SCTRI.EXE?

Was noticing some irregularities with my settings and internet connection so I scanned my computer with my Avast! Anti virus. I already did it last night so I expected it to run smoother tonight. It did, without alarming that there were viruses. I thought that maybe the virus was already out but some setting were changed so I tried System Recovery. I couldn't get any successful previous settings so I thought of maybe reformatting and reinstalling my OS. This was my last resort only of course.

With the sporadic internet connectivity that I got, I persistently tried to go to Download.com. Many times in the past, even with my old system, I was able to download optimizer programs and other free ones that could help me with my problem. From the top downloaded list, AVG was there and I noticed a program called Advanced SystemCare. I have used system optimizers before and I thought that I would need one right now. I had to refresh a few times but I was able to get the programs to run anyway.

Got the optimizer first since it was way smaller than AVG. It was quite complete and I was able to use most of it. Haven't exactly felt the results yet but I'm sure that my system is now running faster than usual.

On the other hand, I was sure that AVG did much help to me and my connection. It was able to detect that I had a SCTRI.EXE virus in my system right after I updated its database and scanned my hard drive. It was able to try to heal or remove the files infected but it wasn't able to restore my settings. There would still be some sort of glitches but at least I'm not infected anymore here.

Next thing to do is to get a good Firewall program, I guess.

Meanwhile, I'm still recovering from an illness. Hopefully I continue to get better this weekend as I would need to go to a medical exam on Tuesday the latest.

Red Mobile Review

Yes, I did love Sun Cellular but lately it seems that its service has worsened. I've noticed Red right after U Mobile died but wasn't able to get a free SIM from CURE since I left my U SIM out of a phone before offers were given. Anyway, it didn't give me any interest before since I wasn't really into 3G phones. I just let go of my unlimitedness and exchanged one of my phones with a friend to try out Red.

I've tried the PLDT SIM which also saddles on the Smart network but it was a hassle because of the constant feedback from the calls. I figured Red would have the same signal and there were some signal at home but still it was scarce. There would be times that it would be good and then minutes after it would be gone. But that's just the way the Smart signal is at home. Outside that, it would be excellent. True enough, Red's signal was the same as Smart's and PLDT's. It was something that I just had to live with if I am to use it at home.

The good thing about Red is that it does require you to have a 3G phone and signal but with every time I would have a signal it would already be 3G. The rates bring out the best in the network. Although I thought they could still lower the rates on texts, the others were really reasonable. Having phone calls and video calls at 0.50 cents per minute leaves me thinking if I could consume 10 pesos per day. Another con for Red is that it drains the battery much faster since you only use 3G signal for its services and loading options aren't as wide as others yet.

Even if at times calls get cut, overall, Red has become much better for me than Sun and it's worth every 0.50 cents that you would use.

You'd have to see the way it closes

Heard about Slumdog Millionaire right before it started winning and finally I've seen it. And yes, it deserves all the hype and its wins. You would not be disappointed! Its best part is its script, the way two timelines intertwine to form a masterpiece that ends with triumph simply grips you! Slumdog is the best film I've seen in years.

Char Lang!

You have got to watch The Thank You Girls! Showing at Robinson's IndieSine until January 27! It's simply entertaining.



Here's the synopsis from the official site:

"The 'Thank You' Girls" is a Visayan film with a gay lingo twist.

Tired of losing in all the beauty competitions in Davao City, five dysfunctional gay beauty pageant veterans decide to travel north to Cagayan de Oro City, in the island of Mindanao.

Their mission: to conquer the grandest competition of beauty, personality and brains in the whole province.

They believe that being city dwellers, gays in the province will never stand a chance against them.

SE C510

Apparently, advanced press releases have been working again for me. I've read about this phone and wanted it instantly! First of all because it is attainable and second, it promises extreme value for my money. It's only a 3MP camera phone but it has advanced camera features. It's an SE so the quality is sure to be good even at just that level. Another is that its software features threaded messaging. That's something that I've been looking for since I've seen it in Palm devices. The design is normal but I could live with that. It's only January and I already lust for it. There have been releases that it'd be out on February while the latest could be Q2 of 2009. Whenever it'd be out, I'd be looking out for it.

Takbong May Yabang sa UP DILIMAN

Sumama at Makiisa sa TAKBONG MAY YABANG

Takbong May Yabang sa UP DILIMAN – 4.4K at 8.8K Fun Run

Date: February 1, 2009 (Sunday)
Registration starts at 5:00am
Race starts at 6:00 am
Venue: UP DILIMAN ACADEMIC OVAL
Registration Fee: P250
*For the benefit of the "Yabang Pinoy programs & events in UP DILIMAN”

* Please contact Yabang Pinoy advocate - Faith Pagulayan at 0906.301.3557 or email debbie2bme@yahoo.com or fjpagulayan@up.edu.ph for any questions you may have.

Produktong may Yabang

Got an email about the upcoming events of Yabang Pinoy and it solicited me to list down Filipino products that I use. So here's the list...

1. Hapee Toothpaste!
2. Dodong Purontong
3. Shirts from The T-shirt Project, Cheshire Cat, Sigaw Sambit
4. Author's Avenue leather journal
5. Pampanga's Best, Mekeni
6. Ricoa
7. Unionbank
8. Kape ni Juan
9. Jollibee!

...these are the brands that I remember right now but I'm sure there are more. Care to share your list?

E-heads set for a final music fest!

Supreme, the Saturday section of Philippine Star, has just announced it! March 7, 2009 will be the date for "The Final Set" concert of the Eraserheads! Tim Yap may have told us to move on but hey, they're giving us another reason to hold on to the legend that was formed in 1989. Now, go get your vocal chords ready!

Have you gone to the Apple Store?

Many do not know it yet but a local online Apple store has been up for quite a while now. Although I don't exactly have the budget for it right now, it's nice to see an online catalog from the actual company. I'm ensured that I get the latest prices for the latest offerings that they have. They might have slightly higher prices, I'm not so sure, but they have perks like having engravings and having exclusive product colors such as the iPod Nano (Product) red special edition.



This particular product supports an international campaign against AIDS. And yes, I want one.

Last of '08 (and early '09s)

New Sense of New Year

For the most part that I have been conscious of time, I've never really saw how a second's change every time the year ends could mean so much. It was simply just another day changing for me. Plus fireworks, food, and some fun, of course.

Eventually though, the powers that be gave me much reason to see how a new year is really a good start.

Earlier last month, my grandmother moved on to unphysical things.

At about the same time, things snowballed in my first job. Conflicts in values arose and circumstances led me to knowing that I've lost too much time already with my family and even with friends. It was time for me to be more regular. The thought "I miss my weekends" have been lingering in my mind for months already and this was the nudge that it was now time to go. I did want to go earlier but the nature of the job asked me to stay even up to just the end of the previous year.

Another family-related change was that my sister finally came back home. She did try living on her own but it's still different financially when you do live at home. The change is in adjusting to having her here again practically all the time as we are both jobless as of now. By choice for me, at least.

With changes always come opportunities. Being jobless has made me open to more time to learn driving, finding a job that I could love more and where I could apply what I studied more, and more rediscoveries and discoveries.

It's not just the year that has changed, but my existence has made a sharp but welcome curve.