Metro Manila Traffic Navigator launches – with more to come

Posted on by jane

Last August 1, 2011, the Metro Manila Traffic Navigator (a web-based, real-time traffic situationer) was formally introduced to the riding public by executives from both the MMDA and TV5 present, as well as media and bloggers. When I last blogged about the Metro Manila Traffic Navigator last June 29, the first day its beta version was opened to the public, I was delighted to find the page so easy to read, clean and as real-time as you can get (with updates every 5 to 15 minutes).

The Traffic Navigator was a personal savior for me. While MMDA was already doing a good job of announcing traffic situations in the Metro via their Twitter account, it was still difficult to filter the timeline. For example, in the case of Tropical Storm Falcon, I was attending a despedida for a friend and it was raining cats and dogs outside. I went online before going home and checked MMDA’s Twitter timeline to see if the route I was taking was going to be flooded. I did find out but not after some amount of scrolling through the timeline searching for the tweet specific to what I needed.

With the Traffic Navigator, you get a visual image of the initial 6 lines that are up (EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Espana, C5, Roxas Blvd and SLEX), the various points along each line and the traffic situation in any of 3 colors – red, yellow and green. Just on the homepage alone, it’s easy to check the red (heavy traffic) points and make plans for an alternate route. The Traffic Navigator has a system view, line view, and a Google Map view so you get the situation from a macro or micro level.

At the formal launch, MMDA Chairman, Atty. Francis Tolentino; TV5’s Chief of News and Information Division, Ms. Luchi Valdes;  and TV5 Interaksyon.com’s editor-in-chief, Mr. Roby Alampay, talked about how the idea of Traffic Navigator was born and what they hoped it would achieve in terms of upping public service levels. MMDA’s Yves Gonzalez also explained how the app was being updated to reflect real-time traffic situations. Since it began operations, about 6,000 drivers and commuters have already consulted the Traffic Navigator.

The Traffic Navigator is so versatile that it will run on, and is optimized for, any PC-based or mobile browser. It has been tested to run smoothly on Wintel computers, Macs, Linux machines, iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads, Android phones, Windows Mobile, Opera, and any web browser currently installed on mobile gadgets.

Watch this short video to get a bird’s-eye view of Traffic Navigator:

Here’s more good news. While version 1.0 currently has 96 points and 6 lines, version 1.1 will have 140 points and 9 lines (plus an extended C5 line). Here are the additions:

* The C5 Line #4 which currently stops with Libis Flyover will be extended to include the following points: Bonny Serrano, P. Tuazon, Aurora Boulevard, Xavierville, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, C.P. Garcia, UP, Capitol Hills and Tandang Sora.

* An Ortigas line will be added to include (from point to point): C5 Flyover, Greenmeadows Ave., Lanuza Ave., Medical City, Meralco Ave., San Miguel Ave., EDSA Shrine, POEA, La Salle Greenhills, Connecticut, Wilson, Club Filipino, Roosevelt, Madison, and Santolan.

* A Commonwealth line will be added to include (from point to point): Batasan, St. Peter’s Church, Ever Gotesco, Diliman Preparatory School, Zuzuaregi, Gen. Malvar Hospital, Tandang Sora Eastside, Tandang Sora Westside, Central AVe., Magsaysay Ave., University Ave., and PhilCOA.

* A Marcos Highway line will be added to include (from point to point): San Benildo School, Robinson’s Metro East, F. Mariano Ave., Amang Rodriguez, Dona Juana, LRT-2 Station and SM City Marikina.

Carlo Ople then announced another new thing coming soon: Traffic Navigator will soon become a native app for the iPad and iPhone. This means you can fire it up directly without having to open up a browser. Analysis shows that about 14% of those who use Traffic Navigator do so via a mobile device. It makes sense then to make a native app.

The app will contain TV5 news, TV5 tweets and Traffic Navigator. Social media features are included, allowing you to share the traffic situation on Twitter and Facebook for friends who may not have the same access.

First view upon firing iPad app are top stories from TV5 as well as its tweets.
Each row can scroll left-right to reveal even more news.

How the Traffic Navigator renders on an iPad

How the app renders on an iPhone

Of course, while the team behind Traffic Navigator tries their best to keep the data accurate, there will be instances when information may be inaccurate. MMDA calls on us to help them keep the information accurate by tweeting them at @MMDANavigator or texting them at 0933-7401258.

Metro Manila Traffic Navigator
http://mmdatraffic.interaksyon.com

Free Coffee at McDo from Aug. 8-12, 2011

Posted on by jane

Hold your horses!!! You did not read it wrong, my dear readers!

From Aug. 8-12, 2011 you can get a warm, wonderful 8-oz. cup of McCafe Premium Roast Coffee — FOR FREE!

From 4AM to 10:30 AM, you will be treated to freshly-brewed coffee. Coupons will be distributed in selected offices, universities, terminals, colleges, churches and outside McDo stores nationwide starting August 5.

So if you are an insomniac who’s still up at 4AM, a wanna-be-like-J. K. Rowling writer who hangs out in coffeeshops while creating your dream book, or a blogger like me who may be suffering from writer’s block sometimes and needs something to jumpstart my writing day, head on over to McDonald’s on the days mentioned above and get your cup of 100% Arabica coffee.

For more details, head on over to McDo’s Facebook page and see how you can avail of this offer.

Shiok comes to Promenade, Greenhills in San Juan

Posted on by jane

(Update: This food outlet has closed already at Promenade, Greenhills)

The Food Club recently got an invite to visit and try the menu of the latest food place in Promenade, Greenhills – Shiok. In Fookien, shiok means “cheap” or “inexpensive”. I found out later from the chef-owners that it had a different meaning for their restaurant. Since their cuisine is primarily Singaporean, shiok in Singapore means “delicious”. That revelation set my mind up for a yummy dinner ahead.

 

We began with Steamed Kailan, a side dish that is prepared in oyster sauce. Kailan’s thick stems look like those of broccoli but the leaves are broad and flat. While waiting for the parade of main dishes, we were also served Teh C, which is coffee with milk tea, a fairly strong tea brew. Just fair warning to those extra sensitive to caffeine like me – this one can keep you alert for hours. So be careful about drinking it at night.
Steamed Kailan (PhP 80)

 

Teh C

Next came a Malaysian specialty – Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis, fried rice with anchovies. eggs, shrimps, and vegetables. This one I really loved because when I go to Chinese restaurants, our family normally orders salted fried rice (with salted fish). The added touch was the sambal, a popular condiment found in Malaysia and Singapore, served on a small spoon.

Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis (PhP 140)
The main dishes that were served to us came one after the other. I was unable to try all of them so I will first describe those I did.
Premium Hainanese Chicken
Premium Soy Chicken
For those who like white meat, try Shiok’s Premium Hainanese Chicken. You may ask what makes their dish different from the usual Hainanese chicken found in other restaurants. Their secret? Their chicken is imported. And the ginger/soy sauce/sesame oil sauce completes the dish. Now, if your preference is simply a soy sauce-marinated chicken, go for the Premium Soy Chicken.
Crispy Pork (PhP 180)
Traditional Cantonese roast

The Crispy Pork reminded me of the Chinese appetizers that usually precede lauriats. Try both dips.

Fried Fish with Eggplant (PhP 180)
Deep fried fish in special Cantonese oyster sauce mix

Fried Fish with Eggplant was one of my favorites. I liked the sauce that wrapped the fish, which turned out to be dory, my ever favorite fish fillet ingredient. While I am not a fan of eggplant as much as some of my kids are, I think it lends its flavor to the overall taste of the dish.

Nasi Bojari (PhP 345)
Malaysian spicy fried chicken, beef rendang, assam prawns and
served with a special fried rice

Nasi Bojari is a dish that allows you to taste a little of everything. You can even have beef rendang without ordering the entire Beef Rendang dish.

Smashed Chicken (Ayam Penyet) (PhP 190)
Spiced fried chicken served with kangkong, fried potatoes,
sambal sauce and a thick soy sauce

Since I am a chicken person, over beef and pork, the various chicken dishes really pleased me. The Smashed Chicken is another one I enjoyed that evening, especially with the touch of seasoned tempura flakes sprinkled over its top.

Spicy Pineapple Fish (PhP 150)
Deep-fried fish topped with Singaporean pineapple chili sauce

I thought the fried fish with eggplant was good but this one topped it. As you bite into the fish, it is a bit crunchy outside but steamed soft inside. The pineapple sauce was a good sweet/sour sauce combination.

The rest of the dishes served to us are below, with their prices:
Baked Beef Brisket Curry (PhP 250)
Beef curry baked over rice. Popular in HK & Singapore
Beef Rendang (PhP 345)
Beef hanging tenders simmered with coconut cream and chili
Fishball Kwey Teow (PhP 185)
Rice noodles w/ Singaporean fishballs, fish cake, bok choy,
ikan bilis, mint leaves, bean sprouts and fish skin
Nonya Laksa (PhP 325)
Noodles, fresh prawns fish cake, tofu in a spicy, coconut prawn gravy
topped with laksa leaves
Lastly, dessert! There was Roti Kaya and Pisang Goreng. I went for Pisang Goreng, a delicacy made of banana fritters topped with gula melaka, ice cream and cocoa powder. Yes, this ice cream lover cannot resist any dessert with ice cream in it.
Pisang Goreng
My girl, who was with me, was not feeling too well that evening so I had to cut short our dinner while the Food Club still lingered and bonded. Oh well, that means I need to come back another time.
Shiok
Ground Level, Promenade
Greenhills Shopping Center

My visual tour of Gardenia’s plant

Posted on by jane

Gardenia‘s meteoric rise in the bread industry to No. 1 is nothing short of spectacular. I remember my Mom telling me about a decade ago to buy Gardenia for my family (I was still buying another brand which I was familiar with growing up) and my reaction then was “What is Gardenia?” Today, ask anyone on the street what brand comes to mind when you say ‘bread’ and probably 9 out of 10 will say Gardenia.

I had been hearing about Gardenia’s plant tours and was secretly hoping I would have a chance to go some day. First, I wanted to know how all Gardenia breads were made since it was a permanent item on my shopping list. Secondly, I wanted to assure myself that the production process observed strict quality control. And third, just plain curiosity as to why Gardenia came from behind and overran all existing bread manufacturers.

My opportunity came last week when some of us bloggers were taken on a special tour of Gardenia’s plant inside the Laguna International Industrial Park in Binan, Laguna. Here’s what we saw and learned….

A nice surprise – a special banner welcomed us at the main lobby

In a special audiovisual room, we got to watch a video of the entire production process, after which the marketing manager also talked about how the finished breads are distributed throughout the country. Some trivia we picked up:

* Gardenia runs a machine that can produce 6,000 loaves of bread AN HOUR! In the same plant, they have a machine that can do 4,000 loaves/hour as well as a machine that can do 2,000 loaves/hour. In their recently opened Cebu plant, they use a machine that does 2,000 loaves/hour.

* From P137-M in total sales in 1995, Gardenia’s total sales in 2010 grew to P2.5-B. And based on a Nielsen audit in 2010, they command 67% of the bread market.

* Feeder trucks go out every day to different locations where smaller trucks meet them to further deliver the bread to the retail outlets so that consumers get them fresh every day.

* Every day also (esp for big retail outlets), unsold bread is taken back by Gardenia and brought to a holding area in the plant. There, contractors buy all the unsold bread. These are processed and broken down as fish meal. No returned bread is resold for human consumption. The holding area is thoroughly cleaned after all the bread is taken so that no chances of bacteria or molds can get into the production area.

Of course, nothing could beat actually seeing the entire production line from start to finish from a glass-enclosed viewing area high above the production floor so here we go…

Sponge and Dough Mixing Stages

50% of the bread’s ingredients are mixed and fermented in a cold room to develop the bread’s aroma. Once fermented, the other 50% of the ingredients are added in and mixed with the fermented dough.


Dividing, Rounding, Intermediate Proofing, Moulding Stages

At this stage, the dough is cut to size, rounded, and passed through a check weigher so that every loaf weighs the same. Cut dough that are over- or underweight drop from the conveyor belt into a pan. No hands touch the dough throughout this process. Those that pass the weight test are moulded into loaves.

Dough is divided and rounded
Rounded dough are weighed as they move on conveyor belts

Loaves about to have lids placed on them before baking

Spiral Cooling

Baked loaves are placed on a spiral cooler that has several open and turning circles, allowing air to freely go around the hot bread to cool it down prior to being packed and sealed. I watched like a child at the two giant mountains of bread slowly turning and turning. It was a fascinating sight.

Slicing, Bagging, Packing
The cooled loaves travel through an automatic slicer, then move on to an automatic bagger that stuffs the sliced bread into its familiar packaging. The G-lock is also attached at this point to seal the loaf. The bagged bread then moves to the final stage where these are placed on trays and sent to a distribution center where it is held prior to being loaded into feeder trucks.
Automatic slicing
Automatic bagging and sealing with G-lock system
Almost ready to ship out!
Distribution Center

The G-Lock Seal
When I used to buy bread before, my only concern was the expiration date. I thought the colors used for the plastic seals were just random to add some color to the entire packaging. It was only later that I found out that there was one color for every day of the week and signified the day the bread was delivered to the retail outlet.

Gardenia staffers remember the codes this way — TOY-BGRW

I did get to test this. I was at the grocery last Wednesday and the G-lock was supposed to be yellow. I checked the bread on the shelves. Yup – yellow G-locks! Now we know how to check for freshness.

As a mother, I was very happy to have seen the innards of Gardenia. I am comforted, seeing how they made the bread, that I would always have fresh bread for my family. For those of us who do not have luxuries like time to bake our own breads (or mothers who bake), Gardenia is the sure alternative.

I’d like to thank the entire team of Gardenia, most especially its President, Mr. Jun Umali, who took the time to be with us and patiently answer all our questions.

Bloggers with the Gardenia officers (the President, Mr. Umali, is the one with a tie)

Coming soon from Starbucks: Hot lunch sandwiches, new beverages

Posted on by jane

Beginning August 9, 2011, Starbucks patrons will be treated to a whole slew of new, hot lunch sandwiches. At a recent blogger event I was invited to, we were served seven (7) new sandwiches and got to taste two (2) new beverages coming up.

Celine Clemente, Starbucks’ Senior Category Specialist, is the woman behind these new sandwiches. I found out from her that they normally change menus once a year. (Hint: if you have a favorite lunch sandwich now, better eat it before August 9, hahaha).

We were also told that not all these sandwiches are heated up inside and out. Some of these sandwiches are served with the bread hot but the filling cold. That was a surprise for me as I always thought that everything was served hot. Apparently, some sandwiches’ tastes come out better when the filling is cold. This kind of heating, where only the bread is warmed, uses a convection oven. Note — each Starbucks branch has this kind of oven.

Another note. Only 4 out of the 7 sandwiches will be available nationwide. Another 2 will be available in all Starbucks branches except in Baguio, Boracay, Bacolod, Cebu, CDO, Davao, Iloilo and Naga. And to make up for this loss, the seventh variant will be available to those places that don’t serve the two sandwiches.

It was a good thing I skipped merienda that day because we got a taste of all 7 sandwiches. Here they are:

ALL BRANCHES

The Ultimate Grilled Cheese is a grilled cheese sandwich that has six different types of cheeses – Gruyere, Emmenthal, Feta, Provolone, Mozzarella and cheddar with slices of Hungarian sausage. Biting into it, you can taste a hint of roasted garlic and Italian herbed butter on the bread slices as well. I think this will be a favorite of cheese lovers.

A healthy option is the Roasted Chicken Pesto and Shiitake Mushroom on Flat Bread. It’s got roasted chicken breast fillet tossed with aromatic pesto mayo sauce and Shiitake mushroom and topped with melted Emmenthal and cheddar cheese on grilled flat bread.

Carnivores can opt for The Beef Brisket — slices of beef brisket covered with caramelized onions and Emmenthal cheese melted on chewy and crustyead. As I chewed on my share of this sandwich, I could distinctly taste the Dijon mustard spread which gave this sandwich a nice kick.

Vegetarians around the country can now celebrate a sandwich with them in mind. The Roasted Vegetables on Flat Bread sandwich is made of Mediterranean vegetables marinated in Italian spices and drizzled with mild chili dressing, served with grilled flat bread.

IN ALL BRANCHES (Except Baguio, Boracay, Bacolod, Cebu, CDO, Davao, Iloilo and Naga)

The Clubhouse is your traditional club sandwich stuffed with chicken breast. It is generously slathered with a pickle relish mixed in mayo mustard dressing with sliced tomato, honey ham, cheese and greens on toasted flat cranberry bread.

I love raisin bread. I love Waldorf salad. I love tuna. This sandwich puts them all together into a delicious hot sandwich. The Tuna Waldorf on Raisin Walnut Bread is a tuna salad tossed with red and green apples, roasted chopped walnuts, crunchy celery in yogurt mayo dressing and topped with hard‐boiled eggs, served in a raisin walnut bread.

ONLY IN BAGUIO, BORACAY, BACOLOD, CEBU, CDO, DAVAO, ILOILO, NAGA

Tuna Melt is tuna salad and creamy, melted cheese on toasted rye bread. It is topped with melted mozzarella cheese and sprinkled lightly with Spanish paprika.

TWO NEW BLENDED BEVERAGES

Coming to you too on August 9 in ALL BRANCHES are 2 blended beverages whipped up from other popular Starbucks beverages already: Hazelnut Mocha Frappuccino and Mint Java Chip Frappuccino.

Some of my blogger friends loved the Hazelnut Mocha variant but me? I went for the Mint Java Chip frappe because I just love mint chocolates and this one reminded me of it.
PLUS: A SINFUL CHEESECAKE
Our tummies were filled (almost) to the brim with the sandwiches and beverages but when there’s dessert, you always make space, right?
The name alone – Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cheesecake – is enough to warn people of its gustatory nature. It’s a rich, creamy and velvety chocolate cheesecake loaded with chewy-chunky fudgy walnut brownies and chocolate chips baked on a dark chocolate cookie crust. Yum!
On August 9, go to your favorite Starbucks branch and choose from any of the hot sandwiches and new blended beverages. Don’t forget the cheesecake! 

Thanks to the Starbucks team behind the event for having us.

Banapple Greenhills is now open!

Posted on by jane

I’ve been waiting for this for a long time now. And here it is. Banapple is now in Greenhills! Located at Northeast Square along Connecticut St., Banapple is one of several new restos near Northeast and East Greenhills.

Like its siblings in the Katipunan area, Banapple retains its bright, sunshine-y, orange-y look in its Greenhills branch. The orange ceiling lamps, the candy-striped wallpaper, and the homey ambience of children’s books in recessed walls give diners that warm feeling. Kids would love to linger here as they can while away time reading through the books on tables with a surface made of colorful pebbles in different designs.

The Greenhills branch also has the usual fare of breads and dessert.
When we were invited to try out their food fare, they did not have their new menu yet but just a heads-up for you all to ask for their new food items next time you visit.

This is what we tried the day we visited.

I began with a cup of their Cafe Latte. Normally I would go for a stronger cup but this was already my second coffee serving for the day so I opted for the lighter coffee variant.

Cafe Latte (PhP 85)


Noemi and I, being health-conscious, then ordered salads next.

Insalata Rustico (PhP 135)

We started with a healthy salad, Insalata Rustico — fresh mixed greens with piquant black olives, sliced tomatoes, grated parmesan cheese, and toasted almond slivers. The salad is drizzled with a garlic dressing.

Asian Sunshine Salad (PhP 140)
And yet another salad, Asian Sunshine salad — greens, cucumber sticks and crabsticks, topped with sweet mandarin oranges and crisp wonton skins. A honey-sesame oil dressing completes the salad.

Next came the meats and fish. All Banapple entrees come with seasoned garlic rice.

Lasagna Roll-ups (PhP 180)
Banapple’s Lasagna Roll-ups are presented differently from most lasagna dishes. The roll-ups make it easier to cut up and share. Generous slatherings of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese can be found on top and on the sides of each roll-up. An added touch — toasted bread.
Pan-Fried Porkloin w/ Herbed Mushroom Gravy (PhP 180)

I took a picture of this but since I was not in the mood for meats that day, I opted to just take a photo of the Pan-Fried Porkloin. Pan-fried in olive oil (healthy!) and seasoned with herbs, it is slathered with a thick mushroom and herb gravy and served up with carrots and corn.

Breaded Fillet of Cream Dory with Honey Thyme Mustard Sauce (PhP 185)

Oh, I am such a Dory person so I left space in my tummy for the Breaded Fillet of Cream Dory. And true enough, I was not disappointed. The fillet was very soft and tasty and the honey thyme mustard sauce was a great complement for it. 

Banapple won’t be Banapple if we did not try their desserts. These were the ones I sampled. Both were yummy but personally, Banoffee Pie won me over. No wonder it’s what Banapple is known for.
Banoffee Pie

Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake

And to give you a flavor of their other desserts, here is a quick tour:

No need to travel all the way to Katipunan for a Banapple fix. For many who have found the 2 Banapples in Katipunan always full and hard to find seats, at least there’s an alternative now nearer us.

Banapple Greenhills
2nd level, Northeast Square
47 Connecticut St., Northeast Greenhills
Open daily from 7:30 am – 11:30 pm

Globe SUPERUNLIALLTXT – only P25 a day

Posted on by jane

I’m a prepaid Globe user. I was a postpaid user before but shifted to prepaid when I stopped working and did not need to make as many calls as I used to.

Prepaid plans have served me well. I’ve used Globe’s UNLITXT, SULITXT, SUPERSURF and POWERSURF plans depending on whether I needed to do a lot of texting or surfing the web.

But today, Globe did a one-up by launching their SUPERUNLIALLTXT plan. From that long word alone, you can guess that it combines features from the other prepaid text and surfing plans they have.

SUPERUNLIALLTXT costs P25/day only. Not bad! And here are its features:

* Unlimited texting to any network carrier – Globe, TM, Talk ‘n Text, Smart, Sun for a day

* One hour FREE internet browsing

To register to SUPERUNLIALLTXT: Type UALL25 and send to 8888. Minimum balance of P1 is needed to continue using this service.

Mobile users who text and browse the internet have a better option now. In my case, I usually use a 3G connection while on the road to stay connected. Instead of subscribing to a text plan AND an internet plan, this is what I can use from now on.

Coca-Cola can glasses are here!

Posted on by jane

The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald’s Corporation have partnered once again to offer a series of 6 colored Coke can glasses. Only 13 McDonald’s markets in the Asia Pacific region, including the Philippines, will be able to avail of this offer so it is a true collectible for Coke collectors.

Every time you go to McDonald’s and avail of an Extra Value Meal, you can get a Coca-Cola can glass in your color of choice: blue, charcoal, green, lime, pink and purple. Just add P25 to get one glass.

This is the first time that the contemporary-shaped Coke can glass will be available through McDonald’s. This is what John Hackett, Coca=Cola Pacific Group Marketing, Customer and Commercial Director said, “Coca-Cola glasses are unique collector’s items, and as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Coca-Cola in 2011 we are excited to offer the Coca-Cola can glass to McDonald’s Asia consumers for the first time. We know consumers will enjoy collecting the multiple colors, and the fizz of Coca-Cola at McDonald’s”.
Start collecting now. Get the entire color collection or match the glasses to your dining set by getting several of one color. 
Which color/s are you planning to get?

Those hip Urbanears headphones are in Digital Walker!

Posted on by jane

When it comes to headphones, I tend to ask friends for recommendations before buying because those hip-looking earphones I see in computer shops may be eye candy but may not necessarily have great sounds. This is why my last purchase was the original Apple earphones with a built-in mike which set me back some P1,600. Better safe than sorry.

When Carlo invited me to Digital Walker Eastwood’s launch of Urbanears headphones, I thought that I’d have the chance to check out something other than Apple products. The Apple earphones I had were okay, sound-wise, but the metal earpieces hurt my ears after prolonged use. I was longing to find another option.

Urbanears is a company out of Stockholm, Sweden. Their team is made up of entrepreneurs, industrial and graphic designers, tech nerds, former retailers, salesmen and businessmen. They have backgrounds not only in electronics and design but in fashion as well. Their aim is to produce earphones that do not just have excellent sound quality but great fashion sense as well.

Vic Icasias of Technoodling

I picked up some very interesting trivia about Urbanears from Technoodling.net blogger, Vic Icasias:

* The models – Urbanears’ 4 models (Bagis, Tanto, Medis, Plattan) are derived from the names of suburbs in Sweden. In fact, the coordinates of each town is found in the packaging of the related Urbanears, just like this one.

* The colors – The way Urbanears chooses its colors intrigued me because this is one of their popular come-ons to the young generation. They release 2 collections annually. Each collection has about 12 colors but halfway through a cycle, it releases another 2 colors. Choice of shades try to achieve a balance between dark and light, masculine and feminine, classic and experimental. While black and white are mainstay colors in each collection, their other shades are changed from collection to collection. We were told that if you saw a shade you liked, you better buy the headphones already as you are not likely to see it again.

* The packaging – Whatever is the packaging’s color is the earphone/headphone’s color. Now that makes everything easy, right? Also, the packaging materials are almost all biodegradable. I noticed that everything was made of carton and the headphones/earphones were not stored in plastics.

Smart, compact packaging

 
No plastics!

* The fabric cord –  Unlike the usual earphones and headphones that are wrapped in rubber or plastic, Urbanears earphones and headphones are wrapped entirely in fabric. We were told that the purpose was to improve noise reduction, sound quality and prevent tangles.

* The microphone – This one I like. All their models have built-in microphones. You don’t see that in other earphone brands!

Here are the different models:

Bagis (SRP Php 1,200)

This is the entry-level model. It’s an in-ear type of earpiece for direct sound and efficient noise reduction. The rubber housing is the soft kind so it is very comfortable on the ears. A unique feature of the Bagis is that it snaps together so it can be worn around the neck.

Tanto (SRP P1,950)

The Tanto was made for maximum mobility. It is lightweight, portable and has a minimalistic look.

Medis (SRP (PhP 2,450)
This headphone combines ergonomics and functionality. Its Earclick solution secures the earpiece at two points instead of the usual one. This relieves pressure to almost nil.
 Plattan (SRP PhP2,950)
This is the classic headphone, an on-ear model. But it is not a fixed headphone. It folds down to the size of a fist and flat enough to be easily packed in luggage. It’s winning feature is the ZoundPlug that allows another friend to plug into the Plattan and share your music in full stereo sound.

I was very happy that Digital Walker gave Bagis earphones to each of the bloggers so that right there and then, we could test the sound as well as at home. I plugged mine into the iPad I had with me and the sound was very good. So far, I’ve also plugged it into my Macbook and got very good sounds.

For comparison, I did listen to my music again using the Apple earphones I already have. The volume level using the Apple earphones seemed to allow me to make the music louder. The Urbanears earphones, at maximum, seemed pegged at a lower decibel. Maybe those who listen to rock or prefer their volume high would balk. But for me, a Mom whose kids have earphones almost permanently glued to their ears, I would go for Urbanears because it seems kinder and gentler to the ears and yet produces very good stereo sounds.

Considering that I bought my Apple earphones with microphone for about PhP 1,600 some years back, the Urbanears Bagis (which is bundled also with a mike) at PhP 1,200 is a very good option to consider.

Drop by Digital Walker at Eastwood Mall, Eastwood City, Libis and check out their range of Urbanears headphones. There’s a big plus there — they are right beside a Digital Walker Cafe! Shop and snack in just one place.

Nominate your 10 bets for the Globe Tatt Awards now!

Posted on by jane

When it comes to adapting to technology, Pinoys are definitely not far behind but oftentimes, waaaay ahead! And we have taken like fish to water as well with social media, making the Philippines known as the Social Networking Capital of the world.

Recognizing that as many as 95% of online Pinoys are into social media, Globe Tattoo has launched the first ever Tatt Awards — a series of awards recognizing Filipinos who have used their passion and energy to create a strong, unforgettable social media presence.

Timed to launch last June 30 with the second annual celebration of Social Media Day, an initiative of award-winning social media and tech news site, Mashable, the Tatt Awards seek to find 10 awardees in 10 different categories to be the first to be recognized in the field of social media.

Judging will consist of social media peers as well as the Tatt Awards Council of Judges including veteran journalist and the force behind ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs initiatives Maria Ressa; Rock Ed Philippines founder Gang Badoy; prolific blogger and entrepreneur Cecile Zamora-Van Straten; tech blogger supreme and Tattoo ambassador Rico Mossesgeld; Flippish star and YouTube personality, director, and video blogger Kring Elenzano; RX radio DJ Chico Garcia; President of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association (IMMAP) Hans Roxas-Chua; and Tattoo Head of Nomadic Broadband Business, Dong Ronquillo.

4 of the 8 judges (L-R): Dong Ronquillo, Gang Badoy, Rico Mossesgeld, Kring Elenzano

Nominations are already open and will run till July 14, 2011. After the nomination period, the nominees in each category will be shortlisted and will undergo another screening round with the judges.

You can nominate anyone (or in the case of some categories, any group) and you can nominate as many people as possible. Here are the 10 categories:


1. Word Slayer: Here’s an award for a blogger whose mastery of words showed wit, humor and grit to the Philippine blogosphere. Others followed and tried to copy but can’t. The person should maintain a blog heavy with stories told dominantly through text, as opposed to photos and videos. At least 60% of the blog’s content from June 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 should be posts with 200 words or more. It can be on any platform (Blogger, WordPress, Tumblr, etc.).

2. Video Slinger: Moving pictures do not just speak a thousand words, they speak millions. This award is for that one video maker (individual or group) who shook the Pinoy web space with his creations, ignited thoughts, and entertained people online. The person can have one video or a collection of videos with original content. It can be hosted in their very own video channel like Youtube or Vimeo or embedded on a blog, Facebook page or other social media channels.

3. #Thought-Mover: Twitter ain’t for geeks. Twitter is for changing the world. Here is an award for a person that started fire in the Philippine Twittersphere and united people around one thought. In 140 characters or less! The person should have a Twitter account which started one unique hashtag between June 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. One unique hashtag per nomination.

4. The Artiste: Hundreds if not thousands of people share their art goodness to the world via the web. We look for an inspiring person whose fiery passion for creating visual art through original graphic design, animation or photography has caught fire in the Philippine online art scene. The art can be in the form of photo or video in any format. It can be hosted in their very own photo or video channel like Flickr, Tumblr, or Youtube. It can be on a blog, Facebook page or other social media channels.

5. The Advocate: This award goes to a person or a group of individuals who worked to improve the state of a societal cause in the Philippines through social media. This person or group invested time and effort (and sometimes even money) for the betterment of other people’s lives. The nominees can have a photo/video/audio channel, a blog, a Facebook page/app or a Twitter account on environmental, political, educational and other relevant advocacies.

6. Indie Rocker: This is for musical bands and indie artists who fought hard to claim their space in the hearts of the Filipino audience who knew that webtime is better than airtime. They created, shared, and now they lead people’s hearts through original music. The person can be part of a group or a solo artist. The songs can be in the form of audio or video in any length and format. They should be dominantly original (more than 50% of musical content). The content can be hosted in their very own music or video channel like MySpace or Youtube. It can be on a blog, Facebook page or other social media channels.

7. Stylisimo: This is for that one person that not only reviewed fashion but also set one that everyone followed and loved. This covers all Philippine fashion niches like clothes, events, and personalities. S/he can have a photo/video/audio channel, a Lookbook account, a blog, a Facebook page or a Twitter account to showcase his/her stylish posts.

8. Ballbreaker: For the opinion that launched tons of comments or retweets, from the person with so much balls to make that legendary post in the first place. S/he should be a blogger or a Twitter user who started a debate or revolution of opinions with just one (1) hard-hitting post. Everyone linked to it, posted a comment, shared it on their walls and retweeted the person’s thoughts because of an idea that’s meant to trend and spread like virus. It sparked a series of conversations in the Philippine social media space that will be remembered for a very long time.

9. Tech Junkie: Informed, in tune and in check with the latest in tech, this person do not only present us with access to the latest in trends, but also the backstage of the fast pace world of e-knowledge. From ground breaking gear to life changing technology, this netizen is always in on the action. Whether a blogger, a Twitter user, or a podcaster, S/he is always on the forefront of all things tech-related in the Philippines.

10. The One: The most influential trendsetter that shaped opinion, moved people, and ultimately starting fire in Philippine internet. This person is ahead of the pack in terms of online popularity and content. S/he may come from any background and engages on any platform. S/he can have one channel of engagement or an ecosystem of social media channels that you handle under your brand or name.

Nominations are HERE.
Rules are HERE.

And here’s a short video of what it’s all about.

Come and join. Nominate your social media peer and participate in the voting!