What a year!

202 posts this year after just 51 in the last 5 years. I used to blog just to imbibe the technology. Then I found it cathartic. Then I did it to reconnect with former batchmates, colleagues, and relatives. Now I also do it to share anything that I can. I think that's what blogging is all about.

2009 was quite a year. For Filipinos, PacMan continues to be a source of pride. Wesley So, some high school math wizards, Efren Penaflorida chipped in their share. The world is noticing how good Pinoys are. And then GMA's friends put us back to shame with the horrendous massacre.

This year will be remembered for the Ondoy floods. Three months after the great flood, I'm still terrified with the situation my family faced then. The funny thing is at that time, we were not scared at all. This new year's day, PAG-ASA, once a favorite topic at this blog, predicts rains. Revelers hope the weather bureau again lives up to its record.

Happy New Year!!!

Sports stars, trophy wives/girlfriends

Sports stars and their trophy wives/girlfriends.

Basketball star Danny Seigle - Roseanne Prieto, model

Champion boxer Nonito Donaire - Rachel Marcial, model & tae-kwon-do master

My women's tennis album 18

Celebrities+Tennis: Kate Hudson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Katie Green, Elizabeth Shue, Bar Rafaeli, Christine Brinkley, Shannon Elizabeth

Images from PickMeUpNews, Guyism, New York News, Hollywood Chaos, The Daily Beast

My women's tennis album 17

Sexy ball girls add more spice to tennis. (Images from Curious, Funny Photos/Pictures)

Yes, Popoy, there is a Santa Claus

In 1897, eight-year old Virginia O’ Hanlon wrote a newspaper to ask if there was a Santa Claus. The legendary editorial reply on September 21, 1897 by  Francis P. Church has since become the most reprinted newspaper editorial in history. (Image from Wikipedia).

Do they know it's Christmas?

In 1984, proving that they are the music trailblazers, popular British singers grouped together as Band Aid and recorded "Do they know it's Christmas?" to raise money for famine relief in Africa. It was a huge success. Their American counterparts copied the act in their over the top "We are the world" recording.

There was another Band Aid effort in 1989 and also a bigger one in 2004 to mark the 20th anniversary of the original. But the first will always be the best.

It's been 25 years hence. A lot has changed since then. Bob Geldof is now a white haired Knight. Simon LeBon and Tony Hadley put on a lot of weight. Bono went on to further greatness. Boy George fell from grace. But the message still rings true.

Let them the know it's Christmas time.

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year to all!

A Very Special Christmas

More than 20 years ago, I bought an audio cassette of Christmas songs titled "A Very Special Christmas". The artists were among the important pop/rock artists at that time. It was a big hit and their versions are still being played today. Consider these:

"Merry Christmas Baby" - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - The Pretenders
"Christmas in Hollis" - Run–D.M.C.
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - U2
"Santa Baby" - Madonna

I'm staying with Globe, but Sun USB modem is best

A day before the "deadline" for Globe to fix my phone and DSL, technicians came over and restored the service. The Globe DSL speed is still less than the advertised, unlike Sun Cellular, who delivers more than 2Mb/s (screenshots).

Actually Sun landline+3G broadband offers more bang for the buck mainly because of the 2Mb/s, but I don't have a 3G router yet and at the same time my wifi setup with Globe DSL still works perfectly. Unfortunately my wireless router will not work with a USB 3G modem. In the meantime I'm staying with Globe, 'til I get a 3G compatible router or Sun offers me to test drive one.

But for Metro Manila residents, if you're thinking of acquiring a USB 3G modem, I recommend the Sun Cellular broadband option. It kicks the ass of Globe (and Smart also).

As the Globe turns (for the worse), the Sun rises

More than 10 years ago when PLDT monopolized the telecoms industry in the Philippines, clients had to wait for years to get a phone line. Phone lines can be bought from the black market for as high as P30k. I bought one for P15k plus the arrears of the seller. But PLDT cannot immediately transfer it to my house even if I had paid the transfer fees. I ended up losing close to P20k. When Globe entered the market after the deregulation act, phone service became much easier to acquire. And Globe gave good service too. But that was then.

A pasta putanesca recipe

Some say there is a curious story how pasta putanesca got its name. What I find more curiouser is how from its lowly past it got to be  a sosi fare. Anyway, I learned this recipe from a kumare. My friends like it very much and many ask for the recipe. So here it is.

The recipe for a successful new systems installation

My experience in installing information systems brought me to many places. I've installed systems to rural barangays, mid-level bureaus, and high level administrators. Sometimes not all users readily embrace change. More often it is the younger set that are more willing to absorb new things.

Who says chess is boring? 2

Wesley So may have not made it all the way to the top but his recent success in the recent FIDE World Cup should bring renewed interest in the sport at the local scene. The introduction of the rapid and blitz formats and the emergence of online coverage of the games make the game more exciting. Perhaps one more way to lure more public interest is to introduce young, female participants to the game. It may sound sexist, but no one can argue against the success of women's tennis now.

Chess have beautiful women players. Here's proof that brains and beauty mix well.

What's wrong with these sports heroes?

They are the best in their sports. They've got the trophies and the trophy wives. But still they manage to find relations outside of marriage. Don't they get enough at home? Obviously they don't do it for the companionship or the more stimulating conversations. But the other ladies are not even hotter than their wives.

Women's tennis album 16 - Amelie Mauresmo

Former world no. 1 Amelie Mauresmo announced her retirement. She reached no. 1 in 2004 but won both of her Slams in 2006.

She looks like she's separated at birth from Purefoods player Marc Pingris (last photo).

Who says chess is boring?

I've been following Wesley So's games online at the FIDE World Cup. Chess can be quite exciting specially if you're rooting for a countryman. Wesley did not disappoint. He managed to win over Ivanchuk and Kamsky, two very highly rated players. It is safe to say that he is the star of the tournament because of the big wins. He is the 2nd to the lowest rated player in the round-of-16 but his game is highly anticipated due to the prospects of another upset.