MikeLigalig.com

Prime Manpower Resources Development, Inc. provides total recruitment
solutions to clients in the Philippines and in the international market.
Operating since 1979, Prime Manpower has the proven track record and
expertise needed to serve companies in a wide variety of industry
sectors.

Prime Manpower is an affiliate of Manpower, a world leader in
employment services with a network of 4,500 offices in 80 countries and
territories worldwide.

Manpower helps both companies and individuals navigate the ever-
changing world of work. No other company has more experience or
expertise. Nearly 60 years of experience providing recruitment, training,
assessment and selection, outsourcing and consulting services. We can
help you make sense of the forces shaping tomorrow's workplace.

Whether you are looking for a new and challenging career opportunity in
the Philippines or abroad, or an organization that can provide your
company with tailor-made human resource solutions, you can count on
Prime Manpower.

POEA License No. 108-LB-091206-R
IBS ANALYST
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * Collate and perform data preparation for Billing
    * Upload of data in Oracle
    * Perform all the types of I/C (inter-company) Billing based on the Billing Calendar, and follow up on the outstandings
    * Help the Reconcilation team with all supporting documentation on the DT/DF records
    * Perform Cash Apps based on settlement
    * Perform all types of query resolution which the customer may have on the billing
    * Work closely with the Country Controllers/Accountant with any ad-hoc billing request Support the Country Controllers and Controllership team on the DR-13 and DR33A or any other queries and issues

Requirements:

    * Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business with 2-3 years relevant working experience
    * Proficient in utilizing MS office software (esp. Excel) and ability to learn new financial systems
    * Knowledge of Oracle, Support Central workflows
    * Strong interpersonal and communication skills
    * Ability to work independently or within a team
    * Ability to adapt successfully to multiple tasks that occur in a rapidly changing environment

For more informations please call Ms. Sheryl @ 8782765 o Ms. Danna @ 8782737.

American Data Exchange Corp. established in 2002, is a business process outsourcing firm owned and managed by international entrepreneurs. The firm provides a variety of remote manpower services, including transaction-based process, data encoding and research.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
(National Capital Reg - Las Piñas City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must be a graduate of Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy, Finance, Management Accounting, Mathematics or a related business degree.
    * CPA is an advantage but not required.
    * Knowledge in Bank Reconciliation and Accounts Payable processing is an advantage.
    * Proficient in using MS Office applications specifically MS Excel.
    * Must be a team-player with the willingness to operate in fast-paced workflow processes.
    * Fast learner, keen attention to details and with high interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving skills.
    * Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    * Highly organized - being able to commit in meeting client deadlines.
    * Must have the ability to multi-task and can work under minimum supervision.
    * Willing to be based in Las Piñas City
    * Full-Time positions available.
    * Fresh Graduates are welcome to apply.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR COMPREHENSIVE RESUMES TO:

American Data Exchange
HR Recruitment and Staffing
Bldg. 17, La Fuerza Compound
Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City

Or email to: apply@amdatex.com; recruitment@amdatex.com

For Inquiries, please call (02)775-0632 loc. 8013/8063 and look for Jamie/Rlyn

WELLMADE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, maker of Speed detergent bar & powder, Bareta detergent bar and Winrox bleach is a competitive player in the detergent and bleach industry. We are an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER looking for hihgly-motivated, competent, service-oriented individuals to fill up the following vacancies brought about by expansion:

Credit and Collection Officer - Northern Mindanao
(Northern Mindanao - For Cagayan, Ozamis and Zamboanga Accounts)

Responsibilities:
Responsible for giving appropriate customer’s credit information as basis for extending or increasing customer’s credit. Responsible for facilitating collection through paralegal/legal proceedings.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must be a graduate of BS Accountancy
    * At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Applicants must be willing to work for Cagayan,Ozamis and Zamboanga Accounts.
    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in credit and collection
    * Full-Time positions available.

Interested parties may send their application letter, comprehensive resume with recent 2x2 photo and transcript of records to:
Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation
#888 Plaridel Street, Umapad, Mandaue City
cherryl.castil@wellmade.com.ph

Accounting Clerk
(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Responsibilities:
    * Must be able to make Financial Statement
    * Able to generate General Accounting

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Applicants must be willing to work in Makati City.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 10 Full-Time positions available.

Interested applicants may also walk-in at 2452-A Osmeña st. Poblacion, Makati
Kindly bring (2)resumes and your TOR
Look for Cyd Hachero

East West Placement Center, Inc. is duly authorized and licensed by POEA under license no. NCC-03-0234 (renewed licensed no. POEA-574-LB-121302-R) to recruit, hire and process manpower for its accredited foreign. EWPCI's operation is computerized. In 1993, it had developed it's own proprietary system (program) to manage the entire manpower recruitment process dubbed the Recruitment Management System (RMS). Both the POEA and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia recognize the fact that it was the first of its kind to be implemented in a recruitment agency in the Philippines. In 2000, the RMS was augmented to support the expansion of the company. Currently, the company is completely redeveloping the RMS for the third time to integrate our corporate interactive.

Prospective Principal/Project:UNITED TRANSPORT CORPORATION - WARED EXPRESS

Accountant
(JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Age: 25 - 35 years old
    * Must have good communication skills.
    * 2 Full-Time positions available.

INTRODUCTION & COMPANY BACKGROUND To stay competitive and realize its full profit potential, today’s business enterprise requires the support of a strong and resilient manpower base. Success is determined by the effectiveness of its management team and the efficiency of the support staff. We at Archway International recognize that to achieve benchmark performance, a competitive enterprise must harness its most important assetâ€"human resources, whether in-house or outsourced. Archway is therefore committed to fill in the gap by offering a long-term partnership in growth and excellence. It is our mission to help our clients achieve their business goals by providing a technically-equipped and well-motivated manpower base at cost effective rates. Aiming to rank among the leading outsourcing solution providers in the Asia-Pacific Region and the Middle East, we at Archway International are committed to integrate the full complement of our resourcesâ€"our people and our partnershipsâ€"to deliver the best value-added outsourcing solution to our clients. Principal/Project: RADWA FARM

Cost Accountant
(JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia)

Responsibilities:

    * Plans study and collects data to determine costs of business activity, such as raw material purchases, inventory, labor and overheads.
    * Analyzes data obtained and records results, using computer.
    * Analyzes changes in product design, raw materials, manufacturing methods, or services provided, to determine effects on costs.
    * Analyzes actual manufacturing costs and prepares periodic report comparing standard costs to actual production costs.
    * Provides management with reports specifying and comparing factors affecting prices and profitability of products or services.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Age: 28 - 45 years old
    * Strong financial analysis skills.
    * Strong knowledge of Excel and familiar with ERP package.
    * Excellent communication skills.

Sitel is a global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) leader. The company meets clients' customer care and transaction processing needs through 60,000 associates in 67 countries. Sitel provides world-class solutions from on-shore, nearshore and offshore locations across 155+ facilities throughout North America, South America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. The company's award-winning services provide clients with the strategic insight, scale and diversity of offerings to ensure the best return on their customer investment. The company is privately held and majority owned by Canadian diversified company, Onex Corporation. For more information, please visit www.sitel.com. Full-time associates enjoy a competitive compensation package that includes: * Competitive Salary package with non-taxable allowances. * Above-industry standard night differential. * Medical, dental and optical coverage, plus medicine allowances that also covers qualified dependents. * Life and accident insurance. * Above par vacation and sick leaves entitlements, retirement and bereavement benefits. * Account-based premiums, incentives and allowances based on performance and attendance.

Accounting Support Specialist
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:
• Assist in all aspects of accounting

• Process various accounting transactions
• Performs account reconciliation and analysis
• Prepares financial reports
• Communicate directly with global customers (both internal & external)

Requirements:

    * Accounting graduate (CPA, a plus)
    * At least 1 year prior accounting experience
    * Knowledge in accounting/financial systems
    * Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
    * Willing to work in a shifting/night schedule

Sitel Ortigas 2nd Floor The Centerpoint Building Julia Vargas Avenue cor. Garnet Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600 Tel.: 860-1111 Fax: 634-5414 Mondays to Fridays,9am to 6pm Walk-in applications are encouraged.

OB Montessori Center, Inc.

Accountant
(National Capital Reg - San Juan City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy
    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Finance - General/Cost Accounting or equivalent. Background in Financial systems and Cashiering is an advantage
    * Proficient in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
    * Efficient, highly organized, keen in details and accuracy and with good analytical skills Possess good work attitude
    * Has initiative and can work with minimal supervision With good communication skills Female, 21 to 30 years old

Applicants may apply ON-LINE or may visit us directly in our office at: OB Montessori Center, Inc. 3 Eisenhower Street, Greenhills, San Juan For more information, please visit our website at: www.obmontessori.edu.ph

With more than 917 stores in the most commercial streets in 62 countries, Zara sets the latest fashion for millions of people. We count on professionals like you to create and transmit the excitement that this extraordinary company possesses. To cope with our major expansion, we are recruiting more staff for our urgent head office requirement:

Accounting Clerk
PHP 10000 - 11000
(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Requirements:

    * Male or Female, between 21 to 26 years old
    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * At least 1 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Finance - General/Cost Accounting or equivalent.
    * Job role in Financial & Reporting, Accounting or Basic Accounting/Bookkeeping/Accounts Executive.
    * Full-Time positions available.
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
    * Willing to be assigned in Makati City.
    * Can start immediately.

Interested applicants may personally apply at:
International Specialty Concepts, Inc.
Human Resource Department
5th Flr. ENZO Building, 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
Email:ISCI_recruit@rgoc.com.ph/talopez@rgoc.com.ph
Website: www.zara.com

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. The $16 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 customers per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at www.manpower.com

Accounting Staff (urgent)
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * Accounts processing (receivables / payables)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 5 Contract positions available.

a VISION in action...." Is what PR GAZ HAUS is all about. A common goal forged a strategic partnership to become a lead provider of LPG products and services. With only a single refilling plant in 2001, PR Gaz Haus now has four (4) Refilling Plants around the Luzon area, with more than ninety (90) LPG Convenient Stores and employing more than four hundred (400) sales-driven personnel. We are continuously striving to make our products always available and reachable to the customers. Our vision is to be one of the leaders in the LPG industry with 500 stores serving millions of household by 2015.

Accounting Clerk
(National Capital Reg - Pasig City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Finance/Accountancy
    * Applicants must be willing to work in Pasig City..
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 5 Full-Time positions available.

Interested applicants may apply personally bring updated resume to:

PR GAZ HAUS HOLDINGS, INC.
Retelco Drive cor. E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagong Ilog, Pasig City
For inquiries, please call: 02 571-7771 / 0908-1390374 or
email resume to hrcareers.cdi@gmail.com

Agence France Presse

The man credited with inventing the Frisbee, Walter Frederick Morrison, died this week at the age of 90, leaving behind one of the most popular toys of the modern world, beloved by beachgoers, college students and competitive teams.

Utah-native "Fred" Morrison first began in 1937 flinging a circular metal cake pan â€" two decades before it was licensed as a plastic, aerodynamic disc â€" on the beaches and parks of southern California.

The wild success of his invention, which went on to sell hundreds of millions of discs, never ceased to amaze Morrison, who died Tuesday at his home in Monroe, Utah.

"Who could ever imagine this?" he was quoted as saying in 2007 by Utah's local Deseret News. "From such a simple beginning 50 years ago, to have it become what it has become. My goodness, it's amazing."

Morrison and his future wife Lucile began selling their cake pans as toys and after he returned from World War Two they toured local fairs across the West hawking his disc as the "Pluto Platter."

In 1957, the hopeful inventor sold the license for his design, with deepened sides for aerodynamic grace and using a strong but light plastic frame, to the famous US toy manufacturer Wham-O, makers of the Hula Hoop.

A few months later, then-Wham-O president Rich Knerr heard that college students on the US East Coast were calling tin lids they tossed about after the name of a local bakery that supplied the discs â€" the Frisbie Pie Co.

After coopting the mantle and changing it slightly for copyright issues, the catchy new name and superior flying plastic disc ensured Frisbees went on to sell over 200 million units over the next 50 years.

"Not since the invention of the ball," Wham-O states as part of its company history, "have so many fun games and competitive sports been derived from such a simple object."

Wham-O paid tribute Friday to Morrison on their official Frisbee website.

Prolific British author Dick Francis, a former jockey whose thrillers rode high in best-selling lists for decades, has died at the age of 89, his family said.

He passed away at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman from "old age," according to a statement released through his publicist.

His son, Felix, said on Sunday he was "devastated" as he paid tribute to his "extraordinary" father, who produced 42 novels.

Francis specialized in plots based on the horse racing industry, drawing on his own experiences of winning more than 350 races.

He turned to writing after hanging up his saddle in the 1950s and was still producing novels at the end of his life.

"Even Money," which he co-authored with Felix, came out in September 2009 and "Crossfire" will be published in August this year.

Felix said: "My brother, Merrick, and I are, of course, devastated by the loss of our father, but we rejoice in having been the sons of such an extraordinary man.

"We share in the joy that he brought to so many over such a long life. It is an honor for me to be able to continue his remarkable legacy through the new novels."

Francis spoke in later life of how he was still haunted by his ride on Devon Loch, a horse owned by the Queen Mother which suddenly slipped when he appeared certain to win the 1956 Grand National.

He recalled in 2006: "The Devon Loch episode was a terrible thing but I look back on it now and I can say that if it hadn't happened I might never have written a book, and my books have certainly helped keep the wolf from the door."

After retiring from racing in 1957, Francis took up writing, first for the Sunday Express newspaper and then, in 1962, he turned to novels. - Agence France Presse

Kris Aquino gifted husband and professional basketball player James Yap and her children with P5-M worth of property in San Mateo, according to a report on Bandera.

The land is also a birthday gift to Yap, the report said.

The property has a swimming pool for Josh, Aquino’s son by actor Philip Salvador, and where Aquino plans to grow vegetables, the report said. - PDI

THE PBB Double Up edition has finally ended at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Saturday night.

Housemate Melisa Cantiveros won the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up edition.

Melai of General Santos became the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother Double Up after topping the text votes among other housemates.

Melai gained 32.08 percent paving her to win a P2.5 million house-and-lot, among other prizes.

Paul Jake Castillo of Cebu City, who one led the text votes placed second after garnering 27.31 percent of the text votes.

Jason Francisco of Mindoro, landed in third place with 24.97 percent votes.

Johan Santos placed fourth with 7.94 percent of votes while Tibo Jumalon ended up in fifth place with 7.69 percent text votes. (Sunnex)

Our firm would like to invite highly motivated men and women in the field of accounting to join our team:

Accountant
(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Responsibilities:
Accountant for our outsourcing and also for our clients need.
Tax Accountants - Will handle tax engagement of the Company's Tax department.
Auditors - Audit staff for the audit group.

Requirements:
Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy.
CPA, with knowledge in accounting software like quickbooks and peachtree is an advantage.
Willing to work overtime and under pressure
At least 2 years work experience in accounting for the accountant;
with or without experience for the auditor.

Interested Parties must mail, email or fax their CVs with a recent 1X1 colored photo to our office in 2/F The Asia Tower Cond., 151 Benavidez St. corner Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Fax No. 893-1500 email: katigbak.clemente@gmail.com / audit.ckc@gmail.com

PGA Cars, Inc., Sole Importer and Distributor of Audi and Porsche in the Philippines, is in need of :

Accounting Staff
(National Capital Reg)

Requirements:

    * Female, single, between 21 â€" 27 years old.
    * Should be an Accountancy graduate.
    * Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.

All applicants should have a pleasant personality and excellent communication skills; should be service-oriented, hardworking and willing to be trained. We offer the successful candidates above-industry compensation packages, local and foreign training, and excellent working conditions.

Interested candidates may send their resume with latest photograph to:　

PGA Cars, Inc.
201 EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Email Address: andie.caballes@pgacarsinc.com
Telephone Number: 727 0381

philippines jobs opportunities: financial analyst
Texas Instruments offers you the chance to be part of defining the future of technology

    * Work with the best tools, brightest people and leading-edge technologies
    * Work in a flexible, diverse, informal environment that cultivates high performance
    * Achieve great rewards for great work
    * Work with the leader in DSP and analog, driving the digital world

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy, Commerce or Financial Management;
    * Experience in business and reporting systems like SAP, Oracle or Business Objects;
    * CPA Licensure or MBA is an advantage;
    * Preferably with a finance background in a manufacturing company;
    * Diligent, hardworking and results-oriented

HMA recognizes that the employment is a global need and believes its main and first responsibility is to provide personalized, world-class service for Employers and to provide opportunities to work abroad for Filipinos. HMA with its access to various sectors in the field of manpower and connections with government and private agencies, ensures doing recruitment business transactions with highly efficient services to our clients worldwide. We are specialized to provide employers with professionals, medical staff, highly skilled, unskilled workers, and highly trained educated domestic helpers from the Philippines to different countries

Prospective Principal/Project:       INTELTEC EMIRATES
Job Order: Registration No. 10140675 Validity: Apr 20, 2013

Accountant (INTELTEC EMIRATES)
(Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Professional License (Passed Board/Bar/Professional License Exam), Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * At least 2 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Good communication skills in English
    * Able to work under minimum supervision.
    * Must be hardworking.
    * 10 positions available.

Our company International Tankers Corp. has domestic and international shipping operations carrying liquid cargo.

Accounting Supervisor
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * Conduct bookkeeping, accounting and administrative functions

Requirements:

    * Graduate of BS Accountancy
    * With at least 3 years experience in the related field
    * Knowledgeable in budgeting, analysis and forecasting review
    * Detail oriented and result driven
    * With excellent written, oral and analytical skills
    * CPA is an advantage.
    * Not more than 38 years old.

Winterpine Marketing Corp. was established in May 1979. It was made into a corporation in the year 1982 and was registered in 1983. The company is engaged in the importation, wholesale, retail, distribution and concessionaire of car accessories. The company operates nationwide and is the distributor of various car accessories for Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota etc.

Accountant
(National Capital Reg - Quezon City)

Responsibilities:

    * Responsible for preparation and analysis of financial reports.
    * Recommends improvements of policy and procedure for control measures.

Requirements:

    * Male or female, not more than 35 years old and with pleasing personality.
    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy.
    * Preferrably at least 4 years experienced employee specializing in General/Cost Accounting, FS preparation, analysis and reporting.
    * Personally motivated, team player, hardworking and highly organized with keen predisposition to detail.
    * Strong interpersonal and communications skills (both oral and written).
    * Proficient with MS Office Applications (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, etc.).
    * Applicant must be willing to work either in Cebu or Manila but must be trained in Quezon City (Head Office).
    * Willing to do field work or visit branches within the area.
    * Experinec in Auditing is an advantage
    * Full-Time positions available.

Accounting Staff
(National Capital Reg)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy.
    * Required skill(s): MS Office.
    * Required language(s): English, Filipino
    * At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position
    * Full-Time positions available.
    * Male or Female, 25 to 30 yrs. old
    * Requires quick grasp of business procedures, keen orientation to details, and highly analytical.
    * Must be organized, can work well under pressure and able to work with minimum supervision.

Apply in person with resume, transcript of record, NBI, Police and Brgy. Clearance and latest 2" x 2" photo at:

99 Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Look for Ms. Menchie Racela

Or e-mail resume to mhay_01@vasia.com

A Fortune-500 company, St. Louis-based Emerson (www.emerson.com) is a global leader bringing together technology and engineering to support a world in action. Our 60-plus industry-leading divisions are aligned under 8 unique Emerson brands - Network Power, Process Management, Climate Technologies, Motor Technologies, Appliance Solutions, Storage Solutions, Industrial Automation, and Professional Tools - to deliver comprehensive customer solutions in the five business segments of electronics and telecommunications, process management, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2007 were US$22.6 billion. Being connected; Commitment; Forward-looking; Performance; Customer-focused; Excellence ... these are attributes that define Emerson and its people today â€" a company at the forefront of technology and one of the world's best-managed companies For more than a century, Emerson Electric Co. has been known as the place where people bring technology and engineering together to create solutions for the benefit of customers. As technology evolved and the needs of our customers changed, Emerson rose to the challenge to solve problems and create opportunity.

Sales Analyst
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:

    * Lead agroup of Sales Analyst's and Sales Order Mangement staff with hands on approach and ownership to all duties and tasks performed by the team.
    * Schedule and balance all team member workloads, ensuring timeless of deliverables, including back up plans for all deliverables.
    * Train, develop and direct daily workload.
    * Analyze developed reports and data from group to derive meaning from various analysis or project reports.
    * Review all duties and tasks with staff to ensure effective processes are in place. This includes appropriate use of software tools and the ability to identify nnew methods of looking at various data, tends, analysis, and processes.
    * Provide weekly Workload Status Report along with expected timelines.
    * Participate and contribute in all meetings with US Sales Staff on forecast and sales issues.
    * Oversee Sales Order Function to include sales order entry, sales customer consignment program and other sales identified duties.

Requirements:

    * Bachelor's degree in Business (Management, Math, Economics, Marketing, Statistics, etc.)
    * 1-2 years of related working experience.
    * Demonstrated strong MS Office Skills with proven ability in statistical analysis, marketing research, and/or required in quantitative problem solving. (The importance of strong Excel Skills can not be overstated.)
    * Experience required in Business Intelligence Software Tools - specifically COGNOS - experience is a must.
    * Proficient in English - appropriate accent and pronounciation of words, speech techniques, vocabulary and grammar.
    * Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills.
    * Proven presentation skills required.
    * Lead Positions or Supervision experience required.

Emerson Manila Shared Services Corporate Human Resources e-mail address:msource@emerson.com

Dimatech is a trading company who caters to various medium-to-heavy industries such as power generation, oil & gas, petrochemical, cement and sugar mills. We have collaboration with different manufacturers and have buying arms strategically located around the globe. We are also the exclusive distributor/representative of the following specialty products for the niche market: - Ceccato Air Compressors, Dryers & Air Line Accessories - Si-Coat 570 High Voltage Insulating Compound - Ion Exchange Water Treatment Systems & Specialty Chemicals/Resins - International Metal Engineering Controls & Instrumentation - Anderol Synthetic Lubricants & Brugarolas Specialty Lubricants

Accounting Staff
(National Capital Reg - Quezon City)

Responsibilities:
• Experienced employees specializing in General Accounting, Cost Accounting, Credit & Collection, Disbursements and related fields in Accounting

• Hardworking, keen to details, ability to meet deadlines and can work independently
• Can handle clerical works such as sorting, filing, recording, etc.
• Willing to render extended work hours

Requirements:

• Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in B.S. Accountancy
• Computer literate and preferably with familiarity in QuickBooks or other accounting softwares
• Has the ability to deal with different types of people in the organization
• With mature disposition and ability to perform effectively under minimum supervision
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status
• Fresh graduates are welcome to apply

Sea Olympus Marketing Inc.

We are a group of companies set to be a leader in the industry we are in. We are currently looking for young, dynamic and aggressive individual who will fill in our vacant needs.

Accounting Staff
(Central Visayas)

Requirements:
• BS Accountancy graduate
• Not more than 30 years old
• At least 1 year of working experience in the related field is required for this position
• Must possess knowledge in MS Office Applications (Excel and Word).
• With keen attention to details.
• Organized, detailed and analytical.
• Fresh graduates are also welcome to apply
• For immediate hiring

EXPERCS International Inc. is your valuable partner.

More importantly, EXPERCS International Inc. is your Integrated Business Process Outsourcing Specialist.

Established in 1988, EXPERCS International Inc. is the country's most preferred manpower service provider forging strong business partnerships with top local and multinational corporations from different industries.

EXPERCS International Inc. has the capability, even at short notice, to recruit and deploy hundreds of employees with a wide range of skills. We take pride in our ability to deploy quality manpower for any destination in the Philippines and elsewhere.

EXPERCS International Inc. currently deploys several thousand personnel of various positions and skills for its nationwide network of operations.

Moreover, EXPERCS International Inc. is spearheading its potentially huge global expansion as it strengthens its international affiliations with select firms in Asia Pacific and in the United States.

Recently, in line with its commitment to be an integrated outsourcing company for its clients, the services of EXPERCS International Inc. has expanded and now provides other outsourcing functions such as logistics and supply chain activities, call center personnel training, and other human resource management activities outside of recruitment.

Junior Accountants (CPA)
(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 5 Full-Time positions available.

We are located at the 7th Floor Philcox Building, 172 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City. (At the back of Makati Medical Center and infront of Italian Embassy)

U-BIX CORPORATION is a 36-year old, Top 1000 company, and the country’s leading Total Office Systems Provider.

U-BIX Corporation is the exclusive distributor of Konica Minolta digital multi-function machines, branded “bizhub,” the new generation of business solutions designed to fit each customer’s need. Konica-Minolta, with U-BIX Corporation as its exclusive partner for 35 years, offers excellent quality imaging through advance technology, and is committed to the development of products that are innovative, creative, and dynamic.

Over the years, U-BIX Corporation evolved into an integrated office systems and services provider, acquiring distributorships of various office equipment including Riso digital duplicators; Epson printers, scanners and LCD projectors; Brother laser printers, fax and multi-function machines; Casio digital light projectors; and Okamura office furniture system.

U-BIX Corporation pioneered the guarantee of 2-hour response time to client calls, from 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week, setting industry standards for service. After 35 years, the company continues to uphold this service commitment, and is the foundation by which the corporate culture is built.

In November 2006, U-BIX Corporation acquired its ISO 9001-2000 certification for Distribution, Sales and Services of Copiers.

In August 2007, U-BIX Corporation announced the latest addition to its line of business through its purchase of the Kodak Imaging Center (KiC) from Kodak Philippines Limited. U-BIX Corporation acquired the entire KiC Philippines business, including document and microfilm scanning, database creation and management, encoding and data entry, and essential mail printing. The business now operates under the name U-BIX Data Center.

Since its inception in 1974, U-BIX Corporation has evolved from a company of 20 people into the country’s largest integrated office systems provider, generating revenues of over P1 billion with a workforce of over 800 employees and network of 24 branches.

To complement our continuing growth, U-BIX Corporation and its subsidiaries invite excellent and highly motivated individuals to fill this position :

Administrative Assistant (Legazpi Branch)
(Bicol Region)

Responsibilities:

    * Supervise branch Accounting Clerk in the physical control, delivery and inventory of stocks
    * Maintenance and disbursement of branch petty cash fund and revolving fund
    * Receipt, deposit, balancing, and reporting of daily collection
    * Monitoring of receivables, payables, cash advance liquidation, accountable forms, office supplies
    * Preparation and submission of branch Production and other reportorial requirements
    * Monitoring and upkeep of branch billings
    * Processing of business permit

Requirements:

    * Degree or equivalent diploma in Business Administration specializing in Accountancy
    * Strong ability to provide assistance in relevant areas of Finance and Administration, minimum of 2 years handling sales order processing, petty cash, inventory, billing and collection
    * Good analytical skills for efficient comparison and interpretation of figures
    * Must have high standards of integrity
    * Professional maturity and energy to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
    * Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
    * Excellent working knowledge of MS Applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
    * Permanent position available (Copying Business - Legazpi)

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is looking for technically competent and highly qualified people who will join its world-class workforce.

As the only electricity transmission company in the country, NGCP offers a wide range of opportunities for professional growth for people who want to build a career in the energy sector. It is one of the biggest employers in the country with its nationwide network of power lines and substations. A competitive remuneration and training package will be offered to qualified applicants.

DIVISION HEAD
(National Capital Reg)

Responsibilities:
Responsible for conduct of audit programs covering the corporation's financials to ensure that adequate controls on the proper classification, accounting, and recording are in place and complied with.  Formulates recommendations regarding control deficiencies and system ineffectiveness, and identifies areas for improvement, process efficiency, and cost control.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Accountancy.
    * Must be a Certified Public Accountant.
    * Preferably a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
    * At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience in a managerial/supervisory position.
    * Must have at least forty (40) of relevant training.
    * 1 Full-Time position available.

We are a Top 1000 Company, ISO 9001-2000 certified for Distribution, Sales, and Services; committed to the development of products that are innovative, creative, and dynamic.

Over the years, we have evolved into the country’s largest Total Office Systems and Services provider, acquiring distributorships of varied office equipment lines and furniture, generating revenues of over P1 billion. Today, with our workforce of more than 800 people, we continue to uphold our service commitment, and is the foundation by which our corporate culture is built.

To complement our continuing growth, our Company and its subsidiaries invite top caliber and highly motivated individuals to fill this position, pull people together, clear the path, and get everyone to the goal:

FINANCE & ADMIN MANAGER - CEBU
(Central Visayas - Cebu)

Responsibilities:

    * Provide financial expertise in determining key drivers of operations through consistent monitoring of performance analyses, identifying and interpreting variances and trends
    * Develop financial models and business analyses to support and evaluate strategic initiatives and maintain the company's budgeting tools
    * Undertake forecasts through continuing interface with related business segments in the organization and provide sound advice in areas needing performance improvement
    * Manage finance and accounting services to ensure accurate and timely generation of financial reports and comply with regulatory requirements, including ,Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, Treasury   Interface with internal and external auditors, Tax compliance and Planning
    * Implement risk management and compliance execution including, Ensuring effective internal controls, Continuing improvement of operating process and systems and eventual automation of financial operation reports, Counter-party credit risk evaluation
    * Overall management of office operations, including, Administrative matters, Coordination with other corporate segments

Requirements:
    * Degree in Accountancy or equivalent diploma in Business Administration specializing in Accountancy or Corporate Finance
    * Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    * Masters Degree or Post Graduate Diploma preferred
    * Proven strong professional background on commercial accounting or corporate finance including Financial Statement preparation, General Ledger maintenance, Audit, and Budget, 5 years of which in managerial capacity
    * Potent business acumen particularly in managing multiple corporate operations
    * A generalist experience in other functional areas including general and cost accounting
    * Ability to provide significant contribution in the creation of the organization's financial management strategies, priorities, and programs
    * Proven professional maturity, integrity, leadership ability and energy to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
    * Excellent organizational, collaboration, people-handling, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
    * Analytical, intuitive, dynamic, and a team player
    * Excellent working knowledge of MS Applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
    * Two (2) permanent positions available (Group of Companies for Visayas and Mindanao areas - CEBU-BASED POSITION)

A competitive compensation package and rewarding career both await the successful candidate. Interview invitations will be done via email, please check your account regularly. Preference will be given to candidates who apply online. We will notify shortlisted applicants only.

WELLMADE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, maker of Speed detergent bar & powder, Bareta detergent bar and Winrox bleach is a competitive player in the detergent and bleach industry. We are an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER looking for hihgly-motivated, competent, service-oriented individuals to fill up the following vacancies brought about by expansion:

Branch Accountant - Bohol
(Bohol)

Requirements:
    * Graduate of BS Accountancy.
    * Female, not more than 35 years old.
    * At least 5 years experience in all phases of Accounting gained from a Fast Moving Consumer Goods industry.
    * At least 2 years in a supervisory level
    * Willing to work in Bohol
    * Can start immediately.
    * Full-Time positions available.

Interested parties may send their application letter, comprehensive resume with recent 2x2 photo and transcript of records to:
Wellmade Manufacturing Corporation
#888 Plaridel Street, Umapad, Mandaue City
razel.opo@wellmade.com.ph

ExcelAsia Training and Development Inc. (Cebu Site)
(Search / Recruitment Firm)

ExcelAsia provides industry-leading human resources (HR) solutions to more than 60 multinational companies in the Philippines. The firm is staffed by training and recruitment professionals who provide end-to-end HR solutions. As a professional and reliable service-oriented company, ExcelAsia addresses the growing HR needs of the multinational companies by developing training modules and recruitment processes for the Filipino people in mind. By working closely with clients, ExcelAsia understands critical business needs and continues to provide exceptional solutions that meet key business goals.

Our Client is one of the world's leading management consulting, technology services and outsourcing companies. They have 178,000 people in 49 countries and work with clients in nearly every major industry worldwide, including 91 of the FORTUNE Global 100 companies and over 2/3 of the FORTUNE Global 500 companies. The sheer scale of capabilities and client engagements differentiates what they do from most other companies. Many of their clients are global organizations, so they craft solutions and build systems that affect companies around the world - creating the infrastructure of business today. They know better than most how to mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies to deliver innovation and results that create high-performance businesses.

Manila based International Outsourcing company Looking for Accountancy Grads. NON CPA Cebu CMCY41
(Central Visayas - Cebu City)

Responsibilities:

    * This is a back office position for a an International Outsourcing company.
    * RELOCATION PACKAGE FOR CEBU APPLICANTS
    * Free Airfare plus P15,000 allowance.

    * HOW TO APPLY:
    * Come to our office and bring an updated copy of your resume.
    * Walk in applicants will be highly prioritized.
    * Our office is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
    * Qualified applicants will be shortlisted and have their details forwarded to the client.
    * No salary deduction and no placement fee.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent. Not CPA
    * 6 months to 1 year call center work experience is a plus.
    * Required skill(s): English Communication Skills, Customer Service, Multitasking.
    * Preferred skill(s): Basic Computer Skills.
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 100 Full-Time positions available.
    * Applicant must be in Cebu.

ExcelAsia
Ground Floor Wee Building, 424 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City 6000
(near old SSS building, same building as Nuat Thai and Kodak)

Bring a copy of your resume for the interview. Walk in schedules are from Mondays through Fridays, between 9am to 5pm

Look for MANUEL YU
Contact # 0917 571 5236 / 236 3972
for more jobs opportunities please visit www.excelasiaservices.com and www.excelasiajobs.com

The population of Central Visayas could hit eight million this year, an increase of some 1.5 million since the last official census in 2007.

A National Statistics Office (NSO) official, interviewed on condition of anonymity, provided the projection.

If this holds true, that means the region’s population will grow much faster than the projected national population growth rate of 1.95 percent annually from 2005 to 2010.

Central Visayas is already the fifth most populated region in the country, said Noel Rafols, NSO-Central Visayas public information officer. Its population stood at 6.4 million as of August 2007, or about seven percent of the national figure (88.56 million).

The regions that are more densely populated than Central Visayas are Calabarzon (11,757,755) and National Capital Region (11,566,325), as well as the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga (9,709,177), and Panay and Negros Island (6,843,643).

Of the 6.4 million people in Central Visayas, Rafols said more than four million are in Cebu.

As the region’s economic hub, Cebu is expected to take in a rising number of jobseekers from nearby provinces.

In 2006, NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta had projected population growth at 1.95 percent from 2005 to 2010. She expected the national population to hit 94 million this year.

Rafols could not give the population projection for Central Visayas, but another NSO source said in separate interview that it could reach eight million in 2010.

The results from the 2007 census showed this city has a total population of 799,762 persons. Its population grew by 1.48 percent annually from 2000-2007.

The number of households increased by 20.1 percent, from 147,600 in 2000 to 177,197 in 2007.

The NSO also reported that among the 80 barangays of this city, Guadalupe is the most densely populated, accounting for six percent of the total population of the city.

The same NSO report said Mandaue City’s population stood at 318,577 as of August 2007 -- or some 58,800 persons more than its population in 2000.

Its most populated barangay is Subangdaku, with 6.7 percent of Mandaue City’s total population.

The population of Lapu-Lapu City grew by 4.20 percent annually for 2000-2007. As of August 2007, Lapu-Lapu City’s population stood at 292,530.

While the country’s population keeps rising faster than the economy’s growth rates, a presidential candidate said he continues to have mixed views on the Reproductive Health Bill.

Nicanor Perlas, who kicked off his national campaign in Cebu, said the bill, which is supposed to target population control, misses a crucial ingredient for it to be accepted by all sectors.

“What’s missing is the priority to stop economic injustice that is causing poverty in the country,” said Perlas.

He said the bill should focus on making information available and respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and couples.

Perlas revealed that though he opposes abortion and some methods of birth control, he agrees with ligation and vasectomy.

Sexual education, which the bill seeks to provide for students, should be optional and must depend on the situation, Perlas added.

He called for consultations and dialogue so the bill can be amended, with inputs from those who either support or oppose it. (EOB/JKV/Sun.Star Cebu)

SeaChange Philippines Inc.

SeaChange International provides the software and systems that are changing television. Its market leading solutions have enabled cable, telecommunications and television operators to fundamentally change the way consumers watch video. As the market leader in video-on-demand solutions, SeaChange’s software and systems have played an integral part in shaping the future of TV. Whether it’s video-on-demand, targeted advertising or advanced applications such as gaming-on-demand, SeaChange is leading the way.

With its Emmy-winning solutions, thousands of SeaChange systems are helping broadband, broadcast and satellite television companies to streamline operations, expand services and increase revenues. SeaChange is a global leader with headquarters in Acton, Massachusetts and product development, support and sales offices throughout the world.

SeaChange operations in the Philippines comprise mostly of Software Engineering and Technical support. We provide software development ,support and digital video server systems for Video on Demand, digital media and broadcast systems for television networks, cable operators, telcos in the US and worldwide.
This includes companies like Comcast, TimeWarner Cable, Verizon, E! Networks, ABC Cable Networks, BBC, CCTV, MTV, abs-cbn International, GMA Network Inc., and Sony Pictures among others.

SeaChange is a passionate, dynamic and high-performance environment and our people are the driving force behind our success. With offices in The Americas, Europe and Asia, we have a diverse international workforce and our people represent a broad range of skills and experiences. At SeaChange, everyone plays a critical role in achieving our vision of changing the way people watch television.

To know more, visit www.schange.com

Internship for Accounting Students
(National Capital Reg - UP AYALA TECHNO HUB, Diliman, Quezon City)

During the internship period, you will be exposed to these areas:

Responsibilities:

    * • Keep and maintain the department general files;
    * • Attend to filing backlog of the department;
    * • Setup individual employee file folder, sort and organize payroll files
    * • Read, sort, control and route all incoming mails of the department;
    * • Inspect and record all incoming deliveries/shipments
    * • Receives and controls all billing statements
    * • Maintains and handles monitoring of office supplies inventory, and initiate request for
    * replenishment/purchase.
    * • Performs such other functions as may be assigned by the immediate superior.

Requirements:

    * Candidate must be currently pursuing a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking, Commerce or equivalent.
    * Required skill(s): MS Excel, MS Office.
    * 1 Internship position(s) for duration of 5 month(s).

You may send your resumes to:
joliejean.fernandez@schange.com

We may be reached at the following nos.:
981-6200/ 981-6244

MINISTOP is a trade name which presents a "combo-store" concept. A combination of fast food and convenience store in one.

ROBINSONS CONVENIENCE STORES, INC. the name given to the official franchisee of MINISTOP in the Philippines. Mother company of MINISTOP Philippines. Joint venture between Robinsons Retail Group, Mitsubishi Corporation and MINISTOP Co. Ltd., Japan.

Since it opened its doors to the Philippines in December 2000, MINISTOP has always envisioned becoming the leader in the convenience store industry. MINISTOP has made its presence felt by being the community's warmest and friendliest modern combo store. It takes pride in its wide range of quality of products, at affordable proces and value-added service.
The commitment to a customer-focused management has given MINISTOP a competitive edge not only in JAPAN but also in the Philippines. MINISTOP has been continously expanding to service the Filipino consumer needs in Metro Manila area.

Advertised: 15-02-10 | Closing Date: 15-04-10
Audit Associate
(National Capital Reg - Pasig City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Professional License (Passed Board/Bar/Professional License Exam), Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Applicants must be willing to work in Pasig City.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply. At least 1 year working experience is advantage.
    * Full-Time positions available.
    * Computer literate, proficient in oral and written communication.
    * With good scholastic records.
    * Female / male; not more than 25 years old

Prospective Principal/Project:  SAYEGH WATER CO.

Accountant (SAYEGH WATER CO.)
(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Professional License (Passed Board/Bar/Professional License Exam), Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * At least 3 year(s) of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Good communication skills in English
    * Able to work under minimum supervision.
    * Must be hardworking.
    * Age: 25 - 43 years old
    * 5 positions available.

People Depot, Inc. is a company that conducts executive search for best-breed of individuals to strengthen their management team of professionals. Our company works with the Top 1,000 companies in the Philippines.

FOR HIRING ASAP: ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT/AP ASSISTANT/AR ASSISTANT
(National Capital Reg - Manila City, Ortigas City, Taguig City, Makati City)

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Required language(s): English, Filipino
    * Applicants must be willing to work in Manila City,Ortigas City,Taguig City,Makati City.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 15 Full-Time positions available.

Blow up Babies Inc.

Blow-Up Babies is the country's first full production photography studio. Managed by seasoned professionals from the advertising and film industry. Blow-Up Babies prides itself in taking cool and creative portraits of babies aged 1-99! We currently have two fully operational branches in Gateway, Quezon City and Serendra, Fort Bonifacio.

Accountant/Bookkeeper
(National Capital Reg)

Requirements:

    * Must be a college graduate with major course work in accounting and financing.
    * Between 25-40 years old.
    * Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other computer applications related to the work.
    * Knowledgeable and experienced in Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Payroll practices and principles.

Lexmark is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of printing solutions for offices and homes in more than 150 countries. The corporation and its products have received more than 2,000 awards and industry accolades around the world.

The company is a fast growing, integrated global developer and designer of software, firmware, and hardware for Lexmark's printer products with headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. It also has a Shared Service Center for back office processes brought over from North America, Europe and Asia. Shared Services include Order to Cash, Supply Chain, Finance, Customer Service, Sales & Technical Support, Distributed Fleet Management and Global Operations. We offer an attractive compensation package as well as opportunities for professional growth and development to the successful candidate.

We are in need of the following:

General Ledger Accountant
(Central Visayas - Cebu City)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for accounting activities within the organization. Assignments include maintaining journals and ledgers and preparing financial statements and reports. Duties include reviewing and approving transactions, posting entries, collecting and evaluating data, conducting analysis, and preparing reports and recommendations.

REQUIREMENTS:
BS Accountancy Graduate

Has 2 - 3 years Accounting work experience
Team player, flexible and can handle multiple tasks if needed.

Requirements:

    * Must be CPA
    * Female up to 30 years old
    * Stable experience in Japanese manufacturing company
    * With background in preparation of financial statement,forecasting & costing
    * Possess good leadership and communication skills
    * Willing to work in Sto.Tomas, Batangas
    * Full-time position available
    * Can start immediately

SAGASS Consulting is a Japanese Consultancy firm which provides ideal career development through our company's best local employment. Bearing the perception of the necessity of a headhunting firm, SAGASS took its first landing on the Philippine industry on the year 2004.

SAGASS Consulting exists to offer professional service to meet satisfaction of our client's demand amidst the diversity in the employment industry. majority of our clients are Japanese owned business companies settled in the Philippines.

The mission of our company is to provide on its full-length, fulfillment on the part of our valued clients. In doing such, the company implements a sequence of evaluation to conscientiously seek for extremely qualified applicants.

The company envisions huge and fast assessment that leads to employment through our participative service that will be advantageous to jobseekers.

Accountant (Cavite*) Urgent hiring!
(Southern Tagalog - Carmona, Cavite)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

REQUIREMENTS:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking or equivalent.
    * Female, not more than 35 years old.
    * CPA is a plus but not required.
    * At least 2 years of working experience in the related field is required for this position.
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.
    * Preferably 1-4 Yrs Experienced Employees specializing in Finance - General/Cost Accounting or equivalent. Job role in Basic Accounting/Bookkeeping/Accounts Executive or Financial Accounting & Reporting.
    * Candidates must be willing to work in Carmona, Cavite.
    * Full-Time positions available.

Finance Manager for Cambodia
(National Capital Reg - Manila)

Responsibilities:
The Finance Manager is the principal financial contact for the media busines. She/He will ensure delivery of appropriate level of financial information to key stakeholders, facilitate proactive management of the business and ensure corporate compliance.

Principal Accountabilities  are :
1. Financial Reporting, Information, and Analysis
2. Business Planning
3. Financial Management and Operations
4. Staff Leadership and Development
5. Internal Controls.

The Finance Manager will have 5 staff and will report directly to the Financial Comptroller. He will be reporting closely to the
1. People Manager :  General Manager
2. Vertical Manager : CFO
3. CLients : Department Heads and Line Manager
4. Peers : Members of the Management Team
5. External Agencies : Suppliers

Requirements:

    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree , MBA
    * Preferably CPA
    * At least  5 to 10 years experience as Finance Manager gained from media company would be an advantage.
    * Expert in Financial Reporting, Information and Analysis, Business Planning, Financial Management and Operations, and Internal Controls is a MUST.
    * Applicants must be willing to work in Cambodia
    * Very competitive package and benefits awaits successful candidates
    * Full-Time positions available.
    * Must have a valid passport

Alternative Network Resources Unlimited ( ANR UNLIMITED )
(Search / Recruitment Firm)

ANR Unlimited, a local Business Process Outsourcing organization that has developed a solid reputation as one of the leading providers of outsourced services in the country, with a growing team of more than 5,000 staff. We are looking for qualified candidates to fill our urgent job requirement.

Accounting Assistant
(National Capital Reg)

Requirements:

    * Male/Female
    * Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor's/College Degree in Finance/Accountancy/Banking, Commerce or equivalent.
    * With above average oral and written communication skills.
    * Related work experience is an advantage.
    * Fresh graduates/Entry level applicants are encouraged to apply.
    * 10 Full-Time positions available.

Due to the urgency of the position advertise, interested applicants may proceed personally to 2300 4 th Flr. Pifco Bldg. Pasong Tamo Ext. Makati City(from Mrt Magallanes ride a jeep going kayamanan or extension. Drop off beside Sterling place. We are on the right side.) Bring resume, ID and be in business attire.

For inquiries, please call 8895647/ 7280736 loc. 120-122, look for Ms. KARLA.

In June 2004, Dencio's Bar and Grill was acquired by Pancake House, Inc., a 100% Filipino owned publicly listed restaurant chain under the management of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin P. Lorenzo.

With the recent acquisition of Dencio's, the new management is faced with bigger challenges of reintroducing the brand to an "All new attitude of an old time great."

To date, Dencio's operates in more than 20 branches - Scout Albano; Araneta Center; Libis; Trinoma; Capitol Hills; Jupiter; Metrowalk; Greenhills; SM Megamall; Glorietta; Paseo Center; Rockwell; Robinson's Ermita; Robinsons Dasmariñas; Robinsons Starmills; Harbour View; Brittany Bay, Sucat; Riverbanks;Bonifacio High Street Taguig, Luisita Center; Camp John Hay and Tagaytay.

Additional Soon-To-Open branches will open in Metro Manila and some provinces this year.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
(National Capital Reg - Makati City)

Requirements:

    * Must be ACCOUNTANCY graduate
    * Not more than 26 years old
    * Preferably with at least 6 months experience in General/Cost Accounting
    * Can work with minimum supervision
    * Computer literate (MS Word & Excel)
    * Newly graduates are welcome to apply
    * Applicants should be Filipino citizens or hold relevant residence status.

'Robin Hood' Trailer HD

Salt - trailer (2010) HD HQ

BABIES - Official Trailer [HD]

Valentines Day - Official Trailer [HD]

"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" - Official Trailer [HQ HD]

Damage movie trailer 2010 *ing Stone Cold Steve Austin

A 51-year-old Ohio man is embracing the spirit of Valentine's Day and hoping to get more hugs in the next 24 hours than anyone in the world.

He'll be seeking squeezes outside the Paris Las Vegas hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip from Friday at 6 p.m. until Saturday at 6 p.m.

Guinness World Records says Jeff Ondash of Canfield, Ohio, already holds the record for most hugs in one hour, with 1,205. That record was set in May 2008 in Boardman, Ohio.

Now Ondash says he's going for the 24-hour record to raise money for the American Heart Association during American Heart Month.

Guinness says the current record of 5,000 hugs in one day was set last year by Siobhan O'Connor in Dublin, Ireland. - source: newsnet5.com

What do you do (and what should you do) when your spouse cheats on you?

Sa Mailad Lang
February 14, 2010 Editorial of the Bohol Chronicle

Mathematics is an exact science, unlike economics, and calculators were invented to help man make use of numbers logically.

Kudos to Kagawad Djingo Rama and woe to the city residents of Tagbilaran.

Using his calculator, computer, laptop, abacus or whatever, the feisty legislator gave one more reason why the scandalous P100-million City Road Rehabilitation should be stopped dead on its tracks before more damage is done.

Based on the second P50-million city loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines and using the P300 price per cubic meter (supplier quotation) of limestone (anapog) which the City Mayor and his cohorts in the SP want to cover the city roads with, that would translate into a Ripley's-setting of 138,889 cubic meters of anapog requiring over 9,000 truckload deliveries.

Rama says that would cover 578 kilometers of road (based on a 6-meter wide model). Given the limited road network of Tagbilaran City, all that anapog will actually cover all the streets- erasing from view all houses and buildings in the city and leave by its lonesome the tall tower belfry of the St. Jospeh Cathedral - a monument of the city's woes and the symbol of whose gain?

Wonder for whom the bells will toll from there?

City residents should therefore, in a state of sarcastic ridicule, apply for transfer to big towns like Jagna, Ubay or Carmen for this "genius of a project" of the City Mayor would plunge the poor city into extinction. That would also raise from his grave - former Mayor the late Venancio Inting, upon whose incumbency Tagbilaran was into a chartered city turned.

It was perhaps providential, that Vice Mayor Toto Veloso rightfully adjourned the SP session last Friday because ramming the approval of the supplemental budget to cover the second half of the P100-million Road Loan would have been violative of the Local Government Code.

Without a committee report and the absence of the Accomplishment Report of the first P50-million tranche and a detailed Program of Works required for the second - it would have been a trap for the Minority to tango with the "designs" of the mayor ( with apologies to the author of the book "Waltzing with the Dictator" a.k.a. Marcos).

In a magnificent display of parliamentary courage, Veloso finally said "No mas, No mas" (apoloigies to boxer Robert Duran, a titan in the favorite sport of the City Mayor) - to this business of railroading funds to City Hall without transparency and common decency - as he banged the gavel for adjournment.

The city residents' signature campaign to back the Vice Mayor's letter-manifesto to DBP will be a form of "people power" out to thwart the importunings of fiscal mischief of the majority, under the baton of the City Mayor.

Make no mistake about it, a P100-million loan is not just a piece of paper. This new round of borrowings, as every banker knows, raises the so-called Liquidity and Solvency ratios of the city - which could have negative implications on the city's future ability to borrow.

Further, since these LGU borrowings are normally earmarked against future IRA due to the city, such source of "guaranty" will no longer be available for future more worthwhile projects than this potential "Anapog Scam" in the making.

We are sure, DBP President and CEO Reynaldo David, a seasoned banker of many summers, will not allow DBP to be a party to a less transparent LGU lending. David, who was Citibank's first Filipino vice president (70s) and who gave DBP a huge profit last year (in billions), will not brook any step that blurs DBP's role as a purely "developmental bank".

For instance, in a private lending scenario, DBP would not release the second tranche of a building loan unless the borrower shows "Progress Billings" - on where the first tranche went. But that is exactly what the minority in the SP is asking for and DBP should be wary why such a Progress Report not be made available to city taxpayers who will eventually pay for City Hall's P100-million loan.

So we do not wonder why the City is up in arms.

If the City Mayor dearly loved to rehabilitate the city's God-forsaken roads, why wait for the "last two minutes" of his second term - after six years of contemplating his love for roads and streets? How sure, is he, that the anapog route is what his successor wants for the city road network in July? Or is he scared, he won't be around anyway to implement the road project in full after May's elections? So make hay while the sun is shining?

A wide majority of city residents interviewed over Radyo Merkado "live" yesterday fear that the "indecent haste" of the P100-million project is a fund raising venture for the election usage. Given the questionable record of the City Mayor in the Gallares Street makeover, do you blame Juan de la Cruz, Maria Clara and their children to be thus so wary?

Truly, the city is fed up with this sinister machination and tyranny of numbers route of the present City Government in opening the cash faucets.

Meantime, the bark dogs and their Principal, over the radio - echo scripted praises and paid callers comments to mark the so-called achievements of City Hall.

"Sa Ma-ilad Lang" is all we can say.

By Bohol Chronicle

The series of reports on the entry of armed men to the province and political bickering prompted the Provincial Board to pass a resolution requesting the Commission on Elections to declare Bohol under Comelec control.

PB Member Josil Trabajo, vice-chair of the PB Committee on Peace and Order, pointed out that the "resolution will serve as a proactive measure to advance and strengthen security measures by our local enforcers and other government agencies and maintain peace and order situation in Bohol".

Copies of the resolution, which was approved en masse during the regular session of PB on Tuesday last week, were furnished to Comelec-Manila and all concerned agencies "for information and appropriate, immediate action".

Trabajo cited in the resolution he authored, recent incidents and intelligence reports implying impending trouble that involve politicians and armed men.
         
Among the alarming reports include intelligence reports from the army mentioning entry of unknown personalities suspected to be "Turistang Hukbo" or "balikbayans", and arrivals of armed groups suspected to be members of the CPP/NPA/NDF deployed to actually extort in the guise of permit to campaign fees.

The resolution, which was approved en masse during the regular session of PB on Tuesday last week, also cited a possibility that some politicians may have hired these armed men as "goons" to harass voters during the national and local elections, in their quest for victory.

Trabajo also cited the Candijay incident where police caught seven armed men, who claimed to marines and PASG agents, violating the Comelec gun ban.

Aside from being a police matter, the incident also tends to spark political rift in the town as Mayor Sergio Amora Jr. Candijay tagged Vice-Mayor Ann Piquero-Dy as the mastermind, considering that she serves as executive director of the NGO that owns the ambulance that the armed men boarded in their attempt to flee

"Black propaganda and character assassination between political rivals continue to escalate as the election day approaches," Trabajo noted.

These scenarios calls for the necessity to "adopt a resolution requesting Comelec-Manila to declare the province of Bohol under Comelec control".

By Bohol Chronicle

Public indignation over the absence of transparency at the city hall mounts as the public's insistent demand for such - reached a high note.

This led to a signature campaign to stop city hall from availing of P50 million from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The letter addressed to Reynaldo G. David, president/CEO of the bank, sought the bank's "ample deliberation and consideration taking into account the outcry of the Tagbilaranons for an honest and transparent accounting of all government projects."

During the top-rated "Inyong Alagad" program of dyRD last Wednesday and Thursday, well meaning citizens initiated the signature campaign to inform bank officials on this lack of transparency as far as the borrower (city government) is concerned on how the first loan was used and how the second tranche will be spent.

Concerned residents through the radio program asked City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso to write the bank as they were ready to affix their signatures in support to the call for transparency.

The residents asked that the original manifesto/letter to the bank should be made available in every city district so that Tagbilaranons can read it and affix their signatures.

In a two-page letter to DBP President David, the vice mayor cited that under Sec. 316 of the Local Government Code a "local finance committee to be composed of the local planning and development officer, budget officer and the treasurer shall recommend to the local chief executive concerned the proper allocation of expenditures for each development activity between current operating expenditures and capital outlays."
         
The same provision states that what is required is the "conduct of semi-annual review and general examination of cost and accomplishments against performance standards applied in undertaking development projects."

Veloso informed the bank president that until this time there were no submitted Program of Works and Accomplishment Reports relative to the utilization of the first P50 million loan.

The release of the second tranche will not only violate the above cited provision but is likewise a glaring defiance of the basic tenets of transparency and public accountability, Veloso stressed.

The vice mayor likewise said the terms and conditions of the Contract of Loan was hastily ratified without any representative from the DBP who could at least have articulated on the details at least up to the interest rate to be paid by the city government.

"Tyranny of the majority bloc in our Sangguniang Panlungsod indeed catered the conjuring approval of what clearly appeared to be irregular and abhorrent," Veloso cited.

"We sincerely understand that the DBP does not want to become an accomplice to any irregularity in the release of the loan," Veloso concluded.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

A resounding support on the call for transparency echoed through the radio airwaves during the past three days.

The latest affirmation of public indignation against the absence of public accountability registered in "Radyo Merkado," a top-rated weekly radio program of dyRD yesterday.

A remarkable 86% of the respondents expressed "approval and agreement" to the move of Vice Mayor Veloso of adjourning last Friday's session.

Most of the respondents said it was the "right thing to do" amid the pressure tactics of the majority bloc.

"The absence of documents (accomplishment report/program of work) is a clear indication that funds were not and will not be properly spent," was the common comment of the respondents.

At the same time, 92.5% of those who approved of the Vice Mayor's adjounment of the session suspect the "funds will be used for election campaign" citing that aside from the city post reelectionists, two of the lawmakers are running for higher positions.

Some respondents said that if the fund is indeed for road rehabilitation, then the best time to release such would be after the elections in order to avoid public suspicion.

The 14% who did not agree with the Vice Mayor's early adjournment said Veloso should have allowed further discussion of the supplemental budget in order to ventilate opinions of the other lawmakers.

"It was highly questionable why he (Veloso) adjourned the session when there were still other matters to be discussed," the respondents asked.

DELAYING TACTIC

In his weekly radio program, City Mayor Dan Lim questioned the move of the vice mayor saying it was a clear "delaying tactic" in getting the supplemental budget approved.

The Mayor questioned why his Jan. 29 letter was not included in the agenda during the last two sessions. He asked Veloso as the presiding officer to treat as "special order of the day" the supplemental budget - citing that it was meant to finance road rehabilitation projects here.

The Mayor also asked the public to realize and appreciate the road rehabilitation projects in the city which would involve the spreading of limestone (anapog).

WHY ANAPOG?

Mixed reactions from city residents were aired on the City Mayor's flagship program of spreading limestone atop the roads within the city.

A resident of Taloto district yesterday called over the Mayor's radio program to deplore that the limestone spread on the nearby roads which has caused severe dustiness in their neighborhood.

The other residents who appreciated the spreading of limestone said "this is better than nothing at all."

However, majority of the city residents said that spending P100 million for (anapog) is useless since this will only disappear after months of rains and produces dust during this hot season.

Well-meaning residents highly suspect that placing limestone for road rehab could be the source of corruption since overpricing is easy when limestone will be used instead of cement and asphalt.

SUPPORT NOT WALK OUT

Kag Rama told the Chronicle that they (minority bloc) did not walk out but they merely supported the stand of the vice mayor in stopping the attempt of the majority bloc to have the request for supplemental budget rail-roaded again.

He said the motion of Kag Glovasa was to "trap the minority bloc to go into voting on the supplemental budget."

TRANSPARENCY

The issue of transparency remains as the motivating point in scrutinizing the loan applied for with the DBP, Veloso said.

He said Glovasa, until up to the last session, failed to present the detailed accomplishment report on how the first P50 million loan with DBP was disbursed.

Secondly, the supplemental budget for the second P50 million should not be approved without the detailed program of work on how and where that specific budget will likewise be spent, Veloso stressed.

"Minus the accomplishment report of the first tranche and the program of work for the second tranche, the new loan application should therefore not get the approval of the city law making body," the vice mayor said.

Veloso stressed the public is fed up with this "unaccounted expenditures of the city government," including the unresolved unliquidated cash advances during the last three years.

By the Bohol Chronicle

The continued insistence to fast track the release of the second tranche of a P50 million loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) caused the sudden adjournment of last Friday's session of the Sanguniang Panlungsod.

City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso banged the gavel to adjourn the session after two kagawads of the majority bloc insisted that the supplemental budget for the loan be considered "special order of the day" (SOD).

City kagawad Oscar Glovasa who is running for congressman in the first district pointed out that a letter of Mayor Dan Lim dated January 29, 2010 asked the city SP to treat the supplemental budget request as SOD.

The vice mayor stood firm on his stand that any request for supplemental budget should first be discussed in a committee meeting of the appropriations body so it can submit an approved committee report.

"There was no committee report since there was no meeting called by the appropriations committee," Veloso cited.

He ruled that since there was no compliance with the committee report, the motion of Kag Glovasa could not be given recognition.

Glovasa was supported by Kagawad Danilo Bantugan, a candidate for provincial board member, who demanded a ruling on the pending motion.
         
Prior to the arrest, the Candijay PNP received a complaint that the group harassed brothers Edwin, 24, and Alberto, 21, at a store in Poblacion, Candijay on the same day.

There were also unconfirmed claims that the group may have been hired to kill reelectionist Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora who filed charges of grave threats against the suspected goons.

Amora's reelection bid is challenged by Trygve Olaivar, an ally of Vice Mayor Dy.
The Comelec and the Candijay PNP also slapped separate charges against Dologmanding, Borinaga and Agliam for violating the election gun ban.

Veloso ruled that Glovasa's motion could not be recognized due to the lack of a prior committee report.

"I have to adjourn the session since he (Bantugan) could not accept a no for an answer to Glovasa's motion," the vice mayor stressed.

After the adjournment of the session, the minority bloc composed of Kagawads Bebiano Inting, Zenaido Rama, Mairquit Oppus and Nestor Kapirig left the session hall.

However, the majority bloc continued holding their session with Majority Floor Leader Kagawad Edgar Bompat presiding.

By Angeline Valencia

Bohol experience taught the national government that Social Integration Program (SIP) can best substitute peace talks, especially that the Communist Movement of the Philippines has changed its representatives to the negotiating table.

Defense Sec. Norberto Gonzales announced during the capsule-laying ceremony of the 50-hectare resettlement area for rebel returnees in barangay Remedios, Danao on Thursday that the government's "new policy is actually about the SIP".

"THAT WILL BE THE MAJOR APPROACH THAT WE'LL BE USING IN THIS END GAME, this remaining few months. Remember that our President promised to end the communist armed rebellion during her term. That's four to five months away. And we're saying that, except for a very few areas in the Philippines, the armed forces has done its job already. We will not want to see an aggressive use of the armed forces," Gonzales said.

The government arrived at this option after a "not so successful" peace talks with Joma Sison, then, and after a considerable accomplishment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"The approach now is more political than militar- -more development, more dialogues.

You already did it here. And we will use this as model and I hope there will be more and more of this kind of effort in the whole country, so that it can take care of our people who want to normalize lives. There must be no more war," the secretary pointed out.
         
He admitted that the recent round of the peace talks with the representative of the Communist Movement of the Philippines "has not been very successful".

The situation has become more difficult when the CPP-NPA-NDF recently ousted Sison and his comrades.

"They are no longer the leaders of the party. So we found ourselves wondering if we should continue talking with Joma Sison or not, because he no longer represents the interest of the communist movement. We have been hearing rumors that the communist movement is has new leaders, but we don't know where they are." Gonzales added.

The government's Norwegian friends, who had been providing assistance when it comes to the peace talks, are also "wondering whether we should continue with the peace talks or not because they don't know who to talk to these days", he said.

However, the accomplishments of the AFP in the military approach of addressing insurgency means "we start talking to all members of the New People's Army"- -an idea that the "governor in Bohol is actually giving us the strategy that we need," according to the secretary.

He said Bohol has always been first in doing things like addressing insurgency through development, confirming that, indeed, "we should not wait for peace agreements to be signed", but take the initiative of coming up with innovative ways like the things that Bohol leaders do.

In his assessment, Gonzales said, the government's armed forces had already done its job when it comes to the military aspect of the opreations against armed rebellion where they have "achieved the level of accomplishment".

"We're fighting against our own people. And, always when it's our own people, we go beyond normal understanding. The position of government is to welcome those who want to normalize their lives. That's the position of government today" he added.

Gonzales also appeals to the Bishops Conference of the Philippines, all bishops and priests to tell anyone from the armed rebels who would approach them, that the government welcomes them.

"What we are trying do now in the national [level] is to prepare the necessary logistical requirement of this endeavor. That is why we are expecting our President to augment, in a dramatic way, the budget for SIP. And the SIP will no longer just be addressing the individual rebels who are joining normal lives. We will also have funds for creating communities for them," the secretary assured.

He also disclosed that in the remaining months of her term, the President will work out to increase the funding for the SIP.

The whole world would agree that armed rebellion is no longer an acceptable means of achieving societal change, he pointed out.

Impressed on the sincerity of Bohol leaders, the secretary assured that for anything that the governor needs, he just a text away and there is no need for a formal communication, saying that if it's the governor, he knows it will be for a good purpose.

He also disclosed that the government has also helped communist leaders join the politics and even in their campagin to show to them that the government is ready to help those who want to join the democratic community.

"There are many ways of helping friends and fellow citizens who want to really consolidate democracy and this is what we are doing. We're telling Joma and company to join the elections and they will be taken seriously. Those who remain in the mountains can come down to the mainstream or they might be left out," he said.

The secretary advised the people to take advantage of having a responsive government.

As recognition to the governor's efforts, Gonzales vowed to arrange with his department and the AFP to come up with an appropriate reward for having "done so much for this effort of peace".

Mgen. Ralph Villanueva, commander of the Central Command of the AFP, also congratulated the governor and the people of Bohol for spearheading the internal security campaign in the Visayas.

Villanueva said he had once recommended to the President to replicate the Poverty Reduction for Peace and Development Program of Team Bohol to other areas in the Visayas that still face challenges.

"As you know, Bohol has served as model for all of us and I emphasized this to our troops and this is being copied in other areas, in the area," he said.

Villanueva, however, pointed out that even with an improved situation in Bohol, the AFP must not leave the province, this time, to engage in sustainability efforts and "ensure that the succes we have experienced here will never be reversed. And that is the commitment of the AFP central command to the people of Bohol. So let us work together"

He also announced that the experience here in Bohol will be duplicated in Regions 6 and 8.

"And with that, we will be able to use the same model in improving the security and development situation here in our country in the other parts of our country. So let us continue working together and let us continue making this experience here in the province as a model for the rest of the country," Villanueva stressed.

By Bohol Chronicle

With the budget of P100 million for city road rehabilitation using limestone to be spread over most city roads, the city might be submerged and perhaps only the bellfry of the St. Joseph Cathedral might be left in view.

This was the point stressed by City kagawad Djingo Rama who estimated that the second tranche of P50 million can buy the city government 138,889 cubic meters of limestone.

"This is indeed a lot. It can only be delivered with 9,920 truckloads," Rama cited basing his computation at P360 per cubic meter.
         
This computation is based on the suppliers' quotaion given to buyers of limestone at P300 plus 20% up for other incidental expenses.

With 138,889 cubic meters of limestone, it should cover a stretch of 578 kilometers of road (based on a 6-meter wide road), Rama cited.

"Can you imagine how huge this budget of P50 million for road rehab will be?" the lawmaker asked, taking the cue on the claim of Mayor Dan Lim that the road rehab project will only be good for the foundation in preparation for the concreting which will be implemented perhaps next year.

Rama laughed off the Mayor's claim in his radio program, that the spread limestone can last for two or three years.

"He is fond of fooling the public," Rama cited while saying that could be the reason why the mayor started a new radio program titled "Sa Motuo Lang."

Kag Rama challenged the mayor and the majority bloc to show to the public the clear-cut accomplishment report and program of work so that the minority group will then support the approval of the supplemental budget for the P50 million loan.

By Bohol Chronicle

Four doctors of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Regional Hospital (GCGMRH) accused of illegally removing the heart of a dead baby girl were cleared of charges for alleged violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Dr. Emma Dominguez, Dr. Arlene Galo, Dr. Laurjena Nagulada and Jon Mark Verga were exonerated from the charges in a resolution promulgated by the Office of the City Prosecutor.

THE COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST THE GCGMRH doctors was ordered dismissed "for lack of legal basis".

Dominguez is head of the Pediatrics Department, while Galo and Nagulada are Medical Officers of said hospital while Dr. Verga is a resident physician of the GCGMRH Pathology Department.
         
The case, initiated by a joint complaint-affidavit of spouses Cresenciano Lamoste and Adelyn Gonzales last October 30, 2009, stemmed from the autopsy conducted on their 2-month old child, Creslyn Gonzales Lamoste, who died at the GCGMRH on September 22, 2009.

The autopsy, which had the written consent of the child's mother, was done by Verga for scientific purposes. The doctors of said hospital desired to have a definite diagnosis of the mult-organ involvement relative to the death of the infant, considering a possible "congenital anomaly".

In the process, Verga removed parts of the internal organs that revealed abnormal features, including the heart. These parts, and the whole heart, are kept at the Histopathology Department of the hospital.

In their defense to the complaint, the doctors argued that "trafficking in persons", as defined in R.A. 9208, involves only living persons, and not a cadaver under autopsy for scientific, diagnostic purposes.

"Autopsy is not among the acts constituting 'trafficking in persons' as defined in and penalized under R.A. 9208," the respondents contended in a manifestation submitted to the City Prosecution Office.

The city prosecutor's resolution categorically stated that "R.A. 9208 is not applicable to the case of baby Lamoste.

We agree with the contention of respondents that the act complained of is not one ofhte acts of trafficking in persons declared unlawful" under the said law.

The resolution stated further that the law states that the 3 elements of trafficking in persons for the removal or sale of organs are not present in the said case, thus, the complaint has to be dismissed.

The hospital also explained the need for an autopsy of the 2-month old baby who died of pneumonia.

GCGMRH spokesman Dr. Edgar Pizarras said the taking of samples from the child's organs is a standard operating procedure considering the hospital is a training hospital.

He said that, as a training facility, it is necessary for a government-run hospital to sustain or maintain its status and accreditation.

Pizarras confirmed that the parents were both apprised of the procedure when they were asked to sign the consent for the autopsy. But he said that the way it was explained about the procedure of the autopsy may have not been thoroughly elaborated especially the taking of the heart.

The defense of respondents Dominguez, Galo and Nagulada was handled by human rights lawyer Artemio Cabatos while Verga was assisted by Atty. Gregorio Austral.

By Bohol Chronicle

The agents of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) recently arrested in the municipality of Candijay for violation of the election gun ban posted bail of P12,000 for their temporary liberty.

The Provincial Fiscal's Office has set the preliminary hearing on February 18, with Fiscal Pito Apura handling the complaint filed by the Commission on Elections and the police command.

Charged are Abraham Borinaga, 45, from Las Pinas, Metro Manila; Benjamin Agliam, 24, from Binmaley, Pangasinan; and Danny Dologmanding, 41, a native of San Roque, Iloilo- - who claimed to be marines and agents of PASG.

THE POLICE TEAM, LED BY CANDIJAY POLICE CHIEF ALFREDO KUHAY JR., caught them in the road block conducted on February 3 just when they were about to conduct the Comelec check point, after receiving a report that some armed men on board an ambulance harassed brothers Edwin, 24, and Alberto, 21 Bersaluna who were drinking at a store in Poblacion, Candijay.
         
For harassing the brothers, the police had also filed charges of grave threat against them and four other companions- -George Villalun, 26, from Calitan, Capiz; Rhyan Lopez, 23, from Gumaga, Quezon; Godualdo Dalo, also from Capiz; and Marlon Lomo.

Candijay Police Chief Alfredo Kuhay Jr. has turned over the investigation of the case to the Bohol Provincial Police Office investigation section as confirmed by PO2 Nilo Hinay.

Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora Jr. accused his rival in the mayoraly bid- -Trygive Olaivar, reportedly a PASG official, and his runningmate, Vice-Mayor Ann Piquero-Dy.

The responding police team caught the armed men and four others trying to flee to the national highway, at least 15 meters from the residence of Mayor Amora, on board an ambulance of the Community Awareness and Services for Ecological Concern, Inc. (CASEC,Inc.), a non-governmental organization (NGO) that the vice mayor's husband had organized in the town in January 1989.

The suspects showed PASG IDs and mission order signed by Sec. Antonio Villar Jr. with instructions to proceed to all regions, carry out confidential instructions of the head of PASG from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2010, and that they were authorized to carry a licensed Norinco .45 caliber with serial no. 47836, Arms Score .45 caliber pistols with serial nos. K1163589 and 1138051.

They also presented a certificate of authority from Comelec for the exemption in the gun ban. However, they were in plain clothes when caught bringing along the firearms.

Police Provincial Director Anthony Lao-Obenza is still awaiting confirmation of the suspects' identities and documents with the Manila office of PASG and Comelec.

On their failure to coordinate with local authorities, the suspects claimed their operation was confidential.

PASG Regional Director Rommel Manhilot (real name of actor, Rommel Montano) has not confirmed yet their appointment with PASG and stood by his earlier statement that had not deployed any of his men to operate in the municipality of Candijay, since there was no port in the town.

By Bohol Chronicle

A three-storey pension house in barangay Dampas this city tagged by the police as a prostitution den was raided past 11 o'clock last night by operatives from the Regional Police Intelligence Unit based in Camp Sergio Osmena, Cebu City.

Eight suspected victims on human trafficking were rounded up while the owner Wilma Epe, 43 and her cashier were nabbed during the raid.

Major Romeo Santander, head of the raiding team told the Chronicle that the Epe couple was placed under surveillance after two lady victims "escaped" from the den to report the matter to operatives in Cebu City. The raid was backed up with a Search Warrant issued by Cebu Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes.
         
The raid by Cebu operatives confirmed that the operation of the said pension house is under the protection of a top city hall official, thus, no raid was ever conducted by the city PNP since the pension house started to operate as pick-up point for male customers, including foreigners.

Seized during the raid were 15 live bullets of .38 caliber pistol, P265,000 cash and assorted jewelries worth no less than P100,000.

The raid was conducted by 19 Cebu operatives working under the Regional Anti-Human Traficking Task Force accompanied by PInsp. Ma. Theresa Macatanggay, Stella Pueblos, of Cebu Social Welfare office and lawyer Luna.

The Epe couple will be formally charged for violation of RA 9208 on human trafficking act.

The crime on human trafficking is non-bailable while its penalty is life imprisonment. (With reports from Ceil Remolador)

By Bohol Chronicle

The sector opposing the controversial reclamation project in Panglao received commitments from environmentalist groups to take legal actions against the planned reclamation in Panglao.

LAWYERS VICTOR DE LA SERNA AND RAUL Barbarona are already studying possible court action to stop the project. It was also learned that lawyer Alexander Lim is likewise strongly objecting the project.

According to former Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan, if the governor signs the JDVA with OLIDI, they are also considering to include him in the case.

"We call on provincial officials and national agencies to stop this proposed reclamation and instead properly implement environmental laws here in the province.

The planned legal action came two days after an unprecedented mass protest action was staged last Tuesday by some 3,000 oppositors of the project coming from the cross-section of the community.

According to the objectors, the reclamation will destroy an already fragile marine ecosystem and pose serious threats to the biodiversity of the area.
         
The protesters assembled at the Plaza fronting the Capitol as some of their leaders took turns in urging provincial officials to reject and recall all plans to reclaim land in Panglao.

The project's opposition has gained support from various groups, including environmental lawyers who vowed to raise the matter to the courts.

Dumaluan said he is optimistic any plans to reclaim Panglao Bay would not push through as this will never get social approval.

Former OIC governor Atty. Victor de la Serna was among those who committed to back the oppositors who have organized themselves as Panglaoanons Against Reclamation (Pare).

Pare has launched a signature campaign to get as many oppositors especially in the three barangays near the proposed project.

"We will fight for Panglao and our right as Panglaoanons. For so many years we have been a peaceful community but our officials and some businessmen want to disrupt our livelihood and take away what nature has given to us," Dumaluan said.

According to Dumaluan, his group suspects that Gov. Erico Aumentado has already signed the Joint Venture and Development Agreement (JDVA) with OLIDI in order to pursue the reclamation.

Dumaluan called on the governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to recall the JDVA with OLIDI.

Pare threatened to boycott all provincial officials who are running for elective posts in the May polls.

what does your experience tell you?

Why are some relationships more honest than others? Why are some couples more truthful with each other while others like to deceive the partner? Nobody deserves to be lied, but there are no doubts that women are telling lies considerably and often. But so men do the same.

If you have trust issues in your relationship, in general, a woman may lie to you. Trust is something that you must build from the beginning of the relationship. Even though, a lot of people say ‘‘white lies'' in order to make others feel better. Some women lie because, as caring creatures they want to spare the feelings of the man they are dating or seeing.

So, here are some common lies told by women that you should know. Someday you might hear them from your partner and it is better to know their real meaning.

1.You're perfect. I love you just the way you are and I wouldn't change a thing about you. Let's be serious; nobody is perfect. At the beginning of a relationship all of them say this because they didn't know you very well but after some time will definitely find something that needs changed. So, if she tells you something like this, don't be too enthusiastic because she finds you perfect just for a couple of days, and after that she will ask you to change.

2.You're right. Every time you are arguing with you're girlfriend usually ends up by telling you that you are right? Maybe this makes you feel proud of you, but you have to know that this is a big lie. She said this just to make you shut up, even if she didn't consider that you're right. She knows that after a while you will see that she was right, and may be waiting for apologize.

3.Nothing is wrong. The most common lie '' I'm fine'' when asked if there is something wrong is the most used by women. You see that she is upset, she is acting strange or doesn't want to talk to you too much and ask her what is the problem she says that everything is fine. They don't want to tell the real truth but they are expecting that men to figure out that something is wrong and those they had a mistake with something.

4.I do love sports honey. Maybe she agrees to stay and watch with you every week at a football game but this doesn't really mean that she like it. She accepts to do this just to show you that she is different from other girls and you have common interest. You may be thinking that you have found the perfect girl for you, because not many of them would like to stay to watch football, but don't be too happy because after a while she might had enough and get angry every time you sit down to watch a game.

5.I like spending time with your friends. At the beginning this is ok, but not too much. Even if   they are good friends of you, she would like to spend more time alone with you and not with your friends. If she didn't tell you already this, she will ask you to keep visits from your buddies at minimum and then she might keep pretending she loves them.

6.Your family is adorable, so I like spending time with your family. The truth? Maybe twice a month. Think about it. Do you really think that she likes to spend time with your family where everybody is criticizing her and watch her every move? She agrees to spend time with your family when is necessary but she doesn't do it with much pleasure even if she is pretending in front of you that she likes them.

7.Your bank account doesn't matter. I hope you didn't believe this. We all know that this is definitely a lie. All women want a guy that is financial stable and independent, a guy that can assure her a future with no financial problems. This doesn't mean that you have to be very rich to have a girlfriend, but you have to have some money.

8.It doesn't bother to me if you look after women or go with your boys at strip-clubs.  This is too good to be truth. Even she says that this is ok, she will definitely be upset that you want to go. They hate to feel second best to a night out with the guys, and accept this in order to make themselves seem less pathetically needy. If you choose to go, she will make you a lot of comments after, so you better think twice before you go.

9.You are very good in bed. If she choose to speak about this topic without you ask her, you don't have to believe all she says. If she starts to compliment you about your sexual experience it doesn't mean that she really believes that. Often a woman who cares about a man tell him all that she knows he wants to hear just to make him feel good about himself. So think about your girlfriend, your relationship, your sexual experience and see if you really deserve compliments on this topic.

10.Don't worry, it happens to everyone. If you just make a mistake, or fail in bed, you might hear this lie from your girlfriend. She doesn't want to show you how upset she is on you but in her mind thinks something else. I wouldn't be too sure that your mistake is forgiven and I would worry in not making too many '' accidents'' like these.

With all these presented, now will be more easy for you to know when your girlfriend is lying. As you see, what a woman says is not what she really thinks. - article source

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds: "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think...

_____

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

Rebecca - age 8

_____

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

_____

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

Terri - age 4

_____

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."

Danny - age 7

_____

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."

Emily - age 8

_____

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

_____

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

_____

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."

Noelle - age 7

_____

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

Tommy - age 6

_____

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

Cindy - age 8

_____

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."

Elaine - age 5

_____

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

Chris - age 7

_____

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."

Mary Ann - age 4

_____

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." (Now THIS is love!)

Lauren - age 4

_____

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an image!)

Karen - age 7

_____

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."

Mark - age 6

_____

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

Jessica - age 8

_____

And the final one...

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

"Nothing, I just helped him cry."

how in love are you?

By Jucell Marie Cuyos
Cebu Daily News

Charges of robbery with violence and direct assault are being readied against a man, who allegedly stole a motorcycle and hacked a habal-habal driver on Tuesday night.

Talisay City police said the suspect, Alex Ursal, 31, stole a motorcycle after hacking its owner, Voltair Sasutil, 21, in barangay Perellos, Carcar City, Cebu.

Ursal later rode the motorcycle to barangay Tabunok, Talisay City where he tried to rob habal-habal driver Nestor Carlos, 38.

Carlos, a resident of Talisay City, was waiting for passengers under a flyover when the attack occurred.

He tried to fight off Ursal, who retaliated by hacking him in the neck and face.

Bystanders and other habal-habal drivers arrived, forcing Ursal to speed away on the motorcycle.

By Cebu Daily News

Police investigators are now looking at the debt angle as a possible motive for Wednesday’s killing of public school teacher Romeo A. Duran who was shot dead in front of his class by a lone gunman.

“Ang utang ang lain nga gi-tan-aw sa mga imbestigador, (Unpaid debts is one angle being looked into by the investigators),” said Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, police director for Central Visayas.

Chief Ins. Teodulfo Manatad III, chief of Argao police station, said they were tracking the debts of Duran to identify who he was indebted to.

Manatad said he hoped they would establish the amount of debt and from whom Duran borrowed the money. But he said they were not disregarding the motive of land dispute.

But Manatad said Duran didn’t have any debt in his home province in Negros Occidental.

“Wala na siya naotangan didto kay dinhi naman na suay nagtudlo, so diri ra sa Cebu ang amu gipangita. Mao amua gi-palawman ang imbestigasyon kung unsa kadako iya otang ug kinsa iya gi-utangan,” Manatad said.

There are also other motives that had emerged in the ongoing investigation but authorities were still looking into some possible angles aside from the land dispute.

So far based on their investigation, Manatad said that teachers and witnesses said that didn’t know if Duran had a relationship with anybody.

A relative of Duran who refused to be named said Duran's recent acquisition of a motorcycle must have triggered the suspect to kill the victim.

Last Jan. 30, Duran acquired a motorcycle through a loan from EMCOR which he has not started paying yet.

Senior Supt. Ruben Cuizon, chief of Investigation Detection and Management Bureau (IDMB) said records showed that the motorcycle was acquired through a loan and Duran had not paid anything yet except for the downpayment of P4,000.

The motorcycle was however taken by EMCOR last Wednesday.

Based on their initial investigation, police said Duran did not have the capacity to get a bigger amount of loan because his net pay slip dated June of 2009 was only about P3,000.

Police were not discounting all possible motives for the killing, including sibling rivalry and debt.

Duran, 52, single, a native of Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, rented a house in barangay Binlod in Argao town.

He suffered a bullet wound on his left face after he was shot by an unidentified suspect wearing shorts, blue T-shirt and orange cap who barged into his classroom.

The victim was sitting in front while checking the papers of his students when the suspect entered the classroom.

According to SPO1 Arnold Abenir, the suspect even greeted Duran “Good Afternoon!” and he replied “Unsay ato?

The suspect then shot Duran and fled with three companions on a red XRM motorcycle without plate number.

BBC News - Alabama shooting: professor charged as three die

A biology professor denied a job promotion has been charged with murder after a shooting at a southern US university left three people dead.

Amy Bishop was apprehended outside a science building at the University of Alabama in Huntsville campus after opening fire at a faculty meeting.

She could face the death penalty if convicted, officials said. Reports said her husband was also being questioned.

US educational sites have seen numerous fatal shooting attacks in recent years.

The most serious occurred at Virginia Tech University in 2007, when a student killed 32 people before turning the gun on himself.

Harvard-educated

Local media reports in Huntsville say the shooting happened after Prof Bishop found out she had been denied academic tenure, which guarantees job security.

University spokesman Ray Garner said the three killed were the head of department and two other professors. No students were harmed in the incident.

Two of the three injured, also biology department members, are said to be in a critical condition in hospital. The third was reportedly in a "fair" condition.

The Huntsville campus in northern Alabama has about 7,500 students.

Prof Bishop is a neurobiologist who studied at Harvard University. She had joined the biology faculty as an assistant professor in 2003.

Is it because of Gloria Arroyo?

What's in your mind?

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri says he is concerned about "escalating" threats posed to the Middle East by Israel.

Mr Hariri told the BBC that Israeli planes were entering Lebanese airspace every day, and he feared the prospect of another war with Israel.

He accused Israel of making a huge mistake by allegedly threatening both Lebanon and neighbouring Syria.

His comments come days after Syria and Israel exchanged hostile accusations.

The BBC's Natalia Antelava in Beirut says that while such rhetoric is hardly new, there is concern it could lead to more serious confrontation. - BBC

BBC News

Honda has added 437,700 cars, mainly in North America, to its existing global safety recall over airbag inflation problems.

It broadens a recall announced in late 2008 for less than 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans, then expanded in mid-2009 to cover another 510,000 vehicles.

The latest announcement also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia.

The fresh blow to Japanese carmakers came as Toyota recalled nearly half a million hybrid cars over faulty brakes.

Toyota has already had to bring millions of other vehicles back to dealerships amid accelerator and floormat problems.

The Internet

A 10-year study examining 4.9 million births in the 1990s has found more evidence that there's a link between autism and the mother's age at conception.

"The risk of having a child with full syndrome autism increases with maternal age," concluded researchers at the University of California, Davis, who examined data from all births in their state for the decade. The findings are published in the February issue of the journal Autism Research.

The link between the parents' age and children's health is not entirely new. Prior studies have indicated that babies born to older women have higher risks of birth defects, low birth weight and certain chromosome problems, such as Down syndrome.

A 2007 Kaiser Permanente study conducted in California reported that autism risk increased with both the mother's and father's age. An Israeli study based in statistics from 1980s had isolated only paternal age as being linked with increased risk for autism.

Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, said the latest research had a far larger sample size.

Autism is a growing disorder; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that one in 110 children had the condition in 2006. But its causes remain unknown.
Video: Mother's age tied to autism

In the latest study, researchers found that mothers over the age of 40 had 51 percent higher odds of having children with autism compared with mothers between the ages 25 and 29.

The father's age also played a factor, but only when he had a child with a woman under 30. - CNN.com

By the Bohol Standard

A bomb was planted near a building owned by second district congressman Roberto Cajes in Talibon.

Police believed this was intended to harm the Cajes family.

In a Threat Assessment conducted by the Philippine National Police, PNP Trinidad Station, a copy of which was provided to the STANDARD by a source requesting anonymity, P/Insp. Jodel P. Torregoza, station chief disclosed that per police blotter entry entered on October 23, 2009, at 11:50 in the morning at Talibon Police Station, a courier of Cong. Cajes reported to the police station stating among others that a bomb was found that morning beside the residential/commercial building owned by the congressman.

Cajes was scheduled to arrive that day in that building.

When informed of the bomb discovered beside his building, the congressman cancelled his arrival in Talibon. The said bomb was believed to be a real threat to the life of the congressman and his family.

The PNP Trinidad Station assessment was submitted as supporting document of Cajes’ request to the Commission on Election to detail AFP/PNP personnel to act as security escorts pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 8714, which allows escorts to politicians during the election period.

The PNP says the situation warrants the granting of Cajes’ application for security personnel.

AFP ASSESSMENT

In another assessment, that of Trinidad mayor Judith Del Rosario-Cajes, the solon’s wife, Col. Allan Luga, Commander of the Inf (GSC) Philippine Army, said there is a need to detail two (2) AFP/PNP personnel to act as security escort to the lady mayor, particularly that she is always traveling in her municipality for the implementation and supervision of government programs and projects for her constituents. Her travel includes trip to remote barangays under her municipality which are previously (Communist Terrorists Movement) CTM influenced.

In her tour of duty as public official, mayor Cajes has to visit her constituents every now and then.

The AFP also agreed on the PNP findings that the bomb reported placed in the vicinity of the Cajes owned building in Talibon was intended for the life of the lawmaker and his family.

The PNP has also recognized Cong. Cajes as a prime mover of Anti-Insurgency campaign and strong advocate of peace and order in Bohol through various projects he has funded in his district previously as provincial board member and presently as member of the House of Representatives.

Congressman Cajes is now on his third and last term as representative of the second district and is running for mayor of Trinidad town, while his wife is seeking a bid as congresswoman of the same district.

Col. Luga said that the Cajes request for security escorts is an indication that the political candidates in the area have still so much trust in the AFP/PNP specifically in sustaining peace in Bohol in order to have an honest, orderly and peaceful elections, rather than engage in the services of private armed groups.

In his privilege speech delivered in the halls of Congress Wednesday afternoon of Jan. 20, Cajes said: “I now declare it officially into the records of this august Body that should anything happen to me or Judith Cajes or to any member of my family or to this Representation, there is no one to blame but the Governor of Bohol and his police servant, Police Senior Superintendent Anthony Lao Obenza.” This I have to repeat, reecho and unceasingly report to you and our people even at the expense of being redundant so that this truth will be made known and the COMELEC will immediately replace Police Senior Superintendent Anthony Obenza with another impartial and worthy officer not related to the governor or to this Representation, since it is now informed that Bohol must be placed under its control before the province will become another Maguindanao, God forbid. “

Cajes alleged that when Police Senior Superintendent Obenza assumed office under the patronage of Governor Aumentado, he immediately recalled his two PNP security and the two PNP security details of wife Judith Cajes who is the mayor of Trinidad, one of the towns of his district, but never recalled the several PNP security details of Governor Aumentado.

He added that Superintendent Obenza, while not actually recalling the PNP security details of Governor Aumentado, also quickly endorsed the application of Governor Aumentado for the supposed reinstatement of the security details in the Regional Joint Security Control Center but has not endorsed the application of this Representation for the reinstatement of his two PNP security details and that of his wife, Mayor Judith Cajes, to the said Regional Joint Security Control Center.

When asked by the STANDARD about his allegations made under the protection of parliamentary immunity, Congressman Cajes said he stands by his statement.

AUMENTADO ASSURANCE

In answer to Cajes’ allegations, Gov. Erico Aumentado reiterated last Friday during his regular radio program THE GOVERNOR REPORTS, his good wishes for the congressman and his family.

He also assured the congressman that he does not wish ill will of him nor would he countenance any harm done to him and his lady.

He called on his former political protégé, to “stop fearing his own shadow and using his parliamentary immunity by making wild accusations which fall flat on his own face as the truth will always prevail.”

“The truth of the matter is that, the congressman has lots of enemies even from Trinidad town who are the subject of persecution. Some are facing charges in court in Bohol and in Quezon City. Those include cases against those who petitioned the residency of Mayor Judith Cajes when she ran as mayor in Trinidad,” Aumentado added.

“In all my political life â€" winning in all the elections where I was a candidate since 1967 to the present â€" I have never been known to employ the service of ‘goons’ to achieve victory. I abhor violence in any form that gores into the very essence of democracy,” he said.

“Instead of acting like the child who cried ‘Wolf’, I earnestly invite Congressman Cajes to join the PPOC [Provincial Peace and Order Council] and me in our crusade for a clean, honest, peaceful and orderly elections on May 10, 2010,” Aumentado added.

By Ven rebo Arigo

The P1 million counterpart of Rep. Edgar Chatto for the Skills Training Advocating Reliance on Self-employment (STARS) Project in Bohol had long been deposited to the account of the province, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The amount is half of the P2 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of the congressman which DBM Regional Director Carmela Fernan confirmed to have been deposited at Land Bank of the Philippines â€" Tagbilaran Branch “for credit to the account of the province.”

The other P1 million of the P2M PDAF is Chatto’s support to the province’s project crafting the Panglao Island Eco-tourism Development Masterplan.

The DBM confirmation of Chatto’s support fund for the STARS Project has further refuted and negated the “intriguing” insistence of some governor’s men that the counterparts of the congressmen, or Chatto in this particular case, did “never” come.

Fernan had , in fact, written to Gov. Erico Aumentado last January 7 to advise him of the DBM deposit covering the P2 million Chatto fund at Land Bank to “cover the cash requirement” of the congressman’s priority programs and projects.

Employment and livelihood, for which the STARS project is intended, are priority concerns of the Bohol congressman.

“By authority of the DBM secretary,” Fernan informed the governor in her same letter that the fund was “authorized under Special Allotment Release Order No. G-09-07522, dated October, issued upon the request” of Chatto.

Fernan’s letter to the governor was confirmed by Acting Provincial Administrator Handel Lagunay himself when he indorsed it last January 13 to capitol financial adviser Primitiva Ontong, Provincial Budget Officer Valeria Orig, Accountant Joseth Celocia and Treasurer Eustaquio Socorin.

In his indorsement, Lagunay quoted the P2 fund as covered by Funding Check No. 839475 which, Fernan said, was long issued on Decenmber 28, 2009.

Chatto himself formally wrote and informed the governor last month of the solon’s P1 million allocation as his “gesture of support” to the provincial government’s STARS Project.

In his same letter, the congressman asked for a “correction” of a misleading capitol press release on the STARS Project which inaccurately stated that the “supposed counterpart of the congressmen never came.”

Chatto repeated his previous announcement that his P1M support to be sourced from his PDAF had long been attested by the SARO issued by DBM Central Office as early as October 5 last year.

In writing to the governor, the solon at the same time called the attention of the governor’s financial adviser and provincial budget officer.

VICE-GOV. Julius Herrera has lauded the efforts of various local government units in the province for responding to his campaign for green revolution though backyard gardening and greening the environment.

Like in Guindulman town, Mayor Maria Fe Piezas has signed and approved Municipal Ordinance No. 2009-25, requiring elementary and secondary graduating students of both public and private schools of this town to plant at least two fruit-bearing trees as a pre-requisite for their graduation.

The Guindulman measure aims at “instilling among the in-school youth the values of responsibility, resourcefulness, reliability and love Mother Earth.” It intends to sustain food supply and family income-generation. It also tries to integrate and put in curriculum of the DepEd in Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) for elementary level and the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) for high schools.

The vice-governor, chair of the agriculture committee of the provincial board, also expressed appreciation of similar efforts of the well-meaning officials of Catigbian, Batuan and Mabini for spearheading a more specific step towards attaining greening the environment.

With the examples of these towns, Herrera said he hopes that others will follow suit.

Catigbian through Mayor Bert Salinas passed an Ordinance requiring graduating public school students to plant trees and gardening. This is also in the town of Batuan .

In Mabini, every household is required to plant malunggay considered the most nutritious vegetable.

Herrera also took notice of the proposed barangay ordinance governing backyard gardening during the recent Training on Barangay Legislation which his office has conducted in the town of Maribojoc .

He said this is a very welcome development because greening environment and backyard gardening are simple but effective means of cushioning the impact and mitigating global warming that becomes erratic. This is an indication that people and barangay officials are more and more conscious of these occurrences on climate change.

The vice-governor vowed to carry this (campaign) when given more years to serve the Boholanos. (RVO)

The First Consolidated Bank is now accepting payments of tuition and school fees from students of the University of Bohol.

FCB and UB has signed a bills payment agreement. Under this agreement, students can pay in cash or through the FCB PITAKArd in any branch of the bank.

The bank said this will make it very convenient for UB students and their parents. FCB is working with other educational institutions to allow their students to pay their bills through this bank’s facility.

The bank is also extending its bills payment facility with electric and water utilities and more business establishments.

UB students are advised to open an FCB PITAKArd which they can use to pay their tuition and school fees at the electronic fund transfer/point-of-sale (EFT/POS) terminals of UB or of FCB branches.

An added convenience is that parents can also send allowance to the PITAKArd account of their students at no extra charge, the bank said.

When paying their bills at the FCB branches, the bank requires the students or their parents to bring the billing statement of the students.

All payments made by non-PITAKArd holders shall be deposited to the savings accounts of the University of Bohol maintained at FCB Tagbilaran Branch.

Those students interested to apply for an FCB PITAKArd will just bring one valid ID and fill out an FCB account opening form in any FCB branch.

As of today, the FCB accredited business establishments are Alturas Supermarket (Tagbilaran), Alturas Supermarket (Talibon), Du Ek Sam (Lesage St.), Du Ek Sam (Grupo St.), Du Ek Sam (CPG Ave.), Du Ek Sam (JAClarin St.), Du Ek Sam (Jagna), Du Ek Sam (Ubay), Du Ek Sam (Tubigon), Du Ek Sam (Loon), GJ Car Care, Island City Mall, Plaza Marcela, Shoppers’ Mart, Save N’ Earn, and Tabel Enterprises.

There are now more than 12,000 FCB PITAKArd holders in Bohol who enjoy the safety and convenience in withdrawing cash and paying goods and services at FCB accredited establishments..

FCB has automated teller machines (ATMs) in 22 location in Bohol, and is installing more EFT/POS terminals in the province.

The FCB PITAKArd is a debit card issued to FCB ATM/POS depositor. The depositor can use this card to access funds at the FCB ATMs and pay for purchases of goods and services at EFT/POS terminals in FCB accredited merchants and companies. - Sunday Post

Dengue disease due to aedes aegypti mosquito bite has caused eight ( human fatalities of the total 623 cases in 2009, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO). PHO, however, did not divulge the identity of the last victim.

Earlier, PHO report said that the dreaded disease surged to 379 with seven (7) human casualties as of the middle of September 2009, according to the monitoring report of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

The 8th death documented occurred during the month of December, which posted a total of 84 cases, PHO added.

The 2009 figures (number of cases) are much higher than the entire year 2008 with only 145 cases and five (5) deaths.

Calape town posted three deaths and Tagbilaran City , two. The municipalities of Talibon and Tubigon had one apiece. Most of these (deaths) occurred during the month of July with 4 and August, three, the report said.

PHO data showed that the lowest number of cases (4) was posted during January 2009. The highest was during the month of August with 123 while February had 13; March, 25; April, 20; May, 31; June, 59; July, 99; September, 5; October, 74; November, 86; and December, 84.

Comparatively, Dengue cases posted a highest record high of 1,679 cases from January to December 2007 and the death toll reached to 16, PHO’s ten-year (2000-2009) record showed.

During the 2007 upsurge, total cases recorded in the municipalities totaled to 1,195 and Tagbilaran City contributed 483.

Bohol experienced 231 cases and 3 deaths in 2006; 1,113 cases and 21 deaths in 2005; 283 cases and 5 deaths in 2004; 365 cases and 3 deaths in 2003; 289 cases and 2 deaths in 2002; 712 cases and 5 deaths in 2001; and 70 and zero death in 2000.

Health authorities reminded the populace to keep their surroundings clean always, especially those stagnant waters in containers. (RVO)

A 17-year-old Briton has been missing for the past 17 days, and his family is worried that his relationship with a girl from an influential family in Mindanao may be the reason for his disappearance.

Publicist Emmanuel Geslani said he was approached by the boy's parents, David and Vilma Woodhead, for help in finding their son Marc.

Geslani said the Woodheads have already gone to the police but have become desperate since it has been a while since the boy disappeared.

Marc Woodhead may have eloped with a former classmate at the Mahatma Gandhi International School in Paranaque, the publicist said.

But since the girl is believed betrothed, their relationship may be taboo with the girl's family and harm may have visited the British teenager, he added. - Veronica Uy, PDI

An Australian died in a freak accident during an adventure trip in Maribojoc town last Jan. 31.           

The fatality was identified as Scott Thomas Graham, 30, single and temporarily residing in Barangay Bolod, Pangalo. He died due to severe injuries and broken bones in different parts of his body.           

His companion identified as Way Lemon Duncan, 34, married and an American national presently based in J. A. Clarin street , Tagbilaran City also suffered injuries in different parts of his body and was brought to a private hospital in the city.           

Two other members of the group identified as Toni Redflinger, 23, single, an American residing at the Bohol Deaf Academy in Torralba street, Tagbilaran City and an eight year old son of Duncan were unhurt.           

Initial investigation conducted by the Maribojoc police station and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Bohol provincial PNP showed that Graham and Duncan had been friends for two years.           

They went to Maribojoc to try to climb the mountain and enter the cave in Sitio Padhan, Barangay Bood together with their two companions.           

The group went to the site about 10 am Sunday morning without a local guide and without coordinating with the local officials of the town and the barangay.           

When they got to the cave about 12 noon, Graham let down a piece of rope and tried to work his way down.           

Along the way, however, the victim had difficulty going deeper and tried to hoist himself up.           

Graham called for help prompting Duncan to try to save him.           

The latter, however, failed to contain the victim who plunged to depth of about 200 feet.           

Duncan tried to descend himself to help Graham but slipped and fell himself.           

Redflinger called for help through her cellular phone           

The SWAT team led by Chief Insp. Nicomedes Olaivar rescued Duncan and the two other survivors and retrieved the body of Graham.           

Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. immediately informed both the Australian and US embassies of the incident. - Sunday Post

 Baclayon municipal officials led by Mayor Alvin Uy and V-Mayor Marilyn Uy become part of the 8,500 runners participating in the Fun Run for the Dolphins of Pamilacan Island which blasts off this morning in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

In the forefront of the benefit sports event are the Municipality of Baclayon, Condura and the Ayala Foundation and the Bezo Recreational Aquatic Activities of Bohol, Inc. The appliance maker is on its third year as sponsor of the fun run to create awareness on how incredibly-rich Philippine marine life is and takes initiative on helping conserve it.

In 2008, about 2,000 ran the Condura Run for the Tubbataha Reef. The year after, 6,000 ran for the whale sharks.

This time around, a staggering 8,500 are running for the dolphins of Pamilacan.

According to Joel Uichico, executive director of BRAABO, all the eight elected Sangguniang Bayan of Baclayon and 12 barangay captains will join the fun run. BRAABO is the livelihood arm of the Ayala Foundation which is doing an outreach program in Baclayon with protecting the dolphins as one of its concerns. Bea Zobel, Jr. is the power behind the foundation activities in Baclayon.

In a special section that appears in today’s issue of the Philippine Star, an article entitled 8,500 run for the dolphins, it says through running, it shows how people can make a positive difference, how each step multiplied by more than eight thousand can make the Philippines a better place.

Fifty pesos from every paying runner, plus any profits the run earns will be used to purchase materials needed to construct a floating wharf to protect the dolphins of Pamilacan Island. Pamilacan is hailed as a marine life sanctuary, where a rich diversity of creatures thrive, and this is done in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation, municipal government of Baclayon and BRAABO.

Apart from donating funds to this year’s beneficiary, the run aims to promote Pamilacan as an ecotourism destination and to help it develop as a premier tourist hotspot in the Philippines. - Sunday Post

Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora, Jr. reiterated what he said earlier that the armed men arrested in a checkpoint for violation of the Comelec gun ban were out to kill him.

The prime time radio program Cuentas Claras over Station DYTR interviewed Mayor Amora a day after seven men, three of them armed, were intercepted in a checkpoint mounted Tuesday by the Candijay police in answer to a complaint that the subject group reportedly threatened two customers of a karaoke bar located in sitio Crossing, Poblacion, Candijay town.

In the radio interview, Mayor Amora, minced no words in accusing the armed group as having the motivation to kill him.

The Post called up the mayor yesterday to confirm what he had been saying in the radio interview.
Running for reelection under the ruling Lakas-Kampi CMD, Mayor Amora  said the suspects who were part of a seven-man group which was sowing fear in the karaoke joint had been staying for at least two weeks already in the compound of a non=government organization. The NGO was later identified as Community Awareness and Services for Ecological Concerns (CASEC). The NGO’s executive director is a certain Egay Dy, husband of Candijay V-Mayor Ann Piquero Dy.   The armed group was intercepted in a checkpoint aboard an ambulance registered under the name of Casec. 
Justifying his claim of an assassination plot, Mayor Amora said he has reason to believe that the armed men were plotting to kill him on account of the proximity of their holding area in Candijay. He said the Casec compound is located  about 250 meters from his residence. The suspects were apprehended in a spot about 10 to 15 meters from his residence, the mayor added.
At the same time, the mayor revealed that before their apprehension, the armed men stayed in the residence of Jesus “Jessie” Olaivar in Cogtong Candijay.

Olaivar is said to be the uncle of Trygve Olaivar, a mayoralty candidate representing the opposition in the town. Manila-based, Olaivar is reportedly connected with the Commission on Elections main office and is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. Although he is not in the same party with V-Mayor Dy who is running for reelection under a different affiliation, the two were said to be working together to topple Mayor Amora.

The Candijay mayor began to suspect that he was the object of a slay attempt after he learned that the father of Dy was overheard to have said  “mapatay man jud nang mayor” (the mayor could be killed). Although it was dismissed as a mere “slip of the tongue”, the mayor has since considered it as a threat to his life. - Sunday Post

Comelec decides guv is official Lakas candidate
By JUNE S. BLANCO

  THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled: Gov. Erico Aumentado is now the administration Lakas-Kampi CMD party official candidate for congressman for the 2nd District of Bohol.

  This after the commission chaired by Jose A.R. Melo, in its regular en banc meeting on January 26, resolved the memoranda of its Law Department and the various pleadings in connection with the certificates of nomination issued by the party in favor of and accepted by Aumentado and Trinidad Mayor Judith del Rosario-Cajes for member of the House of Representatives representing Bohol’s 2nd District.

  Aumentado’s third consecutive term as governor ends this year, hence his bid for the seat that similarly graduating incumbent Rep. Roberto Cajes will be vacating.

  Touted to be the party’s vice gubernatorial bet, the solon who participated in the “unity mass” and went with the group to file their certificates of candidacy on December 1 at the provincial Comelec office in Tagbilaran City however, did not file his.

  Instead, he filed his COC for mayor of Trinidad and fielded his wife for the Lower House seat. The lady Cajes supported her COC with a CONA that at the same time revoked Aumentado’s, but whose serial number was ahead of the governor’s.

  Since Aumentado’s CONA was signed by party president Eduardo Ermita and secretary general Gabriel Claudio at that time, he reasoned that the signatories to Cajes’ CONA should have been the same as his.

  Instead, hers bore the signatures of current Secretary General Francis Xavier Manglapus and Deputy Secretary General Raymundo Roquero.

  Again, Aumentado pointed out that Cajes’ CONA was “dubious.” Aside from its serial number being ahead of his, party policy provides that only the officials that issued the CONA have the power to revoke it.

  This led President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to instruct Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to look into the brouhaha especially after Rep. Edgar Chatto of the 1st District who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat had went on air on a local radio station to “explain” that Aumentado’s CONA was revoked because he “committed acts inimical to the party.”

  But in a dialog with Yap at Aumentado’s residence on the same day, mayors and officials across Bohol belied Chatto’s allegations and vouched for Aumentado’s loyalty to the party.

  As a result, Secretary Prospero Pichay, chair of the party’s Arbitration Committee executed an affidavit wherein after a careful deliberation and consideration of the facts, circumstances and party rules, the committee found merit in Aumentado’s request, and as such, hold and sustain that the validity and effectivity of his CONA with serial no. 22565 was uninterrupted from the time of its issuance up to the present.

  At the same time, the committee recommended the revocation of the CONA of Mayor Cajes with SN 22522 retroactive to the time it was issued.

  He said the clear intent of the party decision in the aforecited action taken was to revert to the original decision of fielding Aumentado as their only candidate for the second district of Bohol.

  Lakas-Kampi-CMD also sent the Bohol office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a letter dated December 4 but received at the Office of the Governor on Decenber 9 that turned the table on Cajes â€" the party had reinstated Aumentado’s CONA and revoked hers. New party president Miguel Rene Dominguez and secretary general Francis Xavier Manglapus signed the letter.

  The Cajeses brought their arguments to the Comelec Law Department that, after evaluating documents submitted, had recommended that Aumentado and Mrs. Cajes be declared independent candidates.

  The Cajeses petitioned to the Comelec that Aumentado’s reinstated CONA was filed after the deadline and sought that the mayor be declared the official candidate and Aumentado as independent.

  The governor, through lawyer Salvador Diputado, filed a petition ad cautelam seeking to recognize the uninterrupted validity of his CONA and to declare him as the only official party candidate for the position.

  Pichay filed an appeal for the early resolution of the petition ad cautelam, citing “cogent and compelling reasons” like the “dubious circumstances” under which she was able to get a CONA, the reversion of the same when the party reinstated Aumentado as official candidate, and the judicial assumption that as the reinstatement be treated as a substitution it being filed within the reglamentary period â€" before the December 14 deadline, and requested that the Comelec uphold the party decision favoring Aumentado.

  After due deliberation, the Commission en banc resolved to declare Aumentado as the official party candidate for the contested position, declared Mayor Cajes as independent, and directed the Provincial Election Supervisor to effect the necessary changes in the certified list of candidates in the district.

  Aside from Melo, signatories to the resolution are Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Nicodemo Ferrer, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco and Elias Yusoph. Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal was on official business.

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Is he serious about his running for Vice-president of the country? Nowhere to be found.

Agence France-Presse

She's known for making tough decisions, but top US diplomat Hillary Clinton divulged Sunday that she is still trying to decide what to wear to daughter Chelsea's wedding later this year.

"Well, if you don't tell anybody... we're still looking," the secretary of state told CNN's "State of the Union" talkshow.

"I don't have a dress yet, no, and Chelsea doesn't either. But we're working on it," Clinton added.

Chelsea Clinton, 29, announced her engagement to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky in an email to friends in November.

"We wanted to wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving! We also wanted to share that we are engaged!" she wrote.

Hillary Clinton pronounced herself "very proud" to be the mother of the bride, but admitted planning the wedding was almost as tough as Middle East peace talks.

"I'd probably call it a draw about now," she laughed.

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net

Senator Manny Villar will win in the presidential race in a “one-on-one” contest with Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, a latest Pulse Asia survey showed.

In a two-cornered fight, the survey showed Villar with a 46 percent rating or a one point lead over Aquino with 45 percent.

The “one-on-one” scenario was contained in the same Pulse Asia survey conducted from January 22 to 26, 2010 among 1, 800 respondents, which showed Aquino and Villar statistically neck to neck in the presidential race, with 37 percent and 35 percent, respectively.

The survey has a plus or minus two percent margin of error.

Villar’s rating in a two-cornered fight was a “tremendous leap” compared to his previous 32 percent as against Aquino’s 62 percent during a Pulse Asia survey conducted October 22 to 30, 2009, also under the “one-on-one” scenario,” a statement from Villar’s office said on Sunday.

The statement also noted Villar’s 50 percent rating in Mindanao compared to Aquino’s 44 percent as he also solidified his lead in the class E voters with 50 percent against Aquino’s 41 percent.

Villar likewise overtook Aquino in Visayas with 47 percent against the latter's 46 percent and both running neck and neck in Luzon with 44 percent and 45 percent, respectively, it further said.

Villar’s camp said the National Capital Region was no longer an Aquino territory as the former closes in with a strong 41 percent comeback (from previous 24 percent last October) versus Aquino’s fragile 48 percent (down from 69 percent in October).

The “ABC” economic class, which is mostly pro-Aquino, remained, however, an Aquino bailiwick with 52 percent (67 percent) against Villar’s 37 percent (22 percent).

The “D” economic class is now a “free zone” as Villar was just three-percentage point away from Aquino’s 47 percent (60 percent in October), said the statement.

Spiridon Louis isn’t well known around the world, but he is in Greece. That’s because of what happened in 1896 when the Olympic Games were revived in Athens.

During the competition that year, the Greeks did quite wellâ€"winning the most medals of any nation. But the event that became a source of true Greek pride was the first-ever marathon. Seventeen athletes competed in this race of 40 kilometers (24.8 miles), but it was won by Louisâ€"a common laborer. For his efforts, Louis was honored by king and country, and he became a national hero.

The apostle Paul used running a race as a picture of the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, he challenged us not just to run but to run to win, saying, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Not only did Paul teach this but he lived it out. In his final epistle, he said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Having finished his race, Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from the King of heaven.

Like Paul, run your earthly race to winâ€"and to please your King.  â€" Bill Crowder, Our Daily Bread

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. â€"1 Corinthians 9:24

James Cameron’s latest movie, “Avatar,” is not only a hit in terms of box office gross, but also with the kind of passionate reactions it stirs in fans. Some of them profess to have been so fascinated by the world presented in the film that the harsh reality they face once the movie is over is too much to handle, and have thus experienced depression and even suicidal thoughts, CNN informs.

According to posts on fan forums and even Twitter, some fans of “Avatar” seem to have reached the conclusion that, where Cameron’s intent of creating a believable world is concerned, he more than succeeded. Pandora, the alien planet inhabited by the Na’vi, is so real and beautiful that many find themselves frustrated at the thought that they would never be able to visit it, once they’re back out in real life. Others, on the contrary, are so disgusted by the destructive nature of mankind they see no other way out than their own death.

“James Cameron’s completely immersive spectacle ‘Avatar’ may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora. On the fan forum site ‘Avatar Forums,’ a topic thread entitled ‘Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible,’ has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope. The topic became so popular last month that forum administrator Philippe Baghdassarian had to create a second thread so people could continue to post their confused feelings about the movie,” CNN writes.

Some fans claim they’re hit by depression once the movie ends and they realize Pandora does not exist. Others, on the other hand, are ok with the idea of the planet being just a figment of Cameron’s imagination, but are so disturbed by man’s destructive behavior presented in the film, they become disgusted with life itself. Most of these viewers experience only a mild form of depression after seeing “Avatar,” the report goes on to say, but, in some, this can go as far as becoming suicidal.

“Ever since I went to see ‘Avatar’ I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na’vi made me want to be one of them. I can’t stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it. I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in ‘Avatar’,” user Mike writes on the Naviblue website.  - softpedia.com

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. â€"Psalm 23:2

The word connected captures our contemporary experience of life. Many people rarely go anywhere without a cell phone, iPod, laptop, or pager. We have become accessible 24 hours a day. Some psychologists see this craving to stay connected as an addiction. Yet a growing number of people are deliberately limiting their use of technology. Being a “tech-no” is their way of preserving times of quiet, while limiting the flow of information into their lives.

Many followers of Christ find that a daily time of Bible reading and prayer is essential in their walk of faith. This “quiet time” is a disconnection from external distractions in order to connect with God. The “green pastures” and “still waters” of Psalm 23:2 are more than an idyllic country scene. They speak of our communion with God whereby He restores our souls and leads us in His paths (v.3).

All of us can make time to meet with God, but do we? In Robert Foster’s booklet “7 Minutes With God,” he suggests a way to begin: Start with a brief prayer for guidance, then read the Bible for a few minutes, and close with a short time of prayer that includes adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication for others. It’s vital to take time today to connect with the Lord, who is our life.  â€" David C. McCasland, Our Daily Bread

William Adams (1564â€"1620) is believed to be the first Englishman to reach Japan. Taking a liking to Adams, the ruling Japanese shogun made him his interpreter and personal advisor concerning the Western powers. Eventually, Adams was presented with two swords with rank of a Samurai. This showed just how much the Japanese revered Adams. Because William Adams served his foreign king well, he was also rewarded with greater opportunity for influence.

Centuries earlier, another man in a foreign country also had great influence over his king. Nehemiah was a cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes (Neh. 1:11). In the royal court, the cupbearer would test the wine before it was given to the king to protect him from poisoning. But this position also meant he had the king’s ear as a trusted advisor. Nehemiah’s integrity, administrative gifts, and wisdom made him a confidant to his ruler, which paved the way for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.

Like Nehemiah, each of us has been given a unique sphere of influence. Raising children, church or community work, and employment all provide a platform where we can have a beneficial effect on others. Has the Lord placed someone in your life upon whom you can have an influence?  â€" Dennis Fisher, Our Daily Bread

Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. â€"Joel 2:13

As a child, I learned to behave properly when adults rewarded my good behavior and punished my bad behavior. This worked pretty well because the reward or punishment generally came quickly after the behavior, making the relationship between the cause and effect unmistakable. When I became an adult, however, life got more complex, and the consequences of my actions were not always immediate. When I behaved badly without getting in trouble for it, I began to think that it didn’t matter to God what I did.

Something similar happened to the children of Israel. When they disobeyed God and didn’t suffer any bad consequences right away, they said, “The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!” (Ezek. 9:9), indicating their belief that God had lost interest in them and didn’t care about their bad behavior. But they were wrong. Weary of their waywardness, God finally said, “None of My words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled” (12:28 niv).

When God delays discipline, it’s not due to indifference; it’s due to His very natureâ€"He is gracious and slow to anger. Some see that as permission to sin, but God intends it to be an invitation to repent (Rom. 2:4).  â€" Julie Ackerman Link, Our Daily Bread

You may be familiar with the list of seven deadly sins that was formulated during the sixth century: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, vengeance, envy, and pride. But you may not know that the original list compiled during the fourth century also included the sin of sadness. Over the years, that emotion was omitted from the inventory.

Some people are blessed with a cheerful disposition. They always seem to be happy. They wear a perpetual smile almost as if they were advertising toothpaste. But then there are others who seem to be chronically sad. They continually complain about life and its burdens. And who can deny that afflictions are discouraging?

While we acknowledge that not everybody is blessed with a bright outlook on life, we need to remember that joy is one of the gifts Jesus promised to His followers. And we need to resist any tendency to let sadness dominate our emotional lives.

Jesus promised His disciples on the night Judas betrayed Him, “Your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22). Remember that joy is the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Let’s ask the Lord to help us look beyond our sorrowful circumstances and encourage our hearts by the vision of joy that awaits us (Heb. 12:2).  â€" Vernon C. Grounds, Our Daily Bread

James Cameron’s latest film, “Avatar,” is not even out of theaters yet and the director is already thinking of a sequel, and maybe even a threequel as well. In the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, Cameron opens up about how good it felt to prove all his critics wrong and, most importantly, of how much material he still has left, material that will allow him to make “Avatar 2” and maybe even “Avatar 3.”

Speaking with EW, the famed director, who always makes a point of keeping away from what he considers to be trivial aspects, like ongoing negativity and harsh criticism in the media, says the film’s box office success was like sweet revenge for him. He’s always had confidence in the project and he never lost that no matter what people said to the contrary. Though he’s not resentful, it helped to see “Avatar” take down record after record at the box office, because that meant he got to prove everybody wrong.

Still, the most exciting part of the interview is when Cameron details his plans for future films. “I’ve had a story line in mind from the start â€" there are even scenes in Avatar that I kept in because they lead to the sequel. It just makes sense to think of it as a two-or-three-film arc, in terms of the business plan. The CG plants and trees and creatures and the musculoskeletal rigging of the main characters â€" that all takes an enormous amount of time to create. It’d be a waste not to use it again,” the director reveals.

There’s even more good news where this one comes from: Sam Worthington, who plays Jake Sully on “Avatar” and who fans got to see in this summer’s “Terminator: Salvation,” has already agreed to return to the franchise, EW says. A deal has been signed for him to reprise the part in the first “Avatar” but, no matter how hard the magazine tried, Worthington would not say anything about the probable plot of a second film. What he did do, though, was to tease.

“He e-mailed EW some plot suggestions for the sequel: ‘Jake should have abused his avatar and be fat and unfit and demand Neyteri to get him a beer.’ Even actors whose characters got killed at the end of the movie are keen on a repeat performance. ‘You think those two arrows in my chest are going to stop me from coming back?’ barks Stephen Lang, who plays the evil Colonel Miles Quaritch. ‘Nothing’s over so long as they’ve got my DNA’,” EW writes, after conversing with the Australian star by e-mail. - softpedia.com

Below is the complete list of the winners at the 67th Annual Golden Globes Awards.

- Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) - Meryl Streep for “Julie & Julia”
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) - Robert Downey Jr. for “Sherlock Holmes”
- Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Sandra Bullock for “The Blind Side”
- Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Jeff Bridges for “Crazy Heart”
- Best Supporting Actress â€" Mo’nique for “Precious”
- Best Supporting Actor - Christoph Waltz for “Inglourious Basterds”
- Best Director - James Cameron for “Avatar”
- Lifetime Achievement - Martin Scorsese
- Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) â€" “The Hangover”
- Best Motion Picture (Drama) â€" “Avatar”
- Best Animated Film â€" “Up”
- Best Screenplay - Jason Reitman for “Up In The Air”
- Best Actress in a Mini-Series Made for Television - Drew Barrymore for the HBO film, “Grey Gardens”
- Best Actor in a Mini-Series Made for Television - Kevin Bacon for “Taking a Chance”
- Best Actress in a TV Show Musical or Comedy - Toni Collette for “United States of Tara”
- Best Actor in a TV Show Musical or Comedy - Alec Baldwin for “30 Rock”
- Best Actor in a TV Drama - Michael C Hall for “Dexter”
- Best Actress in a TV Drama - Julianna Marguiles for “The Good Wife”
- Best TV Series (Drama) â€" “Mad Men”
- Best TV Series (Comedy or Musical) - “Glee”
- Best Supporting Actor in a TV Mini Series- John Lithgow for “Dexter”
- Best Supporting Actress in a Mini Series -Chole Sevigny for HBO show “Big Love”
- Best Song â€"“The Weary Kind” from Crazy Heart
- Best Score â€" “Up”
- Best Foreign Film â€" “The White Ribbon”

It is the most expensive movie ever made, while also a project that required over 12 years to complete. It is James Cameron’s latest masterpiece and it has just been crowned the biggest winner at last night’s Golden Globes. “Avatar” won for Best Director and, most importantly, Best Motion Picture (Drama), as the Los Angeles Times’ The Envelope can confirm.

Talk of how much critics would take into account Cameron’s blockbuster started almost shortly after it was released, with some saying that such an accomplished film would certainly take the awards circuit by storm, just like “Titanic” also did many years ago. Said and done: having won in the two biggest categories at the Golden Globes, “Avatar” is semi-officially in the running for the Oscars, with odds looking favorable for a Best Picture nomination.

“Taking the prizes for best drama and best director, the mega-blockbuster that had been lacking award momentum gets a major boost heading into the final week of Oscar nomination voting. It’s the most expensive movie in Hollywood history â€" a $310-million epic that’s also poised to become the highest-grossing global release ever â€" but James Cameron’s technologically groundbreaking ‘Avatar’ had failed to prove itself as an award season favorite. That changed Sunday night, when the writer-director’s futuristic 3-D thriller won the best drama Golden Globe,” the aforementioned publication says.

Other winners were not as unexpected as “Avatar,” including Sandra Bullock’s “The Blind Side,” “The Hangover,” “Up” and, of course, “Precious.” Still, because it got to take home the statuettes in the two most coveted categories, “Avatar” is the undeniable winner. In his acceptance speech, James Cameron for once put his ego aside and thanked the fans who had made the win possible. Without them, “Avatar” would not have had even the smallest fraction of the success it is enjoying today.

“We have the best job in the world, we really do,” Cameron said. “I just want you to give it up for yourself. What we do is, we make entertainment for a global audience, and that’s what the Golden Globes mean. Give it up for yourselves,” the director added. - softpedia.com