Life on the Spot! Life and Leisure in Doha, Qatar

There is a vast growing number of Filipinos all over the world. Here in the Middle East alone, the Filipino community is ever growing. Furthermore they do not come just as individual overseas workers but more importantly they come and bring their families along. Hence there is a great demand for an entertainment that is truly Filipino. A little birdie has informed me that the Philippine-based GMA 7 would be able to launch its satellite programming in the Middle East on the first week of February. Last year, Orbit launched a Pinoy package which showed several syndicated shows from GMA 7. However, a lot of people complained that they thought they'd get the whole GMA 7 channel only to find out that it was not the case. This time around, it is the real deal. Filipinos would get the 24 hour programming of GMA 7 as what they get the Philippines, live and real-time. This time around, Filipinos would have an option. Are you a "Kapuso" or a "Kapamilya"?

Posted by xtian001 at 11:54 AM on August 01, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We renewed our passports the last time we were in the Philippines for vacation. But great news for everyone who wants to avoid the whole process of passport renewal (that is having to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs very early in the morning only to find out that there is a long queue waiting). Now, everyone can apply online via the DFA Passport Renewal Service. This guarantees 6 to 8 working days  delivery time and will cost Php 1300 all-in. You can either visit http://passport.com.ph/ or  call the DFA Passport Direct Hotline: (02) 737-1000. Door-to-door pick up and delivery runs from Monday to Saturday via Aboitiz One Courier.

It is important though that you have the requirements ready before you fill out the Passport Renewal Online Form and ready for pickup by the courier. It is also important that the applicant is present during pickup because there are some documents that need to be signed. The following are the general requirements:

        3 copies of picture 
        Passport Size 1.77" x 1.37" 
        3cm. from head to chin  
        Colored with plain white background 
        Decent attire with collar and sleeves 
        Studio taken 
        Most recent (never use a photo that had been used in a previous passport or else it will be returned and will delay your application by a few more days)
        Identical and frontal shot 
        Clear, no shadow 
        Proportionately taken 

        Not Allowed: 
         Earrings or long hair for male 
         Eyeglasses 
         Signature / writings (front and back) 
         Computerized, fotome, polaroid 
         Same picture with old passport.

For the complete list of the requirements for brown passport holders, seamen, married women (who want to adopt their husband’s surname, minors and illegitimate children visit this link.

         Original Passport - Green 
        *If you're a brown passport holder, there will be a personal appearance at the DFA but with assistance, and you should submit any of the following documents with complete middle name (original & photocopy)
§         Birth Certificate
§         Baptismal Certificate
§         Old SSS E-1 form
§         GSIS policy
§         Driver's license
§         PRC ID
§         Voters Affidavit or CTC from COMELEC
§         Income Tax Return
§         Transcript of Records
§         NBI Clearance
§         Seaman's Book
§         Marriage Contract
§         Photocopy of passport from pp. 1-4, last page, and the pages showing latest BID Departure and Arrival stamps.

For acquisition of NSO (National Statistics Office) Birth, Marriage and Death certificates and POEA OFW exit and OEC, visit http://www.teleserv.ph/.

Posted by mavisrueda at 09:45 PM on July 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A lot of people have asked me how I got into the business of Web Design. They think that since I’m into IT, I have a degree in computing or engineering. I wish! I then have to explain to them how I became a web designer. I spent my first 2 years of college life taking up Journalism at the University of the Philippines (U.P.) in Baguio. I love writing but then, it was also becoming boring for me. I thought of shifting to the more interactive segment of Mass communication which was Broadcasting, but that meant I had to move to the U.P. Campus in Diliman. I found out, as I was applying, that my grade average was about .2 below the cut (thanks to Spanish 10 and 11) so my next option was Film and Audio Visual Communication which needed a 2.0 average (1 was highest in our grading system). Yup, you read it right. I have a B.A. in Film and Audio Visual Communication. It is a 4-year course. I took classes in Directing, Script-writing, Cinematography, Film Editing, Photography, Experimental film and even Acting (I’m not that of a good actor… he he he). The thing is, I didn’t even know how to start a computer in 1995. Then we had courses in Film animation and Digital Editing and that started it. I got introduced to the world of Photoshop and Premiere. Instead of becoming a Film/TV director, I became more involved with graphics. I got my first PC on 1996 and spent late nights with Photoshop. I got hooked to the web on 1997 and just used it to learn more of computers, the web and web design tools. I didn’t even have a book on Photoshop then and online tutorials were not many. By 1998, I was working part-time as a graphic artist/web designer for a local company and working full time as Head Graphics Artist for a desktop printing shop. Then everything just fell into place. I was offered a job in Saudi as a Web Designer in 1999 and now I’m here! I’m sure a lot of universities already have a specific course for Web Design. The thing is, Web Design is both technical and artistic. You have to deal with the design itself, colors, graphics, elements and then you also have to deal with user-functionality, compression and code. You just can’t say “I want to be a Web Designer” but not deal with the elements of design or not deal with the technicalities involved. Although in a scale, it pays off better to have the inclination with the arts. Companies usually have a dedicated Programmer/Developer to the hard coding for you. Still, you need to know how to code, what the code means and what the code can do. For me, I may not have a degree in computing or engineering, but some things you just to learn outside of the University and excel in it ( at least I think I do).

Posted by xtian001 at 07:48 AM on October 08, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We spent almost the whole day, friday, to pack some of our stuff to be sent to the Philippines and to Qatar. A week ago, Mavis was soooo excited at the thought of sending a "Balikbayan Box" to the Philippines. A "Balikbayan Box" is supposed to be a box filled with goodies and stuff that you send back home for your family and relatives. "Balik" means return, while "Bayan" means country. We usually bring our "pasalubong"/gifts to our families by placing them on our luggages when we come home. So this time, we we're going to shop and have them sent through cargo. The thought of family actually opening the box and trying to set aside items for their use is what makes us excited. I remember when dad sends/brings these boxes home. Everyone stands in front of the box being opened and tries to see if the item being lifted out of the box had their name on it. Or grabbed items that we want to claim. And the smell of the box is actually different. Intoxicating. He he he he. But it does smell different, i don't know why. Mavis and I had our budget to spend. So we went to Geant. It's actually a supermarket but sells items that you can possibly think of; electronics, perfume, clothes, shoes, gardening, etc. We went to buy them lotions, sandals, dishwashing liquid, chocolates, coffee, deodorant, some baby items... anything you can think of. I also packed my 5.1 Harman Kardon 3000 Audio Video Receiver for my dad-in-law. Have used that for about 3 years and it really is a great receiver but decided that it was time to part with it. My dad-in-law would really like it since he is into music and stuff, but I don't know if he's that audio-tech savvy enough to fix and make use of the receiver. Well, he is in Japan right now so we'll have to see when he comes back to the Philippines this October/November. Otherwise, he has to wait for me to come home to set it up for him. Then for my mom, we decided to send our 29" JVC flat TV home. We bought her a 21' inch flat TV last year and bought dad an Audio Component but decided to give her our TV since we just plan to buy a new one in Qatar. I just don't know if the TV cart that they have at home would be able to carry the weight of the TV. We even haven't told her yet of the TV! Last Saturday morning, Forex Cargo came to get the boxes. We sent a pair to Angeles and sent another to Baguio. Since we are shipping the items, it would take roughly a month before they reach their destinations. If only we could take photos of them while opening the boxes ;)

Posted by xtian001 at 09:13 AM on June 06, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)