Rodel E. Dagumampan

Just this evening, I get off late from work and plan to have dinner in one of the best tasting chicken restaurant here in davao. This is one of my favourite place.  I clapped my hands twice to call the waiter’s attention. I had chicken wings, soup, and green mango shake. And not far from me is a banner with the excellence awards the restaurant received. Wait, Received?

Everytime I see this excellence in marketing award etc. marked on different products or displayed in large format tarpaulin in restaurants, and service provider companies, I can’t help myself not to get irritated. No body deserve it actually.

The story… Two years ago, I was working in a very small start-up software development firm in Makati. A company of less than 10 members, quite profitable and comfortable to work with, but definitely not luxurious. We work in mezzanine of less than 100 sqm. While I serve as chief software engineer of the firm, I must say I don’t get much($) out of it. We shared a vision to build our products, the company, and we will reap the rewards after. At many cases, we opt not to buy things that are not necessary to cut costs down. While we need more people we decided not to as to high rate of senior engineers and we just extend our time and work hours. A company where everyone’s involved, I can view some financial reports also as I own some shares on it. We’re pretty performing well. My friend, the owner of the company and her girl friend works as developer too. Marketing is something we don’t do as we live thru our client’s referrals. This expense is way out of our strategic plans!

The one night, I received a fax message. The message is remarkably decent and legimately looking and nice. We are being awarded for our excellence in MARKETING. Whatta… Imagine that!

But but but…. We have to pay 15,xxx.00 PHP “subsidy fee” at specified deadline upon acceptance. Aba, at may deadline pa ha.

Given these metrics as stated in the document, I must say we definitely failed to represent:

• Market-share Dominance
  Back then, we only have I think less than 20 clients. Less than five are big clients.
• Well Researched Market
  Yes we are aware of the market, but we keep this research just on us. How come they know that huh?
• Innovative Marketing Strategies
  We don’t market. Basically because we’re not ready yet.
• Mass Media Publicity
  The only print ad we printed as far as I rememer is a tarpaulin we used for Software Innovation Phils. in Makati Shang-rila, that’s just it.
• Customer Service Quality
  Alright, we’re good at it :).
• Quality of Service
  We’re not perfect, but we have this.
• Value for Money
  Our pricing varies. Several factors are concerns like licenses, service agreements, maturity, trial sites etc. Something confidential. Take not, we have not talk with them not even one ha.
• Likability
  We struglle still to deliver the best product. On release of our version 6 that time, that serve as beta. I can tell you, we had several revisions then.
• Truthful Advertising
  We don’t mislead our customers. We don’t advertise.
• Customer Confidence
  True.
• Awards Received
  N-O-N-E so far.
• Market Acceptability in Overall
  We don’t have concrete market research report. If this awards committee have this market acceptability report, I guess every awardee deserve to have a copy, don’t we?

IMO, for an entity to get an excellence award, you have to be either nominated and/or selected by person or committe from a government body, organization, or general public. It is not something you get from yellow pages, put on fish bowl, pick the unlucky one.

By the way, this ploy is not just in marketing, but also in shopper’s choice of products and services, etc. Usually three you can get in batch. Grandslam lol.

Don’t be mislead by everything you see as it can be deceiving, don’t be a victim, or conspirator. I only trust awards given by an NGO, legitimate consumer group, government body, and the general public. For trusting product quality, food safety, and manufacturer best practices, look for ISO/TUV certifications and DTI seal.

As I write this post I tried not to disclose anything specific as we have this stupid and mostly abused Libel Law. If you experienced the same, we’re glad to hear your story.

Philippine Daily Inquirer website reported that Intel Technology Philippines plans to ramps down their 10-year old assembly and test facility network in Cavite. One of the most admired companies in PH where employees received computers free in x yrs of service, high salary, shuttle service in as far as Manila, health care et. al. But these will not be for long as this statement conveys:

“In an effort to keep employees informed, Intel has updated its employees that significant investments would be required to ensure the long-term viability of its factory building in Cavite” Intel replied on press inquiry.

The Electronics Industry

The electronics industry is just like a roller coaster. It goes to the peak very fast, but make a high head first fall when the consumer demand is low. Thus, most employees were hired on a contractual basis. Fujitsu, Samsung, and Epson is not immune to this fluctuations, there were many times they have to declare no work or reduce work hours of employees to stay competitive. The case of intel, IMHO, its not purely high cost of labor, corporate taxes, or facility problems. These all can be resolved thru negotiations. Its the consumer demand for new Intel Chips that forced Intel to change strategy to stay competitive. The peso appreciated sharply in the past 5 years thus reducing Intel’s spending power.

In Germany, last year several companies including Nokia closed down their plant and offices and move the facility into other locations where labor and cost of doing business are low. Shell also plans to ramps down its software development division and departments in favor of outsourcing the tasks into other countries including the Philippines.

Facing Domino Impact

While we are concern with Intel employees, other smaller and weaker companies that supplies parts to Intel also has to face the impact. Not everyone knows, in a technology park, there are companies dedicated to just manufacturing chip boards, little fuses, silicon wires, packaging, thermal instruments. Companies exclusively working with Intel on recruitment process, training services, food concessionaire, shipping and handling, and shuttle services.

People working on these companies will most likely to suffer the pain of losing their jobs, shutting down their companies, retrench employees, declare a no-work weekdays. Intel is an American firm and there is always been good separation packages on all regular employees when US firm big chip firms shuts down. But smaller companies, like I mention cannot give the same.

I almost forgot these small Intel cyber schools that we visited when I was in Manila.

Technology Transfer

I believe that there is knowledge transfer but technology transfer is not guaranteed. We, Filipino workers learned the process automation and experienced the manufacturing assemblies from these Multi-National Companies (MNC) and expats. The technology in the process is still just their technology, their own patented technology. We may learn how to assemble cars, but we don’t know how to build those machines and PLCs that assemble cars. We may learn how to produce cola and soda, but they came here in syrup. We may learned how use robotics, but we’re not trained to build those robots. We simply became technicians, operators, and supervisors.

World Free Trade

We should not complain a lot on this sad event. It is a reality that every WTO-member country have to face. If not for now, it will surely be in the near future. Globalization is the term the best describes these changes that no one country is immune. Others will win, several will lose the game.

The responsibility is ours, the initiative to innovate in our hands, the creativity to invent in our mind. The opportunity is here, lets not waste it.

Davao never failed to surprise me every time I visited places here I have never been. Last friday, as I read feeds I got particularly interested in visiting an unexplored place in Island Garden of Samal (IGACOS), Canibad Cove. Having experienced several frustrating travel plans before, I learned and told myself I will never plan again as it is just frustrating. I have learned that I should have just he budget, and prepare same day or just few days ahead :).

I searched the web for directions and prepare my usual to bring list.

What we have to bring

I read from other blogs that while the place is great, there are no restaurants or place to buy some food there. So the same night, we shop at NCCC department store to buy things to bring. If you don’t have any idea yet what should be on your day tour survival kit. Here’s my list:

• Banig / Hammock.
• Basket
• Digital Camera (Full charged), Extra Batteries.
  I advise you to turn it on save battery settings mode as there is no electricity in canibad. Turn on only when needed.
• Water, water, water.
  While there’s water available for washing plates and rinsing body after swimming, there’s no water for drinking.
• Shades
• Toothbrush, toothpaste
• Soap, shampoo
• Snorkling gear
• Books and reading materials (1Min Manager, First, break the rules…)
• Mobile phones, full charged
• Bath tower, extra shirts, swimming shorts
• Food canisters

How we get there

At 7:00 AM, we took taxi and drop off the Blue Carabao Eatery in Obrero to buy the foods. We just have our food canisters filled with rice and several variants. We had rice, chicken adobo, pork adobo, hotdog, and fried bangus. 

Armed with printed email and directions, we took an Island City Express bus in Sta. Ana Wharf near Magsaysay Park. Bus fare is 30.00 PHP. The bus rode into a barge to transfer us from Davao City to Samal Island. We get off into their terminal at Central Warehouse Club in Babak.

Several motorcycles aka habal-habal are available here and they will ask you if you are going to Canibad. Travel from the terminal to Canibad took us 30-40 minutes and we’re charged 150.00 for the nature trip. Make sure sit confortably well before the travel as it was a long, winding, dusty road.

When you’re there, asked the same driver to fetch you. Make a note of your name, at least two contact numbers, the time he should fetch you. On your part, ask the driver his name, contact number and plate number. Advise him that whatever happen, he should commit to fetch you that in any case of emergency he should advise other drivers to fetch you on his behalf :). This is because there are no available vehicles going back to the terminal. We’re fetch 4:PM, perfect time to travel, not yet dark and in case the motorcycle broke down we have enough time to find another one or walk the near house to wait for another. Were just that smart! LOL.

From top, it will take 10 mins to walkdown the beachfront. It would be safer to walk barefoot as it is very steep and risky steps.

The prestine beach

What you need to know

• Travel fare budget Davao City - Canibad
  • 30.00 x 2  bus fare davao - bak-bak terminal
  • 175.00 x 2  habal-habal/motorcycle fare terminal - canibad. Add 50.00 for fetching.
• Entrance fee is 20.00 each.
• Entrance fee for rockies part of the beach is 15.00
• Not enough rice, asked someone there to buy for you 20.00/kilo. Another 20.00 for cooking it.
• Very clean water, if you know how to swim don’t forget your snorkling gear as fishes is just few meters away you can actually see it near rockies.

More pictures

View more pictures from my shutterfly.

Davao is such a great place to live and explore. Expect more as I have list of beautiful places to visit this year. Thanks mindanao bloggers for sharing this.

• Hinatuans Enchanted River
• Kapatagan Zipped Line
• Wanniban Island
• Mariscal Beach Resort
• Saranggani Province
• Tinuy-an Falls Bislig

I have just watched the movie “The Mist” today. I can’t help myself but to blog my experience. It was superb, twisted, disturbing, and full of suspense. Not one second that I stop thinking what will be next, I just cant figure it out. It was really suspense thriller.

I only know Stephen King thru some books that I have seen some people fond of reading of. The author of the book from which the movie was based, and this definitely a piece of art to remember.

When all the people inside the store were sneaking around a small hole in the wall blockade, I almost thrown my cellphone when bugs bump into the glass window. I watched it alone as pangga is on duty tonight, I raised my legs, I told myself I should have wait for her.

Grrrr… The ending, its the ending!!! I hate it, i hate it, it took me couple of minutes to feel the reality that its not true, and should never be true.

With Vantage Point on my list, The Mist is one the best movies I have watched this year. The lesson I get from the movie… Never loose hope.

Watch it now.

In the beginning of the year, I came to know Avelino Razon, thru tv and newspapers, whom many news achors and morning shows addressed as “Mamang Pulis”. Razon changed the image of PNP as friendly, smiley, approachable and trustworthy. After the event where journalists were arested and handcuffed in Manila Peninsula siege, razon becomes even more aggressive in promoting PNP. He was friendly with the media, he even have nice friendster account. That was very nice and impressive.

But Mamang Pulis just proves he is not a good liar, when he was caught lying in his last conversation with anchor Anthony Taverna in a morning show. His latest statements directly contradicts with his previous claims that Lozada and his family asked for police protection. And that he send a formal request to the PNP protection office. Which all later proven lies.

The abduction of Lozada from NAIA is a big blow to the already bad image of PNP that has been tainted with corruption, doubtedness. In the past, we only hear about officers involved in street crimes, extortion and intimidation. This time, its different. Daylight kidnapping, lying to the public, and desperate attempt to cover it up with some forcely signed documents. How can you trust officers whose command chief is guilty of lying.

Just to share with you, in Canada, they have Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), one of the worlds most recognized police force. RCMP maintains an friendly and approachable image which basically how police offices should be. Its pity, Mamang Pulis might have been looking after RCMP but his lapse and judgement and involment in the ZTE controversy made him less trustworthy…

My recent trip to Manila has been unforgettable, not for the reasons that I enjoyed it but for the bad experiences and “suffering” we had waiting for the first flight next day.

Alright it was our fault that we’re late, and this just proves that trip to manila from batangas has always been unpredictable. I know, I should have have just a leave early or checked-in in nearby hotels before my flight to avoid last minute rush. Considering the current construction works at South Luzon Express Way (SLEX), the travel time really take two fold.

How I wish that the frustration of being left behind by the flight can be lesen by comfortable waiting area or at least a baggage care-taker system at the airpoty. I travel alone and this time I have a lot of excess baggage that will not fit the taxi, I cannot leave it with just somebody else so I decided to just wait for my flight next day 5AM. Its 10PM btw, 10hours waiting here in old waiting shed, bitten with mosquitoes, sleeping with the cats. Imagine if you travel alone, you have excess baggage, you have no cash and you have find some ATM machines or buy some food. This is not possible here, unless you found someone trustworthy to look after your things.

There are no ATM machines at domestic airport. I have learned my lesson with my past trips, always bring enough cash enough to pay the price difference just in case you got late, enough so if you decide to sleepover the nearby hotel you have some money to pay it. In my past trip to Davao one time, I really had hard time finding the nearest BDO or BPI branch in the area. Manila Domestic Road has no overpass. I got hungry, I have to buy some food. I have found some fastfood and restaurant across the Cebu Pacific building. But be aware, this road is really an accident prone area. Its like playing patintero just trying to cross the road. A very busy road with no overpass! One miss and you’re really dead here. You have to have strategy like waiting for cars that signals to enter the airport so the following cars will slow down. No not cars, container trucks, trailer trucks and vans too!

As part of my checklist in my recent trip to Manila is an application for new cedula or CTC. Its been quite long time since I get one, as far as i remember that was three years ago when I started working in my first company. I was surprised when I was asked if I am employed, and how much salary I am getting, I got toungue tied and speechless. Then I asked in return why. The cashier then replied the amount i am to pay will be based on my salary. Wth!

Alright, after several minutes thinking, having some people waiting, having prepared for it, considering the recent development efforts in our town, and the corruption happening in our country, I just paid what is due. If i am surprised, the cashier was even more surprised, even her co-cashier in the office. She asked me again if I am sure about it. She asked me again if I am really sure about it. She asked me again before printing the document, the third time. That was the funny part LOL. She said she seldom encounter people pay obove 100 pesos in cedula. Btw, Rosario, my town, is a small town in Batangas where people mostly depends on relatives working abroad or agriculture.

How many Filipino lied about the purpose of getting Community Tax Certificare a.k.a cedula. I can see and I know many people lied on real pupose of document. The current salary if working, the marital status, employment status, and purpose of the document. Applicants planning to use this document told the issuing officer, its for schooling. Some when asked how much is the current salary, says they are not working yet. Professionals earning big bucks says, they only get this x amount which is just quater of actual amount they are getting.

In most cities and municipalities, this is just bounded by trust. Trust on the words of the applicant on questions asked by the municipality treasurer. In some cases, the cashier ask for some support documents like previous ITR and business registration documents.

Community Tax Certificate (CTC) a.k.a as cedula is a document prepared, issued, and paid in barangay, city, or municipal office. It is a documentary requirements when filing an income tax return, registering a new business. In some cases, this also serve as an identification document if no available ID at the time like caught in traffic violation.

From Inquirer:“A person is required to present a cedula when he or she acknowledges a document before a notary public; takes an oath of office upon election or appointment to a government position; receives a license, certificate or permit from a public authority; pays a tax or fee; receives money from a public fund; transacts official business; or receives salary from a person or corporation.

Exempted are diplomatic and consular representatives, and visitors staying in the Philippines for less than three months. They can still get a cedula voluntarily for P1.”

When was the last time you get a community tax certificate. How much did you pay?

Transcript of Lozada’s exposé: ‘Halika tawagan natin si FG’

Masyado na talaga malalim ang nangyayari ngayon. Every scandal that rocks this administration seems like a rolling wind and nawawala rin lang pagkaraan ng ilang araw or natatabunan ng mga isyu hindi inaasahan.

So ano na ngayon? Ano ba ang susunod na kabata. Uy mga pare and mare, ingat kayo dyan baka mamaya yan naman Megamall, Market-market or MOA ang bombahin. Ano kaya ang susunod na pwede gawin para matabunan ang mga isyu ngayon ay inaasahang yumanig sa malakanyang.

Nakakatawa ano, parang istorya ni Bush nun i-terminate nya ang ilang Attorney Generals. Hindi yata uso sa atin ang tinatawag na obstruction of justice. Pareho rin ang pagbabawal na umatend sa mga senate inquiry and kanyang cabinet member and pagdepense gamit ang “Executive Privilege”. Ibang klase ano, garapalan, kung walang gagalaw, kung walang kikilos, kung walang makikialam magiging okay lang ang lahat. Milyon-milyong piso galing sa buwis natin ang napupunta sa walang kwentang suhulan, bayaran at kurapson. Muntik na tayo nalubog sa 300 milyon utang na wala tayo kamuwang-muwang.

Ng una ko marinig ang balita tungkol sa pamumudbod ng pera sa Malakanyang sa mga gobernador natin, iba ang pakiramdam and I’m sure na parehong naramdaman ng bawat Pilipino tumututok sa mga nangyayari sa pulitika. Kung matandaan natin, una ng inamin ng PNP na galing daw sa pundo nila ang tig-500 thousand na maagang pamasko. Tapos meron na naman umamin na galing daw sa pondo ng Leage of Governors. Pero napanood at nakit mo ba yung bitbit ng mga governors na paper bag galing malakanyang na nakunan ng ABS-CBN. At iilan lang ang umamin ha, nasaan na kaya yun, siguro pinambili ng Expedition kasi hindi na uso ang Nissan Safari ngayon, or siguro nakabagong Fortuner yan ang mas maporma sa daan, bagay na meron hagad. Samantalang sa maraming barangay kulang na kulang ang supply ng gamot, naghihintay ang mga magsasaka ng ulan kasi masyado na mahal ang krudo para sa irigasyon.

Ano ba ang pundasyon ng political party sa ating bansa? Sagot: WALA! Mabibilang sa daliri ang mga nakikita natin mapagkakatiwalaan na mamuno sa atin. Habang nagkakagulo sila sa senado, nakabinbin pa rin ang bill na misyon pababain ang presyo ng gamot! Nagpalit ng Senate leadership sa walang kwentang dahilan, sana man lang meron isyu na pinagtalunan diba. Ngayon naman kakanta si JDV laban sa administrasyon, patunay lang na isa rin sya nanahimik na tuta, parang pelikula ano kaso wala ako maisip na magan title, lahat yata pangit. Samantalang ganito ang nangyayari, bulag at tanga pa rin tayo mga pilipino. Nagpipilit na pumila makita lang si Idol at makakuha ng wrist band. Syempre meron din yan t-shirt. Hay buhay, anak ng alamang, sabi nga nin Antony Taberna.

Nagiging malinaw unti-unti ang lahat. Ang koneksyon ng NBN project, sa CyberEducation project, ang testimonya ni JDV III, ang pananalita ni Neri. Kaso wala eh, ano ba magagwa natin, eh di wala. Patuloy lang ang buhay, eventually maayos din lahat ito. Wala naman tayo sa posisyon at kapangyarihan na baguhin ang lahat. Isang boto lang naman ang meron tayo, at dalawang taon pa ang hintayin natin. Ngayon pa lang, ingatan na natin to.

Ikaw, may tiwala ka pa ba?

Pero kahit ano pa man, gumagalaw naman tayo. I can feel our country is moving and is moving fast. It feels great to read all business news in the past 6 months, all business news are good and positive. Its almost perfect, its almost what I have wanted. But it seems, we cant have it for now…

Let’s move on, just with ourselves. Its all we can do for now. Stay positive. Live and work the righteous way and maintain it. This way we can do our part. <Sigh>

Related Reports: http://www.gmanews.tv/nbnzte

My door mate sent me a very inspiring speech transcript of JG’s boss from his 20th Ad Congress Speech. Its quite a long email.

I googled around and I found the transcript was also posted at URC’s official website. Read the full transcript here.

In less than 30 minutes, I was able to install and configure my Linksys Broadband Router powered by Smart Bro!

The other day I managed to convinced my doormate to share with us his internet. It was really funny because we are four living in this floor, 4 doors in this house and we have separate internet connection each. Mine before is Bayantel, the other two serviced by Smart Bro. But i cut off my line, since my office is just few blocks away here, its not smart I have to pay 1k+ every month. Then Dra. Masol asked if Smart Bro, she planned to subscribed to their new offer, the one with 40hrs free. No no way, better get a fixed line.

Having wi-fi at home has several benefits. It saves me a lot of time. I can browse news, read blogs, watch some clips in the morning while having breakfast and coffee. This way when I arrived the office I am already focused and can start right away with work items for the day. Ussualy, if you dont have internet or wi-fi at home, you waste minutes and hours browsing and blog-hopping. Then you will reaized, its almost 12PM, time for lunch.

But now I’m up again.  I could save at least 1k pesos every month with this also.