MikeLigalig.com

Today, I went to my college mail box and was excited to see a package from the University of Windsor, received an acceptance letter for admission to the University of Windsor's Schulich School of Medicine for Fall 2008
I was accepted to their 5 year M.D/M.P.H program. What struck me jud was I finished my novena several weeks back and what was included in my petition was to be given acceptance to other medical schools. I cannot explain into words how happy my heart feels right now. Truly, the Lord is Great. 

Mao lagi, Ate Ging. I'll stay a student and learn from the teachers.
Bitaw, there will be a time where I will ostracize myself from TB (starting this august 2008).
Pero, i will try my best to log on to YM to say hi to you guys from time to time, ha? that or ill send you a card

I am Roman Catholic, Juls

I would like to say that I am a reborn Catholic. I was baptized into the faith, my interest in the faith wasn't as strong as it should have been during my adolescent years, but as I began my college career, I re-confirmed my Catholic faith through bible studies, as well as reading the bible and orienting myself towards the sacraments. When I was separated from my family when I started college, the emptiness that I felt was filled with evangelized faith.

I truly believe that we all find our communion with God, there is a special time for everyone. You know it when it occurs. It is instinctive.

To admit, Juls, I cannot deny that I have had thoughts about the priesthood. I have asked the Lord to cleanse me of those thoughts, as I do not think I can make such a total sacrifice. It is a weight that I cannot bear, and it is a thought that I dread, as I am unworthy to wear the cloth of a priest.

I had friends in high school, though, who I never thought would go into the priesthood, but they are now minor seminarians. What a weight they must bear on their shoulders.

I am not qualified for that
I will pass and instead I recommend Mr. Jun Ayag for that, as he is one who has the credentials. His name precedes him.

Hi Juls! Good afternoon!

Bitaw, one of the things I need to work on is my anger jud. I too am guilty of saying things that are too harsh, and really don't mean it, but the spur of the moment inclines me to the act. I too linger on regret for saying such things.

One of the best things that I thank the Lord jud is my conscience, and I try my best to repent for my sins. I have visited his house in the middle of the night just to pray and ask for guidance; and you know what? It is in the silence and in the dark that I can feel him. I go to visit church whenever I feel lonely or sad, and whenever i am by myself at night in church, I can feel a sense of fulfilling. You know when you feel happy or content after a prayer?

What really inspired me the most jud was one time when i went to church visit at night several years back; and another student visited church 5 minutes after i arrived. Its very comforting to know that there are also others who are called to do the same things, or visit HIM at the night.

Again, Thank you Juls.

Bless you !

I recommend Hazel for global admin, as well as Ate Belle and Ate Ging. I know that the said ladies will do the best because they're intelligent and honest individuals who have shown kindness to members of Tubag Bohol, yet lay down the law if necessary. They are one of the role models; they illustrate a true Boholano: Soft pero Isug jud if necessary. Mabuhay ang Tubag Boholanos!

I'm fine being a mod, I won't have time in the coming months; as I will be dedicating most of my time to medical studies.


My deepest regards,

Those are beautiful verses, Juls.

You know whenever I am in despair because of the overbearing burden of my work, or whenever there is a problem at home, I will always give time to read the psalms and the proverbs, as a way to release my anguish and my stress to the Lord. Each proverb, each psalm has a story for us in our life, and each has a lesson for us to follow, which correlates to the problems we have in life.

Ako, I try to read the psalms if time permits, and it is truly soothing. Some of the psalms are so beautifully written that I even cry just reading it. My favorite one for example is Psalm 17, and this one excerpt gives me strength for my daily struggles, "I have kept the way of the law, my steps have kept to your paths; my feet have not faltered; I call upon you, o answer me, O God. Turn your ear to me, hear my prayer, show me your wonderful love. You who deliver with your right arm those who seek refuge from their foes; keep me as the apple of your eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the violence of the wicked. Let me see your face; when I awake, let me be filled with your presence."

Thanks for sharing, Juls

A beautiful song, which we sang last night in mass.
Yesterday was also the Feast Day of St. Blaze.

Blessings unto you all,

http://youtube.com/watch?v=juVNbDoz4Ig&feature=related

Matthew 6:33
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you."


The Lyrics:

                        Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
                        And His righteousness
                        And all these things shall be added unto you
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

                        Man shall not live by bread alone
                        But by every word
                        That proceeds from the mouth of God
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

                        Ask and it shall be given unto you
                        Seek and ye shall find
                        Knock and the door shall be opened unto you
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

                        If the Son shall set you free
                        Ye shall be free indeed
                        Ye shall know the truth, and it shall set you free
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

                        Let your light so shine before men that they may see
                        Your good works and glorify
                        Your Father in heaven
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

                        Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
                        He shall direct thy paths
                        In all thy ways acknowledge Him
                        Hallelu, Hallelujah!

Mr Ferniz, so this baybayin script is influenced by Indian traders or was it influenced by Malays from the Javanese central plain? Did this language script arrive to the Philippines as we migrated and settled the islands from Java or did it arrive as a result of Indian and Arab traders?

Hey Garlic!

Welcome to our Boholano Marinade!
Keep the spice of life high!

Quote from: Ginger on February 04, 2008, 06:00:36 AM


trying to have a cup of coffee after church.

What is that in your hand? Hmmmmm

My mind is filled with mixed feelings, Mr Ferniz.

One is the respect and awe of the Pax Hispanica that transformed our country by linking us to the Western World, yet there is a lingering contempt for the Spaniards, for denying our people of our native culture. This writing system, to me, is very beautiful--and I personally never knew about its very existence in my studies of Philippine History, nor was it ever included in the Spanish almanacs that were written on the Philippines that I studied in History classes. It is as if they deliberately wanted to bar its inclusion in historical records.

Truly, it is true when people say, 'you learn something new every day'. I concur with that statement, my deepest gratitude extends to you, Mr Ferniz, for sharing this incredible piece of history.

That I never knew before.

Again, my obeisance,
Bran Lorenzo

Mr. Ferniz,

Salamat Kaayo for the link, I'll begin studying this beautiful and historic writing system.

What  strikes me is that how very similar the Bisayan script is to our Malay brothers of Java, one can see that it is almost identical. The following is the Huruf Jawa, the ancient writing script of the Malay people in Java, Sumatra:



and compare that to the Filipino style:



It sends chills down my spine.

Again, salamat kaayo, Mr. Ferniz


My obeisance,
Bran Lorenzo

How would we change this system, Mr Ayag? Do we need a revolution?  I personally feel completely aloof with the situation at hand in the Philippines. The challenges that lay before us, indeed, are magnanimous. I can only pray that someone will rise from the masses to take hold and change this nation.

Were art thou, o brilliant and pious politicians? Rise up, rise up, and usher forth fresh air to this, our precious Republic. Surely there must be a Rizal, Quezon, Aguinaldo, Del Pilar, Bonifacio, Mabini within our midsts. Land of noble heroes, hide not thy brave Sons and Daughters.

I know how you feel, 'te. Me and 8 of my buddies were pretty shocked after the game. Hahaha you could feel our testosterone yo, in the last 29 seconds of that game, the entire room where we  were at was completely quiet, LOL. Dont worry, there is always next season.

Keep on fighting and keep on pushing forward, Pats!

I still LOVE mah boys.

It was an unbelievable game, I just got back home from watching the game with my boys, yea it was a shock for all of us. Well mostly because we were all Patriots fans, LOL. But I gotta say, the Giants stepped up in this game, it was a great win, good job underdogs. It was a well fought victory, I give you guys that.

As for the Patriots, ah we can't win them all

Theres always next season.


GO PATRIOTS!!!

Hmm, this will be interesting when Don and Tom play this game. Those guys are keggers raba

no no i can't ever get drunk, 'te.

hahaha, im actually just very happy karoon

how was church, 'te?

Quote from: Ginger on February 04, 2008, 05:38:30 AM
I'll have your shirt then so you'll be half-naked.

ngeks! na sobrahan na ni..

hahahahahahaha! Ana, ill scare everyone away kai balhibo-on raba ko, 'te.
roflmao!

Quote from: ms da binsi on February 04, 2008, 05:37:01 AM
tua na namunga na ang PRE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS  sa 24 hrs...

hahhahaha

i am preparing for the  superbowl too Dodong!

did u get my voicemail?

yes! i actually woke up to that hahahahahaha! thanks kaayo 'te, and btw, thanks kaayo for the MVs!

@ Hazel,




+



=




LOL!!

Quote from: Ginger on February 04, 2008, 05:36:00 AM
I'll accept the challenge, Dong.

Ipalayo ang sweater.

Hahaha jati pood ni, what if I loose? LOL!
Unsa'y punishment for loosing and reward for winning?

Somewhat, I'm actually multitasking, LOL. Typing a paper, TB-ing, preparing for the super bowl and listening to music. hahaha

Oh i wont, I can't.

Dako ra ahong lawas, Hazel. Im a big man Di man ko intawn tooth pick.

Do we have an inum challenge?

Ewwwww!

You know what's weird, some one sick will probably buy the feces art-work.

Thats just disgusting to think about.

The benefits of sex?

Excessive happiness

Thats what immediately comes to mind.
That and something else, of course.

Quote from: C2H4 on February 04, 2008, 05:23:34 AM
Dong, basta raba maka inom ug wine ni si Ginger kay

mokanta dayon ni'g

"loosen up my buttons babe"

hehehehehe

Ah mao ba? LOL
waahahahahaha i can actually see that.

Mo prepare lang ko ug 2nd pair of sweaters, kai we will never know baya

Diba, hazel? LOL

Quote from: Ginger on February 04, 2008, 05:21:31 AM
Dong, what kind of wine? hahaha

Joseph Drouhin Pouilly Fuisse, my favorite brand of Chardonnay.
I had 3 glasses last night, 'te

Mao gyud, Spider. I agree with you 100% on that.

bahala pood nang fecha dos crusade

***Starts eating lechon and diniguan and luto***



LOL

love you 'te

PS. Wine?

hahaha wa na yamo, 'te. Gi kaon na nako tanan

Gutom man gud ta diri uy.

Hahahahaha! Sige mo vodkaoke ta pohon. LOL!

7 feet across?

What a regal bird! Thats bigger than the Golden or the Bald Eagle!

The Philippine Eagle, such a beautiful bird


The Philippine Eagle

haha dili uy, ate they forced me to sing a song.

god my awful voice must have scared them away

***BEAR HUGS Ethylene****

Where have you been uy!!!

hahaha withdrawal syndrome!

Its okay ra man kai ill be too busy with this cartera.

He was worse than Marcos, 'te.

His policies were brutal, he had over 200,000 political dissidents executed by a mere nodd of his head. With his hand, he crushed the rebellion in Irian Jaya, and single handedly wiped out the insurrectionists in Sumatra as well as in Balimbang. Like Marcos, he was removed from government by a pro-democracy movement, and like Marcos, even after his absence from political life, his name, like Marcos, still brings many  contemporaries to fear. The word 'Suharto' sends cold chills down the spines of politicians in Jakarta. Despite this, most of his laws and edicts are still in use in Indonesia, only few were revoked, such as the military role in politics.

Even in our own Philippines, the same laws that Marcos proclaimed into action are still enforced, that is the legacy of Marcos. Marcos, like Suharto, had a dream of a unified nation and in their minds, it was through swift force, and through a legalism concept that laws were to be followed.

Suharto is hated, yet he is loved. He represented the worst and the best of the Indonesian.
The same way as Marcos is to the Filipino.

Bitaw, Ate, Suharto was indeed corrupt. Perhaps it is better than these so called dictators are no longer in the political life.

Usually, the study groups we have are massage-oriented. After 3-4 hours of review, we all massage each other. Feels so good. Then we go back to studying again.

hahaha, I love it 'te Belle! Salamat kaayo

Brilliantly said, Ate Belle.

All you said is absolutely true, about the situation of job outsourcing, and the unsatiable consumerism of this country. We give, and we spend too much, as a nation.

With this job outsourcing phenomenon occurring, we cannot deny that this is all following the larger scheme of capitalism. The American employers see it more profitable to hire Indians, Chinese, Taiwanese, etc instead of Americans due to the decreased wage those people demand; as well as the absence of the Union system in those countries, which is present here in the United States. Partial blame can be placed on our own large companies for outsourcing to foreigners, and denying the jobs to our own American citizenry. But then again, it makes sense in an economic and capitalistic point of view. Very confusing no?
I guess the only way to stop this situation is if we placed a president in the white house with a more protectionist agenda when it comes to American foreign and domestic policy; economic as well as political.

Mao bitaw, Ate Belle. This country, as powerful and lethal as it can be, has truly abided with the humane agenda to the best of its ability given the circumstances in fighting a constant religious-based insurrection in Iraq. As well as countries that this country considers 'hostile' or a 'threat' to American interests.

Ate belle, you pointed out absolutely credible points jud. I agree, I agree jud.

One thing,  I am glad that the United States has stuck to is its promise and pledge to defend and protect the Philippines from all foreign aggressors since its independence in 1946. Since then, the American government has abided with its strategic military alliance with the Philippines. No nation, has ever touched our soil since then. Thank God for the nuclear umbrella that is the US Armed Forces that covers the Philippines.

China

by DJ Mystik

[mp3tube]ae0605b23a10be39e28eccb06e61271a[/mp3tube]

Great dance tune

French Vanilla is my friend, especially during  my 9 and 10 AM classes.

When there is some background noise; not loud or metallic noise, but some kind of jazz or classical song playing.

I'm a progressive learner type; I read and read until I have something memorized. Afterwards, I make up games that stimulate learning the subject. Usually, I work with other people and hold study groups. If ever I have difficulty on something, I ask two or more people to explain it to me. Im a listener and a writer learner.

Sweet

Memorial to His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the heir of St. Peter, and the guide of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. The song that plays in the background is Era's "Ameno" which is sung in Latin and compliments the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfhsGph9YTg

For the time being, please try to practice the pronunciation of Spanish consonants. The following is a poem that should be perfect for students. Try reading this poem over and over again, try to develop the accent, which I will provide through a video. Practice, practice, and practice some more; I assure all of you, you will develop the Hispanidad in no time


No me preguntes si te amo,
porque esa pregunta me ofende,
si pudiera colocar moneda sobre moneda
para hacer una torre de todo lo que siento,
créeme llegaría hasta el cielo.

Te amo mujer,
amo tu historia,
amo tu vida,
y amo tu paz,
inclusive me gusta verte estornudar,
tu manía de tocarte el cabello,
tu nerviosismo cuando beso tu cuello.

A pesar de que estés lejos,
lo que siento aquí dentro crece y crece,
que a veces me asusta el pensar
donde voy a poner tanto amor,
cuando ya no me quepa en el pecho.

No importa que te mudes a otra galaxia,
tu siempre estas aquí,
y sobra decir que yo vivo en un mundo dentro de ti.

Porque por más lejos que estés,
por más preguntas que hagas,
no importa el lugar donde estés,
donde tu vives es aquí       en mi corazón.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxr2CnrcWYY

The Consonants

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2NYhkUhQHg

     C, at least in most of Latin America, is pronounced like the "c" in "cereal" when it comes before an e or an i, and like the "c" in "car" when it is other positions. Examples: complacer, hacer, ácido, carro, acabar, crimen. Note: Although you will be understood if you use the Latin American pronunciation, in parts of Spain the c sounds like the "th" in "thin" when it comes before an e or i.

     CH is pronounced the same as the "ch" in "church." Examples: chico, machismo, Chile.

     F is pronounced like the "f" in "fox." Examples: eficaz, frío, frenes.

     K has basically the same sound in Spanish, although somewhat softer. It is found primarily in words of foreign origin. Examples: kilómetro, Irak.

     M is pronounced like the "m" in "mother." Examples: madre, música, embajada.

     P is pronounced like the "p" in "spot." Note that the "p" in "spot" is softer and less explosive than the "p" in "pot." Examples: papas, padre, suponer.

     Q is pronounced the same as the k. Note that the u following a q is not pronounced. Examples: quetzal, siquiatra, que.

     S is pronounced like the "s" in "simple." You do not give it the "z" sound heard in "wears" and many other English plural words, although it can be slightly voiced (like a soft "z") when it comes before an m, b, d, v, g, l, n or r. Examples: Susana, seres humanos, sencillo, fantasma.

    T is pronounced like the "t" in "stop." Note that the "t" of "stop" is softer and less explosive than the "t" of "top." Examples: todo, yate, temer.

     W is pronounced like the "w" in "water." It is found primarily in words of foreign origin. Examples: kilowatt, Zimbabwe.

     Y is generally pronounced the same as in English.


Difficult Consonants

The differences between the sounds of these consonants and their English counterparts in the following examples. Note also that these pronunciations are a guide only, as there are many subtle variations that can vary with locality.

     B and V are pronounced exactly the same. In fact, one of the few spelling problems that many Spanish speakers have is with these two letters, because they don't distinguish them at all from their sound. Generally, the b and v are pronounced like the "b" in "beach." When either of the letters is between two vowels, the sound is formed kind of like the English "v," except that the sound is made by touching the lips together instead of the upper teeth and lower lip. Examples: bebé, árbol, vaca.

     D generally is pronounced somewhat like the "d" in "diet," although often the tongue touches the bottom of the teeth instead of the top. But when d comes between vowels, it has a much softer sound, kind of like the "th" in "that." Examples: derecho, helado, diablo.

     G is pronounced much like the English "g" in "go," except when it precedes an i or e. In those cases, it is pronounced like the Spanish j. Examples: gordo, gritar, gigante, mágico.

     H is always silent. Examples: hermano, hacer, deshacer.

     J (and the g when before an e or i) can be difficult, as its sound, that of the German ch, is absent in English except for a few foreign words where it is sometimes retained, as in the final sound of loch or the initial sound of Channukah. The sound is sometimes described as a heavily aspirated "h," made by expelling air between the back of the tongue and the soft palate. If you can't pronounce it well, you'll be understood by using the "h" sound of "house," but it's worthwhile to work on the correct pronunciation. Examples: garaje, juego, jardín.

     L is always pronounced like the first "l" in "little," never like the second one. Examples: los, helado, pastel.

     LL is usually pronounced like the "y" in "yellow." There are some regional variations, however. In parts of Spain it has the sound of the "ll" in "million," and in parts of Argentina it has the "zh" sound of "azure." Examples: llama, calle, caballo.

     N usually has the sound of the "n" in "nice." If it is followed by a b, v, f or p, it has the sound of "m" in "empathy." Examples: no, en, en vez de, andar.

     Ã' is pronounced like the "ny" in "canyon." Examples: ñoño, cañón, campaña.

     R and RR are formed by a flap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, or a trill.

     X varies in sound, depending on the origin of the word. It is often pronounced like the "x" in "example" or "exit," but it also may be pronounced like the s or the Spanish j. In words of Mayan origin it can even have the English "sh" sound. Examples: éxito, experiencia, México, Xela.

     Z generally sounds like the "s" in "simple." In Spain it is often pronounced like the "th" in "thin." Examples: zeta, zorro, vez.

Quote from: John on February 01, 2008, 12:11:14 PM
I don't like spanish language but I like spanish eyes.

Blue Spanish Eyes?

lol

[mp3tube]02f9d7f7809ba771d6a285189292cc6d[/mp3tube]

He was a brilliant man, and a savvy politician.

A politician in the truest sense.

Quote from: BlueAngel on February 03, 2008, 07:05:53 AM
aw ehh i thought "yo" is you pod hahaha -"i" diay to?

unsa man.."you"?

si ..si..comprehendo amigo

yo comeremos muchas comedas en la Casa mi compleanos-(grammatically correct bana)?

Yes! Im amazed by your understanding of Spanish, Ms. Blue.
'you' would be regarded as "Tu"

Enjoy

[mp3tube]d1aa1ba991fbad0ac491ffa5e414e8f3[/mp3tube]

hahaha bitaw no?

i love this song

Note, the major investors of these 'hot' economies is the United States. The United States, is the lone influential trading partner with China. Most of China's exports goes to the United States; and it is the United States' that is investing in China. China, in return, has purchased American gold bullion.

As in India, India is prospering due to the job outsourcing. I am furious of this. They are taking American jobs. I have friends who are Computer Engineers, and have been laid off  because there were Indian computer engineers who are willing to get paid 1/5th of the American counterpart.

I see India as the major threat to American economy, not China. China complements and 'answers' the unsatiable consumer demand of the American people. India on the other hand, takes our jobs.

That is an economic impediment to this nation.

China will usurp the United States as the worlds number once consumer, that is a guarantee. China already boasts having a working middle class of 250 million, and a growing portion of its citizenry are progressing. In market trends, the Chinese will be the largest economy in the world within 20 years, at their current growth rate and at the current American growth rate. The United States still remains the world's largest service oriented economy, as in banking systems as well as most of the wealth is owned by the United States, however, our growth is being competed by the growing service oriented economy of India. China remains primarily a manufactorial economy, as in it is completely dependent on the consumer base of the United States as well as Western Europe and the world. China beats all competitors in the sector, by its shear number of workers and by the cheapness of their goods. However, China remains a manufactorial economy. In political and economic terms, it will remain a slave to the consumerism of the capitalists. Unless it switches its focus to service orientation.

In terms of military, both nations-China and the United States are at odds. China boasts having the world's largest land force in the world. Any invasion of China proper would be a direct suicide, as they would easily annihilate any force foolish enough to land on its shores. However, the United State's air force is unmatched in the world. The United States' Imperial Navy is also umatched; the US has over 18 Super carrriers around the world; all of which have nuclear capability and could saturate any country, anywhere in the world within minutes.

If it ever came to a war with the United States and China, the United States's air force would obliterate the Chinese air force from the sky; the Chinese coastal navy would be liquidated within mere weeks when the US Navy scrambled its entire Pacific Naval Corp; which alone is massive in size, that is not including the US atlantic naval corp or the central naval corp.

If it ever came to nuclear, the United States would completely decimate China vis-a-vis nuclear wipeout. The United States, with its nuclear arsenal, has the potential to completely wipe out existance in this very earth 1,000 times over.

We're not talking about hydrogen bombs, or atomic bombs, we're talking thermonuclear. China has the ICBMs that can reach Hawaii or California, but it cannot reach the east coast without its submarines in place. Before the Chinese submarine fleet can even cross the Philippine trench, the US Pacific Naval Corp would have wiped out the entire Chinese naval fleet. Within mere days.

No nation, in this world, has ever won a naval war with the United States.
I mean no offense to say this, but the US owns the world's waters. If she decided to, she could wipe out the world's navies at will.

The United States, as powerful as it is, has truly practiced constraint when it comes to dealing with Iran, Iraq, and China.

Congrats Juls!

Quote from: Brownman on February 03, 2008, 12:57:58 AM
This one is very nice thread, testing ko kung insakto ba ni.

Como Esta Usted - How Are You?

Yes! Correct! And an answer can be:

Yo estoy muy bien : im very well
Yo estoy muy mal : im not well

The key to this is the term 'yo' which is objective first person, and the word 'Estar', which can change to
'estoy, esta, estan, estamas' depending on the subject.

If you are referring to 'we' then you would use 'estamos'
If referring to a person then you would use 'esta, estan'
or
If you are referring to first person objective , you would use 'Estoy'



Spanish is a very easy language to learn.

Quote from: ms da binsi on February 03, 2008, 01:14:45 AM
right Yet! bravissima! ay italian man na!

ah!  muy bien Pepito!

hahahhaha

Dong unsa man ang:

I AM FINE?----

You can say: Yo estoy muy bien; estoy muy bien (I am very well)
or you can say Yo estoy bien (im fine, im good)

or

I would personally say:

Gracias mi amigo, yo estoy muy bien todo, gracias por su preocupación para mi.

Katrina was a wake up call for us.

One of the largest cities of the United States, the World's Mightiest and Wealthiest Hyper power was swallowed by the sea. Flooded. Our channel locks, which was a sophisticated system buckled in the wake of God's natural wrath. It was a wake up call for me that Man truly is nothing. For even our greatest engineering marvels, could not even withstand a Hurricane. Society in New Orleans collapsed. When the flooding occurred, thousands upon thousands broke out, the lawlessness was profound. Municipal government had absolutely no control, and had to call disaster relief efforts from the Federal Government in order to rush in the Military to enforce the rule of law; as well as rescue the millions of citizens that were stuck.

This is New Orleans we are talking about. The 'Pearl of the South', the "Gateway to the American Giant".

This is the United States, the pinnacle of Industrialization, the leader of the Free-World, the nation that could wipe out the world by saturating it with its nuclear weapons, yet it was crippled by a simple hurricane. What it takes man years to complete, God can destroy in a matter of minutes.


New Orleans before the Flood


New Orleans, the Mighty

AFTER the Flood



And He Swallowed the City Whole


Devastation


To this day, 50% of the city is still damaged. One of the largest urban sprawls of these United States of America is still in paralysis. It has taken the government billions of dollars to repair the city. 3 years after the event, still we have not recovered from it.

Yes. actually last night when you invited me, I did not accept bc i was finishing up statistics for the data i am working with, Els. I have about 45 pages of data to analyze, sorry lang kaayo. Salamat sa dios I was able to finish 8 last night. Instead of partying with friends, i was pathetically working in the lab.

Else, i promise when I am done everything, malooy ang ginoo, sigoro in about 2 months, i promise i will be joining your chats more.

This Friday, I was able to finally finish three elements vis-a-vis the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, also known as the Electronic-spectrophotometer). The elements that were analyzed in my samples were Lead, Zinc and Cadmium, all in all I analyzed about 297 samples. I will finish analysis of the last 2 metals: Mercury and Arsenic in the coming weeks, after proper training with the biology technician in handling hazardous contaminants.

The laboratory phase is coming to an end, nothing can describe the amount of joy I had when I finished the last cadmium trace metals analysis through the AAS.

Here are some pictures:


The finished 69 samples (already ready for analysis, completed acid digestion)


The AAS machine (Atomic absorption spectrometer) also known as the electronic spectrophotometer. $600 of my grant money was depleted in order to use this machine.


The temperature gage of the AAS




AAS machine, side view


Front view of this beautiful beast.


My control desk. hahaha


This is the plastic tube that takes milligram samples of my acids-samples to determine the presence of a particular metal; which were either lead, zinc and cadmium. It took about 15 minutes to analyze one sample, out of a total of processed 69 samples.

It took me about 1070 minutes to complete analysis of 69 samples for zinc trace presence (about 17 hours)
It took me another 1070 minutes to analyze lead and another 1070 minutes for cadmium. Overall, around 50 hours for all of it to be finished. It took me about a 1.75 weeks to finish 3 metals. Now to finish 2 more metals.


As I was busy analyzing the samples, I had Cedric Gamble, my student assistant to properly calibrate the specificity of cadmium, zinc and lead. It is necessary for the accuracy-sake.
Here is a photo-capture of this processes.


Cedric doing work, he has been a great asset to me during my entire project, working with me from the whinning hours of the night. I will include him in citation during the writing of this research paper.


Two very invaluable people throughout the duration of my metals analysis in the AAC lab.
The one in the left is Mr. Same Reese, the Biology-Environmental Science Technician, he has been there for me when I had technical difficulties or when the AAC or the CNS machines were not cooperating. The gentleman on the right is my lab assistant, Cedric Gamble, who is a freshman Biology student and whom I've taken under my wing. He will eventually take my place when I graduate.

lol, kamo duha uy, bugal-bugalon jud

Bisaya gyud!

hahaha

Quote from: ms da binsi on February 02, 2008, 10:49:29 PM
If that would happen to me, I wont wait for another day...

i dont want to give burden to anybody...

I might have to inject some air to my bloodstream...

Agnes and Insoy must know this!!

Ayaw pood Ate Belle uy, mo mingaw man jud mi intawn nimo. 
Lets not talk about that uy. Simbako simbako simbako simbako jud!!

Bitaw, Ate Belle. Dili jud na ang fair uy sa ang maguwang, naa jud pood bata diri without health insurance. It is not fair for the American pood uy, who will help American when we need help? Everyone is so used to us helping them. When a country needs a loan, they come begging to America first. When a country is having a civil war, they beg the United States to send economic and health aid. We scramble help faster than the UN does.

Katrina is a lesson for us as Americans. We cannot expect others to help us, we must be ready for the worst and help ourselves.

God Bless all of the young and brave American men and women that die in wars. When we liberated Asia from the Japanese, when we liberated Europe and Africa from the Nazis. Do they even remember that?
When the United States bailed Germany, England, France, Russia, and Japan after the great WWII, and granted them amnesty in terms of debt, do they remember that?

We give too much. That is the problem with the Untied States.

What seethes me is how much we do for the world, whenever there is a disaster somewhere in Africa, Asia etc, who is the first to make monetary contributions or sends out the red cross and relief workers? The United States. Who polices the ocean's waters for piracy? The US Navy. It would be nice if the world would pick up the brunt of the burden as well. Everyone, in this world seems to 'hate' America, or make fun of the 'American', but its ironic how their economies are dependent on the Billions of dollars we Americans have invested in their economies, helped their governments, fought their wars etc.

The blood, sweat and money of the American is lost for this.

But whenever something bad happens to America, no one is as quick to aid us.
When Katrina occurred, 500,000 of our best troops were in Iraq and we were forced to scramble our national guard, no one in the world stage came or sent a huge relief force to help us at all. Americans took up the charge. We were too busy in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Japan, S.Korea, Germany, France, Italy, England, Africa, Latin America etc, all spread out.

We cant even help our own people because we're so busy making sure the world is as stable as possible.

It is not fair pood.

I say this country picks up more a conservative policy when it comes to American interests. America first, then the world.

Ate Belle, its the tax dollars  you pay have to pay. Thats were it all goes.
Its the average joe and the average Jane that suffers jud, the hard working American.

That is the policy of this current administration, "If there is a problem; tax the masses, tax and tax and tax them"

I'm staying away from Chinese food for a while.

Its ironic how people talk about 'recession' or 'fears of recession'. Americans are too proud to accept the fact that the country IS in a recession. We are suffering a plethora of problems, our exchange rate is insidiously falling compared to 'weaker' currencies. The American dollar is worth less than the Canadian dollar, now. For ever, since there was an America, our currency has always been higher than the Canadian dollar, just to illustrate this devastating situation we are in.

The reason for it: Fears and distrust in the US economy, investors are pulling out, as well as our ridiculously spending on this war. The United States spends over 1.5 Billion dollars a day on this war, and as we speak, the Armed Forces are still proceeding with the creation and building of new air craft carriers (which are of the 4th generation kind, cost exceeding 50 Billion US dollars, as well as ordering more war materiel). This unsatiable spending is the root of our problem. Throughout the past 5 years, the American Hyperpower has accumulated almost 1 Trillion US dollars in debt because of this war, and it continues to rise.


This is the problem, this is the root of the problem. We spend more in one year for this war than the Philippine economy makes in one year.

How to solve the recession?
Alleviate taxes, more capital into economy, lighten the military spending
Start investing in small businesses. This country needs to re-institute confidence in itself.

This great nation needs a change from within. We need a confident and a positive economy-oriented president, and until then, I urge all of us Americans, all 300,100,000 of us to stand up and speak up, vote! That is the only way we can change the current regime in place, my vote falls into either Clinton or Obama.

The reason for this, is under the previous Clinton administration, this country ballooned in terms of economics, unemployment was so low it was in the 1-3% range, the economy was surging at a reputable 4-5%, domestic spending was high, international relations were very warm, overall confidence in the American Power was high. We need that again.

Obama is also a good pick, his policies seem identical to that of Clinton.

This thread will be for the purposes of learning and understanding the basics of the Spanish language. Topics that can be covered are: sentence formation, basic phrases, past, present and future tenses, pronunciation (i will upload videos vis-a-vis youtube to demonstrate).

Please, feel free to learn with us. The language of Spain is truly a beautiful language, one of the core Romance languages, and a full understanding of Spanish will give you a general understanding of Italian, French, and Romanian, as well as Latin.

Gracias por ensamblar. Deje los estudios comenzar!

hahaha Yo voy aqui!
I'll start it 'te.

For you love birds out there


http://youtube.com/watch?v=miLKRdmyNh4

Don't know much about history
Don't know much biology
Don't know much about a science book
Don't know much about the French I took
But I do know that I love you
And I know that if you love me too
What a wonderful world this would be

Don't know much about geography
Don't know much trigonometry
Don't know much about algebra
Don't know what a slide rule is for
But I know that one and one is two
And if this one could be with you
What a wonderful world this would be

Now, I don't claim to be an "A" student
But I'm trying to be
For maybe by being an "A" student baby
I can win your love for me

Bitaw, it is perfect for the Valentine theme

Quote from: Julai on February 02, 2008, 06:08:30 AM
so regina diay ang name dong?hehhee..nice quotes dong..i should say nga perte ang imong memories with regina ky until now memorize man ghapon nimo ang imong love quotes for her.ahhehe

She was my first love, Juls.

I can never forget her

hahaha I love it because the female swan says, "promise ha? ajaw ba ko pasakit?"

ang laking swan ning ingoon, "di lagi, tinuud jud ni"

haha what a romantic swan.

Quote from: Julai on February 02, 2008, 04:15:45 AM
heheh..love will really make us a dork at times..

cge dong i share ng imong mga corny love quotes b..

hahaha this is one that I loved to use on her the most.

So, Regina, when did the conquest happen? Did Italy surrender to the Philippines?

You make me sweat, weak in the knees
You make me feel things that confuse me
You make me scared
Cause i'm unprepared
I love You

Even to this day, there are 2 million Filipino immigrants in the state of Sabah. *Note that there are more Filipinos in Sabah than there are Malaysians* The Filipinos that work and live in Sabah are from Mindanao, the majority of whom are Bisayans.

To this day, Filipinos in Sabah are being abused and maltreated by Malaysians, many of whom rape  Filipino women and abuse children. What has the government done about this? 2 million of our own people, our Bisayan people are being abused in OUR own land that is being controlled by these wretched Malaysian squatters.

Sabah has always been part of the Philippines, since pre-hispanic days. Even during the Spanish colonial era, Sabah was listed in the maps of 'Islas Las Filipinas dela Imperio Hispanidad'.

The sultanate of Maguindanao and Sulu claimed overlordship of what is now Sabah and Indonesian-controlled northern Borneo.

The Filipino Sultanate of Sulu used to recieve emissaries from Yogykarta and Jakarta as well as the Sultanate of Melacca during the 14th to the 19th century, as those powers used to give tribute to the Sultante of Sulu, once was a major sea power in the area. The sultanate of Brunei, actually gave large stretches of land in what is now Eastern Sarawak, after the Sultanate of Sulu assisted the Sultan of Brunei against the wars with the Dayaks and against the sea power that was Yogyakarta. It was Sulu with assistance from its Bisayan vassals that broke the stalemate in that war, as thousands of Bisayan warriors stormed the shores of Sarawak and Sabah.

Mr. Ferniz, that is one of the many things I charge Marcos for, for his failure in re-claiming Sabah.

It MUST be re-united with the Philippine Fatherland. 

My initial response: A huge smile lit my face.

What about you guys?

haha this thread made me reminisce when I used to make up corny love quotes to my x.
LOL

Such a dork.

Thank you so much for this translation, Mr. Ferniz!!
I will have this printed out and framed in my wall.

Salamat!

   
"Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
- Matthew 28:20



Believe.

"Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children."
- Kahlil Gibran

"Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us."
- Charles Spurgeon

"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the creative light of altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's persistent and most urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?"

- Martin Luther King Jr.

You are welcome, Teng.

For me, it says al ot when my countrymen still retain a strong sense of respect and nostalgia for the 'Marcos Years'. My own father, a hard lined conservative, still believes that the Philippines would have been better off had Marcos retained power, and believe that the country would have been better off had someone with the same 'Marcosian' personality and influence took the reigns in Malacanang. And it is not only my father's views, but many of my Titos and the parents of my friends here share similar feelings.

For many Marcos apologists, they still resound, "What a President he could have been.."

Quote from: orChids on January 11, 2008, 10:45:04 AM
I'm interested to know Spanish,please friends post spanish lesson.

You want to learn Spanish, Ms. Orchids?

I'm rather fluent in Spanish, and would be willing to begin a Spanish lesson thread in here for you and others who wish to learn more Spanish.

Vamanos!

Ate Ging,

If it helps, it is apparent to me that your Tito Loved you, you offered assistance to him medically, which illustrates your own good nature, Ate Ging. I think that your Tito must have been truly a noble man to have been so loved by your family and by you, Ate. And I know in my heart that when the time came for him to leave this world, he did so in peace with all of his family and with the Lord. They say, that when a man dies, at the moment of physical death, the brain works excessively and recent memories before the state of death are played and re-played. He must have remembered you and talking to you, his family and friends. 'Salamat' for being a kind and loving niece that you are, and 'ba' because he wanted to pronounce his grattitude to his niece, who he so loved.

May the Lord God bless and keep you and shine you with graces and love, so you continue to help your family in their time of need. And may you bear this loss with a full heart. You are in my thoughts and in my prayers, Ate.

And most of all God bless your beloved Manong Pael.

**gives a big hug**

I'm sorry, Ate Ging. Take it easy pood ha, its always good to think about the happy memories you had with Manong Pael. Cherish them, forever.

God Bless You,

1965 - Marcos is elected president in November, promising improved living conditions for average Filipinos and land reform. While the first is achieved through an ambitious program of public works, the latter is never seriously tackled. He helps found the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in 1967.

1969 - Marcos wins a second four-year term as president. He is the first president to be reelected in the short history of the Philippine democracy. However, growth slows and quality of life begins to deteriorate. Violence and crime begin to become everyday occurrences. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) starts to make inroads in the provinces, with its military wing, the New People's Army (NPA) spreading across the archipelago.

On the southern island of Mindanao, Muslim secessionists organise under the banner of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). In August Marcos launches major military campaigns against the NPA and MNLF.

1970 - Social unrest continues to build. Student demonstrators attempt to storm the Malacanang Palace, the presidential mansion, on 30 January. Manila and other large cities are rocked by random bombings. Marcos blames leftists and suspends habeas corpus in August 1971, a prelude to martial law.

1971 - At a constitutional convention opposition delegates introduce a provision to prevent Marcos from remaining as head of state or government once his second term as president has expired. Marcos succeeds in having the ban overturned the following year.

1972 - Using the excuse of an alleged assassination attempt against Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, Marcos declares martial law on 21 September, promising to eliminate poverty and injustice and create a "new society". It is later revealed that the assassination attempt had been staged by the military.

Opposition figures (including Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino), journalists, student and labour activists and criminals are arrested and detained at military compounds run by the army and the police. Newspapers are closed and the mass media tightly controlled. Demonstrations, strikes and boycotts are outlawed. Marcos assumes absolute legislative power. The constitution, which permits presidents only two terms in office, is suspended.

1973 - A new constitution allowing Marcos to stay in office indefinitely and to rule by decree is introduced. The result is confirmed by a fraudulent referendum enabling him to continue as president until the end of martial law and to arbitrarily appoint all government officials, including members of the judiciary. Imelda Marcos is made governor of Manila and minister of human settlements and ecology.

Martial law initially brings stability and an economic turnaround but with the costs of reduced social freedoms and increasing corruption. Limited land reforms are introduced but prove ineffective. Manufacturing and business enterprises are nationalised or handed to Marcos's cronies or relatives. Profits are siphoned off for personal enrichment and mismanagement is rife.

The armed forces are politicised. Officers from Marcos's home province are promoted to high rank. A childhood friend of Marcos becomes chief-of-staff of the armed forces and head of the internal security network. Officers are appointed to manage several corporations and the military is ordered to take control of all public utilities and the media. The size of the army is also increased, with numbers swelling from about 58,000 in 1971 to 142,000 in 1983.

The military has virtually unlimited powers to search, arrest and detain civilians without reason and without recourse to legal representation. Military tribunals are set up throughout the country to try and sentence detainees. The civilian courts are striped of their power and autonomy, and the Philippine police force is placed under military control. It is estimated that more than 60,000 people are arrested between 1972 and 1977.

Politically prisoners are routinely tortured by the military. "Disappearances" and murders of suspected political activists are common, with over 500 cases being recorded for the period 1975-80. Meanwhile, inflation and unemployment rise while already low living standards drop.

The brutality of the regime and the stagnating economy causes may Filipinos to turn to the communists for protection and support.

1976 - The constitution is amended further to allow Marcos to continue to rule by degree even after the lifting of martial law.

1977 - Benigno Aquino, leader of the Philippines democratic opposition, is tried by a military court, found guilty of subversion and sentenced to death. The sentence, however, is never applied.

1980 - Aquino, who is ill, is released in May to receive medical treatment in the US. He will remain in the US, becoming a leader of the opposition in exile.

1981 - Marcos proclaims the end of martial law on 17 January. He wins an overwhelming majority in a presidential election held in June, but the vote is rigged and is boycotted by the main opposition groups.

1983 - After three years in exile, Aquino decides to return to the Philippines and help end the Marcos regime. However, minutes after his arrival at Manilla airport on 21 August he is shot in the head and killed. The lone assassin is shot on the spot.

Marcos claims the assassin is a communist, but a subsequent government commission of inquiry finds that the military had conspired in Aquino's death. However, the finding is rejected and those accused of the conspiracy are allowed to go free.

Aquino's funeral procession draws hundreds of thousands of mourners. It is the largest demonstration in the history of the Philippines and marks the beginning of the 'People's Power' movement led by Aquino's widow, Corazon Cojuangco Aquino.

Meanwhile, the domestic economy grinds to a halt and then begins to contract. But while the salaries of Filipinos are, in real terms, half as much as they were in 1956, the share of the national income held by the wealthiest 10th of the country has increased from 27% to 37%.

As living standards decline further the business community begins to speak out against the Marcos regime. The NPA gains further ground in rural areas. In the cities and towns Communist Party influence continues to spread.

1985 - In November Marcos announces that an election for president will be held on 7 February of the following year. Corazon Aquino announces that she will stand as a candidate.

1986 - The election is held on schedule but the results are contested, with the opposition and Roman Catholic Church claiming widespread fraud and intimidation. Marcos is proclaimed the official winner on 15 February, sparking a rebellion by Defence Minister Enrile, armed forces vice-chief-of-staff Fidel Ramos, and the commander of the Philippine police, who also believe that the vote has been rigged.

Calling on Marcos to resign, the rebels receive the backing of the church and the support of the people. The armed forces either join the rebellion or, faced-off by massive crowds gathered around the rebel's camp, decline to intervene.

On 25 February the Marcoses run, abandoning the presidential palace and flying to Hawaii in the US. Their 20-year regime is at its end. As the Marcoses flee, Corazon Aquino is sworn in as president, riding in on the massive wave of 'People's Power'.

When Marcos arrives in Hawaii he is said to be carrying suitcases containing jewels, 24 gold bricks and certificates for billions of dollars of gold bullion. His Swiss bank accounts are estimated to contain between US$3 billion and US$35 billion stolen from his country. The Philippine's foreign debt is about US$28 billion.

About US$356 million of the Marcos fortune is discovered soon after the ousted dictator leaves the Philippines.

To this day, the existence and whereabouts of the rest of the Marcos billions remains unconfirmed despite detailed investigations by the US Senate.

1987 - It is reported that Marcos is conspiring from his base in Hawaii to launch an armed invasion of the Philippines and again seize power.

1988 - Marcos is indicted by a federal grand jury in New York in the US for offences including mail fraud, fraudulent misappropriation of property and obstruction of justice.

1989 - He dies of a heart attack on 28 September while in exile in Honolulu, Hawaii, and before his trial.

Postscript

1990 - In March Imelda Marcos is brought to trial by the federal grand jury in New York but in July is acquitted on all counts. She faces further trials in the Philippines for the misappropriation of public funds but is able to avoid conviction. Meanwhile, on 28 September a special court in the Philippines convicts 16 Filipino military personnel of murdering Aquino and his "assassin".

1993 - Marcos's embalmed body is returned to the Philippines and placed on permanent display in a mausoleum in his home town. Imelda Marcos refuses to allow his body to be buried, saying that despite the Philippine Government's objections it should be interred at the 'Cemetery of Heroes' (Libingan Ng Mga Bayani) in Manilla.

1994 - The District Court of Hawaii finds that Marcos was responsible for executions, disappearances and torture during his rule and awards nearly US$2 billion in damages to thousands of surviving victims. The victims later agree to a US$150 million settlement, but a court in the Philippines blocks payment in 1999.

2003 - In July the Philippine Supreme Court rules that US$700 million of the Marcos fortune must be handed over to the Philippine Government. The money is to be used to buy land for distribution to poor farmers. The Marcos family immediately appeal against the judgement.

The ongoing fight over the Marcos millions is further complicated in September when the District Court of Hawaii places a global freeze order on the Marcos assets. The Philippine Government lodges an appeal against the freeze in a court in California.

On 18 November the Philippine Supreme Court upholds its July ruling and criticises the Hawaiian court for overstepping its jurisdiction.

2004 - On 25 March the international anticorruption organisation Transparency International (TI) places Marcos at second on a list of the world's most corrupt political leaders of the past two decades, surpassed only by former Indonesian President Suharto.

According to TI, Marcos is alleged to have embezzled between US$5 billion and US$10 billion from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a judge in Hawaii orders that US$40 million held by a finance company set up by Marcos be used to start paying the victims of his regime who were awarded damages in 1994. The finance company appeals the ruling.

2005 - In a nationwide poll held in July Filipinos rate Marcos as the best of the country's last five presidents. The former dictator even out-polls his successor, the 'People's Power' leader, Corazon Aquino

Prior to Marcos, Philippine presidents had followed the path of "traditional politics" by using their position to help along friends and allies before stepping down for the next "player." Marcos essentially destroyed this setup through military rule, which allowed him to rewrite the rules of the game so they favored the Marcoses and their allies.

His practice of using the politics of patronage in his desire to be the "amo" or godfather of not just the people, but the judiciary, legislature and administrative branches of the government ensured his downfall, no matter how Marcos justified it according to his own philosophy of the "politics of achievement". This practice entailed bribery, racketeering, and embezzlement to gain the support of the aforementioned sectors. The 14 years of his dictatorship, according to critics, have warped the legislative, judiciary and the military.

Another allegation was that his family and cronies looted so much wealth from the country that to this day investigators have difficulty determining precisely how many billions of dollars have been salted away. The Swiss government has also returned US$684 million in allegedly ill-gotten Marcos wealth.

According to staunch Marcos critic Jovito Salonga, author of the book "Presidential Plunder: the Quest for the Marcos Ill-Gotten Wealth," monopolies in several vital industries have been created and placed under the control of Marcos cronies, such as coconut (under Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile), tobacco (under Lucio Tan), banana (under Antonio Floirendo), manufacturing (under Herminio Disini and Ricardo Silverio), and sugar (under Roberto Benedicto). The Marcos and Romualdez families became owners, directly or indirectly, of the nation's largest corporations, such as the Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT), the Philippine Airlines (PAL), Meralco (a national electric company), Fortune Tobacco, the San Miguel Corporation (Asia's largest beer and bottling company), numerous newspapers, radio and TV broadcasting companies, several banks, real estate properties in New York, California and Hawaii. It was no exaggeration when Imelda Marcos declared in an interview, that her family "own practically everything in the Philippines." The Aquino government also accused them of skimming off foreign aid and international assistance. This is a clear example of the aforementioned "crony capitalism" that Marcos introduced during the New Society.

His apologists claim Marcos was a good president gone bad and that he was a man of rare gifts--a brilliant lawyer, a shrewd politician and keen legal analyst with a ruthless streak and a flair for leadership. Having been in power for more than 20 years, Marcos also had the very rare opportunity to lead the Philippines toward prosperity, with massive infrastructure he put in place as well as an economy on the rise.

However, he put these talents to work by building a regime that he apparently intended to perpetuate as a dynasty. A former aide of Marcos said that "Nobody will ever know what a remarkable president he could have made. That's the saddest part". Among the many documents he left behind in the Palace, after he fled in 1986, was one appointing his wife as his successor.

Opponents state that the evidence suggests that he used the communist threat as a pretext for seizing power. However, the communist insurgency was at its peak during the late 1960s to early 1970s when it was found out that the People's Republic of China was shipping arms to support the communist cause in the Philippines after the interception of a vessel containing loads of firearms. After he was overthrown, former Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile stated that certain incidents had been contrived to justify the imposition of Martial Law, such as Enrile's ambush.

The Martial Law dictatorship may have helped boost the communist insurgency's strength and numbers, but not to the point that could have led to the overthrow of the elected government. Marcos' regime was crucial in the United States' fight against communism and its influences, with Marcos himself being a staunch anti-communist. Marcos however had an ironically mild streak to his "strongman" image, and as much as possible avoided bloodshed and confrontation.[citation needed]

His most ardent supporters claim Marcos was serious about Martial Law and had genuine concern for reforming the society as evidenced by his actions during the period, up until his cronies, whom he entirely trusted, had firmly entrenched themselves in the government. By then, they say he was too ill and too dependent on them to do something about it. The same has been said about his relationship with his wife Imelda, who became the government's main public figure in light of his illness, by then wielding perhaps more power than Marcos himself.

It is important to note that many laws written by Marcos are still in force and in effect. Out of thousands of proclamations, decrees and executive orders, only a few were repealed, revoked, modified or amended. Few credit Marcos for promoting Filipino culture and nationalism. His 21 years in power with the help of U.S. massive economic aid and foreign loans enabled Marcos to build more schools, hospitals and infrastructure than any of his predecessors combined. Due to his iron rule, he was able to impose order and reduce crime by strict implementation of the law. The relative economic success that the Philippines enjoyed during the initial part of his presidency is hard to dispel. Many of Marcos' accomplishments were overlooked after the so-called "People Power" EDSA Revolution, but the Marcos era definitely had accomplishments in its own right.

A journalist said that "The Marcoses were the best of us, and they were the worst of us. That's why we say we hate them so much."

According to Transparency International, Marcos is the second most corrupt head of government ever, after Suharto. Even so, according to a recent survey, some Filipinos prefer Marcos' rule due to the shape of the country in administrations succeeding his. Many admire his autocratic, strong-arm rule, saying that his style of leadership is sorely missed and needed in the post-EDSA Philippines where too much democracy has ruined the body politic, with fractious standoffs in Congress, endless so-called "People Power" demonstrations, deadlocks in the Senate and movie actors as well as traditional politicians being elected into public office. A few are nostalgic for the Marcos era, where the government was well-organized and laws were strictly followed by civilians, leading to a relatively disciplined populace.

Thanks, Ms. Orchids.
You know how to make a man blush.

Serenity in reading








and my only comfort

The Mayor should give obeisance to the Governor. Lim, like any municipal mayor, should bow to the Governor of the entire province. The same way as all the governors give obeisance to the President of the Republic.

One needs to fix his manner and respect authority.

My condolences to the family.

You know, it is amazing that there's widespread belief that there's a conflict between science and religion. In my personal opinion, this is not true. There may be a conflict between soft-minded religionists and tough-minded scientists, but not between science and religion. Their respective worlds are different and their methods are dissimilar. Science investigate; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge which is power; religion gives man wisdom which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals with mainly values. The two are not rivals, in my  personal opinion, they are complementary. Science keeps religion from sinking into the valley of crippling irrationalism and paralyzing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of obsolete materialism and moral nihilism.

In the end, it is a test of faith.

[mp3tube]002d5944e7d05bcda82e457ca0c4d3ee[/mp3tube]

Amen, Juls.

You know the problem with many scientists is Pride, I admit that I myself am tangled in it whenever it comes with work and in research, when one is left in the laboratory for hours in research, the mind is too busy digesting and contemplating all that was learned, one then believes they are greater than others due to their accumulated knowledge. This is where the sense of false superiority comes into place. The devil plays with all of us, Juls, and I do believe in his presence in our world. He provides us with the setting to question our own faith, even the most pious of us question faith at times (I myself am not perfect, am far from perfect, and I will admit that there are times that I question my faith, or times when I despair) the devil plays with us and tries to trick us that we can in fact become gods. I have met countless of great minds in my field, from attending countless biology seminars and graduate seminars, there are biologists that see themselves as somewhat god-like, specially those whose written works and research precedes them in the field of academia.

However, it is ironic that though they enjoy pride and enlightened knowledge now, everything that they have learned and molded with their hands for the benefit of Human knowledge will come and go. Though they see themselves as divine, their bodies will not, in fact their bodies will follow the natural flow of things, their genetic band that allows genetic translation, transcription and replication will weaken with age and as a result, genetic mutanogenesis will occur, as a result causing ill-effects in phenotype as in malformation of red blood cells (sickle cell anemia), the deterioration of their neural synapses and thereby preventing proper neuroelectric impuses from traveling downt he blood-brain barrier, hence a manifestation of memory loss, failure in memory retrieval, because God made it so, their obicularis oris and the obicularis oculi will loosen and as a result eye sight and ability to focus the ocular lens will fade, as age takes its course. The osteoblasts and osteoclasts within their bones will fail to form and retain calcification, and as a result bone loss will manifest (osteoporosis, etc). All of these, though understood by man through science, cannot be fully reversed by science (not by the current standards of treatment we have in place), the very great scientists whose pride claim them as gods cannot reverse the natural flow of aging. They, as man and a creation of the Creator, so too must follow suite in what was dictated by the creator. As our genes replicate, as our cells are created and die, so too must we. We are not different, only a larger sentient form of the organelles that compose our billions of cells, which compose us.

God has willed it so. Life, and death, it is absolute.

Then again I see this symbiosis as a test, that God allows us to be tested by the devil.
It is our ability, as scientists--and privileged with the intelligence we have--to transcend and accept that there truly is a life after this physical state. As cells die, and are eventually phagocytized by leukocytes of the immune system, they become part of the greater body. So too must we, become part of the greater body that is Christ, in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He tests our faith, and Heprovides us with the free will to either accept or reject the salvation that He offers.

Juls, you are truly a beautiful mind, and person for your views.
I whole-heartily agree with you, I don't believe in chaos theory or the concept of 'random chance' as what many of my colleagues do. This is where I differ from my contemporaries, they believe in their own glory and the brilliance of Man. Man, to them, is the apex of all that is life, our ability to digest information, create the concepts of science, history, politics, the dictums of knowledge that has been accumulated. Their belief is that life everlasting is not in the form of divine supplication with the Almighty, but by the form of immortality in history. Man is nothing. We did not make anything, man can only manipulate nature, and science is our way of understanding the truth. Random chance or divine influence? You know where I stand on this.



Cheers, Juls

Chapter 4

The Good and the Evil Way

Hear, my son, and receive my words,
and the years of your life shall be many
On the way of wisdom I direct you
I lead you on straightforward paths

When you walk, your step will not be impeded
and should you run,  you will not stumble
Hold fast to instruction, never let her go;
keep her, for she is your life

My son, hear me, the path of the wicked enter not
walk not on the way of evil men;
Shun it, cross it not,
turn aside from it, and pass on
For they cannot rest unless they have done evil;
to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep

For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
they know not on what they stumble
But the path of the just is like shining light,
that grows in brilliance till perfect day

My son, to my word be attentive,
to my saying incline your ear;
Let them not slip out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
For they are life to those who find them,
to man's whole being they are health

With closest custody, guard your heart,
for in it are the sources of life
Put away from you dishonest talk,
deceitful speech put far from you
Let your eyes look straight ahead
and your glance be directly forward
Survey the path for your feet,
and let all your ways be sure
Turn neither to right nor to left,
keep your foot far from evil

Chapter 3

Attitude toward the Lord

My son, forget not my teaching,
keep in mind my commands;
For many days, and years of life
and peace, will they bring you

Let not kindness and fidelity leave you;
bind them around your neck;
Then will you win favor and good esteem
before God and man

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
on your own intelligence rely not;
In all your ways be mindful for him,
and he will make straight your paths

Be not wise in your own eyes,
fear the Lord and turn away from evil;
This will mean health for your flesh
and vigor for your bones

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with first fruits of all your produce,
Then will your barns be filled with grain,
with new wine and vats will overflow.
The discipline of the Lord, my son, disdain not
spurn not his reproof;
For whom the Lord loves he reproves,
and he chastises the son he favors.
For a Father will always discipline his child, as he does so with Love for child

Amen, Mike.

Amen

Behold, the true miraculous brilliance of Our Lord.


The DNA strand, the helicase, the okizaki fragments, the tow strand, the ligase, the primers, the lagging and leading strands, continuous and discontinuous strands.

This is what we are. All of Humanity, is nothing but a DNA strand.

Many question the existence of God, science proves his very existence. Many say science disproves religion, I say those who say that are simple minded and blind. Even the absolute nature of science can be defeated, science is merely the accumulation of natural facts, it is never 'constant', science changes, evolution is a manifestation of that. Phenotypes change, promoters change, genetic strands adapt and mold in response to changes in environment, thus there is evolution. One thing is for sure is that no matter what, genetic changes follows a law: base pairs will bond to polypeptides and sugars with complementary charges. Molecular biologists are puzzled by this because we dont know WHY they do this, why some things jut happen, all we know is that it does. There is an unknown force in science, that dictates why things occur, everything is pre-programmed. Its extremely humbling to know that. So whenever you come into contact with an individual who claims he is an aethiest and claims that science 'defeated' God, you can answer him, "No. Science only proves there is a God"


The Brilliance of Our Lord God, those who refuse to believe in God, are foolish and simple minded.
He Makes HIMself known everyday, every minute, every second, every million-th of a second, every time your RNA primers attach to the leading strand, every time your DNA unwinds and replicates, it is God in all of His Wonders.

From the sprouting of  leaf on a spring morning, to birth of a calf, He is Around us Always. Take the time to listen to him, hear him, understand him, and Glorify Him.

Right now I'm in lab working to prepare slides for students for next week's session, while I was preparing the electron microscope earlier, checking out a particular DNA polymerase of the synthesized E. coli, I realized how so small and complex this little aspect of our genetic backbone. This little speck that is know as the DNA polymerase I is rather interesting because it is a basic 102-kD polypeptide chain and rather versatile, but it catalyzes three quite distinct reactions, that by our standards, seems miniscule, but without it we would be genetically and phenotypically dysfunct. This little Polymerase has two different exonuclease activites, one which is a 3' --> 5', and a 5'--> 3'.

You might ask yourself why does it have two activities? Why was it designed and pre-programmed to have two directionals (bi-directionality)?

Simple. The 3'-->5' activity is important in proofreading newly synthesized DNA, If polymerase I just added the wrong nucleotide to a growing DNA chain, this nucleotide will not base-pair properly with its partner in the parental strand and should be removed. Accordingly, polymerase I pauses and the 3'-->5' exonuclease removes the mispaired nucleotide, allowing replication to continue. This greatly increases the fidelity, or accuracy of the DNA synthesis. Whoever programmed the proofreading ability of Pol I, is brilliant, because without it, error and mutation in the genetic strand would increase 10,000 fold. Amazing isn't it?

The 5'-->3' exonuclease activity allows polymerase I to degrade a strand ahead of the advancing polymerase, so it can remove and replace a strand all in one pass of the polymerase, at least in vitro. This DNA degradation function is useful because polymerase I seems to be involved primarily in DNA repair (including removal and replacement of RNA primers), for which destruction of damaged or mispaired DNA and its replacement by good DNA is required.

I am in absolute and total awe at the brilliance of the creator, who designed  something so infinitely complex, yet make it appear so simple, and make it 'microscopic';  that this 'program' is a a thousand times smaller than the size of a pea. And even with the knowledge we scientists have today, we have come to grasp with about 5% of what there is to know in the genetic complex. Our God, is truly, absolutely, and totally a Brilliant Master. It took man two thousand years to come to grip with with the basics of his creations, eons before we even came to be, these same processes were in full array.

How Great Thou Art, O Lord.

Truly, by unraveling your mysteries, we Glorify thy unassailable Brilliance.

Breaking the Habit (instrumental)

by Linkin Park

[mp3tube]440c3591973d492fec5923e4e019288a[/mp3tube]

I play this song endlessly in lab, lol.
Professors know this tune all too well, haha 

So which ones?