Putting Your Free Time to Good Use

Yahoo News Philippines Hacked

2011-05-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

When I opened a Yahoo! News Headline today that says "Tons of dead fish found in Batangas" I was taken to a page that says

alert("Hacked By d4rkb1t!")

If some Internet junkie with lots of time to burn can manage to hack Yahoo! News, I wonder if my Yahoo! email account is safe from being meddled. How safe are our private conversations on email servers? Can I trust my passwords and other VERY important data aren't thrown out over the Internet ready for an Internet junkie to take advantage of?

Good Friday and our Family Tradition

2011-04-22T01:39:00.000-07:00

It's Good Friday today, and where I live Good Friday is big. The usual city life has to be halted to give way for prayer, moments of silence, and spiritual reflection. But like any other tradition, the remembrance of Good Friday in the Philippines is slowly buckling to change: no longer will you see empty streets or rows and rows of closed shops during Good Friday like the way it was a couple of decades ago.

Clearly the times are changing; the traditions are slowly fading. But until Good Friday remains a special day of the year for our family, we (together with my 3 siblings) will continue to move heaven and earth to go home where we came from every Good Friday of the year.

The Temporary Role of Wikileaks

2011-02-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

We have seen the damages and the repairs that Wikileaks' revelations have caused to governments and their people. We have witnessed ties break, leaders tried… Pandora's Box has been opened in the most syndicated way. And so the question is thrown: is the world better off with Wikileaks?

I think temporarily the world is better off with Wikileaks. Putting everything into perspective, we can count by our fingers the leaders that have been true to their word inside and outside meeting halls. It's time our leaders learn that we won't take any more of their lies and their "secret" dealings with other leaders on either side of the table. We have our eyes on you.

That said, time has to come that we, the citizens, and our leaders has to install the trust back to ourselves, to other people, to society. This is not utopia; this is simply a society that's tired of the deceit, bickering, and the lies and wants a way out: a more honest and understanding society for all.

In that time Wikileaks is not needed, and like any other phenomenon, it will die a natural death.

But for the moment, if our leaders can't give us transparent governments, then we have to step up to the plate to make things better for ourselves. Change is difficult. The evils that Wikileaks is causing at the moment are only the fruits of the deceit and the lies that some of our leaders have sown. Wikileaks is not the perpetrator; some of our leaders are. Wikileaks is a mere catalyst of change; we have to realize this. If not Wikileaks, then there will be someone, something out there that will assume the role. And I'm sure it will be greeted with the same protest and the same support that Wikileaks is receiving at the moment.

Unless trust to ourselves, to our people, and to society is restored, we, the people, with the help of Wikileaks or not, has to police the ranks of our leaders and ourselves!

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

(Edmund Burke)

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole

2010-08-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

This September, Warner Brothers Pictures is releasing the Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. An adaptation of Kathryn Lasky’s New York Times bestseller book and directed by Zack Snyder; it’s going to be another blockbuster for the whole family.

The movie is about a young owl enthralled about his father’s bedtime story. He vowed that someday, he’ll meet his heroes the Guardians from Ga’Hoole, and when his jealous brother put them in harm’s way, looks like he’s dream would come sooner than later. The young Soren has to take courage to find Ga’Hoole, flying to great heights and over long distance, just to save the other owls from the enemy.

The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is a story to watch with the whole family. It’ll teach kids about courage and determination to beat the odds no matter what it takes.

For more movie trailers, head to Superfundo.cc.

Superfundo Movie Trailer List

2010-07-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

I got some time to kill earlier, which I spent, you guessed it… browsing the Web for anything good to see. For some reason I feel like searching for The Proposal movie trailer when I came across Superfundo! The collection of movie trailers they got is superb. If you’re looking for the latest DVD out to buy or the next movie to go see with your you know who, visit Superfundo to start.

Anyway, you guys, what's your favorite scene from the movie? I particularly lost it when Sandra Bullock did her chant in the woods. I cracked!

Trapped by Venus Flytrap

2010-06-09T03:03:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was young, I’ve always wanted to own a Venus Flytrap. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a picture from a friend’s friend on Facebook hundreds of angelic (or devilish, depending on who you ask) Venus Flytraps in small plastic pots for sale. And the seller has his garden only in the next city! So I ordered two delivered to a friend’s office located in the same city as the seller’s (now an online friend) garden. Now I’m trapped with my Venus Flytraps. I can’t stop staring at “Venus” and “Flytrap” (yes, very creative names, I know). The excitement I get just staring at the traps is just the way how I imagined it would be when I was a kid. Wow! I’m hooked.

Funny thing about it is that, I think, I got a big bonus with my purchase. I think this tiny baby plant growing under Flytrap is another carnivorous plant sold in the garden where I bought my flytraps from. I think it’s a Drosera capensis – Sundew for you and me. I can’t confirm it though until the plant grows a little bigger. So stick around and find out with me if the baby plant turns out to be a Sundew. I’ll keep you posted.

Thank you to Volker who sold me my new pets.

Quick Spring Cleaning Tips

2010-06-05T03:07:00.000-07:00

At long last, spring is just around the corner: the tulips are ready to sprout, the birds are eager to chirp, but is your house ready for the spring and summer affairs? Certainly you don't want the winter blues to linger in the living room air for an afternoon tea party. Or worse, your nitpick-mother-in-law finds your overflowing laundry down your garage. It's time for spring cleaning.

But a lot of people feel intimidated by just the thought of digging in the pile of laundry, chipping the layer of mildew, arranging the winter shopping hoard, or decluttering the room. Thank god your house is not as messy as the picture I painted, right? But if it is, don't worry. I have a quick spring cleaning tips for you.

1. Organize the activity on paper

For lucky few, randomly choosing where to start tackling the winter blues around the house will work. But for most of you, getting your spring cleaning activity organized on paper will help you tackle the task in a systematic manner taking away the dread and the feeling of hopelessness as to when are you going to see the light shine from the window behind the junk pile. So go around the house and write down on paper where you want to start cleaning, and write down under it the tools and the concoctions you need for a sparkling finish. You want to start cleaning from the rooms outward to the living room and the porch if you have one.

2. Open up for the spring

There's something about the spring sun shining and the breeze blowing that encourages--even energizes--you to move and work it. So open the windows, roll up the blinds, and tie the curtains to let the sunshine and the fresh spring breeze in the room you're cleaning about. This way you'll also avoid the buildup of cleaning product fumes and dust that can be harmful.

3. Tackle the pile

This spring cleaning tip is for the hoarder in you. If you've managed to collect a pile of bargain during the winter, the best thing to do is to have 3 big cardboard boxes labeled DONATE, TOSS, and HOLD IT. Although, if you can manage, just use 2 boxes: DONATE and TOSS. This is very important: have another person you trust who doesn't have personal attachment to your hoard and ask the person to go around the room with you and let him or her choose which box to put your hoards in. You can't do it alone.

4. Tackle the dirt and grime

Now that you've cleared the room and felt the warm sunshine from the window, it's time to tackle the dirt and the grime for a sparkling finish. Clean the ceiling and the walls next with warm soapy water finished with plain water. Next, vacuum the floors; use warm soapy water on stubborn floor stains also. To give your wood furniture the shine it deserves, use beeswax wood polish instead of synthetic polish that can harm its natural wood finish. And armed with cleaning gloves, scrubs, and cheap vodka, clean your bathroom by hand including the toilet bowl and the tub. Hey, the cheap vodka is not for drinking, it's for cleaning the grime on your tiles.

5. Give green cleaning products a go

The reason I told you to use cheap vodka is because it's nontoxic (if not drank) and it's biodegradable. This is the time to take care of your health and the environment so use green cleaning products in your spring cleaning. There are plenty you can find online or from your favorite department store, so be sure to check them out.

Spring cleaning doesn't have to be a dreadful, hopeless undertaking because it's not. Just organize your act and get to it. You can even devote few hours each day for spring cleaning or devote an entire weekend for it. And I also encourage you to make spring cleaning a whole family affair by making it fun with your ingenuity, too.

Glasses for Spring and Summer

2010-04-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

Spring break isn't over yet, it's not too late to shop for sun or eyeglasses for spring. Because there's something about sunglasses that makes people look even hotter, it's the number one accessory you can't go without in spring and summer. And you can't exactly read the find print in your summer vacation brochure without your eyeglasses, right? So shopping for sun or eyeglasses for spring and summer is, indeed, both chic and practical.

Gucci, Prada, Bolle, Costa del Mar, and Ray-Ban sunglasses never get old for spring and summer. They're retro and sporty that goes with your beach outfit – also remember, it's never too early to plan for the summer getaway. It gets even better because shopping for sun or eyeglasses has never been this easy; you can shop online any time you want. In fact, online shopping for eye wears is even better than strolling down window shops – everything from function to fashion is right at your finger tips!

Alex Crisses, Insight Venture Partners Young Mind

2010-04-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

Although young, Alex Crisses Insight Venture Partners carries a full resume worth the investment strategist role in no less than Insight Venture Partners. He's one of the company's principal strategists looking after investments on infrastructure software and Internet. Why did he earn such respect at a young age? Because Alex Crisses Insight Venture Partners is an achiever!

The guy received University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business' highest honor when he graduated in 2002 for BS Economics. Among Alex' other achievements in Wharton include tennis varsity (4-year player), selected Mortar Board National Honor Society, member Golden Key International Honor Society, Wharton Ambassador, etc. Alex Crisses Insight Venture Partners is also a recipient of George F. Baker Scholarship award graduating with distinguished academic performance in no less than Harvard Business School for his MBA.

Most importantly, Alex Crisses is active in giving back to the community, particularly to the New York Police Department. He chairs the only non-profit organization that raises money for New York policemen. So, not only does he have a heavy IQ at young age, he has a big heart too.

Jerry Murdock: Man of the Week

2010-04-23T18:40:00.000-07:00

Philanthropist, investment strategists, political scientist, and author, Jerry Murdock is our man of the week.

As an investment strategist at Insight Venture Partners, the leading venture capitalist for new and emerging Internet and software companies, Jerry Murdock directed the investments on several listed companies such as Fuze Box, Inc., DivX, Inc., DriveCam, Beatport, Quest Software, and many others. Despite his busy life in Insight Venture Partners, Jerry Murdock has not neglected his role in uplifting societies and discoveries in social and physical sciences. He’s a Board of Trustees member for both The Santa Fe Institute and the Aspen Institute working side by side other brilliant minds in physical and social sciences like former U.S. Secretary Madeline Albright.

Jerry Murdock is not only helping individual companies accumulate wealth, he’s also helping spread new developments in sciences to the marginalized and emerging societies. That’s why he deserves the Man of the Week mention here.

Fresh Spring Flowers at the Door

2010-04-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Half-way through spring and you don’t have fresh spring flowering bulbs to pick since you’re not that of a green thumb to begin with? Don’t worry because you can always have some delivered right at your doorstep from 1800Flowers.

If there’s one most welcomed and anticipated season, it’s the spring. Festivals after festivals are celebrated from March through May – it’s a petty to miss the events. Even the Spring Festivals are taken care of by 1800Flowers by giving its avid shoppers events updates on its Twitter page. So, head to your Twitter account to meet other Spring Festival fans to update about your schedules and to talk about, of course, flowers besides car pooling.

Partnering with SAS, 1800Flowers is in the best position to take care of your flower needs for spring, now more than ever. In fact, this online flower shop boast of the highest repeat buyer stats among other flower shops in the United States. So you know you get what your money’s worth from the flower shop of the stars.

The Life of One Sailor

2010-03-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

As I was researching about the lives of merchant marine sailors, I ran across this one blog, a true-to-life account of one sailor who’ve lived and worked at sea for, I guess, years. At first I was reading the entry because I had to. Then the amateur photos taken by our sailor, Marty, enamored me and had me scrolling down the page. The photos told a story by themselves so I kept on browsing till I reached the end and quickly hit the Home button to start reading the article itself.

Marty’s account of his life at sea is no less than captivating – even if you shoved the idea of being a sailor to your brain’s recesses the day were born. And might I tell you that Marty doesn’t just take photos (which I burrowed one here), he can paint too. But what struck me the most about Marty’s account was when he told about the taunts that the sailors make on the unregulated VHF over the Mediterranean. I never knew that my sailor kababayans (countrymen) were famous for being called monkeys out there – a taunt that we’re all too familiar wherever we go in the world. Amusing and, ermm…! a little personal at the same time.

I won’t speak further about Marty’s story here because it’s not mine to tell. I’ll let Marty tell you firsthand about the life of one merchant marine sailor – his life. Please head to Live and Work on a Container Ship.

Thank you Marty for your wonderful account!

Flowers for All Occasions from 1800flowers

2010-02-24T23:36:00.000-08:00

For discerning flower shoppers like Martha Stewart or the White House Chief Floral Designer, it’s countable by fingers the number of florists who can perfect floral arrangement for all occasions. Luckily, one of these few genuinely gifted florists, 1800flowers, resides on the Internet – you can even shop for flowers on its Facebook page.

Because of this convenience, there’s no more reason you can’t send a thoughtful card complimented with a perfect congratulatory 1800flowers bouquet. Your newly promoted boss will surely appreciate the gesture. But what if the event calls for a different kind of floral arrangement? I remembered my aunt once upset over the death of her close neighbor in New Jersey. I could almost hear her hold back the tears when we spoke over Skype because she couldn’t attend to her funeral. I said “why don’t you send a funeral spray from 1800flowers since you’re facing the computer right now.” She did straight from her living room in L.A., and within few hours her beloved neighbor’s son called her up to say thank you; she emailed me the following day.

Such an instance like this makes you thank the Internet and the diligent hands that weave beautiful flower arrangements 24/7 ready to perk up a person regardless of the event.

Aspen Institute’s Jerry Murdock

2010-02-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Together with former U.S. secretary Madeleine Albright, political analyst David Gergen and other brilliant minds in science, politics, business, and economics, Jerry Murdock serves as The Aspen Institutes Board of Trustees. Jerry graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Political Science, and he founded the Aspen Technology Group and co-founded The Aspen Institute’s Roundtable on Information Technologies. Jerry Murdock is also a Board of Trustees member of the Santa Fe Institute and a managing director and co-founder of the Insight Venture Partners.

As managing director, Jerry Murdock spearheaded the company’s investment strategy, and he’s also in charge of the company’s several portfolio investments. Currently, Jerry directs the company’s investments on CallWave Inc., Quest Software, Beatport, DriveCam, and Dorado Software, Inc. Because of his extensive experience in founding organizations and managing businesses, he’s become one of the great contributors to The Aspen Institute’s mission.

Odds and Ends about Andrew Wilshire

2010-02-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

When commodities business people and precious metal investors speak about Andrew Wilshire, you’ll often hear them talk about how he grew his business from an unassuming online Investment Newsletter in 1997 to a multimillion company. However, did you know that Andrew Wilshire is more than just and investment tycoon? The man is also a professional golfer, fisher, and an official boat enthusiast.

Living in the beautiful, sunny Florida, it’s not surprising that Andrew Wilshire develops his love of outdoor sports, and he’s been at it since his college days. Apparently the man believes in the motto “work hard and play hard,” and it may even be one of the reasons he’s successful. If Andrew is not in his office advising people about the next best investment opportunity, he’s probably out on the course hitting the 18th or speeding through the Florida marsh.

Flowers after Super Bowl Sunday Celebration

2010-02-10T18:46:00.000-08:00

Still reeling from the nostalgic New Orleans Saints victory celebration? You better snap out of it fast because your girlfriend is waiting for another kind celebration with you this coming Sunday. You don’t want to be caught empty handed this Valentine’s Day without flowers and chocolates when you knock on your girlfriend’s door – it could spell disaster to you!

There’s just no excuse not to give bright red, sweet smelling roses to her because you can even have them hand delivered in a beautiful keepsake vase from online flower shops such as 1800flowers.com, MSNBC’s most trusted florist on the Internet. So don’t use the Super Bowl’s victory party if you don’t have flowers for the important women in your life come Valentine’s Day. You read it from here first; now you know what to do.

1800flowers Saves the Day

2010-02-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

This Valentine’s Day, be creative for your girlfriend’s red roses by combining the thrilling romance or her favorite Twilight Saga and the whirlwind effect of your happy love affair. If she can’t wait for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse release on June 30, the least you can do is to give her a Hallmark poster of the movie with special Twilight Saga chocolates and blood-red roses you can get from 1800flowers.com.

There’s a reason MSNBC raved about the Internet’s number one flower shop – it’s because 1800flowers will surprise your love ones and not you with extra charges out of the blue. Come Valentine’s Day, save yourself the trouble of coming up with the perfect blood-red roses for your girlfriend because the Twilight Flowers Poster Bundle is ready to be shipped to her front door. Don't worry about attracting vampires to her because you can't find one prickly thorn in this bundle. Your girlfriend is very safe.

Super Bowl Sunday Flowers

2010-02-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

Few hours to Super Bowl Sunday, it’s not just the super fans that are busy scribbling their best team yells; advertisers are hot on their heels coming up with the catchiest Super Bowl commercials too. Who could forget the talking roses in a box ad that beat other Super Bowl commercials to the pulp? How about the twin dudes wanting to buy flowers but can’t because their cute, cloned faces finally turned around to bit their behinds.

Who could have the next slamming commercials for the XLIV Super Bowl Sunday? It’s yet another reason to tune your eyes and ears to the TV aside from the beer, popcorn, and good old football ruckus with the whole gang coming over to watch the game.

Help Haiti

2010-01-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

Many days after the disastrous quake hit Haiti, it seems like the work has just truly began. Haitians need your help now more than ever: food, medicine, shelter, and prayers. When an opportunity calls to help, please don’t hesitate to extend whatever help you can. Impact Your World has a list of ways you can donate your time and money to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Heed the call. Help Haiti now: Impact Your World.

Warm Italian Hospitality Meets Lake Lugano Paradise at Parco San Marco

2010-01-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

Nestled in premier Lake Lugano vacation parkland, the Hotel Parco San Marco sits in a 30,000 square meters of paradise on the eastern end of Lake Lugano. The hotel boasts of its 82 guests suites each with panoramic Lake Lugano, the mountain side, or the forest views complete with fully equipped kitchen and living room with Italian décor. However, when you have all the outdoor activities, spa services, and the sights to see in Lake Lugano, who needs all these room amenities?

Parco San Marco is also a premier Italian spa hotel destination in northern Italy. In fact, the sound mind, sound body mantra of the hotel is perfected at best in the San Marco spa complete with whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, and a solarium with choices of aroma and massage and beauty therapy. And a stroll in the sub-tropical gardens, a quiet time in the Buddha Pavilion, or a late afternoon walk along Lake Lugano can surely soothe a tired soul. Even the children are taken care of by Parco San Marco with its Bamibini Club activities and fun-filled, kid-friendly swimming pools. The dads can also brush up their swing in the many well-manicured gulf and country club in Lugano; Lake Como gulf enthusiasts even visit the place just to play gulf.

The tranquil and the laidback environment in Lake Lugano made it a place to visit in Italy. The place is inspiring and relaxing enough that there are no crimes reported happened in the region ever.

Early Flowers Way before Spring

2010-01-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

Spring may be months away, but you don’t have to wait until the first tulip bud blossoms to get your indoor flower. There are plenty of green thumbed people at 1-800 Flowers working all year round to make available almost all the flowers you want in your sun room.

In fact, in January you can call 1-800 Flowers to deliver on your doorstep a limited offer of Juniper bonsai tree to grace your decoration for the month’s celebrations. If you are into Fung Sui, a money tree on top of your coffee table will not just liven up the room, it will make the room auspicious too.

There’s really no reason why you can’t have your favorite indoor flower even if you don’t possess a green thumb to grow them. There are plenty of resources online you can tap like 1-800 Flowers, which delivers your order fresh from the garden and into your living room.

Choosing the Right Eyeglasses

2010-01-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

Since it’s the New Year, I thought about injecting some tip to make you look good in 2010. Let’s start off with how to choose the right eyeglasses.

In general, the frame of your eyeglasses should be opposite to the shape of your face. So if your face is round, you would want a rectangular frame to offset your round feature. You’re lucky if you have oval face because almost all frames fit you. When it comes to the size, people with large face are advised to get larger frame, and smaller frame fits well with people with smaller face also.

Choose your eyeglasses well because this one accessory can make or break your entire get up when you go out the house. If you choose to shop for your eye wear online, choose a shop that has the most extensive choices such as Eyeglasses.com so that you can really find that one perfect eye wear.

Why Andrew Wilshire Encourage Investment in Precious Metal

2010-01-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

When the interest rate is down and the price of oil still on shaky ground, Andrew Wilshire advise people to investment their money on precious metals (yeah, jewelries count as good investment). To protect your family against future full-outs, investing your money on tangible assets such as gold and silver has been a good choice since the society learned the art of investing.

Andrew Wilshire has been a strong advocate of precious metals investment; he has even formed the Worth Bullion Group investment firm to help retail investors get the right information and venue to invest on precious metals. Before Worth Bullion Group, investments on precious metals are pretty much left to the select few only. What Andrew Wilshire did leveled the playing field so that everybody with some amount of money are now able to investment on precious metals – not just the few who have tentacles in Wall Street.

American Career Group – Helping Businesses Hire the Right People

2010-01-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

Key to business success is hiring the right people to execute the plans and the visions of the business seamlessly and seeing it through completion phase after phase. That’s why large businesses devote an entire department just to review candidates for positions’ applications. What about small businesses who do not have the resources to devote an entire staffing department? That’s when a reputable staffing company like American Career Group can come to the rescue.

A good staffing company is one that consolidates a huge amount of talented individuals from around the country looking for a fitting job vacancy to fill. Not only will a staffing company must lay all the resumes it has for you, it must have reviewed all these resumes to give you only the strongest candidates in the bunch. American Career Group have satellite offices in 10 major cities in the United States so that wherever you are in the country, finding the right people to work for you should be easy.

Do not let limited resources compromise your business by hiring inept people to work for you. There are hundreds of able staffing companies like American Career Group who can help you hire the right people, so be sure to take advantage of their services.

Sak Narwal: True-blue Fisher

2010-01-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

A true-blue fisher is not just one who knows where to find and reel in the biggest catch of the day, but one that has real passion for fishing and protecting the oceans and rivers for future fishers to enjoy the game. Sak Narwal epitomize a real fisher because he’s not just a believer in “catch and release,” he’s also a professional ichthyologist trained to study and protect fishes.

Sak Narwal is active in educating other fishers on how to protect oceans and rivers in order to protect their favorite past time in return. Sak does not just catch fish he also studies them to document about changes in habitat and changes in the overall health of the game fishing industry.

Sak Narwal is a businessman by profession, and a true-blue fisher by hobby. He knows how to work hard for the money and fish hard for fun.