On Handcuffs and Bonds

I could still vividly remember that candid 17-year old boy, full of naïveté, signing layers upon layers of papers. His signature is awfully awkward, trying so hard to mimic how the old ones do it with ease. His mom is in a proud moment, happy of what his son has achieved. The fruit of all the boy’s hard work and toiling now about to be recompensed. Finally, a ticket to success, he is going to College!

Today marks my 16th month in the job serving my 5-year bond. Allow me to put into writing what I should have told that 17-year old naïve little boy before he signed that contract some 6 years ago.

#1 THE SCHOLARSHIP IS COSTLY

You should know that the cost of studying in Mapúa (purported to be the best engineering school in the Philippines) is insanely absurd. On an average, you pay 30,000 PhP every term, you have four terms per school year which makes it 120, 000 PhP per annum, excluding other expenses such as books, projects, thesis, et cetera. This average spending cost is a conservative number.

Simply put, you are aware that studying in a premiere engineering school is expensive. What did not make sense to you is that it is indeed VERY EXPENSIVE.

#2 THE SCHOLARSHIP IS NOT FOR FREE

On face value it might appear to you that it is free, but for a business’ perspective, it won’t make sense to sponsor a random person without getting anything in return. It maybe in a form of tax incentives for the company (Corporate Social Responsibility), or discounted business value once you started working for the company. The same reason why there is a bond period that comes along with the scholarship.

#3 THE SCHOLARSHIP BOND PERIOD IS JUST TOO LONG

Maybe you have dismissed this thought all throughout thinking that a 5-year bond isn’t bad. But before you sign that paper up, remember that it represents 50% of your twenties. Being tied down to a single company takes away much of the freedom you could have had. You simply cannot jump into another career, or move to another country or lead an alternative lifestyle. You will miss the prime of your life associated with twenties.

While others say that you may just lead another career path after fulfilling the bond, question is, will you still have market value after that?

#4 PEOPLE CHANGE, SO IS YOUR PASSION

This is a very natural human tendency. You will more likely to change your interests and aspirations once you go through college, regardless of whether you have a scholarship or not. The University opens up a lot of ideas which can impact your goals in life. And for somebody who can literally do anything, College is just a way to sift through those options to find that one thing you are most passionate about.

And with a scholarship bond, you will be deterred to follow what your heart tells you otherwise.

#5 THE SCHOLARSHIP IS NOT THE BEST OPTION, RATHER IT IS THE SAFEST ONE

You might have missed this one big time. Being unlucky in the birth lottery, your parents thought that getting a scholarship would be the best option possible, but truth is it is the safest one. Your parents will urge you to take up the scholarship and play down the long bond period because it is safe. You go to college without having to worry about your tuition and a sure job after graduation is just as enticing.

~~~

Don’t get me wrong and write me off as ungrateful to the company who sponsored my education. In fact I could never thank them enough for the opportunity. Without them I would have been a different person, I would not have met the many wonderful people I’ve known since then, and I would have not improved my atrocious grammar. LOL!

However, I can only fool myself  for so long, pretending that I like what I’m doing. I feel I’ve been losing a great deal of opportunity cost if only I were living my passion now. I think there is so much more out there in the world where I can be who I am and do what I love to do.

Some may say this is only part of the challenge of becoming the person who we want to be. I say, not every form of sacrifice is valid unless it brings us closer to our goals. Same holds true when we endure hardships and trials of different sorts. It does not follow that if we experience challenges, we are inching closer to fulfilling our dreams. The sad part is, when we have already played all our cards, sacrificed so much, lost lots of opportunities in the process, we will wake up one day only to find out we have been trailing the wrong path.

If only that 17-year old kid were able to see the other side of the scholarship coin, it would’ve been a different story.

“You’ll be much more successful if you follow your dreams and follow your passions.” ~ Jay Weatherill

The Cult of Multi-level Marketing

Six thirty in the evening. Come in corporate attire. Bring a friend if possible. Business opportunity awaits.

You probably have heard of these lines from a close friend, or a college block mate, or from the cute guy in the office, or maybe from a random person on Facebook. Some you accepted, but most of the time you turn down.

As shady as it may sounds, direct selling is a multi-billion industry comprised of real people, real products, and real business. I’ve seen almost every kind of product and business model available out there. Even in my formative years I was already exposed to these things (bilang ang nanay ko ay isang dakilang networkista).

However no matter how acquainted I am to MLM, I still have inhibitions. The reason why until now I am still in search of that one perfect company who I can work with.

I don’t know about you but these are the things that hinder me from jumping into this very lucrative business opportunity:

Scam. Scam. Scam.

Admit it, Multi-level marketing suffered from so much bad representation in the past years. The words scam and pyramiding are inevitable whenever one talks about direct selling. Many were the victims and the rate still continues to rise despite the availability of google and the power of background checking. Rose Baladjay is still the undisputed Queen of Pyramiding!

I don’t want to be part of the Jejemon culture of networking.

More than the possibility of losing money, I am much more afraid to be branded as that infamous “networker”. That jeje culture of posting whatever earnings you have had for the week in your Facebook account and announcing how you can too without exerting too much effort. Not only is this dodgy, this creeps the hell out of me. What are you selling huh? Drugs?! Also the great annoyance they bring their prospects is so jeje. The word “chill” is alien to these over-aggressive sellers.

In every opportunity, reservations are always there: Will I be able to achieve what the business promises? How do I go about this? Just like when opening a door, we are dubious who is on the other side? Baka killer. That’s why we ask. And when the person on the other side responds, it is now upon us whether we open the door or not. When opportunity knocks, all questions asked and answered, what do we do next?

Eventually I’ve learned that networking is an ocean filled with different types of fish. If you caught one that tastes bad, you simply cannot say the rest of the fishes in the vast expanse of waters taste bad as well. Strategy varies from one company to another. Failure in one doesn’t mean failure in another.

Though I may have a lot of inhibitions but I am open. Open to the fact that it is only in business that we can achieve full financial independence (or maybe lottery if you are one hellova lucky guy!). That no matter how lucrative our jobs maybe today, we are still effin’ subject to the mercy of our bosses and we still don’t have the luxury of time.

If I will get into networking, I want to be on top of my game. Entering not because it’s a viable option to stash money or joining because my friends are there already. Doing business that I know nothing of is as good as flushing my money down the toilet.

Moreover, I certainly dowanna be a jeje networker. The least I would like to happen is to compromise my name for the love of money. I’m a real person with real standards and real credentials. I would not risk them for some cheap fraudulent stints. I intend to work HARD, SMART and CLASSY in the multi-level marketing industry.

Effective products, established business model, and a trustworthy team. These are the only things I’m looking for in a direct-selling company.

I obviously don’t plan to remain an employee all my life and this is just the initial step towards the kind of life I want to have.

Currently looking at my options. Saw one seminar last night that is very promising. Especially when your friends who are known for being highly critical and inquisitive of almost all things, are all drawn towards the ingenuity of the product and its benefits.

Push na talaga ang pag pasok sa direct selling because I deserve it!!! 😉

Knowing what you want in life is one thing but knowing how to get it is another. ~ Chinkee Tan

Filipinos Be Like

At some point we’ve had this moment. Posting from my Instagram account. Come follow me it’s @thepowersingle 🙂

On the Aquino-Yap Altercation

Image courtesy of http://www.philstar.com

In a patriarchal society such as ours, being called a father is a no-brainer task. You are one when you could simply provide for your family. But to be called a mother means a lifetime struggle for legitimacy and validation. I understand James’ side, but this time, I would have to support Kris in her battle. I do not encourage taking sides but lemme state to you the objective reasons why I support her.

Yes, Kris Aquino maybe a prominent icon, she maybe sister to the most powerful person in the country, she maybe daughter to two of the best leaders our history ever had, but just like millions of single moms out there, she’s hurt and suffered terribly. That only proves that, after all, despite the fame, money, and power, she is human, subject to pain and err.

Do I know Tetay personally? Certainly not. But her life is an open book to everyone. Let us remember that she is a self-made woman. Whatever she has right now, she earned it through years of hardwork and sacrifice. Her fortune did not come from inheritance but from toiling and sweat.

While it’s true Tetay is a woman of substance and affluency, she is a downright “boba” when it comes to love. One proof is how she did not ask for a Pre-Nuptial Agreement from James. This goes to show how she honors her husband and how faithful she is that their marriage will work. But what did James do? He defiled her by letting this Hope girl suck his cock during his visit in Belo which Tetay paid for in the first place. Now, if James really values his family as he so fervently claims, he would have averted that situation and suppressed his libog.

If James Yap really cared for his son, even if the law is on his side, he would not have taken the millions of pesos from Tetay as settlement for their annulment. That money could have gone to the savings for Bimby’s future. Rage!

Never in the history of Aquinos did they power-trip nor manipulate anyone. If so, then why is James Yap still the highest paid PBA player with a rumored salary of roughly 600k per month? And I doubt if the good President will jeopardize his outstanding performance and the country’s trust just to bully Yap in defence of Tetay? Preposterous!

Well, all of these stem out from our own naïve concept of good parenting. Kelan ka ba matatawag na magaling na ama o ina? (When will you be called a good father or mother?) When James Yap spoke up and cried out loud on National TV how he just wanted to be a “Father” to Bimby, lo and behold, the people sympathized with him and called him a good father. But when Kris, in defence of her family’s reputation, faced the public as an afflicted mother, she was deemed as an attention-seeker and a liar.

I question James Yap’s legitimacy as a father! If he really is one, he could have salvaged his family at all cost. When Yap expressed his desire to be a father to his son, everyone admired him. But did he ever process that? HELL NO! Tetay gave him all the time in the world to be a good father. But instead, he maligned his family by falling prey to his carnal needs and polygamous nature.

And this goes to all of the men out there. Nacacadiri ka if you consider yourself a “father” and yet unmarried and living away from your child. In that case, you just “sired” a child and not fathered him/her. Surely, being a father is more than being a provider of material needs. Capal your face to claim a role you have never assumed in the first place.

To all the single moms in the world, never look down on yourself because you have done a remarkable job. I know the family dynamics because I was raised in the same set-up. I honor you for standing strong for your child, raising him/her on your own toiling and blood. I share with your sufferings because I know it is not easy. Being a mother truly is the most noble job a woman could ever have.

As for Tetay, I admire your courage and selfless-ness more than ever despite the judgement and cruelty of many. Your decision to categorically resign from show business is a clear sign of how you put a premium on your children more than yourself and your career. Now that’s processing one’s desire to become a good parent.

As to James Yap and all other men alike, no matter how much bravado you show the public, you can NEVER become a good father. Because a good father stays with his child, honors his wife, fights for his family.

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” ~ Theodore Hesburgh

Good Riddance Dear February

Image Courtesy of http://www.soupscoop.wordpress.com

I hate February. I hate it in all of its levels and gradients. I hate it because of Valentine’s day. I hate it because I see my favorite color (red) being bastardized in every awkward fashion sense possible. I hate it because it’s the season of the year where the country transitions from winter-ish feel to hot and humid. And I hate it because it is so brief.

And to forget all the troubles February has brought me, I went through several changes with my look, my diet and my lifestyle. Mebbe this is one way to get rid of the bad and painful memories. So if we are bounded by that collective anger against this overrated month, you might wanna try to do these things too!

Operation Go Hunky

Because I was faced with lots of opposition against my supposed ‘Operation Go Skinny‘ goal, I finally hit the gym!

Just my 1st day and I almost quit hahaha!

Luckily, I found one local gym (just a walking distance away from my house) with substantial free weights and equipments. Am also now reading Men’s Health magazine and other resources from the web to increase my knowledge about getting fit and healthy.

Men's Health February 2013 Issue

PDF from Mantesh of http://www.thepiratebay.org

Operation Go Hunky is so on! Meet my beach body soon! =)

Goodbye Unwanted Hair

Adios to my bushy legs and hairy arms (but am keeping the chest hair) LOL! Now I can freely jog around the village in my running shorts without being mistaken as a gorilla at large.

Jogging in style

Check out Metrodeal’s latest promos. They’ve got tons of IPL and waxing deals at a very affordable price.

Check out http://www.metrodeal.com

From Sombre to Ombre

The defence of the heart-broken ~ salons! I don’t exactly know what’s the psychological explanation behind it, but salons are almost always the prime destination to the abandoned and betrayed. Mebbe people would like to feel better about themselves physically so they max out on every opportunity to be more beautiful. Hence, I feel that salon is such a lucrative business. Imagine how many hearts are being broken on a daily basis. {{{Evil laugh}}}

From jet black to ombre

As for me, I have had my hair dyed, from dark to ombre (ash with some sophisticated highlights). Hair color is critical so make sure you pick the one that best suits your skin tone. Better move is to ask your hair stylist for a professional advice. Good thing though I have an exceptional stylist, thanks to Edwin Lisa and his crew for taking care of me.

1874 Evangelista Cor. Valderama St., Makati City

No matter where you go or what you do, if it makes you happy then I support you! Don’t let that bastard who broke your heart get the better of you. Look good, feel good. After all, life is just a matter of bouncing back. So long February!

“I’d rather be single, free and powerful, than to be in a relationship but caged and weak.” ~ Naval, 2013

Commuter’s Dilemma

Image Courtesy of http://www.philippinestodayus.com

I do commute a lot, not only that it is economical, it is also the most sensible thing you could ever do once faced with the horrors of Manille traffic. I have tried almost every kind of public transportation, from jeepneys to planes, from cabbies and ferries, but the longest standing relationship I have had was with trains, MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) alike. In my countless years of experience, I have almost encountered every and other type of commuter, their woes and dramas inside the train. I made a short list (you see I like making lists and blog about them lol!) of commuter stereotypes. This may serve as a warning to avoid them once you spot ’em on the platform. Hahaha!

The Stench

Image Courtesy of http://www.pocketburgers.com

Who would not notice this kind of commuters, with their head-turning and offending odors! It’s like their smell is virtually punching you from a distance. Take extra caution because these people are a bit tricky. Do not fall prey since some are even neat and goodlooking. Calibrating your olfactometer is the key defence against a Stench.

The Boisterous

Image Courtesy of http://www.moresettlement.org

Gone are the days where the trains are conducive for bookworms. Even if you have the luxury of space, once you have these rowdy people around, might as well keep the paperback back in the bag. Always accompanied by a group of friends, the Boisterous laughs and talks as if she owns the train. You can even hear the whole story of her ex-boyfriend, or her peculiar neighbor, or her series of unfortunate events at work. So uncouth! Avoid them at earshot. This group of friends are relentless talkers, can’t expect them to suddenly stop, unless they get off the train.

The Love Bugs

Image Courtesy of http://www.singaporeseen.stomp.com

I admire these couples for still being able to do their“thing” despite the spatial constraints. Nevermind that the factor of comfort isn’t present at all, smooching and hugging and kissing saga continues. And once the horde of incoming passengers gets in, these Romeo and Juliet-ish freaks will play “You and Me Against The World”. Romeo overly protecting his Juliet as if everybody else is interested to get a piece of her (no way!). My self-righteous subconscious is shouting right at the woman, “if he really loves you, and wants to protect you, he will hail a cab or even buy a car for the both of you.” Uggggh I hate these Romantics!

The Savage

Image Courtesy of http://www.dimewars.com

Talk about having no breeding at all, the Savage will definitely crush whoever comes their way. Their rhetoric: “kung maarte ka, mag taxi ka!” (if you are fussy, go get a cab!). Mister, before, the MRT goes only to the poor and thrifty but now even the affluent and the famous (Anne Curtis for one) ride the train to avoid the pains of the traffic. So stop preaching with bravado and go get some manners!

The Beachy

Image Courtesy of http://www.bossymoksie.wordpress.com

Pun intended. The female counterpart of the Savage, Beachies are like land mines just waiting to be stepped on. Unconsciously bump on them and you’ll see a war coming. I once had an encounter with a woman (who’s certainly is a Beach), when I accidentally bumped her with my speedy and she turned into a ferocious monster spewing fire over my glorious self. Thanks to my erudition, I have avoided an almost cat fight incident. Avoid them at all cost!

The Elitist

Image Courtesy of http://www.traincars.tumblr.com

I certainly belong here. The Elitists are a bunch of mishaps who are left with no other options but to take the train to avoid the fangs of 3rd World traffic. Often seen with finer things, the Elitists are not afraid to strut their Antigonas and Neverfulls while standing amongst the masses. Usually with earphones stuck, shades down and tweeting, these erudites are reclused from the rest of the passengers. Unfortunately, they are the prime targets of hooligans and pickpockets. Sad.

Thank God I was able to rise above this Manille commuting drama. =)

March 2013 Must-Attend Shindigs

Aside from Fire Prevention Month,March is one hefty time of the year for numerous fun runs and gala nights. Be sure you are connected to the latest “IT” gatherings this 2013.

The Networking Night

Entrepreneur Magazine's Networking Night

Bump on this one in my facebook account and I find it quite interesting, epecially since am an avid reader of this astute magazine. Take note, this event is for FREE! Just make sure you bring your February or March 2013 issue of Entrepreneur magazine and you’re good to go. Happening on the 8th, 6pm-10pm at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business, in the élan Rockwell Centre, Makati. To pre-register, répondez s’il vous plaît Jenny Villona (0917 562 7345). For more info, you may go to http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph

P.S. If you are coming, please lemme know so we can go together.=)

Stock Smarts Basics

Stock Smarts Basic by Marvin Germo

Wondering where to put those extra moolah you got? Well, this seminar is just fit for you. Whether you are a budding or a seasoned money maker, Stock Smarts Basics will teach you the fundamentals of investing and earning in the Philippine Stock Exchange. Time to let your money work hard for you. Happening on the 9th, 8:30am to 12:30pm at Berjaya Hotel in Makati Avenue. You may send your inquiries to stocksmarts@ephesians.ph.

Run United 1

Run United 1

Probably one of the biggest running events in town, this fun run is a should-not-be-missed to the bona fide runners and the sham runners alike. Be prepared to see people tweeting and posting about their pseudo–carbo loading and other evanescent training rituals because this is gonna be a sure hit! Happening on the 17th, you may opt to run 500m (for the kiddos), 5k (for the not so serious), 10k (for the pretending to be serious), 21k (for the true runners). Venue is at the SM Mall of Asia (start and finish line). For the complete details, please visit http://www.unilabactivehealth.com/rununited/registration.html

The Manila Fame

The Manila Fame 2013

If you are an artisan and you have an undying love for Las Islas Filipinas then this event is tailored fit for you! Manila Fame is the Philippines’ Design and Lifestyle event. It will feature an all proudly Filipino made artisanal products from furnitures to textiles, home accents to fashion accessories. This bi-annual event is a celebration of the Pinoy arts and crafts which will solidify Philippines’ position as Asia’s design destination. Happening on the 14th until the 17th at SMX Convention Centre, Mall of Asia Arena Complex in Pasay City. For more info about the event, you may check http://www.manilafame.com

MIAS 2013

MIAS2013

Gear it up as the Manila International Auto Show, Philippines’ biggest and fiercest motor show is back with a loud thud! With over 200 car companies and manufacturers, 500 exhibitors, and 400 car display units, MIAS is a total playground to the car buyers, hobbyists and enthusiasts. Happening on the 29th until April 1st at World Trade Centre in Pasay City. For more info, visit http://www.worldbex.com

See you in those events! =)

The Art of Social Climbing

The Hechanova Fambly

I love social classes, vertical power structures, and heirarchies. That is prolly why I liked watching movies and TV series that incite social class wars. However, mainstream media usually portrays demsocialites living in a first world haven like the US, UK, and EU countries. The Philippines, albeit a third word country, is also rich with b&p’s and crème de la crème. Thanks to the Hechanovas, the Madrigals, the Arenas, the Cojuangcos for gracing Manille with their élan and affluency.

But now times have changed, playing “sosyal” is not anymore mutually exclusive to the overprivileged heirs and heiresses of Manila’s 400. As Filipinos are best at mimicry, everyone can now don panache with their loaned Mikimoto pearls and ersatz Birkins. I have compiled a list of the most common ‘social climbing activities’ rampant amongst Manille’s hoi polloi.

The Starbucks Shindig

Image Courtesy of http://www.thomashawk.com

I cannot comprehend how a mere 350 ml coffee could last for 3 hours, even more! These Starbucks charlatans loitter in the couches for hours and walk out still with their unfinished cups for the flashing. Such a shame that the once cozy coffee shop now reeks cheap.

The Apple Craze

Image Courtesy of http://www.Flickr.com

Even this Steve Jobs brainchild isn’t exempted because of the innate social status it bring to its owners. Apple still remains one of the most coveted gadgets despite its steep pricing. Thus it has become the prime target of social climbing. People who brag about their latest iPhones whilst whine about the delayed jailbreak versions. Horrors! Such a disrespect to the glorious memory of Apple’s forefather.

Pimp My Ride

Image Courtesy of http://www.blog.saimatkong.com

Meet my ‘new baby’ is the grumbling of these humbugs. Flashing their car loans for the whole world to see. Just make sure you showcase a car worthy of veneration and not your baby Vios which is more of a cabbie to me than a baby. Oh and by the way, stop posting pics of your supposedly “own car” if it was just lent to you by your company. Lols!

The Bagaholic Mayhem

Image Courtesy of http://www.birkinwatcher.blogspot.com

Prolly the best way to go up that social stratum is by carrying that much sought after Hermès Birkin. Bags have become the benchmark of one’s social relevance to the corps d’elite. Strut that vintage Kelly purse and you’ll surely earn the ire and envy of bag connoisseurs and socialites. But beware, everything now can easily be copied and faked. The “pa-sosyals” have their safe haven, Greenhills, for their bagaholic needs. So pay attention to details, because a replica, no matter how much they claim it to be a perfect copy, is in no way close to an authentic beau monde.

Now if you happen to have done one or two of these things, don’t fret. I too am a self-confessed social climber (just gone right. Haha!) Just make sure you rise above all of these in the proper time. You certainly don’t want to live the rest of your life with faux leathers and pretense. If you are not from ‘buena familia’, earn your way up. After all, it’s better to be a nouveau than a fake. =)

Instagram Crimes – Which have you committed recently?

Image courtesy of http://www.blogs.independent.co.uk

The popularity of social media has been unstoppable these past few years. Spearheaded by the bygone Friendster, social networking has gone miles in its quest to simplify and improve lines of communication. I, myself, am a self-confessed social media whore because of the countless social networking sites I have signed up to i.e. Facebook, Plurk, Multiply, Twitter et cetera. But my most favorite, as of press time, would be the well-renowned photo-sharing app Instagram. Pegged as one of the best mobile app ever created, IG had had more than 30 million users and over 150 million photos uploaded since its initial release in October 2010. Even A-list celebrities like Madonna, Beyoncé, and Mariah have joined the bandwagon.

Instagram attracted so much users because of its simplistic interface and its easy-does-it photo editing. So you neither need to get the best camera in town nor be a photoshop geek just to make your photos look editorial and edgy. Moreover, I especially like IG because of the “sosyal” feel (upscale feel) about it. But due to its virtually limitless accessibility and permissibility, IG users coined the term “Instagram-worthy” to describe photos that are considered ‘legit’ uploads to IG. However, this unwritten but spoken rule always has been violated to the hilt.

In my attempt to add insult to injury, I have enumerated the best (I meant worst) Instagram crimes I have seen committed in the Insta-universe.

Food crimes

Seriously, stop posting pictures of your jollibee value meals nor that hot pandesal you bought from the bakery sa ‘kanto’ with matching 3-in-1 coffee from the Sari-Sari store, not even the instant pancit canton you just cooked (and label it “food trip”?) Horrors! The point of posting a food pic is for people to drool over what you are about to eat (FACT). Unless it’s gourmet or you’re just being sarcastic about it (like my Starbucks coffee jelly pic with balut on the side), stay away from IG before you eat.

Image courtesy of Anonymous

Fashion Faux Pas

Unflattering colors, mismatched styling, lousy pose: these are the least of things people want to see once they check in on IG. I hate it when people try so hard to work it. Style should come out naturally. Know the structure of your face and body. In that way, you can save some of your photos from being subject of mockery. Oh and by the way, stop doing that Italian Vogue pose if you don’t have powerful collar bones and you aren’t skinny. So uncouth!

Image courtesy of http://www.barblim.tumblr.com

Unstrategic Places

Dahlings, rule of the thumb: find at least some decent backdrop with ample lighting. Because no matter how powerful IG filter is, it cannot turn Payatas levels background high fashion.

Image courtesy of http://www.oocities.org

WTF (What The Face?)

Filters and lightings can only do so much. Do not abuse them. Do not even put all the burden upon them. A leeetle powder or bb cream would do the trick but please, refrain from doing a ‘just got out of bed’ pic unless you are Beyoncé (@baddiebey).

Image courtesy of http://www.celebritiesworldinnews.blogspot.com

Follow me on Instagram @iamdenaval

=)

Guilty or not? – Cellphone Separation Anxiety

Image courtesy of http://www.featuredpics.com

Okay. I admit it. I mebbe diagnosed with acute cellphone separation anxiety disorder (if there is any). I simply cannot be separated from my smartphone and whenever I do, I panic like a mad dog especially now that social media – an integral part of mobile technology, has grown more powerful than ever. I simply cannot afford to miss out on a critical point in history, could be a remarkable tweet from the Pope (@pontifex) or a controversial IG pic from hollywood A-listers.

The better word is nomophobia – the fear of being out of mobile phone contact. And with the staggering rise of new phone features, where users can virtually do everything with such a small device, the separation woes have been louder. From finding that vintage LV Cabas Alto to skyping with a friend in the Himalayas, outsourcing information has become so available and so attainable. Needless to say, earth revolves around the sun no more but around our precious iPhones and Sammies.

Image courtesy of http://www.cnet.com

Lookout, a mobile security app maker conducted a survey of 2,000 Americans, observing smartphone user’s lifestyle and showing just how obsessed we are with phones.

Results show that nearly 60 percent of respondents do not go an hour without checking their phones. I wonder, if the research was done in the Philippine context, 60 percent may be a conservative figure.

So if you are a person who goes berserk everytime you left your phone at home, or constantly checks what’s trending on Twitterverse, or posts every meal you had on Instagram, you might just be suffering from CSAD too. Am not sure if there is a cure for this but certainly self-discipline would be a game changer.

As for me, I might just do some corporal mortification by leaving my phone at home this Monday. Office is around 20 minutes drive from home, a fairly good disincentive to break my promise. I just hope I don’t get seizure or something half way through the day. Tsk!