The Aquino Administration and the Priorities on ICT

The Possibilities of Creating the Department of Information Communications Technology in the Aquino Administration

After the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Noynoy Aquino, we are all starting to witness for the gradual progress of our country in the Aquino administration. He is starting to find solutions to the problems in our country and implement laws and programs which are timely and helpful to the needs of the citizens. One of the programs that the President should focus is the information communications technology (ICT) which is very popular in the society nowadays. Recently, a commission called Commission on Information Communications Technology (CICT) was created under Executive Order No. 269 dated January 12, 2004 that gives emphasis on the development of ICT in our country.

Last July 16, 2010, an article was written by Roberto R. Romulo on the Philippine Star about the Commission on ICT. According to Romulo, the President will pursue the creation of Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT). In addition, he also mentioned that no one had been appointed yet to the position of Chairman for the Commission of Information Communications Technology. This commission is an important office that can contribute greatly to the national modernization and economic expansion.

From this article, we can say that the administration should give priority on the Information Communications Technology because nowadays, technology is very clear and present among Filipinos from different sectors of society: from using of cellphones to computers up to the Internet. Hopefully in the Fifteenth Congress, it will approve by the legislators who create laws for the proper use of technology especially in cellphones, computers and Internet for the Filipinos. In addition, the creation and implementation of DICT is a milestone to our new government.

Plans and Programs for the Progress of the Information Communications Technology in the New Administration

If the Department of Information Communications Technology will come to life in this administration, what are the appropriate laws and programs to plan and implement by our politicians concerning the sector of information communications technology?

During the previous years, information communications technology (ICT) was gradually progressing in our society: from introduction of computers, high-tech machines and gadgets used by the members of the elite until it reaches its influence to the different sectors of society. It indicates that ICT is not just dominating the society but it is also relevant to the needs of people. For example, ICT is now integrated in education through adding Computer subjects in some elementary and secondary schools nationwide and in some degree courses in college. In addition, there are vocational and four-year courses that focus on computer and information technology, which prepares the citizens for the careers in the actual workplace and to meet the demands of the current mainstream of society which is technology and multi-tasking duties. Finally, ICT-oriented jobs such as call center agents, IT technicians, system analysts, web experts, office encoders and others are in-demand in the professional careers nowadays. These are the evidences that ICT made in our society in the new millennium.

After the creation of Commission of Information Communications Technology which was occurred during the Arroyo administration, we are hoping that this commission in the Aquino administration will give way to the foundation of Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) which functions as an office for implementing projects and laws focus on ICT in the Philippines. It also solves issues on the abuse of technology in our society.

There are some issues to solve and different programs to implement by the legislators if the creation will accomplish in the Aquino administration. There are five things to be accomplished if there are laws or programs to plan if DICT will come to life as a new department:

1. Continue the implementation of Computer and Information Technology courses in vocational schools, colleges and universities, additional time allotment and more detailed facilitating of lessons and activities for computer subjects in elementary and secondary level, and integration of ICT in other courses. Continue giving jobs and careers which focus on ICT for economic expansion and high employment rate.

2. Proper guidance for children and teenagers ages eighteen and below on using the computer and Internet by giving a legal rule on using the computer shops or Internet cafes.

3. There will be a research (in local and foreign scene) on E-waste or electronic waste management from computers, cellphones, gadgets and machines and how to recycle it properly.

4. Stop the online abuse like pornography, illegal downloading, scams, hacking, harassment, hate speech, gross disrespect, and cyberbullying which harm and offend other people in using the Internet. There will be a legal sanction for those who make those destructive online habits and coordinate with major websites in order to implement law and order in the Internet.

5. In terms of free downloading of music and videos online, there will be a registration in the said downloading website and affordable payment of fees which is effective for one year in order to have a good service in downloading media files in the website.

Hopefully, our President, legislators and public servants will consider ICT as one of the priorities in the national progress of our country and the Department of Information Communications Technology will create in the Aquino administration.

“Technology delayed is development denied.” - Roberto R. Romulo

Source: “Filipino Worldview” by Roberto R. Romulo, The Philippine Star Business Section, July 16, 2010, p. 3

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=593622&publicationSubCategoryId=66

Korea's Got Talent Season 1: Auditions Review

Korea's Got Talent is the Korean franchise of the popular worldwide reality show and talent search Got Talent. When I watched the show, it proves that Asians like Filipinos and Thais got the talent and now Koreans have it. I witnessed from funny to entertaining auditions up to the best and heartfelt performances.

There are hopefuls in Korea's Got Talent during the auditions who impressed the Korean audience and viewers worldwide through Youtube or cable channels. The group of middle and high school students called The I Big Harmonica Ensemble gave an entertaining and lively performance with the use of harmonica as their instrument. They have the musicality and the perfect blending.

The I Big Harmonica Ensemble gave an entertaining performance with the use of harmonicas.

We also have ten year old Kim Tae Hyun (김태현) who sang with clear diction and right lyrics of the song "Tomorrow." The song truly matches her age and her young angelic voice reminds me of Lea Salonga when she was a child and a child singer from Britain's Got Talent Connie Talbot. Hopefully she will make it to the grand finals.

Kim Tae-hyun, the ten year old girl who sang "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie.

Kim Min Ji with her classic and touching performance of Phantom of the Opera's "Think of Me."

The twenty-one year old blind opera singer, Kim Min-ji  (김민지) gave a heartfelt rendition of the song "Think of Me" from The Phantom of the Opera. Similar with Kim Tae-hyun, she sang with clear diction and pronunciation of English lyrics. In addition, her proper dynamics of singing an opera classic is there and her auditions is one of the best auditions in Got Talent series because it made me cry because of the talent and her story.

The sand artist Kim Ha Jun shows a precise and creative sand art.

The sand artist Kim Ha-Joon (김하준) shows a simple but precise and creative presentation of sand art which makes him advanced to the semi-finals round of Korea's Got Talent. He's got the story in his sand art which is very creative and vivid details in telling the story through sand art.

Last but not the least is the Youtube sensation and early favorite Sung-bong Choi (최성봉) who touched the hearts of millions of people in different parts of the world with his heartfelt story where he is a homeless boy and his superb talent in opera singing. Others predict that he will the first grand champion of Korea's Got Talent. 

The opera singer Sung-Bong Choi with his semi-finals performance. 

Therefore, after the auditions in different parts of Korea, the 40 contenders were selected to compete in the semi-finals performance. Hopefully, I am looking forward to this five acts I mentioned to make it on the grand finals. There are lots of talented Koreans who auditioned in the show and looking forward for the next seasons of Korea's Got Talent! Kudos!

Korea's Got Talent is hosted by Noh Hong-cheol and Sin Young-il (counterpart of Britain's Got Talent's Ant and Dec and Pilipinas Got Talent's Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano). The judges for this show are Kolleen Park, Jang Jin and Song Yun-ah and it aired over TVN in South Korea.

Music Lover Review: The Asidors on Pilipinas Got Talent

The Asidors in Davao City auditions of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2.

Last season of Pilipinas Got Talent, there was a family of talented singers and musicians who auditioned in Davao City. They are The Asidors which composed of siblings namely Mendrell or Endy and Milcah for vocals, Wincerlove for saxocomb and vocals, Winner for bass guitar and vocals, Huly Ray for keyboard and Ximdrake for keyboard drums.

They auditioned in Davao City with a very good packaging and attire which made them look as professional musicians and singers. They have a very good blending of instruments and vocals which proves that they are not just a typical band which plays alternative music and has only one or two lead singers but they are all gifted singers and musicians. They  performed medley of love songs entitled "On Bended Knee" by Boyz II Men and "Tell Me" by Joey Albert which Kris Aquino's responded that they have a very good song choice especially in relating to those people who suffered from heartbreak. Then Ai-ai delas Alas commented that she impressed with a family who had a lot of talents to showcase. Lastly, Mr. Freddie M. Garcia said that they are the perfect example of contenders who did their best auditions which feels like their last and best performance. They got unanimous yeses from the judges but they didn't make it to the semi-finals. Supposedly, they were qualified for the semi-finals round but they didn't make it. They decided to give up due to conflict in schedule for their gigs and events.

Therefore, if they made it to the top 36, they truly deserved to be in the grand finals for two reasons: they are professional and gifted singers and musicians which makes them a band and they have the experience in performing in abroad by recording albums and singing religious songs. I watched their auditions many times through Youtube and their music was truly relaxing and exceptional. Finally, their auditions is one perfect example of talented Filipinos and hopefully they made it to upcoming seasons of Pilipinas Got Talent. Kudos for The Asidors!

I wish that they will try to record their rendition of love songs in a CD and religious songs and hopefully it will make a platinum record in local music industry because they deserve it!

Watch for the live auditions of The Asidors in Youtube: The Asidors - PGT - Performance / Vote

The Most Special Gift I Ever Received

Source: sparkpeople.com

Today is July 13. It is a very special day for me. It is my birthday. My 22nd birthday.

Since childhood, I always received different gifts from my parents, ninangs, cousins and friends. These gifts including toys, money, letters, cards and books. But this year, I received my most special gift ever in my life. It is not the typical material things I received during my birthday but it is something special for many reasons. 

I waited for this. I prayed for this. And after almost five months of waiting, finally I made it. A new opportunity in my career which helps me to have a regular job in order to help my family and myself for daily needs. I also realized that I will love this job and definitely I will learn different things about it whether it is hard or easy. 

Therefore, I passed many struggles in my life, gained different achievements and encountered different experiences from people I met, one thing never changed: the love of my family, friends and especially God. Thanks to my friends and family for the love and understanding and Lord for the wonderful gift you've given to me. I'm looking forward for new challenges, adventures and lessons waiting for me which makes me a better person.