146th Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio

Today Filipinos will be commemorating the 146th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, one of the national heroes of the Philippines. Since I entered my first grade in elementary school, my teachers told us about the bravery of Bonifacio - on how he founded the Katipunan and fought against the Spanish colonizers. His ultimate aim was to liberate the Philippines from the yoke of Spanish slavery.

Born to a poor family, he was not able to finish formal education, rather he educated himself through self-study. It is a sad thought and feeling that a great man like Bonifacio died in the hands of his fellowmen when he was executed without mercy.

How I wish all the Filipinos would remember the sacrifices of this noble man.

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CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 4

CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 4

Another one. Syempre pulot lang yan sa iba. 


Tech Support: "Is your computer on a separate telephone line?"
Customer: "No." (clicks the button to log on to our service)
Tech Support:: "Well then we can't-"
Customer:: "It says 'no dial tone'."
Tech Support: "That's because you're on the line with me right now. You need to-"
Customer:: "No, that's not it. It does this all the time. I just have to try a few times, and it will let me through."
Tech Support:: "No, ma'am. It's not even trying to dial right now because you're on the phone with me."
Customer: "It must be busy. I'll try again later."
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Tech Support: "What's on your screen right now?"
Customer: "A stuffed animal that my boyfriend got me at the grocery store."
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Tech Support:: "What operating system are you running?"
Customer: "Pentium."
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Customer: "My computer's telling me I performed an illegal abortion."
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Customer: "I have Microsoft Exploder."
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Customer: "How do I print my voicemail?"
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Customer: "You've got to fix my computer. I urgently need to print document, but the computer won't boot properly."
Tech Support: "What does it say?"
Customer: "Something about an error and non-system disk.
Tech Support: "Look at your machine. Is there a floppy disk inside?"
Customer: "No, but there's a sticker saying there's an Intel inside."
----------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support: "Just call us back if there's a problem. We're open 24 hours."
Customer: "Is that Eastern time?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Support:: "What does the screen say now?"
Customer: "It says, 'Hit ENTER when ready.
Tech Support:: "Well?"
Customer: "How do I know when it's ready?"
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agent: i want you to type cd\ and hit the enter key
eu: where is the \?
agent: it's above the enter key
eu: where is the enter key?
agent: (huh?) it's located at the blah.. blah.. blah..
eu: ok, ok.
agent: now i want you to type netsh..
eu: ok, let me read it back to you netsh.. reset c, c, c (after a about 10 secs, eu doesn't know how to say colon) c and the rest
agent: c:\resetlog.txt.. alright, now hit the enter key
eu: file could not be found..
agent: just to make sure, let me spell it out phonetically.. blah, blah, blah
eu: i'm sure i typed it in correctly
agent: i don't mean to..
eu: let me read it to you again! blah, blah, blah..
agent: if you typed it in correctly then i don't think you will get any error
eu: i told you i typed it in correctly!
agent: i'm sorry sir, i don't mean to offend you and don't get me wrong but..
eu: i know what i'm doing!
agent Angry : ok! did you press the shift key when you typed in the colon symbol?
eu: should i?
agent: (sigh) yes! (mute- open your window, tie the ethernet cable on your neck and throw it out of the window!)
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agent: Sir, I've been telling you this for the seventh (presses the mute button) freakin (releases mute) time... This is dial up tech support. We don't book flights!
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Actual c0nversati0n sa isang technicaL acc0unt sa C-Cubed (Cust0mer C0ntact Center) habang nakabarge sa bidang agent na it0 yung seni0r rep ng team niLa:
TSR: 0kay sir, Let's check if y0u wiLL be abLe t0 g0 0nLine n0w...
CUST: yes... (yes Lang ng yes kase et0ng HAPON na it0... )
TSR: type in www.yahoo.com
CUST: what? yahoo.cot?
TSR: n0 sir... yahoo.com...
CUST: yahoo.cot?
TSR: n0 sir... com... C-O-M
CUST: cot?
TSR: (asar na) .com sir!
CUST: aahhh... yahoo.cot.
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CS: Thank you for calling... this is Candy, how may I help you?
Cust: What did you say your name was... Mandy?
CS: No, sir, it's Candy...
Cust: Sorry, can't hear ya... didja say Mandy?
CS: No, sir.. Candy, sir... Candy... as in Storck!!!
(oohhh... now I get it!!!)
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CS: Was that a "B" as in boy or a "B" as in bravo?
Cust: Uhhmmm... how about "B" as in boy...
(good choice...)
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CS: Alright, let me verify that... Was that a "G" as in golf?
Cust (with a different accent): NO! That was a "G" as! in GEBRA! (z as in zebra)
Oh, Gebra!!! like the one in the Goo?!!!... Gusme... Gon't gou get git?)
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CS: Yeah, sir... sir... are you there?
Cust: Yes, yes, I'm there!
(siguro naglalaro sila ng Counter...)
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CS: Sir, do you have NET-ESCAPE there?
Cust: Huh?... Oh!!!.. No, I have MSN IN-NERNET EXPLODER here...
(... makes sense to me!!!)
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TS: Ok, sir... do u have a PEN and a PENCIL ready?
Cust: What?!!
TS: Oh, Im sorry, sir... Do u have a PEN and a BALLPEN ready?...
(klap! klap! klap!)
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TEAM LIBERAL PARTY FILED THEIR COCS TODAY

TEAM LIBERAL PARTY FILED THEIR COCs TODAY

Photo courtesy of  Manila Bulletin

President: Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, current Senator
Vice-President: Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, current Senator
Senators:
1. Ralph Recto, former National Economic Development Authority chief
2. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Anakbayan Party-list Representative
3. Congressman Ruffy Biazon, Muntinlupa City congressman
4. Nereus Acosta, lawyer and former member of the House of Representatives
5. Teofisto Guingona III, congressman of the 2nd district of Bukidnon
6. Sonia Roco, wife of the late senator Raul Roco

Date of filing their certificates of candidacy: November 28, 2009 (Saturday)

To follow: profile of each candidate
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PAGTAWA (LAUGH)

Pagtawa (Laugh)

Interviewing a woman in Samar for my undergraduate thesis


Pagtawa
ni Marlon B. Raquel


Paghimo hin marig-on nga kahon

An mga ligid hini siguraduha nga marig-on

Ngan butangi hin kandado

Mga kabido igsulod na

Sadhi an mga purta.

An magpait nga im dumdum

Sadhi ngatanan ha sulod

Lingkud ha bawbaw han kahon nga hiyum.

Ayaw pagsumat bis hin-o

Han sulod hito nga sekreto

Paraa an pagkamasubo

Kay nanhisulod na man adto.

Ayaw na dumduma an sulod

An kalibutan diri masabot na

Higuta an kahon hin maupay

Ngan lingkud ha bawbaw, pagtawa!

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THE HORRIBLE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

THE HORRIBLE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE

Karumal-dumal ang ginawang paspaslang sa umaabot 52 katao sa Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Nagdeklara na si Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ng state of emergency sa Maguindanao upang i-impose yong curfews at checkpoints sa nasabing lugar.

Matatandaan na papunta na sana sa COMELEC ang convoy ni Vice-Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu para mag-file ng certificate of candidacy for gubernatorial seat sa nasabing probinsya ng bigla na lang tambangan ang convoy ng tinatayang 100 armadong katao. Kasama sa convoy ay ang asawa ni Mangudadatu at dalawa nitong kapatid na babae, at ilang miyembro ng media. Swerte pa din si Mangudadatu dahil hindi siya kasama sa nasabing convoy.

Ayon sa mga nakasaksi, nakita daw ang deputy officer ng provincial office ng PNP at dalawa pang pulis at ilang bodyguards ng gobernador nung mangyari ang krimen. Ang kampo ng mga Ampatuan ang itinuturong salarin sa pangyayari. Nakakapangilabot. Malapit na naman kasi ang eleksyon at sigurado akong hindi lang ito ang mangyayari. Sumuko na sa pulisya si Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. at nasa custody ng NBI sa kasalukuyan.

Ano naman kaya ang maaaring gawin ng administrasyong Arroyo? Ang pamilya Ampatuan ang tumulong kay Pangulong Arroyo noong 2004 elections ng siya ay manalo bilang Pangulo ng bansa.

Sana naman maisip ng mabuti ng lahat ng tumatakbo sa pulitika na pairalin ang batas at patas na laban. What do we expect from them kung sila mismo ay lumalabag sa karapatang pantao, mamamatay-tao, ganid at sariling interes lang pinapairal? Sana naman ay huwag silang maging uhaw sa kapangyarihan.

Sana gawin lahat ng gubyernong Arroyo ang lahat ng magagawa nito para maparusahan kung sino man ang may kagagawan sa massacre sa Maguindanao. 
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OUR VERY OWN EFREN PENAFLORIDA IS THE 2009 CNN HERO OF THE YEAR

OUR VERY OWN EFREN PENAFLORIDA IS THE 2009 CNN HERO OF THE YEAR

Another Filipino brings honor to the country when he was named as the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year on Thursday in Hollywood's Kodak Centre, Los Angeles, California - no other than Efren Penaflorida, known worldwide for his humanitarian efforts by bringing education to children living in the slum areas through his pushcart classroom.

The awarding ceremony will be aired globally on November 27 at 10:00 in the morning Manila time. According to CNN website, the CNN HEROES gala is "the only awards show of its kind - featuring celebrities honoring everyday people who have made an extraordinary difference in their communities and beyond."

The following are the Top 10 CNN Heroes 2009:

Jorge Munoz
School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times. Since 2004, he has handed out more than 70,000 meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens -- for free.

Jordan Thomas
Jordan Thomas, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lost both of his legs in a boating accident in 2005. Since then, his Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to provide prosthetics for children in need.

Budi Soehardi
Budi Soehardi founded a children's home in one of the poorest areas of Indonesia. Today, Roslin Orphanage in West Timor provides food, shelter and education to more than 45 children.

Betty Makoni
Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. The organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls since 2001.

Doc Hendley
Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.

Efren Peñaflorida
Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.

Derrick Tabb
Derrick Tabb started The Roots of Music to give young people an alternative to New Orleans' streets. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.

Roy Foster
Army veteran Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida. Since 2000, his program has provided life-changing services to nearly 900 veterans.

Andrea Ivory
Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida.

Brad Blauser
Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need.


With the award is a $100,000 (equivalent to P5,000,000 with $1=P50) cash prize for Efren and $25,000 each for the other nine winners.

Image Source: http://pinoyambisyoso.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cnnefren_pinoyhero1.jpg
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MY FATHER'S 65TH BIRTHDAY

MY FATHER'S 65TH BIRTHDAY

I went home to attend the 65th birthday of my father, Gonzalo Raquel. It was a promise I made with my father before: to give him a birthday celebration when he reached at age 65.

Around 100 people from our barangay attended the celebration including our former barangay captain, the current barangay chairwoman, and some of the barangay kagawads. It was really a joyous celebration for all of us especially for my father. Tears flowed from his eyes when he delivered a short speech of thanksgiving to his family for supporting him and for organizing such event. He was really thankful.

The birthday celebration is quite simple. With a small amount that I have, however, we were able to accomodate the people. We hired a "combo" (just like a music band) in the amount of 2,000 pesos. People started coming into our house at around 10:30 in the morning. My siblings prepared the food - sarsang isda, pansit, menudong baboy, adobong manok, lumpia. At exactly 1:00pm, the emcee (our former barangay chairman and a father of my barkada) announced that the aminudo dance would start. To start the event, my father and a neighbor by the name of Deling partnered in the aminudo. There was a plate over the dusty ground where the dancers would dance around it while people started putting some money bills and coins on the plate. This is customary in our place and in other parts of the country especially in the provinces.

I took a lot of photos. The people really enjoyed the party. We served 6 watercans and a gallon of tuba, the favorite native wine of the locals. The celebration ended at around 6:00 in the evening. I thank the Lord for giving my father 65 years in life, and I am praying that God will lengthen his life. He is a responsible and a loving father to us. I am planning to hold another birthday celebration for him when he reach the age of 70 (my mother would turn 65 that time). 
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BRAZIL GOT THE MISS EARTH 2009 AWARD

BRAZIL GOT THE MISS EARTH 2009 AWARD

Miss Earth 2009 Titlecard

Larissa Ramos, a biology student from Brazil, was recently crowned as Miss Earth 2009. She took home the $20,000 (equivalent to 1 million Philippine pesos, US $=Php50) cash prize, and she is the first woman to receive the newly designed crown worth $100,000 (equivalent to P5,000,000). The beauty pageant was held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, Boracay, Aklan, Philippines on November 22, 2009. Sandra Seifert (Philippines) was crowned Miss Air as the first runner-up, Jessica Barboza of Venezuela as Miss Water (second runner-up), and Alejandra Echevarria of Spain as Miss Fire (third runner up). Seifert also won three special awards: Best in Swimsuit, Best in Long Gown, and Miss Jubilee Presidents' Foundation. Echevarria was awarded with Miss Discovery Suites Award and Miss Gandang Ricky Reyes Award.

Other special awards are the following:

Best in National Costume Evelyne Almasi (Tanzania)
Best in Eco-Bag Design Wear Tereza Budková (Czech Republic)
Best in Eco-Design Wear Jenaae Jackson (Jamaica)
Best in Use of Indigenous Products Wear Suada Saliu (Albania)
Miss Talent Niuriki Teremate (Tahiti)
Miss Photogenic Tereza Budková (Czech Republic)
Miss Friendship Graziella Rogers (Switzerland)
Miss Asei Park Ye-ju (Korea)
Miss Perwoll Jessica Barboza (Venezuela)
Miss AVSCOR Mariel Garcia (Dominican Republic)
Miss Eagle Express Park Ye-ju (Korea)
Miss Fontana Resort Yan Xu (China)
Miss Golden Sunset Resort & Spa Jamillette Gaxiola (Cuba)
Miss HDR Management Izabela Wilczek (Poland)
Pasigandahan Award Maria Luisa Santos (Guam)
Placenta Award Dignelis Jiménez (Puerto Rico)

"I come from a country that has the largest rainforest in the world, and it is also known as the 'lungs of the world.' But we cannot just say that we are the 'lungs of the world' because my country produces a lot of air pollution as well." said Larissa Ramos of Brazil, Miss Earth 2009 when she was tasked to share her views on the picture shown to her.

Sandra Seifert of the Philippines, on the other hand, said “We are the root of all these problems. But the good news is, we are also the solution. We can make the change now. Now is the time for leaders to be born. Let us embrace this mission, and become creative in solving our problems.”

The explanation of Seifert is very, very intelligent, isn't it?
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CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 3

CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 3

Agent asking the customer to be put on hold:
Tech Agent: Sir, can I hold you for just a minute?
Customer: Sure, baby, go ahead!
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Agent verifying correct spelling:
Agent: Is that a B as in boy, or a B as in Bravo?
Customer: ...uhmmm... how about B as in Boy?
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Technical Agent giving customer support:
Agent: Is the ethernet cord connected?
Cust: Tha Hwhut??? (with Alabama accent)
Agent: Yung yellow cord kung nakakabit ba!
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Agent from a local phone company entertaining a Visayan customer:
Customer: hillo! wala kasi yung bell ng pon namin??
Agent: Hindi naman po ba nabagsak yung phone?
Customer: Hende naman.
Agent: Kailan pa po ito nagsimula?
Customer: Ang alen?
Agent: Na hindi po nagri-ring yung phone?
Customer: Nagre-reng naman ah?!
Agent: Di ba sabi mo walang ring?
Customer: Hende! yong BELL! yong lestahan nong babayaran namin!!
Agent: aahhh... yung BILL?!
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Technical Agent: To help you out with your concern, ma'am, let me just pull out my tool here, ok? (referring to a computer program used in call centers to address the customer's concerns)
Customer: Pull out your what now?
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Tech Support: Okay, Bob, just type P on your keyboard?
Customer: What? Could you repeat that?
Tech Support: 'P' on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: No way. I'm not going to do that.
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Agent: Sir, that is C for Cubao, Q for Quiapo.....
Customer: What is that?! I dont understand. I don't want to talk to you.
Agent: Who do you want to talk to?
Customer: I want to talk to the highest person.
Agent: My supervisor is not available as of the moment sir.
Customer: I said, I want to talk to the highest person.
Agent: Ok, you want to talk to the highest person?
Customer: Yes!
Agent: Do you want to talk to God?
Customer: what the f***! I'd rather talk to you.
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Irate Customer: F***k you!
Tech Support: Sir, we're not allowed to say "F***k you!" here...
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Agent: It's C as in CAT.
Customer: what?
Agent: C as in CAT. C-A-T as in meow meow...
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Agent: Thank you for calling us, this is Candy, how may I help you?
Customer: What did you say your name was... Mandy?
Agent: No, sir, it's Candy.
Customer: Sorry, i can't hear ya... didja say Mandy?
Agent: It's Candy sir... Candy... as in Storck.
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Agent: Alright, let me verify that... Was that a "G" as in golf?
Customer (with a different accent): NO! That was a "G" as! in GEBRA! (z as in zebra)
Oh, Gebra! like the one in the Goo?!
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Agent: Yeah, sir....hello sir... are you there?
Customer: Yes, sorry. I'm still there.
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Agent: Ok, sir... do u have a PEN and a PENCIL ready?
Customer: What?!!
Agent: Oh, Im sorry, sir... i mean, do u have a PEN and a BALLPEN ready?
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Agent: I'd like to speak with Billy Thompson please?
Contact: He's not in. Would you like to leave a message in his voicemail?
Agent: Sure, SIGE..
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Tech support: We're going to perform a check disk to see if your hard drive has errors in it. Please type in C-H-K-D-S-K.
Customer: What is that again?
Tech Support: C-H-K-D-S-K... that is... C as in Charlie... H as in Harley... K as in Karly.. D as in Darley... S as in Sarley... and K as in Karly... got it.
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CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 2

CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 2

Let's start with this one...
Agent: We would need to turn the router and the modem off, can you unplug them both from the power source please?
Customer: Is that necessary?
Agent: Yes sir we need to reset those devices.
Customer: Ok. Can you hold then? Im just gonna go to the other side of the street to my daughter's house to turn the router and the modem off!
Uh-oh!
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agent talking to a physically challenged customer. . . she has a maid, named Maria, who helped her with the powercycling. . . no connection still. . . but by this time customer sent maid to an errand downstairs. . .
now it so happens, Customer has a router, no home networking service. . . agent suggested to bypass the router. . . Customer agreed. . . feeling confident and not-so-physically-challenged. . . Customer says she will try switching the connections herself. . . agent agress to wait. . . after about 2-3 minutes. . . there was a thud. . . and then Customer is heard shouting. . . "MARIA! MARIA!!! CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME! I GOT MYSELF ALL TIED UP HERE!!!" . . . hehehe!!! I know I'm mean, but how else would I react to the situation. . .
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Customer calls in. . . frantic. . . does not know what to do. . . panicking. . she could barely put her thoughts into words. . . does not know how to explain to agent what is happening. . . . says she thought that if she has cable, is she not supposed to be online ALL THE TIME??!!! agent agrees, says that is technically correct. . . Customer says, in a really annoying tone. . . "WELL THEN HOW COME I DON'T HAVE INTERNET CONNECTION RIGHT NOW?!!"
agent: " is your computer directly connected to the modem?"
Customer: yes. . . and I'm using a LAPTOP. . .
agent: did you see an error message before you lost internet connection?
Customer: come to think of it. . . yes. . . it said something like "battery is low, recharge battery. . ."
agent: then what happened next?
Customer: then all of a sudden, (AND THIS SHE SAID LIKE IN A . . . WHAT-THE-HELL-HAPPENED-IS-MY-LAPTOP-POSSESSED kind of tone). . . THE SCREEN WENT BLACK. . . and no matter what I click on. . .nothing happens?!!
agent: did you recharge the battery alreaDy?
Customer: No. . . why? am I suppossed to do that? am i not supposed to be online all the time?
so. . . I went ahead and had to explain how cellphone will not work if battery has no power anymore. . . customer now understood. . . and compared it with the concept of laptop . . . Haaayzz!!!! The calls that we get!!!
And another one. Credits to whoever uploaded it.
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Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop."
Customer "Ok."
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No."
Tech Support: "Ok. Right click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer "No."
Tech Support:: "Ok, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure, you told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'."
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Customer: "I received the software update you sent, but I am still getting the same error message."
Tech Support:: "Did you install the update?"
Customer: "No. Oh, am I supposed to install it to get it to work?"
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Customer:: "I'm having t rouble installing Microsoft Word."
Tech Support:: "Tell me what you've done."
Customer: "I typed 'A:SETUP'."
Tech Support:: "Ma'am, remove the disk and tell me what it says."
Customer:: "It says '[PC manufacturer] Restore and Recovery disk'."
Tech Support:: "Insert the MS Word setup disk."
Customer:: "What?"
Tech Support: "Did you buy MS word?"
Customer: "No..."
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Customer:: "Do I need a computer to use your software?"
Tech Support:: ?!%#$ Angry
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Tech Support:: "Ok, in the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"
Customer: "Wow. How can you see my screen from there?"
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Tech Support:: "What type of computer do you have?"
Customer:: "A white one."
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Tech Support:: "Type 'A:' at the prompt."
Customer:: "How do you spell that?
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ANG TUNAY NA KAHULUGAN NG PAGIGING ISANG ANAK

Ang Tunay na Kahulugan ng Pagiging Isang Anak

Ano nga ba ang tunay na kahulugan ng pagiging isang anak? Isang napakagandang regalo ng Panginoon ang isang anak sa kanyang mga magulang. Siya ay repleksyon ng kanilang pagkatao. Kaya nga mula nang ipinanganak na ito ay nagdudulot ito ng bagong sigla at saya sa mga magulang. Ngunit paano kaya yong mga anak na isinilang sa mga magulang na walang pakialam? Marami tayong nababasa sa diyaryo at naririnig sa mga balita ng kung anu-anong hindi maganda. May isang dalagita hinalay ng sariling ama. Mayroon namang binatilyo na pinaghahampas ng dos por dos ng ama hanggang sa ito ay mawalan ng malay at mamatay. Napakasakit ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Ang mga taong inaakala mong magbibigay ng proteksyon ay sila pala ang sisira sa iyong kinabukasan. Masakit ngunit nangyayari sa totoong buhay.

Bilang isang anak ay maraming gampaning kailangan tuparin. Inaasahan ang isang anak na siyang gagabay sa kanyang mga magulang sa kanilang pagtanda. Ang lalaking anak ay inaasahang magbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga nakababatang kapatid lalo sa mga kapatid na babae. Bawat magulang ay umaasa rin na balang araw ang kanilang mga anak ay magbibigay sa kanila ng suporta pinansyal pagkatapos nilang mapagtapos sila sa pag-aaral at makakuha ng trabaho. Ilan lamang ito sa mga inaasam ng mga magulang. Hindi man ito sapilitan ngunit parang nakatatak na ito sa kulturang Pinoy. Mahalaga sa anak ang pamilya. Dito siya kumukuha ng lakas sa kabila ng mga unos na dumadating sa buhay. Atensyon ng pamilya at pagmamahal ang enerhiya ng isang anak para mabuhay sa mundong ito.

Masarap ang maging isang anak, lalo na pag ikaw ay isang tunay na anak. 
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CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 1

CALL CENTER SPOOFS PART 1

Telesales agent getting the customer's credit card info:
Agent: Can I have your expiration date, sir?
Customer: My what?!!
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Telesales agent giving promo spiels:
Agent: You called at the right time, ma'am. We have a lot of freebies to give away, such as free installation, free equipment, and free DVD player. That's a great offer, di ba?
Customer: huh?!
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Agent verifying info from the customer:
Agent: Is that a P for Ping-Pong?
Customer: No, it's B.
Agent: Oh, B, like Bing-Bong...
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Customer trying to return a defective product:
Customer: I need to return this defective sauna belt that you delivered yesterday.
Agent: For that concern, you can call our customer service at www.picustomerservice.com.
Customer: Call where??!!
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Agent answering a call:
Agent: Thank you for calling Dish Network Department, my name is Vince..... (sees that the number called by customer is for a different client-- a DirecTV dealer).
Customer: So, I called the wrong number then?
Agent: Let me transfer you to DirecTV please dont go.... (puts the customer on hold, and then)... Thank you for calling DirecTV Department, my name is Vince...
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Agent wrapping up the sale:
Agent: Our INSTALLATORS will contact you within the next 24 hours to verify your installation schedules...
Customer: Uhm... say what, now. Who's gonna call me?
Agent: The INSTALLATORS, sir.
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Agent getting coupon code from customer:
Agent: Can I ask for the coupon code? It's a bunch of letters.
Customers: Like ABCs?
Agent: Yes.
Customer: Ok. ABCDEFG....
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Agent giving the customer service web address:
Agent: It's P- as in Papa, I- as in India, C- as in costume, U- as in you, S- as in Sam, T- as in Tango, O.... Oscar...V- for Voy...
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Agent wrapping up the sale, trying to give the account info to customer:
Agent: I will now be giving you your account number and order confirmation number, do you have a PEN and BALLPEN with you.
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Agent trying to create urgency over the available promotion:
Agent: Are you sure you don't want to take advantage of me?
Customer: Say, what?
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Agent trying to upsell a warranty:
Agent: Here's an example: In California, a plane crashed into a customer's house, their dish was replaced, no questions asked!
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Agent trying to upsell a TiVo to customer:
Agent: With a TiVo, you can do this and that, and you know, pretty much anything under the sun. Isn't that a great offer?
Customer: What?
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Agent was asking the customer about the cost of his cable service:
Agent: How much are you paying with your current provider?
Customer: Well, I'm only paying $25.00 (--which is way cheaper than what the agent was offering)
Agent: (Surprised) ****, magkano??!!
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Agent getting customer's address:
Agent: Can I have your address, please?
Customer: It's twenyfurfif-ysavan newyaorkgh road (2457 New York Road)
Agent: Can you repeat that ulit?
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THE HISTORICAL PACMAN: A SEPTUPLE CHAMPION

THE HISTORICAL PACMAN: A SEPTUPLE CHAMPION

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao once again won in an international boxing fight last November 14, Saturday EST, (November 15 Sunday here in the Philippines) held at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas in the state of Nevada, U.S.A.

Pacman, as he is popularly known in the country, defeated former WBO welterweight world champion Miguel Ángel Cotto Vázquez, a Puerto Rican. This victory made him the only boxer in the world who has seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. Malacañang Palace said that the Guiness World Records should include Manny Pacquiao in their rooster of list in the field of boxing.

The seven world titles Pacman has won are the following:

7. WBO Welterweight world champion, 2009 against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico
6. The Ring Junior welterweight, 2009 against Ricky Hatton of Great Britain
5. WBC Lightweight/The Ring Super Featherweight world champion, 2008 against David Diaz of the United States of America
4. WBC Super Featherweight world champion, 2008 against Juan Miguel Marquez of Mexico
3. The Ring Featherweight world champion, 2003 against Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico
2. IBF Super Bantamweight world champion, 2001 against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa
1. WBC Flyweight World champion, 1998 against Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand

With this records, Manny Pacquaio is now a septuple champion - the first and the only septuple champion in the world.

Filipinos are very proud of him. We salute you, Pacman! May the good Lord bless you always!
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AN PALARAN NGA BALAY (THE BLESSED HOUSE)

AN PALARAN NGA BALAY (THE BLESSED HOUSE)

The following was written on September 26, 2005 when I was in my last year in college. It was an assignment given to us by Dr. Victorio Sugbo, my professor in Philippine Literature in the Vernacular Language and an authority in the study of Waray literature. The class was required to submit any piece of literature that was written long time ago, and we were also required to use Waray language as the medium of writing. 

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Ini nga kanta nagtikang pa hadton 15 anyos pala hi Anacita Yodong, 84 an panuigon, han Bgy. Jabong, Tabontabon, Leyte. Karuyag sidngon, hadton 1936 pa ini nga kanta kundi waray ini ma-ipreserbar pinaagi ha pagsurat o pagrekord na man la.

An Palaran nga Balay

Palaran nga balay

an akon ginsak-an.

Unom an balitang

puro ko tinamakan.

Mahamis an salug

pirmi linampasuhan.

Haluag nga ruwang

upod an kapawa.

Amo an nag-abri

han akon huna-huna.

Interpretasyon:

An nagkakanta in usa nga tawo nga nakatapos han elementarya. An balay nagsimbolo han eskwelahan. An unom nga balitang liwat amo an unom nga grado nga kinahanglan tapuson ha elementarya. Nagsiring an persona nga buenas gud an iya eskwelahan tungod kay nakatapos hiya han elementarya. Kumbaga dungog han eskwelahan an kada estudyante nga magraduate dinhi. Nalilipay hiya tungod kay an eskwelahan asya an nag-abri han iya huna-huna. Aton mahihinumduman basi han istorya han Pilipinas nga hini nga mga panahon (1930s), guti pa gud la an nakakaeskwela. Ngan siring pa ni Apoy Sitay (tawag namon ha iya), pwede na magin maestro/maestra an bisan hin-o nga nakatapos han elementarya hadto nga panahon. Amo ini an kahimtang han Pilipinas ugsa han Guerra Mundial Numero Dos (World War II).
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WELCOME ADDRESS, ACQUAINTANCE PARTY 2006 AT LEYTE PARK HOTEL, TACLOBAN CITY

Welcome Address during the Acquaintance Party at Leyte Park Hotel

Mark Lester is a friend of mine. As president of the student organization for medical technology students of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Medical Foundation (Tacloban City) in 2006, he was tasked to present a Welcome Address during their Acquaintance Party. I wrote this welcome message as per request by Mark (July 22, 2006).

Welcome Address, Acquaintance Party 2006 at Leyte Park Hotel

By Mark Lester C. Montabon

To our energetic Dean of the College of Medical Technology, school administration officials, classmates and friends, a pleasant evening to each and everyone. Welcome to our Acquaintance Party!

Tonight will be one of the memorable events in our school life. Once again we are gathering here not so much of the food and drinks we have prepared but to know each other better. This would also serve as an avenue to socialize and become part of the larger medical technology community. Let us not be ashamed to share our ideas and opinions. By doing so, we are building our self-confidence and we also learn. By having friends, we are expanding our networks of brotherhood which would be very useful in realizing our collective goals. As medical technology students, we must always aspire for excellence. We must be catalysts of change in our society. We must be contributors to the general welfare of our society especially in the field of public health.

Don't get bored. Win friends and enjoy the party tonight.

Thank you.

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BAD TAGALOG TRANSLATIONS FOR ENGLISH MOVIE TITLES PART 3

BAD TAGALOG TRANSLATIONS FOR ENGLISH MOVIE TITLES PART 3

My Best Friend's Wedding = Dahil Nabuntis Ka ng Dyowa Ko
National Treasure = Tanging Yaman
Never Been Kissed - Pangit Kasi
Nightmare Before Christmas = Binangungot sa Noche Buena
No Country for Old Men = Bawal DOM Dito
Notes on A Scandal = Nakaka-Iskandalong Nota
Notting Hill = Sa Kapatagan
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest = Tinrangkaso Matapos Mangitlog
Ordinary Woman Who Swallows a Stone and Shouts Her Name Sideways to Become a Superheroine = Darna
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl = Ang mga DVD ng Quiapo: Ang Sumpa ng Itim na Kulangot
Pretty Woman = Ganda ng Lola Mo
Princess Diaries = Hindi Pa Uso Noon Ang Blogging sa Palasyo
Reality Bites = Pag Pangit, Pangit!
Resident Evil = Ang Pangulo sa Malacanang
Robin Hood, Men in Tights = Si Robin Hood at Ang Mga Felix Bakat
Romeo & Juliet = Si Romeo, Kapag Gabi, Juliet
Scary Movie = Gustong Panoorin ng BF Dahil May Intention
Scent of a Woman = Patis
Scream = Sorbete
Sex and the City = Kangkangan at ang Siudad
Shanghai Noon = Naka-drugs Sya Noon
Shark attack = Inatakeng Pating
Sister's Keeper = Yaya ni Ate
Sleepless In Seattle = Di Makatulog sa FX
Snakes on a Plane = Nag-ahasan sa Ere
Spiderman = Ang Lalaking Maraming Galamay
Sum of All Fears = Takot Mo, Takot Ko, Takot Nating Lahat
Superbad = Talagang Panis na
Swordfish = Talakitok
Taken = May Jowa Na

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There's No Place On Earth Like Home

THERE'S NO PLACE ON EARTH LIKE HOME

It's nice to be home - we always hear this from people. And I would like to add one word to it - It's nice to be BACK home.

Today I will be going home to my home province in Leyte. This would be my second time for this year. I usually visit my family in Leyte twice a year since I started living here in Manila. It's fortunate that I was able to buy the 30% off promo plane ticket of Cebu Pacific last August 31. I paid about P1,900 for a two-way ticket. It's cheap compared to that of the Philippine Airlines. The original flight schedule was 4:05PM, but for some reasons, Cebu Pacific changed it to 3:05PM. The airline company sent me a text message last week informing me about the change, and yesterday a customer care agent called me over the phone. I wasn't able to ask the agent why there was a change of schedule.

I am quite excited to see my family again especially my parents. My mother is 60 years old (October 2nd is her birthday) while my father is 65 (11th of November). I am going home because we will have a party for their birthdays. It would be a post-birthday celebration but it is said that 'it is better to be late than never. Hehehe. I made a promise to my parents that we will have a party when I am financially able. I don't have much money but it's enough to make my parents happy on their birthdays. God has given me the means, and I am determined to give it back to Him by honoring my father and my mother. Life is too short, so I choose to cherish this precious time with my parents.

Indeed, there's no other place on earth like HOME. 

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Let's Do The Papaya Dance

LET'S DO THE PAPAYA DANCE

After the announcement of Sec. Ronaldo Puno yesterday in a press conference in Shangri-La Makati that Edu Manzano is the running mate of Sec. Gilberto Teodoro in 2010 elections, many Filipinos from different sectors of the society started to raise questions and made comments about the selection.

Manzano admitted himself that Puno promised that the administration party will shoulder the costs for the entire campaign.

In an interview by TV Patrol anchor Karen Davila, Manzano said, "Lakas-Kampi CMD has a presidential candidate that they have to take care of. Lakas said they will take care of campaign expenses. In fact, Ronnie Puno personally guaranteed that and he is a friend of longstanding. I think the Liberal Party made it very, very clear from the beginning that they would run a campaign on a shoestring budget. They even have those 'piso-piso' contributions."

Clearly, it is all about money that made him decide to run for the vice-presidency. Is this the kind of principle we want to instill to our young people? I understand that he had a "traumatic experience" when he lost his bid for mayoralty to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay during the 2004 elections (He sold his house just for the campaign.) but that should not be his reason for running. The Office of the Vice-President is such a dignified position, and every one who is aspiring for that post should first ask himself: Am I competent enough to handle the responsibilities as the future Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines?

Sigh! Anyway, let's do the Papaya Dance for the meantime.
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TEODORO-MANZANO TANDEM IN 2010 ELECTIONS