Tuesday, January 31, 2012

MODUS OPERANDI SA BUS (Metro Manila)

AKALA KO AKO LANG!...UN PALA MERON PANG IBA NA NABIBIKTIMA NG GANITONG SISTEMA...PAANO NA KUNG UN LANG ANG NATITIRA MONG PERA AT MALAYO PA ANG PUPUNTAHAN MO...kawawa ka naman....maglalakad ka...(based on my own experience sa isang aircon bus....)

Last september 6, 2007, 4pm, ako ay sumakay ng bus sa cubao papuntang Robinsons Galleria. Dahil wala akong barya, P100 ang binigay ko sa kundoktor. Binigyan nya ako ng ticket worth P10 at kinuha ung P100 na binayad ko sabay sabi na sandali lang wala akong baryang panukli. So, pagdating sa may P. Tuazon (near araneta center)...pinaalala ko uli ung sukli ko sa konduktor...tinanong nya ako, "san ka nga uli baba'?." sumagot ako na..."sa may robinsons galleria lang!"......."malayo ka pa naman eh...sandali lang"...sabi ng kundoktor.

So, pagdating ng VV Soliven... lumipat ako ng upuan (3rows before the driver , at the right side of the bus). Pagdating ng SEC (near ortigas ave.) kinukuha ko na ung sukli ko...hindi kumibo ang kundoktor...(luminga-linga lang) parang deadma ba?....

Nang patawid na ng ortigas ave. (stoplight)...tumayo ako at nilapitan ko ung konduktor na naka upo sa tabi nung driver...hiningi ko ung sukli ko...

eto ang sabi nya sa'kin..."PATINGIN NGA NG TICKET MO?.,... sabay inabot ko...

sabi ng kundoktor..."Eh WALA NAMAN AKONG SINULAT (note) SA LIKOD NG TICKET MO ..TAPOS HIHINGI KA NG SUKLI!!!.... TARANTADO KA PALA EH... medyo mag init ang ulo ko sa sinabi nya... kaya sumagot ako... na ..TARANTADO KA RIN!!!...KANINA KO PA SINASABI NA ...UNG SUKLI KO SA P100 NA BINIGAY KO...

dun na kami nagkasagutan....at may dumikit sa akin na lalaki at sinabihan ako na ...."PRE,,WALA KA NAMAN INAABOT NA 'SAN DAANG PISO eH...TAPOS HIHINGI KA NG SUKLI!!!..

tumayo ako malapit sa pinto..malapit sa driver...at sinabi ko ung ginawa nung kundoktor nya....

eto ang sabi nung driver.... 'ABA..PARE...HINDI KO ALAM YAN...BAKA NAMAN WALA KA TALAGANG BINIBIGAY NA P100 DUN SA KUNDOKTOR KO...(sa pagkakataong ito...tatlo na ang nakikipagtalo sa akin... ung kondukto,.,,ung driver at ung isang lalaki na nakaupo sa may likuran ng driver...

Sabi ko sa sarili ko...agrabyado ako pag nakagulo...kaya sinabihan ko ung driver na...baba na ako. ..sabi ko..."BUKSAN MO YUNG PINTO...BABABA NA AKO..LALAMPAS AKO. HINDI AKO MAKIKIPAG BASAGAN NG MUKHA SA INYO SA HALAGANG P90 PESOS (sukli)...SA INYO NA LANG UNG SUKLI KO...(sa pagkakataong ito, ...ung bus ay nakahinto sa may tawiran sa harap ng POEA...pero hindi nya binubuksan ung pinto...hanggan sa umarangkada na uli ung bus..)

Sa may tapat ako ng DOLMAR BLDG (fronting POVEDA near Ortigas MRT Station) ako ibinaba...na kung saan eh..wala ng mga traffic aide na mapagsusumbongan ng kalokohan hila...

So...after one month...nakalimutan ko na ung nangyari....

Last October 30, 2007 (Tuesday) around 6:15pm...pauwi na ako galing ortigas going to makati (guadalupe tulay)... May isang babae na kasakay ko sa bus....na nagrereklamo sa kundoktor at driver....na hindi rin binibigay ung sukli. Sya daw ay galing sa may Timog ....sya ay bababa sa Boni....

Naalala ko ung nangyari sa'kin ....nang biglang may "LALAKI" na tumayo sa may kabilang upuan at sinabihan ung 'BABAE" na ...

"MISS...MISS...SINGKWENTA PESOS LANG UNG BINIGAY MO SA KUNDOKTOR...KITANG KITANG KO"....

Sa galit nung babae...akmang baba na sa may tapat ng 'Jollibee Boni"...nang biglang isinara nung driver ung pinto....at tsaka pinatakbo na matulin ung bus...hanggan sa makarating sa may tapat ng "PUGON"...(bilihan ng tinapay malapit na sa tulay)....Dun ko na pag tanto ung nang yari sa'kin...parehong-pareho ng ginawa dun sa babae...

Bago ako...bumaba sa may Guadalupe tulay (Loyola)...tiningnan ko ung driver,,,ung kundoktor at ung "LALAKI" na kumatig dun sa kundoktor....Magkaka-kilala pala sila....at nagtatawanan pa...

Akala ko ako lang ang nakapansin sa nangyari...

pag sakay ko ng jeep papuntang DELPAN....may "MAMA" na bumati sa akin...sabi nya..."PARE, KALA KO KANINA...TUTULUNGAN MO UNG BABAE...un hindi sinuklian?... "KASI NAKITA KO UNG MGA KA-KONTSABA NUNG DRIVER AT NUNG KONDUKTOR....UNG ISA...HINDI NAGSALITA PERO LUMAPIT SA MAY LIKOD MO....KAYA AKO...LUMIPAT DIN AKO ...KASI TWO YEARS AGO...NAKA EXPERIENCE AKO NANG GANYAN SA MAY BALINTAWAK... SINAKSAK UNG ISANG PASAHERO...KAWAWA NAMAN...GANYAN ANG MODUS OPERANDI NILA SA BUS....KAYA NGA PAG SUMASAKAY AKO NG BUS...PALAGI AKONG MAY DALANG BARYANG PANG BAYAD...

so samakatuwid...hindi lang pala holdaper at snatcher ang titingan mo sa bus....kawawa naman tayo...parehang kung mamuhay....paano na tayo...????

Sa inyong lahat...lagi po sana tayong mag iingat....Paki pasa na lang po...baka makatulong kahit konti.

Salamat po. - Yotomi(PEX)

WHAT A WOMAN WANTS AND NEEDS FROM HER MAN

Someone who will listen to you when you need someone there, who will let you know everything will be alright.
Someone who will hold your hand, grab you and hold you at your waist tightly.
Kiss you without hesitation.
Miss you when you’re gone.
Tell you that you look BEAUTIFUL, not hot.
Look into your eyes and then make you laugh by making a silly face.
Let you use their shirt to dry your eyes when you cry.
Walks with you in the park, on the beach or on a trail.
Holds you tight while watching scary movies.
Moves the hair from your eyes just to stare at your face.
A guy who blushes when you say something sweet.
Gives you a flower he picks off the fence or yard.
Writes you sweet notes even if they are silly.
Makes love with you, not just fucks you.
A guy who likes random things and even weird ones,
lets you jump on his back for a piggy back ride,
has pillow fights with you,
tickles you only to end up in an endless kiss.
Plays games with you, runs down toy aisles with you while making you laugh.
Gives you a back rub, and lets you give him one.
Picks you up in his arms like he's saving you from danger.
Loves watching you go, but hates having you leave.
A guy who pinches your butt only to pretend to be innocent while you look at him with a smile telling him to behave,
Dances with you, even if it's only on the kitchen floor and not a real dancing floor,
Learns how to play a musical instrument so he can sing to you even though he can't sing,
Writes you songs and poems,
Gives you a lap dance just to make you laugh, drinks with you but takes care of you if you had too much.
Is thrilled that you're watching the ball games with him, and in turn will watch the chick-flicks with you,
A guy who, if you get mad at him, kisses you not to shut you up, but to show you he cares about you.
Protects you from harm, kisses your booboo if you get hurt.
Cooks for you, even if he has to follow a recipe, and cleans up afterwards.
Gives you an ice cold beer or a glass of wine while you’re cooking to show he appreciates your efforts,
Tries to give you a kiss on the back of your neck while you’re busy trying not to burn the barbecue.
Whispers “I love you” when he thinks you’ve already fallen asleep,
Let’s you know that everything will turn out right, and will find a way to keep you both together…
And just thanks God every day that he’s got the perfect Gift from HIM, that’s YOU

Sunday, January 29, 2012

This really happened wow (SHARE IF YOU ARE AGAINST RACISM!)

This really happened wow

A 50-something year old white woman arrived at her seat and saw that the passenger next to her was a black man.

Visibly furious, she called the air hostess.

"What's the problem, ma?" the hostess asked her

"Can't you see?" the lady said - "I was given a seat next to a black man. I can't seat here next to him. You have to change my seat"

- "Please, calm down, ma" - said the hostess "Unfortunately, all the seats are occupied, but I'm still going to check if we have any."

The hostess left and returned some minutes later.

"Madam, as I told you, there isn't any empty seat in this class- economy class. But I spoke to the captain and he confirmed that there isn't any empty seats in the economy class. We only have seats in the first class."

And before the woman said anything, the hostess continued

"Look, it is unusual for our company to allow a passenger from the economy class change to the first class. However, given the circumstances, the commandant thinks that it would be a scandal to make a passenger travel sat next to an unpleasant person."

And turning to the black man, the hostess said:

"Which means, Sir, if you would be so nice to pack your handbag, we have reserved you a seat in the first class..."

And all the passengers nearby, who were shocked to see the scene started applauding, some standing on their feet."

SHARE IF YOU ARE AGAINST RACISM!
By: Genessa Grace Bingham

Friday, January 27, 2012

CANCER KILLER – Natural Cancer Cell Killer 10,000 Times Stronger Than Chemo!

The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.

Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden.
The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

This tree is low and is called graviola ! in Brazi l, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “soursop” in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest. This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it’s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree..

The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ‘s largest drug manufacturers, th! e fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970′s! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing… Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectivelyhunts
down and kills only cancer cells.. It does not harm healthy cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched–so why haven’t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is

One of America ‘s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indi! ans in S outh America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.
But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola,! they be gan tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola–and its shocking cover-up–came in fast and furious….

….The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…

….Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials–the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment’s value–were ever initiated….

….A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin…”

….The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

…A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung
cancers…. Seven years of silence broken–it’s finally here!

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEY IN LESS THAN P20 (I CARE FOR ALL OF US)

CLEAN YOUR KIDNEY IN LESS THAN P20 (I CARE FOR ALL OF US)

Years pass by and our kidneys are filtering the blood by removing salt, poison and any unwanted entering our body. With time, the salt accumulates and this needs to undergo cleaning treatments and how are we going to overcome this?
It is very easy, first take a bunch of parsley (MALLI Leaves)and wash it clean
Then cut it in small pieces and put it in a pot and pour clean water and boil it for ten minutes and let it cool down and then filter it and pour in a clean bottle and keep it inside refrigerator to cool.
Drink one glass daily and you will notice all salt and other accumulated poison coming out of your kidney by urination also you will be able to notice the difference which you never felt before.
Parsley is known as best cleaning treatment for kidneys and it is natural!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

Let's say it's 6.15pm and you're going home (alone of course),
after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired, upset and frustrated. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to drag out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself..!!

NOW HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE..

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.
A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest.
A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating.
The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Rather than sharing jokes please.. contribute by Sharing this which can save a person's life!!!!
By: Info for u

Dr. Phil's Test

Dr. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!


Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38. Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!


Read on, this is very interesting!


Don 't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends & family.


The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who sent it to you.) Don 't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.


Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.


This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.


Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box.


Ready???


Begin.


1. When do you feel your best?


a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon &and early evening
c) late at night


2. You usually walk...


a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly


3. When talking to people you...


a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4. When relaxing, you sit with...


a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...


a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile


6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...


a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...



a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes


8. Which of the following colors do you like most?


a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...


a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...


a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant


POINTS:


1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points:


OVER 60 POINTS : Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care.' You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS : Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS : Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS : People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

it's more fun in the philippines

Repost: Since we have already the #itsmorefuninthephilippines, maybe we can also have some of these Philippines domestic tourism slogans:
- Boracay, You Sexy Beach!
- Haller, Baler!
- Bohol: Go To Hill!
- Be Cool, Bicol!
- Thank you, Camiguin!
- Maliit Navotas, Lumalaki!
- We Fly High In Capiz!
- Go Gaga In Naga!
- Kaibigan, Punta Na Sa Vigan!
- Virac, You Rock!
- Kamuning Get Me!
- Better Leyte Than Never!
- Whee! Tawi-Tawi!
- Walang Aayaw Sa Apayao!
- Maraming Gig Sa Taguig!
- Bongga Ka Day, Sa Norzagaray!
- I wanna dance with Zambales, I wanna feel the heat with Zambales!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

One day, Erap saw Pnoy reading a book on logic.

Erap : Mahirap ata yang binabas...a mong libro.
Pnoy : No, logic lang ito, madali lang.
Erap : Ano ba yang logic na yan, hindi ko ata alam yan.
Pnoy : Ganito lang yan, may aquarium ka ba sa haws?
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : Kung may aquarium ka, eh di mahilig ka sa isda.
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : Kung mahilig ka sa isda, mahilig ka rin sa dagat.
Erap: Oo.
Pnoy ; Eh di kung mahilig ka sa dagat, gusto mo pumupunta sa beach.
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : At kung mahilig kang pumunta sa beach, mahilig ka sa babaeng naka-bathing suit.
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : Eh kung mahilig ka sa mga seksing babaeng naka-bathing suit, eh di lalakeng - lalake ka.
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : Eh kung lalakeng - lalake ka, eh di macho ka.
Erap : Oo.
Pnoy : Kita mo na, ganyan lang ang logic!
Erap : Okey pala yang logic na yan, ah!

The following day, Erap saw papa “P”

Erap : Piolo, susubukan ko lang itong tinuro sa aking logic ni Pnoy.
Piolo : Sige nga po!
Erap : May aquarium ka ba sa bahay?
Piolo : Wala.
Erap : Bakla ka nga!

10 Things We wish our customers know

A great list of some things we all wished our users knew.

1. Don’t argue with me.

If you come to me to ask technical questions, please don’t argue when you don’t like my answer. If you think you know more about what you’re asking than I do, then why even ask? On that same note, if I am arguing with you, it’s because I’m certain that I am correct; otherwise I’d just tell you “I don’t know” or perhaps point you somewhere that you could look it up. We don’t argue just for the sake of arguing.

2. If you say you’re an idiot for doing something, I’ll likely agree.

When you start a conversation by insulting yourself (e.g. “I’m such an idiot”), you will not make me laugh or feel sorry for you; all you will succeed in doing is reminding me that yes, you are, indeed, an idiot, and that I’m going to hate having to talk to you. Trust me, you don’t want to start out this way.

3. Don’t lie about what you did, we’ll find out anyway.

We’re okay with you making mistakes; fixing them is part of our job. We are NOT, however, okay with you lying to us about a mistake that you made. It just makes it that much harder to resolve and thus makes our job more difficult. Be honest and we’ll get the problem fixed and both of us can continue on with our business. Lying to us and, therefore, costing us twice as much of our time will not win you any brownie points with IT.

4. IT might be awesome and powerful, but even we have limitations.

There is no magic “Fix it” button. Everything takes some amount of work to fix, and not everything is worth fixing or — gasp! — even possible to fix. If I tell you that you’re going to have to re-do a document that you accidentally deleted two months ago, please don’t get mad at ME. I’m not ignoring your problem and it’s not that I don’t like you, we just can’t always fix everything.

5. Don’t cry wolf.

Not everything you ask us to do is “urgent”. In fact, by marking things as “urgent” every time, you’ll almost certainly ensure that we treat none of it as a priority.

6. It’s pretty likely you don’t have the most important job.

You are not the only one who needs help, and you usually don’t have the most urgent issue. Give us some time to get to your problem; it will get fixed.

7. Like an elevator button, we won’t come to you faster if you keep pushing ours.

E-mailing us several times about the same issue is not only unnecessary, it’s highly annoying as well. We record issues in a database so that we don’t lose track of them (remember how we ask that you create a ticket? That’s why.) We will typically respond as soon as we have a useful update to make. If your problem is urgent, please do let us know (but see number five).

8. Email me, we’ve got 5 devices that tell us when we get a new email. However, many of us still only have one that tells us when you left a voicemail.

Yes, we prefer e-mail over phone calls. It has nothing to do with being friendly or anti-social, it’s about efficiency. It is much faster and easier for us to list out a set of questions that we need answers to than it is for us to call and ask you them one by one. You can find the answers at your leisure and, while we’re waiting, we can work on other problems.

9. Don’t cry.

We may, at times, seem blunt and rude. It’s not that we mean to, we just don’t have the time to sugar coat things for you. We assume that we are both adults and can handle the reality of a problem. If you did something wrong, don’t be surprised when we tell you. We don’t care that it was a mistake because, honestly, it makes no difference to us. Please don’t take it personal, we just don’t want it to happen again.

10. We can do most, if not more than the things you think we can do, but we don’t because we don’t really care.

Finally, yes, I can read your e-mail, yes, I can see what web pages you look at while you’re at work, yes, I can access every file on your work computer, and yes, I can tell if you are chatting with people on instant messenger (and can read what you’re typing, as well). But no, we don’t do it. It’s highly unethical and, perhaps more importantly, you really aren’t that interesting. Unless I am instructed to specifically monitor or investigate your actions, I don’t do it. There really are much more interesting things on the Internet than you.

Granted, I gave this list a more satirical edge with a short summary of each point, but hey, we were ALL thinking it, right? – Rob

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

10 Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn From Albert Einstein

10 Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn From Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein has long been considered a genius by the masses. He was a theoretical physicist, philosopher, author, and is perhaps the most influential scientists to ever live.

Einstein has made great contributions to the scientific world, including the theory of relativity, the founding of relativistic cosmology, the prediction of the deflection of light by gravity, the quantum theory of atomic motion in solids, the zero-point energy concept, and the quantum theory of a monatomic gas which predicted Bose–Einstein condensation, to name a few of his scientific contributions.

Einstein received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics “for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.”

He’s published more than 300 scientific works and over 150 non-scientific works. Einstein is considered the father of modern physics and is probably the most successful scientist there ever was.

10 Amazing Lessons from Albert Einstein:
1. Follow Your Curiosity
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

What piques your curiosity? I am curious as to what causes one person to succeed while another person fails; this is why I’ve spent years studying success. What are you most curious about? The pursuit of your curiosity is the secret to your success.
2. Perseverance is Priceless
“It's not that I'm so smart; it's just that I stay with problems longer.”

Through perseverance the turtle reached the ark. Are you willing to persevere until you get to your intended destination? They say the entire value of the postage stamp consist in its ability to stick to something until it gets there. Be like the postage stamp; finish the race that you’ve started!
3. Focus on the Present
“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

My father always says you cannot ride two horses at the same time. I like to say, you can do anything, but not everything. Learn to be present where you are; give your all to whatever you’re currently doing.

Focused energy is power, and it’s the difference between success and failure.
4. The Imagination is Powerful
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Are you using your imagination daily? Einstein said the imagination is more important than knowledge! Your imagination pre-plays your future. Einstein went on to say, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” Are you exercising your “imagination muscles” daily, don’t let something as powerful as your imagination lie dormant.
5. Make Mistakes
“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

Never be afraid of making a mistake. A mistake is not a failure. Mistakes can make you better, smarter and faster, if you utilize them properly. Discover the power of making mistakes. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, if you want to succeed, triple the amount of mistakes that you make.
6. Live in the Moment
“I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.”

The only way to properly address your future is to be as present as possible “in the present.”

You cannot “presently” change yesterday or tomorrow, so it’s of supreme importance that you dedicate all of your efforts to “right now.” It’s the only time that matters, it’s the only time there is.
7. Create Value
“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

Don’t waste your time trying to be successful, spend your time creating value. If you’re valuable, then you will attract success.

Discover the talents and gifts that you possess, learn how to offer those talents and gifts in a way that most benefits others.

Labor to be valuable and success will chase you down.
8. Don’t Expect Different Results
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

You can’t keep doing the same thing everyday and expect different results. In other words, you can’t keep doing the same workout routine and expect to look differently. In order for your life to change, you must change, to the degree that you change your actions and your thinking is to the degree that your life will change.
9. Knowledge Comes From Experience
“Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task, but discussion will only give you a philosophical understanding of it; you must experience the task first hand to “know it.” What’s the lesson? Get experience! Don’t spend your time hiding behind speculative information, go out there and do it, and you will have gained priceless knowledge.
10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better
“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

To put it all in simple terms, there are two things that you must do. The first thing you must do is to learn the rules of the game that you’re playing. It doesn’t sound exciting, but it’s vital. Secondly, you must commit to play the game better than anyone else. If you can do these two things, success will be yours!
Thank you for reading and be sure to pass this article along!

9 Qualities That Will Rock Your Career

9 Qualities That Will Rock Your Career
via Dumb Little Man - Tips for Life by DLM Writers on 8/11/09

Success in life is always relative. Some people are happy with small achievements while there are others who won't be satisfied until mountains are moved.

Regardless of our ambitions, our career spans through a series of jobs and experiences that truly polish our personality and will. While we all have defining moments that will determine our core beliefs around hard work, persistence, determination, etc., these are all simply components of a greater foundation that defines 'you'. A rocking rise through corporate ranks involves a radical understanding and possible change in your attitude and behaviors.

There are millions of brilliant people who pursue aggressive career paths and have their sights set on great achievement. While their ability is nothing short of genius, many lack the soft skills that could put them over the top. These are the traits, qualities and understandings are what make good people great. Practical and time tested, mastering and practicing the following qualities will make if difficult for success to elude you.
1. Out of Box Thinking
Many dislike this term but the concept is for real. All it requires is thinking of problems though a different set of eyes, or different dimension. This is why many brainstorming sessions fail; most people sit and think of work problems in the context of what it means to the company, not the user, not the environment, etc. Sit back and try to solve the problem from the eyes of a 6 year old, turn things upside down, and absolutely challenge the norm. Go outside and sit in a subway station (or somewhere you generally don't sit to work) and think about why other solutions not worked? What has worked?

Remember the best ideas come from people who are hands-on with their work. When everyone thinks and recommends a lackluster way, lackluster results will follow. Change your surroundings, change your views, change your thought process and come up with a killer idea!

2. Taking Ownership
When no one is willing to own it, be the first to grab the opportunity. A process involving various stakeholders normally loses vision and momentum. A process with a good leader, input from others, and true direction, has a much better chance of success. Be the person that jumps in and takes on a new project (just don't over-commit). An ability to own and work towards success is a skill which gives long lasting returns.

3. Eagerness to Learn
After a certain period, a job becomes monotonous and people become bored and eventually even lazy. They lose all the zeal to learn new things and although they won't admit this, their actions would make you believe they have thrown in the towel and are satisfied with a status quo life and career. If you really want to move ahead, don't get into this rut. Don't tune out.

Always remain eager to learn; you never know what knowledge or capability will push you up in your career. Remember, you need an open mindset and positive attitude to approach work. If you are constantly learning, it will be tough to be or appear to be interested in mediocrity.

4. An Eye for Detail
If you are hands on with your work there is no reason why you won’t know the intricacies involved. Therefore, have the confidence needed to make difficult choices. When you master something and know the minute details, your logic and ideas will be highly regarded. While people love to argue, they get easily impressed by intelligent reasoning too.

5. Willingness to Help
Much of life is give and take. Work is no exception. If you are the person that is constantly stepping out of your comfort zone in order to help others, people (most) will return the favor when you ask. That's the key though, you have to be willing to help someone and not too proud to ask them for help when you need it.

6. Networking
Your network should never be restricted to people in your domain but it should span other departments too. Again, break away from comfort and get engaged with someone from a different department. When you sell yourself in the market, you need people who can vouch for you and the broader the network, the better. A strong network always gives you an upper hand, not only to receive but also influence the information flow.

7. Solution Seeking Mindset
People love to mention and talk about problems. However, when you ask for their solutions to those problems, they aren't willing to go on record with sweeping changes. The majority of employees lack an attitude to solve issues and love to keep them burning for long time, almost to encourage sympathy. It is these times that a positive mindset can send the right vibes across and can really give you a lot of attention. Don't avoid complainers, listen to them just long enough to hear the problem, then try to come up with a solution.

8. Humility
Arrogance has its own advantages but it never attracts more people than the magic done by humility. When you know your work and are humble about it than there is no reason that you would not get the desired appreciation. Humility needs to be pitched with much care lest it lets people take undue advantage of you. Strike the right balance and you would see its real magic.

9. Being Practical
Human beings are emotional and many fall for popular decisions. A practical decision made at right time with right attitude has the ability to shower you with long lasting fame. Remember, the people who are at the top are nothing but practical.
It is a jungle out there where you not only need to survive but flourish too. Develop the killer attitude for success and no one would ever dare to stop you.

Always
1. Work Hard
2. Make sure the world knows about it
3. Make sure to sell it in right manner to right people
Go, Get Success

Written on 8/11/2009 by Amit Gupta. Amit is the author of Mystic Madness, a personal development blog related to professional life. The blog aims to develop an attitude and soft skills which are nothing but practical. The blog strives to live by its motto: Think Different. Rock Life.

How to use the words "will", "would", "can", "could", "shall" and "should"

The use of these modal auxiliaries is really too complex to answer simply, but I'll try to give a quick answer.

Notice in my sentence above "I'll try." The "will" expresses willingness, sometimes called volition. Sometimes it just expresses future time, but in current English "be going to" and simple present can also do this.

WOULD is often called the past of will, but it also expresses other thoughts. It can mean willingness to perform a hypothetical action, such as, "I would help you if you needed help." In this sentence, you do not need help, but I would help if you did.

WOULD can also be used to express habit in the past, as in "When I was a child, I would sleep with my teddy bear."

CAN expresses ability. Could is often called the past of can, and is used the way would is used in a hypothetical situation, where the speaker wants to express ability instead of willingness.

COULD sometimes also is used to make suggestions. Example: We could go to the beach, or we could go to the park.

SHALL is not much used in American English. Its use is mostly confined to utterances such as, “Let’s go, shall we?" "Shall I pick you up at ten?"

SHOULD expresses advisability--that something is a good idea. If I think you are sick, I say, "You should go to the doctor."

Less often we use SHOULD to make a prediction about something we think will happen. Example: The train should come in five minutes.

Source: http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080911090510AAZ5ji7

St Augustine’s celebrated confession to Beauty Himself

St Augustine’s celebrated confession to Beauty Himself:

Late have I loved Thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new, late have I loved Thee! And behold, Thou wert within and I was without. I was looking for Thee out there, and I threw myself, deformed as I was, upon those well-formed things which Thou has made. Thou wert with me, yet I was not with Thee. These things held me far from Thee, things which would not have existed had they not been in Thee. Thou didst call and cry out and burst upon my deafness; Though didst shine forth and glow and drive away my blindness; Thou didst send forth Thy fragrance, and I drew in my breath, and now I pant for Thee; I have tasted, and now I hunger and thirst; Thou didst touch me, and I was inflamed with desire for Thy peace. (Confessions, Book 13, Ch. 28, para. 43)

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Through a rapist's eyes / Jim Paredes wrote: Katipunan , QC incident

Jim Paredes wrote: Katipunan , QC incident

Dear friends,

Many of you may not have heard of the incident that happened to a
friend of my son last week at about 6:30 pm right in front of the
thickly-populated area of BPI-Katipunan, near shoppersville. she
parked her car right in front of BPI to make a withdrawal and to do
some groceries.

As she was getting into her car after doing her chores, a man suddenly
appeared beside her and tried to bully her into moving to the
passenger seat. when she pressed her car horn to call attention, he
pushed her in the car and pinned her down with his elbow on her neck.
it was a good thing that she had the presence of mind to continue to
struggle and press on her car horn to catch attention(even if she had
to use her foot to do this) Her assailant even tried to make people
believe that it was a domestic matter by telling the crowd not to get
involved as it was a "private matter". But with the onlookers
multiplying by the second, her assailant finally gave up and ran. that
was when she stood up and shouted for help. Thank God the guy got
caught and is now under police custody.

Last saturday, during the inquest, she told me that what gave her the
guts to fight her assailant was the article "THROUGH A RAPIST'S EYES"
forwarded to our e-groups! about a week prior to her attack. I am
re-forwarding the article (you can find it at the bottom of this
(e-mail) for everyone's benefit. please tell your friends, family, and
loved ones about this. It works. may i just add that to a certain
extent, we have to get ourselves involved if we see violence being
committed on anyone like calling on a security guard or a police
officer even if it appears to be a domestic matter. It seems that a
lot of attackers use that tactic to get away with violence. Not many
people know how to take care of themselves when faced with such a
situation. Everyone, please be very, very careful.

THOUGHT THIS WAS GOOD INFO TO PASS ALONG...
FYI - Through a rapist's eyes! A group of rapists and date rapists in
prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim
and here are some interesting facts:

1] The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle.
They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun! , braid
or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to
go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common
targets.

2] The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women
who's clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors
around to cut clothing.

3] They also look for women using their cell phone, searching through
their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are
off guard and can be easily overpowered.

4] The number one place women are abducted from / attacked at is
grocery store parking lots.

5] Number two is office parking lots/garages.

6] Number three is public restrooms.

7] The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman
and quickly move her to a second location where they don't have to
worry about getting caught.

8] If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged
because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going
after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.

9] These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas,or
other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their
hands.

10] Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to
the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince
these guys you're not worth it.

POINTS THAT WE SHOULD REMEMBER:

1] If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or
with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask
them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk:
can't believe it is so cold out here, we're in for a bad winter. Now
that you've seen their faces and could identify them in a line- up,
you lose appeal as a target.

2] If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of
you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to
said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would
not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY
target.

3] If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of
it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER
SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.

4] If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can
do it by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from
behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and
armpit or in the upper inner thigh - HARD. One woman in a class this
guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was
trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin
and tore out muscle strands the guy needed stitches. Try pinching
yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it really hurts.

5] After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a
particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it
is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and
make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our
instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause him a lot of
trouble. Start causing trouble, and he's out of there.

6] When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers
and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing
down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using
much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked
audibly.

7] Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of
your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any
odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel
little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really
was trouble.

FINALLY, PLEASE REMEMBER THESE AS WELL ....
I know you are smart enough to know these pointers but there will be
some, where you will go "hmm I must remember that" After reading,
forward it to someone you care about, never hurts to be careful in
this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your
body. If you are close enough to use it, do it.

2. Learned this from a tourist guide to New Orleans : if a robber asks
for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from
you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or
purse than you and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN
THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car: Kick out the back
tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like
crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has
saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,eating,
working, etc., and just sit
(doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The
predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for
him to get in on the passenger side,put a gun to your head, and tell
you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU CLOSE the DOORS , LEAVE.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or
parking garage:

a. Be aware: look around your car as someone may be
hiding at the passenger side , peek into your car, inside the
passenger side floor, and in the back seat. ( DO THIS TOO BEFORE
RIDING A TAXI CAB) .

b. If you! u are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the
passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling
them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their
cars.

c. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and
the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest
your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a
guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE
THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are
horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot).

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS
RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times;
And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may
get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a
good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies
of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often
asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when
he abducted his next victim.

I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a
life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going
to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers,
wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as
well.

Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the
world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better safe than
sorry.

Jim Paredes

The Filipino dream By Rod Nepomuceno

I get mixed feelings when I catch that TV commercial that shows an old female balikbayan repeatedly saying to her son, "Walang ganiyan sa States." I am amused by it because it shows a scene that I think is quite familiar to a lot of us. I also like it because it has a nice ending to it - when the balikbayan lola starts hugging all her grandchildren, her son (who has been on the receiving end of all her whining and Philippines-bashing) sarcastically tells her, "Ma, walang ganiyan sa States!" I think that was a real nice twist.

While I do enjoy the commercial, I am saddened by the reality that it presents. The ad is an accurate depiction of how we tend to be. When I first went to the States, I felt I was a cut above the rest when I came back to the Philippines. It's like I felt superior to others who suffer and toil here while I was enjoying Disneyland and Universal Studios. I tended to compare the States with the Philippines - from the weather, to the road quality, to the people, to the quality of life.

After a while I begin to realize what a cancer this is. But it's still a very pervasive mentality, I'm afraid. We all have US-based relatives or friends who complain about everything they see and experience upon their return, just like that lady in the commercial. These are the relatives and friends who say, "My-God-how-can-you-stand-living-here?" The "trying hard" accent is bad enough, but what really annoys me is the smug, arrogant way they say it - as if they didn't have anything to do with all the problems besetting the country.

If you look at them, they're as Pinoy as suman, suka and squid balls. The only difference is they sport highlighted hair (close to being a blonde), their noses are a little bit pointier (but fake-looking), and they wear black leather jackets with a big "Lakers" embroidered on them (feeling LA!). But those "improvements" (if you can call them that) don't change them one bit. No matter how much Californian accent a Pinoy picks up, I don't think he or she would ever have the right to complain about everything they see in the Philippines - and that includes the traffic, the heat, the crowd, the smog, the potholes, everything - because they are still part of this country. They did something to make this country what it is.

Before I get hate mails from all the US-based Pinoys, let me just clarify that not all have this holier-than-thou mentality. A good number of them remain Pinoy at heart. My cousin Willie can watch all the pop stars in LA - Britney, Madonna, Linkin Park or Black-Eyed Peas. And yet, when he arrived here from the US a few months ago, the first thing he asked me was, "Saan ba puwedeng makabili ng CD ng Parokya ni Edgar?" Amazing.

My beef is against those who think that by staying in the US legally (or maybe even illegally), they have the right to put down their own country and countrymen. They complain about garbage in the street. Well, didn't they throw gum wrapper in the highway when they were here? They complain about buses stopping everywhere. Well, didn't they hail a bus before in the middle of Edsa? They also had something to do with the problems that are prevalent here. The only difference is we're still here trying to solve the mess that they helped create, while they're out there enjoying the cool weather, picking up an accent, and enjoying their new superior status as a clerk in Wal-Mart. Again, let me clarify - I am not talking about everyone who leaves for the US or abroad. There are those who think that just because they stayed in the States they are "the chosen people."

But that's not always the case, believe me. I know of so many people in the US who tried to live the American Dream - only to come back disillusioned with the whole concept. And some of them are now living their dream in the Philippines.

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as the Filipino Dream. Ask Henry Sy. Ask John Gokongwei. Ask Lucio Tan. They built their empire here in the Philippines. There are so many people out here who are living the Filipino Dream. Senator Manny Villar used to sell hollow blocks and gravel near the wet market. My friend and classmate Gunn Roque started out as a consignee in one shop and he turned that little business into Kamiseta, one of the most successful apparel shops in the country today. Ricco Ocampo - the brains and the prime mover of i2i, Anonymous, Kitchen , Ebun, Mix, etc. - used to peddle his silk screen shirts to different shops. Now, he practically has a business empire. And all of them became successful right here in the Philippines.

So who says that Pinoys in the US are better off living the American Dream? Think again. They deal with the same kind of shit that we deal with here. They have office politics (probably worse). They have racism issues. They have murders (remember our dear Pipay?). They have rape cases. They have loonies (walk along New York streets for an hour and you're bound to bump into one). They have beggars. And every day, Americans fear attacks from terrorists. And it's not just in the US. Spain just had that tragic train bombing. In Taiwan, there was an assassination attempt of a presidential candidate. In Korea, their parliament turned into an Ultimate Fighting Challenge arena. And in Sweden, a couple of months ago, the Minister of Finance was knifed to death while shopping.

Sure things are bad here, but oftentimes, the things that happen here are only magnified because we're here. But when you go abroad, you will realize they have the same problems. That's why I sometimes shake my head when the US embassy and other embassies issue travel advisories warning their citizens about going the Philippines. Hello! Terrorism is everywhere.

Going back to the age-old concept of the American Dream (or should I say, the American Illusion), yes maybe there is some economic advantage in going there, at least for the short term. Sure, you can have a bigger house and more cars. In garages in the US, you would usually see more than three cars and a host of other modes of transportation - a dune buggy, a Jet Ski, a motorbike, an SUV, an AUV, a scooter, a motorized skateboard, mountain bike, a hang glider, a deep-sea diving mini-submarine, and a lunar module. But guess what? All of that's on credit, and they owe their banks until the year 3000. Worse, most of them don't have the luxury of time to use all those gadgets. They're all busy in the weekends doing their laundry and running all sorts of errands. Somehow, we here in the Philippines never seem to have that problem. When we want to watch a movie, we go straight to the movie house. We don't have to look around and search for a baby-sitter.

It's easy to hit the Philippines. There are so many things to complain about. Anyone can do it. And I find that corny. I have decided to take the more challenging route - I choose to love the Philippines, and I would want to do something about it.