My Birthday 2014

It's amazing to see a special birthday greeting on the Google search engine. I really don't know how they do it but it makes Google users like me feel special even if I have turned 43 years old today. 

Getting old is of course inevitable and inescapable but it should add another year of triumph over life's tests and trials. It might not be something to look forward to in terms of grey hair but it is part of life's journey that we all need to enjoy.

Typhoon Haiyan Video

Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda in the Philippines has been the worst cyclone that hits Philippine archipelago in years. It could be the worst and catastrophic natural disaster since the tidal wave in Mindanao in the seventies. 

The death toll has risen to approximately 6,000 dead. The typhoon has not only uprooted trees, brought down power and telephone lines, torn houses, roofs and facades. It has also uprooted people from their homes and towns, and estranged them from their families. Yolanda has shattered window glasses and children's dreams.

However, as long as we keep our heads up high in faith, we can survive this debacle. As long as we set aside differences and offer our hands to help in anyway we can, we can rise again. Thanks to those who have been gracious and benevolent in helping those who have been affected by this devastating typhoon. May God richly bless them. 

Post by Kevin Ray N. Chua.

You Tube’s April Fools’ Day Joke

It seems that many netizens have bitten the prank.

Well, I must say that it was a well-done prank. It looked true and very convincing but of course, it was something unbelievable to be true. There were viewers who left comments expressing sadness about what could had been a gloomy development.

It’s April Fools’ Day once again!

There was even news that Google had announced that people could now use their nose for searching the net using Google notes. I just don’t know how the Google users accepted the news.

Once in a while, it’s fun to make hilarious or even silly jokes on people. However, we should be sure that by doing so, we are not hurting or damaging peoples’ lives.

Emmanuel Kelly's Amazing Mom!

While I am perusing a friend’s Facebook account, I have come across this video post, which says, “Very inspiring person... please hold your tears”. Apparently, my FB friend has liked it from the Amazing Videos FB Fan Page. I have felt a little curious so I have clicked on the video link.

I can't upload here the video from Amazing Videos, I just embedded the same video from YouTube

It is an episode from The X-Factor TV program, which features “Emmanuel Kelly”, a 17-year-old young man from Australia but is originally from Iraq, who dreams to become a professional singer despite a congenital physical deformity. His left arm and leg have not developed normally and he could not walk straight. His brother has almost a similar condition.

One of the judges has asked about his age. He said he is not sure because when his mother has taken him from an orphanage in Iraq, he does not have any birth certificate or passport. He must have been born in the middle of a war zone. His story has moved the judges and people watching. He has sung, “Imagine” by John Lennon. He has sung it really well moving the crowd and has cheered for him.

His bravery is indeed, amazing. He is not afraid to face the world in spite of how he looks compared to the other good-looking contestants. He knows what he wants and he has the boldness to pursue it. He is truly admirable.

However, if there is someone I must commend more, it his MOTHER, Mrs Kelly. I have missed his mother’s name but just the same, as Emmanuel has said, “My hero is my mother”... Normally, people would want beautiful children so they would most likely choose beautiful kids but this woman, has chosen two helpless, abandoned and deformed kids to become her children. She has raised them as normal children and have grown up full of love and acceptance. Now, they have learned to accept themselves and have gained full courage to face the world because they have a family who has given them the assurance that they are normal and loveable individuals.

To me, that is the most amazing thing.

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Pacquiao’s Defeat

Image Credit:

http://tvwinx.com/

 

I was not able to watch the fight live yesterday. We were in church and we attended an important church activity. We got home at around two-thirty in the afternoon; just in time for the delayed telecast. It was already on the explosive third round when Marquez scored the first knock down of the match.

At that time, a friend already text-ed me that Pacquiao lost by knock out in the sixth round. I was a bit shocked and was still expecting that I misunderstood the message. So I went on to see the succeeding rounds.

I felt Pacquiao was in control of the match. He was at his usual agility, speed and strength. When he scored a knock out in the fifth round and almost pulverized Marquez with one-two combinations, which left the Mexican fighter bleeding on his face, I thought I just misunderstood the text message I received earlier.

Finally, in the sixth round, I felt Pacquiao was smoking hot. I thought I saw Marquez’ mouth piece even sliding out. Toward the final seconds, I was convinced Manny was winning the fight big time. Suddenly, I saw him fall face down almost lifeless. I was stunned! It was dreadful! Manny was hit by a lucky punch! It was unbelievable!

I do not mean to offend Marquez and his followers. I say it is a lucky punch because I feel that it has come just by accident. I do not mean to undermine Marquez’ skill and the effort he has put into his training. I also believe he deserves the victory this time.

Obviously, Manny became too reckless in this fight. Perhaps over confidence got the better of him. If there will be a next fight between the two gallant fighters, Manny should keep this lesson in mind.

New Blogging Promotion Tools

I think so many things have happened in the blogosphere since I have been thrown into a compulsory blogging vacation. It’s only now that I have learned that Entrecard has closed shop. I used to be an Entrecard user although I have not been very diligent in doing the clicks. Even so, I can say that the Entrecard widget has helped promote my blog in the worldwide web. Best regards to the developers.

I must admit that I miss Adgitize. It has offered the perfect blogging tool for bloggers both for professional and amateur. In fact, my blog posting have started to decline since Adgitize has ceased operation. Where else can a blogger earn points by just posting an article and then convert those points into dollars?

With Adgitize and Entrecard gone, I need new blogging promotion tools, which I can use to promote my blogs. Of course, Google Adwords is still a perfect choice but I don’t have much to spend. Besides, I do not run a business blog.

The only free ad service I know is Ads by Project Wonderful although I have not actually maximized my ad campaigns there. Perhaps, having a little more diligence in exploring more possibilities and making those possibilities work positively would make a big difference.

Yahoo Mail: Hacked

Have you received an email from a contact in your Yahoo Mail that contains nothing but a URL link to a certain medicine company website? Yet, it seems absurd since you know that your friend is not in any way connected with that particular website or company and when you ask your friend about the email, the person does not know anything about it. Well, it seems that Yahoo Mail has been hacked.

Last Saturday, I have heard from a radio program that Yahoo has admitted that indeed, Yahoo Mail service has been hacked. According to a source, it has affected around 450,000 users.

In the said radio program, IT expert Jerry Liao enumerated three blunders that Yahoo committed, which experts say, in one way or another, had caused this problem.

1. No Encryption- Yahoo stores passwords in their servers unencrypted. This means that they stored passwords in plain text in their server. They did not hide sensitive information like those.
2. Server Monitoring- Yahoo does not monitor what is happening with their server. It is like a bank without a security guard or CCTV cameras in place.
3. Privileged Entry- Anybody who enters their server can go anywhere and open anything inside. They did not provide adequate restriction.

Perhaps Yahoo has addressed this hacking issue at hand. Even if Yahoo Mail is a free web-mail service, the users also expect a level of security that would ensure their privacy most especially those who are using the paid services that Yahoo offers.

Meanwhile, IT expert Jerry Liao, suggests that users of web-mail service and social networks should avoid using the same password for all their accounts and as much as possible, change them at least three times in a year. This would add more security against dynamic hackers around the net.

In Yahoo Mail's Facebook Account, Yahoo has written:

"At Yahoo! we take security very seriously and invest heavily in protective measures to ensure the security of our users and their data across all our products. We confirm that an older file from Yahoo! Contributor Network (previously Associated Content) containing approximately 450,000 Yahoo! and other company users names and passwords was compromised yesterday, July 11. Of these, less than 5% of the Yahoo! accounts had valid passwords. We are taking immediate action by fixing the vulnerability that led to the disclosure of this data, changing the passwords of the affected Yahoo! users and notifying the companies whose users accounts may have been compromised. We apologize to all affected users. We encourage users to change their passwords on a regular basis and also familiarize themselves with our online safety tips at security.yahoo.com. We also recommend these Yahoo! Account Security options to further protect your account | http://bit.ly/KCOTTh"

Ten-Year-Old Wayuu Girl Becomes a Mother!

It sounds strange and almost unbelievable! If it were not for the news and video coverage, I might not have believed such a story: a 10-year old ethnic Wayuu girl in Columbia delivered a baby by Caesarian section!

According to the report, the girl and her family did not know that she was pregnant. They rushed her to the hospital because of the pain she was experiencing. To their great surprise, the doctors said she was about to give birth. It must have been shocking news! Reports say that the parents refuse to talk to media because of shame.

I wonder how she got pregnant and why she did not know. Was it in their culture to get married early? I tried to look for information about the Wayuu people of Colombia. Here is what I found out: “Nearly all marriages are arranged and accompanied by a dowry. Young girls are promised to men of the clan as young as 10–12 years old, right around the time they are becoming of childbearing age. The perceived intention is to wed her to a man before risking that she become pregnant out of wedlock or arrangement, an act that is of great social shame for the Wayuu, and specifically for the woman's family's honor and credibility.” (Wikipedia)

In Colombian law, sexual relations with a girl under 14 years old are punishable by nine years imprisonment at the very least. Colombian authorities could not file charges to the 15-year-old father of the Wayuu baby because he remains unidentified and since Wayuu people follow their own judicial system when it comes to matters like this.

What's troubling is that the girl does not seem to understand everything that's happening to her! I hope she can cope up to her new responsibilities as a new mother even in her very delicate and young age.

North Korean UNHA-3 Rocket Has Been Launched

Image Courtesy of www.ytn.co.kr/

News broadcasts has confirmed that North Korea has launched its UNHA-3 Rocket, which will purportedly bring its weather satellite into orbit after the postponement yesterday. However, according to reports, the launch has been a failure. It has broken apart shortly after launch.

For the past weeks, the nations in Asia have been monitoring this event seriously and even condemning it. While the North Korean government claims that, they are just launching into orbit a weather satellite, neighboring nations fear that this is a ballistic missile test, which is a clear violation of a UN directive for North Korea to stop all rocket tests.

Japan has warned that it will shoot down the rocket once it enters Japanese air space. South Korea has said the same. The Philippine government meanwhile has advised its citizens at the eastern coastline to refrain from going out into the sea to avoid any possible falling debris from the Nokor rocket. The government has also suspended airline operations along the eastern section of the country.

Well, I guess the failure of UNHA-3 rocket launch will erase all political qualms even just temporarily.

It's Earth Hour 2012!

"This Earth Hour 2012: 8.30pm, Saturday 31 March, celebrate your action for the planet with the people of world by switching off your lights for an hour, then go beyond the hour.

From its inception as a single-city initiative -- Sydney, Australia - in 2007, Earth Hour has grown into a global symbol of hope and movement for change. Earth Hour 2011 created history as the world's largest ever voluntary action with people, businesses and governments in 135 countries across every continent coming together to celebrate an unambiguous commitment to the one thing that unites us all -- the planet."

Earth Hour 2012 Official Video

The Earth Hour has become a global initiative to take sustainable and concrete actions against climate change and global warming. It also intends to share commitment to the environment through social media networks. 

 
We need to start working together to preserve our environment. It is God's gift to us so we need to protect it from the destruction humanity has inevitably brought to it before it gets too late.

New NBA Superstar: Jeremy “Linsanity” Lin

Jeremy Lin c/o Wikiped

A new word has echoed around the world of professional basketball in the US. It’s “Linsanity” referring to the point guard of New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin, a Taiwanese-American who has displayed exceptional basketball skills and has lead the Knicks to a seven game winning streak. His gaining fame, undoubtedly, perhaps following the footsteps of Kobe Bryant and perhaps the legend, his airness Michael Jordan.

His buzzer beating three point shot during their last game against the Toronto Raptors has won not only the game for his team Knicks but also more attention from basketball fans for himself.

This new young athletic icon is becoming an inspiration to many basketball players around the world. Based on interviews I have seen on sports news coverages, it seems that he is a humble man. I have not seen any trace of fame getting into his head. Perhaps, that is why he is getting good breaks in his sports career.

Hope to see more from the “Linsanity”. Let’s see if his heroics would lead the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals this year.

Starting the New Year Right

It has been quite a while since I have posted an article to my blogs. I apologize to those following my blogs for that. Actually, I have prepared an article to start the blogging year but for some reasons I have failed to publish it.

Perhaps I have been too busy with my scripts or maybe I have been too lazy to write. Well, I guess it happens to writers occasionally. They tire out too.

I have prepared an article about Elin Nordegren, Tiger Woods ex-wife. Her decision to demolish her mansion and build a new one on it has amazed me. It seems too capricious and a waste of fortune but it is her mansion and money anyway so she could do whatever she wants with it. It has been in the news right at the start of the new year so I have thought of writing about it to share how some people has started their new year.

Starting the New Year right is an important first step to achieve a fruitful year. Many factors can arise from the results of your first step and if you will miss it, people will get ahead of you and it would be difficult to catch up. Well, I can say that I have not started the New Year right this time but I can still catch up with the ten months remaining in 2012. I am looking forward to a more frequent posting in the next weeks.

Alexa Ranking: Demoralizing

I’m going through a period of weariness about blogging. For over two weeks now, I have not updated any of my blogs. I cannot say I have run out of things to write because I cannot possibly run out of anything to write considering I have five blogs running. Perhaps, I just lost some energy and inspiration to continue and needed some time to rest.

But one of the biggest contributor to this sort of demoralization is my Alexa Ranking. I don’t know what’s going wrong but it’s dropping too low. It used to go up steadily but when I have reached the 300,000 mark, it has stopped and have cascaded slowly and now it is at over a million again.

I don’t know if I would still like to display the Alexa widget on my blog because it does not seem to help. Anyway, I am still considering it.

Majority Decision Victory for Pacquiao

All eyes and ears were at Las Vegas yesterday in the battle between two great boxers of our generation Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.

In the initial rounds, Marquez was able to establish stance against Pacquiao. He showed good boxing skills as shown with his swift and effective counter punches. However, even if he was able to connect hard punches, they were not enough to stagger his opponent.

Pacquiao came back in succeeding rounds with punches on Marquez' face, swelling his right eye.
The Mexicans among the crowd could not accept the outcome of the fight. They believed Marquez won the fight but the judges saw the fight the other way.

I did not see the fight live but I was able to watch the replay last night. I felt it was close but I felt that Marquez’ effort was not enough to topple Pacquiao. For one, I felt he did not dominate Pacquiao completely. He could have hurt the champion but he was hurt too. Still, I believe, it was not the way to take the WBO Welterweight belt away from Pacquiao.

The Official Score Card

While Pacquiao also failed to dominate his challenger, he was able to connect crucial punches that were enough to steal rounds against Marquez.

Although, I observed that Pacquiao was not in his usual rhythm. Well, it seemed. I did not see his vicious left straights and crosses. Maybe age was taking a toll from him. Nevertheless, I was convinced that he won the fight. I would not have contested a draw but to say that Marquez won it, I personally think that is wrong. 

Images Courtesy of:

Yahoo News! Philippines

Facebook

It’s 11-11-11!

This day seems to have a very peculiar date: November 11, 2011 or 11-11-11. It becomes very special because the next 11-11-11 would come only after 100 years, which is on November 11, 2111. Most of us here now, would not be alive to see that date again.

Many relate this numbers to numerology. Many say it is good luck especially for those who celebrate their birthdays. (Incidentally, I have two friends celebrating their birthday today). Some have even arranged weddings or other special events today in belief that the date draws good vibes.

On the other end, some connect this date to bad omens. In fact, Big Air Studios has produced a movie with 11-11-11 as the title. Apparently, it is another hard core horror thriller from the makers of Saw II,III & IV.

Personally, I do not believe in numerology or in good luck or bad luck and I do not enjoy watching horror movies. So far, this is just another ordinary day.

Actually, we can make this day or any day for that matter memorable and special by doing something we know is good.

National Geographic declares “Lolong” Largest Croc in the World!

Last September crocodile “Lolong” has been captured at Bunawan in Agusan del Sur Philippines. It has brought the town of Bunawan into the limelight suddenly.

Yesterday, a team of experts from National Geographic led by an Australian crocodile expert, Dr. Adam Britton measured “Lolong” officially and confirmed it to be the largest crocodile in the world measuring 20.3 feet long. Reporters quoted him to say that it was like measuring a dinosaur.

Many animal rights activists, however, still press for the release of the croc back into the wild. They believe that the crocodile should be allowed to live in its own habitat.

Well, I respect the opinion of animal rights activists. Indeed, animals should not be removed from the wild. However, in the case of “Lolong”, releasing him back into the wild might cause alarm to the residents of Bunawan and in turn cause them to hunt for the crocodile to prevent it from doing them harm.

I believe it would be better now if “Lolong” would stay in captivity on the condition that the local government of Bunawan would guarantee its safety and care. Eventually, they can improve the area where it stays by expanding the perimeter and make it a virtual wild. I hope it would be possible.

Image courtesy of:
Yahoo Ph

We Do Not Need More Chemical Fire

I have planned to post this article days ago after the chemical plant fire in Texas has filled news headlines. However, certain events have caused me to delay posting. 

The Magnablend's Chemical Plant in Texas has caught fire and have emitted toxic fumes into the atmosphere. It is one of the most destructive environmental accident in recent years after the Fukushima nuclear power plant melt-down in Japan. Perhaps, the toxicity it has caused within the nearby area is not comparable to a nuclear fall out, but the dark fumes it has emitted into the air have added more green house gases that intensifies global warming.

Global warming has been the culprit that experts point at concerning the occurrences of destructive weather systems particularly in the Pacific. Clearly, the industrialized nations have the most contribution in emitting these hazardous gases and in view of this, they should be spending more in the global initiative to neutralize global warming and climate change.

I hope those huge industries in the first world countries become more responsible with their toxic wastes and spend more for facilities that would reduce the risk of chemical accidents.

News Video courtesy of ABC News

Steve Jobs: a College Dropout?

After Steve Jobs' death, many things about him have started to come out into the open; about his life, family and profession but the information that has struck me the most is his educational background.

I have learned from an article in Yahoo News, which have originally appeared on Tecca that Steve Jobs is a college drop out.

The lead mind behind the most successful company on the planet never graduated from college, in fact, he didn't even get close. After graduating from high school in Cupertino, California — a town now synonymous with 1 Infinite Loop, Apple's headquarters — Jobs enrolled in Reed College in 1972. Jobs stayed at Reed (a liberal arts university in Portland, Oregon) for only one semester, dropping out quickly due to the financial burden the private school's steep tuition placed on his parents.

In his famous 2005 commencement speech to Stanford University, Jobs said of his time at Reed: "It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5 cent deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the seven miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple." (news excerpt source: ph.news.yahoo.com)

Steve Jobs has dropped college education not because he has been too lazy but because he could not afford college education at that time. It must have been a difficult situation for a genius dreamer like him but it never stop him from pursuing his interest and achieving his goals. Persistence is the name of the game. If you have much of it, you will most likely get on top.

I am not saying that education is not important. Yes, many have become successful even without a bachelor’s degree but not everyone has a genius brain like that of Steve Jobs. Learning is a teasure that we all can obtain formally or informally and we should make the most out of what we have.

Perhaps, education is important to Steve Jobs that is why his inventions and innovations leans toward learning and making learning easier for people like the Mac and Apple I-Pad.

Steve Jobs definitely will go up to the roster of Amazing People of our generation.

Image courtesy of:

http://www.answers.com/topic/steve-jobs-large-image

Steve Jobs Dies of Pancreatic Cancer

Weeks ago, there have been rumors that Steve Jobs has died, which the people have found to be false and inaccurate later. Sadly, this time, Apple Inc itself has publicized Steve Jobs’ passing.

In a statement, Apple Inc has announced the tragic development... follow this link to read the official statement from AP

 

 

Indeed, Steve Job’s ingenuity has made the world better. The technology he has introduced has made peoples’ lives at work, at home and at play easier and more pleasurable.

At 56, his passing is a big loss to Apple at this time when companies race against each other toward better and innovative solutions to the growing demand of both business and leisure.

Steve Job’s fame will never decay, as his works will remain in the hands of millions of people. Whenever we touch our Ipod, Ipad, or Mac, we will remember a great man who has once traversed this earth. His memories will definitely linger and I hope his family who now mourn may find consolation in the honor that people give to their beloved Steve Jobs.

Honoring Teachers on World Teacher’s Day

image c/o soetalk.com

Today, hundreds of thousands of students worldwide converge to give special honor to their teachers for their contribution in establishing their moral framework and educational growth. Without teachers, there can be no learning.

Indeed, we have to be thankful for the sacrifices our teachers have endured just to bring us the information and learning that equip us in facing the challenges of our time. They have mold us to what we are now and we would not be able to work toward our dreams and goals if not for the time they have selflessly devoted in teaching us.

I remember talking to an eight year old little girl… I asked her.

“Would you like to be a teacher like your mom when you grow up?”

In response she said…

“No.”

I was a bit surprised by her answer. In curiosity I asked again…

“Why not?”

“Because she’s always upset when she arrives home”.

Teaching is also a very difficult profession. Not so much about the task, but because of the responsibility you carry on your shoulder and it becomes even heavier when students do not want to cooperate. I guess, the best way to honor our teachers and mentors is to be obedient students.

“World Teachers' Day, held annually on October 5th since 1994, commemorates teachers’ organizations worldwide. Its aim is to mobilize support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.

According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development” (en.wikipedia.org)

Teaching is said to be the noblest profession and there is no debate to that. There can be no professionals if there have not been teachers who have imparted knowledge and the ability to use it efficiently. Happy Teachers’ Day to all teachers!

Image courtesy of:
http://soetalk.com/2011/04/12/support-for-teachers-no-teacher-is-an-island/
By James Campbell, on April 12, 2011, at 8:22 am
http://soetalk.com/author/jcamp/