Install Laptop RAM

About a month ago, I just learned how to install Laptop RAM by myself.

It was for my wife's old laptop which we bought in 2006. Her laptop had only 248Mb of RAM (Random Access Memory). RAM is important for multimedia applications, games, and for doing several things simultaneously in your computer.

We were feeling the old age of her laptop whenever she goes to her Facebook page, or whenever she opens iTunes to synchronize her iPod. Based on the manufacturer's analysis of our laptop's specs, it was determined that its performance would significantly improve once we install laptop RAM.

Looking for a laptop RAM upgrade is not that difficult. We had to make sure the RAM specs are compatible with our current system. In our case, our laptop had 2 memory slots that could be used to 1Gb RAM each. The RAM upgrade also had to be the correct frequency with the mother board to work properly.

Another learning was that it's harder to find the older memory specs because they were already obsolete. It was also sometimes more expensive because of the lack of available supply. I had to ask all the the computer stores in our place and I was lucky to find one 1Gb of RAM with the correct specs for our laptop.

Once we completed the laptop RAM upgrade, we immediately noticed that the laptop booted up faster and went through websites and application easier than before the upgrade. We were pleased with our decision to just install laptop RAM instead of buying a new computer which is really outside our budget.

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Blog Updates for November

Happy Thanksgiving! I know, this celebration is only for those who live in the USA. But personally, I have a lot to give thanks for myself. Firstly, my wife is pregnant and is expected to give birth to a baby boy. We have been waiting for this for quite some time now, so we are both very excited. And secondly, I amabout to receive my Google Adsense check next week! Blogging for me has become a rewarding past time.
For November, we launched a new blog which is about Bartender Careers. It is a blog that talks about bartending as a profession. It's a blog for those who were, who are and for those who want to be, bartenders. Go ahead and visit and let me know what you think.

It's a month to go before Christmas, and people are starting to feel the rush. It is the start of the season for so many Fairs, Expos and Shopping bazaars. In fact, it is in one electronics expo where we have spotted Sam YG. Have you already started buying gifts for Christmas? Don't wait 'til the last minute because you might get overwhelmed.

For December, I plan to blog about my baby boy and how my life will forever change since I will now become a member of the exclusive tatay's (father's) club. I don't expect to make a lot of time for blogging then. I will prioritize my personal life and I am sure people will understand.

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Refurbished Cellphones

Just about a year ago, my mother-in-law bought from a store selling refurbished cellphones. She got a Samsung which looked so beautiful, it looked like it was still brand new. On top of that, since it was already a used cellphone, she got it at a very low price. She was very delighted with her purchase, until several weeks later when problems started to happen one after another...

First, her battery died on her. So we had to buy a brand new battery for it. Then, just after a short time, her refurbished cellphone just wont turn on. We brought to the repair shop to have it fixed. It turns out that the problem was the actual motherboard, where all the electronic components are attached. The cost of the parts and repairs, combined with the new battery and the cost of the intial phone purchase, was actually close to the cost of just buying the same model but as brand new.

We learned a big lesson that day. We decided not to have it repaired anymore. What we actually thought was a good deal at first, was actually too good to be true. Refurbished cellphones don't have the warranty and the seal of quality from the original manufacturers. So that means you can get lucky, but you probably won't.

How about you? Have you ever bought refurbished cellphones? Did you have the same experience? Drop me a line.

photo credit, Oracio Alvarado

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My Favorite Comercials

I rarely get to watch TV. And when I do, I multitask with other things. I like local TV instead of cable because it's free and I get to watch my favorite commercials. Here's the top 4:

#4. Happiness! I like Kim Chiu's fresh face over KC Concepcion who is already over exposed. However, I think it's because of these commercials that our vitamins become so expensive.


#3. Beautiful! I like Marian's accent because rumor says that she even got a vocal coach to help perfect her lines.


#2. Relax ka lang! I like this one because the jingle gives me LSS (last song syndrome). Plus the fact that the product has nothing to do with Piolo Pascual's good looks.


#1. You Know? Manny Pacquiao, The Most Famous Person in the World, thinks there's something better than water. Let's listen to what he has to say.


Speaking of commercials, gone are the days of Family Rubbing Alcohol's "di lang pampamilya, pang isports pa!" where the slogans were tightly associated with the product even several years after. Who would ever forget them as they were subliminally embedded in our innocent and defenseless minds?

Seiko Seiko wallet, ang wallet na maswerte.
Balat nito ay genuine.
International pa ang mga design.
Ang wallet na maswerte. Seiko Seiko wallet!

Admit it, you were actually singing while reading this. We actually had a game when we were in college about this jingle. While looking straight in the eyes of your opponent, whoever can sing the whole song, without smiling, wins!

Nowadays, you are happy to find a rare gem of entertainment in all the clutter. (Disclaimer: I have no expertise in advertising and I have nothing against the advertising industry.)

What about you? What's your favorite commercial?

Update: For further reading I suggest you checkout this old blog post about Top 20 Most Memorable Pinoy TV Commercials. I found it after researching about this topic on the web.

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Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon

We in Cavite are already blessed to have Father Joey celebrate mass occasionally in SM Bacoor. So this time, we decided to take the opportunity to pay Father Joey a visit in his home base and have a look at the spectacular and breathtaking Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon Healing Church.

For our Holy Week Pilgrimage, yesterday, we went on a road trip from Kawit, Cavite to the Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon Healing Church. We attended Father Joey Faller's Healing Mass in the morning and ascended the Via Dolorosa where there are larger than life statues of the Stations of the Cross. I took some pictures along the way.

Read more about Father Joey Faller, his life story and his mission, and Kamay ni Hesus mass schedules in www.joeyfaller.org.












































































We did not have enough time to see the whole place so we will definitely come back to visit Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon some day.

How to go to Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon
If you are driving from Manila, take the South Superhighway. From the South Superhighway, go out at the Calamba exit 52b, tha very last exit. Drive along the national road passing by Los Banos, Bay, Pila, Sta Cruz, and Pagsanjan, Laguna. Once you arrive at the Pagsanjan Church, turn right and follow the road, passing through several more towns like Cavinti and Luisiana, before you finally arrive at Lucban, Quezon. Travel time is around 3-4 hours.

If you are in the Batangas area, there is also a route via Lucena. From St Tomas, Batangas, you will be passing by Alaminos, San Pablo, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, before you arrive at Lucena City. From Lucena, you will pass by Tayabas before you arrive at Lucban Quezon.

If you are commuting, regular commercial buses ply the three-hour Manila-Lucena route passing Tiaong, Candelaria and Sariaya or the Manila-Calamba-Los Baños-Sta. Cruz route. Whether you are In Lucena City or Sta. Cruz, Laguna, there are jeepneys and mini buses to that will take you Lucban and other neighboring towns and outlying municipalities.Bus terminals are located along EDSA-Kamuning in Quezon City, Araneta Center in Cubao, Buendia-Taft Avenues and EDSA in Pasay City. (source: Pahiyasfestival.com)

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Manila International Auto Show

Today, my wife and I went to the Manila International Auto Show at the World Trade Center to check out the new car models for sale. We were looking for our options if ever we finally decide to get a car in the future.


For me, my first choice is definitely the new Honda City. I like its new look and with the new 1.3L VTEC engine, it is a perfect combination of looks and power.

Honda City

My second choice would have to be the Hyundai i10. It's small frame is perfect for city driving. Plus, getting a Hyundai is a good investment in my opinion.

Hyundai i10

For my wife, her first choice is the Kia Carens. I admit her choice is a good one because of the ample leg room space and the torque-y but frugal CRDI diesel engine. We would have no problem using it in our out of town trips.

Kia Carens

And her second choice is the surprisingly delightful Chery QQ3. She likes the idea that it can be modified to look like a Mini Cooper.

Chery QQ3

Of course, there are other options available. Like the Reva fully electric car which was displayed by the Motolite booth. We don't need to worry about gas prices going up. I hope we get to see more electric charging stations in the future.

Reva Fully Electric Car

We also got to checkout some of the more beautiful cars in display. My wife and I took lots of pictures for our "dream board". Below are the Mazda MX-5, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X and the Subaru Impreza Hatchback.

Mazda MX-5

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Subaru Impreza 5-door

Update: When we were about to leave, we were able to spot the always handsome Ford Mustang displayed near the exit. It seems to be the same model which was used in Steve McQueen's movie, Bullitt.

Ford Mustang

Feel free to leave your comments below.

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Car Battery Replacement

Around two weeks ago, our car was starting to have some trouble starting up. Back then, we were already thinking of possible car battery replacement.

Then, in the two week span of time, we jump started the car around five times. By pushing. Until today came, when the car can't be started anymore. Even by pushing. We had no choice but to have our car checked out at the local repair shop.

At the shop, the mechanic managed to isolate the issue. There was no problem detected on the charging mechanisms and on the alternator and wiring systems. The problem was a dead battery. It seems that our car battery was so old, it did not charge effectively anymore. We needed to have a car battery replacement.

We had our car battery replacement done at a battery specialty store where the technicians confirmed the problem was only only the battery. After the car battery replacement, we felt relieved that finally we don't need to worry about jump starting the car every time it won't start.


Photo credit, modenadude

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Ice Cream Maker

I remember when I was a kid, we had this small Ice Cream Maker toy. We just put in the ingredients in a bowl and crank up the drum containing ice and salt. When the ice cream starts to freeze, it sticks on the drum. Then we can scrape it and it's ready to eat straight from the ice cream maker!

I also remember, my mother brought me some ice cream after my visits to the dentist. I realized that my craving for ice cream started when I was still very young and my mother had something to do with it...

I am now looking for an Ice Cream Maker so I can make my own ice cream from home. I am just looking for a small scale ice cream maker, not those with big ice cream equipment for business use. I checked with Amazon and it returned several products worth considering.

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is one of the most popular brands for ice cream makers. They showcase several ice cream maker models depending on the capacity and power requirements. They have a Cuisinart 1-1/2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Makers which is a fully automatic ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet maker. And they also have a larger model, the Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker in case I need something bigger.

How to choose the best Ice Cream Maker:

1. Check out the ice cream maker brand. Is it reputable? Does it have local support for parts and repair service? Does it have a warranty?
   
2. Read the product description and specs. Is it solidly built or are its parts loose thread easily? Is it made of durable materials or is it easily breakable? Does it have enough capacity? Does it require lots of power? Is the motor too noisy when being used?
   
3. Check out the operating instructions. Is it simple to use? Are the instructions easy to understand? Is it quick to setup and clean after? Or is it messy? Can young kids use it?
   
4. Check out the ice cream quality. Is the ice cream consistency good all throughout the container? How much time does it take to make the ice cream from scratch?
   
5. Read the customer and expert reviews. Did the other buyers like it? What did they not like about it?
6. Does it offer some freebies like free ice cream scoop, extra containers and recipe books? Does it offer discounts when you buy packaged with an ice cream recipe book?
   
7. Check out the price. Is owning an ice cream maker worth the investment?
   

Try breaking in the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker using some of these ice cream recipe books below and never run out of ideas for ice cream flavors:

Why do I need an ice cream maker? There's nothing like home made ice cream made from fresh and natural ingredients. I can choose to make low fat and low sugar ice cream. I can choose to add fresh fruits and nuts. In other words, the ice cream maker makes it possible for me to make any kind of ice cream flavor that I want.

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Eraserheads Final Set Concert Review

My wife and I arrived at the Mall of Asia at around 7pm and there were lots of people everywhere. Like ourselves, most of the people were there to watch the Eraserheads Live! The Final Set concert. As expected, the MOA parking areas were already full. Luckily, we managed to park in the SMX basement which was still relatively vacant. When we arrived, we just bought a quick take out dinner from Burger King and Auntie Anne's and immediately headed to the concert grounds...

Minutes before 8pm, Magic 89.9 DJ Andi-9 and Anne Curtis were joined by two other hosts I don't recognize, and opened the event by talking about the concert and its sponsors. Several minutes later, the live projector screens were playing MTV commercials and old features on the Eraserheads. They showed some old interviews about when the Eraserheads were formed, to when they had a series of hits, to when they received numerous awards including the MTV best music video for Asia.

After several more minutes, the screen counted down backwards from the letter 'Z' to 'E' (as in Eraserheads). Then, fireworks lighted up the stage and the Eraserheads played their first song Magasin. The crowd went wild, dancing and jumping to the fast beat of the music played by the best band of our generation. The songs kept on coming with Walang Nagbago and Maling Akala which Ely asked the audience to "name that tune".

The next songs were heavy rocking with Maskara, Poor Man's Grave and Waiting for the Bus. Then we were treated with a light and funny reggae rendition of Wag Mo Nang Itanong sung by Marcus Adoro. It was really funny because Marcus was singing playfully to the song. Then, the next three songs were sung by Raimund Marasigan: Slo Mo, Alkohol and Insomnia, which were the perfect songs for Raimund to sing given his energy and shouting voice. The last song was Torpedo before they took a short break.

Coming off from the break, the Eraserheads started playing laid back acoustic versions of Julie Tearjerky, Tikman ang Langit, Wishing Wells and Fine Time. The stage setup was complete with sofa and Ely asked if we liked their new house. Then they introduced their next song as "from the 70's..." The crowd screamed loudly when they heard the opening chords of Pare Ko.

Next, Ely sang Kailan solo with only a piano in the background, while the rest of the band prepares to go back to their electric guitars. The next songs played were Back2Me, Trip to Jerusalem, Spoliarium and Overdrive before they went for another short break. By this time they already played 21 songs and we were already very happy to have experienced the show.

Then we can hear Ely shouting "Francis! Francis!" and they kicked off the rest of the show with one of my favorite songs, Super Proxy. Too bad that Francis Magalona's death due to cancer happened at a tragic time, just the day before the concert. They said the day before that Francis Magalona was supposed to have a surprise number with them. By the way the crowd reacted, I can say that Francis Magalona really had a lot of supporters attending the concert. Long live Francism!

The band continued with their most sentimental tunes. Minsan was about a song about past friendships and I kept on thinking that this song is how we should remember the Eraserheads as a group. They started as friends in UP Diliman and even if they are moving on with their separate lives, they always have each other's friendship to come back to.

Next to be played was Alapaap, another beautiful song about getting "high". This song is also special to me because I was with my future wife when Ely sang this song in the UP Fair 10 years ago. It made me think of all the memories I had when I was in UP.

After Alapaap, they played the chorus of Kaleidoscope World. Kaleidoscope world is Francis Magalona's song about respecting other people's differences. Everybody was clapping as we all pay our final respects to the Master Rapper.

The last song of the concert was, of course, Ang Huling El Bimbo. Ely asked everyone to sing along to the last song to be performed by live the band Eraserheads. I embraced my wife while singing and dancing to the song and watching the fireworks display. The moment almost brought me to tears.

After we left the venue, we heard Raimund talking to the audience. He was asking the people "gusto nyo pa? tawagin nyo si Marcus..." We rushed back to the venue when we realized there was going to be an encore. Ely was there and the Eraserheads played 3 more for the road! Everybody was now in a party mood as we dance to the extra songs in celebration of the successful concert that happened. They played Ligaya, Sembreak and Toyang; Ely even went down from the stage to the audience and he let the people sing to Toyang.

It was really a memorable event for me and my wife. I would again like to thank Magic 89.9 for giving us the free tickets. Until the next concert!

The Eraserheads Live! The Final Set concert had a total of 29 songs:

1. Magasin
2. Walang Nagbago
3. Maling Akala
4. Maskara
5. Poor Man's Grave
6. Waitng for the Bus
7. Wag Mo Nang Itanong
8. Slo Mo
9. Alkohol
10. Insomnia
11. Torpedo
12. Julie Tearjerky
13. Tikman ang Langit
14. Wishing Wells
15. Fine Time
16. Pare Ko
17. Kailan
18. Back2Me
19. Trip to Jerusalem
20. Spoliarium
21. Overdrive
22. Super Proxy
23. Minsan
24. Alapaap
25. Kaleidoscope World
26. Ang Huling El Bimbo
27. Ligaya
28. Sembreak
29. Toyang

Update: I will be posting pictures coming from my friend who attended the concert from the VIP section.

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Long Live Francism

Francis Magalona passed away today due to acute myelogenous leukemia. Francis Magalona moved away from the spotlight in the middle of last year to spend more time with his family while undergoing cancer treatment.

I am actually at a loss for words right now. Francis Magalona was my personal hero since I grew up wanting to be like him. All I can think right now of is how my brother and I used to sing to Francis Magalona songs while listening to his cassette tapes back then. And up to this present day, I can still rap to Mga Praning, a Francis Magalona song which runs for more than 10mins.

Francis Magalona will forever be remembered by my generation as we grew up with his songs from Mga Kababayan, to Meron Akong Ano to Kabataan Para Sa Kinabukasan. I am really sad but at the same time happy to have experienced Francis Magalona through his music.

Wherever you are right now Kiko, you have left a legacy.
Long live Francis Magalona, Long Live Francism!

photo credit, a Free Mind blog by Francis Magalona

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Kaleidoscope World - Francis Magalona

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Eraserheads Concert More Free Tickets

In my previous post, I talked about Free Tickets to the Eraserheads Live! The Final Set concert on March 7, 2009 at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. Check it out if you have not read it yet.

I have updates on how to get more free Eraserheads concert tickets!

update: read my Eraserheads Final Set Concert Review post.

More sponsors are giving away free tickets so you can try joining their contests:

1. San Miguel has a promo. When you buy 6 bottles of San Miguel Pale Pilsen, you get a free bronze ticket. Go to the Sarap Magbabad Kick-Off Party on March 6 where they will give away thousands of free tickets!

2. Petron also has a promo. When you gas up to participating Petron gas stations, every single receipt of P500 worth of E10, Extra Unleaded, XCS or Blaze and you win a free bronze ticket.

3. Mysandboxsignup also has a promo. Register in Sandbox and invite your friends to sign-up to get a chance to win FREE tickets to the Eraserheads Concert on March 7, 2009..

4. Latest update! Starting tomorrow, Magic 89.9 Boys Night Out will be giving away around 6 GOLD TICKETS to the Eraserheads Live! Final Set concert. Just listen to their program to find out how to win these tickets.

Let me know if you win some. If you can tell them that you heard about their promo from my blog post then it will be free publicity for the blog!

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Tips Straight from the Grocer

My wife and I will go to the grocery this afternoon. We actually do not set a regular day when to go. We just find a common time and we just go. And our grocery list contains only the most important stuff to make through to the next trip to the grocery. We don't list items that we don't need, but that does not mean we don't buy them...

Recently, we found out that the most popular grocery is not necessarily popular because of its price. We were shocked when we discovered that for exactly the same items, the biggest supermarket here in the Philippines (clue: initials S and M) actually has far higher prices than the other lesser known supermarkets.

We think location and convenience are big factors for most people in choosing which supermarket to go to. But for us, we obviously go to the one with the lower prices. The small differences in price accumulate into a huge amount when you look at it in the long run.

Readers Digest has compiled some Tips from the Grocer that would help us become smarter at the supermarket. It is written from the point of view of the grocer, addressing the shopper how to make their grocery trips more effective.

13 Things Your Grocer Won't Tell You
Get smarter about grocery shopping. These tips could change your family eating habits.

By Adam Bluestein and Lauren Gniazdowski
From Reader's Digest

1. If you hate crowds and lines, shop at dinnertime (5 to 9 p.m.) or even later. Only 4 percent of shoppers hit the aisles between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. Least-crowded day of the week? Wednesday.

2. Go ahead and reach way back for the fresh milk. Everybody does.

3. Coupons with a bar code are easy to scan. The other ones take an eternity. But if you're willing to wait …

4. That star fruit has been here a lot longer than the broccoli. Familiar produce turns over more quickly than exotic things.

5. "The more products you see, the more you are likely to buy," says Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat. "That's why the aisles are so long and the milk is usually in the far corner."

6. Like employees with a good attitude? Shop at chains that are employee-owned, suggest customer-satisfaction surveys. When employees have a stake in the profits, it shows in their attitude.

7. The "grazers" order food at the deli, eat it as they're shopping, and get rid of the wrappers before they check out. We also call that stealing.
8. I'm not just selling groceries, I'm selling real estate. Look high and low-literally-for good values from smaller manufacturers who can't afford to stock their products in the eye-level sweet spot.

9. We're marketing to your kids too. That's why we put the rainbow-colored cereals and other kiddie catnip at their eye level.

10. Be wary of "specials." When people see signs with numbers-"8 for $10!" "Limit: 5 per customer"—they buy 30 to 100 percent more than they otherwise might have.

11. The baby formula is locked up because thieves resell it on the black market. Ditto for the cough and cold medications, smoking-cessation products, razor blades, and batteries.

12. Driving your Ferrari to the Piggly Wiggly and want to avoid shopping-cart dents? Park far, far away.

13. You'll end up tossing 12 percent of what you buy.

Sources: Maurice Nizzardo, former supermarket executive in Connecticut; David J. Livingston, an industry consultant; Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating; and others. Interviews by Adam Bluestein and Lauren J. Gniazdowski.


16 More Tips From Your Grocer
Get smarter at the supermarket with these tips from grocers.

From Reader's Digest

1. "Don't buy anything with more than five ingredients (too processed), with ingredients you can’t pronounce (too processed), with anything artificial (tastes bad), with a cartoon on it (direct marketing to children), or with a health claim (misleading)," says Nestle.

2. Paper? Plastic? We don't really care. But asking us to double-bag…that's just wasteful.

3. Dig and reach for the freshest produce. Older merchandise gets pushed to the front of the bin and spread across the top to encourage customers to take it first.

4. This isn't a social service agency. "The purpose of grocery stores is to get you to buy more food, not less," says Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat (North Point Press). Only 14% of consumers overall stick to just the items on their shopping list.

5. Very few people really like the "loyalty card" program, and it's expensive for us to run.

6. Attention, shoppers: Don't start your shopping just as we're closing. We just want to leave. It's been a long day.

7. Watch out for gimmicks. They are intended to get you into a store more frequently and to keep you away from competitors.

8. The person who supervises it all has a tough job; they're just a big babysitter.

9. Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday.

10. Bring back your recyclable cans and bottles, but please rinse them out first. Leaving soda inside is unsanitary and we find it disgusting.

11. Signs of a store in trouble: Stocking fewer perishable items, storing non-perishables in refrigerated cases to make them look full, and "dummying up" shelves with empty boxes. If we were offering the best prices and highest quality, wouldn't there be more people shopping here?

12. I'm not getting rich here. After-tax net profit for the grocery industry is less than 2 percent, and by the end of 2013, the Food Marketing Institute, an industry group, predicts annual average wages will be just $18,000.

13. If you get in the 10 items or less line with 25 items, don't be surprised if you are asked to leave. If you have 12 items, not many people will care.

14. Watch those shopping-cart handles. They're covered in bacteria, says food-safety consultant Jeff Nelken. Use a sanitary wipe if the store provides them. Finicky shoppers can even patronize supermarkets that send their carts through a cart wash.

15. Skip the center aisles. That's where you'll find the junk food, like sodas and snack foods.

16. Check sizes. "Manufacturers are constantly trying to repackage things to make them sound like a better deal," says David Livingston, a supermarket industry consultant. "Some new peanut butter containers may look the same, but look closely and you'll see they actually have less peanut butter inside. Ninety-five percent of customers don't watch this kind of stuff."

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Eraserheads Final Set Free Tickets

As I said in my previous blog post, I already got my Free Tickets to the Eraserheads Live! The Final Set concert on March 7, 2009 at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds. This Eraserheads concert is gonna be so great, that it is actually worth buying tickets for. But why would I buy tickets, if I can get them for free? You may be wondering how you can get free tickets? I heard that there are several ways to get free tickets...

update: read my Eraserheads Final Set Concert Review post.

How to get free tickets to the Eraserheads concert:

These sponsors are giving away free tickets so you can try joining their contests:
1. Log-in to MTV Philippines and answer a question online.
2. Smart Buddy content download and text raffle.
3. Through McDonalds online deliveries.
4. PH Best Deals blog talks about more contests from Circuit Magazine and Jagermeister.
5. I heard San Miguel also has a promo but I don't have the details. Anybody who can share any information about it?

You can also try calling your friends who work in the sponsor companies. They may have extra tickets they're willing to share with you.

You can also try to ask (beg) for your parents or your boyfriend/girlfriend to buy you tickets.

Let me share you how I got my free tickets. Last Monday, I was listening to my favorite radio station, Magic 89.9, the Magic Top 5@5 with Andi-9 and Jessica. At around 5:30, Andi-9 and Jessica announced that they were giving away free tickets to the Eraserheads concert. To win, a caller just had to answer some questions about Smart Buddy Rewards which was one of the main sponsors. I immediately called their station to join. And luckily, I got through the phone line and I got to answer the question correctly! I claimed my prize the following day.

Again, many thanks to today's best music, Magic 89.9, for the free tickets!

Update: Eraserheads Concert More Free Tickets! Read my latest post on March 3, 2009...

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Eraserheads Live! The Final Set

I am so excited and I can't wait til March 7 when the Eraserheads come together and perform live for the very last time. I still remember exactly ten years ago when I was watching the Eraserheads perform in the UP Fair. I was with my dorm mate friend and we tried out wall climbing. I remember climbing the very top of the wall and that's when Ely sang Alapaap - Maaaayy... isang umaga... na tayo'y... magkasama... It was one of the most memorable moments of my UP life. And by the way, my dorm mate friend later became my girlfriend and much later, also became my wife .

update: Eraserheads Final Set Concert Review

I already got tickets (for free) for the reunion concert this March at the Mall of Asia, so all I need to do is show up. I also posted here the MTV Philippines article about the E-heads concert as my online souvenir. Subscribe to my blog for more updates. I will also be posting how to get ERASERHEADS FINAL SET FREE TICKETS.


This one is from MTV Philippines:
http://www.mtvphil.com/event.php?id=48

ERASERHEADS. . . THE FINAL SET!!!

MTV PHILIPPINES AND SMART BUDDY BRING BACK
ERASERHEADS LIVE! THE FINAL SET
ON MARCH 7 AT THE MALL OF ASIA CONCERT GROUNDS

22 JANUARY 2009 – MTV Philippines and Smart Buddy start the year with the most anticipated concert in the local music scene: ERASERHEADS LIVE! THE FINAL SET. The one night only concert is going to happen on Saturday, March 7, 2009, 8PM at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.
THE ERASERHEADS, ERASERHEADS, or E-HEADS

The Eraserheads, comprised of Marcus Adoro, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, is a celebrated Pinoy Rock band during the 90's. Deemed as “The Beatles of the Philippines,” this band is one of the most successful, critically-acclaimed, and revolutionary bands in the history of Original Pinoy Music. The second wave of Manila Band invasions is credited to them, paving the way for a host of influential Philippine alternative rock bands.

The band released several singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one. The Eraserheads are one of the best-selling musical acts of all time in the Philippines, paving way for an international career that earned them the "Moon Man" for winning the MTV Viewer’s Choice Award in the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. They are the first ever Filipino artist to win the award.

Their diverse music worked both in the underground and mainstream scenes of the Philippine music industry. By fusing different musical styles such as alternative, pop, rock, reggae, and synthpop the Eraserheads helped change the sound of Pinoy rock.

This major concert has been the clamor of the band’s Filipino fans. This is in itself a whole new concert and not just a continuation to the historic August 30, 2008 reunion concert. This will be the reunion of all reunions as it is said to be Buddy, Ely, Marcus and Raimund’s last performance as the Eraserheads in the country for the next 10 years.

The OPM Fab Four has been with us in happiness (LIGAYA), in love (PARE KO), in being young and free (ALAPAAP) and even in our down times (WITH A SMILE), as we all grew up together with them. On March 7, it is time that we be the one to be there for our music heroes. Among the 10,000,000 Filipino fans, only 100,000 can witness it live on March 7. Be part of that history! Tickets for the show are at P 2,910 for Gold A and Gold B sections, P 1,261 for Silver A and Silver B sections and P 291 for Bronze section (Plus 3% Service Charge). For reservations, you may call either TicketNet at 911-5555 (www.ticketnet.com.ph) or TicketWorld at 891-9999 (www.ticketworld.com.ph). For more information, keep tuning in to MTV Philippines or log on to www.mtvphil.com.

ERASERHEADS LIVE! THE FINAL SET is PRESENTED BY: Smart Buddy, “Huling huli ng Smart Buddy ang trip ko, kaya me na me talaga!“ CO-PRESENTED BY: Coca-Cola, Mall of Asia and McDonald’s; SPECIAL THANKS TO: ARMVET Printing Company, Italianni’s and Sony BMG; OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS: Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Circuit Magazine and Web.com.ph. OFFICIAL RADIO PARTNER: NU

This one talks about the regulations and seat plan.
http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/2006/detail.php?eid=1048&res=Y

Category: Entertainment

Venue: Mall of Asia Concert Grounds

Event Date/Time:
March 7, 2009 | Saturday at 8:00pm

For the safety of your children, they will only be allowed entry
at the venue if they are:

• 4 feet and above
• Accompanied by paying adult

Prohibited Entry

• Children below 4 feet in height
• Pregnant women
• Individuals under the influence of drugs or liquor
• Persons with severe heart or medical condition

Prohibited items inside the venue

• Professional audio or video recording devices
• Professional Cameras
• Weapons
• Glass
• Cans
• Plastic Bottles
• Food
• Large metal belt buckles
• Big posters/placards/signages
• Fireworks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spiked Bracelets
• Wallet chains
• Back packs
• Waist packs
• Laser Pens
• Large chains
• Long & pointed umbrella

ORGANIZERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY TO ANYONE
NOT COMPLYING WITH ANY REGULATIONS.

Seatplan

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