Today, laudemer is thinkin' about....

Are you a good person?

2011-03-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

I think every Christian bloggers must post this video about a good person. Very simple, yet very powerful tool for evangelizing in the cyberworld. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzDOqwhsYw4

You can also copy and paste it to your facebook wall.

SWITCHFOOT LIVE IN MANILA 2011. HELLO HURRICANE MANILA

2011-02-13T22:08:00.000-08:00

Alternative rockband Switchfoot will be staging a concert in Manila this April 30, 2011 at Philsport Arena (formerly known as ULTRA).

SWITCHFOOT popularized the following hits:

Only Hope (later re-recorded by Mandy Moore for the movie "A Walk to Remember")

Learning to Breathe -- OST from the Movie A Walk to remember

Meant to Live --- Official Soundtranck from the movie Spider Man 2

Dare You to Move

This is Home -- Official Sound Track from the movie Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian

Switchfoot just received a Grammy Award this year 2011 for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album

Their latest Hello Hurricane (2009) is their first self-produced album as an independent band. It is also just the first release of four albums-worth of material as announced by Switchfoot. Their next album will be called Vice Verses, set to be released at an undetermined date.

Switchfoot last came to Manila in September 10, 2007 for their Dare you to Move Concert. Their upcoming 2011 concert will be the second time the band visits the Philippines.

Ticket prices:

VIP                                 P3500
Courtseat                       P2500
Ringside                         P1800
Lower Box                     P1500
Ringside II                     P 800
General Admission        P 500

For ticket orders, contact Laudemer Beltran at 09178656359, email : oedie1_kenobi@yahoo.com or facebook : http://www.facebook.com/oedsude.

Planetshakers LIVE IN MANILA 2011

2011-01-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

PLANETSHAKERS will be LIVE IN MANILA this MARCH 12, 2011!

A Night of Worship with the PLANETSHAKERS at the PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA) packed with people in worship of the ONE TRUE GOD!

Tickets will be available on JANUARY 10, 2011!
Date: March 12, 2011
Time: 7:30PM
Place: Phil. Sports Arena (former Ultra)

Tickets:

VIP Patron: PHP 1000 (reserved seats)
Courtseat: PHP 800 (reserved seats)
Ringside/ LL: PHP 800 (reserved seats)
Ringside II: PHP 500 (free seating)
Gen Ad: PHP 300 (free seating)

Contact me for Ticket Reservation:
laudemer beltran : 0917 8656359
oedie1_kenobi@yahoo.com
(areas: Makati, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Pacita (San Pedro), Pioneer Mandaluyong, Eastwood City)
http://www.beccamusic.com/

visit facebook planetshakers details on my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6222990&l=ffda37547c&id=660547832

January 2,2011

2011-01-01T11:24:00.000-08:00

Yay, I almost forgot that I do have a blog, blame twitter for that my blogspot. Well..... HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! Time flies so fast.... really really fast. Just want to write to this post that Im very thankful to GOD: my creator, author, director and producer of my life for giving me a wonderful 2010. Twenty ten.... just wanna let you know that you're one of the best years I've ever had.

I wanna share to you guys the summary of my twenty ten:

January:

* went to Quiapo to observe 2010 feast of the Black Nazarene. (see my photos : HERE )
What's so special about? The security guard of mercury drug building (probably the best spot for covering the feast) in front of Quiapo Basicila Minor, gave me permission to take "bird's eye view" photos of the church. I was the only "amateur photographer" that was granted permission to do that. I felt like that Im a "pro" that time along with the crew of ABS-CBN and GMA7 who were also covering the black nazarene's event.)

* I did win a free trip to Ilocos! Many thanks to Rodel Samson who gave me the prize for winning the "Pinoy Henyo" game in our Lagooners get together.

February

* Attended 15th Hot Air Balloon Festival last February 13 at Clark Airbase...... alone. Pretty sure, I'll attend this years 16th event with "someone i like". See photos HERE

March

First time to explore Anawangin Zambales. I never thought that there's a place like this in the Philippines. The pine forest and the beach reminds me of scenes from the movie twilight. See photos HERE

April

I knew from the very start of the year (2010) that I can't afford to go to Sydney just to see Hillsong team and Ms Darlene Zschech. GOD knows every desires of my heart, that's why HE brought the team to the Philippines! That's what you called "favor" from GOD! Thanks to APPEND, Ms Ging and Ms. Issay for trusting me and my team. He gave me the experience to meet one of this generation's great worship leader and Hillsong worship team. Take a look! :

GOD, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

me and my barkada went to Ilocandia for our annual barkada summer outing. What's good about it: I just only spent php 2000.00 for the whole trip. my friends spent more than Php 5000.00. Thank You LORD!
PHOTOS OF MY ILOCOS TRIP: HERE

May

More and more surprises! My uncle from the States, went back here in the Philippines for a two week vacation. Guess what? He gave us (everyone in my family) 100USD each! Thank You JESUS!

As part of my barkada's post summer trip; Lagooners attended Pahiyas Festival in Lucban Quezon. Good food, beautiful tradition and colorful feast. (see photos HERE )

I also bought my first appliance for the year. A brand new LG ref. Praise GOD! I named it "Darlene".

That's not all for May, I was able to attend PASSION MANILA for the first time, and it was so great, especially the praise and worship hour led by Chris Tomlin. The power packed preaching was led by Pastor Loui Giglio. Amazing team! Thank you BECCA music for giving me the opportunity to work with you as volunteer. Thank you LORD! Just wanna post a special remembrance from that event:

June

* Got a new career and new job. Thank you RED BOX SOLUTIONS for those wonderful memories.Thank You LORD for my new job.

* Climbed Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu Batangas with friends from our church.

* THE FIFA WORLD CUP FEVER!

July

Ricardo Sanchez ( a worship leader from the US, visited our church New Life Christian Center). Most of the songs that we sing in our church are from his church (aside from hillsong). Here's a pic of my with Ricardo Sanchez. Thank you LORD!

* watched INCEPTION.... one of the best mind boggling movies I've ever saw, one that deserves Oscars!

August.... SILENT MONTH

September

* Attended CITIPOINTE LIVE Concert in Manila. My photo (see below) was posted by CITIPOINTE TEAM itself on their Facebook fan page. Praise GOD!

October

* Participated in 10.10.10 Pasig Run event, it broke the guiness record as the largest run event. Wooohooo, proud to be part of it.

* Also participated in Adidas King of the Road.

* Became Top Performer in our team for the month of October. Thank you LORD!

November

* Got a new pair of espadrilles. Thank you Reeya and Anna!

Discovered Nagsasa Cove: The most beautiful place I've seen so far in my country. Planning of rediscovering it on March or April this year.

December

Christmas season!

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT 2011 WILL BE A BETTER YEAR FOR ME! THANK YOU LORD FOR 2010.

Hello newlife chapter!

2010-06-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Its 1:05am of June 18,2010 on my PC monitor. Practicing to sleep at morning; 'must adapt to my new career. Hello Accenture! Im nervous.... its like im being transferred from one environment to a new different one. Whooo!

For the past years, I've been praying to have a new job. For three years, I've worked for Red Box Solutions as a Sales Engineer. It was supposed to be a good ground for growth, but sadly, the owner of the company itself is the one halting it. Just imagine, we were only four in the group and we made RED BOX SOLUTIONS as SIEMENS PHILIPPINES top distributor for 2009 (in terms of sales). Oh well, telling the truth really hurts, and telling the truth caused the Red Box Solutions to go back to zero again . I will not make further explanation anymore. It's now a closed chapter of my career. Im just missing the team, Sir Joseph Manalo, Maam Emy Saliendra, Sir Philip who was also got evicted from RBS, LG02. We had one dream, and that is to make Red Box Solutions renown in the industry. I miss our activities: time zoning, going to Greenbelt, outing and endless food feasting.I love RED BOX SOLUTIONS, but its the time of the season to find a new place to grow. Thank you Red Box for those wonderful experience. Im free of telling white lies too! Thank you GOD!

HELLO Accenture!

Hello Todaylaudemer

2010-05-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hello TodayLaudemer! I feel that Im so bad, im not faitrhful to you, I admit, im a twitter addict, but hey, im here again. Writing the "what'sthelatest?" in my life.

So many things happened for the past 5 months of 2010. The blessings that I received for the last 5 months was so overwhelming. I am really totally overwhelmed. Lots of first times you know? First time to go to the farthest north, first time to ride on an airplane (wooohoooo!). First time to have a dinner with the whole family in a 5 star hotel. First time to meet Ms. Darlene Zschech. First time to buy a huge appliance. Hahaha. GOD, You are really awesome.

Darlene Zschech in Manila 2010

2010-03-07T23:40:00.000-08:00

Touching Heaven, A night of Worship (A concert for a cause). A one night worship event featuring Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong worship team. All proceeds will go to the rehabilitation of 2009 Typhoons victims.

Presented by The Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development (APPEND). Managed and sponsored by the NEXT STEP events Inc.

Tickets are available at the ticketnet outlets.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=383685590015&ref=nf

or you may contact the following APPEND volunteers:

Ticket prices:

Patron - Php 3000 reserved seating
Lowerbox - Php 2250 reserved seating
Upper A - Php 2000 reserved seating
Upper B - Php 1150 free seating
Gen Ad - Php 398 free seating

Sueno Espadrilles Manila presents: The espadrilles of 21st century

2009-12-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!

FABRICS PRINTED IN FRANCE .

SOLE AND STITCHING IN THE BASQUE REGION ( SPAIN AND FRANCE )

GET READY TO BE BLOWN AWAY.

The espadrilles of 21st century

Interested buyers may contact me oedie at 09178656359

2010

2009-12-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

After a long period of blog vacation....finally, a new post.. Sorry peeps, honestly im lacking time of writing my thoughts on this blog in the past months; , Its 4:36AM on my PC's clock...yes....and don't get shocked, im writing this post in my office.... cyberslacking at the highest level...haha. My body is tired after attending a Christmas party at siemens and yet my mind is still awake.

Few days left before the year 2009 bids farewell to us! And nope, this is not my year ender.... hope i could write it before new year's day. 2010.... twenty ten... two-o-one-one.... times flies really fast. A new decade is about to uncover. What's in store for me for the next decade.....

2010. I realized that Im turning 30 years old on that year.... im excited yet nervous and worried. Why?

Im worried about the coming years because
I don't have my own house(yet****)....
I have no savings as of this very minute(yet****)....
worst of all....
Im still single... no girlfriend since(yet****) birth.

*****added the word yet on january 2,2011.
So many questions are floating inside my head?
Will I get a lifetime partner? (*****I WILL HAVE MY LIFEPARTNER)
When will I have a house, a car, a business and most important ...a family etc of my own?
What's going to happen with my life?
***** words on caps lock added on january 2, 2011

I wish that I will improve next year. That the immaturity that is hiding in me be exposed and be released. That I might grow like other person of my same age. That I will have a succesful life. I must grow... easy to say but its really really hard to do. Its like choosing between good and evil, its easy to do sins than to remain faithful to HIM.

**** ONE THING IS FOR SURE, I HAVE A FAITHFUL GOD! MY DESTINY IS IN HIS HANDS!

2010.
2010.

So, who's afraid of 2010?

Planetshakers Live in Manila 2009

2009-11-18T19:05:00.000-08:00

Saved - A Christmas Worship Concert Tour Featuring The Planetshakers on Dec. 5 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Seat Location Price
Patron VIP (Reserved Seating) 500
Patron (Reserved Seating) 500
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) 300
Upper Box A 300
Upper Box B 100
Gen. Admission 100

For tickets,

call or text (authourized ticket seller)

Laudemer
at +639178656359 (AREA: Alabang, San Pedro, Sta Rosa, Makati)

House of Praise outlets

call Ticket net 911-5555

volunteers are also needed. if you have a passion to serve God, email us at events@beccamusic.com with your name, age, contact information (tel, mobile and email) and church affiliation

planetshakers christmas worship concert in manila facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=174583516374&ref=ts

Typhoon ketsana aftermath

2009-09-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Support #Philippines, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://twibbon.com/join/Philippines-4

2009-09-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

twitter users:
Support #Philippines, add a #twibbon to your avatar now! - http://twibbon.com/join/Philippines-4

VISIT http://twibbon.com/join/Philippines-4

PLEASE DONATE TO THE VICTIMS OF TYPHOON KETSAMA (ONDOY) !

2009-09-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

now that i have seen, i am responsible
faith without deeds is dead
---- brooke fraser, ALBERTINE

I never thought that the devastation brought by the Typhoon Ketsama (ONDOY) in Mega Manila last Saturday was worse than expected. The flood caused by Typhoon Ketsama was the worst flood in the Philippines in more than almost 4 decades. In just 6 hours, the infamous storm dumped a month's worth of rain all over Mega manila. Infact, rainfall brought by Ketsama to the Philippines (410mm) was way too far compared to the rainfall brought by Hurricane Katrina (a Category 5 Hurricane) to Louisina USA years ago ( equivalent to 380mm).Photos and stories about the historic flood are flooding the internet. It will really break your heart. Thanks to the help of technology today, internet users are so vigilant in posting updates via twitter and facebook about people who are in need and affected by the flood.ONLINE BAYANIHAN!. I would like to express my deepest gratitude in behalf of the Filipino people to the following international artists and celbrities around the world for expressing their sympaties over the victims of the flood: @ramielmalubay (American Idol) Finalist , @Jonathan Foreman and @Switchfoot Band,@Josh Groban, @Ashton Kutcher, @Paulo Coelho, @Alyssa milano, @megan fox, @paris hilton and many more. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Yahoo photos of Philippine flood : http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Philippines-Flooding/ss/events/wl/092709philippinesflo

TO ALL THE READERS OF THIS BLOG: YOU CAN HELP THE PHILIPPINE FLOOD VICTIMS

DONATION AREAS:

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS

Monetary Donations

1. CASH or CHECK
Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

2. BANK DEPOSIT
Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross

    METROBANK
    Port Area Branch
    Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
    Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
    Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
    Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

    BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
    Port Area Branch
    Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
    Type of Account: CURRENT

    BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
    UN Branch
    Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
    Type of Account: SAVINGS
    Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

Credit Card

Please fax the following info to +632.404.09.79 and +632.527.0575:

Name of card member, billing address, contact nos. (phone & mobile), credit card no., expiration date, CCV2/ CVC2 (last three digits at the back of the credit card), billing address, amount to be donated.

For online donations you may also visit our website at www.redcross.org.ph .

In-Kind Donations

LOCAL
Please send in-kind local donations to The Philippine National Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. We could also arrange for donation pick-up.

INTERNATIONAL

Send a letter of intent to donate to the PNRC
A letter of acceptance from PNRC shall be sent back to the donor
Immediately after shipping the goods, please send the (a) original Deed of Donation, (b) copy of packing list and (c) original Airway Bill for air shipments or Bill of Lading for sea shipments to The Philippine National Red Cross–National Headquarters c/o Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 2803, Philippines.

The PNRC does not accept rotten, damaged, expired or decayed goods. Though we appreciate your generosity, the PNRC also discourages donations of old clothes as we have more than enough to go around.

SMS and G-CASH (Globe)

SMS
text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

G-CASH
text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

Most urgent needs

Food items: Rice, noodles, canned goods, sugar, iodized salt, cooking oil, monggo beans and potable water

Medicines: Paracetamol, antibiotics, analgesic, oral rehydration salts, multivitamins and medications to treat diarrheal diseases

Non-food items: Bath soaps, face towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans, water containers, water purification tablets, plastic sheetings, and Laundry soap

Rehabilitation Programs: Shelter materials for house repair

Call Hotline 143 or 527.0000

THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Bonifacio Drive, Port Area,
Manila 2803, Philippines

ABS-CBN FOUNDATION
http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Mother Ignacia (corner Scout Albano)
1103 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: (632) 922-4842
Email: jocelyn_saw@abs-cbn.com

FOR INQUIRIES FROM THE NORTH AMERICA:

ANGELIE AGBULOS
150 Shoreline DR
Redwood City CA 94065
Tel: +1(650) 5086117
Email: angelie_agbulos@abs-cbn.com

FOR INQUIRIES FROM OTHER OTHER COUNTRIES:

Bantay Bata - bantaybata163@abs-cbn.com
Bantay Kalikasan - kalikasan@abs-cbn.com
Emedia - emedia@abs-cbn.com
Sagip Kapamilya - sagip@abs-cbn.com
Bayanijuan - amor_reyes@abs-cbn.com

For any other inquiries or concerns :

foundation@abs-cbn.com

AMERICAN REDCROSS
Telephone Number: 18004357669

LOCAL DONORS;

Things you may want to donate:
1) Bottled Water
2) Instant Noodles (preferably in bowl packaging like Nissin or Lucky Me)
3) Canned Goods w/ pull tab cover (no can opener available in relief centers)
4) Bread or Biscuits
5) Coffee or Juice
6) Multivitamins (preferably Vitamin C)
7) Medicines (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Loperamide)
Blankets
9) Old but wearable clothes
10) Slippers/ Flip flops
11) Some organizations will accept cash donations.

For babies/toddlers
12) Diapers
13) Milk/ Infant Formula

For USA Residents:
Help in the typhoon relief effort by calling ABS-CBN Foundation USA toll-free 1-800-527-2820

For those near ABS-CBN:
Help pack relief goods at Sagip Kapamilya at #13 Examiner St. They are also looking for people willing to go to provinces and distribute the goods.

For those near a La Salle School:
(OPLAN: Sagip Metro) DLSZ (Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa) and LSGH (Greenhills) are now accepting relief goods and looking for volunteers from 8am to 6pm. DLSU- Manila (Taft Avenue) will accept relief goods as early as 8:00 A.M. at South Gate

For those near Ateneo De Manila:
Go To: Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
Manuel V. Pangilinan Building Center for Student Leadership Lobby
University Dorm Cervini Hall
Hotlines: 09089977166, 09178952792, 4266001 local 5050
Operations: 24-hours operations for the entire week.

For those near a Petron Station or 2Go Branches:
Visit any Petron or 2GO Branches to drop off your donations.

Other Ways You Can Help:
1) Visit a branch of the Philippine National Red Cross and volunteer. You can also send donations using your mobile phone: text RED AMOUNT and send to 2899 (GLOBE/TM) and 4483 (SMART/ TNT). Globe is accepting P300 txt donation.

2) Visit Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes , QC
Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822
Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.

3)Radio Veritas
Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. cor EDSA
Look For: Karla Turingan
Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS
Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.

4) Victory Fellowship- Fort Bonifacio
Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across from Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio
Look for: Pastor Bernard Marquez
Hotlines: 813-FORT, 8171212
Operations: Tentatively until 5pm may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday.
Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort

5) Tulong Bayan
Go to: Balay Expo Center, EDSA cor. Gen McArthur, Araneta Center or visit WhiteSpace 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. beside Faith Christian School
Hotline: 0917-5273906
Operations: Come as early as 8:00 a.m.
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

6) World Vision Philippines
Go to: Quezon Avenue (near Delta Theatre)
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

7) Corporate Network for Disaster Response
How to: Donate cash through BPI Ayala-Paseo Branch with account number 0031 0654 02

8) ALABANG NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER
DON MANOLO BLVD, ALABANG HILLS VILLAGE
ALABANG MUNTINLUPA CITY
Telephone numbers: 809-1542 to 43
Contact person: Ms. Eloise Santos/ Ms. Jane Martinez.

Typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-26T02:46:00.000-07:00

Metro Manila and its surban areas were caught unprepared by Typhoon Ondoy. Although Ondoy is just a tropical storm with a wind strength of 75 kph(with an international name of Ketsana) and is not powerful enough to uproot trees compared to Storm Milenyo who strucked Metro Manila 3 years ago, it brought gazillions of liters of water from the Pacific to Metro Manila. Rain never stopped since last night. Slex was closed to motorist, flood in Muntinlupa-San Pedro Boundary is neck deep.The whole municipality of Cainta Rizal, is 100% flooded according to news. People are stuck on the roofs of their houses. Even the house of my relatives in Sta Mesa is flooded; Im praying that they are all safe.I hope people in China and Taiwan will read this blogpost so that they can prepare now as Ondoy is approaching to their countries. JESUS help us!

And oh, i just read the news that the whole Metro Manila is under the state of calamity.

LA MANCHA WON SECOND PRIZE AT THE HANNOVER BAROUQUE INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS COMPETION

2009-09-22T02:56:00.000-07:00

Philippines La Mancha Pyro Productions Inc. placed 2nd runner up at the Hannover Baroque International Fireworks Competition 2009. Philippines won third prize last 2008 at the same competition. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Everybody is anticipating Philippine's performance to this year's World Pyro Olympics.

Here are some of the photos of La Manchas performance at the Hannover 2009

Other related links:

LA MANCHA PYRO PRODUCTIONS AT HANNOVER BAROQUE INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS COMPETITION 2008

WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS 2009 SCHEDULES AND PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

LA MANCHA PYRO PRODUCTIONS AT CROATIA ZAGREB FIREWORKS FESTIVAL 2009

LA MANCHA PYRO PRODUCTIONS AT ZAGREB CROATIA FIREWORKS FESTIVAL

2009-09-22T02:40:00.000-07:00

Philippines' LA MANCHA PYRO PRODUCTION at ZAGREB CROATIA FIREWORKS FESTIVAL last June 19, 2009.

related links:

LA MANCHA PYRO PRODUCTIONS AT HANNOVER BAROQUE INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS COMPETITION 2008

WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS 2009 SCHEDULES AND PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

La Mancha Pyro Productions Inc. at Hannover Baroque International Fireworks 2008

2009-09-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

To give you an idea of what to see, hear and expect at the 4th World Pyro Olympics this November 2009, here's a video of Philippines's La Mancha Pyro Production at 2008 Hannover Baroque International Fireworks Competition. La Mancha won the third prize.

Enjoy watching!

Related links:

WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS 2009 SCHEDULES

my 1000th tweet

2009-09-21T17:31:00.000-07:00

I just posted my 1000th tweet: GOD IS GREAT! @Twitter revolutionize blogging. O_0! 75 followers, following 123 people! THANK YOU ALL for following me!

JEWISH NEW YEAR 2009

2009-09-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Leshana Tova Tikoseiv Veseichoseim Le'Alter LeChaim Tovim U'Leshalom
("May you immediately be inscribed and sealed for a Good Year and for a Good and Peaceful Life")

Rosh Hashanah (which means head of the year) is a Jewish Holiday commonly referred as the the Jewish New Year. Jews will celebrate the the first day of year 5770 starting at the sunset of September 18, 2009 (today).

Rosh Hashanah is described as "the day of judgment" (Yom ha-Din) and "the day of remembrance" (Yom ha-Zikkaron). Some midrashic descriptions depict God as sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are opened for review, and each person passing in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds.

It falls in the month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. The reason for this is because the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nissan (when it's believed the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt) but the month of Tishrei is believed to be the month in which God created the world. Hence, another way to think about Rosh HaShanah is as the birthday of the world.
Rosh HaShanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei. Jewish tradition teaches that during the High Holy Days God decides who will live and who will die during the coming year. As a result, during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur (and in the days leading up to them) Jews embark upon the serious task of examining their lives and repenting for any wrongs they have committed during the previous year. This process of repentance is called teshuvah. Jews are encouraged to make amends with anyone they have wronged and to make plans for improving during the coming year. In this way, Rosh HaShanah is all about making peace in the community and striving to be a better person.
(http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/roshhashanah.htm)
HAPPY NEW YEAR! PEACE & BLESSINGS UPON ISRAEL AND ITS PEOPLE!

=)

2009-09-17T18:21:00.001-07:00

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Korina Sanchez's words of retaliation against RG Cruz facebook status

2009-09-17T00:26:00.000-07:00

This blog post is a response to the Philippine Daily Inquirer internet article News room war on a TV network.

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless."
-- Author Unknown

"Speaking your mind is an awfully dangerous thing to do. Choose your words carefully."
-- ©Rick Beneteau

Is it true that RG Cruz* posted the words "First Lady wannabe …who would eventually be a bad spouse…a queen in her head without a crown… ” on his facebook wal and pertained it to Ms. Korina Sanchez?( I need a confirmation, anyone?)

Then, may be RG forgot that he's a journalist when he wrote those "catchy words". Tsk tsk tsk. RG may also forgot that the person he pertained as a "first lady wannabe" is a woman and a the Chief Correspondent of ABS-CBN where he is working.

RG, according to a scientific study, a woman uses about 20,000 words per day while a man uses about 7,000, based on Dr. Louann Brizendine,(a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco) book "The Female Brain". It's no wonder that Korina Sanchez, retaliated with thousands of words against you with her open letter. Please see below (letter was copied from Marichu Lambino's blog):

Quote “A LETTER TO MANAGEMENT AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE TOLD ME OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE FACEBOOK ATTACKS OF RG CRUZ AGAINST KORINA SANCHEZ

“From Korina Sanchez

Quote “ I thought, not too long but hard, about writing this letter about someone who I supposedly work with but hardly know — someone who, should I see along our company corridors, I probably wouldn’t even recognize.

Quote “ While some characters would sit back, relax and ignore the nuances and irritants of daily living, some characters such as mine are the types who would see and know, by experience if I may add, that evil prospers when good men do nothing. While there is wisdom in silence, there is nobility to be found in response and courage — as foolish as some might think these to be, given specific circumstances.

Quote “Such was my thought process when I decided to write this letter. As inconsequential to my universe as someone, whose opinion I do not care about at all, is — there is something to be said here and something to consider. It is for the greater good among us who, fortunately or unfortunately, have to work with each other in ABS-CBN for, precisely, the greater good.

Quote “ I received the calls and texts to me from longtime co-workers and colleagues at the station recently. They say, “Ma’am, do you know what RG Cruz has been posting on his Facebook against you? Why is the company allowing this? How could he say such things? Do you have some war going on with him?”, the person at the other end of the line sounded so urgent. This is the 3rd person to tell me of the Facebook entries by an RG Cruz within a few days about a “First Lady wannabe …who would eventually be a bad spouse…a queen in her head without a crown… ” and some. We have copies of all of the RG Cruz entries on his Facebook. Suffice it to say that the tirades against who Cruz eventually admitted was Korina Sanchez were as creative as creativity can many times be Borne of spite and utter, utter hatred. It reminds me of the creativity of serial killers from history. Jack the Ripper for instance — who kept the English police guessing and following and analyzing each way the pattern was kept alive with each of his dead, mangled victims.

Quote “ I thought hard, “RG Cruz? RG Cruz…Oh…RG Cruz, oh that RG Cruz”. He always wears a long coat much like Keanu Reeves in the movie Matrix. I once thought it to be cute and fantasized my fiancé Mar in one of those wondering, “Hmmm, maybe this outfit would do it for him and give an extra 5 percentage points in the surveys”. Alas, we always have the same reaction to every idea — it is ability, track record, integrity, honesty, diligence, intelligence, compassion and vision that should bring an aspirant to his rightful place in history — stupid. Not long coats!

Quote “Back to RG Cruz. Yes, I remember now. RG is the cute little young guy who I actually kind of like. I thought from his outfit and from watching one anchoring job he did in ANC that this guy has character. We would often walk by each other going different directions in company corridors late at night when I anchor Bandila. Many of those times I try to catch his glimpse to smile but, for some reason, he always has his head down or he would look some other direction. Half of that time maybe it was I looking down and at other directions. In short, and as astonishing as it apparently is, I don’t really know nor have interacted or worked, nor do I ever remember having had conversation with Mr. RG Cruz. And I do not know where his concentrated anger targeted towards me is coming from.

Skin off my nose. He doesn’t count.

Quote “But here is where we learn some things, yes, even in

instances that should seem not matter.

Quote “Sad as it is, it is not surprising that, in my experience of more than 20 years of work in the company, there may always be someone like RG Cruz who will just be the way they are without rhyme or reason. There have been many batches before RG that I have seen, suffered and survived. I guess he represents his batch. My advice is, ignore. And then, when you feel it has become too much, report to our superiors. If the

regulations and the law warrants, push for management

action, even a sanction, even a lawsuit.

Quote “Logic dictates that, just as we are all bound by regulations and ethics regarding how we relate and treat each other within the company, these parameters encompass treatment of each other that is public, evident, attestable. Facebook, designed as it may be for “friends”, is essentially public. Slanderous comments are, arguably, considered published. “Blind item” lawsuits have been won in Philippine courts as well. As long as more than a certain number of people can identify, without a doubt, the unnamed victim of slander and character assassination, the offense is actionable.

Quote “ I, by the way, do not understand why Mr. Cruz would

bother to not mention my cherished name in his attacks

against me when he outright named another company talent,

Mr. Willie Revillame, and attacked him as well.

Quote “ In the interest of sound policy covering such misdemeanors to protect its employees and talents and maintain the civility required of us all to achieve company goals — as painlessly as humanly possibly — I have inquired with management and have urged them to take a closer look at the cyberworld as public domain and which is a potent instrument for destruction and unwarranted personal aggravation of its victims, especially in the hands of co-employees.

Quote “ Lastly, but most importantly.

Quote “ It has been almost 6 days since Sen. Mar Roxas’ abdication of position of standard bearer of the Liberal Party of the Philippines to endorse Sen. Noynoy Aquino as party candidate for the Presidency of the Republic. I’ve seen it and felt it for myself: it is the easiest thing to have an ambition, calculate and run for office. It is the most difficult to want to serve, calculate, invest and then give way. Until you see and be, it would be a task for any jaded journalist to imagine.

Quote “ The overwhelming outpour of love, grief, disagreement with the decision, admiration and emulation which followed Sen.

Roxas’ example has carved a niche for his good name in

Philippine history books this early in his life in public

service and governance. I would like to thank many of you who have called to say how they’ve admired Mar’s sacrifice. To those who challenge the integrity of Mar’s sacrifice and may dismiss it as expediency I invite you to a chat as I might enlighten you on things you might not be fully informed about or aware of. I give special thanks to Ted Failon, Julius and Tintin Babao, the people of DZMM News, Joelet Reyes, the other staff of Bandila, Ging Reyes and Charie Villa, Ms. Cory Vidanes and our President Charo S. Concio for their kind and generous words.

Quote “ Many of us in the news business have often thought, felt that we are as big or powerful as those we cover. Our

indifference and sarcasm say so. And too many times I have, myself, dismissed acts of greatness and sacrifice as just “one of those things”. Having taken this long a leave of absence from my years of work in broadcast for the first time and finding myself participant in something so important to this country, its people and its future I now see even more clearly how small and insignificant each of us is in the much bigger picture

affecting 90 million lives. That is, until we think, act, speak and, most of all, do something to become the difference, make a difference for the good and become … bigger. Or do something or nothing to make us even smaller, more insignificant. We might as well just disappear.

Quote “ So to you, RG Cruz, I say, I hope that — as your Facebook entry narrated — as you were “eating chocolate” and indulging your gastronomical cravings while events at Club Filipino on the 2nd of September 2009 were unfolding and all you could think of and delight in, as written in your Facebook, are your cruel attacks, pettiness, inanities and insensitivities to the sacrifice of others and, horror of horrors, make these public — you will, henceforth, attempt to save yourself from the very real prospect of disappearing, leaving this world without a trace, no better and even worse than when you found it.

Quote “ By the way, did you know that Jack the Ripper loved chocolates, too? Look it up.

KORINA

Quote “P.S. I have attached an interesting article written by Ms. Solita Monsod – which I highly recommend for your reading. I encourage you to pass this letter to anyone at the office or outside who may had read RG Cruz’ attacks against me and my name as a matter of defense of my character and

reputation.. Thank you very much.

quote”http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090905-223616/The-statesman-and-the-retreatant “ closed-quote.

I just want to know what is the intention of RG Cruz when he put those careless words on his facebook. Although he has the right to put whatever words on his FB account, he must realized that he is a journalist, he is responsible for his every very own actions. RG, here's my words of advise for you: Respect begets respect

About RG Cruz

RG CRUZ is a journalist working for ABS-CBN's Bandila, TV Patrol and ANC, covering Malacanan and the Political beats. He is a member of the Malacanan Press Corps. He blogs on facebook and multiply. rgcruz.langit@yahoo.com.

RG's info on facebook: RG CRUZ FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

RG Cruz email: rg_cruz@abs-cbn.com
rgcruz.langit@yahoo.com

WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS 2009

2009-09-16T20:37:00.000-07:00

There's a reason to get more excited this November! Get ready for another jaw dropping experience! WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS , considered as one of the most awaited(and probably the most loved) events in the Philippines, and one of the most prestigious fireworks competitions in the world is moving to a new home. WPO'09 will be held in Bonifacio Global City Taguig this coming November.It will be the new arena for the best pyrotechnic firms all across the globe. This annual competition will be different from the previous WPOs; this year,we will see firework displays synchronized and choreographed to music (pyro musical). Participating countries are:

Philippines (host country, non-competing)
Germany
Italy (2008 Grand winner)
Japan
South Korea
United States
Australia ( 2006 Grand winner)
Canada
China ( 2007 technical precision winner )

UPDATE:

We are now accepting reservations for VIP and the Special Viewing Areas.
Limited VIP tickets only. Reserve now!

TICKET PRICES (PER NIGHT):
VIP - P1,500 (inclusive of dinner)
SVA - P500
GVA - P200

DISCOUNTED PRICES FOR 5 SHOWS:
VIP - P6,000
SVA - P 2,000
GVA - P 800

imited VIP tickets only. Reserve now!

ADDITIONAL INFO: This will be located at The Fort Open Grounds behind High Street, near MC Home Depot. VIP comes with a free dinner from VIA MARE and all VIPs have sure seats. VIP and SVA are in front of the GVA (General Viewing Area). There will also be enough food booths and seats at the SVA although you cannot reserve seats there -- first come first served. :)

Gates open at 3pm, but fireworks start around 630pm.

IMPORTANT ADVISORY

Event schedule has been changed, and moved back by a week.

Saturday firing dates are as follows:
Nov. 21, 28, Dec 5, 12, 19.
Korea/USA firing has been moved to Dec 12.
With the Fellowship of Fire/Philippines moved to Dec 19.

All other country schedules remain the same! PLEASE TAKE NOTE! :)

For ticket reservations, please contact 568-6908.
Schedule of Firing:

EVENT DATES (5 CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS):
Nov. 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12

Date of Firing Performer (REVISED SCHEDULE)
21 November - Korea, USA
28 November - Germany, China
05 December - Japan, Australia
12 December - Canada, Italy
19 December - Highlights from the participants -- La Mancha Group International (closing display)

We are currently accepting reservations for VIP and SVA areas. Call the ff hotlines for reservations: 568-6908 or 3840239. Special discounts for 5-day purchases!

GVA ticket details/distribution outlets will be announced soon. Please keep checking for updates.

CHECK WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS FACEBOOK ACCOUNT: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=136505728047

FOR CONCESSIONAIRES:

pls contact the ff hotlines for GVA concessionaire (food booth) inquiries :)
Cricket - 8260552;

Karleen - 4927994;

May - 3773479;

Ivy - 8560808

FYI concessionaire booths at the GVA area are now priced lower at P3500 x 5 days, or P4000 for less than 5-day bookings! BOOK NOW before slots run out!!!

LOG ON TO: WORLD PYRO OLYMPICS WEBSITE
I will try to contact the organizer of this even to add more infos about this blog post.

= ) oeds

LAKAS CMD KAMPI's OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR 2010 ELECTION

2009-09-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

LAKAS CMD KAMPI, the current ruling party in the country has announced that Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro will be its official standard bearer for the 2010 Presidential Election. Gilbert Teodoro bested MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando with overwhelming votes received from the party's national executive committee ( 42-5, according to sources of Philippine Daily Inquirer). Teodoro used to be with National People's Coalition (NPC) but quit in July of this year after he joined LAKAS CMD. Gilbert teodoro is also a cousin of Senator Noynoy Aquino, (Liberal Party's Standard Bearer). CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

MTVs VMA 2009 TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF POP MICHAEL JACKSON

2009-09-14T03:10:00.000-07:00

video from photbucket, http://www.rickey.org/?p=22533

Best Motivation Video

2009-09-14T02:42:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine posted this youtube link on facebook....

' Wanna share it with you....

SWS Latest Survey: Ninoy Tops Luzon Poll

2009-09-13T20:05:00.000-07:00

Social Weather Station has released its latest result (posted on ABSCBN News on line) for Presidential preferences for 2010 Survey conducted last September 5-6, 2009. The latest survey was participated by 1500 respondents and covered the area of NCR, P,angasinan, Region 3 and 4-A which covers 40 percent of voters.The survey has a margin of error of plus/minus 3%.
According to ABS-CBN, 10 percent of respondents belonged to the A, B and C classes—the wealthy and the middle class—while 90 percent belonged to the D and E classes—the poor.

The result

Senator Noynoy Aquino topped the poll results followed by Senator Manny Villar, Ex-President Joseph Estrada, Senator Chiz Escudero and Vice President Noli De Castro. This means that if the elections were held last Sept. 5-6, Senator Aquino will be a declared a majority winner president. The result of the latest poll interprets that Senator Aquino should be considered as a "serious competitor" by other presidential wannabees. If other presidential aspirants will follow what Senator Mar Roxas did last September 1, 2009, Senator Aquino chance of becoming the 15th President of the Philippine republic will become bigger. I wonder if Manny Villar, Noli de Castro, Bayani Fernando, Chiz Escudero, and Erap Estrada wished that Cory Aquino never died.

Google trend result:

Meanwhile, here the result of my own survey, conducted just this very hour with the use of technology Google trends. The graph below shows the most popular among the presidential aspirants on the internet.

Even children can interpret the line graph above.

Remembering September 11

2009-09-11T05:25:00.000-07:00

"But everybody's changing and I don't feel the same"
- Keane

Exactly 8 years ago,with only 20 months and 11 days after the world celebrated the new millenium, the history of humankind was changed drastically, a history marker was placed on the date of the calendar, September 11,2001. The world's center of power, the city that never sleeps, New York City, was surprised by terrorist attack. It was the day that the whole world realized and saw what the meaning of the word "TERROR'' .

Today, September 11, 2009..... people are still thinking if there is still a place on this world called "safe"

I could still remember that night, it was 9 pm here in manila, philippines. Me, and my siblings were watching TV. I always switched the TV channels that time, looking for a good TV program. One channel, caught my attention; it was CNBC Asia showing video of two long chimneys emitting gray smoke, i never thought that the two chimneys on the video were the world trade center already. I thought that it was weird , for CNBC Asia to show non sense video for almost fifteen minutes. After minutes of channel scanning, I was able to find a good TV show. About 15 minutes later, my mom received a phone call from my grandmother, telling us that WTC was being attacked by terrorist. I felt a cold sensation that very moment. We hurriedly switched the channel to CNBC Asia and saw the confirmation of my grandmother's report. We were shocked at what we saw on TV; The WORLD TRADE CENTER, an ICON of the world's most powerful nation, the most famous landmark of Big Apple, the two towers, were flaming, smoke plumes billowed the whole city. It was like watching the most horrifying reality show ever produced. No Hollywood producers, writers and directors were able to produced that kind of terroristic scene. The Perfect execution of terrorism. Until the ultimate climax happened, the twin towers collapsed! Totally horrifying and unexpected. I repeatedly uttered only three words, OH MY GOD!OH MY GOD! The world trade center is gone, together with hundreds of innocent souls. Hundreds of dreams were shuttered, billion of people were left afraid.

I wish that the scenes of terror from September 11, 2001 will never happen again in our history. I pray to GOD that He will keep us away from harm. I hope that every world leaders will be vigilant in fighting terrorism, destroy the roots of it so that the word TERROR will wither and fade in the dictionary.

Remembering 9-11.

Switchfoot's Latest Single: MESS OF ME music video

2009-09-09T18:43:00.000-07:00

999

2009-09-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today is the 9th day of the 9th month of year 2009, it only happens once in a century, Im so lucky indeed that I am writing a blogpost for this day. I hope that this day will be a blessed day for all!

Katy Perry plus Boys Like Girls LIVE IN MANILA 2009

2009-09-08T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Philippine concert season (for foreign artists) is not yet over! After the ultra electro techno successful concert of the @ladygaga (follow her on twitter!) last August 2009, the Philippines is preparing for another concert storm this October, and guess what? This storm kissed a girl and liked it! Yes! @Katyperry (follow her on twitter) together with Boys like Girls will be performing live for the first time in Manila for a one night concert only. Concert will be held on October 3, 2009 at the Mall of Asia Concert grounds.

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson better known as Katy Perry rose to fame in 2008 her breakthrough single "I kissed a girl" from her 2008 album One of the Boys. Her other famous singles are: Hot N Cold and Waking Up in Vegas. Katy Perry was nominated in 2009 Grammy as best female pop vocal performance, and her single I kissed a girl won in People's Choice award 2009 as Favorite Pop Song.

Her Philippine concert is part of her "Hello Katy" world tour. Tickets are available at the following ticket prices:

Php 3,500 for VIP*,
Php 2,200 for Gold*,
Php1,200 for Silver*
and Php 400 for Bronze*

*plus 3% Service charge!

Katy Perry + (Boys Like Girls) HELLO KATY PHILIPPINE CONCERT TOUR is presented to us by All Youth Channels, Inc ,& MTV Philippines Inc.

For ticket reservations, check out TicketWorld at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call at 891-9999! For more information, log-on to www.mtvphil.com.

114th BLOGPOST

2009-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Its exactly 9PM in the evening. Just want to thank you all guys for visiting blog. My globe counter on the left side bar indicated that more than 10,000 had already visited this blog. Again, thank you! The most memorable entry perhaps are : My Beijing Olympics opening ceremony review, FYI, this blog entry was read by a freelance writer Michael Sheridanfrom Australia. He just only mentioned my blog and my review on his news.com.au write up about the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony entitled " Chinese Bag Boring Opening Ceremony". My second memorable entry wouold be my review about the coverage of ABS-CBN and GMA7 about the inauguration of President Obama. Guess who commented on that entry? Mr. Manuel L. Quezon III! Woohhhoooo!

My only wish is that my writing skill will improve more. I want my blog will be recognized too. Good night everyone!

Switchfoot: Mess of me

2009-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

'Can't wait to have the latest album of switchfoot's latest album: HELLO HURRICANE. Jon Foreman said that the album will be released this coming November 2009. I remember when they had a concert here in Manila last 2007. Oh, my, wish that they could come back here! And oh again, if you're an avid fan of switchfoot, the band is hiding #messofme all over the globe, all you need to do is to find it. Follow Switchfoot on twitter: http://twitter.com/switchfoot

Here's the lyrics of their latest single:

Mess of Me
Switchfoot

I am my own affliction
I am my own disease
There ain´t no drug that they could sell
Ah there ain´t no drugs to make me well

There ain´t no drugs
It´s not enough
There ain´t no drugs
The sickness is myself

- Chorus -
I made a mess of me I wanna get back the rest of me
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my life alive
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna reverse this tragedy
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my live alive
The rest of my life alive!

We lock our souls in cages
We hide inside our shells
It´s hard to feed to the ones you love
Oh when you can´t forgive yourself
Yeah forgive yourself!

There ain´t no drugs
There ain´t no drugs
There ain´t no drugs
The sickness is myself

- Chorus -
I made a mess of me I wanna get back the rest of me
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my life alive
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna reverse this tragedy
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my live alive
The rest of my life alive!

AHHHHHHOOOOO!

There ain´t no drug
There ain´t no drug
There ain´t no drug
No drugs to make me well
There ain´t no drug
It´s not enough
We´re breaking up
The sickness is myself
The sickness is myself

- Chorus -
I made a mess of me I wanna get back the rest of me
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my life alive
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna reverse this tragedy
I´ve made a mess of me I wanna spend the rest of my live alive
The rest of my life alive!

And here is the tracklist of their upcoming album:

Hello Hurricane

Needle and Haystack Life (3:49)

Mess Of Me (3:27)

Your Love Is A Song (4:22)

The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues) (3:47)

Enough (3:52)

Free (4:03)

Hello Hurricane (4:04)

Always (4:20)

Bullet Soul (3:24)

Yet (3:53)

Sing It Out (5:17)

Red Eyes (4:50)

New Seven Wonders of Nature Finalist: VOTE FOR Philippines' Puerto Princesa Underground River

2009-09-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

There are over a hundred natural wonders the Philippines can offer to the world. Natural wonders that can only be found here in our country. That is why no wonder, the Puerto Princesa's underground river of the Philippines is included to the 28 finalist of vote7 New 7 wonders of Nature. I feel sad that other Philippine natural wonders were not included in the competition:

the majestic Mayon Volcano, world's perfectly cone shaped volcano;

The incredible Chocolate Hills, (where you find a place on earth surrounded by thousands of giant hershey's kisses...and sorry, you can't eat them),

The Banaue rice terraces (man made wonder), the literal "Stairway to heaven"

Boracay , The world's best beach of 2007 and 2008

The Verde islands passage, “CENTER” of the center of the most diversed
marine ecosystem in the world

So sad, New 7 Wonders of Nature only permits one entry per country, but at least our very own Puerto Princesa's underground river is included to the 28 finalist.

The 28 Finalist for the New 7 Wonders of nature are as follows:
1. Philippines' Puerto Princesa Underground River
2. The tallest falls on earth, Venezuela's Angel Falls
3. Canada's Fundy Bay
4. Vietnam's Ha Long Bay
5. Germany's Black Forest
6. UAE Bu Tinah Shoals
7. Ireland's Moher Cliffs
8. Israel's Dead Sea
9. El Yunque National Forest of Puerto Rico
10The great Amazon river of south america
11.Galapagos Islands of Ecuador
12. USA's Grand Canyon
13. Oceania's Great Barrier Reef
14 South Korea's Jeju Island
15. The tallest mountain in South Africa, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro
16. The tropical islands of Maldives
17. The Komodo Island of Indonesia
18. Poland's Masurian Lake District
19. The Matterhorn/Cervino Alps of Italy, Switzerland
20. The Milford Sound of New Zealand ( favorite film location for fantasy movies )
21. Italy's Mount Vesuvius
22. Sundarban's Delta of Bangladesh
23. Taiwan's Yushan Mountain
24. South Africa's Table Top Mountain
25. Uluru or Ayer's Rock of Australia
26. Azerbaijan's mud volcano
27. Argentina/Brazil's Iguazu Falls
28. Lebanon's Jeita Grotto

The 28 Official Finalists were chosen by the New7Wonders Panel of Experts under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO

In my own opinion, some of the finalists that were chosen are questionable (or may be ,they were just included due to high popularity votes). I guess, based on the finalist list,there are better entries that must be recognized and be nominated.

Unique Beauty

Unique Beauty of the Nominated site is the first criteria of Panel of Experts who chose the final 28. Unique can be defined as having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable, unusual, existing as the only one or as the sole example. However, based on the definition of unique, it seems that the panelists disregarded the the first criteria for judging the 28 finalist. :

#1 Vietnam's Halong Bay is

similar to Philippines Coron, palawan

and Thailand's Phang Nga bay in Phuket

And what is wonderful with some of the finalists? For example, there are billions of hectares of forests that covers the land surface of the earth, what's is really wonderful about Germany's black forest and the El Yunque forrest of Puerto Rico? For your information,I do have a slice of black forrest inside my fridge! There are thousands of islands that are better than Maldives and Jeju Islands of South Korea.... have you been in Philippines' hundred islands?

Or philipines' Amanpulo?

What is unique with Bu Tinah Shoals of United Arab Emirates and Sundarbans Mangrove Forest of India/Bangladesh? There are other mangrove forrests in the world, and of course there are many other shoals found in the Pacific.

If you're a Filipino reader, do your own part, VOTE for the Puerto Princesa's underground river to be included in New Seven Wonders of Nature. Click on this link below and spread the news.

VOTE HERE

And if you're a reader from abroad, please vote for our country's entry . Believe me, you have to explore our country to see our natural wonders.

External links for Puerto Princesa Underground river

Genobreaker's photos of Palawan Underground River
Wikipedia: Puerto princesa Underground River
Ecotourism Philippines: Underground river
WOW Philippines: Palawan

Note: Photos from this blogpost were grabbed from various blog and websites withoput permission. The author has no intention to claim the said pictures.
Credits for the photos go to:
http://www.wowbatangas.com
http://thepalawantimes.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/2.jpg
http://genobreakr.multiply.com
pininggapura.files.wordpress.com
http://tourism.albay.gov.ph
http://www.pahof.de/mediac/400_0/media/DIR_7154/ww-P~chocolate~hills~q.jpg
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo251/jomarjay/BANAUE-RICE-TERRACES-715556-1.jpg
http://images.world66.com/bo/ra/ca/boracay_1_galleryfull
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/478475777_6a03e23f56.jpg?v=0
amanpulo
and wikipedia.

Philippine Election 2010: (Google trends) SURVEY: Most popular Presidential aspirants for 2010 election

2009-09-02T19:26:00.000-07:00

Senator Manny Villar leads the latest poll surveys as people's choice as the next Philippine president, according to the two giant public opinion polling organizations in the Philippines, SWS and Pulse Asia. These surveys are usually conducted on different places across the Philippines and the number of respondents who participates in this polls is limited ( around 1500 persons per survey). But with the events that happened recently and will happen in the next months in our country [ the death of ex-president Cory Aquino and INC's Executive minister Erano Manalo, the upcoming wedding of Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez (yes guys, that counts), Sen Roxas just abandoned last Tuesday his ambition to be the next Philippine Idol...este President, the call for Senator Noynoy to run as the next President of our country, the LAKAS-KAMPI's choice for the 2010 election ,etc, etc..... the political landscape is changing rapidly!], the next poll surveys results are highly anticipated and much awaited.

Google Trends

But luckily, we internet users have the power to know everything, right? We can know who's HOT and who's NOT among the Presidential wannabees.Thank heavens, there's Google trend. Google trends according to Wikipedia is a public web facility of Google Inc., about Google Search, that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages. How does it works? Google Trends analyzes a portion of Google web searches to compute how many searches have been done for the terms you enter, relative to the total number of searches done on Google over time. The result is then showed with a Search Volume Index graph. For more info about Google trends visit the link: http://www.google.com/intl/en/trends/about.html

With the use of Google trends, I was able to researched who among the Philippine presidential hopefuls is widely searched on the internet, the most popular in the cyber world.

The results is displayed below:

2010 Presidentiables:
GRAPH A:
PRESIDENTIABLES AS OF (SEPT 1, 2009)
GRAPH A
Senator Manny Villar
Senator Mar Roxas
Senator Noynoy Aquino

Graph A ( click on the image to enlarge)

GRAPH B:
Senator Loren Legarda
Vice President Noli de Castro
Ex President Joseph Estrada

Note: The line of Senator Legarda, and Vice President Noli De Castro did'nt appear on the graph because they do not have enough search volume to show graphs ( it means that few people searched for their names on the internet).

Graph B ( click on the image to enlarge)

GRAPH C
Bayani Fernando
Gilbert Teodoro
Chiz Escudero

Graph C ( click on the image to enlarge)

Note: The line of Gilbert Teodoro did'nt appear on the graph because they do not have enough search volume to show graphs ( it means that few people searched for their names on the internet).

Graph D
Ed Panlilio
Richard Gordon
Eddie Villanueva

Graph D ( click on the image to enlarge)

Graph E
Senator Jamby Madrigal
Mike Velarde
Senator Ping Lacson

Graph E ( click on the image to enlarge)

The Last two graphs clearly show the following:

Senator Noynoy Aquino's popularity on the internet skyrocketed on the month of August because of the death of her mother ex-president cory aquino.
Senator Manny Villar Tops Google Trends SURVEY among presidential hopefuls for 2010 election. But noticibly, his internet popularity is declining during the last period of August.
Senator Mar Roxas' cyberworld popularity is fluctuating, it may rise again after his Sept. 1 announcement and his wedding with Philippine's top caliber broadcaster Korina Sanchez.
Senator Francis Escudero popularity on the world wide web is stagnant. His graph equals to the graph of Ex-presidentEstrada (last period of August) both are on the bottom two on the graphs.
The most interesting is the popularity graph line of Bayani Fernando, where his popularity went up on the month of August (second to Villar), and was able to surpassed Chiz Escudero and joseph Estrada's popularity on the internet. Who knows, may be he is the dark horse of the race.

In my own research, Google Trends shows that the most popular presidential hopefuls on the w.w.w. a.k.a. world wide web are :
(As of Sept. 1, 2009 and subject to change)
1st
SENATOR MANNY VILLAR
2nd
MMDA CHAIRMAN BAYANI FERNANDO
3rd
SENATOR NOYNOY AQUINO
4th
SENATOR MAR ROXAS
5th
EX-PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA
6th
SENATOR CHIZ ESCUDERO.

Let's wait for the next SWS and Pulse Asia Survey, and see if my Google trend survey matches their poll results.

PHILIPPINE ELECTION 2010: Mar Roxas' ultimate sacrifice

2009-09-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

“There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and
never win titles. Most of the time, those players aren't willing to
sacrifice for the greater good of the team. The funny thing is, in
the end, their unwillingness to sacrifice only makes individual
goals more difficult to achieve. One thing I believe to the fullest
is that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades
will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and
intelligence win championships.”

--- Michael Jordan

I was shocked yesterday night watching the news on TV patrol showing Senator Mar Roxas' announcement of withdrawal from his bid for the 2010 Presidential race. He surrendered
his biggest dream and sacrificed his ambition to give way for Senator Noynoy Aquino to be Liberal Party's Standard Bearer.

Mar Roxas said the following:

“Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo (This is the toughest decision of my life. Believe it or not, I did this for the nation, for all of you). I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na (It’s me),”
“We agreed, let us forget about ourselves,” he said of his conversations with Noynoy. “This is not about us. This is about our people and our country.”

“I began the campaign to sow the seeds of reform. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.”
"Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy as the candidate for 2010."

Senator Roxas showed a true and classic example of leadership. A selfless leader who knows what's the best for the unification of his party and his country. What Sen. Roxas did will be put into memoriam of the Filipino people today. He had already spent millions for his political ambition and yet, he succumbed his biggest dream for the sake of the nation. He is like John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. He displayed the difference of a Statesman from a politician. MABUHAY KA!

SENATOR NOYNOY AQUINO, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO ANSWER THE CALL OF THE PEOPLE, ITS TIME FOR YOU TO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE, ITS TIME FOR YOU TO ACT, NOW!

There's still HOPE for the PHILIPPINES! BAYAN MUNA BAGO ANG SARILI.

I am calling other opposition leaders to join Senator Roxas' vision for our country. If you do really care for our nation, stop creating a division among the Filipino people. You can serve and lead the people without taking the highest seat in the country.

Christmas countdown 2009

2009-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

114 DAYS TO GO BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

my christmas wishlist:

1. a brand new DLSR camera
2. a brand new laptop, preferably MAC
3. trip to sydney australia for a week
4. USD 10,000.00 or more
5. peace on earth!
6. a new job
7. a house and lot in stone crest
8. trip to disney land hongkong
9. good health for all the members of my family
10. a better philippines in 2010.

if you have read it and interested to give me anyone of the wishes above(except #5,9 and 10), you may post a comment on this post. Thank you thank you in advance!

Welcoming the "BER" months of 2009

2009-08-31T01:23:00.000-07:00

I want to remind myself that there's still four months left to achieve my goals. That there's still 122 days left to make my new year starts with a BIG BANG! That i can use the remaining 16 weeks of the year to be a better me. I want to change.

Few hours left and we will welcome the start of Ber months. So many emotions are running inside my head: excited, nervous, afraid etc. yeah, no choice, we have to accept the fact that the earth's revolves around the sun in a matter of just 365 days only.

So what's to expect for the last four months of 2009? My birthday, Christmas, and Christmas vacation, the seven "non-working holidays" left for 2009. Yahooooo!!!!

Why did I write this post? Hmmmm hard question, actually I want to remind myself that there's still four months left to achieve my goals. That there's still 122 days left to make my new year starts with a BIG BANG! That i can use the remaining 16 weeks of the year to be a better me. I want to change.

So what's the game plan? Where do I start?

September 1, 2009

TARGET GOAL 1: Return to my ideal weight. Will try not to take dinner, except for special occasions ( i think, this is the fastest way of losing weight), avoid too much rice, will try eat more fruits .

TARGET GOAL 2: Work in the South. Its time to work in the South of Metro! Yeah! It's time! I will not be able to save a lot of money if I'm spending almost 20 percent of my salary on my transportation expenses.

TARGET GOAL 3: Save for the future! This is hard, im still immature, but I must realize that I am no longer a teenager. 'Will try to remove my "unneccessary expenses". ' Will consume my full privellege as a cyberslacker. Hahaha. I need to have my own house, my own car, I need lotsa MONEY!!!!

TARGET GOAL 4: Work harder and be productive. 'Will try to avoid facebooking and tweeting during working hours. Must look for sidelines and "rakets" to earn extra income.

TARGET GOAL 5: Go back to her.... ( no need to elaborate).

Im hoping that these goals will be met in the right time and according to the will of GOD. With GOD, nothing is impossible!

ABS-CBN Coverage of President Corazon Aquino's Funeral: TRULY REGAL

2009-08-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

Indeed, Tita Cory was truly loved by the Filipinos. I guess, the kind of overwhelming love, honor and respect that were bestow upon her by the Filipino people will never be happen again in the history of the Philippines. In my opinion, President Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo are envying her funeral and wishes to have that same kind of treatment when they die.

It may be almost a month after the death of the Philippine's most cherished and most beloved President Corazon C. Aquino, but still, memories of the coverage of her requiem mass, her funeral march, the people who went to her funeral still gives me goose bumps. My grattitude and appreciation go to ABS-CBN for their excellent coverage for the ex-president's funeral. Thank you ABS-CBN for an astounding and remarkable job! The coverage for the Icon of Democracy's requiem mass was truly regal. The last time I saw this kind of "royal funeral" was the funeral of Princess Diana at Benedictine Abbey 12 years ago. I was very impressed with the lighting; every shots by the camera lenses caught the perfect angles of the event; the positions and movements of the cameras made the mass very dramatic; and ABS-CBN team was able to show the magnificence of Manila Cathedral. One priceless moment that was caught on TV was when Baby James kissed her mom Kris Aquino, Tita Cory's youngest daughter. Thank you ABS-CBN for your Sky Patrol, you had given us a bird's eye view of her funeral cortege that no other networks in the country were able to provide. Thank you ABS-CBN for making us feel that we are there in the exact location where history was taking place. I myself was glued watching your coverage on TV for 10 straight hours on ANC and ABSCBN.

Bravo ABS-CBN!

***I would also like to thank the Armed Forces of the Philiphines and the Bishop of Manila Cathedral for giving the funeral honour to our beloved Tita Cory. Mabuhay kayo!

ABS-CBN Video Footages from youtube Pinas watch
No copyright infringement intentions, just to let the whole world especially the Filipinos around the world see the excellent coverage o the Philippines No. 1 network. Truly World class!

If you were able to watch GMA7, CS9, IBC 13, NBN coverage... you will notice that some of the live video feeds were provided by ABS-CBN particularly the Requiem and Necrological Mass and the Military honour at the Manila Memorial park.

Partly Cloudy

2009-08-26T02:10:00.000-07:00

Pixar has never failed to amaze me. As always, PIXAR brings out the inner child among us. Together with my close friends in our church, I was able to watch UP, pixar's latest offer to everyone. I would say that it is one of the best animated picture ever produced by PIXAR.

Included with the movie is the short film entitled "Partly Cloudy"; directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Kevin Reher. I used to see storks carrying and delivering babies in some cartoon programs on tv when I was a kid, but I have no idea why storks deliver babies from the sky. Until I learned (with the help of Wikipedia of course) that storks are symbol of childbirth. The folk tales about stork's role as a baby delivery bird may originate from the European nations of Netherlands and Northern Germany. This cute film shows the process how babies are made and produced , now parents can safely explain to their children where did they come from without the complicated scientific explanation, hahaha.

VIDEO FROM METACAFE:

Cloud - More bloopers are a click away

January 23rd, 2008

2009-08-25T02:55:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness! I was able to retrieve some of my blogpost on my former blogsite! Can't believe it... its like I opened my own micro time capsule.

Halo halo!
January 23rd, 2008 by laudemer

Ang bilis no? its already 2008…. i could still remember December 31, 1999…. everybody had a small fear inside their hearts that time as the year 2000 approaches, remember the Y2K bug? the panic buyings due to the preparation of Y2K….hahaha.

I used to jot down on my planner my goals and my gameplans every start of the year. this year is different, until now this year’s plans and goals of mine are still on my mind. Lazy boy. Ok, for you guys , i’ll write a glimpse of my goals on this entry for the year 2008::

1. Attend hillsong live recording this coming march…..dream on doy….dream on
2. Attend the opening ceremony of Beijing olympics…..comments anyone?
3. Visit mickey, minnie and their friends with my barkada in hong kong disney land…..rodel…ahemmmmm!!!!
4. have my own business ( im saving na my money for this goal….. i do have 175 pesos and fifty cents in my coin bank….applause applause)
5. zzzzz…. yan na lang muna, isusulat ko na lang sa planner ko sa saturday, hehehe

by rhe way, most of my goals last year were granted by God, a new job, i got not one not two but three cellphones!!!! (yun nga lang hindi mga latest, Thank You Lord still). Lord, pwede ba iphone this year? I know you can provide me one, but that is according to Your will hehehe.God is good! yeah, God is great.
God even let me experience how to become a winner on a TV Quiz show ( 1 vs 100 ) and He also gave me a chance to meet Switch Foot. 2007 was really a blast! Awesome year.
I’ve met lots of new friends, like the people from red box and eco, reeya and switchfoot street team, 100 voice cantata choir people, enrico and donna of 1 vs 100, new people from ANLCC, red box ojts CJ and Jon, and many more. Beautiful people.

The start of the year has a lot of surprises also; up to now, i cant believe that Tito Andrew is in heaven, now he’s having a” pure and real” worship with GOD. To Maam Pearl, be strong, God is great! He knows what is best to all of us. to be continued na lang….. i have to go. By the way watch out for September 24 this year…i know something is gonna happen on that day…..basta

FYI folks, nothing happened to my 2008 goals.... but God did some things to me that were truly overwhelming.... and nothing happened on the 24th of September 2008.

yahoo blog log

2009-08-25T01:50:00.001-07:00

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Future Look of Alabang New Life Christian Center

2009-06-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Alabang New Life Christian Center: My Church, My Home

2009-05-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Paul Soriano
Edited by: Chester Dizon
Produced by: Alabang New Life Christian Center

Winning a jackpot prize

2009-05-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever experienced winning a jackpot prize? If you'll ask me that question, well, not yet, I have never experienced it. Would it be nice if somebody declare that you won a jackpot prize? What do you think? Its like winning the American Idol, hahaha, everyone is cheering at your victory.

How I wish this will happen to me as well. Let HIS will be done!

Tweeter

2009-05-20T01:44:00.000-07:00

Hey! Im on TWITTER now! Follow me

http://twitter.com/oedieonekenobi

following the activities of the famous is kinda cool. its cyberstalking baby!!!!

Philippines blacklisted in G-20 LEADERS as Tax Haven

2009-04-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Philippines together with other two countries (Costa Rica and Uruguay), and the Malaysian territory of Labuan was blacklisted by the G- 20 (group of developed and emerging countries ) yesterday April 20, 2009 as uncooperative tax havens for refusing to adopt new rules on financial transparency. But here's the other bad report, according to G20 leaders, our country as blacklisted, may also be given future tough sanctions like withdrawal of financing by the International Monetary Fund or by the World Bank by if we refuse to give tax informations.

Which means.....

The Philippine government must act now if we do not want to be sanctioned by these global financing Institutions. Legislators and law makers have no choice but to ammend or to remove completely the Philippine Law on Bank Secrecy or Republic Act 1405. The good thing is that people who are inclined to corruption will be simply exposed to the public. The question is who are these corrupt guys who deprives the Filipino people for so many year? Hmmmm, interesting isn't? Will PGMA's administration give in to the demmand of G-20? Let's wait and see!

Hillsong Live Album Recording 2009 - EVERYONE

2009-04-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

The album was recorded last march 29, 2009 and release will be available on July 2009

CHIP TSAO AHOY!

2009-03-31T20:14:00.000-07:00

Why don't we praise Chip Tsao? We Filipinos, should thank him for igniting the hearts of Filipinos . Hey, have'nt you observed? Aside from Manny Pacquiao, Filipinos, world wide, unite when someone makes racial slurs against us? Agree?

BTW, I even joined a facebook group that to show my appreciation for him ( http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60787029871). I hope Mr. Chip Tsao can visit that group, he would really appreciate the comments of the entire Philippines for him.

And oh, Mr. Tsao, SPRATLY ISLANDS BELONGS TO THE PHILIPPINES! But you can have our President if you want. ...she can be a slave for you ala britney!

oasisofthoughts

2009-03-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

There's a season for everything. And I guess, its about time for me to say goodbye to oasisofthoughts and embrace the the new name of this blog. I will never forget you oasisofhoughts, you did darn pretty well. Adios!

Disturbances in my Universe

2009-03-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

“When you want something, all the Universe will conspire to help you achieve it.”
- Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist)

"What's wrong with me?
Why do I feel like this?
I'm going crazy now"
- Rihanna (Disturbia)

My universe is experiencing so many weather disturbances since 2009 started....and it created new weather patterns in my life.... its getting wilder and wilder!

As the first quarter of the year is about to end let me enumerate some of its highlights:

January
- My focus for this year was diverted when a woman so very important to me, suddenly dropped a bomb by changing her facebook status from "in a relationship" into "single".

February
- Had my very first valentine's date( since I was born, no kidding) with no other than "single again" girl (well it just coincided with an event we both had attended...so i assumed it was a date,hehehe, although, she also invited her two guy friends in that event). Wow, I just realized that I'd spent 18 hours of Feb 14, with her.Note: I bought an ipod shuffle for this date so that we can share hearing music while travelling, unknowingly, she already has a bigger ipod,hahaha.

-After that ''date", I became a devotee to her facebook wall. I wanna see her every activities in her facebook wall, every stats she is posting, every pics.... everything. I can't halt this crazy work of mine. Once again, Im addicted to her.

- My sales performance was too below my expectations for February... it even didn't reach 25 percent of my quota.

March
- Our activity last February was followed by another; a group mountain trekking consisted of our friends from our church. I had decided to confess my feelings to her; good thing that I did that after the trekking on our way to Manila through a simple text. The result was , not negative and not positive.... causing me to think so many things up to now and causing me to ride on an emotional roller coaster....(in layman's term: paranoid). Reading signals from a woman is not my expertise. Someone must teach me the craft of deciphering one's mind. Good thing is we're still friends.

- A prophetess by the name of Cindy Jacob visited our church and prophesied to us (the church); repositioning, and expansions.....AMEN! AMEN! But the most catchy among her prophecies to the church was the prophecy particulated to the media ministry: Our church will make a film and a production company will be created. It was a blast!

- The joy in my work diminished little by little until I have only few left with me. The pressure of accumulating high amount sales per every month, the fear of having no sales, my emotional roller coaster ride about her, and most of all.... the system of our sister company pushed me to the limit. Im jaded. I have to escape.

Thinkin' of the prophecy, I emailed a contact person from CBN Asia if they have a job vacancy for cameraman. After an hour, the guy responded that they have openings for cameramen positions, all I need to do is to submit my resume to him that up to now I am not doing. Is this really the answer?

I'm confused. Will I stay with the company that I have worked with for the past two years? Or is it the time to move in a new place. Will this place be a greener pasture or will it be another dessert? I asked God for sign. If He is willing for me to stay with Red Box Solutions, then within this last week of March, I will be able to receive my Php 800K order from San Miguel Corporation. Then, if not, its time to go and move to a new place. God be with me. Guide me in such a time as this.

David Archuleta and David Cook Live in Manila 2009

2009-03-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

To all the cookie nerds and the arch angels in the philippines and in the southeast asian region...read this blog....(FYI, im not a fan to either of the two Davids, just for the sake of blogging hehehe, wanna share this info with you guys)

photo: from arleneplacido.wordpress.com

David Cook and David Archuleta is coming to Manila this MAY 2009

TICKET PRICE:

TICKET WORLD
Titanium - Php 12,425.00
Platinum - Php 8,285.00
VIP - Php 4,145.00
Gold - Php 2,075.00
Silver - Php 625.00
Bronze - Php 315.00

Concert Grounds • May 16, 2009 • 8PM
Tickets are available at TicketWorld outlets! Call TicketWorld 891.9999 for details!

TICKETWORLD

Date May 16, 2009 at SM MALL OF ASIA GROUND, MANILA PHILIPPINES

Video blog from the Davids

Cindy Jacobs, coming to Manila 2009

2009-03-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

Cindy Jacobs, American founder and head of a worldwide prayer network: Generals of Intercession, author of three bestselling books on prayer, prophecy and spiritual warfare is coming to Manila this March 2009 for the following events:

Enforcing A Nation's Prophetic Destiny

Start date: March 06

End date: - March 08

Organizer: Bishop Eddie Villanueva

Location: Manila, Philippines

Description: The Philippines for Jesus Movement

In cooperation with
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Christian Fellowship
Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship
and
Intercessors for the Philippines

Presents

“ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINES’ PROPHETIC DESTINY”
Obadiah 1:21

A PROPHETIC CONFERENCE

Featuring
DR. CINDY JACOBS

March 6-7, 2009
2PM – 9PM
San Juan Arena
San Juan, Metro Manila

Ticket Price for the two-day conference is P300.
Sponsor ticket (court seat) is P1,000.00
Limited seats only.

For details, call telephone number (02) 687.55.39.

Ms. Jacobs is also invited to speak at ALABANG NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER this March 8,2009 ( 10:30 AM SERVICE only). For inquiries, please contact ANLCC at 809 1543-42.

Cindy Jacobs is a respected prophet who travels the world ministering not only to crowds of people, but to heads of nations.Cindy has authored six books, Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, The Voice of God, Women of Destiny, Deliver Us from Evil, The Supernatural Life, and her newest, The Reformation Manifesto which has been released in February of 2008.

Mount Pinatubo Trek

2009-03-04T04:45:00.000-08:00

March 1, 2009. An extraordinary Sunday that I will never forget. I was able to conquer Mt. Pinatubo. Our group departed Manila at around 2 AM and arrived at the starting point ,Pinatubo Spa Town at Brgy.Juliana Capas Tarlac. The trek adventure to Pinatubo is consisted of two phases, 1st: going to the mountain ridge base via 4x4 vehicle drive ( 40 minutes using the sky way, and an hour using the old way). Second: the 3 hours trek to the crater lake. Must haves: lots of water, energy drinks, choco bars, first aid kit, sun screens, ipods, good trekking sandals, swim wear,if you're planning to go swimming in the lake. Trek package cost P1,500 ( 4x4 vehicle, driver, trek guide and lunch meal included).

The views going to volcano's caldera were truly captivating, amazing, and breathtaking. Lots of streams, rocks of different colors,valleys of lahar deposits as high as 10 storey buildings, unusual sights to see. It was like walking in lahar wall street....hahaha. If you're lucky enough, you could see native aborigines (Aetas).

Toshi Fujita

Wendy Fujita with Lahar Deposit Backdrop Mara Garcia

The water was too cold....it was like swimming in a pool of needles.

The depth of this lake is unknown, only professional swimmers are allowed to swim in the lake. The taste of the water is a little bit salty, because of the traces of sulfur chloride. I am really really proud that I was able to swim in this lake.

An experience that I will never forget.
Photos from our trek in Mt.Pinatubo. Trekkers: Terry Cablay, Mara Garcia, Me (Laudemer Beltran), Toshi Fujita, Wendy Fujita, Malou Manzanida.

HILLSONG LIVE WORSHIP ALBUM RECORDING 2009

2009-02-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Boyce Avenue

2009-02-09T01:11:00.000-08:00

A song for Britney Spears

2009-02-09T00:56:00.000-08:00

OSCAR 2009 List of Nominees: OSCAR snubs Leo Di Caprio again!

2009-01-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Academy awards already announced the complete list of Oscar nominees in different categories. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button leads with 13 nominations, while Slumdog millionaire nabs 10. Winners will be announced on February 22,2009.
.

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
David Fincher, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon
Stephen Daldry, The Reader
Gus Van Sant, Milk

BEST ACTOR
Richard Jenkins, The Visitor
Frank Langella, Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn, Milk
Brad Pitt, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie, Changeling
Melissa Leo, Frozen River
Meryl Streep, Doubt
Kate Winslet, The Reader

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, Milk
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Doubt
Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis, Doubt
Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei, The Wrestler

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Frozen River, Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky, Mike Leigh
In Bruges, Martin McDonagh
Milk, Dustin Lance Black
WALL-E, Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Eric Roth
Doubt, John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon, Peter Morgan
The Reader, David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire, Simon Beaufoy

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
WALL-E

BEST ANIMATED SHORT
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory — Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

BEST ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness — From the Balcony of Room 306

BEST EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost/Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
The Baader Meinhof Complex (Germany)
The Class (France)
Departures (Japan)
Revanche (Austria)
Waltz with Bashir (Israel)

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Auf der Strecke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

BEST MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Alexandre Desplat
Defiance, James Newton Howard
Milk, Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman
WALL-E, Thomas Newman

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
''Down to Earth,'' WALL-E
''Jai Ho,'' Slumdog Millionaire
''O Saya,'' Slumdog Millionaire

BEST SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted

BEST SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
WALL-E
Wanted

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Iron Man

Eraserheads Live! The Final Set

2009-01-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

The Eraserheads will reunite for the second time on March 7, 2009 to settle unfinished business following the abrupt finish of their highly successful reunion concert last August 30, 2008 in Bonifacio Open Field in Taguig

Eraserheads Live! The Final Set
Mall of Asia Concert Grounds - March 7, 2009 8PM
Ticket Prices:
VIP PhP 5000.00
GOLD PhP 3000.00
SILVER PhP 1300.00
BRONZE Php 300.00

For the safety of your children, they will only be allowed entry
at the venue if they are:
• 4 feet and above
• Accompanied by paying adult

Prohibited Entry

• Children below 4 feet in height
• Pregnant women
• Individuals under the influence of drugs or liquor
• Persons with severe heart or medical condition

Prohibited items inside the venue
• Professional audio or video recording devices
• Professional Cameras
• Weapons
• Glass
• Cans
• Plastic Bottles
• Food
• Large metal belt buckles
• Big posters/placards/signages • Fireworks
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spiked Bracelets
• Wallet chains
• Back packs
• Waist packs
• Laser Pens
• Large chains
• Long & pointed umbrella

ORGANIZERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY TO ANYONE
NOT COMPLYING WITH ANY REGULATIONS.

Tickets are available at ticketnet.......joke joke joke!

http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/events/default.asp?event_name=Eraserheads%20Live!%20The%20Final%20Set

ABS-CBN 2 AND GMA 7's COVERAGE OF BARACK OBAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION: WHICH ONE STANDS OUT?

2009-01-21T20:33:00.000-08:00

PBA095138n7n

I was able to watch the live coverage of Philippines two broadcasting giants (ABS-CBN 2 and GMA 7 ) on the inauguration of US 44th President Barack Obama last January 20,2009.

ABS-CBN started the coverage at 11:00 PM of January 20 and ended at 2:00 am, the following day January 21,2009, where ABS-CBN 2 and Studio 23 joined forces with ANC's Inauguration coverage. It was anchored by Ces Drilon and Ricky Carandang. Invited in the newscenter were Historian Manolo Quezon and the other guy which I've forgotten the name along with the anchors gave insights and information about the inauguration rites in the US, people who were on the live video feed who were attending the inauguration and their background information as well and in depth analysis and comments on speech given by Barack Obama.Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN North American News Bureau Chief along with Ms. Charie Villa ABS-CBN NG VP ( News Gathering) were in Washington Mall and delivered the news more on the crowds reactions and anticipations and infos about the things that were not captured by the cameras. (FYI: Ms. Charie Villa was invited as a guest of the United States government for the International Visitor Leadership Program ).

GMA 7 coverage on the inauguration started after " REPORTERS NOTEBOOK" which was about 12:30 AM. The program was anchored by the tandem of Arnold Clavio and Vicky
Morales. Jessica Soho, broadcast journalist and vice-president of GMA-7 News and Public Affairs along with Raffy Tima and Jiggy Manicad were in the Washington National Mall provided informations about the Inauguration.

MY VERDICT AND OBSERVATION:

THE BEST COVERAGE GOES TO ABS-CBN. Why? Read my reasons:

- The early bird catches the worm. ABS-CBN started an hour ealier compared to GMA's coverage. The Inauguration of President Barack Obama was historic being the first black American elected as US President and considered "HIGHLY ANTICIPATED". Most of the TV viewers were excited about this historic event, whether you're a student or a fashionista who wants to see what will Michelle Obama will wear in the inauguration. ABS-CBN broadcasted everything about the inauguration, from the preparation to the inaugural parade, with very few commercials added. While GMA did'nt realize this; they just continued to show their regular programs before they cover the history. Who cares about their "hot" issues on reporters notebook? If you were in a very important situation and the situation is making a history, will you continue to do the same thing that you are doing?

- TV Commercials. WTF!!! Why did GMA "News & Public affairs" allowed loading of so many TV commercials in their commercials during a historic event? Was the coverage about Manny Pacquiao and Dela Hoya? Again, television is a tool in writing our HISTORY....and to earn profits as well. In the case of ABS-CBN ...they were just moderate.I salute ABS-CBN to that!

- The Coverage itself. ABS-CBN coverage of the inauguration was in Tagalog and English format. ABS-CBN got the interest of people of all social status. GMA's coverage was in Tagalog format except for the video feed live from Washington. GMA 7 caught the interest of the "masa". But was the "masa" interested in Obama's Inauguration? ABS-CBN invited historians and experts in their coverage thus making it more interesting. ( Wow, their annotations and insights are very informative). During the Inauguration proper, I noticed that te anchors and guest of ABS-CBN were silent when important words were uttered in during the event, (they were also listening ! ). In other words, the coverage of ABS-CBN was more comprehensive than GMA.

My verdict is based on the things that I have observed while watching the Inaugural rites on both TV stations. My verdict is supplemented with the reasons above. I want to reitarate that every minute is precious! Everything we do are written in HISTORY. This is my blog, and I have the right to execise my right to express feelings in this blog in a responsible and just manner.If you don't like my review: make your own blog. My comments are moderate compared to the comments of others (http://www.pep.ph/guide/3250/ABS-CBN-and-GMA-7-will-cover-Barack-Obama-inauguration).

PBA095138n7n

KLM Fill a plane contest.

2009-01-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

US President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

2009-01-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address:

My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.

I thank President Bush for his service to our nation...

(APPLAUSE)

... as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.

The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.

Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our land; a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real, they are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this America: They will be met.

(APPLAUSE)

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

(APPLAUSE)

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.

It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died in places Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed.

Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

(APPLAUSE)

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.

The state of our economy calls for action: bold and swift. And we will act not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth.

We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.

We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality...

(APPLAUSE)

... and lower its costs.

We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

All this we can do. All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long, no longer apply.

MR. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

And those of us who manage the public's knowledge will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.

But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

(APPLAUSE)

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our founding fathers faced with perils that we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.

Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.

And so, to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.

(APPLAUSE)

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause; the force of our example; the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy, guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We'll begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people and forge a hard- earned peace in Afghanistan.

With old friends and former foes, we'll work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat and roll back the specter of a warming planet.

We will not apologize for our way of life nor will we waver in its defense.

And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that, "Our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

(APPLAUSE)

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.

And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

To those...

(APPLAUSE)

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

(APPLAUSE)

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service: a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.

And yet, at this moment, a moment that will define a generation, it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.

It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break; the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.

It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new, the instruments with which we meet them may be new, but those values upon which our success depends, honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old.

These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.

What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence: the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

(APPLAUSE)

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled.

In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by nine campfires on the shores of an icy river.

The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood.

At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet it."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words; with hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come; let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

And God bless the United States of America.

Air and SImple Gifts ( video from Barack Obama's Inauguration)

2009-01-20T11:36:00.000-08:00

"Air and Simple Gifts" was written by popular Star Wars composer John Williams performed during the inauguration rite of US President Barack Obama.Performed by Itzhak Perlman (cellist), Yo-Yo Ma (violinist).Ma and Perlman were joined by Gabriela Montero on piano and Anthony McGill on clarinet.

Rick Warren's Inaugural Prayer

2009-01-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

Here is the transcript of Rick Warren's prayer during the Presidential inauguration of the 44th President of United states of America, Barack Obama. ( FYI: Rick Warren is the founder and senior pastor of the evangelical megachurch, Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, California; He is also a bestselling author of many Christian, the most popular is Purpose Driven Life).

Almighty God, Our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of You alone. It all comes from You, it all belongs to You, it all exists for Your glory. History is your story. The Scripture tells us, ‘Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one’ and You are the compassionate and merciful one and You are loving to everyone You have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 43rd time, we celebrate a hinge-point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the united states. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a a son of an African Immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans. United not by race or religion or by blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day, all nations, all people will stand accountable before You. We now commit our new president and his wife Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, Esa, Jesus, Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

A message to Barack Obama

2009-01-20T06:48:00.000-08:00

I would like to congratulate you for being courageous as you accept the seat of the world's most powerful office. I pray that our Lord will be with you, that He may give you His Divine Guidance and Wisdom in leading the world's lone super power. Always put God first in everything you do and God will take the rest. We hope that we can see the change that everybody wants to see in this world. Today is just the first step towards your long journey as the president of USA. Being at the highest seat is not an easy task. All eyes will look on your every single steps. Love justice! Hate sins and do not justify sins. Remember always that you were placed in that position not only to lead but also to serve. Remember the people who believes in you. Most important, remember Israel, protect her from her enemies. Again, congratulations on your historic mandate not only to USA but also to the whole world.

TV Ratings : Nationwide TNS Ratings from January 16-18,2009

2009-01-19T19:46:00.000-08:00

I Love Betty La Fea continues it’s superiority over the primetime ratings while Wowowee and ASAP ’09 dominate the afternoon variety slots over the weekend.

Jan 16 Fri TNS National Ratings:

Boy & Kris 7.6 vs. Sis 5.9
GKNB 15.3 vs. Rosalinda 10.3
Wowowee 22.1 vs. Eat Bulaga 14.3
Parekoy 16.2 vs. Daisy Sieate 14.3
Pieta 16.6 vs. Saan Darating Ang Umaga 13.9
La Traicion 12.3, Zoids Genesis 9.6 vs. Be Strong Geum Soon 9.9
Mr. Bean live 11.4 vs. Wanted Perfect Family 8.5
Mischievous Princess12.4 vs. Love at the Corner 9.6
Deal or No Deal 19.3 vs. Family Feud 16.1
TV Patrol World 30.4 vs. 24 Oras 22.1
Dyosa 36.6 vs. Luna Mystika 24.7
I Love Betty La Fea 33.3 vs. Gagambino 22.5
Eva Fonda 24.4 vs. La Lola 20.7
Pinoy Fear Factor 18.9 vs. Money War 18.4

Jan 17 Sat TNS National Ratings

GKNB 11.2 vs Maynila 8.9
Wowoweee 28.1 vs Takeshi’s castle 11.6, Eat Bulaga 15.1
Entertainment Live 12.9 vs Star Talk 9.7
Cinema FPJ 18.7 vs Wish Ko Lang 10.4
Dragonna 25.9 vs PinoyRecords 14.5
Singing Bee 27.1 vs Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5 17.7
Maaalala Mo Kaya 29.1 vs Bitoy’s Funniest videos 21.8,Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho 23.9

Jan 18 Sun TNS National Ratings

ASAP 15.9 vs Takeshi’s Castle 8.1, SOP 10.1
Your Song 11.3 vs. Dear Friend 10.5
The Buzz 13.1 vs Showbiz Central 10.5
Goin’ Bulilit 19.4 vs Kap’s Amazing Stories 21.3
Singing Bee 27.5 vs Family Feud 21.7
Rated K 27.6 vs Mel & Joey 17.3
Sharon 18.6 vs All Star K 14.6
TV Patrol Linggo 11 vs Ful Haus 12.3
Ang Pangarap ni Ploning 4.4 vs Sunday Night Box Office 12.9

Philippines Highest Grossing Films

2009-01-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

All time : LOCAL & FOREIGN
Rank
1 Spider-Man 3 ₱ 423.46 million Sony/Columbia 2007
2 Transformers ₱ 272.65 million Paramount (Dream Works) 2007
3 Superman Returns ₱ 256.04 million Warner Bros. 2006
4 Spider-Man 2 ₱ 227.03 million Sony/Columbia 2004
5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix ₱ 219.42 million Warner Bros. 2007
6 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ₱ 199.16 million Warner Bros. 2005
7 Spider-Man ₱ 195.65 million Warner Bros. 2002
8 Titanic ₱ 194.00 million Paramount 1998
9 Sukob ₱ 186.41 million Star Cinema 2006
10 A Very Special Love ₱ 179.57 million Star Cinema and VIVA Films 2008
11 Twilight ₱ 179.16 million Summit Entertainment 2008
12 Ang Tanging Ina ₱ 177.82 million Star Cinema 2003
13 Iron Man ₱ 174.18 million Paramount 2008
14 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat ₱ 171.00 million Star Cinema 2008
15 X-Men: The Last Stand ₱ 167.17 million Fox 2006

LOCAL
1 Sukob ₱ 186.41 million Star Cinema 2006
2 A Very Special Love ₱ 179.57 million Star Cinema and VIVA Films 2008
3 Ang Tanging Ina ₱ 177.82 million Star Cinema 2003
4 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat ₱ 171 million Star Cinema 2008
5 Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo ₱ 162.37 million Star Cinema 2006
6 One More Chance ₱ 152.79 million Star Cinema 2007
7 Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo ₱ 150 million Star Cinema 2007

2008 TOP GROSSER

LOCAL & FOREIGN

1 A Very Special Love ₱ 179.57 million Star Cinema and VIVA Films
2 Twilight ₱ 179.16 million Summit Entertainment
3 Iron Man ₱ 174.18 million Paramount
4 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat ₱ 171.00 million Star Cinema
5 The Dark Knight ₱ 159.14 million Warner Bros.
6 Caregiver ₱ 139.54 million Star Cinema

2008 LOCAL
1 A Very Special Love ₱ 179.57 million Star Cinema and VIVA Films
2 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat ₱ 171.00 million Star Cinema
3 Caregiver ₱ 139.54 million Star Cinema
4 For The First Time ₱ 132.77 million Star Cinema
5 Iskul Bukol… 20 Years After ₱ 107.0 million APT Entertainment
6 My Bestfriend's Girlfriend ₱ 101.26 million GMA and Regal Films
7 Dobol Trobol: Lets Get Redi 2 Rambol! ₱ 90.51 million APT Production
8 When Love Begins ₱ 89.38 million Star Cinema and VIVA Films
9 Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam ₱ 85.47 million Regal Films
10 My Only Ü ₱ 78.40 million Star Cinema

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films_in_the_Philippines

Word of the Year 2008

2009-01-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

The word " Bailout" was chosen by the American Dialect Society as the word of the year for 2008. Bailout refers to the rescue by the government of companies on the brink of failure, including large players in the banking industry. While the name of US President elect Barack Obama was chosen as the name of the year.

Other nominees for word of the year:

Barack Obama: Both names as combining forms in a large number of new words. A combining form is a word or part of a word that can be used as the root or basis of other words. 28/43

lipstick on a pig: An adornment of something that can't be made pretty. 16

change: Not so much a buzzword as political wallpaper, background noise, and ambient energy rolled into one. The idea of discarding old ideas and methods seemed to underlie everything said by national political candidates. 14

shovel-ready: Used to describe infrastructure projects that can be started quickly when funds become available 5

game-changer: In business and politics, something that alters the nature of a marketplace, relationship, or campaign. From sports ‘something that changes a match or contest.’ 2.

Other categories:

—MOST USEFUL—

WINNER: Barack Obama: Both names as combining forms. 41/72

text(ing), in driving while texting (DWT), the sending of text messages while conducting and automobile, and textwalker, a person who texts while walking. 38/34

bailout: The rescue by the government of companies on the brink of failure, including large players in the banking industry. 14

Palinesque: Pertaining to a person who has extended themselves beyond their expertise, thereby bringing ridicule upon a serious matter. 11

—MOST CREATIVE—

WINNER: recombobulation area: An area at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee in which passengers that have just passed through security screening can get their clothes and belongings back in order. 94

long photo: A video of 90 seconds or less. Used by the photo-sharing web site Flickr. 5

skadoosh: A nonsense interjection popularized by Jack Black in the movie Kung Fu Panda. 3

rofflenui: A blended New Zealand English-Maori word that means “rolling on the floor laughing a lot.” 1

—MOST UNNECESSARY—

WINNER: moofing: From “mobile out of office,” meaning working on the go with a laptop and cell phone. Created by a PR firm. 35/53

First Dude: The husband of a governor or president. 36/43

bromance: A very close relationship between two heterosexual men. 28

—Most OutrageouS—

WINNER: terrorist fist jab:A knuckle-to-knuckle fist bump, or “dap,” traditionally performed between two black people as a sign of friendship, celebration or agreement. It was called the “terrorist fist jab” by the newscaster E. D. Hill, formerly of Fox News. 88

body-snarking: Posting pictures and commenting negatively on the bodies of the people in them. 10

fish pedicure: A cosmetic procedure in which fish eat the dead skin off the feet. 9

baby mama: From a man’s point of view, a woman to whom he is not married and who is the mother of his child. 2

—MOST EUPHEMISTIC—

WINNER: scooping technician:A person whose job it is to pick up dog poop. 66

age-doping: The falsification of records to show that an athlete meets participation requirements for a sporting event. 32

thought showers: Coined by a British city council because the synonym “brainstorming” was said to be offensive to epileptics. 11

—Most Likely to Succeed—

WINNER: shovel-ready:Used to describe infrastructure projects that can be started quickly when funds become available. 47/76

Tw-, tweet-, twitt- Combining forms all connoting a relationship to Twitter, a free nano-blogging service. 27/19

[name] the [job]: Joe the Plumber, etc. 12

Phelpsian: Excellent in the fashion of swimmer Michael Phelps, who won eight medals and set seven world records in the 2008 Summer Olympics. 6

-licious: A suffix which connotes desirability or attractiveness of the thing whose name it is combined with. 1

—Least Likely to Succeed—

WINNER: PUMA: An acronym for Party Unity My Ass, used by Democrats who were disaffected after Hillary Clinton failed to secure a sufficient number of delegates. It was later said to stand for Party Unity Means Action. 88

nuke the fridge: To ruin a movie franchise through the arrogance of a successful producer or director. 14

-cation: Suffix connotating “vacation” in blends like mancation, staycation, hurrication, evacucation. 1

—NEW CATEGORY: ELECTION-RELATED WORDS—

WINNER: maverick: A person who is beholden to no one. Widely used by the Republican Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin. Also in the adjectival form mavericky, used by Tina Fey portraying Palin on Saturday Night Live. 73

lipstick on a pig: An adornment of something that can’t be made pretty. 37

hopey-changey: Derisive epithet incorporating Obama’s two main buzzwords (also dopey hopey changey). 8

hockey mom: A mother who spends a great deal of time and money aggressively abetting her children’s interest in the sport of hockey. 2

Founded in 1889, the American Dialect Society is dedicated to the study of the English language in North America, and of other languages, or dialects of other languages, influencing it or influenced by it. ADS members are linguists, lexicographers, etymologists, historians, grammarians, academics, editors, writers, and independent scholars in the fields of English, foreign languages, and other disciplines. The society also publishes the quarterly journal American Speech.

Source:http://www.americandialect.org/index.php/amerdial/american_dialect_society_2008_word_of_the_year_is_bailout/2007

Pinoy word of the year was the word "MISKOL". I would suggest that the PINOY WORD FOR THE YEAR 2008 SHOULD BE THE FOLLOWING:

WORD: CHORVA! ( hehehe)

PHRASE OR EXPRESSION : Bonggang-bonggang bong bong

NAME: LAUDEMER BELTRAN ( HAHAHA KIDDING!) PROBABLY : MARIAN RIVERA

OSCAR AWARDS 09 FORECAST

2009-01-13T05:08:00.000-08:00

2009 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD IS OVER.... AND GUESS WHAT??? ALL EYES ARE NOW ON THE MOST ANTICIPATED SHOW IN THE WHOLE WORLD AFTER THER INAUGURATION OF MR. YES WE CAN, US PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA.... WHAT ELSE? ITS THE OSCAR! ONE THING IS FOR SURE NOW; THIS YEAR'S AWARD'S NIGHT HOST IS NOT A COMEDIAN...BUT AN AUSSIE ACTOR, HUGH JACKMAN.

HERE IS MY FEARLESS FORECAST FOR THE 81st OSCAR

--- AS ALWAYS, WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, JENIFFER LOPEZ TOGETHER WITH HIS HUBBY MARC ANTHONY WILL WALK AGAIN AT THE RED CARPET. SIGH.

--- I HAVE THIS HUGE FEELING THAT SOME VIDEO CLIPS FROM THE MOVIE "THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL" WILL BE USED AS AN OPENING AVP FOR THE SHOW, REPLACING THE ALIEN ROBOT ALSO KNOWN AS THE GORT WITH THE OSCAR STATUE!

--- HEATH LEDGER WILL WIN THIS YEAR'S OSCARS BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR CATEGORY. HIS DAD WILL ACCEPT THE AWARD....THEN A STANDING OVATION... A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

--- BRAD PITT WILL NOT BE NOMINATED FOR THE BEST ACTOR CATEGORY AND WILL NOT ATTEND THE AWARD'S CEREMONY.

Morning Banana diet: Wanna try?

2009-01-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

PHOTO: http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/hm/banana-clean-FD-lg.jpg

Everybody's talking about this latest diet fad in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.According to a Time Magazine article dated October 17, 2008 (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1850454,00.html). The morning banana diet made the Philippine bananas the hottest items on every Japanese market shelves. FYI: Philippines is exporting bananas to Japan for 40 years, Dole Japan said that their banana importation has increased by 25%, and the banana sales soared up to 70%. Looks like that there will be a banana shortage this year, hahaha. And the man or the woman rather to blame for this fad: the Osakan pharmacist Ms. Sumiko Watanabe, who introduced this stress free, easiest, simplest and 2nd cheapest diet ever invented (only after the 40 days fasting... kidding) to her husband, who lost 37 llbs in due course of diet.This diet also do not require any exercise program, well how about that? WTG!

The Diet Rules:
Very Simple:A follower of this diet plan eats one or more bananas with room temperature water for breakfast. The dieter can choose what they want for lunch, a three-o'clock snack, and dinner, but no desserts are permitted. Nothing is eaten after 8 pm, and the dieter must go to bed by midnight.

So what's with banana?

Banana is very high in fiber thus, it can make you feel you feel full when you eat some. It is also rich in carbohydrates and vitamin B also known as fat burners.

Caution:

The sugars in bananas adhere to your teeth more than other fruits, so eating them in the morning puts you at high risk of cavities. Bananas are also very constipating. This diet is not recommended to those persons with constipation problem.

Therefore:

I will give it a try for myself. Ive been struggling to lose extra pounds. I used to weigh only 135 lbs (that was almost a year and a half ago) But just two months after December 2007, I gained 15 pounds.And now, Im weighing 170 lbs, 30 llbs heavier than Manny Pacquiao. This leads me to include any diet to my new year's resolutions that will help me lose weight. I will try to combine this with exercise, moderate lunch and dinner and drinking a liter of green tea a day to see the result faster. Summer is coming and i need to have a six pack abs! 'Hope this diet works!

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River : Official Semifinalist to New Seven Wonders of Nature

2009-01-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

Filipinos UNITE! Let's make Puerto Princesa Subterranean River be included to the New Seven Wonders of Nature! VOTE NOW!

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/PuertoPrincesa/

New Seven Wonders of Nature : Next Phase of Competition

2009-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

The national qualifiers are now over, and you can vote for your chosen seven from the list of 261 qualified nominees.

The Swiss-based nonprofit foundation collected 441 nominations over the Internet since it opened the selection process in 2007.The foundation then chose the top vote-getter from each country, making a list of 222 sites. The overall list rose to 261 with the inclusion of sites shared by two or more countries.

Votes can be cast until July 7. Registration on the Web site aims to prevent people from voting twice.A panel of experts in nature, chaired by Federico Mayor, former chief of UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, will reduce the list to 21 finalists in July.

The seven winners will then be chosen in another round of public voting lasting until 2011, this time by Internet, telephone and text messages.

When will the New7Wonders of Nature be declared?
What are the stages of the election?
There are three stages in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign: the National Qualification, the Nomination stage and the Finalist stage:

On 1 January 2009, only one national nominee per country will be allowed to proceed: the highest ranked in the voting on 31 December 2008. Therefore until the end of 2008, countries with more than one nominee will be racing to choose the national representative that is allowed to continue into 2009. Nominees shared by more than one country will remain and continue into 2009.

In the Nomination stage, voting for nominees will continue through July 7, 2009. Then the New7Wonders of Nature Panel of Experts, under the leadership of Prof. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will review the top 77 nominees and choose the 21 finalists, to be announced on 21 July 2009.

For the Finalist stage, the 21 New7Wonders of Nature Finalists will be put to popular vote in July 2009. Voting will continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. During this time, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit each of the Finalists to allow them to present themselves to the voters across the globe.

The final declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be in 2011.

Can there be more than one Finalist and more than one of the New7Wonders of Nature from the same country?
No, there will only be one Finalist per country, except for Finalists that share countries, for example those that cross national borders.

How many times can I vote?
Via www.new7wonders.com you can only vote once in each stage (nominee/Top 77 stage and Finalist stage), identifying yourself using your email address.
Please note that each person must vote for 7 different natural sites when they vote in each of the two stages.

http://www.new7wonders.com

ELIANE ENGELER, Associated Press Writer

happy new year!

2009-01-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

happy new year! everyone! wishing us all the best this 2009!

KLM's Fill a Plane and Fly to Europe Contest

2008-12-17T01:10:00.003-08:00

photo: www.shanatinglipton.com/.../02/amsterdam.jpg

Everyone is invited to join KLM's fill a plane and fly to Europe! Simply click on the link below and register to become a participant. Simply fill your plane with friends to win amazing prizes.

Link

Competition prizes:

1st prize

ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO AMSTERDAM

2nd prize

IPOD NANO

3rd prize

PHILIPS NOISE CANCELLING HEAD PHONES

4th prize

KLM LIMITED EDITION FLIGHT BAG

HOW TO JOIN:

Select a plane

Simply choose a plane and check in for your flight.

Invite friends

Each invitation accepted will boost your personal score by 1 point. The higher your personal score, the better the prize you win

Get your friends to invite your friends

Your plane score is the total score of all passengers on board. So the more passengers on you rplane successfully inviting their friend, the better.

THE PLANE WITH THE HIGHEST TOTAL PASSENGER SCORE WINS! ALL PASSENGERS ON THE WINNING PLANE WIN A PRIZE! YOUR PRIZE WILL BE DETERMINED BY YOUR PERSONAL RANKING WITHIN THE PLANE

The Competition shall commence on 1 November 2008 and shall run until 31 January 2009 .

Link

Biggest Full Moon of the Year

2008-12-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

Biggest Full Moon of the Year
by: Dr. Tony Phillips
Credit: Science@NASA
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/09dec_fullmoon.htm?list96908
Dec. 9, 2008

No, you can not see Neil Armstrong's footprint. But go ahead and look: The full Moon of Dec. 12th is the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year.

It's no illusion. Some full Moons are genuinely larger than others and this Friday's is a whopper. Why? The Moon's orbit is an ellipse with one side 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other: diagram. In the language of astronomy, the two extremes are called "apogee" (far away) and "perigee" (nearby). On Dec. 12th, the Moon becomes full a scant 4 hours after reaching perigee, making it 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser full Moons we've seen earlier in 2008.

A perigee Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to NOAA. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood.

The best time to look is when the Moon is near the horizon. That is when illusion mixes with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. On Friday, why not let the "Moon illusion" amplify a full Moon that's extra-big to begin with? The swollen orb rising in the east at sunset may seem so nearby, you can almost reach out and touch it.

A fun experiment: Take a friend outside on Friday evening and ask if they notice anything unusual. Is the Moon big and bright enough to impress the unwary? Explain perigee later....

Congratulations Manny Pacquiao!

2008-12-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

You're truly a pacman! The Philippine government must put your face on the two hundred peso bill in replacement of Diosdado Macapagal. Indeed, you're now one of the Philippine's wonders. The MEXICUTIONER! Im wondering who will be your next MEXICAN victim, hahaha. Juan Manuel Marquez is boastfully telling the people the he can beat pacman if he will be given the chance for a rematch.....IN YOUR DREAMS, hahaha. JUST WATCH YOUR PREVIOUS MATCH with MANNY, and remember the pain of being knocked down ...not just once but thrice .....lol.

Thanks Manny! You have boosted again the Spirit of the Filipino!

Two zero zero eight

2008-12-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

We still have 26 days left before we welcome the next year but I have decided to post my review for 2008; I really have to, the next coming weeks will gonna be hectic and exhausting; besides, i have to finish my set of goals and my gameplans for 2009. 2009. Gosh. Sounds like the end of the world for many financial analysts huh? We have to prepare! We must! Trust me, list your goals and plans so that you'll be focused. And have a good relationship with God.....everything's going to be all right!

2008. Year of new beginning according to a prophetess; a year of circumscision of the heart... yeah, she was right. 2008.Year of the rat according to the Chinese feng shui experts...8-8-8... Beijing Olympics, Milk Scandal, Sichuan earthquake, Inflations, recessions...oh well, the year isn't lucky for them...............but me,Im not! In contrast, I am blessed, blessed beyond my expectations. There's a big different between a blessed and lucky.

My 2008.
The LORD is good! He made 2008 a better year for me, and Im sure He has lots of good plans for me in the next comings years.He allowed me to go to many situations to learn new things. He has sent me to deserts yet He became my compass that guided me to my journey called life. God provides.

Hellos, goodbyes and see you in eternity....
The year was a year of hellos and goodbyes. Met new friends.Lost old friends and just new. Others...remain....seasonal....and even left this planet. Well, that is part of life....the only constant on this earth is CHANGE.

Blogging,social networking and book reading.....

Thanks to the technology. 2008 is a year where I started blogging seriously, it is the year that I realized that there's a world outside Friendster. Facebook. Multiply. Facebook. Facebook... Facebook is really addicting....mobwars, tower bloxx, speed racing, my city, yo ville. Thanks FACEBOOK. Haha.
The things that I have observed about the beijing olympics opening ceremony were even used in a news (web) article in australia (http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24159960-5016818,00.html). Not bad for an amateur blogger.

Event of 2008
Best
The best event of 2008 goes to no other than the Hillsong United Worship Concert in Manila. The experience....it was a blast! The period where I ( the street team) was selling tickets was whewww,really hard and strenght, time, patience consuming. I remember there was a period where I received inquiry text messages every other seconds about the concert...every other seconds. Overwhelmed by the inquiries, I decided to turned my cell phone that day.Extraordinary.
The reward.... priceless! Two days and two nights at Shang-rila Edsa Plaza with the street team. The I heart shirt. Buffet breakfast at THE HEAT SHANGRILA. Buffet lunch THE HEAT SHANGRILA again, but now with the Hillsong United Team. Photo op with the Hillsong United Team and the General Manager of Shang-rila Edsa Plaza. Countless picture takings with HSU at araneta coliseum. The Back stage pass. Highly favoured by the LORD.

Worst....

Never mind. No time to recall the bad memories of 2008. Good things are still coming on my way. No reason to store bad memories.

Lessons from 2008

Give. Give. Give, so that you'll be blessed more. Dedicate the first fruits of whatever you have to God. Stop complaining. Act before react. Dont make life miserable. Worship in time of troubles. Think of God...always.

Hopes for 2009
Im hoping the 2009 will be better than past years. I hope that i will be able to achieve all my goals, plans and dreams for the year 2009. I hope that there is another HSU concert for 2009.i pray that our nation will not get affected by the global recession. I wish I could meet Brooke Fraser in person.I am hoping that all good things will come to pass, in Jesus name. I am offering the year 2009 to God. Maktub!

Famous & Infamous ( the news makers of 2008)

NBN ZTE Deal,Crying Lozada, Brian Gorells 15 minutes of fame blog, gucci gang, American, Idol, David Cook, Beijing Olympics, the death of heath ledger, batman, iron man, ever reinventing denim pants, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo( gee, she's making a world record the president with the most number of impeachment complaints) , Michael Phelps, Twilight, Rihanna, Mike Guglielmucci, the checkered scarf and wakeboard shorts for men, Bubble gang's angelina and yaya, Low dance craze, statement shirts, i phone, melamine, Rudy fernandez' death, Gabby Concepcion's homecoming ( who cares? ), recession, inflation, rice shortage, jeepney fare increase, oil record high price increase. Richard and KC together in a movie ( yeah right). Dyesebel, Marian rivera and her dance craze ( whhhhhaaaaaatttt???), Ateneo's UAAP's victory over De la Salle, Manny Pacquiao, Megan Fox as worlds sexiest woman.The break up of Ding-dong Dantes and Karylle (wahaha), Joc joc Bolante, the euro generals, Barack obama, John Mc Cain, Sarh Falin, Charice Pempengco, Patani, etc.

.

TWILIGHT

2008-12-02T13:42:00.000-08:00

After attending a choir practice last saturday, i decided to watch a movie at festival mall coz i had nothing to do after the practice. I watched the movie "Twilight". Im not a fan of Stephenie meyer, but I was just curious about the movie "twilight" because the book is a world best seller .I'm familiar with Stephenie Meyer's series of books but only for the titles and book covers; no idea what Stephenie's writing all about. .....

..... yun pala yung story ng twilight.....love story between a human and a "vegetarian" type blood sucker.It is the latest romantic movie I've watched in a cinema after step up. I cannot compare the movie with the book coz i havent read the novel;Im sure many bookworms will give negative opinions about this movie. As always, the book is better than the movie"....Harry potter for example and khaled hosseini's "the Kite runner".

here is a list of the things I've noticed and observed about the movie TWILIGHT

1.The abilities of the Cullens are cool (except for sucking blood).
2. There are some scenes in the movie that Edward Cullen's face looked like an espasol.
3. Kristen Stewart is beautiful.
4. Philippine flag looks so good in the movie. Mabuhay ang' Pinas!
5. Hindi ba tinatablan ng bawang or ng holy water ang mga Cullens?
6. Walang budget ang movie para sa mga "vampire's teeth" hehehe.

Obama becomes US first black president

2008-11-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his historic triumph by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

Congratulations Mr. Obama!

PLEASE VOTE JOHN MC CAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!

2008-10-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

PLEASE VOTE JOHN MCCAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!
PLEASE VOTE JOHN MCCAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!
PLEASE VOTE JOHN MCCAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!
PLEASE VOTE JOHN MCCAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!
PLEASE VOTE JOHN MCCAIN FOR US PRESIDENT!

RESTORE THE MORAL VALUES OF USA!

THE - QS World University Rankings 2008

2008-10-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Times Higher Education - QS World University Rankings identified these to be the world's top 100 universities in 2008. These institutions represent 20 countries with Israel represented for the first time. Whilst North America dominates with 42 universities, Europe and Asia Pacific are well represented with 36 and 22 respectively.

2008 School Name/ Country
1 HARVARD University/ United States
2 YALE University /United States
3 University of CAMBRIDGE/ United Kingdom
4 University of OXFORD /United Kingdom
5 CALIFORNIA Institute of Technology /United States
6 IMPERIAL College London /United Kingdom
7 UCL (University College London) /United Kingdom
8 University of CHICAGO /United States
9 MASSACHUSETTS Institute of Technology /United States
10 COLUMBIA University /United States
11 University of PENNSYLVANIA /United States
12 PRINCETON University /United States
13 DUKE University /United States
13 JOHNS HOPKINS University /United States
15 CORNELL University /United States
16 AUSTRALIAN National University /Australia
17 STANFORD University /United States
18 University of MICHIGAN /United States
19 University of TOKYO /Japan
20 MCGILL University /Canada
21 CARNEGIE MELLON University /United States
22 KING'S College London /United Kingdom
23 University of EDINBURGH /United Kingdom
24 ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of T... /Switzerland
25 KYOTO University /Japan
26 University of HONG KONG /Hong Kong
27 BROWN University /United States
28 École Normale Supérieure, PARIS /France
29 University of MANCHESTER /United Kingdom
30 National University of SINGAPORE(NUS) /Singapore
30 University of CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles /United States
32 University of BRISTOL /United Kingdom
33 NORTHWESTERN University /United States
34 ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE /France
34 University of BRITISH COLUMBIA /Canada
36 University of California, BERKELEY /United States
37 The University of SYDNEY /Australia
38 The University of MELBOURNE /Australia
39 HONG KONG University of Science & Techno... /Hong Kong
40 NEW YORK University (NYU) /United States
41 University of TORONTO /Canada
42 The CHINESE University of Hong Kong /Hong Kong
43 University of QUEENSLAND /Australia
44 OSAKA University /Japan
45 University of NEW SOUTH WALES /Australia
46 BOSTON University /United States
47 MONASH University /Australia
48 University of COPENHAGEN /Denmark
49 TRINITY College Dublin /Ireland
50 Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LAUSANNE... /Switzerland
50 PEKING University /China
50 SEOUL National University /Korea, South
53 University of AMSTERDAM /Netherlands
54 DARTMOUTH College /United States
55 University of WISCONSIN-Madison /United States
56 TSINGHUA University /China
57 HEIDELBERG Universität /Germany
58 University of CALIFORNIA, San Diego /United States
59 University of WASHINGTON /United States
60 WASHINGTON University in St. Louis /United States
61 TOKYO Institute of Technology /Japan
62 EMORY University /United States
63 UPPSALA University /Sweden
64 LEIDEN University /Netherlands
65 The University of AUCKLAND /New Zealand
66 LONDON School of Economics and Political... /United Kingdom
67 UTRECHT University /Netherlands
68 University of GENEVA /Switzerland
69 University of WARWICK /United Kingdom
70 University of TEXAS at Austin /United States
71 University of ILLINOIS /United States
72 Katholieke Universiteit LEUVEN /Belgium
73 University of GLASGOW /United Kingdom
74 University of ALBERTA /Canada
75 University of BIRMINGHAM /United Kingdom
76 University of SHEFFIELD /United Kingdom
77 NANYANG Technological University /Singapore
78 DELFT University of Technology /Netherlands
78 RICE University /United States
78 Technische Universität MÜNCHEN /Germany
81 University of AARHUS /Denmark
81 University of YORK /United Kingdom
83 GEORGIA Institute of Technology /United States
83 The University of WESTERN AUSTRALIA /Australia
83 University of ST ANDREWS /United Kingdom
86 University of NOTTINGHAM /United Kingdom
87 University of MINNESOTA /United States
88 LUND University /Sweden
89 University of CALIFORNIA, Davis /United States
90 CASE WESTERN RESERVE /University United States
91 Université de Montréal /Canada
91 University of HELSINKI /Finland
93 Hebrew University of JERUSALEM /Israel
93 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München /Germany
95 KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Scie... /Korea, South
96 University of VIRGINIA /United States
97 University of PITTSBURGH /United States
98 University of CALIFORNIA, Santa Barbara /United States
99 PURDUE University /United States
100 University of SOUTHAMPTON /United Kingdom
101 VANDERBILT University United States
102 University of NORTH CAROLINA United States
102 University of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA United States
104 University of LEEDS United Kingdom
105 PENNSYLVANIA STATE University United States
106 University of ADELAIDE Australia
106 University of ZURICH Switzerland
108 University College DUBLIN Ireland
109 TECHNION - Israel Institute of Technolog... Israel
110 GEORGETOWN University United States
111 MAASTRICHT University Netherlands
112 TOHOKU University Japan
113 FUDAN University China
114 TEL AVIV University Israel
115 University of VIENNA Austria
116 Université catholique de LOUVAIN (UCL) Belgium
117 MCMASTER University Canada
117 QUEEN'S University Canada
119 University of ROCHESTER United States
120 NAGOYA University Japan
121 OHIO STATE University United States
122 DURHAM University United Kingdom
122 University of MARYLAND United States
124 National TAIWAN University Taiwan
124 University of OTAGO New Zealand
126 ERASMUS University Rotterdam Netherlands
127 STONY BROOK University United States
128 EINDHOVEN University of Technology Netherlands
129 University of WATERLOO Canada
130 University of SUSSEX United Kingdom
131 University of BASEL Switzerland
132 University of CALIFORNIA, Irvine United States
133 CARDIFF University United Kingdom
133 Technical University of DENMARK Denmark
133 University of LIVERPOOL United Kingdom
136 University of GHENT Belgium
137 Freie Universität BERLIN Germany
137 TEXAS A&M University United States
139 HUMBOLDT-Universität zu Berlin Germany
140 Ecole normale supérieure de LYON France
141 University of Science and Technology of ... China
142 WAGENINGEN University Netherlands
143 NANJING University China
144 SHANGHAI JIAO TONG University China
144 University of GRONINGEN Netherlands
146 University of ARIZONA United States
147 CITY University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
147 Universität FREIBURG Germany
149 Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie PARIS V... France
150 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ... Mexico
151 RUTGERS, The State University of New Jer... United States
152 University of BATH United Kingdom
153 University of ABERDEEN United Kingdom
154 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (II... India
155 Eberhard Karls Universität TÜBINGEN Germany
155 VU University AMSTERDAM Netherlands
157 TUFTS University United States
158 KYUSHU University Japan
159 The University of WESTERN ONTARIO Canada
160 QUEEN MARY, University of London United Kingdom
161 University of LAUSANNE Switzerland
162 CHALMERS University of Technology Sweden
162 NEWCASTLE University, NEWCASTLE Upon Tyn... United Kingdom
164 SIMON FRASER University Canada
165 University of FLORIDA United States
166 CHULALONGKORN University Thailand
166 Universität GÖTTINGEN Germany
168 University of NOTRE DAME United States
169 Universität FRANKFURT am Main Germany
170 INDIANA University Bloomington United States
170 University of CALGARY Canada
170 University of LANCASTER United Kingdom
173 KTH, ROYAL Institute of Technology Sweden
174 HOKKAIDO University Japan
174 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (I... India
174 RENSSELAER Polytechnic Institute United States
177 University of LEICESTER United Kingdom
177 University of OSLO Norway
179 University of CAPE TOWN South Africa
180 University of COLORADO at Boulder United States
180 WASEDA University Japan
182 MACQUARIE University Australia
183 Lomonosov MOSCOW STATE University Russia
183 Université Libre de BRUXELLES (ULB) Belgium
185 BRANDEIS University United States
186 University of BARCELONA Spain
186 University of CANTERBURY New Zealand
188 POHANG University of Science and Technol... Korea, South
188 Technische Universität BERLIN Germany
190 Universität STUTTGART Germany
191 University of MASSACHUSETTS, Amherst United States
192 University of BERN Switzerland
192 University of BOLOGNA Italy
194 University of READING United Kingdom
195 University of ANTWERP Belgium
196 University of SAO PAULO Brazil
197 DALHOUSIE University Canada
197 University of BUENOS AIRES Argentina
199 KOBE University Japan
200 University of ATHENS Greece
202 QUEEN'S University of Belfast United Kingdom
203 MICHIGAN STATE University United States
203 YONSEI University Korea, South
205 Università degli Studi di ROMA - La Sapi... Italy
206 RMIT University Australia
207 Sciences Po PARIS France
207 Université Louis Pasteur STRASBOURG I France
207 University of WOLLONGONG Australia
207 Universität KARLSRUHE Germany
211 HELSINKI University of Technology TKK Finland
212 QUEENSLAND University of Technology Australia
213 University of DUNDEE United Kingdom
214 KEIO University Japan
214 Vrije University BRUSSELS (VUB) Belgium
216 Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochsc... Germany
216 University of TSUKUBA Japan
218 WAKE FOREST University United States
219 NORTH CAROLINA STATE University United States
219 University of IOWA United States
221 Radboud Universiteit NIJMEGEN Netherlands
222 University of OTTAWA Canada
223 University of SURREY United Kingdom
224 SAINT-PETERSBURG State University Russia
224 The HONG KONG Polytechnic University Hong Kong
226 University College CORK Ireland
227 University of BERGEN Norway
227 VICTORIA University of Wellington New Zealand
229 ZHEJIANG University China
230 LOUGHBOROUGH University United Kingdom
230 Universiti MALAYA (UM) Malaysia
232 CURTIN University of Technology Australia
233 TULANE University United States
234 University of Technology, SYDNEY Australia
235 University of CALIFORNIA, Santa Cruz United States
236 KOREA University Korea, South
237 University of EXETER United Kingdom
237 University of MIAMI United States
239 STOCKHOLM University Sweden
239 Université Paris Sorbonne (PARIS IV) France
241 Pontificia Universidad Católica de CHILE... Chile
242 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (I... India
242 LA TROBE University Australia
244 University of VICTORIA Canada
244 VIENNA University of Technology Austria
246 GEORGE WASHINGTON University United States
246 University of TURKU Finland
246 University of UTAH United States
249 University of CAMPINAS (Unicamp) Brazil
250 Universiti Kebangsaan MALAYSIA (UKM) Malaysia
251 MAHIDOL University Thailand
252 YORK University Canada
253 School of Oriental and African Studies, ... United Kingdom
254 Ateneo de MANILA University Philippines
255 Universidad Autónoma de MADRID Spain
256 Universidad Autónoma de BARCELONA Spain
257 Universität INNSBRUCK Austria
258 University of ESSEX United Kingdom
259 University of GOTHENBURG Sweden
260 ARIZONA STATE University United States
261 CHARLES University Czech Republic
262 University of CALIFORNIA, Riverside United States
262 University of HAWAII United States
264 BEN GURION University of the Negev Israel
264 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitä... Germany
266 Université Paris-Sud PARIS XI France
267 HIROSHIMA University Japan
268 LAVAL University Canada
268 University of CINCINNATI United States
270 University of STRATHCLYDE United Kingdom
271 Technische Universität DRESDEN Germany
271 University of LIEGE Belgium
273 FLINDERS University Australia
274 University of DELHI India
275 Universität HAMBURG Germany
276 University of the PHILIPPINES Philippines
277 Universität ULM Germany
278 Universität WÜRZBURG Germany
279 Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VIRGINIA... United States
280 STOCKHOLM School of Economics Sweden
281 National TSING HUA University Taiwan
282 Université Joseph-Fourier, GRENOBLE I France
283 MASSEY University New Zealand
284 Karl-Franzens-Universität GRAZ Austria
285 Technische Universität DARMSTADT Germany
286 University of NEWCASTLE Australia
287 University of INDONESIA Indonesia
288 Université PARIS I Panthéon Sorbonne France
289 IOWA STATE University United States
290 University of MONTPELLIER II - Sciences ... France
291 Politecnico di MILANO Italy
291 University of TASMANIA Australia
293 Ecole Normale Supérieure Lettres et Scie... France
294 École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées E... France
295 University of SOUTHERN DENMARK Denmark
296 BRUNEL University United Kingdom
296 University of PADUA Italy
297 CHIBA University Japan
299 UMEÅ University Sweden
299 FLORIDA STATE University United States
300 JAGIELLONIAN University Poland
.
.
.
.
.
.415 DE LA SALLE University Philippines
.
.
.470 University of Santo Tomas Philippines

Ateneo tops UP in world University Rankings

2008-10-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

Ateneo tops UP in world list

DLSU, UST cited
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 06:28:00 10/16/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo de Manila University is not only No. 1 in basketball, but is also the leading tertiary school in the Philippines, based on several criteria like peer and employer review, faculty-student ratio and citations of teaching staff.

But the University of the Philippines (UP), ranked No. 2 in the country this year after being No. 1 in 2007, dismissed the findings of The Times Higher Education-Quacquarelli Symonds (THE-QS) World University Rankings 2008.

UP said it did not take part in this year’s survey.

The THE-QS World University Rankings 2008 showed that the Jesuit-led Ateneo was leading the pack in the Philippines, followed by UP, De La Salle University (DLSU), and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

In the survey released this week, Ateneo ranked 254th, leaping from between 400th and 500th position last year. Ateneo was sandwiched between London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain.

UP, the country’s premier state university, was at 274th place, up from 398th last year. UP was placed between two German universities—the University of Hamburg and Ulm University.

DLSU and UST, both Catholic universities like Ateneo, were ranked 415th and 470th, respectively. In the past year, the two schools were out of the Top 500.

The 2008 results reversed past trends, where the state-run UP led in the rankings and where Philippine universities hovered between the 400 and 500 levels.

Best showing for RP schools

Overall, this year highlighted the best showing of Philippine universities in the rankings yet.

The survey was conceived to rank the world’s top tertiary educational institutions based on how other academies (40 percent) and employers (10 percent) perceive them, the number of citations in accredited publications (20 percent), student and faculty ratio (20 percent), and the number of international teachers (5 percent) and students (5 percent) in the institution.

The survey also measured the schools’ performance in the fields of life sciences, arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and technology.

The THE-QS website only lists the top 100 schools in the field subject rankings. None of the Philippine institutions made it to the top 100 list.

Heartened

Ateneo officials said they were heartened by the school’s strong showing.

Antonette Angeles, Ateneo vice president for academic affairs, said the community “was very happy” about the results. “It is important to us because it shows how people outside see us,” she said.

The findings, Angeles noted, reflected Ateneo’s efforts to internationalize the university and to encourage more research work from its faculty.

Ateneo has consistently enjoyed positive perception from the business community, she said.

By contrast, UP raised doubts on the survey’s validity, saying the university did not take part in this year’s survey. It took part in 2007.

Problematic methodology

In a statement, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, UP vice president for public affairs, said the state university did not join because the survey organizers refused to disclose where and how they got their data.

“Since it does not specify who are surveyed or what questions are asked, the methodology is problematic,” Hidalgo said.

For this year’s survey, UP was not invited to participate, she said.

Hidalgo said UP president Emerlinda Roman only received an e-mail message from QS Asia Pacific director, Mandy Mok, notifying her that UP had “gone up in the rankings.”

The QS e-mail also informed UP that it could advertise in the 2009 Top University Guide and join the university fair for a fee of $49,000, Hidalgo said.

“UP can hardly be expected to spend more than P2 million on publicity for itself involving a survey conducted by an organization that refuses to divulge where it obtains its data,” Hidalgo said.

Harvard tops list

The survey showed that Harvard University in Massachusetts topped the 2008 list, as it did in the previous years. It was followed by Yale University, also in Massachusetts, and University of Cambridge and University of Oxford—both in Britain.

Two institutions from the Asia-Pacific landed in the Top 20: the Australian National University at 16th place and the University of Tokyo at 19th place.

Hillsong - You Are Here (The Same Power) LIVE

2008-10-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Mabuhay! Germany

2008-10-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

Please come and join the festivities of;

Mabuhay Germany
- an exposition showcasing German Quality, Technology and Tradition

Oct 10 & 11, from 11am to 10pm
Bonifacio High Street
Free Admission

<>

This is an opportunity for you to;

~ discover the latest in German technology
~ experience German culture
~ treat you <> rselves to German delicacies and
delight in musical performance

See you there!

Issue about CHINA

2008-10-02T22:38:00.000-07:00

Adept Kung "Is there any one word that could guide a person throughout life?"

    "How about 'shu' [reciprocity]: never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself?" ------ CONFUCIUS ( The GOLDEN RULE )

"Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them."
                                                        ---- JESUS CHRIST

They were able to produced the most expensive games ever. They were able to showcased the most spectacular Olympics Opening Ceremony ever produced.They were able to display CHINA as a newest world's super power. But all the glory of CHINA was easily stained and replaced with controversies, and issues about CHEATING.From the Computer Generated Fireworks Display of the opening ceremony,the Chinese Girl "Lin Miaoke" who lip-synched Yang Peiyi's voice because Lin Miaoke is more photogenic, to the most controversial issue, the alleged cheating of China's Women's Gymnastics Team (speculations of forging the team members passports, the deletion of team member's information on Chinese websites, and team member's interview posted on the internet in the recent years) .

And now China is facing another problem: the Milk scandal where milk products from China had been adulterated with melamine, (which I think is another form of cheating).Melamine appeared to have been added to milk in order to cause it to appear to have a higher protein content and to pass quality tests. The effect of this form of cheating affected other countries as well having products containing adulterated milk from China. In China alone, thousands caught ill with the use of this contaminated milk, and four innocent babies were the fatalities caused by kidney stones and other renal failure. Here's the catch, according to the reports, the Milk scandal came to international awareness a month after the Olmypics( with the help of New Zealand-based dairy company Fonterra ), but according to Chinese State Council investigation revealed that Sanlu began receiving complaints about sick infants as far back as December 2007, but did no tests until June 2008. How come that this milk contaminated reports only surfaced a month after the Olympics? according to Reuters, China has said the city government in Shijiazhuang, home to the Sanlu Group whose contaminated milk powder sparked the scare, sat on a report from the company about the tainting for more than a month, while Beijing hosted the Olympic Games.

The family is the smallest unit of the society but it is the most important building block of the society. I believe that a good COUNTRY comprises of value oriented family.

You can't just cover up the stench of a rotten thing with a perfume. When a basket of fruit is placed with a single rotten fruit, all other fruits in that basket will be affected. The only way to prevent this is to remove that rotten fruit. The only way to make our government clean is to remove officials with corrupt minds that corrupting the society.The best way, go back to the basic; Always follow the GOLDEN RULE!

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Chinese_milk_scandal
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/world/international-us-china-milk.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Olympics

Ketiva ve-chatima tovah!!!!!

2008-09-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's the start of year 5769 for the Jewish! Happy Rosh Hashanah!!!! To the people of Israel: May the LORD GOD bless the Land of Israel forever! I also pray that Yahweh will protect the people of Israel from the works of their enemies. May the favour of GOD almighty be upon the children of Israel forever! Maranatha & Shalom to all!!!!

FilharmoniKA feat Ely Buendia - Ang Huling El Bimbo

2008-09-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Ang Huling El Bimbo - FilharmoniKA featuring Ely Buendia

PINOY DREAM ACADEMY SEASON 2 VS. PINOY IDOL FINALS

2008-09-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

This is to end the all comparisons, admit it guys, Pinoy Dream Academy is better compared to Pinoy Idol. It is like you compare a professional singing competition ( that is PDA) to a cheap amateur singing contest ( Pinoy Idol ).

COMPARISON

TV Ratings: FINALS NIGHT ( Source AGB Nielsen Mega Manila Household TV Ratings)

Pinoy Idol Finale
August 16, 2008: 29.9%
August 17, 2008: 28.0% ( Announcement of “first Pinoy Idol”)

Pinoy Dream Academy
September 13, 2008: 31.8% ( Performance Night)
September 14, 2008: 36.1% ( Awarding Night)

POLL SURVEY

Clink on the following links:
STARMOMETER: PDA VS. PINOY IDOL POLL
http://www.starmometer.com/2008/06/30/pinoy-idol-versus-pinoy-dream-academy-2-poll-results/

Other noticeable observations:

It seemed that Pinoy Idol tried to copy the style of American Idol; but they failed. To explained it better and more clearly, please visit this link:

Comparison of Winners

ABS-CBN & Endemol were transparent to show the result of the text votes. GMA & Freemantle Media were not able to show the actual votes of the finalist.

The final’s result of GMA Pinoy Idol was blemished by some controversy. According to comments received from other blogsites and portals with related with the Pinoy Idol finals result, many were disappointed over the victory of Gretchen Espina being the fist Pinoy Idol. (http://pinoyidolblog.com/ , please read “And the Sour Taste of Victory...” from http://www.pinoyidol2008.com/ , please read hundred of comments from PEP portal, http://www.pep.ph/news/18787/FIRST-READ-ON-PEP:-Gretchen-Espina-proclaimed-as-the-first-Pinoy-Idol ). The possible main reason according to the comments was Gretchen Espina’s wealthy family influence over text voting result. Secondly, according to other comments, Jay Ann is far better than Gretchen. Television critic Nestor U. Torre wrote in his Philippine Daily Inquirer that Pinoy Idol finals is underwhelming (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080822-156283/Pinoy-Idol-finals-underwhelming ).

On the other hand, the finals of Pinoy Dream Academy was truly spectacular. Many were commenting that the venue was not filled by the crowd, but the reason for this is that he venue is not strategic compared to Araneta Coliseum that during that time was having the UAAP Semi Finals or in the SMX Convention Center. Many were disappointed over Miguel Mendoza, who placed third in the competition ( like the case of Gretchen Espina, the family influence of Miguel, according to the comments of others, was the reason behind Miguel’s triumph ). On my observation, all the finalist are winners. Cris, Van, and Sen have the face value and I think ABS-CBN will use this opportunity for the three. Miguel, has the capability of writing songs, and this will be his edge to stay in the Industry. Liezel’s voice is so unique and beautiful, her performance in the finals night was really really awesome and can be compared to other international singers like Rihanna, Beyonce and Alicia Keys. I hope that she will be a like Charice Pempengco who is now no doubt an international star.

Criticisms on Pinoy Idol on Wikipedia
Please clink on the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinoy_Idol
see the criticism section

On GOOGLE TREND

One way to compare which is better is to use Google Trend. By typing Pinoy Idol, Pinoy Dream Academy on the Google Trend Search Engine, the result shows that PDA is incomparable to Pinoy Idol.

please click to enlarge photo

Can’t wait for PINOY FEAR FACTOR.

Statement released by Michael Guglielmucci's father

2008-09-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

August 24, 2008

THE father of pastor Michael Guglielmucci, Danny, read this brief statement to a packed congregation to explain his son's actions.

"Today is a very sad day for our family and church family.

For many years our son, Michael has suffered from unexplained illnesses. We have been worried as we have seen him suffer and spend periods of time in hospital.

Two years ago our lives were totally turned around by the sad news of our sons' cancer diagnosis. The love and support shown by our local church and all of our many friends around the world helped us get through a very difficult situation.

During the last two years we have experienced the favor of God, his love and grace, and also the constant pain of the possibility of losing a son.

On Tuesday 12th of August we received a call to come and meet with Mike and Amanda but weren't ready for what we were about to hear. Mike began to share how he has lived a lie for the last 16 years of his life because of addictive behavior he couldn't break free from.

He loved God and would throw himself into prayer, worship, and serving God with full energy and enthusiasm but still couldn't break free.

In September in 2006, Mike had an accident and went to hospital. It was at this time, because of his torment of living a double life, Mike thought he could escape the pain by creating a diversion from his addiction to adult pornography, so he created the cancer scenario.

The pain of this addiction was so deep that he started something he couldn't stop and proceeded on a downward spiral that led to him experiencing pain and suffering that resulted in constant vomiting and many other symptoms of a genuine sufferer.

Sharonne and I witnessed these episodes and pained and wept over his suffering. Michael wrote the song Healer because he wanted God to set him free from his addiction but hid it behind the lie of a fabricated illness.

Once he had started down this track he felt he couldn't stop so he continued to act out this sickness, feeling he had gone too deep into the lie.

I can't begin to tell you how much this is hurting us on the inside. A few weeks ago Mike had a dream of Jesus on the cross looking down on him saying, 'the truth will set you free' and so he decided to confess and bring everything out into the open.

I immediately contacted our National Executive and submitted to their advice and council. Church, our family needs your prayers at this time. We are so, so sorry to bring you into this.

I have lead you with openness and integrity and declare that we have not lived a lie before you. We fully understand the questions, shock, disbelief and even anger you may feel over this announcement. Please pray for us and we will pray for you.

Michael is struggling with a different kind of illness and is receiving professional help and will do so as long as is needed. On the council and advice of our executive and board, after our up and coming Edge conference, we will take time to be with Mike and get him all the professional and spiritual help he needs to come to full recovery.

We have an amazing team. Thank you, executive, board, staff and church, for your love and support. We will do what is right before God and man and see this situation turned around for the glory of God. We love you. "

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24233308-5006301,00.html?from=public_rss

Michael Guglielmucci: An eye opener to us all

2008-09-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

The confession of Michael Guglielmucci last August 21,2008 was like a tsunami that affected not only Hillsong Church nor Australia but also the whole Christian world. It affected me somehow when I heard about news, because I always play the song “Healer” which was composed by him on my cd player. So many questions surfaced on my mind: Why? How can he do this to us? What are his intentions to do such things like that and so on. It’s really sad to know Christian leaders being the front liners sometimes fall at Satan’s baits.

But after reading the reports and interviews of Michael Guglielmucci over the Internet, I have forgiven him. Let us also think that there are many Christians and non Christians who are encountering this kind of problem; you never know if your close friends and relatives may be suffering from this problem. Mike's confession has become an eye opener to all; and God is letting this happen for the purification of His people and as one of the preparation of His coming.

Jesus said this: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (referring to Mary Magdalene). The bible also says in Romans 2:1 “Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” We are all human, therefore we’re not perfect and as a Christians we need the help of each other to grow with Christ. Being humans, our instinct is to hide and cover our sins; classic examples are Adam and David. Sin is like a wound on your skin; our skin needs to be sanitized in order to become wound free. If you will not pay attention to your wound, it can become infected and could create serious problem. You cannot cover your wound with a dirty gauze to heal it, or else it will worsen. Will is the first step to heal the wound on your skin. Sin, like the wound on the skin, needs to be exposed in order to be cleaned and healed by the blood of Jesus. Sanitizing us from our sin can be uncomfortable and hurtful but it’s the only way to make us spotless. Hallelujah!

My Cousin's Terrible Experience at a Restaurant in Alabang

2008-08-26T00:39:00.000-07:00

I got quiet disturbed and alarmed by a message sent to me by my cousins thru friendster last August 22, 2008. Her message narrates her terrible( add the word gross!) experience at a certain restaurant at the South of Manila. (Please read the content at the attached screened shot photo). Note: The names of my cousin ( and his/her photo was edited) and his/her friend were edited to protect him/her from whatever legal action the involved restaurant will take from this post. Also, only the initial letter of the restaurant's name was given, and the name of the Mall was deleted to protect me from any libel cases as well ... just making sure.

Lessons learned:
To my cousin, to my self and to all:
1. Be careful of what you eat or drink. Inspect all the food/ drinks or anything that you are gonna take inside your mouth.
2. Know your rights and exercise your rights as a consumer!
3. Be nice to service crews, waiters or to anyone who serves you. We may have the rights as consumers but they do also have the rights to be respected as a person.

To that restaurant:
1. Lagot kayo sa pinsan ko!!!! Di yan papatalo, hehehe.
2. Hire crews that will give us an excellent service, just don't "over personalize" it by spitting on our orders.... with sticky phlegm included........kawawa naman ang pinsan ko!
3. The customer is always right!

click on the picture to enlarge

Beijing Olympics Men's 10m Platform Preliminary: Philippines FABRIGA Rexel Ryan

2008-08-22T02:29:00.001-07:00

Philippines in Men's 10m Platform Preliminary
FABRIGA Rexel Ryan

Dive 1
54.00

Dive 2
56.00

Dive 3
50.75

Dive 4
62.70

Dive 5
64.00

Dive 6
71.40

TOTAL SCORE: 358.85
RANK: 28th out of 30

GOOD JOB TEAM PHILIPPINES!!!!

FILIPINA JIN Marie Antoinette Rivero lost to Croatia's Sandra Saric

2008-08-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

Finally! The burden of Marie Antoinette Rivero,Philippines' last hope in the Beijing Olympics has finally come to an end; Croatia's SARIC Sandra wins over our FIlipina Jin at the Taekwondo Women -67kg Preliminary at a score of 4-1.I would suggest to the Philippine Sports Commission to create a petition to the IOC to include "patintero" in the next London Olympics in 2012 ( sigurado may gold tayo nyan, hehehe) or let MANNY PACQUIAO paticipate in the olympics hehehe.

NEW SEVEN WONDERS OF NATURE

2008-08-21T01:10:00.001-07:00

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony : a review

2008-08-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

Though the opening ceremony of the 29th Olympiad was impressive and amazaing, I can't help but compare it from the previous opening ceremonies of Sydney and Athens olympics.

Overall, the whole show did'nt reach my expectation.I thought that it will beat Athens Opening Ceremony last 2004, but I was wrong. It was like watching an old Chinese Martial Art movie (remember Once upon a time in China?).The Tai Chi exhibition was quite boring. The special effects used in the show wasn't good enough to tumble the special effects used in Athens opening ceremony. The lighting of the Olympic cauldron was better compare to the last Olympic ( the lighting of Athen' s olympic cauldron can be compared to a man lighting a titanic cigarette).
What I really like about Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony were the pyrotechnics displays and the Bird's Nest itself.

Best Olympic Opening Ceremony
1st Athens Olympics 2004

2nd Sydney Olympics 2000

3rd Beijing Olympics 2008

4th Barcelona Olympcics 1998
5th Atlanta Olympics 1996

Best Olympic Stadium
1st Beijing Olympic Stadium
2nd Athens Olympic Stadium
3rd Sydney Olympic Stadium

Best Lighting of Olympic Flame ( Olympic Cauldron)
1st Sydney Olympics (futuristic)

2nd Barcelona Olympics (classic)

3rd Beijing Olympics
4th Athens Olympics

5th Atlanta Olympics

Bjorks Ocenia at athens Olympics

Trivia from Wikipedia!
Beginning at the post-World War I 1920 Summer Olympics, the lighting of the Olympic Flame was for 68 years followed by the release of doves, symbolizing peace.This gesture was discontinued after several doves were burned alive in the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the 1988 Summer Olympics.However, some Opening Ceremonies have continued to include doves in other forms; for example, the 2002 Winter Olympics featured skaters holding kite-like cloth dove puppets. The 2008 Summer Olympics also included a physical formation of a dove using many people in lighted suits.

David Cook is coming to Manila this January 2009

2008-07-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:48:00 07/29/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A surprise announcement from David Cook himself had his web fan site buzzing with excitement, especially from its Filipino subscribers: “American Idol”’s Season 7 champ is coming to Manila for a concert.

Comments from the website ranged from incredulity to amazement to simple joy, in a thread whose common question was the need to present proof.

Inquirer pursued a tip that the evidence was earlier posted on YouTube, and indeed, there it was (type in: CHUMFM interview with David Cook). The audio clip, 4 minutes and 15 seconds long, has Cook being interviewed by DJ Richie on a Canadian radio station. The conversation starts with Cook’s scheduled visit to Toronto as part of the “Idol” tour.

Cook proceeded to discuss his coming major-label debut CD, set for a November release and with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) as producer.

And then the announcement: “We just booked my first show, post-‘Idol,’ Jan. 27 in the Philippines … a one-off show and then we start the tour in the States …”

Pocholo Concepcion

Perseid Meteor Shower

2008-07-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar: The 2008 Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 12th and it should be a good show.

"The time to look is during the dark hours before dawn on Tuesday, August 12th," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center. "There should be plenty of meteors--perhaps one or two every minute."
The source of the shower is Comet Swift-Tuttle. Although the comet is far away, currently located beyond the orbit of Uranus, a trail of debris from the comet stretches all the way back to Earth.

Crossing the trail in August, Earth will be pelted by specks of comet dust hitting the atmosphere at 132,000 mph. At that speed, even a flimsy speck of dust makes a vivid streak of light when it disintegrates--a meteor! Because, Swift-Tuttle's meteors streak out of the constellation Perseus, they are called "Perseids."

Serious meteor hunters will begin their watch early, on Monday evening, August 11th, around 9 pm when Perseus first rises in the northeast. This is the time to look for Perseid Earthgrazers--meteors that approach from the horizon and skim the atmosphere overhead like a stone skipping across the surface of a pond.

"Earthgrazers are long, slow and colorful; they are among the most beautiful of meteors," says Cooke. He cautions that an hour of watching may net only a few of these at most, but seeing even one can make the whole night worthwhile.

A warm summer night. Bright meteors skipping overhead. And the peak is yet to come. What could be better?

The answer lies halfway up the southern sky: Jupiter and the gibbous Moon converge on August 11th and 12th for a close encounter in the constellation Sagittarius: sky map. It's a grand sight visible even from light-polluted cities.

For a while the beautiful Moon will interfere with the Perseids, lunar glare wiping out all but the brightest meteors. Yin-yang. The situation reverses itself at 2 am on Tuesday morning, August 12th, when the Moon sets and leaves behind a dark sky for the Perseids. The shower will surge into the darkness, peppering the sky with dozens and perhaps hundreds of meteors until dawn.

For maximum effect, "get away from city lights," Cooke advises. The brightest Perseids can be seen from cities, he allows, but the greater flurry of faint, delicate meteors is visible only from the countryside.

--- Dr. Tony Phillips, NASA

tagged by Anne Marie

2008-07-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Here’s the rule: Answer the questions with song titles (your fave songs or songs that you like to play most of the times). Let the song titles explain your answer.

The questions and my answers:

1.) How am I feeling today?
- Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

2.) Where/when will I get married?
-the right time by The Corrs

3.) What is my best friend’s theme song?
- we dont care by Kanye West

4.) What is/was highschool like?
- Nothing compares by Sinnead O' Connor

5.) What is the best thing about me?
- Everything by Michael Buble/ Lifehouse

6.) How is today going to be?
- Beautiful Day by U2

7.) What song describes my parents?
- Saving grace by Hillsong

8.) What song will they play at my funeral?
- HOME by Marty Sampson or This is home by Switchfoot

9.) How does the world see me?
-Wrong impression by Natalie imbruglia

10.) What do my close friends really think of me?
- Irreplaceable by Beyonce Knowles

11) Do people secretly lust after me?
-Posible by rivermaya

12.) How can I make myself happy?
- Take it all by Hillsong United

13.) What should I do with my life?
- I will follow Him, song from the movie Sister Act

14.) What is some good advice?
- Mangarap ka by AfterImage

15.) What do I think my current theme song is?
- Realize by John Nathaniel

16.) What type of men/women do you like?
- natural woman by aretha franklin, beautiful girl by jose mari chan

17.) Will you get married?
- I believe, by Fantasia Barrino

18.) What should I do with my love life?
-Realize by John Nathaniels/Colby Caillat

19.) Where will you live?
- Home by Chris Daughtry; Home by Marty Sampson;Across the Universe by The Beatles

20.) What will your dying words be?
- No air by Chris Brown feat jordin Sparks, Hallelujah! by Bamboo

21.) Song that describes you?
- There is nothing like by Hillsong United