YOU wouldn’t know it if you just passed him by on the street, but Ramon Bautista is most definitely a man with a following — most especially on social media.

On Twitter, he has more than 400,000 followers, ranging from ordinary netizens to fellow celebrities like Lourd de Veyra and Jade Castro.

On Formspring, he dishes out wry but sagely advice to his thousands and thousands of lovelorn followers, helping them figure out the twist and turns of falling in and out of love.

And on YouTube, Bautista is a consistent viewer draw. His show, “Tales from the Friend Zone,” is eagerly anticipated by social media savvy young Filipinos, who further spread his hilarious relationship advice on their own social media accounts. At present, all seven episodes of “Tales from the Friendzone” have a combined number of 2,295,105 views, as of this writing.

If these facts and figures are surprising to those unfamiliar with Bautista, it is even more so for the man himself, who started out playing bit parts on UNTV’s “Strangebrew” and in various Radioactive Sago Project music videos.

“Pinanindigan ko na lang, tulad nung campaign ng Nivea, ‘Like A Pogi.’ ‘Yung image na feeling pogi, sinakyan ko na lang siya. Feel na feel ko ‘yung kaguwapuhan ko,” he says of his sudden popularity.

Coming to terms with how “guwapo” he is has certainly worked out well for Bautista. He and his comedic stylings have now successfully transitioned into the mainstream, with Bautista headlining GMA News TV’s “May Tamang Balita” and even putting out a bestselling book — “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo” — that drew one of the biggest crowds at last year’s Manila International Book Fair.

With more eyes on him now than ever before, the UP professor is looking to parlay his popularity into advocacy. Yes, young Filipinos may find his Formspring replies and his YouTube advice hilarious and relatable, but he also hopes that it also clear to these young minds that there is more to life than problems of the heart.

“Gusto kong palabasin na nai-in love tayong lahat, pero kailangan nating mag-aral at mag-trabaho. There is more to life. Isa lang siyang module sa buhay natin, hindi ka dapat sumesentro diyan,” he says. “Siyempre magiging taong grasa ka kapag hindi ka nag-trabaho. Kailangan mo pa ring kumain.”

Bautista is even looking to direct and star in his pet project, a film on national hero Jose Rizal and his life. His goal, he says, is to inspire young Filipinos.

“Tingnan mo ‘yung mga pulitiko natin, mandarambong. Pero hayaan mo na sila, made-deads din naman sila someday. ‘Yung mga kabataan ang papalit,” he explains. “Nagta-try ako na impluwensiyahan ang mga kabataan. Maging idol niyo si Rizal, para kapag naging pulitiko kayo, puwede kayong maging dakila.”

In this rollicking 60 Minutes conversation peppered with punchlines delivered in Bautista’s matter-of-fact tone, the Students and Campuses Bulletin wasn’t just rolling with laughter —Bautista riffs on anything and everything, from Anne Curtis to Michael Jackson — but was also impressed by his wit and wisdom. The jury may be out on how guwapo he is, but Baustista’s popularity and notoriety is certainly deserved.

STUDENTS AND CAMPUSES BULLETIN (SCB): Saan ba nagsimula lahat ang kasikatan mo?

RAMON BAUTISTA (RM): Nung college ako, film major ako. Tapos gumagawa kami ng mga short films, mga student projects. Siyempre low budget ‘yun, magkakaklase ang gumagawa ng pelikula. Kami ‘yung nagdidirek, kami ‘yung artista. Kung may project ‘yung ibang kaklase namin, lumalabas din kami. Lumabas ako sa mga short films ng kaklase kong si RA Rivera. ‘Yung ginagawa niya bilang director sumikat. Eh andun ako sa film niya, so damay-damay na.

May show na “Strangebrew” sa UNTV bago siya nabili, ‘yung kay Tado and Angel (Rivero). Writer at editor ako dun. At dahil low budget ‘yung show kailangan nila ng extra. So ako nalang hinatak. Ginawa ko ‘yung mga off-beat characters na walang gustong gumawa kasi mukhang g*** at nakakahiya. Gumanap ako ng doctor, taong grasa, sirena, mga ganun.

‘Yung mga tao hinanap-hanap ako nung time na nawawala-wala ako, ibalik raw ako. So nung si Tado napunta sa noontime variety show na MTB, ‘yung director na si RA Rivera, wala nang ibang artista so no choice siya, ako na lang nilagay niya sa mga music videos na pinapagawa sa kanya tulad nung “Dan Michael Master Magician.” Konti pa lang ang gumagawa ng internet videos nun dahil mabagal pa ang internet. It was in 2006. Kami lang may access sa mga high-tech na cameras noon. Hindi naman lahat bumibili nun at nag-uupload. So naging malakas sa internet ‘yung Dan Michael.

SCB: Anong klaseng mga videos ito?

RM: ‘Yung Dan Michael spoof ni David Blaine, mga magician na palpak. ‘Yung “Ramon Bautista Show,” nagtuturo ako ng mga musical instruments na palpak. Simula nun, nakita na ako sa advertising, TV show.

SCB: Na foresee niyo na ba noon na magiging malaki ang mga videos sa internet kaya niyo ginagawa?

RM: Hindi eh. Una, hindi kami nag upload, may isang tao na nagka access dun sa VCD na ginawa namin. Hindi pa uso DVD nun. Hindi naman namin alam na lalaki ang mga internet videos like YouTube kasi malakas pa rin ang TV noon. Nung kumalat at nakita naming puwede pala siya maging viral, doon namin natutunan ang kapangyarihan ng social media.

SCB: Nung lumakas ang social media, gumawa ka ba agad ng social networking accounts?

RM: Hindi, kasi noong 2006, 2007, ang mga nag-iinternet lang nun kami. Mga panatiko kasi kami, mga weirdo. Walang social life. Kami rin ‘yung may mabibilis na computer.

Gumawa ako ng Twitter (account)pero nung una hindi ko masyadong nilalagyan ng laman. Nung dumadami ang followers, nararamdaman ko na parang sikat na yata ako ah. So pati sa Facebook bumabanat ako ng nakakatawang statuses. Bawat banat ko dumodoble ‘yung followers ko. Pag nagtu-tweet ako, may nagre-retweet at saka may nagrereply. Kahit tanong na walang kakuwenta-kuwenta.

Sabi ko, sige, paabutin natin ng 500. Nung umabot na, natuwa na ako. Sabi ko, mapupuno ko na ang Araneta. Tapos nagkaroon ng sponsorship sa Twitter. Hindi ko alam na magiging ganun pala siya.

SCB: Paano mo na discover na puwede pala siyang pagkakitaan?

RM: May nag-alok na kumpanya, “Ramon, bayaran kita banggitin mo lang pangalan namin. Hashtagan mo.” Nung una gumawa ako ng commercial tapos gusto ko i-promote sa internet, pamparami ng hits dun sa YouTube video nila. Sunod-sunod na ‘yun. Alam niyo ‘yung chocolate ice cream na Magnum? Dun ata nagsimula ‘yung advertising sa Twitter.

SCB: Why do you think they approached you, kasi nakakatuwa ‘yung tweets mo?

RM: Oo. Nakakatuwa siguro tapos marami akong followers. At saka magandang lalaki lang talaga ako siguro (laughs).

SCB: (Laughs) Nao-offend ka ba kapag pinagtatawanan ka tuwing sinasabi mo na magandang lalaki ka?

RM: Pinanindigan ko na lang, tulad nung campaign ng Nivea, “Like a Pogi.” May kanta akong na-compose tapos ginawang music video. May isang buong campaign behind that video. ‘Yung image na feeling pogi, sinakyan ko na lang siya. Feel na feel ko ‘yung kaguwapuhan ko.

‘ANAK NG ACTION STAR’

SCB: Kailan ka gumraduate sa University of the Philippines?

RM: Gumraduate ako nung 2000 ng Film, tapos nag Master’s ako. Ngayon nagtuturo ako sa UP.

SCB: Have you always wanted to get into filmmaking?

RM: Hindi eh, nagshift ako. Ang original course ko was Architecture. Gusto ko mag drawing at gumawa ng comics. Tapos nung nasa Architecture na ako, wala palang kinalaman sa paggawa ng comics ‘yung course na ‘yun.

SCB: (Laughs) Oo nga. Bakit hindi na lang Fine Arts ang kinuha mo?

RM: ‘Pag Fine Arts hindi ka naman kikita dun eh. Sa Architecture makakapag drawing ka pa ng building eh. May naattendan akong film festival at after nun nag film na ako.

Nung bata ako hindi ko talaga alam kung ano gusto ko maging eh. Hindi ko naman sinisisi magulang ko pero binigyan nila ako ng kalayaan na pumili kung ano gusto ko gawin sa buhay ko. Pero palagay ko sa mata nila, “Sana mag doctor ka.”

SCB: Anong trabaho ng parents mo?

RM: Tatay ko clerk sa UP, nanay ko may iba-ibang raket na ginagawa na hindi ko maintindihan. Ngayon, nasa Amerika siya, artista sa Hollywood, pa extra extra.

SCB: (Laughs)

RM: Sa “Iron Man” daw siya. Kapag may sumasabog katulad ng Staples Center, tumatakbo raw siya, nagsisisigaw siya dun.

SCB: Totoo ba ‘yan?

RM: Totoo ‘yun! Sabi niya action star daw siya. Dito sikat daw ako, siya Hollywood level di ba?

SCB: May mga kapatid ka ba?

RM: Oo, ako ‘yung pangalawa. May ate ako, IT (Information Technology) siya sa States. ‘Yung mas batang kapatid ko na babae, preschool teacher sa isang international school.

SCB: Pero ikaw ba ang comedian ng family or among your friends?

RM: Hindi eh. Sa bahay tahimik at sobrang mahiyain ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako naging ganito. Siguro funny-looking lang ako. Sige, panindigan ko na lang. Kung pogi naman ako mag-a-Aga Muhlach roles ako. Ayos naman diba? Pero kung hindi ako siguro ganito, taong grasa ako. Kasi ‘yung comics ko, hindi ako naging magaling na sagad-sagad. Hindi katulad sa mga diyaryo like Pupung o Barok.

SCB: Saan nagsimula ‘yung interest sa comics?

RM: Wala naman akong binabasa talaga pero siyempre lumaki ako nung panahon na madalas mag brownout, early 90s. Wala kong mapanood na TV so ang ginagawa ko nalang mag drawing. Kapag Math o boring na subject, magdo-drawing na lang sa likod ng notebook.

THE CLASS AS A COMEDY SHOW

SCB: Kailan mo naman narealize na gusto mo magturo?

RM: Nung 2002 or 2003 nag resign ‘yung animation teacher sa UP. Eh ako ‘yung thesis ko animation kasi gusto ko nga mag comics. Pinagdikit ko na lang dun pero one time, big time lang naman ‘yung ginawa kong animation.

Hindi ko na pinalagpas ‘yung pagkakataon, para maiyabang ko naman na minsan sa buhay ko naging teacher ako. Tapos hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako tumitigil. Ten years na akong nagtuturo. Siguro kung college ako, may dalawa na akong bagong course. Nag Food Tech ako or Chemistry di ba?

SCB: Ano ang tinuturo mo?

RM: Film. Dati nagtuturo ako ng editing, animation, theory courses, mga seryosong bagay.

SCB: Hindi ba mahirap magturo lalo na may image na nakikita ang mga bata sa’yo?

RM: Hindi naman. Sa mga college students ngayon, lalo na sa taga-Mass Com, alam nila ang media gawa-gawa lang. Iba ang karakter mo on-cam at sa labas. Hindi naman sila puwede maging makulit masyado kasi alam nila na babagsak sila, kasi hawak ko ‘yung grades nila.

SCB: Sineseryoso ka naman nila?

RM: Oo, kung hindi lalabas sila ng kuwarto.

SCB: Malakas ba ang appreciation ng mga bata ngayon sa film?

RM: Oo. Pero palagay ko ‘yung iba, nag enroll lang dahil napo-pogian sila sa akin o ang tingin nila sa klase ko stand-up comedy show kasi nakakatawa ako. Nabasa ko ‘yung mga evaluation, entertaining naman ang klase ko tapos madaling pasukan. Madaling maintindihan kasi pinepresent ko na interesting. Ngayon, natutuwa ako kasi kung tutuusin boring ‘yung subject kasi mahaba ang readings. Mahirap intindihin ‘yung theory part ng program at buti nata-translate ko ‘yun.

SCB: Ano usually ang demographic ng nagfo-follow sa ‘yo and nanonood ng Tales from the Friendzone?

RM: Palagay ko kabataan ‘yan eh. ‘Yung mga aktibong kabataang nalululong sa bisyong pag-ibig. Kasi kapag bumabanat ako tungkol sa love, nagkakawasakan sila. Ang daming natatawa at ang daming feedback na nangyayari. Sa tingin ko, kahit sino man ang bumanat tungkol sa love marami rin magrereact kasi nararanasan naman ng lahat ‘yun eh.

May mga matatanda rin katulad ng mga tito, tita lalo na dun sa “May Tamang Balita.” Kasi nageendorse ako ng Suzuki, umiikot ‘yun sa buong Pilipinas. Kapag lumalapit sa akin mukhang tito, napanood ako nito sa May Tamang Balita. Kapag mas bata, sa internet, ‘yung Tales from the Friendzone. Sa commercials, matanda at bata.

SCB: Gaano katagal mo iniisip ‘yung mga sagot mo sa Tales from the Friendzone? Para kasing wala kang kinakampihan, babae man o lalaki.

RB: Mabilis lang. Pareho lang naman ‘yung mga nangyayari eh. May manloloko, lolokohin ka, at ikaw naman sobrang gusto mo. Dapat naiintindihan mo ang proseso ng pagiging in love. Ano ba ‘yung mga chemical sa katawan niya at bakit ka naa-attract sa kaniya? Anong repercussion sa iyo niyan? Anong nararamdaman mo? Kapag sa atin nangyayari, hindi natin naa-apply kasi siyempre, tanga-tanga mode pa tayo nun. May mga chemicals na kumakalikot sa katalinuhan natin kaya nabobobo tayo. Pero kapag tayo ang nagbibigay ng advice, ok lang. Mag move on ka na.

MR. POSITIVITY

SCB: Planado ba lahat itong mga desisyon na ginawa mo sa buhay mo?

RM: Masuwerte ako kasi hindi naman ‘yun planado. Nung high school ako mahiyain ako. Hindi ako nagsasalita, parang ayoko nga ng tinititingan ako. Kung high school ako ngayon tapos tinititigan niyo ako, siguro maiihi ako sa pantalon. Hindi ako makakagalaw. Ayoko talagang center of attention ako.

Nung 2007, unang beses na nag host ako sa live event ‘yung “Pulp Summer Slam.” Pagdating ko dun, hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. ‘Pag akyat ko sa stage, “Ayos ba tayo diyan?” Parang may switch na lang na automatic, kapag kinabahan ka mawawala na ‘yung hiya mo eh.

SCB: Ang daming nanonood sa’yo na kabataan, do you feel any pressure to say the right thing?

RM: ‘Yung pagkakaroon ng maraming followers hindi para ipagmayabang ‘yan. May responsibility ka kasi ang daming nakikinig sa’yo. Ayusin mo sinasabi mo. Ang tingin nila sa akin funny so hindi ka puwede bumanat ng negative. Mag spread ka na lang ng good vibes at nakakatawang bagay. Kung meron mang kalungkutan, sasabihin mo in a funny way na hindi siya mukhang tragic.

SCB: Saan ang outlet mo, kasi most people now, sa Twitter sila naglalabas ng negativity.

RM: Oo nga eh. Pero bakit mo ilalabas sa Twitter? Hindi naman bubuti pakiramdam mo.

SCB: Pero minsan kasi you just have to say it. Minsan hindi ka pinakikinggan ng friends mo pero sa Twitter palaging may nakikinig sa’yo…

RM: Oo pero minsan pagtatawanan ka pa nila. Si ano ang lungkot ngayon ah, pagtsi-tsismisan ka pa. Meron akong Formspring pero hindi naman ako dun naglalabas. ‘Pag sumasagot ako ng tanong dun, parang meron na rin akong kausap. Naisip ko, ang lalaki ng mga problema nito ah pero nakakarelate ako. Sige, kausapin na lang natin.

HIS BRAND OF HUMOR

SCB: Bakit ka gumawa ng book?

RB: Meron kasing mga book ‘yung mga kaibigan ko sina Stanley Chi at Tado. Sabi nila gumawa rin ako. Kaya ‘yung mga sagot ko sa Formspring, nilagay ko sa libro, plus ‘yung mga ibang article. Hindi lang tungkol sa pag-ibig. Meron din kung paano mag-aral ng mabuti kung wala ka nang gana, at paano sabihin kay Mommy kung may bagsak ka. Gusto ko palabasin na nai-in love tayong lahat, pero kailangan nating mag-aral at mag-trabaho. There is more to life. Isa lang siyang module sa buhay natin, hindi ka dapat sumesentro diyan. Hindi siya end of the world kapag palpak ‘yan. Siyempre magiging taong grasa ka kapag hindi ka nag-trabaho. Kailangan mo pa ring kumain.

SCB: Paano kung may bading, gusto mag-out sa parents, anong advice mo?

RB: Pareho lang ‘yung pattern sa kung paano mo sasabihin sa mommy mo na bagsak ka. Ang gagawin mo, mag-empake ka na at umiyak ka habang nage-empake. Tapos kapag tinanong ka nang mommy mo, sabihin mo, “Mommy, bading ako.” Kapag naawa sa iyo, may hug ka. Kapag pinalayas ka, naka-empake ka na.

O kaya kung aamin ka, dalhin mo sa ospital. Kapag inatake sa puso si Mommy, may mag-aasikaso. Charades naman kapag nawawala ang cellphone mo. First word, cellphone. Second word, nawawala.

SCB: Natatakot ka ba na walang matawa sa joke mo?

RM: All the time. Hindi ko naman feel na feel na sobrang funny ko, sobrang pogi ko.

SCB: Nangyari na ba sa’yo ‘yun, na walang natawa sa joke mo?

RM: Sa Twitter, minsan may game ako, paabutin ko ng 500 retweets pero walang nag retweet.

SCB: Na try mo na ba mag stand-up comedy?

RM: Hindi eh, palagay ko hindi ako pang ganun. Nakita ko na ‘yung mga ganun eh, iba utak nila. Hindi kasi ako komedyanteng ganun. Kung komedyante man, palagay ko ‘yung humor ko konti lang nakaka appreciate, meron lang niche market. Hindi siya mabenta sa lahat. Hindi parang si Michael V na kahit saan mo dalhin, magiging nakakatawa ‘yan.

SCB: Sino ‘yung mga komedyanteng iniidolo mo?

RM: Si Michael V., Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Dolphy, mga institusyon na ‘yan.

SCB: What would you call the kind of comedy that you do?

RB: Ginagawa ko ito kasi marami nang may alam na maraming klase ng comedy. Maraming nakaka-appreciate sa British comedy, sa French humor. Nung pinanood ko ‘yung mga ‘yun, eto ‘yung gusto ko. Dito ako natatawa, so malamang may mga katulad ko rin na gusto ng ganito.

SCB: Kailan ka nagseseryoso?

RM: Nakakatawa lang ako magsalita pero seryoso talaga ako. Minsan nga hindi alam ng tao kung kailan ako seryoso o hindi kasi mukha akong nag jo-joke. Siguro nasa mukha ko.

UNLUCKY IN LOVE

SCB: Bakit ka pumasok sa mainstream TV?

RM: Etong GMA News TV parang hindi naman siya ganun ka mainstream unlike sa GMA. Nung una ayoko talaga kasi nahihiya ako lumabas sa TV pero eto hindi tinatanggal ‘yung show (laughs). Sa awa ng Diyos (laughs). Magtu-two years na siya, at sa TV matagal na ‘yun.

SCB: Sa palagay mo, bakit nagtagal ng ganun?

RM: ‘Yung balita kasi madali siyang i-absorb kapag nakakatawa. Kapag mabigat masyado, may alternative ka na mapapanood na nakakatawa. ‘Yung mga seksing chicks na ka-partner ko, malakas din ang dating ng mga ‘yun.

SCB: Did you ever think that you would reach this kind of fame just by using social media? Ginusto mo ba itong fame na ‘to?

RM: Gusto ko na rin kasi kumikita ako eh (laughs). Tapos kapag tumitingin ako sa salamin, ‘yang mukhang ‘yan, okay ka ah! Dati, gusto ko maging kamukha ni Richard Gomez. Kung mas pogi lang ako, sana hindi ako naba-basted. Kapag nag sorry ako madaling tanggapin (laughs). Pero ok na rin siguro, kasi kung pogi ako hindi naman ako sisikat ng ganito.

SCB: Hindi ba mabenta sa girls ang funny guy?

RM: Hindi rin! Akala ko rin ‘yun eh! ‘Yung pogi pa rin, magaling mag basketball, gitara at saka ‘yung jerk, ‘yung mga lolokohin lang sila. ‘Yung mga douchebags pa rin ang mabenta pero ‘yung mga nakakatawa hindi.

‘Yung mga chicks na ‘yan na wumasak sa puso ko. Dahil sa kanila, nakasulat ako ng libro at madami akong natulungan sa Formspring. Kung hindi sila naiinspire sa advice ko or naniniwala, at least natatawa ‘yung ibang tao.

SCB: Paano ka ba manligaw?

RM: Hindi ko alam, dinadaan ko na lang sa gandang lalaki. Kung ayaw niyo, eh di huwag. Patatagalin pa eh busy tayong lahat eh. Diba busy tayo? Kayo ang dami niyong isusulat. Gusto mo ba o hindi? Dalian mo ‘yung sagot kasi may isusulat pa akong article, due bukas. Parang ganun din tayong lahat. Hindi naman sa hindi ako patient. Kapag may hints na ayaw sa’yo at patatagalin lang, huwag na. Hindi na tayo high school to beat around the bush.

SCB: Naniniwala ba ‘yung pamilya mo na sikat ka na?

RB: Ang tagal nga nila nalaman eh. May kamag-anak daw naming tumawag, sinabi nasa TV daw ako. Sabi ko hindi ako ‘yun. Tahimik lang kasi ako sa bahay eh. Masaya naman sila kasi kapag umuuwi ako ng bahay may dala na akong standee. Inuwi ko eh. Mas maganda kesa sa 2×2 picture. Masaya naman sila kahit hindi ako naging doctor. Puwede na ‘to. Me standee ako, me commercial pa ako with Anne Curtis (laughs).

SCB: Kumusta naman ang pagkikita niyo ni Anne Curtis?

RB: Nasa tent siya eh. Pina-practice ko pa. “Good evening, Anne.” “Hi, Anne.” “Hello, I’m Ramon.” Pina-practice ko nung nasa labas pa lang ako. Pagpasok ko, “Hello po!” (Laughs) Parang nag-aral ka ng taekwondo, tapos pagdating ng street fighting, bara-bara na lang.

Nakaka-star struck eh! Isipin mo, si Anne Curtis ‘yun, parang diyosa ng kagandahan. ‘Yung mukha niya, parang si Lord mismo umukit eh. ‘Yung mga tulad ko, siguro OJT lang gumawa.

SCB: (Laughs)

RB: ‘Yung intern na raw bahala, may negosasyon pa sila ni Taning. Kapag si Anne, parang si Lord mismo. ‘Yung balahibo sa leeg, pinagmasdan ko, parang ang pino! Kapag nasisinagan ng araw, parang wow! Kadiri, ang stalker ko!

HIS VISION FOR THE YOUTH

SCB: Meron ka bang plano na gumawa ng pelikula?

RB: Gusto kong gumawa ng film tungkol kay Jose Rizal. Ako magpo-produce at ako ang artista.

SCB: Bakit si Rizal?

RB: Siya ‘yung idol nating lahat, national hero. At ‘yung mga kabataan ngayon, parang walang malasakit sa bayan, puro sarili lang nila lahat. Tapos ‘yung mga pulitiko natin, mga mandarambong. Pero hayaan mo sila, made-deads din naman sila someday. ‘Yung mga kabataan ang papalit. Gusto kong maimpluwensiyahan ang mga kabataan. Mag-aral kayo ng mabuti, maging idol niyo si Jose Rizal, para kapag naging pulitiko ko, puwede kayong maging dakila.

SCB: Mag eeleksiyon na naman. Sa tingin mo, ano ang dapat itama sa eleksiyon?

RB: Maling mali yung no choice ang sambayanan sa mga tatakbo, na ‘yun lang mga mapepera saka malakas ang impluwensiya sa mga malalakas na partido. Maling mali na nakakaboto ‘yung mga matagal nang patay.

Attachmen
‘Yung pagkakaroon ng maraming followers hindi para ipagmayabang ‘yan. May responsibility ka kasi ang daming nakikinig sa’yo.

When we were younger, our parents would usually encourage (or should I say force) us to take a nap in the afternoon. Aside from having times for themselves to rest after a half day of work, naps are actually beneficial for everyone, regardless of age. But since I work, I cannot take a long nap. Seventeen minutes would usually work for me, anything longer than that would usually lead me to an overbreak.

You may read the benefits of naps in “The Science of the Perfect Nap” via Lifehacker.

2. Big numbers
The usual mindset is that whenever there are big numbers displayed near the items, probably that item is on sale, and therefore it’s practical to purchase them. That is where the problem lies. We really do not have a way of determining the suggested price of the items (unless of course you have the DTI Retail suggested pricelist). We should not be led into thinking that just because of the prices splashed around the items it would mean it’s cheap.

3. On sale
The same thing happens when the items go on sale. Unless you are a regular of a shop or grocery store where you almost memorize the prices of items, you really do not have a way of knowing if the items are marked down. Yes, there is a sticker pasted over the barcode but for all we know, they could have increased the price instead of lowering them down.

4. Illusion of bargain
This occurs more frequently in tools and machines. Shops place two identical items side by side, and put a huge tag price on one. People would probably buy the cheaper one, thinking that they had a good deal since a similar item costs more. But I bet nobody will buy this cheaper item if it was alone in the shelves, since no item is placed beside it to compare prices with.

5. The number 9
Which is lower, nine or 10? Definitely nine. Most items are priced at, say 99.99 because it’s way cheaper than 100 (of course, I’m being sarcastic here). Again, there’s that illusion of bargain.

6. Warranties
Speaking of machines, some shops offer an extended warranty for an additional price. An extended warranty is a double-edged sword. You want to have it for security but you don’t want to use it. I believe that the standard warranty (one year for most) is enough for gadgets. Ask yourself, what are the chances that this item I’ll purchase will break down a year after?

7. Eye level
Going back to groceries, most of the items that are eye level would probably be more expensive than those that are in the shelves below or above.

An additional tip whenever you buy grocery items: get items from the back. Newer items are usually placed on the back while old inventories remain on the front. This is applicable specially on perishable goods such as bread. First in, first out right? Let business have their problem on how to dispose old products.

8. Maze
This is just a theory of mine. There’s just one grocery store nearby that I frequent and I have almost memorized the positioning of items. But there were times that I cannot find the items I need, only to discover that retailers placed them in other parts of the store. This leads me to think that they intentionally do that so customers would see other items they might purchase in search of the ones they need. It’s like going through a labyrinth. Notice that formula milks for babies are commonly found in the farthest place in the store. Moms have to go through several aisles of products before getting what they need and buy them in impulse.

9. Read before checking out
Among other things in the cashier, magazines are strategically placed on book stands just before you checkout. Why? If there’s a queue in the counter, grabbing something to read is a come-on to purchase the magazine. Same with batteries, candies, and shavers – small items that are near the counter that retailers think you might be interested in buying.

10. Music
I found myself singing a Gino Padilla song when I was in a grocery. The music was slow, which makes you more relaxed and, well, move slow. And moving slow makes you spend more time in the store. The more time you spend, the more money you spend, more earnings for the store.

These are just some tricks that supermarkets use to get money from us. Take note of them to avoid being ripped off.

While at the Quahog Clam Day Fair, Stewie wins an animal contest using a pig with an exaggerated amount of muscle (and fists). After Brian inquires how he came about attaining the genetically modified pig, Stewie explains how he got it from a farm that breeds those specially mutated pigs. Brian insists on seeing this farm, and Stewie brings them both home where he divulges on the “Multiverse” Theory and shows him a remote control that allows the user to travel between alternate universes.

He takes him to the universe where he got the pig, one where Christianity never existed and therefore no dark ages to inhibit scientific advance for a thousand years. After seeing the wonders of this universe, the least of which being an attractive Meg, Brian wants to see more alternate universes. After brief stop-overs in the Flintstones universe, Disney universe, a Japanese universe, a universe where everyone needs to poop right at that instant, a bipolar double-headed universe, Quahog in the Ice Age, a robot chicken universe, the real universe, a universe inhabited only by a guy in the distance who gives out compliments and several other universes in a vain effort to get home, they stumble upon a universe where humans are subservient to dogs. Brian, enjoying himself in the new universe, gets into a scuffle with Stewie over the remote, and accidentally drops it on the sidewalk, breaking it.

Finding their way back to the Griffin residence, they introduce themselves incognito to the dog versions of the Griffin family, including a human Brian. Dog Stewie asks to play with human Stewie, where he takes him into the living room and explains his similar situation, that he has also discovered the ability to travel through universes, albeit with precise co-ordinates in mind, which involves turning off the shuffle feature of the remote. He offers to take him back to his own universe, but unfortunately before he can retrieve the device, Dog Peter enrages human Stewie, causing Stewie to bite his hand, a detestable offence witnessed by Dog Joe, who locks Stewie up and takes him to the pound to be euthanized. Brian, Human Brian and Dog Stewie sneak into the prison where they break Stewie out and transport both him and Brian back to their universe. As the portal closes, Human Brian, realising the limitless potential he can hope to achieve in that universe, jumps in. After reaching their destination, Human Brian says his goodbyes, hoping to “be somebody” somewhere in the world, which unfortunately does not work out, because he is hit by a car shortly after leaving.

Manila, Philippines — China, not India, is emerging as the Philippines biggest rival in the outsourcing sector, according to ICT research and advisory firm XMG Global’s 2012 Year-end Forecast released over the weekend.

Based on its growth trend, XMG said, China would overtake India within the next two to three years in the huge global outsourcing industry because it has actively sought out customers in the Asian market unlike the pre-eminent power player India and new favorite Philippines, which are historically focused on gaining share of the US outsourcing industry.

“If current trends continue, China is on target to overtake India as the dominant BPO player, potentially within the next two to three years,” XMG said.

This year, the Philippines’ outsourcing industry revenues will grow from $11 billion in 2011 to $12.7-billion, XMG predicted.

However, the top rung still belongs to India, whose revenues are expected to grow from $59 billion to $63.2 billion in the same period. China ranks as a close second, with revenues increasing from $45.7 billion to $53.8 billion.

Nevertheless, at this point, China and the Philippines are each showing “real growth,” in terms of total market share, as compared to India’s current dominant position.

To put that in perspective, the last three years (2010 to 2012 projections) have seen annual revenue growth of 25.4%, 23.6%, and 15.7% in the Philippines.

In the same time frame, India showed a declining trend, with 13.2%, 8.6%, and 7.1% revenue growth versus China’s increasing numbers of 43.5%, 63.6%, and 33.0%.

Collectively, these statistics showed a gradual chipping away of India’s stronger historical dominance, though time will tell if it will be significant, XMG pointed out.

In billions of dollars, India’s last three-year growth cycle was, 54.33, 59.0, and 63.2. China’s market share was 35.76, 45.7, and 53.8.

In 2010, India’s revenues were $18.6 billion more than China, but by 2012 the difference was down to $9.4; a significant reduction.

On the other hand, the Philippines modest contribution rose from $8.9 to 12.7 billion; a not-so-insignificant 43% increase in revenue. That is only slightly lower than China’s 50% revenue increase.

“This trend suggests new opportunities for other players to gain market share as well since the growth of the outsourcing industry will remain relentless,” XMG undescrored.

The bottom-line is, the offshoring outsourcing market is positioned to continue to thrive and grow, but the relative positions, of the respective players, is changing.

This shifting paradigm would also indicate room for new players like the Philippines to gain a share of an industry which continues to show growth potential.

XMG also projected that the BPO industry growth this year is expected to grow at marginally lower rate than the previous year or a revenue increase of 13.9 percent to $425 billion from a higher 2011 percent growth of 14.4 percent over the previous year to a total of $373 billion. The slower growth was projected despite the rejection of the US Senate of the anti-outsourcing bill.

A tangible example of this dynamic is reflected in the growth of China’s share of the global market. Current year growth for China showed the largest growth share, compared to the next two largest players (India and the Philippines).

“This reflects how political instability in the U.S. has a smaller impact on China, which has actively sought out customers in the Asian market. Industry volume for India and the Philippines has historically focused on gaining share of U.S. outsourcing,” said XMG research manager Anna Juanillo.

While the industry continues to grow, XMG said it would always be vulnerable to the ebb and flow of political like the US anti-outsourcing bill and the capability of host countries to continue operating this 24×7 orientation of this industry.

Earlier, XMG raised concern over the capability of the Philippines to continue providing seamless 24×7 operations in light of the recent massive flooding that paralyzed most industry operations in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces in Luzon.

The long-term impact, of this new political dynamic, remains to be seen; but for now, it would suggest a change in U.S. political control and preferences could affect industry growth, every bit as much as recent floods in Manila affected the industry and its perception in its ability to deliver.

The second concern addresses where the respective players fit into the recipient list of that global outsourcing. For example, the top beneficiaries of outsourcing include: The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) Countries, Indonesia, and the Philippines; however the lion’s share is clearly dominated by India remaining the pre-eminent power.

You can read the Manila Bulletin article.

The choke points in red are the flooded areas.

At around noon of Tuesday, August 7, however, the rain still poured. I initially planned to just leave my car in the office and go to my apartment, but the rain and wind were so strong that I have to go back to the office. I have to take my car out in fear of an overnight charge, and then go back in. Our office provided sleeping quarters for those who might have been stranded. Then there was news that work in the government and private sectors were all suspended. I never thought that the government has such police powers over private companies that they can order suspension of work! Nonetheless, there were already agents in the office who’s on shift and rendered overtime. I slept until 7 pm.

By 8 pm, I am the only agent in the office whereas during normal operations, there would be at least five (I think). The operations manager is there, though. I can see our queue monitor beaming in red. By 10 pm, agents who live nearby and who are not affected by floods came in. At around 12 midnight, I attempted to go back home (province) using the same public transport route used by my officemate. The whole stretch of Manggahan floodway looked like a big parking lot. But then, the roads leading to the eastern part of Metro Manila are flooded by the time I passed by, so I have no choice but to go back to the office. And then take in calls.

Come 8 am, I decided to go home, along with another agent. Due to lack of sleep, I lacked focus that I almost hit a tricycle and a banca (on top of a tricycle) almost hit me. There was a gutter high flood in Taytay but we managed to pass by it.

By 10:30 am, I was finally home. Weather is better, sun is almost there although there were occasional drizzles. Electricity and Internet are up; it’s just like a regular rainy day. The rain was nothing compared to Ondoy.

I skipped work on Thursday morning. Not only because I woke up late that morning, but also because the roads leading to the office – again, Marcos Highway and Ortigas, are still flooded.

On Friday, I finally came back. Agents are back, although those who live in Cainta were still absent.

And then last Saturday, I had to do a six hour clean up of my apartment. Inside my room, the flood was waist deep and it swept away my bed, and drenched my clothes. The only electrical device that was there was a fan. I sort of expected floods to reach my apartment since my place is flood prone area and so I kept my things there to be minimum. As I write this, my legs still hurt.

I was very meticulous in cleaning. I bought detergent powders, Zonrox and big trash bags from Robinson’s Supermarket and a wiper (yes, the ones used by car wash boys) from DIY. The following pictures show what the place looks like when I opened the door.

First, I have to take out all flooded materials outside. Using the wiper, I scraped the thick mud that covered the white tiles, starting with the cabinet under the kitchen sink since it’s a little bit elevated compared with the floor. Second step is to brush them with water and include the walls in the process. Once the majority of flood have been taken out, I sprayed detergent and brushed every square inch of the floor. Using the wiper and dustpan, I took all the water and bubbles out. Lastly, rinse the floor with water and again, using the wiper and dustpan, take all the water out. My electric fan is drenched and so I did not dare plug it in, thereby drying the floor took a long time.

I did the same thing in the comfort room although it was much easier because the water source is already there.

Outside, I have to clean my table, cabinet and chair. I threw away the mattress and the still unread FHMs. My pillows and blanket were on top of cabinet, the place where I usually put them since no one one will be there on weekends. They were moist.

After everything has been cleaned, I thought of getting a massage in Shopwise-Libis but they were fully packed. I have to schedule it later. I have to go back home tired. I brought the electric fan, pillows, blanket and clothes for repair, drying and washing.

Since I was dead hungry, I stopped by a sari-sari store to buy softdrinks (I have biscuits in stock). “Ate, may Coke in can kayo?” “Ay, wala.” “Sige, kahit yung nasa bote. Paki-plastik na lang.” “Wala pa po lang malamig na softdrinks.” Arrgh. Can’t she just tell me that they have no cold drinks?!

Anyway, it’s a good thing that the highest official of our company have assured us that they care about our welfare that employees who can’t come to work don’t have to force themselves. Those however, who have opted to stay in the office can use the sleeping quarters. Food stubs were given. Absences in the duration of the catastrophe were not taken against the employees – rather they can be filed either as leave of absence or be tagged as a rest day. Those who have worked will be given premium pay. It’s not that much but still it reflects how the company takes care of its employees. I hope that the phone grab posted in Facebook about a BPO that doesn’t “take orders from the government” is not true.

What’s alarming however, is the statement Business Processing Association of the Philippine executive director for external affairs Genny Marcial. She said, in GMA News, that “We were requesting for a clarification. Are we really included? This is the first time… We were caught in a dilemma.” First, a BPO is a private company. Second, the Palace issued Memorandum Circular 33-A where it suspended work in the private sector. Therefore, work is suspended in BPOs. I cannot be clearer than that. Also, even if work is not officially suspended, I mean come on, safety first! As per Google, Marcial is from Sutherland.

However, after the epic hack of online accounts of Matt Honan, an employee of technology blog site Gizmodo, I changed my mind. You can read his story How Apple and Amazon Security Flaws Led to My Epic Hacking. Although the process of hacking has been determined which are the weaknesses of the security policies of Apple and Amazon, it also highlighted the strength of Google’s two-factor authentication.

The two-factor authentication works like an ATM. To withdraw money, you have to key in to the machine something you own (which is the ATM itself) and something you know (which is the four or five digit PIN). In the case of Google, before anyone gets in to your Gmail account, one has to enter the username and the password. The next screen will ask for a PIN that can only be sent to your phone. For steps on how to set this up, you may visit Google Blog. Now, unless someone who wants your account be hacked has your phone, your Google account is virtually hack proof.

This is actually a learned lesson for me. In May 2010, due to heated arguments in a community site I manage – Baras Rizal Online, somebody hacked it, along with my Yahoo and Gmail accounts. I no longer investigated how that person/s managed to hack into my accounts but I suspect it was because I used the default “admin” username in my blog. They could have gained access to the SQL database where they could find the password – the same password I used in my Gmail account.

The strength of the Google’s two-factor verification exposes the weakness of Yahoo’s password reset policy. Supposedly, a user who has forgotten his password has to answer a set of questions. Social engineering however, can easily undermine this process. How does that come into place? Let’s take some password reset questions: what is the name of your first teacher; what is the name of your first child? what school did you go to? These questions can be easily circumvented through social media. The solution probably is to set questions that can only be answered by you, and nobody else. Not even your significant other.

You may also want to watch “The Secret Origins of DC Comics,” a documentary on the history of superheroes, starting with Superman. I suppose it’s available in your favorite torrent site.

Here’s the background.

I have downloaded CS6 yesterday which took about more than eight hours. I have uninstalled CS5 from my PC and installed CS6. Everything went fine – no error in installation as long as you follow the instructions. Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator launched perfectly well.

There is a problem, however, when I launched Bridge. I use Bridge to edit filenames and tags of photos. It is very useful, specially when browsing through pictures that I would later on edit in Photoshop.

Initially, I thought it was my video driver. My PC has the native Windows 7 graphics driver. I downloaded the ATI Radeon 4600 driver from AMD. The error still appears after the installation.

Next, I tried the solution indicated in the Adobe Forums. It said that I can reset Bridge preferences and default workspace and purge the thumbnail cache, by holding down the Control key when launching Bridge CS6. I reset everything, was able to open Bridge at first, but now, the same error shows up when I open the folder that contains the pictures.

Well, I cannot continue working without the Bridge so I popped in my Adobe CS5 DVD and installed Bridge. This, however, will only work if you do simple tasks, such as editing the metadata of photos or it filenames. We have to remember that Photoshop has a minibridge, which, I just knew, would not run within Photoshop unless the Bridge itself is not running. Otherwise, you will see a message “Bridge must be running to browse files.” So, I have a Photoshop CS6 and I functioning Bridge CS5. If I launch Bridge CS5, Photoshop CS6 does not recognize it.

I ask everyone out there who may have found a solution or has a suggestion, please make a comment below. Basically, there are two things that I would need to address: how to get rid of the “Adobe Bridge CS6 has stopped working” error, and (if there’s no solution to the first), is how to make Photoshop CS6 communicate with Bridge CS5.

Update: This has been fixed by doing a re-install of Adobe Creative Suite 6.