DavaoBase: Your Jump Point To The City

A few weeks after I filed my resignation with my employer last May, I started a new venture — working at home. My husband had online projects back in 2003, while he was studying Masters in Information Systems in UP. He was the one who guided me as I started my own online business.

With things picking up pretty well, withdrawing funds from my Paypal account is next in the list of things to do. Since we haven’t tried this before as my husband used Western Union, I studied the different options I have. Using the process of elimination, only the 3 methods listed below are left.

1) Open an EON Cyberaccount in Unionbank and use it to transfer funds. I guess this is the most widely used method to withdraw Paypal funds in the Philippines. Transfers are usually completed within 5-7 days. There’s no minimum balance to maintain, although the bank collects a P350.00 Visa Electon Annual Fee. I just need to find the time to visit the nearest Unionbank branch, should this be the method of choice.

2) Transfer to our existing Banco de Oro account. I have read about successful Paypal-to-BDO withdrawals from other blogs, although a number has also mentioned that their money was credited only after 2 months! I checked with BDO - SM Davao branch and they said BDO does not accept Paypal transfers. I would have insisted that it does, but I passed since it was obvious that they don’t know about it. Paypal withdrawals of amounts greater than P7,000 to Philippine bank accounts are free of charge.

3) Get the cash through Xoom. This method claims to send the funds within minutes. I saw a Xoom banner in SM Forex, which means I can get it from there. They charge $8 for withdrawals of $500 and above. Xoom users, however, have noticed that the exchange rates are a bit lower.

I actually still need to give it another thought and discuss it with my husband. Since he is still sleeping, I guess I’ll have to wait until he wakes up so we can discuss this matter again.

If you have been using any of the services above, I would very much appreciate hearing your experiences on Paypal withdrawals, may they be good or bad. Thanks in advance!

… was unsuccessful.

As I said in my previous post, my sister handed me her still-functional laptop (circa 2004) complete with wireless connection. “WiFi?”, I asked myself. As a self-professed computer geek, it was weird for me to ask a very simple question that even a high school student nowadays can answer. Still, it has been years since I last used my web programming skills to good use.

So, there we were (my wife and I) at Karlo’s Coffee Station in Jack’s Ridge last night, and we were very eager to put our laptop to the WiFi test.

Putting our ASUS Laptop to the WiFi test

(By the way, click here to read my wife’s post about our dining experience in Jack’s Ridge and Karlo’s Coffee Station.)

The screen read “No wireless networks were found in range”. Ack! We were instructed to click the “Refresh Network List” button to see an updated list of available wireless networks. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I tried to change the network settings to no avail. I didn’t want to ask the cafe staff because I really didn’t want to appear ignorant (what, with my ASUS Laptop? No way!). So I wandered desperately through the Windows Control Panel, trying to find that glimmer of hope, but alas! It was nowhere to be found.

In short, the whole experience went from testing the laptop to testing my patience.

I hereby declare that our first attempt for a WiFi experience was unsuccessful. On to the next WiFi hotspot, then…

Before anything else, let’s have the main reason for this entry first.

Happy Birthday, Papu!


We presented several options to my father for the venue of his birthday celebration, ranging from the Apo View to Buffet Palace to Whaw or Banok’s, but his choice remained to be his all-time favorite — Jack’s Ridge at the top of Shrine Hills, where the view is simply magnificent. I think this was also where we celebrated his birthday last year. Nevertheless, we let the celebrator have what he wanted.We arrived at Jack’s Ridge a bit early, around 4 PM, since my father wanted to see the landscape rather than just the city lights at night. The Taklobo Restaurant opens at 5 PM, so we stayed in Karlo’s Coffee Station first and had Karloccino, Iced Mocha Latte and Tropical Cupcake. I would have enjoyed the cake if I like fruit cakes, but I don’t. I would have to go for the Choco Chip Cupcake next time.

The Tropical Cupcake at the Karlo’s Coffee Station priced at P67.20 For dinner at the Taklobo, we had kare kare, sinugbang tiyan ng bariles, tinolang seafoods, sizzling sisig, sotanghon guisado, chicken wings, maiz con hielo, rice and drinks for P2,000. I would say that if only for the location and its amenities, the price is already worth it, but the food is also great and the service is commendable.
My brother and his son viewing the city through a telescope
We have been to this place over and again, and they never fail to give us a reason to come back.

I don’t know what got into me, but I have just decided to make my life a little more complicated (as if my worries are not enough, hah!). Last week, I registered for a Japanese Language class in Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (or the Mindanao International College). The school is located in Lanang, which would mean a 16-km ride from where I live.

Classes, which are held every Saturday afternoon at the MKD campus, started yesterday and it will run until December 6. If my sensee gives me the go signal, I will be taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) - Level 4 on December 7, 2008.  It actually is a free (well, almost free) distance education program sponsored by MKD. I will only have to pay for the JLPT fee of P650. This payment goes to the Japanese Foundation.

C’mon, ask me why this program is only ‘almost free’ and not ‘absolutely free’. That is because I need to pay a weekly quiz fee of P100 for the regular quizzes conducted every Saturday to check learning progress. Here’s the deal - If I pass the quiz, the school will refund my quiz fee! Otherwise, I bid my P100 goodbye. Therefore, the program practically becomes free only when you do your part well and study hard. Nice motivation technique, huh?

Allow me to break this blog off my wife’s thoughts for a while, and make it my own.

Ehem…

The month of August isn’t over yet, but a lot of significant things have already highlighted my year. Here’s a short rundown of events that are either life-changing, or noteworthy (but practically useless):

1. Beijing Olympics  -  Sure, our faces frowned at the sight of Davao’s Sheila Mae Perez making a big splash (literally) to lose her chance at the finals. And let’s not discount China’s fakery in the fireworks and female gymnasts’ real age. But the grand opening ceremony and Phelps’ god-like performance were enough to make the Beijing Summer Games one for the books.
2. Prayers for Papa  - Since the demise of my beloved father, I never missed a day thinking about him. August 23 (tomorrow) marks the 40th day of his passing. He was a very good and religious person, and I’m sure God is happy to have him in His kingdom. We all love you, Papa.
3. Buffet at Entrée  -  A buffet dinner priced at P620 raises eyebrows. But when we’re talking about a FREE buffet dinner priced at P620, it releases an entirely opposite feeling. I was able to dine with my colleagues in San Miguel at the posh resto in Apo View Hotel, and I must say it was an unforgettable experience. I’ll squeeze in some time by next week to write a separate blog about it.
4. I have a new laptop!  -  Well, it’s not really new, because it belonged to my sister who was so generous to give her ASUS S5200N Notebook PC (circa 2004) to me. Thanks, Ate Jo! Now, if I can just master the touchpad…

That’s four events, and I’m not even into Kadayawan yet. The big Kadayawan bang will unfold on August 23 (tomorrow), when the exciting Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan gyrates its way onto Davao City streets.

But family trumps festival, so I’ll have to excuse myself from the festivities and honor my father instead.

It is PIChE Davao’s pride to host the largest gathering of Chemical Engineers in the Philippines for 2009. The 70th PIChE National Convention will be held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City from February 25 to 27, 2009 with the theme PIChE at 70: Chemical Engineers Responding to Current and Emerging Issues.

Check the details of the event (taken from PIChE Davao’s website) below.

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Theme

PIChE @ 70: Chemical Engineers Responding to Current and Emerging Issues.

Who Should Attend

Scientists, engineers, researchers, technicians, academics, graduate students, environmental consultants, managers and contractors, environmental safety and health officers, green politicians, environmental NGOs, businessmen and individuals.

Convention Language

English will be the official language of the convention.

Topics

The current and emerging issues identified to fall within the broad scopes of the convention may cover but are not limited to:

Process Engineering and Development
Waste Technology and Management
Green Chemistry
Cleaner Production Technologies
Quality Engineering
Optimization
Industrial Resource Management
Nanoscience
Biochemical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Sustainable Development
Food Production and Technologies
Biofuels and Alternative Energy
Research – Oriented Chemical Engineering Curriculum

Convention Registration Fee

Early Registration (Until December 31, 2008)

Local Participant — Php 3,000
Local Student — Php 2,500
Foreign Participant — US$ 200

On-Site (After December 31, 2008)

Local Participant — Php 4,000
Local Student — Php 3,000
Foreign Participant — US$ 250

Registration includes convention attendance and all catering (morning teas, lunches, afternoon teas, convention dinner) and convention materials (Book of Abstracts and CD proceedings of full papers).

Methods of Payment

All payments in Pesos or US$ to be made by Banker’s Draft made payable to PIChE Davao Chapter . 

Please note that no refund will be given after payment has been received.

Registration Form

Registration forms can be downloaded upon request made to pichedavaochapter@yahoo.com.ph.

Important Dates

Abstract submission deadline: November 30, 2008
Full manuscript submission deadline: December 15, 2008
Notification of acceptance: December 31, 2008
Deadline for early registration: December 31, 2008
Technical & Social Program: February 25-27, 2009

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A friend from college, Engr. Jim Cainglet, sent me this notice of job opening through email. I posted it here for those who may be interested.

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CORAL BAY NICKEL CORPORATION, located in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan, the first successful plant in the world to use the latest technological innovation in processing nickel from laterite ore, is looking for qualified individuals for the following positions:

PRODUCTION SUPERVISORS
MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION SUPERVISORS

Qualifications:                                                                                                                                Not more than 35 years old
Graduate of Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
With excellent work habits and must be results-oriented
Willing to work in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan

For more details, please call Ms. Nori Ann Iniego (02) 750-2289 to 90 or email n.o.iniego@cbnc.com.ph.

We will be having a Jobs Fair in Davao City on August 18, 2008, 9:30 AM at the Aguila 1 Function Room of the Waterfront Insular Hotel. See you there!

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On July 15 (my mother’s birthday, actually), my husband’s father made his final breath. It came as a big shock to the family, as he seemed to be in good shape. On the day he passed away, he was still able to greet my mother at around 7 in the morning. An hour after, my husband got a call. Papa was being rushed to Davao Doctors Hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.

He was a very good man. Do you know a lot of stories about in-law problems? I never had that with him (My husband’s mother died when he was still in high school.). He was very supportive, very accepting, very fatherly. When I learned about the news, I actually felt that a part of me died, too.

I am truly blessed to have him as my father-in-law. The time we have spent together may be short-lived, but I deeply and sincerely thank him not only for raising a good son — my husband, but also for accepting me in his family with open arms. I would never forget you, Papa. Maraming salamat.

This week, our PC got hit by a malware virus. Aaah, it was so frustrating! Each time I used Windows Explorer, a very annoying alert window popped up, inviting me to download an anti-virus software that I have never heard of before. Worse, I can’t open both Firefox and Explorer. The only internet access I could perform was Yahoo! Messenger and Chikka. Grr…

After countless efforts to troubleshoot the problem, we gave up and called for help. The first one we sought assistance from was the technician recommended by a former officemate. We set an appointment for the evening, but heavy rains ruined our plans. Since we were not willing to wait for the weekend, the next available time of the technician, we tried asking family members and close friends. Thanks to Janjan and Paul, we were able to get rid of the virus successfully.

The solution? Overwrite our infected OS with Windows Vista. Of course, there were additional expenses that went with the shift from Windows XP to Vista, including the installation of MS Office 2007 (just to get everything upgraded once and for all ). But soon enough, we saw the great convenience that Vista and Office 2007 offer.

Amidst the negative feedback we heard from friends regarding the difficulty in using Vista and Office 2007, we found many of their features very helpful. And for all these newfound conveniences, we truly thank Bill Gates! You’re the best! Haha..

After spending 2 days of seeking for solutions, we saw that the pesky malware virus is just another cloud with a silver lining, and MS Vista and MS Office 2007 are its sparkling streaks.

Ironically, the virus that infected our PC goes by the name “Vista Antivirus 2008″. Hah!

Could life offer a sweeter gift than your heart’s one true love?

As your hearts have finally found home, we wish you a life that overflows with blessings, a union that rests on understanding and a love that knows no ending.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Voltaire Trocio!

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We wish to offer this entry to our good friends, Bong and Airah, who have finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in the Mother of Perpetual Help Church (Redemptorist Church). The photo above was taken with the bride, the groom and some Pisay friends during the reception at the Top of the Apo, Apo View Hotel, Davao City.