myPH

your Philippines web magazine

Sex videos scandal? Yawn…
Ignoring the economic crisis, swine flu fears and major political worries, the Philippines has become seemingly obsessed with the Hayden Kho – Katrina Halili sex videos scandal. And this also coincides with a major campaign seeking new laws against child pornography in the Philippines.
However, this lad, one of busloads ferried in to join a forum focusing on child pornography, was plainly unimpressed by it all.
The “Sex lies and videos scandal” phenomenon is discussed this week in the myPH Forum.

myPH recommendations
myPH partners in the Philippine online community are known for their good products and services. We commend them to you for easy, cost-friendly, safe online shopping. Advertisements linking to their websites are included in the appropriate sections of myPH – and each week we feature some special recommendations here on Page One:

myPH Adpost Classifieds
Looking for a job, selling a car, buying furniture or renting an apartment? myPH Adpost Classifieds may have exactly what you’re looking for. It’s the Philippine edition of the world’s top online classified ads service. Standard ads are free while upgraded ads cost little.  [myPH Adpost Classifieds]

Farm-fresh roses in the Philippines 
Island Rose grows its own high quality varieties of European roses south of Manila, and delivers to most parts of the Philippines at competitive prices.  The company is known for its professionalism, reliability, quality and caring customer service. [Island Rose]

World travel with Travelocity
Travelocity.com is the world’s top website for online travel bookings and information. Travelocity offers the best prices, comparative travel data, fast online bookings, customer service and an uncompromising quality guarantee for its flights, hotel bookings, cruises and other vacations.  [Travelocity.com]

Tips from travelers who've been there
TripAdvisor gives you a wealth of tips, free advice and  reviews about places to visit, where to stay, how to get there, what to see, where to eat out and have fun – and where it's not much fun – as assessed by travelers who have been there.  And when you decide where to stay, the website offers you great hotel deals.  [TripAdvisor]

'Fantasticks' with the Rep
"The Fantasticks,” one of the longest running shows in the history of American theater, heads up the Repertory Philippines theater group's show calendar this season.
Also in myPH Happenings this week:
•   World Wrestling Entertainment, the American professional wresting show better known as WWE, is on its way back to Manila after a three-year absence.
•   "Women of substance” is the theme of the Tanghalang Pilipino theater group’s upcoming 23rd season. Productions scheduled as part of the program continue in Manila through to early 2010. [myPH Happenings] 

Global warming threatens chaos
Southeast Asia and particularly the Philippines are among the world's most vulnerable regions to climate change and could face chaos with failing rice yields, lack of water and high economic costs.
Also in the myPH Community news this week:
•   Money sent home by Filipinos working and living overseas, a key pillar of the Philippine economy, is unlikely to decline this year.
•   In the wake of his two-round destruction of Ricky Hatton, Manny Pacquiao is powerfully positioned to call all the shots and pick his own fights.  [myPH Community]

Growth targets may be cut
The Philippines may revisit its economic growth targets again this year if key drivers worsen further, a senior official at the government’s economic planning ministry acknowledges.
Also in myPH Business this week:
•   The big mining firm Xstrata Copper now calculates its copper-gold project in southern Philippines will require an initial outlay of US$5.2 billion to develop.
•   The Philippine central bank expects annual inflation to fall to its lowest level in 14 months in April's data.   [myPH Business]

My computer disk's full
I'm getting "Disk Full" warnings now when I start my computer. Is this a virus I've caught or some auto-download spam or something like that? Does anybody know how to fix the problem?
Other topics of discussion in myPH Forum this week include:
•   How would you know you're at a Filipino party? Simple! You're an hour late and there's still nobody there! There’s enough food to feed the Philippines. You can't even get through the door – because there's a pile of 50 shoes blocking the way, etc etc.
•   I'm looking for cheap accommodation in Cebu, maybe a pension place or small hotel. Any suggestions?  [myPH Forum]

Red faces over adult books
Amazon.com has admitted “an embarrassing and ham-fisted cataloging error” that triggered online outrage by critics who have accused Amazon of censorship of gay and lesbian themed books.
Also in myPH Online this week:
•   Digital Samaritans are acting as cyber-sleuths in tracking down people online to return lost property, using websites and online tools that can help people reunite strangers with lost valuables.
•   When it comes to customer service, PC manufacturers are rated poorly  – especially Microsoft. [myPH Online]

Hostels are getting stylish
Hostels across Europe have undergone a transformation over the last few years. They still offer relatively cheap accommodation but now they're getting distinctly stylish and attracting guests of all types and ages.
Also in myPH Traveler this week:
•   If you have just a couple of days or a weekend in London and Edinburgh, here's a sampling of their highlights – exploring the local color, restaurants, night life, shopping and sightseeing around the main attractions.  [myPH Traveler]

'Best' hotels in the Philippines
Judgment of the “best” hotels and resorts depends on the criteria. Some places are best value-for-money, others are the best at any price, best beach resorts, best family places, best business hotels, etc. myPH Explorer uses votes by travelers who have stayed there to assess its regular Philippines Top 20 listings, and there are surprises this week.
•   In the Metro Manila area, many of the better known hotels are in the Top 20 but some surprisingly are not. There are also less-well-known hotels that are highly rated by travelers.
•   In Cebu and the resort areas of Boracay, Bohol and Palawan, the Top 20 line-ups are full of surprises and highly rated "finds."  [myPH Explorer]