This post first appeared in Manila Bulletin’s Terchnews last December 24, but I don’t think it was uploaded online. So here’s sharing with you my thoughts on Plurk and the many ways by which you can Plurk your world!

Is the Philippines on its way to becoming the next Plurking capital of the world? Unlike in other countries where Twitter continues to reign, Plurking appears to be the more popular microblogging medium now, at least among the denizens of the blogosphere. Not a few have said that they’ve left Twitter for good, or visit there now ONLY occasionally.

Let us dissect some of the reasons why.

Firstly, Plurk is addicting because of the karma philosophy involved. You gain points every time you Plurk, and lose points for even a day of missing it. It’s a slow, uphill climb but human nature dictates that nobody wants to go down, as far as thge Plurk score is concerned. You see, after attaining so much number of points (let’s say 80), you’re supposed to reach Nirvana, or the state of eternal Plurkiness. After Nirvana, one’s supposed to aspire for more, and it escapes us what’s the highest Plurk points out here. The only secret we can tell you is that you Plurk with consistency every day and Plurk Buddy will take care of the rest.

Then, there’s the concept of having Fans and Friends. The more, the merrier; and the more friends/fans you have is supposed to indicate how popular/likeable you are. You’re given Plurk icons if you’ve attained the desired number of fans or invited this many users.

Perhaps, Plurk’s most endearing trait is its ability to give instant interaction among Plurk users. Let’s say I greet everyone “Good Morning!” and 12 of my friends will greet me back.Perhaps, along the way, somebody will make a totally zany comment, or reciprocate with an equally zany emoticon.

The Plurk banana is certainly one emoticon I love. The Plurk banana dances and rocks. I wonder they haven’t imported him to YM or Google yet, he’s certainly lovable. Other unique Plurk emoticons are W00t, Ninja, Hungry and Music

Posted in Technews | 6 Comments

I treasure the email I got last week from one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho. He attached a short story which is worth pondering over this Christmas. No matter what our stature is in life, we always have to be ready to welcome our God and our salvation who knocks on our doors, sometimes when we least expect it. Happy Holidays to all of our readers, friends and family!

The music coming from the house

Paulo Coelho

On Christmas Eve, the king invited the prime minister to join him for their usual walk together. He enjoyed seeing the decorations in the streets, but since he didn’t want his subjects to spend too much money on these just to please him, the two men always disguised themselves as traders from some far distant land.

They walked through the centre of the city, admiring the lights, the Christmas trees, the candles burning on the steps of the houses, the stalls selling gifts, and the men, women and children hurrying off to celebrate a family Christmas around a table laden with food.

On the way back, they passed through a poorer area, where the atmosphere was quite different. There were no lights, no candles, no delicious smells of food about to be served. There was hardly a soul in the street, and, as he did every year, the king remarked to the prime minister that he really must pay more attention to the poor in his kingdom. The prime minister nodded, knowing that the matter would soon be forgotten again, buried beneath the day-to-day bureaucracy of budgets to be approved and discussions with foreign dignitaries.

Suddenly, they heard music coming from one of the poorest houses. The hut was so ramshackle and the rotten wooden timbers so full of cracks, that they were able to peer through and see what was happening inside. And what they saw was utterly absurd: an old man in a wheelchair apparently crying, a shaven-headed young woman dancing, and a young man with sad eyes shaking a tambourine and singing a folk song.

‘I’m going to find out what they’re up to,’ said the king.

Posted in Life & Living | 2 Comments

From Chef Sau Del Rosario of M Cafe and Chelsea Market & Cafe now comes MoMo! Food + Drink in Robinson’s Midtown, Manila. I have to admit this is my favorite hang-out these days, as it is almost walking distance from our office. Just a few of the reasons why I like this place:

1. Bright and chic interiors
2. The coffee comes with free ChocNut
3. I can eat here with only one hundred fifty pesos and still feel posh
4. Free Wi-Fi
5. Free use of the internet on their single LCD monitor
6. Watching the world go by on Pedro Gil Street
7. Totally sinful desserts!

Posted in Munchin' | 8 Comments

Thinking of ways to cheer somebody up this Christmas? It’s easy, especially if you’re in front of your computer. Use the time to help and/or surprise others, instead of aimlessly surfing.

Nutrilite, the world leader in dietary supplements, has launched the initiative “Every Click Counts.” By logging on to this site, internet users can contribute $ 0.15 to the Amway One by One campaign, a project that promotes children’s welfare worldwide. In the Philippines, the money will go to the promotion of literacy among Filipino kids. The program is also tied up to the Goal-by-Goal campaign made by Nutrilite in partnership with international soccer superstar Ronaldinho. Pass the word and get kickin’! Joining means you get an email from Ronaldinho too

Delifrance’s My Secret Santa, the biggest Kris Kringle celebration in the Philippines, has been extended until December 19. That means a few more days to give your friends and loved ones gift coupons which they can redeem at Delifrance cafes in Metro Manila, for free! I’ve received my gift from Santa and the good thing about this is that I can continue the cycle, forward the gifts to others and they can do the same too! We adored the almond-star cookies and what’s in store now is the equally exquisite Chocolate Chip Almond Biscotti. They’re right, it’s perfect with my favorite brewed coffee.

When claiming your gift, check the website for participating cafes.

Posted in Blog Promotion | 0 Comments

Since I have enough Flickr pics to show for it, here’s my little lowdown on Filipino desserts. Mind you, this is not complete yet. Am craving for guinataang halo-halo right now, and I don’t have a photo to show for it. Kudos to the new breed of Pinoy restaurants, even the so-called fusion ones, for giving new twists to old favorites. Our sweet tooth craveth

Palitaw with Chocnut (P75) at La Mesa Grill, Mall of Asia. The well-loved local delicacy called palitaw (made of rice flour) is given a different interpretation by adding crushed bits of Choc-Nut instead of grated coconut. The result is equally glorious. The humble Choc-Nut must be in a pedestal greater than Hershey’s if our chefs are making frappes and cheesecakes out of it. The greater question is: why not? I had already taken a picture of this palitaw at Chocnut, without knowing that beneath the fold is a scoop of yummy vanilla ice cream. Whatta treat!

Leche flan, Kanin Club- Alabang (P120) . One of the most popular Filipino desserts of all time is undoubtedly Spanish in origin. MY son can’t resist this treat too. Kanin Club’s version is topped with macapuno preserves, delicious on its own as a dessert or heaped on a tall glass of halo-halo.

Posted in Munchin', My Manila | 5 Comments