Nokia's N-Gage is on the roll

Nokia has rolled-out N-Gage, its gaming service, (though initially available as FIRST ACCESS for Nokia N81 owners) as it expand into mobile Internet services. With its launch delayed twice last year, N-Gage currently limits its use to those with N81 multimedia phones to get feedback before making it available to a wider audience.

When I updated the firmware of my N95, the N-Gage icon has been included with two demo games (my kids would play) easily draining the battery. I used to have the N-Gage QD Game Deck (gaming phone) which is more a smart phone than game console sans camera--it was a highly entertaining experience/relationship. I've 'outgrown' it though, as I needed a phone that doesn't look like Nintendo's Gameboy, but is multimedia-capable (such as my N95 now).

Will N-Gage stir the mobile gaming space? We'll see when it's on every Nokia phone menu, and gaming is but a click away.

I-Must-Have #3 - Mario Party DS

I promised my youngest son Kirk Marcus I'm going to get him this game for his Nintendo DS Lite this week. Mario Party DS, released last November, have been reviewed with high marks, and is now available locally at Data Blitz at around P1,700.

Kurt's pre-birthday celeb surprise--metallic blue PSP

Few more days before Kurt's birthday, I bought him what he calls the 'magazine' gift, which he also calls the 'you know' surprise--he wants to upgrade his Gameboy SP to a Playstation Portable (PSP).

My wife and I have been cooking up the scenario that we can't afford the 'magazine' this time. What with all the school expenses and bad weather (doesn't sound like a good mix, hehehehe).

Afraid I might not have enough time to do shopping--went to GH late afternoon, went straight home pretending to have only the usual 'pasalubong' of donuts then that 'you know' moment--Kurt was really surprised he kept on saying 'dude, this is way too cool!' in his kurtish twang. Marcus, our youngest, ditched his DS, and waited for his turn--both thanked Egay for the school-less days and welcome the long weekend with tire-the-thumb anticipation.

Tapping the hours with Phoenix Wright

I busied myself this weekend tapping tirelessly like hours on end, that is, my son's Nintendo DS Lite. I'd lost interest in most of its card-stored games until I had it installed with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

It's not a new game but is considered one of all-time DS favorites. It's released in Japan 2001 originally for GBA and rereleased for Nintendo DS in the US in English.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is an adventure game, starring of course Phoenix Wright, a defense lawyer working on mostly trumped-up murder charges/cases. As Phoenix, you get to investigate/examine crime scenes, question witnesses, and of course be where the action is--the courtroom. This is where actually the fun begins, and where you need to logically connect bits and pieces of information you collected from your investigation, and press on witnesses, whose funny antics (tongue sticking out, vibrating boobsies) you'll not miss and will surely make you laugh. Enough said, you'll have to play it to appreciate it.

I am now at Episode 4 (Turnabout Goodbyes), and if my youngest (the owner of the DS Lite) would still allow me, I hope to finish it today. I hope...

PSP 2 (so)on the loose?

In last week's conclusion of E3 2007, an announcement from the Sony camp confirmed reports that a slimmer Playstation Portable / PSP will be available (on September in Japan) -- thought of as a move to ride on (or get a share of) Nintendo DS's popularity.

My youngest, Kirk Marcus, has a DS Lite, which he practically plays the whole day (as in keep it plugged to keep it charged). Kurt, who wants a PSP (he has PS2 already) for his birthday, teases his brother that his (console) will be a blast when it arrives.

Do I wait or go with the old PSP? Well, if you search online for comparo of the original and the redone PSP, you'll find out that not much will be changed except for the battery, on-board memory, and little on aesthetics. The redone PSP, when available here, I'm sure will cost an arm and a leg.

But say hello to GH, and you'll be welcomed by a plethora of shops offering PSPs (in all its variant colors and versions) below 10k bundled with memory stick(s) and all the games you can ever imagined hackable. Well, only in the Philippines.

Wildfangs getting wild...

Wildfangs, in fighting form...

Wildfangs's logo...

The kids can't wait to see it on their jerseys... I, too.

Welcome the Wildfangs

The Wildfangs (the new and energized Red Corvettes in a strong basketball competing form) is joining the summer league at Ascoville Subdivision, which started after the holyday vacation.

Again, we'll be needing all the support we can get. We want these kids busy playing basketball competitively than getting exposed to drugs and violent lifestyles.

Pictures after 49 years...

So... I read Blogger.com's posts, and it's them not my connection nor my pictures.

Anyways... pics, pics, pics of previous week(s), rhymes huh?

The Red Corvette mosquitoes after the championship game (minus me)...


Me and my wife celebrating...


Bunso on his graduation day with Kuya...


Kuya and bunso...

We're not the champion...

...but 'twas a-OK.

The Red Corvette, my mosquito team, is 2nd. Actually, we're not expecting to even make it to the finals. We won best in uniform, not surprisingly.

To all who supported, again, thanks...

Thank you from the Red Corvette

A big thank you to those who supported (financially and otherwise) the Red Corvette mosquito team. No matter how big or small, your support is very much appreciated by the kids. Shout-outs go to:

- Ms. Maritoni De Guzman
- Ms. Baby Brown
- Ms. Nimfa McLare
- Cong. Luis 'Baby' Asistio
- Ms. Virgie Fuchs
- Ms. Lerma King
- Ms. Myla Manalo
- Mr. Enyong Nicolas

The kids were on a different high when they played in their uniforms. We still need help because most of them don't own a pair of rubber shoes.

So on we go with our solicitations. If you want to support the Red Corvette mosquitoes, send an SMS to 0921-819-6294.

Jogging, just for the love of it

Two consecutive Sundays and the Red Corvette mosquitoes (the tyke-y basketball players I manage) have been waking me up four in the morning for a 3-round-minimum jogging session at the Neopolitan park (at the back of SM City Fairview).

I still don't feel well, it's like my head's throbbing with this terrible headache. The unfriendly climate changes (breezy early morning, steamy-hot the rest of the day) led me to this unhealthy condition - rough cough and feverish sleepless nights.

But for the love of it, and not to discourage the kids, I still went for the run! I tried Fartlek, or speed play, but ended up doing only about 2 rounds, less than my 5KM personal goal. The kids were running to catch up but most of them decided to quit early and rest. I didn't want to commit to this kids as if I am the coach, but as the team manager (seriously) I felt the responsibility to keep them motivated (as in sports-minded) is mine.

After the taho for everyone and as the sun heated up its might, we all went to our house and ate the delicious chicken sopas prepared by my wife.

In a few minutes, after a quick Tekken 5 session, I was snoring in bed in my sweaty jogging gear.

Ginebra's fiesta at Araneta

With 75-peso tickets (that's Upper Box B free seating) in hand, my wife and I with the kids watched the Ginebra vs. San Miguel Finals, game 6 at the Araneta Coliseum. Better, pricier tickets were sold out as early as Wednesday night and we're lucky to have had 4 of the last of these tickets, which at 75 is really a bargain. I don't really like Ginebra, not even a basketball fan, but watching this game with my family is, like the credit card ad, truly priceless.

San Miguel cheerers were overwhelmed by Ginebra fans (include us). It turned out to be the last game as, after getting a grip from the obvious point advantage by San Miguel's 3-pt shooters, Ginebra got the crown. Any hint of the beermen's postponing the gin king's winning streak was booed by the crowd.

The coliseum was roaring with fans who can't get enough of Ginebra's victory. It's 96 to 94, somebody heard us (or thousands of us) when we crossed our fingers against a tie and game extension.

We decided to miss the confetti sessions--delaying our dinner for a few hours was worth it after all.

Here's to the Red Corvette!

Not the car.

I have been ‘selected’ (like I had a choice?) by this mosquito (that’s what they call their division) team of barangay basketball leaguers to be their ‘manager.’ Just what exactly a [basketball team] manager does? Well, these kids will be needing help with the finances, and here's when the manager come in, to source funds for, first and foremost their uniforms, then other things like snacks and drinks during games, etc.

I'm impressed with this team--these tykes have proven size really doesn’t matter, even in basketball. Last week, they had a winning streak--haven’t lost a game--and I heard they were among the smallest.

So what am I to do? I gave in to their ‘selection.’ I paid for the down and even designed the logo for the uniforms. I am, manager, welcome the Red Corvette.

Deluxe Aggression

My kids have finally got their hands on WWE's Deluxe Aggression action figures. Found it at Toy Kingdom SM City Fairview. Kurt of course picked John Cena, his hero, and Marcus picked Batista, a fitting opponent to Kuya's wrestler toy.

We have been looking for these action figures supposedly as Christmas gifts for the kids last year, but we're surprised to find out that most wanted toys last season are appearing only this Feb.

My wife and I were like crazy thinking the SM empire might be holding on to these toys for a reason. Well, enough of the conspiracy theory, as both our pockets were almost emptied by the purchase price of Batista and John.

Nina vs. Christie - 0 to 5

Nina Williams has been kicked right and left, up and down and the score is 0 to 5. My gorgeous Christie Monteiro is at it again, not the helicopter tactics this time, but her kick-ass capeoira kicks. Well, after spending an hour or so yesterday playing Tekken 5 for PS2 prior to sleep, she's now 2nd kyu.

It's become a bonding activity my wife and I thought of doing lately, and after the fight today, Nina has been training (or shall I say my wife is at it) for our next fight.

'Go easy on me!' Christie would say.

I'm Okami-hooked

Today, I had the chance to play the top-rated PS2 game Okami. Playing the game for the first time, you'll have to read through a very long series of Okami-ic backgrounder. The gibberish is like The Sims-speak, only in Japanese.

What's engaging is its unique gameplay with characters rendered in a Hokusai-style world that turns in vivid colors (flowers and all) when you complete a task or level.

I'll take the time-off now to play Okami, excuse me.

Kids' weekend gameplan

Starting late afternoon yesterday, my kids Kurt (Kuya) and Marcus (Bunso) have been doing a lot of catching up. Not on their studies, on their PlayStation 2 games, that is.

After three consecutive days on academic exams, the two are focused gamers this weekend--Kurt on Starwars Battlefront II, Marcus on Need for Speed Carbon. I on Bully.

Lhen, my wife, as 'Nina Williams' on Tekken 5. I am 'Christie Monteiro' my sexy helicopter girl.