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#36701
Cars and Automotive / Pay As You Drive Auto Insurance
December 06, 2010, 02:42:18 PM
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Pay as you drive auto insurance is an excellent idea for those individuals who do not use their car very much or try to find cost saving methods or environment saving alternatives. Currently this type of program is not yet available, but there are supporters in many states who are hoping to change that soon. Groups including Environmental Defense, the Conservation Law Foundation and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working to organize a national cooperative that would work with insurance companies to offer deep discounts for low-mileage drivers; halfway a step toward PAYD (Pay As You Drive) insurance.
#36702
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To help get your self started onwards your quest to finding the perfect California car rental agency that’ll best suit your needs, wants and most importantly, budget, it’s best to consult your travel agent on which California car rental agency that he/she would actually recommend to you. The number of available California car rental agencies may tend to overwhelm you at the start, making you unsure whether or not you’re getting the services of a reputable agency. Well do try to heed my advice and ask around, it really won’t hurt you if you do. Apart from knowing what California car rental agencies are actually out there, you even get broaden your knowledge about travel prerequisites such as this one.
#36703
Cars and Automotive / Familiarizing Car Rental Service
December 06, 2010, 02:39:54 PM
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Car rental agencies primarily serve people who have a car that is temporarily out of reach or out of service. Car rentals are subjected to many conditions which vary from one brand to another. The vehicle must be returned in a good condition and must not exceed a maximum driven distance; otherwise extra fees may be incurred. The vast majority of car rental companies require the use of a credit card to make it easier for them to trace a person after they have stolen a car, or to charge additional fees at will if a defect is later found with the car.
#36704
Cars and Automotive / Advantages of Pickup Truck
December 06, 2010, 02:38:11 PM
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The humble pickup truck has been around since 1925, when Henry Ford introduced the "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body". Selling at $281, they quickly established a new market in motor vehicles, which was seized upon by the general public. Farmers found them particularly useful, but during the Great Depression banks would not lend money for luxuries such as cars, but they would for utilitarian vehicles such as pickups. This changed when a farmer sent a letter to Henry Ford asking, "Why don't you build people like me a vehicle in which I can take my family to church on Sunday, and my pigs to town on Monday?"; and so the utility vehicle was born, and it has gone from strength to strength since. Nowadays they can be used to move far more than pigs or people, but with their increased size has come an increased consumption of fuel, with damaging consequences.
#36705
Cars and Automotive / Getting to Know Ford Transit
December 06, 2010, 02:36:59 PM
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Designed and built by the Transit team at Dunton as a special project, Transit XXL uses 'off the shelf' Ford Transit components throughout. It is based on two short wheel base Transit Tourneo models which have been meticulously joined together to deliver a bespoke limousine that carries the driver plus seven passengers in full 'first class' comfort.
#36706
Cars and Automotive / Maintenance For Mercedes Sprinter
December 06, 2010, 02:35:28 PM
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Maintenance for each and every vehicle at least once a month is necessary and the Mercedes Sprinter vans are no exception. On usage capability of the car although it can pull out to 36,000 miles but still servicing is an absolute necessary for every 18,000 miles. According to standard norms a three year or sometimes depending on the vehicle unlimited mileage warranty is offered.
#36707
Cars and Automotive / Choosing a Hybrid Car
December 06, 2010, 02:34:06 PM
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More and more car manufacturers are developing "greener" versions of their well-known brands. The infusion of Hybrid technology has made a big splash in the motoring world and its popularity as well as the growing concern for the environment has added to the demand for this type of vehicles, urging more vehicle manufacturers to add more of their vehicles in the hybrid bandwagon to capture more potential consumers in the market.
#36708
Cars and Automotive / Manufacturer of Opel and Vauxhall
December 06, 2010, 02:31:49 PM
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The vehicle was a product of the joint venture between General Motors (Manufacturer of Opel and Vauxhall) and the French Auto Manufacturer Renault. It is also sold by the Renault Traffic and by their partner Nissan, as Nissan Primaster. The commercial vehicle is manufactured at GMM Luton Vehicles previously known as IBC, in England and also by Nissan at their plant Zona Franca facility in Barcelona.
#36709
Cars and Automotive / Buy or Rent a Car?
December 06, 2010, 02:30:23 PM
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If you have a lot of cash upfront, then you can opt to pay the down
payment, sales taxes - in cash or rolled into a loan - and the interest
rate determined by your loan company. Buying effectively gives you
ownership of the car and that feeling of “free driving” that goes on
providing transportation.
#36710
The Provincial Roads Management Facility (PRMF) is a governance and institutional reform bilateral program between the Governments of Australia and the Philippines aimed “to increase economic growth and improve access to public infrastructure and services in the Southern Philippines”.  The components include: Capacity Building for Road Sector Planning and Management aimed at providing provinces with institutional, financial, operation, planning and management capacity to develop and implement road sector plans in support of broad-based sustainable social and economic development, and Road Network Rehabilitation and Maintenance with targeted outcome of provincial roads being rehabilitated and sustainably maintained on an annual basis.

PRMF is seeking applications from qualified and experienced Capacity Development Advisors and Road Engineer Advisors to provide technical assistance in the implementation of various development initiatives.  Attached are the TORs specifying the terms, purpose, responsibilities and competency requirements. These roles are reserved for Filipino Nationals only. 

Applications should be sent to recruitment@prmf.org.ph on or before 15 December 2010, 5:00pm.   Please specify the position applied for in the subject line.   

Thank you and best regards,

IVY B. ALMORO
Facility Manager
Philippines Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF)
Supported by the Australian Government Aid Program
www.prmf.org.ph

Coffey International Development
19th Floor, Salcedo Towers, 169 H.V dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City Philippines
T (+63) (2) 753 1241 ext 106 F (+63) (2) 753 2150 M (+63) (920) 911 9748
coffey.com
#36711
Quotable Quotes / Whoever puts up security for a stranger
December 06, 2010, 06:01:59 AM
Proverbs 11:15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer,
   but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.
#36712
Quotable Quotes / For lack of guidance a nation falls
December 06, 2010, 06:01:02 AM
Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
   but victory is won through many advisers.
#36713
Proverbs 11:12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,
   but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
#36714
Proverbs 11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
   but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed
#36715
Quotable Quotes / When the righteous prosper
December 06, 2010, 05:58:30 AM
Proverbs 11:10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
   when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.
#36716
Cars and Automotive / Car Theft Prevention Guide
December 06, 2010, 05:57:54 AM
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There is one vehicle stolen for every 27 second in country like USA. That
a one scary fact for all of us who own a car. Avoidance is better than
heal; this should be your ‘mantra’ if you don’t want to be the next
casualty of car theft network that is active all over the world.
#36717
Cars and Automotive / Thinking of Honda Civic
December 06, 2010, 05:56:18 AM
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When you think Honda Civic, what comes to mind? We think, great gas mileage, dependability, practicality, simply a smart purchase. Those qualities and ideas are still part of the overall Honda Civic DNA, but Honda wants to change the way you think about the Civic. Honda is going after an entirely different market.
#36718
Cars and Automotive / Admired Car in America
December 06, 2010, 05:54:55 AM
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Given its reputation for reliability, the Honda Civic is one of the most loved and admired vehicle models in the United States. In fact, the Civic is the very first Honda model that became popular among Americans. As a Honda car owner, you have every reason to be proud of your precious investment. In return, you give it the best care and attention possible. You check your car’s parts regularly to keep them in good working condition. These state-of-the-art Honda Civic parts make up the model as it is known today.
#36719
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Research has revealed that men are officially worse drivers than women. According to comparison website Confused.com, men are far more likely to be convicted for driving offenses than their female counterparts.
#36720
Cars and Automotive / Limousine for Hire
December 06, 2010, 05:52:03 AM
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If you are lonely and in need of a solitary night out a limo service is always there to help you out. You could take a long drive around the peninsula to clear you head or you could take a long trip with your partner to sort through your differences. There is no limit to the uses of a limo service in fact the only limit is your imagination.
#36721
Quotable Quotes / Mouth of the godless
December 06, 2010, 05:50:23 AM
Proverbs 11:9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
   but through knowledge the righteous escape.
#36722
Proverbs 11:8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
   and it falls on the wicked instead.
#36723
Quotable Quotes / Hopes placed in mortals die with them
December 06, 2010, 05:49:01 AM
Proverbs 11:7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
   all the promise of their power comes to nothing.
#36724
Quotable Quotes / Righteousness of the Upright
December 06, 2010, 05:48:14 AM
Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
   but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
#36725
Quotable Quotes / Integrity of the Upright
December 06, 2010, 05:47:17 AM
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
   but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
#36726
Quotable Quotes / Righteousness of the Blameless
December 06, 2010, 05:46:17 AM
Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
   but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
#36727
Quotable Quotes / Worth of Wealth
December 06, 2010, 05:45:30 AM
Proverbs 11:4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
   but righteousness delivers from death.
#36728
Cars and Automotive / Honda Civic Comment
December 06, 2010, 05:44:42 AM
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The interior of the car offers everything in style and comfort. The two tiered instrument panel offers all of your information to you, so you can give 100 percent concentration to the road ahead. The interior has a rear flat door enabling the Honda Civic Sedan to seat up to 5 passengers comfortably.
#36729
Cars and Automotive / Best Car Stereo: Pioneer Car Stereo
December 06, 2010, 05:43:12 AM
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Pioneer car stereo/ Pioneer car audio units are not just simple head units. A car stereo can easily be comprised of several items built into the console of the car. Hardware like navigational devices, DVD players with LCD panels, coupled with the standard array of compact disc, mp3 and cassette players now usually go together. Usually, a Pioneer car stereo unit is a head unit with a radio, cassette and cd player. No matter how bare-bones this might sound, anyone will surely be impressed with the sound quality and features a Pioneer car stereo can boot.
#36730
Cars and Automotive / Honda Accord is Bad?
December 06, 2010, 05:41:44 AM
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On June 4 Honda officials announced that the company will discontinue the hybrid Accord at the end of the current model year. The new Honda Accord, which will go on sale in September, will not be available in a gasoline-electric hybrid version, according to a company spokesman.
#36731
Quotable Quotes / Relationship Between Pride and Disgrace
December 06, 2010, 05:40:19 AM
Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
   but with humility comes wisdom.
#36732
Quotable Quotes / The LORD detests dishonest scales
December 06, 2010, 05:39:25 AM
Proverbs11:1 The LORD detests dishonest scales,
   but accurate weights find favor with him.
#36733
Quotable Quotes / Whoever seeks good finds favor
December 06, 2010, 05:38:27 AM
Proverbs 11:27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
   but evil comes to one who searches for it.
#36734
Quotable Quotes / Hoarding Rice
December 06, 2010, 05:37:53 AM
Proverbs 11:26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
   but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
#36735
Quotable Quotes / A Generous Person
December 06, 2010, 05:36:38 AM
Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper;
   whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
#36736
Quotable Quotes / 24 One person gives freely
December 06, 2010, 05:34:58 AM
Proverbs 11:24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
   another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
#36737
Cars and Automotive / History of Ferrari Car
December 06, 2010, 05:33:16 AM
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When Enzo Ferrari created his company Scuderia Ferrari in france in 1929 his intentions was to sponsor amateur race automobile drivers & invent racing cars, & it would take over 15 years before Ferrari began to generate their own road cars in 1946.
#36738
Quotable Quotes / Gossip Betrays a Confidence
December 06, 2010, 05:31:22 AM
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,
   but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
#36739
Cars and Automotive / How to Lease a Van
December 06, 2010, 05:26:40 AM
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When considering a van lease, first thing that you need to mull over is the price. Make every effort to get a good deal and try to negotiate as much as possible. Moreover, if you are a smart lessee, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of the van being leased. Once you are able to talk to your van dealer and agreed on the financial aspect, the dealer will then sell your chosen van to the leasing company at a price that has been agreed on. Then the leasing company will let you have the van at the settled price.
#36740
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An open source instant messaging system based on XML with client software available for all the major operating systems. In order to use Jabber, users must register with a Jabber server either from Jabber.org or some other provider.
#36741
Cars and Automotive / Beware buying a used car online
December 06, 2010, 05:22:46 AM
Buyers beware! Purchasing a used car online can be a daunting task these days. For every legitimate website that really does provide useful services and processes, there are multiple sites promising similar services that are complete ripoffs. The problem is that many of these ripoff sites are exact copies of the legitimate sites. The idea is to confuse the consumer into feeling secure. If the sight looks legit the company must be legit, right? Wrong. Let ' s take a look at the scams prevalent today in the world of online used car buying, and examine how they work. click here for more
#36742
The best way to keep your car looking new and fresh is to wash and wax it regularly. You should try to wash your car at least once per month and to use some sort of car polish at least once every three to four months. Car washing prevents build-ups that will eventually ruin your car-bugs, salt build up, etc. Car polish or wax makes your car look shiny and protects it from fading. click here for more
#36743
Cars and Automotive / Guide: How to Clean Your Car
December 06, 2010, 05:19:54 AM
Washing your car should be a habit, most especially if there is noticeable dirt or debris. At least once a month, let your car experience the washing it deserves. Things like bugs, bird's dropping, or limestone dripping deteriorate the paint marking permanent stains if not washed off in time. All the moisture quickly dries up when the car is clean. But when it is dirty, the moisture accumulates in dirty areas that cause corrosion. click here for more
#36744
Boxing and Boxers / The Mother of Manny Pacquiao
December 06, 2010, 05:10:31 AM
Editorial: The Bohol Chronicle

December 8 (this Wednesday) is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

That date is nine months after September 8, the Blesssed Mother Mary's feast of the Nativity. And as we all scripturally know, the conception of Jesus was an "immaculate" one and that Mary, the Mother of God was "preserved from all stain of original sin."

Marian devotees are in the millions worldwide, fully cognizant of the maternal role of Mary in the birth and growth of the man Jesus and as Mediatrix today, as the Intercessor of God's children with the Father. Such is the recognition that in at least one country Panama - December 8 is also celebrated as Mother's Day.

Filipinos, in particular, have a different attachment to their mothers, sometime far closer than their bonds with their fathers. A certain element of super glue binds children and mothers together. Examples are many.

We have seen Aling Dionisia, mother of Manny Pacquiao, devote all her life to grow her siblings by her lonesome as she was largely a single mother.

This motherly love was not lost on Pacman who tried from a very young age of 12 to help her mother make ends meet by doing various odd jobs.

In an interview with Channel 4, the 8-titled world boxing champ said "unbeknownst to my mother, I was already boxing at a young age in our place." He got P100 for winning and P50 in losing boxing bout. He gave to his mother his earnings.

At age 14, Manny asked permission to supposedly transfer to nearby Digos to work. The truth was he was recruited by a boxing promoter, along with many others, to try their luck in Manila.

While waiting for their bouts, they did odd jobs. Manny did household help and car cleaner of one client who would give him some money for the effort worth say P300.

Manny, the entrepreneur, did not waste this cash which he instead parlayed to make sampaguita garlands and "sold them in many Manila and Bulacan churches during weekends."

When the investment reached P1,000 - the Pacman sent them all to her mother in Mindanao. The next years were not any different.

Mommy Dionisia has been a recipient of the bounty of the billionaire boxer Manny - gifted with houses, cars, jewelries, bags, vacation trips, and fancy clothes - almost anything money can buy.

The grateful child in Manny remembers all the hard work of his industrious mother.
Pacquiao is one of the richest boxers ever. And every Filipino, promoter, boxing fan and bettor want him to go on fighting - for the wonder and the financial rewards of it.

But there is one person - who fainted in his last fight and could not bear watching the boxing bouts of Pacman even on television in General Santos. It is the person who aches and feels the every punch that a son would get. That could only be a mother.

The suffering mother wants her beloved son to retire from boxing. The only human being who genuinely feels so. Only a mother can feel that way for a son.

On December 8, let us all therefore remember not just the Blssed Mother but all the courageous, loving and diligent mothers of our lives.

Where would we all be - without them? Shalom!
#36745
Boxing and Boxers / Why Filipinos Excel in Boxing?
December 06, 2010, 05:09:36 AM
Why Filipinos Excel in Boxing?
#36746
General Topic / Standard Christmas Light
December 06, 2010, 04:59:26 AM
THE telltale signs that standard Christmas lights passed through the government standards is that it should come in sticker forms and not pre-printed on the item’s package, share the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

These signs, or more formally called the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) ensure consumers that the products are hazard-free.

DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo emphasizes that the ICC mark is in sticker form and comes with a unique serial number.

“Those sets of Christmas lights with pre-printed ICC mark on its package are definitely uncertified and did not undergo proper tests and inspections of the Department,” Sec. Domingo warned in reports.

The ICC mark stickers are placed only on products which pass through DTI’s mandatory safety tests for safety and reliability,” Domingo stresses.

DTI, which regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market hopes that by giving these early warnings, consumers are protected from the hazards such as electric shock and over heating by substandard products.

DTI’s Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme mandates that importers of Christmas lights shall secure an ICC certificate prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market.

More than that, DTI Consumer Welfare Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya added that other than import labels, consumers should check on the package, especially on Christmas lights.

She said consumers should read the manufacturer’s, supplier’s, distributor’s name, address and trademark or brand.

The DTI has recently issued a list of manufacturers and brand names carried that have passed the standards.

Malaya also said the package should include company rated voltage and rated wattage of the set; rated voltage and rated wattage of the lamp and this must include the words: ”For indoor use only.

ICC Marks must also include the standard PNS 189:2000 and the batch/ lot number or bar code, she said.

At this, DTI said fires and electrical power disruptions caused by substandard Christmas lights should not spoil the holidays. (racPIABohol)
#36747
LGU Philippines / Gambling in the Philippines
December 06, 2010, 04:55:51 AM
Cutting illegal gambling by the throat can only be good as how high its orders come, take it from a city mayor well within the heart of the country’s jueteng capital.

In fact, San Fernando City’s mayor Oscar Rodriguez, who himself sits as the national President of the League of Cities in the Philippines (LCP) hinted when asked what the LCP’s position in the national drive against illegal gambling is.

On this, he hinted that the city mayors hands are tied when it comes to the national campaign against illegal gambling, which the government has satisfactorily proven to be nothing but another of its lip-service campaigns.

The LCC’s stand as reiterated by Rodriguez was essentially the same as the one uttered by Senator Chiz Escudero who pointed out that it’s the police, the top leaders and the gambling lords in collusion with each other that makes the [illegal gambling] business run.

Escudero said with any of the three agreeing to the operations, there’s a big likelihood that illegal gambling thrives.

Put in a relatively tough seat with the province of Pampanga as the center of country’s gambling operations, Rodriguez admitted that the drive wouldn’t go as far with national and provincial leaders hearts anywhere but not against illegal gambling.

The country’s one of the best performing city mayors shared that he had a very sad experience with the campaign against illegal gambling.

He admitted it was hard for him to release the order as he knew that a gambling lord campaigned for him in the previous elections.

But owing to the issued national campaign, Rodriguez said he had to do it.

The cat-and-mouse arrests and operations however died naturally when police realized the higher authorities were not as serious with the campaign, he said.

Rodrigiez however did not elaborate if the “seriousness” was about the Palace decision to keep Interior and Local Government Secretary Rico Puno despite being allegedly accepting millions in illegal gambling protection money.

“Honestly, we have more important things to do [as city mayors] than running after illegal gamblers, Rodriguez said in utter dismay at the comeback of the bets nationwide. (racPIABohol)
#36748
Philippine Provinces / Bohol AIDS Forum
December 06, 2010, 04:54:03 AM
SOCIAL mobilization against the dreaded Human Immune Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome remains to be the most practicable way prevent its spread, agree members of the Provincial HIV AIDS Multi-sectoral Council (PHAMC) at the universal commemoration of the Word AIDS Day December 1.

The day is what the United Nations World Health Organization designated to commemorate those people who have been wasted by the disease and to advocate for those affected by the HIV who are not yet given the access to all support they can get.

Carrying this years theme: Universal Access and Human Rights, the PHAMC which spearheads along with Philippine Red Cross Youth (PRCY) also agree that many things need to be done to elevate people’s awareness on the dangers of HIV and other forms of sexually transmitted infections than can lead to the disease.

Among the many things, social mobilization against the disease would seem to be the most immediate and is where most people in the community can get involved.

In his message, PRCY master trainer in HIV AIDS education and volunteer Stephen Bryan Yu Bongcaras pointed out that since HIV AIDS became a global phenomenon, some 1.8 million people have died, most of them coming from poor and developing countries like the Philippines.

Of this, some 33.3 million people are still living with HIV, and 2.3 million of them are children who may gave inherited the virus from birth, he said during a message he gave at the commemorative program held at the ICM Activity Center.

The bigger concern however is that the disease continues to prowl on the unsuspecting would be victims.

While the disease has been noted since late 1980’s, the search for cure has been a failure, and the only medical management has been mainly on the anti-retro-viral therapy, said Dr. Wilnilia Causing, HIV AIDS Core Team Leader at Governor Celestino Gallares Hospital, during the open forum.

Anti retroviral therapy only slows the affectation and retards the infection from HIV to the most dreaded AIDS.

While governments have been focusing on the disease lately, Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy said the management is not that accessible to the patients, thus the universal call.

The Bohol commemoration started off with a 9:00 am motorcade from the plaza Rizal to Island City Mall where the program was set.

An open forum on HIV AIDS moderated by PIA ensued where people attending the activity shot questions and points of clarifications from PHAMC member panelists. (racPIABohol)
#36749
How indeed do you assure sustainability of projects in a league that is churning off its members at least every three years?

For the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), only a binding agreement to adopt a system to assure that change of political leaders does not alter the league directions should work.

Now serious in further strengthening the league’s policy development and advocacy capacity, the LCS has adopted a roadmap during its National Executive Board Meeting at the Peacock Garden resort last week.

The roadmap now identifies the league’s priorities and program and crafts ways to get it done in relation to the league’s mandates, explains San Fernando City Mayor and League President Oscar Rodriguez.

At the recent National Executive Board Meeting hosted by LCP Visayas Vice President and City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, the NEB has showed that unlike other government meetings masked as junkets, the adoption of the roadmap shows the real intent of the league which has showed that governance is running their cities like a business.

According to Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, the roadmap serves as a proof that the LCP is serious in its resolve to effectively lobby for the best interest of its members to enable the cities to become effective engines of growth and significant contributors to nation building.

Part of the LCP adopted measures is systematizing an exchange of good practices among cities, said Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim in a prepared press material.

Not going far from the Aquino Administration’s agenda of improving quality of life, promoting good governance and fostering unity, the LCP’s roadmap intends to rationalize performance-based initiatives of the league, which has earlier eyed denting on the poverty incidence in the country’s bottom 30%, the material stated.

On this, LCP President and San Fernando City in Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez has offered to host the experience sharing in the adoption of the Performance Governance System (PGS) and the Balanced Scorecard System he implemented in his city.

Rodriguez boasted that his PGS and the BSC system has allowed his city to read at least six national and international recognitions in governance within the year.

He enumerated such accolades as PGS Hall of Fame handed by PGS program proponent Dr. Norton, Future Governance Award, One of the country’s Best Business Friendly Cities, Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence Award and the country’s Best Public Employment and Service Office Manager. (rac/PIABOhol)   
#36750
Bohol Latest News / AIDS Awareness in Bohol
December 06, 2010, 04:48:36 AM
INFORMATION about the dreaded human immune deficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome neatly packed in a five video music television would soon be shown at public places in Bohol.

This as the Provincial HIV AIDS Multi-sectoral Council (PHAMC) has launched for public viewing Wednesday December 1, the MTV which is hoped to elevate awareness of the disease that has since killed some 1.8 million across the globe, most of the victims from lower and middle income countries.

December 1 is also the World AIDS Day, a day instituted by the World Health Organization to commemorate those who died of the disease as well as to drum up information and awareness on the fatal disease, which effective cure has not been discovered.

According to the Provincial HIV AIDS Campaign Coordinator Dr. Fruserma Mary Uy, the PHAMC has lobbied for the information material to be played during movie screening breaks, but there has to be a reformatting of the disk into reel form for it to be shown in between movie breaks.

At the launching of the HIV AIDS Video material, Dr. Uy urged people to give about five minutes of attention to the video which will soon be seen at port, airport and bus terminals, mall televisions and public viewing venues to engender people to be more cautious about HIV and AIDS.

In he message before the video showing at the launching, Dr. Uy reiterates the ABCs against AIDS to keep people protected from the virus that has become a global threat since late 1980s.

Dr. Uy explained that by far, the most effective HIV AIDS prevention is to abstain from any sexual activity, the primary source of the virus transmission.

Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP) president Dr. Jude Doblas also shares this idea although he may have courted the ire of some sectors when he proposed self-gratification as one that lets people vent their biological needs.

Fr. Ramon Jose Oncog, a canon lawyer and the representative of the church during the program at the launch advocated faithfulness to the marital vows as he presses that love-making should be the fulfillment of love.

An AIDS prevention tip as Dr Uy pointed out, specifically on condom use did not fail to elicit reactions, even from medical practitioners.

Nevertheless, health practitioners, especially anti AIDS advocates said the AIDS virus may logically get through the invisible holes in condoms but the inter-molecular bonds in the latex prevents them from fully penetrating the rubber sheath.

As research shows more and more transmission come from intra-venal drug use, Dr Uy also cautions against the use of unsterilized needles and contaminated blood in transfusions.

Finally, she also called for early treatment of sexually transmitted infections. (racPIABohol)   
#36751
WELFARE workers tasked to implement the government’s flagship anti-poverty and social service program defended the conditional cash transfer (CCT) and quashes the word “dole out” to describe the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PS)

At a press conference at the Jjs Seafoods Village November 30, Angelita Genir, 4Ps Bohol Focal person argued that 4Ps is never a dole out pointing out that the 4Ps have conditions to be met.

“4Ps, the national government’s prime poverty reduction strategy, which provides cash grants to extremely poor households.”

“This is to allow them to meet certain human development goals in exchange of conformity to the programs’ conditions,” a 4Ps brochure shared to the media states.

While a dole out is senseless giving of money, the 4Ps investment in human capital focuses primarily on health improvement through nutrition and children’s education.

A basic requirement for the 4Ps to be granted is for the household to have children aged 0-14 or a pregnant woman, adds Aileen Lariba, 4Ps Information Officer at the Department of Social Welfare and Development â€"7.

On the other hand, while a dole out does not discriminate on household beneficiaries, the 4Ps refer to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) 2003 Small area Estimates to find its beneficiaries, Lariba explains through Powerpoint presentation.

Target beneficiaries, she added would be families whose economic conditions are below provincial poverty thresholds, with children aged between 0-14 years old or a pregnant woman and that these households agree to meet the conditions specified in the program or co-responsibilities.

For co-responsibilities, pregnant beneficiaries must religiously avail of pre-to-post natal care and would be attended by a skilled medical professional, while parents must regularly attend responsible parenthood sessions.

Young children are given regular preventive health check-ups and vaccines while school age kids and secondary schoolers must attend school classes at least 85% of the time.

Deworming pills are also given at least twice a year to kids aged 6-14.

In Bohol, 4Ps set 1 had 518 households in Danao town benefiting a total of P2.97 million which was directly given to the beneficiaries through cash cards, Lariba said.

Now on its set 3, thousands of Bohol’s poor households from 13 towns get similar benefits: monthly P500 nutrition allowance and P300 per school kid of three; or a sum of P1400 per month.

In fact, the government has assisted about a million households through the 4Ps, one that could go as high as 2.3 miilion households as soon as the additional P21 billion budget requested is passed, sources at DSWD said. (racPIABohol)
#36752
General Topic / Santa Claus is not a god
December 05, 2010, 04:50:03 PM
It is a heresy to teach kids to pray to Santa Claus who does not even exist. Santa Claus is not a god.
#36753
By Chris Robinson, examiner.com

Moments ago at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Nonito Donaire made a successful jump to the bantamweight division by blowing out former world champion Wladimir Sidorenko in four rounds. It was a dominant and classy performance from Donaire, who showed his trademark quickness and explosive nature.

Donaire came out cautiously in the first round but soon began tagging his Ukrainian opponent at will. Sidorenko's face was becoming a bloody mess and a right hand would drop him to the matt. The 34-year old would rise valiantly but appeared to be in serious trouble just as the round ended.

Sidorenko was painfully slow compared to Donaire but managed to land a few blows in the second round. Still, Donaire was calm an collected, darting in and out as he pleased. Donaire began to showboat a bit in the third round and Sidorenko seemed at a loss as how to attack his unorthodox foe. A sweeping land hand would again floor Wladimir in the third.
#36754
Talk of the Town / PCL Bohol Financial Scandal
December 05, 2010, 10:47:26 AM
By Bohol Chronicle

The celebrated issue regarding the financial accounting of the Philippine Councilors' League funds during the previous administration of BM Brigido Imboy re-emerged after one of the new PCL officers authored a resolution asking for transparency on the expenses of the previous administration.

PCL-Bohol president Ramonito Torrefranca said that it was Jagna councilor Nimfa Lloren who authored the resolution asking the previous administration to submit until November 11, 2010 an accounting on how the PCL budget was spent last administration.
       
However, Imboy failed to submit any item of the said accounting being asked and rumors have it that Imboy allegedly resisted submitting any accounting.

Torrefranca denied the report saying that Imboy informed him that the accounting is ready. However, Imboy was disgusted on the actuations of some new PCL officers.
         
Torrefranca said that the previous PCL administration already turned over around P53,000 surplus. He said that the budget of the PCL is not really that huge considering that the subsidy from the national office is only around P400,000 and the expenses are quite many.

During their monthly meeting last Tuesday, Councilor Danilo Bandala raised a motion to close the issue on accounting. However, one of the members asked the group not to do such action considering that the author of the resolution was absent.

For his part, Torrefranca said that he will just wait for Imboy to submit the accounting.

Torrefranca who is a regional official of the PCL said that in the spirit of transparency, he is submitting a monthly financial report to the body.

Meanwhile, though Imboy was not directly contacted by the Chronicle to air his side. It was Mayor Mae Imboy who answered the issue in behalf of her husband.

Mayor Imboy said that they are still on the process of finishing the financial accounting. The previous staff of the PCL were gone and so the accounts in the computers are no longer available.

"We are doing it manually and we started collecting vouchers," Mayor Imboy concluded. (Anthony Ranoa Aniscal)
#36755
By Bohol Chronicle

Boholanos were in for a rude awakening when oil companies slapped a hefty price increase on petroleum products starting yesterday.

The price adjustment came as motorists air complaint on why fuel prices in Bohol are higher compared to other provinces even as figures also showed that fuel prices are higher in the city than in the towns.

Consumers will now shell out an additional P2/liter for diesel, P0.75/liter on regular gasoline, unleaded P1.50/liter, special gasoline products from Shell (Premium) P1.50/liter, Petron (XCS) P.80/liter and Caltex (Techron) P1.50/liter and Kerosene P2.00/liter (Caltex), P2.10 (Petron) and P1.50 (Shell)

The latest round of pump price hike implemented by Petron, Shell and Caltex are as follows:
       Petron   Shell    Caltex   
   Diesel/Liter   P41.40   P41.40   P41.40   
   Regular/Liter   48.05   48.75   48.80   
   Unleaded/Liter   50.50   50.50   50.50   
   Special/Liter   50.50   51.50   50.50   
   Kerosene   44.45    45.00    44.75   

Motorists here started to air their complaint on why prices of petroleum products hold different prices, depending on where your friendly gas stations are located.

Reports reaching the CHRONICLE revealed that consumers in some northern towns in the province, notable Ubay and Jetafe are enjoying lower pump prices compared to Tagbilaran even as operators of gasoline stations are mainly getting their supplies from the Tagbilaran depot.

Ubay consumers are reportedly enjoying the fruits of a price war among the four gasoline stations - Shell, Petron, Caltex and one unbranded station or "white station".
         

DYZD-Ubay correspondent Winnie Reyes reported yesterday that diesel is P1.40/liter lower than the price in Tagbilaran, regular gasoline by P2/liter, unleaded P0.75/liter and Kerosene lower by an average of P1.48.

Operators of public utility vehicles plying the Tagbilaran-Ubay route told DYRD Balita that they usually gas up in Ubay rather than in Tagbilaran.

To keep up with the competition, observers suspect that the "big three" - Petron, Shell and Caltex are subsidizing a portion of their operator's profit margin so as not to loose their market share.

The so called "white station" get their supply from sources whose prices are comparatively lower than the Tagbilaran depot.

Bohol has an estimated 65 gasoline stations with Petron and Caltex with the most number of gasoline stations at 26 and 22, respectively while Shell operates 17 gasoline stations more or less not counting several of these unbranded or "white stations".

Meanwhile, consumers are awaiting word from the Department of Energy (DOE) on the price disparity of pump prices here in Tagbilaran compared to neighboring provinces.

Cagayan based columnist Claro Alcordo told the Chronicle that average price of unleaded gasoline in Cagayan de Oro City is P47/liter while premium gasoline retails at P48/liter which is P2 to P3/liter lower than Tagbilaran prices. Aside from the "big three" oil companies, several independent oil players are present in Cagayan de Oro.

Alcordo added that they source their supplies from Davao City.

Gov. Edgar Chatto assured consumers to bring this up with Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras even as queries were raised on why independent oil players such as SeaOil, Flying V, Total and Phoenix are not setting up gasoline stations in Bohol.

The never ending spectacle of pump price increases - the 3rd since February raises the question on the price of gasoline at the pump responding quickly to world oil price increase but slow to adjust with minimal rollbacks when oil prices drop. (CMV)
#36756
I was shocked. This is quite abnormal. Have you experienced the same? What did you do to lessen the cpu consumption of Firefox browser?
#36757
By Lenie Lectura, Business Mirror

Globe Telecom Inc. said on Thursday that field trials for the long-term evolution (LTE) technology will last until next year before it can determine the best approach and strategy for its adoption in the country.

During a recent demonstration of the latest standard in the mobile-network technology, Globe head for network technologies strategy Emmanuel Estrada said Phase 2 of the field trials will commence soon after the company successfully concluded the first phase.

Phase 1 trial achieved up to 60Mbps downlink data throughput rate at 10MHz bandwidth.

“The Phase 1 test was very successful. We and supplier NEC have agreed to take on the next level. The objective of the tests is all about collective learning of the LTE technology,” said Estrada.

The LTE trials started early this year in partnership with NEC Corp.

“Globe sustains its network buildup and continues to look out for latest mobile technologies that will benefit the Philippine market. As we see mobile broadband growing and more subscribers clamoring for faster and higher bandwidths, LTE will help us meet the customers’ demand and further improve our broadband service offering in the near future,” said Estrada.

At end-September, the broadband subscriber base of Globe grew by 95 percent to 1,006,460, nearly double the 517,355 broadband subscribers reported in the same period last year.

He said commercial deployment of LTE will depend on three issuesâ€"frequency availability, devices supporting LTE technology and infrastructure.

“Right now, we are using the spectrum in the 2100-megahertz bandwidth for LTE trials. It’s called refarming, but there is a need to work with regulators and acquire spectrum to launch LTE,” said Estrada.

LTE is a high-performance air interference technology for cellular mobile. After 2G and 3G, LTE is seen as the next frontier in radio technologies designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile-telephone networks. It addresses the demand for higher data rates and increased quality of service and enables users to experience the fastest mobile-broadband service up to 100 megabytes per second.

LTE will not only make existing mobile-phone applications run faster, but will pave for new functions that were previously available only on a wired Internet connection. With LTE, multimedia content and applications can be made available in real time.
#36758
The largest Philippine national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers a 50% off Christmas seat sale to all our destinations, starting now until December 5, 2010 or until seats last, for travel from February 1 to 28, 2011.

We fly to 16 international destinations, namely: Brunei, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Osaka, Busan, Seoul (Incheon), Macau, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh.

CEB flies from Manila, Cebu and Clark to Singapore and Hong Kong, offering the most extensive route network to the popular international destinations. CEB also flies to the most number of ASEAN destinations from the Philippines, and is the only low-cost carrier from the Philippines to the three major North Asian countries of South Korea, China and Japan.

Take off from 4 hubs: Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao to 33 domestic destinations! These destinations include Boracay, Siargao, Bohol, Coron, Puerto Princesa, San Jose, Legazpi, Naga, Zamboanga, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

2010 has been a productive and fruitful year for Cebu Pacific, as we remain on track with achieving our goal of carrying 10.4 million passengers. We thank you for your continued patronage with this 50% off seat sale.
#36759
If the Lord God Jesus Christ was not born and if He was not resurrected from the dead, humanity has no hope. There is no redemption of our souls without the birth and resurrection. It is incumbent upon us to honor at all cost the Lord Jesus Christ. Using X in replacement of His name does not reflect of recognizing HIS power, deity, sovereignty and majesty.
#36760
Technology / AMD vs Intel: Best Processor for Laptop
December 03, 2010, 11:02:42 PM
AMD vs Intel: Best Processor for Laptop
What's your opinion?
#36761
I believe we should avoid at all cost using Xmas.
#36762
Technology / Where is Wikileaks Hosted?
December 03, 2010, 05:28:45 PM
Pictures of the nuclear-bomb-resistant bunker that houses the servers of Wikileaks.org website.
http://www.bahnhof.se/pionen/gallery/
#36763
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)-Kalibo has found two packs of donated blood in their office to be positive of the HIV-AIDS.

Aracely Pelayo, PNCR-Kalibo chief, said that the donated blood apparently came from Aklan residents.

The PNRC have escalated its blood donor campaign in the province to augment the needed blood supply especially for blood victims.

Earlier, the Department of Health has reported that Aklan has registered 18 HIV-AIDS cases.

Due to the confidentiality on the identity of the HIV-AIDS victims, it is not clear now whether the blood donors were in the DoH lists of persons who were positive of the dreaded disease.

"We already have deferred using the blood and we forwarded it to the PNRC regional office. The PNRC region will then forward the blood to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for further study," said Pelayo.

The PNRC had already called the attention of the two male blood donors who were suspected of being positive of the HIV-AIDS, but only one of them has responded.

Because of this discovery, the PNRC-Aklan vowed to be more vigilant in ensuring that blood donors are free from HIV-AIDS or any sexually transmitted disease.(PNA)
#36764
Technology / How to Access Wikileaks Website
December 03, 2010, 04:42:12 PM
Everydns.net has shut down Wikileaks.org domain name after it claimed that it was getting denial of service attacks.

You can try accessing Wikileaks directly from the IP Address: http://46.59.1.2/
#36765
ABS-CBN: Susana Danio, a Filipina maid from Pangasinan, recently won a legal battle in the United Kingdom over being unfairly dismissed by Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, reports ABS-CBNNews.com. The London-born princess, heiress daughter of US duty-free billionaire Robert Miller, was ordered to pay Danio almost £7,500 (about P500,000).

Danio, 34, claimed she was fired in April after other staff members of the household "brainwashed" the princess. "Senior staff were jealous of me. After three months, my salary was increased. The princess knew I did my job well. It was all about envy and jealousy from senior staff. They made up stories, gossip and lies to brainwash the princess," The Daily Mail quoted Danio as saying. "I was accused of stealing clothes, sleeping in guest bedrooms, not listening and being rude."

Saying it took her six months to find another job, she sought around £10,000 in damages, according to The Daily Mail. A central London tribunal awarded her £7,442. Judge Angela Stewart said, "We order the respondent to pay the claimant for being unfairly dismissed...The tribunal concluded that even though the claimant got a written reference she would still have had to explain about her dismissal and what had happened about her position in the previous household."

Danio's case has been compared to a UK TV period drama, Downton Abbey, featuring plotting servants. According to The Daily Mail, Danio has lived in the UK since 2004 and has worked for several "reputable private families." Princess Marie Chantal, 42, owns a chain of children's fashion boutiques and has published a fairytale book. She is married to Prince Pavlos of Greece.
#36766
By JOHN LEICESTER, AP Sports Writer John Leicester, Ap Sports Writer

Picture soccer fans partying where tanks and missiles paraded on Red Square in the Cold War's darkest days. Imagine high-tech air-conditioned stadiums chilled so players and spectators don't keel over in the sweltering desert heat of the Middle East.

For all the allegations of corruption and rigged voting that have been leveled lately against FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, the much-maligned group certainly has a taste for adventure.

In taking the World Cup to the uncharted lands of Russia in 2018 and tiny but oil-wealthy Qatar in 2022, FIFA â€" like the International Olympic Committee â€" is leading the charge for the argument that sports can reshape history and influence the destinies and the way people and nations are seen by the rest of the world.

FIFA could have played it safe by going to the ready-built stadiums of the United States or to the sport's motherland of England. Both promised minimal worry and lots of cash. But the desire of FIFA's all-powerful, 74-year-old president, Sepp Blatter, to carry soccer and its considerable influence to promising and largely untapped markets won the day.
#36767
Actress Angelica Panganiban, 24, finally found and met her long-lost father, reports ABS-CBNNews.com. Panganiban was separated from her father when she was born. She flew to Los Angeles by herself on November 21 to see him, after finding out his name and personal details.

Their reunion was a surreal experience, like a scene from a movie, Panganiban told ABS-CBNNews.com when she returned to Manila yesterday. She said they look alike, down to their feet.  She also said she does not hold a grudge against her father, who has a family in the US. "Medyo personal 'yong reason kung bakit kami nagkahiwalay, kung bakit hindi niya ako hinanap, kung bakit hindi ko alam na siya ang daddy ko. Ang importante, nag end up ng maganda ang lahat." (The reason why we were separated until recently is personal. What's important is that everything turned out well.")

Asked about her feelings towards her mother, though, Panganiban declined to comment. She merely said, "It's a different side of the issue."
#36768
What is the best gift you've given to someone?
#36769
Asa na kaha si Hubag Bohol? Siya ba kaha ang midaog sa P741 Million nga Grand Lotto last Monday?
#36770
6/49 Philippine Lotto Result for Dec. 2, 2010
Winning number combination: 08-20-44-26-41-42
Jackpot: Php 33,954,814.80
Draw Date: 12/2/2010
#36771
Facts and Trivia / Re: 6/42 Philippine Lotto Draw Result
December 02, 2010, 09:46:28 PM
Result for Philippine Lotto 6/42 Draw Date: December 2, 2010
Lotto 6/42
16-29-42-15-30-20
Php 8,112,711.60
Draw Date: 12/2/2010
#36772
Published by Bohol Sunday Post

A mastermind and a hired killer were the principal characters behind the ill-fated murder Tuesday afternoon of a 15-year old high school student of Grace Christian School, this city. Interviewed during the morning radio program Cuentas Claras over Station DYTR Wednesday, Police Senior Supt. Constatino Paul Barot, Jr., Bohol police director, hinted that at least two persons were involved in the gruesome crimeâ€"a hired killer and the mastermind. Initial police investigation showed that the killing could just be another case of ordinary homicide perpetrated in this city by disgruntled elements. But ensuing probes indicated that there was more than meets the eye to the killing as many loose ends unraveled before the eyes of investigators.

In the same interview, Supt. Barot mentioned about the hired killer as the principal suspect while the mastermind was tagged as principal by inducement. Mecy Rose Onod, 15 of Loreto, Cortes town, was with an unidentified male companion Tuesday afternoon when a man armed with a 99 mm pistol shot her at close range. The gun man, wearing no face cover, shot the victim two times with one of the bullets' trajectory exiting through her back. The slay took place while the victim was about to board a tricycle at the corner of Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Lamdagan Sts., about a hundred meters from the city airport. She took two bullets in her body. The victim was immediately rushed to the Ramiro Community Hospital but expired hours later.

ATTEMPTED RAPE

As investigators considered several angles behind the slay, one lead pursued was a case for attempted rape filed against a certain Julius Hubac, a computer teacher of the Holy Infant Academy in Cortes. According to the victim's mother, Avelina, her daughter filed a case of attempted rape in relation to an incident where she was made to show her breast in front of the teacher. While the two were inside a locked room of the school, the suspect threatened the poor girl of reporting her drinking activity if she would not remove her bra to show her breast. Due to the threat, she opened the buttons of her blouse showing her bra to respondent who suddenly touched her breast. But the young girl did not take the amorous advances of the teacher sitting down. She filed a case for child abuse before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office but it was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

Mother and daughter filed a petition for review before the Department of Justice. More than a year since the case was elevated for review, the DOJ last Nov. 5 through Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III granted the petition for review and the assailed resolution of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office was reversed and set aside. Accordingly, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office was directed to cause the filing of information for acts of lasciviousness against respondent Julius Hubac and to report the action taken thereon within 10 days thereafter. In a radio interview, the mother Avelina, declared that the corresponding criminal complaint was already filed until the untimely demise of her daughter.

COUNTER AFFIDAVIT

In his counter affidavit, Jubac denied the charge against him. He claimed that he never asked Lorelline Tumarao, one of the witnesses of the incident, to tell complainant to go to the computer room; the two of them did not go inside the computer room. According to the DOJ investigator, the fact that complainant and Lorelline Tumarao attended their English class and never went out of their class was confirmed by their English teacher, Jarius Fuderanan. In denying that he ever committed the offense charged, the respondent also claimed that at the time of the supposed incident, he attended the proofreading and editing of the proposed faculty manual at the principal's office and he was also directed to assign seatwork to his students.

KICKED OUT

As to the whereabouts of the suspect, it was gathered that following the tragic episode involving the school's former student, the priest-director kicked him out of the Cortes school apparently because of the rape attempt. He is now allegedly living with another woman, the mother said. She said she decided to transfer her daughter to the city, about ten kilometers from Cortes town, even if the school year was about to end because her daughter wanted to be away from the teacher.
#36773
By Les Lamborn
Our Daily Bread

People love to collect thingsâ€"from baseball cards to stamps to coins. And while collecting can be a fun hobby, it is sobering to think that once we leave this earth, everything we own becomes part of someone else’s collection. What value would it be to have collected much on earth but little or nothing for eternity?
Jesus had something to say about this. Speaking to His disciples, He said: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20).

Eternal treasures never lose their worth. They can never be spoiled or stolen. And just thinkâ€"we can actually stockpile them! How? Through acts of service. Through leading others to Jesus. By being compassionate to those in need. By living according to the will and ways of Jesus. In the gospel of Mark, we read that the Lord tested the rich young ruler’s heart when He asked him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The ruler’s response revealed what he really valued (10:21-22).

It’s easy to become enamored with earthside stuff, but when you make the choice to follow Jesus, He’ll show you the joy of collecting eternal treasures. Nothing on earth can compare!
#36774
By Les Lamborn

If you have a tendency to despair over lost opportunities or if you worry about the future, ask yourself this question: “What is right in front of me?” In other words, what circumstances and relationships are currently available to you? This question can get your focus off a past regret or a scary future and back to what God can do in your life.

It’s similar to the question God asked Moses at the burning bush. Moses was troubled. Aware of his own weaknesses, he expressed fear about the Lord’s call for him to lead Israel out of bondage. So God simply asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Ex. 4:2). The Lord shifted Moses’ attention away from his anxiety about the future and suggested he notice what was right in front of himâ€"a shepherd’s rod. God showed Moses that He could use this ordinary staff to perform miracles as a sign for unbelieving people. As Moses’ trust in God grew, so did the magnitude of miracles God worked through His servant.

Do you think about past failures too much? Do you have fearful thoughts about the future? Recall God’s question: “What is that in your hand?” What current circumstances and relationships can God use for your benefit and His glory? Entrust themâ€"and your lifeâ€"to Him.
#36775
By Bill Crowder

Not many years ago, we watched as the “WWJD” craze swept through the Christian community. The bracelet-emblazoned theme “What Would Jesus Do?” was a valuable reminder to many people that we should consider the heart and mind of Jesus when making choices. As we seek to live in a way that honors the Savior, it is appropriate to measure our attitudes and decisions against the example our Lord set for us.

Recently, however, I was in a church where I saw a slightly different message. This church’s sign read, “WDJDâ€"What Did Jesus Do?” That is indeed the more important question, because our salvation depends on it. Paramount among the remarkable deeds of the Son of God are the events described in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

What did Jesus do? He took the suffering and guilt for our wrongdoing and paid our penalty. He died and conquered death so we could live. And the fact is, we will never be able to fully consider what Jesus would do until we have embraced what He did do for us on the cross.
#36776
By Dave Branon

Have you ever heard skeptics say that the Christian faith is nothing more than a crutchâ€"that the only reason people claim to trust Jesus is that they are weaklings who have to make up “religion” to get by?
Apparently those skeptics haven’t heard about the doctor in one Far Eastern country who spent 2 ½ years in jail being “reeducated” because he professed faith in Christ. Then, after his release, he was arrested againâ€"this time for his efforts at his church.

And perhaps those skeptics haven’t heard about Paul. After trusting Christ, he was arrested, flogged, mocked, and shipwrecked (2 Cor. 11:16-29).

These believers were not looking for a crutch. No, they had something deep and essential in their hearts. They had a personal relationship with Godâ€"a relationship born of faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. As a result, they became children of the Kingâ€"eager to sacrifice everything for the privilege of proclaiming Him. They were not limping along looking for something to hold them up.

A crutch? Hardly. Faith in Christ is not about safety and caution. It’s about believing Jesus and trusting Him no matter what. It’s about taking up a daily cross (Luke 9:23) and living for the Savior.
#36777
By Malen Jaymalin
Philippine Star

Mail-order groom? Gone are the days when only Filipino women signed up in the mail-order bride scheme to find a foreign husband. Now, even Filipino men are entering brokered marriages with foreign women.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) yesterday reported that they have recently been receiving complaints from male victims of the mail order bride scheme.

“We have been getting two to three of such cases a month and a majority of the complainants were women, but there were also male complainants from time to time,” CFO chief emigrant service officer Golda Myra Roma said in an interview.

She explained that male victims of the mail order bride scheme will have a harder time pursuing a complaint in court in case of abuse by their spouses because the existing Anti Mail Order Bride Law only covers female victims.

Even for women victims of the scheme, Roma said most of the complaints do not reach the court.

The CFO has recorded only one complaint filed in court.

“We have assisted a Filipina who married a Korean national through mail order bride scheme in filing a case against her husband in 2001,” Roma said.

Male victims can only prosecute for abuse, under the Anti-Human Trafficking law. 

“The existing law is very restrictive because it only covers Filipinas and that it should be proven that there is remuneration, a third party was involved in the introduction to the foreign national,” Roma said. “Our only remedy for male victims at this time is the anti-trafficking law, but under such regulation, we have to prove abuses unlike in the mail order bride law. ”

She said there is a need to amend the law against the mail order spouse scheme to include male victims of the practice.

To minimize the incidence of Filipinos entering into brokered marriages, the CFO has been providing counseling services for Filipinos who are marrying foreigners.

“We presumed that those who are going to us for the mandated counseling are entering into legitimate and not brokered marriages. But we must also protect Filipino women from exploitation by way of brokered marriages so we are launching a massive campaign,” said CFO chair Imelda Nicolas.
#36778
By Mary Ann Ll Reyes (The Philippine Star)

The Philippines has overtaken India as the world’s number one country for shared services and business process outsourcing (BPO), according to IBM’s Global Locations Trend.

This is the first time the Philippines is in the top spot for these activities.

IBM growth markets general manager Bruno Di LeoHe said the Philippines is attractive to international business due to its well-educated workforce, strong work ethic and good language abilities.

“Filipinos are competitive and flexible and productive. That is why we are confident in investing in the future of the Philippines,” he said.

IBM yesterday announced the opening of three new service delivery facilities inside the UP Ayala Techno Hub in Quezon City that will deliver outsourced process services, including human resources, finance and administration, customer relationship management, application management services and shared services (IBM internal) to existing and future clients of IBM’s BPO unit.

This expansion also further strengthens IBM’s existing service delivery capability in the Philippines which serves over a million client employees across 84 countries.

A mix of BPO services will be delivered to global companies from sectors such as healthcare/ pharmaceutical, consumer goods, technology, entertainment, telecommunication and distribution through these new facilities.

Di Leo emphasized that the company is committed to growth and to the Philippines. IBM operates in eight world-class locations in the business centers of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu and delivers IT and business solutions to leading public and private sector clients throughout the country.
#36779
4 Boy Scouts who survived plane crash hailed in jamboree
By Charlie Lagasca (The Philippine Star)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines â€" The four Boy Scouts who survived last Monday’s plane crash in Cagayan received cheers and accolades from their colleagues who welcomed them at the inter-regional jamboree site in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Scouts Giovanni Pajudpud, 10; Benedict John Acebes, 10; Keith Justine Valientes, 11; and John Harold Agito 11, all from the island province of Batanes, pushed through with their participation in the yearly jamboree of Boy Scouts, which kicked off in Barangay Daclapan, Cabugao town yesterday.

The four Scouts, with other delegates from Cagayan Valley, arrived safely at the jamboree site, unlike what happened to them when their plane from Batanes suffered engine trouble in mid-air while preparing to land at the Tuguegarao City airport in Cagayan for a brief stopover en route to Ilocos Sur.

Had it not been for the experience and flying prowess of Capt. Jose Agustin and co-pilot Benedict de la Cruz of the Queen Air twin-engine, 14-seater plane, the Scouts, along with seven other passengers, including two children, would not have survived the crash-landing in the Cagayan River.

Despite the experience, the four Boy Scouts, who are part of the 17-man Batanes contingent, decided to join the weeklong jamboree, earning them the cheers and accolades of their more than 6,000 colleagues who came from different parts of northern Luzon.

Reports quoted Gil Savellano, executive director of the Ilocos Sur Boy Scouts, as saying that the four Scouts have shown exemplary courage after they still pushed through with their participation despite the harrowing experience.
#36780
The largest Philippine national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) offers a seat sale to select domestic and international destinations starting now until December 3, 2010 or until seats last, for travel from January 1 to March 31, 2011.

You can travel from Cebu to Zamboanga, and from Davao to Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro for the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of only P499!

Grab a seat on our flights from Manila to Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro for as low as P999 ‘Go Lite’!

Meanwhile, guests traveling from Manila to Kota Kinabalu can avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats, while it’s P1,499 for those traveling from Manila to Ho Chi Minh. We're adding three more flights to our Manila-Ho Chi Minh route, making it a daily service, starting December 19, 2010
#36781
By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net

The Bureau of Immigration commended its officer for his honesty after he returned an envelope containing $10,000 in cash to an outbound passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Amando L. Amisola, who has been with the Bureau of Immigration for less than two years, has been promoted to supervisor for his honesty and deep sense of professionalism, Immigration Officer-In-Charge Ronaldo Ledesma said.

“Your honesty and integrity is the clearest indication yet that we now have in the Bureau of Immigration a cadre of young employees and officials whose sense of professionalism is unquestioned and beyond doubt,” Ledesma told Amisola.

Amisola, whose mother is seriously ill in the hospital with stage-four cancer, said he never hesitated to return the money when he found it.

He narrated that he was conducting primary inspection on departing passengers at the NAIA Terminal I around 11 a.m. on November 27 when he noticed a brown envelope in front of his counter.

He immediately checked the package and found a bundle of $100 dollar bills inside, along with the travel documents of an immigrant Filipino family bound for Canada, apparently on their way to stay there for good.

“I immediately left the envelope to my fellow immigration officers so that I can leave my counter and find the passenger who left the money,” he said. “I saw them approaching the boarding area and I called out to ask the man if has not forgotten anything.”

The passenger, Francisco Patricio, then realized that their money was missing. He told Amisola while walking back to the immigration area that there was almost a million pesos in the envelope. Patricio’s wife, Maricel, was then already in tears.

“I brought him to the counter again to check his envelope and counted the money, and he found it intact. He was thankful and expressed his gratitude,” Amisola said in an incident report he submitted to lawyer Arvin Santos, acting chief of the BI Airport Operations Division, and Theodore Pascual, AOD head supervisor at NAIA I.
#36782
Cablegate Files from Wikileaks Available in Pirate Bay Torrent
Now it can be downloaded at http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/5994583/cablegate.wikileaks.org_2010-11-28_220_total.zip
#36784
Anonymous Diary Blog / Is Your Night Silent?
November 30, 2010, 12:40:50 AM
Is Your Night Silent?
#36785
By Perseus Echeminada (The Philippine Star)

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) reported yesterday that even the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was an avid player of the lottery during the Spanish era and was even one of three winners of a draw in 1892.

The PCSO website said Rizal won P6,200 as his share of the jackpot in the draw of 1892, while the doctor was then in exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

According to another website dapitan.com on Sept. 21, 1892 the mail boat Butuan was approaching the town of Dapitan carrying lottery ticket No. 9736 jointly owned by Captain Carnicero, Dr. Rizal and Francisco Equilior (a Spanish resident of Dipolog, a neighboring town of Dapitan), which won the second prize of P20,000 in the government-owned Manila lottery.

Rizal’s share of the winning lottery ticket was P6,200. He gave P2,000 to his father and P200 to his friend Jose Basa in Hong Kong and the rest he invested well by purchasing agricultural lands along the coast of Talisay about one kilometer away from Dapitan.

The PCSO said historically, lotteries have been in existence in the Philippines since 1833. Under the auspices of private enterprises called Empresa de Reales Loteria Espanolas de Filipinas, the Spanish government allowed the lotteries to generate revenues.

The lotto frenzy now sweeping the country with the 6/55 Grand Lotto online lottery draw, whose jackpot reached P730 million last night, had its roots during the Spanish colonial period, the PCSO said.

Rizal’s winning the Manila lottery reveals an aspect of his lighter side. He never drank hard liquor and never smoked but he was a lottery addict.

“This was his only vice,” said Wenceslao E. Retana, Rizal’s first Spanish biographer and former enemy.

The lottery during the time of Rizal used the traditional manually operated tambiolo where numbers were drawn for the winning combinations.

The principle of the game remains the same except for the modern technology
today where the game is now computerized and the draw is aired live on television and people have access to the online results nationwide.

PCSO chairman Margie Juico had expressed concern over the soaring jackpot, which she said might be too much, and instead of helping the winner, the huge jackpot could ruin the life of the lucky winner.

“Since we are in a third world country I hope that such huge amount of money might help a lot of people,” she said.
#36786
The losing spell in the Grand Lotto 6/55 ended on Monday night when an extremely lucky bettor from Luzon bagged the P741-million jackpot by betting on the winning combination 11-16-42-47-31-37.

Lottery gods must have smiled on Monday night because someone beat the 1-in-29 million odds, a feat that had proved elusive for at least six months since this streak began.

The jackpot at P741 million was the biggest in the country’s history.

Liza Gabuyo, PCSO assistant general manager, said the bettor picked the combination, standing to win the pot tax free.

It took 86 draws before a bettor won the jackpot.

The previous biggest jackpot was posted in February 2009, when the pot for the 6/49 Super Lotto game reached P347 million. Two lucky bettors picked the same combination to split the top prize. - PDI
#36787
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal could have already died from a lingering illness, an Armed Forces official said Monday.

Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, commander of the military's Southern Luzon Command, said his assessment is based on intelligence information they have received.

Detabali made the statement a few weeks before the CPP marks its 42nd anniversary on December 26. The New People's Army (NPA) is the CPP's armed component.

Rosal headed the NPA's Melito Glor Command in the Southern Tagalog region and was later designated as spokesman of the CPP.

"We have intelligence report that he passed away long ago. He expired while being transported out of a hospital," he said.

Debatali said Rosal reportedly died 2 years ago.

Security officials had said that they have gotten reports of Rosal suffering from a severe stroke, and that he is also getting medical treatment for diabetes and hepatitis. - abs-cbn
#36788
World Daily News / North Korea Prepares for War
November 29, 2010, 10:07:06 PM
PDI

North Korea has placed surface-to-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, Yonhap news agency said, as the United States and South Korea began military drills and China called for emergency talks.

But China made clear that the talks would not amount to a resumption of six-party discussions, which North Korea walked out of two years ago and declared dead.

South Korea’s presidential Blue House also said now was not the time to discuss resumption of six-party talks.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak had told a visiting Chinese delegation that Beijing, Pyongyang’s only major ally which is traditionally reluctant to criticize the reclusive regime, should do more to help.

China, which agreed with South Korea that the situation was “worrisome,” suggested emergency talks among six governments involved in discussions aimed at ending North Korea’s nuclear program.

The call was made by a senior Chinese diplomat, Wu Dawei, at a brief news conference. The talks bring together North and South Korea, host China, the United States, Japan and Russia.

Japan was noncommittal. “We want to respond cautiously while cooperating closely with South Korea and the United States,” Kyodo news agency quoted Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama as saying.

Beijing has repeatedly urged restraint and fresh talks to defuse tensions.

Yonhap said North Korea had moved surface-to-air missiles to frontline areas, days after it shelled a tiny South Korean island killing four people. The North’s official KCNA news agency warned of retaliatory action if its territory were violated.
#36789
Facts and Trivia / Re: 645 Philippine Lotto Result
November 29, 2010, 09:37:57 PM
Philippine Lotto 6/45 Draw Result for Nov. 29, 2010

Lucky numbers: 31-35-2-16-33-43
#36790
6/55 Philippine Lotto Result for November 29, 2010 Draw. Here's the winning number combination
11-16-42-47-31-37

Jackpot price: P741 Million ra
#36791
Starting today until Nov. 30, 2010 Cebu Pacific Air is offering a 147 pesos fare for all domestic destinations for all travel from July to September 30, 2011. This is applicable for all travels within the Philippines.

Just check its website and you'll see the promo update.
#36792
Thank you, Galen. Your opinion is highly appreciated.
It doesn't matter if the laptop is not the cheapest one as long as it is brand new and authentic.

So, Funan Mall sells genuine laptop brands? And all new?
#36793
By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net

The Supreme Court has started filling up its data bank for possible questions in the 2011 Bar examination, which, for the first time will be a multiple choice type of examination.

Record from the high court’s dialogue with officers and members of the Philippine Association of Law Schools stressed on the need to build up a data bank that would contain at least about 200 topic items per subject where some 300 items could be later drawn for the construction of 200 multiple choice questions (MCQs) for each of the Bar examination subjects. These subjects include Remedial Law, Civil Law, Mercantile Law, Labor Law, Criminal Law, Taxation, Political Law and Legal Ethics.

“We have so far put in our data bank our coverage index. This is the coverage of the Bar exams by subject… but the topics in our coverage index are still few and too broad for writing the needed MCQs,” Associate Justice Roberto Abad, chairman of the 2011 Bar examination told officers and members of the Philippine Association of Law Schools.

The coverage index, Abad discussed during the dialogue will be expanded to a “coverage roll” to include sub topic items.

“The random selection of topic items shall span the length of the coverage of each subject, taking into account the importance of each of its subdivisions to beginning practitioners,” Abad said.

On July, the high court will conduct a “run-through test” as part of its preparation for the September examinations.

In the run-through test, participating law schools will send about 20 incoming 4th year students who will take the exam. Results of the “mock Bar” exam, the high court said will be used to help the high court establish the reasonable passing rate for MCQ exams.

Law schools all over the country have contributed MCQs which will be included in the data bank. Such questions will be segregated per topic and will be included once a raffle list has been made for the preparation of the MCQs for the September exam.

This is the first time that the high court will use the MCQ type of examination for aspiring lawyers. Abad said the MCQ exams will assess the three main skills of examinees including knowledge and recall; comprehension or understanding and analysis and application.

However, if a student fails in the MCQ examination, the essay will no longer be corrected.

Since 1901, the high court has used the essay type of examination in the Bar examinations which takes almost a year to be corrected manually by the examiners of each subject.
#36794
Andre Berto: Greatest Hits
Andre Berto: Next Manny Pacquiao's Opponent?
#36795
Why Women Love Gardens and Gardening?
#36796
Navy vessels under the operation and authority of the Naval Forces West (Navforwest) and the Western Command (Wescom) Headquarters here are chasing an undetermined number of alleged Sino fishing boats off Barangay Rio Tuba, Bataraza town in southern Palawan, top provincial naval officer Commodore Edgardo Tamayo told the media Monday morning.

The pursuit operation was ordered today following rampant reports from Bataraza fishermen that quite a few large foreign fishing vessels and smaller dinghies were spotted while catching fish within the Philippine territory.

Tamayo said the Filipino fishermen described the large foreign fishing vessels as having bow marks that resemble Chinese or Taiwanese characters.

As of press time, Tamayo is yet to hear results from PN vessels that were ordered to do the chase.

He believes the foreign fishing vessels entered either through the seas that border Malaysia and the Philippines in southern Palawan, or the South China Sea, a common easier route for Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian and Taiwanese fishers encroaching within the country’s territorial waters.

This is not the first time Filipino fishermen spotted foreign fishing boats entering the country and catching fish within its territorial seas. A few months ago, the navy also received the same report. - PNA
#36797
Boxing and Boxers / Manny Pacquiao vs Marquez 3
November 29, 2010, 01:01:47 PM
#36798
By Abac Cordero, Philippine Star

Manny Pacquiao was getting ready for a commercial shoot in Manila yesterday when Juan Manuel Marquez kept calling his name from Las Vegas.

“We know that Pacquiao has been avoiding us,” Marquez said following an impressive ninth round knockout of Michael Katsidis at the MGM Grand.

“Pacquiao, Pacquiao, Pacquiao, I sound like a broken record already,” Marquez said during the post-fight press conference, and wearing a shirt that says boldly, “Marquez beat Pacquiao twice!!”

“Yes he beat bigger fellows but they are all past their prime while I beat younger and stronger boxers like Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis,” Marquez said in a philboxing.com article by Dr. Ed dela Vega.

Pacquiao said he isn’t avoiding Marquez, adding that his only concern is if the people still want the fight.

“May manood pa kaya? (Will they still watch it?)” Pacquiao asked.

Marquez went down against Katsidis after taking a big left in the third round. But as always, he got up.

In the end, referee Kenny Bayless stepped in to stop the fight as Marquez, getting stronger as the fight wore on, was landing killer blows on his virtually defenseless foe.

“Do you think that tonight you made a convincing case for you to fight Pacquiao again?” he was asked by Larry Merchant.

“We know that Pacquiao has been avoiding us. We will put a lot of work into it and a third fight is what the public wants to see,” said Marquez, still a champion at 37.

The great Mexican counter-puncher kept his WBO, WBA and Ring Magazine lightweight belts, and is now hoping to land a third fight with Pacquiao, even at the welterweight limit of 147.

“Everytime you fight it seems that it’s a plebiscite, an election for you to catch another chance to fight Pacquiao because of how close those two fights were,” Merchant continued.

“That’s what I always do. I always come in looking for that but we always have hard rivals, difficult rivals like Katsidis but we always come in looking for a third fight,” Marquez answered.

Pacquiao is the reigning WBC super-welterweight champion, his eighth world title in as many divisions, but has signified his intention to drop down to 147 where he’s most comfortable.

Freddie Roach, said they will fight Marquez a third time if it’s at 147.

But Pacquiao, according to his business manager, is firm with just one demand.

“Manny will take the fight if they (Marquez camp) do the promotion,” said Eric Pineda yesterday.

“Manny thinks Marquez has a small fan base that’s why he doesn’t want any hand in the promotion. All he wants is a guaranteed purse, and that Top Rank and MP Promotions won’t be involved in the promotions.,” said Pineda.
#36799
CIANI: Manny Pacquiao recently had a fight against Antonio Margarito. I’m curious, what are your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao as a fighter? What were your thoughts on his performance?

JONES: Pacquiao is pound for pound the best fighter in the world, and he put on a magnificent performanceâ€"magnificent. I mean I gave up 27 pounds and beat John Ruiz, but I’m a bigger guy, too. For him to give up the kind of weight like he did to this kid Margarito and beat him like he did, it was absolutely magnificent.

CIANI: You said that Pacquiao is the pound for pound king right now, and that’s a distinction you once held. Right now there are a lot of fans torn between whether it’s Pacquiao or Mayweather, and I’m wondering do you think fans will finally get to see that fight in 2011?

JONES: Yeah I think they will and I hope they do, but right now Pacquiao has it and Floyd’s going to have to take it from Pacquiao. - source: ontheropesboxingradio.com/featuredarticle_11_28_10.html
#36800
Fashion Trend / Business Prospect for Hemp
November 29, 2010, 11:49:58 AM
Various industries support hemp as an additional Vermont crop, including candle making and dairy industries. Although industrial hemp is currently a small market, it is quickly growing in the mainstream market. Over the last ten years, farmers in Canada grew an average of 16,500 acres of hemp every year for use in food products...click here to continue