Free Ni-Ti Zone

Parents should be just like the free Wi-Fi zones out there that are available to be tapped if one wants access to the Internet. In this case, they should be called Ni-Ti, read as Nay-Tay short for the Tagalog name for Mother and Father. "Nanay" and "Tatay" or "Inay" and "Itay", similar to Mommy and Daddy, Mom and Dad, or Mama and Papa.

Similar to most Wi-Fi signals, a parent's presence should always be available and reachable when the children need them most...and not weak or fading on and off.

Parents should have a strong enough signal like maybe four bars at least, if five bars is not possible, so that communication would be easily felt at its acceptable level. Dropped or intermittent calls are simply a pain especially if in the middle of a very important conversation.

Road Distractions

Driving is a complex task. To anticipate and avoid hazards on the road, drivers need to concentrate and give it their full attention.

You can never be sure about what other drivers will do, which is why preventative measures are important. Such measures include keeping your distance from other vehicles, keeping your speed down and staying alert to what is happening all around you.

It involves constant and complex coordination between your mind and body. Events or things that prevent you from operating your car safely are distractions. There are three types of distractions and they are anything that takes your:

• eyes off the road (visual).
• mind off the road (cognitive).
• hands off the steering wheel (manual).

Time To Vote: FBW Logo Design Contest

The Filipino Bloggers Worldwide Logo Design Contest has finally reached its deadline of submission of entries last June 20. It is now time to vote for our chosen  entry among the 11  beautiful designs submitted by FBW members. FBW would like to thank all of the participants who took the time and effort to join the competition. We now have to choose and vote for the entry who would win the following: 1 year domain, property rights of the logo, featured blogger (to earn fame and recognition), plus the $45 cash prize!

Wow! Too bad I only found out about it today. I could have joined, and eventually won those prizes! (Nah!)

FBW member bloggers are encouraged to vote because the best commenter would also win a $15 cash prize!

Now, we're talking! This is my chance to win at least a few bucks!

Pidol's Caricatures

I fancy all things drawn whether by hand or aided by a computer.

While more and more groups are pushing for the filing of an urgent motion for the immediate and already long overdue conferment of the  National Artist Award to the ailing revered comedy icon (while he is still alive and could appreciate it), I also would like to pay tribute to the King of Comedy by posting these caricatures of him that I collected from all over the Internet.

Kudos to the creators! You all know who you are!

To Tito Dolphy, or Pidol to some, keep hanging on! There are so many people whose lives you've touch with your humor, kindness and generosity, one way or the other, directly or indirectly, so you'll be surely missed if you leave us now. Stay with us, and keep us laughing with you, for more years to come!

Facebook Fan Page, Anyone?

LinkedIn has “connections,” Twitter has “followers”, but Facebook famously co-opted the word “friend” and created a new verb.

What would be an impressive number of friends in real life?

British anthropologist and Oxford professor Robin Dunbar has posed a theory that the number of individuals with whom a stable interpersonal relationship can be maintained (read: friends) is limited by the size of the human brain, specifically the neocortex. “Dunbar’s number,” as this hypothesis has become known, is 150.

Facebook says 5,000.

Historic Malacañan Palace

"I would not be able to forgive myself knowing that I could have done something and I did not do anything."

"I know I will receive a lot of criticism for this but I will do what I think is right for our country."

"I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life."

These were the most striking words or quotes from the late and former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino that I could relate to. I've also seen these words at the Malacañan Palace Museum and Library as if giving me an inspirational message....

Revisiting My Alma Mater

It almost got called Malayan. I'm glad it's still called Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), and still standing mighty and proud in Intramuros, Manila!

Retracing my roots one fine day - all because I needed certified true copies of my Transcript of Records (TOR) and Diploma.

My original copies were terribly damaged by the Ondoy flood way back 2009, and now was the only "vacant" or available time I got to take care of some long-delayed errands.

Join me as I reminisce and walk you "through" and "true" to my Alma Mater!

The Incredible Troll

I make it a point to regularly remind myself that my school education was just a starting point in my career. The reality is that its value diminishes over the years. Many of the things I've learned in school do not even exist anymore. Most of what I know and apply today consists of what I've read and learned on my own.

Life indeed is one grand classroom and one simply should never stop the quest for knowledge and experience.

I have always been "angry" to keep on improving myself. The "hatred" to be above and beyond the norm has never left me. People would most of the time see me as overbearing, domineering and bossy, but that is just my way of keeping the "madness" within me ever "insane" and "furious." There has already been many disappointments in my life that I feel like I should stop being extremely happy, and should always expect the worst to come. Indeed, life has become very challenging to me.

Photographic Me

If only I had photographers following my every move, so that I could boasts to the world that I am indeed a great man.

If only there was a paparazzi tailing me. He could have taken pictures of all the intimate, candid and "juicy" shots that could catapult me into fame.

The photographs could have captured how innovative and resourceful I was. It could have immortalized my acts of heroism and nationalism. It could have forever lessen my efforts in proclaiming how remarkable I was, for the pictures would be enough to speak a thousand words, and say something poignant
enough to galvanize an entire society.

Another "Best Day Ever" Moment

Great, Great News!

I took the Civil Service Professional Examination this morning, June 19, 2012 at around 8 in the morning at the Civil Service Commission main office in Quezon City... and Wow!...I passed!, and was the highest among 40 hopefuls. ...Not only that, there were only 3 of us who made it!

It's another "Best Day Ever" moment for me!

20@20 Vision By Aris Bagtas

One weekend at the mall, my family and I happen to pass by a truly captivating art exhibit located at the upper levels of the mall. We just came from church which was also located at the upper levels and were about to go down the escalator to finally do our weekend shopping when we caught a glimpse of the exhibit. We just couldn't resist taking a look.

The paintings were marvelously done with a Pinoy culture and a religious touch in mind. There were even several old vintage seats turned into a painting canvas. I have to say that they really caught my attention...and I couldn't resist taking pictures of the fascinating splendors or art right in front of me. I had to take pictures of them so I could relish the beauty all over again when I get back home. It was simply inspiring to see such splendid artworks made by a fellow Filipino.

Gastronomic Delights @ Gerry's Grill

We had a classmate from a recent training program that was going back to the US ending her stay here in the Philippines. Apparently, she was just here to visit relatives and attend training programs because she was simply bored. Her husband is frequently on travel, and she has nothing to do at home. In short she was bored, so she went back to the Philippines, even for just a short time, to unwind and meet new friends.

She already attended several training programs even before we set foot at the DB Wizard Training Center....and to end her probably month long series of training she decided to treat the entire class, including our instructor, at a restaurant nearby.

This is where we tried out the food at Gerry's Grill. It's not my first time to eat at this restaurant, well it's my first time at this particular branch, so I was expecting nothing new. But still, the food was gastronomically delightful, as always.

Training Week

As ICT professionals, we should always keep ourselves updated with the latest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) trends and technologies. Never to be complacent with our stock knowledge especially when existing technologies are forever in a fast-pace development, and new technologies keep on emerging and becoming necessities as we speak.

It is therefore recommended that we should keep on learning to keep ourselves productive and efficient.

However, on the job, self-study learning strategies doesn't always work so sometimes we should cater to instructor-led training programs as well.

I recently attended a Microsoft-certified curriculum training on Active Directory administration at the DB Wizards training center located in Makati City. The course was specifically entitled "Configuring and Troubleshooting Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services".  Here are some photos during the 4-day training program.

A Night @ Metrowalk

Metrowalk for us means all-night drinking and partying in the heart of Ortigas. It is a small but a major dining, shopping, and entertainment hub in Pasig strategically located near the call centers and offices of the Ortigas Center located at the corner of Meralco and Ortigas Avenues. This makes it a favorite dining and clubbing hangout for both international businessmen and the local working class.

Its also the best place to dine  as the food is surely comparable, if not better, than what the best restos in town have to offer. Most especially at night when the ambience is laden with music from a live band playing your all-time favorite songs.

Check out the sumptuous delicacies we partook in a night of fun and camaraderie with friends and colleagues from work. You have to personally try them out to believe me.

I Flew High In Poracay

For the very first time, I had the opportunity to try the infamous zipline !

It's my first time in one of these so I wouldn't be able to compare it with the other ziplines in our country, but all I can say is...It's not really what I expected it to be.

There was really no adrenaline rush. I never worried even a little bit. I simply was not overwhelmed by the experience.

Maybe it was too short a ride for the thrill to sink in. Possibly it was not high enough to scare me. Most probably because I have more than enough near-to-death experiences more threatening and death-defying than riding on a 500 meter zipline.

Bomb Droppings

Ever wondered how it will feel like if you would be able to drop a bomb in the middle of a busy community, government institution or business establishment?

Hey, I'm not talking about that kind of bomb, I'm no terrorist! But my bomb would surely explode into smithereens and a lot of splinters or shrapnel would come flying out into several directions out from its point of origin.

But I do have worries. I am frustrated on how our so called leaders and authorities react to such bomb droppings.

I am an ordinary citizen who may come under withering fire if I try to “influence” or seem to "undermine".

Jurassic Pork Barrel

There are dinosaurs in our midst.

Those ugly and ferocious reptiles of politics who dip their dirty hands on the Pork Barrel funds.

We are either living in a world called Pera Nova (Terra Nova) or Jurassic Pork (Jurassic Park).

They are more popularly called "buwayas" or crocodiles. But it seems they should more likely be called dinosaurs because many of them are not living in dreaded mosquito-infested swamps. They have migrated into bigger and fancy abodes in the cities, splurging on fine dining cuisines, globe-trotting in tourists and vacation spots almost every weekend, totting expensive Barong Tagalogs or suits, and have grown huge and powerful enough to crush you under their bare feet. They have become powerful not just because of the authority, but because they have a more potent form of ravaging into supremacy, and that is with their pork barrel funds.

Hey, I Just Met You...

"I told you... and I m sure there are more to come... some would even be too callous to add.. "Vote Me Maybe" :)"

Above is a Facebook ad of one Congressman, created by a follower (I think). I just replaced the face and the info details to keep him anonymous because I kinda like the guy, and the idea was not his doing. But it's being spread online and originated from his Facebook account. Funny enough, the admins of the FB page gave their blessings.

This is just one example of how social networking sites are also being used for publicity .....and early campaigning for the 2013 local elections in the Philippines. I have to admit that it really somehow works (well it reached me, didn't it) especially that many of us are practically online everyday. Call it online brainwashing....or Facebook supremacy!

I Am Here For The Revolution

It is possible to stop it. To change the culture. Fight corruption yourself. Do not tolerate it in your area of influence. You have to have the courage to say NO. The first time is always the most difficult. But it defines you moving forward.

Corrupt people don't think they're corrupt. Evil people don't think they're evil. How to fight? Find and set a line. A line you will never cross. Draw the line in the sand and do not cross it. The reason you have to draw the line is because personal convictions can spread through your network of influence. When you choose to draw your line and you choose to stay on the idealistic side you have the possibility of translating that action through your social networks. If you cross your turn from good to evil.

Security Risk?

Since when did we became a security risk to the government after choosing to break free from a dictatorial official of one of its agencies?

Oh, wait.....maybe its true!

We become a security risk to their own "safety", and to the rest of their equally corrupt, deceptive and conniving cohorts and minions.