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Everytime we shop, we always go to the stores/sellers/shops who can give us the best deal so we can get the best bang out of our hard earned buck. Most of us will try to haggle to get a better price or get some free stuff.

There are a lot of ways where we can get great deals whether it maybe from an online store or a regular store. There are the usual sale promos, free shipping, free items, free extended service, rebates and coupons.

If you are like me who likes to shop online, you would most likely try to shop around from various stores or use online services which compare prices from several stores. If you would like to get more savings, you would also probably check if there are corresponding coupons that you can use to get a cheaper price or get something extra when you purchase the item or service that you like.

Many of the internet savvy shoppers use coupons simply because they know that they can save big. One can save anywhere from US$1 up to hundreds and even thousands of dollars by just using these coupons.

A convenient way of looking for coupons is to go to sites that compile various coupons being offered by online stores. One of these sites is Couple-Samples.com. Coupon-Samples.com specializes in giving out jtv.com coupons and other jewelry coupons from jegem.com, netaya.com and nextten.com.

They also have appliance and electronic coupons from Kitchen Aid, BestBuy and Buy.com. You can also get coupons for Walmart.com, Blockbuster, DirecTV and even Omaha Steaks!

Yes there are a lot of other online coupon sites but if you really are into jewelry, you will surely benefit from coupon-samples since you can get as much as 60% off by using jtv coupons they are giving away.

The site will soon be launching a forum where everyone can share their tips on the latest coupons. So drop by Coupon-Samples.com to help you save money and time while shopping online

Through March 31, 2008,over three-dozen Brainbench certifications are available to you at no cost. Among the free exams that I find interesting are:

• Computer Forensics (U.S.)
• MS Windows Server 2003 Administration
• Server Administration
• Technical Help Desk
• Microsoft Security
• Network Security
• SAP Basis Administration
• and over 30 more!

On a regular day, each test would cost you around US$ 49.95. So take advantage of this free offer and be able improve your resume with no major expenses.

Website Magazine, published by Website Services Inc., is a free magazine offering practical advice and helpful tools from industry experts to help any website achieve Internet success.

To qualify for a free subscription, you (or your company) must have an active web site and have a US mailing address where the magazine will be delivered.

Until now, there has not been a magazine that caters exclusively to the business of running a website. Website Magazine has tapped premier talent in the Internet industry for their content and each and every issue will contain practical advice and insights for website owners.

Sign-up for your free Website Magazine subscription.

THE ART OF POTTERY MAKING

A Free Workshop

April 12, 2008
Artspace, 3F Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City

History has shown that clay objects have always been part of our lives, whether for function or decoration. On April 12 at 3:00-5:00 p.m., we invite aspiring potters and clay enthusiasts to learn how each pottery process is an art in itself with renowned clay artist, Jon Pettyjohn.

Apart from the brief lecture on Philippine pottery, a demonstration-workshop on hand building, coil building, wheel throwing and other useful techniques or tips in pottery making will also be included.

Registration starts at 2:00 p.m. No fees will be collected for this workshop but due to the limited number of clay kits, interested participants are requested to pre-register through phone 892-1801, fax 892-1810, SMS 0917-5594417, or email .

Why bother capturing that Kodak moment with a still camera when you can record the whole event as it happens with a video camera?

Video cameras have come a long way from the bulky tape based video cameras to the now ultra portable, feature-rich and easy to use camcorders. Even the latest digital point and shoot cameras and even phone cameras can now capture video. But if you want to get better video quality… you might as well stick with the real thing… a digital camcorder.

The new camcorders come in all shapes and sizes. Some use MiniDV, mini-DVDs, hard disk drives, solid state drives and flash drives. Most of these camcorders can also capture still pictures. Some camcorders can fit in your palm while some are as big as a lunch box. Some can record videos in high definition (HD) video while some still capture in standard definition.

Will all those things said, there are 5 camcorders for consumers that come to mind.
Canon Camcorder (Canon XH A1 HD)
This one has got to be my favorite. I’d definitely get this one if only money is no issue as this will set you back anywhere from around US$3,000 to US$4,000. Do take note that this is one of Canon’s top of the line prosumer camcorders.

JVC Camcorder (JVC Everio GZ-HD3)
This one gets my 2nd vote. I would say that this one provides the most value for your money which you can get anywhere from US$700 to US$1,200. This one can also record in HD format, records directly to a buil-in hard disk drive and is very handy.

Sony Camcorder (Sony DCR-DVD205)
This one is would be the best option if you’d want to go for the dvd-recording format. Sony camcorders are known for their night vision feature.

Panasonic Camcorder (Panasonic PVGS12 Digital Palmcorder)
They call this one a palmcorder simply because it can fit in your palm. If you still want to record on miniDV then this should be a good choice.

Flip Video Camcorder
With a price range os US$ 130 to US$180, this would have to be the most affordable and the most portable option. This once fits in your palms and you can retrieve recorded videos to your computer simply by plugging it in a usb port in your computer.

You can check out more camcorder reviews here.

How about you? What camcorders do you want?

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have announced the availability of scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate (MS & PhD) degrees in priority Science and Technology (S&T) areas through the implementation of the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program.

The program aims to help improve the country’s global competitiveness and capability to innovate through alternative approaches on HRD in S&T and to accelerate the production of high-level human resources needed for S&T activities particularly in the area of R&D.

There are two (2) types of scholarships available, namely: (a) University-based MS/PhD Program for new and ongoing graduate students; and b) Thesis/Dissertation Grant support for R&D priority areas of DOST.

Priority fields of study include:

• Basic Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science and Communications Technology
• Microelectronics
• Earth and Space Science (Meteorology)
• Agriculture
• Forestry & Natural Resources
• Fisheries and Marine Science
• Environment

For interested applicants, please contact Mavik Dado at tel. no. (082) 2271313 for more details.

Application forms can be downloaded from the DOST Science Education Institute (SEI) website at www.sei.dostgov.ph. Deadline for filing of application is on March 13, 2008.

Over 200 exhibitors will feature unique products from the Philippines’ 17 regions at the National Trade Fair 2008 on March 12-16 at the SM Megatrade Halls of the SM Megamall.

National Trade Fair is the Philippines authoritative trade show for the best products throughout the archipelago, reflecting the unique resources and the people’s craftsmanship district in each region.

Over 800 new products designs will be showcased in NTF – a result of the full cycle assistance package provided by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (CITEM), DTI Regional Operations Group, Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Product Design and Development Center of the Philippines (PDDCP), Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT), and the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED).

The fair serves as a government platform to boost the capabilities of the Philippine enterprise. “The country’s economic activities are greatly influenced by our homegrown enterprises; their value-added contribution sustains the need for sources of livelihood, especially in the countryside”, said Trade Asst. sec. Felicitas Agoncillo-Reyes, executive director of CITEM.

A showcase of products made form indigenous materials and local skills and talents from select towns of the Philippines will also be featured under the “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) Philippines which aims to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs in the countryside.

Another highlight this year is the Raw Materials Setting featuring semi-processed forms and new applications of ten raw materials with enormous potential: such as banana, (bank, leaves, bud), coconut (coir, peat, bark, wood fiber), corn (cob, husk and silk), fish scales, Manila palm (branch, twigs, fruits and fiber), recycled materials such as tin cans and plastic, sabutan leaves, water hyacinth (leaves and stems), tahong shells, and woven fibers made of abaca, buntal and raffia.

Last year the NTF assisted 194 enterprises, attracted 894 trade buyers and generated 163.9 million pesos worth of sales.

NTF is expected to be an efficient vehicle to strengthen the capabilities of the homegrown enterprise sector. According to Malacañang data, the MSME sector gives 99% value to the Philippine economy and is one of the most efficient job creators. By 2010, it is seen that MSME will give jobs to six to ten million individuals.

For information on the NTF, contact CITEM’s Special Projects Division at (02) 8312201 locals 261 and 263 or email at .

The Biggest Internet Cafe Expo is Back!

The 3rd Internet Cafe Congress and I-Cafe Business Conference

March 8-9, 2008 (10AM - 8PM)

SM Megatrade Hall 1

SM Megamall

The following are the highlights of this year’s conference:

• Wider range of Internet Cafe related products and services sold at a discounted”expo special” price!
• Solutions oriented conference sessions at a separate conference hall for a more conducive learning environment
• A Business Opportunity Seminar Series for I-cafe owners who want to get most out of their existing business
• Internet Cafe Interior Design Contest that will showcase the newest and the latest I-Cafe Interiors
• Best I-Cafe Award to honor the sleekest and customer friendly Internet Cafe Outlet in our country today!

Letter writing is still believed to be an indispensable tool in developing love, friendship and strong bondage of family ties.

To make the young people aware the important role that postal service plays in our societies, to foster affection for writing letters even though other modern means of communication exists, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have launched the 37th International Writing Competition for young people to promote better understanding around the world through the post office.

This year’s competition aims at helping create a world in which all people shall live in harmony, a noble goal each of us can aspire with the theme “Write a letter to someone to tell why the world needs tolerance”.

The contest is open to students or out-of-school youth who are citizens of the Philippines and not more than fifteen (15) years old. The compositions must be recent, handwritten or typewritten, English and must be between 500 to 1,000 words long. On a separate sheet of paper, the participant must indicate the number of words used in the entry, complete name and address, gender, age, date of birth, 2 x 2 color ID picture, name of school, address, grade level and contact numbers.

Prizes are:

• P15,000 for 1st prize
• P10,000 for 2nd prize
• P5,000 for 3rd prize

Firs prize winner on the national level will automatically get the chance to participate for the UPU International Letter Writing competition to be held in Switzerland.

Entries must be sent thru Postal Mail Only on or before April 10, 2008 to:

Mr. Alvin Fidelson or Mr. Rene Ranoa,
Media Affairs Office
Office of the Postmaster General
3/F Philippine Postal Corporation
Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila

Good luck!

Regnard Raquedan of Standard Web Standards is organizing a charity event for one of his classes in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

The event is called “Corporate Communications 2.0: Corporate Blogging” and it is a seminar/workshop about corporate blogging. The seminar will be held in March 7, 2008 at the AIM Campus in Makati City.

Corporate Communications 2.0 is intended primarily for:

1. Business executives who recognize the promise of blogs for viral marketing, crisis communications and corporate culture development
2. Managers who want to tap blogging as a collaboration platform
3. Professionals who are interested to learn how blogging can be an effective means of communication in the corporate setting

The seminar will be on March 7, 2008 at the SGV Caseroom at the Asian Institute of Management, Makati City. The seminar fee is PhP 500.00. (All proceeds of the event will go to the GILAS Project of the Ayala Foundation.)

Interested folks may pre-register online at http://corpcomm2.eventbrite.com or email Regnard at for more information.

Agenda:

1. Corporate Blogging: What, Who, When, Why and How - Jayvee Fernandez of b5 Media
2. Corporate Blogging in Practice - Andrian Lee of AsiaPay
3. Case Discussion/Workshop - I’ll be facilitating the discussion.

HackaCon 2008: International IT Security Convention

August 8, 9 & 10, 2008

SM Megatrade Hall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
The topics to be covered are:

• Certified Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (CEH)
• Linux Security
• Disaster Recovery (DR)
• Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT)
• Security+
• Microsoft Security
• Hardening Against TCP/IP Attacks
• Wireless Hacking and Security
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)

The fee is only P500 per topic inclusive of materials and certificate.  This is a first-come first-served basis. The organizers can only accommodate 200 pax per topic.

Check their website for more info - http://www.hackacon.com

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) proudly announces the launch of RACE TO THE FUTURE - The 2008 Clark Freeport International Marathon.  This major sporting event has been in the planning stage for several months and CDC is proud to say that all the hard work is now coming to fruition.  To attract participants from all over the world, CDC is providing a track route that meets international standards and is offering world-class prizes totaling to 1.8 million pesos.  International marathon runners from Singapore. Malaysia, China, and Korea will also be joining the event.

International Marathons have gained great popularity all over the world, involving runners from all walks of life.  It is high time the Philippines gets involved in the international marathon circuit, a Clark Development official reveals.  Also, this is now the chance for every Filipino to win great prizes and international recognition.

Determined to comply with international standards and regulations, CDC has been conferred the sanction of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and the endorsement of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).  Recently, CDC held a contract signing with ActivAsia, Inc., a frontrunner in corporate events and product activation.  The contract signing officially launches the event and is headed by Mr. Liberato P. Laus, the President and CEO of CDC.  With the involvement of Locators at the Clark International Freeport, the event is expected to be a resounding success.

The marathon is set on January 13, 2008, Sunday.  It is expected to draw in spectators from all over the country. For more information, everyone is invited to log on and register online at http://www.clarkmarathon.com.

The Philippine SQL Server Users Group (PHISSUG) will be holding their first chat for this year:

Forget SQL, Meet ORM

Date:   June 7 2007, 08:00GMT
Target Audience: SQL Developers

Abstract: If you have been writing SQL via stored procedures all your life, this new approach could cost you your decades old investment. Are you ready to throw away your SPs and embrace ORM?

The chat will be based on threaded discussion format on the PHISSUG forum.

Join the chat at:

http://phissug.org/cs/forums/thread/1275.aspx

TPC Events

presents

DIY Surveillance Seminar

Date: Jun 10, 2007 - Sunday
Time: 8:30am to 1:00pm

Speaker: Mr. Gilbert Villanueva

Description:
Surveillance using CCTV (Closed-circuit television) is the use of videocameras to transmit a signal to a specific, limited set of monitors. CCTV is often used for surveillance in areas which need security, such as banks, lan shops, casinos, hotels and resorts, airports or military installations.

Topics:
1. CCTV and equipments to be used
2. Setup and Installation of cameras
3. Webcast or live viewing thru internet
4. DIY equipments and innovations.
 
Venue: Capinpin Place
Fee: 280
Save cost on IT Learning!
 
As the world of Information Technology continues to move towards advancement, the demand for a highly efficient and knowledgable IT person for home or for business remains increasing. That’s why getting an IT knowledge is one way to achieve success in today’s environment
 
 
Most businesses nowadays are looking for I.T. people, but the truth is I.T. education is expensive. The institutions, colleges and universities are not for everyone because of factors such as financial, age, time, etc. Hence we, at TPC Events, would like to offer you the perfect solution to learn I.T. 
 
TPC Events is all about saving cost on your IT learning. TPC Events specializes in different information technology tools that is designed to your needs and interest. 
 
TPC Events is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology in the Philippines

More info at TPC Events

Now Accepting Entries for 2007 Contest!

The deadline for entries is June 22, 2007.

Every year, Cisco recognizes small to medium-sized organizations for using technology to make extraordinary things happen. This year, it could be your turn. Tell us your story for a chance to win. Choose one of the categories below, tell us your story, and become a part of the human network.

Cisco is accepting entries in five categories:

1. Sales and marketing
2. Customer loyalty
3. Operational excellence
4. Public sector
5. Nonprofit

Enter your story in one of those categories, and you’ll have an opportunity to win:

• Up to US$25,000 in Cisco products and services
• Recognition at the awards ceremony, featuring Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers
• Cisco Growing with Technology Awards 2007 plaque