Networking Statistics

I have never been a fan of statistics... or maths... or numbers for that matter. So, I am more of a word-of-mouth believer.

Probably because I try most things once to find out the truth behind advertisements, or because I once worked with a marketing award-giving company (I guess it was even listed as a non-profit organization!) but the company gives about 12 awards monthly of which process starts with a congratulatory letter stating that the person, company, product, service, etc topped the survey for a certain category (the company must have a gazillion of categories!) and that they shall be provided an award on a certain date with the signatories and officials, and a (former) celebrity as guest. If the person/company will be willing to accept the plaque, they are required to commit to a sponsorship package (provided by the congratulatory note) and confirm immediately (or after thousands of follow-up calls later).

What is not told to the recipient of the letter is that there were only one respondents in the survey - the marketing person also doing the follow-up call and the category. This is of course a scam. And if DTI will hire me to provide all the evidences they need, I'd take the job for the right fee.

Anyway, back to the numbers and statistics topic - the latest Facebook brouhaha. What went wrong? Because many who join networking sites from the various customer service outsourcing countries of the world are scammers themselves with probably tens of accounts.  They would soon post links to products, virus programs and links to lure members...

So, reality behind numbers is entirely a different matter. And besides, consumption is actually slowing down in many "emerging" economies due to the growing knowledge and wisdom of consumers (oh, and my fingers are crossed!). Not half of their population have credit cards, nor will order online any time soon. No.

A sign of the second dotcom bubble burst?

Probably.

But never rely on numbers. Experience is still the best teacher.

And don't consume too much. Especially on credit. Or better yet, cancel your credit card.

Tulfo & the "Stars": First Version

Mon Tulfo is one journalist who is feared and respected. Or hated by mainly government officers/officials, and some fellow "journalists", probably for his guts.

Having had an experience with "showbiz" folks (I worked as PR for several talents, ghost writer for a columnist, and PR for a major network's department) for more than a decade, I have had sufficient study of the showbiz attitude. And many of them are often bitten by the star complex disease.

Being a "journalist" myself, my own analysis of the the Thrilla at Naia is this:

As already mentioned by Tulfo, his attention was caught by Claudine's "pagtatalak". So, yes, he took the photos (and yes, as already mentioned by sociologists and legal experts, he have all the rights in this world to take it. So, shut up stupid uzis because all your rants will not give a dent on that right).

So Tulfo sneered at Raymart Santiago when Santiago tried to grab or forcibly take his phone-camera.

This took Santiago and the palengkera "star" to the edge. Like, OK, just my opinion but this is what went through their heads or what have been the "first part" that Santiago insists on television interviews:
(Note: this is the script in my head as analysis of what happened based on my own experience and understanding of showbiz attitude.)

Santiago: Putang'nang matanda 'to, akina yan! (Forcibly taking Tulfo's phone).

Tulfo: (Pushes Santiago away which irked the husband and wife and their cohorts even more).

Santiago: Ah, gago 'to ah!  Di mo ba kami kilala??! Akina 'yan! Wala kang karapatang kunan ang asawa ko!

Barretto: Punyeta ka! Sino ka ba? Saan ka nakatira? (This was caught on the viral video, listen carefully).Wala kang karapatang ganyanin ang asawa ko! At ibigay mo yang phone (camera) na 'yan! Wala kang karapatang kunan ako ng picture! Leche ka! Hayop kang matanda ka!

Santiago: (Hits Tulfo but either misses or Tulfo barred his fists and hits which angered the drunk Santiago, the "star" and their friends. Tulfo starts fighting back as self defense and hits Santiago. Now, the second part - the viral video - and melee starts).

Santiago and Barretto cannot believe that an "unknown" lowly old man have the "nerve" to fight them back. And it was already "too late" to retract all and every lie they uttered live on camera once they learned that the man they ganged up on is Mon Tulfo.

Shame on them. Their stories don't hold at all. It is just sad that stupid "fans" are as stupid as the "stars" they look up on. They have the nerve to challenge "other witness" whereas the story is only one and without any other version, and that the video - second part or not - only continues a first portion that is consistent.

Barretto was hit during the melee and not on the "first portion" as they insisted.

And when Tulfo said that if he "had to die protecting or fighting for his right or the right of others, then so be it," I only wished the crimes committed against him by Santiago, Barretto & friends has incarceration as penalty. I'd love to see the "star" couple behind bars.