Firmoo: The world's most popular online eyeglass store.

They may be great fashion accessories but, more importantly, sunglasses are of extreme importance when it comes to maintaining good eye health.

There's only two factor on choosing what sunglasses we should wear, health and comfort.

From a health standpoint, you want to keep all ultraviolet light from getting into your eyes and onto the lids and the skin around them. From a comfort standpoint, some people are very sensitive to brightness and glare. By cutting down brightness and glare, people will visually perform better and be more comfortable.

In a equatorial country like the Philippines where the sun is glaring all year round,  having a sunglasses is a must.

It's good there's now an online and global optical store called Firmoo, the world's most popular online eyeglass store.

Firmoo, is the online leader in eyewear, stocks a wide range of affordable prescription glasses and sunglasses in cheap price yet high quality. Their eyeglasses frames feature different fashion styles, vary from retro eyeglasses frames to fashion ones, from rimless ones to full-rimmed ones and so forth. These chic yet inexpensive glasses will not only boost your image to a greater level, but also offer you a clear vision. 

At Firmoo, their prescription glasses and sunglasses are of various styles and types, so you really need to rack your brain to think it over which style suits you most. They offer Virtual Try-On System that helps you see how you look with glasses or sunglasses provided by Firmoo so as to help you find the right pair for yourself.

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This post is in support to Balut Manila for her on-going blog give-away promo.Asked what sunglasses I want? I would go for this sexy dark blue and black frames with tint unisex full frame wrap-around plastic sunglasses. 
 

Photos are courtesy of Firmoo.

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Now that the verdict has been rendered, what's next?

The 44-day hiatus of the impeachment trial of CJ Corona has ended with no apparent drama both from the prosecution and defense panel.

It's satirical to say that the verdict by the Senate impeachment court against Corona as “a victory of the people.”

I don't see this as a victory to the masses. Its a strong political partisan that I see and I see no hope for change to the better. It could even be a change to get worst. 

How could this be a victory of the people? CJ Corona did not do anything against the common Filipino citizens. He is not a corrupt official unlike those who prosecuted him. This is a victory of those few who have an interest in that position, to those who are in the upper echelon of the society who has pending cases in the Supreme Court waiting for a favorable verdict. This is a victory of the lead prosecutor whose father has a pending case of graft and corruption in the Ombudsman. This is a victory of Noynoy Aquino and his TUPA's. This is the victory of Aquino-Cojuangco for Hacienda Luisita, plain and simple. I see this as a victory for injustice. 

Senator judges took the stage for their grandstanding and voted to convict and became an advocate of injustice, for their self-political-interest. How could one admire them as server of our beloved country, much more a hero?

 I applaud the three senator judges (Defensor-Santiago, Joker Arroyo, Bongbong Marcos) who voted to acquit Corona because they based their judgement on legal grounds and without any political slant. If an omission in good faith in the SALN carries that heavy penalty, then the Administration must also PUNISH Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for submitting incorrect SALN. But how could this be done if the highest man in the country is defending them?

The House of Representative reportedly spent 5.7 million during the impeachment trial and the Senate is yet to announce how much they have spent. Well, this is nothing compared to 70 million and 200 million the congressman and senators will receive as pork barrel from the President's budget.

So, what's next? Or rather, who's next? 

I am hoping that this historical event will jump start the much needed government reforms. Congressmen and senators alike should now go back to their duties and should pass bills to resolve the lope-holes of our constitution. I am hoping that who ever Aquino chooses to be the next Chief Justice will fully implement the decision to distribute the land of Hacienda Luisita.

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TIPS FROM A SUCCESSFUL SLACKER

Need to look busier? 

Make sure your office appears swamped at all times. Your desk should always look like you're in the midst of some incredibly time-sensitive project. This way you can safely maximize the time you spend checking your facebook.
For added protection, make sure the papers on your desk are arranged in stacks. A calculator, a few stray apples and a strategically placed pair of eyeglasses will round out the organized chaos effect.
Finally, some work on your computer screen that you can immediately access away from facebook when your boss checks on you. A carefully placed sandwich remnants will do much to make you appear to eat lunch at your desk, making you seem too busy. Be sure though, to throw it in the trash when you're off, otherwise insects may catch on you.

>from the best slacker

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Mini-hydro Power Plants in Irrigation Canals.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is planning to put up 40 mini-hydro power plants. NIA administrator Antonio S. Nangel said they have already identified 20 locations in Luzon, 10 in Visayas and 10 in Mindanao.

Nagel came up with the idea of putting up mini-hydro powers in irrigation systems following his recent visit in Japan where he saw mini-hydro power plants installed in irrigation canals. He said while it can be done in Japan, it can also be done in the country where the same elevation of irrigation canals abounds.

"Our irrigation systems are mostly located in far-flung barangays and putting up this project is a great help to the prospective beneficiaries," he said.

An irrigation system, the NIA said, could produce at least 20 megawatts of electricity daily.

Each mini-hydro power plant would cost P20 million and would be shouldered by local investors. 

Nangel expressed optimism that the project will take-off as 12 firms have submitted Letter of Intent (LOI), and targeted 12 sites for development.

He said there are two memorandum of agreements (MOAs) already signed for the project but he declined to name the investors.

What is Mini-Hydro Power Plants?

Mini-hydro power plants is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produce up to 100 kW of electricity using the natural flow of water. These installations can provide power to an isolated home or small community, or are sometimes connected to electric power networks. An example of this is the Momura micro hydropower in Japan. 

The Momura Micro Hydro Power Plant in Japan

Mini-Hydro Power Plants Pros and Cons

A study on the pros and cons was published by the Alternative Energy on October 26, 2006 citing that there are some common misconceptions about micro-hydro power that need to be addressed.

PROS

1. Efficient energy source
It only takes a small amount of flow (as little as two gallons per minute) or a drop as low as two feet to generate electricity with micro hydro. Electricity can be delivered as far as a mile away to the location where it is being used.

2. Reliable electricity source
Hydro produces a continuous supply of electrical energy in comparison to other small-scale renewable technologies. The peak energy season is during the winter months when large quantities of electricity are required.

3. No reservoir required
Microhydro is considered to function as a ‘run-of-river’ system, meaning that the water passing through the generator is directed back into the stream with relatively little impact on the surrounding ecology.

4. Cost effective energy solution
Building a small-scale hydro-power system can cost from $1,000 – $20,000, depending on site electricity requirements and location. Maintenance fees are relatively small in comparison to other technologies.

5. Power for developing countries
Because of the low-cost versatility and longevity of micro hydro, developing countries can manufacture and implement the technology to help supply much needed electricity to small communities and villages.

6. Integrate with the local power grid
If your site produces a large amount of excess energy, some power companies will buy back your electricity overflow. You also have the ability to supplement your level of micro power with intake from the power grid.

CONS

1 Suitable site characteristics required
In order to take full advantage of the electrical potential of small streams, a suitable site is needed. Factors to consider are: distance from the power source to the location where energy is required, stream size (including flow rate, output and drop), and a balance of system components — inverter, batteries, controller, transmission line and pipelines.

2. Energy expansion not possible
The size and flow of small streams may restrict future site expansion as the power demand increases.

3. Low-power in the summer months
In many locations stream size will fluctuate seasonally. During the summer months there will likely be less flow and therefore less power output. Advanced planning and research will be needed to ensure adequate energy requirements are met.

4. Environmental impact
The ecological impact of small-scale hydro is minimal; however the low-level environmental effects must be taken into consideration before construction begins. Stream water will be diverted away from a portion of the stream, and proper caution must be exercised to ensure there will be no damaging impact on the local ecology or civil infrastructure.

My Verdict

Micro hydro power is a very good source of clean alternative energy. It is a source of energy that is both efficient and reliable.These small hydropower systems should never pose any problems like wind turbines that noisily dot the countryside, or stack gas emissions coming from fossil fuel fired power plants. There won’t even be a vapor flume from a cooling tower. Any way you look at this form of hydropower, it comes up a winner. 

The only question here is what would happen to the surplus electricity that this mini-hydro power plant produce? I'm sure it would be feed to the grid, but then, will the consumer  feel the effect of this cheap energy source?

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Link Exchange

As you may notice, I'm using a third-party template. This means I can't put any widget from bloggers unless I manually add them one by one.
I have a good news to you, my blogger mates, I finally added a Link Exchange. If you want your blog to be included, link my blog and post a comment with your URL. If you are linking me already, drop a comment with your blog's URL and I'll add it on my Link Exchange page.
Happy blogging!

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World Peace: Anyone?

Is war really inevitable?

Since time immemorial, this world has witnessed countless wars. As early as 12,000 years ago, almost half of the people found in a Nubian cemetery had died of violence. Military activity occurred over much of the globe some 5,000 years ago. World War I and II alone has 92 million casualties. 

Generally war is the result of a national entity wishing to improve the standard of living for its people. A major second cause is when a nation perceives a possible reduction in a current standard of living and fights to protect what it already has. Greed or the desire for more power and more territory, religious idealism, corrupt governments, discontent and poverty, and man's innate sinfulness are the major causes of war. Is war really inevitable?
How about world peace? Will it ever be attained? When? Is it even possible? These questions have reached the minds of everyone, with a variety of opinions. Political status, culture, and belief all affect their beliefs. Everyone has a different thought, and no one really knows. Will there be a nuclear war, engulfing the world in a nuclear inferno? Will a second coming of Christ occur? Maybe the world will unite under one leader?

Many have suffered that could have been avoided. If only men and nations learn to understand and forgive one another, they could settle their differences and rifts amicably. Collateral damage could have been avoided. Peace wouldn't be that elusive. The devastating effects on the people and humankind as a whole, far outweigh the possible benefits (if indeed there are any).

Men of a country and of all nations are brothers bound by their inherent goodness and love for one another. We may be enemies by force of circumstance, but I hope, we could achieve stability after the storm.

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What Kind of Future Do You Want?

Rio de Janeiro, the host for the Rio+20.

“If you could build the future, what kind of future would you want?”
This is the question for the conference gatherers of the  "Save the Planet" summit will be trying to answer.
This years conference is called United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development or "Rio+20" for short.
It will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012 – twenty years after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Rio+20 is also an opportunity to look ahead to the world we want in 20 years.
At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with thousands of participants from the private sector, NGOs and other groups, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet.
The official discussions will focus on two main themes: how to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty; and how to improve international coordination for sustainable development.
It is a historic opportunity to define pathways to a sustainable future – a future with more jobs, more clean energy, greater security and a decent standard of living for all.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, “Rio+20 will be one of the most important global meetings on sustainable development in our time.”

(Photo courtesy of  UN website)

Why Do We Need R+20?

► The world now has 7 billion people — by 2050,there will be 9 billion.
► One out of every five people — 1.4 billion — currently lives on $1.25 a day or less.
► A billion and a half people in the world do not have access to electricity. Two and a half billion do not have a toilet. And almost a billion go hungry every day.
► Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and more than a third of all known species could go extinct if climate change continues unchecked.
► If we are to leave a liveable world to our children and grandchildren, the challenges of widespread poverty and environmental destruction need to be tackled now.
► We will incur far greater costs in the future
— including more poverty and instability, and a
degraded planet — if we fail to adequately address
these critical challenges now.
► Rio+20 provides an opportunity to think globally,
so that we can all act locally to secure our common future.

According to Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the Rio+20 Conference, sustainable development is not an option! It is the only path that allows all of humanity to share a decent life on this, one planet. Rio+20 gives our generation the opportunity to choose this path.

R+20 will tackle the issues on finding a solutions for many sustainable development problems, including challenges related to cities, energy, water, food and ecosystems. At Rio+20, countries will seek ways to make them a reality by:

► Making the transition to greener economies while focusing on poverty eradication.
► Protecting our oceans from overfishing, the destruction of marine ecosystems and the adverse effects of climate change.
► Making our cities more liveable and more efficient.
► Broadening the use of renewable energy sources that can significantly lower carbon emissions as well as indoor and outdoor pollution, while promoting economic growth.

How about you? What kind of future do you want?

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30 Pesos Increase on Metro Manila Minimum Wage

(Photo courtesy of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino)

The National Wages and Productivity Commission finally reached a decision to increase P30 on the minimum wage in Metro Manila after a hearing on Thursday. This will raise minimum wages in the National Capital Region (NCR) to a range of P419-456.
The wage increase is in the form of cost of living allowance (COLA) will be integrated to an existing P22 stipend into workers' paychecks. It will be given in two stages, a P20 increase will be implemented 15 days after the new wage order is published in a national broadsheet, while the remaining P10 will be paid out six months after the initial increase. This decision of staggered increase will amount up to P1,440 lost for a minimum earner employee.
The TUCP faction headed by Democrito T. Mendoza, in a statement, said the decision to integrate the P22 COLA that was ordered in last year’s wage increase would be “beneficial to workers in the computation of overtime pay, holiday pay, premium pay, night shift pay, 13th month pay, retirement pay, etc.”.

“However, we have mixed feelings with the increase of P30 in two tranches. We will challenge this and file an appeal at the appropriate time,” it added.

The TUCP faction headed by former Senator Ernesto F. Herrera, meanwhile, similarly welcomed the order “if only to provide temporary relief” but described the adjustment as a “pittance”.

The militant Bukluran ng Manggawang Pilipino called the increase an insult and reiterated calls to scrap Republic Act 6727 that mandates wage-setting at the regional level.

Let's Raise the Minimum Wage

In a column from Tempo, a certain businessman support an increase in wages for Filipino workers and his position counters the popular consensus among employers that a wage hike may have an impact on the capital of most businesses. He points out four factors to support his position:

1. Labor is only a small portion of the total operating cost of businesses so the impact of higher wages on operations will not be significant.
2. Many companies are already paying their workers higher than the statutory minimum wage.
3. Labor should not be blamed for rising business costs or for low productivity.
4. Raising wages benefit not only the employees but also businesses and the economy.

I agree to his point of view. The Philippine wage rates is only rank fourth in Asia. How can a family of 4 live decently on a daily wage of $10.50 or equivalent to $254 a month when the cost of living is almost $9 a day?

You might want to read:  
The Colossal Gap Between the Rich and the Poor
The Effect of the Growing Population in the Philippine Economy

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We Have a Trainee President in the Philippines

The President fills several roles as the leader of the country. As the head diplomat, head of government and head of the military, he must balance the interests of the country both internally and externally. He must be competent enough to fulfill those duties and responsibilities required for being the man in the highest position of a country.
Although there's no school offering a course on Presidency, there's a lot of other venues to train one. And as such, we are expecting a President to be experienced enough and ready to be one when he decided to run for the highest position in a country.
But in a forum attended by Wharton Alumni clubs in Makati City, President Aquino declared that he still considers himself a “student” of governance. This admission by our beloved President aptly described himself as still on OJT.

“I also pride myself in being the consistent student so that I am not ensconced in a box where all what we are able to do is basically to repeat the mistakes of the past that we want to avoid,” he added.

Aquino asserted that he would continue to work “24/7 including holidays” to implement reforms to fight corruption and poverty and hopes to leave a better Philippines by 2016.
Can you imagine a country run by a trainee? It's no wonder, Philippines is going nowhere. Aquino should start working like a "president" and not training like a student in the expense of the whole nation.
Perhaps, Wikipedia's definition of noynoying as "an effortless pose, or activity consisting of sitting or standing around, in an unconcerned manner or it is also recognized as doing nothing, when in fact you have something to do" can best describe our President.

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My Humps. More Fun in the Philippines

 

My love (love), my love, my love, my love (love)
You love my lady lumps (love),
My hump, my hump, my hump (love),
My humps they got you,

This sounds familiar, right? Its "My Humps" of Black Eyed Peas, their third single from their fourth album, Monkey Business. 

What is hump anyway? 

It could be the fleshy structure on the back of a camel or of some cattle, or a deformity of the back in humans caused by an abnormal convex curvature of the upper spine. It could also be a low mound of earth, a mountain range. It could also mean to engage in sexual intercourse. 

You probably asking by now why I'm discussing such word.

Well, its because I saw an ad on CNN's travel website that says, of all words, "My humps. More fun in the Philippines".

The ad that says "More humps..."

 To be fair, I'm all supportive to this DOT campaign. But perhaps, people behind this ad campaign could have chosen more appropriate word, rather than using my humps. Although the ad features Apl.de ap as the one belting out the background song which we all know as the singer who sang "My Humps", it doesn't make sense considering that humps connotes a sexual intercourse. It keeps me thinking that perhaps the "My humps" ad should be better off if they change Chocolate Hills into Puerto Galera in the background. Indeed, my humps is more fun there.

OK, I'm maybe too old fashion, but that's the first thing came in my mind upon reading it.

The Aquino administration was reported to have spent about P60 million for its initial tourism advertising campaign on CNN, with the hope of attracting more tourist to visit the Philippines.

Is it worth it? I believe so, considering that the country has seen a growth of 16% in tourist arrivals since the DOT launched its "more fun in the Philippines" campaign.

But this effort, and spending, will only go to waste if we do not improve first the tarnished image of the country. 

The same website where the DoT campaign ads appears, also features the Philippines as one of the "World's Most Hated Airports" specifically the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at rank 5. And on a survey conducted by Sleeping in Airports, NAIA top the rank as 2011 Worst Airports. Its been a year now since those surveys came out but the government have yet to address some issues pointed out.

Another factor that the government should be addressing is the security issues. It's too hard to enjoy the visit in the Philippines as kidnapping, holdups and pick pocketing are almost everywhere. To eliminate these distractions will give another point to boost the tourism. We should focus first and foremost with the safety of those tourist we are trying to invite. Security must start as soon as they arrive here and the best way to show they are secure, even from the lack of security personnel is by making sure those CCTV cameras in our airports are working.

Philippines has so much to offer and even without those expensive ads, we can attract more tourist. We just need some improvements.

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9 Things I Hate About Everyone

(Photo courtesy of twistynoodle)

1. People who point at their wrist asking for the time... 
I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?

2. People who are willing to get off their a** to search the entire room for the TV remote because they refuse to walk to the TV and change the channel manually.

3. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too".
Damn Right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?

4. When people say "it's always the last place you look".
Of course it is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they?

5. When people say while watching a film, "did ya see that?"
No Loser, I paid 400 pesos to come to the cinema and stare at the damn floor!

6. People who ask "Can I ask you a question?"... Didn't give me a choice there, did ya sunshine?

7. When something is 'new and improved'.
Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.

8. When people say "life is short".
What the hell??? Life is the longest damn thing anyone ever does!!! What can you do that's longer?

9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come yet?"
If the bus came, would I be standing here???

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Life is a Game

Win-win.
Win-lose.
Lose-lose.

We all hear that terms not just on games we play but also on our every day play of the game called LIFE. What does it mean, one may ask. Well, if I’m the one to answer, it refer to the possible outcomes of a game or dispute involving two sides, and more importantly, how each side perceives their outcome relative to their standing before the game.

For example, a “win” results when the outcome of a negotiation is better than expected, a “loss” when the outcome is worse than expected. Two people may receive the same outcome in measurable terms, say 100 pesos, but for one side that may be a loss, while for the other it is a win. In other words, expectations determine one’s perception of any given result.

 

Win - Win 

Win-win outcomes occur when each side of a dispute feels they have won. Since both sides benefit from such a scenario, any resolutions to the conflict are likely to be accepted voluntarily. The process of integrative bargaining aims to achieve, through cooperation, win-win outcomes.

Win - Lose
Win-lose situations result when only one side perceives the outcome as positive. Thus, win-lose outcomes are less likely to be accepted voluntarily. Distributive bargaining processes, based on a principle of competition between participants, tend to end in win-lose outcomes.

Lose - Lose
Lose-lose means that all parties end up being worse off. An example of this would be a budget-cutting negotiation in which all parties lose money. In some lose-lose situations, all parties understand that losses are unavoidable and that they will be evenly distributed. In such situations, lose-lose outcomes can be preferable to win-lose outcomes because the distribution is at least considered to be fair.

In other situations, though, lose-lose outcomes occur when win-win outcomes might have been possible. The classic example of this is called the prisoner’s dilemma in which two prisoners must decide whether to confess to a crime. Neither prisoner knows what the other will do. The best outcome for prisoner A occurs if he/she confesses, while prisoner B keeps quiet. In this case, the prisoner who confesses and implicates the other is rewarded by being set free, and the other (who stayed quiet) receives the maximum sentence, as s/he didn’t cooperate with the police, yet they have enough evidence to convict. (This is a win-lose outcome.) The same goes for prisoner B. But if both prisoners confess (trying to take advantage of their partner), they each serve the maximum sentence (a lose-lose outcome). If neither confesses, they both serve a reduced sentence (a win-win outcome, although the win is not as big as the one they would have received in the win-lose scenario).

This situation occurs fairly often, as win-win outcomes can only be identified through cooperative (or integrative) bargaining, and are likely to be overlooked if negotiations take a competitive distributive) stance.
The key thing to remember is that any negotiation may be re-framed (placed in a new context) so that expectations are lowered. In the prisoner’s dilemma, for example, if both prisoners are able to perceive the reduced sentence as a win rather than a loss, then the outcome is a win-win situation. Thus, with lowered expectations, it may be possible for negotiators to craft win-win solutions out of a potentially lose-lose situation. However, this requires that the parties sacrifice their original demands for lesser ones.

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Living My Life

Through sheer insanity,
I jump off the ring of fire that kept me in prison,
consuming all my strength.
Then freedom on the apex of it is finally on my reach,
disregarding all the pessimism, resentments and sarcasms..
 

I become whole again..
Which I've wanted years ago..
Mustering  a will power plus an ounce of courage...

And a colossal amount of appreciation of life.

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Why?

 

Your life's a mystery,
mine is an openbook.
If I could read your mind,
I would've take a look.
What have you got to fight?
What would you need to prove?
Hiding with all life's lies,
but that's the only truth.
What have you got to say
of the shadow of the past?
What are you gonna be
willing to lose?
To gain someone special
to win your cause?
What have you got to hide?
Who will it compromise?
Where do we have to be?
So you can be happy
and I would be free?
How could we be so blind,
not to see the heart's sublime?
Are you willing to leave the past behind?
Till eternity can you be mine?
Why it got to be this hard?
Why can't we just make it right?

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Reality Exist in Me

In a certain faraway land, the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible, so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer..ummmm, I should prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives me.... In spring, summer and fall , people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the mountain, can you have longer, quiet stretches where you can savor belonging to yourself..... All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself. I am told to just be myself, but as much as I have practiced the impression, I am still no good at it.

Until you came, I understood what I had been looking for! I am in love with you.. Only God knows how much I have think about things to hold this feelings and emotions I have been keeping within my self.. I am so hesitant at first and would think about what people might say...

There is a fine line between dreams and reality, it's up to you to draw it. If God had wanted me otherwise, he would have created me otherwise. I will never be bullied again into silence. Never allow myself again to be made a victim. I will not accept no one's definition of my life;

I define myself!!

All the knowledge I possess everyone else can acquire, but my heart is all my own, and reality exist in me. 

(Photo courtesy of naturewalls)

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My ZALORA Wishlist

When I was a little boy, I used to wished whenever I saw a shooting star. Little did I know that it was a meteor. Poor meteoroid, there are probably thousands who whisper their wishes as it plunged into its death.

Every year, I also wish as I blow the candle on my birthday cake. But I can't remember any of it came true.

Perhaps I should wish to a genie from a magic lamp. The problem is, "Where can I find such?".

It's good I learned from Nuffnang, a blog advertising community for bloggers, that Zalora recently launch a contest to  grant wishes. Unlike a genie that can only fulfill 3 wishes, Zalora is set to grant 5 wishes.

Zalora is an online shopping site that offers a very wide range of products under one roof.  It's not only a site devoted for women but for men as well. From their men's section, you can find not only a wide selection of pants, shirts and jackets, but also an elegant collection of accessories like ties, belts and watches. They also have this category dedicated to sports buff wherein you can find quality sports gear from leading brands like Nike and Inov-8. What I like best is their Under P999 section for thrifty shoppers like me.

Zalora is the epitome of profound commitment as they make sure to give us the best-ever online shopping experience. They have a team of dedicated customer care representative to assists and answer our queries. Paying your order is also a breeze with their secure payment methods. Don't worry if you don't have a credit card, you can always pay upon delivery.

But before I forget, here's my wish list:

Now, lets play some game and see how it would look like when I wear 'em all.

Chinos with striped waistband from 101 New York.

I'm not a denim guy, I prefer wearing chinos because they are easier to wash. This chinos from 101 New York is a perfect choice for a casual attire. Plus  I love its earth color.

R/N shirt with discharge print from Urban Edge Clothing

It says in its description to "pair it with great fitting jeans or cargo shorts". Who says I can't pair the chinos from 101 New York with this R/N shirt with discharge print from Urban Edge Clothing?

Men's casual loafers from Otto

I don't even have a single pair of loafers. But when I saw this pair on Zalora's Under P999 section, I was like, "Why not try a loafers if it fits me just fine". See the result?

Double pocket long sleeve shirt from Tomato

When I'm making my wish list, I haven't paying attention on its description. I just instantly fell in-love with its neutral color. I guess I made a right decision as the description says "pair it with dark colored chinos and loafers or neutral colored sneakers for a casual city trip". This long sleeve from Tomato will certainly a treasure in my wardrobe because I can pair it with any pants. And oh, its Under P999 too.

Easy Reader watch from Timex

 This Easy Reader Timex watch is very elegant. With its minimalistic design, I can wear this on any occasion.

Well, if this combination is a no-no, then perhaps fashion police will come after me. Hah, for all I know, they were all just envious.

Now, who says 'a guy can't always have what he wish for'?

If you want to create an impression from the comfort of your own home and without spending much from that hard earned money, try online shopping at Zalora. If you sign up now and opt to receive their newsletter, you can get a free P250 Voucher that you can use with a minimum order value of PHP 1,500.

 http://www.ZALORA.com.ph/

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My Spare Time With Google Map

I believe we all do have free time. Some people say they like the feeling of working a lot and feel bored with free time.  Other people love to have as much free time as they can. So, how do you spend your free time?
In my office, I have a lot of free time. Sometimes it seems I don't spend it, I waste it.... I waste it doing "very important" things.
.... like browsing the internet.... and this time I waste it with Google Map, and I found lots of interesting places.
so, fasten your seat belt and join me on my journey.

Manila City Hall

The Manila City Hall is one of the distinct landmarks in the capital city of Manila. The edifice , with its hexagonal tower with three red-faced clock on three of its facets, received unfavorable reviews in its initial years because of its austere architectural design, lack of entrances and the placement of the clock tower. The building's floor plan had been dismissed as similar in shape to a coffin or, in the other end, like the shield of Knights Templar. (Source: Wikipedia)

Lung Center of the Philippines. (Inset: An edited version that looks much better than the unfinish-look of the building)

 The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) is a non-stock and non-profit corporation that was established on January 16, 1981 by President Ferdinand Marcos under Presidential Decree No. 1823. It was placed under the administration of the Ministry of Health by President Corazon Aquino on July 29, 1986 under Executive Order No. 34. The purpose of its creation was to provide health care that specifically targets lung and pulmonary disease. It is located in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. (Source: Wikipedia)

A portion of the Trinoma Mall that looks like a circular saw.

TriNoma is located at the EDSA corner North Avenue in Quezon City. Strategically located in "North Triangle", the mall is bound by three major thoroughfares, namely, North Avenue, EDSA and Mindanao Avenue. Located on a 20 hectare parcel of land, TriNoma has a gross leasable area of 195,000 square meters, which includes the mall's major anchor, The Landmark Supermarket and Department Store. (Source: Wikipedia)

Quezon Memorial Circle

The Quezon Memorial Circle is a national park and shrine located in Quezon City, former capital of the Philippines (1948–1976). The park is an ellipse bounded by the Elliptical Road.

University of the Philippines

The University of the Philippines Diliman (commonly referred to as U.P. Diliman, or U.P.D., or informally, Peyups), is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship campus, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System. (Source: Wikipedia)

Libingan ng mga Bayani

Heroes' Cemetery (Libingan ng mga Bayani) is a national cemetery within Fort Bonifacio (formerly the American Fort William McKinley) in Taguig City, Metro Manila in the Philippines. It was established as a fitting resting place for Filipino military personnel from privates to generals, as well as heroes and martyrs. Among those buried in the cemetery are most of the defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and other Battlefields by Allied recaptured for the Liberation of the Philippines during World War II. (Source: Wikipedia)

I don't know what they call this place. The road in the upper portion of this pic is Filipinas Drive near Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City.

Lingayen Gulf. With a wild imagination, you could see a pic like the inset.

The Lingayen Gulf is an extension of the South China Sea on Luzon in the Philippines stretching 56 km (35 mi). It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central. (Source: Wikipedia)

Now you be the judge, Did I just waste my "free time"?

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The Effect of the Growing Population in the Philippine Economy

Population vs. Economy

The Aquino administration must have been deluding themselves by believing that our country's rising population is a boon rather than a bane in our economy.

It is no wonder, President Aquino did not pressure his allies  in the Lower House to push for the passing of the RH Bill. Just like the pasts administrations, our government has no backbone on population issue compared on the hard opposition from the Catholic Church hierarchy.

I'm not an economist, so my knowledge on the effects of high population growth on economic development is solely based from the research I have done, and it clearly oppose the government's stand.

While it is true that high population could translate to an increase in demand for goods and services and it can spur domestic-demand driven economy, so is the fact that people don't have the money to spend.

The Philippines per capita income of $2,050 is very low compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors like Indonesia and Malaysia that has per capita income of $2,580 and $7,900 respectively.

For the government to claim that high population is more favorable to our economy, they should address first three key factors that directly affects the spending power of Filipinos.

1. Corruption - Well, a credit was due to Aquino government for the increase of Philippines' Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by the global watchdog Transparency International of 0.2 from 2.4 in 2010. But the government should work harder in eliminating corruption because we are still lagging behind Vietnam with 2.9 CPI, Indonesia with 3 CPI, Thailand with 3.4 CPI and Malaysia with 4.3 CPI.
2. Unemployment - High population means an increase labour supply. With so many able-bodied worker but very low job opportunities, the unemployment rate rocketed. The Philippines has one of the highest unemployment rate at 7% amongst Southeast Asian countries.
3. Poverty - Poverty incidence in the Philippines is very high at 26.50% compared to Indonesia with 13.33% and Malaysia with only 3.6%.

To summarize, if the country has high CPI rating, more foreign investors will likely invest in the Philippines. More investments translate to more job opportunities which can lower unemployment rate. With low unemployment rate, naturally means lower poverty incidence.

The link between high population and economic development is more likely to have a negative impact rather than a boosts to our economy.

The increase of 15% on DepEd's budget is not a guarantee to drive domestic-demand driven economy in the near future. Indonesia is a good example for this as their government only spends 1.2% on education, a 1.9% lower compared in the Philippines. Instead, they focus on reducing their population growth rate which is 0.83% lower than the Philippines at 1.069%. They also invest more to create more job to increase per capita income which is $530 higher than the Philippines at $2,580.

Many developing countries have also learned that lower population growth rate is more beneficial to their economy. Malaysia, with 1.576%, and Thailand, with 0.566%, has long been addressing their population growth, thus lowering their poverty rate to 3.6% and 9.6% respectively.

This comparisons clearly shows the links between population, poverty and good governance. Malaysia is a good example on all three counts. Malaysia's CPI which was at 4.3, coupled with low population growth rate, results in economic growth and poverty reduction. While Vietnam, with also low CPI score at 2.9 clearly implies that low population growth rate at 1.077% significantly reduce their poverty rate to 9.6.

My Verdict

With all this data I have mentioned here, it was very clear to me that high population has a clear negative impact in a country's economy. But if the Aquino government believe otherwise, I might suggest our beloved president to marry and have lots of children to help spur our economy even long after he step down from power.

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Olympus VH-210

Olympus VH-210

With the scorching heat, it's undoubtedly that we are right in the middle of the summer. Most of us spend our times at pools, beaches, waterfronts, going on a cruise or just hanging out with friends in the malls. Some visit grandparent's house, go to a summer camps, sight seeing, visiting zoos and theme parks.

But summer wasn't always the escape but also collecting fun filled memories for us to cherish.

And what's more better way to document our summer escapades than having a camera to capture those precious moments?

Olympus certainly knows this that's why they recently took the wraps off a feature-rich and stylish digital camera.

I'm talking about the Olympus VH-210, an inexpensive but cute and easy-to-use from their smart series.

This point-and-shot camera adds an extra color in your life. You can choose of their summer-inspired color of green, orange, white, red and purple, in an all-metal casing that adds extra sparkle to the lustrous finish.

The VH-210 has gentle organic curves to make a smooth and pleasant feel in your hand. With its slender dimension of 3.96 x 2.37 x 0.81 inches and just weights 138 g, it will easily slip into a pocket or purse.

This camera is not only trendy-looking and eye-catching. Aside from its 14 MP CCD and HD movie recording functions, the VH-210 also features 3 inch, 460k-dot LCD panel and Magic Filters to give your photos an extra touch without the need to photoshop them.

VH-210 also sports a 5x wide optical zoom lens for close-ups and wide angle shoots. With its Digital Image Stabilization feature, you can capture less blur photos.

Pros:

1. Inexpensive (Php 6,495) without compromising quality features
2. Takes 3D photos for striking skills
3. Super-slim body for portability.

Cons:

1. No touch-screen which means more buttons
2. You can't shot panoramic views

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It's the Making of Resolutions that Counts

A friend recently told me that he saw the picture I've posted on my facebook. Its about my New Year's resolution to quit on my smoking habit.At first, I've tried to keep that resolution. Every year, I produce a sadly familiar repertoire of aspirations dealing with that bad habit. I always mean well, but it's clear that I lack firmness of purpose.Well, to my mind, that's the essence of New Year's Resolution. It's a wet sponge, slurping up the black marks of the past, leaving a clean slate for the future. That resolution on quiting smoking, to my everlasting shame, fold by February --- the spirit is willing, but the flesh loses its temper. Still, it's not the breaking of resolutions that counts so much as the making. To make a resolution is to travel hopefully, to reach beyond one's grasp, to try a better life-style on for size, just in case --- this year --- I've finally grown big enough to fit into it.

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