Kibi Journal

I came across this article when I opened my email of my bank account transaction via online. It’s about the subject why I should pay my bills online. The full article follows:

Why Should I Pay My Bills Online?

Our world is a busy place. We can get stressed, overworked, and distracted, without really getting a sense of fulfillment or purpose. Simple but important tasks, such as paying bills, can sometimes be a hassle. Doing it the old fashioned way: lining-up at a bank or going to a payment center takes too much time and energy.

Sometimes, the best thing to do is to cut corners and to focus on what really matters. Good thing that the advancement in banking technology has paved the way for Online Banking. This allows us bank clients to check our balances, pay our bills, and more, wherever we are, whenever we want, without the hassles. Since paying the bills is a top priority on most people’s to-do lists, we want to know how Online Banking makes this more convenient for us. The benefits are as simple as ABC:

Anytime and Anywhere – With Online Banking, we can pay our bills whenever, wherever, as this service is made available 24/7. No need to brave the long lines. No need to beat the bank’s closing time. For recurring bills, we can even schedule payments to take effect each month. The system will remember our payment obligations so we don’t have to!  read more

I know that I could have done this payment system long ago, but I was a little bit apprehensive about the current state of online security issues. Yet paying online in hindsight allows me to be wise and practical about it as I’m always like everyone else, a busy buddy.  So that’s it, I got no choice but to go for it sans the hackiephobia. Besides banks must have reinforced their encryption technology in time, I would assume so.

Yesterday morning was different. I was half awake and Cory Aquino is in my subconscious mind until when I was fully awake at about 6:30a.m. while thoughts about her just lingered on, for no reasons at all, just out of the blue, she came through. During this time, I didn’t know she died already. It was weird. Minutes later, I heard the news of her death. It was like, the spirit world comes close to reality than the physical world by contemplating on the woman that she was. The 30 minutes to 1 hour subconscious experience, somehow, something’s telling me, she died, minutes before the actual news on Saturday morning. So when the news came, I was not surprised but to some extent, I had a weird feeling when I actually saw it on television.

Corazon “Cory” Aquino. The name echoed across history along with other great men and women the world over. Months ago, I already predicted she won’t be able to sustain her life out from this ailment any longer. Just four months ago, I blogged about Francis Magalona on whom Cory paid tribute by visiting his wake.  Mrs. Aquino’s only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III announced from the lobby of the Makati Medical Center around 6 a.m. yesterday. “Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., Aug. 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest,”

2nd Day Vigil

Aug 2, 2009 , I called Roel Sinco, if he can join me to go to La Salle, Greenhills for the second day of mourning for Cory. He obliged. We meet at Rob Junction and dropped at Meralco in Ortigas. We walked up to La Salle as traffic was already heavy from here. It was 5:30 p.m. and our starting point from the end of the line is at the La Salle gate. There were two lines between here up to EDSA. We arrived at EDSA by 6:30 p.m. and was back at La Salle gate at about 8:00 p.m. We heard that a Mass is schedule from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  and so we waited until it has ended. I was already tired walking and standing. We were queued next to a waray-waray family. They asked us to fill their post while they’re off for dinner, then we toke our turn after them. At about 9:30 p.m., people started moving towards the gate.

Inside the campus at the hallway towards going up the stairs to the auditorium, we saw Cory’s grandson, Jiggy Cruz. He shook hands with everyone including me. He thanked us for coming and was apologetic that we have to take the long lines in order to get in. Jun Lozada was there at the door entrance to the auditorium. It was about 10:00 p.m. already. Lozada gave me the yellow ribbon and shook hands with him. Then on we went to the queue. And before I could get to about a couple of steps near the coffin, Frank Drilon came and apologized he had to let some VIP friends to approach the casket ahead of us in the line. Then he shook hands with me too.

When my turn came, I observed there were nuns and security escorts on both left and right sides towards the rostrum. I saw Cory’s remains, lying lifeless and yet memories of her and her patriotic glory came to life again. I was relieved I did what I have to do in my own small way to give my respect and sympathy together with the Filipino people.

Consequently today, I’ve met some kababayans from Samar, namely Aillen, (whom later when we both traced our bloodlines we found out that we’re cousins), then her companions, all from Samar, Ruben, his wife and children and Gina from DAR. It’s amazing how each one in that line tonight brought with them there own stories to tell, each lives touched in one way or another by one person in the life of Cory Aquino. I finally got home at 11:30 and called it a day.

I was keeping tabs on Cory’s life since 1986.  I was in Manila January that year, and Imelda Marcos was our guest speaker on our oath taking for the CE board passers on the exams given May of last year. Manila was politically unstable around this time. I went back home to Samar. At midnight of February 23, 1986, while on radio, I was praying in our barracks in Catarman where I worked. I went away from my co-workers to a secluded place where I could be alone. I was crying and praying for God to spare our nation from bloodshed if a war in Manila will ensue.  The Bible verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14 inspired and guided me to pray. I kept claiming this prophecy in prayer. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” I prayed for a softer heart for President Ferdinand Marcos and that he will adhere to what is good for his countrymen. Soon after, news broke out that Marcos fled to Hawaii already. And so people power was born. I was proud to be part of people power by way of prayer standing guard on the spiritual realms, and triumphing over every dominion of the enemy. It was not just psywar maneuvers on the political scene that was going on but in real terms it is a spiritual warfare fought in unseen grounds over good and evil.

What can I say personally about Corazon Aquino? I found her demure yet smart about what action to take as far as duty to God and country is concerned. She is quite, simple, brave, and a simply amazing woman ahead of her time and generation.  She actually made a mark in her beloved Philippines that resonated to the international scene creating a precedent for political change in other parts of the world after 1986. Even after her retirement as president, she continued to work in NGO’s via her husband Ninoy’s foundation.

She attended rallies that sought to appeal for transparency in governance and moral regeneration. I saw her visibly lobbying to ensure nothing but uplift the current sorry political and moral state of the nation. It’s really a great loss for a “national treasure” such as Cory.

Along with all free, fun, freedom-loving Pinoys and people around the world, I joined everyone in giving Cory Aquino the honor and tribute that she rightly deserve. She will be missed by millions.

This is the third time in a row that I watch a Manny Pacquiao fight in an audio-visual venue while the rest of his other fights, on TV. The first was with David Diaz at Galleria cinema and the second with Oscar De La Hoya  at the Silver City in Tiendesitas.

“Devastating. Vicious. Clinical. Crunching. Horrible, almost. Hatton simply crumpled.”
- The Telegraph

On all of this  fights I was lucky I got complimentary tickets from a high school classmate who brokered in business with Solar Sports on the media presentation.

I got the ticket for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight early last Friday when I personally picked it up at their house in Mandaluyong. I was impressed with the way Manny has accelerated in his boxing career of course with the help of his coach, Freddie Roach.

There’s no question who is #1 pound for pound king of the ring. Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) destroyed IBO light welterweight Ricky Hatton (45-2, 32 KOs) on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was 138; Hatton was 140 at their weigh-in, both were 30 years old and as the announcer said both had secured their seats in boxing history. Hatton came out aggressively but was dropped by twice by Pacquiao in round one. In round two, Pacquiao dropped Hatton for the count with a left to the chin. Time was 2:59. Hatton was down for several minutes. It was an unprecedented victory for Manny. Pacquiao  earned $12 million for the fight, while Hatton was paid $8 million.

Star-studded

Martin Nievera, wearing a T-shirt designed by the late rapper Francis Magalona, broke tradition by being the first male to sing the Philippine National Anthem in a Pacquiao bout.

He was followed by pop icon Sir Tom Jones, who sang “God Save the Queen,” the British National Anthem, and Fil-Am Jasmine Villegas, who sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the US National Anthem.

The bout was witnessed by a star-studded audience that included Oscar de la Hoya, Jack Nicholson, Sugar Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, rapper Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey.

On the undercard, Mexico’s Humberto Soto knocked Benoit Gaudet of Canada down early in the ninth round and then stopped him with a flurry of punches to retain his WBC super featherweight title.

It was the second defense of the title for Soto, who improved to 48-7-2 with 31 knockouts, while Gaudet fell to 20-2 after his first attempt at a major belt.  -GMANews.TV

I was apprehensive that the phenomenon that was Manny Pacquiao would be held at bay. The crowd in Araneta Coliseum was ecstatic. I was seated next to Toto, my gym buddy as we joined in the euphoria on every punch that hits Hatton. Evidently on the knock out round, Manny delivered his southpaw power with one second remaining of the second round.  Ricky Hatton was on his fighting stance at the beginning but was defenseless and got no chance against Pacquiao, whose punches came straight down the middle and landed with increasing frequency as the fight went on.

Memorabilia

TicketNet, 3 May 2009

I said a little prayer while I was watching Manny fight his fight that will land him in the pages of world history books as a Filipino icon and a world class at that. As this post goes through the net, at this very moment he is still rewriting history and making it work in his favor. I walked out of the coliseum with my friend Toto, relieved and equally rewarded as if I was in the ring  myself fighting against Hatton. Manny did it one more time.

Tell me what you think via the comment box below. Also, keep yourself updated of the latest posts here and Subscribe to Kibi Journal.

I knew I have to write about radio on the net. It fascinates me to think that this could all happen when some 15 years ago, in 1995 with my first taste of the net, it never occurred to me and that this is possible now. Anyway, anything and everything is possible nowadays with the birth of the Internet.

I noticed the difference though, in the actual radio broadcast from the streaming podcast. I opened my cellphone’s FM radio at the same time while my podcast is on. There was at least 2 seconds of delay.

Again I wish to see the day when the actual lines and vocal quality will match that on real time in zero seconds. Just the same, it allows me to bask in the usual humorous banter of the duo tandem of Nicole and Christopher.

Ronnie Liang at Love Radio

I always love to hear both of their fancy antics on air as their voices passes through optical lines in unlimited bandwidth all around the globe. With all these going around in one direction, one may ask what would happen if a global system such as the Internet could suddenly come to a halt. Is the Net running short on bandwidth? As of the moment, no one can tell and for as long as I hear Nicole and Chris online, the show must goes on.

This phenomenon of borderless media looming in the horizon gave breath and length one will never witness anywhere else other than the cyber way. Whether your out of town, in other countries or elsewhere, you can still experience the Balasubas-Balahura tandem. Nicole and Chris developed a niche of their own and actually had a very good number of followers and fans over the years, and I’m counting myself in.  The moment the start talking, you’ll easily get caught up in their conversation and jokes. It always comes out so natural for them to talk in satirical manner some of the stories they gather from their personal experiences. They also talk about feedbacks from listeners with some unrestrained off comments and make fun of them just like the way some of the local stand up comedians would do. Except that theirs is more guarded than the vocal style of comedians like Vice Ganda, et. al. when they gruelingly poke fun on some of their guests right on the stage.

For Nicole Eala and Chris Tsuper, more power to you. I’ll keep my ears wide open.

Earth Hour! Just one hour of lights and electricity outage. I was driving from my cousin’s place, and it was dark on the road. I forgot it was actually earth hour. It was only when I was near my village that I remember why everything is dark.

And so I knew it. No wonder my weary eyes were gasping for lights with what I thought was just an ordinary brownout.

It was announced yesterday that church bells in Manila will be ringing during Earth Hour,

which beginning at 8:30 p.m. although I never heard the nearby church bell ring. Just the same, the fact that the organizers started this for a good cause has actually rung a bell in every cities and countries across the globe.

Phillipines registers record participation

The Philippines topped the Earth Hour global register for cities, towns and districts taking part in Asia, with more than 650 communities taking part.

The event started with the darkening of the Rizal Shrine, a major Manila landmark honouring Filipino national hero Dr. José Rizal. The massive Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the world’s fourth largest mall, also went dark in a ceremony that drew several hundred people.

The ceremony was broadcast live to homes around the country by Studio 23, one of the largest television networks in the Philippines. read more

Australia did it again

Lights went out at tourism landmarks and homes across the globe as what happened on Saturday for Earth Hour 2009, a global event designed to highlight the threat from climate change.

In Australia, where  Earth Hour was first launch, the same thing happened again. From the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and London’s Houses of Parliament, lights were dimmed as part of a campaign to encourage people to cut energy use and curb greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

Organisers said the action showed millions of people wanted governments to work out a strong new U.N. deal to fight global warming by the end of 2009, even though the global economic crisis has raised worries about the costs. read more

And in UK too

Earthhour.org reports:

More than 200 UK landmarks – and world famous cultural symbols — including Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster in London, and Edinburgh Castle, also went dark WWF’s Earth Hour. More than 100 cities and towns in the UK, including London, Belfast, Cardiff, and Edinburgh to Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Birmingham took part in what is set to be the biggest mass action on climate change. read more

I have been following this effort of the movement spearheaded by former vice president Al Gore via his website. I signed up for the “Friends of LiveEarth” last year when I got this invite from them.

I also remember calling up a bunch of guys about 10km from where I live as they share time over a cup of tea gathering somewhere in Pasig. This was done to create awareness about the issue. This activity opened closed minds and boundaries and connected thoughts and suggestions from all points of the world who had participated online. I never got to the place because of an emergency schedule, nonetheless my heart’s desire and intention will always be there to make our world a better place.

A stronger political will and international leader’s direct involvement will best serve as main menu and not just as soap of the day.

According to The Telegraph,  Mr Gore, who ran for president in 2000 against George W Bush and lost, will meet Mr Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden to discuss how energy and climate policies “can stimulate the economy and create jobs.” Al Gore  had been a proponent on the issue of easing out if not to prevent global warming.

“Earth Hour 2009″

Every soul that breathes should take this as a prime concern which is basic attitude to enjoying life’s good things, addressing squarely the current circumstance of earth’s survival and humanity’s too. I’ts good that this thrust is gaining ground lately.

The world would never be the same again if you and I will share a bit of our time and take a role in our small way in relation to global warming.

One  step to do just that,  is to get know the facts and get  involved.

Tell me what you think via the comment box below. Also, keep yourself updated of the latest posts here and Subscribe to Kibi Journal.