang at naawat ng mamay na galing pa sa balinghuyan paano'y tatamaan ang kanilang banggerahan. Mababasag ang mga tapayan. Kung hindi ay baka lalung naliyo iyon. Ay sa kaulaga naman noong pulis na dumating din. Sa halip na pusasan eh, ang ginaway nakipaghuntahan pa. Ay di ayun, napagdali pa uli ung suspek. Magaling nga at hindi nataga ng gulok. Nung matapos e hapong hapo ang partido ng ninakawan eh. Pandagisdis ga naman sa sulok nung mapitserahan sabay na-kumpu pa ni Piyet. Nayapaw pa nga iyong bilot ni Ka Maring. May nawal-an pa ng gura. Kagagaling din, pagkayayama naman e nung makaraos. Ika eh, ipapalamon raw sana nila sa guyam, wala laang nakitang hantikan. A-ah ay kauntik na!"

What do you think. Can you translate this?

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Mood Swings, Night Scenes and PapaJack Prank Call

2010-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:00

[o]

Was in a bad mood when I got home earlier tonight when I realized that I forgot my keys along with my wallet inside the house earlier this morning. I got no dough no more except for about 5 pieces of 25 cents in my coin purse. What made it worse was that nobody's home to open up the house. My sisters and my wife went to the movies. Grrr....

I temporarily waited at McDonalds but opted not to stay there for long as the smell of burger and fries made me hungrier. I decided I have to get away from that stupid clowns resto as I felt that he was teasing me. Creepy, but I imagine him laughing at me coz I couldn't buy me a spaghetti. Crazy.

Good thing I have my DSLR with me. I gather that I can just put my mind into something that will let me forget my pitiful state (lol). So acting like I am full, I took out my D60 and shoot my way towards EDSA, went up the MRT station and tried some long exposure shots of Highway 54 with the MRT as a hightlight. But alas, I couldn't capture the train. My timing was a bit off though I think I still made progress as I was able to get acquainted with the different settings that I need shooting night scenes. More practice needed however.

After some time, I walked my way back to Boni again starting to get pissed. I am so ravenous, I will eat whoever tries to ask me for a fight. I noticed a bunch of RTU students converging in a phone booth in front of the PLDT building. Still out of my element, I rested at the stairs right next to where they are standing. I could see one of the guys using the phone while the rest of the group was huddled beside him. It did not take long for me to realize what they are doing, they are listening to the radio, and I know the familiarity of the voice. Hehe it is Papa Jack , deym! The man on the phone is actually talking to Papajack while his buddies are listening. Obviously it was a prank call and the bunch are having to much fun. I was tempted to take their picture and post them here but I feel that them guys would not appreciate it so I just kept my voodoo inside my bag. Deep inside I really am having a blast at hearing some guys doing a prank call live on air. Hehehhe. It basically wore off my hunger. The freaking call lasted for almost an hour, I thought I noticed the dude talking to PapaJack made a hand gesture that he is out of five peso coins already. Still smiling inside, I took off.

Good thing that wifey is already home. I ate. I blogged. Kissed wifey goodnight. Now, I am going to sleep. Ngooorrrkkkk....

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ASUS EeePC 1201T-SIV005W

2010-07-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

[o]

The great war is over. War over who is going to use our current ASUS laptop that is.

Me and wifey went laptop hunting earlier. We were looking for a netbook which is powerful enough to handle JAVA IDE development, well at least that is the primary concern. Of course, we were looking for another ASUS since this brand has already been proven by us as very reliable. We kind of looked into some MSI's and Dell's as well just for curiousity's sake though.

We went first to VMall in Greenhills. In the first shop that we checked into, we were offered an ASUS Eee PC also. The attendant was quite nice however we feel that we are being lied into as they were telling us that they have no other stock of the model we selected. We were being offered to get the displayed item instead. We do not want it as we know that normally displayed items most likely are demo types, meaning that it is either overused already. The front panel of the laptop in fact is somehow oily already with matching finger prints on the surface yet they are telling us that no one has ever touched it yet before. I told the salesman that we will have to decide about the purchase first and that we'll get back to them. But no, I was decided already. We will look somewhere else.

The second shop where we found the model that we want sure has lots of stocks of it. There is one problem though. They have a very slow process. Wifey decided already to purchase it from them but had to change her mind as they kept us waiting for them to finalize the order while still trying to assist other customers. When we noticed that the salesman was not prioritizing us, wifey stood and we hurriedly left. Benta na, nawala pa! Sorry for them.

We got tired of Vmall at that point and the whole Greenhills area. So where else do we have to go? Off to the ever reliable Megamall. We had to scour all the shops at the Cyberzone area. Since we know already which model we are aiming for, we only had to ask for the price of each and of course what freebies can we get. That is important especially since we realized that all shops were offering that model for the same price (must be an ASUS requirement).

We finally were able to get our hands on the laptop through a salesman/girl. He/she is really very accomodating. Customer service tops in our list so since we know that all other shops are almost offering the same items only, we stayed put with him/her. The product is this:

ASUS EeePC
1201T-SIV005W
AMD Athlon
2 Gig of RAM
320 Gig HDD
12.1 inches
With protective sleeve
Free mouse and flash drive

This has no OS yet though except for the ASUS supplied Express Gate which is not a problem. We will be installing Linux CENTOS into it anyway.

Andrew Lloyd Webbers's "Cats" In Manila

2010-07-03T03:51:00.000-07:00

[o]

I met my wife as a fellow student and member of a student organization called the Thespians Guild. We basically have the same love for theater althought she has all the talents and me just all the wacky ideas. And since we are celebrating our original anniversary every July, I thought of buying tickets to watch Andrew Lloyd Webbers Cats which will have a limited run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) beginning July 24, 2010.

And since it is said that the main cast will be led by no less than our very own Ms Lea Salonga as Grizabella, it serves a double whammy for us. My wife loves and adores everything Lea. She was even thinking of using one of her songs before as our wedding March because she really likes her. I am proud to say also that my wife was at some point in time been mistaken for Ms Lea Salonga also. I could not count anymore how many times total strangers will talk to her just to tell her that she looks like Lea.

I want my wife to love me more this July hehe so I gotta have those Cats tickets. If you guys are also interested, you can watch it on any of the following dates:

SHOW DATES (as of April 2010)
SAT July 24 Matinee
SAT July 24 Evening
SUN July 25 Matinee
SUN July 25 Evening
TUE July 27 Evening
WED July 28 Evening
THU July 29 Evening
FRI July 30 Evening
SAT July 31 Matinee
SAT July 31 Evening
SUN August 1 Matinee
SUN August 1 Evening
TUE August 3 Evening
WED August 4 Evening
THU August 5 Evening
FRI August 6 Evening
SAT August 7 Matinee
SAT August 7 Evening
SUN August 8 Matinee
SUN August 8 Evening
TUE August 10 Evening
WED August 11 Evening
THU August 12 Evening
FRI August 13 Evening
SAT August 14 Matinee
SAT August 14 Evening
SUN August 15 Matinee
SUN August 15 Evening

The following are the ticket pricess though:

Ticket Prices:

Matinee
SAT (3:00pm)
SUN (2:30pm)
PhP7000 PhP5000 PhP3500 PhP2000 PhP1000

Evenings
TUE, WED, THU (8:00pm)
SUN (7:30pm)
PhP6000 PhP4500 PhP3000 PhP1500 PhP750

Evenings
FRI, SAT (8:00pm)
PhP7000 PhP5000 PhP3500 PhP2000 Php1000

Ticket Prices are exclusive of Ticketworld fees.

Again this is to be done at the Cultural Center of the Philippines inside the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. See you there.

For more information about the event, you can visit their Facebook or Tumblr pages.

http://facebook.com/catsinmanila or http://catsinmanila.tumblr.com

Now if I can just get a ticket for free. hehehe LOL.

The Black Pencil Project

2010-07-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

[o]

Who does not want to be an advocate of something good for a change? Even the most dreaded criminal must be thinking of doing something good for others once in a while. I guess that is a fact. People has, even in the most unlikeliest one, a few inch of goodness in him to care for others.

I basically admire most those people who are not really powerful individuals but instead normal regular guys like us who are able to start sharing and helping in their own way. Such is the humble beggining of the advocacy group known as the Black Pencil Project.

It started when three photography hobbyist climbed Banaue primarily to get photographs of the landscape and its people. However since it is the start of the school season they brought along a bunch of black pencils to be given to the small kids that they know they will meet in the area. This small step became their initiation to better understanding their roles in the community. It was on that day, "humbled by the warm hospitality of people of Banaue, that they realized the shared value of social responsibility and vowed to continue the effort in their own little way."

Through the help of friends and different online social media, their advocacy grew from a movement of three people to a collection of different people in the society. From photgraphy clubs, to mountaineering organizations, private individuals and tourists alike.

There are a lot of ways to help. One could just literally send in a pencil and that will be counted as a great assistance already. Others tend to adopt-a-box for companies and other institutions abd be returned filled with school supplies. providing cash donations will also help. The more adventurous individuals can be sherpas that will help carry the items to be distributed to the target community. Normally the objective communities are in far flung regions so one is expected to shell out his or her own transportation fees and at least be able to walk long distances and climb steep terrain. Corporate partnerships are very much welcome.

As for me, I am reblogging this. I hope I am able to help by doing this. And I hope a lot of people will be able to read this also. Maybe this will help in making them realize that they too can do something on their own by helping the Black Pencil Project or by doing something else on their own. I am also trying to make contact with a local group in my hometown right now. Who knows, maybe we can adopt one box.

To learn more about the Black Pencil Project, you can visit their website blackpencilproject.org or click here.

Calamias Childhood Memories

2010-07-02T04:18:00.000-07:00

[o]

I happen to see from FB some relatives whom I have not seen in a while. It so happened that these guys used to live two houses away from our own house in our hometown. Now they are far off living Down Under. After browsing some of their pictures, nostalgia started to creep.

The place where we grew up in is a little barrio in a small town of Ibaan, Batangas. Everybody knows everyone as almost all are of blood relatives. It is almost as if the whole barrio was owned by our "mamay sa tuhod" who I think the name is Guillermo Rabino. I used to hear stories of him like when he is at odds with someone, he would tell him not to set foot on his land or else something might happen. The threathened will then have to go around the whole barangay just to go to what is beyond our great grandfathers domain.

As young kids, we had nothing to do as there used to be no internet, phone lines were only connected during the latter part of the '90s. The main source of income for most people are farming and the usual "paglalako". And so as kids we got used to playing in the fields, swimming in a very very small river and playing backyard games. The closest guys I grew up with are my cousins. These guys are mostly my second cousins. The bunch of us used to call ourselves the Paltik Gang. The oldest among us I think was about 11 years old only when we started to call ourselves such. Paltik is how we in our area of Batangas calls a slingshot. I had fond memories of those days when we would go from fields to fields playing like soldiers armed with slingshots. We will always target our grandfathers fruitbearing trees most especially the mangoes during summer. It is also during summer when we always get to setup a mini-beach in our area locally called "layon". Since the only flowing river that we have in our place is narrow and not deep at all, what we used to do was to create some sort of a dam that will allow the water to overflow into the banks. We would then pile more and more rocks along the waters path to make it deeper. I remember how these mini-dams were given names like Julian Beach, Arong Beach, Haba-Kipot etc. But there was always danger in putting such dams everytime. This is from our palu-palo wielding kakang's, tita's, tiya's, ate's and lola's. This is because the same narrow river is also the place where our older women relatives are washing clothes. And by us doing the dams this creates tension as the water normally gets muddy whenever we youngsters are doing our little picnics. We are not allowed to dive into the water as long as they are not finished. Oh I cannot count anymore how many times Kakang Soledad and Ate Nita (not my mother) would come after us wielding their "pambugbog" because we used to constantly disregard this unwritten rule. Now that I am thinking about it, "hehhehe sorry po".

Ohhh there are lots of stories, beautiful and exciting, and all these I miss so much. Not that I again will run after jeepneys at night naked like what we used to do when we were young. It is just that these memories should be kept and should be told to our grandkids also. I miss being young and living the life that our lolo's taught us. One day though, I promise, I will write a book about all those experiences. And that will be complete with all the characters involve especially the the members of the Paltik Gang.

Thank you Madam President!

2010-06-30T19:11:00.000-07:00

[o]

This will cause some people to question my point of view. But nevertheless I will still write this as a final salute to the least popular but no-doubt-about-it is the most industrious Chief Executive this country has ever had.

She was given the title as President when the powers that be decided that her predecessor was not up to the challenge and was mismanaging his job. It was not her decision alone to topple the sitting Erap as two former presidents themselves, the military, and the Catholic clergy and most of those who supported Ms Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's succesor and now our current President decided wholeheartedly that they want Erap out and needs Gloria in. Ms Macapagal-Arroyo just so happened to be at that particular place at that particular time. She was given a cake, all that she needed to do then was blow the candles that are lit. And so the saga begins...

It was a tumultous period that she embraced and inherited. It was the time when the world was experiencing global economic downturn. China was starting to eat up the economic prowess of his neighbors by simply putting up cheaper products and cheaper services. Same thing with India. The Philippines and most smaller Asian countries were left in the sidelines. The Philippines was hit more simply because the dollars value was not helping, the previous president was a bufoon who didnt know anything about economics and how to tackle it (which is why he does not want to go abroad for summits with world leaders), a and the price of oil and gas was rising. Imagine having a peso to dollar exchange rate of almost 80 pesos to a single dollar??? That is the kind of mess the daughter of Diosdado had to start dealing with amidst all the political turmoil.

It was a grave mistake for her to promise that she will not run in the 2004 Presidential elections. But she had to announce it so as that is what the situation of the time was calling for. The antagonistic noise of those she and her former friends toppled out of power had to simmer down a bit lest it will not help the economic recovery process that she was more angling for. From almost 80 Pesos a dollar, it at least settled down.

But because it was a promise, she was not forgiven for breaking it when she eventually run for President for another six year term. This was when distrust among those who were wary of her intentions became more noticeable especially in the media. This was when the toppled eventually based each attack from.

The second grave mistake she made was the Garci call. She made the call which is not unlawful but is very very uncalled for and very improper considering that she had a major stake in the results. This caused the biggest controversy her administration had to face.

Different scandals then started sprouting from all over like amorseco grass. No matter how hard she work to fight them, they keep on growing. Almost all of them had Lacson as a forebear or a supporter. What is interesting though is that each one fizzled out due to lack of supporting evidence. Every case met its dead end. It seems that each controversy has only one thing in common, they are nothing but mere controversys and sscandals made to create bad taste in peoples mouth. It as successful in creating distrust and hatred to her governance. It created such drastic effect in her government that even if she was really successful in many areas, it is not going to be accepted simply because the people do not like her anymore. No the people will not let her have even a single glimpse of daylight anymore.

Mr Panfilo Lacson and even Erap claims that they were able to resolve kidnappings for ransom during their time, but the truth is it was during Glorias term when the heads of these syndicates started to fall down one by one. Angelo Reyes was the main reason for this. And yet, the people and the media will not accept this simply because this is not what they want to hear. What they are willing to accept is that Gloria is supposed to be a failure because they do not want her to succeed.

They have maligned the Ro-Ro program because they do not see its effect in their own eyes. Little do they know that it is very beneficial in bringing crops and goods from the farthest point of Mindanao to Luzon and vice versa. There are a lot of stories of local tourists even using the ro-ro system to get to different parts of the country. They do not see the point of having holidays re-scheduled to bring forth success stories in the tourism industry. Local tourism has never been so flourishing. They do not see the thousands of infrastructure projects made. They do not see the farmers, the contract workers, the tourist guides, tourist spots. They do not see the businesses saved. They do not see any success stories as long as it was done by Gloria. Because they have made up their mind already. Ms Arroyo has shown over and over again how hard she works and that she does not sleep (and booze or smoke) on the job. She made mistakes and errors in judgement. And the people did not forgive. And they did not forgive those who worked with her. Hers is no Midas touch.

Recently, I read a statement from a relative who said that Erap was able to get her respect back simply because Erap sat with Ramos and Noynoy Aquino on stage during Ninoys Inauguration. I am not going to question her because I know that she's just as opinionated as I am and I think I get a bit of what she is talking about. I do respect her a lot. It is just that if respect for a former president, who was convicted and jailed due to his wrongdoings, can be regained by simply sitting right next to the new president then I wish that our people can accord the same respect to Ms Arroyo as well considering that she allowed the elections to go through paving the way for another Aquino presidency and considering that they are not even able to prove that she indeed created somthing unlawful? With what I saw yesterday, with all the jeering of the people around and the discerning actions of some media men while the former president was doing her last parade, that respect can't be seen.

Justice will roll. If she is guilty, then so be it. But as of now, I find her as an astute leader who worked hard. They say history will be written by the winners. But with the sense of forgetfullness and over emphasis on the melodramatic, paranoia and emotional weakness by the Filipinos, I sense that no correct history can be written. Much as is what is happening to the history of the Marcoses and their legacy to the country, our forgetfullness and over emphasis on the melodramatic, paranoia and our emotional weakness will again cause the demise of our sense of what is truth and mere propaganda.

Mrs Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it does not matter if I am chewed like marshmallow, I just want to say thank you for your hard work!

Flash Acquired

2010-06-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

[o]

Went to Mayers in Hidalgo earlier to get the Nissin Di622 Speedlite that I was craving for since reading a review about it by David Tong. I was thinking of getting it from Henrys but for some reason I think destiny (bwehehehe) do not want me to buy it from them. I first checked out their website henryscameraphoto.com to check for their phone number as I wanted to make sure that their open today being a holiday due to President Noys Inauguration. However the webpage is showing that it is suspended. So I had to check other resources to get their number. I tried two of those but no one was answering. Finally, I was able to contact them at about 12 noon but as luck would have it, they have no stock of the flash model I am looking for. The man I talked to tried to persuade me to get a Sunpak brand instead. But I am really decided already to get the Nissin model. So it is one lost sale for them.

I then called up Mayers afterwards even if I was having second thoughts about it as Mayer has a reputation of being uncourteous to some customers. I am just really in the mood of getting a flash and at least have a little bit of upgrade to my gear so even if it is from Mayers I have to get one today. TUrns out they do have a stock of the Di622 and they are offering it at a price lower by about 300 pesos compared to what is indicated with Henrys website (I checked before their site got suspended.)

I am currently in test mode as of the moment. Gotta check out each and every feature as this only has a one week store warranty. It would be of a hassle if I find out after that 7 day period that there is a defect since by then the warranty would be from the manufacturers already. This means return will take a much longer period of time and I do not have that.

My initial tests are very very reassuring. This is indeed a very nice buy. Sulit! I even tested it a very low light where only the tv is on and it still brought amazing results. I will bring it to work tomorrow and test it in my office environ. Gotta burn this flash bulbs like crazy to really see its mettle.

The Meloto Mindset

2010-06-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

[o]

“I can do more for the country by not being a Cabinet official”!

Wow! And I mean another, "HUWAW"!!!

It is not every day that we will hear such statements, but yes we did! This is the exact pronouncement of Mr Tony Meloto, one of the founders of Gawad Kalinga. You see, he was offered a Cabinet post by our new President and he declined it exactly for the very reason stated above. He can do more for his country without getting a public post. Sorry, but I have to say another "WOW!!!!" to that!!!

This is in total contrast to what we always hear from our politicians. When ask why they are running for public posts, they will always exclaim that it is so that they can help the poor. I always thought that this is farce and with these kind of statements alone, I find myself rooting for them to lose. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Sigh... If only Pacman, and all other individuals who are already considered movers of the society can have the same state of mind, surely they will make wonders for the country. The new President himself is in that position already, given the resources that he and his family already have. But no, because in the context of Philippine politics, the child should inherit his parents political position. In this case he gave more weight to the Philippines natural political tradition : Trapoism.

This now makes me ask, Are these guys really becoming more helpful by merely taking in public posts? I tried to look for any studies regarding this but did not find one.

I tend to believe however that Mr Meloto is spot on correct on his decision. And because he declined the post and ultimately did not give in to temptation of having almost an absolute power in our society, I find him to be one of the most honorable Filipino we have in the country. Mabuhay ka Ginoong Meloto! Sana ay dumami pa ang kagaya mo!

Flash Required

2010-06-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

[o]
The time has come, hehehe, that is for me to get a flash for my DSLR. The past few shots I took really made me think that I need one already. I cannot make a good enough shots in the dark and I am having headaches with adjusting and readjusting my camera settings to compensate for the lack of light. Not good if I want to excel more in this hobby.

I have been casing the possible flash models that might do well for me. I have been reading reviews and of course I am checking out the price catalouges as well. (This hobby is really eating up my wifes budget LOL hehehehe.) I think I am going for Nissin Di622.

Nissin Di622, according to reviews, is a high-quality camera at a very low cost being from an OEM. It is actually manufactured by Nissin Marketing of Japan. According to Mr David Lee Ong, " The Nissin Di622 (Di622 hereon out) is a mid-level flash model for the Nissin brand and it’s intended to match up against the mid-level offerings of Nikon and Canon (SB-600 and 430EXII, respectively) in terms of output and features."

Since the review is coming from a well respected photographer like Mr Ong. I am sure going to get this one instead of the SB Speedlight series which I was inclined to get before reading the reviews. For more of Mr David Lee Ong's Reviews click here.

The Day of Reckoning: Lakers VS Celtics

2010-06-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

We are in for a show! The NBA has never been this exciting since the Jordan Era. It is less than two hours before gametime and as early as yesterday, you can feel that every body can't wait for the game to start. I will be following the game at work (huhuhu too bad :( ). But I will still be cheering for our Laker team.

LAAAKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSS!!!... AHOO! AHOO!

I HeART Makati: i ♥ the Philippines. i ♥ being free.

2010-06-17T01:10:00.000-07:00

[o]
Woohoo!!! Just got my ID and permit to use my Nikon D60 here in Makati and take photos til my batteries run low. For those who do not know (and also to those who do not care), Makati CBD does not allow the taking of photographs of any areas of of the Makati CBD be it private or public. This is more for security purposes. And since this area is really one whole private location owned by Ayala Land Inc., there is really nothing that photographers like me can do about it (except of course to snap it out the Guerilla Way). This "once in a lifetime event" (lol, just kidding) is to celebrate our country's Independence Day and the vitality of the Makati Central Business District being hosted by Ayala Land Inc.

With the theme "I HeART Makati: i ♥ the Philippines. i ♥ being free.", all photo enthusiasts are welcome to join the following photo competitions - Photography Club Members Photo Competition and the On-the-Spot Photo Contest. The second category is divided to three levels, (a) Kids (b) Hobbyists / Enthusiasts and (c) Professionals.

Activities will start at 8 AM for registrations on June 19, 2010. By 9 AM there will be an opening remarks from Meean Dy, ALI Vice-President. And then all participants will be briefed by Mon Corpuz who is the President of the Pinoy Photography Organization (PiPho). There are also going to be Phot Sessions with John Chua, Edwin Martinez and Francis Inton respectively.

The Contest Proper will start at 11 AM. Awarding will be at 5:30 PM.

BTW, free food is available to contest participants hehehe. I wont miss it. LOL.

For registration and other details, you can visit the site: I HeART MAKATI

Click! Click!

June is the Dengue Awareness Month

2010-06-16T20:18:00.001-07:00

[]
I first witnessed Dengue when I was still enrolled in an all male school somewhere in Lipa City. There was a breakout causing about 25% of the student population to be infected. Most are mild cases and were treated right away. But there are some who had to be confined for days in the hospital. One in particular caught my attention as we all were not aware that he was already in an alarming stage. The person seemed to have lost control of his mind and started to run in circles at the second floor of our dormitory. That is when we realized that he got the disease and so he was brought to the hospital. A classmate even had to donate blood for him. We were told that if he were brought to the hospital a few hours late, he would have died. That is how bad his dengue stage was during that time.

The Department of Health recently announced that this month of June is declared as Dengue Awareness Month. The DOH warns the public that the number of dengue cases in the Philippines is alarmingly getting higher. From January 1 to March 27, 2010 alone, they have already listed 11,803 cases which is 61% than the number of cases reported in the same period last year.

More information from DOH:

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.

Transmission

Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a day-biting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels, old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

Signs and Symptoms

a. Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
b. Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
c. Weakness
d. Skin rashes - maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
e. Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
f. Abdominal pain
g. Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
h. Dark-colored stools

Prevention and Control

>> Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

>> Replace water in flower vases once a week.

>> Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.

>> Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.

>> Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.

>> Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

And Show Up They Did

2010-06-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

[]
We were all watching out at how Bynum will come out when being introduced by the Staples Center announcer, and we liked what we saw. The Staples Center crowd was unlike their usual self. Getting into the game at the sound of the buzzer. There was a sense of urgency. It really did something to energize the men in purple and yellow. Something was up when Ron Artest made that three. And we saw a glimmer of hope when Farmar dived down the parquet to keep the ball and then later on driving from the sideline and challenged KG for a layup. And we became believers after Browns tremendous alley-hoop-one-handed dunk off the pass from Gasol!

These Lakers did show up! Not just Kobe, but all the other Lakers! This was what I asked for in my last entry. For them to let Boston feel that Kobe Bryant is just a single presence. That their might is bigger than Laker-Celtic rivalry itself when the whole team plays.

Doc Rivers tried to insert his bench again to try to claw their way back but that came at a high price. These Lakers learned from what happened in Game 4. Nate might be able to do this over and over with superman but not with a superteam with a Mamba's head. And then it is all over. When the dusk setlled, Perkins was down, Rondo went down and for a time after committing a foul, I thought Tony Allen was down too.

I hope everybody is healthy come Game 7. If that is to be, then the best team will take the cake!!! I am not going to try to be no seer no more. The last few times I did that, my Lakers lost. I just hope that this same team that showed up tonight will be a more intensified team come Game 7.

REMEMBER BOSTON

2010-06-15T02:26:00.000-07:00

[]

Let us face it! Lakerland is in the brink of falling into the abyss of no return if the other Lakers do not show up again tomorrow. And there will be no coming back this time. So very much unlike that 2008 defeat when everybody knows that the Lakers will try to avenge their loss by winning everything the next season, this time that is not going to happen. If the Lakers lose again to this airhead Celtic team there is no way that Kobe and Pau and Fish will again be present as Lakers to take vengeance.

The Players union are threathening to go for a one full season lockout if the CBA negotiations become unfavorable to them. If that lockout ever happens, the Lakers and more on the Celtics will be two year older. I think a much matured KD will eat KG and KB (24 that is) alive at that point (although I will still root for Kobe of course and yes it is KD and not LBJ as the latter is nothin but a myth). If that happens, ther will be no more Celtics vs Lakers in the Finals for at least a few seasons.

Now going back to the game. The other Lakers should step up. The Fish should step up! Artest should step up! Gasol, Vujacic and even an injured Bynum should step up! And Lamar, my dear Candyman, Are the kardashians the only guys you can keep up with???(pun intended) Step up man!!!!

I remember the 2009 Playoff Season when they are on the verge of being defeated by other teams in the West, their battlecry was "REMEMBER BOSTON!!!". They were able to pull it through albeit less the Celtic team that they sought for the whole time. They had to face a much younger and inexperienced superman in Orlando. Now they do not have to remember Boston! Boston is in their faces mocking their supposed growth or whatever you call it.

Man, as a Lakerfan, this is exasperating!!!! (Sigh) BOSTON SUCKS!!!!

[]

Derek "KING" Fisher

2010-06-08T21:36:00.001-07:00

**********************

To whom it may concern:

This is to certify that Kobe is not the only Active Laker who has four rings already. I am still here.

Seriously,
Derek

After posting this letter, came the barrage of shots and it is all over in Boston for Game 3. We have to give credit where credit is due though. Boston sure made it an exciting game coming from a 17 point deficit in the first half cutting it to just a one point Laker lead in the fourth. But Alas comes the KingFisher, and Bostons hardships came for naught.

Taking over the game almost at will late in the game, he made Rajon Rondo look like a kid. And before the Celtic Loudmouths could recover, Kobe came off to finish off the game.

Now how about that Boston fans and Laker haters! Two more to go!!!!

Taal Volcano

2010-06-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

Phivolcs, which is the main body monitoring seismic and volcanic events in the Philippines, announced recently that they have heigthened its Volcano Alert Level to Alert Level 2 for Taal Volcano.

According to the Phivolcs website:

In view of the above observations and the interpretation that a fresh batch of magma has been intruding towards the surface, as manifested in the seismic swarms in 1992, 1994, 2000 and 2004 to present, Taal Volcano’s status is now raised to Alert Level 2, meaning that the volcano is undergoing magmatic intrusion which could eventually lead to an eruption. PHIVOLCS reminds the general public that the Main Crater remains off-limits because hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur, along with the possible build-up of toxic gases. Areas with hot grounds and steam emission such as portions of the Daang Kastila Trail are considered hazardous. PHIVOLCSreiterates that the whole Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and permanent settlement within this area is strictly prohibited.

I have always thought that the whole lake and not just the little real volcano used to explode thousands of years back. I believe that the little island at the center of the lake is just a remnant of a much older volcano from long ago. I basically derived this theory from the same kind of volcanic eruption that occured in Indonesia before which was studied by Scientists. Scientists claim that a whole lake in Indonesia which is much bigger than that of Taal used to be the crater of a volcano which probably caused super cooliong of the earths athmosphere thousands of years ago when it erupted. In fact when they collected soil samples from mountains in the different borders of that Indonesian volcanic lake, they found out that they are of the same type and quality. This is the same theory that I am applying now for Taal Volcano and the entire Taal Lake.

I do not think that Taal Volcano is the smallest in the world. I think that in fact, it could be one of the biggest. This is if it could be proven that the whole Taal Lake and its sorrounding mountainous edges are part of one big crater.

This belief basically made my wife mad. You see, we were scheduled to go to Tagaytay this weekend for our 6 months celebration of being husband and wife. But after I heard the news about the Alert level in Taal being heightened, and Tagaytay being part of my so called Taal crater, I told my wife to cancel the booking. In effect this means lost money as the terms of Agreement that we have for the hotel we are going to stay at claims no refund for bank deposits. I sure am gonna be whipped when I come home tonight. Wish me luck. But let us all wish the whole Taal area more goodluck. Be safe mga kabayan!

Ray Allen and the Loudmouths

2010-06-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

My prediction went south!

I boldly predicted my Lakers winning it all in four games. But when a hand like that of Ray Allen is as hot as a meteor then I guess there is no Nostradamus in me. He single-handedly took the Lakers out in the first half scoring via 7 three-pointers. And I hated it.

Truth be told, of all the Celtics, Allen is the the one I like most. It is because, unlike his loudmouth teammates, he is soft spoken and humble. So much unlike Garnett who constantly barks at his opponents like they are his minions, or Pierce who once said that he is the best player in the world (Is that the reason why he cant even make the playoffs when Garnett and Allen were not around yet???) or Rondo who stupidly tried to belittle Chris Paul (as if he is better than CP3).

However, like him or not, I still regret it that he is a Celtic. It foiled my chance at being a seer. And more importantly he made all these haters rise up again when all they can do was cry in silence after game One.

Floyd Mayweather Retires... Againnnnnn????

2010-06-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

The man is not a real man. His latest antic about retiring again seem to boil down to one and only one reason only. That is to avoid being pummelled by Manny Pacquiao.

He retired once before, supposedly for lack of opponents. Manny Pacquiao is waiting now and he would say he would retire. Obviously he wont say that this time it is due to lack of valid foes coz we know who is waiting in the wings. This time around, he is saying that he is retiring to help those who are in need and to help the poor. Cmon!!!!?!?!?!? We all know that that is pure bullsheet masquerading as a charitable layoff.

All you blokes trying to defend the may-at-times-dumb-weather, can't you just tell your man (supposedly) to stand up and avoid hiding in his fathers and relatives dresses. And do not use unknowing kids as pawns in your lies. You sucka! Fight Manny or you will be known as the greatest fighter because your a sissy!!!!

Ron Artest

2010-06-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Update: I just found out that Artest has a Filipino kid living in Puerto Rico. Wow! I cant believe this! And there are vids on youtube showing him eating Filipino food. And he likes Halo-halo!!! Whooooooh!! Artest you the man!!! See the vids here and here and here and singing Celine Dion in a Filipino house here.

It was the first few seconds of the game and someone from the Lakers squad officially announced to the whole world and more importantly to that hated Celtic team that this year is not 2008. This is 2010! This is the year when the Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champs! And even if Ron Artest is not part of the team that won it last year, he made sure that everyone knows that he is very capable of defending the ring that he never got in 2009.

And so it all began... and ended with Pierce most likely still scratching his nuts on how he could get over that big bulky and strong wall that was not there the last time out. In a game that featured more fouls than what the Celtics dreamed of, it was Ron Artest who made the biggest impact (well of course that is if Kobe is sleeping).

The three-pointers went in. Every defensive move made is momentous, including the one with 6 minutes left on the clock. He pumped his fist, showing his grit and his intensity. He didn't show it by exchanging verbal jabs with the Celtic Loudmouths. He did it by doing his job. Showing patience and determination at the same time. Even that former-Knicks-coach-and-now-analyst emphasized how Artest has changed over the years, exclaiming that there is something definitely wrong if Artest is the showing up as the voice of reason. And just like that, he is not just the deliverer of that Game 5 win versus Phoenix and not the 2nd best man of the Western Conference Game 6. He is the pivotal figure in the pivotal first game.

This is the same man who barged into the Lakers locker room after that tumultous lost in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals. This is the same man who proclaimed to Bryant that he can help the Mamba be physical with Boston. That is exactly the same man that showed up in Game 1. And as long as he is keeping up with that universal proclamation, the Lakers will win these Finals.

Lakers in 4!!!

Chris Tiu

2010-06-03T01:08:00.001-07:00

I was browsing the web when I chanced upon this webpage with this header "Whats it gonna take for the NBA to draft Chris Tiu?"

I was like "Holy Ligo Sardines!!!" Am I reading this right? Chris Tiu to the NBA? Now that is not such a bad idea!!! Well, I am not really a huge Chris Tiu fan but I know a lot of people who are! He has chosen to play for the flag instead of delving into that so called PBA (pro-league?), so that is a plus point for him. Although I favor Ateneo more than La Salle, this is not the reason also as to why I got a little excited readin the articles "nominating" Chris Tiu to the NBA. Just the thought of a Filipino in the NBA is sheet and Slick man!!!

It has been long since the time that the possibilities of a Filipino running around the Staples Center as a Pro baller was taught of. Remember the time when Johnny Abbarientos was supposedly being looked out for by the old Charlotte Hornets? That was during Flying A's prime. It has been more than 10 years.

Apparently that webpage is actually a blog whose sole purpose is to give Chris Tiu a chance to be noticed by NBA scouts for the upcoming June 24 NBA Draft. Trying to mimick the type of media hype scored by Wang of China for the NFL, the page has gone from giving analysis on why Chris Tiu with teams like the Timberwolves, Heat and the Bucks. It even compared Chris Tiu to David Beckham.

Reality Check:

I really wish that he can be at least enrolled in the draft. If Chris gets to be drafted , we will all surely be proud of him. However, Chris Tiu is Chris Tiu. He is not better than John Wall of course. And teams are not really looking that much into the draft right now. Why would they when the free market is loaded with all the NBA superstars. So I really do not think that this project will fly. But hey no harm in trying right. Way to go Chris Tiu!!!

Click here to check out that Chris Tiu blog.

Lakers in 4! Sweeeeeep!!!! Now that is for real!!!

Steve Nash

2010-06-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

Wow!!!! I am a die hard Laker and Kobe fan! No doubt in my mind that I like them better now compared to when Shaq was still with the team. However, this is not about Kobe or the Lakeshow or that dumb-ass-cant-find-no--loyal-home-team Shaq. This is about Steve Nash. The proverbial Steve Nash! The one and only great Canadian! The unstoppable point guard cum MVP of the Suns. The Sportsman. Damn! I really like this long haired soccer-loving baller. If not for Kobe, I really think that the Suns will go to the Finals and meet with those Green Thugs of Boston all because of Steve. Instead, Steve will again go away from the hardcourt and leave.

When I saw on YouTube his being emotional after their Game 6 lost to the Lakers, I had to really admire him more. Watch it here. Imagine still being able to go to Kobe with your daughter and congratulate him even if he feels really really down. He sure is no Le-Hype, he is for real. I really cant help but be sorry for the guy. Man, it really sucks to lose. I hope Steve can be a Laker that way we'll all be able to better appreciate how good he is coz Im sure he'll win a championship wearing the purple and gold. I assure you, NASH IS MUCH BETTER THAN THAT SELF ADULATING CON FROM AKRON!!!! Hope you win a ring someday Nash at least before you retire. Good luck to you sir!

Last Full Show

2009-05-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

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I know you guys were able to hear Martin Nievera give his rendition of the Philippine National anthem. Coz if you did not see or hear it, then you are most definitely not a Pacquiao fan. The NHI (National Historical Institute) said that they are mulling on filing a case against Mr Nievera because of what they call his "irreverent" version of the anthem. C'MON!!!! I mean how unlucky can Martin Nievera be? He took it as an honor to sing the song and he sung it with such patriotic fervor only to be trashed by people who texted (kuno) the NHI complaining that he did not do it right.

We all heard the version guys, Do you think Martin sung the song with any malice? Hell, no! In fact after a long long while, that was the only time again that I felt pride hearing the National Anthem being sung. Did not feel it when Ms Bautista sung it for Pacquiao, was bored by it when Geneva self-consciously sang it one time. Among all the chosen ones who sang it for a Pacman fight, Martin is the only one who was able to gave credence to the song and he is the only one who was able to make the Filipino listeners feel that they are part of the song. He beat the hell out of Tom Jones in Vegas man!

So cut the crap NHI!!! If you are really bent on catching those who disrespect the anthem, go and watch the last full show... fools!

My Parents are Off to Auckland

2008-11-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

This is the farthest that my mother and father is able to go to. I wish I am with thm to see the experience one of the highlights of their life. Thanks to my Kuya Louie, they are now in New Zealand.

I have always wished that I can give my parants this kind of a gift. I envy Kuya Louie that it is him and not me who could provide them the luxury to travel. I remember when I was still in school, I told my parents that I will buy them a car and have the house gated. I have not fulfilled them yet and I am not sure if I can still.

My parents are the most wonderful people that I have been closed to. I love them and I miss them too. I hope they enjoy their stay in Auckland. And one day I hope to provide them such a travel also. How about a trip to Divisoria? I think they'd be happy about that also. They are such grateful people, I don't think they'd mind.

IT Opportunities : Philippine Jobs : Philippine Careers

2008-09-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

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A global investment house is seeking for qualified individuals to join and strengthen their team in Manila. The client is a diversified international provider of banking, financial, advisory and investment services headquartered in Australia.

Operational Service Analyst - ITS – Manila
UNIX Administrator - ITS – Manila
Senior UNIX Administrator - ITS – Manila
Front Office Monitoring Analyst
Senior Test Analyst
Security Administrator - ITS – Manila
Systems Operator – ITS – Manila
.Net Developer
DMA Team QA Analyst
Algorithmic Trading Technology Team QA Analyst
Back Office Testing Team Analyst

Interested parties may send their updated CV at efabia@artemis-ra.com

You could leave a comment on this post for your inquiries...

Google Chrome: Where is the Homepage button

2008-09-04T01:56:00.000-07:00

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Update: To show the homepage button (1) click the wrench icon and then (2) select options and then (3) check the show home page button option. Thanks to Eric Reid.

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Google's newest baby, Google Chrome, is out! (Beta that is)

One thing I immediately noticed (aside from noticing that the Chrome icon is like Firefox's) is that I was able to download it so quickly. Unlike Internet Explorer or Mozila Firefox, this one came in fast. I do not know if it is because it is not loaded yet with all the features that the first two browsers have as it is still in the beta stage, however it is simply a relief whenever a download comes in like a falling meteorite.. lightning fast. Impressive.

You wouldn't notice Chrome once you are browsing already. It is like, it is not there. In fact, I even forgot that I was testing the browser earlier. So unobtrusive. Unlike IE and Firefox and with all their colors. Chrome is like an invisible browser. It is as if you are browsing without a browser.

The only thing I had a hard time earlier, since there is no toolbar, is that I can't find a way to immediately switch to my homepage. Cmon! There is no homepage button. Or am I just being dumb? I do not know but as of this writing, I still can not find it.

Google I am waiting for your Chrome updates...

To download Chrome, click here!

Manny Vs De La Hoya : Mexico vs Philipines Pen-Ultimate Round

2008-08-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

The Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao versus Oscar "The Golden Boy" De La Hoya tiff this coming December is on!!!

Reports are saying that both camps have agreed in principle to stage the fight at years end. Manny Pacquiao will go up another weight class while De La Hoya will go down his. Both fighters will sacrifice some thing just to make the terms meet.

The height issue is the main issue on this tiff. Surely it is De La Hoya who has an edge. But no matter what, we'll surely see some great counters from the Pacman. He is used to being the underdog anyways. So fight fans take your pick .

I go for Pacquiao, by left hook or by crook!!!

Old World vs New World: Spain and USA meet in Olympic Basketball Finals

2008-08-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

As yours truly predicted in an earlier post, the Americans and the Spaniards will face off in the Finals of Beijing Olympics Mens Basketball tournament.

The US team led by Carmelo Anthony who snatched 21 points won 101 - 81 over reigning Olympic Hoops Champion Argentina. On the other hand, Spain beat Lithuania in the first semi-final game 91-86.

I was able to watch the preliminary match between the US and Spain and I can't help but wonder what adjustments Pau Gasol and his brother Mark will put into play come game time. The US clobbered the Iberian matadors 119 - 82 during pool play, where the Americans showed thier quickness.

However, I think we ought to see a much tighter game this time around. Pau and the Spanish Crew I think learned their lesson the first time and they should never commit the same mistakes now that the Gold is up for reaping.

The US team led by NBA MVP Kobe "My Idol" Bryant showed how serious they are in the first game between them. Noticed how Kobe dismissed Pau by shoving him to the ground when the latter tried to set a pick for his teammate in the first few minutes of the game? Kobe just walked on, stoned-faced as if nothing happened while Pau just can't help but smile. To me, that is the difference.

So if this time Spain is still thinking of horse-play, they should just pack up and not attend the match. For the US of A means business... means vengeance... means Gold... and nothing less!

Scores by Quarter during the USA and Spain pool match-up:
Q1: 31 - 22
Q2: 61 - 45
Q3: 86 - 63
Q4: 119 - 82

Advocacy: Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health

2008-08-21T03:11:00.000-07:00

From this moment on, I plan on making this my personal advocacy. To influence as many people as possible, especially the people I know to stop smoking.

I tried smoking before, albeit briefly. It was never really a habit or an addiction for me. It was because of the people around me. Sometimes you have to do things just because your friends do so also. Well, I was young back then and I thought that that was the way to go. Good thing I met my future wife, and I stopped.

It is not really hard to stop smoking. It is just a matter of taking your mind to the right concept of how you are going to be able to show others that you have control of the things you do.

Take for example my dear father. He was an addictive smoker back in the days. He is able to take that bad habit away. From a tiny-thin man, my father became bigger. People who knew him before were always amazed at how much my fathers physique changed. It is all because he stopped smoking. He is healthier and more full of life.

I will be posting more about this advocacy in the future. Less smokers, less sorrow, less death.

How to Cook Noodles Correctly

2008-08-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

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I just want to share this tip that I got through email. I am not really sure if this is a fact though. I will be researching about this later at work. ;-). Here is how the email goes:

CORRECT WAY OF COOKING NOODLES

The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health:

Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat.

This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles. By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structures of the MSG causing it to be toxic. The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax (lilin) and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have taken the noodles.

CORRECT METHOD:

1. Boil the noodles in a pot with water.

2. Once the noodles is cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax (lilin).

3. Boil another pot of water till boiling point and put the noodles into the hot boiling water and then shut the fire.

4. Only at this stage when the fire is off, and while the water is very hot, put the ingredients with the powder into the water, to make noodle soup.

5. However, if you need dry noodles, take out the noodles and add the ingredients with the powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Please share this info and help save a life.

USA vs Spain : Beijing Olympics

2008-08-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

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I was planning of writing something about this after the game. But I just can't help myself as I am really so excited about it. But I have a very big problem: I might not be able to watch it live... BUMMER!!! BUMMMERRRR!!! BUMMMMEEEERRR!!!! lol

I am going to my future wife's place and staying there for the night. And they have no cable tv so I sure am going to be able to watch the game when it is replayed already, hopefully the next day.

Kobe has been talking about this game since the last NBA post-season. Remember those interviews when he constantly talked about meeting Pau Gasol in Beijing? Now is the preview of that matchup. A preview because I really think these two teams will meet up eventully in the Olympic Basketball Finals although they are on the same grouping.

The Spaniards are power packed also led by the Gasol brothers. Their height might will surely bring in some headaches for Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh. To me that is where the Spanish is going to have a little edge, the middle. However, we all know that Bosh and Chris can always try to stir things up their way. Whew! I can't help but be regretful that I am gonna miss it. I just love my girl so much that is why.

Enough of this.. see you later at the game. On replay that is...

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The Men's basketball game today Saturday will be as follows:

Game 1: Greece (1-2) vs. Angola (0-3)
Game 2: Russia (1-2) vs. Australia (1-2)
Game 3: Croatia (2-1) vs. Lithuania (3-0)
Game 4: Iran (0-3) vs. Argentina (2-1)
Game 5: China (1-2) vs. Germany (1-2)
Game 6: USA (3-0) vs. Spain (3-0)

Go Kobe!

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Education, Training and Employment Fair 2008

2008-08-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

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Here is another public service announcement for those jobseekers out there. There is going to be an Employment, Training and Employment Fair this coming September 5 to 6, 2008. The fair will be held at SM Megatrade Hall 1, 5th Floor SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. This job fest is sponsored by JobQuest.Ph.

Job Fair: Festival Mall Alabang

2008-08-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

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Jobstreet will be putting up a job fair in Alabang to end the month of August. Scheduled to happen at the Festival Mall , this serves as the third leg of the leading career agencys program dubbed as JOBSolutely Cool.

Click here for more details.

All Eyes on Harry Tañamor: Updated

2008-08-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Update: Our very own Harry Tañamor lost his light flyweight match with Ghana's Mangyo Plange. The Filipino boxer lost 6 - 3 in a one sided match. Looks like our hopes for an Olympic glory are now pinned on the jins, and whoever is left standing. But with the opposition so much formidable, we can only close our fingers and pray.

All eyes are now on Boxer Harry Tañamor. The man is in a very unenviable position being the only man in the lean Philippine contingent in the ongoing Beijing Olympic games who all Filipinos think should be able to win at least a bronze medal. The other members of the Philippine team does not enjoy the same such high expectations from his countrymen. So even right now, I am all praises to the Filipino flyweight veteran. His ability to handle such pressure is worth a medal already.

Tañamor will be going up against Ghana's Manyo Plange at 7pm Manila time. Too bad, I will be at work at that time. Surely, I will be following the match on the web.

Let us all pray for the sweet chance for Harry to bring home the chinese bacon that is made of Gold.

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A Filipina in the US Olympic Swimming team in Beijing? I read it from Miss Dine Racoma's blog. According to the respected blogger, the swimmer Natalie Coughlin is 25% Filipina who eats pancit and lumpia in Bay area gatherings. Read more about it in The D Spot.

Beijing Olympics 2008 ::: 8.8.08

2008-08-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Simply the best ever Olympic Games opener!!!

That is how I am going to describe the Beijing Olympics 2008 Grand Opening! Imagine an Olypic torch bearer running in mid air??? And the finale, that is the lighting of the Olympic flame put the mythical Barcelona Olympic Archer shot to shame!

The fireworks capped the night. Remember the Bombing of Baghdad? Well, it is nothing to how the Beijing skyline lit up after the Olympic flame is in full view.

The Chinese are simply on top of the world right now. Even the US can not match the patriotism, the nationalistic fervor, the economic prowess and the total edge of the Awakened Dragon. The Beijing Olympic Games is the proof. Indescribable!!!

Whoever is the head of the Beijing Olympic organizing committee, Congratulations!!!

Globe iPhone 3G - August 22

2008-08-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Come August 22, 2008 the Philippines is going to experience firsthand the magic of iPhone 3G. Globe announces that they are going to launch the much awaited sequel to the original iPhone. Happy? Excited?

The price is very affordable. It comes at a very cheap price of P41,899! Toinks!! What a bummer!!!

Well! The price matches the mobile experience. This includes faster connection, support for ActiveSync, built-in GPS and you can run hundreds of 3rd party applications through it.

Globe will be offering special post-paid plans to would be subscribers. Want to learn more? Want to subscribe? Click here!

GTA GTA'ed as in Get the Axe

2008-08-05T23:55:00.000-07:00

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Swooping!!!! That's how I would call it!!!

After the deadly incident involving a GTA and a Thai teen where the 18 year old boy gets to re-live his online gaming illusion by killing a cab driver. The Thai authorities spearheaded by the only legal distributor of games and software in Thailand started to take off the game in Thailand. And they did not stop at that. They even warned people about the types of games they buy. For a company to do that at the behest of its own interest, I give my big props to them. This is such a big deal, not only to the gaming community in Thailand or anywhere else but also to those who are conducting businesses, especially here in Asia.

If only Philippine companies can do the same. Imagine the same thing happening here in the Philippines. Do you think these game distributors in the Philippines will have the conscience to do the same? I tend to think not!

Well!

Grand Thai Auto

2008-08-04T23:07:00.000-07:00

...............................................................................

Ever heard of any direct link with playing GTA and violence? Check this out!

A Thai teenager robbed a cab driver and stabbed him to death because he could not afford toplay Grand Theft Auto. The young man even confessed that he copied it from the game. He used the $15 allowance given to him by his civil servnt parents two purchase two knives.

Now that is daaaaangerous!!!

If I am a parent, I will not let my kids play these kind of games. And so my next question. Is GTA liable in such cases wherein a game addict tends to copy the violence seen while playing and do things in real life? Is there enough rules and regulations concerning games? If movies and television and radio have content regulating body, why not games?

Calling our dear Philippine lawmakers...

2008 SONA

2008-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

The following is the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address for the year 2008.

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO DURING THE 2ND REGULAR SESSION OF THE 14TH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, 28 July 2008

Thank you, Speaker Nograles. Senate President Villar. Senators and Representatives. Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen:

I address you today at a crucial moment in world history.
Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future.

Because tough choices were made, kumikilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country's development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan.

Biglang-bigla, nabaligtad ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Ang pagtalon ng presyo ng langis at pagkain ay nagbunsod ng pandaigdigan krisis, the worst since the Great Depression and the end of World War II. Some blame speculators moving billions of dollars from subprime mortgages to commodities like fuel and food. Others point of the very real surge in demand as millions of Chinese and Indians move up to the middle class.

Whatever the reasons, we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress.

This is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions. For starters, it is hard to identify villains, unlike in the 1997 financial crisis. Everyone seems to be a victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.

To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. Yet even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance.

Because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.

Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. For footing the bill, I thank the taxpayers.
The result has been, on the one hand, ito ang nakasalba sa bayan; and, on the other, more unpopularity for myself in the opinion polls. Yet, even unfriendly polls show self-rated poverty down to its 20-year low in 2007.

My responsibility as President is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now and to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future. Many in this great hall live privileged lives and exert great influence in public affairs. I am accessible to you, but I spend time every day with the underprivileged and under represented who cannot get a grip on their lives in the daily, all-consuming struggle to make ends meet.

Nag-aalala ako para sa naka-aawang maybahay na pasan ang pananagutan para sa buong pamilya. Nag-aalala ako para sa magsasakang nasa unang hanay ng pambansang produksyon ng pagkain ngunit nagsisikap pakanin ang pamilya. I care for hardworking students soon to graduate and wanting to see hope of good job and a career prospect here at home.

Nag-aalala ako para sa 41-year old na padre de pamilya na di araw-araw ang trabaho, at nag-aabala sa asawa at tatlong anak, at dapat bigyan ng higit pang pagkakakitaan at dangal. I care for our teachers who gave the greatest gift we ever received - a good education - still trying to pass on the same gift to succeeding generations. I care for our OFWs, famed for their skill, integrity and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away. Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga karaniwang Pilipino.

My critics say this is fiction, along with other facts and figures I cite today. I call it heroism though they don't need our praise. Each is already a hero to those who matter most, their families.

I said this is a global crisis where everyone is a victim. But only few can afford to avoid, or pay to delay, the worst effects. Many more have nothing to protect them from the immediate blunt force trauma of the global crisis. Tulad ninyo, nag-aalala ako para sa kanila. Ito ang mga taong bayan na dapat samahan natin. Not only because of their sacrifices for our country but because they are our countrymen.

How do we solve these many complex challenges?

Sa kanilang kalagayan, the answer must be special care and attention in this great hour of need.
First, we must have a targeted strategy with set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing.

Second, food self-sufficiency; less energy dependence; greater self-reliance in our attitude as a people and in our posture as a nation.

Third, short-term relief cannot be at the expense of long term reforms. These reforms will benefit not just the next generation of Filipinos, but the next President as well.

Napakahalaga ang Value Added Tax sa pagharap sa mga hamong ito. Itong programa ang sagot sa mga problemang namana natin. Una, mabawasan ang ating mga utang and shore up our fiscal independence. Pangalawa, higit na pamumuhunan para mamamayan at imprastraktura.
Pangatlo, sapat na pondo para sa mga programang pangmasa. Thus, the infrastructure links programmed for the our poorest provinces like Northern Samar: Lao-ang-Lapinig-Arteche, right now ay maputik, San Isidro-Lope de Vega; the rehabilitation of Maharlika in Samar. Take VAT away and you and I abdicate our responsibility as leaders and pull the rug from under our present and future progress, which may be compromised by the global crisis.

Lalong lumakas ang tiwala ng mga investor dahil sa VAT. Mula P56.50 kada dolyar, lumakas ang piso hanggang P40.20 bago bumalik sa P44 dahil sa mga pabigat ng pangdaigdigang ekonomiya. Kung alisin ang VAT, hihina ang kumpiyansa ng negosyo, lalong tataas ang interes, lalong bababa ang piso, lalong mamahal ang bilihin.

Kapag ibinasura ang VAT sa langis at kuryente, ang mas makikinabang ay ang mga may kaya na kumukonsumo ng 84% ng langis at 90% ng kuryente habang mas masasaktan ang mahihirap na mawawalan ng P80 billion para sa mga programang pinopondohan ngayon ng VAT. Take away VAT and we strip our people of the means to ride out the world food and energy crisis.

We have come too far and made too many sacrifices to turn back now on fiscal reforms. Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.

The government has persevered, without flip-flops, in its much-criticized but irreplaceable policies, including oil and power VAT and oil deregulation.

Patuloy na gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang lumalago nating yaman upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang naghihirap sa taas ng bilihin at hampas ng bagyo, habang nagpupundar upang sanggahan ang bayan sa mga krisis sa hinaharap.

Para sa mga namamasada at namamasahe sa dyip, sinusugpo natin ang kotong at colorum upang mapataas ang kita ng mga tsuper. Si Federico Alvarez kumikita ng P200 a day sa kaniyang rutang Cubao-Rosario. Tinaas ito ng anti-kotong, anti-colorum ngayon P500 na ang kita niya. Iyan ang paraan kung paano napananatili ang dagdag-pasahe sa piso lamang. Halaga lang ng isang text.

Texting is a way of life. I asked the telecoms to cut the cost of messages between networks. They responded. It is now down to 50 centavos.

Noong Hunyo, nagpalabas tayo ng apat na bilyong piso mula sa VAT sa langis-dalawang bilyong pambayad ng koryente ng apat na milyong mahihirap, isang bilyon para college scholarship o pautang sa 70,000 na estudyanteng maralita; kalahating bilyong pautang upang palitan ng mas matipid na LPG, CNG o biofuel ang motor ng libu-libong jeepney; at kalahating bilyong pampalit sa fluorescent sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Kung mapapalitan ng fluorescent ang lahat ng bumbilya, makatitipid tayo ng lampas P2 billion.
Sa sunod na katas ng VAT, may P1 billion na pambayad ng kuryente ng mahihirap; kalahating bilyon para sa matatandang di sakop ng SSS o GSIS; kalahating bilyong kapital para sa pamilya ng mga namamasada; kalahating bilyon upang mapataas ang kakayahan at equipment ng mga munting ospital sa mga lalawigan. At para sa mga kalamidad, angkop na halaga.

We released P1 billion for the victims of typhoon Frank. We support a supplemental Western Visayas calamity budget from VAT proceeds, as a tribute to the likes of Rodney Berdin, age 13, of Barangay Rombang, Belison, Antique, who saved his mother, brother and sister from the raging waters of Sibalom River.

Mula sa buwang ito, wala nang income tax ang sumusweldo ng P200,000 o mas mababa sa isang taon - P12 billion na bawas-buwis para sa maralita at middle class. Maraming salamat, Congress.
Ngayong may P32 na commercial rice, natugunan na natin ang problema sa pagkain sa kasalukuyan. Nagtagumpay tayo dahil sa pagtutulungan ng buong bayan sa pagsasaka, bantay-presyo at paghihigpit sa price manipulation, sa masipag na pamumuno ni Artie Yap.

Sa mga LGU at religious groups na tumutulong dalhin ang NFA rice sa mahihirap, maraming salamat sa inyo.

Dahil sa subsidy, NFA rice is among the region's cheapest. While we can take some comfort that our situation is better than many other nations, there is no substitute for solving the problem of rice and fuel here at home. In doing so, let us be honest and clear eyed - there has been a fundamental shift in global economics. The price of food and fuel will likely remain high. Nothing will be easy; the government cannot solve these problems over night. But, we can work to ease the near-term pain while investing in long-term solutions.

Since 2001, new irrigation systems for 146,000 hectares, including Malmar in Maguindanao and North Cotabato, Lower Agusan, Casecnan and Aulo in Nueva Ecija, Abulog-Apayao in Cagayan and Apayao, Addalam in Quirino and Isabela, among others, and the restoration of old systems on another 980,000 hectares have increased our nation's irrigated land to a historic 1.5 million hectares.

Edwin Bandila, 48 years old, of Ugalingan, Carmen, North Cotabato, cultivated one hectare and harvested 35 cavans. Thirteen years na ginawa iyong Malmar. In my first State of the Nation Address, sabi ko kung hindi matapos iyon sa Setyembre ay kakanselahin ko ang kontrata, papapasukin ko ang engineering brigade, natapos nila. With Malmar, now he cultivates five hectares and produces 97 cavans per hectare. Mabuhay, Edwin! VAT will complete the San Roque-Agno River project.

The Land Bank has quadrupled loans for farmers and fisherfolk. That is fact not fiction. Check it. For more effective credit utilization, I instructed DA to revitalize farmers cooperatives. We are providing seeds at subsidized prices to help our farmers.

Incremental Malampaya national revenues of P4 billion will go to our rice self-sufficiency program. Rice production since 2000 increased an average of 4.07% a year, twice the population growth rate. By promoting natural planning and female education, we have curbed population growth to 2.04% during our administration, down from the 2.36 in the 1990's, when artificial birth control was pushed. Our campaign spreads awareness of responsible parenthood regarding birth spacing. Long years of pushing contraceptives made it synonymous to family planning. Therefore informed choice should mean letting more couples, who are mostly Catholics, know about natural family planning.

From 1978 to 1981, nag-export tayo ng bigas. Hindi tumagal. But let's not be too hard on ourselves. Panahon pa ng Kastila bumibili na tayo ng bigas sa labas. While we may know how to grow rice well, topography doesn't always cooperate.

Nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam, with their vast and naturally fertile plains. Nature instead put our islands ahead of our neighbours in the path of typhoons from the Pacific. So, we import 10% of the rice we consume.

To meet the challenge of today, we will feed our people now, not later, and help them get through these hard times. To meet the challenges of tomorrow, we must become more self-reliant, self-sufficient and independent, relying on ourselves more than on the world.

Now we come to the future of agrarian reform.

There are those who say it is a failure, that our rice importations prove it. There are those who say it is a success-if only because anything is better than nothing. Indeed, people are happier owning the land they work, no matter what the difficulties.

Sa SONA noong 2001, sinabi ko, bawat taon, mamamahagi tayo ng dalawang daang libong ektarya sa reporma sa lupa: 100,000 hectares of private farmland and 100,000 of public farmland, including ancestral domains. Di hamak mahigit sa target ang naipamahagi natin sa nakaraang pitong taon: 854,000 hectares of private farmland, 797,000 of public farmland, and Certificates of Ancestral Domain for 525,000 hectares. Including, over a 100,000 hectares for Bugkalots in Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya. After the release of their CADT, Rosario Camma, Bugkalot chieftain, and now mayor of Nagtipunan, helped his 15,000-member tribe develop irrigation, plant vegetables and corn and achieve food sufficiency. Mabuhay, Chief!

Agrarian reform should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from his but productivity will keep him on his feet.

Sinimula ng aking ama ang land reform noong 1963. Upang mabuo ito, the extension of CARP with reforms is top priority. I will continue to do all I can for the rural as well as urban poor. Ayaw natin na paglaya ng tenant sa landlord, mapapasa-ilalim naman sa usurero. Former tenants must be empowered to become agribusinessmen by allowing their land to be used as collateral.

Dapat mapalaya ng reporma sa lupa ang magsasaka sa pagiging alipin sa iba. Dapat bigyan ang magsasaka ng dangal bilang taong malaya at di hawak ninuman. We must curb the recklessness that gives land without the means to make it productive and bites off more than beneficiaries can chew.

At the same time, I want the rackets out of agrarian reform: the threats to take and therefore undervalue land, the conspiracies to overvalue it.

Be with me on this. There must be a path where justice and progress converge. Let us find it before Christmas. Dapat nating linisin ang landas para sa mga ibig magpursige sa pagsasaka, taglay ang pananalig na ang lupa ay sasagip sa atin sa huli kung gamitin natin ito nang maayos.
Along with massive rice production, we are cutting costs through more efficient transport. For our farm-to-market roads, we released P6 billion in 2007.

On our nautical highways. RORO boats carried 33 million metric tons of cargo and 31 million passengers in 2007. We have built 39 RORO ports during our administration, 12 more are slated to start within the next two years. In 2003, we inaugurated the Western Nautical Highway from Batangas through Mindoro, Panay and Negros to Mindanao. This year we launched the Central Nautical Highway from Bicol mainland, through Masbate, Cebu, Bohol and Camiguin to Mindanao mainland. These developments strengthen our competitiveness.

Leading multinational company Nestle cut transport costs and offset higher milk prices abroad. Salamat, RORO. Transport costs have become so reasonable for bakeries like Gardenia, a loaf of its bread in Iloilo is priced the same as in Laguna and Manila. Salamat muli sa RORO.

To the many LGUs who have stopped collecting fees from cargo vehicles, maraming, maraming salamat.

We are repaving airports that are useful for agriculture, like Zamboanga City Airport.
Producing rice and moving it cheaper addresses the supply side of our rice needs. On the demand side, we are boosting the people's buying power.

Ginagawa nating labor-intensive ang paggawa at pag-ayos ng kalsada at patubig. Noong SONA ng 2001, naglunsad tayo sa NCR ng patrabaho para sa 20,000 na out of school youth, na tinawag OYSTER. Ngayon, mahigit 20,000 ang ineempleyo ng OYSTER sa buong bansa. In disaster-stricken areas, we have a cash-for-work program.

In training, 7.74 million took technical and vocational courses over the last seven years, double the number in the previous 14 years. In 2007 alone, 1.7 million graduated. Among them are Jessica Barlomento now in Hanjin as supply officer, Shenve Catana, Marie Grace Comendador, and Marlyn Tusi, lady welders, congratulations.

In microfinance, loans have reached P102 billion or 30 times more than the P3 billion we started with in 2001, with a 98% repayment record, congratulations! Major lenders include the Land Bank with P69 billion, the Peoples' Credit and Finance Corporation P8 billion, the National Livelihood Support Fund P3 billion, DBP P1 billion and the DSWD's SEA-K P800 million. For partnering with us to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit, thank you, Go Negosyo and Joey Concepcion.

Upland development benefits farmers through agro-forestry initiatives. Rubber is especially strong in Zamboanga Sibugay and North Cotabato. Victoria Mindoro, 56 years old, used to earn P5,000 a month as farmer and factory worker. Now she owns 10 hectares in the Goodyear Agrarian Reform Community in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay, she earns P10,000 a week. With one hectare, Pedro and Concordia Faviolas of Makilala, North Cotabato, they sent their six children to college, bought two more hectares, and earn P15,000 a month. Congratulations!
Jatropha estates are starting in 900 hectares in and around Tamlang Valley in Negros Oriental; 200 in CamSur; 300 in GenSan, 500 in Fort Magsaysay near the Cordero Dam and 700 in Samar, among others.

In our 2006 SONA, our food baskets were identified as North Luzon and Mindanao.

The sad irony of Mindanao as food basket is that it has some of the highest hunger in our nation. It has large fields of high productivity, yet also six of our ten poorest provinces. The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict. A comprehensive peace has eluded us for half a century. But last night, differences on the tough issue of ancestral domain were resolved. Yes, there are political dynamics among the people of Mindanao. Let us sort them out with the utmost sobriety, patience and restraint. I ask Congress to act on the legislative and political reforms that will lead to a just and lasting peace during our term of office.

The demands of decency and compassion urge dialogue. Better talk than fight, if nothing of sovereign value is anyway lost. Dialogue has achieved more than confrontation in many parts of the world. This was the message of the recent World Conference in Madrid organized by the King of Saudi Arabia, and the universal message of the Pope in Sydney.

Pope Benedict's encyclical Deus Caritas Est reminds us: "There will always be situations of material need where help in the form of concrete love for neighbour is indispensable."
Pinagsasama-sama natin ang mga programa ng DSWD, DOH, GSIS, SSS at iba pang lumalaban sa kahirapan sa isang National Social Welfare Program para proteksyonan ang pinaka-mahihirap mula sa pandaigdigang krisis, and to help those whose earnings are limited by illness, disability, loss of job, age and so on-through livelihood projects, microfinance, skills and technology transfer, emergency and temporary employment, pension funds, food aid and cash subsidies, child nutrition and adult health care, medical missions, salary loans, insurance, housing programs, educational and other savings schemes, and now cheaper medicine-Thanks to Congress.

The World Bank says that in Brazil, the income of the poorest 10% has grown 9% per year versus the 3% for the higher income levels due in large part to their family stipend program linking welfare checks to school attendance. We have introduced a similar program, Pantawid Pamilya.

Employers have funded the two increases in SSS benefits since 2005. Thank you, employers for paying the premiums.

GSIS pensions have been indexed to inflation and have increased every year since 2001. Its salary loan availments have increased from two months equivalent to 10 months, the highest of any system public or private-while repayments have been stretched out.

Pag-Ibig housing loans increased from P3.82 billion in 2001 to P22.6 billion in 2007. This year it experienced an 84% increase in the first four months alone. Super heating na. Dapat dagdagan ng GSIS at buksan muli ng SSS ang pautang sa pabahay. I ask Congress to pass a bill allowing SSS to do housing loans beyond the present 10% limitation.

Bago ako naging Pangulo, isa't kalahating milyong maralita lamang ang may health insurance. Noong 2001, sabi natin, dadagdagan pa ng kalahating milyon. Sa taong iyon, mahigit isang milyon ang nabigyan natin. Ngayon, 65 milyong Pilipino na ang may health insurance, mahigit doble ng 2000, kasama ang labinlimang milyong maralita. Philhealth has paid P100 billion for hospitalization. The indigent beneficiaries largely come from West and Central Visayas, Central Luzon, and Ilocos. Patuloy nating palalawakin itong napaka-importanted programa, lalo na sa Tawi-Tawi, Zambo Norte, Maguindanao, Apayao, Dinagat, Lanao Sur, Northern Samar, Masbate, Abra and Misamis Occidental. Lalo na sa kanilang mga magsasaka at mangingisda.
In these provinces and in Agusan Sur, Kalinga, Surigao Sur and calamity-stricken areas, we will launch a massive school feeding program at P10 per child every school day.

Bukod sa libreng edukasyon sa elementarya at high school, nadoble ang pondo para sa mga college scholarships, while private high school scholarship funds from the government have quadrupled.

I have started reforming and clustering the programs of the DepEd, CHED and TESDA.
As with fiscal and food challenges, the global energy crunch demands better and more focused resource mobilization, conservation and management.

Government agencies are reducing their energy and fuel bills by 10%, emulating Texas Instruments and Philippine Stock Exchange who did it last year. Congratulations, Justice Vitug and Francis Lim.

To reduce power system losses, we count on government regulators and also on EPIRA amendments.

We are successful in increasing energy self-sufficiency-56%, the highest in our history. We promote natural gas and biofuel; geothermal fields, among the world's largest; windmills like those in Ilocos and Batanes; and the solar cells lighting many communities in Mindanao. The new Galoc oil field can produce 17,000-22,000 barrels per day, 1/12 of our crude consumption.

The Renewable Energy Bill has passed the House. Thank you, Congressmen.

Our costly commodity imports like oil and rice should be offset by hard commodities exports like primary products, and soft ones like tourism and cyberservices, at which only India beats us.
Our P 350 million training partnership with the private sector should qualify 60,000 for call centers, medical transcription, animation and software development, which have a projected demand of one million workers generating $13 billion by 2010.

International finance agrees with our progress. Credit rating agencies have kept their positive or stable outlook on the country. Our world competitiveness ranking rose five notches. Congratulations to us. We are sticking to, and widening, the fiscal reforms that have earned us their respect.

To our investors, thank you for your valuable role in our development. I invite you to invest not only in factories and services, but in profitable infrastructure, following the formula for the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

I ask business and civil society to continue to work for a socially equitable, economically viable balance of interests. Mining companies should ensure that host communities benefit substantively from their investments, and with no environmental damage from operations.

Our administration enacted the Solid Waste Management Act, Wildlife Act, Protection of Plant Varieties, Clean Water Act, Biofuels Act and various laws declaring protected areas.
For reforestation, for next year we have budgeted P2 billion. Not only do forests enhance the beauty of the land, they mitigate climate change, a key factor in increasing the frequency and intensity of typhoons and costing the country 0.5% of the GDP.

We have set up over 100 marine and fish sanctuaries since 2001. In the whaleshark sanctuary of Donsol, Sorsogon, Alan Amanse, 40-year-old college undergraduate and father of two, was earning P100 a day from fishing and driving a tricycle. Now as whaleshark-watching officer, he is earns P1,000 a day, ten times his former income.

For clean water, so important to health, there is P500 million this year and P1.5 billion for next year.

From just one sanitary landfill in 2001, we now have 21, with another 18 in the works.
We launched the Zero Basura Olympics to clear our communities of trash. Rather than more money, all that is needed is for each citizen to keep home and workplace clean, and for garbage officials to stop squabbling.

Our investments also include essential ways to strengthen our institutions of governance in order to fight the decades-old scourge of corruption. I will continue to fight this battle every single day. While others are happy with headlines through accusation without evidence and privilege speeches without accountability, we have allocated more than P3 billion - the largest anti-graft fund in our history - for real evidence gathering and vigorous prosecution.

From its dismal past record, the Ombudsman's conviction rate has increased 500%. Lifestyle checks, never seriously implemented before our time, have led to the dismissal and/or criminal prosecution of dozens of corrupt officials.

I recently met with the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US agency that provides grants to countries based on governance. They have commended our gains, contributed P1 billion to our fight against graft, and declared us eligible for more grants. Thank you!

Last September, we created the Procurement Transparency Group in the DBM and linked it with business, academe, and the Church, to deter or catch anomalies in government contracts.
On my instruction, the BIR and Customs established similar government-civil society tie-ups for information gathering and tax evasion and smuggling monitoring.

More advanced corruption practices require a commensurate advances in legislative responses. Colleagues in Congress, we need a more stringent Anti-Graft Act.

Sa pagmahal ng bilihin, hirap na ang mamimili - tapos, dadayain pa. Dapat itong mahinto. Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na magpasa ng Consumer Bill of Rights laban sa price gouging, false advertising at iba pang gawain kontra sa mamimili.

I call on all our government workers at the national and local levels to be more responsive and accountable to the people. Panahon ito ng pagsubok. Kung saan kayang tumulong at dapat tumulong ang pamahalaan, we must be there with a helping hand. Where government can contribute nothing useful, stay away. Let's be more helpful, more courteous, more quick.
Kaakibat ng ating mga adhikain ang tuloy na pagkalinga sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. Iisa ang ating pangarap - maunlad at mapayapang lipunan, kung saan ang magandang kinabukasan ay hindi pangarap lamang, bagkus natutupad.

Sama-sama tayo sa tungkuling ito. May papel na gagampanan ang bawat mamamayan, negosyante, pinunong bayan at simbahan, sampu ng mga nasa lalawigan.

We are three branches but one government. We have our disagreements; we each have hopes, and ambitions that drive and divide us, be they personal, ethnic, religious and cultural. But we are one nation with one fate.

As your President, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people's wellbeing. Hindi ko papayagang humadlang ang sinuman sa pag-unlad at pagsagana ng taong bayan. I will let no one - and no one's political plans - threaten our nation's survival. Our country and our people have never failed to be there for us. We must be there for them now.

Maraming salamat. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.

The Subtle Knife

2008-07-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

When I started reading this book, I forgot that I have already partly watched the movie about the sequel before this book. The Subtle Knife is the continuation of Philip Pullmans The Golden Compass. Since, I did not realize that is the continuation of that story, I went on and read it. And I felt a tinge of dismay about how the author is trying to use his expert writing and great imagination to supply a very anti-Churh message.

I do not recommend this book to children and to those whose foundation to their faith is not settled yet. I am not sure if Brown (the author of the Da Vinci Code) and Pullman know each other. However, somehow it seem that they do not really believe in the Church and are total Anti-Church! It is that or they are just using this anti-Church plot to fuel a controversy that will allow their books to be controversial enough to be bought.

The story is really really good nonetheless. I just really hate how he used the church and the church based terms and then try to imbibe into the minds of the reader that the Authority (God) is the one who is bad. And that the cardinals and all that believe in the Church as the basis of evil and wrongdoings.

If only he didn't use the Church and the real God in his novel, I will say that he is a great writer. But he is not. He is an opportunistic delinquent whose aim is to earn money and nothing else.

Now that is a DNS Issue!!!

2008-07-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

I just read from an online news about an exploit code allowing someone to attack the domain name system (DNS) in the internet.

They are saying that this flaw is so critical that those in the know could easily cause the flow of internet traffic to be controlled. The news said that a group of elite computer engineers even had to labor in secret in order to develop a patch that will secure this apparent DNS vulnerability.
According to the person who discovered the vulnerability:

"This attack is very good. This attack is being weaponized out in the field. Everyone needs to patch, please, This is a big deal"

Even if I am not sure as to what this bug is, I felt that somehow the risk in internet security. So I followed the instruction given to find out if my own personal internet access is at risk. And this is the result:

" Your name server, at xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, appears vulnerable to DNS Cache Poisoning. All requests came from the following source port: 53. Due to events outside our control, details of the vulnerability have been leaked. Please consider using a safe DNS server, such as OpenDNS. Note: Comcast users should not worry. "

Comcast customers are lucky. Their ISP has somewhat covered up the bases. But how about the other Internet Service Providers. Is the local ISP, PLDT concerned about this? Anybody got any idea?

UAAP FEU Cager Shot At!!!

2008-07-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! The story about a UAAP basketball player, FEU Tamaraw forward Mac Baracael being shot at is truly huge!

But to add flavor to an already tasty news story, it seems that the motive behind the shooting is
related to the game of basketball. What?!!!!

Yes folks! The viral infection of what happened in the National Basketball Association (NBA)
concerning game fixing / cheating have reached the local shores. In this case, somehow cheaters in the game being played by FEU are said to be the suspects. Reports said that these cheaters are getting back at Baracael mainly because he 'squealed' about the involved individuals.

Now that is something!

The past few years, my interest in the local basketball leagues, (PBA, PBL, UAAP and NCAA
included) has really gone to a halt. No matter what the local basketball commentators and officials say, they can not hide the fact that the peoples interest in the game is at an all time low. Hell! even Ginebra chants sounds corny already.

It seem that the reason is coming to light. Could it be possible that these cheaters are not only
situated inside the walls of FEU? Could it be that even the amateur UAAP and the Pro-league games are affected? No wonder why Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas and the rotting Basketball Association of the Philippines BAP can not agree, if that is the case.

The game just got dirtier and boring... hmp!!!

manila Water : 2nd Edition

2008-07-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

WHOAH!!! Prompt actions deserve the warmest applause and the loudest kudos!!!

Manila Water has responded, decisively about my previous blog about them! You see, that previous item about Manila Water is actually an email message that I sent to every email address that I googled ending with @manilawater.com.

Unknowingly, it reached the the highest echelon of the water world. And the Water God, according to my sources, watered them all who had something to do with the said issue.

Thanks to Google! Thanks to the Water God! Thanks to the Martyr (you know who you are madam)... I do apologize to those who were fried in water... I did not mean to cause harm...

Right now, I do not have to pay for a whole year of water consumption. I do not have to deal with a useless callcenter and their OIC. I can drink water from the faucet again.

But wait! Water from our faucet?? No way, man!!!

Calling Grandeur Pure Drinking Water... One gallon please!

See! We do not use Manila Water's water... So its just fair that I not give a year's pay!!!

Mindanao

2008-07-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

In what could be the biggest breakthrough to date, the Philippine government and the Muslim separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front have agreed to dropping the word "Freedom" in the draft that would pave the way for the long-stalled peace talks to resume.

In a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Esperon stated that the agreement will now read, "The recognition and peaceful resolution of the conflict must involve consultations with the Bangsamoro people free of any imposition in order to provide chances of success and open new formulas that permanently respond to the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people."

Imagine how a seven letter word, which stands for nothing but rethoric, be of great value to achieving peace in Mindanao. Or is it?

One could easily put the kindest and most afable word in the context of that accord and yet still stray away from peace. The content of the mind and the motive of the heart does not always follow the warmth of a smile. For hidden desires will always be a stumbling block that should make it more harder for the proponents of this issue.

Not all Filipinos on both sides of the fence are excited about this development. There are those who have invested greatly in this conflict and would not want it to rightfully end. Remember that during the time of Erap, there are allegations that rouge elements of the military are the ones who themselves supplying arms and munitions to these rebels. Personal vendetta on both sides will not easily be bented as long as scores are not avenged. Some politicians who will lose grip of their turf once the BangsaMoro region is established will wholeheartedly desire that peace process fail. Sabotage, false accusations, deceit and lies will certainly come in handy for the shadows behind.

For all the hard hopes that we are pinning on this huge development, we should never ever forget that the real enemy of a peaceful Mindanao is cunning and much more evil. For now that freedom is not into play, comes the beginning of a whole new ballgame.

Manila Water

2008-07-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

My sister and I are renting an apartment here in Mandaluyong. We have been here since the year 2003.Our monthly consumption at that time runs between 60 to 100 pesos.

One to two years ago (I am not sure of the exact date), Manila water had a project of replacing all water meters in our street. Before they replaced the water meters for our compound, the one for my rented apartment is located 3rd from the right. After the replacement, the water meter for my apartment was placed 2nd from the right.

After this, my consumption immediately spiked to almost 700 pesos. I called the company call center and was subsequently told that it will be investigated and that I am going to be contacted. No one did. SO I went to the local office here in Mandaluyong. Again, I was told that an investigation will happen. For some reason, it seems that the call center and the local office are not communicating properly as they are telling me different reasons why my bill went up so drastically. I had to go back to the local office, just to be told that it was not Manila Waters fault why the reading went up. I informed them that this happened after the replacement of the water meters. I informed them that they may be reading the wrong meter (As I have said earlier, my water meter had been placed from third in the row to second in the row). I was just told to just pay for at leatst half of the 700 or so billing.

To avoid any further waste of time and trouble, I agreed.

So it went for many months, my water billing stayed well above the 100 peso maximum that I used to have. Sometimes it would even go up to more than 300 pesos. For two working persons, spending only 1/8th of their time at home and yet be able to consume that much water! We must be drowning already!

Just last month, our neighbors water service was cut by Manila Water!

Just last month, the local meter reader (his ID says Ronald is his name), informed me that he has been reading the wrong meter all along!!

And so again, I was told by the Manila Water call center that it is going to be investigated. And so again, I had to go to the local office because their call center kept on saying that they can't do anything about and that I have to wait from someone from the local office. And so again I was told by the local office that the issue is going to be investigated. And then, when they talked to my sister, they said that the billing will be adjusted.

LO AND BEHOLD!!! My bill for the month of July 2008 just showed up!!! And here is what it says:

"Mahal Naming Katubig:

Nais po naming ipaalam na ang inyong bayarin sa tubig para sa buwan ng Hulyo ay P1,322.32. Maaari po lamang na bayaran ito bago mag-Hulyo 19, 2008 upang maiwasang maputulan ng serbisyo ng tubig.

Maraming Salamat po! "

WAT DA!!!?!?!?! Anak ng tokwa!! E lumaki pa ah!!!

So I called the call center again. Call center agent told me that his name is "something". Then he told me that someone from the local office (territory manager) is going to call me in a few minutes. No one called. So I called back. I talked to Kim. Kim told me that the person I talked to earliers name is actually is Mel P. Heck he gave me another name earlier. The guys are giving me the run arounds (except for kim, she is not really helpful but quite sympathetic to the cause, I should say.)! And so I talked to an OIC (How come they always say that they do not have a manager around and that they are always on a meeting..), the OIC kept telling me that according to the records there is nothing wrong with the reading as it was an actual reading.

Man!!! Who said that that was not actual reading??? It was an actual reading alright! And actual reading of somebody else's consumption!!! Why should I pay for someone else's thirst quenching!!!???

Now, I am putting my fate again to the utter brilliance of these investigators from Manila Water. And guess what? I think that they will be brilliant enough once again to tell me that something is going to be done for the benefit of their beloved customer.

Please, I want this to be fully investigated. Starting before the time the meters were replaced. And I want my refund to be computed. It has become a headache already. I wish there are other water carriers...

iPhone 3G

2008-07-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Folks! History has been made. Jonny Boy of Auckland is the very first earthling to own the new iPhone 3G at 8AM EST time zone in The Land Down Under The Land Down Under. As soon as I learned that the new iPhone is going to first come out in New Zealand, I immediately ask my brother who lives there if he can grab one for me. I would love to be the first one to get a hold of the newest ultimate gadget to hit the world. especially if I am here in the Philippines.

Now, I am not really a tech gadget fanatic. In fact the cellphone that I currently have is still my good old 2nd hand Nokia 6600 model which I got from my sister. However, so much talk has been focused on the new iPhone model, I started to crave for it. I thought it is either I will have it or I will give it as a gift to my lovely girlfriend of almost seven years as an anniversary gift this July.

The initial reviews however seem to be dampening the hype, and my craving. Somehow, server glitches are causing too much trouble for the new iPhone pioneer users that they could not even use it to make calls. There seems to be an activation problem. De javu! I thought this happened already before.

However, iPhone 3G is still better than the original iPhone. Features like support for third-party software from the iPhone Apps store, improved GPS capabilities, better 3G wireless network capability and Microsoft exchange server e-mail will sure attract more customers. And the price is really affordable that it is really becoming more of a reality to be bought by the mainstream guys.

The latest news in the country is that it may still take sometime for it to be released. According to Globe, it is still later in the year before iPhone lands at NAIA. So for now, I still am waiting for my big brother to get me one. Go Bro!!!

jOb oPening : Senior Call Center Associates : OAM

2008-07-11T17:47:00.001-07:00

Open Access Marketing (OAM) is a leading global business process outsourcing (BPO) company that specializes in providing a wide range of front to back-office outsourcing solutions. The company's aim is to bridge the outsourcing gap by becoming an integral and integrated part of top organizations while delivering the cost savings of an outsourced solution. The company services include, but are not limited to:

Inbound Technical Support
Appointment Setting
Lead Generation
Telemarketing
Inbound Direct Sales
Customer Service
Data Entry, Mining & Cleansing
Research & Analysis
eCommerce Management
Search Engine Optimization and
Management Virtual Workforce

Senior Call Center Associates

Open Access Marketing is seeking experienced and talented call center associates to work on a U.S.-based call center campaign. The associate will handle inbound and outbound calls from U.S. callers in order to qualify them for the client's services.The applicant must have an excellent command of the English language and a college degree. Previous call center experience is highly desired. Strong work ethic and desire to excel in a dynamic team based environment.

Location: Leviste Street, Makati City
Wage/Salary: Dependent on Experience
Company: Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc
Email: careers@openaccessmarketing.com

jOb oPening : Inbound Customer and Technical Support : OAM

2008-07-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

Inbound Customer and Technical Support
Appointment Setting
Lead Generation
Telemarketing
Inbound Direct Sales
Customer Service
Data Entry, Mining & Cleansing
Research & Analysis
eCommerce Management
Search Engine Optimization and
Management Virtual Workforce

Open Access Marketing Philippines, Inc is seeking several experienced INBOUND CUSTOMER & TECHNICAL SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVES for a growing client in our Makati, Philippines headquarters.You will be working alongside a strong, American managed team with over 25 years of U.S. telemarketing experience and an experienced, dedicated and energetic domestic team of team leads and managers. You will be entering as Batch 2 for the client which leaves a tremendous amount of opportunity for growth.We are seeking those with 1-2 years of call center experience, preferably in an inbound technical support role with extensive customer service skills. Fluency on all aspects of the computer is required, specifically: Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and the internet. English fluency (reading/writing/speaking) is a must. We prefer those with college degrees, but again, if you think you have the skills and talent, we encourage you to apply.Benefits include full Maxicare HMO coverage paid for by the company, bonus opportunities, paid time off, and a pleasant working environment. We guarantee that this will be the most enjoyable work environment you have ever been at. Please email us your resumes and make sure to put "Inbound CSR" in the subject field. We need to hire several people immediately. Please visit www.openaccessmarketing.com for more information about Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc.

City/Town: Leviste Street, Makati City
Wage/Salary: 24,000 - 26,000
Company: Open Access Marketing Philippines Inc
Email: careers@openaccessmarketing.com

Please leave a comment if you are interested and the best way to contact you.

Rice issue Or Price issue???

2008-04-15T08:43:00.000-07:00

The world is in chaos. First the effects of global warming are causing nations to bow out and be subjected to displacements, death and total destructions. The war in Iraq and other Middle Eastern problems causes worldwide implications most specifically in oil prices.

In the Philippines, the never ending rift between pro and anti-glorias caused most Filipinos to be alienated altogether by the contending parties’ utter disregard for the REAL implications of their actions. Heck, even the Church which is supposed to be our last reliable pillar has been dragged and is continually dragging itself into the problem rather than become a source of the solution.

And now!!! Lo and Behold!!! They are saying that there is an issue about rice shortage!!! Yet about this one, I think I may have some reservations.

The first thing that came to my in when I heard this in the news: “For real???”.

I just can’t believe that this has become a problem in a country where the damned revered-worldwide International Rice Research Institute is based. I mean, who could believe such a thing??? Your country has the leading research group about rice and yet still loose rice!!! What a loser!!!

It just so happened I passed by a local dealers’ storage facility and guess what I saw? Two 16 wheeler trucks filled with sacks and sacks and sacks of rice. Is that shortage??? Nope!!! I call that oversupply!!!

So where did all this rice shortage fantasy come from?

It came from the shortage in Price not Rice!!! Simple example about how the Law of Supply and Demand works!!! Very much like oil!!! Now the hoarders are at work because all of these “rice shortage rumors”! Prices are going up just like what the ‘mongers hope would happen.

What can I do? Nothing!!! Why? Because the country is run by the few lucky ones who control the wheeling and dealing of everything nice in this country! Too bad I am in the unlucky group.

I hope these rice traders issue receipt whenever we buy a kilo of rice from them. That is so that there could be a tracking system on whether they really are selling their stacks. How many did they buy and how many did they sell?

They say that stoppage in land conversion is going to solve the issue. Do you think you can stop them land converters when the biggest beneficiary of land conversion is currently sitting as head of the Philippine Senate??? Pray on suckers!!!