Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines

Traditionally, Thanksgiving day is an annual holiday celebrating the harvest and other blessings (or success) of the past years.  Unlike in the USA, it is celebrated every 4th Thursday of November while the Filipinos has no specific date or month of celebration.  Therefore, they can celebrate thanksgiving anytime they wanted to yust like when someone who passes the board examination or one have bought a brand new house.  But, personnaly I realized that what if there’s no significant happenings yearound experienced aside from your birthday. I guess it is noteworthy to celebrate thanksgiving every November too.  Unlike the Americans, Filipinos are fond of fiesta celebration (usually feast day of Saints), everybody could make their own version like during any special ocassion in life.  The main point is, one should celebrate his or her harvest day in life once a year. Remember the keyword is “harvest” and I would like to expound the meaning to earnings, blessings, successes and new life.   As I celebrate it, I’m giving you a brochure of digital cameras here in the Philippines for your gifts to your love ones.  <Click here>

Kilometer Zero (Part I)

I think every citizen of world who travel will ask where is kilometer or mile zero located. I guess it is mostly located in the capital city of every state or country. In my country, it’s in Manila and particulaly in Luneta, the RIZAL monument. If you are travelling the Luzon Island, below is the list of major point destination.

 

Angeles City – 83
Baguio City – 246
Batangas City – 111.62
Cavite City – 34
Iriga City – 487
Legazpi City – 538
Lucena City – 136
Naga City – 449
Olongapo City – 126
Tagaytay City – 56
Alaminos, Laguna – 78.6
Alaminos, Pangasinan – 182
Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya – 287
Batangas, Bataan – 123 Banaue, Ifugao – 348 Batac, Ilocos Norte – 471 Bauang, La Union – 259 Bontoc, Mountain Province – 394 Calamba, Laguna – 54.5 Camiling, Tarlac – 159 Canlubang, Laguna – 55 Daet, Camarines Norte – 350 Los Banos, Laguna – 62 Malolos, Bulacan – 44.3 Narvacan, Ilocos Sur – 375 Obando, Bulacan – 16.25 Paete, Laguna – 102 Pagsanjan, Laguna – 102 Paoay, Ilocos Norte – 470 San Fabian, Pangasinan – 230 San Fernando, La Union – 264 Santiago, Isabela – 329 Sariaya, Quezon – 124 Sorsogon, Sorsogon – 600 Subic, Zambales – 138 Tuguegarao, Cagayan – 483 Vigan, Ilocos Sur – 407
(Source: http://www.dotpcvc.gov.ph/Visitor%20Information/overview.html)

Typhoon Pedring ala Ondoy

Last Sept. 26, it was the 2nd anniversary of Typhoon Ondoy Marikina River victims when Typhoon Pedring hit PAR.  But, on the next day, Northern Luzon (mostly Cagayan Valley) experienced signal no. 3 storm. For the first time the US Imigration Office was flooded in Roxas Boulevard, and at night, the Marikina River basin is on Level alert 3.  Today, Nueva Vizcaya is still brownout and there’s no classes in all levels.  I like to help in my own little way by using free SMS technology beside to all affected to this type of calamity.

Special thanks to version791.com!

Know your self first

I usually observed today the pessimisms of most Filipinos who are job-seekers.  I’m not sure if the government don’t really provide enough job opportunities in the country with more than 94M population.  But, I’m quite sure that you can be easily get hired for a job if you have a pretty resume presentation and good application letter.  I think making a good resume is not learned from the school.  But before writing or updating a resume, it is important to have a reflection time of knowing truly about yourself.  I do believe that employers expects more what is written in every resume, therefore, you need to be true more than your own mirror (like the resume).

While most employers also ask the answer of “What’s in it for me?” question, one should be able to answer too the following questions:

 - What kind of problems did you solve?
- How the company or employer will benefit your performance?
- How do you do a job differently or better?
- Did you introduce new program? If yes, what are the results?
- What were you most proud of in your job?
- How did you affect the company’s bottom line?
- What would your colleagues say they will miss most about you when you leave?

Always remember that the content of your resume is not just a record of achievements in life, but it’s more than marketing yourself to an employer that expects more what is written.   In other words, if you want yourself to be saleable, be true and design a pretty resume. (by:novoman)

The Adventures of Tuk-ko

Tokay Gecko lizard is known as a Tiki, Tuko, Toko or Tuk-ko in the Philippines for its characteristic vocalizations where some people believed about that its feet can tear your skin off to great love and admiration for its entertaining vocalizations. In the Philippines, most people respect it and value it because it eats dangerous pests such as mosquitos, scorpions and centipedes.  Its native habitat is rainforest trees and cliffs, and it also frequently adapts to rural human habitations, roaming walls and ceilings at night in search of insect prey.

There is a hot trading of gecko today nationwide because is there are hearsays that it can help cure AIDS/HIV. These animals are not endangered according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) but you can collect them as long as you have a permit from
DENR.  Usually found in warm climates throughout the world and what amazed me this animal is its foot as it walks on vertical glass.  According from http://therealowner.com,  the current prices in Peso of gecko according to its weights are: 300grams-P50,000; 350grams-P300,000; 400grams-P1.5 M; 450grams-P2 M; 500grams-P2.5 M and 1kilo-P10M.

Even there is a medical benefit to this animal, I will not go for gecko hunting.   I think they are now endangered now because of this unverified and not yet proven research for HIV cure.  And even its proven, geckos should be saved because I consider these species as nature’s wonder.

MVP si Dad

Today is my 11th year celebration of being a dad. Life must go on and I think there’s no much big difference in my life after 10 years of marriage. I just became a fan of two NBA Most Valuable Players (MVP) namely, Steve Nash (Suns) and Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks) who are real friends off-the-court. So, i think it’s a good idea to have a MVP shirt this 2011 Father’s Day which will define as Most Valuable Papa. As an avid fan of Suns, the team that always scores 100+ points per game, I bought an orange shirt of Nash and printed the word MVP at the back. Just like Nash, who was a 2-time MVP, we have two kids with the same birthdays.

Web threats

In the early age of computers, where Internet is not yet born, virus is the term in labeling any computer threats.   During that time, virus are generally destructive programs by nature.   Online or web threats may be destructive too depending on how you acquir it.  Here are helpful information on web or online threats from Norton site.

Drive-by Downloads
A drive-by download is computer code that takes advantage of a software bug in a Web browser to make it do something that the attacker wants—such as run malicious code, crash the browser, or read data from the computer. Software bugs that are open to browser attacks are also known as vulnerabilities.

Phishing Attacks
A phishing attack occurs when an attacker displays Web pages or sends emails that claim to be from a trusted company. These pages or emails solicit sensitive information from an unwitting customer. Symantec Security Response has more information on phishing here.

Spyware
Spyware is any software package that tracks and sends personally identifiable information or confidential information to third parties. Visit our Spyware Topic Center and the section on spyware in our Viruses & Risks area.

Viruses
Viruses are a type of malicious code, or malware, typically spread by other computers through email, downloads, and Web sites that are not safe. See the Malware Topic Center for more detailed information.

Heuristically-Detected Virus
A heuristically-detected virus is found based on the malicious behaviors that it exhibits. These behaviors may include attempts to steal a person’s sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers

Worms
A worm is another type of malicious code, or malware, that focuses primarily on spreading to other vulnerable computer systems. It typically spreads by sending out copies of itself to other computers, either via email, instant messages, or some other service. See the Malware Topic Center for more detailed information.

Unsolicited Browser Changes
An unsolicited browser change occurs when a Web site or program changes the behavior or settings of the Web browser without the user’s consent. This may result in the home page or search page changing to another Web site, often one that is designed to serve ads or other unwanted content to the user.

Suspicious Browser Changes
A suspicious browser change occurs when a Web site attempts to modify the list of trusted Web sites. A Web site may be trying to get your Web browser to automatically download and install suspicious applications without your consent.

Dialers
A dialer is any software package that changes modem settings in order to dial a high cost toll number, or requests payment for access to particular content. The result of this attack is that the owner of the phone line is charged for services were never authorized.

Trackware
Trackware is any software package that tracks system activity, gathers system information, or tracks customer habits and relays this information to third-party organizations. The information gathered by such programs is neither personally identifiable nor confidential.

Hacking Tools
Hacking tools are programs used by a hacker or unauthorized user to attack, gain unwelcome access to, or perform identification or fingerprinting of your PC. Some hacking tools are used by system or network administrators for legitimate purposes, but the power they provide can also be misused by unauthorized users.

Joke Programs
A joke program is one that alters or interrupts the normal behavior of your computer, creating a general distraction or nuisance. Joke programs are programmed to perform various actions like causing the CD or DVD drive of your PC to open at random.

Security Risk
A security risk is a condition in which a computer is more vulnerable to an attack. This condition can be created when an otherwise innocent program contains an error that reduces the security of your computer. These errors are usually unintentional. Using such a program could increase the risk that your PC will be attacked.

Suspicious Application
A suspicious application is one with behavior that represents a potential risk to a computer. The behavior of such a program has been examined and determined to be unwanted and malicious.

Cybersquatting
Cybersquatting is the practice of acquiring a site name to attempt to deceive people about the identity of the organization running the site. Cybersquatting makes use of deceptive practices to mimic trusted brands or otherwise confuse users. Typosquatting is one form of cybersquatting in which name spelling variants are used.

Hard to Uninstall
These programs are difficult to uninstall. When they are uninstalled, they may leave behind files along with registry keys that cause the files to be run even after uninstallation.

Computer threats
Items such as viruses and worms that load directly on your computer, with the potential to do harm to your computer.

Identity threats
Items such as spyware or keyloggers that attempt to steal personal information from your computer.

Ecommerce safety threats
Suspicious ecommerce activities, such as selling counterfeit goods.

Annoyance factors
Items that don’t necessarily do harm, but are a nuisance, such as joke programs or a site that isn’t what it seems.

Pay per Click site
This indicates a Web site that includes the brand name in the Web site name, but is not affiliated with the brand owner and contains mostly advertisements or links to pages containing advertisements.

Bb. Pilipinas 2011 crown to Ms. Supsup

WINNERS ALL (L-R): Mary Jean Lastimosa, 2nd Runner-Up; Isabella Manjon, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism; Shamcey Supsup, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; Dianne Necio, Bb. Pilipinas-International and Janine Tugonon, 1st Runner-Up

Click here for Bb. Pilipinas ’11 Candidates with PBA Players on Valentine’s Day from Fidelio Blas on Vimeo.
Special thanks to the photo above from http://normannorman.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/2011winners1.png
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Virtual Bisita Iglesia

Visit http://www.visitaiglesia.net for Catholics virtual Holy Week experience.

The seven churches  mainly featured in Metro Manila are:

* Manila Cathedral
* San Agustin Church
* Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church)
* San Lorenzo Ruiz Church (Binondo Church)
* Sta. Cruz Church
* Nuestra Señora de Remedios (Malate Church)
* Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine (Baclaran Church)

Note: Last year’s version of the Visita Iglesia site had featured the Santo Niño de Tondo church instead of the Sta. Cruz Church.

BTW, do we have to be virtual for this celebration?  I’m just hopeful the site will not in traffic.

Tsunami in Japan: A Disaster Preparedness

Say sunami, and not chunami.

I’m a Filipino who also thinks the atrocities of Japanese soldiers during World War II.  My wild imagination tells that this catastrophies in Japan is the price of their atrocity 70 years before.  But, I think I will be bias if I will consider also the atrocities of German Nazi soldiers and wish for Germany be flooded or experience disaster calamities like what happened in Japan last March 11.  I think we should forget the past of history and it’s not right to say that the fault or sin of your ancestor must be paid or answered by the people of today.  We should help each other, not just Japan, but in protecting our nation.  The disaster is not yet finish since yesterday another nuclear plant have leaked.  Here’s my little way of helping our countrymen for disaster preparedness and radiation information:

1. What is Tsunami?

2. Earthquake preparedness guide

3. Earthquake Intensity

4. Philippine Volcanoes – 6 most active, 3 types

5. What is Global Warming? (download brochure 1 & 2)

6. Survival kits (e.g. cheeze & 3 lts. of water/day for food supplement)

7. Radiation:  We are exposed everyday to celphone radiation.  It can transmitted thru air waves and also biologically.   It will be dangerous to health if you will be exposed to 1.50 sV amount of radiation (as defined by http://legis.wisconsin.gov/rsb/code/dhs/dhs157_app_r.pdf)