The Jolly Jetsetter

BEIJINGS FERRAGOSTO

2008-09-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

I leave an exhausted Beijing, with a strange sense of pride and relief that the summer games has finally passed. Not to undermine the importance of the incoming 2008 Paralympics, but quite frankly, nobody cares. The highlight of the last six years-- the catalyst which forced fat cat party bureaucrats to prop a politically correct persona and varnish the toothy smile for the country, was the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Seriously people, they actually took proactive steps towards improving the environment, WTO situation and even those fake DVD's!

Sitting high up on the 35th floor, when the 25th of August rolled around, I could hear the collective sigh of 20 million Beijingers, as the city let its gut hang loose and hacked up that festering, 6 year old loogie in triumph. The streets were not filled with as many free spending, cheerful foreign faces as expected and neither did the pollution cooperate with the countries efforts, but nevertheless, the mountains moved by the government to make this event possible was nothing short of amazing and Beijingers like myself will be enjoying the effects for many years to come.

This communal effort has been so taxing, that the city is still in a sort of comatose state-- where the ever so industrious Chinese are NOT business as usual. It is almost like when the last Olympic foreigner left, the city inhabitants decided to hang up a huge “Ferragosto” sign moments before taking off for the peace of their courtyards and weekend getaways. I suppose it is all the better, because if there is one city in the world that needs a break form the ever growing intensity and energy, it is Beijing.

The thing is, now that all of the gabby reports have left and taken with them the cheesy cliché's that riddled CNN and BBC and the last of the bewildered tourists with flags and banners stumble on the new, slightly constricted, airport express. just what exactly is Beijing to do?

The city is caught at a limbo between the Pre and Post Olympic city. To spit or not to spit-- that is the question. Not that the government has softened its political line much, but in the Pre Olympics it has made attempts to be a little bit nicer about caging up the Tibetans and dealing with local hot spots like Xinjiang. I would like to hope that the last few months has been more a part of Chinas “century strategy” than its 08/08/2008 strategy. The economy has not exactly warmed up either. Metal and oil prices are still fluctuating, though the Chinese seem less surprised by them and are now addressing work efficiency and government tax assistance to keep themselves competitive. The RMB has been allowed to steadily appreciate to the dollar and local wages as well as workers rights (UN. Believable.) are improving. Of course, my office employees will argue that last point, but as I always say, these changes start in Middle China, working outwards and affecting cities like Beijing and Shanghai last (except on my balance sheet, which feels the effects...IMMEDIATELY). I also remind them that and my company is not a democracy, we follow the chines government policies of 1989!

So, I hope Beijing is enjoying its short reprieve. I eagerly look forward to business as usual, more out of curiosity on how the government will use the positive affects of the Olympic Games to strengthen Chinas future. Building on my favorite CNN cliché, China's coming out party will all be for naught if whats coming out is nothing short of amazing.

THE EMERGING ADVERTISING WINDFALL

2008-08-14T22:04:00.000-07:00

There is an Internet and mobile advertising conference underway, so these days the city is full of tech and Ad guys from all over the world. I was part of an interesting forum headed by the Yahoo team on where they felt mobile advertising was heading. I entered the meeting with some bias thanks to recent news of the pummeling Yahoo has gotten from the likes of Icahn and Microsoft, but I left feeling rather elated and encouraged about their future in the business. Of course, any good management team can sell just about anything to anyone, so I am reasonably more optimistic but not about to put my money in the Yahoo pot.

Yahoo is quite entrenched in Asia (hence Microsoft’s interest) offering services that I would classify as moderately interesting. They have a system that places banners on the different sites that you visit on your phone, promising correct placement and in some cases, a fun and interactive experience. They have little spider- bots (I don’t speak nerd) that make sure that when a topic is searched, your company is placed first when browsing online. You pay when consumers click on your link and you can bid for the price of your link placement (very efficient). Lastly and what I find most interesting, they have a platform that develops an online system that is both advertising and operations related. Ex:

Citibank signs up with Yahoo, whenever “bank” is searched online, Citibank comes up and gives the customer easy links to signing up via phone, SMS, or online. If I was browsing my online stock page, I might see a banner for Citibank that drops down into a video with links to learn more or speak to a representative. If I was searching for a new home-- I might see the Citibank link to “home loans and how to apply.”

These online systems are based on user profiles and demographics, which means that they can determine where and when to be placed-- which makes it RELEVANT for the consumer. When you are browsing the net and its world of information and junk, relevant can make all the difference.

Now, all of this is not new, but in the last few months it has become easier for companies to access/understand and consumers to use. As mobile phones get faster and easier to manage. As these websites improve and look better on our smaller screens. As individuals trust and become accustomed to going about their day to day lives through their mobile phones—this mobile advertising future looks all the more lucrative.

Will this mobile net, which needs to be developed and designed differently from the Internet, be the future for advertising? Absolutely. We are going to live in a world where road warriors of today with their blackberry’s and high speed Internet connection become the majority of the public. We will be accessing our stocks, buying homes, canvassing our vacations—all on the go, whether on our computers or phones. The millions of Iphones sold is testament to the fact that good hardware and good software when paired can move generations of technological dinosaurs. If the Iphone gets any better, i can see my 89-year-old grandmother trading in her Treo—and that will be quite the feat.

So if mobile online is becoming a reality, what is going to happen to all of these WAP sites, SMS based services, the voice based Ad-Phone? Technology is leapfrogging forward and a lot of very large invested companies are going to find them without a market. That is unless they can adapt and change.

I'm quite pleased with these developments. I love technology and I enjoy making my life more efficient (its the logistics blood that runs through me). Even at the expense of my eyes (getting worse), my fingers (getting worse) and my “moments of Zen: (getting less). I think a world of information at your fingertips can only be a good thing. It makes the business landscape a lot more competitive and challenging.

OLYMPICS ARE COMING

2008-08-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

“China Surveillance may extend to taxis.” Front page of the WSJ Asia, a gripping reality to all free world born tourists heading to the Beijing Olympics. As it turns out, those little black microphones that started popping up in taxis a few years ago, were really part of the governments protective defense against terrorists for the planned summer Olympics. These days it is no joke. The majority of the friction so far seems to be coming from Xinjiang and Tibet, which both have just cause to despise the Chinese way of life, but there are still plenty more dissidents in line. Still, the massive Chinese surveillance system that spans cameras, phone bugs, cell phone/online tracking software, vast networks of informers and the low tech system of tracking where foreigners have traveled through our passport checks at all hotels, will exist for years after the games have left Beijing. China may be blossoming into one of the most culturally vibrant and exciting courtiers in the world, but it is still leans heavily on its controlled communist past.

With the games only a few days away, locals are quickly cowering in their homes in fear of the terrorist strikes to come. Personally, I would say that the safest place would be right by the Olympic venues. If there were any government that I would trust with keeping the peace (Americans, British, Australians), it would have to be Hu Jintao and his armed guard. There is something about the tattered velvet glove over the iron fist that is China that soothes my fears. They may be crude and rude, but they are certainly not sloppy. With one and a half days to go, I wish them all the luck with the coming Olympics!

THE EGG HAS HATCHED

2008-08-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

EGG is an innovative company similar to Chikka, though facing fewer internal obstacles these days. Primarily a CP, this buyout must work out very nicely for them as the industry has been shrinking quite rapidly. It is not so much their fault as the fact that the market went in a different direction. The content required to entertain subscribers these days lies well beyond the traditional CP offerings of RBT's, News updates, Games, etc.

EGG's fate does not interest me as much as the deliberate move by Globe to expand its service offering by encouraging this buyout. Gerry Ablaza stated that: “globes strategy is to drive growth through expansion in adjacent spaces such as mobile content creation and distribution.” I think it is canny that he did not mention that this move by EGG has also opened up a number of possibilities for Globe to generate additional advertising revenue—the direction of the vast majority of mobile companies. With Globe acting as the content provider, developer, and telecommunications company, they are positioned to develop and support multiple platforms for their corporate clients.

I remember reading a few months ago about CURE and Mindshare and all the fantastic services that Smart was looking to offer its corporate consumers. Many months later, not much if anything at all has hit the market…I think that they are finding that it is quite difficult to merge the needs and expertise of content providers and advertising firms with what is best for Smart. There are just too any technologies, proprietary software and corporate clowns trying to protect their own little turf to the detriment of the whole. This move by Globe is the first right step in the industry and I would bank that many will soon follow. TELCO has realized that all of the billions they have spent on infrastructure and hardware, can be paid back much sooner with a little horizontal expansion. Who better to create and develop services for mobile consumers and corporate clients than the telecommunications company themselves?

On a side note, I briefly came across a discussion on WiMax the other evening. I'll need to do some digging around, but if WiMax does find itself implanted in major cities, how will telecommunications companies respond?

WiMax simply put, is WiFi on steroids, where broad areas like cities or countries are connected with high-speed Internet. Its been making some headway these days in the more technologically progressive countries-- even The Fort in Taguig! With Internet connection on demand and my road warrior of a Nokia Communicator linked to Skype, I would rarely need to make a traditional phone call. That is one less ultra Platinum globe and VIP China Mobile consumer to gouge. Think of the paradigm shift.

PASSING OF THE TORCH, TO WHOM?

2008-08-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest literary figures of the last century has passed. Interrned in Moscow, Solzehenitsyn completed what he always said he would do, to have been born and to die in Russia.

I was asked the other day how Solzhenitsyn died?

Well, he incurred the ire of Stalin by exposing the addled core of the communist system. His writings and US exiled presence (CT I think?) resonated loudly within the ruling term of Khrushchev and Brezhnev, culminating with the era of Glasnost and Perestroika under Gorbachev—who in many ways embodied the change from Solzhenitsyn’s Russia and the emerging new Russia. Sadly, much like the other great figures of the revolution though to a lesser extent, Solzhenitsyn’s continued existence was a ghost of an unwanted past. The new generation of Russians was too disjointed from the old system, too concerned about making a future in this new economy. Nevertheless, his mark on this world is undeniable and his portrayal of the communist machinery at its worst in the Gulag's, a chilling reminder of what humanity is capable of.

So, to answer in short—he died of old age.

The Jolly Jetsetter is in mourning.

CROSBRID ALERT: TERRAFUGIA

2008-07-29T05:42:00.001-07:00

http://gliving.tv/gmag-summer2008/gvehicles-summer2008-page01.php

Bit of interesting reading from Gliving of all places. Terrafugia has a hybrid which is having its first full scale model produced in Woburn, Massachusetts. It looks good, but I think that Terrafugia needs to really study the market they are attempting to enter. There are good products (Automobile, Airplane) and there are good products in concept (The flying car). Some well loved products are just not meant to be crossbrids, especially when their respective industries are undergoing such massive change, that will undoubtedly change the way we look at their products.

I do not see an immediate future of consumers that drive out of their garage, on to the highway, and up into the sky. The worlds infrastructure is not designed for it and neither are we. I am however interested to watch as our daily land based transportation system gets leaner and greener, while travel at 17,000 feet gets cheaper. A near future of hybrids (50pmg) and Honda Jets ($4m and lower) is just the sort of future I intend to have.

Terrafugia's well touted “flip of the switch” wing gadgetry, brings back fond memories of Roger Moore's “flip of the switch” Lotus/submarine. I'm sure they can make space next to the Lotus in the warehouse of useless crossbrids, ill throw in my old Flowbee (Vacuum/Clipper) for good measure.

REMINISCING CHINESE FLIGHTS

2008-07-29T05:39:00.001-07:00

I would rarely classify myself as the irritating one on any flight, but working on my laptop and communicator, with 2 glasses of water (filled about 7 times on the red eye flight), and elbows sharply pointed out, I might see why some would find me difficult to be with. I was enjoying a blast from China past, with Chinese opera blaring on microphone speakers only slightly less irritating then the constant jabbering and cholera induced hacking by sexually frustrated middle aged ladies. There were sunflower seeds littering the aisles and tiny curious heads peering at my angry typing, through the setbacks.

In the China I started my business in, this would classify as a “relaxing flight.” you cannot imagine how filthy and uncomfortable they used to be. With globalization and modernization, these sort of experiences are slowly fading away. Pity. They brought a raw, poetic beauty that can only be fully appreciated from a foreign point of view.

I was rudely jolted from this cheerful reverie when my seat mate, while crossing over during turbulence, abruptly landed square on me, pausing briefly like an overeager Mexican stripper and catching me quite by surprise. So much for my water and communicator. So much for her dignity. As our eyes met and she gave an awkward but warm, over the shoulder smile, my mind reached back several hours to the cross eyed check in agent that put me in between a bathroom frequenting Shanghainese and a comatose Yunan government official.

The eyes, the steely, mismatched eyes. I felt ever so slightly ashamed to continue to stare at this China Southern manager, noticing the small details that might elude one less frustrated. A small and crease lined mouth (no doubt from years of spitting), His aggravated posture and translucent skin, a mutant cross between Gollum and your common Napoleonic stance. And the non symmetrical eyes that gazed in different directions, piercing and confusing as I couldn't figure how he could work a computer??

I refused to acknowledge his argument in broken English, because I knew it insulted years of classroom drills and quite frankly because It pleased me to see this troglodyte get even more incensed. Of course, my insistence in answering in broken Chinese probably did not help the situation much. It was a battle I lost before I even started and I took home the grand prize of 20 kilos for overweight luggage-- or roughly the full price of an economy class ticket.

I have little doubt that the onslaught of these new “fees” are due to the staggering rise in oil prices, I just wish there was a more graceful way for airline companies to handle their spreading costs. My Italian friend says it best when he angrily haggles with the airline personnel: “look at me!!,” 6ft, toned and in a nice suit, “you see, I weigh little but my seat mates are fat and heavy. They have bags that are 1 kilo under limit, but weight 10 kilos more as a person! It is fair, you should not charge me overweight!” When you are tired, in need of a shower, and waiting in line... that sort of philosophy makes a whole lot of sense.

Things are not going to get any easier for airline companies or frequent fliers. The last decade of battling between low cost and premium carriers has slimmed margins across the industry. Oil prices may level but will most likely remain in the vicinity of their current levels and the American economy is in a recession and with it the rest of the world. We will be seeing a good number of mergers, buyouts and bankruptcy's in the coming year or two. I'll bet my value-diminished frequent flyer miles on it!

THE WONDERS OF UBUNTU

2008-07-29T05:37:00.000-07:00

I spent a perfectly good Sunday in the office, not an ideal day, but since a friend of mine was so kind as to leave a frozen 10 year old bottle of Laphroig, it passed by quickly. We are starting the migration from Mac's to Linux's new Ubuntu operating system which to my pleasant surprise has been quite amazing. This system runs practically virus free, comes with all the necessary applications to run a business, and best of all, runs so lean that I've been able to pull some late 90's hardware off the antiquities shelf for a new lease on life. These days I'm not the only one that seems to think highly of Linux. Dell has announced that it would install Ubuntu on more of its desktops, Canonical (Linux distributor) seems to be deftly maneuvering around IP infringement lawsuits, and all of the cheap Taiwanese/Korean computers that started this Linux craze are still, 1 year later, flying off the shelves. In general I think the public has just gotten sick of constantly paying for more advanced software and hardware that does not work right. Even as a die hard mac user, I am finding the quality shortcomings of the new apple machinery hard to ignore,and with the all aluminum notebooks due out soon (you can't build them like you used to and yet your experimenting with new materials??), I feel secure in my decision to switch over to Ubuntu. Bill Gates has built his fortune off licenses and Steve Jobs started the model, lets see how these guys react to Linus Torvalds and his creation!

Blogging Break

2008-07-22T05:58:00.001-07:00

I have been on a bit of a blogging break, not intentionally I can assure you. There are times when life just has you wound up to the point where you just cannot get the creative juices flowing. Its all coming back, writing a new post...as I post!

THE PROBLEM WITH GAPS IN LEADERSHIP CONTINUITY

2008-06-11T04:54:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of touring the two major shipping ports in Ningbo, as well private time with the government ministers and company leaders that conceived and developed the Chinese port expansion plan of the early 90’s. Impressive is the best word to describe it. This government has a vision for the shipping hubs of the 21st century and it will surpass and dwarf ports like Singapore and HK (considered the worlds best).

In our 20-person shuttle bus, there was unanimous praise in the Chinese as well as a sense of foreboding and disappointment that our respective governments have been unable to compete as effectively. It was culturally amusing and slightly stereotypical to watch the Kazaks grunt in approval, the Koreans bow in amazement, and the Filipinos click their tongues while shaking their heads in stunned, clicking silence—quite the symphony! This was no group of slugs either; my shuttle mates included the former Prime minister of Kazakhstan, the former Prime Minister of South Korea, Minister Long Tong Yu, and a handful of leading shipping/logistics/port operators in the industry. How has China managed to develop and surge forward at such a rate? $$$! But also a strong, sustained drive towards a long-term vision, set forth by the government and defended by each successive leading body.

My beautiful country of the Philippines has an almost perfect model of how NOT to progress through “leadership continuity.” Projects are not centrally planned since we seem to choose to develop our country based on the whims of our presidents. This is NOT OK. In this model how do you develop the correct infrastructure? Zoning? Create the right atmosphere for foreign investment and provide/guarantee them with a reasonable payback period? How do ensure that projects that affect the nation are done in the best capacity of the country? The answer is you cannot. Which is why we have a patchwork of ports, roads, airports. Practically primordial infrastructure, which keeps our costs up, productivity/efficiency low and makes us uncompetitive in a world that has become increasingly competitive.

Let us take our airport system as a good example (since it has been in the news lately). Originally, when they were planning the expansion of the existing NAIA Terminal 1, they had several criterions to fill. Aside from being able to handle the capacity for several decades, it needed to be modern and people friendly. Passengers would have been able to come in from an international flight check-in at the terminal of entry for any domestic flight, and promptly walk over to the domestic terminal via bridge way. These were to be connected by a central transit hub where private vehicles, trains, and buses would convene. Interestingly, the MRT train line would run all the way to Clark, linking another air hub to the major NAIA terminal.

Of course, what we ended up with was a white elephant of a terminal 3 and the new domestic terminal entirely in the hands of PAL. In retrospect, I think the only two hubs ERAP gave thought to was the International Financial Hub of Equitable PCI (check this) and the International Entertainment Hub of Airforce One (not accurate chronologically, but you get the point!). The handling of GMA further exacerbated all of this. This project came together near the end of FVR's term, so in two presidential terms and 10 years of our lives, we have lost and near buried what would have been a boon to our economy. Disgusting.

Touching back on my previous entry discussing Nuvali or Clark, there is a distinct opportunity for us to fix our international image and give The Philippines a competitive edge. Anybody that looks at a map can see why we can still be a strong player in the region. Our location is suitable for all Central and South East Asian destinations. We have a wide berth of seafaring water on each end and can certainly provide a more attractive shipping route to China than Singapore, Malaysia and even HK (though depending from where). This is really just for transshipments, as our local economy will not create the demand that foreign companies are willing to invest in.

Clark and Subic have now been connected; there is plenty of room for growth in our major Freeport zones. There does exist infrastructure around the deep waters of Subic that can be expanded and the surrounding area has plenty of room for growth. I know of several groups, ICTSI being one of them that currently operates and can continue to develop our port capacities. We should take from the HK/Singaporean model and allow foreign firms like Maersk and MOL to handle their own port operations. With them come jobs, professionalism, and a glimmer of hope to foreigners that the Philippines is still a good location to park capital.

A greater frequency of inbound shipments lowers overall shipping rates, while opening up trade. The best part is, Subic and Clark are a destination in their own right, which means that we can develop a whole other city for the country, one of equal value to the CBD and its neighboring Nuvali. The Philippines can have the traditional port and airport (Subic/Clark) and the future information port (Nuvali). Great combination. Let us not forget that old logistics dream of cutting a swath of land through Quezon province connecting the Pacific in an almost straight line to Manila Bay. The possibilities of turning Luzon into a major Asian hub are tremendous and quite feasible, a dream for my generation perhaps! Logistics runs in my blood, and developing the Philippines geographic endowments is something I have always wanted to do. We can be so much more in this field.

We need central planning, political will, and a design that can make plenty of $$$ for foreign and local investors brave enough to invest large sums in the Philippines regardless of our present track record. Can it be done? I think it can.

YAHOO QUOTE OF THE WEEK

2008-06-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

"Until now I naively believed that self-destructive doomsday machines were fictional devices found only in James Bond movies...I never believed that anyone would actually create and activate one in real life. I guess I never knew about Yang and the Yahoo Board." -Carl Ichan

OLYMPICS AND THE DEFENDER OF FREEDOM THAT IS CHINA

2008-06-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

The government released a statement a few days ago that it would be closely monitoring and would NOT be providing visas to foreigners that may be a potential threat to China. This comes after a wave of “ill mannered” foreigners have been booted out of the country on all sorts of charges.

On the local front, popular clubs and bars are now systematically being raided and closed (no doubt reopening when the Olympics are over)while dogs and undercover police are more obvious on the streets. Not that the locals have it any easier, the last few years of forced change are all the more evident now that the Olympics are around the corner. They have eradicated hutongs and street side advertising, chased away outdoor vendors, erected highways and subways (adios mom and pop store...adios mom and pop), and forced millions of Beijing locals to hold in their spit and snot missiles. That last one is a feat that I am quite thankful for.

The latest this week was delivered by WSJ.Com: “Tuesday, the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, known as Bocog, said it would stop coordinated groups of spectators from wearing uniforms or branded clothing in Games venues this August...The basic idea is to create a 'clean sports stadium,' which means it is not commercialized...the authorities will also control billboards in prominent locations to give priority to official sponsors. Athletes and coaches won't be allowed to lend their images to marketing without prior approval from Olympics officials.” The WSJ forgot to mention that all branded clothing, commercialized property and internationally patented and trademarked goods can be bought for “only 1 dollar” at the local markets. Quality is “same same.”

THE DUST IS SETTLING IN CHINAS TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

2008-06-03T22:45:00.001-07:00

Presently hopping between HK, Shenzen and Beijing there has been a good flow of information on the recent buyouts by large Chinese companies. Mostly from irritated traders on the Hang Seng, who will be making all their money back in the coming weeks.

A subscriber breakup of 297 million for China Telecoms, 258 million for China Unicom and 425 million for China Mobile is certainly a better alternative to the present, fragmented, telecommunications industry in China. This wave of buyouts was forced on the local companies by the government as it works to strengthen the telecommunications industry in the most populated country in the world.

This is all well and good as it is the right step to take if the government wants to have a balanced and competitive industry. Of course, with a subscriber base at almost double any of its competition, China Mobile is the 800 lbs gorilla. Let us see how things roll out when the much baited 3g licenses are released. It is a fairly level playing field, one that will give the underdogs a fighting chance.

I am just glad that there seems to be some sort of agreed upon result from the last few months of negotiations. All of these grand industrial steps have been slowing thins down for the other players in the industry. It will be nice to get some attention again.

FLYING THE GREENER SKIES

2008-06-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

I can't seem to find that article I was reading a little while ago about an Airbus A380 that powered 20% of its electronics system through a green alternative. A large, PR Friendly photo of the airbus was framed nicely by yet another “Green is good” or “Clean Green” slogan, painted generously on its thick flank. Cute. Environmentally concerned. We like it.

There has been a moderate amount of movement in this industry to go green. Airbus and JetBlue just announced that they were studying how to generate Jet fuel from bio-alternatives-- algae being a main source (it is a great CO2 absorber). There was a Virgin Atlantic flight that was powered by a 20% biofuel mixture from coconut oil. Promises from other carriers to follow down a similarly environmentally friendly path and regulators vowing to assist wherever they can.

Of course, these days when one discusses the aviation industry one is really addressing how rising oil prices and recession have clobbered large, international companies. Green initiatives have been overshadowed in the media and put on the back burner by airline companies that have more pressing battles to fight. I was just emailed photos of the diamond studded Mercedes of some sheik and the all silver Audi S8 of a Saudi prince, they are last years models, which in oil producing country lingo means “time for replacement.” At least someone is benefiting from $130 + a barrel.

In my opinion there are two beacons of light at the end of this tunnel:

1) the green industry is in its infancy and offers a plethora of opportunities.

2) There are no state owned corporations in China that have addressed going green for aviation.

When you consider that the Chinese appetite for airplanes seems to be insatiable these days. Focusing on the mainland is a viable short, mid and long term strategy for most small/mid sized,environmentally focused company. Flying greener skies has taken a distinctly dollar green shade.

QUICK NEWS AND INTERESTS 06/04/08

2008-06-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

Porsche Roxter
The tiny SUV is inching its way towards production. It looks to have the 3.6 V6 that powers the Cayenne, with a name that fits a Taiwanese pop star better than Porsche's next abomination. Yes, I am a purist. The Cayenne and the Panamera are bad long term moves for a company that has thrived on basically a one car strategy for years. These are short term benefits over long term sustainability of the brand and it is going to bite someone on the ass sometime mid century or sooner.

Jerry Yang V.S. The Raider
Carl Icahn is steadily resurrecting the merger that I disappointedly watched disintegrate a month or so ago. His formal letter nicely articulates what we all knew: “That Microsoft’s bid of $33 per share is a superior alternative to Yahoo’s prospects on a standalone basis. I am perplexed by the board’s actions. It is irresponsible to hide behind management’s more than overly optimistic financial forecasts.”

Jerry Yang did not actually think that he won that last one did he? As revenue generating models continue to surge forward in the web and mobile industries, Yahoo is the prime target for the big boys. This is going to be a title fight between Microsoft and Google, Yahoo is just another casualty of war.

QUICK NEWS AND INTERESTS 05/24/08

2008-05-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Latest China quake statistics
60,000 dead with over 70,000 buildings damaged in the Sichuan region as per the latest CNN review. A friend of mine and fellow Filipino runs the CNN bureau in China, he has been on the ground doing his best to report on the impact of this earthquake. He does not downplay the magnitude of the devastation or dead, but adds that the government and social organizations have been working overtime to save and assist as many people as possible (and effectively). Trying times for China.

747 splits in half
This is the first time I have ever seen something of this sort. Not the sort of publicity that Boeing needs at the moment. Mental note, do not ride jump seat on Kalitta Air.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/05/25/belgium.aircrash.ap/index.html

The viper recoils
"I owe that to the Filipino people, to the Filipino nation, to shed light on what I know."-De Venecia (Quoted from Inquirer.net) Seems like the dethroned and wounded man is about to bite back. You can always tell when a Filipino politician does this because they whip up rhetoric fitting of Rousseau himself,albeit with a matching look of contrition (bleh). While this statement was made in regard to the NBN-ZTE scandal, one can only guess at what secrets this old timer has harbored. Its going to be an interesting 2nd half of the year for Filipino politics.

Indiana Jones and Mountain of Lost Money
I sneered in disgust as I watched my moderately diminished hero try to deliver a reasonable explanation for the crystal skeletons that filled the magical knowledge chamber, which in fact, was a dimensional portal. Notwithstanding the weak attempt at a rekindled romance, a swashbuckling hero/grandfather, been there done that action sequences, some Russian accent that I doubt any Russian would understand and 2 hours of my life-- the last 15 minutes of Indiana Jones and The Cristal skull nailed this coffin shut. The coupe de grace.

I am filing this movie with godfather 3. A must- NOT-see. This is no jest, for all Indiana Jones fans, it is better to remember the trilogy for what it was, brilliance in casting, effects and “could have been” scenarios. It was an adventure from start to finish and brought out the explorers in all of us. This Cristal Skull mishap fits better with the Tomb Raider franchise--at least the public expects it to suck! For all those involved, specifically George Lucas, I am sorry you are going to lose so much money.

ITS BEEN A LONG WEEK

2008-05-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Nearly 40,000 dead in the Sichuan region of China and another 22,000 in Myanmar as per the latest news today, I would say it has been a pretty depressing week.

Survivors are few and far between and the tally on missing persons is easily in the tens of thousands. Rescue efforts have been further hampered by the damage inflicted on local infrastructure, although the Chinese army has been brilliantly resilient and effective, as they have proven time and time again. You have to give this government credit, when they put their mind to something they plow forward with dogged determination!

The death toll is unfortunate but right now the world needs to focus on how these governments handle the refugee camps that are popping up. China has more than 5 million people that have been left homeless, a good portion of which is living in sub standard conditions (hygienically). Spring rains have not made it any easier. Since food and shelter distribution has proven effective, how the Chinese Government will relocate and reestablish the lives of these survivors will be one for the books. The numbers we are talking about are easily equivalent to the population of many countries.

In an unfortunate events comparison, I would say that the displaced population that the Chinese have to worry about weighs equally with the inward and nonsupporting ruling junta of Myanmar. Here you have the case of a country that does not have the support network or infrastructure to distribute aid, with a Junta continually (tough significantly better) impeding efforts made by outside parties. In this I find the greater catastrophe. Myanmar could learn a thing or two from the Chinese.

It is during times like this that one really gets a chance to pause and reflect about the situation of the world in general. Have we become so petty and self absorbed that we are unable to focus on what is more important, our responsibility as human beings to one another? Perhaps as the past has shown, there will be some good that stems from this Myanmar situation—an excuse for social change. Myanmar has been treading quite poorly on the world stage these last few years and its people are getting tired of this ruling junta. It will not be too long now.

For all my disagreements with the Chinese and their actions, I have been awed and house a sense of real pride (for my adopted home) in the way that they have handled the fallout from the earthquake. Amidst brewing trouble with Tibet, the approaching Olympics, Taiwan, INFLATION, they have orchestrated their relief efforts with a fervor and commitment greater than I have seen in many years. Truly something the Chinese people can be proud of.

Side note
It seems that in all of the different buildings that collapsed in the Sichuan region, school buildings seemed to be one of the larger percentages, 6900 of them to be a little more precise. It’s a good think little kids can run faster than adults, it seems that during earthquakes this may prove to be a crucial self-preservation tool.

And two pandas are still missing.

KOWALSKI'S CHALLENGER

2008-05-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Great article on Kowalski's Challenger, at times a bit hammy, but it rekindles the raw, manly emotion that we all felt when we watched Vanishing Point. Its just one of those guy movies that make us cry...

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=126092?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..3.*

THE THIRD SCREEN

2008-05-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

A mobile version of the Internet is a topic that has been popping up in casual discussions and some of the sites I have been reading. This is not the same as you squinting at your mobile phone, trying to browse ESPN.com, this is a whole new internet for the mobile device and it carries the moniker: “Third Screen.” Let us put aside the depressing WAP of the 90’s. This is an experience that will be powered by content, applications and information, accessible through your smart phones. My present knowledge on this subject is spotty at best, but let us chew on the idea a bit:

The Internet is marvelous. I do not need to expound further. Yet how many of us actually browse the Internet on our mobile devices with ease? Statistics say that 10% of all mobile phones are smart phones—but who are we fooling, probably 8% of these smart phones have speeds of access match the Cebu Pacific refund hotline. When you partner this “siesta” velocity to the tiny screens most smart phones sport (I Phone and E90 aside), mobile surfing is really more of a way to look busy when you are not or at best, kill time between meetings.

The Internet of the 21st century is a far cry from what we had back in the 90’s. Today we are bombarded by a rich experience of data, photos, information, music, and advertisements. The whole system is calibrated for home/work PCs and will continue to expand and improve through technology. It also helps that the world is allowing more and more of this Internet to enter our daily lives, some of the content I see out there is just embarrassing (but we all enjoy clicking on it anyway!).

I feel that mobile technology will always be a step behind, primarily because the development of our mobile phones are hampered by industry ceiling set for size and selling price. If for the foreseeable near future the mobile Internet as a subset of the much larger PC Internet will be noticeably inferior—why not approach from another angle?

I will assert that for most professionals, we would rather move around our tight schedules for a little, uninterrupted web time on a computer, then attempt to browse on the go. There is just more that you can accomplish in an hour of Internet time behind a powerful computer, than you can in 3 hours on a phone. Already I find my poor eyes benefiting from the larger and brighter screens on new computers.

This “Third Screen” as an article I read on Adage mentioned, will develop a new Internet rather than a subset of our existing one. New brands not just an extension of old brands. A world where barcode scanners like the one on my Nokia can be used to scan products and access information through the web direct to our phones. Perhaps social networking sites will be seamlessly integrated, where we might correspond with our network by scrolling down our contacts list and clicking on a name. Like for many things in life, software adoption depends on ease of use and presentation, not just by merely existing.

Of course, these are just conjectures. Most companies have not even made a full shift to the Internet, what more a Mobile net. I cringe when I think of all the expensive programs that are currently shuffling old media to new media (think of WSJ and WSJ.com). However, it is an interesting step towards the future and one that is not as far fetched as you might think.

SHORT EGYPTIAN BREAK

2008-05-05T01:59:00.000-07:00

I do not usually write about travels, but my recent trip to Egypt really blew my mind. In between what has been an incredibly busy month, I went on a 6-day trip through Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Nile both to explore the local economy (did not do much of that…) as well as visit a civilization that I have long studied. Astounding. I have never been to a country with such palpable history—everywhere. Since this is not a travel blog, I will keep my recommendation short: I have trekked, baked, hacked, and lounged my way through a great majority of the remains of civilizations past—Egypt just blows them all away.

There are ruins everywhere of everything and the government has only uncovered a small portion of what lies under the sands. Sadly, the fact that there is so much has also made Egypt one of the most stolen from civilizations. Whether stolen and melted in the years preceding the 1800’s bartered for nothing to art connoisseurs in the 19th and 20th centuries, or traded by Egyptian kings for broken French clocks (you can still find the obelisk in Paris), it is truly a pity.

I thought I would leave a photo of 200-year-old graffiti. It is both amusing and irritating to see the monuments defaced with centuries old scribble. If I had a better grasp of ancient Greek or Latin, I might have been able to translate the 1000-year-old graffiti that I saw.

Of course I could not resist spending an hour or two scouting for old cars to buy. In a land that has embraced Fiat’s, Renaults, and Lada’s, I was pleasantly surprised to find plenty of old Combi’s, 1940’s Benzes and Muscle cars, rotting. Apparently small, tinny, and square is in, who would have thought. Now the trick is for me to develop a business that will justify shipping containers to The Philippines or China…

ABELOUR WITH ROMEO AND JULIETA'S

2008-05-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

After a good happy hour set of steak burgers and Ketel One martini’s at Mortons Steakhouse—arguably the best burgers and martini’s in Singapore, I proceeded to continue in my gluttony by charging a fine set of Romeo and Julieta No. 3's and bottle of Abelour 10 years to my expense account! In my frequent travels, there is nothing quite like enjoying a manly evening of steaks, cigars, malt and beautiful people, while chatting with friends about business! It has all the right elements: Something bad for your heart, liver and mouth, while exercising your mind AND eyes. Perfect.

Abelour 10 Years: A spicy and salty Speyside (the bar listed it as an Islay) Malt, not the top of the Abelour range, but for the price a relative bargain. It warms you up quick, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Does not carry the salty Speyside hit that a lot of the Malts from this region carry.

Romeo and Julieta No. 03: Hits with a nice vanilla aftertaste, which grows more poignant as the cigar burns mid-way (must be the heat). I find it a bit harsh for my taste, preferring a nice Cohiba or Davidoff of equivalent size—though many will argue. It has a light draw…ugh.

QUICK NEWS AND INTERESTS 05/05/08

2008-05-04T18:49:00.000-07:00

Wrigley’s and Mars dance
Mars and The Oracle from Omaha are tuning a Wrigley’s buyout. I was quite impressed with the company operations when I visited the corporate headquarters in 2006. A staple in Chicago (Wrigley’s), this move will make Mars significantly more competitive on the global perspective (they are no. 1), while providing the Wrigley’s company with a suitable parent company for long term growth. It’s a great deal for Wrigley executives and shareholders who will be paid almost 4 times more than its 5.4 billion in sales. Of course, just about anything that Warren Buffet touches turns to gold, so I have high hopes for the future of both these companies. The blog I read of Bob Reed also reminded me of the deal between P and G and Gillette a few years back (I was based in Boston during this period), which has many similar traits. The long and the sort of it: Berkshire Hathaway is going to make out like a bandit in the Short and Long Run. Surprised?

Just a side note: Impeccably dressed, Bill Jr. commands his company from within a gorgeous neoclassical building that bears his name. Flanked on both sides by gorgeous model-esque assistants, he has the profile and panache, rare in a world of cookie cutter executives. I wish him the best as he moves towards a new direction for his company—it certainly looks like the right move for Wrigley’s. Let us see how the shareholders vote.

Korean firms do not bribe…
Perhaps Filipino’s are starting to wizen up to the structurally ineffective system of bribery before action. Paulino Emano has made quite a stink of this 400 million contract to supply materials. Hanjin has been heavily investing in the Philippines and it would be naïve to think that the latest of several “Filipino Glitches” will not make them think twice in investing in our country. Idealistic—perhaps, but it is certainly not economically advisable. Let us see how this plays out in the coming weeks.

QUICK MOBILITY AND THE INDUSTRY NEWS 05/05/08

2008-05-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Microsoft
High fives went all around as the elated Yahoo board celebrated Microsoft’s withdrawal of its bid. I suppose this was expected as Yahoo was dragged kicking and screaming to the negotiating table, by the much larger and strategically logical Microsoft—I do not think they even got to the dirty details of the merger! It was always on a more superficial level.

Steve Ballmer released a letter to Yahoo which outlines the coming difficulties for this Web 1.0 staple: ““This would effectively enable Google to set the prices for key search terms on both their and your search platforms and, in the process, raise prices charged to advertisers on yahoo.”

Coupled with the loss of good personnel and the inherently weak position of Yahoo in the market, I hope Jerry Yang’s protective nature over the company he started, includes a brilliant strategic plan for the next 2 years (Aren’t emotions supposed to be kept out of business?). Otherwise, we will probably see the return of Microsoft. Well, one can always hope.

Mindshare Event
Good, it’s about time that the RP starts looking in this direction more actively: (http://www.inquirer.net/vdo/player.php?vid=710)

Social Networking Sites For Business
Rapleaf a social web search company has a study that shows that men are more likely to use social networking sites for business—and not to a small degree. This includes sites like Friendster, Facebook, Myspace, Belbo, Etc. I am still trying to get a copy of this study. I need to get on the ball with this—I hardly use my Facebook, what more network for business on it.

GEELY MOVES ONE NOTCH ABOVE ECONO-PEOPLE MOVER

2008-04-22T04:26:00.002-07:00

I have to admit that recent Geely creations have gotten significantly better looking, designers are finally digging into the gene pool of Gong Li's rather than the Samo Hung's. A leap forward from their early 1960's to 1970's “Red Flag” limousine (the company still exists today). I'll credit the communists with that monstrosity.

Geely and similar Chinese car companies still have a long road to travel in terms of fit and finish. Dashboard buttons are as large and warped as northern dumplings and poorly spaced. Cheap plastic, interwoven with grainy wood and vinyl leatherette-- why didn't they just outsource the interior work to the fake LV and Gucci factories in Guangzhou? Their interiors are a definite “Class C!”

Design aside, the manufacturing capability of these local companies is surprisingly efficient. Perhaps not the the best or even near the top, but a good, solid middle. These new Geely designs bode well for the future. If they do not conquer the world, at least they have the 1.9 billion strong, local market.

FILIPINOS LOVED THEIR GOLD

2008-04-22T04:26:00.001-07:00

Walking through the 4th floor of the Ayala Museum, home to the new Gold exhibit (Opening May), I was stunned by the quality and historical significance of the pieces that are on display. Specifically the collection of Golden deities and burial masks with details that hearken back to our pagan beliefs. The masterpiece in this collection is a massive, finely woven golden....scarf? Sheathe? You will know what I am talking about when you see it.

The level of sophistication that our ancestors had prior to the Spanish is fascinating. Gold, a representation of ones social standing, clearly outlines an evolved social structure that existed before our re-education (dripping with sarcasm) through the Spanish. This collection is of incredible importance to our culture is a Filipino people, and is by far, one of the most significant finds in existence today.

Which also brings to light another concern; how did these donated collections slip below the radar and how many more of these private collections exist? Worse, why do we pretend that these donations deserve public appreciation and recognition-- is it not just another form of theft?

Granted, there is some defense for these collectors. The condition of our national museum is so depressing, that if I had possession of such pieces I would be very hesitant to release them to these institutions. In this I will give the Ayala Museum its due credit. The gold masterpieces are both protected and displayed at a world class standard. It is a wonderfully crafted exhibit that resonates a strong cultural message and makes us proud to be Filipinos.

THE WORLDS CARBON FOOTPRINT

2008-04-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

Carbon Neutral (Wikipedia): Being carbon neutral, or carbon neutrality, refers to neutral (meaning zero) total carbon release, brought about by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount sequestered or offset.

Carbon neutrality is a term that is touted in many circles these days, as companies work to improve our environmental situation. Working towards a carbon neutral or low carbon society is something that I support and as I learn more, feel deeply passionate towards. We are facing a very big climate crisis and I intend to do my part to improve the way we live with our planet.

Ecological, Economical and Social. These are the three principles that should guide all Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) within the green industry. For company management and investors alike, this means a proactive approach towards all parts of your value chain. Take for example a real estate investor. It used to be enough to buy land, relocate people and develop your structure. Today, one responsibly invests in carbon neutral designs, assesses the carbon impact of the site and plans on the effect relocation of individuals has on the environment (I recall the recent headlines with the Subic development of Shimao). Investors should look carefully into these environmentally friendly practices. HSBC has recently claimed they are carbon neutral and take pride in providing loans and assistance to companies working to improve their carbon footprint. Sounds like a lot more work? Well, yes, but it is really more of a mind frame. If we all accept that carbon HAS a cost; that shirt you wear is $10 in materials $5 in carbon emissions used in production, delivery, etc. Then maybe the world can really start understanding that climate change has now become a part of our daily lives.

These days it is becoming publicly laudable for companies and individuals to take proactive steps. Green has nurtured a “cool factor” partially due to the impact of celebrities like Al Gore and Toyotas Prius. I find it fitting that the word cool is used to describe the battle against global warming.

Presently sitting at a Thai restaurant in Hong Kong that like other establishments in this city, blast CFC induced cold air, 247, I recall a recent statistic brought up at one of my recent meetings: “The meat industry produces more carbon than the entire logistics industry.” Interesting. This means that a lot of the carbon neutral gains that we have been developing through complicated regulations and systems within companies (a good number logistics related), can be achieved by a simpler and psychologically powerful effort. Eating less meat. Statistics have also shown that buildings, specifically AMERICAN buildings are the biggest polluters. They are dark monoliths of poor design and excess. They also prove difficult to change. It is astounding to think that for all of the bad press automobiles have on the environment, it is actually the large skyscrapers that do more damage.

A low carbon society and economy is our medium term goal, with carbon neutrality for the long term. Business and government leaders need to educate a public that is aware of the effects of carbon, but may not actively be participating in its minimization. Consumers should understand that low carbon products have a value and that a change in lifestyle does not necessarily have to be as drastic as green pundits make it sound (Eat less meat!). There are costs to inaction and for this reason alone we cannot sit around and wait for the changes to happen. In this regard I feel that scientists and regulators are failing. Programs and projects are fragmented and often times complicated to understand. We need these great brains to spend as much time creating a palatable (clearer) approach for change as they do on finding a solution. If I myself am having a difficult time understanding what sort of changes to make in my organization and what the immediate benefits are, what more companies who are not as exposed to this industry? It is not about just throwing money into projects. It is about finding projects that can be tackled by companies and individuals of different financial, structural, environmental backgrounds. We need to understand how our immediate universe affects the environment and the quantifiable (maybe through carbon credits?) results of our actions.

Experts have given 2015 as the date before irreversible change occurs in our environment. I choose not to dwell on seemingly doomsday predictions, but I do agree that a change needs to be made, and quickly. It is time we all take our part in changing this world.

QUICK NEWS AND INTERESTS 04/15/08

2008-04-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Railway saves Tibet
Flying in from Beijing to attend the BOAO Conference in Hainan, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking to government ministers and leaders of different levels about Tibet (They were not too enthusiastic). My favorite response came from Shi Dahua the chairman of China Railway Group Limited, who proudly claimed that his railway line into Lhasa is actually saving the Tibetans. China is not only bringing them culture (really??) it is bringing them a way to save themselves as there is not too much oxygen in Tibet. Nicely put it is a way for Tibetans to leave and live in China, easily and efficiently. Wow. I nearly choked on that last point. Just thought I would share this wonderful pearl of wisdom.

BOAO Conference Hainan
This yearly conference is similar to Davos in Switzerland, except more focused on Asia. Business and Political leaders gather to share opinions, dispute ideas and find solutions to the challenges of the region and the world. It is a well-organized and high profile, 3-day event that brings together individuals who can actively make change in our world. The focus this year was the environment and what we can do as leaders to enact change. Our forums included Hu Jintao, Pervez Musharaff, Kevin Rudd, Nambar Enkhabayar, The President of Chile, The Prime Ministers of Sweden, Kazakhstan and Tonga, Nobel Prize Winners, Heads of companies like Google, COSCO, O and M, Samsung, SK, CCTV, Tata, and other notable organizations that my poor memory fails to recall. It was the first year I have been invited to this conference and I must say it was quite an intellectual feast. Putting this many people of varied and influential backgrounds together in one room is the best way to nurture and generate ideas that can make a difference in our world. For Filipinos, we represented a small delegation that included politicians and businessmen in the fields of banking, real estate, consulting, logistics, and distribution. While this year it felt like the Taiwanese + China negotiations took the stage, The Philippines can still be, politics aside, an excellent source of projects with solid returns. There were four of us who met in private with Vincent Siew to help strengthen business relations with Taiwan.

It is through conferences like this that I feel we can grow together as a region. With China in front, Asia can become a power to balance Europe and America.

NEW OLYMPICS, NEW BEIJING: MANY PROBLEMS

2008-04-11T22:27:00.000-07:00

Tibet is still closed off to foreigners and the mood of local government leaders is certainly not pleasant. As briefly expounded by one of the vice ministers I attended a forum with recently: The reason Beijing is so irked with the Tibetan situation (over the humanitarian reasons of course), is because for the last few years the PR line and public mindset has focused and relied on the 2008 Olympics to be THE representation of all that is modern and impressive in China. Why does the Olympics need to be the opening act of Chinas entrance to the world stage? Is it not enough for it to be a great success? Why does the slogan chanted in the city have to be “New Olympics, New Beijing?” What is wrong with New Olympics, Old Beijing?

To host the Olympic games is certainly a great honor and responsibility, but this country has hyped it to an extent that any bad press has an almost double effect on the international view and mood on China. They will need to sober up a little bit, because this negative public view does not look to dissipate anytime soon. With the torch making its way to Beijing and with comparatively quite bit of stops to make (over 20), I would think there will be quite a bit of damage control in the coming months.

FAKE FERRARIS

2008-04-06T07:03:00.001-07:00

Car Enthusiasts are purchasing Fake Ferrari's. Well, kit cars have been in the market for years, I do not necessarily see how this is different? For all those drivers purchasing these fake Ferrari's, I really do hope that it is a Porsche hammered into a Ferrari and not the usual Pontiac Fiero or you will be in for a fat, embarrassing dose of reality at the corner light.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/04/03/counterfeiting.luxury/index.html

For non-car enthusiasts, kit cars are most often kits that can be used to modify an existing vehicle. This is usually the bargain option for a driver interested in getting some extra mileage from the old family hauler (and an added dose of mojo). As you move up the price ladder, you can get some seriously tuned kit cars that perform better than the original and look identical!

I may be a purist at heart, but I have nothing against kit cars. I would love to purchase an old Daytona or Shelby Cobra kit and drive it to work every day. At least you would not be terrified of scratching or denting the car. Of course it would stay well hidden and out of site for my weekend jaunts. Kit cars are made to be enjoyed and driven to the ground-- not for show!

QUICK INDUSTRY NEWS (04/06/08)

2008-04-06T06:37:00.000-07:00

Yahoo drags, Ballmer irked
“It has now been more than two months since we made our proposal to acquire Yahoo! at a 62% premium to its closing price on January 31, 2008, the day prior to our announcement. Our goal in making such a generous offer was to create the basis for a speedy and ultimately friendly transaction. Despite this, the pace of the last two months has been anything but speedy.”

t seems that Steve Ballmer is showing his claws as Microsoft loses its patiences with Yahoo. April 26, 2008 is the day we will all be waiting for. If Yahoo has not answered (favorably), Microsoft will take its offer to the shareholders at what I would guess would be a reduced purchase price. For Yahoo, I am still curious as to why they think they can hold out for better? They were not doing doing well before the offer nor were they strategically placed to challenge Google. This Microsoft bid was the best thing that might have happened for the board, who will be able to leave semi-gracefully, before getting clobbered further by their competition.

What I am sure has become a major concern for Microsoft is the new anti-monopoly law being put into place by Beijing. Yahoo is quite invested in Alibaba and since a major factor behind the Microsoft/Yahoo merger is the Chinese Market, I wouldn't be surprised to hear further aggressive statements coming from Microsoft, as they work to complete this merger expediently.

The end of 1 year multiple entry visas to China?
I received a call today from a friend in HK complaining about the new regulations being imposed on foreign businessmen in China. He read an article stating that 1 year, multiple entry visas would no longer be issued. Aside from being a major revenue boost for China, it also minimizes the number of foreigners that enter the country (they have been at this for a few years). This is going to hit a lot of businesses, specifically the small and mid sized entrepreneurs. Business in todays world necessitates travel. China requires a greater attention to relationship building than most. I am sure many of us old China hands have our own little stories of how weak local relationships have led to missing shipments, delayed licenses and similar “irritations.” Worded in a more direct manner-- you want to do business on the mainland, you make sure you are there to eat and drink with the local government, sing songs with the company management, and pace the floors with the factory workers, or you may be in for quite a ride. Guanxi and restricted visas do not go well together.

FOCUS MEDIA NIPS THE 800 POUND GORRILLA

2008-04-01T16:09:00.000-07:00

Focus Media and China Mobile have been dealing with serious public backlash these last few days. Any company that can rattle an 800 pound gorilla like China Mobile deserves some attention. Presently, success stories in China involving hundreds of millions are not as uncommon as one might think. Contracts and licenses are still reliant on close relationships, whether nurtured or blatant-- like token board seats and “partnerships.”

Focus Media was started by a young entrepreneur, whose connections and adept assessment of the local market, has resulted in all of the LCD screens you see in the many elevators and building lobbies throughout cities like Beijing and Shanghai. These screens play expensive advertisements that are justified by the fact that millions of Chinese have nothing to do but stare when riding overcrowded elevators. Clever. Lucrative.

Venturing beyond screens and into your mobile handsets, the article I was forwarded read: “Chinese authorities said Monday they are investigating complaints that millions of cell phone users were spammed with unwanted text messages from advertisers...the uproar over what China's media has dubbed “Text-message gate” has drawn apologies from a major advertiser and the country's biggest mobile phone carrier.” This spam hit more than 200 million mobile phone users through China Mobile and China Unicom. Wow. That is 4 times the total mobile subscriber population in the Philippines.

So, what exactly is the problem here, spam messages are common in other countries? Well, for one, my guess is that Focus Media used the profiles garnered from one of their other existing services (Screens, Online, and a few others). That is a big deal and one that the rest of the world has not been able to address. Just who owns your information?

I have invested in the Mobile and Advertising field because I feel that information, specifically, personalized information, can change the Mobile Phone and Computer into a completely different experience for the subscriber. It can become a gateway for advertisers to give that personal touch, One that is welcomed by the consumer because it is both entertaining, relevant and interesting. Your life can create this personalized bubble-- at least with regard to how the world interacts with you.

SPAMMING does the complete opposite. It turns the Mobile Phone and your computer into a source of irritation. What really goads me is the fact that first impressions count. Look at how China Mobile and China Unicom have reacted: stronger rules and regulations; limiting Focus Media's gateways. This company has made it that much harder for the rest of us to operate. The public is now up in arms, complaining about the privacy they expect (they do not realize their profiles have been used in many other forms for many years). They feel cheated—violated. As the effects of this ripple outwards, you will find other telecommunications companies taking a similar stance. I do not blame them, the best way to protect the consumer is to design rules that weed out all but the most promising and value added services.

For Focus Media, its a big drop in their share price and a less lucrative future. For the rest of us, it is the start of the battle between how far we will allow advertising companies to go. the information is out there and in their hands, we will just have to see whether it becomes the interactive and personalized future that I would like to see? An annoying, “pop up” windows experience? Or that small and balanced, middle ground...

MY BEST FRIENDS AT THE MAPSA

2008-03-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

I had another run in with the MAPSA recently, completely unjustified and therefore undeserving of my attention. I would usually at the least discuss it with the officer, but I had little patience with this organization due to a bribery run-in (I sent him packing empty handed) and an incident that happened last September. Plus I was having a bad day. Fortunately I was driving a vehicle that is both impossible to tow and intimidating. Let me make some things explicitly clear (researched online):

1) Unless you plowed into a person or vehicle, disregarded previous ticketed violations, or are in fear of your life, you do NOT have to give your license to a MAPSA officer. Please do not make the regrettable mistake of confusing MAPSA (yellow) with Police (blue). The latter can take your license and will make your life miserable.

2) You can be fined for using your cell phone (non-hands free) while driving. Do not bother arguing this one.

3) MMDA officers cannot group together to apprehend you. As unlikely as it sounds, you can argue and win this claim.

4) There is apparently an auction every Monday of the month. This takes care of cars abandoned or left at the impound for more than 6 months. Of course these auctions (I have tried) are hard to find, poorly advertised, and almost devoid of all good cars. The Vehicle Auction is also known as the public officials S and R.. Only government ID's accepted.

5) Swerving is not a traffic violation so long as you do not make drastic cuts across two lanes or more. Sneaking briefly into the yellow line section will get you a ticket. Note, this law does not apply to reckless PUJ or Bus drivers.

6) Do not pay bribes, it reinforces poor values and makes you an embarrassment to your country.

This brings me to my MMDA story. I am including a letter I wrote last September, where I felt the officer was being unreasonable and deserving of correction. I would like to share it because it is still unresolved and illustrates what we drivers put up with on a daily basis. The charge: I parked my car on purpose beneath a street light for safety, it so happened that in doing so I straddled two white “parallel parking slots” which were invalid anyway as it was past 7pm. The officer towed me anyway with a parking charge at 7:30pm.

I would like to express my concern over a situation that has left me irate and disheartened about the MAPSA officers that operate within Makati. I feel that it is my responsibility to share my experience/opinion in the hope that it will contribute to better service from the Makati City organizations...Receiving an unwarranted fine is not as bit a concern as the fact that the person who was supposed to assist citizens to make us feel safer, to make sure that those who follow laws are not taken advantage of by those who do not-- was not at all interested in my situation. He had a ticket and he wanted to use it. I am a citizen of this country and a resident of Makati City. I use my company to employ Filipinos and to contribute to the economy. I strive to create and maintain a respectable, ethical and socially responsible international image for my country. I pay taxes, contribute my time to local community efforts, assist in government directives, and take pride in watching my country develop into the Philippines we all know it can be. It irritates me to be preyed upon by individuals that treat their organization as a means to generate revenue, where reasonable explanations and citizens who genuinely try to follow laws are overlooked. Where his time and effort as a public officer is more important than my time and effort as a Makati resident. I told this MAPSA official that I preferred to watch my vehicle be towed than to accept his ticket and pay a fine. This is about the principle and my distrust towards an organization that is designed to service and protect me...I hope that this letter can make a difference... I feel that overall MAPSA is doing a good job keeping order. It is unfortunate that one officer can taint an opinion so quickly.

I mailed this out to Mayor Binay and Director San Miguel, both of whom responded promptly by studying and supporting my complaint, reinstating my vehicle, and handing me a receipt to reimburse my ticket and towing expense (as is expected). It has now been 6 months since the incident and each time I send someone to collect the reimbursed cash, they are still “waiting for the officer to return to the station.” I suppose he is on sabbatical, or possibly traveling the world with my 1200 pesos. It is unfortunate and petty, as I would have had my confidence reinstated in the MAPSA had they done the correct thing. Again, we are facing an organization that is more talk then action. Herein lies the root problem of the Philippines, manifested in an overrated and redundant organization. For those of us that want change in the country, we will need to just hike up our skirts and do it ourselves.

HTTP://DELFINDJMONTANO.BLOGSPOT.COM

2008-03-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

This DJ Montano blog is still up and going strong. In a country with a clear dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor, it is proving to be the perfect medium of attack by a man who is justifiably angry and looking for some modicum of justice. However, I am perturbed by the fact that this blog is exacerbating an already tense rift between the upper and middle classes. At a time where we have little faith in our government and US recession tremors are already being felt, this blog is not what I would call a “constructive preoccupation.”

Then again, when you do the math: (1 gram of cocaine = 1 good night = $125) x (3 nights a week on average) x (4 weeks in month) = $1500 a month. Decent companies have a starting salary of roughly $500 a month. You know, perhaps this blog is exactly what Philippines society needs.

I work hard (247) for what I earn and I will still balk at spending 130 pesos for a movie ticket (I remember 25 at greenbelt 1). You read this blog and you realize that there are people who can party several nights a week, not hold a steady job, and still spend an average persons salary. There is definitely something off with this situation!

STARBUCKS SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE

2008-03-23T17:07:00.001-07:00

My Starbucks Idea: A new social networking site that allows consumers to post ideas online. Similarly the Seatte based company will be able to inform consumers via their Ideas in Action blog. It is nice to see my favorite coffee company taking steps to improve their dismal performance through web 2.0, regardless how boring this whole plan of their sounds. I personally do not see why I would want to read the Starbucks blog, nor can I think of anything to post on the social networking site other than: 1) Lower your prices 2) Give me free internet 3) Pad your chairs. Maybe if I enter these comments a few hundred times it will hit home.

Recently Starbucks has been making some international changes. I have noticed in Shanghai that they are upgrading their coffee machines to one that will deliver a more uniformed taste. Of course, until this change is completed and the Baristas are trained, I am forced to keep bringing back my watered down latte for an extra shot of espresso (free of charge). I have also just read that Starbucks will go back to grinding coffee in their stores as it improves the aroma.

Well, being proactive is certainly better than sitting around and watching your share price drop.

NEW BILL MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO TRACK ONLINE INFORMATION

2008-03-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Richard Brodsky has proposed a bill that makes it illegal to trace and categorize information on internet users for advertising purposes without consent. I am not well versed on current US laws, but I would expect that this will soon enter the mobile field. What exactly defines the "user information" in this bill and what are the parameters on consent? This will have a large impact on both web 2.0 and mobile 1.0 as both rely heavily on user profiles to generate accurate advertising demographics. Which pay the bills! As a digital medium, the sharing of information across many platforms is exactly what makes these industries interesting to brands and advertisers. The world is changing, information is out there and becoming more and more accessible. I do not believe that user consent is enough to protect the consumers information. Lawmakers will need to devise creative bills to address the varied and flexible nature of these industries.

One thing is for certain, this is just the beginning. In many countries, laws governing the new services and applications of the web and your mobile phone have not been created yet. With developers rapidly firing out new software, this is going to be a sensitive topic for the next year or two.

AT&T AND VERIZON WIN THE BID

2008-03-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

The WSJ reports: "AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, dominated the bidding at the government's recent auction of radio spectrum. Putting them in a commanding position to roll out advanced wireless internet services to consumers in coming years." Verizon took 109 licenses, with 227 for ATT. This spectrum is free and clear for all entrants, and with both companies eating up roughly 80% of the total $ made by the government on this bid, we can expect high speed internet applications to hit American shores 2009 and up. This will make mobile TV a viable possibility, as there will be enough bandwidth to handle the size requirements.

Where was Google in all of this? I would not be surprised to hear that they have already crafted some sort of a partnership with these telco companies. With their upcoming android and the huge online possibilities that are brought forth by the results of this bid, Google has a lot to gain.

TO THE NORTH OR SOUTH?

2008-03-23T03:53:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying a pleasant Easter Sunday draft beer, to celebrate my abstaining from asbstinance (it is justified somehow). I decided not to stray too far from Makati this break and instead, explore the possible sites for the future CBD of the Philippines. Both Pampanga and Canlubang have gotten an economic jump-start, so I am keen on investing further in these areas.

Nuvali, Canlubang
We left via chopper from Rockwell at around 10am, stopping briefly for drinks at Calatagan and the new NYK-TDG University in Cavite. I was with the wizened old founder of the leading consulting firm in the country, two businessmen in Shipping and Manning (one of which owns the university we visited), and a Solar Power entrepreneur. This trip was both the chance to survey the area and kick back with mojitos and wine at Antonio's for Easter Break. I have to say that I was astonished at the size of the Nuvali development, its absolutely massive. Ayala Land pegs it as “a new satellite city south of Manila, twice the area of Makati City and seven times that of Bonifacio Global City. Located in the old sugar estates of the Yulo family in Canlubang, the project covers over 1,600 hectares and has a timetable expected to span the next 40 to 50 years. The new lifestyle being introduced here is evolving, or the integration of nature and man in a harmonious living environment. It will provide the much needed relief for the highly congested Metropolitan Manila with its 15 million inhabitants.” This project has been in the pipeline for many years and has finally started; I guess Ayala was able to smooth over differences between the selling parties. It is much like Sim City. Ayala Land develops from scratch, the city of the future… ah the raw creative power… The highway leading to this development and the surrounding areas exist and are being improved, there will also be the new extension road that should ease congestion towards the San Juan, Pagbilao area. There is plenty of room to grow as it is relatively close to Manila/Makati/Alabang. Granted, the Fort and its surrounding area has not come close to being saturated, so Ayala is wise and conservative to expect the time table to run 40-50 years. Beyond the Nuvali lands is the expanse of undeveloped property under the Benitizes, basically from the South Super Expressway to the coast. If there is any chance of developing a well thought out, beautiful Filipino City this is the place to start.

Our sightseeing trip was topped off by a wholesome Antonio’s lunch with good wine to boot. Jetsetting from location to location via chopper has a decadent almost excessive feel to it, however, when you consider that you can complete your business related work, squeeze in an excellent meal, drop into the crater of Taal, and still make it back by 2pm—one realizes that perhaps it is not so much about being excessive as it is about being efficient with one’s time. Anyway, why do we work so hard if not to enjoy life!

Pampanga/Olongapo
Shifting gears and directions, I took off early on Friday to visit the other end of Luzon. The new Subic-Clark-Tarlac highway and my very “expedient” vehicle made quick work of the trip. Starbucks Valero to Subic: 1 hour and 10 minutes FLAT. I think I could have done it faster had there not been so much traffic due to the holy week break. I’ll need to upgrade to a 911 Turbo or Z06 to thoroughly stomp that time (I am so looking forward to it!).

I have always felt that the Pampanga area has been vastly underestimated and in many ways mismanaged. The area between Subic and Angeles should be the city of the future. It has both excellent sea and air ports (both special economic zones), plenty of land to develop, existing economies to enhance, and still a reasonable distance from our current CBD. Entities like UPS, Fed-Ex, APL and… the Koreans (pioneering bunch!) have all moved towards this direction. It should be in this area that the country turns instead of Nuvali. The highway will change many things, but in the end, it will wholly depend on the government who unfortunately has had a poor track record to date. We will have to see how things are going to be handled by the next administration; I hope stability will be at the forefront of their policies. From a personal point of view, I would love to hold office so close to excellent diving, beaches, rock climbing (well, closer anyway) and spelunking. Clark at one time was also my skydiving drop zone when Omni aviation was open. There is so much to do in this area and so much potential.

This will certainly be a topic to revisit, for us young businessmen; these cities give us a chance to get in a little bit early. This development and progress of these locations will be an interesting chapter in Philippine business history in the decades to come.

CHEAP IS NOT THAT CHEAP ANYMORE

2008-03-18T05:53:00.000-07:00

One of my businesses is involved in the manufacturing of products in China, which supply a specific niche market primarily in the Philippines. The dramatic rise in prices for all the commodities used in my products as well as an increase in labor and operations costs has really sent my team into a spin. Prices have gone as high as 40% on certain goods, which is ridiculous. Material prices fluctuate daily and it is getting to the point where I feel we need to horde when we get a workable price.

Now, I understand I am on the front line for what will/has become a global concern. The 23% increase in food costs is what started this mess and unfortunately it will only get worse. I am in no ways an expert on the Chinese economic model, but there are several points have never really been addressed by Beijing, which undoubtedly will lead to a serious correction in the market.

China’s trade surplus and massive foreign direct investment has led to a massive amount of USD, which the government has handily been purchasing at a fixed exchange. Well, that’s about to backfire. Especially since it is the USD that the locals are using to fund the real estate boom (in for trouble) and the crazy stock market (still crazy). From a social level, the local Chinese have increased their wealth dramatically, which will inevitably lead to a backlash against their current living and political conditions (think Tiananmen Square). Anyone who has lived in China can see that the majority of the population still live the way they did during the communists, but its changing, and rapidly. It won’t be long before they start expecting the same rights as their foreign counterparts, the same freedom- let us see what Beijing does then. While not immediately felt, this growth in wealth will obviously shrink the cheap labor market, regardless if they are almost 2 billion strong. Then again, with the rapid rise of technology I wonder if this will even matter in the coming 20 years.

I always joke about that time I once traveled to this tiny little fishing village town in the Zhejiang region of China back in 2004. Small and completely backwards—it was the pearl growing center of the country. In this small and backwards town, I think every OTHER car had to have been an S600, A8 W12, or a 760. I have never seen so many $100,000 sedans in such a concentrated location. They did not have proper streets, but they were driving the best. Incredible.

Global commodity prices are also on a rise. For a country that is gobbling up massive quantities of oil, steel, wheat, etc. You can expect that this will continue to clobber the economy and help cool what has been a tremendous 10 years of growth for the Chinese. It would be nice however if someone could explain exactly why these material prices fluctuate sporadically? I cannot even use international trading prices as a guide?

How does this affect all of us? Well, I can tell you that for the short term it is really going to hurt. These price fluctuations caught a lot of companies by surprise, its going to take some time for us to correct our prices. For companies with large quantities of stock, they will be able to undercut the rest of us—but again, just for the short term.

The Chinese have always found the greatest competition comes from other Chinese. It will be interesting to see how the factories will react to these new market challenges. Will they bind together or will they undercut and make deals with foreign companies (every man for themselves)? For smaller Asian countries, it gives local manufacturers a chance to breathe. I doubt that prices will drop enough to revive local industries beaten down by china, but it certainly makes those who are still operating, a little more competitive. Wen Jiabao proclaimed that "The current price hikes and increasing inflationary pressures are the biggest concern of the people.” Well, let us wait and see how he does in the coming months.” Who wants to bet it will be more of the same: “Tighter monetary policies.”

Do not be too concerned, Chinese goods will still be dirt cheap, just not at dirt cheap as before.

QUICK NEWS (Mobility and The Industry- News and Interests) 03/17/08

2008-03-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

Solar Paint
Scientists work to develop photo-voltaic paint. This in effect is a type of solar cell paint, which would complement and in many ways, revolutionize our current concept of solar power generation- namely, big, expensive panels! (Link: http://www.techotic.com/paint-yourself-a-solar-panel.html) Interesting direction to take as I assume it requires a smaller up front investment and holds a greater possibility of being used mainstream in developing countries, where political will may not be particularly strong. Just how much energy can be stored in this manner remains to be seen, but like the saying goes: every little bit helps.

Interestingly enough, I just read in the latest Technology Review that scientists are working on a more advanced version. This dye-sensitized cells are a light-absorbing dye. Unlike the "paint application" abovem, these dyes can be absorbed into just about anything. Clothing, windows, tents, etc. The production of these dyes would also be cheap. Much cheaper than photo-voltaic applications.

Not too bright for Beijing Olympics
"Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some kind of cultural genocide is taking place." broadcast by the Dalai Lama from his home in India. There is an non-confirmed number of 80 people dead floating in the air. The situation is being handled in a strongly Chinese fashion, aka: fly swatting. Beijing has a long history of tolerance with dissidents...(Taiwan, Tiananmen) and this controversy is fueling unrest with the Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China. I would say that things are looking more and more prickly for Beijing.

$1,500,000,000 Digital Advertising Boost
GM is planning on spending half of its 3 billion budget into digital marketing. This basically means online, mobile and gaming advertisements. Interesting to watch more and more companies head in this direction. GM is an industry giant and one whose actions are closely monitored by plenty of American companies. We can expect more of this sort in the coming months.

QUICK MOTORING NEWS 03/17/08

2008-03-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

Tesla roadsters go into production
Mar 17th and the Tesla roadster goes on for regular production. They estimate a product run of around 600 roadsters for 2008, with an estimated production capacity of around 100 roadsters a month. great for the environment. I still think they are ugly.

BMW expands during a recession
BMW plans to invest $750,000,000 in its Spartanburg, USA plant. This focuses on the X3, X5, and X6 models. I wonder if this is really a good move by the Bavarian giant, especially when Toyota is limiting its US production, Chrysler is downsizing plants, and GM... well, they have been slicing away for years. There is a recession coming. Americans are losing their homes and in some cases (Bear) their savings, is it really wise to expand now?

CHINA, TIBET, AND THE TONE OF THE COMING OLYMPICS

2008-03-17T04:05:00.000-07:00

Tibetan culture is about as Chinese as the French are punctual; Jinky Pacquiao is tasteful; Paris Hilton is classy… you get the picture. You need to land at the Lhasa airport to understand just how different the two cultures are. The food, language, art, religion and people are uniquely Tibetan, with moderate to minimal influence from the outside world (China excluded). Not entirely difficult to believe considering that they are flanked by treacherous mountains and live basically in the clouds. Of course I am coming from the perspective of a Filipino, where everyone tracks and proclaims Spanish/Chinese descendants, whether real or imagined. In most cases, Filipinos just need to look in the mirror to definitively disprove any relation to some grand Spanish duke or prince. Like most countries that have descended from other civilizations, Filipinos carry traits, mannerisms, words in their language—maybe a bit of art, or facial features from their original bloodline. In the case of Tibet, I would say that these similarities are hardly visible in just about every quality that makes them the people that they are. Which is why they are a fascinating race and why I find the Chinese position: That Tibet was under china much longer than they were independent, an accurate but weak basis for their occupation.

Beijing’s tactful mayor stated in a press conference: “We didn’t enforce martial law there and the situation in Tibet as a whole is good at present.” Yes, absolutely, especially since most Tibetans live OUTSIDE Tibet and assuming that he did not include the recent deaths and burning city as part of the “present.” This situation is very different from Taiwan and the slowly brewing Spratly Islands. I do not agree with the Chinese enforcing control over this swath of barren and inhospitable land. Time should not be considered a factor in this debate.

I have to say that for Tibet, this is excellent timing. Close enough to the Olympics to make Beijing sweat out a solution, while achieving a resurgence of international recognition right when people are starting to look East. Of course, without international support, these rebellions will be ground to the bone, like salted chicken feet in a Cantonese restaurant. The question really is whether the world is willing to incur the wrath of China, the largest producing nation, soon to be the greatest military and economic power of our century. My guess is not.

TRACKING BLOGS

2008-03-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

Nielsen will be conducting research examining "the correlation between bloggers and the boxoffice."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ib8b5060e33b9624e538db7cb8376b0e3

Its about time that we had some numbers verifying the impact of bloggers, soon I would like to see the same research applied on many of Web 2.0 regular players. This will make it significantly more interesting for advertisers and VAS providers alike.

QUICK NEWS 03/11/08

2008-03-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

Rise Up, Resist, Return
March 10, 2008 was Tibetan Uprising Day which is nicely represented by their call to arms of "Rise Up, Resist, Return." As I am sure there are plenty of sites which you can read which outline the Tibetan plight, I am more interested (concerned) with how the Chinese Government will be dealing with these protesters, especially with the world's eye on Beijing due to the upcoming olympics. Tibet has had a long and unfortunate history with China. Traveling through Lhasa and the surrounding areas back in 2007, I noticed that the Tibetan presence in Tibet is represented by a very small majority of the population. the Chinese have been extremely successful with indoctrinating young Tibetans. Putting them through Chinese education, into the Chinese military, and surrounding them with Chinese influences. The present tibetan culture is one that has been diluted by years of oppression and quite frankly, brainwashing.

With the railway linking Tibet with the largest Chinese cities, we can all but expect the culture and civilization that has richly contributed to the human civilization, to dissapear. I am heartened by watching Tibetans take up the call to defend what is rightfully theirs, but also saddened by the realization that these protests are filled with the youth. There are not many Tibetans left that clearly remember the period before the 1950's. It really boils down to numbers, they just live too geographically close to the largest population in the world. In Beijing I find that Tibetans have migrated and taken to the Chinese way of life, while in Lhasa the Chinese are setting up shop and capitalizing on the Tibetan tourist drive. Chinese stores and restaurants sprout like weeds while the old temples and houses remnants from years of migration and theft, remain empty. The largest protest in occupied Tibet happened on the 10th. There will be more.

Nighthawks Retire
I was tracking the market on Bloomberg and I kept seeing a caption on the Stealth fighters last flight. It seems that the US Air force is retiring the F-117 and replacing it with the F-22 Raptor. I can only imagine what missions these planes took that fell under the "need to know, and we don't need to know" basis. These nighthawks were excellent fighters. The first stealth planes of its kind, developed at Lockheeds famed "Skunkworks." If we use this fighter as an example (flown 1981 but publicly released in 1987...I think), I can only imagine what planes are currently flying that we are unaware off!

FREE ONLINE ADVERTISING

2008-03-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

"Nothing is ever free in life." A maxim that my mother dutifully drilled into my head as I was growing up. Yet, from the perspective of companies like Toyota and Doritos, free online advertising is what they have been benefiting (or in the case of toyota, will benefit) from.

Doritos has a clever little campaign which touts a tag line of: "You make it, we play it." Creative consumers can turn in their Doritos advertisement, the web public will vote, and the winner will be broadcast for all to see. Similarly, Toyota is running an interactive project for its Corolla where one of its attributes will be sketchies: short and funny videos that will be posted on YouTube.

For both these brands,they actively engage artists and fame seekers alike to develop entertaining content that can be used to promote their products. It can be argued that the 4 million Toyota is paying to promote this online campaign, as well as the prize money given by Doritos does not make this a "freebie." However, I would like to point out that they not paying for the content and accessing the web through free sites, so they are not really paying for the platform ether. Resulting in a pittance of a total expense for the coverage garnered. In television terms this would mean you are not paying for both the production costs and broadcasting costs.

Nothing lasts forever, sites like Facebook and YouTube are quickly looking for ways to capitalize on these projects. We can all agree that they will be massive $$$ generators! Companies like M:Metrics in the UK are starting to show that campaigns of this sort are rapidly gaining ground on Online Adspend. For companies that are not currently engaged in similar online campaigns, now would be an excellent time to start exploring. Web 2.0 is all about creativity, flexibility, and the willingness to try new things.

QUICK NEWS (Mobility and The Industry- News and Interests) 03/06/08

2008-03-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

Mobile Over Fixed
Wired News reports that for the first time Americans say they would have more trouble giving up their mobile phones than a traditional phone. On a typical day, 31% of mobile phone owners use text messaging and 15% use the devices camera features. More Americans are are also experiencing an increased dependency on their blackberry devices. While this may not come as such a big surprise for Filipinos, who's demographic landscape and weak fixed line services have long made the mobile phone the staple for communications. It does outline the growing change in developed countries, who have benefited from a vast expanse of wires and cables that give them connectivity through fixed lines and fast broadband connection. I am quite pleased at this short report, it clearly outlines what I believe is happening in the industry. That the present mobile phone population estimates are vastly understated. As the mobile phone becomes the communications tool of preference, we will see a surge in usage from consumers who will no longer be using their fixed lines and consumers that prefer to do the majority of their emails and web applications "on the go." Your mobile phone is the convergence of all these devices, making it a massive growth industry for advertisers and VAS companies alike.

More reason to worry about the environment
BY 2030 "Ozone pollution alone is likely to cause four times mre premature deaths per head of population than in 2000.(OECD)" And this is WITH current policies (which have undergone serious changes in the last 2 years). Maybe that Bio-Fuel deal they just signed in Washington for the Philippines will help (Hah!)

Girls are smarter than boys...
I just read an interesting article in science daily that reports that girls may yet again, be smarter than boys. Studying the different brain functions for language comprehension and fluency. There is now hard data through fMRI studies that support that girls "still showed significantly greater activation in language areas of the brain than boys." Girls it seems can process more abstract information (hence the loosely used term: smarter) than boys, who, in the scientists words may "have some kind of bottleneck in their sensory processes that can hold up visual or auditory information and keep it from being fed into the language areas of the brain."

Hmmmm. Interesting. If I cannot learn a language well through reading or hearing... osmosis? You know, not to rekindle my youth, I but I do remember kids in our class who could not retain information during classes. They were often segregated into small groups which met after school and wore finely pointed "dunce caps."

Who am I to argue with scientists (fluent in 3 languages, basic in 2). At least they were nice enough to give men some bit of saving grace, by throwing us the evolutionary card: We have evolved in this manner to allow us to "quickly recognize danger associated sights and sounds." So, I may not be able to absorb vast swaths of information, but if I see a T Rex barreling down on me, my ever evolved brain rings "DANGER!" Fabulous.

CHINA AND THEIR MILITARY

2008-03-05T00:20:00.000-08:00

"China's military buildup has been characterized by opacity...by the inability of people in the region and around the world to really know what ties together the capabilities that China's acquiring with the intentions it has." -David Sedney (deputy assistant defense secretary for East Asia).

Are any of us really surprised by this military buildup? In the last few months we have witnessed the incarceration of chinese spies, felt Beijing slowly tighten its noose around Taiwan, and watched as the strong man of Asia has used its influence on countries like North Korea and in many ways the USA. The Chinese coffers are brimming. With past decisions to support lofty (possibly unecessary?) projects like their space program or that ridiculous Three Gorges Dam, it was only a matter of time before their military budget got a more publicized hike. In many ways a strong military presence is the perfect cherry to add to "the Chinese century." The century where Beijing shows the world that the Chinese deserve the respect that they so desperately crave.

The US claims they are significantly understating their actual spending- OBVIOUSLY. Its inherent in their culture to never show their hand till the fight has been won. Which is why a public declaration of this sort is a welcomed change, at least it has the semblance of a country willing to listen and adapt to world opinions. I wonder if they will set up a text hotline next to their new Beijing-Washington military hotline? I would love to chikka my two cents in...

Though this may not be the slow beginning of another cold war, It is the start of China's emergence as the military power that can balance the USA. However, with defense spending in the US at roughly 500 billion (don't quote me on this), the Chinese will need to sell a whole lot more of those DVD players to catch up.

THE BEIJING BIKE

2008-03-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

Motorbikes with adjacent sidecars fill my mind with the glorious images of two generations; the British open-road sidecars in the 1920’s and the feared WWII German army sidecars. While their reasons for existence may be leagues apart, we live in a world filled with vans and buses, which makes the allure of crossing countries with remnants of our past all the more seductive. Of course, this is not an entirely accurate statement, sidecars are very much alive today Usually as extremely expensive variants, rich with leather and wood, or as cheap commuters put together in developing countries as a mode of transporting goods. Sidecars have always remained a niche interest in our history of transportation, too hefty to compete with motorbikes and outperformed when pitted against cars.

My first trip to Beijing many years ago, I was instantly struck by the crude yet beautiful Beijing Bike (as they are called). Leftover from the mass-produced PLA models of the 1960’s, the horizontal engines have remained unchanged, as have the looks of the bikes: squat like a bulldog, brimming with handles, rivets, and add-ons. Customizing your bike is almost a given, and there are plenty of bags, stow boxes, fuel canisters, spare tires, winches and machine gun variations to choose from. 750 cc engines drearily propel these heavy bikes—probably a good thing as they are quite unstable and require a good deal of reigning in to keep the bike traveling in the direction you intend. The endemic problem that these original engines have is that they do not reliably start and require a good deal of tuning from the driver. Of course, as is the case with many of the army surplus engines, they just lack a good hammering from your wrench. I guess in a world of Toyotas that start on cue, we forget that heavy-duty machinery, while fickle and temperamental, really does last forever. These engines will be wrench beaten and inefficient but running exactly as it does today in 2030 (can you say the same thing about your Matrix?).

The trunk of the bike can easily carry enough gear for a week’s trip or better, a huge cooler of beer and vodka. For the passenger, the sidecar is surprisingly comfortable and with a nice blanket or pillow, can easily weather the elements. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the driver, who is constantly pounded by the heft and rigidity of the frame. Nevertheless, as I traveled the outskirts of Beijing over the weekend, I found myself drunk on the experience. Wind in your face, curious glances and a strangely heavy yet solid driving feel. It was a short trip to test the bike I am now shipping to the Philippines, but as our group of 8 people and 4 bikes, carved through the countryside of Beijing, you remember that it is not the destination that makes it worthwhile, but the journey.

Bikes run from $2000 to $5000 and you will still need to pay for shipping (1.5 cbm) and taxes. The fun is in customizing the bike to suit your preference, so I suggest looking through your history books for the sort of machinery you want attached. For collectors looking for something with a bit more value, you can request for authentic (though most probably in battered condition) PLA bikes. These do have intrinsic value, though it does not yet have a significant buyers market. For my next trip ill be convincing some friends to fly into Ulaan Bator, cruise through the Mongolian deserts in our bikes, then fly back to Beijing (the bikes can be shipped back). Similar trips can be run into Tibet or China.

QUICK INDUSTRY NEWS 02/19/08

2008-02-19T16:33:00.000-08:00

Network fees come under fire
A policy paper will be released late February by the AAAA and the ANA questioning the high fees networks are charging them when buying time on television shows. These fees are in the millions of dollars and remind us of the pre-digital days, where workers had to physically time, edit and insert commercials, in between shows. Considering that most programs are handled by computers with planned schedules produced well in advance, it is no surprise that networks are under pressure to relieve advertisers of "money squeezing" charges. Lets not forget that these days, marketers are becoming more and more insistent on tracking their advertising monies. Poorly justifiable expenses of this sort will soon go the way of the dinosaur.

iPaper
A document viewer that converts and streams PDF documents on to the web, for easy viewing of large files. It adds a nice touch by allowing you to read documents through a scrollable window, turning pages (like a magazine), or a slide show. Advertisers will delight in the way it seamlessly integrates googles AdSense inside each of the documents ($$$), making non web-pages monetizable. Revenues generated from advertisements are split between the Publisher and Scribd. Considering they have already received around $4,000,000 in funding from Silicon Valley, I would say this "YouTube of Documents" will only improve (www.scribd.com).

Mobile People launches Ad Server
"This Ad Server provides the capability to deliver targeted mobile ad campaigns for directory publishers... advertisements can be targeted to users based on time, keyword, category or location (Mobile Europe)." This service seems to promise an upgrade to the traditional yellow pages. Ex. "If a mobile user is searching for a car showroom in his vicinity the user can also be provided with car insurance results and local garages." I know that this has been something companies have been attempting to develop in the Philippines (look at how you get SMS advertisements on SM stores, when you are in the vicinity of SM). As far as I can tell, the technology is still expensive and the application by local content providers, not well integrated. A pity, because this sort of a service when integrated with the web, can really bring benefit to the consumer.

MY PREOCCUPATION WITH BIOFUELS

2008-02-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

To those that do not know me personally, I am an environment stomping dinosaur, whose penchant for large, powerful engines and motoring relics, send waves of Prius owners to their graves. My driveway will flatly dispute any defense I may put together, so I will choose to refute that label at some later date. For this post let us assume that underneath all my capriccios, I am a concerned and active environmentalist (which I am!).

I would like to vent my perplexity about the state of bio-fuels in general and the direction it is taking within the Philippines, which actually models the region. The term “bio-fuel” refers to the fuel generated from plant sources that can be used to substitute for petroleum. In the United States the majority would be corn based, fuel ethanol/bio-diesel and in the Philippines, sugar and coconut based fuel ethanol/coco-bio-diesel.

We are all aware of the environmental benefits of bio-fuels, which are supposed to have a dramatic impact on our environment (in the long run) However, several years into this world of bio-fuels, we are starting to learn and understand that perhaps this is not as rosy an alternative as we all thought. In the United States, Timothy Searchinger (Princeton University) has found that corn-based ethanol would double greenhouse gas emissions for the next thirty years. This is due mostly to the sudden decline of the vegetation that once inhabited the cleared fields now being used by corn. You did not really think those greenhouse gas-gobbling trees you had to clear for your cornfields were sitting idle? At some point of course, the “incremental sequestration of CO2 in their roots [the corn fields] will match the CO2 once stored by cleared vegetation,” cutting emissions. Estimated time frame for this shift—decades.

Let us not forget the energy that is needed to grow, harvest, and refine the fuel. This goes beyond the processing plants, what about the effect of the fertilizer? The logistics involved in shipping it? If you actually compare all the effects of going green and not just the immediate processing effects, just how large is the improvement? Are you aware of the increased levels of nitrous oxides in the atmosphere due to ethanol as an oxygenate? Or perhaps the economic challenges brought forth when sugar or corn is now considered more valuable, increasing the prices on what used to be a basic commodity? This last point especially terrifies me, because if you follow the logical progression of economics:

[Farmer grows sugar for food. Farmer gets better price for sugar and sells it for fuel instead. Sugar prices go up, demand exceeds supply. Farmer clears rainforest to grow more sugar for fuel and food. Government tells him he is doing a service to the country and the environment. The Jolly Jetsetter stares incredulously...]

This economic effect is no joke. In poorer, developing countries, higher food prices can very well lead to starvation and public unrest. China has put a stop to ethanol plant construction as it tries to solve the threat it poses to the country’s food security. In Mexico the increase in tortilla (corn based) prices have led to heated public protests. Lester Brown (president of Earth Policy Institute) sums it up nicely when he says that we are creating an “epic competition between 800 million people with automobiles and the 2 billion poorest people.”

I often feel that in our sudden urgency to “go green” we are rushing into projects that may not be the best long-term solution for our world. New government regulations and green tax breaks are making it extremely appealing for companies to clean up their act, but in doing so are we creating a false sense of progression? It can be said that in many first world nations, growing bio-fuels has become a huge government handout to farmers getting beaten by china, chemical companies, seed companies, environmentally supportive companies, and so forth. Yes, we are all in the same boat together, but why do I have this feeling that countries like the Philippines will get the butt-end of this environmental drive. Where our lands are cleared to grow crops and our industries geared to remain reliant on the demands of first world nations.

The thing is, I cannot think of a reasonably viable alternative at the moment. Which is why I am so preoccupied with this industry and at least a tangible solution. We have plenty of other bio fuels that can be explored, which may yield more gain with less of a fall out. Algae can be grown on ponds, which will not take up farmland. Solar power and wind technology has gotten significantly cheaper, making it feasible alternative. A focus on hybrid and hydrogen engines in vehicles can dramatically reduce our emissions (GM and Toyota have an excellent future in this). David Morris has even stated, "if Americans reduce our input of sugar, we could make 2 billion more gallons of ethanol and help overcome our obesity problem.” Certainly a bit off center, but it makes a clear point.

So, as I watch this industry develop and smaller industries pop up around it (carbon credits being one), it is encouraging to know that at the least, the public is aware and concerned. Perhaps if I mull it over a bit longer, over a deep highland malt, I may be able to offer at least a semblance of a suggestion.

A WELCOME CHANGE FROM AIRPLANES

2008-02-14T23:20:00.000-08:00

The weather forecast was positive: It was going to be a beautiful Friday morning. Being the responsible Jolly Jetsetter that I am, I decided to take a 4:00am drive to Pampanga, so I could make it back for my 10:00am meetings. It was dark and the streets were mostly empty, so a brisk 200kph average had us at the balloon field early enough to enjoy a warm cup of crappy coffee. I have to say that I was quite disappointed with the organization of the Balloon Festival. I try to attend this event yearly because of the skydiving jumps and my interest in the gyrocopters business that is being launched in the Philippines. It is a yearly event with amazing potential that has been reduced to the cheesy afternoon carnivals you find in Cavite or Laguna. The mix of a poor choice of events and vendors, loud dance music from 5:00am onwards, poor logistics, and crappy marketing force me to give the balloon festival a fat thumbs down.

Fortunately I did not have to stick around for too long, by around 5:30am we were being whisked into the staging area for the balloon pilots who were preparing for the game of hare and hound. In this game they send a lead balloon (Hare) ahead by about two minutes, after which the remaining 16 balloons (Hounds) start the chase. The Hare’s objective is to land and drop a marker, the hounds that place their marker closest to the hare’s marker get the highest points. Sounds easy enough no? Well do not forget that you cannot steer a balloon. It floats according to the wind, which is in constant flux. To change directions, you need to catch a stream of wind by either raising or lowering the altitude of the balloon. Note that these streams of wind go in varying directions, travel in varying speeds, and are of different temperatures (which requires more or less hot air in your balloon). So chasing a hare can be quite a challenge, requiring a keen sense of direction and an ever-calculating mind.

Before I get ahead of myself, let me just relate how I got into the balloons in the first place. UPS is one of the largest sponsors for the event and decided to assist me in securing a place on one of the balloons. I guess all those packages I send out have finally paid off! They bring me into the briefing area, where the lead organizer and pilot proceed to shout: “There are a pair from UPS, anybody want to take them? (Silence) Anyone? (Silence) UPS is one of the largest sponsors and would like you to take them, anyone? (Silence).” This went on for quite some time. My companion and I were being whored out to the different pilots and out of a group of 17 balloons; only the Gulf Air team was kind enough to take us both onboard. Not that I can blame them, the additional weight does add a different component to steering the balloon.

After a short set up period, we were off. Once you are in the balloon, you do not really do much except enjoy the view. Give or take a few planned dips, the ride was smooth and gorgeous. Even our landing, which involved quite a bit of dragging and bouncing (your tossed all around the basket), was relaxed and almost elegant. I can understand why this was such a popular sport for the upper society of Europe. We ended up fairly close to the hare, but did not receive any points, as we were unable to find our marker when we came back for it (you don’t actually land to place it, its dropped). I would say that with a ready bottle of champagne and a tin of beluga caviar, I may just consider ballooning as a new sport! It’s fairly reasonable considering that a fully set up balloon costs roughly $30k (lasts many years) and the gas used to fuel the burners is propane.

I was a bit late for my meeting, but I’d have to say, it turned out to be a spectacular Friday morning! Now to figure out where to get a balloon and how to learn to fly it…

THE LASTING IMPRESSION OF MOBILE ADVERTISEMENTS

2008-02-14T17:54:00.000-08:00

The Xperia X1 will be the first mobile phone developed between Microsoft and Sony Ericsson, to be launched 2nd quarter of 2008. With Googles mobile phone operating system well in the works and a hugely successful IPhone, it is clear that the technology behind Mobile Phones will be making a drastic shift in 2008 and the coming years. Companies are developing phones that integrate your consumer lifestyle with strong business applications. From the stocks you track to the weekly episodes of Grey's Anatomy you watch, these phones are rivaling computers in terms of importance for your day to day life.

From a Mobile Advertising perspective, technology and user acceptance is slowly developing into that dream of a lifestyle integrated and connected consumer. However, as pointed out by some detractors at the Barcelona conference; you can advertise through Mobile Phones, but how do you develop the "endearing" and "loyalty inducing" advertisements that are prevalent across print and television media? It is one thing to target users through short 3G clips, MMS blasts and Mobile clips. You can even spread the same message across several mediums through a diversified campaign (Blogs + 3G + RBT + MMS/SMS). These are all interesting and certainly well targeted advertisements-- but do they develop the connection that a rich, colorful, and audio superior, television advertisement does? Can they?

I still remember the Wendy's "Where's the beef?" campaign or Joe Isuzu's ridiculous claims, I remember the Delmonte nuns and their tomato sauce as clearly as I remember sexy, 90's Britney dancing for Pepsi. How will mobile advertisers develop this sort of an impact? With small screens, multiple running applications, and the fact that a mobile phone is DESIGNED for multitasking (consumer focus is fragmented), this will be no small feat. I'm looking forward to watching the industry progress.

QUICK TECHNOLOGY NEWS 02/10/08

2008-02-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Bluetooth and WiFi Connect: A collaboration between Bluetooth and WiFi functions is going to be announced mid this week. The idea is to use a single chip that combines Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities (currently your lap top runs two separate chips). This combined chip will use the low-power Bluetooth radio to pair and send small sized files. For larger transfers the combined chip will switch to WiFi radios, resulting in much faster file transfers. If they can develop a seamless connection between both functions (which they will), this chip shift will speed up the lives of many executives and students the world over. We may even get to an age of wireless computer syncing with the same convenience as syncing your mobile phone.

Social Networking Sites join forces: I found a fairly interesting bit of information surfing through the web yesterday, which brings to light the direction companies like Facebook and LinkedIn are taking. It was announced that Yahoo is planning to develop an email service that shares data with Social Networking Sites; Delver is working to develop a search engine that tracks and summarizes social network data; Facebook is introducing new services that take advantage of users' online contacts.

By sharing and linking user information with one another, they are developing an interactive and soon to be search able set of personal information on YOU. I am not sure I like the idea of being a page on wikepedia, which lists (by priority of course) all the personal information I have combined across my Facebook, Email, Blog and Friendster sites. Using the Beacon service launched by Facebook as an example, it will only be a matter of time till online purchases, Ebay bids and so forth are also linked in. Do I really want my personal data easily accessible? Advertising companies and Social Networking Sites certainly think so.

Yahoo wants more: Yahoo finds that the offer by Microsoft undervalues the company significantly and is currently wagering that a $9 per share, or roughly $12 billion added to the original offer price, will sway the board to accept. Microsoft is currently trailing in fourth place for this industry, with Yahoo second (not a close one) to Google. Considering that online advertising pretty much pays for...well... everything online, I would wager that Microsoft is going to fight for this one.

THE JOLLY VIEW ON THE MICROSOFT/YAHOO MERGER AND $44,600,000,000

2008-02-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

Every blogger these days seems to be sharing their two cents on the Microsoft/Yahoo merger. $44,600,000,000 is no small number, I know plenty of countries that do not make that in their yearly GDP. So what is the big deal with this merger other than plenty of zeros and a battle between two, huge tech giants (Microsoft and Google).

Some basic information that we will need:
Market Value: (M: 296 Billion, G: 147 Billion). Google is 49% of Microsoft

2006 Revenue: (M:44.28 Billion, G: 10.6 Billion) Google is 24% of Microsoft

Online Advertising Revenue: (M: 2.29 Billion, G: 7.3 Billion) Google is 68% larger than Microsoft.

*A combined Microsoft and Yahoo would have 27% of Worldwide Search Share, Google would have 66%

*Zenith optimedia expects global online ad-spend to grow with 28.2%, that would be roughly $184.39 Billion spent on online ad spending (Global Ad-spend est. at 653.9 Billion). *Google has been outgrowing Microsoft every quarter since its 2004 IPO

Google is a behemoth, its actually quite amusing to read their online blog which challenges the antitrust issues with such a merger. Microsoft may have a long history of such antitrust issues but Google's ever growing influence on the industry is starting to show similar signs.

This merger is an effective and attempt by Microsoft to battle on Google's turf, especially with online ad-spend growing exponentially. Lets not forget that this fight for online advertising market share has a distinct impact on the mobile advertising industry. These are both, extremely large pools of $ that both Microsoft and Google are maneuvering to command.

Our world is becoming increasingly ingrained and I would say, reliant on our computers and cell phones. With these industries well within a strong growth curve, you can understand the speed and commitment being made by Microsoft and Google to one up each other. The future direction of the advertising world rests on these industries. The shift from impersonal to personal advertisements, from mass hits to direct, from unknown to known demographics, this will all be realized to a large extent through the efforts of Microsoft and Google to develop an effective advertising platform. Our lives as consumers will be entering an golden era of personalization.

Of course there are some major issues at stake for Microsoft. For one, Yahoo has not been doing particularly well as a business these days. As stated by Jon Fisher (one of the investment analysts): "With Microsoft paying a full price for a broken business where there's not accelerating organic growth, I can't make that work at all." With an estimated $50 billion value, this is not going to be an easy pill to swallow and it may be the stumble that Google needs to take the lead.

The synergies between Yahoo and Microsoft are good, but I wonder if they are $50 billion good? Fundamentally, both Yahoo and Microsoft suffer from a business model that is in my opinion, inferior to Google's: The Centralized Operations Model v.s. Google's Distributed Network Model. Lets not forget that the web is built primarily off a distributed network model-- which is a large part of what has made Google so dynamic and efficient!

These are some concerns that I am sure the brains of Microsoft are spending dateless nights figuring out. From an outsiders perspective, who's knowledge of the online industry is substantially meager, this merger is one that is on the right track. Google should be worried.

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING

2008-02-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

I made a quick visit to the Yahoo Live site, which has been overshadowed in recent news by the Yahoo acquisition attempt by Microsoft. Its cute, I suppose, certainly with plenty of moneymaking opportunities. Some key issues do need to be addressed:

The site experience is lousy. Similar to Ustream, Stickam, etc. Video streams take a while to load, they are choppy and constantly crashing. Yes, this is all to improve as internet bandwidth and streaming technologies advance, but its still irritating.

The camera angles are almost ALL the same. You are looking at "heads". Granted, these amazing heads talk, dance, sing, even strip (though the sites have a genuine PG rating), but viewers are still basically watching, experiencing and interacting with some persons floating mug! This promptly led me to click on users based on their appearance... (hey, at least I don't lie about it!)

This, in my opinion, will be the key to all of this-- are people really interested in the inner lives of other people? Social Networking have shown that we do have an inner desire to interact and "network" with each other, but these sites still filter a lot of what we see and read. Streaming video takes all of the illusions we may have about the person, you see, hear and experience the individual for who he/she is. Interesting.

As the technology improves, there is no doubt that we will start seeing live streaming as a complimentary addition to websites, social networking sites, etc. Applying this technology to a more useful purpose: Imagine college interviews being done online, or sending in your video resume to a business position you look to fill. The opportunities are quite limitless as the people in our world becoming increasingly more connected.

There will always be those people that enjoy sharing themselves with others. For The Jolly Jetsetter, he will remain behind his Facebook and Second Life walls- at least for the time being.

Sites to visit
http://live.yahoo.com
www.justin.tv
www.stickam.com
www.ustream.tv

QUICK GOOGLE NEWS

2008-01-29T17:02:00.000-08:00

Google may still be battling for the 700 MHz C block spectrum that is currently at $3.42 Billion. This fits nicely with the latest Wired News article I just read

Entering the telecommunications industry in this manner can only assist them in their plan to dominate the online and mobile advertising industries. Interestingly, google is also experimenting barcodes that will be printed next to newspaper/magazine advertisements-- scannable by your mobile phone. This would direct you online to more information, coupons, etc.

http://www.wired.com/techbiz/it/news/2008/01/google_recession

RENOVATE TO EDUCATE (rED)

2008-01-27T05:07:00.001-08:00

Carting around rocks, debris and construction materials is no longer the easy, afternoon work out it used to be. Writing this mid-morning, over a nice hot latte, my lower back is tight and surprisingly sore-- and this is after a good 8 hours of sleep (I regularly get 4)! I am no tri-athlete here but in my youth I could easily climb 10 hours up, spend an overnight, take another 10 hours down and still wake up the next day for a morning at the gym. But, enough of me, my aging body, and the irritating realization of it, the reason for my construction worker weekend was an activity held at the Western Bicutan High School, which involved the International School of Manila's "ICare" and the Renovate to Educate Foundation (rED).

To Briefly expound on a few of the problems that faced the Western Bicutan Highschool:

1) 1000 kids come in for classes in the morning and 1000 in the afternoon (total of 2000 per school year). They have 4 bathrooms in the entire school, 100 kids per class, not enough chairs and desks for the classrooms, and barely enough funding for electricity or a maintenance staff, which means that the kids are forced to maintain their own school. So if you happen to be one of the kids assigned to cleaning the school for the day, you better hope it wasn't on the day they were teaching the theory of relativity or how to use nouns in a sentence or you can kiss your future as a scientist or teacher goodbye.

2) The school currently has one basketball court, they used to have another basketball court and a field, but both were overrun one morning when a local barrio decided to set up camp on school grounds. The local government has been informed of this problem and for the last three years have been "working out" a solution. Lets not hold our breath on this one. I consider it much like the battles of the middle ages. A foreign group overruns your land and you either boot them out or are taken by them. Except in this scenario it is a barrio of transients (or by their political alias: "the voting public") V.S. school children. Perhaps a siege is a better term, as the kids, teachers and principals are retreating to the safety of their buildings as more and more shanty huts grow around them. This is their property mind you.

3) The school, lacking funding and in need of a new building, petitioned the PTA to assist them in raising funds for a new building, which they proceed to do successfully until the PTA disappeared with the money. A group of angry parents then decide to take matters into their own hands, forming a new PTA they valiantly raise funds a second time only to decide once all funds were raised, to run away with the money (how noble of them). There is currently a PTA ban imposed by the principal of the school.

The Renovate to Educate Foundation (rED) looks to alleviate the impact of such problems, by developing a community of schools within the Taguig area that work as a support network for each other. Using re-building activities, rED is working to develop a community of schools that share a mutual concern over the education of our youth. The Western Bicutan High School activity that I attended was a direct initiative of the International School of Manila and rED. Understanding the problems that were facing the Western Bicutan High School, students, teachers, and supporters came for a four day event that included wall building, landscaping, murals/campus art, chair and desk rebuilding, bano rehabilitation and an overall general clean up. While I found that the activities were both well organized and practical for the school, it was the atmosphere that surrounded the activities and their participants, which impressed me. Regardless of nationality, cultural background, and social economic class, these volunteers interacted and participated with a glowing warmth and passion. There was a genuine camaraderie between strangers that resonated from the volunteers, through to the students, finally trickling to the local sari sari stores lining the school walls. It was the pulse of a community that understood the limitations of our government and was actively finding ways to make their own difference.

I have to say that often I find well-funded private schools (ISM, Singapore International School, Etc.) plagued by an "island" mentality. Hidden behind their well-guarded and high walls, students and teachers interact in an oasis community that often does not reflect the reality immediately outside their grounds. True, they often have outreach activities that take them as far out as La Union or Mindanao, but what about your neighbors next door? The rED activity showed me that there has been a seed planted by these Taguig based private schools, one that will hopefully grow into an active, inter-school involvement with the local community. Whether it is through foundations like Renovate to Educate or similar activities with different initiatives, I strongly feel that social change should be enacted at your doorstep. Taguig is slowly becoming host to the Philippines city of the future, if we are going to develop a community between the private and public schools of the area; there is no better place to start.

Congratulations to all the volunteers that participated in this event. From a slightly older (though not at all old) Jolly Jetsetter, I look forward to supporting similar projects in the coming months!

ELECTRIC ROADSTERS AND THE FUTURE

2008-01-24T23:27:00.001-08:00

Tesla is positive it can start building the electric roadster on March 17, despite recurring transmission problems. The sports car can currently do a 0-60mph run in 5.7 seconds, which is about 0.4 seconds slower than my cherry red, campus commuting Camaro Z28. Very disappointing considering an original stated time of 4.0 seconds and the fact that this car costs $98,000.00 While I do understand that this all electric sports car is the wave of the future, I find the price, its performance, and its coyote ugly looks a poor reason to waste your hard earned $.

Sadly, with the new environmental laws in place, GM’s promise to retire its big V8’s, and rising gasoline costs. Our future could very well sit on the success of this Tesla Roadster. Bob Lutz recently expressed his opinion that the best short-term solution will be found in bio-fuels, with electric vehicles being the long-term solution. I personally feel that hybrid technology will leapfrog bio-fuels (at least in terms of impact on the public) in most major automotive markets and lead into purely electric vehicles.

With ethanol supply still relatively small, and new harvests still years away. Diesel, a good alternative—but one with limited future possibilities (as there is only so much you can do with diesel). I strongly feel that Hybrid technology and its rapid emergence into the market will in fact prove to be the best short-term fight we have against our increasing environmental woes. Hydrogen and electric powered vehicles are the wave of the future. The technology to manufacture and sell these at a “market acceptable” price will not happen anytime soon, but it’s good to know that lawmakers are taking the right steps to support such initiatives. So long as companies like Toyota and GM keep trying to one up each other in the quest for a greener image, the public will continue to benefit as will the future of motoring.

THE "ADS"

2008-01-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

IMI Mobile has just launched “Ad-Ring” a fully integrated mobile advertising platform (they claim). It covers SMS, MMS Voice, WAP portal, Caller ring back tone, and Video streaming. It is an interesting offering that addresses (Vishwanath Alluri, IMImobile CEO):

“The increasingly complex needs that demand a highly flexible and intelligent platform.”

“That will allow our customers to initiate and manage consumer campaigns quickly and easily, taking full advantage of the highly targeted nature of mobile advertising.”

Ad-Ring is one of the many “Ads” that we see popping up these days (Ad-Tag, Ad-Phone being the other two). Much like Ad-Ring, Ad-Phone is developing an integrated mobile advertising platform. The services offered however, span across different advertising mediums (Online, Print Media, Mobile) rather than diversity within a medium. Regardless of the approach, these new services are targeting consumers that while easily accessible, are also easily distracted, fickle, and adept multitaskers. Advertisers looking to reach this growing demographic will need varying approaches to spreading their messages.

While I do feel that these creative individuals can do a little better when naming their companies. Formula = [Ad + Common Mobile Word = New Company Name]. Next up: Ad-Cell? Ad-SMS? The approach taken is the right one. Watch these "Ads," they are leading the way.

TAKING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

2008-01-23T15:39:00.000-08:00

Google and Publicis announced a non-exclusive collaboration between both companies, that would entail placing executives from each company within the ranks of the other.

Maurice Levy (CEO Publicis) said "the goal is to create a "triple-win" -- not just a win-win -- situation. "Our clients win, the platform Google wins and the ad industry/Publicis wins. We're bringing Google our knowledge of advertising communications, consumers and client needs. They're bringing us knowledge of technology and the world of the web."

This is certainly one of the first proactive steps I have seen larger companies make in their quest to gain a piece of the mobile advertising pie. Note that neither of the parties are tied with one another, this collaboration is a way of merging skills and developing programs/systems that address the needs of both parties, namely: The Web/Mobile Industry and Advertising. Finally, instead of companies trying to secretly develop the next best thing, we have an open sharing of information and individuals.

I look forward to seeing more from this collaboration.

SUNDAY MORNING

2008-01-22T05:40:00.000-08:00

Most Sunday mornings are spent nursing mean hangovers. Some Sundays mornings are spent sipping cappuccinos while enjoying a good book. Once in a long while however, comes that perfect Sunday morning, the kind of morning that you hope will set the tone for all Sundays to come. My weekend drive to breakfast in Tagaytay and back—was MY kind of Sunday morning!

Of course, it was not quite as uneventful as it sounds. Picture seventeen exotic and classic cars and thirty Harley Davidson’s snaking their way up the mountain path (Several environmentalists must have just died after reading that). Cars and motorbikes of this caliber cease to become modes of transportation as they represent the passion and vision of their designers/owners. Whether it be a 2007 Porsche GT3 or a meticulously restored ’65 Harley, there is a deep energy released that resonates life (La Dolce Vita). It is exactly the opposite of that mind dulling, soul-sucking feeling you get when looking at yet ANOTHER Toyota Fortuner or Camry.

My mode of transportation for the day was a 1970’s muscle car, which when driven hard, can be extremely fun while also white knuckled terrifying. The brakes are not even and she leans perilously in sharp curves, but when she opens up on the long stretches and you sit back and enjoy the feel of a car that was designed for boy racers of your fathers’ generation, you can’t help by grin stupidly—ear to ear!

Harley (My hedgehog) and I had a delicious breakfast at Moon Garden (Coffee two thumbs down). The weather was perfect, company pleasant (Thirty plus grown boys acting like kids), and best of all we were back by 11:30 AM. If I can get myself in bed early enough on Saturday evenings, I think I’ll make a habit out of this.

RATTY, LEG HUGGING, SHORT HAUL FLIGHTS EXTENDED TILL EARLY 2009

2008-01-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

Boeing has been under a lot of fire recently for pushing back delivery dates of the Dreamliner to its first batch of clients. This is a rather unfortunate (though expected) turn of events from a company that has both a long reputation of delivering on schedule and greatly benefited from the bad press thrown at the Airbus A380’s delays. I have always been a strong Boeing supporter, probably because I admire their daring. Looking back at their history, they have been faced with near bankruptcies (so analysts have said), design challenges, etc. which they have always managed to come out of, better and stronger than before. Their move in developing the Dreamliner, a fuel efficient and short haul carrier, when the market seemed to be leaning towards large, passenger heavy airplanes, was as dramatic a shift as their move in the seventies to introduce the 747. This company is willing to take big risks. It’s in their culture, something that I do not see as readily in Airbus.

The Airbus A380 has taken flight and is currently in the process of delivery. However, they are operating in a market that has shifted. Fuel prices are up, EU (where most of the A380 parts are made) labor and manufacturing costs have skyrocketed and the Airline companies who would be in the market for an A380 are facing heavy competition from their low cost rivals. Boeing on the other hand has developed a jet with 20% more fuel savings a 10% improvement in operating economics, a design that works with the majority of airports in the world (The A380 needs a longer and reinforced runway, as well as different loading bridges) and is basically made of “plastic.” Best of all, the Dreamliner parts are outsourced to cheaper manufacturing markets. With the A350 still years away, Boeing’s Dreamliner can expect to corner the market for a good amount of time… so long as they can deliver.

You can tell I’m looking forward to trying out the Dreamliner. Its first delivery will be to All Nippon Airways, but I am sure it will be a popular choice for all the low cost carriers in Asia that I enjoy flying. It does not have the panache of those personal, First Class flying cabins being touted by Singapore Airlines and Emirates on their A380’s. However, for a frequent flyer like myself, if this Dreamliner can make my short haul flights a little more comfortable, a little more reasonable, then it’s a winner in my eyes!

DIVERSIFICATION WILL PROTECT ADVERTISING SERVICES FOR MOBILE 1.0

2008-01-14T07:05:00.000-08:00

Disruptive Technologies is an old phrase mostly used with the Mobile Industry. Recently it has been springing up again to describe challenges facing Web 2.0 and Mobile 1.0. It is a bit early to tell what the “disruptive technologies” will be for the advancing Mobile Advertising Industry, but if I were to name one that would most interest me, it would be the emergence of “people powered software (lifted from Owen Van Natta).” We see how these new applications are affecting the Social Networking Sites, from interactive games to applications that collate and share your favorite music. Software designers are finding more and more ways of entertaining themselves. What is interesting is that this software makes up the backbone of the “web within the web.” This new interactive universe is implanted in our computers and phones, touching our personal lives, desires, and dreams. The public craves an interactive and personal experience.

Presently there is limited software for the mobile world but it is certainly growing in leaps and bounds. I can see an age where the web and phone are fully integrated: Between seamlessly calling on Skype via WIFI to a mobile device or computer, you will be living your Halflife counterpart while on the train or receiving links to promotions you are interested in on your phone and PC. Business networking and introductions will be done through sites like Facebook and Myspace and you will find common friends and hobbies through referrals and software link ups. Similarly, for those of us looking to reach into the advertising potential of this short-term future, emerging advertising software holds the key.

We are starting to see the emergence of creative advertising outlets that aim at tapping this highly personalized and sensitive demographic. What started as corporate RBT advertisements has transformed into innovative concepts like what is hatching through 3G or failed attempts like Beacon. Regardless, the advertising groups that will survive Mobile 1.0 are those that can develop a platform, which represents and develops a myriad of these smaller services.

The slow transition of Skype from the PC world to the Mobile world is a good example of why it may take a bit of time. Technological issues aside, we have larger industry players that are as of yet unsure of how to master such emerging technologies and thus apprehensive of change. To expedite this transition, advertising companies need to provide brands with several outlets to reach the consumer—outlets that are interactive and complimentary, attacking on different levels yet broadcasting the same brand image/message. To win and survive Mobile 1.0, one needs to diversify.

A ONE LAKH SOLUTION FOR THE PHILIPPINES?

2008-01-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

I am a bit late in writing about the “One Lakh Car,” mildly amusing to me as I have been tracking the progress of this car for quite some time now—it’s been a lazy beginning of the New Year…

One Lakh = 100,000 rupees = $2500 = PHP 100,750 = CHEAP. It is powered by an anemic 623 cc engine, which is redeemed by an untested but promising 50 miles to the gallon. At PHP 339,000 with an 800 cc engine, the Chery QQ is hardly a worthy competitor. As far as I know, TATA has no present plans to bring this to the Philippines, probably a good thing as I have yet to see a single QQ along the streets of Makati.

A cheap car to the masses is probably not the best solution for the Philippines. While I envision a future where all Filipinos have some mode of personal transportation and an even shorter-term future where Filipinos have a fairly reliable and environmentally friendly public transportation infrastructure, it is just too easy to get a vehicle in this country. Worse, there are minimal regulations that protect us from vehicles that pollute or are in a state of disrepair. If we want to make a sizeable impact on the environment and more importantly, the health and safety of our public, the government needs to find a suitable alternative to the polluting jeeps and buses, while regulating vehicles on our roads. Subsiding more efficient engines/promoting the use of ethanol (looks grim for the electric jeepney), regulating vehicles beyond a certain age, limiting vehicle registration through taxation, there are quite a few different ways of attack. Unfortunately it requires a bit of political will. I like to hope for the best.

CHATEUX MARGAUX GRAN CRU 1983

2008-01-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed a nice glass of Chateux Margaux 1983, while taking in a gorgeous view of Singapore from the rooftop China Club. It had deep red highlights, with a spiced flavor. It was not too heavy considering its age, and was every bit as good as its reputation. It is said that the flavor comes from the thin stony topsoil over a mix of lime and sand with alcerous soil. Current debate has yet to be concluded on whether the Margaux 1982 or 1983 is the Margaux wine of the century. A real shame considering I have a 1981 Margaux sitting in my bar! Be warned, prices range between $2000 (if you are lucky) to $3500 per bottle, so savor it wisely.

SOCIAL NETWORKING PROJECTIONS

2008-01-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

Merril Lynch just released its projections for the top internet themes for 2008. I found their “emergence of social networking revenue models” the most relevant section. Basically they are repeating what we have all come to realize, social networking sites (Friendster, Facebook, etc.) will play a significant role in the online advertising industry, and will be a strong influence on mobile advertising. An increase of 8% in Social Networking (1% of the time spent online, est. 2003) has spurned large companies like Microsoft to take a more proactive stake in this emerging industry. While I do think that the valuation placed on the Facebook acquisition was beyond ridiculous, it does clearly mark this sector as a future sandbox.

Presently there are some interesting partnerships between Social Networking sites and mobile phones that seem to be working well enough. For the rest of us, there is still a long way to go.

DO YOU ADTAG?

2008-01-08T23:31:00.002-08:00

To answer a comment made by one of my readers, I’d like to expound a bit more on an interesting business that affects all companies looking to advertise over print media. I was in Singapore on a business trip when I came across AdTag applied in one of the local newspapers. Sleek, simple and well integrated, the “AdTag” brings about a different dynamic to tracking and analyzing your companies advertising expenditure and efficiency. I’ll leave it up to the website to give a company introduction: (http://www.adtaggers.com/about-us.html). What I find fascinating is the manner in which this “AdTag” tracks print media.

Imagine your company has $100,000 to spend on a print advertisement. Traditionally you would choose a magazine or newspaper publication that research companies or your own experience has proven to bring the most readers in your target market. Your options are mostly limited to the type (readers, distribution, demographic, etc.), length of time, and location (on the publication). Even with these options, there is no real way of tracking the effect that this $100,000 has brought back to your company. Do you spend it all on one advertisement in a large publication, or over several smaller publications? How do you keep your marketing moneys efficient?

Enter AdTag, a small in unobtrusive image on your advertisement that generates and organizes data gathered from the readers. By promising readers who text the specific “AdTag” number the chance to win an incentive, this company ensures a steady flow of participants who in turn, make up the sample group which represents the public. Each of the combinations of numbers that you text in, correspond to a specific publication/advertisement- basically the barcode of the system.

Let us say that your company runs 1 advertisement in 1 magazine for 1 week (1 + 1 + 1), applying the AdTag service. Upon the termination of the campaign you should have:

1) A good estimate on the total amount of readers that glanced over your campaign.
2) The days and hours of each day had the heaviest traffic.
3) Which locations attracted the most hits.
4) Basic reader demographics (gender/age: through Mobile numbers).

Best of all, your company will have the ability to compare all of the different variables of your information against each other.

Taking this a step further, imagine that the advertisement you placed was not 1 + 1 + 1, but actually 3 different advertisements over 6 different types of publications (2 magazines, 2 newspapers and 2 Billboards) with varying launch dates and duration. From the information that AdTag gathers, you should be able to compare all 6 outlets with each other, analyzing the publics reaction to the ad, location, publication, time of day, who it attracted based off gender/age, and a whole lot more. It might even tell you a bit more about the strength of the marketing companies you use to generate your ads. Presently, advertising groups offer some way (quite weakly) to estimate the effect of most of these points, but there are no companies that I am aware of at the moment that can best AdTag in terms of estimation AND comparison of the different variables. Companies looking to spend money on print media advertisements can now sift through their advertising options with surgical precision. This will be print media’s best friend or worst enemy, it remains to be seen which one.

Interestingly enough, this “AdTag” does not necessarily have to be applied to advertisements. It can potentially track articles (interest in specific authors or subject matter), movie posters (interest in location), etc. With this new shift towards tracking the metrics behind print media advertising, I see an abundance of possibilities with the information gathered. Enough historical data can paint a fairly accurate picture on trends in the economy/public while monitoring the direction of public interest, at least within the realm of print media. How accurate this information will be has yet to be judged, but I do think that we are taking a step in the right direction.

WRECK DIVING OFF CORON ISLAND

2008-01-08T22:00:00.000-08:00

A short 1:15 hour flight from Manila takes you into the Busuanga airport, which is a scenic 50 minutes away from the Barrio of Coron. The island was once home to a large cattle ranch, which has since been sequestered by the government and mismanaged—leaving an already beautiful landscape, even more picturesque. Jungle lined hills and mountains serve as the perfect backdrop for the lonely dirt road that winds through the old grazing fields. Occasionally one will pass a solitary wooden home or herd of cattle; peaceful, pleasant, and visually stunning.

There are several resorts that have come up in the last few years (Banyan Tree will be opening soon). While I did not stay at the Sea Dive resort, I do recommend it for scuba divers as it is positioned at the pick up and drop of point for the bankas. The lobby has free internet and it is the liveliest part of the island for anyone looking for a little bit of a night life. Dives go for around:

Divers will quickly notice the relatively high salt content of the water and low visibility. Fortunately the wrecks are well mapped and exposed, with buoy lines clearly marking entrance points (at least for the two I visited). Most of the locations were sunk in 1944, so while there is substantial growth, not enough time has passed for it to obscure the hull and structure of the vessel. Divers can easily make out the shape and list of the wreck as well as the interior passageways down to the rivets, hooks and chains. In one of the ships there was an overturned bulldozer, which still had a clear outline of its tracks, seats, and side. If you happen to be diving with a group, I suggest you make it a point to go into the passageways first. There is nothing that can ruin your day more than an inexperienced diver silting up the corridor you are entering…unless you grab one of the many scorpion fish that line the wreck, an experience that always trumps silt (Lion fish are also quite plentiful)!

I chose to cut my dive trip a bit short this year, preferring to spend more time on the beach reading than in the water (work has me beat). There are plenty of lagoons to visit, Calauit Island is only 2:30 hours away, and El Nido is a short Sea Air hop from Coron. There are not a lot of locals or tourists, so empty lagoons for swimming and rock climbing are plentiful. Busuanga offers the perfect mix of sports and isolation, although the latter is fast disappearing as seen through the progress on the island. New roads, an airport terminal, and resorts are feverishly being constructed. With this new infrastructure, the island will rival in terms of activities and natural beauty, any of top locations in the Philippines but as with many of the “last escapes” in this country, raw adventure dies with obscurity, so I suggest you visit soon.

Costs for dives are reasonable; it came out to roughly PHP 1600 per dive with equipment (Excellent condition) and boat transfers included. I have included some of the sketches of the wrecks that you can dive while in and around Coron Island:

DAVIDOFF 2000

2007-12-20T07:16:00.001-08:00

This cigar has an admittedly lighter draw than I am accustomed to, making the first few minutes of the smoke a bit strained. It’s amusing because I make the same comment each and every time I light one up! Once you get a feel for the cigar, it’s a pleasant afternoon smoke, mild and light—with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The wrapper burns evenly and you can spend minutes lining up your cigar ash so it resembles a full cigar (amusing). The Petite Corona is a small cigar, which lasts about 30-40 minutes depending on the smoker. It is your classic non-grand cru series Davidoff: predictable, pleasant, slightly too expensive, nice for a quiet afternoon with a book and good shot of espresso.

NEWLY BULLDOZED MOTORBIKING TRAIL

2007-12-20T06:52:00.000-08:00

Took a new trail through San Mateo last weekend. We started off at batohan all the way to kavergel area. At the junction of halo halo we took a left and went towards the landfill in pintong bukawe. We headed towards electronics, passed close to susong dalaga and into pinahan ni Roxas—popping out in crasher conrock (sitio patiis). We ended by heading towards paraiso the funeral garden and out in Banaba San Mateo. Overall it was a fun trail—not exactly technical, though there were a few run-ins with mud patches and cliffs. It was a gorgeous day, with Philippines weather at its very best. The falls was a good breather and would have made a nice place to sit and have lunch.

I am not sure how long this trail will exist—it was newly bulldozed when we passed, so give it a few weeks and the bumps and grooves are sure to settle. I suggest hitting this trail as soon as you can!

BLUE RAY

2007-12-20T01:57:00.001-08:00

The official stats of the 2009 ZR1 (Nicknamed Blue Ray) are out and to say they are staggering is an understatement. An all new small block LS9 engine at 6.2 liters cranks out 620 HP and 595 pounds per feet of torque. It has an intercooled supercharger from Eaton matched to a close-ratio six speed manual with dual- disc clutch. What does this mean in layman’s terms: Faster short time speed early in the track (small block) with a gargantuan engine that is also supercharged (no explanation necessary), maximized by a gearbox that keeps at the power-band by using a different combination of gears (close ratio six speed manual) and a clutch that is designed to be abused (dual –disc clutch). All of this result in a car that has a better power-to-weight ratio than the Murcielago, and can reach the 200 mph mark which few cars are designed to do (think: Bentley Continental GT Speed and Bugatti Veyron).

It’s designed to look and act like a street bully at a price ($100,000) that is still quite affordable when compared to the exotic cars it will eat for breakfast. Sadly, since this is a Chevy you can count on a low rent interior and handling that leans more towards American muscle than Italian exotic. However, this is what makes it a corvette; the meanest and fastest corvette ever produced! The Blue Ray will probably be built in low numbers, so get your name on the list as early as possible.

798 BETWEEN 11 AND 4

2007-12-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

Art is a tricky subject. All of us have different views that I’m certain we will defend to the end. 798 is not about the art you enjoy (though you might just find that one great piece) or those “cocktail party whisper” pieces that you just have to see; it’s a place where the young artists of northern china can display their work, discuss their thoughts, and relax in the company of other artists. Note that while this may be commonplace in Europe or the United States, we are talking about China and the city from which “beats the heart of the Chinese people.” Up until the mid eighties, the Chinese were very much still in the Cultural Revolution. The society of artists and art aficionados really only started to develop in the nineties.

For visitors to 798, the “rough around the edges” feeling is prevalent, despite the well furnished/funded galleries, coffee houses, and forced graffiti. This was an old factory of some kind, which explains the wide buildings, perfectly angled streets, pipes, stacks, and valves that give this area its charm. There are rusted generators painted in bright colors that compliment the graffiti strewn across long, red brick walls. Randomly themed sculptures can be found at every corner and the galleries, are first rate—designed to the standards of New York and Milan. The development of this area is still in progress—there are no good restaurants, and a lot of space between galleries. The signs and maps are improving, but as a whole I suggest just mowing up and down the area, like you would a grocery store, to get the best experience. Smaller side streets often have small workshops. The people are quite friendly, so do not be shy when poking your nose into little courtyards or shacks. It can be cold in the winter, so I suggest that people traveling during this period dress warmly (Excessively would be best) and the artists do not usually get up till around 1030am, so plan for a mid day visit- which gets you out before the rush hour traffic at 5pm.

798 is a place any art lover NEEDS to visit. Fortunately it will only improve as time passes, so regular visits are recommended. If you absolutely need to buy a piece, I suggest you do your research first. There are a lot of overpriced artists and imitators in this area. Look first then go home and get on the internet. All prices are heavily negotiable.

TATA MOTORS IS BIDDING FOR JAGUAR AND LANDROVER

2007-12-19T20:53:00.000-08:00

Tata Motors is a strong contender for Jaguar and Landrover. There is a rich irony in this that I am sure is rippling through the British car manufacturing community-- then again, after selling out to the Americans (Jaguar and Landrover) and Germans (Rolls Royce, Bentley), the initial shock has probably long since passed.

I have met with the Tata Group and I have to say that I found them to be highly driven professionals. The cars that they produce, while not impressive on an international standard, fit and serve the Indian market well. They recently announced that they would be producing a $2500 car (a car which is basically glued together!! Literally!) which would make the modern Model T. While as a group they certainly have the funding to purchase the ailing Jaguar and Landrover from Ford- I wonder if they have the technical expertise to manage such different lines of production?

The car aficionado that I am cries sacrilege at the thought of the "poetic justice" will be served to the Indians if they purchase these symbols of British Civilization (aptly worded by Todd Lassa). However, as a champion for the underdog- I hope they buy it and run it better than the original owners. Anyway, Ford has more than enough problems on its plate, a bit of infused cash would not hurt.

MOBILE PHONES ENCROACH ON QUIET TIME

2007-12-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

Interesting news from the aviation industry-- Mobile Phones and WiFi computers may soon be allowed on airplanes. I just recently read in the Economist that JetBlue has launched a limited Wi-Fi data service on one of its A320 planes in partnership with Yahoo and RIM. AirFrance is testing voice calling/text on an A318. Quantas, AeroMobile and other carriers have also been exploring different possibilities that allow passengers more connectivity while in the air.

The Federal Communications Comission (FCC) has long stood by its ban on cellular phones using the 800 MHz frequency and other wirless devices on airborne aircraft due to the potential interference to wireless networks on the ground. However, in the last few years they have been slowly allowing changes to these regulations, as more and more providers of in-flight wireless broadband and other communication services are using frequencies that do not interfere with ground communications. This is all happening in the wake of a study done by researchers from Carnagie Mellon came out with a study a year or so ago that stated that no matter what frequencies are used, when you put a large number of active mobile phones, computers, etc. in a small enclosed space like an airplane, there will inevitably be a "clear and present danger (yes, they actually used that term)." Whether there is any substantial proof in their study-- it does sound fairly compelling when you envision 300 + individuals yakking on their phones inside an airplane. Similar to how you really cannot prove that using a cell phone continuously gives you brain cancer, the Carnagie Mellon conclusion just sounds likely.

I suppose as a frequent flier I would be more concerned about the disruption it would cause me. Yes, I would be able to get a lot of work done if I could connect online while flying. However, the thought of clicking keyboards and loud conversations echoing through the claustrophobic airplane cabin does make one stop and think about whether this direction is really the best way to go. There is also that additional security risk in having Hijacker 1 converse with Hijacker 2 via SMS, which in many countries will prove to be a rather hefty variable to consider.

Presently, I am content writing emails and saving them in the outbox. The few quiet hours in the air (Unless you are flying Cebu Pacific) can be spent reflecting and planning, something that one does not always have when running about a busy day to day schedule.

SPRINT TO CARRY MYSPACE

2007-12-14T23:44:00.001-08:00

A deal was made between MySpace and Sprint to release the social network on the carriers lines sometime early 2008. It will be interesting to see how well they manage to integrate the system and when we will have something similar running in the Philippines. These days with mobile phones that connect through WiFi, the need for “deals” of this sort are become scarce. The IPhone browses Facebook and Friendster so easily, nowhere as tedious and tiring a process as it was with the E61i. I can imagine how much easier it will get as technology improves and WiFi spots become more prevalent.

XIAO WANG FU IS THE PLACE FOR YU

2007-12-14T23:43:00.001-08:00

Tucked in a small side street behind the China World Center this restaurant boasts, “Chinese home cooking,” which is no small proclamation in a country that practically invented “home cooking.” The quickest way to find the restaurant is to get on Guanghua Lu and stand at the corner o pposite of the Kerry Center but facing the China World Center (Get this part right!). You will see a street leading from Guanghua Lu to the China World Center, find the street parallel and immediately to the right. Please be warned that while Xiao Wang Fu’s sign can’t be missed, there is a second, equally garish sign that invites you to eat at an excellent Hot Pot. Sadly this restaurant must be connected to a different set of water pipes or just have bad food Feng Shui, because its downright terrible.

Entering the deceptively large restaurant, you will see the small shed they use to roast the ducks (they look tastier hanging then on your plate) and a little water fountain. Tables are always full, but the wait will not be longer than 5-10 minutes.

It is the food and not the ambiance where this restaurant excels. I’ve eaten here numerous times over my many trips to Beijing and I do not think I have EVER ordered anything bad. In fact, I would go as far as saying that everything I have ordered was good to borderline addictive. The dishes are a mix from different regions of China, though the majority are northern dishes. You can get the staple Peking duck and bitter melon to terrific Mapu tofu and minced lamb. Undoubtedly they use MSG in their cooking, but it’s worth it. Now the highlight of any of my Xiao Wang Fu dinners is the Sichuan Spicy Chicken (Xiang La Ji Li). The boneless pieces come in a basket full of Chili’s, steaming hot, and fried till golden brown. They are a lot less spicy than they look, but have a distinct coriander flavor. It’s always a battle with the other dinner guests to pick away at the small pieces of chicken hiding within the peppers—you literally use your chopsticks to sweep the chili’s aside. Pair this dish with a cold Yanjing Draft and you are in for a real culinary delight.

The restaurant has grown in the last few years. Since my first meal I have seen a toilet system installed, a third floor with an adjoining balcony, a menu with pictures, and my favorites—more tables, more employees (that are always friendly), and less space between guests. They have even started a delivery service to buildings around the CBD area. It’s nice to see a hardworking restaurant find the success they deserve.

CENTRO BAR BEIJING

2007-12-11T02:45:00.000-08:00

Sitting in Centro, an upscale Jazz Bar at the Kerry Center in Beijing, one quickly realizes that in a city with 20 million inhabitants and a quite a lot of good bars and clubs, there really is no other place that can best the ambiance and Jazz offered by this old Beijing stalwart. Dimly lit and tastefully appointed, the Jazz band and singers (often imported from the US) belt out Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole—the true classics in a world infatuated with Norah Jones, Kenny G, and Diana Krall. This is not to say that the latter three are not of noteworthy mention, it is just that the impact and emotions that are brought forth by the Jazz artists of the 50’s to 60’s seem to carry a much deeper tone. Pair this with a good cigar and Mojito (the best in Asia!) and you have yourself a perfectly rounded and soulful evening. This was in fact, what I was enjoying before the dulled cigar cutter chewed up my beautiful, aged and nicely prepared Montecristo. Staring in disbelief at the mangled end of the cigar, I did not know whether to cry or berate the waitress. Being older and more mature, I opted to steam quietly in my seat, puffing awkwardly in the yellow candle glow. For those looking for a good smoke, the Montecristo Edmundo is a spectacular cigar! It’s a medium to full-bodied blend of tobacco, with a rich draw and a nice feel to the fingers (it’s a big cigar, 52 ring gauge at 135mm). There is a lot of flavor, even from one of the newer years—with plenty of potential to improve as the years go by. I did find that it required a bit more attention than some other cigars and burned quite unevenly. This may have had something to do with the tattered end. An interesting side note, this cigar was named after Alexander Dumas’ “Count of Montecristo” protagonist, Edmund Dantes. Mixed with good bourbon and a bit of Louis, you really cannot beat the experience!

If you are out in Beijing, enjoy jazz and would like a place to kick back with the locals, I highly recommend Centro. Just make sure to bring your own cigar accessories.

HUMMER HX

2007-12-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

The new Hummer HX is out and I love it! I enjoy offroading, especially in a country with as diverse a terrain as the Philippines. The original H1 was a bit too heavy and too large to really use for the trails offered in the country. Its designed perfectly for the deserts of Iraq but with tight ravines, rivers, and boulder-ridden volcanoes, the H1 is not the best companion. This new hummer however looks great! Short overhang, good clearance (as with any hummer-- due to transmission casing) and surely a powerful engine. The only problem will be the parts... in Landcruiser country, when stuck up some mountain; GM parts are hard to come by. What a great looking design. Young. Agile. Competent. Lets see if the guys at GM put this into production. There are significantly less individuals willing to take their hummer off road then to the local Wallmart.

AL GORES EXCELLENT SPEECH

2007-12-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

We should all learn from this

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=21eec1c2-d445-479b-85d1-4b2b7f2e2eaa

AD-PAPER

2007-12-10T20:12:00.001-08:00

Over a cold San Miguel, an idea was proposed to me that involved a sort of revolving wallpaper advertisement on your phone. Much like the cheesy wallpaper images that come with your new Nokia, “Ad-Paper” would do something similar with advertising images—in a dynamic and creative manner. Its interesting, something for the near future. There are of course a number of technological barriers, which a certain MIT grad/McKinsey slugger is deftly solving, along with some friends of mine in HK. It may not be a dramatically revolutionary idea, but certainly one that if paired correctly, can be a potent form of direct advertisement.

As we are clearly seeing, the better-suited fighters in this mobile advertising 1.0 war will be the companies with the most dynamic offerings. A one-stop solution at this point in time, may be premature in a fledgling industry that has yet to be formed. There is very minimal structure and hardly any set barriers; it can go in many different directions. Lets see which group Ad-Paper can tie with.

FUN IN THE SNOW

2007-12-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

First day of snow in Beijing, which for some, means it’s the perfect time to take your Porsche out for a spin or better, a swirl! Enjoying a reckless afternoon in the CBD with a like-minded entrepreneur can be the just the stress outlet you need to clear your mind and prepare for the brainwork needed for the rest of the week. What is nice about birds of the same feather is that you never really need to explain yourself to them. No matter how stupid a life you lead, what half-witted idea you may come up with or what potentially life threatening situation you may find yourself in—friends of these sort always understand. They never judge and often times will join you in whatever stupidity you may get into.

Each person has his or her sort of “release.” Some find it in sports and travel others in drugs—whatever it may be, we are all looking for those few minutes where your soul is light and your mind is clear. In these few moments—the best and most creative of ideas come.

THE LEGEND OF GAO BULI BAOZI

2007-12-10T20:02:00.000-08:00

A boy was born to a forty year old farmer in the Tianjin countryside. He named his baby “Gouzi” (Baby dog) for the sake of protecting his young infants life (I suppose babies are not given to forty year old men?). Gouzi went to Tianjin to study when he was 14, apprenticing in a steamed food shop. As a young boy he was hard working and showed much talent—though didn’t much like working for others. He ventured on his own and ran a stall of “Bouzi” (Steamed stuffed bun). He concocted a half-leaven, water filled dough that was soft and fragrant, looking much like a white chrysanthemum. People came from many places to eat his special Baozi. So much so that people in his neighborhood would say, “Gouzi isn’t talking when he is selling his Bouzi!” Before long, people started to call him “Gou Buli” (By “buli” meaning—he who does not pay attention to people), hence the nickname. Through the years Gou Buli Bouzi has attracted a number of famous patrons, from the Empress Dowager Cixi, to Mao, to your very own Jolly Jetsetter.

So the legend goes, for the most famous dumplings in Northern China. Now as an adventurer, I usually prefer to chase mountain peaks, rich cigars, the finest malts… even skirt, but this dumpling, this juicy, succulent, herb filled dumpling, was worth the frigid cold and shit filled alleyways. My date in tow, we ascended the very same stairs that Mao and George Bush Senior, to sit and enjoy our five different dumpling varieties: shrimp, Pork, Beef, Lamb, and Vegetables (bleh). They were a ludicrously expensive $1.5 each (55 pesos per dumpling) but well worth the expense. Paired with an oily plate of string beans and a cold Tsingdao beer, the dumpling experience is one that I would recommend to any traveler through Tianjin. Just watch how you bite into them, as they have a nasty habit of bursting, sending the soupy liquid dribbling down your chin and onto your clean, pressed collar. Fortunately there are napkins that you can buy for an additional $0.4.

When it comes to an adventure, one is never quite sure if it was the end that made the trip worthwhile or the chase. For these rare dumplings I would say that the cold, dirt, distance, and difficulty were very much a part of the herbs and spices used to make such a memorable dish.

THE OLD GUARD

2007-12-10T00:06:00.000-08:00

Chinese Telecommunications companies, much like any of the larger businesses on the mainland have a barrier of the “old guard,” which makes doing business in China a rather tedious and foreign process for most Westerners. The center of this “Old Guard” are the government ministers, governors, and party members that are tied to the business practices of the past (though they are getting fewer). The middle circle consists of the industry leaders/billionaires whose decisions affect the country much like the government. The outer circle or front line, are the many smaller industry players. Whose sum is greater than the individuals that make up the parts. It is this front line that most westerners need to seduce or compete against, in order to break into the Chinese market. They are a clever and self-protective group of individuals; who’s suspicious and competitive nature against foreign companies is equaled by their suspicious and competitive nature against each other. I guess in many ways the biggest enemy of the Chinese are the Chinese.

One of the companies I am involved with has been working closely with a local partner to handle China Mobile and China Unicom. They chose this partner based of a strategic importance when we started in china almost 2 years ago, since which many things have changed. By a rather interesting twist of fate, there was a bit of shake up in the partnership, which has led our company towards a path that has a much brighter outcome. To simplify a rather complex deal- what originally started as a partnership with a 60/40 profit split between the Chinese partners and our company (respectively), suddenly became a 65/35 profit split + PRC expenses paid + $2.5 million entry to China cost PER telecommunication subscriber. While the sums involved would not necessarily be unreasonable if you consider the Chinese market, our basic metrics proved that paying large sums upfront, plus an immediate application of the 65/35 profit split in the first year would make this business structure a rather infeasible and largely one sided deal. For any startup, risks need to be taken by each side—you cannot have your cake and eat it too!

This is an example of a rather frequent occurrence in China, where this front line of Chinese businesses are so terrified of being cut out (because they know professionally, pound for pound, they cannot compare) or just used to large foreign businesses throwing money their way, that they forget about the rest of the players who have excellent ideas, models and companies, but are presently not at the scale of a Wallmart or Toyota. Many of these business owners would rather have quick cash now, then more of it later. In a way, perhaps they are right. With heavy competition in and out of the country, the corruption police right around the corner (read last post), and an influx of foreign companies that may or may not be good for the long term, sometimes you wonder if they are right. Better to rest on tens of millions now, then hundreds of millions of promises tomorrow. It just makes it difficult for those of us that genuinely want to do business and succeed in the mainland.

Sitting with glass of bourbon and a nice cigar, I find that while irritating, this sudden shift in the playing field has brought a new perspective and opportunity for business in China. I am just grateful that this partnership friction happened now and not closer to the signing of any deal. After all, if things come too easily it wouldn’t be fun.

$11,621 JADE CARVING

2007-12-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Doing business in China is always a new and novel experience. With our start up in the mobile advertising industry, each day is a wonderful day to fend off greedy local businessmen, short minded upper management, and stubborn government officials. A few of my favorite expenses that some of our local partners are “attempting” to bill us for (English translation lifted from expense sheet):

1) Invited the government superior leader having diner in Beijing Hotel, in order to get some help from the project: 15700 RMB/$2121

2) Sending a Dunhill bag to the leader of company in order to get some information. 8645 RMB/$1168

3) Meeting with the general manager, send him a jade carving that commemorates for Olympic. 86000 RMB/$11621

4) Sending a Patek Philippe watch to the government superior leader 130,000 RMB/$17,560

5) Spending lots of money on bad taste : Priceless

A jade carving for $11,621??! I can understand a Dunhill bag, or a Patek Philippe (Couldn't you use a Casio?), but a bloody ugly green, carved jade statue? Fountain? Olympic rings? Couldn’t they have just bought a slightly cheaper, $10,000 golden cat, with a right paw that moves up and down…...

C.I.A DESTROYS TAPES

2007-12-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

The Central Intelligence Agency destroyed at least two video tapes documenting the interrogation of two Al Queda operatives and that the decision to destroy the tapes was made "within the C.I.A itself." This of course was to protect the safety of their undercover officers...

While I am surprised that this is making national headlines (someone didn't cap this leak), I am more amused that people are actually gobbling this up. With everything that is going on in Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, hell even Mindanao, I would have thought we would expect and desensitize ourselves from such events. I do not encourage such methods but I do think that they have an important role to play, whether in our war for the betterment of the human race or for some crazy revolutionary's quest for freedom. Just don't get caught.

ONLINE GAMING AD SPACE SOLD AS CPM

2007-12-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

An estimated $30 CPM to advertise on in-game advertising is being offered by Sony. This means that you can find company brands on the digital buildings, taxis, t-shirts and billboards of the new PS3 games. Just how effective and up to date will this advertising be? I would say that it has the potential of being very up to date. Most of the newer game consoles are designed to access the web for games, updates, and uploads. Nielsen is being contracted to track the data on advertisements and estimated (hits). The world of gaming is being treated much like television, through an easily administered, CPM basis. There is no escape from the world’s brands. From the growth in online advertising, mobile advertising, game advertising… expect to see companies like Mc Donalds, Toyota and Diesel Jeans plastered on everything you see, play and hear.

Interesting side news:

Nokia just released an interesting study that predicts that peer groups not just traditional media, will be creating and editing 25% of all entertainment by 2012.

The Zenith Optimedia report on Ad spending predicts that internet advertising will overtake radio advertising in 2008 and magazine advertising by 2010, amounting to 11.5% of total ad spend—putting it right behind television and newspapers.

This makes for an interesting playing field for the mobile advertising contenders.

A WOLF IN SHEPHERDS CLOTHING

2007-12-05T01:22:00.000-08:00

Rupert Murdoch’s news Corp will acquire Beliefnet the largest (so they claim) spiritual website. It seems that big American business— one of the few top wolves of big American Business— has decided to develop a whole new demographic for media and advertising, the “multi-faith” communities. Murdoch has not exactly been praised for his objective journalism, as seen through his acquisition in London and the chaffing that has occurred in New York with the WSJ. Just think of the wonderful opportunity he has to skew information in the world of religious faith! Perhaps I am being cynical. Maybe he intends to help bridge the religious/cultural differences in our world. To put an end to the wars that are ravaging countries like Iraq and Lebanon. I wonder if he will bring his four horsemen?

CHAMPAGNE, MODELS AND SHANGHAI

2007-12-01T01:51:00.000-08:00

More accurately: Shanghai, White wine, Champagne, Red Wine, Whiskey more Champagne and Models, in that order. I must say that I was rather impressed with the two Chinese models that were on the calendar this year, absolutely gorgeous. They more then held their own with their foreign counterparts. Aside from beautiful women, powerful socialites and strong government connections, Pirelli claims to have over 90% of the Chinese passenger car market. I find it dubious, but ill buy their statement just to be polite. The way these Chinese drive, I doubt they can tell the difference between a Pirelli tire and your run of the mill, Double Coin. I swear these drivers are more at home behind a tractor then they are their Audi A8’s—it just goes to show how quickly the wealth and prosperity spreads in the main cities.

QUICK MOTORING NEWS 12/01/07

2007-12-01T01:47:00.000-08:00

Cometh the Challenger
Come December 3, orders for Chrysler 2008 “Dodge Challenger” can be made—the new rendition paying adequate homage to Kowalski’s 1970 Challenger. From the high beltline and muscular haunches, to the aggressively serene snout—this new challenger is a beauty. I think this sits a notch above the new Camaro on my “to buy” list, unless of course I come across a 70’s Challenger R/T somewhere in the Philippines…. One can only hope.

Evil Kneivel dies. All of us adrenaline junkies have lost a hero. Instead of moping around, let me just show you a few of the things he did (Note that these crash scenes may bring grown men to tears):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYGGCVE2lKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsq3dWTrRWA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg9Hrp0CVms&feature=related

Dubai purchases hybrids (http://www.autointell.com/News-2007/November-2007/nov-4/november-28-07-p1.htm): Probably a massive marketing gimmick but one with good intentions nonetheless. Despite my passion for large, gas guzzling engines, I am actually quite concerned and active about the preservation of our environment. Hybrid technology has gotten to the point where it is a realistic alternative to the common, gas combustion engine. Toyota and GM have made tremendous advances in this field and while the costs are still slightly subsidized by the automotive companies, they are starting to be come affordable for most mid to high income consumers. Unfortunately I doubt these hybrids will be commonplace in the Philippines anytime in the next 5 to 10 years, but it would be nice to see a trickling of them on the streets. For the time being, let us focus on getting rid of the jeeps and tricycles, and replacing them with the slightly less polluting and more efficient—bus.

TAR AND FEATHERING FACEBOOK

2007-11-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

Facebook has been under fire the last few weeks. The charge: “Invasion of privacy.” To summarize the stick up Mark Zuckerbergs ass, Facebooks’ service Beacon sends information gathered about Facebook subscribers, to other Facebook subscribers automatically. Doesn’t sound so bad? Well, lets imagine that the information was about the leather whip and catwoman suit you bought on Ebay or the Anger Management class you frequent each week. Is that really something you want your friends and family finding out about? Granted the examples used are fictional, but the essence of the service remains the same-: It is information that you may or may not want released to the public, being released to your Facebook contacts (Public enough?). Mark Zuckerberg is in a bit of a bind because he needs to appease his Advertising clientèle, the very same clientèle that has justified his $15 billion valuation by Microsoft. Expect more squirming from him in the coming weeks.

What I am trying to figure out is whether these charges are in fact as bad as they sound? With the Internet in the early 90’s to the growth in technology both mobile and online in the 00’s, what did we expect would happen to our personal information? Perhaps I am being the devils advocate here, but I do not necessarily think that this widespread use of our personal information is as bad a thing as critics will claim. Imagine how personalized our lives would be, if my information could be used to benefit my wants and needs?

Ex. I get an MMS on my phone from the nearest bar that offers Guinness, right during happy hour- reminding me to “Kick back and enjoy a Guinness!” Or I hear RBT advertisements (When making a call out) about the latest sports car from BMW or the Levis jeans I have been checking out. When I use the computer I receive links on the information I am interested in, or Email spam on the goods that I want or services I need. My life is now manifesting itself through the tools I use daily.

Don’t misunderstand what I am saying—this is not a blog post advocating spam or advertising, what I am merely saying is that services of this sort are ALREADY available in the market. Targeted MMS is offered by Virgin Mobile, Subscriber based RBT advertisements by Ad-Phone International, and email/spam by a slew of CP companies. In our haste to adapt to new technology, embrace services that offer us connectivity and personalization, we are also creating a monster, in the form of the advertising and marketing companies that want to have a piece of the new market. Should we be challenging them as they try to penetrate the market or mold and regulate them to suit our needs better? Let us not forget that we are not giving away our privacy for free. As advertisers and brands come in, they bring with them incentives like lowered minute rates, freebies and new and innovative services. Is this not something that we Filipinos can benefit from?

FLYING THE IRRITATING SKIES

2007-11-28T23:03:00.001-08:00

To say that I am a frequent traveler is an understatement. In a year my travel cycle has its peaks and lows, but on average I am on a plane 4 times a month, which makes the quiet time spent on a plane, thinking or reading, a crucial part of my sanity. I landed in Shanghai early morning (1 am), jostled, harassed, and tense—thanks entirely to the wonderful “Making every Juan fly” experience, which started with an extremely inefficient and slow ticketing system at the old NAIA airport. I would compare yesterday’s flight to domestic Chinese flights in the late 90’s, except in place of smelly cages of chickens and produce; we have oversized bags filled with durian, old sandwiches, and dried squid. Where my seatmates used to chew noisily on “butong pakwan” they are now tossing cans of sprite and half eaten oatmeal bars within the cabin. Economically speaking, as the margin on air fares shrink, so does the distance between seats. Some of us like that feeling of circulation in our lower extremities, so we opt to lean to the extreme left or right, so we can steal a part of the aisle. A trick that works well until the trolley or neighboring foot tromps across your Italian shoes. Note to the airline companies: Yes. Passengers DO notice that 1 extra inch you skimped.

I am a hardened traveler. I spent my teens backpacking the darkest armpits of our planet, and my 20’s shuttling between cities for work. My Jedi conditioning can keep me asleep through a bloody volcano eruption. Cebu Pacific can be proud to note that it is one of the few modes of transportation that can keep me on edge the entire length of the trip. It’s a pity really as the planes are all brand new and the $300 round trip ticket to Shanghai, is very attractive when you can spend as much as $490 for a China Southern and $570 for PAL. It may have been a rough night (a Chinese tour group of rowdy guys filled the majority of the plane). Even the cabin attendants looked flustered. Sadly, it will remain one of those “life questions.” As of today, I am returning to the old stalwart of Philippines – China flights, PAL. The planes are not quite as new, the tickets not quite as reasonable, but if it gives me the 4 hours I need to catch up with my reading and thoughts, it’s worth it.

AD-CONGRESS AND THE NEW MOBILE WORLD

2007-11-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

Mobile Advertising was major focus for this years Ad-Congress, as it should be with the burgeoning services that are now being offered as an attempt to break into the new market. Aptly stated by a friend who’s company “AdTag” is one of the many new services being offered: “This next year will be mobile advertising 1.0, companies and services will come and go until we reach a balance—mobile 2.0.” This explains the surge in innovative (AdTag, Ad-Phone, Chikka Messenger) and tried/dull (Mobile Casino, Vanitech) services aimed at shaping the mobile advertising industry. Until the dust settles, expect to be the guinea pigs for the new advertising war. Perhaps that is not such a bad thing so long as the freebies and incentives keep flying our way.

On a side note, I was able to catch the talk of Neil Gaiman. I am now officially hooked to his Sandman series, which I recommend to those of us who enjoy the dark, brooding, philosopher/hero types—just be forgiving on the rather roughly sketched drawings.

HARLEY THE HEDGEHOG

2007-11-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Hedgehogs make terrific pets. I've had Harley as a house mate for the last 4 months with nothing but growing affection for the little sea urchin. He travels with me on the weekends (though recently he has grown a bit too large for my vehicles cup holder) and has a young and growing appreciation for wine and cigarettes. They can be potty trained and have a pleasant and relaxed demeanor. Once attached however, they can become quite like the nagging girlfriend. They insist on curling and cuddling with you at the most inopportune times- like...when you are trying to complete the damned operations plan for a project. They know little about vehicles, as proven when Harley crawled into the transmission casing of my truck. And they always manage to find that burst of energy, chattering relentlessly, just as you close your eyes and find that sweet moment of Zen.

Despite all of that, I wouldn't trade little Harley for any other house mate. He is clean, quiet, and does not chew on your shoes. For anyone interested, I suggest purchasing them through friends rather than in the markets. You come across better color variations and breeding.

THE START OF MY BLOGGING EXPERIMENT

2007-11-25T23:24:00.000-08:00

This will be my first blog post- i guess you can call me an "early adapter." Picking the template, customizing the font, and publishing was easy enough, but i've been sitting for 15 minutes, waiting for that spark of inspiration to fuel a decently long blog post. What the hell am I supposed to write about?

I'll leave this entry with a photo from my Business Picnic last weekend. We combined work, decadence (fresh flown in tuna, fine wine and cuban cigars), and adventure (Off-roading). Lessons learned: 1) Business is done best with partners of similar interests 2) Dominican cigars are still a better value 3) Landcruiser aside, Toyota makes shit of SUV's.

For those looking for a good offroading adventure, the directions to Puning Hot Springs is as follows:

1) Take the North Luzon Expressway to Clark (Enter Clark).

2) Ask directions to the Sapang Bato Clark Gate (This is close to the junction off the main Clark road to Mimosa).

3) Immediately out of the Sapang Bato Clark Gate, take a right and basically follow the road (you will need to continually ask for directions to Sitio Target).

4) At Sitio Target, you will need to register with the Sitio Hall. There is now a Spa at the end of the hot springs, if your in it for the offroading, I would not bother with the Spa. Note, they will force a guide on you-- I highly suggest you ask for the best guide possible, and make sure that he has a radio. Our guide was arguably the most useless guide available.

Bring your gear, the most important being an Extended Jack and a tow line. This is very important. I would also suggest a hand held radio as signal is spotty. This is a great offroad trip through the lahar river, highly enjoyable. WARNING: at the chance of rain you need to turn around immediately. Cut your trip short if need be as you may find yourself stuck and in a dangerous situation-- with rain this happens very quickly.