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Celebrating a Memorable Blooper: When Stupidity Becomes Romantic

2012-02-14T01:07:00.000+04:00

One stupid blooper has lead into an ideal, fun-filled, romantic relationship... I was shopping for a perfect engagement ring at Dubai Gold Souk and I decided to consult a friend about it. After buying, I wanted to thank my friend, when accidentally I wrongfully sent the "thank you for your advice on a good engagement ring" to my fiance. I had really no idea I did. I was just thinking of her all throughout.

We met that night. She asked me where I've been, and why I'm not answering her calls. Alibi, I said I went to meet a client. Next thing, with a big grin on her face, she showed me the SMS I wrongfully sent. To my grandest shock, I almost fainted and fell down! My goodness! I wanted to cry! I just ruined the biggest surprise I was planning for. I spoiled my wedding proposal!

It had been one of the funniest proposal I bet. On that Valentines Night Dhow Cruise Dinner, she kept on teasing me to show her the "surprise" ring right on. It has been comical. The surprise element was gone. I didn't show the ring until we're about to go. I was laughing when I asked her if she's willing to marry me even if I stupidly didn't give her a surprising engagement proposal. And then, there's calm. Wow, she's quiet. She looked at me, and she laughed hard! I am stupid I know - but she appreciated the thoughtfulness. AND SHE SAID YES of course! That's a perfect celebration into a plan that (almost) went wrong. She's the very kind of girl for me, and so I am for her.

But On that morning of Valentines, I went to the nearest flower shop, got the prettiest bouquet and I asked for as much of those fallen petals on the shop. I sneaked in my fiance's room while I know she's away, scattered all the petals I collected on the floor; placed the bouquet of flowers on her bed and left a small thought, "You redefined my life. Nothing more I could ask for. I love you." I turned off the light and hide.

All she knew my surprise was spoiled, but when she entered the room, she cried and hugged me and she was moved. She told me, "You're so sweet, now you got me by surprise!" I guess I made up from the wrong-sent SMS yeah!

Ever since that day, our life has been filled with humor. It's been fun. We always cheer up each other. And we're doing it consistently. We're on our 4th year now. My wife is pregnant for our first-born...

News About Babies Are Always Adorable, On Our Social Network

2012-02-02T23:46:00.000+04:00

How to Begin the Week on a Positive Note?

2012-01-21T12:01:00.000+04:00

A report says "Most of us find the start of the week so demoralising that we can't even bear to crack a smile until 11.16am."

11:16am? Whether you love your job or not, this first weekday struggle happens to most of us. Weekend feels absolutely too short. We can't just let go of being in a relaxed mode with our family, or friends. It's really normal to feel sad and lazy to go back to work routine.

But, would you rather keep this trend than start the week right and and set a good mood for the entire work week?

Let me share how I combat that feeling. Here's my another tips. Easier said than done, I know. It's really challenging, but hey, it's just a matter of mindset. Talk and listen to yourself. Try these, nothing to lose anyway:

Enjoy the whole of weekend. Do not make it a habit to feel bad when Sunday (Saturday here in UAE) evening sets in, thinking it's gonna be work week again the next day. The more you think about it, the worse it becomes. Maximize the remaining hours of the weekend with your loved ones.
Give yourself ample time in the morning. Set your alarm about 1 hour (and snooze) before you actually want to wake up. Give yourself an hour or more allowance before you leave. Start early. Have a hearty breakfast. Don't cram. Don't stress, you're not in the office yet.
Listen to Music Instead of News. I know some of us would rather listen to news on the radio, waiting for traffic advisories.You would probably know that traffic is always jammed on mornings so why still care? Listen to feel good music instead - or upbeat ones if you prefer. It will help set the tone of your mind going to work.
Invite positive energy. Eliminate the sighs that it's workweek again. While driving, or at least upon getting off your car, before you enter that building, look up and tell yourself, "it will be a good day, a productive week." Smile!
Greet. Greet everyone a good morning. Ask them about their weekend.
Bonding. Break the ice. Invite a colleague or 2 for a coffee. You will get back quickly to your 'office mood' after the sip.
Plan your week. Making a realistic week plan. This is the best time to take control of the things you need to work on to, and not the other way around.

There are surely more ways to reverse the "first weekday blues". Those 5 had been so effective for me, though it took me ages to really get them working. I simply wouldn't want the first day to ruin the rest of the week and swallow me... At least Monday (Sunday here in UAE) happens only once a week.

Have a great week ahead everyone!

Government Office with the Most Holidays: Philippine Consulate

2012-01-20T19:53:00.000+04:00

Photo from Facebook

A little trivia: Did you know that the Philippine Consulate / POLO-OWWA in Dubai (I don't know in other cities) could vie for a Guinness World Record for the public office with the most number of holidays?

YES! They take both the UAE holidays and the Philippine holidays off. So if it is National Heroes Day in the Philippines and it is just supposedly a typical working day in the UAE- the Consulate/POLO-OWWA is off and is on holiday - not thinking about the thousands of Filipinos in need of their 'services.'

And now, based on the photo above, even the Chinese holidays. Galing no!

Songs for Baby

2012-01-14T12:19:00.000+04:00

We bought these classical CDs by Mozart for our baby... Studies say babies in the womb respond to music. Some say that playing soft and classical music helps the baby to develop intelligence.

So classical music for now baby. Don't worry you'll grow as a rockstar anyway.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

What Could Push Our Local Government to Clean-up the City?

2012-01-08T21:57:00.000+04:00

ABS-CBNNews.com quoted MMDA Chief in their report

BOURNE! So if not for the filming of the Hollywood movie Bourne Legacy in Manila, would you initiate to clean and put orderliness in the area?

Here's to more Hollywood shooting to come! F!

What an Excited Dad-To-Be Does

2012-01-06T23:13:00.000+04:00

Our baby at 3 months

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it. In 6 months, we will see our baby. We will be able to physically hug him/her. Both of us have never been this excited. For me being a dad, especially for the first time, is the most wonderful feeling after marriage. Especially we waited for this to happen for almost 3 years. God is really great. He provides at the right time, at the right situation.

So to my excitement, I find myself doing the following since the good news:

Research articles and videos on things my wife should and should not be doing during pregnancy. I also research about how I can help my wife (be it in any other ways)
Study a lot of "How-to" like proper carrying, calming, changing diapers, pampering, etc
I'm extra inspired at work and in all things I do. Wife and the baby is always on my mind. I hum, I sing while working
Leave work on time as much as I can to be with my wife and our baby within her - and I'm not patient with traffic lately.
I noticed that I'm spending less nowadays and the savings is growing
Play lullabies and baby sleeper music during bedtime
Talk to the baby in the tummy all the time
During the Christmas shopping, I was already looking around for toys for our baby :-)
Thinking on how to design the baby's corner in our room
Keep myself fit to prepare for carrying the baby

We both have re-defined our plans and time lines to include some events for our baby

Oh what a feeling really! I can't wait to become the best father as much as I can - a best friend, buddy, teacher and mentor. I can't wait to raise him/her into a cheerful, beautiful and inspiring and God-centered life. I can't wait to introduce him/her to the world.

There's only one thing me and my wife until now disputes about - who will the baby look like? :-)

Next week, I can already write whether it's a he or she, as we might already know the gender. I wish for a baby boy, wife wants a girl - can we make it any more obvious? ;-) But boy or girl is absolutely so fine. We'll be the best parents as much as we can!

The Misuse and Abuse of "Proud to be Pinoy" (Say Mabuhay Instead)

2012-01-05T09:40:00.000+04:00

The Misuse of Pride
I bet it's not only me who's sick and tired and tired and sick of the widespread misuse and abuse of the"Proud to be Pinoy" comment.

Youtube, Facebook and Twitter are the popular playgrounds where some belt out this "pride." In fact, we can be the world's proudest netizens in social media today in the way we flood the comments sections. Charice, Arnel Pineda, Apl De Ap and Manny Pacquiao are the 'suki' of the infamous "Proud to be Pinoy" comments - whatever 'Pinoy' we see in the international media, there is this pattern.

But something's really really wrong. Posters may have the right intentions, but most of the "Proud to be Pinoy" comments were really out-of-place, out-of-context and just about taking the ride, and bragging without rights.

Others take that as 'Nakikisakay na lang tayo sa kasikatan ng ating kababayan.' It could just be a case of improper articulation or phonetics, but other nationalities find it offensive, so immature and irrelevant in fact. It pisses them off whenever they see threads of "Proud to be Pinoy" comments... and it ignites an unnecessary racial battle. And why not? It's about the talent, and not about being Pinoy. "Manhid?"

In Tagalog, "Pinagmamalaki kong Pinoy ako dahil kay Manny, Charice etc..." Meh!

I understand we love to associate, we love to relate to any degree in fact. For every Filipino (pure or half, 1/4 or 1/8) who does great things and is globally recognized, we claim it, we're part of it. We take pride. We even trace the path to prove one's Filipino roots - whatever it takes. A trophy of one is a trophy of the nation. That's just right and so natural, but that could really go wrong too. We are "proud of our kabayan". Why don't we simply say, "I'm proud of you Charice" or whoever, or "Great Job!".

If Manny Pacquiao says "proud to be Pinoy," that's perfect. He is simply proud of what he can do being a Filipino. When Bruno Mars say he's proud to be a Filipino, it sounds right. When Nicole Scherzinger says she's proud of being Pinay, it sounds so sweet too. Apl d Ap continues to write Tagalog in every Black Eyed Peas album and he consistently say he's proud to be Pinoy. Right again. They have the bragging rights!
But us? The credit isn't ours. Let's rather express appreciation. "We're proud of you!" sounds way better.

Why are we so trigger-happy to comment "Proud to be Pinoy?"
Maybe, being in a low to mid-class in the world, or being in a third-world country invites it. We have this mindset that the world looks at us as underdogs, thus whenever a Filipino becomes a world-class fame, we're jumping into the ride. We want to prove something. We want to change the impression of other nation about us. And so we shout "Proud to be Pinoy" when one Filipino shines bright.

Sadly, this shows we're hungry of ~~recognition~~ attention. We want to tell the world that we've also got what it takes to be on top. Especially there's not much of Filipinos who are 'big' in the world. So everyone's a watchdog of who'll make it big next... and will be proud of themselves again being a Filipino.

Media also play a big role in the demise of the real essence of Pinoy pride. Success, achievements, dreams have been bordered within the entertainment world only (well, majority). Media oftentimes leaves a mark that whatever the pop Westerners does, Pinoys can do as well - and that's not one good yardstick to live by.

"Wohooo! Proud to be Pinoy!" - so what are you proud of? Proud of another's success is really okay, but is illogical and maligned. You should be proud because, you, being a Pinoy has great accomplishments. In the first place, nobody should be proud of himself, Pinoy or not, if he hasn't done anything.

Instead of "Proud..." Say Mabuhay
We seem to forget what Filipinos shout whenever we win battles, whenever we're rejoicing. We shout and chant "Mabuhay!" for our triumphant compatriot. Mabuhay is our signature greeting, chant and battle cry. I know where this "Proud to be Pinoy" is coming from - we're proud of what we have, we're happy because our kababayan is a winner, is popular, etc. Then, why not simply say, "I'm proud of you, Mabuhay ang Pinoy!"

Use "Proud to be Pinoy" in its true essence. Have reasons to support the pride. Being wowed by world-class Pinoy talents is an immature reason of being proud of yourself. Having heard the Philippines or Filipino in an international media isn't always a reason to exclaim pride. Imagine this... No Charice, No Manny Pacquiao, No Apl D Ap, or whose ever auntie-of-the-father-of-the-uncle's-cousin is a Filipino. What will be your reasons... Why are you proud to be Pinoy?

MABUHAY ANG FILIPINO!

Leave Office on Time, Reap Rewards

2012-01-01T23:46:00.004+04:00

Saw this graphic virally spreading on Facebook. Couldn't agree more.

It's always been one of my principles to go to work on time and leave on time; or at least work efficiently within the schedule. Staying at office desks beyond 8 or 8.5 hours doesn't always mean that we are hard working. Maybe, we can't efficiently utilize the working hours to do all the day's work. Beating deadlines though is another story - but we won't need to cram til the last minutes if we have a smarter working scheme to be productive at work.

A smart worker is the one who's able to deliver what is expected of him within the schedule - and be able to leave on time. A smart worker is output-oriented actually. A smart worker realizes the 7 things listed in the graphic above, reaping its rewards.

But never ever compromise. Don't disregard your work. Embrace it, value it, respect it. Leave on time if, and only if you can really cross-out items in your to-do list in a day.

Employers Must Realize...
The former CEO of Coca-cola, Bryan Dyson also said, "Work efficiently during office hours and leave on time. Give the required time to your family, friends and have proper rest."

This is what I want every employer to look at. They should encourage employees to observe the working time frame efficiently, and discourage working on extended hours. Employers need to feel that their staff are humans - they have family and friends and life outside of work too. Employers must take these 2 things into consideration:

If employees develop conflicts within their relationships because of working time issues, they'd be disturbed at work.
Severe working on extended hours might cause some minor to major health disorders to some. If employees feel bad, they lose proper concentration. they'll need medical attention and they'll probably skip some days of work.

Value Our Lives

If we all neglect our precious time for family, friends and our significant relationships in general, work will also be affected. Focus and productivity definitely suffers; and it has a domino effect.

We work, we do good at work because we are inspired by our loved ones. Let's just give them the due time and attention they deserve from us. Get a life.

Read back the 7 meaningful items listed above. They're a win-win for both your work and your life outside work.

Junk New Year's Resolutions, Create a Vision Board Instead

2011-12-31T02:05:00.000+04:00

Vision board from StevePavlina.com forum

Say goodbye to this year and to new year's resolutions too. Admit it, they just don't work. New year's resolutions appear to be just our "wish lists" without defining realistic goals to achieve them. It lacks planning and oftentimes, they're all about what we want others to see in us (or not to see) next year. Give it few weeks or a month after the new year, it'll be gone.

A typo-graphical vision board from Following Your Joy Blog

Create a vision board instead. A vision board is a poster where you paste cutouts from magazines about ideas and things you want to achieve - dream job, good health, nice car, huge house, a person you want to meet, places you want to go, things you basically want to do, etc. It's a collage. Put it up on your wall where you can always see it - preferably somewhere really visible whenever you wake up. That will always remind you of who you want to become, what you want to achieve,where you want to go... and those thoughts will help you change your life, your actions and your mindset to match those that you've put in the collage.

Don't cram because the year is about to end. To do your vision board correctly, you need to spend some time with yourself. Play a soft music or instrumentals on the background, sit quietly and focus. Open your mind. Ask yourself, what is it that you really really want. Don't restrict yourself on your capability to achieve things. Just keep them coming and stay with those thoughts for some time. Slowly, pictures will start to come to you.

When you're done... go ahead and create your vision board. Here are some tips:

Browse magazines to find all the pictures and headlines you've visualize for you and your future. Cut them off but don't paste them right away on the board
Review the images. Select your favorites and eliminate those of less importance and less relevance. At this point, your mind must be thinking creatively on how to lay them in the board. There are no rules - you will set the rules in fact. You may divide the board and group related things accordingly. You may also want to create a priority flow. Or, you may simply put in things in random. Be creative
You may add labels - or time lines if you want. For example, write September 2012 under the photo of a luxury cruise ship because you want to get in a cruise on of before September 2012. You may also want to put photos of people you want to involve in your vision
You can add a photo of yourself and put it in the center. It will remind you how you wanted to be circled with just the things within your vision, and remain in that path.
Before you hang your vision board, let it set upon you. Feel it. Set your mind - your actions will be patterned on achieving each and everything on the board. Law of attraction works.

Extra 24 hours of possibility and opportunity

2011-12-30T21:23:00.000+04:00

McCollins Media did a great job with their New Year Email Greeting Card. The minimal copy is just powerful and motivating,

"365 days + 1: 2012 is a leap year. That means there's one extra day... That's an extra 24 hours of possibility and opportunity."

Third Time's A Charm: My Shot at Emirates via LinkedIn

2011-12-23T02:20:00.000+04:00

Emirates is one of the companies in Dubai on every job seekers wishlist. 'Third' becomes a good fortune for me. How I was able to get in...

How LinkedIn played a vital role?

Back in January 2010, somebody from the e-Commerce team contacted me via LinkedIn for a possible e-Commerce designer/developer stint at Emirates. Everything went very well. I got 'hired.' In fact, to my excitement, I severely injured my toe nail as I stamped with joy upon learning the good news. I've done most of the required protocols, authentications, police clearance, etc. Then I signed the contract. Come February - a week before I'm supposed to start my work, I got a call that the employment won't pursue. The reason, Emirates was 'actually' cutting employment that time; haven't started yet, I was already redundant. It was an executive-level decision. Hurts much. How about my toe injury? :-)

Three months later, I received another invitation via LinkedIn again. This time from the manager of the UI Team of Emirates, asking me to a meeting for a possible job as UI Designer. The meeting went really well. But they never got back to me for awhile.

Another great offer came from a small yet growing web design company. Thinking that Emirates won't get back, I grabbed the opportunity. Almost 2 months after, I got a call inviting me to undergo the formal hiring process for Emirates. With honor to my commitment with my new employer, I declined with a heavy heart. It was puzzling why I declined.

Fast forward 11 months after, I received a message in LinkedIn from the same manager taking chance if I'd like another shot at an opportunity with Emirates. We had a meeting - introduced me to the department manager - and everything went well. I got offered. Haunted by my past experiences, I'm a bit reluctant this time. I'm having a great experience with the small web design company already. I love what I'm doing. What if in the end, it goes off again? This is what's boggling me. In the end, I accepted the offer and resigned from my job.

Today is my 2nd month in Emirates. I'm working as a Senior UI / UX Designer at Emirates Group IT. What a way to get in... I will always be thankful to the manager who contacted me, and to LinkedIn for the connection. It's a bit challenging, but I love challenges - it helps me bring out the best in me.

Tips to enhance your visibility in LinkedIn

If you are on LinkedIn, make the most of it:

Make your profile marketable. Enhance it with the best keywords for your career.
Add your portfolios and links to your works
Update your CV
Get recommended, and recommend others as well
Join discussions and professionals group

Don't hate it for it is boring. It can be your best tool towards your dream job.

Fiction Coming Into Reality

2011-12-07T17:20:00.000+04:00

Yeah, Japan has long been doing robotics and they're genius at it we all know. But, wow! This one so far, from the looks of it, is the closest resemblance to human (well at least in this video). The Fiction-Coming-Into-Reality seems so near huh...

Delivery and Run

2011-12-06T22:13:00.001+04:00

At Wild Ginger this afternoon, after ordering a takeout meal, the attendant saw my Emirates Staff ID. She asked if I knew about Ticketing. She wanted to find out if she can still be allowed to travel on her 8th month pregnancy, because normally airlines allow pregnant women of up to 7 months only.

She prefers to travel on her 8th month in order to maximize her 60-day maternity leave in the Philippines.

Can you imagine? She's going back home only to deliver her baby and would need to return here in Dubai for 'work'. I will be a parent soon and I just can't imagine myself allowing that situation to happen - how much more for a would-be mother.

MENTORS, the freshmakers!

2011-11-18T00:54:00.002+04:00

It's more or less just 10 years ago, in college, when I began to realize how passionate I am of becoming a teacher... well sort of.

It started when a senior student I don't know then, surprisingly nominated and elected me to a leadership position for the Computer Studies Student Council - Vice President for Internal Affairs, that is. Rainier, the founder and a long-time outstanding student leader, was really visible in co-corricular and leadership-oriented activities in and outside the university. He shared a lot of great things which I wouldn't have learned if I just locked myself within the university. He enlightened me on the importance of setting a vision and how to reach one. He brought me into miles of exposure; introduced me to different campus organizations and industry leaders around the country; He humbly bestowed his remarkable ideas to me... He passed the baton on me when I took over the presidency of the student council on the next 2 years; representing the university in a national computer organization. And til now, he mentors me.

After university, I was invited to join Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network as a web designer volunteer and later on became its Executive Director. I've met more interesting young leaders and mentors, volunteers, life changers, visionaries, inspirations. They became my closest friends. In VOTY, we lead groups of young people, encouraging them to believe in themselves in creating and promoting positive social change, and in making a difference in the country. Choy introduced a new thinking, a non-traditional approach to solve conflicts. He entrust with me a great organization. He, with Ian and Lloyd leads by example. They create opportunities even if it seems to have no way. Choy brought me to highest of heights literally and figuratively as well. I've been on TV and radio because of him. He continues to encourage me. He mentors me.

In the radio program, Emsie and I and the VOTY gang voice out whatever we learn from the group - aiming to inspire listeners and join us as volunteers to also, in any way, influence other young minds proactively. Emsie, with his "lightweight" approach to life often gives me "heavyweight" advices and learning. We often talk about the lighter side of life. He makes me realize the lessons in every situation. He continues to mentor me.

Kamyar, whom I worked with here in Dubai, introduced himself to me as a mentor indirectly. He loves to talk about various things ranging from coffee beans into philosophical nature. He always smile. He never fail to offer help. He leads the web design team in a non-traditional approach. He brought the best in me as a web designer. He makes me realize a lot of things just by listening to his stories. Until now, he gives me room to grow and prove myself. Until now, he mentors me...

I owe a lot of what I know, and how I've become now, and how I've planned and set my visions to those people. I am blessed and thankful that I've been surrounded by great influential friends. The "I" wouldn't happen if there are no people like Rain, Choy, Emsie and Kamyar who wholeheartedly shared their significant learning and experience to drive me to the right path. introduced themselves to me in day 1 saying, "Hey, I'll take you to what you want to become. C'mon!"

Most often, the best life's teachers are not in the school. Also, you don't need a degree in order to teach, influence and change people's life. You just have to want to make it happen.

"Minsan lang tayo maging kabataan. Wag mong palampasin ang panahong ito para gumawa ng mga pinakatamang bagay para sa yo ngayon at sa kinabukasan mo at ng magiging mga anak mo." - POCHOLO "CHOY" GONZALES

"Pards, always think out of the box - and literally get out there. The universe is too big for you to lock yourself in a classroom. " - RAINIER VERGARA

"Babae na naman ba yan? Padalos-dalos kasi e." - EMSIE REYES

"In reality, people only care about the finished product. Why take the hard way when you can simplify? Work simple, there are other aspects of life that needs your bigger time and attention." - KAMYAR HOUBAKTH

Now it's time, and it's always time, to pay it forward.

I'm becoming a dad! It's the happiest feeling!

2011-11-05T02:18:00.005+04:00

The happiest feeling in the universe today is with us. We are becoming MOM and DAD finally! We've long waited for this. See you soon baby! We are excited to be the best parents in the world. We are excited to build a model family.

And what a best time for the baby to come. Thank you very much Lord. You're always so kind...

What Else To Do In The Desert, Huh?

2011-11-01T22:26:00.000+04:00

To begin on a great idea, you need your mind. To finish it, you need your heart...

2011-09-10T02:19:00.000+04:00

Review: LG Optimus 3D - Recording, Viewing and Sharing 3D

2011-09-02T14:08:00.000+04:00

LG Optimus 3D, one of the first, if not the first mobile to feature 3D is built on a Tri-Dual Architecture -Dual-Core, Dual-Channel and Dual-Memory. It has 4.3-inch WVGA screen capable of showing HD contents in both 2D and 3D. This phone can convert normal photos and videos into 3D as well.

Before we go deeper into further technical aspects of this latest amazing smartphone, let’s first tackle ‘the 3D experience.’

Viewing 3D without glasses was I thought a pain, but perhaps, it is just normal for first-timers to adjust, tilt the phone to one’s preferred 3D angle. The content is best viewed at the optical sweet spot which is 30-40cm in front of the screen. The LCD uses a series of slits on the front of the screen that block light so that users' left and right eyes see different images. Hence, no need to the traditional 3D glasses. Now I’m seeing it perfectly – 99% flicker free.

Thanks to the phone’s preloaded 3D contents (3D Space) I’ve had a quick first-hand experience to view 3D with my bare eyes. It has 3D Games and Apps, 3D Gallery, 3D Camera of course that comes with a 3D Guide. The 3D Guide is graphically enhanced to, well, “guide” you in Creating, Viewing, Sharing and Connecting. The graphics of the 3D Games are stunning. You’d be able to feel the depth of the video, or photo sliding into your hands. Definitely cool!

Creating
Of course you can shoot your own photos and videos in 3D. It’s just a matter of switching 2D or 3D in the camera options. It’s got dual 5MP cameras at the back to do that. When shooting, the best distance to observe between the camera and the subject is around 0.5 – 2m. The results are unbelievably perfect. You can share them as 3D with your pals if they have a 3D-capable device, else you can convert them into 2D to share it everywhere.

The experience with the preloaded 3D games is totally awesome

How about playing Angry Birds in 3D hey!

Sharing in Youtube
Youtube will automatically recognize and add a 3D icon to all 3D videos you’ve created. There’s a Youtube 3D in case some of us are not aware of. Go to http://www.youtube.com/3D

Connecting
You can use either HDMI 1.4 to connect on a 3D TV or connect using DLNA to other gadgets

Youtube's 3D channel is in the 3D Space

The 3D experience in overall is pretty impressive. There’s more to LG Optimus 3D that I’ll share in my next posts.

Reputation of taxi drivers in Dubai

2011-08-31T01:21:00.001+04:00

The way taxi drivers in Dubai introduced themselves to me was generally unpleasant. Well, majority of them.

SEX MANIACS
On my first month, I sat on the front passenger seat. This frolic taxi driver, from the beginning of the trip talks about "What is peni* in Philipinni?", "What is puss*?" and nothing but sex and trash. And then he's trying to teach me what it's called in Pakistan. I'm a bit aloof, but jolly that I may, and for the sake of maintaining a friendly conversation (because I'm inside his cab), I talked, answered his every question. When I'm about to go, as I was handing him my bill, he grabbed my arm and wanted me to touch his effin' b*lls. I pulled back and to my shock, I punched him on the chest. I shouldn't have left my cash but I was so shocked and ran inside home quick. I thought of reporting to the police - but since I'm new in the city, feared this kind of things - that I may be the one to get the raw end of it.

That disgusting incident has earned the Dubai taxi drivers a too bad reputation from me. After that, I never rode a cab seating beside the driver. I always sit at the back. One time, I'm opening the back door but the taxi insist that I sit in front. No way jerk!

I also avoid conversations with them. Other taxi drivers are plainly too noisy and trash talkers too. They thought every 'kabayan' loves to talk about sex. Even if I ignore their non-sense blurbs, they don't stop. There are other drivers who will enumerate all the trash Tagalog words they learned: "P*tangina", "Gag*", "Baya*", "GLORIA ARROYO" name it they know it.

TOO FAST TOO FURIOUS
Majority of them drives like they want to take you to hell, not just because they're too fast, but they're rude. They don't know customer service. In taxis here, the customer is not always right. Some of them shout at you. AND, everywhere you may want to go, they will always complain 'traffic.' If you're going in a short distance, they'll drive the cab against their heart, and you'll hear them talking to themselves loud in their language. They prefer not too cold temperature. Sometimes when you ask to turn the A/C cooler, they're pissed. Oh man! They get pissed off at little things... Hot tempered.

A FEW GOOD MEN
But of course, there are a few behave drivers. Silent all throughout the trip would be best. There are also wholesome jolly ones. Once, an old man cheerfully sings "Pinoy Ako" by Orange and Lemons. He knows. Another one recites all the presidents of the Philippines. Others talk using "Saan ka papunta?" and directions "kaliwa, kanan, diretso, hinto." Another one, knows Wowowie by heart. There are funny and gentle drivers as well. Some would really care to help you load and unload your groceries in compartment. There are those who start intelligent conversations too. Some talk about world politics, and our own Gloria and Marcos government. But sadly, only A FEW of them.

THE HONEST ONE
The best experience so far for us is riding on this old man's cab. He's the silent type. My wife left her bag in the cab with the mobile and other important cards in it. We tried calling her mobile several times to get the attention of the driver. No answers in the first half-an-hour. Then he called us back using my wife's mobile saying that he noticed it late and asking how he can return it. I asked where is he that time and we'll go to meet him. Instead, he offered to pass to where he dropped us off to return the bag. After an hour, he came back and handed the back and phone and everything. His name is Salahuddin - I won't forget because he's rare. I do hope we'll have more of him.

These are just my stories. I've been hearing more of the worse stories from others. One is, you might end up in a desert with the cab driver and you know what happened.

GoDaddy .COM domain for $1.00 only for TODAY

2011-08-05T07:38:00.004+04:00

GoDaddy .com domain registration goes on SALE. Use "cool1" for Promo Code when checking out. Applicable only for 1 year domain registration.

Thanks for PinayMommy Ruby for the info.

Where to Buy Angry Birds Stuffed Toys and T-Shirts?

2011-08-01T16:56:00.003+04:00

Yeah, Angry Birds fanatics

I was actually mum about doing this blog, for the reason that the outlet staff prevented me from taking photos inside and even outside the store. Crazy isn't it? It was management order daw. I wonder if the management lives in mountains. Don't they want free publicity? free promotion? free blog post? Nah!

Anyway, due to friends asking, here it is.

So, where to buy Angry Birds stuffed toys in Manila?

I have already taken the shot when I was approached by the staff to not take photos

Here's another one: Nagkakaubusan dito

We bought these stuffs at Clipper in Robinsons Metro East and Clipper Glorietta 5. These are unofficial Angry Birds merchandise by the way. They are sold at Php349.00 (AED30+) each - regardless of size. There are other kinds as well: plastic figures, suck pins, hats, bags, etc. - with different prizes. So much for this 'photo-phobic' outlet. Just visit their Facebook Page for more info.

Where to buy Angry Birds shirts?

We found these orig Angry Birds tees at SM City Taytay Department Store. Not sure if all SM Department Stores have it. In Megamall, we didn't find any.

Update: Here's Clipper's statement on why it is not allowed to take photos within the store:

Pinoy Blogfest 2.0 Advocates Social Media for Social Good

2011-08-01T09:20:00.001+04:00

From the inbox: With Filipinos once again acknowledged as among the most active social media users — via FaceBook, Twitter, Multiply, Tumblr, Flickr, YouTube, etc. — Filipino bloggers are challenged to explore the potential of social media as a transformative force in Philippine society. “Social media as an agent for change” will be the theme of Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0, happening on Friday, 05 August 2011, at the TriNoma Activity Center in Quezon City.

Leading the discussion will be prominent social media activists Usec. Manuel (Manolo) L. Quezon III and Ms. Gang Badoy, who will share their thoughts on these two basic questions: How can we harness the power of social media for the social good? Can bloggers become positive change agents through social networking?

Both Usec. Quezon and Ms. Badoy will be the main speakers during the Blogger’s BIO (By Invitation Only) programme, scheduled from 7:00 to 10:00 pm as the culminating activity of Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 on Friday, 05 August 2011.

Manolo Quezon is a popular essayist and blogger, who is currently an undersecretary of the Presidential Communications and Strategic Planning Office. Prior to this, he hosted The Explainer and The Explainer Dialogues on ANC cable news channel. He also headed the Speaker’s Bureau and was a columnist and editorial writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and was the assistant managing editor for the Philippine Free Press weekly news magazine. Usec. Quezon has received various awards for his professional work, including being named “Opinion Writer of the Year” in 1994 and 2005 by the Rotary Club of Manila’s Journalism Awards, one of the oldest journalism awards in the country. He also won the 1st Prize for the Essay in English for the Carlos Palance Memorial Awards for Literature in 1997.

Ms. Gang Badoy is a media practitioner and alternative educator. A product of the Assumption San Lorenzo High School, UP Diliman and the Indianapolis-Purdue University, she worked first for ABS-CBN in San Francisco and became news desk editor for NBC’s Eyewitness News. In 1999, she accepted a post with the Diocese of San Jose, California, and worked closely with Catholic Relief Services. She came home to the Philippines in mid-2003 and joined Jesuit Communications (JesCom) and spearheaded workshops on “Media and Ministry” for the East Asian Pastoral Institute. Primarily a writer, Ms. Badoy founded Rock Ed Philippines, an alternative education volunteer group that works for a more interesting way of presenting socio-civic issues to the youth. She also devotes time to giving media literacy lectures in campuses all over the Philippines, and is a staunch volunteerism advocate. Ms. Badoy was awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) and Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for 2010.

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 is a whole-day event, with several Social Activities targeted at various audiences. These are open to the public, as follows: 10:30 am to 12:oo nn – The New Workplace; 01:00 pm to 02:30 pm – It’s A Digital Life; 02:30 pm to 04:00 pm – Photography; 04:00 pm to 05:30 pm – Healthy Living. With expert resource persons for each of these social activities, the public will surely find the sessions both educational and entertaining. On-site registration will give the audience a chance to win raffle prizes and other give-aways.

Pinoy_Blogfest 2.0 is organized by GADGETS Magazine, with the support of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Teletech, Canon, Globe, Pony, Neo, Asus, Western Digital, Archos,
BenQ, JBL, Sennheiser, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror, and TriNoma.

Back in Dubai

2011-07-30T17:56:00.002+04:00

What to see at Nuvali Park, Sta. Rosa, Laguna

2011-07-27T19:55:00.001+04:00

My Birthday Wish is Jolo's full recovery - can we help them?

2011-07-07T07:04:00.006+04:00

4th post-operation day - changing dressings

This is Jolo my nephew who had his second stage surgery last June 23 2011, at Philippine Heart Center. The surgery lasted for 14 long hours. They have to re-open him because his valve is not functioning well. Jolo's family were told to prepare Php 470,000 (USD 10,964) for the procedure, but because they have to replace his valve, they were charged double. The hospital bill is now 600,000 (USD 13,996). Doctors' fees not yet included. It was so kind for the Philippine Heart Center to have done the operation despite the payment of the total cost.

My birthday is on 9th of July. One of my birthday wishes is for him to fully recover and to continue living an animated life. If you plan to gift me (I know you don't), may I knock on your kind hearts please to, instead of giving me presents, can we share a little of our blessings to Jolo and his family? Or if you know someone or a group who can lend a help, can you share this blog to them please?

Jolo after transfer from I.C.U.

with his Pedia Cardio, Dra.Azcueta, Dra. Mappala & Dra. Valdez

We are very thankful and very happy that Jolo, an 8-year old, is so brave to battle it out. This promising kid dreams a lot of big things for him and his family. He's doing well in school, especially in his favorite subject, Science. He is one kid whom I can see a bright future ahead. Let's all wish for him to fully enjoy childhood and growing up.

If you want to learn more about what Jolo has gone through til this date, read this blog: http://thefighterboy.blogspot.com

Thank you so much in advance for any amount you could wholeheartedly share.

Please get in touch with her mom, Joy Guerrero-Gonzales via email: ljoy_gonzales @yahoo.com.ph
You ay directly deposit any amount to:
Account Name: Lorelie Joy Gonzales
Account Number: 429002100018
Philippine National Bank (PNB) Mangarin Branch

You can also contact me at connect @iongonzaga.com or call +63915-2182858 in the Philippines or +97150-3104958 in UAE.

Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai, Have You Heard About Common Sense?

2011-07-03T23:13:00.011+04:00

Does an electric fan (if you can't afford an air-conditioned waiting area) costs more than the chandeliers hanging inside your offices? Does one water dispenser with disposable cups also expensive?

All we wanted is to go back home, yet you're making us feel uneasy and frustrated about going through the process we need just to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

How uncommon your senses are? Have you ever seen any place in Dubai that isn't air-conditioned? Now I just did. At the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-OWWA) in Abu Hail, their waiting area for applicants getting certification is a villa garage, covered only by a thin metal roof. Yes they have one small room inside, but not enough to accommodate applicants. You are a huge customer service / public service office and you provide a 'clinic' for a reception? You, public servants, sit comfortably in couches in your spacious offices - and you can afford to see people suffer under the 45 degrees Celsius heat?

Oh I forgot! That office isn't a UAE territory anymore. Welcome back to Philippines! What a pre-taste of homecoming.

We arrived 1:30PM - I couldn't come at a really earlier time as I need to finish crucial works in the office that day; Got my queue number - 394 - current number served was 230. So I was 164 heads behind. The designated holding room which is just as big as 10 toilet cubicles was overflowing with people seated and standing with literally no space to move elbows. Thanks to the malfunctioning aircon and the useless faulty electric fans - people are sweating. I wish this office also employs people who could organize and well handle a crowd, not just somebody who gives out papers to fill in and then cries when the people coming in becomes faster than their encoding.

One applicant - a lady attempted to take a photo of the room, and then, a staff yelled 'Mam bawal po yan!' (Madam, taking photo is not allowed). Since when did other people had the right to tell what's not allowed to photograph? But that's it - they don't want pictures of the heck situation to spill out.

This is their holding area outside. If we choose not to squeeze inside and suffocate - we'd brave the heat!

We decided to stay outside where dozens of people rather brave out the heat than to succumb in suffocation inside. It's June 29 - for heaven's sake, temperature soars around 43-45 degrees! I asked a staff for water and guess what... NO WATER! I wonder how they drink. I have never been into any office in the UAE, private or government, that doesn't have water. In bus stations, RTA provide cold bottled water for FREE. In other establishments, you will be asked to choose what drinks you want. What is it to them to serve one glass at least to someone dehydrating? I'm fighting with my temper on that day to prevent from bursting out. It was really dehydrating - not the lack of water but the lack of senses of the so-called public servants. The nearest grocery is blocks away. After some 2 hours, a water vendor came in... whew! Good thing he doesn't overprice (Only 1AED per bottle) - he's not a Filipino kasi.

A basic water dispenser (without fridge) in Carrefour doesn't cost more than 500AED - and is only a one-time purchase. A 5-gallon of water costs 8AED (80AED for 10 in a day maybe). Disposable cups are priced around 0.50 fils per piece. Now I wonder why they can't allocate budget for this wherein each OEC applicant pays more than 100AED for the certificate - and the number of OEC applicants day-to-day is on the range of 300-500 heads. (OEC applicants pa lang yan.) Now do the math.

They could've also talk to sponsors to put a vending machine for water, sodas and some chips and cookies. They just didn't.

And how about a single industrial fan at least? Heck, they will not spend more than 500AED for a decent one. Actually, why not air condition the holding areas? Why not for us overseas Filipinos?!

And you have 2 luxury SUVs parked inside huh... Plainly, totally insensitive.

The queue moves really slow at 10 people in every half an hour. The reason they say is that they only have 2 in the staff to process OEC. AGAIN, why not employ more? If demands are higher why not add service? Oh by the way, they are already taking pride that these 2 people works beyond the duty hours just to finish the applications... No thanks.

How dare you to prioritize applicants whose employers come with them? Which rule book says that when a non-Filipino employer pleads to prioritize their employees you will effin' give in?

I was called by around 6:15PM. That call is for me to get into another holding room. Finally, after 4.5 hours of being 'roasted.' I was so lacking of energy, hungry, deprived of a care and service I've been paying since I become an OFW.

Thought that was it but I was wrong. There are about 30+ heads before me waiting for their turns. Can you imagine how frustrating it was? This room though is a bit spacious, but some were still standing. I spent more than half hour on that room before finally claiming my effin' OEC. It was a grueling almost 6 hours of hell. 6 hours I borrowed from work just to attend to this mandate.

But in fairness, in the last holding room, most of the staff (the elder ladies) were polite, courteous and really accommodating. It's saddening that these real public servants are being eaten up and overshadowed by the rotten system.

I know this issue is not as heavy as others could be - but this post intends to create awareness (yet again) that even at the smallest needs of the people where the solutions are handy - the "leaders" doesn't seem to use their common sense to act on it - or maybe it's not common to them at all. And I'm not referring to the topmost leaders. I'm talking about the immediate "leaders" - the Consul Generals, the Labor Attaches, even the OICs or the officers-of-the-day. We are your customers, you are our public servants. And nobody deserves to be b'sh****d in whatever way.

RELATED ARTICLE: Gulfnews: Filipinos sweat to meet employment certificate rule

-----------------------------

A little trivia: Did you know that the Philippine Consulate / POLO-OWWA in Dubai (I don't know in other cities) could vie for a Guinness World Record for the public office with the most number of holidays? YES! They take both the UAE holidays and the Philippine holidays off. So if it is (example) National Heroes Day in the Philippines and it is just supposedly a typical working day in the UAE- the Consulate/POLO-OWWA is off and is on holiday - leaving a lot of kababayans on halt for their needed processes. Galing no!

Organizer of PBA Games in Dubai screwed me, used me, Talk n Text suffers

2011-07-03T07:15:00.001+04:00

Before I go to the title story, allow me to say that I was contacted by the organizer / promoter Ramon Pizarras 3 weeks before the games to design a t-shirt and logo for the PBA Games in Dubai. As a big PBA and sports fan, I agreed (with terms). After I sent my design to him - I got no word and he can't be contacted by any means. I didn't get ANYTHING in return - even complimentary tickets. Let me clear that I DID NOT volunteer for that job.

--------------------------------------------------------

Today I learned a shameful news - The Talk n Text Tropang Texters team were stranded in Dubai Airport. Thanks to the promoter Mr. Ramon Pizarras who left them out after the celebrated games. According to a reliable source, the organizers missed to pay the hotel bills of the teams and their return tickets.

According to Coach Chot Reyes tweet (below), the (Asiana?) Hotel management refused to release their passport after knowing that an amount of $8000 is still in due. All three teams (Ginebra and BMEG the other 2) paid the remaining hotel fees from their own pocket in order for their passport to be released.

Unfortunately, Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters was the only team stranded at Dubai Airport.

@coachot Chot Reyes
Nightmare in Dubai! Hotel refuses to release all 3 teams' passports as organizer still has $8000 debt. We had to advance d funds! Anobayan

I don't have to add up anything else. Just look at the photos and read their tweets below and tell me how you'll feel.

rich_alvarez Richard Alvarez
Man, first they wouldnt release our passports at the hotel, and now they didnt confirm our plane tickets!? This isnt good..

@JAlapag3 Jimmy Alapag
Could be in for a long night if we don't get on this flight back to Manila...

@mtnpeek Ali Peek
Pissed off man! How irresponsible! How s the league gnu 2 leave the champs behind in the middle east to fend 4 themselves!

@mtnpeek Ali Peek
I dropped $6,000 2 help some of my teammates get a flight bk home! Oh! I'm gng 2 get my cash back n sm1 has to pay!

@JAlapag3 Jimmy Alapag
Midnight here at Dubai airport trying to get these flights back to Manila organized...

rich_alvarez Richard Alvarez
Looks like we are stuck in Dubai for at least a day, unless we can pull off a miracle! I love it here, but I miss my fiance and my family.

@ManilaBlack4 Harvey Carey
Bad business...

@coachot Chot Reyes
Here na in Bahrain.Still cant get over leaving my guys behind,but cudnt offload my luggage anymore + twas best so less pax to worry about.

@coachot Chot Reyes
UNBELIEVABLE how badly d PBA handled this trip, esp since I warned them already about this promoter, coz this is NOT d 1st time this happnd

@coachot Chot Reyes
A coach is only as good as his assts:goodwork @scwtN! update coach: 345am emirates 3 pax, 555am Qatar flight 13 pax, 945am emirates 3 pax

j_rey_8 Josh Reyes
by coachot hey, @pbaprodteam , how can you let this happen?? iniwanan kami ng lahat? shouldered hotel bill, paying for our tickets with personal money.

@aresgutlerrez Ares Gutierrez
by coachot @TinaMaralit @coachot shucks.. promoter was notorious. local basketball community avoids them like a plague. ewan ko ba pano nito nagoyo PBA

@coachot Chot Reyes
To those asking, d name of Dubai promoter is Ramon Pizarras. I warned d PBA about him na, pero tinuloy pa rin e -- kami pa nadamay :(

fmango Fidel Mangonon III
Either this bad experience in Dubai for TNT has 'grandslam' written all over it, or is a bad omen re: its particular bid for it.

@rich_alvarez Richard Alvarez
So we've been in the airport for 9 hours.. We had to buy our own plane tickets because our promoter couldn't settle the bill.. Wow.

---------------------------------

With regards to my issue with Mr. Ramon Pizarras, it was clear that my work had been used all throughout the event. This photo below shows that customized PBA (Dubai) logo -with buildings silhouette at the back - and yet I got no single word from him.

I promoted his event on my network. That blog entry alone got 5,348 hits, 433 times shared on Facebook, and 97 times Tweeted, and I got loads of calls and politely lead them to ticket sales. And no word from Mr. Ramon Pizarras. I designed the shirt and logo despite my super busy schedule (because he follows up). I was not asking for payment - I only hold on to his promise that

I'll be receiving an allowance for the shirt design
I will be joining their committee and will be receiving an allowance (means automatic entry to the games)
I will be his official photographer on upcoming sports events
I will be his official blogger / publisher on upcoming sports events

All these happened through phone conversation. And sociable I am, I agreed. I trust people easily as much as I don't. But this served another lesson to me. And to you Ramon Pizarras, shame on you! I've lost all respect I thought you deserve. Shame on you - to let the guests teams down. Shame on you for running away. Shame on you for avoiding to communicate with me - with us. I wouldn't have bothered to blog about my personal experience with you - but letting a guest professional basketball team this way, sorry i couldn't help it. This is not the way to treat guests. And what happened to me is certainly not the way to treat people who render help wholeheartedly.

The PEBA 2011 "Where the Heart Is" Photo Contest

2011-06-30T07:17:00.000+04:00

The Pink Tarha, proud to be a part of this year's PEBA (Pinooy Expats Blog Awards) and GLOBE Kababayan SIM bring us the Globe Telecom Photo Contest.

Rain, clouds, more colors, vintage effect? What happened? Don't fret, it's still the PEBA 2011 Photo Contest. We just added a fun, very colorful side to it. Of course, it's hand-in-hand with the theme of the PEBA 2011
Blogging Contest. This is our first major project as a blog, and the first tie-up we have of PEBA Inc... please support us! Grab your cameras and shoot!

Here's the gist: All Filipinos living and residing abroad and of legal age are eligible to join this photo contest. Think of a subject/subjects that will show us where your heart is, what you consider "home." A home is not just a place, right? Capture your interpretation of the theme with the use of your cameras! We don't
discriminate so you can use whatever camera you have, as long as you pour lots of creativity and mix in passion. :) Submit your photos (a maximum of 2) at pc@pinoyblogawards.com starting today until August 1,
2011. Worthy judges will be taking a look at your photographs and your family and friend can support you through the Facebook pages of PEBA, The Pink Tarha, and the Globe Kababayan. Winners will be receiving
electronic gadgets and more prizes from our wonderful sponsors. For more information, please read THIS. (If that doesn't work because sometimes Google Docs is choosy aka nagiinarte, haha, then you can also click
here. ;)

We'll be giving away Globe TipIDD cards worth P300 each for the first 50 participants. We'll be awaiting, rather eagerly, your wonderful photos! :)

Again, don't forget to read the full mechanics and rules HERE (It's a must!). It's just four pages and font
12 so it won't be stressful to read. If you have more questions such as why there are clouds and rain in the poster above or who's that guy holding the camera or why you should join, don't hesitate to email us at
pc@pinoyblogawards.com or thepinktarha@gmail.com. Don't be shy now. :)

Kindly share this to your family, friends, and fellow photographers. More photos, more happiness shared. :)

A FAIL Twitter Bio Info

2011-06-10T10:19:00.001+04:00

Wondering what's running on US Airways Social Media Specialists' minds when they put in their Twitter Bio (and in their background image) this:

"Have a complaint/compliment to share with us? Go to usairways.com/feedback so we can followup directly.We aren't able to provide a proper response on Twitter.

http://www.usairways.com/Forms/CustomerRelations.aspx"

They must still be living in a cave huh! They're turning off customers from one of the best, if not the best, social media customer service tool today. Maybe they find 140 characters a bit challenging eh. So why bother to Twit? Using Twitter in a one-way channel is a no-no.

Will you like this Facebook ad?

2011-06-08T10:39:00.001+04:00

Uhmm, not really sure if this Facebook ad will work. Why put a freaky image in it? Makhsoom Dubai is yet again a daily deal site which is just about to launch. I didn't get the relation of the image with deals.

What if our online life is transformed into the real life?

2011-06-05T10:47:00.000+04:00

Are we gonna entertain strangers who wants to befriend us on streets, or follow us? Are we gonna wear labels saying what's on our mind, or what we like? Pretty weird yeah. Here's an interesting funny video produced by the English National Opera. The video was created to promote Nico Muhley's opera 'Two Boys' which examines internet crimes.

And here's another one:

Ping Pong Dim Sum Dubai - the best dim sum restaurant in Dubai

2011-05-18T10:31:00.001+04:00

What a great treat to kick-off the weekend. With my wife, we visited Ping Pong Dim Sum Restaurant anew at the Dubai Mall. We had our last food at 12pm and really starving already by half past seven. She's been craving for some 'authentic' Chinese cuisine and so I thought of dim sums. Was just wondering, I thought we'll have a heavy dinner; will dim sum satisfy our BIG hunger?

It's my 4th time in the restaurant and her 2nd. We already have 'favorites' - the steamed Har Gau and the Crispy Prawn Balls. We've tried some signature dishes, and their flowering teas, but we want to try more...

On the menu, there were about 15 categories (dumplings, veggies, rice, fried, platters, etc) and 8 sets to choose from. It's so hard to choose as we both love anything dim sum. Here's what we ordered all in all:

STEAMED DUMPLINGS

2 Har Gau (King prawns & bamboo shoots)
Coriander Dumpling (King prawns in translucent pastry)
Seafood Shu Mai (King prawns & scallops topped with carrots)
Seafood Roll (King prawns & fish wrapped in cabbage)

STEAMED FLUFFY WHITE BUNS

Char Sui Chicken Bun (Honey-roast barbecue chicken)

FRIED & ROLLS

Crispy Hoi Sin Duck Roll
2 Crispy Prawn Balls

DESSERTS

Chocolate & Banana Spring Roll

BEVERAGES

Strawberry & Coconut Yin Cocktail
Strawberry & Vanilla Bubble Tea

Did I say we're just 2? Haha, I know - because the way to order at Ping Pong is to tick the box of your choice on a lengthwise paper. We just couldn't stop. It took us quite to decide which to try ;-)

Anyway, the prices range from AED 12 to AED 25 only. It's not that much, neither cheap at all. There are 3-pieces of dim sums per order served in a traditional steaming Chinese basket (if steamed).

Har Gau, Seafood Shu Mai and the Char Sui Chicken Buns in their baskets

The crunchiness of the flakes covering the savory king prawns combined with that translucent pastry, dipped in sweet and sour sauce is just so heavenly. Prawns are tender and not half-cooked (photo below).

My favorite Crispy Prawn Balls (below)

And... Har Gau - it's the king of all steamed king prawn dim sums. It's best when eaten right upon serving - while it is still steaming a bit. The Coriander Dumpling is as good as well. I guess it's the mix of bamboo shoots in Har Gau that made it more tasteful for me. Ping Pong's Steamed Dim Sums are not slimy and sticky. It cuts when you bite at it. Though they come in 'tiny' bits, these dim sums are tightly and heavily wrapped.

Har Gau - I forgot the traditional pork dim sums when I tried it.

The Seafood Roll is again, king prawns and fish wrapped in cabbage (see below). It doesn't taste bad - maybe I'm just not a cabbage guy - but my wife appreciates it. It's best when dipped in chili soya sauce. Looks unique too!

Seafood Rolls - wrapped in cabbage

The rest of our food are as sumptuous. What highlighted the dinner was... well, the dessert! Yeah we've tried various banana rolls a lot of times - but their chocolate filling in the banana spring rolls are out of this world. I never actually thought it would taste that good. A bite of this hot fudgy roll plus a scoop of cool ice cream equals a luscious finale to a palatial dim sum dinner!

Chocolate and Banana Spring Roll with Chocolate Ice Cream

We've really had a lot, but there's a looot more to try. There's over 50 items in the menu and I've heard they'll be introducing more exciting dumplings very soon.

Service

I can't say a word about the service. Maybe it's the nature of dim sums that is easy to prepare so our orders came in no time - and always at the right time - not altogether. The crews are also very courteous, polite and hospitable. We were greeted and ushered to our table by a smiling crew, January - that's the way to set a great mood for dinner.

Ambiance

You'll feel a balance of a high-end and a cozy restaurant inside. I think the neon-blue on elegant black theme of the outlet is creative. You'll forget that it's inside a mall actually once you're in. The music was not loud - perfect for a hearty tete-a-tete.

Activities

Activities? Yes there are other activities happening inside other than dining. It was 3 days before Easter when we came and at one corner, some kids are busy painting Easter Eggs guided by a friendly crew. There are also boardgames during Sundays. I remember the last time there was a fun chopstick-oriented game too.

Tomorrow, Friday (Lazy Fridays), there will be unlimited dim sums for a very reasonable value. Who's with me?

So, did dim sum satisfy our BIG hunger? Yes. So much. Thank you Ping Pong Dim Sum for the treat!

Prize: Samsung Galaxy S 2

2011-04-25T00:18:00.001+04:00

Eileen, Product Manager of Samsung UAE awards this Samsung Galaxy S 2 as a prize for being 3rd Placer in the Samsung Galaxy Tab Ambassador Program in the Middle East and North Africa Region. Thank you to everyone who supported my campaigns all throughout the program. Thank you for liking my videos, my reviews and everything I did about the Galaxy Tab.

Thank you very much to Dennis Turla (videographer) and Amy Liamzon (model) for sharing their time and incredible talent to the video that garnered the most likes among all ambassadors. You guys are amazing!

Congrats also to Danzen Binos from KSA who grabbed the first place and the Samsung LED 3D TV prize.

My Earth Hour Certificate

2011-04-18T20:34:00.000+04:00

So Earth Hour awards a Certificate of Participation to all who registered before the day; and I got mine today. May this piece of graphic be a reminder to me and to you as well to indeed go beyond that one hour lights off. That event is merely to just create and instill awareness. We all know that we can contribute even with the simplest things - now it's time to do it.

Review: Samsung Smart TV (Preview in Dubai)

2011-04-16T21:30:00.000+04:00

From 'idiot box' into a smart box - that's how Samsung sees the Smart TV will fit. In a special Dubai bloggers meetup held March 31 at Media One Hotel, Samsung exclusively unveiled their latest innovation and let us experience some of its features, well, some.

Basically, it is a TV that has access to the internet. Through its Smart Hub - the user menu interface, you can socialize, browse any websites, search for contents you want to watch - did I say in 3D? And like your smartphones, you can also install apps in it. So you can access Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Talk or your mail, etc while watching. Imagine while you're watching football, you're seeing your Facebook wall and you can easily exchange rants and raves with your friends. Cool huh? Also, the Smart TV recommends contents related to your interests, primarily by your browsing history.

What we've spent a lot time on was its 3D feature. I must admit, it's really amazing. The picture quality is superb. I've also learned that it also has 3D sound system so it's definitely a shoo-in for a home theater.

Trying the LED 3D viewing

Another cool feature of the Smart TV is converting 2D videos into 3D - any video - be it from YouTube, a DVD or even a mobile phone video.

File Transfer
Transferring photos, videos or music from your mobile device to the TV is so effortless. Thru AllShare, you can wirelessly transfer files from any compatible media such as Samsung Galaxy Tab or other Smartphones and hard drives.

Input Mode
The presenter used what appears like a typical remote control to navigate through during the presentation. Although they say, a remote control with a trackball on the front and a QWERTY keyboard at the back is coming out. There's also an Android app to download on your smartphone that you can use as remote control.

What apps does Samsung Smart TV support?
You can download Samsung Apps - which according to the presenter have around 300 apps to date. I know right! This is also what most of the bloggers cry about. But Samsung sees the number to grow byat least a thousand by the end of the year. If you're an applications developer, you can contribute via their Samsung TV apps SDK.

The Expert Panel's Clamor
One of the most evident clamor from the bloggers is pointed to the lack of Bluetooth support. It's just an uncool idea to have a wireless smart device that doesn't support one of the basics and first in short-range connectivity.

While currently it doesn't have a built-in web cam, I hope it would support a 3rd-party webcam plugin too.

Nevertheless, I'm excited to pimp my living room with a Samsung Smart TV. It's like having a YouTube on a boob tube - and more than that. Did I say you can also play your favorite games, and you can convert them into 3D as well?

More photos from the Bloggers Meetup:

Dubai Comedy: Funny Customer Service

2011-04-13T00:18:00.002+04:00

So I posted this video from Dubomedy about a skit portraying how Customer Service in Dubai could go funny... uhmm, punny at times.

One of my friends couldn't help but notice some specific content of the video. He commented,

sorry ion. don't find this funny though. filipinos may be crazy at times but not as stupid as this. there are some pinoys/nays who don't speak good english but they have excellent comprehension skills. i find this skit an insult to our capabilities whatever level in life you're on, whatever your educational background is, and whatever your english scale is too. i acknowledge that some have gender confusion, alternating "she and he" but not as bonkers as confusing "ma'am" and "sir".Cguro, these guys experienced customer service from a Filipino na "sobrang tanga" talaga pero this doesn't, in reality" represent the "in general" customer service that we or they, who work in dubai, provide. tsk.tsk.

Cheer up bro! That's why it's called Comedy - nothing to feel serious about. And besides, it's pun intended for Dubai and not for Filipinos. It just so happened that too many Filipinos work in service-oriented professions here. What the actors in this skit portray is actually the 'lack of proper and ethical customer service' AND NOT being a Filipino. This shit happens everywhere, even in our own country. Let's face it, stupidity is shared by all nationalities, race, color profession, etc. There's just no place here on earth that doesn't have equal share of stupids and the not-so stupids.

Are websites becoming irrelevant?

2011-04-12T05:56:00.002+04:00

Now on paper bags, Facebook replaces the spot of then web address. No surprises though. Why wouldn't any brand come to where the people already is - and costs less, if not free.

What is home?

2011-04-04T06:10:00.004+04:00

Home creates an environment where we, since childhood, are exposed to new thinking, first idealism and first beliefs. Everything that happens at home are most likely regarded as the right ones. By the time we go out to the real world, we discover a lot more, we realize further and we investigate. Home is always our first reference. Home is where our character and values are formed. It is where we get our identity - identity that we will bring wherever we may be.

Home is not the physical structure, not the house, but a state of mind where you are comfortable and relaxed to do whatever you want. At home, you are limitless.

We are always longing to be at home. During work or school or wherever, we feel that time moves sooo slowly. But when at home, we don't mind time. We can do whatever we want to do. We can live our dreams at home. We crank out loud with the stereo and have our own concerts. We dance like it's the last night gracefully. Home is where we interpret how we really wanted to be in the real world. In short, home sets our dreams.

Covering a Filipino Rock Concert in Dubai

2011-03-18T00:33:00.012+04:00

As a blogger, and a social media campaign advocate, I've got an opportunity to cover the concert of Rico Blanco, General Luna and 6Cycle Mind tonight at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Can't wait!

Doing my blogs in the morning exercises the brain and set my mindset for a grinding day.

2010-12-07T05:53:00.000+04:00

The Story of Bottled Water (2010)

2010-08-02T23:34:00.000+04:00

Is your nationality your identity?

2010-07-25T03:22:00.001+04:00

Q & A with Gulf News' Community Solutions Journalist Heather Madore

Q: In the past, people would stick to groups of people who shared their nationality. Is this a practice you still a lot of today?
A: It's a basic instinct I must say. A person would rather approach a group in which he sees himself fitting. It's a more comfortable feeling than sneek into a foreign group and be alienated trying to relate himself with the majority.

Q: Have more people begun to mix nationalities?
A: Yes I think so. People would love to mix with other nationalities for the simple reason of "discovering." Oftentimes, introductions in the conversation between different nationalities is about where they came from, and what's good (or not) about the place. And that actual geographical learning per say is amazing. Our nationality is only a general classification. At the end of the day, we create an identity based on what we do or what we like - and those things lead to mingling with people (regardless of nationality) who also like the same.

Q: Has social media like facebook, twitter and MSN helped people come together?
A: Definitely. Here in Dubai, there were already numerous events organized by people connected via Twitter, Facebook or Meetup. With majority of the population being expats, we are always craving for something to do. We are excited to build our network.

Q: What other reasons have contributed to people mingling?
A: People connected via social networks are excited and curious to see who the actual person behind a username is. In the first place, people got connected online through a common interest. Events themed with that commont interest - be it an informal mini-conference-over-a-coffee, an art exhibit, or a demo of a project, or a concert - makes them want to mingle. Mingling creates an OPPORTUNITY to meet and discover random cool and exciting people. It could open doors to create a personal or professional relationships with people.

Q: Does the fact that the UAE has so many different nationalities help break down barriers or create them?
A: Dubai is one good example of a borderless community. It's not the nationality that creates groups for people - it's their interests. If I love football, I will mingle with football fans alike. The fact that companies employ people from different nationalities and merge into one team already kill the barriers.

Q: What makes a persons identity? How do you judge a persons identity?
A: Each person has his own brand (or identity). He creates it (and is judged) by the way he speaks, he acts, and sometimes by his interests; or physically by his posture. In social media, a person's identity is determined by the information he shares. We call it reputation management.

One, of many, aspects I can judge a person's identity is the consistency of the way he carries the reputation he builds for himself. There are people who consistently talks only about one thing. There are also people who talks about random things.

Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation

2010-07-17T19:33:00.000+04:00

PEBA has witnessed the real life suffering and loneliness of the OFWs and their families and believes that strengthening the OFW families, strengthens the homes and the nation! Thus, this season’s theme of

“Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation”

does not just momentarily fit the issue of hour but is a timeless subject that cannot be bound by shackles so long as there are OFWs out there.

Scores of blogs and articles have been written about the subject in the past but it seems that the government authorities remain clueless of solutions and action plans to abate the increasing number of broken families.
We cannot wait and just rely on our government to come to rescue of the OFWs families in crisis. As Pinoy Expats and OFW bloggers, we have the moral obligation to help and encourage one another in our own little ways. What we blog and write about may encourage a fellow OFW or a fellow blogger to save his marriage from falling apart… it may help one to keep the family intact.

What can we do as bloggers? The PEBA 2010 Season opens with not just the OFWs and Pinoy expatriates writing about the OFW families but will be joining forces with local bloggers who, in one way or the other, have been influenced by OFWs in their lifetime. The support of the local bloggers who are sympathetic to the OFWs cause will have that exponential effect of reaching and educating up to the grassroots level.

PEBA calls on the bloggers to write and post about topics on strengthening the OFW families, and their being miles away from each other. Topics may include family communication, family gatherings, parent-child coaching and counseling, assistance and support in children’s homework and projects, conference meetings with family members, online contact with families, pointers on cheap communication, etc. PEBA calls on the bloggers to write about what they are doing to strengthen their families despite the distance and their absence from home. PEBA calls on the bloggers to share insights, ideas, pointers and how to express love for their spouses and children.

My Simple Life Winning Formula

2010-05-14T00:25:00.004+04:00

It's not about what we have done. It's about what we can do.

I thought it was great but all I got was hate; thought it was awesome but I forgot to consider some...

I did a website with poor navigation; an ugly website with improper ratio between images and texts. I produced websites that violated CSS and XHTML and design rules. I delivered a website that took centuries to load, was not compatible with other browsers; sites with low search engine visibility; and worst, websites that were only visited once, and totally rejected. I've been through a lot of mess, committed a number of critical mistakes, been moaned and scolded. I failed.

That WAS me.

Behind those failures, I am still playing the same game, just rubbed it off, got up and continue to be ALIVE. Those experiences gave me an opportunity to assess the kind of risks I need to take, and helped me realize that I can really give more only by means of a right formula. Being A.L.I.V.E paves the way for me:

A - Attitude. When I set the alarm to 4am, by 5am I should be up already - that's right attitude for me. Right attitude equals right mindset, organized and open-minded. Discipline along the way is my biggest challenger (That's why I implement a No-Facebook No Twitter time in a day). When I have to do it, I have to. If I don't have to do it, I won't. I learned a lot from the 4 quadrants (alone) in the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey.

L - Love of the game. I love what I'm doing. Web designing just started as a hobby until I realize that I could make a living out from it. It was not even included in my college course so I studied everything by myself. I'm lucky to have got cool mentors, coach and tutors along the way that helped hone my skills further. What better career can you have than the one that you really love? This is pass-ion.

I - Inspiration. I'm greedy about inspiration. This keeps me happy about what I do. I always sing and crank up rockin' - that's my way of saying I'm inspired. I have a beautiful wife to die for, a loving and supportive parents and sisters, great friends. My dreams inpire me too. Being dramatically inspired squeezes my creative juices more.

V - VITAMIN VISION. Having a vision prevented me from giving up with all those failures and prevented me too from pursuing a career in showbiz. haha. Reminding myself of my vision, adds fuel to my engine. The more I failed before, the faster I got full tank. The motivation to live my dream life with my family is just undying. See my Visionboard.

E - Earnings. Web design and internet marketing field puts me in a very lucrative opportunity. Seeing how far I can go, how big I can be, how huge it could reach out (see Ion as a Youth Advocate) and how quick I can transform my vision into reality never shuts me down. In short, realizing what my earnings could do not only for myself motivates me much.

This is my formula. It can be yours too. Be ALIVE. I refused to die and chose to be ALIVE. And to be ALIVE I don't abuse myself, well not too much. There are still more days I get to sleep 6-8 hours, I can go out with the family on the weekends and relax. I can chill in this desert.
So now, I can create not just stunning websites, but efficient, user-friendly, usable, and cost-effective as a result as well. (See Portfolio)

Coming off the bench, I know my role. It's a continuous learning process while I watch the coach design the play and the superstars execute. I know now what to do with the ball when it gets on my hand. I'm not yet where I want to be, but I believe and feel my other hand already holds a part of the MVP trophy. - Ion Gonzaga

Dick Gordon is my president

2010-05-07T16:43:00.001+04:00

Encouraging the nation to support Nick Perlas after the elections

2010-05-07T15:49:00.000+04:00

I believe he is in the mold to lead; has an unquestionnable passion to offer new politics; has a track record to boast of especially about environmental protection. Even not in power, he was able to influence environmental decisions through his resolutions. But then, he lacks the governance experience and political will.

He may have jumped so soon into the contest of Presidency, but nonetheless, his courage is admirable. his intentions are the purest and most sincere among all. One good thing, this exposure surely leads into more advocacies for him to steer. His coming out into the the politics should be an eye opener that there are really selfless people who wants to bring positive social change. And this will not stop on May 10. His commitment to empower new politics has just began. Sadly, people who have been long wanting for alternatives don't bother to look at them at all. Blame it to the partisan system. Since he has no political party to back him up, he's "looked into as weak." Popularity remains the name of the game.

VIDEO (Who is Nick Perlas)

“Nicanor Perlas has no political background to speak of. He has never been elected to public office. However, he has served as technical consultant/resource person to the United Nations (UNDP, FAO, UNCSD, UNICEF), the Philippine government (Office of the President, Senate, House of Representatives, NEDA, DSWD, DA, DENR, and official Philippine delegations to the UN and APEC), and donor agencies as well as various civil society organizations and movements. He was a resource person in more than 90 global conferences and 140 national conferences as well as an author of more than 500 articles including “Shaping Globalization: Civil Society, Cultural Power, and Threefolding.” Perlas co-wrote the Philippine Agenda 21 which is the official government blueprint for sustainable development and was adopted by no less than the United Nations as a preferred approach to solving world problems. Though not a public official, his work led to concrete policies today such as the laws which involved a multi-sectoral approach to solving poverty and introducing sustainable development. Among his many successful civil society activities led to the mothballing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), the banning of 32 pesticide formulations, and regulation of genetic engineering products and processes. His role in uncovering the anomalies in the BNPP led him to go into hiding due to threats on his life. In recognition of his work, he received the Right Livelihood Award or Alternative Nobel Prize; Global 500 Award or Earth Warrior Award given by the UN Environmental Program; and the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) among others.” - POC

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, major in Agronomy and minor in Agricultural Economics, Ateneo de Cagayan; Environmentalist and Writer

How to apply for passport in the Philippines?

2010-04-21T10:29:00.001+04:00

You can now enjoy the convenience of getting an appointed date and time to apply for your ePassport. All you have to do is provide your personal info online and choose an available date and time convenient for you. Applying for the ePassport is now more efficient.

That's what the new DFA Passport Appointment System website claims.

Here's how to set an appointment to apply for a new (or renewal of) passport in the Philippines:

Visit www.passport.com.ph and check the Required Documents and Application Procedures. I will only cover about the process here.
Click 'Set an appointment' link on the left sidebar.
Fill up the Application form about your personal details and contact information, and click submit button.
If you're a new applicant, the required documents will be shown next. Just click the Continue button until it's finished.
You will be asked to select an appointment date (first) and time on the next page. (Note: the calendar begins with the earliest available month for appointments)
A confirmation page containing your Appointment Number and schedule will show next. Click the link to print the page and bring it on your appointment.

* NOTE: In some cases, you might receive an email saying that your appointment date is not available and they will set you on the next earliest schedule.

What you need to do on the Appointment date of your passport application?

You must be at the new DFA Passport Center office at least 1 hour before your appointment time - as hundreds are also appointed on the same time.
You will still be asked to queue and be given a number. There are more than 20 counters so the queue moves a little quicker.
Once called, present the required documents on the counter.
Pay the cost - Php950 for normal processing - 20 WORKING DAYS; Php1200 for rush - 10 WORKING DAYS.
You will be asked to go to the 2nd floor for your photo, thumbmarks and signature. You need to queue again.
The officer will ask to verify your details. Please do verify very well.
You will be given with a claim stub with the date of release stamped on it.
If you want your passport to be delivered, proceed to the Courier counter to sign a delivery form. You will have to pay Php100 if within Metro Manila, or Php120 if outside Manila. LBC is one of the best courier to sign-up to.

Is DFA accurate about the release date (and delivery) of passports?

In my case, NO. Since the system is very new, glitches happen. I paid for a rush processing and delivery of passport, but I got it 5 days late from it's release and delivery date.

Is the DFA Hotline helpful? What are the numbers to call for follow-ups on passports?

Hell no! Not at all. I was trying to call the 737-1000 Support Hotline for Passport Centre on the date of my passport release. After several attempts and spending lots of minutes hanged on the phone, somebody picked my call. They DON'T KNOW the status of the passports. They CANNOT TELL if the passports were released on time or picked up already by the respective couriers. All they can do is GIVE PHONE NUMBERS to call to get the status.

They gave me more than 3 numbers to call, just to know the status of my passport. Pissed, nobody answers the phones at all. If not busy, the phone just keep ringing. The other phone line seems inactive - "The subscriber cannot be reached." It was like that for 2 days. Annoying.

Come 4th day of delay. I was able to connect to their Support Hotline again (the harder way). They still remain that they have no way to know the status of the passports and they insist on telling me to call those numbers they gave me.

I talked to the supervisor (I have to beg annoyingly the agent to give the phone to his supervisor), and before she insisted the same things. I insisted that they call those numbers that they say are active and have people answering, and then get back to me with a clear status report.

After 2 hours, she called me back and said that yes indeed my passport was delayed due to some reasons that some passports cannot undergo the RUSH processing and have to go through the EXTENDED or normal processing. I was asking for a refund since I paid for RUSH and didn't get it. But then again, she wanted me to call another number for it.

Roofcamp #7: Interesting journey to Web 2.0 & Cloud Computing

2010-04-14T13:49:00.002+04:00

I got an invitation from John Arce on Facebook. It's for Roofcamp. Roofcamp what?

Roofcamp is an unstructured gathering with a friendly yet intense atmosphere of open information exchange, debate, teaching, learning, and discovery.

Apparently it's the 7th edition already of an event where technopreneurs, influencers, innovators, coders, designers, artists, VCs & Angels, philanthropists, startups, and other like minded individuals meet.

The guest resource speaker, Scott Henderson, CTO of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, will share about their interesting journey into Web 2.0 and the Cloud Computing. Interesting!

If you also wish to attend, just show up. According to the WebGeek website, It's free and we'll also have a free beer. It will happen at Mag:Net Bonifacio High Street on Thursday, April 15, 2010from6:00pm to 9:30pm. I'm looking forward to meet new friends there!

Thanks to Jay Fajardo, Founder of Roofcamp / CEO of ProudCloud.net.

On this site will rise Mr. and Mrs. Ion and Raqz Gonzaga's FIRST Residence

2010-04-14T13:26:00.000+04:00

The fruit of our hard, hard labor. We're blessed to be able to buy this 271 sq. m. lot at Mission Hills in Antipolo. It's a great community. Clean, orderly and the view of Manila's cityscape from the hills is breathe-taking. We can't wait to see our brand-new house built.

iBLOG 6 Itineraries (from iblogph.org)

2010-04-13T07:27:00.003+04:00

Day 1 (April 16, 2010)
9:00 – 9:15 Opening Ceremonies (National Anthem, Welcome Remarks by JJ Disini)
9:15 – 9:35 Blogging for Business: Tapping Bloggers to Generate Buzz (Janette Toral)
9:50 to 10:10 Advertising in Blogs (Abe Olandres)
10:25 – 10:50 BREAK
10:50 – 11:10 SPONSOR talk (Ivy Jean Vibar)
11:25 – 11:45 SEO & Blogging to Promote Your Business (Francis Gary Viray)
12:00 – 1:30 LUNCH / NETWORKING
1:30 – 1:50 Measuring Blog Buzz (Carlo Ople)
2:05 – 2:25 Legal Concerns in Blogging for Business (Emerson Bañez)
2:40 – 3:00 BREAK
3:00 – 3:20 Blogger and Advertiser: What is the Win-Win Relationship? (Diana Paterno)
3:35 – 3:50 Online Attraction Marketing (Manuel Viloria)
4:05 RAFFLE and GROUP PICTURE

Day 2 (April 17, 2010)
8:45 Opening Ceremonies (National Anthem & Welcome)
9:00 – 9:20 Blogging 101 (Hannah Villasis)
9:35 – 9:55 Video Blogging 101 (Vince Golangco)
10:10 – 10:30 Photo Blogging 101 (Juned Sonido)
10:45 – 11:00 BREAK
11:00 – 11:20 Blog Policies (Emerson Bañez)
11:35 – 11:55 Blog on Mobile (Racquel R. Cagurangan)
12:10 – 1:20 LUNCH & NETWORKING
1:20 – 1:30 Performance (UP Concert Chorus)
1:30 – 2:15 Political, Online Commentary, Social Media, & Election Blogging 2010 (Marck Ronald Rimorin and Noemi Dado)
2:30 – 2:50 Launching Successful Blog Contests (Jinoe Gavan)
3:05 – 3:20 BREAK
3:20 – 3:40 Impact of Blogging to the Community (Joseph Gonzales)
3:55 – 4:15 SEO: A Must for Making Money Online (Marhgil Macuha)
4:30 RAFFLE, iBlog Video Contest Winner Announcement, & GROUP PHOTO

Emcees: Flowell Galindez and Atty. Michelle Dy (UP-ISP)

Social Networking Conference... in real life!

2010-04-12T17:39:00.003+04:00

One of many reasons why I love staying in the Philippines is that 'networking' is everywhere and is not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Youtube and other online media. In my 3 years in Dubai, I'm always hungry for a REAL-LIFE "social networking about social networks." Sadly, Dubai has got almost nothing about Internet-savvy professionals and social media enthusiasts (except Dubai Twestival).

So when I chanced upon Janette Toral's Plurk post, I visited the link to Fiera De Manila's page about this Social Networking and eBusiness Conference Philippines 2010. Finally!

FYI, I'm into Internet Marketing and recently I started learning about Social Media Marketing and how businesses are fast embracing the once mistakenly thought as "fad." The lineup of speakers and topics are just powerful. I'm excited to hear:

Social Media Marketing Strategies Insights and Lessons Learne
The Future of Social Networking and Social Norms
Harnessing the Power of Social Media by Yahoo!
How Brands are Becoming the Media
Using Social Media in Search Engine Marketing Campaigns and It Influences Your Search Engine Rankings

I would also like to hear the Case Study Presentations of the would-be Winners in Social Networking Awards 2010. Check this link for the complete list of topics and speakers.

I've had failures in the past and I'm expecting to be enlightened on the better roads to take. I would also want to have an idea how and where to take-off from this social media age. I dream to be part of the next big thing on or after Social Media.

I have not blasted yet on my Internet Marketing activities. I have been silent for the past couple of months (preparing our websites and social media accounts). I guess after this Social Networking Conference, I would be ready to position myself in the social map.

The Social Networking Conference 2010 is an event geared towards companies and digital marketing/advertising professionals and businessmen/entrepreneurs who are interested to use social networks for advertising/marketing their products and services. It is for dynamic and innovative companies, start-ups, and upcoming players who would like to leverage on current technologies to communicate and sell their products/services through social networks; and, gain knowledge as to how this industry is working and evolving.

The event will be on April 22-23, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom, Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City, Philippines. This is presented by Fiera de Manila, Inc. and Digital Filipino Club. Also supported by Blog4Reviews.

See you there!

My latest Twitter background design

2010-04-07T18:57:00.000+04:00

My latest Twitter background design for a Dubai-based SEO specialist who also does Conversion Optimization and Online Reputation Management. Design inspired by the Dubai road signs. Check it out at http://twitter.com/dorksterdave

When would you want me to design yours?

Leaders vs Followers

2010-04-01T15:15:00.002+04:00

"Leaders think and talk about the solutions. Followers think and talk about the problems." - Brian Tracy............. So among the president aspirants, who talks solutions and who doesn't get tired of talking about problems?

The new computerized and by-appointment Philippines passport application system

2010-03-29T20:27:00.000+04:00

... is a crap. They used to have an expedited processing where you can receive your passport after 3-5 days from your application date. They scrap that. Now, they only have (1) Rush and (2) Normal. In rush processing, you can receive your passport after 10 working days. In the normal processing, you have to wait for 20 working days. If you want it delivered to your place, add 1 more day.

Not only that. Their appointment system is just an extension of the typical queue. I set an appointment online and I was assigned a date 2 weeks from my request. So on that appointment date, I went 2 hours ahead of my schedule (9am). I learned that we're about a thousand all set for 9am. We were made to queue under the sun for about half an hour; and only until 30 minutes before the appointment time they let us in. Inefficiently, I was called at 9:35. Finished the application byy 10:20

"The bigger the dream, the better. Small dreams attract small people. Big dreams attract big people." - Bo Sanchez on Think Rich Quick

2010-03-29T19:14:00.002+04:00

My latest book - Think Rich Quick by Trace Trajano

2010-03-29T17:19:00.001+04:00

Taxi drivers in Manila... why are they?

2010-03-28T04:30:00.001+04:00

I feel like Imma 'tourist' here in my home land. For one, taxis really got me pissed off:

Taxi 1 - Buendia, Makati to Antipolo (11:00pm): ...won't take us in unless we agreed to pay higher than 500 because he might not find a passenger on his way back to Manila. Since it's late at night and really hard to get a cab, we agreed to pay 550. Reaching Antipolo, the meter reads 227.50 only (plus a "Tarantado" greeting from another motorist).

Taxi 2 - DFA (Macapagal) to Ayala (10:00am): Almost doesn't want to take me in because of "traffic" on the way. The driver moaned all throughout the trip about the traffic (which apperently was not really bad), while cursing all politicians (listening on AM radio) of being corrupt and trapo. Reaching Ayala, the meter reads 115 - and so I paid an exact 115 pesos. The driver moaned again because "I did not pay right." According to the genius driver, because of 'traffic' I should have given him more. But I insisted not to pay more - and he rushed away. (He has the guts to complain about corruption and yet he's practicing the same bulls***)

Taxi 3 - Cainta to Medical City, Ortigas (11:30pm): Silent all throughout the trip until reaching Medical City. The driver suddenly said, "Naku walang mga pasahero! Mahihirapan tayo nyan sir." I didn't get it. He repeated, "Wala talaga, tsk tsk..." The bill is 70 pesos, I handed 100. "Thank you sir! thank you sir! thank you talaga," were the words by the driver. I asked him to give back my change 'coz I need to rush to ER. He just repeated "Walang pasahero sir e." I did not bother to argue as I really have an emergency to go to.

Hell! Bakit dumadami sila!

Average Monthly Salary of Web Designer in the Dubai / UAE (and other internet-related jobs)

2010-03-22T13:56:00.004+04:00

Also, below are the salary avarages of Web Developer, SEO Specialist, Programmer, Graphic Designer, dBase Administrator, and E-Commerce executives in the UAE. Thanks to BAYT for this. Just click the thumbnail to view larger chart:

Jump shots with an 'arte'

2010-03-21T03:17:00.000+04:00

What to do if the water is chillin for a swim? Jump shots! (Best done during sunset). Me, wifey and my sis Kathy took turns to whoever would come up with the best jump shot with 'drama'... [Here's the other 19 photos on Facebook] Location: Ajman Open Beach.

Dubai Camels crossing

2010-03-20T03:24:00.022+04:00

It's not everyday you can spot camels and donkeys crossing the street in front of your car. Here's what delighted our eyes this morning. Somewhere in Umm Al Quwain, while just driving, heards of camels and donkeys crossed the street. Of course we have to stop and wait for about 3 minuted for the 8 of them to cross through. Here are the photos we had of the camels and donkeys plus the ostriches we saw from a nearby farm [from my Facebook album]

United against uninvited

2010-03-17T17:24:00.003+04:00

How many airplanes are in the sky at a time?

2010-02-22T21:52:00.001+04:00

This question has been long hounding me. Finally I'm able to search for it, and came across this interesting video from Youtube - a graphic description of global air traffic over a 24 hour period. In this map, Europe, US and East Asia are the areas with most air ship travels in a day. Interestingly, the tiny Philippines chunk in this map is covered with yellows - could they be Road Traffic Monitoring chops, or Abu Sayyaf Monitoring aircrafts? LOL.

Gettin' my soy milk diet back

2010-02-21T10:05:00.002+04:00

Remember the Nestle TWIN? That was my first addiction to Soy Milk. I still can't read when I started Soya Milk. Then all of a sudden, it went off from the shelves of the groceries. I remember craving for any soya milk. So everytime I chanced any soy milk, I buyt it. And the kiddie story goes on...

Recently I decided to resume my Soy Milk diet (Ooops, Im not a veg hey). I know it's the taste that gets me hooked to it. But I also want to share the some of the many health benefits of drinking it. Soy milk contains powerful antioxidants that help fight disease and aging. They have been found to increase bone density and strengthen the immune system. Adequate soy protein has been proven to lower and stabilize cholesterol levels and can be effective in preventing heart disease. Here's more:

Non-fat, non-animal based protein
Good source of fiber, minerals and like dairy milk - calcium
Prevents Cortisol (preserves muscles during training)
Good source of Branch Chain of Amino Acids (BCAA)
Good for injuries and muscle recovery.

But I do not take it everyday. Too much of anything is not good at all. I drink it moderately - every other day or 2, or else I'll build up Estrogen. It is also advisable to sweat it out.

Filipino teen celebs bent view on maturity

2010-02-02T15:48:00.009+04:00

henever a starlet bares for a magazine, do you notice a pattern? Everytime I hear/see them on TV about their "project," there's always a 'canned' response from these sexy lads - a sign of maturity. I don't have any issues seeing 'hot' photos (I'm an artist hey!), it's just that the thought of 'maturity' is misrepresented. They may be right in a way if they pertain to their roles - but claiming it to as 'life's decision' is not the right thing I guess. (Image courtesy of FHM Philippines)

Hangal na pagmangha

2010-01-31T01:32:00.002+04:00

Bakit marami sa ating mga Pilipino (tayo) ang namamangha tuwing nakaririnig ng matalinhagang salitang Tagalog? [Read: Wow ang lalim nun pre!] Tuluyan na nga ba tayong nagiging dayunan sa sarili nating wika? Nawa'y hindi na maulit ang nangyari sa Alibata -ang sarili nating alpabeto na hinayaan lang nating maglaho nang yakapin natin ang dayuhang sistema ng pagbaybay.

Hindi naman kailangang talikuran ang Ingles. Ngunit hindi ba't mas kahanga-hanga kung magiging bihasa sa dalawang wika?

Unfair penalty: Do early birds still catch the worm?

2010-01-28T01:28:00.002+04:00

Why is it that when we are late, we get penalized. But when we are early we're not rewarded?

The next Philippines president may not be the majority's president

2010-01-25T20:15:00.012+04:00

With 10 presidentiables to select from, the 15th Philippines president will most likely be not the majority's chosen one.

Manny Villar
Nick Perlas
Dick Gordon
Gibo Teodoro
Eddie Villanueva
Noynoy Aquino
Erap Estrada
Jamby Madrigal
JC Delos Reyes
Dodong Acosta

Even if we trim the list down to the 6 or even 5 most competitive candidates, there is a huge possibility that the sum of the votes to the losing candidates is still bigger than the total votes for the winner. The only way is to receive above 50% of the total votes - that should be more than 25,043,027 (If all registered voters vote.) The total registered voters for this year is 50,086,054.

So the winner will be the one with the highest number of votes only, but not really the majority's. He's not the people's president then, hey? Well, it has happened several times in our history already. Even Cory Aquino only received 23.58% of votes and yet ended up as the most loved president.

Don't let Manny Pacquiao become a bad example

2010-01-16T17:06:00.003+04:00

Manny Pacquiao - he has and is still personifying and representing the reality of dreams. His achievements inspire a lot of people who, like him would like to rise from rags to riches.

But his recent stunt - running for a Congress seat, his second attempt actually, could be his biggest setback. As many success coaches inspire us to follow our passion and focus only on what we love doing to succeed, Pacman is going on the other road.

People only love him inside the ring. Even his stints in TV and movies and music proved fail. If his intention is to help many people, well then he could be a better example by reaching out even without assuming any political roles. He has more resources already of what it takes to help. He could inspire and influence others to do the same - that politics is not for doing 'charities.' After all, Congress is for legislation and not Social Welfare Center.

Photo from Blogosphere.com.ph

Burj Khalifa (yeah, the Burj Dubai) spectacular, dramatic unveiling...

2010-01-06T00:30:00.002+04:00

It was Amazing, Brilliant, Champ, Dramatic, Exemptional, Fabulous, Glamourous, Hyper, Inspiring, Joyful... I could almost complete the alphabet with all positive and great adjectives to describe the launch last night. Let the pictures tell the story. [More on my Facebook - click here]

2010 - My "How do I see myselft after 10 years?"

2010-01-01T19:01:00.000+04:00

The right can never be left

2010-01-01T17:18:00.004+04:00

If you believe you are right, keep doing it. No right person was left behind.

Resolutions fail, visions prevail

2009-12-29T07:11:00.000+04:00

Dealing with Psychological Massacre

2009-12-27T21:08:00.000+04:00

Working with idiots can kill you

2009-12-21T09:19:00.000+04:00

Got this from Nina's wall on Facebook... It's is so true. Let me transcribe it for you:

Idiots in the office are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes, caffeine or greasy food, an eye-opening new study reveals.

In fact, those dopes can kill you! Stress is one of the top causes of heart attacks - and working with stupid people on a daily basis is one of the deadliest forms, according to researchers at Sweden's Lindbergh University Medical Centre.

The author of the study, Doctor Dagmar Anderson, says her team studied 500 heart attack patients, and were puzzled to find 62% have relatively few of the physical risk factors commonly blamed for heart attacks.

"Then we questioned them about lifestyle habits, and almost all of these low-risk patients told us they worked with people so stupid they can barely find their way from the parking lot to their office. And their heart attack came less than 12 hours after having a major confrontation with one of these oafs."

One woman had to be rushed to the hospital after her assistant shredded important company tax document instead of copying them. A man told us he collapsed right at his desk because the woman at the next cubicle kept asking him for correction fluid - for her computer monitor.

"You can cut back on smoking or improve your diet," Doctor Anderson says, "but most people have very poor coping skills when it comes to stupidity - they feel there's nothing they can do about it, so they just internalize their frustration until they finally explode."

"Stupid co-workers can also double or triple someone's work load," she explains. "Many of our subjects feel sorry for the drooling idiots they work with, so they try to cover for them by fixing their mistakes. One poor woman spent a week rebuilding client records because a clerk put them all in the 'recycle bin' of her computer and then emptied it - she thought the records would be recycled and used again."

----

Meron din akong sariling mga karanasan... Kailangan ko palang i-check ang sarili ko at malapit-lapit na akong sumunod..
--- Also, here.

Never compromise quality with price

2009-12-19T13:09:00.000+04:00

I never ever depend the quality of my output with the money I am going get. Quality is priceless

Filipino artists world tours growing yet limiting

2009-12-04T18:35:00.007+04:00

A lot of Filipino artists, mainstream musicians particularly are enjoying the luxury of touring worldwide. They should thank us - 9 million expats scattered around the globe for their so-called 'world tours.'

It's also surprising that even the super-newbies (and the super-oldies) get into this chance. Good for them. Gone are the days when we only get to see the likes of Gary V or Regine or APO performing on the world stage. Don't get me wrong. I do like the idea that the music we love are now the one coming closer to us.

But our musicians could do more I guess. While they strut their wares in foreign land, they still 'just' perform in front of us - OFWs. A lot of artists from the Philippines can now be lined-up with the international mainstream (aside of course from Arnel Pineda, Allan Pineda and Charice). Wouldn't it be better if they could also pull audiences from other nation?

Pilipino para sa mundo!

Can the next president eliminate the airport 'kotong'?

2009-12-04T18:30:00.004+04:00

While there are tons of concerns to about what or how the next president should perform, I personally only have a single yardstick to determine if he could perform, well, better than any other. IF and only if he/she could destroy the bribery machine in the NINOY AQUINO International Airport. Yep that's it.

After all, the airport is our door to and from the world.

Physically in Dubai, mentally in Manila

2009-11-17T18:33:00.000+04:00

No non-sense topic, just non-sense thinking

2009-11-11T14:08:00.001+04:00

Shut up! Do my part, and change will start

2009-11-10T18:21:00.000+04:00

How I fought and defended our rights as a student

2009-11-02T00:36:00.001+04:00

Why Media in the Philippines Blur Brands on the Background?

2009-10-28T13:15:00.003+04:00

I'm not a Communication graduate, nor Journalism nor an Advertising professional. I am just sharing an observation... Why does Philippine TV blurs any brands which were 'accidentally' captured by their cameras? It is evident when they are soewhere with billboards in the background; or when a label of a product is in the frame (like Supermarkets). Foreign media never does that (Or I just haven't seen yet?). And why is it also that they can't mention brands and "proper names" when newscasting? Like they

Like: "Isang nakawan ang naganap sa isang SIKAT NA MALL sa Quezon City." or "Hinihingan pa sa ngayon ng komento ang may-ari ng NASABING ENERGY DRINK."

Transport officer breaks queueing policy

2009-10-25T17:18:00.010+04:00

It was the policy here in Dubai that all ladies should go first in the public transport queue, and if she is with her husband, the husband can go with her. But last Friday's experience was totally different. It was the first time we commuted in 3 months. The officer scolded us to go at the back of the long line. When I insisted that we are on the right policy, he threatens us right there that he'll give us a fine. His explanation: The queue is too long for us to cut and go ahead. We are not cutting, nor violating any rule we know.

Can the policies, simple or not, here in Dubai be broken at any time anybody wanted?

In Dubai, thousands also care for typhoon Ondoy victims

2009-10-23T00:52:00.001+04:00

This was the biggest 'morning' crowd I've seen so far in many cause-oriented events here in Dubai. Gulfnews estimates the crowd to 15,000. But I think it's just half of that number really. But still it's the biggest I've witnessed.

What's pleasing is the fact that proceeds of this event will go to aid the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng victims in my home country Pilipinas.

Normally, it's hard to mobilize people for such a 'morning' event. Truly every Filipino here, and our brothers and sisters from other countries as well have a very big heart to reach out - in the way we can.

Dubai cares too. Click here for more photos.

Dubai Po-list

2009-10-12T20:30:00.001+04:00

... is re-launching my portfolio site

2009-09-18T00:50:00.003+04:00

Ploning Flash Banners for Oscars website

2009-08-22T15:38:00.001+04:00

Here's my web banner contribution for Direk Dante Nico's Ploning, starring Judy Ann Santos. This film is the official entry of the Philippines to the Oscars.

A first look at the Dubai Fountain

2009-06-24T01:05:00.000+04:00

We're tunned by the Dubai Fountain, but somehow think that in a way, it is overrated... "just to say the least, it is the world's largest fountain" pero parang bitin e...