We don't respect security guards... and that's the problem

Problem with the society today is we don't respect authorities anymore - police officers, traffic enforcers  and even the security guards.

The job of security guards can be said as "thankless" yet their responsibilities are serious, and they are among the underpaid ones.  They are often taken for granted until only something significant happens. Especially in the Philippines, security guards at the malls and at the metro rail stations are known mainly for searching our bags for some 'unidentified' objects.  But we are forgetting, in times of emergencies, they are one of the firsts to respond. Guards also have the power to arrest suspects, detain them until police comes.

But they get no respect.

One of my favorite Filipino authors of recent, Alex Lacson, said in his book 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country, "Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier and other public servants."

Respect is a mark of most profound education. Respect is intellectual. Respect is more than just being kind to the person. Respect gives a positive feeling of regard.  It empowers and makes the recipient proud. It gives honor to them and to the work they do.

If you are educated, you don't just berate security officers, regardless of who started the fire.

One Guarded Moment

While I meant respect, I'm also aware that some of them commits mistake and at times doing their jobs wrong - just like any of us as well.

Back in high school, I was accused of shoplifting by a security guard - and he humiliated me publicly at the center of SM Southmall.

I went to National Bookstore to look for a song book. I was carrying my guitar. I tried to leave it at the baggage deposit counter but the attendant asked me to just take it with me inside the store because it's too bulky for the baggage racks.

I spent some time looking for the right song book but I found none. I decided to leave National Bookstore and look somewhere else. As I walked past about 2 minutes, a security guard of National Bookstore approached me, asking me where I hid and kept the songbook I "stole" from the store.

What a freak! And he's speaking in a high voice. He grab my guitar, sneak into the hole and shook it because he suspected that I put the songbook inside. People are looking at us. Imagine the humiliation? The mall security guard inspecting your guitar and your pockets in the middle of the crowd...

Foul! I said why the hell he suspected me, and he religiously followed me until I reach Storyland. Apparently, he was keenly watching me from the time I entered National Bookstore til I left. Of all people, suspecting me? National B.S.

He asked me to go back to National Bookstore to discuss his accusation further with the management. He kept on shaking my guitar and my waist for a suspected stolen songbook. Before we reach, he was convinced that no songbook was stolen. He just left and let me go.

I was upset. I did no Amalayer. I was just an innocent 15 that time.

I told my parents about it (who's also at the mall). We checked on the guard at National Bookstore and call the management. My dad confronted them civilly, saying what the guard did was totally wrong and unacceptable at all. All the management and the guard said... Amasorry.

This and other minor incidents with security guards contribute to how I regard them.  But just like us, they also commit mistakes. But that doesn't mean we have to be rude at them too. What's the point? As what writer Eric Hoffer said, "rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."

And I say, no rude man lessen stupidity, no matter how wrong or right he is.

Is your nationality your identity?

Q & A with Gulf News' Community Solutions Journalist Heather Madore

Q: In the past, people would stick to groups of people who shared their nationality. Is this a practice you still a lot of today?
A: It's a basic instinct I must say. A person would rather approach a group in which he sees himself fitting. It's a more comfortable feeling than sneek into a foreign group and be alienated trying to relate himself with the majority.

Q: Have more people begun to mix nationalities?
A: Yes I think so. People would love to mix with other nationalities for the simple reason of "discovering." Oftentimes, introductions in the conversation between different nationalities is about where they came from, and what's good (or not) about the place. And that actual geographical learning per say is amazing. Our nationality is only a general classification. At the end of the day, we create an identity based on what we do or what we like - and those things lead to mingling with people (regardless of nationality) who also like the same.
 
Q: Has social media like facebook, twitter and MSN helped people come together?
A: Definitely. Here in Dubai, there were already numerous events organized by people connected via Twitter, Facebook or Meetup. With majority of the population being expats, we are always craving for something to do. We are excited to build our network.

Q: What other reasons have contributed to people mingling?
A: People connected via social networks are excited and curious to see who the actual person behind a username is. In the first place, people got connected online through a common interest. Events themed with that commont interest - be it an informal mini-conference-over-a-coffee, an art exhibit, or a demo of a project, or a concert - makes them want to mingle. Mingling creates an OPPORTUNITY to meet and discover random cool and exciting people. It could open doors to create a personal or professional relationships with people.

Q: Does the fact that the UAE has so many different nationalities help break down barriers or create them?
A: Dubai is one good example of a borderless community. It's not the nationality that creates groups for people - it's their interests. If I love football, I will mingle with football fans alike. The fact that companies employ people from different nationalities and merge into one team already kill the barriers.

Q: What makes a persons identity? How do you judge a persons identity?
A: Each person has his own brand (or identity). He creates it (and is judged) by the way he speaks, he acts, and sometimes by his interests; or physically by his posture. In social media, a person's identity is determined by the information he shares. We call it reputation management.

One, of many, aspects I can judge a person's identity is the consistency of the way he carries the reputation he builds for himself. There are people who consistently talks only about one thing. There are also people who talks about random things.

Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation

PEBA has witnessed the real life suffering and loneliness of the OFWs and their families and believes that strengthening the OFW families, strengthens the homes and the nation! Thus, this season’s theme of

“Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation”

does not just momentarily fit the issue of hour but is a timeless subject that cannot be bound by shackles so long as there are OFWs out there.

Scores of blogs and articles have been written about the subject in the past but it seems that the government authorities remain clueless of solutions and action plans to abate the increasing number of broken families.

How to apply for passport in the Philippines?

You can now enjoy the convenience of getting an appointed date and time to apply for your ePassport. All you have to do is provide your personal info online and choose an available date and time convenient for you. Applying for the ePassport is now more efficient. 

That's what the new DFA Passport Appointment System website claims.

Here's how to set an appointment to apply for a new (or renewal of) passport in the Philippines:

1. Visit www.passport.com.ph and check the Required Documents and Application Procedures. I will only cover about the process here. 
2. Click 'Set an appointment' link on the left sidebar.
3. Fill up the Application form about your personal details and contact information, and click submit button.
4. If you're a new applicant, the required documents will be shown next. Just click the Continue button until it's finished.
5. You will be asked to select an appointment date (first) and time on the next page. (Note: the calendar begins with the earliest available month for appointments)
6. A confirmation page containing your Appointment Number and schedule will show next. Click the link to print the page and bring it on your appointment.

* NOTE: In some cases, you might receive an email saying that your appointment date is not available and they will set you on the next earliest schedule.

What you need to do on the Appointment date of your passport application?

1. You must be at the new DFA Passport Center office at least 1 hour before your appointment time - as hundreds are also appointed on the same time. 
2. You will still be asked to queue and be given a number. There are more than 20 counters so the queue moves a little quicker.
3. Once called, present the required documents on the counter. 
4. Pay the cost - Php950 for normal processing - 20 WORKING DAYS; Php1200 for rush - 10 WORKING DAYS.
5. You will be asked to go to the 2nd floor for your photo, thumbmarks and signature. You need to queue again.
6. The officer will ask to verify your details. Please do verify very well.
7. You will be given with a claim stub with the date of release stamped on it.
8. If you want your passport to be delivered, proceed to the Courier counter to sign a delivery form. You will have to pay Php100 if within Metro Manila, or Php120 if outside Manila. LBC is one of the best courier to sign-up to.

Is DFA accurate about the release date (and delivery) of passports?

In my case, NO. Since the system is very new, glitches happen. I paid for a rush processing and delivery of passport, but I got it 5 days late from it's release and delivery date.

Is the DFA Hotline helpful? What are the numbers to call for follow-ups on passports?

Hell no! Not at all. I was trying to call the 737-1000 Support Hotline for Passport Centre on the date of my passport release. After several attempts and spending lots of minutes hanged on the phone, somebody picked my call. They DON'T KNOW the status of the passports. They CANNOT TELL if the passports were released on time or picked up already by the respective couriers. All they can do is GIVE PHONE NUMBERS to call to get the status.

They gave me more than 3 numbers to call, just to know the status of my passport. Pissed, nobody answers the phones at all. If not busy, the phone just keep ringing. The other phone line seems inactive - "The subscriber cannot be reached." It was like that for 2 days.  Annoying.

Come 4th day of delay. I was able to connect to their Support Hotline again (the harder way). They still remain that they have no way to know the status of the passports and they insist on telling me to call those numbers they gave me.

I talked to the supervisor (I have to beg annoyingly the agent to give the phone to his supervisor), and before she insisted the same things. I insisted that they call those numbers that they say are active and have people answering, and then get back to me with a clear status report.

After 2 hours, she called me back and said that yes indeed my passport was delayed due to some reasons that some passports cannot undergo the RUSH processing and have to go through the EXTENDED or normal processing. I was asking for a refund since I paid for RUSH and didn't get it. But then again, she wanted me to call another number for it.

Roofcamp #7: Interesting journey to Web 2.0 & Cloud Computing

I got an invitation from John Arce on Facebook. It's for Roofcamp. Roofcamp what?

Roofcamp is an unstructured gathering with a friendly yet intense atmosphere of open information exchange, debate, teaching, learning, and discovery.

Apparently it's the 7th edition already of an event where technopreneurs, influencers, innovators, coders, designers, artists, VCs & Angels, philanthropists, startups, and other like minded individuals meet.

The guest resource speaker, Scott Henderson, CTO of Bookmans Entertainment Exchange, will share about their interesting journey into Web 2.0 and the Cloud Computing. Interesting!

If you also wish to attend, just show up. According to the WebGeek website, It's free and we'll also have a free beer. It will happen at Mag:Net Bonifacio High Street on Thursday, April 15, 2010from6:00pm to 9:30pm. I'm looking forward to meet new friends there!

Thanks to Jay Fajardo, Founder of Roofcamp / CEO of ProudCloud.net.

iBLOG 6 Itineraries (from iblogph.org)

Day 1 (April 16, 2010)
9:00 – 9:15 Opening Ceremonies (National Anthem, Welcome Remarks by JJ Disini)
9:15 – 9:35 Blogging for Business: Tapping Bloggers to Generate Buzz (Janette Toral)
9:50 to 10:10 Advertising in Blogs (Abe Olandres)
10:25 – 10:50 BREAK
10:50 – 11:10 SPONSOR talk (Ivy Jean Vibar)
11:25 – 11:45 SEO & Blogging to Promote Your Business (Francis Gary Viray)
12:00 – 1:30 LUNCH / NETWORKING
1:30 – 1:50 Measuring Blog Buzz (Carlo Ople)
2:05 – 2:25 Legal Concerns in Blogging for Business (Emerson Bañez)
2:40 – 3:00 BREAK
3:00 – 3:20 Blogger and Advertiser: What is the Win-Win Relationship? (Diana Paterno)
3:35 – 3:50 Online Attraction Marketing (Manuel Viloria)
4:05 RAFFLE and GROUP PICTURE

Day 2 (April 17, 2010)
8:45 Opening Ceremonies (National Anthem & Welcome)
9:00 – 9:20 Blogging 101 (Hannah Villasis)
9:35 – 9:55 Video Blogging 101 (Vince Golangco)
10:10 – 10:30 Photo Blogging 101 (Juned Sonido)
10:45 – 11:00 BREAK
11:00 – 11:20 Blog Policies (Emerson Bañez)
11:35 – 11:55 Blog on Mobile (Racquel R. Cagurangan)
12:10 – 1:20 LUNCH & NETWORKING
1:20 – 1:30 Performance (UP Concert Chorus)
1:30 – 2:15 Political, Online Commentary, Social Media, & Election Blogging 2010 (Marck Ronald Rimorin and Noemi Dado)
2:30 – 2:50 Launching Successful Blog Contests (Jinoe Gavan)
3:05 – 3:20 BREAK
3:20 – 3:40 Impact of Blogging to the Community (Joseph Gonzales)
3:55 – 4:15 SEO: A Must for Making Money Online (Marhgil Macuha)
4:30 RAFFLE, iBlog Video Contest Winner Announcement, & GROUP PHOTO

Emcees: Flowell Galindez and Atty. Michelle Dy (UP-ISP)

Social Networking Conference... in real life!

One of many reasons why I love staying in the Philippines is that 'networking' is everywhere and is not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, Youtube and other online media. In my 3 years in Dubai, I'm always hungry for a REAL-LIFE "social networking about social networks." Sadly, Dubai has got almost nothing about Internet-savvy professionals and social media enthusiasts (except Dubai Twestival).

So when I chanced upon Janette Toral's Plurk post, I visited the link to Fiera De Manila's page about this Social Networking and eBusiness Conference Philippines 2010. Finally!

FYI, I'm into Internet Marketing and recently I started learning about Social Media Marketing and how businesses are fast embracing the once mistakenly thought as "fad." The lineup of speakers and topics are just powerful. I'm excited to hear:

• Social Media Marketing Strategies Insights and Lessons Learne
• The Future of Social Networking and Social Norms
• Harnessing the Power of Social Media by Yahoo!
• How Brands are Becoming the Media
• Using Social Media in Search Engine Marketing Campaigns and It Influences Your Search Engine Rankings 

I would also like to hear the Case Study Presentations of the would-be Winners in Social Networking Awards 2010. Check this link for the complete list of topics and speakers.

I've had failures in the past and I'm expecting to be enlightened on the better roads to take. I would also want to have an idea how and where to take-off from this social media age. I dream to be part of the next big thing on or after Social Media.

I have not blasted yet on my Internet Marketing activities. I have been silent for the past couple of months (preparing our websites and social media accounts). I guess after this Social Networking Conference, I would be ready to position myself in the social map.

The Social Networking Conference 2010 is an event geared towards companies and digital marketing/advertising professionals and businessmen/entrepreneurs who are interested to use social networks for advertising/marketing their products and services. It is for dynamic and innovative companies, start-ups, and upcoming players who would like to leverage on current technologies to communicate and sell their products/services through social networks; and, gain knowledge as to how this industry is working and evolving.

The event will be on April 22-23, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom, Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City, Philippines. This is presented by Fiera de Manila, Inc. and Digital Filipino Club. Also supported by Blog4Reviews.

See you there! 

Working with idiots can kill you

Got this from Nina's wall on Facebook... It's is so true. Let me transcribe it for you:

Idiots in the office are just as hazardous to your health as cigarettes, caffeine or greasy food, an eye-opening new study reveals.

In fact, those dopes can kill you! Stress is one of the top causes of heart attacks - and working with stupid people on a daily basis is one of the deadliest forms, according to researchers at Sweden's Lindbergh University Medical Centre.

The author of the study, Doctor Dagmar Anderson, says her team studied 500 heart attack patients, and were puzzled to find 62% have relatively few of the physical risk factors commonly blamed for heart attacks.

"Then we questioned them about lifestyle habits, and almost all of these low-risk patients told us they worked with people so stupid they can barely find their way from the parking lot to their office. And their heart attack came less than 12 hours after having a major confrontation with one of these oafs."

One woman had to be rushed to the hospital after her assistant shredded important company tax document instead of copying them. A man told us he collapsed right at his desk because the woman at the next cubicle kept asking him for correction fluid - for her computer monitor.

"You can cut back on smoking or improve your diet," Doctor Anderson says, "but most people have very poor coping skills when it comes to stupidity - they feel there's nothing they can do about it, so they just internalize their frustration until they finally explode."

"Stupid co-workers can also double or triple someone's work load," she explains. "Many of our subjects feel sorry for the drooling idiots they work with, so they try to cover for them by fixing their mistakes. One poor woman spent a week rebuilding client records because a clerk put them all in the 'recycle bin' of her computer and then emptied it - she thought the records would be recycled and used again."

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Meron din akong sariling mga karanasan... Kailangan ko palang i-check ang sarili ko at malapit-lapit na akong sumunod..
--- Also, here.

Why Media in the Philippines Blur Brands on the Background?

 I'm not a Communication graduate, nor Journalism nor an Advertising professional. I am just sharing an observation... Why does Philippine TV blurs any brands which were 'accidentally' captured by their cameras? It is evident when they are soewhere with billboards in the background; or when a label of a product is in the frame (like Supermarkets). Foreign media never does that (Or I just haven't seen yet?). And why is it also that they can't mention brands and "proper names" when newscasting? Like they

Like: "Isang nakawan ang naganap sa isang SIKAT NA MALL sa Quezon City." or "Hinihingan pa sa ngayon ng komento ang may-ari ng NASABING ENERGY DRINK."