Spell "trouble": S-T-A-T-U-S U-P-D-A-T-E-S

I know that you're only reading this entry because my amazing work of art has caught your attention, so I won't keep you long. Anti-Facebook blog sickfacebook.com quoted Australian psychologist Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg as saying that people who post status updates (and tweets) "could be suffering from insecurity... [they're] sending a message out to everybody that rather than just quietly getting on with what [they're] doing [they] need external recognition.” OUCH! I didn't see that one coming. As if it weren't enough, he went on to explain further that status updates crying or implying depression shows attention-deficit behavior.“This is a digital SOS. They can be very, very upsetting when you send out something and you get absolutely nothing back," he said.

I know that the guy means well. In fact, I totally understand how dangerous status updates get. Perverts and players can get the wrong (or right) signals, as singles put themselves at risk of sounding desperate for a little romance--which is pretty much like handing your house keys to a thief, with your address attached. Employees getting sacked, cheating husbands busted, and a soldier botching a raid by unwittingly leaking information via his Facebook status update are only a few examples. Not only that. Status updates destroy friendships, too. I know someone who knows someone who thought that a friend's status was directed at him. I can't blame him for overreacting, though, as many use tweets and statuses for cyber bullying or "flaming." (In Dr. Carr-Gregg's book Real Wired Child, he provides practical tips for parents in guiding their teens' online communications, social networking, web surfing, downloading, and gaming activities to ensure their well-being in cyberspace.)

Anyway, Dr. Carr-Gregg's study found that our status updates reveal more about us than we think, even more than all the things we write in our profiles combined. Affected yet? I wouldn't be too bothered, if I were you. He also said, "You could be forgiven for thinking no one cares [about you], but not everybody is online or checking their phone all the time.” It's just you, you insecure, attention-deficit, danger-hungry addict! See? You should really feel better now. lol

Facebook is selling WHAT?!

Take a good look at this picture:
 

Is this what you see?

 

If online dating is the new singles bar, then Facebook is open bar 24/7, what with over 400 million ACTIVE users. From the soft-light profile photos to the catchy status updates (not to mention the ubiquitous "Like" thumbs up icon), Facebook has the particular charm that online dating sites SHOULD have but, unfortunately, don't. And what's that? It leaves you enough room to maneuver and tell people that you're in the market without having to BE IN THE MARKET. So what, Facebook is not a dating site, right? At least, not officially. Even if you're actually looking, you no longer have to hunch over the monitor the way a football carrier would. With Facebook, you also get more opportunities to do an in-depth survey before the buy-in. Best of all, it's free. But then, again, Facebook can't solve all of life's problems (what?!)--meaning, it's not cheat-proof and perv-proof, as there's no way that Facebook can verify each of the profiles. At least, for now.

So, if you've been on Facebook long enough to have gone through that phase, when you suddenly feel the urge to type your exes' names into the search field--assuming that they're using their real names--or to "Like" every one of your Facebook crush's posts (and spend an entire hour waiting for the red notification flag to pop up), don't beat yourself up. Blame it on the subliminal message on Facebook's log-in page instead.  

Mad Hatter Craze

It's Mad Hatter Day! With Johnny Depp playing the role in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, it's no question that the Mad Hatter is more talked-about than Alice herself. But did you know that in Lewis Carroll's book, Alice's Adventure in Wonderland, the author didn't refer to him as such? Carroll named him as the Hatter or "Hatta," and it was the Cheshire Cat who alluded to him being "mad." Also, did you know that Lewis Carroll was a Math professor by the name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson? And that he made up Alice's Adventure in Wonderland for his friend's three daughters, one of which is named Alice, while they were on a picnic?

Now that you have enough trivia to survive the upcoming Wonderland mania, join the Mad Hatter's army against the Red Queen and pledge allegiance by mad-hatting yourself! Here's how:

• Log in to your Facebook account.

• Type "Alice in Wonderland" on the search field and choose the first of the results shown.

• Better yet, simply click on this link.

• Read the Terms and Conditions and hit "Accept."

• Take a picture of yourself using your webcam or simply choose from any of your Facebook photos.

• Don't worry if the photo doesn't fit well. As soon as you click "Next," you'll be able to adjust the size, position, and angle of the photo to get the best fit for the Mad Hatter's face.

•  Click "Next" one more time and --Voila! You're already ready to revolt against the Red Queen.

Unfortunately, there's no way you can upload photos from your PC (unless you upload it into Facebook first) or download the finished product for your archives or Facebook profile pic (unless you hit the most precious key on your keyboard--Print Screen). *Hint, hint* Instead the application only allows you to share the mad-hatted you by sending a message to 10 Facebook friends at a time. You may also send the Mad Hatter's hat as a free gift on Facebook. Chances are that it's a limited offer, so better hurry. Go ahead and start the hatting frenzy before the Red Queen's spies get you.

For Alice in Wonderland merchandise, simply click on these images.

Who the Filipina Is

Of the Earth's creatures, only humans are fond of confining each other in boxes and sticking labels all over them. If there's one thing I feel  really sad about, it's that some people believe they can look down their nose at others. I am tired of Filipinas being typecasted as nothing more than domestic helpers and mail-order brides. Sure, many pinays aspire for better lives for their families by taking these paths, but they are more than just servants and marriage-for-convenience transactions. They are daughters and sisters. Women. Persons. For this alone, they deserve respect.

The average pinay is a woman of great value. She is someone who prizes family and loyalty--sometimes, even to the detriment of her personal dream. Yet, she is capable of opening her heart to new dreams, going beyond her comfort zone, and growing more resilient with each challenge. She is capable of rising above the stereotype, and this is what empowering the Filipina is all about.

"Over the years, Filipinas working overseas have been greatly stereotyped and put in a negative light. This documentary follows a collective group of global Filipinas who have been deeply affected by these issues and how they chose to respond by sharing the positivity, and the advocacy of a common mission -- uplifting the morale of Filipinas everywhere."

To those in Dubai, do catch the full length premiere on 27th March, Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers. To my fabulously pinay readers and visitors, let's help this video go viral. You may tweet and link it on Facebook: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4j6Z1htZi0 or get its embedding code from YouTube


The Empowered Filipina: A Woman of Substance


A Timonera Grafik Production
Produced by Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Ramon Benitez
Director: Kamil Roxas
Director of Photography: Kahlil A. de Pio
Gaffer: Franzty Magsakay
Sound: Ed Aquino
Art Director: Ramon Benitez
Production Assistants: Choi Dalocanog, Rony Aquino
Make-up: Ginno Alducente