||| Dunn's Corner

Beldi

2012-08-07T06:12:00.002-07:00

The 9 Best Tips for Submitting an Online Job Application

2012-07-14T22:42:00.000-07:00

Statistics show that approximately 50 percent of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen candidates for job opportunities.

There are a variety of reasons recruiters and hiring managers adopt this type of technology. With an ATS in place, human resources departments can automate and store hiring documents online so HR professionals never have to worry about sifting through stacks of paperwork or hundreds of emails to find what they need.

Colin Day, the founder and chief executive officer of iCIMS, Inc., a provider of talent acquisition software for growing businesses, is in an excellent position to advise job seekers on how to maximize their online applications. Here are Day's top suggestions for getting the most visibility out of your online application:

1. Thoroughly read job descriptions. Most recruiters will tell you a big pet peeve is hearing from job seekers who apply even if they aren't qualified for the job. Take the time to understand exactly what the company expects from applicants for jobs that interest you; do not ignore the detailed description of what the job entails. "ATS technologies can filter candidates by those whose responses dovetail best with specific job descriptions. For the best response rates, make sure your content and experience match up accordingly," Day says.

2. Create an original cover letter. If the company asks for a cover letter, be sure to include one. Make sure to write one specific to your accomplishments and skills and one that addresses the job description properly. Go a step further and mention how you will use that knowledge and those skills on the job. Avoid sending out a generic, run-of-the-mill cover letter. "Despite the cover letter being digital, it's often the first thing recruiters read when viewing candidate profiles--even ahead of the resume," Day explains. "Use the cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your personality, qualifications, and desire for the job."

3. Identify key words and tailor your resume. Take your time and look over your resume. Find the key words in the job description and make sure you indicate how your accomplishments address those requirements. Be sure to customize your resume and/or cover letter slightly to each specific job.

4. Make sure your responses are on target and error free. "With paper applications, poorly written submissions can be tossed in the 'circular file,' never to be seen again," Day says. "But with digital applications, error-laden content lives on at that company, potentially hurting your chances for a relationship with the employer in the future as well." This is a scary thought, but one that should motivate you to triple-check your content for spelling, content, and grammar. Additionally, Day suggests you make sure all of your information is completely spelled out--in other words, avoid abbreviations. In many cases, abbreviations that may be understood readily by the hiring managers are not familiar to the first-line recruiters.

5. Maintain one candidate profile per company. Once you apply to a company that uses an ATS, the organization saves your personal information. While you should tailor your resume and/or cover letter for each job submission, maintain one master profile for all of your applications for that company. "Multiple profiles in one company's system can cause confusion," Day says. "By only submitting one profile per company, you can eliminate the odds of the wrong profile being disqualified by a first-line recruiter."

6. Fill out all fields within the application process. By filling out every field, you are not just giving information that could make you stand out from the competition, but also demonstrating your interest and desire for the job. Many recruiters just skip over candidates who don't complete their applications. Also, Day explains that with an ATS in place, many companies filter candidates by their responses to certain fields within the online application forms. Don't miss out on any chances to be included in the recruiters' filtering processes for the position.

7. Ensure your social profile is current. Companies are now encouraging candidates to include professional information from their social profiles, typically LinkedIn, Google+, or Facebook, within their online application process. "The ability to view your dynamic social profile(s), allows recruiters to see your current work status and determine whether timing is right to extend you an interview or even a job offer. At iCIMS, we refer to this as a 'social resume,'" Day says.

8. Clean up your public social media profile. A technology-savvy hiring company is more likely to take an active interest in your social media profile postings. Make sure you don't have public images or content that would distract, or worse yet, deter hiring managers or recruiters from wanting to hire you. Don't provide red flags for recruiters and hiring managers. "If used properly, social media can help you connect with potential employers--just make sure your online data is working for you, not against you," Day concludes.

9. Review all the information you imported before submitting. Before hitting the submit button, take a final glance at the content you have provided. Keep in mind that once you hit that button, your information is sent to the recruiter directly. First impressions are important, so make the best one possible when you apply.

Miriam Salpeter is a job search and social media consultant, career coach, author, speaker, resume writer, and owner of Keppie Careers. She is author of Social Networking for Career Success. Miriam teaches job seekers and entrepreneurs how to incorporate social media tools along with traditional strategies to empower their success.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

Five things you may not know about Ramadan

2012-07-14T22:32:00.001-07:00

You may be familiar with Ramadan's basic practices, such as abstaining from food, drink and sex during the daylight hours of the holy month, but there are some facts that you may not be aware of...

Ramadan is the second highest spending month of the year in the Middle East:Many Muslims break their fast in restaurants and cafeterias during Ramadan, and enjoy entertainment until the early hours of the morning. Others spend the evenings, after the sunset meal Iftar, wandering around shopping malls (many of which have extended opening hours), socialising and buying gifts. By the end of the month, consumer spending will have dramatically soared to make it the second biggest month after Christmas. Companies such as telecoms providers, consumer goods brands and government agencies consequently spend up to half of their annual advertising budget during Ramadan as people in the region spend more time at home, shopping or calling friends and family.
Ramadan has no associated symbol: Christmas can be symbolised by a Christmas tree or Father Christmas (Santa Claus). While we think of the crescent moon and lanterns when we think of Ramadan, there is no representative symbol. Ramadan is characterised, instead, by exercising the rituals of fasting and dedication to Allah.
Ramadan charity: Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, makes it mandatory for all able Muslims to donate 2.5 per cent of their total annual wealth to the less fortunate. Helping the needy, deprived and poor is one of the most crucial aspects of Ramadan, so many Muslims prefer to practice zakat in this month, thereby also reaping the greatest spiritual reward from their zakat. Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a three-day celebration, Eid Al Fitr. During these three days, it is mandatory for fasting Muslims to participate in Zakat Al Fitr, which is the practice of donating food or money to the less privileged - those who cannot afford to indulge in the Eid Al Fitr meal.
Ramadan exemptions: While fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, not everyone is required to fast. The sick, the elderly, those who are travelling, pregnant and menstruating women are exempt from fasting. They are, however, required to make up missed fasts at a later date.
Ramadan concessions: Should an individual accidentally vomit whilst fasting, their fast is not broken and they do not have to make up for it after the month of Ramadan. However, if the person deliberately vomits for whatever reason, he or she will have to make up for it, as they have broken the fast. Also, if a person who is fasting forgets themselves and samples the iftar meal while cooking it, that's also acceptable; as long as it was not done on purpose.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

The legend of the Ramadan cannon

2012-07-14T22:28:00.000-07:00

Across the Arab world during Ramadan, the loud boom of a cannon sounds the end of the day’s fast and the beginning of Iftar. This age-old tradition is marked in numerous Muslim countries, from the UAE to Egypt, in an effort to keep history alive.

There are many versions of how the tradition of the cannon came to be. Legend has it that in 859 (Hijra) or 1455 (Gregorian), the ruler of the time, Khoush Qadam, was gifted a German-made cannon. He wanted to test it one evening and triggered it at sunset on the first day of Ramadan, apparently by accident.

When the people heard the sound they thought that it was a sign that they should end their fast, much to their delight. However, when the cannon was not sounded over the next few days, they urged the sultan to continue the practice. It was his wife, Hajja Fatma, who convinced Khoush Qadam to fire the cannon every day during Ramadan, thus setting a precedent. This is why the cannon is fondly referred to as the Hajja Fatma.

Another version says that in 287 Hijri or the 10th century, the Fatimid Caliph of Egypt instructed that a cannon be placed at the highest point in the city on the Citadel and fired at sunset during Ramadan. The effect was the same; those who heard it used it as a sign to end the day’s fast.

The idea then spread across the Middle East to Jerusalem, Damascus and Baghdad in the late 19th century.

In the UAE, the practice began in Sharjah in the 1800s under the rule of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr (1803 - 1866), before being introduced in Dubai in the 1900s under the rule of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1958).

Several locations in Dubai are earmarked for the cannon blasts – two in Deira, one in Karama and one in Safa Park. A team of 20 officers handle each of the six British-made cannons, as a crowd gathers to cheer them on.

In Saudi Arabia, the holy city of Mecca is the only place where this tradition continues. A cannon perched on a high peak called Jabal Al-Madafea, or Mountain of the Cannon, alerts the faithful to the start and end of the fast.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

Annabelle Rama apologizes for ruckus at Dolphy wake

2012-07-14T21:14:00.002-07:00

On the third night of Comedy King Dolphy’s wake at the Heritage Park in Taguig, a fight allegedly broke out between Annabelle Rama and entertainment columnist Chito Alcid in the dining area where the stars of Sampaguita Pictures gathered.

On his Facebook page, Alcid said that Rama chased after him and hurled invectives. Rama was apparently peeved at Alcid’s unflattering reports about daughter Ruffa Gutierrez.

“Pagtungo ko sa CR, few steps away ay nakita ko si Rama na susunod na gagamit ng CR,” Alcid recounted. “Nagkatinginan kami. Umatras na lang ako without saying a word or any expression sa mukha. Bigla itong nagmumura at nagsisigaw.”

‘Mga bastos na salita’

Alcid said he turned his back but Annabelle chased after him, all the while uttering words that he said was “hindi katanggap-tanggap ng mga bisitang naroroon.”

Alcid wrote, “Hindi ko siya pinatulan. Respeto naman kay Tito Dolphy at sa pamilya nito, gayun din sa mga bisita. Meron siyang hawak na matulis na bagay. May dinampot pa siyang kutsilyo. Continious ang pagmumura niya at mga bastos sa salita.”

Alcid said the incident was witnessed by the stars in the dining area, including Dolphy’s son, actor Epy Quizon. It was German Moreno who first tried to break the fight, wrote Alcid, before Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson calmly led Rama away.

“Walang nagawa si Eddie Gutierrez. Hindi niya kayang pigilan si Rama,” said Alcid.

Later, he wrote, “Dumating na ang security assigned at inilabas na ang nangugulo.”

Annabelle’s side

Rama took to Twitter to comment on the incident. She claimed that it was Alcid who confronted her.

“Sinundan nya ako sa cr at hinarap nya ako, akala (niya) na yan na natatakot ako sa kanya,” she tweeted and then followed it up with, “kaya ko sya hinampas ang yabang kase dahil marami syang kasama. Duwag matapang ka lang sa facebook at twitter.”

After more tweets ostensibly directed at Alcid, Annabelle apologized to Zsa Zsa and the Quizon family.

“I am so sorry for what had happened at the dining area of the Heritage,” Rama tweeted. “I was provoked by a fake reporter.”

Source: Yahoo! OMG News

The boy with an incredible mind

2012-07-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

Daniel Tammet (born on 31 January 1979) is a British writer and autistic savant. Savantism is a rare condition in which people with 'developmental delays' of the brain (notably autism spectrum), and/or brain injury, demonstrate profound and prodigious capacities and/or abilities far in excess of those considered normal.

This is how to win in style

2012-07-13T13:33:00.001-07:00

John Carpenter used his lifeline not because he needed help. He used it just to call his dad to tell him he is going for the kill. What a guy!

Useless Box Kit - The Return

2012-07-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

Just a follow-up on that previous post about that useless box kit. Here a better vid:

Aren't they lovely? :D

This Gadget Costs $39, Does Nothing, Nothing At All

2012-07-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

It’s called the Useless Box because it doesn’t actually provide a useful function, but despite the claims by its inventor, we see it as the perfect prank for anybody having trouble keeping their hands to themselves.

Everybody knows someone who, upon entering an unfamiliar environment, has an incessant need to touch everything in sight – regardless of its how remarkable – or indeed unremarkable, said objects might be. It’s at times like this that the Useless Box comes in extremely handy, and as the demonstration video shows, its prank value is through the roof.

It’s a small, rather mysterious looking box with a single switch, which immediately catches the eye. The temptation would, quite naturally, to flick it and see what happens. Instead of combusting, setting off fireworks, or triggering a 100+ decibel alarm, a small metal contraption pops from the middle of device, and rather arrogantly flicks the switch back.

As displayed in the video clip, it quickly becomes tedious, but the obvious reaction is to keep flicking the switch. The demonstrator even feigns to move his finger before flicking at one stage, as if it would make any difference, and I have to say, the first time I saw the video, I did laugh for a considerable amount of time.

As well as being ideal mechanism to irritate, it can also be a measure of stupidity. You could keep a mental count of how many times a person flicks the switch, and gauge their mental capacity from that. I have spoken to Mensa, and they can confirm this is indeed an accurate test!

Jokes aside, it’s a whole lot of fun for something billed as useless, and for $39.99, you can own your very own Useless Box. For such a cheap price, I’m certainly considering the purchase, as I know plenty of people I could prank with such a quirky bundle of geek.

Would you buy one? Please let us know by dropping a comment via the usual mediums below!

Source: Redmondpie

Apple Backs Down on Environmental Standard

2012-07-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

It’s probably the fastest policy reversal in Apple’s history. After a week of being pilloried for withdrawing from the EPEAT registry — a set of environmental standards for tech products — the Cupertino giant has changed course.

The announcement came in a letter from Bob Mansfield, Apple veteran and the soon-to-retire senior VP of engineering. “We’ve recently heard from many loyal Apple customers who were disappointed to learn that we had removed our products from the EPEAT rating system,” he wrote. “I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT.”

EPEAT requires that companies make products that can be disassembled and repaired by consumers, so that the computer recycling process (which often ends up taking place in the poorer parts of China) isn’t likely to let toxic substances such as batteries leach into the environment.

Apple had signed up for the standard years ago, and withdrew without explanation last week — likely because the design of new products such as the iPad and Macbook with Retina Display makes them much harder to disassemble.

The first sign of trouble over the withdrawal came when the city of San Francisco — Apple’s northern neighbor — announced it would no longer buy Apple products, since it was required to buy EPEAT-certified tech.

The company tried to spin the withdrawal by claiming its own internal environmental standards were stronger than EPEAT’s. Mansfield repeats that claim in his letter: “our engineering teams have worked incredibly hard over the years to make our products even more environmentally friendly, and much of our progress has come in areas not yet measured by EPEAT,” he writes.

Which may well be true, but it didn’t change the large number of government and corporate customers who have hitched themselves to the EPEAT wagon.

One thing that wasn’t clear from Mansfield’s letter: whether Apple’s design would change as a result of this decision. Will iPads suddenly become easy to disassemble and remove the battery from? Here’s the closest Mansfield got to addressing that question:

“Our relationship with EPEAT has become stronger as a result of this experience, and we look forward to working with EPEAT as their rating system and the underlying IEEE 1680.1 standard evolve. Our team at Apple is dedicated to designing products that everyone can be proud to own and use.”

Is this the right move by Apple? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Mashable

Facebook Monitors Your Chats for Criminal Activity

2012-07-13T11:58:00.001-07:00

Facebook and other social platforms are watching users’ chats for criminal activity and notifying police if any suspicious behavior is detected, according to a report.

The screening process begins with scanning software that monitors chats for words or phrases that signal something might be amiss, such as an exchange of personal information or vulgar language.

The software pays more attention to chats between users who don’t already have a well-established connection on the site and whose profile data indicate something may be wrong, such as a wide age gap. The scanning program is also “smart” — it’s taught to keep an eye out for certain phrases found in the previously obtained chat records from criminals including sexual predators.

If the scanning software flags a suspicious chat exchange, it notifies Facebook security employees, who can then determine if police should be notified.

Keeping most of the scanned chats out of the eyes of Facebook employees may help Facebook deflect criticism from privacy advocates, but whether the scanned chats are deleted or stored permanently is yet unknown.

The new details about Facebook’s monitoring system came from an interview which the company’s Chief Security Officer Joe Sullivan gave to Reuters. At least one alleged child predator has been brought to trial directly as a result of Facebook’s chat scanning, according to Reuters’ report.

When asked for a comment, Facebook only repeated the remarks given by Sullivan to Reuters: “We’ve never wanted to set up an environment where we have employees looking at private communications, so it’s really important that we use technology that has a very low false-positive rate.”

Facebook works with law enforcement “where appropriate and to the extent required by law to ensure the safety of the people who use Facebook,” according to a page on its site.

“We may disclose information pursuant to subpoenas, court orders, or other requests (including criminal and civil matters) if we have a good faith belief that the response is required by law. This may include respecting requests from jurisdictions outside of the United States where we have a good faith belief that the response is required by law under the local laws in that jurisdiction, apply to users from that jurisdiction, and are consistent with generally accepted international standards.

“We may also share information when we have a good faith belief it is necessary to prevent fraud or other illegal activity, to prevent imminent bodily harm, or to protect ourselves and you from people violating our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. This may include sharing information with other companies, lawyers, courts or other government entities.”

Indeed, Facebook has cooperated with police investigations in the past. In April, it complied with a police subpoena from the Boston Police Department by sending printouts of wall posts, photos and login/IP data of a murder suspect.

Is Facebook doing a public service by monitoring chats for criminal behavior? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Mashable

President surprised at Congress Charter change plan

2012-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

President Benigno Aquino on Thursday said that the 6.4-percent economic growth that his administration achieved in the first quarter this year was proof enough that the Philippines could grow without altering the 1987 Constitution.

Mr. Aquino expressed concern, in spite of assurances by congressional leaders that Charter change would be limited to economic issues, that once the Constitution was opened to amendments, everything there could be subject to alterations.

Interviewed by reporters after he attended a roadshow for disaster and climate change at the SMEX Convention Center in Pasay City, the President said he was “taken aback” by statements of Speaker Jose Belmonte and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that they were confident they would be able to convince their respective chambers to agree to Constitutional amendments.

He said Charter change was not even discussed when he met recently with Enrile and Belmonte. He said their discussions had centered on the “China issue,” referring to territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Still, Mr. Aquino said he was open to listening to what Enrile and Belmonte had to say on the issue, noting that the country was a “democracy.”

“You have to listen to different ideas and come up with what’s best for our people,” he said.

Opening floodgate

Told that Belmonte and Enrile were pushing for changes in the economic provisions of the Charter, such as lifting restrictions on foreign ownership in the country, the President said he had long heard of such proposals and that he was not certain whether this was the right route for this kind of changes.

Standing by his earlier statements that the economy could grow without Charter changes, Mr. Aquino pointed out that the best proof was his administration’s achievement of a 6.4-percent growth in the first quarter at a time when other nations were not doing well.

“There is a saying among Americans … don’t fix what ain’t broke,” the President said. “Even with the present Constitution, I think we are capable of reaching economic heights for one, and changing the Constitution changes the rules of the game, which might delay the progress.”

He said discussions on Charter changes should be done “really thoroughly” to find out from those advocating it to show the basis and proof “that such a move will redound to the benefit of our people.”

The President also expressed his concern about a “theory” that “once you open the Constitution for amendments, you cannot limit (the changes), this will open it all up.”

He said for instance this would open up a debate on the best method to change the Constitution and in the event a constitutional convention was agreed on, there would be a need to vote for members there and there would be apprehensions again that work there would not be done “because who will vote themselves out of office?”

“So it’s not an easy thing to change the Constitution,” the President said.

Problem is corruption

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago told reporters on Thursday it would be better to address first the “endemic corruption” pervading the country if attracting foreign investment was the objective in amending the Constitution.

“Amendments should not be piecemeal. Normally you amend the whole thing,” Santiago said.

She noted, however, that the congressional leaders “seem to imply that the poor state of our economy is caused only by the 60-40 provision (favoring Filipino businessmen) which is not the case.”

“The thing is, we lack investors for many reasons but not the 60-40 requirement… Another reason why investors do not want (to come) here is because of better terms offered by countries in Africa and Latin America,” the senator explained.

But more than the economic provisions, Santiago said what had discouraged foreign investors more was corruption.

“Corruption also exists in other countries but not this extent. Our corruption is endemic. At every level you have to pay off somebody, so better if we centralize corruption so that payment would be made only once,” she quipped.

Santiago said foreign investors “don’t mind paying bribes but (they) mind that after paying, somebody else comes to demand and the first one (who did) does not protect (them). So not just 60-40.”

Peasant protests

Militant groups on Thursday lambasted the fresh push for Charter change.

The peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) warned both chambers of Congress of “intensified peasant uprisings” if they pressed ahead. Lifting such restrictions on foreign capital ownership would be the “last straw against our national patrimony,” said KMP secretary general Randall Echanis.

“It is the height of irony and injustice that foreigners will be given full ownership and control over vast tracts of lands while millions of Filipino farmers remain landless. We warn Congress not to play with fire. Aquino’s Charter change will surely face the wrath of the peasantry,” he said.

“The move to tinker with the Constitution to lift restrictions on foreign ownership and investments in the Philippines is very dangerous. It is the equivalent of placing the entire domestic economy on bargain sale to foreign corporations. Land, public utilities, services … everything would now be controlled by profit-seeking firms,” said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr.

He said Bayan would mount protests on July 23 when the President makes his annual state of the nation address.

“At a time when other economies are moving towards protectionism after the crisis wrought by neoliberalism, the Philippines is gearing towards opening up its economy even more. It does not make sense at all. Our lawmakers believe that our economic salvation lies with increased foreign investments and 100-percent foreign ownership of land, utilities and other services. This kind of economic treason should be vehemently opposed,” Reyes said.

President’s blessings

Echanis believes the fresh pitch for Charter change by Belmonte and Enrile had the blessings of the President, because this coincided with the latter’s program to lure investors to the country.

“Amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, particularly the removal of restrictions on 100 percent foreign ownership of lands and public utilities, are clearly linked with Aquino’s program to attract foreign investments,” he said.

Echanis said amending the Constitution would not address the worsening poverty and landlessness in the country.

“Instead, the economy that was already devastated by the so-called free market globalization will continue to worsen. Charter change will hasten the full-scale liberalization, deregulation, and privatization of the economy,” Echanis said.

Source: Inquirer

To my father who passed away. 25-Apr-2012

2012-07-13T00:12:00.004-07:00

We love you pa. We miss you so much.

Reduced Ramadan working hours announced in UAE

2012-07-12T06:29:00.001-07:00

The working week in the emirates will be cut down to 36 hours from 48 hours, or 6 hours a day, UAE daily Gulf News reported, citing a Ministry statement.

The conditions apply to all workers, Muslim and non-Muslim, the report said, adding that employers cannot force workers to work the extra hours.

Companies flouting the work hours will face hefty penalties and workers are encouraged to report any violations to the Ministry of Labour.

However, special work shifts can be implemented as required, but employers need to inform employees in advance.

Employees can work overtime for a maximum of two hours and those who choose to do so have to be compensated accordingly.

"In case if an employee chooses to work overtime he has to be paid 25 per cent of his basic salary per day for day time and 50 per cent for night time duty," the report said.

Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month in which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other activities from dawn until dusk, is set to begin on July 20 or 21.

Source: Yahoo News

FREE online learning (With Certificate)

2012-07-12T02:17:00.000-07:00

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Vatican urges China to avoid damaging gestures

2012-07-11T21:18:00.005-07:00

VATICAN CITY—The Vatican has urged China to engage in good-faith dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, urging the communist government to avoid damaging gestures such as the appointment of bishops without papal approval.

The Vatican spoke out Tuesday seeking to calm the latest dispute—the ordination last week of a new bishop in the northern city of Harbin who lacks the approval of Pope Benedict XVI.

It repeated earlier warnings that the cleric would incur automatic excommunication and said bishops who attended the ceremony risked other sanctions.

But it said the Holy See trusted in the “concrete willingness” of Chinese authorities to engage in dialogue and urged them not to encourage gestures contrary to that goal.

The Vatican note appeared to take a conciliatory approach in a separate case, saying the ordination of a bishop in Shanghai was “encouraging and is to be welcomed.” He had received both papal and Chinese approval.

It made no mention of reports from China that the newly ordained bishop has been placed in isolation after announcing he’s quitting his government posts in a challenge to Beijing’s control over the Catholic clergy.

Source: Inquirer.net

Dolphy returns home, to former mother studio

2012-07-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

MANILA, Philippines—The body of Comedy King Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon was brought to his home for the last time in Parañaque City before it was transferred to the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.

The hearse left The Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City around 2 p.m. to take the body to his house in Marina Subdivision in Parañaque City, where he spent the last few years of his life with common-law wife Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Padilla in an earlier interview said it was Dolphy’s request to go home even while he was at the intensive care unit of the Makati Medical Center.

Afterwards, the body was brought to Dolphy Theatre in the ABS-CBN compound where his family, relatives and close friends from the showbiz industry could offer prayers and pay their last respects.

Eric Quizon’s manager, Dolor Guevarra, earlier said Dolphy’s body would stay at the Theater until around 3 a.m. Thursday before being transferred back to the Heritage Park.

A public viewing will be made available at 9 p.m. Wednesday until 2 a.m. Thursday inside Dolphy Theatre to give some fans a chance to take a final glimpse of the Comedy King.

As to the public viewing at the Heritage Park, Guevarra said the schedule was set to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday until Saturday, before the “tentative” burial of the Comedy King on Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said three mobile units and 20 police officers were deployed around the vicinity of Heritage Park to maintain peace and order.

Source: Inquirer

Judge Rules Galaxy Tab “Not as Cool” as iPad, Legally Speaking

2012-07-11T03:54:00.000-07:00

Samsung mustn't know whether to celebrate or not. A UK judge has ruled that the Galaxy Tab doesn't infringe Apple's registered design, in large part because it's "not as cool" as the iPad. Ouch.

Speaking in court this morning, Bloomberg reports, Judge Colin Birss explained that the Galaxy tablets "do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design... They are not as cool."

As a result, Biriss has judged that consumers are unlikely to confuse the two tablets, meaning that Samsung's product doesn't infringe Apple's registered design. Intriguingly, he explained that the Galaxy Tab had "unusual details" on the back which set it apart as different to the iPad.

Apple has 21 days to appeal against the ruling which, knowing its track record, it probably will. Meanwhile, Samsung is no doubt trying to work out whether to be happy or not. [Bloomberg]

Travel : Amsterdam

2012-07-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Amsterdam is colloquially known asVenice of the North, because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.

Settled as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important trading centres in the world during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. The city's small mediaeval centre rapidly expanded as the Jordaan and the Canal Belt neighbourhoods were constructed; the latter's cultural significance was acknowledged when it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the city expanded in all directions, with many new neighbourhoods and suburbs designed in modernist styles.

Amsterdam is not the seat of the government, which is in The Hague. Partly because of this, the city has an informal atmosphere unlike other capital cities its size. In fact, Amsterdam has a history of non-conformism, tolerance and progressivism, all of which come together in its liberal policies concerning cannabis and prostitution. Other attractions include the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, the Flower Market, Albert Cuyp Market, and the Vondelpark.

By plane

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world, situated 15 km south-west of the city.

The national carrier for the Netherlands is KLM, is now merged with Air France. With partner Delta Air Lines they offer worldwide connections. The US, Asia and Europe are particularly well served at Schiphol. British Airways offer up to 15 flights per day to 3 London Airports; Heathrow, Gatwick and London City.

By train

Train stations in Amsterdam (in orange; centre in bright orange). Black lines: railways. Red lines: metro lines.

Most trains arrive and depart from Amsterdam Centraal Station (with one extra 'a' in Dutch), located on an island between the Amsterdam/Old Centre and the IJ waterfront. Other important train stations are Duivendrecht and Bijlmer-ArenA in the southeast, Amstel and Muiderpoort in the East, RAI and Zuid-WTC in the South, and Lelylaan and Sloterdijk in the West. Schiphol Airport also has its own train station, which functions as a major interchange station. It has at least seven trains an hour to Amsterdam Centraal, with additional trains going to other stations in Amsterdam.

By bus

Most international bus services are affiliated to Eurolines, which has a terminal at Amstel Station (train station, metro station 51, 53, 54, tram 12). One bus per day is usually the maximum frequency on these routes.

The British low-budget bus company Megabus operates a bus service twice-daily from London and Paris to Amsterdam via Brussels, terminating at the Zeeburg Park and Ride Coach Park in the east of the city. From there, there are frequent tram and bus services into the city.

There are other international bus services, but they are often aimed at very specific markets, e.g. Polish migrant workers. There are almost no long-distance internal bus services in the Netherlands, and none to Amsterdam.

By car

The western part of the Netherlands has a dense (and congested) road network. Coming from the east (Germany), the A1 motorway leads directly to Amsterdam. On the A12 from Arnhem, change at Utrecht to the A2 northbound. From the south (Belgium), the A2 goes directly to Amsterdam: the A16 /A27 from Antwerp via Breda connects to the A2 south of Utrecht. From The Hague, the A4 leads to Amsterdam. All motorways to Amsterdam connect to the ring motorway, the A10. From this motorway, main roads lead radially into Amsterdam (the roads S101 through S118).

By sea

The maritime Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is close to the city centre but is only for cruise ships. The nearest ferry port is IJmuiden (ferry fromNewcastle upon Tyne) with DFDS Seaways, who offer a daily overnight ferry services from Newcastle-upon-Tyne (North Shields) in the United Kingdom. 125 km away by car there is a ferry terminal at Rotterdam Europoort (ferry from Kingston Upon Hull), and Hook of Holland (ferry fromHarwich). it's about 80 km by the road to Amsterdam by the most direct route. Hook of Holland has an train station. Take the train to Schiedam Centrum orRotterdam Centraal and from there a train to Amsterdam.

Source: Wikitravel

Pinoy sa Likod ng Kurtina

2012-07-10T22:48:00.002-07:00

Over a thousand Filipinos arrive in Dubai every month. And why not?

Literally, the sun shines here all year round; prosperity is in the air; and it's a place where people have reasons to dream of waking up in the morning as millionaires or with kilos of gold on their lap! Yun nga lang, habang hindi pa nangyayari yun, iba ang nakikita ng maraming Pinoy pagdilat nila sa umaga --- kurtina!

Betcha by golly wow! Paano ko ie-explain to fascinated Pinoys back home our living condition here! Noong una akala ko isolated cases. But with the skyrocketing apartment rents in this City of Gold, such conditions are becoming the norm.

Sideways...sidesteps

Hindi yan dance step. That's the latest move ngayon sa mga sharing flats. Sa sobrang liit ng space, patagilid ang galaw. Kaya minsan, mga ka-flatmates, hindi na magkakitaan. "Hoy, where have you been, ba? Hindi ka na umuuwi sa flat!" Kasi nga lagi silang naka-sideview!

Warning: Smoking is dangerous to your room.

Hindi health reasons ang dahilan bakit bawal magyosi, no! Ang styrofoam kuya! Yes, naunahan ng Pinoy ang IKEA sa innovation na yan --- Yes, styrofoam walls, styrofoam doors, styrofoam room. Di ba nga naman, styrofoam keeps you fresh! Para kang gulay, o kaya ice candy. Pero siguro mas feel mo minsan na 'tuna' ka, o di kaya 'sirena' kung feel mong si Claudine ka.

"Ate, di ba fire hazard yan?" "Anong fire ka dyan? Rent ang mas nakakamatay dito!"

"Illegal ang partions sa Dubai. At least ang styrofoam, pag nagkahulihan, mabilis sa baklasan. Gets mo?!!!" "Yes, Ate."

Therefore, 'no smoking': ang sirena baka maging daing!

Burj Al 'Cupboards'Hindi lang Emaar Properties ang may 'K' na magtayo ng skyscrapers? Haven't we heard, the Philippines is a major supplier of architects in Dubai ? In other words, nasa dugo natin yan! Kaya ba ng Arabong gumawa ng rooms out of cupboards, luggages and shoe boxes?

Dati sa airport lang bida ang mga luggages, ngayon multi-purpose na: dividers na rin sila --- para ang isang kwarto maging lima!

Pampataas sila sa mga cupboards kasama ng mga shoe boxes na pinaka-antenna. Siyempre, the taller the better --- you keep your neighbor's eyes away.

Now Showing

Pagpasok ko ng flat, akala ko sinehan, ang daming kurtina. Mga kuarto pala. Pero ang cute, cinematic!!! Parang barangay, complete with eskinitas. Kada bukas ng telon, parang movie --- sari-saring life. May natutulog, may nag-eemote, may nka-curlers, may nakasimangot. Sa panlimang kurtina, may nag-totong-its, sa pang-anim, may naggugupit. Ang gandang movie, di ba? "Ang Pinoy sa Likod ng Kurtina!" Paraisong Kurtina

Ayyy! Our Paraisong Kurtina. It can make you laugh, it can make you cry.

Be proud of our Paraisong Kurtina. It exists because we'd rather send our money home than spend more for our comfort. Within its walls, lies our desire for a little privacy, our groans, our tears, our dreams, our struggle for some little savings. My curtain says a lot. It says, "I have saved again, inay; I'll be able to send money next month."

Dream mo pa bang pumunta ng Dubai ????

Mag isip-isip....

Source: Anon

Dolphy, comedian adored by many Filipinos, dies

2012-07-10T22:36:00.002-07:00

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines' "King of Comedy," the performer fondly called Dolphy by generations of Filipinos, has died.

Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. was 83. He died late Monday at Makati Medical Center of multiple organ failure and complications from pneumonia, according to an email from the hospital where he had been treated. He also suffered from kidney failure.

Philippine government officials, fellow movie and TV celebrities and common folk heaped praise on Quizon, who shot to fame for portraying gay roles and odd characters.

One of the late actor's sons, Eric Quizon, read a family statement before a huddle of TV cameras and journalists, thanking millions of Filipinos for supporting his father and asking for prayers.

"Heaven is a happier place with him there," said Quizon, who is also an actor.

The elder Quizon started performing on stage in the 1940s during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and made his final comedy flick, where he played a priest, two years ago.

One of Quizon's biggest comedy hits was 'Facifica Falayfay," where he played a gay man. He also starred in a popular, longtime television comedy, "John en Marsha," where he played a man perpetually at odds with his mother-in-law.

Quizon starred in more than 200 films in his 66-year career, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

Many of his comedy flicks were produced by his own movie firm, RVQ Productions, which he set up in the 1960s.

President Benigno Aquino III said Quizon was a kind man who represented the Filipino everyman and gave his countrymen "a reason to smile for the daily happenings" in their lives.

Ex-President Joseph Estrada, a former actor, says Quizon should receive the prestigious National Artist award.

Quizon had never been married but bore children with a number of women. Some of his children also entered the movies, with a few following in his footsteps as a comedian.

As a young boy, he worked as a laborer, watching comedy stage shows before he himself became immensely popular. Philippine presidential candidates had sought his backing during elections to endear themselves to his massive following.

Source: Yahoo | AP | Jim Gomez

General Santos City

2012-07-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

General Santos City is proud to be the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”. Aside from tunas, the city has also other things to be proud of. The tourist spots and festivals of General Santos City make it a great destination for tourists.

A tourist attraction in General Santos City is a social gathering festival called Kalilangan sa Heneral Santos. Kalilangan is from the word “Kalilang” meaning commemoration or celebration according to the Maguindanaon dialect.

The people of General Santos City gather socially for this festival where they exchange amenities among native leaders, ally, elders, and subordinates. The festival is a pageantry of various colorful ethnic rites, traditions, and rituals such as religious ceremonies, marriage celebrations, anniversaries, enthronement of royal dignitaries, funerals, thanksgiving, and other social activities.

The Kalaja Karsts Area is a wonderful destination for tourists in General Santos City. The area is about 15 kilometers from General Santos City’s northeast side at Barangay Conel. The name Kalaha Karsts Area is derived from the word Kalaha, which means frying pot due to the formation of the karsts made millions of years ago. Waterfalls and caves are abundant in this area.
Tourists can explore the Kalaja Cave in General Santos City. The cave has a pool inside that is about three meters deep and 22 meters wide.

Bunga Spring is found in the center of the Kalaha Karsts Area in General Santos City. The place has a campsite for tourists and stargazing is a great night activity.

Another tourist destination in General Santos City is the Malakong Gorge just about three-and-a-half kilometers away from Kalaja Cave. This is an excellent place for boulder and rock climbing for novices and beginners. Camping for tourists are also allowed.

Just a 30-minute drive from the Kalaha Karsts Area is the Nopol Hills. It is General Santos City’s highest camping ground and gives a good panoramic view of Sarangani Bay and the neighboring towns. Hiking in Nopol Hills in the afternoon will give you a good view of the sunset at the bay.

Since tuna fishing is a major industry, General Santos City has its Tuna Festival every September as part of the city’s charter celebration. The festival is a three-day celebration in General Santos City. It is a thanksgiving festival for the bounty of the sea especially the tuna and tuna-like species. Various tuna cuisine and other culinary competitions can be witnessed. Street dancing and fluvial parades are the main attractions of the festival.

General Santos City is outside the typhoon belt of the Philippines. You can expect good weather condition throughout the year.

Tourists will really enjoy their visit to General Santos City. The sites and celebrations bring local and foreign tourists closer to nature.

Source: Philippine Insider

“Introduction,” The Virtue of Selfishness

2012-07-09T23:14:00.001-07:00

To redeem both man and morality, it is the concept of “selfishness” that one has to redeem.

The first step is to assert man’s right to a moral existence—that is: to recognize his need of a moral code to guide the course and the fulfillment of his own life . . . .

The reasons why man needs a moral code will tell you that the purpose of morality is to define man’s proper values and interests, that concern with his own interests is the essence of a moral existence, and that man must be the beneficiary of his own moral actions.

Since all values have to be gained and/or kept by men’s actions, any breach between actor and beneficiary necessitates an injustice: the sacrifice of some men to others, of the actors to the nonactors, of the moral to the immoral. Nothing could ever justify such a breach, and no one ever has.

The choice of the beneficiary of moral values is merely a preliminary or introductory issue in the field of morality. It is not a substitute for morality nor a criterion of moral value, as altruism has made it. Neither is it a moral primary: it has to be derived from and validated by the fundamental premises of a moral system.

The Objectivist ethics holds that the actor must always be the beneficiary of his action and that man must act for his own rational self-interest. But his right to do so is derived from his nature as man and from the function of moral values in human life—and, therefore, is applicable only in the context of a rational, objectively demonstrated and validated code of moral principles which define and determine his actual self-interest. It is not a license “to do as he pleases” and it is not applicable to the altruists’ image of a “selfish” brute nor to any man motivated by irrational emotions, feelings, urges, wishes or whims.

This is said as a warning against the kind of “Nietzschean egoists” who, in fact, are a product of the altruist morality and represent the other side of the altruist coin: the men who believe that any action, regardless of its nature, is good if it is intended for one’s own benefit. Just as the satisfaction of the irrational desires of others is not a criterion of moral value, neither is the satisfaction of one’s own irrational desires. Morality is not a contest of whims . . . .

A similar type of error is committed by the man who declares that since man must be guided by his own independent judgment, any action he chooses to take is moral if he chooses it. One’s own independent judgment is the means by which one must choose one’s actions, but it is not a moral criterion nor a moral validation: only reference to a demonstrable principle can validate one’s choices.

Just as man cannot survive by any random means, but must discover and practice the principles which his survival requires, so man’s self-interest cannot be determined by blind desires or random whims, but must be discovered and achieved by the guidance of rational principles. This is why the Objectivist ethics is a morality of rational self-interest—or of rational selfishness.

Since selfishness is “concern with one’s own interests,” the Objectivist ethics uses that concept in its exact and purest sense. It is not a concept that one can surrender to man’s enemies, nor to the unthinking misconceptions, distortions, prejudices and fears of the ignorant and the irrational. The attack on “selfishness” is an attack on man’s self-esteem; to surrender one, is to surrender the other.

Source: Ayn Rand Lexicon

Stuck with a boss who YELLS?

2012-07-09T22:04:00.001-07:00

Here are some survival strategies for whatever period of time someone is stuck with a boss who yells:

Don't take it personally. It's not about you. Good managers who know how to use authority appropriately don't need to yell; problems don't get under their skin because they have effective tools at their disposal (such as performance counseling and moving out employees who aren't the right fit). Don't let their problems affect yoursense of yourself.

If your boss regularly yells at you, it can be helpful to keep in mind that it's highly likely that that his colleagues know he has a problem and have more sympathy for you than you might realize.

Consider addressing the problem head-on by talking to your boss about it. Yellers are people with needy egos to protect, so give his ego the padding it needs before you launch into your request. For instance, start off by saying that you really like the job and the work he gives you--and even that you generally like working for him, if you can stomach that--and then say something like: "I really have trouble hearing your feedback when you yell at me. I definitely want constructive criticism, but it's hard for me to take it in when you're yelling." However, while this can actually have an impact with some bosses and I've heard from people who have done it successfully, be prepared for it not to change much; by definition, we're talking about someone who's a jerk.

Escalate it. Look around your workplace--is there a higher-up who seems open to people going outside the chain of command in order to bring problems to her? Going over your boss's head is always tricky, but if an employee came to me to complain about her boss yelling at her, I'd jump at the chance to address the problem. I'm not the only one. You can also go to HR, of course, depending on your HR department's track record of helping employees in similar situations. Know what you're getting into first though: Is the culture one that seems like it would care about abusive managers?

But really, none of the above will change the fact that that a boss who chronically yells is a jerk and will likely always be a jerk. Your best bet is to start looking at other jobs.

Source: http://money.usnews.com

Abu Dhabi in satellite dish crackdown

2012-07-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

Abu Dhabi has become the latest emirate to crackdown on satellite dishes raising fears of increased costs for property owners, UAE daily The National reported on Monday.

Under the new rules, restrictions will be imposed prohibiting more than four dishes on a building, especially if they ‘disfigure the appearance of the city’, the report added.

The rule comes a week after the northern emirate of Sharjah announced a complete ban of satellite dishes in a bid to improve the overall appearance of the city.

In Dubai some communities have similar rules and have even banned washing being hung out on driers on balconies.

Many older buildings in the UAE capital have many satellite dishes and trailing cables. But newer buildings have a centralised satellite system that provides all occupants with television, the report explained.

“In the cases where there are many dishes, the management will be responsible for centralising the system, and that can be expensive,” said Nirmal Kumar, a sales manager for Vision Electronics, told the newspaper.

The report said there had been nothing reported on fines or penalties at this stage, but the municipality told the newspaper it would ‘not tolerate the existence of a potential threat to the health and safety of occupants and tenants, as well as property management staff and passers-by’.

Source: Yahoo News