Nokia launches two units with Dual SIM

Those who want to get life’s little perks when it comes to having thousands of music, videos, dual SIM and lots and lots of Gigabytes in their mobile phones but just don’t have the cash can now smile and say---at last!

Thanks to Nokia’s two new feature-rich mobile phones, the Nokia X1-01 and the Nokia C2-00, even the regular daily wage earners will now be able to get these features in their mobile phones, which used to be available only to high-end phones that can break the bank with their prices.

I instantly fell in love with the vibrant colors sported by the Nokia X1-01 especially the Ocean Blue. But when I saw the red unit then that when the problem started because now I can’t decide which color I want. This is a petty cool cellphone which, according to Nokia Corporate Communications manager Nikka Abes, meets every consumer’s requirements when it comes to “convenience, cost savings , coverage and multi-user need.”

Nokia Xi-01 comes with up to 16GB of memory so you can store as many of your favorite music. It has an MP3 player, one-press playlist creation and stereo FM radio which sounds great to any music lover. It also comes pre-loaded with games and has a flashlight. Aside from the colors already mentioned, you can also opt for other colors like Dark Grey and Orange. And let’s not forget it has dual SIM cards and has music side keys.

The more sophisticated of the two is the Nokia C2-00 which is not only dual SIM but offers the convenience of having one of the SIM doors on the side so it’s easy to change into a third or fourth provider without opening the back of the phone considering that most SIMs are located near the battery. This unit allows internet browsing but not WiFi so you need to pay for that. The phone comes with a 32GB memory, FM radio and VGA camera.

While the Nokia X1-01 is more eye-catching than the Nokia C2-00, you will probably go for the latter since it has an audio recording feature. It also comes in so-nice Magenta and other colors like Snow White, Jet Black and Dynamic Grey.

One thing going for the two new units is its affordability, with a P1,990 price tag for the Nokia X1-01 and a P2.990 price tag for the Nokia C2-00. The phones will be available in Davao City between June and July this year.

Dabawenyos at ABS CBN's SUPAHDANZ

Three young dancers from Davao City are making waves not just in Manila but all over the country! If you’re a regular Sunday viewer of ASAP at ABS CBN then you have probably seen them for several weeks already, making their moves and winning the hearts of dance enthusiasts including celebrities like Billy Crawford and KC Concepcion who are among the judges of ABS CBN’s SUPAHDANZ Competition.

The dance competition is a nationwide search for new dancers who can best show the Supahdanz moves. They started with 10 groups and after several thrilling Sundays, we only now have 4 crews who will compete for the finals.

Davao’s P.O.D. Dance Crew is composed of Ayana QUIROS Merquita and Jabs and Pen under the guidance of Jhoey Zulueta. The fight is getting too close as it nears the end but as of last Sunday, the P.O.D. remains at the top of the voting.

Dabawenyos and P.O.D. fans are urged to vote for the crew anytime through http://asap.abs-cbn.com/. Look for the ASAP SUPAHDANZ OFF POLL at the middle right side of the page and VOTE FOR POD. You can vote as many times as you want by just copying the link to your browser and following the same steps.

Hubert Webb leads Google Trends

Barely three days after he and his co-accused were acquitted by the Philippine Supreme Court, Hubert Webb has been all over the television and surprisingly, at the top of the Google Trends.

The controversial decision of the SC, which to quote "REVERSES and SETS ASIDE the Decision dated December 15, 2005 and Resolution dated January 26, 2007 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. 00336 and ACQUITS accused-appellants Hubert Jeffrey P. Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael A. Gatchalian, Hospicio Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Gerardo Biong of the crimes of which they were charged for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. They are ordered immediately RELEASED from detention unless they are confined for another lawful cause."

In its decision, the court said what is important in the country's justice system is
"not whether the court entertains doubts about the innocence of the accused since an open mind is willing to explore all possibilities, but whether it entertains a reasonable, lingering doubt as to his guilt."

The court further said "For, it would be a serious mistake to send an innocent man to jail where such kind of doubt hangs on to one’s inner being, like a piece of meat lodged immovable between teeth."

LBP lends P7B to priority sectors in 2010

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Land Bank of the Philippines has lent a total of P7.01 billion to its priority sectors in Region XI, with the local government sector getting the highest loan portfolio of up to P4,942.05 billion as of the end of October 2010.

LBP XI regional head Vice President Camilo Leyba said the government is the best sector to lend money to, considering that it has a 100 percent repayment rate.

"The payment or amortization for their loans is already included in their yearly budget and is just debited to their accounts," Leyba said.

He admits they have a problem collecting from the small farmers who are most often faced with poor harvest and other problems that prevent them from paying their debts on time.

Halloween Tattoo and Music Fest

Expect Davao City's Halloween to be hot, hot hot, as the Ancheta brothers spearhead a tattoo and music competition on October 30, 2010 starting 2 p.m., at the Offroad Bar, Central Park corner Bangkal.

Dubbed as the "HALLOWEEN TATTOO and MUSIC FEST", the event will feature band performances of mix genre, tattoo competition and lots of fun!

Interested? Registration fee is P600 inclusive of an I.D., certificate, shirt and food. Registration forms are available at Anito Depot, 2nd Floor, NCCC Mall, Maa, Davao City.

Aboitiz bent on building coal-powered plant in Davao City

Fresh from the development of the Sibulan Hydropower Plant in Davao del Sur, Aboitiz Power is now bent on developing another source of energy for Mindanao but this time it has set its eyes on the development of a non-renewable source namely a coal powered plant right in Davao City.

Aboitiz Power called for a press conference yesterday to announce its plan to establish a coal-powered plant in the city. Earlier, its executives met with Davao City mayor Sara Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and members of the City Council to get their pulse on the proposed coal-powered plant. They also met with members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Inc. yesterday evening.

The proposed coal-powered plant, with an estimated cost of $400 million, is expected to bring in lots of investments and employment opportunities for the city, not to mention up to 200MW of power.

However, coal mines, from where the coals used to power the plants come from, are known to be the largest contributor to global warming and to climate change problems due to the mine's high emission of methane, carbon dioxide and other waste products including thorium, radioactive contaminants and uranium.

Coal mines are said to result to groundwater interference and water table levels and have high impact on the flow of water in rivers. Aboitiz is looking at Indonesia as its source of coal.

The combustion of coal, is seen as a large contributor to air pollution and acid rain. Erramon Aboitiz however admitted that coal-powered plants have earned a negative reputation in the 1930s but coal-powered plants now use more modern technologies and coal generation has become greener.

Coal-powered plants are however still know to produce emissions of sulfur dioxides, nitrogen and carbon dioxides in the air, thereby contributing to global warming and climate change.

For a city blessed with one of the cleanest waters in the world, having a coal-powered plant right on top of its aquifers can spell nightmare not only for Dabawenyos but for the whole world. But then again, it is still a question of priorities---power or environment.

Ms. Universe Margie Moran with more substance in her 50s

Ms. Universe 1972 Margarita Moran-Floirendo made the Philippines proud when she won the coveted crown several decades ago. But after more than 30 years, she continues to make her countrymen proud by proving that real beauty does not fade.

DatelineDavao made it to the former Ms. U's 57th birthday party at the Tadeco Clubhouse in Panabo last Saturday and realized how this stunning beauty has become more than a pretty face.

Moran-Floirendo still looks regal but has achieved more depth in her personality. With her as one of the executive directors of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines, they have built over 3o,oo0 houses for those who have less in life.

She however emphasized that they do no believe in dole-outs so the houses they built are not free. Aside from the equity paid by the homeowners which is as low as P5,000, the community also contributes their labor in house building.

One would expect a very big event when a celebrity like her celebrates her birthday. Instead, the party was very intimate with no more than 80 guests, all belonging to the people she works with in the community of Panabo and nearby municipalities.

"I prefer it this way so I can interact with everyone," she said. Moran-Floirendo said she is planning to establish more projects in Panabo and in Davao City which she considers her home. She may not have been born in Davao, she said, but she is a real Dabawenyos by heart.