22 February 2007

American Idol Season 6 Top 24

I missed the airing of the show. I was able to watch the whole episode though via You Tube. (American Idol 6-The 24 semi-finalist-episode 10)


AJ Tabaldo

He was not that remarkable for me during the onset of the competition. Well, I'm not sure if he was featured during his auditions since I wasn't able to watch all the previos episodes.

One remarkable thing though, is he's a Filipino. Once again the Filipino people would be glued to American Idol and watch what would happen next to this contestant. Good thing, a lot of Filipinos are in the United States, thus, they can actually vote for AJ. Seeing his name on the list, and having Tabaldo as his list name, I was almost a hundred percent sure that he has Filipino blood flowing through his veins.

I sure would watch out for this guy. I'm currently searching for clips featuring his singing capabilities. But if he's on the top 24, he's supposed to be good. He auditioned in LA, I'll be checking the LA Audition episode and look out for this guy. On this episonde though, he showed his unique style in singing.

He's not bad looking either. He just needs to keep the people impressed with his voice. Something Jose "Sway" Penala needed to have and do last season.

Well, if things won't work for AJ, he could go here in the Philippines and be famous!


Antonella Barba

Most of her exposures are featured. It's not hard to remember her face and I find her name very sweet. She got stuck to me as the "better best friend". She really has a good voice. I can still remember when Simon told her during her auditions that in this business, when somebody is down, you kick them. Well, she just shook her head in disapproval.
She's beautiful. Another reason why she's on the final 24.

I think she's talented too. Her voice impressed me during her auditions. She just had a terrible group performance, though. She really didn't do well in the Hollywood week. I was actually expecting that she won't get in because of how much she failed to remember her lyrics. Most probably the clips on the episode lead everyone to believe that she will be eliminated from the competition. Let's see how long she'll last.


Gina Glocksen

I'm not that enthralled by her voice, but she's like a rock star to me. She looks really cool with her tattoos and her style. I like what she did to her hair.

Character is really something they're looking for. Not just the voice. She seems to have a tendency to blend with the background though but the stage won't eat her. If you're looking for X-factor, I think she got it.

She's not the model pretty type, she doesn't even look like a movie star but she's not ugly or even someone you could say bad looking. She's just not the typical type of girl guys drool over. And that's not a disadvantage. As long as she keeps her character on the stage when she performs, she's on the right track.


Chris Sligh

He's sweet and funny. Quite a character. I think that's the reason why he's on the list.

He has a good voice of course. I'm not sure though if that would stand out until the end. He was on the best group during Hollywood week and I think he was the one singing the high pitch. He really has a good singing voice. His last song for Hollywood week is really special and sweet! Good style. I think he could make it all the way.

I think I've seen his audition, but I'm not really sure. I could've mistaken him for another plump guy.

It was really smart and funny of him to act as if he called for a meeting with the judges during the top 24 deliberation episode.I'm actually looking forward to his antics and videos. They could be really something funny and to watch for.


Paul Kim

His inspiration in joining the competition was William Hung. So, why is he on the list? Well, he wanted to retrieve the name of Asians when it comes to singing. He thinks that because of William, Asians or Chinese has been conotated as the worst singers. I feel bad for William Hung when he said that, but understanding where he's coming from it's not that bad of a thought to push yourself to do good. Plus it doesn't hurt if you really know they're wrong. He really has a good voice. I almost thought he's a Filipino too. But having Kim as his last name makes him a whole lot more Chinese or something.

He can't be on the list of my cute Chinese guys, but that's alright. He looks better than William Hung, which is a good sign.

I think he has already proven his point. What's next? Could he really be the next American Idol? Some Americans are still prejudicial when it comes to race.


Melinda Doolittle

Whenever I see her, I go "Hee-hee!" That's what her smile make me say.

She was very very shy during her auditions. But she was able to stand out and shine and be "proud" of her voice during Hollywood week, just in time to be part of the top 24.

She really has a wonderful voice and should be able take center stage. It's like a Mariah Carey story. Although, she's not a Mariah Carey bod.

She might even make it to the top 12 if her timidness won't get in the way. She's my bet for the best vocals.


Phil Stacey

This was the guy who went to the auditions on the day his wife was giving birth to their second child. And when Simon asked him, what he'll prioritize, his family or idol, he said his family. Even I was weirded out by the irony.

He's good looking though. It's just that stardom seem to get in his head already when you read his profile in the American Idol website. He seems to be flirting with Paula a lot too. But he still puts her wife on the pedestal though.

I have good vibes for this one, but it's on the negative side. Talk about irony! This guy seem to have a lot of it though.


Sundance Head

I'm not sure what Paula saw in this guy. Even Simon would agree with me during the Hollywood week on why he's still on the competition and Paula seems to be the only one who saw the potential in this guy.

Is he the last on the list? What I mean is, there are actually just 11 good guys this season and they just need to have 12. There are better guys, I think. Just like Antonella, the clips would lead you to think that he won't be the one left to stay to complete the list of twelce.

Is it because his dad is Roy Head and had a Gold Record? I don't even know who Roy Head is. Sorry. Maybe they're thinking that his genes came from a Gold Record holder, he's supposed to have the talent. But I don't think it's showing. Maybe he took after his mom. No offense meant there.

We'll see if people will be voting for this guy.



Honestly, I got hooked up to this whole American Idol mania just last season. Aside from the winners the only people I know from the previous years are Bo Bice and Jasmine Trias. I was very much updated last year, that I even watch replays. This year I only get to watch replays because of my job. And if I miss it I resort to the uploads in You Tube. Even if it's a bit late.

Simon is very sweet and funny this season. He showed a lot of his sense of humor this year. But still the typical Simon, you can still clasify him under rude. If I was a contestant though, I'd pay more attention to what Simon is saying. They're correct. It's just the way he puts it. You just need to squint your eyes and take his criticisms constructively. Most of the contestants could really use his advise to their advantage. And based on last year, most of the time America learned to listen on what Simon has to say.

And as always, Ryan Seacrest is soo cute!

I'll keep on watching the show of course and wait and see. Most probably my opinions would be wrong on certain contestants and there are others who got into the list that didn't catch much of my attention. I would still of course keep an eye on them.

20 February 2007

Philippine Call Center Agents' Guide to 2007 Holidays

2007 Philippine Regular Holidays and Non-Working Days

1. January 1 (Monday) New Year's Day(regular holiday)
2. April 5 (Thursday) Holy Thursday(regular holiday)

3. April 6 (Friday) Good Friday(regular holiday)

4. April 7 (Saturday) Special(non-working day - Procl No. 1211)

5. April 9 (Monday) Bataan Day (Arawng Kagitingan) (regular holiday)

6. May 1 (Tuesday) Labor Day (regularholiday)

7. May 14 (Monday) National Elections!

8. June 11 (Monday) In lieu of June12, Independence Day (regular holiday -Proclamation No. 1211)

9. August 21 (Tuesday) Ninoy AquinoDay (special holiday)

10. August 26 (Sunday) NationalHeroes' Day (regular holiday)

11. October 12/14 (not sure which one)Eid ul-Fitr or End of Ramadan

12. November 1 (Thursday) All Saints'Day (special holiday)

13. November 2 (Friday) Special(non-working day – Proc No. 1211)

14. November 30 (Friday) Bonifacio Day(regular holiday)

15. December 24 (Monday) Special(non-working day – Proc No. 1211)

16. December 25 (Tuesday) ChristmasDay (regular holiday)

17. December 30 (Sunday) Rizal Day(regular holiday)

18. December 31 (Monday) Last Day ofthe Year (special holiday)







2007 American Regular Holidays and Non-Working Days

1. January 1 (Monday) New Year's Day

2. January 15 (Monday) Martin Luther King

3. February 19 (Monday) President's Day (observed)

4. May 28 (Monday) Memorial Day (observed)

5. July 4 (Wednesday) Independence Day

6. September 3 (Monday) Labor Day

7. October 8 (Monday) Columbus Day (observed)

8. November 11 (Sunday) Veterands Day

9. November 22 (Thursday) Thanksgiving

10. December 25 (Tuesday) Christmas Day



Good Dates to File Vacation Leaves (considering extra holiday pay)

May 25 (Friday) -- May 28 (Monday) Memorial Day -- May 29 (Tuesday)

July 5-6 (Thursday and Friday) -- July 4 (Wednesday) Independence Day

August 31 (Friday) -- September 3 (Monday) Labor Day -- September 4 (Tuesday)

October 5 (Friday) -- October 8 (Monday) Columbus Day (observed) -- October 9 (Tuesday)

November 21 (Wednesday) -- November 22 (Thursday) Thanksgiving -- November 23 (Friday)

10 VLs, if all holidays will be observed
if not, 15 VLs





13 February 2007

how to say i love you


here's a list of how the world says "i love you"..
"i love you" in different languages can be found on the internet.. thanks to google and if you know something you don't see on the list, let me know!

Afrikaans Ek is lief vir jou!
Albanian Te dua!
Amharic Afekrishalehou!
Arabic Ohiboke / Nohiboka
Armenian Yes kez si'rumem!
Basque Maite zaitut!
Bengali Ami tomake bahlobashi!
Bosnian Volim te!
Bulgarian Obicham te!
Catalan T'estimo!
Creole Mi aime jou!
Croatian Volim te!
Czech Miluji tev!
Danish Jeg elsker dig!
Dutch Ik hou van je!
English I love you!
Esperanto Mi amas vin!
Estonian Mina armastan sind!
Farsi Tora dost daram!
Filipino Iniibig kita!
Finnish (Mä) rakastan sua!
French Je t'aime!
Frisian Ik hald fan dei!
Galician Querote!
German Ich liebe dich!
Greek S'ayapo!
Gujarati Hoon tane pyar karoochhoon! tane chaahuN chhuN!
Hawaiian Aloha wau ia 'oe!
Hebrew Anee ohev otakh / Anee ohevet otkha / Anee ohev otkha / Anee ohevet otakh
Hindi Mai tumase pyar karata hun / Mai tumase pyar karati hun
Hungarian Szeretlek!
Icelandic Eg elska thig!
Indonesian Saya cinta padamu!
Irish t'a gr'a agam dhuit!
Italian Ti amo!
Japanese Kimi o ai shiteru!
Korean Dangsinul saranghee yo!
Latin Te amo!
Latvian Es tevi milu!
Lithuanian As tave myliu!
Malaysian Saya cintamu!
Mandarin Wo ai ni!
Marshallese Yokwe Yuk!
Norwegian Jeg elsker deg!
Polish Kocham ciebie!
Portuguese Eu te amo!
Romanian Te iubesc!
Russian Ya tyebya lyublyu!
Sanskrit twayi snihyaami
Serbian Volim te!
Sesotho Kiyahurata!
Slovak Lubim ta!
Slovenian Ljubim te!
Spanish Te amo!
Swahili Nakupenda!
Swedish Jag älskar dig!
Tagalog Mahal kita!
Thai Phom rug khun / Chan rug khun
Turkish Seni seviyorum!
Ukrainian Ya tebe kokhayu!
Urdu Main tumse muhabbat karta hoon!
Vietnamese Anh yeu em / Em yeu an
Welsh Rwy'n dy garu di!
Yiddish Kh'hob dikh lib!
Zulu Ngiyakuthanda!

image source

08 February 2007

unique sweet and cute gift ideas

Here are a couple of sweet and cute gift ideas for your special someone, whether it would be for Valentine's Day, Anniversary, or just for the heck of it. This list would no longer include the usual stuff, like flowers, perfume, chocolates and a Teddy. Some of these you may have already heard of, still they are good ideas.

Message in a Bottle

Select a good quality paper, a parchment paper perhaps. You can hand write your letter or the poem you made using a good pen on that paper. If you don't trust your handwriting you can just print one out using your PC. If you're not much of a writer, you can search for poems online or in poetry books. You can also put in your song. Just think of something sweet that can be put to words.

Now, choose a good clear bottle. You can buy one or you may have one sitting at the back of your house. Make sure to have it crystal clean and clear. A bottle of wine (or rum) you shared with that person would be a very good idea. Then, have a bottle stopper. You can buy them at wine shops, or you can use a cork. If that would sound too fancy for you, you may still use the original cap of the bottle; just paint it black or any other color that would cover the brand name.

Roll tight the letter you made. Make sure it would fit in the bottle's mouth. Secure the paper by tying a ribbon around it. Put it inside the bottle and there you go!

Name a Star

If you have seen "A Walk to Remember", this was the gift of Landon to Jamie when they went star gazing one night. It's actually possible. If you have the budget you can have star named after your loved one. You can even put adjectives together with the name, like "The Sweet Elizabeth Star" or " The Luscious Jake Star". Just Google "name a star after someone" and it will return a lot of links that would offer this service. The name would be recognized by the International Star Registry, although scientific institutions will continue to refer to the stars by their coordinates only. If you don't know which star to pick, because of the billion of stars to choose from, you can pick from available coordinates. You can have the special number combinations of your lives as the coordinates. It can be the recipient's birthday, your anniversary or the first day you met.

You will be receiving a certificate with the date of registration and the unique coordinates of the star. Some stores offer other items together with their package.

Since this could not be done locally, you would need to spend a little more than the Philippine peso could handle. But what the heck, seeing the smile on the person you love's face, priceless!

My Last Peso

This can be your last anything. This is a funny, sweet and cute gift, plus it can be cheap! If you'll remember the Fita Biscuit commercial before, with the famous line, "Last Fita q n 2!" (Hey! No actual Filipino word there!), the same concept applies. Isn't it sweet to know that a person will be giving you his/her last something, and knowing that that something has been saved, and has been very difficult for that person to consume himself/herself because it's his/her last piece, and he/she will be just giving it away… and of all people, to you!

This can be anything under the sun! If you both smoke, it can be your last stick of an expensive imported pack of cigarettes. That might be as simple as the last peso in your mobile's prepaid account. You could even put in the message that, 160 characters may not be enough, but you'd rather spend your last peso on her than wait for another chance to say… something cheesy… might be too much for me to take. If you use your imagination, it can be something you almost got for free, like the last ride for those who buy the Stored Value Card of MRT. If it's food or something that would spoil after sometime, you could do a replica of it then put on the pedestal. For candies or chocolates, you can take the wrapper and wrap it on something that won't spoil and can take the shape of the real one, clay would be good. Then, put in inside a glass casing and put an inscription at the bottom, like "My Last Chocnut."

Just explain why you're giving it, in the most creative and sweet way you can think of, so that, instead of being mad at you or insulted, he/she will just probably laugh because of the irony of things and would still find it sweet. You may also use cute packaging that would make it look priceless, which could still be true. Think of something that you both like or at least something that that person knows you really want and won't even make other people go near, and you can start from there.

The list and ideas could be endless. But the formula would still be the same. Start with how you really feel; think of the person you'll be giving it to; work on a budget or the lack of it; be creative; use your imagination; personalize the gift to show your sincerity and have fun!

When you think about it, it's really better to give than to receive, and whatever you may receive, what counts is the thought! *wink*

no vampires

We get up as the sun sets… And slumber at the break of dawn… and no, we're no vampires. We're call center agents.

Being half way around the globe from our customers, we would need to be available at the time they would need us the most. So, while our half of the world is sleeping, we're up and about tending to the people on the other half. Having forty winks they would not know what the night brings for us.

We would wake up to beautiful sunsets as the sky goes dark. Our alarm clocks would not be birds tweeting but bats squeaking or those reptiles that go "tuuu-kooo". Instead of hearing "taaa—hooo", we would hear, "balooot!"

It's a little pointless to watch the news, like the weather update since the weatherman would be showing what has already transpired. There's no announcement as to what would happen for the rest of the night, instead they would show what is likely to happen the next day, when we would already be in the safety of our homes sleeping.

Coffee would no longer be solely part of the "breakfast" menu, since this would be the one flowing through our veins on the latter parts of the evening, it would be our substitute to water as to make sure we're on our toes. Smokers would also have a pack of cigarettes secured in their bags or pockets before leaving the house, to be able to light a stick every chance they'd be able to get. Thus, the spread of the Nicotine-Caffeine Syndrome. Caution, don't try to surprise this type of people, you might end up doing CPR's than eating cake.

No matter how hot it was during the day, they'll each be bringing along a jacket with them. Having computers on the floor, which require a low temperature, we'd need to find our feet to its working condition. Every night is like a fashion show of the coat line of Ukay-Ukay. You'd see a wide range of collection, from the regular jackets, to trench coats, from shawls to ponchos and even from capes to blankets.

Previously mistaken for high-class hookers, we would strut the sidewalks of business centers during the dark hours of the day, late at night and on the wee hours of the morning. Who would've thought we have decent jobs? Well, wardrobe does contribute a lot, but even how decent you might dress up, the time you're on the streets would make grandmother's eyebrow rise.

Our lunch would be a heavy midnight snack for other nocturnes. But we are limited to the food our canteens would offer or the 24-hour convenience stores around. Lucky for those who are capable of preparing lunch, they're sure they're not eating the leftovers of the day.

After 9 hours of fighting the strong urge to curl up and sleep, it would be time to go home. In the morning, heavy traffic might be on hand, but we're going the other way and won't be late for anything. However, our friends and families would be the ones alive and kicking that we can't help but bond with them. After being tired of speaking, hearing and reading foreign language, it would be like a warm embrace to be able to speak your native tongue at last. A small price to pay though, we'd have the tendency to stay up late. Huh?! Stay up late? At daytime? How confusing!

With the sun blaring, we have our own tactics on how to fall asleep. Sometimes, being tired would not be enough; our body clocks have a faulty "snooze" button. Wearing dark glasses is the first aid, but usually these glasses would work too well, and when you wake up, you'd have a can of coins beside you.

So, most of us resort to alcohol drinking. Don't mistake us for those you see in the street corners. We'd still have our shirts on. It's much easier to fall asleep if you're already drowsy. You would no longer mind the radiant sunshine. In the case you'd want to drink in the middle of the day or early in the morning, look for the call center agents going out from their shift, they'd be glad to share the toast.

Working during the nighttime required us to adjust to almost a whole new world. We don't have sleepless nights, we have sleepless days, because we don't sleep at night, we sleep during the day, but again, no, we're no vampires.


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