racoma.com.phJ. Angelo Racoma on technology, economics, writing, problogging, and getting things done

We are helping distribute an audio and audio/visual media of the Divine Mercy prayers produced by someone close to us. I’ve made the audio files available for download here, and I will encode the video version soon. If you would prefer it in hard media (CDs), then please email me so I can send you a few copies.

This is a free-to-distribute devotional to the Divine Mercy, containing relevant prayers in song and recited versions, in English and Filipino: the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy, and the 3 o’ Clock Prayer.

Please help spread the word.

The media, originally in CD format includes spoken and sung versions, both in English and Filipino. For a backgrounder on the devotion to the Divine Mercy, you can refer to ewtn.

From the diary of a young Polish nun, a special devotion began spreading throughout the world in the 1930s. The message is nothing new, but is a reminder of what the Church has always taught through scripture and tradition: that God is merciful and forgiving and that we, too, must show mercy and forgiveness. But in the Divine Mercy devotion, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone — especially the greatest sinners.

If you are curious about the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, you can refer to this site.

Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:

“Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy….”

“….When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior”.

I promised my son I would help spread the word about the Divine Mercy. And new media is the best way I can do it, given my means and talents. I know that my son is helping my family and me from above! Please do help pass on the message.

(image source)

Well hello there!

Yesterday after noon mass I headed to the UP Shopping Center branch of RCPI, which was a western union agent, to withdraw my September Google AdSense earnings. I was disappointed. Apparently the branch didn’t have the form needed for Quick Cash. And the manager said I needed Google’s account number in order to withdraw the funds (not only the Money Transfer Control Number). I’ve read about complaints about the latest way to withdraw Google AdSense earnings on some blogs, and I was expecting some delays.

So the manager had to call up their head office to request a fax copy of the *Quick Cash* form.

I decided to forego withdrawing my AdSense earnings for now because of these reasons.

First, I left my other ID in the car. I didn’t want to waste my time walking all the way to the parking lot and back to the RCPI branch just to get my _other_ ID. RCPI/WU needed two valid IDs, and I usually only carry my driver’s license in my wallet. My other IDs (technically no longer valid, actually) I usually leave in the car for when I need to leave something at the gates of those exclusive subdivisions or school/company compounds.

Also, I wasn’t so sure about the form I was being asked to fill up. For some reason, the wordings on the Google AdSense payment details said *MCTN or Money Transfer Control Number* and *Western Union Quick Cash*, but “MCTN” wasn’t written anywhere on the *Quick Cash* form. So this started me wondering whether I should just use the regular “receive money” form instead.

Also, the person ahead of me in the queue was arguing with the teller, so I was expecting the wait to be longer. Teller says her PRC (Professional Regulatory Commission) ID had already expired last August, and was asking her to submit another ID. The client, however, didn’t carry anything with her at the moment. Seemed like she was pissed, especially since she’d been a regular client for the past few months already.

Here’s what’s funny. During the argument, she said

Ilang buwan na akong nagwi-withdraw ng pera dito, bakit ayaw nyong tanggapin ang ID ko. Dalawang libo lang ‘yan! Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang dangal ko sa dalawang libo.

This loosely translates to:

I’ve been a client for some months now, so why won’t you accept my ID as valid. It’s just PhP 2,000. I won’t compromise my dignity for just PhP 2,000.

Or something to that effect.

Seems like the system got the better of that client.

I almost wanted to hear the teller answer the client:

Hindi naman po dangal niyo ang kelangan namin eh. Valid ID niyo!

Which loosely translates to:

We’re not after your dignity, but only your valid ID.

LOL.

Anyway, I think in these cases it’s an issue with very valid arguments from both sides. The remittance institution is just ensuring the security of transactions. The client, meanwhile, is asking reconsideration because it might be inconvenient at that time to produce another valid ID, probably given her circumstances. Her ID had been valid only a few months ago, and in all likelihood the person on her ID (name, picture, address, etc.) is still her!

Ah, life!

Later today or tomorrow, I’ll be heading to a different Western Union branch and I’ll be sure to fill up that yellow form, hoping it’s the right one.

Just got word from Bayantel DSL customer service that they have increased speeds across the board. New plan speeds are as follows:

* Plan 899 (PhP 899 per month) – from 384 Kbps now 768 Kbps, burstable to 1280 Kbps during off-peak hours
* Plan 1699 (PhP 1,699 per month) – from 768 Kbps now 1280 Kbps, burstable to 1536 Kbps during off-peak hours
* Plan 1999 (PhP 1,999 per month; new plan!) – 2048 Kbps
* Plan 2560 (PhP 2,560 per month) – from 1536 Kbps now 2560 Kbps

Apparently new subscribers as of Nov 1st of this year are getting these packages already. Existing subscribers have to request for an upgrade, which I find very inconvenient and unfair (because we don’t get it automatically). Still, this is a good move on Bayantel’s part, especially considering that their competitors are also increasing speeds.

Here’s one of my latest speedtest results:

Got myself an LG KU250 for backup and mobile connectivity. Who can beat that–at PhP 6,000 (about US$ 136) you get a 3G-enabled phone that can connect via bluetooth or USB (USB cable is even bundled in!). And Smart prepaid lets me surf for PhP 10 per 30 minutes (flat rate), so I don’t have to worry about monthly fees or contracts.

My first problem was making it work on Ubuntu. Initially I was only able to use it with Windows, with the bundled PC connectivity suite. But that’s now solved with these configurations.

Here’s my current speedtest.net result:

Not bad for mobile internet. What’s great is that I was able to install Opera Mini so I have a more or less full-fledged browser on my phone.