Private and Confidential

The month of July is Data Privacy Month for the BPO I'm working in. The company is promoting and/or reminding everyone to be extra careful in handling significant information-- the customers' or the company's. The last thing you would want is to find these information in the wrong hands.

I believe there is no need for me to elaborate the magnitude of confidentiality. For years I've seen and heard of privacy being invaded and confidentiality left broken and unmended. Lives of many have suffered greatly from a simple crack of confidentiality.

Knowledge is power, indeed. And with this great power comes great responsibility-- I guess the web-slinger superhero was not reminded of this for no reason at all. Poignant display of shattered trust and invaded solitude in our lives are somehow unbridled that it keeps us on our toes. It's always hard to know who to trust. The things you know can either hurt you or be used to inflict pain to others.

Funny thing is, each of us, at some point, have broken a friend's trust because of our big mouths or negligence. We could even have assaulted someone's privacy a few times without really meaning to.

Now does this mean we are all doomed to betray each others' trust? Is privacy just a mere word or an ideal state that each of us can only dream of?

Cross your fingers and hope for a "NO" answer cause it would really suck if it would it's otherwise.

7 Tips To Get Yourself To Sleep

I've worked in this industry long enough to know how things are in this part of the hood. I had my share of hard times-- to the point of wanting to shoot anyone who would make some noise-- getting some precious but elusive slumber too. Countless are the days, or nights, when I don huge eye bags at work and had to wear sunglasses due to lack of sleep during the daytime.

For those times when getting some sleep has become arduous, I have tried some tricks or routines to work it out. These so-called tricks have worked for me and allowed me to adjust to the graveyard shifts easier. But there's one thing I uncovered; one trick sometimes just won't cut it that I had to combine one with the other.

So here are some tips on how to doze off and be in dreamland with ease.

• Freshen Up. Although taking a shower wakes you up since you'll get a fresh and light feeling, it can also make sleeping easier.
• Clean clothes. Wear something light and comfortable. As much as possible, wear something clean!
• Read. I'm not saying reading is boring but reading something which bores you helps you get sleepy.
• Light exercise. Exercise can help too. But don't overdo it since you don't want to go to sleep feeling uber tired. A couple of sit ups or clicking every button on the T.V remote can help.
• Milk up! Drink your milk like your mom would use to tell you. It works for me, sometimes. You're never too old for milk.
• On alarm clocks. Set your alarm clock then put it where you can't reach it easily. The idea is to avoid checking the time.
• Close your eyes. Yes, you need to close your eyes. Sometimes we are tend to open our eyes when we hear some sudden noise/sound. Fight the urge to check it out.

These are just few of the many ways to fall asleep. I know you have your own tricks or suggestions. Would you mind sharing with us some tips? You could be helping someone finally get that much needed sleep.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince...Poof!

The rain still went on the whole day today. It was no different than the past days. Some people were still trying to find their ways through the knee-high floods. As if the usual stubborn traffic was not enough.

This cold weather leaves us feeling lazy the whole day. I guess being stuck in traffic is the last thing you want to be in especially if you just got out of work and uber exhausted. Did I just mention knee-high flood that could make things worst?

I stayed in the apartment till the afternoon. After getting some relatively good sleep, I turned on the laptop. It was raining outside and I hate it. But it sucks the more not to have internet access. Like they say," When it rains, it pours ." And kept pouring it did.

I played DoTA until I felt my eyes give up on me again. So lazy me snuggled under the sheets again. It was almost 3 p.m. when my sleep was cut short by my girlfriend's call. While others were having a bad day, her boss seemed in a good mood to let her staff get off work earlier. But wait, there's more! (LOL) They were given money to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . Some lucky day, huh?

I thought, since it has not been a good day why not end it with great movie? I hit the showers and put on some clothes then head to SM Southmall . The movie started at 3:50 p.m.

But just when I thought things would get better, the "horror" continued inside the cinema. The movie was stopped twice due to technical issues. But since I was a Harry Potter movie (The Box Office Juggernaut) so I tried to control my temper. Oh, did I mention there was this kid at back of my seat counting one to one hundred for no apparent reason while his dad was just intently watching the movie. (The same kid spoiled the thrill when he prematurely asked his dad if it was already the scene where headmaster Dumbledore would die!)

But the biggest disappointment of all was the movie. I know this will raise a lot of fans' eyebrows. I was even surprised to find myself in disbelief when the credits of the movie started to show. I didn't know what hit me.

It was not as remarkable as I expected. I understand they had to highlight the romance and sexual tensions between the characters. I read it was all about Harry Potter's preparation for what lies ahead. I never read the book so I can just imagine what will happen when Harry will soon face-off with the dark Lord Voldemort. But I personally feel the magical fight scenes we've seen from the previous Harry Potter movies were not as impressive. Was my expectation of the movie just too high that it slapped me hard with disappointments? But this was J.K. Rowling 's masterpiece we are talking about. Can you blame me if I expect more from the franchise after the previous movies?

The Box-Office Juggernaut just failed to make my day and it's just so sad.

***

Outside, it was still raining and poor I was dripping wet when I reached the office tonight.

Not On Any Given Sunday

In rare occasions, I chance on getting a glimpse of local celebrities. Strangely though, I was luckier with what I call my jologs moment when I was still in Cebu than here in Manila. Though local stars abound in this side of the country, the odds of finding myself in their midst are less in most times.

One of those rare moments happened last Sunday. And of all the occasions it had to be during a mass in a basketball court that evening. I attended the said mass with my girlfriend and her family together with the peaceful residents of Justinville in Bacoor, Cavite.

It was the second time-- since the parish got its new set of priests—that a mass was held there in that village. I believe it was also the parish priest’s way of reaching out to the people after earning that some would rather attend mass in SM Bacoor than the parish church itself. Those people probably thought God won’t mind since He is everywhere.

It was only during the Offertory part of the liturgy that I realized Lani Mercado-Revilla was also in the crowd. She was with her brother-in-law Mayor Strike Revilla. While Lani got the wine and water, Mayor Strike took care of the chalice for the offertory. She was shyly throwing smiles to those who have been staring at her since she got there.

It’s that time of the year when people in power, and those who plan to be, would show themselves up for the people to see. It’s just sad since they had to go for such a show so people would recognize them. I guess the large picture of Lani just right next to where the altar was put up was not enough that she had to be there in the flesh.

Well, I must say, Ms Lani Mercado-Revilla looked nice. She doesn’t look like she had any children. She was radiant in the yellow polo shirt and simple and neat denim she was on. In fairness to her, she didn’t try to steal the show. No grandstanding happened after the mass. It was a good move, I say. Even the mayor was hesitant to give a short speech which is unusual for politicians.

But then I heard the people in the village weren’t really supporters of the Revilla’s the past elections. I think that explains the hesitation to give a speech.

I’m not campaigning for or against anyone. Perhaps the excitement of having to add another episode of my celebrity sightings in my blog drove me to post this. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance of taking a photo of her for this post. I don’t want my girlfriend’s dad see me excitedly snapping some shots of her. I can’t afford to show him my jologs side. At least, not just yet.

Michael Jackson is Alive!

The past few days almost all news and blogs were on a posting-frenzy about Michael Jackson. I tried to shun mentioning him after my post affirming his passing away . But others are busy giving us somehow blow-by-blow accounts on Michael’s death. I read reports about how the doctors -- who attended the King of Pop during his last minutes -- could be held liable and in deep trouble. There were also controversies which involve custody of Michael Jackson’s kids, who I also heard would get the royalties of the “Moonwalker’s” hit records.

The Pop Icon’s records are also moving up the charts once again . The airwaves are also playing non-stop hits of the controversial music legend. I won’t even be surprise to see T.V. shows dancing and singing Michael’s songs and classic hits. Much so, some celebrities might also use this regretful episode to give the needed shine to their fading careers.

I am a fan of MJ, no doubt about that. I can’t even name just one song of his that I consider my favorite; because almost all of his songs are up there. I find myself singing Man in the Mirror or dance to the tune of Billy Jeans. But don’t ask me how my dancing is because my mind plays tricks on me sometimes. My mind would make me believe I’m really doing the moonwalk .

Will this news and talks about the life of Michael Jackson ever end? I am not praying it will but if ever the issues will settle down, I’m sure it won’t be sooner since Michael Jackson is not dead.

Michael Jackson is the King of Pop. He is the single-gloved performer. He is the moonwalker. He is the Peter Pan of Neverland .

Whether it was really him caught on camera by CNN , Michael Jackson will live forever in the hearts of many.

SM CITY North EDSA Now Got IMAX Theater!

What comes to mind when you hear the word IMAX?

I don't know about you but it means great movie experience to me. Imagine the crystal- clear images that is closer to life and crisp and powerful audio experience that can blow you away. I beleive this is the best thing that happened in theaters right now and you can enjoy it at SM Mall of Asia.

But SM Cinema sure do know how to make their movie goers happy and satisfied. They never run out of surprises. Prepare to be blown away when you get to hear what Sm Cinema has in store for us.

Filipinos will surely enjoy another great milestone in the Philippine technological advancement as SM Cinema, the first to offer IMAX Theater in the country at SM Mall of Asia, is offering us another IMAX Theater at SM City North EDSA! The grand opening of the newest cinema fully-equipped with IMAX digital projection system will be on July 16, 2009!

But what really makes a cinema an IMAX?

IMAX's digital projection system delivers the key elements that make up the IMAX Experience in a cinema. This include the IMAX's revolutionary projection technology that delivers crytal-clear images, the IMAX's powerful audio system which delivers laser-aligned digital sound, and the IMAX's customized theatre geometry, which maximizes your field of view.

And as the IMAX Theater SM City North EDSA is gearing towards showing the most talked about and highly-awaited movies, here are some of the movies that are set to be shown in the IMAX Theater SM City North EDSA:

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – July 16, 2009

with exclusive IMAX 3D scenes

As Harry Potter begins his 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

Under The Sea 3D – August 2009

An underwater look at the diverse coastal regions of Southern Australia, New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific areas and the impact of global warming on the oceans.

A Christmas Carol 3D – November 2009

An animated retelling of Charles Dickens classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

Avatar 3D – December 2009

A band of humans are pitted in a battle against a distant planet's indigenous population.

2010

How to Train your Dragon 3D – March 2010

Shrek Goes Fourth 3D – May 2010

Hubble 3D

For inquiries and ticket reservations, please call 929- 5452 or 924-4274. For inquiries and screening schedule, log on to www.smcinema.com or you can email IMAX Theatre SM North EDSA at imaxnorthedsa@smsupermalls.com.

Source:Hiraya