And now, he already looks bigger than me (and I’m 6′1).

So please, take a few minutes off and do the following:

1. Visit the Bow & Wow Facebook Fanpage here.
2. Like the page (I know, I know, this has become routine).
3. Click on the PetParrazi tab. When you see the page, click the image again to make the gallery come up.
4. Choose dog on the filter dropdown on the upper right side of the image.
5. Find Basti or Sebastian (just look for the yellow lab), click on the image, and click like (again).

That’s it! If by some miracle, he gets to catch up in the voting, just know that you will make this loyal dog very happy.

P.S. If anyone finds out how to share the actual vote page, please don’t hesitate to tell me!

*Good job with the social media campaign Bow & Wow team. Aside from not being able to share the actual vote page, having to click on like multiple times, and looking for the actual pic of the dog or cat I want to vote for, this campaign is really cool.

See complete details here.

Much criticism has always been heard regarding the volume of quality games that have been coming out for the PS3. With formerly exclusive franchises such as Resident Evil and Final Fantasy making their way to Microsoft’s gaming machine, including the recently announced Metal Gear Rising, Gran Turismo 5 for me, will be (pun intended) driving  most of the hardware and software sales this coming holiday season.

I used to see myself using this for GT5, but now I’m dreaming of this.

So many toys. Frak.

Besides, it’s perfect — The King as a Ginebra Gin King.

If you chanced upon this page and don’t know what the PBA is, it’s a professional basketball league in the Philippines.

Visit Hoopswallpapers.com for more.

There was a time when I used to buy around 2-3 games a month. This was back in high school when I still relied on my trusty old Playstation (yep, the gray thingamajig that changed gaming forever). Aside from having the free time to play as much as I wanted, the games were just so damn cheap. Piracy just allowed middle class kids like me to purchase games on a monthly basis. And I didn’t even play or finish all of them.

Almost 10 years later, and I find myself in a different situation. Time no longer permits daily gaming sessions. One thing I’ve learned to value over the years however, is the amount of creativity, imagination, and work that goes into creating a videogame.

This is precisely the reason why:

1. I no longer treat all videogames as racing games – In my first weekend with my first Playstation, I played Resident Evil for 10 straight hours. If the game normally takes 5 hours to finish, make sure you play it for 10. Treat every game that you play with the mindset that it’ll take a few years before anything like it comes out again.
2. I now buy original games - Not that pirated software isn’t available for the Playstation 3. I chose this console because it had the exclusives I wanted to play. God of War 3 and the long delayed Gran Turismo 5 are on top of this list.

It is also because of these reasons that I am quite disturbed at some game publishers’ efforts to discourage reselling videogames.

Having successfully introduced one-time codes that can be redeemed for DLC with Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age, Electronic Arts is extending the concept to its line of sports games.Electronic Arts announced today that new copies of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 will feature an “Online Pass,” which can be redeemed for title-specific features. Additional passes will be available for $10.00, and EA will be offering seven day trials for the service.

What’s wrong with reselling a game you’ve already finished? It’s only a clear indication that the replay value, nor the downloadable content isn’t enough to keep the gamer interested. Unless you’re talking about MMORPGs or socially driven games such as Little Big Planet or Modnation Racers, selling “one playthrough” games is obviously the next step if you plan to keep your gaming hobby alive.

I completely get the coupon strategy that most publishers are now employing, and I experienced this first hand with God of War Collection. The game came with a redeemable coupon that allowed users to download a demo of God of War 3. I bought the game because I wanted to play through God of War 1 and 2 and try out God of War 3. What if I had only wanted to play through God of War 1 and 2, and not care about the coupon for the demo?

My bottom line is reselling videogames do not diminish anything from these gaming companies’ bottom lines. We’re not exactly talking about a dying industry here. These DRM issues do nothing but punish consumers who pay good money for their videogames.

Read all about it here.

I then called Mr. Jay Mendoza, as owner of “Animals and Things, Pet Specialists”, to inform him that the dog is not a 6-month old puppy, as what his PCCI papers show and based on reports I have received about the dog. I reiterated the same request to be given the correct papers to reflect the dog’s true and correct age. Mr. Mendoza’s reaction took me by surprise. Instead of apologizing for the inconvenience that the incident has caused me, Mr. Mendoza brusquely replied to the effect that it is his word against “them”, and he stands by the PCCI papers of the dog. He said that I can sue him if I want to, then, banged the phone on me!

When I bought my dog Basti more 3 years ago, it didn’t really matter how many red marks he had on his PCCI papers, or who the sire and dam were. I just wanted a Labrador retriever for a pet. I’m also sure that anybody who doesn’t know anything about papers and passes through Animals and Things in Tiendesitas think about buying a pet for the same reasons — to have a pet they can take care of.

This is the exact reason why I am throwing my support behind Dr. Dino Pastor through this post. It is also such a shame that Mr. Henry Babiera of Tiendesitas has chosen to take Jay Mendoza’s side on this. I sincerely hope that no one registers their pets at KCUPI.

Think about it, someone sells you a dog, and has the guts to tell you to return it and give you your money back a year after? How heartless can you get.

Nike Air Raid

For some reason, I can’t find any resource online about my Nike Air Raids (but they do exist). I got them as a gift when I was in 6th grade.

Now that I’m looking at them after more than 10 years, the overall design feels like it was inspired by er.. tires. You’ve got those “Air Raid” prints on the velcro straps, and the soles were obviously made for the outdoor basketball. It would have made a world of difference if the name of the shoe wasn’t printed on the straps as well. The thing I hate about not only these, but all velcro based shoes in general, is that those straps tend to curl up after prolonged usage. These shoes gave way after using them for baseball AND soccer. Not a smart way to prolong basketball shoe life eh? If I had the same shoes today (but without the velcro prints), I’d sure wear them again.

Here’s Spike Lee and Tim Hardaway showing them shoes off.

What attracted me to this shoe was that it had two chambers where air could be pumped into (yes, seriously). You could pump air into the cushions near the midsole to provide better fit, or you could also move the switch and direct air into the ankle part of the shoe. Isn’t that cool or what? One thing you’ll notice though, is that the shoe looked heavy — and yeah, it sure was.

Nike Air Force 180

Truth be told, I don’t even recall whatever happened to them. But yeah, aside from the Nike Air Pressure, the Nike Air Force 180 is probably one of the most technologically advanced shoes of its time. Do I consider the shoe a novelty as well like my Reebok Pumps? Well, yeah. Take one look at the basketball shoes that are out in the market and you won’t see anything like this. I think the next wave of basketball shoes after the Force 180 had started to put a premium on weight and comfort.

Regardless, this is still one heck of a release.

Reebok “Twilight Zone” Pumps

What 5th grade kid could have resisted being able to squeeze a ball on his basketball shoe’s tongue, and feel the shoe gently hug his feet before he takes the basketball court. Did it make me jump higher? No. Did it make the shoe more comfortable than the usual basketball shoe? No. But it sure made me feel better about myself at the time. LOL.

I didn’t write about this because of how it changed the way I played. I wrote about this because I still remember the way I treated those things before I slept at night. After careful inspection, I would return each shoe in the box it came in, and placed them beside my pillow before I slept. They were the very first things I looked for when I woke up in the morning too. Pathetic isn’t it? So is this commercial.

Those Reebok Pumps were comfortable, but they did not last very long. In less than 6 months, part of the sole had already given way, and the leather was already starting to peel. Just goes to show novelty doesn’t always mean longevity.

The first ever Nike Air Max

The revolutionary shoe wasn’t even admired because it provided better cushioning or boosted performance. It was coveted because it looked cool. Unfortunately, it also symbolized something I couldn’t have. The thing was just too darn expensive.

No worries though, people weren’t too brand conscious when it came to shoes in the 80’s. Back then, “local” brands such as Grosby and All American were already well patronized (I can’t believe there is no trace of these two online). But these two weren’t as cool as the Alvin Patrimonio endorsed local sneaker brand Kaypee.

After thinking about it this morning, I just realized that every rubber shoe I’ve ever owned had its own story. The ones I can remember are definitely worthy of some online space.

Now this guy, Mr. Jovit Baldivino, is something else. This bit on Pilipinas Got Talent is so inspirational, that not even Kris Aquino’s self centered banter was not able to ruin it. So again, Mr. Jovit Baldivino, I dedicate this online space to you, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will fulfill your dreams.