Watch Filipino TV channel online for free!

To be updated of what is going on in the Philippines, many OFWs depend on various news websites and YouTube. But do you know that you can also watch a Filipino channel online for free? Yes, that's right. Dubbed as the only public service channel in the Philippines UNTV can be watched via www.untvweb.com. And if you're an iOS user you can just download the UNTV app via the App Store.

Aside from UNTV Channel, you can also monitor La Verdad 1350 which is its AM radio station counterpart. You can listen to only live drama radio program Dear Kuya, hosted by UNTV CEO Mr. Daniel Razon.

You don't have to pay anything to download the app and watch Filipino news unlike other TV networks in the Philippines.

If you miss the live streaming, don't worry! You can check the uploaded programs on their YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/untvweb. 

Make friends and learn a new language

I just want to share this awesome website for language learning - italki.com. I've been using this site for more than 4 years now and I can tell you how useful this is especially for language learners at any level. Registering is free of charge but if you want to request a lesson with any teacher, you can link your Paypal or credit card.

But don't worry if you don't want to spend any, italki works like a social network platform as well. You can make friends with someone who speaks the language you want to learn. You can also exchange your time teaching your native language for time learning a foreign language. 

For fellow teachers, here's the good news! You can earn extra by spending your time teaching you native language. There are thousands of students who are looking for the right teacher for them. Once your account is ready, you can apply as a teacher and start earning. italki has also special referral program this month of May!

It's not too late to learn something new. Instead of wasting your time reading Facebook threads, why don't you sign up now, meet people, learn and earn!

Duolingo: The best language app ever

Learning a new language can be challenging and boring for many. And with thousands of language-learning applications available to download, it is so confusing which one is the best. Well there is an app called Duolingo. It boasts positive reviews from various publications including The Wall Street Journal. According to TWSJ, it is 'far and away the best language-learning app'.

Duolingo is a free app without ads or hidden charges. But as of the moment, the are only few available languages to learn like Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian.

Watch the Duolingo introduction here.

Enjoy playing with your friends or against the bot.

Track your progress

With Duolingo, you can practice your writing and listening skills.

You can have fun while learning a new language and compete with your friends as you level up. To be able to save your progress, you mush create a profile or link your Facebook account for easy access.

Happy download!

What app, doc?

As of April 2014, there are more that 1 million apps available in the  App Store and about 70 billion applications have been downloaded as of Apirl 2014. How cool is that!

This blog is will review apps that are download-worthy and also get the comments of other iOS users around the globe. Posts are mainly opinion from the blogger and do not represent any group or association. So for the meantime, seat back and relax as I bring you the latest iOS apps updates.

Is there still war in Vietnam?

I often get this question from people who are not-so-updated about the current happenings in the world today. I do not blame them. It's just annoying sometimes especially if they know that you've been living there for years. A friend of mine had the idea of making a short documentary about the present Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The video is not out yet but I made a teaser. Hope you like it.

Does you speak English my freind?

There are many Koreans who are learning English in our country. We always believe that people in our country speak English. Do we really? These are some photos courtesy from www.witerary.com. Thanks Ms. Jojie Alcantara for allowing me to use your pictures. Prisinting the didly signs...

okey lang kayo???

Read and learn...

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage of ourcheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same time.This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to share with you. (never mind the grammar, it's the CONTENT that counts)

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is theproblem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines. Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point.

After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.Kore! ans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salar y, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country. My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted meto understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines. Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed. My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love fromGod. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lotof things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our neweyes.I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world.

Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how o love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that od also will be very happy if you love others. hat's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.
__________________________________________________

Monalisa's Smile

Smile

In physiology, a smile is a facial expression formed by flexing muscles most notably near both ends of the mouth, but also around the eyes. Among humans, it is customarily an expression of pleasure or amusement, but can also be an involuntary expression of anxiety. There is much evidence that smiling is a normal reaction to certain stimuli and occurs regardless of culture. Many studies indicate that smiling is an innate reaction, as children blind from birth smile; however feral children generally do not smile, perhaps lending evidence to the contrary. Among animals, the exposure of teeth, which may bear a resemblance to a smile, are often used as a threat - known as a snarl - or a sign of submission.
Smiling not only changes a facial expression, but can also make the brain produce endorphins which reduces physical and emotional pain, and give a greater sense of well-being.

Types of Smile

Researchers have identified a number of different types of smiles.

The "Duchenne smile", after the researcher Guillaume Duchenne, is the most studied, and involves the movement of both the zygomaticus major muscle near the mouth and the orbicularis oculi muscle near the eyes. It is believed that the Duchenne smile is only produced as an involuntary response to genuine emotion, and is therefore what one could call the "genuine" smile. However, some sources say that "pretending" to smile can eventually put you in a good mood, and therefore "fake" can be a good thing.

The "Pan American smile", on the other hand, is the voluntary smile involving only the zygomatcus major muscle to show

politeness; for example, by a flight attendant on the former airline of the same name. Considered "insincere", this type of smile has also been called the "Professional Smile".

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smile

Now, let us observe the following smile and identify which one is genuine:

Notice the following facts about smiling:

• 72% of people think of those who smile frequently as being more confident and successful.
• 86% of people say that they are more likely to strike up conversations with strangers if they are smiling.
• Bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot.
• Research shows that 65% of communication is non-verbal (many claim an even higher percentage).
• Non-verbal communication comprises facial expressions, eye movement, gestures, posture, and all other bodily signs-primarily facial expressions.
• The effects of a smile are so powerful that even a smile on the telephone produces positive results.
• When someone comes into a room, people are automatically drawn to their face, and a smile provides a warm greeting.
• Studies show that happiness is a by-product of smiling, not the other way around as most people assume.
• Research shows that when two people in conversation use the same kind of body movements and gestures (such as smiling), they will experience greater empathy for each other, which they may not even consciously notice.

The Value of Your Smile

Has anyone ever unexpectedly smiled at you when you were having a bad day or weren't in the best of moods? How did it make you feel? Didn't it make you feel better?

1. The following are a few points on why you should do the same, and share your smile with others:
   A picture is worth a thousand words. So also does a smile convey more emotion than words can.
2. Smiling makes others feel welcome, special and appreciated.
3. You can brighten up someone's day.
4. A smile has the power of melting away insecurities and troubles people may have.

Try it out and see for yourself! You will find that almost every person you smile at will return the gesture. The hardest part is usually being the first person to smile.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

SMILE AND THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SMILE WITH YOU!

Danger: A Monster Teacher

Well here am I again, I have been so busy working at Korean School. Can you believe I'd just lost 2 kilograms in 2 months! I just can't keep myself silent when I saw the news at CNN and heard rumors at my school. It's about the Canadian pedophile Christopher Neil who happened to work at our school in 2005. I didn't see him in person but this issue shocked the English teaching not only here in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia and South Korea. The Korean consulate in Ho Chi Minh City required all the teachers here at Korean school to have police clearance. I believe that this issue will make the ELT community more strict. This is not a simple case, we never know who these people are. They might be our neighbor or colleagues. They look gentle but behind them is roaring monster hungry for evil.

-------------------------------------------------------

Suspected pedophile was 'creative, dynamic'

'The kids loved him for his work,' colleague says of Canadian teacher targeted by manhunt
Oct 18, 2007 04:30 AM Bill Schiller Asia Bureau

BEIJING–Canadian teacher and accused pedophile Christopher Neil had a passion for drama and a flair for acting, his former colleagues say.
"He said he enjoyed being on stage," former teaching colleague Kia Pearson recalls.

Today Neil finds himself as the lead character in an international manhunt that has captured the world's attention.
Acting skills might also have helped him lead a dangerous double life, until he slipped away from South Korea last week and disappeared into Southeast Asia.

Fellow Canadian teacher Ray Fowler said Neil appeared utterly calm right up until the day he disappeared.
Fowler, like others on the staff, was shocked to learn of the charges against Neil, he said.

Staff learned of the allegations only last Friday when four members of Interpol's Korean contingent showed up to question them.
Fowler lived directly across the hall from Neil, in an apartment building in the town of Gwangju where the two taught together, a four-hour drive south of Seoul.

Fowler last saw him eight days ago – the day before Neil boarded a plane for Bangkok, Thailand.
The two walked home from Gwangju Foreign School at the end of a day of classes.

Neil gave no hint that flight was imminent.
"We chit-chatted along the way. I couldn't even tell you what we talked about," says Fowler. "But we came to our building and went into our respective apartments and closed the doors."
The next day Neil was gone.

"I've thought a lot about it," the Newfoundland native says in a telephone interview. "This man was right here in my apartment on several occasions and I never picked up a clue."
Fowler had taught at the school for five years, and his apartment acted as a kind of social centre for teachers, where they could let their hair down on Friday and Saturday nights.
"We'd have a few beers and listen to music and talk – but no shop talk," he said.

With a student population of 120 and a staff of just 18, the teachers tend to be a tightly knit bunch.

"We're a small group in a strange country and we work together, live together and socialize together," he says.

Fowler admired Neil's talents as a teacher of English Language Arts for grades 7 and 8.

"I can tell you that Chris Neil was a very good teacher," he says. "He was dynamic. He was creative. And the kids loved him for his work."
Fowler described him as a "positive person" who would leave his apartment every morning at 7:20 dressed professionally in a shirt and tie keen to get to school early.

When police showed up Friday after classes, he said, "everyone was surprised; everyone was shocked."

Fowler remembered Neil saying at a staff meeting in mid-August that he had previously taught in Vietnam and Thailand.

Yesterday, those claims were borne out when the Korean news agency reported the Vietnamese school at which Neil taught was Ho Chi Minh Korean School, District 7, and reports from Thailand said government officials confirmed Neil had worked at an international school there.
Both Fowler and Pearson said that Neil – a one-time Catholic seminarian – made no secret of his skepticism of organized religion.

"Conversation seemed to gravitate towards religion a lot," said Pearson. "He was dissatisfied with organized religion and how organized religion had lost God.

"He was disillusioned with religion in general."
Meanwhile, many Web surfers discovered Chris Neil's MySpace Web page yesterday, before it was removed.

The site, which Neil posted Aug. 15, 2005, begins with the sentence, "Been kicking around Asia for the past five years, teaching, and finding other forms of mischief."

A poem by Neil posted on the site begins: "I've got to get out of myself/ Free this slave, endure this trial no more/ I'm running as fast as I can."

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/268126

What a year!

Less than a month to go and we are saying goodbye to 2008. It's been a year full of hard work and laziness, joy and tears, trials and reward but most of all, I learned a lot this year. I also met a lot of people from different parts of the globe. I want to tell you guys more but I'm preparing for my final reports. I read an article from a blog of a friend's friend and I decided to post it here. It's very interesting and I absolutely agree about it.