Saturday, September 29, 2007

Outstanding Mayor

I've always liked asking my parents about how life was in their younger days. But it's usually my father who gives me interesting stories. He likes to talk so I make it a point to get the most from those sessions. Eventually, I've learned a lot of things, unusual things, not only about my family's history, but also on Davao's history... and I would like to share them.

First off, I want to talk about this former Mayor of Davao City. This week I asked my father if there was any politician from Davao who was not only outstanding, but one who stood out from the rest. I said someone who's like Mayor Duterte in ways more than one. He said Luis Santos.

He told me amazing stories about this former Mayor Luis Santos that I couldn't believe instantly if they were true. Santos, he said, was a former Huk, who became Chief of Police. Then there was one story about women raped at Jacinto Street. My father said Santos searched and killed all four suspects on his own.

Then he became Mayor and if you'd think about it, he must be a terror. He was given the nickname Diego Salvador from a local radio soap about a cowboy of the same name.

The story's quite fantastic. He's like a character in one of those Eddie Garcia movies... very impressive.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Jango: New Internet Radio

My internet radio started with mp3.com and Launch, which was then purchased by Yahoo. I just liked listening to music while browsing the web. It's a great way of discovering new music around the globe. Then Pandora came. To play it, however, I needed to input a US zip code. That was easy. Pandora had been a good experience but it slowed down my computer.

Then there was an increase in online music fee. Pandora, Launchcast, and other online radios shut down. Now Pandora checks your IP address and restricts its service to the US only.

I was invited a month ago, I think, by a girl from Myspace to join the Beta users of Jango.com. This is a new Internet Radio with almost the same features as Pandora, except that it's also a Social Networking site. I tried it and it works well for me. It can be a substitute for Imeem users who want to make their own radio stations and for the nonusers, you can start your online music journey here. Ask me for invites, I still have a few left.

CrunchyRoll: the Asian Youtube

For those who love anime, Asian dramas, Asian music or any Asian video, sign up with CrunchyRoll.com. Unlike Youtube, it plays videos per episode so you won't have to worry where Episode 1 Part 15 has gone. There are also English subs as indicated.

Trivia: It's called crunchyroll because shinji, the site owner, loves sushi!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Planned Harry Potter Anime

My friend got these character designs but I still have to ask where exactly... and I have no idea if this is true. I've been searching on the net to no avail. If anyone knows anything, tell me please. =)






Monday, September 24, 2007

Collective Soul - Afterwords


"Afterwords" is Collective Soul's newest treat for fan's allover the world. Released last August 28 on iTunes and Target, I personally liked it especially after a couple of listen.

You can listen to the whole album at MuchMusic.com

When I first heard their new songs, I honestly didn't know what to think. It has the same Collective Soul feel to it, but there were only a few catchy tunes. At first. I didn't like the feeling of not liking the album, so I had to listen again...and again...and again... I didn't want to stop after. =)

It's a good album, with great upbeat songs and infectious slow ones. Add to it another deviation from Ed Roland's vocals: guitarist Joel Kosche sings "I Don't Need Anymore Friends." It reminded me of Ross Childress's "Dandy Life." My favorite would definitely be "Georgia Girl."

The album's got good reviews on the web, but I have yet to find a negative one. The only thing they'd worry about was the marketing strategy CS made. Though the sales may be going well as it debuted at #25 on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums Chart and #5 on the Billboard Top Internet Albums Chart.

Read Afterwords Album Review at Rizzo Music

Iza Calzado is Ken Zhu's leading lady



Iza Calzado, who just finished her shoot for the Hollywood remake of Sigaw entitled "The Echo," would be starring alongside F4's Ken Zhu next.

"Batanes: Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan" tells the story of a Manila girl named Pam (Iza) who went to Batanes because she fell in love with an Ivatan. Ken Zhu portrays the role of a Taiwanese fisherman who has a mysterious affair with a girl he met in Batanes. (The title seems too long and too overused. Is there any way to shorten it?)


The role of Iza was first offered to Judy Ann Santos. But because of her tight schedule, she recommended Iza, her co-star in Ouija, instead. Fortunately, Iza's schedule (note again that she's doing "The Echo" along with her other shows) was fixed.

Ken Zhu arrives on September 26.

Batanes is due for an Asian release, too. Iza is taking Asia and the world! ...and Ken ;p

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Thursday, September 20, 2007

New Photo Albums

Photo taken in Malagos:

Silhouette Branches
I was also asked to take pictures in my mother’s co-worker’s son’s birthday party last September 15. =)

Chinese KidsThis felt like I was watching a Chinese movie, my favorite photo that day. =)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Eddie Peng's a singer?

I didn't know Eddie could sing! Follow tunes, I mean. But it's good enough for me. =) This is Eddie's music video from When Dolphin Met Cat. The title of the song is The Ocean Love The Blue Sky. So I guess the ocean stands for the dolphin and the blue sky for the cat? Hmmm...

Friday, September 14, 2007

Resolutions

Who says you need to wait for New Year to make resolutions? The time is now.
"Now! Return to your noble life now. Don't let yourself be fooled. 'Now' is not too soon... nor too late."

"Tomorrow! Sometimes it is prudence, many times it is the adverb of the defeated."
These are the words of Blessed Josemari­a Escriva from his book "The Way". He talks about resolutions like it is very much related with time. And I've realized that it is... that's why resolutions are so hard to fulfill just as time is very difficult to manage especially with people as lazy as me.

But the good news.

Yes there's hope for us slackers. "Make FEW resolutions. Make SPECIFIC resolutions. And fulfill them with the help of God." Again, FEW and SPECIFIC. That wouldn't be too hard, would it?

What did he mean by specific? Blessed Josemari­a gave an example. If I say "I want to be a saint," that would be a "broad and vague assertion." The goal has to be clear and simple, like "to attend Mass every Sunday" instead.

Now if you have your list, add this up:
"To recall, when you receive honors and praise, everything that brings you shame and embarrassment. The shame and embarrassment are yours; the praise and the glory are God's."

Problem Solving Tip: A little drawing can help

My cousin usually runs to me for help when he gets stuck in his Math assignments, especially Algebra. He hates word problems. I LOVE word problems.

One of the reasons we can't solve Math problems is that we basically reject it, that mentioning the word Math closes our mind instantly. I admit that there are some parts in Algebra that I have a hard time learning: everything that deals with money (like annual interest, capital blah blah blah), but I do try.

The first thing I do is listen. We just don't hear the teacher, we listen, so we can understand. Remember that we can't get everything in one session, even me. So I do it one step at a time (a cliché, but it works). In problem solving, the same thing works. Understand the problem one step (or sentence) at a time. Then after you finish reading it, you'll get the general idea.

If you don't, DRAW. Yep, that's the tip. DRAW. My cousin said it worked. I taught him that a lot of times and he finally realized it! Drawing helps you understand the problem better. It lets you ENJOY the problem better. So let's say you have a distance-speed-time problem that involves airplanes. Draw airplanes. Put a dot to represent the place where they started; lines to represent the distance they've traveled; marks on the lines to represent the time they've reached a certain distance, and don't forget the planes! =)

I wish I could give you a real example but I didn't bring with me a sample problem. But you could always message me for help. =) Happy Solving!

Friday, September 7, 2007

The Beauty of Math

This was from an email message forwarded to me. =)

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321


1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111


9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?
We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?
What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K would be
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E would be
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E is
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

However, look how far the LOVE of GOD will take you:

L-O-V-E O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of GOD that will put you over the top!

Programming Language Inventor or Serial Killer?

Can you recognize a Programming Language Inventor from a Murderer? Well, I can't. I got 5/10. =( Take the quiz .

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Beware Batman!!!

The Joker is on the loose!!!

MTS Sunday

These photos were taken last Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Yellow Hauz and MTS (Matina Town Square) on my first “Photography trip”.

Saturday, September 1, 2007

What kind of Rocker are you?



You Are an Indie Rocker!


You are in it for the love of the music...

And you couldn't care less about being signed by a big label.

You're all about loving and supporting music - not commercial success.

You may not have the fame and glory, but you have complete control of your career.