Search and You Shall Find in My World

27 December 2011

Famous opinions that could have been true in their time

Opinion, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a formal expression of judgment or advice from an expert. That's why for most of us, we look up to what famous people were saying for us to live up with them or as basis for inspiration. So we quote them.

But this does not mean that all opinions are right or correct. Or let me say, some opinions may have become obsolete and only true during their time so we need also to re-define them.

Now let us have fun reading these famous lines from famous people. My source is from The Big Picture.



"Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances." - Dr. Lee DeForest, Father of Radio; Grandfather of Television.

"The bomb will never go off. I speak as an expert in explosives." - Admiral William Leahy, US Atomic Bomb Project

"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom." - Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." - Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." - Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943 [Oddly enough it was IBM that also saw little use for what became the Xerox copy machine many decades later and refused to fund its development.]

"I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." - The editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957

"But what is it good for?" - Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968,commenting on the microchip.

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." - Bill Gates, 1981

"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." - Western Union internal memo, 1876.

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?" - David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a 'C,' the idea must be feasible." - Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith's paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found Federal Express Corp.)

"I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper." - Gary Cooper on his decision to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind."

"A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make." - Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies.

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." - Decca Recording Co. rejecting Beatles, 1962

"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." - Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895.

"If I had thought about it, I wouldn't have done the experiment. The literature was full of examples that said you can't do this." - Spencer Silver on the work that led to the unique adhesives for 3-M "Post-It" Notepads

"Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy." - Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.

"Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau." - Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University , 1929

"Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." - Marechal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre , France

"Everything that can be invented has been invented." - Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, US Office of Patents, 1899

"The super computer is technologically impossible. It would take all of the water that flows over Niagara Falls to cool the heat generated by the number of vacuum tubes required." - Professor of Electrical Engineering, New York University

"I don't know what use any one could find for a machine that would make copies of documents. It certainly couldn't be a feasible business by itself." - Head of IBM, refusing to back the idea, forcing the inventor to found Xerox.

"Louis Pasteur's theory of germs is ridiculous fiction." - Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse , 1872

"The abdomen, the chest, and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon." - Sir John Eric Ericksen, British surgeon, appointed Surgeon-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria 1873

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." - Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977


Cartoon grabbed from reading.phillipmartin.info

Bad experience at Mang Inasal 138 Mall

UPDATE 2: WAY TO GO MANG INASAL! After sending them my complaint thru email, Mang Inasal responded through my phone (Sorry, Ms. Edna, I wasn't able to take your call) by calling me, I missed that, and by texting me. That was a less than 24-hours reply.

The text message said: Hi Sir Edik, good day! This is Edna, (Customer Service Officer of Mang Inasal). In behalf of Mang Inasal Team, I would like to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that you had experience from our branch at Mang Inasal 138 Mall Cebu City. Our Customer Satisfaction Team is reviewing the information you sent us and will further evaluate your concern in order to resolve this matter fairly. Hoping that you will allow us to call you at your most convenient time and for us to express our heartfelt apology. Again we highly appreciate your feedback for this will help us in becoming better at what we do. Thank you very much.
******************************************************

UPDATE 1: I already sent my email to Mang Inasal through their website, enclosing this link and the pic of the receipt from them. Let us see if they would reply. Unlike Rai Rai Ken.
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I've been a regular customer of Mang Inasal at their 138 Mall, Colon St., Cebu City branch. Their chicken inasal is actually good, tender and juicy.

When I went there at lunchtime with my officemates, we ordered our favorites, their paborito meals (PM) which came with an unlimited supply of rice. We preferred tap water today but I insisted on regular Coke because I wanted to wash the chicken taste I have accumulated during the holidays. 

I saw on their billboard that a 12oz Coke, Spite and Royal softdrinks cost only 19 pesos.

With our orders done and served, I saw on their receipt that the 12oz Coke was charged 25 pesos despite the billboard's and their website's claim that it was only 19 pesos! I asked their waiters and confirmed that indeed, a 12oz Coke is only 19 pesos.

Now I have an evidence that indeed they were cheating on me. The Coke was refunded but not the Sprite. See?
After eating, I asked my teller why she was charging me 6 pesos more. She replied she told me that there was a 19 pesos 12oz softdrink available. But what they were charging me was 25 pesos for a 12oz and not more! She called up the manager who furiously punch the machine so they could give me back what they cheated on me. I told him they should change this style because they are cheating their customers right in the face. 

I only received a cold stare like I was caught shoplifting from their store.

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MANG INASAL 138 MALL BRANCH
Operated by: T.C.R.H. 
TIN: 233-530437-001 VAT
Server: Anne Station: 2
Ticket # 97
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NOW I WANT TO CHECK ALL MY MANG INASAL RECEIPTS, JUST IN CASE! 

19 pesos is 19 pesos and not 25 pesos. To an ordinary Filipino, 6 pesos overcharge is already a big deal! That's already a jeepney or tricycle fare.

17 December 2011

My heart bleeds for Mindanao

The recent storm that struck Mindanao last night left so many people homeless with nowhere to go. Trailing behind are lifeless bodies of people, children and those who were sleeping with the hope of waking up this morning only to find out they were waking up dead. Most affected are Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga provinces.

Worst, those who were expected to help were also victims of this calamity.

Meanwhile, our office went ahead with the Christmas party. And I am attending more parties tonight and tomorrow and the coming week.

I feel so useless.


Photos grabbed from Mindanaoan at Twitpic; Mark Landicho and Al Christine Chan at their Facebook accounts.

PLEASE HELP!
If you want to donate, donate to reliable groups or agencies.
Philippine National Red Cross, for one.
You can also give to Iligan Bloggers Society.


14 December 2011

Government response: A case of my letter sent to my hometown Batuan in Bohol Province

The recent developments in the political scene of the Philippines made me wonder and realized how fast things can get or how the government can act fast if they really wanted to. Unlike the services we experienced since time immemorial, the government in fact has been known to be as slow as a turtle and can get out of their office faster and swifter than 4PM.

Noynoy Aquino paved a straight road (daang matuwid, his favorite) to persecute people especially those with links to ex-President Gloria Arroyo and then Arroyo herself. Not that I am against Arroyo’s persecution and prosecution, I was just amazed at how fast Noynoy waves his hands and everything followed in magic. Legalities were done in just a few hours where it used to be centuries. It’s like having a miracle, Alleluiah!

Unlike what happened to my letter to the Municipality of Batuan, my hometown in Bohol.

Exactly two (2) months ago, October 6, 2011 to be exact, I sent a letter to Mayor Francisco Pepito and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan care of Municipal Vice Mayor Antonino Jumawid who happened to be on leave at that time, asking explanation on why the Official Website of the Municipality of Batuan, Bohol plagiarized several articles posted in the said website. The website I was talking about bears the Official Seal of the Municipality of Batuan, Bohol and blatantly copied the Vision of the Municipality of Calape, Bohol and the Messsage of the Mayor of the Municipality of Mabini. To make matters worse, Hillary Clinton’s picture was in the Mayor’s Message.

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The supposed Message of Mayor Gregoria Pepito (who died long before her reelection came) which I copied from the website:

This is the official online portal of Mabini, (remember this is the official website of Batuan) the town, its government, and its people. Here you will find what promises to be Mabini's most comprehensive and authoritative one-stop informational clearinghouse on the net.
Facts and figures, news and features, details on and about Mabini in a consummately convenient compendium of instant and interactive content. Consider it your virtual guide to the municipality. Discover Mabini from its illustrious history to its unfolding story the splendor of its past, the dynamism of its present, and the promise of its future.

Learn about the Town and the gracious gifts of its geography. The municipality of Mabini and its many thriving barrios, its people, and its chosen leaders.

Experience the delightfully diverse boundless beauty and bustle that make up the colorful collage and the proud panorama that is Mabini.

Empower yourself: Make your mark and do your share in shaping the future of this, our vast and vibrant town: click on, sound off, be counted.

Finally, rich and colorful Calape (and then my town has shifted to another name) has found its home on the world wide web.

We hope you find it as much your home as it is ours: warm, well, and worth it.
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Fuming mad, I went to write the letter.

A few days later when I went home for a speaking engagement with the younger Batuanonons, Vice Mayor Jumawid approached me and talked about his development goals for our town but not even mentioning my letter. I pointed out to him about it and he told me he did not receive a copy of the said letter. (I sent him my letter a week after through his email address and got a long response after several technical glitches. I don't even believe it was an official response.)

Several of my neighbors who happened to be close to the mayor told me their own version of the things they did after receiving my official letter including the command to put the controversial website offline. I know their move was well-intentioned but still an official letter from a constituent deserved an official response from the municipal officials.  

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The supposed Vision of the Municipality of Batuan:
Experience the delightfully diverse boundless beauty and bustle that make up the colorful collage and the proud panorama that is Calape. Empower yourself: Make your mark and do your share in shaping the future of this, our vast and vibrant town: click on, sound off, be counted. Finally, rich and colorful Calape has found its home on the world wide web. We hope you find it as much your home as it is ours: warm, well, and worth it.
 ==================================================

Everyone told me the mayor was not even aware of the existence of that website, pity the mayor. He wanted somebody to call me but they could not find my magical business card. Magical in a sense since no one seemed to get hold my business card attached to the letter. Hence, nobody, not one, was able to contact me. Not counting that my parents and relatives are still very visible in my hometown.

For the information of my readers, I enclosed together with my two-page letter my business card and screen shots of the website I was referring to. But since my business card has some magic, nobody cared to call me up, send me text message or reply through my two (2) email addresses.

Now this is a very basic example of how SLOW government responses are. I was planning to make a follow-up letter but called it off. It would make no sense at all.

That is why I wonder how fast the people of Noynoy Aquino could do things in just a week’s time. And it was not just replying a letter.

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Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713 otherwise known as AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, TO UPHOLD THE TIME-HONORED PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEING A PUBLIC TRUST, GRANTING INCENTIVES AND REWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES states the Duties of Public Officials and Employees. - In the performance of their duties, all public officials and employees are under obligation to:
(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. - All public officials and employees shall, within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof, respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public. The reply must contain the action taken on the request.
(d) Act immediately on the public's personal transactions. - All public officials and employees must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of the services of their offices and must, at all times, act promptly and expeditiously.
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Update: The website was taken down a week after I sent the letter, possibly a confirmation that they received it. Its address was- www.batuanbohol.solinog.com.

12 December 2011

Sinulog 2012 Schedule of Activities

Photo by Mikhail Arrogante, 2011 Grand Prize Winner
Photo courtesy of Sinulog Foundation Inc.

In a wink of an eye, Sinulog will be happening in Cebu City, the biggest happening in the south of the Philippines. If you are planning to visit and be part of the celebrations, I think you need to adjust your schedules because the Sinulog is happening earlier this year.

To update you of the events, I am posting here the schedule. Enjoy. And Pit Senyor!

December 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012   Sinulog Street Fair, Osmeña Boulevard
December 11, 2011   2nd Sinulog Cup Baseball Tournament c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
December 16, 2011   Launching and Sinulog Photo Exhibits @SM City
December 12, 2011   Sinulog on the Spot Painting Contest @ Fort San Pedro
December 17, 2011   Sinulog Poster Making Contest @ Emall
December 18, 2011   Sinulog Best Dance Crew Elimination, Sinulog Musicfest Elimination
December 30, 2011   Sinulog 2012 Fun Run

January 05, 2012 (Thursday)   Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus   
4:00 AM   Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña
4:30 AM   Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño
5:30 AM   Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2012

January 06, 2012 (Friday)   Sinulog 2012 Kick Off
2:00PM      Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño) sponsored by the Sinulog Foundation Inc . and Cebu City Government
3:00 PM     Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)
7:00 PM    Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña
7:30 PM    Ms. Cebu 2012 Presentation
9 :00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
10:00 PM    Street Party Bands

January 07, 2012 (Saturday)   Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan
8:00 AM    2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
1:00 PM    Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM    Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM    Awarding of Winners
6:30 PM    Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu Province Division           
8:00 PM    Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM    Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña , Street Party Bands

January 08, 2012 (Sunday)   Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan
4:00 AM   Cebu City 2012 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com
8:00 AM   2nd SINULOG FOOTBALL CUP c/o Cebu City Sports Commission
1:00 PM   Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center
2:00 PM   Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center
4:30 PM   Awarding of Winners
6:30 PM   Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Carlos
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 09, 2012 (Monday)
6:30 PM   Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Cebu Institute of Technology University, St. Paul’s College Foundation
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 10, 2012 (Tuesday)
6:30 PM   Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Cebu
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 11, 2012 (Wednesday)
9:00 AM   Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
6:30 PM   Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Department of Education, Cebu City Division
7:00 PM   Ms. Cebu 2012 Coronation Night, Cebu City Waterfront Lahug Hotel
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 11-22, 2012   Sinulog Fiesta “OTOP Fair 2012” Atrium A & B, SM City Cebu; organized by Department of Trade & Industry -Cebu

January 12, 2012 (Thursday)
9:00 AM   Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
6:30 PM   Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Salazar Colleges of Science Institute of Technology, Cebu Normal University, Asian College of Technology
6:00 PM   Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu
10:00 PM   Sinulog Festival Queen 2012 Photo Shoot
6:00 PM   Runway Competition @SM  City North Wing
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
8:00 PM   Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente Osmeña , Street Party Bands

January 13, 2012 (Friday)   Visual Merchandising Contest (Department Stores and Malls)
4:00 AM   Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño
9:00 AM   Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent/Floats/Higante/Puppteeters, Cebu City Sports Center Gym
5:00 PM   Sinulog Best Dance Crew Grand Finals
6:00 PM   Sinulog Musicfest Band Competition Grand Finals
6:30 PM   Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Jose Recoletos, Southwestern University, Cebu Technological University
7:30 P.M   Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum
7:30 P.M   Sinulog Festival Queen 2012, Cebu City Sports Center
8:00 PM   Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
9:00 PM   Concert @ the Fuente O , Street Party Bands

January 13-15, 2012
9:00 AM   Devotees’ City organized by Cebu City Government

January 14, 2012 (Saturday)
6:00 AM   Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
9:00 AM   Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon, Basilica del Sto. Niño
12:00 NN   8TH “THE STREET VIBRATION & BIG BIKE RALLY 2012, by V-max Owner’s Group, Inc. Cebu Chapter
2:00 PM   Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
7:00 PM   Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu
7:00 PM   Street party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
8:00 PM   Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu

January 15, 2012 (Sunday)   SINULOG GRAND PARADE
4:00 AM   Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño
6:00 AM   Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
9:00 AM   Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
7:00 PM   Grand Finale and Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
7:30 PM   Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

January 16, 2012 (Monday)
1:00 PM   Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

January 20, 2012 (Friday)   “HUBO”
4:00 AM   “HUBO Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño

January 21-22, 2012   CEBU CHESS FESTIVAL - “WORLD’S LARGEST CHESS TOURNAMENT” @ the Cebu City Sports Center

January 28, 2012 (Saturday)
1:00 P.M   Screening of Finalists Short Film/Video Documentary Contest
1:30 P.M   Sinulog 2012 Winning Photo Exhibits
6:00 P.M   Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest @SM City Cebu   
   
January 28 – Feb. 10, 2012   Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ’12 @SM City Cebu.

The French Baker is stealing in my face

Customers don’t expect you to be perfect. They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong. >Donald Porter, V.P. British Airways

I went to buy bagels at The French Baker in SM City Cebu yesterday and noticed that their Cinnamon Raisin Bagels costed me 88 pesos which was not really bad. But when I saw that there were only 4 bagels in a pack that says 5 FRESH BAGELS (indeed they were 5 pieces the last time I went to buy their bagels of any kind), I told the cashier about it and she was clueless why. 

Why would you charge me 88 pesos for 4 pieces of bagels when your packaging says there are 5 bagels in here? She told me she didn’t know. 

Me too.
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The French Baker, SM City Cebu
Tel- 023-232-1637
TIN- 004-265-323-000 VAT
Cashier: Zulieka P. Martel  Terminal # 2
December 11, 2011  01:54PM
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10 December 2011

Cheesy Morning

Pic grabbed from weheartit.com

You won’t forget how much you loved, because love is not something easily forgotten. You won’t forget how hurt you felt, or how betrayed, or how alone. You won’t forget your promise to not feel hurt and betrayed and alone again. You won’t forget goodbye.

-William Henderson, Things You Don't Forget

01 December 2011

Offical Holidays of the Philippines for 2012

Photo grabbed from brownseo.com
How time flies. The year just started and then comes December. And then before we know it, 2012 will be coming with a bang. In a wink of an eye.

To give us an the idea on how do we spend our vacation again for the next year, that is, budgeting our time to jive with the holidays, the Philippine government issued Proclamation No. 295 also known as Declaring the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working) Days, and Special Holidays (for all schools) for the Year 2012. Although the proclamation is mainly a guide for schools, the holidays are meant for everyone.

So here is the official Philippine holiday guide for 2012-

Regular Holidays
  • New Year's Day - January 1 (Sunday)
  • Maundy Thursday - April 5
  • Good Friday - April 6
  • Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Monday)
  • Labor Day - May 1 (Tuesday)
  • Independence Day - June 12 (Tuesday)
  • National Heroes Day - August 27 (Last Monday of August)
  • Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Friday)
  • Christmas Day - December 25 (Tuesday)
  • Rizal Day - December 30 (Sunday)
Special (Non-Working) Days
  • Chinese New Year - January 23 (Monday)
  • Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Tuesday)
  • All Saints Day - November 1 (Thursday)
  • Special non-working day - November 2 (Friday)
  • Last day of the year - December 31 (Monday)
Special Holidays
  • EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 25 (Saturday)
  • Eid al Fitr and Eidul Adha will be announced as soon as the Islamic community will announce the dates
 If you are doing business here in the Philippines, please take note that some provinces also have their own special holidays. So if you want to transact business in provincial and other local government units, make sure you also know the local holidays.

Meanwhile, plan your holidays now.