Yahoo Messenger is shutting down!

I got an offline message today from a friend that Yahoo Messenger or YM will be deleting some YM accounts. I guess this is another spam ??? or if is true, you may pass on the message. See message below. Its for you to believe on November 17.

Yahoo is shutting down on November 17th. They want to get rid of free messenger. If you delete this and don't pass it on, your name will be deleted. A lot of people have already been deleted. Right click on the group name of your buddylist and click, Send Instant Message to All in Group.. This is Yahoo President Anna Rubenecia, I am sorry to announce that Yahoo has reached its maximum number of accounts two million. If you would like to keep your account for free send this to everyone on your list. This way we can know which accounts are being used and which accounts we can delete. Send this within 8 days and your account will remain free. Once again I am sincerely sorry that I have to do this.


I searched Anna Rubenecia, claimed to be the Yahoo President, but all i can see on the results of the page is the message above. Who is Anna Rubenecia by the way? Can somebody tell me please. If you happen to receive this message, please drop me a message. It's for us to find out.

Stop Gasoline Monopoly!

From an email thread which i believe is true in today's increasing of basic commodities and needs. Please help spread the word.

Greetings fellow consumer,

Due to the relentless increase in gasoline prices by these oil companies our lives have been quite difficult. I have watched it rise from 19.+ pesos to this unbearable 60.+ pesos plus. We have to ask ourselves when will this stop? what will happen to us if this will continue?. before they used the alibi "due to dollar increase" to increase gas prices.

Now that the dollar rate is dropping the prices of oil is rising faster than ever. And I could not care enough to listen to their new alibi.

I used to have a full tank of gas at 500 pesos now it can only buy 8 liters.

now please ask yourself, what can I do about this?

On July 28 - 29 2008 limit or do not purchase gasoline or any oil product on this day. Try walking, cycling or commuting on this day to minimize fuel purchase on this day.

This is our own little way of fighting these companies getting richer by the day by pushing us against the wall and reaching in our pockets for our hard earned peso.

If you are contented with today's high prices, will you still be contented with tomorrow's. Think of the next generation, how will they survive?

- Striving Citizen

Sue Ellen Cubing ,The Pinoy Idol

I am not a fan of watching GMA Network but when I've learned that Sue Ellen is one of the finalists in Pinoy Idol Season 1, i think i might consider watching this time.

I wont make this issue whether watching GMA or other networks. I am writing this blog just to support Sue and besides i dont have the time watching TV as i went home late already and i cant catch watching it anymore. But i think i have to go home earlier just to watch and vote for Sue.(Grin)

Sue Ellen is the youngest sister of Genevieve Cubing, a church mate and whom I am better known to her way back home in Iloilo. I can remember I got this talented girl when she was still on her 1st year in highschool as our talent in recording for a Japanese song that's translated in Filipino. She has a warm and cool voice as a teenage girl.

You can be part and help change her future career by supporting SUE ELLEN. Vote for her by typing IDOL SUE and send to 367 for Smart and TNT users or 2344 for other networks.

I am for Sale!

No not me. The book that we currently published-eNGy, a business humor toons authored by our company President/CEO,Wilson Ng is for sale at P125 at any NGenius IT Hub, HP Store SM City Cebu, HP Solution Center Ayala Center Cebu and Lenovo Store SM City Cebu or you can order it online at Amazon at $4.95. This book is compilation of humors that is happening in business and in corporate world today. Its a nice idea as a giveaway for company events, seminars and as a personal gift for employees and bosses. Click here to subscribe

I am greatly honored that I have been part of this project. This is the first book that we have published and book 2 is coming out soon this June. I would like to thank Clifford Remolador who also contributed a great part on this project.

Engy is also the main character in this toons book. This revolves around the business and office politics and the hilarious group of people working of technology company.
We are also featured on ALL top comics..com

Photo of the Day

Rain in the Cave
Ruben Mostazo
Canon PowerShop G7
f2.8
36.3 mm

Are You faster than me?

41 words

Speedtest

Reflection

Wise people realise the danger of 'I', 'Me' and 'Mine'. The world is filled and more who think only of themselves.

Are we spending too much time in addictive things- computer games, gambling, watching TV, chit chatting, SMS...? Remember valuable time passes by...

Teamwork: How often have conflicts and problems arisen due to a breakdown of communication and cooperation?

Facing the Giants

Yesterday, I was left alone at a friend's house and I decided to watch this movie called “Facing the Giants”. The movie is about a high school football team that has grown accustomed to losing. Parents blame head coach Grant Taylor. Taylor blames his apathetic players. And the players blame former star players who transferred to other teams to escape the vicious cycle in hopes of being noticed by college scouts. With Taylor's job on the line, and his personal life in chaos (he's growing tired of not being able to provide a nice car and home for his wife, and he's just discovered that he's the reason his wife can't get pregnant), he turns to God in a deep and moving way.

He begins to seek God late at night and early in the morning. In one such scene, his wife Brooke rolls over in bed at 3:11 am and realizes he's not there. She spots him in another room meditating-reading the Bible and praying. Without saying a word to him, and without his knowledge, she drops to her knees in their bedroom and begins to pray. God meets with Grant and begins to do a work in him, which prompts Taylor to call a team meeting the folwing day.

"Winning football games is too small a thing to live for," he tells them. "We're not here to just to get glory, make money, and die. So I'm here to present you a new team philosophy. We need to give God our best in every area and if we win, we praise him. And if we lose, we praise him."
Grant isn't just referring to actions on the field. He lovingly challenges his players to give God their best in their school work, in the way they spend their free time, and in the way they submit to parental authority. While this is happening, a man in the community with a heart for prayer continues to pray for the students just as he's been doing for many years. A revival breaks out on campus and on the football field. Coach Taylor pushes his guys harder than they've ever worked before, and they start to win.

In case you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil the ending. The acting isn't always top notch and the ending is predictable. But neither detracts from the movie's power which may just move you to tears whether you like football or not because the movie isn't really about football. It's about what can happen when people seek to honor God with every thought, word, and deed.

One thing that encourages me, where Mr. Bridges (a holy man whose been walking around in front of student’s lockers, praying for students) storms in Coach Taylor’s office and quotes verses from the bible. Here’s that scene….

Coach Taylor : (Surprised) Mr. Bridges!

Mr. Bridges : Revelation Chapter 3 says: We serve a God that opens doors that no one can shut, and he shuts doors that no one can open.
He says: Behold, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and not denied my name.
Coach Taylor, the Lord is not through with you yet. You still have an open door here, and until the Lord moves you, you’re to bloom right where you’re planted…
I just felt led to come and tell you that today. (leaves the office)

Coach Taylor : (Stands up and runs after Bridges) Mr. Bridges! Do you
believe God told you to come tell me that?

Mr. Bridges : I do.

Coach Taylor : I admit to you I have been struggling. But I’ve also been
praying. I just don’t see him at work here.

Mr. Bridges : Grant. I heard a story about two farmers who desperately
needed rain. And both of them prayed for rain, but only one of them went out and prepared his field to receive it. Which do you think trusted God to send the rain?
---

At this scene, I was crying. I can remember how God faithfully provided my needs and He never lacks anything. I ponder that God really showed His glory and mighty deeds even i have many flaws in my life. I cant stop crying when Grant said His prayer one morning,

"I love you Oh LORD my Strength, The LORD is My ROCK and my FORTRESS;
My Deliverer, My God, in whom I Trust, My Shield, My Stronghold and My
Salvation, I will call upon the LORD who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be
safe from my enemies...

Lord Jesus, would you help me? I need you... Lord I feel there are giants,
fear and failure within me just string down waitng to crushed me. ...and I
dont dont know how to beat them Lord. And Im tired of being afraid. Lord
if you want to do something, show me. But if you dont want me to have a child,
so be it. But You're my God. You're on the throne. ..."

He opened doors and changed me from…

A frustrated and wishy-washy "Christian" life who literally wasted days and nights away from worldy follies- to a now well respected, wholesome, and a man of substance.

A nerd jerk, full of pretensions, inferiorities and insecurities. Having a worldy desire and fooling other people-to a now very good looking, very decent, very charming, eligible bachelor!!! (Wink! Wink!)

A great failure, despised by a lot of people whom he let down, who gave their time, trust and talent on his empty promises.The list could go on and on from here of the great things that God has done for me...

All through out the film. As I listen more carefully to the lines… I cried more than 10 times and reflect on the promises of God. And these are not just tears falling off my checks in dignified splendor. I was wailing like a kid whenever a scene triggered things from the past struggles I have come through.

Well, just sharing, I hope you could see the film and spread the word. For all those hurting and broken and helpless who would come across this blog. I would like to encourage you that God can turn things around for you…the same way he did for me and maybe even more. All it really takes is a small amount of faith, and a lot of humility… and you may well be off to face your giants as well!

Photo of the Day

Photographer: John Caruso
Country: United States
The contrast and lighting is perfect. Its natural.
View more of the photo reviews

Living by Water Photo Exhibit by Ferdinand Decena

Living By Water is Ferdinand Decena’s First One-man show exhibit.

The Exhibit will be held on May 12-27, 2008 at Filipinas Heritage Library in Ayala Triangle, Makati City.

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

From time immemorial, civilizations have thrived and lived near bodies of water. The reason is crystal-clear: water is vital to man’s existence. It is the reason why this exhibition pays homage to water and its significance to how and why people live by the water. Featuring photos that tell stories about the coastal Filipinos’ living conditions, reveal their culture, and relate their stories of survival.

The exhibit will carry a raft of striking images from across our archipelago. The Badjao Stilt Villages of Basilan. The Muslim Stilt Village of Rio Hondo in Zamboanga. The fishermen of Siquijor. The T’bolis of Lake Sebu. The rugged shores of Itbayat in Batanes. And the tranquil coasts of Iloilo.

Read the rest of this entry

Riz Khan: The Man in Broadcasting

I have this email ad of riz_kph. It stands for Riz Khan of the Philippines. I choose this nick as to admire my idol in the history of broadcasting, Mr. Riz Khan. He has been one of the recognized faces worldwide following extensive careers with the BBC and CNN prior to joining at AL Jazeera Co.

He was a presenter and reporter at the BBC for eight years and was the first mainstream Asian newsreader for their international network.

He hosted the news bulletin that launched BBC World Service Television News in 1991.

Afterpresenting there for two years he was poached by CNN for their own international channel where he became a senior anchor for the network’s global news shows and special events including the historic live coverage of the Hajj.

In 1996 he launched his interactive interview show on CNN: Q&A with Riz Khan and he has conducted thousands of interviews with guests including the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Former US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, to name a few.

Born in 1962 in South Yemen, Riz and his family moved to London when he was four. He attended the University of Wales where he gained an honours degree in Medical Physiology.

He took a course in radio journalism in Portsmouth and joined the BBC News Trainee scheme in 1987.

In 2005 he authored his first book: Al-Waleed: Businessman Billionaire Prince, published by Harper Collins.

Source: Riz Khan Biography

I have this ambition to meet him personally and get an interview about him.

Quote of the Day

"Our
real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and
disappointments, but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in
their proper figures."
– Joseph Addison

About Joseph Addison

English politician and writer Joseph Addison is remembered as a cofounder, along with his friend Richard Steele, of The Spectator,
one of the first magazines to cover literature and manners. He was born
in 1672 in Wiltshire. He spent four years traveling in Europe, studying politics and writing poetry, and became a Commissioner of Appeals on his return to England. His shyness made public office difficult. His most famous work is the play Cato, a tragedy about ancient Rome. He died in 1719.

To All Employees

JOKE THREAD:Raises

It is advised that you should come to work dressed according to your salary:

1. If we see you wearing $400 Prada shoes and carrying a $800 Gucci bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore you do not need a raise.

2. If you dress poorly, you need to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, therefore you do not need a raise.

3. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore do not need a raise.

Sick Days

We will no longer accept a doctor's excuse as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days

Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday and Sunday.

Bereavement Leave

This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases, where the employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

Toilet Use

Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet.
There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the "Chronic Offenders Category". Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company's mental health policy!

Lunch Break

Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more so they can look healthy.
Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch, to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
Fat people get 5 minutes lunch, because that is all the time needed to drink a Slim-fast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your loyalty to our company.

We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation, and input should be directed elsewhere.

Thanks...
Source: From Email Thread sent by rdacalos

Fotog Tip: Warm Up those Tones

Have you ever noticed that your shots sometimes have a cool, clammy
feel to them? If so, you're not alone. The default white balance
setting for digital cameras is auto, which is fine for most snapshots, but tends to be a bit on the "cool" side.

When shooting outdoor portraits and sunny landscapes, try changing your white balance setting from auto to cloudy.
That's right, cloudy. Why? This adjustment is like putting a mild
warming filter on your camera. It increases the reds and yellows
resulting in richer, warmer pictures.

Figure1a

Figure 1a is shot outdoors in a mountain
environment with the white balance set to auto. Figure 1b shows warmer
tones thanks to using the "cloudy" setting and a pair of Costa Del Mar
sunglasses over the front lens. (Canon PowerShot S200, Program mode)

Figure 1b

If you don't believe me, then do a test. Take a few outdoor shots with the white balance on auto, then take the same picture again with the setting on cloudy. Upload the images to your computer and look at them side by side. My guess is that you'll like the warmer image better.

Movie Review: The Kite Runner

Taking us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the present, The Kite Runner is the unforgettable, beautifully told story of the friendship between two boys growing up in Kabul. Raised in the same household and sharing the same wet nurse, Amir and Hassan nonetheless grow up in different worlds: Amir is the son of a prominent and wealthy man, while Hassan , the son of Amir's father's servant, is a Hazara, member of a shunned ethnic minority. Their intertwined lives, and their fates, reflect the eventual tragedy of the world around them. When the Soviets invade and Amir and his father flee the country for a new life in California, Amir thinks that he has escaped his past. And yet he cannot leave the memory of Hassan behind him. The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship, betrayal, and the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of their lies. Written against a history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But with the devastation, Khaled Hosseini also gives us hope: through the novel's faith in the power of reading and storytelling, and in the possibilities he shows for redemption.

One of my fave movies in 2008.

Increasing Productivity by Limiting time at the Watercooler

We are so much dependent on the technology today. One friend i knew is that he cant live without his mobile phone that he uses for texting or making a call in a day. While making a call on his right, he still manages to text on the left while working on his notebook on his front. We are so techno stressed. As Aileen defines it, here are the signs if you are a techno-stressed:


1. You get anxious being offline within 2 hours of logging off.
2. You just absolutely need to check your email every 15 minutes.
3. You turn on your PC/laptop upon waking up (and you do it before going to the bathroom).
4. If you blog, you think about how you're going to post an experience while you are still experiencing it.
5. You leave your PC on the whole night so you could multi-task while you are sleeping.
6. At a cafe/resto, the first thing you ask the waiter is, "Do you have free wifi?"
7. You're reading this post on a Sunday night... hahaha... gotcha!

Can you think about other signs? What about you? What do you do?

More of business humor toons here. Please dont forget to drop us a message.

There Must Be A reason

In everything there's always a reason.

For a couple of months, i was so busy at work. I have not updated this blog- I thought this might die for no reason. But i guess i have to continue what I'd loved doing. Blogging.

I would love to share my thoughts, things i want to do and still want to do. Photography.

We'll sometimes i would love to stuck in my room; dreaming and think of some beautiful places i would love to go. Those unseen beaches, mountains, virgin islands, smiling faces and expressions, wild rivers, beautiful gradens in Japan, roads in France, and skyscrapers. I could imagine a feeling where u are on the top of a mountain and seing those plain lands. The emotion that is being free. Free from everything.

today, i have the freedom to write on this certain page and i am hoping i can update you the things i would love to do more.

Noel, a good friend of mine in Ng Khai before(now he's at the iStore Cebu) encourages me to do this blog and be a partner in all photo shoots activity. Oh, i hope i could do more. He showed me his armour today! Hahah! Did i say armour? I mean, his 155mm kit lens which his brother bought and gave it to him. I was a little bit jealous about it. 155mm? thats quiet expensive dude. But i hope someday, i could have it . Sir, you know whoe you are. how you could give me a favor on this. hehehe. We'll im just saying that, if you have some extra, i accept donations. Hahahaha.

Hopefully, i could have a normal schedule next month and i can do more photoshoots with noel and flickr buddies. Visit my flickr photos. it talks me about there.

Cheers!