Giant Damsel fly

I visited a brook below the last of the 300 steps stairs found in Floridablanca, Pampanga. We had difficulty shooting giant blue damselflies flying free and alighting in rocks in the natural environment. So Ka Jojo Nuqui caught one and after we photographed the specimen released it afterwards.

Camera	Fujifilm HS25EXR camera
Focal length	16.8 mm
Exposure bias	67/100
Dimension	2285 x 1711
Exposure data	1/180s, f/4
ISO	800
Firmware	Ver 1.04

From the tallest mountain to deepest ocean trench.

Source: OurAmazingPlanet.com: Infographic: Tallest Mountain to Deepest Ocean Trench

Bloopers in Google News.

Google news has an automated news gathering program which sometimes goes awry. Here is one which appears under the section of Science:




Someday I will make my own web craping news program, the unfortunate thing is the lack of time. In general though, news.google.com is simply spot on!

Identity theft from being curious.

Here is a prime example how identity theives get private information from your Internet activities. These photos were grabbed from my Facebook notifications. I am thinking of unfriending anyone who posts such dangerous video links.

Travel: online booking from Cebu Pacific with forced "optional" addon charges

Strange! I cannot post photos in my Wordpress blog. So I repeat my newest
article with a photo this btime in blogger.
I am amazed at Cebu Pacific online booking program adding "optional" addons, despite not
clicking to add insurance or the option to choose a seat or even extra baggage allowance.
These plus a web admin charge totals a whopping P800 extra charges!

Looking for UPCAT 2012 results (For incoming freshmen of AY 2013-2014)?

The main link is http://upcat.up.edu.ph/results/


There are mirrors also if you encounter server overload problems. These are
http://upcat.pregi.net/ and http://upcat.stickbreadsolutions.com/


We congratulate all those who passed and for those who did not: you may transfer to a U.P. campus later, just be sure to have high grades.

List of Philippine Mountains

1	2956	Mt. Apo Sibulan-Kapatagan Davao del Sur
1	2956	Mt. Apo Kidapawan-Magpet Davao + North Cotabato
1	2956	Mt. Apo Kapatagan-Kidapawan Davao + North Cotabato
2	2938	Mt. Dulang-Dulang Bukidnon
3	2922	Mt. Pulag Cordillera Range, Benguet
3	2922	Mt. Pulag Benguet
4	2899	Mt. Kitanglad Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
4	2899	Mt. Kitanglad Bukidnon
5	2860	Mt. Kalatungan Kalatungan Range, Bukidnon
6	2842	Mt. Tabayoc Cordillera Range, Benguet
7	2824	Mt. Kalatungan Bukidnon
8	2817	Mt. Piapayungan Lanao del Sur
9	2815	Mt. Ragang Piapayungan Range, Lanao del Sur
10	2742	Mt. Maagnaw Kitanglad Range Bukidnon
11	2717	Mt. Timbak (Singakalsa) Benguet
11	2717	Mt. Singakalsa (Timbak) Cordillera Range, Benguet
12	2714	Mt. Kalawitan Mt. Province
13	2702	Mt. Amuyao-Traverse to Batad, Ifugao
13	2702	Mt. Amuyao Mt. Province
13	2702	Mt. Amuyao Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
14	2689	Mt. Panotoan Cordillera Range, Benguet-Ifugao
15	2674	Mt. Talomo Davao City
16	2670	Mt. Pandadagsaan White Peak NEW Bataan Compostela Valley
16	2670	Mt. Kapiligan (Cawit) Cordillera Range, Ifugao
17	2661	Mt. Abao Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
18	2642	Mt. Napulauan Ifugao
18	2642	Mt. Napulauan Cordillera Range, Ifugao
19	2617	Mt. Osdung Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
19	2617	Mt. Osdung Benguet
20	2612	Mt. Lumuluyaw, Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
21	2582	Mt. Halcon Oriental Mindoro
22	2569	Mt. Cauitan Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
23	2567	Mt. Alchanon (Alchanar) Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
24	2488	Mt. Baco Mindoro Occidental
25	2464	Mt. Bangbanglang Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
26	2462	Mayon Volcano: Albay
27	2456	Mt. Sapocoy (Saporay) Cordillera Range, Kalinga-Apayao
27	2456	Mt. Pawoi Cordillera Range, Mt. Province
28	2450	Mt. Balatucan Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
29	2435	Mt. Kanlaon Negros Island
30	2404	Mt. Malindang Misamis Occidental
31	2402	Mt. Candalaga Compostela Valley
32	2400	Mt. Tuminungan Kitanglad Range, Bukidnon
33	2329	Mt. Kilakiron Bukidnon
34	2320	Mt. Lumot Misamis Oriental
35	2293	Mt. Matutum South Cotabato
36	2256	Mt. Sto. Tomas Benguet
37	2248	Mt. Sumagaya Misamis Oriental
38	2158	Mt. Banahaw Quezon
39	2130	Mt. Ugo Benguet + N. Vizcaya
40	2113	Mt. Madjaas Antique
41	2105	Kibungan Highlands Benguet
42	2086	Mt. Mantalingajan Palawan
43	2080	Mt. Nangtud Panay Island
44	2058	Mt. Guiting-Guiting Romblon
45	2037	Mt. Tapulao Zambales
45	2037	Mt. Tapulao Tarlac-Zambales Traverse
46	2000	Mt. Lobo Benguet
46	2000	Mt. Kabunian Benguet
47	1996	Mt. Tenglawan Benguet
48	1966	Mt. Isarog Panicuason Trail: Camarines Sur
49	1906	Mt. Patukan (Sleeping Beauty) Kalinga
50	1903	Mt. Talinis Negros Oriental
51	1889	Mt. Ampacao Mt. Province
52	1885	Mt. Mandalagan, Marapara Daku Peak, Negros Occidental
52	1885	Mt. Maaling-Alng Aurora
53	1875	Mt. Banahaw de Lucban Quezon
54	1870	Mt. Isarog Patag-Patag Trail: Camarines Sur
55	1800	Mt. Dos Cuernos Isabela
56	1715	Mt. Palali Nueva Vizcaya
57	1700	Tirad Pass Traverse - Sagada Ilocos Sur
58	1682	Mt. Tampurong Davao del Sur
59	1620	Mt. Hamiguitan Davao Oriental
59	1620	Mt. Anacuao Aurora
60	1604	Mt. Magkurog, Mandalagan Range, Negros Occidental
61	1595	Mt. Danayag Aurora
61	1595	Cleopatra's Needle Palawan
62	1560	Mts. Simagaysay-Tumarid Traverse Ilocos Norte
63	1548	Mt. Malinao: Albay
63	1548	Bulusan Volcano: Sorsogon
64	1544	Mt. Labo: Camarines Norte
65	1535	Mt. Silay Negros Occidental
66	1521	Mt. Calavite Occidental Mindoro
67	1496	Mt. Sicaba Diotay Peak, Negros Occidental
68	1475	Mt. Dinamlagan, Silay Mountain Range, Negros Occidental
69	1432	Mt. Iglit Occidental Mindoro
70	1415	Mt. Cristobal Traverse Trails Quezon + Laguna
70	1415	Mt. Cristobal Quezon + Laguna
71	1400	Mt. Pullol Nueva Vizcaya
71	1400	Mt. Parker (Lake Holon) South Cotabato
72	1388	Tirad Peak Ilocos Sur
73	1348	Mt. Calaptan, Silay Mountain Range, Negros Occidental
74	1336	Mt. Sicaba Dacu Peak, Negros Occidental
75	1332	Mt. Hibok-Hibok Crater Trail (Brgy. Yumbing) Camiguin
75	1332	Mt. Hibok-Hibok Camiguin
75	1332	Alto Paitangga Leyte
76	1328	Mt. Masaraga: Albay
77	1315	Mt. Tres Marias Biliran
78	1310	Mt. Gahawon Peak, Negros Occidental
79	1305	Mt. Kapugan Ifugao
80	1300	Pantingan Peak Bataan
81	1296	Mt. Thumbpeak Palawan
82	1287	Mt. Natib Bataan
83	1285	Mt. Capacian Hill, Negros Occidental
84	1271	Mt. Palemlem Ilocos Norte
85	1200	Mt. Pinondohan Aurora
85	1200	Mt. Palanan Isabela
86	1168	Mt. Malasimbo Oriental Mindoro
87	1157	Mt. Malindig Marinduque
88	1145	Mt. Dalayapan Peak, Negros Occidental
89	1140	Mt. Asog (Iriga): Camarines Sur
90	1130	Tarak Ridge Bataan
91	1100	Mt. Balingkilat Zambales
91	1100	Mt. Balingkilat Traverse to Anawangin Cove Zambales
92	1090	Mt. Makiling UPLB Trail Laguna
92	1090	Mt. Makiling Traverse from Sto. Tomas Batangas
93	1030	Mt. Arayat Traverse Pampanga
94	1020	Mt. Pulog: Sorsogon
95	1013	Osmeña Peak Cebu
96	1009	Mt. Iraya Batanes
97	1008	Mt. Arayat via Arayat Pampanga
98	1005	Mt. Malipunyo Batangas
99	1003	Mt. Manunggal Cebu
100	960	Mt. Pinatubo Tarlac + Zambales
100	960	Mt. Banoi Batangas
101	890	Mt. Lantad: Catanduanes
102	881	Mt. Cinco Picos Zambales
102	881	Mt. Cinco Picos Traverse to Silanguin Cove Zambales
103	830	Mt. Maculot Batangas
104	811	Mt. Batulao Batangas
105	777	Mt. Balagbag Rizal
106	762	Mt. Malindang Misamas Occcidental
107	760	Mt. Kalisungan Laguna
107	760	Manabu Peak Batangas
108	745	Mt. Sembrano Rizal
109	710	Mt. Lobo Batangas
110	700	Mt. Lanaya Cebu
111	685	Mt. Damas Tarlac
112	670	Mt. Daguldol Batangas
113	664	Pico de Loro Cavite
114	655	Mt. Magsanga Leyte
115	630	Mt. Talamitam Batangas
116	606	Mt. Manaphag Iloilo
117	600	Mt. Darala Palawan
117	600	Mt. Cagmasuso: Catanduanes
118	560	Tayak Hill Laguna
119	553	Mt. Samat Bataan
120	525	Gulugod Baboy Batangas
121	500	Mt. Binanderahan: Rapu-Rapu, Albay
122	473	Mt. Matarem Batanes
123	464	Anawangin Cove Zambales
124	450	Nagsasa Cove via Mt. Nagsasa
125	441	Mt. Mabilog Laguna
126	438	Mt. Tagapo Rizal
127	410	Mt. Puting Bato Samal Island
128	405	Mt. Marami Cavite
129	366	Mt. Pinagbanderahan Quezon
129	366	Mt. Napulak Iloilo
130	314	Mt. Bongao Tawi-Tawi
131	311	Taal Volcano Batangas
132	240	Mt. Romelo Laguna
133	196	Mt. Manalmon Bulacan
134	170	Balaan Bukid Guimaras
135	160	Valungid Peak Batanes
136	150	Tatlong Krus (Mt. Humarap) Laguna
137	100	Mts. Buntis + Nagpatong Cavite

Last update: January 6, 2013.
Mt. Pamaza-pasam Aurora /???
Lantad, Camarines /???
Mt. Kanlandog Negros Occidental /???

This is not definitive! The DENR should be the official source of information, but we will edit the list as new information comes in. For example, Mt. Silay, Mt. Mandalagan and Mt. Kanlandog are not in the list??!!

Paskong Materialismo by H.J.D. Alvarez

"Paskong Materialismo?"
Tulang mapuna ni H.J.D.Alvarez

Tila iba ang tuon
Lapastangan sa Poon
Kasakimang daluyong
Karnabal taon-taon?

Si Mamona ang reyna
Maharuyong diyosa
Habang si Tatay Abba
Madalas itsapwera!

Mga diyos sa Pasko:
Santa Claus at regalo,
Bunos at aginaldo --
Christmas parting maluho?

Pero pwede ba'ng Pasko --
Balat-kayong may Kristo?
Pagkat ang espiritu --
Diablong materialismo?!

Hindi naman masama
Magdulang at magsaya
Basta ang isadiwa:
Inkarnasyong Maylikha!

Shared with permission from H.J.D. Alvarez

Gadget review: Sakura 30x60 binoculars

I was looking for a less than P200 peso gift at National Book Store. I found the following Sakura binocular (photo to be posted later)



This cost P301 pesos! So I bought it for myself. The specifications:

30x60

126m x 1000 m

Field 7.2o

free chamois cleaning cloth

Price 301 pesos.

Quoted dollar prices range from 3.19 USD to 12.99 USD. But we dont know what we would be getting from the suppliers.
Unfortunately there is no left or right eye diopter adjustment and it does not really zoom. the center wheel is only for focusing, but it has a solid body and the images are bright. I will give it a whirl these coming days and will post my observations on this binocular.

OpenDNS now blocking free video viewing sites.

Sites which offers free video viewing are now blocked in my computer by opendns. I cannot get mad, since it also prevents you from sinning. If you really want to visit those sites to give you guilty pleasures, you can do it from PC or Internet Kiosks.

I dont think the one blocking the site is opendns though but my isp provider. It may be under legal rules not to allow file sharing or be a party to file sharing or copyright violations. This is sneaky as the Network Administrator is NOT identifying itself, or does not disclose the employer.

Did Bill Gates really say, "If I have to start all over again, I would choose NETWORK MARKETING"

I could not find a respected source of the above statement! You see people are using that statement allegedly stated by Bill Gates, to impress people to join their networking [multilevel marketing]business.

Here is what I got from Google search, a posting in Facebook in 2011! (click for a better view)

The billionaire Microsoft Chairman does have star attraction for those who wants to earn more money quickly.But beware: But the lure of riches is an untrustworthy mistress. And any entity using Bill Gates alleged statement does not inspire trust and confidence,important components for success in business.


The statement was actually stated by Mr. Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad! - “If I had to do it all over again, rather than build an old style type of business, I would have started building a network marketing business.”


Verdict: An urban legend.

Habal-habal, a dangerous mode of transportation

They call this an example of Filipino ingenuity. No need for expensive tricycle attachment instead passengers seat dangling on the left and right sides of a horizontal contraption attached to the motorcycle. Here is a photo of a habal-habal with a roof(!) from a classmate:

It requires that there is a balance between the left and right riders. Now this will be banned in other countries, but it shows the state of transportation in the Philippines, especially in rural areas.






Here is another photo, shared by an Facebook friend. (If this is copyrighted, I will remove it immediately). It is incredidble that passengers seem oblivious to the dangers of riding this type of motored transportation.Dont be suprised of learning in the newpapers accidents involving habal-habal!

This mode of transportation can bring thrills of riding a roller coaster. But that is another indication of the fatalistic attitude of Filipinos!

Stop the addiction to liquid fuels!

Do you know what is the cheapest source of energy at the moment? It is not SOLAR, WIND or COAL. It is GAS, natural gas which sells for the ridiculous price of USD 2.28 per thousand cubic feet, compared with USD 84.99 per barrel for petrol (oil). Certainly we should express this in common unit such as thermal BTUs. Here is a rough conversion formulas per equivalent caloric heat content (BTU):

For natural gas:2.28$/ thousand cubic feet* (thousand-cubic-feet / 1,020,000-BTU) = 2.235 USD /million-BTU

For fuel oil: 84.99 /barrel * (1-gal / 149,000-BTU) * (1 barrel/ 42-gal) = 13.5 USD / million-BTU




Thus the price of oil is around 6 times more than the price of gas!

See also EnergyKinetics.com


The United States is awash in natural gas, with new technologies such as the controversial fracking technique. The estimated natural gas US preserve is at a stunning 100 years, in spite of the record consumption of natural gas.

The Philippines should consume more natural gas for electricity generation if it wants to increase the pace of its economic growth and general technology. Forget about the alternative energy sources such as solar, wind or even dirty coal. The production costs and construction costs for natural gas fired powered plants are just too economic to be ignored by the country's planners.

Certainly we should be efficient in the consumption of natural gas. We should build multipurpose natural gas fired power stations as in chemical industrial or refigeration-electicity cogeneration plants. And popularize more gas powered cars and taxis. But we should ensure that systems do not leak! One can get poisoned by leaking taxi gas fuel! Not the best feeling to have.

Of course, natural gas is also a component in methanol conversion plants.

CDRKing jelly lens are a big disappointment.

Jelly lens are supposed to be inexpensive add-ons to cell phone cameras to provide special effects like closeups and multiple images. I bought two today this afternoon and I am disappointed that the jelly lens do not have sufficient adhesion.

I will have to return them tomorrow. Luckily I still have the receipt. The 80 peso price is ridiculously high for such simplistic gadgets, which can elevate them to customer rip-offs.


[INSERT PHOTOS HERE]


Verdict: Wait for CDRKing to provide a higher quality and cheaper jelly lens.

I dont mind the expense of buying them, if it can save our readers money.

According to a blog article, Divisoria's 168 is a good source. See honestley.

How much does a bargain P688.00 airline ticket cost?

You still save money, but here is a breakdown of fees which horribly increase the actual cost of a P688.00 to , to P1686.96

Description	Charges
Base fare:	688.00
Aviation Security fee	15.00
Fuel Surcharge	400.00
PH-VAT	153.96
Web Admin Fee-manual	80.00
Insurance Fee(ancillary)	250.00
Seat Selection Fee	100.00
Total Amount	1686.96

As far as I know, the insurance fee may be deselected, but the web-admin and seat selection fees are forced upon the traveller.

Thus expect bargain prices of P688.00 to end up more than double (1,376 pesos) from one airline.

Gadgets: Inexpensive stylus for capacitive touch screens from CDRKing

Here is a winner from CDRKing! An inexpensive P30.00 2-in-1 Stylus Pen. On one end is a rubber tipped stylys and on the opposite end is an ordinary ballpen. Since it is quite inexpensive, one may just buy another one when the pen runs dry.
To think that another store was selling a P399.00 stylus! I tested it on my basic entry level Android Motorola Fire XT cellphone and it worked well. This will result in higher accuracy when "typing" characters.

There were actually thicker versions than the stylus I chose. Here is the product information:

item number: STL-001-YSC
description: 2-in-1 stylus pen
features: dual purpose, writes on paper and used as stylus; rubber tipped, for capacitive touchscreen device, brass metal finish, 7.5 mm diameter, length 138mm, weighs 9.6 gram.

I got my stylus at the CDRKing branch in the second floor of SM Bacolod.


April 27, 2012: The stylus pen clip has detached already.It was actually difficult to remove from your shirt pocket since the design is like a barb.

And the stylus has to be assisted by a real finger or thumb touch since it sometimes lose sensitiviy!

Gadgets: 8-in-one pen type screwdriver from National Book store.

I bought this 8-in-one pen type screwdriver from National Book Store. When I opened the package only four screwdriver tips got out. I was about to get mad when I peeked and saw that four tips were stuck up inside the barrel.

The tips are magnetically held in the tip holder but it may still be easy to lose some of the tips. It may fall out and drop nowhere. This tool will set you back for 104 pesos.

I think it is not good to put this in your pocket though as it may sag your shirt pocket due to its weight.




Recommendations.

CDR King provides various styles of multi-tip screwdrivers with more convenient case. One model even has an LED flashlight, which was sold also in NBS. Even sidewalk vendors might sell them. What to be sure of is that they should not cost more than 200 pesos.

Gadgets: cool off with a handy evaporative water mist spray cooler!

One can feel the cooling effect of a moist towel when the water evaporates. Here is a gadget which may come close to that effect, an inexpensive water mist spray cooler! I saw it at National Book Store, in Gaisano mall yesterday Sep. 21, 2012. It will set you back at 130 pesos.

Unfortunately, it cannot produce a fine spray all the time and you can make enemies if you use it publicly, since droplets may be too large. To have more effective cooling fun with this, you should spray a little distance away from your body. The purpose is not to wet the body but to allow the water spray to evaporate. It might be better to take a full shower bath to really cool off.This gadget will make a fine conversation piece. You may have more success with a converted perfume spray bottle.


You will enjoy being a young kid spraying your kids or wife or husband, but dont bet on doing it for a long time. The anger effect may be faster and stronger than the cooling effect you will get from this device in these days of 35+ simmering temperatures.



Recommendation. buy only if you dont feel the pain of spending 130 pesos!

More fun in the Philippines: How to cross a river.

I saw this first in a FB friend's post.

It looks fake. I mean I am sure that their uniforms will be dirtied, their hands chipped from friction. More investigation who originated this.

here is the link : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=313293202058110&set=a.110423725678393.22123.110296245691141&type=1&theater

Not so funny results from Casio Calculators

Look at this! (from 9gag)

This is inconsistent behavior and in the first place illustrates the danger of blindly entering formulas via keystrokes. Avoid implied multiplication or division! There should be an explicit asterisk or slash symbol and one must be sure that the calculator obeys MDAS(My Dear Aunt Sally) order of computation.