And if you've been seeing posts about being pregnant, starting a new relationship, or getting prostitution offers all over your feed...well. Just check the date.
Google Maps: Pokemon Challenge
Those who grew up with Japanese video games and anime in the 90s are going to get a kick out of this. If you've always wanted to be a Pokemon Master, grab a smartphone (iOS or Android) and launch Google Maps, for the tech giant has digitally populated cities around the world with 150 Pokemon (not necessarily from the first generation).
From the YouTube description: "Dozens of wild Pokémon have taken up residence on streets, amidst forests and atop mountains throughout Google Maps.
"To catch 'em all, grab your Poké Ball and the newest version of Google Maps for iPhone or Android. Then tap the search bar, 'press start,' and begin your quest.
"And, follow Google Maps on Google+, Facebook or Twitter for hints and tips for the most dedicated trainers."
This is only the first and possibly best-known of Google's April Fools' pranks. For example, the next Android update will be called Android LOL, and Gmail has released the Shelfie—shareable selfie—as a custom theme. Knowing Google's track record, this is only the beginning.
Here is a full list of Google's pranks for April Fools' 2014.
NAIA to be converted to F1 racetrack
Apparently, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport's rehabilitation is the first stage in the development of the archipelago's very own F1 racetrack, in time for the first Philippines Grand Prix in 2015.
But before you begin complaining about what seems to be only the latest incident in a slew involving misallocated government funds, consider Auto Industriya's follow-up article.
'Cheetau', the Cheetos perfume
You might like the cheesy snack, but imagine smelling like it for an entire day. Frito-Lay's press release describes it as such: “a prestige limited-edition fragrance that celebrates the irreverent, intriguing and playful nature of the iconic feline with a scent bold enough to excite and delight.”
According to the description on its YouTube promotion: “The smell of hunger is wafting to a nose near you April 1st.”
According to this Kotaku article, the perfume smells "like the bottom of a bag of cheesy microwave popcorn, or a movie theater concessions stand after the nacho station exploded. There is a sweetness to it, which brings to mind Japan's Mountain Dew Cheetos, which is something I'd rather not have brought to mind."
Local media criticism blog to shut down
The Spin Busters, an anonymous blog composed of unnamed journalists working in different mediums, decided to close the door on their endeavors to educate and empower local audiences regarding Philippine journalism, via media criticism. Of course, the article was written in their trademark upbeat, occasionally self-deprecating humor.
Nomadic Pirate Bay's biggest move yet
They've been booted from domain to domain. They've lodged themselves in cloud file-sharing. Now, the world's most controversial (illegal) file-sharing site is going to “take the biggest step in our history”—they're setting up shop in our minds.
“Using a simple plugin into the the brain, you will no longer only be able to see and hear a movie, a game or whatever it is you want. You'll be able to live it. Play the main character. Tweak any story in any way you want,” they stated in their most recent blog post.
Bob Ong to release 10th book
Book trailers promoting upcoming releases are a thing these days, and popular bestselling (and anonymous) author Bob Ong proved no exception to the trend in posting a trailer for his 10th-ever book, “Mga Status Updates ni Mama Susan.”
However, a check with Ong's published Visprint confirmed that they were releasing no such book. The 10th book is actually a reprint of the first book, “ABNKKBSNPLAko?!”
Fruity headlines and more
Outrageous, miraculous, fruity headlines and health stories from top British newspapers have hit the stands.
“Several papers report that most of us need to eat more fruit and veg, after research suggested increasing the recommendation of five-a-day would help people live longer,” reports the BBC.
Participating papers include The Guardian, The Daily Mirror, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, and the Daily Mail.
The Unified Commuter Number Coding Scheme
In a bid to solve Metro Manila's worsening traffic and commuting problems, the MMDA and the MRT will be implementing the Unified Commuter Number Coding Scheme, designed to decongest the trains stations and EDSA's thoroughfares.
“In this scheme, commuters with phone numbers ending in certain digits will not be allowed to ride any bus or MRT/LRT trains during peak hours. It follows the number coding scheme MMDA has implemented for several years,” states an article on local tech site Yugatech.
“The number coding scheme is in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic enforcers will man bus lanes and MRT stations to check the ending number of mobile phones by commuters to enforce this.”
“Commuters caught violating the coding scheme will be penalized with a P500 fine payable via Pasaload or GCash.”
BIR vs. Twitter, Facebook over tax issues
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is desperately trying to catch up to its P1.46 trillion target for 2014; as such, it comes as no surprise that “Seeking out new avenues to increase their collections has been a strategy of the bureau for the past couple of years,” according to Yugatech.
In light of this, the BIR requested that the National Telecommunications Commission block several international websites—including social networking giants Facebook and Twitter—from the Philippine internet domain. Apparently, the companies were not remitting the proper taxes.
Australian inspires Jollibee employees to speak more Tagalog
Those two employees never saw it coming. But at least they were good-natured about Maputing Cooking host Chris Urbano ordering what seemed like a feast using deep Tagalog words.
“#Jollibee is an iconic Filipino restaurant, but l’ve noticed they hardly speak #Tagalog there anymore – the whole menu is in English now. So I wanted to put the #Pinoy back in #Jollibee by placing my entire order in deep #Tagalog. Warning - this is Hilarious. Enjoy!!” was Urbano's caption on Maputing Cooking's Facebook page.
Warning: the video also contains a corny joke. The Champ burger was called a “Pacquiao.” — Vida Cruz/BM, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
