My Inner Piece

Why I got an iPod Touch 2G?

2009-01-01T12:57:00.011+08:00

My first and only iPod was when I got one in 2005. Its the 3rd generation iPod. The reason behind my purchase before was due to the fact I wanted to own one and have all my music in one digital device. After 3 years, my unit is still in good working order and I do hope it stays that way. I only had the battery changed in order to renew its playing time.

I held off buying the other generation iPods like the iPod photo, iPod video or even the nanos since in my personal opinion the upgrades are noteworthy but not enough to convince me to have it. I primarily use my iPod for music and podcasts which is why it is mostly used in my car.

Now the iPod Touch came in and it made me think already of an upgrade but since I usually hold off on 1st generations that made me wait. Now the 2nd generation was introduced last September 2008 together with more programs in the iTunes app store that are both useful and trivial.

I previously own a PALM Tungsten TX and was a very good PDA. I especially value it for its ability to have Epocrates Rx and for handling document files. Now my Nokia unit is handling the documents but unfortunately does not have the Epocrates Rx program built for the Symbian OS. This made me miss my Tungsten Tx.

Last December 2008, I was surprised to see in the iTunes app store and Epocrates website the availability of the program for the iPod Touch. This then made me seriously consider in getting the 2nd gen iPod Touch. So after researching and doing some window shopping for the best price I got one before the year ended.

Now, I am enjoying the 2nd generation iPod Touch because of the following reasons:

1. Still handling my music needs
2. Able to handle podcasts, not only audio but video content as well
3. Have useful and trivial apps to be more productive and counterproductive :)
4. Have Epocrates Rx for my professional needs
5. Include medical pictures that will help me in explaining to patients their condition.

The ability to handle documents such as editing and making it is still lacking for now. The only thing that I am now waiting is when Dataviz will be releasing the Documents to Go program for the iPod Touch and iPhone. If you want to be notified once it is released visit this link. I do hope it will be soon. Happy New Year to all!!!

Track Santa in Delivering Presents

2008-12-25T00:08:00.006+08:00

It is the time of the year when children and even adults want to know what Santa will be giving them. Preparing cookies and milk beside the Christmas tree for Santa to eat while delivering the presents. Now with the modern age of GPS, computers and the internet you can now know where Santa is during the Christmas season.

NORAD or North American Aerospace Defense Command together with Google using Google Maps and Google Earth found a way to know the specific location of Santa Claus and his gift giving schedule.

NORAD Santa website is the place to look at as the site gives the blow by blow gift giving route of St. Nick. You can also track Santa via 3D.

Enjoy the fun with your kids or even for the adults.

Wired news website has an article on how all of these started.

Merry Christmas to all!

Ecofont: A way to help save in printing and the environment

2008-12-22T16:37:00.004+08:00

Ecofont developed by SPRANQ is a great idea on how to save ink for your daily use at home or in the office. Thus saving you ink and in the end not only save money but the environment too.

Taken from the website of ecofont,
("After Dutch holey cheese, there now is a Dutch font with holes as well."

Appealing ideas are often simple: how much of a letter can be removed while maintaining readability? After extensive testing with all kinds of shapes, the best results were achieved using small circles. After lots of late hours (and coffee) this resulted in a font that uses up to 20% less ink.)

And it is free to use.
So you can try it out just go to their website.
It can be used for Windows Vista, XP, Mac OS X and Linux. Just select the appropriate download.

COD Christmas Show: Manila to Cubao and now in Greenhills.

2008-12-14T11:46:00.004+08:00

I remember when I was a kid, my parents will bring us to Cubao to see a show. It is every Christmas time, crowds will flock in front of the building and look up. A fantastic stage with moving "puppets" or now what they call "animatronics". During that time, that is already hi-tech and I always ask my dad on "How they do that?"

Now, the show has found a new home in Greenhills shopping mall. Being on its 6th year in Greenhills, it is just yesterday that I had the chance to visit it again. My daughter and wife is with me and now I find myself in my parents shoes.

The theme this year is regarding environmental preservation. Watching the show with my daughter gave joy and fascination in her eyes, just like the other kids. Actually, it is not only her but including me, who again gave me flashbacks when I was the one who was brought to see it.

With changing backdrops from wasteland to a green and clean environment, moving animals such as reindeers, a horse with Karitela, a carabao pulling a cart and moving human puppets including a Band gave the audience a good show.

The new generation now immersed on TV, gadgets and other forms of entertainment may have lost the old "classical" and worthwhile to preserve Christmas traditions. Some may argue that it is old technology, but for me it is not the technology that matters. It is the people behind it who believes that Christmas is for kids and for the family. Letting them watch a once a year show all together for at least a day and spending quality time. Making the kids grow up in knowing what once was and is still now a Christmas show worth seeing and remembering with happy faces and a good heart.

It is not only nice but wonderful that the Ortigas family invited the Rosario family to continue the Christmas show tradition since 1957. Kudos to the Ortigas family who saw that this tradition should live on and to the Rosario family together with the personnel who still carry on this show. I do hope they know that the kids during the early years of COD are now the parents who bring their kids to see it again.

The full story behind COD and the Christmas show can be found at inquirer website.

May you have the opportunity to see the show. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Video call (3G), the advantage!

2008-12-07T19:13:00.004+08:00

Filipinos love to text. That is a given. The ratio of text to call most likely will be 10 is to 1 (I am just guessing here) This might be due to the fact that texting cost less, is easier in terms of texting and press to send rather than press to call and wait for the receiver to answer.

However, calling has its advantages, 1) you hear the person you want to talk to 2) you are able to express your feelings and let the person know it 3) You are able to explain in detail somethings that is hard to express via text.

For quite a long time, Globe and SMART had been pushing video calls as a way to communicate but lately I have not seen any marketing campaign from them regarding this value added feature. This might not have taken off as planned by the telcos since initially it was charged higher than the standard voice call.

Now the price of the video call is the same as voice call, so I have taken advantage of it this year with my nokia 3G phone. Me, my sister and very recently my wife got hold of a 3G phone. We use SMART as our primary line. (Picture from www.guardian.co.uk)

So what certain situations we like to use the video features or how it is a GOD sent.

1. Buying stuff wherein the primary buyer is not with the errand person to buy it. Just like when my wife needed a phone pouch and wanted to see the different colors. Instead of guessing and going back if she did not like it, I video called her, showed the colors and VOILA!, she picked the one she liked.

2. Doing a procedure step by step via video call.
My sister had car trouble just the other day with her vehicle. She was stopped by the NLEX enforcers due to a non functioning tail light on the right side. She is not adept in trouble shooting so she called me up. This is were video call became handy. She showed me the tail light area and instructed her on how to dismantle the panel at the inside of the rear end of her vehicle.

3. Making someone happy especially the "Lola"
My mom is very fond of my little angel daughter. So when my sister is with my mom, I call her up and they are able to "talk" to her. Sometimes, when I am out, I call my wife and chat with my little girl. I can always see her delight and fascination that I can see her and she can see me.

Now if I could only get a hold of the previous unit, Mobile eye by SMART. This definitely I plan to use for security cam purposes.

How about you, any special use for your video call 3G? How I also wish that inter-Telco video calls would be possible for better use of this feature.
The only thing that I believe you don't want to be seen is when you are not dressed up properly or have a bad hair day. :)

Malayan Bank Power Saver Account: Investment Alternative

2008-12-02T02:09:00.004+08:00

I came across Malayan Bank's Power saver account. It doubles your money every 5 years.

The first 5 years is the monthly savings stage. Once you open the power saver account, you deposit every month 1000 pesos for 5 years. This will then accumulate to 60,000 pesos. At that time, you can get the money with an total interest rate of P12,963 or you have the option not to take the amount and interest and leave it for another 5 years. On the 10th year, the 60,000 pesos will become 120T. Leave it for another 5 years and it will become 240T. Another extra 5 years it will be 480T. A total of 20 years.

What is good about this account is that you only save 1000 pesos every month for the first 5 years and still get P12,963 if you opted not to continue it. But if you do, then double your money in 5 years time is something that no other bank has given for quite a long time.
Again you have the option to continue adding 1000 pesos every month for another 5 years which of course will give you another set of double your money.

Now as for the risk, PDIC will cover you for 250,000 so that means you can keep your investment with them for 15 years and you are safely covered. The last 5 years then will be the risk you have to take since the amount is beyond the coverage. However that will be 15 years from now and with the recent push of changing the coverage amount to 500,000 pesos by the BSP and PDIC through the help of congress, then that may be covered too by that time.

Another Power Saver scheme is the 500 pesos per monthly plan. It is the same mechanics except that P500 instead of P1,000 will be deposited.
The picture below shows the options you can take.

What will happen if I was not able to deposit monthly?

If you are not able to deposit monthly for 3 months, the account will be converted to a regular savings account. If you were late in your monthly deposit, a penalty of 1% is given. If due to unavoidable circumstance, you wanted to withdraw from it, then it will again be converted to a regular savings account.

This can then be an investment alternative for those who want to retire or even as a legacy they can give to their love ones once the time comes for the investment to be taken out once it becomes due.

"Malayan bank was founded in 1996 and is a joint undertaking of outstanding business leaders coming from GMA Network, LINQ Corporation, Liberty Flour Mills, and the Majaco Group" taken verbatim in their website.

Their branches are found in Makati, Kalentong, Pasig, Marikina, Las Piñas, GMA Quezon City, Sta. Rosa Laguna and Imus Cavite. How to contact them and map can be found here.

Sony Ericsson service center vs 3rd party cellphone repair shops

2008-12-01T14:55:00.003+08:00

My wife's SE K550i recently had some problems. Why does it happen that issues appear after just a few months the warranty has expired ? Her SUN SIM card suddenly was not able to be seen by the phone and her battery suddenly ballooned. So I got a new battery which was the easy part. But then as I inspected the phone on why the SIM was not read, the SIM PINS was damaged. 1 pin was pushed up and 1 SIM was broken off. I wanted Sony Ericsson service center to see the unit since I bought it from them more than a year ago.

After just a minute of inspecting by the attendant and forwarding it to the technician inside their shop, I was given a "You need to BUY a NEW PHONE" impression by the attendant. She told me the phone was exposed to liquid based on the indicator in the phone. That was unfortunate for me since my wife places the phone together with the baby stuff for my daughter. Most likely with the baby bottles, milk, and diapers that is a expected. However since this is out of warranty, that won't matter since I have to pay already.
But then the thing that I was disappointed was the next one she told me. The SIM PINS are damaged and that is connected to the main board plus the battery connectors have electrically shorted out. For short, a new board for the unit is needed and the cost is as if I bought a new phone. I asked if they can still repair it just to make it work. Their answer is "NO".

Greatly disappointed, I had no choice but to look for a 3rd party cellphone repair service in SM NORTH cyberzone. What I don't like with such 3rd party providers is that if this is your first time to have a phone repaired with them, you are not sure regarding the skill of the technician. Good thing the one that I had this phone brought to was a good one. TOPWIN Telecom Trading corporation is the name of the shop. (need to advertise it since I am happy with their technician) It is near Sun cell shop in cyberzone. I told the technician the problem with the battery and the SIM pins. After inspecting the unit, he told me that he will be able to repair it without replacing the board. After an hour, the SIM Pins was repaired, the battery contact points was cleaned and the phone was working again!!!!!

The limitation/reminders he told me are the following:

1. The SIM pin that is broken was a patchup. He had to do a makeshift pin that is welded to replace the broken one. That is understandable since you can't remove the SIM holder which is attached directly to the mother board.

2. Never overcharge the battery since it may again bloat the new one and damage the contact points.

3. Avoid exposure to water or liquids again, it may not survive the next round. Which I concur, that made me buy a semi-water resistant pouch and placed it inside a zip lock for double protection. That added a 100 pesos cost but in comparison to a new phone, that is acceptable.

Total cost of the repair? 500 pesos compared to the 560 pesos labor for SE plus the main board. What I can say is that is a good price difference.

Final analysis:
If your phone is within warranty coverage and not damaged by any liquid exposure, then SE service center is a good place to bring your unit, since it will be free of charge.
BUT....
If your phone is damaged not covered by warranty such as liquid exposure or even if out of warranty already, looking for a good 3rd party repair service is a better option. Since the technician can try to find ways to repair your unit to be usable till your next scheduled purchase unlike in Sony Ericsson wherein damaged part equals replace the whole module or part.

Now if only Sony Ericsson has a bright idea of making a 3rd party repair service to do such odd or "non-serviceable" units for them that would be added business income. But I guess that is not within their line of thinking, what they want is for you to purchase a new one. Which I am happy that I won't do until my next scheduled purchase or when my retention plan comes in.

Review: Barney Dino-mite Birthday Live on Stage: My Experience with my daughter

2008-12-01T13:45:00.008+08:00

I always wonder how this purple dinosaur is able to fascinate kids. Since my 2 year old daughter with the prodding of my wife, wants to see the show, I got tickets to their multi-date, multi-time shows in Manila. The first sets was in SM North and the show we got is for SM Mall of Asia.

Definitely if you ask any child regarding the show, they will enjoy it. My little daughter and the rest of the children watching it showed their delight on seeing Barney and his friends.
I was telling my wife that kids shows like this is a good business, since the tickets are not just for the child, which you pay full price but also the ones accompanying her/him.

So how did the show fair up to the other shows that I watched with my daughter. Previously, we watched Dora the Pirate show last April 2008 in Aliw theater and also the DVD live show of Barney in the US. My comparison will then be based on this 2 shows we watched.

Generally, as a parent, I was disappointed with the 40+ minutes production number for this kids show. Why? Well, my daughter usually is very interactive when it comes to watching and I always accompany her in dancing/singing or even asking questions. In this case, she was initially dancing and singing but after just 5 minutes of watching, she just sat with us. (That is even after she slept more than an hour before the show)

So my breakdown of the show:
1. Theme: Barney's birthday
The theme was okay, it was focused on Barney's preparation for his birthday together with his friends who came in one by one as the show progressed. The only audience interaction was mostly just asking whose voice is the one heard before that friend comes on the stage.

2. Stage setup/props:
It was very static, the main backdrop was just a FUN MACHINE with an interactive screen that shows what Barney and his friends imagine what is needed during the preparation of his Birthday. Even the balloons/ buttons for the FUN MACHINE are just drawings. There was no moving setups, no change in backdrops. The real balloons are a pathetic 4 to 5 pieces on each side of the stage brought in by the people friends. The instruments held by Barney, Baby Bop, BJ, etc are too small to be seen by those at the far end of the theater. Lighting is very basic, not even changes in color during the sunny and cloudy day. All the visuals are found in the FUN MACHINE that lack interaction with the audience. The picture of friends shown in the FUN MACHINE was very generic which personally I felt could be done with pictures of Barney and his friends instead. There was not even any popping/falling confetti for this Birthday party show.

You may be wondering why I am so critical about this, well in comparison with the stage props and backdrops of Dora the pirate, this showed failed in comparison to how that was done last April. Even the show of Go Diego Go and Igi the Iguana done in Trinoma the past 2 weeks had also a simple backdrop but still was able to give a more interactive changing of stage props.

3. Stage performance/Blocking
The audience definitely cheered when Barney and his friends enter the stage. But somehow the stage blocking of the characters are very simple and boring for me. Yes they were all there but it lacked a punch. In Dora the Pirate show your eyes move from left to right, right to left or even going up or down (since there was a portion were there was a pirate ship). The lack of props or moving stage background may have contributed to the boring presentation. In comparison with the DVD Barney live show done in the US, in a scale of 1 to 10 and the DVD show is rated 10, this one is way below 5.

Again why am I so critical about the Barney show? Since this is for kids why do I even bother analyzing the show, they are the ones who should enjoy it right? Well personally, as a parent, I always want to interact with my daughter while watching. We sing, dance and even imitate the movements such as the ending of Barney shows wherein they sing and hug. Unfortunately the ending of this show did not even make my daughter stand up and let me do what Barney do. And after watching better shows, I dozed off at the middle of the show.

Final analysis: If you want your kids to be happy to see Barney and his friends live, then by all means, see the show. But as a companion to your kid who should also enjoy the show and even be happy that their kids will interact with you while watching it, you will be disappointed. The production team could have done more to make this truly a show to watch for.

Schedule of shows taken from Ticknet website:
"Barney Dino-mite Birthday! is set to stage on November 22 & 23 in SM North Edsa Cinema 8, November 29 & 30 in SM Mall of Asia Centerstage Cinema, December 6 in SM Sta. Rosa Cinema 3, December 13 in SM Dasmarinas Cinema 2 and on December 14 in SM Megamall Cinema 4. Show times are at 12nn, 3pm and 6pm." (Taken verbatim)

Palm TX, T5, Lifedrive SDHC support? It may come true

2008-03-22T21:48:00.003+08:00

Brighthand website had news that support for the SDHC (high capacity memory >2 gig) is possible through a palm developer. However, the developer will need at least 100 people to support it by buying it for $20. The poll is found at this 1srcforum .

Personally, I own a Palm TX and having 2 gig for external memory before was great. In this age of multimedia such as video is even placed on such flash memories, support for > 2 gig is definitely a must. Since, I view both movies, tv shoes and medical lectures, 2 gig now seems too little.

So if you are a Palm TX, T5 or Lifedrive user and want this software update. Go click those links and show your intention.
Blog out...

Goodbye Beloved eMac!

2008-03-16T16:48:00.005+08:00

Yesterday, I sold my eMac to a new owner who I believe will take care of it very well. After I got "eMacwell" 1 and 1/2 years back, I upgraded it and made sure it is always in tip top shape. It store very important data of my baby Emmanuelle during her first year together with memories of me and my wife's wedding. I even made some video's for my work and for personal needs care off this handy computer.
Now my baby girl is very curious with "eMacwell" and even sits with me during my last few days with it. As you can see, here is my baby Emmanuelle sitting on the desk of "eMacwell". :)

But just like any worthy equipment, there is a time to let go of it. I was trying to sell it for about a month, unfortunately most of the inquiries I felt was giving it too low a value.
Then at last, someone inquired without question on her value but more of her performance and features. Even from the new owner's tone, it was excitement. Now I know, "eMacwell" will have a new home and again show her stuff.

Goodbye dear "eMacwell". I know you are in safe hands. Blog out....

Why is our world turning upside down?

2008-03-13T23:46:00.005+08:00

I saw a group of teenagers today who were picking mangoes from our neighbor this afternoon. Without permission, they just got a long bamboo with a bag in order to get it for their own. So I gave them a scare by taking their pictures and they went away.
However, after 30 minutes they came back but now with an adult who was picking the mangoes with them. I felt frustrated and sad that this kind of role model is shown to the new generation.

So I just informed the security guard of the house so that she will deal with the group. I actually wanted to talk to the adult but since I thought it would be futile since he will definitely have a distorted way of thinking. This I presumed since he is the one even helping those teenagers.

Where is the sense of decency and respect by just asking permission to get some mangoes? It is so simple and proper but unfortunately now lost to the new generation. And making it worse, the adults give a bad example or even the promoter of wrong doings.

When can we see again people having good manners and proper conduct?

Blog out

My New Blog: Rehabilitation Medicine

2008-03-10T00:44:00.005+08:00

Since I became busy with my profession, my personal blogs got a little rusty on updates. Now with the added responsibility of being a dad to my 1.5 year old daughter, then things became more hectic.
However, since I love using technology in my medical profession and with the advent of almost anywhere access to the internet, I then decided to use this as an opportunity to share what I can to the Filipino online community. Hopefully this will also reach those who are from other countries.
So, I decided to make another blog on medical conditions, managements or treatments that is within the scope of my medical specialty. This is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. You can view my new blog titled Your Rehabilitation Medicine

Hope you can visit it and read, participate or ask questions on medical concerns that affect your physical function. Dysfunctions that come from the brain, nerve, muscle, bone or joint are what it is all about.

Blog out....

Holy Week

2007-04-04T21:35:00.000+08:00

It is once again Holy Week. Most are going home to spend the long weekend with their love ones in the province. Others are going to a vacation spot to enjoy the yearly event. Others on the other hand try to live out the experience of Christ.

For those who like to reflect for the week but do not have the chance to do so, this website that was shared to me might be of help. At least there is something that you can use in the internet for the Lent.

For those who like to see how a Holy week procession looks like especially in Bulacan then visit the pics I took the past year or two. Hope it helps you feel the true meaning of Lent.

Blog out...

Blessings: A Reality check to reflect on.

2007-03-28T14:00:00.000+08:00

Most of the time, we often complain a lot of things. Too many things to do and not enough time, budget is short and how to make ends meet, how to have a convenient and comfortable way to go to a destination, and so on and so forth. To be candid, I for one usually complain a lot, too.

Yesterday, I was humbled by the Almighty regarding my complaining. He up above has a mysterious and if I may say "weird" way of knocking on you. If HE can say it loud He would have told me, "Enough of your petty complaints and see what other people complain about." He just did that to me not only once, not only twice but FOUR times. WOW!!!

The first one was when I was checking up my old patient who had back pains, during our off-topic conversation her daughter mentioned that one of her choirs at home was picking up a sack of coals to use for cooking rice, since it is much cheaper. Her complaint "Mahal po ang kuryente, kaya hindi ko maiwasan na magbuhat." (Electricity is too expensive and I am forced to bend and lift.)
Now, here I am complaining of the home electric bill is too expensive especially using an air-con. But for this individual, using a rice cooker becomes a burden for them already. Reality check #1.

The second one was when I went to the school office. Our college secretary was suppose to be going home to Isabela to have a gown fitting for her sister's wedding. Unfortunately, she just got 45 pesos from her last salary. This is due to the salary deductions from her previous loan. Now my college faculty decided to use the pooled money they have and give 1000 pesos for her to use. However, her co-secretary in the personnel office also needs money since the younger brother needs it to pay for the tuition fee balance for him to take the final exam. In an unwavering sacrifice, our secretary asked permission to give the money to her co-secretary since she deemed it more important than her personal need. Now that is what I call a true selfless act in everyday life.

Again I am humbled by her and as I talked with my faculty, I shared 1000 pesos for our secretary to still go home to see her parents and have her gown fitting. Reality check #2, I often complain about the salary being not enough, but how about having just 45 pesos for 15 days?
Just to add, my faculty gave our secretary 700 pesos (pooled again and to be paid if able) during her last payday so she can get by for the next 15 days.

And so I thought, I get it Lord. But then Reality check #3 came in front of me. As I walked out the gate of the school, I happen to see one of our registrar employee who had a stroke. Her husband was waiting for her outside the school to fetch her. She then hopped on the bicycle back seat as her husband pedaled away in the hot afternoon weather towards the smog filled EDSA.
As for me, I complain that my transportation gets to overheat during the hot weather that I turn off the air-con. How about them who don't even have a car?

And as I was winding up my day with a medical research orientation during dinner, I got to chat with the medical representative (med rep) who assisted me. Talking about family and kids, I was again humbled when the med rep told me that they were trying to have a baby for 5 years now. As for me, I am blessed with a beautiful happy angel already during our first year of marriage. Reality check #4

As I was heading back home during a long day, I reflected upon the 4 Reality checks that the Lord showed me. EDSA even at night was still in a jam. I just prayed and said "Thank you for all the Blessings you shower me and my family." Lesson learned from today, "I should not complain so much, since so much is already given to me."

I hope for those reading this, may you have your own reflection on what is that you complain about and be humbled on how much is given to you.
Blog out.....

Comment: from Discovery weekend blog

2007-01-20T23:48:00.000+08:00

Since I reposted the Discovery weekend personal review, I thought that it should also be fitting to place the comment given in spymac website by one of my visitors. Read below and see how it helped him.
-------

The Discovery Weekend is a fantastic way to discover whether or not you are both ready for marriage and understand the commitments that must be made, as well as the adjustments that each must make to accommodate the other.

I undertook the Weekend with my fiancee (at the time) around 6 years ago, and I must say it was an eye-opener, with all of the hard questions that you must discuss (i.e., dealing with finances, in-laws, conflict resolution).

I eventually married her, and I do think that the weekend did help us resolve some of our issues.

I had a friend who attended the weekend at the same time we did; he ended up splitting up with his girlfriend as a result. I thought at the time that it was for the best; better for the conflicts to arise now than after you are married. Eventually though, I found out that they married a few years later.

However, my wife and I still can't bring ourselves to "hold hands while fighting". While a good idea in theory, it's very difficult to do in the heat of the moment.

-Bon

Discovery Weekend: My personal experience in 2005

2007-01-20T23:29:00.000+08:00

This is the first export of one of my blogs in spymac website. Since this is about discovering your partner before marriage. I want to start with this blog to be reposted here in blogger. So just to note those reading this that my review was in year 2005. I hope it will be helpful to those who are contemplating to be married. I highly recommend you undergo this seminar.

It has been a week after my girlfriend and I underwent a reflection for couples under this program. Discovery weekend is a program for individuals who have plans of settling down and want to know more about their future or would be better half. Their website at discovery weekend explains fully the goals of the program.

They are located in Quezon City (within the area of Gotesco Mall while going to Fairview). Couples come in on Friday night and finish the seminar on a Sunday afternoon.

It is quite extensive since the seminar starts right after the Friday dinner. This of course includes the whole of Saturday up to the evening. This is culminated with a Sunday mass in the afternoon.

What is interesting about the program is that topics are given which initially deals with oneself, then between you and your partner and followed by topics that concern about the couple and God. This is for me important in order for each couple to fully understand each other.

The format of each topic initially presents the basics of developing a better relationship depending on the topic discussed followed by couples who share their experience with the participants. This is definitely very unselfish and brave on my point of view because this definitely exposes the couple of their personal issues. Wow! I definitely admire them.

After the couples share, the participants are given time to reflect on the topic through questions given to them, after which they then discuss their reflections to their partner.

Personally, the whole weekend for me is very helpful and fulfilling. Of course it takes two to make it a successful one.

Most of the participants are engaged couples that already have a schedule for their wedding. But this is actually designed also for individuals who need a better way of knowing their future partner i.e. if they are really compatible with each other. This of course helps such couples know how to deal better their issues even before they get married.

The males and females have separate quarters and each share the room with another participant. Those who join are usually 24 to 30 couples. The accommodations are very basic with bathrooms for each room. Do not expect a 5 star type accommodation so if you need extra pillows, you should bring your own.

How I just wished that they had some hot water during the morning bath. It is quite cold and how I can imagine it during the colder months.
I also hope in future sessions that they be able to ask the participants for food preferences or allergies. My girlfriend unfortunately was unable to eat one of the main foods during dinner due to an allergy on shrimps.

Overall, the seminar experience is quite exceptional, thanks to the main facilitators under Dr. Allan and Maribel Dionisio. As for the accommodations and food it is okay but again that is not why we went there in the first place.

So if you are seriously planning to settle down it is highly recommended you undergo this weekend seminar. Just make sure you register way ahead of time since they get fully booked quite fast. At 4,800 pesos (during the time of this writing) for two, this is definitely a must do pre-nuptial relationship enhancement.

To contact them see the info below:
Email: info@discoveryweekend.org
Phone number: 426-1271
Contact person: Lala Denilla

Found my old blog

2007-01-20T09:08:00.000+08:00

Before I used blogspot or blogger website. I had made a blog at spymac. It is my very first attempt in the blogworld. However, since of the very erratic posting that I do, somehow, I got caught in the transition of the website (major revamp) and I was locked out (not able to get through my blog).Which led me to blogger.

Since I placed there some reviews of items that I use and placed some links there, I kind of feel it is a waste not to track down my account and get those reviews.

So just today, I was able to get in (at last) to my spymac account and will begin the transition this coming week or two. I hope I finish the transfer since some pics are missing already.

So for those who are watching my blog. Hope you find some useful things on my old blog.

signing out....

Jan 5, 2007: My papa's Birthday

2007-01-04T20:23:00.000+08:00

January 5, 2007 is suppose to be my papa's 74th birthday. Unfortunately, he did not reach this day. As I mentioned in the previous blog post, he died last September 29, 2006 due to an accident in our garage in Bulacan.

Many people know, admire and love my papa. He is an Occupational physician who is also a general practitioner in our hometown, Meycauayan. Many go to him to have a checkup and are amazed on how he can diagnose with minimal laboratories and give the necessary meds for their ailment.

Initially, I was not attuned with his style, but through the years that I had my clinic with him, I realized that his style has value.

Patients of my father told me that he is one of the last remaining "old" doctors who has a healing touch.

Personally, I am happy to know, that he still was able to witness me getting married and graduating in my masters class. He was always there for me especially when I needed support and assistance in my undertakings.

One of the things, I love, that he did for me was in High School, wherein he gave me the freedom to decide what to do and go provided that I don't abuse it.

A few minutes ago, my nephew asked helped for his Christian Living homework. The story we talked about is the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Luke chapter 2. He asked me about the moral of the story and this is my personal reflection. The love of a parent to their child is unending. They will do all they can to make sure that their child is safe and sound.

That is what my papa gave me since the day I was conceived, the unending love in order to make me reach what I have today.
Happy Birthday Papa. I miss you so much. I Love you!

Blog out....

The year that was 2006

2007-01-03T22:40:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone.
I guess it was quite a long period since I last posted on my Inner piece.
2006 was quite a year for me.
My last blog was about me getting married.

Well definitely, it did not end there in terms of significant events.
What do I mean?

1) Well, last September 29, 2006, a day after the "Milenyo" typhoon here in the Philippines, my father, Dr. Ildefonso L. Martinez died in Bulacan. It was a freak accident. Since he removed the tire wedge and the handbrake was not in place, his van rolled backwards in our garage. He was then pushed backed and went under the van.
Unfortunately, I was informed late because of bad cellphone network (due to the typhoon). When I arrived in Bulacan, I was not able to see my dad alive.\

The last time I talked with him was 2 days before when both of us were handling a patient in Bulacan.

I miss him so dearly and still wonder why he was taken suddenly. All of us were shocked most especially my mom.

I also wished that he was able to see his new granddaughter.
Which now leads me to another event this year.

2) My wife, just gave birth to our first born Baby Girl Marie Emmanuelle B. Martinez last October 23, 2006. Weighing 3.3 kgs. She is definitely an angel given to us. She is currently 2 months plus as of this writing and had her baptism last December 30, 2006.
I now made a blog for her.

So how was this year?
It was a year of happiness due to my wedding, fulfillment due to my graduation in Masters in Business Administration in Health, sadness and grief due to the death of my dad, joy and celebration due to the birth of my first born.

It was quite a year. A year with mixed events. And as the 2007 year begins, I hope and pray that it will be a good year. The only thing that I like to impart at this point, is hope, faith and entrusting the Lord, that whatever happens, He has His reasons.

Did I marry the right person? Article emailed in Discovery Weekend groups

2006-05-20T10:33:00.000+08:00

Last May 14, 2006 I got married to a beautiful person who I love and cherish. After getting a few days rest I am back to work.
As I was checking my email, a member of the Discovery Weekend yahoo groups sent an article on "Did I marry the right person?"

Kind of weird if your thinking that I just got married and this is the next blog I have posted.

Actually if you will be reading the article which I posted below show the true nature of a relatioship. Read on and you might get what you are looking for... regarding the meaning of loving a person... loving your wife or loving your husband.

God Bless...

Blog out...

----
DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?

During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said,
"How do I know if I married the right person?" I noticed that there was a
large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your
husband?"
In all seriousness, she answered "How do you know?"
Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's
weighing on your mind.

Here's the answer.

EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with
your spouse. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked
their idiosyncrasies.

Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely
natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's
why it's called "falling" in love... because it's happening TO YOU.

People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet." Think about the
imagery of that expression. It implies that you were just standing there;
doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU.

Falling is love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But
after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the
natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become
a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when
it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute,
drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think
about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the
initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry
subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the
right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the
love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone
else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for
their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the
most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, church, a hobby, a
friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances.

But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies
within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone
else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the
same
situation a few years later.
Because (listen carefully to this):

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S
LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND.

SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER
just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it
day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labor of love."
Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes
WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things
you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage.

Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there
are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise
program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship
WILL
make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know
and apply the laws, the results are predictable... you can "make" love.

Love in marriage is indeed a "decision"... not just a feeling.

I am getting Married!!!!

2006-04-30T02:06:00.000+08:00

I guess my title says it all.

I will be getting married already this coming May.

Since I am quite hectic in doing the arrangements, I definitely was not able to update this blog of mine.

So as a simple way of saying, I don't have the time yet to add more of my thoughts on my inner piece, this once in a lifetime event of mine explains it all.

Visit Ana and me in our website at the wedding library website.

Internet Connection speed Survey of Openpinoy.com

2006-03-18T08:30:00.000+08:00

As I was browsing through a local second hand computer shop, I noted their online poll regarding internet connection speed.
The screenshot above (March 18, 2006) with 408 who answered shows that the highest vote goes to the 256K dsl connection followed by the modem connection.

It seems local users are feeling a good bang for the buck in terms of speed and price for the offers given by DSL providers. I wonder if the limiting factor is the infrastructure in connecting all the possible customers who like to have a faster connection.

Lately most of the people I know and talked to complain that they can not get the regular DSL connection because of
1. The area is already "full" or "saturated"
2. The area is too far (eventhough it is in Q.C)

I wonder how this poll will turn out after a year.

Blog out...

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T23:17:00.000+08:00

Every year, a day in February, we celebrate (with all the marketing hype) and give acknowledgement to the person(s) who are dear to us.
Skyrocketing prices for flowers, all the different chocolates and/or cakes are part of the celebration.

But what is important is how you cherish and show how much you value and care for that special someone.

And before the day ends I would like to greet the women/ladies who made a difference in my life.

1. My girlfriend-Ana
2. My mom
3. My sister
4. My best friend Merci Guilas
5. My 2 special staff in school, Kathy and Gemma

Happy Valentine's Day everyone....

Blog out....

Jazz Speakers' J1321 USB model: Speakers beyond my expectations

2006-02-04T13:26:00.000+08:00

The usual complaint I say to myself when I use my ibook is the built in speakers. When I want to listen to music or watch movies in a not so quiet environment, I definitely cannot hear the sound. I have my old desktop PC speakers but that needs to be plugged in a power socket which limits its "portability".

As I went to Broadway Centrum to get some Mac stuff c/o another Mac enthusiast who has a Photo/Fuji film shop there, I passed by in Broadway's newly renovated computer shop area and saw a nice looking ball shape crystal speakers made by Jazz Speakers. Priced at 895 pesos in Gaisano PC shop, I was attracted to the shape as well as to the white covering which of course complements my iBook.

I asked the staff to try it out since I feel that the sound would be poor quality. However, when they played music, the PC shop staff and myself was pleasantly surprised that the sound was crisp and full. I am not an audiophile but I definitely see the more than expected sound quality that this unit produce.

As I tried it on my iBook, I simply plugged it in the USB port and voila!!!! I got a very nice sound system for my iTunes and movie playing. It is still bulky approximately the size of my closed fist with my other fist on top of the closed fist.

The good side is that it uses the USB port which gets its power there as well as the audio. It claims it has 200w PMPO. The crackling sound you hear when connecting speakers to the audio out port is not experienced which I often get irritated with my previous speakers. The usb and speaker to speaker cord is around 1.5 meters.

It works also on winXP (autodetect) and win98 (via drivers).
If you are looking for better sound at a good price and no power cords, this may be the unit you need.

The specifications: Jazz speakers Model J1321
Output: 0.5w x 2
Driver: 2.5" Full Range
Impedance: 4 ohms
Freq. Response: 100 Hz-20Khz
Magnetically shielded: Yes
Dimension (WxHxD): 103x103x80 mm
with Xear 3D technology

Pros:
No more power cord via USB
Digital sound via USB
More than expected sound quality for its price

Cons:
Size still a bit bulky
Use of USB port might be limiting for some

Support LUISA project Advocacy for patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2006-02-03T08:26:00.000+08:00

The LUISA project or Lupus Inspired Advocacy is an organization dedicated to the support and information dissemination of patients who have the condition known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

SLE affects many organs of the body that lead to debilitating conditions that is carried through out their lifetime. It impairs the individual in their function.

During the PRA convention that I attended, I happen to visit their booth and have known the people behind the organization. It is then I realized that they have very minimal exposure to the general public. So through this present Blog I do hope that you try to see their organization at www.luisaproject.org

If you plan to support the organization in their research and patients afflicted with the condition, they sell greeting cards that is beautifully cross stitched by one of their members who has the condition. It is specially printed as shown

"Madonna and Child" - cross stitch creation by the deformed,
rheumatoid arthritic hands of Eloisa Aguinaldo

"Madame Butterfly " - oil in canvas by renowned artist Ben C. Francisco

Visit their website and share your blessings to the organization who supports the ones in need.

Another website to visit is www.lupus.ph that gives more information on the condition.

Blog out.