This may come as a surprise but local online game companies Level Up! and E-Games has finalized talks of a merger. eGames made the disclosure earlier this morning at the PSE (since it’s a publicly listed company).
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It’s been a long flight to Japan and I haven’t had a decent sleep since last night when we flew here via Hong Kong. Thanks to our host, Epson SEA, we’ll be here in Tokyo for the entire week to tour attend their Micro-Piezo Press Tour with several other tech journalists in the region.
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Just got a couple of insider info from a reliable source that might give us the impression that the Philippine Online Gaming industry is in a bit of a trouble right now. Two of the biggest online gaming companies, Level-Up & e-Games, are showing signs of it.
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The local distributor of Archos in the Philippines dropped by this evening and left this pretty little Android tablet with me — it’s the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, and yes it’s finally here in the Philippines.
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Sen. Loren Legarda is slowly becoming the Philippine’s anti-pron czar (or is it czarina?). Report from GMANews.tv last week that a complaint from a concerned citizen alerted her office about the website serving as a repository of lewd materials similar to boybastos.com.
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I’m posting the title and the full body of the Press Release sent to me by one of Smart’s PR people. Will be having lunch with them next week so if you have specific questions you’d like me to throw their way, just leave a comment.
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Jason Calacanis stirred the blogosphere again a couple of days ago when he posted an ad about hiring top users of social bookmarking sites such as Newsvine, Delicious, Digg, Flickr, MySpace, and Reddit.
The job? Doing what they’ve always been doing on their spare time — tagging and submitting stories. The perks? A nifty $1,000 monthly payout for doing the same with Netscape (a base of 150 submissions per month).
I’d say good for him and nice one for the top bookmarkers who sign up with him. Forums looking for new members have been paying people to post, why not tag?
If you’re having fun doing these things for nothing, I guess you’d be more motivated it there was money involved. Just look at the bloggers around you — more often than not you’ll see them very active on blogs that are raking in the big bucks. The ones that were borne out of pure passion and pasttime can always wait the next day, when there’s enough time.
WeblogsINC has been paying great bloggers (including a couple of Filipinos) to blog for the network at $7 to $12 per post and so far business looks good.
It’s all about the business and Jason seems to be putting in the right bets in his previous ventures. It’s a win-win deal — Netscape gets more active and talented contributors and these people get paid for something they’ve been doing for free before.
I have to give it to him — he really knows how to stir things up. AOL’s lucky to have him in their wing.
ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, recently featured Filipino fashion blogger Bryanboy on their Talk Metro show last Saturday evening. (Since I didn’t watch the 20-minute interview, I really don’t know what transpired.)
Braynboy’s blog is at bryanboy.com (formerly typepad.bryanboy.com) and describes his online journal as an adventures of the new-moneyed classless bitch from hell. Vulgarity is the new discreet. Trash is the new exclusivity. Third world has never been this *burp* chic. His blog is currently #3 on my Pinoy Top Blogs (and to think he only signed up his blog late this January) and #9 on the Philippine Top 100 list.
You will have to visit and read his blog to really get to know what he blogs about. If the Singapore blogosphere has Xiaxue, then the Philippine blogosphere could very well have Bryanboy in that arena. What’s that IS a blog niche!
He’s actually having trouble keeping up with the bandwidth right now. Having been hosted with TypePad for for years, he’s now churning out 815 GB (that’s 815,000 MB) of bandwidth a month. Blogging fame can really cost you a lot.
Oh, and I thought ABS-CBN don’t think blogs are cool?
The Philippines Top 100 Blogs is an editorial compilation of Pinoy or Filipino-descent bloggers and their respective blogs that tops the Technorati Authority Ranking. The current list may changed on a daily basis and may not reflect the actual standings. This list will be updated as regularly as possible.
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- P o n d P e r s p e c t i v e by ribbiticus
Technorati Rank: 2,317 – 1,524 links from 787 blogs
- Le Superstar Fabuleux by Bryanboy
Technorati Rank: 3,023 – 1,310 links from 668 blogs
- Midlife Mysteries by Cathy Babao Guballa
Technorati Rank: 7,004 – 732 links from 395 blogs
- Finestkind Clinic and Fish Market by Nancy Reyes
Technorati Rank: 7,107 – 819 links from 390 blogs
- Touched by an Angel by Noemi Dado
Technorati Rank: Rank: 7,860 – 1,420 links from 360 blogs
- Online Blog of Jessica zafra
Technorati Rank: 8,730 – 592 links from 341 blogs
- Dessert First by Lori Baltazar
Technorati Rank: 9,488 – 588 links from 316 blogs
- Alaism by Ala Paredes
Technorati Rank: 9,897 – 518 links from 305 blogs
- The Biotech Weblog by Ruth Schaffer
Technorati Rank: 10,298 – 1,976 links from 300 blogs
- shmula by Peter Abilla
Technorati Rank: 10,806 – 606 links from 291 blogs
- The Parenting Weblog by Melissa Atienza-Petri
Technorati Rank: 10,896 – 2,044 links from 289 blogs
- Misteryosa by Shari Cruz
Technorati Rank: 11,162 – 764 links from 283 blogs
- Manuel L. Quezon III by Manolo Quezon
Technorati Rank: 11,606 – 739 links from 273 blogs
- The Composed Gentleman by Eric Ariel Salas
Technorati Rank: 11,606 – 1,329 links from 273 blogs
- Pinoy Cook by Connie Veneracion
Technorati Rank: 12,145 – 726 links from 263 blogs
- The Flyaway Weblog by Melissa Atienza-Petri
Technorati Rank: 12,429 – 2,020 links from 260 blogs
- Jammed: Full into Capacity by Jam
Technorati Rank: 12,703 – 800 links from 257 blogs
- Leon Kilat ::: The Cybercafe Experiments by Max Limpag
Technorati Rank: 12,855 – 429 links from 255 blogs
- Adventures of the Coconuter
Technorati Rank: 13,221 – 367 links from 250 blogs
- Pinoy Tech Blog
Technorati Rank: 13,450 – 669 links from 246 blogs
- Rickey by Rickey Yaneza
Technorati Rank: 13,618 – 672 links from 243 blogs
- House on a Hill by Connie Veneracion
Technorati Rank: 13,921 – 954 links from 238 blogs
- Nostalgia Manila by Nostalgia Manila
Technorati Rank: 13,921 – 1,063 links from 238 blogs
- Inside PCIJ by Shiela Coronel & Aleck Pabico, et. al.
Technorati Rank: 14,159 – 1,124 links from 234 blogs
- Basang Panaginip
Technorati Rank: 14,303 – 521 links from 232 blogs
- Peri’s Postings by Peri
Technorati Rank: 14,665 – 386 links from 226 blogs
Our Awesome Planet by Anton Diaz
Technorati Rank: 14,221 – 1,428 links from 233 blogs
- Allergizer by Ruth Schaffer
Technorati Rank: 14,303 – 1,502 links from 232 blogs
- Shai Coggins
Technorati Rank: 14,618 – 405 links from 227 blogs
- Make Money Online by Shai Coggins
Technorati Rank: 15,040 – 381 links from 223 blogs
- The Man Blog by Mike Villar & Co.
Technorati Rank: 15,213 – 932 links from 221 blogs
- L U V E D {dot} net by Pat
Technorati Rank: 15,289 – 535 links from 220 blogs
- Rebel Pixel by Markku Seguerra
Technorati Rank: 15,354 – 602 links from 219 blogs
- A Bugged Life by Jayvee Fernandez
Technorati Rank: 15,568 – 746 links from 216 blogs
- Filipina Soul by Grace & Maricar
Technorati Rank: 16,015 – 355 links from 210 blogs
- Let’s Visit Asia by Ruth Schaffer
Technorati Rank: 16,015 – 355 links from 210 blogs
- The Scent of Green Bananas by K. Santos
Technorati Rank: 16,091 – 505 links from 209 blogs
- Writing on Air by Jim Paredes
Technorati Rank: 16,162 – 328 links from 208 blogs
- Escape Blog by Melissa Atienza-Petri
Technorati Rank: 16,455 – 516 links from 204 blogs
- Tops 2 Bottoms by Sasha Manuel
Technorati Rank: 16,631 – 369 links from 202 blogs
- *Jozzua by Elymar Apao
Technorati Rank: 16,972 – 357 links from 198 blogs
- Europe String by Melissa Atienza-Petri
Technorati Rank: 17,070 – 404 links from 197 blogs
- The After Mac by Dickoy Magdaraog
Technorati Rank: 17,498 – 323 links from 194 blogs
- Manilenya by Nalen
Technorati Rank: 17,724 – 783 links from 192 blogs
- Pinoy Big Blogger by Retzwerx
Technorati Rank: 18,697 – 712 links from 183 blogs
- Cellphone9 by Jayvee Fernandez
Technorati Rank: 12,407 – 656 links from 182 blogs
- Alleba Blog by Andrew dela Serna
Technorati Rank: 19,116 – 308 links from 181 blogs
- Self Help Diva by Shai Coggins
Technorati Rank: 18,924 – 322 links from 181 blogs
- Random Takes by Migs Paraz
Technorati Rank: 20,538 – 420 links from 169 blogs
- Manila Daily Photo by Analie Astorga
Technorati Rank: 21,722 – 417 links from 160 blogs
- Mga Kwentong Tambay by Nicanor David
Technorati Rank: 21,853 – 1,048 links from 159 blogs
- Let’s Visit Asia by Ruth Schaffer
Technorati Rank: 16,220 – 234 links from 150 blogs
- Macalua.com by Marc Macalua
Technorati Rank: 13,309 – 261 links from 150 blogs
- Roland Tanglao’s Weblog by Robert Tanglao
Technorati Rank: 24,220 – 418 links from 143 blogs
- Super Bianca by Bianca Gonzales
Technorati Rank: 24,853 – 190 links from 139 blogs
- Filipino Librarian by Von Jobi
Technorati Rank: 31,151 – 390 links from 112 blogs
- SEO Philippines by Marc Macalua
Technorati Rank: 32,683 – 339 links from 107 blogs
- Katesgasis by Kates Gasis
Technorati Rank: 33,036 – 493 links from 106 blogs
- Parallel Universes by Dr. Emer
Technorati Rank: 36,256 – 220 links from 98 blogs
- Market Manila by The Market Man
Technorati Rank: 23,458 – 316 links from 148 blogs
- Jaypee Online by Jaypee Habaradas
Technorati Rank: 24,775 – 243 links from 141 blogs
- Notes from the Peanut Gallery by Dean Alfar
Technorati Rank: 26,839 – 301 links from 129 blogs
- Ajay’s Writings on the Wall by Annalyn Jusay
Technorati Rank: 27,249 – 299 links from 127 blogs
- Ellen Tordesillas
Technorati Rank: 27,889 – 607 links from 124 blogs
- Ups And Downs by Hezron Mariano
Technorati Rank: 28,641 – 177 links from 121 blogs
- Pinoy Travel Blog
Technorati Rank: 29,724 – 419 links from 117 blogs
- Bikoy.net by Victor Villanueva
Technorati Rank: 34,346 – 306 links from 103 blogs
- Wifey Steps by Toni Marikit
Technorati Rank: 34,727 – 279 links from 102 blogs
- The Sassy Lawyer’s Journal by Connie Veneracion
Technorati Rank: 38,345 – 448 links from 93 blogs
- Philippine Culture | A Filipino Family on the Web by Manuel Viloria
Technorati Rank: 38,812 – 1,166 links from 92 blogs
- Village idiot savant by Dominique Cimafranca
Technorati Rank: 40,164 – 311 links from 89 blogs
- Rockers World by Karla Vanessa Redor
Technorati Rank: 40,692 – 238 links from 88 blogs
- Beautynomics – The Economics of Vanity by Sophia Joyce Uy
Technorati Rank: 41,618 – 415 links from 86 blogs
- Mental Foreplay Journal by Pam Pastor
Technorati Rank: 43,168 – 173 links from 83 blogs
- Eating the Sun by Ian Casocot
Technorati Rank: 43,693 – 141 links from 82 blogs
- By Jove! by Jove Francisco
Technorati Rank: 44,775 – 206 links from 80 blogs
- Now What, Cat? by Cathy Black
Technorati Rank: 45,326 – 555 links from 79 blogs
- I Flail at Life [blogging since 1996] by Lauren Dado
Technorati Rank: 33,614 – 162 links from 77 blogs
- Ivan About Town by Ivan Henares
Technorati Rank: 34,045 – 207 links from 76 blogs
- The failures in life of Mike Villar by Mike Villar
Technorati Rank: 47,170 – 352 links from 76 blogs
- gameshogun by JC John SESE Cuneta
Technorati Rank: 34,545 – 1,002 links from 75 blogs
- Pinoy Penman by Jose “Butch” Dalisay Jr.
Technorati Rank: 48,452 – 126 links from 74 blogs
- Twelve Seven; silly journal
Technorati Rank: 35,028 – 131 links from 74 blogs
- Motorcycle Philippines by Bimbo Isidro
Technorati Rank: 49,841 – 184 links from 72 blogs
- GeekLamador by Jong Abad
Technorati Rank: 35,987 – 140 links from 72 blogs
- Newsstand by John Nery
Technorati Rank: 36,495 – 1,202 links from 71 blogs
- A Gelay Log by Angela Solis
Technorati Rank: 50,606 – 231 links from 71 blogs
- Byahilo by Eric Dormido
Technorati Rank: 51,362 – 293 links from 70 blogs
- Gigi Goes Gaga by Gigi
Technorati Rank: 37,550 – 243 links from 69 blogs
- Mobile Philippines Online
Technorati Rank: 39,939 – 249 links from 65 blogs
- (11/12) how now, brownpau? by Paulo Ordoveza
Technorati Rank: 39,939 – 158 links from 65 blogs
- Pinoy Urban Blog
Technorati Rank: 55,500 – 199 links from 65 blogs
- English Patis by Celia K
Technorati Rank: 56,437 – 167 links from 64 blogs
- stefoodie.net: allergy-free!
Technorati Rank: 41,236 – 162 links from 63 blogs
- The Shadow Of Abaniko by Abaniko
Technorati Rank: 41,236 – 144 links from 63 blogs
- PinayExpat by Melissa Atienza-Petri
Technorati Rank: 58,441 – 175 links from 62 blogs
- Mga Turo ni Tito Rolly
Technorati Rank: 44,104 – 109 links from 59 blogs
- Ate Sienna
Technorati Rank: 44,867 – 140 links from 58 blogs
- Masterbetong’s on-going journey
Technorati Rank: 63,015 – 498 links from 58 blogs
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MP3Manila was one of the few internet ventures back in 2000 that got some considerable funding from VCs. It’s business model was patterned from US-based MP3.com where they feature songs and mp3 downloads of unsigned Pinoy artists.
… to make Filipino music readily available to its Filipino audience and to promote the rise of Filipino artists in the international music scene. MP3Manila.com offers free, downloadable Filipino music online. And with a high degree of representation among musical genres, the website has indeed delivered the Filipino artist to the international music scene.
MP3Manila.com began as a school project designed by Nono Felipe along with 4 other graduating Ateneneans back in 2000 (Armand Abaya, Jojo Coronel, Mark Escueta, JR Ignacio). They got about USD$96,000 in fresh funding from AJOnet Holdings.
We all know they didn’t survive the tech crunch and just like almost all other internet ventures in those days, the advertising model did not catapult them to success. In the first place, the idea wasn’t original and was merely copied from MP3.com.
A couple of days a go, I got a phone call and text message from a journalist from Iloilo who wanted to interview me for his research study on Guimaras. Apparently, he found my blog in his search and was intrigued by that little description I placed on the header image of my blog (“blogging his way from rags to riches“).
Ok, that was really meant to catch some attention and quite a few people have emailed me about it. It’s a double entrende and I’d like to clarify a few points about that. First, I am not rich (yet). 
Second, what I meant about blogging away from rags to riches was that (1) blogging could become a source of income for the regular Filipino (which is what I am preaching here in my blog) and (2) I practically started my entrepreneurial ventures thru blogging (see plogHost.com).
Anyway, I sent the journalist a short autobiography of sorts (way back when I was a kid growing up in Guimaras to my college days in Ateneo and my online ventures). I hope my story was interesting enough.
On a related topic, Marc of Macalua.com just published my long overdue inteview about my netrepreneurial escapades.
And then, there’s the great big theme redesign of PinoyTechBlog, which was tirelessly customized by Jolo. 
Just got the video baton meme from Jaypee. I guess almost every other blogger knows about the musical baton. This one’s for movies, so here goes…
Total Number of Films I own on DVD and Video : 120+ VCDs & 40+ DVDs
The Last Film I Bought : Wimbeldon (2004)
Five (5) Films Which I Watch A Lot/ Mean A Lot To Me :
Hitch (2005)
The cure for the common man.
Alex ‘Hitch’ Hitchens: “One dance, one look, one kiss, that’s all we get, Albert. Just… one shot, to make the difference between happily ever after, and oh? he’s just some guy I went to some thing with once.”
Along Came a Spider (2001)
Alex Cross: “To be brutally honest, I think you have a morbid desire to burn in hell.”
Star Wars I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Every generation has a legend. Every journey has a first step. Every saga has a beginning.
Senator Palpatine: “There is no civility, only politics.”
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
Mishaps. Mayhem. Misadventures. Oh joy.
Count Olaf: [as Stephano] “Children are strange and foreign to me. I never was one. I do know they are an important part of the ecosystem… ”
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
Everything that has a beginning has an end.
Merovingian: “It is remarkable how similar the pattern of love is to the pattern of insanity.”
So I was tagged, and so will I — Micketymoc, Rain, Michael, Markku & Connie. I would have tagged more, but I think I’m allowed just four five so I randomly selected from a bunch of 12 blogs.
A lot of you may have been shocked at the radical and sudden change of my site. This used to be a folio site with a blog hybrid. The former version 3 (a.k.a. redshift) was more focused on the design aspect of my profession. It was my ticket for new projects, collaborations and business ventures.
But it was old and passe. The title (redshift) for that version was a personal test for me. I didn’t liked the color red at that time. It was never a compelling theme for me but I decided that if I was to be a really good designer, I should be able to make the best of whatever color scheme I am to dabble with. Thus, the shift to the color red.
Now, after more than 32 months of transitional design, I am moving on to new heights. 
So, what’s the next challenge? Photography.
The author of this blog, Abe Olandres, has been blogging since 2000, just a few months after graduating from the Ateneo de Manila University with a BS in Chemistry and Computer Engineering.
He is more commonly know in the blogosphere and IT circles as “Yuga” and has been professionally blogging at YugaTech since 2005, the same year he went full time making a living from his blogs. He’s also a guest blogger at GMANews.tv and included in T3 Magazine‘s list of influential people in the Philippine techbiz.
A serial technopreneur, Yuga started getting into internet ventures back in 2003 after founding a local web hosting business. He has now expanded into consulting, internet marketing, advertising and organizing conferences (Search Engine Marketing Conference). He’s been to several countries (Germany, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan) moderating seminars/workshops on blogging and new media (complete list of talks/workshops here). Yuga is also regularly tapped as resource person on TV and print. A partial list of media mentions and appearances can be found here.
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