After more than 10 years, the war of the ATM networks finally ended last week when Expressnet, Bancnet and Megalink officially converged their services. Previously, ATM accounts from Expressnet were linked up with Megalink while Megalink was linked up with Bancnet, the latest link allows Expressnet ATM holders to transact from the Bancnet system.
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Try as they might to hold doors open, to pick up someone’s papers or to say thank you when transacting at cashiers, it appears that Asians tend to believe that chivalry is dead.

In a recent “experiment” by Reader’s Digest on courtesy, Asia ranked at the bottom half of 35 countries with Manila ranking at 21. The 3 experiments on courtesy involved RD staff dropping papers, checking for people who open doors and finding out which cashiers say “Thank you” after a transaction. A point was given for each “success” and the average for each country placed it in the ranking with New York toping the list and Mumbai bottoming out at 35.
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Aww.. isn’t that cute! These two suckers newlyweds are posing for a photo.

Into a scrapbook this memory will fall, brought out at the baby’s christening and future divorce hearings wedding anniversaries.

Now I just wonder: Whose Idea was it anyway, to take a wedding photo on the side of the road in downtown Manila?

Isn’t there better spots, romantic, picturesque, stunning backdrops besides buses and random joggers?

Can you think of a few? I know I can..

Lord knows I would never do it, drive in Manil that is. And I am not talking about the traffic – that’s easy compared to places I’ve been, like say the road the Timbuktu.

No, I wouldn’t drive here because you don’t want me to drive here. Just going or a run, I felt the open hostility towards drivers and I can’t imagine what it would be like actually behind the wheel.

First off you have the mad traffic police, out giving tickets on a Sunday. Giving tickets driving a little rice burning joke of a police car. I’m not sure I would stop for a cop driving one. Maybe if he shot at me.

Which is what I felt the good people of San Lorenzo would do if they knew I was on their roads. Just check out the sign that greets you just inside the gate.

Nice and friendly, eh? Now guess what you’ll get if you go deeper into their neighbourhood? Follow me on the jump and I’ll show you.
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At first glance, Padi’s Point Bar has the right idea with this ad. A “Thong Party” sounds quite inviting.

Fine Filipinas sexed out in white and black lace thongs, hopefully without tan lines to mar the view. Then, on closer inspection, you’ll note it says “Male & Female”.

Male(!) and Female??

Oh now there is something no one should be subject to, no matter your persuasion – hairy male asses sporting butt floss. Only the Hungry Duck does semi-nude men right.

Admit it. You have a problem. Yes, you my dear Filipino reader. You have a problem, an addiction, and its time you admit it.

You love your cell phones.

All night long, this is the view – a beauty playing with her phone. Ignoring others, ignoring me!, you fiddle with your mobiles.

Yes, I know, phones are cool, and everyone in Manila has one. You call your friends, you call your family, you even call your family, “friends” and you do this at the expense of those around you.

So do all of us a favor, my Manila multitudes – put down the phone. It’s okay, you’ll survivie.

This is why even the news is a source of entertainment in the Philippines.

Source: YouTube.com

Take that American Idol! V-side the green green grass of local TV network GMA comes this interesting number.
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Have you gone to a cockfight? Have you seen the speed and aggression of a rooster? Do you know the efficiency of the kill? I do.

It’s fast, less than a minute often, and it’s furious, with slashing quick and sharp. It’s also all men, as far as I could tell. Men handling the birds, men betting in the audience, men and men only. Men watching the birds.

Before the match, getting mad, during, getting even, and after, getting fixed or fixing to be eaten.

Cockfighting – you should se it.

June 19 marks one of the most underrated events in Philippine history— the birth of our National Hero: Jose Rizal.

Related links:
Rizal website run by JRU
Wikipedia entry
Ala Paredes: Rizal Downunder
MLQ3: Adolf Rizal