Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Komrad: A Different take on Chinese Cuisine



Komrad, Mao's Hunan & Sichuan Kitchen: Photo: Trix Deseo

Weekends are traditionally set for finding the best restaurants to satisfy your palate. On the safe side, regional cuisines are typically on top of the list, since different parts of China are known for their culinary abilities such as in the southern districts of Hunan and Sichuan.  

Diners have never been more discriminating than today. Unlike other Chinese restaurants, some transport you to a different period. This makes dining out memorable and experiential. Komrad, Mao’s  Hunan & Sichuan Kitchen, takes an extra step by blending political inspirations to the plate.  
Prominent Communist Leader Mao Tse-tung Mural: Photo:Trix Deseo 

Mao Zedong, a prominent Communist leader, greets diners as they enter the restaurant. The color red exudes a communistic vibe, but only to complete the gastronomic experience of everyone present.  It is interesting to note that restaurants can leave a mark to customers by staying faithful to its unique concept and ambiance.

Komrad's Dining Table
Culinary Basics

With over a year on its track, Komrad offers a variety of dishes to crave for. Since we decided to have a light dinner, our order was good enough only for a small party. Of course!  Always ask the house for their best sellers.  Staples include: Yang chow fried rice, noodles, fish and vegetables. We opted not to order dimsum because the menu had only limited choices for selection and our favorites (chicken feet and hakaw) were not on the list.

Mouthwatering dishes

Yang Chow Fried Rice
Yang Chow fried rice didn’t fail me at all. The rice was tender and goes well with the mix of veggies and small chunks of meat.

Kung Pao Shrimp Balls
Shrimps are a mainstay in most Chinese menu. As expected, we were advised to tryout their special Kung Pao Shrimp Balls. It was a good combination of delectable and tender shrimps drizzled with Kung Pao sauce.  The nuts were a great add on too! The good thing about Komrad is that they provide an option to set the level of spiciness in your order.
Birthday Noodles
People give their nod of approval to Chinese restaurants based on their noodle dishes. And so, we ordered classic Birthday Noodles. A good mix of vegetables and seafood was complemented by a tinge of saltiness and sweetness which made it delightful to eat.
Steamed Fish Fillet
Good for the heart and stomach,  Komrad’s Steamed fish fillet completed our order.  The fish was soft and had a simple taste to balance the entire dining experience. In selecting food combination, tasty sauce-based dishes can be paired with un-sauced dishes (such as steamed, roasted or baked dishes).

Our Sunday dine out satisfied my longing to find something different. The fusion of Komrad’s modern regional cuisine is simply a must try.







Monday, October 22, 2012

Google Day Asia: How to make it Big in the World Wide Web and discover why the “Philippines” is an opportunity





Makati became the convergence zone of top tech company Google and IT professionals in Asia last Friday, 3rd August 2012. G-day happened first in the Philippines with Google’s Loren Shuster delivering the keynote for the event. Working in the country since 1995, he said that the “Philippines” has always been marked as the next big thing. “The reality is: the internet is here and the drivers are here. The Philippines is going to be one of, if not, the fastest growing market from a GDP perspective across Asia Pacific. The Philippines is an opportunity here and now for all collectively. That's why we're holding our 1st G-day in Southeast Asia particularly, in the Philippines” said Shuster.

He also gave a round of Trivia to engage with the crowd.
  • What is the nickname of Google's search engine during the initial days of Larry and Sergey working on their Stanford engineering project (back in 1996)? 
       Answer: Backrub (Not to be mistaken as a massage parlor which it sounds like. 
     The name was changed in 1998 when the company was founded. With 14 years on 
     its track, Google is very young yet; it has changed Technology to better the lives of many).

  • What is the meaning of Google?
        Answer: It's a number with a hundred zeros.
  • What is the Informal corporate slogan of Google?
         Answer: Don't be Evil.
  • What inspired the multi-colored Google logo?
       Answer: When the founders were working in the garage, they built a computer chassis out 
       of Lego. The multi-colored Lego inspired the Google Logo.

 Google Executive Loren Shuster delivers the Keynote
The talk narrated the big G’s timeline beginning from its birth on a rented Garage of Susan Wojcickis in Menlo Park, California. Established in 1998, the organization’s mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.  Shuster moved to discuss Google Glass (GG), a man-machine interface which makes information accessible right in front of your eyes.  Classified as the Google I/O extension in Asia, the event could have been more exciting if he did a demo of the GG in action.  “It is an incredible innovation. It sounds futuristic. It is here and now. In the next 24-36 months, I wouldn't be surprised if many people in this room started wearing Google glass.” said Shuster as he discussed about the product.

Shuster shifted to discuss about the current landscape in the region. He said that 2.3 Billion people are already online and over 1 Billion are across Asia Pacific representing over 29% market penetration.  “The numbers present huge opportunity for people to come online and engage online, to access info online and participate in their communities online “he added. Being one of the most exciting and dynamic region in the world, Google raises its flag and establishes its presence in the country. 

“The pace of Change is normal. It is something that we all need to adapt to in order to stay abreast of the latest technology opportunities that provide us the chance to enhance our businesses and our personal lives.” Shuster said.

What the future holds

Mobile is the Future. Photo Credit: Ohio State University

Shuster went on to discuss the figures in 2012 showing that there are over 5 Billion mobile devices globally.  Looking forward, Google expects this number to double. This means that a huge change is about to happen creating enormous opportunities and value.  The internet is at the heart of everything we do in our daily lives. It’s all about these 3 core areas: Information, Entertainment and Community.

Information sourcing today

In retrospect 20 years ago, Shuster reminisced how we relied on local libraries, morning papers and encyclopedias. But, today, the vast majority of the information we use are sourced online.

“There are more Android activations happening compared to the number of babies born.  Every day, 4.7 Billion Google searches are made.” These are the reasons why mobile is perceived as a change agent in sourcing information.  The Tech stalwart expects to have more mobile and desktop searches in the next 24 months.  Shuster believes that importance should be given to mobility and business.








YouTube defines entertainment

YouTube

Back in 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 Billion. At present, more than 72 hours of video content is uploaded per minute. People YouTube videos having more control as to when, where and what to download.  People are now empowered to define entertainment at their own will.

Community Basics online

Apart from retrieving information, people are getting more connected online.  “There is a lot of sharing happening and there is also an explosion of content. As a result, consumers are starting to demand” Shuster said. These times are interesting since different platforms are accessible and available. The spotlight is lit towards content creators and businesses to take advantage of these opportunities and make something useful for people.

Why Google loves the Philippines

Internet penetration in the country is at 33%. Shuster emphasized the need for businesses to go beyond traditional media and consider online presence. In Southeast Asia, the “Philippines” has the highest usage of videos and the second biggest in the world to upload videos online.  Also, the number of searches made via mobile is outstanding. Shuster emphasized “Mobile has to be the center of all activities.”

How to make it Big in the Web

Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda. YouTube Star Sensation.

Digital platforms even the playing field for everyone to be successful online. So, what makes success online?  Google believes that the only limiting factor is creativity. There is a massive opportunity for businesses and individuals aspiring to make it big. A proven fact: Many became successful using the new media with the likes of Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda.



To illustrate where the trend is heading, Shuster said the Philippines is the first market in Asia where chrome is the number 1 browser.  President Aquino was the first world leader to be interviewed in YouTube. Google offers free SMS to Globe, Smart and Sun.  The big G’s big bets are: Android, YouTube, G+ and Google search.

Now, all the cards are down. What’s your online success story?






Home

"A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others."

                                               William Faulkner (1897-1962) American novelist and short-story writer.

Programming the Future: What will the world be like in 2050?




The rat race in technological innovation is happening in a light speed. Various platforms are continuing to intertwine different fields of specialization to provide solutions from complex to mundane problems of everyday life. One of the pillars of such breakthroughs is computer programming. With all these changes happening, there are two questions relevant to ask today. How will computer programming impact the future? Where do we go from here?

Accenture held "Shaping the Future Forum 2012" last Thursday, 26th July 2012 at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Manila. In partnership with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Accenture invited Srini Devadas, MIT professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, to lecture about "Programming the Future" which aimed at keeping technology professionals abreast with the latest trends and developments in computing and programming. 



Top executives from Accenture gave an overview of the company's profile and mentioned how Asia, particularly the Philippines, is playing a key role in its global operations. Then, a brief introduction was given for the guest speaker. Srini started his talk by inviting the audience to imagine a world where everyone has avatars with the likes of Tom Cruise, a descriptive illustration on how the future could be like. His discussion went in-depth on the history of programming beginning from the Abacus age of computation. He then discussed about Plato together with the importance of calculation, Ada Byron being the first programmer and Harvard Mark 1 and 2 as the pioneer electro-mechanical computer. It was interesting to discover the robust background of programming and know where it all started.

MIT Professor Srini Devadas giving his Talk


There have been a lot of developments in programming. "What about the next 40 years?" asked Srini. Logically, it is appropriate to ask what the next chapter will be after the introduction of new programming languages and coding platforms which gave birth to new disruptive technologies. The next part of the talk centered on three computing paradigms playing a significant role in technology: Programming for Everyone, Big Data and Crowds to Clouds.

Programming for Everyone

According to Srini, in the near future, millions of programmers will need to write billions of lines of correct code. These require coding methodologies such as Graphical Programming, which allows element manipulation using graphical means instead of standard texts, and Programming in English, a method used in programming data structure codes.

Big Data

Financial Markets Causality Connections
New Age Technology gives access to big data which are relevant in understanding everyday problems and carving out solutions. Srini added that there are a lot of significant data that can be analyzed. However, this overwhelming volume presents the big data challenge: Too big, Too Fast and Too Hard. A solution to this is locality sensitive hashing where input items are hashed to group similar items and placed in the same categories with increased probability. An interesting example mentioned by Srini was about consumer credit risk analysis and forecasting. The goal was risk profiling of consumers based on their financial transactions. To achieve this, machine learning was utilized to detect potential defaults. The results were more accurate compared to the FICO score method. Machine learning applies sophisticated analytics to big chunks of data.

Crowds to Clouds (c2c)
Cloud Computing. Photo Credit: Aisha Hasan
Cloud computing is the future.Despite of its infancy stage, tech giants Amazon, Google, Microsoft and even Oracle, to name a few, have joined the cloud provider's club. The cloud's seamless accessibility, security and storage are a magnet to enterprises and startup companies. Srini perceives the future with billions of people using devices to connect to trillions of processors in the cloud. To illustrate this vision, project cartel, a pothole finding application, uses sensors from GPS, WIFI and cellular triangulation to measure and localize traffic delays allowing people to spend less time in traffic. Another example is Twit info which synthesizes interesting information based on raw twitter feeds.


More on Artificial Intelligence


The Future of Driving using Artificial Intelligence

Diving into more unconquered charters, Srini asked "What is the future of Artificial Intelligence?" According to him, combining the strengths of human and machine is the way to go to create synergy in Artificial Intelligence.

What will the world be like in 2050?


Personal Systems Genomics

In general, Srini's talk characterized the future with technology playing a big role to achieve its maturity. Its presence will be felt across major aspects of human life. Climate change will utilize Green software by means of using Big Data. The future will seek to predict unpredictable weather patterns. Autonomous driving will be seen in the field of transportation. In the health sciences, personalized system genomics will allow to track generations of ancestral origins and determine predispositions to diseases and determine preventive measures.

Srini concluded his talk by saying that programmers are in a great field since computer programming will be a major driver of growth and opportunities. No one really knows what the future will be. It will all depend on the present generation of IT professionals to lead the way in shaping the future.









Monday, October 8, 2012

10 lessons you need to know in Photography (insights from Master John Mateos Ong of Imagine Nation) and four stars as Manila Smug turns 1




“Photographers are artists” said Ong. Artists are creative by nature and being one has certain tradeoffs. Most have the following characteristics: unpredictable, weird, selfish and unprofessional. Straight forward yet, the description is true. 


I can’t help but think of the famous William Klein, Fashion Photographer in the 60’s. As what mid-century American Vogue editor Babs Simpson said “Klein was easy to work with but completely selfish (Vogue September Issue 2012).”

Agents Provocateurs, American Vogue September 2012

Having the eye for the lens is utterly pure vision. The way that photographers work involves the formation of pre-determined mental images that he/she creates before the actual shoot happens.

John Mateos Ong 
Manila Smug’s 1st Birthday was graced by John Mateos Ong of Image Nation. His interests and portfolio are diverse where people can draw a lot of inspiration.  From establishing an events company, managing a band “Orient Pearl,” being a scuba diving trainer and heading a team of professional photographers, Ong found his niche in weddings. Starting from 17 weddings a year and up to more than a hundred these days, Image Nation established its presence in the saturated market of local wedding photography. So, what can we learn from someone who has decades of experience in the field?

Ong shared 10 Photography lessons from the bible which became the foundation for tips on being a good photographer.


1.)  It’s all about the light
Bible excerpt: Genesis 1:2-3



When doing an ocular, for a wedding event or any place where a shoot will be held, photographers should give premium to lighting.

(Tip: Check the light source by placing the hand from where the light is coming from.)
The ideal time to do an ocular is around 2pm. Remember that photography is all about mastering the light.

2.)    Be Who You Are
Bible excerpt: Psalm 139:14



Choose a photographer icon and admire them for their work. Observe how they do quality photographs. Also, it is equally important to come up with your own style.  Don’t just copy their output. Ong’s method is to observe the works of his icons and integrate their techniques with his own.

I remembered Pilar Tuason, whose works were initially known for child photography and then shifted to fashion. Her portfolio includes the billboards we see in the Metro for Penshoppe and other famous brands. Observe the way the light was used, position of the subjects and integration of the different elements of the picture.  It’s important to discover your identity as a photographer where people will recognize your work as your personal trademark.

Another tip: When doing weddings or events, photographers should learn to talk to their clients. Ong believes that this is an important recipe to be in-demand in the market.

3.)    Expose yourself to Great Things
Bible excerpt: Phil 4:8



If you want to be great, you need to expose yourself only with the best of the best.  Quality photographs that exploit your creative side can be influenced by great works of the masters.

4.)    Love People
Bible excerpt: Hebrews 13:1-2



A photographer should be inspired for the love of people enabling him to create something beautiful as a result.


5.)    Don’t Settle for Mediocrity
Bible excerpt: Proverbs 22:29



Avoid being satisfied with the basics. Learn the hard things. To produce quality output, photographers should also be equipped with the necessary skills to capture great pictures. Ong insists to be the only photographer (together with his team) shooting pictures during weddings. Blocking, positioning and posing are a few elements that skilled photographers develop through time. He takes ownership in every aspect of his craft. This marks his passion and dedication in producing great pictures for his clients.

6.)    Be on the Alert!
Bible excerpt: Mark 13:33



In photography, timeless moments happen in a second. Ong shares that some photographers are unprepared to capture those events. Those priceless moments could have been frozen in great photos. Just like in the bible, being on guard allows photographers to get the best shots.

7.)    Plan Ahead and Have Goals
Bible excerpt: Luke 14:28



When is the right time to make your hobby a full time job? People usually ask this question to Ong as they plan to make the big leap and pivot from their careers. The master believes that a concrete plan is still the ideal way of knowing when the time is right. Does your income in photography earn equal with your full time job?

8.)    Learn to Read the Manual
Bible excerpt: 2 Tim 3:16-17



You got this one.

9.)     Be more than Passionate
Bible excerpt: Col 3:2



For Ong, Passion fleets as time goes by. He advised that people should go into photography driven with a deeper purpose. By the time that passion has faded, your motivation transcends from that which is earthly and extends far beyond from what the eyes can see. Be a purpose-driven photographer.

10.)  Take Action
Bible excerpt





“How many from you attended a Photography workshop?” asked Ong. Apart from knowledge acquisition, Ong says that going out in the open and shooting pictures are the key of being a good photographer. Photography is a step-by-step process. After learning one element, you should experiment, practice and learn more elements to come up with great pictures.

Participants were also eager to ask questions and get tips from the pro after the talk.



To be an Artist or a Professional?
I wondered if a photographer compromises his artistic tendencies when he transitions to work as a pro. Ong said that he does compromise art at times. Professional photography has its tradeoffs. Art is good but, going commercial means selling your skills and integrating it with the ideas of clients. To be a successful photographer, you must also consider the profession as a business which is subject to criticism and infusion of new ideas.

How to Price Your Work?
Ong believes that leveraging your services with the rest of the competition is the best way to go. Do market research and be aware how others are pricing their work. For stock photos, price it according to the market price.

How can you use light effectively?
Remember 3 things when using light: Quality, Intensity and Color.

SmugMug Pro Tracy Heppner
The 1st Year Anniversary of Manila Smug was composed of an intimate group of passionate photographers. After the talk, the members met new and old friends, shared stories and ate food, courtesy of the tireless and amazing SmugMug Pro Ms. Tracy Heppner.  Despite of its infancy stage, Manila Smug proved to be a fun and happy place for Photography enthusiasts.

What makes people want to be part of Smug?

It’s Free to Join and Everyone is welcome to be part of the group! “
Be a Member Here!

Plus, you get to be mentored by professionals with no fees.
With just one year on its track, I believe that Smug Manila will go distances to house great photographers and be the go to place for mentoring newcomers in the field. Smug gives an opportunity to learn, to network and to make new friends. Why not take advantage and be part of the community?



Happy Birthday Manila Smug!