backwards incompatability!

Our office just recently put restrictions on internet access.The reason cited was that open access was taking up valuable bandwidth thus resulting in less than favorable performance of our in house application systems. But even  after restrictions were put into place, there was no noticeable improvement in the performance of our systems. What does that tell us? That there are no shortage of idiots in the office? A simple study of our IT and network infrastucture would show that our systems passes through a dedicated line (leased line) different from our internet which passes through a different one. So theoretically, one line would not have a bearing on the other. There goes the bandwidth defense.
Knowing this basic set up, a competent network manager would study other points of traffic to solve the congestion. And it is almost always not about the bandwidth, it's the "throughput" stupid, the ease in which data transfer occurs. We can have the biggest bandwidth available but if our internal network is full of fault points, congestion will always be the end result.
Putting restrictions on internet runs contrary to the very concept of it. The net is the new global arena and social networking sites such as facebook and twitter are some of its biggest players. These sites may have started as social interaction pages but has evolved into a global marketplace of sorts. It is now being used as a business, political and marketing tool even by some government agencies such as dti and pnp and even by our President. I am glad that they realized its potential but doubly sad that our office do not. Change is the only constant in this world, and adapting to change is a must, lest we go the way of dinosaurs, extinct. I just hope that our bosses wake up from their jurrasic slumber and see the light, not drag the whole office towards it.

bloggingcaloy: straight from the mouth of babes...hoping for a better Phils. for them...

bloggingcaloy: straight from the mouth of babes...hoping for a better Phils. for them...

straight from the mouth of babes...hoping for a better Phils. for them...

Yesterday, while driving home from mass, we chanced upon a traffic accident. It was fairly recent and the police has just arrived. When my youngest daughter, Fiona, saw the policemen, she told me to hurry up because she was afraid of policemen. To say I was surprised by this is an understatement. At a young age of 6, she already has a negative impression of our supposed protectors of society. It hit me that the symbols of government in the Philippine streets have such a tainted image that kids don't want anything to do with them. In fact, upon further reflection, I also don't want anything to do with them of for any other people in uniform for that matter. And I work for a national government office!
I remember being out on the streets of Quezon City when (typhoon) Ondoy struck. And the most distinctive impression I had then was that at that time, there was no government. It was the people helping each other. No road signs, no advisories, no MMDA personnel to direct traffic. What we had was the citizens helping other citizens cross flooded streets, rescuing trapped people, offering food and shelter to less fortunate people. Where were the people in uniform?
Yet in every heinous crime or gruesome accident, the people in uniform take center attention.It does not help that it is very hard to distinguish on sight who is the criminal and who is the authority. Seeing a traffic enforcer of the Metro Manila Development Authority or any local government does not bring the comfort of a thought that the traffic will move smoother but evokes memories of predators waiting for prey. Of them waiting for someone to make the slightest infraction so as to make a buck.
These people have their work cut out for them. It would take generations to correct this image. I just hope that this thoughts reach them and start to affect them. That deep inside there is still a glimmer of idealism that the dream to put on the uniform was not motivated by the need to make a quick buck but to be a protector of society. I still believe, for the sake of my kids....

bloggingcaloy: Re-discovering the City of Pines....

bloggingcaloy: Re-discovering the City of Pines....

Re-discovering the City of Pines....

BAGUIO STRAWBERRIES!

Baguio City has long been considered the summer capital of the Philippines. Many a childhood summer memory is reminisced with carefree days in Baguio, taking in the cool air and pine fragrance that permeates the place. Who would not remember going "boating" and biking in Burnham park or horseback riding in Wright park, and visiting mines view park? But unfortunately, due to the development of other tourist destinations and overdevelopment, the city has slowly lost its standing as the country's summer capital. Or so i thought.

Session rd. after an afternoon downpour, cleansing

Got a chance to go up to the mountains recently to do some soul searching and came back with much more than my soul. To truly appreciate Baguio, one has to lose sense of time, to think of carefree days and appreciate the laid back pace of the place. When going up, think of Zen, of breakfasts at 1 pm or coffee at 1 am. Forget about the beer (it will only make you pee) and think about the wine or much stronger spirits.

piping hot sinigang na bagnet served with steaming rice

Session road is the lifeline of the city. While the development of SM  Baguio shifted much of the commercial activity there, Session still perseveres and its nook and crannies still offers pleasant surprises. It boasts of a wide array of restaurants that contributes to a unique experience. During a stroll, me and my honey chanced upon a restaurant with a unique name, Solibao Restaurant. The menu had a lot of sizzling choices but one dish caught our eye instantly. We ordered it without hesitation and found it be as good as we hoped it to be. We found Solibao's sinigang na bagnet perfect food during a chilly and rainy Baguio afternoon. Other establishments abound that is unique to the place and is as much as an institution there that Session would not be  the same without it.

Pizza Volante going head to head with an industry giant. 

yummy pizza!

Going up Session, a fairly new landmark has created an impact on the city, SM Baguio is unique as it is the only SM mall that does not use airconditioning but instead blend an architectural design to fully maximize the strengths of its environment. Its viewdeck offers a spectacular panorama of the city.

Baguio cathedral as seen from SM

                                      

My Honey and I opted to forgo the usual tourist thing and decided to explore the city by foot and by jeep. Off we went to Baguio market to have a feel of the city. It's vegetable and flower sections are truly amazing and affords one a vibrant feel and unique perspective of upland life.

going up Baguio market

whatta beans!?

Vegetables galore!

Baguio brooms

This trip not only provided a refreshing break but also provided a unique perspective on the city of Pines. It may have lost its standing as the summer capital to bora.  but to Me and my Honey,  Baguio offers a truly relaxing respite from the hustle and bustle of city life and will always be our sanctuary. We will surely come back.

How to  get there: Victory liner cubao offers hourly trips from Cubao station to Baguio. Once there, taxis abound so its easy to get around. Most of the drivers are honest and charge only by the meter. Accomodations  is also not a problem as there are many choices available ranging from Five star accomodations to transient houses. 

bloggingcaloy: food tripping in the city of smiles!

bloggingcaloy: food tripping in the city of smiles!

food tripping in the city of smiles!

Had a chance to visit bacolod again last weekend and again returned gastronomically satisfied. My brother, moved there a couple of years ago and is truly at home there. He served as our guide as we experienced the culinary experience that is Bacolod.

First stop was lunch at Lord Byrons. Here they serve pound per price the best baby back ribs in the country. Succulently tender, roasted just right and with his own special sauce. Byrons ribs could surely put some of the supposedly high end ribs place to shame. Every order, which costs 110, comes with atchara and java rice. This is a must try for every visitor to Bacolod. Too bad my camera's battery had run out and I was not able to take a picture. The restaurant itself is  nondescript, just a hut tucked in a corner of a quiet neighborhood but it adds to the experience. Also, in my opinion bbq ribs should be served and eaten hot and al fresco so that di "magsebo" and maumay". This makes its location ideal.  Byrons is located in Homesite,Bacolod City.

Next stop was Calea cakes branch beside L' Fisher hotel. Now, this is one pastry shop which does not scrimp on its ingredients and one can really taste the difference. This local pastry/coffee shop should really venture out and conquer the Philippines. They would surely give the more established high end shops a run for thier money.

Now eating in Bacolod would not be complete if you do not try chicken inasal. This is roasted chicken, Bacolod style. Where better to partake of this delicacy than in the aptly named Manukan country. This is a restaurant strip of different joints offering thier take on Chicken inasal. As per the suggestion of my bro, Aida's is the place to go. The norm here is to follow the age old practice of eating chicken by hand. Now who would argue with that. Luckily, the place provided for a hand washing area. One might find the environs basic or primitive but to me it lends credence to the aura of how Chicken inasal, that wonderful chicken bacolod should be eaten!

The next day, I eagerly awaited dinner for Pala-pala was our destination for dining. This is the seafood station of Bacolod. Located beside a market just next to the wharf and the sea, this makes sure that one gets the freshest catch of the day. Again on the recommendation of the bro, we went to Hyksos tulahan and again, there was no cause for regrets.

Hyksos has a friendly and accomdating staff and judging from the patrons, also has a huge following. Now, did i mention earlier that the food was divine? If not, it is. here are some of our orders.

Kinilaw na taniguige sa gata , prawns in chili garlic sauce and (upper) tortang alimango.

steamed fish.

grilled scallops in lemon butter sauce

Sizzling blue marlin

These are just a sample of what the city has to offer. judging from what Iv'e experienced, Bacolodnons really appreciate fine food and I would surely like to go back and discover the rest of what the city has to offer. Namits gid!