PHILIPPINE PRIDE

RP has a good start in 2009 FIBA-Asia, tough times sure to come

2009-08-06T22:06:00.000-07:00

courtesy yahoo.com.ph

TIANJIN – Powerade Team Pilipinas hardly broke a sweat against Sri Lanka and took a late workout last night as it warms up against Japan tonight.

The Nationals clobbered the lowly regarded Sri Lankans, 115-31, at the start of the 25th FIBA Asia championship at the Tianjin Gym here Thursday in a game where the Filipinos were hardly tested.

They built leads of as many as 84 points before sealing the victory at the start of their campaign for a spot in the 2010 World Championship, that includes meetings with Japan and Korea in the next two days of the preliminary round.

“I don’t think this game can be used as a gauge on how well we made our adjustments from Jones Cup. We’d wanted to try some things, but it’s hard to do in this game,” said coach Yeng Guiao.

“If the defense was there, we would have set up the patterns. We still wanted to polish many things in our set-up plays but we got the running game going. Hindi na namin pinigil (We didn’t hold back),” Guiao said.

Guiao considers their game against Japan at 9 tonight their first real test. He has another scrimmage this morning.

Against the Sri Lankans, the Nationals found a team wanting in so many ways.

“This is our first game in the Asian Championship since 1995 in Seoul, and the Philippines is really a strong team. We hope to improve through the next matches,” said Sri Lankan coach Ajith Kuruppu.

Taller, heftier and stronger, the Filipinos simply overpowered their rivals, starting the game with a 19-4 run and closing out with a 23-0 romp.

The Nationals actually had a jittery start, committing a number of errors and missing what seemed like easy shots.

But once they settled down, there was no stopping them, each one deadly at the break.

“(The jittery start was) normal for a first game. It took us a little while to settle down but it’s understandable, considering more than half of the team were first-timers in this level of competition,” said Guiao.

Talk n Text rookie Jarred Dillinger scored a game-high 21 points and, with 11 rebounds, was one of three RP players who came through with a double-double showing.

Curiously, Dillinger’s papers were questioned by Chinese officials on the eve of the opening day. He was, however, cleared later.

Asi Taulava got 15 points and 13 rebounds while Japeth Aguilar came through with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Arwind Santos with 16 points, Cyrus Baguio with 15 and Joachim Thoss with 11 were three other Filipinos who finished in double figures.

So overpowering were the Filipinos they scored 39 points on fastbreaks and 33 off offensive rebounds. - By Nelson Beltran (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

PAALAM MAHAL NAMING PANGULONG CORY AQUINO

2009-08-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Sa Ina ng Isang bansang nooy nangulila sa demokrasya.. Sa babaeng humubog ng landas ng isang bansa tungo sa pagsisimula ng bagong pangarap. Sa natatanging Pangulong kumatawan sa tunay na diwa ng PAMUMUNO.. SALAMAT..

Hindi sapat ang mga titik na ito upang ipahayag ang iyong dakilang pamana sa bayang minahal mo ng higit pa sa iyong sarili at pamilya.. Sa iyong pamumuno alam naming ginawa at isinakripisyo mo ang lahat..

Ina ng isang magiting na bayan, sinimulan mo ang pakikibaka upang maibasan ang uhaw ng sambayanan sa kalayaan, ikaw ang nagsilbing ilaw ng isang bansang nooy nabalot ng dilim..

Salamat Tita Cory.. Paalam.. Hiling naming patuloy na maramdaman ang diwa mo sa aming mga puso..

I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.
-Corazon C. Aquino, Ina ng Demokrasya ng Bayang Pilipinas

The Mind Museum Soon in Global City Taguig.

2009-05-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Vision & Project

To build a home for science and to make it the FIRST WORLD-CLASS SCIENCE MUSEUM in the Philippines. It will be our defining legacy that will give the next generation the wings to fly against the challenge of a future shaped largely by service and technology. With over 150 inter-active “minds-on” and hands-on exhibits, the museum will be a venue that will present science as entertaining, fun, and engaging.

The Facility

The Mind Museum’s state of the art design will feature five galleries within its two levels:
The Story of the Universe: Its Beginning and Majesty
The Story of the Earth: Its Story Across the Breadth of Time
The Story of Life: The Exuberant Varieties of Life
The Story of the Atom: The Strange World of the Very Small
The Story of the Technology: The Showcase of Human Ingenuity

The Location
The museum will rise on J. Y. Campos Park, a 12,500 sqm prime lot at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), a fast developing world-class business district. BGC is strategically located between the business hubs of Makati and Ortigas. The Mind Museum will be located at the west end of Bonifacio High Street, right across the future 6-star Shangri-La Hotel and the unified Philippine Stock Exchange.

To know more about the mind Museum just visit www.themindmuseum.org

What scare? TIME goes ga-ga over RP's lechon

2009-04-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - As pork lovers worldwide worry over the spread of the deadly swine flu, the Filipinos’ favorite roasted suckling pig has been listed by TIME magazine as the best Asia has to offer. TIME magazine hailed the Philippines’ lechon in its annual Best of Asia list as the "best pig ever.""It was just a matter of time before the rest of the world found out," TIME said.According to the magazine, it was No Reservations’ TV chef Anthony Bourdain’s visit to the Philippines that paved the way for the underrated lechon to gain international stardom. When Bourdain went on a gastronomical tour to Cebu last November, he declared that he had finally found the holy grail of all pork. [See: Anthony Bourdain visits the Philippines]Bourdain, who was convinced by a Filipino fanatic to visit the Philippines with him, raved about the country’s fiesta staple. He rated lechon as the best he had ever had, followed by other pork dishes that he tasted in Indonesia and Puerto Rico.“It can now be said that of all the whole roasted pigs I've had all over the world, the slow roasted lechon I had on Cebu was the best. This puts the standings in the Hierarchy of Pork as follows: 1. Philippines, 2. Bali, 3. Puerto Rico," he wrote in his blog. TIME magazine too, drooled over the Filipinos’ porcine pride.“You could call it the Platonic ideal of a pig, but it's doubtful if Plato, or even an entire faculty of philosophers, could have imagined anything so exquisite," they said. - GMANews.TV

EARTH DAY 2009... Paraiso

2009-04-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Hi PP readers! as you know PP is very active in environmental protection and preservation advocacies, in fact I had launch PP's own campaign called "PoP" or Protect our Planet.. In celebration of Earth Day PP has dedicated its Blog header for an eye opening billboard "Sige Sirain mo, Sige Itapon mo! Ikaw rin ang babalikan... PP readers I hope all of us can be an environmental heroes in our own little ways! PP readers are Planet Protectors, Guardians of the environment! ^-^ right?

"PARAISO" – The Song Paraiso

Return to a land called Paraiso,a place where a dying river ends.No birds there fly over Paraiso,no space allows them to endure.

The smoke that screens the air,the grass that's never there.And if I could see a single bird, what a joy.I try to write some words and createa simple song to be heardby the rest of the world.I live in this land called Paraiso,in a house made of cardboard floors and walls.

I learned to be free in Paraiso,free to claim anything I see.Matching rags for my clothes,plastic bags for the cold.And if empty cans were all I have, what a joy.I never fight to take someoneelse's coins and live with fearlike the rest of the boys.

Paraiso, help me make a stand.Paraiso, take me by the handParaiso, make the world understandthat if I could see a single bird, what a joy.This tired and hungry land could expectsome truth and hope and respectfrom the rest of the world.

Donaire and Villoria won their respective fights!

2009-04-20T00:11:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines – They don’t call Nonito Donaire Jr. “The Filipino Flash" for nothing.Donaire lived up to his name Sunday when he made short work of Raul “Cobra" Martinez needing only four rounds to silence his Mexican-American challenger in the main event of their 12-round IBO/IBF flyweight title bout at the Araneta Coliseum.Earlier, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria scored an 11th-round knockout win against Ulises Solis to snatch the IBF light flyweight championship belt from the Mexican.It took Martinez four quick trips down to the canvass before the referee stopped the fight to the delight of the sellout Filipino crowd that included former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Noli De Castro and deputy national security adviser Luis “Chavit" Singson.Donaire brought down Martinez with left and right hooks in just four rounds. He improved his fight record to 21-1-0 with 14 of his by way of knockout while handing Martinez his first loss after 24 fights.Martinez, in the first round alone, already kissed the canvass twice courtesy of Donaire’s left and right hooks – delivered consecutively at the challenger’s undefended face.Donaire kept the pressure in the second round and give Martinez, who eased up a bit, another taste of his dreaded left hook.The fight ended in the fourth after Donaire sent Martinez down on his butt, after taking another hook, the referee stopped the fight, giving the victory to Donaire via technical knockout. – GMANews.TV

Philippines and Filipinos landed on different lists..(2009 first quarter)

2009-04-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Forbes Magazine Richest Man ( World Billionaires) 2009
Henry Sy is now considred as the richest man in the Philippines today but only managed to land on 234th place with 2.7 Billion dollars worth of networth. The other Filipino who landed on the list is Lucio Tan landing on the 522nd place with 1.4 Billion dollars of Net Worth.

Newsweeks Magazine's Greediest list
Imelda Marcos the former first lady is one of the 11 individuals listed on newsweek's list. "She saw it as her duty to provide ‘some kind of light, a star’ for the impoverished Filipino people over whom her husband presided. So she took $5-million shopping sprees to New York and Rome, reportedly owned the world’s largest collections of gems and 3,000 pairs of shoes,” Newsweek said.

Guiness Book of World Records
On 15 March 2008 – nearly 487 years to the day after Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines – businesswoman Sister Grace Galindez-Gupana (Philippines) achieved five Guinness World Records in a single day.
With the support of the Philippine National Red Cross, Sister Gupana embarked on a mass medical mission to provide 24 hours of free screenings for the marginalized Pintong Bocaue community. In doing so, she established four Guinness World Records:
Most blood identification tests in 24 hours: 260 Most cholesterol readings taken in 24 hours: 527 Most blood pressure readings taken in 24 hours: 2,302 Most diabetes readings taken in 24 hours: 503
Sister Grace wanted to involve children of the community in a record-breaking attempt too, and recruited youngsters from the local Baranggay Pintong Bocaue school to complete the longest drawing. Using coloured crayons, the children drew a picture of a long dragon with horns. The drawing was subsequently burned, in a symbolic act representing the victory of good over the devil.
Sister Gupana states, "7 records is an amazing achievement for a lifetime."

Grand Bida March, The Philippines officially made it Saturday afternoon for Guinness World Records as the first nation to hold the biggest march against illegal drugs by attaining the highest number of participants composed of public school children and their parents and teachers dubbed as the “Grand Batang Iwas Droga” (BIDA) March in Manila.

PERC's Asias Most Corrupt Country for 2009

I include this because of the marked improvement the Philippines had attained because last year (2008) Philippines top this list and was perceived as Asia's most corrupt. Hey that year had already passed and the list said it's not the Philippines anymore. As I quote "Indonesia and Thailand are perceived as Asia's most corrupt economies, with last year's cellar-dweller the Philippines making a marked improvement, an annual survey of foreign business executives shows."

OECD's Tax Haven Blacklist

The Philippines together with Malaysia, Uruguay and Costa Rica was removed from the Blacklisted countries. this means that there are marked improvements in tax collection, reforms and stricter laws against tax evasion. Nice one!

"Whether it's a Good or Bad list at least the Pinoy's make it! haha..."

Palm Sunday, Holy Week at ang palaspas ng pinoy

2009-04-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

Domingo de Ramos or Palm Sunday mass is the first mass of the Holy Week. It celebrates the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem. We’ve learned from the Bible that Jesus entered the town of Jerusalem on a donkey instead of on foot, and was acclaimed by crowds waving branches.

Palm Sunday of the Catholic Holy Week is ushered with a widely- practiced ritual; parishioners wave palm fronds, locally called palaspas, in the air, mimicking the crowd that met Christ upon his return to Jerusalem. Blessings, prayers and Sunday mass follows, in affirmation of the religious nature of this age-old custom.

Palaspas was derived from palapa i think it is also a leaf that came from the palm family..

Palm Sunday becomes more culturally unique in the Philippines because of the palaspas.

The church goer usually buy palaspas being sold nearby the church area, palaspas nowadays had improved its design and the way it is weave, I personally see a lot of different designs when I went to church this afternoon.

Cultural belief: Some say that palaspas is used to drive away evil spirits especially during holy week when christ has been crucified,.

Holy Week is locally called Cuaresma or Semana Santa. The start of Holy Week is Palm Sunday. Catholics carry palm leaves, known as palaspas, to chuch for the priest to bless. Catholics also celebrate Maundy Thursday, attending church services and watching Passion Plays. In one practice called visita iglesia, Catholics try to visit as many churches as they can. On Good Friday, believers in certain areas, such as Manila, San Fernando in Pampanga Province, and Antipolo in Rizal Province, reenact the sufferings and death of Christ in the Cross. Although Good Friday is a somber time, Easter Sunday is a joyful occassion that starts with salubong, where the statues representing the Risen Christ and the Grieving Mother Mary are carried to meet at an appointed place.

" he died for us, he redeem the world and saved us from our sins."

The Philippines and SEA games

2009-03-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

To date 1977 is the year when Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines joins the SEA games which is known as the SEAP games when the it was launched on 1958. The 1977 games was already the 9th edition of the games.

In celebration of the Golden Years of SEA games and the 25th games to be held for the first time in Laos let's take a look back on how the Philippines had fare since it's inclusion on the games on 1977..

1977 SEA Games - Held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Although the word 'Peninsula' was omitted from the new federation title to reflect the expansion, its emblem (which featured six rings representing the six founding members), and the sequential numbering of the games was kept to provide continuity, as well as reverence to the objectives, aspirations and contributions of the founders. The six-ring emblem was not replaced until 1999, when the present ten-ring emblem was first used in an official games logo.

The Philippines on it's first SEA games instantly became a force to contend with by placing 3rd overall and brought home a total of 91 medals (G-31, S-30, B-30).

1979 SEA Games- held for the 1st time in Jakarta, the Philippines amassed a total of 93 medals but its only good for fourth place because Burma has more golds than the Philippines.
(G-24,S-31,B-38)

1981 SEA Games- The Philippines hosted the games for the first time, The event was officially opened by President Ferdinand Marcos and the cauldron was lit by Benjamin Silva-Netto. The colorful opening ceremony was held in the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

More than 2,200 athletes and officials participated in the Manila Games. Bong Coo emerged as its most successful Filipino campaigner. She won six medals in six events, four of which were gold medals where she set six individual game records. Bong won the gold in Ladies Doubles with Lita de la Rosa and averaged 221 in Trios en route to an Individual All Events gold medal and became the South East Asian Games Masters champion.

The Philippines garnered a total of 187 medals but its again good only for third Place, at least the country reclaim their spot in the top 3. (G-55, S-55, B-77)

Lydia de Vega was acclaimed the Queen of SEAGames Athletics when she won the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter in record times.

1983 SEA Games- held in Singapore. Scheduled to be hosted by Brunei in accordance to the renewed alphabetical rotation of hosting duties, the 1983 SEA Games were offered to be hosted by Singapore as Brunei prepared for its forthcoming independence from the United Kingdom.

The Philippines had snatched second place from the perennial contender Thailand. In total the Philippine Team collected a total of 150 medals. (G-49, S-48, B-53).

1985 SEA Games- held in Bangkok. The Philippine team slipped from a second place finish in Singapore to third place in Bangkok, collecting a total of 129 medals.( G-43,S-54,B-32)

1987 SEA Games- for the second time in Jakarta, the Philippines maintains its third place finish although it takes home more medals than the second placer Thailand. A total of 206 medals for the country. (G-59 S-78 B-69)

1989 SEA Games- held again in Kuala Lumpur, Although Cambodia did not participate, Laos returned to compete for the first time under the new federation name in this edition of the games. A unified Vietnam first participated in the SEA Games in 1989 as well.

The Philippines finish 5th overall behind Indonesia, Thailand and surprisingly Singapore with 127 medals in the bag. (G-26 S-37 B-64)

Kiko Labuyo,a Sarimanok is the official Mascot of the 1991 Sea Games

1991 SEA Games- held for the second time in Manila and from a depressing 5th place in Kuala Lumpur the Philippine Team is determined to regain its glory and make the home crowd proud.

It was the only SEA Games where the overall championship was heavily contested. The deciding medal came from the last sporting event - women's marathon where Indonesia got the gold medal. The host country was disappointed when they were two gold medals short of getting the over-all championship.

The Philippines ended in second place with 238 medals G91-S62-B86.

1993 SEA Games- held in the lion city Singapore. The Philippines slipped to 3rd Place with 57 gold, 59 silvers, and 72 bronze for a total of 188 medals.

1995 SEA Games- for the first time a game is held outside a capital city in Chang-Mai Thailand. The Philippines again settled for 3rd Place with 145 medals. (G-33 S-48 B-64)

1997 SEA Games- held for the 3rd time in Jakarta. The Philippines slipped to 4th place with its 209 medals,43 gold, 57 silver and109 bronze.

1999 SEA Games- held for the 1st time in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The Philippines suffered another 5th place finish with only 20 golds, 26 silvers and 46 bronzes. Its worst after over 2 decades of joining the games. Its a reflection on how poor sports program we have and the emergence of new south east asian powerhouse with Singapore and Vietnam making its presence felt.

2001 SEA Games- held in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines retained its 5th place finish with Vietnam Surprisingly finished in 4th place. (T-163 G-31 S-65 B-67)

2003 SEA Games- held for the first time in Vietnam and also East Timor joined as a sovereign nation. Surprisingly Vietnam emerged as the overall Champion. The Philippines improved its place from 5th on the last 2 previous games to 4th place with 179 medals. (G-49 S-55 B-75)

2005 SEA Games- the 3rd time the Philippines hosted the Games with Manila and other key cities played as host. The first time that the opening ceremony is not held in a National Stadium.

The Games with the record of the most number of sports and participants ever and even surpassing the number in the recent games. East timor received its first ever SEA games medal in a native sports Arnis.

The Philippines grab the overall championship for the first time since its inclusion in 1977. The whole country celebrated its sweetest moment ever in SEA games with its 113 gold, 84 silver and 94 bronze for a total of 291 medals.

2007 SEA Games-held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. The Philippine team fresh from its Victory is expected to fare as well in this games. They go to Thailand with one mission and that is to defend its crown as the overall champion. But the turn of events in Thailand failed the Filipinos expectations as the country placed 6th overall with its worst place ever in the history of its participation in the Games. The Filipino Athletes go home with their 229 (G42 S91 B96) medals with questions and disappointment on mind.

The question now is will the Philippines regain its lost glory or will it continue to deteriorate in the 25th SEA games in Laos? Will they prove that they deserve a better finished in Thailand? will the country be again a power house in the region?

Shame on Chip Tsao for Insulting the Philippines and it's people

2009-03-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

MANILA, Philippines - A non-government organization providing assistance to migrant Filipino workers on Sunday scored a Hong Kong journalist for describing the Philippines as a “nation of servants" in his magazine column.

Former Labor Undersecretary Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, said Chip Tsao should be blacklisted as an “undesirable foreign employer" for allegedly using his Filipino house help as “pawn" in the Spratlys controversy.

Ople alleged that Tsao mocked the Philippines as a “nation of servants" in his column called “The War At Home" that appeared in HK Magazine last March 27.

Tsao reportedly warned his Filipino maid that she would lose her wages if she would not tell her fellow Filipinos that Spartly Islands belong to China.

This, Ople said, “is already a sign of an unstable, irresponsible and racist employer who resorts to verbal abuse for perceived bilateral and historic infractions."

Ople asked the Philippine Consulate, particularly its Office of the Labor Attache, to look into the work conditions of “Luisa," the Filipino household help, as she expressed personal concern for her safety and health.

“Luisa deserves a sane and more humane employer while he [Tsao] deserves to clean up his own filth," Ople said.

Tsao also allegedly said in his column that the Philippines’ claim on Spratlys was “reproachable," adding that “as a nation of servants, you don’t flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."

China has protested the newly passed Philippine baselines law, saying it "has indisputable sovereignty" over the contested territories. It also said that the Philippines' claim to islands "is illegal and invalid."

Ople also called the attention of the Philippine government to the last paragraph of Tsao’s column where he said that some of his friends “declared a state of emergency at home" wherein their Filipino maids were made to shout “China, Madam/Sir’ loudly" at the mention of the word Spratly. - GMANews.TV

My say: Shame on this man for giving this insulting remark, yes we may be "land of servants" as you say but it only goes to show the passionate culture we filipinos have, it also shows that we have the heart to care! Boycott chinese goods!

PP votes FOR EARTH!

2009-03-28T04:54:00.000-07:00

PP fully supports the EARTH HOUR! vote for earth by switching our lights off tonight!
8:30pm to 9:30pm local time!! We only have one planet!! PP is Protect our Planet!

Heart of Manila Snap Shots. (3)

2009-03-28T04:41:00.000-07:00

"Heart of Manila Snap Shots" 2008 Part 3

"Mini Skyline"

"DOLE in the wall"

" Philippines' Heart and soul"

"Quezon Bridge"

"Ang Simbahan ng Quiapo"

Heart of Manila Snap Shots. (2)

2009-03-28T04:35:00.000-07:00

The 2nd Part of my Online Gallery "Heart of Manila Snap Shots" 2008

"Into the walls"

"Outside the walls"

"Manila"

"Liwasang Bonifacio 1"

"Liwasang Bonifacio 2"

Heart of Manila Snap Shots. (1)

2009-03-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

Hi PP readers these are photos took last year, this is my online gallery Entitled "Heart of Manila snap shots". Hope you guys will like it!

" The flag " taken near Manila City Hall this photo was used to relaunch my blog.

"Old Man" this is my current Blog Bill board

"Andres"

"The Jungle that is Manila"

"Tower near the Power Lines"

Pinoy Playlist: KANLUNGAN

2009-02-02T21:45:00.000-08:00

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KANLUNGAN by: Noel Cabangon

Pana-panahon ang pagkakataonMaibabalik ba ang kahapon?Natatandaan mo pa baNang tayong dal'wa ang unang nagkita?Panahon ng kamusmusan Sa piling ng mga bulaklak at halamanDoon tayong nagsimulangMangarap at tumulaNatatandaan mo pa baInukit kong puso sa punong manggaAt ang inalay kong gumamelaMagkahawak-kamay sa dalampasiganMalayang tulad ng mga ibonAng gunita ng ating kahaponRefrain 1:Ang mga puno't halamanAy kabiyak ng ating gunitaSa paglipas ng panahonBakit kailangan ding lumisan?[Repeat Chorus]Ngayon ikaw ay nagbalikAt tulad ko rin ang iyong pananabikMakita ang dating kanlunganTahanan ng ating tula at pangarapNgayon ay naglaho naSaan hahanapin pa?Refrain 2:Lumilipas ang panahonKabiyak ng ating gunitaAng mga puno't halamanBakit kailangang lumisan?[Repeat Chorus][Repeat Refrain 2][Repeat Chorus]

Do you believe that you can Improve your vision without Prescription Glasses? Read and Find Out!

2008-10-30T01:15:00.000-07:00

Most of us may not know that we may be suffering from an eye disorder or visual problems, the early signs are often treated as not too serious because we can just simply attribute them from daily activities like watching tv or spending hours in front of the computer,and most of us may even under estimate it as just simple "visual fatigue" and then one day we will just be surprised that during our routine visit to our eye doctor we will be diagnosed with an eye disorder.

That is why almost over half of our population is suffering from different eye disorders such as myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness),and problems related to computer use.

Well I have a good news for those who suffer from these different refractive eye disorders and even cataract. Yeah, because I came across with this site that is offering a glass that is said to be scientifically proven to restore clear vision and they call it pinhole glasses.

So what are pinhole eyeglasses
? Well these are not your traditional eyeglasses,these are glasses that allows only direct and coherent light rays to pass through your eyes and It does not allow indirect rays from distorting the true images formed by the direct rays entering in your eyes thus improving one's vision in a very natural way.

Have I tried them?
Yes! I may not have an eye problem but I do have one and I enjoy wearing them because I find it very beneficial, with just days of wearing my own pinhole glasses while doing my blog works or watching TV, I can say that It helps me to prevent eye fatigue and eye redness too.

Pinhole Glasses are Completely Natural, Scientific, Effective, Durable and Affordable! Try it and feel the difference..

Pinoy Playlist: The Old Manila (movie flick)

2008-10-23T04:38:00.000-07:00

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Jurgenne Honculada-Primavera - One of Time Magazines Heroes of the Environment 2008, a proud filipino

2008-10-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

A zoologist born and raised in Agusan del Norte has made it to TIME magazine’s “Heroes of the Environment 2008” along with Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger, British entrepreneur Peter Head, Inuit activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chinese journalist Wang Yongchan and 26 others.

The lone Filipino among the 2008 heroes, Jurgenne Honculada-Primavera, was chosen for her campaign on sustainable fish/shrimp farming and the protection of mangroves.
“I am not and have never been against aquaculture in my mangrove advocacy. My paradigm is that of mangroves and ponds existing side by side, carefully balanced to protect the environment while sustaining food production,” she said.

A multi-awarded scientist, Pew Fellow and Scientist Emerita of the Southeast Asian Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD), Primavera is one of six heroes under the category, “Scientists and Innovators.” The other categories are “Leaders and Visionaries;” “Moguls and Entrepreneurs;” and “Activists.”

Primavera finished BS Zoology, cum laude, at the University of the Philippines in 1966 and her doctoral degree in Marine Science in 1996 from the same university. She obtained her MA in Zoology from the Indiana University in 1969, taught biology and zoology at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City and has been based in Iloilo since 1975, when she joined SEAFDEC/AQD.

Primavera learned she was chosen when Bangkok-based Hannah Beech of TIME Magazine “interviewed me long distance for one hour at my Sta. Barbara, California hotel” on September 23.She was in Sta. Barbara for a meeting with her writing group at the University of California. The group meets twice a year, she said.

Beech’s article on Primavera begins with a question: “Love shrimp cocktail?”
She continues: “So do lots of others – and that’s the problem. Jurgenne Primavera, whose groundbreaking studies on the life cycles of tiger prawns in her native Philippines helped galvanize an aquaculture revolution, doesn't want to impose a global ban on shrimp tempura. But the former senior scientist at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center on the Filipino island of Panay is campaigning for sustainable fish-farming in order to protect the mangrove forests that act as a crucial buffer zone between land and sea.“

"They remind us that in the face of human creativity and will, no challenge is too great, and no battle is unwinnable - if only we fight."

PHILIPPINE PRIDE INDEED! protect our planet

Davao del Norte : Future Sports Capital of Mindanao

2008-10-12T02:08:00.000-07:00

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario on Tuesday morning led officials in unveiling here the development plan of the proposed modern Davao del Norte Sports Complex, a monumental project which will make the province the premier sports center of Mindanao. Senator Pia S. Ceyetano was the province's guest of honor during the unveiling ceremonies, which coincided with Davao del Norte's 41st founding anniversary. Del Rosario and Cayetano were joined by Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio Jr., former governor Prospero Amatong, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and other Provincial Government officials in unveiling the development billboard of the state-of-the-art sports complex to the cheers of guests and students in attendance. The proposed sports complex, which costs P270 million and features an Olympic-size swimming pool, main bleacher and aquatic center,is targeted for completion in 365 days. The project will rise at the old sports complex in Mankilam. Del Rosario, in his brief opening remarks, said the sports complex is an indication that Davao del Norte is developing fast. "So much is accomplished in so little time," Del Rosario said. "We are building yet another vision that hopefully will be realized in the near future," he added. During the program prior to the unveiling, provincial engineer Josie Jean R. Rabanoz gave a briefer of the proposed sports complex. Provincial sports coordinator Anthony G. del Rosario is optimistic that the province's modern sports complex will lead to possible hosting of major sports events like the Palarong Pambansa. Ramirez immediately gave Davao del Norte the right to host the Mindanao Friendship Games next year. This is aside from the P1 million-worth boxing ring from China he is donating to the province.

Manila: Soon to be Skyscrapers and Development Haven??

2008-10-11T05:05:00.001-07:00

Haha! as I was browsing on the net I collected some pictures of different upcoming skyscraper and structures to soon rise in Metro Manila, well actually some of them are already under construction and some are plans and there is a handful that constructions are suspended. See and indulge!

The Propose Lopez Center (construction suspended?)

Roxas Triangle Twin Towers

Sky City Mandaluyong (construction suspended)

SSS Corporate Center, QC

The AIC Empire tower, Ortigas

GA Tower, Mandaluyong

One Adriatico Place Manila

One Rockwell 01

One Rockwell 02

The St. francis Towers ,Mandaluyopng

more to come sa next post ko.... (LRT underground, City Binondo, The Fort Serendra etc.)

Better Late than Never News: The Philippine Pavilion Won the Gold Prize Award in the 2008 World Expo in Zaragosa, Spain

2008-10-10T01:24:00.000-07:00

The Philippine Pavilion was conceptualized and designed in response to the specific brief of the Zaragoza International Expo 2008 organizers: to abide by the theme Water and Sustainable Development.

By obligation, therefore, the pavilion focuses on water management projects all over the Philippines. Participation in this Expo was an acceptance, on the part of the Philippines, of a theme which also attends to tourism promotion as well as state-of-the-art environmentalism. The pavilion design team followed this International Expo theme, per the guidelines set by the National Organizing Committee for the Philippine Pavilion. The design team met the creative challenge of showing the links between and among environmentalism, subtle but effective tourism promotion, and international calibre design.

That they succeeded in doing so—in exhibiting these links—is attested to by the positive response of the Expo visitors.

Baseline statistics and records
There have been an average of 5000 – 6000 visitors to the Philippine Pavilion a day. On the opening day, the 4000+ visitors represented a full ¼ of the total number of visitors to the Expo itself: 20,000 visitors on 14 June 2008. The numbers are increasing steadily, both for the Philippine Pavilion as well as the Expo. The proportion of the total number of visitors to the Philippine Pavilion in relation to the Expo total remains steady: around 20 – 25%.

It is emerging from a lot of positive responses that the Philippines’ responsible adherence to the Expo theme is much appreciated, and lead to considerations of visiting the Philippines.

Records of responses (both positive and negative) are kept by the front-line, Spanish-speaking pavilion staff. These records can form the basis of future assessments of this project.

And on the Last day of the Expo the Philippines was awarded once again the GOLD PRIZE AWARD the highest honor that the expo awards to a participating Nation.

More on : http://www.wowfilipinas.net/index2.php

Galoc oil: Another milestone in Philippine Gas Exploration after the Malampaya Project

2008-10-10T01:18:00.000-07:00

THE MALAMPAYA GAS PROJECT- Palawan

PHILIPPINES: Nido Petroleum (Nido) is expecting its Galoc oil field in offshore Palawan Basin of Philippines to produce 6.3 million barrels of oil during the first year of production, according to a statement published on the company's website.

The Australia-based oil and gas company is projecting a pre-tax cash flow of between US$40.1 million and US$67.5 million from 1.4 barrels of oil produced in 2008.

Nido is also expecting to draw 1.4 million barrels of oil from a projected 6.3 million barrel in 2008, 3.4 million barrels from 800,000 barrels in 2010 and 500,000 barrels from two million barrels produced in 2011.

The Galoc oil field is located within the SC14 area operated by Galoc Production Co.

Galoc Production has plans to drill two production wells with its contracted drillship, Jet Drilling's Energy Searcher between August to October this year. The drilling programme is estimated to cost some US$86.4 million.

Galoc Production owns 58.29 per cent of SC14. Nido is the second-biggest shareholder with 22.28 per cent interest.

Nido's Deputy Managing Director, Joanne Williams earlier said the company had earmarked US$20 million this year to develop the Galoc oil field.

Pinoy Update: Ang Bagong Nayon Pilipino (Pagcor City) Manila bay City

2008-10-06T04:27:00.000-07:00

PAGCOR's Bagong Nayon Pilipino Entertainment City
To The Point
Emil Jurado
Another project under the Arroyo administration—Pagcor’s Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City Manila in Bay City, the 120-hectare Roxas Boulevard reclamation—will be up in two years or so. It is Pagcor’s answer to the $98 billion global gaming and entertainment industry in Asia, now being monopolized by Macau, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. To get a slice of the pie is more than the dream of Pagcor’s chairman and chief executive Ephraim Genuino, who conceptualized the project.

The project, whose terms of reference have already been finalized after Asian, American and European gaming and entertainment giants showed keen interest, could cost from $10 billion to $15 billion.

More than a venue for world-class gaming and entertainment, Genuino’s brainchild will have theme parks, luxury hotels, residential villages, convention and sports centers, shopping malls, golf course, a hospital district, state-of-the-art theaters, race tracks, gaming centers, waste management facility, marina and a boardwalk, a cultural center and of course, the Bagong Nayong Pilipino for tourists.

This is a project I can support because gaming and entertainment is now the name of the game in fueling tourism. This has been observed in Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand. I still believe that tourism is the country’s engine of growth.

The project aims to provide more than 200,000 jobs and boost related industries and businesses, like hotel and hospitality.

Pagcor now is the third biggest revenue-generating state-owned entity. With this project, Pagcor could well be the biggest income generator for government.

Philippine Pride ; back with a bang!

2008-10-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

Hey guys I know you miss me and my postings...hehe.. now I am back and into the blogging business again... had I miss anything from the blog world? hope to hear from you in the comment area,, and I am assuring you that we will be back with the regular posting with more segments coz this will be

PHILIPPINE PRIDE SEASON 2

Filipino Of the Month..Paeng Nepomuceno

2008-05-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno (born January 30, 1957 in Manila) is a Filipino and is a Six Time World Bowling Champion and has won the World Cup of bowling four times in three different decades:

In Tehran, Iran on November 19, 1976
In Jakarta, Indonesia on November 1, 1980
In Le Mans, France on November 8, 1992
In Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 23, 1996

Nepomuceno also won the World's invitational Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 8, 1984 and the World Tenpin Masters championship in London, England on March 7, 1999. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and has two unbroken records up to this day for being the only athlete in the world to win world titles in three different decades and his other Guinness book of record is for being the youngest ever to have won the Bowling World Cup at 19 years old. In total, Paeng has won over 118 tournament titles which is recognized by the World Tenpin Bowling Association as a World Record for the most career titles.

He is the only bowling athlete who has received the prestigious International Olympic Committee President's Trophy which is the highest sports award that can be given to an athlete. Paeng was the first international male bowling athlete to be enshrined in the International Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in 1993 and his seven foot image is displayed at the entrance of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame .In November 1999, the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) named Paeng as the "International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium."

In a ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates during the World Championships, an FIQ official cited Paeng with these words: "No international bowling athlete is more deserving of recognition than Paeng. In addition to his long list of well-known achievements as a world champion in three decades, Paeng truly has been and continues to be an extraordinary ambassador for Filipino sport."

Paeng is the only Athlete in the Philippines who has been given the highest award to a Filipino by three Philipppine Presidents. In 1984, Paeng was awarded the Presidential Medal of Merit by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. In 1999, President Joseph E. Estrada awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor and in 2008, President Gloria M. Arroyo awarded Paeng, the Order of Lakandula with Class of Champion for Life and was declared Best Filipino athlete of all time. Both the Philippine Senate and House of Congress has declared Paeng the Greatest Philippine Athlete of All Time.

On January 6, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo bestowed the Champion for Life of the Order of Lakandula to Rafael “Paeng" Nepomuceno for his "outstanding achievement in international sports, the last of which is his victory at the South Pacific Classic tournament in Melbourne in Australia last October 2007"

Pulsong pinoy: Erap for President again??? agree or disagree?

2008-04-23T04:47:00.000-07:00

For the first edition of Pulsong Pinoy the question is do you like Erap to run in the 2010 presidential polls? Decide your side and comment^^

Vote in the sidebar or comment in the comment area at the bottom of this post..

Pinoy Playlist Presents: Balita by Asin

2008-04-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

CHORUS 1
Lapit mga kaibigan at makinig kayo
Ako'y may dala-dalang balita galing sa bayan ko
Nais kong ipamahagi ang mga kwento
At mga pangyayaring nagaganap sa lupang ipinangako

Ang lupang pinanggalingan ko'y may bahid ng dugo
May mga lorong 'di makalipad na sa hawlang ginto
May mga punong walang dahon, mga pusong 'di makakibo
Sa mga pangyayaring nagaganap sa lupang ipinangako

Mula nang makita ko ang lupang ito
Nakita ko rin ang munting apoy sa puso ng tao
Ginatungan ng mga kabulukan hanggang sa lumago
Ngayon ang puso'y may takot sa lupang ipinangako

[Repeat CHORUS 1]

Dati-rati'y ang mga bukid ay gulay ginto
Dati-rati'y ang mga ibon 'sing laya ng tao
Dati-rati ay katahimikan ang musikang nagpapatulog
Sa mga batang walang muwang sa mundo

Ngayon ang lupang ipinangako ay nagsusumamo
Patakan n'yo ng luha ang apoy sa kanyang puso
Dinggin n'yo ang mga sigaw ng mga puso
Ng taong una n'yong dadamhing kabilang sa inyo

Upcoming Segments here on Philippine Pride!!!

2008-04-13T05:33:00.000-07:00

3 New upcoming Segment that you guys will surely love...

Protect our Planet
> Segment dedicated for the love of mother nature and for the protection and preservation of biodiversity on earth.

Pinoy Playlist
> Musikang sariling atin basta, tunog at himig pinoy...

Philippine Politics
> all about the political landscape that shapes the future of our nation, includes not just personalities but political issues as well. Featuring a sub-segment "Pulsong Pinoy" a monthly poll about relevant issues.

Can the Philippines redeem Sabah and the other contested areas?

2008-04-13T00:30:00.000-07:00

( originally posted on http://www.northborneophilippines.blogspot.com/ )

MANILA, Philippines - will formally claim some contested areas that it considers part of its exclusive economic zone before the May 2009 deadline set by the United Nations.

The National Security Council on Tuesday met to discuss the matter in a bid to define in detail the country’s jurisdiction and to enable it to use the resources found in the contested areas.

"We shall advance the rights and interests of our nation in harnessing these rich resources," President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said in a speech Tuesday in Malacañang.

Former Justice secretary and Solicitor General Estelito P. Mendoza, a lawyer of ousted President Joseph E. Estrada, has agreed to help the administration back up the country’s territorial claim.

"We appreciate that former secretary of Justice Estelito Mendoza has lent his unrivaled expertise in this field to help strengthen the Philippine claim on this very valuable portion of our national patrimony," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Among the contested areas being claimed by the Philippines are the Kalayaan Islands Group (Spratlys), Sabah, the Benham Rise, and other Expanded Continental Shelf (ECS) areas.

The Kalayaan Islands are also being claimed by China, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Sabah is also being claimed by Malaysia.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), every country is given 200 nautical miles that would make up its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Each country possesses sovereign rights over the resources under its EEZ.

The Philippines needs to enact the law to affirm its commitment to the UNCLOS, which it ratified in 1982.

The international treaty states that signatory countries should define their territorial sea and internal waters.

However, no such measure is included in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council list of priority bills.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap warned that the country’s claim to the ECS may be forfeited if Congress fails to craft a law that will legitimize and strengthen the country’s stake on the baselines before the May 2009 deadline.

He noted that the ECS areas are rich in fishery and mineral resources. — A. D. B. Romero, BusinessWorld

Protect our Planet Campaign.. by PP

2008-04-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

PAUTAKAN! PAGALINGAN! PATATAGAN! .. Survivor Series the Philippine Version to air on GMA 7

2008-04-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

GMA is in search of contestants from 18 to 60 years old, physically fit and willing to become castaways and endure intense physical and mental challenges in an unfamiliar territory for 39 days.

If you think you got what it takes to be one of the 16 castaways for SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES, go to any of the nationwide auditions in key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.*

Be part of the biggest reality show worldwide!

Be the Philippines’ first sole SURVIVOR!

*For exact details in venues and schedules, please wait for further announcements.

BE THE FIRST PINOY SOLE SURVIVOR!!!!

Filipino won a Pulitzer Prize Award for Breaking news!!!

2008-04-10T06:48:00.000-07:00

Its a PP for a PP,,, I mean a Pulitzer Prize for a Philippine Pride....

WASHINGTON — Jose Antonio Vargas, 27, won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news, sharing the award with other Washington Post reporters for a package of nine stories, two of which he wrote.

Interviewed at the Post hours after the awards were announced in this US capital Monday, an elated Vargas said, "This is great!"

"This is a happy day," he said, adding the Post won six Pulitzers, the most it has won in a year.

Internet-savvy Vargas wrote two front-page stories on the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre.

Standing behind the mural that shows photos of the team that toppled President Richard Nixon over the Watergate scandal – legendary editor Ben Bradlee and reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward – Vargas recalled how he got his first story.

"I was lucky to get an interview with one of the eyewitnesses. I found this eyewitness on facebook.com. I got him on the phone, we talked for about 25 minutes, and he was the only eyewitness we had on the story, so it was a critical part of it," he said,

Another story he wrote was on how the Virginia Tech students were using the Internet "to let each other know what was going on, because it was chaotic" at that time.

Vargas joined the Post in 2004, two days after graduating from the San Francisco State University in California. He had interned at the paper in 2003 while still a student.

He said that the Post "had toppled a president," and that added to his elation at winning the Pulitzer.

He thanked Leonila Salinas, whom he fondly calls Lola Leoning, who brought him up in Mountain View, California, together with her husband Ted, who died over a year ago, and his Uncle Roland. Vargas, born in Antipolo, came to the US when he was 12.

He said, "I love her very, very much. I wish she could understand what this means. She wanted me to be an accountant, an engineer or a doctor, something like that."

"Now that I’m covering the presidential campaign, and appearing on CNN and MSNBC, she thinks I’m a real reporter," he added.

He also cited the principal and superintendent at Mountain View High School, "who were like second parents to me." They helped him get a scholarship from a venture capitalist who financed his college studies.

He said nobody wins an award by himself, and also credited his mentors, including Leslie Guevarra at San Francisco Chronicle, where he also worked after writing for the Mountain View Voice.
(http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr09/news5.htm)BY JENNIE L. ILUSTRE

Congratz NoyPi!!!

Vote for the Philippine nominees.. for the 7 new wonder of Nature

2008-04-07T21:14:00.001-07:00

go to http://www.new7wonders.com/nature
PHILIPPINES

The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name "Chocolate Hills."

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano on the Filipino island of Luzo, 15 km northwest of Legazpi City.It is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano). Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years, and is a part of what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire.

WOW Philippines Vote now!

Support the bid please.. We will have a serious campaign on this one... MANILA YOG 2014

2008-04-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

( originally posted in http://pinoyolympics.blogspot.com/)

Lately, Singapore won the bid for the hosting of the first ever Youth Olympic Games. According to IOC President Jacques Rogge, the requirement is simple. The IOC Executive board has not imposed too many requirements as in the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Firstly, Singapore has never hosted any major sporting events except the Southeast Asian Games which then gives Manila (or the Philippines in general) an advantage if ever we pass a bid for the 2nd edition. If we look back, Manila hosted the 2nd Asian Games back in 1954, the 1034 Far Eastern Cahmpionship Games, 3 SEA Games editions, the Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship and the ASEAN ParaGames.

Secondly, the Philippines is well-experienced in hosting international events that is why, it would not be hard for the country to organize such events. The Youth Olympics, as mentioned by the IOC aims to make use of existing facilities of the host city. Therefore, Manila does not need to construct new sports infrastructures but instead, make use of existing sports facilities of the government and universities. Besides, the government has announced its plan to counstruct a new sports complex in the Metro.

Thirdly, the Philippine youth has played a vital role in nation-building and is among the most liberal youths in the world. This event may be a great opportunity for them to develop their skills in organizing such events, achieve more in sports and socialize and interact with the other young people of the world.

Manila is not yet too late in announcing their intention to bid for the Summer Youth Olympics in 2014. The rumored bidders are Belgrade, host of the 25th Universiade, Moscow, finalist in the 2010 YOG Bidding and New Delhi, finalist in the 2014 Asian Games. 2014 is a long way away, by that time, we should have acquired the right amount of funds. The event may also be a preparation for the city in its future intentions to bid in the 2018 Asian Games and the 2024 Summer Olympics which gives us a considerable amount of time to prepare. By that time as well, we should have come up with a comprehensive bid that will bring the Youth Olympics home.

Filipino of the Month: Corazon Cojuangco- Aquino

2008-04-03T00:42:00.000-07:00

As much as possible I want to stay away with politics, and if you will notice I barely touch social issues here on my blog.. But if you talk of Philippine Pride you cannot discount the remarkable achievements of a great woman, defender of democracy and a mother to a nation. Ladies and Gentlemen our Filipino of the Month,
Ms. Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.

(www.time.com)

When the People Power revolt broke out in Manila in 1986, Corazon Aquino was in Cebu, 580 km to the south, to kick off a civil-disobedience campaign against the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Her supporters, fearing for her life, urged her to flee the country or go into hiding. Instead she went to the convent of the Carmelites, a contemplative order of Catholic nuns, and spent the night praying with them. "I just felt so at peace," she recalls. "I felt that whatever happened, I'd be ready for it." Three days later, Aquino—the woman derided by Marcos as "a mere housewife"—was President. She was ill prepared to rule over a fractious nation ruined by 20 years of corruption and abuse. But, armed with the same prayerful fatalism she showed that night, she led her country as it underwent a rocky transition to democracy.

Aquino was the symbol of People Power and an inspiration to others around the world struggling against tyranny. The widow of popular opposition leader Benigno Aquino, who was murdered at Manila airport in 1983 on his return from exile in Boston, she showed a quiet courage that moved millions. To Filipinos, who are devoutly Catholic, she was both Mater Dolorosa and Joan of Arc.

When an icon becomes President, however, she loses her shine. Running against Marcos in an election prior to People Power, Aquino did not present a political platform. Instead, she would tell the story of her husband's homecoming and death. Filipinos saw their suffering mirrored in hers. "I am like you," she told them. "I am a victim of Marcos." Yet Aquino is not like most of us Filipinos. Born to privilege, she was the dutiful political wife, who stayed in the background while her husband, also from a wealthy family that had held public office for generations, was on the fast track. He believed that one day he would be President. That office would be hers instead.

Aquino's six-year presidency was marred by attempted military coups, human-rights abuses by a still-powerful army, and general incompetence. She is also blamed for resurrecting a political system dominated by élite clans, causing disappointed supporters to say that she could not transcend the interests of her class. But she will always be remembered for uniting Filipinos in their fight for freedom. Today, Aquino, 73, remains a political and moral force. "I don't know how [people] will judge my presidency," she says, "but I hope they will realize it was not easy restoring democracy after a dictatorship." For sure it was not. And we Filipinos will always be grateful that Corazon Aquino was there when we needed her most.

Unveiling our revolution Creating a new face! PP

2008-04-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

JOIN the REVOLUTION....

It's Just the beggining!

Urduja and Dayo to give new life to Philippine Animation

2008-03-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Two top-notch Filipino animation films will soon make their debut in Philippine cinemas.

Filipino animators, many of whom have been employed by the Disney, Cartoon Network and Warner studios for the last 20 years, are producing the full-length animated films. And both productions commissioned major talents to lend their voices for the lead parts.

"Urduja," produced by Tony Tuviera's APT Entertainment, has a star-studded voice cast. Regine Velasquez stars as Princess Urduja; Cesar Montano as her lover Lim Hang; Johnny Delgado as Wang; Eddie Garcia as Lakanpati; Allan K as Tarsir; and Michael V as Kukut.

"Dayo," by Cutting Edge Productions Inc., features the voices of child stars Nash Aguas as Bubuy and Katrina "Hopia" Legaspi as Anna Manananggal. Peque Gallaga is the voice behind the character Nano, Michael V is Narsi, Johnny Delgado is Anna's father and Laurice Guillen plays a diwata.

"These are ambitious projects," said Artemio Abad Jr., "Dayo" supervising producer. "We hope to erase the image of Pinoy animators as mere subcontractors of big animation companies. We want the world to know that we are also capable of producing our own animated content."

"Urduja" tells the story of the legendary warrior princess and ruler of the Kingdom of Tawalisi in Pangasinan from 1350 to 1400. Urduja was famous for leading a group of women warriors, called Kinalakian or Amazons, who were skilled fighters and equestriennes. These women, having developed a high art of warfare, fought alongside male warriors to protect their land from invaders.

"Dayo" follows the adventure of 11-year-old Bubuy as he tries to save his grandparents who have been abducted and brought to Elementalia, a mysterious and magical land that is home to popular creatures of Philippine mythology.

The local theater run of "Urduja" is tentatively set for the middle of the year. The makers of "Dayo" plan to make their project an entry in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival in December.

"Urduja" and "Dayo" are only the second and third locally produced full-length animated movies.

An animated version of "Ibong Adarna," co-produced by FLT Films and Guiding Light Productions, was shown in 1997. It was the brainchild of animator Gerry Garcia, winner of the 1995 Star Awards for Best Visual Effects.

In 2002, local production studio Top Peg ran an animation TV series, "Tutubi Patrol," a values-oriented show for children.

Abad, who co-wrote "Dayo" with Eric Cabahug, said work on the film began as early as October 2006, about the time Cutting Edge Productions started investing in digital animation.

Cutting Edge is a 4-year-old post-production company specializing in TV commercials and audio-visual presentations. Its owner, Jessie Lazaten, is a musical director of several TV series and films.

"While 'Urduja' is done in the traditional animation process (hand-drawn), 'Dayo' is all-digital, which is a combination of 2D and 3D technologies," explained Abad. "We are hoping to get Lea Salonga to record the movie's theme song with a 30-piece orchestra. This will be a first in Philippine cinema."

Summer Getaway: Cebu

2008-03-22T04:43:00.000-07:00

CEBU: QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH

Cebu City, the oldest city in the country, which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with 6 neighboring cities Carcar City, Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Naga City and Talisay City and 6 other municipalities. Cebu is served by Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Mactan Island, thirty minutes drive from downtown Cebu City.

Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country and the main center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the central and southern parts of the archipelago. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls.

The UK-based Condenast Travellers Magazine named Cebu the 7th best island destination in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007.

Must See Landmarks:
Magellan's Cross
Fort San Pedro
Basilica Minore del Santo Niño
Magellan shrine
Lapu Lapu shrine
Cebu City Chinatown
Cebu City Japantown
Cebu City Koreatown
Cebu Provincial Capitol
Cebu International Convention Center
Marcelo Fernan Bridge
Taoist Temple

My mock 2019 SEA GAMES LOGO..

2008-03-18T05:25:00.000-07:00

Vinta Inspired Logo,, My vison of Introducing Mindanao to the rest of South East Asia. with the theme: "Voyaging our way to peace, unity and progress. Celebrating the colors of South East Asian way of life and brotherhood."

The vinta ( locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat found in the Philippine island of Mindanao. These boats are made by Bajau and Moros lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a sail with assorted vertical colors that represents the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods. Zamboanga City is known for these vessels

Summer Getaway: PALAWAN

2008-03-16T23:10:00.000-07:00

Summer in the Philippines is more than just BORACAY,,, join PP as it explores other summer Getaways in the Philippines that the world will surely love..

PALAWAN , Philippines' Last Frontier

Palawan, the only Philippine island cited, is rated by National Geographic Traveler magazine as the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best island in the world having "incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes. One of the most biodiverse (terrestrial and marine) islands in the Philippines...The island has had a Biosphere Reserve status since early 1990s, showing local interest for conservation and sustainable development".

Palawan is a melting pot of 87 different cultural groups and races. Basically Its culture bears a strong influence from Japan, China, India and the Middle East. Influx of migrants from other parts of the Philippines, particularly from Muslim Mindanao, accounts for the high population growth rate of 3.98% annually. Eighteen percent of the population is composed of cultural minority groups such as Central Tagbawa, Palawan (Palawano), Batak, Calamian Tagbanwa, and Molbog.

Palawan is considered to be the Philippines' "last frontier". The province boasts of many splendid beaches and has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

PALAWAN MORE THAN THE USUAL PARADISE:

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
A game reserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African animals and endangered endemic animals of Palawan. The reserve was established on August 31, 1976 by virtue of Presidential Decree No.1578, this was initiated in response to the appeal of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to help save African wildlife when former President Ferdinand Marcos attended the 3rd world Conference in Kenya. By virtue of RA 7611 (SEP), administrative jurisdiction of DENR was given to the local government of Palawan, effective December 31, 1993. Management of the area is the responsibility of the PCSDO (Palawan Council of Sustainable Development Office). It is located in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan.

Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga
Seven lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lovers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan, near the town of Coron. Busuanga Island, whose main town is Coron, is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators. The principal dive sites are 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks sunk on September 24, 1944 by US Navy action. They range in depth from the surface to 40M. This large variety offers exciting wreck exploration for enthusiasts, from novice divers and snorkelers and recreational divers to experienced TEC divers. Dive operators offer PADI dive courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Assistant Instructor, Technical and Enriched Air Diving, as well as other specialty courses. Dive operators offer day diving, snorkeling trips, and overnight dive safaris. Live-aboard and charter boats also offer diving in the area.

El Nido Marine Reserve Park
The January, 2008 issue of international magazine Travel + Leisure, published by the American Express Co. (which partnered with Conservation International) listed El Nido’s sister hotel resorts El Nido Lagen Island and El Nido Miniloc Island in Miniloc and Lagen Islands as “conservation-minded places on a mission to protect the local environment.” Travel + Leisure’s 20 Favorite Green Hotels scored El Nido Resort’s protection of Palawan’s giant clam gardens and the re-introduction of endangered Philippine cockatoos: "8. El Nido Resorts, Philippines: "Guest cottages on stilts are set above the crystalline ocean. The resorts are active in both reef and island conservation." Doubles from $210."[5] Palawan was also categorized as “doing well” in the 4th Destination Scorecard survey conducted by the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations, and Conde Nast Traveler magazine voted its beaches, coves and islets as the tourist destination with the best beaches in Asia. Further, the aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba sites in the world.

It's PACMAN again...

2008-03-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

Based on Philippine daily Inquirer..
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080317-125135/Pacquiao-dethrones-foe

By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:39:00 03/17/2008

LAS VEGAS—His blinking nearly did Manny Pacquiao in. But he scraped through and was champion again—by one point on one judge’s scorecard.

With blood dripping from a cut above his right eye and unable to fully see the punches being thrown at him, Pacquiao leaned on instinct and a big heart to get through a dangerous eighth round against Juan Manuel Marquez.

The Filipino survived the Mexican’s assault, regained his bearings in the late rounds, and wrested Marquez’s World Boxing Council super featherweight crown by a split decision Saturday at the Events Center of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino here.

For a while, Filipinos in the crowd fell silent when it was announced that judge Jerry Roth had scored the fight, 115-112, for Marquez.

They saw hope when another judge, Duane Ford, gave the fight to Pacquiao, also by 115-112, and then erupted in celebration when the third judge, Tom Miller, delivered the clinching verdict, 114-113, for the Filipino ring icon.

The former WBC flyweight and IBF super bantamweight champion thus became the first Asian to hold three world crowns in three different divisions.

Pacquiao’s victory in the bout dubbed “Unfinished Business” was as close as their first fight in May 2004, when Marquez recovered from three first-round knockdowns to salvage a draw. This time, Pacquiao floored Marquez only once, connecting with a brutal left straight to the chin in the third round.

Marquez wants rematch

But again, the Mexican fought back, had the bleeding, blinking Pacquiao in trouble in the eighth and later said that he was again robbed of victory after the bloody bout that sent both warriors to their doctors immediately afterward.

It was so close that as soon as the final bell sounded, both fighters were boosted into the air by their handlers, each side certain of victory. In the end, the verdict went Pacquiao’s way—a sort of a payback for a judge’s scoring error that denied the Filipino hero a victory in their first encounter in 2004.

After contesting the result of Sunday’s fight, the Marquez camp asked for a rematch. But a third fight was unlikely at the moment as Pacquiao seemed bent on climbing up to the lightweight division, where he may challenge WBC champion David Diaz.

“I don’t think so,” Pacquiao said of a third fight with Marquez. “This business is over.”

“It was a close fight, but we came back at the end,” said Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach. “It could have gone either way, in my mind. Manny followed him around the ring too much. He didn’t cut off the ring like he should have. Marquez may have had a lot to do with that as well. Manny was more disciplined in training than he was in the fight tonight.”

10 stitches

Pacquiao, who also staggered Marquez in the fourth round, raised his record to 46 wins, 36 by knockout, against three losses and two draws.

Marquez, who surprised Pacquiao with new movements and stronger punches, fell to 48-4-1, with 38 knockouts.

In conquering Marquez, Pacquiao buttressed his reputation as the “Mexican Assassin,” having also mastered future Hall of Famers Erik Morales (twice in three bouts) and Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), as well as other topnotch Mexican fighters, like Oscar Larios, Hector Velasquez and Jorge Solis.

Pacquiao’s two superficial cuts from accidental head butts required 10 stitches to close, according to Dr. Jeffrey Ross, who attended to him after the match.

Marquez, despite being examined by the ring physician late in the seventh round, needed eight stitches and appeared at a post-fight press conference before Pacquiao arrived.

$6-M offer

There, Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions that handles Marquez’s career, made a $6-million offer for a Pacquiao-Marquez III. But Bob Arum, president and CEO of Top Rank, refused to bite.

Showing up in dark shades later, Pacquiao thanked God, the Filipino people and even the Marquez camp for giving him a tough fight.

“He (Marquez) was a lot better, with move improvements and was a better counterpuncher,” Pacquiao said, admitting that he got worried in the eighth as he could hardly see with blood dripping on his eyes.

‘It’s all about heart’

“But I know I could handle his power so I never thought of quitting. It’s about heart, brave heart.”

Marquez also showed a lot of heart in getting up from the knockdown in the third.

And, statistically, he looked better than Pacquiao. He landed more punches with 171 to Pacquiao’s 157. He also delivered more power punches, 130 against Pacquiao’s 114.

The knockdown made the difference in the closely scored match as it left a lasting impression on the judges. Pacquiao’s strong performance in the 10th and 11th rounds also helped him through.

The bloody ending was a sharp contrast to the festive atmosphere—characterized by chants of “Manny, Manny” and “Mexico, Mexico”—before the bout that drew 11,061 paying fans began.

Prayers answered

Cris Aquino carried the Philippine flag, while Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia brought Pacquiao’s WBC international super featherweight belt into the ring.

Ciara Sotto sang the Philippine national anthem while Black Eyed Peas member Allan Pineda, aka Apl.d.ap, delivered a popular rap song as Pacquiao made his entrance in the arena.

Wearing his trademark cloak, Pacquiao rushed to a corner immediately after ascending the ring and knelt to pray. His plea was apparently answered.

Aside from an estimated revenue of $8 million from PPV (pay-per-view) earnings, gate receipts and the purse, he stands to earn more in the coming days in terms of endorsements and appearances.

‘I gave everything I had’

Interviewed on radio dzBB in Manila after the fight, Pacquiao said he suffered two cuts around the eyes and they bothered him. “I could not concentrate, I could no longer see,” he said.

But he said he told himself to hang on and not give up “even if you (Marquez) hurt me, even if you batter me, even if you knock me out.”

“It would have been a shame to give up in front of my countrymen,” Pacquiao said.

He added: “I told myself, ‘Even if I could not see your punches, I will just duck and evade them … But I am going to keep on punching if you get near me even if I couldn’t see’ … I gave it everything I had.”

Toughest fight

Pacquiao conceded the fight was the hardest he had been through but it was worth it.

He said he was dedicating his fight to his countrymen. Apparently referring to the political divisions in his country. Pacquiao added: “My only appeal is for all of us to be united. We are all one family and we have to be together … Now that I have won, let us have unity.”

Marquez thought he won.

“I still feel I am the champion,” he said. “It was a bad decision. That first knockdown, he got me cold, but then I adjusted my game plan and I thought from then on, I dictated the whole fight. … The people are the best judge, and the people are booing him. I won.” With a report from Associated Press

SLAPSHOCK- the only ASIAN band to perform in ROCK DESERT DUBAI...

2008-03-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

ASTIG ANG PINOY

Filipino of The Month: Brandon Vera...

2008-03-03T00:48:00.000-08:00

Vera is the son of a Filipino father, Ernesto, and an Italian-American mother, Amelia, and grew up in a family with seven boys and three girls. He was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia,and attended Lake Taylor High School, where he excelled in wrestling and earned a four-year athletic scholarship to Old Dominion University. He however dropped out of Old Dominion after a year and a half when he felt college was not for him, and he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

In the Air Force, he joined the force's wrestling team and trained at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His military wrestling career was cut short in 1999 when he shred ligaments in his right elbow. Arthroscopic surgery repaired the ligaments but he had nerve damage from the experience, causing him to be unable to use his right arm. He was released from the Air Force on a medical discharge.
He returned to Virginia where he steadily rehabilitated his arm, and eventually was fit enough to enter the Grapplers Quest submission wrestling competitions on the east coast. There, his solitary training methods (he did not belong to a camp, and trained and cut weight on his own) caught the attention of Lloyd Irvin, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and coach, who invited him to train with his school. At Irvin's school, he was introduced to mixed martial arts. He also trained with Linxx Academy, and Hybrid Academy, where he received a foundation of his Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Vera's first professional mixed martial arts bout was on July 6, 2002, while training under Lloyd Irvin. He won the fight, against Adam Rivera, via TKO in the first round. He fought and won another bout in 2004 before entering a World Extreme Cagefighting heavyweight tournament in 2005, where he won two bouts in one night, including a bout against The Ultimate Fighter 2's Mike Whitehead in the finals.
Vera moved to San Diego, California on New Year's Eve, 2003, to accept a training position with City Boxing in San Diego. At City Boxing, Vera excelled as a trainer and was taken under the wing of City Boxing owner Mark Dion, who became his manager and introduced him to kickboxing great Rob Kaman. With Vera's success as a trainer and a mixed martial arts fighter, Dion gave Vera partial ownership of City Boxing.

Vera made his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 2 on October 3, 2005 against Fabiano Scherner. Vera won the fight via TKO mid-way through the second round. Following the Scherner bout, he faced Justin Eilers at UFC 57, winning early in the first round by knockout. At UFC 60, Vera defeated Assuerio Silva with a guillotine choke. Vera's career as a mixed martial artist flourished under the management of Mark Dion. It reached its zenith on Nov. 18, when he needed just 69 seconds to stop ex-heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC 65 in Sacramento, Calif.
UFC president Dana White was effusive in his praise of Vera, who was on the fast track to the title.

Whatever happens? Brandon Vera is always a PHILIPPINE PRIDE!!!!

Vitamin Beer ....Oye!

2008-03-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

You have to hand it to the Filipino inventor Virgilio "Billy" L. Malang for creating an invention that has a widespread appeal. He has created a type of beer, which is Vitamin B complex-fortified and makes a promise to "take some of the guilt out of drinking" by replacing the essential Vitamin B which is lost when excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed. Mind you, this is the same guy who has published a book, called "Sex Every Minute." I don't think he's got a patent on that, though.

Malang says that he believes the invention will be popular because beer is the national weakness of the Philippines. A Kirin Research Institute study ranked the Philippines as the 5th highest beer consumer in Asia, after China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand, with an average of nearly 20 liters (45 pints) of beer per person per year.
It has not been marketed yet, but Vitamin Beer already won a gold medal at the European Union-sponsored Genius-Europe competition at the Budapest Fair Center in Hungary in May 2004 and bagged the Romanian Ministry Education and Research Cup among 1,000 inventions by 540 inventors from 46 countries, Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

This is interesting because I have lived under the impression that there is a lot of Vitamin B in every beer, that is why beer is supposed to be good for you. Or it could just be something my dad tells my my mom to make her feel better.

Recently in Thailand:

Vitamin Beer was the hottest among 150 products by the International Federation of Inventors’ Association recently held in Thailand. Uncontrolled crowds gathered to taste this new product by a Filipino Inventor Billy L. Lalang.
“If you are looking for an excuse to take a swig, this is it,” said Billy L. Lalang, who concocted a beer mixed with Vitamin B, to replace the vitamin lost when people drink too much booze.

Basically when you are drinking beer or alcohol, you are drawing Vitamin B and that’s why Vitamin Beer was invented. The inventor noted that Vitamin Beer has Vitamin B in its content. So if you drink a lot of Vitamin Beer you’ll wake up one morning without hang-over and feel a lot better.

Vitamin Beer is prophylactic for drinkers Lalang said and has already won a gold medal at the Genius Europe competition
Too good to be true? If that is the case, for sure beer lovers can’t wait to taste this new invention.

Cheers to all!

Philippines Home of The brightest!

"P.P. goes joke time" one time lng leap year naman e!

2008-02-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

Pag Leap Year may kasabihan na lumalabas lahat ng kabaliwan, kaya ang post na ito ay puro kabaliwan hehe,, (all are real)
Only in the Philippines will you find such amusing names as:
> > * Bread Pitt (a bakery)
> > * Maruya Carey (a fast-food place selling turon and maruya> > in Greenbelt, Makati
> > * Caintacky Fried Chicken (an eatery in Cainta, Rizal)
> > * Mang Donald's (a burger joint at the Naga City plaza)
> > * Candies Be Love? (Can anything be sweeter than this?)
> > * Doris Day and Night (a 24-hour eatery)
> > * Babalik Karinderia
> > * Holland Hopia (owned by Mr. Ho) and next-door neighbor
> > Poland Hopia (owned by Mr. Po) in Chinatown
> > * Miki Mao (a noodle house)
> > * Tapsi Turbi (a tapa house)
> > * Cleopata's (a manukan and bakahan)
> > * Goto Heaven
> > * The Fried of Marikina (a fried chicken house)
> > * Wrap and Roll (a lumpia outlet in Quad, Makati)
> > * Pansit ng taga-Malaboni (a panciteria on Boni Ave.,> > Mandaluyong)
> > * Side-saki (a side street eatery beside Mandarin Oriental> > in Makati) (khay & irene, may bago na ba?)
> > * Let's Goat-Together (a kambingan-cum-beer garden)
> > * Meating Place (a meat shop)
> > * Meatropolis (another meat shop)
> > * Isda best, Pusit to the limit, and Hipon coming back> > (entrees on the menu of a seafood restaurant)> > * Cinna Von (a laundromat)
> > * Pier Carding (a tailoring shop in Pier, Manila)
> > * The Way We Wear (a boutique)
> > * Curl Up and Dye (a beauty salon)
> > * Goldilooks (a barber shop)
> > * Sylvestre's Salon
> > * Bote Nga Sa 'Yo (used bottle shop)
> > * Christopher Plumbing (your friendly neighborhood plumber)
> > * Goldirocks (a gravel and sand shop)
> > * Fernando Pe's Box Office Hits (a video rental shop inPalawan)> > * Leon King Video Rental (in Las Piñas)
> > * Memory Drug (a clone of Mercury Drug)
> > * Petal Attraction (a flower shop near UP Diliman)
> > * Susan's Roses (a flower shop, but of course!)
> > * Maid to Order (maids placement agency)
> > * Yag-Bulls (a beer house joint in Zamboanga City> > featuring live sex shows)
> > * Sign on the window of a restaurant in Baguio - Wanted:> > Boy Waitress> >> > For the commuter (a jeepsetter?) - signs on some jeepneysand buses:> > * "Full string to stop driver."> > * "God knows Hudas not pay."> > * "Don't get closed to me, get closed to God."

Philippines Sports.. Did you know???

2008-02-14T17:01:00.000-08:00

Weather Makes Basketball Popular
Basketball is considered the number one spectators' event in the country simply because it is usually held under a roof (at the Araneta Coliseum for example). Baseball and football could not gain popularity because Filipino spectators are not willing to seat under the scorching sun or heavy rains. It must be noted, however, that young Filipinos are beginning to switch to new games, such as billiards and computer games, because of the limited number of basketball courts in the country

Filipinos Brought Home 3 Olympic Medals in 1932
Three Filipino athletes brought home a bronze medal apiece from the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso won a bronze at the 200-meter breaststroke event while Simeon Toribio also clinched a bronze in the high jump event. Jose "Cely" Villanueva clinched the country's first boxing bronze medal in the bantamweight category.

Filipinos Won 9 Olympic Medals
Filipino athletes have brought home a total of 9 Olympic medals since the country began participating in the quadrennial event in 1924. Teofilo Yldefonso, a 200-breastroke swimmer, won the country's first bronze medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and its second bronze at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. The country actually had 3 medals in 1932 when Simeon Torribio, a high jumper, added a bronze and bantamweight boxer Jose "Cely" Villanueva clinched another bronze. Miguel White, who fought for the country in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, won a bronze in the 400-meter hurdles event. Featherweight boxer Anthony Villanueva, a son of Jose, won the country's first silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Villanueva actually lost a controversial decision to Russian Stanislav Stephaskin in their battle for the gold medal. Tenpin player Arianne Cerdena won a gold in bowling at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but Cerdena's gold was not included in the medal tally since bowling was considered only as a demonstration sport. Light flyweight boxer Leopoldo Serantes, however, brought home a bronze from Seoul. Light flyweight boxer Roel Velasco won a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In taekwondo, bantamweight Stephen Fernandez and featherweight Bea Lucero brought home two bronze medals from Barcelona, but they were not included in the medal tally, since taekwondo was just counted as a demonstration sport then. Roel's younger brother Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco won a silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Onyok lost a controversial decision to Bulgarian Daniel Bojilov in the light-flyweight finals.

RP Became Far Eastern Games Champion
At the inaugural Far Eastern Games in 1913, the Philippines beat China to clinch the championship. Only the two countries competed in the event in 1913 and 1915 while Japan joined in 1917 and Indonesia in 1934. From 1913 to 1934, China won 9 championships and the Philippines only one championship

RP Placed 2nd at Asian Games
The Philippines placed second to Japan among 18 participating countries in 8 sports events at the 1954 Asian Games held in Manila. It also placed second behind Japan among 20 participating countries in 13 sports events at the 1958 Asian Games held in Tokyo.

Filipinos Became World Sports Leaders
At least five Filipinos had headed international sports organizations. They are Florencio Campomanes, former president of International Chess Federation; Justiniano Montano, former president of World Boxing Council; Rudy Salud, former secretary-general of World Boxing Council; Gonzalo Puyat II, former president of International Amateur Basketball Federation; and Manuel Nieto, former president of Oriental Boxing Federation.

Nepomuceno was First Olympic Bet
David Nepomuceno, a sprinter and member of the US Navy, was the country's first ever representative in the 1924 Paris Olympiad.

RP Had the Biggest Lead in a Basketball Game
The Philippine team registered what could be the world's biggest lead in an amateur basketball game when it clobbered Brunei Darussalam, 160-19, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on July 2, 2000. The 141-point lead could be the biggest for any amateur basketball team since basketball was introduced in the Philippines by the Americans. During the game, the Philippine national team limited the Brunei squad to only 19 points. It later won the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Young Men's Tournament crown against Malaysia.

Filipinos Were First Football Players in Asia
It was said that Filipinos were the first Asians who played football. The Philippine Football Federation (initially the Philippines Amateur Athletic Federation) was in fact founded as early as 1907. The first football match in Asia took place in the 1913 Manila Far Eastern Games where the Philippines defeated China 2-1.

Philippine Baroque Churches: World Heritage site, Philippine's Pride...Standing through the test of time (1)

2008-02-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

The Baroque Churches of the Phillipines represent a fusion of European church design (baroque) and local construction techniques and decorations. Their specific characteristics include a separate bell-tower and strong buttresses to withstand the powers of earthquakes common in the region.Four churches were selected to make up this WHS, as samples of the development of this Phillipine-Hispanic style over a period of more than 150 years (16th-18th century). These four are:

- San Agustin (Manila)

- La Asuncion (Santa Maria)

- San Agustin (Paoay)

- Santo Tomas (Miag-ao)

This 3 Part Series will feature the 4 churches and our first stop are the San Agustin Churches:

The San Agustin Churches

San Agustin in Manila is located conveniently in Intramuros, Manila's small historic center, the only building to survive WWII there. From the outside this is a bulky church with a Latin American touch. On the inside it's more refined. It can be visited from the adjoining monastery complex, a quiet refuge from Manila's hustle and bustle.

San Agustin (Ilocos)

A more exemplary exponent of the so-called Earthquake Baroque I saw in Paoay, a village 1.5 hours by bus from Vigan (Northern Luzon). This church is also called San Agustin, the Agustinians being the first order to arrive in the Phillipines in 1565. This San Agustin church has a spacious setting, so you can have a look at it from all sides.

The large buttresses every few meters that keep the church standing look sturdy enough to withstand any earthquake.

Filipino of the Month: Bayang Barrios

2008-02-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Conceiving a child and nurturing it to term usually means a sabbatical from work for many women, including artists. But for singer-songwriter Bayang Barrios, it was a wonderful opportunity for growth, though pregnant she was with her firstborn, daughter Mayoomi. "A lot of people were calling up to work with me, and I knew right then that those nine months would be doubly blessed!" And so started one of the most prolific periods in Bayang's career, as she lent her unique voice and artistry to projects such as the Asian Tourism Summit held in Davao City last January, the music of GMA 7's hit shows "Encantadia", "Etheria" and "Pinoy Abroad"", and heralding the South East Asian Games 2005 with Ryan Cayabyab and the San Miguel Orchestra. She has also started work on another album, a collection of lullabyes dedicated to her new angel. No doubt another treasure trove of music from one of our most talented artists, new mother Bayang Barrios.
In a world reeling from the vocal histrionics of singing contests winners and their equally soaring idols, the music of Bayang Barrios is a welcome alternative. Intense and full-bodied, her singing never fails to mesmerize and she uses that remarkable voice to provide advice to the youth facing a darkening future and to give vent to her concern for nature, the welfare of indigenous peoples and other worthy causes. (Baby A. Gil)
BAYANG Barrios, grand prize winner of 2004 Metro Pop songwriting competition, feels like a winner once again.

Bayang Barrios.... A Philippine Pride!!!

Chinese New Year the Filipino Perspective..

2008-01-31T19:00:00.000-08:00

photo by Hermes Singson...

Celebrated in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had a strong influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic neighbours, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction. These include Koreans, Mongolians, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Vietnamese, and formerly the Japanese before 1873. In Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and other countries with significant Chinese populations, Chinese New Year is also celebrated, largely by overseas Chinese, but it is not part of the traditional culture of these countries. In Canada, although Chinese New Year is not an official holiday, many ethnic Chinese hold large celebrations and Canada Post issues New Year's themed stamps in domestic and international rates.

Good luck

Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.

Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.

Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.

It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year's

Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house after New Year's Day is frowned upon)

Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Asians will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.

Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.

The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year.

Bad luck

Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck amongst some Chinese. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese, or "evil" in Mandarin.

Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants"(kù) is a homophone for the word for "bitter"(kŭ) in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive, as the word 'pants'(fu) in Cantonese is also a homophone for the word for "wealth".)

Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one's own luck (although modern hygienic concerns take precedence over this tradition)

Sweeping the floor is usually forbidden on the first day, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.

Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.

Buying books is bad luck because the word for "book" is a homonym to the word "lose".
Avoid clothes in black and white, as black is a symbol of bad luck, and white is a traditional funeral

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI>>>>>>!

Filipino of the month: Allan Pineda Lindo

2008-01-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

Allan Pineda Lindo, (b. 28 November 1974) better known as apl.de.ap, is a hip hop musician, record producer, and member of the The Black Eyed Peas. He was born in the Barangay (Barrio) of Sapang Bato, Angeles City, Pampanga, in the Philippines, to a Filipina mother and African American father
apl.de.ap is an original member of the hip hop group The Black Eyed Peas where he is the main composer. His father, a U.S. soldier stationed at nearby Clark Air Base, abandoned the family shortly after his birth. His mother, Christina Pineda, raised him and his four brothers and two sisters on her own in their small barrio. He grew up poor as heavily referenced in "The Apl Song". His house was frequently destroyed by typhoons, and he fished in the river to make money. Later after having moved to the US, he attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles, California and often visits to help out in the music class. Music had always been part of Apl’s life, his early influences having been Stevie Wonder, The Eagles, The Beatles and the popular Filipino rock/folk group, Asin. Hip-hop soon came into the picture via the breakdancing, "I would take the jeepney all the way to Angeles City, and that's how I got introduced to break dancing," he said. "I would see kids at the corner break-dancing and I'm like, 'I wanna do that.'"

Trivia:

THE APL SONG:
The video for "The Apl Song" (which reached number one in the Philippines), featured cameo appearances by fellow Filipino Americans Dante Basco, Chad Hugo and Abe Pagtama and is a tribute to the Filipinos who fought for the U.S. in World War II...

APL.DE.AP .... a PHILIPPINE PRIDE!

Philippine World Records.. Talking about Guiness here!

2008-01-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

(source: txtmania.com)
The Largest Human Rainbow
On September 18, 2004, over 31,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines broke the record previously held by the Maltese. They used the human rainbow to celebrate the university's centennial, which was from 1904 to 2004, and to highlight the signing of the Declaration of Peace which will be submitted to the United Nations.

The Leaf Musician
He became famous around the world for his distinct talent. The Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Filipino National Artist Levi Celerio as the only man who could play beautiful music with a leaf.Celerio appeared in "That's Incredible" and the Mel Griffin show where he played music with a leaf. The Guinness Book of World Records said: "The only leaf player in the world is in the Philippines". As a composer and lyricist, Celerio wrote more than 4,000 songs.

The Woman With 3,400 Shoes
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the woman with the largest collection of shoes. Reports said that when the Marcos family fled to Hawaii during the People's Power Revolution in 1986, around 3,400 pairs of shoes were discovered in one room at Malacanang Palace. They were the First Lady's collection.In 1987, Mrs. Marcos denied this and claimed she had only 1,060 pairs of shoes. The former First Lady has an eight-and-a-half inch footwear size. She said her having many shoes is not a symbol of extravagance but an expression of love and appreciation for Filipino-made shoes. Most of her shoes, she added, were bought from Marikina, the shoe capital of the Philippines. For this, Marikina City had acquired 200 pairs of the Marcos shoes and put them on display at the city's shoe museum.

Largest Loot in History
Much has been said about the late President Ferdinand Marcos being the world's richest man. While this title was not officially designated to Marcos, the late dictator, however, was known as the man who took away the largest loot in history. While deposed President Joseph Estrada faces plunder charges for allegedly amassing some US$82 million in kickbacks and payoffs during his 31-month stint at Malacanang Palace, Marcos had reportedly stolen billions of dollars. There were different versions of the fabled Marcos wealth. The fabled Marcos wealth reportedly consists of billions of dollars and tons of gold bullions deposited in several banks in Switzerland. Government lawyers claimed that Marcos had used dummy foundations to hoard his wealth. Among such foundations that the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) had identified are Sandy, Xandy, Wintrop, and Rayby. Former Senate President Jovito Salonga, who served as the first PCGG chairman under the Aquino administration said the agency had identified 51 Marcos bank accounts in Switzerland, 23 of which are in Credit Suisse; 3 at Swiss Bank Corporation in Fribourg; 15 in Swiss Bank Corporation in Geneva; 6 at Banque Paribas in Geneva; 3 at Hoffman in Zurich; and one each at Lombard Odeii and Trade Development Bank in Geneva. According to former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez, the Marcos family still keeps some US$13.4 billion in deposits at the Union Bank of Switzerland under the account of Irene Marcos-Araneta, on top of a hoard of 1.241 tons of gold at an underground bunker at Kloten Airport in Zurich. Chavez also disclosed that former First Lady Imelda Marcos has 800,000 ounces of gold in unfrozen accounts in Switzerland. Before this, Australian private investigator Reiner Jacobi, who served as a PCGG consultant in 1989, had unraveled the so-called Irene Araneta account and even went to the extent of claiming that the Marcoses had a US$250-billion gold hoard in Switzerland. The PCGG, however, described Jacobi's claims as exaggerated and too fantastic. In October 1999, Filipino businessman Enriquez Zobel, a known crony of the late president told a Senate committee that the Marcos wealth could have swollen to US$100 billion in gold and dollar deposits, the bulk of which is deposited with the US Treasury. In his sworn testimony, Zobel said the Marcos wealth is distributed to gold deposits, dollar accounts, and real estate properties located in various parts of the world. The Marcos gold deposits alone, Zobel said, may have reached US$35 billion. Zobel had also mentioned the US$13.4 billion Irene Marcos Araneta account at the Union Bank of Switzerland. The gold bars are allegedly kept in various banks in Portugal, Vatican City, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Solomon Island, and the US. Zobel said Marcos obtained the gold bars after the Liberation (1946) from the Yamashita treasure and from soldiers who sold their gold bars for only US$20 per bar. Another version was that of Rogelio Roxas who claimed that Marcos' men seized the real golden buddha from his house at Aurora Hills in Baguio City on April 5, 1971. The buddha reportedly costs billions of dollars.In February 2001, the Philippine Daily Inquirer disclosed the alleged attempt of Irene Marcos Araneta to launder billions of dollars in deposits under the 885931 accounts from Union Bank of Switzerland to Deutsche Banks in Dusseldorf, Germany. Aside from the Marcos family and the Philippine government, the 9,539 victims of human rights under the Marcos regime have interest in the Marcos wealth.

World's Largest Shoes
In December 2002, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Marikina City for crafting the world's largest pair of shoes - each measuring 5.5 meters (18.2 feet) long, 2.25 meters (7.4 feet) wide and 1.83 meters (six feet) high. The materials for the P1.2 million pair of shoes could produce 250 pairs of regular shoes.

World's Largest Golf Event
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the biggest amateur golf tournament takes place in Baguio City, Philippines every year. Dubbed as the Fil-Am Golf Championship since 1949, the 72-hole golf tournament attracts close to 1,000 amateur golfers from all over the archipelago. The sites of the prestigious event are the challenging par-69, 5,001-yard Camp John Hay golf course and the par-61, 4,038-yard Baguio Country Club. Among the top contending teams in the event are the Canlubang, Southwoods, Calatagan, and Wack Wack.

World's Largest Synchronized Aerobics Exercises
On February 16, 2003, some 107,000 Filipinos joined a 30-minute aerobics exercise supervised by the Department of Health (DOH) at Rizal Park in Manila, which could be the largest synchronized exercise in the world. Thousands of people also gathered at different venues in Cebu City and Davao City to participate in the exercise simultaneous with the Manila event. The new record broke the previous Guinness Book of World Records set at a park in Guadalajara, Mexico by some 38,633 people who joined the massive aerobics exercises in June 1998.

World's Largest Lantern
On December 24, 2002, the city of San Fernando in Pampanga province switched on the world's largest Christmas lantern - a P5-million structure with 26.8 meters in diameter.

World's Fastest Reader
As a student at the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, Maria Teresa Calderon became the world's fastest reader. She set the record of having read 80,000 words per hour.

Sili King
The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Eriberto Gonzales of Camalig, Albay as the fastest chili eater. In the Philippines, he is known as the "Sili King". Gonzales accomplished his feat in the "Sili-Eating Challenge 1999" in Bicol where he ate 350 pieces of sili in three minutes. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

World's Best Finance Minister
In 1997, Roberto de Ocampo who was serving in the Cabinet of former President Fidel Ramos, was recognized as the "World's Best Finance Minister" for overhauling the country's tax system through the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package.World's Best Central Bank GovernorIn October 2002, international magazine Global Finance named Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Rafael Carlos B. Buenaventura as one of the world's two best central bankers for "his remarkable skill in guiding" the Philippine economy under a trying year. The other central banker named was Reserve Bank of Austalia (RBA) Governor Ian MacFarlane.World Young Business AchieversIn 1995, Joseph Donato Pangilinan, president of Manila Pearl, won the World Young Business Achiever Award (WYBA) in London. In 1997, Renato Pangilinan, chief executive officer of Juventus International won the Entrepreneurship Award in Newfoundland, Canada. In 1998, Andrew James Masigan, founder of Dimsum n' Dumpling won the Award of Excellence in Business Strategy.

World's Sweetest Fruit
What can be considered as the world's sweetest mango is produced in the island province of Guimaras. While other countries have different varieties of the tropical mango (Mangifera indica), none of them tastes like the superbly delicious Guimaras mango, which is a variety of the popular Carabao Mango (Manginera indica).In 1995, the Guinness Book of World records listed the Carabao Mango as the sweetest fruit in the world. In the Philippines, mango ranks third among fruit crops in production, next to banana and pineapple. The country supplies mangoes to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and recently the United States. In 1995, the Philippines produced 432,322 metric tons of mangoes, with an average production of 6.35 metric tons per hectare and 250 kilograms per tree from a total production area of 68,056 hectares.

World's Largest Legal Tender
In 1998, during the Philippine Centennial celebration of independence, the Central Bank asked the Guinness Book of World Records to accredit its P100,000 commemorative bills, measuring 8 ½ inches wide and 14 inches long, as the world's largest legal tender. The commemorative bills were called Brobdingnagian bills.

World's Largest Bamboo Organ
The bamboo organ at St. Joseph Church in Las Pinas City is arguably the world's largest bamboo organ. The centuries-old musical instrument was constructed between 1792 and 1819. It has 174 bamboo pipes, 122 horizontal reeds of soft metal, a five-octave keyboard, and 22 stops arranged in vertical rows.

World's Largest City
The residents of Davao City claim they live in the world's largest city. They are talking about the land size of the city that covers 2,212 square kilometers. Most of these areas, however, are distributed as forests, coconut groves and rice fields. In comparison, New York, the largest city in the United States, has an area of only 787 square kilometers while the whole of Metro Manila covers only 636 square kilometers.Davao City lies at the mouth of the Davao River near the head of Davao Gulf. It encompasses about 50 small ports in its commercial sphere. Davao has large banana plantations, whose produce are exported to Japan and other countries. The city also boasts of a modern international airport. Puerto Princesa City, a chartered city of Palawan province, is disputing Davao City's title. It claims to have a total land area of 2,539 square kilometers encompassing 66 barangays.In terms of population and land area, the world's truly largest cities are Tokyo, Mexico City, Sao Paolo, New York City, Bombay, Shanghai and Los Angeles.

World's Largest Volume of Text Messages
Smart Communications, one of the two giant mobile phone networks in the country, claimed that the volume of text messages passing through its network reached 240 million daily as of 2001. This excluded text messages sent via the other networks. Such volume of text messages is said to be larger than those sent in the entire European continent during the same year.

World's Largest High School
The Rizal High School in Caniogan, Pasig City (eastern Metro Manila) is said to be the world's largest high school in terms of student population. The school has more than 20,000 students.

World's Longest Barbecue
On April 30, 2002, about 50,000 people participated in the "Kalutan ed Dagupan" festival in Dagupan City (Pangasinan province, Northern Luzon, Philippines) to help grill and partake of the 1,001-meter long barbecue, that broke the previous World Record of 613 meter-long barbecue grilled in Canchia, Peru on November 13, 1999. The people of the city used hundreds of grills, each measuring 1.2-meter long, to cook the barbecue. The grills' total measure was about 800 meters long, enough to surpass the Peruvian record. The barbecue consisted of bangus (milkfish), pork, chicken, vegetables and cold cuts. A video footage was sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for validation. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

World's Largest Flower
In February 2002, an environmental organization discovered what could be one of the world's largest flowers in the 5,511-hectare Sibalom National Park in Antique province. Measuring about 22 inches in diameter, the endangered flower, locally named as "Uruy", (Rafflesia sp.) has no stem and leaves. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

World's Largest Salad
The residents of Baguio City took pride in having tossed what was believed to be the world's largest salad - a three-ton mix of assorted vegetables. On September 29, 2002 during the Tossed Salad Festival in commemoration of the city's 93rd charter anniversary, 67 students and members of the Baguio Association of Hotels and Inns (Bahai) mixed 2,976 kilograms of lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers and other vegetables in a tin and wrought iron bowl measuring 20 feet long, 10 feet wide and 2 feet deep.Some 13,657 people were able to partake of the P1.5 million mixtures. They paid P20 for each serving of the tossed salad with Thousand Island dressing and another take-out bowl of salad with a gourmet vinaigrette dressing consisting of apple cider vinegar and olive oil.The city broke its own record set a year earlier. On September 16, 2001, a 917-kilogram of salad was able to feed 4,861 residents and tourists of Baguio City. On September 14, 2002, a religious group prepared a giant Caesar's salad that fed only 1,000 people in Salt Lake City, Utah.World's Largest Durian Candy Bar On March 15, 2002, 25 people in Davao City spent six hours to cook, mold and roll the world's largest durian candy bar - a 6-meter, 200-kilogram delicacy made of durian, a smelly but sweet fruit commonly associated with the name of the city. (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)

World's Longest Mat
The people of the agricultural town of Basey, Samar own the distinction of having weaved the world's longest mat, or "banig" in the local parlance. During the town's Banigan-Kawayan Festival on September 29, 2000, hundreds of people paraded the mat, which extended for more than a kilometer.The one-meter wide mat has been weaved for several weeks by groups of people from the different barangays of Basey. While the mat was not submitted as an entry to the Guinness Book of World Records, Basey Mayor Wilfredo Estorninos described the feat as a source of pride for all Basaynons.Each year, the town, which has weaving as its prime industry, comes to life when it celebrates outlandishly the feast of St. Michael, its patron saint. The highlight of the feast is the Banigan-Kawayan Festival, where the women of Basey weave a variety of intricately designed mats from sedge grass locally known as tikog (Fimbristylis milliacea). This tradition was handed down from many generations. The Church of Basey was built in 1864.

World's Largest Pearl
A Filipino diver discovered what is now described as the world's largest pearl in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 ½ inches long and 5 ½ inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.

World's Largest Covered Coliseum
At the time it was completed in 1959, the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City was touted as the world's largest covered entertainment center. Otherwise known as the Big Dome, it has a floor area of 2,300 square meters and a seating capacity of 33,000 people.

TO all filipino sports lover outhere...

2008-01-02T00:53:00.000-08:00

You can visit this for sports Updates: http://www.ubelt.com/rpsports.aspx?gclid=CNOQypeW15ACFRsTawod9T3zWg

The road to our first Olympic Gold: The Filipino 2008 Beijing Olympians

2008-01-02T00:22:00.000-08:00

PHI

Can we get that elusive Gold in Beijing? Well, only time can tell but what can we do as for the mean time is to pray and give moral support to our olympic-bound athletes, come Aug. 8-24, 2008 the world will again unite as one to play for the spirit of the games and celebrate mankind. World powers will collide and filipinos want their presence felt this time, the POC and the sports official intensify the quest for that elusive Gold by providing what they are saying as the best ever treatment to our athletes and providing them necessary international exposure... As of this time we are already assured of 7 athletes who will fight for our flag and country in the Beijing 2008 olympics and they are; Harry Tanamor (BOXING), Tshomlee Go and Antoinette Rivero (Taekwondo), Miguel Molina, Daniel Coakley and another one (sorry i forgot his name) (Swimming), and the other 1 from archery. Let's wish them well and support them in whatever ways we can. Go TEAM PILIPINAS....

Manigong Bagong Taon: The filipino way of celebrating New Year!

2007-12-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

WEAR POLKA DOTS...

PUT some LUCKY CHARMS..

BUY 12 Circular Fruits..

HAVE something sticky for dinner sweets such as tikoy and biko...

JUMP exactly at 12:00 am Jan. 1 to become taller... (i doubt it)

Fireworks and Firecrackers...

Have some coins and bills on your pocket...

HAPPY 2008 Philippines!

111th Rizal Martyrdom: a tribute to a Great Man, A Filipino the greatest man of the malay race..

2007-12-29T23:22:00.000-08:00

He who knows the surface of the earth and the topography of a country only through the examination of maps..is like a man who learns the opera of Meyerbeer or Rossini by reading only reviews in the newspapers. The brush of landscape artists Lorrain, Ruysdael, or Calame can reproduce on canvas the sun's ray, the coolness of the heavens, the green of the fields, the majesty of the mountains...but what can never be stolen from Nature is that vivid impression that she alone can and knows how to impart--the music of the birds, the movement of the trees, the aroma peculiar to the place--the inexplicable something the traveller feels that cannot be defined and which seems to awaken in him distant memories of happy days, sorrows and joys gone by, never to return.--Rizal, "Los Viajes"

Manila Ocean Park

2007-12-07T19:43:00.001-08:00

At Last.... The Manila Ocean Park

2007-12-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

BUSINESSWORLD: Vol. XXI, No. 63Tuesday, October 23, 2007 MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Today’s HeadlinesManila Ocean Park nears completion, targets July ’08 opening
TOURISTS AND KIDS AT HEART who want an underwater experience — without literally having to get wet — can flock to the country’s first marine-themed complex by July next year.
Located behind Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila Ocean Park will house an oceanarium, a mall, a boutique hotel, a restaurant strip and open marine habitats all rolled into one, designed to give everyone a “deeper experience.”
The P1-billion project of China Oceanis Philippines, Inc. — a joint undertaking of Singaporean and Malaysian investors — is currently 80% complete, with the Oceanarium set to open in time for this year’s Christmas holiday.
The Park will include a mall, restaurants, a hotel and multifunction facilities. — BW File PhotoOceanarium, the first phase of the park, will be the first and largest aquarium facility in the country wherein over 20,000 exotic and colorful fishes would come from the waters off Cavite and Palawan.
Tina Mistica-Santos, marketing manager of Manila Ocean Park, said the oceanarium is way bigger than the famous Sentosa Underwater world in Singapore. “Manila Ocean Park is about 8,000 square meters wide, while Sentosa is 6,000,” she told reporters, adding that the main attraction of the Oceanarium is a 25-meter long, 220-degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel, compared to the standard oceanarium with a 180-degree view.
“It replicates the water flow from a fresh water source that eventually leads to the open ocean, creating a model of the interconnectedness between land and sea. It then takes one through the different depths of the sea-showing each area’s beautiful and natural inhabitants,” she said.
One side of the tunnel’s wall, Ms. Santos said, will feature corals and small fish, while the other wall will have sharks and rays.
She added that Oceanarium is divided into sections that carry Filipino terms. Some of them are Agos, a rainforest-themed part with freshwater species in eight tanks; Bahura (Reef), a section composed of 48 tanks showcasing artificial corals; Laot, a long tank featuring big fishes and Eagle-spotted rays; and Kalaliman, wherein barracudas would swim around in one large tank.
“The Oceanarium also has a multipurpose hall that could be used for educational exhibits and various functions all year long,” Ms. Santos said.
Both the Oceanarium and the Open Water Marine Habitat — where visitors can swim and scuba-dive with sharks and other fishes — will contain 12,000 cubic meters of seawater coming from Manila Bay.
Scheduled to open April next year, a boutique mall and a 100-room high-end hotel will form part the second phase of the project. “It will feature new and unique shops that are not commonly found in other malls. It will likewise showcase a unique restaurant row located at the rear of the facility, alongside a promenade that offers an obstructed view of the Manila Bay,” Ms. Santos said.
Ms. Santos said the Oceanarium is expected to accommodate 1.5 million visitors, while the boutique mall will have a foot traffic of 28,000 individuals per day. — L. N. P. Lee

Visit its website at http://manilaoceanpark.com/

PAGCOR E-city,,, to convert manila as Las Vegas?

2007-12-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

t top the land area, bottom the miniature plan without the observation tower

You’ll know that the Pagcor dream of creating a Las Vegas on Manila Bay will come closer to reality when one of the Big Boys actually signs a contract or joint-venture agreement with the state gambling monopoly. For the optimists, there’s recent news that Wynn Resorts, Ltd. (annual sales: US$1.4 billion and market cap of US10.3 billion) is interested. Given the Pagcor E-City’s ambitions, only those in the billion bracket (dollars, not pesos) can undertake this. But right now, it’s all just talk-talk, in contrast to Macau where it’s build-build-build.
Tim Shiah, a representative of Jack Binion of Wynn Resorts, said the company is “committed to look at all opportunities in the Philippines.” Jack Binion runs the international operations of the hotel casino chain, the first of which was Wynn Macau.“Wynn Macau is actually looking into the Philippines. Jack Binion is director of Wynn International that’s why he’s been down here for the last couple of years and they’re looking [around],” Shiah said at the Asia Gaming and Entertainment Expo briefing.“You know the biggest asset in the Philippines—and I can’t preach this loud enough—is the people here, the workforce,” he added.Hotel chain owner Steve Wynn and Binion had talked about duplicating Wynn Macau in the country, Shiah said, adding that the renewal of the license and eventual amendment to the charter of Pagcor would make it easier for the group to enter the local gaming scene.

taken @ http://gamingphi.wordpress.com/2007/03/27/wynn-win-for-pagcor-e-city/

Pagcor, Greece's Loutraki Casino in talks for a projectBY LIZA REYESState-owned gaming operator Pagcor said on Wednesday it was in talks with Greece's Loutraki Casino which wants to bid for the right to develop the first phase of the government’s 800-hectare gaming project in the capital. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) hopes to bid out the contract this year for the $10-billion development of the first phase covering 42 hectares, company chairman Efraim Genuino said on the sidelines of an international gaming conference in Manila. “Loutraki is the biggest gaming operator in Europe. It’s from Greece,” said Genuino, who expects development of the first phase to be completed in two to three years.“We're just finalizing the technical requirements before we start bidding them out. They're (potential investors) still waiting for the technical requirements so that they can comply." The Philippines, which has a total public sector debt of P5 trillion or 87.7 percent of GDP as of June 2006, is eager for investments and the tax revenues gambling provides. Its casino monopoly Pagcor, which currently operates 13 casinos nationwide, is its biggest source of state income after taxes.Genuino is hoping to hit the jackpot with the massive gaming and leisure project which would be built on an 800-hectare site of reclaimed land in Manila.He was also hoping to generate more investments under a looser Congressional franchise.Under the new Pagcor Charter, which is pending at bicameral conference committee, the Philippine casino operator may now enter into joint ventures with private investors.The project, called Bagong Nayon Pilipino Entertainment City, is envisioned to be a total entertainment complex, complete with casinos, resorts, restaurants and a theme park."This will be a total entertainment package. It’s not just gaming but an entertainment complex for the family," Genuino said. “To attract tourists, we the design and approach to the project must be new compared to other Asian casinos.”

taken @ http://www.skyscrapercity.com/archive/index.php/t-454400.html

Skycity.. aPhilippine pride in the making!

2007-12-02T04:26:00.000-08:00

photo by emporis

Skycity is a 80 story skyscraper that is under construction in Mandaluyong, Philippines. It is expected to be completed in 2012 and be 335 metres (1,099 ft) tall. Skycity is planned as a mixed used skyscraper with a hotel, office space and residential space. It will be the tallest tower in the Philippines after completion followed by Lopez Center Tower and PBCom Tower except it the government would approve the PAGCOR E-CITY observation TOWER with 665 meters tall.

The ASEAN Blog!

2007-11-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

visit the ASEAN blog @ http://aseanclan.blogspot.com/

nice!!!

The 2007 SEA GAMES!!!

2007-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

What to expect?
- according to thailand they will have the most beautiful and the most modern opening ceremony.
-THAILAND probably will bag the overall title.... WHY? its the trend of the games that the host country wins... WHY? i think it is because the host country's privellage to add or strip sports whichever will favor THEM..
-Timor leste will find it hard to have a medal if they stripped off ARNIS,, all of the medal of Timor leste from the Manila games 2005 came from Arnis!!
- Thailand will regain the boxing Crown,,,hehe! by hook or by crook??? i dont know..
- PHILIPPINES is the team to beat in Men's Basketball!

my dream stadium!!!

2007-11-12T17:32:00.000-08:00

Hehe!!! I did this thing because we have a group in friendster called Sports Enthusiast Group,, actually seven p lang yta yung members namin hehe at nkisali nga lng ako dun hehe,, sna yung mga mhilig sa sports sumali rin dahil msaya dun....hehehehe

Sana kahit konti ngustuhan niyo to!!! hehe

My First Post!!!

2007-11-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

Hehe! Mabuhay! Everyone... its my first ever post on my blog... Soon you will find how interesting my blog is.. but for now i would like to start by welcoming you all!!!!!

This blog is for the love of my motherland the PHILIPPINES.....

Uniquely Philippines...