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Chased by Philippine Flood

Alone and Cold - Manila Flooding

Pahiyom Gihapon Basta Naay Picture-Picture

Trapped - Manila Flood

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

An American woman has called Sen. Vicente Sotto III a “lying thief” and accused the Senate majority leader of plagiarizing her blog during an acrimonious debate on the reproductive health (RH) bill that pitted supporters of the bill against the Catholic Church and other sectors that consider artificial contraception as abortion.

Sotto initially denied using part of Sarah Pope’s blog when he argued against the bill to distribute contraceptives in government-run health clinics, but after the salty label came out in her blog on Thursday, the senator’s chief of staff, Hector Villacorta, acknowledged that they had used Pope’s blog without any attribution.

The senator continued to deny the plagiarism allegation, saying that both he and Pope had cited the same source, Russian-born physician Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride who claims that contraceptives cause an imbalance between good and bad bacteria in the intestines that breaks down the defense against infection.

He also took exception to the blogger’s charge that he is “a lying thief.”

Philippine Daily Inquirer News Today

Bran, let's meet at www.chess.com. You can play live with chess players from all over the world. Free registration.

Mountain Flowers

Bisaya Short Films

Romnick Sarmienta and Sheryl Cruz - Asa Na Sila?

Gymnastic Practice

Types of Pinoy Salary

Use It At Your Own Risk

Gumamela - Philippine Flower

hehehe. in tagalog, kung ganon ka, ganyan din ang magkanon sayo.
in bisaya, kung ing-ana ka, kuan man gud, kuan, kanang...

It's DTI that issues Helmet stickers for motorcycles.

Foreigners Eating Filipino Food

1 Peso Fare of Cebu Pacific for 2013 Travel Period

Pasudla Intawon Pud

Jeepney - It's More Fun in the Philippines

wala bay chance si Maricel Soriano?

President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the National Artist for Cinema distinction on the late Ronald Allan K. Poe, more popularly known as Fernando Poe, Jr., in ceremonies held in Malacañang on Thursday.

Accepting the award on behalf of the veteran actor widely known for his roles as champion of the common man, were his wife actress Susan Roces and daughter Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares.

In his speech, the President lauded Poe, Jr. not only for his contribution to the movie industry but also for his selflessness and goodness towards his fellowman.

“Sino po bang Pilipino ang hindi nakakakilala kay FPJ? O sino po sa atin ang hindi pa nakakapanood ng kanyang mga pelikula? Kakabit na ng pelikulang Pilipino ang kanyang pangalan, at ‘di-matatawaran ang kontribusyon niya hindi lamang sa pinilakang-tabing, kundi pati na rin sa kalakhang lipunan. At higit pa sa pagiging aktor, higit sa pagiging writer, prodyuser, at direktor, isa siyang Pilipinong mapagkumbaba, mapagmalasakit, at matulungin sa kapwa,” the President said.

“Ganitong prinsipyo nga po marahil ang isinabuhay ni Ronald Allan K. Poe, mas kilala bilang FPJ, kaya’t naging matingkad ang kanyang karera, at nagmistulang alamat ang buhay niyang inilaan sa pagsusulong ng industriya ng pelikula at kapakanan ng kapwa,” he added.

With this distinction, Poe now joins the ranks of other National Artist for Cinema that include directors Lamberto Abellana, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero, and Lino Brocka.

Poe, a co-founder of the Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund), produced, directed and starred in over 200 films during his lifetime.

Some of the notable films of his are “Ang Probinsyano,” “Eseng ng Tondo,” “Alamat ng Lawin,” and “Ang Panday.”

In ending, the President expressed hope more Filipinos will be inspired to emulate the professionalism, dedication and compassion of Poe into their lives.

“Sa paggawad natin ng titulong pambansang alagad ng sining kay FPJ, nawa’y libu-libo pang tulad niya ang umusbong at gamitin ang husay at talino upang iangat ang kapwa Pilipino. Dahil sa pagtutulungan, pihadong mapapasakamay natin ang tagumpay, ilang butas man ng karayom ang ating daanan,” the President said. - PCOO, source

by PNA

Seven people, including a two-year-old boy, were wounded when two bomb explosions rocked this southern port city on Thursday night, the police reported.

The police said the first explosion that injured seven people, including the fare collector, took place around 9:20 p.m. Thursday aboard an inter-provincial passenger bus owned by the Rural Transit Management Inc. (RTMI).

Investigation showed that the RTMI bus with body number 9224 had just arrived from Pagadian City and is about 200 meters away from the bus terminal in Barangay Guiwan, east of this city, when the bomb exploded aboard the bus.

The explosion has damaged the rear portion of the bus, the police added.

One of the seven victims has been declared to be in critical condition.

The explosive ordnance demolition (EOD) personnel have recovered concrete nails used as the shrapnel of the improvised bomb that exploded aboard the bus, the police said.

No one was either killed or injured in the second explosion that took place outside a mosque shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday at Suterville in Barangay San Jose Gusu, west of this city, the police said.

The police are still sifting the vicinity of the mosque where the second explosion took place to determine what type of explosive was used.

sayang ang pahilak-hilak ni Senator Sotto.

Underground River in Palawan

murag naay gihandum.

Senator Tito Sotto's chief of staff on Thursday night admitted that they copied the work of an American blogger in the lawmaker's turno en contra speech on the reproductive health (RH) bill.

Atty. Hector Villacorta, in a message posted on the Facebook page of Sarah Pope, said it was the senator's staff who lifted the content of the blogger's work without attributing it to her.

"I understand you felt slighted that your blog was not attributed to you which became part of the speech of the senator. Let me say that after asking my staff, indeed, your blog was used but only in quoting also from the same book of Dr. Campbell-Mcbride," he said. - report from ABS-CBN

Bright Future for This Boy

Free Smile

Chess Grandmaster Wesley So

by PIA

Professional writers in this province urged blooming literary writers in a workshop Saturday to use the local language as their medium.

Poet Santiago Villafania said the Pangasinan language lacks a large body of literature compared to other local languages.

Critics in writers' workshop in Manila and the Cordilleras are always asking why there are very few pieces of literature written in the language, he added.

Author and lawyer Ferdinand Quinto noted that Pangasinan literature is already in long hiatus.

Villafania and Quinto, along with Editor-in-Chief Sergio Bumadilla, served as the panelists during the first Pangasinan Writersââ,¬â,,¢ Workshop held at the Capitol Resort Hotel here.

Attending the workshop were at least 20 individuals who participated in the First Pangasinan Literary Contest Kurit Panlunggaring last April.

Non-winning entries in the literary contest were critiqued in the workshop, where the local language was used exclusively.

After the forum, the attendees organized a group, which they voted to name Kapi-Tuway. It is derived from kapitolyo and tuyaw, which means capitol and meeting, respectively.

Ma. Luisa Elduayan, head of the provincial tourism offie, organizer of the event, promised to name after the group a shed along the Lingayen Gulf adjacent to the Capitol.

Pangasinan;s ASNA Award Winner for Literature Santiago Villafania is a poet in the Pangasinan language. Pinabli (Beloved) is his latest collection of poems. Bumadilla, meanwhile, is the editor-in-chief of Balon Silew, a quarterly magazine in the local language.

Philippine Banana Export

Philippine Coconut Export

Davao City Cargo Port

Rice Farmer

Let's Plant Something

Try Planting Rice

Hilak ug Pagbakho

by pia

Hinikayat ng isang opisyal ng Naval Forces ng Northern Luzon ang mga nagtapos ng kursong hinggil sa teknikal na sumali sa Philippine Navy (PN).

Ang mga aplikante ay kinakailangang likas na Pilipinong ipinanganak dito sa bansa, may maayos na pisikal at tamang pag-iisip, aabot sa limang talampakan ang taas para sa babae at lalaki, may mabuting pag-uugali o ââ,¬Å"good moral character,ââ,¬Â 18 hanggang 22 taong gulang, mayroong 72 units sa kolehiyo, walang asawa at anak, walang kinasangkutang kaso, ani Public Affairs Officer Levi C. Carane.

Ani Carane, ang application form ay maaaring makopya at makita sa http://www.navy.mil.ph.

Ang PN ay nangangalap ng mga posibleng bagong opisyal ng PN sa mga probinsiya sa buong taon.

Aniya, ang sinumang interesado maaring tumawag sa Navforcen Personnel office sa 09223924722 at 09195586274 para sa karagdagang impormasyon.

Ang mga matagumpay na aplikante ay magsasanay. Pagkatapos nito, bibigyan namin sila ng takdang gagawin depende sa kanilang natatanging kagalingan, tugon niya.

Ang mga ito rin ay may pribilehiyong P12,500 bilang unang sahod, libreng medical check-up, sustento sa pagkain, scholarship grants para sa kanilang pamilya at iba pa.

Paliwanag ni Carane, hindi mahirap sumali sa Philippine Navy bastaââ,¬â,,¢t ang mga aplikante ay determinado. Binigyang diin nito ang salitang, ââ,¬ËœPaglilingkod sa Bayanââ,¬â,,¢ bilang isang positibong ugali na dapat isaalang-alang sa pagpasok sa PN.

Si Carane ay ang nagsilbing panauhin sa ââ,¬Å"Tugtugan at Talakayanââ,¬Â sa HotFm sa bayan ng Agoo dito sa probinsiya. (ANL/MHH-PIA1 La Union)

by Rey Anthony Chiu

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened a service desk in a local mall in Bohol to provide consumers and motorists easy access in securing the proper stickers for their helmets.

DTI consumer division chief Jose Hibaya said this at the Kapihan sa PIA recently, as the country implements the mandatory motorcycle helmet law on August 1 for all motorcycle drivers and riders on the road.

The DTI set a product standards (PS) or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) marks in these hologram stickers, available at the Activity Center of the Island City Mall for the whole month of August, Hibaya said.

"This is for consumers and motorists to have easy access at the DTI, now on the second floor office of the FCB Building along CPG North Avenue," Hibaya said.

The chief said the refunds on certification fees for those who have previously paid to the DTI is still served at the local office.

In the implementation by joint memorandum with the Department of Transportation and Communication, the DTI is mandated to check on the standards of each motorcycle helmet in the market while making sure that proper and standard crash helmets are used.

According to Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Law, the DTI, through the Bureau of Products Standards, will conduct a mandatory testing of all manufactured and imported motorcycle helmets in the Philippines.

"A PS or ICC mark is issued to all manufacturers and importers of standard protective motorcycle helmets whose products pass the standards tests,ââ,¬Â said DTI Bohol provincial director Ma. Elena Arbon.

Hibaya said all motorcycle helmets that can be secured in the markets today should already have the ICC or PS marks. The DTI will not be issuing the standard stickers to new helmets without stickers anymore.

However, some enterprising businessmen have sold in the market helmets of dubious origins, having no PS or ICC marks. This makes the DTI task equally challenging, admits Vierna Teresa Ligan, DTI Bohol spokesperson.

According to Arbon, the local DTI is tasked to issue certifications to previously purchased crash helmets that have passed the Bureau of Products Standards (BPS) of the Philippines if the product has not been stamped with the correct markings. This has been set at the DTI office, which is not as accessible compared with the mall venue.

The DTI issues the certification to old helmets based on a partial list of accredited helmet manufacturers whose products passed Philippine standard tests from 2009 to 2012.

Manufacturers of helmets that secured the BPS green light earlier than 2009 may not be in the list anymore.

On this, Hibaya said the BPS list has grown to 64 certified local and imported manufacturers, a list that can be available via the DTI.

Manny Pacquiao Slept on the Street When He Was Young

Restore Reading In Your Home

Tinabangay Lang Ta

Bayanihan sa Kalamidad sa Pilipinas

Man at 33 quits smoking. Will Power; At 43, quits drinking. Will Power; At 53, quits gambling. Will Power; At 63, quits having sex. Power Failure.

ERAP: Soli ko tong nabili kong DVD. FPJ: Anong problema? ERAP: Walang picture, tsaka sound. Sayang. Suspense thriller pa yata to. Tsk, tsk... FPJ: Anong title? ERAP: "The Lens Cleaner"

Boy: Nay! Muntik na ako maging top student sa aming klase! Nanay: Bat mo naman nasabi? Boy: Ini-announce kasi kanina yung top student sa klase. Ang tinuro ni ma'am yung katabi ko. Muntik na ako!

Tatay: Kumusta ang pag-aaral mo? Anak: Nag-lesson at test po kami tungkol sa mga manok. Tatay: Ano, madali ba? Anak: Chicken na chicken! Tatay: Anong grade mo? Anak: Itlog po.

when you write a novel or even a short poem, you just can't tell where and how it ends.

Dalawang holdaper sa bangko: Holdaper #1: Yuhooo! Mayaman na tayo! Holdaper #2: Bilangin mo na! Holdaper #1: Alam mo namang mahina ako sa math. Abangan na lang natin sa balita kung magkano!

by pna

The US has offered to provide additional F-16 fighter jets to Indonesia through a grant, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here on Wednesday.

He noted that the offer was made when the defense ministry`s secretary general, Vice Marshal Eris Herryanto, visited the United States last week.

"They are positive about providing more (fighters) through a grant," he told newsmen at his office.

The shipment of 24 used F-16 jets planned for Indonesia have not yet been delivered, though.

Purnomo said the US offer would be discussed and, if approved, would improve the strength of the country`s air force as the number of fighter planes would triple.

"The grant will accelerate the achievement of the defense forces` (TNI) minimum essential force program," he said.

Purnomo said he did not worry about the possibility of the grant being hindered in case President Barrack Obama was not reelected because it had been approved by the US Congress.

Further, Vice Marshal Eris Herryanto did not know how many additional aircraft would be given by the US, but said the planes would have the same specifications as those of the 24 F-16s delivered earlier.

He noted that the capability of the planes would be upgraded to equal that of the F-16 Block 52, and with the upgrading the planes would be able to fly for 15 to 20 years.

By 2014 around 45 aircraft, including fighter or transport planes, are expected to arrive in Indonesia.

To operate the increasing number of fighter and transport planes, the air force chief of staff`s logistics assistant, Rear Marshal JFP Sitompul, said the Air Force has recruited some 30 pilots annually.

by pna

Tropical storm “Helen” (Kai-Tak) has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is no longer a threat to the country but it will continue to experience rains due to the southwest monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday.

Weather Forecaster Bernie De Leon said "Helen"has accelerated further as it moves away from the country towards southern China . He added that as of now, there is no weather disturbance near the Philippine territory.

“Before 3 a.m. lumakas at lumabas na ito ng bansa patungong southern China. So far, wala tayong nakikitang low pressure area na papasok pero may namomonitor mga kaulapan sa labas ng PAR,” De Leon said.

He said the weather is expected to improve over the weekend but it will still be rainy in Luzon, including Metro Manila and Western Visayas, as the southwest monsoon continues to affect these areas.

“Inaasahan natin mag- improve ang ating weather then may mararanasan pa rin tayong pag-ulan dulot ng habagat pero hindi na kasing dalas, lakas at lawak ng pag-ulan sa kasagsagan ni Helen sa ngayong araw na ito at sa mga susunod pang araw,” De Leon added.

As of 4 a.m. Thursday, PAGASA said that "Helen" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 290 km west northwest of Laoag City (19.1°N 117.7°E)

"Helen" maintained its strength at 85 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 100 kph. It picked up speed and is now traveling west northwest at 24 kph.

"All public storm signals have now been lowered," PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, the rainfall advisory over Metro Manila has also been terminated but light to moderate rains could still be expected in the coming hours, the weather agency said.

In its advisory, PAGASA said the western section of Luzon will experience occasional to frequent rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides while the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Western Visayas and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the south to southwest with slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA also said a strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and Western Visayas.

Scientist Gyud ning Pinoy

For Lack of Better Business Name

Sige diay ta kahumod ani

The Art of Not Knowing by Craig Coggle

“Innovation and creativity can only exist with the wonder of not knowing. I wonder what will happen if I mix this thing here with this thing over here. I don’t know but would love to find out. Curiosity is born from not knowing. Not knowing therefore can help us change and grow.”

The Finch Effect: How Adaptability Will Save Your Career (and Happiness) by Nacie Carson

“As humans, we have the power to direct our response. We can consciously choose how to change the shape of our beaks… or at least consciously choose how we respond to the changes in our environment. And that environmental change we face now, today, is an economic one.”

The How Manifesto: Why How Business Gets Done Around the World is the New Competitive Advantage, and New Metrics for a New Reality by Dov Seidman

“HOW. We’ll see that word a lot in this manifesto. Simply stated, HOW is the belief that in our more interconnected and interdependent world, we rise and fall together. The way to forge a better, more sustainable path of growth and progress lies in the realm of human behaviorâ€"HOW we do what we do.”

Reminder from Cebu Pacific Airline

KFC Krusher

It's More Fun in Loboc, Bohol

Mr Bean and The Beattles

Good Night Mommy

Charice Pempengco and Her Alaska Look-alike

Zest Air Promo

Taste Durian

Immuvit Fearless Challenge

Why Chinese Kids Are Brilliant?

Guyabano Flesh

Child of Justin Bieber

World's Biggest Human Nerves

Makati Shangrila - Inside Room

After the Flood

Will You Join a Videoke Contest?

What Photoshop Can Do

Why Birds Love Kids

Diskarte Gyud Doy

Very Important Health Tips

Fort Bonifacio, Global City, Taguig, Philippines

Buy a Horse

Translation Job for Bisaya and Tagalog

How to Unlicall via Talk n Text Smart Philippines

Dramatorgo sa Philippine Senado

Gold Medal for Olympics - It's More Fun in the Philippines

Favorite Sibling

2012 Mutya ng Pilipinas Winner - Camille Guevarra

Taking Advantage of Philippine Flooding

Work Desk Design

Another batch of 23 Filipinos have been successfully rescued by the Philippine government in conflict-stricken Syria, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

Most of the repatriates are from the Syrian capital of Damascus while some are from the violence-plagued city of Aleppo, the DFA said.

Ten of them, including two minors, arrived in Manila last August 7, one on August 8, four on August 09, and eight more on August 12.

The arrival of the new batch of Filipino workers in Syria brings to 2,060 the total number of Filipinos who have been repatriated to the Philippines since the government of President Benigno S. Aquino III mounted its mandatory repatriation plan in March 2011 due to the fierce fighting and uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

A civil war has engulfed the Arab nation and the Al-Assad regime has continued to step up its offensives against civilians and rebels despite an array of sanctions and condemnations by the United Nations, the United States and its Western and Middle East allies.

Between 8,000 to 9,000 Filipino workers, based in the critical areas of Damascus, Homs, Daraa, Aleppo, and Idlib, are still in Syria, the DFA said.

As the violence in Syria escalates, the DFA urged the families of Filipinos in Syria to provide the department with updated information regarding their relatives' current location and contact details in Syria so Philippine Embassy officials can help track and rescue them.

They may contact the DFA in Manila at following numbers: (02) 834-4996 or (02) 834-3333 while Filipinos in Syria can call the embassy in Damascus at 963-11-6132626 should they wish to join in the government-assisted evacuation.

The DFA is shouldering the repatriation expenses of the Filipino workers, but many continue to balk on the government’s offer.

Many of the workers insisted on staying because they feel safe in areas where they are working and are guaranteed protection by their employers.

Earlier, exit visa fees, penalties, and other administrative requirements of fleeing Filipinos have been waived by the Syrian government following an appeal made by Philippine officials there.

An exit visa is required for each departing foreign worker and securing it is usually a tedious process and delays the evacuation of many Filipino workers.

The Syrian government likewise assured Manila that it will assist in the repatriation of more Filipinos who have signified their intention to come home. - pna

By Priam F. Nepomuceno

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will regenerate its "fast mover" capability once the decision to acquire South Korea's TA-50 "Golden Eagle" becomes final.

The ability refers to the capacity to intercept aircraft intruding or encroaching over the country's airspace.

Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions, installation, and materiel, said that the TA-50 offers the PAF the best means to reacquire such capability.

"It may be small and not that fast, but under the hands of a well-trained and capable pilot, this plane can prove itself a much for much faster and bigger aircraft," he said.

The PAF lost its interception capability in 2005 when it formally retired the last 10 F-5 "Tiger" jet fighters in its inventory due to airframe aging and lack of spare parts.

The T-50 "Golden Eagle" design is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

Korea Aerospace Industries, the designer of the TA-50, developed the the aircraft from the US F-16 "Falcon".

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 ft), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 US gallons), five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 US gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

T-50 trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.[43]

It uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine produced by Samsung Techwin) and upgraded with a full authority digital engine control system jointly developed by General Electric and Korea Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.

Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kilo Newton (17,700 pound force) of thrust with afterburner.

The aircraft can also be fitted with heat-seeking missiles, 20mm to 25mm automatic cannon, various surveillance equipment and is very capable of undertaking the air-superiority role due to its sleek design.

And once the go-ahead signal is given for the TA-50, the DND official expressed confidence that the fighter will be in PAF service within two year's time.

"We will get two immediately for training purpose so that when the 10 other aircraft arrive, our pilots are already trained for its use," Manalo said. - pna

by pna

Close to 1,600 teachers and employees from the Department of Education in Basilan (DepEd-Basilan), who have been suspended by the GSIS since 2004 due to the non-payment of their contributions, may now enjoy their full benefits after the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the DepEd-Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the pension fund Tuesday.

“The agreement takes us a step closer toward the final resolution of this long-standing concern of teachers in DepEd-Basilan. We thank ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for his partnership with GSIS and finding mutual ways to help restore the active status of our members in DepEd-Basilan,” president and general manager Robert G. Vergara said.

For his part, Governor Hataman said that “improving the plight of my constituencies, particularly the teachers and government workers, is a top priority of my administration and I will do everything in my power to help them.”

As of May 2012, the DepEd-Basilan has incurred P29.9 million in arrears covering the unremitted personal share premium contributions of its employees from May to September 2003 and accrued interests on delayed remittances from October 2004 to December 2005.

Out of this total obligation, the DepEd-Basilan, through the DepEd-ARMM, will settle P10.4 million following a 60 percent condonation on interest by the GSIS.

In June this year, the DepEd-ARMM paid P3.9 million which represents the unremitted personal share contributions of DepEd-Basilan employees from May to September 2003 leaving the unpaid accrued interests of P10.3 million which will now be covered by the agreement. This will increase the record of paid premiums of affected members, thereby proportionately increasing the loans and retirement benefits that they will receive.

The DepEd-ARMM commits to settle the balance over a period of one year under the agreement.

Vergara added that “the signing of the agreement is made even more significant as the Muslim Community celebrates the Hari Raya or Eid’l Feitr next week. We hope this development will add more joy and meaning to the much-awaited festival.”

by pna

Malacanang said that the government has been working on the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to use “layman-friendly” terms in their weather bulletins in efforts to let the people easily understand the present weather condition and prepare the dangers that it could bring.

In a press briefing in Malacanang Tuesday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the President commended the state weather bureau for keeping up with their responsibilities of informing the public on the hourly weather conditions especially during the occurrence of weather disturbances.

“The President did commend … DOST-PAGASA for its effort to update and disseminate the weather updates from last week. The President did also ask them to further work on laymanizing the weather advisories,” Valte said.

“You have seen this happen already in the past week, meron pong concerns about the rainfall signals… nung una po kasi yellow, green and then red meron pong mga naging reactions from the public primarily through the social networking sites that were sent to us and sabi po baka pwedeng palitan yung green… kasi green exudes calm so hindi po siya appropriate and it was changed midway last week,” she added.

“So, now its yellow, orange and red. We continue to work with DOST-PAGASA on laymanizing their weather update,” Valte further noted.

Acting on the orders of the Chief Executive last week, PAGASA said that they will be using simplified terms in their weather updates. It added that the agency will be avoiding the use of unnecessary technical terms.

by pna

Doctors at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center and East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City are expecting the number of leptospirosis cases to increase after the recent floods in Metro Manila due to the monsoon rains last week.

Dr. Angeles T. De Leon, QMMC director, and Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, EAMC assistant director, both expect that in the subsequent days, cases of leptospirosis would go up as the microbe “leptospira” acquired from rat’s urine-contaminated water has an incubation period of 10 to 14 days from the day of exposure before the disease would manifest.

According to attending physicians in QMMC, they have registered 10 cases, with only five admitted which means that these patients have their gall bladder or kidney affected.

EAMC has admitted seven patients with similar problems in their kidney or gall bladder.

Earlier, San Lazaro Hospital’s records showed 50 patients diagnosed with leptospirosis for the period Aug. 1-12 as against the 37 cases recorded in the whole month of July.

Officials of the same hospital also said that leptospirosis cases are expected to rise this week depending on the incubation period.

The Department of Health advises parents to discourage their children from playing in the water after the rains.

Among the symptoms of leptospirosis are fever or flu, muscle pain, particularly in the legs, reddening of the eyes, jaundice, and bloating of the stomach.

By Jelly F. Musico

Senator Manny Villar said on Tuesday that he supports the diplomatic approaches of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in resolving the Panatag Shoal dispute with China peacefully.

”I agree with you that at this point, we have to speak with one voice and there should be one position,” Villar said while discussing with DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario the agency's proposed P11.46 billion budget for 2013.

Villar, during the Senate hearing on DFA's proposed 2013 budget, asked Del Rosario about the support that the Philippines had been getting from its neighbors in the Southeast Asia regarding the disputed reef, which is situated 220 kilometers west from island of Luzon.

”May I ask sir if I can provide a full briefing on exactly where we are in terms of the challenges presented by the South China sea under an executive session. I think that it would be more appropriate sir and I would be able to share with you complete information in terms of how to assess the situation,” Del Rosario said.

Aware of the sensibility of the issue, Villar agreed for the DFA to answer his query in an executive session.

”You are correct that if it involves national security, I wouldn’t insist. I’m just concern. Of course, it’s a presidential prerogative, but the Senate being very much involved in foreign relation is also very concerned. I just want to see how far we can go on Scarborough shoal,” Villar said.

Villar said he personally supports the position of President Benigno S. Aquino III “although that is not yet clear with me.”

”But as President, I think, we should support him,” said Villar.

Despite the dispute, Del Rosario said the Philippines looked at China as friend, neighbor and trade partner.

”At the end of the day, we hope that a positive relation and a constructive engagement can be obtained in terms of our relations with that country,” the DFA official said.

Del Rosario said the DFA had undertaken three-track approach in pursuit of peaceful resolution in accordance with international laws, specifically UNCLOS or United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea.

”One is political approach where we are utilizing international partners like ASEAN. The second is legal approach. We are looking for how to pursue dispute settlement mechanism under UNCLOS and thirdly, trying to pursue strategy of one that is diplomatic that involves bilateral consultations,” Del Rosario said.

Senator Franklin Drilon, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, supported the request of Del Rosario for an executive session.

”We concur with Secretary that indeed it is for our national interest that we have one voice here in so far that this dispute is concern. I’m glad that our colleague Senator Villar has concurred you with that,” Drilon said.

Villar said he had yet to decide when he would request for an executive session to discuss the Scarborough Shoal dispute.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the construction of a temporary detour road as alternate for the cut section km 34 + 100 of Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal caused by loosening of soil that triggered landslide due to last week’s heavy monsoon rains.

DPWH Rizal 1st District Engineering Office has reported to Secretary Rogelio L. Singson the restoration of two-way traffic for motorists at highland Boso-Boso Section of Marcos Highway effective Aug. 12.

DPWH crew and equipment worked round the clock for the detour road since the national highway in Sitio Calumpang, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City was damaged on Aug. 8, 2012.

Rizal 1st District Engineer Edgardo Peralta said that the construction of the 60-70 lineal meter detour road, which was completed at a cost of P2.2 million, has restored accessibility for motorists bound to other towns of Rizal towards the provinces of Laguna and Quezon in Southern Tagalog Region.

Heavy loaded trucks, including those loaded with feed supplies to Foremost Farm, have passed at the detour road with DPWH men on watch to monitor road condition and pile of materials, including gravel available for immediate correction of sagged portion whenever it occurs.

DPWH Rizal 1st District Office estimated the rehabilitation of 50 to 60 lineal meter cut portion of Marcos Highway at P20 million to include the installation of piles to stabilize soil and embankment, and provision of reinforced concrete box culvert instead of reinforced pipe culvert which is inadequate to hold the flow of water.

Also in Southern Tagalog Region, regional director Luis Mamitag Jr. has reported that the Paete-Famy Poblacion Road, particularly at Pangil-Siniloan Section (km109+000 â€" km111+020), in Laguna remained flooded and impassable to all types of vehicle. However, motorists may take the Paete-Pakil Section of Calamba-Sta. Cruz-Famy Jct. Road.

Meanwhile, the DPWH Central Office, in partnership with the Office of the President thru the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO), has been monitoring feedbacks in the social media page twitter @pcdspo under unified hashtag #lubak2normal from the general public on damaged roads as Singson has alerted all field offices to undertake massive road repair and restoration works on potholes and damaged roads that pose not only damage to vehicles but also endanger lives of motorists.

In the National Capital Region which has about 1,034.36 kilometers, or 561 total numbers of national roads, DPWH have identified 27,039 square meters of roadways in 137 national roads in Metro Manila affected with potholes by the intense rain due to southwest monsoon.

About 32 roads were already restored that included northbound and southbound portion of EDSA from Roxas Boulevard to Makati Boundary, northbound and southbound portion of Roxas Boulevard from Kalaw to Redemptorist Church, EDSA from Caloocan Boundary to Quezon Avenue to V.V. Soliven, N. Roxas Street from Blumentritt to Ma. Clara Street, stretch of Commonwealth Avenue from Elliptical Road to Fairview Gate.

DPWH-NCR maintenance crew and equipment on Tuesday undertook temporary patching on shattered pavements using base coarse materials at Juan Luna (M. Dela Industria to Maypajo Bridge), J. Abad Santos Avenue (C. M. Recto Ave. To J.P. Rizal Avenue Extension), Tayuman (A.H. Lacson to J. Luna), Muelle Dela Industria (Parola to Jones Bridge), Bonifacio Drive (2nd Street to P. Burgos Street), Romualdez Street (Apacible Street to Ayala Boulevard), C-4 Road (Borromeo Street to Dagat-Dagatan Avenue), EDSA Caloocan City (Monumento Circle to Gen. Simon Street), Mac Arthur Highway Valenzuela (Philgun Club Street to Valenzuela City Government Compound), Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong-Pasig City (Hillcrest to Kalentong).

Asphalt patching are also being done at Tandang Sora Avenue (Commonwealth Avenue to Broadcast City), Fairview Avenue (Fairview Gate to Regalado Avenue North), and EDSA Mandaluyong City (Guadix Drive to Ortigas Avenue). - pna

Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Roan Libarios Tuesday said the IBP Board only act based on rules.

This was the reaction of the IBP on the accusation of Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima Tuesday the IBP, the Supreme Court and the Judicial and Bar Council seemed to have conspired to disqualify and excluded her from the shortlist of nominees for the next Chief Justice of the SC.

"We only follow established rules when acting on disbarment complaint," Libarios said.

De Lima has pending disbarment cases before the IBP because of her alleged defiance of the temporary restraining order issued by the SC on the watchlist order against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Nov. 15, 2011.

"We have nothing against the Secretary (De Lima) except (that) we have to abide by the rules," Libarios said.  - Phil News Agency

The Hong Kong government has decided to establish a preparatory task force on a Chinese Medicine Development Committee to provide better medical health services, the city's chief announced Tuesday.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Chief Executive CY Leung said the task force, chaired by Secretary for Food & Health Ko Wing-man, will advise the government on the committee's terms of reference and composition, as well as its future priorities and direction.

Ko said task force members will comprise representatives from Chinese medicine practitioners, the Chinese medicine industry and schools of Chinese medicine from the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. - pna

Queensland University of Technology is conducting research into a new drug-free treatment helping alcohol-dependent people, the Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research said on Tuesday.

QUT researchers will test a combination of drug-free therapies that has helped people who depend on alcohol to get through the day to halve their drinking within 10 weeks.

The study will look at how the therapy has changed brain structure.

QUT psychology researcher Esben Strodl said volunteers who signed up for the free course of therapy in the new study at the university's School of Psychology and Counseling would assist the research by having their brain waves and heart rates monitored before and after the therapy.

"Participants in our most recent study reduced their drinking from 55 standard drinks a week to 25 within 10 weeks," Strodl said in a statement.

QUT is seeking 20 people of any age up to 65 who drank 28 standard drinks a week (if they are men) or 14 standard drinks a week (if they are women) and who feel they have a drinking problem for the new study.

"Once they have completed the therapy we will record two involuntary responses -- changes in heart rate and changes in brainwave patterns -- when they see pictures of alcohol-related situations," Strodl said. - pna

by pna

President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the grand launching ceremonies of the Lucky Chinatown Activity Center on Wednesday in Binondo, Manila, as part of a major plan to boost tourism and trade in the area.

During the launching rites, the President is expected to paint a red dot on the eyes of the dragon puppet. The sleeping dragon puppet will come to life and perform a dragon dance. After a confetti shower, the dancing dragon will go downstage and dance around the mall.

The Lucky Chinatown launching is part of the plan by Megaworld Corp., a leading real state developer in the country to revive Binondo, Manila.

Setting a new standard in lifestyle development, the Lucky Chinatown has five levels of shopping, dining and entertainment to offer.

Lucky Chinatown, the first full-scale luxury shopping center in Binondo, has an exciting mix of international and local brands.

Food lovers will have a feast over the extensive culinary offerings of Lucky Chinatown Mall. There are also state-of-the-art cinemas equipped with the latest technology for superb cinematic experience.

Completing the Lucky Chinatown experience is the Chinatown Walk reliving Binondo’s old roots and street concept recreating the famed Chinatown.

The entire project aims to reinvent the lifestyle of residents and tourists of Binondo, a tribute project to the Chinese community.

It is Megaworld Corp.’s vision to develop a heritage project in Manila. With the development of Lucky Chinatown, Megaworld Corp. is helping boost the country’s economy and tourism as well as providing employment for Filipinos.

One of the country’s leading property developers, Megaworld Corp. also focuses on building office spaces for the business process outsourcing sector.

by pna
The 5th Infantry Division has placed three brigades and six battalions on alert as Typhoon "Helen" batters Region 2.

The region is composed of the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Batanes, and Santiago City.

Besides these areas, "Helen" is also expected to affect the nearby provinces of Kalinga, Apayao and parts of Cordilleras.

Col. Miguel Puyao, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said that the rains and wind conditions in their areas of jurisdiction was relatively light for the moment.

"Conditions here are still okay but all our available forces are on alert," he said.

The 5th Infantry Division is headquartered in Gamu, Isabela.

Puyao said that they were paying special attention on Cagayan and Isabela as "Helen" is expected to strongly hit the above-mentioned provinces.