It's still a busy week leading to more busy weeks which we hope to be able to normalize by mid July. Everyone in the team is working hard and hopefully things will settle down by middle of July. I previously mentioned about how great Qlock has been in helping with multiple time zone management, especially in setting up schedules. A similarly good product which comes really handy for mobile warriors on Blackberry is Worldmate. Also has a similarly good time feature and even has a day and night world map, very handy for quick glances to check if you should say good morning or good evening. Not to mention it's a great travel itinerary and scheduler.

Livemeeting or Vshare and worldwide teleconferencing are also great for gathering people from multiple locations. I used to think that it would be really hard to do things over the phone, mail and such. But after doing it I now believe the only hindrance is the participants willingness. It is no-doubt doubly effective to do things face-to-face but for regular daily engagements, surely, web meetings and phone conferencing is more than sufficient. For our needs particularly. I also thought it would be hard for technical support but I have since engaged phone support a couple of times and it worked out pretty well. Again, I guess only willingness might be the hindrance in these factors.

I've already shared about Tian Tian chicken rice, Good Day beef hor fun and now I'll share the indian food on Amara. Still in the vicinity of Tanjong Pagar, behind International Plaza is Amara, a good hotel to stay when in Singapore and especially if you are visiting locations in the Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Place area. Anyway, I digress, the Fourth floor of the mall inside the hotel is full of food stalls, one of which is a indian stall which has very tasty biryani set. I always take mutton biryani and it is delicious, it comes with 2 vegetable dishes and small sweet delictable. A complete set for around 5 or 6 bucks. You should try it sometime if your in the area.

The new iphone is out and everyone is salivating and already dreaming of getting one. I'm still trying to figure out when the thing will be available here in Singapore. I'm sure it's gonna cost and arm and a leg again, as expected of apple products. I was kind of expecting for a refresh on the Macbook and Mac mini lines but the first day so far has not included them in the announcements. Let's see if it will popup in the next couple of days.

I ran 8km last weekend and I think it was a little bit too much and I had to rest for 2 days instead of the usual 1 day. I should have sticked to not increasing distance more than 10% per week. I also changed from heel stricker to mid footer. The change seemed to have helped coz I don't feel as much force on some parts of my legs. I'm still looking for good shorts for my build and I think my current running shoe is not for runs more than 5 or 6 km. Time to save up for a lunarglide.

I'd like to emphasize again that proper scheduling with different timezones is as much an art as a skill, luckily, the internet and tools such as qlock helps a lot in determining  the correct times. DST really does confuse further an already confusing multiple timezone world. It is however a fact we have to live with, as with the fact that I am working with globalize teams. I guess with time I can only become better at it(I hope).

I'm still tracking the Prudential bid for AIA saga and the current state seemingly looks like a U turn. AIG will not agree to the reduced bid price and it currently is a stalemate. Interesting turn of events, feels like a mexican telenovela or mexican stand-off in this case.

Tensions is still being felt in the Korean peninsula but I'm still positive war will be avoided. Tensions are also brewing on due to actions undertaken by Israel on a humanitarian convoy. Although the said area has been in a said state for a long time now, this recent rash, ill advised or executed?, has brought a dark shadow over Israel.

Cebu seemed to have experience the hottest day in the year yesterday, I could only imagine how it would have felt. Although, I could also say it was very hot yesterday, as Mike and I went to AMARA for lunch, the rays of the sun felt like it was penetrating through our skin. PAGASA says La Nina is coming but for now, it's still scorching hot. It was also humid last night, good thing it rained early morning. 

A couple of good news on the papers yesterday, best of all are positive research results on new treatments and a vaccine for cancer. The big C is dreaded by everyone and so I myself try to live a healthy life to avoid it, learning of positive news about the fight on cancer is very welcome. I believe everyone has had experience with cancer, either through a love one or someone dear and close, I hope the time for an effective vaccine and cure will not be too long away.

News on Google ditching Windows is spreading through the net. I'm thinking, so what? it's their choice, if it works for them, makes their environment secure while still keeping their workers productive, then it's their call. What's the big fuss about it, I don't believe it will dent sales of Windows. I do think it will have indirect impact to future decisions of other entities, but not in the short term. In any case, this problem is for Microsoft to solve.

On the other hand, Apple is reporting ipad sales moving north of 2 million, just days or week after official international sales. Seems like the ipad is defining a new market and leading it by leaps and bounds. I myself am eagerly awaiting the Singapore launch and the WWDC announcements next week as well.

Finally, news of OFWs with dubious circumstances have been rounded up and arrested, news reports are still vague but the essence of the story is that OFWs reaction to it can be summarize into "Respect the law and culture of the country you are in". I totally agree! Everyone should understand that being in a foreign country one must abide by their rules, laws and culture. Respect is key. We as visitors cannot impose our own in a foreign land, we have to abide by what is their standard, if we are not agreeable to it, we were not force to visit and we have the choice to leave. In-depth study on this aspect is required prior to travelling, do not take this for granted. I have brushed with such people and I am appalled by there lack of sense to follow the rules of their accommodating country, We can always do what we want in our own home, but the moment we go out, we have to live in a society, once we trample on the thin line of acceptance by our host, it then starts a loop sided generalization that all Filipinos are such, which is unfair! Therefore, if you are not physically, but more importantly mentally ready and focused, do not even venture out of your comfort zone or our country, you just might do more harm to yourself, other Filipinos and the reputation of our country and fellow citizens.

To add to that, those of us striving and living this life, I congratulate you all, it is not easy, the countries we are in are not the land of milk and honey, money does not flow from faucets or grow on trees, more often than not, we have to sweat tears and blood to earn and more of us are away from our families. So, KUDOS to all ! be strong, physically, mentally and spiritually.

To our Kababayans! do not twist your love ones arms and legs for something that is out of reach, it is not easy to be away working and alone. Do not ever think that anybody from outside the country working is a millionaire, more often than not, most OFW do not earn more than 1000 USD, some even earn almost the same as the salary range in the Philippines. Be considerate, most OFWs return home to relax from work, enjoy their savings, be with family. Always remember that not all return to splurge and waste all their hard earned mullah to the enjoyment of the whole barangay or clan. Let them be, let them enjoy their short time and respite. If they make contact with you, then that is the appropriate time, otherwise, let them be.

A quick round-up of the things I am monitoring. Prudential and AIG seems to be in talks again with Prudential looking at lowering the buying price to appease shareholders. Hong Kong has temporarily halted trading of Prudential due to this.

China has declared it will not protect whomever sank the South Korean ship, which is a very careful and significant response, it's a bit hard for them with North Korea being an ally but they cannot let that get in their way towards their full steam ahead plan to dominate the world economically. Another war might have been expected had China not declared such. I'm hoping for a peacefull end to this crisis, although I respect other peoples choice of government, it does seem like the North needs to open a little and improve the circumstance of its people. But I believe it is in the peoples hands as no one is best suited to help oneself than oneself helping your own first, others can merely support lest they start first and be judged as meddling, worst, jumping into the pool uninvited.

Canvassing for Presidential and Vice-Presidential votes in the Philippines is moving slowly, I think the election automation law missed updating this part of the process. Although the election process has been improved the canvassing of the top two post by the congress can be called the bottle neck. This has to be updated. The canvassing is already slow enough, to add insult to injury, some technology challenged lawmakers are finding it hard to relate, understand and effectively question comprehend the new electoral process. A very in-depth technology briefing and information absorption session could have been conducted by Comelec and Smartmatic for the lawmakers and the everybody involved in the whole election process. But as with all endeavors, one step forward is still moving forward compared to not moving at all. We can table and all of these issues, resolve them and prepare and improve on the next.

Mayor Mike Rama has signified his intent to renovate parts of City Hall and some more historically significant places.  Kudos to these endeavors but I hope improvement of social services are not compromised and will not take the back seat. If the city could just create one big enclosed and air-conditioned structure, then put all the city agencies, national agencies which have frontline public services, that could very much help ease the congestion and the hassle for all citizens who needs to transact. Currently, if you are transacting from City Hall, you go to one department and get's passed to another, if you are lucky they are all in the same building, if you are marked to be jinxed, the other department will be way accross town.  The term lets bring our head together should be literally understood and they should all come together in one place. I believe this would reduce the number of people going to the offices while improving the transaction time and efficiency. These same institutions should improve their back-office procedures so as a citizen will only transact with one representative and the back-office procedure will already take care of it, while at it, the less point in the process that can be removed the better, the less people who come in contact with reduces chances for corruption. WE only need political will to do this!

The ipad is already available outside the US, lines have formed prior to Apple store openings. The sad part is, Singapore is not part of the frenzy, we don't even have an apple store?? Anybody from apple reading this? what gives?

I'm looking at the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, I don't have the complete details yet but it does seem to be a very positive engagement which will bring about progress to all involved. I personally am looking at how this will trickle down to my level and how I can somehow leverage on it. We'll see, but I have been eyeing the dairy industry for a while now, goat dairy products specifically as goats are endemic to the Philippines, do not require high cost to maintain and are plenty in the area. The technology, process and land required are missing in my equation, most importantly the financing, but I'm sure to come to that in due time.

It was Vesak Day yesterday and it's Memorial Day in the US and it's Spring bank holiday in the UK on Monday, everyone get's a long weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

The news world is a buzz with Apple overtaking Microsoft as the biggest tech company base on Market Cap. Everyone is a little surprised but kinda have that it was bound to happen feeling, Apple has slowly encroached on everybody's lives, from the mac, ipod, iphone and now the trend setting ipad. Who knows what's next from Cupertino. I'd like to add that I do love their products, the mac, ipod and iphone. I'll see about the ipad when it's available locally.

It's Vesak day today, an official public holiday here in Singapore. A Buddhists observed holiday which is sometimes called "Buddhas Birthday". Acts of generousity known as dana are observed by Buddhists organizations and temples. It falls on a Friday this year so it's a long weekend for us. A chance to relax and recharge.

I was craving for my favorite ipoh hor fun yesterday lunch, so around a little past 2pm, I went to the Amoy street food Center, where on the first floor is a famous stall which serves what I think is the best beef ipoh hor fun around. While walking towards the center, I was already imagining how I was going to enjoy the savoury noodle and beef. But to my surprise, auntie said hor fun no more, fish and rice only, can? with a little kids disappointed look, I thanked auntie and walked back to the office. Oh well, next week then.

Apparently, Philippine first quarter GDP growth was 7.3%, compare that with 0.5% the same period last year. Everyone is a little surprised. Strong factory output, exports, remittances and election spending has been identified as the source. I think inflation is also poised to increase a little but still manageable. The peso is starting to recover from it's fall to almost 47, it's now slowly moving back to the 46-45 range. Full year growth estimates are now being revised, Barclays has already done so by setting it at 6%, and I think we will see more good things to come. Yes, I'm an optimist! I hope the country can already move on from the elections, proclaim the winners and start working on more pressing matters, the budget deficit, education and social services for instance.

War looms in the Korean peninsula, The US, Australia and other countries have backed the South in giving blame and condeming the attack on a ship from the south by a torpedo from the north. China is playing a little neutral and Russia will send it's own investigators. Threats have been hurled from both sides of the border and everyone hopes it will all remain that way, only threats! The world does not need another war right now, we already are struggling with Iraq and Afghanistan, no one has yet found a solution for Somalia and their are still a couple of countries currently in civil war or technically at war with another state.

The crisis in the Euro area which started in Greece is slowly rippling accross the globe, economist say it will not derail the rebound from worst recession since world war 2 but no one should be complacent. It has already been one but not the only factor in the downward trends of markets, the Dow was temporarily below 10k again but good thing it recovered and it's now hovering that demarcation line. This whole affair has brought attention to the defeciencies of the Euro and the risk it is exposed to. But I think, these risks are also it's strength, being a group with small and big players, the big players will be able to help the small and maintain balance. But I do agree that more transparency and control should be in-place to keep the alliance balanced and avert crisis.

Big news for the gaming professionals, Blizzard is setting up a Singapore office. Start updating your resumes and send them out their way fast. Gaming enthusiast are also in for treat, Battle.net servers will also be located here, latency is of course expected to improve.

casual shoppers, bargain hunters, shoppaholics and even the thrifty are gearing up for the start of the Great Singapore Sale today, even I am hoping to find a good bargain. The 2nd IT show of the year will be on the middle of June so proper budgeting must be enforced so as bargains from both could be maximized.

Work has kept me busy lately, and I think it will be so for the next couple of weeks with project schedule untill June and a little spill over of the rolled-out projects and preparations for new ones taking over July and August. A large portion of those months will be dedicated to improving workflow, procedures and processes. I am learning a lot everyday, I work with a world class global team and I am proud to be part of this.

I'd like to share a challenge one would face working with a global workforce. One must master coordinating and scheduling keeping in mind that everyone is on a different timezone, add DST to the mix and it will surely be chaotic. I personally use Qlock, it's a onubtrusive, free and has a nifty feature of "When the time is", I just set the date and time for that timezone and I temporarily see what it will be for the other clocks I have already set. It will also automatically adjust for DST. Worldmate on Blackberry also has a feature similar to this which is of help when you are mobile.