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Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and the Philippines are finalizing standards or indicators on quality of targets to be achieved under the Regional Plan of Action these are establishing for protecting Coral Triangle (CT), the region experts identified as earth's center of biological diversity.

"We'll come up with a general framework and try getting CT countries' senior officials to endorse this for signing of leaders in the region," Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Ma. Theresa Mundita-Lim said on the side of the two-day Third Meeting of the Coral Triangle Initiative Coordination Committee that began Tuesday at Crown Plaza Hotel in Quezon City.

She noted representatives from the six countries will attempt to finalize during this event qualitative indicators for the five action plan targets.

These are prioritizing investment areas and best environmental protection practices, implementing the ecosystem approach to managing fisheries and other marine resources as well as establishing and managing marine protected areas.

The other targets are adapting climate change adaptation measures and improving status of threatened species.

CT countries will develop qualitative and quantitative indicators for such action plan targets which these will attempt to achieve within 10 years.

Mundita-Lim noted discussions on quantitative indicators will take longer and may not be completed during the meeting, however.

"CT countries have different capabilities, resources and levels of development," she said. - PNA

Quoteabi nalang easy boy.

Abi nalang "makuha sa tingin."

Amnesty from Iran is being sought by Philippine authorities for eight Filipino seamen who are presently imprisoned in that oil-rich country on charges of trafficking in diesel gasoline.

Executive Director Crescente Relacion of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Migrant Workers Affairs told reporters the Filipinos, with three other foreigners, have been meted a two-year sentence on September 23 last year and fined USD5.3 million by an Iranian court.

Relacion said the Philippines resorted to an appeal for amnesty because the fine imposed is too huge for the accused.

"We're talking to the Iranian government to give them amnesty. We're appealing to them because the fine is huge and we couldn't afford it," he said in a press conference.

Earlier, Leila Villabito, a sister of imprisoned seamen Samson Villabito, had met with Relacion to plead for DFA assistance in easing her stricken brother’s situation.

"It's been more than a year, and we have no news about our brother," Villabito said in a separate huddle with reporters.

She revealed that the DFA has not informed the family about his brother’s predicament. But at the meeting with Relacion, she said she was finally provided some documents. - Philippine News Agency

The Philippines pushed for the continued deferment of Saudi Arabia's "Unified Contract" system of employment at the end of the two-day Third Meeting of the Philippines-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced belatedly.

With the unified contract that Saudi Arabia wants for all its foreign workers, it is feared that overseas Filipino workers (OFW) would lose their competitive edge.

The system means that all foreigners in a certain work category receive the same pay and other perks regardless of nationality.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos work in Saudi Arabia, generally getting better terms and perks than most of their Asian neighbors, particularly those domestic helpers and construction hands.

Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number of Filipino workers in the region and is currently the Philippines' top trading partner in the Middle East.

"Both parties recognized the need for more regular dialogue and cooperation in labor-related issues and concerns through a mutually acceptable mechanism," the DFA said.

During the meeting October 14 and 15, the Philippines also pushed for the early conclusion of a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, an agenda which brings to mind the recent case of 27-year old Zamboanga native Jenifer Bidoya, who was executed in Jeddah this week for the murder of a Saudi Arabian man.

Bidoya's body was buried within hours of his execution last week in a Saudi Arabian gravesite designated for executed criminals. Its exhumation for repatriation to his family in Mindanao is disallowed under Islamic laws.

DFA, however, continues to press for his remains to be brought home to his family, citing socio-religious beliefs of Filipinos.

Non-governmental organizations, including Migrante International, said government should have done more for Bidoya.

This week, Bidoya's father, Geremias, flew to Manila to claim his son's P100,000 insurance benefit and P20,000 burial money.

The Philippines said it welcomed Saudi Arabia's interest in investing in the agricultural and fisheries sector and proposed the early conclusion of a Memorandum of Agreement that would be beneficial to both countries, the DFA announced.

Measures to expand trade and investment were also discussed, which includes technical cooperation to help develop Islamic banking in the Philippines. - PNA

By Mediatrix P. Cristobal

Science and Math teachers from the University of the Philippines (UP) and other premier institutions have proposed a revamp of the teaching system of Math and Science subjects to enhance and upgrade the competency of Filipino workforce that will run the country in the coming years.

Dr. Ester B. Ogena, Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute, said the framework, which the educators crafted, together with SEI, is a first in the country and it is a major step in contributing efforts towards becoming a knowledge economy.

"The penultimate intention of knowledge economy is to contribute to human or people development. This may be hard to reach but to attain this we need to ensure that the country stands on the four pillars of Knowledge Economy â€"Human Resource Capacity Building; Developing an Innovation System; Developing an ICT Infrastructure; and Providing for the Supportive Policies and Guidelines at all levels," she said.

Educators from all over the country joined together to assess the draft of the first science and mathematics education framework to 'define the philosophy and directions' for teaching and learning in science and mathematics.

Ogena pointed out that the two are critical in human resource-capacity building of the country, one of the major pillars for a knowledge economy.

University of the Philippines-National Institute of Science and Mathematics Education Development (UP-NISMED) Director Dr. Merle Tan said the framework aims to expose learners to engaging in meaningful, challenging, and relevant experiences and the teachers to be able to facilitate construction of knowledge from such experiences.

“School science should emphasize depth rather than breadth, coherence rather than fragmentation, and use of evidence in constructing explanations,” Tan said. - PNA

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday announced that high school and college students are invited to take part in the record breaking event called "A Big Thank You to Our Teachers," this October 23, 2008, Thursday, at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia from 12:30 to 3:00pm.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said that students from all over the Philippines will be writing words of appreciation for their teachers on pieces of cloth that will be sewn together to produce a gigantic Thank You Teacher banner.

This grand event, the education chief said that will be the largest declaration of love and gratitude to teachers is an attempt to win entry to the Guinness Book of World Records.

This October 2008, a Teacher's Month Campaign has been organized by De La Salle Philippines, Metrobank Foundation, Philippine Business for Education, Campaigns Social Response and the Department of Education for the growth and development of the teaching vocation in the country.

The period of October 22-26 is the annual five-day break in elementary and secondary public schools.

The Teacher's Month celebration continues to the Manila Hotel where the Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators or NOTED of the Metrobank Foundation will be having their 2nd National Tri-Level Conference of Teachers and Educators.

A special ceremony will be conducted by student leaders for the teachers present during the conference. This will culminate with the presentation of the long banner prepared by the different schools.

For further information, contact Dr. Michaela Mua±oz of De La Salle University at (02) 524.4611 local 171 or 195 or Mr. Butch Evarola at (02) 5264634 or butch.evarola@delasalle.ph. - PNA

If bamboo is stronger than steel, our government should launch an aggressive program for a nationwide bamboo planting. There must be a lot of export opportunities from our bamboo industry.

The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed the petition of the government seeking to restrain the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) from claiming ownership of a peace of land in La Union province.

In an eight-page decision of the CA, it said that the arguments raised by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) have no sufficient legal basis.

The OSG, in its petition, stressed that the INC has no hard evidence that they own a parcel of land which measures 275 square meters located in Barangay San Gregorio, Caba, La Union.

Based on Presidential Decree 1529, otherwise known as the Property Registration Decree, the OSG is authorized or mandated to represent the government on land registration proceedings or cases pertaining to land disputes so as to forestall any irregularities in the registration of properties of land.

The appellate court affirmed the earlier decision of Caba, La Union Municipal Trial Court which said that the INC had submitted sufficient evidence to prove that they own the property of land in question.

Among the evidences presented by the INC are the tax declaration dated 1947 and 1952 in the name of one Primo Peralta who was the original owner of the said property before it was purchased by and transferred to the INC. - PNA

Bolingitboy, to learn how to post pictures in Tubag Bohol, Click Here. Use Firefox as your browser. Internet Explorer doesn't have an option for choosing the image location when you right click your mouse.

Or you can post pictures manually. Just paste the image URL and attach this BBC code from end to end: [ img ]http://URL of image here[ /img ] Note: without space

I no longer dreamed of living in one of those lovely mountains of Bukidnon kay walay Internet connection.

Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. on Wednesday announced that detained overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Trinidad and Tobago are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon in the country.

Sen. Villar said in a statement he already received information from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the 23 OFWs are expected to arrived in Mactan International Airport in Cebu City around 4:05 afternoon on board flight QR-464.

Villar added Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia shouldered the airfares of the 23 OFWs.

The senate president added the 23 OFWs left their employer in Tobago for breach of contract and tried to transfer to other employer in Trinidad but upon arrival in Trinidad, they were detained by immigration authorities for allegedly holding fake travel documents based on a report by their previous employer in Tobago.

The relatives of these OFWs led by Marisol Fortuna seek Villar’s assistance for the repatriation of detained OFW’s in Trinidad.

Villar immediately coordinated with the DFA and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate the prompt repatriation of the detained Filipino workers. - PNA

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday expressed belief that grade school to elementary students should be taught and be informed on the subject of avoiding teenage pregnancy.

Director Yolanda Quijano, of Bureau of Elementary Education (BEED), said sex awareness or reproductive health is actually integrated in different subjects under the current elementary curriculum.

She, however, stressed that the focus of the information is more on hygiene, body function and assumption during the child's physical change or the so-called puberty stage while the reproductive health system, value formation and population education are discussed in Science and Health and Social Science and family education subjects, respectively.

Quijano admitted that in 2005, DepEd came out with a module that extensively dealt on teaching reproductive health among elementary students and identified a pilot school where it could be initially taught and implemented.

However, DepEd stopped the undertaking when the influential Catholic Church and other religious groups raised a howl and prevented its further implementation.

She said Malacanang recalled the module which is now now under evaluation of Presidential Head on Value Formation for proper disposition.

Quijano expressed belief that it is about time that 'sex 'sex education' should be taught in the higher elementary level so students will be informed and educated about the matter. She, however, stressed that such is her personal view and not of the DepEd.

Teachers' call to make sex-education lessons accessible to elementary pupils supports a provision in House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health Bill, authored by Rep. Edsel Lagman, to teach lessons about sex education from Grade 5 to fourth year high school. - PNA

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo unveiled Wednesday during opening of the National Bamboo Development Forum a prototype 'Bahay Pinoy' core house made of bamboo, the grass Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) is promoting as material for construction, watershed planting and other uses.

The unveiling highlighted gains from bamboo research Mr. Arroyo supported since 2005.

"This prototype can withstand typhoons, tsunamis and other natural disasters," LLDA General Manager Edgardo Manda informed Mr. Arroyo as they and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza inspected the house.

Mr. Arroyo and Atienza also formally opened at Philippine Trade Training Center, site of the forum, an exhibit showcasing the house and various bamboo products.

The prototype's total area is 30 square meters, including a 10-square meter loft for sleeping, and features a 1.6 square meter balcony at the front.

All columns, beams and rafters of this house are made of reinforced pre-cast concrete finished with bamboo.

Its roof is bamboo while walls are pre-cast concrete panels reinforced with wire mesh and finished with the same grass also.

"The strongest housing structures are made of bamboo," Atienza said at the forum's opening. "This specie has aerodynamic qualities that make it able to withstand storms and strong wind. We can tap bamboo in developing true Filipino houses as this grass abounds nationwide." - PNA

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. received the Benigno S. Aquino Award for Nationalism from the Federation of Catholic Schools Alumni Association (FeCaSAA).

FeCaSAA cited Sen. Pimentel for his unwavering efforts in nation-building through judicious legislation, unblemished public service and virtuous advocacy.

”An accomplished barrister, educator, author, local executive, public administrator, national legislator, activist and a loving father and grandfather, Nene Pimentel has the sterling qualities of a true leader and advocate of nationalist issues,” according to the award’s citation.

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and FeCaSAA chairman Bro. Rolando Dizon gave the award to Pimentel in a simple ceremonies held at the assembly hall of the National College of Public Administration and Governance at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Quezon City Tuesday.

Former Senate President Jovito Salonga and former National Economic and Development Authority chief Solita Monsod were also recipients of the same prestigious award. - PNA

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said that the suspension of the Joanna Jesh two buses routes will be effective today, whose units were involved in a gory accident last Tuesday along EDSA, Quezon City.

LTFRB Chairman Thomas Lantion clarified that the company Joanna Jesh's of the Alabang to Navotas and Alabang to Fairview routes were suspended, and not the bus company's franchise.

“The 30-day suspension orders will be issued to the firm today. I ordered our executive director to furnish a copy of the cease and desist order,” Lantion said.

"We will issue a show-cause order on the bus company," Lantion said adding that they will be allowed to explain their side on the issue.

He also said if the company (Joanna Jesh's) ignores the order, the agency will suspend and then revoked the franchise.

Joanna Jesh officials will also be summoned to appear before an LTFRB hearing on October 28.

Lantion, said the suspension applies to only one of the bus firm's two lines, adding that the bus firm's line that go to Iloilo and Boracay via roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) vessels can still operate. "Di naman involved yan (It was not involved in Tuesday's mishap)," he said. - PNA

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday reported the arrest of an alleged Briton pedophile who victimized Filipino women and children in Dumaguete City.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan identified the arrested foreigner as Richard Holden, 39, who was nabbed by BI intelligence operatives last Oct. 16 in his residence along Boulevard Avenue, Dumaguete City.

Holden was later brought to Manila and is presently detained at the Bicutan immigration jail pending deportation proceedings.

According to Libanan, he issued the mission order for Holden’s arrest after he was informed that the Briton had impregnated at least four Filipina girls within the two-year period that he had stayed in the country.

He said he was so alarmed by the activities of the pedophile that he immediately dispatched a team of BI agents to Dumaguete to arrest the Briton.

According to BI intelligence chief Faizal Hussin, Holden allegedly enticed the girls to have sex with him after making false promises of financial support and but stopped communicating with them after they got pregnant.

Hussin said the Briton was also frequently seen stalking Filipina girls in the parks, schools and shopping malls of Dumaguete City and secretly taking pictures of them using his mobile phone.

“The BI also obtained a CD containing the said pictures and video footages of his sexual intercourses with some of the victims,” he added. - PNA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today stressed that a healthy infrastructure program will help spur growth of the country's tourism sector.

He said the country would not be able to meet its goal of attracting five million foreign tourists a year by 2010 should it fail to invest heavily on tourist infrastructure.

"We've got magnificent tourist spots but we don't have the proper logistics and convenient transportation system that's why we have fallen behind our Asian neighbors," Angara said.

He added, "Tourism is going to create jobs especially in the rural areas if we boost infrastructure development. The most successful tourist destinations - countries like Italy, Spain and France - capitalize on their history, culture and natural beauty."

Angara expressed fear that poor infrastructure facilities, political instability, extra-judicial killings, terror threats and financial crisis could spoil the hard-earned gains of the tourism sector. With this, he strongly suggests building tourist infrastructure like airports, seaports, hotels, railways and roads all over the country to attract foreign visitors.

In the recent 34th Philippine Business Conference, business leaders have also expressed their desire for the government to enact policies which aim to ensure improved transport infrastructure in the country. They also urged the government to expand the capacity of commuter railways and increase private sector participation in the construction and development of toll roads.

Angara - fully agreeing with the observations of business leaders - sees that the tourism demand will increase as more people are inclined and are willing to travel. Higher tourism demand will spell more employment opportunities for Filipinos. - PNA

Thanks Bolingit boy for sharing with us the historical background of Valencia City, Bukidnon. I never knew it before until I read your post.

I worked in Davao City for more than 2 years. During that period, I had several trips to Valencia, CDO, Malaybalay, and other parts of Bukidnon.

I used to dream of living in one of Bukidnon's remote mountains. Just a payag is enough for me.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file a complaint against ABS-CBN before the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) for airing the exclusive interview of MILF Commander Bravo, also known as Abdurrahman Macaapar.

Justice Sec. Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. said he believes ABS-CBN violated the Broadcast Code of the KBP since Bravo is the object of an extensive government manhunt.

Gonzales added the DOJ would also study if ABS-CBN did not violate its franchise which prohibits the broadcast or airing of interviews that tend to incide sedition or rebellion against the government.

Gonzalez cited the statements of Bravo -- “Magkakaubusan ng lahi” and “Amin ang Mindanao” amid the shouting of his cohorts.

According to the DOJ chief, said statements were answers to the “loaded question” of ABS-CBN reporter Jorge Carino, asking what Bravo would do if they fail to get what they want.

Gonzalez said Carino may also be summoned to explain on the issue.

Gonzales hinted that ABS-CBN should provide the government with information about the whereabouts of Bravo, considering that millions of pesos have been spent for his capture him.

The Sulpicio Lines, Inc. (SLI) asked on Wednesday the Manila regional trial court to reverse its earlier decision dismissing the damage suit it filed against the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and its two officials.

In its motion for reconsideration, SLI and SLI senior vice present Edgar Go also asked the Manila RTC Branch 26, to issue an order declaring PAGASA and its officials - Prisco D. Nilo, director, and Nathaniel A. Cruz, chief of Weather Services, a branch of PAGASA - suable, and that the case proceed to a trial.

SLI claimed that the defendants do not come within the bounds of non-suability of the state.

“Although PAGASA is an agency performing governmental functions, it was correctly alleged in the complaint that, by virtue of its mandate under Executive Order No. 292, it is likewise performing propriety functions including generating resources for the agency,” SLI said in its motion.

The SLI filed an MR before the Manila RTC for the Pph4.5 million damage suit PAGASA and its two bureau officials over the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars last June 21.

Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. dismissed for lack in merit the civil suit last October 14.

In a nine-page motion, SLI claimed that the ground that defendants do not come within the sphere of the non- suability of the State.

Article XVI Section 3 of the Constitution states that the State may not be sued without its consent.

Pampilo said in the order that PAGASA, being a government agency that is performing its governmental function, is immune from the suit. - PNA

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said two more China-made biscuits were found positive for melamine based on the sixth batch of results issued by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).

The DOH said the two food products that have tested positive for melamine are Lotte B&W Koala Biscuits and Lotte Chocolate Snack Koala Biscuits.

The BFAD has now found six China-made milk and milk products contaminated with melamine.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they will also ban the two biscuits in the local market.

The five other items earlier banned for melamine contamination are JollyCow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk (1 liter); Greenfood Yili Fresh Milk (in Chinese character); Mengniu Drink (in Chinese character); Lotte Strawberry Snack Koala Biscuit.

Meanwhile, the DOH said there are also 22 other food products tested negative for melamine.

These include Angels First Love Barquillos Fresh Milk Wafer Sticks; Barbecue Candy (MM); Darrys Milk Choco Candy; Golden Fuji Crisp Tomato Flavor Cracker; Golden Fuji Vegetable Flavor Cracker; Houshuang Winter Mint Candy (MM); KZ Gundam Long Candy; Nicc Choice Pineapple Cake; OO Chocolate Bean Candy; Sandwich Biscuits (Green Wrapper) in Chinese Characters; Sandwich Biscuits (Purple Wrapper) in Chinese Characters; Sandwich Biscuits (Yellow Wrapper) in Chinese Characters;

Sour Lollipop 2 in 1 (Strawberry, Orange, Pineapple); Sweet Dart 8.8 Butter Ball Candy; The New Zoland Company Omilk Bon Bon Yogurt Milk Soft Drops (Grape Flavor); W.L. Sweet Dart Pines Milk Candy; W.L. Sweet Dart Royal Orange Candy; W.L. Yaahoo Cheese Biscuit; Zhongshan Meihua Galletas de Chocola Te Butter with Filling Cake; Zhongshan Meihua Good Taste Sweet Smelling and Crisp Biscuits (Nutrition Health Foods).

Two milk products from Indonesia - Lipton Milk Tea (Original Flavor) and Lipton Milk Tea (Vanilla Flavor) â€" were also tested negative for melamine. - PNA

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza is calling for more research on other possible uses of bamboo to help expand market potential of this plant which he calls "the miracle grass."

"Let's really study bamboo -- it's among the strongest and most resilient plants on earth," he said Wednesday during the opening of the three-day National Bamboo Development Forum which Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) and its partners are holding at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

LLDA aims to generate from the forum updated data on worldwide bamboo resources, industries and markets as well as inputs for a national development program for this grass.

Atienza noted bamboo's characteristics make it an ideal material for construction and watershed rehabilitation including addressing soil erosion.

Bamboo is also eaten as food, made into furniture and handicraft while its extract might be used to cure cough, he continued.

"In China, I even saw clothes made from bamboo," he recalled.

Atienza also believes the country must hike research on bamboo as this grass thrives nationwide.

"The Philippines is among the few countries where bamboo is adapted to," he noted. - PNA

The military on Wednesday dismissed as mere publicity gimmick by renegade Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander Abdulrahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, for granting a television interview where he taunted the government and the military.

In the interview, Bravo blamed the Arroyo government for the continuing violence in Mindanao and that his unit, the MILF's 102nd Base Command, will fight the government forces - deployed for an offensive - up to the last man.

"One of the Philippines’ most wanted men more popularly known as Commander Bravo of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front group has recently appeared on national television in full battle gear attire, flocked by his troops, declaring full ownership of Mindanao and its independence," said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

"This brings forth to a conclusion that he is up for yet another profile-raising or publicity to promote his cause, but this time failed to hide his true character and self-vested interests on the ongoing war," said Brawner.

Brawner said Bravo mentioned in the interview that he is no longer interested in the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain which the government had refused to sign "but the Independence for Mindanao is just another tactic to gain sympathy to his cause but with total disregard of the laws of this land."

"Bravo said that he will continue fighting, which only reveals how truly a bandit and common criminal he is. This could be the only truth that Bravo could say out of his arrogant declarations," said Brawner.

"But what actually drives him is not the “cause” of the Bangsamoro people but his egotistical motive of seizing the MILF leadership and gaining grounds for his own interest. War is the only language Bravo understands and does not really care about the safety of even his fellow Muslims for as long as he achieves what he wants," said Brawner. - PNA

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently urged importers and exporters in Northern and Central Luzon to use the newly opened container terminal at the Subic Bay Freeport.

“We are inviting businesses and industries in the area to use the Subic container port. The strategic location of Subic to your manufacturing plants means a significant decrease in transport costs and faster delivery time of cargo,” said SBMA senior deputy administrator for operations Atty. Ferdinand Hernandez during the North Luzon Area Business Conference at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The conference, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI), gathered national government officials for trade, transportation, agriculture, infrastructure and human resources and over 300 businessmen in the region for a two-day meet to discuss how the region’s economic stakeholders could raise global competitiveness in Northern Philippines.

“Also, our new container handling facility in Subic complements the Philippine government’s over-all infrastructure development plan for the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, especially the requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon,” he added.

SBITC, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and operator of Subic’s New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1), and the SBMA have been jointly marketing the Subic Bay Freeport as the prime trade link in Northern Philippines. Subic’s proximity to the economic zones of Northern and Central Luzon makes it the ideal international trading gateway in the region.

“With our strategic location, world class port infrastructure, competitive port tariffs, and the expertise of an international port operator, Subic is ready and positioned to serve industrial locators in the region. Thanks to the newly opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, trucking transit times and fees are significantly reduced with Subic as gateway. Unlike other ports located in metropolitan areas in Luzon, Subic is traffic jam-free and has no truck ban,” Hernandez added.

Some 3,000 families from Iloilo City are expected to benefit from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), an anti-poverty program of the national government, according to city executive assistant Ma. Mathilde Octavio.

Octavio, however, explained that before the beneficiaries will be given their cash grants they would first serve as respondents to the impact evaluation of the 4Ps program.

The beneficiaries shall come from one barangay which is yet to be identified by the city government as a study area upon the request of the National Project Management Office of the 4Ps.

“As study area, the release of cash grant shall be deferred for one year and beneficiaries will become the subject of comparative study between those receiving the cash grant and those who are not,” DSWD regional director Teresita Rosales, in her letter to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, said.

The potential beneficiaries will benefit from the program after one year for a period of five years, she added.

During the orientation about the program, Octavio relayed that families whose income is below poverty line are the target beneficiaries.

A maximum of three children from each family will avail of the grant.

“Each child will receive P300 for education and health and another P500 will be given for the entire family,” Octavio explained.

The potential beneficiaries will be chosen by representatives of the city government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, (DSWD) City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education, enumerators and officials of the barangay where the potential beneficiaries reside. - PNA

After improvement has been done on road conditions, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday said it is now mulling the imposition of a speed limit on the 24-kilometer stretch Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando tasked the MMDA traffic engineering center to find out if there’s an observable relationship between the agency’s enhanced Organized Bus Route (OBR) system and traffic regulations like reckless driving and yellow lane policies and safety before an appropriate speed limit could be applied.

But as the study is still ongoing, the MMDA chief said there is yet no speed limit on EDSA which, he said, is supposed to be a “non-stop highway.” Because of this, he said that motorists must be able to stop their vehicles within the line of sight.

“I am appealing to motorists to adhere to a US-based road safety organization’s core belief that in the absence of a speed limit, they should always ensure that they can stop comfortably on their own side of the road within the distance that they know to be clear,” he said.

Presidential aspirant Fernando began considering the imposition of the speed limit following the mishap early morning Tuesday on Santolan st. and EDSA that left an optometrist dead and four others injured.

Dr. Francisco Sarabia of Marikina City was burned to death when the Mercedes Benz he was driving burst into flames after it was hit by a speeding passenger bus. - PNA

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said the recall petition against Pampanga Governor Eduardo Panlilio will be forwarded to the Commission en banc early next week.

Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bartolome Sinocruz said they are in the process of reviewing the documents of the petition, and after the evaluation they will submit it to the Commission en banc.

On Tuesday, the Comelec main office in Manila received the petition from their provincial office in Pampanga.

Sinocruz said they are now checking the authenticity of the signatures of people, who are pushing for the recall polls, if the names contain in the petition are really registered voters of Pampanga.

Last week, supporters of defeated gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda filed a recall petition at the local Comelec office claiming they have already gathered almost 20,000 signatures.

Panlilio's victory was widely acknowledged as a “miracle run” since he had won over two well-known politicians in the province, Pineda and Mark Lapid, who was then the incumbent governor. - PNA

Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. on Wednesday received a subpoena to appear in the Senate investigation of the so-called “euro generals” on Thursday (Oct. 23).

Gonzalez said it was possible he would be asked about government policies regarding the travel abroad of government officials.

He said he ordered by the Senate to bring along all his issuances pertaining to travel abroad of the personnel of the department.

"Euro generals" was the tagged given to retired Philippine National Police (PNP) comptroller Eliseo dela Paz and other officers who attended the recent International Police (Interpol) conference in St. Petersburg in Russia.

Dela Paz was detained in Moscow airport after Russian customs authorities found in his possession P6.9 million worth of euros, purportedly a contingency fund of the PNP Interpol delegates.

According to Gonzalez, it was his first time to hear about contingency fund in a foreign travel.

He added that “cash advances” are allowed to authorized government officials who are on official trip abroad to defray their travel expenses, e.g. hotel accommodations.

However, Gonzalez pointed out that cash advances are limited to certain amount, depending on the policy of the agency. - PNA

An official from the Department of Agriculture announced the government is planning to hike the price of yellow corn anew to stimulate production and complement the swine and poultry industry.

"We have recently approved a higher buying price for yellow corn at P11.50 per kilo. We are studying further increase of P1.50 to make it at par with (the price of) white corn at P13 per kilo," DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup informed farmers and National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST) officials during the Philippine Agriculture 2020 roundtable discussions at the Traders Hotel in Pasay City.

Farmers needed incentives to increase their production of yellow corn, the main ingredient for animal feeds manufacturing.

Agriculture officials are expected to endorse this move at the next meeting of the National Food Authority Council.

The domestic swine and poultry industries are highly dependent on imported yellow corn and feed wheat, soybean meal, fish meal and breeding stocks.

The department is considering a price increase, most likely P1.50 per kilo for yellow corn, in response to the farmers' clamor for better support price.

Yellow corn effectively accounts for about one-third of the total cost of production and thus its regular supply is a major determinant of the productivity and competitiveness of swine and poultry

NAST president Emil Javier said that the government and its agriculture research arm is also trying to develop hybrid of yellow corn with novel high quality protein train to produce competitive supply of swine and poultry products. - PNA

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has directed parish priests in the Archdiocese of Manila to remit the 25-centavo coins they have collected for the project of the Catholic Church, Pondo ng Pinoy, so as not to cause shortage of the coins.

“We wish to remind parish priests not to hoard the coins in their parish offices or rectories but to remit them as soon as possible to the Pondo ng Pinoy Office. You may even call the Officer or the bank to pick up the collections,” he said, in a circular dated October 10.

He earlier asked the priests under the Archdiocese to immediately turn-over the coins to the archdiocese or bank after he was informed about the delayed remittance of the coins.

“I was told by somebody from Bangko Sentral that the Pondo ng Pinoy project was doing a disservice to the communities because parish priests were keeping the coins longer than necessary,” he said.

At the same time, the circular has authorized priests to collect the Pondo ng Pinoy bottles in various establishments that are under their jurisdiction.

“For this reason, therefore, we, in the name of Pondo ng Pinoy Community Foundation, authorize all parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila to collect Pondo ng Pinoy bottles from offices, schools, malls and other institutions within their jurisdiction,” he added. - PNA

The Supreme Court (SC) has deferred the issuance of a temporary restraining order stopping the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

In their petition, Akbayan and the environment, fishers and workers' groups claimed that the Senate gravely abused its discretion when it ratified the JPEPA despite its supposedly unconstitutional provisions.

Respondents in the petition are Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. and the 15 senators who voted for the approval of the JPEPA and the government officials who will directly be involved in the agreement's implementation.

They are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

The petitioners said that under the JPEPA, toxic and hazardous wastes would be allowed to enter the country -- "a violation of the constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology."

They further said that the JPEPA would allow foreign ownership of Philippine private lands in all sectors except manufacturing and services.

They argued that it would also allow corporations with 40 percent Japanese capital to engage in deep-sea fishing activities together with the Philippine government via joint venture agreements, production sharing agreements or co-production agreements â€" "a violation of the constitutional rule which reserves the utilization and enjoyment of the nation's marine wealth to Filipino citizens." - PNA

Experts warned that cell phone users may get a skin rash in reaction to the nickel in their cell phones, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Doctors baffled by an unexplained rash on people`s ears or cheeks should be on alert for a skin allergy caused by too much mobile phone use, the British Association of Dermatologists said.

Citing published studies, the group said a red or itchy rash, known as "mobile phone dermatitis," affects people who develop an allergic reaction to the nickel surface on mobile phones after spending long periods of time on the devices.

"It is worth doctors bearing this condition in mind if they see a patient with a rash on the cheek or ear that cannot otherwise be explained," it said.

The British group said many doctors were unaware mobile phones could cause the condition.

Safety concerns over mobile phones has grown as more people rely on them for everyday communication, although the evidence to date has given the technology a clean bill of health when it comes to serious conditions like brain cancer.

"In mobile phone dermatitis, the rash would typically occur on the cheek or ear, depending on where the metal part of the phone comes into contact with the skin," the group said in a statement. - PNA

Filipino peacekeepers bear the brutal consequences of the “continued sale, flow and proliferation” of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) that find their way in the highly volatile countries where the volunteers are deployed by the United Nations.

These countries include Afghanistan, Cote d' Ivoire, Darfur, Georgia, Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia, Nepal, Sudan and Timor-Leste, where peace and order are presently maintained by the UN through more than 600 peacekeepers of mostly Filipino policemen and soldiers, according to Ambassador Hilario Davide of the Philippine mission to the United Nations in New York.

SALWs threaten the security of hundreds of Filipino peacekeepers deployed overseas, Davide said Wednesday at the United Nations. He renewed calls for the elimination of such weapons, seeing them as a constant threat to the lives of hardworking peacekeepers.

“The Philippines as one of the largest contributors of peacekeepers to the UN would like to see the elimination of these types of weapons since they could end up harming our troops while they are serving abroad carrying out the mandate of the 192-member United Nations,” said Davide.

Davide expressed the Philippines’ “deep concern” over the illicit flow of small arms and added that “given their mass spread and proliferation, SALWs have killed and maimed a great number of combatants and innocent civilians alike.” - PNA

The Philippines, together with other members of the United Nations, had adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which is to eradicate poverty by 2015.

National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Assistant Secretary Dolores de Quiros Castillo, at a press conference of "Stand Up Take Action" Campaign at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, called on Congress for the passage of the proposed P246-billion pro-poor budget for 2009 in order for the Philippines to meet its MDG target.

"Halfway towards the Millennium Development Goals’ target date of 2015, our nation is well on its way to attaining most of our millennium objectives. We, however, lag behind in terms of achieving universal primary education and improving maternal health," she said.

"The attainment of these two fundamental goals will require massive public investments -- and it is precisely for this reason that our agency is now batting for the approval of the government’s proposed P246 billion pro-poor budget for 2009," she added.

Under the proposed budget, Castillo said, includes programs that ensures adequate food for the poor, better education and social welfare services, and comprehensive health program.

"These are all crucial to the attainment of the MDGs," she stressed.

There are eight goals in the MDG that is relevant to the Philippines -- eradicate poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development. - PNA

The employment opportunities for Filipinos expatriates remain secure despite the global financial crisis, even as the government continues to identify and develop new labor markets abroad, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.

In her speech at the closing session of the 34th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) and Expo this morning (Wednesday) at the Manila Hotel, the President said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reported that so far there has been no “displacements of expatriates related to the financial crisis.”

The President said that Filipino expatriates such as teachers, nurses, caregivers and IT-related workers are insulated “even if the US economy worsens.”

She pointed out that the “enrolment of two million expats in the Middle East remains secure. The employment of 500,000 expats in Europe is also secure and stable so far. And aside from the booming Middle East market, overseas employment opportunities are emerging in other expatriate markets.”

She said that aside from the booming Middle East market, employment opportunities for Filipinos are also emerging in such countries as Canada and Australia, each of which is expected to open 30,000 job opportunities in the next two years, and New Zealand, 10,000.

The President added that another 20,000 jobs would be available to Filipinos starting in 2010 when the US naval base in Okinawa begins transferring to Guam.

In any case, the President assured that the government would not be caught flatfooted without contingency plans for Filipino overseas workers in the midst of the uncertainties arising from the global crisis. - PNA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday urged the country’s top business leaders to look beyond the current worldwide financial debacle and seize the opportunities provided by their niche markets.

In her speech at the close of the 34th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday, the President said that as hard as the blow the financial crisis has dealt on the global economy, it has also created opportunities for the fiscally strong economies.

“Similarly, in the private sector â€" your world â€" this is the time for business groups to take advantage of the strength and financial liquidity of our banking system to expand your role in your respective markets,” she told the PBC.

“Equally important to financial strength is the ability to decide and move quickly -- the road between a decision to invest and the actual writing of the check is fraught with uncertainty,” she added.

The President cited the Middle East as the “bastion of wealth with both financial capacity and decisiveness. They have oil and they have governments with unified commands.”

She said she’s going to the Middle East before Christmas to look for business opportunities and open more jobs for Filipino workers, as she invited the country’s leading businessmen to join her in her trip.

The Philippines can take advantage of the continuing construction boom in Arab nations that are awash with oil revenues coming from the high oil prices of the last five years, she said. - PNA

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo welcomed today the proposal of the business sector to put up a P100-billion public-private sector fund to bankroll infrastructure projects under the government’s Comprehensive Integrated Investment Program (CIIP) in 2008-2010.

At the closing meeting of the 34th Philippine Business Conference (PBC) and Expo on Wednesday at the Manila Hotel, the President said the proposal of Ambassador Donald Dee, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), to establish a P100-billion funding facility would promote enhanced private sector participation in government infrastructure projects under the P2-trillion CIIP.

The CIIP, the President said, is an expanded infrastructure portion of the Medium-Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP) which contains a catalogue of projects that can be funded by both public and private sectors.

“Under the 2008-2010 CIIP, the transport sector has the highest investment share at 38 percent or P755 billion out of the P2 trillion total investment requirement that we would want to put up in case of a recession in the US economy,” the President said. - PNA

“We’ve known for a long time that this day was coming, and now it’s here: Countries are finally realizing that their future prosperity depends not on natural resources or even on financial capital, but on human capital. Companies have been battling for years to attract and keep the best people. Now countries are engaging in the same fight.”  - Geoff Colvin, Fortune Magazine

Wolfing down meals may be enough to nearly double a person's risk of being overweight, Japanese research suggests.

Osaka University scientists looked at the eating habits of 3,000 people and reported their findings in the British Medical Journal.

Problems in signalling systems which tell the body when to stop eating may be partly responsible, said a UK nutrition expert.

He said deliberately slowing down at mealtimes might impact on weight.

The latest study looked at the relationship between eating speed, feelings of "fullness" and being overweight.

Just under half of the 3,000 volunteers told researchers they tended to eat quickly. - BBC

As if queuing for ages, emptying pockets and taking off shoes at the airport was not enough - now there are fears images of European airline passengers will be flashing up on a computer screen in all their glory - minus their clothes.

The European Commission insists the proposals are at an early stage and would not be mandatory.

But there are nonetheless concerns among some in the European Parliament about the effect the scanners could have on human rights, data protection and personal dignity.

The images, while not quite of photo quality, do not leave much to the imagination.

For most people, airport security staff would likely get to know you rather better than you might like. - BBC

By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press Writer

A new $15 million veterinary hospital for four-legged military personnel opened Tuesday at Lackland Air Force Base, offering a long overdue facility that gives advanced medical treatment for combat-wounded dogs.

Dogs working for all branches of the military and the Transportation Safety Administration are trained at the base to find explosive devices, drugs and land mines. Some 2,500 dogs are working with military units.

Like soldiers and Marines in combat, military dogs suffer from war wounds and routine health issues that need to be treated to ensure they can continue working.

Dogs injured in Iraq or Afghanistan get emergency medical treatment on the battlefield and are flown to Germany for care. If necessary, they'll fly on to San Antonio for more advanced treatment â€" much like wounded human personnel.

By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer

More than 30 letters containing a suspicious powder were mailed to Chase bank branches and federal banking regulators' offices in nine cities, authorities said Tuesday in what was being investigated as a first, if extreme, public backlash over the nation's financial crisis.

Initial tests on the powder proved negative for poisonous or otherwise dangerous toxins, the FBI said. An FBI spokesman in Oklahoma, where eight letters turned up, said local preliminary assessments showed the powder was harmless calcium.

Additional tests were being run on the letters Tuesday as officials zeroed in on possible suspects near Amarillo, Texas, where the letters were postmarked.

"Most of these letters contain a powder substance with a threatening communication," the FBI said in a statement.

"Even sending a hoax letter is a serious crime," the FBI said.

A law enforcement official said the letters were mailed to Chase bank branches in or near Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Denver, Newark, N.J., New York City, Oklahoma City and Washington. They all appear to be from the same source and began showing up at the banks on Monday, according to the official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE, ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writers

Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.

The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.

In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006. In some other cases, she has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls.

Alaska law does not specifically address expenses for a governor's children. The law allows for payment of expenses for anyone conducting official state business.

Swapping fried and salty foods for fruit and veg could cut the global incidence of heart attacks by a third, a study of eating habits suggests.

Researchers analysed the diet of 16,000 people in 52 countries and identified three global eating patterns, Circulation journal reports.

The typical Western diet, high in fat, salt and meat, accounted for about 30% of heart attack risk in any population.

A "prudent" diet high in fruit and veg lowered heart risk by a third.

An Oriental diet, high in tofu, soy and other sauces, made no difference to heart attack risk. The researchers created a dietary risk score questionnaire based on 19 food groups and then asked 5,561 heart attack patients and 10,646 people with known heart disease to fill out their survey.

People who ate a Western diet had a 35% greater risk of having a heart attack than those who ate little or no fried foods and meat.

The typical Western diet has been widely linked to heart disease. High salt in the diet can raise blood pressure and the wrong type of fat can clog blood vessels.

Investigating overall eating patterns is more true to life than looking at intake of individual foods or nutrients. - BBC

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed she is "supporting" her friend Madonna through her divorce from husband Guy Ritchie.

At the UK premiere of her film, Two Lovers, she said: "She's a very good friend. I'm supporting her in all the ways that I can. I'm just there."

The pair, who have been friends for years, both married British men and share a love for yoga.

Paltrow's new film is about a heartbroken man torn between two women.

Vast fortune

The star, who is due to start work on Iron Man II next year, said she had no intention of overworking.

"I'll never do the five-movies-a-year thing ever again but one or two good ones, I'm game."

Last week, Madonna and film director Ritchie announced they were splitting up after nearly eight years of marriage.

The couple, who are reportedly worth around £300m, with the majority earned by Madonna, have a seven-year-old son called Rocco.

Ritchie has also helped to raise Madonna's 12-year-old daughter, Lourdes.

The pair also adopted three-year-old David Banda from Malawi in 2006. - BBC News

Computer criminals could soon be eavesdropping on what you type by analysing the electromagnetic signals produced by every key press.

By analysing the signals produced by keystrokes, Swiss researchers have reproduced what a target typed.

The security researchers have developed four attacks that work on a wide variety of computer keyboards.

The results led the researchers to declare keyboards were "not safe to transmit sensitive information".

Better attacks

The attacks were dreamed up by doctoral students Martin Vuagnoux and Sylvain Pasini from the Security and Cryptography Laboratory at the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL).

The EPFL students tested 11 different keyboard models that connected to a computer via either a USB or a PS/2 socket. The attacks they developed also worked with keyboards embedded in laptops.

Every keyboard tested was vulnerable to at least one of the four attacks the researchers used. One attack was shown to work over a distance of 20 metres.

In their work the researchers used a radio antenna to "fully or partially recover keystrokes" by spotting the electromagnetic radiation emitted when keys were pressed.

In a web posting they added: "no doubt that our attacks can be significantly improved, since we used relatively unexpensive equipments [sic]." - BBC News

My older brother died of leukemia more than two decades ago. I hope Leo would be able to hurdle this difficulty.

Leo, please do pray as we are praying for you. In God, there is nothing impossible. Jesus Christ is willing to heal you. Come to Him and ask for His divine healing and touch.

Friends, let us keep this thread updated. Anyone in Bohol, please post more info about Leo's condition. Thank you.

Quote from: preciousNpolite on October 21, 2008, 08:17:27 PM
Mike with your new looks and age in your ID picture you look like you would be worth giving her a chance!
Ha ha ha!  Just Kidding!

Sorry Priscilla, I'm already taken.

Diha koy gikaestorya sauna na babae nga nanganti nga dili gyud magminyo bisan matuwad pa daw ang kalibutan ug unsa pa tong mga panumpa nga dili gyud.

Sunod namo kita naa na sya anak and she was already married to her boyfriend. Akong gisukmatan ngano nausob iyang panglantaw sa kinabuhi.

"Times change."

Swimming With Barracuda in Bohol Island. Photo by Michael Sze of Flickr.com

Solitude On A Bohol Sunset

Some 28 owners of illegal  connections along CPG Avenue and San Jose St. have shown voluntary interest to cut off their unauthorized drainage lines in the presence of representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 

This developed amidst the raging dispute over the controversial drainage problem between City Mayor Dan Neri Lim and the Bohol Chronicle/DYRD twin media enterprise.

What provoked the media attack given the city mayor’s position on the drainage issue was that he hates to be dictated by anyone including media firms.

The furious exchange between two powerful interests already escalated into a daily basis with the Chronicle expected to dish out another heavy dosage of bombast in today’s issue of the paper. From Station DYRD, Mayor Lim abandoned his highly rated Mayor’s Report every Saturday and settled into the waiting arms of Station DYTR. His TR program is entitled “Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan”. This weekly program is on top of his daily Barangay Patrol and “Mas Maayong Buntag” also at DYTR.

During Mayor Lim’s radio program yesterday, the city mayor  again took potshots to its favorite whipping boy, the twin media outfit.

Gov. Erico Aumentado broke the news to the Post last night about the willingness of the 28 illegal connectors to do away with their drainage link.

The owners of the illegal drainage taps expressed interest of a voluntary cut off a day after they were sent notices of disconnection by  Provincial Natural Environment Officer (PENRO) Nestor Canda. The notices were sent to erring drainage connectors last. Sept. 23.

Canda was expected to deliver the list of the 28 illegal connection owners to the residence of the governor anytime yesterday.

With DENR Sec. Lito Atienza in town yesterday, it was possible that he was informed by Canda about this good news.

Sec. Atienza in a previous Bohol trip was already informed by Mayor Lim what hampered the free flow of storm water to an out fall purposely constructed in the shoreline near the Shell depot. The secretary made no reservations in his order to Canda to cut off the illegal drainage connection pronto!

According to Gov. Aumentado, with the 28 willing to disconnect voluntarily what remains is a modest figure of nine illegal connectors. The voluntary disconnection  was an encouraging development on the part of Mayor Lim because it happens even if he has not lifted a finger to disconnect the illegal taps.

It was Aumentado and Lim who coordinated with Canda to cut off the illegal connection when they meet two weeks ago to address the city’s nagging drainage problem. - Bohol Sunday Post

Police Supt. Julius Caesar Gornez, Tagbilaran City Police Chief, yesterday said he was alarmed by the clutter of dilapidated fishing vessels along the shoreline of sitio Ubos.

The particular area where they are located is the back of the old city hall.

The sight of abandoned motor boats caught the attention of the city police chief during the massive coastal clean-up  two weeks ago.

According to Supt. Gornez, the possibility of using the broken down vessels as sanctuary of criminal elements after pulling off a caper in this city, is not remote.

The clutter of abandoned vessels have been used as temporary or permanent shelter of some transient city residents.

Occupying these dilapidated vessels are mostly candle vendors plying their trade at the St. Joseph Cathedral.

In expressing alarm over the shoreline eyesore, the city police chief  said he will initiate the clean up of the area. He said he was bothered by the vessels presence at the back of the old city hall.

Not only that it was unsightly to see the  old motor boats, they also posed sanitation problem in the place. - Sunday Post

Maayo unta ug makaanak akong asawa ug ing-ani ka daghan. It's a blessing from heaven to have many kids.

'There are lots of things about England I love, but my husband isn't one of them,' says Madonna as she plans to stay in UK.

Madonna has vowed to stay in London despite the acrimony of her divorce with Guy Ritchie.

The 50-year-old singer was expected to flee to New York with her three children following the breakdown of her 7-and-a-half year marriage to the film director.

However Madonna has become emotionally attached to the capital and fears uprooting Lourdes, 12, Rocco, 7 and two-year-old David who are all said to be happy living in Britain. - source: Daily Mail

By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Oscar De La Hoya knows he will be facing the “best Manny Pacquiao ever.”

The scary thing is the 10-time world champion is doing something about it.

The Golden Boy’s boyhood buddy, GBP vice president Eric Gomez said his 35-year-old boss already knows of the plan to invade into his aging midsection, before bringing the juggernaut to his movie star face.

“Oscar’s preparing to fight the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He’s getting ready with everything in mind, I mean, he’s [saying the Pacquiao is] gonna hit me in the body, my face, anywhere so I gotta prepare for that, so stuff like that doesn’t bother him. He’s a veteran,” Gomez told dzSR sports radio recently.

There won’t be any secret strategies to be kept anymore from boxing’s biggest marquee names, he said, and that everything will come to a head only when Pacquiao and De La Hoya finally meet on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manny Pacquiao again pummeled his third sparring partner as he stepped up his training for his showdown with American superstar Oscar De La Hoya on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

A report from philboxing.com said junior middleweight Marcus McDaniels fell back against the ropes and dropped his hands, prompting the Filipino ring hero to stop the onslaught and ask his sparmate if he’s OK.

The kind gesture recalled a similar Pacquiao reaction after the Filipino sent David Diaz to the canvas for good during their June fight for the World Boxing Council lightweight championship.

“Pacquiao’s great concern for his sparmate demonstrated once again his human side,” said renowned dental specialist and boxing writer Ed De La Vega in the report.

Pacquiao overwhelmed the 154-pound McDaniels with his lightning-quick combinations before capping it with a left hook that jarred the 5-foot-10 slugger from New Orleans.

De La Vega said the Saturday afternoon incident left the small group of people who witnessed the closed-door session in a hush. It was the topic of their discussion until the Filipino legend drove off after the workout.

Quote from: Asianfairy2 on October 20, 2008, 10:26:15 PM
OT: Paging Mike or Ginger. Tabangi tawon ko para makasod kog balik sa daan nako nga username. Thanks a million.

Hi Alicia, to request a new password, Click Here.

Your password will then be emailed to the email you used in the registration of Asianfairy. Please check your SPAM folder since the email might not reach your inbox.

By Jesus F. Llanto, abs-cbnnews.com/Newsbreak

Batanes, the smallest province in terms of land area and population, is also one of the most peaceful places in the country and its almost empty jails are the proof.

Unlike most areas in the Philippines, Batanes remains to be one of the places with lowest crime rate. Incidence of index crimes is uncommon and most of those arrested are those only caught violating ordinances like using bicycles without early warning device.

Eduardo Dasilao of the Batanes provincial office of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the occupants of the provincial jail are just the three Vietnamese who were caught poaching in the island of Sabtang.

Illegal poaching is one of the major problems of Batanes. Lalaine Banares, chief of police of Basco said that poachers, who have larger vessels, usually go to Batanes waters whenever there are rough waves.

The absence of crimes, particularly those that are caused by poverty, can be attributed to the low poverty incidence in Batanes. The province recorded a zero percent poverty rate in 2006, data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

Most Ivatan, said local officials we interviewed, engage in agriculture and produce products and food for their own consumption

“You don’t even see a beggar here,” Dasilao told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak

Alcoholism

Police and health officials in the province, however, are alarmed over the high alcohol consumption among the Ivatans.  Banares said that drunk menâ€"some of them caught sleeping on the streetsâ€"are among those frequently arrested by the police.

The cool weather, especially during rainy season, said Batanes governor Telesforo Castillejos, is also a major factor. “Ivatans warm themselves by drinking.”

Dr. Jeffrey Canceran of the Batanes General Hospital told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak that around 2,600 bottles of alcohol a month are sold in the province.

The local business process outsourcing (BPO) market will remain robust despite the global financial turmoil, but it will face HR challenges--particularly talent shortage and higher salary demand--as the sector copes with surging growth.

This is the prognosis presented by Canada-headquartered IT research firm XMG, noting that the decade-high inflation rate in the Philippines -- at 11.4 percent--may push BPO workers to turn to their employers or the job market, in a bid to increase their pay to compensate for the rising cost of living.

In a report released by XMG stated that call center, IT and BPO companies in Metro Manila should brace themselves for increasing employee sentiments to have their salary reviewed to combat inflation.

Citing figures from the latest XMG Employment Lifestyle Index, the research firm noted that over 73 percent of respondents expressed a need for increased compensation from their employers. The index was conducted in the third quarter of 2008 and polled 100 ICT professionals working in Metro Manila. - source: Global Services Media

By Karen Lema
Reuters and Forbes

The Philippines said on Monday it had a budget deficit of 21.6 billion pesos ($449 million) in September as spending increased under government plans to spur growth to shield the economy from the global financial crisis.

The latest figures brought the government's fiscal shortfall in the first nine months to 53.4 billion pesos, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves told a news conference.

Last year, the government reported a budget deficit of 14.5 billion pesos in September and a deficit of 40 billion pesos in January to September.

The Philippines expects growth this year to brake to 4.4-4.9 percent against a previous target of 5.5 to 6.4 percent as the global credit crisis dampens demand for the country's exports.

The government has a budget deficit target of 75 billion pesos this year against a 2007 shortfall of 12.4 billion pesos.

A leftist rebel will get 120,000 pesos (2,500 U.S. dollars) as a reward from the Philippine government if he abandons his rebellion life and surrenders his M-16 assault rifle, a government official said on Sunday.

Of the total, 50,000 pesos (1,040 dollars) is for the M-16 assault rifle, a common firearm of the New People's Army, said Hermogenes Esperon, presidential peace adviser of the Philippines.

The other 70,000 pesos (1,460) will be provided as livelihood assistance for each of the guerillas who return to the fold of the law.

"The amount is more than enough for a former rebel to start his or her own small business," the former military chief said in a statement.

On the other hand, the Philippine military has vowed to defeat the leftist rebels before 2010 as ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), with some 5,400 guerrilla fighters throughout the country. - Source

Somali pirates hijacked a Philippines-managed bulk carrier with 21 sailors aboard yesterday, a maritime watchdog said.

Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's (IMB) piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur, told AFP pirates boarded the vessel at 0344 GMT in the notorious Gulf of Aden.

"The ship was sailing from the Middle East to Asia," he said. Last week Somali pirates seized a Greek tanker and separately attacked a World Food Programme-chartered ship.

According to the IMB, 73 ships have been attacked off Somalia since January 11 of which are still being held for ransom. Pirates are holding more than 200 crewmembers.

The Philippines said yesterday it supported establishing a coalition of naval forces off Somalia to prevent the hijacking of foreign vessels, many of which have Filipino crews. - News Source

Controlling the level of a fatty acid in the brain could help treat Alzheimer's disease, an American study has suggested.

Tests on mice showed that reducing excess levels of the acid lessened animals' memory problems and behavioural changes.

Writing in Nature Neuroscience, the team said fatty acid levels could be controlled through diet or drugs.

A UK Alzheimer's expert called the work "robust and exciting".

There are currently 700,000 people living with dementia in the UK, but that number is forecast to double within a generation.

Over-stimulation

Scientists from Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and the University of California looked at fatty acids in the brains of normal mice and compared them with those in mice genetically engineered to have an Alzheimer's-like condition.

They identified raised levels of a fatty acid called arachidonic acid in the brains of the Alzheimer's mice. - BBC

Entertainment company Sony has postponed the global release of a much-anticipated video game because of concerns that it may offend Muslims.

Copies of LittleBigPlanet are being recalled from shops worldwide after it emerged that a background music track contained two phrases from the Koran.

Sony says it apologises for any offence caused, and that a modified version is due to be released next month.

The game is expected to be a hit for the PlayStation 3 games console.

A contributor to an online games forum reported the presence of the phrases from the Koran, adding that mixing music and words from Islam's most holy text could be considered deeply offensive by Muslims.

'Sincerely apologise'

A statement on the LittleBigPlanet website said: "We're sure that most of you have heard by now that one of the background music tracks that was licensed from a record label for use in the game contains two expressions that can be found in the Koran.

"We have taken immediate action to rectify this and we sincerely apologise for any offence this may have caused."

In June 2007, Sony apologised to the Church of England after setting scenes in a violent video game inside Manchester Cathedral. On that occasion the game was not withdrawn. - BBC News

By Charlie Lagasca
Philippine Star

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will hold a dialogue with transport and consumer groups, oil companies and other interested sectors on Nov. 4 regarding government plans for a fare rollback in the wake of the continuous downtrend in world oil prices.

The dialogue is in answer to a petition filed by a consumer group seeking the reduction of jeepney, bus and taxi fares owing to the plunge in petroleum prices

“There has been continuous sentiment from commuters for a fare rollback, but this is being opposed by the transport sector. That’s why we have to study the issue very carefully and with fairness to all sectors,” said LTFRB chair Thompson Lantion.

Transport groups led by the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) earlier warned Malacañang not to engage in an early Christmas gimmick by ordering a fare rollback.

In their Sept. 19 petition, the National Council for Commuters Protection Inc. (NCCPI), led by its president Elvira Medina, said the steady decline in world pump prices has made a fare rollback necessary.

Medina’s group batted for a reduction of P1.50 from the current jeepney fare and P2 from the bus fare, stressing that there is “factual and legal basis” for this.

In their petition, the group said that despite the suggested rollback, a jeepney driver would still be earning a daily net income of P500 based on a computation of 10 trips for a 22-seater jeepney at a reduced minimum fare of P7 each and a pump price of P44 per liter.

By Michael Punongbayan
Philippine Star

Relatives and friends of those who perished in the 2007 Glorietta 2 mall explosion returned to the site of the tragedy in Makati City yesterday to remember and pray for their loved ones.

Hundreds of candles and flowers were laid at the place where a powerful explosion killed 11 people and injured scores of other shoppers and bystanders exactly a year after the unfortunate incident.

Some wept as they recalled how they lost their loved ones in a blast that authorities have claimed was caused by a methane gas explosion from the basement of the shopping mall.

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) officials led by founding chairman Dante Jimenez joined them in the activity.

“Based on the Filipino tradition of pagbabang luksa, we came here today to remember those who died and were injured. We pray for them,” Jimenez said.

Thanks Grace for posting Aya's wish. We will all help each other to fulfill Aya's commitment to reach out the less fortunate.

Quote from: gelyan on October 20, 2008, 10:27:40 AM
sa friendster lang nako gikuha mike.. ty

Okay ra Gelyan as long as naay image location.

By Rainier Allan Ronda
Philippine Star

The government is investigating whether the Marcos family owns huge tracts of land in Texas and Colorado, which Marcos associate Jose Yao Campos was able to shield from sequestration.

Narciso Nario, Presidential Commission on Good Government officer-in-charge, said Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera led a PCGG-Office of the Solicitor General team to check promising leads on the possible existence of Marcos properties in these two states when they went to the United States to look into the status of the $37-million Arelma account in the New York stock brokerage firm Merrill Lynch.

“From what they learned, they have recommended that we retain lawyers there to follow up on it,” he said.

Nario said that the tracts of land, a big portion of which are in Texas, could even include properties that are oil-rich.
“It’s very promising,” he said.

Campos, founder of the giant United Laboratories, had entered into a compromise agreement with the PCGG in 1986 to escape criminal prosecution.

He surrendered to the government companies that hold majority shares in the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and the Independent Realty Corp. that has as one of its subsidiaries the Mid Pasig Land Development Corp. that owns the 18-hectare Payanig sa Pasig.

IRC also owns a building along EDSA in front of the SM Megamall which currently serves as the PCGG head office.

By Aurea Calica
Philippine Star

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed a bill that would require fast food chains, restaurants, and other food service establishments to post the nutritional content of their menu items in their stores.

“At present, consumers are unable to make informed choices as to which menu item is more nutritious as opposed to others in food service establishments, leading to unhealthy eating patterns,” Santiago said.

Senate Bill 2682, also known as Nutritional Content in Menu Boards Act, aims to increase consumers’ awareness when eating in restaurants or fast food outlets.

Santiago said that putting calorie and nutrient information on menu and menu boards would fulfill the constitutional mandate for the state to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

“Nutrient content information provided at the time of food selection in food service establishments would enable consumers to make more informed, healthier choices and can reasonably be expected to reduce the many related health problems uninformed choices make,” she said.

Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has joined her mimic in a much anticipated appearance on the US comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Tina Fey's impersonations of Sarah Palin have proved a hit with millions of Americans, thanks in part to her resemblance to the Alaskan governor.

On the show, Mrs Palin showed she could join in on the jokes at her expense.

She played it straight as Fey took her off, bopped to a comical rap and delivered SNL's famous opening line.

'Garbage truck'

The NBC show began with a fake news conference where her spokesman told journalists "no recording devices and don't write anything down."

"I am looking forward to a portion of your questions," she said, a jibe at the way the Republican vice presidential candidate - and other politicians - have avoided answering a number of questions during the election campaign. - BBC

Dutch banking and insurance company ING is to receive a 10bn euro ($13.4bn; £7.7bn) government cash injection.

The deal was agreed with the finance ministry and the central bank, which will give the government shares in ING.

The government will make at least 8.5% interest per share. The bank has said it expects to make a 500m euro ($670m; £387m) third-quarter loss.

The government is to make 20bn euros available to protect the financial sector from the credit crisis.

ING is one of the world's largest banks, with more than 85 million customers worldwide, according to its website.

The bank has some 338bn euros in saving and current account deposits, Reuters news agency says, and offers banking, insurance, asset management, leasing and real estate services. - BBC News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ee-IcqY-4

How to win in an election: a Lakas-CMD Strategic Workshop. Video by Nestor Daarol

Grace and Hazel, the option is now available for all friends. Check back your profile to see the option.

BBC - US President George W Bush's first Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has endorsed Democratic election candidate Barack Obama for the White House.

Backing Mr Obama over John McCain, the Republican Party's choice to succeed Mr Bush in November, he said the Democrat had the "ability to inspire".

"All Americans... not just African-Americans" would be proud of an Obama win, he argued.

Mr McCain said he was not surprised at his "long-time friend's" decision.

He pointed out that other former secretaries of state had backed his own candidacy, naming them as Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig - all Republicans.

Barack Obama was "honoured" to have Mr Powell's support, campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding that the two men had spoken for 10 minutes by telephone.

"He said he looked forward to taking advantage of his advice in the next two weeks, and hopefully over the next four years," the spokesman added.

Bem, check back again. I have reset the option for all.

Here's the new way to upload avatar in your profile.

1. Upload your picture in flickr.com (highly recommended).
2. Once your picture is already uploaded in flickr.com, go to "all sizes" options in flickr, and choose "thumbnail."
3. Copy the image URL of the thumbnail picture.
4. Proceed to your Profile (Forum Profile Information)
5. Choose "I have my own picture" (option in the middle).
6. Paste the image URL in the box provided.
7. Click "Change Profile" button at the bottom page.

There you go...

Yugel Losorata
Manila Bulletin

After the success of OPM volumes "Senti" and "Signature" which have both touchingly provide authentic compilations of OPM greats from track one to last, Vicor Music and Viva Records have found their vault of OPM retro still very much loaded with pieces that today’s record buyers would definitely admire to get reacquainted with.

This time, the major local retro libraries have released two CDs that largely pay homage to the hits of artists whose voices were immortalized through their original songs that kept being revived since then.

Dubbed as "Pinoy Sound Trip" (Loaded with Retro Hits), the two-volume set of mostly Tagalog compositions boast of singles sang by names whose musical legacies are defined and sealed through songs now part of the songbook of music-loving Pinoys.

"The names featured in these albums deserve the salute for having recorded some of our soundtracks now valued as timeless," expressed a top executive from the merged record labels.

Songs like "O Lumapit Ka," "Paniwalaan," "Oh Babe," and "Yakap" are in the list as shoo-ins, considering their reputation as instant recall songs today’s artists have found as good materials to cover. The singers behind them, namely, Ella del Rosario, Blue Jeans, Sing Sing, and Junior have made OPM richer and made the standard of music-making forever high.

Along with the expected ones, hard-to-find songs that have remained in Filipino consciousness all these years also fill-up the album such as Pat Castillo’s "Aso’t Pusa", Pol Enriquez’s "Ayoko Na Sa’yo", Flippers’ "Pangako", and Pabs Dadivas’s "Kung Sakali."

Fresh U.S. episodes (FUSE) of ten hit American programs begin this month on Studio 23, which make them in current with new seasons aired in the US.

Leading the pack is the second season of the breakthrough series "Private Practice," topbilled by Kate Walsh, today (Oct. 19) at 8:45 p.m.

Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery (Walsh) and her newfound colleagues at Oceanside Medical Group are back for another drama-filled season with more exciting twists to watch out for.

See a stronger and bolder Addison as she takes a shot at romance once more and considers Pete’s (Tim Daly) request for a dateâ€" believing Officer Kevin Nelson (David Sutcliffe) is already out of her life.

Following "Private Practice" is the second season premiere of the critically acclaimed series "Dirty Sexy Money" on Sunday (Oct. 26) at 9:45 p.m.

The wealthy Darling family continues to be mixed up with the wrong people and embroiled in some bad situation as Nick, coping with his job of cleaning up all the family’s mess as their lawyer, awaits a devastating blow as a Darling will be arrested for murder.

Also, catch the second season of the Emmy-nominated "Samantha Who?" on Thursday (Oct. 30), 9 p.m. Samantha Newly (Applegate) continues her quest to rediscover herself after an accident caused her to have amnesia. Relying on the people who seem to have known her, Samantha is in for a ride as she slowly finds out the nasty and mean person that she isâ€" or was.

Other F.U.S.E shows have already begun its new offerings this month, which include "Grey’s Anatomy" Season 5 (Mondays, 8:30 p.m.), "Brother and Sisters" Season 3 (Mondays 9:30 p.m.), "Ugly Betty" Season 3 (Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m.)," "Smallville" Season 8 (Wednesdays, 9:30 p.m.), and "Desperate Housewives" Season 5 (Thursdays, 9:30 p.m.). - Manila Bulletin

By Gypsy Baldovino

When "Marimar" graced Philippine television in 1994, it gave the local soaps a bad name with its fast storytelling and oh-so charming plot.

And no sooner had the Filipinos found a new get-together activity in the evening aside from the traditional angelus.

The man behind the cultural phenomenon is Jose Maria Gonzalez, otherwise known as Jose Mari, the matinee idol of the early 60s.

"I was looking for a series that could be pitted against the prime time shows of major networks," he says. "Kasi noon, we have ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ which I wanted to be dubbed in tagalog but the management wouldn’t allow me. Imagine, the show would run for five years, daily? Paanong hindi kakagatin ng tao ‘yon?

Until he saw "Marimar" and his gut said "ito na." He was willing to risk his career and those who disagree to tagalize the series were free to resign.

"I got ‘Marimar’ for free," he admits. "Ang kapalit lang was two spots from Procter and Gamble. Nung wala na ako sa RPN 9, hinayaan nilang mapunta sa Channel 2 yung ‘Maria Mercedes,’ when it was offered to them for only five thousand dollars kahit tinatawaran ng 30 thousand dollars ng Dos, por que kami nga ang nagpasikat kay ‘Marimar.’ Five thousand dollars lang, hindi nila kinuha."

Who would have thought that a seemingly innocent pin-up boy of the 60s would change the landscape of pinoy soap opera?

Looking back, Mr. Gonzalez can only smile when he assumed his post as President of RPN 9. "Akala nila, artista lang ako. When they learned that I was an electronics and communications engineer, na- shock yung mga empleyado doon."

It was exactly the same response when he first entered the movies in 1959 as a ‘17-year-old teen idol.’ Truth be told, not only was he a La Salle graduate, he was also a licensed pilot, VP of a family â€" owned corporation and owner of four other companies. And he was 24.

South Korea's government has agreed to guarantee foreign-currency borrowing by the country's banks to help stabilise financial markets.

The finance ministry, the central bank and the financial services commission said about $100bn of borrowing would be covered by the package.

The government will also provide $30bn of liquidity to banks, and there will be more aid to small businesses.

South Korea's economy is the third largest in Asia and 13th in the world.

It enjoys major export success in a number of manufacturing industries, but especially shipbuilding, car-making, and electronics.

However, the country has appeared particularly vulnerable to the global credit crisis because its banks lacked sufficient dollars to service maturing foreign debt. - BBC News

Everybody’s favorite "madder," Ricky Reyes, will once again brighten up your Sunday mornings with a new show on QTV.

Aptly titled the "Life and Style with Ricky Reyes," the hour-long chat feature everything and anything about beauty, fashion and of course, the celebrity lifestyle.

"It’s a no-holds barred chickahan with the best dressed and the most accomplished women in town, "said Mader Ricky. "It’s like having a light but interesting conversation with them."

Among the women that Mader Ricky will be chatting with are former first lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos, GMA Network’s big boss Wilma Galvante, fashion icon Tessa Prieto-Valdez, and beauty guru Cory Quirino.

"What I like about the show is that the guests are free to talk about anything," Mader Ricky said. "We can talk about what’s hot in fashion and entertainment. We can talk about love and relationships. We can talk about inspiring stories. Anything that is fun and interesting."

But of course, "Life and Style with Ricky Reyes" is not just pure chat fest. After all, what would be a Ricky Reyes show without his trademark beauty beauty makeovers? This time, however, he will treat his models not only with new hairdo but with entirely new look. "In the segment Great Hair days, we aim not only to make ordinary women beautiful and glamorous but more importantly we want them to have a life changing experience," Mader said. Indeed, in a span of hour, the model of the day is given a new hairstyle, a fabulous make-up, a chic wardrobe, and in effect a better outlook in life.

And since the "Life and Style with Ricky Reyes" is a lifestyle show, it also keeps track of what’s happening around the metropolis. With the segments Sosyalan Blues, Mader Ricky’s social correspondent manila socialites Ms. Becky Garcia and GRR one-on-one Lifestyles editors of all newspapers and glossy magazines Ms. Ivy Mendoza, Ms. Thelma San Juan and Ms. Sari Yap would have a one on one with Mader Ricky and talk about the happenings, events: From product launches to fashion shows, from exclusive parties to art gatherings and whatever is the latest! - Manila Bulletin

Crispina Martinez-Belen
Manila Bulletin

We found out to our amazement that in the Senate there are more than enough talents to make up for a big show every time they have an event like the 92nd anniversary of the Philippine Senate.

The event, billed as "One Family (An Evening with the Senators and their Families)" was spearheaded by the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (with Rep. Cynthia A. Villar as president for the third term already), and was held last Oct. 7 at the very elegant Ang Maynila Restaurant of the historic Manila Hotel.

On hand to welcome the guests led by former President Joseph Estrada and former Senator Loi Ejercito were Senate President and Mrs. Manny Villar . The senator commended the SSPI for making the event possible. It was a formal affair and the lady senators, the senators’ wives and former senators were a sight to behold in their beautiful gowns.

The event was also a reunion of the present set of legislators with the former senators, as well as an occasion to honor those individuals and their companies who’ve always supported the Senate spouses in all their socio-civic undertakings. The honorees were Manila Bulletin and Manila Hotel Chairman Don Emilio T. Yap, Pagcor Chairman Ephraim Genuino, Carlo Estabillo of San Miguel Corp., and Aniceto Sobrepena of Metrobank Foundation.

The musical program, emceed by Mrs. Bing Pimentel (who is herself a gifted composer, lyricist and musical show producer) who said that there will be no discussion of politics at the party as political differences should be left at the Senate, started with a song number by Sen. Gringo Honasan’s daughter-in-law Yosha, followed by another song number by Aree Bautista, a nephew of Sen. Loren Legarda, and then a dance presentation was performed by two sons of Sen. and Mrs. Jinggoy Estrada, with two daughters of Sen. and Mrs. Bong Revilla. Then it was Bong and Lani’s turn to do a duet ("Ikaw"), followed by Audrey Zubiri’s rendition of "How Do I Live Without You" which she dedicated to her husband (who was in Singapore that time thus his absence at the event) after extolling Migz’s amazing qualities that’s why she fell in love with him despite their 13-year difference.

Kaye Villagomez
Manila Bulletin

Gary Valenciano deliberately avoids promoting his tribute CD "GV25" wherein Mr. Pure Energy’s best songs were done by other artists.

"It feel awkward to promote a tribute album or any kind of tribute about myself, promoted by myself. I can’t say, ‘Hey guys, buy this tribute CD to me.’ It’s awkward eh," he said at the press conference for his upcoming 25th anniversary "Live at 25" happening at the Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 14 and 15.

But this is not to say that Gary did not like the work the artists have done for the CD. On the contrary, he could not stop himself from raving about his favorite renditions of his songs by his colleagues.

"I know for a fact that the artists did the songs that they actually want to do. I like Erik Santos’ ‘Gaya Ng Dati’ and not many people know that at the time na nag-record siya, he wasn’t feeling well so he had to be very careful. I think Martin Nievera’s ‘Narito’ is one of the standouts because pinilit talaga siya ng producers to sing the notes he used to sing eh abot na abot. He had no problem singing it."

Gary continued, "But just like ice cream, meron akong flavor of the month. Actually weekly nga eh nag-iiba. I like Randy Santiago’s ‘Eto Na Naman’ also; then there’s Aiza Seguerra’s ‘Fool Til The End,’ I think she did an awesome job on that; and lastly Rachelle Anne’s ‘Paano.’ I think it was very well-rendered by an artist like her. But these are for now, pag tinaning niyo ko next week, iba na ito."

Walden Sadiri
Manila Bulletin

After the success of the superserye "Super Inggo" comes the first Pinoy-Anime series from ABS-CBN TV Production and ABS-CBN Animation entitled "Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa."

And if it’s called a Pinoy Anime it’s because it’s done and stylized from the popular Japanese animation format called anime, but is very Pinoy in content, story and drama.

We were privileged to watch an episode from the said Pinoy Anime series. "Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa" looked like a Tagalized imported anime series. But it is not. It is not only very Pinoy in terms of story but the background itself contains Pinoy culture like "fiesta and the food served during fiestas" in the said episode. Problems that Super Inggo would have to face were also situations that young televiewers could relate to. Like problems about the environment, toxic wastes and corruption. Balancing such dilemmas were the Pinoy drama in terms of father and daughter relationships and dream of leaving poverty for greener pastures.

"When international viewers watch ‘Super Inggo’ they would know it’s from the Philippines and made in the Philippines because of what they will see in it like the fiestas, butiki and more. This is a groundbreaking project from ABS-CBN which all of us Filipinos can be proud of," exclaimed Enrico Santos, Business Unit Head and Vice President for TV Production.

The "Super Inggo and the Super Tropa" project started after the finale of "Super Inggo" series. But the ABS-CBN Animation Department was put up in 2005 according to Guia Jose, the ABS-CBN Animation Department Business Unit Head. She shared that ABS-CBN already dreamed of an animated series way back in 1995 when they formed Star Animation but didn’t push through because of the Asian Economic Crisis.

Leading 85 people in her animation department, their target is to produce 26 weeks worth of episodes which would also be sold to ready markets abroad. But for the Philippines, they would have episodes ready for one season or 13 weeks. And making a 22-minute episode costs more than a million pesos according to both business unit heads.

By WAYLON GALVEZ
Manila Bulletin

League-leader Alaska and Fiesta Cup champion Barangay Ginebra try to keep their unbeaten slates intact when they battle separate opponents today in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alaska, currently on top with a 3-0 win-loss record, takes on the up-and-coming Rain or Shine (2-1) at 4 p.m. while Ginebra, at solo second with a 2-0 card, meets winless but dangerous Red Bull (0-3) at 6:30.

Despite the absence of key players including Mark Caguioa, the team’s top scorer last season, the Gin Kings have managed to score impressive wins, beating Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 89-82, and Air21, 101-92, in their first two outings.

Against Sta. Lucia, the backcourt tandem of Fiesta Cup Best Player of the Conference Jayjay Helterbrand (26 points) and Paul Artadi, (career-tying 18 points) provided the spark for Ginebra.

Against the Express, the same squad they beat for the Fiesta Cup in seven games, new recruit Junjun Cabatu delivered a career-high 23 points.

Ginebra needs this kind of solid games, with Caguioa (tendonitis) and forward Rafi Reavis (shoulder) still recovering from injuries in the USA.

"We have to keep finding ways to keep winning while some of our key players are out with injuries," Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. "It’s good that we have players who can really step up."

The Kings, however, are up against the Bulls eager to nail their first win this season after stumbling three straight times.

By E. T. SUAREZ and DAVID CAGAHASTIAN
Manila Bulletin

Small wage earners and housewives called yesterday for a realistic reduction in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which millions of households around the country use to cook their food daily, in the same manner that the prices of gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum products have been rolled back.

The wage earners, both in the government and private sectors, along with housewives who go to the market daily and cook the food for the family, deplored that while there has been a continued reduction in the prices of gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other petroleum products, reductions in the price of LPG have been negligible, few, and far between.

They noted that the price of gasoline has been reduced 11 times since July this year while that of diesel has gone down 10 times already. The price of LPG, in comparison, has been reduced four times.

"Malacañang has likewise asked big oil companies for a substantial rollback in the prices of gasoline and diesel, but there is no mention about the cost of LPG which millions of households use," said wage earners affiliated with the Integrated Labor Organization of the Philippines (ILOP), the National Council for Commuters Protection (NCCP), and the Confederation of Government Employees Organizations (COGEO).

ILOP President Florante G. Reyes said daily wage earners from private and public sectors have been crowding their labor union office in Quezon City daily, asking him to make representations with Malacañang, the Department of Energy, and the oil companies for substantial cuts in the prices of LPG corresponding to the rollback in the prices of gasoline and diesel.

Obesity and lack of fitness raise the risk of illness by impacting negatively on the body's internal chemistry, research suggests.

A US team found levels of white blood cells were highest in men who were unfit and overweight.

White blood cells are key to fighting infection, but high levels can be a sign of inflammation, which is linked to coronary heart disease.

A team from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center carried out tests on 452 healthy men who were taking part in a long-term study of fitness.

Blood tests were taken, and analysed for their content of various types of white blood cell.

After taking account of age, the researchers found that all groups of white blood cell were lowest in the men who were most physically fit.

The greater proportion of body fat a man had, the higher his white blood cell count was.

Total white cell count was highest in men who had a combination of higher body fat and lower levels of physical fitness. - BBC

If you like this layout Bem and if it does not hurt your eyes, then we'll retain this color and skin.

Before I go (maligo pa diay), Bem, have you seen the change of color background? What do you think?

I will remove the blue side color background and let's see how it looks. In the meantime, I need to go to Bangkok.

So, do you think we need to change the white background, Bem?

I will look into it, Bem. Thanks for the input. I was not aware of that.

We are already using Verdana, Bem.

Shut down all Friendster accounts para walay uyab nga maka-access.

That is still very high, Bem. Here in Thailand, oil price has returned to its normal level.

The global financial crisis and the troubled financial sector in the US brought blessings to poor countries in the world.

Oil producers would never have cut down the price if the world did not experience credit crunch. Oil price has nothing to do with supply and demand. It has something to do with greed and monopoly.

According to BBC News, "oil is already down to $70 a barrel - from $140 in August 2008," yet the price of oil in Philippine gasoline stations remains horribly high. Once the oil companies in the Philippines slashed down the price by P1 peso only.

How much is fuel per liter in the Philippines today? Let's compare the prices with those of other countries.

The government on Saturday banned the import of a food raising agent from China after it was tested for excessive levels of the industrial chemical melamine.

"The Department of Health has decided to ban China-made ammonium bicarbonate after traces of melamine were found... and request local food makers to stop using it," the department said in a statement.

Taiwan has banned all Chinese dairy imports and ordered stores to remove all remaining items from shelves after more foodstuffs were found to be tainted with melamine.

At least three Taiwanese children and one woman have fallen ill after drinking tainted Chinese milk products, according to a local hospital.

China has said 53,000 children have been sickened there and four killed by milk laced with melamine, which is normally used to make plastics. - AFP

By Abigail Ho
Inquirer.net

“We are glad to inform you that you have won P650,000 thru PGMA. Claim ur prize, call now. I’m Atty. Garey B. Aquino from BSP Info Department. DTI Permit #3920.’’

If you have received a similar text message in the past, you have something in common with millions of other mobile phone subscribers in the country. In fact, even President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself has received similar messages several times in the past.

Which is why the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Western Union Co. have banded together to launch the Security Awareness and Fraud Education (SAFE) program -- a consumer education campaign that aims to prevent Filipinos from falling prey to scammers.

“Any Filipino can fall victim to fraud -- regardless of their education level, economic status or social background. Perpetrators of fraud are constantly coming up with ways to entice people into new scams,’’ Trade Secretary Peter Favila said.

“If we can educate people about the types of fraud, they will be better prepared to protect themselves. That’s a goal we hope to achieve with the SAFE program,’’ he added.

By Tina Santos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed charges against a beautician allegedly responsible for a botched cosmetic operation on a man who suffered infection reportedly from silicone injections.

Lawyer Ruel Lasala, deputy director for intelligence services, said Roderick Melchor, alias Bambi, of Cembo village, Makati City, is facing charges of violating Republic Act 2382, also known as the Medical Practices Act of 1959, at the Makati Prosecutor's Office.

The case stemmed from the complaint of one Roldan Paredes, who claimed that he suffered serious physical injuries after the suspect performed cosmetic surgery on him.

The complainant said the suspect injected elecant oil, a silicone variant, into his breasts and hips supposedly to improve his body figure. However, he claimed that he suffered an infection that required hospitalization and corrective surgery by legitimate surgeons.

Melchor was arrested in an entrapment operation at 5J's Beauty Salon on Kalayaan Avenue, Cembo village, last October 13 as he was about to inject the substance on an NBI asset who posed as a client.

A verification made with the Professional Regulation Commission showed that the suspect was not a licensed physician, the NBI said.

Britain will impose tougher restrictions on immigration as the global financial crisis lifts unemployment, the country's new Immigration Minister, Phil Woolas, said in an interview Saturday.

"If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny," Woolas told The Times newspaper.

"It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," he added.

In a dramatic change of policy, the Labour government intends placing a limit on immigration, according to the daily.

"There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving," said Woolas.

Britain's unemployment rate jumped to an eight-year high of 5.7 percent in the three months to August, official data showed on Wednesday. - AFP