The hashtag #BanTikTok has started to gain momentum in the #Philippines because of the recent muting/silencing of a renowned journalist's coverage of the West Philippine Sea issue. Which in turn also revealed that a music video / campaign of a local celebrity regarding WPS was also muted earlier.
Hopefully, this is the spark we are waiting for to get this Communist China-controlled service banned in the country.
Unfortunately, one user shared a photo of a news report on how the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) said that we should be careful with banning apps as these are simply technologies, and small businesses are using it.
> ANC: The DICT asserts it needs to be careful in supporting a ban on social media apps, esp. since they benefit small businesses.
>
> DICT: Let's not single out a particular app. This is just tech. There are evils in it, but there are also good things in it.
It was a poor attempt to deflect the question. Why? The topic was not about the technology, it was about banning [highly questionable] social media apps. There is a huge difference between technologies and services.
The public is not asking to ban the technologies behind “short form videos”. The people of the Philippines are demanding to ban a service.
I have nothing against him. There are meanings behind road names, and “Lawton Ave” is not a positive meaning since the US transferred control of the camp to the Philippines.
The camp was originally known as “Fort William McKinley”. It was established in 1901 during the Philippine-American War.
Henry Ware Lawton was killed during the Philippine-American War, and thus, it is understandable it was named after him.
However, after the war and the #US occupation of the #Philippines, the connection of the name started to, allow me to say, “degrade”.
By 1949-05-14, the US officially transferred control of the camp to the Philippines, and it was renamed to “Fort Bonifacio”, in honour of the #Filipino hero, war veteran, first revolutionary general, and the founder of #KKK, Gat Andres Bonifacio.
This effectively and logically changed the meaning of “Lawton Ave”. It is no longer about Lawton's achievements, as that was from the American perspective.
From the Filipino perspective, “Lawton Ave” means:
Mortal enemy #1
Multiple failed attacks against President Emilio Aguinaldo.
First and only US General killed during the Philippine-American War
Highest ranking American officer killed in both the Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars
First US general killed in overseas action
As a human being, those are definitely not a good way to honor someone, regardless if they were an enemy or not.
Imagine this, a Filipino tour guide explaining the history of Fort Bonifacio and they're on a bus traversing Lawton Ave. Do you think a Filipino guide will only mention how Lawton was a hero, especially when he was only a hero from the eyes of the Americans?
It is only very important to rename Lawton Ave in Fort Bonifacio to Gerónimo Ave.
General Gerónimo was the Filipino sharpshooter who fell General Lawton.
We should honor General Gerónimo for valiantly facing a battle where the infamous (Filipino perspective) General Lawton was in the midst of it.
In addition, it will be the Filipino people's final honor to General Henry Ware Lawton. Though he was an enemy of the Filipino people, he still deserves respect as a soldier and as a human being.
Renaming his namesakes is an act of respect and honor. We should not remember him as an enemy, no matter his personal disposition for/against the Filipino people. He was a soldier. He did his job. He fell on duty during the war.
I found a way to write the #Filipino leading sound /ŋ/ (Ng̃) in #Hangeul by “reviving” an obsolete Jamo.
(NOTE: the samples below are using the Pilipino Hangeul [work-in-progress] adaption/rules.)
Ex:
ᅌᅡ욘 (nga·yon) = EN: today
ᅌᅵ삔 (ngi·pin) = EN: tooth
I also separated (R) and (L), like how they did in the #Ciacia language.
Same character: ᄙ
Ex:
빠다ᄙᅡᆺ닷 (pa·ta·las·tas) = EN: commercial
ᄙᅡ밧 (la·bas) = EN: outside; go out (depending on usage)
I was thinking of using another obsolete Jamo (ᅏ) for the /t͡s/ (Ts) sound, but ㅊ /t͡ɕʰ/ (Ch) can fulfill that role as well.
Ex:
차차 (cha·cha) = short form of “charter change”; or the dance chacha.
초꼬라데 (tso·ko·la·te) = EN: chocolate
차아 (tsa·a) = EN: tea
Ññ (enye) is, for now, transliterate.
For the Kr sound, like in “krus”, maybe we can use ㅋ since we don't have a /kʰ/ (Kh) sound in Filipino.
Vowels like Filipino “Ee” which can be either /ɛ/ (ae) or /e/ (e).
This one is tricky because the Filipino “Ee” sound can change depending on, for example, a person want to deliver a word with endearment, but the meaning never changes. So an /e/ sound can become an /ɛ/ sound, while retaining its meaning.
I actually had no idea about this “Ee” /e/ (e) vs /ɛ/ (ae). The way Filipino vowels are taught in school is simply, well, /e/ (e). But the more I read online resources, the more I learn that we do make an /ɛ/ (ae) sound for the same vowel! How crazy is that?!
To all Filipinos, and foreigners planning to live in the Philippines for quite some time, a fair warning: avoid getting a Globe SIM.
Here's why: if ever you lost your phone (theft, etc.) Globe Telecom Inc. will not immediately block your old SIM for the following reasons:
The SIM is STILL RINGING.
You cannot PERFECTLY answer ALL THREE verification questions, which were designed to ensure you'll fail it.
I just went to a Globe store to go through the process because their online agents were heartless and very rude. While the agent in the Globe store was very helpful, and exhausted all possible options, it still was not enough to trigger the “immediate old SIM block” step.
This is after providing the following:
Affidavit of Loss.
2 government issues IDs.
A selfie with me holding my government issued IDs.
Load amount prior to phone theft. (I even have a screenshot.)
Expiry date of the load prior to theft. (I even have a screenshot.)
That it is attached to a GCash account that is Tier-3 verified. (One GCash account per mobile number.)
I brought all the SIM beds I ever had for the same number. (I always kept the SIM bed whenever I get a new SIM issuance for the same number.)
Provided the numbers I often send SMS and the messages I sent to those numbers.
They also confirmed with me that whoever got my SIM, bought a Globe promo after it was stolen.
But, NO, absolutely nothing whatsoever can trigger the step: Block old SIM.
The only thing they did is escalate the case. However, it will take 3-5 business days to be processed.
They also informed me that it can be declined, too, even after proving my ownership of the SIM beyond any reasonable doubt.
So, yes, that's GLOBE TELECOM INC. for you.
AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS!
Get a SMART or DITO SIM instead.
I don't even know what to do next if it gets declined. Probably go to NTC, which means, I have to go through a hundred processes again, spend money I don't have to get this and that, and still no guarantee.
All I can do right now is continue removing that number from my accounts. Banks are done, already filed requests.
I'm already very tired. Sorry, but I really have to say this: #GlobeSucks.
They ask verification questions guaranteed to fail.
Their agents are heartless and rude.
They are above the Law of the land.
They don't care about their customers.
Here are the verification questions I was given:
> 1. Can you provide the exact date when your SIM was activated? Ex. March 2023.
>
> 2. What’s the last promo that you purchased before your phone was lost? When did you register it?
>
> 3. What was your remaining load balance before your phone was lost?
All three verification questions are guaranteed to fail.
#1: Can you honestly remember the exact date when your SIM was activated, especially if it has been with you for at least a decade?
#2: Can you honestly remember the last promo you purchased when you did not purchase any promo for the last 5 years?
For the third question, I provided the CORRECT answer, and I even submitted a screenshot taken on April 12th, very recent.
And yet, Globe Telecom Inc.'s agent replied with the following:
> We have to follow the process before we proceed with the deactivation.
> Unfortunately the details you have provided, do not match our record.
> Yes, the details you have provided do not match our records.
> We can only block the number if you were able to provide the correct details we need.
After this, their agent copy-pasted their spiel in a rush to close the chat conversation.
I've worked in the customer service field for 20 years, and I can tell you this is the worst agent and the worst process I've seen and experienced.
Verification questions guaranteed to fail.
Not exploring other avenues of verifications, that actually are logical to ask.
Totally heartless and rude.
A company process. In other words, this is how they were trained.
End the chat conversation as fast as you can.
To the agent, “I deeply apologise for disturbing your sleep and giving you some work to do.”
To Globe Telecom Inc., “Shame on you for having such a process, and yet you continue to claim awards for having the best service.”
@youronlyone I get a similar question from my medical insurance - one question is what day is your debit order on. I have no clue as there are lots of different debits orders across a few days. How would I recall their one specifically...
As usual, the #Philippines could have done this, but because the government and its agencies are managed by old people, they still think like it's the 1940s. /facepalm
Huh, so what other #ASEAN#gamers have mentioned, South-East Asia now have a better ping to European gaming servers than US West Coast (or any US-based gaming servers).
This is interesting. I'm going to expand my test in the future. But for now, the results are the same with or without VPN. I guess ASEAN now have a direct connection to the EU IX and uses the latest technology?
I wonder where our connection passes through to get to the EU.
Here in the Philippines, our connection goes through:
Taiwan or Hong Kong
From there it travels the Pacific Ocean to US West Coast.
From US West Coast, it travels to Central.
From Central to East Coast.
From East Coast to Europe.
If we now have a connection direct to EU IX, then it means we're no longer passing through the US?
@youronlyone Hmm I might try pinging chaotic.ninja and mc.chaotic.ninja which are physically located in Germany and the US respectively when I get home where I have a fiber connection to see if it holds true :sagume_think:
Ooh, found this article: “12 of Asia’s most important submarine cable projects”
> Massive growth in connectivity demand in Asia has led to increased capacity requirements, and construction of submarine and subsea cables is growing to meet this demand. An estimated $2.6 billion worth of current and future submarine cable projects are planned for completion by 2025 – here are profiles of 12 of the most important.
It looks like by 2025, connection with the US West Coast is going to be far better than it already is. I guess, from a gamer perspective, we should stick to North American servers. LOL ^_^;; Maybe the EU connection is better right now because there were projects which were recently completed?? But once the other projects connecting us to US West Coast are online, our NA connection will still be better in the long run.
Re: K-drama “Vagabond” Season 02 to film in the Philippines.
There appears to be much confusion about this, with most calling it a “rumour”.
A “rumour” is something that is being talked about in whisper, usually without any “notable” source. However, in this particular case, a lot of Philippine news media outlets reported this revelation from a former politician and businessman, Chavit Singson, who claims to be a co-producer.
Philippine news media are members of various legal journalism organisations. If you trust your own local media if they are members of a legal journalism organisation, then I think Philippine media should be accorded the same respect. No one is saying they have not, nor will not, make a mistake. But, at least, give them some credit, no matter what our personal feelings and thoughts about them in other matters (like in politics).
Anyway, instead of calling it a “rumour”, it is more fitting to call it “unconfirmed” or “leak”. I think the latter 99% fits. Why?
Chavit Singson talked to the media about it. He “revealed” it himself, and he claimed he is the co-producer. He also revealed that the writers of Vagabond Season 02 visited the Philippines in 2023, looking for filming locations.
Since he was the first to break this news, then it is a “leak” rather than a “rumour”. Regardless of my personal feelings and thoughts about the man, I doubt he'll risk his political and business reputation for a K-drama. I mean, if you are going to put your reputation on the line, would you do it for a TV show or for something bigger and more significant?
Also, think about it this way:
If Chavit Singson was lying about it, then he will be roasted alive by mass media. From notable media outfits to social media. We all know what happens if one lies to, and use, the media.
If he was not lying about it, but the project doesn't push through because of his early revelation (or “leak”), then the fans will roast him instead. Still, we cannot fault him for that other than “being too excited” about it. The ultimate decision lies with the production team, and the actors, producers can only do so much.
Him as a businessman, I think it was a calculated move to “leak” it at this time. They probably have reached a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) already, thus, he is confident it will push through. Leaking it may increase support for it, especially in Korea, where the ultimate decision lies. Imagine if it doesn't push through, Chavit Singson can explain that the powers-that-be in Korea decided against it. So, yeah, strategic leak; or strategic early announcement.
Obviously, the production team cannot leak anything, and it is better for them to have a plausible deniability about any leaks or agreements. They want to film in the Philippines, they got support from Chavit Singson, now they just have to convince the powers-that-be in Korea. Hence, the “leak”, not a “rumour”. Get everyone to talk about it, and use it to convince the powers-that-be in Korea to green lit the project and to film in the Philippines.
Today's #PpopWednesday#OPMwednesday is 「Shout For Joy」 by Gary Valenciano. A fitting song after Passover, Resurrection Day, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.