And the new MD of HP Philippines is…

David Tan will relinguish his role as managing director and Technology Solutions Group (TSG) country manager of HP Philippines soon. Tan will assume a new role in the AP region.

The news of Tan’s stepping down brings to the table another question – Who will replace Tan? Who will head HP Philippines?

Jam-packed Crowd shows up for Techtutor Seminar

I just finished conducting my annual Powertips seminar, this year its called “Techtutor”. This is the main reason why I was not able to update my blogs as often as I want to.

TechTutor is a seminar designed for educators, learners, parents and experts. The objective is to discuss how new technologies particularly Web 2.0 would change the way we teach, learn, share, collaborate, communicate and participate.

Guess how many attended the event–close to 5,000 attendees.

Jerry Liao to discuss impact of Web 2.0 in education with TechTutor seminar

Technological achievements in the modern world are not only the convenience for the people around the globe, but also an incentive for the younger generations to review and develop their own thinking and ideas to advance the technology even further.

It is very important that every education, may it be from the lower primary to the PhD level, should all include the trace of technology in the process according to the level most suitable.

Even in any general education class or activity, the use of technology is highly encouraged for a better understanding and wider approach of the students from their very initial learning years.

Nokia N97 arrives ahead of schedule

The much awaited Nokia N97 arrives ahead of time when my editor Art Samaniego presented me the phone straight from our Manila Bulletin TechLab. Being with TechNews allows us to have the first crack to try and test the latest gadgets available in the market today.

Nokia is set to launch Nokia N97 here in the Philippines by June 25, 2009.

Microsoft stops paying for employees’ smartphones, unless…

Microsoft recently announced that it will no longer reimburse the monthly data service charges of employees not on Windows Mobile devices. In other words, Microsoft will not reimburse its employees who decide to use a BlackBerry, iPhone, or Android-based device. This even if the employees are using the device for work purposes.

The policy took effect as part of the broader cost saving measures announced by Microsoft.

Maricar Reyes / Hayden Kho sex video Part 3 and more uploaded

All the while I thought the sex video scandal involving Dr. Hayden Kho will die down soon. After the Senate investigation, people seem to lose interest or perhaps most of those who are interested has seen the video already.

If you watch the news, the topic is more of one party filing a case, or who is responsible for the uploading of the videos, and others. Believe it or not, I am thankful that such a scandal is no longer the headlines of newspapers or TV. But I was wrong.

First A(H1N1) incident in Philippines confirmed

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed that the Philippines is now included in the list of countries with A(H1N1) virus.

A 10 year old girl who flew in with her parents last May 18, 2009 (Monday) was the first case of A(H1N1) in the Philippines said Duque.

The girl was able to pass through the thermal scanner. She started having fever May 19, 2009 with cough and sore throat. Her parents brought the girl to the hospital and after thorough testings made by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RTM), the girl was confirmed to suffer from the virus.

Globe Duo – Two Become One?

Just recently, Globe Telecom introduces a new service called Duo, that allows unlimited calling to and from any landline number as well as unlimited calling to and from any DUO postpaid mobile subscriber. Duo is Globe’s answer to Bayantel’s Bayan Wireless Landline and PLDT’s Landline Plus, both of which require a separate, dedicated handset to work.

Let me discuss with you the rules first of Duo: Currently, its open to postpaid subscribers. Only available in NCR and Cebu only. Subscription to DUO Service is P399.00/30days on top of a Globe Plan. There is a three-month minimum subscription period and a pre-termination penalty of PHP 1,200 if you decide to quit before that time is up.

Remembering Francis Magalona

Years ago, I got the chance to interview master rapper himself – Francis Magalona. I arrived ahead of our scheduled TV interview. I waited at their living room a bit nervous.

Francis welcome me with a smile, introduce himself to me (as if I don’t know him) and shook my hand.

Why would I interview a performer like Francis Magalona you might ask? Because Francis is tech savvy person and a gadget freak. But never did I expect that he really knows his technology.

The truth behind the expiration of cellphone credits

Last week, the Philippine Congress conducted an inquiry as to why mobile phone prepaid cards comes with an expiration date. Representatives from Smart Communications, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., and Sun Cellular were there to grace the ocassion. One lawmaker asked why the expiring prepaid mobile credits? Do they rot? Do they spoil? Do they curdle?

You know that if you buy a P100 prepaid load, you have to consume it within a certain number of days, if not it will expire regardless of how much is left in your credit.