Cash or checks? Or Cheque?

Can you imagine a bank that doesn’t issue out checkbooks to its clients? Well, by 2018, checks will be jurassic, at least in Great Britain. The Board of the UK Payment Council has announced that the check clearing system will clear its last check on October 31, 2018.

Again, technology has pushed a traditional mode of payment into the history books. The use of debit cards, credit cards, and other forms of electronic payment systems (EPS) has grown in popularity. Salaries are often debited directly into one’s bank account. UST has stopped using checks to pay salaries of its professors. Now, the money goes straight into one’s Security Bank account, conveniently located within the campus. Gosh, I just encashed one check earlier at Security Bank.

According to the UK Payment Council, fewer people are using checks as mode of payment in that country. From 10.9 million checks in the 90s, only 3.8 million checks were paid out daily in Britain. Countries like Sweden and Norway have phased out the use of checks in their financial systems.

Locally, according to the PCHC, it processes a daily average of 682,915 Integrated and Inter-regional clearing items with annual count of 337,384,486 physical inward and outward checks. That includes our Security Bank check payments for our condo. The PCHC is the only clearing house in the Philippines.

Noel Barcena says, “Next to cash, checks are instruments most used for payments. PCHC primary role is to provide and maintain an efficient, economical and effective medium of exchange of cheques and other electronic payment items amongst its member banks.” Noel is the VP for Operations of PCHC. He provided me with insights about PCHC and BCPs (business continuity plans) as part of a feature story on business continuity for the Philippine Business Magazine.

There is some concern that if checks are eventually phased out as a form of payment, the older segment of the population who are not like BayanTel’s Lola Techie could be easier targets for thieves. Why? The elder people could be keeping large amount of cash at their homes.

It is generally believed that the Romans used an early form of check called “praescriptiones” during the 1st century BC. Banks in Persia, were also known to have issued letters of credit known as “Ṣakks.”

Did you know that checks during the 1600s were exchanged in coffee houses?

Now, I have to keep those old Far East And Trust Company (FEBTC) and Urban Bank checks I have. They could become rare memorabilia twenty years from now! I hope the BSP doesn't move towards a check-less society as checks are still a convenient and hassle-free mode of payment.

Doing more, with less

Like me, you probably also have too much information on your laptop. Which is one reason why am looking for an iOmega EGO external hard drive. Anyone know where I can find one?

According to the latest IDC Digital Universe White Paper, sponsored by EMC, there has been a five-fold growth in four years of digital information. Yup, that includes digital pictures we upload on Facebook or Friendster or music we buy and download from iTunes. And the more affordable costs of digital gadgets and equipments has contributed to the increase of digital information.

The study reveals that next year, 70% of information in the digital universe will be created by individuals like you and me. This study examined how IT departments were coping with the growth (or rather the boom) of information and how money was being allocated to manage corporate data. From the 405 respondents, 92 were from the financial, manufacturing, telco and energy sectors in the Philippines.

“Within the Philippines’ telecoms industry, the challenge is now about which telco can offer the most value-added and creative content in order to expand consumer offering that provide end to end solutions on the go,” says Ronnie Latinazo, Country Manager, EMC Philippines. I am sure both Globe and Smart are fighting toe to toe to get these value-added and creative content to their subscribers. Unless, you see a network out of coverage reach message.

For companies, there would be an increasing need for security, compliance and preservation of digital information. A key element in the IDC study showed that data security is still a missing key element in information management strategies. From the total 405 respondents, some companies still don’t have data security policies in place.

“Companies are under tremendous pressures to achieve higher levels of efficiency with existing technology that have now because IT budgets are often reduced or unchanged despite an increase in demand for constant upgrades,” says Latinazo. Yup, we have heard of “doing more, with less.” Given the tough economic times, IT budgets are really being affected.

Sometimes, with reduced IT budgets, companies face a continuing challenge on the customer front. Respondents from the five countries who were part of the IDC survey (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India) say that “they need to deploy technological products and services in more innovative and strategic ways.”

My IT budget? Around 5,000 pesos for an Iomega eGo™ Portable Hard Drive. Anyone know where I can get one? Preferably colored red. Has multiple connections too!, one FireWire® 800 port, one FireWire 400 port, one USB 2.0 port and offers interface versatility for Mac users like me.

Music Piracy

During the second day of the IPR Conference held at the EDSA Shangrila Hotel, I eagerly sat and listened to Ken Leung of IFPI talk about music piracy. Ken is Regional Operations Officer of IFPI Asian Regional Office. He has many years of experience in tackling IP theft and has participated in many raids in the Region.

According to the IFPI website, this organization has 1400 members in 72 countries and represents the recording industry worldwide. IFPI also has affiliated industry associations in 44 countries. It’s mission include, promoting the value of recorded music, safeguarding the rights of record producers
 and expanding the commercial uses of recorded music.

Ken explains to his audience what SIDs or Source Identification Codes found in original music CDs. There are actually two types of these codes, namely: the mould codes and mastering codes. Look at your original music CD. The mould code is found in the inner ring. An example of this code is “ifpiA103.” This code identifies which manufacturing plant replicated the CD. While in the outer ring is the mastering code. Ken explains that this code “tells us that the master of the disc was made by which plant in which country, like where the sampler was made. An example of this code is IFPI LAB12. LAB is the plant code.

“Obliteration of the SID Code suggests piracy,” says Ken.

Ken also described some of the biggest challenges on music piracy. He describes “high quality counterfeits” which have better printing, packaging and contents. He says, “It is almost the same as legitimate ones.”
Another is “cross border piracy” wherein the replicating plant in one country has already closed but there are no records of replicating lines.

He cites the case of 12 containers with replicating machines shipped from Canada and the US to the Philippines. “Last May, together with the Bureau of Customs, these replicating machines were confiscated. The OMB refused to grant a license for import to the Chinese businessman,” adds Ken.

David Blakemore adds, “A lot can be done internationally to trace movement of goods and equipment.” There is a need for more intelligence sharing among law enforcements and government agencies. David has 34 years experience with the New Zealand Customs Service.

There is definitely a need for more partnerships and collaboration between government and private sectors for stronger enforcement of the IP laws. This IP Conference is also a good step towards better public education to increase the respect for intellectual property.

Importance of Intellectual Property

Earlier, after the first day of “WIPO Asia Pacific Conference on Intellectual Property Strategies and National Development,” I sat down with David Blackmore at the Boracay Room of EDSA Shangrila Hotel. The theme of this conference is “Innovation in Motion.” David was in the Philippines last 2007, when he run a training program for IP law enforcement. Based in New Zealand, David is the Executive Director of IPR. Photos by Ruth Roman.

Together with Melvin Calimag of the Manila Bulletin, we talked about some of the issues and concerns related to IP or intellectual property.

“All economies are suffering from counterfeiting and piracy, but the face of the problem is changing. Every conceivable sector is affected and it’s consequences include, among others, consumer safety and business revenue,” says David

We were surprised when David shared that in India alone, there were 40 fake versions of Vicks Vaporub. He describes that fakes not only compete with the originals but among the fake products too. Even YKK zippers is also copied. “It is one of the most faked items,” adds David.

My friend, Melvin asked which product sector ranked high among piracy and counterfeiting. David replied that “music piracy was more prevalent but luxury goods and clothing was most visible.” No arguments here. Just go around tiangges and one can see thousands of fake brands like Louis Vitton, Lacoste and Polo.

It is common knowledge that a lot of fake products come out of China. I asked David about this challenged being faced in the world’s largest economy. Maybe, if there was tighter control within China’s borders, less fake products will reach the tiangges and flea markets around Metro Manila. David says, “Chinese customs makes a lot of seizures.” He explains that the size and scale is too big too handle. That I can imagine. And there must some tech-driven way that can help address this problem. It would be tough to physically check each container van coming out of Chinese ports. “Customs control is important,” adds David. “80% of all seizures are made by custom officials.”

David calls for the need for more involvement among all stakeholders. “We need to expand alliances beyond government and law enforcement agencies.” He also sees the public awareness should start in schools, which could contribute to an increase of respect for intellectual property. Agree that we can find a champion among our midst who will instill in the minds of the youth the importance of respecting intellectual property, specially, related to music and photos.

I asked if there could be a champion for IP issues. I shared that Al Gore was successful in putting climate change high in the priority list among government through the film, An Inconvenient Truth. David opined that the famous football player, Ronaldo, can champion the fight against fake football jerseys.

This event contributes to increased awareness for intellectual property as it exemplifies cooperation between government and the private sector as intellectual property becomes a strategic tool for national development.

Mystery Google

Just browsing around Google and by chance, I was led to this site. A really mysterious site that yields results that can be unexpected, unrelated, mysterious and even yucky! Or scandalous.

Try and click on www.mysterygoogle.com and maybe, you can help unravel this mystery.

Or maybe, it will lead into something more mysterious that relates to Halloween!

Conversations or Confrontations

When Tweeter first caught the fancy of netizens, many quickly subscribed to the idea of sharing the most trivial, mundane things about life and the world in 140 characters or less. Whether one was drinking coffee at Starbucks, waiting for a SIA flight or going to bed after watching ”CSI New York”, tweetizens were sharing posts and messages that made the microblogging site a growing phenomena. Many celebrities welcomed Twitter as a promotional medium that kept fans updated of their personal and professional lives. It was fun and quick way to communicate with fans. A novelty.

But today, tweets have gone beyond conversation of one to the world. It has become a battleground. Many celebrities and personalities to are losing control of their emotions and letting go of rants and angst against friend, foe or even fans.

Many of us remember Demi Moore from the classic movie, “Ghost” and even "St. Elmo's Fire," "A Few Good Men" and Charlie’s Angels.” And her famous cover in "Vanity Fair" when she was pregnant! Through Tweeter, she has called out for help, in behalf of the victims of Tyhoon Ondoy. Other celebrities who have appealed for help include Ricky Martin, Josh Groban, Allysa Milano and even Paris Hilton.

These days, she speaks her mind out against gossip blogger Perez Hilton who has criticized her about her parenting skills.

Remember Kanye West stealing the limelight from Taylor Swift during the MTV Video Music Awards. He received angry tweets and blog postings from other celebrities and fans.

Last March, Mark Cuban was fined UD$25K by the NBA after he questioned and tweeted about officiating.



Microblogging sites is changing the communicatons landscape. And presents a challenge for communications practitioners who work with celebrities and personalities who use this technology to express rant and rage. It is like a gun, lock and loaded with 140 characters, that celebrities with little or no control over the emotions can fire at anytime, in real time, 24/7 across twitterverse.


Celebrities need to exercise restraint in social media, specially, since they have an image and reputation to protect and maintain. Picking up a fight on Tweeter is more dangerous. It will only serve to aggravate any grievance or grudge. And chances, it gets you coverage on CNN and E News. But isn’t that really bad publicity. Do remember what T. Scott Fitzgerald said, "You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say."

Tweets have really changed how people communicate. Still, despite changing technology, wouldn’t it be nicer to just call and talk to that person rather than hide behind our mobile devices? It is really much better to get back to old fashioned, less tech-driven face-to-face conversation. Or even a just a phone call.

Otherwise, follow Miley Cyrus who has joined the “Qweeters.” Miley leaves behind nearly 2.2 million followers, which includes her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. Now, it's back to achy, breaky, heart?

MPI Technology at MMC

Back in the late 90s, probably like many of us, we knew Siemens' as a brand of mobile phones. But this company is really more than just phones. Based in Germany, the company also uses technology and innovation for the healthcare industry. And today, I saw how technology works for MMC’s Nuclear Medicine Department using Siemens’ myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) technology.

Nuclear medicine sounds a little high-tech. And am sure that the MPI equipment called Symbia made by Siemens is worth millions of pesos. Photo of the Siemen’s Symbia from www.medical.siemens.com

According to Wikipedia, MPI “evaluates many heart conditions from coronary artery disease (CAD) to hypertropic cardiomyopathy and myocardial wall motion abnormalities.” In simple language, it will find out if there are obstructions to my heart, as explained by Noel Santillan, med-tech assigned at the Nuclear Medicine Facility of MMC. Noel assisted me through the process.

I arrived at MMC a little after 9:00am and had the procedure approved by Medicard. Aileen had facilitated the approval of the procedure. It was quick as there were very few patients around at this time of the day. But don’t come around 10am, as you would surely wait much longer.

The procedure would help determine if I had CAD. What is CAD? According to http://md.gehealthcare.com, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart, usually caused by blocked arteries. My cardiologist needed this test to rule out any possible heart problems.

The procedure involves an injection of a small amount of radioactive material which circulates in the bloodstream and shows if your heart muscle is receiving adequate blood supply under stress and/or rest conditions. Yup, a small amount was injected through a vein in my left palm. Noel reassured me that it was just a very small amount. (Source: http://md.gehealthcare.com)

I waited for the first scan at the Waiting Room. There were lots of magazines. The TV, mounted on the right corner of the room was tuned in to CNN, which was featuring China’s anniversary parade. Tanks and soldiers. I just read about the “Power 100” which featured the top 100 sports personalities in BusinessWeek Magazine. Of course, Kobe, Lebron and Tiger made the list.

What stage will I reach for the treadmill test? That would be another blog entry.

Technology and the Bayanihan spirit

During the long nights and days, many Filipinos stranded in their flooded homes and streets around Metro Manila remain connected with their families and friends through the Internet, specifically, mobile technology.

And within the 12 hours when Typhoon Ondoy pounded the metropolis with the heaviest rain in 42 years, people remain connected through their mobile phones and the Internet. Many of us probably don't recall Typhoon Yoling?

Calls for help and rescue were posted around the web. Many bloggers posted contact details of rescue groups, media organizations, schools and other groups helping out. All these Filipinos were responding to the cries of help of many Filipinos, stranded, specifically, in the high-priority areas like Marikina, Pasig and Cainta.

Through sms, am sure thousands of messages crossed the Smart, Globe and Sun networks. People were asking and updating their friends and family of their status. Sending photos of flooded areas. Buzzing news media for “on the spot” reports of flooding and rescue operations.

Facebook users updated friends, family and followers of their status. Many who were stuck in traffic and in school used Facebook to inform others of their status. Users shared stories of heroism and courage.

Hundreds of Thomasians, which included my friend, Noelle el Farol, were stranded inside UST during that weekend. Being stranded didn’t really cut you off from the outside world. Micro-blogging sites like Twitter and Plurk brought out news and updates in a few words. And authorities learned of other places like Pinagbuhatan, Pasig that remained flooded days after the weekend.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of stories to share about how technology worked during these recent days. And many of these stories have been aired by ABS-CBN and GMA, and published in the online editions of major newpapers like the Inquirer. Kudos for being quick to report and bring the news in real-time!

Maybe, during times of crisis and emergencies, mobile phone companies can provide extra services like free real time news updates and even, give free airtime to prepaid subscribers?

Yes, it helped many to be connected even amidst the floods and let people we cared for know how we were doing, if we were safe or needed rescue.

Yes, it helped us identify flooded streets and avoid these streets. With our mobile phones, technology helped keep us company for hours as traffic didn't move in many streets. Many sent tweets while on the road.

Yes, it gave information on which numbers to call to volunteer our time and energy and know where to send our donations. Hundreds of volunteers responded to these calls for help and went to schools, homes and even warehouses to help pack relief goods.

But most of all, through technology, the bayanihan spirit of Filipinos worked in many amazing ways that helped saved lives.

Call for help and rescue

Here are some important contact details and numbers we can use during these times after Typhoon Ondoy and any future emergencies. Note, that I have deleted details of any politician or personalities.

1. National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)
(+632-9125668, +632-9111406, +632-9115061, +632-9122665),
Help hotlines: (+65 734-2118, 734-2120),
Email: ndcchelpdesk@gmail.com

Click this link for their website.

2. Philippine Coast Guard (+632-5276136)

3. Air Force (+63908-1126976, +632-8535023)

4. Metro Manila Development Authority (136)

5. Marikina City Rescue (+632-6462436, +632-6462423, +632920-9072902)

6. Pasig Rescue Emergency Number (+632-6310099)

7. Quezon City Rescue (161)

8. San Juan City Hall Command Post (+632-4681697)

9. Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (+63245-9634376)

10. Philippine National Red Cross (143, +632-5270000)

11. Philippine National Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: (+632-6350922, +632-6347824)

12. ABS-CBN Typhoon Ondoy Hotline: (+632-4163641)

13. GMA Kapuso Helpline: (+632-9811950-59)

Blogger at 10

Belated Happy birthday, Blogger!

According to the Official Google Blog, when Google acquired Blogger in February of 2003, there were about 250,000 visitors per month. Today, more than 300 million!

The blogging phenomena has grown and risen beyond expectations of many internet enthusiasts and media experts. Am not a social media expert, but in the course of the story, tentatively titled, “The Business of Blogging” for the Philippine Business Magazine, I have realized many insights about this blogging phenomena!

While I knew that Blogger had been acquired by Google in 2003, I learned that Evan Williams, one of co-founders of Blogger, is now with Twitter! Really a small industry.

I shall discovered that Justine Hall is recognized by the New York Times Magazine as "the founding father of personal blogging."

The Official Google Blog says, "Blogs are a global self-publishing phenomenon that connect Internet users with dynamic, diverse points of view while also enabling comment and participation." We're proud that Blogger continues to be a force for free expression worldwide and that it is growing quickly despite its maturity. In the past two years alone, the number of people contributing to a blog has more than doubled, and every second of every day, a new blog is created on Blogger.

As part of a series of “birthday presents” to users, an application called “Blogpress” developed by InfoThinker can be used on one’s iPhone. Now, that brings blogging to more connectivity on the road. For me, with still an expensive costs of mobile connectivity, Globe Visibility and a cold Starbucks Mocha Frappe works well.

Again, happy birthday Blogger! You continue to change the way the world thinks and share life’s experiences!

Free! Insights for Search

Search takes a whole new meaning with the launch of Google Insights for Search. Attending the media briefing held at the Ascott Hotel in Makati City, Jay Trinidad and Therese Lim, described to media how “Insights for Search” works.

Jay who is Regional Product Marketing Manager, Consumer Products, Google Asia Pacific, showed a comparative search between today’s presidentiables. He described how off-line activities help create spikes in online search. Guess who led the spikes this month?
The results showed a clear visual trend of spikes and leads of one presidentiable over another candidate.

With an expensive cost of research, a media colleague asked if “Insights for Search” was free, Jay says, “ It is free because it is what is right for the users.” That is good as many companies can’t afford the cost of research. “If people have more information, they could spend more money,” adds Jay.

While “Insights for Search” provides interesting comparative data, it is NOT stand alone data. It doesn’t show actual number of hits. This figure is rounded off in “hundreds.” Brand managers would still need other qualitative research data to analyze results from “Insights for Search.” Therese says, “It helps provides trends.”

Jay adds that “Insights for Search” is available in 40 languages and is part of Google’s commitment to its users.

Another concern raised by another colleague was “artificial search.” This could be true for presidentiables who would want their online presence rise by simply asking X amount of staff to do nothing all day but type the presidentiable’s name. That is possible but the Google team assured media that it had in place tools that would detect “artificial search.” Guess, Google could always track down these fake searches through the IP address where the query is coming from.

What I find interesting and valuable is that “Insights for Search” allows you multiple comparative searches, like search for three brands at the time. Also allows you a focused geographic search, like if you want to see trends in Luzon or Cebu.

“Insights for Search offers a glimpse into the spirit of the times,” says Jay. “What the world is searching for offers an insight into what’s interesting to people around the world.”

I shared “Insights for Search” later with my Chief, comparing queries for her brand and a competitive brand. She found the tool interesting and has also shared the tool with her client and agency team. Of course, client confidentiality prohibits me from identifying which brands we googled. But you try this tool and find out how technology works for a brand audit. And try it in Filipino!

Twitter on the court?

Shaq with 2.1 million followers is probably the biggest user of Twitter among the NBA players. Even the NBA has its own Twitter account with more than 1 million followers. But can you imagine an NBA player, sitting on the bench and sending out tweets as the game is in progress? It has been done before.

And now NBA commissioner David Stern is following the lead of the NFL and will soon issue guidelines on how professional players use social media tools inside and outside a game. NFL had recently announced its guidelines on the use of social media. It now prohibits players, coaches and football operations personnel from using social media networks like Twitter and Facebook 90 minutes before kickoff to the end of traditional media interviews after games. And NFL game officials are banned from using social media at all times. ESPN is also developing stricter guidelines.

According to a Yahoo! Sports story, Stern says, “Obviously, there is a happy medium between tweeting before the game and tweeting from our bench during the game.”

Stern says players need to stay focused on their game. “It would look unusual for a guy sitting on the bench to pick up his cell phone, and I think we can agree that he probably shouldn’t be writing e-mails. It’s not about Twitter; it’s about the line of communication. That’s what we’re focusing on.”

Yes, Twitter and other social media platforms help players connect to fans, but using these tools during games is definitely taboo! And if I was a coach, I would also restrict mobile phones in the locker rooms or on the bench. Like students inside a classroom, players need to focus and concentrate on their game. That is already tough with thousands of screaming fans.

Already, players and even coaches are on YouTube, facebook and Twitter. They all videos and profiles which keep fans updated. And they are just like you and me, fascinated on how technoloft works, in real time, 24/7.

There is always the right time and place for technology to work. And the court or the bench isn’t one of these places. You are either looking to get fired or get benched throughout the season!

Standard Chartered works!

We all have heard stories of how some of our friends have lost their credit cards to thieves and within hours, have their credit limit maxed out.

My friend once had her credit card stolen by conniving staff of a famous karaoke bar in Greenbelt. Fortunately, she had reported the card stolen and the police and mall security caught up with the thieves at a Lacoste store. The thieves were caught red-handed with several bags of expensive Lacoste shirts.

Someone we also know had her credit card stolen from her bag, inside her office. The thieves went on a shopping spree.

Last weekend, Chief and I went on a mini-shopping spree at Rustan's Makati. Partially, in preparation for the wedding on Celine and Rocky next Saturday. We had bought a dress for Chief using my Standard Chartered credit card. We have their “picture-type” credit card! Our picture shows Chief and I at a Taco Bell restaurant in New York, during our first trip to the States last December 2003. With a picture, there was no way a thief could use our credit card.

Then, we went to the concierge to apply for the new Rustan’s FSP. As I was filling up the form, Chief went to jewelry section looking at the bracelet she had long been wishing for.

But without second though as she pulled me over to look at it again, I said, “Sige, kunin mo na!” She was surprised with my quick approval. My credit card was swiped and credit approved.

A few minutes later, another surprise came!


My iPhone rung. It was an unlisted number. An overseas call as the lady had a Chinese accent. She introduced herself as Lei-ping of Standard Chartered and asked one question, “Sir, are you using your card now?” I said, “Yes.”

The conversation, or rather the credit check was quick and short. No small talk or pleasantries.

This is another example of how technology works.

Standard Chartered surely would have a “mechanism” in place that sends out a red flag when a client’s spending pattern goes beyond normal. And that Sunday my pattern was “abnormal.”

Thanks to Standard Chartered for their credit check! It is very assuring that you guys are on your toes and quick to react!

Twitting from Tehran

With the government media censorship and crackdown on Iranian protestors and Internet sites, Iranian are finding ways and means to get news and images out to the world. Photo by AFP/Mehdi Fedouach.

The government has blocked many sites. Facebook and YouTube are being monitored. Service is reportedly much slower than normal. Even mobile phone service has been affected. Slower service provides the opportunity for security forces and the police increased ability to filter data. Note Iran's telecommunications industry is a monopoly.

Remote proxy servers have been set up so Iranians can access blocked websites from inside their country. Other Internet companies and individuals around the world have stepped in and maximizing technology to help Iranians communicate and organize.

Twitter users are using an application that allows users to tint their profile pictures green. Not the La Salle color but the trademark color of the opposition. This application was developed by a man from Israel. In fact, Twitter re-scheduled maintenance shutdown so that users could continue to access the microblogging site.


Other Twitter users outside Iran have also shown support by changing their listed locations and time zones to Tehran. This is meant to make it more difficult to see just how many people were tweeting from Iran. Photo was uploaded on Twitter last June 21, 2009.

Mousavi’s Facebook account now has 66,000 supporters who have organized protests through his public page.

Google's video sharing site, YouTube, has seen an increase of video that relates to the Tehran crisis. Try searching for "Iran election protest" video and see how many results you will get. CNN’s iReport gets news video from Iranians on the streets.

Both Google and Facebook have responded to the need for Iranians to be able to to communicate in their own language. They have launched Farsi services. There are more Farsi speakers working on translations on Facebook. Farsi also refers to the Persian language. It refers to the language spoken in Iran.

I remember back in February 1986, on my when Filipinos marched and protested in EDSA against the rule of the late Ferdinand Marcos. News spread fast through radio and pagers. Now, Blackberries and Twitter help spread the message and news. Definitely, more proof that technology works for people, specially, for Iranians, who are calling for change.

Project Natal

I really couldn’t believe it when I saw it on TV. And further searched it on the Internet. Yup, am talking about the Project Natal.


“Project Natal" is Microsoft's no-controller 3D motion and voice recognition technology for Xbox 360. Photo by David Sprague shows Kudo Tsunoda, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios, demonstrating the new motion-sensing technology for controlling games called Project Natal. Sources say that Natal will be sold as a “stand alone” peripheral. This means you can use it with your existing Xbox 360.

According to a Microsoft story, the user is the “controller.” What does this mean? No cables. No joysticks. Only your body and your voice. The new Xbox 360 has a motion-sensing device that follows or mimics your movements and actions. It’s camera and sound sensors can detect a players movements as well as voice commands.

"We want Xbox to be the next-generation social and entertainment network," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development for interactive entertainment. This new technology was unveiled this month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3, in Los Angeles


One of my favorite directors, Steven Spielberg, who also attended the E3 Event said, "This is a pivotal moment that will carry with it a wave of change, the ripples of which will reach far beyond video games." Photo by David Sprague shows Don Matrick, senior vice president of entertainment and devices, with Steven Spielberg.

Coming from Spielberg, then, must admit, this new technology would get most kids and gamers like me excited.

This is proof that technology works as it definitely takes games to a totally new level of experience.

Here's a video courtesy of YouTube:



Until this technology comes out in 2010, the gun controllers for my Sony PlayStation's Time Crisis will continue to be a part of my gaming experience Soon, they would be jurassic.

Making technology work for the Pope

It was only a matter of time before the Pope would make his presence felt on Facebook. But you definitely, won’t “poke” at him. Can you imagine how many “fans” the Pope would have? Count me in that list! Last I checked, nearly 50,000 fans!


There is one photo album, labeled as “Holy See Press Office.” It has 7 images of official vestments and insignias. Maybe, they should have photos from the foreign trips of the Pope, like his recent visit to the Middle East and Israel.

In discussions, “fans” talk about many issues like papal infallibility, Immaculate Concepcion and Purgatory. This thread alone has 36 posts, from 23 persons.

Events? None where listed. How can that be, when he was recently in the Middle East? There was however an update posted Friday, May 15, 2009 at 3:28am about the Pope’s visit to the Basilica of the Nativity and children’s hospital

Am sure there are many more things the Pope’s communication team can do with this Facebook portal.

Recently, a new Vatican website, was launched. This was part of the Vatican's World Communications Day celebration last Sunday which was devoted to communicating the gospel with new technologies.

"We recognize that a church that does not communicate ceases to be a church," said Monsignor Paul Tighe, secretary of the Vatican's Social Communications department.

Monsignor Tighe further says that many young people today are not turning to traditional media like newspapers and magazines any more for information and entertainment. "They are looking to a different media culture, and this is our effort to ensure that the Church is present in that communications culture."

According to a Reuters story by Philip Pullella, the new site contains “virtual postcards” which has images and words from the Pope. These postcards carry messages aimed for the youth (that excludes me). Just like Blue Mountain virtual postcards, users can send these postcards to their friends. I should try it. You should try it too!

Guess, these postcards can inspire the youth to consider being “fishers of men?” The Catholic Church has recognized a decline in the entry of men and women for religious vocations. It has been said that Europe has some of the most beautiful and biggest churches, but many of them are half-empty. Here, that is the opposite. Churches are full that some people have accepted the practice of staying outside the Church.

The 82-year-old Pope has encouraged young Catholics to use the internet responsibly but also has warned against the potential use of new media to spread violent messages and pornography.

The Vatican’s foray into technology also includes YouTube. You can visit this link, www.youtube.com/vaticanit

Latest DVD Technology

The moment I read this news, I quickly shared it with Chief and now, scribbling it online.

Yes, according to an AFP story filed from Paris last May 21, scientists have discovered technology that will allow consumers to have only one…. yup, only one DVD for 2,000 movies.

Yup, one DVD = 2,000 movies.

The story further says that this new DVD technology stores data in five dimensions. The researchers from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, used nanotechnology to increase the storage potential of DVDs.

DVDs were first introduced in 1997 as a replacement for several formats including CDs, VHS and laserdisc. Do you remember those laserdiscs? Yup, I remember, going to those shops in Greenhills which sold and rented laserdiscs!

The story further quotes Min Gu, who led the team. "We were able to show how nanostructured material can be incorporated onto a disc in order to increase data capacity, without increasing the physical size of the disc."

What does the five dimension means? Currently, disks have
three spatial dimensions. The researchers were add two dimensions, one based on the color spectrum, and the other on polarization, by using gold nanorods.

Maybe, an anology I can use is these new DVDs have 5 alternate reality (to borrow a term from the latest Star Trek film). Simple, means five realities of storage space. But all this space is in the same physical location, unlike the alternate reality in Star Trek, which happens in different locations.

But this technology is still work in progress and researchers says that commercial production is at least five years away, with possible partnership with Samsung.

Two thousand movies? If each movie run for 120 minutes, that means 240,000 minutes of viewing time. Or roughly, 166 days of viewing time?

Now, am asking myself if I have seen two thousand movies since I first saw Gene Wilder’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in 1971 at Diamond Theatre. And up last Saturday night at the Cinema 2 of Greenbelt Cinema, when Chief and I last saw J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek.”

By the way, I have seen Star Trek four times. Maybe, for the fifth time, I will look at it from the techy point of view!

Just a click away

Am sure many of us, specially, those in marketing and digital media would find banner ads interesting.

Others, simply ignore these ads. Some, find them annoying or distracting. Some companies have questioned their effectiveness.

But these ads still does illicit response from many web users. According to a study from iProspect, there is indeed some benefits from of online ads. The study says that when Internet users were asked to find out what actions they took when viewing a display ad on an ad-supported Website, results showed that nearly one-third said “they clicked on the ad.”

Other results showed that 38% visited the advertiser’s site through search results, 11% searched but did not click on any of the results, and 14% searched, visited the site and purchased the product advertised.

“In essence, search is an alternative mechanism for Internet users to respond to online display,” said Robert Murray of iProspect.

He adds,” If marketers are going to invest in display then they should leverage search marketing to help them capture the demand that display advertising creates.”

Online advertising is still a growing medium, specially here in the Philippines. You can see many pages around the web with advertising, whether it be a local flower shop or a multinational brand from P & G or Unilever. I see more growth for online advertising, specially, during these times of recession where marketers are looking for more measurable and cost-efficient results.

Plus there will definitely be a lot of buzz about online advertising during the next advertising congress to be held in Baguio City in November.

Chart from www.emarketer.com

Twitter works for a Queen

Twitter? Have received a few invitations to join Twitter. But still have resisted. Maybe, I refuse to be over connected. With Facebook, Yahoo! Mail and Messenger and Friendster, do I still another way to get connected with family and friends?

Photo shows Jordan's Queen Rania, wife of King Abdullah II, greets Pope Benedict XVI (R) upon his arrival at the Queen Alia International airport in Amman.

More recently, a queen used Twitter. Yup, according to WiredPR News, Queen Rania of Jordan sent out tweets to her followers about Pope Benedict XVI's first ever visit to an Arab country last Friday.

Here is a sample of her tweets:

"Just listened to Pope's speech. Our region so needs a message of Peace."

"Special day here in Amman; not everyday pope drop s by 4 a visit."

Photo of Pope Benedict XVI from by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images.

The Queen’s office had announced earlier that the queen decided to register on the Internet social network Twitter on the site http://twitter.com/QueenRania The office said that this done to mark Pope Benedict VI’s first-ever visit to the Middle East.

Who started Twitter? Jack Dorsey. He is an American software architect who started Twitter back in 2006.

Today, according a Nielsen.com blog (Michelle McGiboney: "Twitter's Tweet Smell of Success" March 2009), Twitter is ranked as the fastest-growing site in the Member Communities category for February 2009, followed by Zimbio and Facebook. But it’s retention rate is very high. An article “Many Twitters are quick quitters: study" published April 29, 2009 says many users drop the service after a month. And Twitter has experienced a few outages. Well, Twitter ain’t perfect technology yet.

What are tweets? Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. This can be displayed on the user's profile page and sent to other users who have subscribed to them.

Will I go on Twitter? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe, before Pope Benedict visit the Philippines?

Star Trek's Reboot at US$31 million

According to www.variety.com, Star Trek made an estimated US$31 million at the box office when it entered into warp drive last Friday.More than the millions it made across 3,849 theatres, the story and its young characters made a strong presence among old and new Trekkie fans.



Photo shows the young Kirk on the newest bridge of the Enterprise.

While the 11th film on the Star Trek franchise is called a “reboot,” the movie is estimated to surpass previous opening day presence from J. J. Abrams’ “Mission Impossible” which gained US$16.6 on its first day. This was Abrams’ directorial debut! It has also out-grossed the $12.9 million generated by 1996's "Star Trek: First Contact" on its opening day.

But what is a reboot? If you have a computer that is hangs, somebody would say, "you just need to reboot."

Isn’t this 11th film a prequel as it describes how the Roddenberry’s characters first met, enter the Starfleet Academy and established their friendships.

Yup, “Star Trek” tells of the birth of James T. Kirk aboard a shuttle-craft as his father crashes the USS Kelvin into a Romulan starship.

Reboots actually seek to rebrand franchises that seem to have lost its appeal and formula among its audience. Remember “Batman Begins” which revitalized the franchise. Or even the recent 007 “Casino Royale.”



Photo shows Kirk and Sulu fight Romulans as they try to break the drill. I remember Kirk asked Sulu, "What kind of fighting did you train for?" Sulu replies, "Fencing."

The young crew of "Star Trek’" Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), Karl Urban (Bones), Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu), Zoe Saldana (Uhura) and Anton Zelchin (Chekov). Plus Winona Ryder as Amanda Grayson, Spock's mother and Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike, who was the first captain of the Enterprise.



Eric Bana plays a villiain, Nero, Romulan who witnessed his planet destroyed by a supernova.

The original Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy, comes back from 129 years and again, says, “Live Long and Prosper.”

Since 1979, there have been 10 feature films based on Gene Roddenberry's '60s TV series. The highest grossing "Star Trek" film to date remains 1986's "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" with $109.7 million at the U.S. domestic box office.

Photos from Paramount Pictures at http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment

Star Trek Works

Just watched the new Star Trek film by J. J. Abrahms at the Cinema 1. And Al Roker was right to say that no a single frame was wasted in this film. He made this comment as he was exchanging words with Matt Lauer on the “Today Show” this morning. They had the original Mr. Spock as guest in that program… of course, I stayed on long enough to watch the interview.

Al Roker briefly talked to Leonard Nimoy about the new film. Nimoy said that he accepted to do the appearance after he had read the script. He probably found logic in the “return” after 129 years.

Yup, according to the film, Spock returned 129 years to the film’s presence. In the film, he is “trapped” in a icy, cold planet where the young Kirk (played by Chris Pine) is also “dispatched” by Spock (played by Zachary Quinto) after being accused of insubordination. At these times, both Spock and Kirk have not yet established the friendship that journeyed to strange new worlds and discovered new life forms.


Did you know that Matt Damon was also rumored to play the role of the young Kirk? But J. J. Abrams found Damon “too old” to play the young Kirk.

In the film, the paths of Kirk and Dr. McCoy aka “Bones” (played by Karl Urban) is established. We learned that Dr. McCoy is divorced by his wife and only left with his “bones.”


Isn't there a resemblance between them?

I was surprised to learn of a romantic relationship between Uhura and Spock? Which will probably be the ultimate test for Spock’s emotion in the next movie.

Another surprise was to see Winona Ryder play the role of, Amanda Grayson, Spock's mother. Did she really fall and die when the planet exploded?

And you will definitely get to see a more hi-tech bridge of the Enterprise! The transporter room, sickbay and engine rooms have a more techy look.

The phaser are designed as spring-triggered barrels that revolve and glow as the setting switches from "stun" to "kill."

Definitely, the film is worth the long wait since “Enterprise” shut down it’s engines!

Top Gun in Facebook

Do you remember the movie “Top Gun?” Yup, the movie where the song “Danger Zone” became popular. This was a 1986 American film with Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis (who recently announced that she is gay). It also starred Val Kilmer and Tom Skerritt.

Back then, the US military didn’t have Facebook or Twitter to recruit “top guns.” Now, the Pentagon uses Facebook. According to Sagar Meghani, an AP writer, Army officials are using Facebook to recruit young Americans between 18 to 24 years old. He quotes Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, "They live in the virtual world."

Gen. Raymond Odierno, who is the top U.S. commander in Iraq, alos has Facebook account. This provides him the opportunity in cyberspace to respond to questions about the mission in Iraq. Aside from the US Army, the Air Force and the Coast Guard also has a presence in Facebook.

I remember reading a story in the Inquirer about Jose Maria Sison also using Facebook to spread his message.

When Facebook first started in Feb 4, 2004, it was limited to a community of students in Harvard University. It later expanded to other colleges like Stanford, Columbia and Yale.

Am sure that when Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook he didn’t see Facebook growing into a 200 million-plus community worldwide that includes the US military and many Filipinos like me.

Wired and Sleepless in Seattle?

If you are probably working or living around the Makati Central Business district (MCBD), chances are “you are wired.” The growth of Wi-Fi locations and café continues to increase. Some are free, but you would really need to go and ask the “barista.”

Plus, if you have We Roam and Globe Visibility, you can easily get on-line. It is as simple as plug and play, unless, your server is currently experiencing an “outage.” And routers costs have become reasonable too. Most private universities and colleges around Metro Manila are wired. Again, you need to have your laptops “registered.”

Wondering which cities in the US are most wired? Probably, those closest Silicon Valley? Or even New York?

Nope, it is Seattle. Yup, where Dr. Frazier Crane (the radio psychologist played by Kelsey Grammer in the TV series, “Cheers”) used to have his radio program. Or we know Seattle as the birthplace of Starbucks (1971) and Seattle’s Best Coffee (1968). Sorry, am scribbling this blog from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, along Ayala Avenue, just across GT Tower.

It is interesting to note that a number of tech companies like Amazon hold residence in Seattle, which now claims the title as “America’s most wired city.” Photo shows the city landscape and the famous Space Needle, from the 1962 Century 21 Exposition. This is Seattle's most recognizable landmark and has been featured in the logo of the TV show, “Frasier.”

According to the latest Forbes’ annual list of 30 most broadband connected cities, Seattle’s increased use of broadband pushed the city’s ranking to the top, along with its increased number of Wi-Fi hot spots. Note that according survey data by the United States Census Bureau, Seattle is the most educated city in the U.S., with 52.4 percent of residents aged 25 and older having a bachelor's degree. And Seattle has the highest percentage of college and university graduates of any major U.S. city!

If you are wired in Seattle, you will definitely, won’t be “sleepless in Seattle?”

Atlanta, which held the Forbes’ top wired city spot in 2007 and 2008, went down to number 2. The US center of politics, Washington, D.C., moved up from No. 11 last year to No. 3. And with President Obama’s keeping is Blackberry and his support for universal broadband, Washington could remain in the top three for the next few years.

Ranked 4th and 5th are Orlando and Boston. Orlando with its millions visiting Disney World would need all the Wi-Fi hot spots it can get. Boston? Usage is high because of its over 100 colleges and universities that includes IVY league like Harvard and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Just like the U-belt around Espana and Recto?

Wouldn't it be great if Makati or Manila were all “wired?”

But these ranking could change as data is also changing as the number of Wi-Fi hot spots in restaurants, cafés and even gas stations increase in these cities increase. Even President Obama’s tech policies could affect these rankings. His policies give support better data availability and improvement of broadband service in the States. Here, we are still waiting for CICT to become a full-pledged department. What is taking it so long? Am sure, a DICT would contribute to a more "wired" community!

Megan Fox as Lara Croft

I really can't get of "Transformers."" Even if I had seen it a few times on the big screen, I still continue to watch it at HBO. And last night, I caught the movie again, while enjoying carbonara that my loving mom had cooked for us. And as a reward after a long day at work and perk up my viewing experience with our Samsung flat-screen TV, I had Coke Zero to compliment my spaghetti.

Yup, behind the animation technology that makes the transformation smooth, the heat between the two young leading characters is worth watching again. Megan Fox plays Mikaela Banes, who has a juvenile record. She has some mechanical skills from her father and initially withholds the truth from Sam about her past.

This time, I tried to focus on the smaller details of the movie. I saw the Transformers logo at the steering wheel of the “bumblebee” and how sexy Megan Fox is in the movie.

Ruggedly sexy as she drives the injured Bumblebee back into battle supported by a tow truck. Bumblebee eventually destroys Brawl.

Megan Denise Fox was born May 16, 1986. She made her fim debut in the 2001 film "Holiday in the Sun" and also was in the TV series "Hope and Faith." Megan is also a popular model and has been featured in the FHM, GQ, and Maxim. She was voted by FHM as the Sexiest Woman in the World in 2008.

Did you know she has nine tattoos?

And I still find sexy that scene wherein “bumblebee” breaks down and gives Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) a problem and Megan Fox checks the engine of the 1976 Chevrolet Camaro. Above photo of Megan from http://movies.radiofree.com/photos

And am just watching the news that Megan Fox will soon play Lara Croft!

Virtual Reunions via Telepresence

I first saw the Cisco Telepresence in use watching “24.” Yup, the famous real-time popular TV series, featuring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer. In that episode, at CTU, there was a video conference call. I noticed the Cisco logo on the three monitors across the round tables in a conference room. As in any episode, everything was a race against time and the Telepresence equipment was the most convenient and fastest way to bring people across the US together to face the crisis that Jack Bauer is trying to solve. Photo of Kiefer Sutherland from www.ew.com

I am still a little envious whenever I would hear another phone ring using the Cisco ringtone. I never figured out up to today how to download that Cisco ringtone on my iPhone.

But watching Telepresence on TV really doesn’t give justice to what the Telepresence is until one experiences it live and in person. Working with Cisco gave me this opportunity. This rare opportunity, maybe, to be like Jack Bauer sitting across a conference round-table and speaking to someone thousands of miles away.

Last February 11, 2009, I did experience Telepresence. After our pilot session with a couple of OFW families, we talked with Lulu Salazar and other officials from the Bayanihan Center in Hong Kong. And yes, Telepresence is a totally different experience. One can see up close and personal the smallest details of emotion. For these virtual reunions among OFWs, joy and excitement can be felt across this virtual technology.

Today, Cisco offers these “virtual reunions” for free for OFWs outside the Philippines. Two families, the Savedras from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and the Ubamos (not Obamas) had gone through this virtual reunions.

Can you imagine if the hundreds of thousands Filipino OFWs knew about Telepresence? There will probably long lines outside Cisco offices across 131 cities spread 40 countries. There are over 300 Telepresence facilities around the globe!

Cisco Philippines is the third country in Southeast Asia to put into place TelePresence. Singapore and Malaysia also have these facilities, together with over 300 TelePresence facilities.