DisKorner

Browbeat

2012-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Not all snakes are in the forest sometimes they're in your workplace. Creepy huh?

Everyone has to work to live but some people just wont let you survive. You know what I mean. Being friendly isn't really bad at all but always remember that not all of them will be true to you. As an old saying goes, "It is hard to find a true friend." Some will act like they are on your side to deceive you. But don't despair since there are people who will be willing to help you along the way.

In an office environment, being good in the eyes of your boss is the best thing to do. Do your job properly and try to learn everyday to enhance your skills. When your boss sees your effort and potential, some of your senior co-employees will surely be jealous about it. Now this is when office bullies start to feel the fire in their bottoms. They usually feel threatened and think that you will be their rival when it comes to pleasing the clients. An office bully can be your supervisor or manager but most of the time the bullying is done by coworkers who are either attempting to advance in the ranks by any means possible.

Here are the clues that you are being bullied:

- You constantly feel disturbed and uneasy, that you would be in trouble anytime

- Bullies are more likely to spread half-truths, gossips and lies about you or your performance

- They may always criticize everything you do not to help you but to embarrass you

If you are a victim of a workplace bully, then your best option is to tell your boss. Just keep your cool when doing this because you are being professional here. However, if you think that you wont receive the support that you need from your company then it could be time to move on and find a healthier workplace.

“Any one who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother is still in the darkness.” 1 John 2:9

“Envy rots the bones” Proverbs 14:30

Misunderstood

2011-10-21T02:21:00.000-07:00

Sadly, being misunderstood is part of the Christian path in life. Most of us have experienced this. Some people just simply misjudge your actions. They would say bad things about you and persecute you.

The Bible says in

Matthew 5:39 New International Version (NIV)

³⁹ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

You might probably say that being nice to all isn't nice after all. I believe it still is! Just accept the fact that there will always be someone who wont be pleased. I tell you, it is impossible to please everyone but you can always be nice.

Remember: Judging you as a person does not define who you are. It defines who they are.

Matthew 5:11-12 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

So if you think you are in this situation, the best thing to do is to pray for those people and rely on His words. Trust me, everything will be just fine.

God is your best friend!

Besides, you are here to please Him not them. If you have Him then you have everything.

How to do it? Read here.

Do What You Love

2011-10-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was stunned this morning when I saw the news about Steve Jobs. I said, "Oh my God, he's gone!". I remember I used to tell his life story to my students since I handled computer science and information technology classes before. Do you know the movie entitled "Pirates of the Silicon Valley"? They loved it and learned how these two magnates met, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

In 2004, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his pancreas and was successfully removed in July 2004. In 2009, Jobs underwent a liver transplant after having some health issues. After two years, he resigned from his role as the CEO of Apple, Inc. in August 24, 2011. He said the he could no longer perform his duties.

Here is what he said on his speech, "How to live before you die.":

You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. ~ Steve Jobs

He was right, you should do what you love and always strive for something better. I'll keep that in mind.

Jobs has three kids and he died peacefully today surrounded by his loving family.

Love Ko 'To

2011-09-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

After six years of hiatus, my voice is finally back on the air. Thanks to the people who trusted me. Six years ago I was working as a radio deejay so basically I was being heard on the air almost everyday for three years. Just last week I was given a chance by the producer, Mr. Steve Vesagas together with Lei Hossenzadeh to audition for McDonald's commercial as the male voice over. Thankfully I caught the attention of the client so I was chosen to be the announcer. Please see the following videos:

Client: McDonald's Philippines

Agency: Leo Burnett Manila

Executive Creative Director: Raoul Panes

Creative Director: Dante Dizon

Art Director: Ryan Giron, Carlo Cruz

Copywriter: Niño Gupana

Producer: Steve Vesagas, Lei Hosseinzadeh

Accounts: Sue Ann Nolido, Maik Alturas, Tria Sordan

Director: Carlo Directo

Production House: Pabrika

Post Production: Optima Digital

Few weeks before I joined the McDo commercial, I was also given an opportunity to be a character voice over for Nescafe' 3 in 1 Sweet 'N Mild commercial. Check out this video and look for the guy who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

The first producer who gave me a break after six years is Mr. Lester Parulan. He chose me to be a character voice in one of his projects for Smart telecommunications. Here is my line.

"It's all under control. Message sent to all."

You can download the radio commercial from this link.

To see some of my demos, please check this page.

By the way, I'd also like to thank Eric Adorable, Glenn Mariano and Ramir Tiamzon, senior sound engineers of Hit Productions for their effort. Thanks too to all our bosses and the whole staff of this wonderful company.

Of course, thank you my Lord for blessing me!

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."

Proverbs 16:3

Newly Uploaded McDo TVC

Long Weekend

2011-08-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Today is Saturday, I decided to take advantage of the long weekend and most of my colleagues are preparing for it because they already received their salaries last Thursday. Well our allowances as trainees were also included and I thank God since honestly I am already in need for a recharge. My work ended at around seven in the evening last Friday and I found out that the holidays fall on August 29 Monday (National Heroes Day) and August 30 Tuesday (End of Ramadan).

Four days of rest.... ahhh thank goodness.

I hurriedly packed my things and went to Pasay City to catch the Philtranco bus going to Bicol. Well I was planning to go to Cubao since that is where most of the buses are waiting. But since the traffic was really heavy, I just went to Pasay to take my chances. A lot of passengers were trying to get their tickets and it was already passed eight in the evening. Few more hours and you can call it done and the next set of trips will be opened the next day. I asked the ticket teller for the schedule but she told me that there were no available seats anymore. The terminal was full packed and most of them were chance passengers! I asked the security guy how will I be able to get on board if I am a chance passenger. He told me that I must talk to the driver and he will decide if I can join the trip. So I went to one of the buses and luckily I was given a chance to be with them. The guy told me that seat number 34 was free. So pretty lucky! But when I went to that seat, someone was already in it. Should I get off the bus? Of course not! So I just sit on the floor just right beside the comfort room which you can never afford to appreciate since the smell of that little uncomfy thing is so terrible whenever someone used it. My nose is the most sensitive among my five senses. But because I really wanted to go home, I just forced myself to get used to it. Thankfully I had my Bench body spray with me.

So here's what happened, the lady bus conductor still charged me seven hundred fifty pesos. That is exactly the fare going to Naga City and she even gave me a ticket but the date she put on that ticket was July 2010. So I am pretty sure that she was using an expired ticket just to show that she was issuing one. She didn't even give me a discount for not having a proper place to sit in. Well since I am not that hard to deal with, I just let it passed.

I had not eaten dinner yet, fortunately I had two packs of Milo in my bag. This temporarily relieved my hunger but experts say that you should never eat sugar when you're hungry because it will surely make you feel more hungry. Not advisable for people who need to reduce weight. But in my case, my metabolism is fast so that doesn't really matter at all. I was thankful when the bus fetched some passengers at the South terminal. I thought we were going to eat first before leaving but we didn't. So I only bought two pieces of Mister donuts, just quite enough to temporarily relieve the discomfort.

We stopped at Pinky's Lodge in Gumaca Quezon at around two thirty in the morning. We ate and rested there for awhile. Yes finally, I had my dinner early... early in the morning. After that short break we traveled four more hours before we reached our destination. Since my town is two more hours away from Naga City, I had to take another bus for that.

Whew! What a trip.

That was the first time I traveled without a proper seat. But everything went fine so it's worth the pain. What's important is I am already here at the comfort of our home now. Enjoying every minute of this long weekend.

Let us all be thankful that we have these days to relax. But did you know that the best way to rest is to cast your anxieties on God? Wanna know why? Because He cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7

Happy long weekend everyone! Take care.

Hit Exposure

2011-07-29T00:38:00.000-07:00

I am currently being trained as an audio editor or sound engineer in Hit Productions, Inc. This is the best audio-post production house in the country. We started the training last June 1 and we are now heading for the third month. I have always wanted to join this company so I am trying hard to cope. I understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.

So far almost everything seems to be clear now. I can at least create a professional audio piece for a TV commercial. Thanks to our senior audio engineers for sharing their knowledge. Of course, thanks to our bosses for giving us the chance to train in our state of the art studios.

I know that I still have a lot of things to learn. As what other people say "Marami ka pang kakaining bigas" but I am sure that we will get there 'cos our training will run for six months.

Six month training just like Manny Pacquiao!

The following ads below are my practice files. I created the audio part of these plus I recorded my voice as the announcer. Please be the judge.

Newly Uploaded!

You can see my real projects here.

Battle City

2011-06-15T18:58:00.000-07:00

Metro Manila is infamous for its terrible traffic. Trips that suppose to take twenty minutes will continue to an hour or more particularly on peak hour. The best solution to solve this problem is to buy your own chopper! Naahh... get your own car! Wenk!...

or better yet take the MRT (Metro Rail Transit). It is the fastest method of transport along EDSA. This service can hold approximately 684,000 people a day since it operates from 5:30 AM until 11:00 PM every day.

My new job requires me to report in Makati from Monday to Friday at nine in the morning. My goal everyday is to wake up at around six to catch the train by seven thirty since I stay in Don Antonio Commonwealth Quezon City and I must wrestle with hundreds of people just to be able to get inside the train station.

Can you handle that? Just imagine how bad it is 'cos the fragrance of a newly bathed body will surely disappear when you start rubbing those sweaty commuters!

Although it is milder in the morning as majority of them have definitely took a shower before leaving their house. This is quite a big challenge for me because I have a very sensitive sense of smell. I can even detect a spoiled food from a mile (exaggeration I know... but I tell you it's really sensitive).

I usually access the Quezon Avenue station since that is the nearest station from my place. But one time I rode a wrong jeepney and it took me to GMA Kamuning station. It will take forever before you can get onto the train if you will try this station because the train is usually full by the time it reaches that terminal. So I went to the other side of the rail to catch the train there and went back to North Avenue. That is the trick, if you want to be on the train first, be in that station so you can choose your comfortable post. Thank God I was still able to reach the office on time.

So tired... see those bags? Very tiring.

Two days ago, a group of security guards together with their bosses took over our place in Don Antonio Heights and declared that area as a government property. We were ordered to leave the building within the day and we were harassed by disconnecting our electricity and water lines. These people were authorized by the rapacious city mayor. This city manager with an attitude problem was a former slapstick actor.

So now I need to have a place where I can stay. Yesterday I went to my former land lady in Makati to check her boarding houses. I was hoping that she would show me a vacant room for myself since I can't share a room with anyone unless that person is my wife. Some of the all-male rooms have vacant beds but I really cannot sleep in it. I admit that I am quite picky when it comes to choosing a room. I am sorry for that but I only want to have a clean and decent place. And of course, privacy is important don't you agree? Do you think you can relax if you see some used clothes of your roommates hanging around the room and your bed looks like a sanctuary for bedbugs? Haha! I don't think so.

Life is really hard in this city and I really miss home in times like these. Consider yourself so lucky if you have your own place to stay and probably you haven't tried the MRT yet 'cos you have your own car. I may not have these things right now but I still hold on to God's promises that He will never leave or forsake me. I believe that if I have God, I have everything I need. Easy Ron, as what Shawn Mullins said that everything's gonna be alright, rockabye, rockabye.

Good Luck Or Good Faith?

2011-05-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Me and my friends used to listen to our favorite radio program when we were in high school. I said to myself that I'll be a DJ one day. Luckily, I was able to fulfill that dream after five years of stargazing and practicing (acting like a DJ while playing my playlist). I even got that job even before I finished my college degree. I stayed in Radio GMA Network, Inc. for three years and the experience was unforgettable. I am really thankful to God that He allowed me to go through that since it made me develop my self confidence. We were the undisputed radio in Albay since 1998 until the time when my colleagues and I left our manager due to irreconcilable differences (haha! it sounded like a divorce).

One day in 2005, I decided to try my luck in Manila for the first time. I was told that I should try the call center industry since I already had the skill to speak and use English quite fluently. It was not an easy task to do because I was not familiar with the place and I almost got lost in Ayala Avenue. Good thing my aunt was there to guide me by phone. My other aunt also tried to help me out by showing me the places where I was going to take my exams. After series of tries, I was able to land a job in one of the best call centers in the country. I had my first experience as a technical support call center agent in (now defunct) eTelecare Global Solutions. I stayed there until 2007. I went home since I had to undergo surgery (related story here) then I decided to rest so I resigned. I enjoyed my vacation until it lasted for more than a year! I remember my friend used to give me some projects just not to waste my time. We were making some blogs (content writing) and were being paid for that.

When my sister was still alive (read my blog about her), she told me to try teaching in college. Since she was the one who kept on encouraging me to try new things, I followed her advice so I passed my resume to the dean. I got hired right away and he gave me two classes to handle. I was also handling two classes every weekend in the main campus of Bicol University. I enjoyed the job so much in spite of what I discovered in the university. Since I did not want to smell like a rotten fish, I decided to distance myself from those wicked people (Proverbs 24:1). That was fine with me since I always believe that God sees all things.

Looking a job in the province is hard due to the scarcity of it. So I decided to go back to Manila and look for one. I live in Commonwealth Quezon City and every time I passed by the Techno Hub park where the IBM is located, I always prayed that I would someday be able to work in that company. As luck would have it, God didn't fail me since I was able to pass the interviews in IBM Global Process Services when I went there for the first time. This year Fortune ranked IBM the 18th largest firm in the US and the 7th most profitable. Globally, it was ranked 33rd largest firm by Forbes last year. I decided to work there since I did not want to waste my time looking for something that was hard to find. I really wanted to join a media or an advertising company. Since prolonging the job hunting demands a lot of money (which was my main concern), I decided to join IBM to gain more experience while waiting for my preferred job. My job was to support Skype customers through email and chat. I stayed there for ten months only because I really wanted to get a job outside the BPO industry. Now I already found the job that I was aiming for so I decided to resign the other day and my boss (my best boss so far) told me that I can always go back anytime.

My new job will start this June 1 and I am so happy that I will be working for the country's leading supplier of sound and music for advertising. I was right when I said in my previous blog that a new career will be launched this year.

God is really kind. He knows and He provides what we need. When you need something ask Him and for sure He will answer. My faith takes me to where I should be and He makes me the person He wants me to be. Just ask for forgiveness and pray, be faithful to Him because believe me when I tell you this; you cannot live a fruitful and rewarding life without Jesus. God blesses those people who depend only on him. So why not start talking to Him right now? Go ahead because He is there... waiting.

When Dawn Breaks

2011-04-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you listened to an AM station? Don't you miss the mono sound of it? I understand that most of us are now hooked to FM stations which normally cater Pop, R&B, or Rock music genres. As expected if you have an mp3 player, you would rather listen to your own type of music right?

I remember when I was a little kid, my parents used to tune in to their favorite AM program as early as 4am. In one of my blogs here, I mentioned the distinction between the AM and FM stations. You would really know the difference merely by listening to the way the anchors talk. Back in the days, AM stations used to talk in our local vernacular (Bicol). Well, the last time I checked, they still do until this day. I recall the times when my grand mother was tuning in to "Matud Nila", her preferred radio drama every noon time and the "Gabi ng Lagim" (Gloom of Night?) which still runs until today. It is the longest running radio play which airs nightly over DZRH. You can read more about my radio blogs here.

I usually go home from work at 4am and there is one AM station that made me decide to tune in just like in the old days. This radio is 702 DZAS (Agapay ng Sambayanan), a Christ centered station and one of the oldest radio stations still functioning today. You can check their schedule here. Their first show in the morning at 4:45am is "Buena Mano" which runs for 15 minutes only from Monday-Saturday. The pastor usually talks about a verse in the Bible and explains it in a simple manner so that a lot of people would understand the word. Since I reach home when they start their day, I always make sure to catch them before I go to sleep.

Why don't you try to learn God's words first thing in the morning? I tell you, it is the most relaxing way to start your day. You will feel relieved and strong if you commence your day with our Lord. We both know that somehow you run to Him when your heart breaks. So why not have the 15 minute break with Him before dawn breaks? Click here to listen.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Regally Bald

2011-04-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

I watched the most awaited wedding of Prince William and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton awhile ago. Everything was just perfect! The bride was stunning while the groom is so much causing envy. The long preparation for the wedding has paid off and everyone looked so excited for the couple.

There were three things I had noticed that were quite uncommon for everyone. Firstly, the ceremony was fast-paced since both of them went to giving vows the moment they reached the altar. Secondly, there was no wedding ring for the prince. No reason was given by the palace. And finally, the most anticipated moment for every wedding was not there too. Want to guess what it was?

Well, I am talking about the "you may now kiss the bride" scene. According to John Hall , the Dean of Abbey,

"There will be no kiss during the wedding ceremony. We don't do that in the Church of England. That's sort of a Hollywood thing: 'You may now kiss the bride.' It doesn't happen here."

Only at the balcony of Buckingham Palace could this scene may take place. William and Kate had planned the time and the way they would do the kiss to make sure that they would have a good angle for the international press. The kiss, according to the report took place at exactly 1:25 PM.

On the balcony at Buckingham Palace

Talking about the angle of the shot, look how the prince hid his crown. Many of the spectators who were watching the television had noticed his thinning top. Please right-click the image below and open in a new tab to see some of the tweets:

Although, that did not really matter but what would you expect from these intolerant viewers. I have been watching Prince William's thinning hair closely for quite sometime since that is one thing we have in common aside from having almost the same height, age, and of course we are both good-looking (ehem! - clearing throat). Check out this page to see the person he closely resembles. I already mentioned this in my blog that bald is sexy. I think the prince is just confident on the way he looks. What is wrong with having this kind of hairstyle, besides he has the most beautiful wife that neutralizes the unfortunate view. No matter how he appears in your scrutinizing eyes, you can no longer change the reality that most beautiful girls love bald (-ing) guys.

Hmm... but where is my beautiful girl? I think my future Kate does'nt realize that I am here looking for her. Oh girl, please come and I will sing this song for you:

Forever can never be long enough for me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now, we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do

Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way

Marry me today and every day
Marry me if I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will, say you will
~ Train~

Check this page: Top 10 Hairstyles for Thinning Hair

In The Third Decade

2011-03-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

February 2011 was the most difficult month for me. In February 17, I started feeling bad just right after I logged out from work. I had a terrible cough and fever that day, so I decided to visit the nearest hospital. The doctor said I had an allergy and flu. He gave me some medicines to deal with the awful feeling. I followed the doctor's medication but it seemed like it worsen the situation. So I went back to my doctor and told him about it. He didn't quite address my concern but he referred me to an ENT specialist. The new specialist found nothing although he gave me a nasal spray. The most irritating thing was that the nasal spray also made my condition worse. So I decided to be admitted in a different hospital.

February 21 Monday, my aunt and I went to Capitol Medical Center. I was really not feeling okay that time, I had rashes all over my body and severe flu. The moment we entered the emergency room, I noticed one thing in that hospital. The nurses and the doctors were very attractive! I almost instantaneously felt good the moment I saw their faces. They were checking my blood pressure and temperature while allowing me to write my personal information on a sheet of paper. Good thing, I had my health card, courtesy of my company. To make the story short, everything was covered by my insurance card.

I stayed in the hospital for a week and I was always being monitored by my personal doctor (Edgardo A. Navarrette, MD) everyday. The nurses were good and very accommodating. On the first day when I was admitted, I saw Empoy Marquez, the funny guy on television. Maybe he was getting a medical certificate at that time. I told him,"It's nice to see you..." He probably was thinking who the hell I was since my face was really swelling and I looked like a drunk guy because I felt like I was swaying when I went to the insurance office to activate my card.

Terrible cough and constant fever paved my way on my first few days in the hospital. Thank goodness it all disappeared on the 6th day. The doctor said that I was good to go and just continue my medication at home. I left my father at the hospital because when he visited me on the 4th day, he was not able to urinate due to his prostate problem.

Imagine we were both being admitted in the same hospital. Just guess how big the bill was. Good thing I was covered by my insurance. My father had a huge bill since he underwent an operation. Thanks to his sister and my helpful brother in law for handling this matter. If only my health card covers my dependents, this wouldn't be an issue. But I think all companies nowadays are cost cutting that is why they don't allow our dependents to utilize our health card. Unlike 6 years ago, my former company gave us 500,000 pesos worth of health insurance which they divided into two. Two hundred fifty thousand for my parents and the other half was mine. Today, we are only being insured with an amount of 90, 000 pesos for every illness. Well it's better than none. My father is currently staying in his youngest sister's house because he still needs to visit his doctor within this week. He might go home next week after his check up.

I decided to go home to Bicol because I wanted to celebrate my birthday in our house. March 4, 2011, yesterday was my big day. Most of my guy friends came over to celebrate my occasion. My friend John Paul was the one who prepared my two requested pastas (tuna and white spaghetti). We bought the ingredients from the nearest grocery store while I let my mother checked for some good foodstuff in the market. Since I don't know how to cook (what would you expect), I let him do his thing. My mother also made her special recipe for me. The results were mouth-watering. That is why my birthday was a blast!

What's next for me? I promised myself that I will start engaging with the things that I'd really love doing this year. A new career shall be launched this year. Wondering what this might be? Well, let's just wait and see since this will happen in God's time. I am being patient and I wouldn't be wasting the next decade of my life.

Please check my blog about my sister here.

Travel Like A Tourist

2011-01-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

Today is my first day off of the week. I went to Trinoma mall after I logged out from work at around 10:30 am to watch a movie or two or even three! I can watch them in one day, that's how addicted I am when it comes to movies. This is the real movie marathon since I am doing it in the cinema. The experience is totally fulfilling compared to just watching them on my laptop or TV. Much worse is when you're watching them on a pirated disc, yikes! That's terrible because you wont feel the quality of the story and besides, you become a thief when you watch a pirated one. That's so cheap. You better get a job for you to be able to buy a copy or see them on a big screen. I am not saying that I never had a chance to watch a pirated movie. That is why I am telling you now that it is not really good since it is just a waste of time.

So I watched The Tourist and Gulliver Travels 3D awhile ago. Johnny Depp is still the best! If I am gonna be an actor, I will do my best to work with him. That if...I'm gonna be one. But why not!?

This guy is really good in selecting his role. You wouldn't believe me if I say that I was really smiling when I was going out of the theater. I don't know why but I think it's because I felt so relieved and it gave me more enthusiasm to pursue my dreams! To be the personal assistant of Mr. Depp. Haha! But kidding aside, I am really into movies. Film industry is my first love. I declare that someday, I will be one of the characters in his movie!

Ehem.... Ron!? Wake up!!!

On the other hand, The Gulliver Travels by Jack Black is also worth watching. I chose the 3D version of it after I watched the first one. I never had the chance to watch a 3D movie so I grabbed the opportunity. Since it was a special version, of course the price is doubled. I put on the special glasses and we started watching the movie. Hmm well, honestly I did not like the 3D experience. It made my eyes terribly hurt! I should have watched it on a normal mode (the traditional 2D format). Probably, I might get used to it. I am not closing door to 3D films, we'll see... but I tell you.. my eyes are still hurting. AAaaOuch!

For Hair's Sake!

2010-12-20T13:39:00.000-08:00

Since I am always on a night shift, I usually go home from work at around eight in the morning. One day, I decided to visit my hairstylist because I wanted a good haircut. Well this hair just gives me trouble because of its condition. After my haircut, I decided to go to a drugstore to get the solution that I always use for my hair. It's a minoxidil which I have already discussed here before.

So after paying for it, the pharmacist introduced a product called Novuhair. It is a natural solution to hair fall! I asked for the price and I heard she said, “It’s two eighty, sir". Since I thought it was cheaper than what I just paid for (P700+). I really wanted to go home because I was really sleepy, so I said "Okay, let me try it...". She got my debit card and she then swiped it. I was unaware that it was going to be a disaster.

As I was walking home, I decided to check the receipt and to my surprise, the amount was not "two eighty" but it was two thousand eight hundred pesos! I said, "son of a thousand thunder!".

In short, I was ashamed and I did not go back to ask for a refund! My money before the purchase was only three thousand five hundred. Now I am left with almost nothing. I am a week away from my pay day and you better be working hard Novuhair or else!

This new product is proudly Filipino made, and I am not sure if this will work (I don't really believe in it... I feel like I was cheated hehe). I think as a new comer in this industry, this product is so expensive for the consumers. I'd rather buy Biohairs!

I am crossing my fingers and hoping that this will somehow work. You can check their website for more information.

NU 107's Retirement

2010-11-07T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hiss is the new sound of the once loudest and most influential Rock station in Metro Manila. I am talking about the recently defunct NU107. I only knew about their departure last Thursday when I was at work since we have a radio on the production floor. One of my colleagues set the frequency to 107.5. He is a fan of NU but he was unaware that he was listening to the last days of his favorite station. I told him about it when I heard the jock saying good bye on air. I checked the Net to confirm, and it was true, they were really doing their final shows. So I told him about it and he was shocked and I saw the sadness in his eyes. He was close to tears when I told him that it was the station’s last days.

I was listening awhile ago to their last 30 minutes on the air. Every DJ who became part of the station was given the chance to say their last lines and play their last songs. I was feeling sad for them because I know how it feels to leave your show. I remember when I was still working as a jock; I was not given the chance to thank my three-year hard earned audience. It was lucky for them since they had a professional manager while I got the most unprofessional one in the industry. He's got an attitude (of an animal) and no wonder why his name is St. Bernard.

I admit that I am not really into Rock music but there are some notable rock songs that I sing along with. I can listen to any type of music, from Jazz, Pop, RnB, Rock and even Oldies! So I think Rock occupies 20% of my body. But it still depends on my mood. When I feel like banging my head, Rock eats me up. Back when I was in the radio industry, I had a radio program called Progressive Sunday. This show was featuring the best known rock songs from the 80’s up to the present (of that time in 2005). I was handling that show from 9am-12nn. That was the most imitated and listened to rock program in Legazpi City every Sunday back when it started in 1998 until it was entrusted to me in 2003. The distasteful manager changed the format in 2006 and removed this show from the list since he knows nothing and he could not sustain it. Poor guy, he just doesn't know how to play the game right.

The listeners of NU could have done something to save their favorite station. We all know why this station is closing and it's due to lack of profits. Next time if you want your station to stay then patronize their client's services and buy their products. So be a responsible listener! This is how you can help your favorite jocks too. It is a commercial radio station and there's no way to survive but to sell.

Put Yourself In My Shoes

2010-10-25T03:55:00.000-07:00

Last year my Aunt gave me a pair of Wilson white tennis shoes. Sadly, it has already reached its limit because I kept on using it almost everyday for more than a year. So I had to get a new pair of rubber shoes. But I only had a fix budget because I still had to pay for my monthly rent. So I searched the Net and thank God I found a blog telling about Cheap Rubbershoes Outlets In The Philippines.

To make this short, I went to The Sports Warehouse in Libis, Quezon City near Club 650. I don't play basketball that is why I chose the Nike "walking" shoes on display. I purchased it for less because they were offering 20% discount for that item. Just in time for my insufficient funds. This is the first item I bought for myself since I started working for IBM last August 2010. I am planning to buy another pair this week so that it wont wear out fast.

Kwentong Fita (A Fita Story)

2010-10-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

I discovered that barter system can still be used today even in transportation. I was going to work one morning and I only had 100 peso bill . I handed it to the jeepney driver but he said he got no coins left. He told me that I could pay for the fare for any amount. I only had 4 peso coins in my purse and the fare cost nine pesos.

As I was checking my pouch, I found my Fita cracker in one of my pockets because I was wearing a pair of cargo jeans. I tapped and asked the driver if that was enough; four pesos plus a pack of cracker! He took it with a smile, so I said thank you.

From now on, I will always carry a Fita with me. I never expected that it's good for emergency use.

Remembering My Sister

2010-09-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

It's been three months since my sister kicked the bucket. I have always wanted to write something about her but it seems so hard for me to start my first word. I admit that I still cannot move on. It is hard to let go of her memories. I went to work in Makati City five years ago and I remember we were on our first day for our voice and accent training when I cried because I was asked what to do if I had one million dollars. I said I would give it to the cancer research institute to help them find ways to cure my sister's illness. That was months after she was diagnosed of cancer. It was hard for me to carry on but I knew it must have been harder for her.

Every time she crosses my mind, I recall she was telling me a story for me to fall asleep on a gloomy Saturday afternoon twenty four years ago. When I hear a certain song on the radio, it usually reminds me of the time when she and I were singing in front of a cassette recorder to record our song. Whenever I see a kite in the sky, I think of her when she was flying one. My father used to make those and we all tried them on our rooftop.

My sister was the one who trained me in solving math problems and in writing my compositions too. One morning when I woke up, she told me that she saw a lizard went into my cabinet. So I hurriedly checked it out but when I opened it I saw her gift for me. She gave me a pair of goggles which we used when we went swimming. She used to scare me with that scary mask we had. She kept on laughing at me because I was really afraid of it. We used to sing together whenever there was a moon. Singing and wishing whenever we saw a falling star too.

I am writing this article in between sighs and sobs. In fact, today while I am writing this third paragraph, it is now the fifth month since she left. Just imagine how hard it is for me to finish this story because I honestly don't want this to end. One night, I dreamed about her so I went to our home in the province two weeks ago. I felt like I had to do something for her. Many months ago she told me that she wanted to come home too to fix her belongings she left behind when she went abroad 15 years ago. She reminded me not to touch them because she wanted to fix them by herself. When she appeared in my dream that night, I knew I had to do it for her.

Her things which were wrapped in a plastic has been sealed for almost a decade. I opened it and found her friend's letters and her pictures. Some of her notes when she was still in college and her drawings were kept in there too. I also found a Bible and I was thrilled when I opened it by the bookmark. Here is what I have read:

Luke 8:40-49

[40] Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. [41] Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house [42] because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. [43] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. [44] She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

[45] "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."

[46] But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

[47] Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell

at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. [48] Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

I was touched by this story and I felt happy for my sister. I was also amazed since I never expected that the story she was reading probably 15 years ago in this Bible would be related to what she was experiencing all those years when she was still living. I thank God that He has always been there for her. She might not be here today but I know she is now with Him everyday.

Have you ever tried reading a letter you made for someone after more than a decade? I have found my letters for her back in 1994 and reading letters which I have already forgotten is the

most saddest feeling I have ever felt. My father and my sister's letters were also there. My father was surprised and could not even remember that he had written several letters for us when he was in Libya to work in 1982. It was hard for him and I know he did not want to feel the pain of losing his first born daughter. That is why he was not able to read the whole letter that time. I know it was really hard for him too. My sister was very much like me since she also loved keeping memories like these. I was hardly hit by the fact that she had kept my letters all those years. I still felt her love that day when I was reviewing my old messages for her. I couldn't hold my tears as I was reading the first part of my letter for her. I was weeping like rain that day because I knew that the person I wrote it for is already gone.

Today is March 15, 2011 and I have finally decided to publish this article. I got sick last month and I really missed my sister a lot at that time because I remember, she used to call me whenever I was not feeling okay. My body was terribly hit by a rubella virus or simply called the German measles.

I was so ill but every time I felt the pain in my body, I realized that it was nothing compared to what she has gone through in those years. I am sorry Ate' for not being able to comfort you in person when you were still there. I admire your strength in facing your fate and I hope I could always be like you. Our sister and our parents will always keep you alive in our hearts. Your voice will always be in my mind.

One thing is for sure Ate' that this is not yet the end. I will still see you someday. When that day comes, I will gladly hold you in my arms and I will never let you go. I miss you and I will never forget you.

How I survived the dinner without the usual meal?

2010-08-22T09:11:00.001-07:00

I was going home from Ortigas and I was feeling hungry. It was almost nine in the evening and every food store was about to close. I have a very tight budget now because I had to buy a new basic mobile phone yesterday. Remember when I told you about the incident last week when my mobile phone was snatched while I was on the bus? I bought the cheapest phone in the market today. It’s Cherry Mobile 1800 and I got it from SM North Annex for only 999 pesos. My budget for the week is only 1500 pesos and I was forced to replace my father’s old dying phone… and now it is totally dead. Cell phone is a necessity nowadays and it is like the food we eat every day. So to make the story short, I am totally short right now.

Now going back to my story, I was looking for a place where I could eat. Mc Donald and Jolibee were waving to catch my attention but sad to say that they were not the ones I was looking for. It was so frustrating and deteriorating but thank God for the pork Siomai stands in the sidewalk. It was 2.50 pesos each so I bought four pieces first then another four ‘til I ate twelve pieces for thirty pesos. To balance my food intake, I bought two pieces of “puto” and another two pieces of “puto kutsinta” for only ten pesos. Overall I spent forty pesos for my dinner compared to sixty to a hundred peso worth of meal. I just started working this month that is why it is more about spending than saving. That is how hard it is here. Food is plenty but very pricey. We really need to make a good play in these trying times.

Listen To His Melody

2010-08-21T21:58:00.000-07:00

I was in a jeepney awhile ago going to Trinoma mall when an old lady talked about the tragic death of former Bb. Pilipinas title-holder in Bicol. I was really disturbed by her news because she never mentioned the name of the victim. Therefore I got off the jeepney to look for a television or an Internet café to find some clues. But my priority then was to buy a basic phone so I only found out about it when I checked my e-mail tonight. Someone commented “RIP to Melody Gersbach” on the video I posted on Youtube in September 7 of last year. I included that video on the blog I made on the same date.

Today is August 21, 2010, almost a year after I blogged about her. Life is really short. How do you prepare yourself for the time of your death? No one knows when or how your life will end. I am prepared and not afraid to die because I have Him in me. We all want to live a longer life, well in fact I always pray for it every night. Because I believe in Him, I just entrust my life to Him and let Him control it. I pray that if ever I die tonight or tomorrow, I hope that it will be in a peaceful way. How often do you converse with Him? We tend to forget to pray and talk to Jesus because we are busy with so many things in life. We are unable to remember God because we are working and worrying too much. You only think of Him when you need His help. Does it sound so familiar to you? God is always there patiently waiting for you. He is there no matter what time it is because God is timeless. I only hope that you start building a relationship with Him. The ONLY way to salvation is through Him and NOT by Peter, Paul or even Mary. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

How can we do it? By following His ways and be like Him every day. Are you sure that you will be with Him when you die? The time is now… you will never know when your last day is. It can be at this moment or the next. The time is yours and your clock is ticking but do not be troubled because God is giving you the right choice. It is all up to you and we are not forced to follow. God gave us the freewill but He wants us to be saved. Now ask yourself, are you ready to die today? If you are not prepared then I suggest you start learning the way of salvation. I do not want you to die today; I only want you to be blessed.

Let me share the teachings of Luis Palau on this part. Have you decided to trust Christ yet? Are you aware that you have an eternal life? Do you want to start walking in the way of Jesus? Do you want to know that we are the children of God and are going to heaven? Here are the things we must follow to become real Christians.

First, you must admit that your sins have separated you from God. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

Second, you must believe what Christ has done for you on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, He dominated death so that each of us may be forgiven. We deserved to be penalized for the wrong we have made in God’s eyes but still God sent His son to receive our penalty in His body on the cross. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

Third, you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord. You cannot inherit faith. You need to experience Christ for yourself. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

The best way to make Jesus the Lord of your life is merely to bow your head in prayer, confess your sins to God and then by faith open your heart to Christ, believe in Him, and receive Him. If that is your decision, then tell God now – silently if you wish – right where you are. You may like to use this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, I want to be a real Christian. I realize that my sins have separated me from You. Please forgive me. I believe in what Christ did for me on the cross. I don’t completely understand it, but I accept it by faith. I want to be a child of Yours. Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, and make me Your child right now. I’ll follow and obey You forever. Amen”

I pray to God that we may be all spared from any untoward situation in the future. Always pray every day and night especially when traveling. To Melody Gersbach and the rest of the victims, may God bless your souls and may you all find peace in heaven.

How To Report Stolen Phones To NTC?

2010-08-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

I promised myself to keep my dual-SIM cellphone for good when I bought it six months ago. Someone took my phone when I was going to the office this morning. It happened when I was on a bus because it was full and I had to stand closer to other passengers. I never felt that someone was reaching for my phone inside my pocket. I called my phone when I reached the office and a guy answered my call saying that it was already sold to them. He was a cellphone vendor in Quiapo, Manila and he said he bought it from a lady for 3,000 pesos. I persuaded him to give my phone back or to let me purchase the two SIM cards for 500 pesos. He agreed but I never had it back because he already shut the phone when I called him again. Probably he was thinking that I was going to report them to the authority. Good thinking... because I was really planning to do it. He was just lucky that time.

Lessons learned:

1. Keep my phone closer to my body by putting a string to it.

2. Activate the phone security codes for the phone book, messages, and for the unit itself. At least the thief will find it hard to open private items and formatting the system will be difficult.

3. Register to phone blocking service of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Oh well... you live and you learn. So here are the steps to take to secure your phone now.

A. Get the International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI of your mobile phone by typing *#06#

B. Register to NTC's phone blocking service by going to this link.

C. If your phone is stolen, download the AFFIDAVIT OF OWNERSHIP AND LOSS WITH UNDERTAKING form from the public assistance section of NTC website. File it to NTC after filling it up.

This service will totally block your phone, making it useless for the snatcher. I will definitely do this when I get my new phone. Let's stop this GSM (Galing Sa Magnanakaw/From The Thief) fever in Manila!

English... anyone?

2010-08-07T01:41:00.000-07:00

This is the most memorable line from Rush Hour movie.

"Do youuu understand the wooord that's comin' outta my mouth?"

- Detective James Carter

That is definitely the scalding question you might get when you talk to someone who may think that you cannot understand the language he is using. Now here is another example:

"Can't you understand simple English?... Give me your supervisor, now!"

That is a statement you do not want to hear in a call center.

House Bill 5619

I certainly agree with them. This doesn't mean that I am not being patriotic here. I don't want Jose Rizal and Manuel Quezon to rise from the dead and slap me in the face! But seriously, in this age of globalization, it is necessary to learn the English language for effective communication. It should start in schools by using it as a medium of instruction. We should accept the fact that it is the most widely used lingo! Even Koreans and Chinese are eager to master it.

You do not want to say these in public:

"Hey beybe! Get dah money in dah bag of me..."

"I tell you not to go to... you go to.. look at!"

- Vandolph Quizon's mother

Guys are we forgetting something? Did you know that English is the second official language of our country? Therefore, we should be able to communicate fluently in English.

Now look at these job ads.

This is the reality that the government should face. So guys, start practicing now. How? Well, start from the basics:

Review the fundamentals of English (a lot of free courses are available online)
Refrain from watching local telenovelas
Stop reading komiks and Tagalog pocket books
DO NOT practice jejemon speak (please text properly) jejeje! ^_^

Start practicing today by:

Watching English tutorials on Youtube
Watching English news and soaps
Listening to class A and B radio stations (Magic 89.9, UR105.9, RX93.1, Mellow 94.7 and the like)
Reading some English books

I am telling you, it is not easy to get a job without this skill. Constant practice is the key. Start now. Watch these videos to get my point.

Resources:
American English Pronunciation for Filipinos
Accent Reduction Tips for Filipinos

Learn English Free Online

Fundamentals of English Grammar

CJ7 Movie

2010-08-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

I got hooked by this Chinese movie which my uncle played after dinner tonight. The story was about this little boy, Dicky, who found a friend from outer space. This cuddly alien creature was named CJ7 which is the title of the movie. What I love about it is the way the father taught his son on how to be a good person. I suggest you guys should watch this film because aside from being kid-friendly well it is extremely cute and funny!

The movie was directed, produced and starred by Stephen Chow who also gave us these equally funny movies like Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle 1 & 2. The little boy on this movie was played by a new comer twelve-year old young actress Xu Jiao. You have read it correctly, yes, she is a girl! That is one thing I like about this movie. Stephen made a successful illusion on this film. This girl is really amazing because she was able to portray her character pretty well!

This movie has a gross revenue of $47,371,201 with only $20,000,000 estimated budget. This alone will attest that this movie is truly worth watching. One more thing, the leading actress on this film is Zhang Yuqi (Kitty Zhang) and she is so pretty. Oh I just love her eyes ;)

i Came To You My China Eyes

you Looked At Me I Knew That

the Days Are Long And Cold

without You By My Side

i See Your Face I Melt Inside

the Thoughts Of You Are Clear

and I Can No Longer Hide

my Love For China Eyes

oh Come With Me My China Eyes

let's Share Our Joys In Paradise

you're The One That I Will Love

'till The End Of My Life

i Came To You My China Eyes

Well, this wasn't the sound track on this film. One of the featured music was I like Chopin by Gazebo which was released when I was only two years old. It goes something like this:

Rainy days never say goodbye
To desire when we are together
Rainy days growing in your eyes
Tell me where's my way

To download the song click here.

Xu Jiao

Gazebo - I Like Chopin (91' Remix)

Found at: - FilesTube

Just Like Before

2010-07-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

Relationship. Can anyone tell me the real essence of it?

I had my first girlfriend when I was twenty one. Too late, huh? What do you usually feel when you have something for the first time? Excited. Yes that was the feeling all the time. I remember she used to tease me because she always noticed my smile whenever she was with me. I wont deny it because that is true. She was every breath I take and every move I make. Sounds like a song! She was totally my everything. She was my life.

Naturally, the sky doesn't stay up clear all the time since clouds usually form. We had some ups and downs and kiss and make up in the end. We were both learning the ways of loving because we were both entering that relationship for the first time. We were steady for three years but not quite. We had some big trials as the result of being young and aggressive. Do you want to know what those trials are? I tell you... those are things you don't want to know. That was the time when her bridge started falling down on me. She also began dealing with a new handyman. I never burn bridges and that is something I want to retain for life. Three years of sweet and sour taste, I guess not bad for a newbie.

"I was too young", she said.

Just awhile ago I had a chat with her after five years of not really talking. Although it didn't end up the way I wanted but still she gave me the lessons I should be learning. I remember we were throwing stones in between those years. Committing mistakes in a relationship is normal as long as both are making ways to patch them up. I admit that I also had my shortcomings and she knows that we both had our share of it. The only thing that hurts is when someone realizes that the person she chose is not the one she really wants. Why did it have to stay long when we could have ceased it right away? Why did it have to end this way? Only God knows and unfortunately God was not there. He was not there because we didn't allow Him to stay between us. An unwise decision for someone who would enter a relationship. Now you know what the root cause of the problem was.

I have learned. She said I have to alter my old self. Beginning today, I will be stronger and I wont easily give up. I wont go back to square one plus I will persevere and save to be a good provider. I thank her for telling me the things I never knew. It is just sad that we need to pass this way before we can become aware of this reality. I think this is really how it works. Live and learn... and apply. I hope she does the same thing. I wish I will develop a better impression and make her see a different picture of me someday.

"My Lord, I was blinded by this deceitful world. Please forgive me. From now on, I am offering my life to you. Use me just like before." ~ Ron

Are You Available?

2010-05-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am starting to become a fan of Take Me Out. It is the GMA Network's version of the Australian dating show called Taken Out. The game is just simple to play as long as the guy has the X-factor. He has to impress thirty single ladies through a series of interviews, videos and testimonial of a friend. Each lady has a light which she can turn off anytime if she finds the guy unimpressive. The aim of the guy is to persuade as many ladies as possible to keep their lights on so he can pick one among the remaining ladies. If every light is turned off, the guy must get out without a date.

The show starts at 5:30 in the afternoon and re-play before 12 midnight (weekdays only). This show has been a hit in many countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Indonesia, Sweden, Spain, and the UK. It is the first studio-based dating show in the country. I remember watching It's A Date with Plinky Recto on RPN9 when I was a kid and it was the most watched dating show that time. Today Take Me Out is the newest and I think is the only surviving dating game on Philippine television. The show is hosted by the Prince of Soul Jay-R.

Are you planning to join? Audition is still on going. Watch GMA Channel 7 or visit the network for more details.

Take Me Out is on Facebook!

Secrets To Long Life

2010-05-26T00:03:00.000-07:00

I just received a sad message from my Aunt Lui this afternoon saying that my grand father passed away this morning. Lolo Jose is the brother of my father's daddy. He was in his 90s when I first met him in person few years ago in Bacacay, Albay. He was raised and born there before he had his own family in Quezon City decades ago. My father said that his uncle was good at making dynamos. I don't really know the whole story of his life but I will never forget what he told me two years ago at his place in Fairview.

In 2008, I went to his house for the first time after our last meeting. I stayed all my high school and college years here in Bicol that is why we never had the chance to talk until that time when I visited him. I was excited to see my oldest living lolo (grand father) so I asked my father's sister to accompany me. He was sleeping on a chair when we arrived while his wife was resting on the rocking chair. His daughter told him that he had some visitors so I excitingly introduced myself and reminded him that I was the son of his nephew. He said, "O aki ka ni Julius! Si Papa mo an paborituhon kong pamangkin." (So you're the son of Julius! Your father is my favorite nephew). I saw the glow behind his old eyes when he learned that I came to visit him all the way from Bicol. He was in tears due to excitement and happiness. He could still remember the times when he was still able to travel alone on a train. He told me that his daughters never allow him to go home. "I can still do it!", he said. "I still know how to take the train", he added. I was happy to see him that way because I felt like I brought him the good memories he had back in his heyday. So we had lunch together and I noticed that he still had the appetite and the will to stand on his own. I really admired his attitude and most of all I was really amazed by his age. We started to chat when he finished his meal. He told me stories about his job before and some highlights of his life. I was curious and really wanted to know the reasons why he was able to reach his centennial age. He said that he also had some vices like drinking and smoking when he was young. So I asked him what his secret was and he said he had nothing but there were two things he asserted. First, he told me to live life without stepping on someone's toes. He knew that he had some shortcomings but he learned to correct them in time. Nobody is really perfect and we all commit mistakes. But learning to forgive yourself is I think the best thing to learn in this life. The second thing he said really hit me. He said "Don't play with the lady's heart". I wondered why he said that and it was never really clear to me until he told me the reason. He admitted that he was a chick magnet in his time. He had some girlfriends at the same time and got more than one wife. The reason why he told me about these because he never wanted me to be like him. He said that it is hard to live when all of your loved ones pass away. He never blamed anyone but himself. He said to me, "Look at the women I had... they are all gone." True enough because his wife just passed away two months ago and she was eighty plus. I think what he meant was he believed that he was having a long life due to the mistakes he committed. But I think it was not the reason why he lived long. He just had the gift to stay longer than most of us. If ever it was really the reason behind his existence then I think he was already forgiven that is why he already found his peace.

I was in Manila three weeks before he died but I was unable to visit him due to my limited resources. I went home to vote but I was really planning to visit him on his birthday last May 19. He turned 102 that day and I was not there. I am sorry I wasn't able to greet you on your birthday. I got no money for the fare. Tsk! If I only knew that it was going to be our last then I should have visited him before I went home. I am going to miss him a lot. He was my last remaining grandfather and now he's gone. This is really sad and I feel like I have wasted the time 'cos I never had the chance to thank him. I know it is too late but Lolo I thank you for your story and for the lesson. I will consider and follow what you have told me. May you rest in peace in Jesus name. We'll talk again in 2083!

There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson. ~ Victor Hugo

Surely, two of the most satisfying experiences in life must be those of being a grandchild or a grandparent. ~ Donald A. Norberg

Some of the world's best educators are grandparents. ~ Charles W. Shedd

The Solution to LCD Flickering Problem

2010-05-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Last March I sent my laptop to the local service center due to the screen related problem. The LCD kept on flickering every after 6 seconds and it happened after seven months of usage. I thought it was only normal so I just ignored it. I only decided to do something about it when it kept on flickering every after 3 seconds. I also thought that it was only a software related issue so I reinstalled the operating system and the drivers including the video card driver but to no avail. It was already annoying because my sister's laptop was still working normally until this time and both of these notebooks were bought on the same month. My sister's laptop is CQ40-310AU while mine is CQ40-416AU and both have AMD processors in it.

I have waited for a month before I finally got it replaced because they had to send the unit to the main service center in Manila. The good thing is that this notebook is still under warranty so I did not spend a single centavo for it. I am glad because it looks like brand new again. The only solution to this problem is by replacing the LCD with a new one. If you are planning to replace it, I think it will cost you almost five thousand pesos... not quiet sure. Please ask the HP/Compaq service center near you for more information.

So I can now start posting new articles on my blog. I missed my buddy. Welcome home! :)

By the way if you have a problem with your HP web-cam 101, please click here to read my solutions.

Let Mike Francis In

2010-04-22T03:05:00.000-07:00

It's three in the morning and I am still listening to Mike's music. His songs are very soothing and help me loosen up. "Let me in" is the most memorable song for me. I remember that this is the song I used to play when I was still working as a radio DJ years ago. I also love "Suddenly back to me", "Friends", "Dusty road", and of course the "Room in your heart" which is I think is the last hit song he had here in the Philippines.

His voice is so cool and sounds so easy for me to sing along. I have found a blog site about him and I am glad that he made his own rendition of Gary V.'s "Sana maulit muli" when he had his concert here in Manila. Mike Francis: Live in Manila was his first live album taken from his concert in 1990. I was too young and too broke to watch a concert so I was not able to see it. I am 29 now and I will surely watch his concert only if he is still around. I was really sad when I found the news about his death. Actually, I have always wanted to make an article about him but this is the only time I got this chance to make one.

Sana Maulit Muli

Here are some facts from Wikipedia about this wonderful artist:

Michele Francesco Puccioni (April 26, 1961 – January 30, 2009), better known under his stage name Mike Francis, was an Italian singer and composer, best known for his 1982 disco hit "Survivor". He was born in Florance. Francis died aged 47 on January 30, 2009 of lung cancer in Rome. His last compilation album "The very best of Mike Francis (All was missing)" was released just days before his death.

His music is so classy that I feel like I am living a glamorous city life. Whenever I listen to his songs, this scene (photo above) comes to my mind. That is the city where I used to play his songs. I think his music is best heard at night because it just feels so right when his song is played at this time. His music lives on and this is what I usually like when a singer passes away. Music makes you become virtually immortal. His songs are undying but I will surely miss the one behind them. I wish I could borrow his talent... hmm Mike are you in?

Do I sound like playing a Ouija board? haha! I am just kidding.

How to Sing the Philippine National Anthem

2010-03-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

I know how to sing the Lupang Hinirang (Chosen Land), our national anthem and every Filipino knows that by heart. Now the question here is that, can you make your own rendition of this song? Of course you can and it is not that hard in fact you can even rap the song. If Francis Magalona is still alive, he can chant and rhyme it a very ingeniously way but he won’t do that for sure because if you are an intelligent singer and a good follower of the constitution, as a Filipino, no one has the right to create his own version of the most valued song in the country, especially when the singer is only doing it just to let the world know that he or she can reach the high notes. I know a lot of people may agree on this but again there are still some half-wits who may disagree. I am not saying that I am a better singer than Martin Nievera and Arnel Pineda or anyone who performed in Manny Pacquiao’s fights. I know some of you will ask, “Can you sing it properly in front of the million viewers worldwide?” Yes I can and it is an honor to deliver it! Of course I will do my best and come on guys; we have been doing that since grade school! I know it will take me more time to gain the confidence because I am not like them but I think anyone can do it and it is just a matter of practice. Yes, this is ridiculous because I am talking about myself so let me cut this out.

To tell you honestly, Martin Nievera and Arnel Pineda are two of my respected artists in the music industry. I love their music and how they sing their songs. That is why I was really disappointed when I heard them sing on the boxing ring. It is not bad to lose the identity of your voice once in a while when singing the national anthem. There is no valid reason not to sing it in the proper way. It is not enough to call yourself as a Filipino if you are only singing it with dignity, passion, and pride because I think the respect for the song and for the one who created it is the most important thing. By doing that, you are also respecting your country as a whole. As a chosen artist to render it, you have the responsibility to protect the song and be a good example. The best way to show the people that you are a good singer is when you know how to own the song. The national anthem is not like the ordinary songs we hear on television and radio. You have no right to own the song because it is on the constitution that we should sing it on the right tempo. How about you Martin? I am sure you do not want anyone spoil your own composition. I am certain that Arnel Pineda can understand this too because if he is not singing the way Steve Perry did, do you think he is the lead vocalist of the Journey band now? I don’t think so. Do you get my point? Let’s be professional, can we? The song is very simple and even a six year old kid can do it, maybe not perfectly but with practice he or she can do it with no sweat.

Violation of Republic Act (RA) 8491. RA 8491 prescribes that any person who will violate its provisions may be punished by a fine of at least P20,000 or imprisonment of not more than one year.

Now I think the best thing to do for the chosen singer is to first satisfy the administrators of the National Historical Institute and let them check if he or she is able to sing it right before doing it live. The administrators should not be lax that the singer will surely follow the rules. We know that they are doing it outside the country and they won’t be covered by the Philippine decrees in the United States. That is why the national historical institute is only asking them to give a public apology. I remember Martin Nievera was firm not to apologize because he believed that he sung it in his own decent way. I saw Arnel Pineda on TV and he had no trace of regrets on his face. He even said that he is prepared to face the consequences and his lawyer is ready for it. I understand that you guys have your own pride but do you think your pride is worth keeping when you guys know that you were such a disgrace to yourself as a performer? I know it is easy for you people not to mind what other people will say. But I think the fulfillment of doing the right thing is worth cherishing when you know that you have the pride because you have never lied.

If you want to know how it's done, click here to hear the music.

Okay let’s get rolling and start from the basic. Bayang magiliw… handa… awit (ready… sing).

Wanna see the videos?

Martin's rendition
Arnel's interpretation

Latest News: Journey's Arnel Pineda says sorry to NHI

LTO Driver's License and NBI Clearance Renewal

2010-03-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

How I renewed my LTO driver's license and NBI clearance. Here is the story:

I celebrated my birthday last week and it was also the expiration of my driver's license. I also had to get a new clearance from the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) as a requirement for my job application. So I went to Legazpi City this morning to get these two important papers. My father volunteered to drive the motorcycle, so we left at 6:45am and we traveled for one hour. I still had no sleep because I stayed up last night until the next day. That's what happens when you get a sleeping disorder owing to the grave yard shifts I had back when I was still working as a call center agent in Makati.

First, I went to LTO (Land Transportation Office) at 8am to save more time because my goal was to complete them before lunch break. This is the first thing to consider when dealing with a government agency. You must be early since a lot of people are doing this everyday. Plus Philippine government employees are known to have the eleven o'clock disease, which makes them move like a turtle when this time strikes. They want to take their lunch early so they can have a long break. They usually resume the processing of documents at one o'clock. The disease usually strikes again at four o'clock due to their willingness to go home early. The LTO supports the Republic Act No. 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Law. This law is aimed to abolish the fixers in this department. That is a laudable move of the government but I noticed that this isn't the case. I observed that there were still fixers roaming around the premises to find their victims. I remember when my friend told me that he was asked to pay P1200 to get his license renewed.

Driver's License Sample

Here are the payments I made in Pesos:

Medical Fees:

Drug Test = 300.00
Medical Clearance = 100.00

LTO Fees:

License Fee = 350.00
Penalty Late Renewal = 75.00
Revision of Records = 100.00
Computer Fee = 67.63

TOTAL: 992.63

The funny thing was when the medical agent told me to urinate in a bottle for the drug testing, there was only a little came out because I forgot to remind myself to save my urine for this process. I already peed the moment I came to the office. So I had to do something to force my system to urinate. The lady told me to drink a bottle of beer to trigger my member to fill up the container. Imagine the feeling of being tipsy and sleepy at the same time. The people at the convenience store were staring at me like I was a brokenhearted guy. Then when I went back to the clinic, I already had my medical certificate saying that I was hefty. They meant what? Dr. Nathaiel B. Rempillo made a diagnosis without first diagnosing me? Haha! See what I mean? Hey doc! Is this what you learned from your school? This is the first time I encountered a magician doctor. Wow only in the Philippines!

After that magical moment, I passed the papers on the correct window. It is easy now to transact and if you are a first time applicant, you should NEVER tolerate the fixers. The windows are numbered and the steps are posted on the wall. You only need to read and follow what's written. For more detailed steps, please visit the LTO page. So we waited for more than two hours and by passed ten o'clock, we were already heading to the NBI office.

Finally, we were on the last phase of this ride. At almost eleven o'clock, I was already waiting in line for my turn at the NBI office. Waiting for the NBI agent to call my name after I submitted my old clearance. Thank God I was still able to make it before the cut-off. Remember I told you about the disease? Those employees were already calling for a break. There was one thing I discovered in this office and that's how they were asking for three pesos for the tissue paper being used to wipe the fingers after the finger-printing step. They said what? See how these people were making money from us. While the guy was checking my old clearance, someone was trying to cheat. He said he was a policeman and he really needed to finish it before the cut off because he had to catch the trip to Masbate. Nobody was complaining so I said no for I think it should not be tolerated because we were all there for one reason and nobody should use his position to take advantage of the situation. The policeman just gave in because he knew I was right. After that, I just paid for the 115 peso fee and had my photo taken then they released it in no time. I was able to finish it before the lunch break and the policeman had to go back after the recess. In this government, you really need to have courage to show what is right and I am glad I always have it.

NBI clearance sample

Now check the photo below to see how it's done and for more details, please visit the NBI FAQ page.

Bb. Pilipinas 2010 Winners: Were you satisfied?

2010-03-06T23:09:00.000-08:00

This article is not updated.

Miss Maria Venus Raj who won the Bb. Pilipinas Universe title was dethroned yesterday (March 29) because of her birth certificate inconsistencies.

"Today March 29, 2010, Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. decided, with a heavy heart, to let Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj go, after the organization discovered inconsistencies contained in her birth records, in contrast to her personal account of her birth." ~ Official statement of Jenny Inocencio-Marcial, the Corp. Affairs and PR Managero of BPCI

Due to this, Helen Nicollete Henson, the second runner up will represent the country for the 59th Ms. Universe on August or September 2010.

Why not the first runner up?

Dianne Necio just turned 18 a day after the pageant . According to the Miss Universe website, contestants must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by February 1st in the year they compete in the national competition.

There is a right time for everything. I think it is still an advantage for Dianne even though she wasn't qualified for the throne. In that way, she will have more time to prepare herself for the next Bb. Pilipinas pageant to get her own crown. It is better to win the crown than just catching the crown. I believe that a good timing is really important. She is still young and more good things will happen to her.

I am saddened by this news and I feel sorry for Ms. Raj because I know that it wasn't her fault. The BPCI should have found this out before she was allowed to join the pageant. That is negligence on their part and Ms. Raj doesn't deserve this mess.

I know that this is not a good news but then again we must support Ms. Henson for she is now the title holder. Good luck to you!

Here is the original line up before the disqualification:

Second Runner Up

Candidate No.18 Helen Nicolette Henson

Nicolette is a broadcast journalism graduate and she stands 5'8 1/2" at 21. She is a part-time model and she is also a freelance host. She loves reading books, magazines, newspapers, and she loves writing poems and she writes for a travel magazine. Watching films and documentaries are her interest too. Her hobbies are dancing and swimming.

She was one of my favorites, second to my special bet. A lot of people were saying that she should have won the major title. I personally think that if only if there was no "favoritism" or nepotism maybe, whatever you may call it, for sure she got her chance. By the way she got the Ms. Fit 'n Right award and for that she will be given a one year supply of that product. Well, she may try again next time and I heard that the next media partner will be the Kapamilya network. Hopefully, she will join and shine again.

First Runner Up

Candidate No.22 Dianne Necio

Dianne is taking up BS. Nursing and currently on her second year. She stands 5'6" at 17 and she just turned 18 today (Happy Birthday!). She is a member of her school's band as a majorette. Although we live in the same town in Polangui Albay and she lives just few blocks away from our house, we only communicate virtually. We haven't got the chance to meet yet in person but we chat or text once in awhile.

Dianne reaped some major titles from different beauty pageants here in Bicol. Including the Ms. Bicoladia 2009 as a runner up of Ms. Patrixia Santos who also joined the Bb. Pilipinas 2010. I think she deserved to have one of the major titles. But I also think that it was alright, she is still young and she has still a lot of chances. For sure the next time she will join, she will be more adept to face the challenge. Being a first runner up in prestigious competition is not bad for a first timer like her. Congratulations crush! Whoops! Anyway, to learn more about her, please read this article on my previous post.

On this photo are the Bicolana beauties: Dianne Necio, 2009 Bb. Pilipinas - International Melody Gersbach, Patrixia Santos, and 2010 Bb. Pilipinas - Universe Maria Venus Raj.

But the Bicol region poses a serious threat with the participation of fiercely competitive Bicolanas — former Miss Philippines-Ecotourism Maria Venus Raj, Miss Bicolandia 2009 Patrixia Santos and her runner-up Dianne Necio, who is one of the youngest participants. ~ Inquirer.net

Bb Pilipinas World

Candidate No.21 Czarina Catherine Gatbonton

Czarina is a sophomore student taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management, She is 19 years old and she stands 5'10 1/2". She loves playing ball games especially basketball.

Bb.Pilipinas-Miss World trend?

In 2008, Janina San Miguel got this position after her disappointing answer to Viviene Tan's question, "What role did your family play to you as candidate of Bb. Pilipinas?" The answer can be found on my previous blog about her. She resigned her title in September 2008 and it was transferred to her runner-up Danille Castañ o.

In 2009, Marie-Ann Umali won this title after her unsatisfying answer to Gen. Alexander Yano's simple question, " What is your idea of fun?" The video can be seen on Youtube. Ann first joined the same pageant in 2006 and again she had a dis-satisfactory answer to Iza Calzado's question, "How would you define true love?" To see the video please check it out here.

And this year, Czarina was asked by one of the judges (a foreigner), “If you had another life to live, what would you like to be and why?” Her respose was:

“Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Akin pong sasagutin ang inyong katanungan sa ating sariling wika, ang wikang Pilipino. Kung ako’y pagbibigyan po muli ng isa pang buhay, mas gugustuhin ko pong maging halam-… puno. Puno na nagbibigay sa atin ng hininga, nagbibigay sa atin ng buhay. Maraming salamat po.”

- Czarina Catherine Gatbonton, Binibining Pilipinas-World 2010

Geez, I think that was quite annoying. How could the judge translate her answer? Can you see the trend now?

Bb Pilipinas International

Candidate No.11 Krista Arrieta Kleiner

Krista is 20 years old and a graduate of Psychology. She stands 5'10 1/2" and she's a black-belter in Taekwondo. No wonder she was chosen as the Best in Talent on the pre-pageant presentation. Due to her lovely body, she also got the Best in Swimsuit award. She was first known as Krissa Mae when she entered showbiz under the management of GMA7 Kapuso which is the official media partner of the pageant.

Controversy?

Four days before the grand coronation night, an article of Ruben Marasigan on his Rubbing Elbows column at the Pinoy Paparazzi said that Krista was already chosen by the organizers to have the Bb. Pilipinas - International crown. That was the story and now she really got the crown. Hmm coincidence? Whew! That's a shame.

Honestly, I noticed that too. She was always on the video clips (being interviewed) whenever the news was about the pageant especially on Chika minute of 24 Oras news program. If you have noticed, she was on the best spot of the stage (at the center) when the pageant started and she was always on camera. Then three of the judges were Kapuso talents! Hmm GMA7, if this is true then what happened to your slogan? "Walang kasinungalingan" means No Lies. That I think is not funny anymore. I am a certified Kapuso but where is the truth here?

Bb Pilipinas Universe

Candidate No.10 Maria Venus Raj

21-year old Venus is from Bato, Camarines Sur and she stands 5'9". She is presently working as an Information Assistant at the DENR Region IV. She took up B.C.A. Major in Journalism. She loves to sing, playing volleyball and basketball. She was crowned as the Miss Philippines Earth- Eco Tourism on May 11, 2008.

Bicolanos are again proud to have someone from the province who will represent the country for an international pageant. Venus really deserves this title and this is just another proof that Bicolanas are Oragon (the best). Good luck on Miss Universe pageant and for sure you will make us proud again.

What Matters Most

2010-03-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

Simple, that is how I can describe my 10,585th day on Earth and to be honest, that is the simpliest. No fancy clothing and classy meal. Last night I spent my hours online while hunting for a job. Yes, you read it right. I am one of the 2.7 million jobless Filipinos in the country. Not because no one offers me a job but mainly due to my preferences. I have declined some job offers last year and supposedly I have an interview tomorrow but I rejected it for some reasons. People always say that we should not be choosy when it comes to getting a job. They are partly right but I think it is better to choose the best job that I could get to avoid being under employed. I don't want to waste my time on doing something that I don't want. I have done that before and the result was catastrophic. Frankly, I am just being careful when picking out. It doesn't matter if my job pays less as long as my conscience is clean. I have said this on my other blog and I am saying it once more, it's Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

You might be shocked on the way I write right now. You might think that I am crazy, 'cos the first impression someone usually gets when saying scripts from the bible is that person is insane. That's how you feel right now, correct? If so then I don't care. It's sad to tell you that I am not a priest from your favorite church every Sunday. I am just being true to myself and I'd rather live poor than spending someone else's money. As what the bible says on Luke 3:14,

"Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely - be content with your pay."

Funny thing is that still a lot of people I know are acting like saints when attending their weekly celebration of the Eucharist but the moment they step out of the church, they would still do what they normally make. Doing their extra-curricular jobs to achieve their common goals in their unit. Which is earning some money and earning some more through diabolic ways. What a shame. I am not saying that I am a model of excellence or perfection because I know that I am not a saint. But at least I know where I stand and what I do. No matter what my friends or other people say, I know that my moral sense is clear. Am I accusing falsely here? No because no matter how hard they keep it, they know inside their hearts that I am right. Am I wrongfully accused? Yes because they throw stones at me and they know inside their hearts that they are wrong.

My friend asked me awhile ago what I feel when I see those people I am talking about. I said I am having trouble digesting what they are saying because they are changing the whole story. Can someone give me a Maalox please? They say that I was discharged 'cos I am activistic! Haha! Who the he** told you that? That's another cheap trick from those ogres. For your information my dear people, I resigned. I left because I don't want to be infected by their incurable disease. Better safe than sorry. But thank you for calling me an activist, I like that hmm sounds terrific! Well if I am an activist, then you guys are what? Demonists? Hmm fair enough?

I woke up this morning hearing my family's birthday greetings. I didn't know that my father cooked a simple "ginataan" and jestingly saying sorry for not having a glamorous preparation for my day... which is undeniably true. I said it's okay and I understand. I was already surprised by that. I am just a simple person and I am happy for having a simple and loving family. I am not ashamed of telling things like this because I am proud that no matter how hapless we are, I am sure that we are unclouded in His eyes. That's what really matters to me.

If you hear Jim playing Nelson’s piece By Heart...

2010-02-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

People my age always say that music in the 90s are better than the current tunes and I believe that. Just try to read the lyrics and compare them with the new ones. Apparently, older songs are much more meaningful. In fact I also listen to golden songs which are my parent's favorites. This reminds me of the time when we were watching the Name that Tune game show especially the "Golden Medley" bonus round.. "I can name that tune in...one note!". Can you do that? ha-ha.

I went into my first high school year in 1993. This was also the time when singer/composer, Nelson del Castillo had a contract with BMG Records. He then re-launched his song called "If" as the carrier single of his album Faithfully Nelson Del Castillo. This song which he composed for his love interest (now his wife), put his name on the the music chart in the Philippines. By signing the contract he granted the company the right to protect his work and to insure that he is credited for using his material. Of course, the company would also collect the royalties for him.

Two years after Nelson's album, a Grammy Award nominee Jim Brickman asked BMG Record's approval to record a piano version of "If" as portion of his album called By Heart (which is also the title tune and turned his first Top 20 Adult Contemporary hit in the US after a year of its album release in 1995). The piano version of "If" was included in Jim's Asian release of his album and became a hit in the country with Nelson properly credited for the piece. Throughout the world, Jim's album gained a gold record and it also started his exceptional relation with the Filipino market. At that time, Nelson had another hit entitled "You’re My Best Friend." While Jim was savoring an extraordinary success of his career. He has remained connected with the local market and occasionally makes a collaboration with local prime artists like Concert King Martin Nievera, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Ariel Rivera, Lea Salonga, and Erik Santos. He even announced last year that he wanted to collaborate with Asia's songbird Regine Velasquez.

In November 18, 2007, Dolly Anne Carvajal of Philippine Daily Inquirer posted on her article about the alleged copyright violation of Nelson's "If" song which was included in Jim's Hope album. Dolly received an email from Nelson's town mate who's living in the US, telling her to check the title track "Hope" because it sounded like Nelson's first hit. She checked it out and then confirmed that it was really a true copy of Nelson's arrangement. That was the only time when Nelson knew about it and he was disappointed by not crediting him as the composer. This album was released in the US and every song in that album was said to be written by Jim as indicated on the label.

Nelson sent a letter to Jim through his legal counsel Atty. Zafiro "Boy" Lauron, informing him that he only replicated his client's composition. Jim apologized and admitted his mistakes and said that it was an "honest mistake" which means he unintentionally copied it with no malicious intent. Music experts say that it is possible to accidentally copy a part of a song like a verse or three measures of a song by honest mistake. But accidentally copying the entire arrangement of the song is totally unlikely.

Let me share an article from BusinessWorld posted by Giselle P. Kasilag:

A MISTAKE?

According to Mr. Del Castillo, if played side by side with the piano version in the By Heart album, one can immediately conclude that "Hope" and "If" are one and the same. He sent letters both to BMG Records and Mr. Brickman, seeking an explanation for what appeared to him as blatant plagiarism.

BMG denied ever giving Mr. Brickman the permission to use "If," save for the By Heart album.

Mr. Brickman’s legal representatives Lommen Abdo Cole King & Stageberg P.A. responded. Signed by Timothy Matson, their missive read:

"In 2007, Jim Brickman released a recording entitled "Hope" under the Compass Production Label. Mr. Brickman’s recording of "If" was included to this release, however, we understand that he mistakenly identified the song title as "Hope." Please understand that Mr. Brickman never intended to take credit for your work. His inadvertent renaming of your song was an honest mistake."

He went on to ask for mechanical license to be granted to Mr. Brickman to remedy the situation. Mr. Del Castillo read the letter again and again but said he could not find anything remotely resembling an apology.

But Mr. Del Castillo was hopeful that the matter could still be resolved amongst themselves. He continued to correspond with Mr. Brickman’s lawyers, believing that some form of agreement could be reached. But as the exchanges continued, he felt more and more short-changed. Finally, he declined to give the mechanical license and demand compensation for the lack of credit and the unauthorized use of the song.

Mr. Brickmanís lawyers expressed disappointment over Mr. Del Castillo’s decision and simply issued him a check for $12,567.10 "representing full statutory royalties due -- for sales of the album as of December 31, 2007."

It was an amount that Mr. Del Castillo had already previously declined because it covered only the unauthorized used of the song but failed the address what he felt was Mr. Brickman’s act of changing the title and passing it off as his.

Adding insult to injury, the lawyers of Mr. Brickman said that "the damages are nominal" and urged him to grant the mechanical license, hinting that Mr. Del Castillo has not released any songs in years and would thereby profit from the future success of the album.

"Neither Nelson nor BMG signed a mechanical license for the use of the song. And they know that in the absence of any mechanical license, there is an infringement {of intellectual property]. But more than that! Itís not just the absence of a mechanical license because you were able to produce it and distribute it abroad, but you claiming to be the composer of that song is a different matter altogether! If he acknowledged Nelson as the composer of the song, then, yes, the payment would have been sufficient. But he changed the title then he made it the carrier single!" said Elpidio Soriano III, Mr. Del Castillo’s lawyer.

BRINGING THINGS TO COURT

Since then, a new Hope album has been released but minus the song "Hope"/"If" and another song entitled "Longing." Those who frequent videoke bars may recognize "Longing" as a familiar Japanese tune. Mr. Del Castillo suspects that it is possible that Mr. Brickman did not obtain a license for that song either which would explain why it was pulled out of the rereleased album along with his song.

Mr. Del Castillo has brought the matter to court and filed a case against Mr Brickman, Universal Tunes, and Compass Productions for the violation of the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

A subpoena was served immediately after Mr. Brickman’s appearance in Eastwood in Libis last year. Visibly agitated, he reportedly refused to accept the papers but appointed his official representatives in Manila to sign it on his behalf. Either way, the papers were officially served and the case is now ongoing.

Both Mr. Del Castillo and Mr. Soriano agree that the issue is not about the financial compensation -- though the protection of his economic rights is certainly an important aspect of the case. What needs to be addressed is the fact that Mr. Brickman took credit for work that is not his. And this, they said, could only be made right by a very public apology. ~ BusinessWorld

Now listen to believe...

Thanks to perryv for this comparison video.

Links:

Dolly Anne Carvajal Article 1
Dolly Anne Carvajal Article 2
Dolly Anne Carvajal Article 3
NewsToday
Youtube

Backstreet Boys in Manila

2010-02-11T04:44:00.000-08:00

One thing I can say about myself is that I really love music and that is the reason why I also love to sing. Back in high school, I remember we used to sing along with boy band songs like the Backstreet Boys' hits. Even though I have several music genres that I love performing, these boys never failed to have me sing their tunes. I know they had several concerts held at the Araneta Coliseum but I can't remember when. I never had a chance to see them in person but the good news is that they will have a concert this coming February 27, 2010 at the same venue. I got this info at the Bb. Pilipinas website. On the date of their concert, they will have the chance to meet and greet the lovely candidates of the upcoming Bb.Pilipinas pageant. It's queer that I have found this information in a beauty pageant website and not on the artist's official page. Honestly, it was really unexpected because I was only checking the schedule of the candidates. I just can't help not to see their faces especially the one who captured my senses.

I had their first album when my sister bought their disc in the US and sent it to me. The concert is just on the right timing for the Valentine season. For sure it is going to be another full-packed concert. This concert tour promotes their new album called This Is Us. It is their second album after turning a four-piece band since originally they were five in the group. In 2006 Kevin Richardson, who was the eldest among the members during his term, decided to leave the four remaining guys to pursue other interests.

This concert tour started in fall of 2009 and will continue to spring of 2010. After their performance in the Philippines, there will be nine more concerts which will end in Beijing China. The set of songs they will be performing is composed of their previous hits and their new tracks from their newest album. Since I have got my eyes on one of the contestants and if I could only dedicate a song to her, I think the song entitled All I Have To Give fits best.

"All the money in the world could never add up to all the love I have inside... I love you.."

I would love to watch the concert with her but since I have no budget for that and money really matters, that part of the lyrics hits a lot. One thing is for sure, that money can never buy the feelings I have for this girl. Haha! Cheesy! Blame it on this season... this is just one of the symptoms of having a Valentine virus. Well it's been a long while since I had my last so I think it's just about time.

To break the cheese in half, let me recap:

The Backstreet Boys Live in Manila, This Is Us tour concert will be on February 27, Saturday at 8PM at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

Patron VIP (Reserved Seating) 4760
Patron (Reserved Seating) 4280
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) 3810
Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) 2860
Upper Box B 960
Gen. Admission 480

For ticket inquiries and reservations, contact Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Blue Moon

2010-01-31T17:30:00.000-08:00

A view in front of our house (East side)

Last night we went out of the house to witness the 13th full moon (blue moon) of this year. This only happens every after two and a half years.

How does this happen? According to Wikipedia:

Each solar calendar year contains an excess of roughly eleven days. These days accumulate and an extra full moon appears after more than a couple of years. A blue moon also used colloquially to mean a "rare event" , especially in the phrase "once in a blue moon".

I love watching the sky particularly whenever there is moon. I even dream of having a room with a see-through ceiling so I could see the sky while resting at night. My friends tell me that it is creepy but I think it's therapeutic. I remember when I was a little kid, my sisters and I (related story here) were staying on the rooftop to feed our eyes with the beauty of the outer space and that happened almost every night.

The moon is like a way for me to reminisce and helps me decide on what to do. Whenever I feel like talking to myself, I go out at night and the moon just stares at me like a silent friend listening to my words. I even think of marrying someone someday under the moonlight. So if it happens every after two and a half years, then I might marry after three blue moons. Some people believe that the full moon can affect the human behavior. Well scientists say that it isn't true and I say that it affects me in a very different way.

Related story: Rare ‘blue moons’ in 2010

Blue Moon - The Marcels Mp3
Mp3-Codes.com

Broadcasting My|Phone

2010-01-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

I had to sell my desktop PC to get a new mobile phone after the luckless incident last December. Fortunately my friend bought it the day after I decided to deal it. I formatted the hard drive and installed a fresh operating system for it to work like new. Then I got a new phone the day after I sold it.

Before I bought a new one, I browsed first the Web to check for a new stylish but cheap model. After spending hours on line, I finally chose the myphone Q22 Duo which I think meets my qualifications. Myphone of Solid Group Inc. is an affordable phone which has qualities of a pricey mobile unit. This has nothing to do with the fictional myPhone of Mapple founded by Steve Mobs in the Simpson's episode. This brand is much different from the world's best selling iPhone of Apple launched by the artistically genius Steve Jobs. The most catchy here is that this is the first dual active SIM phone in the country which means that this phone has two lines in one unit. This saves me from getting another phone just for me to use my other number. The electronic and other parts of this phone are imported from China but this brand is proudly Pinoy which means that it is a local trademark in the text capital of the world, the Philippines.

The unit I picked out was the myphone Q22 Duo which was just released last December 18, 2009 at a flooring price of only P3,190 or $69.54 (P45.867 Peso-Dollar exchange as of January 8, 2010). Not bad for a QWERTY phone. The price in our province is higher due to the shipping rate from Manila to Albay. I got it for P4,400 yesterday and it has a free Globe SIM card with P200 worth of load. The price varies and it can go up to five thousand pesos owing to extra stuffs which are claimed to be free but evidently not like the memory card and the SIM load.

Phone Features

Some added features are the preloaded applications on the phone like the Facebook, Friendster, Twitter and more. To show that this is a Filipino brand, Pinoy applications are installed which include Great Filipino Quotes, Bugtong (riddles), Salawikain (proverbs), Pinoy Jokes, and Tunog Pinoy/OPM (Original Pilipino Music). These are just the bonuses of this unit and these only added to what I was looking for. The main reason why I chose this is due to its dual capability plus its music and video functionalities.

So far I am convinced and satisfied with myphone. The user interface is elegant and fashionable. The back cover is matte-finished for the black Q22 Duo and this phone has three awesome colors: white, red, black. In fact it has two limited editions for New Moon Movie and Ninoy-Cory Aquino lovers. The keypad just works great and not hard to press like the typical China models.

Items included in the box are:

Q22 Duo handset with battery
User manual
Quick start guide
USB cable and charger
Earphones
Q22 phone suite disc
Globe Tattoo SIM card loaded with P200
Warranty certificate (1 year guarantee for labor and parts)

I purchased this because I cant afford to get and lose an expensive one. I will make sure that this will stay with me until next year and the years after. No more missing phone this coming December.

To activate your MMS/WAP/GPRS for Globe, Smart, and Sun, please follow the options below for the steps:

Manual Configuration

MyPhone Settings

Old Feelings

2010-01-07T12:55:00.001-08:00

I left this afternoon at around 3pm to visit Legazpi City so I could shop for my new phone. I posted here about what happened to my old mobile phone last December 23. I had to travel one hour on a motorcycle to reach the largest city in our province. When I was looking for a shop, a familiar good looking face showed up. The trip was quite exhausting but that face automatically relieved my weariness and an old feeling just suddenly came up. The last time I saw her was when we were on a jeepney seven years ago. I saw my long lost crush... and her name is Niki.

I remember when I was still seeing her everyday in a college classroom in 1998. My emotion was so strong but I wasn't able to talk to her face to face. She had witnessed both of my hopelessness and weaknesses. Good thing that I was already starting to utilize my writing skill. I made some cheesy notes and I even dedicated some love songs for her. Due to my lack of authority in person, I used the pay phone to call her at night. We had a land line at home but I wasn't able to use it because my mother was complaining for my long distance calls. I had a mobile prepaid phone but that was not big that time and I just could not use it for a trunk call. Although I was able to tell her my feelings on the phone, my bones were killing me. My voice was cracking and I was trembling to death. Because of that, I wasn't able to carry it out pretty well and I am sure you can guess what happened. She was nice to me in that conversation but she was just not ready for it. Months had passed and she left the campus to pursue a new course. I felt like my time there was being wasted so I decided to leave and change my course too.

I walked my new path with conviction and I promised myself that I would be worth missing. I met a new one in class and her name is Marose but the same thing happened because I was still physically challenged. I thought she was equally attractive with the first but she was in a relationship that time. I had partially forgotten my former feeling and I was surprised when I found out that they're friends since high school. I admired her strong commitment and she even reassured her love for her swain on her graduation day's speech. I was listening to every word she said that is why I was so affected when she had a break up several months after. Her ex is the most foolish guy I have ever known. I only wish I was on his shoes when she was saving her heart for no one but him.

It's been more than ten years now and I had mostly casual dating in those years. For the most part is memorable and I had one formal relationship I wish to forget. For some things are best cherished and some are better forgotten. I thank God for giving me this chance to think back and revisit the old feelings worth recalling.

They're both wearing black. On the left it's Niki and on the right side it's Marose. Both are now married.

Christmas Luck

2009-12-23T05:46:00.000-08:00

I decided to go out after dinner tonight because the night is inviting and the temperature is colder than usual. I always go out with my phone with me and that is one thing I couldn't leave without or even live without 'cos it is a necessity. After almost an hour of patrolling the town like a police officer, my friend informed me through text that he is enjoying the night with his office mates at the nearest city. I was still able to reply but eventually I ran out of load. So I went to a store to load my phone but I was stormed when I wasn't able to find it in my pocket. I have lost my cellphone! I went back to where I came from wishing that I would still find it but to no avail. Do I deserve this Christmas fate? I don't even have money to replace it.

Oh dear....

I remember when I lost my previous phone almost exactly a year ago. I even posted an entry here on my blog about that instance. I called it the unexpected phone because I never assumed to have a new phone that time. Now I am not expecting to have a new one because I know that I don't have resources to avail a fresh unit.

This is going to be an inconvenience because I have applied to some job posts online and I used that number so they can reach me if I am shortlisted. This is terrible and I have learned again a new lesson here. I always put a PIN and security code on my SIM card to secure it but that doesn't help when you lost it. I tried to call my phone to know if it is still on but the network says that it is already unattended. Someone must have found it and turned it off or maybe it accidentally turned itself off due to the impact. The person wouldn't be able to turn it back on to receive my call.

Oh my dear Santa... could you please grant me a new phone this Christmas? I have been good all this year. Please?

*sad face :(

Run A Risk

2009-12-06T22:29:00.000-08:00

I bought a pair of Sandugo at LCC Mall Polangui yesterday before we went out hiking. I asked the sales guy the biggest size and he said that they had size 12". I decided to get it because it's known for its best quality and I was never disappointed. Besides I really love buying Pinoy products.

Sandugo Adventure

Back in 1986, a tower was built on top of the nearest mountain in our town. I have been wanting to reach the peak to see the tower up close. But it only happened after thirteen years of waiting. Yesterday, me and my friends decided to hit the rocky track. We had two destinations in mind: the tower and the WWII reservoir. The local people say that those places are hunted because of their age. The tower was abandoned just months after it was built and the reservoir was believed to have supernatural elements resting inside the tunnel. Creepy huh?

Rocky Road

The Haunted Hole

On Top of the Reservoir

The Creepy Tower

Breath Taking View

Meet My Date

2009-12-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

I joined OkCupid just for fun and I finally found my date! It's an exciting way to kill the time knowing that you might be dealing with a scammer. So I did send a message to someone and she replied just within the day. The funny thing was, she fell in love on the second letter! She was too good to be true.

This reminded me of what our professor in college told us not to believe everything you see on the Internet. The sender of the email is in Ghana, a place known for online scammers. I have already researched on that matter so I already knew how to deal with her.

The US embassy in Ghana has this warning:

Before you send any money to Ghana, please take the time to be very well informed. Start by considering the fact that scams are common enough to warrant this warning. Next, look over this partial list of indicators. If any of them sound familiar, you are likely the victim of an internet scam.

You met a friend/fiancé online

You've never met face to face

Your correspondent professed love at warp speed

Here are the letters she sent. Click them to download.

When I called her number, the person on the other line was an old woman saying that she was Marina Okyere Bright. Oh poor grandma. I wonder what she looks like now.

Lesson should be learned: You can never find real love on cyberspace.

More link resources:
Ghana Scams
Romance Scams
More Photos

Let Us Move

2009-11-27T22:34:00.000-08:00

I love collecting good articles from newspapers. In Manila Bulletin, there is one particular section at the Business page that you should not miss reading. It is called Immigration Solutions by the award winning lawyer Robert L. Reeves who founded the Reeves and Associates (R&A). I think this must always be checked out by those people who are planning to migrate in the US.

Filipinos as Brown Americans

I personally believe that America is still the land of hopes and dreams. Ever since I was a little kid, it is always been my dream of working and staying in the US. I am a Pro American Pinoy guy and I will always stick to what I feel. I remember the time when I was watching a 1938 documentary film of Manila and I was amazed how the place looked like. If we only gave in to what the American people were planning that time in our country, I think this place could have been better. I love being a Filipino and I am proud of it. Although sometimes it seems like we still need to wait like prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment before we can achieve the change we are waiting for. But my hope is still alive and I am even excited of what will happen on next year's poll. Hopefully, it will be the start of the change we guys are dreaming of.

Decay of Matter

We all know that a lot of us are wanting to go abroad if given a chance due to our economic situation. A condition which is caused mainly by corruption. I understand that no one is free from this problem and even Americans are having the same trouble. But at least those guys have bigger resources besides they are more willing to make a change unlike us (Filipinos). In my seven year of work experience with three employers, only the American company paid well. The first one was a local media company which hasn't given my final pay until now and the most recent one was a corrupt government owned school. Both of these are managed by Filipinos. Now can you blame me why I feel like this?

The Solution

I have just sent a message to Mr. Reeves asking him some questions about my plan. So if you have a thought of relocating to the US, I suggest you first visit his website and read his publications. Fore more updates, follow him on Twitter and become a fan on his Facebook.

You Can Let Go

2009-11-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

Most guys want to have a son as their first child and that's an instinct to most of us. We just want to have someone who will carry our name and continue our legacy. But when a daughter comes, the feeling is much different from having a son. The happiness is more intense and the willingness to protect is unfathomed.

Here is a video about a touching father and daughter story. This made me cherish the presence of my father and made me want to have a daughter someday. While watching this movie I remember the first and only time when me and my father had a misunderstanding. It only lasted a day after he initiated the peace talk. :)

The music is performed by Crystal Shawanda, a Canadian country music artist. As of this year 2009, this song has chartered and reached #5 in Canadian Country and #21 in US Country charts.

Now here is the unofficial video of the song You can let go.

Wipe your tears...

Do Good

2009-11-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

I was watching Twilight Zone awhile ago when I received a text message from my former student Glenda. She was thanking me for giving her a 1.3 grade. She said it inspires her to do well. I wasn't able to reply 'cos I didn't have a load on my mobile phone. That message made me feel happy and sorry as well. Happy because I made someone enjoy the life of a student. I was feeling sorry because that was the last of it. I think there wont be any other chance for me to back and teach. I was also thinking of my other students who didn't get as high as her score. Although nobody got failed and most of them got satisfactory ratings, I am just worried about some students who got fair grades. I hope they will still have the interest in doing good next time.

It was tempting to give additional points when I was computing their grades but I never did it. I believe that everything must be reasonably done. Some instructors are being so considerate but what I believe is different. The students should work hard for them to get good marks because that will take them to where they want to. I remember when I was still studying in college, the first semester was not good since I was just adapting to my new environment. I know it's a learning curve and I hope that it wont take longer than expected. I miss being with them and the only thing I can do now is to wish them luck.

So guys, you know who you are...

"Just study well and don't waste your time."

"Always do good"

Pacquiao by KO!

2009-11-14T18:59:00.000-08:00

A lot of people waited for the Free online streaming of Pacquiao and Cotto Fight . Most of the links were closed. Luckily, I have found one slot showing the battle at the MGM Las Vegas. Although it keeps on buffering, it is better than nothing.

Main Event:

* WBO Welterweight Championship bout: Manny Pacquiao (Philippines) vs Miguel Cotto (Puerto Rico) Manny WON!

(On the 12th round of the match, referee Kenny Bayless stopped the match, awarding the match to Manny Pacquiao by TKO due to his exessive beating of Miguel Cotto throughout the match, making Pacquiao the WBO welterweight champion, his seventh world championship, a feat unprecedented in boxing.)

The victory gave him a world title in record breaking 7th weight division -- flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight and welterweight.

Undercard:

* Middleweight bout: Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. vs. Troy Rowland (On November 14th, 2009 Chavez Jr. defeated Troy Rowland in an unimpressive but unanimous decision fight.)

* WBA Super Welterweight Championship bout: Daniel Santos vs Yuri Foreman (Yuri defeated Daniel Santos by 12-round unanimous decision to become the new WBA super welterweight champion)

* Welterweight bout: Jesus Soto-Karass vs Alfonso Gomez (Alfonso Gomez won the vacant WBC Continental Americas title after defeating opponent Jesus Soto Karass via unanimous decision in the 6th round. The fight was stopped due to a cut Gomez suffered from an accidental headbutt.)

Thank God!

Source: Wikipedia

Who's Viewed My Facebook Profile?

2009-11-08T04:55:00.000-08:00

People are now spending a lot of time on line using a networking website like the Facebook. Since Friendster has a way to track the visitors of a certain profile, we also look for this feature on the former.

I received an invitation to join a group which claims to have the way to know your visitors.

BEWARE!

This is not true. Here are some reasons why you should not follow the steps he (the starter of this hoax) created:

JUST FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS : {Never follow}

1. join this group {Do not Join}

2. invite all your friends to this group {Why invite them when you just want to know?}

***INVITE TIPS**** invite all your friends in 5 sec.

{Why should you invite in 5 seconds? Is it a race?}

Simply, copy all the code below:

javascript:elms=document.getElementById('friends').getElementsByTagName('li');for(var fid in elms){if(typeof elms[fid] === 'object'){fs.click(elms[fid]);}}

{Why copy a code when the Facebook Admin should be the one doing it? Besides, the code you see above is a way to cheat the Facebook system for you to invite all of your friends in a group or event. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS IN TROUBLE.}

Then, go to invite people to join, paste the code in your browser website bar, press enter. Then all the friends on your list will be selected! {This is right but very unnecessary.}

3. click this link :

http://apps.facebook.com/battlestations/new.php?invite=Pyralis {Never click a link when you are not sure what you will get, it may contain a VIRUS which can steal your account information like your password and can harm your computer.}

4. Create a character in game with any name/class/shipname (***This is really important step, when you reach the game home page, thats mean the secret app has been successfully actived***) {This Battle Station is a Facebook multi-player game. Why should you play a game and join a group when you just want to see your visitors!?}

5. wait 7-10 days, then you will receive notification when someone view/click you profile.

{Wait??? Why? So you will forget your desire to know feeling and let him enjoy the power of having thousands of allies in that game (OR MAYBE NOT). But why play the game? At this moment, the group has 228,209 members and counting!}

It is just as simple as that, you don't have to download anything, and that application doesn't take any private information from you at all. Now it is you turn to get it! =]

{Yes, it is indeed simple to trick innocent people.}

P.S. if this doesn't work after 10 days, it is because you haven't get enough invites to active this app, try to invite some more people by following the invite tips again. Then, repeat step 1 until 5.

{Imagine that? He wants you to repeat the process over and over for him to have a lot of victims.}

Advertise your website for Only £1.00 for life - Visit http://www.psychictree.co.uk/
{Do not visit the site.}

{Advertise??? He also wants to get money from your wallet! This is totally a SCAM!}

Here is my advice to everyone who joined. Stop waiting because nothing will happen. LEAVE the group now. It is the only way to stop this trick.

Yes, I joined it for me to know. Now I know so I just left it.

Please do it now.

Do you want to know how to be safe in Facebook? Click here New!

THE CREATOR OF THIS SCAM IS MAD AT ME (lol)

Mr. Shaun Booth, I know you are going mad right now. I have here the steps for you to stop your cheap trick.

How to delete a Facebook Group

Log onto Facebook with your email address and password.
Go to "Groups," by clicking on the icon which should be on the left side the chat bar.
Go to "My Groups" and show "Groups You Admin".
Find the group you wish to delete.
Click "Edit Members" and delete all the members from the group.
Then when you go to the group's page, click the option that says leave group.
For more help, see the Facebook Help Center.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Delete-a-Facebook-Group

Good Comment!

Best Comments!

Why sudden change of heart? Well, the Facebook admin just warned him due to multiple reports about his dupery.

Hallelujah!

For Facebook Privacy Page click here.

A Quick Guide to the Automated 2010 Election

2009-11-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! Philippines posted this video on their website. Smartmatic-TIM gave Yahoo! Southeast Asia a demo of the Automation process of the 2010 National Elections.

I had no idea how the automated machine works until I saw this video. This is the first time that computers will be used for voting in the Philippines. I suggest everyone to watch this video to know exactly what to do in your assigned precinct on May 10, 2010.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was permitted to take on this automation by the Republic Act 9369 or “An Act Authorizing The Commission on Elections To Use An Automated Election System In The May 11, 1998 National or Local Elections And In Subsequent National And Local Electoral Exercises.”

Using this Biometrics technology will make the election cleaner and faster. This will avoid dishonest election practices like misinterpreting, ballot replacements at the precinct, and altering of election returns at the examining level.

This process is new to everyone so the committee is planning to get IT professionals to assist them in handling the machines. From the 250,000 precincts used in 2007, it will be reduced to 80K only. Smartmatic and TIM will cater the 82,500 voting machines with 2,500 machines serving as stand-in. One precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine can handle about 1,000 voters. Therefore, at least 50,000 IT pros needed to help the board of elections inspectors (BEIs) in the upcoming polls. The law will only allow the BEIs and the IT people inside the polling precincts.

COMELEC will still discuss about the details on the process of getting the IT-capable persons. One thing is for sure, that they will only get those who are accredited by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

UPDATE:

November 11, 2009

COMELEC said that they will need 50,000 IT workers for next year's poll.

Smartmatic TIM has tapped workforce firms Manred, Placewell, and Ventureslink to employ the support force. Interested applicants are suggested to send their curricula vitae (CVs) to the said offices.

Smartmatic TIM will cautiously test applicants and have them sign a legal document saying that they do not have political associations.

The workers who will be hired to perform the job will not be assigned to regions where they are from. The training of employees will start in January next year and everyone will be recognized by the DOST.

Some of the IT employees will be positioned in the field while the remaining workers will be in the company’s call center to answer technical queries.

Under the Comelec’s rules, only BEI members will be in charge of the election and voting machines. Smartmatic-TIM employees will only notify the BEI members should the computers break down.

Source: Inquirer.net

Crocol University

2009-10-31T00:47:00.000-07:00

There is a congregation of crocs working in a prestigious university and they are excited for the up coming 2010 election.

"We must build our own printing press so that we can attract those politicians and get some projects from them!", Mahal said.

"Yes, that's a good idea. I am in!", Teneo said.

"Who wants to join the mob?", Snipe asked.

"This is going to be successful and there is no need to conduct a feasibility study for this!", Mahal exclaimed.

"Yeah, let's ask James Dean if he wants to join.", Blue suggested.

"Okay ask him if he's with us." Mahal said.

Blue hurriedly went to James and when he came back, he said, "Yes he's willing."

"Yes! haha... Now we're playing.", Juan said.

"We must include all the services aside from printing, we should admit book bonding, software programming, anything you can imagine as long as it is related to Information Technology because it works. We can also include video coverage as one of the services.", Mahal said.

"Video coverage? Where shall we get the equipment for that???", Fred asked.

"Oh don't bother to ask and worry about it, we have all the resources. Besides James is with us remember? He's the shielder. hi! hi! hi!", Mahal boastfully said.

The university has all the equipment she is bragging about. Equipment that is owned by the government and was purchased using the people's money. Now she is planning to use them for their own interest? Can you hear the growling sound of a Croc again?

"Don't worry too much because we are not going to put the store under our names. We are going to find a dummy because we are working in a government school and it's not allowed. This is to avoid being caught.", Mahal stated.

This contradicts with the university President's vision:

“Taking the lead in educating and developing highly qualified professionals imbued with the values of industry, nationalism and integrity dedicated towards the generation, enhancement and transfer of knowledge and technology for the attainment of regional and national development…”

An envying vision without action.

An employee's unofficial personal use of government office equipment could lead to sanctions against the employee. This includes limits on use of the apparatus, corrective or administrative actions, and payment for the cost of any improper personal use.

Therefore President Lie Oh Yah, will you just tolerate this plan? Show us your integrity.

A Healing Friend

2009-10-26T06:16:00.000-07:00

I am touched when I knew about Baxter's story. Baxter was a therapy dog in San Diego who stayed years giving care and ease to patients usually old people at the last moments of life. He died last October 23 at the age of nineteen.

Baxter was an abused pup and aged to become a licensed therapy dog. He worked for Therapy Dogs International and earned world-wide of fans for his years of voluntary job at San Diego hospice. He loved snuggling , licking faces, and giving happiness for people in the medical care.

Baxter was a friend to patients which made those people who knew him believed that it was his own illness that made him effective. The arthritis he got in his second half of his life left him unable to move and walk. The owner Melissa Joseph, helped him do his duties at the medical care by pulling him in a cart and carrying him to patient's mattresses.

Now I am planning to take my dogs for a bathe tomorrow and I'll clean their pads again. Sometimes I feel guilty about not being able to do this regularly due to my hectic schedule. Don't worry I promise to check them out tomorrow.

Friends or Foes?

2009-10-22T01:47:00.000-07:00

Facebook and Friendter are the most commonly used networking sites in the Philippines. I have an account on each site and I maintain them almost regularly. Isn't it fun to have a lot of friends? But sometimes we only take them to show off that we have a battalion of admirers. We accept anyone who requested and not thinking of the consequences.

I have seen the warning of Mr. President Barack Obama on a television and he said:

"I want everybody here to be careful about what you post on Facebook. 'Cos in the Youtube age whatever you do it will be pulled up again later somewhere in your life. And when you're young, you know you make mistakes, you do some stupid stuff. And I've been hearing a lot about young people who you know they're posting stuffs on Facebook and then suddenly they go applying for a job and somebody's gonna search in. You know, so that's are just some practical political advice... "

That is actually true. The CyberTipline.com of The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has a web site that shows the missing and expolited children in the USA.

If you are a parent, then it's time to do the proper things to protect your children. If you are a user then think first before you post. Please be careful on what you do on that site because there are more people out there who try to add you as a friend but they have negative intentions instead. Be vigilant and constantly on the lookout. Always think safety first.

Do you want to know who's viewed your profile on Facebook? Click here.

The Croc Effect

2009-10-21T06:29:00.000-07:00

Do you still remember Steve Irwin a.k.a. "The Crocodile Hunter"? I recalled him when I was watching Kara David's i-Witness report the other night about the huge crocodile in Agusan del Sur.

In March this year, a 10 year old elementary girl student was announced to have been killed by a monster crocodile in the Lake of Mihaba. The victim was said to be paddling her way home with her friends when suddenly a big croc bit her head off.

The people who live in the Agusan fenlands claim that the size of the monster crocodile is like the size of a bus. Although a crocodile expert refused to believe because the maximum size of a Philippine crocodile only goes up to 10 feet only or less. The incident forced the people surrounding the lake to evacuate and leave their livelihood in exchange for their safety. Instead of catching fish, they plow a farm despite the very low income.

Our crocodiles are quiet small compared to the Australia's Estuarine Crocodile which can grow up to 23 feet. That's really normal because I know some crocs here who only stand 4 feet.

This tale is very timely. If you will interpret this story in a logical way, it means that:

The crocs* are the reason for the innocent people to suffer.

To see the videos of the report, click the links below.

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4

* In this blog, croc has a different meaning. Click it to know the reason why.

Now, Who's Dumb?

2009-10-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

Someone just reminded me of my favorite TV show. That was the funniest and the dumbest show ever!

America's Dumbest Criminals was a television series sporting police investigation footage, news stories and reenactments of stupid criminal conducts and discussions about some dumb laws.

If I am going to produce a show, I will make something like this locally. I am sure it will be a hit because I even know someone who will pass the qualifications of the program. Ha ha! Moron.

Why Dogs and Women Bark?

2009-10-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I used to ask for puppies from my friends since I love dogs a lot and I have a space for them in my heart. They are truly the man's best friend. At this moment I have two male dogs, I call them Big Joe (5 yrs old) and Chew Coolet (2 yrs old), both are "As-kals" (local term for ordinary breed). They are my 24/7 guards because they are awake when everyone is asleep and present when everyone is not around.

My dogs are in chains, to avoid being infected by rabies and to protect our visitors. I love them because they only bark when necessary, like when someone is knocking on the door or entering the gate. The dog barks when it doesn't know the person.

This makes me laugh because someone at the most viewed article here keeps on barking at me. She keeps on woofing and continues on letting the cat out of the bag! She does that because she doesn't know me at all and she doesn't think first before talking. Miserable midget merchant - woman. She only proves how poor her mind is.

Grrrr... Arf! Arf! Woof! Woof! Awooooooooohhh....

Doomed

2009-10-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

I am dreaming right now. People are worrying too much. Afraid of being seen and caught. They are now thinking of ways how to get away with it and planning how to cease the one who drew it.

If I only knew how dauntless this guy is, I wouldn't get him waged.

That is what they keep on saying in their minds over and over. Cursing and wanting to get hold of him.

I don't want to die! I don't want to die!

They are afraid. So worried.

My family and my dreams what will happen to them? What am I gonna do?

Asking themselves and thinking that it's the end of this world for them.

Is it really? Am I gonna die? Oh no! No! No! I don't want to. Please spare me from your mind. I promise I'll be more kind. I'll be good next time.

The head hunter just nods and grabs his hand.

Where are you taking me? No!No! Please not there! Ahhhhhhhh! God! My Lord! help uuussss!!!

The hunter replies...

...your God is not here. He just left and he doesn't know you at all. You've been so good to us. You let use survived in your body. I enjoyed everything we did. Today is the day you should join our Lord. Welcome my favorite reptile and you are all mine now.

Nooohhh!!!

And they disappear in the dark.

Now I am waking up and just caught myself smiling. I think this must me included in the Twilight Zone.

Joey

2009-10-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

I am watching Mel and Joey tonight and they are celebrating Joey's birthday. Actually it is an advance celebration for him . His birth date is October 14, 1946. I remember when I first saw him in person last year, I think that was in August. I was checking for new gadgets on display at Abenson Cyber Mall Eastwood City when I heard a familiar voice near me. I think he was looking for a player or something. What I did was I waited for him to pass and I gathered all the forces in the universe to shake his hand and greet him. I said "how are you Sir, I am a great fan!" I didn't expect that he'd take my hand and smile at me. He said thank you and just seconds later he came back and ask me "Di ba DJ ka dati?" (You were a DJ right?). I was surprised how he knew me, maybe he has this 6th sense. I said "opo" then he asked me where I was connected that time. I told him I was working in a call center. He asked me if I still have a plan of going back to radio, I said there is but not that time. He even said that there are a lot radios out there to choose from. He thanked me again then he went back to his beautiful wife to check some items. Something was telling inside of me to tease him that I wanted to be in Eat Bulaga but I wasn't able to do that because I got star struck. Hahaha! Ambisyoso si Manoy mo.

Anyway, he's always been my idol when it comes to comedy just like his great buddy Vic. I wish him good health and undying happiness. He just said on TV that he doesn't like machines that is why he doesn't use the Internet but I still hope that he will be able to read this blog. To you Sir Joey, keep it up and thank you for being nice.

God bless you always.

I Did It My Way

2009-10-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

I woke up at nine this morning and I received a familiar article from my father. He said someone gave it to him so I can check. I scanned it and boom! It's the most viewed article on my blog. At last! I remember when Robin Padilla said in one of his TV commercials that everyone needs a break. So this is the break it deserves. To those people who bit it, then I just hope you bit at your own risk.

Back in high school I used to watch an American television series called Dark Justice. I love the story and it was about a judge that becomes a vigilante by night in order to bring to justice high-level wrongdoers that use technicalities to "get away" the legal system. I remember myself facing the mirror and saying this tag line: "Justice may be blind... but it can see in the dark."

Due to that, it makes me sing like the late Frank Sinatra.

"Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way."

Fin

Where to Donate?

2009-10-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

I cropped this comment from a page where it shows the sectors and countries who donated for the victims of Ketsana (Local name: Ondoy).

The world knows what happened to our country. International media are airing the news of the results of the typhoon and people who have big hearts are saddened. They begin to think of sharing their blessings with others. People with big names in Hollywood and music industry start calling for a relief. Filipinos abroad are also wanting to help their countrymen. But where will they give their donations to?

Lots of Filipinos in the NCR (National Capital Region) have lost their houses and other resources. Some went to the evacuation areas to wait for the government's assistance but many have decided to stay in their destructed households. Recently, the President just declared a national "state of calamity" due to the much stronger typhoon Parma (Local name: Pepeng). But why should the President place the whole nation in state of calamity? The rest of the country is safe and Parma didn't even affect the NCR. Thank God for that because people in that region don't need any more rain. At this time, Parma is destroying its way to the Northern part of the country and hopefully the casualties are lesser.

To those who donated, are you sure that your donations went to the right people? This article warns the people who will pledge. I remember when we had a super typhoon in our place, lots of relief goods were not distributed evenly to the people. Here is the picture: High quality relief goods donated by International and local groups were kept to replace them with local NFA rice, cheap sardines and noodles! (2 kilos, 2 cans, 2 packs respectively per household). Who are these people? These are the people in the government. In our local government unit, the governor is the main character of this play. He is the one giving the instructions to his subordinates down to the baranggay Captains on what and how to distribute them. What happens to the remaining items? They consume it and the rest will be secretly sold. Very clever huh?

Aren't you wondering why the President placed the entire nation in a state of calamity? This article answers this question. Calamity in our country is the crocodile's best friend.

If you are concerned about it then it's time to act correctly. Here are some top-notch places where you can send your donations:

I believe in these institutions and I know that they are honest about what they do. Click the logos to see their websites.

Here is my warning: NEVER send your donations to government owned organizations. I made this blog 'cos I care. Do you really care?

Please be warned. Here is another article about corruption in the Philippines. http://diskorner.blogspot.com/2009/08/living-with-crocs.html

Do you want proof? Read Ella's blog and you will know what we are talking about. You might need to translate the page using Google translator. Here is a translated page of her blog.

Manuel L. Quezon III also posted and translated this web log on his multiply page.

Bald Is Sexy

2009-09-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

When I was in high school, I never imagined having a problem with my hair until I reached my 20s. I remember I used to style my hair with a gel or hair lotion to set it up. I even had it colored and sometimes trimmed in a unisex parlor. I can also recall when a teacher in our Citizen Army Training called me up and cut my hair short because it was not conforming to the hair-cut requirement. I also went through the same program in college which was the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and my hair was still in good shape. But in 2000 it started falling out, one by one. I noticed some fallen hair across my pillow every morning. It also happened whenever I was in the shower, I saw some hair being flushed out. The thickness of my crown just went away and the front started receding. Although the process was slow, it became obvious as the years go by. I just let it go for thinking that it was just caused by stress due to the nature of my job then.

It started affecting my consciousness because I usually had trouble in styling my hair. That was the only time I searched for some possible solutions and I have found lots of articles claiming that their product works. I knew then that I had to do something to fix it. Having this problem called androgenic alopecia or the "male pattern baldness" is not an easy one. It makes you feel ugly and can lose your self-esteem. Luckily in 2005, I have found the solution that works for me. When I was working in Makati City, I consulted a dermatologist and she gave me her prescription. I had to shave my hair because I wanted to start from scratch. I used the medicine religiously and I saw some changes in just a month. My hair started growing back from tiny and thin strands to long and thick ones. I was happy to see the good change and I never stopped using it until 2007. I thought those hair will stay but that was not the case. The trick is, you need to use it for life! If not, it will just go back to where it was. Back to square one as what they say. So, I just started using it again just this school year together with its mate. In just a month, my hair went back to where it should be. It's been three months now and I see good results day after day. Hopefully I wont lose my job so I can sustain it haha!

Wondering what those are? Well, I use these two:

Minoxidil lotion (Isac Hair Regrowth System by Regroe)

AND

Mane 'n Tail and Body Shampoo by Straight Arrow

Minoxidil is a proven solution for baldness and you can read more about it here. While the Mane 'n Tail shampoo is tested to make your new or remaining hair grow thicker. Remember, it does not make your scalp grow new hair, only minoxidil does. Minoxidil does not work for everyone but it is worth a try. By the way, the dermatologist also prescribed me an oral medicine . It is called Conzace®, a soft gel multivitamin for cellular tissue repair and maintenance. This gel is optional but if you have an extra cash, go for it!

These are some conservative ways to tackle your hair loss problem. If you are NOT sure about the cause of your hair loss, I strongly suggest that you consult a qualified dermatologist. I am sure that he/she has a better option for you.

Go on sexy!

Please share your ideas here. Comments are always welcome. Thanks!

I am not posting my before and after photos here because I don't want to look like a paid endorser of these products. But if they will offer me a contract, why not!? Haha! :P

Google Philippines is Misspelt

2009-09-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

I just logged in tonight at around 6:02 and I have noticed that the Google Philippines homepage has a problem. The Google name is misspelled! I am wondering what is happening. Is there a problem? I am trying to contact the webmaster but their email address is not available. Well searching has no problem. It's just funny that a simple word is misspelled :P

When The Sweet Turns Sour

2009-09-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

I am quite surprised when I saw my friend's wedding photos tonight. I have not seen her in two years. I met her when we were training at Sutherland Naga City, Philippines in 2007. I didn't take their job offer after the training because they did not meet my salary expectation as an experienced call center consultant.

As I was browsing her wedding album, it reminded me of our topic awhile ago at my friend's house. I asked my friends if they would support my bill if I'd be a legislator someday. My bill is related to marriage and I call it RMC Bill (Renewable Marriage Contract). We were five in the group, but only four of us were discussing over a glass of beer (not coffee). Wondering where the other guy went? Well, to the restroom! (beer's just not good when taken too much). My friends were just not convinced for some reasons. The other one said that the bill won't make it because he believes that it will be against the child's interest. While my other friend said that suffering in marriage is just normal because "Through thick and thin" is his creed. Never mind my third friend because he seems not interested in marrying someone.

I told them that I am not forcing anyone to agree with it. Besides it is really impossible to please everyone, right? What I do believe is that this bill will surely be a big aid to the victims of domestic violence in our country. Violence which sometimes leading to death of the most affected partner, the wife. We have seen stories like this on the news almost daily. Those were the stories which have been publicized but how about those suppressed ones? I tell you, this happens everyday and there are thousands of related cases filed and for sure there are still a lot of cases unreported.

From 2001 to 2008, there is an estimated one woman victim of violence every one hour and 56 minutes. ~ Center for Womens Resources

I have heard the side of two machismos and surprisingly when I asked the views of some of my female college students, they gave me an applauding Yes. I am certain that all women's organization fighting for women's rights will definitely affirm on this bill.

There are some grounds to follow if this bill will become legal. Although this is intended primarily for ordinary married couple, this shouldn't be that easy to avail to avoid misuse. The government should create an agency (like DSWD) who will monitor and investigate the case of the couple. If they passed then they could take it after the first three years of marriage depending on the approved bill. If the couple should choose not to end their wedlock, then they have another three years before the second renewal. As you can see, the year of renewal is always after three years to teach the couple the importance of having a good decision when taking this rule. Besides it will also give them more time to patch up and improve their relationship by having biblical counseling to form a firm marriage. Both parties should only have two tries of ending their marriage in their lifetime to keep them from abusing the option. If an emergent decision is needed, an emergency and speedy renewal is only applicable to battered wife or husband (this happens too), infidelity and sexual abuse related cases.

There is also an option to a permanent contract after ten years of marriage. This can be availed by the couple who think that their relationship would last a lifetime. But again if there is a sudden change of heart due to infidelity or abuse (physical or sexual) to anyone in the family, an emergency termination of contract is always available for the affected party when proven.

To protect the children, they should be supported financially by the charged parent. But the kids should stay where they can be held properly. The age must still be considered for minors when deciding for their custody. The mother has always the right to be the keeper of her kids below seven. The rule of thumb is that whoever has the biggest income should be the one protecting and supporting the children except for minors. If the accused has the largest income, then he or she will lose his or her chance of getting the custody of the children but not the duty to support them financially until they need it. If the condition is not followed, then the accused will be jailed. In this way, the charged will be forced to support the kids.

I searched for this topic online and amazingly I have found out that someone has the same idea. I thought I was just the only one who had this in mind. Well in fact back in 1971, a bill like this has been registered in Maryland. You can read it here.

San Agustin Church: Completed by 1607
It is the oldest church currently standing in the Philippines

I remember when I attended my godson's baptism last year, the priest kept on preaching about marriage because most of the parents who were there were unmarried. He said that it is not enough to give the child a christian name rather being united for the child makes everything complete. It is easy for those priests to nag about it because they don't marry! The church always reminds their followers about having a blessed union for the couples but when the problem arises, they are nowhere to be found. Many Catholics have now learned that it is better not to marry because it's easier to let go when everything fails. This is what the Catholic church don't understand. Most Filipinos now have a practical view of religion just like the Italians. According to a blog of Rebecca Winke:

Divorce has been legal in Italy since the early 1970’s, despite the vocal protests of the Catholic Church. Abortion is also legal in Italy. I have found that most Italians have a very pragmatic view of religion. They generally love and respect the Pope, but don’t pay any particular attention to what he says.

The Catholic church seems so desperate in controlling this nation because they cannot influence its own people in Italy.

But God allows separation in two conditions:

I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).

If you are married to an unbeliever, it is God's desire for you to stay married (1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 16; 1 Peter 3:1-6). However, if your unbelieving spouse leaves, you "are not bound."

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances (1 Corinthians 7:12-15).

This RMC bill only deals with domestic violence and its causes. Do you still believe in this wedding phrase that Till death do us part? If you are happily married, I am sure you would still say yes. But put yourself on the abused partner's shoes... do you think you would still want it and be the first one to face death in the hands of your partner? Think about it.

Other resources:

Divorce in the Philippines?
Gabriela Womens Party
Domestic Violence on Wiki
How to define Domestic Violence by eHow
The Bible on Abuse & Violence
Bible Study on Commitment, God and Divorce
Center for Women's Resources