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How is man saved? 
"By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God"(Eph. 2:.

what are the condition of salvation?
Faith (john 3:16),repentance (Luke 13:3),obedience (Heb.5:9).

To whom is salvation offered?   
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God" (Isa. 45:22).

Who is the Author of salvation?
Christ. "And being made perfect,  he became the author of eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9).

What is salvation?
Answer: Salvation is deliverance from sin and its penalty.

Ernest Hemingway

What's the Rule in Your House?

The Aquino administration allayed fears of possible brownouts in Luzon this July saying that the private power grid operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has sufficient power supply to sustain the needs of electricity consumers.

In an interview aired over government-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government, through the Department of Energy (DOE), has started implementing measures to cushion the possible power shortage.

"We don’t agree na may nakaambang power outages. In fact, nagsabi na po ang NGCP na they successfully hurdled the yellow alert," Valte said.

Last June 21, the NGCP went on yellow alert as the power reserves of Luzon fell below 647 megawatts (MW). The NGCP defines a “yellow alert” as a system condition where the total of all reserves is less than the capacity of the largest plant online, which for the Luzon grid, was 647 MW.

Upon the instruction of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the DOE has been in constant communication with several power-generating companies to ensure a sufficient supply of power.

The Chief Executive earlier instructed the DOE to coordinate with the NGCP and dominant electricity distributor, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), to thresh out contingency measures aimed at preventing brownouts, according to Valte.

"And because of the tight monitoring and coordination, hindi nagkaroon ng mga blackout as feared by some," Valte said.

Reports said the ERC has approved Meralco's petition for a maximum average price (MAP) of P1.6303 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) for distribution, supply and metering charges to different customer classes. - pna

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) announced on June 29 that its subsidiary NTT Communications China Ltd. will be opening branch offices on July 1 in Shenyang, Chengdu, and Shenzhen to grow their business and increase competitiveness in mainland China. The new branches will provide system architecture, maintenance and management for businesses in and around these dynamic cities.

The addition of three new branches expands NTT Com's network of subsidiaries and offices to 10 cities in mainland China alone, and to 82 cities in 30 countries/regions worldwide.

The three locations were chosen for their appeal for domestic and international companies and their excellent growth potential. Shenyang - and northeast China as a whole - has attracted many domestic and foreign BPO service providers due to the lower cost of labor in comparison with coastal areas and the abundance of fluent foreign language speakers. Chengdu also offers lower relative labor costs and has become a hotspot for manufacturing and distribution companies capitalizing on the recent increase in domestic demand. The area around the Pearl River Delta, including the special economic zone of Shenzhen, has been sustaining high rates of growth and currently has the highest concentration of foreign companies in China.

"A great design deserves the world's attention."

Emerson Climate Technologies Ltd, a business of Emerson, announced today the launch of The Emerson Cup 2012 - India and Southeast Asia.

The Emerson Cup, an annual awards competition instituted by Emerson Climate Technologies, recognises outstanding designs and innovations in air conditioning and refrigeration.

Nominations from the Indian and Southeast Asia regions are being accepted now and will remain open until September 10, 2012

The Emerson Cup 2012 has a distinguished panel of judges from across Asia, consisting of industry experts in the fields of green building, energy efficiency, engineering, and HVACR design and architecture. The competition will accept nominations for innovative projects across the spectrum of HVACR technologies.

Tarundeep Singh, Senior Manager Air Conditioning Marketing, Rest of Asia, said that The Emerson Cup is committed to promoting best practices and identifying the best talent in the industry to facilitate advances in energy-efficient designs and applications.

"The HVACR industry makes a significant contribution to environmental protection with opportunities for improvement in energy efficiency. Emerson's involvement includes not only developing energy efficient technologies, but also supporting the process of adoption," he said.

Arup Singapore won an Honorary Award in The Emerson Cup 2011 for their work on CREATE, the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise, while in the Philippines Guevara and Partners, Inc won an Honorary Award for their Radisson Blu project. Also in the Philippines, a group of students from the University of the Philippines Diliman won the Students Engineering Award for their Concept Energy House.

"We are very keen to promote student participation," said Mr Singh. "It helps to foster new talent, encourage awareness of the possibilities in innovative thinking, and encourages our next generation of designers and engineers."

Participation in The Emerson Cup is open to engineers, architects, consultants, developers, institutional owners, end-users and students. The award categories for 2012 are: New Building New Building - With Emerson Technology Retrofit Building Commercial Refrigeration Students (Architects and Engineering) The first four award categories have a Winner (Excellence Award) and Runners-Up (Honorary Award). Excellence Awards carry a monetary prize of US$ 3,000 and Honorary Awards are US$ 1,000. Students have the opportunity to win an Excellence Award for US$ 1,000. There will be one award for Architecture students and one for Engineering students. Students are expected to submit a project idea on "Green and Sustainable School". - Infoquest

An active low pressure area (ALPA) spotted in Mindanao has chance of becoming a tropical cyclone, the state weather bureau said on Sunday.

Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster, said the ALPA sighted off at 870 kilometers east of Mindanao (8.0°N, 135.0°E) is still in the sea as it continues gaining strength.

Aurelio said the ALPA may intensify into a tropical depression and will be named "Enteng" once it enters Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

He added that "Enteng" will be the fifth weather disturbance to enter the country this year.

Tropical storm "Dindo" just left the country on Friday and headed towards China.

Although the storm brought heavy rains and strong winds over Northern Luzon, no casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, in its advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, it said.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to southeast will prevail over Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to northwest with slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds may affect the western seaboard of Luzon.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves, it said.

Police explore all angles in the recent blasting at another tower of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), this time, at Sitio Caseyay of barangay Camanaga in the town of San Miguel at the height of security transition from the 802nd Brigade to the Task Group SugBohol.

While investigators could still hardly move on after connecting the dots in the December 3 blasting at the post base of the NGCP tower in barangay Sta. Catalina in Sagbayan even after half a year already, last Sunday's early morning blast at NGCP Tower No. 60 in San Miguel have been added in the pile up of unsolved cases related to security.

Police Provincial Director Constantino Barot Jr. said that all angles have to be explored since there is no concrete hint as of this time and have to be given separate focus from the Sagbayan incident, though it is possible the two incidents could be related.

In the December blasting last year, the motive had already been established, but investigators still have to specifically identify the actual people involved in the incident.

One pattern is seen. Both blasting incidents were undertaken on the wee hours of a weekend.

The spot report submitted to the Bohol Police Provincial Office by the San Miguel Police Station stated that at about 7:10 o'clock in the morning of June 24, 2012, the municipal police station received a report on a blasting incident that transpired at Sitio Caseyay in barangay Camanaga. - source, bohol chronicle

A staggering P1.54 per-kilowatt-hour increase reflected in this month’s electric bills triggered a public outburst criticizing two power distribution utilities here in Bohol.

Radio listeners aired over dyRD “Inyong Alagad” their clamor on the recent power rate increase implemented by Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) and the Bohol Electric Cooperative (Boheco).

BLCI, which supplies electricity to city residents, is already collecting a P1.54 per kilowatt-hour increase reflected in the billing for the months of May and June.

Similarly, Boheco (now being managed independently under Boheco-1 and Boheco-2), supplying the municipalities, is also collecting a P1.06 per kWh increase on their consumers.

Several radio listeners expressed shock over their current electricity bills, the amounts of which almost doubled from the previous billing.

BLCI spokesperson May Hope Arcenal explained over “Inyong Alagad” on Wednesday that the increase is beyond the control of their company.

Arcenal said the rate hike is due to the increase in generation charge resulting from higher power costs incurred by distribution utilities from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (Wesm), which works like a stock market for electric producers and consumers. The generation charge increase is pegged at 85-centavos per kWh. - source, Bohol Chronicle

No less than five drug suspects were nabbed during a weeklong massive campaign against drug addiction conducted by the Philippine National Police in different towns including a drug suspect based in the city who eluded arrest even as their residence was already surrounded by operatives.

Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group led by Provincial Intelligence Branch Chief Police Superintendent Jovito Atanacio, in cooperation with Buenavista local police station under Police Inspector Alvin Llamedo, cornered a big time drug suspect in a buy-bust operation conducted three o'clock in the morning last Friday in barangay Honan, Buenavista town.

The suspect was identified as certain Teodulo Francisco, of legal age, resident of barangay Banakon,  Getafe town. - source, Bohol Chronicle

The American "Gold rush" and its local version  rings true in this northern part of Bohol and hinterland barangays of neighboring municipality of Talibon. Often called (OMG) "Operation Gold Mining"-it continues to attract “illegal” small-scale diggers from far and wide,- hoping for  the elusive riches since the early 1980s.

But conflict among miners in  theseclandestine gold diggings in some areas that did not earlier pose  any danger to miners is inevitable as well, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR region 7 said in a report that it issued a "cease-and-desist" order (CDO) to the unlicensed operators but to no avail as the miners continue to ignore it.

MGB-7 admitted it can hardly enforce its order. Together with the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB), it has no other option but to ask for assistance from the provincial government “for immediate stoppage” of the gold rush in areas being identified in the hinterland barangays of Magsaysay, Talibon town and Barangays Banlasan and Kauswagan in this town because they are not covered by mining permits.

Both (MGB and PMRB) said they can only assist in the “formation of Minahang Bayan in the subject area for the eventual legalization of the small-scale gold operations.” The report however did not name names or how many  are those who are involved in the gold rush.

Conflict and tension among the stakeholders in Barangay Banlasan brought about by "illegal" qaurry operations and gold panning along Kinan-oan river here have come into the open that it is already becoming a “political and social unrest” especially affecting farmers, who are also into the "gold rush", said a reliable source in an interview. - source, Bohol Chronicle

The mission off Hawaii late Tuesday was against a medium-range, separating ballistic missile, the Pentagon agency responsible for it said.

The mock warhead split from the target's booster section, presenting what is supposed to be a more realistic attack scenario.

The United States plans to deploy increasingly capable versions of Raytheon's Standard Missile-3 through 2020 to help counter missiles that might some day be capable of delivering chemical, biological or nuclear warheads from Iran or North Korea.

The new model is to be put on land-based launchers in Romania in 2015 as well as on ships. It is a key part of President Barack Obama's plan to guard Nato's European territory from Iran, which is at odds with the US over its nuclear programme. - source, Telegraph UK

Beware: UK Job Scam

The email goes like this:
We are looking for a positive, enthusiastic, flexible and organized person/couple who are happy to pitch in and be part of the family to care for our two kids aged 4 and 18 months,Help with homework, reading, play, dinner and bath time. Must enjoy and be a good cook and provide healthy meals and be responsible for all the children’s cleaning and laundry.

All Nursery duties are required e.g cooking the children meals, ensuring the children bedrooms are clean, washing the clothes and helping out generally round the house. Older child goes to nursery school throughout the day (starts primary in Sept), younger child is at home but will start nursery mornings from July.

We are looking for someone with previous experience and will be checking references and right to work.

Hours- 8-30am â€" 3-30pm
Charge- Sole charge/ Shared on occasions
Days- Monday to Friday
Rate per-month- £6,000.00

By Janice M. Cave

At least 43,000 jobs are up for grabs at the Department of Labor and Employment's 2012 Kalayaan Job Fair on June 12 at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said 143 companies will participate in the job fair.

Baldoz said 113 local employers will offer about 33,000 local jobs, while 30 are land-based and sea-based licensed overseas recruitment agencies which will bring in 10,000 overseas job opportunities.

Most of the local job vacancies are for professional and technical-vocational workers, she said.

Overseas jobs include vacancies for nurses, physical therapists, all types of engineers, construction workers, welders, CAD draftsmen, safety and health officers, cooks, architects, painters, 3D animators, landscapers, quality control inspectors, dental, laboratory and X-ray technicians, hotel workers, and drivers.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), which will participate in the job fair, is offering 3,000 openings for additional personnel.

Baldoz also advised job applicants to prepare photo copies of their employment documents.

Meanwhile, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also conduct a demonstration on bartending and will offer free haircuts and massage.

The Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) will offer free rides on Tuesday in celebration of the 114th Philippine Independence Day.

According to Hernan Cabrera, spokesman for the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), the free rides will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in all LRT and MRT stations.

The LRT consists of the LRT Line 1, which runs from Monumento in Caloocan City to Baclaran in Pasay City, and the LRT Line 2, which runs from Recto in Manila to the end of Santolan in Marikina.

The MRT serves 13 stations spaced out along EDSA from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Cabrera said they will implement the same security procedures on Independence Day in anticipation of the surge of commuters taking advantage of the free rides.

In a related development, as part of the different services and activities during the celebration of the country’s Independence Day, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will offer free verification of drivers' record of MMDA traffic apprehension at the Luneta Park from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. also on Tuesday

The MMDA booth at Luneta Park shall operate using the Metro Manila Road Rules Enforcement System (MMRES) database to be powered by the Mobil Metro Base (Aguila 1 and 2) engines.

To avail of the service, any interested person shall present his/her original driver’s license with one photocopy and fill-up the form to be provided by the staff at the MMDA booth.

The Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) on Monday held the groundbreaking ceremony for the P200-million passenger terminal building (PTB), with 2,000 passenger capacity targeted to be operational in January 2013.

MNHPI chief executive officer Richard Barclay said they are investing P200 million for the construction of the passenger terminal complex, to bring comfort to the departing and arriving passengers.

He said the PTB is part of the phase one of the port development of the Manila North Harbor with overall budget of P5 billion.

MNHPI embarks in a massive port development program such as rehabilitation of Pier 4, Pier 10 Southside rehabilitation, Retrofitting of Pier 16 and Marine slipway (MSW) Wharf Decks with crane rails, construction of power center and installation of lighting and lighting Arrester, rehabilitation of container yard construction of piers, and setting up of the Operations Center which will house the one-stop-shop of all transactions at the port.

Barclay said there has been a decline in the number of sea going passengers in 2005-2010, brought by the aggressive expansion of air transport.

However, with this new development, he hopes that more passengers will take the sea transport, considering that shipping lines provide larger baggage allowance and taking into consideration the ease and comfort of the state-of-the-art facilities they will provide.

The North port passenger terminal building (PTB) to be constructed on an 11,600-square-meter land area between Pier 4 and 6 can accommodate 2,000 passengers at any given time.

The PTB complex will house the main PTB, Ticketing Area/Concessions, drop-off area and access, and ample parking spaces.

Atty. Nicasio Conti, spokesperson of the Department of Transportation who led the groundbreaking ceremony, said the people, particularly those whose livelihood and way of life are dependent on efficient port services, deserve nothing less than the best state-of-art facilities.

Conti, also the OIC Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), said with the project's completion by first quarter of 2013, "we would be able to see a new facility that will not only promote safety, security and convenience of passengers and other port users, but also a passenger terminal that will be at par with international standards."

“This undertaking is in line with President PNoy's “Kayo ang Boss” commitment as well as Secretary Mar Roxas of the DOTC to promote a “Ligtas, Maasahan at Abot-kaya” mode of transport including promotion of passenger rights. This project strikes at the very heart of the DOTCs and PPAs commitment to bring about a world-class passenger experience by providing them comfort and convenience while in the PTBs,” he added.

MNHPI has contracted R-II Builders to build the state-of -theâ€"art PTB, designed by RR Payumo, a well known and well- respected architect.

Conti said with this latest port development, the collective dream of ensuring comfort and convenience to sea travelers will be realized.

He hopes that more operators and owners of luxury ships will call at the Manila ports.

“We hope to bring the Manila North Harbor back to the map, as an alternative port to the Asia’s busiest ports such as Singapore, Busan, South Korea, Tokyo, Japan or Shanghai, China,” he added.

“We all know that in any port operation, efficiency is the key. And with MNHPI at the helm, we are assured that this will be realized,” he stressed.

Giputlan sa tubo kay wala kabayad sa water bill.

China is so, so big, but this greedy country wants to steal Philippine territories.

From the Company Profile:

British Airways (BA) flies to over 300 destinations worldwide (with our codeshare and franchise partners). It has an extensive network and schedule. BA offers frequent and conveniently timed flights to many European destinations with complementary food and drinks served onboard. Enjoy a range of tasty meals designed by leading chefs accompanied by a complimentary bar service that is available throughout your flight.

BA has a leading in-flight entertainment system. Make time fly with a great selection of movies, TV and audio channels on a personal screen. There are no baggage fees with British Airways. You won't incur any additional charges if your luggage weighs within a generous 23kg allowance.

Website: http://www.britishairways.com

Oh my, I will NEVER drink softdrinks again. This is an eye-opener.

Unsa man kaha ang ranking sa mga Filipina women?

There is also a prescribed eye exercise that we should also perform every now and then.

We should all be drinking clean, pure water and live a healthy life.

Davao City has been smoke-free since more than 10 years ago.

I hope our government would encourage people to plant more fruits and vegetables. Fruits sold in public markets and malls' supermarkets are too expensive for ordinary Filipinos.

I notice that many Filipinos are so fond of drinking softdrinks (which are medically toxic) right after a meal instead of drinking life-giving water.

Following Da Vinci's health tips can spare us from many illnesses.

How about kinilaw? Is it healthy to eat raw fish?

Hot tea after a meal makes one feel better.

It is also embarrassing to borrow a cellphone from a stranger because you don't have a load. hehehe

First time I heard of this good travel tip. Let's try it.

Always give thanks to God and remain grateful at all times even in tough times.

It is therefore healthier to live in the barrio than in the city.

Must be fresh from cow's breasts. Not the preserved or processed one.

This may be costly to ordinary Filipinos. We have an alternative, though, that is tuba.

This is so true. Filipinas live longer than Filipino males.

God gives us water, not gatorade, not softdrinks. Go for water only.

Walk barefoot in the beach. It's a great therapeutic massage that will have tremendous health benefits on your well-being.

HIV is irreversible. Once it is in your system, it stays there for life.

women are from venus, men are from pluto.

Avoid sweets in the morning. It will make you heavy and grumpy.

Buy only Philippine-made slippers. Buying products from China puts your life and that of your loved ones in danger.

this is a wake-up call.

Quote from: hazel on February 05, 2008, 09:28:31 PM
Avoid MSG too, as it can trigger dreams that are a bit too vivid.

We always make sure that the food we eat has no "bitsin" at all. This can't be possible if you eat out in the restaurants. To ensure the health of your family, cook your own food at home.

the tea must be chemical-free.

in another research conducted by the World Health Organization, it said that exposure to radiation in mobile phones may lead to brain cancer.

Ricky Hatton has been stripped of his licence to box at a British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) hearing but can still work as a promoter in the sport.

Hatton was found guilty of misconduct and also fined £20,000 plus costs after allegations about his use of cocaine.

A BBBC statement said Hatton's "actions and behaviour were detrimental to the interests of boxing" and had "brought the sport into disrepute".

Hatton, 31, is now at a rehabilitation clinic and facing a police inquiry.

The Manchester fighter won world titles at two weights and his last fight was his second round knockout defeat by Manny Pacquiao in May 2009.

Hatton made his professional debut in 1997 and won 45 of his 47 bouts. - bbc

a question just for fun...

Is Smart Bro Wi-max Available in Bohol?

Is Globe Wi-max Available Now in Tagbilaran Bohol?

October 13, 1977

Today, after addressing the UN General Assembly, Imelda celebrated by going shopping and spending $384,000 including $50,000 for a platinum bracelet with rubies; $50,000 for a diamond bracelet; and $58,000 for a pin set with diamonds.

The day before, Vilma Bautista, one of her private secretaries, paid $18,500 for a gold pendant with diamonds and emeralds; $9,450 for a gold ring with diamonds and emeralds; and $4,800 for a gold and diamond necklace.

THE TOWN Trailer - Ben Affleck 2010 [HD]
The Town Directed by Ben Affleck

Walter Fessler, an official of Credit Suisse Bank in Zurich, came to Manila. He was brought to Malacanang. Forms were filled out and signatures appended. On his signature verification form, Marcos wrote out "William Saunders (pseudonym)," an alias he had used in his WWII days, and underneath that name he wrote "Ferdinand Marcos (real name)." Imelda did the same, choosing Jane Ryan as her pseudonym. Four bank accounts were opened. Four checks, totalling US$950,000,000.00 were given for the deposit.

By Rainier Allan Ronda  (The Philippine Star)

The 10,000 victims of human rights violations during the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos have won a $10-million settlement deal with several holding companies controlled by businessman and Marcos crony, the late Jose Yao Campos, who owned real estate interests in Texas and Colorado in the US.

Lawyer Rod Domingo Jr., the local lawyer of the victims, announced yesterday that a federal court in Texas has already given preliminary approval to the $10-million settlement in favor of his clients to compensate them for the abuses committed against them during the 20-year rule of the late strongman.

Domingo admitted that the $10-million award was a pittance compared to the $2-billion compensation that US District Court of Hawaii Judge Manuel Real had earlier awarded to the victims in 2005.

Domingo said that some 7,600 of the 10,000 victims that are still alive and eligible to get the claims are bound to get $1,000 each as a result of the new settlement.

“It’s the best that we can get under the circumstances,” Domingo said yesterday in a press briefing held at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani compound in Quezon City where he announced the settlement.

“This is sufficient already,” said Domingo, noting that after starting the litigation in 1986, the settlement was the biggest so far, with the first and lone previous one being $1 million that a Hawaii court forfeited from the Marcos estate and awarded to the victims.

Domingo and his US counterpart, Robert Swift, have filed a claim for the Campos properties to partially settle the $2-billion award from the Hawaii court.

The litigation in Texas focused on 4,000 acres of land near Fort Worth, which was purchased with Marcos assets in the late 1970s and early 1980s by Campos.

Campos had excluded the Texas and Colorado properties from the assets he turned over to the Philippine government in 1987 under a compromise agreement, which allowed him to keep total control of his United Laboratories (Unilab) drug company, and many properties in Mandaluyong.

In exchange, Campos turned over real estate companies holding title to the vast Payanig sa Pasig land at the Ortigas business district, and shares of stock in PLDT, among others.

“This finishes the litigation,” Domingo said.

Domingo said that they had filed separate cases in Texas and Colorado for the properties. The holding companies of the Campos camp had offered the settlement in exchange for their clients dropping their claim on the properties.

“As of this date, the $10 million is deposited with the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas,” Domingo said.

“On Nov. 16, there will be a hearing for the final approval of the Court to give those who will oppose the settlement time to comment,” Domingo said.

The lawyer said that qualified members of the class victims should expect to get the notices to inform them of the details of the settlement in the mail in the next few days.

“Please keep the notices. There will be two copies, one in English and one in Filipino,” Domingo said.

Domingo pointed out that the victory gained with the settlement was just from one crony.

“Umpisa lang ito (This is just the start). This is just one crony. There is one other claim that I can’t speak of right now,” Domingo said, explaining that they might preempt the case and forewarn the concerned crony of their legal strategy.

The class suit of 10,000 Marcos human rights victims has faced legal obstacles in collecting the $2-billion award, with the challenge mainly from the Philippine government, which has always fought to have the Marcos ill-gotten wealth forfeited in its favor.

All the forfeited ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies go to fund the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program as decreed by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.

“This is a sweet victory for Filipino victims of human rights abuses,” Swift, the lead counsel of the class victims, said in a statement.

“We struggled with scant resources for years to overcome many legal obstacles. We look forward to distributing the money to Filipinos as soon as the US Court will allow. The symbolic significance of recovery for the class victims of abuses who suffered during the Philippine martial law years from the despotic and illegal acts of a former leader and the real life monetary assistance to deserving Filipinos will be of great help to them,” Swift said.

The Philippines' international air passenger traffic flow expanded by double digits in the first half of the year, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

Data from CAB showed that international passenger traffic rose by 13.3 percent to 7.09 million passengers from January to June compared to the 6.26 million in the same period last year.

Of the total, incoming passengers were up by 13.5 percent to 3.42 million passengers while outgoing passengers stood at 3.67 million from 3.25 million previously.

Of the 44 carriers with authority to operate in the country, only 33 airlines operated during the period.

The CAB said Aeroflot, Air France, Air Nauru, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Egyptair, P.T. Bouraq ceased flying to the Philippines between 1999 and 2004. In March 2008, Swiss Air stopped its Philippine operations.

Pakistan International Airlines flights were suspended while Vietnam Airlines temporarily stopped operations and entered into a code-share agreement with Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The country's flag carrier registered the highest number of international passenger flown with 2 million, a 15-percent increase from last year's 1.74 million. PAL's incoming passenger traffic stood at 967,694 while outgoing passengers reached 1.03 million.

Rival Cebu Pacific carried 1 million international passengers, higher from 797,521 in the same period last year. Of the total, incoming passengers stood at 484,957 and outgoing, 523,437.

Zest Airways carried 30,464 passengers from January to June compared to zero passenger last year.

While Spirit de Manila flew 4,568 passengers from zero last year.

Other airlines with higher number of passengers from January to June were Cathay Pacific Airways, 725,374; Singapore Airlines, 368,723; Asiana Airlines, 311,375; Emirates Air, 284,980; Northwest Airlines, 233,589; Korean Air, 211,383; Thai Airways, 133,172 and China Airlines, 143,104.

The CAB earlier projected that the country's international passenger traffic is likey to grow between 10 percent and 12 percent this year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the aviation industry recovery has been stronger and faster than anyone predicted.

IATA revised its 2010 industry outlook to US$ 8.9 billion net profit this year up from the US$ 2.5 billion forecast in June.

In its first look into 2011, the association estimates that profitability will drop to US$ 5.3 billion.

The improved outlook for 2010 is being driven by increasing demand and capacity.

IATA said demand in 2010 is expected to grow by 11 percent stronger than the previous forecast of 10.2 percent while capacity will only expand by 7 percent from the previous forecast of 5.4 percent.

For Asia-Pacific carriers, IATA expected to post a US$ 5.2 billion profit, better than the US$ 3 billion recorded during the previous peak in 2007 and double the previously forecasted US$ 2.2 billion. (PNA)

read here: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Solution-to-nursing-shortage/67661

Mas maayo gyud diay magminjo ug sajo.

UMAASA si Muntinlupa City Lone District Representative Rodolfo Biazon  na hindi mauuwi sa mass leave at judicial revolt  ng mga mambabatas ang panghihimasok at pagpigil ng Korte Suprema sa pag-usad ng impeachment proceedings sa kamara de representantes laban kay Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Ayon sa mambabatas, ang pagtalakay ng impeachment laban kay Gutierrez ay alinsunod sa tinatawag na constitutional mandate ng kongreso na hindi maaring hadlangan ng kataas-taasang hukuman.

Dagdag pa ng kongresista na maikokonsidera na pinag-isa ang dalawang impeachment complaint laban kay Gutierrez dahil sabay itong ipinasa sa House Committee on Justice nang talakayin ito sa plenaryo.

Nagbabala naman si Deputy Speaker Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III na kung magtutuloy-tuloy ang panghihimasok ng Korte Suprema sa trabaho ng kamara, maaari itong maging dahilan ng “constitutional crisis".

Ngunit matatandaang kahapon ay nagpahayag si House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte na susundin nila ang utos ng Korte Suprema na ipagpaliban ang pagdinig sa impeachment complaint laban kay Gutierrez bilang respeto sa “co-equal branch" ng pamahalaan. - rmn

The Pentagon is set to notify the US Congress of a $60bn (£39bn) weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, reports quoting US officials say.

The deal to sell advanced military aircraft to the Saudi kingdom is aimed at shoring up an Arab ally against Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The arms deal, set to support 75,000 US jobs, would be among the largest yet.

The notification will set off a review where lawmakers could push for changes, impose conditions or block the trade.

Pentagon spokesman Col Dave Lapan said Congressional notification was expected within "the next week or so" but he declined to comment on details of the proposed package. -BBC

BBC News

Thousands of tickets remain unsold for events during the visit of the Pope, who arrives in Scotland on Thursday.

The largest organised event is an open-air Mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow on the opening day of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to the UK.

The capacity has been reduced to 80,000 after a slow take-up of tickets.

Dioceses in England and Wales have also reported thousands of unfilled places for a London vigil and the service to beatify Cardinal Newman in Birmingham.

Jack Valero, who is co-ordinating the beatification of 19th Century English cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park on Sunday, said: "It is still not as many as expected, although it's pretty full."

excerpt from PDI:

PAL does not discriminate against pregnant flight attendants. Preventing them from flying is for the safety of mother and child. Many cabin attendants delay revealing that they are pregnant. PAL extends the standard maternity benefits provided by law, even advancing P30,000 of their SSS benefits to cover expenses. Any earned vacation leaves may be used before applying the pregnancy and maternity leaves. Seniority is not lost during pregnancy. Beyond these, the pregnant cabin attendant is no longer entitled to any pay (no work, no pay) just like any ground staff member.

From April 2009 to March 2010, a total of 65 cabin attendants went on maternity leave (or roughly one pregnancy every six days). Almost all of them returned to work again despite allegations of unfair work rules or discriminatory practices.

As for the regular pay, the cabin crews’ pay (which is all-inclusive because of the peculiarity of their job), the domestic cabin attendant gets on the average around P40,000 a month, while an international cabin attendant gets P60,000 a month. The flight purser gets P80,000 monthly.

PAREHONG patay at duguan ang dalawang magkumare at magkumpare, ng matagpuan ito sa loob ng kuwarto na tadtad ng saksak sa katawan dakong alas kuwatro ng hapon sa Zone 7, Biak-na-bato St., Bgy Tabuco sa lungsod ng Naga.

Kinilala ang mga biktima na sina Rowena Rodriquez, 35-anyos at Ruben Andes, 33-anyos, binata, parehong residente ng naturang lugar.

Samantalang nakakatakas naman ang suspek na nakilalang si Jaime Moreno, dating live-in partner ng biktimang babae at residente rin ng naturang lugar.

Sa imbestigasyon ni PO2 Jufre Ruz, imbestigador ng Precinct 2 ng Naga City Police Office, selos ang isa sa mabigat na dahilan kung bakit nagawa ng suspek ang pagpaslang sa dalawa.

Ipinahayag pa ng imbestigador na dati pa umanong may hindi napagkakasunduan ang babae at suspek.

Bago nangyari ang pananaksak, nagkaroon umano ng okasyon sa bahay ng babae at kainuman ang kumpare nitong si Ruben at iba pang mga kasambahay, subalit ng makatulog umano ang mga biktima sa kuwarto saka bigla namang dumating ang suspek at pinag-undayan ng saksak ang dalawa at nagtamo ng apat na tama sa katawan ang bawat isa. - RMN News

There are several different types of business loans available, ranging from those secured with collateral, non-secure loans, which are based upon the credit worthiness of the applicant, and even government loans for small business ventures, women and minorities. Government loans are those loans secured by the government; in most instances these loans are available when the business or owner can prove that the community will prosper based upon the business at hand. For the most part, government loans are based upon personal credit.

read more: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/What-are-business-loans-/6412

Many individuals choose to refinance their residence as means for a business loan. Often times these loans can be acquired much easier than a business only loan. Interest rates are often lower and fixed for longer amounts of time, as well. Fees usually range below 2% and can be included in the loan. Having equity in your home may enable business owners to borrow money with lesser interest rates and fees.

read more: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Typical-Rates---Fees-Associated-with-Business-Loans/6391

Make sure you read the "fine print." Be sure you're getting what you think you're getting. Are there annual fees, membership fees, and/or sign up fees? Many a student has been surprised to receive their first credit card statement, before they've even charged a cent; to see a balance of $100, $200 or more.

read more: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Credit-Cards---College-Students--Tips---Advice/388

Think your high cholesterol isn't much of a problem? Well your insurance company doesn't share that opinion. In fact, if a medical examination reveals this condition, you'll more than likely be put into a higher risk category. Once that happens, you can forget about being offered cheap life insurance, regardless of any other factor.


read more: http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/Good-Health-Equals-Cheap-Life-Insurance/14367

Some folks that are young between the ages of 20 years old and 40 years old take their mortality for granted. Why buy life insurance?

learn more: http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/Are-You-Prepared-For-Your-Demise-/14370

When you're in the market for cheap term life insurance, do yourself a favor and take time to shop around. Evaluate not only the price of the term life insurance policy, but the insurance company itself. Try to find out the insurance agency's track record for paying benefits. Is the company financially sound and capable of paying out benefits? Does it pay benefits in a timely manner?

go to: http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/Tips-for-Purchasing-Cheap-Term-Life-Insurance/14558

The instant approval of credit cards is made to target customers with good past credit records. Although because of the high credit market today, the banks are willing stretch their limits and offer this program to different kinds of people. This may depend on the bank you're applying the credit card on.

go to: http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/On-Credit-Card-Instant-Approval/8905

Many business owners turn to venture capital in order to finance the such ventures for their business. This is a type of loan that comes from a private investor rather than a traditional lending institution. The lender offers the necessary cash and in return they receive shares of ownership in the business.

read more at http://www.getthebestinfo.com/Article/Businesses-Need-Money-To-Grow--Is-Venture-Capital-Right-For-You-/92334

There must be some catch in cheap insurance? Every one of us has a feeling if the insurance premiums are low there must be some hidden catch in it. The fact is that there is no catch at all. The premium for life insurance policies depends upon the duration of insurance period, your age, your health and the premium remains the same throughout the coverage of insurance.

> go to http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/Busting-the-Top-6-Life-Insurance-Myths/14679

In these days of dual-income wage earners, stay-at-home dads, children caring for their aging parents, divorce, and all sorts of other creative living arrangements, women need to realize that their deaths cause more than emotional heartbreak.

learn more at http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/Affordable-UK-Life-Insurance/14693

If you leave your decision up to your agent, you may not get the best life insurance policy, but your agent likely will earn the best possible commission. Although that may sound harsh, there is some truth to that statement. Life insurance is a product and most life insurance agents earn commission on the products they sell.

learn more > go to > http://www.writeups.pictyors.com/Article/How-to-Choose-the-Best-Life-Insurance-Policy/14706

Mall developer and operator SM Prime Holdings Inc., in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, announced that it has won the "emerging markets highly commended award" from the Singapore-based Asia- Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA).

The recognition received by SM Prime forms a part of the inaugural 2010 APREA Best Practices Awards. The commendation will be presented to SM Prime on Sept. 15 in Singapore.

APREA is a non-profit industry association that represents the real estate sector in the Asia-Pacific region.

The association works to encourage greater investment in the real estate sector through the provision of better information to investors, improving the general operating environment, encouraging best practices, and generally unifying and strengthening the industry.

According to APREA’s chief executive officer, Peter Mitchell, a total of 23 high quality submissions were received from various listed firms in seven regional exchanges for the very first staging of the awards.

He explained that an awards panel of institutional investors spent many hours reviewing the many excellent submissions.

Currently, SM Prime owns and operates 37 SM shopping malls in the Philippines, with a combined gross floor area of approximately 4.6 million square meters and an average daily foot traffic of 2.5 million.

In addition, the company has three SM malls in mainland China.

For the rest of 2010, SM Prime is scheduled to open three new malls in the country and one more in China. (PNA)

Air Asia is eyeing to expand operations at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) through an additional flights between Clark via Jakarta and Bangkok.

Air Asia chief executive officer Tony Fernandes said the plan is part of their program to attract more tourists to come and visit the Philippines.

“We are studying to have more flights (Air Asia) at DMIA possibly via Clark-Jakarta and Bangkok. My Air Asia team from Thailand and Indonesia are here to look into these opportunities that would further boost the tourism industry especially in Clark,” Fernandes said.

“We feel that Clark is the right place to be and have these flights to further develop the airport,” he added.

Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano, for his part, said Air Asia Berhad has been a supporter and CIAC’s partner for the development of DMIA since 2005.

Luciano said Air Asia is one of the leading budget air carriers in Malaysia, which has daily flights via Clark-Kuala Lumpur and Kotakinabalu with an average of 14 flights per week.

Fernandes said he is supporting “Open Skies” for DMIA to open up more opportunities for Filipinos to fly in Clark as well as to attract more tourists to visit Malaysia and the Philippines.

“For me, the Philippines has the largest potential for tourism in the Southeast Asia and Air Asia is committed to support the programs for tourism,” he said.

He also said Air Asia prefers to fly at DMIA because it has reasonable parking rates and other fees.

“DMIA is an ideal place for a low cost terminal and we at Air Asia would love to fly here,” he added.

Other carriers flying out of Clark are Tiger Airways of Singapore via Clark-Singapore, Asiana Airlines via Clark-Incheon in South Korea with connecting flights to the US, Japan and China, Cebu Pacific Air via Clark-Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and Bangkok. Cebu Pacific also flies domestic via Clark-Cebu.

South East Asian Airlines (Seair) via Clark-Caticlan, Spirit of Manila Airlines via Clark-Taiwan and Pacific Filer with chartered flights via Clark-Palau. (PNA)

A board member of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) can retire after two years and get an eye-popping retirement pay of P600,000 per year of service.

This was uncovered on Wednesday at the resumption of the Senate committee on finance public hearing into the alleged excessive and unwarranted salaries, allowances, bonuses and other emoluments and perks of the top officials of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) as well as government financial institutions (GFIs).

”This is a major, major scandal,” committee chair Senator Franklin Drilon said in reaction to the revelation of former Congressman and now new MECO Chairman Amadeo Perez to the panel which also includes Senate committee on government corporations and public enterprises chair Senator Ralph Recto, Senator Sergio Osmena III and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

”You must be building a republic of your own in the MECO,” Enrile, for his part, commented, adding that there is a strong reason to create a new law that would stop the abuses of some GOCCs.

Drilon lauded Perez for unearthing the scandalous operation of the MECO which was created in 1975 to promote the cultural and trade partnerships between the Philippines and Taiwan.

”So refreshing that once in a while, the head of a GOCC will admit that the salary structures in the GOCC concerned is scandalous and that is the case of Chairman Amadeo Perez. I must commend him for being candid. He is new to the corporation and therefore he’ll give it a new and fresh look,” Drilon said to the media after the hearing.

Drilon discovered that the MECO do not remit its funds to the National Treasury despite earning money from passport, visa and notary fees of the employment contracts of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

He also said that based on records, the MECO-Taiwan has remitted US$ 3.4 million to the MECO-Manila, and yet “these public funds are not audited by the Commission on Audit but by foreign auditors based in Taiwan.”

”They are operating in violation of the Constitution and of all laws of the land. These are public funds, I must repeat,” Drilon said.

”This must be stopped and I’m glad that the new chairman, former Congressman Amadeo Perez, has agreed that, No. 1, their fund must no be audited by the COA and not by a foreign auditor in Taipei or a private one which is really in violation of all laws,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon said the scandalous practice most not only be stopped but all involved in this illegal operation “must be held responsible.” - pna

modern living room

children's bedroom

ideal kitchen design

nice living room

minimalist interior design

pensive puppy

What is your recommendation?

race between lion and zebra

yes to death penalty. death penalty for convicted corrupt filipino politicians. death penalty for rapists, pedophiles, child molesters.

Power producer First Gen Corporation, in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, announced that it has signed a USD142-million six-and-seven-year floating rate term loan with Banco De Oro (BDO) Capital and Investment Corporation.

Funds will be made available until Feb. 28, 2011. The proceeds of the loan will be used to fund investments, finance capital requirements for various growth initiatives of the company, partially refinance outstanding indebtedness, and fund other general corporate purposes.

The firm added that BDO will act as the issue manager and sole bookrunner, with a consortium of foreign and commercial banks composed of Banco de Oro, Security Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Maybank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Union Bank of the Philippines, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Allied Bank Corporation and Robinsons Savings Bank.

The loan has a grace period of 74 and 36 months from drawdown, respectively. (PNA)

(PNA) -- A bishop has reiterated his support for the revival of the death penalty.

Bishop Efraim Tendero, national director, Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), expressed support on the proposal of Senator Miguel Zubiri to reimpose death penalty in the country.

“We are in favor of death penalty as it is biblical,” he said.

However, he said that the measure must be balanced by a reliable judicial system.

In 2006, the group criticized the decision of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to abolish the death penalty.

The religious group said they support the imposition of death penalty, noting that capital crimes which lead to the loss of other lives deserve capital punishment.

“We uphold the principle of life for life. The punishment must fit the crime. The penalty must be commensurate to the gravity of the offense,” the group said in their statement four years ago.

Last week, Senator Zubiri filed Senate Bill No. 2383 seeking to revive death penalty as it would help deter the commission of heinous crimes in the country.

“Let us restore the death penalty for heinous crimes. I always say, if you do the crime, you do the time. Now I say, if you do a heinous crime, then you can say goodbye to your time," the lawmaker said.

The bill was filed in the midst of the bloody hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on August 23, which left eight Hong Kong nationals dead, including Filipino hostage taker Rolando Mendoza. (PNA)

The World Health Organization (WHO)released on Wednesday a report urging the Brazilian government to meet funding needs of its public health system.

According to the document, up to 1988, half of Brazilians did not have any coverage, and two decades after the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS), more than 75 percent of the population depends solely on it for health care.

WHO considers the Family Health program a "key piece", which covers 97 million Brazilians and has more than 30,000 teams engaged in "concerted efforts" to reach the poorest and most isolated communities in the country.

Other positive elements include the network of services offered including cardiac surgery, diagnostic laboratory and high-tech medical exams, as well as the national vaccination campaigns for disease prevention and the oral health program.

The report highlights the importance of decentralization of SUS from 1996, when legislation transferred part of the financial and managerial accountability for states and municipalities network, which should invest 12 and 15 percent of their budgets in the sector, respectively.

According to WHO, the problem is the lack of funding at the federal level, with per capita spending of 252 dollars in 2007, behind countries like Argentina and Uruguay. - pna

If there is a Japanese-funded infrastructure project, there is a Japanese treasure buried in the project area. Perfect strategy to camouflage the digging.

At least five beauty products from Japan and Taiwan were banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the market following findings of high levels of mercury.

FDA acting director Nazarita Tacandong, in FDA Circular 2010-015, said the five beauty products contain heavy mercury content that exceed the allowable limit of one part per million (1ppm). Copy of the circular, dated Aug. 31, 2010, is posted at the FDA bulletin board in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

”These cosmetic products therefore pose imminent danger or injury to the consuming public and its importation, selling or offering for sale of such is in direct violation of Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009,” said Tacandong.

Tacandong immediately ordered authorized FDA inspectors to seize the five products, which, he described as “imminently injurious, unsafe and dangerous to health."

She also directed food and drug regulation officers of FDA to “seize immediately” the identified cosmetic products for custody from all establishments where they may be found.

Among the products banned, she said, are: St. Dalfour Beauty Whitening Cream from Tokyo, Japan; Beauty Girl Papaya & Hawthorn Essence with 10 double whitening speckles removed essence from Yudantang International, Taiwan; Beauty Girl Essence Aloe Pearl with 10 double whitening speckles removed essence, also from Taiwan; Beauty Girl Ginseng and Green Cucumber with 10 double whitening speckles removed essence, likewise from Taiwan; and Beauty Girl Olive & Sheep Essence with 10 double whitening speckles removed essence, from Taiwan.

The FDA director sought the assistance of all local government units and consumers nationwide to report all outlets found selling the beauty products. (PNA)

Caloocan Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri has passed an executive order (EO) prohibiting smoking in public places.

Echiverri's EO adds more muscle to Caloocan's Enforcement Ordinance No. 447 series of 2008 which directs the city's constituents to do their smoking in private places.

The ordinance states the following penalties or fines for violators: first offense â€" a fine of P200; second offense â€" a fine of P500; third offense â€" a fine of P1,000, plus the possibility of jail time between three and six days, depending on the court’s decision.

Both laws also specifies that building owners or operators must provide a designated area for smokers with adequate ventilation as not to cause discomfort or inconvenience the non-smokers.

Likewise, Echiverri has also issued an order requiring all buildings to put up a “No Smoking” sign in order to remind people in the vicinity that smoking is strictly prohibited in the whole of Caloocan .

Even public utility vehicles were told to display No Smoking signs.

Drivers of these vehicles or building owners who fail to follow this directive may be penalized, the mayor said. -  pna

Thanks for the info Capt Amper.

Arroyos and Ampatuans have the same evil DNA.

The city government has been offered to be a recipient of an animal protection and control program that is intended to control dog population in the city.

City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Arriola said the city is now preparing a proposal to avail of the program offered by the Humane Society International (HIS) with three barangays â€" San Roque, Tetuan and Sta. Maria as pilot areas.

HSI-India Director Dr. Rahul Segahl, who was in the city for an orientation and hands-on demonstration on quick spay and neuter procedure recently, has committed to shoulder the necessary drugs for the surgery that will remove an animal’s reproductive organ. Veterinary drops for 5,000 dogs have been committed initially.

Arriola said the HSI program is a procedure on surgery or sterilization that will take less than 10 minutes per animal.

The swift procedure, he stressed will lessen expenses for anesthetics being used for hysterectomy (for female animals) and neuter (for male animals).

“This will help in the program to control dog population,” the city veterinarian said, adding that the procedure will eventually lead dogs to lose sex drive because of lack of hormones. - PNA