Eche..blah..blah

Freelance Writing Scam

2009-11-17T22:08:00.001+08:00

I saw a job posting on Guru.com saying that they require reseachers for their project. An email address was indicated on the post which was not allowed on the site. Nevertheless, I sent a message inquiring about the project. Here is how the conversation went:

Hello Andrei,

I agree that it's a different arrangement. You need the materials, to complete the project.
The documents are valuable; I don't want to give them out without reason and consideration.
I am protecting myself, here as well.

Thank You

Louise
From: Andrei;
To: Louise Creighton
Sent: Thu, 5 November, 2009 8:39:30
Subject: Re: Polar Bears Research

Your arrangement is unusual. From what I
experienced and know from common practices is that project owners supply their
service providers with all the research materials for free. Of course, this is
logical since you will be paying me for the research work after the project is
done. In order to finish the project quickly, you would be sending me
all the resources you have related to the project.

My question is: do you really need sell the
mathematics materials? Why not send them my way and deduct the costs after the
project is done?

From: Louise Creighton
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:12 AM
To: Andrei
Subject: Re: Polar Bears Research

Hello Andrei,

The project will be around a 1,000 words. The academic level is
undergraduate students. Payment would be around £250.
The topic is predominately habitat loss. The project involves mathematics
on Arctic ice depletion.

I own an educational materials business, where I sell the mathematics
materials etc. online as downloadable documents.
Many freelance writers purchase these materials for freelance projects. I
will refund the cost at the completion of the project.
I offer you to purchase the mathematics materials for £10, with Paypal. I
therefore can receive the highest quality of work.

Any questions email back.

Thank You

Louise

From: Andrei
To: Louise Creighton
Sent: Mon, 2 November, 2009
4:38:27
Subject: Re: Polar
Bears Research

Hello Louise,

No problem. I have finished many similar projects
like this. However, heavy research would cost more. I'm wondering how much is
your budget for this.

I'm definitely interested.

Regards,

Andrei
From: Louise Creighton
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 1:56 AM
To: Andrei
Subject: Re: Polar Bears Research

Hello Andrei,

The writing will be academic work. I am open to how many words it will
include. It will also need to involve some mathematics; statistics on Arctic ice
depletion. I can however provide you with some materials on how to do
this.

Email back if you are interested.

Thank You

Louise

From: Andrei
To: creighton_louise@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Thu, 29 October, 2009
6:30:34
Subject: Polar Bears
Research

Hi Louise,

I saw your posting on Guru.com. What exactly do you
have in mind? And how much is your budget?

Regards,

Andrei

Facebook hacked again, this time by newssss.org

2009-11-01T05:07:00.000+08:00

Facebook user profiles hacked, Wall feature relaying spam

A spam campaign is hijacking user accounts and posting messages on the Wall feature of user profiles with links to newssss.org. Users should be wary of phishing attempts when confronted by a login page or upon clicking a link contained in a friend's message, carefully check the login page URL.

It may be linked to an application on Facebook. This application may have installed Spyware on peoples’ computers. I don't know which application. But this app has hacked some of my friends' profiles.

Topless Olivia Munn

2009-10-28T19:05:00.003+08:00

Olivia Munn at four years old.

Dan Brown's New Book

2009-09-16T00:11:00.002+08:00

Migs, a good friend of mine, will definitely be excited with Dan Brown's new book Lost Symbols. It's about Freemasonry of which he is a member of.

Years ago, I was in a conversation with an intellectual and we came accross Freemasonry, and during that time I had the slightest idea on that brotherhood/fraternity. All I had in mind always when I heard of the thing was that Gyzmo always said Rizal was a Mason. Anyway, that friend of mine said Freemasonry was sort of like devil worship.

Subsequent information about them were but vignettes in my life, like the time when my father mentioned it during a trip north, and others I have forgotten; like an actor's cameo in a movie which you easily forget about. Or sometimes, well you don't forget about that cameo role because you often think why the actor allowed the part. It's as though he was on a trip or something.

At any rate, when Migs said he wanted to be a member of Freemasonry, it really made me think, and even researched a little. Well, it ain't devil worship I suppose.

Here's an article from Yahoo today about Masonry and Dan Brown's new novel which I know will be another bestseller.

Freemasons await Dan Brown novel `The Lost Symbol'

WASHINGTON – The lodge room of the Naval Masonic Hall is a colorful and somewhat inscrutable sight for the nonmember, with its blue walls, Egyptian symbols, checkered floor in the center and high ceiling painted with gold stars.

Countless secrets supposedly have been shared in this and thousands of similar rooms around the world. Facts of life have been debated, honors bestowed, rituals enacted. You would need to belong to a lodge to learn what really goes on.

Or you could simply ask.

"The emphasis on secrecy is something that disturbs people," says Joseph Crociata, a burly, deep-voiced man who is a trial attorney by profession but otherwise a Junior Grand Warden at the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia.

"But it's not a problem getting Masons to talk about Masonry. Sometimes, it's a problem getting them to stop."

Countless books and Web sites are dedicated to Freemasons, yet the Masonic Order has been defined by mystery, alluring enough to claim Mozart and George Washington as members, dark enough to be feared by the Vatican, Islamic officials, Nazis and Communists. In the United States, candidates in the 19th-century ran for office on anti-Mason platforms and John Quincy Adams declared that "Masonry ought forever to be abolished."

And now arrives Dan Brown.

Six years after Brown intrigued millions of readers, and infuriated scholars and religious officials, with "The Da Vinci Code," he has set his new novel, "The Lost Symbol," in Washington and probed the fraternal order that well suits his passion for secrets, signs and puzzles.

In "The Lost Symbol," symbolist Robert Langdon is on a mission to find a Masonic pyramid containing a code that unlocks an ancient secret to "unfathomable power." It's a story of hidden history in the nation's capitol, with Masons the greatest puzzle of all.

Brown's research for "The Da Vinci Code" was highly criticized by some Catholics for suggesting that Jesus and Mary Magdalene conceived a child and for portraying Opus Dei — the conservative religious order — as a murderous, power-hungry sect.

The Mason response could well be milder. Brown goes out of his way in "The Lost Symbol" to present the lodge as essentially benign and misunderstood. Masons are praised for their religious tolerance and their elaborate rituals are seen as no more unusual than those of formal religions. The plot centers in part on an "unfair" anti-Masonic video that "conspiracy theorists would feed on ... like sharks," Langdon says.

"I have enormous respect for the Masons," Brown told The Associated Press during a recent interview. "In the most fundamental terms, with different cultures killing each other over whose version of God is correct, here is a worldwide organization that essentially says, `We don't care what you call God, or what you think about God, only that you believe in a god and let's all stand together as brothers and look in the same direction.'

"I think there will be an enormous number of people who will be interested in the Masons after this book (comes out)," Brown said.

Crociata and other Washington Masons expressed amusement, concern, resignation and excitement about Brown's novel. Crociata anticipates a "page-turner," like "The Da Vinci Code," and assumes, for the sake of a "good read," that Brown will make the Masons seem more interesting than they actually are.

Fellow Mason Kirk McNulty can't wait to read the novel: "Dan Brown is a writer of fiction; he's not writing an article for the Encyclopedia Britannica. Whatever he says is OK. But it would be better if he says something nice about Freemasonry."

Mason Michael Seay says some members are "not pleased about all the hoopla," but sees the attention as a chance to "get our story across." Lodge member Darryl Carter says he expects some "artistic license" and senses from conversations with other Masons that they expect to benefit from the attention.

"We welcome Dan Brown doing his work because Masonry has not had the kind of popularity that it once did and that a work by somebody of Dan Brown's caliber could really attract people to Masonry," Carter says.

The Freemasons date back to the Middle Ages, to associations of workmen who built cathedrals in Britain, though some also believe in a connection to ancient times with the mines where King Solomon took material for his Temple. Freemasonry has endured, and transformed. The British began to accept members who were not stonemasons and by the 1700s, lodges were being called "speculative," philosophical societies rather than worker guilds.

The Masons, Crociata and others emphasize, are not a political or religious organization. No theology beyond the belief in a divine being is required and no causes are advocated beyond millions of dollars in annual contributions to children's hospitals, cancer wards and other charities.

"This is the world's oldest fraternity and it has an old and distinguished history," Crociata says. "There's much beauty to be found in its ritual. On the other hand, it's a fraternity, not a religion. It's a place to get together with guys that you know, that you trust, that you are willing to trust. A place where you can speak from the heart, if you want."

No official gathering is taking place at the hall on this recent afternoon, so it's all right for a reporter to have a look around. The Naval Masonic room has features common to other lodges, such as the Mason emblem, a set square and compass and letter "G" (for both God and Geometry), and some decorative images, such as the Egyptian-styled eyes and snakes painted throughout.

Brown's book moves quickly among such Washington landmarks as the Library of Congress and the Washington Monument and draws upon the Masons' very public presence in Washington, dating back more than 200 years.

George Washington used a Masonic gavel and trowel in 1793 as he lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. The same trowel would be included 55 years later when President James K. Polk, a Mason, presided over the laying of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument, and again in 1907 when President Theodore Roosevelt, also a Mason, laid a cornerstone for a Masonic temple.

According to "Freemasons for Dummies" author Christopher Hodapp (his book is so well regarded at the Naval lodge in Washington that it's kept in a glass cabinet outside the meeting room), membership peaked in the United States just after World War II, when there were close to 5 million Masons.

The number dropped in the 1960s, when the Masons seemed hopelessly antiquated to a rebellious generation, and dropped again in the late 1980s as older members died. Hodapp, himself a Mason based in Indianapolis, says there are now around 1.5 million in the U.S. and 3 million worldwide.

"But it's picking up again, in part because of people like Brown and (novelist) Brad Meltzer ('Book of Lies,' 'Book of Fate'). Younger men are seeing popular references to it. We're also seeing people from single-parent households who don't have that kind of brotherhood feeling you get in the lodge," Hodapp says.

Meetings at the Naval Masonic room are presided over by a Master who sits in a high-backed chair on the East side of the room, in honor of where the sun rises. On the South and West are chairs for the top aides, the senior warden and the junior warden. Only the North, "a place of Masonic darkness" (a belief related to the lighting of Solomon's Temple) is not represented.

Every lodge has an altar on which is placed a holy book, or books. A Bible is usually there, but because only a belief in a higher being is required, a Quran or other religious text might be found, depending on the religious faith of the members present. The black and white squares of the checkered floor below the altar represent "good" and "evil," terms the Masons resist defining too closely.

"As far as what is good and bad for any individual ... the idea is to inspire thought on some of the important questions of life on the minds of our members so that they can go home and think about them and draw their own conclusions," Crociata says.

Would-be members pass through three degrees of acceptance: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. In "The Lost Symbol," Brown describes an initiation ceremony that Hodapp says is essentially accurate. A man is blindfolded, has a dagger pressed against his chest and is instructed to vow that, "uninfluenced by mercenary or any other unworthy motive," he will offer himself as "a candidate for the mysteries and privileges of this brotherhood."

Brown is not a Mason, but said that working on the novel helped him imagine a time when religious prejudice would disappear and added that he found the Masonic philosophy a "beautiful blueprint for human spirituality."

He was tempted to join, but, "If you join the Masons you take a vow of secrecy. I could not have written this book if I were a Mason," he says.

And now?

"They've let me know the door is always open."

Of Weddings and Dancing Like Michael Jackson

2009-07-18T04:06:00.004+08:00

It’s rare these days you witness something different on the way weddings are celebrated. Even if you are to attend those two-day nuptials in the province – like what I experienced not only once before – there’s nothing really new.

Anyway, weddings are always splashed in white, and even though the trend these days are multi-colored in motif, the dominant theme is always white – I never really dwelled much on the subject, but it always remains the same, my guess is it’s tradition.

I attended the wedding of a cousin the other day, it was simple, traditional, but hardly the same as the usual. I really don’t know if it has become a trend of sorts but I found it a little more unique. I guess the main theme was happiness, save for the traditional rites in the church where it was held, because at the reception it was very different.

The bridesmaids and the other secondary sponsors were all in a dash to the area where the newly married couple (bagong sakal) received the guests at the start of the program after a cue from the emcees. It was as though they were all happy for the whole thing (I mean both of them getting married already), not that I’m saying they weren’t at all.

Getting married, it’s the dream of lovers all over the world. I guess a lot of people like the idea of finally settling down, and that stuff. I got married once, but I’m not saying I liked it, but you know, well, things aren’t meant to be. God has a reason for everything.

I forgot all the details of the wedding of my cousin, but it was something so different from the other wedding celebrations I had attended in the past. A few beers later, were all lured to 80’s music on the dance floor, all of us cousins who were kids in that forgotten era. Not that I despise 80’s music already, but I seem to have graduated from it, heck, I have already graduated from 90’s music too – a long time ago. But that Joe Boxer one-hit wonder drove everyone crazy.

If I ever get married again I’d like it to be unique, like inside a huge cave or atop a mountain peak – or a hill, just to be safer.

Many beers even later, we were all dancing ala Michael Jackson already. I never knew Reggie could do that Beat It thing, and I should've invited Migs there. Ah, forget Jonas. After he stole my African love birds Heckle and Jeckle (including cage), I do not want to associate myself with that grease guy anymore. After all the Tanduays I bought him, all the cigarettes and sashimi, to hell with that bum.

I kinda miss Michael. I have always loved P.Y.T. and Off The Wall and that disco song of his my older brother told me Quincy Jones almost sued Dolphy and the rest of the John ‘n Marsha 80’s sitcom production.

And many, many beers later, I was home. In the morning I forgot how the hell I drove home. All I remember was joining the others in a chorus of Cheers!, Kampai!, Kempeitai! One for the Road, Okay Ngarud, and Peste Ngarud.

I don’t even know if that happened or not. Darn that, next time I should really insist the host in ordering oysters for pulutan, like that trip in Iloilo where I downed at least thirty bottles and didn’t even get drunk. Of course I almost died the next morning.

Which is better: Sulit.com.ph or Ayosdito.ph

2009-07-02T01:53:00.003+08:00

Answer: Buy & Sell Magazine. Joke lang.

Hands down, I think the better website between the two is Sulit.com.ph, which is still the best free online classified ads website in the Philippines. This is based from my experience posting ads on both sites.

Why you might ask:

1. Popularity - With Sulit, there is more exposure for your items since Google indexes items listed in Sulit far better than its competitors. For the advertiser, this means more people see their ads when they search the web through Google's search engine. This also means you get to sell your items much faster.

2. Flexibility - With Sulit, there are more categories to index your ads. Your readers can browse categories of ads they are interested in more easily.

3. Large User Base - There are far more users of Sulit than any other ads site. This means ads or items for sell are more abundant. For the intended buyer, he has more choices and more choices means he is less likely to browse on other sites. As you know, it's tiresome to surf around ad sites that has fewer items for sale.

4. Ease of Use - With Sulit, you can easily post an ad within a minute - very important if you have many different items to sell. With Ayosdito.ph, hindi ayos. They are too strict with ad formatting and text. Plus they have to review each and every ad you post. Sure, it limits spammers and scammers. But it is a major hassle to advertisers. To counter such ads in Sulit, there is an online community that regularly checks ad postings for integrity.

So there you have it, you decide.

No Reservatons; Carpe Diem

2009-05-29T05:17:00.010+08:00

You may remember that in the film Dead Poets Society, the character Robin Williams portrayed (John Keating) always imparted to his students the phrase “Carpe Diem.” It literally translates to “Seize the Day.” As for the critically acclaimed film’s other highlights, I need not dwell on them, for the Carpe Diem says it all anyway. It also reminds one of the line 'JKL' which Matthew McConaughey kept uttering in the coming-of-age 90s top-grosser movie Dazed and Confused. It is an acronym meaning: Just Keep Living. These sort of things always remind me of the importance of having fun, and being happy.

For a couple of years now, I have been thinking of how to live life to the fullest. I would want to employ the style of Tony Bourdain where whenever he goes out eating it is always automatic the food goes with the alcohol. But I’ve been doing that for years already, so do I just continue doing it? Well, might as well but there should be some mellowing down, for I don’t want to wake up one morning in the sidewalk again – which happened a few years ago. Lost the cell phone there. One time I woke up in front of a broken dashboard beside a bloodied best friend during an almost tragic car crash, and many more other stories. Many.

The past few months, though, I’ve been readying myself on getting used to a more sober life, save for some unplanned bouts of marathon-drinking with co-employees either for someone’s birthday, capping the night, or capping the afternoon. I hate capping up after work sometimes – it almost always means un-capping bottles of beer: LOTS of beer.

At any rate, I am convinced that I’m on the road to that elusive land of sobriety; but it sure is a winding road with many potholes like that of the access road leading to Better Living Subdivision from Multinational Village in Parañaque City.

Therefore, I did not take a leave for the arrival of a friend from the US since, well, since I don’t have any leave credits left anyway. Yet, still managed to hang around with him the other day – Bourdain style. But has Bourdain ever finished his nights after too much food and beer with Krispy Kreme donuts? I am really not sure with that.

Anyway, the problem with the dehydrationis, especially when you did not hose yourself down with Le Agua before hitting the sack the night before, is having to hose down with Le Agua a lot of times the next morning.

By the way, I recently saw Tony Bourdain's No Reservations episode where he visited the Philippines. I was glad the producers of that show did that, although I think they did not cover the whole gamut, the whole Philippine scene, but I I think it was okay. I mean, I read Kitchen Confidential and I never imagined he would visit our island country, but then again, why not, diba. I mean, you know.

But if I were one of the bigwigs in the production (as a Filipino of course), I would suggest the Molo soup and Cadios of Iloilo, the longganisa of Tuguegarao, the isaws all over the region, my Mom's Diningding, Habituelas, my "Karl's Fiesta Beef Stroganoff," Alfie's Tanduay, Danding's Red Horse, Ichi's mom's Adobong Baboy/Manok, etcetera, etcetera. But that would be a very long episode don't you think?

Things We Said Today

2009-05-10T02:31:00.008+08:00

I was sort of feeling like I was back in high school on the way to work today while listening to 99.55 RT on the radio. It sure made me think of that past not too long ago.

Anyway, while the station was on break for a few commercials, I decided to go back to NU107 and realized how glad I am with the kind of music I grew up with. Makes me think again what kids of today listen to. I almost forgot, they listen to that Soulja Boy thing, and that Acorn guy, whatever way you spell it, it doesn’t make any sense at all what they sing. By the way, my little boy listens to The Beatles and he loves it.

I wonder whatever happened to my darn Friendster account; I haven’t opened it since probably a year ago now, although I still occasionally receive those alerts on my mail. Come to think of it, it doesn’t matter at all anyway. Heck, I seldom open the Facebook account either. So maybe kids would want to ask what the hell I have been doing in my life.

Well, it’s like this you pipsqueaks, I read a lot, I smoke a lot, I drink a lot, I eat a lot, I sleep a lot, I watch cable TV a lot, I go online a lot but not necessarily opening my Facebook a lot, I play basketball with those kids in the neighborhood a lot, I take a bath a lot, I research about a lot of things a lot, I drink a lot (hey I said that already), I pray a lot, I wonder a lot, I dream of that Palawan property I plan to buy in the near future a lot, I keep on thinking not to make New Year’s resolutions a lot, I listen to my music a lot, I try not to listen to Sir Mix-a-Lot, I read poetry a lot, I take life easy a lot, I try not to offend people a lot, I keep in touch with friends a lot (thru drinking binges a lot), and finally, I work a lot.

There’s a lot more actually, but I forget a lot. And I’m not inclined to name this post “A Lot” because it sounds corny, but I write corny stuff a lot.

You Know Warra Mean

2009-05-09T05:29:00.002+08:00

It has always been a wonder that actors, who would want more of the limelight thing decide to run for public office as though it were for free and that they (in their mind at least) may serve the people better. It is so over-used that when Manny Pacquiao says the same reason, a lot get sick of the mere thought.

I mean (there’s that “I mean” again), why go through all the fuss of spending lots of hard-earned money for an election when you can simply give it away at your disposal. I mean, if that help is planned for a grander scale, it still wouldn’t match up to personally lending an honest helping hand which in my opinion is more than noble.

Let’s face it, Manny Pacquiao earned his millions through faith and fist; running for office is such a dirty thing for him to do – with all the temptations and such while already there. It’s like Hotel California: you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Yeah, power is the ultimate aphrodisiac some would say.

And why am I suddenly posting another blog here? Well it’s because every time Pacman scores for the kill, it gives me some energy. It’s like a drug but it isn’t, it’s like San Miguel Premium beer, but it isn’t. Not even close to pot, I tell you.

Anyway, my friend from LA who is going home late this month just sent me a text message asking me if we could still hang out at Tagaytay Highlands when he arrives. I forgot to tell him that the recent acquisition my brother made was just a lot. Now there arises the problem if we could just bring a tent there. What a drag, and because I’m too lazy this morning to e-mail him. Another thing is that I have no more load on my antiquated cell phone. Well, I would probably e-mail him later or text him when I get some load at a nearby 7-11. Heck, why am I even saying these things on this post. I mean...

The good thing is, I could still reserve you seats at Club Ascend’s VIP Sky Lounge once I get a hold of Jim’s cell number which I lost February 14th this year at Dampa Macapagal when I accidentally bumped into Rudy “The Magician” Soriano of the Crispa Redmanizers of old. It sounds as though it belongs to folklore, but the guy sure has become a legend of sorts with his patented undergoal shots with the help of a skill of dexterity and some of that rough style of play.

I mean, I’ve been reading my late dad’s book, Social Cancer, the English version of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, and I think Rizal really is a great fella. And so enough of Pacquiao’s “I Mean” intro and get on to Rizal’s famous novel. Well, actually, can’t really say much yet for I am only on chapter 8, I mean, you know what I mean.

Katrina Halili - Hayden Kho Video Scandal

2009-05-08T22:45:00.016+08:00

Updated: May 22, 2009

You can only see Ms. Halili and Mr. Kho dancing in their undies while Kho is singing "Careless Whisper." Maybe there is no sex video after all, but I wouldn't blame Vicky Belo for leaving Hayden after seeing this clip. However, you judge for yourselves what might had happen before or after this video was made. Download here for the video.

__________________________

After a week has passed...

The same source released a more explosive set of videos. Xpinoy received all the clips and he uploaded the set to a torrent tracker. The torrent has the complete set. You need a bittorrent client like utorrent to get it.

The set contains all the misadventures of Dr. Hayden Kho with women. It allegedly includes a Brazilian model named Mariana del Rio and Candy of Betty La Fea (Maricar Reyes) - And of course, Katrina Halili.

Apparently, these are the ones that Belo saw. With this leakage, I don't know, but I think Halili's career is now over. Mangiyak-ngiyak nga siya dito. Katrina may have revealed the source. According to her during an interview with Startalk, "Babae rin naman po s'ya, di ba? Ayoko na magpaliwanag."

Mariana del Rio

Maricar Reyes

__________________________

May 22, 2009 - OG Pro posted a link to the second part of the Maricar Reyes - Hayden Kho affair in Flesh Asia Daily.

The Greatest (?)

2009-05-05T14:05:00.005+08:00

And so the fight between Paqcuiao and Hatton ended sweet – and brief. I predicted a one-rounder the night before, but settled for the sure 4 rounds, and the result was in-between.
Well, well, well.

I was surprised though when, at the end of the fight, during the interviews Bob Arum made a statement that Manny Pacquiao may be the greatest fighter of all time. Hmm. Wait, what happened to Muhammad Ali there?

I may never believe Arum’s statement unless either Time or Life Magazine says so, and instead of accepting that Manny may really be the greatest, I’m satisfied with the fact I still believe Ali is the one.

But there’s nothing I can say much about last Sunday’s fight, which will be remembered again as one of Pacquiao’s best performance.

And he may not be the best in English pronunciation and giving good interviews in English, but he still deserves all the accolades I know he would be receiving back here in the Philippines.

I mean, you know.

Now is the Best Time to Invest in Stocks

2009-04-09T02:56:00.006+08:00

For most of the Filipino working class, the usual scenario is that you spend most of your time working your ass off.

Every day, you wake up six in the morning; eat a quick breakfast of instant noodles, and after that, you spent 30 to 45 minutes commuting to work. And then you spend most of your day in the office. Sometimes you may do routine office tasks, while sometimes you may be out doing fieldwork or sales work.

And then finally, you get home early in the evening. Already feeling dog-tired to do anything else, you doze off while watching your favorite soap opera on TV. And then you wake up again the next morning doing the same things.

You probably do this every day of your life since you graduated from college. Sometimes, you may feel the routine is becoming too boring and wish there is something more to it.

However, even if your job does not give you fulfillment, the best thing about it is that you earn money. It may not be big, but you earn and may have little savings set aside.

You may have saved up 50,000 to 500,000 pesos in your Bank of the Philippine Islands savings account from the years of working for different companies so that someday you would have money for a new home, a new car, your child’s education, or for your retirement.

But the problem is that there is an ongoing economic recession. You know that with the Philippine’s economy and the rising inflation, the value of your savings five to ten years from now won’t able you to buy your dream, even if it is placed in a time deposit.

Or even if you placed your savings in an insurance plan or college educational plan. You might have heard of College Assurance Plan (CAP) which went bankrupt because they can’t commit to the yield they promised their investors.

Luckily, there is such a thing as mutual funds in the Philippines. A mutual fund is a professionally managed type of collective investment scheme that pools money from many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other financial securities. The mutual fund will have a fund manager that trades the pooled money on a regular basis. Currently, the worldwide value of all mutual funds totals more than US$26 trillion.

In the old days, you can only settle for money market, time deposit or savings account. These financial instruments do not give you as much return or profit for your hard earned money or savings to overcome inflation or the drop in purchasing power of the Philippine peso. You may try investing directly in the Philippine Stock Exchange. However, to be successful, you need good and reliable information to pick the right stocks to buy.

But now - since 1995, a couple by the name of Lilia and Leo Clemente, who were successful fund managers in Wall Street, New York, set up an investment company. They called it, “The Mutual Fund Management Company of the Philippines (MFMCP)” and together with top honchos from San Miguel Corporation Retirement Fund, Pag-Ibig Mutual Fund, Retirement Separation Benefits System of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Manila Electric Company Pension Fund, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company Beneficial Trust Fund, and the Philippine National Bank Provident Fund gave life to what is popularly known now as the “Kabuhayan Mutual Fund.”

Fully supported by the likes of the then Secretary of Finance Roberto Ocampo and President Fidel Ramos, the Fund was launched at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Since then, a cross section of Filipinos: Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Thailand, Taiwan, and of course locally from as far as Davao City and Isabela have entrusted their money and invested in this fund.

The ATR Capital Partners have infused additional capital into MFMCP and with it brought more expertise into the management of the Fund. MFMCP has also two more funds under it: ATR Kim Eng Equity Opportunity Fund Inc and ATR Kim Eng Fixed Income Fund.

Nine reasons on why should I invest in Kabuhayan Mutual Fund when there is a global economic recession?

1. Since a lot of people lost their jobs, they are afraid to spend their money. This in turn caused everything to be cheap (lower demand equals lower prices). Now is the best time to invest since it’s cheaper than when the economy gets better in the years to come.

2. Very affordable - Minimum investment is only P5,000. Then You can add a minimum additional investment of P1,000.

3. Safe - The mutual fund company you are investing in has been around for more than ten years. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines and follows strictly rules and regulations governing mutual funds. MFMCP has a custodian bank, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) who is the safe keeper of the fund’s assets namely the money and the securities. The mutual fund company is a separate company from the management company. The mutual fund company contracts the management company to become its fund manager. The management company’s main responsibility is to make the fund grow through investing in equities and fixed income securities. It also reports the funds’ performance every quarter of the year to the board of directors of the fund company.

4. The fund manager invests the fund in a very secure and safe (blue chip) companies after a careful study and analysis of the financial market, the track records of the companies he will invest in. He monitors the market looking for opportunities to make a profit.

5. Investment in mutual fund is diversified. In Kabuhayan Mutual Fund, the fund is 50% invested in equities which is further spread to 22 different stocks and 50% in fixed income securities which is mostly government treasury bills.

6. The fund is transparent. Its performance is reported quarterly to SEC and to the board of directors of the fund. In addition, investors can view his/her account anytime through the internet. MFMCP assigns each investor a password which he/she will log in at MFMCP’s website to access his/her account.

7. Of course, the main consideration in investing is the return on investment or the money you’ll make. Kabuhayan Mutual Fund has averaged for three years a yield of 20%. For 2007, its year-to-date earnings are 21.08%.

8. Investment in mutual fund is very liquid. You can redeem your investment anytime you want.

9. MFMCP’s main concern is that “the interest of the funds’ investors always comes first.” The company has an Investor Relations Department which is dedicated to servicing the investment needs of the clients.

For more information about the funds and the management, e-mail Gigi at gidj2006-eche@yahoo.com.ph.

Bottled Water in Your Car Very Dangerous

2009-04-08T02:55:00.005+08:00

Another story from an email chain:

This is how Sheryl Crow got breast cancer. She was on the Ellen show and said this same exact thing. This has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels in breast cancer, especially in Australia .

A friend whose mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and the Doctor told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.

The doctor said that the heat and the plastic of the bottle have certain chemicals that can lead to breast cancer. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car, and, pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know and be aware and just might save us! The heat causes toxins from the plastic to leak into the water and they have found these toxins in breast tissue. Use a stainless steel Canteen or a glass bottle when you can!

Cancer Update from John Hopkins - This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well.

No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer.
No plastic wrap in microwave.
A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic
Bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...

This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body...

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life!

LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE.

However, this was proven as another hoax by Johns Hopkins themselves. (here and here)

Mythbusting at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center

EMAIL HOAX REGARDING CANCER

Information falsely attributed to Johns Hopkins called, "CANCER UPDATE FROM JOHN HOPKINS" describes properties of cancer cells and suggests ways of preventing cancer. Johns Hopkins did not publish the information, which often is an email attachment, nor do we endorse its contents. The email also contains an incorrect spelling of our institution as "John" Hopkins whereas the correct spelling is "Johns" Hopkins. For more information about cancer, please read the information on our web site or visit the National Cancer Institute's web site at www.cancer.gov. Please help combat the spread of this hoax by letting others know of this statement.

Another hoax email that has been circulating since 2004 regarding plastic containers, bottles, wrap claiming that heat releases dioxins which cause cancer also was not published by Johns Hopkins. More information from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Check back here for more information on this topic.

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
Office of Public Affairs
410-955-1287

Blunder by Boyet Fajardo

2009-04-03T04:30:00.005+08:00

I received the following email from an email chain. The scandal has been popular in the internet for two weeks already. Just goes to show you that in today's world, you cannot afford to appear foolish or cruel especially if you have fame or a thriving business that depends on your good name. You may not know it but someone maybe watching you...

Please Boycott Boyet Fajardo RTW Labels

Last March 13, 2009, Filipino Fashion Designer Angelino Boyet Fajardo created a scene, to the shock and horror of shoppers and employees of Duty Free Philippines alike, when a cashier politely asked for his ID after presenting his unsigned credit card .. This is a standard operating procedure applicable to all stores to verify ownership of the credit card and prevent fraud.

Suddenly, the designer reportedly got furious and, at the top of his voice, started berating the cashiers and managers of Duty Free Philippines. He might have thought a celebrated person like he is, with all his accolades and fame, has gone unrecognized by the cashier. A new well-trained casual worker who is carefully doing his job. The designer further shocked bystanders by cursing the people there with words such as leche and p...ina, while angrily expressing surprise why the people there did not recognize him.

Store managers and officers were sought to appease the matter, explaining to him that it is all included as a standard operating procedure in credit card payment for the safety, not only for the company but also his own. Ignoring all this, he pulled out his phone and threatened to call on high positioned government officials whom he allegedly knew, like doing a power-play to make these people realize how important he is. He went on saying "Mga leche kayo! Hindi niyo ako kilala? Ako si Boyet Fajardo! At itong p...ina na babaeng ito (pointing to a lady officer) at ang baklang ito (pointing to the cashier) ay walang kwentang mga tao! I want them fired!!!"

His yelling and berating went on and on. He cannot calm down and as he appeared to have bloodshot eyes, like that of a drunk person and or under an influence. He threw his passport on the cashier's face and later intentionally stepped on the cashier's foot to say "Ay sorry, di ko sinasadya!" He goes on to say, that only if the cashier kneel down before him and/or allow him to freely slap the cashier's face, may he get satisfied.

The ill-fated cashier, with all the onlookers watching, stand down and just simply gave in to probably he thought would end the matter. Crying in shame he slowly knelt down and apologize (for actually doing his job) before this self proclaimed GOD, perhaps for fear of loosing his job. No slapping was made to the cashier's face but the incident landed a harsher and reverberating sound to the faces of the lesser people of this society.

Fortunately, his inhumane acts were caught on CCTV in which a portion was featured in YouTube and his apology.

With such disrespect, discrimination and humiliation towards a good worker, a less fortunate person and a fellow Filipino...

1. We are calling all citizens to stop patronizing Boyet Fajardo's RTW labels such as Substance in SM department stores, Boyet Fajardo and Initials in Landmark and Robinson's department stores.
2. We are calling on all malls to pull out or stop distributing his products in your outlets.
4. We are calling on the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Labor and Employment and all human rights and labor activists to take appropriate legal actions on this matter.
5. We are calling all foreign embassies to deny him of entry to your respective countries.
6. We are calling on the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines to dishonor him of his membership and profession.

....To give him a lesson and to help us stop him from victimizing the underprivileged over and over and over again.

Contact Information:
Boyet Fajardo
Tel: +632 6327120 / +632 6366871
Email: info@boyetfajardo. com

We look forward to your support.

Thank you.

Concerned Filipino Citizen

The Fall of the Golden Nugget: Victory Anew for "Pac-Man"

2008-12-09T07:24:00.012+08:00

It was lopsided from the beginning, although you'll probably think I’m saying this because the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya already ended. Wrong. I predicted a major beating of the "Golden Boy" of boxing. And so, yes, it will go down in history not only as one of the best fights ever, but a most disgraceful mismatch.

However, the “Golden Boy” (now reduced to a Golden Nugget) definitely still had something up his sleeves (or in this case inside his gloves) to try to prove the whole world of his worth, besides he did not become the 10-time world champion that he is (or was) for nothing. But on this occasion, he was nothing; ended up nothing.

Talent is that which is in a man's power; genius is that in whose power a man is. ~James Russell Lowell

At first I thought it will only be about money, and everybody knew how much was in store for both fighters who are rich beyond the imagination of wanna-be pugilists who are still young and teeming with ambition.

De La Hoya’s age made the deal for Manny done; doomed “Golden Boy” to the fate he knew so well. In boxing, as with great fighters of old, trimming one’s weight as you age spells danger as my officemate Erwin says—it’s retroactive and just wont do the job.

The human story does not always unfold like a mathematical calculation on the principle that two and two make four. Sometimes in life they make five or minus three; and sometimes the blackboard topples down in the middle of the sum and leaves the class in disorder and the pedagogue with a black eye. ~Winston Churchill

Now that the world has seen how Pacquiao mauled Mr. Golden Nugget, he will receive all the respect that he deserves as the best pound-for-pound boxer of his time, because beating a legend—although who got a little older—is still beating a legend. So next time those doomsayers of Manny speak of anything, here’s a little hint: there is that magic in the intellect.

A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it. ~Jean de La Fontaine

Jose (May 10, 2008 – November 22, 2008)

2008-11-23T03:44:00.007+08:00

The last time that I ever really cried for someone was when my father passed away. And eventhough we were given a few months leeway to prepare for it before he had to inevitably leave us, it all seemed sudden to me.

Sorrow makes us all children again - destroys all differences of intellect. The wisest know nothing. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

That episode in my life—and the months and years subsequent to it—always left that overwhelming sorrow inside me, because we had a very close relationship (especially bouts over beer), and because I never imagined it would happen to him so soon; at a relatively young age. And so when my little boy’s dog Jose finally succumbed to his illness this afternoon, unimaginable as it seems, it turned out to be something heartrending. I did not cry for it, but my little boy did, especially during the dog’s last weeping moments.

I am not a veterinarian, therefore I couldn’t do anything to save it. It was so sudden anyway, similar as my dad’s passing, however I never had the time as to seek the vet’s prognosis. Actually, this morning I was ready for any eventuality, for the fate of Jose.

He refused to eat either dog food or sardines, and even tried to force-feed him with that ginseng candy my boss gave me as pasalubong from Korea. Maybe he wouldn’t eat anything for that matter, since he was really hurting; my hunch is that he ate something spoilt or rotten, or some bone got lodged inside his stomach and damaged his stomach lining. Whatever reason, I cannot get him back anymore and this event in my little boy’s life will be something of a sad memory to him. About the ginseng candy, it took a trip to the garbage can; it tasted like soil.

Anyway, that dog is irreplaceable. We had such nice memories together—all those 6 months he’s been with us. One day I received a note, written on my little tyke’s notebook from his teacher, it said: “Please refrain from bringing pets to the school.” I admit it was a funny experience for both pet and master—and me.

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

And so this evening, before I tucked my little boy to bed, I told him that Jose, even if he’s gone forever, will be happy with God, along with lots of other dogs, playing. It sort of relieved him after—he even said that when he’s already asleep, Jose may dig himself from beneath the soil and take some of the leftover dog food which still is outside the house, and the teddy bear he used to play with, and bring it to heaven.

Sigh.

The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic. ~Henry Ward Beecher

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. ~Author Unknown

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. ~Robert Benchley

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace. ~Milan Kundera

I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl. ~Penny Ward Moser

One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why. ~Author UnknownNational Enquirer-->Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job. ~Franklin P. Jones

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

Forgiveness

2008-11-07T15:31:00.004+08:00

We live in a world of hatred and apathy, it is—sometimes—simply very hard to mend things in a way painless. People sin and people make mistakes—often. The only people I know who do not have a care in this world anymore are the ones who lie a few feet under. It is comforting for my sake therefore to say that my father now has no more cares in the world, simply because he has transcended into another realm—with his creator.

Now we are left to live the rest of our lives with these troubles, which, more often than not is a perpetual challenge. We merely have to live with these things, and try not to dwell in the past. Someone once said that past is prologue; just a point where we start from. And the idea here is that we cannot empty our sorrows without reaching to a point when we just have to let go of it and move on to life’s progression.

It is, however, not wrong to look back, but look ahead. We can let go, but we have to accept. We should forgive those who have caused us troubles in the past, and forget about it—and never, ever, look back in anger. And, we should forgive ourselves, too.

Here are a few quotes about forgiveness I compiled (in the past) which has been a reminder to me. It has been such a great help.

I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one. ~Henry Ward Beecher

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~Mahatma Gandhi

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. ~Lewis B. Smedes

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass. ~George Herbert

Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. ~Roberto Assagioli

Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares forgive an injury. ~E.H. Chapin

Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much. ~Oscar Wilde

Of Elections and War

2008-11-05T03:33:00.005+08:00

Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life. ~Oscar Wilde

Not only did Oscar Wilde hit the nail on its head or pinned the needle on the donkey’s tail (or whatever cliché there is for that), when that happens, there will be guys out there who will watch history as it unfolds watching the whole thing on CNN during day-off eating popcorn and drinking beer. And no, he won’t be watching any news about some natural disaster in China or Pakistan but rather, the fabled American Elections—the longest presidential campaign in its history so far (’08). As for natural disasters, there is that emphasis that: a) precious lives taken isn’t life imitating art of any sort, and b) it’s simply bad news, and no one ever watches bad news eating popcorn.

An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. ~T.S. Eliot

With the American Elections in dwelling almost everyone’s thoughts these days, I may say it is life imitating art. Prophetic words by Wilde indeed who I bet never intended it as prophetic. Anyway, whatever happens in that election (or whoever wins), I still admire America’s democratic processes. I never really cared about the American elections until one day when I woke up and saw Barack Obama on TV announcing that he was running. And when my mom gave me a little lesson of how elections (US Elections 101) are conducted in the States; she took up Political Science in college, so I believed her.

And whoever spread those insane rumors that Obama might be assassinated early during his term (if he wins) are the handiwork of misguided elements of society or just idiots with wild imaginations of conspiracy theories and such. (There you go with life imitating art again.)

Some people believe that Obama is Indonesian. In fact, some even professed that he was Muslim, creating therefore the idea that he might just be another terrorist infiltrating America. In the words of my officemate Joy Gustilo—whhaaat!??

Some Americans are such losers. A few days ago I joined a forum about the elections there and realized (from a foreigner point of view) they didn’t know what they were talking about. Maybe I joined the wrong chat room—a far cry from the one I joined (along with Harvard students) before the computer at my place was hurled outside the window in rage. I think Obama is a sincere fellow with sincere intentions for America, reminiscent of John F. Kennedy—especially if you’ve read a lengthy biography of him (Kennedy). I bet what caused those persons in the first place to ponder about Obama having the same fate as that of JFK is because JFK was assassinated. Crazy sons of b’s.

Draft beer, not people.

One thing wrong with Bush’s long stay in the White House is the long stay of American military personnel in places such as Iraq, and well, those places. If he found an early solution for the whole “Weapons of Mass Destruction” thing, he would’ve actually made a name out of himself. But it dragged on for years, people got tired of the idea and people got tired of hearing young men being killed almost everyday. Not to mention billions of dollars spent in the name of patriotism.

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour

Whatever they say, however they condone war, it will never cease to be violent. Guns, bombs, rockets, are a violent thing. Many have even said that there is no victor in war—that only the innocents are the victims. Military strategists call it collateral damage too often that any civilian fatality is more than a given.

Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace.
~Charles Sumner

War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~Bertrand Russell

I join all the Americans, and of those who espouse peace, to spread peace all over the world. Maybe the outcome of this election in America be a beginning to an end.

In Becoming True to Oneself

2008-11-03T02:28:00.005+08:00

Some rearrangements of furniture at my place prompted me to look for one of my favorite books my father lent me: Cannery Row. But I soon discovered I couldn’t find it, so I thought of where I placed it before I lost it, but I cannot remember. Just one of the many passage from that great novel struck me when I first read one of Steinbeck’s greatest works goes like this (now with the help of the internet of course) :

"It has always seemed strange to me...The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second."

Irony teaches men a lot of things in life. That, itself, is ironic.

There’s a lot of truth, therefore, when Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing.” That of course is what happens daily in our lives—wherever we live in this planet. The Philippines is a good example for all those mentioned above, Steinbeck’s thoughts and Burke’s musings in life.

"The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of the mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one." J.D Salinger

What a great feeling it must have been to be born with such people as contemporaries (not to mention Thoreau and HIS contemporaries), and not with such irreverent fools who disguise themselves as great men. You won’t have to go far if you want to meet them; they are readily available everyday on the papers and on the internet and cable. They’re all in the news.

And as though patience is not enough, try checking out the fakes at facebook or Friendster just to give you a sneak-peek of what the world has become. And those testimonials which either reminds one of brats or the worst kind: idiots. I do notice it though when all my patience suddenly run dry, then remember that the law of attraction cannot be achieved if I lose it (patience).

So maybe there should be sites—or social utility sites—that cater for those in need of that special attention. Something like Fraudster of thickfacebook.

Something.

Chowking's Shot at a Laptop Congee Photo Contest: Lutong Macao

2008-10-25T19:02:00.012+08:00

Chowking recently concluded its Congee Photo Contest with five winners of Acer laptops and 12 consolation prize winners, each with P5,000 worth of gift certificates. Malamang magsasawang kakain ng Hong Kong-style congee itong mga second prize winners.

Anyway, they announced the winners here. Congratulations to some of them, they deserved it. However, I don't agree with the judges' decision on who should have won.

Top Five Winners

Consolation Prize Winners

It seems that the judges, coming from various ad agencies, chose to ignore the contest mechanics and followed their own criteria. The official mechanics stated:

CRITERIA for JUDGING
CREATIVITY(50%) - Based on the Uniqueness and/or Originality, Overall Impact, Composition, Subject rendered, and Artistic Merit.
HUMOR (40%) Wholesomeness, wittiness and/or Entertaining
CLARITY/QUALITY OF PHOTO (10%) Quality and Sharpness of color and texture

Decisions made by the Judges are irrevocable. CHOWKING will select top 5 photos. All the top 5 winners will get ACER ASPIRE LAPTOP CONSOLATION PRIZE: 10 winners of P5,000 worth of Chowking gift certificates. Prizes are Transferable but not convertible to cash.

Looking at the photos above and at the other entries; and then judging based on the criteria indicated, I would say there are others, more deserving to win. It seems that the winning entries are chosen based on their suitability for an ad campaign! Yeah, they are great shots. Any photography addict with the proper equipment can make that. But some of them have less humor, wittiness, or entertainment than the non-winning entries.

If you were to ask me who should win, these are my choices:

Top Five

Consolation Winners

This blunder, along with the other mistakes (Uploading problems) in the contest, Chowking should hire a different marketing staff. They should also get a better IT team. Their website lacks functionality, you can't order online or look at menu and prices.

Chowking should be thankful that Hen Lin, their main competitor, is years away in equaling them in size. Otherwise, these problems will slowly eat them out of the market.

Stress-Relief

2008-10-04T13:09:00.004+08:00

Everyone seems to be concerned about their health these days (and Facebook), including this writer, although I am becoming convinced that these thoughts only stems from aging, meaning: those medical problems that are beginning to beset our (and my) contemporaries are only a sign that: a) I am really getting old (as opposed to growing old which, is another story); b) old age is automatically equal to wear and tear, thus the simple equation being – AGE=WEAR & TEAR. Or, well at least something to that effect.

Therefore, I have succumbed to taking at least five different kinds of drugs daily; as opposed to just one during college (the herbal type). They are the following:

1) Vitamin C
2) Multi-vitamins
3) Cholesterol Off (brand)
4) Aspirin
5) Garlic capsules

This is why besides sitting on the couch all day watching cable TV sipping light beer on day-offs (and/or after a long tiring day at the office when toxicity levels shoot up), while roasting some zesty marinated pork or a large chicken on the turbo, I spend some time with kids one-fourth my age. That’s how old I am I guess – I mean, do the math there with the pretext that, when I say kids, they ought to be somewhere between 7 and 8.

Anyway, something rewarding happens when you talk to kids. In my case, I apply what I usually did in the past as a journalist whenever I do talk to kids. I always ask them a lot of stuff. Basically of which are the basics: how they feel, who their favourite superhero is, favourite cartoon character, etc…Stuff they learn, from TV. It all adjourns right about the time I advice them to read books instead.

There is something unique with kids nowadays; otherwise we won’t be amused by them the way people used to. The fact that they learn something where you get surprised how they did prove that we may not have the same when we were kids ourselves. This brings me to subject A – Didiboy. It is a name of a kid; a kid who can prove that doing many things simultaneously can be possible after all. In a way different, of course, sort of like fifty things at the same time, giving a whole new meaning to the word multi-tasking – and leave a path of destruction inside the house.

Be that however, one way or the other, with the entire tech stuff around, what do we expect? That is why there are times when I spend the whole day myself in front of the computer playing Simcity4 and Grand Theft Auto. I mean, if you can’t beat ‘em – join ‘em.

Joke Time

2008-08-31T04:38:00.008+08:00

Wanted to share these jokes I just read. So don't feel forlorn, cheer up!

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal and a bottle of wine they lay down for the night, and went to sleep.

Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

Watson replied, "I see millions and millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?"

Watson pondered for a minute. - "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I supect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?"

"Watson, you idiot. Some bastard has stolen our tent."

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

Apparently the U.S. were turned down when they offered to help Russia out with the Kursk submarine rescue mission. They offered to send over Monica Lewinsky to suck out all the seamen.

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

One liners

Police Station toilet stolen....Cops have nothing to go on.

Schizophrenia beats being alone.

If at first you don't succeed, redefine success.

You have the capacity to learn from your mistakes. You will learn a lot today.

A thing not worth doing isn't worth doing well.

Hard work never killed anyone, but why chance it?

All true wisdom is found on T-shirts.

I don't have a solution, but I do admire the problem.

I think sex is better than logic, but I can't prove it.

The meek shall inherit the earth.....after we're through with it.

If a thing is worth doing, it would have been done already.

Ham and Eggs: A day's work for a chicken; A lifetime commitment for a pig.

Lord, if I can't be skinny, please let all my friends be fat.

Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Confession is good for the soul, but bad for your career.

Sometimes too much to drink isn't enough.

Jesus loves you! It's everybody else that thinks you're an ass.

It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

Don't get married. Find a woman you hate and buy her a house. It's a lot easier on you.

A closed mouth gathers no foot.

When blondes have more fun do they know it?

Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps the kids in touch.

Losing a husband can be hard. In my case it was almost impossible.

Jesus is coming! Look Busy.

My Wild Oats Have turned to Shredded Wheat!

Is reading in the bathroom considered multi-tasking?

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of it.

Why do bankruptcy lawyers expect to be paid?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

Always try to be modest. And be damn proud of it!

If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.

Attempt to get a new car for your spouse - it'll be a great trade!

I'd kill for a Nobel Peace prize.

Chastity is curable, if detected early.

Love may be blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.

Hell hath no fury like the lawyer of a woman scorned.

Bills travel through the post at twice the speed of cheques.

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

Borrow money from pessimists- they don't expect it back.

A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.

I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered desk drawer.

Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.

There's no future in time travel.

Radioactive cats have 18 half-lives.

Polynesia -- memory loss in parrots.

A good pun is its own reword.

Laughing stock -- cattle with a sense of humor?

Wear short sleeves! Support your right to bare arms!

For sale: parachute. Only used once, never opened, small stain.

A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.

I said "no" to drugs, but they just wouldn't listen.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

If we aren't supposed to eat animals, why are they made of meat?

Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

Give me ambiguity or give me something else.

Suicidal twin kills sister by mistake!

Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.

I wouldn't be caught dead with a necrophiliac.

The gene pool could use a little chlorine.

All generalizations are false, including this one.

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

I want patience... AND I WANT IT NOW!!!!

The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up.

I have friends who swear they dream in color...It's just a pigment of their imagination.

There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?

Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.

It's sad how whole families are torn apart by simple things, like wild dogs.

Karaoke is Japanese for "Tone Deaf"

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

A day without radiation is a day without sunshine.

A day without sunshine is like night.

A seminar on Time Travel will be held two weeks ago.

Alzheimer's advantage: New friends every day.

An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys

As I said before, I never repeat myself. As long as I can remember, I've had amnesia.

Bigamy: one wife too many.Monogamy: same thing

Bombs don't kill people, explosions kill people.

Bureaucrats cut red tape, lengthwise.

Clairvoyants meeting canceled due to unforeseen events.

Clones are people two.

Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage.

Did ya hear? They took the word gullible out of the dictionary!

I want to die peacefully, in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming, terrified, like his passengers.

Do not put statements in the negative form.

Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected become the expected?

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

Friction can be a drag sometimes.

He who places head in sand, will get kicked in the end!

How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise MY hand!

Hypochondria is the only disease I haven't got.

I bet you I could stop gambling.

I couldn't care less about apathy.

Energizer Bunny Arrested! Charged with battery.

I like kids, but I don't think I could eat a whole one.

I tried to daydream, but my mind kept wandering.

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're all right now.

If evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will evolve.

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

What does BITCH mean?

Three guys and a lady were sitting at the bar talking about their professions.

The first guy says "I'm a Y.U.P.P.I.E, you now....Young, Urban, Professional, Peaceful; Intelligent; Ecologist"

The second guy says "I'm a D.I.N.K, you know.... Double Income, No Kids."

The third guy says, "I'm a R.U.B., you know.... Rich, Urban, Biker."

They turn to the woman and ask her, "What are you?" She replies: "I'm a WIFE, you know....Wash, Iron, Fuck, Etc."

So, just exactly what is a BITCH?

B - BABE

I - IN

T - TOTAL

C - CONTROL OF

H - HERSELF

So ladies, next time somebody calls you a bitch...SMILE....

And say Thank You!

Pun Jokes

CNN/Reuters: News reports have filtered out early this morning that US forces have swooped on an Iraqi Primary School and detained 6th Grade teacher Mohammed Al-Hazar. Sources indicate that, when arrested, Al- Hazar was in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and a calculator. US President George W Bush immediately stated that this was clear and overwhelming evidence that Iraq did indeed possess weapons of maths instruction.

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

A man goes to his mate's fancy dress party with nothing but a naked girl on his back. "So what on earth are you supposed to be?" the host asks. "I'm a snail." The man replies. "What a load of rubbish!" spits his host. "How can you be a snail when all you've got is that naked girl on your back?" "That's not any naked girl, mate," the bloke replies, "that's Michelle."

A pregnant woman from Oklahoma gets in a car accident and falls into a coma. When she wakes up, she sees she's no longer pregnant and she asks the doctor about her baby. The doctor replies, "Ma'am you've had twins! a boy and a girl. Your brother from Arkansas came in and named them."

The woman thinks to herself, "No, not my brother... he's an idiot!" She asks him, "Well, what's the girl's name?"

"Denise."

"Wow, that's not a bad name, I like it! What's the boy's name?"

"Denephew. "

Two ropes walk into a bar. The bartender says to the rope "Hey! we don't serve ropes in here" so one of the ropes left. The other rope frayed up his hair and tied himself in a knot. The bartender said to the rope "Are you a rope?" and the rope said " I'm afraid not"

Recently a man in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre.
However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his Econoline ran out of gas.

When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied:

"I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh."

A married man had only one complaint: his wife was always nursing sick birds. One February evening, he came home to find a raven with a splint on its wing sitting in his favorite chair. On the dining room table, instead of dinner, there was a feverish eagle pecking at an aspirin. In the kitchen, his wife was comforting a shivering littlewren she found out in the snow.

The furious husband strode over to where his wife was toweling down the cold little bird. "I can't take it any more! We've got to get rid of all of these #(@ birds!"

The wife held up her hand and cut him off in mid-sentence.

"Please, Dear, no cuss words in front of the chilled wren."

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

Office Jokes

An office manager arrives at his department and sees an employee sitting behind his desk, totally stressed out. He gives him the advice: "I went home every afternoon for two weeks and had myself pampered by my wife. It was fantastic, and it really helped; you should try it too!"

Two weeks later, when the manager arrives at his department, he sees the man happy and full of energy at his desk. The faxes are piling up, and the computer is running at full speed. "I see you followed my advice."

"I did", answers the employee. "It was great! By the way I didn't know you had such a nice house!"

Tom had this problem of getting up late in the morning and was always late for work. His boss was mad at him and threatened to fire him if he didn't do something about it.

So Tom went to his doctor who gave him a pill and told him to take it before he went to bed. Tom slept well and in fact beat the alarm in the morning. He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work. "Boss", he said, "The pill actually worked!" "That's all fine" said the boss, "But where were you yesterday?"

And now for some Bald Jokes

Here are some signs your getting bald…

Your part keeps getting wider...and wider.

Eh, ........ HELLO! YOUR HAIR IS FALLING OUT!!!!!!!!

"I'm not bald, it's the top of my head getting bigger!!!!!"

Boss says "lets send one of the younger guys on the recruiting trip this year"

Can't conceal the horns anymore...

I think we just found out why the Keepers have hoods!

It's been years since anyone asked, "Have you changed your hair?"

People start calling you "Mr.Clean".

The barber starts charging you less for hair-cuts

The sun seems to be getting hotter

When David Letterman starts making bald jokes about YOU

You develop a habit of sucking on lollipops and saying "Who loves ya', baby"

You get more coupons for Rogaine than you get America On-Line disks.

You have no hair

You no longer have a dandruff problem

You refer to it as a "Haircut with a hole in it"

you start putting suntan oil on your scalp

You're still using the same bottle of shampoo after two years...

Your forhead seems to be growing

Hairs keep falling into your breakfast every morning

Handcream cures dandruff..

It's not a bald spot, it's a solar energy panel for a sex machine!

Less Hair

No one asks to borrow a comb anymore.

People keep referring to you as "Captain Picard"

People mistaking you for *any* NBA star.

People put shades on when talking to you in a well lit room.

Tired housewives expect you to leave their kitchens sparkling clean and ask where that cute gold earring went.

When people can see your thoughts

When you can wear a toilet plunger as a hat.

You actually wear that "solar panel for a sex machine" t-shirt

You find yourself a faster runner do to better aerodynamics.

You find yourself going to the barbershop for contributions

You start trying on hats

You stop finding hair in the sink

People affectionately call you Butt Head

Desire

2008-08-19T10:01:00.003+08:00

Here’s something that wont go to waste for a long time—I read it as a young boy—though at times can’t keep up with it. Lately, though I found it as something of a guide, and tried to conjure up thoughts as for its practical use everyday.

And though somewhat disillusioned recently on how the world has made an abrupt change for the worse—this made me think again. The degree of decadence all over the world the more makes me attempt for example to leave a fast-paced existence to a more undisturbed one. I think age has got to do with it: and I mean for the better. Where once I savored the excitement of youth I now opt for peace; the luster of those bygone days has faded, as that of letting go of it with those dreams of youth.

What made me read this piece again (Desiderata) was when my mother—while in the US for a 3-month vacation—sent me an e-mail (or a text message) and mentioned that I read it; I forgot why she asked me to. And I did—again.

Desiderata

By Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will begreater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

…and then I forwarded it to a friend who was lonely.

The Rakenrol Haybol Show

2008-08-12T20:59:00.005+08:00

Pambihira, they're good! Hey, Ichi and Karl. You should watch our good friend, Ramil's show, The Rakenrol Haybol Show. It's like Wayne's World, MTV's Beavis and Butthead, and ABC-5's The Misadventures of Maverick and Ariel, all rolled into one.

The show has that funny "rocker/tambay sa kanto" humor. It reminds me also of Bab, the hippie Pugad Baboy character of Pol Medina Jr. The Youtube show is directed by Ramil Aznar, formerly of the Half-Life, Half-Death Band, which had its heyday in the 1990s with its hit single, "Alimango." Ramil is now the lead vocals of Dream Kitchen Band, which was also featured in the show.

Rockman and Punk are two of Rakenrol Haybol's hosts. The interaction and conversation between the two while watching a music video at each episode projects a whimsical mood which is quintessential of Filipino comedy. The theme song is also very catchy - easy to remember and fun to sing-along. I bet Ramil composed its lyrics and music.

Talento ka talaga, Ramil. Painom ka naman. Watch the episodes below.

Philippines to Host Olympics

2008-08-09T01:43:00.010+08:00

The Philippines will host the Olympics—but not soon. This was obtained in a report from Malacañang the other day, according to a reliable source, that a statement was made by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before she left for Beijing to attend the opening ceremonies of the 29th Olympiad.

The source also said that he even got hold of confidential copies of a “Master Plan” for the said event. However, only the logo for the Olympic hosting was available as of press time—as shown here. According to the whole crap—err...report—the city of Manila (where this ambitious undertaking was said to take place) will have a major overhauling of sorts. Bits of information regarding the hosting gathered from our Malacañang mole are as follows:

1) The whole Malate area will be leveled to give rise to the main stadium as well as the Olympic Village. A total of around 12 hectares.
2) The Rizal Memorial Coliseum will still be used as venue for some track and field events, for sentimental reasons.

3) The Manila Zoo will remain as that—filthy.

4) Manny Pacquiao—if still living—will bear the Olympic Torch; his son if he’s already deceased.

5) 68 million balloons will be released in the sky. As a symbol it's '68.
6) Total cost of the project: 10 trillion pesos.
7) Source of budget: kick-backs from another ZTE deal.
8) Only athletes from 4 continents shall be participating the said event since by that time North and South America will be underwater due to irregular tectonic activity in the mid-40’s (they even predicted that?!).

9) A huge auditorium will be built for beer-guzzlers 500 meters from the oval track (I wonder why?). The place will be named Nick Joaquin Tavern, to commemorate our National Artist for literature and symbol of friendship, camaraderie, and drunkeness.
10) Since the world's oil will all dry up by 2056, GMA plans (yeah she’ll still be president) to build bridges that will span the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea, and other bridges.
11) China will host the said event. Hey wait a minute…