Growing up as a kid, my Christmas wish list would include new clothes, a pair of pants, pair of shoes or sneakers and on top, the latest action figures or robot toys.

Fast forward to today, if you’re going to ask the kids for their Christmas wish list, pretty sure topping the list would either be a PC, tablet, smartphone, gaming console or a music player. I remember my daughter asking me for a PC for Christmas present as early as the first quarter of this year.

Of course it is not only our kid who would be glad to have a PC as a gift this Christmas, a PC would be a good and useful gift idea for my wife (and for me) too.

I am a software developer and my job requires me to have a powerful PC for programming, a fast, reliable PC that can handle multiple running applications and databases at the same time.

A PC that’s flexible both for work and home use and one that can be easily carried is the best choice for my wife, who mostly uses Microsoft Office 2010 applications.

My daughter (who loves everything pink) would simply love an ultra slim PC that’s perfect for surfing, playing games and watching videos on the web.

PCs have become an integral part of our daily life. It has significantly evolved and changed the way we live: how we communicate with friends and families overseas, how we work and how we do business.

At home, it provides us all sort of entertainment: music, movies and games. PCs also serve as an important tool in my kid’s learning.

My kid, my wife and I share the same interest in PCs and I’m just glad that technology brings us closer together.

It’s a great time to be a family with Microsoft

This holiday season, Microsoft provides families with the capabilities of connecting and enhancing their relationship through technology by offering a Windows Holiday Campaign. The promo presents a variety of Windows 7 PCs that suit every member of the family. Check out Microsoft’s different Windows 7 PC offering below.

For Dads: High-performance workhorse PCs that will let him be the best Dad he can be

ASUS UX21

GROUNDBREAKING
The Asus UX series are the first PCs to market to feature the fast SATA III solid-state drive, ingeniously integrated into the circuit board to maintain the slim design. The “Instant On” feature allows it to resumes from sleep in 2 seconds and hibernate for 7 days without risk of losing your data.
HEAD-TURNING
Little details make a big difference. The stunning lid has a brushed “spin pattern” inspired by the spiral grooves of a vinyl record. The design speaks of elegance; a glass trackpad, metal keys, even the bottom case is detailed with a unique serial number for each machine. Just 0.67″ at its thickest point, but don’t let the slim profile fool you; durability is enhanced with a strong single piece anodized aluminum design.
CAPABLE
Easily handling the jobs of much larger machines, the Asus UX21 features a speedy Intel Core i5 processor. It is ready to connect to larger displays with a mini-HDMI and proprietary VGA ports. Around 5 hours of battery life enhances productivity, allowing you to work longer and without interruption, even while transferring data through the super-fast USB 3.0.

Samsung 900X1A

CAPABLE
Under that beautiful hood this notebook packs power. The second generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor and 64 GB solid-state hard drive work seamlessly with Windows® 7 to provide a faster and more responsive experience while extending battery life.

FEATHERWEIGHT
At 1.06kg and with a design inspired by the curves of a racecar, this notebook refuses to sacrifice performance for good looks. The case is made of Duralumin, a lightweight material that is twice as strong as aluminum and commonly used in aircraft construction.

VERSATILE
Light enough to carry everywhere, this small and powerful notebook will keep up with your life and style. Backlit keyboard and anti-reflective SuperBrightPlus LED screen allow you to enjoy movies and games day or night. Finally, you can relax knowing that TPM hardware works with Windows BitLocker software to protect your data from falling into the wrong hands.

Sony Vaio S-Series

PERFECTLY MOBILE
VAIO S Series achieves the ideal balance between mobility and performance. It packs a 13.3″ widescreen display and a built-in optical drive in a body that’s just 23.9mm thin and weighs a mere 1.72kg.

ALL-ROUND EXCELLENCE
With no moving parts, the SSD* (Solid State Drive) is highly resistant to shocks and vibrations, and greatly speeds up access to data and launching of applications. It also enables VAIO S Series to boot up in under 17 seconds.

STYLISHLY FUNCTIONAL
The isolation keyboard automatically lights up when used in dark places for better typing comfort. An ambient light sensor even adjusts the screen brightness according to the level of surrounding light.

Toshiba Portégé Z830

DURABLE
Magnesium alloy chassis is both thin and durable, ready for the knocks and bumps of daily travel. The brushed-metal lid is stylish, yet professional. In the case of a fall or spill the Hard Drive Impact Sensor senses rapid increases in speed and locks the HDD to prevent damage, and the spill-resistant keyboard buys you time to save your data and shut down safely.

WELL-EQUIPPED
The built-in DVD burner gives it an edge over other thin and light PCs, and you likely won’t mind a couple ounces when you have the capacity to leave your external drive behind. TPM protects your data from thieves, and there is even an alarm to set if you need to step away from your laptop to refill your coffee.

PRESENTATION READY
Dynamic businesses require flexibility, you might not know where your next meeting will be held, but the Z830 is ready for anything. WiDi allows you to wirelessly stream audio and video to an HDTV while HDMI and VGA ports make standard connections a breeze. Want to present on your coworkers PC? The speed of USB 3.0 will transfer that huge file in no time flat.

For Moms: Lightweight PCs to help Mom keep track of everything between the office and the home in style

Acer Aspire S3

LIGHT
At an amazingly thin half inch thick, the Aspire S3 is thinner than some magazines. Crafted of a lightweight aluminum/magnesium alloy, the S3 has a 13.3‖ display and second generation Intel Core processor. You will be delighted at how substantial this lightweight PC will feel in your hands.

SMART
Whether you have made plans or are playing it by ear, the Aspire S3 is ready. The 320 GB hard drive, powerful processor and Dolby Home Theatre V4 allow you to store and enjoy your video and music collection wherever you are without wasting time transferring data from external storage.

READY TO GO

The Aspire S3 is ready to fit into your mobile life. It boots fast, instantly connects to the internet, and features Bluetooth® 4.0 so you can connect peripherals without hogging your ports. (Peripherals that you can afford because you saved a bundle on the S3.)

Dell Vostro V131

DESIGNED FOR WORK VIRTUALLY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

From its undeniably sleek, ultra-light and ultra-portable design to the optional backlit keyboard for nighttime computing, the Vostro™ V131 shines bright. As thin as 16.05mm and weighing just 1.82kg , the stunningly crafted Vostro V131 travels well anywhere you do.
COMMANDING PERFORMANCE

The power to run multiple applications and deliver fast, uninterrupted multitasking is essential. That’s exactly what you can count on with the Vostro V131 laptop with up to 8GB DDR3 memory. Get the invigorating performance you need with brisk processing options of up to 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 processors plus Genuine Windows® 7 Professional operating system.

COLLABORATION IS KEY

Stay well connected to valuable clients and family members while on-the-go with enhanced video conferencing features like digital array microphones and SRS Premium Voice Pro™ software. This cutting-edge audio suite delivers superb voice intelligibility for improved communication and a maximized multimedia experience.

For Sons: Multimedia PCs that will easily keep up with him as he learns and plays

HP Pavilion dm1

THIN STYLE
Built light and measuring less than 1‖ in the front, the HP Pavilion dm1 is available in sleek charcoal.

FEEL THE EMOTION IN EVERY BEAT
Unlock all the sounds that musicians and producers have perfected in their studio. With Beats Audio™, you can enjoy studio-quality music and hear your favorite song the way the artists intended.

HP PREMIER EXPERIENCE
The HP Premier Experience focuses on the things that matter most. Get quick one click access to grouped applications on the taskbar with HP Launch Box. And with automatic intelligent cooling from HP CoolSense Technology, your notebook stays noticeably cooler.

Samsung 700Z5A

FAST PERFORMANCE
Innovative ExpressCache™ technology provides 8GB of flash memory on the motherboard that works as an ultra fast HDD. Its intelligent, automatic caching takes 45% less time to boot up and starts Internet Explorer and frequently used applications 2 times faster, while still maintaining the safety and integrity of your data.

SUPERIOR DISPLAY
With Max Screen, enjoy a more immersive visual experience and greater value with the same body size providing up to 1 extra inch screen. Seeing is believing. Get the best you can with Samsung SuperBright Technology. With screen brightness 36% – 50% brighter than conventional screens and 16 million colors, every photo, video, website and even document looks stunning.

PREMIUM DESIGN
Weighing just 2.29kg and only 23.9mm thick, the compact design is less than 1″ in height to provide maximum style and portability. But even though it’s one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks in its class it still incorporates comprehensive functionality for optimum performance on the move

For Daughters: Customizable PCs to help her discover herself and express who she is

Lenovo IdeaPad U300s UltraBook

LENOVO BREATHABLE KEYBOARD
Allows airflow through the keyboard which keeps your notebook constantly cool

INTEL TURBO BOOST TECHNOLOGY 2.0
Enjoy adaptive performance that is more intelligent, energy-efficient and dynamic than ever before

LENOVO EE RAPIDDRIVE
Boot up in as little as 10 secs with Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 RapidDrive SSD technology

LENOVO LONG LIFE BATTERY
Up to 8 hours usage and 30-days standby time

Sony Vaio Y-Series

RELIABLE PERFORMANCE
VAIO Y Series features AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350 with AMD Radeon™ HD 6310*, depending on the model. Together with the latest Windows ® 7 operating system, you can handle your daily tasks and special projects with ease, whether at your desk or after hours.

SUPERB MOBILITY
Weighing only 1.46 kg and with a compact profile, you can take VAIO Y Series just about anywhere – from your desk or a meeting room, to the outdoors or back home. And with Wireless LAN and Bluetooth ®, you’ll have connectivity to the Internet wherever you are.

IMPROVED EFFICIENCY
The 11.6-inch wide high-resolution (1366 x 768) screen display provides a comfortable viewing environment perfect for surfing the net, updating your blog, editing or manage your photos and documents and much more.

For the entire family: Entertainment PCs that bring to life the magic of family time

Sony Vaio L-Series

FULL HD ENJOYMENT
Enjoy High Definition in all its glory with the convenience of touch on the roomy 24‖ Full HD Touchscreen LCD of the VAIO L Series. Featuring a wide viewing angle and automatic colour adjustment that syncs with the visual content, it assures you of the best viewing experience always.

A TOUCH OF BRILLIANCE
Featuring a bezel with integrated touch controls, the new VAIO L Series boasts Edge Access technology to give you quick access to frequently used functions, while keeping the screen free of unwanted fingerprints. Now, zooming in and out, flipping pages back and forth, even pulling up the onscreen keyboard, require nothing more than a simple touch of the frame.

ALL-ROUND ATTRACTION
The bezel on the VAIO L Series serves more than just as a beautiful frame. On it you’ll also find integrated touch control sensors that offer easy access to commonly used functions. Highly functional while still maintaining a streamlined design, the VAIO L Series fits any lifestyle and décor.

It’s a great time to get a Windows 7 PC

I’ve been using Windows 7 (Ultimate) for almost two years now. As compared to the previous versions, Windows 7 is faster and more stable. It also has a more appealing UI and themes and provides me an easier way of doing things (file manipulation, etc.). I also don’t have any issues connecting my other devices on my Windows 7 PC. It also provides me more security and user control options which help me in setting up and monitoring my kid’s user account and PC activities.

How about you? Did you get a Windows 7 PC this holiday?

Disclosure: MICROSOFT Philippines sponsored this post

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A new addition would be the declaration of January 23, 2012,  Chinese New Year / Spring Festival as special (non-working) day.

Moreover, November 2, 2012, Friday, the day after All Saints Day was also declared as a special (non-working) day.

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 295

DECLARING THE REGULAR HOLIDAYS, SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAYS, AND SPECIAL HOLIDAY (FOR ALL SCHOOLS) FOR THE YEAR 2012

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 9492, dated July 24, 2007, amended Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order (EO) No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, by declaring certain days (specific or movable) as special or regular holidays;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9849 provides that the Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a national holiday;

WHEREAS, the EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country, serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere as a nation and as a people;

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2012, the Chinese nationals all over the world will celebrate Spring Festival, popularly known as the Chinese New Year, which is one of the most revered and festive events celebrated not only in China but also in the Philippines by both Chinese Filipinos and ordinary Filipinos as well; and the joint celebration is a manifestation of our solidarity with our Chinese Filipino brethren who have been part of our lives in many respects as a country and as a people; 23 January 2012 may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest;

WHEREAS, Friday, 2 November 2012, falling between Thursday, 1 November 2012 (All Saints Day) and Saturday, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country;

WHEREAS, to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe All Saints Day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country, Friday, 2 November 2012, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as President of the Philippines, do hereby declare:

SECTION 1. The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2012 shall be observed in the country:

SECTION 2. The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

SECTION 3. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate the implementing guidelines for this Proclamation.

SECTION 4. This Proclamation shall take effect immediately.

SECTION 5. This Proclamation shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of thePhilippines to be affixed.

Done in the City ofManila, this 24th day of November in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:
(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

Download pdf from gov.ph

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Today is the second day and tomorrow will be its last day (December 2-4, 2011). At the same time, happening are the Shoes and Bags Sale and Toy Kingdom’s Great Holiday Sale.

Saw lots and lots of discounted items on display from running, basketball and sports shoes, office shoes, sandals, slippers, backpacks, travelling bags, shirts, polo shirts, pants, game consoles and a lot of toys.

Items are 50-70% discounted. Good time for Christmas shopping.

I was just starting to take photos when the security guard approached me. Need to apply my ninja skils and shoot low Missed a lot of items on display Sorry for the photos.

Tomorrow is the last day so if you have time, visit the Christmas Warehouse Sale at the SMX Convention Center , SM Mall of Asia

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This made me cry. My father was also an OFW and spent most of his prime working in the Middle East. On his last work contract, he was abroad for 13 years straight. We were so happy to see him again last year although this was short-lived since he migrated to the US after some months.

To all the OFWs who are working really hard and sacrificing their time apart from their wives, husbands and children to give their family a bright future, Merry, Merry Christmas!!!

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Starbucks also introduced a new beverage, the Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha in addition to the usual Starbucks Christmas beverage, Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha.

You also now have two options to complete the number of required stickers. You can collect 17 stickers (9 Holiday Featured Beverage and 8 Starbucks Core Beverage) or collect 23 stickers from any Starbucks Core Beverage.

Starbucks 2012 Planner – Front

Starbucks 2012 Planner – Back

The Starbucks 2011 Christmas Beverages – Toffee Nut Latte, Peppermint Mocha and the new Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha.

Below are the other Starbucks Merchandise and Gifts available this Christmas.

Starbucks Demi Christmas Character Mug @ Php 295

Starbucks Demi Candy Cane Mug @ Php 295

Starbucks Blend Christmas Blend Espresso Roast @ Php 500

Starbucks Logo To-Go Tumbler @ Php 475

Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Christmas Blend @ Php 495

Starbucks To Go Collection Mug @ Php 465

Starbucks To Go Collection Tumbler @ Php 495

Starbucks To Go Collection Ornament @ Php 250

Starbucks Christmas Character Mug @ Php 395

Starbucks Christmas Character Tumbler @ Php 450

Starbucks Full Leaf Tea and Herbal Infusions @ Php 425/ Php 475

Starbucks Stainless Steel Tumbler  @ Php 1195

Starbucks Logo Mug @ Php 465

Starbucks Christmas Blend @ Php 500

Starbucks Red Star Mug @ Php 354

Bodum3 Cup Coffee Press @ Php 1595

Starbucks 8-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Press  Php 1900

Starbucks Coffee Sampler @ Php 995

Starbucks Candy Cane Mug @450

Check out Starbucks Philippines on Facebook for more

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