Philippines: The World's Texting Capital

There is no denying it the Philippines is the texting capital of the world! Why? Well the Philippines is the only country where:

1. Almost everyone has a cellphone (It's like a part of a Filipino's hand).
2. Cellphones are considered a need and not a want. A Filipino who could barely have food to eat would still have a cellphone and money for air time credits.
3. The Philippine market for cellphones is HUGE! Offering different kinds of cellphone models which are renewed every month.

I only realized this because here in Canada the cellphones are well old... they don't have the latest Nokia phones that we have back in the Philippines. The high end phones here are mostly Blackberry's and Iphones but the selection is very limited.

That's why when I use my Sony Ericsson W960i touchscreen phone someone would compliment my phone and ask where I got it. And I always answer that I got it from the Philippines and it always raises eyebrows. Like how can a third world country have such hitech phones right? Well that is also a mystery to me.

Library In a Mall?!

Yup I'm in a library right now and guess where it is located. The Mill Woods Town Center. It's a mall. But having a library in a mall is quite convenient really. So if you want to go to the mall you just tell your parents, "Mom, Dad... I'm going to the library!"

Well the library here has a huge collection of books, CD's, DVD's, magazines, and the sort. I haven't really browsed because I'm only here for the internet hehehe. Evil little me. Well this is just temporary though. I won't be visiting the library anytime again soon because this Monday we will finally have our internet connected. Well we still don't have our own phone and cable TV services connected yet but we already have access to the telephone and cable TV since the previous owner didn't have his utilities disconnected. If we were evil we could have called our friends over the Philippines and the cost would all go to him because his account is set to automatically deduct his fees from his bank account. How convenient (for us) right? But I'm going out of my topic right now.

Well I have ot go home and call my bank. I can't seem to enter my bank account through the internet.... I wonder if someone hacked my account already... oh no... That's why I have to hurry home.

I Hate Telus

Yup this is another episode of my rantings so you better stop reading right now but if you are intersted and want to hear (or read) my ranting then read on ahead.

Well I was so excited yesterday because Telus was supposedly scheduled to arrive at our apartment yesterday to install our Cable Tv, internet, and phone but they didn't come. it seems that they called us up at the lobby and since no one answered they just left with out even checking with the main office of our building to perfom the other installations outside our apartment. The thing is calling us would really not work because we first of all don't have a telephone line yet so the one they were calling was the previous owner. You see the door phone was programmed to call the previous owner and not us. My mom informed Telus about this and even gave her phone number so that we could let them in the building if they arrive but they didn't have the initiative to call 0r what so ever.

My mom called Telus today and they said that they were sorry and they would come again next week. NEXT WEEK??? We've been waiting for 2 weeks now and they want us to wait next week? The operator was not that even nice when we called the other day asking why the Telus installers weren't around.

So my mom terminated our account with Telus and set-up a new bundle with Shaw. Shaw is better indeed as it would only take them 1-3 days to set-up everything. It seems that the stupid previous owner didn't bother disconnecting his utilities so we used it for a while hehehe. Shaw said that they will contact the said owner and will take care of disconnecting and transfer of ownership or what so ever. I'm really impressed with Shaw.

And you kniw what Telus said when my mom said that she'll look for another service provider? "Customers always come back to us..." How cocky can you get?

Maximizing Web Advertising

I am a consumer, just like all of us are, and what makes a great business bloom and expand is if a website has it's own website. Yup! A business should definitely have it's own website so that a business list of clients can expand.

Like me for example, when I bought my Sony Ericsson W960i, I searched on the internet for a cellphone shop with the lowest price. And I did find a shop that meets my needs and because the cellphone shop had a website I was able to tract that store and buy my phone.

But before you think that making a professional looking website is enough you also have to find a way to drive potential customers to your website. This is where ppc advertising comes into the picture. This form of advertising is also called paid search advertising because as you search for a product, Google or Yahoo will provide "sponsored links" and these links will have your website and a short description of your website and your product.

But how do you do all of this? Well I have absolutely no idea too because I am a novice when it comes to these stuff. That is why you need the services of NetworkSolution's ppc advertising.

With NetworkSolutions does all the work for you from analyzing your website, purchase keywords, and create ads. In other words you just have to sit and relax and wait for reports on your campaign. And if you're thinking that you need hundreds of dollars per day for advertisement well that's where you're even more wrong. Because NetworkSolutions provides affordable plans for you. And guess what? You only pay when someone clicks your ads!

So if you want your business to bloom and reap more profits then ppc advertising is the way to do it!

Koreanovelas in Canada

Koreanovelas are really so good that the family who we are staying at are addicted to it! Like when they visited Hong Kong and the Philippines they bought DVD's of Korean Drama Series and they really liked it.

I think that the series that they currently are watching is "My Girl" and it's a really good story. I was going to ask my co-worker who looked like Korean if all Korean dramas were that good but it turned out that she was half-Filipino and that she was born here in Canada. But I have watched a variety of Korean movies and series and they actually are good. What makes the series have more impact on the human emotions is the great soundtrack that goes with the series/movie and it makes you go into that "moment" where you emote and act as if you're in your own drama show.

What's great with Korean drama series is that they also have a mix of comedy in them that's why you really get hooked with the story. I actually prefer Korean dramas over Filipino dramas because Filipino drama shows sometimes become so unrealistic and there's that something that doesn't make me want to watch more.... hmm... don't get me wrong there are several good Filipino movies and shows but I prefer Korean dramas and movies, as long as they have English subtitles hehehe.

Nice Shirt!

I was walking to a 7-eleven store with my mom to buy some food (like ice cream) since my brother is eating food from the fridge that doesn't belong to us. The food that he's eating (with no guilt at all) is our host's fridge. We were only supposed to stay here at their house for a week until we found an apartment but we had to extend our stay because our apartment won't be available until this July 1.

Anyway, we were walking down the street when a Canadian lady suddenly said, "Hey nice shirt!" I was like, "Huh? What?" But of course I didn't say that, I said, "Hi. Thanks!" I was emotionless when I said that because I was thinking about something and I was caught off guard hehehe.

But really, two people already complimented me and told me that my shirt is nice. I'll repost a picture of the said shirt and tell me what you think?

Yup, it's my beloved Missy the Doggie! Awe, I really miss her. We were supposed to visit her at her new home before we flew to Manila but then she was already adjusting to her new home so we didn't want to disturb her because she was always sad during the first week that we left her.


Hmm... anyway yup that's my shirt hehehe.

Top Wordpress Themes

I have been visiting some blogging friends (their blogs of course not their houses) and I have to say that I love their blogs. They are using Wordpress by the way and I am so jealous of their blogs, because it's so easy to maintain, that's why I'm even thinking of moving my blog to a Wordpress blog.

But what really me jealous is that their blogs really look so good. Wordpress templates really look so cool and they are so easy to install. And you can get these templates completely for free at several wordpress templates sites but the one that I liked most is a site called TopWPThemes.com.

Check out this theme. Isn't it a beauty? There are more where that came from so you Wordpress users should really take most of what you have and give your blogs a new look with new wordpress templates.

Toddler Left at Wal-Mart

I was just watching TV when I caught a CNN Headline at Nancy Grace that a 2 1/2 year old toddler was left at Wal-Mart in Indiana! What are people thinking today? Why are they having children and abandoning them. These are the kind of parents that make my blood boil!

And my insensitive father commented that the child must be naughty or something that's why the mother left the toddler at Wal-Mart. So if there were numerous parents in the world like my father the future leaders and generations would surely be broken, angry, and sick!

The mother was actually even shooing the child as she sped away. What a stupid parent would leave a baby alone in a crowded where a pervert could abduct that child, molest him, or what ever!

Just a disgusting story indeed! Maybe I'll just adopt a child in the future so that poor abandoned and neglected children could get the chance to have a better future.

Sim Card for $40

Yup a sim card for $40 (Rogers Mobile)! That’s like Php 1680 and to think that’s Canadian dollars people (Canadian dollars are higher compared to US Dollars). I’m kind of not over the converting-to-peso phase because woah I can’t live like this. Good thing thought that earning here is no problem. Got a job already at Tim Hortons and I like what I see (so far).

I kind of want to go back to the Philippines to go shopping. Just wish our baggage capacity is big enough hehehe. I’m being too ambitious. The truth is all may look good over here but if you don’t work hard and watch your budget then being bankruptcy is not that far.

So where ever you are in the world may it be the first world or the third world, working hard and spending thriftily is the key to a life of success. Hey that reminds me, is there a second world? If there is what are these countries? Because all I’m hearing is first world and third world. Weird.

Nokia beats Sony Ericsson big time!

I had planned a phone with my hard earned money from blogging and the phones that I had in mind were a Nokia N95 and a Nokia N81. Since both Nokia phones were similar in features I opted for the N81 because it was cheaper. But then I found the phone that attracted me the most: the Sony Ericsson W960i! The thing that attracted me most was that it was a touch screen and has handwriting recognition features which was really great. Plus it was part of Sony Ericsson's Walkman Phones which we all know are great. Compared to the N81 it was really superior in all terms especially the 3.2 Megapixels Camera plus it was more stylish than the brick looking N81.

The huge downside which I found was that it couldn't transfer video files to the phone. This may be because of copyright reasons or what but the thing is I found on the net that you could indeed transfer and play videos on the phone if you purchase a Professional Sony Ericsson Media Manager Serial Number. The W960i comes with the Basic Sony Ericsson Media Manager.

What makes me angry is that for a $523 (Php 22,000) phone how come it doesn't include that stupid feature. And I'm not happy with the earphones that come with the phone too. My brother bought the Nokia N81 and he has a better earphones than me and his phone was cheaper. Plus Nokia Nseries phone comes with Phone softwares that does not require any additional purchase to activate the essential features like video transfer and media conversion.

This is why Nokia is trusted by most phone users because of their great innovation and user friendly features. So the next time I'm going to buy a phone, it won't be a Sony Ericsson.

Goodbye Philippines!

I don't want to be negative in this blog but some Filipinos really are thoughtless and tactless. Of all the Western culture they could adapt with they decided to adapt the attitude of "I'm better than you you fat pig!". So what if I'm fat? Does that cause the world to crumble?

But don't really care actually. So to my haters out there in the Philippines, I am happy with my life and I know that all doors and opportunities for a better and successful life is just at my grasp in a first world country like Canada.

I am sick of the Filipino crab mentality and how people act and live here in the Philippines. I know that people won't give a damn if I wear designer clothes and how I live my life. People here in the Philippines just love sticking their nose to my business and it irritates me. What do you people care about what I do? I don't give a damn how you people live your lives so don't meddle in mine. It's not my problem if you are insecure and I intimidate you.

So people take care of your own lives before meddling with mine ok?

On Airport Security Measures

This was only the second time that I had ever went to the airport to ride a plane to Manila. The first time was (I remember vaguely) when I went to Manila as a toddler to attend the funeral of my beloved grandmother (mother’s side). That time even when I was a toddler, I could still remember that very tight security measures were not that implemented then.

Presently, well it’s a completely different story. I had to remove my shoes, belt, cellphone, coins, etc and I felt like my privacy was invaded. I understand why the coins and metallic objects are needed to be removed (this is so I could pass the metal detector without any beep) but the shoes? My mom did inform me that checking the shoes was also required as some people place drugs, weapons, and other illegal contrabands in their shoes’s sole. Ok case closed, but why do we have to be checked twice? Before entering the airport lobby and before checking in at the departure area? Mind you the Cagayan de Oro airport is very small so the second detector would be just a few steps away. Why the very tight security anyway? But at least they are trying and giving much effort to secure our safety so I quite understand and leaving my comfort zone for our own good is quite acceptable to me…

Genuine Microsoft XP

I was quite happy with my self that I was able to reap the fruits of my labor (Php 15,000 or $357)! And what do I get my self with some of my money? A Genuine Microsoft XP Operating Software for my lappy!

Some people would look at me in wonder for my decision but it makes sense really. If the Custom Officer notices that my laptop has a counterfeit operating software then they have all the right to confiscate my laptop and boy I sure don't want that to happen!

Anyway I wanted to get a Windows Vista Starter Pack which is only Php 2000 or $47 here in the Philippines but everywhere I go they only had a Windows XP so I've decided to buy a Windows XP Home for Php 4000 or $95. Windows XP may not have the beautiful designs of Vista but at least my lappy will run faster... I should have bought a Vista when I had the chance or I should have waited until we went back to Makati but maybe God has a plan with this all (oh man my defense mechanism: rationalizing!).

Anyway I'm happy with my Windows XP Home and my laptop is running quite fast really. I just wished that Microsoft didn't have to make this ugly sticker to certify that my laptop is installed with a Genuine Microsoft Software:

CD-R King Big Let Down

I had always loved CD-R King because they are the only store who sells CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW/+R/+RW and such for very low prices! They are actually a very popular techno-gadget store since they sell products here in the Philippines for super low prices. The gadgets like keyboards, flash disks, mouse, speakers, bags, etc are priced so low that CD-R King is being imitated by stores like CD-R Queen.

Anyway I have been a very happy patron of CD-R King until I bought a mini-speaker from them for my laptop. You see my Acer Aspire 4310 speaker is not that loud so I decided to buy a CD-R King branded mini-speaker because it only cost Php 350 or $8. But like cheap products there are down sides... and the downside of my purchase was that the mini-speaker had a bad sound and only one speaker plays. I was going to return the merchandise because it was still under the 1 week warranty period when I read the clause that the package must be returned with the box and everything but unfortunately I burned the damn box already.

I really am pissed of because I just threw away my money for some useless piece of junk! Next time I buy anything I am going to make sure to check the following:

• the product is working with no defects (I was going to do this but I was in a hurry then)
• make sure that the product is branded (Branded products come with better warranty and support)
• Never throw away the box and receipt until the warranty expires.
  

Look of the Year

http://www.lookoftheyear.com

Are you young? Are you beautiful? Do you want to be a model?

Well with Look of the Year you can have the chance to show off your beauty and get the chance to win 10,000 USD and a chance to model in Paris, New York, and Milan! You can also get the chance of being spotted by some modeling agency and continue a career in modeling!

And joining this contest is quite easy! All you have to do is be your beautiful self and snap a picture and send it to Look of the Year!

This is not any beauty contest people! This is the real thing! The contestants are from all over the world and they are all beautiful and glamorous and they have their eyes set on that price so join now and show the world how beautiful you are!

The Next Dockers Commercial

I have always been a great fan of Dockers. I just loved how comfortable I am when I wear them and I like the way it makes me look mature and sophisticated. That is why I am so delighted to find out the Dockers contest!

Yup you get to make your very own Dockers commercial and if you're lucky enough you might just win and get your few minutes of fame as your Docker commercial will have it's own airtime at NBC!

Who knows, you might have a future in the advertisement business after all! So get up from that chair and start shooting your Docker's commercial now! Or you might as well check out the competition in the Dockers contest . I have watched the submitted videos and I have to say that some people are really very creative and wacky! I just love the way that this contest is bringing out the talent and creativity out of people!

The video that I really like is called Versatile. Just look for it at the Dockers contest page. You'd be amaze how the videos are. Some are so-so but the others are exceptional!

So check out for yourself what I am babbling about and show off your talent and creativity by joining the contest. No purchases are necessary for the contest. All you need is a camera, a good script, and your computer.

SocialSpark is Here!

We all know that the blogosphere is already thriving with so many bloggers and I am happy that our numbers are getting larger and larger!

It's great that there are people out there who are open and willing to share their thoughts, learnings, and knowledge. And some of these bloggers are really really interesting just like mlizcochico who is a WAHM (that's Work At Home Home Mom) and what's great about these mommies is that they can really plan their days taking care of their little ones while they bring order to the house, plus they even get to blog! I just love her recipes and some tips about health, it's really helpful and interesting. Just check out her profile at SocialSpark.

Yup SocialSpark is the hangout of incredible bloggers and this is a great place to show-off your beloved blogs and at the same time earn money through blog sponsorships and sponsored reviews. It's quite easy to get sponsored reviews at SocialSpark too and it's quite easy to move around once you got the hang of it.

Check out my profile too vincentb88! So if you're a blogger and who is into socializing and meeting other people who share the same passion as you, Blogging, then this place is for you! Don't forget to add me as your friend once you sign-up ok? ^_^

Finally! It has Arrived!

I have always been a huge fan of 5.11 Tactical Shirts and some may have known me for always loving collared-polo shirts. That is why I am so happy that my two kinds of outfits has finally merged into one. I love wearing uniforms (who wouldn't love men in uniforms?) and at the same time I want to be formal in a way and with 5.11 Tactical Shirts that has come true!

Don't you just love the way this shirt have lots of hidden pockets?! It's perfect for stashing important documents like your passports and stuff when you're traveling. And that's not all, the 5.11 Tactical Shirts are not only comfortable but as usual resistant to wear-and-tear. It has great features like the Dri-X-Treme® Mesh Liner which keeps your body dry by moving moisture from the body to outside the shirt!

Guess your ordinary designer shirts doesn't have these features right? 5.11 Tactical Shirts are not only fashionable they are also very practical.

The Perfect Gift for Dad

Father's Day is fast approaching so one is quite pressured to think of a great Father's Day gift for his/her dad. Our dads have been our strong pillar who was always there to support us and make us feel safe and strong that is why it is just right that we show our gratitude and love with something very extraordinary that he would like.

So what do fathers like? Well we all know that they love to sit and relax every Sunday, sipping their beer while watching their favorite game on the television. So why not make his relaxation time more enjoyable by getting him a huge HDTV with the best HD service (of course provided by Charter Communications)! I say get and not buy because you only need to enter in the contest, Father's Day in HD and you could win that giant HDTV! Just send a brief essay saying why your dad deserves a giant 65” LCD HDTV Flat Panel with the best Charter HD service and The Charter Bundle™ FREE for a year!

Wow! Any dad would really be extremely happy with a gift like that! And to think that joining is so easy! You just have to make sure that your dad lives in an area that is serviceable by Charter Communications and one is of legal age residing in the US.

So what are you waiting for? There are no entry fees and the contest ends at June 6, 2008 so write that essay and submit your entry for that awesome Father's Day in HD!

Car Rentals

I just recently went on a vacation with my family so naturally we don't have our car with us and I tell you... traveling without a car is frustrating and scary! In our vacation it was very hard to catch a taxi and if you did manage to get a taxi they will try to charge you at very high rates especially if you're going to far away places.

So if you're traveling it's best to rent a car! And if you're going to rent a car it would be best if you go with Advantage for your rental needs! Imagine, they offer the best rates for brand new vehicles like SUV's, cars, vans, trucks, and more with several brands and types of vehicles to choose from starting from a very low price of $19.99!

With Advantage you are sure that your car rental is always less than what you expect and you don't only get comfort and ease-of-mind you also get something else... luxury as Advantage has great cars to choose from!