takes me back to 2009

please allow me to write this.

For two days now I have not watched the news because of the heartache that I get over seeing and hearing what is happening in the Visayas. More than that the images that I see both over the TV and online reminds me a lot of my experience when Ondoy stuck the metro. Every time that I see those images my hearts beats harder as if I was back to the situation, it thumps hard and there is this feeling as if I am scared of something. I don't know why but it just brings back the memories.

it was not easy to walk on the streets seeing dead people lying around the street, it is not.

I sincerely pray for my bretheren in the Visayas. I shed tears for you.

The Growing Pop Culture In Valenzuela

We've all been a victim/fan depending on how it affected you, of Koreanovelas and I couldn't help but romanticize with the idea of a street full of neatly dressed people, cold breeze blowing and cool places where you can hangout every now and then. I have to mention specially that this kind of perspective was influenced a lot by Simon and Martina of Eat Your Kimchi where they show different places in Korea where you can eat and hangout like small coffee and pastry shops!

Thanks to the University of our Lady of Fatima a market for places such as these was created and yes they have regular customers (like me hehehe) like med students. 

Anyways here are some of the places that I have tried so far that I like... I must warn you most of them are coffee shops! LOL!

1. Tully's 

From what I have found out from doing some research Tully's is a US brand founded in Seattle, Washington that is slowly expanding Market here in the Philippines. 

Thumbs UP:

  • Spacious and has lots of different kinds of tables and chairs including communal tables!
  • Good coffee - not necessarily the best one but its good enough that you wont think that it is not worth the try. Note: I didn't like their chocolate bellacino, it was too bland and too milky
  • Very accessible, just right off the highway across the new city hall
  • Their staff are friendly (at least those that I have interacted with
Thumbs DOWN:

  • I didn't like their Chocolate Bellacino it was too bland and too milky
  • Wifi is terrible, I know it's free but I couldn't get any work done. I regret my decision that night to leave my wifi at home. 
Could be a plus:

  • I stay at coffee shops for long periods of time trying to write and do some stuff over the net and it would be great if they could get a bigger washroom 
Inside by the window
cute wall with frames

more tables with comfy chairs

and yes there are more space upstairs!


big smoking area

2. Roots and Herbs

Roots and Herbs is a fairly new player in the market with a menu that is quite innovative. From the my first impression they are presenting their shop with as a healthy coffee shop and that gave me a bit of hesitation, well you know healthy lifestyle stuff they kinda taste not that good, but when I finally gave in and tried what they offer it really isn't that too foreign to my tongue. I ordered their butterscotch frappe and it tasted great! I just think that they should try a different approach with their marketing so as not to scare some of their potential customers

Thumbs UP

  • Good food and coffee!
  • Cozy shop - if you like boutique shops this one is for you (valenzuela branch) 
  • Accessible - very near to OLFU (our lady of fatima university)
  • LCD TV - if you are alone and trying to work a quick break from your routine can help a lot just by giving the LCD TV a quick peek
  • Clean washroom - the place is quite small yet very clean specially their wash area
  • They are open up to 2AM!!! that is a biggie for me!
Thumbs Down

  • Mosquitoes! I had to constantly shoo them away...  A mosquito light would help a lot please...
  • Since its just right off the highway it's a bit noisy specially if the vehicles are fast... maybe putting in rubber in between the gaps of the glass panel would help reduce noise, keep the air conditioned better (not that it is hot) and keep the mosquitoes away
Could be a plus:
  • So it says that it is a Self Service store, it would be nice if they take their customer's name and call them once their order is ready instead of the customers anticipating about it
  • As always a separate washroom for men and women - but it is quite understandable that with the size of their store what they have is adequate enough
  • The tables and chairs are a bit big for the place maybe a custom made 









SEAIR partners with Muranglipad.com


SEAIR International (SEAIR) announces its partnership with Muranglipad.com to offer airfare comparison to passengers.
            SEAIR, the brand that pioneered commercial flights to Boracay in 2005, is back to offer premium services with fast and stress-free travel to passengers.  Part of its thrust to offer innovative services to clients, is the belief to offer the best value-for-money fares to passengers.
            Muranglipad.com, a division of Triplestar Travel and Tours Inc, provides airfare comparison to all domestic and international destinations, across all airlines. SEAIR clients can now enjoy expert travel advise from Muranglipad.com’s pool of Travel Specialists. To avail of specialized travel assistance, passengers may call the reservations hotline at 849-0100 or visit www.muranglipad.com. Office hours are from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Mondays to Fridays and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Saturdays and Sundays, to accommodate consultations, bookings and reservations.
            Triplestar has 11 ticketing offices nationwide, particularly in Makati, Manila Domestic Airport, Quezon City, SM Clark, Cebu City, Cebu International Airport, Davao City, Davao International Airport, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban and Bacolod. All are strategically located to cater to passengers’ immediate travel requirements.
            To find out more about the new and exciting service, please like SEAIR Facebook fan page at www.facebook/flyseair and Muranglipad.com’s Facebook fan page at www.facebook/muranglipad for updates on promotions. 

Of Dreams, Delusions and Reality

4 months.

That is how long I have been back and working, then suddenly it struck me have I given up on my dream to become a full time photographer-businessman?

It made me think a lot about what has happened to me ever since I left the corporate world? What has happened to my goal? My mission? 

So far I have been enjoying what I am doing on the other hand I have been craving to go out and shoot but I haven't been able to. 

The truth is I am torn between responsibilities and dreams. I guess I have woken up from my delusions. 

Come to think of it maybe, just maybe, I really haven't given up my dreams. Maybe I am just out of focus. Maybe I really haven't given up on my dreams because I am still longing for it and that I am writing this post right now. 

Just Maybe

The First Post That I Lost

I primarily blog because I want to be able to go back to something and see, in this case read about my past, what have I done and what have I experienced. I thought of doing this because I have a very bad memory and I think that I might forget about a lot of things in the future as I get old.

Today, I was writing about a trip and I wanted to link another post about climbing mountains. So I tried to locate the said post about my "near death" experience of climbing my first mountain. I kept on hitting the search button and finally I found a post that has a link to the said post. I clicked on the link and there it was the link is dead. I can't find the post! it is gone! : (

I felt like something important was taken from me, I felt incomplete and I need to find it. I feel really sad.

But there's also this feeling that I have to let go, I can't and I don't want to write about it again because I pour out my emotions on those posts. and that I can't replicate.

right now, I am still thinking about what to do next, but I have lost the drive to finish that post that I was writing as it reminds me of that missing post.

help me... let me know of any suggestion of what you do if lost something, how do you get over it?

MurangLipad.com Offers Help To Stranded ZestAir Passengers

Murang Lipad offers travel assistance to passengers affected by flight cancellations

Here’s  great  news  for  travelers!  Murang  Lipad,  a  division  of  Triplestar  Travel  &  Tours,

announced  that  it  is  offering  flight  reservation  assistance  to  passengers  affected  by  flight

cancellations.  It  services  ticket  reservation  of  all  major  carriers  in  the  Philippines,  particularly

Tiger Air, Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Jetstar.

            To  avail  of  specialized travel  assistance,  passengers may  call the  reservations  hotline

at  849-0100.  They  may  also  call  Murang  Lipad  for  free  by  visiting www.muranglipad.com and

clicking  the  WebTalk  Button.  Office  hours  are  extended  from 8:00  AM  to  8:00  PM daily  to

accommodate travel needs of affected passengers.

             Triplestar  has  11  ticketing  offices  nationwide,  particularly  in  Makati,  Manila  Domestic

Airport,  Quezon  City,  SM  Clark,  Cebu  City,  Cebu  International  Airport,  Davao  City,  Davao

International  Airport,  Puerto  Princesa,  Tacloban  and  Bacolod.  All  are  strategically  located  to

cater to passengers’ immediate travel requirements.

For  more  information  about  Murang  Lipad,  please  like  their  Facebook  page  at http://

facebook.com/muranglipad and  follow  their  Twitter http://twitter.com/muranglipad for  more

updates.


# # #

About Murang Lipad

Murang Lipad, a division of Triplestar Travel and Tours Inc., is a one-stop portal offering assistance in product and

service comparison of the best travel deals. It aims to offer expert travel advice to consumers about airline tickets,

hotel accommodations, and travel and tour packages.

Originally known as Leisure Escape Packages (LEP), a division of South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) that provided

ancillary  travel  services  to  clients,  LEP  spun  off  in  January  2009  as  a  full-service  travel  agency  under  the  name

of  Triplestar  Travel and  Tours, Inc. In 2010,  it was appointed as the General Sales Agent of  Tiger Airways  in the

Philippines.

What's up with the brownman?

I haven't gotten the chance to write for the past few weeks because of so many reasons. First is that my computer crashed early May, come towards the end of this month I started work with a BPO company. Yes, I am back in the industry but I am starting a new. 

A lot of people ask me why start at the bottom again if I could actually run a call center. Well the answer is simple, I already found my happiness. I found my happiness with Photography I learned that even without much money as long as I can share to the world what I see I am happy. 

The world may not understand but yes I am happy with my life.

I am so excited to receive my first paycheck from my newest company so I could buy a new computer and wander off to where my feet will take me. \

Getting Serious With Work

Around past two in the afternoon, because of the sweltering heat, I decided to take a short nap. The temperature and the humidity was too hard to fight that it seemed like it is trying to shut my body down. So I succumbed. I slept, only to be awaken by a bad or maybe scary dream an hour later.

The Dream
I was sleeping (yes I was sleeping in my dream) felt that there was someone, no more of a something was around preying on me. I didn't want to open my eyes because I know that it is a spirit. I told my self that I have to open my eyes and try to escape. But as soon as I open my eyes the black spirit guy turned into dark gaseous like form and entered my body through my mouth. I was possessed. 
source: www.mwallpaper.com 
Trying to fight for my self I managed to stand up and try to reach to the door and out of my room grabbing a bunch of money, which felt like it was for transportation. 

I really am not sure what the dream is about but so far Mr. Internet said that its a manifestation that I am a realist. That it symbolizes that I don't have control of my current situation. Though it doesn't say anything about me standing up. I honestly think that it means that I am fighting to be better, to gain control of what I have lost over the past few years. 

Right now, I am trying my best to go back to the industry that I once left. Not that I really left it because I did work for periods of times as well but this time I'm taking my next job seriously again. I think I had enough break.

I have no regrets though of what I have done in the past. I believe it has made me a better person with a better judgement in life. 

My Favorite Sleeping Clothes


This topic suddenly just interest me when I read on another blog "I'm back to wearing sweat pants". Then it went into my mind I love wearing sweat pants! hahaha!

Before, I didn't really like wearing them specially when sleeping. You see I am a naturist/nudist so I love being naked whenever I can and is appropriate specially when sleeping. But that was then, since I gave up my condo and lived back with my dad in house that is still unfinished I had to sleep with my clothes on. My room doesn't have a freaking door man!

So I was then obliged to wear clothes. I started with shorts and a shirt but mosquitoes gets the best out of me coz I don't like mosquito nets. Then I wore pants and my long sleeved shirts.. it was too uncomfortable. Then revelation came.... Hahaha.... revelation talaga....  I accidentally un-boxed a package from my exgirlfriend which contained clothes that she sent for me... I really planned not to use them but hey its opened anyway so I tried on a sweatpants and they were so comfortable....
It looks very much like this...
image source: http://www.oldnavy.ca

I enjoyed wearing them until it the "ber" months came and it was colder... I have this sweatshirt hahaha (another sweat-clothing!) that I have been keeping in my closet. I never used it because it was too big, I never really tried it on because it was a spur of the moment purchase. I guess the oversized shirt has its own charm, it's really comfortable as I can even put my hands inside the shirt if its really cold.

well yeah there you go that's what I love wearing now-a-days though  I still go commando if I really can't sleep at all ;)

How about you what are your favorite sleepwear?

How To Choose Who To Vote For 2013 Elections Edition

It's April already and Election time is just around the corner, less than a month to go I think... Well that is why I decided to publish this post just now about the things that could help you on how you could choose the right candidate because, you know us Pinoys we tend to have a short memory. So ayan nose bleed na! hahaha...

For The Legislative Positions (Senators, Congressmen, Councilors) 

  • My candidate should have some kind of education with the Laws or Politics. I wouldn't people to make laws because that is what they feel is right without any legal basis. Imagine debates for so long and in the end it will be blocked by the supreme court because it is unconstitutional and the same legislative body that passed the law could not defend it? What a waste of time! Highly inefficient! Why am I so big on this education thing? Because unlike management and other experience transferable skills, knowledge in the law requires formal education. Think of it this way would you let somebody operate on your loved ones just because they have experienced being inside the operating room and assisting doctors in operations knowing that they didn't go to Med School? 

  • The next criteria that I have is that the candidate should be a good speaker. Look at Cynthia Villar, I am not defending her okay.... Just look at her I wouldn't vote for her because she cannot express her thoughts accurately. She then complains because she only has 60 seconds well the statement she release of what she could have said could have lasted less than 60 seconds so what is she complaining about? See legislators should be great communicators because if they cannot communicate properly where do you think our laws be at? Communication is important in making laws because those words that they say and those that would be written would be ours to obey. Imagine a senator or congressman saying "Oh! that's not what I meant!" you see what I mean?
Local Government Unit Officials (Adminsitrative: Mayors, Vice Mayors, Governors, etc...)

  • Speaking from what I experienced in my city, Valenzuela I would suggest that you choose a leader that knows a lot on how to be a manager. When you say a Manager he should be a good leader. Knows how to make efficient processes and make sure that the city hall is one well oiled machine that would keep on running. Change came to our city when a young Harvard Business graduate handled the affairs of the city. From that point on the City became lesser infested with "traditional politicians" and lesser of those who call them selves as man of action. Action men are nothing if they don't know how to properly identify the root cause of the problems, gather data that would support them, formulate action plans and implement them. So that is why I go for a good manager.
  • Visionaries. An LGU leader should be a visionary and knows what path to take his locality and knows the balance between progress and preserving the environment. He should also be a risk taker, but taken cautiously and well calculated. 
These may sound like a qualification for a corporate job, well I think yes being a mayor should not be just merely political it should a systematic and corporate driven. How could you run a City if you don't know how to run a simple office. A city is just like a big corporation that caters various services to its clients, its citizens. And yes in that note companies do not put the name of their officials but the brand or name of their company. Have you seen a soap that says a product of the chairman of the board. No! It's just the company name and in this case services should just bear the name of the city and not the politicians. 

Furthermore one should have a good record as a citizen, no killing spree, no criminal and corruption records of any kind. I also do believe that one family member in a certain branch specially the legislative body is enough we have thousands of brilliant minds in the Philippines and I beg the political parties to please use them  and stop putting same old names in the government it just shows you are afraid to lose your connections in the system. 

These are I think the fundamentals of my belief on how I would chose who to vote. So please do choose our next leaders wisely. 

minsan lang

Yep today I am turning 30, actually I am 11 minutes old into my thirties.

This is the first time that I am the social media world -blog and facebook know that my birthday.
I don't tell people that. So expect that this blog post to be deleted or at least revised -taking off my age hehehe - after a few days. I like to live my life quietly but I guess this year I'll start to change my self.

I am glad to turn thirty. this marks the start of a new life for me. ]
I am eager to start.
I am happy.

Wo kuaile wo shi san shi shengri

StarTrek: Into Darkness

I am more of a Star Wars fan than Star Trek but this trailer seem to interest me a lot as most of it shows earth and not just another planet or something. The overall feel of the new Star Trek movie is somewhat updated veering away from the 1980's feel of the series.

Point Of No Return


I don't know if there is such a thing but I think I am having some frustration attacks again. I've been looking at photos of countries where I should have been and where I could have been living and doing.

I used to have my life figured out already a family man, a father to my daughter. However things didn't work out the way I was hoping for. My daughter is now in a far flung freezing country with no real traditions.

So here I am trying to figure out at the middle of my life span.

I don't know what God's plan is for me.... at least just yet... but I know what are the things that I love to do.

Photography, Traveling and Writing. 

I know that I am good with Photography and that I take good photographs. But I don't think that I am good enough.

I also love traveling and writing about my experience but I still think my skills are on a mediocre level still on this field.

I don't really know why are there so many things that happens that hinders me from accomplishing the things I want to do specially those three Photography, Traveling and Writing.

No Turning Back 

Back in 2011 I decided to quit work to start a new life and gamble on doing the things that I really want to do starting with Photography. I was a manager back then. Work as a photographer was quite okay when I started I had work every weekend but it wasn't enough to pay the bills.

I looked for a job that would help me pay off the things that I need to on a monthly basis but that job seem not to work well. I have my word of honor, I didn't quit my job and just finished my contract.

Just recently I started looking for work again as a manager thinking that I am ready to join the real workforce that I belong to again. But it has been challenging so far, I am out of funds and starting to get disappointed and frustrated.

While writing this post with the thought of that my situation right now is a Point-Of-No-Return and it dawned into me that me looking for a job as a manager is a step back for me in achieving my goals. But I need to I guess, we are not rich and I need to full a very big cup.

I know I can make it. I know.

New Pope: Cardinal Mario Bergoglio of Argentina is Pope Francis


After two days of conclave the College of Cardinals have elected a new Pope.

Among the 115 Cardinal Electorate Cardinal Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit pope and first pope from the Americas.

Here's A brief history of the new Pope from the Guardian.

"The archbishop of Buenos Aires is a Jesuit intellectual who travels by bus and has a practical approach to poverty: when he was appointed a cardinal, Bergoglio persuaded hundreds of Argentinians not to fly to Rome to celebrate with him but instead to give the money they would have spent on plane tickets to the poor. He was a fierce opponent of Argentina's decision to legalise gay marriage in 2010, arguing children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother. He was created a cardinal by John Paul II on 21 February 2001."

Here are some of the events on that night




Vatican Band Marches In To St. Peter's Square

The Room Of The Balcony Lights up


Cardinal Turano Announces The New Pope


Pope Francis Emerges From The Room

Electing The New Pope: Conclave 2013

Stay updated on the latest news about the Papal Conclave for the election of the new Pope. You may watch the latest events through this free streaming video courtesy of TheTelegraph.co.uk
Vatican Local Time

Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song Winner

Last Sunday the winner of the Himig Handog P-pop love song emerge as it was interpreted by no less than Aiza Seguerra.

The song Anong Nangyari which is a song that talks about someone reminiscing and trying to figure out what went wrong in their relationship.

Though I do have a favorite song among the 12 finalists I couldn't argue that this song deserves to win. Here's Aiza's finale performance that night.




Meanwhile here are the other winners of the song fest.

source: starrecords facebook page

I am happy about the result of the contest though I would hope that in the future veterans should be excluded from the competition and give way to newer and fresher talents and ideas. I mean some of them already know how to win. I leave my statement to that and would no longer expound.

Lastly even if Scared to Death didn't win it still is my favorite because it has one of the most refreshing song in the contest when it comes to the lyrics.

versions of me

Since I was a child I have felt that I am fat. But that was just how I felt, this I only discovered as I got old and really got fat. 

I started building up my beer belly when I got into college. It may be the pressure of keeping up float in a competitive state university or else you'll get kicked out or the stress of commuting everyday for more than 30 kilometers just to get to school. 

I got embarrassed easily with my body and I wouldn't take my shirt off even if it was too damn hot just like an ordinary man in this scorching hot tropical country of mine 

Let me share with you my journey in the weighing scale so far, lets start on March 2003. This picture was taken for my passport that year, as you can see I look normal here hahaha! though I have a bit of a gut during this time but nothing that bulges. 
March 2003
2004 was the year when I got to work a lot harder. The photo below was taken during our management training in Fontana. Learning how to smoke, eating out a lot of fast food at the middle of the night didn't help at all.
September 2004
Around 2005 a fitness chain opened up in the Philippines and since the prices back then was super low compared to what it is right now plus they were having some promotions, I took the opportunity to sign up and get back into shape. 

For two years I religiously went to the gym every after work and eventually the belly started to disappear. The peak of me being fit was around 2006 when I stopped eating rice (I didn't ate rice for more than a year) As you can see on the photo below I could say that I looked pretty good back then, had a jawline an actual chin without any doubles! lol! 
March 2006
After my I didn't renew my gym membership the struggle to keep my weight down started. I started swimming in replacement of my gym activities. 

2007 my bread bun cheeks started showing up.
November 2007
The following year I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED! hahaha... no more Bread Bun Cheeks but my double chin appread! hahaha!
July 2008
2009 was no different I started getting bigger mainly because of the emotional stress that I was experiencing that time both at work and with my long distance relationship, I was eating my emotions. 
October 2009
The photo below was taken during Thank Giving of 2009 just a month after the photo above was taken yet I gained so much more!
November 2009
The next year yep still packed the pounds 200 lbs total..... what was I eating at this time????
April 2010
2011 was the year when I started recovering from a personal tragedy, I got used to being single slowly during this time by traveling solo. Yep this was the year I started traveling alone and this was the year that my travel blog was born.

October 2011
Going back to normal
December 2012
As of now I weigh around 175 lbs which still is over weight for my height, not the same as it was last 2003 but definitely better than 2010.

Amazingly I tend to lose a lot of weight each time I am in between jobs. I also quit smoking -running three months now- which also helped a lot in losing the unwanted weight. 

I am quite happy of my body right now but of course I'd like to be happier with a flat gutless stomach ;)






The Sheldon Cooper Situation

I've been following this sitcom for quite some time now, well over the net actually. I have been doing marathons of episodes of this sitcom every time that I can. Some of you might know what I am talking about already but for the benefit of everybody else I'm talking about The Big Bang Theory.
image from wallpaperscraft.com

There is this character there Sheldon Cooper who is ignorant to the social conventions of life and is very much insentive to the feelings of other people. Some may think that Sheldon's character is actually impossible and could never exist. Well think again my friend I know someone who is just like him. 

He doesn't care of what other people think, he always think he is right well its kinda hard to enumerate all of it, just look at Sheldon and there you have it just less the genius of him. 

I can't actually think of any reason why I sticking up with him even though he never cares to say reach out to any of his friends including me aside from that fact that I consider him my friend. For me that is enough. 

My oh my Valentines Day

Oh Valentine why you ain't treating me right? =(

Well it might not really be Valentine's Day that is doing me wrong today maybe its just the day. I just thought that I could have spent my day and money on some other things, though I think everything is quite manageable.

Got up early today to fix my self so I could go to Bonifacio Global City and apply to this certain company but it turned out that I was not qualified since they need somebody who has a license to sell stocks, Now that could have been stated outright on their advertisement to save people their time!

Anyways, I don't feel that it was soooo bad at all. It felt good that I got back at where my career really started to go off. I can't believe that so much have change already. At that time there were just a bunch of buildings out there namely  Net One, One McKinley and Pacific Plaza and everything was pretty much grass land.

During lunch breaks we would walk to either McDonalds or Jollibee at the other end of the field.
Ohhh the nostalgia. Right now BGC feels like it really is a city by it self. So far from what I use to know it as.

So there, that is how my Valentines went today.

Happy Valentines!

emotional night

the truth is I have a lot of articles in my draft folder but here I am writing this. I am a bit emotional right now actually.

I was watching this kid on the internet named Sungha Jung, he is an incredibly amazing guitarist. It made me think about the life that I lived if I have lived this life worth enough to say I lived.


I find my self a jack-of-all-trades master-of-none as I don't excel in anything that I do.
I am just sick of not doing anything right.



-----

P.S. Sharing this video with you guys. made me teary eyed while writing this entry. I don't understand what it says but it feels beautiful listening to it.


Happy Chinese New Year!

Hello every one! This is just a quick post, I just want to greet everyone happy Lunar New Year!

Xi Nian Kuai Le Gong Xi Fa Cai!.

Source: http://www.wallpaperholidays.com/data/media/10/Chinese_New_Year_2013.jpg

Fortinet® Rolls Out New FortiOS 5.0 Operating System


Fortinet® Rolls Out New FortiOS 5.0 Operating System for Enabling More Security, Control and Intelligence to Fight Advanced Threats and Secure BYOD Environments

Company Delivers More than 150 New Features for FortiGate, FortiManager, FortiAnalyzer and FortiClient Products

MANILA, Philippines - Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) - a world leader in high-performance network security – today announced FortiOS 5.0, the world’s most advanced security operating system that is the foundation for all Fortinet FortiGate integrated security platforms. This new release provides more security, intelligence and control to help enterprises be better protected against today’s advanced threats and enable more secure BYOD environments.

With smarter, more effective security policies, Fortinet gives enterprises of all sizes new technologies to help protect and manage their networks in light of fundamental changes in both the nature of attacks targeting them as well as how users are accessing the network. Fortinet is extending its leadership by integrating advanced identification and management of user and device behavior, including reputation-based policies, better botnet detection and protection and inspection of encrypted traffic.

In addition to the new FortiOS 5.0 operating system for FortiGate devices, Fortinet announced FortiManager 5.0, FortiAnalyzer 5.0 and FortiClient 5.0 to address the need for increasingly sophisticated management and analysis of the network infrastructure and endpoint devices in enterprise, carrier, MSP and SMB environments alike.

A Prayer Gone Wrong

When I saw this on facebook I was thinking what's her deal? during the first part of her video. I wasn't just getting why people find it funny while I was starting to get annoyed until she started talking and singing about somebody's farm! lol

And by the way don't forget to subscribe to our youtube page too! CLICK HERE

At Last We Have Arrived, We Are Now A DotCOM!

So it's been quite a while since I started blogging, actually almost six years now! So Hooray!!! Yeah!?

Anyways I just thought it's about time to move up so here we are now, we are now a DOT COM!!!

Since I have decided for this site to step up a bit. I want to fill it more with some more fun stuff things that you would enjoy reading or watching!

So if I would ask you what things you'd like to see me blog, do or make a video out of, what would it be? It doesn't matter who you are if you frequent here or you just passed by my blog I'd still like to know. I'd like to know more who reads what I write and write for you guys as well!

Let me know your answer in the comment section.

Cheers!

The Cost Of Losing Yesterday

Over the past few years Filipinos have been more conscious of preserving our heritage specially the young people of today.

We have lost a lot of our cultural and heritage structures and some taken out of their original place like a fish-out-of-water which just seems wrong. But then again those structures have been deteriorating prior to being purchased and relocated. this is where the debate begins. But I won't go into that issue I'd like to talk more about within just the context of having these structures preserved per se.

First of all we need to know what is Heritage? 

According to Wikipedia heritage  is "the legacy of physical artifacts (cultural property) and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artifacts), intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and natural heritage (including culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity)."


To simply put it I personally define it as the evidence of our history like artifacts

To better understand and realize how important preserving our heritage is I asked Ivan Henares who's advocacy towards heritage conservation has earned him the recognition of being one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of 2013 (TOYM) to shed some light on this.


Photo from yummy.ph
Why is it important for us to preserve our heritage such as buildings and line of sight to name a few and why is it important for us a nation?.

We need to safeguard our heritage in order the strengthen our national identity and preserve the character of our towns and cities. This is very important if we want to promote our cities as tourism destinations.

I always pose the question: "What do you visit when you travel to other countries?" 

Isn't it we travel to other countries to experience their culture first-hand, visit their heritage sites, try out their local cuisine? If we travel to other countries to visit their heritage, why are we getting rid of our own heritage? 

If we want to compete in the global tourism industry, we need to highlight what makes us uniquely Filipino. Why will tourists fly to the Philippines if we promote something that they can easily experience at home?


Are there economic benefits of preserving such heritage structures?

Heritage can be a catalyst for economic growth through cultural tourism. I've seen it in many other countries, especially our ASEAN neighbors. They've effectively harnessed the potential of heritage and culture as a tool for poverty alleviation by uplifting the lives of communities within and around cultural heritage sites. 


There are a lot of heritage structures around the Philippines but the main argument of owners is that they don't know and don't have any money to preserve such big structures. What should owners like these do and are there any institutions or agency that could help them?

The are incentives for restoring heritage structures under RA10066 - National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. First thing they have to do is a get their structure declared. Once declared, government funds can be used for restoration and their are many sources like the local government units, congressional funds, PAGCOR, TIEZA and many other agencies. Also, when declared, funds contributed by private individuals or entities can be considered donations to the NCCA and are thus tax deductible. They can approach the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or National Museum to lead them to the right direction.


For ordinary people like students, professionals or just plain housewives what can we do to help?

Before we can promote our heritage and its effective conservation, we first have to understand what it is all about. Traveling is an effective teacher. The experiences we gain from traveling and learning about different cultures first-hand can enrich ones own outlook in life. I've learned so much from the many places I've visited. The epiphany that hit me while visiting all eighty provinces of the Philippines — that our country is extremely blessed and beautiful, and our cultural heritage rich and colorful — has made me a more passionate Filipino.

Our heritage is one of our most important tourism products. We should value it not just because it has the potential to uplift our lives through tourism. We should take care of it because it is our identity and who we are as Filipinos. We should not erase our nation's soul.

We can also help raise awareness by sharing heritage issue on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. HCS Twitter handle is @HeritagePH. Current hashtags are #HeritagePH and #SaveManilaBay


Any message for Filipinos about heritage conservation?

Any successful advocacy must be community-based. The task to preserve our country's heritage is a daunting one, more so that we have significant built heritage in all provinces of the Philippines. 

We can't do everything from Metro Manila. We really need to make people in local communities understand how important their heritage is, and that it is an inherent part of our national heritage. That's why if we want to be successful, we need to make sure communities with built heritage embrace the concept of heritage conservation. So we encourage each community to safeguard their own heritage as part of national efforts for heritage conservation. 


Like Ivan said preserving our heritage not just saves the structures but our identity as well as a nation. It tells our children what lives we have lived and what we have done for their future.


So lets take action now not later, start by supporting these petitions simply digitally sign them to help ensure the future of these heritage.

MANILA BAY
Would you want to tell you child "Son this is where we use to go out and walk along so watch the sunset" instead of showing them what is really is? The true sunset of Manila bay can't be replaced by videos and pictures, just like how we cry over the photos of old Manila and how it used to be so beautiful.


What we may loose. Please atch in at least 360P

Philam Theater
"This is one of the best performance halls in the entire Philippines and must be saved. It has some of the best acoustics for Manila's orchestras, choirs, and solo musical artists and its destruction would be a gigantic loss for Filipino culture and heritage." - Maestro Olivier Ochanine / Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Philam Theater: Sign the petition HERE


I hope this enlightens some of us and motivate to take action before we lose the traces of who and what we are. Help conserve yesterday today.

Special thanks to Mr. Ivan Heneres of www.ivanhenares.com for helping us understand heritage conservation more. 



Les Miserables: How I Think The Movie Was

Last night I made something that I rarely do, watch a movie hahaha! But really I rarely watch movies since most of the time I think that I don't get value for my money. If I do get to see one, I usually watch Tagalog romance movies -cheesy I know hahaha!. But this time I paid for an English movie, I think this is a very good exception and a very good decision on my part. What movie was it? Les Miserables.

Now let's get down to the business. What do I think about movie? hmmm well before I go ahead and make a general statement whether it is good or bad let me break things down for you first.

The Cast

The casting director really did a good job in picking the actors specially the ones who actually excelled more than the actors on stage.

Anne Hathaway (Fantine) - Totally nailed it! She deserves an Oscar for her performance. There were lots of people in the movie house including families with teenage boys and girls and right after Anne's I dream a dream performance, I heard people saying "did you just cry?" to their friends and family left and right. Only stone-cold hearted people would not shed even a single tear with that performance, and maybe those were just sleeping while the movie was running -they are people who aren't just interested with the movie!




Russel Crow (Javert)- Ugh.... How would I start describing his performance..... Well to fair his acting was really okay, after all Russel Crow is a very good actor I even watch his movie A Beautiful Mind on DVD over and over up to now. But I guess his singing really wasn't working, I know that some of you would say well he is not a singer duh!? But then again he is in a musical don't you think he should step up? Another theory that I have in my head is that he really did a good performance, you know acting, singing and all that but his co-actors were really just so awesome that I find his singing mediocre -it lacks character and dynamics, doesn't really tell a story much if you listen to the singing alone. See for your self with the video below that's pretty much how he sang the whole length of the movie.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter (Monsieur and Madame Thénardier -The Inn Keepers) - Lived through my expectations hahaha! Yes they were indeed funny great performance for the two though I find the stage play actors better Sacha and Bonham were really great. One thing I just noticed is that a lot of us (Pinoys) didn't get the humor most of the time of the inn keepers most of the time, I mean I was like  fool being the only one laughing at the cinema! =(

Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean) - I didn't see a trace of Hugh Jackman with Jean Valjean, all I can see in the movie was the character and no one else. So what I am trying to say is Hugh Jackman really did awesome in the movie I can't even compare it to the actor who did it on stage, it would just be unfair! Well unfair for both as the two actors really are superb its just that I feel that Hugh Jackman gave a different dimension to the character.



Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) - Though one of the shortest appearances as far as the main actors are concerned Amanda Seyfried really did gave justice to the character just like how I imagined Cossette would be like, dreamy, romantic and loving.


Eddie Redmayne (Marius Pontmercy) - Probably the best Marius that I have ever seen better the than the one on stage -singing and acting wise. His performance had that extra ugh! compared to the kid on stage. He was soulful and his acting was so unrestrained giving the emotions that extra shot of expresso.


Samantha Barks (Eponine) - Just like on stage Samantha Barks delivered! her performance on the movie was superb! it was the first time that I saw Eponine that way specially when Marius was holding her as she was lying down in barricades dying. Somewhere over the Internet there have been debates and cyber quarrels about who is better as Eponine is it Lea Salonga or Samantha Barks. Hey both actors are great and they always deliver though one of them has a stronger voice it really is unfair to compare both and to say that one is better because the other one got into the movie. Tell you what both actors are awesome! Lea had moved up to the role of Fantine so no more Eponine roles for her, come on she has grown older and yes she was not casted as Fantine as well why? Duh? Imagine a french woman that looks Asian? come on if they did that people would be reacting the same way as to how M. Night Shyamalan did to the Fire Benders, instead of casting east Asian guys he cast Indians (no offense to Indian, not because you are not good actors because you are its because its inaccurate and in consistent with the comic book series.


The Film

Enough about the characters so how about the Film it self, you know general atmosphere and cinematography?

The cinematography is great I like the artsy angles and shots they consistently have throughout the movie. The rule of thirds was used a lot and again let me say it CONSISTENTLY. I was really satisfied with how they framed the movie. Though with lighting I think there are some shots that could have been given a little bounce of light, like when Eponine was walking in the rain and singing I could barely see her eyes. But yeah I think that is forgivable.

One thing that I didn't like about the movie was the excessive motion blur like when the workers was shown while the camera was moving on the rail, It was really blurry that I cant see the actors properly. Other than that I am pretty much like every thing.

The Story
I said last night on my facebook account that I think some of the lines were altered and omitted, I am not quite sure about that now. I checked the libretto of the play and the part that I was suspecting that was altered really wasn't not. Still I am not sure that everything stayed the same.... So I'll research more about it. ;)

The Judgement

Despite Russel Crowe's weak singing and an occasional motion blur that annoyed me I say that Les Miserables is something that you should watch in the movie house. It is one fine piece of art work that you should experience.

The way how they pieced this movie together makes me embarrased to even call it a commercial film. For me it is an art film it is a part of our history as a human. So I'd say I'd give the movie FIVE THUMBS UP!

Go on and catch Les Miserables while you can at your nearest cinema.

I Love My City

I live in a very famous city in the Philippines, famous for being easily flooded.... Hahaha but seriously yes for locals that is what they would almost immediately state or ask, "Doesn't it get flooded at your place a lot?"

That may be true most of the time but still I love my city. I would have to mention that I have never seen such development in my city like this from the previous administrations that held office in our city hall.

Before I give some of the reasons why I like my city let me share you videos from our city government, again I'd just like to put it out there that this is not a paid advertisement.



1. Less stressful environment
I lived in the bustling heart of metro manila, Mandaluyong City for that matter in a condo for quite a while and I tell you even though I got more sleep, I didn't feel that I was more rested. Maybe it was because of the hustle and bustle that goes around. But here in Valenzuela it feels that you are more relaxed, maybe because of the suburban feel that it has and that when night comes everything is so silent, perfect for your quality rest. I even remember somebody who always says when she goes to my hometown that your place feels and looks like a provincial town, but then again you have access to everything and for me that is great!

2. Better sidewalks and roads.
To say the least we now have sidewalks! and a lot of them are real sidewalks! Thanks to the MMDA and the City Government most of the sidewalks are now walkable. I guess the only thing that's missing are trees and if they could widen it more. Trees, because like we all know it's hot here in the Philippines and trees along the way could help shade the sidewalks and maybe help encourage people to walk more.

3. Efficient city hall

Unlike before when you don't know how long it would take you to process papers or whatnot now you are confident that the processes are streamlined and efficient. Government employees are more efficient, I LIKE IT SO MUCH just like how Boy Abunda said it our mayor runs the city like a CEO. Truthfully it should be ran that way, the city is our business and we need to make sure that its operation is running smoothly! right!? I think other mayors should act like not like mayor but as a manager. Their performance separates the Politicians to Public Servants

4. Lesser floods
Just this morning I read a newspaper that we can say goodbye to flooding in the near future as the Flood Control system has been approved by the president already. But actually I am quite proud to say that the notion of our city being flooded all the time can actually be contested now.

Not that we don't get flooded anymore but in the past when we get flooded it stays there for weeks, now it would subside real quick. However, the government isn't stopping there as the president just approved almost a billion pesos for the flood control project for CaMaNaVa which stands for Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela which are the flood prone areas.

So yeah, these are some of the things why I love my city. I was suppose to write some more with the things that I don't like and what I would like to happen in my city but I guess I'll just put it in another post ;)

How about you what are the things that you like about your city? Put your answers on the comment section below!

Michael Shimamoto: A Youth Music Ambassador

As some of you knows I am a fan of Jesuit Music Ministry the arm of the Jesuit community that spreads the word of God through mass media and the creative arts.

They have writers, video artists, choral groups and singers that help them produce media for evangelization and one of them is Michael Shimamoto.

I read somewhere that Michael was actually tasked to help spread vocation of singing to the youth specially around the Ateneo community where he studies.

Here is his latest song published through the Jesuit Music Ministry channel in youtube.



Here are his other songs published on the same channel

My Top Career / Jobs For 2013

Over the past month I have been hyped to get a job -yep got no job been working for my blog for quite some time now- because I saw some gadgets that would really help me live the life that I want, a digital nomad's life.

I actually wrote some of the things that I want on by wish list and if you feel like helping out or donating your old laptop feel free to contact me LOL! I consider these gadgets as a capital to a better life so I guess they are a need for me not a want.

Thinking over for my next employment I have come up with a list of possible careers that I could take.

Call Center - AGAIN???? I will no longer elaborate on this. All I can say is that this is the modern day factory worker job.

Insurance Processor - I have background in insurance, well selling policies but not processing claims. But my friend offered and I think it is worth trying ey?


Photographer - I take photographs on freelance already so why not be employed? Anyone out there??? hahaha

I am not sure yet on which one to take among the ones listed or if I would take any one of them but yeah I am really motivated to work hard this year!


2013 New Year Celebration

Today is day 1 of 365 brand new days.

And it is just but fitting to celebrate these new set of hope filled days that we look forward to.

Each year our family spends it just like Christmas together, setting fireworks off like there's no tomorrow, eat, drink and party like crazy people.

Our neighbors still has that videoke machine they rented but thank God that they've gone tired of one week of Gangnam Style and Pusong Bato singing.