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Mayweather is not a boxer. He runs all the time, not wanting to trade punches with his opponent.

Some boxing analysts call Mayweather "Gayweather".

By Chris Summers
BBC News, Las Vegas

"There's only one Ricky Hatton," goes the British fighter's anthem.

But there needed to be two, three or four Ricky Hattons in the ring on Saturday night to cope with the phenomenal Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

Pacman, as he is known back home in the Philippines, gobbled up the Hitman with an awesome array of punches at dazzling speed, and a final fearsome left hook.

Hatton crashed to the canvas with a second to go in the second round, never looking likely to beat the count.

'Shocked and gutted'

The Mancunian hero was later taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

It was a stunning ending to the fight and shocked the 20,000 or so Hatton fans who had ignored the economic hard times to travel to Las Vegas to see their hero.

Rob Melbourne, from London, was in the arena with his girlfriend Katie Audsley and he said: "We're shocked and gutted. I can't believe it happened."
   
But he added: "Total respect to Manny Pacquiao, he totally outclassed him."

Katie said: "I'm still pleased we came all the way out here because the atmosphere was amazing."

Neither of them wanted to see Hatton forced into retirement after such a performance and Katie said: "He has to go out with a win. He mustn't go out like that."

Tim Marshall, an expat who lives in Tokyo, said he felt Hatton looked tense beforehand while Pacquiao looked "super-relaxed".

'Just too quick'

He said: "After he was knocked down twice in the first round it was just a question of when and not if he lost."

For him there is a silver lining. "My wife Lori is Filipino. She's stayed at home with the kids but she will be very happy.

"Pacquiao has done the Philippines proud. The whole place comes to a standstill when he's fighting and the fight was shown live on TV there with thousands in the street."

As for Hatton, Tim thinks he needs to think long and hard about whether he should continue in the fight game after such a devastating defeat.

Bal Johal and his friends Surjit Rai and Gee Punia, all from London, were in despair.

Bal said: "We came over for the Malignaggi fight but this time we are so disappointed. There was 100% effort on Ricky's part but Pacquiao was just too quick."

Would it ruin their weekend, I asked.

"No. This is the party capital of the world. We knew Ricky was the underdog and we are still determined to enjoy the weekend," said Bal.

While thousands of British fans went off to drown their sorrows in the bars and fleshpots of Sin City, their Filipino counterparts prepared to party into the night.

Joseph Palmes had travelled all the way from South Cotabato - the same province where Pacquiao hails from - just for the fight and he was overjoyed.

"Nobody beats Pacman. He is the strongest and the fastest," he beamed.

So who next for the mighty Pacman?

Floyd Mayweather, the only man to have previously beaten Hatton, looms large on the horizon after he announced earlier in the day he was coming out of retirement to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in July.

At the press conference after the fight, promoter Bob Arum said: "If Mayweather wants to pick on a little Filipino, just be my guest."

Pacquiao-Mayweather would be another monster fight and there is little doubting who most of Ricky Hatton's fans will be rooting for.

In victory Pacquiao was as charismatic and humble as Mayweather was arrogant and insensitive.

A 64-year-old tricycle driver from Batangas province died due to a heart attack from excitement while watching boxing hero Manny Pacquiao beat British Ricky Hatton on Sunday, police said.

The victim, identified as Francisco Lalongisip, collapsed in his neighbor’s house at around noon, at the same time Pacquiao knocked Hatton down, said Police Officer 2 Amiel Sanhi.

Lalongisip, a resident of Ilat South village, San Pascual town, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bejasa General Hospital in the same town, Sanhi said.

Lalongisip was so excited about the fight that the first thing he did in the morning was to go to his neighbor’s house to watch the television broadcast, Sanhi said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer

By Jim Slater
Agence France-Presse

Ricky Hatton was advised to hang up his gloves for good by his own trainer after being knocked out here Saturday by Manny Pacquiao in a fight that ended with the Englishman flat on his back.

Filipino southpaw Pacquiao captured a world title in his record-tying sixth weight class by taking Hatton's International Boxing Organization junior welterweight crown one second before the end of the second round.

A powerful left hand to the jaw sent Hatton to the canvas unconscious and on his back when referee Kenny Bayless ended the fight. Hatton fell to 45-2, his only prior loss to Floyd Mayweather Jnr in the same ring 17 months earlier.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton's trainer, said that after two devastating defeats, the "Hitman" should call it a day.

"I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day it's his decision," said Mayweather Sr. "He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it's time to leave the ring.

"He made a good profit. Sometimes you have to go when your prime is still there."

Mayweather Sr hinted that even if Hatton does continue fighting, he will never be the same after the punishing blow Pacquiao landed to finish him.

"A lot of times in boxing when a fighter gets knocked out - I'm not saying this particularly about Ricky - they are just not the same anymore," Mayweather Sr said.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, even agreed with Mayweather on the subject after months of verbal sparring between the two.

"I like Ricky. He has a great work ethic," Roach said. "I would like to think he would think about retiring right now. He has got plenty of money."

Hatton, whose eight million-dollar take was four million less than Pacquiao's payday, was hospitalized after the fight as a precaution, but said, "It was a hard loss but I'm OK. I know I will be OK."

Lee Beard, who served as Hatton's assistant trainer, and Gareth Williams, Hatton's manager, distanced themselves from Mayweather Sr after the loss, saying he was a consultant brought in for 12 weeks.

Hatton praised Mayweather and the contribution he had made to his overall skills in the week before the fight.

After the fight, Mayweather blasted Hatton for failing to listen to his instructions during the fight.

"He should have kept his head down. That was the match," Mayweather said. "Defense. It's what I was preaching and preaching and preaching about. The defense I was telling him to do. Throw punches and keep your head back.

"Pacman just put him down. My instructions were to use the fade. Sometimes the fade can lure you into something. He didn't use the fade. Straight forward. He just went back to his old days.

"Now he has got to accept what happened."

By Agence France-Presse

Millions of people across the Philippines Sunday celebrated Manny Pacquiao's stunning victory over Britain's Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas as President Gloria Arroyo led the plaudits for the boxing superstar.

Arroyo took a break from an official visit to Egypt to receive news of Pacquiao's victory, regretting that she was unable to watch the fight, her spokesman Cerge Remonde told local radio by telephone from Cairo.

"President Gloria Arroyo joins the entire nation in gratitude of God for the spectacular victory of our Manny Pacquiao," Remonde said.

"Manny Pacquiao showed the world the best in the Filipino."

"We found it incredulous that it was that fast," Remonde said.

"We were really ecstatic. There was whooping in the delegation," he added.

At least 10,000 people watched a free airing of the fight in Pacquiao's home town, General Santos City in the southern Philippines, local radio said,

"I join the whole nation in thanking Manny for the glory he is bringing to our country," said Darlene Custodio, the local House of Representatives member, who beat Pacquiao in 2007 elections.

She is likely to face Pacquiao again for the same legislative seat next year.

Written Bill Dwyre
Los Angeles Times

Manny Pacquiao can no longer be identified as a boxer. Lethal weapon, maybe. Or destroyer missile. Whatever the definition, he is unquestionably the sport's top gun.

What he did to Ricky Hatton on Saturday night, in a boxing ring at the MGM Grand Garden, before a crowd of 16,262 and millions more all over the world watching on pay-per-view, was mostly mayhem. The man from Manchester was manhandled.

British fans who swoop down on this city every time Hatton fights -- which is three times since December 2007 -- serenaded him into the ring as usual, with the now-annoying version of "Winter Wonderland" that begins: "There's only one Ricky Hatton."

They were right. He was the only one who ended up on his back in the middle of the ring.

The fight summary is one paragraph. Pacquiao knocked Hatton down twice in the first round, dominated the second and caught Hatton with a vicious left hook as the round ticked down. Hatton's eyes rolled back and his body fell, like a sack of potatoes, flat on his back. Referee Kenny Bayless knelt over him for several seconds, then waved his hands, with one second left in the round, to signify that the fight was over.

The aftermath was a bit scary. Hatton didn't move right away, and soon there were many people with concerned looks on their faces, kneeling and hovering. Hatton may have been on his back longer than he was on his feet during the fight.

Eventually, they brought his stool to the middle of the ring and got him on it, and a few minutes later he left the ring under his own power, waving feebly to a crowd of Brit fans who may have been driven to drink by the result. Of course, any result would have driven them to drink.

Pacquiao, the Filipino powerhouse whose record went to 49-3-2 (with 37 knockouts), weighed in Friday at 138 pounds and went to 148 by fight time. Hatton, now 45-2-0 (with 32 knockouts), weighed in at the limit of 140 and gained 12 pounds by fight time.

A measure of how dominant Pacquiao has become is that this victory marked his fourth different weight-class win in the last 14 months. His previous conquest, of boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds, sent De La Hoya into retirement. Hatton is only 30, two months older than Pacquiao, but may be pondering a similar path. The pubs of Manchester are a lot safer than Pacquiao's left hand.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, now the pound-for-pound best corner man in his sport, pretty much called the shot again, just as he had against De La Hoya on Dec. 6. He said Pacquiao would knock Hatton out in the third round. Pacquiao apparently had earlier dinner reservations.

"This fight was no surprise to me," Roach said.

The star trainer always seems to have a secret strategy, and he revealed afterward that, for this one, he had watched hours of film of Hatton -- "I knew him better than my own fighter," he said -- and realized that Hatton was wide open for the right hook.

"Hatton pumps his fist before he throws," Roach said. "We also knew he'd be looking for the left," Pacquiao's main weapon.

The first knockdown in the first round came via a right, the second with a left. Hatton had actually survived somewhat better in the second, despite Pacquiao's quickly evident superior hand speed, foot speed and punching power. But the left that finished him started at about 7 o'clock, landed on Hatton's face at about 12 noon and made the likely obvious result official.

Hatton didn't attend the post-match news conference, because he was taken to Valley Hospital. Before he left, he said, "It was a hard lot, but I'm OK. I really didn't see the punch coming, but it was a good shot."

Pacquiao, ever the diplomat, said, "I'm surprised the fight was so easy. I worked hard in training camp and he was open for the right all night. It was nothing personal. I was just doing my job."

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Promotions handles Pacquiao, called his boxer "a monster" afterward, and started making noises about Pacquiao's becoming boxing's "all-time great."

Two things to consider there. As a promoter, Arum is wired for hyperbole. But also, he is no newcomer to this and began his career promoting no less than Muhammad Ali.

The only thing that might stop Pacquiao now is his desire to become a prominent government official someday soon in his beloved Philippines. There is even talk of the presidency someday.

Were that to happen now, it would make Pacquiao the answer to the trivia question: Which country has a president even more popular than Barack Obama?

For Hatton, a nice guy and tough competitor who is also beloved in his country, there may not be a lot of return trips upcoming.

Which, of course, will send the beer distributors of Las Vegas into deep depression.

By Brad Cooney
8 Count News

Manny Pacquiao once again showed the world why he's the number 1 ranked pound for pound king in the world.  A 2nd round blistering knockout over Hatton just put Pacquiao on a level this sport hasn't seen in a very long time, if ever.

Hatton was knocked to the floor twice in the first round, unable to see the blinding handspeed of Manny Pacquiao.  The second round was the end, Manny Pacquiao knocked out Hatton with one punch, a blistering left hook.  Hatton stayed on the floor as the medical doctors examined him, it was a tremendous left hook.  It was evident early in the first round that Manny's hand-speed was going to be way too much for Hatton to handle.  Once Pacquiao started to turn Hatton it was all over.  Hatton couldn't see where Manny's punches were coming from, but he sure as hell felt them.

Hatton survived the first round beating, and came out for the second round.  It would be Hatton's last round of the evening compliments of a perfectly placed Pacquiao left hook.  The hook that landed sent Hatton crashing to the ground, where he would lay for several minutes before getting up.

This writer is wondering if Floyd Mayweather Sr has found a hole to go hide in yet, as I am sure Freddie Roach is looking for him in order to share a few post fight words with him.  Floyd Sr has made a living over the past 2 months throwing his verbal jabs at Roach calling him "no coach joke Roach."  It will be a long flight home for Hatton, who I am sure will live to fight another day.  I am guessing he won't be asking for no rematch against Pacquiao though.

Could it be possible that Floyd Mayweather Jr would be the underdog if and when a showdown between himself and Pacquiao ever happened?  I do believe so, I believe that Mayweather would find it very difficult to handle Pacquiao's speed.

So once again, Manny Pacquiao demonstrated to the world why he's the pound for pound king.  Whoever gets into the ring with him next better be ready.

By Tim Starks
Queensberry Rules

I'll have plenty more to say later about the Manny Pacquiao's shockingly easy 2nd round knockout of Ricky Hatton, but for now, quick thoughts:

    * Before this fight, I would have favored Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to beat Manny Pacquiao. Now? Maybe the other way around.
    * That was the Knockout of the Year so far. I was really worried about Hatton after he got caught with that perfect left hook. It came on top of two knockdowns in the 1st. Hatton never had a chance. His eyes looked terrifyingly googly as he laid on the ground.
    * Pacquiao made history tonight, winning his fourth lineal title in four divisions, this one junior welterweight. No one has ever done that, ever.
    * I think it's fair to say Pacquiao is a very impressive junior welter, and size never mattered. I also think it's fair to say that the biggest difference in the fight I predicted -- speed -- came to bear.
    * I do have to question if there was something wrong with Hatton weight-wise, because he couldn't even kind of take a punch, but regardless, let me emphasize: Any fighter can lose a fight on a bad night in boxing, and even if something was wrong with Hatton, and even if something was wrong with Oscar De La Hoya in December when Pacquiao beat him, you can't write off a guy's wins every time something like that happens. Pacquiao beats whomoever is put in front of him, good-to-great fighters, with ease.
    * I think Pacquiao might be in the top-25 all-time vicinity. I really do. If he fights and beats Mayweather, is top-10 crazy? Not to me.
    *  That undercard was as bad as promised. The main event wasn't the competitive mega-fight I'd hoped for. But Pacquiao's performance was so frighteningly good.
    * Um, I'm kind of speechless now. I'll stop here. Pacquiao is scary.

Manny Pacquiao continues to carve his name in boxing history finishing Ricky Hatton in the second round of their scheduled 12-round bout dubbed the Battle of East and West Sunday (Saturday US Time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s speed was the key to his KO victory over the British boxing superstar forcing Hatton to kiss the canvass three times, the last one forcing referee Kenny Bayless to stop the fight before the end of the second round.

The victory makes Pacquiao, 30, a six-time world champion in five weight divisions and keeps him as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

He now adds Hatton’s International Boxing Organization (IBO) and Ring Magazine junior featherweight crowns to his already impressive list. Pacquiao previously won the WBC lightweight and super-featherweight, IBF super bantamweight, WBC flyweight and Ring Magazine featherweight crowns.

Pacquiao, wearing white trunks with black trim, dominated Hatton in the shortened-match that silenced the football-like atmosphere brought by the “Hitman’s" British fans. Pacquiao landed a total of 73 punches compared to the Hatton’s 18.

After Hatton went down twice in the first round, the People’s Champ Pacquiao upped the tempo in the second then ended the match with a left hook that rocked the “Hitman" cold.

Pacquiao used two stinging hooks, first with a left and then with a right, to floor Hatton twice in the first. The speedy-puncher from General Santos City thus cemented his status as the world’s pound-for-pound king of boxing.

He also ended Hatton's unbeaten streak at the 140-lb division, which previously was the "Hitman's" playing ground.

Martin Nievera, wearing a T-shirt designed by the late rapper Francis Magalona, broke tradition by being the first male to sing the Philippine National Anthem in a Pacquiao bout.

He was followed by pop icon Sir Tom Jones, who sang "God Save the Queen," the British National Anthem, and Fil-Am Jasmine Villegas, who sang the "Star-Spangled Banner," the US National Anthem.

The bout was witnessed by a star-studded audience that includes Oscar de la Hoya, Sugar Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, rapper Jay-Z and Mariah Carey. â€" GMANews.TV

By CHARMAINE NORONHA, Associated Press Writer

Pigs on a Canadian farm have been infected with the new swine flu virus â€" apparently by a farm worker back from Mexico â€" and are under quarantine, officials said Saturday. It is the first known case of pigs having the virus.

But officials quickly urged caution. Swine flu regularly causes outbreaks in pigs and the pigs do not pose a food safety risk, Dr. Brian Evans, executive vice president with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, told a news conference.

The officials said the pigs in the province of Alberta were thought to be infected by a Canadian farm worker who recently visited Mexico and got sick after returning to Canada.

The traveler has recovered, and the estimated 200 sickened pigs are recovering as well, officials said. No pigs have died, and officials said they don't think the flu has spread beyond the farm.

Normally, detecting influenza in pigs would not generate a response from food safety officials, but the current circumstances are different with the international flu outbreak, Evans said.

"The chance that these pigs could transfer virus to a person is remote," he said, adding that he would have no issue eating pork from the infected pigs.

A hacker going by the name of Hacker Croll has apparently gained access to an administrator account at the micro-blogging service Twitter.

Posting on a French online discussion forum, Hacker Croll claimed to have hacked into the account of Jason Goldman, one of Twitter’s directors of product management. To back up the claims, he or she posted 13 screenshots of Twitter’s account management interface.

The screenshots suggest that the hacker was able to access the accounts of several celebrity Twitter users, including those of the singer Britney Spears and the actor Ashton Kutcher. - TImes Online

Manny Pacquiao started out strong in his 12-round “Battle of East and the West bringing down Ricky Hatton twice in the first round.

Pacquioa first unleashed a right hook then connected with another left as Hatton kissed the canvass twice.

Hatton tries to hang on by crowding Pacquiao and pushing the Filipino boxing icon at the ropes. â€" GMANews.TV

Manny Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton with a left hook in the second round of their bout to grab the the IBO light welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

In the very first round Pacquiao sent the Brit down twice with stinging hooks, first with a left and then with a right.

The victory makes Pacquiao a six-time world champ in five weight divisions and kept him as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Before the fight, sports analysts Ed Picson and Ed Tolentino were one in saying that the Battle of the East and West would be a brutal fight, but Pacquiao’s speed might once again lead him to victory and cement his reputation as the world’s pound-for-pound king of boxing.

Martin Nievera, wearing a T-shirt designed by the late rapper Francis Magalona, broke tradition by being the first male to sing the Philippine National Anthem in a Pacquiao bout.

He was followed by pop icon Sir Tom Jones, who sang "God Save the Queen," the British National Anthem, and Fil-Am Jasmine Villegas, who sang the "Star-Spangled Banner," the US National Anthem.

The bout was witnessed by a star-studded audience that included Oscar de la Hoya, Jack Nicholson, and Mariah Carey. - GMAnews.tv

By Zaida delos Reyes-Palanca
People's Journal

Patay ang dalawang sanggol na dapat sana’y bibinyagan matapos na  maaksidente ang kanilang sinasakyang  tricycle sa harap ng sementeryo habang patungo sa simbahan kahapon ng umaga  sa Zarraga, Iloilo.

Gayunman, patuloy pang inaalam ang pangalan ng nasawing mga biktima habang kritikal naman sa pagamutan ang mga magulang ng mga ito na nakilalang sina Celito at Rasel Biaco at Jerry at Alona Brania, kapwa mga residente ng Bgy. Gines sa naturang lalawigan.

Batay sa ulat na nakarating sa Camp Crame, lulan ang mga biktima ng isang tricycle patungo sa simbahan sa Poblacion, Zarraga, upang mabinyagan ang dalawang bata nang maganap ang trahedya.

Hindi na umabot ng buhay sa Western Visayas Medical Center ang dalawang sanggol habang kritikal naman ang mga magulang ng mga ito.

By Alfred Dalizon
People's Journal

An unidentified man who allegedly threw a grenade at the back of an Army detachment in Banga, South Cotabato, was killed in an explosion late Wednesday evening.

Another suspect, identified as Jeorge Lamigo,23, a resident  of Bgy. Lasak in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, was wounded in a second explosion, said Police Regional Office 12 director  Chief Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu Jr.

An investigation showed that two successive grenade explosions were heard at the back of the Army’s 72nd Infantry Battalion detachment in Purok Pangpang, Bgy. Lambingi in Banga town 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Soldiers who rushed to the scene tagged the two as the persons involved in the grenade-throwing. They rushed Lamigo to a local clinic for treatment where he is being treated under guard.

By Alfred Dalizon
Journal Online 

Four suspected New People’s Army guerrillas led by a woman burned a jeep owned by a retired Navy officer in Piat, Cagayan, Tuesday, police said yesterday.

According to Police Regional Office 2 director  Chief Supt. Roberto M. Damian, the suspects flagged down the driver of the jeep identified as Edgardo Mamauad along Bgy. Sto. Domingo in Piat town and at gunpoint ordered him to alight from the vehicle.

The gunmen told Mamauad that his employer, retired Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Angel Baliuag, owes a huge debt to the revolutionary movement and then set the vehicle on fire.

The rebels allowed Mamauad to leave without harming him.

Fifteen persons including a six-month-old baby were injured when the van they were riding rammed in a riprap and fell into a ravine  Friday afternoon in Baguio City.

The victims were initially identified as Louis Mendoza, driver; Diether Mendoza; Kim Santos, 19; Harvey Mendoza, 20; Dame Mendoza, 20; Darwan Mendoza, 19; Paulo Mendoza, 6-month-old; Lucky Santos, 18; Estrellita Santos, 53; Ronny Mendoza, 27; Darrel Mendoza, 14; Love Mendoza; Sherwin Mendoza, 21; Cecilia Mendoza, 31; and Niño Mendoza, all natives of Makati City.

They were all taken to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.

Reports reaching Camp Crame showed the incident happened at about 5 in the afternoon in Suello Village, Marcos Highway, Baguio City.

Initial investigation revealed that the victims were  on board a KIA Vesta Van (URF-224) and taking a trip as part of their vacation in the city.

After visiting some tourist destinations in the city, the group decided to go back to Manila but as they travel, the vehicle lost its brake and rammed in a riprap and fell into the ravine.

By Gil Aman
People's Journal

ISANG 35-anyos na ginang na madalas pagmalupitan ang kanyang 12-anyos na anak na lalaki sa pamamagitan ng pagkadena sa mga paa nito ang inaresto ng mga elemento ng Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) at Luisiana police sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Halos apat na buwan bago bumagsak sa kamay ng pulisya ang ginang na kinilala ni Laguna PNP provincial director Sr. Supt. Manolito Labador na si Rose Faller, residente ng Bgy. San Buenaventura, Lusiana, Laguna.

Sa bahay mismo ng nakatatanda nitong kapatid na babae sa Bayside, Bgy. Bagumbayan, Sta. Cruz, naaresto ang suspek na nahaharap sa kasong paglabag sa RA-7610 (child abuse).

Base sa ulat ni Chief Insp. Celso Palad, hepe ng Lusiana police, kay Labador, nabatid na halos noong buwan ng Enero ng taong kasalukuyan ay may ilang magkakahiwalay na insidente ng pagmamalupit bukod sa mga pahirap ang nararanasan ng biktima.

Ang bata ay itinago sa pangalang Josua.

What makes you inspired to do something?

A brave agent of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group engaged three heavily-armed motorcycle-riding robbers in a gunfight in Biñan, Laguna , killing two of the suspects  yesterday.

Police Officer 3 Eduardo Ompacan, an intelligence agent of the Regional Highway Patrol Group 4-A, was on the lookout for highway robbers near the Southwoods Exit in Biñan when he saw the suspects robbing an Indian trader, said PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Orlando M. Mabutas.

He  said the suspects immediately opened fire at the HPG operative when they saw him and he retaliated, hitting one of the robbers who are believed to be members of the notorious “Hapon Carnapping and Robbery-Holdup Gang.” The suspects are known for using motorcycles without license plates as their getaway vehicles.

Witnesses said the other two suspects tried to drag away their wounded cohort while firing at  Ompacan but one of them was eventually shot by the HPG cop.

Seeing his two cohorts mortally wounded, the other suspect fled on a motorcycle and is still being hunted by HPG 4-A operatives under Senior Supt. Arnold Gunnacao as of press time yesterday. A .38 caliber revolver and a pistol were recovered from the unidentified slain suspects.

“I am congratulating PO3 Ompacan for his bravery in line of duty. He is worthy of emulation of all other officers and men of the unit,” said the head of the HPG which is celebrating its 54th anniversary tomorrow. - source: Journal Online

By the Bohol Chronicle

Amid threats of a global pandemic of the deadly H1N1 virus or swine influenza, the province is now placed on alert status.

In a meeting with Gov. Erico Aumntado last Friday at the People’s Mansion, health, agriculture officials and municipal mayors were informed by the governor that “strict quarantine measures in all ports of entry should be imposed”.

The notice given by the governor is a preventive measure in an effort to anticipate for any possibility that the virus may be transmitted by hundreds of foreign tourists coming to the province daily.

Ports and seaports in the province could be possible entry points for infected tourists or pork.
Provincial health officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot said surveillance and monitoring in ports of entry is being enforced.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. Arthur Yap, who is in the province, also told the Chronicle yesterday that there is no swine influenza outbreak in the country.

However, Yap said, the spread of the virus can be prevented by ensuring that meat and related products are inspected and certified by the National Meat Inspection Service to ensure that these are infection free.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the DA is already tightening quarantine procedures for safety, Yap said.

He added that what is being done by the DOH and DA to contain the Ebola Reston virus is still in place.

The H1N1 virus is highly communicable and can be transmitted by humans or hogs.
Bohol, being one of the top hog producers in Central Visayas , has so far no reported cases of the swine influenza, said provincial veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz.

According to Lapiz, pork importation from countries with reported infections of H1N1 is already banned by the DOH and DA.

“We are closely monitoring reports from the field of any incidence of suspected swine flu, the community should also be alerted,” Lapiz said.

By the Bohol Chronicle

A Filipino-Chinese businessman has sued his three partners in a real estate development project for estafa before the Tagbilaran City Prosecutor’s Office.

Businessman Restituto Tan filed an estafa suit against certified public accountants Carlito Pinoliad, Julieta Pinoliad Cabibil and architect Eugenia Pinoliad for their alleged failure to remit proceeds of reservation fees on a joint venture subdivision project in barangay Tiptip, this city.

In his complaint affidavit, Tan said that sometime in November 2006, the respondents proposed to him a joint venture to develop his 4-hectare property in barangay Tiptip into a mass housing subdivision project.

Efforts to contact the respondents proved futile until newstime last night.
Having personally known the respondents (Pinoliads) and after being convinced with their proposal, Tan agreed to venture together with the respondents on the project which was later called Bethany Subdivision.

In the joint venture agreement, the Pinoliads were designated as developers of the project with Carlito as manager.

Tan likewise issued several special powers of attorneys to the respondents in order to enable them to process all needed permits and licenses pertaining the subdivision project.

According to Tan, the respondents started accepting reservation deals with different individuals for a house and lot package at the Bethany Village without his knowledge. Tan alleged that, again without his knowledge, each prospective buyers were required to pay P15,000 collected by respondents and were issued receipts bearing the subdivision name and his name as proprietor.

The reservation fees collected reached to about half a million pesos. Accordingly, of the P15,000 reservation fee, P7,000 will be going to the joint venture as initial downpayment for the house and lot package while P8,000 is charged to processing.

Until now however, Tan accused the respondents of refusing to remit the reservation fees received from different individual buyers.

Moreover, the respondents (Pinoliads) also “failed to deliver their promise of developing the Bethany Village or even process any of the applications filed by the prospective buyers.

This prompted Tan to engage the services of Joanna Legacy Homes Inc. based on the recommendation of the Pag-Ibig Fund Housing Program.

Tan consequently signed a memorandum of agreement with the respondents, Joanna Legacy Homes and Home Development Mutual Fund of Pag-Ibig in order to realize the Bethany subdivision.

In the MOA, it was agreed that the respondents will be paid a total of P8 million by Joanna Legacy Homes to compensate for their past services on condition that reservation fees they collected from prospective buyers and pertinent permits and licensing documents of the subdivision project be turned over.

“But despite their clear contractual obligation, the Pinoliads (respondents) maliciously failed and intentionally refused to render the necessary accounting and the turn-over of all documents relating to the implementation of the Bethany Village project,” the complaint affidavit states.

Instead of complying with their obligations under the new MOA, Tan added, the respondents “sabotaged” his contractual relation with Joanna Legacy Homes by writing a letter to the Business and Licensing Division at City Hall on January 2009.

The letter assailed that Joanna Legacy Homes did not have a permit to promote, offer to sell or sell units of the subdivision project since it does not have a documentation to undertake such project or the necessary business permit.

The city government immediately issued a stoppage order to Joanna Legacy Homes after receiving the “poison” letter from respondent Carlito Pinoliad.

Joanna Legacy Homes later decided to back out of the contract “because of the treacherous actuations” of the respondents, Tan said.

Last January 22, Joanna Legacy Homes officially notified the other parties of the project that they are rescinding the contract for “the apparent breach of faith” by the respondents “as manifested by their continuing failure and inability to comply with contractual obligations”.

Tan said that even with a final demand letter sent to last March 31, the respondents still refused to comply or respond to his demands.

By Sunday Post

Mayor Dan Neri Lim sought yesterday the reaction of the management of his favorite whipping institutionâ€"DYRD-Bohol Chronicle media combined, on the truth of alleged cash donation coursed through the local Catholic church channel.

Acting like a broadcast spitfire, Mayor Lim asked if indeed the twin media enterprise is a recipient of such donation which he quoted to be in the vicinity of P300,000/year.

He said DYRD and the Bohol Chronicle should enlighthen the public first about the supposed cash bonanza before it preaches righteousness over the air lanes and in the pages of the popular bi-weekly.

The mayor and the media outfit are in a running word war over alleged irregularities at city hall while the city executive retaliated by taking to task the various infractions of the media entity including the issue of the church donation.

In a virtual case of tit-for-tat, the two media enterprise took turns in putting the mayor on the spot citing alleged anomalies in the city square rehabilitation contract and  the chief executive’s unliquidated cash advances, among other controversial issues.

Earlier, Mayor Lim and the media firms were locked in verbal combat  in another battlefront. This time the controversy came about when Mayor Lim took the cudgels for Bishop Leonardo Medroso who was allegedly pilloried in DYRD’s blocktime of  commentator Roberto “Batchoy” Alba.

During yesterday’s “Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan” weekly program over Station DYTR , the main meat of discussion was centered into the church donation.

Sought for his reaction, DYRD General Manager Peter Dejaresco said the mayor was in such a "desperate mood of trying to discredit the station as if it got funding through questionable means."

     The station management said  DYRD being a member station of the Catholic Media.
Network(CMN) is entitled to avail of grants to be used for the upgrading of radio facilities as part of reaching out to a greater audience in the Church evangelization program through the media.
   
      The said grant was part of the  upgrading program of the station which the management embarked last year thereby improving the quality reception and scope of its coverage area.

     There are  28 AM and 26 FM stations in the entire country which belong to CMN
     CMN radio stations are extended this support in order to reach the rural areas where evangelization is needed the most. Likewise it is part of supporting the Church programs especially that other religious sects are also actively using radio and television in their evangelization programs.

     DYRD, which is now on its 48th year of broadcasting activities has consistently aired several church based programs, including live coverages of church events and the regular airing of Sunday masses live from the St .Joseph Cathedral. 

      Annual Holy Week procession activities  are using the radio station's facilities to beam the recitation of prayers and hymns to the general public.

       The church based programs include the prime-time slot of Bishop Leonardo Medroso's  program "Pulong sa Kinabuhi" aired at 5:55am.

British airline BMI has apologised after in-flight maps on its London-Tel Aviv service did not identify Israel.

The moving maps marked Islamic holy sites but showed only the city of Haifa in Israel, identified by its Arabic name, Khefa.

Israeli officials accused BMI of trying to "hide the existence of Israel".

But BMI said it was a technical error - the maps had not been changed since the planes were taken over from a former airline which flew to the Middle East.

"If BMI had any political agenda in order not to anger neighbouring countries, it would not have invested so much in the Tel Aviv line," AFP news agency quoted a spokesman as saying.

BMED, which was taken over by BMI in 2007, had flown from the UK to many Muslim countries in the Middle East and so the maps had pointed out sites which were relevant to passengers.

A BMI spokesman told the BBC the maps should have been deactivated before the planes were deployed on the new route but "due to a technical error this did not take place".

Israeli transport ministry Director General Gideon Sitterman, said it was "unacceptable" that Israel had been "wiped off the map".

"Doing business with Israel has its advantages and disadvantages, but we will not agree to a situation where they hide the existence of Israel but want to do business with Israel," he told Israeli army radio.

BMI has withdrawn the two planes from service while new maps are installed, but said larger planes had been scheduled to take over the route last Sunday anyway. - BBC

By Loy Palapos

      The Filipino is the most global, if by this is meant that he is everywhere. Perhaps, not for business and trade, not for recreation or entertainment, nor because of scientific knowhow. He leaves his  homeland to make a living. To seek for a greener pasture. To make life better. There’' no other nobler objective than this.

       Approximately 5,000 Filipinos fly out of the country daily. This number includes those who leave through the back door and other means not necessarily legitimate. The economic debacle in industrialized countries does not deter him from trying his luck there. Since January this year more than 5,000,000 employees have lost their jobs in USA alone. The trend is repeated in several other developed nations. Yet, the number of Filipinos who travel out of the country for foreign employment remains the same.

       Those in the know say that there are now more than 5,000,000 Filipinos scattered all over the United States of America, with concentration in California. Many are in New York. A big percentage have opted to adopt  American citizenship, although a big number return home after retirement and decide on a dual citizenship status, basically because of health and other benefits in their adopted country.

       Mrs. Florida Losenada Maslog is a typical Boholana from Panglao, who was inspired to try her luck abroad, even if she already had a permanent job back home. She finished a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at Divine Word College (HNU) in 1967 and was a public school teacher for 34 years. She and her husband, Landelino Maslog, have two children. Maria Sheryl (23) is a Dean's lister at Silliman University where she finished Bachelor of Science in Computer Education. She now works in a law firm, and will be in her third year in the College of Law at HNU when classes open in June. John Paul (22) is a graduate of AB-Political Science at HNU, and will finish his last year in Law, also at HNU.  Her husband went to California in 1989 and came back to Bohol in 2007. In 2005, Flor followed him in San Francisco. Now she is based in New York City.

       Her coming to USA is a study in perseverance and guts, a tedious process that could easily discourage the weak. Her 34 years as a public school teacher is a record of hard work. Another five years in private schools (PMI Colleges and Bohol Wisdom School) added some details that have made her a strong woman whose sense of well-being cannot anymore be swerved by any type of vicissitude.

       If plans won't miscarry, Flor Maslog may hold the distinction of finally retiring with three pension-sources. She has been enjoying a full pension from GSIS, her monthly check reaching her regularly in New York. She is still working on the requirements for SSS commensurate to her employment as a private school teacher. When she leaves New York as a retiree, that would mean a much bigger amount in dollars.

       She credits what she is now  to his sense of fortitude, her indomitable will, and complete trust in God...the last being her only solace in the most adverse  times.     

       Although I met Flor during my second April weekend during the party at the residence of Boy and  Sancha Arcaya, this interview took place in Canarsie, Brooklyn on April 20, Monday in New York, two days before I took the Korean Air for home via Seoul.

       LMP: How long have you been working here?

       FLM: This is my fourth year. I came to the States in December 2005.

       LMP: What was your main motivation for your decision to leave your job in Tagbilaran and come here to New York, considering that you already had a stable employment?

       FLM:  By nature, I am adventurous. It was even me who encouraged my husband to try working in USA, which he did for 19 years, before he decided to come back to Bohol for good. When I was teaching in Bohol, I relished being assigned in some far-flung barangays and accepted jobs and responsibilities other teachers did not love doing. But basically, the main motivation is my desire for a better life, especially for my children.

       LMP: Any regret for that decision?

       FLM: It was a decision which took me some time to ponder on and discuss with my husband, a decision coming from a long series of introspection, and therefore not a product of emotional outburst. No regrets whatsoever.

       LMP: What is your main problem now, as far as the distance from your family is concerned?

       FLM: It is but natural for me to miss them. Miss them terribly. The glitter of New York is not a balm for this feeling. 

       LMP: And inspite of that, you still will go on staying here? Working here?

       FLM: It's not a matter of choice anymore. I have already chosen to be here. There is no use being sentimental at this moment. The future of our children is at stake. Their future cannot be jeopardized just because we miss one another.

       LMP: How about their upbringing? Isn't it that the parents’ presence is needed to bring up children?

       FLM: My two children are not kids anymore. They are young adults, and they can feign for themselves. The eldest, Shen, is 23. JP is 22. Both are Bachelor's degree graduates and taking up Law at HNU.  Besides, my husband is with them...in the same manner that when my husband was here, I was the one with our children in their growing up years.

       LMP: What is your work schedule? Do you have time to unwind?

       FLM: The usual, although presently I am in the evening shift with  one day off every week. Like now, it is my off-duty. That's why I came to see Marie. Every free time I have free time, I always see to it that I spend it keeping in touch with friends, especially fellow Boholanos here. There are always dates and reasons to celebrate with friends. Remember the fiesta in Panglao we had at the Wongs' residence in Philadelphia a couple of years ago? You knew I coordinated the activity. And we met last weekend in the party at the residence of Boy and Sancha Arcaya. We don't run out of reasons to meet and chit-chat about anything. It is very therapeutic. One best way to unwind is talking about home. It slightly eliminates homesickness, our worst enemy here.

       LMP: Any plan of going home? How long will you be staying here?

       FLM: So far, none in the near future. When time permits, and my pocket has enough dough...I will entertain the idea of settling back in Bohol.

       LMP: It is understandable that there's a big difference between the salary here and at home. Is the gap so immense that it could compensate the homesickness and other sacrifices you have to go through?

       FLM: Definitely. The trade imbalance between the Philippines and USA is one big reason why the peso has to struggle against the dollar, with the dollar always taking the upper hand. I remember that when I was a kid a dollar was worth three or four pesos. The peso-to-the- dollar-rate is so unsteady...it's possible it will reach to 50 to a dollar. Which is to the advantage of the wage-earners here. There are those who say that "nga mora 'ta ug nagbugsay sa usa ka baroto. Ang kalainan lang...didto sa ato kasingkwenta ' ta mobugsay sa di pa moabot sa pikas pangpang; dinhi kausa lang...tapos na ang biyahe." This is one thing that keeps us going despite a few frustrations.

       LMP: So, sa ato subra ang kayod, gamay lang ang agi. When will this end? Or, is this forever?

       FLM: Of course, it will end. You may have noticed that many Filipinos go back to the Philippines after retirement. Especially Boholanos who are closely affiliated with their families back home. That would be the time when we are qualified to receive social security pensions. With the standard of living here that is so high, it would be still be a struggle to make both ends meet here. For instance, if we rent an apartment here in Brooklyn, that would cost an average of not less than one-thousand dollars. That's fifty-thousand times when spent in the Philippines.

       LMP: I have heard of the Federal Aid here which is being availed of by some Filipinos.

       FLM: There are other similar supports accorded by the government for its citizens who are incapacitated. For instance, you may have heard of a friend who receives a monthly pension of $400 because he is sick and is incapacitated to join the work force. This is aside from free medical care. Not for most, who are still at their prime, and can toil to send home the bacon. We have been brought up by our parents to labor and earn. When the laboring years are over, it is time to go back home and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

       LMP: What is your immediate wish as of this moment?

       FLM: That God will give me and the members of my family back home good health. That my children will finish their studies and succeed in their own ventures in the future. That after these years I will return home safely and make my family whole again.

       The dream of most Bohlanos I met in the States. Good health to propel them in their respective jobs and responsibilities. To go back home and enjoy life with a pension when the productive years are over. Not really a tall order. Many have already done it and are back home with their loved ones.     

       Flor Maslog is just one of the lucky ones who were given the break to try their luck in the US. Their are thousands of Boholanos who aspire to leave the country and earn a better income commensurate with the family needs. Tens of thousands dream of it, but cannot do anything about it. The significance of this dream strikes a pathetic tone.

       Of the 85 million Filipinos, roughly 80% would rather leave the country and try their mettle and luck in foreign shores, according to a Social Welfare national official interviewed on TV. Shocking? Could be…

       The biggest shock is the seeming indifference of our governance to solve the problem. Others don't see it as a problem. One Senator even wished millions more will leave, as long as they keep on sending money back home. He believes the foreign remittances keep the country's economy afloat. We elected him... remember? This proves we deserve the kind of leaders we have. 

     The First Consolidated Bank will open its Tagbilaran City Square Branch on Monday, April 27, with a simple blessing and inauguration ceremony.

      FCB Vice President Joseph Lacea said the opening of this new branch will help bring the financial services of the bank to the convenience of its depositors.

      The FCB Tagbilaran City Square Branch is located next to the entrance of the Tagbilaran City Square along H. Grupo St.

      It is equipped with automated teller machine (ATM).

      Vice President Lacea said the branch offers all types of deposit products as well as related financial services.

      FCB Tagbilaran City Square  Branch  is the first of four branches that the bank will open this year. The other new branches are FCB Roxas branch in Roxas, Palawan, FCB Bataraza Branch in Bataraza, Palawan; and FCB Lazi in Lazi, Siquijor.

      FCB Roxas Branch and FCB Bataraza Branch will serve the northeastern and southeastern parts of Palawan, respectively, while FCB Lazi Branch will serve the next biggest town of Siquijor after the towns of Siquijor and Larena.

      These new branches are full service branches, that can provide a variety of services such as demand, premium, and  time deposits; foreign and domestic remittances; SSS collection; commercial, industrial, and agricultural loans; motor vehicle loan; salary loans for public school teachers; and loans for SSS pensioners.

      FCB has now three branches serving Tagbilaran City, 48 branches and nine marketing and promotional centers nationwide, making the bank one of the biggest private development banks in the country.

      FCB is a private development bank with head office in Tagbilaran City. As a financial institution, it has contributed to the development of people and communities, both in the growth centers and the countryside.

By Rey Anthony Chiu
Philippine Information Agency

Sevilla local officials have contemplated on making the hanging bridge crossing at Sipatan one way. 

That would also imply building another hanging bridge as exit from the display and activity area and back to the parking lot, says town information officer Walter Pondoc.

Many see the logical as it would assure tourist safety by decongesting traffic and lightening the carrying capacity of the bamboo bridge.

With two way traffic in a narrow foot bridge, people meeting at the center of the swaying bridge can be very difficult and make tourists uncomfortable, admits a tourist guide who think something should be done to avoid accidents. 

Moreover, the town information officer said “We need to put up more worthwhile activities at the tourist center across the river and that should include cultural presentations, to make the stop more meaningful.

 

The move came after Sevilla started collecting P10 toll fees for tourists crossing the Sipatan Hanging Bridge since February 27 of this year.

The plan also incorporates a Tourists’ Holding Room where the local government can conduct briefings and activity orientation before letting them do the thrilling activity of crossing the swaying bamboo bridge, adds Pondoc.

The bridge, since the town started collecting toll fees averages P3T on an ordinary day, and has contributed a lot to the town income generation, he admitted.

The bridge, now reinforced with steel cables with the help of the Philippine Australian Community Assistance Program has become a teaser for the Bohol outdoor adventure.

It has also opened up employment opportunities for women and people’s organizations in the town while giving them additional income from selling native crafts, home decors and fashion accessories.

PACAP also helped finance a multi purpose building as display areas the local wares, performance venue and tourists’ resting station. 

Police on Thursday said they are hunting a security guard who robbed the pawnshop he was guarding in Manila’s northern suburb of Caloocan City.

A complaint filed by two workers of the Goodyear Pawnshop branch along the Bonifacio Monument Circle in Caloocan said guard Michael Andres took jewelry worth P820,000 (US$16,924) and P130,000 (US$2,683) cash from the shop after tying them up on Wednesday.

One of the pawnshop clerks, 25-year-old Riolyn Palmero, said he was with cashier Jeany Vasquez inside a room where the vault was located when Andres duty knocked at the door.

Since Andres was the guard on duty, they opened the door and were surprised when he pointed his firearm at them and ordered them to lock themselves inside the toilet. - GMANews.tv

By Doris Dumlao
PDI

The SM Group of taipan Henry Sy is investing P25 billion in the local economy this year to expand its retail, real estate, shopping mall, hotel, and banking businesses, an official said Wednesday.

This capital outlay, budgeted by SM Investments Corp., the holding company of Sy’s SM group of companies, excludes another P7 billion that its mall development arm SM Prime Holdings Inc. plans to spend to put up new malls in China, SMIC president Harley Sy said in a briefing after the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

The domestic capital expenditure (capex) planned for this year by the SM group, which has historically invested heavily even in economic downturns, was higher than the P19 billion disbursed last year.

SMPH will corner the bulk of group-wide capital expenditures this year with a total budget of P12 billion, followed by condominium development arm SM Development Corp. with P7.2 billion.

SM Land Inc., which handles the group’s commercial property development (including those for business process outsourcing or BPO office buildings), has a budget of P2.7 billion.

SM Land executive vice president Josefino Lucas said the company would break ground this year for TwoEcomCenter, the second of four BPO buildings planned in the Mall of Asia complex.

By Abigail Ho
PDI

With cement prices remaining high despite the scrapping of levies imposed on the product, the Department of Trade and Industry is not inclined to recommend an extension of the zero-tariff regime for cement.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said that, in general, the government’s thrust was to make commodity prices as reasonable as possible for consumers.

“For as long as it benefits the Philippine market and our consumers, I’ll support it,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s Investors’ Recognition Day yesterday.

“But if I don’t see prices improving, I won’t recommend [maintaining zero tariff]. I’m not excited to do it.”

Executive Order 766, which Malacañang issued in November last year, scrapped the tariffs on cement until June.

By Doris Dumlao
PDI

The UK-based Global Emerging Markets (GEM) group is set to invest up to P300 million in publicly listed technology firm IPVG Corp.

IPVG announced yesterday that it had executed an investment agreement granting GEM Global Yield Fund Ltd. to subscribe to new shares in IPVG, as well as to purchase from existing shareholder Elite Holdings Inc. shares worth up to P300 million.

The agreement likewise provides IPVG to issue to GEM one or more warrants to subscribe for up to 30,000,000 shares in the company.

The proceeds will be used to fund IPVG’s future activities and expansion of its operating subsidiaries, the company said.

“Despite a challenging global macro environment, this deal is evidence that well-run companies can attract smart capital,” IPVG chief executive officer Enrique Gonzalez said.

The GEM group is a $2.7-billion alternative investment firm engaged in the management of a diverse set of investment tools centered on emerging markets all over the world. The UK-based fund has offices in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong.

By Daxim Lucas
PDI

Sales of publicly listed Filinvest Land Inc. to the expatriate Filipino community remain strong despite the global economic crisis, as FLI caters mainly to the mass housing market, its head said yesterday.

Because of this, FLI, the real estate firm of the Gotianun family, will launch 29 new projects worth P7.4 billion this year. This is higher than the P6.6 billion capital expenditure program of the company last year.

“So far, we’re not even seeing a dip [in sales], so there’s nothing to recover,” FLI president Joseph Yap told reporters during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting in Makati City yesterday.

“The mass market is still quite strong,” he added, pointing out that the crisis’ impact was felt most at the higher end of the property market â€" a segment where Filinvest has limited exposure.

Yap said even sales to overseas Filipino workers remained robust, since most of their clients in this market â€" either the expatriate workers themselves or their local relatives â€" were end-users themselves. As much as 50 percent of the company’s residential units are sold to OFWs and their dependents.

“The Philippines’ main export markets as well as the main destinations for OFWs are in recession, and millions of Filipinos are losing their jobs worldwide,” he said.

“Despite this, we believe that demand for [FLI’s] mass housing business will remain strong,” Yap said, explaining the resilience of this segment to the crisis. “Most of our customers are first-time buyers and, therefore, their purchase of a house is more of a need rather than a want.”

US carmaker Chrysler will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection immediately and has formed an alliance with Fiat, President Obama has said.

Chapter 11 protects firms from their creditors, allowing them to rearrange their finances while still trading.

Some Chrysler dealerships will close over time but no jobs will be lost in the short term, President Obama said.

The move came after talks had broken down with Chrysler's lenders late on Wednesday, the White House said.

Chrysler will receive a further $8bn (£5.4bn) in government aid, up from the $6bn the Treasury had promised it if it had successfully restructured the business by midnight.

The White House described the move as a "surgical short bankruptcy" which should last between 30 and 60 days. - BBC News

Mas lami ang Skyflakes, Belle, ug duha mo magpinang-itay sa usa ka tipak nga biscuit. How sweet!

By Abigail L. Ho
PDI

Local biscuit manufacturer Monde MY San Corp. has inked an agreement with Japanese confectionery product wholesaler and retailer Yoshiya Co. Ltd., enabling the Philippine firm to export its products to Japan.

With the deal in place, Monde MY San can offer its Sky Flakes and MY San Grahams to the Japanese market. These products, the company said in a statement yesterday, were the specific brands that Yoshiya chose to market because of their quality and taste.

“We forwarded samples with the required ingredients and waited for [Yoshiya’s] approval before we proceeded,” Monde MY San export officer Jesusel Santos said.

Santos did not specify how much the initial shipment was worth and how big the volume was.

The partnership was forged through the guidance of food expert Makoto Nakamura, who got acquainted with the Monde MY San brands at the International Food Exhibition (Ifex) Philippines in 2008.

Nakamura visited Ifex 2008 to identify Philippine manufacturers that had the potential to make it in the Japanese market.

Following initial talks with Monde MY San executives, Nakamura introduced the company to Yoshiya.

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine Savings Bank, The Metrobank group’s thrift banking arm, posted a 21-percent year-on-year growth in first-quarter net profit to P303.73 million as core business expanded while asset quality improved despite the generally gloomy outlook on the domestic economy.

PSBank president Pascual Garcia III told the Philippine Stock Exchange that the banks’ net interest income rose 24 percent to P1.04 billion from the same period last year with strong growth coming from its core lending during the first quarter.

“Our first quarter results set us well on the path of growing our net profit to P1.1 billion [17 percent growth] this year,” Garcia said.

Net interest margins, the difference between income produced by a bank’s earning assets and interest paid to depositors, increased to 5.3 percent from 4.9 percent due to the growth in investments.

“The double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2009 affirms strategic efforts we have taken in anticipation of any lingering effects of the global economic crisis. We’re pleased to note that net profit increased by 21 percent in spite of higher provisioning,” Garcia said.

Gross loans surged 17 percent from a year ago, fueled by consumer loans, which grew 16 percent. The bank reported that demand for auto loans remained good although mortgage loan releases slightly eased during the first three months.

PSBank also reported a decline in non-performing loans as a ratio of total loans to 5.4 percent from 6.2 percent, aided by its improved automated collection processes.

By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

A measure doubling the insurance coverage of deposits to P500,000 to shield them from any bank closures amid the global economic downturn was signed into law Wednesday.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9576 after handing out awards to 25 outstanding locators in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Ms Arroyo did not deliver a message during the ceremony, which was witnessed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and lawmakers who authored the measure.

RA 9576 increases the maximum deposit insurance coverage provided by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) to depositors from P250,000 to P500,000.

PDIC is a government corporation established in the 1960s to encourage savings in banks, protect insured deposits and draw idle funds into the banking system, among others.

At the P500,000 level, 97.2 percent of all deposit accounts will be fully covered by insurance, officials said.

Keep deposits in banks

In terms of absolute amounts, 31.7 percent of all deposits in the banking system will be covered by the higher insurance cap, up from 24 percent under the previous level.

The increase was designed to encourage the depositors to keep their deposits in banks and protect them as global recession sweeps across the world, officials said.

By Doris Dumlao
PDI

The Ayalas’ Bank of the Philippine Islands reported an 86.1-percent rise in first-quarter net profits to P2.9 billion from over a year ago on the back of a robust core lending business as well as much-improved trading opportunities given declining interest rates.

The country's third biggest bank in assets but the largest in terms of market capitalization reported a 32.2 percent growth in revenues in the first three months, supported by a 22.1 percent rise in net interest income.

Average asset base expanded by 5.0 percent while interest spreads went up by 57 basis points as asset yields, such as from loans, went up while cost of funds eased.

"Lending activity remained buoyant and broad-based despite a deliberate move at selective expansion. Net loans increased by 12.3 percent on a year-on-year basis notwithstanding P6 billion in maturing government promissory notes," the bank reported.

Corporate and consumer loans posted growth rates of 13.8 percent and 18.9 percent, respectively while credit card billings surged by 25 percent.

The bank ended March with total resources of P643.3 billion, 8.1 percent ahead of the previous year's level.

Deposits expanded by 8.8 percent year-on-year to P517.1 billion. The bank also increased the ratio of lower-cost peso deposits to total peso deposits from 46 to 52 percent. Assets held in trust likewise grew by 25.8 percent to P333.1 billion.

By Fe Zamora
PDI

Former president Corazon Aquino is to undergo a medical procedure to remove a portion of her colon afflicted with cancer cells, her social secretary Margie Juico said Thursday.

“She has finally agreed to it,” Juico said in a telephone interview.

According to her, the family of the former president has been trying to convince her to undergo the procedure. Juico said the doctors have found that Aquino’s cancer cells were confined to a section of the colon.

“The former president is in high spirits. She's okay,” Juico said.

She said that Aquino has been reporting for work at her office in Makati City despite the chemo treatment to cure her cancer.

“She comes in at 10 [a.m.] and leaves at 5p.m.,” Juico added.

She did not say when or where the operation would be performed.

Earlier on Thursday, Balanga Bishop Socrates Villegas called on Filipinos to join a rosary prayer crusade “for the total cure” of the former president. He issued the appeal in an open letter addressed to the faithful in his diocese, copies of which the Archdiocese of Manila also released to the media.

Some Americans used to argue that it was impossible to rape an unwilling woman. Few people say that today, or say publicly that a woman “asked for it” if she wore a short skirt.

- Nicholas Kristof, New York Times column

Egypt has begun a mass slaughter of thousands of pigs in an effort to prevent swine flu spreading.

The cull was going ahead despite there being no cases of swine flu in Egypt. However, neighbouring Israel has two confirmed cases in humans.

"It is decided to slaughter all swine herds present in Egypt, starting from today," said Health Minister Hatem el-Gabali, according to Mena news agency.

Swine flu has spread from Mexico to several countries around the world.

The pigs in Egypt, a largely Muslim country, are raised by the Coptic Christian community.

Estimates of the number of pigs range from 250,000 to 400,000.

Up to 159 people are believed to have died in the outbreak - all but one of them in Mexico. - BBC

America's cybersecurity has been described as "broken" by one industry expert and as "childlike" by another.

The criticism comes as President Obama prepares to release the results of a review he ordered.

Tim Mather, chief security strategist for RSA, told BBC News "the approach we have relied on for years has effectively run out of steam."

Meanwhile Alan Paller from the SANS Institute said the government's cyber defences were "embarrassing."

The government review, which will outline a way forward, is expected to be opened up for public comment at the end of this month.

At the same time, President Obama is also expected to announce the appointment of a cybersecurity tsar as part of the administration's commitment to make the issue a priority.  - BBC

LOS ANGELES -- Public health officials say a seventh grader in Sacramento County is confirmed to have had the eighth case of swine flu in California.

California Department of Public Health spokesman Al Lundeen said Monday that the boy already has recovered from mild symptoms of the flu. Officials are not making public the town where the boy lives or the name of the private school he attends.

State health officials also say they are looking into another dozen possible cases.

California Department of Public Health spokesman Al Lundeen said Monday that the boy already has recovered from mild symptoms of the flu. Officials are not making public the town where the boy lives or the name of the private school he attends.

State health officials also say they are looking into another dozen possible cases.

The seven previously confirmed cases included four in San Diego County and three in Imperial County.

The governor told a Beverly Hills news conference that California has activated its joint emergency operations system -- a combination of the public health department and the state emergency management agency.


-10news.com

Is Jesus the only way to Heaven?

Answer: Yes!

These are all common rationalizations, but the truth is that they are all lies. Satan, the ruler of the world, plants these thoughts in our heads. He, and anyone who follows his ways, is an enemy of God (1Peter 5:8  ). Satan is a deceiver and often disguises himself as someone good (2 Corinthians 11:14), but he has control over all the minds that do not belong to God. "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

It is a lie to believe that God doesn't care about small sins or that hell is reserved for "bad people." All sin separates us from God, even a “little white lie.” Everyone has sinned, and no one is good enough to get to heaven on their own (Romans 3:23). Getting into heaven is not based on whether our good outweighs our bad; we will all lose out if that is the case. "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace" (Romans 11:6). We can do nothing good to earn our way to heaven (Titus 3:5).

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matthew 7:13). Even if everyone else is living a life of sin in a culture where trusting in God is not popular, God will not excuse it. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:1-2).

When God created the world, it was perfect and good. Then he made Adam and Eve and gave them their own free will, so they would have a choice whether to follow and obey God. But they were tempted by Satan to disobey God, and they sinned. This separated them (and everyone that came after them, including us) from being able to have a close relationship with God. He is perfect and holy and must judge sin. As sinners, we couldn't reconcile ourselves to God on our own. So God made a way that we could be united with Him in heaven. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Jesus was born to die for our sins so that we would not have to. Three days after His death, He rose from the grave (Romans 4:25), proving Himself victorious over death. He bridged the gap between God and man so that we may have a personal relationship with Him if we only believe.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Most people believe in God, even Satan does. But to receive salvation, we must turn to God, form a personal relationship, turn away from our sins, and follow Him. We must trust in Jesus with everything we have and everything we do. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference" (Romans 3:22). The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Christ. Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Jesus is the only way of salvation because He is the only One who can pay our sin penalty (Romans 6:23). No other religion teaches the depth or seriousness of sin and its consequences. No other religion offers the infinite payment of sin that only Jesus Christ could provide. No other “religious founder” was God become man (John 1:1,14) â€" the only way an infinite debt could be paid. Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Tinuod ba nga ang Ugma dili Madala ug Luoy-luoy? This according to a Bisayan song.

By Jeannette Andrade
PDI

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation have arrested a registered nurse who has allegedly duped a number of prospective nurses into giving up their cash in exchange for nonexistent jobs in London.

At a press conference Friday, NBI director Nestor Mantaring said the alleged duplicity of Wilfredo Almira Isaac, 35, of Shihanok Village, Coral Bells in Las Piñas City, was discovered by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLaC) out of several transactions he made through an electronic cash service provider.

Mantaring pointed out that an arrest warrant was issued against Isaac by a Manila regional trial court for illegal recruitment and estafa in 2004 but it was only now that he was arrested by agents of the NBI Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division (AFCCD), headed by Vicente de Guzman III.

Mode of operation

De Guzman explained that Isaac usually started his mode of operation by enticing nurses through e-mail to apply for work abroad or by “phishing.”

Phishing, De Guzman explained, is carried out by e-mail or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details at a fake website with a legitimate look and feel.

“Even when using server authentication, it may require tremendous skill to detect that the website is fake. It is an example of a social engineering technique used to fool users, and exploits the poor usability of current web security technologies,” De Guzman pointed out.

He stressed that Isaac usually informs prospective victims that they must attend a British Language seminar allegedly sponsored by seemingly legitimate organizations and ask for seminar fees ranging from P2,500 to P6,000 to be paid through automated teller machine (ATM) cards or electronic cash service providers.

The suspect, De Guzman said, used several fictitious names registering under different mobile phone numbers. Among the names Isaac used were Paul Almanza Sauer and Cyrus Ramos Villanueva, which were discovered among the identification cards confiscated from him on his arrest.

Hire at least 10 Filipinos and enjoy indefinite stay in the Philippines. This, in sum, is how the Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG) works.

Created through President Macapagal-Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 758, SVEG can generate at least 100,000 jobs for Filipinos, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said.

“It’s a doable target that can be doubled,” Libanan told reporters at the launch of SVEG here on Thursday.

The SVEG, said Libanan, is the Bureau of Immigration’s way of helping ease unemployment in the country as an outcome of the global economic recession.

SVEG is available to foreigners who are engaged in lawful and sustainable enterprises, trade or industry and employ Filipino workers on a full-time or regular basis, said Arnulfo Maminta, chief of the BI’s legal unit.

SVEG provides special non-immigrant status, multiple entry and conditional extended stay to foreigners, Maminta said during the briefing for Clark and local officials and foreign business leaders.

These privileges can be extended to the applicants’ spouses and dependents below 18 years old.

Those availing of SVEG can also be exempted from paying special return and exit clearance certificates, Maminta said.

The conditions that the BI set are that the foreigners are “actually, directly or exclusively” engaged in a business, they have intentions of staying in the country, they are not risks to national security, and they hire Filipinos according to labor laws.

BI’s one-stop shops for SVEG in Metro Manila and its regional offices are operated closely with the Department of Labor and Employment and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Libanan said.

It used to be that investors acquire visa by maintaining a deposit of $75,000 in a bank.

“The money sleeps in the bank. It’s an inactive investment. SVEG’s benefits will trickle down, with tremendous impact [on] the economy,” Libanan said.

Filing fee amounts to P3,520. The first recipient of SVEG is Ik Soon Lee, a Korean who runs the Noblesse International School just outside the Clark Freeport. - Tonette Orejas, PDI

By Aurea Calica
The Philippine Star

Amid loud cheers and applause, Sen. Manuel Roxas II and ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez confirmed their engagement yesterday in the popular noontime television show “Wowowee” but the actual wedding date remained under wraps.

The festive mood was punctuated a few times when the senator shed tears while he and Sanchez were being interviewed by host Willie Revillame.

It was the first time for the couple, who have been together for five years, to talk about their wedding plans, confirming an earlier report by STAR Entertainment Editor Ricky Lo.

In a telephone interview with The STAR after the show, Roxas said he actually proposed last Feb. 14 in a resort in Cebu while he and Sanchez were on vacation.

He said he shed “tears of joy” as he recalled how happy he was when Sanchez said yes when he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him.

Roxas said the announcement was unplanned but then he had no choice because the “ring” on Sanchez’s finger bared it all and that Revillame already put him on the spot.

“Nandun na kasi. Napaluha lang ako sa tuwa. Pero nagulat din ako, na-shock,” Roxas said.

Roxas disclosed he asked permission from Sanchez if he could reveal specific details of his proposal and got the green light.

Dili man pud ta katambid ani nga bed. Unsaon nalang ug tingtugnaw, dili jud ta ka-first base ani. Igo nalang ta sa kuhit-kuhit. "Day, mata na kay matulog na ta."

Germany's economy will shrink by 6% this year and continue to contract in 2010 according to a forecast from the country's leading economic think tanks.

The estimates, compiled by eight institutes for the German Economy Ministry, also predicts that the rate of unemployment will hit 10% next year.

The gloomy forecast chimes with that of the IMF, which shows the German economy contracting by 5.6% this year.

This is faster than any other major economy apart from Japan, says the IMF.

"The joint forecast of the institutes paints a very dark picture of German economic prospects in the foreseeable future," said Timo Klein at IHS Global Insight. - BBC News

from the US Embassy Manila website

Since the Republic of the Philippines gained its independence in 1946, the United States government has been represented in the Philippines by the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

The Embassy exercises many different functions in its official representation to the Philippine government. These include political, administrative, economic, public diplomacy, and consular affairs managed under the Ambassador by counselors from the Department of State.

The U.S. Agency for International Development manages bilateral development projects. Military affairs are handled by the Defense Attaché’s office at the Embassy. The U.S. Veterans Administration has its only overseas office at the Embassy in Manila. This office takes care of veterans affairs for the many American and Filipino veterans residing in the Philippines.

Visit the US Embassy Manila, Philippines website HERE

Family ang reason. Reuniting with loved ones and friends. There's no place like our home.

Almost two million PCs globally, including machines inside UK and US government departments, have been taken over by malicious hackers.

Security experts Finjan traced the giant network of remotely-controlled PCs, called a botnet, back to a gang of cyber criminals in Ukraine.

Several PCs inside six UK government bodies were compromised by the botnet.

Finjan has contacted the Metropolitan Police with details of the government PCs and it is now investigating.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office, which is charged with setting standards for the use of information technology across government, said it would not comment on specific attacks "for security reasons".

"It is Government policy neither to confirm nor deny if an individual organisation has been the subject of an attack nor to speculate on the origins or success of such attacks."

He added: "We constantly monitor new and existing risks and work to minimise their impact by alerting departments and giving them advice and guidance on dealing with the threat." - BBC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky4rfA_tebY

Jesus, Take the Wheel (Video and Lyrics)

She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy
With the baby in the backseat

Fifty miles to go and she was running low
On faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning
On a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared
She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat
Sleeping like a rock

And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life

I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight

Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Oh Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go

So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, ooh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AXJyiwYvyQ

Compilation of Worst American Idol Comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MoEsz42fnw

Extraordinary Bad: Worst American Idol Hopefuls

The best place to say I love you kanang taliwala sa kasagbotan, ilawom sa dakong punoan sa bayabas, kanang mag-ka-amorsiko imong karsones ug iyang sayal.

House resolution for constituent assembly filed (original title)
By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

Some 175 congressmen-allies of President Arroyo led by Speaker Prospero Nograles want “members of Congress” to convene as a constituent assembly (con-ass) to amend the Constitution.

Though Nograles and Majority Leader Arthur Defensor are the lead signatories of Resolution 1109, which was filed yesterday, the measure is clearly the handiwork of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, president of Mrs. Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

It contains all of Villafuerte’s arguments for convening “members of Congress” â€" even if they are all congressmen â€" and not the “institutions” of the Senate and the House, into a con-ass to propose constitutional amendments. Villafuerte’s tack intends to bypass the Senate on Charter change (Cha-cha).

Resolution 1109 was referred last night to the committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by another signatory, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega.

Nograles is the principal author of another resolution, numbered 737, on which the House has started floor debates.

His proposal seeks to amend Article 12, Sections 2 and 3 of the Constitution to allow full foreign participation in the exploitation of natural resources as well as ownership of agricultural land.

 The Sri Lankan army launched an operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam in the country's north on Monday, and a deadline for the rebels to surrender passed Tuesday.

Government troops say they have rescued 39,000 civilians trapped in the area, but tens of thousands more remain wedged into an 8-square-mile strip of land on the island's northeastern coast, which remains controlled by the rebels, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.

The U.N.'s humanitarian agency described the conflict zone as "highly chaotic" Wednesday, with reports of continued fighting, and aid cut off to more than 80,000 people displaced by the fighting since April 1.

"While there are no verifiable numbers of overall casualties, we believe that significant numbers have been killed and injured in the military operation," the agency said.

The Tigers have been fighting for an independent state in Sri Lanka's northeast since 1983. As many as 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began, and the group has been declared.

But the rebels have suffered a string of military setbacks since November, with their provisional capital falling to government troops in January.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a statement on the conflict: "The United Nations remains extremely concerned about the safety of the civilians left in the combat area. Given that the area has shrunk even further, the potential for further significant casualties still remains."

The situation has led to stepped-up diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/22/sri.lanka.un/index.html

Taliban militants who implemented Islamic law in Pakistan's violence-plagued Swat Valley last week have now taken control of a neighboring district.

Control of the Buner district brings the Taliban closer to the capital, Islamabad, than they have been since they started their insurgency. Islamabad is 96 kilometers (60 miles) from the district.

"Our strength is in the hundreds," said Moulana Mohammad Khalil, as heavily armed men openly patrolled the roads in pickup trucks, singing Islamic anthems.

The militants had taken control of the area to ensure that Islamic law, or sharia, is properly imposed, Khalil said.

The government called the advance into Buner a breach of a recently-signed peace agreement.

"Now Taliban are violating the peace agreement, and if they continue the government will take strict action and not allow the Taliban to create a parallel government in that area," said Mian Iftikhar, a spokesman for the regional administration in the North West Frontier Province, where Buner is located.

Last week, the Taliban imposed sharia law in Swat Valley as part of a peace deal with the government. Under the Taliban's strict interpretation, the law prevents women from being seen in public without their husbands or fathers.

Earlier this month, the militant movement made forays into Buner and clashed with locals before withdrawing.

Now the Taliban appear to have returned in force -- a move that indicates the recent government concessions may have emboldened the militants to expand their reach.

The Pakistani government appears unable or unwilling to stop the Taliban's steady advance deeper into the territory of this nuclear-armed country.

In the days after the government's April 13 decision to implement sharia law in Swat, pro-Taliban clerics have staged rallies in Swat and Islamabad. They have demanded the imposition of Islamic law across Pakistan and beyond.

Speaking before an audience of tens of thousands in the Swat Valley town of Mingora on Sunday, cleric Sufi Muhammed declared democracy and Pakistan's judicial system "un-Islamic."

A Taliban spokesman in Swat went a step further Tuesday, calling anyone opposed to his strict interpretation of Islam a non-Muslim.

The rise of the Taliban in Swat has alarmed and frightened some members of local civil society there.

"This is a time bomb for the country," said Aftab Alam, the head of the lawyers' association in Swat district.

Meanwhile, in another Taliban-run region called Orakzai, details emerged of militants forcing a small community of Sikhs to pay a jaziya, or "minority tax," of 10.5 million rupees (roughly $130,000) earlier this month.

Khan said if his vision of an Islamic society is fulfilled in Pakistan, terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden will be welcome to travel and live openly here. "Sure, he's a Muslim, he can go anywhere," Khan said.

Khan added that he would like to see sharia law implemented beyond Pakistan, even in America, a country he knows intimately. For four years, the Taliban spokesman lived in the United States, working as a painter near Boston, Massachusetts.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Wednesday that Pakistan is in danger of falling into terrorist hands because of failed government policies.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/22/pakistan.taliban/index.html

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=84870139415

Beautifully Imperfect Couple (Unforgettable Speech)

Click Play button at the video site source.

The acting chief financial officer of struggling US mortgage giant Freddie Mac has been found dead after apparently killing himself, police say.

Fairfax County Police said there was no foul play suspected in the death of David Kellermann, found in his home 20km (13 miles) west of Washington DC.

The 41-year-old had worked for the company for 16 years and became chief financial officer in September.

Freddie Mac was bailed out by the US government last year.

Police were investigating the death after being called to the house just before 0500 local time by Mr Kellermann's wife.

"We were called from inside the house to come investigate an apparent suicide," a Fairfax police spokeswoman told local media, according to AFP news agency.

Finance investigation

US media reports said Mr Kellermann was found hanging in the basement of the house.

In March Freddie Mac revealed a loss of $50.1bn (£36.1bn) for 2008, and said it planned to ask the US government for another $31bn of aid. - bbc news

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_CnTa5N29Q

In Defense of Miss California 2009 (Contestant: Miss USA 2009)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcTk5l8zc-w

Green Cars Shown at Brussels

This is good for all of us. P200 is not that much. Many Filipinos spend P100 a day for cellphone load. A unified ID will save space in your wallet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhfIqtFEXMM

Environment-Friendly Cars of 2009

A New York woman has won a race-against-the-clock legal bid to harvest her dead fiance's sperm.

Gisela Marrero told a Bronx court her partner had spoken about having another child with her only the day before his death from a suspected heart attack.

She had only 36 hours to collect 31-year-old Johnny Quintana's semen before it would have become unusable.

As the couple were unmarried she needed a court order, which was granted just four hours before the deadline.

After the Bronx State Supreme Court approved her request, sperm bank employees raced to a local medical centre, where the body of the dead mechanic, who died on Thursday, was stored.

'Last wish'

Ms Marrero, who has a two-year-old son by Mr Quintana, said: "The day before he passed away, we talked about planning for our future, buying an apartment and having another child," reported the New York Daily News.

"This was his wish. It's the last thing I can do for him."

There were emotional scenes in the court as Ms Marrero and her dead fiance's family celebrated Friday afternoon's decision.

Earlier this month, a mother in Texas won a legal bid to have her dead son's sperm harvested after he died in a fight outside a bar, so she could have the option of carrying out his wish to have children. - BBC

By ARIEL E. FULLIDO

They came, they saw, they will soon conquer!

Thousands of people flocked the ABS-CBN auditions for Pinoy Big Brother and Pinoy Dream Academy at the Island City Mall last Friday, April 17, all aiming for a shot of fame.

Network executives said that there were a total of 4,223 auditionees, coming from as far north as Baguio, and from as far as south as Basilan, all aspiring to make the final cut of 14 housemates in the four-month telecast of the popular reality TV show.

Mall security personnel reported that as early as 1 AM Friday, people had begun lining up at the carpark. Most of the applicants were young ones wanting to be the next teen housemate and follow the footsteps of Gerald Anderson, Matt Evans, Robi Domingo, and first PBB Teen winner Kim Chiu.

A 17-year-old girl from Cebu, Irene Bacalzo, headed straight to Island City Mall after she disembarked from the ferry Friday dawn. It is her childhood dream to become an artista like her kababayan idol Kim Chiu. Ramp model Francis James Padilla, a 16-year-old look-alike of Rayver Cruz, flew all the way from Manila a day before the audition to pursue his ambition in showbiz.

Fil-Am Jonathan Henson, a 30-year-old computer programmer residing in LA, took the chance to audition while on a vacation here. A 32-year-old father of two, Junie Recedillo from Davao, also confessed that he sees PBB as an opportunity to help his family. His wife's earnings from selling fruits and vegetables in the market used it as his pabaon in coming to Bohol to try his luck in the audition. Lilibeth Teron, a 28-year old daughter of a public school teacher, made a trip from Camiguin, via Jagna, just to audition.

On the other hand, 15-year-old Rita Carmel Mariquit of San Carlos City, Negros Oriental, traveled via Dumaguete City to audition here, despite suffering from a migraine and a high fever. She was able to audition but she collapsed after. A standby medical team immediately whisked her to the nearest hospital where she recovered later.
         

Direk Lauren Dyogi took much time until 11 PM Friday to search for that elusive "unique personality" among the auditionees for PBB, while voice mentor Monet Silvestre was behind the selection for PDA scholars. There were 30 auditionees in the PBB (Season 3 and Teens) who made it to the final shortlist, and will soon compete for one last time with the rest coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, before making it to the final list of housemates ni Kuya. The results of the PDA will still be known tomorrow.

For all the celebrity wannabes, millions of pesos in cash and prizes are at stake in the said reality TV shows, plus the grandeur of becoming a celebrity.

ABS-CBN thanks the Island City Mall, the City Government of Tagbilaran, City PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection, The Peacock Garden, Grand Luis Lodge, Bohol Tropics Resort, Bo's Coffee Club, The Prawn Farm, Nescafe, The Buzzz Café, Jollibee, Dunkin Donuts, Chowking, Allison's Seafoods Park & Restaurant, Yul Fernandez, Ahongs, Coralandia, Bohol Coconut Palms Resort, Bai's, Mayeth Gulles, and Summit Mineral Water for being a part of success of the auditions.

Tita Sol, mao ni imong first post as Langgamtamsi:

Quote from: LAnggamTamsi on October 30, 2007, 09:05:41 AM
ayee nibasa pod ko.. duha na mangingilad HAHAHAHHAHA

Then, sa imong second account na Langgamtamsi2:

http://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?action=post;topic=9578.msg94289;quote=94289;sesc=01acba62019da13a12a3be8b51e462ad

Quote from: LanggamTamsi2 on February 18, 2008, 09:26:11 AM
Hello agnes si tita langgam tamsi ni whoaaaaaaa nakalimot ko sa akong PW mao nga niregistered kog balik huhuhuhu.. Ako ni oy mga higala sa tubagbohol musta namo.

-your 'day grazie 

Quote from: Lorenzo on April 18, 2009, 03:43:44 AM
'te, next time, when we go back to Phils pohon, we can race from Maasin to Bohol on a banka.

Hahaha!

hahaha! i would love that.

- Ginger

From Cebu Pacific News Bulletin

Fly for only P2,999 to Incheon, Busan and Osaka!

We're very excited to offer a promotional P2,999 one-way fare to Korea and Osaka, Japan starting now until April 23, 2009. This gives you as much as 70 percent in savings from current fares from other airlines!

The seat sale is valid for travel from June 1 to July 31, 2009 for the Manila-Osaka route and June 1 to September 30, 2009 for the flights to Korea.

Promotional fares are non-refundable. Fare is exclusive of applicable government taxes.

We have daily flights from both Manila and Cebu to Incheon (Seoul) and twice weekly flights (Tuesday and Sunday) from Cebu to Gimhae, Busan. We also offer thrice weekly flights (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday) from Manila to Osaka.

After the sale, our lowest year-round 'Go Lite' fare to Korea starts at only P4,999 one-way, that's 60% lower than those offered by other airlines!

Passengers traveling to Korea with no check-in baggage get a P200 discount from the fare. 

By Chris Hogg

A Chinese woman who turned her beauty business into a multi-million dollar property empire could be executed after being put on trial for financial fraud.

Wu Ying, 28, who comes from a family of poor farmers, has pleaded not guilty to charges that she ran a pyramid scheme.

She is accused of defrauding investors of $57m (£38m) by promising returns of up to 10% but failing to invest their money properly, state media reports.

Her story has attracted much attention in China since her arrest in 2007.

Wu Ying was born in the countryside south of Shanghai. She quit an accountancy course while still in her teens to manage a foot massage parlour and beauty salon.

She first attracted attention three years ago when she registered a company whose interests included hotels, department stores and dry cleaning chains.

The company was said to be worth $500m - a figure that would have made her the sixth richest woman in China at the time, but no-one knew where the money had come from.

Rags-to-riches-to-jail

Soon the authorities took notice and arrested her. Now they are accusing her of promising high returns to 148 investors, but actually using the money for herself, repaying loans, buying real estate and vehicles, and running her business.

The young entrepreneur denies that she was running a pyramid scheme.

She insists she borrowed money from 11 friends and did not know what they had told others who had lent to them.

She claims if she had not been arrested she would have made enough to pay everyone back what they were owed.

julius, email your picture to ginger@tubagbohol.com

An early dawn fire on Good Friday razed some 22 establishments along the road leading to the port in Ubay town.

No casualty was reported but unconfirmed report reaching the Chronicle revealed that a spice vendor was intensely apprehensive upon waking up at the height of the blaze and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Don Emillio del Valle Hospital.

The victim, identified as Yuyen Pardillo, more than 50 yrs old, married, was sleeping inside her store at the public market, 100 meters away, more or less, from the fire scene.

The local fire station received the alarm at about 3:45 a.m. and quenched the fire at about 5 a.m., said SFO1 Alexis Asas. Seven fire stations from the different municipalities and a fire track from the Alturas Group of Companies responded.         

The fire allegedly started from a store selling fishing needs owned by Bryan Longos, located just off the lighthouse and fronting PPA passenger terminal building.

One Allan Avergonzado, 35, married and cousin of the store owner recounted that shortly after 3 a.m. he noticed thick smoke emanating from a room where an electrical outlet, accordingly, short circuited. That he was able to seek assistance after breaking open the main door a few minutes later.

Bohol Fire Martial Nunilo Asero initially placed the damage at P3 million.

Owners of the gutted establishments include Gerry Rabago, Bryan Lungos, Raul Ibañez, Clara Dalquez, Jackielyn Dalquez, Juliet Perez, Estilita Ceniza, Jone Perez, Charlie Balani, Marites Valleser, Rodora Uy, Nelson Boyles, Orbana Boyles, Agnes Abayabay, Francisco Dupalco, Carmilina Mabalatan, Dolores Mugo, LoveliaH Beronilia, Wowie Betonio, Nene Boyles, Arnel Longos, and Virginia Flores. - The Bohol ChronicleFire

Two lawyers expressed their strong condemnation of a city council resolution declaring broadcaster Kagawad Roberto "Batchoy" Alba a persona non grata for the radioman's alleged critical statements against officials of the Catholic Church here.

Lawyers Victor de la Serna and Salvador Grupo however view the council resolution as an act of harassment on press freedom.

According to De la Serna, the city council has "no business interfering" on Alba's commentary arising from complaints of parishioners and residents of Dauis.

Grupo agrees with De la Serna saying the resolution passed by the SP "has no legal force and effect, [as it is] merely an expression of opinion".         

The former provincial prosecutor added that the resolution "will not deprive [Alba] the exercise of his basic constitutional rights as a citizen and as a parishioner".

"Alba did not even criticize the Catholic religion, he merely listened to the complaints raised by a certain Flora Loquellano, said to be a spokesman of the project oppositors in Dauis," De la Serna stressed.

"The doctrine on separation of the church and the state is not even an issue here. This resolution has no relevance at all as far as the situation is concerned," De la Serna explained.

LOOSE INTERPRETATION

De la Serna and Grupo said the term "persona non grata" is being utilized loosely for a certain purpose or whatever reason.

"The term has a specialized meaning and application in diplomacy or international relations which refers to a person who is not acceptable by the government issuing the order, and generally applies to diplomats," Grupo explained.

"A person so declared is stripped of his diplomatic privileges and usually sent back to his country of origin or barred from entering a country issuing the order," he said.

In the case of Alba however, the SP resolution is a prerogative of the legislative body.

Thus, Alba or his sympathizers can also declare the councilors "personas non grata".

The two lawyers are dismayed that the exercise of the privilege "is abused and made an instrument of harassment, defamation and gross injustice." - The Bohol Chronicle

What? A film with no dialogue? And for international release at that - for free?

Gogol Lobmayr, a renowned filmmaker, director, cameraman and producer who has piled up 30 years of experience in the art has done it before, and he is doing it again for nature shots in the Philippines - Bohol included.

His Fascinating Nature trilogy: The Most Spectacular Landscapes in the World; Colours of Earth; and Seven Seasons that became bestsellers and are now available in DVDs have the Lobmayr master stroke - no dialogues, not even narratives - but only the accompaniment of special original composed music of Michael Hofman de Boer, he told Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado and the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chaired by Peter Dejaresco during a meeting at the Bohol Bee Farm in Dao, Dauis town.

To say that the native Bavarian adores the beauty of nature is an understatement. He loves nature and have made it the subject of his films that have no narratives.         

"These [narratives] are just 'intrusive'. In the end, the viewer will recall only a little of the film. On the other hand, narrative-less films will engulf, awe, mesmerize, enthrall and captivate the viewers," he explained. - The Bohol Chronicle

Tagbilaran City lawmakers belonging to the minority bloc continue to keep a close watch on all budgetary requests at the Sangguniang Panlungsod following the pending issue of the P6.2 million unliquidated cash advances of ranking city hall officials including the city mayor, and several other queries on huge increase in this year's budget as compared to last year.

The budget for last year was P258,238,389 as compared to this year's budget of P337,052,121.

Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, SP presiding officer told the Chronicle last Friday that a budgetary request coming from the office of the city mayor quoted a P53.4 million supplemental budget which was endorsed by the committee on appropriations and accounts chaired by Kag. Oscar Glovasa.       

The request came through a letter of the city mayor requesting the amount of P53,400,000 which was requested to be treated as a "special order of the day."

The said amount, according to the letter request will be used for the following: P2 million for the payment of loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines; P500,000 for fiberglass bat for bantay Dagat sea patrol; P250,000 for tents; P300,000 for fiberglass basketball goals, P350,000 for risograph machine and P50,000,000 for the rehabilitation/concreting/asphalting of city and barangay roads. - The Bohol Chronicle

The clicking of dozens of news cameras drowned out the sobs of the 13-year-old girl, but her face explained what was happening in the departure hall of Japan's Narita International Airport.

Noriko Calderon, wearing her school uniform, was being forced to make one of the most wrenching choices of her young life: To stay in the country of her birth rather than join her parents being deported to the Philippines.

The scene was the emotional climax to a story a decade and a half in the making -- one that has tugged at heartstrings in Japan, but ultimately failed to sway to an unyielding bureaucracy that activists say violates human rights.

More details at http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/13/japan.philippines.calderon/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

The global economic slowdown won’t stop Indian business process outsourcing (BPO) companies from expanding here, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Rajeet Mitter said recently.

“The BPO sector is booming. Despite the crisis, we are still expanding,” the Indian diplomat said in an interview during the visit of Indian Navy’s largest ship, the INS Jyoti, which left the country over the weekend.

The ambassador echoed various financial analysts and said with its healthy finances, the Philippines remains a good investment site for Indian companies.

“The Philippine economy is doing well. A lot of economies are having negative growth, the Philippines is having a positive growth even with this recession,” Mitter said.

“This is the perfect time for us to get together more closely and explore more the opportunities,” he said.

Mitter said 20 Indian BPO companies continue to operate in the country even with the crisis, among them Infosys, Wipro Technologies (Western India Products Limited), and the Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS).

“They are all doing well. I don’t expect any downturn (in their investments),” he said. - PDI

Filipinos planning to travel to Thailand have been advised to postpone their plans because of the ongoing political turmoil in that country.

In a travel advisory, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “In view of Thailand’s declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, it is urged that non-essential and non-urgent travels to Thailand be postponed until the current political tensions subside.”

At the same time, the DFA advised Filipinos already in Thailand to take precautions and to avoid public places where rallies could take place.

According to the DFA, there are an estimated 10,000 Filipinos in Thailand, most of them expatriates or married to Thais. - PDI

The local stock market performed better than most bourses in Southeast Asia in the first quarter despite a lingering global financial turmoil.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index, the main index barometer of overall stock market performance, gained 6.05 percent during the first three months to close at 1,986.22.

Except for the Jakarta Composite index which closed higher by 5.8 percent in the same period, the rest of the region sustained losses.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite index slipped 0.48 percent while the Straits Times Index of Singapore fell 3.5 percent in the first quarter.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index declined 4.1 percent while the Vietnam Stock Index plunged 11.07 percent.

"We are not spared from the wrath of the contagion yet our strong fundamentals have kept our heads above-water where others have sunk in the recession whirlpool," PSE president and chief executive officer Francis Lim said in a press statement.

In March alone, the PSEi went up by 6.09 percent, its biggest month-on-month gain in almost a year-and-a-half.

At the close of trades yesterday, the PSEi’s closing level of 2,043.20 reflected a year-to-date growth of the index by 9.1 percent. - PDI

Erap's Possible List of Senators in 2010

* Senate Pro-Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada;

* Lawyer Adel Tamano, spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO);

* Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez;

* Gina De Venecia, wife of former House speaker and Pangasinan Rep. Jose De Venecia Jr.;

* Former senator Agapito “Butch" Aquino;

* Former senator Sergio Osmeña;

* Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño;

* Broadcaster Ted Failon; and

* Former military Gen. Danny Lim

source: GMA News

After staying in the Top 10 for a couple of weeks, Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao has slipped to 26th in the ongoing online voting for TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list.

As of Monday afternoon, Pacquiao has garnered a whopping 10,994, 215 in total votes â€" the second highest among the 203 finalists â€" but with a relatively low average rating of 19.

The pound for pound kingpin, who reached as high as 6th place early in the voting, has been overtaken by NBA star Kobe Bryant as the highest-ranking sports personality in the list. Bryant now occupies ninth with 1, 269,103 total votes but a high average rating of 36th.

TIME’s annual 100 list aims to see how the world's leading personalities in government, science, technology and the arts stack up against one another.

The respected magazine has named 203 candidates for its 2009 roster and Pacquiao was the only one from the Philippines and the sport of boxing to make it to the list of finalists.

TIME has recognized Pacquiao’s stunning demolition of Oscar De La Hoya last year and how he makes the entire Philippines stop â€" and the crime rate down â€" every time he fights. Pacquiao’s downside, according to TIME, has been his planned entry into politics, a move that displeases lots of fans. - GMA News

Tubag Bohol will celebrate its second founding anniversary on April 22, 2009. May the Lord continue to bless our friendship now and in the years to come.

God bless us all!

P.S. Feel free to share your insights how we can improve our website.

Two lawmakers walked out from the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod last Wednesday in protest over the insistence to pass a resolution declaring broadcaster Kagawad Roberto "Bartchoy" Alba a persona non grata by the Majority group of the city law making body (puppets).

The issue stemmed from Alba's alleged verbal attacks against the church regarding the project at the Dauis church with philantrophist Bea Zobel during the popular program "Pulso," over dyRD last April 3. The lawmakers identified with the majority bloc claimed in their resolution that Alba went "beyond bounds of decency and respect for the authority of the church and its inviolable personality as a separate institution."

Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso and Kagawad Djingo Rama walked out from the session as they branded the move as a product of "blind political loyalty" to whoever was behind such action of the lawmakers.

The vice mayor relinquished as presiding officer and turned over the management of the session to Majority Leader Kagawad Edgar Bompat.

In vacating his chair during that session, Veloso said he does not want to be party of such act which is a by-product of a highly politicized stand in denouncing Alba who is a known critic to the city administration.

Veloso likewise said it was surprising why the majority bloc wanted the resolution "rammed into their throats" even without giving the broadcaster time to explain his side on the issue.

Thirdly, Veloso stressed that he could not state his stand since he did not hear that particular program "Pulso" last April 3, which was aired at the same time when the lawmakers were in session.

The international community is showing hypocrisy by suddenly focusing on Somali piracy because of the capture of one American, a regional maritime group said on Saturday.

Sea gangs from the lawless Horn of Africa nation grabbed world headlines this week when they briefly hijacked the US freighter Maersk Alabama. Its 20 crew retook control, but the gunmen took Capt. Richard Phillips hostage on a lifeboat.

The global media have tracked in great detail each twist and turn of the drama as it unfolds, including a failed attempt to swim to safety by the former Boston taxi driver.

But Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program said it was a pity similar attention was not paid to the nearly 250 other hostagesâ€"all from poorer nationsâ€"currently being held by other Somali pirates.

The biggest nationality represented, at 92, is Filipino.

“The media and the international community at large [are] just demonstrating [their] hypocrisy,” Mwangura said in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, where the 17,000-ton Alabama arrived on Saturday.

“Journalists have flooded here from all over the world because of one American captain. What about all the others, from Bangladesh, from Pakistan, from the Philippines, some of whom have been held now for months?” - Philippine Daily Inquirer

Manny Pacquiao’s bombs will have little difficulty finding its target on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“Ricky Hatton’s defensive skills are too weak,” trainer Freddie Roach told Telegraph.co.uk. “He’s too easy to hit. And he’s had problems particularly with southpaws.”

Roach said Hatton’s weakness in defense is one of the reasons why he believes Pacquiao will take out the British “Hitman” within three rounds of their scheduled bout in Las Vegas.

Roach, who accurately foresaw David Diaz’s knockout in the ninth round when he tangled with the Filipino superstar at 130 pounds, also thinks that the Pacquiao-Hatton duel for the Briton’s lightly regarded International Boxing Organization junior welterweight crown will be action-packed from start to finish.

“I think it’s going to be the best three rounds you’ve ever seen,” Roach told TheSun.co.uk during the megabuck’s bout press conference in Hollywood on Monday. “It’s going to be short and sweet.” - Roy Luarca, PDI

The captain of a US container ship taken hostage by Somali pirates has been released, the US Navy has said.

Three pirates are reported to have been killed in the operation to free Captain Richard Phillips, who had been held in a lifeboat for several days.

Capt Phillips is said to be unhurt and aboard the USS Bainbridge, a warship sent to track the pirates holding him.

He was taken hostage after pirates briefly hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday.

On Friday he failed in an attempt to swim free.

An unnamed US official told the Associated Press news agency that Capt Phillips was freed in what appeared to be a swift firefight.

Reports say he jumped overboard for a second time, and the pirates were shot and killed before they could take action to get him back.

US forces apparently took advantage of the fact one of the pirates was negotiating on the USS Bainbridge when the incident happened.

Somali elders had been trying to resolve the standoff but most recent reports had suggested the talks had stalled. - BBC

By Miko L. Morelos
Philippine Daily Inquirer

There is a Filipino in every country in the world.

This fact, often treated as a joke, has actually been established by the Philippine Migration and Development Statistical Almanac of the Institute of Migration and Development Issues (IMDI).

“There are 239 countries identified to have Filipinos,” said IMDI executive director Jeremaiah Opiniano, writing in the foreword to the report.

Of this total, 209 are members of the United Nations, while 30 are non-members, including islands and territories unfamiliar to many Filipinos.

“Filipinos go to these countries as temporary migrants, permanent migrants and undocumented or irregular migrants,” the report said.

The almanac was published last year by the IMDI, a non-government organization concerned with migration issues, to document the total number of Filipinos who have gone overseas, whether they left temporarily or permanently, and with or without proper documents.

According to Opiniano, the almanac used data from administrative sources, surveys and selected quantitative studies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7A32wjy8v4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6gslHGQs8

The most-anticipated fight of the year... Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton on HBO Trailer

By William Kates
Associated Press

The man who police say killed 13 people in a shooting rampage inside an immigrant community center was depressed and angry over losing his job and about his poor English skills, the Binghamton mayor and police said Saturday.

Police Chief Joseph Zikuski told NBC's "Today" that people "degraded and disrespected" the gunman over his poor English. Mayor Matthew Ryan, speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," said the man, believed to be 42-year-old Vietnamese immigrant Jiverly Voong, was angry about his language issues and his lack of employment.

On Friday, he barricaded the American Civic Association community center's back door with his car, walked in the front and started shooting with two handguns. Within minutes, a receptionist, 12 immigrants taking a citizenship class and the gunman were dead. Another receptionist, who played dead after she was shot in the abdomen, called 911 to get police to the scene within two minutes.

Zikuski said the injured receptionist stayed on the phone for 90 minutes, "feeding us information constantly," despite a serious wound in the abdomen.

"She's a hero in her own right," he said.

By Irene Sino Cruz
Inquirer Visayas

Convergys Corp., a business process outsourcing company, has opened its third facility at the Asiatown IT Park here and is now looking for people.

Jose Manuel T. Castillo, Convergys Corp. sourcing manager, said the firm’s new contact center at i3 building will accommodate 1,000 employees.

Castillo said the company decided to open another facility in Cebu, which is considered the outsourcing hub in the Visayas, because of the presence of talented and skilled manpower base in the city.

He noted that the presence of good universities here has also helped ensure there would be enough manpower to meet the growing demand from the BPO industry.

Castillo stressed that Cebu has the workers with qualifications, including English skills, intelligence and patience, needed by the BPOs.

He also explained that the global economic slowdown has minimal impact on the company’s operations.

By Felipe V. Celino
Inquirer Visayas

ROXAS CITY, Philippines -- A 13-year-old girl from Dumarao town in Capiz claims her father and two older brothers have been sexually abusing for years, according to a local welfare officer and the police.

Nene (not her real name) narrated to Phoebe Gagula, the town's social welfare and development officer, that her father, who is 50 years old, has been raping her since she was nine years old.

She added that her two older brothers, aged 20 and 18, have also been molesting her repeatedly, Gacula said.

The victim and her family live in a remote village, 20 kilometers from the town center.

Nene told social workers that her father and brothers would sometimes bring her to the banana plantation near their home, tie her hands and take turns in molesting her.

She said her father and brothers would molest her whenever her mother went away on errands.

She said she told her mother about the abuses but she refused to believe her and even scolded her.

A forwarded email reposted here...

Incident One:   A little boy died because surgeons found ants in his brain! Apparently this boy fell asleep with some sweets in his mouth or with some sweet stuff beside him.

Ants soon got to him and some ants in fact crawled into his ear which somehow managed to go to his brain. When he woke up, he did not realize that ants had gone to his head.

After that, he constantly complained about itchiness around his face. His mother brought him to a doctor, but the doctor could not figure out what was wrong with him. He took an X-ray of the boy and to his horror; he found a group of live ants in his skull. Since the ants were still alive, the doctor could not operate on him because the ants were constantly moving around. The boy finally died. So please be careful when leaving food stuff near your bed or when eating in bed. This might attract ants. Most importantly,

NEVER you or your child eat sweets before going to bed. You or your child might attract ants while you are asleep.

Incident Two:   Another similar incident happened in a hospital in Taiwan . This man was warded in the hospital and was constantly warned by the nurses not to leave food stuff by his bedside because there were ants about. He did not heed their advice. Ants finally got to him. His family members said that the man constantly complained about headaches. He died and a postmortem or autopsy was done on him. Doctors found a group of live ants in his head. Apparently, the ants had been eating bits of his brain. So friends, better be safe than sorry. Never leave food stuff beside your bed you when you go to sleep.   

Forwarded email from a friend...

  God provides all of our needs, and is always with us as well.  For when we are afraid: THE NAME OF THE LORD IS A STRONG TOWER; THE RIGHTEOUS RUN TO IT AND
  ARE SAFE.  ( PROVERBS 18:10 )

   When we are broken hearted: HE HEALS THE BROKEN HEARTED AND BINDS UP THEIR WOUNDS. ( PSALM 147:3)  For THE LORD IS NEAR TO THOSE WHO HAVE A
  BROKEN HEART.  ( PSALM 34:18 )

   When we need help because of trouble, know that: THE RIGHTEOUS CRY OUT, AND THE LORD HEARS,  AND DELIVERS THEM OUT OF ALL THEIR TROUBLES.
  ( PSALM 34:17 )  For, THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE; AND HE KNOWS THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM.  ( NAHUM 1:7 )

   Also if you are depressed: CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON THE LORD AND HE WILL SUSTAIN YOU; HE WILL NEVER LET THE RIGHTEOUS FALL. ( PSALM 55:22 )

      Further God showers us with His Love, for GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS OWN LOVE TOWARD US IN THAT  WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR
  US. ( ROMANS 5:8 )  FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT  WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT
  HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. ( JOHN 3:16 )

Remember "Dad at 13"? We're all wrong.

The British teen who claimed that an even younger boy fathered her child has a different story to tell after DNA test results showed young Alfie Patten wasn't the dad.

Chantelle Stedman, 15, said she had only slept with Alfie, age 13. Their story touched off international outrage over the moral standards of parents and their children.

But The Telegraph reported that other boys (reported 8 by other news sources) a few years older than Alfie had come forward saying they too had slept with Chantelle.

Now The Mirror confirms that while they don't know who is little Maisie's dad, it definitely isn't Alfie.
"The result will be a blow to Alfie who was "devastated" by the boys' claims and "adored" Maisie," the newspaper reported. "He was convinced he was the dad after a single night of unprotected sex with Chantelle."

Stedman's daughter Maisie was allegedly conceived when Alfie was 12. Chantelle's parents said they let the lad spend the night with their daughter, who was 14 at the time, at their public housing unit near Eastbourne, 70 miles southeast of London. - source: AOL

A Colombian man has appeared in court accused of imprisoning his daughter and fathering 11 children with her.

Arcedio Alvarez is said to have abused his daughter, now in her 30s, since she was nine years old.

The case has shocked Colombia, and the 59-year-old needed police and army protection for his court appearance.

Mr Alvarez, who the press have dubbed the "monster of Mariquita" after the area he comes from, denies incest and rape, saying his daughter was adopted. - BBC

An electronic spy network, based mainly in China, has infiltrated computers from government offices around the world, Canadian researchers say.

They said the network had infiltrated 1,295 computers in 103 countries.

They included computers belonging to foreign ministries and embassies and those linked with the Dalai Lama - Tibet's spiritual leader.

There is no conclusive evidence China's government was behind it, researchers say. Beijing also denied involvement.

The report comes after a 10-month investigation by the Information Warfare Monitor (IWM), which comprises researchers from Ottawa-based think tank SecDev Group and the University of Toronto's Munk Centre for International Studies.

They were acting on a request from the Tibetan spiritual leader's office to check whether the computers of his Tibetan exile network had been infiltrated.

Researchers found that ministries of foreign affairs of Iran, Bangladesh, Latvia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Barbados and Bhutan appear to had been targeted.

Hacked systems were also discovered in the embassies of India, South Korea, Indonesia, Romania, Cyprus, Malta, Thailand, Taiwan, Portugal, Germany and Pakistan. - BBC

Happy Birthday Grace. I just read this birthday greetings post. Give thanks to the Lord God in heaven for what He has done to your life.

God bless you always, Grace.

- Mike