While technology advances, all sectors of society should constantly look for ways to adapt and use these resources in their respective fields. These advances are not just for business or commercial or consumers. Neither are they exclusive for entertainment and scientific research.

I think that two particular institutions should take advantage of these advances: Education and the Church.

eLearning can take many forms and modes. We can have mobile learning, internet-based education, computer-based training and even learn with games. We just had the 6th National eLearning in UST and we still feel that we need more push from all sectors to realize that we can use the technology for learning in more ways than Powerpoint and email. Conference Hopefully, government, the IT, education sectors and the creative people can put their heads together to explore and implement better, faster and more

efficient ways of learning. And on that note, Aileen is inviting educators to attend a Google Workshop for Educators.
We first had the Tagalog Rosary, now we have the Divine Mercy Devotional Digital Download via J Angelo.

The late Pope John Paul II’s call to the new evangelization is being heeded by many individual efforts of priests, religious and lay bloggers. Bishops, seminarians, missionaries and preachers are using the internet and technology to give witness, to teach, to lead and to empower the faithful. We need more concerted efforts, more avenues of dialogue, a faster way to communicate and trade ideas.

Digital technology or the internet and computers are tools.

Let us use them for the betterment of this world.

Hands down, this is the probably the most important blog post ever.

I can see it raking in the awards: Pulitzer, Nobel Peace Prize, and will be probably have spin-offs in comic, TV and film.

This may be what we need in these trying times and at the same time able to catch spirit of the season.

Hats of to you Emperor Elymar!

Liza, our cousin was in town from the US for some vacation. Last Sunday, she took us out for lunch at Edsa Shangrila’s posh restaurant: H.E.A.T. which stands for healthy eating, amazing taste.

There were five of us: Liza, Mei, Hiyas, Gina and me.

We started past 12 NN after doing some shopping from SM Megamall where Liza bought a trendy Swatch wristwatch which changes its face every hour. There were round thingies rotating slowly in sync. She got the ones with the crop circles, designs which were like the ones in Mel Gibson’s movie - Signs. (Biz idea: an armband that changes every time you move. Crop circles and other patterns would be a great starting point.)
With tummies raring to be filled, we charged the lines armed with plates and bowls. I started with Singaporean style sotanghon soup laced with beef, bacon, shrimp, squid balls and fish balls. It was hot, curryish and on the left side of the spicy spectrum. It warmed my belly just right.

My companions got some greens, a little rice and beef I think. Me, I went for the lengua, the beef spare ribs, lechon, Peking duck and a slice of roast beef. I like meat. Suffice it to say that each dish had a life of its own. While others would like to savor the pure taste of each preparation, I’d like to mix and match. Lechon and roast beef can go quite well together. Lengua should just be eaten by itself or with rice.

It was Japanese that I devoured next. Salmon sashimi and California maki - a plate full. My Filipino taste mixes soy sauce, wasabi and calamansi for the dip. Come to think of it, I think ANY dish will taste food with this concoction. But that’s another story altogether.

While I was busy in my own world, the ladies had grilled crab, grilled shrimp which my wife says are the best. Mei, a vegetarian went for the cheeses and some salad. Hiyas had her usual quiet demeanor, eating a little of this and a little of that. I think she would be full with half of my plate.
In between bites and gulps, we talked about the past present and future: Gina teaching Liza how to sing Mamang Sorbetero and Saranggola ni Pepe when they were still kids - to Liza’s routine in the States and then forward to what itinerary we would have if we were to spend two to three weeks with the kids in the US.

With my carnivorous and oriental cravings satisfied, it was time to bring in the sweet life: CHOCOLATES - of all sorts and coffee to boot! Just picture me doing the kuyakoy (one leg over the other, kicking in rhythm with a contented smile. Just heavenly.

The balikbayan and the two young ladies got taho with sago. Gina got some fruits - she does not fancy sweet things - ako lang daw hehehe.
Oh I almost forgot: I helped my self with three fruit sticks (green apple, red apple and cantaloupe) on the chocolate fondue (did i get it right?). And used the stick to wipe the chocolate off the plate and cleaned it myself.

With great company and great food, we forgot about dinner and went straight to bed.

I think we might go back there again.

While Paypal in the Philippines is a great development, it has yet to make a splash, I think.

Here are 7 people who should immediately board the online payment facility train.

1. The Native Crafts makers. Americans, Australians, Europeans and the Japanese like our products very much. Christmas lanterns from Pampanga could be hanging in Sweden, Norway or Perth. Furnitures and abaca handicrafts are a big hit abroad. More smaller players can join the fray and reach a larger market share.
Note: make sure that what you will selling is of high quality and reasonably-priced. This is not a quick-rich scheme, you know.

So, click the link below and get your Paypal account now and let the dollars flow in.

2. Musicians. I’ve been wondering for a long time why very few Filipino musicians make it big. We do not lack the talent. I think what we lack are connections and PR. But with the web, we can make it happen. Why not sell you music directly on the net? How about composers become like our graphics artists and do freelance, outsourced work?
3. School Administrators. I know of lots of schools need funding. My alma mater has built a digital library and could use some funds. (NOTE: I AM NOT AN OFFICIAL FUND RAISER FOR THE PROJECT.) If you know me personally, trust me and would want to send in some dollars to the Don Miguel Solaroli digital Library, send it to my personal paypal account and I’ll give it to the school. Minus the fees of course. No charge from me. (For those who may think that it has been named after a rich European don, it was not. It is named after a dear an Italian Salesian Priest who spent most of his life in the Philippines with poor boys.)

4. NGO Leaders. Are there orphanages doing this already? If you are one, open an account and put up a link now.
If you feel generous this Christmas, why not send money to your favorite charity group. If you don’t know where to send money, ask me. Just tell me what your advocacy is. And please make it legit and positive.

5. Artists/Painters. Am not an are expert but strolling along the 4th floor of SM Megamall and viewing the occasional exhibits and galleries displays the inherent artistry and passion of the Filipino. I remember Ral Arrogante and his junk art. The winners of Metrobank and Petron Art contests. Art students who already show their wares. How about Joey Velasco and his moving pieces? Those from Angono? Or maybe your little kid’s sketches? Ok, I was just joking (unless of course, you have a gifted child). Paint the internet with our colors!

6. Bloggers, of course! The ones whose work we enjoy reading. Just because we care about them and appreciate their prose or poetry or their crazy ideas and rant and raves like they were our own.

7. Me. Though I consider myself a blogger and would love to receive money because you like what I write, my gut feel says I can cook up more ideas on how to use Paypal. There should be something I can offer that should be valuable to somebody out there. Like, if you are a Filipino living abroad and you would want to give a gift to somebody here in the Philippines, send me an email and maybe we can work something out.

With that said, I’d really like to see how receiving (and cashing) payments from Paypal goes. How about donating a dollar or 17 or 93 to me if you think this site has potential by clicking on the donate button in the middle column? Just because you feel like it.

And tell me 70 more people who should use Paypal, too.