MikeLigalig.com

Ug diin man milugapak imong aping niadtong higayona?

Sa Cainggit Beach no?

Snowhite,

Be our Ambassadress of Goodwill for the Virtual Ms. Bohol Sandugo 2007.

...ug tagai daw mi ug sample sa tigmo-tigmo na imong gitudlo sa mga bata.

Quote from: queen on July 09, 2007, 04:21:31 PM
Hello, my servant!

Mine is as secret as yours!

Does Paul know about it?

Standard answer sa una sa high school pa ta:

Question: When was your first kiss?

Answer: When I was still a baby...

Congratulations, Buenavista...

You are now our Hero.

Would you like to join the Virtual Ms Bohol Sandugo 2007?

Hello Queen

Secret

By Kit Bagaipo
<a href="http://www.boholchronicle.com">The Bohol Chronicle</a>

A four-month pregnant woman, a barangay captain and his brother were victims of two separate shooting incidents in the towns of Inabanga and Talibon.

In barangay Liloan, Inabanga, one Christina Millanes y Celmar, 25 years old, a native of Poblacion, Buenavista town, sustained multiple gunshot wounds after a still unidentified assailant shot her and live-in partner Reynaldo Bautista inside their residence at about 10 pm July 5, 2007.

The couple were about to retire when the assailant fired successively from outside their house hitting the 4-month pregnant Christina in the neck, cheek and buttocks that caused her instantaneous death and the fetus in her womb.

Bautista, however, was not hit by the assailant's gunshots.

Bautista told police who responded to the incident that the gunshots came through their "amakan" walling before hitting the victim.

Police said the victim has been long-separated from his legal husband in Buenavista.
Recovered from the crime scene were 3 .45 caliber empty shells.

According to PO1 Casimiro Suarez of the Inabanga PNP, they are still investigating into the motives of the shooting.

Meanwhile, barangay captain Esteban Torregosa, 52, of Magsaysay, Talibon town, and his brother identified as Roberto Torregosa, 47, were also gunned down by 4 unidentified assailants an hour past midnight July 7, 2007.

Police said the victim was having a drinking session with 2 others infront of Torregosa's residence in barangay Magsaysay when the shooters open fired at them for no apparent reason.

Barangay captain Torregosa died on the spot while his brother also expired a few minutes later. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

One of the Torregosas' companions, Pablito Umbayan, 39, was also hit in the shoulder and is presently being treated at the Gov. Celestino Gallares Regional Hospital, this city.

Police recovered at the crime scene 14 empty shells of 9 mm calibre rounds, 11 empty shells of .45 calibre, 2 slugs of .45 calibre and another 9 mm slug.

According to police, the victims were allegedly members of the Alimaong, purportedly an anti-communist organization.

The Talibon PNP is still investigating the motives of the shooting incident.

Tubag Bohol source: <a href="http://www.photonics.com">Photonics News and Features</a>

Florence, Italy, July 6, 2007 -- Scientists have reported a way to achieve the so-called atomic laser, a breakthrough predicted by Albert Einstein in 1925, the Italian news agency ANSA reported today.

A Florence University research team led by Massimo Inguscio and Giovanni Modugno used potassium isotopes to build an "atomic condensate" squeezed into a harmonious whole by a magnetic field, similar to a theoretical model envisaged by Einstein and fellow physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, ANSA said.

"In this way, the interaction of atoms is virtually nonexistent," Inguscio said.

Lasers are highly concentrated streams of light particles, or photons, with multiple uses in industry and medicine.

"Unlike photons, atoms bounce into one another so much that an atomic laser -- eagerly awaited in the field of microelectronics - has proved impossible to achieve up to now," ANSA reported.

By KIT BAGAIPO
<a href="http://www.boholchronicle.com">The Bohol Chronicle</a>

Hostilities between City Mayor Dan Lim and Kag. Zenaido Rama has deepened with the mayor lambasting the neophyte councilor on July 8, 2007 over his weekly radio program.

Mayor Lim and Kag. Rama, runningmates in the 2004 elections, are widely perceived as staunch allies until last Wednesday when the 10th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) voted to elect chairmanships in three crucial committees.

The committee on appropriation could have been chaired by two-term Kag. Oscar Glovasa, who belongs to the mayor's camp, but Kag. Rama refused to toe the line and vote with his partymates prompting SP members to defer the selection until a vote was called during its inaugural session Wednesday.
          

Beforehand, Kag. Rama had already indicated that when a vote is called for the appropriation committee, he wants an open voting instead of the secret balloting.

"I want to explain my vote," Kag. Rama said, as he wants "transparency and accountability" among the members of the 10th Sanggunian.

Kag. Rama said, in an interview with mediamen, he voted for Vice Mayor Veloso as he believes that the Sanggunian, as a legislative body, should establish its independence from the chief executive.

He criticized the 9th Sanggunian for being perceived as "a rubberstamp Sanggunian."

The first-term councilor has vowed to scrutinize the 2007 budget, which he said, contains questionable items, especially appropriations for the office of the city mayor.

According to Mayor Lim, he does not care if the committee on appropriation is headed by the vice mayor.

He said, as far as he is concerned, he has no personal enmity with Vice Mayor Veloso and that he can work with the latter.

The mayor warned Kag. Rama that he should be ready to prove his claims that there are doubtful items in the 2007 budget.

"I will respect the members of the Sanggunian if they want to establish independence," said the mayor.

Kag. Rama pointed out that he does not want to be branded as an obstructionist as he is just doing his job.

"I have an obligation to the people who elected me," he said, "I'll do my job and I expect the mayor will do his."

By LOY PALAPOS

Quiet, humble, unassuming…that you will never even know he is in the group. This describes Atty. Antonio Alvin Jayag Uy, the newly elected Mayor of the Municipality of Baclayon. Small children consider him a big brother, the youth see him as a friend, someone who understands, while the aged trust him and call him “son.” He is perceived to be more of a doer than a talker, but never as a politician; and after the May 14 election, the Baclayanons consider and accept him as the answer to their clamor for a change.

Born on December 19, 1968, he is the second among the four children of the late Judge Antonio Oppus Uy and Mrs. Gardenia Jayag Uy, a retired public elementary school principal. The strong personality of the late Judge can be felt in the influence he has left among his siblings. All of them, except the youngest who is still in College, are in the legal profession.

Adrian Antonio, the eldest, is the Clerk of Court in the City’s Multiple Salas. Next to Alvin is Denva Garcia, a Jurist Doctor, the Chief Staff of Senator Pia Cayetano. The youngest, Gwendolyn Toni, is a fourth year nursing student of Holy Name University, and is contemplating to take up law or medicine after her graduation from nursing school.

Excellence in academic and co-curricular pursuits was Alvin’s mark even at an early age. Conscientious and persevering, he showed an acumen not found in many of his peers. It was not a surprise that many predicted he would be an achiever. Alvin spent his elementary education at Baclayon Central Elementary School. Due to his outstanding performance while in Grade II, he was given a battery of tests by the Department of Education, which he passed, and qualified him to be promoted to Grade III at the end of the first semester.

He finished the elementary grades within 5 years. Even while still in the elementary grade, he showed his leadership potentials. The youngest among the grade VI pupils, he was elected as the Mayor of his class, governor of the graduating class, and at the same time the President of the 1980 Pupil Government of Baclayon Central Elementary School.

For Alvin’s secondary education, he studied at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Taloto District, Tagbilaran City and graduated in March 1984. After graduation from high school, he enrolled at the University of San Carlos College of Engineering and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) on March 19, 1989. He took the November 1989 Board Examination and was one of those who successfully hurdled it. Alvin became an Engineer at the age of 21. He also took the Career Service Professional exam on June 30, 1989, and passed it.

He became an Instructor at the Bohol Institute of Technology, Tagbilaran City, which further honed his interpersonal relations and enhanced his communication skill. At the same time he helped manage the family’s transportation business. In June 1991, he realized some more innate but untapped potentials he possessed. He gave up his teaching position at BIT to enroll at Divine Word College (now Holy Name University). He took up Law and graduated in March 1995.

Together with 3 of his classmates in law school, he attended the review classes at Ateneo de Manila University for 6 months and then took the 1995 BAR Examinations. Alvin passed the 1995 BAR Examinations and was admitted to the BAR on April 11, 1996. A new dimension was accorded to him, a bigger opportunity for advancement. He opened his Law Office at the First Floor of LTS Lodge, 28 CPG Avenue, Tagbilaran City.

Aside from his private practice, Alvin became the President of Saint Jude Transportation Company, Inc. and the FJA Corporation. These two responsibilities, plus his law practice, consume much of his time; but being an achiever right from his student days, he has become superb in time management.

He is gifted with the knack of defining his priorities, so nothing is remiss. Still he finds time to help in some environmental concerns, aware that everybody should have a role to play in protecting nature. Thus, he affiliated with ELAC (Environmental Legal Assistance Center), and until today he is one of the prime-movers of the group.


<a href="http://www.theboholstandard.com">Photo courtesy of Bohol Standard</a>

Atty. Uy became a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Bohol Chapter, in December 1996, and during its election, Alvin was elected as No. 1 among the Board of Directors, ahead of seasoned practitioners. However, he was not able to hold this position, being an incumbent Punong Barangay of Poblacion, Baclayon, which he held for two terms. As the Punong Barangay, many changes and improvements were introduced by him. It was during his term that a barangay hall was constructed on a lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. Primo Javier.

His stint as a Barangay Captain brought him closer to the people. He felt what his constituents felt. He became aware of their plight. He realized that they wanted change. But this dream can only be achieved with a leadership committed and dedicated to the welfare of the masses. The clamor for change went deeper than what was perceivable to the eyes. Somebody must take the risks in order to gear the townsfolk’s efforts to achievable goals that spell development; not just palliatives ending with photo-sessions and press releases.

Thus, his decision to offer himself to the people of Baclayon, to be at the helm of the Municipal governance, disregarding the sacrifices he and his family would undergo. His relatives, his colleagues, his friends, and the citizenry were on his side. They inspired him and fortified his inner strength so he could serve them more. As a young and idealistic leader, his political stand is “no to the use of money and gun to win votes.”

According to him, the use of money is an insult to the voters’ intelligence. Alvin wanted to prove to the people, especially the youth that even the poor can still win in an election, if he has the potentials, the moral, the integrity, and the honest and earnest desire to help and serve the people. He was able to prove this even to those overcome by skepticism. His campaign slogan was “Try me! If I can’t or won’t be able to deliver what I promised, then drive me out of office.” Convinced of his noble intentions, the people of Baclayon found in their new Mayor a shining hope for progress.

In 1998, when he was still a bachelor, Alvin constructed a house on a hilltop, a few blocks from his parents’ home. Two years after its completion, he transferred to his own pad, but used it only as his sleeping quarter, since his parents insisted he take his meals with the family.

Thereafter, a small basketball court, playground and a swing were provided for A.C. Thadd and the other kids in the neighborhood to freely use the same. Using the income from his private practice, he was able to expand his abode by adding several structures. Now that he has settled down, it has become a real home. A medical clinic and legal clinic were added features that earned the admiration of the community.

June 5, 2005 would have been the Ruby Wedding Anniversary of Alvins’ parents, but due to the passing away of Alvin’s father, Judge Antonio Oppus Uy, a few months earlier, the three elder Uy siblings decided to continue what their parents started by celebrating an unprecedented triple wedding.

Adrian, Alvin and Denva Gracia tied the knot with their respective partners in a very well attended wedding ceremony at the Immaculate Conception church of Baclayon, which is known to be the oldest stone church in the Philippines. The wedding reception for everybody attending the triple treat was held in the home of Alvin.

Alvin is married to his girlfriend of 3 years, Dr. Fruserma Mary Cempron Aparicio, a Physician, daughter of Dr. Aurora C. Aparicio, a retired Medical Health Officer, and the late Magdaleno Aparicio, from Inabanga, Bohol. Dr. Em-em, as she is fondly called, is a Medical Officer III in the Provincial Health Office.

With Atty. Antonio Alvin Jayag Uy at the helm of Baclayon’s Local Government Unit, the people of Baclayon can be assured of a great change, a change for a better Baclayon in all aspects. Guided by his father’s last word, “I have no wealth to leave you, but a clean and untarnished name. Protect this name for I worked for it during my whole lifetime.”

Quote from: hippieinchains on July 08, 2007, 10:31:06 PM
Ms. Lungay has been one of my personal role models. As a young teenager, I was struggling to find my nitch, to find a role model, to find a home. She was a woman strong enough for me to look up to. Her work is remarkable! It reflects who she is and what she stands for- women, beauty, family, strength and Bohol. Oh how she loves Bohol!

Ms. Lungay should be nominated for the National Artist Award, which is organized by the NCCA. She gave up painting for the sake of motherhood. When her children became able to stand on their own she returned to the world of visual arts. I think there is an upcoming book about Ms. Lungay's life. Margz Evasco, one of renowned Philippine poets, is the author.

<a href="http://pna.gov.ph">news source: Philippine News Agency</a>

Central Visayas recorded a huge overall decline in the number of crime cases despite the elections and even if Bohol and Siquijor posted a slight increase in their areas, the region's peace council said.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, chair of the Central Visayas Peace and Order Council, commended the police officers in Region 7 for the 24 percent decrease in the number of crimes.

"I congratulate the PNP and our military in keeping a peaceful region, which is a pre-requisite for development. We're on a roll here, and let's hope this will continue so Central Visayas will have the proper atmosphere for growth," Garcia said.

Central Visayas groups the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Siquijor.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria reported that from January to June this year, crime volume in the province dropped by 24 percent.

Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office Director Melvin Buenafe also reported a drop of 17.48 percent in crimes in his area.

Bohol Provincial Police Office Director Edgardo Ingking, meanwhile, said there was an increase of 6.4 percent or 62 cases in Bohol as compared to last year.

Siquijor's police chief also reported an increase of number of crimes in his locality, but only by cases.

All provinces reported that the physical injuries are crimes that have the highest number of cases.

Valmoria said physical injuries cases in Cebu are mostly caused by vehicular accidents especially on weekends when drivers often drink alcoholic beverages.

our march to progress has been hampered by shallow brains.

<a href="http://www.sunstar.com.ph">This Bohol News is brought to you by Sun Star Daily</a>

This seismic survey in search of natural gas and oil off Bohol was suspended beginning July 6, 2007, because of unresolved conditions in case of any damage on the environment, an environmentalist-lawyer said.

They also have yet to finalize compensation for affected fishers and complete a study on how the project will affect biodiversity.

“We kept asking the Bohol officials about their commitment,” said lawyer Raul Barbarona, executive director of the Environmental Legal Assistance Center (Elac).

He said that Bohol Rep. Edgar Chatto himself went to Manila after a meeting with regional officials of the Department of Energy (DOE), other Bohol officials and critics of the project the other week, to persuade the DOE head off to suspend the survey.

NorAsian Energy shifted to Bohol last June 27 after completing its seismic survey in Argao and Sibonga in Cebu Province. They managed to complete a three-dimensional survey that stretches from Argao in southern Cebu to the vicinity of Cabilao islet of Loon, Bohol before their operation was suspended.

Conditions

Survey vessel mv Pacific Sword reportedly left for Singapore Thursday night because unless the DOE and NorAsian meet the conditions, they cannot proceed.

DOE 7 Director Antonio Labios and Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado could not be reached for comment.

Aumentado’s mobile phone was off, while Labios did not answer calls.

Barbarona and some of the fishers have gone to court in an attempt to stop the survey.

After the July 2 and 4 hearings on their petition, the court now has to resolve the motion of Energy Secretary Rafael Lotilla and Environmental Management Bureau 7 Director Alan Arranguez questioning the court’s jurisdiction to issue a temporary restraining order against a government project.

Not a victory yet

“We do not consider the suspension of the survey a victory to us because the three-dimensional survey is the main activity. That two-dimensional survey from Maribojo to Panglao is just extra,” said Barbarona.

NorAsian’s offer to pay P300,000 for the more than 2,700 fishers who stand to be affected has been refused.

Scientists from Silliman University in Dumaguete City and marine biologists from Holy Name University in Bohol are still doing a study on the effects of the survey on the marine environment.

“NorAsian and DOE should resolve these conditions, particularly on accountability for the environment and compensation, before they proceed with the survey,” Barbarona said. (AIV)

at times a school's prestige is dependent on its name alone.

our society has a long tradition of remembering a good name. it should not be.

conrado de quiros did not even finish college.

I would feel old if I welcome you. 

leo, murag dili maayo mosakay ug plane these days. busa cancel all your trips.

Quote from: thisgirlvader on July 08, 2007, 04:59:55 PM
Good lord, naka panguros ko! Mike, aren't you even afraid what I'd do to you when I see you? I'm going to BKK in two days, with two girl banshees in tow. Magskandalo jud ko sa imong iskwelahan. I will stand there and shriek in my best madwoman voice, "Asa na? Asa na imong kabit? Ipagawas!"

Chin, mapagaw nalang ka ug syagit walay babaye nga mogawas. Busa, palit daan ug megaphone before you do that.

Anyway, I already gave your pictures to our campus guards. The instruction was clear: pusasan ka inig abot nimo sa among school.

source: <a href="http://www.forbes.com">Forbes News</a> and <a href="http://www.ap.com">Associated Press</a>

Two small planes collided in the air and crashed in a rice field north of the Philippine capital on Sunday, killing two Indian citizens and a Filipino flight instructor, police said.

The Philippine-registered two-seater planes crashed in a farming village in Bulacan province's Malolos city, about 20 miles north of Manila, police officer Gilberto Punzalan told The Associated Press by telephone.

The planes went down in an area away from houses.

Punzalan said an initial investigation showed the two aircraft were being used for flight training when their wings grazed each other, causing the crash.

"They were students on flight training, and it appeared to have been an accident," he said.

Quite Possible. European hackers are astonishing.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Aedes Aegypti, the dengue fever carrying mosquito may be a day biting mosquito, but it could also bite at night, says Provincial Health Team Leader Dr. Portia Reyes.

Given the daylight simulation or an extremely bright environment, the mosquitoes may think its still daytime and continue biting.

The statement also came after Bohol noted an alarming increase in dengue infection and just as health authorities noted 206 cases and at least 4 deaths already since January.

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, Dr Reyes echoed health authorities’ concern as they call for strict adherence to the national anti-dengue prevention plan.

The Aedes mosquito has been pointed as responsible for the spread of the dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) as manifested by bleeding, or of dengue shock syndrome (DSS).

The mosquito lives close to human habitations and is initially reported to bite only during the day. Dengue fever is caused by infection with a type of virus called the Flavivirus.

With the threat, Dr. Reyes reiterated prevention as the best weapon against it and stressed that control and elimination of the mosquito population is still the best method of prevention.

At this, sanitary inspector Romeo Cabanes of the Provincial Health Office said fogging operations may not be very effective since those mosquitoes hit by the chemicals may not necessarily be the dengue transmitting kind. Moreover, he stressed that the Clean Air Act has outlawed the use of diesel fuel based fogging machines.

Supporting Dr. Reyes’ call, Cabanes said the mosquito breeds in relatively fresh water and eliminating stagnant water may discourage the breeding of the pests.

According to sources, a bitten patient may not yet develop the symptoms as incubation period between bite and the onset of symptoms is usually two to seven days.

“A large number of infections may be sub-clinical, that is, the patients may not even be aware that they have had the disease. The infection usually manifests itself as fever with severe body pain or myalgia (pamaul). There may be an associated rash over parts of the body. The body pain is so intense that the disease has been called break-bone fever”, a doctor shared.

Quite often, the disease makes no further progress and the patients recover. This however is a cause for alarm as bleeding may have started.

Patients may develop involvement of either of the two dreaded syndromes - bleeding (called DHF or Dengue Hemorraghic Fever) or altered consciousness (encephalitis). Fatalities are higher among patients in whom these complications are present. not be true arthritis.
Dengue associated symptoms include severe headache, vomiting, and photophobia.

Examination of the patient may reveal few findings such as a rash and pain on palpation of the muscles lasting for two to five days and most patients who do not have complications recover completely. (rachiu/PIA, July 7, 2007)

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Building robust economy, sustaining a business friendly environment and addressing corruption can be both a government and civil society effort.

Jagna civil society and government pressed their rights as they blocked the assumption of a government agency official still saddled with a corruption case by denying his official reinstatement.

Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren said they padlocked the Land Transportation Jagna Extension Office to restrain reinstated registrar Leonardo Olayvar from assuming his new post.

Former LTO Jagna registrar Joel Maloloy-on also confirmed in a radio interview that the LTO office was padlocked and that the municipal hall authorities hold a key to the closed structure.

He also said this after Olayvar allegedly presented the town officials his assumption papers signed by LTO Secretary Reynaldo Berroya.

The office, the one leased by the Jagna Municipal government was accordingly padlocked as a sign of town protest on account of a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution of protest addressed to LTO regional officer Atty. Alex Leyson.

“As early as last week, the SB has crafted a resolution calling the LTO to block the Olayvar reinstatement but instead of acting on the resolution, the government transport agency has revved on the reinstatement by granting Olayvar his resumption papers,” Mayor Lloren said Tuesday.

Lloren shared that as early as last week, the Jagna SB has attempted to stop the movement at LTO with the possible transfer of Jagna LTO registrar Epimaco Caballero.

At the least, Olayvar has been accused of graft and corruption while occupying the Tagbilaran Field Office has earned criticism for alleged giving of undue advantage to a brother in a operating monopoly of fixers and accredited motor and car insurance agencies within the LTO compound.

Fearing that the official could taint the LTO image anew, the local officials and concerned citizens jammed the radio airlanes with texted messages to oppose the reinstatement.

The LTO has consistently figured in the top corrupt government agencies as shown in the Holy Name University social weather surveys. This, many ascribe to the incorrigible practices at the LTO local offices that has contributed to the negative perception.

While several quarters assumed the Olayvar assumption has the inner workings of a political protégé, Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren said he has personally advised the latter to restrain from occupying the seat in his town for reason of an unresolved case he has still to overcome.

During the same telephone interview, Mayor Lloren said the LTO has not remitted their lease as agreed to the town coffers. Olayvar’s unresolved case has also caused him to act on the pressure of stopping an irregularity from happening.

LTO reportedly has a system of a debilitating bureaucratic process that does not only guarantee undue delays but also presents opportunities for red tape in its unnecessary layers of approvals.

As the government is publicly saying it is putting up an anti-graft body similar to a Transparency Information Bureau, Boholanos have also aired concern that this may take a long while to get imbedded in the LTO.

Even before the government could formalize the process, Boholanos have used their will to prevent one potential case from blowing.

The creation the government anti-graft body is said to complement the Presidential Anti Graft Commission.

The government acknowledges that the problem of corruption needs to be addressed and is exerting all efforts to counter this, sources from Malacanang said.

The same sources bared that the recent 2007 SWS Business Survey on Corruption showed that although the scale of public sector corruption remains high, bribing for government contracts has declined particularly in Metro Manila.

It also showed satisfaction ratings for national and Local Government on their promotion of a good business climate.(July 7, 2007)

LOTS FOR SALE

Along ocean side and not far from Congresswoman Agana's Beach
House Resort,along Prov'l Rd.

   1. Lot 7087,Macayabac,Dauis-2,206 sq.m.
   2. Lot 287-A,Catarman, Dauis-2,223 sq.m

Good for Commercial

Area,1908 Sq. meters
Lot 654,Totolan, Dauis,Bohol along National highway and only 900 meters distance fr. Tagbilaran City Hall Bldg. via Causeway

Contact:RICARDO Tel. 038-411-3192

RESIDENTIAL LOTS & FARMLAND FOR SALE:

Dao, Tagbilaran City, Back of Halls of
Justice-275 sq.m.
Totolan, Dauis-1000 sq.m.
Tinago, Dauis -600 or 300 sq.m.
Tawala, Panglao-900 or 300 sq.m.
Rizal,Pilar, Bohol-16 hectares farm/ricefield w/ impounding

Call: 09173041480 or 235-6239
and 501-9449

RUSH SALE

    * 7 subdivision residential lots with road right of way located along Rizal Street/Calceta,Tagbilaran City.Each area has 315 sq.m., Price P5,000 per sq.m. Negotiable.

    * A prime residential lot located along Calceta Street,Tagbilaran City near St. Jude Hospital,area 658sq.m.,at P10,000 per sq.m.

    * 7 subdivided residential lots Castillo Robles Midland,New Capitol Site near Bohol Wisdom School & Hall of Justice,Tagbilaran City.

       Price Negotiable at P8,000 per sq. m.,area 1,300 sq.m.

For more info and inquiries:

Call Mae At 038-411-2701 and Cell #0928-408-9246

source: <a href="http://www.news.com.au">The Daily Telegraph</a>

An Australian manufacturer has called for applications for what it claims could be the world's best job - condom tester.

Durex marketing manager Sam White said any Australian over the age of 18 could apply for one of 200 positions as a condom tester.

The position is not paid, but successful applicants will receive a free $60 selection of Durex products and will be required to provide the company with honest feedback about the products' performance.

One of the lucky 200 testers will win a $1000 bonus.

Applicants must explain why they would make an expert condom tester, Mr White said.

"With this job on your CV, it really will be a chance to brag to your mates about the special skills you possess, not to mention that your new role will work wonders with the opposite sex," he said.

"Who wouldn't want to have a chance with an actual authorised professional?"

One thing's for sure - it's a job where employees won't mind taking their work home and burning the midnight oil.

By JUNE S. BLANCO
   
  Bohol has had Korean, Chinese, American, Japanese and European visitors. Very
soon, however, the Russians will also come marching in.

  The “invasion” will be most welcome though as Ambassador Vitaly Vorobiev of the
Russian Federation said he will bring more of his countrymen â€" tourists and
investors â€"to the province.

  Vorobiev Friday spoke live over Bohol’s four radio stations â€" dyRD, dyTR, dyZD and
dyDL on invitation of Gov. Erico Aumentado during his weekly program The Governor
Reports simulcast from the Governor’s Mansion.

  Accompanied by Honorary Consul Armi Lopez Garcia whom he installed only the night
before at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu  City, Vorobiev said he looks forward
“to better cooperation between our two countries in many aspects.”

  “Your place is one of the main tourist destinations in your country so that the
Russian Federation chose to accredit its first Honorary Consul here,” he said,
referring to Garcia’s consular district that covers Cebu, Bohol and Boracay.

  He also said sister-province relationships are also widespread in Russia, and that
experience shows such relationship is very beneficial to good relations in areas
like energy and mining. He said he will also promote in the Russian market the
agricultural products of Bohol.

  The Russian minister is also due to visit the Philippines and meet President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in around a month’s time. This is opportune time to talk
sisterhood, joint ventures, investments and tourism, Vorobiev said.

  Education, health, culture and tourism are other possible areas of cooperation, he
added.

  For her part, Garcia who traces her roots to Loon town said during her previous
travels, she learned from first hand experience that when tour agencies in the
Russian Federation “think” of Cebu, they also inevitably “think” of Bohol such
that the latter has now become “the favorite destination of our Russian friends.”

  This augurs well for Bohol because Russian tourists usually stay for vacations of
even up to two weeks.

  “They also treasure the smiles and hospitability of the Boholanos and Cebuanos,”
she said.

  Garcia is the wife of Sun.Star Daily publisher and former Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Jesus Garcia.(July 7, 2007)

source: <a href="http://natural-cure-guide.blogspot.com">Natural Cure Guide</a>

Dandruff is a common scalp problem. It normally refers to the shedding of scalp skin resulting in white flakes scattered over the hair. It causes the scalp an itchy and annoying feeling. Dandruff is more common in winter and least severe in summer.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff?

1. If you are facing form dandruff problem, use a medicated shampoo. It will reduce the speed of the growth of the cells on the scalp, thus lessening the cell replacement and decreasing the amount of dandruff.

2. Shampoo your hairs up to three times a week using anti dandruff (antiseptic and medicated) shampoo until the situation is controlled. Then, continue use of the medicated shampoo once every week.

3. Stop using gels, hair-coloring products and hairsprays. Don’t scratch the scalp when it is itchy. This will cause the problem to worsen.

4. If the problem still remains severe, see your doctor for anti-inflammatory cream for your scalp or anti-dandruff tablets to ingest.

5. Try vinegar. Pour vinegar into your hairs and massage it all the way for a couple of minutes. Then leave it dry for a few more minutes. Then wash your hairs as normal. Do this everyday for a few days until your dandruff get controlled.

6. Consider changing your diet. Try to avoid processed foods and also foods high in hydrogenated fats. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating wild cold-water fish, freshly ground flax seeds, walnuts, fortified eggs, and leafy green vegetables.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency
July 7, 2007

Bohol Officials and Sandugo organizers believe this year’s festival would be boosted by homing residents taking the Central Highway of the government’s flagship Strong Republic Nautical Highways (SRNH) Roll-on roll-off ports.

The SRNH-RoRo Ports system is an intricate network of "improved" roads and ports in various regions which "bridge" the country’s three main islands: Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. This also should connect Boholanos back to their roots especially during the Sandugo Festival.

In July, when Bohol celebrates its festival of festivals, Boholanos who have gone outside of the province to work and find their fortunes home for the festival’s activities. With the road networks now connected, travel from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao to Bohol has suddenly become easy, affordable, convenient and interesting for homing paisanos.

The Central Highway, an alternate to the Maharlika Highway is a highway that connects Mindanao to Bohol via a land trip from the southwest-most end of Zamboanga or the southeast end of Davao del Sur to Cagayan de Oro or Balingoan Misamis Oriental to Camiguin and then to a boat trip to the Roro ports of Jagna, Tagbilaran.

Meanwhile, Boholanos homing from Luzon could now take their cars from the tip of Appari to Luzon down to Camarines Sur, boat to Masbate Roro port, then to Cebu and then Bohol. Another alternative is to take the Maharlika down to Bato Leyte and then ferry to Ubay Roro Port.

The Central Highway of the SRNH is a network of "A-1" roads and ferries which has cut down considerably travel time and spoilage of goods being distributed to the different parts of the country, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo boasted during her visit to re-open the port of Jagna.

In her message, the President pointed out that aside from the convenience of shorter travel times offered to travelers with the construction of these routes of the SRNH, spoilage of farm produce has been lessened which in turn has translated to larger income for farmers.

The president also opened the Western Highway which affords better Luzon-Mindanao access, which she said would spur inter-island farm trade, improve distribution of basic goods, reduce travel time and transportation costs and promote domestic tourism.

In the Western Highway of the SRNH, instead of taking Bicol, travelers take a "short cut" to the Batangas port, take a RoRo to Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, drive by land to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, take another RoRo to Caticlan, road trip to Iloilo, RoRo to Bacolod City, road trip to Dumaguete City, Roro to Cebu and then Tagbilaran.

She explained that the two SNRH-RoRo system is a better and improved version of the original RoRo system envisioned by the former Marcos to cut travel time between Luzon and the Visayas and Mindanao. Travel time through the improved highway is now 17 hours shorter compared to travel time traversing the Maharlika Highway for the same destination.

The President noted that the Marcos-initiated Maharlika Highway was also a combination of roads and ports which stretched from Aparri, Cagayan in the north to Davao City in the south.

From Aparri, travellers would take the Maharlika Highway to Matnog in Sorsogon, take a ferry to Allen in Northern Samar, cross the San Juanico Bridge to the tip of Southern Leyte, then ferry to Surigao and proceed to Davao City by land route.

Aside from spurred tourism and inter-island trade, the SRNH-RoRo system assures the easy, economical and efficient delivery of basic goods as vegetables and livestock to and from destinations as well as reduced transportation costs.

Tourists taking the Central route have openly admired the "scenic" routes on their way to the country’s numerous tourists destinations.

When tourists take the SRNH, the should be able to see a good example of where increased revenue collections from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT) Law have gone to good use, Arroyo shared. (rachiu/PIA)

CHEAP TAGBILARAN RESIDENTIAL LOTS FOR SALE

LOCATION                                      AREA IN SQ.M.        CASH PRICE
San Isidro Dist. along hiway             1,147                            P1,084,000
San Isidro Dist. along hiway              2,005                           P1,559,449
Mansasa near S&V sub                    1,497                           P1,156,000
                            (commercial)
Taloto, CPG
High-way corner lot 570/783/1,814/3,167 P2,222,22/sq.m.
      or FCB main office

Call: Flor l.no.(038)235-3197;
411-2228(8-12 am.to 1-5pm Mon-Fri)
during office hours Cell. No. 0917-4787118

Installment terms:40% down payment
Balance payable 1-5 yrs.
Price to change without notice

FOR SALE

TITLED PROPERTY FOR SALE!

836 SQ. METERS READY TO BUILD(ideal for COMMERCIAL BLDG,APARTMENT,BOARDINGHOUSE AND RESIDENTIAL BLDG ALONG THE HIGHWAY NEAR MATER DEI COLLEGE AND SALUS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LOCATED AT UBOJAN,TUBIGON, BOHOL

TITLED PROPERTY FOR SALE!

453 SQ. METERS "FOR A VERY LOW PRICE"P155 PER SQ. METER ONLY"
NEAR THE BEACH OF TINANGNAN TUBIGON, BOHOL

CONTACT:MRS. MILDRED KASCHER
HILLPARK UBOJAN,TUBIGON,BOHOL

TEL.ISLACOM/GLOBELINES:038-508-0038/8288

CELL# 09273676725

BEACH HOUSE FOR RENT

Alburquerque, Bohol

LOTS FOR SALE

287sq.meters P5,500/sq.meters
Royale Cebu State, Consolacion,Cebu City
167-sq. meters P6,500/sq. meters
Newton Estate, Cebu City

Direct buyer only, Price negotiable

Call (02)823-3407; (038)539-9181
0917-8587690; 0916-3773920

LOTS FOR SALE - PANGLAO

   1. Untitled Lot 200 sq.m. at P1,000/sq.m. near Alona Palm Beach Resort(walking distance),good for resthouse,electric and water no problem along the road.

   2. Titled Lot 333 sq. m. at P450/sq.m.- with ROW Poblacion, Panglao, Bohol - few minutes to the beaches, public market,church,municipal hall

CALL/TEXT: 09192425555

RUSH SALE

    * MITS DELICA EXCEED W/ CRYSTALLITE ROOF,A/T,GOOD CONDITION-P300T (NEG)
    * PENTIUM 41.6G,256MB DDR,32 MB AGP,40GHDD CDROM 52X,K/B,MOUSE,SPKR,w/o MONITOR-P11T
    * PENTIUM 3 733 MHZ,192 MB SDRAM,32MB AGP,20G HDD 50X CDROM,K/B,,MOUSE,SPKR,w/o MONITOR-P8T;LX300 EPSON-P3,500;CANON CAMERA EOS 300-P20T

       TABLET PC/LAPTOP (ACER),PENTIUM M1.5G,512MB.DDR,40GHDD,ETC.-P70T
                   
Call/text:cell# 09184378054

--press release--

Holy Name University (DWCT-Nursing) CALLISTAEANS 1991

       Holy Name University (DWCT-Nursing) CALLISTAEANS 1991 announces its grand reunion on July 13,14, and 15, 2007.  Reunion schedule of activities are as follows:

       Day 1:  Registration - 8 a.m. Holy Name University main building at Lesage Street, Holy Mass-HNU Chapel, Motorcade, HNU Campus tour-College of Nursing building., Lunch-Bohol Tropics, Outreach Program-St Arnold Janssen day care center, Reunion dinner-Metro Center Hotel.

       Day 2: Lunch - Loboc Floating Restaurant, Bohol tour-Sagbayan Peak, Panglao-Dumaluan Beach Resort.

       Day 3: Family Day: Sunday Mass, Lunch by the Beach (program, games, swimming, etc.)

       For more details and inquires please visit our website at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dwctcallistaens/ 0r contact: Grace Sarigumba-09187131906 / 5018937, Menchu Gallego-Yu-09193964240 / 5079011, Ma. Fides Cimeni-09265131401, Myra Tindoy-Padlan-09193054644 / (469)6758061(Texas)/mjtindoy@aol.com, Elmer Borja-(443)9397040(Maryland), Ruvi & Edison Minoza-(808)3296615(Hawaii).

--press release--

Erik Mana brings magic at the MetroCentre Hotel

       The country's premiere magician, known as the Stranger and the Mastermind, is preparing for his MetroCenter Hotel show this July 21, 2007

       Erik Mana, whose return to the country of his birth from Toronto,Canada, to be a full time magician here has popularized magic and given it some stature and responsibilty is out to show off,his own kind of magic.

       This he calls Mentalism and his admirers call him master Illusionist.

       Three years in the country, Erik has succeeded in bringing magic our from birthday parties to be seen on television and appreciated by a greater number. Recently he came up wuth an hour television-special not since before done by his contemporaries and counter parts here, Stranger: tge Magic Mana. Now, the 33 year old master illsionist hopes to give the country a new kind of entertainment as he takes his act to live stage at The Metro Centre Hotel.

       Simplicity is the pervading quality of Erik Mana's "magic". No flamboyant costumes,no elaborate dances instead the audience is confronted with the "reality" of illusions and magical tricks. Magic which in his own words "seems impossibly real".

       So at The MetroCentre Hotel on July 21, Erik will do his mind boggling performances. And you will see that the lines between the impossible becomes a blur as Erik Mana the premiere magician of  the country performs his illusions and his tricks live....before your own eyes.

       "Sandugroove 3 with the Philippines Premiere Magician Erik Mana" is a  Dinner-Magic show at the MetroCentre Hotel. Prompted by Entertainment Concept House,Inc. the show is sponsored by: BQ Mall, Dunkin' Donuts, Pepsi, Panglao Island  Nature  Resort, and Universal Press.

press release...
       
         The country's famous band is going to rock Bohol and Sandugo visitors on July 20, 2007 in an event dubbed Sandugroove 3 with Bamboo live in concert at level 4 Carpark, BQ Mall.
        To examine Bamboo's story so far is to take a microscopic view of the local music scene.  It all starts with a dream.
        Taking inspiration from all the demigods that sang to them from their crabby speakers, spewing wisdom and good vibes out of worn out cassettes long before an apple gave birth to a pod, they pick an instrument, string up some rifts, weave some melodies, sing a few songs.
        Before they knew it, they had sold their soul to the music, and the mistress exacts a high price.
        The goal: - first an album; a single on radio; do some gigs; then dream of playing the foreign shores.
        The cycle should grow exponentially, in theory.  Yet, as the proverb goes, many are called but only few (and fewer still) are chosen.
        From then on Bamboo and success is one.
        Composed of bamboo Manalac - vocals, Ira Cruz - guitar, Nathan Azarcon - bass and Vic Mercado on drums, the group recorded their first album "As the Music Plays."
        "We are already looking forwarded to writing original material,"Bamboo comments."We can't wait to hear what the new songs would sound like.  The fans feel the same way, for sure, But for now, We Stand Alone Together.
        Hear Bamboo's latest compositions on concert night.
        An Entertainment Concept House Inc. presentation, Sandugroove 3 is brought to you by BQ Mall, Dunkin' Donuts, Pepsi, and Universal Press.       

Bohol's history will never the same again... Today.

Only in Tubag Bohol. At 7:07 of 07/07/07 (Today) the search for Virtual Ms Bohol Sandugo 2007 begins...

This is the battle of the champions!

RUSH SALE!

    * Lot-1,154 sq.m. Beside Taloto Monastery Tagbilaran City:along National Hiway;Clean Title
    * Appliances,kitchen wares, etc.

Contact: Tel No: 038-411-3570 (for sale)

Cellphone# 0916-3423889
Owner leaving

LOT FOR SALE

TIPTIP 144 sq. m.
and SAN ISIDRO
200 sq. m. Clean Title
All along Barangay Roads at P1,000 per sq. meter

contact:(0919)798-2655

Quote from: GEC348 on July 07, 2007, 09:25:24 AM
Mike, you should have a photo in a floral polo shirt unbottoned to the chest with panglao's beach on the background with a cocktail drink in your hand. And yes, wear a beaming smile!

GEC, that look is enough.

Life should be simple and crisp.

NISSAN URVAN FOR RENTAL                         FOR SALE

    * Bohol Countryside                               15"ALLOY WHEELS
    * City Tours                                          B/N Toyota ORG.
    * Airport/Seaport Transfers                      on 205x70 Tires(5 holes)
    * Site Inspection                                    4 pcs. Reams + 1 tire only P39T
    * Wedding                                             Contact:    Contact:501-0186,                                           

Cel # 0918-2385016
               235-7062
               0921-486-5418;
               0921-279-7612

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
Area-20 sq.m.;
50 sq.m;
130 sq. m.;
600 sq.m.;

In front of UB corner Ma.Clara
and Remolador Sts.,
Tagbilaran City

Call:
038-501-0267
038-411-2904

FOR LEASE

64 square meter
office space
across HNU.

Please contact:
Cell# 09173040674

RUSH SALE!
HOUSE & LOT-550 SQ.M.-BEACH FRONT

2-STOREY HOUSE WITH 7 BEDROOMS;
4 SPACES AT THE GROUND FLOOR FOR
RENTING OUT SPACIOUS YARD
PRICE:P1 million

STILL NEGOTIABLE

please contact
09218295952

FOR SALE

BMW V Series with TD/DVD
Automatic-Price-P1.5M
Nissan Terrano
Automatic

Price-P230,000.00

Contact:09212183589

FOR SALE                                                 
Cellphone  Repair Tools                                           
& Equipment (slightly used)                             

    *  Software also included                           
    * Price very negotiable                                 

Contact:                                                             

RHODA LARODA
038- 411-4980 (PLDT)
038-501-9988 (Globelines)

Mobile No: 09175462050

Water Refilling System

3,000 gallons per day with Reverse Osmosis
& Ice Maker. Made in U.S.A. 500 TO 600 kilos per day.

CONTACT:(038) 411-3004 (Tagbilaran PLDT)
       
Mobile Phone: 0917-3063370

By William B. Depasupil
<a href="http://www.manilatimes.net">The Manila Times</a>

Twenty-five Filipinos who had worked in Guam received more than P2.4 million in back wages after the United States labor office found that the their employer failed to pay them for overtime work.

Labor Secretary Arturo D. Brion said Friday that Saipan-based Labor Attache Lourdes Lavilla received 25 checks totaling $53,123.87 (more than P2.4 million) from Senior Investigator Richard Hamilton of the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division office in Saipan.

Brion said the amount represented the back wages of the 25 Filipinos who were employed by the Bascon Corp. and Orion Construction Corp. based in Guam.

He said the American labor personnel in Guam conducted inquiries and found that Bascon and Orion failed to fully pay the Filipinos for overtime work.

He expressed appreciation for the DOL’s investigations that resulted in the payments, saying it is a very encouraging indication of the kind of support a host country gives to overseas Filipino workers.

Hawaii-based DOL Assistant District Director Terrence J. Trotter has requested for the assistance of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the US and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the distributing the back wages due the 25 Filipinos.

Brion said the DOL in Hawaii has been working with POEA on similar cases and also would like to course the distribution of the back wages through the agency. The checks are scheduled to reach the POEA by the third week of July.

        The 3rd monthly draw of the biggest car and cash bonanza promo, the "Pangkabuhayan Drive" Raffle Promo of Alturas, Plaza Marcela amd Island City Mall, is scheduled this coming Friday, July 6, 5PM at the Activity Center of the Island City Mall.

        Prizes at stake are one (1) passenger-type multicab, and five (5) consolation prizes of P5,000 each. Other scheduled monthly draw dates are August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2,December 7 and 31.

        In the grand draw on december 31, one lucky customer will win a brand-new Innova J family van, and five others who wull get a Yamaha STX 125 each.

        A customer can jon the promo for every single cash purchase worth P200 in any of the three stores of Alturas Supermarket,Plaza Marcela, and Island City.Proof of purchase is only valid on the day of purchase. All non winning entries in the monthly draws are qualified in the grand draw.

       The Alturas Supermarket,Plaza Marcele and Island City Mall "Pangkabuhayan Drive" Raffle Promo will run until December 31,this year.

By Rachelle M. Nessia
Philippine Information Agency

Dumaguete City - The country’s potential as a premier alternative educational destination for students from foreign countries is already felt in the small yet vibrant academic environment in Dumaguete City.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recently announced its initiative to position the Philippines as a premier alternative educational destination where neighboring countries could send their overflow student populations.

CHED Chair Lito Puno has come up with what is termed as “education tourism” strategy, a program that will position the country as an alternative educational destination to China or Russia.

Dumaguete City is a prime example of how Philippine education is a promising factor in drawing in international students.

Touted as a university town, Dumaguete’s bustling academic environment has attracted several foreign students to pursue their education in the city, especially at Silliman University, the oldest American university in the country, which has lured a growing number of foreign students to study here.

SU currently has 251 foreign students from 19 countries enrolled in various courses for school year 2007 to 2008.

Of the total, 199 are enrolled in the college level and 52 in the School of Basic Education comprised of early childhood, elementary and high school levels.

Koreans top the number of foreign students on campus with 105, followed by Iranians, 49 and Americans, 44.

Other nationalities on campus include Indonesians, Germans, Tanzanians, Canadians, Japanese, and British, to name a few.

According to Mark Raygan E. Garcia, director of the SU Office of Information and Publication, majority of the Korean students are enrolled in business and language courses while Iranians are mostly taking up engineering and information technology studies.

Most of the American students are studying in the Nursing and Allied Health Sciences department.

The university’s Masters in Business Administration course have likewise attracted foreign graduate students.

Data from SU shows a steady rise in the university’s enrollment of international students. “The trend has been increasing. For example, at the college level, there were 123 foreign students enrolled in the 2002 to 2003 school year. And five years after, we now have 199 foreign students,” said Garcia.

Garcia attributes the trend to the university’s affordable yet high quality education. “The cost of education here is lower compared to the countries where our international students come from. Plus, with the university’s quality education, it is an investment for these students who after four years, get to earn a degree that make them competitive enough to land lucrative jobs abroad,” he explained.

The university likewise offers Filipino classes for foreign students in an effort to offer a holistic development for them, and help them break through the barriers of language and culture differences. “These classes are specially designed to cater to the needs of our international students, so they can learn the local language and culture as well,” added Garcia.

Garcia said the presence of foreign students in the university have benefited the city’s tourism industry. “It is benefiting not only the academic institution but the city as well as these foreign students have also other needs that only the larger community of Dumaguete can provide,” he said.

He added that for now, SU relies on tie-ups with foreign universities such as those under the student exchange programs, its consortia with universities in Asia and the United States, and by “word of mouth” in pulling in foreign students.

CHED’s ‘education tourism’ strategy has already earned the support of Malacañang after Puno discussed the program’s blueprint during a weekly program aired over government channel NBN-4.

Puno said the strategy complements the government’s tourist promotion program.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye explained that the country is an attractive alternative destination for Korean students because of three main factors: the short distance between Manila and Seoul, the affordability of Philippine education, and the Filipinos’ fluency in English.

The Philippine government and China’s Ministry of Education have signed recently a memorandum of agreement “allowing Chinese students who could not be accommodated in China’s universities to study in the Philippines.” (PIA)

Di na ni matabang... Beauty Explosion in Tubag Bohol.

source: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk">BBC NEWS</a>

Japan says it aims to erect a missile defense shield as quickly as possible, to counter the threat from North Korea.

In its annual report, the defense ministry warns that Pyongyang is now producing sophisticated weapons.

It also says that one of the prime objectives of the Japanese military is to conduct peacekeeping missions.

While many people in Japan welcome attempts to increase its international role, others fear a more assertive Japan may trigger a regional arms race.

Defense shield

Japan was shocked when North Korea tested a nuclear weapon last autumn, according to the BBC's correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Hogg.

The fact that Pyongyang has test-fired several short-range ballistic missiles in the past month has only increased concern, our correspondent says.

One US expert described these tests as successful launches of an advanced weapon.

So in its annual report, Japan's defense ministry is clear about the need to complete the country's missile defence shield without delay.

"North Korea is improving its capability of managing ballistic missiles. It is considered that North Korea is trying to further extend their firing range," the document says.

"It is necessary to finish deploying a ballistic missile defense as quickly as possible."

Mobile surface-to-air missile batteries were delivered to bases near Tokyo in March, and the US installed Japan's first anti-missile system on the southern island of Okinawa last year.

Japan's first ship equipped with ballistic missile interceptors will come into service before the end of 2007.

Neighbours' unease

As it has done many times in the past, Japan has also used this report to express concern over the difficulty in obtaining accurate information about China's military build-up.

"There are fears about the lack of transparency concerning China's military strength," the paper says.

"In January this year China used ballistic missile technology to destroy one of its own satellites. There was insufficient explanation from China, sparking concern... about safety in space as well as the security aspects."

China's defense minister is due to visit Japan later this year - the first such visit in almost a decade.

During the visit, he is likely to be pressed to reveal more about China's military intentions.

But Japan's neighbours will, no doubt, also be unsettled by the description in the paper of international peacekeeping as a key mission for the self-defense forces, our correspondent adds.

"International peace co-operation activities are a primary mission," said defense ministry spokesman Mamoru Kotaki as the report was launched.

Though its is one of the world's strongest and best-equipped militaries, Japan's Self-Defense Forces are currently constrained by the nation's 1947 constitution, which limits them to a strictly defensive role.

But many Japanese critics, and regional neighbours, fear the troops' purely pacifist function is being ignored as Japan's role as an international peacekeeper increases.

Rare genetic mutation increases muscles,
weight of sleek breed



Wendy the Whippet has a genetic disorder that
has resulted in an exceptionally muscular appearance.
Photograph by: Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist

source: <a href="http://www.canada.com">Canada.com</a>

p.s. kindly post a reply here if you cannot see the dog's image.

source: <a href="http://www.pinoypress.net>Pinoypress.net</a>

The Foreign Chambers of the Philippines warmly welcome the increasing tourist arrivals in the Philippines, which in 2006 grew at an annual rate of 14% (twice the regional average). If fast growth continues, we believe the government’s target of five million visitors by 2010 is achievable.

Premium hotels are crowded, and the Department of Tourism estimates 3,000 tourist-quality rooms need to be added in 2007 and larger numbers in future years. Every 1,000 tourist-quality rooms represent more than US$1 billion in new investment. Spending by an average tourist during one trip can support one job for an average Filipino worker for one year. Thus doubling foreign tourist arrivals could also double total direct and indirect jobs created by foreign tourism to nearly 7 million. The potential for tourism to create investment and jobs and add to the GDP growth rate of the country is enormous.

In addition, as the Philippine economy grows, more foreign businessmen are arriving to trade and invest and more Filipinos living and working overseas are returning on visits and many are purchasing real estate. They also stimulate the growth of sunrise industries like medical tourism and retirement that are prioritized by the government.

Since most foreign visitors arrive in the Philippines by air, their first and last impressions of the country are usually created by their experience at airports. Airline travel has become less convenient for travelers around the globe because of security threats, but in the Philippines we have particular concerns about the inefficiencies of several major airports to handle the expected growth of international and domestic air traffic.

A Turnoff for Visitors Arriving in Manila

Already, there are peak periods when the three operating terminals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are extremely crowded, creating negative impressions for travelers who are used to the modern, efficient facilities built in most Asian cities over the last decade. Examples include Bangkok, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Nagoya, Narita, Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore and Xiamen. The Philippines had aspired to be among these, but NAIA’s new international terminal remains empty and its new domestic Terminal 2 facility only benefits passengers using Philippine Airlines. Fifty-three percent of the total domestic and international passenger throughput using NAIA in 2006 passed through terminals that should have been replaced long ago.

Serious Challenges at NAIA

NAIA faces challenges similar to many old airports in Asian capitals whose populations have grown rapidly in recent decades. Runway restrictions limit its capacity to handle flights (now allowed to land 22 hours each day from 4 am to 2 am). NAIA handled nearly 10 million international passengers in 2006 and 2.8 million international passengers in the first quarter of 2007, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2006. All three of NAIA’s operating terminals are today utilized beyond original design capacity (see charts 1 and 2). The old domestic terminal handled 3 million passengers in 2006, above its design capacity of 2.5 million passengers. Similar situations exist at NAIA Terminal 1 (the old international terminal) and NAIA Terminal 2 (the new domestic terminal). (read more at pinoypress.net)

By Renee F. De Guzman
Philippine Information Agency

Not too long ago, the Philippines was a top destination for foreign students seeking not just English proficiency but quality education in all fields.

Foreign students including Thais, Iranians, Pakistanis and even Americans went to Philippine schools to study medicine, engineering, education, commerce and other courses. For degree in agriculture, foreign students went to Los Banos. Philippine schools excelled in almost all disciplines, and the quality of education showed in the skills of the country's workforce.

All this changed as the nation became complacent and education particularly in public schools was neglected. The country has lost its edge in all disciplines. If foreign students are coming here in droves to improve their English proficiency, one big reason is not the high quality of education but, the lower tuition rates compared to those countries such as Singapore or Hongkong where English is also widely spoken.

For the past few years, the Philippines has been the favorite destination of Korean students seeking to improve their English proficiency. Special English schools have been set up in recent years to meet this growing demand.

An estimated 100,000 South Korean students are enrolled in various private and state colleges and universities in the country.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan reported recently that over 29,000 newly arrived Korean citizens were issued special study permits (SSP) and student visas (SP).

Soon, Chinese students are also expected to arrive, with the Philippine Government signing recently a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) "allowing Chinese students who could not be accommodated in China's universities to study in the Philippines."

Aside from Chinese, about 1,600 students from India are expected to enroll in the Philippine colleges and universities next semester.

In recent years the government has scrambled to reverse the deterioration in the quality of education especially in public schools. Steps are being undertaken to raise the level of the country's educational system to worldwide standards.

President Arroyo in her 2004-2010 Medium Term Philippine Development Plan MTPDP) encapsulated "initiatives in education targeting the four educational levels - daycare, grade school, high school and college with specific plans and programs of development.

Efforts are also being made to improve Filipinos' proficiency not just in English but also in the Tagalog-based national language and in the fields of Mathematics, Science and Technology.

As the government promotes education tourism to attract more foreign students to the country it is exerting efforts to improve the quality of education for all Filipinos to also address the country's unemployment. (PIA La Union)

source: <a href="http://mathaba.net">Mathaba</a>

A total of 121 Filipinos were killed in politically-motivated attacks during this year's election period, the Philippine police had said.

The number includes those people killed from Jan. 14 to June 13this year. Among them, 11 were candidates and 49 were candidates' supporters, according to the final tally of the Philippine National Police (PNP) operations center released on Wednesday.

At least 20 policemen were also killed through the election period, the PNP report added.

The cases on the finally tally have been validated to be politically-motivated and poll-related, the police said.

A total of 176 people were also wounded, including seven candidates, 17 politicians and 62 supporters.

The PNP report said this year's election death toll was much lower than the previous election season in 2004, when 189 were killed.

The Philippines' mid-term polls for congress and local government officials began in May 2007.

GEC,

you're a wholesome poet.

i salute you, GEC.

but i don't know your real name.

Jonas Geust, VP of Multimedia Computers Department
source: <a href="http://facehk.com">Face HK</a>

Who would have thought Nokia doesn’t like what the iPhone ended up to be? I was one of the guys that had at least a small suspicion that they don’t really have a soft spot for Apple’s cellphone. No wonder because they haven’t taken an official statement regarding that device since it was unveiled during the
Steve Jobs’ keynote at MacWorld, in the beginning of January.

Why are they saying the iPhone is no good? Because, as Jonas Geust the VP of the Mobile Computers Department from Nokia has said in a phone conversation with Tim Long, an analyst working for the Bank of America, not many people will think the iPhone is the ideal mobile phone.

The reasons sustaining his claim are the touch screen of the device which, despite some positive feedback Nokia has received in some of its studies related to these types of products, lots of people have issues. They said it is very hard to keep the touchscreen’s surface clean and some of them disliked the fact that these types of devices are very hard to use with one hand, making them a nightmare while driving.

Another reason is the 2.5G technology the iPhone has. That will not be fast enough for the future iPhone users and, as the Nokia VP said, Apple should have opted for the 3G technology to provide its customers with a richer user experience.

The third reason was its not so bright camera, a 3 to 5 megapixels one should have been more appropriate according to Geust. I have to make a stand here and tell everyone reading this article that megapixels are not the things that make a photo better, the thing that makes it better being the lenses it uses and the software that will process the image obtained on the sensor.

The fourth and last reason referred to the iPhone storage space, Geust saying the 4 to 8 GB to be available on the iPhone will be enough only for music storage but, a user that will also want to watch videos and store its personal photos for later viewing, will feel the need for up to 16-32 GB o storage space.

In conclusion, the iPhone is not the ultimate communication device you might have thought and, even more, it might have some serious drawbacks in its fight with the handsets the other mobile phone manufacturers will release as its competition.

To circumcise or not to circumcise: What a controversy! (NSFW)
By Jenna!
source: <a href="http://addsomespice.com">Addsomespice.com</a>

Marriage and other long-term relationships can get a little dull if you don't try to spice them up once in a while! Check out my Spice Blog for tips & techniques, inspiration, erotic stories, relationship advice, weekly challenges, hot pictures and more!

A week ago a friend of mine whom I haven't spoken to in several months called to ask if we could get together for lunch.  She used to live down the street from me and was always a great friend, so I was anxious to see her.  We made an appointment and I've been looking forward to it all week.

When I saw her at the restaurant I was very surprised to see that she was pregnant.  "Congratulations," I said while giving her a big hug.  "You're going to be a great mom!"  She said thanks, then we found our way to the table and started catching up as we waited for our food.

My friend, who I'll call Jessica for anonymity's sake, didn't seem very happy.  This was her first child, so I said "Don't worry, no one knows what they're doing in the beginning.  You just wing it and pretty soon you surprise yourself at how good of a mom you can be.  You'll be a great mom!"

"Not according to Rick," she said.  I was a little taken aback; her husband is a nice, decent guy.  "What do you mean?"

She went on to tell me that she wants her son to have a circumcision, while Rick doesn't.  "He actually told me that I'd be mutilating our baby.  We argued about it a lot over the past few weeks.  I've tried sending him information about the procedure.  He says he knows all about it, he just doesn't want it done and doesn't want to talk about it."

No wonder she was distraught!

Our food arrived, which was good because there was an awkward silence as I thought about what she said.  Then I just rapidly blurted out the questions on my mind, "So I take it he wears a turtleneck?"  Yes.  "He likes it?"  Yes. "You don't like it?"  No.  "Wow.  Have you told him that?"  Of course not.

Now the dilemma was clear.  How does she stand her ground without telling her husband that she doesn't like his penis?

Rick was a hunk.  I of course didn't share this with Jessica, but I had often fantasized about getting into his pants.  I consider myself pretty open-minded, and I've had men of the turtleneck and sans-turtleneck variety, but I had to admit to myself that I was a little taken aback.

I must have had a perplexed look on my face, because Jessica asked me what I thought.  "I basically agree with you.  I've had both types, but I don't prefer turtlenecks."  She looked a little relieved.

I think circumcision is a very personal and private decision, and I understand how it can very seriously put couples at odds with one another.  What I never considered is that women tend to be in an even tougher situation than their husbands, because they can't really explain their reasons without offending or hurting their husbands.  Thankfully Jake and I were always in agreement on the subject.

Jessica went on to explain all her reasons, which basically meshed with my own.  "I think most women would agree with you," I said.  For me, it's mostly a cleanliness issue.  There is no doubt that men can keep the area well-washed, but I always wondered in the back of my mind how clean it can be by the end of the day, or after having sex.  I've had a couple boyfriends who were uncircumcised.  They were both very clean, but I did occasionally encounter bad smells and tastes while fellating them.  I also prefer the look of the circumsized man.  My son is circumcised; I just think that he will fit in better with the kids he grows up with, and based on my preference, I think he'll be a little more attractive to the ladies as well.

I don't know for sure what women prefer in general, so I just created this poll to find out:
POLL: Do you prefer a circumcised or uncircumcised penis

In the 1970's, 91% of men were circumcised.  That's quite a bit lower now, but most studies still put the number at over 50% despite the large Latino-American population which generally has a very low rate of circumcision.

There are many pros and cons regarding circumcision but I was surprised to learn that were were so many benefits.  I had always heard that cleanliness and risk-susceptibility was no longer an issue with uncircumcised men.  If the Wikipedia article above is accurate (and you should always take even scientific studies with a grain of salt), circumcised boys are much less at-risk for a variety of situations.

CONS of Circumcision:

    * Religious implications.
    * Ethics/Right-to-Choose implications.
    * Possibilities of complications (bleeding, infection, etc.).
    * Pain during and after the procedure.
    * Some people claim sensation can be reduced because the foreskin contains lots of nerve endings.
      (Jake says no way, if he had any more pleasure he'd go into a coma every time someone touched him!)

PROS of Circumcision:

    * Circumcised men tend to have fewer sexual dysfunctions and a more varied sex life (more likely to have oral, anal sex).
    * They tend to be less susceptible to the HIV and HPV viruses, leading to fewer cases of AIDS and Penile Cancer.
    * They tend to have fewer inflammations and infections of the foreskin and glans.
    * Some women tend to prefer the smoother gliding action of a circumcised penis.
    * Circumcised men tend to have less difficulty keeping a condom on due to the reduced sliding of the foreskin.
    * If circumcision is common locally, the circumcised male will fit in better (the corollary is also true).

I didn't know all this today, so I wasn't much help to Jessica.  I just told her that she should research it more, try to find a better way to explain her thoughts, to be open (but sensitive) to her husband, maybe find a women's poll like the one I created above, and finally to just drop it if Rick isn't interested in discussing it.  It's probably not worth getting into a lifelong fight over!

-Jenna

text and photo source: (www.starmometer.com) - The first year that Miss Tourism Queen International became a grand slam pageant, our very own Justine Gabionza captured the crown. This year, we have another stunner that could give us a back-to-back victory from the said pageant and she is none other than Annemarie Jebb, a finalist in Miss Philippines Earth 2005. Annemarie will compete in Zhengzhou, China against more than 100 beauties from around the world.

Annemarie was born in Netherlands to a half British father and Filipina mother. Her childhood life has been spent in UK but this time her parents has decided to stay permanently in the Philippines early this year which Annemarie embraced fully. Her multi-cultural experiences helped her to adjust easily to new places and faces and would make her more at ease when reaches China.

By John Leonidou
CYPRUS MAIL

A Filipina housemaid has been cleared by a Nicosia Court of stealing over £50,000 worth of jewellery and cutlery from the vault of her former employer.

Jinky Tulin Bacunu was accused by police of stealing £51,400 worth of jewellery and cutlery from Lenia Paraika â€" the elderly woman she was looking after in April last year.

Bacunu has since moved out of the pensioner’s house and is working elsewhere.

According to police officials, the maid had managed to unlock her former employer’s vault and steal the items inside.

Investigators then suspect that she may have sent them back to the Philippines.

But her defence lawyer Pavlos Erotokritou had countered the prosecution’s claim, saying that nothing had been proved in the prima facie phase of the proceedings especially with Paraika not deemed well enough to testify.

A doctor’s testimony had informed the court that the elderly woman was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

In most Cypriot legal proceedings, the prosecution has the burden of proof, which requires them to present prima facie evidence of all facts to see if there is a case against a defendant or defendants.

In his decision, the judge had stated that the only testimony against Bacunu was the testimony of the elderly woman’s daughter who had previously told the court that her mother had told her that she had seen some of her jewellery inside her maid’s handbag.

The judge had added that the only witness account from the prosecution was hearsay and that no witness account or evidence pointed towards the maid having stolen anything from her former employer.

In a court decision it was noted that “with all of the above mentioned testimonies, it is abundantly clear that the testimonies lack convincing and no court could possibly stem its conviction on such a testimony.

“The court rules that a prima facie case has not been proved against the defendant. She is therefore cleared of the charges.”

source: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com">FOX News</a>

When it comes to penises, length matters more to men than to women, according to a new study that reviews more than 60 years of research and debunks numerous sex myths.

About 90 percent of women actually prefer a wide penis to a long one, according to two studies included in the review.

Eighty-five percent of women reported being satisfied with their partner's penis size, compared to only 55 percent for men.

The review, conducted by Drs. Kevan Wylie and Ian Eardley of the Porterback Clinic and Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and St. James' Hospital in Leeds, England, respectively, combines results from more than 50 international research projects into penis size and small penis syndrome (SPS) conducted since 1942.

"The issue of attractiveness to women is complex, but most data suggest that penile size is much lower down the list of priorities for women than such issues as a man's personality and external grooming," the researchers write.

Drawing upon the results of 12 relevant studies, the review, detailed in the British Journal of Urology (BJU) International, finds that the average erect penis is about 5.5 to 6.2 inches long and about 4.7 to 5.1 inches in circumference.

Penis myths

The findings also deflate a few other myths about male genitalia. The notion that penis size varies according to race, for example, is false.

Another oft-repeated myth is that older men tend to have smaller penises, but Wylie and Eardley found no differences when they combined the results of all the studies together.

One surprising finding was that small penis syndrome (SPS), also known as the "locker room syndrome," is much more common in men with normal sized penises than those who have so-called micropensises (penises with a flaccid length of less than 2.7 inches).

An Internet survey of more than 52,000 heterosexual men found that 12 percent thought their penises were too small, even though micropenis is estimated to affect only about 0.6 percent of men.

One study suggests SPS often begin at an early age. Sixty-three percent of men with the disorder said their anxieties started with childhood comparisons, often to an elder sibling or their fathers, while 37 percent blamed erotic images viewed during their teenage years.

Be wary

The review also supports recent studies that find penis-enlarging vacuum devices, penis extenders and traction devices rarely live up to their promises, but can, in some cases, provide a "psychological uplifting effect."

The authors take a wait-and-see approach to penis-enlargement surgery, which can include everything from partially separating ligaments in the penis so it hangs further from the body to injecting fat into the penis to increase its girth.

One of the most extreme procedures involves completely splaying the penis and inserting a piece of cartilage into it before suturing it up again.

"While information is starting to emerge on the success of some surgical techniques, this is not backed up by data on patients' satisfaction with such procedures," Wylie said.

The doctors point out some ancient tried-and-true methods for penis enlargement, but these aren't any more comfortable.

Indian Sadhus, for example, use weights to increase their penis length, while the Topamina of Brazil encourage poisonous snakes to bite their penises to get a size boost that lasts six months.

The researchers say their review is intended to "provide clinicians with an overarching summary of the many research projects that have been carried out into penile size and small penis syndrome" so that they can better treat the disorder.

When faced with a patient with SDS, "the initial approach should be a thorough urological, psychosexual, psychological and psychiatric assessment, possibly with more than one clinician involved," they write.

source: <a href="http://cnews.canoe.ca">CNEWS Canoe</a>

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) - A cat that spent nearly three weeks crossing the Pacific inside a shipping container with no food or water appears to be just fine.

Pamela Escamilla lost sight of her 3-year-old calico, Spice, while packing a large container with household goods in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii. The container was shipped June 15 to Southern California.

Escamilla, 39, and her husband could not find the cat before taking their flight and asked neighbours in Hawaii to call if Spice returned.

As it turns out, Spice spent 18 days in the pitch-black container without food or water before arriving at the San Bernardino home of Escamilla's parents on Tuesday.

"We really thought that cat was going to be dead," said Edward Gardner, Escamilla's father.

When Escamilla opened the container, she and family members noticed fluffs of cat hair on the floor. They started removing items, and Escamilla climbed into the container to search.

She said she saw Spice poke her head out from behind some bicycles.

"I started to scream," she said.

Escamilla gently picked up the cat and took her to a veterinarian who said the feline's prognosis was good. Spice's kidneys had shrunk and her bowels were backed up, but she managed to get some food and water down at the vet, Escamilla said.

Escamilla said the veterinarian told her that calicos have a strong survival instinct.

"It's always a good day when the cat's alive," said Escamilla. "We didn't know what we would find."

source: Philippine Entertainment Portal (pep.ph)

Mabilis na nakarating sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) ang balitang hiwalay na diumano ang mag-asawang Cesar Montano at Sunshine Cruz. Agad tinawagan ng PEP ang isang malapit na tao kay Sunshine upang kumpirmahan ang nasabing balita.

Kinumpirma ng PEP source na wala na nga ang dating sexy actress sa tahanan nila ni Cesar sa Sct. Rallos, Quezon City.

Ayon pa sa source na malapit kay Sunshine, naunang umalis ng bahay si Cesar. Nakailang tawag at text na raw si Sunshine kay Cesar, pero hindi raw ito sinasagot ng aktor. Hanggang sa nagdesisyon na diumano na umalis si Sunshine sa bahay nila ni Cesar bitbit ang kanilang mga anak na babae.

Kasalukuyang nasa bahay na mga magulang niya ngayon sa Parañaque si Sunshine at mga anak nila ni Cesar.

Hindi naman malaman kung saan nagpunta ang multi-awarded actor-director

Duda ng aming source, may kinalaman ang isyu sa kumalat kamakailan tungkol sa pagpunta ni Cesar sa girlie bar sa Parañaque, ang AirForce 1. Posible raw na ito ang naging dahilan ng tampuhan nila ni Sunshine pagdating ni Cesar mula sa US.

Matatandaang nasa US si Cesar nang lumabas ang isyu ng pagpunta niya sa girlie bar.

Ayaw magbigay ng pahayag as of the moment ni Sunshine, pero nagpadala naman siya ng text message sa aming source.

Ayon sa text message ni Sunshine, "I would rather not comment on anything for now. Thanks so much for understanding."

50 LONGEST WORDS IN ON-LINE DICTIONARIES

1.   PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSCOPICSILICOVOLCANOCONIOSIS   45
2.   TETRAMETHYLDIAMINOBENZHYDRYLPHOSPHINOUS   39
3.   DIMETHYLAMIDOPHENYLDIMETHYLPYRAZOLONE   37
4.   FORMALDEHYDETETRAMETHYLAMIDOFLUORIMUM   37
5.   BUTYLAMINOBENZYLDIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL   36
6.   CHOLANGIOCHOLECYSTOCHOLEDOCHECTOMY   34
7.   METHYLENEDIOXYPHENYLISOPROPYLAMINE   34
8.   SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS   34
9.   DICHLOROBENZYLTRIBUTYLPHOSPHONIUM   33
10.   DIETHYLSULPHONEMETHYLETHYLMETHANE   33
11.   SUPERCALAFAJALISTICKESPEEALADOJUS   33
12.   CONJUNCTIVODACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY   32
13.   TETRACHLOROTETRABROMOFLUORESCEIN   32
14.   DICHLORODIPHENYLTRICHLOROETHANE   31
15.   PHENYLDIETHYLHYDRAZONIUMBROMIDE   31
16.   DIMETHYLCYCLOPROPANECARBOXYLIC   30
17.   PSEUDOPSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM   30
18.   TETRAHYDROPARAMETHOXYQUINOLINE   30
19.   TETRAMETHYLDIAMINOBENZOPHENONE   30
20.   TRINITROPHENYLMETHYLNITRAMINES   30
21.   ALLYLISOPROPYLACETYLCARBAMIDE   29
22.   AMINOBENZENESULPHONYLTHIAZOLE   29
23.   DICHLOROTETRABROMOFLUORESCEIN   29
24.   DIETHYLENETRIAMINEPENTAACETIC   29
25.   FLOCCINAUCINIHILIPILIFICATION   29
26.   METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE   29
27.   TETRACHLORODIBENZOPARADIOXINE   29
28.   TETRAETHYLDIAMINOBENZOPHENONE   29
29.   TRIETHYLSULPHONEMETHYLMETHANE   29
30.   TETRAACETYLGALACTOSEPTANOSES   29
31.   TETRACHLORODIBENZOPARADIOXIN   29
32.   TRIFLUOROMETHYLPHENOTHIAZINE   29
33.   TRINITROPHENYLNITRAMINOETHYL   29
34.   AMMONIUMPEROXOCOBALTICOBALTE    28
35.   ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM   28
36.   CAMPHOFORMENEAMINECARBOXYLIC   28
37.   COUNTERIMMUNOELECTROPHORESIS   28
38.   ELECTROPHOTOMICROGRAPHICALLY   28
39.   ESOPHAGOJEJUNOGASTROSTOMOSIS   28
40.   HEPATICOCHOLANGIOGASTROSTOMY   28
41.   HYDROXYPYRROLIDINECARBOXYLIC   28
42.   HYSTEROSALPINGOLOOPHORECTOMY   28
43.   MONOGALACTOSYLDIACYLGLYCEROL   28
44.   OCTAMETHYLCYCLOTETRASILOXANE   28
45.   OCTAMETHYLPYROPHOSPHORAMIDES   28
46.   PHENETHYLFORMAMINYLIMINOUREA   28
47.   PHENOXYACETAMIDOPENICILLANIC   28
48.   PROSTATOSEMINALVESICULECTOMY   28
49.   SPECTROPHOTOFLUOROMETRICALLY   28
50.   TETRAHYDRODICYCLOPENTADIENE   28

Beijing has three dotted letters in a row (in lower case). Other words with multiple dotted letters are

remijia, bogijiab, pirijiri, kharijite, gaijin (in OSPD3), Fiji, Hajji, hijinks, hijiki (a type of seaweed), Ujiji (where Stanley found Livingstone in 1871), Ajijic and Pijijiapan (cities in Mexico), jinjili (an alternative name for "sesame seed"), ijijimò (Nauruan for the adjective "lean," and Nauruan is a palindrome!), Shijiazhuang (Chinese city), Nijjar (Jat clan from the Northern Indian state of Punjab), Frijj (a brand of milkshake sold mainly in the United Kingdom), Nasdijj (Nasdijj [occasionally Yinishye Nasdijj] is the name taken by the author of three books published between 2000 and 2004), Kimchijjigae (a spicy stew-like dish cooked and served boiling hot in a stone pot, widely available in Korea), Sojiji (one of two main temples of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism), Jijia (a river in the Moldavia region of Romania), Niijima (a Japanese surname), Iijima (a Japanese surname), Minoru Niijima (the artist who drew the cover graphic for Edward R. Tufte's book The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. [contributors: Stuart Kidd, Philip Bennett, Steve Lawson]. (aol.com)

Answer:

This is the most frequently asked question of the editors of Merriam-Webster. Actually, "angry" and "hungry" are the only two words in common use ending in -gry, but quite a few obsolete or obscure words can be found in unabridged dictionaries. Among them are ANHUNGRY, used by Shakespeare, and AGGRY BEAD, both of which are in W3. The only -GRY words in RHUD2 are ANGRY, HUNGRY, HALF-ANGRY, OVERANGRY, and UNANGRY. Chambers has AGGRY (an adjective describing certain ancient West African beads) and AHUNGRY (oppressed with hunger). OSPD has PUGGRY (a variant form of the more usual PUGGAREE, a scarf wrapped around a sun helmet). The OED has angry, an-hungry, begry, conyngry, gry, higry pigry, hungry, iggry, meagry, menagry, nangry, podagry, skugry, unangry. (aol.com)

ABBEIT, ABBESS, ABBEST, ABDEST, ABHORS, ACCENT, ACCEPT, ACCESS, ACCLOY, ACCOST, ACHILL, ACKNOW, ADDEEM, ADDERS, ADEMPT, ADHORT, ADILLS, ADIPSY, ADORTY, AFFLUX, AGHILL, ALMOST, ANOPSY, BEFIST, BEFLOW, BEGILT, BEGINS, BEGIRT, BEKNOW, BELLOW, BENOTT, BIJOUX, BILLOT, BIOPSY, BLOOPS, BLOTTY, CHILLS, CHILLY, CHIMPS, CHINNY, CHINTZ, CHIPPY, CHIRRS, CHITTY, CHIVVY, CHOOPS, CHOOSY, CHOPPY, CLOOPS, CLOTTY, DEFLOW, DEFLUX, DEHORT, DIKKOP, DILUVY, DIMPSY, EFFLUX, EFFORT, ELLOPS, FILMOT, FLOORS, FLOPPY, FLOSSY, GHOSTY, GILLOT, GLOPPY, GLOSSY, GOOSSY, KNOPPY, and KNOTTY [contributors: Philip Bennett, Bruce D. Wilner, Mike Turniansky, Denis Borris, Stuart Kidd, Eric Brahinsky].

By Karen DeYoung
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com">Washington Post</a>

The next terrorist assault on the United States is likely to come through relatively unsophisticated, near-simultaneous attacks -- similar to those attempted in Britain over the weekend -- designed more to provoke widespread fear and panic than to cause major losses of life, U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials believe.

Such attacks require minimal expertise and training and are difficult to prevent. Although British investigators have not claimed al-Qaeda involvement in the latest incidents, officials here said they may constitute a "hybrid" phenomenon, in which al-Qaeda inspires and guides local groups from afar but establishes no visible operational or logistical links.

The connection, several officials said, is made through a growing network of al-Qaeda intermediaries and affiliates who are far removed from the organization's leadership.

"What is a direct link?" asked one counterterrorism official. "Is it couriers? Messengers?" U.S. officials "from very senior folks" on down, he said, are watching as the British work to reconstruct the attacks and trace their origin.

In an internal memo titled "Staying on Target," CIA Director Michael V. Hayden told agency employees yesterday that "events in Great Britain since last Friday serve as a reminder -- if we ever needed one -- that this remains a dangerous world and that our work in defending America is as important as ever."

The incidents in England and Scotland, counterterrorism officials said, coincide with recent U.S. intelligence indicating stepped-up movement of money and people from al-Qaeda camps in the ungoverned tribal areas of Pakistan, near the Afghan border. Several senior U.S. military officials were sharply critical yesterday of what they saw as the Pakistani government's unwillingness to move forcefully against the camps and the U.S. administration's failure to press Pakistan harder to curtail what one called a terrorist "growth industry."

Al-Qaeda's "presence in the tribal areas has not been this secure since before 9/11," one senior U.S. military intelligence official wrote in an e-mail.

Hayden's memo appeared designed to rally his troops in the face of the morale-deadening criticism directed at the intelligence community in recent years. Accused of incompetence for failing to warn of the September 2001 attacks and for providing faulty intelligence on Iraq, it is also charged with overzealous anti-terrorism efforts that see al-Qaeda operatives under every bed.

"Even as we deal with the current threat," Hayden's memo said, "it is hard not to notice the growing debates on both sides of the Atlantic about certain aspects of the war on terrorism: Guantanamo, habeas corpus, detentions, renditions, electronic surveillance, etc. For us, though, the choices are pretty clear: We will use all of our lawful authorities to defend America and her friends.

"Some say elements of the current debate reflect the thinking of a pre-9/11 world," the short memo concluded. "Don't worry about that. Keep your eye on our objective. For all of us at CIA, today's date is clear: It's always September 12th."

After the events in Britain, U.S. officials have tried to strike a balance between insisting that "we do not currently have any specific threat information that is credible about a particular attack in the United States," as Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday, and asking Americans to keep a careful watch on their surroundings.

Although the Department of Homeland Security did not raise the threat level, Chertoff and other officials said that security and surveillance have been increased in several ways, including the placement of more U.S. marshals on flights to Britain and other European destinations.

Officials said the weekend's events had only heightened existing concerns. "It's not just what happened in England and Scotland that has us watching," another counterterrorism official said. "We have had some concerns for some time."

On Jan. 22, the Holland Tunnel in New York was evacuated for several hours after a suspicious package was spotted after an accident. Hazardous-materials teams were brought in, and the package was blown up by a robot before the tunnel was reopened.

In Georgetown on Saturday night, some restaurants and nightclubs were evacuated after firefighters spotted an abandoned backpack on a sidewalk. And on Sunday afternoon, police set up checkpoints on the access route into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, stopping some cars and trucks for inspection.

A senior administration official acknowledged that recent arrests of groups charged with plotting terrorist attacks in Miami and at Fort Dix, N.J., and John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as the arrest of a man charged with planning to detonate an explosive device in an Illinois shopping mall, have "come under a great deal of criticism for not being serious."

But the official saw some vindication for U.S. law enforcement in the British plots. "Remember that the FBI and the law enforcement community have done important work in nipping these cells in the bud so that we don't get to the stage of cars pouring into an airport terminal," the official said.

Saying that the British incidents "certainly appeared to be al-Qaeda-inspired," the official said they were more of a "reminder" of an ongoing threat in this country than an indication that similar attacks are imminent here.

Bruce Hoffman, a counterterrorism expert at Georgetown University, said he considered al-Qaeda involvement likely in the British incidents and disagreed with those who labeled the attacks amateurish. "They didn't work, but I think of all the al-Qaeda plots we've seen, their sophistication is in their simplicity. They used available materials. Where they tripped up is in the detonation of the devices. That's a trickier business."

The alleged perpetrators under arrest in Britain -- two of them physicians -- pose a challenge for both British and U.S. intelligence officials. The doctors' names did not appear on any U.S. list of people with suspected terrorist ties, U.S. officials said.

Al-Qaeda has made a "strategic investment" in Britain in recent years, Hoffman said, creating ties to an infrastructure of individuals and groups that are difficult to fit into an intelligence profile.

By drawing from a large reservoir of potential operatives, Hoffman said, al-Qaeda is attempting to "break any attempt at profiles, and also to demonstrate the diversity of their movement."

Staff writers Thomas E. Ricks and John Solomon contributed to this report.

source: <a href="http://www.cnn.com">CNN NEWS</a>

LOS ANGELES, California (AP)  -- For months, Shira Barlow's cell phone was flooded with wrong-number calls and text messages, mostly between 2 and 4 a.m. on weekends. Told they had reached a college student, callers refused to believe it.

"Baby girl, how are you?" one man purred in a foreign accent. "Why are you doing this?" a woman asked. "This is so rude." And there were several seemingly random references to "Paris."

As in Paris Hilton.

Barlow's story began on Valentine's Day during a night out with friends. She was carrying her phone in a back pocket when it fell into a toilet. When she replaced it, her wireless company insisted on assigning the San Francisco native a new number with a 310 area code rather than 415.

Barlow had been given a recycled phone number that used to be Hilton's. The practice stems from efforts to conserve phone numbers to minimize area-code splitting.

Just after Barlow got her new phone close to Hilton's February 17 birthday, a flurry of calls and texts arrived. "Oh my God," one caller said. "Where's the party?"

Then came the day Hilton was sentenced to jail after violating probation in an alcohol-related reckless driving case. Messages about parties were replaced by dozens expressing condolences.

"People were scared for her," Barlow said.

The phone traffic trailed off when Hilton entered jail last month. But when Hilton was released, a new crop of messages flooded in.

"It's disgusting how they treated you in there, but once again you have showed the world that you can do anything," one wrote.

Barlow said she has resisted the temptation to pose as Hilton to get into exclusive parties. But she did message supporters "thanks so much," believing Hilton would appreciate it.

Barlow plans to keep the number because she says it has been a greater source of amusement than a hassle.

"It was really out of convenience," she added. "I didn't want to switch again."

Quote from: Onicul85 on July 06, 2007, 10:42:17 AM
LOL. Are you friggin kidding me? Thats pathetic how he had to do that---considering the situation right now in Britain and in the states with bomb threats. Im happy the hard stance the Philippine gov is taking in this situation--this guy should get the 5 years imprisonment. Great way to teach a lesson.

you're right, Onic. The government has to impose a punishment that he deserves.

Some of our countrymen have the illusions that they are really great when they're not.

By ROB GILLIES
<a href="http://www.ap.com">Associated Press Writer</a>

TORONTO (AP) - The Canadian government agency tracking radioactive devices that could be used by terrorists gave four different answers in the past two weeks when asked how many are missing until finally settling Friday on 32.

The confusion has raised questions about how closely the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is keeping tabs on items that experts say could be used to make a dirty bomb.

The commission initially said it knew of just one wayward device in the last few years, but after being challenged, the number climbed days later to 27 since 2002.

The commission said this week that 40 gauges, medical tools and other radioactive devices lost in the last five years are still missing, but it revised the figure Friday to 32.

Commission spokesman Max London says the number has fluctuated because officials followed up with the companies that reported losing them and found that some have been retrieved.

``I received a revised report of what's confirmed is still missing and my count is 32. They've been taking a real hard look at the list,'' said London, who added that most of the devices were stolen from a vehicle or stolen along with the car, truck or trailer. ``We see no pattern that thefts are targeting the gauges.''

Some 3,200 Canadian license holders, from engineering firms to blood banks, use tens of thousands of sealed radioactive devices in their work.

Of the 32 devices they say are still missing, the commission classified 10 as posing a medium safety risk at the time they were lost. The others were considered low risk.

The Canadian Press news agency first challenged the commission's initial responses after compiling its own database of more than six dozen items - from measuring gauges to electron-capture detectors - that have been lost or stolen, according to the commission's library of incident reports. Those documents were obtained under Canada's Access to Information Act.

The varying figures emerged as anti-terrorism experts and emergency responders warned that even low-level nuclear materials found in gauges, dials and other equipment could be turned into a crude radiological device or dirty bomb.

Rami Jammal, head of nuclear substance regulation for the safety commission, acknowledged it has been a challenge to keep tabs on the gauges, irradiators and other equipment containing potentially harmful materials.

``Unfortunately the world has changed,'' he said. ``You are as strong as your weakest link.''

Wesley Wark, a security expert at the University of Toronto, said the commission's inability to monitor its own inventory is alarming and unprofessional.

``The fact that these devices are going missing in these quantities just underscores what I think people in the business know: We haven't yet arrived at a way to fully lock down this material,'' Wark said.

The commission offered to recheck its numbers when it was pointed out that Inspec-Sol, a Montreal engineering firm, confirmed it lost six gauges to thieves between 2004 and 2006.

The gauges are used when inspecting soil or other materials for radioactivity.

Just one device used to measure soil density was recovered, said Inspec-Sol Vice President Francois Cote.

The company was penalized with more visits from federal inspectors and an undisclosed increase in the price for renewing its nuclear permit.

Four of the five thefts involved employee vehicles stolen with gauges locked in trunks, Cote said. Workers have been repeatedly urged to return such equipment to storage sites at the end of the day instead of keeping them in their cars.

In October, police in Thetford Mines, Quebec, blocked roads in and out of town trying to find a car stolen from the parking lot of a pharmacy while an Inspec-Sol worker was inside the store. A radioactive soil-moisture gauge was locked in the trunk.

Police warned the public against tampering with the potential hazard. It was never found.

In another case, an employee's car was located, but not the missing gauge.

Cote says Inspec-Sol has spent thousands of dollars to notify the public about missing devices, offer rewards and step up security and training.

``But even if you improve, a car can still be stolen,'' Cote said.

A radioactive darkroom truck stolen in April 2002 from the driveway of a Canspec Group employee in Kitchener, Ontario, is still missing.

By Scott Young

   1. Commit for a Month. Thirty days is all you need to make a habit change permanent. Less time than that and the new alternative might not be hardwired into your brain. More time and any failures to last are usually a failure of strategy, not duration.

   2. Replace What You Lose. Your habits fulfill needs. When you suddenly cause a change, you may inadvertently cut them out. Before you make a change, write down all the benefits you currently get from your bad habit and make sure they are retained going into the new habit.

   3. Start Small. Changing habits isn’?t a matter of willpower, but patience and strategy. Don’?t expect to overhaul your diet, exercise or thinking patterns in a day. Tackle one habit at a time.

   4. Know the Benefits. Get clear in your mind what the benefits are of making a change. If making a change rationally seems good but it doesn’?t feel good, it won’?t stick. Emotions have more power than many of us realize.

   5. Write it Down. Winston Churchill once said, “?Plans are useless, planning is invaluable.”? Writing out any commitments you make will give you clarity both to what you desire and how you intend to do it.

   6. Swish. A technique from NLP. Visualize yourself performing the bad habit. Next visualize yourself pushing aside the bad habit and performing an alternative. Finally, end that sequence with an image of yourself in a highly positive state. See yourself picking up the cigarette, see yourself putting it down and snapping your fingers, finally visualize yourself running and breathing free. Do it a few times until you automatically go through the pattern before executing the old habit.

   7. Tell a Friend. Get some leverage on yourself. Tell a friend your plan so you will be more likely to commit to the change.

   8. Make it an Experiment. Be a scientist. Just try the new habit to see what it will be like, rather than a great emotional struggle. This will help keep you focused on conditioning the trial and allow you to view results with less bias.

   9. If at First You Don?’t Succeed… Most big changes aren’?t going to happen the first time. It took me three attempts before I finally stuck on with exercising regularly. Now I love it. Don’?t be too hard on yourself if you fail the first time; just tweak your approach and go again.

  10. Get Out of Hazard Zones. Get yourself out of situations that can trigger your old habit. Remove junk food from your house. Don?’t go to places where you might break your budget. This isn?’t always possible, but do your best to avoid temptation.

  11. Use ?But?. A prominent habit-changing therapist once told me this great technique for changing bad thought patterns. When you start to think negative thoughts, use the word ?”but?” to interrupt it. ?”I’?m no good at this, but, if I work at it I might get better later.?”

  12. Know the Pain. Feel what will happen to you if you don?t make a change. Use your imagination to enhance the image of your results should you do nothing.

  13. Add Role Models. Start spending more time with people who live the way you want to live. Join groups and find mentors who have already adapted the habits you want to take on. They can be invaluable in giving you the positive reinforcement and guidance you need.

  14. Stay Consistent. Try to keep as many aspects of your habit in control when conditioning to make the associations stronger. For the first month don’?t just exercise a few times a week, but every day. Do things at the same time and in the same pattern to ensure your results stick.

  15. Keep it Simple Stupid!. Habits should be one or two rules, not 20. If your plan looks like a User License Agreement from Microsoft, it?’s probably too long. Keep changes simple so they will be easier to adhere to.

  16. Remind Yourself. Put reminders of your habit around you. After spending a few years changing many habits, I’?ve learned that one of the biggest ways I?’ve failed is simply a poor memory. Forgetting to run a trial one day leads to two until your back where you started. Put up Post-It notes, affirmations or whatever you need to stay consistent.

  17. Motivate Yourself. Get the motivation when things get tough. Check out 20 Motivation Hacks for some good ways to do that.

  18. Break Down Your Goals. Use habits to get your goals. Break down your goal to be wealthy into habits of investing, frugality and entrepreneurship.

  19. Don?’t Strive for Perfection. Focus on the habits that are important and minimize those that aren’?t. I?’ve changed many major habits, but I?’ve also learned to let minor problems exist if they distract me from the bigger picture.

  20. Do it Now. Waiting for life? The best way to learn how to change those stubborn habits in your life is to practice. Make a change now and in a month you can have a completely new way of living.

Scott Young is a blogger at ScottHYoung.com, where he writes about productivity, motivation and getting the most out of life. This article is just an introduction … for more, check out Scott’s latest book - How to Change a Habit.

Sila nalang anang Mr. Sandugo, Paul. Tig-gama lang ko sa Press Release.

ReyApale, welcome to Tubag Bohol.

We're glad you've joined us.

Feel free to introduce yourself to us.

God bless!

Among kalipay nga ania ka nahiuban niining panon
sa mga Bol-anong nagpakabana.

Welcome Doy Caverte to Tubag Bohol!

God bless you!

For most people with loved ones working abroad, a five minute call can make a big difference, whether in making urgent calls to relatives or simply delivering good news to make their day brighter.  Five minutes is the span of time needed to call a mother working as a nurse in Canada that her son has just received an award in school, to tell a sister in the US that she needs to come home because your parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, or for a college senior to tell his Dad that tuition fees have gone up and extra cash is needed to enroll.

All this is possible with Sun Cellular's IDD Top 10, with the P30 variant now available via Sun Xpressload for 5-minute calls to the following top 10 destinations: Mainland US, Canada, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Guam, Brunei, and Macau. At a very low price of P30, you can call your relatives and friends and enjoy the most affordable 5-minute international call!

For subscribers needing longer talk time, Sun IDD Top 10 offers a very low rate of only $0.10 per minute. A P100 IDD Top 10 load provides approximately 20 minutes of IDD minutes. This service is also available for postpaid subscribers.  For calls outside the top 10 destinations, including UAE, Japan, Dubai, Italy and London , you can enjoy a very affordable IDD rate of $0.30 per minute which is 25% cheaper than the other mobile IDD rate of $0.40/min.

Sun Cellular will take care of your communication needs as it invests more than P11 billion annually to increase coverage and capacity, working harder to allow more calls and texts anytime, anywhere.  For more information, visit The Sun Shop within your area or call the Sun Hotline at 395-8000.  Also log on to their website at www.suncellular.com.ph.(press release)

China can be the next world superpower.

If China wants to grab Spratly Islands, it can do so like a walk in the park - with no resistance from Philippine forces.

China's secret weapons of mass destruction cannot be underestimated.

Understandable, Rose.

Snowhite said she got lost on the day she registered in Tubag Bohol.

Quote from: Snowhite on July 06, 2007, 07:13:00 PM
Hmmm. i'll tell "artest glinn" about this. Naa ba sya diri? Glinnnnnnnnnnn?

Glenn is nowhere to be found. Snowhite, kinahanglan siya ug escort para moanhi sa Tubag Bohol.

Hi Onicul85, maayong paghiabot.

Feel free to tell us more about yourself...

Do you drink bahalina?

The comment/reply is overdue. This article was posted weeks ago.

Rose, his daughter is Sarah Joy?

Snowhite, Rose is factual.

Yes, there was a thunderous public clamor.

Congratulations! You are Contestant No. 1 for the first and only VIRTUAL MS BOHOL SANDUGO 2007 search.

Just in case you've missed this figure: Our site now has more than 11,000 posts with daily page views ranging from 15,000 to 19,000 (because one guest/visitor usually reads Tubag Bohol for two to three hours on a single visit).

And we are still two months old.

We've received several delicious notes from strangers saying Tubag Bohol is something different. Maybe. Perhaps. I don't really know.

The best is yet to come.

Personally I believe that knowledge is power. In fact, what is that you don't know will cost you.

So we just want to have fun as we learn the best things in life.

image deleted as indicated earlier

Your servant,
Mike

P.S. This photograph will be removed Sunday night.

By REY ANTHONY CHIU
Philippine Information Agency

Bohol's alienated settlers who have owned the lands as their own since 45 million years ago now finds a wider home: some additional 167 hectares of forest lands about to be declared their sanctuary.

Community and Environment Natural Resources Officer Samuel Racho bared this during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, a week after the country formally closed the environment month celebration.

The planned protection zone declaration set to be launched July 12 was long due and has been a Department of Environment and Natural Resources priority since the Philippine Tarsier Conservation Project took off, Racho said.

He however said not until Congressman Edgar Chatto interceded for the tarsier conservation did the funds for the declaration get in.

The declaration further expands the ranges of the rare tarsius, one of the oldest surviving primates that have retained its form since then.

Endemic to the greater Mindanao faunal region which encompasses the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao then connected by the land bridges, the tarsier has since drastically reduced its population because of poaching, intrusion of human activity in their ranges and their critical adaptation to conditions.

An animal belonging to the primate family mammals is scientifically called tarsius syrichta because of its elongated and well-developed tarsals than can propel them about four meters away.

"If these rare endangered animals have been here for quite some time, it would be a shameful thing if we lose them in our generation because of neglect, a Boholano conservationist said upon learning of the news.

The conservation area declaration puts new interest into the otherwise timberlands of Corella and Sevilla where a forest shared by four barangays is identified. Tarsiers consider secondary forests as its home.

Racho named portions of barangays Canangcaan and Canapnapan of Corella and Can-agong and Abucay Norte of Sevilla within the protected area.

"With the declaration preparation, we are coordinating with the local government units and the non-government and people's organizations working in the place to set up the mechanisms," DENR information officer Corazon Colarines said.

According to Racho, upon declaration, the Protected Areas Management Bureau governs the project and suited options could be put in place when communities start a management zoning of the 167 hectares. (PIA)

Bejabas, we are doing something different here.

We call it "knowledge revolution."

One-stop. Read in Tubag Bohol all you need to know about many things. 

Bejabas,

Welcome to Tubag Bohol.

Your name is intriguing.

Spare some bejabases for us.

Wanted: Contestant No. 1.

Our reigning queen has declined the offer.

Rose, I have deleted the original title.

You are no longer Contestant No. 1.

Frog, Sigbin, and GEC: Please Help our province Find the Woman to be Contestant No. 1

By Hara Estroff Marano
<a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com">Psychology Today</a>

There are many ways to avoid success in life, but the most sure-fire just might be procrastination. Procrastinators sabotage themselves. They put obstacles in their own path. They actually choose paths that hurt their performance.

Why would people do that? I talked to two of the world's leading experts on procrastination: Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at De Paul University in Chicago, and Timorthy Pychyl, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Neither one is a procrastinator, and both answered my many questions immediately.

   1. Twenty percent of people identify themselves as chronic procrastinators. For them procrastination is a lifestyle, albeit a maladaptive one. And it cuts across all domains of their life. They don't pay bills on time. They miss opportunities for buying tickets to concerts. They don't cash gift certificates or checks. They file income tax returns late. They leave their Christmas shopping until Christmas eve.

   2. It's not trivial, although as a culture we don't take it seriously as a problem. It represents a profound problem of self-regulation. And there may be more of it in the U.S. than in other countries because we are so nice; we don't call people on their excuses ("my grandmother died last week") even when we don't believe them.

   3. Procrastination is not a problem of time management or of planning. Procrastinators are not different in their ability to estimate time, although they are more optimistic than others. "Telling someone who procrastinates to buy a weekly planner is like telling someone with chronic depression to just cheer up," insists Dr. Ferrari.

   4. Procrastinators are made not born. Procrastination is learned in the family milieu, but not directly. It is one response to an authoritarian parenting style. Having a harsh, controlling father keeps children from developing the ability to regulate themselves, from internalizing their own intentions and then learning to act on them. Procrastination can even be a form of rebellion, one of the few forms available under such circumstances. What's more, under those household conditions, procrastinators turn more to friends than to parents for support, and their friends may reinforce procrastination because they tend to be tolerant of their excuses.

   5. Procrastination predicts higher levels of consumption of alcohol among those people who drink. Procrastinators drink more than they intend toâ€"a manifestation of generalized problems in self-regulation. That is over and above the effect of avoidant coping styles that underlie procrastination and lead to disengagement via substance abuse.

   6. Procrastinators tell lies to themselves. Such as, "I'll feel more like doing this tomorrow." Or "I work best under pressure." But in fact they do not get the urge the next day or work best under pressure. In addition, they protect their sense of self by saying "this isn't important." Another big lie procrastinators indulge is that time pressure makes them more creative. Unfortunately they do not turn out to be more creative; they only feel that way. They squander their resources.

   7. Procrastinators actively look for distractions, particularly ones that don't take a lot of commitment on their part. Checking e-mail is almost perfect for this purpose. They distract themselves as a way of regulating their emotions such as fear of failure.

   8. There's more than one flavor of procrastination. People procrastinate for different reasons. Dr. Ferrari identifies three basic types of procrastinators:
          * arousal types, or thrill-seekers, who wait to the last minute for the euphoric rush.
          * avoiders, who may be avoiding fear of failure or even fear of success, but in either case are very concerned with what others think of them; they would rather have others think they lack effort than ability.
          * decisional procrastinators, who cannot make a decision. Not making a decision absolves procrastinators of responsibility for the outcome of events.

   9. There are big costs to procrastination. Health is one. Just over the course of a single academic term, procrastinating college students had such evidence of compromised immune systems as more colds and flu, more gastrointestinal problems. And they had insomnia. In addition, procrastination has a high cost to others as well as oneself; it shifts the burden of responsibilities onto others, who become resentful. Procrastination destroys teamwork in the workplace and private relationships.

  10. Procrastinators can change their behaviorâ€"but doing so consumes a lot of psychic energy. And it doesn't necessarily mean one feels transformed internally. It can be done with highly structured cognitive behavioral therapy.

Quote from: Sigbin II on July 06, 2007, 05:45:50 PM
Bilib ko da.  Nakapatagam jud ka ni Mr. Admin.   

Sigbin,

This is the Rose you never knew.

source: <a href="http://thecomputingexpert.com">The Computing Expert</a>

1) Eye Candy
If I am completely honest, the biggest reason why I converted was the eye candy. Sure Windows Vista comes with lots of it, but it just isn’t as good. Ubuntu 7.04 comes with just a few of the effects seen a lot nowadays, these effects include the rotating cube desktop and wobbly windows, it just makes it much nicer to use. I have installed Beryl on my computer to give much more eye candy. I base a lot of my judgments on looks first, features later.

2) Easy to Install Applications
Installing new programs in Ubuntu is a doddle, far easier than in Windows, because there is one program that basically gives you access to most applications available to Ubuntu, simply click the program you want and it will install, you don’t need to accept agreements because its all open source so there is no need to click Next 20 times before the program is installed. Simply select the program and click OK, wallah! done.

3) Secure
In Windows Vista, to change a setting requires a ridiculous amount of dialog boxes and passwords, in Ubuntu, you are never logged in as an administrator (root), you are logged in as a simple user, you can change options that are only applicable to your user area but for changing options that affect the system you are required to input the administrator password, one dialog and you’re in, simple and secure. There is also the added bonus that there are very few viruses for Linux, I haven’t ever come across one yet so you can feel safe, imagine not having any virus protection software installed in Windows, there is no need for it in Linux, freedom from the threat of losing all your data.

4) Easy to change options
Ubuntu comes with a control panel but also comes with a menu next to the Applications menu where you simply select the thing you want to change, be it the Desktop background or the network settings. Everything on the windows that appear is simple and there are just the options you need so it is easy to change the options.

5) Community
The community behind Linux, especially Ubuntu is what attracts many people to the operating system. People in the Linux community are mainly ex-Windows users so they know what it feels like to be new to an operating system, so they are happy to help. Whenever I had and have a problem with Ubuntu I simply post on the Ubuntu forum and within minutes there are answers to the problems. I never got put on hold or had to phone up customer service and wait for hours if I had any problems.

6) Free
Everything about Ubuntu is free, the operating system (you can even have them send you a free copy of the operating system, they even pay the postage charges), the software installed is free (including all the software you can download) any help and support is free. The whole experience is 100% free, because it is open source. Open source means that you can distribute and even edit the code behind the program.

7) Simple Networking
The other day I was amazed with how easy it was to connect my Ubuntu laptop to my Windows XP PC. I simply plugged in my laptop to the network hub and it immediately connected with no problems, I didn’t even have to configure it.

Mozilla Firefox
OK, I know that you can use Firefox on Vista as well, but on Ubuntu, there is no Internet Explorer that keeps popping up and cant get rid of. Mozilla Firefox is the number one web browser (remember, my opinions).

9) Fast
Windows Vista is slow and takes up a lot of resources which means you need a pretty decent computer to run it, I know with my 1GHz computer with 512MB of RAM it was too slow to work with. Ubuntu is just fast, it doesn’t slow down in performance when it has been on for a couple of hours, it just keeps on going and everything opens literally a second after you click the icon, and closes when you click the X, with Windows Vista you have to wait for like 30 seconds before a program starts and try shutting down a program like Word 2007 or Visual Studio after using it for a couple of hours, it takes forever.

10) Updates
Ubuntu gets updated every 6 months, well as close as it can do, and whenever I turn my computer on there are updates for the programs installed. Compare that to Windows, how often does that get updated, well the 5 years between Windows XP and Vista sort of answers that question.

So there you go, my top 10 advantages of Ubuntu over Windows Vista. As you can probably see I am very much into Ubuntu so obviously I am going to make Windows Vista look really bad compared to it, but it didn’t take much work to do that, so what does that say? Windows Vista is for some people and good luck to them (or you, if that is you), but Ubuntu offers a worthy alternative for all. Please leave your comments, I would like to hear from you.

That is public service, Rose. I am your servant.

Quote from: queen on July 06, 2007, 04:24:46 PM
Okies. But kindly make sure, is it due to anxiety or excitement?

Dia pa o, pandugang sa anxiety attack. Hahaha!

But I just want to be honest: this image is my favorite.

Deal Approved.

I have deleted the photo. 

Thanks Hazel for this article.

Rose, listen to me. The virtual Ms Sandugo is GEC's idea, not mine. So he is the organizer.

source: <a href="http://www.worldtribune.com">World Tribune</a>

A satellite image of China's new nuclear ballistic missile submarine is available on the Google Earth Internet site.

Hans M. Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), spotted the images, photographed by the commercial Quickbird satellite in late 2006.

One photo is of what is apparently the new Type 094 Jin-class SSBN at the Xiaopingdao base near Dalian, FAS reported.

The Jin-class is about 35 feet longer than the Xia-class SSBN, "primarily due to an extended mid-section of approximately 115 feet (35 meters) that houses the missile launch tubes and part of the reactor compartment," according to the report.

The extended section is to make room for the larger Julang-2 ballistic missile and may also be due to the size of the reactor.

In late 2006, the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence projected China could build five Jin-class SSBNs. The estimate was not cited by the Pentagon's May 2007 annual report on China military power.

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
AP Science Writer and <a href="http://www.yahoo.com">Yahoo News</a>

Another stereotype â€" chatty gals and taciturn guys â€" bites the dust. Turns out, when you actually count the words, there isn't much difference between the sexes when it comes to talking.

A team led by Matthias R. Mehl, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, came up with the finding, which is published in Friday's issue of the journal Science.

The researchers placed microphones on 396 college students for periods ranging from two to 10 days, sampled their conversations and calculated how many words they used in the course of a day.

The score: Women, 16,215. Men, 15,669.

The difference: 546 words: "Not statistically significant," say the researchers.

"What's a 500-word difference, compared with the 45,000-word difference between the most and the least talkative persons" in the study, said Mehl.

Co-author James W. Pennebaker, chairman of the psychology department at the University of Texas, said the researchers collected the recordings as part of a larger project to understand how people are affected when they talk about emotional experiences.

They were surprised when a magazine article asserted that women use an average of 20,000 words per day compared with 7,000 for men. If there had been that big a difference, he thought, they should have noticed it.

They found that the 20,000-7,000 figures have been used in popular books and magazines for years. But they couldn't find any research supporting them.

"Although many people believe the stereotypes of females as talkative and males as reticent, there is no large-scale study that systematically has recorded the natural conversations of large groups of people for extended periods of time," Pennebaker said.

Indeed, Mehl said, one study they found, done in workplaces, showed men talking more.

Still, the idea that women use nearly three times as many words a day as men has taken on the status of an "urban legend," he said.

"We realized we had the data," Mehl said in a telephone interview, so they went back to their recordings and calculated the actual numbers.

Their research began with one group of students in 1998, two groups sampled in 2001, two in 2003 and a final group in 2004. One of the 2003 groups involved 51 students in Mexico, the rest were all in the United States.

The students were fitted with unobtrusive recorders that sampled their conversations â€" the students didn't know when the recorders were on. From the samples, a total number of words for the day could be calculated.

Of the six groups sampled, women used more words than men in three and men used more words than women in the other three, including the one in Mexico.

The research was limited to college students, but Pennebaker said he believes it would probably apply to others in the same age range.

"The question is, how it applies to people as we get older," he said in a telephone interview on Thursday.

Mehl said he thinks it should apply across age groups, but he wondered how it would be affected by different cultures.

By <a href="http://en.epochtimes.com">The Epoch Times International</a>

Editor's Note: This article was widely circulated on China's internet websites. We believe it will provide our readers an insight into the mindset in China.

I remember the host on a program about animal rights saying, "Please take care of our animals. It will be good for everyone." However, some Chinese don't think about the animals when eating meat. They dare to eat anything but aren't aware that what they are eating may actually be harmful to them.

Ah Chang, who has worked in the restaurant industry for many years in China, has witnessed the use of all kinds of tricks used to fool the public into buying inferior meat. The following is his experience as a kitchen helper in a restaurant in Guangdong Province.

Five years ago, I left Guangxi Province for the modernized Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province. With the help of a friend from my hometown, I was interviewed by restaurant owner Peng Da, and eventually hired as a kitchen helper. When the boss introduced me to the "Big Guy" â€" a popular name for a chef, I was shocked to see that the "Big Guy" was a female. Everyone called her Sister Rong. Sister Rong was in her 30s and was quite attractive. She told me that my responsibilities included killing animals, cutting and chopping various meats and bones, and preparing the meat before it was cooked.

On my second day at the restaurant, Rong pulled me over and said, "Ah Chang, since you are new to this field I will teach you a lesson: How to "use" the weigh scale. Our scale is accurate, but the displayed weights are not. Four hundred grams will show as 500 grams. This is not trickery but rather a common practice in this profession. All restaurants are doing this."

Under Rong's guidance, I quickly learned to use the scale. According to Wu Tian, when there were customers watching us, we should be careful not to let them see us exchanging bigger pieces of meat with smaller ones; or after killing a fish, cutting a section from it. Generally speaking, it was an open secret in this profession. Only when serving our friends would we not cheat, as our conscience's wouldn't allow it.

The Peng Da Restaurant was flourishing during the time I worked there. Every morning I had to kill many cats, sometimes five or six, and sometimes as many as ten. However, I didn't see the cat meat sold in the restaurant. What happened to the meat? After thinking about it for a long time, I still couldn't figure it out. Later, I paid more attention and found that some of the cat meat was stewed with medicinal herbs, and sold as stewed leopard meat with medicinal herbs for 198 yuan (approximately US$24.25) per dish. When Rong saw that I was confused, she said, "Leopard meat stewed with medicinal herbs is the signature soup of our restaurant. Cats are very common, so only by advertising the meat as being from a wild animal would it be attractive to diners. After removing the heads and claws and soaking the cat bodies in the herbs, even the smartest diner can't discern that what they are eating is cat meat. Cat meat cost us 20 yuan (approximately US$2.50) for each carcass, but leopard meat cost 138 yuan (approximately US$17.25) per kilogram."

With Rong's teaching and guidance, I was soon promoted to Cook's helper, and made responsible for arranging the food on the plates. One day, when Rong and I were on duty, someone ordered stewed deer meat. I was angry when I saw the order because I hadn't seen any deer meat after having been there for six months. Thus, I said to Xiao Hong, the floor director who took the order, "We don't have any stewed deer meat." She replied, "Why was it on the menu?" Rong came over and said, "We have it. How could we not have it? The mountain tortoise meat was deer meat." "What?" I thought I had heard wrong. The restaurant charged 68 yuan (approximately US$ 8.5) for 500 grams of tortoise meat, and 268 yuan (approximately US$ 33.5) for the same amount of deer meat. "Are you afraid?" Rong asked, "There is no deer meat in the whole city. I believe few people have eaten it, so how can they tell the difference? Don't worry about it. I will be responsible." After hearing what she said, I had no choice but to serve the tortoise meat. Still, I worried about complaints from our customers. Despite my apprehension, nobody complained and the restaurant earned an extra 200 yuan (approximately US$ 25) every time they sold the dish.

On the second day, some guests ordered stewed tortoise and stewed deer at the same time. I became flustered and hurried to ask Rong what to do. She calmly said, "Tell the waiter that the tortoise meat has been sold out. Next time, in this kind of situation you should remember to provide customers with the dish that earns us the most money."

After following Sister Rong for a while, she told me some inside secrets about the food in restaurants. She told me not to eat white phoenix claws (chicken claws) cooked by our restaurant. Instead of using white rice vinegar to bleach the claws, the chicken claws were whitened by soaking them in Hydrogen Peroxide. Also, the white tripe we served was bleached using an unknown chemical. Rong also suggested that I not eat fried cookies because they all contain sodium borate that harms one's health.

At that time, local people enjoyed eating internal organs, especially tripe. Sometimes when business was slow, the tripes would dry out in the refrigerator and lose their firmness. Rong taught me to make the tripe look fresh again by soaking the tripe in some kind of chemical for an hour, and then put it in boiling water for a while. After washing the tripe with water for an hour, it would be firm again. Actually, the chemical used for soaking the tripe was a corrosive. I had used my bare hands to mix the tripe while it was soaking in the chemical and my hands actually turned brown. After doing this several times, my fingertips were damaged. Rong saw them and said, "Why are you so foolish. Why not use a spoon to stir?" She bought some medicine to treat my wounded hands. I asked her, "The chemical harmed my hands. Won't it hurt people's stomachs?" Rong said calmly, "Don't care so much. Now people pursue the taste, and you just need to know you shouldn't eat much tripe in the future."

Once I asked Rong, "Do all restaurants take inferiors as superiors and mix the spurious with the genuine?" She sighed and said, "People are the same all over the world. They all pursue profit. Furthermore, we just make the best use of everything. If we throw away those dead animals and bad quality food, who would compensate us for the loss even though we guaranteed the quality? To tell the truth, I don't want to do this, but we receive wages from our employer so we should consider our employer when the opportunity to make money for the business arises. We neither stole nor grabbed [their money]. Our customers came to eat here of their own free will. They can complain if they are not satisfied. They are all intelligent people and know how to protect their rights. You should know that it is not easy to cheat them. Sometimes you really need to have some abilities to cheat people." I couldn't understand Rong's way of thinking very well. I felt that it was not absolutely correct to say that she didn't have professional ethics. No matter whether I understood or not, the restaurant continued to prosper.

One day, a vendor showed us some very expensive herbs, called aweto, which he was selling for about 6,500 yuan per 500 grams (US$615 per pound). Rong and I went to the storage room to examine the herbs. I heard Rong question the salesperson, "Mr. Wang, are you kidding me? Bring me fresh herbs." I saw Wang walk away embarrassed without saying a word.

After Wang left, Rong spoke to me with an aweto in her hand, "These herbs used to be good, but now they are worthless because they've been cooked and lost their nutritional value." "How could you tell?" I asked curiously. Rong crushed some of the herb in her hand and said, "See, this herb is dry and has no flexibility. Because it's been cooked, it lost its natural color and became hard. It's flavorless. The sellers cooked their food with the herbs before selling them. They're so unethical." I smiled bitterly and thought that some of the things we did in the restaurant were no better. Rong noticed my expression and continued, "Well, these herbs are really expensive. What we do is nothing compared to this. It's tough to be in the restaurant business nowadays."

Next day, a customer ordered shark fins. After examining the shark fins, Rong immediately told the delivery person to take the fins back. The seller wasn't happy and asked why. Rong said, "You think I don't know anything? These shark fins have been chemically processed. Once they are cooked, they will shrink to one-fifth their original size. Are you trying to ruin our reputation?" The seller immediately slashed the price. As Rong was going to reject the offer, the restaurant owner asked us to use them. Rong had no choice but to buy them at half price. After the seller and owner left, I asked Rong what was the chemical she had referred to.

Rong explained to me, "I only know it's a kind of chemical that can make shark fins grow from the size of a needle to the size of a bean sprout. It's dangerous and you can get sick from eating it." I was shocked and started to worry about those rich people who wanted to eat well to improve their health.

One day in April 2000, a wholesaler brought over some camel humps. Rong asked the wholesaler to cook it and let the kitchen staff taste it. Everyone said it had good texture and told Rong to try it. Rong hesitated and took one bite. I saw Rong secretly spit the meat into the sink drain. From then on, the camel humps became a hot dish in the restaurant. Many customers came back repeatedly and ordered the dish. I liked the texture and snacked on the dish from time to time using the excuse of tasting for flavor. Rong smiled and asked if I really liked the camel hump dish. The question came out of nowhere. I was confused and asked her what was wrong. She chuckled, "Those so-called camel humps are in fact breasts from female pigs." I was quite shocked by what she said and did not believe her. Rong smiled and told me that the wholesaler had admitted it to her. She had been keeping it a secret all this time.

The next day while I was slicing the 'camel humps', I paid close attention to the dark red flesh and found several holes spread out evenly. If they were real camel humps, why were there holes in them? The holes must be what were left after the nipples were removed. The smell of sour milk hit me and then I totally believed what Rong had told me. A few days later, I confirmed it with the wholesaler and he admitted it. I had to admire the thought they put in it. If they called it female pig breast, who would dare eat it? After giving the meat an exotic name its price went up tenfold and could thus be served in a high-end restaurant. I never again wanted to eat 'camel humps' after learning the truth; not even when the kitchen staff wanted me to taste it for flavor. It might sound weird but now every time after I cut the 'camel humps', I can smell the milk on my hands even after I washed them many times.

On a hot summer day in the year 2000, Rong went out and came back with about 100 dead fish. Each of them weighed only about 130 g (~0.3 lb). Rong asked me to check them over and throw away the smelly ones. It took three of us an entire afternoon to finish the job. Rong called Chef Ah Bing to take 30 of them and blanch them in boiling water. Then Ah Bing stir-fried them with ginger and garlic till they turned golden brown. Each fish was put in a small stewing cup and stewed with dried longan and some other Chinese herbs. Rong asked the assistant manager Xiaohong to strongly promote the fish-longan stew for 58 yuan (US$7.2) per cup.

Later, Rong told me that a friend of the restaurant owner ran a fish farm and these young fish had died because of the hot weather. The owner's friend didn't want to waste the fish and asked the restaurant owner and Rong whether they could use them. The owner, without even thinking about it, bought them at 3 yuan (US$0.4) each. According to the assistant manager, the fish-longan stew became extremely popular. One customer came three days in a row asking for the dish. Some people thought it was so good that they took extra servings home. I greatly admired Rong after this. She could turn the rotten into something desirable, and sell something worth 3 yuan for 58 yuan! It was indeed very profitable! On December 10, 2001, Mr. Zhang, a factory owner, ordered a dish called "Indian star tortoise stewed with aweto". It was said that he was looking for a cure for his ailment, and Indian star tortoise was said to be effective in treating certain diseases. Indian star tortoise is a nationally protected animal. If it is for sale, it is being sold illegally. Thus it is very rare and expensive. Even the cultivated ones are sold for 12,000 yuan (US$1,498.35) per kilogram. Mr. Zhang had ordered one kilogram, for which our restaurant would charge him over 10,000 yuan (US$1,248.63). We also added on the cost of the precious aweto herbs.

After the Indian star tortoise was sent over, Rong called Mr. Zhang and asked him to come over and check it. Perhaps Mr. Zhang was reluctant to appear to be too picky, he hesitated. Rong urged, "Mr. Zhang, you have to come to give us some directions. Don't be so old-fashioned. Come and direct us." She flattered him as if he were a specialist. He arrived in high spirits. In order to set his mind at ease, Rong even weighed the tortoise while Mr. Zhang watched.

But the tortoise was not killed. Instead, it was sent back to the storeroom. Rong asked me not to leave after work. At 9:00 pm, after all the staff working in the kitchen had left, Rong asked me to lock the door of the kitchen. Then she took something out of the refrigerator and threw it on the floor. The thing was as hard as stone, and it made a loud thud when it hit the floor. I opened the package and found a dead tortoise inside. Rong laughed and said, "Ah Chang, this tortoise can earn you half a year's salary." Thanks to Rong's help, my salary at that time had been raised to 1200 yuan (US$150) a month. Rong then threw the dead tortoise into a basin, turned on the tap and let the water wash over the tortoise. After about an hour the tortoise had softened. When I fished it out of the basin, a bad smell hit me. I asked Rong to come and have a look. She looked at the dead tortoise, smelled it and frowned, "Oh, Mr. Zhang is in bad luck. He has to eat this stinking tortoise now. But who will eat it if he doesn't? Our boss had asked three shops before he could get this 'inferior item'. After exchanging the good tortoise with this one, we will earn at least 7,000 to 8,000 yuan (approximately US$875 to 1000)."

I was a little frightened. This is a business worth more than 10,000 yuan (US$1250). If Mr. Zhang finds out and rejects the tortoise, who will pay for it? Since he has spent so much we shouldn't give him something which would harm his health. I murmured, "Sometimes we need to demonstrate that we have a conscience." Rong looked at me for a while. Then she sighed, "This is not the time to talk about conscience. Our boss asked us to do this, and we must do what he says. We just have to. Ah Chang, it is true that people should have a conscience, but it really depends on the situation. If Mr. Zhang went to other restaurants, he would eat similar kinds of things. Don't those who want to get rich fake things? We've already tried our best. We are at least better than those who sell fake medicine. It won't make much difference to Mr. Zhang's health whether he eats this tortoise or not." I had nothing to say. After all, we are only carrying out our boss's orders. Why should I worry?

I started washing the tortoise. Rong asked me to discard all of the flesh on it. I couldn't believe what I heard. What shall he eat if all the meat is eliminated? Rong laughed at me and said, "The meat has all decayed. We would be really harming him if we let him eat the meat. So we have to get rid of it. The efficacy of the tortoise lies in its shell anyway. The shell is very hard to cook. After 20 to 30 hours of cooking, the shell won't be dissolved. The reason why I asked Mr. Zhang to come and check the tortoise was to gain his trust. The meat of the tortoise won't last that long. After 20 to 30 hours of cooking, the flesh would have dissolved into the soup. So removing the meat will prevent the bad taste in the soup. Otherwise our deception will be discovered." While she was talking, Rong had taken out some meat from an ordinary tortoise from the refrigerator and put it under the tap to wash. She said, "The meat of the ordinary tortoise can make our dish flawless. Mr. Zhang is really lucky this time. He bought only one tortoise but he will eat two! Of course, when I become rich in the future, I would rather die than eat this kind of thing!" She said laughing loudly. After picking all the meat from the shell of the Indian star tortoise, she stir-fried the shell three times with ginger and shallots. After washing it again, she tasted the shell to make sure there was no strange taste left. Then she put it into the pot to cook. After everything was done, she asked Uncle Chen who was on night duty to watch the tortoise soup and add in some water once in a while. It was 1:00 a.m. when we left.

At about 9:00 a.m. , the Indian star tortoise soup was sent to Mr. Zhang. Later, the cashier told me that Mr. Zhang was not a fool. He felt the soup was not as good as that served at the Tianshan restaurant. He also had loose bowels after he ate our dish. So he phoned our restaurant to complain, exclaiming that he wanted to be reimbursed 3,000 yuan. Our boss summoned Rong to find out what had happened. She came back looking very unhappy.

Four days later, I didn't see Chef Ah Bing. I asked around and was told that he had been fired the previous evening. It was said that a lot of customers had complained about our soups recently. I knew that the true problem was related to the tortoise soup. The boss didn't know that the soup was actually cooked by Rong and me, nor did Ah Bing know that his dismissal was caused by a pot of soup that he had not cooked. So Ah Bing was a victim of our deviousness. No matter what, the restaurant still made a profit through selling this tortoise soup, even if it was less than expected.

I didn't dare tell anyone what we had done. I felt dreadful for continuing to work with Rong. I might end up being a scapegoat for her in the future. I wanted to get away from her. So I started to keep my distance, and often found faults with her, which Rong noticed.

I was subsequently fired.