Secrets of Mona Lisa

Source: The Mind Museum

Mona Lisa has been a significant part of my childhood memories not because it is a work of art but because, for me, it was a familiar song, which my father usually hummed - whether to put me and my siblings to sleep or just to entertain everybody at home.  I later learned that the song stemmed from the mystery behind the portrait created by Leonardo da Vinci - an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer.

A number of scholars have been trying to uncover the controversy surrounding not just the famous smile of the subject but the entirety of the painting as well.  And that was enough to trigger my curiousity.  Since Mona Lisa was painted by a genius, could it be that there is a scientific explanation for every detail, e.g., for every brush stroke of that enigmatic piece of art?

If given the chance, I would have loved to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris and see the portrait myself.  But then, that would not be financially feasible at present.  Then I thought to myself, why would I just visit the Mind Museum in Taguig?  I was informed that there is an eye-opening, in-depth analysis of "The Secrets of Mona Lisa" that started its three-month run last September 1 and will end on November 30, 2013.

This is a mind-blowing experience that I will never miss for the world.  Wanna care to join me?  Then, perhaps we start our journey here.

And I'm Invited!!!

I could not believe it!  My blog was one of the first 150 blogs lucky enough to be invited to an exciting event!

Lots of surprises and entertainment await fellow bloggers and businesses who will be attending the Blogapalooza 2013 on November 16, 2013 at SMX Aura.  In fact, one of the early perks is that one can get a "cash back refund" on a cab ride to Blogapalooza just by properly following the step-by-step instructions provided.  Isn't that a treat?!

Blogapalooza is essentially a "B2B" - Business to Blogger networking event.  It's a link between big and small businesses who have something cool to share and the online community of people who love to share.

So, what are you waiting for?!  If interested, sign up on or before 5pm tomorrow, November 15, 2013.   For questions, tweet @Vince Golangco or email Vince@WhenInManila.com.

Source:  WhenInManila.com

Gear Up Your Note 3 Promo, a hoax?

I made a quick trip to SM North yesterday during lunch break and due to limited time, I proceeded directly to Samsung shop and immediately inquired on the Gear Up Your Note 3 promo which was posted on Facebook.

I was disappointed however when the salesgirl I talked to had no idea whatsoever on what I was inquiring about.  And when I checked Facebook post again this morning, there was one comment which also shared the same sentiment.  And going back to the mechanics of the promo quoted below:

2. This promo is available in all Samsung authorized stores nationwide.

something must have gone wrong somewhere, which prospective buyers like me are left confused and frustrated.I hope Samsung will do something to correct this inconsistency before October 28, 2013.

FYI, Samsung  is also offering free 6-month accidental phone damage coverage for those who are going to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on or before October 28, 2013.  Thus, buyers who are interested to avail both promos should get their credit cards ready on or before such date.

And by the way, speaking of credit cards, BPI and BDO are offering their credit card holders a "buy now, pay next year" scheme.  That means, payment will be deferred next year yet.  Isn't that, great?

But then, Samsung must fix the Gear Up Your Note 3 promo first. :(

And I'm Getting Tempted...

Source

While still pondering on whether or not to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, I came across a Facebook post of the recent promo on the product.  Check out below the full promo mechanics:

1. Samsung's Gear Up Your Note 3 Promo will run from October 25 to November 10, 2013
2. This promo is available in all Samsung authorized stores nationwide.
3. For every purchase of a Galaxy Note 3, you are entitled to any or all of the following discounts:
4. To avail of the discounts, you must purchase the discounted items with the
GALAXY Note 3 in a single transaction

Promo period is from October 25 to November 10, 2013.  That only means one thing, I have to think fast.. :(

I'm Falling In Love With N3..

At first, I got hooked up with Samsung Galaxy S4.  Then suddenly, my eyes shifted to Sony Xperia Z1.  And now, I'm beginning to fall in love for Samsung Galaxy Note 3...

(For brevity, I'll be referring to Samsung Galaxy Note 3 as N3 in this post)

I can't help it.  I  admit, I got tired waiting for Sony Xperia Z1.  And to make matters worse, all I see were advertisements screaming for N3. :(

Just last month, I was not totally sold out for this product.  I'm not actually impressed with its stylus pen considering that I had one attached to my old phone before and due to the inconvenience of taking the time to take it out, I rarely, if not never, bothered to use it at all.  And I've also read reviews that there are complaints of the stylus pen's delayed response which is a big turn off for me as I am a certified impatient freak.

But then, reviews also disclosed that N3 is an improved version of Samsung Galaxy S4 (e.g., battery life, speed, etc).  And accordingly, N3 is the best phablet so far, even surpassing most of the features and specifications of Iphone 5S.

What holds me back however from buying N3 is that, it is too expensive.  Even review authors acknowledged that sad fact, too.  Because of that, I am forced to think on it a hundred times over.  And I'm wondering if it is still practical for me to invest on N3 considering that I am always on the go and might not have enough time to explore and enjoy it at all.

To whom it may concern, please help me decide by leaving your comments below.. ;)

Speaking of the... Z1!

Finally, Z1 is coming!

According to Sony Mobile Philippines' Facebook post (3 hours ago as of this writing), Sony Xperia Z1 will be available in stores nine days from now.  I'm getting excited!  Sad to say, I'm not as excited as I was before..

Z1 turns out to be cheaper than Samsung Galaxy Note 3 by P2,000 (USD46.51 at USD43 exchange rate).  To make the phone appealing, freebies and discounts might probably be offered on its launching day.  I guess I better decide now whether to grab the phone or learn again the lesson that I got from not taking the chance of purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 upon its launching, which by the way, could have saved me by as much as P4,000 (USD93.02).

Nonetheless, I have nine days to think about it.. 

The Waiting Game..

Photo Credit

Finally, I was able to visit SM Aura for the very 1st time.  The mall, by the way, is just a few minutes away from where I live.   If not for their 3-day sale which started last October 4 and ended today, October 6, I would have deferred my trip to some other weekend.  I was disappointed however when only a few of the high-end shops in there participated in what I term as "over 50% off" sale.  Nonetheless, my visit was not put in vain when I learned that Sony has a branch at the 4th floor of the mall.  I thought to myself, maybe this would be my chance to buy my most long-awaited phone...

I somehow expected to find a display of Sony Xperia Z1 at their store.  But then I already know that, that possibility would be remote considering that I heard nothing of any news of the recent launching of the latest product of Sony Xperia here in Metro Manila.  True enough, the salesman told me that the phone is not yet available.  To my dismay, I would have to wait for 1st week of November or perhaps on the 2nd week or who knows when.

I admit I'm getting tired of waiting.  I read from an internet article that Sony Xperia Z1 would be available here in the Philippines within the month of October.  It was already launched in Singapore last October 4 and earlier in Malaysia.  If Sony would have to postpone its launching here in the country, I'm afraid I might lose my appetite for the phone and probably shift my attention somewhere..