FB post of my kid brother, Noel. WE are so PROUD OF YOU!!!

Election 2010 - 1st Automated Election in the Philippines

To many, the May 10 election came as a shock. There were a lot of allegations that it would be rigged and the presidential candidates who asked for manual parallel count would be affected. But when the first transmission was received at 8:36PM, which took less than 10 minutes to import and parse, those who saw the first partial unofficial results were relieved to find out that front-runners came from different parties. We aired the first set of data around 9:15PM.

The objective of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas is to deliver timely information to the public and to act as watchdog. The KBP Board of Directors met with Comelec to coordinate and ask for information on how the election would be conducted. The initial talks resulted with KBP to be given PDF files showing election returns which it would collate to tabulate. In a subsequent meeting with the IT heads of different KBP member networks, they requested for a different type of file. After a few days, we were told that apparently, HTML will be the type of file that would be given... and then PDF again.

Because the workstations connected to Smartmatic's server at Pope Pius were only 5 (these were used by KBP-2, PPCRV-2, Others, including non-KBP member networks and different parties), and downloading all 76,475 ER's would take around 2 months, the KBP Board headed by Chairman Ruperto Nicdao, Jr. and President Herman Basbano decided to explore the possibility of partnering with PPCRV.

We met with Ms. Anna Singson of PPCRV at KBP office on the day The Inquirer said that KBP and PPCRV would meet to discuss about the election. Anna said that for them, it would take 1 month to finish tabulating the PDF's but if PPCRV and KBP would help eachother, we can bring it down to 10-14 days. And if the non-KBP member networks would join us (GMA and NBN), their extra workstation would expedite the process. We will just divide the workstations into different regions so we won't make waste time downloading duplicate PDF's.

KBP knew that in the interest of the people, its members had to set aside differences and unite for this single purpose. And with PPCRV, the puzzle would be complete.

That's how I witnessed the start of the partnership between KBP and PPCRV.

Just when the IT people were preparing for Plan C wherein we would download PDF's, we were told by KBP's Executive Director Mr. Hulog that our request was granted by Comelec. However, the company that was supposed to do the tabulation program for KBP already backed out.

Mr. Hulog then approached me after the meeting and asked if we could do something for the members. Though Vanguard Radio Network's initial plan was to be one of the tabulators just like ABS-CBN and MBC and air the results for the benefit of our own listeners/viewers, I agreed to help and do the program under KBP. Thus, the program or software was called 2010 National Election Results for KBP Members. Its creation started 2 weeks before the election.

I remember my friend from MBC, Mr. Jomai Parroco, coming up to me during the culmination of the KBP anniversary in April, asking me how the program was doing. I said it was making progress. He said, "Surely, you have a team that helps you do it". Reluctantly, I said, yes, because I saw the different IT teams and I didn't want the members to fear that the program was being done by one person only. Well, I also thought that technically, I had a team. Whenever there was something that needed an answer, my "Google" team never failed me. So Jomai, I'm sorry, but I really intended to tell you this... after the election. ;) However, your IT person, Tyrone, was seated beside me so I know that while the computer I used shared the information with the outside world and his workstation tabulated independently, the results were the same. That is the beauty of being under one organization. We tabulated separately using different proprietary scripts, but were able to counter check our data.

All 122 KBP member networks representing more than 600 stations nationwide were given user/password combinations so they may give the information to their listeners/viewers as the KBP Unofficial Partial Count or compare it with their results. Unlike the proposed program by the other company, the one shared with KBP can drill down from national, to regional, to city/municipal, to barangay, and up to clustered precinct levels. The data was only available to members so that people would tune in to their stations. The power of radio was shown as its relevance was acknowledged by the people in the provinces. Because national television cannot tell a person who won as councilor in his area, he would tune in to his favorite radio station and text his "requested" election result.

Last night, I was given a plaque of appreciation by KBP which states "In recognition of his unselfish service that made it possible for KBP member radio and television stations throughout the country to bring to the Filipino people in a timely and relevant manner the results of the historic 2010 automated elections. Given this 19th day of May, 2010 at the Crown Regency Hotel, Makati City Phils, signed Herman Basbano-Pres., and Ruperto Nicdao Jr.-Chairman."

Thanks to the KBP members for believing that we can be united in delivering timely information to the public as one organization.

Thanks to the different IT heads of KBP networks for coming up with great plans that we would use as a team in case we had to do a quick count for 60 days.

Thanks to Raffy Barreiro, owner of RX93.1. While some members were complaining, he gave very encouraging words as we fixed the DSL to give the members access to the server.

Thanks to Ate Nora and the rest of the staff of KBP for making sure that we were taken care of.

Thanks to Exec. Dir. Rey Hulog for suggesting that I do the tabulation program for KBP.

Thanks to Election Committee Chairman Erwin Galang for being able to pull all the necessary resources together, including the partnership with LoadCentral.

Thanks to Jeff, Steve, Jomarc Orpiada and the rest of LoadCentral for sharing their server for KBP's use at Pius Center and for the sleepless nights that they spent to ensure that KBP gives the quickest but accurate count. Jomarc still goes to Pius everyday to send us the latest files.

Thanks to all the representatives of KBP member networks who stayed at Pius. This includes Mar of Bombo. We have shown that regardless of the different competing networks we represent, we can work together.

Thanks to the men and women of Vanguard Radio Network for their cooperation which led to our first networkwide simulcast.

Thanks to Bruce Mones, Sherwin Racelis and Gear Arellano for not hesitating to help when they were most needed. Bruce, you made our vision in 1997 a reality. Sherwin and Gear, we were the ones talking about it during that time. (You too, Diadz Louis.)

Thanks to my family, especially my wife, Jenn, Kitkat, Boing and Neil, for supporting me while I did the program for 2 weeks, day and night.

Thanks to Comelec for allowing us to get the files that enabled us to tabulate quickly.

Thanks to PPCRV's Anna Singson for pushing for the type of file that we needed.

Thanks to the BOD of KBP for making the right decision to partner with PPCRV as non-KBP members benefited from it by receiving the same files we asked for (kaya panalo ang lahat ng Pilipino).

Thanks to the Filipino people, for lining up on May 10, eventhough it was very inconvenient, but still did their duty and hoped that the election would be credible.

Thanks to my dad, Manuel Gregorio Galvez, Jr., for buying me a thick "Mastering PHP 4.1" book worth P1,395 on Jan. 6, 2003 with the following dedication: "To Noel, May this book help quench your thirst for knowledge and understanding in this special field of endeavor...Love, Daddy". After 7 years, you have seen how that single act of generosity towards your son made a BiG difference in the country.

Thanks to Junior Chamber International - Makati or JCI, for always reminding us that "Service to humanity is the best work of life".

And thank God for giving me the privilege to use my passion for the benefit of this nation.

It's great to be a Filipino!

ALIENS

“There once was a town full of people who grew hysterical because they saw mysterious lights in the sky that they taught were Flying saucers passing overhead. Everybody became paranoid. Everybody suspected everyone as being aliens disguised as humans. Their fear grew when the town was suddenly plunged into total darkness. All houses had power failure, except for a few. Those who lived in them were suspected as part of the alien invasion. Since they could not explain the glitch why their houses had lights and the others didn’t, they were killed by the townspeople. The family who lived in the next house that got back its light were killed by the townspeople too. One by one, as the houses regained power, the people who lived in it got mobbed to death. This went on until all houses lit up, recovering from the brown out.

By then, everyone was dead.

There were no aliens that died that day. And they didn’t even have human collaborators in that town.

The alien invaders were safely orbiting the earth in their spaceship. The mysterious lights the people saw were small, minor lasers targeting the computers of the power plant of the town. The resulting computer glitch was only equally small and resulted in temporary random minor brown outs. But this small computer glitch served its purpose for the aliens: they didn’t have to kill any humans themselves. The stupid humans, with their innate paranoia, ignorance of technology, and murderous distrust of each other are perfectly capable of doing that job themselves.”

I heard this story a long time ago. It’s something I call “Kwentong Barbero.” But in the light of what is happening today I find the story very relevant. I just heard over the radio that Losers in the just concluded elections, the ones I call League Of Losers (LOL), have banded together to question the PCOS machines. They presented a witness. With his disguise he looks like he descended from the Makapilis whose noble lineage can be traced all the way back to the alien invasion of the Philippines by the Japanese during World War II.

They seemed to be determined to move heaven and earth to prove that the election results were faulty, especially in their districts where they lost. They would rather see the national elections nullified or atleast see the country dragged back to the dark ages with interminable manual recounting of the ballots. Like in the story, we stupid humans are perfectly capable of shooting ourselves in the foot while standing on each other’s heads.

What these League Of Losers (LOL) have not realized is that their predictable defiance in accepting defeat has always been part and parcel of the master plan of Invading Aliens who are safely orbiting the earth in the space ship called Malacanang.

She didn’t have to rig the elections in favor of their candidate.

She didn’t have to plot failure of elections.

She didn’t have to lift a finger.

It will be given to her while she Laughs Out Loud (LOL)

All she has to do is sit this one out

and wait…

and wait…

And wait…

Blog ni Sage

sagesabesadememories.blogspot.com

Ayheen on Election Day

I wonder what she's thinking...

"Angel!: If there were a place that we didn’t know of

and there, on some unsayable carpet,

lovers displayed what they could never bring to mastery here—

the bold exploits of their high-flying hearts,

their towers of pleasure,

their ladders that have long since been standing

where there was no ground,

leaning just on each other, trembling,—

and could master all this,

before the surrounding spectators,

the innumerable soundless dead:

Would these, then, throw down their final,

forever saved-up,

forever hidden,

unknown to us,

eternally valid

coins of happiness

before the,

at last,

genuinely smiling pair on the gratified carpet?"

IRON MAN 2 (MAY 1, 2010)

We watched it on Labor Day. Which is IRONic since May 1 is worker's day while IRON MAN movie is about a billionaire prick who heads the biggest military industrial complex and thinks that Iron Man is a Capitalist's Tool... Sorry guys, that's what I get for talking with Rejectionists and Reaffirmists. Linchak.


I snitched the picture below from Sage's FB account (Sorry, man.)

Sabine's 1st Bouquet

Dear Sabine, After your ballet recital, you went back to the stage with that bouquet to take a bow. You were hugging the flowers close to you like a babe in swaddling clothes. You looked more perfect with it in your arms. There’s a stuffed toy that comes with it. We just gave it to you when we boarded the car (It’s a cat we named “Snowbelle.”)

The bouquet of colorful flowers of spring is from Holland Tulips. The “tulip” in the wrapper is predominantly… tangerine-- Not exactly the color of integrity these days. So I asked the florist to make sure that it gets tied together by a big yellow ribbon. When we went to TagKawayan (TK) the following day, we brought along your bouquet, Sabine. Your Mom removed the ribbon and tied it to the top of the van.

I swear to God, if she murmurs Noynoy’s name in her sleep I’d hunt him down and break that sonamagun in half with my bare hands.

Our Degas

Gutsy Sadie. Junior ko.

Trampoline at Eastwood

After Sabine's Ballet recital, we went to Eastwood for a snack at KFC. Then we took a stroll and ended up enjoying some "air time"

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Dad just turned 79 years old today. We went bowling at SM North EDSA. He rolled a 114. May he reach that age with MORE health, wealth and happiness.

Wakeboard

In front of our log cabin, just before our wakeskating and kneeboarding adventure.

Sage Kneeboarding at CWC

Zipline with Sage

the zipline wasn't really that fast. it's more like a "ZZZ" line. but the gentle speed afforded us the luxury of enjoying the view of the lake and the canopy of the trees just a few stories below us.

So many girls, so little time... WAAAAAHHH!!!




Tristan: Dad, you know your boobs are bigger than the first grader chick who was hitting on me yesterday?

Me: Dude, unless you can take me on the ring with the gloves off, I suggest you lay off talking about my manboobs. capisce?

Tristan: Chill old man. I'm just messin' with you.

Me: Hey, wanna check out the french chicks by the pool?

Tristan: As long as you promise me you won't tell Mom, The Sisters,

Me: Scout's honor, dude.

Tristan: Swweeettt...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAGE!

Sage, you chose a very simple cake (Brazo de mercedes type.) And blew a candle that even though had seen better days, was made special because it was the only candle who heard you make your 10th bday wish

Gun Ban...

Sabine as an out of this world "Kitloyd"

The North Face

Dear Kids,

Yesterday was my 42nd Birthday on this Earth, I was lucky enough to have a woman who indulges me my every whim. I asked her if I could go wall climbing and like a sexy genie in a bottle, she granted my wish. Off we went to Market! Market at the Fort.


It was around 11:30 AM. While everyone in the world was watching Manny Pacquiao pummel a low calibered fighter named Clottey, I was living a very small part of my dream.

The dudes manning the Sandugo.Ph wall climbing facility at fifth floor of Market! Market! told us that we only have to pay P50 per climb. It was a come on for the undecided to make them shift from being an onlooker to a wannabee adventurer. What they fail (or deliberately failed) to tell us was we have to pay an additional 200 pesos for the dudes outside who will stay on the ground as we climb up. They will pull on the harness attached to us to break our fall or pull us down when we have completed the climb. I had to grudgingly shell out precious moolah.

After putting on the harness I began my self-propelled ascent to the top of the world… I mean… wall.
Itutuloy...

testing

123

Akyat Center

When I was a kid as a treat to me when we visit Manila, My Dad would usually drive by Roxas boulevard so that we can see the then lonely monolith, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, rising from what used to be the waters of Manila Bay. Once sighted, I remember I always excitedly wrap my arms around my Mother’s neck as I try to pull myself up from the car seat while shouting “Akyat Center, Akyat Center!” (It was a signal to my Dad. I wanted him to drive the car up the ramp of the Cultural Center so that we can view the length of Roxas Boulevard from the top and then glide down on the other end like a slow moving plane coming back to the level of the earth). That was “the event” that I usually looked forward to whenever we came over for the Christmas Holidays.

My Dad is still fond of telling this story to his grand kids, or at least to those who would patiently listen.

My parents kept on with the routine of taking me to the top of the CCP until those who ran the complex wised-up and started to politely refuse the general public access to the ramps.

That’s why ever since I can remember CCP, had a mystical hold on me-- even though the shows regularly held there were not interesting to me. Because, frankly, they are beyond my budget for entertainment. To me they were expensive and uninteresting…

…Except for the coming show on March 28.

Yesterday Ayheen told me that she was informed by Sabine’s Ballet teacher that she is going to join their Corps’ recital at the CCP on March 28.

This Date happens to be Sage’s Birthday too.

Sabine has been taking Ballet Lessons for only 2 months now that’s why we didn’t expect her to be a part of any show.

So this means just like my Dad, who will be watching the Ballet Recital with us, Sabine will take me to the top of the Cultural Center too, along with her sisters, brother and those who are closest to our Hearts.

I’m sure the landscape that I will view from the top has changed after all these years

BUT not the kind of love that has brought me back there.

I can’t wait to see Sadie and Tristan’s faces when we go up that ramp…

Bravo, Sabine!

Happy Birthday, Ate Sage!!!

Sunday Morning... February 21

A Sage at 9 years old

Happy Bloody Valentine's Day...

Me> On a hot summer night, would you offer your bloody throat to the wolf with the red roses...

Wife> Yes...

Me> owws? Bolera. I bet you say that to all the boys.

Walking in the Sun...

“You might as well be walking on the sun…”


This morning, while stuck in traffic somewhere under the bridge along floodway, Pasig, Janine, Sage and Kay were talking about how one of their classmates saw a planet the other night. The conversation drifted to include the Stars and the Sun (One of them noted that the sun is the nearest star to Earth.)

Janine skeptically asked off-handedly, “Can a person really walk on the sun?”

Sage answered her “No.”

Then Kay chipped in “they can only walk on the sun in Phineas and Ferb (a cartoon series on TV.)”

Then somebody asked is the sun the biggest star? During the pause that ensued, I volunteered that sometimes stars like our sun balloon into really gigantic stars called “red giants.”

They asked how really big do they get? I answered, the sun can become so big it will gobble up the Earth. In the rear view mirror I could see Sage and Kay got a little upset with what I said.

So I added “don’t worry about it, by the time that happens we will all be long gone, including everyone we know and their great, great, great, great grandchildren.”

“What’s the difference between the Milky way and Black hole?” I realized I just opened the Pandora’s box of Janine’s curiosity. Kay gamely answered, “I know: Milky Way is white chocolate while a black hole is a Dark chocolate.” This brought the house down. I mean, Car. We we’re laughing so hard at how ingeniously she phrased the metaphor.

I just added that the milky way is one of the galaxies in space where our own sun is located while the black hole is formed when a red giant becomes so big. I asked them, “what happens to a balloon that has grown so big?” unanimously they said, “It explodes.”

Boom! I said that’s how black holes are formed. Imagine a Red Giant Star exploding because it becomes so heavy, it collapses and becomes smaller than my thumb. Its gravity will suck in everything around it including light…

Then it hit me! Susmaryosep! I’m talking about General Relativity to Grade Schoolers and they are gamely taking it in stride.

“Why did God create other planets when no one lives there?” Wow! That was a hard one. Janine was on a roll. As far as I’m concerned she just asked the grade school equivalent of the question “If a tree falls in the middle of the forest, does it make a sound?” I felt my nose will bleed in a few seconds…

Thank God one of them said that if someday when the sun becomes too big and gobbles up the Earth, we will need to live on other Planets.

Kay exclaimed “Then we will be the aliens in those planets!” (I just realized that James Cameron’s film “Avatar” has entrenched itself in our pop culture.)

When we reached another bottle neck in the Eastwood area, Janine asked “Tito Marvin, is there a planet where time stops.” Ok, I asked myself how the hell does one explain special relativity to a 5th grader?

I treaded carefully, I said we can not really stop time but time slows down. “Ate Janine, right now our car is traveling at around 30 kilometers per hour because we’re in traffic (and we are running late). If your friend is in a car that is traveling at the speed of light , which is almost 300,000 kilometers per SECOND, time will slow down. Once you catch up with your friend who is now in School after riding in a car that traveled at almost the speed of light, and you compare your watches, you will see that her watch ran slower than yours.

I think it was Kay who asked “what about the watch of somebody on a Jet plane who is not traveling as fast as light?”

I answered that there will also be a difference in their watches when compared to the one who traveled on a Jet plane. But I added that difference will be so small.

Kay guessed “Will the difference be one second?”

I answered “Well, not quite. You guys studied FRACTIONS and DECIMALS, right?” I continued, “the difference can be measured by probably a billionth of a second.”

Sage commented that no one can feel THAT difference. Everyone including Sabine agreed with her. On the flyover while looking out the window, she commented that the Sun is like a giant ball with many flashlights. Then added that Ms. Romero said that there was a place called “Big Apple” not because it contains Red Giant Apples but because of the many people there.

I said, “That’s New York.”

I think it was Janine who sang the chorus of “Empire State of Mind.” Mercifully, the conversation shifted to Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. I secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thanked God. I told myself I can relax now. Talking about the Grammy Awards and Beyonce will not make my nose bleed unlike the previous topic.

January 26, Sadie's Birthday