MMAGPANT

Chili's Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake

2009-10-14T13:51:00.000+08:00

One random evening, my wife and I agreed to eat out. It's actually my treat for her special day. She works in Makati, and I had to pick her up before we headed to Greenbelt.

We're planning for an early dinner, but I had to wait for a few more hours before she finished all her workload that day. That made both of us quite hungry, and eager for a big meal.

She decided that we must try Chili's (gulp!) in Greenbelt 5 as I haven't been there before. Since it's her special day, I got no choice but to say 'sure, let's go!', and braved the long walk.

My first impression of Chili's is that it has a very lively atmosphere. The crew were all smiling, and the crowd were happily chatting. We're quickly seated on a table for two, and had their menu in no time.

We chose literally big meals since we had each other to share the food, and we're really hungry! When our order came, it downed to me that we ordered enough food for four! After that bit of surprise, we dig in and happily chatted on random topics (just like everyone else).

What we ordered were quite good since Chili's had a different flavor from what we had tried on other restaurants before. In no time, we got full and very satisfied with our meal. I have to give credit to my wife for a wonderful choice that evening (xoxo!).

Although I'm full, I'd been browsing the desserts menu, and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake got me really curious. It's like the cake was looking back to me, and waving enthusiastically for me to try it.

And then, I don't know if it's a coincidence (or faith!) that the family seated on our left were served with that Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake! Seeing that delicious looking dessert, I had to give in to the temptation, and ordered for one when the manager came by to check on us.

When the dessert came, we eagerly shoved our spoon on the ice cream topping first. It surprised us that it's actually frozen (together with the chocolate shell) and still hard as rock. With that, we tried the cake bottom next. It's actually warm like it was freshly baked.

Having a baker for a father, I can confidently say that the molten cake is good after my first taste. After a few more spoonfuls, the molten chocolate core oozed out of the cake. Yum! It turns out that the cake had a hollow core, which is filled with hot chocolate sauce while the ice cream topping served as a cover (no wonder it was frozen). We (or more on, I) finished it in no time even though it was also enough for 3-4 persons! =P

After that evening, I keep on thinking that on our next visit to Chili's, I'll order the Chocolate Chip Cookie Molten Cake first!

Photo taken from Chili's website.

Using Wireless Signal To See Through Walls

2009-10-06T13:04:00.000+08:00

Recently, a research team from University of Utah came up with a way to figure out movements behind solid walls without peeping through windows or holes.They can do it by analyzing how radio signals vary in a series of wireless nodes (wireless network) when a person moves inside a room.

The technique is officially called Variance-based Radio Tomographic Imaging, and this can reveal an almost exact position of a person as long as it's moving. The wireless network for this new technology is using IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol, or commonly known as Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).

The main uses of Variance-based Radio Tomographic Imaging are in the area of security and emergency response. In a hostage or robbery situation, a security team will have a better idea on where the suspects and victims are, and lead to a better decision making. Likewise, an emergency response unit can quickly assess if there are any survivors after a building collapse due to earthquake.

There maybe other available technologies out there for the same purpose. But, this technology can be a cheap alternative, and less complex to setup when needed. In most of the situations mentioned above, a timely response is quite important as every minute counts on how these situations will progress.

Of course, there will be a lot of concern with privacy when this technique becomes readily available. Just imagine a stalker using it on you, or a burglar using this to scout on your home. Pretty scary, right?

photo taken from Technology Review - Published by MIT

After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), Super Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) Comes

2009-10-02T16:32:00.000+08:00

While Metro Manila is still aching from the devastation of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana), there's another typhoon that entered Philippines' area of responsibility. It's expected to make a land fall in North Luzon by Saturday, just a week after Typhoon Ondoy ravaged us. Worse, it's expected to be a Super Typhoon named Pepeng (Parma), the first Signal No. 4 typhoon to hit the country since 2006.

The Philippine government already announced a national state of calamity, and put 32 provinces/areas in under storm alert signals. Some local government units are already planning forced evacuations from low lying and mountain side areas within Luzon. This early, it is already expected that there are big possibilities of floods and land slides, just like with Typhoon Ondoy.

No wonder, when I went to the supermarket this afternoon, there's a lot of shoppers buying essential items in order to prepare for the incoming storm. When I checked, most of the shelves of basic items are almost empty, and the supermarket staff is trying to restock them as quickly as possible.

At the instant noodle section, all the local brands are gone, and only some international (Korean, Japanese, and Chinese) noodle brands are left. Same goes for canned goods, especially the canned sardines, canned tuna, and luncheon meat. At the wholesale booth, there's a line of buyers for boxes of bottled waters, canned milks, instant noodles, etc. And at the cash registers, there are endless lines with carts full of goods.

I believe there are two reasons for this situation (with similarity to 'panic buying'). First, they want to be ready for the incoming super typhoon. Second, some of the wealthier shoppers are buying goods for donation to the on-going relief operations to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

For now, let us all hope and pray that the incoming storm won't cause as much damage as its predecessor. Let's also hope that everyone will be safe and more prepared to weather this one.

Photo take from the website of Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (OSDPD) - National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Anti-virus Software

2009-09-30T22:57:00.003+08:00

I just read it from GMANews.tv that Microsoft has released its own anti-virus software, and it's for FREE!

Checking it from the Microsoft website, Microsoft Security Essentials is a PC security program that provides "real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software." This software is offered for free as long as you are running genuine Microsoft Windows in your PC.

Microsoft even mentioned that Security Essentials will run quietly and efficiently in the background without any noticeable interruptions. The software has recently emerged from Beta stage, and already available for download to everyone.

For me, this is great news! I have a personal laptop with expired Symantec Anti-virus software, and I didn't purchase a new license from Symantec. Beside from needing to shell out some dough, It's really eating a lot of resources out of my laptop.

I've also tried other free anti-virus software out there, but they don't offer a lot of features that you'll want. I hope Microsoft Security Essentials will not disappoint when I try it, given that it has the advantage of running on a platform, which it's too familiar with.

As for the System Requiremet, here it is:

Operating System:

Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3);
Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2);
Windows 7

CPU and Memory:

For Windows XP, 500 MHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher.
For Windows Vista and Windows 7, 1.0 GHz or higher, and 1 GB RAM or higher.

Other Requirements:

VGA display of 800 × 600 or higher.
140 MB of available hard disk space.
Internet connection

Internet Browser:

Windows Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or later.

Photo taken from Microsoft's website

Disaster Relief Operation After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana)

2009-09-30T08:36:00.003+08:00

After Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) devastated Metro Manila with a month's worth of rain fall and unexpected level of flooding, there's now a bigger task of providing immediate relief to those who are greatly affected. As what the Philippine Government said through National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), their efforts shift from rescue operations to disaster relief operations.

The government and a lot of NGOs are doing their best to extend all the help that they can give. They are also accepting donations of much needed money, food, clean water, medicine and usable clothes. Also, volunteers are much needed to sort and distribute these donations.

To those who want to extended their help, you can do so by donating through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), and the foundations of the two of the biggest media/broadcasting networks of the country; GMA Kapuso Foundation and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.

You can also do bank donations to the following accounts of PNRC, GMA, and ABS-CBN:

PNRC

Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
Bank Name: Metrobank
Account Number: 151-3-041-63122-8 (Peso), 151-2-151-00218-2 (US Dollar)
Branch Name: Port Area
SWIFT Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: Philippine National Red Cross
Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account Number: 4991-0010-99 (Peso), 8114-0030-94 (US Dollar)
Branch Name: Port Area (Peso), UN Avenue (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: BOPI PH MM

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Metrobank
Account Number: 3-098-51034-7 (Peso), 2-098-00244-2 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: MBTC PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB)
Account Number: 115-184777-2 (Peso), 01-115-301177-9 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB)
Account Number: 160-111277-7 (Peso), 01-160-300427-6 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: UCPB PH MM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Banco de Oro (BDO)
Account Number: 469-0022189 (Peso), 469-0072135 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: BNORPHM

Account Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Bank Name: Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Account Number: 121-0032000-17 (Peso), 121-0032000-25 (US Dollar)
SWIFT Code: PNB MPH MM

ABS-CBN Sagip-Kapamilya Foundation

Account Name: ABSCBN FOUNDATION - Sagip Kapamilya
Bank Name: Banco de Oro (BDO)
Account Number: 39300-48145 (Peso)
Branch Name: Sct. Albano, and Quezon Avenue

I believe, that in times like this, the best in everyone comes out no matter what natural disaster is on our way. I, together with my family, prays to the good Lord that help be extended to the those who needed it most.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7193254@N02/ / CC BY 2.0

MMAGPANT Re-launch!

2009-09-28T12:30:00.024+08:00

Here I go again! =) (take two!)

I'm trying to redesign my blog this week for a re-launch. I found a good Blogger template, and currently tweaking it. Also, I'm trying to find ways to optimize it for search engines (SEO).

Thanks to ipietoon for the great Blogger template. I got the idea from Fierce Blogs of my friend, Eric.

Update: 29 Sept 2009

So far, so good. I like what I'm seeing right now. I hope any netizen that will view this blog site will like it. If not, best to leave comments then. =P

More to come...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/declanjewell/ / CC BY 2.0

MMAGPANT Disclamer

2009-09-28T02:18:00.001+08:00

On Blog Posts

Any views or opinion represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blogger and do not represent those of my employer. Everything you repeat and say that has been previously said in this blog may be an infringement of copyright law, and may be used against you.

On Blog Comments

Any view or opinion represented in the blog comments are personal and is accredited to the respective commentor / visitor to this blog. This blogger reserves the right to moderate comment suitability in support of respecting racial, religious and political sensitivities, and in order to protect the rights of each commentor where available. Everything the commentor says in explicity or expressed in defamatory statements is bound to sedition laws from the commentor’s country of origin, and may be used against the said commentor.

On This Disclaimer

Lastly, I reserve the right to amend, revise, or add to this disclaimer in the future as needed.

MMAGPANT Privacy Policy

2009-09-28T02:07:00.002+08:00

Privacy Policy

The privacy of visitors to this blog is important to me.

I recognize that privacy of your personal information is important. Here is the information on what types of personal information that is received and collected when you use and visit my blog, and how the information is safeguard. I never sell your personal information to third parties.

Log Files

As with most other websites, this blog collects and use the data contained in log files. The information in the log files include your IP (internet protocol) address, your ISP (internet service provider, such as AOL or Shaw Cable), the browser you used to visit our site (such as Internet Explorer or Firefox), the time you visited our site and which pages you visited throughout our site.

Cookies and Web Beacons

This blog do use cookies to store information, such as your personal preferences when you visit our site. This could include only showing you a popup once in your visit, or the ability to log in to some of the blog features, such as forums.

This blog also use third party advertisements to support this site. Some of these advertisers may use technology such as cookies and web beacons when they advertise on our site, which will also send these advertisers (such as Google through the Google AdSense program) information including your IP address, your ISP , the browser you used to visit this blog site, and in some cases, whether you have Flash installed. This is generally used for geotargeting purposes (showing New York real estate ads to someone in New York, for example) or showing certain ads based on specific sites visited (such as showing cooking ads to someone who frequents cooking sites).

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This blog also may use DART cookies for ad serving through Google’s DoubleClick, which places a cookie on your computer when you are browsing the web and visit a site using DoubleClick advertising (including some Google AdSense advertisements). This cookie is used to serve ads specific to you and your interests (”interest based targeting”). The ads served will be targeted based on your previous browsing history (For example, if you have been viewing sites about visiting Las Vegas, you may see Las Vegas hotel advertisements when viewing a non-related site, such as on a site about hockey). DART uses “non personally identifiable information”. It does NOT track personal information about you, such as your name, email address, physical address, telephone number, social security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers. You can opt-out of this ad serving on all sites using this advertising by visiting http://www.doubleclick.com/privacy/dart_adserving.aspx

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Deleting cookies does not mean you are permanently opted out of any advertising program. Unless you have settings that disallow cookies, the next time you visit a site running the advertisements, a new cookie will be added.

Manny Pacquiao - Give Us This Day

2008-11-25T08:01:00.002+08:00

I've been browsing for a while when I saw this site from Nike.

After the Ricky Hatton fight, the next big thing in the boxing sphere is the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya fight on December 7 (Manila time)! Nike didn't waste time to capitalize and support Manny Pacquiao in his coming fight, and even set up a special site for those who want to live their "conviction".

I really like how they put it. They captured Manny's religiousness, which also appeals to the Filipino people. Then, put a catch phrase "Give us this day". They've even given us a way to show our support. Lastly, a new shirt design! =)

To Manny Pacquiao, show 'em who's the real Golden Boy!

Burn After Reading: I Won... But I Couldn't Go!

2008-11-21T08:59:00.000+08:00

Last November 17, I received an email from Nuffnang that I won two tickets to the Burn After Reading movie premiere!

It was scheduled the next day, 7:30PM at Robinsons Galleria's Movieworld Cinema 6. In my excitement, I sent confirmation that I would attend. I didn't have any plans that Tuesday night, so it should have been easy for me to meet my wife in Galleria and enjoy the movie.

Alas, nothing went through according to plan. That Tuesday morning, I was faced with a life-and-death situation that I forgot everything... Nah, I'm just pulling your leg!

The truth is that my brother asked me to pick up something for him in Mapua. He said that a professor-friend needed to give me a package for him. Given that I'm a good brother, who also happens to owe a lot of favor to him, I went to pick it up as he said that it was very urgent.

In my ride to Mapua, I can't shake it off my mind (and feeling sad) that I missed my opportunity to free tickets to a nice movie. That would have been a nice break to a stressful week. Now, I have to pay for my own ticket just to watch the film.

To the Nuffnang community, please accept my deepest apology. I even confirmed my attendance, but in the end I couldn't go. =(

My First Sony Experience is with my Sony MD Walkman

2008-11-20T09:37:00.000+08:00

Sony MD Walkman? What's that?!

Well, in between the era of portable CD players (CD Walkman) and MP3 players (MP3 Walkman), there is a 'cool' gadget that is very popular in Japan. It's called portable MD player. MD stands for Mini Disk.
As the name suggest MD is small, and will easily fit your palm. The player itself is very compact, and it's really a nice replacement for your very old tape Walkman, and the bulky CD Walkman (they got thin, but still same diameter).

Though my mom gave me the old Walkman before, and my uncle gave me my first CD Walkman, the Sony MD Walkman is the first Sony gadget that I bought on my own. And, it's way back in '02 and when I'm sent on training in Japan. Thus, this gadget has been very memorable.

It's like 'love at first sight' when a colleague showed me his own MD Walkman, and how cool that it fit his pocket perfectly. It looked like just a small bump, and no one would have noticed it. After that, I'd scouted these nice MD Walkmans on every "denki" store we knew, and finally settled for a black one.

I forgot the model I bought, but I was really happy with it. This had a significant impact in my life because after that, I've always wanted something small and compact. For me, a gadget won't be cool enough if it is bulky and won't fit my hand.

Unfortunately, before I left Japan, I gave it to my other colleague (who had just arrived) to help him cope up, and so that he won't be homesick. I thought MD would arrive to the Philippines soon after I went back, but the next cool thing was already coming: the portable MP3 players. I hadn't heard about beloved Sony MD afterwards. =(

Sony MD Walkman definitely gave significance in my life just like the Sony's World’s First Smallest, Lightest and Slimmest Full HD Camcorder: TG1 Handycam, which will not take a lot of space in your handbag, and will be handy in capturing any significant moments in your life!

USB 3.0 - SuperSpeed USB

2008-11-14T08:50:00.000+08:00

On November 17, the USB Impementers Forum will unveil the USB 3.0 specification during the SuperSpeed USB Developers Conference. This new USB 3.0 specification can deliver 10 times the speed of the current USB 2.0.

USB 3.0 targets fast transfer between media like PCs, mobile gadgets, and other consumer products. Faster transfer rate is desperately needed since most files are already beyond Gigabytes in sizes. Just imagine transferring an HD quality movie from your PC to your mobile storage using USB 3.0. Heaven! =)

USB 3.0 is also promised to be backward-compatible with the USB technologies. Furthermore, it's also expected to be optimized for low power, and to have improved protocol efficiency.

Previously, Intel had been at odds with Nvidia/AMD over the standards of USB 3.0. Nvidia/AMD even said that they'd make their own version of USB 3.0. Good thing they have come to their senses and resolved their differences.

We can then expect the consumer public to benefit from this technology by early next year. Yey!

Spying Over Burn After Reading

2008-11-13T10:22:00.000+08:00

I've been waiting for two movies being starred by Brad Pitt. First is "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", while the other is "Burn After Reading". I'll definitely watch 'Benjamin Button' but I don't know yet when it will be shown here.

For Burn After Reading, I learned from the Nuffnang community that it will be on November 18! Why do I want to watch it? Well, just imagine Brad Pitt with his pal, George Clooney, acting on a set with the Coen brothers at the helm... Who wouldn't want to watch it?!

And add to that, Nuffnang has made it possible for all Pinoy Nuffnangers to meet and watch it on it's premier! That is... if I'm lucky enough to win invites. =P

Browsing quickly for an overview, the story begins with an ex-CIA agent losing a CD-copy of his explosive memoir. Brad Pitt is lucky enough to find it, and blackmails the ex-CIA agent. And it goes on... For the rest of the story, join me on the premier! =)

Lastly, no it's not the Ocean 14....

Two-Movie Weekend (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and My Only U)

2008-11-11T11:58:00.000+08:00

My wife and I had a great weekend. We're able to watch two movies in two days! Geez, we haven't done that for ages. =)

It's great though since we have a good laugh on both movies. We watched the animated movie Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa last Saturday. Then on Sunday, we watched My Only U. My wife actually chose My Only U over the new Bond film (better luck next time for me!).

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

I actually like this sequel more than the original. It's not essentially for kids since any accompanying adults can also enjoy some of the humors on this film. The story starts with the gang, Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria, together with King Julian and Maurice, boarded a plane-in-sling that's being piloted by the penguin squad. They plan to return to New York city, but they unfortunately crash landed in Africa.

The story then evolves around the return of Alex to his long lost parents, the peering of Marty with his kind (a lot of them!), the meeting of Gloria and Moto-Moto, and the assumption of Melman as the new witch doctor. That storyline would seem plain and simple, but it was jam-packed with funny twists! Wondering what King Julian, Maurice, and the penguin squad are doing? Then have a movie escape and watch this film!

My Only U

If you have Vhong Navarro in a movie, you can expect to laugh a lot. Pair him with Toni Gonzaga and you'll definitely have a hit romantic-comedy film! But, how can death be part of a romatic-comedy film?! Well, that's only my first reaction. The plot is about two neighbors that are very close to each other, but one is dying (Winona - Toni), and the other one is doing everything to be close with and to take care of her (Bong - Vhong).

I like the part where the fortune-teller said that she is being blind, while the man who loves her is being deaf. I think it means that Winona is being blind to see who really loves her the most (obviously it's Bong!), while Bong, who's being obsessive in taking great care of Winona, is being deaf to the true wishes of her. In the end, they both end up dead. How? Well, blame it to Benjie Paras (as Doc Doc). =)

There are brief appearances by Zanjo Marudo, Sam Milby, and John Lloyd Cruz. So, watch out for those scenes, and die laughing! =P

Welcome to My New Site!!!

2008-11-10T11:51:00.000+08:00

Here I go again! =)

I've been wanting to put a more personal blog where I can tackle any topic under the sun. A new blog where I will have limitless directions to take, ideas to explore, and expressions to pen.

For the title, well, that's an old username that I've been using before. I got the idea to use it as my blog name from a former colleague whose site I've been following for quite some time.

I'll be trying to tweak and optimize this blog for a while, but definitely, I'll start blogging!

Cheers!