BREAKING

Friday, August 14, 2015

A Never-Ending Cycle of Getting Even


Wazzup Pilipinas!

We keep complaining about the government cheating us out of our hard-earned money via the automatic tax deductions, E-VAT on consumer goods and services, implementing fees and strict guidelines on businesses, and other horrifying stories like the realities of corrupt politicians running away with our taxes using dummy programs, overpriced projects and ghost foundations, etc..

However, everyone else, may he be the small, big, average citizen to the multinationals or corporations, does the same ludicrous but serious offenses of going against the law or working around it by avoiding paying the right taxes or business fees, failing to follow basic traffic rules, polluting our air, rivers and streets (and our minds), false advertising of products and services (like the unlimited Internet by telcos) and a lot more absurdities that are circumvented by either connections, friends or relatives working for influential or authority figures, or powerful set of lawyers that can bend, delay or request for TROs, and plenty more magic tricks up our sleeves.

We keep on blaming the government when our next door neighbor is equally guilty of an offense but we accepted it as justifiable because we think the government doesn't deserve to "play" and "profit" with our taxes in the first place. So we commit our very own "cheats" in order to get even.

The world will continue to rot if we keep on thinking like this. It's a never-ending cycle of getting even, and all of us, and our children, will eventually suffer from the inequities we have brought upon ourselves.

It may be a bit frustrating when the world seems to be against you because you choose to be different. But it is a lot comforting knowing you can sleep soundly at night and that you fought for your personal beliefs.

It only takes one person to live a life that's just and fair, and hopefully the others will follow (even if it will take years and several lifetimes). I hope that person is you!

Public Opinions on Uber Versus LTFRB and DOTC


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Below are just some of the selected statements made by the public about the situation revolving around the legitimacy of UBER-type of services that have become so popular in the Philippines. Many are crying out loud why the government is trying to get rid of the new and innovative way of hailing public transport, while some understand why enforcing very strict guidelines is part of the standard regulations implemented for obedience of the law and security of the riding public. But still many are caught in-between since both parties do have certain agreeable and disagreeable points that we could all ponder.

I still believe this confusion and thoughts of conspiracy is all because of the failure for information dissemination and how some media release has tried to exaggerate the issue into just one perspective. I would have wanted to post everything said here but that will be too lengthy so I selected only a few which seems to say everything in balance.

"And now the truth comes out. No wonder the LTFRB and DOTC are so unreasonably hard on Uber. They are starting their own service called premium taxi, which is just another racket and another inept way of reinventing the wheel! What the hell?? This is appalling!!! And the only ones allowed to operate will be those who buy 20 brand new 2.0-litre cars at a time. Way to go, guys. Way to go...
P.S. No need to ask permission to share. We need all the help we can get because this needs national (if not international) attention." - James Deakin

"Isn't this the consultation for TNVs? It doesn't say that the government is engaging in this business, even so, I do not think the government can engage in business ventures when it is not in their mandate. I think you are all exaggerating." - Norman Culateros

"No, they may not directly engage in the business, but look at the requirements. Only someone with money can get into the business. Which means they have their hands in the pockets of operators. Also local poor Juan can no longer drive for Uber or GrabSedan kasi they can't afford the 20 car fleet and franchising fee. Sino talo dito? Consumer saka poor Juan." - Ethan Mallari

To be a Premium Taxi (TNV) driver/partner you need to be a part of a TNV (Uber, GrabTaxi, EasyTaxi, etc) Because you need to use their app to do it. Unless you develop your own app, that's the only time you can engage in this business. So a regular Juan can still drive, but with the assumption that they have to be part of Uber, GrabTaxi, etc. This call is not for individual drivers but for operators. Just like in any mode of transportation, you would need an operator, a franchise and of course the vehicle. So all your fears are uncalled for and maybe you should've asked first before you reacted violently." - Norman Cualteros

"They want to regulate the business to favour their own operators and drive legitimate, consumer friendly (and loved) services out so that they create a monopoly. No exaggeration here, bro. In fact, I'm surprised at how calm everyone is." - James Deakin

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Yahoo Launches Livetext in the Philippines


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Yahoo announced the global roll out of Livetext and is bringing this new way to communicate to the Philippines. Yahoo Livetext blends the immediacy and simplicity of texting with the expressiveness of video without the audio, and it is now available around the world in every major language.

Hundreds of millions of us are addicted to our phones, most of us (71%) even sleep with them; yet, the way we use these devices to communicate doesn’t fit seamlessly into our daily lives. While texting is quick and easy, you often miss the meaning of a message, have to explain your reaction (“LOL”), or wait hours before getting a response. And to actually talk on the phone, you not only have to be available, but you also have to be in a place where you can speak.

Connecting with your friends should be spontaneous, easy but also fleeting - just like a real-life conversation. Yahoo Livetext combines video to make your conversations more authentic, and text to bring you a quick and non-intrusive way to connect.

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