Higgledy-Piggledy

www.crafthartic.com

2015-10-03T22:55:00.001+08:00

To all three of my followers, both active and inactive, and anyone who happens to stumble upon my little corner here, HELLO! As you probably noticed (or NOT!) I haven't been posting updates on this blog lately. I have recently transferred to a new home at www.crafthartic.com where I let out stress in a more productive medium--crafting. The purpose of this blog was to be a repository of all my rants and ramblings which I dare not air on personal social media. Like I said, I have found ways to divert my energy and I would very much appreciate it if you join me in my new home.

Hope to see you there!

putorepublic

Personalized Gift Card Keeper

2015-05-09T11:22:00.000+08:00

I seem to have a habit of not making a habit of updating this blog—surprise,surprise. A lot has happened since my last post both uneventful and extraordinary. One of the extraordinary ones was – I got married! It’s been two months since the wedding and the house clutter from then has not lessened. Some of our wedding gifts are still in the living room while we find a space to store the yet unused ones in. We have a lot of generous and thoughtful family, friends, co-workers, and clients who gave us gifts that we ended up with a huge pile of torn, unusable wrapping paper after opening every single present. We threw the wrapping paper but saved the gift cards as souvenirs. Most of the cards had handwritten messages on them that throwing them away would be such a waste.

The handwritten messages on these gift cards are too precious to throw away.

So I bought a regular kraft album from the local school supplies store, a multi-purpose glue-stick, and some poster paint (black).

To make this:

My calligraphy skill is below minimum so I’d just say I “scribbled” the word “gifts” on the cover of the kraft album using a regular watercolor brush. I had some gel pens with gold ink saved from the wedding which I used on the borders of my doodle and to add some details on it.

(pics)

See how gold pops on black.

After the poster paint dried, I just put some glue on the back of the gift cards and randomly placed each one on the pages.

I indicated the gifts on the tags so I'd remember who they're from

It took me less than an hour to finish this album but I’ll have years-worth of memories of the well wishes of friends and family.

My mind moved to the tips of my fingers

2012-12-06T12:22:00.004+08:00

It's been a while. Last time I blogged, I remember almost popping an artery in my head due to anger. This entry isn't going to be about anything. I just want to try writing down whatever I want without having to think about what I should write about. I am trying my best not to hit backspace so this is free association all the way.

I almost forgot about this blog. well almost. I have been writing for some other person's blog somewhere, for a topic i don't particularly like, and it's a struggle everyday. I will still try to post entries when I can, will babble about stuff I don't get to write about, or when I get another episode of artery-popping proportions. I will be here and although this is such a waste of online space, what the heck, this is my little corner. This is my cliff and I will shout however loud I like.

That ends my aimless pondering for today. I will probably regret posting this when I become lucid again. Heck.

TEXT FRAUD

2012-11-15T13:05:00.001+08:00

My mother received a text message this morning from an unknown number, purportedly from my sister, telling her that my sister got in an accident and that she needed cellphone load because she's out of load. My mother, taken over by mother's love, immediately sent the load to the unknown number. Of course the text message was a scam with all the red warning lights written all over it but who could blame a worried mom. That I'm furious with the anonymous texter is an understatement. It is not so much about the load as it is about the anxiety caused to my parents. I could only imagine what I would do to that lowlife If I ever see him.

Moreover, there is power in anonymity and scoundrels thrive by it. SIM cards have become very affordable and easily dispensable-- a very potent tool for illegitimate designs. The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) has set up a Complaint Page (https://ntc.gov.ph/complaintpage2.php) on their website and I hope its not a futile exercise. I hope that the scheming numbers do not remain unknown, invincible and free from impunity. Oh well, good faith is hard to come by these days.

For similar/other complaints involving telecommunications, visit the Public Assistance section of the NTC website at the following links:

For general complaints:

   https://ntc.gov.ph/complaintform.php

For lost or stolen cellphones:

   https://ntc.gov.ph/publicassistance_lossstolencellphone.php

For texts or spam reports:

   https://ntc.gov.ph/publicassistance_textmessage.php
Request for blocking:

https://ntc.gov.ph/publicassistance_requestforunblocking.php

I CAN SEE THROUGH YOU KRISTEN

2012-11-14T16:27:00.000+08:00

Kristen Stewart understands the phrase "If you have it, flaunt it" to a T. Yes, she actually wore this at the Breaking Dawn Part 2 Premiere.

See through na kung see through!!!

I would've done the same---well, if I had a slender body like hers, legs that go forever, and a lead role in a major movie franchise under my belt---why not coconut! But I don't so I'll just contend myself with living vicariously through these pictures (and dissecting it like a normal envious woman haha) :

Kristen wore a Zuhair Murad from its Ready to Wear Fall-Winter 2012-2013 collection

http://en.flip-zone.com/fashion/ready-to-wear/fashion-houses-42/zuhair-murad-2867

This in the same gold/nude color would have been better :) The frontal pseudo-nudity of the frock she wore was a little awkward for me (Come hither Robert, come to mama hahaha)

The shock factor is a little bit subdued on the catalogue because the lighting was strategically placed during the shoot.

With the things happening in her life, I see this dress as a statement--a more open, transparent and bare-all Kristen. uhmmm literally and figuratively "bare-all" (estoryaheeeeeeeeee) She should learn to say the word KEBER! haha

(Photos from Google Images)

BREAKING DAWN Part 2

2012-11-13T22:02:00.000+08:00

Part two of the last installment of the Twilight Saga will be out in two days *mini excitement* I am a fan of the book and a silent fan of the movies :) I'm sure all the cinemas will be packed to the brim on the first day so I might watch it a few days after. So, to set the twilight mood, here's the popular song from part 1 of Breaking Dawn (which is now becoming a wedding march favorite) . ENJOY!

(I do not own this video)
Single from the Album The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Exercise Smexercise

2012-11-07T10:06:00.004+08:00

Since I can’t bear reading an entire self-help book, I trust blogs to give me quick and itemized information that are presented in such a way that my short attention span would permit. Most blogs I read would always have “EXERCISE” or “PHYSICAL ACTIVITY” on the last three slots. The skeptic above my shoulder wonders if it really is a part of the list or is it placed there to fill in a gap. There in that itty bitty corner of my mind is a brain cell that hopes for the latter. My brain just shuts down everytime I see exercise on a to-do list. Case in Point: One blog says, to help one focus and concentrate, one must set goals and set deadlines. Another blog says, to help manage anger issues, one must count to ten and allow oneself to cool down before saying anything or making a decision. Then somewhere down below is the kryptonite: EXERCISE. Uh! Why you not my friend exercise?! I wish there’s a self-help book on how to begin loving exercise. (duh! does the word internet ring a bell?!)

Check out the following links if you feel the way I do :)

10 Ways to Start Loving Fitness

How to Learn to Love Exercise

Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2012

2012-10-05T08:56:00.000+08:00

I had a blog-lazy couple of days due to new adjustments in my working environment. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I have decided to jump ship and take a sailboat. This post will be quick since I have to be at the office now earlier than usual (it's my new self-imposed office policy hehe) I'm playing grown-up these past few days, which is long overdue, and I love it :)

Anyway, there's been noticeable panic among my students this week and it's not because final exams is two weeks from now (yay for me!!) The life-threatening cause of the panic (drum roll)--- Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. "Maam, mapriso daw ang maglike ug article?" Maam, will a person who "likes" an article go to prison" "Maam, what about freedom of speech?" "Maam, dili na daw pwede magcomment?" 'Maam is it not allowed to post a comment anymore?" And when asked whether they have read the law "WALA"

This panic has spread like wildfire across the country and , like my students, a good number of those who oppose have not probably read the law itself. We only read commentaries of people and their own interpretations of the law and we take it hook, line, and sinker. We oppose because everyone does and it looks cool to do so. I am telling you, it isn't. I am not advocating that people think alike or that we agree. I am for informed choice. Ignorance is not cool at all. Read the law and assess your choice.

Here it is, for your reference:

Republic of the Philippines

Congress of the Philippines

Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress

Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday the Twenty-fifth day of July two thousand eleven.

[ Republic Act No. 10175 ]

AN ACT DEFINING CYBERCRIME, PROVIDING FOR THE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, SUPPRESSION AND THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012″.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of information and communications industries such as content production, telecommunications, broadcasting electronic commerce, and data processing, in the nation’s overall social and economic development. The State also recognizes the importance of providing an environment conducive to the development, acceleration, and rational application and exploitation of information and communications technology (ICT) to attain free, easy, and intelligible access to exchange and/or delivery of information; and the need to protect and safeguard the integrity of computer, computer and communications systems, networks, and databases, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and data stored therein, from all forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal access by making punishable under the law such conduct or conducts. In this light, the State shall adopt sufficient powers to effectively prevent and combat such offenses by facilitating their detection, investigation, and prosecution at both the domestic and international levels, and by providing arrangements for fast and reliable international cooperation.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined as follows:

(a) Access refers to the instruction, communication with, storing data in, retrieving data from, or otherwise making use of any resources of a computer system or communication network.

(b) Alteration refers to the modification or change, in form or substance, of an existing computer data or program.

(c) Communication refers to the transmission of information through ICT media, including voice, video and other forms of data.

(d) Computer refers to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electrochemical, or other data processing or communications device, or grouping of such devices, capable of performing logical, arithmetic, routing, or storage functions and which includes any storage facility or equipment or communications facility or equipment directly related to or operating in conjunction with such device. It covers any type of computer device including devices with data processing capabilities like mobile phones, smart phones, computer networks and other devices connected to the internet.

(e) Computer data refers to any representation of facts, information, or concepts in a form suitable for processing in a computer system including a program suitable to cause a computer system to perform a function and includes electronic documents and/or electronic data messages whether stored in local computer systems or online.

(f) Computer program refers to a set of instructions executed by the computer to achieve intended results.

(g) Computer system refers to any device or group of interconnected or related devices, one or more of which, pursuant to a program, performs automated processing of data. It covers any type of device with data processing capabilities including, but not limited to, computers and mobile phones. The device consisting of hardware and software may include input, output and storage components which may stand alone or be connected in a network or other similar devices. It also includes computer data storage devices or media.

(h) Without right refers to either: (i) conduct undertaken without or in excess of authority; or (ii) conduct not covered by established legal defenses, excuses, court orders, justifications, or relevant principles under the law.

(i) Cyber refers to a computer or a computer network, the electronic medium in which online communication takes place.

(j) Critical infrastructure refers to the computer systems, and/or networks, whether physical or virtual, and/or the computer programs, computer data and/or traffic data so vital to this country that the incapacity or destruction of or interference with such system and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national or economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters.

(k) Cybersecurity refers to the collection of tools, policies, risk management approaches, actions, training, best practices, assurance and technologies that can be used to protect the cyber environment and organization and user’s assets.

(l) Database refers to a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts, or instructions which are being prepared, processed or stored or have been prepared, processed or stored in a formalized manner and which are intended for use in a computer system.

(m) Interception refers to listening to, recording, monitoring or surveillance of the content of communications, including procuring of the content of data, either directly, through access and use of a computer system or indirectly, through the use of electronic eavesdropping or tapping devices, at the same time that the communication is occurring.

(n) Service provider refers to:

(1) Any public or private entity that provides to users of its service the ability to communicate by means of a computer system; and

(2) Any other entity that processes or stores computer data on behalf of such communication service or users of such service.

(o) Subscriber’s information refers to any information contained in the form of computer data or any other form that is held by a service provider, relating to subscribers of its services other than traffic or content data and by which identity can be established:

(1) The type of communication service used, the technical provisions taken thereto and the period of service;

(2) The subscriber’s identity, postal or geographic address, telephone and other access numbers, any assigned network address, billing and payment information, available on the basis of the service agreement or arrangement; and

(3) Any other available information on the site of the installation of communication equipment, available on the basis of the service agreement or arrangement.

(p) Traffic data or non-content data refers to any computer data other than the content of the communication including, but not limited to, the communication’s origin, destination, route, time, date, size, duration, or type of underlying service.

CHAPTER II

PUNISHABLE ACTS

SEC. 4. Cybercrime Offenses. — The following acts constitute the offense of cybercrime punishable under this Act:

(a) Offenses against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems:

(1) Illegal Access. – The access to the whole or any part of a computer system without right.

(2) Illegal Interception. – The interception made by technical means without right of any non-public transmission of computer data to, from, or within a computer system including electromagnetic emissions from a computer system carrying such computer data.

(3) Data Interference. — The intentional or reckless alteration, damaging, deletion or deterioration of computer data, electronic document, or electronic data message, without right, including the introduction or transmission of viruses.

(4) System Interference. — The intentional alteration or reckless hindering or interference with the functioning of a computer or computer network by inputting, transmitting, damaging, deleting, deteriorating, altering or suppressing computer data or program, electronic document, or electronic data message, without right or authority, including the introduction or transmission of viruses.

(5) Misuse of Devices.

(i) The use, production, sale, procurement, importation, distribution, or otherwise making available, without right, of:

(aa) A device, including a computer program, designed or adapted primarily for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this Act; or

(bb) A computer password, access code, or similar data by which the whole or any part of a computer system is capable of being accessed with intent that it be used for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this Act.

(ii) The possession of an item referred to in paragraphs 5(i)(aa) or (bb) above with intent to use said devices for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this section.

(6) Cyber-squatting. – The acquisition of a domain name over the internet in bad faith to profit, mislead, destroy reputation, and deprive others from registering the same, if such a domain name is:

(i) Similar, identical, or confusingly similar to an existing trademark registered with the appropriate government agency at the time of the domain name registration:

(ii) Identical or in any way similar with the name of a person other than the registrant, in case of a personal name; and

(iii) Acquired without right or with intellectual property interests in it.

(b) Computer-related Offenses:

(1) Computer-related Forgery. —

(i) The input, alteration, or deletion of any computer data without right resulting in inauthentic data with the intent that it be considered or acted upon for legal purposes as if it were authentic, regardless whether or not the data is directly readable and intelligible; or

(ii) The act of knowingly using computer data which is the product of computer-related forgery as defined herein, for the purpose of perpetuating a fraudulent or dishonest design.

(2) Computer-related Fraud. — The unauthorized input, alteration, or deletion of computer data or program or interference in the functioning of a computer system, causing damage thereby with fraudulent intent: Provided, That if no

damage has yet been caused, the penalty imposable shall be one (1) degree lower.

(3) Computer-related Identity Theft. – The intentional acquisition, use, misuse, transfer, possession, alteration or deletion of identifying information belonging to another, whether natural or juridical, without right: Provided, That if no damage has yet been caused, the penalty imposable shall be one (1) degree lower.

(c) Content-related Offenses:

(1) Cybersex. — The willful engagement, maintenance, control, or operation, directly or indirectly, of any lascivious exhibition of sexual organs or sexual activity, with the aid of a computer system, for favor or consideration.

(2) Child Pornography. — The unlawful or prohibited acts defined and punishable by Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, committed through a computer system: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be (1) one degree higher than that provided for in Republic Act No. 9775.

(3) Unsolicited Commercial Communications. — The transmission of commercial electronic communication with the use of computer system which seek to advertise, sell, or offer for sale products and services are prohibited unless:

(i) There is prior affirmative consent from the recipient; or

(ii) The primary intent of the communication is for service and/or administrative announcements from the sender to its existing users, subscribers or customers; or

(iii) The following conditions are present:

(aa) The commercial electronic communication contains a simple, valid, and reliable way for the recipient to reject. receipt of further commercial electronic messages (opt-out) from the same source;

(bb) The commercial electronic communication does not purposely disguise the source of the electronic message; and

(cc) The commercial electronic communication does not purposely include misleading information in any part of the message in order to induce the recipients to read the message.

(4) Libel. — The unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future.

SEC. 5. Other Offenses. — The following acts shall also constitute an offense:

(a) Aiding or Abetting in the Commission of Cybercrime. – Any person who willfully abets or aids in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated in this Act shall be held liable.

(b) Attempt in the Commission of Cybercrime. — Any person who willfully attempts to commit any of the offenses enumerated in this Act shall be held liable.

SEC. 6. All crimes defined and penalized by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, if committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technologies shall be covered by the relevant provisions of this Act: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, and special laws, as the case may be.

SEC. 7. Liability under Other Laws. — A prosecution under this Act shall be without prejudice to any liability for violation of any provision of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, or special laws.

CHAPTER III

PENALTIES

SEC. 8. Penalties. — Any person found guilty of any of the punishable acts enumerated in Sections 4(a) and 4(b) of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of prision mayor or a fine of at least Two hundred thousand pesos (PhP200,000.00) up to a maximum amount commensurate to the damage incurred or both.

Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Section 4(a)(5) shall be punished with imprisonment of prision mayor or a fine of not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (PhP500,000.00) or both.

If punishable acts in Section 4(a) are committed against critical infrastructure, the penalty of reclusion temporal or a fine of at least Five hundred thousand pesos (PhP500,000.00) up to maximum amount commensurate to the damage incurred or both, shall be imposed.

Any person found guilty of any of the punishable acts enumerated in Section 4(c)(1) of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment of prision mayor or a fine of at least Two hundred thousand pesos (PhP200,000.00) but not exceeding One million pesos (PhP1,000,000.00) or both.

Any person found guilty of any of the punishable acts enumerated in Section 4(c)(2) of this Act shall be punished with the penalties as enumerated in Republic Act No. 9775 or the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009″: Provided, That the penalty to be imposed shall be one (1) degree higher than that provided for in Republic Act No. 9775, if committed through a computer system.

Any person found guilty of any of the punishable acts enumerated in Section 4(c)(3) shall be punished with imprisonment of arresto mayor or a fine of at least Fifty thousand pesos (PhP50,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (PhP250,000.00) or both.

Any person found guilty of any of the punishable acts enumerated in Section 5 shall be punished with imprisonment one (1) degree lower than that of the prescribed penalty for the offense or a fine of at least One hundred thousand pesos (PhP100,000.00) but not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos (PhP500,000.00) or both.

SEC. 9. Corporate Liability. — When any of the punishable acts herein defined are knowingly committed on behalf of or for the benefit of a juridical person, by a natural person acting either individually or as part of an organ of the juridical person, who has a leading position within, based on: (a) a power of representation of the juridical person provided the act committed falls within the scope of such authority; (b) an authority to take decisions on behalf of the juridical person: Provided, That the act committed falls within the scope of such authority; or (c) an authority to exercise control within the juridical person, the juridical person shall be held liable for a fine equivalent to at least double the fines imposable in Section 7 up to a maximum of Ten million pesos (PhP10,000,000.00).

If the commission of any of the punishable acts herein defined was made possible due to the lack of supervision or control by a natural person referred to and described in the preceding paragraph, for the benefit of that juridical person by a natural person acting under its authority, the juridical person shall be held liable for a fine equivalent to at least double the fines imposable in Section 7 up to a maximum of Five million pesos (PhP5,000,000.00).

The liability imposed on the juridical person shall be without prejudice to the criminal liability of the natural person who has committed the offense.

CHAPTER IV

ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 10. Law Enforcement Authorities. — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall be responsible for the efficient and effective law enforcement of the provisions of this Act. The NBI and the PNP shall organize a cybercrime unit or center manned by special investigators to exclusively handle cases involving violations of this Act.

SEC. 11. Duties of Law Enforcement Authorities. — To ensure that the technical nature of cybercrime and its prevention is given focus and considering the procedures involved for international cooperation, law enforcement authorities specifically the computer or technology crime divisions or units responsible for the investigation of cybercrimes are required to submit timely and regular reports including pre-operation, post-operation and investigation results and such other documents as may be required to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for review and monitoring.

SEC. 12. Real-Time Collection of Traffic Data. — Law enforcement authorities, with due cause, shall be authorized to collect or record by technical or electronic means traffic data in real-time associated with specified communications transmitted by means of a computer system.

Traffic data refer only to the communication’s origin, destination, route, time, date, size, duration, or type of underlying service, but not content, nor identities.

All other data to be collected or seized or disclosed will require a court warrant.

Service providers are required to cooperate and assist law enforcement authorities in the collection or recording of the above-stated information.

The court warrant required under this section shall only be issued or granted upon written application and the examination under oath or affirmation of the applicant and the witnesses he may produce and the showing: (1) that there are reasonable grounds to believe that any of the crimes enumerated hereinabove has been committed, or is being committed, or is about to be committed: (2) that there are reasonable grounds to believe that evidence that will be obtained is essential to the conviction of any person for, or to the solution of, or to the prevention of, any such crimes; and (3) that there are no other means readily available for obtaining such evidence.

SEC. 13. Preservation of Computer Data. — The integrity of traffic data and subscriber information relating to communication services provided by a service provider shall be preserved for a minimum period of six (6) months from the date of the transaction. Content data shall be similarly preserved for six (6) months from the date of receipt of the order from law enforcement authorities requiring its preservation.

Law enforcement authorities may order a one-time extension for another six (6) months: Provided, That once computer data preserved, transmitted or stored by a service provider is used as evidence in a case, the mere furnishing to such service provider of the transmittal document to the Office of the Prosecutor shall be deemed a notification to preserve the computer data until the termination of the case.

The service provider ordered to preserve computer data shall keep confidential the order and its compliance.

SEC. 14. Disclosure of Computer Data. — Law enforcement authorities, upon securing a court warrant, shall issue an order requiring any person or service provider to disclose or submit subscriber’s information, traffic data or relevant data in his/its possession or control within seventy-two (72) hours from receipt of the order in relation to a valid complaint officially docketed and assigned for investigation and the disclosure is necessary and relevant for the purpose of investigation.

SEC. 15. Search, Seizure and Examination of Computer Data. — Where a search and seizure warrant is properly issued, the law enforcement authorities shall likewise have the following powers and duties.

Within the time period specified in the warrant, to conduct interception, as defined in this Act, and:

(a) To secure a computer system or a computer data storage medium;

(b) To make and retain a copy of those computer data secured;

(c) To maintain the integrity of the relevant stored computer data;

(d) To conduct forensic analysis or examination of the computer data storage medium; and

(e) To render inaccessible or remove those computer data in the accessed computer or computer and communications network.

Pursuant thereof, the law enforcement authorities may order any person who has knowledge about the functioning of the computer system and the measures to protect and preserve the computer data therein to provide, as is reasonable, the necessary information, to enable the undertaking of the search, seizure and examination.

Law enforcement authorities may request for an extension of time to complete the examination of the computer data storage medium and to make a return thereon but in no case for a period longer than thirty (30) days from date of approval by the court.

SEC. 16. Custody of Computer Data. — All computer data, including content and traffic data, examined under a proper warrant shall, within forty-eight (48) hours after the expiration of the period fixed therein, be deposited with the court in a sealed package, and shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the law enforcement authority executing it stating the dates and times covered by the examination, and the law enforcement authority who may access the deposit, among other relevant data. The law enforcement authority shall also certify that no duplicates or copies of the whole or any part thereof have been made, or if made, that all such duplicates or copies are included in the package deposited with the court. The package so deposited shall not be opened, or the recordings replayed, or used in evidence, or then contents revealed, except upon order of the court, which shall not be granted except upon motion, with due notice and opportunity to be heard to the person or persons whose conversation or communications have been recorded.

SEC. 17. Destruction of Computer Data. — Upon expiration of the periods as provided in Sections 13 and 15, service providers and law enforcement authorities, as the case may be, shall immediately and completely destroy the computer data subject of a preservation and examination.

SEC. 18. Exclusionary Rule. — Any evidence procured without a valid warrant or beyond the authority of the same shall be inadmissible for any proceeding before any court or tribunal.

SEC. 19. Restricting or Blocking Access to Computer Data. — When a computer data is prima facie found to be in violation of the provisions of this Act, the DOJ shall issue an order to restrict or block access to such computer data.

SEC. 20. Noncompliance. — Failure to comply with the provisions of Chapter IV hereof specifically the orders from law enforcement authorities shall be punished as a violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 with imprisonment of prision correctional in its maximum period or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) or both, for each and every noncompliance with an order issued by law enforcement authorities.

CHAPTER V
JURISDICTION

SEC. 21. Jurisdiction. — The Regional Trial Court shall have jurisdiction over any violation of the provisions of this Act. including any violation committed by a Filipino national regardless of the place of commission. Jurisdiction shall lie if any of the elements was committed within the Philippines or committed with the use of any computer system wholly or partly situated in the country, or when by such commission any damage is caused to a natural or juridical person who, at the time the offense was committed, was in the Philippines.

There shall be designated special cybercrime courts manned by specially trained judges to handle cybercrime cases.

CHAPTER VI

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Sec. 22. General Principles Relating to International Cooperation — All relevant international instruments on international cooperation in criminal matters, arrangements agreed on the basis of uniform or reciprocal legislation, and domestic laws, to the widest extent possible for the purposes of investigations or proceedings concerning criminal offenses related to computer systems and data, or for the collection of evidence in electronic form of a criminal, offense shall be given full force and effect.

CHAPTER VII

COMPETENT AUTHORITIES

SEC 23. Department of Justice (DOJ). — There is hereby created an Office of Cybercrime within the DOJ designated as the central authority in all matters related to international mutual assistance and extradition.

SEC. 24. Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center. — There is hereby created, within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, an inter-agency body to be known as the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President, for policy coordination among concerned agencies and for the formulation and enforcement of the national cybersecurity plan.

SEC. 25. Composition. — The CICC shall be headed by the Executive Director of the Information and Communications Technology Office under the Department of Science and Technology (ICTO-DOST) as Chairperson with the Director of the NBI as Vice Chairperson; the Chief of the PNP; Head of the DOJ Office of Cybercrime; and one (1) representative from the private sector and academe, as members. The CICC shall be manned by a secretariat of selected existing personnel and representatives from the different participating agencies.

SEC. 26. Powers and Functions. — The CICC shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) To formulate a national cybersecurity plan and extend immediate assistance for the suppression of real-time commission of cybercrime offenses through a computer emergency response team (CERT);

(b) To coordinate the preparation of appropriate and effective measures to prevent and suppress cybercrime activities as provided for in this Act;

(c) To monitor cybercrime cases being bandied by participating law enforcement and prosecution agencies;

(d) To facilitate international cooperation on intelligence, investigations, training and capacity building related to cybercrime prevention, suppression and prosecution;

(e) To coordinate the support and participation of the business sector, local government units and nongovernment organizations in cybercrime prevention programs and other

related projects;

(f) To recommend the enactment of appropriate laws, issuances, measures and policies;

(g) To call upon any government agency to render assistance in the accomplishment of the CICC’s mandated tasks and functions; and

(h) To perform all other matters related to cybercrime prevention and suppression, including capacity building and such other functions and duties as may be necessary for the proper implementation of this Act.

CHAPTER VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 27. Appropriations. — The amount of Fifty million pesos (PhP50,000,000.00) shall be appropriated annually for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The ICTO-DOST, the DOJ and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall jointly formulate the necessary rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from approval of this Act, for its effective implementation.

SEC. 29. Separability Clause — If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 30. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees or rules inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. Section 33(a) of Republic Act No. 8792 or the “Electronic Commerce Act” is hereby modified accordingly.

SEC. 31. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

(Sgd.) FELICIANO BELMONTE JR.
Speaker of the House
of Representatives

(Sgd.) JUAN PONCE ENRILE
President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2796 and House Bill No. 5808 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 5, 2012 and June 4, 2012, respectively.

(Sgd.) MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP
Secretary General
House of Representatives

(Sgd.) EMMA LIRIO-REYES
Secretary of the Senate

Approved: SEP 12 2012

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines

POSTED FROM THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE

Make your own Jack O' Lantern Art

2012-09-22T00:56:00.000+08:00

I am currently doing a small project with a colleague designing a promotional material for a vocational school here in the PI extending help to students who want to study and work in Australia. My creative skills are way beneath professional but I've always loved anything artsy-craftsy so I decided to do the project. It is a long process of trial-and-errors and I've been trying out new software to effect the desired results. However, I have newfound respect for MICROSOFT WORD. What used to be a mere writing tool for me is now my graphics editing software.

Since Halloween is just around the corner, I am showing here a simple tutorial on how to make your own Jack o' Lantern art using only basic shapes from Microsoft Word.

Evil enough for you? This pumpkin is made from Basic Shapes and a little imagination.

Go to FILE >> NEW BLANK DOCUMENT
Press the Shapes Icon on your toolbar, choose basic shapes, then choose CIRCLE.

3. Right click on the circle and press EDIT POINTS

You may have to do a little trial-and-error on this one until you get your desired shape.

4. Once you get the shape that you want, go to the FILL ICON on your toolbar and choose the shade that you want (orange of course!)

4. You don't want your pumpkin flat, so we will adjust the the colors to make it look plump. Go back to the FILL ICON and click on FILL EFFECTS. Click FILL, then go the GRADIENT tab.

On the GRADIENT TAB, you may use the following selections as guide:

STYLE : Linear

ANGLE: 93 degrees ( you may tweak on this button to get the desired result)

SELECTION AND TRANSPARENCY: ADD COLOR, then choose any light yellow color

You may follow the settings below to save time :)

CLICK OK

Add caption

On its way to being a full fledged pumpkin :)

5. For the stem, go back to the SHAPE ICON on your toolbar, then click on BASIC SHAPES, then choose ARC

Right click on the ARC to edit it. Adjust the width as shown above.

Fill the ARC with a combination of Brown and Green colors---experiment with different combinations :)
NOTE: Fill the ARC using the LINE ICON below the FILL ICON. The ARC is apparently not a shape, but a line :)

6. To create the sections on the pumpkin, go to SHAPE ICON, LINES and CONNECTORS, then choose the curve. With the curve cursor activated (cursor appears as a plus (+) sign), click on the top of the pumpkin on the base of the stem, then move slowly towards the bottom of the pumpkin, stopping each time to fix your curve path. Repeat this process until you have made enough sections.

7. Now, for the eyes, go back to your SHAPE ICON>> BASIC SHAPES>>then choose triangle (told you these are basic shapes :) ) Right click on the triangle then go the FILL ICON, then choose a darker shade of orange than the one used to fill the body of the pumpkin.

To create the illusion of depth and light from within the pumpkin, go to FILL ICON, then FILL EFFECTS, FILL, then go to the GRADIENT tab.

STYLE : Linear

ANGLE: 354 degrees

COLOR AND TRANSPARENCY: ADD COLOR, BLACK, ADD COLOR, YELLOW (adjust the color spread according to your desired outcome)

CLICK OK

TIP: Edit one eye only then copy the same triangle for the second eye. That way you won't have to edit both eyes and they will look uniform. I placed here two triangles just to mark where i'll put both eyes later

When done editing one eye, just click on it, COPY, then PASTE. Click the ROTATE ICON on your toolbar, then choose Flip horizontally.

8. Once you're satisfied with both eyes, it's time to do the nose. Follow the same process as we did with the eyes. On your GRADIENT TAB, use the following settings:

STYLE : Linear

ANGLE: 102 degrees

COLOR AND TRANSPARENCY: ADD COLOR, BLACK, ADD COLOR, LIGHT YELLOW

CLICK OK.

9. We're almost done. For the Mouth, go to the SHAPES ICON, click on STARS and BANNERS then choose a seven-pointed star. Do the same process for the eyes and nose above and use the following settings:

STYLE : Path

ANGLE : 170 degrees

COLOR AND TRANSPARENCY: ADD COLOR, YELLOW, ADD COLOR, BLACK

CLICK OK and VOILA!!!

A Day Worth Blogging About

2012-09-14T13:45:00.001+08:00

SEPTEMBER 12, 2012. After three years of working in the same firm, I finally decided to take a big leap of faith to nowhere and bid my former office goodbye. Above all the confusion leading to the final decision, breaking the news to our senior partner was the hardest. For what this is worth, I am grateful to the firm who took a young inexperienced lawyer in and patiently mentored her all those three years. It was not the easiest decision to make.

But I was not letting the day pass by feeling all sad and puffy-eyed. A double cheeseburger and large pineapple juice for comfort later, I was in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental enjoying some sort of newfound freedom. A friend and officemate, who is also leaving the firm, had a meeting in Tagoloan and urged me to go with her. The kaladkarin that I am was all too happy to go.

Tagoloan is a small municipality about a thirty-minute drive away from Cagayan de Oro City and home of the Mindanao International Container Terminal. It is a developing community with commercial establishments sprouting along the whole stretch of the National Highway.

I took some pictures to remember that day by:

Tagoloan Municipal Hall

From The Port premises

The Children's Park---without the children :)

Catholic Church near the park

The List

2012-09-07T00:52:00.001+08:00

I don’t have a bucket list.

I am probably the un-coolest being that has walked the face of the earth with that confession---you might as well stamp the word L-O-S-E-R on my forehead and I’ll wear it without objection. I would even stamp it on myself when I have the chance.

In my defense, I am not entirely without dreams or aspirations. Sure I have places I want to visit, things I wish to have, businesses I aim to own, and fame I hope to savor. I have those and more. To list them down would probably take more time than actually do them. If I had a list, I would probably tear it up every once in a while and write something new.

Now, like in so many nights when sleep is elusive, I am feeling a sudden compulsion to do something better with my time( or maybe because it's my birthday today lol ) --- I WILL WRITE A BUCKET LIST. I had actually tried doing one before but I couldn't remember one single thing I wrote there anymore. So I'm getting help from someone very willing to help---the internet. If by some stroke of fate you are in the same circumstance as me, you may want to check out these few tips before we dive into some serious bucket list writing :

1. List things that are purposeful, meaningful and reasonably challenging.

2. Arrange your goals according to importance or mark items according to priority.

3. Your items may include your answers to the following questions:

a. Where do you most want to go?

b. What food or cuisine do you want to try?

c. What sport do you want to learn?

d. What or who do you want to help?

e. What fear do you want to conquer?

f. How much money do you want to have in the bank? when?

g. What is your ideal job?

h. What musical instrument do you want to learn?

Bucket Lists range from the simple to the extreme --- the possibilities are endless. I'm excited for mine :)

Meet Mang Gustin

2012-09-06T01:49:00.001+08:00

As a child, when asked to draw a house in school, I would draw a one-storey house with a flat roof, an arched porch, and a tree at the front. I can still recall how I often had erasures trying to reposition the tree so it won’t block the entire porch. It didn’t make the house look pretty but it was in the level of a crime against humanity for me not to put a tree when illustrating our house. We have had that tree for as long as I can remember and I’m sure it has been around since way before I was born. Until today, our trusty Mangosteen tree, although leaning a little further down like a hunched old man, has not failed to bring us gifts come the months of August and September.

Although not very popular here in the PI as a staple fruit as mangoes, bananas or pineapples, the mangosteen is more popular these days as a component of dietary supplements or health capsules and tea. Here's a list of some of its therapeutic claims compiled from research:

1. Anti-fatigue (energy booster)
2. Powerful anti-inflammatory (prevents inflammation)
3. Analgesic (prevents pain)
4. Anti-ulcer (stomach,
mouth and bowel ulcers)
5. Anti-depressant (low to moderate)
6. Anxyolytic (anti-anxiety effect)
7. Anti-Alzheimerian (helps prevent dementia)
8. Anti-tumor and cancer prevention (multiple categories cited)... shown to be capable of killing cancer cells
9. Immunomodulator (multiple categories cited) - helps the immune system
10. Anti-aging
11. Anti-oxidant
12. Anti-viral
13. Anti-biotic (modulates bacterial infections)
14. Anti-fungal (prevents fungal infections)
15. Anti-seborrheaic (prevents skin disorders)
16. Anti-lipidemic (blood fat lowering, LDL)
17. Anti-atherosclerotic (prevents hardening
of arteries)
18. Cardioprotective (protects the heart)
19. Hypotensive (blood pressure lowering)
20. Hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic effect, helps lower blood sugar)
21. Anti-obesity (helps with weight loss)
22. Anti-arthritic (prevention of arthritis)
23. Anti-osteoporosis (helps prevent the loss of bone mass)
24. Anti-periodontic (prevents gum disease)
25. Anti-allergenic (prevents allergic reaction)
26. Anti-calculitic (prevents kidney stones)
27. Anti-pyretic (fever lowering)
28. Anti-Parkinson
29. Anti-diarrheal
30. Anti-neuralgic (reduces nerve pain)
31. Anti-vertigo (prevents dizziness)
32. Anti-glaucomic (prevents glaucoma)
33. Anti-cataract (prevents cataracts)
34. Pansystemic - has a synergistic effect on thewhole body

I got lost at Anxyolytic...tsk tsk tsk...feel free to google :)

Mang Gustin--Mangosteen---get it? lol

Earthshaking Experience of the Scary Kind

2012-09-04T23:21:00.002+08:00

I woke up very early this morning and was surprised that my body clock went off earlier than usual. It was still very dark outside and everything was still so I lay there waiting for sleep to set back in. It wasn’t long until the bed started moving, jerking my body to the left a couple of times. There was a rumbling sound like trucks running in frenzy and I could hear the table near me banging on the wall. I was dreading a stronger one but Thank God it didn’t happen.

It was the strongest and one of three reported earthquakes in my area just for today. Four days ago, we felt a much stronger quake expected to trigger a tsunami that sent almost everyone in panic. Thankfully, the tsunami alert was lifted before anyone had a heart attack.

What is up with these earthquakes?!? and I do not mean that as a question for fear that the quakes recur and answer me back. I am beginning to regret every embarrassing moment I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole. Anyway, there is no harm in preparing for the worst so I'm posting here Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (PHIVOLCS) Earthquake Preparedness Guide:

(scroll right to view entire guide)

If the picture takes too long to load, you may check out this link.

Like, Click, Share

2012-09-04T09:51:00.000+08:00

This blog lives up to its name: disorderly. And so, adding to this blog’s disorder, and my life’s as well, I am posting my new interest: taking pictures. My first venture was in high school when I tried photo journalism (because I was lazy and writing took a lot of time) but all my pictures were either cropped, out of frame, or just plain lame. To make the short story even shorter, none of my pictures made it to print. :) So I took the hint and took the arduous route of editorial writing.

Now I’m back to taking pictures. Since almost everyone is on Instagram, I am on it too and quite annoyingly so (my sister says she can’t talk to me properly when I’m on Instagram) Here are a few for your viewing pleasure haha

Anyway, check out some of my photos on my Instacanvas account here.

Testing the Waters

2012-08-23T23:59:00.000+08:00

I HAVE RETURNED (cue in booming orchestra music). For the past couple of months, I have put most of my mediocre life's perks at the back burner to earn extra cash---errrr scratch that---to do service to the world by helping the youth in their journey to academic excellence--- I have become a teacher!!! hahaha I'm surprised at how upbeat I am writing about my teaching experience so far. It is actually no laughing matter and had I known it would be this demanding--physically AND emotionally-- i probably would have bowed out at the start.

Anyway, I did not bow out and here I am, suffering the consequences :) I have not fully adjusted to 3 continuous hours of class five days a week and I come home every night feeling drained and hungry. Whoever invented reporting---Thank YOU! At least I don't have to talk for three hours straight in my other subjects. If I were to describe this new experience, I'd say it's never boring. I always come home with a story to tell--from the amazing to the annoying--and every time I get past the frustration and disappointment of it all, those stories always make me laugh.

I had been a student for most of my life--6 years in grade school, four in highschool, four in college and another four in law school. Now that the tables have turned, I am slowly discovering truths---boy, was I wrong!

Fact I

The teacher's table has got the best view in the classroom. Those side glances during exams? The teacher sees it--on high definition! Admittedly, I did my own glancing at a seat mate's paper in desperation as a student. I realize now that it's not a pretty picture. Hand signals? Whatttt? Don't even try it. Believe me, the teacher sees EVERYTHING. We may not call your attention right there but there's an oral recitation waiting for you down the road :P

Fact II

Teachers like their students equally-- Pfffftttttt! There will always be one or two students who will stand out and will be liked more than the rest. They are not necessarily the best students in class, they may actually be poor performers. Conversely, there will be that one or two students least liked in class---usually those that are disrespectful and do not show eagerness to learn. Teachers, like ordinary mortals, have their own prejudices. However, this doesn't mean that grades are proportionate to likeability. Scores are scores---but we just don't easily get mad when they don't get the right answer :P

Fact III

Teachers have lazy days. Like students who wish that the teacher won't come to class, I sometimes wish that there's a school activity I don't know about and classes become suspended. Holidays are hallelujah to us once in a while.

Fact IV

When teachers say they will fail the students, they actually say that with fingers crossed that it's not going to come true. I personally want all my students to pass. When several students fail in class, it is most likely not the students' fault.

Fact V

The teacher doesn't know everything. The teacher doesn't know everything. They may appear all-knowing (and some may actually be all-knowing) but most of us still have to study before every session and get nervous if a student asks a question and we do not know the answer. When a student asks and I'm not sure of the answer, I call another student and make it appear like I was testing them if they actually know the answer. This will buy me time to scan my notes and save the day by explaining the answer at the end of the "debate" :P

That said, I am soooooo hoping none of my students get to read this hahahahahaha :)

So sew me!

2012-06-01T14:18:00.001+08:00

I am changing careers--from Suing to Sewing! :) Somehow my devotion to the only sport i know--window shopping--has paid off. I have stolen ideas on the racks (**very devious laugh**) and made my own version of..tantadaadaaaaannnnn...a blouse haha so anti-climactic. Now don't get your hopes all too high, it's just a pair of square cloth sewn together to resemble a blouse (at least that's what I did :) )

See this blouse? Ingon ani ra akong peg.

This design is all over the malls lately because of its summery vibe. I like it because it hides my bilbil hehe anything to avoid muffin-top, I'm all for it. It's actually not rocket science...because I can't do rocket science, I don't have the patience and the brain cells. So, as in a true i'm-good-so-i'll-tell-you-what-i-know fashion, I documented my current conquest :

I chose a light fabric because I wanted a drapey look. I didn't use the rest of the threads, I just put them there
to make it look like I knew what I was doing :)

I found an old blouse that had the looseness and fit that I wanted and traced its outline
on the back of the cloth. I like this blouse because it looks like a scrubsuit :)

Our trusted little sewing machine :) Don't let this tiny gadget fool you, it really does the job! :)

I cut the cloth leaving about half an inch from the outline making sure to mark which cloth is for the front (Cloth 1) and which one is for the back (Cloth2). On cloth 1, I cut a semicircle to make a neckline (or a V if you want V-necks) then sewed the raw edges. Then I used a black bias tape to cover the sewn edges and hide my crooked stitches :) In hichschool, we were taught how to use bias tape on the edges of our apron project made of flour sack. Sosyal, satin nga bias tape sa sako sa harina :) Anyway, when the neckline was done, I sewed the cloths together stitching on the traced outline. Don't forget to leave portions for your sleeveholes! Stitch the hem and you're good to go.

Voila!

My model flew in from the streets of Del Pilar for this shoot :)

One more for her modeling debut hehe :)

I'm quite proud of myself, actually hehe I'll wear this blouse next week :)

Next project...Underwear! :)

Year-end Resolution

2011-12-01T12:09:00.001+08:00

I've been meaning to do something useful on a separate blog for a while now but just thinking about the work i need to do to keep it up and running makes procrastination very tempting. My new blog is up--- title, theme and all...but post-less. Let's just say it is still in its gestation period until after i write my first entry. I don't usually claim something until i have it on my lap but I am doing an exception today for purposes of motivation. I will do that blog and i'll post my first entry before the year ends *fingers crossed*. So help me God.

Peace Offering

2011-09-08T11:01:00.000+08:00

If I can have one very very very selfish wish, it would be that my nephews and niece don't grow up hehe I seem to be more in tune with children's thoughts and behaviour, especially that of a three year old ( Now saying that I have a mind of a three year-old is not nice, so zip it hehe) You show them tricks, funny moves and drawings and their eyes would light up in awe. The best part is making them do what you want them to do and they happily oblige :) My nephew Vince was exactly like that a few years ago when he was just a tiny tot in his diapers. Now at 7, it takes a lot to make him do whatever you say or even listen.

Vince did not have school today, so his mama said he had the whole day to do his homework. As expected, he took a little over 2 hours to eat, helped his younger brother mess up the living room (while eating), and basically did not listen to every word I was saying. Pissed, he received a litany of "Your mama and papa are working very hard to pay for your Kumon and you don't do your homework!" , " I told you no TV after ten" and threats of going back to the Philippines if he doesn't do his homework.

He didn't budge.

A few minutes later, he gave me a piece of paper with red crayon hearts on it and drawings of two cups of coffee on each side. Then he said, " This is for you, I want you to have it" I was so moved that I gave him a huge hug. He remembered i love coffee!! Isn't that sweet? :) But just as I was about to give him another hug, I noticed a writing in the middle of the card in yellow, almost invisible, crayon... "mum" HAHAHAHAHA Clever, Kuya Vince! He must have made it for his mama for Valentine's day. Now that's recycling! hahaha You had me kuya... But it's perfectly ok, it's the thought that counts. The sweet little tot in diapers is still somewhere in there after all :)

Oh, he offered to set the plates for lunch...Good job, Kuya Vince!

Birthday Blues doo-bi-doo-bi-dooo

2011-09-06T13:27:00.005+08:00

I am 30 . I am...no really, I am thirty? I am 30... *sigh* This mirror is a little bit hazy. Breathe in, breathe out....I am waiting for a sudden jolt of wisdom, 'coz as you know, I am 30. Dang it! Maybe I should bathe in the warm sunshine to get that...or not.

Age didn't bother me this much growing up. Although I should have seen the signs. By 18 I wasn't looking forward to birthdays. By 25, I stopped counting. Last week, a milder form of dread started brewing inside me as I realized I was turning thirty. Thirty years, here you are...temporary but irreversible. (*Quick emotional struggle with self, auto-counseling here-and-there*) So how has my life been the past 30 years? I've had highs and lows, naturally. I've had some wishes granted and some still waiting for His approval. I have made mistakes, learned from some, laughed at some, and probably haven't learned the lesson in some. I have hurt people and got hurt back, learned to apologize and accept one. I grew up! By a few inches. Waistline, almost reaching the same digits as my age and plans to stay that way GRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Lines on the face...Hmmmmm I really don't like where this is heading so I'm stopping now.

My woes aren't that profound really. Weight? Waistline? Wrinkles? I just have to deal with it. Besides, I picture old age with me sitting on the terrace looking at the shore, drinking coffee with my husband, white haired and all and not 70 with a 24-inch waistline, perky breasts, and red lipstick walking around the mall in stilletoes.

So...In conclusion (for purposes of todays thoughts only haha I'm a woman, I'm supposed to be fickle!!) I might as well enjoy the ride from here on in.

I am 30! and I am in Sydney! How great is that? :) Happy 30th Birthday to me!!!

Tukooooohh! Tukooooohhhh!

2011-06-01T01:52:00.002+08:00

Who thought we would ever see the day when a gecko would be seen as income generating ? If the Philippines is one big twitter community today, Tuko, as it is locally called, would be “trending”. At long last, Juan de la Cruz decides not to leave his financial life to fate until he wins the lotto (uh, at least for the time being) . He resolves to get up, go to a forest somewhere and find a tuko to sell for prices ranging from Php5,000 to Php500,000.

People are abuzz about this new business. One can find tuko of all sizes offered for sale on the internet. There is an entire website devoted to buying and selling tuko and providing guidelines for “tuko brokers”, spot cash buyers and international buyers. There is even a qualification for the “Perfect Tuko”:

1. Has red/orange/white spots on its skin

2. Has feet with 5 toes and shaped like a flat flower

3. 400 grams and above

4. 21 inches and above

5. Healthy

6. Complete Body Parts

7. Fed with food natural in their environment (www.tuko.com.ph)

The reason for this recent upsurge of demands for tuko is unclear although some claim the tuko is a cure for HIV/AIDS , asthma, and cancer.

However noble the intentions may be, trading tuko here in the Philippines is illegal. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9147 or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act" provides for a penalty of imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for trading wildlife locally or internationally. Hmmmm reason enough to think twice before bagging the poor thing.

I hear the sound of the tuko outside our house as I am writing this. I am wondering how big it is, if it has red, orange, or white spots on it’s skin, or if it weighs more than 400 grams. Then I mentally prick the thought bubble with the peso sign in it. The tuko outside is safe in this tiny part of the country.

Older

2011-05-24T23:25:00.002+08:00

In a few months I’ll be hitting the big 3-0. I haven’t given much thought about aging until recently when “signs” successively manifested themselves albeit uninvited. Starting with lines around the eyes, weight that’s so hard to keep off no matter how little I eat, ragged breathing from walking a short distance, inability to memorize as well as I used to, and a whole lot of other things I discover day by day. Add to aging my irregular exercise habits (or lack thereof hehe) and unhealthy food choices---I am now, repentantly, reaping the fruits of my lack of labor.

Gone are the days when I could practice dancing all day and wake up early the next day to practice some more. Now, I move my head around for a few minutes or wiggle my hips for 3 or more songs and my body would be screaming for a body massage. Yesterday, I fell on my back trying to “amuse” my 10-month-old niece with some moves. Until now, half of my body feels sore and I’m reeking of liniment. At least my niece had a good laugh out of it. I, on the other hand, need a massage, a hot compress, or some more liniment.

I am getting older. I’m saying that as if I just realized it now J Next year, I’ll be celebrating January, March, May, July, August,October, and December because those are the only months where my age will still be on the calendar (Stop counting, people!). While I’m hanging on to the last vestiges of my youth for a couple more months, I think it’s best to do damage control however late it may be. I’m starting a new “year’s resolution” tonight---try to eat healthy, exercise regularly, read more, sleep early, moisturize (hehehe), and don’t dance as if you’re 18!!!

Match made in the Kitchen

2011-05-18T22:47:00.002+08:00

I went out for dinner with mama and sis today and had BINAGOONGANG BABOY(Pork with Shrimp Paste)! I had my first taste of the dish more than three years ago when my eldest sister took me to a restaurant somewhere in Makati where food was served wrapped in banana leaves. Thinking about the “binalot”, to this day, makes my mouth water :b…

Pork and Shrimp Paste are two of the best foods in my vocabulary (along with pizza, pasta, and double cheeseburger hehe) so don’t hold it against me if I don’t miss out ordering binagoongan everytime it’s on the menu J Unfortunately, binagoongan in restaurants are a little pricey for frequent dinners. Making it at home would be more practical so the industrious genius in me Googled the recipe hehehe (hey, I could have Bing-ed or Yahoo-ed it too! Do what suits you)

Here’s the recipe:

Binagoongang Baboy

Ingredients:

1 kilo pork with fat (cut into chunk cubes)
2 cups bagoong alamang
1 head of garlic (minced)
1 big onion (minced) 4 tomatoes (diced)
4 chili peppers (minced)
1/2 cup vinegar
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup water

Procedure:

1. In a casserole, boil pork and lower fire until water evaporates and pork oil starts to come out.

2. When pork is lightly crispy, put in on the side and saute garlic, onion, tomatoes and chili peppers in the fat and mix pork once more.

3. Add in the bagoong and cook while stirring for 5 minutes.

4. Pour in the vinegar and stir well.

5. Add in the sugar and let simmer for 10 minutes or just until cooked.

6. Serve hot.

(Recipe from kusinaatbp.com)

I hope to try this one day J

Dream Jobs

2011-05-12T22:09:00.000+08:00

Off the top of my head, I’m listing jobs I’d be happy to do any day :

1. Video Game Tester… so I can play all the video games that I want and get paid for it.

2. Gift wrapper…but only gifts in boxes. Who wants to wrap irregular shapes anyway?!

3. Grocery store cashier…just so I can use a cash register. It’s one of my secret childhood dreams. Some people dream big, mine was not worth sleeping for.

4. Security Guard of a highly fenced vacant lot…enough said.

5. A sewer of blankets and bedsheets…I’m good at stitching straight lines. Oh, add hankies too!

6. House painter…but only new and empty ones---and walls only!

7. Encoder…because it’s not rocket science. Thirty percent of my current job is typing (the other seventy I still need to figure out) so I must have gained some skill.

8. A sleuth…because I’m naturally nosy. It's probably the least boring job of all. Like I said, I'm a natural.

Hmmmm...now that I think about it, these are really not brag-worthy. If these are my idea of hardwork, I better change my M-O or I’m never becoming a millionaire in 50 years.

Imagine, this could be me in the future:

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(images from funny-potato.com; clipartguide.com;istockphoto.com; life123.com; flicker; milwaukee.olx;sleuth-booth.com)

LSS

2011-05-06T12:51:00.003+08:00

"But the one little duck

with a feather on his back,

he led the others with the

quack-quack-quack..."

I have been repeating my niece's nursery rhyme for two days now, I'm having last song syndrome. There's no harm actually...until you unconsciously blurt it out in the office with your arms doing the chicken dance! Good thing boss in the other room didn't notice...or did he?!

(image from sharesource.org)

Dear Diary,

2011-05-04T22:53:00.001+08:00

I didn't have the best day today so allow me to blow off some steam.

Choo-Choo!

I'm sorry but I can't think of a better term for what I witnessed today: SUBNORMAL INTELLIGENCE. It is even awkward to place the word "intelligence" in the same sentence.

I hope no one like that gets appointed again. Please, Lord.

Days like today make me want to have a double cheeseburger.