Friday, April 30, 2010

What your sleeping position tells about you...


Do you ever lie on your belly when you sleep? Or do you sleep like a log, flat on your back or in fetal position? Study shows your most comfortable sleeping positions tells not only your personlality but also your health implications..

I got his excerpt from Yahoo! News today which I really find interesting.. Here are the 6 common sleeping positions based on research and their implications:


**Fetus position - A whopping 41% of participants sleep in this curled-up manner. Women are twice as likely to rest like this and it is listed as the most common position. These sleepers are said to have a tough exterior but are still sensitive and may appear to be shy but warm up quickly.

**Log position - If you sleep on your side with both arms down, you are a social, easy-going person who is trusting, sometimes to the point of being gullible. The study showed 15% of people sleep like a log.

**Yearner position - A close third is the side-lying position with both arms out in front of the body, with 13% of partipants sleeping like this. Yearners are noted to be open-minded and still cynical, suspicious, and stubborn about sticking to decisions once they are made.

**Soldier position - These sleepers lie on their backs with arms down and kept close to the body. This 8% study is said to be reserved, quiet, without fuss, and hold themselves and others to a high standard. Soldier sleepers have a higher likelihood for snoring due to the flat-back position, which may not cause them to wake up often but may result in a less restful night's sleep.

**Freefall position - Those people who lie on their bellies with arms under or wrapped around a pillow with head turned to the side, make up 7% of the population studied. Freefallers are brash, outgoing, and are very uncomfortable with criticism.

**Starfish position - Sleepers who lie on their backs with arms up near their head or the pillow account for 5% of participants. These people are good listeners, helpful, and are uncomfortable being the center of attention. People who sleep in starfish position are more likely to snore and to suffer from a poor night's sleep more often.

A big "shocker" tonight...


Last night I was browsing one of my most favorite websites to visit everyday (thanks to Tim)
Good Times with Mo: The Blog and saw his video post about a CNN report entitled "A CNN Report: Is Manila Ready For A Major Earthquake?" It is indeed scary to imagine what will happen to Manila if in case a major 7.0 or even just a 6.5 earthquake will hit the metropolitan. Severe damage will take place especially to most of the poorly constructed infrastructures and an estimate of 50, 000 deaths. It would be a lot worst than Haiti, Chile and China if that's the case.

Tonight, at exactly 10:50, a 4.5 earthquake struck Panay island which was felt here in Bacolod City. I'm at work when the tremor happened, which lasted for 30 seconds or so. It was a bit longer than usual tremors that I experienced before which I feared could have lasted more than expected and more intensified as the ground shakes.


Here's the link about the news on the earthquake that took place. Thank God it was not that strong..

Magnitude 4.5 quake hits Panay, Negros islands

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Spotlight: Naoki Maeda


Decided to create a blog for the person who created one of the greatest games on Earth, Dance Dance Revolution. And as a tribute for his birthday last Wednesday..belated happy birthday Naoki-san!

Name: Naoki Maeda (前田 尚紀)
Born: April 28
Location: Tokyo, Japan


Naoki Maeda, or popularly known as NAOKI, is a Japanese musician and producer of the music simulation game, Dance Dance Revolution. He is the senior sound producer for Konami's music game division known as Bemani and the J-pop and J-rock groups TЁЯRA and BeForU which composes songs for the said game, as well as other Bemani games (Pop'nMusic, GuitarFreaks, DrumMania, and Beatmania IIDX).

As a main producer and artist in Dance Dance Revolution, he uses pseudonyms to songs which are either classified by genre or beat styles. Some of his well known pseudonyms are RevenG (tribal genre - Afronova, Exotic Ethnic), De-Sire (Trip Machine Series), 180/190/200 (numbers for Paranoia series) and many more.

Here are some songs (composed and produced by him) I notably like in the Bemani series of music simulation games:

* Brilliant 2U and its remixes
* B4U and its remixes
* Dynamite Rave and its remixes
* Kakumei (with dj Taka)
* Celebrate Nite (as N.M.R.)
* Dance Dance Revolution (DDR All Stars)
* almost all BeForU songs
* Zero (as TЁЯRA)
* Red Zone (with Tatsh)
* Deep Roar (with Tatsh)
* Will
* Max 300 (as)
* Maxx Unlimited (as Z)
* The Legend of Max (as ZZ)
* Candy (as Luv Unlimited)
* A Geisha's Dream (with Smile.dk)
* resonance
* HIT THE GROUND (Alexa Remix)
* Gotta Dance


Summon demons and save the world! (scary!)


What if one day you were trapped in a city lockdown because of demonic outbreak and later on find out the world will end in 7 days? Would you do nothing,? Would you try to escape? Or would you stand up and end this catastrophe from happening?

This is the plot of Altus USA's game Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor for Nintendo DS which I am currently playing. It is the first time I played a tactical RPG game, not really a fan of this genre but the game is very good I can't help but getting more addicted to it.

The game revolves around three main characters..Hero (not default name, mine's PRINCE) is a 17 year old high school student with his friends Atsuro Kihara and Yuzu Tanikawa which is trapped in a lockdown after the government discovered a demonic outbreak within the city. Now to survive (and stop) this catastrophe that will wipe the city out in 7 days, they have to summon demons to help them defeat other demons using a device called COMP. As they struggle for survival, they will met other characters inside the lockdown which could either be their ally or enemy, depending on the chosen path a player would choose in the game. I am still on the 2nd day plot of the game and still has 5 more days (plot) to finish. The game features a turn based battle system which involves four squads..each squad consists of 3 characters (leader and 2 support demons). Some notable features in the game are:

*Skill Cracking - copying skills and magic from demon enemies by defeating them in battles
*Demon Auction - where you can bid or by demons which will be your allies
*Demon Fusion - fusing two demons to create high end demons which will be most helpful as the plot widens in the game.

I have checked the internet for reviews about the game and indeed, it has good ratings. The Japanese magazine, Famitsu, rated the game 33 out of 40. Gamespot gave it a 9.0 out of 10 and was awarded the editor's choice award. I would highly recommend this game for those who are RPG lovers as well as those who are hungry for suspense games. I am not reading any walkthroughs for the game for me not to spoil the ending hehehe. I "may" only look for tips if I need some for hard battles but never the ending. If I were to rate the game, I would give it also a 9/10..no game is perfectly done in any kind ( that's why it's not a 10) but this has great gameplay, great graphics as a feel for a classic role playing game.



Monday, April 26, 2010

4 Years of PALINDROME


We always have our barkada since we were kids..we could have barkada everywhere we go but we can definitely choose one group which we are very comfortable to be with..to be yourself and do whatever you want without feeling guilt of doing it for the sake of fun. Me and this group had been through the ups and downs of our lives..we might have part ways but we will still be friends with one another. I'm hoping for a next reunion with these guys. They're the best for me and none can replace them.



We are called the PALINDROME because co-incidetally when you put our initials as spelled together forms a palindrome (a word which spells the same even if interchanged)

JERMREJ

JE = that's me

Enrico = Rico has always been my Pokemon rival..he thinks he is the Pokemon Master but I'll say I am..wahaha

Ronel = bes Basho is my best bestpwend in the group. He is a Facebook singing superstar (not on Youtube..for a change hehehe)

Melvin = the joke-cracker. Never runs out of something to make you laugh

Raymund = Bunso is our half Canadian little brother. I haven't heard from him lately, wonder what happened to him..hope he's safe and in good health.

Eric = Ice is the problem solver, mediator..sometimes!..He is the event coordinator, the brains per se..

Jerome = Roem is the Teletech Idol.. nothing beats his high notes.. he is a power belter.. and a supervisor too hehe

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The DDR Philippine T-Shirt finally arrived...


Paulino already sent me today the package for the first batch of DDR t-shirts for the Philippine Team.. And I love it very much.. there are a total of 8 shirts delivered but only 6 of us were able to met @SM City to get it and have a small pictorial for the group. Eventhough we are the last team to get the shirt (Manila had theirs last week and Baguio team yesterday) it was still exciting to wear them. Here's the picture of the 6 of us wearing the much awaited tees. It comes with a DDR pin, too..



Tuesday, April 20, 2010

TP Dance Crew


Guys, this blog is dedicated to all of you hehehe...

I have always wanted to be a part of a dance group which I could share the talent that I could say I am blessed with, and that is dancing. I had been with many groups before (to mention GravChem, Lithium Elements, Phoenix Squad...the best kayo!), and after college, I thought my dancing days are over. I have to face the reality that the real world does not require us to do what we love to do all the time, our passion for something may be or not be applicable to our daily lives.

After graduation and after getting a call center job, I had been "static" for almost a year and a half, focusing on my work which requires demanding metrics and schedules. But I was lucky our company had a dance showdown way back December 2009 during our Christmas party which allowed me to work with my colleagues in our account (you guys are great!), and fortunately grabbed the 2nd place overall out of 6 groups who competed in the said showdown. Of course, as expected, I'm back to my normal office days after the said event.
A few weeks ago, the company decided again to look for potential talented dancers who will form the first ever dance crew which will represent the company both in internal and external affairs. They did have an audition but I guess it did not push through. So me (and Wendy) decided to form a small group, who at first, will only dance an intermission number for the opening of the company's Sportsfest. So we gathered the best of the best dancers we could ever recruit at work to form this small group. Practices were not easy since we all have night shift schedules, we practice after work which obviously tiring and SLEEPY!.... Kim Estiaga, one of the company's managers and the one who initiated the Dance Crew idea saw us and immediately informed us that we will be the official crew without the audition process (huwat!).

Our first dance as a dance crew was last April 18, 2010 during the opening of the company's Sportsfest "Fusion 2K10". The dance was fun and it was partly on "freestyle mode" (if you forget the steps, just do some freestyle) hahaha considering the time allotted for our practices is very limited. The dance was a hiphop routine inspired by Alvin de Castro's choreography (one of Australia's renowned hiphop choreographer, and the Philippine All Stars.. we didn't have them as our personal trainers..we just saw it on Youtube..haha). All other routines were choreographed by our mate, Ryan. The response form the management and our colleagues at work are overwhelming.. we still hope to improve as a crew and experience more dances in the future. Might as well ask the company for a dance studio where we can practice our routines hehehe..


From Upper Left: Jerald, Wendy, Katrina, Precious, Melo, Alex, Remus
From Lower Left: Ryan, Ramon, Me

Friday, April 16, 2010

Why I love (and HATE - caps lock to empasize) Phillipine elections


Elections here in the Philippines is much like any other elections around the world, with both drama and show business. That's the reason why I love reading articles about candidates playing dirty tricks among each other, just to make them look bad to the public. Common scenarios which is sad to say a reality.

Among the many nationwide elections I have experienced in my life living in the Philippines, none is more exciting, (more or less irritating) to deal with is this year's election. I don't usually deal with the drama of elections but this year it seems to be like a soap opera. Two people are notable among the pack. There's your presidentiable who woos people with his childhood story as a poor man who became a successful businessman and senator. Another presidentiable who is always remembered as the son of a Philippine hero and the Mother of Philippine democracy. This two are getting head to head with each other, and it seems that the nation is also divided due to this situation. Here are some facts and (my own) opinions with some the presidentiables for May 2010 elections

Sen. Manny Villar
The controversial C5 project he started was the target of his co-candidates for the presidency position. He is the 'Tondo guy", the poor turned tycoon because of "sipag and tiyaga" (industry and diligence). I don't believe that crap! And Willie Revillame as endorser?? come on!


Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino
The son of the late Sen. Ninoy and President Cory. He might have a chance but I don't remember him doing anything on the senate. I might be wrong but he is a very forgettable senator during his term. But I do feel sorry for him after allegations about his mental condition came out, which I don't believe is true.

Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro
The "Galing at Talino" (Skill and Intelligence) guy. He is also a good candidate. Not unless he is really the candidate of the present president. I might consider him as one of those I will vote.

Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada
WTF! He is already ousted form the seat because of the first ever impeachment trial. Proven guilty so why the heck did COMELEC still allowed him to run for the position???

Bro. Eddie Villanueva
Yes, he might be God-fearing and all but that alone could not help run our country. I am not against him but I don't seem to get it..that's all

No other comments to other presidentiables. I am not "obviously" a politics guru but these are just my OWN opinion. Let's just wait and see what will happen after the elections are done.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sanjaya's Resurrection: Tim Urban of AI 9


I am not a good singer, I mean I can sing but not that much. but I am always a fan of American Idol, despite the scrutiny of people with this show. Yes, it is not just an ordinary singing contest on TV since most of the best singers in the industry got their names with this show (to name some: Kelly Clarkson, David Cook, Adam Lambert, David Archuleta, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks). This is also the show which gave us some of the unforgettable personalities other than the judges. Now to name some of the few also, there is William Hung of Season 3 with his "She Bangs!" and Sanjaya Malakar of Season 6 (who made it to Top 7 due to public votes, despite the judge's critiques..obviously bad ones).


Season 9 may have what the judges call as "the Resurrection of Sanjaya". Tim Urban, who had been consistently panned by the judge's since the start of the Top 12 competition is currently being saved by the public votes. Tim Urban was not originally part of the Top 12, as Chris Golightly was disqualified due to a previous recording label contract and he (Urban) replaced the latter. His performance last week of The Beatles "All My Loving" was the first time he had good comments from the judges, which also made gave him the first time not to be a part of the bottom 3. But the big question is, will he survive the next cut? As judges use the save for Big Mike, next week two idols will leave the competition. If he will not raise the bar, then I expect Tim to be one of those who will leave the competition next week.

April 15, 2010 Update: Tim indeed survived the cut. Double eliminations ended Idol dreams for Andrew Garcia and Kate Epperly. His (Urban) rendition of "Can't Help Fallin' in Love" by Elvis was the best performance I've seen indeed. As Simon says it "from zero to hero". I am not a Siobhan fanatic, so I hope she leaves hahaha bitter!

Same Account, New Support Team



It has only been a month after Adobe came in our company as one of its prestigious accounts. We had our 3 weeks of training for customer service (which half of it are more likely technical in nature) and a week of nesting (taking initial calls with help from the Manila Team - they were the first people trained for Adobe CS here in the Philippines). It was a less stressful environment in comparison to our previous account for internet services. I still don't know why that account really pulled out since the contract was renewed few months before it pulled out, and the team was doing well, grabbing the number 1 center throughout the world during that time.

During the Adobe CS training, we were given a chance to get an exam to qualify for the first ever technical support team here in the Philippines. It was all about computers (both hardware and software) and we were not allowed to check our notes during the exam. It was all based on what we know about technical stuff. I got 19 out of 25 which did not qualify me to the final list but was given a chance to have a retake the exam since most of us tied up from the 20th spot downward (they only need 5 more). Luckily, I got a 100% on the retake which indeed qualified me to the first ever technical support team.

Now I'm on training again for the next 3 weeks and the opportunity is overwhelming. Hoping to learn more about Adobe products and how to use them. This could be somewhat interesting...