For several years, I have always purchased commercially available cable organizers of various sorts. All of them did serve their purpose well but not as satisfying or cost effective for some people like me. Sometimes, I do end up using “rubber bands” in place of the retailed cable ties and organizers.

I like the way rubber bands give me the option to control how I would organize my wires and the idea of having a reusable yet cheap alternative is really a great idea. As we all know, rubber bands are not the best solution for this task. Its appearance and durability is still questionable thus can only serve as a temporary fix for the cable problem.

I came across an article in the newspaper where another office accessory can be used in place of a rubber band since it is sturdier to withstand the normal wear and tear. Guess what? Binder clips! I didn’t realize that these can be employed to serve as cable organizers and can even be customized and fashioned to look more aesthetically appealing to the eye.

Decorative stickers can be bought, cut out to shape thus pimping your ordinary black binder clips. You can also have your own design printed from your desktop computer to a photo sticker for better customization.

Binder clips can be mobile and repositioned anywhere you like it as long as it can have a firm grip on any surface you desire. The silver clip handles can be used to pass through the wires to keep them away from floors and from being stepped on or chewed by rodents or even your house pets.

This is one great idea we have here!

source: inquirer.net

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For several years, the Chinese New Year was observed together with other special occasions that our multicultural heritage has adopted as we Pinoys are well known for multitudes of feasts and festivals. Not only do we celebrate our own National Holidays, Catholic (religious fiestas) but also celebrations from other foreign cultures like that of our Muslim and Chinese brothers.

We were on our way back home from a birthday party after a tiring activity with my kids. As we passed by one of these malls in the metro, we were greeted by eye-catching fireworks that have left us amazed for a few minutes. I tried not to look at the great imagery for I was assigned of maneuvering our family carriage. Luckily, the rest of the traffic was locked into the same scenery as we are.

I can say that the Department of Tourism (DOT) has taken the right slogan this time as our country really has that “fun” factor compared to the rest of the world. It is only here that people get to celebrate festivals of many kinds – proving our love for festivities despite our personal dilemmas. Positivity is at most intact and present among the Filipino community. I can say it’s more than just fun.

Other than celebrating per se, following Chinese beliefs is already a part of us maybe because of our strong affinity to such traditions as we have them intertwined with our very own. Feng Shui and Chinese Horoscopes were among a hit in line with the celebration.

Nevertheless we have our own beliefs and traditions to celebrate; it is good that we share in celebrating the festivities with our Fil-Chinese brothers. I believe there is no harm in participating as long as we enjoy doing it and no one gets hurt in the process.

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Well, it really doesn’t matter if DOT copied the same phrase or it was just coincidentally manufactured by the people in the government’s tourism arm. Most of us will be more concerned with how much resources were dispensed to constitute a rather correspondent utterance in advertising our country for tourism.

I hope our government did not exhaust too much amount in coming up with this one as we have a former issue with the DOT when they made use of “Pilipinas Kayganda” for a few months which stirred a lot of intrigue behind the scandalous slogan which even forced its undersecretary in an unsettling situation.

The catchy phrase can be true to its message. Despite the negative feedbacks from “several” tourists I can still say that our country is still one of the best destinations in the world.

My mom and my sister had their recent tours on different parts of the world. My mom went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land encompassing Jordan, Palestine and Egypt. My sister on the other hand hopped from one Asian destination to another. Both of them had the same reaction despite the difference on their traveled locations.

It is through their stories that I have validated that our country should not be missed and instead be added in a tourist’s itinerary. As witnessed by my sister who is now a permanent resident of Australia, we are incomparable when it comes to cleanliness and safety. Yeah!

As my mother has stated, “Pinakamaganda pa rin ang Pilipinas dahil sa mas malinis at masayahin ang mga tao … yung ugali lang talaga nating mga Pinoy minsan ang hindi maganda. Sana mapanatili nating maayos at malinis ang lahat para maipagmalaki natin sa ibang bansa.”

It is not just our government’s job to promote our country. We are all accounted for in keeping a good standing for our nation. Whether you are a local or a migrant, you should be proud that you grew up in this pearl in the Pacific. Despite our multicultural affinity there’s still nothing like home.

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We have seen several versions of the advertisements on national TV but less of the stomach turning images of exploded hands and amputated limbs due to fireworks mishandling and lighting of illegal types as well. Instead they made use of the slogan “APIR” (Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction) also known as the Give Me Five drive.

The infomercial is symbolic in its aim to remind people especially children in keeping their complete set of fingers this holiday season. The campaign advocates five ways to make safer means of celebrating the holidays.

I’ve watched a few of the advertising campaigns and I hope people won’t just take it for granted. Despite the government’s concurrent drive in capturing and closing down manufacturers and suppliers of illegal firecrackers and fireworks, we, the patrons, are more liable in the successful implementation of this public safety drive.

The Department of Health (DOH) also launched an alternative way to enjoy the celebration of the New Year by releasing their own version of “high-tech” fireworks.

Goodbye Paputok is a collection of the exploding sounds created by the lighted firecrackers and fireworks compiled in a CD and is also available for download at http://www.doh.gov.ph which is packaged as a replica of the illegal firecracker Goodbye Philippines.

“Goodbye Paputok is the safest way to welcome the New Year,” said Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag during the CD’s launch on Wednesday. “Instead of lighting up firecrackers, people should play this CD.”

I did download a copy of my own since my place is not ample to light up some fire works and I no longer aim to ignite one. The sound is not that bad maybe I will need to tweak on the equalizers to make it more real! I will turn up the volume and loop this recording at exactly zero hour on New Year 2011. Good thinking there Herbert Hernandez, (guitarist of the rock band 6 Cyclemind)

Happy New Year and be safe everyone!

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For several years we have witnessed several resto and dining haven scandals with the objective of destabilizing its sales, lowering incessant patronage and preventing its rise to fame. Sources of subversions may be direct or frequently indirectly employed towards the undermining of the establishment.

Chic-boy is one of the growing dining joints in the country. Their mouth-watering menu of delectable cuisines has tagged every Filipino’s thrilled palates. Joining the line of grilled pork and chicken dishes like that of Mang Inasal, Bacolod Chicken and Chicken Inasal with Mang Inasal presently rocketing in eminence among the crowd.

Before I share my discernment on this matter, I suggest reading the totality of the said author’s notes. Higad sa salad (courtesy of popularmanila.blogspot.com)

The photos, though limited in amount, can never be a basis for the claims. It can be authored, refashioned to a way the instigator wants it to be seen. As we all know the famous phrase, “a picture means a thousand words.”

The size of the “caterpillar” (cited frequently as “uod” by the writer) can be so overwhelming that it will make you wonder why Chic-boy’s chef overlooked its presence.

Regrettably, the customer who wrote this hate article has opened it to the social media where information (doesn’t matter either good or bad) will reach its targets as fast as possible. But it seems it has not yet reached the broadcasting media despite the viral widespread.

I cannot say that the dissatisfied food patron has high-jacked or planted the creepy-crawler and neither did the staff of Chic-boy fell short on their quality control. But soon enough this tittle-tattle will die-down as time goes by.

Will I ever eat at Chic-boy’s? Of course I will. Still as a customer, I have the freedom to choose which food establishment I will visit according to my own taste and need. In spite of everything, we have consumer rights to look forward to if we suffer the same fate.

Once you decide to buy someone else’s cooking you are putting your trust on their hands. Only if you cook your own food will you be sure of the quality of what you are eating.

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A new resort can be found just a few kilometres from the underground river and claims to be the nearest AAA haven to PPUR. The underground river can be reached within 20 minutes thru a pump boat ride (which is more like a five-minute walk along the beach) from this distinct hideaway.

Sheridan, as titled, was built on a former 4.3 hectare coconut estate. Two hectares of the land is occupied by its hotel and resort facilities. The tourist center is located near the edge of the beach of a fishing village of Sabang – a great spot to experience the fresh smell of the sea and the magnificence of
untouched natural land scape making it a desired lodging area for the underground river’s sightseers.

The design of the resort has been considered to blend with its natural landscape. Something to be noted since the tourist facility is situated in a nationally-protected site.

“… no building higher than the tree line. Trees and vegetation surround the resort on three sides, with
the beach serving as the only opening.” (source: inquirer.net)

Aside from Sheridan’s environment-friendly ambiance, the resort boasts their “signature hilot” as suggested by their guests which is a part of other massages they offer in their Nature Spa.

All the food that will be served in this tourist trap are said to be shipped from Manila or Cebu particularly the seafood. Vegetables and other organics are locally grown in their very own farm. (That’s good news!) You also get to taste Puerto Prinsesa’s famous exotic delicacy – tamilok (wood worm) which according to some tastes like oysters but with a milkier texture.

Since it is the only tourist infrastructure in the area, its visitors are not limited to visiting the PPUR but can also enjoy a wide range of activities like ATV touring, water sports and a nature trail with their experienced local guide.

The Sheridan resort is definitely one thing to look forward to when we go to see one of nature’s finest places. I can’t wait to get there!

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The news was actually written in a more interesting way:  Woman accepts job as wife. Initially, you would think that someone has lost her mind that she’d accept such a ridiculous classified ad on the broad sheet. Who in the world would do something like that?

Of course, just to satisfy my curiosity, I went on reading the full report and eventually found out that it is one of those unique ways of asking your significant other’s hand in marriage.

Terence Mok Ming Keat decided to place his marriage proposal to Elaine Yap Lee Ling in a 10cm x 1-column space job advertisement (both from Malaysia). Being an HR executive, Elaine likes to read the job classified page. Knowing this, Mok successfully accomplished his plan after finally registering their marriage at the Shah Alam National Registration Department on November 1.

This is one of the few imaginative ways of marriage proposals compared to what I usually see on TV and movies. Not to mention, on advertisements.

Other innovative ways involved movie trailers, sports arena billboards, building tickers and road-side billboard ads. However, not all unconventional marriage proposals end in positive results. Nevertheless, there can never be a better way to show how much you love someone other than by formally asking for their hand in marriage sincerely.

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The proposed plan of the local government of Batangas to install a Hollywood-inspired signage depicting the word “Batangas” on the foot of one of the volcanoes in Taal has been ridiculed and criticized by Filipino netizens.

The violent reaction made by famous celebrities like Jim Paredes and Carlos Celdran that caught other people’s attention has also spurred the creation of various manipulated images making fun of the current ordeal and has also led to the creation of a Facebook fanpage “Hollywood Pilipinas.”

The absurd decision to put up a big sign at the smallest active volcano in the world is not something that our politicians should be focusing on. There are better things to work on besides this poor aesthetic enhancement approach.

If it aims to build tourism in the province, the question is if there is such a need? Almost everyone knows that Batangas is one of the famous tourist destinations in the country. If you need to get more attention and be famous, then you can do so using other means.

The Taal Volcano itself has its own qualities that will make it standout and remain a preferred tourist spot. I’ve been there several times. It is better to maintain and enhance the present status of its flora and fauna. The people of this country have grown tired of going to commercialized areas. Natural wildlife is what everyone is currently looking for.

Putting up that gigantic sign will not enhance the beauty of our local destinations. Make use of your time and energy on something more important than poor advertising.

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Natalia Avseenko decided to strip naked to aide in their research on Beluga Whales. Experts believed that Beluga whales do not want to be touched with artificial materials that are commonly found in diving suits. Not having any clothes which acts as a barrier, could also help in striking up a rapport with these special mammals.

 
The 36 year old scientist braved the subzero degree sea temperature for 10 minutes and 40 seconds. With the proper training and yoga practice, Avseenko has been able to do this deed. An average human could die in freezing water after immersing within five minutes.

 
Beluga whales are famed for their human-like expressions due to their more flexible bone structure that are not found on other species of whales.

 
The ice cold water plus the au naturel swim indeed are two things that one would think about before engaging oneself to such a challenge. Avseenko’s determination and dedication to her career as a scientist for the sake of the sea creatures such as the whales is one thing to be admired.

As commented on one of the blog posts on this event, “One hot scientist in cold water.”

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Facebook users were scammed through a post citing the release of free iPads in memory of Jobs. Over 15,000 users have taken the bait, unknowing that they were fooled by the said publicity.

 
Scammers gain more traffic through false advertisements such as this, which in turn provide higher profits for the increased site visits. Online surveys, raffle tickets and requesting donations are a few of the possible sources of online fraud.

 
We always say to ourselves, that our world is so materialistic that a free service or product is so scarce. Finding one in your doorstep would likely be a great hoax for you to immerse yourself in. As my folks say “It’s too good to be true.”

 
The online community is one big venue for crooks to deliver their evil schemes. We should always be vigilant and watchful before we commit to anything that we find online.

 
Sophos reiterated on their blog, “Please folks – always think carefully about the links that you click on. Time and time again scammers and cybercriminals have proven themselves to have no qualms about exploiting news stories – whether it be the personal tragedy of a teenage girl committing suicide, bizarre escapades, a natural disaster or the latest salacious celebrity gossip.”

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