A Blog Award: Laughing out Loud!

Wow, Bloggerang Pinay's first award!  I am so dumb I did not know about this award 'til today.  Thanks so much Jhengpot!

 

Yes I am now a member of the big teethed smiley.  

Let's abide by the rules of this noble (ahem)  award now :

1. Link to the person who gave you this award. (In a post, or in your sidebar, wherever you have this)
2. Pass the award along to seven other people who post about at least slightly amusing things and tell them. Either by emailing them or commenting on a post, etc.
3. Say seven things about yourself that no one knows. (Or at least you think no one knows.)
4. Pass these rules on.

And drum roll please, I  am passing this prestigious (oo daw) award to the following:

Mona Gonzales of Life in the Philippines for she is so smart and funny, her blog entries informative yet light, she always makes my day. 

Maria Paz Escobedo Palis of Work in Progress Pinay because her entries always have the fresh perspectives on the positive aspects of life.  

Mauie Flores of Mole on my Sole because she makes a good travel blog.

Edlyn Oroquiola Retucsan of Heart of Mind because we love the same things - food and love of learning among other things.

Momgen of  Life's Journey because she is such an enterprising and positive person.

Yham of  Veroniz of Veronizm ...Life in Bliss because she goes in places I would likely go and takes great pictures too. 

And now seven things about me:

1.  I aim to be a comedienne in my own way (just like my father who is a comic/comedian wherever he goes), in my sphere of friends: that's why 

2.  I am always attracted to comedians/comediennes or to anyone who could tickle  my funny bones.

3.  My hubby is a stand-up comedian, not professionally, though.

4.  I have a soft spot for the broken-hearted, being one for soooo many years.   I treat them like my own babies, make them smile/laugh, comfort them, take their pictures so they see themselves as the lovely creatures as they are :)

5.  And speaking of pictures, one of the reasons I learned photography is to be able to take better pictures of myself (oh I am vain).  I remember my ugliest picture taken at  Foto Me when I was in college:  my cousin stole found it and gave it to my aunt and both of them gleefully represented yours truly in our Lola's  grandchildren/family album with my ugliest picture ever. 

6.  One reason I became a professional photographer (aside from being financially needy) is that I lost my first  'Point-and-shoot camera' and had to buy a second hand DSL camera to take pictures of my first baby.  The DSL camera enabled me to have a little sideline (took passport pictures!)  in an international organization where I was employed until I resigned and did photography professionally.

7)    I befriend ghosts wherever we live.  The first time I do upon moving into a house is to 'speak' to ghosts, telling them that I would like to be a friend, that I don't like to be scared, that I'd like them to help me, hehehe.

Almost always they respond by appearing in my dreams and answering my requests too.  True to their form, a ghost in Saudi Arabia kissed me and another one made love to me, lol.  

That's all folks :)

Look Years Younger Through Colors!

Have you heard about cool and warm colors, or cool and warm skin tones? I've heard that, researched on that since I became aware of presenting myself favorably especially during job interviews. 

When one is young,  foolish and carefree, one is not concerned at all with this bullshit information.  Who cares of the warm and cool tones,  I thought I look good in purple, so I wear purple. I  even put on a purple lipstick and violet eyeshadow, and my friends  told me how good I look;  that I am the only one who get away with that kind of (bizarre) colors.  I guess when one is young, you could experiment on your appearance and not think that your choice of colors and style of clothing  ages you.  I guess subconsciously, we'd like to look older, to project sophistication.  An 18 year old girl  does not think of 'ageing' colors at all!  Now that I am turning 56, I do care!  I do care but the stubborn streak in me would still wear purple blouse, eyeshadow  and lipstick up to these days....until I saw someone transformed by her choice of  wrong colors.

When I first saw her in our hiking club, she wore a white shirt and dark short shorts, her hair tied in a pony tail.  I could not tell her age. She was bubbly, she was funny, she was ageless!  I gather she could be in her early 40s or late 30's.  When I saw her again at a more formal atmosphere (in a restaurant for a despedida party of a friend) she had dyed her hair light blond (she used to have blond streaks in her brunette hair) and she wore a flowery blouse of orange red and beige.  I did not recognize her.  She looked sixtyish!  She should not have dyed her hair.  She's a Caucasian, and yes, a Caucasian could be warm-toned or cool- toned.  I gather now, she's cool toned as she looked washed-out in warm-toned clothes and make-up.  Let's be clear about these colors for now.

Here's a vey informative article
http://www.aromaleigh.com/whatcolarewa.html

What colors are warm? cool? The following chart displays the difference between warm and cool colors. Warm colors are based on yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens, orangish reds, and the like. Cool colors are based on blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. This simple chart will help you to determine what colors are what, once you learn the basic differences between warm and cool color tones. Once you have a basic understanding, you can then differentiate between for example, a "warm pink" and a "cool pink". A warm pink is a peachy pink. A cool pink would be a purplish pink. A warm green would be a yellowish green. A cool green would be more blue. A warm toned foundation powder is more yellow based. A cool toned one is more pink. When you hear someone say "I am an autumn" or "I am a spring", this means that they look best in warm tones. In contrast, "summers" and "winters" look best in cool tones. (this is based on the Color Me Beautiful method of skin typing). Looking at blushes? As a rule, any blush with a brown or peach undertone is warm. Any blush with a purple or pink undertone is cool. Some colors can work for both skintones, such as a peachy pink or a pinkish brown. This is why we offer samples, so you can try before you buy full sizes. Keep in mind that computer monitors all vary in how they display colors. The best best is to try a few samples and see how they compare. We offer samples of all of our loose powder cosmetic line. If you do not know your skintone, you can estimate it by referring to the following chart: Cool: Eyes are typically blue or grey. Haircolor typically blonde, brown or black. Skin has definite blue and pinkish undertones. Cool-toned people look best in colors such as blue, red, pink and purple, or "gem-tones". Usually look best in silver jewelry. In natural light, the color of the veins on the underside of your wrist are bluish. You can wear a white shirt and it is flattering on you. Neutral: Eyes may be any color. Hair may be any color. Skin has unspecifiable undertones, such as pink, olive or yellow. Those with neutral coloring can wear just about any color clothing and look good. Can wear gold or silver jewelry (no preference as to which looks better) Warm: Eyes are typically brown, green or hazel. Haircolor typically brown, black, red, auburn, blonde or strawberry blonde. Skin has yellow/orange or olive undertones. Warm-toned people look best in earthy-toned clothing, such as browns, yellows, oranges, yellowish green and ecru. Look best in gold jewelry. In natural light, the color of the veins on the underside of your wrist are greenish. You are most flattered by an off-white, cream or ecru shirt (i.e. pure white makes you look washed out) If you aren't sure if you have Cool or Warm Skin Tones, these comparisons should help:   (http://www.mineral-makeup-reviews.com/Cool-or-Warm-Skin-Tone.html) Cool Warm You look best in these colors: You look best in these colors: Includes "jewel tones" - blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. Includes "earth tones" - yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens and orange-based reds. Foundation is pink based Foundation is yellow based Looks better in pure white than ivory Looks better in ivory than pure white Can easily wear black Looks washed out with black worn close to the face My skin is: Very dark brown with reddish or blue undertones Brown with pink undertone True olive (most Asians and Latinos) Medium with no color in cheeks Medium with faint pink cheeks Pale with no color in cheeks Pale with pink undertones Ruddy-pinkish red Brown or bronze when I tan My skin is: Very dark brown with golden undertones Brown with golden undertone Medium with golden undertones Pale with peach or gold undertones Golden brown, when I tan Notable examples - Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Courtney Cox, Sandra Bullock, Terri Hatcher, Kirstin Davis, America Fererra, Keira Knightley, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, Liv Tyler, Alexis Bledel, Megan Fox, Jennifer Connelly, Shania Twain, Brooke Shields Sophia Bush, Penelope Cruz, Candace Bergen, Sarah Chalke, Hillary Clinton, Heather Locklear, Britney Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christy Brinkley, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeri Ryan, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Pompano Notable examples - Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reba McIntyre, Julianne Hough, Sarah Ferguson, Marcia Cross, Calista Flockhart, Rebecca Romjin, Tara Reid, Renee Zellweger, Ellen Degeneres, Diane Sawyer, Amy Adams, Jillian Anderson, Amanda Bynes, Becki Newton, Nicole Richie, Kim Raver, Kristen Johnston, Leona Lewis

Here's Madonna using wrong make-up colors:

I don't know if the blue eyes are Madonna's natural eye color......but she is definitely cool-toned. The color of the dress is right (although the style is questionable), but the make-up and the lipstick are wrong;  these colors are for the warm-toned. She could have used pinkish lipstick instead, she could still maintain the 'light' make-up look. 

And here's a classic beauty, Joan Collins,  who always know how to sizzle:

She is cool-toned and her dress is the right color. Her lipstick sets off her skin and as usual her eye make-up suits her.

Let's try the younger  celebrities. Justin Bieber and Selena Lopez:

Justin could get away with anything, being 16, rich and famous.  I think that he is warm-toned though, and  when he gets older he should wear warm-toned colors to project his youthful image always.  Selena is warm-toned and looks so ravishing in this hue of red.  The lipstick is a bit too bright, her eye make-up and overall makeup is so 80's and if she's older it may look garish, but with her youth and fame, Selena is a bomb.

Anne Hathaway wears superb colors:

Here's a local Actress, Toni Gonzaga, glowing with the right  warm colors:
http://effyeahfilipina.tumblr.com/ 

Wat say you of Marian Rivera's sexiness?

Look at Angel Locsin with her right colors, absolutely gorgeous:

Ok, I have warned you enough.  Be selective of your colors, especially colors near your face, like your blouse, your blouse's collar, your necklace, etc.

snopes.com: Cartoon Character As Facebook Profile Picture

snopes.com: Cartoon Character As Facebook Profile Picture

Whatever the truth behind the origins of  changing  Facebook  profile to a cartoon character, we have all  united against violence against children and that is enough. 

John Lennon's Angry Laundry Letter

Open Post: Hosted By John Lennon's Angry Laundry Letter

Grabbed from http://www.dlisted.com/node?page=7

Letters of Note (via TDW) says that long before the days of OxiClean and stains sticks, John Lennon raged at whoever did his laundry for turning his crisp white shirt into a shade of yellah. Before the laundress could throw the blame at Mrs. Yoko Ono Lennon, John let it be known that this is impossible since "Orientals" don't spit out as much sweat as everybody else.

Since my abuelita called me a "chinito" for years the "Oriental" thing doesn't really bother me, but this is the first I'm hearing about Asians having the sweat glands of a cat! Interesting. So John is telling me that if an Asian did jumping jacks in a hot sauna while reading an audit letter from the IRS, they would barely get wet? Hmmm. Well, I obviously didn't inherit that shit since I sometimes sweat like a sober call girl around Charlie Sheen. I don't mind, though. Sweat is nature's lube (after saliva, of course).

Kumusta, mustasa?

Hindi naman ako kagandahan, hindi din naman ako sex bomb.  Ang pwede lang sigurong pagkakakilanlan sa akin ay mukha akong may pinag aralan.  Kasi mukha daw akong librarian, sabi nung may ari ng bar na suki kami.    Bakit ba ganyan, sabi ko nga sa aking mahal na asawa.  Maski anong gawin kong bihis na paseksi kuno, maski anong haba ng aking dangling earrings, maski mag plunging neckline pa ako (bahagya lang naman) mukha pa rin akong librarian or teacher. Hayyyy.  Nabiro ko minsan ang asawa ko,  na ang tangi kong ambisyon sa buhay ay making mukhang bar girl.  Kasi napapaligiran kami ng mga bars dito sa aming maliit na barrio.  Siempre ang lahat ng lalaki mga nakatanga; minsan bukas bibig pa kung titigan ang mga bar girls.  Kaya kaming mga asawa dito, inis/inggit minsan sa mga batang-bata at minsan may maiitim ang kuyokot na mga bar girls, na mahilig  tumuwad-tuwad kapag may mga foreigners sa paligid.  Agaw pansin ba, or pang inis siguro sa aming mga asawa ng foreigners.  Kasi siempre kaming mga asawa, ex bar girl man or ex teacher/librarian na tulad ko, hindi na papayagang tumuwad tuwad sa kalye or sumayaw sa bar ng aming mga asawa.  

Teka nalalayo tayo sa aking blog title.  Musta, Mustasa? Ano nga ba ang mustasa?  Di ba raddish leaves yun?  Di ba ang bible may quotation tungkol sa mustard seed? 

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

– Luke 13:18–9

Yan ang bati sa akin ng aking kapitbahay na seksi.  Ang hirap ng ganitong mukhang teacher at librarian, laging pinag sasanggunian ng mga tao, lalo na nitong mga foreigner, feeling yata nila matalino ako ha.  Grabe yan.  Kung may mga suliranin sila sa kanilang  mga butihing gf, nag tatanong tanong sila sa asawa ko kung paano maka kuha ng katulad kong ulirang maybahay.  Sarap sabihing , huwag tumingin sa kuyokot ng mga babae para pabasehan kung magaling siyang gf or future wife......tingnan ang puso at utak.  Pero mahirap sabihan ang mga taong lasing at mahilig sa exposed na kuyokot na miiitim di ba?    Kaya may maipapayo man ako o wala, ang akala nga mga bar girls or ex bar girls ay ako ang dahilan kung bakit hindi na nila mauto ang kanilang mga hunghang na bf.  Sa madaling salita, maraming galit sa akin na girls kasi naihahambing ang beauty namin.  Hindi pala beauty, naihahambing ang pagiging one-man woman ko sa kanilang polygamous na lifestyle.  Masama bang maging maganda, matalino, mabait at sexy pa ako? 

Anyway, nasagad na ang pasensya namin sa isa't isa ng aking seksing kapitbahay, kaya hindi na kami bati.  Natuluyan ng umasim ang aming pagkakilalahan, kung baga.  No large loss, no love lost eh.  Balik tayo sa mustasa, masarap yan di ba? 

Mahilig ako sa mustasa, sa totoo lang,   ga substiture ko yan sa lettuce minsan sa paggawa ko ng BLT (bacon. lettuce and tomato) sandwich kaya hindi na siya BLT,  BMT na.  Sarap, subukan nyo ha.  Medyo may konting anghang at zip, hindi ko ma describe eh.  

Yung lola ko, sumalangit nawa ang kaluluwa, mahilig ding gumawa ng burong mustasa.  Sarap sa omelet di ba? 

At ayon din sa website na ito http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/m/mustasa.htm, may medicinal values ang mustsa. Kayo na ang bahalang magbasa, hehehe.

At ito naman kung paano gumawa ng burong mustasa:

Ingredients

1 kilo mustasa leaves
2 to 3 cups rice water
1/4 cup coarse salt

Procedure

1. Wash mustasa leaves very well in running water.

2. Remove all old leaves and cut off the roots, cut crosswise (about 2 inches long)

3. Sprinkle half the amount of salt to clean leaves and press out salt from the leaves with the hands with repeated squeezing motion.

4. Squeeze out the sap and place liquidless mustasa leaves in a clean jar.

5. Boil rice water with the remaining salt and allow to cool to body temperature.

6. Pour this rice water over the mustasa leaves until totally immersed.

7. Cover the jar and store at room temperature. This is ready for use in about 2 days. 

At bukod sa omelet, mukhang masarap ito: 

Pork Liempo and Pork Ribs Sinigang with Radish and Mustasa Leaves, Tender pork slices and crisp fresh vegetables in soothing broth

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Servings:

Pork Liempo and Pork Ribs Sinigang Ingredients:

• 1 ½ liters rice washing or water
• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• ½ kg pork liempo, sliced
• ½ kg pork ribs, cut into serving pieces
• 1 medium radish, sliced
• 1 sachet 20g MAGGI Sinigang sa Sampaloc Mix
• 2 cups sliced mustasa leaves
• 2 pieces siling panigang (finger chilies)
• patis (fish sauce), to taste

Cooking Instructions:

• Boil rice washing with tomatoes, onions, pork liempo and pork ribs.
  
• Simmer over low heat for 40-45 minutes or until pork meat begin to disintegrate from the bones.
  
• Add radish and cook for 5 minutes. Stir-in MAGGI Sinigang sa Sampaloc Mix.
  
• Bring to a boil.
  
• Add mustasa leaves and siling panigang.
  
• Season with patis to taste.
  
  So balik tayo sa mga nag gagandahang pokpok dilag,  hindi naman sa pagmamagaling, marami na akong pinagdaanan;  hindi naman ako santa, kaya lang may edad na nga ang lola.  As in papunta pa lang kayo, pabalik na ako.  Kaya medyo may alam na ako sa buhay.  In fairness, noong bata pa ako, as in wala pang 20 years old, sa kababasa ko ng mga libro sa bookstores ay hindi naman ako clueless maski sa ganoon ka murang edad.   Natuto na akong mag bigay na makagbag damdaming BJ sa sinehan, na akala ng kasama ko ay batikan ako.  Binasa ko lang po yun sa libro, hehehe.  Ayaw tuloy nyang maniwala na birheng maria pa ako at that time, grabe.  Ganun ako kagaling mag follow instructions from the book.  Ang payo lang ng lola sa inyo:
  
  
  1. Ang gandang panglabas ay panandalian lang;  develop nyo naman 'day ang kagandahan ng puso.
  2. Mag aral kaya para ma improve ang sarili, huwag lang yung ubusin ang oras at pera sa spa, shopping, disco, pagsusugal  at inuman.
     
  3. Mag ipon ng pera dahil hindi mo alam kung hanggang kelan kayo ni fafa.  
  4. Kung feeling mo on top of the world ka ngayon dahil madatong si fafa, be kind to the people on the way up, for you will meet them on your way down

"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever."  - Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

"Don't be so humble - you are not that great." - Golda Meir (1898-1978) to a visiting diplomat

Huwag Kang Bibigay!

 

Ikaw ba ay jejemon?  Sa iyong edad na wala na sa kalendaryo tama ba yan?  Joke……..Peace po.  Wala naman pong masama sa pagiging jejemon.  Sabi nga ng Dep Ed mas pag-ukulan ng pansin ang moralidad, etc.  Tumpak din yun.  Ang sa akin lang naman ay mahalin naman natin ang ating sariling wika.  Kaya jejemon ka man, friends pa rin tayo kasi Tagalog pa rin ang wika ng jejemon, di ba…….At masayang basahin, at least umaandar ang utak.  Sabihin nyo yan sa mga lolo at lola na ang pag ‘decode’ sa salitang jejemon ay nakakapaghasa ng kanilang utak, lol.  Pero dapat maruong ka ring ng tamang Tagalog or Filipino, hane?

Ang ating paksa sa araw na ito ay ang ating sariling wika, Filipino. Inglesera ka man, conyo (uso pa ba yun?) o promdi na hindi gaanong marunong magsalita ng Tagalog (na basehan ng ating  wikang Filipino), kailangan naman na pag aralan mo ang ating wika tulad ng pag aaral mo ng salitang Ingles na minsan may British or Australian accent pa, Arabic o Korean, etc.  Mag pauso naman tayo ng pagsasalita ng tamang Filipino!  Alam kong hindi madali ito…..sabi nga ng kaibigan kong conyo kuno, ang bagal ng proseso – kasi nag iisip sya sa Ingles at kailangang i translate pa nya sa Tagalog bago siya magsalita! O di ba?  Hindi ko inaangkin na napakagaling kong mag Filipino o Tagalog, pero ga try naman ako ‘Day!

Nakapag panting ng tenga na marinig mo ang ating kabayan na laking La Union na mag sabi ng – “I just came back from a vacation, I went to Le Yunyohn, Pengasinen, Enjeles….” etc.  ad nausea.  Cute nya, di ba?  Ani Gat Jose  Rizal,  ang taong hindi nagmamahal ng sariling wika, masahol pa sa malansang isda.  Okey lang sa akin na mag Ingles tayo lalo na’t kausap natin ay banyaga: kahanga hanga na tayo ay marunong ng maraming wika, kaya nga marami tayong call centers, asset natin yan.  Pero huwag naman natin i murder ang mga proper nouns natin.  Mga pangalan yan ng ating lugar.  Nakalimutan na ba natin na minsan ay nagsalita din tayo ng Kastila kaya maraming tayong lugar na Kastila ang pangalan.  At siguro naman kung ipinanganak ka sa La Union, kaya mong ipaglaban na ang La Union ay hindi dapat maging Le Yunyohn. 

Kaya nga ipinaglalaban ko sa aking banyagang asawa na huwag niyang palitan ang ating mga lugar sa paraan ng kanyang pagbigkas:

1.      Ang Puerto Galera ay hindi Puerta Galera

2.      Ang Barrio Barretto ay hindi Barrio Berreta.

3.      Ang Dinalupihan ay hindi Di na Loop I hen

4.      And Caloocan ay hindi Ca look ken

5.      Ang Angeles City sa Pampanga ay hindi Angel less tulad ng Los Angeles, California.

6.      Ang La Union ay hindi Le Yunyohn.

7.      Ang Pangasinan ay hindi Pengasinen.

Kung sa mga banyaga manggaling ang maling pagbigkas, minsan cute di ba.  Pero mga kababayan, huwag natin silang gayahin, bagkus itama natin sila.  Palagay mo ba kung ang iyong kasintahan o asawa ay sumakay sa taksi at sabihin niya sa driver, take me to Ca Look Ken, maiintindihan kaya nya ito?  Baka kung saan madala ang giliw mo! 

Kaya nga mga mahal kong kababayan, huwag kang bibigay.  Huwag mong ipamigay ang pagiging Pinoy/Pinay mo kapalit ng American, British or Australian accent kung nag sasalita ka ng Tagalog o Filipino.  Kung English ang salita mo, hala, bahala ka sa pagbigkas mo, subukan mo lahat ng accents, ga hi-5 pa ako sa iyo.  Hanga ako sa mga taong mabilis matuto ng ibang salita.  Pero mahalin naman natin ang sariling atin. Nais mo bang palitan natin ang mga pangalan ng ating mga lugar para/dahil sa mga banyaga dito sa atin.  Mag isip ka kabayan!

Philippine Election Tips

I got all this information from my Yahoo inbox, and I would like to share them with you.

Do you know which precinct to go on the election day, May 10, 2010? 

Please click the link below to check if your name is in the voters list and/or to check your precinct number.  This really works.  I just checked mine and saw my name and my precinct no. 

http://www.comelec. gov.ph/findpreci nct/findprecinct .aspx

Notes from a Seminar on the Election Ballot by Kenneth Yu

On the May 10, 2010 Ballot

Yesterday at 9:39pm

I attended my barangay's seminar on the 2010 elections today, arranged by

the captain, Ralph Diaz. I learned a few things from Mr. Diaz about the

election ballot that could be informative for all of us:

1. Mr. Diaz said that the ballot is very, very sensitive to marks, ink, H20,

stains, scratches, folds, sweat, etc. If, say, you have grime on your hands,

or your hands are wet, or your sweat drops onto the ballot, the PCOS

(Precinct Count Optical Scan) Unit will not read it. So, keep your hands

very clean before voting. That is why the indelible ink will be put on your

finger after you're done voting, and not before, and wh y you will be given

your ballot in a folder, a "Ballot Secrecy Folder", so that you can lessen

the actual handling of the ballot with your hands.

2. Shade the egg-shaped hole beside your chosen candidate fully (you will be

provided with a marker). Don't check, line, X, dot, or half-shade it,

because the PCOS Unit will not read it. Try not to go beyond the lines also

(well, not too much).

3. Mr. Diaz said that there will be a barcode going around the ballot. If

this is marked, even scratched, in any way, the ballot will be spoiled. He

said that if anyone else handles the ballot, watch them well, in case they

intentionally scratch the barcode with a fingernail to prevent your ballot

from being counted. He used as an example that if you're obviously for a

candidate that, say, an unscrupulous precinct official is against

(hopefully, there's no such thing as an unscrupulous precinct official ;-P),

that official may scratch your barcode to prevent your vote from being

counted.

4. You will have four tries to put your ballot through the PCOS Unit. You

can put it in forward, backward, front side up, back side up, whichever, but

only four tries. If after the 4th try it doesn't read properly, goodbye

ballot.

5. You will get one chance to have your ballot changed if you don't like it.

That's when they first hand it to you. Inspect it right away. If you see any

folds, scratches, or marks, you can ask for a change (which may lengthen

your voting process, Mr. Diaz added).

6. Bring a list of your chosen candidates on a piece of paper so that you

won't spend too much time filling out the ballot. If you make your decisions

on the day itself without a list, you could spend a long time filling it up.

7. Watch the readout on the PCOS Unit when you insert your ballot into it.

Mr. Diaz said that if successful, it'll read, "Congratulations! Your ballot

has been scanned." If not, it'll say why (improper shading, etc.) Get that

"Congratulations" message before leaving to make sure your vote is counted.

8. Bring an ID (Voter's ID is best, but if you don't have one, driver's

license, passport, etc. any valid ID with your address and preferably a

photo is all right) to present to the BEI (Board of Elections Inspector). If

you can find out beforehand through your barangay, also get your Voter's ID

number, precinct number, and your sequence number (the number beside your

name in the voter's list). This'll speed up your voting process.

9. The ballot you are given will only be readable by one specific PCOS Unit.

In other words, only one machine will be able to read your ballot, because

it's pre-registered there, so when you're ready, line up at the proper

machine. Don't line up at the wrong machine; your ballot won't be read, and

it may spoil your vote.

10. Polls open on May 10, 2010, at 7 a.m. and end at 6 p.m.

11. Mr. Diaz said that the Comelec told him that with the PCOS Units, we

will know the winner of the elections in 5 days. Otherwise, the PCOS Units

will allow for a manual count since all votes will be recorded inside the

machines (let's hope it doesn't come to that, because it's going to take the

usual weeks and weeks to finish the count).

12. The PCOS Units have internal batteries that can last 16 hours in case of

power outages. Since the voting period only lasts 10 hours, there's a 6 hour

buffer. But still, let's hope for no brownouts on May 10, 2010.

13. The PCOS Unit will print out the vote count in what looks like a very

long cash register receipt (whose print will last for 5 years, he said),

which will be put into a sealed box that'll be sent to the Comelec for

prop er counting. Also, the PCOS Unit will count the number of voters who are

voting based on the ballots inserted into it, so again, watch the screen on

the machine to make sure of voter count, as well as other important

messages.

14. Mr. Diaz said that you should vote only the exact number you should vote

for. So, vote for only 1 president, 1 vice president, 12 senators, 1 party

list, 1 mayor, 1 vice mayor, 1 member of the House of Representatives, etc.

(the limit will be there on your ballot as a "Vote for not more than ____").

If you vote for more than the stipulated number, that particular portion of

the ballot is spoiled. You may, however, vote for less (as in, if you can't

find 12 worthy senatoriables to vote for, it's all right to vote for less

than 12).

15. Mr. Diaz stressed repeatedly that in voting this time, one should not

make mistakes. It's asking a lot from us, but he said that over and over

again. His words: "Don't make mistakes, otherwise, you'll spoil your

ballot".

16. Of course you'll also be asked to do the usual signing of forms and

marking of thumbprints.

Feel free to share this note. I wish I could take questions, but I only took

notes as Mr. Diaz was speaking, so I doubt if I will know the answers. Any

questions you have can be sent to your Barangay Captains, or to the Comelec.

I hope this information helps