Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Rockstar YouTube party

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When I got the invite to attend the YouTube party, I immediately knew that it is going to be flocked by industry rockstars.

The trailers shown at the event showed how much the world all over are joining in to congratulate the Philippines as YouTube's launch pad for country specific channel.

I am sure that a lot of us Pinoy's are happy and excited about what YouTube and Google has in store for us.

SIM unlocking the Samsung Galaxy S2

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Yesterday, my attempt to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S2 using the various references available online did not succeed.

The phone was taken this morning to a specialized shop to get the task done. Relieved when it was returned later on with my telco postpaid sim working properly with it.

Afterwards, spent time downloading apps that I normally use with the iPhone to this one. Most were available and was surprised to spot Yahoo Answers and Google Docs here too (which is not available in Blackberry and iPhone).

When I first got this unit, complained about its battery life as I first loaded an inactive SIM and hardly logged on to various sites. Friends gave various tips such as disabling background data sync and trying out some battery saver applications too.

Using my primary line with this phone, let's see how impressive this gadget will be.

Investing in E-Commerce Technopreneurship

I had the opportunity to give an e-commerce talk at Ka-Entrep forum and OrgCom 152 in UP Manila. In both occassions, the host gave me the option to choose a topic I can talk about. Decided to focus on e-commerce to support two activities am undertaking from now till next year.

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The first one is the release of my 3rd e-commerce book. The 2nd is in preparation for my upcoming project, a virtual startup accelerator niching on e-commerce projects, to be carried out under the DigitalFilipino Club community.

The project was inspired after meeting 3 tech incubators and 3 entrepreneurs in the U.S. who shared insights on how I can go about it. This October 13 and 14, will attend TechVenture 2011 with the intent of learning more.

The reaction to my recent talks have also made me hopeful about the possible kind of entrepreneurs we will meet in this space, their way of thinking that reflects the mindset of current crop of Filipino Internet users. This ranges from thoughts on "naked" online user behavior to having a community-oriented entrepreneurial mindset.

 

E-Commerce for Entrepreneurs
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Lost Dance

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I was at Museo Pambata last week to visit the Sayaw! exhibit (part of the Zero In series). It highlighted the work of National Artist for Dance Ramon Arevalo Obusan whose life work spans documentation, research, choreography, stage production, filmmaking, and performance director of various Philippine dance.

In 2002, he formed the group Batang Ramon Obusan to further enrich the performances of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. Now numbering around 35, these children are multifaceted performers able to switch from dancers to musicians and vice versa. 

Watching their videos made me realized that I hardly knew Philippine dance at all. Except for the popular ones like tinikling and other simple dances. I guess for the younger generation, the same can be said although their exposure to the Internet may have given them more information compared to my time.

But nevertheless, the access to such information may not necessarily mean an increase in interest on the subject.

When I was in Zero In launch, a different set of kids performed. They are the CAP Kids that rendered a Gumboots dance with Escola De Samba and Nyko Maca. 

The Children’s Advocacy Program of Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc., or better known as CAP Kids, has been part of the foundation since 2002. The program selects 15 children, who are between the ages of 7 – 12 and are residents of Manila, and trains them to be child advocates of the foundation through various workshops and learning sessions done in and out of the museum.

This year, the children underwent various art workshops, from visual arts, theater, to music and dance. They were trained in hip-hop and street dancing by professional dancers and musicians from Germany through the Goethe-Institut, Alliance Francaise and Japan Foundation’s Rap In Tondo project, which has been running for two years now. The children have performed in B-Side, The Collective along with other children and professional dancers from Manila for the Rap In Tondo 2 culminating activity. They also recently went through a series of dance workshops on the South African Gumboot Dance with Ms. Nyko Maca.

The Escola de Samba de Manila is the first and only such group in Manila that performs Afro-Brasilian drums and dance. Founded by Toni Bernardo, who is also its drum director, Escola de Samba have performed in the Philippine International Jazz Festival of 2006 as well as the World Pyrotechnic Show in 2005.

Nykó Macá draws upon her United World College experience to bring the globe home to the Philippines. As a multi-lingual vocalist she and her Brasil-inspired band GAFiEiRA are a soul, samba, and all-around funk movement. She has performed in various venues around the country and abroad, and works to bring the Philippines to the world stage: A filipina who represented the country in foreign lands and aspires to represent the world here at home.

But at Museo Pambata, there was a video was being played of Philippine dance performed by Batang RO. I wish I had made time to return to MOA and watch them.

Exhibit manager Joseph De Vera also shared to me that Batang RO needs all the support that they can get in order to sustain their advocacy of promoting Philippine dance.

Moving forward, I can't help but ask myself what do we want to happen with Philippine dance. Is this something that we want our kids to learn? Or just be forgotten? If you can support Batang RO in anyway, will you take action? What can we do?

After Ramon Obusan, who are taking the lead in promoting and nurturing Philippine dance? What can we do to support them further?

As much as we embrace modern forms of dancing, what have we done to promote Philippine dance to our children?

Should you allow your kids and teenagers access Facebook?

I was a guest at DZMM last September 28 and had a minute conversation about Facebook and Teens. Many thanks to Dine Racoma for recording it.

Prior to the interview, Winnie shared that her kid is asking for her permission to create a Facebook account and wants to use her e-mail address. Ariel Ureta, on the other hand, has a policy on his kids can only use Facebook whenever he is home.

I think kids will know about Facebook sooner or later either through family members or classmates. I will always suggest to parents to be more proactive and supervise their kids instead in the use of these platforms. This rather than being done secretly and you'll be surprised later on that they are already in trouble.

On the positive side, social networking through Facebook can help a teenager express themselves and build self-confidence - especially if they are shy in class. I have seen students as well who created groups in Facebook to coordinate school organization activities and work together on projects.

On the extreme side, bullying and school politics can also extend online. This is the reason why parents need to converse regularly with their kids and share news once in awhile on social network abuses and the likes, talk about it, so that they can be aware of the do's and don'ts. Knowing further that you will be there to support them in times of trouble.

Of course, adults need to serve as good examples as well. I have seen couples argue online through social networking sites, sharing their relationship troubles (then they reconcile later). If your kids, nieces, nephews are also online (and are your friends in these social networking sites), it may cause confusion for them later on should they commit the same act.

The part 2 of this interview happened last September 30 which was a bit longer and here's the video as well.

In this video, Winnie talked about a documentary she got to watch about cybercrimes in the U.S. and what is being done to run after "predators". Then she asked what is being done here to protect the youth online.

I told her that we don't have such tightly coordinated initiatives yet. We are more reactive and done proactive when it comes to law enforcement. In reality as well, these cases are rare and therefore when it happens, the publicity they get is extraordinary.

However, the concerned people in communities (whether school or special organizations) can do educational awareness on this one. Give heads-up and dialogue whenever negative uses and implications of social network misuse happens. This way, if something similar arises, these teens will already have a comfort level on who should they talk to and seek for advise. 

Related reading:

My Perspective on Cyber Bullying for Teenagers, Teachers, Educators, and Parents

Search Engine and Social Media Strategy Talk at Robinsons Lease Marketing Summit 2011

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Just delivered a talk on "Search Engine and Social Media Strategy" at the Robinsons Leasing Summit. This is a 3 day event happening at Holiday Inn Manila Galleria.

I was asked to deliver a talk similar to the one I gave at the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA) Membership meeting last August 17.

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Coincidentally, some of the participants knew me as well through my recent social media stint at the Philippine Retailers Association annual conference.

It is amazing how can one event lead to another that makes you all the more value each connection you make. Take the case of the HSMA event where I was referred by the daughter of a hotel sales manager where I gave a talk at their school.

I hope my sharing will lead to more opportunities for the group of companies to foster social media that will eventually lead to e-commerce transactions.

What makes a great hotel?

I am sure that each one of us has an answer to that. Having traveled and experience staying in hotels from simplest to expensive ones, I have a minimum standard of amenities desired in a hotel. It includes:

1. Wifi

I can't stay in a hotel today that doesn't have wifi. This must be accessible inside the rooms. I think gone are the days when this is a separate bill / charge. Nowadays, it is included as part of standard hotel service.

2. Breakfast

A good breakfast can help you last the whole day. Best if the hotel provides a reasonable offering to make it filling and nutritious too. When in the U.S. last month, I usually had one heavy meal (from the hotel) and light snack in a day. Oatmeals a must to aid your digestion.

3. Tipping appreciated but not expected

It is great to be in a hotel when there is no pressure to give a tip. I don't mind giving one but I feel that this must be deserved rather than feel compelled to give so. It can be for a great service. Like housekeeping staff replenishing your toiletries. Adding some special touch in your room - like a special fold on bed covers that wasn't there when you first checked in, among others.

4. Adjusting to your needs

I have been in contact with hotel personnel, oftentimes in banquet sales, for quite sometime now due to events I organize. It is great to meet people who are flexible and adjust to your requirements.

Sharing the above list makes me realize - what makes a great hotel is all about people that make these offerings an experience - oftentimes undermined.

This is a reflection I now have as I look at all the pictures in "Celebrating the Personal in Portraits - 35 Years of The Peninsula Manila". They featured managers and employees working for the hotel as they share experiences, values cultivated, and ideals stand for.

I must admit when I was there last Wednesday, the importance of the photos did not immediately sinked in.

But after thinking about it, as I write this blog post, it gave me ideas that these kind of photo exhibits are a great celebration of the people working behind the organization. To make the public also appreciate what happens behind the scenes.

Although taking a step further, it would be great too if they featured loyal guest to show how much relationship they have built through the years.

"Celebrating the Personal in Portraits - 35 Years of The Peninsula Manila" is worth checking out if you are a regular visitor of the hotel. But even if you are not, I am sure the photos will give a lot of inspiration that you can also use in your business or organization. It will also make you look at the hotel staff differently - proudly working for The Peninsula Manila.

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As early as now, I can visually see how these type of photographs can also be explored as a project in the DigitalFilipino Club. Soon!

A different sound at Reverb exhibit of Lopez Museum

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Made a quick stop at Lopez Museum yesterday to have a glimpse of the Reverb sound art exhibit at Lopez Museum. Same as the past exhibits, Lopez Museum did a great job in presenting this sight and sound collection from artists such as Eric Ambata, Kawayan de Guia, Tad Ermitaño, IC Jaucian, Diokno Pasilan, Ronald Tomas, the collaborative, E.X.I.S.T. (Experimentation in Sound Art Tradition), and UP College of Music ethnomusicologist Dr. Christine Muyco.

The combination of sounds coming from several installations brings a whole new experience to my ears. I enjoy sound art shows but putting them together in a museum format is taking it a new level.

The installations gave a different meaning, more than just a group of people playing their sound art in a show. It also aims to make more people appreciate sound art and what it is all about.

This exhibit is also part of the Zero In Open Call art festival.

Digital Life ICT Congress 2011 Lingayen Pangasinan on November 21 to 26

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Met with one of my batch 1 Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program student, Vanj Padilla, about the upcoming Digital Life ICT Congress 2011 meeting.

With her brother JR and Gail Talo, we talked about my participation in their event, Digital Life ICT Congress, happening on November 21 to 26 in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

We agreed that my focus shall be on e-commerce entrepreneurship that will also serve as my jumpstart point for the virtual tech incubator project.

Look forward visiting Lingayen, Pangasinan once again soon.

Discover E-Learning Talk at University of Santo Tomas

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Just gave a talk on "Discover E-Learning" at University of Santo Tomas 3CS-C seminar.

Shared my experience and lessons learned in rolling out e-learning modules via Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program, DigitalFilipino Club, and Home Based Elite.

 

Discover E-Learning
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