Five months ago, different financial institutions gave their predictions about the level of the Philippines Peso against the US dollar at the end of 2008. Most of their predictions were somewhere between 37 and 38. But now, these predictions seem impossible to happen. Blame it to the rising inflation. HSBC is now even expecting the peso to go as low 43 against the green buck. But who knows? Maybe it’s just another prediction that won’t happen.
If you are a consumer who looks for a fast, convenient and efficient way to do your day-to-day banking transactions, online banking might be the one for you.
Online Banking (also known as Internet Banking) allows customers to conduct financial transactions on a secure website operated by their retail or virtual bank, credit union or building society. Online banking solutions have many features and capabilities in common, but traditionally also have some that are application specific. The common features fall broadly into several categories: [1] Transactional (e.g., performing a financial transaction such as an account to account transfer, paying a bill, wire transfer… and applications… apply for a loan, new account, etc.), [2] Non-transactional (e.g., online statements, check links, cobrowsing, chat), [3] Financial Institution Administration and [4] ASP/Hosting Administration. (Online banking. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)
In the Philippines, a remarkable bank which offers this channel is the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). The range of services you can take advantage of is innumerable. From viewing real-time balances to transferring funds between your own deposit accounts and the accounts of your family members, friends and even the accounts of Mutual Fund Companies, Cooperative and many others. From paying your bills to reloading your cellphone. From applying for a credit card to applying for an auto or housing loan. Name it, they have it.
In Malaysia, I can say that Maybank is one the leading banks when it comes to Online Banking. Just like the BPI, Maybank has also a wide range of online services. For the Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs), the most important one is the international Telegraphic Transfer or simply TT. Because the fee is just the same as that of the over-the-counter telegraphic transfer transaction, it is no doubt the most convenient way to remit money to the Philippines.
Truly, banking has been revolutionized by the advent of the Internet. It would not be surprising to see this area progress more. Let’s keep an eye on the next generation of online services that the banking sector will unfold in the next couple of years and enjoy the benefits it has to offer.
Yesterday, while waiting for a bus going home, I approached an Arab man to confirm if the bus I was looking for stops around the area. After getting a positive answer, he introduced himself. He said he’s from Yemen. He also said that he’s a part-time lecturer in a university here in Kuala Lumpur and is taking up graduate studies here. “How old do you think am I?” he asked. I didn’t answer. He said he was thirty seven. “I am experienced when it comes to marriage, childrearing, teaching, and life in general,” he continued talking. He whispered he has 3 wives. Two of which he has already divorced with. His twenty long years of married life gave him 7 children. One with his first wife, none from the second and six with the current one (I won’t say last).
And the bus came.
We got into the bus. He took a seat at the last row while I just decided to stand at the center. When a lot of passengers alighted from the bus, he waived his hand and asked me to sit near where he was seated. And he lectured to me. About Yemen in general and Aden Free zone in particular. He said Dubai Free Zone is actually paying a big amount of money to Aden Free Zone to delay the opening of the latter. I had a blank face while he was explaining. So, he asked for a pen and pulled out a blank piece of paper from his bag and started sketching. He drew a map of Yemen and it’s neighboring countries and the bodies of water surrounding it. He stressed that the geographical location of Aden is so strategic that opening the Free Zone will kill the businesses in Dubai. He supported his claim by saying that when Great Britain discovered Yemen, it only took over Aden and left the other parts untouched. He said it’s because of the location.
Enough of the serious stuff.
So I asked If he misses his family. “Sure I do,” he answered. “All of them!” he added. He even opened his laptop and showed me the picture of his children. Just the six children from his third wife. He is indeed a proud father.
And the bus reached the train station.
He left and said good bye.
It’s really nice talking to strangers. You will surely learn something and will keep you busy instead of waiting in vain until you reach your destination. 
Two of my teammates just came back from their 2-month work assignment in Taiwan. Because it was our first time to meet, one of the guys went to my cube and started a conversation. He told me that prior to joining AIG, he worked for a software company which sent him to Manila to support a big client – a major bank in the Philippines. It’s good to know that the place where he and his teammates stayed while in Manila is just near my former office. So, that made the conversation more interesting. He also mentioned some very nice malls in Manila like Glorietta, Greenbelt and Mall of Asia (MOA). He didn’t object when I said MOA is the third largest mall in the whole world. “It is indeed very big,” he said.
I also learned that he went to the client’s two offices. One in Makati and another one in Ortigas. That’s where the MRT entered. He said that it is convenient to take the MRT and that it’s convenient to live Manila. More convenient than living in Kuala Lumpur. But I disagreed. I said that I feel more comfortable living here.
But rethinking yesterday’s conversation, I realized why he considered living in Manila more comfortable than in KL. It is probably because he stayed in a nice hotel near so many good restaurants. And he just needed to take the MRT going to work or perhaps a taxi when he wants to. Unlike in KL, where he always have to drive at least 30minutes going to the office. There are probably other reasons but these are the ones I can think of.
So, why do I think living in KL is more convenient than living in Manila? Well, I can give you thousands of reasons but that would sound so conceited. I just know one thing. Manila is Manila and Kuala Lumpur is Kuala Lumpur. And Manila will always be in my heart. Yeah, I will be back soon. As in very soon. And one day, I will wake up hearing Boom-boom’s voice. Watching him learn how to talk, how to eat solid foods, how to walk, and a lot other how-to’s.
I’m getting excited.
It’s funny how we can’t easily forget the things we used to do for years. It’s even funnier to realize that we keep on doing it consciously or unconsciously. Take for example the following:
1. In my new office, I would answer a call by saying “Systems,” + {“Good morning, ” | “Good afternoon” | “Good evening ”}. Systems or Central Systems Asia was the name of my department in my previous company
2. When connecting to a database, I would still find myself issuing a command with parameters I used in my previous company
3. When logging into my development workstation, I would key in my LAN ID which I used in my previous company and will wonder why it is not working
4. Sometimes I go to a non-existent network drive which I think contains the stuff I’m looking for
So, to somewhat pacify these longings, I did something with my laptop.
1. I have created two local drives just like in my previous company. Those are drive C:\ and D:\
2. Under drive D:\, I have there my working environment called wb
3. My login name in my laptop is SECADM which means security administrator
4. My desktop is as cluttered as the desktop of my previous workstation
5. (Still thinking of other things)
On a side note, I’m thinking of buying a new laptop. DELL simply rocks. It’s so hi-tech yet very cheap. But I would probably have to wait for some months. I still need to think. Anyway, my ACER Aspire is still perfectly working after almost two years of serving her master. Take note, it fell from a hook 1.5meters high while I was taking some rest in a first class toilet. I really can’t forget how worried I was that time. Good thing, ACER is so tough. Clap, clap, clap.
Passwords are meant to protect sensitive stuff. Be it accounts in online applications like personal email, online banking, online store, or access to computer facilities like server, development workstation, personal laptop, or even access to mobile phone, ATM, and so many others that naming them is already a waste of time.
So, realizing the importance of generating a well-secured password, I have devised a way on how to come up with a considerably excellent password (based on some acceptable criteria, of course). I have a unique password for each of my account. But I never had any trouble remembering any of them. The secret is my ultimate formula. I use the said formula in coming up with a password which is a function of several parameters which I refuse to mention. Haha.
Okay, so what’s my point? Nothing really. Just wanna share this little geeky thing with all of you.
I just want to share this with everyone…
Asked why the Philippines remains a rice importer, Robert Zeigler, director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), said that compared to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, China, India and Burma, the Philippines has less land that is suitable for rice production.
“It’s a mountainous country, many small islands. It is difficult to move production around,” he said.
The country is on the typhoon track and gets hit by 15 to 20 typhoons annually and that takes its toll on rice production, he said.
There’s also rapid population growth. “The Philippines production has been growing very well except population has been growing faster,” Zeigler said.
“These are the major reasons why the Philippines continues to import rice. None of these is about the farmers not adopting the technology. They do a good job,” he said.
Source: Inquirer.net
Ipagpatuloy natin ang kwento ng paglalakbay ng isang dakilang manggagawang pinoy na naka-base sa banyagang bansang tawagin na lang nating Malayko.
Ang Eksena:
Nag-grocery si Jun sa isang malapit na mall upang bumili ng mga bagay-bagay na gagamitin nya sa buong linggo. Napasarap sya sa pagpili ng mga murang bilihin at hindi nya namalayan na mahigit dalawang oras na pala siyang nagtutulak ng pushcart. Kahit ilang hakbang lang ang layo ng bahay nya sa nasabing mall, kailangan pa din nyang kumuha ng taksi sa kadahilanang masyadong mabigat na ang mga nabili nya. Isipin mo na lang kung gaano kabigat ang mga karne, isda, gulay, gatas, de lata, toyo, atbp. Dagdagan mo pa ng isang malaking balde ng tubig.
Ok na sana ang lahat ngunit ang inang kalikasan ay biglang nagalit at tila pumalakat sa tindi ng ulan. Kahit nakakuha na si Jun ng taksi, hindi pa rin siya natuwa dahil kailangan nyang buhatin lahat ng pinamili nya papunta sa lalagyan ng bagahe ng taksi. Sinabi mo pa, walang payong si Jun. E di cyempre para siyang basang sisiw. Oo, sisiw na ITIM. Makalipas ang ilang pabalik-balik, nailagay na din nya lahat sa taksi at nakaupo na din cya sa loob. Kawawa man ang tsuper dahil nabasa ni Jun ang upuan ng mahiwagang taxi, wala na siyang nagawa.
Nang makarating na siya sa bahay, ibinaba lang nya ang lahat ng pinamili nya at tumungo na siya sa club house. Naisip lang nya na dahil basa na din siya, baka mas mabuting maglangoy na lang siya sa pool. Excited ang mokong. Feeling macho na tumatakbo parang hunk na hunk habang naghuhubad patungong swimming pool na tinatadtad ng malalakas na bagsak ng ulan. May mga ilang tao na kumakain sa club house nung panahon na yon. Ang mga mukha ay tila nagtataka kung bakit may isang mokong na naglalangoy habang malakas ang ulan. Pero kahit na magkaganoon, hindi sila pinansin ni Jun. Tuloy pa din sya sa kanyang mala-olympic swimming style na paglalangoy. Backstroke, freestyle, at kung anu-anong style pa. Lahat na ay ginawa nya.
Ngunit tumigil ang mundo ng biglang may dumating na gwardya na sumita sa kanya. Nagsalita ang gwardya sa salitang Malayo na ang dating ay parang pinapaalis sya. Naisip nya na baka dahil sa kidlat. Siguro nga tama si Jun. Ngunit naisip din nya na baka dahil hindi siya nag-shower bago mag-dive. Pero naulanan naman ang macho nyang katawan bago pa man siya maglangoy. Kaya malamang e hindi yon ang rason.
Anu’t ano pa man. Masaya na si Jun dahil nakapaglangoy siya nung araw na yon.
Since I left for Kuala Lumpur, it has been my routine to call at least three credit card companies in Manila at the end of the month to check for any outstanding balances (except the ones which send e-statements). Of the numerous credit card companies I have been transacting with, I must say that HSBC is the worst when it comes to attending to international calls.
Unlike Citibank and other local credit card companies which automatically connect me to a customer service representative (CSR), HSBC would put me in a tough maze first before I can get connected to their CSR. Yes, only HSBC does that to me.
Their operations department should have been aware of this issue of inefficiency. Can somebody give me an HSBC customer satisfaction survey so that I can give them a failing mark?
Don’t be deceived by the picture beacuse the truth is, it didn’t taste good. But I will give this recipe another chance. Anong ginagawa nung sibuyas dun? Ulilang kulangot. Haha. Sayang yong hipon, malalaki pa man din. 
We had an appreciation dinner tonight at Sakae Sushi in Sunway Pyramid. This kind of celebration is not unusual here in Malaysia. Everything here is being celebrated. Just this week we had a total of three. A thanks giving lunch by a Taiwanese consultant last Monday; a birthday lunch for two colleagues last Tuesday; and an appreciation dinner tonight to mark the start of the UAT season.
So far, this is the best dinner I had here in KL. It’s not just because we had it in a Japanese restaurant. It’s also not just because the food was great. It’s also not because of the superb ambience. So, what’s the real reason? Well, I just realized that my team simply knows how to have a good time. Though we can hardly express ourselves because of the language barrier, we were able to crack jokes in English. And believe it or not, we practically laughed the whole time while devouring 18 small plates of sushi, maki, fried veggies, stuffed buns, and a lot others that I refuse to name. Take note that we also had one bowl of either rice meal or noodles each. I had teriyaki chicken don because I can’t find my favorite Oyaku Don. And to top them all, we had vanilla chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Some opted to get peach and grapes jellies.
About the jokes…
Most of the jokes were actually about how Taiwanese people pronounce some English words.
Since Malaysia used to be a British colony, they have their own distinct way of pronouncing words like bicycle, article and everything that ends with cle (pronounced as kel).
While in Taiwan they pronounce it as kol instead of kel. So they were asking me how we pronounce it in the Philippines. And the Malaysian Chinese got good scores because I told them that their pronunciation sounds better that that of the Taiwanese guy.
But the Taiwanese guy didn’t give up easily. He was making fun of how Malaysian Chinese pronounce the words under dispute by imitating the other group’s pronunciation while raising either his left or right shoulder. It was only then that I learned that this guy is a very funny guy because he is serious when working (I mean very serious). And my team leader suddenly called the Taiwanese guy a pighead. Haha. That was really funny. With a body of a monkey, she added quickly. Very hilarious.
The good time didn’t stop at the restaurant. We continued laughing in the car going back (they use the word back here instead of home). My team leader even drove me home. Isn’t that lovely?
I alight from the car while the radio was playing the song Runaway Train.
Runaway train, never coming back
Runaway train, tearing up the track
Runaway train, burning in my veins
I run away but it always seems the same
Unlike the runaway train which will never come back, I will definitely be going back to Sunway. Whew! That’s real enjoyment.
After a year or two, I think I will be relocating to another country again. Before, I feel so uncomfortable simply thinking of going to a foreign place and starting all over again with my life. But now, everything has changed. The idea now excites me. And it is something I’m looking forward to.
Dealing with different people from different places feels so rewarding. It is really a very good experience because I get to learn and appreciate other people’s culture.
Another thing is that living in a foreign place allows me to know myself more. This is because I am spending more time alone. But it is definitely not a sad thing. I am just engaging myself with activities I enjoy and everything seems to go smoothly. In fact, I actually feel like 24 hours is not enough to complete so many things in a day. Soon, I will be getting a gym membership. I don’t know if I can still squeeze it into my daily schedule. But I will give it a try. I am also planning to play badminton regularly. Maybe during Saturdays and Sundays. I started to renew this addiction just last weekend. It gave me body pain because it has been months since I last played badminton. I’m also thinking of regularly taking a dip in our condo’s swimming pool. I still have to plan this one though.
Two months from now, I will be very very busy. I have decided to enroll in my last two graduate courses. I have to finish the e-commerce website I’m developing. And by the way, I have enrolled in an Environmental and Natural Resources course. It is a replacement course for my Statistics subject which is, unfortunately, not offered this coming semester.
This last paragraph is a tribute to my favorite appliance. My dear blender. Haha. I love making fruit shake or just a simple chocolate shake. I made melon fruit shake last night. And I’m planning to make kiwi fruit shake soon. Umm, I must not forget watermelon fruit shake, too.
I have been attending to so many things these past few days. Last Saturday, I moved into a new condominium unit. That same day, my condo-mates (may ganun bang word?) bought some appliances like ref, washing machine, tv, etc. I bought myself a bed frame and a fitting mattress. All the appliances were delivered last Sunday while the bed frame was delivered just this morning. We also went to the mini-grocery store near the club house to replace our empty gas tank. But still, we were not able to cook our own food because we just realized that we didn’t have a gas tank regulator yet. So, we just went to the mall to eat.
Sunday. I tried to fix the water supply of our washing machine. With the help of the ever handy screw drivers, I succeeded. I was able to wash my towel and my bed sheet. The supposedly fully automatic washing machine failed me because the water pressure in our floor is a bit weak. It needed my help during the washing and rinsing operations.
Monday. We bought a rice cooker. And I bought myself a blender. And take note, we didn’t forget the gas tank regulator. I was the one who installed it. Proud me. Not only that, I also assembled my bed frame. Oha, oha. Hehe. Sarap ng feeling.
I’m learning each day. I’m learning to accept the fact that I’m no god who can control things. But I’m still trying to learn how not to feel so bad when I’m not getting what I want.
I’m learning each day. I’m starting to learn how to be positive about the things around me even if they are tough, boring, and unpleasant sometimes. But I have to admit that I’m still having difficulty dealing with it.
I’m learning each day. I have decided to just lay out my real goals in life. The goals that might make me happy. And stay focused with it. But those goals are still unclear. A little patience is probably all I need.
I’m trying to be happy. I’m trying to celebrate life. I’m trying to be thankful. I’m trying to be a better me.
It’s hard but at least I’m trying and I’m happy that I’m learning.
This is the view from our condo. The high-rise buildings are Vista Komanwel, Arena Green, and a new condo that is to be completed very very soon.
This is our comfy, little house in Lucena. I miss it, especially my room. I am also missing my bed. Bakit? Kasi banig lang ang nakalatag sa kama ko. Hehe. Halatang probinsyano.
Ang Eksena:
Huwebes, isa na namang pangkaraniwang araw sa buhay ng isang OFW. Itago na lang natin siya sa pangalang Jun.
Gumising si Jun bandang alas otso ng umaga. Naligo, at dali-daling nagbihis. Pagkatapos maglakad ng mga 500metro patungong istasyon ng tren, nakakuha siya, kasama ang dalawa pang OFW, ng isang taksi para makapunta sa opisina.
Nang makarating na siya opisina, nagtungo siya sa kanyang mesa at iniwan ang kanyang dala-dalang bag. Kinuha ang tasa na may lamang panis na Milo at pumunta sa pantry para hugasan at magtimpla na naman ng bagong Milo na mapapanis na naman kinabukasan sa malas na tasa.
Habang papalabas ng pinto, nakasalubong nya ang isang HR assistant na itatago natin sa pangalang Talukbong Girl (TG, for short). May dalang kape si TG na tinimpla pa nya sa ground floor.
Jun: Hi, it’s good to see you.
TG: Hi Jun. Good morning.
Jun: Why do you have to go to the ground floor to make coffee?
TG: The water there is cleaner.
Jun: How come?
Nag-isip pa ng mas mainam na dahilan si TG.
TG: Umm, the water there is hotter. Try to feel my mug.
Jun: Oh, you’re right. It’s really hot, just like you.
Ngumiti hanggang tenga ang nakatalukbong na babae. Pakiramdam nya e napakaganda nya dahil sinabi ni Jun na hot cya.
Dahil sa pangyayaring ito, malamang sa malamang e mapapadali lahat ng pagpoproseso ng mga bagay-bagay na may kinalaman sa pangangasiwa ng mga manggagawa dito sa opisina.
A Filipino boy named Bernardo Matudan was one of the Gold Prize winners in the recently concluded World Children’s Picture Contest organized by IE-NO-HIKARI.
Below is his winning piece.
Have you noticed how terrible situations can wear you down? Have you ever asked why? It is probably because it is easier to go with the flow of the negative things than to go against it and stay firm. But if you look at it objectively, it is more consuming to dwell on the minus side than to think of ways on how to better the situation.
Jackie Chan is right when he said, “Do not let circumstances control you. You change your circumstances.” Yeah, easier said than done. But he sure has a point. You can always do something positive even during the gloomiest days. Why not challenge yourself to focus on the solution to the problem rather than the problem itself? If your problem is too big for you to handle, why not divide it into logical pieces? Solving one piece at a time will sooner or later solve the whole problem.
For some cases, our own efforts are not enough. These are the times when a helping hand is in dire need. Choose from your family or your friends. They are the people you can always run into. Yes, even at 3 o’clock in the morning.
And sometimes you feel like no one can help you. Or maybe you’re forgetting Someone up there. Calling Him won’t hurt. Don’t just give it a try. Make it a habit talking to Him.
Sometimes we tend to complicate things.
Sometimes we set unrealistic goals.
Sometimes we make it hard for ourselves.
Sometimes we forget how to enjoy each simple moment.
Sometimes we focus on the big things.
Sometimes we keep on waiting for something we think will make us happy.
Sometimes we put behind everything for something else.
Sometimes we realize we are not the same person that we were.
Sometimes we decide to stagnate.
Sometimes. Oh, not sometimes. Most of the time.
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