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But did you actually know that we can actually continue to keep in touch with the ones we love without spending too much? I’m talking about Chikka. I was in High School when it started to boom. And it has been 10 years now! Chikka’s breakthrough had been in marrying IM technology seamlessly with SMS, and then building a back-end that would withstand its use by the world’s ‘text capital’ – The Philippines. Chikka founder Dennis Mendiola shared his thoughts about the birth of Chikka and it’s continuous development to make it more accessible to almost everyone.

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Today, a “digital generation” has emerged and 30% of Filipinos have Internet access taking part in social networks and becoming active in social media. Mobile penetration is closer to 80%.

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“We saw this during the great reawakening and national mourning for the passing of former President Cory Aquino. We witnessed it again as Typhoon Ondoy brought great floods to the Capital and the Youth, with their Internet and mobile tools helped relay information for mobilization and disaster relief,” said Mendiola.

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Thus is setting for Chikka latest version release.

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“Chikka is more relevant than ever. We observe for example that a lot of casual messaging previously exchanged via text has shifted to the social networks. Our latest version is being released, combining the cool convenience of sending an IM message when one is on-line with the personal warmth, immediacy even urgency of receiving a message as text, instantly read on ones phone,” Mendiola added.

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Lighter “load”

Promoting even higher utility for the community, the new Chikka version features P1.00 replies during off-peak hours when a lot of Global Filipinos are driving message traffic to friends and loved ones mobiles in the Philippines . Unlimited text packages akin to popular UNLI packages being offered by Philippine telcos are also now available all day.

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It is also interoperable with Google Talk while Chikka is working on partnering with other instant messaging applications to make it easier for users to keep in touch.

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“In 2010, there were over 16 million visits to the Chikka site from 215 countries during a one month period,” CIO Dennis Mendiola said. “Even though there are a lot of technological advancements in the communications industry, Chikka still remains to be the preferred communications tool for Global Pinoys.”

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The future

According to Mendiola much of the work that went into the “new Chikka” actually happened in the back-end with a major re-architecture.

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This allows the company to pursue a technology roadmap that will very soon enable Chikka for any platform and operating system, for any IM aggregator, and also for any mobile device, Already a 3^rd party developer has released an iPhone App. Chikka for its part is set to unveil its own app for the iPhone, as well as Blackberry and Android devices.

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“The idea is for Chikka users to be able to access it on numerous communications platforms,” Mendiola said. “Simply put, as long as you have a computer or mobile phone, you can use Chikka.”

To Lord Jesus Christ, thank you too for the roller coaster ride. I learned my lesson and I am really enjoying your way of teaching. Very personal.

Hey, it’s your birthday! I never have to look at calendars nor set a reminder to know that it’s your day. We became best friends and I know that the friendship we had was genuine so I can never forget. Happy birthday! I wish you a very happy birthday!  And yes, I missed you too!

Now here comes the mid of third quarter. July was awesome and that makes me wanna expect more for August. Maybe because I allowed God to transform me. But I just won’t wait for these blessings to come. I’ll work for it just like the old times. I can sense a better chapter because I know God is with me.

I may have a schedule like hell but it will always feel like heaven. Thank you Lord for such an unending grace. I know you are fair to everyone but I just can’t deny that I feel more blessed than anybody else in this world.

One anonymous author said:

I don’t believe in prayer if…

Prayer is JUST a magic charm. But that’s how some people pray. They pray… only so they’ll be safe when they go on vacation. Only so their day will go smoothly. Only so their family will stay happy and healthy. Only so they will get their lucky breaks. I don’t believe in that kind of prayer…

I don’t believe in prayer if…

Prayer is JUST a way to “place my order” with God. But that’s how some people pray. They pray because they’d like to have something they don’t have. Only because they’d rather not have something they do have.  Only because someone is bugging them and they need to have God straighten that person out. Only because they don’t want to have to go through the hard times. I don’t believe in that kind of prayer.

I don’t believe in prayer if…

Prayer is JUST a tranquilizer. But that’s how some people pray. They pray not only because they feel so much better when they do. Only because they’re more relaxed and at peace with the world when they pray. Only because they’re easier to be around when they pray and they want people to like being around them. I don’t believe in that kind of prayer.

I don’t believe in prayer if it’s only a matter of what I can get from God.

BUT I DO BELIEVE IN PRAYER IF…

Prayer is a conversation with someone I love. And that’s just how some people pray. They pray… they want to show God how much they love Him (and spending time with Him is a way to show Him). Because they want to tell God how wonderful they think He is. Because they want to let God know how they’re feeling and what they need Him to do for them and for others. Because they want to say thank you to God. Because they want to say, “I’m sorry.”

I DO BELIEVE IN PRAYER IF…

Prayer is a window that lets me see into God’s heart. (This does not mean I will always understand what He’s doing, but I will understand the kind of God He is – that He is loving and kind, for example.) And that’s just how some people pray. They pray… so they can listen to God. So they know what He wants them to do. So they learn what to ask for now and what not to ask for. So they understand Him better.

I DO BELIEVE IN PRAYER… Prayer is a matter of what I can give to God – my love, my admiration, and my trust.

And indeed, this should be what prayer is all about. Listen, there’s just something about prayer. Not those short text messages we send from time to time, but those disciplined, diligent honest to goodness times-alone-with-God kind of prayer.

Kierkegaard said it right: “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”

And if prayer changes me day to day to become more like Christ, then that’s the prayer that I believe in, don’t you?

It’s been more than two years since I had a Facebook account and I must say that it evolved a lot from its site, to the application and even to its users. Now, I’m having a hard time understanding what a social networking site is all about. I thought it’s just an easier way to connect people despite the distance, so I joined.  Now, it was never that way for most people. It’s good at some point that other people see it as a new market to sell products so they can earn money. But what frustrates me is when I see my wall flooded by tags on pictures of items they sell. It’s really annoying. I don’t want be obnoxious but no matter how much I filter what I want to see on my feeds, it still don’t work. Second thing, I’m friendly but I don’t offer friendship that much. It’s something that’s always reserved. For me, I don’t need a lot of friends. I just need a few, seriously. I don’t have much time to keep in touch with everyone and that’s really as sad as it sound. Third, I know I made my life public since I decided to create a personal blog 5-6 years ago. Yes, I must admit that at first I got enticed by also seeing you as a new market to gain additional readers because people from social networking sites are most of the time online so I approved each and every friend invitation I received. But ;ater on, that turned to be something negative. Short status message I put on my wall are not always similar to what I post in my blog. Though both of them are personal, short messages I have on my wall are more personal. It was too late for me to realize that I deserve some privacy since there are people in my list that aren’t really my friends. It resulted on me having stalkers and threats which to me sounds really creepy because it’s not so common for that incidence to happen to a guy. Well, that’s really scary for ladies but it’s really creepy for men. I disabled my “Add as Friend” button to limit on adding me and I also decided to remove some people who I really don’t know. It helped somehow but I have an additional problem. I found out that Facebook is also a place for people who tries to seek fame or popularity (whichever applies best) by changing their names. That’s just ridiculous for me. Why do people have to change their names every now and then? To attract or get people’s attention? Go to rehab retards because you have a histrionic personality which needs to be treated asap. Seek a psychiatrist and get some counseling. Lastly, I see Facebook as a new problem in the family and in school. Instead of spending quality time with family during weekends, everyone is busy Facebooking which sometimes preventing us to eat together as a family. That’s just really sad. And instead of reading books to become smarter in school and in life, they just became too busy feeding their staffs at Restaurant City and Cafe World, harvesting their crops at online Farmville, and a lot more. I’m mad at you and what you caused to the world.

I am aware that we all had a high electric bill last month. There was a dramatic increase, I know. Like more than 50% of the regular bill we always see. It was expected because of this hot weather but not that high. And the result? We have to lessen the budget for our grocery. Find alternatives to the usual brands we’re used to so we can still feel that nothing has changed.

We don’t talk that much. We’re not even friends in the first place. But when you approached me and asked me if you can borrow some money because your mum was sick and that she’s in the hospital, I did not fail you. The story was unbelievable but I still gave you the benefit of the doubt. You may not know, I’m a nurse and have a medical background. It’s been quite a while since we last talked. As far as I remember, that was the last time we talked. That was also the last time you looked at me straight to the eye. But what happened now? We’re still seeing each other at the hallway and inside the office but you seem so cold.

But wait! Isn’t it ironic? It’s me who have issues with you and not you who have issues with me. It’s me who should be scared whenever you ask if you can talk to me personally for you may borrow money again. You haven’t paid me yet and you may want to pay now. I heard you’re always eating at McDonalds instead of bringing your own lunch like what most men in the office do. I’m not asking you to pay now because I can still manage. But your promise is already past due. You may want to renew it. Approach me. Let me know when you can pay me. It isn’t that hard and degrading to let me know that than me approaching you about your debts which will make you feel that you’re at the lowest point of your life.

We are all creative in our own ways and we all want our creativity to reflect in our daily living. Our hands and what we can do with them set us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, essentially giving us the ability to be artistic, unique and creative.

This year’s celebration gives Havaianaticos (those obsessed with these comfy and stylish flip-flops) a nearly unlimited number of ways to create their personal memento of this historic fashion event. Embellish a pair of Havaianas Slim with a Swarovski-studded seahorse or mix glow-in-the-dark Top straps with the Philippine-designed MYOH commemorative sole and pin. This commemorative sole, the first printed sole to be offered at Make Your Own Havaianas, spells out MYOH@5 using sign language to symbolize how each pair is lovingly assembled by the hands of the dedicated Make Your Own Havaianas staff.

“Make Your Own Havaianas is really a labor of love from the brand,” says Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. “We really try to come up with enough options so that every person can create a pair that’s perfect for them. This year, more than ever, we’ve really gone all out because it’s our 5th anniversary and that’s a real milestone for the brand.”

Make Your Own Havaianas, which is presented by Power Plant Mall this year, has always inspired flip-flops fans to unleash their creativity and let their imaginations go wild. With the celebration of its 5^th year, Havaianas offers a number of stylish, new options- from silver letter pins and Swarovski-studded pins to jelly, fluorescent and glow-in-the-dark Top straps. It’s the perfect chance to let your hands add more flair to your favorite pair.

Celebrate five years of chic and colorful customization at www.havaianasphilippines.com/myoh

Can anyone of us still take to see a tomorrow just like that? Less than three weeks from now and we’ll all be voting for leaders who in our judgment is right enough and brave enough to stand before us. Do you already have your list on who to vote this coming May 2010 elections? Perhaps it’s about time to have them reviewed again. In the past two years before this election, we have all witnessed a lot of killings for those who attempt to seek and expose the truth to the masses. It was a bloody and scary time for all of us. Everybody wants nothing but an honest and working relationship between the government and the society. Who wouldn’t want that, right? But instead of seeing the promise of a good tomorrow, getting out of our shells and standing with all our pride, it’s like we’re all afraid to go out of our shells and do what we really can do for our country. One thing we should know is that for us to see a progress in this country we all dream to improve, we must also work on it. We can’t just lift up all our burdens to the Lord and afterwards not do anything. The Lord  can hear prayers but He will need you to work on your prayers.

We all aim for change. We all aim for a free and progressive country and perhaps it’s really about time to realize that change should start within ourselves. If you are afraid to start on your own, you don’t have to worry because there are a lot of organizations where you can actually join and meet people with the same advocacy just like what Urban Time PH is trying to promote for our social awareness. We can choose to stay silent, wait and see or we can choose to take a stand against what is clearly threatening the democracy of the Philippines.

It’s about time all of us should do something to prevent electoral violence. Urban Time and Cherie Paris watches are urging each and every one of us to say no to blood, to say no to guns, to say no to death and torture. It’s about time we take a stand and choose to fight for democracy, all for a peaceful election.

Join us as we make a unified stand against electoral violence because there is no better time than NOW. Urban Time and Cherie Paris watches are a staunch reminder that it’s about time we do something to prevent any further electoral violence.

These watches are specifically designed as symbols of peaceful, non-violent and honest elections. The short hand is emblanozed with the words “It’s about time,” while the long hand reads “Enough blood on the ballot.” With three different colors to choose from, it’s easy and even stylish to wear what you stand for on your wrist.