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Monday, December 23, 2013
Smart PowerApp Gives Free Access to 7 Social Apps This Holiday Season!
Wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is giving its more than 56 million subscribers nationwide free mobile access to the latest social networking apps and sites through its revolutionary new service called PowerApp, a mobile application that brings the most affordable unlimited Internet bundles to users today.
By installing PowerApp on their phones, users can get free access to the app and mobile sites of Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Path and Waze until January 15, 2014. The service is initially available to prepaid and postpaid Smart and Talk 'N Text users in the Philippines.
PowerApp is the world's first mobile Internet storefront which gives users the ability to access their favorite mobile apps and sites without the need for a WiFi connection, making the experience truly mobile.
Users no longer have to stay for several hours locked down to a table in a coffee shop or stay a little bit longer in the office to take advantage of the free WiFi connection.
“A number of smartphone users today only use their smartphones for calling or texting, or wait till they reach their homes or offices to connect to the Internet. Through PowerApp and its affordable Internet bundles, subscribers can confidently keep posting, liking, or tweeting everywhere they go without the need for a WiFi connection,” said Michele Curran, Data and International Services Head at Smart.
Subscribers can now post their photos on Facebook anytime, anywhere; tweet their thoughts on Twitter real-time; check in on any location via Foursquare; share common interests in Google Plus; avoid the chaotic holiday traffic mayhem using Waze; get their dream job with the help LinkedIn; and stay connected with their closest friends via Path with the help of PowerApp.
To activate the free unlimited access to social apps and websites, subscribers simply have to download Smart’s PowerApp via Google Play or and register for the Free Social Package, originally priced at P20 for one day (Social20) or P10 for 3 hours (Social10).
iOS and feature phone users can also text FREE SOCIAL to 5555 (for Smart Prepaid, Postpaid, Infinity and Talk ‘N Text) 9990 (for Smart Freedom Plan subscribers) or 7577 (for Smart Postpaid All-In users) to avail of the promotion.
“With PowerApp, users can continuously enjoy these 7 social networking apps and services absolutely free. PowerApp provides free and unlimited notifications so users can continue to receive updates from background apps without having to incur additional data charges,” Curran explained.
By installing PowerApp on their phones, subscribers can use these mobile apps with absolutely no hidden charges as they are notified every time they access a site or app that is outside their current package subscription. And with free unlimited notifications from running background apps, they are assured that they will not incur unexpected data charges while using the service.
Aside from the Social package, users can regularly subscribe to other bundles that include the Email, Chat, and Photo packages which are similarly available through the PowerApp mobile application.
For workaholics who cannot miss a single email, PowerApp’s Email package is available for P10 per day (Email10) or P5 for 3 hours (Email5). Available apps and mobile sites under this e-mail bundle are Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Outlook.com and Exchange.
Students who love to chat with their friends can now enjoy a wide-range of chat applications from PowerApp’s Chat package. For only P10 a day (Chat10) or P5 for three hours (Chat5), subscribers can have unlimited access to multiple chat applications such as Line, WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Oist!, Google Hangouts, Chikka Messenger, Viber, and KakaoTalk.
Unlimited #Selfies, #ThrowbackThursdays and #OOTDs are also now possible through PowerApp’s Photo package for P20 for all-day access (Photo20) or P10 for three hours (Photo10). Included apps in the photo bundle are Instagram, Tumblr, Regram, Pinterest, Flickr and Imgur.
For the multi-hyphenated all-around man, PowerApp also has an Unli package which gives them access to all mobile sites and mobile applications. For only P30 for 24 hours (Unli30) or P15 for three hours (Unli15), Powerapp users can enjoy unlimited browsing of all available apps and mobile sites.
While the app is initially available only on Android, iOS and feature phone users can send the corresponding keyword of their desired package to either 5555 (for Smart Prepaid, Postpaid, Infinity and Talk ‘N Text users), 9990 (For Smart Freedom Plan subscribers) or 7577 (For Smart Pospaid All-In users) to avail of the different packages.
“Subscribers can count on Smart to continue to bring these revolutionary mobile innovations to the public as the Internet becomes a vital resource of content and information that enrich their lives and allow them to live more,” Curran added.
For more information on PowerApp and other mobile Internet services and promos, users can go to http://go.smart.com.ph/internet, follow @SmartPromos on Twitter or like Smart Communications, Inc. on Facebook.
*A Boost package is available at the standard rate of P5 per 15 minutes for unhampered access to YouTube and other high-bandwidth applications and sites
Satirical Piece: Mayor Junjun Binay’s Official Statement
Image courtesy of www.mb.com.ph
Source: www.oliversegovia.com
I’ve met Junjun a few times – in our barangay, and in our Rotary meetings, where he would give his annual State of Makati presentation. He never personally struck me as arrogant. Aloof, perhaps. Tentative at times, maybe. But when asked pointed questions about public policy, he seems familiar with the challenges facing the city.
Assuming I was in city hall and if I were asked to help respond to this quagmire, here’s what I would do.
“Junjun, we gotta get out there. This is gonna be a bloodbath,” I say.
“But I didn’t do anything wrong,” he replies, his faced mixed with fear, confusion and anger.
“Sir, with all due respect, it doesn’t fucking matter now. Malacanang’s political engine is gonna hang you for this. There are talks that they’re gonna send Mar over. They’re gonna use this to deflect attention from Tacloban. The last thing we need is Mar swinging around his cock in city hall. If he does try that, we gotta make sure public opinion is on our side. And that people will see it as Noynoy firing the opening salvo for 2016.”
He looks surprised. “We have the support of Makati residents.”
“This isn’t about Makati. They’ll blow this into a Binay thing. Your dad will be hanged. Your sisters will be hanged,” I reply.
“Ok, what do we do?”
“You say sorry. You put your face out there. Take Joey Salgado off the game. Stop making Nancy issue statements on your behalf. At this point, you should be doing the talking. And we should be doing it fast. We issue as statement in the next hour.”
“WTF? Why would I do that? It’s like I admitted that I was wrong,” he looks pissed now. But inside, he feels the urgency.
“It doesn’t matter. Everyone already wants to chop your balls off. Your back is against the wall, with the knife near your pants. You’re pleading to their sense of decency. You’re pleading for sympathy. Look, if Clinton got away after that intern fling and came out the bigger man – no pun intended, Jun – then you can too. But you gotta man up.”
“Okay, so what do I say?”
“I’ve written the speech. Here’s what it looks like”:
“Thank you for giving me this chance to speak my mind. I can feel the immense anger directed against me. And I know that what I say right now will unlikely change your mind. But I owe it to everyone to respond.
So I’ll make this quick. I’m only going to say three things:
The first is that I am deeply sorry. I’m first and foremost sorry to Sirs Vergilio, Dionisio, Jofl, and Elpidio for getting them involved in this. You gentlemen were simply doing your jobs, and you don’t deserve to be caught in the middle of city hall and your village association for a personal mistake I made. It shouldn’t be your agency apologizing. It should be me.
To my constituents, please accept my deepest apologies. It doesn’t matter whether I explain in detail what exactly happened that night. What matters is the way my behavior will be judged. And upon deeper self-reflection, I could have definitely handled things better. This is what I should have done: I should have just instructed my convoy to turn back. I shouldn’t have alighted the vehicle and made a fuss about it. Perhaps that added to the agitation of my staff, who understandably just wanted to do their jobs. I should’ve just let it go. My time as your servant is worth more than a protracted spat about a random gate.
The second is that I understand. I understand how this looks like from your point of view. I understand that despite whatever I say, this will be seen as an example of me abusing my position and throwing my weight around. I understand that just by watching the video, one may conclude that my party harassed and intimidated the village guards. I understand that by bringing in the Makati police and asking the village guards to go to city hall, one may argue that I’ve curtailed their rights for no apparent reason.
I understand that in light of the insane politics of this country, the intense scrutiny of public officials, the public disillusionment, and the dying trust in government officials, I should have acted with more prudence, more caution, and more reflection. I should have made a stronger effort to be more self-aware on how my actions as a leader will be perceived.
The third is that this experience taught me how much more I have to learn. This is my first term as mayor. And I admit, gaining experience is still something I work on everyday. I realize that the root cause of my unwise behavior is my own hubris.
In my genuine desire to project an image of maturity, strength and experience, I end up being overly-aggressive and wanting to unnecessarily prove myself.
I’ve come to conclude that the best way to fight the hubris is to be constantly in touch with reality – with the people on the ground. When I lost my wife, I lost my moral compass.
So this is what I’m going to do: I’m going to surround myself more often with people from diverse parts of our city. Life in Makati can be a bubble. Makati isn’t Ayala Avenue. Makati isn’t City Hall. Makati is where almost 1 million people work to build a better life. Makati is the saleslady in SM wondering if her 6-month contract will be extended. Makati is the MAPSA traffic enforcer working under the noontime sun. Makati is the customer service specialist who, at 2am, is making sure her client in New York gets her flight tickets on time. Makati is the entrepreneur working out of an incubator in 55 Paseo de Roxas, quietly building innovative products for the world.
Makati is the shining example of what the rest of the Philippines can be. And I have an immense responsibility to learn from my mistakes and be the best leader that i can be. This is my promise to you.
Thank you very much.”
———–
The goal is to ensure that Junjun comes out of this a better man. And be perceived by people as the better man. One should also note what this hypothetical response does NOT communicate:
- It doesn’t disparage the Inquirer report. People are smart enough to know that media distorts as much as politicians do.
- It doesn’t mention the VP. The message has nothing to do with the family. This was a lapse in personal judgement, and that keeping away the family is what’s best for everyone.
- It doesn’t seek to antagonize DVA or its residents.
It’s Christmas. People just want to forget about politics and enjoy the break. People are more open to forgive. If Junjun’s communications team were smart, they’d do this. At this point, a disarming, unexpectedly sincere apology – a rarity in this government – may just stem the tide.
I’ve been a jerk to guards before. Sometimes we just get trapped by our own egos. But I’m lucky to have honest friends who cared about me and spoke up about my condescension. Junjun needs honest friends too.
Fairest of Them All: Heart Evangelista, Katrina Halili, Alessandra de Rossi and Ana Capri
Image courtesy of Instagram: jpsapitula
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Sunday, December 22, 2013
Her Beautiful But Delicate Skin
Image courtesy of www.realsimple.com
RG's actions and decisions that were made public have ruffled not a few feathers for years. How many eyebrows were raised when she chose to prioritize having a relationship/arrangement with a man at a very young age over her education? When that failed, pretty RG had a field day with the hot men that followed after. Until she found the perfect guy, her Knight in shining Armor KA.
Very private, KA's life was never the same again when he got involved with RG. Certainly, their relationship caused furor among society's crème de la crème. In showbiz, RG's colleagues were shocked and abuzz with wild rumors of details leading to the controversial relationship.
Needless to say, RG's life did a major turnaround, courtesy of KA. Suddenly, she was thrust in a world she could only dream of. The trappings, the perks of the privileged life was so overwhelming that it consumed her. Totally uninitiated in his world, RG the stranger allegedly trained and transformed herself to fit in, at the very least.
Not long after, she was known to be doing things to the extremes, as in excessively. Her wardrobe, cars, parties – generally, her flambuoyant lifestyle made news – to the disgust of her haters and envious enemies. Suffice it to say that her newly-acquired wealth truly rubbed off on her, flaunting it for everybody to ogle at. RG supposedly became detached to reality, acting as if she was born into wealth.
Many of RG's actions have made some people cringe for her gall, noting that the pretty star is so blatant in her claims – from her wardrobe down to her personal regimen or hygienics. She cannot be made to wear anything that she thinks would ruin her skin.
At a network event, she allegedly refused to wear a statement shirt for fear it might cause her allergy and make her skin itchy. She only obliged to wear it after production hesitantly agreed to her request to wear a cashmere shirt under it.
Truly, hers is a rich, delicate skin.
“I put gloves on before I put gloves on, so I don’t get my gloves dirty.” ~ Jarod Kintz
Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS!
Disclaimer: The comments of the readers do not reflect the views and opinions of Fashion PULIS.
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Who Wore It Best: Kris Bernal vs Louise delos Reyes vs Kim Chiu vs Anne Curtis
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Saturday, December 21, 2013
He Kept on Burning Friendships
Image courtesy of www.ideal-hotels.com
PG's victory brought him not only fame and money but also friends, especially Rich Gay friends – something that PG allegedly gets excited about. Reportedly, these rich gays became his new friends after he became a major sensation.
Back then, not everyone knew that PG's climb to success was fought with much pain and struggle with family who could not accept, and almost disowned him. Fortunately, he had friends from his province, Real Friends RF who were with him from the very start when he was still a struggling nobody.
Reportedly, RF were the very people who helped him and gave him all the support, both moral and financial, so that he could join different gay contests in Manila. RF's knew how hard up PG was during those days, and they were the ones who pooled their resources so that PG would have nice costumes, gowns, transport fare to different contest venues.
When PG finally won that major contest, RF were the most ecstatic and happiest. PG thanked and acknowledged them for everything that they have done for him.
However, not long after, RF noticed that PG was slowly becoming detached towards them since. He was always not around when they would invite him for get-together or events. PG made no effort to reach out and reconnect. What hurt RF was that they felt PG was making them feel he no longer needed them.
Friends who were with him during his struggling days now feel dejected and unwelcome in PG's new world.
Reportedly, PG now prefers the company of RG - attending their parties and events, something he gets awed at many times. Seems like he likes their high society lives more than his old time RF in the province.
But if it was any consolation, one day, PG invited RF to Manila for dinner and catching up, and he set their date in a restaurant. RF excitedly went to the said venue and waited for PG. When they felt that PG was coming in late, they decided to order food already so they can eat while waiting for PG.
Alas, after hours of waiting, still no PG came. Turned out, PG would never really come – because he was busy socializing at a high-profile gay event with his "sosyal" gay amigas.
Meanwhile, the very disheartened RF had to dip into their pockets to pay for the dinner.
“When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character.” ~ W. Somerset Maugham
Follow @FashionPulis on Twitter for the latest update. Please continue to send your juicy stories to michaelsylim@gmail.com. Thank you very much for loving Fashion PULIS!
Disclaimer: The comments of the readers do not reflect the views and opinions of Fashion PULIS.
Claudine Barretto's Camp Mulls Libel Suit vs Gretchen Barretto
Image courtesy of www.abs-cbnnews.com
Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
The camp of former TV star Claudine Barretto has threatened to sue her sister, actress Gretchen, over her supposedly libelous statements in relation to the younger Barretto's marital spat and their controversial family feud.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News' Marie Lozano on Friday, Claudine's legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said Gretchen should be "held to account" for her statements about her sister in her recent media interviews.
"Ms. Gretchen Barretto has been saying so many things that are libelous. I think it's about time she's held to account. Dapat panagutin na siya sa mga sinasabi niya," the lawyer said.
Topacio said he had already recommended the legal step to Claudine when Gretchen first went on the record with her allegations. But according to the lawyer, Claudine decided against it supposedly because she was concerned with how it may affect Gretchen's daughter.
"Alam niyo, sinabi ko na 'yan kay Ms. Claudine Barretto noon pang unang-unang nagpa-interview si Ms. Gretchen Barretto na sampahan na ng kaso, because na pe-prejudice 'yung kanyang kaso rito, 'yung mind ng public.
"Ang sabi ni Ms. Claudine Barretto sa akin, huwag daw sapagkat si Ms. Gretchen Barretto raw ay nasa London kasama ang kanyang anak na si Dominique. Baka daw ma-distract 'yung pag-aaral ni Dominique dahil may kaso ang kanyang ina," said Topacio.
"But now, I think it's about time that she's held to account," he added. "Dahil baka akala ni Ms. Gretchen Barretto na she's above the law because of her stature, because of her so-called sponsor. [She thinks] she can [flout] the law at walang consequence."
"We will show her that it is otherwise."
Gretchen's long-time partner, and the father of Dominique, is businessman Antonio "Tonyboy" Cojuangco, the former chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
Asked what cases they are specifically planning to file against Gretchen, Topacio said, "Huwag muna natin i-telegraph 'yung mga punches natin. Basta we will punch."
Gretchen's testimony
Gretchen's latest statements about Claudine was on Thursday, when she appeared as a witness in court for the younger Barretto's husband, actor Raymart Santiago, in cases involving the former couple.
Claudine's petition for a protection order stems from her allegations of "physical, sexual, psychological and economic" against Santiago, which the actress detailed in an Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) case she filed against him in August. These alleged abuses, Claudine said, date back to 2002.
Before and after the hearing on Thursday, Gretchen granted interviews where she mentioned Claudine's alleged stint in a rehabilitation center, and her recommendation to give her sister the same treatment for her supposed condition.
Gretchen, in a published statement in October, said her sister is mentally ill and has a history of drug abuse. She said her family, at one point, had to conspire to have Claudine hospitalized for treatment.
Santiago made the same allegations in his counter-affidavit in the VAWC case, which included sworn statements from Gretchen and two other Barretto siblings, Majorie and JJ, supporting his claims.
According to Topacio, Barretto matriarch Inday was in tears over Gretchen and JJ testifying against Claudine, who is the youngest of seven siblings.
"Medyo naapektuhan ata siya sa nangyari. Ang sabi nga niya, assuming without conceding na may problema si Claudine, at kung talagang mahal mo 'yung kapatid mo, the way to show that love is not to go out in public and accuse her of so many things. E 'di lalong magkakaroon ng problema, 'yun ang sabi niya sa akin," the lawyer said.
"Umiiyak nga siya kanina, bago ako malabas sandali, nakausap namin si Mommy Inday," he added.
In her interview after the hearing on Thursday, Gretchen emphasized that she only gave her testimony in the case out of love and concern for her youngest sister.
'Distraught' Claudine
Asked when Claudine is planning to address her sister's public statements -- the court cases are under a gag order -- Topacio said, "She is quite distraught at present. Sabi ko huwag na muna. I will have to take it from here."
"She's really hurt that she was not given the chance to confront the witness against her. They are her own flesh and blood eh, so talagang masakit. Iba 'yung kalaban mo ang hindi mo kaano-ano eh, at iba 'yung kalaban mo 'yung taong minahal mo," the lawyer said.
Topacio also lamented that he was supposedly not given the opportunity to cross-examine Gretchen and JJ, who both took the witness stand on Thursday.
The lawyer explained that they had requested the Marikina RTC to move the hearing to a later date, citing his illness. Topacio said that on the day of the hearing, he was brought to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa due to diarrhea and vomiting.
"Not only was there a valid reason para mag-postpone, which is my illness, but 'yung dalawang witness na inihain nila are vital witnesses. These are important witnesses.
"At kailangan ma-cross-examine -- hindi ko sinasabi na nagsisinungaling o hindi totoo 'yung sinasabi nila -- [dahil] the most effective method of finding out whether a witness is telling the truth or not is cross-examination. At iyon ang pinagkait sa amin," he said.
Topacio's associate, Atty. Ivy Cabatingan, represented Claudine in the court hearing on Thursday. Topacio noted that Cabatingan does not usually litigate.
'What threat?'
Meanwhile, Topacio denied Gretchen's allegations that her father, Miguel, threatened to kill her, JJ and Marjorie, if they show up in court and testify against Claudine.
"There are no such threats. If she believes there are threats, she has her remedies. She has her lawyers, magagaling ang mga abogado niya. Why does she not take the corresponding legal measures to protect herself, and to prosecute those na naggawa ng threat? Madaling magsabing may threat, but to substantiate it is another matter," he said.
The lawyer added that the Barretto patriarch is set to address Gretchen's accusation sometime next week, when he returns home from a trip in Subic.
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