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

I often find myself envious of people who have the time and the passion to write thought-provoking articles and editorials. When I originally launched my blog, it was my intention to contribute such content to the world. I wanted to focus on making a point, making a stand, and helping people understand these.

I never realized I would gain a considerable followership (while a humble number, it’s the connections that matter, I must say). But then, one thing turned into another, and I found myself writing—blogging—for a living. And the pressure and constraints took me away from using blogging as a platform for truly expressing ideas and ideals. There have been so many “me too” posts, one-liners and link lists. There’s the pressure to earn. There’s the pressure to stand out.

Racoma.net is, in a way, the contradiction of those “me too,” one liner and link posts, in its every relaunch. You see, everytime racoma.net has been relaunched, it’s often been at a point in my life I’m trying to reach new heights (and that, perhaps because of hitting lows). And it’s a way of recreating and reinventing myself. The last time I relaunched racoma.net, it was in 2006. Now I find myself relaunching once more.

For some time, I have let racoma.net languish in obscurity, ever since I switched to this .com.ph version of my blog. Even with this most recent relaunch, it has been about 10 months since my first post. But now that is changing. I’ve been trying to be more consistent with updating the site with what I hope are thought-provoking, interesting, funny, or at the very least grammatically-correct posts.

And this is a discipline I intend to maintain.

And so, folks, I give you racoma.net. Redesigned. Relaunched. Reloaded. Re-impassioned. Re-infused with goodness and warm, fuzzy feelings.

Feel free to drop by at www.racoma.net. I have, so far, discussed Twitter, social media and, yes, even Rick Astley.

Image credit: flickr/jurvetson

Should know PHP, MySQL, and most modern scripting, languages and platforms used for web applications, such as XML, Javascript, AJAX, and the like. Should be open to learning new technologies, and applications (such as the Twitter API, Facebook, etc.) and exploring how to develop applications over these.

Willing to work full time. Initially, might be asked to telecommute. But the job entails working full time at our office.

Please send me your application and resume at jangelo (at) gmail.com. I will be conducting interviews via email, phone, chat or in person.

Tomorrow, August 20th, 2008, we commemmorate the first birth anniversary of our son, Joseph Micahel, who has joined our Creator ahead of us all. For those who wish to join us in commemorating this event, the following masses will be held in his honor:

1. Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 6:00 p.m.


2. Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, Varsity Hills, Loyola Heights, Quezon City – 6:0 a.m., 6:30 p.m.


3. Santa Maria Della Strada Parish, Katipunan Rd., Quezon City- 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


4. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (Claret Church), UP Village, Quezon City – 6:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


5. Lord of the Divine Mercy Parish, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


6. Parish of the Holy Family, Kamias, Quezon City – 6:30 p.m.


7. Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish (Diocese Cathedral), Cubao, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


8. Divine Word Mission Seminary Parish (Christ the King), E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City – 5:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


9. Mount Carmel Shrine, New Manila, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


10. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Congressional, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


11. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Project 6, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.


12. Our Lady of Hope Parish, Pag Asa, Quezon City – 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.

We would like to thank everyone who have helped us and who had been with us during our time of difficulty, and who continue to support us.

Here’s a great income opportunity for individuals or teams looking for work. I’m looking for dedicated, reliable people whom I can assign blogs on various topics that include (among others): real estate, insurance, health, beauty, entertainment, technology, and others.

I don’t need too much expertise in English, but what I need are people who are reliable, dependable and who can write well. Familiarity with WordPress and blogging will be an advantage.

You should be able to work reasonably fast, and with minimal supervision. You will not be required attendance at any office, as this is writing work, and you are only required to submit/upload works regularly. However, I will usually follow up on deadlines, whenever necessary.

How to apply: send me an email at jangelo (at) gmail (dot) com, and include in the subject line “Application for blogging assignments”. Introduce yourself, and write a bit about why I should hire you. Do add links to your existing blogs or other written material (you can attach files, if you wish).

Include your contact numbers so I can also interview you by phone.

I’m launching a ton of blogs this November, and I need 10 writers who can write for me for 12 months. This is mostly copywriting work, and the posts are to be short posts on a wide variety of niches/topics. Compensation is okay by Philippine standards, and is of course commensurate to the effort put into this project. Perhaps it’s good enough to leave your day job especially since it’s a telecommute/virtual office position—so you can save on the usual expenses related to commuting to work.

I also need one technical person who can take care of installing and maintaining blog software for me.

I have talked to a few people, and some are on my shortlist already. But most of these slots need to be filled still.

While I wouldn’t require a PhD in creative writing or any degree whatsoever, I would need prospective writers to have a good grasp of the English language. I wouldn’t require you to be Filipino or in the Philippines, either (there’s always PayPal!), but keep in mind that you may not expect the compensation to be enough for a full-time undertaking if you’re from an expensive city like New York or Tokyo.

If you are interested, please do email me at jangelo (at) racoma (dot) net. Please send a copy of your resume (online, inline or as an attachment), and links to your blogs or other writing works.

This starts in November so I’ll be able to assign these by middle of next week.