Yesterday, I attended my first WordCamp ever. I registered for WordCamp for the past two years but due to unseen circumstances I wasn’t able to make it. I arrived there very late, 4pm (it started at 8am). It was fun to see bloggers I last saw a year or two ago. After the event, I went out with some bloggers to socialize.

In a week, Canonical will be releasing yet another version of Ubuntu. It will be Ubuntu 10.10. Just a trivia, Ubuntu does have a unique convention for their version numbers. Ubuntu 10.10 means it will be released on October 2010. They use the YY.MM format instead of the usual version numbers.

I think that would be all for now. Bye.

Our organization, the University of the Philippines Linux Users’ Group, had a precinct mapping party for the upcoming May 10 elections last May 3, 2010 at the UP Computer Center. Those who were not able to make it to the venue mapped simultaneously with us in remote locations.

The goal of the mapping party was to map as many unmapped polling precincts (for the May 10 elections) to help our kababayans in finding their precincts in the upcoming elections.

Anyone may help in this Find Your Precinct initiative by Google.

There were a lot of changes in the fight card days before the UFC. Brian Foster was pulled out of the fight card after the pre-fight MRI showed that he had brain hemorrhage.

UFC 129 Replay Video

Here’s the link to the UFC 129 Full Video replay:

• UFC 129 Replay by Ambrosio Carlos (link removed)

UFC 129 Results

Winners are marked in blue text.

UFC 129 MAIN CARD (PPV):
170 lbs: Georges St. Pierre (21-2) vs. Jake Shields (26-4-1)
145 lbs: Jose Aldo (18-1) vs. Mark Hominick (20-8)
205 lbs: Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5) vs. Jason Brilz (18-3-1)
205 lbs: Randy Couture (19-10) vs. Lyoto Machida (16-2)
155 lbs: Mark Bocek (9-3) vs. Ben Henderson (12-2)

UFC 129 SPIKE TV PRELIMS:
170 lbs: Nate Diaz (13-6) vs. Rory MacDonald (10-1)
170 lbs: Sean Pierson (11-4) vs. Jake Ellenberger (24-5)

UFC 129 FACEBOOK PRELIMS:
170 lbs: Claude Patrick (13-1) vs. Daniel Roberts (12-1)
135 lbs: Ivan Menjivar (21-8) vs. Charlie Valencia (12-6)
185 lbs: Jason MacDonald (24-14) vs. Ryan Jensen (15-7)
155 lbs: John Makdessi (8-0) vs. Kyle Watson (13-6-1)
145 lbs: Yves Jabouin (15-6) vs. Pablo Garza (10-1)

The mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Ultimate Fighting Championship brings the most anticipated event in the arena! All is set for UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields this Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and streaming worldwide. It will be UFC’s first event in the province of Ontario and the sixth time for Canada to host this promotion.

Expected to be the biggest UFC event in history, it smashed previous MMA attendance and gate entrance record in North America. It reportedly sold over 55,000 tickets for the Rogers Centre, formerly known as Skydome. Canada will transform into a UFC marvel as this year’s two-day UFC Fan Expo falls together with UFC 129. It will run from April 29-30, 2011 at the Direct Energy Centre, also in Toronto.

UFC 129 Fight Card

UFC 129 main card features the bout between Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and Jake Shields, former Strikeforce middleweight and Elite XC welterweight champion. This is the sixth time for St. Pierre to defend his title. Another highlight is the first title fight for the featherweight division; reigning title-holder Jose Aldo will face Canadian contender, Mark Hominick. Fans and sports enthusiasts are thrilled to witness the most promising young fighters on MMA go head to head for the featherweight title. The official fight card are as follows:

UFC 129 MAIN CARD (PPV):
170 lbs: Georges St. Pierre (21-2) vs. Jake Shields (26-4-1)
145 lbs: Jose Aldo (18-1) vs. Mark Hominick (20-8)
205 lbs: Vladimir Matyushenko (25-5) vs. Jason Brilz (18-3-1)
205 lbs: Randy Couture (19-10) vs. Lyoto Machida (16-2)
155 lbs: Mark Bocek (9-3) vs. Ben Henderson (12-2)

UFC 129 SPIKE TV PRELIMS:
170 lbs: Nate Diaz (13-6) vs. Rory MacDonald (10-1)
170 lbs: Sean Pierson (11-4) vs. Jake Ellenberger (24-5)

UFC 129 FACEBOOK PRELIMS:
170 lbs: Claude Patrick (13-1) vs. Daniel Roberts (12-1)
135 lbs: Ivan Menjivar (21-8) vs. Charlie Valencia (12-6)
185 lbs: Jason MacDonald (24-14) vs. Ryan Jensen (15-7)
155 lbs: John Makdessi (8-0) vs. Kyle Watson (13-6-1)
145 lbs: Yves Jabouin (15-6) vs. Pablo Garza (10-1)

On April 30, 2011 (Saturday), watch UFC 129 live stream online for free on SopCast, Facebook, Spike TV, Justin.tv and ustream. Facebook Prelims begins at 6PM ET/3PM PT, and Spike TV Prelims at 8PM ET/5PM PT. UFC 129 Main Card PPV (Pay-per-view) telecast airs by 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.

UFC 129 Results

UFC 129 results are now available.

Tropical Storm Ondoy (typhoon) (internationally known as Ketsana) has hit Metro Manila today, September 26, 2009. The typhoon brought almost a month-worth of rainfall in Metro Manila for a duration of six hours – the highest recorded rainfall in the area in 42 years. It brought streets of Metro Manila underwater – mostly in waist-deep flood but it was reported to have reached up to five meters in some areas.

VOLUNTEERS: Sagip Kapamilya Foundation warehouse is bloated! Sagip Kapamilya needs volunteers to pack and send relief goods. You may go to 13 Examiner St, West Triangle, Quezon City or Scout Bayoran St (near Scout Bayoran St corner Tomas Morato Avenue beside Alex III restaurant), Quezon City. You may also volunteer for Kapuso Foundation. Just go to GMA7 near GMA-Kamuning MRT Station. Just ask the guard where the Kapuso Foundation is.

Emergency Hotlines

• Disaster Emergency Hotlines: 911-1873, 912-5296, 912-2665
• Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR): 7295166, 4106254, 4138859, 4071230
• Makati City Rescue: 186, 8958243
• Marikina City Rescue: 6462436
• Brgy San Antonio, Pasig Rescue: 6310099
• Quezon City Rescue: 161
• Disaster Management Office: 5270000 loc 134
• Philippine National Red Cross: 09209527268, 5270000, 143, 9111876
• National Disaster Coordinating Council: 912-5668. 9111406, 9122665, 9115061,
  9111873, 9111906, 9120984, 9122665, 9123046, 9125296, 9125668
• Citizens Disaster Response Center: 9299820, 9299822
• PAGASA: 433-8526
• ABS-CBN Bagyong Ondoy Hotline: 4163641
• Manny Villar Hotline: 09172414864, 09276751981, 09174226800
• Dick Gordon Hotline: 09178997898, 0938444BOYS – please text FULL ADDRESS
• Meralco: 09175592824, 09209292824

Services

• Petron and San Miguel Helicopter Request: 09178140655
• Rubberboat requests: 838-3203, 838-3354
• Dumptruck requests: 09174226800, 09276751981
• Nissan and Honda Free Towing requests: 09228504452, 0922445-2242, 09228997959

Donations

Donations for the victimes of Tropical Storm Ondoy are very welcome. You can donate thru the channels listed below. You may comment on the comments are if you know other channels.

Relief Goods

• Philippine Airlines Foundation: Reputable, nonprofit, charitable organizations may send their relief goods to provincial PAL stations.
• Citizens Disaster Response Center: Relief goods can be dropped off at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, Quezon City
• Sagip Kapamilya Foundation: Relief goods can be dropped of at 13 Examiner St., West Triangle, Quezon City or Scout Bayoran cor Tomas Morato, Quezon City
• Tulong Kabataan: Relief goods can be dropped off at Kabataan Partylist Headquarters, 118-B Scout Rallos, Kamuning, Quezon City
• Bayanihan Filipino Community Center (for people in NY): send your donations at Bayanihan Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St, Woodside NY 11377
• GMA Kapuso Foundation: 982-7777 loc. 9904
• UP Diliman Sagip Isko: Relief goods can be dropped of at the Church of the Risen Lord, UP Diliman Campus, QC

Financial Support

• Philippine National Red Cross: Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
• TXTPower (for people abroad): You can donate thru PayPal.
• TXTPower thru Smart Money: send funds to 5577-5144-1866-7103
• TXTPower thru GCash: send GCash to 0917-9751092
• GMA Kapuso Foundation: 982-7777 loc. 9904

Advisories

• Classes in colleges and Universities are suspended until Friday, October 2, 2009 in places under the state of calamity.
• Classes in all levels in Marikina are suspended until Friday, October 2, 2009.
• Classes in elementary and highschool in Metro Manila and Rizal are suspended until tomorrow, September 30, 2009.
• MRT and LRT, 24 hours operation today September 26, 2009..
• Meralco will also shut down power in certain parts of Metro Manila, as per advisory below.
  

  ANCALERT: Meralco will shut down power in parts of Metro Manila to protect residents from possible electrification as floods submerge homes.

• UP Diliman Advisory Chancellor Cao sent a memo to all deans stating that stranded faculty, staff and students in their respective colleges can stay for the night.
• Marinduque, Camarines Norte , Bataan and Metro Manila were already placed on state of calamity. Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Bataan and Metro Manila.

More updates soon.

Photos and videos

• Bagyong Ondoy @ Katipunan Avenue (1, 2) – YouTube
• Flood photos in Katipunan Avenue, Rosa Alvero St and Park 9 Alley – Picasa
• Bagyong Ondoy @ Park 9 Alley (1, 2) – YouTube
• Bagyong Ondoy @ Rosa Alvero (1, 2) – YouTube
• Flood in Las Pinas

If you want to share your photos, just comment below and I’ll put your photos.

This Saturday, September 19, 2009, will be Smart Bro’s B Free Day! The event will be held at the Mega Tent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas.

Smart Bro will be giving away 10,000 limited edition UAAP & NCAA plug-its (USB 3G modem) at a first come first serve basis. They’re also raffling off free laptops. Free food will also be served. There will also be free rides, free booths and a lot of other freebies. The best thing about this is that admission is free!!

The event is exclusive to college students of the following UAAP and NCAA participating schools:

• Adamson University
• Angeles University Foundation
• Arellano University
• Ateneo de Manila University
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• College of Saint Benilde
• De La Salle University
• Emilio Aguinaldo College
• Far Eastern University
• Jose Rizal University
• Mapua Institute of Technology
• National University
• San Beda College
• San Sebastian College – Recoletos
• University of Perpetual Help – Dalta System
• University of Santos Tomas
• University of the East
• University of the Philippines

Don’t forget to wear your school’s color. Validated school ID for the current term is also required. To register for the event, sign up for an access pass.

For more information, visit the B Free Day website.

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Come and join the Philippine Team of Software Freedom Day  this Saturday, September 19, 2009! This year’s SFD will be hosted by the University of Santo Tomas’ Computer Science Society & Society of Information Technology Enthusiasts.

Registration is free! You may support the event by buying SFD merchandise. Please visit the Software Freedom Day ’09 page for more information.

iBlog is an annual gathering of bloggers to discuss state of blogging in the country and other sorts of stuff. There are also lots of informative talks, both for new and old bloggers.

This year’s iBlog is more successful in terms of attendance. I met a lot of new bloggers but unfortunately I was not able to remember all of their names and URLs.

That’s it. My very short and boring iBlog post.

The day was filled with lots of activities. From a flag-raising activity to Oblation Run. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to grab one of the 200 tickets in store for the College of Engineering for the night event at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The only activity I have witnessed today was the Oblation Run. It was by accident ’cause we were walking by the Beta Epsilon Way on our way to Engineering Library II from Engineering Library I when we heard a parade band. Later, we heard people shouting to death. Finally, at one terminal end of the Beta Epsilon Way right in front of the AS (Palma Hall), we saw APO guys in their uber-cool and lightweight costumes.

I’ve also heard that the Centennial Bonus for the U.P. employees was approved earlier.

I am currently bored writing this article at the Engineering Library II while surfing the net. I’ve also read from my email that our CS11 prof cancelled our classes. Waaaaaaaa, I shouldn’t have travelled this high (literally) if I only knew it earlier.

That’s all for now. Bye.

I arrived the mall at about 10:30pm. I went directly to the 4th Floor, checked the summit area and saw a lot of adults there. I was already in front of the registration desk, still feeling the anxiety (takot na hindi makarelate). I heard the voice of kuya Migs from outside and they were about to sing the National Anthem. I backed out on my first attempt, went back down.

• MBS1 Proper
• Mindanao Blogger Fellowship Night (fun part)

Keynote Speech: Blogging and Participatory Governance

After some while, I went up again and finally I registered. I was the 28th to register, with the ID 0028. I did not know anyone of them, so I random picked a table. I tried to talk with my seatmate, that was ate Dulce. I introduced myself, and she introduced herself too. I asked her URL, it was http://dulcenegosyante.com/ (sounds like she’s owning an e-store). We had a small chat. That time, Davao City Councilor Peter Laviña was having his keynote speech (Blogging and Participatory Governance). It was nice, he cited some cities and states which used blogging for participative governance.

After the speech, there was a raffle of two IBM notebooks. It was light and extra sleek. I did not win that time, but there were still a lot of goodies.

Blogging in Mindanao: Travel & Technology

The next speaker was Mr. Bob Martin. He was born at Slovania and is staying in Mindanao for 5 years. He owns the Mindanao.com, LiveinthePhilippines.com, [luzonvisayasormindanao].wowphilippines.com/[cityorprovince] and a lot other proPhilippines travel blog. He owns 150 websites, but he personally maintains 6. He has his own web server on the States and he is hosting kuya Blogie of the Usual Suspects. His speech was on Travel and Technology. He showcased his travels all over Mindanao. He keeps on traveling cause the more he travels the more he earns! Nice, like Sports Unlimited’s Marc Nelson and Diane Castillejo!

After his speech was a Promote-Your-Blog filler. I volunteered to promote my blog, kapal talaga ng mukha but it was fun. After that was another raffle, now two IBM pens. I still didn’t win but Kuya Aethen did! That was the time when I recognized him, then moments later they transferred with us (me and ate Dulce).

Socio-Cultural Mindset of the Mindanaoan

Then it was Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ’s turn for the Socio-Cultural Mindset of Mindanaoans. It was nice and contentful even though it was not that lively. He showed statistics on the reality in Mindanao. He also presented the music video “Meme na Mindanaw”. I don’t think if I’m allowed to post this so I’ll just give you a link to the video at YouTube.

Free Lunch and this English Guy

Then, it was lunch time. Yey, it was a surprise FREE LUNCH for everyone courtesy of Dimsum Diner. Everyone was hapy with the meal cause its free. While eating, this pretty weird slang guy from England dropped by our table. He asked one of us, “whachuduwin?”. At first we didn’t understand but we eventually did. He talked a lot about his company and asked our email address. The only words I can understand from him were open source and outsourcing, he ate the other words! He asked about the programming languages we use, then he told me he start programming at 6. Damn, I started at 10! When he left, ate Dulce and I broke up laughing!! Pasaway na bata!

Google Presentation

After lunch, there was a Google Video Presentation by ate Aileen, not sure in this part cause I just based it on the program.

Transition from “Emo” to Niche Blogging

Then it was ate Kim Castillo of Southisms‘ time to speak. She discussed on “Transistion from Emo to Niche Blogging”. I agree to here that only your closest friends would read very personal blogs! Who cares about your life, right? It was interesting and very true.

Then another raffle again, now it’s kuya Ayel (Ariel Lalisan) who won something. Can’t remember what he won.

Surprise by Matt of WordPress

After which (according to the program) was the Surprise part! You know Matt of WordPress? He knew about the summit so he sent a video message to us. He also sent us t-shirts but it didn’t make it on time. Maybe next week.

Then it was kuya Jayvee Fernandez‘ turn. He talked about Problogging and new media. He compared the earnings of print publishers and bloggers. Based on his presentation, probloggers get more money and more free time to do the things they want. Pretty interesting! His presentation was nice, Mac effects! Anyway, he owns A Bugged Life.com and the technology channel editor of b5media, a top blog network.

Supposed to be How to Optimize Your WordPress Blog for Top Search Rankings

Another raffle round then it was Marc Macalua of Macalua.com who also works or owns the SEO Philippines. He was supposed to speak on How to Optimize Your WordPress Blog for Top Search Rankings but he left his presentation in Manila so he talked about some SEO stuff. Still interesting, he also brought up benefits of IT related work, with the rates.

MBS1 Resolutions, nice one!

Then the “Presentation of Summit Resolutions: The Role of Bloggers in Fostering Understanding & Peace in Mindanao“. The resolution was nice and it is yet to be posted on Mindanao Bloggers. I agree with the resolution and I promise to always keep in mind my love for Mindanao. I LOVE MINDANAO, yeah! Mindanao is the best!

Then they gave out Google bags with lots of freebies. Then it was the Pick Their Brains:
Session with A-List Bloggers part. Everyone can ask anything about blogging to any of the A-List Blogger. The A-List bloggers were Abe Olandres, Andrew dela Serna, Bob Martin, Marc Macalau and Jayvee Fernandez. Questions ranged from rights of bloggers to the payment of tax. It more-or-less smooth forum. I had some questions in mind but I didn’t mind to ask them. ;D

Also, kuya Jayvee Fernandez of A Bugged Life first publicly announced their new localized web advertisment agency. They’ll be launching it by next week hopefully and its not in the web still. We have signed up through paper. What’s nice about it is it is a pay-per-view scheme, not pay-per-click unlike AdSense.

After the program was a picture-taking and autograph signing session. We were like celebrities there, everyone wanted to have a picture and autograph of everybody. It feels nice, plus its a form of bonding. I also asked kuya Marc Macalua for an autograph, I tried the other A-List bloggers but they were talking to each other. Kuya Marc also gave me his calling card and asked me to send some of my works to him cause they’re looking for a copywriter. Neat, huh.

Then, after the autograph and picture-taking, we strolled the Davao Trade Expo. There we saw a booth of Indonesia. We took pictures with the Indonesians and we enjoyed it. There were also a lot of free taste booths there so we really had fun.

Fun Part

Kuya Blogie treated us for dinner, so we went with them.

We ate our dinner just in front of the Bloggers Fellowship Night the Casa Habana, which was Pinutos. We ate our meals there then after dinner we went back to Casa Habana.

Someone from SEO Philippines treated us one bottle of drinks. Yeah, I got one in front of the camera. Anyway, no one’s gonna see aside from the bloggers.

The entertainer was sort of fun. I enjoyed it, even though it was NOT FOR KIDS. Medyo strict ang parents ko, NIDO everyday parin dapat. Hehehe.

Durugtungan later.