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  1. Jack Peterson

    Jack Peterson DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Air Force

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    It did John, I had a stroke, Not as bad as a very good friend of mine but enough to Finish My Career and Forced Retirement 1 year early, sometimes it is pointless dwelling on things because in my case I never saw it coming :bag:
     
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  2. Rye83

    Rye83 with pastrami Admin Secured Account Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Army

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    Unfortunately things aren't the same as when you were a child. The socioeconomic divide has grown alot since you were a child. While technology has gotten better the ability for younger generations to attain the same lifestyle as their parents has become much harder.

    Homes, health insurance (in the US), cars, education, pretty much everything has gotten more expensive while salaries have stayed stagnant.

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  3. PatO

    PatO DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer Veteran Marines

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    A few of you here are raising a child, and for some of you here, like me, the second time around. There is huge difference with different issues between now and then.
    For me, raising children in California in the 70's and 80's had challenges like drugs, having to travel for work and not be around to enforce discipline, job moves so different schools for the kids, teaching them to drive, and do your homework - not so much television.
    Now days, social media seems to have the biggest impact. That means more gadgets, chat rooms, peer pressure, girls growing faster than boys, and less focus on school and school work being harder and more homework than before, among other interferences.
    Most filipinas want children and some are not completely satisfied is a relationship if it is just her and the old man (sorry but true) For the foreigner, it is a huge responsibility and commitment to become a father (again for most). Both parties need to evaluate the consequences.
     
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  4. xavierg

    xavierg DI New Member

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    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 :smile:



    Ingat guys and stay safe
     
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  5. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    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 ( :smile: ) 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/
     
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  6. Notmyrealname

    Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    It has been on my mind a while the question: When is a posting from a moderator done wearing the moderator's hat and when just as an individual member of the Forum with an opinion?

    This has become more relevant as I found two of my posts on the thread "looking to move to Duma" deleted with no notification or reason given. When I repeated them, one (the one connected with a moderator, the person who deleted my posts) was very swiftly moved to off-topic. That one was in reply to a moderator's comment (which I considered trollin') and he is the moderator who deleted the posts! But, interestingly, his off-topic trollin' post remained

    This has now led to me being threatened with 'actions' for daring to question this. I believe in fairness, so you never find me crawling into the 'hole' allocated to me by those with power. Never have and never will. I am not bothered by negative ratings, mockery, threats - or anything. And that's in colour!

    The moderator had the option as an individual to give a rating or a written reply to my postings - but chose instead, using moderating powers no ordinary member has, to delete them.

    I SUGGEST if it is time for moderators to have a 'Moderator profile' separate from their personal one
    . This means they can comment as moderators, which I accept they have the right to do, or separately in a personal capacity. This prevents any misunderstanding of which 'hat' they are wearing. I have no grudge against moderation as such as I understand and accept that without it any Forum would run amok.
     
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  7. PatO

    PatO DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer Veteran Marines

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    Pandemics, communists, friends passing away, critics, I am taking my mind back to when I was a happy kid, albeit a poor one.
    - my first crush, 6th grade
    - learning baseball, basketball, football, soccer at the Boys Club
    - paper route to earn money for a bicycle, levi’s, hot chocolate floats during the winters
    - picking apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries from neighbourhood yards
    - learning math and geography and history
    - watching Annette mature
    AND THEN TURNED 18 AND SUDDENLY WASN’T FUN ANY MORE
     
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  8. Brian Oinks

    Brian Oinks That's Mr. Pig to you Boy! :) Highly Rated Poster

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    I found this light at Unitop, it is a 15 Watt LED plastic Bulb made by VGL and has a built-in Battery which when screwed into the socket and turned on, allows it to switch automatically to an Emergency light during a Black-out, it also comes with a screw on cap with a hook that allows you to remove it from the socket and move to another room should you need portable light, or even use like a Torch/Flashlight, obviously it charges when connected to electricity, it throws a very bright light and I plan on buying more to fit outside so during Black-outs we still have the security of external lighting that switches on in a nanosecond!

    Cost was 280php which I thought was reasonable.

    My thoughts are that others here may find them suitable for external/internal security/emergency/ convenient lighting.
     

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  9. Jack Peterson

    Jack Peterson DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster SC Connoisseur Veteran Air Force

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    :facepalm: So it was always going to come one year and although time files it has hit me with a wallop.
    our Princess will be 18 next week but so will here School mates within a short time to follow or some already. One of the reasons I embarked on buying the car was that now she is of an age 3 on a Bike is not good when the little one is taller than Mum, So dad's Taxi has been reborn after all these years. Tonight is the Start of about 16 of them in the next 2 months. I guess we all realise when we say Kids do grow up it comes as a shock when the last one will be a Little Proper Young Lady. Having given us some ups and downs over the last few years I was so proud of her Yesterday out doing her bits and pieces buying for her outing Tonight. I am not a lover of Night driving at the best of Times but here in Dumaguete, I just hope the other Road users will give me a break for once :roflmao:
    Just wondered if any of you others have a Dad's taxi now or soon
    I guess I am only writing this because I am a proud Dad, OH! I know you all will be But... AW you know what I mean :wideyed:
     
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  10. blueskies

    blueskies DI Forum Adept

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    My daughter arrived midnight at manila terminal 3, for safety reason she spend several hours inside the Airport,at The Wings Lounge Terminal 3, (2nd floor near the fast food area) while waiting for her early flight to Dumaguete.

    It has bunk and capsule rooms, showers, barber shop and spa services, the bunk is 700pesos for 5 hours and 880 for 8 hours with meals. She said its very nice clean and quiet.
     
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