2 Alabang Boys released

Two of the Alabang Boys, Richard Brodett (28) and Jorge Joseph (25), have been released according to Philippine Daily Inquirer August 27, 2011 edition. On September 19, 2008, the Alabang Boys were caught for alleged drug possession. (source Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Picture of the day: The human side of animals

A chimp, Do Do, is feeding a cub, Aorn, in Thailand. (source msn/image Reuters/Sukree Sukplang)

Steve Jobs' Apple is richer than the US Government

Who would think that there's a company that has more money than the United States? That would be Steve Jobs' Apple Inc., the maker of iPod and iPad. Apple has cash reserves of $75.9 billion as of June 25, 2011, while the US Government has $73.8 billion, a difference of $2.1 billion. (source pinoymoneytalk)

Is President Noynoy Aquino rich?

According to his 2010 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), the Philippine's current president has a total net worth of Php 55 million. (source pinoymoneytalk.com)

Manny Pacquiao's $9 million new house in Forbes Park

The pound-for-pound king, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, is said to have recently bought a $9 million house in the first class village in Makati City, the Forbes Park. The house is located at Cambridge Street, North Forbes, and formerly owned by Roque Tordesillas. He will now be living among the richest persons in the country, including Tonyboy Conjuangco, Senator Loren Legards, and other foreign ambassadors. Pacman's total networth is P1.13 billion ($26 million) as per his declaration in 2010. (source Inquirer.net,GMAnews.tv,pinoymoneytalk.com)

Justice Secretary de Lima says sorry to Mike Arroyo

The Philippine's Secretary of Justice, Laila de Lima, asked for an apology from the former first gentleman, Mike Arroyo, for the wrong information that she received from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Earlier, BI reported to de Lima that Arroyo's name didn't appear on the immigration list. It turned out (as seen on the cctv) that Arroyo even lined up at an immigration counter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). An immigration employee has typed Arroyo with a single "r" which caused the erroneous report submitted to the secretary of justice who requested that Arroyo's name be included in BI's watch list due to his involvement on the helicopter issue being investigated by the Senate. (source newsinfo.inquirer.net/photo newsbreak.ph)

Filipino seafarers contribute USD 627.3 million in Q1 2011

According to Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), the more than 300 thousand Filipino seamen have contributed USD 627.3 million to Philippine coffers for the first quarter of 2011. The biggest remittance is from seamen whose ships are based in Asia. (source abs-cbn/photo credit pinoy-ofw.com)

Senate needs Mike Arroyo's explanation on helicopter issue

The former Philippine First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, will be served with a subpoena if he fails to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on August 11, 2011. The Senate is investigating the used helicopters allegedly sold by Arroyo to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009 with a cost higher than the brand new price. (source dzmm.com/image pinoygroundzero.com)

As of August 3, 2011 (6pm Manila time) According to Mike Arroyo's lawyer, his client is undergoing a treatment now in Hong Kong since last July 31, 2011. Arroyo will attend the senate hearing if he will get a clearance from his doctor.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has tendered his resignation as Philippine senator today, August 3, 2011. Zubiri was allegedly one of the politicians involved in the controversial 2007 election fraud being investigated currently. Zubiri has denied this allegation during his privilege speech.(source dzmm.com/ image businessweekmindanao.com)

Manny Pacquiao, hero of the homeless Filipinos

Habitat for Humanity has named boxing icon, Manny Pacquiao, as an ambassador in the Philippines. Manny, who is also the congressman in Sarangani Province, has donated 3 hectares of his land that will initially be built with 100 homes to be donated to the homeless. He is committed to "knock out" poverty and help poor people to have their own homes.


source ph.news.yahoo.com
photo credit news.nfo.ph

President Aquino's 2nd SONA

President Benigno C. Aquino (PNoy) delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2011, at the House of Representatives, Quezon City. He mentioned the famous wang-wang (referring to the siren being abusively used by some government officials of previous administration), housing projects for the police force, and how the government will deal with other current problems. He also promoted positivism by thanking government employees instead of criticizing them. Overall, PNoy earned a lot of positive reactions from Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites.

President Aquino's SONA video is here http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/07/25/11/2011-sona-president-aquino


photo credit batangastoday.com

Zaldy Ampatuan went back to Camp Bagong Diwa

After spending 2 days at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan was brought back to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig. According PHC doctor, he has a significant coronary artery disease that may be caused by his diabetes. His health is being closely monitored by the doctor and nurse of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Ampatuan is one of the Maguindanao massacre suspects who allegedly murdered 58 civilians, including members of media.


source DZMM
photo credit verafiles.org

No Filipino hurt in Oslo bombing

The Philippine's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that no Filipino was hurt in the Oslo bombing where 91 were confirmed dead. There are 16,000 Filipinos in Norway, mostly seamen, nurses and engineers.


source DZMM
photo credit dawn.com

August 29 & 30 declared holiday by Malacanang

There will be a 4-day weekend declared by Malacanang - August 29 (Monday) and August 30 (Tuesday). August 29, 2011, will be holiday for National Heroes' Day and August 30, 2011, is for Ramadan celebration.

GMA will not attend PNoy's SONA

Philippine's former President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), will not be attending President Benigno C. Aquino's second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2011. It is being acticipated that Aquino's speech will still include criticisms on Arroyo's governance. On July 22, 2011, Arroyo filed for counter affidavit on plunder charges filed against her on the alleged misuse of Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) fund.


source and photo: ABS CBN

List of Foreign Embassy in the Philippines

US Embassy in Manila
http://manila.usembassy.gov/
contact us link http://manila.usembassy.gov/contact.html


Embassy of Canada in Manila
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/philippines/index.aspx
contact us link http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/philippines/contact-contactez.aspx?lang=eng


Australian Embassy in Manila
http://www.australia.com.ph/mnla/home.html
Embassy address: Level 23-Tower 2 RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, 1200 - Telephone: 757 8100 - Fax: 757 8268


Malaysian Embassy in Manila
http://www.kln.gov.my/web/phl_manila/home


Japanese Embassy in Manila
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/


Indonesian Embassy in Manila
http://www.kbrimanila.org.ph/
contact us link http://www.kbrimanila.org.ph/contactus.html


Chinese Embassy in Manila
http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/
contact us link http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgxx/lxfs/


French Embassy in Manila
http://www.ambafrance-ph.org/


German Embassy in Manila
http://www.manila.diplo.de/


Singapore Embassy in Manila
http://www.mfa.gov.sg/manila/


British Embassy in Manila
http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en/
contact us link http://ukinthephilippines.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/our-embassy/contact-us

For a complete address and contact numbers of embassies in the Philippines, please visit the official website of the Department of Foreign Affairs (http://dfa.gov.ph). Please confirm/validate the website before doing any transaction as I'm not liable to any transaction between any private individual/corporation with any embassy/consular office.

The art of riding jeepney in the Philippines

Let me introduce to you the most famous public utility vehicle (PUV) in the Philippines - jeepney (commonly known as 'jip').

image credit http://uiucinternationalstudent.blogspot.com



The minimum jeepney fare is Php 8.00 per person (as of April 2011).
Below is a picture of a jip roaming around the city. Warning: Don't ever try to text with two hands when it is traveling fast. Learn from the pro - hold the steel bar for your own safety!

image credit www.jonathanigharas.com



In the province, due to long distance travel, people are maximizing the use of jeepneys (like the overloaded vehicle below). Warning: You'll pay the same fare even if you're seated on the 'top load' of the jip. Oh yes, sometimes they will put on the top load small animals, such as goats.

image credit www.wheninmanila.com/

Traditional celebration of the Holy Week in the Philippines

Holy week is one of the most celebrated activities in the Philippines, being identified as a Catholic country. This is the time when some people will fast or abstain from eating meat.

On Palm Sunday, priests will bless the palaspas (palms) and the believers will bring them back to their houses to protect them from evil spirits.

People will put a grotto or altar on every street corner for the pabasa or the reading of Christ's death and resurrection. Sometimes they call it pasyon for Christ's passion.

Pasyon usually starts on Maundy Thursday, where old people will lead the prayers in the form of singing or chanting.


source www.wowbatangas.com

Pictures of Japan devastated by earthquake and tsunami

The picture above looks like scattered books and boxes but these are scattered cargo containers in Sendai, Japan, on March 12, 2011.

At Tokyo International Forum building converted as temporary shelter on march 12, 2011.


source:Kyodo/Reuters/www.msnbc.msn.com

Japan hit by earthquake and tsunami

Japan was hit by an intensity 8.9 earthquake and a 10 meter tsunami on March 11, 2011, recording at least 1,300 fatalities.


source:www.reuters.com

Colorful Philippines, all year round festivity

Kadayawan Festival (Mindanao Region)
photo: www.kadayawan.com

Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo (Visayas Region)
photo: http://outoftownblog.com

Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo (Visayas Region)
photo: www.bonggaba.com

Rare photos of powerful people in the world

The world's deadliest boxer, Manny 'Pacman' Pacquio, with his wife, Jinkee, as product endorsers.
picture credit: www.girlyana.com

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg while having lunch with a friend.
picture credit: www.tmz.com

US President Barack Obama in Hawaii (December 23, 2008)
picture credit: www.examiner.com

Woman with smallest waist in the world

Cathie Jung's waistline is only 15 inches. She maintain her smallest waist by wearing corset every day.


source: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com

Most tattooed person in the world

Most tattooed man: Lucky Diamond Rich of Australia. He tattooed his whole body (as in 100% of his body), including eyelids and gums!


source: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com
picture credit: http://jpgmag.com

Facebook added more status options for same-sex relationships

If you think that "it's complicated" is the farthest status that Facebook can add in its system, then you're wrong. Just recently, Facebook has added "in a civil union" and "in a domestic partnership". This was considered a victory for same-sex couples who are in civil unions or domestic partnerhips.


source: Agence France-Presse, http://technology.inquirer.net
picture from Facebook

Philippine's EDSA 25th Anniversary on February 25

February is the month to remember the people power revolution in the Philippines. This year's 25th anniversary is titled as "Tatak Edsa 25: Pilipino Ako, Ako Ang Lakas ng Pagbabago".

Feb 17 President's sister, Viel Aquino-Dee, led the launch of President Benigno Aquino III's coffee table book at SM North Edsa.

Feb 23 Yes Pinoy Foundation to be led by Dingdong Dantes will organize humain mosaic of 2,500 students at Rizal High School, Pasig City.

Feb 24 Radio Veritas will launch a Sanctuary of Truth Heroes, a venue to tell the stories of whistleblowers under the protection of Radio Veritas.

The northbound lane of EDSA will be transformed into a strip displaying the actual tanks used by soldiers during the revolution and food will be sold at P25, sponsored by the Philippine Franchise Association.

A theme song composed by Ogie Alcasid entitled 'Narito Ako Pilipino' will be sung by various artists.

Feb 25 Holiday for all schools but private companies are encouraged to participate.


source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph
picture credit: http://chuvachienes.com

Homeless man became famous through YouTube

This video shows Ted as a homeless man


As a voice over for Kraft tv comercial

Ted Williams was a homeless man. He was a radio announcer but drugs and alcohol affected his career and his family. He was begging from the motorists when Doral Chenoweth, a web producer of Columbus Dispatch, took a video of Ted. He posted Ted's video in YouTube weeks after he took it. The next day after he posted the film, Doral started to receive calls of job offers for Ted. Among the offers are a commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and an announcer job with the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

source: YouTube

Happy, Yipee, Yehey! will not compete with Eat..Bulaga!

The newest noontime show of ABS-CBN, 'Happy, Yipee, Yehey!', has premiered last February 12, 2010. The hosts, including Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Toni Gonzaga and Mariel Rodriguez, said that the show will give its audience entertainment and not to compete with the longest running noontime show at GMA-7 network, 'Eat...Bulaga'.



picture credit: ABS-CBN

Sharon Cuneta's billboard controversy

"There's a billboard ad in Edsa developed by advertisers who think consumers are stupid. Guess." this was the Twitter message of Hayden Kho, Jr., that allegedly addressing the billboard of Sharon Cuneta endorsing Marie France, a slimming center which can be considered as a direct competitor of Belo Medical. The Megastar defended her billboard against Hayden saying "...stupid people shouldn't comment on what is stupid or not!...Decent people are the people I would like to listen to. Not those who do not know the meaning of decency. And who treat women like they're nothing! You know, you want to start a war with me? Fix all your problems first!" Hayden denied that he was referring to Sharon's billboard, "...i wasn't referring to the MF billboard. I was referring to a "L**D" that's supposed to be a LOURDES. That was quite a wounding tirade from someone i respect. Ironic, really. Very ironic."


picture credit http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs051.snc6/168175_139730839421019_106553536072083_248795_6207799_n.jpg

Justin shaved hair

What?? Justin has gone bald? This was in 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'. Turned out that it was just a stunt! =)

Justin Bieber and his mentor, Usher.


source: http://omg.yahoo.com/photos/top-shots-of-the-week

Whisper your wish to the dead (Bulong)

For the Chinese, whispering to dead person's ears helps the soul to cross over, while for Filipinos, it is believed that whispering to the dead will make your wish come true...or will bring misfortune.


source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=653478&publicationSubCategoryId=70
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulong_(film)
picture credit: ABS CBN, Star Cinema

Manny Pangilinan to buy MRT for $1.1 billion

It seems that Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan's hobby is shopping....shopping for big businesses and companies here in the Philippines. He was the one who made Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) into an integrated telecommunication provider by making Smart Communications as PLDT's subsidiary. He also acquired Indofood, the largest company in Indonesia. He also own TV5 (Kapatid network), which is now constructing its building in Mandaluyong City. Mr. Pangilinan's shopping list didn't stop there because he is planning to buy MRT-3 (Metrostar operating along EDSA) for $1.1 billion.

source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/pep/20110202/ten-tv5-chairman-manny-pangilinan-eyes-o-fb4fa78.html
picture credit: PEP

What to do to have more money in 2011 - Feng Shui

Here are some rituals from Hong Kong-based Feng Shui Master and Mandarin Oriental Manila geomancer Joseph Chau Kam Shing this coming Chinese New Year, February 2:

1. should have half kilo of watermelon (pakwan) on your table...its seeds symbolizes money and prepare red packet (ampao) with full of money
2. make your rice container full and put kiat-kiat fruit on top of the container and red packet (ampao) with P168 inside...for abundance of money
3. better to use new clothes and underwear...lucky colors include gold, silver, white, green
4. if possible, be in Makati area (hoping this one works coz I live in Makati)...because the city symbolizes money area (as the business capital of the Philippines)


source: http://ph.yfittopostblog.com/2011/02/02/feng-shui-tips-for-entering-the-year-of-the-metal-rabbit/
picture credit: Mandarin Oriental Manila

Meet the man who made Charice famous

We have witnessed how Charice became famous, from being a contestant in ABS CBN’s show to being a guest in Ellen and Oprah’s shows, and now as a cast in one of Hollywood’s famous tv series, Glee. But do you know who uploaded Charice’s first videos on You Tube? He is known as “Falsevoice” in You Tube but his real name is Dave Duenas. According to Charice’s interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dave is now working with David Foster, the composer and discoverer of Celine Dion and Josh Groban.

picture from http://www.charicemania.com

How Justin Bieber became famous

Justin Drew Bieber, the singer of “Baby”, is a Canadian and was discovered by his manager, Scooter Braun, on You Tube. Justin was born on March 1, 1994, in Ontario and was raised by a single mother, Pattie Mallette. His popularity in You Tube started in 2007 when his mother posted his videos for their family and friends to see. Justin’s success is so abrupt that he is said to be more famous than the US President. Justin’s rumored girlfriend is Selena Gomez, an 18 year old American actress and also a singer. Posted here is one of his first You Tube videos.

source:http://en.wikipedia.org

Play and feed hungry people

https://usa.wfp.org

Yes! Donating to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) is easier and cooler now. All you have to do is play the online game, including Math and English grammar, in this link http://www.freerice.com. For every right answer, the advertisers in the website will give 10 grains of rice to UNWFP. In 2007, Freericers have raised enough rice to feed over 4.3 million people all over the world.

Baby died while Mom was playing Facebook

picture from http://www.facebook.com/

According to Reuters, Shannon Johnson admitted that she was playing Cafe World of Facebook when she left her 13 month old baby in the bathtub...unattended. She said she left the baby because he liked to be left alone. After 10 minutes, Johnson checked her baby and found him face down in the bathtub making gurgling sound. If found guilty, she will face 48 years of imprisonment. May this become a lesson to all of us, Facebook and internet users, to be able to know our limitations and responsibilities in the real world.

A fresh noontime show of ABS-CBN

picture from ABS-CBN

Kapamilya network is cooking a fresh noontime show that will fill the previous time slot of Pilipinas Win Na Win. The new show will be hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, John Estrada and Randy Santiago. Toni is one of The Buzz's hosts, Mariel was a host of Wowowee, and both John and Randy were hosts of ABS-CBN's Magandang Tanghali Bayan (MTB). Will the new show stand the test of time after the network's effort of replacing Wowowee with Pilipinas Win Na Win only lasted for a few months? Good luck to ABS-CBN!

Filipinos to register all SIM cards

picture from http://sharepress.org/

The Philippine authority thinks that registering every SIM card would lessen the terrorist attacks in the country. This is the proposal of National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) after the bus bombing incident in Makati last January 25, 2011. Police said that the bomb was remotely detonated with a SIM card that killed 5 people. With the registration of SIM, consumers will be required to provide identification cards and their personal information to telecommunication providers. This plan had already raised an issue on the privacy of every Filipino citizen but if this is a way to protect the country from terrorism, then it should be implemented before it’s too late.