The Hound of the Wolf

Meme and the RH Bill: A perspective from my development communication course

2011-09-22T22:18:00.001-07:00

I am enjoying development communication a lot! It has helped me in my career in ICT4D.

Communication plays an important role in the achievement and realization of certain goals. It plays a vital influence in the spreads of ideas, behavior and style within a certain or culture or what we all know as the 'meme'. The readings of DEV 202 would tell us that communication, on its most complete context is composed of source, destination, intended goal, message, medium, interpretation of the receiver and actions resulting from the receipt of the message.

In the context of meme, each component mentioned is affected how the message is being received based on the cultural context. In the case of Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, such assertion impacts how Pinoys receive the real essence of the bill. The nation is somehow equally divided on its stand with each side having its own valid reason to support or not support the RH bill. The anti-RH groups are mostly composed of Catholic / religious organizations, influential families, some NGOs and "family-oriented" politicians. The message that the RH bill is immoral because it means killing or aborting life has a strong impact to the general public. Credible source (i.e. anti-RH bills doctors), strong message (i.e. RH bill kills), innocent public and as a result, support for the anti-RH cause (actions).

On the other side of the fence, the pro-RH bill uses the credible sources as well but packaging the RH bills as something what the country really needs. Messages are often represented with a pregnant woman with 10 children and living on a kariton, occurrence of maternal deathes, proliferation of STDs and teenage pregnancies. The argument of pro-RH bill attempts to challenge the conservative nature of Filipinos when it comes to discussions like sex and procreation. And these packaging has gained tremendous support from both the public and the politicians as well.

Meme is all over in the discussions. Senators challenging each other for debates. DOH being prosecuted for promoting family planning programs and Catholic holding its ground strongly and debating with everybody. At the end of the it is the individual who decides whether RH bill is ok or not. And messages need not to be verbal. Just look and observe in your surroundings.

Of opportunities, distractions and taking in charge

2011-07-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been in a situation wherein you need to choose between two good things that disregarding the other one would cause deep regrets? Or perhaps the other way around wherein you have to choose the lesser evil between two bad options and hope that you won't get burn too much with the choice?

Situations and circumstances are sometimes tricky. Life in general is unpredictable. Challenges, treats and downfalls are camouflaged opportunities. Sometimes, not all opportunities are good because it might just be a hidden distraction. Experience would play a vital role for one to develop keen senses to determine what is opportunity and what is not. I myself has learned a lot in this area and still learning!

The importance of knowing what you want then achieving these dreams cannot be undermined. It doesn't matter if you would go to the path where nobody is passing or go to the path that everybody loves. It's all the same, if you are not in charge of yourself, the society will forever dictate of what you will gonna be and who you will gonna be. Take charge, you are the master of your soul and the captain of the ship. Do not let others stops you from achieving greater heights.

PS: I am writing this out of boredom in the bus but i am not joking. Hope this would inspire any reader especially those who are downed, outcast, depressed and hopeless.

2011 NBA Playoffs: Round 2!

2011-04-30T07:34:00.001-07:00

The first round of this year NBA playoffs is as exciting, if not more exciting, as the 2007 playoffs. Why? One Word: UPSETS. And for this year, there are two! The West #8 Memphis Grizzlies ousted West #1 San Antonio Spurts, and over the East, #4 Orlando Magic was beaten by #5 Atlanta Hawks. I am hoping to see a Portland moving to the second round as well, but Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs never let it happened.

Now, for the match-ups in the second round:

Western Conference

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 MEmphis Grizzlies

Three years ago, both team are bottom dwellers at the Western Conference. But it was also the time that both teams are investing into young, talented players and both are reaping the fruits now. Grizzlies, fresh from its upset on Spurs, will be banking on its frontcourt duo of Gasol and Z-Bo. OKC will try to neutralize that through Perkins and the shotblock monster Serge Ibaka.

At the frontcourt, I see Westbrook dominating the Memphis guards. Please put Tony Allen over Westbrook. But the major focus would be on Kevin Durant who will be presenting a real headache to the Grizzlies. Unless, the Grizzlies will gang-defend Durant, KD will be shooting the lights out. Rudy Gay, Grizzlies SF start will be sorely missed.

My take: OKC in 6 games

#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs #3 Dallas Mavericks

The just had a brawl last April 1. It's surprising to know that both team have never met yet in the playoff series. Both are perennial top West teams throughout the years. Another similarity is that both teams have to grind it out to survive the first round. Lakers and Mavs are starting to flip the switch and will be both engage into what I think a defensive series. Lakers stopping Dirk, Mavs stopping Kobe. Pau Gasol is just starting to warm up, while Jason Kidd is showing shades of old self. Lakers might dominate the inside, while the Mavs will be taking over the perimeter including the 3pt line.

My take: Lakers in 7. Why? Because a Laker-OKC Western Conference finals is a sure blockbuster

Eastern Conference:

#1 Chicago Bulls vs #5 Atlanta hawks

Hawks disposed the Magic by allowing Dwight Howard to dominate while shutting down other Orlando players. The key for the upset is that Hawks was able to take away the 3pt shooting of the Magic and the superb showing of Jamal Crawford during the series (i.e. hitting a rush, Hail Mary, off balance 3 pointer). The Bulls grabbed the home court advantage throughout the playoffs by winning 62 regular season games. Bulls dispatches Indiana Pacers after 5 thrilling, close games. D-Rose will sure be taking the MVP plum this season.

The Bulls are up 3 games to 1 against the Hawaks in the regular season. The Hawks will be having some tough time defending and pressuring Derrick Rose. Are there any qualified defenders in the Hawks roster? On the other hand, the Hawks might want to pound it inside using Horford and Josh Smith since Boozer is injured. Guards from both teams will be playing significant roles in this series i guess.

My take: Bulls in 6. Why? Because they are destined to be in the Eastern Conference Finals

The series above will be heavily overwhelmed (yup, exaggeration intended), by this series. Many consider this as one of the most explosive semi-finals matches in the NBA. An early Eastern Conference finals. And talking no other than:

#2 Miami Heat vs #3 Boston Celtics

The new Big Three will be waging war with veteran Big Three. When Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh joined forces in Miami to win championships, it will be inevitable for them to meet the Celtics who has been reigning the Eastern Conference in the last 3-4 years. Various storyline are plotted already:

1. Celtics eager to come back to the NBA Finals and prevent the Lakers to tie for the most number of championships. This might be the last hurrah for Boston.

2. Heat to take revenge to the Celtics. James' Cavaliers was ousted by Celtics in two of the previous three playoffs while Wade's 2010 Heat was eliminated in the playoffs last year

3. Both teams are bannering 7 All-Stars and 6 future hall of famers.

4. Lebron James validation for being the best player in the planet now can only happened if he will win a ring. Celtics is a gigantic road block.

Both team are defensive. Offense-wise, it seems that Heat runs a two man show (sometimes three) via Wade and James. Celtics run more of balance scoring attack but all starts from its point guard, Rajon Rondo. I am seeing a 6"8' hulking Lebron James guarding the thin 6"1 Rondo. Wade would rotate to Ray Allen, but who will guard Paul Pierce? Down low, it will be physical match-up between Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh. Shaq might even play.

Heat on the other hand lives and dies with its big three. Before it was only Wade and James who do most of the damage until Bosh demand for a more participation in the offense. The three have already combined at least 80 points in some of the games. It will be interesting to see if Celtics' anti pick and roll defense could neutralize the Heat offence. x-factors would be Jermain O' Neal and the Miami Heat point guards (chalmers, bibby)

My take: Boston Celtics in 7. Heat will have their time next year.

The Spider's Video Game kick

2011-02-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

The recently concluded UFC 126 made an impact. It is not just in terms of featuring two future Hall of Famers (Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort) but also the way the fight has ended. After flurries of punches, kicks and brief ground fighting, Silva unleashes a Tekken-like front kick that hits Vitor's chin and knock him down cold. Vicious ! I hope to see something as spectacular in URCC XIX (Philippines' version of UFC)

How to Remove Printer Ink from skin

2011-01-27T03:33:00.000-08:00

Green IT paradigm says there should be no printing of documents at all. Yet, at some point, people at ought to print something whether it is an email, a sample diagram or a full e-book. Another setback of not following the green IT paradigm is when printer ink spread throughout the hands and a simple to hard wiping out won't remove it at all.

I am listing some items that will be trying out in order to remove this annoying mess:

1. Zest soap
2. Detergent bar
3. Chlorine
4. Kalamansi
5. Hairspray
6. muriatic acid (hehe, kidding)

PS: I am pinning my hopes on the kalamansi fruit in successfully wiping out the printer ink off my hands.

Yza's developments on the way to her 2nd month

2011-01-26T03:49:00.000-08:00

Our little daughter Yza is slowly showing signs of establishing communication through facial gestures and hand movements. From just two types of sounds two weeks ago, Yza was able to produce random, unexpected, out of nowhere and cuddly baby sounds as if she is asking some attention from the people around her.

Her locomotor skills has also improved. She can push her mosquito net and always would attempt to get nearer her mother. Her physical features are starting to change. I am biased in saying that Yza is slowly looking like me. Haha. I can't wait for her 2nd month to came. She is full of wonderful surprises.

Generating CHITS Daily Service Reports

2011-01-10T22:50:00.001-08:00

A quick end-user guide on how to generate daily service reports in CHITS.

1. Log as an 'admin' and click the REPORTS under the main menu table.

2. Click CONSULTS REPORT under the MENU::REPORTS box

3. On the main body, click SUMMARY TABLES. You should be able to see Start and end date boxes below.

4. Fill in the start and end date. Click the GENERATE DAILY REPORT BUTTON

5. You should be able to see links. You should be able to see three links labelled as CONSULTS, MATERNAL CARE and CHILD CARE. Click each link to have the report be exported into PDF format.

Note: I am using a test database without any records. :D

The Feast of the Black Nazarene

2011-01-07T03:40:00.000-08:00

It was a tradition that during the first week of January that devout Filipino catholics pay homage to the Black Nazarene at Quaipo Church. The celebration is valuable not just from religious perspective but also from Philippine history's point view as well. For me, it represents one of the main weapons that the Spaniards used to conquer Las Islas Filipinas: inject religion and Christianize the Filipinos. European and some Hispanic (i.e. Mexico) Catholic nations are full of celebration commemorating the milestones of various patron saints.

History says that the Black Nazarene arrived in the Philipines through the galleon trade and was installed by the Augustinians at the Bagumbayan first before transferring it on Intramuros. During the late 18th century, it was transferred to its present location, the Quiapo Church in Manila. The dark image of the Black Nazarene was attributed to the fire that occurred in the ship carrying it.

Legions of devout Filipino Catholics, perhaps numbering in millions, troop to Quaipo during the celebration. Barefooted men and women can be seen from all street corners some even carrying wooden crosses to depict the sufferings of Christ. All devotees converge at the Quiapo church to do the ceremonial procession of the Black Nazarene. The statue is being carried on shoulders by a group of men (and maybe some women). What is amazing is how people compete (similar to boxing out it basketball) and push each other just to touch the Black Nazarene while some are wiping it with towels. It was believed that by touching the statue, one can be healed from diseases and in some, have more blessing from up above. Casualties are unavoidable despite the presence of the police and EMT.

Truly, the feast of the Black Nazarene show how deeply Catholic dogma is embedded into Filipino psyche. The outward showing of religiosity, on the other hand, will not increase one's chances of going to heaven though. Nor it will make one a sudden millionaire. In my honest opinion, faith (even as small as mustard seed: Matthew 17:20) and hardwork is the key!

Alisha is one month old

2011-01-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

How time runs fast. It was just a month ago when we are hoping for a safe caesarian operation of my wife that eventually turned out to be one. Enjoying the presence of a newborn baby, the innocence and gentleness of our little kid is truly heartwarming. Just a month ago, Alisha would simply spend the whole doing four things: eat, sleep, cry and pee/pooh. From an unpredictable sleeping pattern, she became totally and soundly asleep from 5PM to 4AM, plays from 4AM to 7AM, eats and cries almost throughout the morning and sleeps again around lunch time.

But sometimes, adjustments from our part as parent are challenging and somehow grueling. Any first-time parent will surely have to go through this process unless there is an additional help from relatives or nanny. If our little kid can adjust to the changes, so should we. The fulfillment of child rearing outweighs the challenges.

After a month, Alisha can now turn her head sideways and on both sides, smile out of nowhere, making other sounds aside from crying, turn her body sideways, lie on her tummy and make longer eye contact. Our little girl is really growing at a pace more than I expected. Though people cannot stay as little babies forever, the memories of being a baby are worth keeping. I wish our Alisha stays as a little, gentle and innocent baby but it won't happened. Change is good nonetheless.

The Delight of Nike Air Max

2010-12-23T20:20:00.000-08:00

The six-month pursuit of a footwear worthy to handle my destructive steps has finally ended this week. Out of the survey made from the sports shops in malls to the ukay-ukay, the selection boils down to either a Lebron James series, Adidas (D-Rose or D-12) or an Air Jordan. Instead, I was able to secure a Nike Air Max Turnaround at 40% in one of the malls in Tarlac. What I love in the shoe is its "lightweightness" and the simple yet classic mixture of black and white. It is also closely resembled to Lebron VIII (huge Nike logo on the side).

I intend not used this until I completed my full Miami Heat uniform. Where can I possibly buy a "close to authentic" Heat shorts. I wish my "close to authentic LBJ Jersey" can wait for a while.

UFC 124: GSP vs Koscheck

2010-11-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

Last September, UFC welterweight champion Georges St Pierre or GSP visited Manila to promote mixed martial arts to the general public. The charismatic UFC champion has vowed to return to the Philippines for a vacation. Vacation can wait but for now, GSP must defend his welterweight belt at UFC 124 against one of MMA's bad ass fighter, Josh Koscheck. This will going to be the second time both fighter meet in the Octagon with GSP claiming victory on the first via Unanimous Decision. Koscheck is an outstanding stand-up fighter with knockout power and can definitely wrestle. Great skills yet bad ass attitude.

GSP (20-2), on the other hand, sticked to his ground game and wrestling and bringing himself victories through decision. He has somehow strayed away from striking and settled to a 'grind-it-out' style for his recent fights. I would want to see GSP's Muay Thai mixing up with Kos' dirty boxing with both fighters more hard take downs and slams. Another angle that needs to be seen is the potential "upset" of the champion. There has been trend in UFC nowadays that the underdog always win over the favorite.

My prediction is that GSP will win this one on close unanimous decision. UFC 124 on December 11 2010 at Ballz Channel and Spike.

Belenismo Belen 3: Tarlac SSS Office

2010-11-21T18:17:00.000-08:00

The Social Security Service (SSS) Tarlac City Branch hoisted its 7-character Nativitiy scene. Compared to the other two featured belens of Nay's Haus and Diwa ng Tarlac, this one is composed of the main nativity characters with the main colors of colors of Chrismas. Yet, in another showing of innovation and ingeniuty, the belen is made up of collage that made the figures quite distorted. At the first glance, it seems that Joseph, Mary, 3 kings and the angel are all headless. A close look will reveal that the faceless heads are somewhat inclined backwards. There might be some significance for the design but I leave that the expert interpreters.

The main belen is surrounded by the official red Belenismo tarpaulin on the left, yellow lanterns on the top and an inscription entitled "Prayer to the Belen" on the right. The stage is covered with blue and red clothes that appears to be a Philppine flag. For me, the Tarlac SSS Belen strays away from the traditional belen design norms and created its own distinct and creative rendition.

My rating: 8.5/10. Unconventional, full of symbols and gleeful

Belenismo Belen 2: Diwa ng Tarlac

2010-11-19T01:06:00.000-08:00

The Diwa ng Tarlac belen is situated along the Romulo Blvd, Tarlac City near the Tarlac Capitol. The nativity character is made up of faceless manequins, perhaps composed of materials from wood, cardboard and plastic. The manequins are wearing actual satin clothes that glittered especially at night time when the lights are on. The background appears to be rays of the sun perhaps implying some sense of nationalism. I am not sure though if it is Philippine or Japanese nationalism.

The belen is surrounded by white steel grills covered with yellow christmas lights. Not shown in the picture and located on the left side of the belen is an angel gesturing open arms. At the top are steel grills shaped to look like the nativity Bethlehem star. Overall, the belen is complemented by its bright light with a dedicated spotlight focusing on the infant Jesus Christ.

My rating: 7.5/10. Full of cold steel frames with hot bright lights!

Belen 1: Nay's Haus

2010-11-18T02:27:00.000-08:00

First belen for Belenismo 2010. The first Belen to be featured on my blog is the "Nay's Haus" belen located along Brgy. San Vicente, Romulo Blvd. Nay's House is a fine dining restaurant serving native Filipino foods. For the second consecutive year, the belen of Nay's Haus never failed to impressed me.

The belen is composed of the famous personalities from the nativity scene yet somehow limited to the main actors: baby jesus, joseph, mary and the three wisemen. The characters are made of ceramics while belen structure is composed mostly of plastic, cardboad and banig (weaved) rattan. The color theme is predominantly blue red and green, the colors of Christmas.

My rating: 8/10. Simple, traditional and classic.

Belenismo sa Tarlac 2010

2010-11-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

Belenismo sa Tarlac: The Art of Making Belen 2010 was launched last November 5 at SM Tarlac. The event, on its fourth year already, is a held every Christmas whereinm belens are creatively being crafted and proudly hoisted outside the premises of various offices and agencies. Belen is a replica of the nativity scene. In addition, the Museo ng Tarlac shows miniature belens from different provinces around the country.

Last year's winner is the Capas Municipal Hall belen. i remember that the materials used are biodegradeable such as corn, coconut husk and dried leaves. PNP Belen Stationed at BRgy Salapungan is already a Hall of Famer. The competition for this year should be tight. One belen will featured per day on this blog.

Testing Blogspot connectivity with Gmail

2010-10-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Testing, testing. If you can see this on my status, it works!

GSP's visit in Manila

2010-09-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

I was fortunate enough to witness the live Georges St-Pierre public training at SM Mall of Asia last September 25, 2010. To cut the story short, I am blessed to get into the ring at least 3 meters away. Here is the summarized sequence of events:

2PM: Boom Gonzales opened up the show with a Q and A contest

3PM: A fashion show followed. Models wearing UFC apparels.

3:30PM: GSP arrives on the left flank of the stage. DJ Pia entertains the crowd with some sounds.

4PM: GSP is now onstage being welcomed by Boom and her female co-host (forgot the name). GSP greeted the fans "kamusta pow kayow?!".

4:15PM: Winners of Ballz contest were called and given the privilege to ask 1 question to GSP. After the session, GSP left to changed training outfit.

4:45PM: GSP came out wearing a boxing gloves and training shorts. He is about to demonstrate a public training on Muay Thai. 3 Rounds with 3 Minutes. Awesome leg kicks and methodical punches. The Muay Thai sparring mate was "taken down" out of the fans' requests.

5:00PM: GSP demonstrated some of his jiu-jitsu skills by doing a so called "Sambo Leg Lock" to another training partner. I saw how smoothly GSP operates on the ground. Large and chiselled body yet so flexible doing the escapes and ground maneuvers. Koscheck's ass will surely be kicked and flattened.

IT ended with GSP thanking the fans and wishing for everyone's support for MMA.

Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition 2010

2010-09-14T07:31:00.000-07:00

Numerous websites are producing spoilers about the ultimate survivor for this year's Survivor Celebrity Edition. Moi, Piolo Pascual's personal assistant, will be declared as the winner. Good choice if the verdict of the spoilers is true. From the way things are going on the 3rd week, it seems Moi is on the underdog side even with an immunity in place. 3 vs 2. Spoilers are out to destroy the excitement and "sense of guessing" of the show.

Now that I have posted this item on my blog, let me see if I will be getting much traffic for searching the term: "survivor philippines celebrity edition 2010".

Btw, this is my personal bet: Elma Muros

A sad day for the Philippines

2010-08-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

On a bright Monday morning, a group of tourist from Hongkong was hostaged by former Sr. Inspector Rolando Mendoza. The former policeman was sacked from duty and was demanding for his reinstatement of his position and benefits. One by one, hostages are being freed as demands from the hostage taker are being posted over the bus windows. An ultimatum of 3PM was given by Mendoza to start the "big deal". Negotiations turned sour slowly.

Manila SWAT teams barged into the bus from all fronts. On the front, a police is hammering the front mirror (and eventually, the sledge hammer falling inside the bus). On the right glass door, the policemen attempted to pull the metal door using an abaca rope attached to a police mobile and the result: abaca rope was ripped apart. Lastly as policemen attempted to break in to the rear part, the four man SWAT team managed to get into the window glass but immediately retreated when Mendoza fired his rifle.

What followed next are series of events starting with a letter from Ombudsman denying the reinstatement proceeded by the forceful arrest of the hostage-taker's brother (great, the hostage taker is seeing it from bus TV) and lastly, the sudden escape of the bus driver while at the same yelling that hostages are already dead, made Mendoza totally snapped and fired his M-16 to the hostages. Snipers fired back hitting Mendoza in the process. In the end, 8 Chinese hostages plus the hostage-taker are declared.

POST Hostage Events: HK citizens showing public outrage over ending of the hostage incident. Travel ban to the Philippines for HK. Suspension of several police officers. Autopsy of bodies of the victims. Autopsy of the hostaged bus. Agony of the Capt. Mendoza's family. Battery of investigations by different bodies.Finger pointing. A dent to the Philippine tourism industry. The future is still uncertain.

Philippines is a nation that weathered by disasters and tragedies and strengthened by time. History has it that Pinoys are capable are fighting back and be resilient after a major downfall. The situation is different for things could have been prevented and resolved in a peaceful ending. The nation cannot be dragged by an action of a single man.

There will be brighter days ahead ...

Launching of P-Noy's Website

2010-08-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

At exactly 12NN today, Pres. Aquino's website, http://www.president.gov.ph was launched. This is the government's way of further reaching out to the people thru the use of ICT. Transparency, accountability and open communication is the obvious theme of the new launched website. I myself did a post in the PANATA section. Kindly refer to the picture below:

Good job to the president's communication and media group. I just hope that the website will serve well for its intended purpose.

perez-ph.net version 0.001

2010-07-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

Drupalizing a site is really exciting! Using a bare theme (Marvin) with few blocks, version 0.001 was born!

Langya, baka akala ng mga tao, construction site ang website ko!!

Four years of remembering

2010-05-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

May 13, 2006. It was a bright Saturday morning but for the whole family, the past few days have been gloomy. My father was confined due to a stroke attack and was already in comatose state for the last four days. The Friday evening was like a lull before the storm. Viewing the face of my father while he is deeply asleep the before brings back good memories we had.

Around 6AM, the nurse in duty just updated the vital signs form and told us that there is no significant changes. My mother just woke up by then and asked me to go home and have me replaced by my other sibling. As I leave the hospital premises at 8AM, I am optimistic despite the non-improving condition that all will be fine through a miracle. While in Munoz, my mother called up and told me to immediately return to the Quezon City General Hospital because something bad is happening.

As I arrived in the room, a team of doctor and nurses are already surrounding my fathers bed together with their ECG and electric cardio pump. I felt that this is already the time. 10 minutes of attempting to revive the pulse and heart beat wasn't successful. At exactly 9AM, the attending physician declared my father dead due to multiple organ failure and sepsis.

My mother started to get hysterical while I am trying to hold back my tears. As soon as the medical team left, we went near to his lifeless body and bid goodbye. Quietly, i whispered a "thank you" for raising up and being a father to us. Personally, the impact is hard felt that by just remembering the events bring tears to my eyes.

Four years have past and lots things have already happened. Yet, four years ago, an important lesson was taught and instilled: value the people who matters while they are still alive.

Belenismo sa Tarlac

2009-12-04T06:17:00.000-08:00

Belenismo sa Tarlac is a yearly spectacle and competition in the province of Tarlac that showcases colorful and artistically-made belens (or nativity scenes). Across the whole province, government office, commercial shops, schools and malls have installed belens of different themes, sizes, shapes and materials. The use of environmentally-friendly and biodegradable materials.

The PNP Station based in Gerona is the perennial winner but the belen in Capas grabbed the 1st prize for 2009. I myself was amazed how dried corns have been assembled to create human-like images of the characters in the nativity scene.

Here are some photos taken around the Tarlac city:

A post in Maria Cristina Park, Tarlac City

A belen in SSS Tarlac City

Dulaang Tarlac

Microsoft's Bing is doing a Google

2009-12-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

First, it was the search engine. now Bing is replicating another Google effort this time via the StreetSide. That goes to show how the Seattle-based company is trying to beat the prominent resident Mountain View, California. Google has the Street View. Enumerating other Google apps like google docs, google earth, google analytics and others, it might just be a matter of time before MS come-up with counterparts. It's funny that there seems to be a reversal of roles. Before, closed source systems are matched with open source counterpart. Now, open source-oriented Google are being matched with an MS products.

One of the things i am hoping is that MS will match Google's adsense with the earning on ad clicks and page impressions twice or thrice more. Share the bills Bill!

Family Planning .... I am done!

2009-12-03T02:42:00.001-08:00

It's been a good three month stint so far here in Tarlac for the Wireless Reach Project. Got to do many stuffs that i love doing but certainly new things to learn are sprouting along the way as well. I am in mood to discuss the development of the Family Planning module in CHITS.

The FP module in FHSIS is composed of around 11 modules (7 are natural methods, 4 are artifcial / 9 are for females,2 are for males). Guided by the original (readme: full of corrections) FHSIS manual, FP record sheet and the knowledge of PHO people, the FP module development is up for cooking. well, i am talking 3 months ago. now, i am almost done doing the programming part and starting to pull and demonstrate data via reports. Nonetheless, here are my learnings about FP in general.

1. there are 3 pop shops in Tarlac. Pop shop is a stall placed by a certain NGO in RHU's to sell pills and condoms. Pop shop caters FP clients. It promotes Frenzy over Trust condoms. Hehe.

2. A person cannot apply for an FP method if he/she does not have an identified spouse.They call it MAWRA or married women in reproductive age. But i understand that even unmarried couples can also apply.

3. FP is multi-factorial program. It involves social, physical, logistics and economic factors. And i forgot, spritual as well.

4. IUD is small 'T' wire inserted inside uterus. The aim is to block charging sperm cell entering in the danger zone. yet, i know one who uses IUD yet still got pregnant. whew, super-charged and adrenaline high sperm cells!

5. The derivation of contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is done by deriving Current User, MaWra,etc. all we wanted to know is how well the population is using the FP in general.Phils has national rate of 55% of CPR. 55 out of 100 FP clients are religiously using the methods. the other 45 must be doing something natural to man.

6. when a condom was re-supplied with 10 packs of condoms and returns after 2 days to get another set, that would mean two things: 1. He's on his way to Guiness Book of Records for having most sex within a week OR 2. Earning something by selling the condoms.

Aside from typical reports that would show numbers, FP also involves logistics. the pho would want to have monitoring system of contraceptives and at the same time, a means to count the source of contraceptives.

FP, i believe, can be an advantage or disadvantage. If used properly, it can limit population growth and as such, lessens the demand for scarce resources. a disadvantage because it can be abused and might encourage pre-marital sex. Above anything else, the real essence of family planning is making sure that a family is living decently regardless of size. This is demonstrated with children going to school and well-nourished, husband and wife working hand-in-hand to support the family and the family itself has a good moral foundation.

Above the contraceptives, i think this is what the country needs more.

PS: I am thinking of doing a survey soon on the quality of various condoms in the market. Back to work.

The torrent sites went 2012

2009-11-28T05:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, mininova.org went offline saying that they shall be conducting a regualr maintenance. When the site went back online, it appears that the massive list of torrents were trimmed down big time. The number of seeders, which before counts up to five digit (and we are not here of porn torrent), decreased drastically. A link at the top page of mininova.org mentioned something about limiting its services to just content distribution services.

What a sad day it has been. The web won't be the same way again without the good old mininova. Truly, mininova has been one of the safest and most reliable torrent sites around.

P2P and torrent is here to stay. While I agree that copyrights for movies, audio and books must be maintained, it doesn't hurt big time if major production outfits would released perhaps a "community version" ala Creative Commons in the open source world. It's good that open source products like Ubuntu have remained but only 1 Python E-book in mininova? That's crazy.

Isohunt.com, on the other hand, is battling it out on the court about the publication of copyrighted torrent. May they survive the latest challenge to the P2P world.

How to extend thy life

2009-11-25T04:58:00.000-08:00

Simple, by following the health tips written below. I am 3 out of 6 on the list.

Picture was taken during CHITS Training in Orion, Bataan. Credit goes to the
Orion Rural Health Unit

Additional Quote for the day: Worry will make you hurry to cemetery.

Resolving Apache's apr_sockaddr_info() error

2009-11-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

I just installed httpd (aka Apache) in Fedora Core 11 (Leonidas). I am planning a shift from Ubuntu to FC and trying to replicate the things I have been doing with former. The set up of httpd in FC 11 can be done via "sudo yum -y install httpd".

Unlike in many Debian-based distros, Apache web server does not necessarily run automatically. The command 'sbin/service httpd start'. It was noticed that during the process of initializing the apache web server, the error "apr_sockaddr_info() cannot be started, etc." was seen.

To resolve the issue, the command 'sudo hostname localhost' was issued. Apache was restarted and when http://localhost was accessed, voila ! there goes the web server's main page.

Operation SOPAS

2009-11-20T11:39:00.000-08:00

"Sopas" is soup when translated in Filipino (and probably Spanish as well) is codename for my next programming project that I tend to implement using SaaS (Software as a Service). I just got reminded over this idea when Mike Mckay had asked me of any software projects that I would want to implement if only I have time. The technopreneural spirit became alive again. I can't divulged much of the idea yet but in involves multidisciplinary approach (pedagogy, marketing, health). I got reminded again how SaaS can be a powerful agent for rolling out IT projects over the web without much fuss in replicating it over and over again. Apps can be offered as "plain vanilla" or a customized version.

With SOPAS,I hope to have low-cost, high impact application that will ..... SaaS rules ! Curious peeps may email yours truly at darth_ali at yahoo dot com.

Honoring heroes

2009-11-18T07:54:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, Manny "the paaacman!" Pacquiao made a history in the boxing world by capturing the an unprecedented 7th world title in 7 division. Such a feat for once the poor boy from southern Philippines. Yeah, Pacman is one of the best boxers of all time and a modern day pride for the Philippines. But one that I disagree for sure, Pacman is not a modern day hero.

I believe that to be qualified as a hero you must:

1. sacrificed something really important (i.e. opportunities, life) for the sake of many people and not expecting anything in return

2. have created an impacting and positive change

3. inspires people and brings out the best out of everyone

November is the month when the nation tends to commemorate the death anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, one of the great Filipino revolutionary. Currently, Efren Penaflorida of Dynamics Teen Company is an example of average individuals who can really make that big difference.

Modern day heroes can be seen to each and every Filipino who strives to make things better for others. I am not talking here of politicians though (bec it is your mandate to make things better with those large some of money from people's taxes). OFW's, health professionals especially those that are in public health, educators and teachers, rescuers, firemen, peace and order personnel, volunteer organizations and many others.

I would love to see another side of the cross in the Dambana ng Kagitingin showing heroism in the modern day era!

The Lost Symbol

2009-11-11T01:07:00.001-08:00

Legend has it that the America or the "New World" was founded out of the beliefs and traditions of ancient cultures. And we're talking here of cultures older than the Romans and Greeks. This has been one of the prevailing themes in the book "The Lost Symbol" which was crafted and written by Dan Brown. In another fast-paced, highly suspensed and ultra informative story, Robert Langdon is on a mission to solve the ancient portal mystery at Washington DC while searching for his missing mentor, Peter Solomon. This is a book highly recommended for both science enthusiasts and history fanatics for it discusses stuffs such as noetic science and hands of mystery.

"The Lost Symbol" has lived up to the tradition and sensation brought by its precursors, "Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons".

PS: I am still reading it though. 250 more pages to go!

Last quarter, quick recap

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

January - March: passive income, technopreneurship, tons of investments

April - June: NCC instructor, salesman in the weekend, SEO newbie in the night

July - September: going back to reality after the six-month "what if" experiment

October - December: doing things that I love doing ... health informatics and finishing my perpetual UPOU thesis

Making Intel HDA STAC92XX sound card work in Kubuntu 9.04

2009-11-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

For the purpose of documentation and a "mini" achivement, here is the workaround i did to make the sound work for HP Compaq 510 running Kubuntu 9.04:

1. open the terminal
2. gksudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf
3. append the following lines at the end:

options snd-pcsp index=-2
alias snd-card-0 snd-hda-intel
alias sound-slot-0 snd-hda-intel
options snd-hda-intel enable_msi=1

4. System Setting > Multimedia > Audio Output > make Intel HDA STAC92XX as the first output device > Apply
5. restart kubuntu

The Return of the Comeback

2009-10-26T09:55:00.001-07:00

Watch out for the inevitable rejuvenation of my blog. Too much work is harmful for blogging.

Good Bye Pres. Corazon Aquino

2009-07-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

Former President Cory Aquino passed away in the morning of August 1, 2009. The symbol of Philippine democracy will going to leave the whole nation mourning. I myself is quite teary over here. But President Cory's great legacy will be forever in annals of history and in the hearts of country-loving Filipino. Good bye and thank you Madam President! A job well done.

Reflections on the Tarlac Visit for CHITS Implementation

2009-07-19T02:53:00.000-07:00

Venue: Near the Flag Pole, PGH
Time: July 15, 7AM

Raymond, Xands, Kat and I were fetched by a van bound for Tarlac State University that morning. A typhoon just came out of the Philippines and another one is about to come in but we were lucky enough that the weather is cooperating. An hour later, we are in Trinoma Mall to fetch Dr. Marcelo. We were on a "semi" convoy together with Mr. Duremdes, Nick, Val and Enzo from Smart Communications. Smooth travel, nice, green and relaxing ambiance on the way to TSU.

Time: 10:30 AM
Venue: Graduate Office Conference Room, TSU

The morning started with a brief introduction among the members of the different stakeholders. Present in the session are people from the Tarlac Provincial Health Office (led by Dr. Ric Ramos), Tarlac State University (led by its president, Dr. Viuya), Smart Communications with Mr. Mon Duremdes and the UPM-National Telehealth Center (led by Dr. Alvin Marcelo). I must say that those that are present are the key people to make this project happened. The general meeting of stakeholders is both relevant and appropriate on the context that expectations are set and reconciled, and roles being identified accordingly. TSU's president, Dr. Viuya has mentioned how excited they are with the project and the collborations that comes with it during at brief introduction. Our colleague from MIT, Ms. Katherine Kuan, presented TSU with a Maxtor hard disk drive containing MIT's opencourse wares.

The presentation was facilitated by Dr. Alvin Marcelo. He discussed an introduction to CHITS, what the project is all about, how will the different stakeholders will going to contribute with it and the future opportunitie that comes with its successful implementation. TSU is being pinpointed and projected as a regional training center for CHITS in the near future. Judging from the reaction from the TSU group, I can say that they welcome the "challenge" and are very much opened to be trained.

During the discusion, Dr. Ramos made inquiries about information sharing of different health facilities including real-time inventory of medical supplies and drugs. That's a full blast EMR with ERP capabilities! His vision is well-rounded considering that aside from local health centers, there also other major players that participated in the Philippine health information system. I was seated next to Ms. Pinky, who is Tarlac PHO's FHSIS coordinator. She is the local expert on FHSIS and will definitely be a big help in terms of making sure that the protocols both data entry and reporting in FHSIS are properly being implemented.

I was able to talked to the PHO and CHD-3 group about what they are doing to effectively manage the bulky information they are receiving from various sources. While they do have applications and softwares at PHO, I must say that most of which are just for the purpose of consolidating paper reports at the ground level. Still, the quality of data isn't assured since the sources at the grassroots level is prone to many forms of errors. The idea of making CHITS (system on the ground) be made interoperable with their applications at the PHO (systems on the higher levels) comes into picture. Challenging killer application but definitely worth doing. It will not just save unnecessary effort and time but lots of trees as well. (we're talking here of a "paperless" automated system right?!)

Dr. Marcelo was able to thresh out and clearly identify the roles that each stakeholder will have to play. Smart is very crucial in terms of network infrastructure, SMS gateway supports and marketing (hehe). While they do have probably some agenda on the side, their support and is very relevant. Then, lunch time came!

Next: Visit to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital and a health center ... to be continued.

Blogging again!

2009-07-02T05:38:00.000-07:00

Too much work and no play (aside from having some extra sidetrips) made my blog time suffer. The fact is, there are lots of things to blog about nowadays but it seems that I can't sacrifice (right term is allot, blogging is fun!) 5 minutes doing it.

Top things that I wanted to write on my blog but failed to do so...

1. NBA Playoffs (Motown will be back next season!)
2. The E-health and Telemedicine Conference last May (please buy June 2009 issue of ComputerWorld. I am there!)
3. Java teaching stint in National Computer Center
4. My LoadXtreme Xperience
5. My recent engament with the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (http://apcmfi.net)

and of course ...

6. adventures and misadventures with the CHITS project. Hmmm... i should begin putting up a series of blog entries for CHITS not only for the sake of blogging but to be a reminder as well. My dream for this year is to see CHITS as one of the 50 top open source medical / health IT projects in the world.

Recent months have led me to difficult yet enjoyable situations. Blogging is an outlet. Thank you to whoever created the concept of blogging. Hell yeah!

LoadXtreme Prepaid Loading Business

2009-05-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Murang negosyo ba ang hanap mo? Eto na ang LoadXtreme Universal Prepaid Loading Business!

Baguio Escapade 2009 (Day 2)

2009-04-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

It was a Good Friday, day 2 of the 2009 Baguio summer escapade. The weather is good (not because it's a good friday) but amidst of the sun's heat, one can feel the cold Baguio breeze. We even have to wear jackets when we went outside. The itinerary for the day is a visit to the Grotto and the Philippine Military Academy and a mini-shopping spree to the Baguio Central Market.

Since we are expecting large mass of people visiting Grotto for that day, Kuya RT showed us a shortcut to Grotto. The path is an uphill climb. The ground is probably elevated close to 80 degrees. When we arrived to Grotto, I am already gasping for oxygen.The other consolation aside from less travel time are the flower-filled sceneries and an overlooking view of the whole Baguio city.

As expected, many devotees are having their usual Good Friday pilgrimage. Folks of different age and status quo have trooped to climb the 300+ steps of Grotto. Upon reaching the peak, the altar is jampacked with people who are offering prayers, lighting up candles, taking picture and enjoying the view of Baguio from Grotto.

After descending from Grotto, we've decided to proceed to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). PMA is the premier military school in the Philippines. PMA ground typifies a Good Friday... so solemn that one can hear the rustling of the leaves. The solid steel emblem bearing PMA's motto of Courage, Integrity and Loyalty stand proud amidst the mighty heat of the sun

The morning field trip session ended with a visit to the Baguio Central Market to buy food stuffs for lunch.

Baguio Escapade 2009 (Day 1)

2009-04-20T03:44:00.000-07:00

It was one hot Holy Wednesday morning when I made an impromptu decision to escape the Manila Heat. The timing is right since I will be meeting later in Trinoma a potential business partner who is based in Baguio. Even though many Manila-based folks have left for provinces, I still got three agendas before the long weekend: 1. Proceed to First Country Bank by 11 AM, 2. Meet Baguio business partner by 2 AM and 3. Hopefully, meet Karen after her shift. All except the last one happened.

After having a meeting in Trinoma, I went to Dagupan Bus Liner and luckily, was able to reserve for seats on a 1AM trip. Austin, my brother who just had graduated from high school, will also be going with me to Baguio. Fast forward ....

1 AM, Dagupan Bus Liner in Cubao

We were quite early on the anticipation that there will be a massive crowd on the terminal. No massive crowd, just a big crowd. So big that the bus where we are supposed to ride just settle to park at the back of the terminal building while waiting for passengers. Result: we almost missed the trip.

8AM, Baguio Bus Terminal

After a semi-peaceful trip, we reached the Baguio bus terminal around 8AM. The destination is Queen of Peace Road, where our host, Auntie Celing, lives. It has been a while since we last saw our Baguio relatives. I was three years old when we first visited Baguio. A and A took a quick nap before we start hovering around the city. Our guide is Manong Arty, our second cousin who is also a barangay kagawad in their area.

11 AM, Trek to the City

First on our itinerary for the day is the Burnham Park. The park is quite crowded since it is an official holiday. We can easily identify the people who came from Manila. They are overly fashionable. Baguio locals are simple dressers. Next on the itinerary are Mines View Park, St Joseph Church, Wright Park, The Mansion (where GMA is on vacation during that time) and Kamay Kainan At the Burnham Park

At the Wright Park

The day ended with a sumptuous dinner at Don Henrico's in SM Baguio. To be continued ...

Harshness

2009-04-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

The photo below says it all. Kaya pala malinis ang background. This was taken from a vacant lot during our trek to Grotto in Baguio City. Sh*t, ang tindi ng mensahe. And I forgot, it was Good Friday when I saw this picture.

Cold Summer Nights

2009-04-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

It's Mid-April and the sun is really torridly flaming. Since December, I have been nocturnal due to the extreme coldness of the night. I am still nocturnal now but for a different reason. The heat in the morning is zapping my energy that nothing is left for me to do a work. No choice but to do it in the wee hours of the night. I've been enjoying this set up lately.

Working alone makes the focus better thus can result to better productivity. Yet, working alone also helps me to remind of different memories in the past vividly. Summer nights are truly sentimental to me. It was three summers ago when my father suffered from stroke. Each night leading to the day of his death was full of drama and restlessness. Summers have never been the same again since then.

This year's summer will be momentous. It is the period when major transitions, planning and preparation for something BIG are happening. Despite how erratic things are lately, i positive that all are still in line with my short, medium and long term goals. It's "calmness before the storm" mode nowadays.

And by the way, as a tribute to Francis M, I am posting one of his hit songs way back in the 90's entitled "Cold Summer Nights".

Hail to the Champion!

2009-04-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

And in the end, my NBA fantasy team, Team Blitzkrieg was able to withstood the resistance from 15 other teams to emerge as the champion. Ang laking achievement nito! Consistent tsamba ang panalo kada linggo, nonetheless panalo pa rin.

My opponent in the finals must be really pissed off. He leading only first 5 days but was literally blindsided in the last two days. Thanks to the point-guard barrage strategy that I've been employing year long. Mother luck is also on Team Blitzkrieg's side.

Java NCC Programming: Exercise 3

2009-04-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

Exercise 3:
Due on April 12, 12 NN:

Problem: A new set of files have been uploaded to http://alisonperez.netii.net/java_programming/ (04032009_java_files.zip). Open the file MultiArray.java. This is our example on how to traverse a two-dimensional array. Revise the code such that the final output shall be:

Please email the java file to darth_ali@yahoo.com using the format lastname_java_exercise3.java. An additional 5 points will be given to the laboratory/hands-on exam for those who can get the correct answer. Please make sure that your program is working before submitting. I will be out of Manila for the Holy Week and will only get a chance to check all of the works submitted by Easter Sunday after 12NN.

Good luck

Two more graded take home exercise to follow.

Java NCC Programming: Exercise 2

2009-04-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

Exercise 2
Due on April 12 2009, 12NN

Problem: Create a java program that will ask two numbers of type integer. Use JOptionPane. Compute for:

a. Sum
b. Difference
c. Product (type double)
d. Quotient (type double)
e. Modulo
f. Highest between the two integers

Your output should be (using JOptionPane):

First Number: <1st>
Second Number: <2nd>
Sum: <1st> + <2nd>
Difference: <1st> - <2nd>
Product: <1st> * <2nd>
Quotient: <1st> / <2nd>
Module: <1st> % <2nd>
Highest between the two:

Submit your answer with lastname_java_exercise2 as the email's subject. I will just be running the java file and will grade if the output has been achieved. So, please check if it works before submitting it. Plus 5 points in the next graded exercise for those who can get the correct output.

Java NCC Programming: Exercise 1

2009-04-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Take home Exercise 1:
Due is April 12 2009, 12 NN.

Problem: Create a program that will compute the average of 10 integers. Use JOPtionPane in getting the input.

Algorithm:

1. Get 10 integers (including negatives) using JOptionPane
2. Compute for the average
3. Display the average using JOptionPane

Please email the java file to darth_ali@yahoo.com. Make the email's subject: yourlastname_java_exercise1. There will be an additional 5 points for the next graded exercise for those who can get the solution.

Please visit this blog from time to time for the succeeding exercises.

NCC Java Programming

2009-04-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

To all Java Programming students of NCC,

Please proceed to http://alisonperez.netii.net/java_programming/ for the sample source codes during our lecture. Thank you.

-- Alison Perez

Tsip Chao is a real cheappie

2009-03-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

An article written by HK columnist Tsip Chao has resulted to a public outrage of many Filipinos across the globe. The manner that Tsip Chao asserts that Filipino slaves should not flex their muscles to its Chinese masters is a real big BULLSHIT. The issue of sovereign over the Spratly's Island should not result in race bashing. Spare the hardworking Filipinos in Hongkong to all of this commotions.

Tsip Chao may be a "nationalistic" veteran broadcaster but his satire is neither patriotic in nature nor funny. It's a clear insult. All races have imperfections including the Chinese. Don't wait for some other Pinoy broadcasters to do the same bashing because probably, they never will. It's all about respect.

There is a cross-cultural relationship between Pinoys and Chinese. Early Chinese migrants built business and ventures in the Philippines. Pinoys, on the other hand, are important component of China's workforce especially in Hong Kong and Macau. People like Tsip Chao cannot break this century-old friendship and working relationship. If I am his maid, I will resigned under his employment. My nationalistic pride outweighs the value of his HK$3,600 monthly salary.

Philippines is not perfect and it will never be. But this is my country and this is one of the few things that I can really call as my own. Thanks for the bashing for it just strengthens my love for the Philippines.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Finally, an interview with Gina Carano

2009-03-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

After weeks of monitoring the latest news about Gina Carano, MMAWeekly.com was able to do an interview with her during the Fight Expo last week. Since the Strikeforce's acquisition of EliteXC's prized fighters, I have been waiting for the Carano versus Cyborg match this April 11. Too bad or perhaps good as well, Gina has to go through some detoxification or in my own understanding, refocusing on her goals while re-energizing mind and spirit. Even tough fighters need time to think and rest. Nonetheless, Gina won't be missed for that long since she mentioned that next on her big plans is definitely having a fight. Gina Carano is not just a unique special MMA fighter but a special person as well.

Entrecard Application

2009-03-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

I just applied for an Entrecard. To all those who are not familiar with it, Entrecard is a free blogging network that intends to increase the traffic of qualified blogs. The application has to go through approval but i am pretty that this blog will get approved. Waiting mode for the meantime ...

In as much as i wanted to post the sleek logo of Entrecard here, i am not yet an approved member. Thanks for pinoymoneytalk.com for the entrecard info.

I love lotto!

2009-03-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

It was around 1995 when I almost did a successful attempt to play lotto. But too bad, I was 13 years old way back. The lady in the counter foiled my attempt. Way back, it was only 6/42. Now it has evolved into many varieties like 6/45, 6/49, tres pares, swertes and others.

I am not a lotto addict. Yet, i love the thrill one feels every time the winning numbers are being announced. In the 2 years that lotto has been running, the most number of digits I successfully guessed is only 2. I even dreamed of winning a 42 million jackpot in the contest.

Lotto or gambling in general is not bad if taken in moderation. Anything in excess is already a sin. Even pinoymoneytalk.com has a separate thread for gambling. :D

Parable of the Pipeline

2009-03-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

This video shows the difference between working for money and using a leverage to earn money. Simple yet realistic presentation. Bruno symbolizes most of the people who are engaged in some form of employment. The amount of working time is directly proportional with the amount of income. On the other hand, Pablo is more of an investor or business person who doesn't have to exchange time with income. Of course, there have been a tremendous effort at the start to build the leverage (pipeline).

What I learned from this video is that it pays to work hard but it is better to work smart. By letting other tools to do the work for you (leverage), there is no need to work for the rest of your life. Members of the forum pinoymoneytalk.com are exchanging various ideas on how to get out of the rat race.

Preparing for an SEO experience

2009-03-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

SEO or search enging optimization is a method of making a particular website highly promoted among various search engine's like google.com and search.yahoo.com. It involves tweaking some techniques like using appropriate keywords, indexing, posting in high traffic site and increasing back links. When one search the word 'click here', it is surprising to see that the download page of Adobe Acrobat reader is among the first 10 search results. When do ego-googling (search alison perez), this blog appears as the 4th search result.

In an effort to learn this emerging venture, I decided to put up cyberkepweng.comze.com to play around SEO techniques. There are lots of resource in the bookstore and on the net that teaches about SEO. It also pays to ask some people in pinoymoneytalk.com who have been doing SEO for quite sometime.

It's time to go back to the drawing boards. Btw, try googling the word 'apple' and tell me what's the first search result. It's definitely obvious what it is.

Making Broadcom WLAN worked in Ubuntu

2009-03-10T03:26:00.000-07:00

My two and a half-year old laptop is partitioned into two operating system: Window$ XP and Ubuntu 8.04. Majority of the programming and development work will be done the Ubuntu partition while Windows is for multimedia (flash, audio ripping) and image manipulation (paintshop pro). It was only today that I was able to make the Broadcom B43 WLAN worked under Ubuntu. Thanks to Ubuntu's warning messages. It led me to linuxwireless.Org

A simple issuance of apt-get install b43-fwcutter plus the use of wifi-radar app did the magic. Good bye Windows XP.

I should post this breakthrough to pinoymoneytalk.com technology area. But I wonder how many of the PMT members are using Ubuntu?

Ang Magtataho at Taho

2009-03-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

Parte na ng kulturang pinoy ang magtataho. Sino bang bata ang hindi lumaki na nakarinig ng mamang sumisigaw ng "taho!!!" bawat umaga. Depressed areas or subdivision ng mga elitista, malamang ay nalibot na ng mamang magtataho. Dumating iyong panahon na halos ang kinanakain namin ay taho tuwing almusal dahil walang nagluluto sa umaga. Sa lakas ba namang sumigaw ng magtataho sa amin, hindi maaring ma-miss ang kanyang paninda. Physically fit at may operatic voice ang mga magtataho for sure!

Bakit ko biglang naisipang mag-blog dahil sa magtataho? Sinira ng magtataho ang tulog ko kaninang umaga. Napaaga tuloy ako ng gising. Tsk, tsk. Ang taho ay gawa sa pinaghalong pinakuluang soybean at matamis na syrup. Naalala ko, may gumagawa nga pala ng flavored taho business. Mukhang wala pang nakakapag-discuss nito sa PMT.

PS:
images were borrowed from:

1. http://www.farm3.static.flckr.com
2. somewhere in blogspot

The Legacy of Legacy

2009-03-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

PDIC has recently announced the initial liquidation of funds to the depositors of the bankrupted Legacy Group rural bank. Lots of speculations as to whether PDIC can sustain the release of funds amounting to billions of pesos. The amount is greater than the Fertilizer scam that involves former DA undersecretary Jocjoc Bolante. Add the fact that the trails of the real culprit of Legacy's failure have been carefully tainted, the curtain for a bigger showdown between the depositors and Celso Delos Angeles and his cohorts. Even some former managers of Legacy are going up against Mr. Delos Angeles.

It is definitely a frustrating experience from the part of the depositors. Depositor who have just enough have trusted Legacy to take care and nourish there savings. Financial "honchos" who are blessed with plenty of resources still voraciously wanted more and preyed on the unsuspecting depositors. Let's wait and see as the drama unfolds.

Being a rural bank depositor myself, there will always be a fear that the bank will shutdown without any prior notification. I am blessed of having a stable rural bank but i think the key to bank investing is diversification.

Thanks to pinoymoneytalk.com for providing substantial information on Legacy groups.

The Start-Up Entrepreneur: A Book Review

2009-03-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

March 9, 2 AM. After two and a half months of reading, I finally made it to the last chapter of The Start-Up Entrepreneur book. James R. Cook, the author of the book, provides out-of-experience insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in starting, managing, diversifying up to selling business ventures. Being a serial entrepreneur himself, Cook shares his experiences while relating the events to the principles of many American entrepreneurs like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Napoleon Hill and Thomas Watson.

The book set 5 major goals for its readers:

1. how to start becoming an entrepreneur
2. how to keep the entrepreneur going once the venture has set in
3. how to run a business
4. how to understand the taxation and implications of entrepreneurship to economy
5. entertain, enthrall and amused the reader.

The book discusses the early struggles of Cook as well as of the entrepreneurial heroes mentioned above. He equates entrepreneurial success to the level of struggle that one has to experienced and overcome. No true entrepreneur have experienced smooth-sailing business at some point of their venture's life span.

The book does not teach its readers a step-by-step and definite procedures on how to hit it big in business but rather shows a realistic business approach. Each chapter has a particular storyline with the author slowly integrating the lessons along the way. It also enforces that entrepreneurs are not just visionaries but should be excellent managers as well.

While pinoymoneytalk.com is my personal source of business ideas, this book together with "rich dad, poor dad" has become a source of inspiration and motivation.

I got 33 cents in google adsense

2009-03-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yipee ! 33 cents for two months. Well, this is still in line with my plan of having a passive income. It seems that there is an increased traffic during February 2009 but not enough to hit it big time in adsense. In an attempt to increase adsense earnings, there are different ways listed in pinoymoneytalk.com on how to improve adsense earning. I hate change my template but I think that interface is not adsense friendly at all.

time to do some blog revisions by next week ...

Colayco's Wealth Within Your Reach book

2009-03-08T03:31:00.000-07:00

We were at the National Bookstore yesterday and I got the chance to read Francisco Colayco's Wealth within your Reach book. Due to self-imposed budget tightening rule, I decided to just kill the time by reading a few chapters. One of the chapters talks about a couple who are earning big buck in the 1980's. Lavish lifestyle, unexpected circumstances (i.e. husband was downsized from work) and uncontrollable debts, their financial status have suffered and fallen. The chapter shows one important lesson, live within your means.

Colayco also did mentioned at Inflation as the silent saving killer. An example is 20 years ago, one can buy a whole dressed chicken for a certain amount. the same amount 5 years later, can just buy half of the same dressed chicken. 10 year later, it will just be the drumstick and 20 year after, just the chicken innards (i.e. isaw, dugo, helmet). Therefore, the book is suggesting that savings should be diverted to investment tools that can beat the inflation rate.

As mentioned in pinoymoneytalk.com, Colayco will conduct free seminars for the month of March.

cashflow board game

2009-03-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

Pinoymoneytalk.com will going to conduct another cashflow board game on march 21. stay tune!

Good bye, Francis M.

2009-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

The premier master rapper of the Philippine music scene has joined the Almighty Creator today, March 6. Francis Magalona (Kiko, the Man from Manila) started a rap genre, a genre that is very famous in the US. Yet,FrancisM was able to infused the craft with nationalistic and patriotic messages. His song, Mga Kababayan Ko, has taken the country by storm. I still do memorized this song. My favorite song (and my all-time fave OPM) among his creation is Kaleidoscope World.

Francis M has a multitude of talents. He is a director, photographer and an entrepreneur. He might be also reading pinoymoneytalk.com. :D

Truly, Francis M is a national treasure and an icon for his generation. Thank you Kiko for not just inspiring people with your craft but also instilling the Filipino pride in all of your works.

Thirty days before liberation

2009-03-04T06:36:00.000-08:00

It was March of 1999 when Mrs San Miguel, our highschool coordinator, approached me to show a page in inquirer bearing my name as one of the "lucky" passers of DOST RA 7687 scholarship program. Two of us in the school made it. Without thinking twice, I signed the contract. I am not concerned about the lack of research and development (RND) personnel in the Philippines, the main rationale of the government's S&T scholarship program. The thought of having an absolutely free college tuition and a regular monthly stipend overshadows any form of doubt. Snippets of events of being a DOST scholarship recipient:

1. All passers will gather in the DOST Bicutan office together with a parent or legal guardian. Judgment day. Passers will be given a choice to sign the contract or not. Obviously, I signed the dreaded pact.

2. If the scholar decided to avail the offer, he will need to repay it via service contract. The number of years of service is similar equal to the number of years.

3. Incoming freshman scholars will have a two-month summer orientation and enrichment program (SOEP) before the start of classes. We did our SOEP in UP Diliman on the summer of 1999. I was placed under the Bartlett section. Not Josh Bartnet of MMA but former UP Pres. Bartlett. Prof. Augie Hermosilla was our faculty in algebra. I can still recall that Saturday morning class when Prof. Hermosilla is dripping wet. It is as if he took a bath in one of the showers in Math building.

4. In my whole stay in college, I only got a single 5.0. A red flag for DOST scholars. A good recipe for suspension. Fortunately, I was able to make a concoction: a reasonable appeal. The rest is history. Scholarship completed in four years, college degree completed in 5 years.

5. Day 1 for the service contract was April 1, 2005 although I am already working before this. For the three international flights (KL, SG, Penang) I did during the duration of service contract, I have to ask for temporary lifting of my name in the Bureau of Immigration's black list. My status is no different to hardened criminals and suspected/confirmed terrorists who have been in that very same list.

6. On April 1 2009, I will be cleared from the said list. I can't imagine the feeling of being freed from the contract. Thank you DOST for enforcing the virtues and values of being a Filipino in my already nationalistic system.

In a nutshell, the contract will still be "in effect" since I do not have any intentions to leave Philippine for employment opportunities abroad. I wouldn't be joining to the "go abroad and seek greener pasture" bandwagon. Sorry multinationals. But don't worry guys, my team will be forming something similar to what you're doing soon.

Here are the things I intend to do after the liberation:

1. Be an active member of Pinoymoneytalk.com, offline and online.

2. Sell my mabuhay miles points. Infuse the earnings to ventures that are gaining passive income.

3. Train, train and train not just to have a six-pack abs but also to embrace better sense of discipline and focus. I hope be a disciple of Yaw Yan in the future.

4. Ignite Trim Tab Tech's business engine. It's time to put theories in actual practice.

5. As a former "ex-convict" having served a total of 8 years in contract by then, I need to guide a new convict in the person of Austin. It'll probably be 10 years for him though.

6. I need to graduate from UP Open University this year. I need to rub off this commitment soon. Until I finished my MIS degree, I consider myself as a failure.

Postscript:

This post in PMT is really an eye-opener. This saddens me but it's very true. An essential reminder to every Pinoy out there.

Cashflow Board Game

2009-02-27T01:41:00.000-08:00

The second edition of the Cashflow Board game of the pinoymoneytalk.com sponsored by CondoInvestor pushed through last February 21 at McDo guadalupe. Officers of the PMT Coop led by rainmen and gr8collector explained the mechanics of the game. The 40+ people were divided into groups of 4 with 1 banker on each group. My group mates are quite excited. The group's banker is very patient in explaining the intricacies of the game. We were then given 'hypothetical' jobs with varying incomes, expenses, liabilities and assets. I am an office secretary, a mid-paying job.

The rat race track is divided into the following categories: opportunity, pay checks, babies, charities, downsize and the market. Avoid babies and downsize for it could add figures to the expense column or cut off income. In order to win the game, the cashflow should exceed the expenses.

One of my group mates, Rovhie, was able to get out of the rat race in about 2 hours. I am winning during the first instances of the game but eventually succumb to the agony of being 'downsized' three times in the game. I wasn't able to get out of the race (cashflow: 400, expense: 1700), but I definitely gained lots of lessons in investing. After the game, I am a low risk, low return, high security type of investor. An investor who wants to play it safe.

CI did a humorous presentation of his financial life. There have been early dropbacks but he was able to recover after going through some soul searching and imbibing the lessons of cashflow board game.

Here is a link of last saturday's cashflow board game courtesy of mark3acsay:

CHITS and National Telehealth Service Act

2009-02-26T02:15:00.000-08:00

We owe it to the public health people who have listlessly listened, participated and believed in various training sessions and talks especially with CHITS. Now that the National Telehealth Service Act of 2009 is on its way of filing in the Congress, the challenges from the development and implementation team of CHITS is greater. Great job to UP National Telehealth Center for leading the way.

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Ms Anna Valmero of Inq7.net for posting the article.

Post Notes:

As the technical lead of the CHITS project, the need for a relentless pursue of excellence and stronger and tougher nerves is inevitable. These are necessary traits for aspiring entrepreneurs as well. I hope to be one. Higher passive income is my personal battle cry nowadays. :D

A day at the Hybrid Yaw Yan gym

2009-02-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

After playing the cashflow board game sponsored by pinoymoneytalk.com, i decided to visit either the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) office or the Hybrid Yaw Yan gym. The intention is to inquire about the training programs (including rates) they are offering. I opted to visit Hybrid Yaw Yan at the Annapolis, Cubao. I decided drop by to the future office of Trim Tab Technologies which is just on the adjacent street.

The Hybrid Yaw Yan is a martial school which teaches Yaw Yan (Sayaw ng Kamatayan or Dance of Death). Yaw Yan is a filipino martial arts developed by Grand Master Nap Fernandez and has closed resemblace to Muay Thai. Finally, upon reaching Hybrid Yaw Yaw's gym, I saw the fighters doing workouts and sparring sessions in preparation for an MMA competition this Saturday.

Coach Henry Kobayashi, Hybrid Yaw Yan's founder and head coach, discussed the basics of Yaw Yan and how different it is from other martial arts. For one, Yaw Yan does not have a kata or belt system. He also demonstrated some basic punching stance in Yaw Yan. The rest of the time was spent in watching competition videos of Hybrid Yaw Yan fighter.

From what i observed, the Yaw Yan attacks are lightning quick and unexpected. Yan Yan is a striking martial arts but Hybrid Yaw Yan was able to infuse other disciplines in their regimen such as wrestling, grappling and submission moves. This makes the craft MMA-ready. Yaw Yan is also a practical martial arts intended for personal self-defense not just for competitive matches. Vicious holds, head banging strikes with a Filipino twist.

Kudos to the Yaw Yan fighters, kudos to Pinoy martial arts.

PS: I just learned Sunday morning that Kru Robert Valdez, MAP president, was killed over a shooting incident inside his office. Big loss to the Muay Thai community in the Philippines. RIP Kru Robert and thank you for putting Philippines in the international Muay Thai map.

EDSA at 23

2009-02-23T18:07:00.000-08:00

February 1986 has carved a special place in the Philippine history. It was the time when Filipinos from all walks of society assembled, marched, opposed and ousted the 20-year dictatorial rule of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. What was a simple call from the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, then Manila's Archbishop, has led to a massive People Power revolution that even made other countries admire Philippines. The victory then was sweet.

23 years later and what have Philippines become? Andres Bonifacio, the father of Philippine revolution, believes that true freedom is not just gaining social rights but also being able to live a decent and comfortable life. Are Filipinos truly free? Yup, free in the sense that people have "social rights". Yet for freedom from poverty, that I am unsure of. Pres GMA, in her recent EDSA celebration speech, mentioned that the world will not forgive a third EDSA revolution. This is quite disappointing for number of reasons, 1. EDSA is a symbol of activism and modern-day Philippine freedom, 2. GMA was installed thru EDSA 2, 3. EDSA is an internal Philippine affair, why foreign nations should mingle?

Being a four-year old kid in 1986, I don't care what's really happening. Memories then were quite vivid. We were eating crabs for dinner in our old Caloocan house while listening to June Keithley of Radio Veritas. Things became clear when we studied history in elementary. Ninoy is an icon.

It's time to take this country back. Long live Philippines and proud to be pinoy!

NBA weekend: Newbie Basketball Altercation

2009-02-22T01:10:00.000-08:00

A regular,no nonsense Sunday workout in the hoops court. The burning heat of the sun is a perfect energizer. The regimen is composed of matches in H-O-R-S-E, biente uno (21) and a one-on-one race to 12 game. The winner earns some bragging rights while the loser carries the basketball on the way back home.

Here are the competitors:

Austin a.k.a. "The Wonder Gnome"
Specialty: lightning fast dribbling. Devastating long-range jumpshots.

Alison aka "this blog's owner"
Strengths: likes shooting (and missing) lots of three pointers, banging bodies under the basket then pulling up an unexpected jump hook.

The match:
Closed match, Austin won by a point but garnered multiple hits and blows in the body and head.

The Last Lecture

2009-02-20T08:50:00.000-08:00

Long yet heart warming "The Last Lecture" presentation of Dr. Randy Pausch of Carnegie Mellon University. It's amazing to see a man who knows that his days on Earth are numbered but still was able to deliver an inspiring message all across different types of people. The push-ups are funny. The message is loud and clear.

RIP, Dr. Paush.

PHP Script for Automated Backup

2009-02-19T07:52:00.000-08:00

Requirements:

1. PHP5 with PECL-SSH2 enabled
2. The SSH2 wrapper library (http://www.seoegghead.com/software/ssh2-php-wrappers.seo)
3. The killer script:

require_once('SSH2.php');
$s = new SSH2('MYSERVER');
$s->loginWithPassword('MYLOGIN', 'MYPASSWORD');
$_buf = $s->execCommandBlocking('tar cvf - /www/foo_com/');
file_put_contents('foo_com_backup_' . date('Ymd'), $_buf);

Result: Priceless peace of mind knowing that there is a script doing stuff humans should not supposed to regularly do.

Source:
http://www.phpclasses.org/blog/post/88-Automating-Backup-Tasks-Remotely-with-PHP-and-PECL-SSH2-extension.html

A week full of CHITS-ing

2009-02-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

Three days, three health centers. That's how I would describe the itinerary I've been to last week. The goals are : 1. to upgrade their CHITS version, 2. To instruct users to test the stability of the new system, 3. To ask consensus to work inside the health center during the development of the family planning module in CHITS and 4. To re-experience the health center culture which I missed for sometime. Not all went in accordance to the plan. It has been that way always, the world is truly chaotic.

Monday: Malibay Health Center's LAN infrastructure is misbehaving. There is a persistent disconnection all across the PC's. In addition, the server's memory capability is being sapped by mysterious mysql daemons (this is pronounced as 'demon'). Workaround: 1. switch cables and fortify their attachments, 2. kill KDE and switch to the more memory-friendly IceWM user interface. All is well until ... A 15-minute visit was made to Lagrosa after (i arrived 4:45 and the center closes at 5PM) and all is up and running.

Tuesday: Novaliches to Tagaytay: 5 solid hours. I am about to made a visit to the Mendez Rural Health Unit to do system checkup and to offer Dr. Auditor the new deployment setup for CHITS. I will be a salesman for the day. The travel was less challenging and tiring than the previous visits. I counted the number of Cavite towns the bus passed by before getting to Mendez. It's around 5. I also tried counting the number instances I will be seeing the word 'Revilla'. Man, it's countless. :P

Upon arriving at health center, the staff greeted me 'Good afternoon' in Caviteno accent. The relief from a tiring trip was doubled because of: 1. having somebody greeting you a 'good afternoon', 2. the distinct Caviteno accent. The relief was tripled when they offered merienda.

Dr. Auditor gleefully welcomed me. Ok, so much for pleasantries. It's time to buckle down to work and start slaying the beast. The problem is quite simple, another workstation is getting the IP address that is supposed to be for the server. 30 mins, and its all done. Now, the business pitch starts. I won't go on the details anymore due to the confidentiality of the conversation but the salesman made a sale.

The terminal for Manila is just few blocks away but their nurse, Ma'am Ellen offered a ride. I found out the both she and Dr. Auditor started working at the Mendez Health Center since 1981. That's the truest sense of dedication and teamwork in serving the people thru public health delivery. The day is generally good except that i wasn't able to see Melissa. Tagaytay scenery in the afternoon is captivating.

Wednesday: In the middle of the afternoon, Malibay health center called me up to report the deteriorating status of their network. Desktops are disconnected, CHITS is hanging up and the server freezes and all is in pending chaos. The situation was slightly been relieved because the wireless network still works. I promised to dropped by and let my black magic do the work. At the end of the day, all is back to normal without me touching anything in the setup. The LAN cables got loosed and was re-attached by the midwives while the server just did an auto system check. The black magic worked!

Lessons learned from last week's experience:

1. a small problem may not be a small problem at all if the impact is quite uncontrollable
2. sometimes, a little prayer works.
3. end-users love CHITS! otherwise, they won't care at all if anything went wrong
4. intimate interaction and laser-pointed focus are requirements in slaying any troubleshooting woes
5. Tagaytay is a good stress buster.

Ampalaya Obsession

2009-02-10T08:29:00.000-08:00

Recently, sa hindi malamang dahilan, nagkainterest akong isama ang ampalaya sa aking daily meals bilang appetizer. Simula ito sa transition ko mula sa pagiging omnivore tungo sa pagiging full-time herbivore. Gusto kong kainin ang ampalaya nang hilaw pero di ko pa kaya. Ang pinakamalapit ay ensaladang ampalaya. Iyon ang pinag-pipiyestahan ko lately. Ang mga sumusunod ay ilang facts na makakatulong upang ang pinaka-misunderstood na gulay ay mahalin at tangkilikin ng mga tao.

1. http://en.factolex.com/Ampalaya - Bitter melons are seldom mixed with other vegetables due to the strong bitter taste, although this can be moderated to some extent by salting and then washing the cut melon before use.

2. http://ezinearticles.com/?Health-Benefits-of-Ampalaya-(Bittergourd)&id=941524 - Ampalaya is noted to be an effective component in herbal medicine, and the fruit is known to help treat, or alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism and gout and ailments of the spleen and liver. It also is effective in helping lower the body's blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

3. http://www.stuartxchange.com/Ampalaya.html - Studies have suggested that ampalaya contains a hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin responsible for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other benefits suggested were body detoxification (including removal of nicotine), strengthening of the immune system and fertility regulation.

4. http://thecookmobile.com/conquering-ampalaya/ - For centuries, Asian communities have harnessed this vegetable’s nutrient and insulin-like components, preparing it as a regular ingredient in many Asian dishes and also as a herbal tea.

Sana ay maging pambansang gulay ng Pilipinas ang ampalaya. Mabuhay ang Ampalaya!

Biyente Siyete

2009-02-03T02:30:00.000-08:00

Twenty seven random thoughts on the undersigned's 27th birthday

1. the power of compounding the greatest invention ever -- albert einstein
2. passive income, multiple income streams
3. reduce bmi to 20. reduce weight by 40 lbs. increase muscle weight by 20%
4. the best medicine to a racking anxiety is work and play
5. FOREX seminar on February 5
6. beat X Refs and PAris 18ers team in NBA Fantasy game
7. congratulations to Austin for passing UPCAT 2009. Up, above in heaven, proud sa iyo ang tatay natin.
8. compre on may, thesis on june, graduation on october. wishful thinking...
9. CHITS expansion to 7 LGU's
10. missing eyeglasses.. need to get a new one
11. study Symfony + Dojo AJAX toolkit
12. contact KRU Robert of Philippine Muay Thai Association
13. business registration galore
14. exchange deal for CMS of Probusiness and Skyworld
15. Gina Carano
16. finish the book "Startup Entrepreneur by James Cook" next week
17. call Mabuhay Miles office and inquire on point drop off for Shanghai in June
18. report to Dr. Valbuena ASAP
19. 3 more years to go to finish the 1-million peso quest
20. be a regular reactor to Pam's blog
21. emphasize and practice Philippinism in all endeavors. Proud to be pinoy!

22. plan and execute for another PHP programming stint in National Computer Center this March
23. dream big, live fast, work hard, play smart
24. Gina Carano
25. attend PMT's regular Cashflow board game competitions
26. commit to 200+ plus blog postings this year
27. be a savvy, serial technopreneur in the near future... mark this word

Signed,

Alison

The Pepsi Super Bowl Ad 2009

2009-02-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

Great ad! Very timely and impacting. Gina Carano is stunningly awesome. Bruce Lee is truly a legend. Gumby and Shrek are .... green. lol

Forever Young

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
And may you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
And may you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
And may you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

Gina Carano to star in Pepsi's Super Bowl Ad

2009-01-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

As reported in mmarated.com, Gina Carano will be appearing in the upcoming SuperBowl advertisement sponsored by Pepsi. The theme will revolve around the promotion of optimism and hopefulness amidst the present crisis.

Gina will be featured side by side with the legendary Bruce Lee. Two pioneers in their own rights (Bruce Lee and his JKD philosphy and Gina Carano as the face of female MMA). It truly shows the present impact of letting female fighters going mainstream with Ms Carano leading the way.

Still, many MMA fans are still waiting for Gina Carano's next fight. I hope it will be in the soonest possible time.

PS: GSP just won via a 4th round TKO over Penn. It's striking over choke holds!

Picture was taken from mmarated.com

My First Kape + Teknolohiya Attendance

2009-01-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

I've been a seldom lurker at the ayalatbi.org website for the past four months looking for some hot, interesting seminar topics. They had a big-bang December technopreneurship activity which I failed to attend.

I attribute it for having more control of my time nowadays and for having an immediate need for a data visualization tool, i pre-registered for AyalaTBI's next activity. Ayala Foundation organized another Kape + Teknolohiya session entitled "Visualizing Data: Making Sense of an Information-Rich World". The session was facilitated by Prof Diego Maranan of the UP Open University.

Great venue (the shiny and sleek, Technology Portal), friendly and accommodating Ayala TBI staff, friendly and reasonable price and good food (combination of pancit with different pastries, free flowing coffee and iced tea). Although we started 30 minutes late.

I was hoping that Prof Maranan will provide thorough discussion on the tools in translating statistical data into some visual representations. My technical side has gotten into me without realizing that many of the participant aren't technical people in the first place. Ok, I am contented with the some examples that were demonstrated.

1. Exxonsecret.org - a graphical network on global warning

2. Dumpster - according its homepage, this is "a portrait of romantic breakups collected from blogs in 2005"

3. Zipdecode - a US map that interactively locates places once a valid zip code was entered.

Until this time, I wasn't able to find appropriate visualization tools to project CHITS data. Nonetheless, I might consider focusing on data visualization for my upcoming thesis work.

Acknowledgment: Slides were taken from Prof. Maranan's presentation.

Two AM morning thoughts

2009-01-18T09:53:00.000-08:00

It's about 2AM, Manila time. Three thoughts are running in my mind: our new venture, how to execute triple kill using Jah'rakal in DOTA and of course, food. I choose to settle on the last one. It seems that my appetite is seeking Indian and Malay cuisines. How I miss the Penang days wherein such cuisines are just around every street corner. May the pictures below let you realize how tough it is to imagine such images in this inappropriate time where every people is asleep.

1. Lamb Stew with chili sauce

2. Nasi Goreng Biasa

3. Satay - this is my personal favorite!

4. Some seafoods stuff - forgot the name

5. Sumptuous chicken and egg soup

6. Lamb curry

7. Roasted spicy chicken

8. San Miguel beer Strong Ice with chicharon

9. One hot, smoking cup of pure black coffee

So much for this. It's time to count sheeps instead of imagining foods.

100% x 1 > 100% of self

2009-01-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

Leveraging using other people's resources is one of the cleverest way of building financial resources. Mutual funds is a good example of this. While looking at the recent annual mutual fund report at PMT, NAVPUS aren't getting better nowadays. MF's as far as the experts are saying will always rebound after downfalls but might take some 3-5 more years. This is good for long-term investments (5-10 years of leaving the principal amount untouched). In as much as I wanted to enroll in a mutual fund, I cannot.

My mind and bravado is pushing me to embark to a microfinancing venture this summer. This is part of a personal grand plan of shunning away from the "employee" mindset and transitioning to business and entrepreneurial mindset. Considering the need to diversify the resources, situation has led to jump into instruments that are:

1. provides interest rate that beats the 4-5 percent annual inflation rate
2. preserves and liquidation of the principal. i don't have the appetite yet to lose lots of bucks
3. generates regular passive income. let thy bucks work for you.
4. encourages capital expansion and thereby, an increase in interest

Mr. Francisco Colayco, a famous Pinoy financial advisor, labeled this as the build-up stage in growing wealth. I will be employing 'bakas' scheme or using other people's money as leverage in my upcoming venture. Obviously, P100,000 will provide better returns than P10,000. Only few daring individuals are willing to put P100K on a one-shot investment scheme. It will be more easier and less intimidating to shell out P10,000 for working Pinoys with average earnings given sufficient amount of time. Pooling small amounts of money from other people is more practical than shelling out a the same amount but all from my personal bank account if one wanted to enjoy higher returns. It reduces risks, while helping out other people to earn more than what the conservative commercial banks are giving.

The next few months are quite exciting. I've learning from investment experts and for quite some time now it's time for me to execute my plans. Looking back from my entry one year ago about savings and investments, it is encouraging that I've exceeded my annual target. Like a wolf whose appetite increases every time it smells blood, my addiction to investment and money-making is just starting warm-up.

Learning investments is not rocket science. A clear and solid plan is enough. Combine it with hard work, persistence, patience and prayer, proper results should fall into place.

Gina Carano: The Face of Female Mixed Martial Arts

2009-01-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

And yes, I am a Gina Carano fan. Before I became familiar with Gina Carano, I have came across with Natasha, Soviet Union's female sniper at Red Alert 3. Curiosity told me to find out who is the actress behind Natasha's character and to my surprise, she isn't an actress but a Muay thai / MMA champion. After a series of researches, I became a fan of Gina Carano and MMA in general.

In a male dominated sport like MMA, many will wonder what does a lady with stunning looks that belongs to the movies and billboard posters doing inside the octagon. Ask Gina and she'll say "i came here to fight". Seeing an angelic lady talking as tough as men is really admirable. More than the looks and appeal, what is more awesome is her dedication and passion to focus in a field where even average men won't dare to pursue. Armed with unique combination of good looks, natural talent, humility, unmatched charisma and hard work, it is safe to conclude that Gina Carano is the face of the female MMA.

I hope that EliteXC will resume very soon. Gina Carano should then be fitted against Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos for a much anticipated fight. And after the smoke has been cleared, Gina will have a new record of 8W-0L-0D.

Addendum: EliteXC is already gone with contracts of its fighters still hanging. Rumor has it that Gina Carano might sign under the WEC or the Zuppa banners once the contract issues have been settled. Nonetheless, Gina is sorely missed in the octagon and fans would like her back in the soonest possible time. I'll register in any efforts to pressure the big bosses of fighting outfits.

Tinikling dance

2009-01-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the readers who don't understand Tagalog. Tinikling according to wikipedia is:

"Ang tinikling ay ang halo-halo ng biyaya at kilusan na paa. Laban-laban sa pagitan ng paa at sanga ng kawayan.
Ang tinikling may ebulusyon dati naging pambansa sayaw ng Pilipinas. Ang ibong "Tikling" ("heron") ay patayo sa kanyang mga mahaba at payat na binti. Ang sayaw na Tinikling naglalarawan ng paraan ang ibon pagalawin kanyang mga binti sa pagitan na damo. Itong ay isang bersiyon ng tinikling, kundi mayroon ikalawa mga kuwento magaspang. ..." Read more

The video was taken (courtesy of Dr. Marcelo) during the ADZU conference at Dakak last February. The newbie tinikling dancer (me) is partly overly conscious that his feet might not hit the bamboo while obediently listening to his dance partner.

2008 Travels

2009-01-08T01:04:00.000-08:00

I am rekindling various places I've been year long. The quantity of travels may not match the number of travels i did in 2006 and 2007 but this year's travels have personal and significant importance not mention the diversity and variety of travels:

February
6-8: Mendez, Cavite

This is the first CHITS encounter for the AMIGA and MAGNAMARTE Inter Local Health Unit of Cavite. 20-plus attendees were able to experience using CHITS for the firstime.uOur group is composed of Doc Eloy, Kuya Endo, HR and darth_ali.

20-22: Dakak, Zamboanga del Norte, 1st Joint Critical Care Rural Physicians Conference

Sponsored by the Ateneo de Zamboanga University School of Medicine and Rural Health Physicians of Canada, our group was invited to present on the health informatics track specifically on CHITS. Kudos to Dean Cristobal and Dr. Macrohon. Dakak is one hot and exotic beach and perhaps better that Boracay!

March:

22-25: Roxas, Capiz, CHITS Training

A training session for the Capiz CHITS users was conducted to introduce the use of CHITS Query browser. Also with our group is Max Hennenmann, Grace Allana and Shainur Premji. This is the first time that we were able to walk in Baybay beach at night time.

April: GIS Seminar Cavite

17-18: Island Cove, Binakayan, Cavite

DOH-IMS invited Dr. Steve Ebeemer of World Health Organization to conduct a workshop on GIS in Health. Dr. Ebemeer did a great discussion in showing that GIS is just a tool or technology. The effectiveness of the GIS is as good as the quality of the data that are coming while considering the relevance of spatial and time data. I am wondering how is almisa doing nowadays?? :D

May:

8-13: Batanes

What can i say? This is the best place that I've been to. Batanes is simply a heaven on earth. If Batanes is a wine, it will be Tequila. Exotic and long-lasting. I could spend the whole day sitting at the top of the hills watching migratory birds in the sky while reflecting on the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. We've been there to conduct CHITS deployment for Basco and Uyugan. Batanes is simply captivating!

August: Boracay, Aklan

25: I was supposed to stay at Roxas City for my two-month health informatics work for CHITS but the whole Provincial health Office will be going to Boracay. This is something that one cannot missed: a free trip to Boracay! During the brief Boracay stay, i was able to view its famous blue waters with white. And lots of bikini-clad Koreanas!

August to October: Capiz

The stint in Capiz was intended to upgrade CHITS version based on the new FHSIS standards. The stay also includes visits to Dumalag, Cuartero, Tapaz, Sigma, Panay and other parts of the Capiz. Worthwhile visit i must say. Definitely, there will be a next stint within this year. I miss eating sea shells with Gold Eagles beer while watching the sun sets at Baybay beach.

November:

18-22: Ateneo De Zamboanga University, Zamboanga City

Together with Dr. Alex Gavino, we conducted a training of trainers for the ADZU SOM. Led by Dr. Bernie Macrohon of ADZU, the team of ADZU did a demonstation training for the potential end-users of CHITS. The visit in Zamboanga exposed me to the Muslim culture and somehow, made me think that Islam is a great religion. We're toured around the city by Dr. Macrohon, Genner and Vic, while providing us historical perspective of each places. From Mayos Climaco's legendary story to gold barter trades to the sumptuous sati to the Yakan weaving village. the Zamboanga memories are just unforgettable.

22-28: Penang Malaysia

After departing Zamboanga by 7AM and arriving in Manila by 9AM, i am bound to leave for Penang, Malaysia by 2PM. This is one of the weekends that have surge my adrenaline to an all-time high. Mission in Penang: INCOSSH 2008 and yours truly was assigned as one of the presenters. The whole Pinoy contingent was sponsored by International Open source Network and we're billeted to Holiday Inn then to Bayview Hotel. Conference comes, we met various health informatics practitioners around the globe while forming some collaborations. After the conference, I transferred from Bayview to YMCA Penang.

29-29: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A side trip was scheduled for KL as part of the extended stay in Malaysia. I need to see again the Petronas Twin Towers. Too bad, I wasn't able to join the tower tour. It takes 5 hours of bus ride to travel from Penang to Puduraya bus station in KL. Along the way, one can see the green scenery of Malaysian mountains and citywide skyscraper light along the Penang bridge.

Snippets about Warren Buffet

2008-12-22T05:04:00.000-08:00

It's time to take some break in learning the intricacies of passive money making schemes and investment portfolios. Going back to basics, how empowering it is to know some simple facts about Warren Buffet, the current richest man in the world.

INTERESTING ASPECTS OF LIFE - WARREN BUFFET

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, one of the richest man on earth who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:

1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!

2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.

3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.

4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.

5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.

6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules. Rule number 1: do not lose any of your share holder's money. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.

7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch Television.

8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.

9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.

His advice to young people: "Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and Remember:

A. Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.

B. Live your life as simple as you are.

C. Don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good.

D. Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which you feel comfortable.

E. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather.

F. After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life."

Random thoughts at the dawn

2008-11-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

2:13 AM, Rm 216 of YMCA Penang, di pa rin ako makatulog. Dahil sa tindi ng lamig o dahil sa init ng aking sinat? Pareho. Nakakatuwa na nagiging opium ko na ang pag-iisip ng mga susunod na hakbangin kahit matagal pa. Shet, hindi ako ganito, hindi ako ito pero kailangan kong maging ganito.

Bukas ng umaga, kailangang gumising agad para mag-ayos ng gamit. Agenda number 1 ay mag-check ng email upang malaman kung may available slots pa sa Trekkerlodge
Otherwise, sa kalye na lang ng Kuala Lumpur ako matutulog. Hinihintay ko din ang reply ni Ms. Dora, isang Malaysian friend para sa mga directions ng pasikot-sikot sa KL.

Eto ang gustong magawa bukas, i need to document this:

1. Kain ng complimentary breakfast sa YMCA 8PM
2. Balik sa hotel para magpahinga sandali at mag-empake
3. Check-out na ng 9:30 pero iwanan ang luggages sa counter
4. Bisitahin ang hawker na nag-serve ng spicy Indian foods. 10PM
5. Maghintay ng bus sa Komtar papuntang Sungai Nibong
6. Dapat ay nasa SUngai Nibong na para naman sa bus papuntang KL
7. Alis ng 11PM, should arrive in KL by 3PM
8. Check-in sa Trekklodge kung may slot pa. Kung wala na, hanap. 3:30PM
9. Pahinga ng konti at magsimula nang maggala around 4:30 PM

Makatulog na nga, zzzz.

A Panay sidetrip

2008-10-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

On a tranquil and calm Saturday morning, my brain neurons told me that I should visit Panay. Eight weeks of stay in Capiz have passed and yet, I still didn't set my sandals in the ground supposedly grandiose and reknowned Panay Church. Regrets will be haunting me if i didn't pay a visit. To go to Panay from Arnaldo Blvd, Roxas City:

1. Take a tricyle (any color) and tell the driver to drop off to Banica.
2. Out of experience, the driver will be "surprised" most of the time upon hearing Banica. Then they will asked you how much do you pay to get there.

Alison: Sa Banica po ako.
Driver (looks surprised): Magkano ang binabayad mo papunta dun?
Alison: Malay ko, di naman po ako taga-dito. P8, pwede na?
Driver: double pay kasi hanggang dun eh
Alison: ah ok. P15, pwede na? kung di pa iyan pwede, next tricyle na lang ako
Driver: sige, sakay na

Drivers like this can be called as contractual actors.

3. Mount a jeepney in the terminal bound for Panay and Pontevedra. The cost per head is P12.
4. After 15 minutes, you'll already be in Poblacion, Panay.

Exactly in the heart of Poblacion is the Panay Church. So splendid, that i wasn't amazed that the church is book for weddings on Saturdays. And yup, there is a wedding going on. The toyota wedding car in front of the door should be towed away, it unnecessary in the photo.

Built in the 17th hundreds, the Panay church is composed of different congregations. Just read the inscriptions in the tablet below.

What is intriguing about the church are the bells or i must say BELLS. Known as the largest bells in Asia, it is quite interesting to note that these are minted using 7 sacks coins collected from the towns people. Latin inscriptions are etched in the body of the bell. Knowing the technology way back then, one can only appreciate both the creativity and innovation the Filipinos (of course with the "guidance" from the spaniards).

An overview of the whole Panay town can be seen from the top of the church tower. This reminds me of the rape scene in El Fili where Juli jumps from a tower to her death instead of submitting to the lustful will of Father Camorra.

Too bad, I wasn't able to find any souvenir stores selling miniature bells of Panay. Anyway,I'll just buy a small christmas bell to remind me of this experience.

A day in Dumalag, Capiz

2008-10-15T03:36:00.000-07:00

The Suhot spring is situated in the municipality of Dumalag, Capiz. The initial plan is to restore Dumalag RHU's CHITS server but the real hidden agenda is to buy paborita and ugoy-ugoy biscuits and visit the Suhot spring and cave. The day started when our group did a courtesy call to Mayor Lila "Nene" Castro. Doing my official work is a no sweat only that there are lots of patients inside the health center. To make the long wait short, i did a short visit to St Martin of Tours church. The church was constructed way back the Spanish ear only that the interior part is quite modern due to many reconstruction.

In front of the church is the Cakelovers, a bakeshop that sells local biscuits. I bought two boxes of ugoy-ugoy and take some picture of paborita. I would describe the biscuits as crunchy and deliciously powedered with milk and sugar.

One hour later, the official work had begun. Done in 15 minutes. Took a quick lunch of laing made of cassava leaves, bamboo shoots with crabs and steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves. Did a short rest and left for the Suhot spring and cave. 15 minutes passed, we arrived at the venue. Pictures of Suhot in an exhibit look better than the actual view. Mataas ang araw at medyo brownish ang kulay ng spring. Pero may malalakas ang loob na nililigo.

The cave isn't as scary as the one i saw in pictures in the exhibit. Good thing, there are stalactites in the cave. Suhot spring might not be at par with the Los Banos springs but it is worth visiting. Any place which stimulates relaxation and comfort is worth visiting. There is a higher ground in Suhot that would allow the spectator to see Dumalag from atop. I didn't try it because the route looks slippery.

Mobile Internet Blogging

2008-10-09T02:47:00.001-07:00

Eksaktong 4:15 ng hapon, nagbrown out sa khabaan ng Arnaldo Blvd, Roxas City. Unfortunately,PHO office is lies in the blvd.Since no batt ng ang laptop ko,wala akong ibang maisip gawin bukod sa pag-iisip ng gagawin.Buhay pa din ang UPS kung saan nakakabit ang wifi router ng opisina.Hmmmm....buhay ang net!!

Dito nasusubukan ang worth ng isang Nokia E61.A few seconds away,i am back online.And there is no other wonderful way to appreciate this exhilirating experience than to blog it using E61.It's a no brainer that my title is Mobile Internet Blogging.Sabog nanaman ako sa lipovitan.

The past few days have somewhat been erratic.Kasing erratic ng pagblog using a smartphone.Instance #1,in an attempt to make a grandiose EMR na touchscreen,i was led to the thought on how to make it marketable with private doctors.Ok din ang mobile-based EMR since SMS technology is very popular and there are many phones that already support java mobile apps.Instance #2,mabilis,mabagal,mabilis,mabagal na coding sa CHITS.Mahal ko na ang mapayapang roxas pero nasa magulong kalunsuran ang aking puso.Instance #3,the way how destiny have turned things around.No need to elaborate.Last instance,erratic wifi connection.

And i am not suprise if chits can now be projected over a mobile phone.It is meant to be versatile,it is designed for superiority and it is destined to dominate.

Isang HYPERTHERMIAC na araw

2008-09-30T02:25:00.000-07:00

Natapos ang ika-36 na araw ko sa Capiz ngayon, Sept 30. Halos tapos na din ang Maternal Care module ng CHITS kasama ang madaming complications ang FHSIS. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang kakaibang pagod. Nag-iinit ang aking katawan pero hindi naman libido (hehe). Hyperthermia na ito dala ng sobrang pag-iisip. Nag-overheat na ang mga brain cells para lang sa SQL code na ito:

"SELECT a.mc_id,b.prenatal_date FROM m_patient_mc a,m_consult_mc_prenatal b WHERE a.patient_id='$pxid' AND a.mc_id=b.mc_id AND b.visit_sequence=1 AND b.prenatal_date BETWEEN '$_SESSION[sdate2]' AND '$_SESSION[edate2]' AND (TO_DAYS(a.patient_edc)-TO_DAYS('$vacc_date'))<='$tt_duration[$tt_num]'"

Ang ginagawa lang nito ay dini-determine kung ang isang buntis ay protected sa tetanus. Solved, in 5 hours of coding. Syet, nilalagnat na ako pag katapos. Kung magaling lang talaga ako sa MySQL, mas madali na ito. But i must say I am a notch higher now in terms of Mysql skills.

Makatulog nga muna ...zzzz.

The 1-1-4 Maternal care dilemna

2008-09-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

The FHSIS Maternal Care indicator 1 says that a count should be made for prenatal patients with 4 prenatal visits. To query it in the database, it is as easy as checking if the COUNT function would return 4 visits if the patient is still under the prenatal period. What makes it difficult to query is to check if within the 4 visits, the patient was able to made at least 1 1st trimester visit, at least 1 for the 2nd semester and at least 2 for the 3rd trimester. Establishing the 1-1 setup is easy while 1-1-2 is quite a challenge (at least on my level). Truly a dilemna which i have been solving for 48 hours already.

The algorithm i have structured is:

1. Get all maternal id's with at least 4 visits and with a third trimester visit
2. Traverse thru the resulted array and check for visits in each trimester.
3. Mark 1 in the cell of the array corresponding with 1st and 2nd trimester indicating that 1st and 2nd trimesters are made.
4. Query for third trimester and get the second least date of prenatal visit using the SQL statement:

$q_min_date = mysql_query("SELECT MIN(prenatal_date) FROM m_consult_mc_prenatal WHERE mc_id='$mcid' AND trimester='$j' AND prenatal_date!=(SELECT MIN(prenatal_date) FROM m_consult_mc_prenatal WHERE mc_id='$mcid' AND trimester='$j')") or die("cannot query: 204");

5. If the result exists, marked the cell corresponding with 1 indicating that there is a second visit for third trimester.

6. Iterate the count for the month of the second visit of the third trimester by getting the month from the resulting date using:

$max_date = date("n",mktime(0,0,0,$latestm,$latestd,$latesty)); where $latestm,$latestd,$latesty is a result of "exploding" the visit date.

7. Return the array of consolidated months after the iteration of maternal id's that complied with the condition stated in the first step.

CHITS Database changes logs

2008-09-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

As of September 18:

1. Added 'vitals_height (int(5))' field in m_consults_vitals

2. Unassigned 'visit_sequence' as an index in m_consult_mc_prenatal

3. Added 'prenatal_id (int (11))' as an index in m_consult_mc_prenatal

4. Assigned 'prenatal_id (int (11))' as an index together with mc_id and consult_id in m_consult_mc_prenatal

5. Added 'actual_service_date' and 'service_qty' to the m_consult_mc_services

6. Added 'Goiter' and 'Having a fourth (or more) baby (grandmulti)' in the MC Risk Factors library m_consult_mc_visit_risk

7. Unassigned mc_id, consult_id and visit_risk_id as index in m_consult_mc_visit_risk

8. Added prenatal_remarks and postpartum_remarks in m_patient_mc

9. Added 'date_breastfed' in m_patient_mc. This field will store date wherein the mother initially breastfed the child.

CHITS Capiz - 2nd week milestones

2008-09-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Sept 1-2: Reviewed the Maternal Care Pre-natal form
Sept 3-4: Development of new Prenatal TCL
Sept 5: Visited Dumalag and Cuartero RHU for inspection of LAN. Cuartero's LAN restored to usual. Dumalag's LAN is not working (cable problems perhaps) but server is up and running as a standalone.

1.The checkbox for the HBMR option was removed and the user can now explicitly specify the prenatal date. The original setup is that CHITS will consider the date of consultation as the prenatal date. For prenatal data collected in the BHS's, there is a need to tick the HBMR box to allow changing the prenatal date.

2. Allowed the editing of systolic, diastolic and patient weight in prenatal record of the patient

3. Adjusted the vaccination such that TT's recorded on it shall be reflected and seen on the Services on Maternal Care. Presently, the encoder needs to IMPORT DATA so as to copy the TT vaccination record from m_consult_vaccine to m_consult_mc_vaccine. If the user failed to check the IMPORT DATA box, the tendency is for him/her to record the same vaccination again. CHITS will usually treat this as another vaccination based on the testings I've done.

The algorithms are as follows:

a. If a TT vaccination is recorded in Module::Vaccination, the record will also be inserted in the m_consult_mc_vaccine table. MC_ID will be marked as 0 while consult_id, vaccine_id, adr_flag,vaccine_id, actual_vaccine_date, vaccine_timestamp and patient_id will be imported. This condition holds true if the patient is female regardless of age and history of pregnancy.

b. If the TT vaccination record is edited or delete in the Module::Vaccination, the same action will apply to the same TT vaccination record in m_consult_mc_vaccine. Its vice-versa is still being develop (editing and deleting TT's from MC Service)

c. The IMPORT DATA was retained for the existing TT records that were encoded prior to the installation of this change (i.e. Malibay, Lagrosa). Same mechanism for importing applies except that if the the TT record is already in the m_consult_mc_vaccine table, it will not be diplayed in the IMPORT DATA box anymore.

4. Prenatal form (FHSIS 2008) is almost 90% done. Things that are left undone are:
a. adding a quantity field for Iron intakes
b. matching the risk codes, attendant and outcome to the letter codes specified in the FHSIS end user manual
c. adding of remarks text box in the prenatal form.

5. The CHITS query tool was installed inside the main CHIITS directory in the name of 'chits_query'. If REPORTS link is clicked a new tab shall be opened displaying the CHITS query tool form.

Cell wrapping in FPDF

2008-09-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

what a life saver!

From http://www.roxxor.co.uk/blog/2007/10/05/wrapping-text-in-fpdf-table-cells/

$x=16;
$y=26;

$width=100;
$height=35;
$leftmargin=16;
for ($r=0;$r<10;$r++){
for ($c=0;$c<6;$c++){
$pdf->SetY($y); //set pointer back to previous values
$pdf->SetX($x);
$x=$pdf->GetX()+$width;
$y=$pdf->GetY();
$pdf->MultiCell($width,$height,$r."-".$c." ".$x.",".$y,1,'L');
}
$y+=$height;
$x=$leftmargin;
$pdf->SetY($y);
}

CHITS Capiz - First Week Milestones

2008-08-31T19:51:00.000-07:00

August 25: Discussed the mechanics of Maternal Care in the the FHSIS 2008 version. Items in the Prenatal and PostPartum TCL and data dictionary have been cross-checked in CHITS data. The following items are presently not collected in CHITS:
PRENATAL:
a. Date and No. of Iron with folic acid was Given
b. TCL remarks - explanation where the patient was not able to attend the next prenatal follow-up. This will be represented as free text in CHITS.
c. Indicators in the Prenatal and Postpartum have vague definitions (i.e. pregnant women given TT+, Pregnant Women) but have been clarified.

POSTPARTUM:
d. Date Initiated Breastfeeding (TCL) - this is not explicitly collected in CHITS. In CHITS a check box corresponding if the child was breastfed ASAP. We can consider the first postpartum visit date for this entry
e. Remarks - an explanation why the child was not seen in the next postpartum sched.

Additional Notes: Dr. Bermejo suggested that an alert mechanism for upcoming prenatal and postpartum follow ups and Tetanus toxoid vaccination schedules. This is an automated version of appointment except that midwives need not to tick the appointment checkboxes anymore. Cool feature definitely!

August 26: We made a brief meeting with the 4 MHO's regarding the status of CHITS in their respective RHU's. All have technical issues, each varying in nature. A quick field trip was schedule on 4 RHU's to fix the problem. Aside from the infrastructure-related issues, backup and restoration contingency plans have been tackled.

The approved procedure on deploying is this:
1. Alison will work two modules at a time in PHO. Regular consultation (thru Dr Bermejo) will be made while the module is being upgraded or developed
2. Development is composed of:
a. cross-matching TCL (or standard data collection form) against CHITS data structure
b. adding data fields in GUI and database which are not being collected in CHITS but are present in the new forms.
c. generation of updated versions of TCL's
d. generation of indicators and regular FHSIS reports
e. testing by entering sample and dummy data
f. PHO CHITS team will be oriented on the new features of the module
d. Updates shall be installed the servers and training will be conducted simultaneously. Each CHITS team member will be assigned to a particular RHU to do training.

August 27: Minimal work. Half-day travel from Boracay to Roxas City

August 28:
AM: Cuartero was inspected and found out that the server's video card does not work anymore. The server hard disk was transferred to a working CPU to resume CHITS operation. 2 out of 4 are machines running (the other one does not have LAN card driver)

PM: Sigma's LAN infrastructure is almost gone with only just few cables tackled in the ceiling. The previously "defective" machines was repaired thru the PHO's efforts and was restored inside SIgma's LAN. The server is 100% in perfect condition with all their previous data intact. At the end of the day, the Sigma CHITS LAN infrastruture is up and running with 4 PC's connected to the network. The Sigma personnel are asking for a refresher.

August 29:

AM: Tapaz RHU was visited for inspection and found out that the network switch broke down (no power when plugged). Server is up and running as stand alone.

PM: Dumalag's server's motherboard failed. Specific cause is not yet known as of this time. Server's hard disk was checked and the data is still intact.

CHITS software: Revisions are to be regularly uploaded in the SVN code repository of google. Various adjustments are made to accommodate some additional prenatal and postpartum fields and to facilitate easy encoding.

GIS and Public Health Mapping

2008-04-26T22:02:00.000-07:00

Island Cove, Cavite -- The Department of Health - Information Management Services conducted a two-day workshop and training session on Geographic Information System using the WHO AccessMod. Dr. Steeve Ebener of Information, Evidence and Research (IER) of WHO facilitates the activity. For GIS newbie like yours truly (although my undergrad thesis is a GIS), the workshop managed to illustrate the vast and realistic application of GIS. Being a natural curious individual, I am the first one who threw Steeve a question: "Would you consider GoogleEarth as real GIS?"

Steeve: "Yeah, only that GoogleEarth provides information thru visual overlaying and not thru spatial modelling and analysis".

Alison: "Cool! "

The course of workshop starts with the definition of GIS, then it's application to public health. Three major domains have been identified where GIS specifically AccessMod will be very useful.

1. Availability (placing of appropriate resources within a location)

2. Accessibility (mapping of thematic images such as road, mountains, rivers and provides info how accessible are the health facilities to the target population)

3. Spatial Analysis (assesment of the location of health facilities and evaluation of its utilization status (underuser or overused)

Two critical components that are often taken for granted when GIS is being talked about: TIME and SPACE. According to Steeve, a map is just a snapshot of a certain period. What was Novaliches 50 years ago might not be the same Novaliches presently. Failure to recognize the importance of time and space will yield to inaccuracies in placing correct health facilities (i.e. a health center at the middle of a river).

In line with the course / workshop being develop by the National Telehealth Center (courtesy of Max ), we were able to share experience and gather relevant information to supplement the material. I am more than excited to have my first full blown GIS be published in a world reknowned GIS journal. Now, back to map plotting and Arc View hacking...

Struggling, Fighting, Conquering

2008-04-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

April 2000 - scrambling back and forth in order to catch the last spot for summer enrollment of Math 52. Second retake for DOST survival

April 2002 - took a full summer load to catch up with backlogs. Pass all subjects despite allowance cut-offs and other non-academic issues

April 2004 - participated in the ubiquitous suffering of Catholic devotees during the Holy Week by using a Pentium 2 - 64 Mb memory PC to finish coding the Learning Resource Center Online Tutorials Reservation System for completion of summer practicum. Did it with impunity

April 2006 - attended and march for UP Manila Graduation for sake of formality. Conquer pride to show up amidst humbling battle scars in the course. Three days later, my father's health faltered leading to his departure. Fighting guilt, loss and agony to rise up for the family.

April 2008 - wrapping up deadline for UPCM-related projects, has attended and conducted tons of seminars and conferences here and overseas yet found no long lasting satisfaction until I get hold of the beast from the swamp ...

Let hell extends its arm of misery. This kid will stare it directly from its eyes and overcome it with torrid impunity.

Lessons from Alpha Males in History

2008-04-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

Some excepts from an article found in the askmen.com website about key lessons that one can extract from different personalities who are considered as Alpha Males (top guns) in their respective fields. Very informative and enlightening thoughts that I cannot resist not blog.

1. In team building, do not tolerate mediocrity (on the management style of chef Gordon Ramsay)

2. Always come prepared (on Muhammad Ali's work ethic)

3. Embrace your superior skills and use them to elevate those around you (on Wilt Chamberlain's NBA championship anchored in teamwork amidst his dominance)

4. Personal convictions don't mean personal restrictions (on Hugh Hefner's putting his belief and convictions (regardless of how many are against it) into his advantage)

5. When you give your word, always deliver on it (on Douglas MacArthur's promise of going back to the Philippines)

6. Don't underestimate the power of presence (on John Wayne's iconic image as an ass-kicking , brash-talking cowboy)

The 2008 NBA Playoffs

2008-04-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

The regular season is over and the real test has just begun. The 2007-2008 NBA Regular Season is full of twists, turns, ironies and downfalls. The fall of traditional powers like Dallas Mavericks paves way to the rise of new ones like the New Orleans. Just like I did last year, I am presenting the protagonists for the first round NBA playoffs and projected outcomes. Detroit Piston will win the ring this time around.

Eastern Conference:

1. Boston Celtics (1) vs Atlanta Hawks (8). Boston 4-0

2. Detroit Pistons (2) vs Philadelphia Sixers (7). Detroit 4-1

3. Orlando Magic (3) vs Toronto Raptors (6). Orlando 4-1

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Washington Wizards (5). Washington 4-3

Western Conference:

1. Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs Denver Nuggets (8). Lakers 4-2

2. New Orleans Hornets (2) vs Dallas Mavericks (3). New Orleans 4-3

3. San Antonio Spurs (3) vs Phoenix Suns (6). San Antonio 4-3

4. Utah Jazz (4) vs Houston Rockets. Utah 4-2

Breakthrough of the Day

2008-04-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

$diff = ((strtotime($time2) - strtotime($time1))/60)/60;

Tsk, tsk... buong umagang pinag-isipan ang solution sa pagkuha ng time difference in hours. Low adrenaline.

The Morph Code Elevator Pitch

2008-04-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

April 5 2008 marks the second day of the Morph Code (Software as a Service) SaaS workshop. A barrage of topics (17 all in all) are to be presented in front of a panel of judges in a Elevator Pitch style. "Fast and furious" as what George Telenko of Morph Labs described. Our group, the Outstanding Informatics, presented Community Health Information Tracking System. Appyling SaaS strategy to CHITS will augment the difficulties of having to go to the 2,300 health centers nationwide to bring the application. Seeing an appropriate business model with CHITS is another thing given constraints and challenges the team is facing ahead.

One good thing about the Morph Code "competition" is that potential technopreneurs are given the opportunity to present their ideas in front of seasoned entrepreneurs. It will really take one hell of guts to stand up and do your stuff without knowing if your saying the right things. The good thing with the judges is that they do not only criticize for the sake of criticizing but provide necessary and indispensable comments. Kudos to the organizers!

In the event that CHITS will be accepted in the Morph Labs mentoring program, it is foreseen that we can catapult the application further in terms of not only having footprints from North to South but making this formula happened:

Open source Business Model + Community Involvement + Social Impact = Multi-million enterprise.

Yet on the pragmatic side, with or without Morph support, the team is still determine to push through. It is hard to imagine how a group of five people can cover the whole Philippines with CHITS footprints but such feat is doable. The strategy is to divide and conquer. In between divide and conquer are countless revisions and improvement. The team has to work like well-oiled engine with a "Machine Learning" component.

Life ahead is full of excitement!

Do not litter, trash the Vista junk

2008-03-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

No to Pre-Installed Windows Vista's!

No to M$ backward incompatibility!

No to deprivation of digital user freedom!

No to Digital Rights Management (DRM)

Support Free Software Foundation's BadVista campaign

Dental Treatment Plan Step 5

2008-03-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Simple lang ang CROWN LENGTHENING. Sa madaling salita, nagkaroon ng pagbabawas ng gilagid at pag-ukit ng mandible bone (if that's the proper term) sa gilid ng Root Canal Treated crown. I have been used to the excruciating (overstatement) pain that such procedures are causing. Wala pa ring tatalo sa 5-hour odontectomy pag dating sa pataasan ng degree of pain.

It's time to take my second Mefenamic Acid capsule. :P

Community Informatics in Dakak

2008-03-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

The Ateneo de Zamboanga School of Medicine through its dean, Dr. Fortunato Cristobal and The Society of Rural Physician of Canada conducted the 1st Joint Critical Care Conference at the Dakak Beach Resort, Zamboanga Del Norte. Our group, led by Dr. Marcelo was invited to present the Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS). Thanks to ADZU's Telehealth Department (c/o Dr. Bernie Macrohon) for extending the invitation. The conference was divided into three tracks:

1. skills laboratory
2. policy and advocacies

3. emerging techonologies (telemedicine).

Various lessons and insight have been personally realized from the conference as well:

1. Large portion of public health budget is alloted to small portion of population. Sa madaling salita, mas maraming resources na napupunta sa hospitals (which serve mostly critical cases) kaysa sa health centers (which serve the "healthy yet vulnerable" community). The nature of allocation is towards curative and preventive in nature.

2. Modern technologies such as satellite based Internet routers, mobile vital signs gadget (Doctor in A Bag) and mobile health clinics are very useful and life-saving during disasters yet somewhat costly.

3. ADZU's community medicine program targets the basic yet the most crucial core part of the total health system.

4. Dakak is fascinating and much better than what is being advertised at Eat Bulaga.

5. Population of typical rural town in Canada = 2,000 - 5,000 vs Rural town in Phils =20,000 to 40,000

6. Telehealth plays the "great equalizer" because it can address the gap of addressing health care needs in the community.

The activity's goal will be unrealizable unless there is a follow through. And starting June, we hope to set the first footprints of CHITS in Region 9 through the help of ADZU School of Medicine Doc Eloy, Dra. Bernie Macrohon and Dean Fortunato Cristobal