Moving to new www.AngSaWariKo.com

For almost 4 years, Ang Sa Wari Ko, In My Opinion and My Opinion became part of daily life. Every time I wake up or go to sleep I make sure I have blog post in mind and it must be publish. About news, advocacy, events, and others.  And now on my 4th year as a blogger, www.AngSaWariKo.com will be having a new home on Wordpress.org. I still have the URL but with a new blog name its called Opinions by Flow Galindez as of know it is on beta test so there are instances that others may encounter ERROR 404 when they visit my blog it is on the DNS propagation which started yesterday afternoon so please bare with me and thanks for the patience. So visit me there and let's continue this blog journey I started in 2007. Thanks!

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It’s the typhoon season once again…

(Knee-level flood in our street)

For a person who grew in Malabon City, it is common for us to see floods every time heavy rains come. But from Typhoon Rosing, Frank, Milenyo, Ondoy, Pepeng and now Falcon, things became worse. From the usual ankle up to below the knee length water raises from up to the waist level and up. We saw the wrath of Ondoy that brings disaster in Rizal, Marikina, Pasig, Navotas, Valenzuela and other parts of Metro Manila in other parts of the country. Now Falcon and Egay, two typhoons that came with less than two weeks brings heavy rains and strong winds that cause floods and trees to fall in the street. With Falcon the rain starts as early as 9am and while I am writing this and maybe as I publish this one it is still raining.

(My leg and don't be intimidated with the complexion)

Electolux Dynamica please save me from the doom of broom

Living in a tropical country like the Philippines, most of our furniture and floors are prone to dust and spider webs. We keep on cleaning and cleaning with our so ever reliable brooms and to be honest are they really that reliable? But of course I don’t want to question the quality of our locally made brooms that our moms usually include in their shopping list every time they go out of town like in Baguio. They have this craze in buying brooms in the market that comes in yellow, red, green, and pink or sometimes in multi-colors. But have we ever notice that it doesn’t clean the dirt and dust 100%, instead it leaves some particles of the broom every time we sweep the floor hardly. So good for cleaning…

I have to admit, I do help in household chores on the weekend which sometimes I rather wish to lock myself in my room and sleep all they. But of course, as a good son and member of the family I should do my part and most of that part is sweeping and mopping the floor. Sadly I can hardly sweep all the dirt in the floor because instead of it going directly to the direction you are sweeping and on the dust pan, particles holds on the broom and once you sweep again it falls on the floor. Instead of sweeping and mopping for less than less than an hour, you need to repeat all the routine by sweeping all over again. And all I can say, this is madness!

Good Bye 2010 - Blessed and Fruitful 2011

This is the first time from the three years of existence of this blog that I will not write an actual year ender post. Instead, I just want to say thank you to those who reads my blog wherever you are and who ever you are. To those who believed in me and trusted me in my advocacy and campaign special mention to the group of World Food Programme here in the Philippines, in Italy and USA for being their for me and welcoming me the community. To World Wild Fund – Philippines, Habitat for Humanity, Green Peace Philippines, 1 Billion Hungry group, UNAIDS group in Geneva and United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines, and the social media team in New York thanks for being their when I have lots of questions.

Being a blogger, is fun but putting content is sometimes hard, I would like to thank all the PR agencies and group who’s always there and acknowledges me, you know who you are guys. 2010 was also a year of friendship for me, I met new friends which are bloggers, social media aficionados and people whom I shared interest with like movies, theater, advocacy and food of course. I met people from other parts of the world and I learn a lot from them, Anne from India, Andre Milroy my mentor from the UN Millennium Campaign in South East Asia and also a good friend of mine, Abby Ravera of WFP Italy and to my Coca Cola Live Positively family.

I was also welcomed by the Iloilo Blogging Community when I visit their beautiful and culture rich town during Visayas Blogging Summit, my perspective in life in terms heritage and wanting to know more about what we can do more as blogger rather than just posting in our blog. There was a gentleman who joined the summit and young girl who asked me on what they can do well for their province/town. The gentleman was from Capiz who wanted to use the power of blogging to reach out to online community and show how great was his place and also is a channel of information. This was a sort of fuel for me to go on with what I am doing. There maybe obstacles and people not believing on what you are fighting for, but the main idea is, despite of the few, there are some who will be inspired and will stand up to fight for change and reach out to those who are in need.

I hope that next year, it will be more a blessing to all and be fruitful especially for those who had waited for it. For those who are asking for change, the challenge is to be part of it especially the process. It is a very long way, roads may be rocky and steep but I know everyone can make it to reach out for their dreams and goals in life, just have that faith in your heart that you can do it.

For my fellow Filipinos and my country… Masagana at mapagpalang Bagong Taon sa iyo baying Pilipinas. Nawa’y umasenso ka at guminhawa sa taong 2011 at mas tumatag ka pa sa mga pagsubok na haharapin ng iyong mga anak at bayan.

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Maligayang Pasko na Puno ng Pag-Asa sa Lahat!

Pasko – ito ang araw na bukod sa mga kaarawan natin ay siyang nagpapangiti sa atin kahit minsan puno tayo ng kalungkutan o alalahanin sa buhay. Ang Pasko ay nag papaalala sa atin na minsan sa dilim n gating buhay at suliranin ay may pag-asa pa. Tulad iyan ng isang batang laging nakatuon sa ilalim ng Christmas Tree at iniintay kung anong oras niya bubuksan ang regala, umaasa na sana iyon ang pinapangarap niyang damit o laruan. Kagaya rin ito ng batang nakatanghod sa hapag kaininan nagnanais makatikim na ng paborito niyang spaghetti o fried chicken.

Mga simpleng kaligayahan ng mga batang puno ng pag asang nakikita natin lagi tuwing Pasko. Tatanggapin kung ano man ang ibigay sa kanila at susuklian ng ngiti, sayaw, yakap at halik. Minsan sa buhay natin ngayong tayo ay matatanda na, minsan hindi na tayo nakuntento kung ano man meron tayo at nakukuha natin. Minsan ang Pasko para sa iilan ay isang magarang handaan, na may mamahaling gamit at regalo, minsan nawawala na sa atin ang tunay na halaga ng Pasko. Minsan nalilimutan na natin ang diwa nito at napapalitan ng napakaraming kumplikado sa buhay.

Sana alalahanin natin na minsan ay may isinilang na hari at tagapagligtas sa isang simpleng sabsaban. Walang kayamanan, walang karangyahan, kundi isang simpleng tao lamang. Ito ang nalilimutan na natin, ang simpleng diwa ng Pasko, ang kapiling ang mga minamahal at nabubuhay na masaya, at ipagdiwang ang araw ng kapanganakan ng Tagapagligtas.

Nawa’y sagana man o tuyot ang handaan natin sa Pasko, ang tanging hiling ko lang ay manatiling buo, masaya at nag kakaisa ang bawat pamilya. At ang diwa ng Pasko na pag-ibig, pag-asa at pakikipagkapwa tao ay mamalagi sa bawat puso natin lahat.

Mapagpalang Pasko sa lahat lalo na sa mga Pinoy saan parte ng mundo!

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Goodbye Maria Ressa

After years of being the head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, Maria Ressa will be leaving her post by November 15, where Ging Reyes the ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief in North America will be replacing her.

 

(With Maria Ressa)

Ressa brings the power of citizen journalism and the use of social media in ANC where they pioneered Boto Mo i-Patrol mo, a tool that empowers citizens to report what is happening in their are that is hardly reach by the media. BMPM became a very important mechanism in monitoring elections and to expose anomalies in the government.

She filled her resignation last October 11, and officially announced it during the general assembly where reporters, employees and stakeholders are present on the said event. Here is the official statement of Maria Ressa in connection of her resignation (via ABS-CBNNews.com):

Dear Team,


There is a time and place for everything in our lives. My time and place as head of ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs is nearing its end.


My contract ends on Jan. 3, 2011, and I will not be renewing. I have nearly six months of accumulated leaves so I will go on terminal leave beginning Nov. 15.


It’s time for me to move on, but it’s important we transition properly and prepare our organization – and its new leader – for the challenges ahead.


Ging Reyes will be taking over as news head. She will be arriving in Manila on Oct. 18 to begin our transition. Home-grown ABS-CBN, she has more than twenty years experience as a journalist, the last eight years as North America bureau chief. Please give her your full support as she takes the helm of our multi-platform operations.


I want to thank you for six amazing, incredible years where we took risks together to help define the future of journalism and our nation. We decided to take a stand and say no to corruption; to embrace the growth of social media; and to join hands with citizen journalists to patrol our votes and our nation . Thank you for your trust and support, for following me even when I tilt at windmills.


Journalism faces challenging days ahead. Value and protect your editorial independence. I wish you clarity of thought, stamina, and courage to fight for what is right and avoid the compromise of mediocrity.


You have taught me so much about what it means to be a Filipino. While my time with this company is ending, one of the most precious things it has given me are our friendships, which I hope will continue to grow even when I’m no longer with ABS-CBN.


My very best,


Maria

(Dinner with Arwa Damon of CNN with Maria Ressa, Anne, and Lia Andanar-Yu)

For a person who looks up to her and had the chance to talk to her, it was a very unforgettable experience to be welcomed in her company. In my personal opinion she may be strict boss, but she knows how to open to people, she had taught me lots of things about citizen journalism and friendship. In a less that year of knowing her, for me it was a lifetime. I was grateful that I met her and looking forward in the future of more fruitful learning and friendship with her, which through her I gained friends in her news team.

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Got listed in Blog na Pinoy

June 26, Makati – There are only 3 reasons why I am waking up early on weekend; work, advocacy activities and emergency such as toilet call, but this morning it was different I woke up early to have my photo shoot for Blog na Pinoy headed by Michael Yu in his place in Bel-Air Makati. It was my first time to “work” with my Mike, my last photo shoot was with Nicollo Cosme for the UNAIDS project. It fun working with Mike, he's accommodating, and kalog, feel at home ka in his place.

My blog is listed at the commentary section. I am wearing my United Nation Millennium Developmental Goals t-shirt over green and white stripes polo and jeans of course my comfy pants. My make up was done by the most glamorous and make up artist of the stars Bambi dela Cruz. I enjoyed chatting with her while she is doing my make up, about musical plays and her work. I can’t believe it she is using MAC to me, isn’t that too expensive for me? Its fun chatting with Bambi and her hands was so light and graceful, I don’t know how to describe it but I like the way she puts make up, you cannot feel the pressure and I always experience those things with some make up artist. Thank God there’s Bambi to do the job. She is one of the make up artists working with the production of Legally Blonde the Musical the one with Nikki Gil.

Blog na Pinoy is an online directory for the Filipino bloggers, categorized according to the popular topic on their blogs. During the pictorial I am with Cathy Copaway, Benj Espina, Marcelle Fabie, Arpee Lazaro and Dante Ward. Check out the list of the Filipino bloggers at http://blognapinoy.com, the website is still on its beta status but its worth checking.

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My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010

Hindi kagaya sa mga ibang nominations ko para sa Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs before, my list this year is less meticulous at mas malapit sa mga bagay na gusto ko. Ang top 10 nominees ko for the Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 ay nasa field ng humor and entertainment which reflects my work, food which everyone loves, family which everyone’s main priority in life and last advocacy the thing that is very close to my heart. Being a blogger isang challenge para sa atin ang content, and mostly dalawa lang ang main na function ng isang blog at iyon ay to entertain and to inform our readers. 

For Humor and Entertainment – three blogs shows exceptional impact in the cyberspace that crosses online to traditional media. FaceBuko (http://www.facebuko.com) was featured in Myx Magazine whiler Pinoy Gossip Boy (http://www.pinoygossipboy.ph) and Darla Sauler (http://www.darlasauler.com) became one of the leading showbiz-entertainment blogs that are featured on Star Patrol, The Buzz, Showbiz News Ngayon and Entertainment Live, blogs that levels up with ABS-CBN Entertainment website and even the Summit Media’s Philippine Entertainment Portal.

For Food – we all love to eat, at mamatay na ang mag deny. Bongga Ba (http://www.bonggaba.com) and Nomnom Club (http://www.nomnomclub.com) gives their recommendation on beverages, desserts, main course the way I wanted, less critic but more on the presentation of the information tungkol sa restaurant or particularly sa food.

For Family – I enjoyed reading family or blogs that talks about parenting though di pa ako pamilyadong tao like Lace Llanora na bagong panganak lang kay baby Ashton and she makes sure that everything documented in her Mommy Lace Blog (http://www.mommylace.com). This kind of online journals sometimes makes a good reference of newly wed couples and expecting daddy or mommy because everyone shares a common goal and that is magkaroon ng isang masayang pamilya.

For Advocacy and Vocation – aside a commentary and entertainment, advocacy is one of my main priorities in blogging and I make sure when I saw a good blog na pinag uusapan ang mga topic na ito its always part of my bookmarks or blogrolls. It’s been years na rin since I am studying Autism and Special Child Care which I am hoping to include it as part of my advocacy in Ang Sa Wari Ko, and I saw Earth Rullen’s blog entitled Surviving Autism (http://www.survivingautism.net). Sino ba ang hindi makakapag discuss mabuti ng mga stories at pinag dadaanan ng isang special child kundi ang isang inang nagluwal nito, I appreciate Earth’s courage and her advocacy on Autism. Aside from Earth I admire individuals/groups who call for women empowerment like what is shown on Sex and Sensibilities (http://www.sexandsensibilities.com). Their blog calls on the rights of women and also concerns on maternal health which is a great source of information to those needs enlightenment on the issues through on reproductive health care. It's always a dream to be a teacher pero problema ko rin minsan ang maikling pasensya ko and honestly one of my major guilty pleasures is reading blogs of the teachers I know and one of the is Ria Tirazona’s The Accidental Teacher (http://www.theaccidentalteacher.com). It is Teacher Ria’s online journal na tungkol sa vocaction niya as a teacher will all the details ng mga makukulit na students and her personal growth bilang isa ring Autism advocate. And lastly, we always want to see change in our everyday lives and to be a social catalyst in our own very special way, sa bagay na ito, The Art of Changemaking (http://artofchangemaking.com) caught my interest on how we can be part of change and to be the messenger of it through our blogs.

Here is the complete list of my Top 10 nominees:

http://www.facebuko.com

http://www.pinoygossipboy.ph

http://www.darlasauler.com

http://www.bonggaba.com

http://nomnomclub.com

http://www.mommylace.com

http://www.survivingautism.net

http://www.sexandsensibilities.com

http://www.theaccidentalteacher.com
http://artofchangemaking.com

Hope you guys find time to check their blogs too it’s worth reading. And I’m glad that Ms. Janette Toral created this kind of campaign to give acknowledgement to bloggers who shares their talents and interest to their readers like me. 

To see the updates and tally of votes visit http://www.influentialblogger.net and to be part of the competition and to nominate your bloggers and their blogs visit http://www.influentialblogger.net/2010/05/join-top-10-emerging-influential-blogs.html to know the process of nomination. This annual blogging event is made possible by Events and Corporate Video, Budget hotel in Makati, Pinoy Party Food, Copyediting Services, PR Agency Philippines, Budget Travel Philippines, Send Gifts to the Philippines, Roomrent - units for rent, Search Profile Index, and Corporate Events Organizer.

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Hamon sa bawat Filipino ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan

Ipinagdidwang natin ang ika-112 na taon ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa bansa, at siya ring pagluklok ng ika-15th na presidente ng bansa kasama na rin ang mga iba pang manunungkulan pero hindi pa natatapos ang responsibilidad na inatang natin sa ating mga balikat noong araw ng eleksyon, dahil hindi pa natatapos ang responsibilidad natin para sa bayan, hindi ito nag uumpisya at natatapos sa balota kundi ang responsibilidad ng bawat isa sa bayan, parte man ng gobyerno o hindi ay habang buhay.

Noong pinalabas ang Ambisyon 2010 sa ANC, isa sa mga pumukaw ng aking atensyon ang gawa ni Emerson Reyes, Ang Telenobela ni Juan at Luzviminda. Nakakatawa ang konsepto ng short film na ito pero may tama siya, ito ay umikot sa usapan nina Juan dela Cruz at ni Luzviminda, mag asawa sila pero ipinagkait ni Luzviminda na magkaanak sila ni Juan dela Cruz dahil sa kakulangan ng responsibilidad ni Juan sa kanyang sarili at sa bayan kaya hirap ipagkaloob ni Luzviminda ang anak dapat nilang si Demokrasya. Simpleng short film pero malalim ang nilalaman na karaniwan ang mga Pinoy ay nakakalimot sa kanilang responsibilidad sa bayan, at ang pagiging makabayan niya ay lumalabas lamang kapag eleksyon, Araw ng Kalayaan, o kung nananalo si Manny Pacquiao sa boxing doon lang lumalabas ang pagiging Filipino natin. Pero sana hindi lang hanggang doon.

Isang hamon sa bawat Filipino ay kung paano maging isang tunay na Filipino, may malasakit sa bayan at sa kapwa. Ang bawat isa sa atin ay si Juan dela Cruz umaasam ng demokrasya, totoong demokraysa mula sa kahirapan at suliranin ng bayan pero bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa natin nakukuha ito? Ito ang diwa ng Araw ng Kalayaan para sa akin, ang responsibilidad at maging simula ng pagbabago. Kung nais natin ng maayos na lipunan at malayang bayan, simulan natin sa sarili natin ang pagbabago, at patuloy magbantay sa bayan. Ibalik natin ang bayanihan sa bawat isa at pakikipagkapwa tao sa bawat pagkukusa at pagtutulong tulong aangat ang bayan. Dahil ang bawat isa ay may magandang magagawa para sa bayan at sa kapwa. Ang tunay at taos pusong pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan ay hindi nakabase sa magagarang paghahanda at mamahaling gastos, kundi ang paghahatid ng tamang mensahe at pagpapaalala sa bawat isa ang pagiging Pilipino sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.

Malayang ika-112 Araw ng Kasarimlan ng Bayan!

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See you at the Cebu Blog Camp 2010!

May 22, 2010, after the iBlog6 (April 16 and 17), it’s the Cebuano bloggers turn to discuss blogging and community building at the CAP Auditorium, CAP Complex, Jones, Cebu City for the First Cebu Blog Camp.

Learn the basics of blogging and discover new techniques on content management, search engine optimization strategies and secrets on how to monetize your blogs though the experts of the blogging world.

Registration is now open and only 200 bloggers will be accommodated on the event. Visit http://www.cebublogcamp.com for more info on what to expect and to register for free. See you guys at the Cebu Blog Camp 2010 on May 22!

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2010: Happy New Year with new hopes and more blessings

Saying goodbye to 2009 along with its bitter memories and bringing good memories with us as we go another year of journey to 2010. Isang malaking hamon ang taon na ito para sa ating mga Filipino ngayong ito ang panahon ng pagpapalit natin ng mga nakaupo sa posisyon lalo na ang posisyon ng pagkapangulo. Nawa ang aral ng 2009 at mga nakaraang taon ay magsilbing paalala sa atin na hindi na natin dapat ulitin ang mga pagkakamali bagkos gamitin natin ito bilang aral sa mga pagdadaanan pa natin sa 2010. Patuloy nawa rin tayo maging matatag sa mga hamon sa buhay at panatiliin natin ang pananalig sa ating sarili, sa kapwa at sa Poong Maykapal.

Mula sa may akda ng blog na ito ay binabati ko ang lahat ng Happy New Year at nawa'y maging mabiyaya ang taong ito para sa lahat na hindi lamang babase tayo sa kung ano ang swerte kundi sa pamamagitan ng ating mga paggawa at pagpapala ng Maykapal. Maraming salamat at God Bless!

Remembering 2009...

Before the clock strikes 12 and saying goodbye to all the good and bad memories of 2009 and saying warm welcome to hopes for 2010. Balikan natin ang mga bagay bagay na nacover at naging lamang ng www.AngSaWariKo.com ngayong 2009. Let's have top 9 of the best, the worst, the intriguing and the memorable things happen in 2009.

9 Farewells and sad events of 2009

Narito ang nine na blog entries na umikot sa pamamamaalam ng ilang mga personalidad at mga pangyayaring dumating sa buhay ng tao kabilang na rito ang pagkamatay ni President Corazon Aquino na lahat at nagluksa, ang biglaang pagpanaw ng King of Pop Michael Jackson, ang padating ng Bagyong Ondoy sa bansa, karumaldumal na pagpaslang sa mga journalist, civilian at human rights advocate sa Maguindanao at ang pagdating ng epedemya ng A(H1N1) na pumatay sa libo libong tao sa buong mundo. Narito ang top 9 farewell and sad events ng 2009.

1. The Anger of Typhoon Ondoy
2. Katarungan para sa mga biktima ng Maguindanao Massacre
3. A(H1N1)Epidemic in the world
4. Your Memory and Courage will remain with us Tita Cory
5. Michael Jackson dies from Heart Attact at the age 50
7. Paalam Master Rapper Francis Magalona
8. Iglesia ni Cristo Leader Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo dies at 84
8. Doña Mary, Erap's mother passed away at the age of 103
9. Death of Johnny Delgado

Top 9 Buzz, Intrigues and Controversies of 2009

Parte na ng buhay ng tao ang kontrobersya at balita na lagi niyang nasasagap sa telebisyon, radyo, internet at sa mga dyaryo, para taong ito narito ang top 9 buzz, intrigues and controversies ko. Kasama rito ang Hayden Kho scandal na kung saan nagresulta ng pagkatanggal ng kanyang lisensya, ang patagong kasal nina Judai at Ryan, ang unang black president ng USA, ang pagkamatay ng asawa ni Ted Failon, ang Reproductive Health Bill, paghaharap harap ng mga Presedential Candidates sa UST at ang mga opinyon sa huling SONA ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

1. Hayden Kho Scandal
2. The Death of Ted Failon's wife
3. Korina and Mar Wedding
4. Judy Anne Santos and Ryan Agoncillo finally Ties Knot
5. Harapan: The ANC Presidential Forum on UST
6. Huling SONA ni Gloria and the SONA 2009 Transcript
7. Kailangan natin ng Reproductive Health
8. Barack Hussein Obama II: The 44th President of the United States of America
9. Bebe Gandanghari: Rustom Padilla no more
Top 9 Advocacy and Inspirations of 2009

Naging-vocal ang blog na ito pagdating sa mga advocacy at mga kwento ng inspirasyon sa kabila ng mga issues at suliraning tinatalakay din ng blog na ito. Mula sa confession ng isang HIV Positive ay naging bukas tayo kung paano nila pinagpapatuloy ang laban nila sa buhay at ang responsibilidad nilang bilang mga advocates, ang pagmulat sa atin sa silbi ng 45 pesos at issue ng kahirapan sa tulong ng United Nation Development Program, ang usapin sa Climate Change sa tulong ng WWF at Greenpeace, ang pagtutulak ng kariton para labanan ng kamangmangan, ang paglaban sa gutom, pagpapahalaga sa karapatan ng pagboto at pagtupad ng pangarap at patuloy na pangangalaga sa kultura at kabataan ito ang top 9 advocacy and inspiration ko sa taong ito, at hari naw'y patuloy pa rin at madadagdagan ang aral at pagmulat kasama ng iba pang advocates.

1. Stand up and Take Actions Against Poverty
2. World AIDS Awareness Campaign
3. Issues on Climate Change
4. Magparehistro, Mamulat, Bumoto at Magbantay
5. Edukasyon sa Kariton ni Efren Peñaflorida
6. Join the fight against Child Pornography
7. Harvest Day at Gerona Tarlac with Gawad Kalinga’s Bayan-Anihan
8. Kaya ng Pinoy names Balangay Boat - Diwata ng Lahi
9. Farmers Daughter tops Nursing Exam

Let 2009’s experience like other years that passed be a learning for all us what hopefully on 2010 we will be have a brighter year to come especially that here in the Philippines we will be having our national election on May. Let’s be vigilant and critical on things that concern us all. In regards with this blog I’ll be continuing to post anything I find interesting on society, politics, entertainment, community, technology and advocacy.

The DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Summit 2009

The DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Summit 2009 is an intensive 2-day educational seminar on e-commerce strategies scheduled to take place on November 12 & 13, 2009 at the Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City.

We hope to make this an annual event that will provide an additional venue for learning among DigitalFilipino club members.

The event will focus on best practices (what to do, what not to do, execution, measurement) and we would like to have a great roster of resource persons who can share their insight & lessons learned.

We requested speakers to deliver talks on a big-picture perspective (keynote-style) discussing findings and insight that they haven't mostly shared before but still reflective of their respective experiences.

We are targeting 150 to 200 participants for this event. Main audience will be DigitalFilipino club members, DigitalFilipino Web Awards past and current entries/winners, DigitalFilipino Social Networking Awards winners, SMEs, enterprises, and entrepreneurs at large.

This event is also targeted at:

1. Entrepeneurs and business owners
Get insight from fellow e-commerce practitioners on what approaches they have taken to expand their business online and the challenges they overcome.

2. Managers
Find out marketing and operations strategy, e-commerce practitioners embraced that worked and didn't.

3. Investors and business development consultants
Get insight that will allow you to see and/or validate opportunities that can be worth exploring in your current or potential investment portfolio.

4. Educators and consultants
Based on experiences shared, get an idea on what critical skills and resources will be important for e-commerce aspirants to make it online.
Conference Program

Attendees to this event can expect a highly-interactive session with e-commerce players and industry practitioners. Topics in the agenda includes (subject to change):
November 12 (Day 1):

7:30 to 9:00 Registration & morning snacks

9:00 to 9:05 Welcome & Big Picture theme introduction

State of Internet and Mobile Commerce Market Growth
Speaker: Donald Patrick Lim, President and CEO of Yehey! Corporation
9:10 to 9:30

Has Internet and Mobile Commerce taken off in the Philippines? What are the numbers? Are the Filipinos today really buying online? A look into the latest market study with cross analysis on the technographic and psychographic behavior of our new generation of digital sellers and buyers.

Building and Managing an E-Commerce, Internet Gaming, and Outsourcing Business during a Global Economic Crisis
Speaker: Enrique Gonzalez, CEO of IPVG Corp.
9:45 to 10:05

Creating a Niche and Identifying Your Online Target Market
Speaker: Stephanie Caragos, President and CEO of Syntactics Inc.
10:20 to 10:40

Creating an e-commerce website is not merely the act of having the site developed and launched. Careful study and analysis plays an important role in identifying the target market and knowing how to attract it. Insight on potential customers helps in strategic positioning of your products and services.

Search Engine Friendly Web Design: Making Site Visitors Click!
Speakers:
Jan Alvin Pabellon, Vice President for Business Development at IT Group, Inc.
Arnold Alvarez, General Manager, BF Homes Properties
10:55 to 11:25

Improve your rankings, increase your visits, and make more money by building a web site that is attractive to both automated search engines and real live people. Discover how "search engine friendly" web design can help you get more traffic from search engines. Speakers will share experience in making their sites search engine friendly, launching additional websites to improve rankings, get more visits, and consequently improved revenues and bottom line.

Measuring Effectiveness of Blog Advertising Campaigns
Speaker: Eric Ramirez, Chairman, Nuffnang Philippines
11:40 to 12:00

A growing number of companies are exploring blogs as a medium to market their products and services. This session will tackle the effectiveness of blogs as an online marketing tool, measurement of performance, and lessons learned in carrying out blog marketing campaigns.

LUNCH BREAK (12:15 to 1:30)

The End of Faceless Brands: How the Internet has Forced Brand Marketing to Personalize
Speaker: Brad Geiser, Co-Founder, GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications
1:30 to 1:50

One of the reasons why there are few companies in the Philippines who invest in e-Commerce is due to the perception that it is just a business structure and has not yet explored the idea of e-Commerce as a marketing tool. This discussion gives an overview on how some social marketing experiments have turned in groundbreaking results.

2:05 - 2:25 Technology Presentation: Delivering Advanced Search Engine via Next-Generation Networks
Speaker: Cyril C. Rocke, President / CEO, DataOne Asia (Phils.), Inc

E-Commerce as a viable retail market outlet for SMEs
Speakers:
- Ma. Regina Bundang, CEO, RegaloService.com
- Russell Ri, CEO, e-Philippines Adventure Travel and Destinations
- Roy Platon, Managing Director, MyAyala
2:40 to 3:25

Entrepreneurs will share their experience in putting up an e-commerce site, working with partners, challenges, lessons learned, market changes, and tips to aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to expand their business online.

3:40 - 4:00 Improving E-Commerce Sales Performance
Speaker: Dustin Andaya, CEO, IslandRose.net

4:15 - 4:35 State of Online Payment in the Philippines
Speaker: Paul Hubbard, General Manager, Yes IT Corp.

PARTICIPANTS GROUP PHOTO
November 13 (Day 2):

7:30 to 9:00 Registration & morning snacks

Challenges and Opportunities in MOBILE MONEY TRANSFER: Implementation of GCASH
Speaker: Ms. Rizza Maniego-Eala, President, G-Xchange, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom, Inc.)
9:00 to 9:20

A look into Mobile Commerce in the Philippines and how its applications have evolved to be able to service both mainstream and unbanked markets. Insights on the challenges and opportunities of Mobile Money transfer within the mobile commerce ecosystems, and a specific look into its current role in the banking industry.

The Future of E-Commerce is Mobile
Speaker: Chito Bustamante, CEO, Chikka
9:35 - 9:55

The Philippine market is actually ripe and ready for electronic commerce, driven by both on-line and mobile communities. Compelling products and services, especially those that immediately gratify, as they are delivered instantly are now needed.

E-Commerce Policies and E-Government Growth in the Philippines
Speaker: Dir. Maria Lourdes Yaptinchay, Supervising Director, Department of Trade and Industry E-Commerce Office
10:10 to 10:30

An update on e-commerce policies approved and for ratification to push the growth of e-commerce in the Philippines. Government e-commerce transaction growth in dealing with stakeholders, citizens, customers, and businesses shall also be discussed.

Building Online Trust: Making E-Commerce Secure Against Fraud
Speakers:
Jovel Cipriano, CEO, PinoyDelikasi
Mannix Pabalan, General Manager, AyosDito.ph
10:45 to 11:15

The intricacies of E-commerce have provided merchants with a host of interesting challenges. Perhaps the biggest challenge is establishing and maintaining trust. Spam, fraud, identity theft and fly-by-night e-retailers threaten consumers' fragile trust in online marketplaces, particularly those in which they are asked to provide credit card information. Trust becomes a key issue in the buying process. Winning the customers' trust and increasing their confidence is essential for E-commerce success.

11:30 to 12:00 Make Self-Service Advertising Platform Work for You
Speakers:
- Aileen Apolo, Country Consultant, Google.com
- Carlo Ople, Global Digital Marketing Head, Friendster

Self-managed Internet advertising campaign is one of the many things that entrepreneurs and businesses can undertake on their own today. This session will give an overview on the size of this market, what works, what doesn't, and new developments that should be learned and taken advantage of.

Why running an e-commerce business is similar to growing WHEATGRASS & Technology Presentation: Moving towards the 4TH GENERATION of E-commerce
Speakers:
- Edward Ling, Chief Executive Officer, Easy Pha-Max Philippines and Platform2U.com Philippines
- Eddie Lee, Chief Information Officer, Platform2U.com
1:00 - 1:30

1:45-4:30 onwards Recognition of 3rd DigitalFilipino Web Awards winners.
All winners were invited to give their 5-slides/minutes best practices sharing.

* Art
* Apparel / Fashion
* Association / Organization
* Automotive / Cars
* Beauty
* Blog - Corporate
* Blog - Personal
* Blog - Professional
* Books
* Computer / Consumer Electronics
* Community
* Consumer Banking / Bills Payment
* Corporate / Professional
* Education
* Events / Conferences
* Financial Services
* Food
* Games
* Gifts
* Government
* Guides / Review
* Home Furnishings
* Insurance
* Jobs / Employment
* Magazine
* Mobile
* Music / Movie / Film
* Newspaper
* Pharmaceuticals / Health
* Podcast
* Politics
* Real Estate
* Restaurant
* School / University
* Services
* Specialty / Non-Apparel
* Shopping Portal / Auction
* Social Networking
* Telecommunication / Value-Added Services
* Travel
* Tourism

GROUP PHOTO

430 to 5:00 E-Commerce in the Philippines 2010
Speaker: Janette Toral, DigitalFilipino.com Club.

PARTICIPANTS GROUP PHOTO

Free conference pass to DigitalFilipino Club members:

- individual members (1 day, participate themselves, no proxy)
- SME members (1 representative per day)
- Corporate members (2 representatives per day)

Additional club member and sponsor delegates are entitled to 15% discount. Register today to confirm your seat!

Non-club members can also register as a delegate through the following event resellers: (please register with one reseller only)
* Events at Work * ProFora Media * Posh Marketing Services

Isang araw sa Taytay Rizal

October 8, ito ang araw na kung saan ibinigay ng department naming ang araw para sa Sagip Kapamilya, pero hindi kwento ng mga ginawa naming ang gusto kong ibahagi kundi ang reality na nakita ko sa kabila ng anumang nakikita natin sa television, raririnig sa radio, at nababasa sa internet at dyaryo.

Sa Taytay Rizal doon kami dinala at makikita mo na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring kuryente sa ibang parte ng lugar na ito, at babad pa rin sa baha ang lugar na iyon. Naging biktima sila ng Typhoon Ondoy na kung saan tumaas ang tubig kagaya ng sa Marikina at Pasig. Nakakapanlumo ang makikita mo ang ibang parte ay baha pa rin, mga kawad ng kuryente na putol, makakapal na putik sa kalsada, mga bahay na halod tumagilid na dahil sa lakas ng pagragasa ng tubig noong nakaraang pananalanta ni Ondoy, at higit sa lahat ang mga kababayan mong halos mawalan na ng pag asa dahil sa nangyari sa kanila.

To be honest gusto ko maluha sa nakikita ko, nakakapanlumo, pero kailangan mong maging matatag para sa kanila dahil sa bawat supot ng relief na sinusuklian nila ng pasasalamat naroon ang senserity ng pasasalamat nila, may kurot sa puso, hindi dulot ng tuwa, kundi awa na gusto mong gumawa pa ng ibang paraan para tulungan ka at inaamin ko hindi ko pa alam ang maaaring maitulong ko dahil tulad nila simple lang ako at hindi nakakaangat sa lipunan, kaya lahat ng gusto kong ihatid tulad ng mga advocacy ko dinadaan ko lang sa blog na ito, at nagpapasalamat ako sa mga naliligaw at nakakabasa ng mga bagay na gusto kong ihatid sa kanila.

Pero ang mahihiling ko lang sa mga nagbabasa ng blog kong ito na pinahapyaw ko ang larawan ng Taytay Rizal na siyang katulad din na nagyayari sa mga sinalanta ni Ondoy at Pepeng, ipagpatuloy natin ang bayanihan, sa ating social networks magbalitaan tayo sa mga nagaganap, at sa mga magvolunteer at gustong magdonate narito ang link na pwede ninyong puntahan: Patuloy ang Bayahihan para sa Northern Luzon.

Invitation for a prayer

Bago ko inilabas ang blog na ito ay nagtext ako sa ilang mga kaibigan na hinihiling ko na manalangin tayo sa kaligtasan ng bansang Pilipinas mula sa bagyong Pepeng na kung saan dumanas na tayo mula sa hagupit ni Bagyong Ondoy.

Magkaiba man tayo ng relihiyon o paniniwala ay hinihiling ko na sama sama tayong manalangin na makalagpas tayo mula sa bagyong padating habang patuloy tayo sa bayanihang ginagawa natin para sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ni Ondoy.

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Patuloy pa rin ang bayanihan natin para sa Bagyong Ondoy narito ang mga detalye para sa mga gustong tumulong.