Wednesday, June 30, 2004

Today, following the PRE-INAUGURAL in Manila and OATH-TAKING of the President and Vice-president in Cebu City on different News Channels gave me an impression that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was good in acting.

The early morning 23-minutes Pre-Inaugural Speech of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the 14th President of the Philippines at Quirino Grandstand in Manila (before her Oath-taking in Cebu City this afternoon).

The Oath-taking Ceremony of the 14th President of the Philippines, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in Cebu City.

The Oath-taking Ceremony of the new Vice-President of the Philippines, NOLI DE CASTRO, in Cebu City.

While selective people in Cebu City are having street party this evening, I wonder where those militant groups are displaced who protestingly claimed it wasn't true that all the people in Cebu City were all PRO-GLORIA.

I heard one legislator was saying that electoral fraud should be considered a henious crime. After hearing such a comment, I pondered while buying BlogShares Ideas, which is more heinous, money-laundering (case filed against President Estrada) or electoral fraud (alleged accusation of the opposition against the Arroyo)?

Evidence of general electoral fraud were presented by the opposition yet, with Gloria Arroyo having plurarity among legislators, filing election protest by alleged true winner in the recently held election, Fernando Poe Jr., in electoral tribunal faces practical road blocks (at least they need P35 Million minimum to fund recount).

Under the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government in the past 3 years, they often said something differently from their actions. No wonder her 10-Point Economic Agenda sounds too ambitious.

As law-abiding citizen of the Philippines, I wish to respect and accept the president, but, does she respect our mandate (when we elected someone else)?

Tuesday, June 29, 2004

One country, one people.

Yet, because of political differences, these unfortunate situations had happened...

...between cop dispersal team and POE's supporters this afternoon.

POE's (un-armed) supporters were supposed to go to the church to offer a prayer rally for their leader but, they were dispersed by violent cops...

Five minutes after the dispersal, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Makati Mayor Binay arrived in the area, most of POE's supporters were gone and fled for their lives.

NOTE: Above photos were captured from GMA7's 24 Oras telecast.

Some Law advocates denounced that there is undeclared MARTIAL LAW and the administration should stop pretending the Philippines is still a DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY under Arroyo's government...

Monday, June 28, 2004

The Filipino people have different interpretations on the proposed inauguration of President-'elect' in Cebu City on the 30th of this month. Some even tag it Cebu Republic now since the incumbent president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, promised the Cebuanos (Filipinos in Cebu) that she's going to build Malacañang Palace in the South (Southern part of the Philippines), as the extension of her office.

Based on the COC Canvassed by the Joint Committee, it's the controversial votes in Cebu City that made her the President-Elect of the Philippines.

Militant groups were complaining to media people that the government stopped issuing permits (NO PERMIT, NO RALLY POLICY) so that they cannot stage a rally legally to express their sentiments and disappointments.

With the help of EDSA 2 People's Power, power-grab allegedly had taken place in 2001 against the legitimate President of the Philippines, Joseph Estrada, who was charged of money laundering. The Arroyo government, according to protesters, is allegedly taking all the necessary precautions to prevent 20 people or more to gather in one place and stage a protest rally (to prevent the regrouping of another EDSA People's Power).

NOTE: Photos were captured from today's news.

Recommended reading:
Bishops to probe poll fraud charges against Macapagal
Arroyo bares 10-point 'legacy' By JEFFRREY O. VALISNO
Lakas Ng Bayan: The People's Power/EDSA Revolution 1986
EDSA 2 People's Power
Power-Grab, By Cecilio T. Arillo
Tanikalang Ginto: People Power
Press Releases

A phone call awakened me as early as 4:30 o'clock this morning. My eldest son, Junjun, is calling from Saudi Arabia.

Anyway, I wasn't able to go back to sleep after his call. My son is two months now in Saudi Arabia and we could feel the effect of his absence: we sent the other PC for hardware check last Saturday. We have suspicion the frequent crash was caused by memory card. If my son is only around, he can fix the problem instantly...

Sunday, June 27, 2004

A ticket had been submitted with PlogHost last Tuesday of my intention to upgrade from Movable Type version 2.661 to version 3.0 (Developer Edition).

PlogHost then requires me to give them my personal copy of Movable Type and after I have downloaded both the upgrade and the full version of Movable Type Personal (Limited Free Version), I decided not to upgrade for the time being. Although it is free and fully functional, it's unsupported version of Movable Type and will be limited to 1 author and 3 weblogs. Please check out what Movable Type can offer you here.

Wish I could have more time to know more about this latest Personal version of Movable Type. A simple mother of three that I am, I doubted whether I can understand the new MT's powerful version and extensible architecture.

Saturday, June 26, 2004

This article was issued as a (NEWS) PRESS RELEASE with BlogShares but, unfortunately, it failed to show at http://blogshares.com/news.php. Anyway, I hope this article will be read by BS newbies and pioneers alike:

Five (5) months after I received B$ 200,000,000,000.00 (B$ 200 B) cash prize from Afonso in a Blogging Contest about Portugal, my wealth is nearly B$ 4 T at present. It's about time that I share this B$ 200,000,000,000.00 to you.

Mechanics: Write something about the Philippines current political situation in your blog. Give me the link and I will review your article. The best accurate blog about the Philippines will receive B$ 100,000,000,000.00 (First Prize), B$ 50,000,000,000.00 (Second Prize) goes to second best, and B$ 25,000,000,000.00 (Third Prize) to third best article. Consolation prize of B$ 1,000,000,000.00 will be given to all who will join.

Tips: You can find Philippine links in my own blog. But, please do not copy and paste articles. Creativity is expected in your blogging style.

This contest is now open and will run until the 15th of July and prize winners will be known immediately the next day, July 16, 2004!

Good luck...

This is in response with Rutty's message thread, Competition for July 2004.

Friday, June 25, 2004

Thanks God, it's Friday! Glad the weekdays ran smoothly between me and my son, Paul Denise, except for few minor arguments with cellphone load. Guess he's just growing up and he needs some space... (and more budget)!

Later this morning, I talked with my eldest son, Junjun, on Yahoo! Chat. He's waiting until now for the package. He told me that he received a call from that person and will see my son one of these days and deliver the package. I advised him to be patient.

It worries me when we had a brief chat only when he went online again early in the evening because I was busy cooking our dinner. When I went back to check his messages, he's already offline...

Thursday, June 24, 2004

I had mixed emotions when I heard the Flash News over GMA7 about the outcome of joint canvassing panel. I was wondering what's the rush, the legislators finally proclaimed Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new President of the Philippines AND Mr. Noli de Castro, as Vice-President, at 3:33 o'clock Thursday morning, the 44th day after the May 10 polls.

But, opposition leader Sen. Edgardo Angara refused to concede defeat, spoke of Ms Macapagal's "fractured mandate". And, whether the call for UNITY and RECONCILIATION by the administration to the entire Filipino people is sincere, in the bottom of my heart, it's very hard for me to accept these situations are happening at the tip of my nose. Too bad, I cannot do anything but, watch...

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Following the news lately made me feel more disappointed. Whether the claim of the whistle blower, Rodolfo "Rudy" Galang, is true (or not) that Macapagal cheated in May 10 election, no one seemed to care anymore as pro-administration legislators called for her proclamation...

"Galang admitted that he formulated a plan for Mindanao that would ensure President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's victory in the region, called Oplan Mercury."*

"Presidential adviser on ecclesiastical affairs Conrado "Dodie" Limcauco admitted knowing Galang but denied he was part of Oplan Mercury."*

"Limcauco had allegedly asked for Galang's help in making sure that Ms Macapagal would win in Mindanao."*

"Galang said the plan involved getting two million votes in Mindanao through massive cheating, use of government funds through rice distribution, and bribing opposition candidates to sign a "pledge of support" for Ms Macapagal."*

*Source: news.balita.ph :: Photos by GMA7's 24 Oras

Earlier, my children were asking how come no one cares to check the authenticity of the Certificate of Canvass, and I didn't know what to answer... there's nothing I can think of except to include the Philippines' welfare in my morning prayers.

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

I received a Yahoo! message from someone this afternoon that says: "I think your blog is all hatred about the present govt. I myself is also ciritical," which followed by another one, "I always rallied against the wrong policies of the govt. Me, I want a total change of the present system." Smiling, I replied, "it's not hatred, i was just disappointed..."

Based on his Yahoo! profile, he's a 29 yr. old male. I offered him to write also about his thoughts by blogging, and I gave him the URL of blogger.com and blogdrive.com

Monday, June 21, 2004

While investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen and Scaled Composites launched the first private manned vehicle beyond the Earth's atmosphere today (Full Story Here):

Back here in the Philippines, the Joint Committee finished canvassing the COC yesterday evening, the slowest ever in Philippine History:

As expected, the incumbent lady president won against FPJ (in spite of massive fraud protests) in the preliminary canvass, and whether the true mandate of the majority of the Filipino people was not honored, I pray that those guilty ones be punished by their own conscience...

How this nation will unite under the leadership of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a nation with serious unemployment and overpopulation problems?

The Joint Committee should publish in all tabloids the regional and provincial results of their canvass, so the people may know which places PGMA got support...

Sunday, June 20, 2004

Today is Father's Day, yet, my father spends this day at Chinese General Hospital where his elder brother is confined. Anyway, my mother is here since yesterday morning to spend the weekend with us. We're watching together the deliberation of lawmakers and senators live on ANC Channel 21 instead of going out to spend this special day without my father around. BTW, to all family men out there, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Reasonable efforts by the opposition were made with the Joint Committee (JC) to allow them to look at (allegedly faked) Certificate of Canvass (COC) to scrutinize and compare against Statement of Votes (SOV) and Election Returns (ER) but the motion was denied (4-6) where out-voting seemed automatic. There are five opposition members against 17 pro-administration members in the 22-man Joint Committe. Please SEE Section 30 of Republic Act 7166

EXCERPTS from The original meaning of 'canvass' by Randy David

Congress seems to equate "canvass" with the mere tabulation or addition of election results. Nothing is more mistaken. No existing standard definition of "canvass" reduces the word to tabulation or counting. Historically, the word has been used only in two senses: When applied to elections, it either means to thoroughly scrutinize election results, or to campaign for votes.

In 2001, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became President without the benefit of a popular mandate. In 2004, her claim to the presidency is even more dubious; it totters on the edge of unopened election returns. Why anyone would like to be president of the country at this time under the same questionable circumstances is truly puzzling. Her allies in Congress could do her and the country an immense favor by opening contested election returns and removing all doubts that she won the presidency fair and square.

Click here for Full Details on The original meaning of 'canvass' by Randy David

Canvassing of votes is expected to finish this Sunday evening, in spite of fraud complaints. Within this week, the President of the Philippines will be proclaimed and this "bogus president" (not once, but twice, as many believes), will stay in power for the next six years. How the entire Filipino people will accept this, in spite of the widespread rumors that another presidential candidate actually wins in the recently held May 10 election.

Overview of Philippine Elections
Comelec goes slow on automation
R.A. 8436 Election Automation Law
Another election in the Dark Ages
SC voids P1.3B deal, orders Comelec probe
Macapagal used P15B in gov't funds
Session at Batasan
Namfrel Unofficial Count

Section 30 of Republic Act 7166

Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for the Election of President and Vice-President: Determination of Authenticity and Due Execution of Certificates of Canvass. - Congress shall determine the authenticity and due execution of the certificate of canvass for President and Vice-President as accomplished and transmitted to it by the local boards of canvassers, on a showing that: (1) each certificate of canvass was executed, signed and thumbmarked by the chairman and members of the board of canvassers and transmitted or caused to be transmitted to Congress by them; (2) each certificate of canvass contains the names of all of the candidates for President and Vice-President and their corresponding votes in words and in figures; and (3) there exists no discrepancy in other authentic copies of the certificate of canvass or discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the certificate.

When the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province, city or district, appears to be incomplete, the Senate President shall require the board of canvassers concerned to transmit by personal delivery, the election returns from polling places that were not included in the certificate of canvass and supporting statements. Said election returns shall be submitted by personal delivery within two (2) days from receipt of notice.

When it appears that any certificate of canvass or supporting statement of votes by precinct bears erasures or alterations which may cast doubt as to the veracity of the number of votes stated therein and may affect the result of the election, upon request of the Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate concerned or his party, Congress shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual number of votes cast for President and Vice-President, count the votes as they appear in the copies of the election returns submitted to it.

Saturday, June 19, 2004

I couldn't believe that there is really a Congressional Canvass today...

Administration congressmen defended the move to work overtime today for the Joint Committee to be able to guarantee the proclamation of winners before the June 30 constitutional deadline.

Opposition Senator Edgardo Angara said the motion to conduct tabulation beyond eight hours and on weekends is a violation of the rules.

More on Solons clash on Maguindanao CoC by BEN R. ROSARIO

Since we moved here in Quezon City last April, we had SkyCable connected only yesterday afternoon. So, I was excited to watch Channel 21's Live Coverage on what's going on at the Batasang Pambansa where Fernando Poe, Jr.'s lead counsels, former Commission on Elections Chair Harriet Demetriou and former Immigration Commissioner Rodriguez, had been charged with kidnapping an election officer on Basilan island. The said election officer was formerly KNP's witness on massive cheating in the said area. Brillantes denounced the filing of the charges "dastardly acts of political harassment."

"If you are going to scare our lead lawyers, please don't," Brillantes told the committee. "If this is going to be done to our colleagues in the profession, then allow us to withdraw."

Kidnapping case is non-bailable in the Philippines.

FULL STORY By Christine O. Avendaño, Cynthia D. Balana, and Carlito Pablo at www.inq7.net

Meanwhile, the 22-man (11 senators and 11 congressmen) Joint Committee is breaking their own Canvassing Rules:

Under the approved rules, the joint committee will canvass votes eight hours a day from Monday to Friday at the House of Representatives.

ach candidate shall likewise be entitled to attorneys who shall serve during the entire canvassing proceedings.

A joint committee shall be created, which shall upon determination of authenticity and due execution of the certificates of canvass, preliminary canvass the votes for president and vice president.

Source: www.inquirer.net

Many believe the PHILIPPINES needs monitoring by international media...

Friday, June 18, 2004

I applauded Neal H. Cruz's today's Philippine Daily Inquirer Editorial/Opinion entitled, Tyranny of The Majority which he mentioned too many things related to what I understand and observed with the current situation in the country as far as the May 10 Polls is concerned. I'd thought earlier all media people are scared to discuss the truth behind massive disinformation campaign. I was really disgusted with the performance of the Senate and the Congress lately. You can really sense the "shared forces" are there, blocking every way possible, including media, to stop the opposition from exposing the truth to the public.

By June 30, if canvassing of votes does not meet the deadline and no president will be proclaimed, the Senate President, Franklin Drilon, will preside as acting President of the Philippines.

May God bless the Philippines! And, to Neal H. Cruz, your editorial is well-written, keep up the good work!!!

Sites To Read:
REPUBLIC ACT No. 7166: SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
RESULT OF CANVASSING OF ELECTION RETURNS
CONGRESS APPROVES CANVASSING RULES
THE SEARCH FOR DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT

For the record, here are some of the interesting issues he mentioned in his today's editorial:

• members of the majority in the joint committee doing the canvassing do not want to open the election returns to determine the authenticity of the numbers written on the provincial certificates of canvass (CoCs)
• the opposition claims the numbers in some CoCs do not tally with the totals of the election returns (votes for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were inflated while those for Fernando Poe Jr. were deflated).
• if there was no cheating and GMA really won, the election returns will show that.
• but hide those election returns and people will believe that GMA did steal the presidency from FPJ as she did earlier from his close friend Erap.
• GMA will then land in the Guinness Book of World Records as having stolen the presidency not only once but twice.
• Her supporters in Congress think they are being loyal to her but they don't realize that they are actually doing her a disservice -- if she had really won without cheating.
• By blocking every opposition move to make the canvassing more credible, they show how much they fear the election returns. You fear them only if they will show proof of cheating.
• The public is understandably fed up with the very slow count, and the blame is being heaped on the opposition, the canvassing is being delayed not by the opposition but by the fear of the administration to open the election returns.
• The excuse of those in the majority is that opening them would delay the canvassing and the proclamation of the new president, adding a threat of a power vacuum and chaos if no president is proclaimed by June 30, which is not true, and they know it.
• A delayed proclamation is better than proclaiming a bogus president.

Source: Inquirer Online Edition, Neil H. Cruz Editorial/Opinion

Thursday, June 17, 2004

What does a battered wife means? I checked in dictionary.com the meaning of battered:

Batter \Bat"ter\

adj 1: damaged by blows or hard usage; "a battered old car"; "the beaten-up old Ford" [syn: beat-up, beaten-up] 2: damaged especially by hard usage; "his battered old hat" 3: beaten repeatedly with heavy blows; "a battered child"; "the battered woman syndrome" [syn: beaten]

The Battered woman syndrome? I checked again what is this all about and I found useful information at Family Law Advisor® Articles' WHAT IS BATTERED WOMAN'S SYNDROME? written by Lori S. Rubenstein, Attorney - Mediator. The article says, "Battered woman syndrome describes a pattern of psychological and behavioral symptoms found in women living in battering relationships."

There are four general characteristics of the syndrome:

1. The woman believes that the violence was her fault.
2. The woman has an inability to place the responsibility for the violence elsewhere.
3. The woman fears for her life and/or her children's lives.
4. The woman has an irrational belief that the abuser is omnipresent and omniscient.

Source: Family Law Advisor® Articles

The purpose of the above research is because I'd like to know if my sister, Ate Neth, falls under this category...

My mother called early in the morning to inform me that my sister needs help. After telling me what has happened, I called my sister and asked her how are things with her. She was not okay yet that time. She asked me if I receive her text message and by then I remember to turn on my cell phone. Her first message was sent as early as 4:30 in the morning!

First message:

Ngwdraw ak bgo umuwi s bhay kc ng wla ak pera. Pgdting k s bhay paalis sya. N2log n ak. Mga 2am dmting sya. Ngcng ak pra umin0m wla sya s sala. Pgblik k s kwr2 k i saw my bag it was opened wla n yn pera k.

Second message:

Gd am. wla ak pera d2 kinuha ni boyet ang pera wndraw k kgbi pati yn P100 k puro c0ins lng natira s kn wla p P20. Bkt nya ak gnagani2?

Third message:

Wla pamba0n mga anak k, wla dn ak pmsahe, wla kmi pmbili ng almusal. Npkasama nya. Walanghiya sya tlaga! Hayup sya!

My sister, who is working for my EX at present, is the one paying all her family bills, food, education, and other related expenses. She was furious because this is the third time she has lost money in less than a month, which the money was taken from her bag in the privacy of her room. She had lost money also last Sunday, barely a week after the cell phone of her second son, Jessie, was missing inside their house. This morning, her children missed the first two subjects in school because they had no money for transportation. I instructed my mother to give to my sister the intended allowance for my father so that they can move on with their schedules today...

The culprit? Her hubby who is currently jobless and (useless) father to her three lovely kids. He has another woman whom she got pregnant by him. My estranged hubby helped this brother-in-law of mine to work for Saudia Airlines here in Manila and he was given a Ferrari service and a cell phone. I have heard later from my nephews that their father's cell phone was "lost in a tricycle". They suspected the cell phone has been given to the other woman for their communication needs. I found out from my sister two weeks ago that her husband is no longer connected with the airline company.

Last Sunday, June 13, he was throwing his family out of his house. He's drunk and out of control, he went out in the street with his samurai, challenged their neighbors for a fight. Fed up, my sister called me before packing up that they wanted to leave him for good BUT, I told her to complain with authorities first to report the matter of abuses and theft. Unfortunately, her hubby is connected with NBI and also, the District Police Station in their area are all drinking buddies of her husband.

At times like these that both my sister and her children are no longer safe in their dwelling, who and where they should turn to?

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Reviewing and learning with my kids each time they have homework to do are fun. Her first assignment, she has to write 150 verb in its present tense and 150 verb in its past tense then, use them in a sentence.

She asked me to review her work but, before doing so, I browsed for irregular verbs online for reference. Well, I must admit that during my school days, I excelled in most subjects, especially in Math and Science, but not in English. Honestly, I am shy to teach the kids now because I never step in college but, as a mother, the strength and the will to assist them in every way possible will always be there.

Anyway, after we reviewed her work, she has written the required 300 sentences. It's almost midnight and I told her to go to bed.

While looking at my daughter fixing her things, I suddenly remember my eldest son. Somehow, I feel good and relax because few days from now, he will soon receive his package. We finally gave the package to the person who will deliver it to him , and thanks God, there's nothing wrong with his cellphone...

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

This article made me think twice whether to keep ON my cell phone's bluetooth connectivity:

The worm program, dubbed Cabir by Russian antivirus company Kaspersky, apparently uses the Bluetooth short-range wireless feature of smart phones that run the Symbian operating system to detect other Symbian phones, and then transfers itself to the new host as a package file.

More details at Silicon.com news, reported by Robert Lemos.

Meanwhile, speaking of cell phone, after I activated Smart international roaming sevice on N-Gage this morning, I packed it along with some stuffs requested by my son. The person taking the package is leaving, hopefully, either on Thursday or Friday. But, before handling over the package, I asked my sister to test if the service has been activated already. To my dismay, once she turned the power on, it has no network signal!

Series of efforts were made to discuss the matter with Hotline *888 and 8881111. Upon checking the mobile number on their system, the requested service is already activated but, why Smart's network signal had been lost, they advised me to check the unit with the dealer. Switching of phones and sim cards is not possible because she got loads of work to do. My sister held the package for the time being, it's necessary that the unit and the sim card must be checked tomorrow.

I forgot somehow to tell them that the unit model was Nokia N-Gage, it might have something to do with Smart's limited features for this gamedeck phone???

I had slept late last night, hoping and waiting that my son, Paul Denise, would come home before midnight but, he didn't show up!

As early as 5:30 in the morning, the commotion made by my neighbors woke me up. And, I remembered my Paul Denise. I realized he will sacrifice his future just to give in to his tantrums and jealousy against his siblings. He was telling the family of my sister that I was unfair and biased with him but, the problem is, he just wanted to justify his frequent staying at their house. He's enjoying playing computer games there with my nephews WHILE there is no man here in the house to assist me, in case I needed him. Playing PC games is not allowed at home, especially now that they're back to school.

After reciting the rosary which I routinely do everyday at six in the morning, my tears were falling. I can't stop myself from feeling sorry for my son's misleading thoughts. While setting up mobile's international roaming, I called my sister and gave her instructions regarding the package I will send for my eldest son in Saudi Arabia. After couple of calls, I had an opportunity to speak with my mother, too, and I opened my heart to her. Few minutes later, she arrived with my son!

I immediately wiped my tears before opening the door and before she could ask what happen to my voice, I told her right away I was not feeling well, have runny nose and watery eyes since last night while going straight to the kitchen to hide my face and pretended myself busy preparing breakfast. I didn't liked my son to see me crying...

Paul Denise arrived home from school at past one in the afternoon. He watched VCD while washing his uniform. When the phone rings, just then I noticed he's gone. Alarmed, I checked log records on my CP, as usual, he sent P30 worth of pasaload to his number!

KIDS!!!

Monday, June 14, 2004

Millions of college students went to school today, it's Day 1 of their First Semester for Year 2004.

This is a remarkable day for me, my kids are back to school once again! However, my son, Paul Denise, didn't like to continue his studies after I scolded him. He went to my elder sister's house and left me confused, whether to refund his tuition fee tomorrow and send him to work abroad for good.

I gave him a chance until 12 midnight tonight to decide, if he likes to study or not.

Sunday, June 13, 2004

While moderating BS blogs' industries, I chanced upon silverhorni @ journalspace.com's blog with the same above title, which he posted on June 10th:

Excerpt from Innocent Whistles Blog, written by silverhorni:

Reading around JS it's evident that so many are looking for that special person. Some of us have been waiting longer than others. Some of us thought we had found them only to discover we were wrong. Some of us feel hopeless. Some of us seem to stay hopeful in the midst of disappointment. Some of us set the bar and keep everyone hoping... Keifel & Vic! Some of us "grow up" as we find the one... Mikey! But mostly we are all still looking and hoping. And, we all know we will find that person one day and it will be good... very good.

After reading his post, I couldn't help but remember my Yahoo! profile's Latest News, "My lovelife is zero but, I didn't like online relationship since I do believe my soulmate will soon meet me at the right time, right place... to love me forever and for all eternity!" I paused for some time, and I decided to leave a brief comment:

And when that special someone will come along, let's all wish it will be real soon....

Ah! While in deep thoughts, I remember Helen Keller's Quote: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Inquirer News Service's Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. reported that Malacañang Palace mulls 20% tax for every text message:

• Malacañang will have its way in Congress, mobile phone subscribers will have to pay up to 20 centavos for every text message sent.
• The government hopes to generate at least P14 billion in additional revenues annually.
• Strong lobby expected, the proposed tax on text messages and indexation of sin taxes form the core of the government's proposed tax reform program
• A drastic measure to solve the government's gaping budget deficit, to reach P197.8 billion this year.
• At present, 10-percent value-added tax on cellular phone cards was already a way of taxing text messaging, if approved, it would resulted to double taxation.

Read complete details at Inq7.net.

Saturday, June 12, 2004

Today marks the 106th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence from colonial rule but, do Filipinos have the reason to celebrate this day while we know the fact that the voice of the majority of the Filipino masses were not actually heard in the recent May 10 Presidential Polls because the actual winner allegedly was not winning in the canvassing, based on known issues reported by the opposition?

It's a shameful fact that while technology is available in this country, the system used by the Arroyo government in the canvassing of our votes will put the Philippines on The Guinness Book of Records for having the slowest process of canvassing the votes in a presidential election.

Disappointed with my failure to activate MMS/GPRS on NOKIA N-GAGE unit we purchased two days ago, I almost wanted to change the unit and could not make my mind on what model to choose from having the same features and enhancements. Asking SMART Communications Customer Care Assistant or NOKIA Sales Agents made me even more confused with their conflicting informations and knowledge of their services and products.

For those who are lost like me, please never give up. Informations are just a mouse-click away. Here are useful links to enjoy the features of MMS/GPRS on your cellphone:

• Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), we can send and receive messages with text, image and sound. Click here to get MMS settings
• Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), surf the mobile Internet from mobile phone. Click here to get WAP settings
• Visit the Operator Settings FAQ or NOKIA-Philippines Website to find out more.

After accepting Terms and Conditions and followed the procedures step-by-step, the next thing I know, configuration settings for both WAP and MMS were sent to NOKIA N-GAGE unit, then, I sent MMS ON and GPRS ON to 333 (Applicable to Smart users only).

Going to SM City-North EDSA to setup N-Gage unit manually this afternoon is no longer necessary. Weather is bad right now, it's raining outside with thunderstorm. When my daughter came in my room to tell me that lunch is ready, I smiled at her and told her a piece of advice: "Sweety, when someone told you something, never believe them at once. Don't let yourself suffer just because some people didn't know the answers to some of the questions you asked, all you have to do is try your best to find the answers by yourself. If there's a will, there's a way..."

Friday, June 11, 2004

Today is my brother's 39th birthday! Hey, Bro, you owe us a party, when are you coming home?

This brother of mine, Bhoie, is working for General Motors in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since 1996. He's not familiar with computer stuffs and I don't think he has the interest to use the net but, someday, somehow, I hope you will read this brief message of mine, that I am wishing the best for you, your wife and kids. May God bless you and the rest of our family always!

When we purchased NOKIA N-Gage yesterday, the attending sales coordinator, Dave, failed to turn on its MMS and I decided to go to Smart Communications Care Center but there were lots of people in queue. Since there is no problem with the unit, they gave us a small sheet of paper instead with instructions on how to activate General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) using SMART SIM card. For those cellphone users with MMS capability but didn't know how to turn it on, follow these:

1. Type SET GPRS UNIT MODEL, then send it to 211. Ex. SET GPRS N7650
2. Type SET MMS UNIT MODEL, then send it to 211. Ex. SET MMS N7650

Once configuration is received, click SAVE (NOKIA) or YES (Ericsson), to install new MMS Profile settings. To activate GPRS/MMS subscription:

1. Type GPRS ON, then send it to 333
2. Type MMS ON, then send it to 333

After four attempts sending to 211 the following: SET MMS NGAGE, SET MMS N-GAGE, SET MMS NNGAGE, and SET MMS NN-GAGE, I kept receiving instructions from Smart 211.

Got no choice but to call PLDT 187 and they gave me SMART Hotline number, 8881111. Customer Care Assistant informed me that only text service is applicable with international roaming in Saudi Arabia for Smart Buddy (which is different from what I was told yesterday?) AND, unfortunately, N-Gage is not MMS-server supported yet! OMG, I got hysterical and called the shop to inform them that I'd like to return and change the unit but, Dave went out for lunch.

My son was currently chatting with Tintin on Yahoo! and he said no need to bother myself to change it for another model, he said the ingenuity of Pinoys in Saudi Arabia can do wonders. Well, who knows that SMART server does not support N-Gage MMS yet? Ah! Mother never told me there will be days like these...

I found this in my inbox this morning:

Greetings,

Your email address was entered into our Microsoft X-Box promotional competition by either yourself or a friend, or perhaps a family member, at http://www.prize-station.net.

This is a prize draw, you have actually won a brand new Microsoft X-Box Gaming Console.

Your package also includes these top 5 games:
- Halo
- Metal Gear Solid 2
- Max Payne
- Splinter Cell
- Panzer Dragoon Orta

You are now invited to login to our website and claim your prize that you have already won. There are only 5 winners in total this month, out of thousands of emails, so do count yourself lucky.

We have provided the following web link for you, it is temporary and expires in 72 hours. If you do not login within this time, your winning shall unfortunately be returned to the prize pool.

Here is your link!
http://www.prize-station.net/ ....
On this page you will need to enter this pass code number to proceed:

MX-BOX

This is very important. Do not lose that number! Put in your address, and we will send your X-Box to you.

We hope that you will enjoy your new X-Box gaming console.

Congratulations on winning,

From Microsoft and the Prize-Station team!

WARNING: I have noticed that Shipping option for INTL: FedEx International Economy - Rest of World is not working. Therefore, you will see this note after you have clicked submit: "Updated 06-09-04: We are sorry that we can not accept credit cards at this time, due to temporary technical issues with our merchant account. We do hope to have credit card available as an option as soon as possible." Guess it's too late to realize you have entered all your contact informations, including your credit card and PIN details.

HOAX? Well, curiosity prompted me to check out if this is real or not, SO, I suggest you visit this site, http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_xbox_giveaway.htm written by David Emery, commented that :

"Microsoft, the manufacturer of Xbox, has denounced this email offer as a hoax and says the sender is not affiliated with Microsoft in any way. Virtually identical emails have surfaced monthly since September 2003, in each case pointing "winners" to a different Web domain where they can supposedly claim their "prize" by providing a debit card number and PIN to prepay shipping charges. It has all the elements of a scam, plus a false claim of affiliation with Microsoft. Caveat emptor!"

Thursday, June 10, 2004

After searching for tri-band (GSM 1900) mobile phone, MP3 playback, MMS/GPRS capable, infrared/bluetooth connectivity, 64 MB MMC/upgradeable BUT, with NO CAMERA, I ended up with Nokia NGage for my son! Its price dropped since it was first launched but nevertheless, I feel better now that I got something for my son. I preferred NOKIA 6820 because of its QWERTY keyboard but, it has a camera! NOKIA 9500 Communicator is best for my son's need but, it has a camera also and will not be available until the third quarter of this year.

We were told from Smart Communications - Sales Dep't. that text messages wouldn't work with international roaming in Saudi Arabia, as MMS and SMS are barred. Anyway, my son has to buy a prepaid SIM card there which cost about SR 150 (PHP2,100.00), if his SMART SIM card fails. I am a Smart subscriber but might switch to Globe soon. Globe has better browsing options and it's FREE through GPRS and can make clear calls via international roaming (post-paid subscribers). My son wants an open line and didn't want me to get subscription plan so I was having difficulty earlier. Currently, prepaid SIM cards cost locally about PHP 150.00 for Globe and PHP 190.00 for Smart Communications, the two leading cell phone companies here in the Philippines.

The next best thing to do is upgrade the applications in his unit and load it with some of his favorite mp3s and images of Tintin. Hey, Junjun, would you allow your little sister to try its game? :D

Tuesday, June 08, 2004

Paul Denise, my youngest son, got a tempting offer, to work in a foreign government, with a salary double than his brother's salary!

The conflicting issue is this: He's now enrolled and ready for the school opening, will he accept the job and leave his studies later? Honestly, this confused me.

Monday, June 07, 2004

I chatted with my eldest son this evening and he urgently needs a tri-band (GSM 1900) mobile phone, MP3 playback, MMS/GPRS capable, infrared/bluetooth connectivity, 64 MB MMC/upgradeable BUT, with NO CAMERA. Yahoo! SMS messages had been at least 3 hours delayed before I received them as SMS and he's already offline once we received his message that he's waiting for us to go online. I had difficulty finding what's the best cell phone for my son because it is forbidden to send and receive images in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is currently located. If one is caught using a camera phone, the penalty is confiscation of the unit plus SR 2,000 cash!

We would like to choose between Smart and Globe SIM card for his International Roaming access to exchange MMS but, I still have to coordinate this matter with these two communication providers if it is possible to do so.

NOKIA 9210i seems perfect for his need at first glance but it's dual band only and based on my online search, it does not support MMS, polyphonic ringing tones and GPRS. Therefore, before buying, I had thought to post here my concern, any suggestions in mind?

Sunday, June 06, 2004

Today is my birthday, please do not ask me how young I am unless you want to buy me a birthday gift :D

A remembrance photo of my 2004 birthday

Sprain in my ankle prevented me from meeting Vera and Sherwin. Weather was bad since morning so, I decided to stay home instead of having an ultimate buffet with my family at Kamayan or at Billy's Jumbo Palace restaurant...

When nephews and niece arrived one after the other, I just let them watched Shrek 2 and Harry Potter 2 while I was cleaning up the antique tables Tintin brought in early this morning. I had no plan of celebrating my birthday and yet a get-together with my family and loved ones made my birthday a very memorable one. Jojo, Ate Neth's eldest son, had some minus one video karaoke CDs with him and we had fun singing while Ana's kids were busy playing computer games in my room. My elder sister was not able to make it so she sent instead her kids...

Many thanks to friends who remembered this very special day...

Saturday, June 05, 2004

Yesterday, I paid another Meralco bill in just one month! My immediate neighbor was complaining because her electric bill was too much and unbelievable for 8 days consumption. She borrowed our electric bill as comparison few days back because I told her my bill was too low based on our average monthly electric bill.

I called up the owner of the building three days ago before they departed the next day to the U.S.A. for a three months vacation but, they told me not to worry about the neighbor as she was using electric stove and rice cooker.

Yesterday morning, I met Ayz and asked her to return our Meralco Bill copy. Glad the son of the owner of the building, Arnold, was also having a meeting with Ayz regarding her complaint. Not convinced with Arnold's suggestion to wait Meralco men to check our meters, both Ayz and I wanted to satisfy our curiosity about the possible switch considering the supposed buzzer of the unit we occupied somehow can be heard in the other unit. We had fixed the buzzer problem ten days after we moved in by just changing the unit assignment at the main entrance.

As we convinced Arnold to go with us downstairs where the Meralco meters of half of the entire units of the building are located, we found out that Ayz complaint was valid. The building maintenance, Raymond, switched off Ayz's main circuit breaker but the meter assigned in her unit was still running while the assigned meter in my unit has stopped! And, when the circuit breaker was turned off in our unit, Ayz's assigned meter was slowly running until it finally stopped.

To make the story short, we settled the problem by ourselves without depending on Meralco utility men to check the reported dispute. We requested Arnold to report to Meralco change of address of the two meters involved then I asked Ayz to pay me the amount which I paid in the earlier bill and in return, I issued the check and they paid the bill in my behalf.

Both Ayz and I have a big question in mind... how come the first occupants of our units have not realized the discrepancy???

I'm having difficulty dealing with my second son these past few weeks. He became self-centered and didn't like to listen to any of my advices lately. Guess it's part of growing up where kids think they know the life better than me???

I do missed my eldest son. He's the one normally does things for me and now that he's into another stage of his life working in a foreign land to get some experience, carrying out things by myself had not been easier...

Friday, June 04, 2004

Can't help but, ask myself... I wonder what has happened with the Archives Director who allegedly forged FPJ's birth certificate and FPJ's parent's marriage contract? How many more higher authorities currently in office are forging vital documents, such as COCs and lately, have switched ballot boxes?

Is it about time the International Media should interfere???

At last, i"m blogging using myDSL internet connection. Two linemen working on the activation of my account rehabilitated PLDT cable outside the building. They said it was grounded and kind of old cable type, they have replaced it. They started working on it as early as 10 in the morning and left after an hour when they couldn't login my account and password successfully. When they came back at 4:35 in the afternoon, just then we were able to use myDSL internet connection.

Fortunately, my eldest son was online because it was his day-off today. However, my daughter was the one who typed the messages for me since I was busy sewing the lace curtain.

Now that Sweety has to complete her books before the school opening on June 14th, I'm happy that we can freely leave the house without worrying about missing anything while we're away from home...

Thursday, June 03, 2004

Three times I called PLDT 171 today to follow up the completion of myDSL activation but, I was told to wait for their call. Because of this, I have to stay home and Sweety was the one who bought 2 units of NOKIA cellphone.

I cannot understand why it took us this long to enjoy a DSL internet connection... our time had been wasted!

Wednesday, June 02, 2004

Twice I received a phone call from PLDT this morning but no one has showed up until two o'clock in the afternoon so I decided to go to SM City - Bicutan to canvass some cellphone products and prices (as requested by my eldest son) but, when we were out, I received a text message from my Sweety that those people I had been waiting for since yesterday showed up as soon as we left.

Too late to go back, I advised my daughter to assist them. Linemen had difficulty identifying our main telephone line connection since we're in the fourth floor of the building. I couldn't blamed them, anyway, because the assignment of numbers in every unit was very confusing. The beginning symbol and the last symbol are both located in the fourth floor and we're occupying the 18th unit, by the way.

Now, the DSL is already installed but, for some reason, I still couldn't access my account. Modem was off and daughter told me those PLDT linemen will go back tomorrow to test the connection. Due to this inconvenience, I had lost the opportunity to buy 1 million ideas of Apple Mac at B$ 11,697.13 only because my dialup connection was too slow this evening: Lucky Ziggy, he got the ideas!!!

In case the lawmakers had forgotten the constitution, here is a reminder to follow, to avoid red tape in counting our votes:

[EXCERPTS] THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
Article 7 - Executive Department

Section 4. The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two successive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-President shall be held on the second Monday of May.

The returns of every election for President and Vice-President, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election, open all the certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in joint public session, and the Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes.

The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but in case two or more shall have an equal and highest number of votes, one of them shall forthwith be chosen by the vote of a majority of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately.

The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of the certificates.

The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice-President, and may promulgate its rules for the purpose. Section 5. Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President or Acting President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.)

May all concerned have enlightenment, this is NOT the first election in the Philippines...

Source: The 1987 Philippine Constitution

It's a wedding month once again but the opening of 223 ballot boxes containing 176 certificates of canvass by "22-man Joint Committee" is expected to be completed by Thursday, June 3rd while the entire Filipino people are tired watching the local news drama and we didn't know who is really winning the May 10 Presidential Polls.

Opposition to ask SC to stop canvass, questioning legality of the creation of "Joint Committee":

• Congress as a whole, and not a 22-member joint committee, should be conducting the canvass.
• Opposition will question the constitutionality of the creation of the joint committee.
• The joint rules were not meant to be a fair canvass.
• Speaker Jose de Venecia, Senate President Franklin Drilon and other allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo dismissed the opposition plan.

Source: www.inq7.net

Tuesday, June 01, 2004

We chatted this evening with my eldest son and he told us he's doing OK in spite of the fact that his room mate, an Egyptian named Rami, kept on stealing his food and water from his stocks.

How I wish to scold this Egyptian but I advised my son to pray more sincerely to God to make his stay at work more easier and pray that God may let those people a