Blog, Gaming, Career, and Other Drugs

It's been a while since I visited my blogs and actually "blogged". It has already been what almost two to three months of hiatus in my blogs, and some of those blogs really needs some updating. I really can't say if I am back or what. For now I am taking my sweet time with work and gaming.


I think I mentioned before that I am working as another BPO agent with some flashy sub-name "Game Master". Currently, we are now handling an MMOFPS which I will end at that. Well, can't really chose what genre to pick as we are all just corporate slaves here in the end. Well, I start to appreciate shooters now more than before, maybe I'll try out various FPS on Xbox 360 now.

I've finally decided to join the dark side and modify (JTAG) mg Xbox 360. I had always the options to do so, but back then I was still digging the whole online connectivity thing. Well, I grew tired of it and most of the games I purchase are lengthy single player (RPG) ones, so what's the use right. Currently I am now playing 2013's Tomb Raider from Crystal Dynamics which is really kick ass. I haven't had the chance to play the uncharted series, but seeing the videos posted online, I think the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise is much more like Uncharted which is not a bad thing. I am also playing the Ultimate Adventure (story mode) of Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, which is great as usual. Not to mention, I have unlocked a number of characters for multiplayer. Can't wait to play with friends once I've unlocked all the characters. Thanks to my new JTagged Xbox360, I can now play those games which I haven't had the resources to play before ;-)

I only got two days every week to continuously play Xbox 360 games, but that doesn't mean I can't play on the road. I recently purchase PSP 3000 which I play in trips to and fro to work. Yes, it is modified as well, currently enjoying Valkyria Chronicles II, Persona 4 Portable, and Duodecim Final Fantasy 012. So is there anything else a geek like me can ask for? More time to enjoy these perhaps? Every once in a while I think of romance, but then I remember what possible life I can give them and I immediately snap out of that dream. Maybe someday when I have more than enough (financially) to give myself and my parents. For now, romantic relationships are out of the picture.

I will probably share my thoughts on relationship next time. Recently had a talk with a good bud of mine about this, and i think it is worth talking about and oh boy I have a lot in mind about that issue.

Here and Back Again This 2013: First Blog Post for 2013

Ah how fast time flies. One moment I was wondering what new blogs will I push for 2012 and then the next thing I know is that the year has ended. It has also not been a good year for CMABLOGS as I have been inactive in the later half of the year. Basically I still blog, but not here. I generally focused my attention on my other blogs, mainly CMAQUEST, Pinoy Movie Blogger, and Retro Pilipinas. Unfortunately work got in the way, but I am not complaining I love my new career as an outsourced Game Master. I got to work in the gaming industry and finally know what it is like behind the scenes. I planned to start a blogging series last year relating to my new career, but eventually work and gaming schedule conflict got in the way. Hopefully I can juggle my schedule playing, working, and blogging this 2013.

It was not long ago, 2007 to be precise that I started blogging for the sake of earning a little. after a series of trial and error, I finally got it and eventually infiltrated the local blogging community thanks to mainstream commercial bloggers who I met in the past years. I learned a lot from that experience and thankful for everything. As much as i enjoy attending blogging events and sharing experiences and new stuff from such events, we all need to eventually prioritize what matters most... family and personal growth. So cheers and here is to a more active blogging this 2013. Catch me blogging and check out updates on my blogs :D

The Social Network Vault - An Archive of Anything and Everything Viral and Phenomenal on Social Networking Websites

Facebook is "the social networking website" where anyone can everyone can hang out, share their thoughts, and socialize with each other. With so many people in one's network, one fb post can easily be flushed down in a matter of minutes. Has it ever happen to you that you have this one particular fb post that you wanted to looked at again but then you cannot because of the many activities you have already done that flushed it down your memory (you have posted, liked newer posts, and have forgotten which date did you liked it)? Well, this is what I will try to remedy with the Social Network Vault here in CMABLOGS.

The Social Network Vault is just a more permanent and stable archiving vault where I can once again look at any social networking posts that I have found very interesting, funny, scary, thought-provoking, phenomenal, disturbing, and many more. You may share my fascination with these viral images, videos or mere status updates, or you may not. This is just my personal archives. What matters is that whenever I wanted to laugh my arse off on one particular post I liked days, months, and even years ago I'll just go to the social network vault section here in my blog (www.cmablogs.com) and check them out again. Well, you can also do this same thing in your individual blogs, for everyone has different taste or preferences. Most people I know in various social netwoking website (including myself before this post) has addressed the issue of these favorite posts getting flushed down into oblivion by simply saving these vital images and create an album where all their fave pics go. The Social network Vault is just my version of that. So if you want to find out if your favorite viral pic, meme, and video got included in my social network vault, or you have something that warrants a spot here, then feel free to just drop by and share one here.

Preparations for the Future: Starting My Journey to Financial Freedom

Whether you subscribe to it or not, the fact still remains... money makes the world go round. This is why most that belong to the middle class work diligently. The ultimate objective should be financial freedom. No, not should but that "MUST" be our the ultimate goal right. Unfortunately, not everyone (at first that is) seems to realize that this should be their goal in a financial standpoint. When they do realize it, regret is one of the initial emotions that comes up, but on the brighter side of it, it is never too late. This is what I want to impart with you on this little personal development blog post about starting my journey to financial freedom.

I made this post this 6th of July, 2012 and plans to make this blog post as a starting point in my journey to financial freedom. Basing on its two keyword "finance" and "freedom", financial freedom is not entirely about being wealthy (although it is under it), but more on being able to enjoy life without being affected with financial complications and uncertainties that may rise in the future. So how do we become "financially free"? Well, I am no expert, I did say that I was just starting. The best way to learn about it is with research, that's what I did and that is why we have books and the internet, right? At the age of 26, I regret some financial decisions I did in my life. If only I saved my money before. If only I invest it on interest-yielding financial mechanisms. If only I did or didn't do this. In the end, rather than sulking up on the mistakes of the past, we should move forward. What truly matter is that we learned from these mistakes, that in some weird way that it helped us get to this point of realization. Although it is good to reward yourself every once in a while, we should never loose track of the future, of the goal to be financially free. A luxurious and spendthrift lifestyle only belongs to those who can afford wasting their own or their family's wealth. Well we can even say that they are having this sort of lifestyle because they have reach that point of financial freedom. So while we haven't reach the point of financial freedom nor have resources to waste we should learn to change. One shouldn't live beyond his means but under it, and find other ways to increase his income.

What I leaned from researching is to SAVE MONEY. That is my biggest mistake in life. It always come to my mind, but never actually acted on it. But now, there is no time to waste. If I want to get started with the new knowledge I gained, I need to take up action.

Here are some great tips:

• Save Money. The bank is a good place to start.
• Pay up and be free from your debts. Completely avoid credit cards
  Have a separate emergency savings. A 3-6 months worth of emergency funds is essential to serve as a cushion to protect you from various unfortunate financial situations like losing a job or medical concerns.
• Set money for investments. This is the money generating machinery that would help you gain financial freedom. This is worth researching for.

This past few days, I have talked with colleagues in my new career about finance and the future. The new career I have isn't that rewarding and I need to maximize my income stream and total earnings. This is why I have been researching about the stock market.


Here is a good informative animation about how stock works I stumbled on my research:



I now plan to invest on stocks. A year ago, I did plan to start with time deposits and buying bonds through banks, but I wasn't that serious to actually act on it. I am thankful for maturity finally catching up on me. If I want to give my future self and family a good life, then I have to change and compromise some things in life.

Ask yourself this, what are you willing to do to achieve the things you want in life?

RetroPilipinas.com and PinoyMovieBlogger.com: Blogs Leveled Up and Updates

Retro Pilipinas and Pinoy Movie Blogger, two other blogs I authored finally got their own domain names this June 21, 2012 (Thursday). Everyone can now reach Retro Pilipinas, blog dedicated to everything nostalgic and retro in the Philippines at http://www.retropilipnas.com for Retro Pilipinas; and Pinoy Movie Blogger, blog dedicated for Filipino movies which include local film trailer impressions, Filipino film reviews, and articles about the Philippine cinema at http://www.pinoymovieblogger.com.

It was really a big challenge maintaining four blogs especially now that I have a new career to pursue unlike before. But even if the time restrictions and limitations, my passion to share and blog will never fail. Now more than ever I am more passionate to create more informative, entertaining, and worthwhile content for both the local and international netizens.

Work Gets in the Way: Missing Blogging and Missing Sharing

It's almost been a month! I am officially an office guy working for a budding gaming company here in the Philippines. After three years of home-based benefit-less outsourced work as a content writer, I finally got a job that I like and that rewards me for my efforts. The only issue I have now is I missed sharing my thoughts and information online.

Well, this is considered a blog post, right?... you might ask. Well yes, but before, I had a work I usually wake up in the morning to face my PC and share everything that my hearts desire: international movies, Filipino movies, a retrospective on Philippines, and many more. I literally spend my whole day blogging and it's okay. There is a certain fulfillment for me when I blog. Even if there are not that many people responding to my blogs, in the back of my mind, I know that I have done my part.. I have enlightened, entertained, and informed someone. That is probably where I get my drive.

This is an old photo of me on a vacation years ago. Yes, I literally gained wait from this pic and I haven't had any real pic as of the moment. so I'll just use this old pic. Probably next time, I'll have something better to share :P

It is currently 3:00 in the morning. I just finished watching the 19th episode of Grimm while eating the instant noodles mom cooked for me when she opened the door for me when I arrived back at 1:00 am. It was about an hour and a half trip from my schedule which ran from 2pm to 11 pm. Then that same schedule will repeat on the next day. Luckily I have two days of break but recently I got sidetracked when I bought Final Fantasy XIII-2. Well I still haven't finished the game. I have literally spent the small time I had playing the game which is a good reason why I really missed out on blogging. I was really surprised when I received two event invites in the past, but has completely passed out because of my work and leisure. I had this kind of conflict before, but my previous work was more flexible and I was able three tasks at a time. Now I usually spend or waste my time in the bus commuting to and fro from home. I miss blogging and the simple life, but I also know that I need this job right now. One thing is ceratin, I have a lot of things going on for myself right now and a proper time management is really needed to organize the things I love. Yes, things I love. The person to love (romantically) can wait, whomever she might be. As our popular saying goes in the Philippines bahala na si Batman.

Officially a FlipGeek: First Article on FlipGeeks about Tokusatsu

It's now official, yours truly is a FlipGeeks . I got in touch with them a couple of weeks back and was fortunate enough to become a part of their project.

www.flipgeeks.com/

FlipGeeks is the Filipino geek’s corner for toys, comics, video games and everything else! FlipGeeks or FG aims to be the number one online resource in the Philippines in providing news, updates on the geek genre (toys,movies,comics,etc) and pop culture.

It can really be a big challenge for me especially as I also author a few more blogs besides CMABLOGS mainly CMAQUEST, Retro Pilipinas, and Pinoy Movie Blogger, not to mention a new career. I am not complaining, I willed this! I like challenges, I like sharing stuff, and I as usual I plan to conquer the world!...

I have always wanted to be part of something big and something relevant (for me that is). I believe that the geek community is growing and has been taking over the internet like global warming to Earth... (DERP) that was not a good comparison, LOL. I believe FlipGeeks can reach that community starting here at our motherland, the Philippines. I will aid the group's objective to be the community that FlipGeeks aims to be and maybe more. This is enough motivation to keep me going like an Energizer bunny.

Besides the regular spots where you usually see me blogging,you can now regularly see me blogging at FlipGeeks as well usually about all my geekiness. For starters, I made my very first article about tokusatsu's influence to Filipino kids and the geek community at RETRO FLIP GEEK: A Look Back at Tokusatsu Shows and Its Influence to Filipino Kids.

If you guys can remember I made a similar post about tokusatsu here at CMABLOGS with For Philippine Television Networks Consideration: Create An All-Original Filipino Tokusatsu Series Seriously for the Younger Television Audience. This previous post and my first FlipGeeks article compliments each other rather than just being a mere copy-and-paste copy of each other. Hope you guys can check both of them out.

For Filipino Geeks out there, you can visit FlipGeeks for more Geek news, articles, reviews, and giveaways.

A 2012 Birthday: Reflections from a Twenty Six Year Old Bloger

To start off let me greet everyone a Happy 2012 New Year. This is my first blog post for the 2012 and also my birthday post, so here it goes.



A latest photo of me as of December 24, 2011

Yours truly was born on the 2nd day of January of 1986, so this year I am already 26 and what can I reflect so far? Well I spent Christmas and New Year penniless, no thanks to my easy go-lucky attitude. That plus the fact that I lost my online home-based freelance writing work of three years last November 2011, and since then I've successfully become a total freeloader in our (parents) house. That isn't something to be proud of, and after this unnecessary rest I have already planned the things to do in order o get out of this current financial mess. I am going to try out a few online things and if that doesn't work out then I am off to becoming a corporate slave, just like everyone else (no offense meant).

So what has change within the past twenty six years of my existence? Well I am more outgoing and positive. I am no longer searching for something that isn't there, and in some way that gave me a peace of mind. A belief system that makes perfect sense, unlike what I used to believed in. My sense of humor has become more mature, leading to the adult humor category which has got me into trouble once or twice the past year. This is probably good for the jolly old me, but bad for the people who can't take an adult joke or two. I am more concern about my family specifically my parents than ever before, maybe it is because of maturity but nevertheless I am still thankful for it. I have become a little more insensitive and mature, I used to be affected with what people think of me and if people don't remember me. but now screw them for not remembering me (Hahaha just kidding to my friends). I might just outgrew that selfish side of me. Everybody has their own lives and it is time to prioritize and focus on my own. They will still be around. I am more flirtatious now because if I don't then I won't get laid Hahahaha, what I mean to say was if i don't act to mingle with the opposite sex then I won't experience to be loved and be loved romantically just like every normal person out there, but I am not rushing it. Just being a big flirt hahaha. I don't know if that sounded nice. I am more creative in some way, but frustrated in a sense that I can't seem to materialize those ideas because of the lack of resources and generally the lack of discipline; I need to work on those two things this year.

I plan on having a minimum of a hundred thousand in my bank account. What big plans coming from someone who doesn't have a single penny and owe some people money. Hopefully if things go well, this might not seem impossible. I am already 26, and I have told myself that by 27 I plan on looking for someone to spend my life with in legal matrimony, but I can't do that without moolah! So here is to 2012. For a more proactive year for me and transition from an old sorry state to a new better me. Cheers to 2012 and hope the Mayans are wrong.

Patawad, Papatawarin, Wala, Sa Pasko Na: A Filipino's Guide to Turning Down Christmas Caroling

Ah! It is that merry month again once a year where you hear the innocent and jolly voices of children and adults singing songs of praises, letting you know that it is Christmas, and naturally you just want to shout "PATATAWARIN!", "PATAWAD!", "WALA!", "SA PASKO NA!", or if you are a lot more sinister let them exhaust themselves singing without giving any attention to them... DEADMA lang ba? Hahaha. It is a funny thought right, but what is funnier is when you apply it every Christmas season.



A decent example of what this post is all about. A photo from "My Silent Sanctuary's Blog" post on PATAWAD.

I've tried serenading a few of our neighbors once with a Christmas carol, I think I was eight that time. It was a different era that time, the 90's. During those times public transportation fare, cost of living (utilities, rent, and daily expenses) weren't that high, and people were generally all loving and warm-hearted everyday Catholics. Fast forward that to today and turn all what I've said around, and now rejecting those neighborhood kids (and adults, LoL) who just want a buck from you is so much easier. To everyday hardworking Filipino middle-class families, every coin counts. Once the Christmas season hits in full throttle mainly starting from December 16 (Simbang-Gabi series) to the December 25 (Christmas Day), some home owners fear such innocent Christmas Carols.

But we here at the Aquino residence have already grown tired of it all, especially that we now own a Sari-sari store. We are literally a fire that attracts a moth of carolers. We are your modern day practical middle class Filipino family. We only earn a small amount of income from the sari-sari store and it is foolish to just give that away for a duration of 10 days. Instead of wasting hundreds of pesos for the everyday Filipino Christmas carolers (kids and adults alike). We just say those popular Christmas "Bah! Humbug!" lines like PAPATAWARIN, PATAWAD, WALA, o SA PASKO NA. We don't live in a high class subdivision or village, so while others find it adorable and entertaining to be serenaded a few times a week by children in the duration of that Christmas week, we here at the barangay level are irritated with the same "sa aming bahay ng aming bati" Christmas carol for every freaking day. What is also irritating is that these kids are devious in a way that they separate into one, two, three groups, and even as single one man caroler to just to get more buck from us. There also have been times when we have seen the same faces of kids for over four times just for that single night alone but for different groups. Others even hid themselves in the darkness of the night or the shrubs nearby while their "accomplice" do most of the singing to not get detected. This just spoils the whole Christmas caroling thing. So here is some of is my personal guide on how to reject and say those Christmas Carol Rejection lines without the guilt.

• Use hand gestures like waving, or showing them that you have nothing (turning or twisting an open hand back and forth), or shooing them if you want to remain anonymous, but who are you kidding? right?
• Try the direct approach which always works best. Say PATAWAD!, PAPATAWARIN!, WALA!
• Make a written placard and post it in your gate, door or window or somewhere where the Carolers would clearly see this. Just jhope that these kids learn how to read or you'll just doing the first two examples.
• Try turning off most of your house lights to give the illusion that nobody is home or is already sleeping. We have evaded both children and adult Christmas carolers using this method in the past. It usually works except for those carolers who care less if you are already sleeping just to get money from you.
• If you have a relative far away or a vacation house, it is the best time to get out of the neighborhood until Christmas just to evade such carolers. If you plan to travel it is also the best time to do it starting on the 16th of December onward.
• Place your aggressive dogs in front of the gate to scare of kids. Enraged dogs barking muffles the scared Filipino children caroling.
• You can also just ignore and deny that hey are there. You sure will be criticize for being a snob and an inconsiderate douche, but that would teach them that all their efforts are worthless. This one method we have tried only once or twice with kids especially those who don't listen to first rejection.
• This one we haven't tried yet and I don't think we'll ever will, but I want to do personally. That is to just talk to the carolers and say that I am not a Catholic or Christian, and I do not believe in Christmas. That would give the impression to the Carolers or remind them yearly that the person in the house doesn't care about a religious sect's tradition.

But being in a Catholic family, all of these seemingly Scrooge ways of evading and turning down Christmas carols are set aside for only one day. The 24th day of December "Christmas Eve", we finally allow Christmas carolers to do what they like. A time when we are finally act like normal grateful Filipino Catholics (even if I am no longer one). The three kings only gave their presents at the birth of Christ, and we are far from being luxurious kings. Even a fictitious jolly old man like Santa, but even Santa only gives presents on Christmas Day alone. We are a practical middle class Filipino family and patawad is a practical counter action to that very impractical tradition of Christmas Caroling.

Okay ng matawag na barat, kesa kami naman maghirap..

A Look Back at My Freelance Writing Career Online of Three Years

For almost three years I have provided my expertise in writing articles and maintaining the company's forums. My freelance writing career is the reason why I haven't been active in blogging this past few years, and I have no regrets in doing so. Here is a look back in that three years as a writer for their online company.



I've tried out one freelance work after I finished my Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (teaching English to Korean Kids) when my friend offered a freelance writing career for me. He was already earning money through it so I immediately accepted it. I found myself already making money in my first week. Don't expect this to be like a testimonial for some suspicious money making scheme online though. There won't be any links going to my company's website because I already lost that job, so why bother? duh! hahaha. Going back to the topic, all I need to do was maintain a forum ("creating and engaging forum discussions") and do some short summaries/reviews of existing articles. It was my early introduction to SEO which I later find out to help with my blogs. Each job done yields a dollar or two but put them all together and all for one week and we already have our salary. It was what most would dream of, a job where you can do right in the comforts of your own home on your own phase/time. Well, it doesn't come with its cons though, since we are being outsourced to write we don't have any employee's benefits like salary bonuses, and security and health benefits. It didn't stopped us from enjoying the good life. Thanks to this opportunity I was able to provide for my family, buy some personal stuff like original xbox 360 titles which usually cost at around $40-$50, and attend local blogging events which you might have seen in this blog in the past. It was all great, the best working opportunity that introduced itself to me.

It was a dream job for a happy go lucky person like me, but as they say all good things must come to an end. We (three friends who worked as writers for the company) have been talking about this impending employment uncertainty for quite some time now. We knew that one day, we might no longer be needed and guess what it did came! Talk about law of attraction. Unfortunately it came four weeks ago as we three (me, a friend who introduced us to the work, and another friend who already has his own family) were shocked when we received the news that our services were no longer needed. Let me jus say hat in that three years I only got to save nothing haha, which taught me a good lesson to never be too confident of what you have right now and that there is a need to save for the future. Now it starts once again, but now more wiser.

Balancing Act Between Gaming and Blogging

So may things to do in so little time. I too am one of those people chanting those statement over and over again. Well, I know I am at fault here for not having the proper discipline to even manage my own time, but I can help it. Now that I am making a decent earning from my home-based writing career, I can only do one of two things work more or balance things of by playing. I decide the latter.




Not to say that blogging is not entertaining at all... it is, but if you have visited my other blogs like CMAQUEST, Pinoy Movie Blogger, and Kuwentong Bayan at Alamat you'll notice that I take blogging seriously. Serious in a way that I invest a decent amount of my time just to make a competitive post. I can't even balance work, romantic relationships and blogging in the past, but luckily I gradually learned to resolve that issue. But after I got my Xbox 360 last year, things started to go out of hand once again. Gaming tends to eat a lot of hours away making other tasks impossible to fulfill with out proper time management. Sadly I don't have such discipline in me. This is why a reader can easily notice that my last blog post was on the last week of July. I got hooked in playing various Xbox 360 games like Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, Dead Space, Dragon Age II, Mass Effect 3 and various Xbox Live Arcade titles. In a way, I find it gaming an escape to the lonesome nature of my home-based career. This is probably why I have invested more time on it than blogging, but then again,  can't really quit blogging... not just yet. Do you have that idea in your head that you just want to share and ope to the rest of the world? That is what I have always been struggling. I have so many wonderful and creative blogging ideas that tends to be overtaken by work or gaming, but it always resurfaces. So here is attempt number "I don't know what anymore" to rid me of that creative urge. To at least keep at least 2-3 blog updates on every the blogs I own, and probably create two or three new ones in the process. I still have so many things I want to express and share online, but I am restricted with my own weakness.

Hopefully I can finally find balance amidst the chaos of my own doing.
Cheers is to another good start.

I am You're Family Guy... Closer Than Before

I just would like to archive this feeling of extreme bliss with my family today. It is not anything special but rather just your average life of a working class family. I just feel so blessed that I am living the life together with my family. I can associate the blessing i have right now with my home-bound writing work which I owe a lot to my good friend Alvin and our boss Glenn.

I have been in a couple of misunderstandings this past few months and it is all hanks to my immaturity and genuinely stubbornness. This made me rethink my priorities and re-anlayze where I drew my inspiration and happiness. That it shouldn't depend on others but within myself. That before friends, there is first my family. Now more than ever, I feel much more closer to my family. I have seen a couple of tragedies recently, heartaches and got involved in a recent accident which could very well ended my life. I think this all constituted to the slow growth within me. I am not that black sheep kind of a son, and have always been closed to my family, but I just noticed and am happy that I am more closer to them than ever.

It is sometimes to be in my mind sometimes at it is generally dubious, assuming, messy, smart (yeas, i am that stubborn to admit I am smart), eccentric (in my own way), imaginative, and just crazy. I have think of thins that one can only have in his nightmares which i did and it also scared me. The fact that everything will eventually come to an end, gives chills down my spine. Now I really know what it is when people say that you should appreciate and show love to your family while they are still there, or while you are still there. I almost met my demise on a traffic accident, grieve in the death of our loving aunt, and have heard and seen various people tales of tragedy. I don't have anyone special to cherish right now, nor do I have a child to dedicated my whole life's work to. But for now, I will be as loving of a son as one could ever get. Your close to perfection family guy.

There is a Need for Xbox Live Support for the Philippines

I won a Microsoft Xbox 360 from Winila auctions last year which converted me into an instant Xbox 360 gamer. I have always been a gamer and this seventh generation video game console was a welcome addition to the entertainment system here at home.



Once I finally received my console, two options have now been offered to me, to modify (altering the firmware and hardware to lift the restrictions of the hardware or to simply pay cheap pirated games) or to stay legit and left it as it is. I chose the latter that time which I didn't regret. Sure it was expensive but it is my part of helping the hardworking publishers, developers, and generally the video game industry to keep on doing great games. I also played by the rules because of the various online connectivity, features, updates, premiums and exclusives of having an unmodified NTSC-US Xbox 360 console. There was and still "is" a dilemma though, a lack of Xbox Live support in the Philippines.

Little did I know that there is no full Xbox Live support for Xbox 360 here in the Philippines which was really frustrating. There is a decent number of Xbox 360 gamers who are legitimately subscribed on Xbox Live services but can't seem to access established services right of the bat. Many legitimate Xbox 360 and even Playstation 3 owners have been clamoring for support from the international companies, but it seems like those petitions have yet to be considered.

One of the biggest complaints I have with the limited (if not lack of) support of Xbox Live services here in the Philippines is the lack of Paypal account integration on doing various digital transactions in the system. Even though I wanted to buy Microsoft Points, (in-game currency bought with real money to download various premium digital content) at the comfort of my own living room using my Paypal Account, I just can not because Philippines is not part of the supported countries. I don't know if Xbox or Paypal has problems integrating their services in the country, but there is a need to satisfy customers outside their targeted market. We are still part of the big picture. We are already in the information age and with the Philippines being as globally competitive as most countries out there, I believe that it is only reasonable for intenatrional companies like Paypal, Sony (Playstation) and Microsoft (Xbox) to invest and expand on countries loyally using their services. The should provide full support of their services here in the Philippines.

To 2011 and Beyond: Optimism is the Key for a Great Year

2010 is a great learning experience for me and generally was good to yours truly. It was a great year of progress and maturity. I don't want to make any "New Year's resolution" because I tend to bot fulfill those resolutions anyway. No more shallow words and empty promises, just action and a personal objective which I should just keep to myself.

January started out just right with a perfect New Year celebration with the entire family. We are a lot closer as a family than previous years, and I am loving every single second of it. It was later followed by a very memorable birthday last January 02, where I celebrated that momentous occasion together with some of my closest friends back in high school. I also would like to give a big thanks to acquaintances, fellow bloggers and friends who greeted me on my 25th birthday over at Facebook.

I am overflowing with optimism for 2010 but more than just a positive attitude, we should all learn to take those dreams and turn them to reality. Have a happy 2011 everyone and may we all have a better year ahead.

Dasmariñas Celebrates its First Year of Becoming a City

Dasmariñas City is currently celebrating its first anniversary as a city. It was not long ago (2009) that yourstruly participated and made my one vote count, and here we are today commemorating the cityhood of the Dasmariñas.



I have been in Dasmariñas since I was still 3 (I am currently 24 as I make this blogpost... yeah I am not ashamed to divulge my age). This is where I became the person that I am right now. I am always thankful to be educated, raised and learned the things that made me today here in my hometown Dasmariñas Cavite. Once an ordinary province, now a city. Amidst all of the infrastructure changes,Dasmariñas as a city has still not changed a bit. The people are still loving, hospitable, smart, independent and generally lighthearted. The community peaceful (gulp) which is why many foreign nationalities decided to retire or have their ESL education (Korean Students) here.



I almost forgot that on the 25th of November 2009 I cast my said Yes to the Cityhood of Dasmariñas City, luckily I went with mom to do our regular grocery shopping where I saw all of the tarpauline hanging on the center islands of the primary roads heading to the main town stating that we commemorate the first anniversary of the cityhood of Dasmariñas. I wasn't able to cover the event for I know there would be one (as usual), what I did instead was went to Kadiwa Park with three of my best friends since high school together with my goddaughter as we spent our day having a quality family time from 5 pm until 8 pm.



I am so happy with the 1st anniversary of Dasmariñas as a city because I was able to experience this special day with the people who know me the best. This is why there is no place like home, no place like Dasmariñas City.

The iPod Touch Gaming Experience

Last April 21, 2010 I claimed another Winila won item, the iPod Touch 8 GB MC model which I have installed with quite an arsenal of "kick-ass" mobile games and here is my iPod gaming experience.



I am a big role playing game fanatic so most of the game titles I got for the iPod Touch are mostly RPG-related. The best RPG yet to come out for the iPod Touch or iPhone is Square Enix' Chaos Rings which according to iPod gaming review sites has explored the full potential of what the iseries can come up with in terms of graphics. Want to know what is Chaos Rings like then watch this promotional trailer for Chaos Rings:

Square Enix' Chaos Rings for the iPhone and iPod Touch





And just when you thought you had enough of the epic clash between plants versus zombies then think again. Plants Versus Zombies is perfect for the iSeries (iPod Touch and iPhone), If you ever wondered what is it like to strategize on the fly using your own finger tips then Plants Versus Zombies is definitely a must have.

Here are other roleplaying games available for the iPod Touch/iPhone:

AppVee's Review on Zenonia for the IPod Touch/iPhone



AppVee's Review on Zenonia 2 for the IPod Touch/iPhone



Square Enix' Final Fantasy for the iPod Touch/iPhone



Tap Critic's Review on Plants versus Zombies for the iPhone and iPod Touch



and just when you though one plant and zombie mash up was already enough then wait until you see Play Forge's Zombie Farm. Want to have zombies and plants in your farm then here is the game for you. Playable both online and offline:

Play Forge' Zombie Farm



There are also quite a number of tower/castle defense available on the iSeries and here are some of them installed on my iPod:

Classic Game Room's Review on Defense Chronicles



ApVee's Review on Crystal Defenders for iPod Touch/iPhone



Me and my brother would often have an argument about taking turns on who to use the desktop computer so the arrival of the iPod is really essential. Instead of being stuck with the same old repetitive television programming, (that the local television companies are kept throwing and recycling over and over again out at the Filipino televiewers) we now have the option to slack off and spend our desktop computer-away time by playing great games on the iPod Touch.

These are just the tip of the massive ice berg so to speak as there is already a mountain of iPod Touch/iPhone games available in the market. Check the largest listing of games on iPod's AppStore on Itunes or see the game titles classified by genre, rating or popularity with Gamespot's iPod Games Homepage

The Lazy Bug and a Retrospective

It has been three weeks since I last updated my blogs and became inactive in the blogging community, luckily I got my act together again to start blogging again. Call it a blog vacation or a blog hiatus but my inactivity in the blogging scene has made me appreciate the little things in life. I have been a lazy bug on blogging this past few weeks and here is a recollection of the things I'v experienced and hopefully learned from it this past few weeks.



It is really amusing to see that there are things that can be realized, learned and appreciated only if we take a step back and slow down our fast phase living. This is what I have realized on my weeks of blogging procrastination, and who would have thought that there is something good that can be derived from it?

Slowing my phase and being more of an observant and a reader has made me realize a couple of things and here they are in various aspects of it:

Politics

Philippine politics and the past elections has made me realize one thing (way long ago), that there is no perfect political setting or politician in the Philippines. Why is this so? It is because of our culture and the thing called personal interests. A good example would be the soon to be fourteenth Philippine president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, though I have nothing against the person many have given their trust and faith to him to lead the country to progress but with the looks of traditional politicians "trapos" backing him up, it looks like personal interest will once again reign supreme in Malacañang. I am not referring to it as an opinion but rather than as a fact because of the existence of "utang na loob" or the "sense of gratitude". How much we look at it, and not just in a national level alone, the sense of gratitude has always been there to either help or pull back the progress of the general populace.

Blogging, Respect, Recognition and Ethics

A recent issue regarding the relationship between bloggers and advertisers in the Philippines surfaced as one unfortunate incident of misunderstanding on a particular event led to something out of hand creating this ruckus in the blogging community. Pointing fingers and blaming any parties from the said public spectacle is useless now, what everyone who have read the case should have learned something out of it, and that is professionalism and ethics. With the hundreds (if not thousands) of blogs now surfacing annually, we should all recognize the capabilities, responsibilities and the ethics towards the industry and each other whether you are an advertiser or a blogger.

Contentment

One can have all the treasures that the world has to offer but there is also a high probability that he is not contented and happy with his life. Money is without a doubt an essential part of our lives but it does not necessary means that it will dictate how we act towards our fellowmen. I have been in a friend's house recently and have notice the luxury oif their lifestyle and I must say there was a lot of envy going on inside my head back then. Envy is a negative trait but somehow we can use that to fuel our dreams and aspiration for contentment, greatness and the pursuit of happiness without burning any bridges pulling down anyone along the way. At the end of that day I realized that I don't need to have a multistory house to live in, a stylistic luxury car, and all the money in the world to spend to be happy... as long as we have people we can rely on, a family and set of friends who love us selflessly and just the way we are, a decent career,and a sense of contentment then we are fine as the way we are.

The Indefinite Future and Planning Ahead

Having a good conversation with friends and talking about anything under the sun could be a learning experience itself. Just recently, I have visited a good friend who just gave birth to her first baby and we talked about planning ahead. I was shocked to hear how expensive her delivery cost. We also discussed about buying new properties and their investment on that for their future. This made me realized that what I have today may not be sufficient in the long run and would require a serious amount of planning and saving money if I want to have the best future for my family. With the flow of our conversation it eventually inspired me to strive harder and work the double for the indefinite yet secured future if I just put my mind and heart to it.

Alice in Wonderland Tickets and Avatar at SM North Edsa Plus Texas Roadhouse Grill Dining Weekend

On March 4, 2010 one of the most anticipated movie of the year will be shown in theaters all around the Philippines, Alice in Wonderland. Yourstruly was invited to be one of the people to see the premiere screening of Alice in Wonderland in the Philippines this coming March 3, 2010. So here is my adventure that February 27, 2010 as I left Cavite and travel all the way to SM North Edsa to get those prestigious Alice in Wonderland Digital Cinema premiere tickets.



I left for Cavite at around 3:00 in the afternoon after a visit to my goddaughter. I arrived at SM North Edsa at around 4:00 in the afternoon. There was a small photo op booth set up in front of the IMAX Theater in the second floor of the SM North Edsa. Enthusiasts and passers-by were given the chance to take pictures with the Alice in Wonderland Cosplayers after they have subscribed and followed SM Cinema's Facebook Fan Page. For Facebook Users try following the SM Cinema's Facebook Fan page to know the latest movie screenings and more.



SM Cinema's Facebook

The SM Cinema people handed me two premiere tickets for the March 3, 2010 Premiere of Alice in Wonderland. Shelly clarify that Alice in Wonderland will be showing at all SM Digital Theaters and at IMAX North Edsa but not in IMAX Mall of Asia. Oh well, too bad for the movie goers near SM MOA, but I guess they will make a way to screen it eventually.





I was guided inside the IMAX Theater in SM North Edsa to experience the ambiance of the prestigious and popular movie section of the mall. Lucky for me I haven't actually seen Avatar in IMAX so I took the leisure of watching it in SM North Edsa's Digital Cinema in the IMAX Theater. I can't believe that James Cameron's Avatar is still being screened at SM North Edsa Digital Cinema together with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. all great movie peeps!





After finishing Avatar and taking snapshots around the SM North Edsa IMAX Theater area I decided to drop by the Texas Roadhouse Grill in Ortigas Center. You can see last year's blog event here:



Pinoy Bloggers Steak Out! The Texas Roadhouse Grill Experience



This time (all alone again) I ordered Wrangler's Pork Steak, Watermelon Shake, and Mango Cream Delight. A complete meal itself, I find myself full and satisfied with these delectable Western-based cuisines:



Texas Roadhouse Grill Wrangler's Pork Steak





Finally, after that I went home to deliver the good news that I still have an extra premiere tickets. My sister immediately nabbed the tickets but too bad for her she has a work that day so my brother will accompany me on the movie premiere of Alice in Wonderland in March 3, and will be released all throughout the country by March 4 on all SM Cinemas.

A February 13 2010 Mini-High School Get Together at Fisher's Eco Farm Paradise Resort

It is all about reconnecting bridges. Even though time and career has separated us apart, we should still find ways to reconnect and reminisce those happy days of goold old clean camaraderie and friendship. Last Saturday February 13, 2010 (a Day before the much commercialize Valentines Day and Chinese New Year celebration), we went to Fisher's Eco Farm Paradise Resort in Burol Main, Dasmariñas Cavite, Philippines for a mini high school reunion and here are some of the photos I "BORROWED" from their Facebook (I will ask permissions to them tomorrow for it's already late to ask) hahaha.



The Terrific Trio strikes Again! This time we wreck havoc at the Fisher's Eco Farm Paradise Resort or locally called Fisher's Farm Resort.

If a picture tells a thousand words then this series has a billion (oh come on! you don't have to do the Math!?!)

Let me rewind to the afternoon before the actual reunion as me, Dante, Alvin, and Diana have planned on what to bring the next day. So we (Dan, Vin, and I) decided to go to the public market to do some market errands. My first time going to the wet and dry market with them with out me spending a single cent! Harhar

As we went back to Dante's place we have agreed that the call time would be before 5 in the morning so that we can settle the reservations on the resort earlier, to avoid conflict of reservations with other families. It was a Saturday and it was expected that the resort would be full of them.

So I went home and slept through the entire evening and was woken up by both my cellphone alarm and my mother. It was 4:30 in the morning (I hate being late with these kinds of things). So after gargling, and tidying up I proceeded to Dan's place and arrived there at exactly 5 am. And guess what Alvin (the sponsor for the entire outing was nowhere to be found!) and Diana was the only one awake that time. A high school classmate and friend Richelle sent me a text message confirming that she was on her way to Dan's place. So by pass 6:00 am she was already there. Dianne, Dante and Diana's daughter was already awake playing with me. We watched various Disney shorts in Youtube which I later realized that I haven't seen some of the Disney movies which includes sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and Alladin. I teased Alvin, who later arrived at 7:00 in the morning (imagine that!) for not considering the call time, but eventually we have no choice but to accept his lateness for he was the one paying for the entire thing! Hahahaha

We six arrived on the resort and were the few people there on the resort. We took some first shots then the gang later followed as the day went through.



A small family resort hidden in the outskirts of Dasmariñas Cavite. It features nice cottages and five different sized pools.



We are the terrific trio of friends who have been classmates and friends since 5th grade and high school which has been extended up to the present. To infinity and beyond! Christopher (Chris A.), Dante (Di-an), and Alvin (Vin)



They are the latest addition to the Terrfic Trio, Dianne (my God-daughter) and Diana (Dante's wife). Of course that's me looking with much amazement in a swampy green pond surrounding our cottage hehehe.



Of course the event with out be complete without a little "cam whoring" (a term so much hugged and used by people these days) on the side.



Here is the Terrific Trio plus one... my God-daughter Dianne

Later more former classmates and friends joined us and here are the photos to tell it. World, meet my friends whom I so proud to introduce to you.

Richelle, Diana, Dianne, Me, Dante, alvin and Irish









The place isn't call Fisher's Eco Farm Paradise for nothing. Here is Rochelle with her partner on camera fishing on the resort.





Dante, Alvin, Andy, Christopher. Andy later joined us in the outing. He is my oldest classmate and friend because we go back as old as the first grade in elementary school. He was online the night before the outing and Alvin invited him over. Once there we did a lot of catching up with each other. It is great to see an old friend doing great.









Around 2:00 in the afternoon, Francis and Alvin bought two bottles of The Bar. I knew it right then and there that I will be a hard time time later which indeed later happened.



Francis, Alvin, Dante, Andy, Me and Duds (Rochelle's partner). I don't recommend drinking and swimming for younger people or those who can't control their alcohol especially when swimming with friends. Let's just say this was just some sort of a little get together and get to know small booze to lighten up even further the environment.





This is me after two bottles of the bar with five friends taking alternating shots. I am not the heavy drinking type so what usually happens to me when reaching my limit is I either my perception is altered (dizziness and sleepy eyes) or throwing up. Eventually, the throwing up state was postponed up until I reached the house. Thank the gods for that.

Around 3:00 pm we finished the two bottles which made me sleepy, I still manage to go to the pool for a last dip but I can feel my eyes are getting heavy. By 4:30 I went back to the cottage and wait for our time in the resort to be up. During that time, I really can't help my eyes but to drop and take a short nap.



Rochelle teasing me while I am down for the count. Luckily that being sleepy is the only effect of too much alcohol in my system, my reasoning is still intact. I know other people who technically loose it when drunk and I am glad that I am not that type. I am the throwing up type hahahaha



We finally decided to call it a day and went out of the resort to meet a former schoolmate and their classmate, Christine as she tried to at least showed her presence in the last minute of the mini high school get together.

It was a great pre-Valentine celebration because I don't have someone to spend the Valentines Day with so the mini reunion was enough to make me thankful for having such loving and great bunch of people whom I consider friends. Hope they can take the chance to comment on this post (nagpaparinig? hahaha).