On The Edge

Express What’s Unique about You and Keep in Touch with Style!

edgelacorte — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:25:12 +0000

How do you make other people remember you in a unique and stylish way? Part of marketing yourself to other people is keeping yourself in touch with them. Making sure that means to contact you are always open is like sealing a good and lasting relationship between you, your clients and your loved ones. The use of business cards is a great way of professionally marketing yourself and keeping yourself within reach to your clients and loved ones.

123PRINT offers a wide variety of Business Cards that can help you get better business and keep in touch with your loved ones in a way that is unique to you. 123PRINT allows you to design your own business cards and customize them to match your personality!

123PRINT boasts it’s online full customization tool that allows you to design your business cards online in a few minutes. Pick and customize your favorite out of thousands of designs available. Change the colors to match you taste. Choose between 7 different paper materials to use on your card, including recycled. You may also upload images for FREE to include on your business cards and make them feel more like you! Or if you prefer to have professional hands work on your business cards, you have the option of having us design a dazzling business card just for you starting at only $29.95.

So with 123PRINT’s business cards, express what’s unique about you and keep in touch with style!

Unblock Facebook, Myspace, Gmail, Bebo, and Friendster

edgelacorte — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:54:38 +0000

I have been searching around the internet for things that could help me earn a little money on the side while I work at my day job. I have found out that a lot of online money makers have been earning tons of money without doing anything by putting up proxy websites.

I did my research, read a lot of references, and checked some success stories, then decided that I would put up my own proxy website, considering the amount of demand for these websites especially from students who want to access their mail or myspace page while at school, or from regular office people who have Facebook and Myspace blocked at their office.

I immediately looked for a good proxy host (regular hosting companies do not allow proxy scripts on their servers, so I didn’t think of putting it on my hosting package for this blog) and downloaded the best proxy script. According to many, Glype is in front of the game for proxy scripts, so I decided to use it on my new free proxy website.

My new proxy allows users to, in a way, unblock facebook, Myspace, Bebo, Orkut and a lot more from their office or school. Also it allows you to browse websites while still maintaining your personal privacy and security on the web.

My first ever proxy website is called Cevian.info. It was inspired by a mathematical term that sounded nice to my ears.

Try it and refer your friends!

I Am Soooo Back!!

edgelacorte — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:16:17 +0000

A long vacation that was!… from the web. My blog went down for a couple of reasons: (1) my domain name expired and (2) I wanted to transfer to a new domain host.

I had issues transferring my domain because apparently, something or someone was blocking my domain from being transferred. My new host told me that the registrar denied the transfer of my domain to my surprise. It was my intention not to renew my domain with my previous host because I just hate them so much. Enough said. So then I contacted my previous host to ask them what has happened and they kept on insisting that my domain is expired and that is why I can’t transfer it. They said I need to renew it first. And I said “What the fuck? So you mean I will have to renew with YOU in order to transfer my domain??” The greedy host basically wanted me to renew through them and then-after, request for transfer from my new host. That is just ridiculous, I thought. So I did my research and after finding out that there is no reason for holding my domain, with my tactless mind and hands, I typed my angst on their support system and threatened them that I will file a complaint on ICANN against them if they deny the transfer of my domain once more. A few days after, my domain was successfully transferred. I hate Philhosting.net!! They are the worst web hosting company there is!!

Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ28 or Canon Powershot SX10 IS, Which is The Best?

edgelacorte — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:55:48 +0000

I’ve been thinking so hard on which to buy. Both are such magnificent cameras and they both have their shortcomings too, which are, coincidentally, sufficed by each other. So I’m so confused on which to buy. Gaaaaaahhh!

Nokia unveils 5530 XpressMusic, 5800’s Little Brother

edgelacorte — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:54:14 +0000

I just recently bought my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic for $300 (Php15,000) but it looks like Nokia has got something new already. In a recent unveiling, Nokia presented it’s newest touch screen phone, the Nokia 5530, which basically has similar features to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic except for some features that have been removed, probably to make the phone slimmer and cheaper.

One advantage of the Nokia 5530 over 5800 is it’s ability to display up to 20 contacts on the homescreen compared to only 4 contacts on the Nokia 5800. Another is that you can display both the contacts bar and the shortcuts bar on the homescreen at the same time, while you can only choose to display either on the Nokia 5800. The Music Player on the 5530 homescreen also looks much better but takes up a little more space. Other software features basically stay the same.

On the hardware side is where the 5530 falls a bit short but makes up for what has been taken out. It doesn’t have GPS and 3G support, hence costs much less compared to 5800. The phone supports USB charging (at last). Other hardware features were retained, with the addition of approximately 70 MB more on the phone’s disk space. The screen on the 5530 is also smaller (2.9″) compared to 5800 (3.2″).

Here are the lis of features on the new Nokia 5530 XpressMusic:

WiFi (b/g) and EDGE connectivity
3.2 Megapixels Camera
Symbian S60v5 touch OS
150MB internal storage memory
standard 3.5 mm audio jack

The phone package will include:

4GB microSD memory card
USB charger
charger
headset
USB cable
user guide CD
NO extra stylus
NO plectrum
NO carrying case

Here’s a video demonstration of the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic.

Starting fresh

edgelacorte — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:44:38 +0000

I’ve been a little tired of trying to find news to put on my blog. This blog is actually supposed to be a personal blog, so in the coming months to come, I might be putting this blog to rest and create a new, more personal blog, that would contain my thoughts and feelings, instead of some news that don’t even have anything to do with me.

I started feeling that this blog is being ridiculous when I found it a bit stressing to be surfing the net for news and ratings updates to post on my blog, when in fact, I should just be sitting in front of this blog interface and writing my heart out.

I am a very private person, but sometimes, I just need a way of unloading emotions, and the fact that people read this blog for news makes me uncomfortable to say what I want.

Before the end of this year, this blog will start to look and feel more like ME. I would still post news – news that concern me and affect me.

Just to clear it out folks, I posted the news about Dell Pasay on this site, not because it’s hot news, but because I have hundreds of friends there, who suffered loss of a job or the dilemma of chosing to stay or go, and I myself have worked there and I have had precious memories while working there. I do not understand why people who ARE NOT even Dell employees would criticize me for writing about updates on this issue to the point of mentioning things that too personal and are not even related to the issue. The issue affected me and concerned me so the hell do I care what other people think about the things I’m posting on this blog.

I thank you for your support and I will see you guys on my next blog! Thank you for keeping me in the top 100!

70 Former Dell Employees File A Lawsuit Against Dell Philippines

edgelacorte — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:11:29 +0000

70 of the 1000+ employees of Dell Pasay, who were forced to resign as part of the company’s transition to Teleperformance, headed to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) to file a lawsuit against Dell International Services Philippines, Incorporated yesterday.

The 70 former employees claim that the immediate dismissal of the employees is against their employment contracts.

According to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, the termination of the said employees was not mass retrenchment and has nothing to do with the prevailing global financial crisis.

Dell Philippines is yet to give out a statement regarding the issue as they have not received a copy of the compaints against them yet, says Dell corporate communications head Hector Jimenez.

A Letter From a Reader

edgelacorte — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:06:54 +0000

I just got an email from one of the people who stumbled upon my blog by random searching.

Here’s what he said:

I had a chance to click on your site while searching for an article
about Philippines and I read a bit of the blogs on your site and I
think it is good. I got particularly interested about the Dell issue.
As I read on I realized that there are very strong emotions that came
out from different people. I was not able to understand all the
Filipino words but I think it is good that people has a way of
expressing their emotions regarding the matter.

Working in the US I would say this, I’m lucky…. I work in NYC for a
brokerage company in Wall Street as a systems analyst. I have been
away for over 2 decades and I was able to visit Manila last year but
before I left I only had a psychology degree from La Salle and when I
got a job here I started working on computers and then learned more
about it as I move the ranks.

On my first visit to the Philippines in over 2 decades and talked to
my cousin who works for a call center for over a year, I asked her…
what job is available after working for a call center? She had this
blank stare on her face. Then I knew all along what I had that I had
taken for granted, …. Opportunity…..I have been living here in NYC
for so long that I too took that for granted… I asked her if working
in a call center is a sought after job and she said yeah…. and guess
what… she has a masters degree in education. I asked her why she
wanted to work for a call center and she said because it pays the most
money. And so I continued asking and asked why she studied for her
Masters and she said because it would be more competitive for her to
have that on her resume.

I often take it for granted that if I quit my job now and move on to
the other field, I can do that with little hesitation because in my
mind I’m the master of my own destiny but I guess my cousin does not
have that luxury and I feel for her.

I do not know what happened since I left but I hope Filipinos realize
that we are having brain drain and other nations benefiting from it. I
would like to be able to encourage Filipinos to go beyond just what is
offered and do what their hearts desire, because that is the only way
one can have fulfillment.

In my humble opinion, it will get tougher as days and months comes by
for call centers. Dell lately has been offering American consumers
options of adding $10.00 into their new purchase they can talk to an
American representative and guess what in a few yrs. those call center
jobs will be limited again because Americans would rather pay a few
bucks to talk to another American. Their is a movement here for
“Protectionism” now that Obama is in the White House and with 8.5 %
unemployment, they would rather train another American than give the
job to somebody else. I should know because I’m in the field. I do not
know where that leaves the Filipino’s !!! I hope the Filipino
government has contingency plans once recession hits the nation and it
will… it is just a matter of time. I hope they realize people will
leave once opportunity gone.

I think as a nation we are smart but we have to find a way to get the
breaks not just grab what is offered on the table. I should know…. I
was once a Filipino too.

Thank you and good luck……

===============================

Hi Anthony,

Thanks for your input. The fact that Obama was elected as the new US president is a scary news in itself for Filipinos who work for Call Centers.

The problem is, companies in the Philippines are very choosy in hiring people despite the fact that about 10% of the population are unemployed and will eventually increase once recession hits the country. And to think that a lot of those people could be exceptional employees and excellent performers in their companies. In McDonald’s, they don’t hire people who are older than 25 years old, as far as I know. Also, companies hire people based on their educational attainment, their work experience is just secondary. Meaning, an unexperienced UP (University of the Philippines*) graduate will be preferred over an experienced graduate of some local college. Also, even if your skills match the job description, they will not even give you a chance to be interviewed if you don’t meet their educational requirements.

Lack of education is also a factor because less than 50% of all graduates per year actually know how to practice their field.

With choosy companies, plus mal-educated people, equals great unemployment rate.

It’s sad, but it’s true.

*University of the Philippines is the premier government university in the Philippines. This university is known for it’s very high educational standards. Less than 10% of the student population get a chance to study their degree in this University. Many of the senators and elected presidents of the country finished college or have studied in UP.

Are You The Next Big Star? GMA-7

edgelacorte — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:01:48 +0000

Just recently, GMA Network, Inc introduced its newest singing competition, “Are You the Next Big Star?,” to replace Pinoy Idol. Obviously, the Idol franchise rights will go back to ABC 5 (now known as TV5). “Are You The Next Big Star?” is set to conduct a series of auditions in the coming months before it starts airing on May.

Requirements:

16-24 years old
male or female
NSO birth certificate
Close up and whole body picture (3R size)

Audition Dates:

April 2-3 – SM Baliwag
April 18 – SM Batangas
April 24-25 – SM Marikina

Auditions start at 10AM.

Here’s the official website of Are You The Next Big Star: http://www.igma.tv/areyouthenextbigstar

Here’s a video I found on YouTube about the preview of “Are You The Next Big Star?”:

Philippine TV Ratings | TNS | March 24-26, 2009

edgelacorte — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:43:24 +0000

ABS-CBN remains to own the Primetime Philippine TV Ratings; on the other hand, GMA starts dominating the Daytime Philippine TV Ratings.

Daisy Siete continues to own Parekoy the same way that Paano Ba Ang Mangarap and Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin step on Pieta and La Traicion.

During Primetime hours, All GMA shows are losers except All About Eve, which consistently overpowers its timeslot competition.

Here are the daytime and primetime Philippine TV ratings based on Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) nationwide TV ratings survey for March 24-26, 2009.

Click Here to see the Comparative TV Ratings for March 24-26, 2009