What a surprise!

Less talk this time.

See and listen for yourselves. I promise you, you won't ever regret having spared a few minutes listening to Susan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

On Chip Tsao, Filipinos, and the Supposedly Intelligent

For a few days already, Chip Tsao, author of the article "The War at Home," on the online edition of HK Magazine, has been a regular of local TV and broadsheets. Even on the net, he is famous. Filipinos here and abroad have lambasted him because of what he has written on the said article.

The first time I read the article was after he was on TV. Curious about the whole bruhaha, I decided to see for myself.

What I found was nothing but an article that basically hits on what may already be obvious, and adding a little exageration here and there.

I can actually understand the feelings of Filipinos who may have been hurt by what Chip has written. But to be bombarded by news about those who I was hoping to be intelligent enough to understand the difference between what was purely done just to insult and what was supposed to be plain satire makes me think that maybe this country's education system has actually going down the drain.

For sure, one may have heard already of a senator or a congressman with threats against Chip. Them who are in power are supposed to be intelligent. But the issue against Chip made me realize that while some or many of those who are in public office may have been to prestigious universities and colleges and even passed with flying colors, there is no guarantee that they could actually be intelligent enough to differentiate what is satirical and malice-intended.

For one, even if any whole nation agrees on something, that does not make it a fact.

Second, maybe Pinoys are too fond of jokes that we all hear and see on TV sitcoms and the like that we fail to realize that there are other ways in the telling of jokes.

Look, Chip is a whole lot different than Malou Fernandez. Malou was downright insulting.

But in fairness to us Filipinos, maybe Chip has forgotten that humor, too, aside from other things, is culture based, meaning, what others in another country may find to be funny can be received otherwise in another location.

This whole anti-Chip, anti-Filipino bruhaha made me remember what Qui Gon Jin once told the young Anakin Skywalker: it doesn't matter what others say about you, and whatever they say should not affect you, for what matters the most is the truth in your heart.

What's wrong with this picture?

Just a common sight I get to see.

Now, don't blame me if I don't have any respect for the cops.

What's your telephone number? (Part 2)

It was a couple of days ago that I updated my profile in Jobstreet that prompted me to do the articles on telephone numbers.

In the past article, landlines were discussed as to how they are supposed to be written.

In this article, we now tackle the correct way to write mobile telephone numbers, how they are supposed to be presented, and how to dial these numbers correctly.

Mobile telephone numbers are very similar to landlines. In the Philippines, mobile numbers are seven digits long prep ended by the mobile company code. For Globe Telecoms, these codes may be 915, 916, and 917. For Smart Telecommunications, these may be 910, 918, 919, or 920. Sun Cellular uses 922 and 923.

The difference between landlines and mobile numbers is the fact that mobile numbers are always dialed as long distance calls.

For example, assuming, if my mobile number is 555-8888 and I am using Sun Cellular, then my number may either be (922) 555-8888 or (923) 555-8888. But since calling someone on their mobile phones are always in a form of long distance (NDD), then we always begin by using the NDD access code which is zero (0). Thus, if you want to call my mobile phone that uses, let’s say 922 for its mobile code, you dial zero first (for NDD access), 922 (for the mobile code of Sun Cellular), and then my mobile number.

If you may have noticed, the area code used on landlines are replaced by mobile codes for mobile phone companies.

Thus, it is correct to write (922) 555-888.

Some folks though, even phone companies, and other Philippine based websites would present the same mobile number as 0922 555-8888. While it is easily understood by many Filipinos, it is still not advisable to include the NDD access code because it can create confusion when we present the mobile phone in international format.

We have mentioned before that the Philippines uses the country code 63. The question is, what then is the international format of my mobile number? Is it +63 (0922) 555-8888 or should it be +63 (922) 555-8888?

Jobstreet uses the former even when the latter is the correct form.

The plus sign (+) as we have mentioned in the previous article is used to replace the international access number of the country we are calling from and the IDD access code in the Philppines is 00.

While you can save my imaginary mobile number as 00 922 555-8888 on your mobile phone, and while you would be able to successfully get in touch with me using the said number when you are in the Philippines, you won’t be able to do so if you would go abroad. Let’s say you’d find yourself in the US. Remember that the IDD access code of the US is 011. So instead of changing IDD codes each time you go to any specific country, why not just replace it with the plus sign (+)? There is nothing to worry because most telephone systems replace the plus sign (+) with the corresponding IDD access code.

Now, going back to my imaginary mobile number again, the plus sign is used to dial the IDD access code, and then 63 for the country code.

Should we dial 0 next or go directly to the mobile code?

Since zero is the NDD access code, it is no longer needed. Thus, we go straight to the mobile code which is 922. After that you dial the actual number 555-8888.

In summary, the number then becomes +63 (922) 555-8888.

As we also have mentioned, there are no actual rules on how to write telephone number but I’d still suggest separating the mobile and/or area code using parenthesis so we would know how to properly read the numbers aside from the fact that it looks better than 09225558888.

So to sum it all up, mobile phones and landlines are divided into the following for international format:

1.IDD access which may be replaced by the plus sign (+).
2.Country code of the phone.
3.Area code for landlines and mobile phone code for mobile phones.
4.Telephone number.

For the local format:

1.NDD access code. This is zero (0) for the Philippines.
2.Area code for landlines and mobile phone code for mobile phones.
3.Telephone number.

And one last thing. While most telephone numbers in the Philippines are seven digits long, some telephone companies may actually have eight.

What's your telephone number? (Part 1)

What's your telephone number?

The Philippines is thought to be the world’s texting capital. Yet businesses and individuals alike seem not to be too familiar with how telephone numbers should be written or even dialed. This article applies to both mobile phones and landlines.

Let’s start with landlines first.

Let’s also say that you have a friend who lives in Manila. His number is 878-8888.

Let’s also assume that you are from Manila, too.

How should you call your friend?

Let’s say one day, you needed to call your friend because you wanted him to know that you will be visiting your relatives in Baguio. Dialing 878-8888 would connect you to your friend. It’s that simple.

Let’s also say that when you got to Baguio, you wanted your friend to know what happened to you trip. So how do you call him?

You can no longer just dial 878-8888 because (a) you are no longer within the same area code as your friend, and (b) just dialing 878-8888 might connect you to someone who is in Baguio who has 878-8888 as his telephone number.

What do you do then? You need to know two things.

First, you need to know about a couple of things. You need first to know the National Direct Distance (NDD) access code. In the Philippines, the NDD access code is zero (0). This is applicable whichever part of the country you are in.

Next, you also need to know the area code of the telephone you wanted to connect to. Manila uses two (2).

Let’s dial now. Dial 0 (for the NDD code); 2 (for the area code); then the telephone number.

That’s it!

While this is in fact very simple, even PLDT is confused about area codes. Try calling their directory assistance by dialing 187 and ask for the telephone of a friend who lives in Manila. Their recorded telephone assistance would say, “The area code is zero-two...”

Woah! Zero is not part of the area code!

The area code for Manila is two (2)!

And may I add. PLDT also got confused with their NDD access code. Take a look at this link from their site. http://www.pldt.com.ph/prod-serv/customerserv/ndd.htm.

The NDD access code stated on their site is zero-zero (00). In fact, 00 is their International Direct Distance (IDD) access code.

Let’s move on.

Let’s also say that you won the lottery and you decided to visit some friends in the US. Of course, you can’t resist telling your friend in Manila about what you have been up to.

What are things to know so you can get in touch with your friend?

These are the things you need to know:

1.The International Direct Distance access code of the country you are calling from; and
2.The Country Code of the country you are calling to.

Each country uses a different IDD access code. You may visit this link for the List of International call Prefixes.

Going back to our example, you wanted to call your friend in Manila, Philippines who uses the number 878-8888.

So you dial 011 (for the IDD access code of the US); 63 (the country code of the Philippines); 2 (the area code of Manila); and your friend’s telephone number.

Now, this becomes difficult to write because as we have mentioned, each country uses a different IDD access code.

But there is a solution. The plus sign (+) is used to replace the IDD access code when writing telephone numbers in international format.

Thus, your friend’s telephone number becomes +6328788888. Now, that’s a long number to write, or even read.

While there is no written rule as to how telephone numbers should be written, at least here in the Philippines, what is suggested is to use the following format:

+country code (area code) telephone number

So your friend’s telephone number becomes +63 (2) 878-8888. Doesn’t that look better? The area code is placed inside the parenthesis so it can be differentiated from the country code and the actual telephone number.

And now to make things a little more confusing, your friend’s telephone number can now be written differently as:

878-8888
(2) 878-8888
63 (2) 878-8888
+63 (2) 878-8888

Others may also use dots and/or dashes.

Thus, the same telephone number may also appear as:

878.8888
(2) 878.8888
2.878.8888
63.2.878.8888
or even +63.2.878.8888

However, I’d still suggest that area codes be placed inside parenthesis to avoid confusion and to differentiate it from the rest of the numbers.

Moreover, if you will be using a mobile phone, dialing the plus sign (+) instead of the IDD access code will also connect you to your party.

Coming next: mobile telephone numbers.

Going further

I wanted to stop talking already about the "war" between the pro-reproductive health lawmakers and the church but I can't help it.

I have to admit that I got engrossed with the topic so much so that I read more about it. I even tried checking House Bill 4110 and see if there was any sign that it was promoting abortion. I did not find anything. Perhaps anyone out there can point me to the section of House Bill 4110 or any other House Bill that promotes abortion.

And then I read a blog entitled "Bishops and Abortion." I can't help myself but ask "is it really about abortion? i thought all the while that it was just rerproductive health without even the mention of abortion."

The reply - "reproductive health" is code for abortion.

I can't believe this!

I had to wait for days to clear my mind. I don't want to write and be too emotional about the whole thing at the same time. I might write something I might want to take back later.

But even up to now, I just want to scream. And to think that the blog mentioned above is from a Catholic institution. I can't believe that they'd treat me as if I was just another blind follower. But still, probably, because of the Internet's anonymity, they probably might have surmised that I can't find my way through the net. Still, I had to remind myself to be more understanding than I usually am.

But going back to the threat that pro-reproductive bill lawmakers have received from the bishops, that they will be refused communion, maybe the bishops can go a bit further by excommunicating them. And while I am not a lawmaker myself, maybe, they can put my name first in the list.

Communion and Reproductive Health

The "war" between the Catholic Church and the proponents of the Reproductive Health law in the Philippines has been in the news for days already.

Those who are for the reproductive health law want women to have a choice, between natural and artificial methods, without mention and/or inclusion of abortion as an option.

The Catholic Church on one hand does not accept any form of artificial method indicating that reproductive health is tantamount to having abortion as an option.

No one is talking about abortion. I do not approve of abortion. And please, do not put words into the mouths of those who are pro-choice.

However, talks of not allowing those who promote Reproductive Health to receive communion has been around as well.

Both methods' aim is to avoid pregnancy.

But to deprive its followers of communion when they are pro-choice may be considered as going too far, I believe.

While it is believed that the natural method works as much as the artificial method, the former entails more discipline as compared to the latter; and Pinoys are known to be an impatient lot as anyone could be.

My point to the matter is, let the women have a choice. There is no need for black mail. Let the government do its job. In the first place, I never believed that morality should even be considered by any government. Their job is to provide what may be best for the majority as long as it adheres to the basic law of the land.

On one hand, it is the job of the church to guide its followers. Guide and not coerce. Guide and not to divide. Guide and welcome, not drive away.

If the stories in the news are true that the church are contamplating that those who are pro-choice are not to be given communion, then this is what I have to say. The church may bless those who they want, but if God refuses to give his own blessings, then the church's blessings are for naught. The church may not bless anyone, but if God decides to give his blessings, then no church blessing is necessary.

The population in this country has been skyrocketing for years. There will come a time when there would be too many of us alive and there would be less resources for everyone. Let us not wait for that day to come because even these days, the hard earning daily wagers are already experiencing the difficulties in life. And with the number of children that they could not afford to send to school, we are increasing the population living below the poverty line.

Will the church send to school and feed these children? Will they provide shelter? Most likely not. But would be good enough if they could.

I still say, let the women have their choice. After all, if they really want to talk about morality, it is even morally wrong for parents to have too many children they could not feed, shelter, and send to school properly.

WRAP IT UP!

Let us also help lower the HIV infection and transmission in this country. Too many are already infected. And many of them do not even know that they are positive.

WRAP IT UP!

Let us all help save lives. The life you save may even be your own.

Sidewalk

I needed to call a bank yesterday, Monday.

For quite a long time, I have noticed one bank along Vito Cruz in Pasay which would rather have the pedestrians use the main road instead of allowing them to use the sidewalk when their armored cars are positioned in front of their offices.

I mean, come on! The sidewalk is for the pedestrians and not a security area which they could consider as a "strictly for personnel only" area.

I called up the directory assistance of PLDT. They gave me the number of the bank, and connected me automatically (for PhP2.00). I tried calling over and over, but each time I'd get a "sorry, that extension is not available" when I press zero to be connected to the operator. That's what the prompt tells me anyways. "Press zero to reach the operator."

I got on the net and found that I needed to dial 222 in order to get to the customer service. I have to admit I had a hard time looking for the site of the bank. I even got the information on a Malaysian bank's site. There was no www.the-name-of-the-bank.com.ph or even www.the-name-of-the-bank.com!

I called once more, and dialled 222 for the extension.

Beng, the girl who got my call informed me that they don't have an operator. Uggghhh!

So anyways, the reason why I called was because of their armored car in front their office. No one could use the sidewalk because even their security personnel would point the pedestrians to the highway. I was one of them!

Beng informed me that she will elevate the concern and even admitted that they too have experienced the same - that they have to use the highway at times.

Oh well, let's see in two months if this topic is going to be re-discussed. Maybe by then, I will name what is the name of the bank.

McAfee and AVG Free

So I thought I could have a good free anti virus application. It turns out that you can't really have your cake and eat it at the same time.

I have been using McAfee's VirusScan for years and years. Never had a problem with infection but it comes with a price. How I wish McAfee would try selling an unbundled VirusScan. I don't use the other applications anyway - just VirusScan.

AVG Free is known as one good free anti virus application. Since, it's free, I thought I could switch without too much problems.

Downloaded AVG Free. Installed it. Uninstalled McAfee VirusScan and everything that goes with it.

After scanning using AVG Free, four programs that I made myself were detected. False positive.

As a usual practice, I synchronized my laptop with my desktop once more - only the data files. AVG prompted me once more about the supposed suspected files. I then proceeded to include those four files in the PUP (potentially unwanted programs) exception list. Re-synched my laptop with the computer. Didn't work. It was a headache.

To make the long story short, I ended up uninstalling AVG Free and as of this writing, downloading and reinstalling McAfee VirusScan.

I think I learned my lesson. Why switch when there was no problem with McAfee in the first place.

Well, one problem I could consider is the cost. Prices of almost everything are going up these days. I am still planning to discontinue with my McAfee subscription (as I am for two years and have been buying CDs the previous years) and going back to buying the CDs. DataBlitz still seels the CDs lower as compared to my annual subscription fee.