On the French flag filter

To those who had quickly changed their profile pictures into French colors, I hope you do not stop at that. I hope you explore the backstory of the attacks, how the US and its allies created their own monsters (ISIS and other terrorist groups), and the extent by which these monsters are wreaking havoc in other parts of the globe not just in Paris. I hope you inquire about the possible backlash on migrants and refugees in Europe, and how US and French governments might use the Paris attacks to justify increased military intervention in several countries.

Also, I hope you will also look at the killings of our lumad brothers and sisters with the same grief and compassion. Because you cannot just seek justice for Paris but remain tight-lipped on the injustice in front of you.

Read:

From Syria to Surigao del Sur: Lumad victims need your rage, too

Now the truth emerges: how the US fuelled the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq

America Created Al-Qaeda and the ISIS Terror Group

Philippine Dance Delight Vol. 02: Results

Three Pinoy crews are going to Singapore to compete in the Dance Delight Vol. 05 Finals after emerging as winners in the Philippines Dance Delight Vol. 02 last Saturday at the SM Skydome.

FMD Extreme topped the intense competition with their sleek moves, including a suave rendition of VST and Co.’s “Sumayaw Sumunod”. The all-male Tha Project 1.0 was first runner-up, dancing superbly in sync with a Pentatonix mashup. AMA Dance troupe meanwhile landed in the second runner-up spot.

A total of 24 crews competed in the event that was organized by A-Team Philippines for the second time. The competition’s judges included music producer/ broadcaster Jungee Marcelo, Gin of O-School SIngapore and Japanese dance guru Dominique.

Hats off to A-Team Philippines for consistently creating opportunities for Pinoy crews to showcase their craft and take on the bigger stage overseas! And good luck to the three teams who will compete in Singapore on May 10.

PS:

1. I wasn’t able to take a photo of any of the three winners as I was frozen in awe while watching their amazing performances, hehe.

2. I initially rooted for Prolocate because of their unorthodox contortionist dance piece, but the judges had a point when they said this is a dance battle and that crews must be in competitive form.

 

Dear Candidates: Anong tindig nyo sa 2013 poll automation?

Dear politicos,

Napansin ko na karamihin sa inyo ay tikom ang bibig kapag pinag-uusapan ang samu’t saring kapalpakan ng PCOS machines at bulnerabilidad ng buong automated election system (AES). Nauunawaan ko ito – Bakit mo nga naman kwekwestyonin ang automated system na inaasahan mong magpapanalo sa iyo. Kauna-unawa ang inyong katahimikan sa isyung ito, pero hindi iyon katanggap-tanggap.

Pansinin natin ang mga ulat hinggil sa ginaganap na final testing and sealing (FTS) ng mga election paraphernalia:

• Sa halip na serialized plastic seal ang gamitin sa pagselyo ng makina at mga balota, packaging tape lang ang ginamit sa ilang tukoy na mga presinto mula Luzon, Visayas hanggang Mindanao. Kumbaga, walang “sealing” na naganap sa aktwal
• May mga ulat ng di pagtutugma ng manual count at PCOS count
• May ulat din hinggil sa pagkaantala ng delivery ng election paraphernalia sa ilang probinsya
• At tulad noong 2010, may mga insidente na biglang huminto ang makina o di kaya’y isinusuka ang mga balota.

Hindi pa kasama sa FTS ang ibang aspeto ng poll automation, tulad ng transmission at canvassing – na noong eleksyong 2010 ay minarkahan ng aberya at anomalya. Naalala nyo pa ba noong lumabas sa central canvassing center na 256 million ang kabuuang bilang ng botante sa Pilipinas?

Kanina, naganap ang malawakang brownout sa Luzon nang nagka-aberya umano ang 5 planta. Hindi ka ba mananawagan sa Comelec na maghanda ng contingency plan kung sakaling mangyari ito sa mismong araw ng halalan? Hindi ka ba na-alarma na maaring may nilulutong malawakang pandaraya? O baka bahagi ka ng maitim na balak?

Huwag mo ring kalilimutang wala pa rin ang source code, ang instruksyon sa PCOS machines kung paano ito dapat magbilang ng boto. Dahil walang source code, wala pa ring source code review kahit pa itinatakda na dapat itong isagawa ayon sa RA 9369 o poll automation law. Ngayon, biglang nagpapakitang gilas si Brillantes na ilalabas na raw ang source code, at isasagawa raw ang source code review pagkatapos ng halalan.

Kung sakaling manalo, susuportahan mo ba ang source code review na isasagawa ng Comelec? O magsasalita ka na lang ba hinggil sa AES kapag lumabas na ikaw ay talunan? Talunan ka na sa akin ngayon pa lang kapag ikaw ay ganyan.

Walang ibang pinapanigan ang iyong katahimikan kundi ang pagkompromiso sa demokrasya. Pag-isipan mo iyan.

Nagbabantay,

@jcmaningat

Samsung Galaxy S III mini: big surprises inside

How I got my Globe Samsung Galaxy S III mini can be summed up in this phrase: From little things big things grow. That expression also sums up how the smaller version of Samsung’s flagship phone stands out among other smartphones.

In her first blog giveaway, Filipina blogger and social media icon Noemi Dado (@momblogger) featured the S III mini. The instruction was very simple: Just tweet: @momblogger #IWantGlobeGalaxyS3Mini [cite/name a feature or reason].

I tried my luck and tweeted at the last minute that I want the S3 mini “because its mega features will make me a more effective netizen for change.” I badly needed such powerful phone especially with my very busy social media life and hectic advocacy work, with phone photography on the side. Also, my previous smartphone was stolen in January.

Two days later, I was surprised to find out that my 140 character-response was luckily chosen as the winning tweet among dozens of tweets! Imagine, I won a smartphone worth P14,000+ in just 140 characters! Small things really lead to big surprises.

The S III mini is a downscaled S3 version with big surprises inside. Well, the S III mini is not actually small as it sports a 4”-inch super AMOLED display (similar to Apple iPhone 5’s screen size), and is bigger than most phones in the midsize category. Moreover, the display is at 233 pixels per inch (ppi) density, giving you a crisp rendering of graphics. The phone runs on the latest version of Android Jellybean.

Luckily, I got the blue S3 mini 🙂

Speed is one of my top criteria for smartphones, and the S III mini is exceptional at that. Its dual-core processor clocks at 1 GHz while RAM is at 1 GB, making homescreen switching and application startups lag-free. Even If I already installed a couple of applications, swiping homescreen to the left or right is flawlessly executed. Web browsing is almost problem-free, making Twitter and Facebook interactions like what it is supposed to be: real-time.

The S III mini also features a 5-MP camera, and based on my test shots the result was decent. The phone also allows you to choose from a range of shooting modes: continuous (burst shots), panorama, smile shot, and cartoon.

In terms of distinct features and functionality, S III mini has Smart stay, which detects if the user is looking at the display to keep screen awake. This is perfect especially for those who love to read e-books and view short clips while on the go. Also, the phone has S memo, which is a pimped version of Google calendar with a user-friendly interface and neat side tab. This feature will be very helpful in keeping tab of crazy schedules and tasks.

The only thing that disappoints me is its very small keyboard (which is less than half of the display). This presents troubles for those who have big fingers like me. But overall, the power-packed mini version of S III is a mega gift to treasure – especially since I received it FREE!

PHOTOS: UP Lantern Parade 2012

Below are my photos from this year’s University of the Philippines (UP) Lantern Parade, taken using a 5MP camera phone.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

In the eyes of a Pinoy Instagramer

Twenty-something John Henry works as a regular nurse in a private hospital in Balayan, Batangas. But in today’s growing world of Instagram and phone photography (or phoneography), he is one of  the rising “Instagramers”.

Casting sunsets, beatles and street scenes in provoking textures and perspective, @Dearjohn26_pf_gi (his username on Instagram) has earned himself a reputable name in the photo-sharing platform.  Would you believe that his knack for phone photography brought him up close and personal to celebrity Georgina Wilson?

Unlike filter-happy IGers who would want colors altered,  @Dearjohn26_pf_gi would go for natural enhancement, as characterized by the vibrant colors in his photo set. Yes, his photos look stunning sans the usual filters!

Below are some of his amazing shots and my online interview with him:

Q: When did you start using Instagram? How did you learn about Instagram?

A: I started using Instagram in November last year, so it has been a year now. And i learned to use IG from my co-nurses at the hospital.

Q: What mobile device do you use for IG?

A: I don’t really have my own device way back then. I used to borrow from my aunt and friends’ IOS device just to upload my photos. Last March, I bought my friend’s iTouch 4th gen. Recently I upgraded my device and I’m currently using my iPhone 4S.

Q: Do you have any background training on digital photography?

A: I dont have any trainings or background in digital photography.

Q: What are your basic IG techniques? Any preferred filters/ filter combination?

A: My IG technique? Uhm.. You mean style? I go for random. I like to try everything. I go for HDR, minimalism, macroshots, portraits depending on my mood. Right now, I’m doing a sunset series.

I don’t usually use any IG filters. But if I have to use one, probably it will be LO-FI. From the photography applications, I normally use snapspeed.

Q: Have you joined/ won any online contest? How does it feel to be part of it?

A: Yeah. I have always been so competitive when it comes to contests. Haha. I’ve won movie tickets, electronic gift certificates, and recently, an overnight stay to Manila Peninsula for 2 from igersmanila and Ayala contest. I’ve also been a part of Globe’s exclusive photowalk in which, if i am lucky enough, one or more of my photo may be included in the exhibit this nov.30-dec1. And lastly, I’ve got the chance to take photos of portrait sitters namely Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy and Bea Soriano along with 5 more instagramers. In which my photo may have the chance to be featured in the December-January issue of Preview magazine! And as you can see, I am happy to be part of this.

I am also currently a member of various IG circles, including pakwan family, photocanvas artist, and genginsapgan.

Q: Despite the wide range of subjects you have taken photos of, what else do you want to capture with IG?

A: I want to capture underwater subjects, haha. Which is not impossible today since the accessory is a little bit expensive, Haha.