Wishing Wells and Magic Spells

I often times (day) dream about how would my life be without any financial worries. I usually spend at least a good 2-hours, interspersed within the day of course doing this. 

Sometimes when I thought I'm on to something, you'd see me all enthused and hyped-up talking to people and pitching my ideas as if I have truly experienced them first hand. Obviously, I'm still in the same financial rut which means that my enthusiasm usually stops there.

Lately though, after being truly inspired by a new book on financial freedom (Larry Gamboa's books) that excited feeling simply refuses to leave me. I truly wanted to get out of the rat-race, since the day I joined the ranks... however, I guess decades of mental conditioning has grown into a habit. 

Unfortunately for myself - I'm the one proof of the adage that "Old habits do, die hard"

I wish I could break the vicious cycle that has plagued my family, since my grandfather's time. I wish I could be more enlightened by all the wonderful ideas that I constantly immerse myself into... I wish I would finally have the guts to take that plunge... 

Outlook on financial independence

Today's traditional context of income generation, for most families, primarily includes a 9-5 job, for either or both spouses. 


Some bold souls, actually engages, every once and a while into small business ventures - with less coming back for more, if they experience failure.


And then there's people like "Us"....

PSE: Market went to Pooh...

The imminent down turn is finally here... Hope you folks saved enough for the buying spree - which I predict will continue until about late November...


Here's today's PSE snapshot:

PSE: Divergence Rising

The market continues to play hard today although the divergence is hitting critical mass, meaning that this tune is getting old and a bear trend is imminent!

PSE: Bulls on parade!

Another bullish market opened the week (Sept. 27) - for most of the investing public, this is still not the time to throw an all out party just yet as major sectors is beginning to show some down trends...

PSE: And the Saga Continues...

The trading floor closes with the market still remaining strong primarily due to current developments in and around the country.

PSE: Market took a break today

The stock market slid down 0.83% today (4,054.18 pts) from yesterdays performance. All indicators still point towards the imminent bearish trend I was talking about last week.

PSE: More money.... more worry???

The market continuous to exceed everyone's expectations as today's trading floor closed at yet another record high (4,087.96 points). The winners once again took center stage (85 W, 73 L), with only the "Mining and Oil" sector experiencing a fall (down 0.97% from yesterdays close).

PSE: Market Rally Continues to defy expectations

The Philippine Stock Market continues to defy all odds at the start of this week, pushing the all time high to 4,053. 32 (PSEi) with winners (108) trumping loosers (30) yet again.

PSE: Bullish Week Rally Ends with a whimper

The market started out sluggish today, as this week's mad rally peaks at a new record high (4,005 points) from yesterday. I bet most traders are still giggly after cashing out what looks like an early 13th month pay out indeed.


Losers took the stage in today's performance (82-L vs 77-W) - volume of 3.81 (Billion) moved across the floor valuing at 6.63 Billion pesos.

"All is well on the deck captain" - Titanic watchman

It's been a tremendous week... as high emotions race over the awesome rally in the stock market, one is left to ponder what the coming weeks would look like.


Work-wise, this week has been suspiciously quite - most of the critical tasks that I have for the upcoming Program Evaluation and other planned major activities (i.e. DC Migration, and new site builds) are all in check...

PSE: New Market All Time High Record, Elliot wave analysis bearish trends soon

One word ---- 


YEEEEESSSSSS !!!! 


Watch out for next week though as I fear that the market is entering is last leaps for this rally (support index trending forecast - down at 20% per 52-week EMA)

PSE: Market Closes at 0.11% Higher Off from Bull run yesterday

The market remained strong off from yesterday's "killing-spree" closing at 0.11% higher (All Shares). 


The industrial sector holds strong at 0.83%, as Winners (74) trumps Losers (64), [Unchanged (44)] in what is turning out to be this week's trend. 

Weather Update (Sept 15): Tropical Cyclone sighted Off North Luzon

As of today, an active low-pressure area (ALPA) was sighted off the northern coast of Luzon which threatens to affect the northern parts of the country.

PAG-ASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez further commented earlier today that the ALPA will have a high chance to develop into a cyclone within the day. The weather agency further adds that as the weather disturbance will be codenamed: "Inday".

Kaspersky Lab Malware Attacks in Asia - Philippines not included in Top List

This year, Internet Security and Content Management giant Kaspersky Labs, released its annual Top 20 Countries with Malware Attacks. The Philippines, whose ranked among the top countries in the past is no longer on this year's list.

Real Estate Investment Trusts is here!

Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT is (as per *wikipedia) a tax designation for a corporation whose main activities are involved with investing in the real estate sector. The main goal of which is to reduce or eliminate the hefty corporate income tax return usually imposed by the government. 

PSE - Market breached 4,000 points today as traders make a killing

The Philippine market local bourse marks a new high record as it breached the 4,000-mark before the market succumbs to a profit “killing” today, amidst the 9-day rally.

Something out from nothing

Renowned Atheist:
Richard Dawkins

Been hell bent over a super busy day, when I decided to skim across the web for some good old fashion 5-minute break to let off some steam.


I came across an article on this web page that bolsters the evidences of an understanding I once harbored - that god does not exist.

King of the (over-the-) hill

I got this overwhelming feeling these past few days. I feel a combination of sorts: lost, confused, perplexed, and complacent (but not in a positive way). I know that this is just another low-point in a series of lulls and valleys that is my life.

As I witness the year’s goings-on, there’s a sense of panic whenever I see missed (sometimes, lost) opportunities whizzing past my line-of-sight. I often fall into deep reflection, wondering a multitude of “what-if” scenarios… filling my “grief cup” to the brim.

Running out of prime time?

What do I need to do to stop procrastinating into putting up my own business NOW!

It's been over 18 months now since we got back to the Philippines and not one of the resolution I pledged back then has come true.

First of all, I'm still struggling on making a significant enough fold to my finances. Next is that my plans to complete my Masters is still nowhere truer now than it has ever been. And finally, laying the ground work for my objective to retire (with sustainable passive income) on my 35th birthday has yet to break ground.

Thoughts on P-Noy’s first State of the Nation talk

President elect Benigno Aquino III was scheduled to deliver his first State of the nation address (SONA) yesterday, 26 July.


I missed the event, although I managed to catch up today by reading the transcription online - you can read the English translation of the speech here.


Reading between the contents of the SONA, one gets the elated impression that Aquino might be the one to do the job after all. I personally am not for Aquino on the last election, as I was convinced that all though he has the right motivation, his qualifications to execute the responsibilities of a president is still premature.

I know though, that Aquino will not be corrupt – I know this because he's too keen on not letting his parent's image be tarnished in the eyes of the people. One bad-Aquino (Kris Aquino) should be enough anyway.

Pres. Aquino’s First State of the Nation Speech (26 July 2010)

State of the Nation Address
of His Excellency
Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
to the Congress of the Philippines
Session Hall of the House of Representatives
July 26, 2010

[English Translation by Noynoy Media Bureau]

A Stereograph view of Convergent Solution Modelling

Most of the time, I spend my free hours pondering on several topics around technology. Researching and keeping up to date with all news on technology.


Currently, I'm involved with developing operational and functional frameworks for one of the biggest Pharmaceutical company in the world, specifically, around the areas of developing or improving their infrastructure operations processes and policies.



Obviously, the core of the work also involves looking forward at emerging technology trends, specifically, those that can improve IT services and operations delivery.

Critical Thinking

So what the hell has been keeping me busy lately? Here's a list....

La verdad en la vida

La verdad en la vida


Pierced through your thoughts your humanity lingers.
Through shattered memories, you try to make sense of it all.
Sometimes, light is permitted through the gray scale figments,
with the sublime sense of false respite settling on your head.

Show me the money, dammit!

Whenever companies call me nowadays, the recruiters on the other end are often amazed that I either know someone from their company or have in some way been involved with them in the past. I always imagine how awkward the recruiter might feel, with some wise-ass like me at that time...

Blog-crosoft Word 2007??

In an effort to provide current and daily content, I will be using MS Word 2007's blog functionality, its a heaven sent for office workers, since most setups block blog sites from the proxy side.

Parental Guidance

I often wonder whether there's some truth on the notion that most of us measure ourselves against our parents' achievements, or on how we've "faithfully reproduced" their expectations or counsel....

Okay, so most of my friends' folks have done very well for themselves, given whatever daunting odds that they have to overcome then...

Shell-shocked egotist needs help!

It all started like any other job....

Paid Professional

Every once in a while we come across a sort of a "life changing" question...

Questions like, "Is there an afterlife?" or "How can I ensure that I'd be on His good-side on the final judgement?".... and finally, the eternal question that you'd neither admit or deny asking (at least once in your life) - "Doc, why does it burn when I pee??"

Hehehe... just kidding...! (but if the last question was true for you, better checked with your Heath Care Policy if it covers this illness category...)

National Election 2010

I always know, that there has never been an honest, clean, and peaceful election in the country.

I always know, that despite several measures, that somewhere in the archipelago, some candidate is either switching ballots, buying votes, or parading armed "bodyguards" on polling stations to intimidate the populace...

The bad thing about the whole matter is, that although most of us Filipinos know that these practices exists, no one really wanted to make any difference, to make a stand for something or for someone else's rights...

It's either that most of us are just too indifferent of the whole election-rama that we're blind of what is truly happening around us. Or maybe some of us have actually accepted these as facts and has put our civil liberties a price tag, casting our votes to the whoever is the "highest bidder".

Or maybe, some of us just don't believe in the democratic process or on the concept of exercising suffrage since the past four administration has plunged us deeper in to poverty, hunger, disease, and suffering than our parents can ever imagine....

Now, before you nod your heads in agreement and turn right back to what you're all doing - I want you to picture this......

The year was 1894, and tension was mounting around the town on the news of a total armed revolution is the buzzword...

There was news that the efforts of the local elites' and nobles' campaigns for independence in Madrid was reduced to a rude Spanish Outhouse joke...

And that the usual corruption, rape, and other sadistic atrocities of the foreign masters, are intensifying in the southern provincial domains....

There were also news that underground guerilla movement is already putting their plans into motion, news of sporadic armed activities popping like wild mushrooms during the monsoon season - the hijacking in Baler, the sabotaging of various Spanish installations in Cavite and Laguna, the smear campaigns to the friars of the Basilica Manila ...

But despite these news of valor and courageous individuals putting their heads on the chopping block, a lot of the folk's you know are either too dense to acknowledge the revolutionists efforts as something that they themselves want, or are simply too afraid of the consequences and the responsibilities if they choose to join the campaign.

As you could imagine - the scenario above is not unlike the "circus" what we have right now...

All the atrocities of our own countrymen has left most of us either too afraid or just simply indifferent to the fight for the "cause".

And now, imagine this... on the "hypothetical" scenario I told above... you were one of the select few who was given an invite to actually make a difference and join the fight for freedom.....

Are you going to turn it down?!?!

Now, that your country and your people are on their knees - withered, ravaged, tired, and dying by the second??

We trust that you would make the right choices... this time....

Be involved!

Make your votes count!

Fight for your rights and for your Freedom!

And maybe, just maybe, we can all redeem ourselves, our country, the second time around!

When getting excited doesn't involve a lube, tissues or tapes...

Nowadays, it usually takes a lot to rouse my interest.

And by that I mean, like one of those hanky-over-mouth, hyper-ventilating, high school giggling kind of excitement.... (*not that I'd know how what the fuck means...) =D

Everything have become routine now, its like your 25-year old marriage minus the old hag you call your spouse =)

Gone are the days that you spend so much tension and aggravation, stressing over when will you be able to catch up with either work or personal matters...

Ahhh... I miss those days.... (really, I do!)

Before, it was as if everything was pre-school days to me and that I was literally looking forward of diving right in that ever-omniscient pool of knowledge and wisdom...

I was actually more than happy to get my ears wet (...amongst other bodily appendages).

Essentially, learning (everything) something new everyday is like an addictive habit of mine.

I guess that's how most of us are... right?

I in particular, always thought that the measure of my satisfaction is not how soon I can get comfortable executing a task, but by how long I can sustain that 'excitement factor' for that task!

Let me give you an example --- when I first had to "go-live" a production server (Windows NT??), the aftershock of the amphetamine-like rush lingered in my system for about 3 days!

That was the 'excitement factor' that I was referring to....

But after a couple thousand (??) server builds later.... you simply cannot stand seeing an ILO command line staring you at your face, like an obnoxious *fugly 4-year old kid mocking you in public about how weird your parted hair looked like!

Sure, I've tried learning a new skill here and there to re-kindle the 'spark' - like brushing up with contemporary network security architecture, reviewing annotations with the different IT Ops/Management standards, getting whitepapers on cloud-computing strategies and architectures, trying like mad to learn SAP's FI/CO without having a clue what its U.I. looks like or how its database back end works.... then finally, I've finally got pressured to learn Microsoft Sharepoint Services because my stupid boss said "you just gotta!"

Learning a new thing right now with my current line of work, is initially appealing, I must admit. But the excitement fails to carry anything forward after only a couple of weeks.

Reason being is I never really felt compelled to sustain the excitement since its never a "requirement" for my line of work or never really a genuine interest to begin with.

I usually end up getting bored and most often than I'd want to - kicking myself for spending my time with another 'useless' trivia, knowledge, or skill...

This year, dad retired (unofficially?).

And seeing how this lifetime event affected him, it got me thinking about the future.

For starters, I asked myself - Why have you never found a retiree whose genuinely looking forward at doing nothing after a lifetime of toiling mindlessly over their careers or business ventures?

Sure - they'll always tell you that they are 'that' excited over lazy afternoons, weekly family reunions (probably because their anxious to soak the news on who from the clan have recently developed arthritis or some other health related problem or have them "talk-till-its-time-to-take-your-pill" nonsensical discussion over something about politics, showbiz, the weather, or health), gardening, indoor hobbies, or that grand Europe tour they've been planning all their lives, but really --- who are they fooling?

I mean, lets look this for a minute --- if you're one of those whose been in the 'self-empowered' working class category all your life (*like what your parents, siblings, and yourself probably belongs to right now...) you've probably settled down with the idea of working all your life to make a living...

So just take a moment to imagine what would happen when one day, all of sudden, you're no longer compelled to wake up early for work after partying all night (some of you might probably be saying - well what the fuck is wrong with that D'shah?).

But think about it? By that time, you'd probably long gotten over your party-animal evil twin... or better yet, you're already in the process of experiencing the 'fruits' of all those years of neglecting your health (i.e. hard-drinking, smoking, or heaven forbid ganja-nippin')....

Therefore - I bet you'd agree with me when I say that you'd probably be bored out of your wits after a couple of weeks doing nothing! Am I right?

Now - Gardening....

I bet you my pathetic excuse-of-a-boss you probably wouldn't like gardening, period... Cause that would mean that you'd have to get down with your hands and knees, and probably end up all sweaty, itchy and panting after three and a half minutes... oh, wait, doesn't that sound familiar for most of you folks? ;-)

Hehehe!

But seriously? Gardening?

Okay what about the alternatives? What about that grand European Tour?

Sight-seeing in Athens, picture taking with those costume-clad plaid-skirt wearing ladies in the Swiss alps or sipping coffee in one of them posh Parisian shops....?

Read my lips --- WAKE UP Stupid!!!

That will never ever ever ever happen... not as long as your pathetic yearly salary adjustment is like, a fourth or a quarter or a third of the Philippines' inflation rate - which for most folks here roughly translates to about 0.000000000010332913% increment per year.

Thats it... we're all probably feeling screwed and loony by this point, I personally feel a little light-headed... which is my cue to end this post....

Hope that I've given some of you folks out there an minor insight into your future and hopefully, made you imagine what would you be in about 30-35 years from now...