A while back, I blogged on Atty. Claro Parlade's Philippine online dispute resolution project, which promises to chip some gunk off the wheels of justice in this country.
Filipino IT vanguard Janette Toral tells us how Filipinos can benefit from this project in her column.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Power to the People
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Not everyone shops online -- but more and more people are windowshopping in their browser windows. The Economist talks about how the the free flow of information on the Internet creates better-informed customers -- and opportunities for companies with the agility to handle them.
Today's consumers are getting a good buzz from information narcosis.
-- Abraham Lincoln
Not everyone shops online -- but more and more people are windowshopping in their browser windows. The Economist talks about how the the free flow of information on the Internet creates better-informed customers -- and opportunities for companies with the agility to handle them.
Today's consumers are getting a good buzz from information narcosis.
Boozle
![](http://www.google.com/googlegulp/images/orange_300.jpg)
Somebody at Google's had a tad too much to drink -- and I don't mean their April Fool's drink, Google Gulp (with Auto-Drink).
Of course, if what they're drinking is what's making them double the already enormous one gigabyte of free space in Gmail accounts on Gmail's anniversary, they can drink away. People thought the doubling was another April Fool's joke -- but then again, people thought the same thing about Gmail itself last year.
Whatever they're drinking can clearly bring about information narcosis.
Katipuneros of... Zion?
To promote The Matrix Online, Warner Brothers releases The Sentinel, an e-newsletter depicting a fictional newspaper from the in-game world.
Scrolling down the latest issue reveals a fictional article by a certain "Andres Bonifacieao". The name's a homonym for Andres Bonifacio, leader of the Philippine revolution against Spain.
The is just too weird to be a coincidence. Somebody get me a red pill...
Scrolling down the latest issue reveals a fictional article by a certain "Andres Bonifacieao". The name's a homonym for Andres Bonifacio, leader of the Philippine revolution against Spain.
The is just too weird to be a coincidence. Somebody get me a red pill...
Big in the Philippines
Wired News notes that Filipinos power social networking service Friendster.
It's good to see Filipinos shaping the cutting edge of social networking technologies.
It's good to see Filipinos shaping the cutting edge of social networking technologies.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Talk is Cheap...
...and it just might get cheaper.
Skype founder Niklas Zennström claims that voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology like theirs will soon make charging for phone calls obsolete.
The Philippines may have come one step closer to realizing that vision yesterday, with the National Telecommunications Commission posting a memorandum declaring VoIP a value-added service, allowing local companies to offer it without the arduous barrier of a Congressional franchise.
Let's hope this memorandum overcomes the kind of vicious legal opposition local telcos threw at the pro-consumer six-second billing policy.
Skype founder Niklas Zennström claims that voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology like theirs will soon make charging for phone calls obsolete.
The Philippines may have come one step closer to realizing that vision yesterday, with the National Telecommunications Commission posting a memorandum declaring VoIP a value-added service, allowing local companies to offer it without the arduous barrier of a Congressional franchise.
Let's hope this memorandum overcomes the kind of vicious legal opposition local telcos threw at the pro-consumer six-second billing policy.
Eleven Years, Eleven Million
IDC reports 11.8 million Internet users in the Philippines in 2004, expected to grow to 20 million in 2007.
Here's the kicker: IDC Research Manager Manny Ravago says "Online gaming could also be a potential driver for Internet usage."
Game on, people. ;)
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sbknLKqL9JdEbxKx3VmOUdd_D2fDh8NlYq9W_UpUGpg7kNrHm7WJ_KpTv3HPAnBkd4jxscLifzjufCyhI9JOag0cdq4LS_pLlyQho18HyLH1VRulBNzFtuePn9yXQ22bmdoXacnjBHN934q4Y=s0-d)
"I see the press starting to write down the numbers." -- Manny Ravago
Here's the kicker: IDC Research Manager Manny Ravago says "Online gaming could also be a potential driver for Internet usage."
Game on, people. ;)
"I see the press starting to write down the numbers." -- Manny Ravago
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
You've Come a Long Way, Baby
Yesterday marked the eleventh anniversary of the first Internet connection in the Philippines, and the Philippine Internet Commerce Society (PICS) decided to throw a little birthday bash. Click here for the webcast.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sM09UTiDcRZkrE64AiYqKyv3j8F8LLikNZeT5Rw5A5g4JCGaRhEgTJ7dbaZ5ank4Tk8HZKtOQFS1L8kdc11_Y4p3mPCz8XGoETEqrB69hr82a_4dcdWVWnIfNkaJqPAvOUvlCanJRvBiNjw4DvR0A=s0-d)
Just back from his successful IT ministers' summit in Bahrain, CICT Commissioner Dondi Mapa is all smiles. Just as smiley is HSBC's Tina Pastelero.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tm9v8CCQhhFKfyba4lLkrD9FVbquAHM9eRG0TFasZEuNC76iJJzQiqctqwkV4vNNrZrVPe869IzbCgJBi1s3ml55T4sGnsGnvBfqhQGeJPbqqFrHJoAqU0gJv1tZEAzxQLLk4aEi3Mp6aj=s0-d)
PICS President Maan Tolentino introduces the future.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uI16nWQzkYfDn5NPuGziymi_v2dX7qOSH88fizETv153RyIEJE0Hlg6lBUCYTLY_SWiBUvRNcH15oFJCjMEvGuKxlNNFRsDACuYfwDfSNzj1kbhELo8Vyu0Fv-6Awd8E6RgrjXvdvQ-zs=s0-d)
Microsoft hotshot Mark Yambot will open your Windows.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_twvJArCLilcPP41qVVSGhWXgcQqpqE8fW6G5G0y3J6FWQ1CzuJgbwrb79-vAtXBRppQ3OfBzUA5oXFiBYrNb7Y2K-YVAYiZUFyx_eWJ61BPcHkRZrpgJxZfr_oIrt7x_62tpeRfoPAzBTPrQ=s0-d)
Inq7.net reporter Erwin Oliva's got a tech scoop for ya.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sXo1mZSrTbzobRCArvl7mhQQRfOT_O7H1YvXWZpGNgY6TOIHmnNp0hbg1W-of9DuMOBqW3bp2adCuuJn0_8qDaFpIC4TTgVeAEv860MrBngl1VrBotMPCx-RN3OEr7Sjxx0iXS5YUtGOY=s0-d)
PICS Treasurer Vic Magdaraog's financial management is part of the reason they can afford to party.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uZs7FDklrLtjmwJ8fO-Op0sHFbtVNXItxY3kbkqkWog14u8Zw0ZePrymCc6xFYDItVKX1BSL4pJLTK2GhwDSdj_2YhNyvN1S4ZFqGjNpoChxYGs9p3DFd_bXYBanOOsdgsfY4WE5Gb1-mBHA=s0-d)
IDC Research Manager Manny Ravago dishes out the numbers that show the future of Philippine cyberspace.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tWalmc6yfIaI0Er4JUFoKBz_NoFfTrZMZtV7HqmS9ZFAqPMO-aoI2tZdxhvdyQWya4ze_jOk_GPxZFjpOYQeu_mZjuw3cHr5EwO4q4OKvSCQeORuMzO_-ihGeAomACJ-nqsBwpxBBA_48zsQ=s0-d)
Atty. Teddy Kalaw (center) talks business.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_udiHzKHFRAAfNZPy4TaZegTnCTV9HXYji0xTasqfgA22oMpVVV-wvdMHjCHYhoHHRO0jg-DcqO1hKKaXwgp_10E3WvZVk1Rhsusp-4-D0E3NZwHE-tcV58IgJa1nc3Akk5dI1lWLRhytrasw=s0-d)
Kokoro Works Managing Partner Gabby Dizon tells us why blogging is big business. To check out his presentation, click here.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uFHnd_xzVhxndrc5elj91q18dQPeaTQWemGavJR6bQvJ5jSWVe9g9HUn5WxCzGHMZH_x7u7wiYxCbQKTdsDV4_gCffDOWuxLgRcCQqWt4jUv2kq_B8zsvuB5gQSyjpJODOE_43jbLuwcUc=s0-d)
GlobeQUEST WiZ's Cocoy Claravail shows us how more Filipinos will get their WiFi groove on.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s4ICmJ9HB_alU5fsT1_M3Tfq1fL-hwo2Hjh9_QVx2ZKG5sjx8keQ1nmc1VJpuQM82Pf5Q6ULCT_66pFNPCdU_FO2ATbyzHe5T_F_iNwZZ3shDgJ9BanmzN5JobjOlc9zsKVt1jCmXhoJA=s0-d)
Inq7.net Vice President Mon Lizardo doesn't need to be convinced of the benefits of mobile computing. He's keeping an eye on things in realtime.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vYOomzZUqla7AjIJnMiCPUTq4HjlzdOsqHjt8KJ8MSopcz_aKuy1RsNT7kpn10at0GYRKzstfYu4eOlBKXrdCWEoErk_vRepP2yygDv_fE8WVLI2box_xvXDpSLc6xiBJ40BqsfloD4pkDrqrkXlQ=s0-d)
World Cybergames Philippine Team Captain Tjader Regis (left) gives Inq7.net reporter Alex Villafania the latest scoop on Philippine gaming.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tGF2vfXKdlTI2DIXGZLLpinpI4AMQBLNBYSqENVJeZ9IhjS_R-Wkvd5qevg5SLYUk_uX8ChJuTtmg8Tf0qyriAcrpwfFj5-i6fv7XDamhYQoXiCNJHlgjROoSRQm-9s5vu_jdtc2W2cZPbl-E=s0-d)
Tjader, Filipino cyberwarrior, tells us how online gaming drives the growth of the Philippine Internet.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vNpfezpvDCt3k6P7iUrurzrhWne_KQeinwOr7vOIoo5VJALOpEdrkvtrzV-Wk-CxIhEqIoI8prPmxMN4NeWrpM7PDoFveZaO133zxI6owQ-w7yrzLI35yZAvD0fX4WUgZhxd3AhjVycu8=s0-d)
Crowds come to the Philippine World Cybergames finals. Perhaps it's more proper to say gaming overdrives the growth of the Philippine Internet.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tbzn6urVUAq_gGSt7mWIP9EGyZA7I4XcwEMbYMUli0p9pb-IEaW6hMDW8a0SjTXrggnUnUnq8qMh9Pph_5TbnCE2HMlO84WWpXhmhyUsjgUCruXTkSc4s_We_PZXipWKqaHQ0uHaCsQjFEbbKB5A=s0-d)
Princess, daughter of Infostructure publicist Weng Rivera, shows us you're never too young for tech.
So that's some of what's hot on the Filipino 'Net: blogging, wireless, and gaming. Sounds like fun. ;)
Just back from his successful IT ministers' summit in Bahrain, CICT Commissioner Dondi Mapa is all smiles. Just as smiley is HSBC's Tina Pastelero.
PICS President Maan Tolentino introduces the future.
Microsoft hotshot Mark Yambot will open your Windows.
Inq7.net reporter Erwin Oliva's got a tech scoop for ya.
PICS Treasurer Vic Magdaraog's financial management is part of the reason they can afford to party.
IDC Research Manager Manny Ravago dishes out the numbers that show the future of Philippine cyberspace.
Atty. Teddy Kalaw (center) talks business.
Kokoro Works Managing Partner Gabby Dizon tells us why blogging is big business. To check out his presentation, click here.
GlobeQUEST WiZ's Cocoy Claravail shows us how more Filipinos will get their WiFi groove on.
Inq7.net Vice President Mon Lizardo doesn't need to be convinced of the benefits of mobile computing. He's keeping an eye on things in realtime.
World Cybergames Philippine Team Captain Tjader Regis (left) gives Inq7.net reporter Alex Villafania the latest scoop on Philippine gaming.
Tjader, Filipino cyberwarrior, tells us how online gaming drives the growth of the Philippine Internet.
Crowds come to the Philippine World Cybergames finals. Perhaps it's more proper to say gaming overdrives the growth of the Philippine Internet.
Princess, daughter of Infostructure publicist Weng Rivera, shows us you're never too young for tech.
So that's some of what's hot on the Filipino 'Net: blogging, wireless, and gaming. Sounds like fun. ;)
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Sir, Posting Comment, Sir!
I just learned that the guy in charge of American nukes, General James Cartwright, has a blog to get direct feedback from across the chain of command.
Now there's another use for blogs: to cost-efficiently cut through bureaucracy and create more agile organizations. To quote Cartwright: "The Napoleonic Code and Netcentric Collaboration cannot exist in the same space and time."
Now there's another use for blogs: to cost-efficiently cut through bureaucracy and create more agile organizations. To quote Cartwright: "The Napoleonic Code and Netcentric Collaboration cannot exist in the same space and time."
Soda Ideas
This afternoon's Digital Filipino Club meeting was as bubbly as the soda often served at those meetings. Chikka's Hoton Elicaño got everyone excited about his company's tie-ups with overseas SMS networks. Seeing as how the Philippines is the "SMS capital of the world", with 7.3 million overseas Filipinos spread across the globe, you'll see me in line to pick up stocks at Chikka's IPO.
Speaking of overseas Filipinos, Internet marketing professional Gerry Diwa just returned to from the US to put up his own outfit here in the Philippines. This country definitely needs expertise like his; we both agree that professional Internet advertising is next to nonexistent in the Philippines. With broadband penetration on the rise, now is the time to change that.
On that note, aspiring webmasters should take a look at Michael Limueco's website development workshops. Filipino small businesses need all the help they can get to strut their stuff on the 'Net without too big a bet.
For those with a bone to pick, our host, Atty. Claro Parlade, updated the Club on his Philippine online dispute resolution project, which he expects to go pay-to-play soon. A country where nine million cases languish in lower courts could definitely use some digital justice.
Speaking of overseas Filipinos, Internet marketing professional Gerry Diwa just returned to from the US to put up his own outfit here in the Philippines. This country definitely needs expertise like his; we both agree that professional Internet advertising is next to nonexistent in the Philippines. With broadband penetration on the rise, now is the time to change that.
On that note, aspiring webmasters should take a look at Michael Limueco's website development workshops. Filipino small businesses need all the help they can get to strut their stuff on the 'Net without too big a bet.
For those with a bone to pick, our host, Atty. Claro Parlade, updated the Club on his Philippine online dispute resolution project, which he expects to go pay-to-play soon. A country where nine million cases languish in lower courts could definitely use some digital justice.
Monday, March 28, 2005
How to Insult Your Customers
With all the cost-efficient interactive information technologies available over various electronic media, there is simply no excuse for impersonal advertising.
Famous Microsoft blogger Robert Scoble points out a ridiculously uninformed attempt at corporate PR "blogging". Listen up, kiddies: this is how not to leverage the power of the Web to reach your customers.
Famous Microsoft blogger Robert Scoble points out a ridiculously uninformed attempt at corporate PR "blogging". Listen up, kiddies: this is how not to leverage the power of the Web to reach your customers.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
My Sheree Amor
Viva Hot Babe Sheree just announced her new website, along with a music video of the track Heaven Knows from her maiden album, My Sheree Amor.
Sheree was always the "classiest" Viva Hot Babe; as can be expected from a freshman effort, this video overplays that a bit with CGI environments and low saturation. It's worth a look for its blend of sensuality and surreality -- not to mention the fact that this girl can actually sing.
The full video is available for download in Windows Media and RealMedia formats.