Churping: Earn While You Post or Tweet

Want to earn by tweeting and posting? Yes you can, by Churping. It works like Google Adsense, Nuffnang and other targeted ad programs/ sites (ChurpChurp is actually a younger brother/ sister of Nuffnang). All you need to do is to sign up using your Facebook and/ or Twitter in the ChurpChurp page..

Screenshot of http://ph.churpchurp.com

ChurpChurp is available only in Malaysia and Singapore. It is now available in the Philippines. All you have to do is update your status with the required keyword/s given to get approved. Every approved campaign will earn you money which will be shown on your dashboard. You can cash out after reaching Php2000. You will get your cheque after 30 days from cash out. Here are the FAQs and General Guide.

If you have a lot of followers and friends in Twitter and Facebook, this online money making venture is for you. For info and updates, check out the ChurpChurp Blog. Let's Churp!

How to Add a Background image to your Google Search Page

There are four easy steps to customize and add a background image to your Google search page:


1. Go to http://google.com and sign-in to your Google Account at the top right corner. If you do not have one, create a Google Account. 



2. Click Change background image in the bottom left corner of the page.

3. Choose your background image. It should be wider than they are tall (landscape orientation). Images must be at least 800 x 600 pixels and in one of the following formats: .jpeg, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .gif, .psd (Photoshop), .png, .tga, and  selected RAW formats.



4. Click upload  and wait a moment before your new Google homepage background appears

Who is Conrado Domingo?

Repost from: Philippine Online Chronicles Buhay Pinoy Channel

There is an old joke on the difference between a parachute and a condom that goes like this: When a parachute gets punctured, the man dies. When a condom gets punctured, the man (or baby) lives. While this may be funny to some people, those who are for natural family planning methods would frown on the attempt to make light  of a serious, nay, a life-and-death issue.

Seriously, because of the RH Bill, the condom has taken centerstage once again. The RH Bill or Reproductive Bill is about a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development. Although the bill is not only about condoms and contraceptives, the section about it and its free distribution is one of the causes of controversy. It has become like a boxing bout of Pro-life versus Pro-choice part V or an unending bad B movie sequel. There are several RH bills filed by their respective proponents:

• House Bill 96 – filed by Rep. Edcel Lagman
• House Bill 101 – by Rep. Janette Garin
• House Bill 513 – by Reps. Kaka Bag-ao and Walden Bello
• House Bill 1160 – by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon
• House Bill 1520 – by Rep. Augusto Syjuco
• House Bill 3387 – by Reps. Emerenciana De Jesus and Luzviminda Ilagan, and
• Senate Bill 2378 - by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

There is no issue as divisive and as hotly debated at the moment in the Philippines as the RH Bill. It so hogs our attention that we have forgotten the other things that have beset the country, like the bungling of the Quirino grandstand hostage crisis, the Vietnam tactless gaffe, the fine tuned proclamations, the 5M DOT launch for ‘Pilipinas Kay Gaya gaya,’ education budget cut protests and even jueteng! We don’t even fret about a looming Korean war and a probable oil crisis.

The RH Bill issue is the story of Conrado Domingo and his family. Known as Condom to many, he strikes one as sleek, smooth and slippery. He is single and remains childless unless he sheds his skin (or gets punctured) sooner or later. He reeks with fruity fragrances such as strawberry, orange and banana. He loves mint and chocolate and comes in many colors. He is listed as small, medium, large and extra large depending on one’s endowments or givens. He is a stickler for safety and protection. He deactivated his twitter account when someone tweeted him “you suck!” His motto in life is “No Glove, No Love.” His high profile friends include L.A. Laker’s center, Pau Gasol and Risa Honteveros. He is active in the Manila party scene. His friends organizedExcommunication Party at Adarna Food and Culture, Quezon City for him.

He is unpopular to priests unlike his boring distant cousin Abner “Abs” Tain. Recently, he found a new best friend named Pope Benedict because of his work against HIV and AIDS. Bishops Oscar protested that the Church’s highest leader was only misquoted and his words were opportunistically misused. With this development,ProPinoy.net said in a prayer: “Thy condom come, thy pill be done.” Pro and Anti have swapped insults and called each other names: Satan and Damaso (a name Carlos Celdran was jailed for). To the Pro-RH Bill people, he is the savior of the 3P’s; pregnancy, population and poverty. To the Anti-RH Bill people, he and his family are evil, unconstitutional and unnecessary. Conrado Domingo enjoys the company of Filipino Freethinkers, Philippine Commission on Women and the Population Commission. Condom’s Uncle Seks Ed, a teacher by profession is the most controversial family member. This is because he wants to teach grade school children about the birds and the bees and the flowers and a lot more. They are the most talked about family, lately dislodging the Aquinos. People are divided on whom to side on.

Conrado Domingo enjoys popularity similar to the President’s according to latest Pulse Asia survey (False Asia to others). In anyone's stat index, a 69% favorable response is high and a morale booster.  The kinky number prompted @comm_larrazabal to tweet: “Isn't it coincidence that the percentage of people who favor the RH Bill is 69%?” There is no truth to the rumor that the high percentage is a result of Gloria Arroyo’s Anti-RH stand. Former President and now Congressman GMA is a co-author of House Bill 13 or an Act providing for the safety and protection of the unborn child. The principal author is Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez. Incidentally, the number 13 is considered unlucky.

Of course there are others objections. Filipino sports icon and newbie legislator Manny Pacquiao has verbalized  he is not a fan: “Hindi ako pabor sa RH… kasi marami kaming magkakapatid. Sa Bible wala naman sinabing limitahan ang bilang ng anak.” Paul Farol also opined that good education and a job with some upward mobility is a better contraceptive than whatever you can get over the counter or from health clinics.

Conrado Domingo has a lot of allies including House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the main proponents of the RH Bill. His Excellency President Aquino is also known and should be supported for “standing firm against the Catholic hierarchy in his advocacy for responsible parenthood and contraceptive use based on freedom of informed choice,” according to Lagman.

Conrado Domingo is not getting any younger, although some may protest he's ageless.  He pleads for wider acceptance and more influence. It is 2010 already. He’s tried and tested and no longer has to prove anything.  He’s been around even before Ferdinand Marcos’ 1967 PopCom. He feels he is important and believes that a law is needed to make him stronger. He welcomes the Department of Health’ plan dubbed “May Plano Ako” which is designed by the US in line with the country’s goal to achieve the country's Millennium Development Goals or MDGs. The positive thing that the RH Bill has achieved is the increased awareness.

This is the story of Conrado Domingo, RH Bill advocate. Are you with him?  Know before you say “No." Don’t just guess when you say “Yes.”

Photos are screen shots of the tweets of @Anthony_Andres, @comm_larrazabal and @blogwatchdotph.

Spot the Difference: Gmail homepage and logo makeover

From: Gmail homepage makeover - Official Gmail Blog

Being a Gmail user, small changes like these matter. The homepage was given a bit of a face-lift. The other pages were also updated. The familiar look was kept and the graphics were freshened up. Also, the text was trimmed down by cutting out over 250 words. 

The Gmail logo was also updated. The  colors were brightened and the latest Google logo was moved to make it more in line with the Gmail logo (from left to right):

Why do I love the SPA?

Repost from: Philippine Online Chronicles Buhay Pinoy Channel

Tara na sa spa! This is what the Pinoys of today say after a tiring day.  The spa masseurs are, in a sense,  the modern-day hilot --practitioners of folk medicine, that have existed even before the Spaniards came to the Philippines. 

In Pangasinan, the term for soothing massage is kemkem. In Bukidnon, it is known as hagud. In Ilocos, Zambales and Pampanga it is known as ilut or ilot. The hilots use a variety of methodologies involving materials like stones, drinking glass, aromatic herbs and bamboo sticks. Modern spas in the Philippines have included these traditional  ways as part of the repertoire/ techniques of massage therapists. In Iloilo, some spas use fish as part of the regimen. The dagdagay, which features two small sticks with which to massage the feet in a scratching and rolling motion from the heels up to the toes to stimulate circulation, is from the Mountain Province. This makes our spas unique and truly Filipino.

Since 2003, the number of spas has grown as much as 74% as indicated by the research of Intelligent Spas in 2007. With the proliferation of spas in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Healthhave promoted wellness and medical tourism to attract tourists. Despite the travel ban advisories of other countries, many tourists still flock to our country, thanks in part to the health and wellness industry that complements our ecotourism and historic-cultural travel sites.

Acknowledged for its beneficial effects, spa massage (and other forms of relaxing manipulations like reflexology and chiropractics) has increased its stock as an authentic  treatment for ailments. It is known not only to relieve pain but also to reduce anxiety, temporarily lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as stimulate the immune system and cure diseases.

The putting up of medical spas, a hybrid of a medical clinic and a day spa, is now being encouraged.  More and more entrepreneurs have heeded the call. The number of spas has increased exponentially even in the provinces. This is true especially of areas near tourist spots and travel destinations. The next move is obviously  to professionalize the industry. Most of the therapists of legit spas are now either DOH- or TESDA-certified. Although fly-by-night spas are still around, they may be on the decline as repeat business is very important in a service-oriented industry.

Are spas the next lechon manok? Will their popularity wane and will they become saturated in the future? At the moment, I could not see this possibility as demand for spa services  continues to rise. Pinoys are becoming more and more beauty- and health- conscious. I suppose spas are here to stay.

The clientele is not confined to the ladies as men nowadays enjoy pampering themselves. Indulgence, after all, does not choose genders. Women, who once upon a time regarded touching by a stranger as taboo, now enjoy the professional strokes of a masseur or a masseuse. Men are no longer contented with massages offered at barber shops. Spas have become synonymous to rejuvenation and relaxation.

Admittedly, I am an “espastic" person. It is a word my editor, Annamanila and I coined to denote a person who is ecstatic at the spa. I love massages.

For a massage at home, I usually call Kuya Bernie, a self-taught masseur who counts as his clients prominent politicians and others in the Who’s who of Dagupan. I came to know him way back 1998 through my bestfriend and kumpare Jack Coson.

For the spa experience, I usually go to the Footprints Footspa and Massage on the 2^nd Floor of the Orient Pacific Center, Perez Boulevard, Dagupan City (beside Hall of Fame Bar and Restaurant where I hang out during nightgimmicks). I’m a suki of the spa as I avail of its services once or twice a week. My favorite services are the invigorating two-hour combination  massage (Swiss and Thai) and the cleansing and rejuvenating body scrub. For special bonding spa moments with my wife, we go to Terra (2nd Floor of East Gate Plaza, A.B Fernandez East, Dagupan City). It has special amenities like a posh couple room with jacuzzi. What makes me secure and at home in both Footprints and Terra is the cleanliness of the place, superb customer service, amiable TESDA-trained therapists and reasonable price. Both spas are managed by Tina Reyes and are owned by Derrick Dulay. Tina, who is a TESDA-certified trainer, does community service by conducting free livelihood seminars on wellness and massage therapy. The therapists of Footprints and Terra also conduct free back massage demos at various events and gatherings in Dagupan as part of their marketing strategy. As a secretary of the Rotary Club of Dagupan East, I often invite the therapists to our meetings to massage our members who come early.

I’m such a spa addict that I’ve tried all 11 spas in Dagupan. I also patronize the blind masseurs whenever I go to Nepo Mall. I enjoy going to the spa not because I’m a very stressed person but because I enjoy pampering myself. Who wouldn’t be ecstatic when you smell the aroma of scents and oils? Each fragrant whiff reverberates in the lungs and slowly creeps to the head as if massaged by invisible hands. The minty and mentholated liquid slowly envelopes the whole body and rocks it to a deep and sweet slumber. The muscle pain and stiffness magically disappear as though each stroke is a mother’s assuring touch. Every ooh and aah during a massage session is melodic music. The calming effect and soothing sensation of each massage is nirvana!

There used to be a time when “Relax, see a movie” was a famous line. Now it’s "relax, tara na sa spa!" So what are you waiting for? Tara na.  Me? I’m espastic!

Photo 1: by Simon Francis Blaise Vistro

Photo 2: courtesy of Terra