So, I've read some Batman comics, including the comics version of the movie Batman Begins, and today, February 27, 2019, I finally watched it, laboured as much as Christian Bale speaks, like his front false teeth have fallen... Sorry. I grew up with the glam Batman comics.
Is it unfair to rate a movie by the way the lips of the lead actor moves? (I don't care if the trilogy are top-grossers - and one of them even have two characters I least like in one??? this one is already a torture! Will I go through another two?
I'd pick the comics versions any time. At least it would spare me of the lips issues.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Saturday, February 16, 2019
I was Arrested & Jailed for Libel
In 2012, I blogged about an illegal recruiter/scammer AFTER I asked an investigation from DeLima /NBI, and help from local major media (Inquirer, GMA, ABS-CBN who ignored my plea) and I was arrested instead for (cyber) libel years later, but I never claimed suppression of freedom of speech!I am sorry, but yes, there's NO MATINONG major media in the Philippines!
Monday, July 2, 2018
Paypal: Hijacked?
I have been using paypal since 2005. Until recently (had it been months?), it had been very safe, very easy to use, and very efficient.
What's going on?
1. It now asks new users whether they are sellers or buyers (seems, you cannot be both).
Fine. If you are an old user, beware of changing your bank details, you'll be doomed!
2. Then, if you are a seller, your account automatically requires your own bank-registered business name. It automatically assumes (and insists!) that your bank account, even if you state while registering your details that it is a personal account and AFTER you input your name, that it is named AFTER your business account.
3. If you cannot properly place a bank account, you have limitations like withdrawing (you cannot even withdraw from your credit card, I understand).
4. But assuming you already inputed properly your bank details and withdraw, you will learn that the transaction was reversed. Because paypal used a business name instead of your inputed personal name.
5. Or it is reversed because it is automatically a checking (current) account.
6. And after all the delays and mistakes, you are charged about US$5 for the reversion. This is thick!
7. You pay for a mistake that paypal insists & committed!
Then,
1. You cannot dispute that mistake.
2. Because paypal will only give you one option in their "resolution center" which is "report an unauthorized activity" - which is FALSE, of course, because you made that activity.
3. But you are forced to click only one button, because the other option is to send them a message, which was NEVER read at all.
4. But if you opt to send a message instead, you get a reply on your email stating how to use paypal (using JUST keywords on your message), which you already knew because you read/saw how in their website already. Well, they ask you to email back in case the issue is not resolved.
5. So, you email back.
6. And still you have robotic customer service representatives (CSR) answering you other things instead of helping you resolve the problem (like correcting your account details).
7. BUT apparently, the number or all numbers being sent to the CSR are censored!
Worse
1. If you clicked those questions AFTER "report an unauthorized activity", you are doomed!
2. OK, so, if you click a paypal transaction (charged for penalty) for dispute under the Resolution Center, they will automatically block your account, and you can only resolve the issue by calling their Nebraska phone at +1 402 9352050.
3. You will be answered by an AI machine, which does NOT recognize numbers by voice or by keypad. So, you get to repeat inputing the same number over and over again until you meet your call limits (subscription if you do not have a postpaid phone). And then it will insist it does not recognize your number, so, you input the number you used in your paypal account, but as I said, could it really be communicating with your phone? They don't seem to be from the same planet!!!
4. SO, you buy another call load for your phone.
5. And do the process again and again (today, it will be my 12th time to call). Now, my Globe IDD wants to compete, it keeps being cut!!!
6. At other times, the AI lets you go through, and then, the other challenge kicks in - a recorded message that is so - coming from the earth's abyss itself, you can hardly recognize a word it is saying... (I must need a hypersonic hearing aid already!)
7. Then, if you are lucky, there's a CSR to answer your call (hallelluia!!!)
8. So, she will get your cryptic email address (he or she will have a difficulty understanding it, of course!), so you get stuck a few minutes just trying to figure out what the hell is your email address!
9. And when you finally were able to send through the message you are trying to send through, breathe.
10. The CSR will send you a verification code... Or was it an email link? No, first, a verification code to your email, before she gives you an email link to finally restore your account!
11. Well, hold that hallelluia! Because if you do not have a kingdom-come-call-limitations, your load just expired! (OK, mine).
12. Go back to 1. Whichever "1 "you want. Up there.
So Paypal, you win. I'll try to start finding other options now, go check out those other payment systems, maybe, they have not been hijacked yet! And, yes, I'll stop telling everyone to use paypal. I can't afford more angry looks. (I've more than enough for myself already).
What's going on?
1. It now asks new users whether they are sellers or buyers (seems, you cannot be both).
Fine. If you are an old user, beware of changing your bank details, you'll be doomed!
2. Then, if you are a seller, your account automatically requires your own bank-registered business name. It automatically assumes (and insists!) that your bank account, even if you state while registering your details that it is a personal account and AFTER you input your name, that it is named AFTER your business account.
3. If you cannot properly place a bank account, you have limitations like withdrawing (you cannot even withdraw from your credit card, I understand).
4. But assuming you already inputed properly your bank details and withdraw, you will learn that the transaction was reversed. Because paypal used a business name instead of your inputed personal name.
5. Or it is reversed because it is automatically a checking (current) account.
6. And after all the delays and mistakes, you are charged about US$5 for the reversion. This is thick!
7. You pay for a mistake that paypal insists & committed!
 |
| Dispute a paypal mistake & you get this! |
Then,
1. You cannot dispute that mistake.
2. Because paypal will only give you one option in their "resolution center" which is "report an unauthorized activity" - which is FALSE, of course, because you made that activity.
3. But you are forced to click only one button, because the other option is to send them a message, which was NEVER read at all.
4. But if you opt to send a message instead, you get a reply on your email stating how to use paypal (using JUST keywords on your message), which you already knew because you read/saw how in their website already. Well, they ask you to email back in case the issue is not resolved.
5. So, you email back.
6. And still you have robotic customer service representatives (CSR) answering you other things instead of helping you resolve the problem (like correcting your account details).
7. BUT apparently, the number or all numbers being sent to the CSR are censored!
Worse
1. If you clicked those questions AFTER "report an unauthorized activity", you are doomed!
2. OK, so, if you click a paypal transaction (charged for penalty) for dispute under the Resolution Center, they will automatically block your account, and you can only resolve the issue by calling their Nebraska phone at +1 402 9352050.
3. You will be answered by an AI machine, which does NOT recognize numbers by voice or by keypad. So, you get to repeat inputing the same number over and over again until you meet your call limits (subscription if you do not have a postpaid phone). And then it will insist it does not recognize your number, so, you input the number you used in your paypal account, but as I said, could it really be communicating with your phone? They don't seem to be from the same planet!!!
4. SO, you buy another call load for your phone.
5. And do the process again and again (today, it will be my 12th time to call). Now, my Globe IDD wants to compete, it keeps being cut!!!
6. At other times, the AI lets you go through, and then, the other challenge kicks in - a recorded message that is so - coming from the earth's abyss itself, you can hardly recognize a word it is saying... (I must need a hypersonic hearing aid already!)
7. Then, if you are lucky, there's a CSR to answer your call (hallelluia!!!)
8. So, she will get your cryptic email address (he or she will have a difficulty understanding it, of course!), so you get stuck a few minutes just trying to figure out what the hell is your email address!
9. And when you finally were able to send through the message you are trying to send through, breathe.
10. The CSR will send you a verification code... Or was it an email link? No, first, a verification code to your email, before she gives you an email link to finally restore your account!
11. Well, hold that hallelluia! Because if you do not have a kingdom-come-call-limitations, your load just expired! (OK, mine).
12. Go back to 1. Whichever "1 "you want. Up there.
 |
| calls at paypal taking about 10 minutes... before you can actually speak to a live human. |
 |
| The many call logs which paypal insists I upload to their website AFTER I log-in (they have blocked me, how can I log in?) |
So Paypal, you win. I'll try to start finding other options now, go check out those other payment systems, maybe, they have not been hijacked yet! And, yes, I'll stop telling everyone to use paypal. I can't afford more angry looks. (I've more than enough for myself already).
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Find Out if You are Internet Ignorant
Are you one of them?
Ipsos, a market research group, published that the Philippines, with 29% of its population being users of internet, are on the top 3 of the most innacurate users in the world of the 38 countries they bothered to learn about. Anyway, other posts claim about 60 million Filipinos use the internet, but mainly, or majority of them uses only social media, dominated probably by FaceBook (had Friendster been maintained fairly well, I doubt if FaceBook will be as popular as it is now).
There are no studies yet undertaken how to determine if a user is internet ignorant or not. However, there are already posts online that internet, or social media, is making (Filipino) users ignorant. How can we know of this?
Answer the following questions with YES or NO to determine if you are internet ignorant or not:
1. "Search" in FaceBook is helpful to find factual information.
2. At least half (50%) of what friends share on social media are reliable or truth.
3. Wikipedia is a leak.
4. Rappler news are objective.
5. YouTube is all about funny videos.
6. 9gag is more reliable than Fox News.
7. Chrome is an advertising tool.
8. Google search used to be reliable. Not anymore.
9. FaceBook is an advertising tool.
10. Everything in this list is debatable.
Comment in this blog post your email and answers if you want to know whether or not you are internet ignorant. Thank you for taking the time to learn.
Ipsos, a market research group, published that the Philippines, with 29% of its population being users of internet, are on the top 3 of the most innacurate users in the world of the 38 countries they bothered to learn about. Anyway, other posts claim about 60 million Filipinos use the internet, but mainly, or majority of them uses only social media, dominated probably by FaceBook (had Friendster been maintained fairly well, I doubt if FaceBook will be as popular as it is now).
There are no studies yet undertaken how to determine if a user is internet ignorant or not. However, there are already posts online that internet, or social media, is making (Filipino) users ignorant. How can we know of this?
Answer the following questions with YES or NO to determine if you are internet ignorant or not:
1. "Search" in FaceBook is helpful to find factual information.
2. At least half (50%) of what friends share on social media are reliable or truth.
3. Wikipedia is a leak.
4. Rappler news are objective.
5. YouTube is all about funny videos.
6. 9gag is more reliable than Fox News.
7. Chrome is an advertising tool.
8. Google search used to be reliable. Not anymore.
9. FaceBook is an advertising tool.
10. Everything in this list is debatable.
Comment in this blog post your email and answers if you want to know whether or not you are internet ignorant. Thank you for taking the time to learn.
Friday, October 20, 2017
In Denial, and the Beholden Media
Since President Rodrigo R. Duterte took office, or even before it, there had been a lot of naysayers, considering that information nowadays is cheap and fast. I was one of them. Was.
There are two things I noted for not trusting the presidency early on:
1. Constitutional bodies like COA, CSC, and COMELEC are ineffective, if not so corrupt.
2. Duterte pledged to wage war against criminality. So much like all other government agencies that hire and promote by virtue of nepotism, we have an inept police.
Nevertheless, the Constitution says we have a President. The least we can do is respect him and give him a chance. There was a one time that I voted for president, and I voted for her again the second time although I am fully aware she will not win this time. All else, I knew were useless and futile.
From the start, too, Duterte doubted he will ever work well with the Philippine media. Members of Philippine media have a somewhat distorted orientation about their freedoms and rights (if they are even aware of it at all), and a feigned ignorance of admiting they work for a business. (I am sour-graping, mainstream media never wanted me! I am a reject! Satisfied? Now, let's proceed.)
But to explain this anti-Duterte stance of mainstream Philippine media, let us disect the background of the mainstream Philippine media:
1. ABS-CBN is owned by the Lopezes. Formerly listed as owned by Benpress Holdings, it has a bleak history of massive debts and should be answerable to taxpayers of this country, and investors in other countries. And if you so care want some juicy conspiracy theory bits, here.
2. Philippine Daily Inquirer. This is formerly a newspaper with fearless news and balanced views. It has turned into a social oligarch magazine, with news and some opinions on the side.
3. Rappler's Raissa Robles. Robles will write as she sees fit, personal or otherwise. Pnoy has won her favor, and she won't admit it, but that is how I see it.
4. As for the rest, they are still wrapped up in their comfort zones, never heard "p#+@^&mo" in their short lives, and never been mentally challenged in their professional and personal relations, so, let the snowflakes cry.
As for the Dutertards, they plod. Reality is a war. We don't really know when we'll get hit.
There are two things I noted for not trusting the presidency early on:
1. Constitutional bodies like COA, CSC, and COMELEC are ineffective, if not so corrupt.
2. Duterte pledged to wage war against criminality. So much like all other government agencies that hire and promote by virtue of nepotism, we have an inept police.
Nevertheless, the Constitution says we have a President. The least we can do is respect him and give him a chance. There was a one time that I voted for president, and I voted for her again the second time although I am fully aware she will not win this time. All else, I knew were useless and futile.
From the start, too, Duterte doubted he will ever work well with the Philippine media. Members of Philippine media have a somewhat distorted orientation about their freedoms and rights (if they are even aware of it at all), and a feigned ignorance of admiting they work for a business. (I am sour-graping, mainstream media never wanted me! I am a reject! Satisfied? Now, let's proceed.)
But to explain this anti-Duterte stance of mainstream Philippine media, let us disect the background of the mainstream Philippine media:
1. ABS-CBN is owned by the Lopezes. Formerly listed as owned by Benpress Holdings, it has a bleak history of massive debts and should be answerable to taxpayers of this country, and investors in other countries. And if you so care want some juicy conspiracy theory bits, here.
2. Philippine Daily Inquirer. This is formerly a newspaper with fearless news and balanced views. It has turned into a social oligarch magazine, with news and some opinions on the side.
3. Rappler's Raissa Robles. Robles will write as she sees fit, personal or otherwise. Pnoy has won her favor, and she won't admit it, but that is how I see it.
4. As for the rest, they are still wrapped up in their comfort zones, never heard "p#+@^&mo" in their short lives, and never been mentally challenged in their professional and personal relations, so, let the snowflakes cry.
As for the Dutertards, they plod. Reality is a war. We don't really know when we'll get hit.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Red Ribbon Mamon & Smart Perks
Let us set aside the seemingly highway robbery wireless / pocket wi-fi services we are currently experiencing at the moment and focus on "rewards".
Globe provides very timely rewards, in fact, you can get your SMS / call rewards even if you ran out of pre-paid loads.
Meanwhile at Smart...
I have several Smart numbers I use for wi-fi and phone services that at one time, I enrolled them to Smart perks. "Being Smart has its perks."
In February, I redeemed a Red Ribbon mamon (5 pieces) for - if I recall it right, 145 points. I received a message or a prompt that I will be updated of its status in the next 24 hours.
I never received the update.
In June 1, 2017. I called up the Smart hotline dedicatedly to inquire on this perks. I was able to talk to Deps. She checked on my record and while my account is open and I can see I've only got some 90 points left on my perks, she told me that she is sorry for the inconvenience or something like that. Gahd. You like the word: inconvenience. She told me that the points were returned. And lo! I have 200+ points back on my perks.
She asked me if I would like to try redeeming another, and I said yes, and on her end, she assisted me to redeem - calls for 100 points.
I got an SMS telling me a manager or something similar in status, will approve of the redeemed perks and that I will be updated in a while. It is June 4 and I never got an update.
Smart, you are sooo smart.
You meter our wifi usage at sky-high rates without us having an idea how, as if people in the Philippines earn shrewdly as much as you people at Smart. Cruel, if you ask me. And you have these perks that is what we can aptly call "paasa."
You're soooo smart!
Globe provides very timely rewards, in fact, you can get your SMS / call rewards even if you ran out of pre-paid loads.
Meanwhile at Smart...
I have several Smart numbers I use for wi-fi and phone services that at one time, I enrolled them to Smart perks. "Being Smart has its perks."
In February, I redeemed a Red Ribbon mamon (5 pieces) for - if I recall it right, 145 points. I received a message or a prompt that I will be updated of its status in the next 24 hours.
I never received the update.
In June 1, 2017. I called up the Smart hotline dedicatedly to inquire on this perks. I was able to talk to Deps. She checked on my record and while my account is open and I can see I've only got some 90 points left on my perks, she told me that she is sorry for the inconvenience or something like that. Gahd. You like the word: inconvenience. She told me that the points were returned. And lo! I have 200+ points back on my perks.
She asked me if I would like to try redeeming another, and I said yes, and on her end, she assisted me to redeem - calls for 100 points.
I got an SMS telling me a manager or something similar in status, will approve of the redeemed perks and that I will be updated in a while. It is June 4 and I never got an update.
Smart, you are sooo smart.
You meter our wifi usage at sky-high rates without us having an idea how, as if people in the Philippines earn shrewdly as much as you people at Smart. Cruel, if you ask me. And you have these perks that is what we can aptly call "paasa."
You're soooo smart!
Monday, October 10, 2016
The Invisible Force: A book review
I am not really into book reviews... first off, because someone (or a bunch) out there has already placed it in better words and perspective more than I could ever attempt, got the right platform or fund to promote, and back it up for a specific period of time. And I'd just be another second-third-rate ranter with nothing new to offer.
But I'll honestly review this out of a need and personal commitment, as objectively as possible.
The e-book is quite brief at just 112 pages, packed with lots of quirky quotes such as that of the opener from Why the LuckyStiff, some others, and pop-rock lyrics from the Boss, The Doors, Nirvana, to Lenka! There are allusions to Robert Ludlum beginning from the main character Alex Howell (combo of Alexander Conklin from the Bourne Trilogy and Peter Howell from the Covert One series) to the giant business greed, a secret agency within a secret agency and global hopping off of the agent/s. It was notable, too, that two of the leading characters were rockstar-wannabes, indicative of an era when every gasoline boy (who graduated in college), and office staff were into alternative rock band thing.
It also hit on the most active third world facebook users. Probably based on its clown senators that plagiarize.
The presentation of some of the main characters seem wanting - could be because succeeding parts will provide a deeper exploration of these characters? We can only speculate. But after a couple of chuckles, and the temporary satisfaction of good winning over evil in the reality-based fiction (by the way, it presents factual natural calamities as a manipulation of MNCs), we hope with fingers crossed that it is just fiction and ask, when's that next series coming out?
But I'll honestly review this out of a need and personal commitment, as objectively as possible.
The e-book is quite brief at just 112 pages, packed with lots of quirky quotes such as that of the opener from Why the LuckyStiff, some others, and pop-rock lyrics from the Boss, The Doors, Nirvana, to Lenka! There are allusions to Robert Ludlum beginning from the main character Alex Howell (combo of Alexander Conklin from the Bourne Trilogy and Peter Howell from the Covert One series) to the giant business greed, a secret agency within a secret agency and global hopping off of the agent/s. It was notable, too, that two of the leading characters were rockstar-wannabes, indicative of an era when every gasoline boy (who graduated in college), and office staff were into alternative rock band thing.
It also hit on the most active third world facebook users. Probably based on its clown senators that plagiarize.
The presentation of some of the main characters seem wanting - could be because succeeding parts will provide a deeper exploration of these characters? We can only speculate. But after a couple of chuckles, and the temporary satisfaction of good winning over evil in the reality-based fiction (by the way, it presents factual natural calamities as a manipulation of MNCs), we hope with fingers crossed that it is just fiction and ask, when's that next series coming out?
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