Filed under: awareness and causes, daily discoveries, musings & meanderings | Tags: fake friendster accounts, identity theft
My name is Joy Isaguirre and I’ve been a victim of Identity Theft.
A few weeks back, i have noticed that someone opened a Facebook account using my name. Since there was no picture and profile information at the time, i dismissed it (wrong move), thinking it’s best to get on with my life.
Yesterday, as i was going through the perpetrator’s account: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000091552011 (which was recently removed by Facebook, at my request), i found that there are 44 minors connected to the fake Facebook profile. And it did not stop there! The person also opened a Twitter account (http://twitter.com/joyisaguirre) and several Friendster accounts using my name:
http://profiles.friendster.com/101828450
http://profiles.friendster.com/86488412
http://profiles.friendster.com/86005734
http://profiles.friendster.com/85955072
Someone is assuming my identity and the perpetrator is targeting minors on Social Networking sites. This is serious matter. As i was investigating how the thief may have gotten my information online, I noticed a microsite which indicated my name, age, occupation, and other personal information.
These information are easily accessible by anyone on the Internet. Since these information are highly personal in nature and should not be given freely, i immediately emailed and informed someone from the microsite about the matter. I requested that they remove my information or make the page not accessible by the public, as soon as possible.
The reply i received from the microsite was a bit disappointing. Yes, they will help me but i will have to wait until Monday next week before their programmer can remove my information from the microsite.
This incident has caused me a great deal of stress because the person using my identity is targeting minors. Believe me, you don’t want to be a victim of Identity Theft. It will cause you serious $$$ and stress. And yes it could happen to anyone.
So if i were you, i’d be proactive. Do everything you can to protect your identity, before anyone can steal and do some serious damage.
Filed under: awareness and causes, daily discoveries | Tags: dot travel advisory ah1n1
Travel Advisory as of 10:00 AM June 26, 2009
The Department of Tourism (DOT) remains unhampered at the increasing number of A (H1N1) cases in the country, optimistic that complete recovery of all confirmed patients is on the upswing.
As of 3:00 PM yesterday, June 25, 2009, there have been 727 reported cases of the virus, of which 536 or 74% of the total confirmed cases since May of this year have fully recovered from the symptoms. Based on data from the Department of Health (DOH), a notably rapid recovery is evident. To date, 85 more patients have completely recovered from the pandemic flu and were sent home, while new cases numbering 123 are being closely monitored.
According to Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, “From a global perspective, the H1N1 flu is no different from the known seasonal flu; it is mild and treatable. In fact, in the US and Mexico where it all started, it is perceived and responded to just like any other seasonal flu. The state of the global economy is still the biggest challenge for the industry.”
He added, “In Australia where the most H1N1 cases in Asia Pacific are recorded, the population has already overcome the initial psychological scare that an unknown virus naturally brings. Comparing such cases with the Philippine scenario, what we have is even milder. In the country, while the occurrences of the virus are in populated areas, these are not in main tourism destinations.”
“As far as the industry is concerned, my job is to make sure this temporary concern will not distract the industry from pursuing opportunities in the near- and medium-term,” Durano further said.
The DOT likewise reported that at present, 50 foreign tour operators from France, Switzerland, China, US, Canada, as well as Asia Pacific countries are here in the Philippines for the purpose of updating themselves on the new hotels, resorts, destinations, and tourism experiences in the country.
For the previous months, the DOT has echoed the statements of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), issuing no travel restrictions.
As of 9:07 AM today, June 26, 2009, the WHO also reiterated that globally, the virus is not mutating for the moment and is stable.
The DOT’s marketing departments and regional units remain on heightened alert for any case of flu-like symptoms from arriving tourists.
DOT Marketing Teams report no buyer cancellations, especially for the present Philippine International Travel Fair (PITF) in Cebu, one of the biggest travel events in the country; and MICE Mart, also an important tourism event slated for the year.
Tourism attachés reported no cancellations or deferment in East Coast, Midwest, West Coast, US and Canada. Instead of expressing anxiety, American travelers planning to go to the Philippines have inquired more on the thermal scanning procedures and the quarantine process.
Ground handlers from the European market segment have issued no cancellations resulting from the flu, and agree that since it is the off-peak season, arrivals at this time are almost negligible. For France and Switzerland, the focus now is on air safety, following the recent Air France tragedy.
The DOT strongly urges tourism stakeholders and partners such as transportation services, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and other tourism establishments, to be even more vigilant and impose stricter measures on proper hygiene to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Every step is being taken to ensure the safety of everyone. Airports and all concerned establishments from the tourism sector continue with their strict monitoring of incoming travelers who show initial symptoms.
[info source: department of tourism - office of dept. secretary ace durano]
Filed under: daily discoveries, travel & living | Tags: corporal eduardo duran, corporal irvin hawk, honest cops rewarded
Honesty has its own reward. For Corporals Eduardo Duran and Irvin Hawk of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) police, it’s a family holiday in any of the country’s top destinations.
The two honest cops were recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) for returning a black bag containing wads of Russian Rubbles and US Dollars equivalent to almost P500,000 cash. The owner of the bag turned out to be Russian tourist Sergey Zhelenzyak, who was with his family for a vacation in the country.
DOT Secretary Ace Durano (center) offers Irvin Hawk (left) and Eduardo Duran (right) an all-expenses paid holiday with their family in any of the country’s top destinations during a courtesy call to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Hawk and Duran were recognized for returning a lost bag containing P500,000 to a Russian tourist. The two are seen here wearing buri hats as part of the ‘holiday kit’ given to them by the DOT.
“The tourism industry commends people like Corporals Duran and Hawk who render excellent service and present the best of the country through their exemplary ways. We hope our small token of appreciation highlights their big deed,” said Durano. The cops, accompanied by M/Gen Angel Atutubo (Ret), Assistant General Manager of the Manila Airport Authority, paid a courtesy call at the DOT office.
Duran and Hawk, in an interview, mentioned that Zhelenzyak was profusely grateful to them for returning his bag, with the money and other contents which included a digital camera, intact.
“These gentlemen prove that our people are also one of the best reasons to visit the country. Even the finest, luxurious services can never outshine the warmth, honesty and sincerity of our people,” said Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Planning and Promotions.
The two airport cops found the bag unattended in one of the immigration counters at the NAIA. They reported the lost bag which had an identification tag in Russian writing, to their Intelligence Division. After paging for the owner and getting no response, Duran and Hawk tracked him down through his embarkation card at the Immigration Counter. They finally reached Zhelenzyak, who was already in Bacolod, through his travel agent.
The tourist told them that he didn’t expect to get his money back, which he was saving for a holiday in the country with his family. Zhelenzyak, who was on his fourth visit to the country, vowed to them that he will promote the Philippines and the commendable values of its people.
Duran has been an airport police for 10 years, while Hawk has rendered service for 27 years.
Filed under: daily discoveries, freebies & contests | Tags: david and goliath contest, take a picture it will last longer
Winning a David and Goliath gift pack is now as easy as taking a snapshot. Simply take a photo and follow these mechanics:
For Individual entries – Photo should show either you wearing/using David & Goliath merchandise or you shopping at a David & Goliath store (Bonifacio High Street, Power Plant, TriNoma, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Place Manila – Midtown).
For Group entries – Photo should show either you and two of your friends wearing/using David & Goliath merchandise or you and two of your friends shopping at a David & Goliath store (Bonifacio High Street, Power Plant, TriNoma, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Place Manila – Midtown).
1. E-mail your photos to info@davidandgoliathphilippines.com
2. Contest starts April 27. Entries should be sent on or before 10:00PM on June 14, 2009.
3. Entries should include the participant/s name, e-mail address, birthday and mobile number.
(photo source: davidandgoliathtees.multiply.com)
Entries will be judged according to Creativity, Wit and Brand Interpretation. Contest limited to residents of the Philippines. Winning entries will be announced through the David & Goliath Philippines Multiply page on June 29, 2009.
For further details regarding this contest, visit: http://davidandgoliathtees.multiply.com
Filed under: awareness and causes, daily discoveries, glorious food | Tags: earth day, starbucks
Bring your own Tumbler or Mug today at any Starbucks store in the Philippines and they’ll take P40 off your beverage. Even better, head to any Starbucks branch again tomorrow and use your Tumbler/Mug, you’ll get another 40 pesos off!
This promo symbolizes Starbucks’ ongoing commitment to the coffee community and environmental sustainability. Now if you’ll excuse me, i have an appointment to help save Earth by getting myself a hot, steamy cup of Starbucks coffee!
