Archive for the ‘News and Updates’ Category

ATM Scamming: another way to steal from our pockets

by xarki, on Fri, Apr 5 2013 | 2 Comments

courtesy of www.facebook.comEvery day we receive a lot of news about different ways for crooks to gain access to our bank accounts and credit cards. Thieves nowadays are becoming more technically advanced. Even ATMs (automated teller machines) are being used to steal our hard earned cash.

 

Most of these Bank’s ATM scams are shared through social media websites and here is one way for crooks to get our PINS (personal identification number).

 

These scammers are now using “fake” keypads on top of the original ATM keypad. Through this scheme, they can acquire our ATM PIN by letting the victim use the fake keypad while they make a transaction. According to the shared post, they identify this device as a “Card Skimmer”. This device is capable of recording or acquiring all important information from ATM, debit and credit cards.

 

The post also shared pertinent information on how to immediately spot one:

 

Here are the other signs to know if it’s fake:

  1. The red, yellow and green bars or lines/buttons on the right-side are usually longer than the regular ones (cancel, clear, and accept).
  2. There are usually no marks on the left and right of the Zero (0) button.
  3. Try to raise the ATM Keypad – MAJOR sign that it’s fake.

 

So guys beware and be vigilant when you use ATM kiosks regardless of location.

Catholic faith rock solid despite pope’s forthcoming resignation

by xarki, on Wed, Feb 13 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of religion.blogs.cnn.comThe Filipino Catholics displayed a solid support to the faith on the observance of Ash Wednesday – a marker of the start of the Lenten Season for the catholic population in commemoration of the life of Christ as our savior.

 

Many people have visited the churches all over the country to have their forehead marked with a blessed ash shaped like a cross.

 

Pope Benedict declared his soon to be resignation from his holy office and the Filipino Catholics seem unscathed by the news.

 

As one devout catholic, I also attempted to receive the ash mark. Due to my hectic schedule at home and at work I had a hard time getting in line during this sacred day.

 

Hundreds of people flocked to various churches just to take part in this holy celebration. But then, I asked myself, how many of these people really knew the meaning or even the importance of this holy day of obligation? I just hope that repenting for the sins we’ve committed does not only occur when you’re in the church but it should be seen in our efforts to not commit the same error anymore.

Family danger: malls no longer a safe haven

by xarki, on Fri, Feb 1 2013 | No Comments

courtesy of dzmm.abs-cbnnews.com

The Philippines is uniquely one of the best place to window shop due to the fact that we have extremely large malls moreso a seemingly soon to be overpopulation problem (of malls) (too).

 

We Pinoys love to relax when we have the chance all because of our daily stresses at work or even at home. And visiting a nearby mall is the quickest getaway from the life’s burdens. Even a quick window shop can give us a moment’s peace.

 

Family days, life’s events celebrations or simply just to spend quality time with our loved ones will always include these malls on the list as an alternative venue to dine and relax even for just a few hours.

 

Yet the recent hustles that happened to several of these establishments has made every Juan to question themselves, are we still safe to go these malls?

 

Malls has always been our safe haven for everything we need to be done. For almost majority of our daily necessities are readily made available by these establishments.

 

If criminals will make it easy to get past security then some of us will think twice in going out and better yet just stay home where we are more safe.

 

The recent security trouble should serve as a reminder not only for mall owners but also to all of us to be vigilant and be responsible enough to keep it safe for us and our kids to enjoy while we stroll in the mall.

 

But seriously, the government should do something about this urgent and pressing matter. The safety of the public should be their utmost priority.

Trending “amalayer” video: who is the real victim?

by xarki, on Fri, Nov 23 2012 | No Comments

courtesy of palaisip.blogspot.comAmalayer girl has taken a lot of hits across the web after that amateur video caught on mobile gained a lot of attention not only to the PH locals but now the world. Not only has the word “amalayer” become a trending topic over twitter-verse and other social networks but the video gave birth to parodies making fun of the situation.

 

Quickly, you would side with the poor lady guard for the sad treatment by the furious woman. But then if we think carefully, the video being so short may not contain the whole story and pointing fingers is not the best decision most of us made after watching the video.

 

The woman identified as Paula Jamie Salvosa is now a victim of cyberbullying after Pinoy netizens bombarded her with criticisms regarding her rudeness towards the lady guard. Her private life has been bombarded with tons of negative ideologies, destructive criticisms and unlikely public attention.

 

Not all videos can or should be shared across digital hyperspace without the facts clearly outlined since people who will view it will nonetheless jump into conclusions – striking out the whole reason why it happened and inflicting damage to the people involved before they can properly explain their sides. It is roughly a short footage for us to quickly decide who is to blame.

 

No one for sure knows who started the commotion but sadly, the person who shared the video should have thought twice before doing so. Salvosa is correct in mentioning that this matter should have been resolved privately but then the video just went viral and beyond control. The only way to put an end to it is to have a straight forward statement issued by both sides.

 

For all I know, this is evidently the video uploader’s responsibility. He/she should also apologize for this aggravation to the involved people. This is one of those occasional scenarios badly caught on film and illicitly acclaimed by the viewers.

My take on UN’s proposal to legalize sex work in the PH

by xarki, on Thu, Nov 15 2012 | Comments Off

courtesy of jezebel.comThe United Nations (UN) has concurrently suggested for our country to legalize sex work as one of the professions in the Philippines.

 

The idea has surely made a few of our men excited with the news and with a morally-obligated nation; this one is definitely a head turner. Why would a large international organization propose such a derogatory thought to the church-molded citizens?

 

Overtime, we have witnessed a lot of young women working as sexual entertainers together with their patrons being apprehended as they were caught in the act of doing something that is illegal (add to this, immoral) in the eyes of most Filipinos. Every now and then, people are still being seized for this kind of operation. The government is working to put a stop to such an abomination yet the number of people engaging in this kind of activity continues to grow.

 

There are some points that can be considered. However, authorizing sex workers as part of the regular work force – am I good with the idea? I need to answer that with either a yes or no.

 

Yes. Because doing so, we can regulate the number and quality of our sex professionals. They will be issued proper licenses for health reasons and prevent the possible spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

 

No. Because it will encourage our fellow people to work as such and the establishment of these authorized institutions may inflict damage on our families most especially our young adults.

 

Honestly, sex can no longer be disregarded nor hindered from us Filipinos. The current socio-cultural setting and the eclectic culture we have been exposed to makes it harder to blend everything in between.

 

Just like the RH bill, this one is another critical moral issue our country has yet to face.