A Different Christmas

As the clock strikes twelve in a few hours, the Philippines and the rest of the world will be celebrating one of the two festive occasions in the year -- Christmas Day. Allow me to greet you and your family a Merry Christmas! This season is the best time for us to rekindle our relationships with the people we love the most. It's also the season when we celebrate Christ's birth, which is really the reason for this season.

I cannot help but look back at the past years, on how we usually celebrate Christmas eve and my grandma's birthday. Incidentally, December 24 is also grandma's birthday.

By noon, we're most probably in Paranaque gathering for our mother side's reunion. But this year, due to the death of my grandpa and the confinement of my grandma, our celebration became totally different.

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He Works in Mysterious Ways

Today marks my twenty three years of existence. I thank God for giving me another year to live, to share my knowledge and skills, to experience and learn new things, to love, and to grow in Him.

I have always had faith in my God that He will lead me according to His plans. This year, I wanted to highlight a few of the things I am most thankful for, which makes me say that indeed He works in mysterious ways:

1. Work. He taught me to be patient and to continue praying for my new team and new role. His timing was perfect, as my transfer took place at the start of my employer's new fiscal year -- giving me a fresh start for everything.
2. Media. January 2010 saw my first ever published article in Manila Bulletin, occupying almost a whole page of the broadsheet. During the same month, Jove Francisco also mentioned my blog in TV5's defunct "The Evening News." After 10 months, my name and blog appeared again in Manila Bulletin recommending gadgets for Christmas. Who would've thought that I'd make it there? I am actually overwhelmed.
3. Travel. This year gave me another opportunity to go places to see God's wonderful creations. To name a few, I was able to visit Bacolod, Iloilo, Misibis Bay, Hong Kong, Boracay, Singapore, and Malaysia all at a very low airfare. I also have to thank Cebu Pacific and my sister for these.

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Finally, a Cheaper Blackberry Service from Globe

Globe Telecom has finally lowered down the cost of Blackberry services from Php1,200 to Php600, equaling to 50% difference.

At the recent ad I saw in the newspaper, Globe Telecom is now offering Php300 for 30 days of Unlimited Globe Blackberry Messaging (Email, IM, and BBM) and Php300 for 30 days of Unlimited Globe Blackberry Social (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, IM, and BBM). What's only lacking with the Social is the Email.

Open to both Postpaid and Prepaid subscribers, you just need to text BB MSG On for Unlimited Blackberry Messaging and BB SOCIAL ON for Unlimited Blackberry Social, then send to 8888.

A Globe CSR told me that there might be conflict if you subscribe to both services. Also, this is only a promo until January 15 17, 2011.

Update: Read the FAQs in the Globe Blackberry Facebook Page.

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Stop Mr. Claw and Sore Throat with Bactidol

The Philippines is a tropical country where the weather situation changes from cold to hot and vice versa. Because of this, there's a huge tendency for us to get sore throat and colds. And I'm definitely sure we know how it can destroy our day-to-day activities.

Yours truly was invited by our friends from Bactidol to help demonstrate the hassles of sore throat via a mall activity at SM Megamall in Ortigas. Since they can't give me an actual bacteria to make my throat sore, they gave me the next sore throat in line -- his name is Mr. Claw.

A thirsty me went to buy a Taro Milk Tea from Bubbatealicious, and Mr. Claw was there about to give me a sore throat, but was unsuccessful. Good thing!

However, Mr. Claw is such a hindrance to enjoying my drink as pictured below. Just the same, a sore throat can give difficulty in swallowing food. As the food passes through our throat, we'd feel our throat being scratched a bit, which gives pain and discomfort.

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What Gadgets are Cool to Give and Receive this Holiday Season?

The holiday season is the perfect excuse for buying yourself a new gadget or asking your friends/relatives to buy you one. To help the geek in you, technology enthusiasts have given their recommendations on what's cool to give and receive this holiday season.

Compiled by Alexei Villaraza, Manila Bulletin's Quarterly Technews Supplement entitled Digital Generations featured a compilation of a total of 27 gadgets in a list called "Techie Treats This Christmas."

Taken from Manila Bulletin's E-Paper, here are the recommendations from Timothy Go of CNBC Asia, Lester Co, Glenn Ong, Calvin Lo, Abe Olandres, Noemi Dado, Alora Guerrero, Mark Macanas, and Jayvee Fernandez:

Techie Treats This Christmas

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Nokia's 70% Sale Happens on December 4

Nokia Philippines is at it again, giving us a great deal this holiday season. We've had Nokia C3 and C6 on sale in the previous months, where we saw how many people wanted to get hold of these two models.

This time around, they're slashing up to 70% the regular price on more models, happening on December 4 (Saturday) and available at all Nokia stores nationwide.

Their ad doesn't say a specific time, so I guess it'll run for the whole day. Nevertheless, there will surely be build up of lines, especially that the Philippines is known to be a Nokia country.

These are the devices and their corresponding discounted price:

• Nokia 1280 - Php 890
  
• Nokia 1616 - Php 990
  
• Nokia C3 - Php4,990
  
• Nokia 5230 - Php4,990
  
• Nokia C5 - 6,990
  
• Nokia C6 - Php10,990

Purchase is limited to one (1) device per customer and open for cash or straight transactions.

Only newer models are listed above, but older ones may have discounts as well. For more information about the amazing features of the participating devices, visit www.nokia.com.ph.

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The Big Holiday Outlet Sale 2010 is Coming to Town! (Updated with Winners!)

It's the most wonderful time of the year for shopping! Malibu Enterprise in cooperation with its sponsors BPI Express Credit Edge, SUN Cellular, and Stylebible is bringing back the most awesome sale of the year -- The Big Holiday Outlet Sale 2010 -- happening on December 17-20 (Friday-Monday) from 10AM-9PM at the SMX Convention Hall 4, Mall of Asia Complex.

**Head's up! Ticket giveaway below just for you!**

Up to 80% discount awaits when you visit this year's holiday sale. BPI Cardholders (debit card, credit card, etc.) with a valid ID can enter for FREE! In additional, BPI Express Credit Edge Cardholders can get additional discount and a chance to win raffle items.

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