Came the birthday of my son. We were at McDonald’s Greenbelt by 1415H, as we are expecting the cake to be delivered in 15 minutes time. Came 1435H and the cake hasn’t arrived yet. I tried calling the delivery hotline of Red Ribbon to make a follow-up, but I was advised that since I ordered the cake at one of their branches, I need to do the follow-up on that particular branch. So I was given a number of Waltermart Pasong Tamo. The problem now is that, when I tried to call the number given to me by their delivery hotline, no one is answering. On my third try, finally I got an answer — a fax tone!

It’s now 1455H, and the cake is still nowhere at sight and the party is about to start, I decided to hail a cab (since I was parked at the 4th level of Greenbelt car park already) and sped off to Waltermart Pasong Tamo — leaving my family at the party venue. I arrived at Red Ribbon Waltermart Pasong Tamo 10 minutes after (traffic is not that cooperative along Pasong Tamo) and I asked where the birthday cake for my son was. To my surprise, the cake is STILL lying at the store — waiting to be picked-up (per the store manager). Are you kidding me?! I paid extra 300 bucks and now you’re telling me that the cake is for pick-up?!

The store manager hurriedly asked one of their staff to go with me and bring the cake to Greenbelt. On the way out of Waltermart, I asked the Red Ribbon staff if they have a vehicle to deliver the cake, and I was told that we shall be hailing a cab. Mama Mia! When we reached Greenbelt, it seems that the Red Ribbon staff is waiting for me to pay the cabbie — hell no! Why would I pay for it?!

In the end, the cake reached the party venue LATE. The bad part — it stressed me out; turned my happy emotions to being furious; I missed the arrival of some of the guests.

Better think thrice of having your birthday cakes delivered by Red Ribbon next time.

A copy of the Proclamation can be seen online at the Official Gazette.

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.

2010: Chikka for the New Digital Generation

Ten years later, Chikka has served over 68 million people who had registered on-line and via mobile to enjoy the way Chikka had united on-line Filipinos with the sea of SMS users. The company is also releasing the latest version of its Chikka Text Messenger.

“Back in 2000, Internet penetration in the country was a mere 2% but many had mobile phones and we were already a texting culture,” said Chikka founder Dennis Mendiola. “We enabled Filipinos to connect to an on-line IM community via texting which was second nature to us.”

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%.

“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.

Thus is setting for Chikka latest version release.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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 3rd 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.

“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.”

The website was created with the aim of showing transparency in the government, as well as bridging the communication gap between the people of this nation and the administration. The site even gave the email address titonoy@president.gov.ph for any concern that you wish to be conveyed to the President.

This is a very cool idea. However, I had read somewhere in the interwebs people asking why the website uses ASPX instead of Open Source counterparts? Also, some are complaining that the website is not PWD-friendly (Persons With Disabilities).

We’re setting our dry run month this August 2010, starting with the following courses:

• Basics of Web Development Module 1 on 30 Aug 2010 (non-working holiday) from 11am to 2pm
• Website Design & Development Using Microsoft Expression Web on 30 Aug 2010 (non-working holiday) from 2:30pm to 5:30pm
• Website Design & Development Using Adobe Dreamweaver on 30 Aug 2010 (non-working holiday) from 6pm to 9pm

All trainings/seminars will be held at Netopia Waltermart Makati (in front of Don Bosco Makati). Plus, all participants in any of the courses will receive a one (01) year website hosting subscription from TurfSitePH.net for FREE!

For inquiries, you may SMS 0916.320.1513 or email training@turfsiteph.net or simply visit us online at http://training.turfsiteph.net

The above was somewhat “confirmed” today when PAL cancelled around 10 flights, primarily due to lack of Airbus A319/A320 pilots.

Are they insane?! No, Smart is not! This is what I told you a couple of days ago about something big and free from Smart will happen by end of the month. Imagine, one whole day of mobile internet — Twitter, Facebook, Plurk, Google, Yahoo, Uzzap, and even BBM for free! Now, that’s simply amazing from Smart!

Here’s the FAQ from Smart:

Q: WHAT IS T.G.I.Freeday?

A: Its Smart’s one-day offer for all subscribers to enjoy using mobile internet services for FREE. That means there are no charges to visit all internet sites using your mobile phone.

Q: When is T.G.I.Freeday available?

A: T.G.I.Freeday will start from 12:00 am of July 30, until 11:59pm of the same day. If you start browsing at 10pm, you only have 11:59 pm to enjoy free mobile internet.

Q: Do I need to register?

A: No registration needed. Just open your web browser, your Uzzap or GoMail application and go!

Q: Is there a special keyword or URL to visit?

A: No need to key in a keyword or a URL to use mobile internet. For as long as you have a data capable handset, you can do mobile surfing all your want. To get more information, text FREEDAY and send to 211.

Q: I don’t know how to use mobile internet. What’s the first thing I do?

A: You need to configure your 3G settings. Text SET send to 211 to get your 3G configuration for FREE. Save the configuration and then launch your mobile web browser to start browsing. As simple as that.

Q: Can I use 2G to browse the internet?

A: Yes you can. But for a faster and better experience, it is suggested that you take advantage of Smart’s nation widest coverage by using Smart’s superior 3G, HSPA, HSDPA network.

Q: I want to avail of a daily surfing package on Friday. Will this be allowed?

A: No. You will receive an SMS notification that today is a free day and that you will be able to use the service you wish to avail unlimited for the entire day.

Q: Will I be allowed to avail weekly and monthly package of the data services that I register to?

A: Subscribers can still avail of weekly and monthly packages every Friday but they will be reminded of T.G.I.Freeday Promo and they have to confirm their purchase before transaction is completed.

Q: I have a weekly/ monthly package. Will I be given additional 1 day extension as a result of T.G.I.Freeday?

A: Subscribers with current weekly and monthly packages that traverse on a Friday will not be given extra one day as a result of the free day Friday. The existing validity of their availed package will be retained.

Q: Is there a limit as to the number of services that I can avail for free?

A: For as long as subscribers have a data capable handset, there is no limit as to how many services subscribers can avail of for free.

Q: Is there a minimum maintaining balance?

A: Prepaid subscribers should have minimum balance of P1 to avail of the free services

Q: What if I browse after 11:59pm of Friday?

A: Should subscriber continue to browse even after 11:59pm, default charging P10/30 will commence and transactional fees for chat services will apply.

Q: What are the sites that I can access?

A: You can access all the sites that you want. All the Web Unli Sites offered currently at P20 per day by Smart will be FREE on TGIFreeday!

So far, here are some clues on what will it be:

1. It’s NOT a new endorser.
2. It is something “SOCIAL” — nope! It’s NOT something related to jejemon

Hmmm … What could it be?

Divine ice cream pleasure is HEAVEN Ice Cream.

Give in to the richest, smoothest, and creamiest by NESTLÉ Ice Cream. Revel in the exquisite goodness of its four sophisticated flavors—Belgian Chocolate Bliss, Strawberry Dream, Vanilla Almond Secret and Butter Pecan Obsession. HEAVEN Ice Cream is made with only the finest ingredients and contains no artificial food colors. Available in 800mL (Php 175) & 450mL (Php 115) tubs across supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores nationwide.

The thing is, I do not know exactly what was the reason behind for making the one-way scheme along the West Service Road? It only favors those who are living at the Merville Subdivision (and nearby posh villages) and totally is against the welfare of the silent majority. If the intention of whoever enacted this traffic scheme is to lighten up the traffic leading to the Sales Bridge during days of work/school, why is it that the ramp leading to the West Service Road is also closed on holidays and even at times, during weekends?

Doesn’t this one-way scheme favors only the operators of the Merville Exit?

In less than a month’s time, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will be implementing the imposition of the 12% VAT on all toll fees all around the country. Isn’t it time for the perpetrators of the one-way scheme along West Service Road review it’s effectivity, otherwise permanently discontinue this nuisance.