Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts

The Neglected Advantage of “Internet” And the

“Infinite” Promise of Improved Cyber Services in the Philippines

By Apolinario Villalobos

In the Philippines, it is obvious that the IT (information technology) is generally limited to the use of cellphone and facebook. The national government keeps on promising about the modernization of the “internet system” for the Philippines to be at par with other Asian countries with fast and cheap cost of cyber service providers, but the pronouncements have remained a promise because of greed and corruption. There is news about the entry of a “third party” but when will the Filipinos feel its presence?  As with commodities and other services, especially, the basic ones such as rice, tobacco, electricity and water, the field of information technology has also gone into the basket of greed called “monopoly” encouraged by the seemingly innate corrupt character of many government officials.

The Philippines, despite her being a “third world country”, is already technologically equipped, even how meager these equipment may be. But due to corruption, in some LGUs, while documents show that computer units have been purchased, they are nowhere to be found. Worse, if ever some Barangays are lucky to have been provided with them, they become “typewriters” ONLY due to the absence of signal, hence, not fully utilized.

Another issue is on the lack of proper orientation of the concerned on how the “internet” can be fully utilized for the benefit of the LGUs and interested parties. The “internet” is the system that keeps the cyberspace alive. The world has practically become dependent on it for just anything from show business gossips to sensitive and supposedly confidential securityswinformation of nations. Travelers browse through its travel pages for information about places, food, hotels, etc. Students download information from it for their projects and thesis. 

The “internet” is the world’s archival system of information… the web of information highways connecting peoples and nations. This glaring fact has been neglected by many Philippine LGUs as again, their computers have become “typewriters”…not connected to the cyber world, part of which is their “head office” or their Municipal or City Hall . Many  LGus are already contented for having an  “internal archive” in their offices, as instead of hard copies of memos, reports, being printed and filed in the filing cabinet, all that the clerk does is push the “save” on the keyboard  and the work is done!

Another oversight is on the lack of important information on the LGU’s total scope of coverage, especially, historical data. For instance, although, all the barangays are listed in the internet site of their town or city, many of them do not have a site of their own. And worse, although listed, there are no historical data…just current statistics on the area, population and list of officials without accompanying photos of these personalities. How can those be informative?  The LGUs are supposed to have “information offices”, but the question is..are they conducting researches to collect information  right from the field to establish an historical archive?

My suggestion is for these information offices to gather first-hand information by taking photos of anything interesting in their community, conduct interview of old folks for historical information, etc.,  and upload these for archiving in their computers ready for downloading or quick access of visiting researchers and tourists.

The towns and cities should have their own archive for each barangay, and the information shared with the sites of the latter which are technologically ill-equipped.  Information should not be limited to visuals or photos of fiestas and social gatherings, oath taking, etc., as well as, mere statistics which are required of them in the first place, but also extensively written dissertations….essays, studies, gathered proposals, etc. It is not duplication of job, but “enhancement” to what the other offices are doing. This effort shall indicate COOPERATION which many LGUs lack as this expectation is oftentimes overshadowed by COMPETITION among offices which from all angles can be viewed as very unhealthy and viciously unproductive to the detriment of the LGU as a whole.

 

Why I Blog

By Apolinario Villalobos

Many people who have been reading my blogs are wondering why I am doing it…worse, some even presume that I am being paid for such emotionally tedious undertaking. Plainly and simply, I tell them that it is my advocacy. I hate to use such word, but I might cause them to raise their eyebrows if I tell them, it is my hobby. I am serious in what I am doing and it is not just for fun. I am not being paid but some viewers of my blogs send help for the subject personalities whom I write about, and which are handled with much care. For this endeavor, I am taking so much risk as my security is also at stake in view of my blogs on corruption.

I always ask myself that if I will not share with others what I perceive and experience “along the way”, who will do it? If I have to be brutally frank, I dare say that many people are numb, naïve, blind, deaf, etc. to what are happening around us. One viewer even had the temerity to send me the message, “you think you are a great writer, huh!”. He is not an fb friend and most hurting is that he is also a Filipino. I just presumed that he is a friend of a politician whom I have been jabbing with my posts, which being “public” are open to all internet browsers. As an information, I have four other blog sites aside from facebook. My first facebook page has even been hacked many months back so I can no longer open it, forcing me to create another one with my photo on it. Unfortunately, many friends still use the hacked fb despite the notices that I have posted.

I identify with people whom I blog as I had my own struggles to be able to finish my studies, having been orphaned at a young age. Growing up, I observed the corrupt practices in the government which have been deeply impressed in my mind. I observed so much arrogance of some supposedly “shepherds” of the various churches. Having gone around the country, I saw poverty in its various levels and perceived its ugly faces drawn on my impoverished countrymen. I would like to let the world know about the benevolence of unsung heroes in our midst. Also, let others know, Filipinos and foreigners that the country is a cluster of islands worth discovering for their unique and varying splendor. I would also like to serve as other people’s conscience and mirror. Most of all God gifted me with the ability to write and I know that He did not give it to me to be kept selfishly, but with a purpose. Those are the reasons why I blog.

What give me the drive to go on are the inspiration and encouragement from those who are kind enough to appreciate what I am doing aside from enhancing what I share with their comments and rectifications on what they think should be improved. I am also encouraged to go on if what I share could successfully elicit relevant comments, especially, about blogged people whose characters are worthy of emulation, not just appreciation.  I believe that I am just doing my share of what should be done as intended by God. I am not a doctor, nor a professor, nor a pastor, nor a cook, nor a policeman, nor a businessman, etc….but I have a purpose, too, in this world and that is….as a simple writer.

I always imagine that the world is like a jigsaw puzzle composed of parts with various shapes that snugly fit together. While others could be triangle, circle, square…I could be a rectangle….that is I, as a blogger, and with my own shape, I am trying my best to neatly fit into this world. By the way, I need prayers, too, to keep me keep me and my advocacy alive, at least even for just a little longer.

Ang Mga Pino-post sa Facebook

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Hanggang ngayon ay may nag-aakalang may bayad ang pag-post ng mga larawan sa facebook, na isang maling akala. May mga tao ring nangungutya ng mga nagpi-facebook na ang pino-post ay mga larawang nagpapakita ng kasiyahan – mga kuha sa bertdey kaya maraming pagkain, o di kaya ay nang nakaraang pasko kaya may Christmas tree at mga regalo, nag-eemote na pakenkoy ang posing kaya masaya ang dating, at marami pang iba. Dapat unawain ng mga nangungutya na hindi dapat pinakikialaman ng kung sino man ang pino-post ng may-ari sa facebook niya.

May nabasa pa akong comment na, “ang hilig  magpo-posing suot magagandang damit pero hindi naman nagbabayad ng utang”. Para sa akin, kung ang inutangan ay ang nag-comment, hindi niya dapat hiyain ang may-ari ng facebook sa mga viewers na kapwa nila friends. Dahil sa ginawa niya, lumalabas ang kagunggungan niya, dahil dapat ay kinukulit niya ng singil at kung away magbayad ay ipa-barangay niya. Bakit hindi niya sugurin at singilin?...kaladkarin pa niya sa labas ng bahay at sabunutan sa gitna ng kalye kung ayaw magbayad. Ang commentor ay nagpapakita ng ugaling manlilibak….okey kapag kaharap ang kaibigan pero nililibak ito pagtalikod niya dahil siguro sa inggit!

May mga taong inaakala ng ibang naghihirap kaya ang inaasahan sa kanila ng mga nakakakilala  ay wala na silang karapatang mag-post ng mga photos na naglalarawan ng masaya nilang mukha at ang suot ay magagandang damit, may make-up at abot-tenga ang ngiti. Ang gusto ng mga nakakakilala sa mga taong inaakala nilang naghihirap kaya tumatanggap ng tulong mula sa iba ay malungkot ang mukha ng mga ito sa larawan upang ipakita na sila ay naghihirap. Libre ang pag-post ng mga larawan sa facebook kaya walang dapat makialam basta ang i-post ay huwag lang panawagan sa paghasik ng terorismo!

Karapatan ng may-ari ng facebook ang pagpili kung ano ang gusto niyang i-post. Sa mga naging biyuda pero bata pa o di kaya ay mga naghahanap ng asawa, facebook ang pinakamadaling paraan para sa mga nabanggit na pangangailangan. Ang problema nga lang ay inaabuso ng mga utak-kriminal tulad ng mga magnanakaw at rapist. Ang mga kawatan ay nagmamatyag sa mga inilagagay ng mayayabang sa facebook nila tulad ng “balita” na sila ay magbabakasyon sa malalayong lugar na tulad lang nilang mayaman ang may “karapatang” gumawa, o di kaya ay mga larawan ng interior ng bahay, ari-arian tulad ng alahas at kotse….pati address!

Ang mga manyakis naman na kalimitan ay may porma-  guwapo at matikas kung manamit na nakikita sa mga larawan sa facebook niya, ay nakikipagkaibigan sa mga babae, bata man o matanda na “matakaw” sa kaibigan. Ang mga naguguyo ng manyakis ay iniimbita sa isang “eyeball to eyeball” o pagkikita, halimbawa, sa mall. Ang susunod na kuwento dahil may halong krimen ang layunin ng pagkikita ay paggahasa sa babaeng may kabataan pa o pagnanakaw sa matandang babaeng nag-akalang may asim pa siya!

ANG “BLOGGER”,  “BASHER”

AT “NAKAWAN” SA INTERNET

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang “blog” ay maaaring ituring na “noun” o “verb”. Kaugnay niyan, kapag “noun” ay pwedeng sabihing “the blog”, kapag “verb” ay masasabing, “to blog”. Subali’t kung tutuusin ay tungkol lang ito sa “pagsusulat” o “pagpo-post” ng buong sanaysay o komento man lang o di kaya ay ng larawan sa sariling facebook o sa facebook ng iba pero may pahintulot nila, at iba pang sites sa internet, lalo na ang mga pag-aari ng blogger.

Ang “basher” naman ay mga nagbabasa ng mga blogs at dahil kampon yata ng demonyo, sa halip na tumulong sa pagpapalinaw sa isinulat ng blogger, ay umiikot sa mga personal na bagay ang isinusulat bilang komento. Ibig sabihin ng “personal” ay tungkol sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa blogger kaya nade-derail ang mensahe ng blog. Sila yong mga kung tawagin ay “viewers” o nagbabasa ng blogs na hindi nagpaparamdam at tumatayming ng blog na pwede nilang sirain o bulabugin kaya nagagalit rin ang ibang mga seryosong nagbabasa. Kalimitan ay gusto nilang palabasin na mas magaling sila sa blogger sa paggamit ng Tagalog o English, o di kaya ay palabasing mas maganda ang kanilang pananaw. Kung ganoon sana ang paniniwala at pananaw nila, sumulat na lang sila ng sarili nilang blog upang mai-post sa kanilang fb.

Sa isang banda, maraming taong matatalino sa larangan ng teknolohiya ang nakakakita ng “ginto” sa internet…mga oportunidad na pwede nilang pagkitaan sa anumang paraan, kahit masama. Ang isang paraan ay ang illegal na pag-hack ng mga sites, gawaing itinuturing ng mga hacker na isang prestihiyosong kaalaman. May mga hantaran pang umaamin na sila ay hacker dahil maraming tao at kumpanya ang umuupa sa kanila upang makapanira ng kalaban o kakumpetensiya sa negosyo. Yong ibang hacker naman ay pumapasok sa sites ng iba bilang katuwaan lang o para patunayan na sila ay magaling. Sa ganitong gawain ay may mga sinuswerte rin, tulad ng Pilipinong nag-hack ng IT system ng Pentagon. Sa simula ay kinastigo siya, pero kalaunan ay kinuha na lang ng Pentagon upang mapakinabangan ang kanyang katalinuhan.

Ang iba namang “magagaling” ay gustong kumita sa pamamagitan ng panloloko. Ang mga paraan ay, ang paggamit ng email kung saan ay magpapadala sila ng mga nakakaiyak na kuwento ng kanilang buhay upang makapag-solicit ng tulong; pakikipagkaibigan upang mapagamit sila ng bank account ng kinakaibigan na paglalagakan kuno ng perang minana nila; pagpapadala ng email message tungkol sa isang pasyente sa ospital na kailangang operahan kaya nakikiusap sa pinadalhan na ikalat ang message dahil kapag ginawa ito, bawat isang message na ipinadala sa isang kaibigan ay may katumbas na pisong didiretso sa isang account, kaya kung mag-viral ang message dahil sa dugtung-dugtong na koneksiyon ng mga may-ari ng emails, siguradong hindi lang 1 milyong piso ang malilikom; pagbebenta sa internet ng mga kalakal lalo na gadgets, subalit kapag nakapaglagak na ng bayad sa ibinigay na bank account ang niloko ay parang bulang mawawala ang on-line seller.

Ano pa nga ba’t ang magandang layunin sana ng teknolohiya ay sinira ng mga taong may mala-demonyong pag-iisip. Dahil sa mga nangyayari ngayon, nagkaroon ng agam-agam o takot ang mga internet users sa pagpadala ng mga mahahalagang impormasyon sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay tulad ng numero ng passport, mga kopya ng dokumento, bank account number, numero ng telepono, at pati address ng bahay o negosyo. Yong isa ngang mayabang, nag-post lang ng kopya ng kanyang First Class plane ticket at boarding pass sa facebook ay nakuhanan na ng mga personal na detalye tulad ng contact number at address ng bahay na nakapaloob pala sa “bar code” ng boarding pass gamit ang isang skimming device na gawa sa China! Kaya habang nagliliwaliw ang mayabang at ang pamilya niya, inakyat-bahay sila! Nangyayari ito kapag ang pasahero ay miyembro ng promo program na nangangailangan ng mga personal niyang impormasyon, kaya ang pangalan niya ay naka-connect sa information archive ng information system ng airline.

Ang epekto ng teknolohiya sa tao ay hindi nalalayo sa epekto ng mga inimbentong bagay na magdudulot sana ng kaginhawaan sa buhay ng tao. Ang gamot halimbawa, ay inimbento upang makapagpahaba ng buhay, subalit inabuso, kaya may namamatay dahil sa overdose o maling paggamit. Ang baril ay inimbento sana upang maging proteksiyon subalit ginamit sa katarantaduhan. Ang dinamita na gagamitin lang sana sa pagpasabog lang ng malalaking tipak ng bato upang hind maging hadlang sa ginagawang kalsada sa gilid ng bundok ay ginamit sa maling pangingisda at terorismo. Ganon din ang ginawa sa marami pang inimbentong ginamit na pagpuksa ng kapwa-tao at kalikasan. At, lahat ng iyan ay nangyayari dahil sa pagkagahaman ng tao  na umiiral sa mundo!

The Convenience and Curse of the Hi-Tech Social Media

By Apolinario Villalobos

Hackers can pick up personal information from ATM receipt and airline boarding pass. There is a gadget today that can be used to scan them for personal information of the identification owner. The best thing to do then is shred into pieces the used airline boarding pass and ATM receipt. Do not throw used boarding pass ATM receipt in trash cans or just anywhere in their intact form.

Restrain yourself from posting revealing personal information in your facebook to impress viewers. Do not use this social media as a diary. The most no-no is posting the interior of your lavishly furnished homes, again, to impress friends. Some even go to the extent of posting jewelries as if telling viewers to eat their heart out in envy, while others announce to the world that they will be out-of-town to enjoy weeks-long vacation.

Hackers can pick up passwords and usernames in free wi-fi sites, so that it is advised that upon reaching home, the passwords that were used in free wi-fi sites should be changed immediately. Some hackers frequent free wi-fi areas such as malls, airports, parks, hotel lobbies, and others to fish for easily hacked passwords.

Delete the history in the computer used in internet cafes. Hackers can retrace the route taken by browsers who forgot to delete the sites and pages that they opened and explored. The sites opened by the browser can betray his or her personality that hackers can use in invading his or her privacy. This should also be done when using personal computers such as laptop or desktop as they might be used by “friends” with unpleasant intention.

It is sad to note that the high-technology that brought about comfort and unquestionably helpful social media also brought with it a curse of destruction to the careless. The best protection that we can give ourselves is a reminder not to be too trusting.

Ang Pagpapalaganap ng Pananalig o Pananampalataya

(tungkol ito sa “chain prayer” at iba pa)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Maraming paraan ang maaaring gamitin sa pagpalaganap ng pananalig o pananamapalataya sa Diyos. Subali’t magandang gawin ito sa paraang walang karahasan o pamimilit.

Ang isang halimbawa ay ang ginagawa ng ISIS sa Gitnang Silangan na gumagamit ng dahas upang maisakatuparan ang hangad nilang mapalawak ang pamumuno ng “Islamic Caliphate”. Inabuso din nila ang tunay na kahulugan ng “jihad” na ginamit nilang pangbalatkayo sa pulitikal nilang layunin.

Ang iba naman ay gumagamit ng “literal” na kahulugan ng mga sinasabi sa Bibliya upang ipakita na malawak na ang narating sa kababasa ng nasabing libro. Hindi man lang nila naisip na ang Bibliya ay may iba’t-ibang bersiyon na ginagamit ng iba’t- iba ring relihiyon. Ang matindi pa nga ay ang sinadyang pagkaltas ng ibang bahagi ng nasabing libro upang umangkop sa layunin ng mga namumuno ng relihiyon.

May mga taong sumasampa sa mga bus at jeep o di kaya ay nagtitiyagang magsalita sa matataong lugar tulad ng palengke. Ang iba naman ay naghahanap ng makikinig sa kanila kaya umiistambay sa mga mall at liwasan o park tulad ng Luneta. Karamihan sa kanila ay nag-resign sa trabaho upang bigyan ng halaga ang “nararamdaman” daw nilang utos sa kanila ng Diyos, kaya ang resulta….pagtigil ng pag-aaral ng mga anak, at kagutuman ng pamilya. Ang mga nasa palengke naman ay matiyaga din, at kadalasan ay grupo sila – habang ang isa ay nagsasalita o kumakanta sa harap ng mikropono, ang mga kasama naman niya ay nakakalat hanggang sa paligid ng palengke na hindi na abot ng loud speaker, lumalapit sa mga tao habang may hawak na lagayan ng “donation”.

Noong wala pa ang computer, ang tawag sa daluyan ng teknolohiyang hatid ng radyo at telebisyon ay “air wave”. Ngayon naman ay may mas malawak na daluyang kung tawagin ay “cyberspace”. Kung noon ay may “air time” na binabayan ang mga maperang pastor na kung tawagin naman ay “block timer” upang magpalaganap ng mga salita ng Diyos ayon sa kanilang paniniwala, ngayon ang napakasimpleng gagawin lang ng isang tao ay magbukas ng facebook account, at presto!...mayroon na siyang venue, o outlet, o labasan ng kanyang mga saloobin.

Ang “facebook” naman ay para lang sana sa mga larawan ng mga magkaibigan upang maipakita nila ang  aktwal nilang hitsura o mga ginagawa lalo na ng pamilya, na maaring samahan ng maikling bagbati. Subalit dahil nakita ang lawak ng inaabot ng facebook, naisip ng mga may malakas na pananampalataya na magpalaganap ng kanilang paniniwala sa pamamagitan ng paglagay sa “frame” ng mga dasal na ginamit sa “chain” o tanikala upang marami ang marating na kaibigan. Ang nakasama ay ang “babala” o warning na kung hindi ipagpapatuloy ng nakatanggap ay may mangyayaring sakuna o kamalasan sa kanyang buhay. Ang mga may mahinang pundasyon ng pananalig ay natataranta at natatakot dahil kung minsan ang natatanggap nila ay may warning na  “dapat ay sa 50 na kaibigan” ipaabot. Kaya ang mga kawawang nakatanggap na ang kaibigan sa facebook ay wala pa ngang 10 ay  hindi na magkandaugaga sa paghanap ng iba pang tao kahit hindi gaanong kilala upang umabot lang 50 ang kanyang padadalhan! Ang iba ay hindi makatulog dahil dapat daw ay ikalat ang dasal sa loob ng 24 na oras!

Sa isang banda, hindi dapat ipinipilit ang pagyakap sa isang paniniwala na mula’t sapul ay ayaw ng isang tao. Hindi dapat idaan sa “chain prayer” ang pagpapalaganap ng pananalig sa Diyos, kung mismong ang nagpadala ay hindi rin gumagawa ng dapat gawin ayon sa dasal na ikinakalat niya. Paano kung ang pinadalhan ay bistado ang ugaling masama ng nagpadala? Alalahaning hindi nakokontrol ang ganitong uri ng pamamahagi o sharing at hindi maiwasang magkakabistuhan ng ugaling “plastic”. Ang mangyayari niyan, baka libakin pa ang nagpada ng “chain prayer”, ng mga pinadalhan niya dahil sa kanyang pagkukunwari. Yan ang dapat pag-ingatan sa paggamit ng “social media” tulad ng facebook.

At, ang pinakamahalaga….dapat alalahaning, mas malakas ang internet sa “itaas”….iba ang gusto ni Lord na mangyari, ang ipakita sa gawa at kilos ang mga Salita Niya, hindi ipakalat sa facebook na may kasamang pananakot….dahil marami nang taong pagod sa mismong pananakot ng ibang relihiyon na ang gagawa ng masama ay “mahuhulog sa nag-aapoy na impyerno”!

Beverly Padua: Nakakabilib Dahil Nakakabenta sa Internet

Kahit Cellphone lang ang Gamit

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Meet Beverly or Bevs na nakakapagbenta sa internet kahit walang laptop, i-Pad o desktop computer dahil ang gamit lang ay isang simpleng smart phone. Nakakagulat, dahil sa pagkakaalam ko, ang mga on-line sellers ay umaasa sa malalaking computer na kanilang tinututukan sa loob ng 24/7, hangga’t maaari. Nang una kong makita ang shop site niya ay bumilib na ako dahil  sa linis ng pagkagawa, hindi kalat o magulo kaya hindi nakakalito. Ginawa rin pala niya ito gamit lang ang simple niyang cellphone.

Panganay siya sa kanilang magkakapatid at ulila na sila sa ina. Ang tatay naman nila ay sakitin kaya silang magkakapatid na kumikita kahit papaano ang nag-aambagan upang makaraos ang pang-araw araw nilang pangangailangan. Kahit madalas silang kapusin sa budget ay dinadaan nila sa matinding pagtitipid ang lahat upang masambot ang kanilang pangangailangan lalo na ang mga gamot ng kanilang tatay.

Single mom din siya. Wala siyang hinanakit sa ama ng kanyang anak kahit na ito ay may iba nang pamilya. Kahit sa hinagap ay hindi niya naisip ang maghabol o magalit sa dating asawa, bagkus ay dinadaan na lamang niya sa pagsisikap ang lahat  upang mapalaki nang maayos ang nag-iisang anak na naging inspirasyon niya sa buhay. Sa kabila ng lahat ay hindi natinag ang kanyang malakas na pananalig sa Diyos, at sa halip ay tinutumbasan na lamang niya ng pagpapaubaya, dahil ayon sa kanya, darating din sa tamang panahon ang taong talagang nakalaan para makasama niya habang buhay.

Hindi siya nariringgan ng kahit kaunting hinagpis kahit may mga pangangailangan din siya para sa kanyang kalusugan bilang isang diabetic. Ilang beses na rin siyang sinumpong nang matindi dala ng kanyang sakit subalit lahat ay kayang nalampasan, kaya ang ginagawa na lamang niya ay pag-ibayuhin pa ang pag-iingat upang hindi siya atakehin uli.

Masidhi ang pananampalataya ni Bevs sa kapangyaarihan ng Diyos dahil ilang beses na rin daw niya itong napatunayan. Noong nakaraang taon kung kaylan patung-patong ang pangangailangan nila sa pera ay saka naman humina ang bentahan, subalit hindi siya nagpakita ng pagkainis, sa halip ay tinanggap na lang ang sa tingin niya ay isang pagsubok. Totoo ang kanyang naramdaman dahil nitong nakaraang mga araw ay nagsunud-sunod naman ang pagpasok ng mga order sa kanya.

Kahit ang dapat sana’y kailangan niyang i-Pad lamang upang lumaki kahit bahagya ang screen na kanyang tinututukan ay ipinagkikibit na lamang niya ng balikat. Hindi daw priority ito, kaya bibili na lamang siya kapag may ekstra siyang naipon dahil ang mahalaga ay ang pangangailangan ng kanyang anak, isa pang kapatid na nag-aaral, at amang nangangailangan ng mga gamot.

Hindi siya nawawalan ng lakas kahit halos magdamag kung tumutok siya sa cellphone sa paghintay ng papasok na order dahil kapag pinalampas ng kahit ilang minuto lang na hindi nasagot agad, ay lilipat na sa ibang online shopping site ang browser. At, ang sikreto daw niya sa pagkakaroon ng lakas ay ang tiwala sa Diyos na nasa likod lang niya.

Magandang halimbawa si Bevs sa mga nagsisikap kahit maraming kakulangan dahil kahit simpleng smart phone lang ang gamit ay kumikita, hindi tulad ng iba na nakikipag-text at tsismisan lang sa mga barkada, ang gusto ay mamahaling cellphone o i-Pad pa, at kung hindi mapagbigyan ay magtatampo sa mga magulang o di kaya ay lalayas, at kung asawa naman ay magdadabog na humahantong kung minsan sa pagpapabaya ng mga obligasyon bilang asawa at ina.

(For interested shoppers, please check Princessrobe O’shop and OBe Padua facebook pages.)

A day in the Life of a Struggling Blogger

By Apolinario Villalobos

In countries like the United States, bloggers have no problem because all they need to do is just go to a park, and there, with free wifi connection, they can blog for as long as they want. But not in a third-world country like the Philippines where the government’s promise for free wifi sites in public places is part of nauseating propaganda of the administration. A blogger has to have a landline for an assured strong signal that can be sucked by a modem. An option is to have a USB broadband and portable or pocket wifi which must be loaded. Lucky are the bloggers that can connect to a neighbor with a repeater wifi that he can use, with consent of course.

But for a struggling blogger who has no landline to which a modem for wifi can be attached for a strong signal, or cannot afford a post-paid plan for broadband or pocket wifi, there’s no other choice but a load from a corner store bought for 50pesos which is good for one day. As soon as the load has been registered, the blogger must get to work immediately to maximize the use for the allotted time. The problem is the weak signal, especially, if several blog sites have to be opened for uploads. During unfortunate days with a weaker signal, uploading may take the whole day, instead of the normal four to five hours. During those days the indicator for a successful connection would just turn round and round, almost infinitely.

There are times when blogs which are thought to have been uploaded successfully are trashed due to incompleteness of attempt. Other times, due to the weak signal, uploading process hangs. And, worst, is when the signal is cut off in the middle of uploading!

What aggravates the situation are the promo offerings of servers, enticing internet users to buy their cheap surfing package which are deemed useless because, even until the purchased load has been consumed, no connection has been made! It is like rubbing salt to the wound.

The National Telecom time and again has expressed it s disgust over the inutility of the service of the different Philippine-based servers, but just like the mumblings of other government agencies for show, nothing has been done which is a clear defiance on the part of the servers, an obvious loss of respect to the government. Meanwhile, the internet users suffer, especially, struggling poor bloggers. And, just to assure a little bit of strong signal, bloggers of this kind have to do the uploading in the wee hour of 3AM!

To Blog and Risk Losing Life, Friends and Kinsfolks

Or Not to Blog and Remain Nice to All…and Stay Alive

By Apolinario Villalobos

The difference between “blogging” and “contributing” is that while the former gets published in the web of the information technology, the latter gets printed on papers. However, their common denominator is the “purpose” which is to “share”…a risky endeavor, especially, if what are shared concern politics, corruption, and religion. The risk is on losing one’s life, kinsfolks, and longtime friends.

In our province, Marlene Garcia Esperat, a courageous mediaperson lost her life when she exposed anomalous transactions in a government agency. The obviously hired killer had the gall to enter her house and pumped bullets into her head, to make sure that she was disabled for life. That’s one risk, made real – losing one’s life. Similar stories get splashed on pages of tabloids and broadsheets that many people do not take seriously, as they are perceived to be just ordinary incidents akin to road accidents and apprehension of drug pushers.

Bloggers cannot limit themselves with shares about fashion, literary, foods, travel, photography, etc. Sometimes they have to touch on controversial matters, such as politics that include corruption, and religion.  Blogs on these topics may affect the bloggers’ sensitive relatives and friends. Bloggers, therefore, wonder why, all of a sudden, some relatives and friends shy away from them. Some find themselves ignored by friends and buddies since grade school, as well as beloved relatives.

This unfortunate reality is happening to all bloggers. I found this out when I attended a small gathering of bloggers, during which blogging updates were passed around. Two bloggers shared that their sites were hacked, and another started getting threats via facebook messages when he uploaded blogs shared from other sites, about a controversial politician from their province in the north. Expectedly, the sender uses a fictitious personality.

Bloggers are just human instruments of the information technology, so that what they do should not be taken against them. A lot of sacrifice is made, aside from exhaustive effort in coming up with blogs, not to mention the precious time spent and money saved from scrimping on other necessities. Some bloggers earn, but most do not…as they bring out ideas, mainly due to their ardent love for writing and sharing.

The Serious Netizens

…who are they?

By Apolinario Villalobos

Civilization has given us the high technology, thanks to the geniuses who toiled many 24/7 days of their life in order to develop bundles of convenience and comfort. And, the cyberspace is the centerfold of such effort. Today, not only texts and designs can be printed but some approved medicines, as well. Actual operations on patients in operating rooms thousands of miles away can be made via visual instructions. Interplanetary explorations are today made with ease, unlike before when taking an accurate photo of the moon’s cratered surface was a complex thing to do.

The emergence of high-technology has also developed a new generation of humanity – the “netizens”. These are the patient people who made the quick spread of knowledge possible. When before, one has to run to the library to check on something or pore over pages of encyclopedia at home, today, all that one need to do is tap the keys of his laptop, desk computer or smart phone, anywhere, anytime.

One can “travel” to other places by just browsing through the posts of travel bloggers, or check the posts of foodie bloggers to have an idea on what those in African continent and Mediterranean islands eat most of the time, or be updated on how to improve his health by going over the pages of posts on health and medicine.

The serious netizens are those who share what they know because they want to help humanity. They are also those who are hungry for the information that are archived in the webs of the cyberspace. They do not abuse the technology by bashing others through the facebook or post blogs that can foment misunderstanding, as well as, incite trouble.

The serious netizens are the unselfish ones who cause the viral spread of information about people, animal and places in distress. They offer help in any form – counsel, money or prayers to helpless strangers whose face they saw only on posted blogs. They are the new citizens of the world whose effort in helping others knows no boundary, and whose heart’s warmth penetrates even the deepest corners of any jungle all over the world.

You, who are viewing this, belong to this new generation! Congratulations!

Isang Pagbusisi sa Mundo ng Facebook

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ngayon, ang facebook na yata ang pinakatanyag na bahagi ng internet dahil marami na ang nakapagpatunay na talagang malaking tulong ito sa buhay ng tao.  Malamang na ang orihinal nitong gamit ay para lamang sa mga retrato, kaya dapat ay naka-frame ang mga ipo-post sa facebook, upang magmukha itong “photo album” , kaya nga “facebook” o “aklat ng mukha”. Dahil dito ay nagdalawang- isip ako noon sa paglagay ng mga ginawa kong sanaysay at tula. At, kung kailangan ko talagang maglagay, dapat ay i-frame ko rin sila. Sa payak kong kaisipan, pwede nga siguro, pero kailangan kong tadtarin at ilagay sa kung ilang frame dahil kung ang isang sanaysay ay mahaba, iisang buong page na ng facebook ang siguradong masasakop nito….at sigurado ding isusumpa ako ng nangangasiwa dahil sa pang-aabuso!

Maaaring magkaroon ng ilang “katauhan” gamit ang ilan ding facebook dahil hindi naman alam ng nangangasiwa kung sino talaga ang may-ari ng mga ito. Dahil sa nabanggit, dapat lang na bago mag-confirm ng “friend request” ay kailangang tsekin ang mga detalye sa facebook ng nagpadala. Ang siste lang, marami ang gumagawa ng facebook na ang tanging laman ay pangalan at hindi pa sigurado kung totoo. Lalo na ngayong panahon ng batikusan sa larangan ng pulitika na nagbigay- buhay sa maraming grupo na ang layunin ay mambatikos ng mga pulitiko. Kung papansinin, ang facebook ng ibang nambabatikos ay walang lamang detalye kundi nakakadudang pangalan. Okey lang sana kung makabuluhan ang mga pagbatikos, subali’t ang iba ay halata namang hindi pinag-isipan, kaya ang labas ng mga gumawa ay ang tinatawag sa social media na “bashers”. Sila ang mga mahilig lang mangantiyaw at makisakay sa mga isyu.

Ang problema sa kaso ng “bashing” ay mahirap i-trace kung sino ang mga kaibigan ng “bashers” at kung kaninong facebook sila nakakabit kaya nagawa nilang pumasok sa “loop” o samahan ng mga dapat sana ay magkakakilala. Problema din dito kung naka-“public” ang isang facebook kaya napapasok ng kahit sino.

Mayroon ring nanlilito ng mga viewers. Ito yong parang may iniiwasan. Ang payo ko lang, kapag dating kaibigan ang gumagawa nito at obvious na talagang namimili lang siya ng makakadaupang-palad sa facebook, huwang nang magpumilit na mag-reach out sa kanya. Pagbigyan siya sa kanyang kagustuhan dahil baka nagkaroon ng hindi magandang karanasan sa piling ng mga dating ka-fb, kaya dinelet niya ang dati at nagbukas ng bago, at pati katauhan niya para sa mundo ng internet ay binago na rin.

Hindi rin pala tinatanggal ng nangangasiwa ng facebook ang mga namamayapa na, kaya tuloy pa rin ang pagsulpot ng mga pangalan nila sa listahan ng mga suggested friends. Nagkakaroon tuloy ng tampo ang ibang palaging nagpapadala ng friend request na hindi naman daw inaaksiyunan, hanggang sa may magsabing patay na pala ang taong gusto nilang maka-friend!...nagsisi tuloy sila dahil sa pagtampo sa taong matagal na palang patay! …kaya nagkaroon pa ng obligasyon na taimtim na pagdasal upang humingi ng sorry sa namayapa!

Marami ring kuwentong “pagkikita” sa facebook pagkalipas ng kung ilang taon. May mga kabataan namang sa facebook naging magkaibigan, hanggang sa magligawan, na kung minsan ay nauuwi sa lokohan kaya may mga kaso ng panggagahasa. Mayroon ding kaso ng lokohan sa pera na idinaan sa pakikipagkaibigan sa facebook. Pero may mga sinusuwerte ding nakakita ng matinong asawa sa facebook.

Upang makaiwas sa kapahamakan, dapat na lang isaalang-alang ang lubusang pag-ingat sa paggamit ng facebook. At, huwag din abusuhin ang magandang layunin nito para lang makapangantiyaw ng kapwa upang hindi magantihan. Palaging alalahanin na hindi man tayo nakikita ng ating kapwa sa ating ginagawa, hindi bulag ang nasa itaas na 24/7 nakabantay sa atin…

The Harmful Effects of Modern Technology

By Apolinario Villalobos

There is no question to the purpose of man in continuously discovering new conveniences to make life more and more comfortable which is a noble quest. It is a pursuit that resulted to the fabrication of bullet trains, jet-propelled aircraft that defy speed, synthetic drugs that prolong life, long lasting gene-modified vegetables, and many more.

But because of the universal principle of negative and positive, the modern technology has likewise, brought forth harmful effects. The convenient “plastic money” – ATM and credit cards have become tools of the fraudulent in sacking bank accounts of the hapless. System-generated communications of banks that contain confidential account status, complete with figures and speedily printed for distribution to their clients via mail or courier service, oftentimes land easily into the hands of hackers. The latest scheme in the unscrupulous emptying of bank accounts involves the bold “skimming” of ATM cards.

The computer and internet shops have become the scourge of families and schools, as juveniles splurge their allowance at internet cafes and skip classes to be with their buddies in such hangouts. Instead of browsing their books, they become engrossed in exciting and violent internet games. They have also developed the habit of talking back to their parents who think twice before giving them hard-earned money to be spent in internet cafes. Meanwhile, social networks have become the venue of people with deteriorating values in lambasting online, unsuspecting people who do not deserve such treatment.

The governments, private institutions and individuals are not spared by the waylaid IT geniuses with their sporadic hacking activities – just for fun or for a fee. Some hackers earn by rumbling sites, although, some do the act just to prove that they can do it. On the other hand, some countries use hacking as a tool in sending warning to their “opponents” to behave or suffer more damaging actions.

The worst effect of modern technology, however, is the invention of grossly damaging tools for warfare that could swiftly annihilate lives in minutes. For instance, a single lethal bomb may just be enough in obliterating several adjoining cities from the face of the earth, with ease. The suffering of the population can even be prolonged by using cultured viruses released into the atmosphere of a country.

There goes our free will. The extent of our life, practically, depends on us. God gave us the freedom to choose, which is tantamount to saying that He cannot be blamed for anything that happens to us on earth.  We are intelligent enough to know what is good or bad for us…but do we give such thought even just a few minutes of musing?

The Benefits of Social Media

…and their threat

By Apolinario Villalobos

The family is the basic unit of a society. Essentially, the relationship among the members is by blood, however, tradition and the need of society extended its scope to include close relationship by affinity and camaraderie that has been developed within fraternities and sororities, schools, and the occupational institutions. And the most popular bonding activity of these “families” is the reunion.

The hi-tech social network has become an effective venue for members of these “families” to get in touch with each other. The technology has practically made the limitation of distance, a thing of the past. With just one touch of a key, “family” members spread around the world “see” and “talk” to each other, and long lost friends and classmates are reconnected after decades of separation.        .

There are instances when the hi-tech facility is used as a tool in distant operations, such that the surgeon doing the actual procedure to the patient in a certain country is assisted by an expert via the visual monitor from the latter’s end in another country. Bloggers who are separated by oceans and get connected with fellow bloggers compare notes on how deal with certain subjects. And, even the people’s pope, Francis, is very much in touch with his flock via the web.

The hi-tech social media have practically compressed the whole world into a “neighborhood”. Through the internet, surfers know where to find commodities not found in regular outlets. Those confined at home can have their groceries delivered at their doorstep. Students need not spend grueling time in libraries to pore over reference materials for their thesis. Business ideas even for small scale ventures, especially do-it-yourself at home guides, can be chosen from the horde of proposals in just one click.

Those whose eyes are no longer reliable to discern the small texts of the Bible can surf the web for passages, even check the scientific history of mankind, and if not contented, further check the story of Creation. The health buffs can check seemingly limitless list of beneficial herbs, dishes that can ensure long life, and non-prescriptive medicines to prevent occurrence of sickness.

Unfortunately, the evil that is innate in man drives some of these God’s “intelligent” creatures to exploit the social media for their selfish motives. These are the hackers whose minds are practically coated with the thick tar of evil design. They intrude websites and cause havoc among their users and owners. They steal information from sites, and go to the extent of even stealing the identities of site owners.

The world is not cloaked with goodness alone. The negatives are out there to test our mettle, and we should always be steadfast in facing them. Not only physical strength is needed, but mental and spiritual firmness, as well.