Best Posts

Having read about vaccinated people catching Covid (but generally NOT getting hospitalised) I think everyone (vaccinated one dose, two doses or unvaccinated) should be thinking about face shields - whatever government tells us and whatever people will write here about air currents! I am not such a great fan of putting too much emphasis on hand washing as between washing times the virus can so easily be picked up and passed on. I am a 100% advocate of well-fitting face masks combined with face shields (although until now I wore the latter only when requested by a store). The face shield helps prevent droplets landing on the face mask and also prevents touching of the eyes and this area is not covered by a face mask but is a perfect route for entry of the virus (many studies show this to be the case). It may be that many infections in mask-wearers are via the eyes by touching or by transmission through the air from an infected person. I wear specs so have a part protection (mainly to reduce touching of my eyes) but it really makes sense for me to wear a face shield all the time outdoors as I am not yet vaccinated. The fact that vaccinated individuals are getting Covid means the same for them - although their risk of serious illness is far less but the unpleasant experience and worry is still best avoided.

 

Hello Guys,

Proud to say we just released our new rnb music video in Filipino and English, all video shot in Dumaguete and its area, artist name is Aika Zabala , very smooth voice, you can watch it here



Ingat guys and stay safe

 

I have been reading past threads on a huge variety of scams within the country - and on that subject it would be possible to write a very large book!

I am writing more on banking-type scams and I think almost everyone is now aware of phishing emails - but I was surprised recently to read of crooks taking over sims. So, for those not aware, I decided to write this and also to recap on some of the (probably more well known) scams. Perhaps everyone is aware but if only one member learns something new then it will have been worth me again interrupting my very busy schedule ( ) to write about the subject. I am sure I have not covered everything so hope others might chip in.

Sim Card Swaps:
Basically, crooks use the fact that mobile phone service companies will move (port) a phone number to a new sim card if the original card is lost or there is an upgrade. The crooks gather personal details about the victim, by phishing, buying them from other criminals, collecting information foolishly posted on social media* or by directly socially engineering the victim (the psychological manipulation of the victim into performing actions or divulging confidential information). *I knew someone who put clothes into her washing machine with all her bank/store cards in the pockets. She told everyone about her mistake by posting on FB and included photos of all the cards!

The crooks then uses these details when contacting the victim's mobile telephone provider. They use social engineering techniques to convince the phone company to port the victim's phone number to the crook's OWN sim. This is done, for example, by impersonating the victim using personal details to appear authentic and claiming that they have lost their phone. BUT, in many cases SIM numbers are changed directly by telecom company employees bribed by the crooks.

Once this happens the victim's phone will lose connection to the network and the crook will now receive all the SMS and voice calls intended for the victim, thus allowing the crook to receive OTPs sent via text or telephone calls supposedly to the victim. This enables crooks to access victims' bank accounts, social media accounts, etc. that rely on text messages or telephone calls. Once they have access to accounts they can also change passwords and thus totally isolate a victims from their accounts, whilst removing all the cash.

So, apart from the essential awareness not to disclose information, if a sim appears not working then suspect a sim-swap as a possibility and contact banks and the sim provider asap.

Just a few more points for those not fully aware:
Phishing/Smishing/Vishing is where an email/text/phone call is received (perhaps all three to appear really genuine) and as it seems to come from the victim's bank, it looks valid. It may warn that the bank account has been compromised and gives a phone number or link to follow. The phone call or link will actually be going to a crook who then asks details of passwords/pins and so gains access to the victim's accounts. What some people do not realise is that if a crook randomly sends out 10,000 phishing emails from Bank X, those who do not use Bank X will ignore them as a scam or mistake BUT those who use Bank X will assume it must be legit ('or how else would they KNOW I use that bank?'). Email addresses can be stolen, generated or given out by the victim innocently (so if chatting online to that beautiful Russian lady - who in reality has a beard (two ways to look at that statement!) - then don't give her an email address used for banking).

SO:
1. NEVER follow a link in an email if it has any risk (e.g. is to do with banking). INSTEAD, input your bank online address in your browser from information you know is valid OR visit the bank in person.
2. If you do follow what seems an innocent link, do not give any information (even name and dob). This does not apply, of course, to things you are very familiar with and secure about - but still use extreme caution.
3. The same applies to texts or phone calls but in the case of replying to a phone call DO NOT call the person back on any number they give you and do not call them back IMMEDIATELY (even if using a phone number you know is valid) as they can keep their line open and when you phone back it is the crooks you will be connected to and not Bank X (or whatever).

In summary: Disregard any information provided to you and GO BACK TO SOURCE - using the phone numbers you 100% know are your bank's or make a personal visit to the bank.

Even if this does not apply to you (because you are already aware), please think about helping your SO become aware as, unfortunately and with no disrespect, Filipinos are very gullible.

This site gives more information: https://www.scamproof.ph/

 

It does not take much to notice various 'discussions' (arguments even!) within the Forum on the subject of Covid-19 and what should have been done, or not done.

I ask: Is there any point arguing? People have had a year now to think how they feel and I would say their views are quite ingrained.

So who is right? Mr X who says lockdowns/masks/vaccinations are essential or Mr Y who says they are not (or not all)?

In my view, they are both correct. It is an INDIVIDUAL opinion and perhaps best left at that. Individuals do what they think is best for themselves and their loved ones - perhaps also for their community. But it is their decision - we have gone way past the stage of arguing about it. In fact, the major decisions are not made by us, but by our rulers.

In the early stages of this pandemic I gave advice, based on my knowledge and experience, but there is now much more information out there for people to read. If people have not decided by now what they want to do, then perhaps they never will.

This is an ongoing situation and everyone just needs to do what they think is best at the time. Often the more pressure put on a person, the more likely he/she will react against it. Everyone is free to modify their opinions on the basis of new evidence, which will become available over the next few years.

I may be criticised for suggesting free speech be limited but it is more about accepting individual opinion, at this stage of the pandemic, and perhaps skipping over what we disagree with. Can make for a happier life.

So good health to all.

 

Hi. Arnel lives in Dauin but works in the Dumaguete area. I had him do a lot of work yesterday in a townhouse I am moving to. He has all the tools (metal saws, etc) and knows how to get the job done and is reasonable priced Arnel's phone number is 0997 431 4831. He is certified master plumber.

 

You may be surprised just how easy it is to produce Smoked Bacon, Fish or Cheese, the easiest way to start is by cold smoking and all you need to get started is a box/container even a cardboard box will suffice, but any sort of BBQ Grill is even better/safer, the other item is a Cold Smoke Generator very cheap less than P500, will post a Link to this, now rather than go into any great detail and give a step by step instruction, there is plenty info on You Tube can instruct you better than I can, I will just tell you the basics; first you have to salt the pork a few days, either by the dry or wet method, then into the Smoking container/BBQ along with the CSG, this needs to be filled with sawdust and requires a tea candle to start it off, the sawdust does not have to be any special wood and even Coco wood will do to start off with, I then smoke it for 4hrs. I have heard that Germalina Wood is one of the better ones to use here? using the above method will give you a fairly decent product and far better than anything available in the supermarkets, there is much better products out there sold by some Ex-pats, but at anything between P600 to 1000 a Kilo, I will just make my own from the Pork I buy at P220 per KG.

The Link; Sfyre Smoke Generator for BBQ Grill Smoker Wood Dust Hot Cold Smoking Salmon Meats Fish | Shopee Philippines

 

Saw a new one in a post the other day, or at least it was new to me FWIW.
After a bit of thought i presumed that this was (for what its worth)
Any chance we could get subtitles for these things to save brain strain.