The Chain Of Not Good

Interesting clip here ladies and gents about doing something and making a difference to the world, or at least thats how they want us to believe.

Okay.... anyways, watch the video below to find out more.

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2014, Announcements, Burning Platform, And Moving Forward

Another year to conquer for this smallish blog site but rather the most challenging and exciting one since I'm about to announced something that will change this blog forever. Gone were the days of solitude, the right time had come, this is it..

RETROSPECT

The blog had performed fairly well in 2013, breaking records as to the number of page views and unique visits, stretch to the limits of sobriety and backed by a strong following, but for those who religiously follow it, compared to the previous years, I hardly published stories anymore due to circumstances I cannot avoid.

First and foremost, time, I hardly have the luxury of it anymore because of my hectic schedule. Just imagine joggling two jobs a day together with my business tryst and law school, I hardly even have enough for myself, how much more for the blog. I am now on my third year in Law school and it certainly demands so much attention. The dreaded BAR exam is also not too far away (October 2015) and our professors were already encouraging us to prepare as early as now. BAR exam is not just any other exam out there, its the most difficult and prestigious of all. Where in the world can you find an exam where people manage to kill themselves or go crazy in a yearly basis?

Second, health, I believe being in front of a computer all the time affects your eyes, weight and sleeping patterns. Several studies had already been published about it, and its futile to argue because I myself would blame it for my massive weight increase 4 years back and my degrading eyesight. Maximum allowed time in front of a computer according to experts, two hours the most, and I'm already exposed to computer for about 8 at the office.

Third, social, I've notice that my addiction to the internet decreases my ability to interact with people in a natural way. Somehow it decreased my ability to respond to situations instantaneously, critical most specially that the career that I'm pursuing needs quick thinking and analysis. I've notice a huge difference from the way I interact with people and situations before and now. My friends always joke about my being lost in the circle for quite sometime, that I have stretched the boundary of my heartache to abnormal desolation.

And finally, my being lost in transition, from my well loved burning platform to nowhere! Sad to say their is nothing among the current software platforms yet that captured my interest and attention, worthy to replaced my old and burning Symbian.

So close is Android but not to my standard, Windows Phone is incomplete, iOS is too restricted and Blackberry is good as dead. Remember that I started this blog because I was soo inspired with my Nokia N82, now, I lost that synergy and inspiration. Maybe their will come a time that one of this platforms evolved to my fullest liking, a platform that can rekindle my interest back to smartphone technology. In a few months perhaps, years or decades, who knows?

FORTHCOMING

With all this reasons, I've decided to take this blog to the next level by opening it up to the entire tech world. Being open means that everyone can now submit personal stories and experiences related to technology; the camera that you loved; the wearable gadget that you've recently purchased; the smartphone that you cant lived without or the apps that makes your day complete. The blog will now be entirely about you!

You can submit your original stories via this email account, gregg003@ovi.com and I will publish it on the blog with your name as the author. Anonymous post will also be respected as well as the option to restrict comments from readers.

I will still be writing posts if I have time and this subdued moments is definitely temporary. Soon, when everything falls down to perspective, I will return in my full geek self and make technology world as rowdy as ever. For the mean time, I rest my case!

2014 Image from http://www.volkerballueder.com

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Is this normal? Spot cancer symptoms

Huge Jackman (Wolverine) recently made it public via his Instagram account that he had a skin cancer. This would mean that actors or not, rich or poor, we all are susceptible to this medical condition. The only difference between us and Huge Jackman is, he had all the money in the world to manage it.

I found this interesting video from Cancer Research UK about spotting a cancer symptoms. I just thought you might want to know how. :) Enjoy!

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Microwave Pulse North of Japan Created Typhoon Yolanda

Its man made! The strongest typhoon to ever made landfall is said to be caused by a microwave pulse from a facility north Japan, thats according to a theory raised by Alternative Information, concisely explained though a video via their youTube page. Accordingly, the storm was created by a microwave pulse from a facility somewhere north of Japan, whereby after the emission of the said pulse, it created a whirlwind effect that later on developed into a storm in the Pacific ocean east of Guam.

The video even shown public accessible satellite data to support their claim, as these connives as well to 3 other previous storms mimicking the same pattern. This incidents lead them to suspect that the United States is currently developing a technology that could control the weather and is capable of causing a widespread devastation.

I do hope this is not real because the United States will be held primarily liable for it. The Philippines is definitely not a test site, and the lives of people who died are irreplaceable. I suggests, the United Nations should consider investigating this unusual event, to prove or disprove it.

I'm also encouraging everyone to help Yolanda victims. The following organizations have reliable systems in relief operations:

1. UNICEF Philippines
2. Philippine Red Cross
3. GMA Kapuso Foundation
4. ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation

Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines on  November 7 with a one-minute sustained winds to 315 km/h (195 mph), causing catastrophic destruction in the Philippines, particularly on Samar, Leyte, Cebu and Antique, and spilling thousands of lives.

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Stay Curious

Cute kids and their pets, nothing can go wrong in videos featuring both. It always ends up cuddly, though the video is suppose to promote plants and their power to humanity.

Anyways, watch this video for curiosities sake.

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Terrorism

Terrorism is a sensitive social issue with human lives at stake. It wasn't long ago that the world witness the World Trade attack in New York, it could happen again anytime at any day in other cities around the world. Now, what had been done ever since to counter this criminal acts?

Europe might have the best plan yet, watch the video below to find out more.

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Share Excerpts: NUCLEAR SAFETY

Nuclear safety concerns us all. Improving nuclear safety is a priority in worldwide. The new proposal of the European Commission sets out high nuclear safety standards and enhances their application all over Europe.

Watch the video below to find out more.

Find more information at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/index_en.html

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Join the Nokia and ONE campaign to fight extreme poverty

Making a difference, every"ONE" can by supporting the ONE campaign in partnership with Nokia to fight against extreme poverty.

The ONE Campaign is an international, non-profit, advocacy and campaigning organisation that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease for more than 20 years, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support effective policies and programs that are saving lives and improving futures. Nokia's part will be on public awareness by featuring evocative images taken by prominent photojournalists, bloggers, amateur photographers and celebrities across the world using Nokia's Lumia 920 smartphone. It will be projected onto the Tate Modern in London the evenings of 11-13 June during the impromptu live performances. Moreover Nokia is encouraging its community to make their voices heard by capturing and sharing images, stories and experiences that support ONE's "Progress via Protest" theme. The images, inspired by protest songs, are available to view and can be shared on Twitter using the official hashtag #nokiaxONECampaign or uploaded to Nokia's official Facebook page (facebook.com/Nokia).

ONE will use the high-quality photography generated by Nokia users to inspire millions of people to support their on-going grassroots advocacy work targeting extreme poverty and preventable diseases around the world. Visitors to one.org/protestsongs will find beautiful photography powered by Nokia alongside a diverse array of artists putting their own spin on classic protest songs. The site will include video performances from everyone from internationally-known artists to street buskers, and gives users the opportunity to add their voice to the fight against extreme poverty.

Take images, share and make a difference!

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How To Lose Weight, My Secrets Revealed!

December 2012 when my weight reaches 185.85lbs or 84.3kg, obese that is according to my Body Mass Index or BMI. Worse being in this weight is the feeling of getting tired and sleepy all the time, abnormal heartbeat, less concentration on everything and sleepless nights. I really believe that if my condition continues that time in a month or two, I could die in heart attack in no time.

Then New Year 2013 came, perfect moment for listing of resolutions and all, and yes I did wrote mine just like the rest, cautiously though that is why I did not include losing weight on the list because I want it to be as attainable as possible. What I wrote instead was for me to live a healthy life and this became the pivotal moment of my war against obesity.

Just to give you a little background ladies and gentlemen, my weight before reaching 185.85lbs hovers around 180lbs and for almost 3 years, I tried several weight loss program I could find like medications, corn flakes, after 6 diet, exercise machines, etc., but nothing worked. Well, I lost for about 5lbs initially on this programs but gained double in return, due perhaps to my character of getting discourage easily if I gained back due to weight remissions. I tend to loose my focus and throw everything away.

With my current goal, I'm not conscious anymore in gaining or losing weight, as long as I'm living a healthy life, no more failures or success, no more disappointments. With this in mind plus the right attitude and discipline, I was able to bring down my weight to 160lbs, thats about 25lbs less without subjecting myself to medications or any expensive programs.

This was how I did it:

1. Create my daily, weekly and monthly planner. Leaving healthy would mean that I need to increase my daily activity and so my daily routine included a long walk going to the highway where I hitch bus or jeep ride on the way to work instead of spending PhP5.00 for a tricycle going there; taking the farthest comfort room if I want to take a pee; taking the stairs instead of elevators, etc. Then I included as well a 30 minute exercise for the first 2 weeks, increasing it by 5 minutes every other week. I exercised 5 days a week, no buts, no excuse. Now about  my exercise routine, I'll make another blog post for it, stay tuned.

2. Start counting calories. How this became healthy? Well, base on my research, those with higher calories were actually the unhealthy ones, for instance, a bar of chocolate had a higher calorie than a bowl of fruits. If in situations where I couldn't really avoid eating oily and calorie rich foods being the only one serve during mealtime, I decrease the volume. This is difficult at first but you'll get use to it. In a day, our body is only capable of burning 3000 calories base on regular activities, now you need to see to it that you won't eat higher than these. Best if you eat below the count since your body will now use stored fats to generate the necessary energy for your body's daily needs. I will be posting as well the calorie guide of common Filipino foods in the blog, watch out for it.

3. Don't starve yourself because its one of the most unhealthiest thing you could do to your body. If your hungry then eat, watch what your eating though and do not overeat. Keep in mind the daily calorie limit.

4. Make water your best friend. Every time I eat something in small sizes, I usually drink a lot of water afterwards to trick my stomach and mind that I'm full. This is healthy in a way that our body need a lot of water, 8 glasses daily actually. Mind you, the trick works effectively.

5. Cheat day. Not that this is healthy or whatsoever but its sort of a reward day for the efforts you've done. For instance, on my part, I can't eat chocolates or drink soda's on regular days being highly caloric, so what I did is eat or drink these stuffs on my cheat day, as to not deprive myself of all the tasty stuffs this world offers.

Well, I think that's about it, quite simple tips really but its in the simplicity of things that make it so effective. You don't need to spend two hours in an gym or subject yourself to an expensive medication just to stay healthy and loss weight, just remember these advices with a punch of discipline and right attitude.

Hit the comments section if you have questions.

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Destroy Rinderpest Virus, Asked The World Organisation for Animal Health

The OIE launches a campaign warning against the risks of accidental or deliberate release of the rinderpest virus, infectious viral disease of cattle, domestic buffalo, and some other species of even-toed ungulates that had cause high mortality in early 90's.

It was said that the virus had been fully eradicated in 2011 but reports had now been prepping about stored samples in laboratories around the world that could be use as a biological warfare for mass destruction, falling on the wrong hands.

Watch the video below to find out more.

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Good vs Evil: My official lists of 2013 candidates to vote

A harsh and straightforward statement I know, but really, the basis of my decision is between good - those whom I think is living a corrupt-free life and had done something useful for the community and the country in general, and evil - those who have corrupt tainted personality, who have done atrocities to the community or even those who allied with them. Their is no middle ground, no if's, no buts, my vote is base on conscience and moral, beyond lies, deception, political machinery and blatant vote buying.

I'm very much looking for the days when politicians would truly serve the public wholeheartedly and that people would vote without bribery, fear or intimation. Its a long shot to reality but achievable if people would just work altogether to break the tradition of corruption and thirst for power in this God forsaken country.

Anyways, without further ado, here is my complete list of national to local candidates.

Senators:

1. Antonio Trillanes IV - Team P-Noy
2. Juan Edgardo Angara - Team P-Noy
3. Francis Escudero - Team P-Noy
4. Risa Hontiveros - Team P-Noy
5. Grace Poe - Team P-Noy
6. Aquilino Pimentel III - Team P-Noy
7. Teodoro Casiño - Makabayan
8. Jamby Madrigal - Team P-Noy

Dropped on the last hour:

1. Bam Aquino - For his campaign alliance with the Kuratong Baleleng Gang here in Misamis Occidental.
2. Cynthia Villar - Also for her campaign alliance with the Kuratong Baleleng Gang and the unaddressed corruption issues of Manny Villar.

Party List: Akbayan

Governor: Pacita Yap - Independent

Vice Governor: Inocencio Pagalaran Jr. - Nationalista Party

Congressman, District 2: Loreto Leo Ocampos - Liberal Party

Board Member, District 2: Elias L. Revelo - Liberal Party

Mayor:

Vice Mayor:

Councilors:

1. Mario Chenn Castro - Liberal Party
2. Jerry Maliao - Independent

Quite a short list here, isn't it? Well, I guess there were only few deserving people worthy of my vote. Feel free to copy it and lets start changing this country for the better.

Comments welcome!

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Happy New Year! Moving Forward!

Well, seems like were off to another year again, thank GOD! 2012 was so far the most successful year for the blog, gaining unique visits and page views like no other, hopefully I can sustain its phase in 2013 or break boundaries again. Dream big, aim big!

What to look forward on the blog in 2013? More diverse articles, restructuring of my current blog layouts, streaming of categories eliminating those that I don't write much and so much more. Expect increase number of videos as well and more travels, discovering and rediscovering places.

Anticipate more also of either the Nokia Lumia 920 or the Nokia 808 PureView, I'll do my very bests to secure either of the unit for the blogs disposal. For the information of those who didn't know, all my posted images were taken using the Nokia N8 alone, its high time for the blog to upgrade. Dual SIM phones will definitely earn spots as well since my quest for my perfect reloader device will continue.

Phone applications will be featured more both from Windows Phone and Symbian. If Nokia 808 PureView is more plausible for my upgrade, I might be getting a mid-tier Windows Phone so I have access to Windows Phone apps.

Expect also a more slimmer me, Hehe! I'm taking my weight loss plan seriously in 2013, its about time. =)

Well, got so much plan for the blog, hopefully I will be able to accomplished them all, and as the famous saying goes, "the best is yet to come!"

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous new year ahead! God Bless us all!

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Top 5 Most Read Articles of 2012: Double, Righteous, Lights and Everything in Between!

2012 is coming to an end ladies and gentlemen and one of the best way to cheer the departing year is to feature the best of the its best, the blogs most read articles.

Just like the trend in 2011, all articles that made it to the list were related to mobilephones, quite reasonable enough, having wrote almost 80% about it. I should consider balancing my articles for next year, the blog is not just about mobilephones, its about everything that life has to offer.

My written posts also shrink this year, my schedules were really getting hectic day by day specially that my law school gets tougher, but even so, I still manage to post 326 out of 364 days, not bad but it may get worst in 2013.

So back to the topic, which articles were the most viewed this year? Lets begin!

5. Conversations with Nokia Lumia 800, First Take

I posted this article in March 27, 2012 detailing part one of my three parts review of the Lumia 800 which Nokia Conversations lend me for trial, few weeks before its official release in the Philippines. The device was quite popular that time which in turn channeled a lot of page views but perhaps the main reason why the article earned so much attention was because the review was featured by Nokia Philippines in their official website alongside other review articles from top tech blogs and websites in the country. It was frantic then, I never thought anybody would take my reviews seriously. Up to now I still believed that they just made a serious mistake in featuring my review, like really!

4. Confirmed! Nokia Lumia 920 and 820's Philippine Release Date

Immensely popular, the least two words I can bests describe the Nokia Lumia 920 and 820 since this article already made it as one of the the most read article of the year even if I only posted it 4 weeks ago! What more, the article even made it to #10 of the blog's all time view lists making the fastest climbing article of all racking down 3-4 year old ones in short span of time and breaking record views in unimaginable phase. The overwhelming page views came from search inquiries which would only mean that tens and hundreds of thousands were searching for the phones release date and maybe eagerly waiting to buy one. Its starling, very much unexpected.

3. Nokia Asha 200 Pep Talk Part 2, Software, Browser, eMail, Camera, Wrap Up

I brought this phone to serve as my business reloader device for teo of the country's leading telecom networks, but it gave me more than what I expected, a lot of blog visitors and page views via my review article on the phone. This also proves how popular the phone is besides the fact that its one of Nokia bestseller in 2012. As of the moment, I'm just glad that I bought the phone for myself.

2. Nokia 110, The Most Affordable Dual Sim Internet Device

I also brought this phone as my reloader device last June 2012 before the Nokia Asha 200 with the review article posted on the 29th of the same month. The phone was a fine one but it did not settled well enough for me as a perfect reloader device so I have to ditched it a week after. That was just me though, the phone rocks in popularity and the blog is riding along with it.

1. Nokia 101 Review, Basic and Staunch

The run away winner actually since the page view difference of this review post and that of  Nokia 110 was more than half. I posted the article February 2012 and since then, up to know the back links were still outrageous that it now scored #4 on the all time hit list and still growing. Who in the world wont be curious and attracted on this phone, its very affordable and well built and its the first Dual SIM running phone from Nokia. For the same reason as Nokia Asha 200 and Nokia 110, the phone serve as my reloader device but of the 3, I've used this the longest.

Well, their you go folks, the blog's most popular articles of 2012. As you might noticed, most of which are entry level Dual SIM phones and by reason of finding the person reloader device, well I guess I need continue this madness because its good for the blog. I already had my eyes on the new breeds of Nokia Dual Sim phones at the moment, lets see if they'll invade the top lists again next year. I'm also looking forward to the Nokia Lumia 920, the phone would definitely bring a lot more visitors to the blog as it begins to roll out internationally. Lets see how everything plays, 2013 is in 2 days.

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Christmas 2012

Just want to great all my dear readers a Merry Christmas. :) I have no fancy stuffs to offer right now besides prayers and well wishes, maybe next year, you'll never know. =D

This is the blogs 4th Christmas and still going strong, hopefully I could still be able to run it for a couple more years because my hectic schedule is catching up on me. Currently handle two hospitals at the moment on a shifting schedule and my law school, I'm already on my second year so things are getting a bit difficult to handle, but I'll do all my very best to come up with stories beyond reckoning.

Anyways, there were a lot of things that I'm thankful for this year, blessings in disguise, failures, success, all came in unimaginable ways. My ever growing page hits and visitors is a blessing, my trial devices coming in and out, the world not coming to an end, among others. My heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for everything.

Again, may you have a wonderful Christmas! Stay safe and God Bless you all.

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Time To Do Our Part, Lets Donate To The Victims Of Typhoon Pablo

Christmas is almost here ladies and gentlemen and the best way we could celebrate the birth of Christ more is by helping His people who direly needs help like the victims of Typhoon Pablo.

Up to now, I'm still mesmerize by the devastation brought about by the typhoon, just imagine an entire town wipe out together with all their means of living and another flooded with mud, stones, unrooted trees, etc., its a horrible view and worsts, according to reports, what we've seen so far were still the tip of the iceberg, their were still a lot of affected areas that were not covered, so we have to think of the entirety of the scenario and the thousands more victims left unaccounted, all of them badly needing our help.

So what could we do? Well, basic needs like food, water, clothing, mattress, etc., were priorities for the time being. If you had some money to spare being well-off or middle class earner, you could send it directly to charity organizations or foundations handling relief goods like ABS-CBN or GMA Foundations. These group were huge and trustworthy organizations that could handle your donations efficiently, but if you're a low class earner like me, you don't need to shell out money in order to help, you could instead share your old clothes, shoes, books, kitchenwares etc., anything basic that victim needs, and you don't even need to send these goods personally to the affected sites, just bring them to a nearby church and they'll be more than happy to accept your donations.

So far, my family is on the process of going through our spare stuffs to be donated. I will also be asking my co-workers as well to do the same and you my dear friends, so we could send a handful. Lets make this Christmas meaningful for the victims and live the real spirit of the season. Time to do out part!

(Image inset courtesy of cbcpnews.com)

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True Halloween Story: Black Lady

Living up to my yearly blog tradition, I'm featuring another related Halloween scary story to befit the season of fear and fright. A life experience of course that I truly believe happened within my normal sense, yet cannot be explained beyond reason. I believed, we all had a fair share of these unjustifiable experiences within our lifetime, similarly related or uch worst, might as well share your story on the comment section below if you feel like it.

For starters, I was never a believer of ghost or any third supernatural kind. I do have weird dream experiences, yes, but I don't consider it existing, just dreams, not until I got a direct close encounter with a so called "Black Lady".

My Halloween story happened when I was in my grandparent's ancestral house located in a subdued rural Barangay. The house had two floors, a cemented ground floor and an entirely wooden structured upper floor including the stairs. I specifically mention the wooden stairs because my bizarre  experience started on it.

Well, I was lying on a bed in a room upstairs one hot afternoon when I heard the old wooden stairs cracking loudly as if someone was ascending. Because of the heaviness of steps on the stairs, I went out of the room and into the sala to wait curiously who it was and saw somebody getting off the stairs, walk in front of me and went to the other room adjacent to where I came from. I was like, who was that and why didn't I recognized her/him? That someone was wearing an all black whole dress with a long black hair and walk as if it was floating. Out of curiosity, I followed it into the room to get a closer look at her/his face but to my surprise, nobody was there. I wasn't even scared that time, just confused. I was so concern on the identity of that entity that I oversight the fact that it disappeared in a one entrance/exit close room, funny but stupidly true.

I couldn't remember any face features,as well, might be because it was really faceless that time or for whatever spooky reason, everything happened in a split seconds and it wasn't definitely created by the pigment of imagination because it was a bright sunny day and I have no reason to create an illusion out of a loud heavy steps on the stairs.

It was only later that the thought of Black Lady came to my concern after one of my cousins mentioned it to me after I told her my weird story, somewhat like a neighbor saw it peeping in the window of that very room sometime before. From then on, I can truly say that these Black Lady spirits/ghosts  (whatever they call it) were really true, but they're not scary as some people would depict it because that entity didn't harm me or did anything nasty, and we should leave them in that perspective. As the famous saying goes, better be scared on the living than the dead, except if they're walking dead of course! Boo!

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Dangers Ahead Of The Philippine Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

You might have heard over the news about groups of media practitioners and bloggers opposing the newly passed cybercrime law. Well, they have all the reason to stand against it and since I'm also a small time (to the 100th power) blogger myself, my sentiments goes out the organizations who cared about freedom of speech, of expression or of the the press in this corrupt stricken country.

Generally, the law has a good intention because it protects the public from cyber crimes that lurks around the vast and dangerous web space, but at the same time, without any regard to human rights, they inserted a provision about Libel on Section 4 (c)(3) which could now be committed though a computer system or any similar means which may be devised in the future. This is where the danger lays for media practitioners, bloggers and everyone in totality with a very nasty penalty once violated.

Libel on the Revised Penal code is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or judicial person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead. From this definition on Article 353 of the aforementioned code, it will seemed like nobody will be allowed to say something anymore about a certain person or company since it might be imputed as a dishonor, discredit or contempt by the other party. People doesn't have the freedom of expression anymore and for media personalities and bloggers, both freedom of expression and the press. We will all be incapacitated to criticize anyone or any company. People will just have to play mute, deaf and blind of the happenings around them.

And who do you think will gain from all this human right restrictions, yup, you guess it right, the Congressmen and Senators who approved the bill, the very people who wants to protect their vested political interest against web or computer published criticisms of their corrupt practices. Did you hear any opposition from politicians when they created this bill few months ago? Nope, only now when the bill was brought to public knowledge.

But should everyone really be afraid of this particular law? A big no of course in terms of Libel, its just a provision put into law that "cannot" outweigh the Constitutional Rights of a person which are the baseline of all laws currently enacted. No laws, rules or regulations can defeat any of the basic rights of a person on matters of  freedom of speech, of expression or of the the press. Constitution will always prevail.

What I'm just against here is the blatant and implied violation of the aforementioned right made by imbecile politicians. They should have asked constitutionalists first before passing the bill into law or had waited for the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter because in the end, it might just be invalidated or dubbed unconstitutional.

This imbecile politicians just want to protect themselves, hide their acts and silence the Filipino people who cares for their country.

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My Lazada Philippines's Wicked Online Shopping Experience! Part 2

Read the first part of the article HERE.

Day 13

09:29 +8GMT, July 29, 2012

I received a reply via email from Lazada Philippines denying the validation from DragonPay and continuously claim that they did not receive the payment. Find the scenario quite weird actually because they’re both denying responsibility and accused one another instead of working together to solve the problem as partners in a business that thrives in the trust and confidence of customers to succeed.

Day 15

10:03 +8GMT, July 31, 2012

Called up Lazada customer service again to follow up on the refund but unfortunately, no feedback was made by the accounting department so the rep couldn't give me any as well and instead informed me that the normal processing time of refunds takes about 5 - 10 days. Typhoon Gener also hit the Manila that time with floods everywhere so they had a valid excuse since banks and offices were closed. They promised a callback again if they have any developments.

Day 17

13:52 +8GMT, August 2, 2012

Called up Lazada customer hotline again to follow up. I thought they could finally give me the answers I expected but unfortunately they weren't able to send the refund yet because they're still on the process trying to figure things out as to what really happen to my payment. They promised a callback again within the day.

Day 22

12:27 +8GMT, August 8, 2012

Called up Lazada customer service rep again to follow up since I didn't receive any call from them for more than a week, well they never did even once anyway, but as usual, I heard the same reasons and excuses. I’m already sick and tired with their bullshit that’s why I decided to email DragonPay again to follow up. To be fair to DragonPay, they really made it a point to reply to my queries within the day unlike Lazada's empty promises. DragonPay assured me that they will follow up the refund with Lazada.

Before the end of the day, I receive a forwarded message from DragonPay with a conversation between them and a certain Lazada personnel, asking feedback on my case.

Day 23

15:48 +8GMT, August 9, 2012

Very much frustrated on the situation, I called up Lazada again to inquire but instead of giving solace to an erring customer, the female service rep gave me the most fascinating excuse/tale of all, accordingly, they already sent my refund last July 28! My God, of all the possible stupid excuses! How in the world would I care calling the customer hotline countless of times to follow up my refund if I already received it? I was so furious that time that she keeps putting me on hold several times to check and recheck my refund information. She then told me that my refund was still on process and that it would take them 15 days for the deposited money to be cleared in the bank, another wild hallucinating story that further ignite my anger. Who would ever believe that a bank deposit will take 15 days to clear, it’s shitty! I then inform the service rep that I had enough of their lies and I'm going to send my lawyer to pick up the refund on their office as well as file a formal complaint to the DTI afterwards for violation of Contract to Sale.

The rep was startled and went on the 15 business days excused/defense again for processing refund and promised to follow up the accounting department. I told her that an online shop receiving orders and payments 24 hours a day 7 days a week is equated as having the same official business day and she wasn't able to answer this argument. Also, since they've always use the "follow up with the accounting department" excuse, I vehemently asked for the number of the said department so I could follow it up myself but she refused.

She then went to the feeling sorry maneuver and that I don't need to send a lawyer to their office because they will process my refund. My last word in the conversation, "tell that excused to my lawyer!".

I then remember the email that DragonPay sent to me the yesterday, it was a forwarded message with a reply from what I suspect, a Lazada accounting department insider since DragonPay communicated with him to follow up. His email address was on the message so I gave it a try.

Day 27

11:30 +8GMT, August 13, 2012

To my surprise and on the day where I threatened to send a lawyer and have the case forwarded to the DTI, LJ, the person I emailed last August 9th, called me up. He was sorry that the incident happened and offered me right away a gift coupon worth 500 pesos to compensate for the delays and troubles they’ve cause. He also asked me if I want to push through with the refund or wanted the item reordered and delivered the soonest since I told him in the email that what happened was a forcible refund proceeding. I then choose to reorder since I already have doubts about their refund process, and that I also badly need the tablet as well.

Well, at least they started to care about the situation unlike the empty promises made by the service reps before him.

Day 31

17:04 +8GMT, August 17, 2012

Followed up LJ on the reorder and he told me that he already processed it but due to high demand of the item, it might take them a few more days to deliver it. He also assured to contact me by Wednesday for an update.

Day 36

11:41 +8GMT, August 22, 2012

Texted LJ again for an update since he promise to give me one since Wednesday but have not received anything. A reply came in saying that he will follow it up.

Day 38

09:55 +8GMT, August 24, 2012

Sent another follow up text but this time, I signifying to change my ordered unit to any available one. LJ texted back informing me that the unit is already available and is ready for shipment.

Day 43

15:00 +8GMT, August 29, 2012

Item was delivered by LBC.

Day 50

15:39 +8GMT, August 29, 2012

Received a text from LJ with my voucher code.

All in all, it took Lazada Philippines, 43 days to complete the transaction. 43 days of fear, anguished and regrets on my part.

So, the moral lesson of the story?

- Buying the old way is still preferable since you can get your item right away after paying for it. Online shopping is easy and convenient but you also risk everything. It might be that I’m just a victim of circumstances with the "technical glitch" on Lazada’s system but the stress and trauma I experience was immeasurable. With the coupon with me at the moment, I surely need to order an item from them again but beyond this, it will take me some time to shop online again most specially with Lazada. Trust and confidence is difficult to rebuild.
- On the part of Lazada, I hope they can fix their problem on the payment system to prevent further complications and negative feedback's from customers. Its just that I happen to be a blogger who believe that sharing my story is a social responsibility specially on sensitive issues such as this one. Lazada needs to reconfigure their payment mechanism and show to the world that they can be fully trusted. They must as well reorganize and train there service reps on how to properly handle customers and refrain them from making fascinating stories/excuses and empty promises. They could as well change the delivery time from 5-10 days to 40-45 days.
- When dealing with service representatives, you must imposed fear on them so they won’t take you for granted. I supposed they would have not acted on the problem if I didn’t threatened them to file a formal complaint to the DTI.
- Service reps were usually third party groups hired by a company to handle concerns, they only rely on the feedback from company insiders. If you have the same problem like mine, better asks for contacts from the company itself so your concern will be address fairly.
- Be assertive and fight for your rights as a customer in good faith.

I’m not saying that you should avoid buying from Lazada Philippines, this article only serves as a reference on what to expect and not to expect from them. And by the way, I did not file a formal complaint to the DTI because I'm giving them a chance to redeem themselves and grow as one of the premier online shops in the country. Everyone deserves a second chance.

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My Lazada Philippines's Wicked Online Shopping Experience! Part 1

When I first find out about Lazada.com.ph, I really felt delighted, that finally we have a local online store with a refined website offering products that could hardly be found in the provinces. With a heartbeat and full confidence, I decided to give it a try by ordering a tablet that I could use in school. Tablet becomes handy in my case specially that Law School requires us to read Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA’s), Republic Acts, Decree’s among other texts that could easily be downloaded on the internet in PDF format.

Day 1

17:53 +8GMT, July 17, 2012

I place an order via the website. The order went fine as Lazada provided a systematic process. I opted to choose DragonPay as a method of payment whom, in return and within a few minutes, sent me an email stating the deposit instruction and confirmation procedure. (Screenshot photo below)


Day 2

12:31 +8GMT, July 18, 2012

I paid the item through the account of DragonPay via Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI). DragonPay by the way is a third party online payment company that had promised to provide greater security and convenience than traditional credit cards while on the other hand has a greater market reached by utilizing Philippine Bank networks and non-traditional outlets like convenience stores, business centers, remittance centers and pawnshops. (Inset image of the deposit slip below)


13:32 +8GMT, July 18, 2012

Send a tweet to @LazadaPh, the company’s official twitter account, informing them of my payment and they replied by saying that they received my payment and processing my order. Delivery will be within 5-10 Business day. (Screenshot photo below)


18:19 +8GMT, July 18, 2012

I had my payment confirmed by undergoing few steps as instructed. DragonPay, like what they did previously, sent me another email after a few minutes to signify successful processing and validation. (Screenshot photo below)


Day 4

20:25 +8GMT, July 20, 2012

I tweeted them asking for the tracking number of my item, they replied by saying that I will be informed as soon as they sent the item.

Day 11

10:05 +8GMT, July 27, 2012

I tweeted them again asking for an update, then a reply came afterwards saying that they will follow it up with the logistics.

16:52 +8GMT, July 27, 2012

Another tweet came, this time, informing me that they did not receive my payment and want me to call their customer service landline number.

17:30 +8GMT, July 27, 2012

I called them up and a very fluent customer service rep was on the line answering all my queries. She said my order was canceled because their system did not receive my payment within 2 days. I then explained to her about my DragonPay transaction and the confirmation I received out of the said payment as well as the Twitter replies. She then asked for a few hours so they could refer it to the accounting section and have the incident investigated. They even promised a callback before the end of the day.

Day 12

12:30 +8GMT, July 28, 2012

Anxiously waiting for feedback, I called up Lazada again to follow up. A representative answered but unlike yesterday, he was very certain this time that their system did not received my payment via DragonPay and that he cannot do anything about it. Right there and then my world begin to crumble, I was so worried that my hard earned money just went to waste that I felt so uneasy for the rest of the day even to the point that I couldn't sleep that night. Come to think of it, an online shop like Lazada who relies on electronic order and payment had a crappy and unreliable payment system, an unprecedented and unforgivable mistake for a business banking on public trust.

I also heard the most ridiculous scenario that same call when the customer service representative asked me to file a refund for the said transaction. Why in the freaking world would they want to give a refund for an unreceived payment? This only proves that they recognized receiving my payment, reconfirming the tweet I received last July 18th.

The rep asked for my banking details and told me that the refund will processed in 3 days.

Very curious about the reps move for force refund, I opted to eMail DragonPay to confirm if Lazada indeed receive the payment or not. I got a reply that same day telling me that the payment was validated. (Screenshot below) It became a word war then between the two company, one was lying and one was not. I sent an eMail then to Lazada about DragonPay's feedback to get to the bottom of it.

.... and I have to cut my post being too long already. Watch these space for the continuation of my experienced nightmare, I will assure your utmost enjoyment.

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Law 101: Bribery

What were going to discuss today is very much rampant in the Philippines, I believe almost all government workers or regular citizens are doing these consciously without knowing the consequences of such. In fact, its uncontrollable that it had become part of the system that it takes only a miracle to curtail, Bribery!

Are you the type of a public worker who asks for something in return for your work done or who expects something from anybody visiting your office?

Have you tried giving something to a person, in particular, government workers, for whatever reason? Let say, a treat to her or him as a gratitude of being able to act on your request fast, or say you want your request to be acted right away on top of everyone else, or you want somebodies request not to be acted upon, or he/she is your friend and just wanted to give her birthday or Christmas present?

Well, hold your horses ladies and gentlemen, both scenario is committing the crime of bribery under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

The act agreeing to perform an act in connection with the performance his/her duty as a public officer, on consideration of any offer, promise, gift or present received, personally or through a mediator constitute the crime of Direct Bribery and shall be punishable with a penalty of 6-12 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than 3x the value of the gift. Not so much of a penalty in here, so better refrain from doing it or feel sorry.

Even the act of accepting s gift offered to him/her by reason of his office, without mentioned request by the giver will still be penalized with 6 months to 6 years. It’s called Indirect Bribery and nothing exempts anyone even if the public officer is your close friend or relative.

The act of giving gifts to any public officer is a crime of Corruption of public official which has the same punishment to that of officials, who committed Direct or Indirect bribery, meaning, you will be penalized and imprisoned up to 12 years.

Moral lesson of the story, before you give gifts, think thrice!

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