Congratulations to all!

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards, the finalists, the nominees, the organizers, the judges and everyone who made this activity possible.

It is somewhat funny that my bola ng tennis na butas and my small brain got nine(9) out of the fifteen(15) awards from the Main Category and Special Awards combined. Please see my list below and the final results.

NO, I did not have insider information similar to that of Martha Stewart.

How I came up with my list, please ask my butas na bola ng tennis and my little brain. Do you want to try?

Again, Congratulations to all!.

Tag:The Philippine Blog Awards

Philippines Blog Awards: The winners

So I was nominated in the Philippine Blogs Awards.

This is the first time I am announcing this news because all the while I thought I will be the run-away winner in all the categories I was nominated on: here and there and there. You might wonder why I am confident of winning. Simple. My blog has a huge following of about 10 people. My content is gibberish and I am following a different set of sentence contraction and contraption. and oh, my grammar is Oh full. The last but not the least, I am an Oh Ef DoubleU.

So, it really saddened me that my blog was part of the Final-alis because it was easy for me to conclude that I am/was not a Finalists. Likewise it was easy to assume (yes assumptions: 0-10 = 10 and satisficing, sa tagalog pwede na?? is not in the vocabulary of the judges.) that judges made a wise a decision of not including this blog else their names will be remembered forever as xyz. ha ha ha.

As a result of this sad development, the Saudi Stock market is falling thereby reducing my hidden wealth by as much as 20% putting me in another predicament along with Gloria Arroyo’s government, The State of Denial, which UN Raptorture (ano ba spelling noon?) wrote in in his report to the YouTube, este YouEnd body.

To get back at them, I am coming out with my list of winners using my bola ng tennis na butas – para masilip ko and the analytical capability of my small brain. This way I am pre-empting them of their duties (tama ba ito?) thus giving me the power to judge the good, the beautiful and whatever just like Raul Gonzales of the Department of Justice.

Without further gir-gir (talk) as they say here in this part of the world, here are the winners for the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards.

Main Category Awards

Personal: Misteryosa
Technology: The Cybercafe Experiment
Travel: Ironwolf.net Enroute and Ivan About Town
Entertainment: The Man Blog
Home & Living: Wifely Steps
Socio-Political: Far From Nuetral Notions
News & Media: Inside PCIJ
Business & Entrepreneur: Reflections of BizDrivenLife
Sports & Recreation: Vespinoy!
Fashion & Lifestyle: Beautynomics.Com
Photo Blog: Senor Enrique and Dubai Chronicles
Podcast: Noypi.com

Special Awards

Best Blog Design: Ironwolf.net Enroute
Best OFW Blog: Kwentong Tambay
Best Free Custom Theme: Papillon by Beng Hafner
Best Plugin / Extension: iPap by Markku Seguerra

Bloggers’s Choice Award for 2007

All them because I have only one vote and it is kind of hard to tally the vote in fractions or decimals even if I have 20 fingers with 3 dead fingernails. Wait, four yata. he he

Notice: Please do not take this post seriously. This is just a post of a Homesicks, vacation-bound (pag nakakuha agad ng booking) OFW. To other bloggers. you may still vote, I guess, for your favorite blogs and help them win the Bloggers’ Choice Award for 2007.

The Awards Night will be on 31 March 2007, 5pm at Podium 4, RCBC Plaza Auditorium in Makati City.

Congratulations to all the Finalists and the organizers and everyone behind the awards. Please do not cite me for contempt.

Related posts:
Dogs are smarter and wiser than human beings
What is politics

Jun Ducat, Cayetano, Coseteng and Ermita

“I am so sorry I took these children in a violent reaction to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the political reality.
There is so much corruption in the country. We are number one in Asia in corruption.
I am calling on all the Filipino people to stop the rotten political system. Do not rely on politicians for your future. No one can help you but yourselves.” Jun Ducat said.

Jun Ducat is a former contractor who founded the Musmos Day Care Center about four years ago on Manila’s Tondo slum area. The children hostages are his student in his day care center.

Bad taste and bad mouths:

While the hostage crisis is ongoing, two of our senatorial candidates, Allan Peter Cayetano and Dominique Coseteng, went on national television blaming the administration and Gloria Arroyo for this hostage-taking problem. Typical of the dreaded and rotten politicians all over the Philippines, these two can not help themselves but salivate at the opportunity and media mileage that this unfortunate incident would give them.

How sweet to hear them talk about the reasons why the situation happened? But hell no! We Pinoys already know what the problem is. We know that they are part of the problem why Jun Ducat did this and we know their selfish motives.

True to the mold of the opportunist and grandstanding trapos (traditional politicians), these so-called senatorial candidates never hesitated to exploit the situation not for the people’s welfare but for themselves; that is to get (undue) advantage at all cost to further their selfish personal agendas.

Are these the kind of people we will elect as senators?

My father once told me that the highest form of stupidity that a person may have is when that person talks non-sense and blames other while his house is burning. An intelligent person shuts his mouth, do something to help in putting out the fire if he can and if he can not, keeps himself away from fire so he will not be burned.

If you are thinking that these two deserve your important vote, please spare yourselves of the effort. Do not think once or twice or million times. This early, it is already clear that when elected, Cayetano and Coseteng will hold you hostage not for hours as Jun Ducat did to his students but for a long period of time.

I am NOT through yet!

To continue with my jaded view of what happened on the sides, let me add another unpalatable statement from one of our so-called government officials. Mr. Ermita said, “of course this will have a bad effect on our image in the international communities.” WTF, we have a situation and he is worried about our reputation abroad! What is that reputation he is so worried about anyway?

Another day in the Filipinos’ colorful life with a hostage taker and the clowns as seen by a cynical blogger.

Related posts (somehow, i guess.):

• What is politics?
• Who is responsible?
• Who knows?
• We are who we are

Tags: Philippines elections, Eleksyon 2007, Pinoy

Gloria has a dream

“I want to create high-paying jobs here at home so that Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job. I want overseas work to be a career choice and not the only option for a talented man or a woman in search of a better life.” – Gloria Arroyo, Laoag City, Miss Laoag City Pamulinawen pageant night, Feb 12, 2007 Asia Pulse and Reuters.

Once, I wrote something like this in my old now dead blog but I specifically said it was only a dream, nothing more and nothing less.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with what you said – it made me feel better at least for a while. There is nothing wrong dreaming big dreams either. But hey, dream your dreams and dream as you may when you are asleep not while you are in front of camera or in front of millions of Filipinos.

Hello! Garci are you listening?

I am not a genius. I am not an economist either. I am nobody but I know what are true, real and pure hallucinations.

For how can you do this daunting tasks when for a long time now, our country has not gotten out of the boom and bust cycle. How can this happen when your congressmen and Senators are busy with their own personal agendas? How can a government without credibility, riddled with institutionalized and endemic corruption and inefficiencies, accomplish something grand as this for a short period of time when three real presidents before you failed miserably?

Yes you are dreaming. Remember last year, you sent envoys to different countries to sell our human resources and also last year after the Lebanon problem, you want to make our domestic helpers as super maids.

Words are cheap and so are lies and hallucinations. I bet my ass, nothing will happen because you are ass-ing(?) around again.

I pray that with almost 3 years left till the end of your term in 2010, a grand miracle would really happen. I wish it would come sooner. I am getting tired of being called a modern-day hero. I want to be in my home with my wife and kids.

And I want my country back!

Please do not think and feel that I do not appreciate your kind words and concern for us OFW’s just because I am always talking like this and blogging this way. To tell you the truth and as(s) a matter of fact, I am very thankful to you. To show how thankful I am, here is something for you, our Filipino youth and from me. I am sure you will like it.

I am Twitter-ing on the web

It is not the light chirping sound made by certain birds, neither a similar sound, especially light, tremulous speech or laughter or an agitation or excitement.

But it could be considered as such because almost everyone in the net is now taken by it’s twitting spell and millions are now twitter-ing addicts minions. Even Technorati is at it. Click here.

If this is not what we thought it is then what really is Twitter?

Twitter is A global community of friends and strangers answering one simple question: What are you doing? Answer on your phone, IM, or right here on the web!

Twitter is where you can say the most with the fewest number of words. Your quick thoughts or ideas are out immediately into the web via SMS, IM, or Browser. At lightning speed, everyone knows what you are doing, what you will do and what you have just done, somewhere or wherever.

You may ask, aside from what you have written above, what else is your idea on how Twitter can be useful? The truth is I have no idea. Having no idea of what is its usefulness is I guess one of the reasons why it is interesting right now.

So, just ride on, start Twitter-ing like everyone else in the whole wide web.

Do you want to know what I am Twitter-ing about? Please click here.

Notice: Twitter is addictive.

Tag: twitter

This day, this day is.

There are days that one feels great right after the eyes are opened from a night sleep. All systems go to face the world anew.

There are days also that you feel weak, too tired, spirit is so low and no delight in seeing a new day coming at you. All systems seem fire walled, not ready to face the world. This day, I am.

The day here is already half done and yet, I am still very quiet and no way will I be in the mood to talk about anything not even a word. Today I guess, I just want to see the world around me moving. Just staring at it is completely enough – in it but out of it, totally detached and out of sync. I am in my own world, so to speak.

Although I am in silent mode, my mind is busy, processing many things, one thought leading to another (vacation, vacation, vacation!) followed by a blink of an eye, the only physical manifestation that a new one comes in and the previous one has been processed.

I wondered what happened inside my body last night. I am wondering what is going on inside it now? What hormones or fluids in my system trigger this?

How many people out there are going through the same experience as I am having now (physical, emotional or psychological state or whatever term you may call this) is another big question running in my mind – this is business, business, and business. Do they know that they are not alone?

You, how do you feel today? Are you in your own world or your are in the world?

Everyday is a different day or everyday is a different you. what do you think?

From my simple mind

It started with the boring market and idle mind. Look what I came up with after that. (Actually, after playing tennis last night.)

Quotations. Yes, original quotations coming from my small brain. I guess, my brain cells got an ample supply of oxygen after I played tennis.

One word of caution, do not quote any of these. These questionable quotes do not mean anything. It is not worth it. Not a cent yet for now. lol

I hate office meetings. It is the best place to see stupidity in the highest degree. But mind you, it is also the good place to seal your fortune, if you sell your stupid ideas properly and misfortune, if you simply brag about it.

Most people said, I am busy making or earning money. The truth is that they are busy thinking of how and where to spend that money that is yet to be earned or made.

Be careful of the man who during your discussion always say “Oh I see”, “Yes, I see your point”, or “Yes you are right.” He might have learned these from the books on how to please and win people.

Someone said, making money is everybody’s business. I guess this is right. See how many monkey business we have around.

Someone said, it is better to take chances than not take chances at all and be sorry for not trying. Further, there is always a 50/50 chance that you will succeed if you try. Let me say this, if you want a raise, try annoying you boss everyday. Let’s see if you have that 50/50 chance.

A lot of people go into stock market because they thought that they can make more money than any other investment. The truth is a lot of them just overheard someone talking about it.

Quick and big bucks are earned in stock market by luck but real fortunes are made out of intelligent decisions, patience, due diligence and a lot of common sense.

Common sense is the key to making money in an investment. Being gullible and greedy is the best attitude for other people to make money on you.

Done with mine, here is something from real people of great wisdom:

A patient going to a doctor for his first visit was asked, “And whom did you consult before coming to me?”
“Only the village druggist,” was the answer.
“And what sort of foolish advice did that numbskull give you?” asked the doctor, his tone and manner denoting his contempt for the advice of the layman.
“Oh,” replied his patient, with no malice aforethought, “he told me to come and see you.” Author Unknown

and yet another one.

I once complained to my father that I didn’t seem to be able to do things the same way other people did. Dad’s advice? ‘Margo, don’t be a sheep. People hate sheep. They eat sheep.’ – Margo Kaufman

Happy weekend everyone and THANK YOU so much for your comments. I am reading them all letter by letter and I am learning a lot from them.

iBlog3 – The 3rd Philippine Blogging Summit

iBlog 3: the Philippines’ 3rd Blogging Summit will be held at the School of Economics Auditorium, in UP Diliman, Quezon City this April 13 and 14, 2007.

This event is organized by the University of the Philippines – Internet Society Program.

Attendance is FREE. Register now to save your seat! See the details here.

Boring market and Idle mind

Yesterday night was a boring night for me. It was really boring.

The Reason:

The U.S. stock market had a tough and choppy start because investors were worried about the situation of the New Century Financial Corporation (NEW.N), the largest independent U.S. subprime mortgage lender. It said that its lenders had cut-off financing or indicated to stop financing the company thereby pushing it in the likelihood of filing bankruptcy or asset liquidation.

The New Century Financial Corporation’s share was hammered from USD 30.00 a month ago to USD 6.00 plus a week ago and USD 3.21 on Friday’s close then plunged to USD1.65 before it was suspended Monday.

I have no idea as to what will be the extent of its effect on Tuesday’s trading and how, if there will be any effect at all, will other global markets react today. I just hope that this will not lead to something that will trigger a repeat of what happened weeks ago. (When the giant sneezes, the dwarf gets the colds.)

For the time being, let us leave this matter to them- the people concerned and let me continue with what I am supposed to do: Blog.

The Problem:

As I have said, it was a boring day. There was No Action. Our customers, I supposed, were out somewhere doing something else.

It was natural therefore that I had nothing to do as well except to read and read whatever items my eyes could see from Reuters for hours. It was tiring and I could feel that my back was looking(?) for a bed.

The Solution:

So, in order not to invite sleep during working hours (evening here in this part of the world), I decided to do an exercise inside the trading area. I walked and walked and walked with nothing in my head (figuratively or possibly, literally(???)).

The Result:

I already had twenty rounds when suddenly the air (so there was something inside) that was circulating inside my brain was pushed out by crazy thoughts.

I stopped walking because these crazy thoughts kept on coming and going, coming and going, coming and going. Then finally, U.S. stock market closed (11:30 p.m. here). It was time to go home.

Moral of the story:

The boring market creates an idle mind. And true enough, the idle mind is the workshop of the he he.

Recommendation:

Stay away from boring market. Keep on blogging and visit your favorite blogs. Just make sure your Boss won’t see what you are doing.

NOW you know what is boring market and idle mind. ha ha ha.

Note: The Stocks strike back but then, most of our customers stayed away.

Tags: myepinoy, New Century Financial Corp, U.S. Stock Market, pinoy

What is politics?

Here is something from my Inbox. This is funny and relevant.

A son asked his father “Dad, what is politics?“

Dad said: Look, I bring the money home, therefore I am the Capitalist.
Your mother administrates the money, therefore she is the Government.
Grandpa watches everything, therefore he is the Union.
Then Dad said Our maid is the Working Class.

We all want just one thing, your well-being. Therefore you are the People.
And your smaller brother who is still in his nappy, is the Future.

Did you understand that my son?

The little one thinks, and tells his father he wanted to sleep it over for one night.

During the night the boy wakes up, because his younger brother produces something with an unbearable smell from his nappy and is crying.

As he does not know what to do, he goes into the bedroom of his parents.

But there is only his mother in her bed, and she is so fast asleep that he does not succeed in waking her up.

So he goes into the bedroom of the maid where he finds his father having fun with her, and grandpa watching them secretly through the window !!!!

All of them are so engaged that they don‘t realize that the boy is standing in front of them.

So the boy decides to go to bed again without having been able to solve the problem.

Next morning the father asks his son if he is able to explain with a few words what politics is.

“Yes” answers the son.

The Capitalist abuses the Working Class,
The Union watches without doing anything,
While the Government sleeps,
The People are completely ignored,
And the Future is in the shit.

THAT IS POLITICS!

Please click here for the other (or original?) version of this joke.

Tags: myepinoy, Philippines elections, Eleksyon 2007, Pinoy