THE NEW BLOG

You can now check out the new blog at "Betwixt and Between: A Fool's Journey"

All of my announcements and musings can now be found on that site.

DON'T APPLY FOR GLOBE POSTPAID - please share

I haven't used this blog for a while but I thought it would a good place to have this item searchable.

The subject says it all... please share...

AFTER 10 WORKING DAYS (2 WEEKS), 4 CALLS, 10+ TALKTOGLOBE ATTEMPTS, 2 EMAIL COMPLAINTS, I DIDN'T GET A REPLY (FOR MY APPLICATION OR MY COMPLAINT). IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING GETTING A POSTPAID PLAN FROM GLOBE, DON'T. IF THIS IS THE SERVICE YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THEM, IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD BE IF YOU HAD A PROBLEM AND ALREADY HAD A LINE FROM THEM.

This is the email I sent them (to two different customer service emails) yesterday (3 DAYS AFTER MY FIRST EMAIL):

First and foremost, I want to say I have experienced terrible customer service so far. I sent a complaint (this email 3 days ago) and have not received any sort of communication back. I have no faith in your company's ability to provide service anymore.

THIS IS WHAT I SENT 3 DAYS AGO TO GLOBEONLINE SALES EMAIL:

I have been trying to follow up my application for a postpaid plan.

My name is Richard Dacalos my prepaid number is 0905XXXXXXX. I have been a prepaid subscriber for over a decade with my previous number 09173XXXXXX. And in the least, I am extremely disappointed. If this is how, you treat your loyal customers, I'd rather move my services elsewhere.

I made my application last week thursday (submitted the requirements on Friday).

I was told it would be processed within 2-5 days. I was told that I would receive some sort of communication.

I have not received anything and it is Sunday. Past 6 working days. (IT IS NOW PAST 9 WORKING DAYS)

If you are not going to make it within 2-5 days. Don't promise that. I'm left with the experience of terrible service. I'm left with not trusting you to deliver on what you promise.

Aside from that, I called your hotline to be redirected to your 1234 text line/status check.

For three hours, I tried to get connected to an agent to no avail. I get connected only to be told ive been idle too long when in truth i had just replied.

I called 2 more times. Only be told if I would try again it would work this time. And that they could NOT refer me to someone who could help me.

Needless to say it didn't work. And again, I felt I was lied to and that you can't deliver on your promises.

I then tried to connect to your online chat. Still was not redirected over to an agent.

I feel like I wasted 4 hours of my life. Economically speaking, I could have been working within that time, instead of trying to follow up an application that should have delivered previously. And instead of moving forward, I've lost money (a minimum of 3000php lost in hours of work lost) trying to get a service that should be simplifying my life.

I want to know what's happening. I want something to be done to be reassured that this won't happen again and that at least I get the feeling that you care about your customers. Because as of now, I'm not getting it.

I'm expecting a prompt response. I'm expecting an update. I'm expecting a shift in your service.

If I don't, I'm obtaining the services of another provider and I'm making my complaint public. (I AM COMMITTED TO MAKE THIS PUBLIC BY 5PM TOMORROW IF I HAVE NO RESPONSE FROM YOU)

Sincerely,

Richard Weinbrenner Dacalos

THAT'S WHAT I SENT. DON'T EVEN BOTHER APPLYING. IT'S NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU MIGHT "SAVE" FROM THEIR "DEALS/PROMOS" - YOU'LL PROBABLY END UP LOSING BECAUSE OF THEIR TERRIBLE SERVICE.

Update: 7 months later (Sent Feb - Today is 9/5) - No response to date. No apology. No nothing. I got a SMART line and I'm very happy with the service. No complaints. No hidden charges. And the reassurance that their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Division is doing great things for our country.

Daily Link Share - 8/3/10 - SUBFLEX

'Cuz sharing is caring...















SUBFLEX is held every first Wednesday of the month at B-Side.

This night features an eclectic roster of multimedia artists, from: beat makers, sound manipulators, turntablists, visual manipulators,mc's and soothsayers.

A Night of True-School Hip Hop...

with performances from:

Albatross&Loveski
Labjaxx
NothingElse
Skarm
Plazma
Anygma
Flexx
Layman's Term

Plus guests...

FREE ENTRANCE

Daily Link Share - 8/2/10 - I'm a Masterpiece

'Cuz sharing is caring...

It's been a while since I really enjoyed my work.

So I wanted to share with everyone what I've been doing lately.

I've been working at My Masterpiece Movement. It's a creativity school in Pasig.









It's hard to explain what we do. Sometimes it's best that you come and see for yourself. I'll be writing a more in depth post about my experiences, in the future (so you guys can get a better idea).

For the mean time you can visit "Everyday Isa" to read her beautifully written article about MMM.

Also, if you are interested in finding out more about what we do, I'm planning to have a reading/creative writing workshop there later this month for my book.

Here's to building a creative culture!

Daily Link Share - 7/30/10 - Under the Red Hood

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today I watched "Batman: Under the Red Hood". (Not going to go in-depth, you can read the synopsis on Amazon)

And I must say...

WIN!

I randomly stumbled across it when looking for what new movies were out. And serendipitously, I saw this.

It's amazing. I love the Batman series. The main thing that caught my eye at first was that Neil Patrick Harris was the voice of Nightwing. And commonsense says when NPH is in something, it must be good (just look at Starship Troopers).

Then while I was watching I discovered Jensen Ackles is the voice of Red Hood.

(Yay! No Batman Nipples!)

But putting the stars aside, the story and the direction is great. A dark and deep addition to the already twisted Batman mythology.

Thursday Thought - Fliptop and the Future

Cuz sometimes after a hump day, you just want to think...

This is only my second Thursday thought. I haven't really been able to follow schedule and I'm really sorry. But I want to share and try and keep up as best as I can.

I've been meaning to write about Fliptop for a while now but I've been busy with work, with my book and other random ramblings and/or nonsense.

It's amazing what has happen in the past few months...

The way Fliptop went viral just blows my mind. We had battles before. I think some of the older cats might remember "V.S.". But that was a time before Youtube.

Youtube has really changed the way people can market things. And it's not even that Fliptop was marketed. It was just out there and people loved it so people support it.

Never in the 10 years (more or less) I've been in the Filipino hiphop scene, have I seen such an impact. The last event was a real shocker for me.

(Funny how I've been doing hiphop this long and now I'm pretty much known as the "SYAT DA PAK AP GUY")

"SYAT DA PAK AP!" (Photo courtesy of Charelle Meneses)

First of all, there was a line that extended down to the stairs (we were on the second floor of Freedom Bar). Aside from that, the place was already backed with maybe 200+ people.

But the most shocking thing was that people were taking pictures with the artists... A sort of celebrity status was being born amongst the popular battlers.

For Filipino hiphop, I believe that is a huge thing.

There are pros and cons to this type of publicity. And our "Kuya Pleptop" knows this.

I'm just so glad the organizer, Anygma, has managed to keep an underground/indie sensibility to a growing media market.

I love the fact that Anygma will always call out stupidity.

It may scare away potential fans but the main point of the movement is to educate the audience. To paraphrase "Kuya Pleptop": if you don't tell them the things they are saying are stupid and give them the reasons why we will never have any change, and we need change RIGHT NOW (more than ever).

But of course this doesn't mean we can't help publicize the movement.

FHM recently did an article. You should check it out.

That's it for now. What are your thoughts?

Daily Link Share - 7/28/10 - Random Revolution

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Because I'm tired and have nothing better to share...

REVOLT!

Daily Link Share - 7/27/10 - It's Friggin Gambit...

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I shared this on facebook but...

It's so nice I had to share it twice.

Monday Mash-up: Making up for lost posts

Last week I really didn't get to post much. I acknowledge that.

For those of you who didn't know, it was a huge week for me.

The reason:

I had my book launch at the Spoken Herb Cultural Festival. It's not really an excuse not to blog but I was insanely busy.

So today what I want to share is a link on how you can get a copy of my book. Because, now, I'm not just taking reservations but I'm taking orders:

HOW TO GET A COPY

I will try to organize more events to commemorate the launch of the book. If you have ideas or suggestions, feel free to comment or e-mail me at rdacalos@gmail.com

Daily Link Share - 7/20/10 - I Hate M Night Shyamalan

'Cuz sharing is caring...

So, I watched The Last Airbender last night. And, I think from the title you have a general idea of my feelings towards the movie.

You must understand that I'm a fan of the Avatar series (to the point I wished they continued it). Since they didn't want to continue the series, the movie was the next best thing for me.

But M Night crapped on that dream.

I don't want to make an in-depth review because it would depress me.

Let's just say a part of my soul died and I've seen pornos with better character development.

The kicker was that he owned up to that "tapestry of feces" in the end credits by showing it was "Written, Directed and Produced by M Night"

I'm hoping the studio kicks M Night off the project and continues the trilogy. Because if he's still on the next project, I'm probably not watching the next movie.

HATE HIM ON FACEBOOK.

Daily Link Share = 7/19/10 - Old Spice Remix

'Cuz sharing is caring...

In the spirit of Old Spice...

Here's another video!



And on an unrelated side note, the book should be out within the next 48 hours!

Saturday Seven - Proudly Pinoy

‘Cuz a list of 11 would be copying and a list of 10 is just too much work…

For this week’s edition of Saturday Seven I wanted to put a pinoy spin to the blog.

Seeing that I’ve lived in the Philippines for most of my life and I’m Filipino it seems like I should do more Pinoy-related posts.

The list for today is more of things I’ve noticed that are either uniquely pinoy or things that are present in other countries but seem to just be so pinoy. I’ll try to avoid the more obvious ones (like jeepneys).

Let’s start…

1) The cheap-o metal door with matching spring (that breaks) and screen (that ends up having huge holes in it).

You know which one I’m talking about. The one that looks like they all came from the same supplier in China.

C’mon. Go down the street there has to be one house or establishment that has this door (even the rich bastards probably have this door in their dirty kitchen or maid’s quarters).

2) The door on gate combo

Well, it seems practical. We do cage ourselves behind cement walls and gates. The door might as well be on the gate to save space.

3) The makeshift tabo.

The tabo is a Filipino staple. The makeshift tabo (from cut-up chemical cleaner containers) is just a great representation of Filipino ingenuity (and blatant disregard for health standards and safety).

Not just for cleaning and etching stone but for asses too!

4) Unknowingly racist mothers/titas + their comments

I don’t know if it is just the generation gap but my mother is a racist and she doesn’t even know it (well most pinoys are but it seems like the moms and titas have it down to a science). The kind of casual use of “Bombay” or “Negro” (pronounced neh and not nee) while trying to use it endearingly is just so mom-ish.

Example: “Your negro friend is so nice.”

“He’s so nice.” I bet she doesn’t know why this is racist…

5) The maid/houseboy that’s also kind of your cousin/distant relative.

Weird but true.

6) Hand-me-downs from your “first world” relatives

I know for a fact I wouldn’t have a pair of Chucks if my cousins from New York didn’t send me a pair of their old ones.

7) Broken-glass rimmed cement walls

I couldn’t help it. I had to go for one of the obvious ones. It’s just so entertaining. I always imagine crimes being foiled by a broken Sprite bottle caught on someone’s left nut.

“Damn you Salazar!”

Friday Follow Up

The power outage didn’t really help me keep my schedule with blogging.

So, my Daily Link Shares and my Thursday Thought will end up turning into a Friday Follow Up (that sadly is being posted on Saturday). Procrastination wins again.

I just wanted to share the greatness that is the Old Spice online marketing campaign.

They have managed to not only get me to start using their products (like a mindless drone) but also keep me wanting more.

To make up for all the missing link shares, here’s the link for their channel.

They most recently had a wild campaign involving twitter, yahoo answers and other online forms of social media.

The Old Spice guys does a personalized reply to several tweets (including Ellen Degeneres, Alyssa Milano and Ryan Seacrest). He’s done a lot and I’m pretty impressed.

Some of the ones I liked were:

Re: Alyssa Milano series
Re: bballgirl
Re: Ellen Degeneres

You should check them out.

I’m on a horse.

Daily Link Share - 7/13/10 - Fliptop!

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I'm not that patient to post all of the battle clips. But if you have the time you should look for Fliptop on youtube.

What I'm sharing now is not the battles (which are becoming insanely viral like an STD), but one of the events they are presenting.

They usually have hip-hop nights on Tuesdays (including tonight).

So you should check it out!

Beer is 25php! Support Local Hip-hop!

Daily Link Share - 7/12/10 - That High

Cuz sharing is caring...

I was stumbling and found this hilarious site. It's a lot like My life is average but a lot more funny...

Check it out!

Puff, puff, pass!

Daily Link Share - 7/11/10 - Man Creates Life

'Cuz sharing is caring...

I was watching Discovery Channel today. There was a documentary on the path to creating synthetic life.

Turns out...

Someone has done it...

I don't know about you... but I'm a little scared.

Saturday Seven - 7 Videogame-Inspired Videos

‘Cuz a list of 11 would be copying and a list of 10 is just too much work…

I’ve been really busy lately so I think the best I can do for a list is something really simple. I spent most of my week preparing to discuss some of the philosophical themes in Plato’s 50+ page dialogue, Phaedo, so, this is a good change in pace for me.

These aren’t all my favorites but these are the ones that come to mind while writing this post. Feel free to share yours by commenting! Remember: Sharing is caring!

Some of the vids embedding was disabled so all I have is a link:

1) RPG Heroes are Jerks

This one is for the people who used to play The Legend of Zelda…

2) Mediated Mortal Kombat

Get over here! You mean the world to me!

3) Koopa’s Hell

I always kind of felt Mario was a douche. It could have been the moustache…

4) Mortal Kombat is not a Tournament

Goro…

5) A Complaint to Mario Bros. Plumbing

It all makes sense now…

6) Pixels


PIXELS by PATRICK JEAN.
Uploaded by onemoreprod. - Watch original web videos.

7) Cal Band Video Game Show



This one doesn’t really follow the general theme of the last few videos but it is quite awesome nonetheless. I feel bad for the dudes running…

Daily Link Share - 7/9/10 - Nowhere Boy

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today's share is the official trailer to Nowhere Boy.

It's the "untold" story of The Beatles (a.k.a. John Lennon's childhood). Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Here's the link because embedding has been disabled:

Thursday Thought - The Universe Conspires

'Cuz sometimes after a hump day, you just want to think...

The universe conspires. It sounds so new-agey (I contend that it is a word).

The idea is so very, "The Alchemist". And, more and more I'm starting to believe it.

I actually read the book in high school. I didn't really like it. I actually liked Coelho's writing style more than the book itself. His pacing actually makes reading a lot easier for someone with borderline ADHD.

How I used to read.

But back to my point...

The universe conspires. I feel this more and more because right now it just seems my life is coming together in the right places.

I guess the reason why I didn't think much of the idea before was because of my mindset. I wasn't quite ready to own the idea just yet. But my perspective has changed, a paradigm shift if you will.

Coelho, in his work, made it look so out there. The idea that if you pursue your dreams (or at least your true purpose), the world will help you in every way possible. Bullshit...

Well, that's what I thought.

But I think more than anything, it's a matter of perspective. It doesn't have to be a purely spiritual, metaphysical, explanation (though that aspect does give an added layer of depth to the idea). It can be explained in a more rational way (if that floats your boat).

If you truly believe in what you are doing, take ownership of your life, I think the world will notice. If you put your heart into it, I think the world will notice. And if you're doing something you hate or don't love, the world will notice too (and help you fail).

I think as humans we have an inclination to help others. Levinas called this substitution.

Imagine a trash can being randomly pushed down by someone on the side of the street. Not so bad right? Now imagine the same thing happening to a person. Not so cool right? (Well, if you don't particularly dislike the other person.)

Substitution. Not so cool if it were a person. "Pank's nat ded."

So in some way, we want to help each other out (unless you're a complete douchebag).

With me, I think by changing my outlook and taking ownership, people felt they were becoming part of something big and that's why I get the help I need to move forward.

Just something to think about.

(Buy my book!)

Daily Link Share - 7/7/10

'Cuz sharing is caring...

Today's link share is a video from one of my favorite shows:

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS


This is one of my favorite songs from the show.

Aside from Too Many Dicks on the Dance Floor...