Templates

I've been looking to change my blog template. It seems to have the same theme for several years now (wow, tagal ko na palang nagba-blog!).

But after scouring the Internet for tutorials/tips/samples on how to customize my template, I ended up with one conclusion: I am not an artistic person. Matching template colors and trying to think of burloloys to put on my blog wasn't coming up on my thoughts.

So, my dear readers, until I come up with a theme to replace my blog's template, you would have to bear for the meantime with this current template.

There is no "I" in TEAM

Well the Lakers lost today, no thanks to the Celtics' unforgiving defense. I love Kobe, who I think could be up there on the level of Air Jordan but if his teammates are not as good and balanced as the Celtics line-up, then there is no other result but a fold-up to a 39-point losing (and humiliating) margin.

Before I loved Kobe and before I loved Jordan, I loved Bird. So I guess I'm for the Celtics after all.

Congrats Celtics for a great season!

Fabulous Finds: Don Galo's

Possibly THE best tapsilog served at a dead-cheap price (P60.00).

A room with a view

Spent the weekend over at Sofitel Philippine Plaza last week with the missus and my boy. It was at a hefty price, but it was worth it ---especially with a view such as this.


BubbleShare: Share photos - Find great Clip Art Images.

Removal of "Funny UST Scandal" Virus

I have a knack for fixing computers since I was in high school. I couldn't say elementary since PC XTs and ATs were only presented in our classrooms when we were in high school. I found it exhilirating helping my Mom whenever she had computer problems at her school. I was particularly interested in PC virus removal, much like Ray Stanz and Dr. Egon Spengler of the Ghostbusters. Yup, I saw how the PC virus evolved from the simple (C) Brain to the Possessed virus and now....

...the UST scandal virus.

Since my Mom and youngest sis were hogging their new 42" LCD tv, I borrowed my sister's ASUS laptop to show my boy his new CD: a lethal compilation of 21 in 1 Sesame Street VCDs, all for the measly price of 40 pesos my middle sister bought from Divi.

So anyway, the laptop finished booting up when I saw this "XP Antivirus" detecting supposed trojans and viruses on her laptop. The software won't delete until I register to have it removed. Luckily, I searched Google first for "XP antivirus" and found that it was a rogue ware which is described in more detail here.

So, I concluded that it was another case of virus infection due to unknowingly downloading installation files or it could've been transfered from another thumbdrive. I was able to delete the XP Antivirus and next I decided to install a good copy of Kaspersky AV.

To my dismay, I found it difficult to install it. For some reason, the laptop WON'T LET ME. Even regedit, or running the task manager won't run. "An intelligent one ey!" I thought of the virus.

I had to bring her laptop home to do further checking. After an hour or so of trying to look for solutions in the 'net (which the virus closes as well everytime I open Panda security or any similar page ---grabe, ang talino!), I decided to use my laptop to search since the virus in the infected laptop was continually closing the browser window.

I chanced upon this website.

After a few ticks here and there which lasted for about 5 minutes, the virus was gone. I was able to install Kaspersky and another infected laptop was disinfected.

Do click one of my ads below if you found this helpful.

Let the games begin!

So, you want to work abroad?

(It’s been a while since I’ve listened to Andy McKee. Scouring for his mp3s on my office laptop, I was able to find “For My Father” which I felt to be one of his greatest work. It’s been playing over and over (and over) out of my earphones for the last hour or so. The song has somehow encouraged me to access this blog and thought of writing creatively again after blogging mostly of videos I’ve found in YouTube. So here it goes….)

Earlier I got an email from AC, a college batchmate:

I would like to get your honest opinion....please don't sugarcoat your answers. Tell the hard facts. What made you decide in the first place to leave your own country? What are the pros and cons (apart from the already obvious), tradeoffs etc.? Would you recommend it to anybody who is thinking of trying it out....and what are the things that should be considered by a first timer? On what grounds would you not recommend it to someone.

This was not the first time that I’ve received such an email. AF, another college batchmate, wrote almost the same thing to our yahoogroup since he was in a dilemma of whether taking the risk of migrating his family to New Zealand or staying here in Manila. I was able to meet him in one of my Subway-sandwich lunches before he sent out his mail so he knew very well my responses. There was no need for me to reply since I knew that he knew what I had to say. I’m glad to tell you that AF has migrated and has been living with his family in New Zealand ever since.

So AC, here is my take on the subject….

Ever since I started working, it has never occurred to me to work abroad. I’m a person who’s easily contented. I never pursued (almost everyone’s?) dream leaving the Philippines and work overseas since I found my life here in Manila to be…well…complete. My family, the missus (then my gf), and my friends are all here. “So why should I leave?” I thought.

Then in July 2000, I decided to leave the company that I was working for back then. Finding myself without a job that I can take here in Manila, I thought about it deeply and, with a deep sigh, applied abroad: Singapore specifically. After Singapore I then worked for a few years in Malaysia. After that, I was able to find a job in Manila and I’ve been here since then.

Pros?

Yup the pay was damn good. The salary that you will earn abroad will speed up your goal of accumulating your life savings. The financial part of working abroad is the greatest benefit ---except of course, if you’re a spendthrift for you will lose it all. Furthermore, the fact that your based abroad gives you a different high coz you don’t get to experience the troublesome commute, crimes, politics, showbiz gossip, etc. that Manila has. When you’re living abroad, everything seems to be safe and comfortable especially in Singapore. Working with different cultures is a great plus as well. It changes your mindset. That is, there are more important things happening in this world compared to politics and showbiz in the Philippines.

Cons?

Living away from your family, friends, and loved one is a real pain if you’re abroad, especially when crisis occurs. Even when there’s the internet and budget-IDD calls, it’s no match to a handshake, a hug, or a kiss. Working with other cultures also has some disadvantages. Sometimes they’d prefer conversing in their own language so if you don’t pick up the language quickly, you might be at the losing end in meeting updates, etc. Another possible problem is the retirement part. Where do you plan to retire after your work? Note that countries like Singapore do not have welfare.

Who should I recommend it to (or not)?

I recommend working abroad to single people, those without children, to those who seek independence, to those that want to see how they will perform in a totally different setting. It is a chance for you to explore new cultures and meet different people. I don’t recommend it to people who’ll be separated from their wives or children, i.e. those that easily get homesick.

So AC, I hope this helps you make that big important decision. All the best!