Apple releases iPad Mini

iPad Mini is here! It’s the smaller and cheaper version of the ever-popular iPad.

It comes in two colors – black and white. It’s more convenient to carry at 7.9 inches compared to the 10-inch iPad. It also comes in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi+Cellular, and in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models.

Check out the video:

Specs:

Color:

• Black and Slate
• White and Silver

Models:

• Wi-Fi
  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
  • Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
• Wi-Fi + Cellular
  • Model A1454*
    • GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    • UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    • LTE (Bands 4 and 17)
  • Model A1455*
    • CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    • GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    • UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz) 
    • LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)
  • Data only
  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
  • Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology

Size and Weight:

• Wi-Fi
  • Height: 7.87 inches (200 mm)
  • Width: 5.3 inches (134.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.28 inch (7.2 mm)
  • Weight: 0.68 pound (308 g)
• Wi-Fi + Cellular
  • Height: 7.87 inches (200 mm)
  • Width: 5.3 inches (134.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.28 inch (7.2 mm)
  • Weight: 0.69 pound (312 g)

Storage:

• 16GB
• 32GB
• 64GB

Display:

• 7.9-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch
  display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768 resolution at 163 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

Chip:

• Dual-core A5

Cameras, Photos and Video Recording:

• FaceTime HD Camera
  • 1.2MP photos
  • 720p HD video
  • FaceTime video calling over Wi-Fi or cellular⁴
  • Face detection
  • Backside illumination
  • Tap to control exposure for video or still images
  • Photo and video geotagging
• iSight Camera
  • 5MP photos
  • Autofocus
  • Face detection
  • Backside illumination
  • Five-element lens
  • Hybrid IR filter
  • ƒ/2.4 aperture
  • Tap to focus video or still images
  • Tap to control exposure for video or still images
  • Photo and video geotagging
• Video Recording
  • 1080p HD video recording
  • Video stabilization
  • Face detection
  • Tap to focus while recording
  • Backside illumination

Find the complete specifications here: http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/specs/

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Coming out

The Talampunay flower is fast blossoming.

Above photo was taken on Wednesday. Nanay and I thought it would at least be a week before we see the flower in full bloom.

But yesterday morning, Nanay was so happy to see the flower has started to show up:

And this morning, we marveled at how it has three layers. Nanay said those they saw in Tagaytay only had one layer of bell shaped petal.

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Of flowers and the bees

Nanay’s potted plants have been producing quite a splash of color at the side of our house.

She’s been asking me to take photos of her flowers and it was only this morning that I felt like shooting. Bad timing, though. I should’ve waited for the afternoon sun.

It was hard to capture the bees. And yes, there were bees. Like 10 of them, and one little butterfly that was very elusive to the camera.

But if there’s one thing Nanay and I are excited about, it’s the Talampunay bud that has been getting bigger every single day.

And look, it’s almost out!

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How to get to Mt. Gulugod Baboy/Pinagbanderahan

Mt. Gulugod Baboy/Pinagbanderahan offers a 360-degree scenic view of Anilao. From the summit, you can see the nearby Batangas Pier, Maricaban and Sombrero islands, and even the distant Mt. Maculot, Mt. Lobo and Manabu Peak.

Locals say it’s actually Mt. Pinagbanderahan that mountaineers go to, and Mt. Gulugod Baboy is the one behind it which is not easily accessible.

Here’s how to get to Mt. Gulugod Baboy/Pinagbanderahan:

• Ride a bus bound for Batangas City and drop off at the Diversion Road. (from Alabang, fare is P110)
• From Diversion Road, ride a jeepney going to Mabini and drop off at Anilao junction (P29), tricycle are cheaper (P30/head) but scarce over there so you may want to just drop off at the Plaza where you can hire a tricycle for P140 going to PhilPan.
• Once at PhilPan, the path on the opposite side of the road is the one that leads to the mountain trail going up Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

Before you reach the trail head, however, you will pass by Pabio’s store which you won’t miss because he’s the only one with a tarp displayed with the picture of the mountain and himself on it. See below.

Pabio is a guide and a porter and he will entertain you with his stories about the mountain and his experiences as a guide. He also knows the history of Mt. Pinagbanderahan with the guerillas and the Japanese of the World War II, he would even show you the site of a plane crash.

What’s more, he’s a nursing aid graduate so he knows first aid and the likes that may come in handy when you’re in the mountains.

You may contact him in advance before heading over to Mt. Gulugod Baboy. Guides can be very busy especially on weekends (and long weekends at that). Pabio’s mobile number: 0921-2656466. His photo below.

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Mt. Gulugod Baboy – The Search for a Leaf

It wasn’t a usual climb for me when I went to Anilao, Batangas last Thursday. Although I admit I miss the mountains as much as perhaps every mountaineer who had been deprived of the chance to climb for quite a number of months, my goal in Mt. Gulugod Baboy was to look for a medicinal plant that we would like to use on my mother as an alternative medicine.

I brought Melford along, who’s now in college, since it really worries Nanay everytime I climb alone. Worry her at this time is the last thing I’d like to do.

I’ve been to Mt. Gulugod Baboy last year with K (sadly, it was one of the many climbs that I haven’t blogged about) so I’m already quite familiar with how to go there and even the trail. K and I didn’t hire a guide even if it was our first time in that mountain last year, just like in all of the mountains we have climbed together. Honestly, we’re so adventurous when we’re together that we even got lost in Mt. Kalisungan and found our way to the summit through a vast area of cogon.

Back to Mt. Gulugod Baboy, I was surprised to see part of the cemented path that connects Philpan to the mountain trail covered in what looked like a landslide. It was confirmed by a very friendly guide named Pabio when we stopped by his store for bottles of Coke.

Up to that store, however, I hadn’t seen the plant I was looking for. I read somewhere that it could be found along the trail but since it bears very attractive upside down flowers, I thought I could find it in front of someone’s house before I reach the actual trail going up the mountain.

Showing Pabio the photo of the plant I found on Google that was taken in Gulugod Baboy, he told me that it was in one of the group of houses in the middle of the mountain. And since I had been up there already, I suddenly remembered the small village he was telling me about.

It was a rather cool ascent. The sun wasn’t that harsh at all, with refreshing wind blowing our sweats away. We reached the small village after a while, and I was relieved that the plant was there in the far side from the entrance, easily recognizable because of its flowers.

It didn’t catch my attention last year because, as the above photo shows, it didn’t have flowers yet at that time.

Good thing the elderly male resident we found lounging there that morning agreed when I asked for a bunch of leaves which I said I would use as alternative medicine for my mother.

Locals are really friendly and kind. I ended up giving one of the kids a bar of Snickers as a token.

After thanking the man, and asking if I could have a branch that I could plant at home on our way down, Melford and I proceeded to the summit. It was almost zero visibility when we got on top and it took some waiting before we could finally have decent pics taken.

After much picture-taking and rest, we started walking back. The man at the small village gave me a small branch and I gave the kid again my last Snickers bar.

Pabio was still at his store when we got back. Famished, I asked if we could have noodles cooked (because Lucky Me Pancit Canton was the first thing in his store that caught my eyes) but he said his house was so far from the store and just offered to accompany us to a carinderia that cooks pancit guisado.

Before the pancit, though, we took a bath in his uncle’s house for P15 per head. Not bad actually for a civilized bathroom with hand shower.

Pabio entertained us with his stories about the mountain and the mountaineers who have hired him as a guide and porter. Over pancit canton guisado, Melford and I came to know this kind and funny soul that I regretted to not having brought him along as a guide during the climb.

He is also a nursing aid graduate so he has first aid skills that could come in handy in the mountain. If you want to hire Pabio as a guide or a porter, you may text him at (+63) 921-2656466. He only charges P350.

By the way, he told us it was really Mt. Pinagbanderahan that mountaineers go to and not Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

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Globe Tattoo Mediapad

The Tattoo Mediapad. Get hooked. Get it for less.

• Runs on Android 4.0 ICS Dual Core 1.2 GHz CPU
  Compact and lightweight, 7-inch screen, 1280 x 800 HD Display, 8GB internal storage - expandable up to 32GB with micro SD, 5 megapixel HD camera
• Equipped with Yozo Office, runs a multitude of games, entertainment and browsing apps
• Hotspot-capable. Powers up to 5 devices

Get the Tattoo Mediapad with a Tattoo Personalized Plan 999, with only P10,990 cash out. Or pay on installment for up to 12 months at 0% interest.

1. What is the Tattoo Mediapad?
The Tattoo Mediapad, a sleek and lightweight computer tablet, is the latest device Tattoo is offering. The 7-inch screen Tattoo Mediapad runs on Android 4.0 ICS with 1.2 GHz Dual Core processor. It has a 5 Megapixel camera, 8 GB internal storage which is expandable to 32 GB with micro SD, and is equipped with Yozo Office and a multitude of games. Furthermore, the Tattoo Mediapad has a hotspot feature which allows users to share their wireless Internet connection with up to 5 other Wi-Fi devices.

2. What is the offer?
Tattoo Mediapad can be purchased at only P10,990 (available at 12 months to pay at 0% interest) when subscribed to a Tattoo Personalized Plan 999. Get Unlimited browsing and a base speed of up to 7.2 mbps and an access to exclusive discounts/ privileges and freebies on livetattoo.ph

3. Who can avail of this offer?
This is offered to anyone who wants to subscribe to Tattoo Personalized Plan 999.

4. How long is the lock-in period?
The Tattoo Mediapad Plan 999 has a 24 month lock-up period.

5. Where can I avail the Tattoo Mediapad?
The Tattoo Mediapad is available in Globe Stores/ Online/ Hotline Sales.

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