MikeLigalig.com

Bohol Chronicle: The 20-meter salvage zone should be strictly implemented in the beach line if Boholanos would like to preserve the image of Panglao as an environmentally friendly tourists' haven.

Learning from the Boracay experience, multi-awarded and respected Makati-based planner Felino "Jun" Palafox of Palafox Associates discourages the "do nothing" or the (donut) development wherein development is concentrated on the beachfront with nothing done at the center of the island.

Palafox, during a presentation of the Panglao master plan last Thursday recommended the Boracay set-up of leaving its beachfront open to the public and to uphold the required salvage zone.

"No amount of development will impress the tourists if every structure gets congested at the beachfront leaving no huge open space for tourists to walk around and breathe the fresh air," Palafox stressed.

Anchoring his plan primarily on the people, planet earth and putting profit last, Palafox Associates proposed Panglao's eco-tourism development to be based on Green urbanism in order to balance environment protection and development.

Green Urbanism is one of the components of the principle of five Gs, the others being green technology, green sustainable development, green energy and green architecture.

Palafox Associates presented the highlights of the eco-tourism development master plan of Panglao Island's development during last Thursday's gathering at Bohol Tropics Resort, this city.

Based on a memorandum of agreement that Gov. Erico Aumentado, representing the provincial government, and Palafox signed last year, the master plan is aimed at ensuring that horizontal infrastructure to be constructed in Panglao and Dauis towns will be in harmony with the geographical demands of the terrains of Panglao in relation to the beach and the sea.

Thank you, islander, for the feedback.
I'm still fixing some of the erroneous codes and adding more RAM to the server.

A single dose of radiation during surgery is just as effective as a prolonged course of radiotherapy for breast cancer, a study suggests.

Doctors have tested the technique, which involves a single shot of radiotherapy to a tumour site, in more than 2,000 patients.

It could save the UK £15m a year, the researchers said.

Cancer Research UK said The Lancet study could have a "huge impact" for patients.

The researchers said using the one-stop procedure would be more convenient for patients and cut waiting lists.

Treatment to surgically remove cancerous breast tissue is the starting point of treatment for thousands of women in Britain each year. - BBC

A father has died while trying to rescue his daughter from the river near Plas Llwyngwern, Pantperthog, in Machynlleth, Powys.

The child was rescued from the water but the man got into difficulties.

Dyfed-Powys Police assisted by ambulance and fire crews tried to rescue the man but his body was later recovered from the river.

Police have launched an investigation and are notifying next-of-kin. - BBC

sent to tubag bohol via email

Republic of the Philippines
Department of the Interior and Local Government
MUNICIPAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS OFFICE
Candijay, Bohol
SPECIAL REPORT RE: SHOOTING INCIDENT
Place  : CADAPDAPAN, CANDIJAY, BOHOL
Date and Time : June 5, 2010 about 7:45pm

Victim  : RICARDO PEROCHO Y PALMA, 44 years old, married, Barangay Captain, and a
                  resident of Cadapdapan, Candijay, Bohol

Injury  : Five (5) gunshot wounds on the different parts of the body

Suspects : Unidentified persons and undetermined numbers

Recovered from crime scene:

               1. 29 pcs empty shell of M16 ammos
               2. 8 pcs of bullet fragments
               3. 1 pc of empty shell of 45 cal. Ammo

FACTS:

      At about 7:45 in the evening of June 5, 2010, one (1) Rudy Cahayag of legal age, married and a resident of Poblacion, Candijay, Bohol personally appeared at the PNP Office and reported that Barangay Captain Ricardo Perocho was shot at his residence in Barangay Cadapdapan, Candijay, Bohol.

      PNP Officers passed by the Special Force Detachment at Barangay Tubod, Candijay, Bohol, and together with Pfc Valdez and two (2) CAFGU responded to the crime scene.

      During the ocular inspection, the victim was in prone position at the entrance of his concrete house without upper shirt, wearing pants, bath with his own blood, with gunshot wounds on the different parts of the body and already dead.

      Through the BPPO PTOC, the local PNP coordinated the Provincial Crime Laboratory.

      SOCO Team led by SPO1 Diola with PO3 Casagan and PO1 Telan in coordination with Dra. Prestine Faith Sumera, Muicipal Health Officer, conducted post mortem to the victims’s cadaver and processed the crime scene.

      Recovered from the crime scene were: 29 pieces of empty shell of m16 ammos, 8 pieces of bullets fragments and 1 piece empty shell of 45 cal. ammo.

      Initial investigation disclosed that at about 7:30 pm, the victim together with Charlie Perocho, 24 years old, son and with his daughter watching TV show at the sala of their house, a burst of rapid gun fire exploded.  Charlie and his younger sister hide inside their room.  Couple of minutes later, after a moment of silence, they saw their father (the victim) in prone position at the main door of their house, bath with his own blood and already dead. The said suspects escape at the back portion of the victim’s residence and disappear in the dark.

      Dispo: for further investigation.

      For and in behalf of:
      PI Afredo Pableo Kuhay, Jr.
      Chief of Police
      PNP Candijay
      Jose Jekeri P. Taningco
      Local Government Operations Officer V
      DILG Bohol Province

President Barack Obama has nominated retired Gen James Clapper, a top Pentagon official, as his next intelligence chief.

If confirmed, he will replace Adm Dennis Blair, who resigned in May after a run of security failures, as director of national intelligence (DNI).

The new DNI will oversee 16 agencies in the intelligence community.

Mr Obama has urged the US Senate to confirm Gen Clapper's nomination swiftly. - BBC

Future immigration from within the European Union needs to be more tightly controlled, Labour leadership contender Ed Balls has said.

Writing in the Observer, he said "too many" British workers had been affected by migration policies under Labour.

He called for temporary controls on the number of workers from Romania and Bulgaria to be extended.

He also criticised the coalition government for failing to address concerns about unskilled EU labour.

In a BBC Politics Show interview later, Mr Balls is also expected to urge more debate about policy in the contest. - BBC

A guide on how to avoid becoming embroiled in internet controversy has been issued to every councillor in Scotland.

The move follows a series of recent rows over comments made by politicians and activists on web blogs and Twitter.

Councillors were also advised on how to use social networking sites to increase their presence in communities.

The 11-page document urged elected representatives to be honest, and to inform and entertain.

Published by local government body the Improvement Service, it warned councillors to carefully consider the implications of anything they were considering publishing on the internet.

Rachel Donaire

Manny Pacquiao: Fighter of the Decade

Manny Pacquiao, left, Liev Schreiber , center, and Naomi Watts sit ringside before the WBA light middleweight title match between Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman, Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

By Rick Rockwell
examiner.com

Mayweather's announcement of a taking a couple of years off has swept the world of sports. It's a massive body shot that's knocked the wind out of Boxing fans from all four corners of the earth. 'Say it aint so, Floyd.' Is this another crazy trick from Floyd Mayweather Jr? I can tell you this; if Floyd does retire without fighting Manny Pacquiao then he will become the Sport's "Ultimate Chicken". I can't think of a more cowardly move than this.

Bird's Eye

BBC News - Sydney Opera House holds concert for canines
Concert for Dogs at Sydney Opera House

Hundreds of dogs and their owners have descended on the Sydney Opera House for a concert specifically for canines.

Organisers say the event, the work of American musician and artist Laurie Anderson, is the first of its kind.

Ms Anderson called it "an inter-species social gathering on a scale never seen before in Australia".

It featured the cries of whales and high-pitched electronic sounds inaudible to human ears, accompanied by a bass guitar and violin.

For an hour or so Australia's most recognisable building became a giant kennel.

The sounds sent some agitated pets into a frenzy, while others seemed rather bemused. - BBC

Who in your family are you most like?

What did people tease you about growing up?

What's a subject you wish you knew more about?

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

What talent do you wish you'd been born with?

What's the worst advice you've ever taken?

What's the best compliment you've ever received?

Do you think you're a good judge of character?

What do you spend most of your money on?

Have you ever crawled through a window?

Note: I tried it a couple of times while I was living in a dormitory in Silliman University. Good old college days.

Did you have an exciting experience last weekend?

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Have you ever won a prize in a contest?

Have you ever milked a cow or goat?

what is your aim for this year?

What decade during the last century would you have chosen to be a teenager?

Till what age would you like to live and why?

What time do you normally go to bed?

What time do you normally wake up?

What is the best job you ever had?

At the end of the day, feel free to share your experience with us.

Mga Bulak Sa Nangliki Nga Yuta
sinulat ni Mike Ortega Ligalig
as published by The Bohol Standard

      Dihay nag-ingon kanako kaniadto nga kung makakita ka ug bulak nga mitobo diha sa kabatoan taliwala sa naglagiting nga kainit sa adlaw, kana nagsimbolo sa paglaum. Nga bisan pa diay taliwala sa nangliki nga yuta anaa pay mogitib nga bulak aron motug-an sa mga lumalabay nga aduna pay kahayag nga umaabot.

      Misantop kini sa akong pangisip human ko mahinabi ang usa ka higala. Kini nahitabo didto sa among lungsod sa Anda, ang bugtong lungsod sa Bohol nga giharian sa managhigugmaay nga babae ug lalaki.

      Matod niya nga aduna siyay silingan nga wala modawat sa kwarta nga gihatag sa kandidato nga wala niya mauyoni ang binuhatan sa dugay nang katuigan.

      Dos mil pesos ang palit sa boto sa among lungsod. Daghan ang mibali sa ultima-ora. Sa wala pa ang piniliay, sige ug bagotbot nga maot kaayo ang pamunoan sa among lungsod. Hinuon, nahibalo man ang tanan mahitungod niini. Apan pag-abot sa piniliay, mibali ang hangin. Nakadawat ug duha o upat ka nanampiling, nalain na ang templa sa mga tawo. Nakalimtan ang ilang mga yangongo nga gihambin sa dugay nang mga katuigan.

      Nahisagmuyo ko sa mga panghitabo sa miaging piliay. Kanunay ko moingon sa mga kaestorya nako: “Bisan pa lagi ug iro padaganon, modaug basta naay kwarta.” Ang mga dili angayan modala sa renda sa pangagamhanan mao hinuoy mananaog, dili tungod kay ngilngig sila ug abilidad, kon dili tungod kay lawom ang ilang bulsa.

      Tungod niini, milaylo ko niadtong miaging eleksyon. Miadto ko sa Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia ug Cambodia. Didto ko sa Thailand nagdugay, nagpuyo sa balay sa Thai nako nga amigo. Kaniadto sa mga piniliay, lunod-patay ko molaban ug kandidato. Daw iula ang kaugalingon nimo nga dugo. Apan kung modaug na ang imong gilabanan, ikaw ra poy balihon ug nudnod sa yuta. Sauna kanunay ko modiskorso sa entablado pamasin nga makasabot ang mga tawo sa mensahe sa kabag-ohan uban sa panghinaut nga malamdagan ang ilang alimpatakan ug gakson ang kahayag kay sa dugayng panahon sila naulipon sa kuko sa kangitngit.

      Mangugat ka. Ikaw pay dauton. Wa kay tulog. Mapagaw ka ug pahimangno sa mga tawo. Apan ang linugdangan niining tanan: modaug ra gihapon ang mga kandidato nga ang bugtong tumong ug tinguha sa pagpili mao ang pagpaburot sa ilang bulsa ug pagbusikad sa ilang alkansiya.

      Sa akong kapungot sa kagahi ug ulo sa mga tawo, moingon nalang ko: “Pasagdi ning mga tawhana. Mao man niy ilang gusto. Kay ila mang gipili nga mag-antos, nah ala padayonon ang ilang kagustohan.”

      Kinsa may dili maugtas nga nakahibalo naman sila sa mga hiwi nga binuhatan sa usa ka kandidato apan sa adlaw sa pagpili adto gihapon sila mobutar sa dautan tungod kay mawiod kay nakadawat ug kwarta. Pagkaluoy sa mentality sa kadaghanan sa mga Filipino. Naa pay mga taga amo nga moingon: “Di kaha ta gabaan ani kung di ko mobotar ni _____ nga nakadawat ra ba ko ug _____ pesos.” Tan-awa ra gud na nga klase sa pangutok. Mangutana mo ngano pobre ang Pilipinas? Tungod ni sa pagkawalay alamag sa daghang mga tawo. Walay history, walay pagsabot sa dagan sa gobyerno, walay nahibaloan sa tinuod nga kahimtang sa nasod. Puro lang Wowowee ang sulod sa huna-huna.

      Bisan pa man niining tanan, nabuhi ang akong dugo. Kadtong akong giingon nga mga silingan sa akong higala nga wala modawat sa dos mil pesos mga barangay tanod to. Ang ilang kapitan tua dapig sa maong mitanyag sa dos mil.

      Tungod kay mibarog sila sa ilang prinsipyo ug wala modawat sa salapi, pagkaugma, human sa eleksyon, gipapha sila sa ilang pagka-barangay tanod.

      Sila ang mga bulak nga mitobo taliwala sa nangliki nga yuta tungod sa naglagiting nga kainit sa adlaw.

Where can I watch a live NBA game in a restaurant in Davao City?

Please post your feedback here.
I am already angry with our hosting company.

They say everything is fine, but something is wrong with tubag's speed.

I am still fixing this problem and will never give up until I find a solution.

Diamon Simpson scored 23 points and had 14 rebounds while LA Tenorio added 22 markers in leading Alaska past Barako Coffee, 104-96, last night to give the Aces a piece of third place in the eliminations of the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Simpson scored 17 of his output in the final two periods as the Aces blew hot and cold and had to battle it out in the stretch before pounding out their eighth win in 13 games.

Alaska tied idle sister squads Barangay Ginebra and Derby Ace, but coach Tim Cone feels it will take something out of the ordinary for the three squads to catch joint leaders San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text for a spot in the Final Four outright. - By Musong Castillo, PDI

The future president of the Philippines has just turned 50, but some say he looks years older. Have you ever wondered what presidential frontâ€"runner Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III would look like if he had a makeover? Known for his frugal nature and noâ€"nonsense approach to style, Aquino probably won’t spend a dime, much less undergo a cosmetic procedure, to change his looks. But if he’s going to be the face of the Philippines for the next six years, it won’t hurt to look the part of a youthful president who is expected to be the country’s new superhero.

GMANews.TV sought insights from well-known cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicky Belo to give Aquino a virtual makeover. Belo thinks a few minor procedures to enhance the senator’s appearance could help improve his image. “It is important that Noynoy looks approachable. We don’t want a president looking worried all the time," Belo said. - GMA News

By Trey Kerby

Saying Kobe Bryant is focused is like saying tacos are delicious â€" it's a major understatement. To throw Kobe Bryant off his game you're going to need more than trash talk, flying elbows or crowd noise. You're going to need one of the funniest stand-up comedians of the past 20 years, someone who knows just what to say to get under a person's skin. You need someone like Chris Rock, and even then, results aren't guaranteed. - Yahoo Sports

US shares have seen big falls after it emerged that fewer jobs were created last month than expected.

The Dow Jones index shed 324 points or 3.16% in Friday trading, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes also seeing falls of more than 3%.

Some 431,000 jobs were created in May, the Labor Department said. However, analysts had expected 500,000 new jobs.

Adding to the bleak outlook, most of the new jobs - about 411,000 - were temporary posts for 2010 Census staff. - BBC

P999 Seat Sale to all domestic destinations. Lower year-round fares for budget travelers!

Cebu Pacific offers a P999 ‘Go Lite’ seat sale to any of our domestic destinations starting now until June 8, 2010, for travel from July 1 to August 31, 2010.

We fly to a total of 33 domestic destinations from Manila, Cebu, Clark and Davao, using the youngest aircraft fleet in the country.

This June, we are launching even lower fares to your favorite destinations for travel anytime within the year!

Our lowest possible year-round fares for selected routes were reduced by as much as 30%, namely those from Manila to Catarman and Calbayog (from P1,188 to P778), and Manila to Cebu, Bacolod and Kalibo (from P1,088 to P778).

Lowest year-round fares for Manila-Tacloban and Manila-Tagbilaran flights were cut down from P1,188 to P978. While our new lowest year-round fares for other destinations are: Virac (P688), Coron or Busuanga (P678), Iloilo (P778), Cebu-Davao (P978), Legazpi (P778), San Jose (P678), Davao (P1,688) and Puerto Princesa in Palawan (P978).

Israeli troops will board an Irish-owned aid ship attempting to break the blockade of Gaza if it does not change course, Israel's military says.

The MV Rachel Corrie was instructed to dock at the Israeli port of Ashdod but has not complied, Israel says.

"If they won't leave us any choice, we'll have to board the ship," Lt-Col Avital Liebovich told Reuters.

It comes days after Israeli commandos stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Clashes on board left nine people dead.

That raid brought strong condemnation of Israel, especially from Turkey, from where most of the victims came.

The Rachel Corrie is believed to be in international waters, about 35 miles (56km) off the Israeli coast.

Israel says it has radioed the aid ship but received no response. - BBC

I had deleted several sections (the posts are intact as they are just moved to another thread - see our announcement).

If you feel there is an awesome section that should be added in tubag bohol, please feel free to post your suggestions here.

Thanks Virgil for the feedback. Hope more friends could provide me a feedback.

Now they've become one section. FYI.

Thanks for the feedback Manay...

The two sections have become one. All posts and threads are absolutely intact.

All post and threads are now under the Blog and Diary Section. Open Talk board has been deleted. The two sections were merged into one. FYI.

The two sections have been merged into one. FYI.

The two sections had been merged into one. All birthday-anniversary posts can be found at Congratulations section.

Thanks Tigbao for the feedback. I am constantly tweaking the server to make things better. The site is getting bigger, and more server resources are required.

By JONATHAN M. HICAP, Manila Bulletin

Members of K-pop quintet the Wonder Girls may have to wait two more years before they can date.

During a recent appearance on the KBS talk show “Win Win,” the girls revealed that JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, told them that they can’t date as of the time and should instead focus on charting their career.

“When we first debuted, he told us to wait for three years. When we went to the US, he told us to wait for another two years. How much longer do we have to wait?” the girls said in jest.

The girls also revealed romantic things they would want to experience if they have boyfriends.

Yenny said she wants to have a couple ring and write his name using a secret code on the “Thanks To” part of the album.

Canine lovers were in mourning Thursday at the news that a bug-eyed Chinese crested hairless pooch, who was officially crowned the "World's Ugliest Dog," has died at age 17.

The lovable Miss Ellie, whose lopsided tongue always stuck out of the side of her mouth, died on Tuesday in her Tennessee home, the local Mountain Press daily newspaper said.

Rescued by owner Dawn Goehring when she was seven years old, Miss Ellie, who drew smiles with the shock of blonde hair above her eyes, had helped raise over 100,000 dollars for the Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley.

Despite being blind in her final years, she won Animal Planet's "World's Ugliest Dog" award last year.

She also starred in Animal Planet's "Dog 101" and was featured in numerous commercials and television programs. Miss Ellie had been set to travel to California this month to defend her title. - AFP

Hello Everyone,

We just upgraded our server.

On page loading speed:
Is it slow? Is it fast? Please report your experience here.

Hello Everyone,

I had merged the two sections into one. All the posts in the Announcement board have been moved to Help and Support.

Please use our Google Search Tool at the Help section for your quick reference.

- Mike

By ANNIE S. ALEJO
Manila Bulletin

While still admitting to neither here nor there on his relationship with Shaina Magdayao, actor John Lloyd Cruz is excited about something else: Working with Angel Locsin.

At the media gathering to launch Lloydy -- as his fans call him -- as the new endorser of Jack N’ Jill’s line of Magic products, he tells Bulletin Entertainment in a one-on-one interview about his pairing with Locsin on the forthcoming ABS-CBN teleserye, "Imortal."

“Eto nga, it’s my only time [to work with her]. Kasi matagal din akong pumila eh. Siyempre [nauna na] si Piolo [Pascual]. Tapos niligawan pa ni Luis [Manzano].Nabakuran kaagad…,” he joked.

By ALEX VALENTIN BROSAS
Manila Bulletin

Known for his cool demeanor, TV host Boy Abunda was unable to contain his anger at those saying he is "just [an] entertainer.”

Abunda, in a rare display of emotion, retaliated to issues in relation to the rumored offer for him to head the Department of Tourism office. 

“Mga kaibigan, una I’d like to thank president apparent or presumptive president-elect Noynoy Aquino for the kind words that he said doon sa kanyang press conference. Noy, I am grateful, maraming salamat sa tiwala at sa respeto,” Abunda opened up on “Showbiz News Ngayon” June 2.

Abunda then admitted he’s not financially ready to take any post in government. He said he cannot give up his career in show business.

“Pangalawa mga kaibigan, nais ko pong malaman ninyo na naiintidihan ko that when one is given a chance to serve in government or to occupy a government post, dapat kayo po ay intellectually ready, emotionally ready and financially ready. Intellectually ready, we can debate about it. It’s debatable. Emotionally ready, it is judgment call. You know yourself. You know when you are emotionally ready for something. Financially ready, mga kaibigan hindi po ako financially ready. Matagal na po akong nagtatrabaho dito sa industriyang ito. Nakaipon na ako nang konti para sa komportableng buhay ng nanay, ako at ang aking kapatid, para sa aming maliit na pamilya. If I lose my job tomorrow, hindi ako magsisinungaling, I am okay.

By ALEX VALENTIN BROSAS, Manila Bulletin

Controversial star Gretchen Barretto found herself nearly naked when a freak accident involving her gown occurred during her recent taping with her leading man Derek Ramsay for “Magkaribal.”

“We were on a motorbike, a big bike. And she was looking beautiful at that time. Nagba-bike with her long gown. We’re just trying this effect na we’re gonna fly by the camera with her dress,” Derek narrated on “Showbiz News Ngayon,” June 2.

“Akala ko may humila. Yun pala, ‘yung tire inipit ‘yung gown. Tapos sumigaw ako. Afterwards, nahubaran ako,” the actress said.

Derek shared, “And then it held her back, it folded her dress down.”

International singer Lea Salonga is set to share the stage with teen heartthrob Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers for the grand 25th anniversary concert of the longest-running musical play, “Les Miserables,” on Oct. 3 in London.

Both Lea and Nick are previous cast members of the award-winning musical. Lea played Eponine in the West End production back in 1993, while Nick played Gavroche during the 2003 Broadway run. This time, the Pinay pride will reprise her Broadway role, Fantine, while the The Administration lead vocalist will play his 2010 West End role, Marius.

“Les Miz” is also bound to set another historic feat, this, for staging three productions simultaneously in different locations in London: the original production at the Queen's Theatre in the West End; the 25th anniversary production in Barbican (where the play was first staged); and the anniversary concert at The O2 Arena. - Manila Bulletin, By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

By ROLLY T. CARANDANG
Manila Bulletin

Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the incoming administration to legislate an integrated computer education starting in elementary level to prepare the youth in the latest advances in this field.

To do this, Angara proposed to include basic computer applications and programs in primary schools to produce highly skilled workers in programming, digitally-aided designs, hardware, networking and software development.

“Our people need to be updated on the latest advances in technology. The youth must be scientifically and technically prepared to fully tap their inner talents and contribute to national development,” noted Angara, former UP President.

Angara also proposed the creation of the Board of Computer Education to asses, supervise and monitor the accreditation of schools; provide the curriculum for computer-aided logic, math and science education in the elementary level; and monitor over all performances of the schools and the students.

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT
Manila Bulletin

Here’s good news for parents.

Only less than 10 percent of the 9,995 private schools nationwide may increase their tuition this school year.

This was disclosed by the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Mona Valisno last Wednesday, disclosing that reports from the various DepEd regional offices indicate that less than 10 percent of the private schools have applied for tuition increase. Thus, more than 90 percent have no tuition increase this school year.

“While there have been several applications for tuition increases by private schools, this represents a small portion of all private schools nationwide,” said Valisno.

In Metro Manila alone, only 107 out of the 1,937 private elementary and secondary schools have applied for tuition increase. In Central Visayas, it was also reported that less than 10 percent of all private schools have applied for tuition increase.

Valisno noted that applicants for tuition increase declined this year compared to last year. “Because there is a steady decrease in the application for tuition increase by private elementary and secondary schools nationwide, this is good news to parents,” she explained.

In 2009, there were 110 private schools in Metro Manila that applied for an increase, this year only 107 have applied for an increase,” Valisno stressed.

I never look forward to retirement years. I want to do something up to the last minute of my life.

What Is Your Favorite Snack Food?
Mine: hot sikwate with cassava cake.

Final score: 89-102. Lakers win Game 1 of the Finals.

Latest score: 80-93 in favor of Lakers. 4 minutes to go.

5 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.
Lakers lead 15 points over Celtics.
Full timeout called by Celtics.

End of 3rd Quarter.
Score: 64-84. Lakers lead.

End of second quarter.
Score: 41-50. Lakers lead.

live scoring.

37-48 time-out. in favor of Lakers.

Game 1 Lakers vs Celtics Finals 2010 Live Coverage

35-44 Lakers lead in the second quarter.

Ben, it was the yellow shirts who occupied the airport. Thailand was in a total mess lately. The red shirt protesters burned down malls, banks, and other buildings. At least the government had succeeded in cleaning up the streets of protesters. My vacation there last April was ruined by those violent protests.

P.S. Ben, Bangkok Air is another budget airline in Thailand that flies to many parts of Southeast Asia.

(AP) â€" Nokia Corp. will run mapping and navigation services for Yahoo Inc. in an acknowledgement that the slumping Internet company hasn't kept up with rival Google Inc. in the increasingly important area of location services.

Yahoo will, in turn, provide e-mail and instant messaging services on Nokia phones, as part of the worldwide partnership announced Monday.

Yahoo has been working to focus on its core businesses â€" creating and licensing content, selling online ads and providing messaging services â€" while turning to partners to run some of its other offerings.

"It just allows us to deliver better experiences than everybody trying to do the same thing,'' Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz said in an interview.

Partnerships, she said, are increasingly becoming a part of Yahoo's DNA. Last year, the company entered a 10-year Internet search partnership with Microsoft Corp. in an effort to whittle away Google's leadership. On Monday, Yahoo said it will drop its Yahoo Personals brand for its dating service and partner with Match.com, a standalone dating website owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp.

By EDU H. LOPEZ
Manila Bulletin

Daily power outages in Mindanao have hit an average of five hours a day and is expected to persist until the third quarter of this year, according to Philexport Northern Mindanao chapter based in Cagayan de Oro.

This is one of the major issues on the table as the Philexport chapter convenes a much needed consultation to help them sort out the situation and arrive at practical ways of solving it, said Philexport 10A president Wilson Amad.

The Cagayan de Oro group of exporters wanted to share the confederation's insights on the worsening problem of electric power shortages in Mindanao, as the El Niño induced drought in the area has brought down the capacity of hydro-electric dams to generate enough power to supply the daily needs of households and industries in the area.

Asian stock markets tumbled Tuesday, extending a sell-off that sent Wall Street lower overnight as the sliding euro hit exporters amid a new wave of pessimism about the global economy's health.

Renewed worries about Europe's debt problems and a shaky euro rattled already anxious investors, who grew more uncertain about the outlook for the US and global economies.

Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average shed 2.4 percent to 9,526.97 as the yen's strength against the common European currency hammered exporters. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 2 percent to 19,278.05, and South Korea's Kospi lost 3 percent to 1,556.28. Benchmarks in Australia, Taiwan, Singapore and mainland China also retreated.

US crude fell more than $2 towards $68 on Tuesday on growing concern that Europe's debt crisis would derail the global economic recovery, prompting investors to sell riskier assets in a flight to dollar safety.- AP

By MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
Manila Bulletin

A National Food Authority (NFA) official Tuesday said Caraga Region is now practically flooded with locally harvested and imported rice as another boat containing some 150,000 bags of newly-imported rice arrived anew at the port of Surigao City.

NFA Caraga Regional Director Gil Pepito B. Paqueo said the volume of rice currently stocked at various warehouses and designated government outlets in the region is more than enough to meet the local rice requirement in the area for 31 days or more â€" based on the region’s daily requirement of 22,800 bags of rice.

It was learned that at least one million bags of imported rice have already been delivered in the Caraga Region since last December.

Earlier, the NFA official already announced to any interested grains businessmen/millers/wholesalers/retailers/establishments about the sale of imported rice now stored at various NFA warehouses throughout the region.

Outgoing Governor Erico Aumentado, who is making a comeback to Congress after winning as representative of Bohol’s 2nd district, has initiated a smooth transition of the provincial government to the governor-elect, incumbent 1st district Congressman Edgar Chatto, to ensure the implementation of various mega-projects started in his administration.

The outgoing governor tasked Provincial Administrator Handel Lagunay to convene the team to prepare the transition plan, and designated Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator John Titus Vistal as focal person in the transition.

Aumentado requested Chatto to also organize his own transition team and meet with his.

He stressed the significance of a smooth transition, considering that megaprojects and programs are already being implemented, some due for implementation or are already in the initiation phase which must be followed through so that these can be completed in the incoming administration.

“Were hopeful and optimistic that when these projects and programs are fully implemented, they will improve the quality of life of the Boholanos and further enhance the economic drivers of our province, that is, agriculture and tourism,” Aumentado said.

In response, Chatto informed Aumentado that he had also formed his own transition team to  complement the team of the outgoing administration in the transition talks.

Chatto designated Provincial Board Member Alfonso Damalerio II as focal person of his transition team.

“The Damalerio-led team and I will are very interested to know the outgoing Governor’s priority programs and projects including their stages of implementation for our appropriate guidance before we also embark on trailblazing development initiatives,” Chatto said. - PNA

Four students in New York have raised $200,000 (£136,000) to build an open alternative to Facebook.

Diaspora describes itself as a "privacy-aware, personally-controlled" social network.

The students used the fundraising site Kickstarter to raise a total of $200,642 to build the technology.

The project came to attention following attacks on Facebook for its privacy policies that it was eventually forced to change.

Before the funding closed, the team wrote: "You may not hear too much from us in the coming months and we will try our best to provide regular updates, but our silence means we are hard at work." - BBC

By Matt Walker
Editor, Earth News

Deep sea fish species found in the north Pacific Ocean have mysteriously been caught in the southwest Atlantic, on the other side of the world.

It is unclear how the animals, a giant rattail grenadier, pelagic eelpout and deep sea squid, travelled so far.

Their discovery 15,000km from their usual home raises the possibility that deep sea currents can transport animals from one polar region to another.

Details are published in the journal Deep Sea Research part I.

"These findings were completely unexpected," says Dr Alexander Arkhipkin of the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department, based in Stanley, on the Falkland Islands in the southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Hundreds of thousands of Facebook users are falling victim to so-called "clickjacking" attacks, warn web security labs.

Facebook members see links to subjects such as "World Cup 2010 in HD" or "Justin Bieber's phone number" that their friends appear to have "liked".

Clicking the link tricks users into recommending the site on Facebook too.

Security experts say the scam currently has no malicious intent but could be adapted to deliver malware.

The link generally takes the user through to a page containing an instruction, such as asking them to click a button to confirm that they are over 18. - BBC

Bugs, maayo kaayo ni imong balak. Naghulagway sa kinaiya sa mga Bol-anon ug sa atong gihambin nga mga pangindahay.

By JAMES A. LOYOLA
Manila Bulletin

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) hopes to wrap up negotiatations for the direct sale of a 49 percent stake in subsidiary San Miguel Pure Foods Company within one month but is keeping its option to do a public offer if it doesn’t come to terms with one of the suitors.

In an interview, SMC president Ramon S. Ang said the original plan for SMPFC was to sell a 49 percent stake via a follow-on offering of secondary shares. However, Ang said there were offers for a direct acquisitions so SMC has to consider these offers since it is much faster and cheaper to sell the stake directly to one buyer instead of undergoing a public offer.

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA
Manila Bulletin

With some 10 million Filipino overseas workers, mostly in the US, remitting US$17 billion in the Philippines annually, GCash, Globe Telecom Inc.’s micro payment service, partnered with PayPal to allow American users to transfer funds to the Philippines using their mobile phones with the speed and cost of a text message.

Already, worldwide remittance levels reached US$316 billion in 2009 and are expected to increase at 6.2% in 2010 and 7.1% in 2011, according to the World Bank’s Migration and Development Report.

“By using PayPal, we can lower the cost of domestic and international remittances through Globe’s mobile network, which has increasing presence on the internet,” explained Rizza Maniego-Eala, President of G-Xchange, Inc. Furthermore, “The PayPal platform expands our capability and reach to the US.”

“PayPal’s value proposition is to offer consumers a safer, easier, and more convenient way to pay online,” added Farhad Irani, Vice President of PayPal Asia Pacific. “GCash integrated PayPal into their offering to allow people in the US to send money with ease and convenience to friends and families in the Philippines.”

For money transfers via the GCASH Online website, PayPal account holders in the US only have to enter the recipient’s GCASH registered Globe or TM number in the Philippines and the amount they wish to send. They will then be directed to their PayPal account to review and confirm their transaction.

Once done, recipients in the Philippines will be notified through a text message on their mobile phone. The funds will automatically be credited to the GCASH wallet of the receiving party who has the option to cash out the amount at any of the 18,000 GCASH outlets nationwide or to use the funds to buy load, pay for their bills or make purchases from online or retail merchants.

Manny Pangilinan does not write his speeches. What's the name of his speech writer?

We have documents to prove that she only talked to DENR after she had cut the trees. DENR officials said Mayor Piezas had said she just wanted to prone the trees.

Oh, by the way, please check the mayor's house. New furniture set is coming?

By FREDDIE G. LAZARO
Manila Bulletin

Hopes dimmed for a Japanese tourist who went missing while swimming at a beach resort Barangay Urbiztondo, here, Sunday night, even as search-and-rescue operations widened Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Marlon Peste, local police chief, said there was no sign of 54-year-old Nobory Herai, a native of Okayama City, Okayama, Japan, who was vacationing in this town with his friend and countryman Takashi Ouchi, 40.

A separate report referred to the victim’s surname as “Hitai.”

Based on Ouchi’s statement, Peste said the two Japanese tourists arrived here Sunday afternoon from Manila.

They immediately went swimming late in the afternoon until around 7:30 p.m. when Ouchi left Herai in the water to have a cigarette at the resort’s parking lot.

Peste said that when Ouchi returned to the beach to check on his friend, Herai was already missing, prompting him to alert resort staff.

By Elena Gorgan

Though she’s undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous women in showbiz at the moment, Jennifer Aniston is more than aware that the clock is ticking. At 41 years old, she could put women half her age to shame, but that doesn’t mean she’s perfection incarnate. On the contrary, she says for the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK  magazine.

The former “Friends” star, who can now be seen in the romantic comedy “The Bounty Hunter,” opposite “Gerard Butler,” says that, while the thought that she’s getting older doesn’t quite get her ecstatic, she would never consider getting Botox. Other female stars say they wouldn’t get the jab because it would hinder their performance in front of the camera by freezing their expression, but Jen is opposed to the idea because the lines on her face hold the secret to her life. - softpedia.com

By Zac Sarian

More than 50 varieties of new vegetables and other high-value crops are currently grown on two hectares in Brgy. Sto. Rosario, Floridablanca, Pampanga to find out how they fare under growing conditions in actual farmers’ fields.

Louie Castro, 34, a commercial photographer who shifted to the production of high-value crops in 2003, is collaborating with the East-West Seed Company in growing the crops. EWSC is a leading producer and distributor of vegetable seeds and other high-value crops in the country.

Ric Reyes, a ranking East-West Seed official, says that they are constantly developing new varieties for release every year. But they have to test them not only under their company’s experimental stations but also in actual farmers’ fields so that they will be able to find out how they fare in the field.

The three-day 3rd Pinoy Organic Festival will open Friday at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City.

The organic fest will be participated in by organic farming practitioners, advocates from the government, academe and the private sector. Various organic products will be exhibited for sale by growers and processors of various commodities.

Sen. Miguel Zubiri, one of the principal authors of the Philippine Organic Agriculture Law, will talk on the opportunities as well as the challenges of the new law on opening day. It is expected that organic agriculture will really get a big boost as a substantial budget is allocated for the law’s implementation. - Manila Bulletin

(AFP) â€" Jetstar, the budget offshoot of Australian flag carrier Qantas, announced an agreement with Air France-KLM which the airline hopes will expand its customer base in Europe.

The deal, which includes Jetstar, Jetstar Asia/Valuair and Jetstar Pacific, will cover all Jetstar ports and Air France-KLM hubs in Paris and Amsterdam.

The partnership will allow passengers to travel more easily to the almost 60 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region that Jetstar serves, including through its growing Singapore hub, Jetstar executive manager commercial David Koczkar said.

Subic Water and Sewerage Company Inc. announced recently that it had signed up with ObTech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Philippines, to implement SAP Business One â€" a single integrated business management application for small businesses - in an effort to streamline its business operations and processes.

Edna Canlas, general manager of Subic Water, said they chose ObTech as implementation partner mainly because of the cost effectiveness it offers. ObTech was also able to show that it has the breadth and scalability to handle the complex requirements of Subic Water’s information technology operations on account of its wider expertise and better efficiency compared to the competition.

With the SAP Business One in place, Canlas believes Subic Water will soon be able to offer more accurate water billing and take advantage of better real-time collaborative information. The new system is also expected to lead to more efficient project costing and improved customer service. - Manila Bulletin

By JAMES A. LOYOLA
Manila Bulletin

BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. is optimistic about its growth prospects this year, given the overall business confidence index in an upbeat trend, while also prepared for possible economic challenges ahead.

With Banco de Oro Universal Bank as its parent firm, thus resulting in synergy, BDOLF continued to perform well in 2010 as the net loan portfolio further grew to P9.8 billion at the end of the first quarter.

BDO Leasing intensified its marketing efforts in 2009 and with the support of its parent bank, BDO Unibank, grew its net loan portfolio by 19 percent to P9.1 billion from P7.7 billion in 2008 while total assets ballooned to P13.1 billion in 2009 or 25 percent higher than the P10.4 billion the previous year.

By CHINO S. LEYCO
Manila Bulletin

AXA Philippines said that it sees premium revenues to grow by 40 percent this year from P4.4 billion in 2009 due to the strong comeback in investment-linked products in the past three months.

Rien Hermans, AXA Philippines chief executive, said the company expects that the strong comeback in investment-linked products will be sustained in the remaining months of the year.

Hermans added AXA projects that in the first six-months income to increase by 60 percent from the same period last year as it posted 87 percent growth to P349.4 million in the first-quarter from P187.3 million.

By ROY C. MABASA
Manila Bulletin

Incoming Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said the total gun ban proposal did not sit well with him. As far as he is concerned, it would be better to consider proposals for stricter enforcement of laws banning the carrying of firearms outside of residence.

“If laws are rigidly enforced, good police work can solve crimes committed by outlaws,” said Aquino, who is himself a gun collector and used to be into practical shooting.

In an earlier interview with the Manila Bulletin, Aquino revealed that it was Dulce, the late wife of former Sen. Rene Saguisag, who told him that he has to have a sport as an outlet.

“That was when I got into practical shooting. Your effort is rewarded immediately, there is progress every week. Then later on, when I was given the chance to play in a (target shooting) competition, I won. That's when I said ‘Hey, here is where I can earn medals,’” Aquino explained.

So, it was done with consent. I wonder whether the parents of these two girls were aware of the situation.

By Tudor Vieru, Science Editor
Softpedia.com

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM) announce the development of a new type of gasoline engine that they say could revolutionize the way automakers design and build their cars. The innovation consists of engine blocs that are extremely efficient in preserving fuel, and thus reducing consumption and increasing mileage. The UWM group says that their engines can reduce gasoline consumption by up to 30 percent in regular vehicles, and by up to 20 percent in heavy trucks. With the soaring prices of fossil fuels, and the current economic crisis, their work is bound to get a lot of attention, Technology Review reports.

An added advantage of the new engines is the fact that they would add nothing to the overall costs of cars employing them. The technology that powers them is not very expensive, and buyers would feel little effects on their budgets when buying cars outfitted with the new engines. A marked difference in prices will, however, be felt by people looking to buy trucks. Costs are bound to spiral down, as the increased engine efficiency will eliminate the need for installing expensive after-treatment systems on large vehicles. Such measures are usually taken in order to reduce emission levels.

(AFP) â€" US debt has reached $13 trillion for the first time in history, the Treasury Department said Wednesday, stoking a political furor over government spending.

Amid vast government outlays designed to end the economic crisis, the debt reached a record $13,050,826,460,886.97 on June 1, according to official figures.

The debt has more than doubled in the last 10 years and now stands at just under 90 percent of annual gross domestic product.

(Reuters) â€" Supply from new harvests and the possible release of government stocks will continue to push Asian rice prices lower in coming weeks, traders said, with a new Vietnamese harvest due to hit the market.

Benchmark Thai 100 percent B grade white rice slipped to $455 per tonne from last week's $460, exporters said.

It has fallen 25 percent since the end of 2009 and almost 60 percent from the record high of $1,080 in April 2008.

By LEE C. CHIPONGIAN
Manila Bulletin

Fixed-term deposits of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) increased by 340 percent to P20.6 billion as of end-April, from P4.7 billion in end-December.

The BSP has been closely monitoring GOCCs and government financial institutions (GFIs) money placements with the central bank to control expansion of domestic liquidity, said sources.

To increase or reduce liquidity in the financial system, the BSP accepts fixed-term deposits. It also has open market operations such as special deposit accounts (SDAs) and other standing facilities which it could use to siphon off excess liquidity in the market. The SDA facility consists of fixed-term deposits with the BSP and in 2007, it expanded access by allowing trust entities to deposit in SDAs in order to better manage liquidity in the face of strong foreign exchange inflows.