The Pasig River, that body of water that defines Metro Manila's soul and those of its suburbs, is one giant septic tank. That slurry description was made recently by the country's secretary of environment and natural resources during a congressional budget hearing.

Well, the good member of the president's cabinet did not actually say something new, or shocking, for that matter. The great river's decaying state has been a known fact among all residents of the metropolis and beyond. In fact, it is a common knowledge among Filipinos that Metro Manila is one giant landfill.

Everything and everybody in it – we are all garbage and dirt.

Smart Satellite Phone

American mobile network AT&T Inc. began selling last week a smartphone that also comes with satellite connectivity. The TerreStar Genus smartphone offers "blanket coverage" of the U.S., helping ensure that subscribers get mobile phone signal even in wilderness or hundreds of miles offshore.

Also, the phone could be a significant device, an answered prayer even, for fishermen, forest rangers, emergency crews and other people who often leave areas with regular cellular coverage.

The phone, however, is limited by the usual weaknesses affecting satellite phones – users must stay clear of trees or buildings that could obstruct their view of the southern sky, where the satellite drifts.
The Genus is not the first satellite-terrestrial combo phone to be sold in the U.S. market. Sprint Nextel Corp. sold Iridium phones in 1999, and Airtouch sold Globalstar phones in 2000.

It remains to be seen whether AT&T would have better luck with the Genus than those two companies had.

Zuckerberg's Wealth

According to Forbes' list of the 400 richest people in America, Bill Gates is still the richest American with his $54 billion treasure chest. He is followed by Warren Buffett with his $45 billion.

What is surprising, however, is Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's ranking at 35th ($6.9 billion), which makes him richer than Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs, who is at number 42 and worth $6.1 billion.

Social networking trumps computers and consumer gadgets?

That's all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.