Old Ninja Turtle-net

Image Source: Flippish.com

Internet is widely use around the globe. Almost every person around the world knows what internet is and each of those who knew uses it. But, despite the high cost of investment over this imperceptible object, Philippines seems to have poor quality speed internet.

According to the report made by GMA News Online on May 19, 2015- “The Philippines has the second slowest average download speed among 22 Asian countries, according to a study on consumer Internet speeds as of May 2015” ; Making Afghanistan only 1.12 Mbps slower.

Internet metrics provider “Ookla” found out in its household download index, that the Philippines which is placed 176^th out of 202 countries worldwide, only got an average download speed of 3.64 Mbps (megabytes per second). In which globally the average download speed is 23.3 Mbps making it closely eight times faster than what we have.

This turtle is even faster than Philippines' internet speed..
GIF Source: https://www.distractify.com/the-truth-about-turtles-1197926374.html 

In relation with this issue, whistle blower of the controversial $329 million National Broadband Network (NBN)- ZTE deal during former President Gloria Arroyo’s term, engineer Rodolfo Noel I. Lozada, counselled the government to pursue a national broadband project to resolve Internet lowly speed in the country.

“That is similar to how government had built the public roads and highways during the agricultural and industrial era. It is a must for the government to provide for a big digital highway that allows very fast and free public transport of digital products and goods.” Lozada said in a statement.

He said that with an NBN in place, private service providers- which delivers internet to the Filipinos- will be restricted to providing a pay-per-use arrangement the last mile connection to the end users and local loop connection to the NBN. Lozada added that NBN caters a very fast and low cost Internet service to the entire nation, to both cities and rural barangays. He also criticized the insufficiency of government support in catering a national broadband network.

Apart from having a slow download speeds, the Philippines also offers the most expensive Internet connections in the world. A study showed that Philippine Internet consumers spend $18.19 (₱ 848.66) per Mbps compared to the standard of $5.21 (₱ 243.08) per Mbps worldwide. This puts the country at 161^st out of 202 countries.

SOURCES:

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/489762/scitech/technology/list-philippines-ranks-21st-of-22-asian-countries-in-internet-download-speed

http://technology.inquirer.net/43881/lack-of-broadband-network-slows-internet#ixzz3jY87A08x 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/489762/scitech/technology/list-philippines-ranks-21st-of-22-asian-countries-in-internet-download-speed

Walk, Drive or WalkCar?

The "WalkCar"
Image source: http://www.cocoamotors.com/

"WalkCar" is the world smallest electric vehicle, which can be brought in a bag.

Just bend your body toward destination you like, you can operate WalkCar at will.

As small as laptop PC, the device can be brought readily, and help you move anytime and anywhere. Now we can choose "Walk" or "WalkCar".  

~ cocoamotors.com

Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvG_356itPs 

Tired of walking back and forth, thighs weakening and muscles aching?  Why not try this newly handiwork of technology "WalkCar".

WalkCar is a transportation device invented by Japanese engineer Kuniako Saito. It is a vehicle which is a size of a laptop. However, despite its small size the device can handle as much as 265 lbs (120 Kg). WalkCar is battery powered and is conveyed to drive up to 6.2 miles per hour to 7.4 miles after three hours of charging.

Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvG_356itPs 

If you think that the only gadget/ device that fits inside your bag is a laptop or a netbook then think again. WalkCar can transport you to your destination much faster and is environmental friendly since it doesn’t use any gasoline or diesel as what normal cars does. It is also convenient, especially for elders or PWDs who have some difficulty walking from time to time. Just don’t forget that walking, the simplest type of exercise, is still the best option overall.

For more information visit: http://www.cocoamotors.com/ (Only if you can understand Japanese)

SOURCE:

http://www.mb.com.ph/video-japanese-inventor-introduces-walkcar/#QRFC90iE1m1mrEHb.99

A Year after the Disastrous Madlum River Tragedy

Image source: Diolo Santos via Facebook

Over a year has pass since the tragedy in Madlum River occurred, killing seven tourism students of Bulacan State University. It was an event that will forever mark within the domain of the university and thoughts of Bulsuans.

Image source: Diolo Santos via Facebook

August 18, 2015 – One more day before the anniversary of the Madlum Tragedy that happened in Madlum River, the same place where the historic Biak-na-Bato stands, in San Miguel, Bulacan erects a new case that once again alarm the students and officials of the university, as an order by the office of the Ombudsman was released, for the dismissal on duty of the nine officials of the Bulacan State University.

Among the reported officials that were ordered to be dismissed from government service for Gross Neglect of duty were the university president Mariano de Jesus and the dean of student affairs Nicanor dela Rama.

Apart from losing their jobs, the nine university officials were also forfeited to lose their eligibility as well as their retirement benefits.   

Image source: Diolo Santos via Facebook

August 19, 2015 – The exact date of the anniversary of the event, a mass to commemorate the tragedy was held at the premises of Malolos Cathedral, the parents and friends of the seven students together with some Bulsuans amalgamated in the said commemoration. A mass was also held inside the BSU Campus and Barasoain Church.

The university officials have yet to issue their statements as they haven’t got a hold of the copy of the Ombudsman order.

SOURCE:

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/533361/news/regions/ombudsman-orders-9-bsu-execs-dismissed-over-deadly-field-trip

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/337831/unangbalita/unang-anibersaryo-ng-madlum-river-tragedy-ginugunita-ngayong-miyerkules#small

http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/seven-students-killed-in-philippines-field-trip-tragedy-1.1374792

http://www.archipelagofiles.com/2014/08/eerie-photos-of-drowning-tragedy-in.html

Sweetened Bulacan

Barasoain Church in Malolos Bulacan
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/21905294@N03/3560525825/in/album-72157610575450553/

Bulacan is a province of memories and history but hidden on every corner of its land is the sweet delight the province can offer. So as the province of Bulacan celebrated its 437^th founding anniversary last August 15, 2015; let’s find out inner peace and pleasure through Bulacan’s sweet treats.  

Whenever you hear the word sweet what comes first into your mind? Normal people might say foods that are typically sweet, like chocolates and the likes, but as a Bulakenyo my definition of sweetness is Bulacan itself. What can possibly be sweeter than the province of Bulacan?

While the origin of the name Bulacan is believed to originate from the word "bulak" (kapok or cotton) which was abundant in the province before the Spaniards came, it is likewise believed that it is from the term “bulak-lakan”, for sprawling green orchards, vegetables and generously flowering plants, as well as beautiful women, bloomed in the region when the Spaniards came. This statement just proves the fact that Bulacan is indeed a province of sweetness and delight.

If literally we define Bulacan’s sweetness and delight what more will we think of rather than sweet delicacies the province have to offer? Well yes, there’s nothing more I can think of other than the sweet, satisfying, pleasurable foods Bulakenyos proudly presents. And if said to be sweet, satisfying and pleasurable Maloleños are best on that matter. Home of the first Philippine Republic, Malolos which is the capital city of Bulacan, is also the domicile of the best Ensaymada, pastillas and inipit.

Example of Malolos, Bulacan's Famous Ensaymada
Image Source: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph/business/product.php?id=15

If you visit Malolos and happen not to take a bite of its precious and luscious ensaymada and inipit then it’s more likely you’ve visited it improperly. Both are famous pasalubong treats from the city together with purely white and sugary pastillas. Ensaymada is known as old-fashioned bread by Maloleños for it is cooked the old fashioned way. Ensaymada originally came from Mallorca, Spain and was later introduce to the Filipinos during the Spanish colonization. It is a soft and fluffy pastry usually topped with butter or margarine, white sugar and finely grated cheese. If made extra special there would be added toppings of ham and salted egg.

Creamy and custardy Inipit is also a well appreciated treat around the province.
Image Source: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph/business/product.php?id=20

Creamy, custardy and delightful inipit is also well-known in Malolos. Literally means pressed, inipit is a custard-filled sandwich made from eggs, milk, sugar and water. It is basically a Chiffon sandwich with custard filling in the middle, which is the secret ingredient of the delicacy. Unlike the fluffy and toppings-ful ensaymada, inipit is kept simple but will truly leave a delicious sensation in your taste buds.

Preciously white and sweet Pastillas will absolutely make a delightful sensation on your taste buds.
Image Source: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph/business/product.php?id=32

Last but absolutely not the least is the sweet and creamy pastillas. Pastillas is a treat that any of us can make but there’s something extremely different over Malolos pastilas, it is unquestionably different that you’ll keep on eating one after another. Malolenos pastillas distinctiveness was due to its ingredient, and that special ingredient is carabaos milk. Carabaos milk makes the Malolenos pastillas richer and undeniably more delectable than other.

So if your sweet tooth happens to crave for more sweetness and delight stop by Malolos because you’ll never get wrong with its pleasurable sweets of heaven.

SOURCES:

http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2014/05/ensaymada-and-inipit-from-eurobake-bulacan.html

http://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/local-flavors/1797/old-fashion-ensayamada-of-malolos-bulacan/

http://tagaloglang.com/Tagalog-English-Dictionary/English-Translation-of-Tagalog-Word/ensaymada.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Bulacan#Etymology

Fipilinog

Image source: http://www.thephilippines.com/p/philippines-photo-gallery.html#.Vcte6vmqqko

Filipino, Tagalog or Pilipino that is the question

The existence of national language unites individuals in a country but how can one society be united if there is no clear existence of what their national language really is?

Image source: http://www.maphill.com/philippines/3d-maps/satellite-map/physical-outside/

There are over 7,000 islands in the Philippines so don’t expect that all of the people living here speaks the same language, and that my friend is the problem. As there are 8 major dialects classified in the country, namely: Kapampangan, Ilocano, Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon (Ilongo), Pangasinan, Waray and the most common of all Tagalog. Plus, don’t get me started to the other minor dialects also spoken furthermore, to make life more complicated and confusing, English is also being use within the country, so don't come being confuse to how complex the Filipino language is.  

Image source: http://www.travelphilippinesnow.com/republic-act-no-8371/indigenous-people-3/

How could we coin our national language given that we have many?

In 1936 by the pursuant of Commonwealth Act 184 signed by the late President Manuel L. Quezon a research was conducted in accordance of our national language.  In the conclusion of this research, it has been recommended that Tagalog should be the national language for it was widely used and accepted by a number of Filipinos and that many literary works are written in Tagalog. Based on this recommendation the former president issued Executive Order 134 in December 1937, in this order it was proclaimed that Tagalog shall be the foundation of the country’s national language.

However, in 1959 the Department of Education altered Tagalog into Pilipino, to conciliate non-native Tagalog speakers.

The 1973 Constitution ended up with Article XV, Section 3, which states: “(2) The Batasang Pambansa shall take steps towards the development and formal adoption of a common national language to be known as Filipino. (3) Until otherwise provided by law, English and Pilipino shall be the official languages.”

Still, according to Article XIV Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, our up-to-date organization of laws: “The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.”

And so that being said, by the latest constitutions of laws in the country, Filipino is our national language. However many “Filipino” opposes this as the term Filipino is also classified as our nationality.  Some says that it should be Tagalog while other compromise with Pilipino. That my friend is the real problem, because other doesn’t accept what was conceptualized in the law. The law stated that Filipino is our national language, and it’s either you stick with it or fly on wherever country you wanted to and find your perfect name for your perfect national language.

Sources:

http://www.csun.edu/~lan56728/majorlanguages.htm

http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/65477-national-language-philippine-constitutions

Ang Marka na Inilipas ng Buwan ng Wika

Image source: http://www.zivotnafilipinach.cz/23-zajimavych-faktu-o-filipinach/

Ngayong ipindagdiriwang natin ang Buwan ng Wika, totoong nagugunita nga ba natin ang kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino? Ikaw bilang isang Filipino, pinahahalagahan mo ba ang wikang bumubuo ng iyong pagkatao ?

Dumating na nga ang buwan ng Agosto, isa sa mga buwan ng taon na talaga namang pinakahihintay ng maraming Pilipino. Nag-usbungan ang mga selebrasyon nito sa mga eskwelahan, kaliwa’t kanan walang humpayan ay may mga palaro at paligsahan sa paggalingan ng wikang Filipino. Nariyan ang pagtatanong ng iba’t ibang mga “pambansang”- “Sino ang pambansang bayani?”,“Ano ang pambansang hayop”, “Ano ang pambansang bulaklak?”, mga ingay ng salitang nanggagaling sa mga mikropono ng mga guro. Totoo nga’t masaya ang paggunita natin nito. Ngunit sa pag-uwi ng mga estudyante ano nga ba ang itinatak ng okasyon na ito sa kaibuturan ng kanilang mga utak, totoo nga kayang ang pagmamahal sa wikang Filipino ang sakanila’y tumatak o ang ligaya at mga pangyayari ng araw na lumipas?

Tila nawawalan na nga ng halaga ang wikang pambansa sa kasalukuyang henerasyon. Obserbahan mo na lamang ang pananalita ng mga tao sa iyong paligid. Sa mga mensahe ng iyong kaibigan sa kwudradong bagay na yari sa plastik o metal na minuminuto’y iyong hawak paano niya sinsabi ang nais niya sa iyo? Sa paraang taglish o jejemon kaya o di kaya’y sa paraang ingles na kadalasa’y balubaluktot kundiman ay napakalalim at nakakahilong basahin. Ilan pa sa atin ang nagsasalita ng purong Filipino, iyong walang halong ingles o kung ano mang lenggwahe? Miski ako ay hindi ko kayang magsalita ng ganoon.

Wagas nga kung ating mahalin ang ating lahi at alam kong alam mo na mahal din nating mga Filipino ang ating sariling wika ngunit hindi natin maiaalis na mas natatabunan ng wikang Ingles ang wikang sariling atin. Bakit nga ba? Sa pakikipag-usap pa lang ay malaki na ang agwat ng Ingles sa Filipino. Ang pananaw ng nakararami’y kung ika’y nag-iingles ika’y matalino at kung ika’y nagfifilipino ika’y bobo. Kung tutuusin nga’y mas maraming mga paaralan ang tumatangkilik ng lenggwaheng Ingles kaysa Filipino. Tignan mo ang nakasulat sa kanilang mga karatula “We are an English speaking community” nakakdismaya hindi ba? Sa loob ng buong taong pag-aaral ng mga kabataan sa eskwelahan, tanungin mo sila kung ilang beses silang nagmulta dahil sa pagsasalita nila ng wika natin; Sariling wika mo na’y ipinagkakait pa.

Hindi natin maiwawaglit ang saya na inilipas ng buwan ng Agosto ang buwan ng wika ngunit sa kabila noo’y huwag din naman nating iwaglit ang tunay na kahulugan nito. Huwag mong hintayin na isampal sa iyo ng wikang Filipino ang katagang ibinaon sa atin ni Gat. Jose Rizal, “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isda.”

Barbie Dog

IMAGE SOURCE: CHOSUN ILBO

Plastic surgery is on heat around the world right now. According to the Global Statistics on Cosmetic Procedure made by International Society Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), over 20 million cosmetic procedures were performed throughout the world in 2014. That being stated was a massive number of executed plastic surgery for a year. But this is not the case right now.

While plastic surgeries on humans are not of anyone’s business, since it was the individual’s choice in the first place, plastic surgeries for animals is something many of us, especially animal lovers, can’t take for granted. It’s not like animals could talk and wish for something to be done on their bodies. However, in some cases, owners sometimes treat them as dolls that need to be stunning to look at; whereas, this action is not something to just overlook.

Plastic surgeries on animals, mostly on domesticated animals such as dogs, are often done for medical purposes but that seems not to be the case now in South Korea. In an article made by Koreaboo.com on August 3, 2015, netizens show their disgust on dog plastic surgery that is gaining popularity in South Korea at the moment.( http://www.koreaboo.com/netizens/netizens-disgusted-news-dog-plastic-surgery-gaining-popularity/?utm_source=Trending%20Widget&utm_medium=Direct&utm_campaign=Trending)

Doberman, Kaiser towent under the knife because his ears were too floppy ( before and after)

Image Source:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2357023/A-facelift-Fido-Botox-Buster-How-pet-owners-spending-10-000-cosmetic-surgery-DOGS.html#ixzz3jcbUiJ2P

According to Kotaku, one of South Korea’s biggest newspaper a report was made by Chosun Ilbo, also a Korean daily broadsheet, in regard of this issue.“Plastic surgery for pets in the past were for medical reasons but the result also brought better looking dogs, so there is a growing customer base getting a plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons on their dogs,” Kotaku reports that an unnamed veterinarian told the latter newspaper.

On the other hand, before judging the whole South Korean population, Kotaku added in their report that according to a survey directed by a Korean veterinarian magazine “The Daily Vet” found that 63% of pet owners are opposed to cosmetic surgery on pets and believe that they should be banned.

SOURCES:

http://www.isaps.org/Media/Default/global-statistics/July%202015%20ISAPS%20Global%20Statistics%20Release%20-%20Final.pdf

http://www.koreaboo.com/netizens/netizens-disgusted-news-dog-plastic-surgery-gaining-popularity/?utm_source=Trending%20Widget&utm_medium=Direct&utm_campaign=Trending

http://www.ryot.org/south-korea-plastic-surgery-pets/939615

MRT Bus Project

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghul2X8yWZ0 

Early Monday morning, July 27, The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) operated the dry run of their so called project “MRT Bus Route”. This project offers continuous trips during morning rush hour from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., for regular passengers of the Manila Railway Transit (MRT). Just like how the MRT train operates, the MRT bus only stops on the designated drop off points near the stations of Shaw Boulevard and Ayala of MRT, giving the passengers a quick and hassle-free ride.

This project aims to give an aid to the queue of people build up at the MRT 3 train stations. Instead of waiting for an hour or so, commuters could ride this MRT bus and have a comfortable travel without having to pay the regular price as what regular buses have, instead they’ll just need to pay the exact same amount they pay riding a MRT train. Around 40 MRT buses accommodating at least 1,800 passengers have participated in the dry run.

Arnel del Rio, head of the LTFRB Public Assistance and Complaints Desk stated on CNN Philippines, that the project has already been conceptualized last year but the initial test started only this year for they polished first their coordination with their partner agencies.

The LTFRB partnered with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), local government units (LGUs), the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and bus operators for the prosecution of this project.

SOURCE:

http://cnnphilippines.com/metro/2015/07/28/Transport-officials-roll-out-MRT-Bus-Route-scheme.html