SCAM: YOU WON 300 000 PESOS AND HONDA CR-V

I received this message on my phone through SMS:

“CONGRATULATIONS! Ur cel # WON Php300, 000 & 1 HONDA CR-V last 02/18/10. For inquiries call this #. This is Ed Pascua, of Phil.Info.Center. Permit #0292 series 2010.”

My question then is: How come that he can give Php300, 000 pesos plus a Honda CR-V and yet he cannot even call me and instead requested me to call him for inquiries? And BTW, I can’t remember any raffle draw I joined in the past 12 months.


This is just one typical example that spreads through mobile text messages. Most people though are aware of these scams and quickly reject it. But there are still people who are victimized by these obvious traps. Some even give money to retrieve the promised prizes. Be careful, when it is too good to be true, it’s probably not true.

ABS-CBN NEWS WEBSITE GOT A NEW LOOK

ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs website is undergoing a major redesign. The preview of the new look is available for viewing at www.abs-cbnnews.com/home. The new homepage slightly wider compared to the previous version. Also, the font color and sizes of the titles are more clearly contrasted against the background. Overall, the new layout looks neater than the previous version.


The layout and positioning of major sections are also modified. For example, the Latest/Most Read section was formerly at the lower portion of the webpage. Now, it was located at the leftmost potion and contains more headlines. Other space consuming sections are now better located on the new homepage.

Screenshot of the new ABS-CBN News website.

The redesign is still on-going so we can expect more changes in the coming days. Last year, its rival site GMAnews.tv also revamped its website.

With the fast development of information technology, news and other forms media are rapidly moving towards the internet.

Firefox Improved Flash Plug-in Crash Experience

Image via Wikipedia

You are surfing the web with your Firefox browser when suddenly, the website you entered causes your Shockwave Flash plug-in to hang or worse crashes the entire browser program. Some blame flash’s developer Adobe for this bug while others blame Firefox. While Flash has been a ubiquitous web plug-in for some years now, it continues to be the leading source of bugs that crashes all types of browser, not only Firefox.



Regarding issue, Mozilla Foundation, the developer of the open source browser Firefox, recently released the beta version of Firefox 3.6.4. This latest version does not fix the bug but improves user experience when that bug occurs. Before, when Flash plug-in hangs, the entire browser crashes including all the opened tabs. NOW, with Firefox 3.5.4, only the affected tab will be allowed to shut down, leaving the rest of the unaffected tab open.

It’s also noteworthy to note that Firefox 3.6.4 does not only cater the errors caused by Adobe Shockwave Flash plug-in but also that of other plug-ins like Microsoft Silverlight and Apple QuickTime. Firefox 3.5.4 is now ready for download for those who want to test its performance.

Please take note that Firefox 3.5.4 is a BETA version. So expect some stability issues.

5 Things I like with BPI Service

I have experienced using many other bank services in the Philippines but, to date, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Service is still the best. Here's 5 of my reasons.


1. BPI ATMs is everywhere
When you have a BPI account whether a savings account or credit card, you can get cash through their ubiquitous ATM booths. You don’t have to use other bank’s ATM to withdraw cash and be deducted 12 pesos for doing so. It’s a little savings but can become bigger when accumulated.


2. No Deposit Charge
Other banks charge 50 pesos when you deposit from a branch Visayas to Luzon account. BPI doesn’t have that. You can deposit to any account in the Philippines without having to pay an extra. Again, small savings but becomes bigger especially if you regularly remit money.

3. Encash/Deposit Checks without charge
Other banks charge 50 to 100 pesos when you encash your check. Again, BPI doesn’t have that. You can get the value of your check down to 25 cents. And it even works when you deposit a check from different bank to your BPI Savings account! No charge!

4. Online Account security is really tight
Today, in the world of Information Age, it is very convenient to use online transaction methods to transfer funds. The danger though is that there are many online thefts. Good thing about BPI express online, you have to register first an account before you can transfer funds from it. You have to print the registration form and submit it to the nearest BPI branch. In contrast, other banks allow you to transfer funds to any account as long as you know the password. This is quite secure as long as your password is not hacked. :-)

5. BPI Direct Savings Account has a low maintaining balance of 500 pesos.
With interest rate bigger than ordinary savings account plus 500 pesos maintaining balance, BPI Direct is really cool. BPI Direct is a subsidiary of BPI.

To BPI, Keep Up the Good Work! You are keeping your customers loyalty.

Chill and Relax in Camotes Island Beaches!

Wanna have a sizzling summer experience?

Wanna relax and chill under the shade of the palm tree?

Wanna have solitude away from the noisy and crowded city?

I have a suggestion. Why not visit Camotes beaches?

Boracay has been the most popular tourist destination in the country, and for a very obvious reason: its beaches were above ordinary, crystal clear waters plus white sands on a very long and wide shore line. And when the evening comes life becomes more exciting as there’s party all around.


But if you’re the type of person who seeks distance from the crowded and noisy city, but at the same time don’t want to have a boring night, well I would dearly recommend a Camotes Island escapade. It has the striking balance between boring place and crowded beaches.

A Tropical Paradise

In addition to being less crowded but not boring at all, Camotes beaches offers a very nice place to relax. The sands are white and its super fine. Yes, I recommend that you remove your slippers and feel the fine sand granules under your feet. Also, the beach is long, you can walk up hundreds of steps and yet the water won’t even go above your bosom.

Santiago Bay beach resort in Camotes. (Photo by J. Aguirre)

SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM (SSSTP) FOR STUDENTS

The Philippine Social Security System announces its new program: 100 DAYS OF TRAINING FOR STUDENTS. According to SSS, 133 branches across the country will hire four students who will receive hands-on training on SSS operations between April 12 and August 31. Each student will receive up to 400 hours of training and will receiving an allowance of 45 pesos per hour.


This program will replace SSS’s former training program called Summer Social Security Services Training Program (4STP). The goal of this new program is to help students be productive by giving them opportunity to save money for their school expenses while having training. This will also boost public awareness with regards to the importance of SSS.

Requirements

The student applicant should submit the application form between March 26 and April 6 with the latest school registration form, two 1.5x1.5 ID pictures and documents showing their age, academic rating and family income. The student applicant should also pass his/her subjects from the previous school term to qualify. Also, the SSSTP are only for those students whose monthly family income is less than 10,000 pesos.


SSSTP is now part of SSS’s yearly activity and according to SSS’s Chief Executive Officer Romulo Neri, they will do this twice a year. So if ever you missed the deadline of submission of applications, you can try again later this year.

For the official announcement of SSS and to download the application form, please see this article from www.sss.gov.ph.

MONEY: CEBU PACIFIC IPO POSTPONED

Yes, you heard it right! The much anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Gokongwei-owned low cost airline company is currently postponed pending results of the May 2010 election.


In a letter to the Philippine Stock Exchange dated March 30, 2010, the airline company said they have “taken the view that, despite strong interest in the IPO at this time, it is in the better interests of the stakeholders to pursue the listing after the coming elections.”

Cebu Pacific listing to the PSE bourse was originally scheduled May 3.It is offering as much as 25.7 Billion worth of shares at a maximum price of 95 pesos.

Disappointed?

Many stock traders might’ve been disappointed with this latest news but Cebu Pacific is making a conservative move due to the volatility of the market after election. Anyway, if the election turns out to be peaceful, Cebu Pacific will soon schedule a new IPO date.