Plurking via Nintendo Wii — only because we can
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 21st, 2009
I don’t know why I even bother. The video shows it all. It’s probably the geek factor. Although I’m surprised how versatile the Opera browser is for the Nintendo Wii.
Happy weekend!
UPDATED: Farewell T3, Marie Claire, and Seventeen: You will be missed
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 21st, 2009UPDATE: I got something in the mail today — it’s from my former managing editor Alora Guerrero. She told me she’d be moving on to T3 after her career with MANUAL Magazine when it closed. I’ve moved on as well and Alora finally announces her position with T3 Online (she sent this on April 1 2009 and no, this is not an April Fools joke).
T3 will still be around but in a better online format. The magazine will still be around, but only for three times a year. So this is the first time in Philippine history where a magazine has claimed that the print edition will support the online edition 
Original Post Follows:
If you’re reading this and you’re working in the same small circle that is the publishing industry, you might have heard the recent move of Summit to close T3, Marie Claire and Seventeen. Three really good foreign franchise titles closing down.
If you’re thinking that this is a “print is dead” piece, it isn’t. I’m not fond of writing posts of that sort. And truth is, it isn’t about print being dead — it’s about the cost of expensive franchise licenses, at least for the better part. This isn’t the first time it happened. Summit closed UK franchise Gamesmaster in 2006. Hinge Inquirer closed PC Magazine Philippines as well. Eventually of course, PC Magazine closed their print edition and are now purely online.
Such is life. As a contributor to several local mags, I’m not one to argue on business decisions. I will say this though — It is rare to see the opposite situation – where a local title becomes such a phenomenal hit that it qualifies for franchising (take our closest example, C! Magazine) and distributed regionally.
At the end of the day, the industry’s editorial circle is small enough that we’ve all probably done the rounds. Beyond the business decisions which us writers would rather not be involved in (leave it to management!), it will always be about letting a bit of blood (just a bit!) drip and mark the medium that we write for. A magazine is nothing but the mirror of the staff.
All is not lost however, for there are plans to move T3 to its proper local place — online. I know that this will be exciting for Vince, Ed, and other friends who were invited to join the team. As for Seventeen and Marie Claire, the female titles are already invested in Summit’s Female Network and GirlTalk forums. It’s just sad to see the glossy go.
Farewell T3, Marie Claire and Seventeen. Thanks for a great run. Especially you, Marie Claire — you had the most interesting features. I always looked for you in the barber shop.
Flash Mob or TV Commercial Shoot?
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 17th, 2009
Last week I dropped by Market! Market! after attending an IT Summit. Met up with a few friends to have lunch and witnessed the video you see above.
This next line is important —
What it is: a TV commercial shoot. What it looked like was a flash mob gone wrong.
Okay, okay I know what Mike Abundo would say — you can’t (always) manufacture the viral. In fact you can’t classify something as a “viral video” when it hasn’t even become viral.
There’s a fine line between manufacturing something that aims to be viral and letting something out that just becomes viral. For the more Internet savvy, a shoot like this would have been a flash mob fail — cordoned off area, directors shouting orders to the camera men “hidden” on the different floors, audio cues from all over the place, and actors that both play the flash mob “freeze” and the “victims” who check them out. I certainly felt that way – flash mob fail. But I figured that this wasn’t the objective. It was, for all intents and purposes a TV commercial shoot – and it had all the components necessary for that.
You COULD say that it was one of those more creative productions – as there was some sort of audience participation where the director would shout “OK palakpak!” (OK, clap your hands!) to the entire mall — and everyone obeyed, and did more, with cheers and cat calls. Filipinos are in love with the TV and I guess the hope of being seen, even for a split second in that commercial when it airs is golden. To say that “I was there, and here’s the vid I captured on my phone!” is golden. Having the honor of being part of an experience is definitely golden.
Of course, you can always argue the fact that the mob AND the shoot can be done all at once. Well, what I have to say is that maybe we’re not there, maybe not yet.
Maybe next time, we’ll have a real flash mob. Just maybe. It’s all good.
Rohan Closed Beta Philippines allows you to sell your character for money
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 14th, 2009
With more than 500 seeders, ROHAN Closed Beta is jump starting its way to local shores.
Kiven just announced the opening of ROHAN CLOSED BETA Philippines. I’ve been curious with this particular game franchise as a good number of people have been talking about it – all MMO games are a dime a dozen, especially the ones we franchise into the Philippines. But ROHAN seems to stand out mainly because it is an A+ grade game that’s completely free to play.
Another thing ROHAN permeates into its system is a phenomenon that was actually frowned upon by the industry – although the game is free to play, there is an option to SELL your character once you’ve achieved a desirable level! Hmm another intriguing way to make money online if you aren’t into the blogging or online store gig. In the past, avatar sales from RAN Online and Ragnarok have raked in five digit figures in pesos. Level Up was quick to recognize that this is indeed a lucrative business model – don’t ban it. Encourage it.
You can download the game via FTP or via Torrent (as seen above).
Exchange Beer for Crumpler Bags — now in Bonifacio High Street!
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 13th, 2009
EDIT: Just to add, Charlie Paw says that the bags are actually 30% to 50% cheaper when bought with beer. That’s 50% to 70% discount:
The cost of the beer for the exchange of each bag is just 30 to 50% of the price of the bag So its like getting less 50 to 70 % off plus you get to drink all the beer you want during the Crumpler Beer for Bags party on the 27th
Free Crumpler loot bags for the first 50 beer bringers on Feb 21 [PhilMUG]
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OMG! IT’S FINALLY HERE! We found out that Charlie and the guys behind Crumpler Philippines are replicating the Beer for Bags promo which Crumpler is known for worldwide! The mechanics are simple — there is only one currency and that’s BEER!
I just had to ask Charlie if this was true — YUP! YUP! he says and it’s happening for one whole week with a culminating beer party in Warehouse 135!
I stole this BEER = BAGS exchange rate diagram from Chuvaness’ site so please click on it to enlarge:
What?? No Red Horse?? Anyway…
If you’ve been wanting a spankin’ new Crumpler bag AND give up alcohol, NOW is the best time to let go of your beers – lock, stock and barrel. Bring your beers (and cheetos!) from February 21 to 25 and you can exchange them for bags. According to Chuvaness, anyone who exchanges their beer also qualify for tickets to Warehouse 135 on February 27 for a Crumpler Beer Party (with Cheetos)!
I’m just wondering though … can we exchange Crumpler bags for beers?
Goodbye Warehouse 135 …
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 13th, 2009
Sad news today. Warehouse 135 is closing its dance doors. And they’re making a last stand on March 6 2009. Here’s something DJ Martin Lugtu sent over:
After two years of throwing some of the best underground dance parties in South East Asia and being host to some of the world’s finest DJs including, but not limited to, Steve Lawler, Lee Burridge, Satoshi Tomiie, Nathan Coles, Deep Dish, and John “00″ Fleming, WAREHOUSE 135 will temporarily shut down its operations.
Throughout its existence, WAREHOUSE 135 is proud to have been true to its colours and standing by its policy of being the club “where music comes first and where intelligent house music lives”.
To all those whose lives we have touched and moved by our music, to the new friends we have made and the old ones who have stayed, to our family, to all those who have gone through our doors, we sincerely extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the love and support.
On Friday, March 6, 2009 come and join us as we rock the old dance floor of WAREHOUSE 135 one last time until the sun rises before we close its doors for renovation and improvements.
Oh why so glum? The close is only temporary. They’re reopening again after a major revamp. So again, the 6th of March is going to be wicked as Warehouse 135 opens up their inventory to everyone –
P200 door charge for the guys
Ladies get in for free
50% off on all drinks till we empty the casks
But wait, there’s more!
Review: Canson Papershow elevates digital flipcharts, amazes crowds!
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 12th, 2009
It’s no secret that I give talks to various groups, and I do lots of them in a month. So I’m always open to looking into new technologies that can help me present certain concepts in a more efficient fashion – and wow audiences when possible.
One example of this is the 3M Portable Projector which I reviewed a couple of days ago. Truth is, more than my Keynote or Powerpoint, one effective tool has always been the good ‘ol flip chart which I have abandoned since the day of the acetate, because apart from being not very portable, it was a waste of paper.
Let me share with you a really kick ass product called the Canson Papershow. Click below to read the full review.
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Geekiest Spa Treatment: Blue Water Day Spa Movie Theater
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 12th, 2009
Sorry Francis, I’ve been meaning to post this. Blue Water Day Spa hit the nail on the head after they defined the ultimate spa experience in full HD. This is probably the geekiest spa I’ve heard about:
Our Spa Theatre can accommodate 28 people at one time. It’s equipped with High Definition cinema projectors with Dolby Sorround 7.1 sounds that will make you feel like you’re inside the movie. The movies are all BlueRay movies, so the latest movie is the latest BlueRay Releases. It also has 28 Lazy boy type leather seat sofas which were custom made with the perfect reclined angle so that you can enjoy the treatment and the movie in the most relaxing way. This theatre is open to rent for Private parties (Private Parties, Business Presentations, Business Conferences). Imagine ps3 party where in you get to play games on a 160 inch wide screen by 5 feet, or a Video karaoke party where you and a big group of friends can sing and party with the whole group.
If you’re in the PR or events business, here’s an interesting venue to consider for your micro-events. Right now, Francis is running a contest as well – a free seat in this wonderful theater. All of the details are on his blog and it’s pretty easy to join – just think of something out of this world to win a seat!
Rediscovering Lost Eden by Bio Research
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 10th, 2009
UPDATE: For those of you who have read my dad’s column on the Ashitaba Leaf, you can easily propagate the shrub ocne you procure it from them. The Ashitaba are not being sold – they are being given away. All you need to do is print out his column and bring it to Bio Research in Sucat so they can give you the plant which you can propagate yourself.
If you wish to receive email updates about Lost Eden, the Ashitaba Leaf and other places I visit, please don’t hesitate to subscribe to my link below:
Thank you!
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I’m not sure if I’ve declared it in public, but I’m a fish geek. I’ve kept freshwater fish since I was a kid, had an aquarium in every room at home (community tank, live breeder tank, cichlid tank), wrote my term paper about breeding habits of guppies, kept koi, and even stopped eating fish for several years because of a childhood trauma. It was the fish that helped forge good friendships as well with fellow hobbyists like blog friends Riane and Juned.
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Perspective Check Sunday
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 8th, 2009
It’s a beautiful day! Go out, have a delicious meal and walk your dog!
iPhoto ’09 recognizes faces from the beyond the grave
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at February 4th, 2009
The new iLife ’09 suite brings a bag of surprises for the Mac user. Take for instance the tuning fork built into Garage Band ’09. Other apps have their own amazing features – iPhoto ’09 has the new face recognition technology built in allowing you to tag faces and sync them to Facebook.
Well it isn’t in the fine print, but iPhoto ’09 also detects faces that don’t appear on camera. Muumuu cam FTW!
