Search and You Shall Find in My World

31 March 2008

Only in the Philippines


The Department of Health actually allowed self-flagellation during the Holy Week. The Roman Catholic Church however, discouraged the practice.

DOH in fact issued guidelines for this event.

Our Department of Health has actually issued guidelines for those intending to self-flagellate or have themselves crucified this Holy Week: (1) Have a check-up, (2) drink lots of water to prevent dehydration, (3) use sunblock to protect your skin, (4) avoid direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., (5) have implements sterilized to avoid infection, (6) take anti-tetanus shots. quoted from Michael Tan of Inquirer.net


Only in the Philippines, of course.

PISSED!

I am pissed off today. My client, owner of a well-known travel agency in Tagbilaran City whose office is located in one of the known resort-hotels in the city, is hiding from me for a mere P5,000 bucks.

He asked me to design collaterals including company logo of his newly-conceptualized company, a leisure real estate consultancy. Without asking a fixed price (since he is an old client) I readily made studies and submitted them to him. After 3 studies and several revisions, we finally came up with his logo. When the logo was finalized, he asked me to design a business card, a letterhead and company envelope. These I made with 3 studies each and several revisions for the final output. When he decided to print them, I submitted the final proof. He approved.

I faxed to him a billing letter for P6,000 (very cheap) for my professional fee, considering the amount of time and effort I devoted on this project notwithstanding the people he harrased to finished the materials and me absorbing the retaliations. He asked that I lower it to P5,000 since his company is new. I okayed. He promised to pay when the materials are delivered. All items were delivered a month ago.

Now comes payment time.

I sent him a text message asking for the payment. No answer.

A week after I called up. He was nowhere to be found at his office. I texted him again. No reply. I called up his mobile phone. Not answered. I texted his wife, his business partner. She didn't know about our business. Texted him for final billing again and again so he will be irritated.

And then suddenly he called me up, babbling and rattling that the items I sent him did not meet up to his expectations and he is not going to pay. Just like that.

I am rather pissed. Only after a month when I am sure he was already using these materials, did he complained of dissatisfaction. I don't know what to say.

I remained unpaid until now.

28 March 2008

Ouch! That Hurts!


Quoted from blogspot's (or even the internet's) Star of the Moment- Brian Gorrell.

  • You can't print names in Manila. Hence the on going corruption problems. People are terrified. Really scared to talk. I know that is true.I don't want to argue with anyone about this. Its true!

  • I call treason on all you fat cats and fat bitches who have prospered and reaped/raped your fortunes as a result of and on the backs of your fellow countrymen. And we are NOT supposed to write about any of them. We can't print their pictures in a negative light. No links. No freedom. No shit!

  • Because people know what's right and proper at the end of the day. Truth.

  • No one pays attention to the Philippines at the moment. Because of this corrupt reputation around the world.

  • It is cheaper not to educate people. Free actually. Its also easy not to educate people. You just don't do it.Simple. Thats why there is so much intolerance and ignorance.

Actually, there are some more but reading the posts at the site would take you an hour the least. This is more interesting than the rice shortage of the Philippines.


Visit Brian Gorrell's blog here.
Photo of Gorrell and DJ Montano from Gorrell's blogspot

Chicken Crossing (The Professional Heckler Version)

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Here’s why according to controversial Filipino personalities (government officials, politicians, prominent businessmen, and local celebrities):

21: Lolit Solis: “Ma at pa! Basta! Sure ako sa aking nakita! Tumawid ang manok na ‘yan at may kasama pa siyang isa. Hinding-hindi ako magre-retract.”

20: ABS-CBN: “Somebody manipulated the chicken into crossing the road and we believe that the manipulator comes from another network.”

19: GMA 7: “We strongly condemn the insinuation that we were involved in the manipulation of the chicken. We will take this baseless allegation to court to clear our name.”

18: Juan Manuel Marquez: “To do some unfinished business.”

17: Manny Pacquiao: “I don’t agree. For me, business is over.”

16: Tim Yap/The Gucci Gang: “To party! (And snort some stuff.)”

15: Bb. Pilipinas-World Janina San Miguel: “Oh I’m sorry. A-ha-ha. I’m only 17 years old. I did not expect that the chickens is a tough hens.”

14: MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando: “Pano’ng di tatawid ‘yan eh wala nang madaanan sa sidewalk. Okupado ng vendors!”

13: Joseph Estrada: “A legal study shows that the chicken can still cross the road even if it has failed to complete its first attempt to get to the other side.”

12: Albay Gov. Joey Salceda: “The important thing is the chicken didn’t get run over. Such a lucky bitch!”

11: Cory Aquino: “Why did the chicken cross the road? Let us all pray so that the truth will come out.”

10: President Arroyo: “I reiterate: my government is focused on the economy. We will not be bothered by the noise created by some fowls marching in some streets.”

9: CBCP: “We are also for the truth and we believe that no one should prevent witnesses from talking. But please, leave the chicken alone and let it finish its journey to the other side!”

8: Sen. Joker Arroyo: “Don’t mess around with my chicken!”

7: Sen. Jamby Madrigal: “Let’s subpoena the chicken and ask why. If it refuses to talk, I will expose its secrets.”

6: Sen. Panfilo Lacson: “I have a surprise witness who will tell us why the chicken crossed the road. Ladies and gentlemen… my witness!”

5: Leo San Miguel: “Aba malay ko! Wala akong alam d’yan.”

4: Benjamin Abalos: “Preposterous! I categorically deny na nagbanta akong ipapapatay ang manok na ‘yan kaya biglang tumawid sa kabila!”

3: CHEd Chairman Romulo Neri: “I heard that motorists always try to beat the red light in that street. I believe the chicken crossed the road to moderate their speed.”

2: Jun Lozada: “Kinabahan kasi ang chicken nang lapitan ito ng tatlong tandang na hindi nagpakilala. Naalala tuloy niya ang nangyari noon kina McChicken at Chickenjoy… kinidnap tapos pinatay.”

And the No. 1 answer to the question, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

1: First Gentleman Mike Arroyo: “You keep saying that the chicken crossed the road but where is your evidence!? Maglabas muna kayo ng ebidensya!”

HERE’S TWO MORE:
Philippine Daily Inquirer (Banner Story): “Unnamed sources say the chicken crossed the road to lay eggs”

Two days later…

Philippine Daily Inquirer (Erratum): “We would like to apologize to the chicken. It couldn’t possibly lay eggs as what we have previously reported because the chicken was in fact - a rooster!”

27 March 2008

Memory Boosters

Since somebody from here told me my blogs are educational, I think I should live up to that hehehe. Anyways, speaking of education, I was reading something nice from the National Geographic which will actually help us (especially the more mature people like me), boost brain power.

Keep this in mind: Already some five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a figure set to triple by 2050 as the U.S. population ages. The result is a huge push to aid the aging brain. Many studies seem to link both mental and physical exercise to a well-oiled memory and less severe age-related decline. But proving cause and effect is hard. People with better brainpower may simply be more active, and some scientists warn that the evidence is slim-to-none in favor of individuals being able to control mental destiny. Still, some actions may be worth the effort.

Stress signals
New research supports the long-held belief that distress and anxiety are bad for the brain. A recent report links chronic stress with a mild form of cognitive impairment that can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease.

Mind games
Brainteasers have not been proven to fend off dementia. Yet scientists say puzzle away—anything that takes you out of your normal range of thinking (or lightens your mood) can't hurt. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are options for puzzle haters.

Give it a rest
"Poor sleep before or after learning makes it hard to encode new memories," says Harvard neurophysiologist Robert Stickgold. Data suggest a good night's sleep improves motor memory up to 30 percent after a lesson (e.g., piano). Leaving six hours between pursuits helps keep one skill from crowding out another.

Help your heart
Your brain will likely benefit, too, from a healthy diet (antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries may protect brain cells, aiding memory), regular exercise, and possibly light use of alcohol (a new study indicates a daily glass might slow dementia).

Cheat
Keep lists, jot reminders, repeat names aloud. And rely on others. "I just ask my wife," says Johns Hopkins neurologist Barry Gordon. "She remembers 99 percent of everything. She's a perfect memory aid."


Pic from allposters.com

Win a Bohol Holiday for Four

Join the Inquirer Lifestyle Photo Contest! Simply submit a photo that best captures a most enjoyable vacation on the island of Bohol.

1st prize - Round trip ticket for 4 to Bohol + 4 days, 3 nights at the Peacock Garden Resort

2nd prize - Round trip ticket for 3 to Bohol + 3 days, 2 nights at the Amarella Resort

3rd prize - Round trip ticket for 2 to Bohol + overnight stay at the Bohol Beach Club

Mechanics:
1. Contest is open to all photo enthusiasts who have visited to Bohol.
2. Photo must be taken in Bohol.
a. If entry is in print, it must be 8x10 inches in size. No prints will be returned.
b. If in digital form, it must be 200 resolution JPEG format and unaltered.
c. Submit photo with short caption describing the experience, where in Bohol and when the photo was taken.
3. Indicate the following in the entry: a. Name b. Address c. Mobile phone number d. Landline phone number e. Email address
4. Submit as many entries as you wish but you may win only once.
5. Send entries to:

Best of Bohol Photo Contest
Marketing Department
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1098 Don Chino Roces Avenue
Cor. Yague and Mascardo Sts.,
Makati City

6. Entries must be received at the Inquirer office if hand-delivered or via email by 30 April 2008. Mailed entries must be postmarked 30 April 2008.
7. Entries will be judged by a panel composed of Inquirer editors and photographers
8. Criteria for judging are: a. 40% Relevance b. 30% Overall Impact c. 30% Quality and Technique.
9. Winners must submit negatives or CD files of theri winning entries before claiming their prizes.
10. All winning entries will become properties of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Bohol Tourism Office which reserve the right to use the photos without any liability.
11. Winners will be notified through phone and mail. Winning photos will be published in the Lifestyle Section.

New Mac Baffles TSA

I was chuckling when I read the news over at Yahoo! Tech (read it here) when a programmer was stopped by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the transport security of the US, because he was bring with him the envelope-thin MacBook Air.

If it were in the Philippines, I am very sure the security officers would not take a second glance at the thing, considering the awesome MacBook is worthy of a second inspection. Or a third.

Maybe we Filipinos are more techie than the Americans? Or we are just so lax with our security measures we consider laptops not a security issue.

Whatever. But if I were the inspector I would loved inspecting again and again the MacBook. I am sure I won't be able to buy one in the near future. Not minding if the owner misses his flight hehehehe.


26 March 2008

The Prodigal Bro

All the while I thought I was the prodigal son. Free-spirited, a drunkard, generally indifferent with what is happening at home, does not even go home if a close relative dies, rarely sends money to parents.

But when my younger bro went home, I was dethroned. But not yet.

My bro was the epitome of a robust kid when he came home from schooling from up north. Energetic, jolly, forward-looking and can be relied upon at home.

A few years back, I never knew he had problems he was dealing alone. Even if I discovered vials of anesthetic in his room and some discarded injections. I considered that as an experimental stage he being a growing man. I had my share of that and it was worst.

When a young lady suddenly showed up a few months after my bro's arrival and carrying a package we never knew would happened, we knew right then and there he was actually escaping from responsibility. Hence, his going home. That lady became my sis-in-law. She told us she had a hard time locating our town since it was her first time to be in Bohol. Later we also knew from our inlaw that our bro was the dysfunctional type at work and could not be relied upon.

So many years after their marriage, my bro has left his reason and common sense somewhere. Every day, every month of the year for how many years, God only knows, he has not been sober. With some exceptions- only when he felt something in his insides, he would be out of sight, leaving us wondering if he was dead for good.

This situation created a family stir. My father, himself a well-known drunkard of our town, is always in conflict with my bro. Maybe he can picture himself out of my bro's daily "activities." Both father and son share almost the same features, skin tone and the alcoholism. Almost a perfect copy, in fact! Because of this, they end up always in a fight, sometimes bloody.

I always told them even a long time ago never to tolerate what my bro did. My mother, a known fatalist, would always say this was God's will. My older sis would tell us to always pray for God's intervention. I am not convinced. Until now. I believe she has been praying since and my bro keeps getting worst.

I asked the help of our municipal DSWD officer but they could not offer a solution. Being indigents, a rehad in Cebu is not an option anymore.

And so he goes on his alcoholic stupor, affecting his child, his family and our whole family as well. I bear the brunt, being the older bro, of acting as the responsible bro in the family, of which I vehemently opposed. My prodigal son role has been totally changed. My income is greatly affected because of this. My parents are not even enjoying a retirement pay from the government.

And so I complain.

Whew!

24 March 2008

PLEASE HELP ME

If you were my in my LINKS before the disastrous theme-changing activity of my blogspot, please message me here so I can add you up again.

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Pride of Place: Finally a Bohol heritage-style book by Augusto Villalon

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:08:00 03/24/2008

MANILA, Philippines - To be launched in Tagbilaran on April 15, “Sukaran: The Domestic Architecture of the Towns of Loay and Loboc in Bohol,” published by the Ayala Foundation, is a book that takes, as it states, the “first step to meet the need for references that document the stylistic and architectural vocabulary of Bohol.”

Authored by the respected resident historian of Bohol, Marianito Luspo, and cultural worker Ino Manalo, the book celebrates the Boholano’s built heritage—the traditional homes of Bohol, ensembles of rural, straightforward architecture humbly constructed without the ostentation and frills seen in the plantation homes and mansions of wealthier regions in the Philippines.

Steering clear of the misconception that heritage must be grand, this delightful book highlights the often overlooked heritage of the everyday.

This richly illustrated publication pictures the ordinary homes of ordinary people in what formerly was a forgotten province until its recent rediscovery as a heritage showcase.

Bohol is a primary example in the Philippines that heritage, if properly tapped and managed, is a resource for income-generation. And because of that, Bohol is rapidly changing.

Sukaran attempts to regulate the rapid changes that Bohol is facing as a result of tourism and modernism.

Noting the existing predisposition of locals, architects and developers for generic Western-style developments that do not reflect the local culture and appropriateness of traditional Boholano architecture in contemporary design, the publication rightly attempts to focus interest back on local craftsmanship and design traditions.

A folio of photographs documents the parts of traditional homes, from roofs to façades, doors and windows. The folio even takes an unprecedented look at unappreciated vernacular gardens.

More interesting are the patterns from calado fretwork, the embroidery-like cutwork on wooden walls that allows air to circulate throughout houses. There are patterns of amakan (sawali, woven bamboo walling) ranging from the checkerboard to the herringbone and elegant diamond shapes.

“A conscious effort was made to confine the survey to architectural structures that used mainly traditional methods of construction, and, more importantly, materials from Bohol such as stone, wood, bamboo, nipa, cogon and capiz,” the authors write.

“Our aim is to privilege architecture that relates to Bohol’s environment, not only in design but also in use of materials.”

Foreign elements

The exhaustive survey is a result of “the observation of many visitors that Bohol’s tourism infrastructure is hardly reflective of its culture,” the authors say.

“Resorts that display foreign design elements have recently sprouted in Bohol. The island of Panglao, for example, is now home to Mediterranean villas, Balinese hideaways, Swiss chalets and American country restaurants.”

To refocus the globalized, generic look of new architecture back to its roots, the book records the Bohol vernacular and presents a veritable album of architectural details. It becomes a source book to redirect the vision of professionals, developers and aficionados who typically turn to the latest Western magazine for ideas to graft directly into whatever they might be building.

But the book, reference material that it definitely is, does not pretend to give all of the answers to reorient architecture into looking at modern adaptations from the traditional.

There is really no substitute to experiencing the real thing, going to the houses, feeling the space, understanding how light and air are modulated within the space, and finding out that decoration is not simply appliqued into the structure but is something integral to it.

In other words, the book is not something to just copy ideas from, it is something that tries to make people understand why these ideas not only give us our special Philippine pride of place, an identity shared by no other people on this planet.

But for those bent on just copying out of this book, at least they would be copying authentic details that they might take some pride from.

Whether this book finally reins in those individuals still dreaming of constructing more Swiss chalets, Italian trulli or Disney castles on Bohol shores, that remains to be seen.

But this is a good start.

Call Filipinas Heritage Library at services @fillib.org.ph

18 March 2008

PROBLEM WITH BLOG TEMPLATE

I was changing my template when all of a sudden everything became so wrong. I had a hard time bringing up my old template.

I am tired now so I'll just let this be.


Bantay ka blogspota ka kung makalugar na ko.

17 March 2008

When The Boys Don't Have Money To Spare...



...we go to Gimik KTV at Mango Square to shout our frustrations out hahahaha. Sorry I only take pictures and sing when alone.

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16 March 2008

Have a Green Palm Sunday

Among Catholics, today is Palm Sunday. This is in commemoration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem which later also had him martyred.

Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem is a messianic event, through which His Divine authority is declared. The events of Palm Sunday call each of us to lift up our voices and praise God; and behold our King, the Word of God made flesh. Palm Sunday summons us to accept both the rule and the Kingdom of God as the goal and content of our Christian life. (St Barbara Greek Orthodox Church website)

Since childhood, the celebration would always had me busy getting young parts of leaves of coconut trees for us to wave during the blessing of palms.

Now that I am older, I was wondering if any of us had the thought that we are slowly killing our coconut trees just for the ocassion. And the country's coconut industry is not doing well in the world market as well.

For the love of coconuts, why don't the Catholic Church imposed on ONE STRAND (is that one leaf called?) OF COCO PALM for each Catholic? Attention Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines!

I remember my neighbor back then. He had his coconut cut down for the ocassion and had his kids carry the whole bunch complete with various designs to St James the Apostle church in Batuan.

We all love theatrics I know, but let us be environmentally-correct this time.


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Photo from BBC news
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Dying for A Cause? For Chrissakes!

I am not religious. I do not wish to fight zealously over some issues with religions and other sects. I even hate those all-pious Catholics, Bible-toting Protestants and Born Again Christians who have nothing to say but make you feel you are the dirtiest scumbag on earth.

But what about killing people for your religion?

When I woke up this morning and read the news online, it hurts me to know that suicide bombers have already killed 10,000 people in Iraq and these bombers "usually are alienated young men from large families who are desperate to stand out from the crowd and make their mark," a study profiling these bombers said.

The study further states that most of these young men came from impoverished or middle class families and have been recruited by Al Qaeda from outside of Iraq.

What a waste of life! Trained to kill people, some of which are innocent to their blind cause.

The news further said- The social and economic situation in the region "will keep this generation, and the next generations to come, impoverished," the summary says. That will give fertile ground for al-Qaida to give such men "a purpose, a direction, and a reason to live and die."

I know you will say these are imperialistic US-generated public stunts so people will support their cause. But reason still prevails. Who would do a massive destruction like that? Well- not much of us have, err reason, that is still intact.

So I will just sing my favorite Beatle song- Imagine.

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world


You may say that I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one.

15 March 2008

Eyeball Tattoo

No! This is not your usual eye-ball sessions with your online sex partner, silly. The eye- as in your eyeball getting tattooed!

O my gashes! I am a collector of three tats but they are not as weird or sado-masochistic as this one.

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EYEBALL TATTOO
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This is not a tattoo design I like. Just saw it on the news. Shannon Larratt and two friends had their eyeballs injected with the same dye as is used in regular tattooing.

To tattoo the eyes, they used two different procedures. First they used a traditional needle with ink on it, but when the ink didn't hold, they switched to a syringe that injected ink into the eye. The most recent posts indicate that all was well, with one of the guys saying it felt like he had something in his eye.




(To read the blog about the eyeball tattoo please click on the title or this link.)

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Wish Ko Lang

I have to cry crocodile tears here so that GMA's Wish Ko Lang program would grant my dream. I am sure they will grant me this-

AN OVERNIGHT STAY AT BURJ AL ARAB!

Ako na bahala sa visa ko (hikbi starts here) and the legal costs to visit the hotel (crying now). My family is so poor even going to Manila is luxury. My father has no job. Mother is just a plain housewife. I rarely eat a full meal a day. (Iyakan na talaga.)

I have this terrible disease unknown by many doctors. (Hikbi na naman.) And that disease can be cured only if I can stay at Burj. The Burj Al Arab can prevent my sudden death. O please help me. Oh I'm dying now.

But wait- I have to post this cool article first from Luxist where I got this silly idea.

The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah resort in Dubai, is acknowledged as the best hotel in the world. So how does a hotel earn such bragging rights?

The stellar customer service starts the moment you land in Dubai, with a chauffeur picking you up in the Rolls Royce that will be yours for the duration of your stay. When you arrive at the breathtaking hotel which stands 321 meters tall in the shape of a sail, you are taken directly to one of the 202 suites where you are checked in, a service that guarantees your privacy. Each sprawling suite is two levels, and has floor to ceiling windows providing breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. Some of the listed in room features are, a private elevator, private cinema, a rotating four-post canopy bed,a separate butler entrance and a study area with a library. Should you venture out of your palace, activities made available to guests include hot air ballooning, horse back riding, golf at the world class Montgomerie Golf Course, desert safari day trips, chartered yacht trips and helicopter tours. After working up and appetite you are invited to dine at one of the hotels award winning restaurants. The signature restaurant, 'Al Mahara is frequently listed as one of the top ten restaurants in the world and offers the finest seafood and Mediterranean cuisine in an underwater setting, complete with a mock submarine ride. Unparalleled luxury, set in paradise... truly a once in a lifetime experience, especially when you consider the prices.

An evening at the Burj Al Arab will cost you between $3,000 and $5,000 per night!



Photo and article taken from http://www.luxist.com/

Go MANNY Go!


PACMAN LIVES!

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UPDATE 16 March 2008 12:30 pm Philippine Time
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Moments ago in Las Vegas, Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez by decision. The official scores were 115-112 and 114-113 for Pacquiao, with the third card 115-112 for Marquez.


O nanalo ka na naman ha. Congrats pare. Pagbalik mo dito sa Pinas wag ka na patalo sa mga pulitiko ha? Gamitin mo naman paminsan-minsan ang bugbog-saradong utak mo ha?

Aw Bisaya man diay ka bai. Sabta na lang na.


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14 March 2008

SECRETS REVEALED

I found this article interesting enough for me to think twice. Hmmm sounds true.

Dave Zinczenko is a writer on Mysteries of the Sexes Explained at Men's Health and explains to us Men's Secret Fears.

The article goes-

A lot of guys try to give the impression that they're calm and cool, that they can handle the pressure, that they think worrying is for wimps.

And the sad part is, the women in their lives sometimes buy this act, or even encourage it. Heck, if he isn't worried, they can feel calmer, too. Maybe you buy the act because the only time you see emotion in your man is when he's watching the first round of March Madness, and his bracket is about to go down in flames.

Or maybe it's because the only time you've seen him sweat was when he had to wear a suit to an August wedding. Or maybe it's because the last time you asked him, "Aren't you worried?" he responded with a dismissive, "Nah."

While men pretend that they're wired with steel cable, not nerves, they have their shakedown moments, too. Here are some of the biggest worries that can weigh on a guy's mind.

That He's Going to Lose His Hair

Yes, I know it seems surface-level to worry about such a vanity issue as baldness, but lots of guys equate follicle failure as a failure in masculinity, as well. Oh, we know it's not true - that hair loss has nothing to do with how funny, smart, or good a guy is. But knowing is a heck of a lot different than feeling. Pluck a lion's mane sometime, and see if he purrs.

That He's Going Broke

Economic shocks (like the one we're in right now) worry guys for lots of reasons: Your man probably feels like one of his largest charges in life is to be able to provide comfortably for his family. While money and job problems have their own tangible effects, they can also undermine the way he sees himself as a man. So if he's a little freaky around the checkbook, it's because his bank balance is closely tied to his emotional balance. A simple four-step plan for your savings like this one can ease his fears.

That He'll Have One Cheeseburger Too Many

Millions and millions of guys worry about their health - more, of course, as they get older. The one killer that really makes us think: the heart attack. One minute you're watching Simpson reruns; the next minute you're staring at the ceiling of an ambulance. Because we've read too many stories or known too many people who checked out earlier than they should have, the threat is always lingering - in our bodies as well as our minds.

That He'll be Called Out in Public

Some of us are thick-skinned when it comes to taking criticism from bosses, spouses, and every other kind of critic. And some of us have skin thinner than a Spring Break T-shirt. But none of us like getting called out or picked on in front of a crowd. It's not that we can't take the criticism, or can't think of a comeback, or can't accept the fact that we're imperfect. It's that public attack forces us to counter-attack or retreat - both of which have their downsides.

That His Kid Won't Make the Free Throw

Granted, a guy is going to worry a heck of a lot more about the big things when it comes to parenting - that junior wears a helmet when he rides his skateboard, that he does well in school, and that he thinks drugs are for losers.

But want to see a guy's heart pump? Put his kid on the field, court, or dance floor. He's pulling hard for his gene-carrier to do well - not because he wants to live vicariously through them (as most people assume), but because he wants to see their smiles and their fist pumps. It's because happiness is directly correlated to theirs.

That He'll Fail to Perform in the Clutch

When a man can't rise to the occasion he feels about as useful as a '63 Oldsmobile with rusted spark plugs. But before you put him up on blocks, reassure him that more than one in ten will have trouble with erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives, and the other 9 guys out of 10 have good reason to be concerned as well.

As part of our research for the new book "Eat This, Not That!," my coauthor Matt Goulding and I undercovered evidence that the American diet is slowing our sex lives (for both men and women) to a crawl. You can find out why that's happening and discover the best and worst sex foods by clicking here.

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Fit For A Tea

I am not a tea person although my grandparents used to let us drink one from time to time. My usual reaction was a big YUCK! I always associate tea with the tinustos (large hand-rolled tobacco) my Lola puffed every time she had her tea.

But when my good friend Cherry sent me a bundle of different flavored teas from UK, I did not hesitate to try them. Plus her sister Glee gave me a very cute mug from Barnes&Noble. Who could not resist the challenge?

Yesterday I tried the Lipton Lemon Herbal Tea and the Twinings African Rooibos Red Tea. O my! I was literally transported to some places I've never known. Later I will try the Bigelow Spiced Chai Tea and the Salada White Tea. The names themselves promised a new experience.

Enough of having myself the regular iced teas. Now I know better.

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TEA TRIVIA from digi.talk
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Power of Tea

Did you know that after water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world?


A nice hot cup of tea can make life's little miseries more bearable and boost your antioxidant quotient. There's something very calming about the ritual of preparing a pot of tea. Tea, whether it is black, white or herbal, has many health benefits. Latest research shows that a daily cuppa is brimful of antioxidants, which can lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health.

In Japan, a team of researchers was able to link green tea consumption with decreased mortality from all causes, based on a report from the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Also, research shows that green tea may contain cancer-fighting agents, while certain herbal teas claim to combat or soothe many maladies. Some experts believe its flavonoids may even inhibit the growth of plaque on teeth.

Apart from being good for the health, the humble cup of tea was a powerful device for promoting world peace, according to a Japanese grandmaster Genshitsu Sen whose family has been promoting the tradition of tea-making for 500 years. It might be a result of the gentle act of making tea that could have an impact on human relations, suggested by Dr Sen, speaking through an interpreter.

Occupational psychologist Dr Rebecca Newton, who conducted a study into tea drinking for the UK Tea Council, said it is true that drinking tea together is a relaxing way for people to communicate effectively. "Tea is a natural social lubricant. It helps people relax, talk to one another and catch up. So it makes sense that one of the most effective ways to build a good reputation in the office is to make a refreshing cup of tea for colleagues.”

Tea is so popular today, with many flavours available. Drink to your health with traditional herbals favourites such as peppermint or chamomile or tempt yourself with one of the modern blends such as berry ripe, a chocolate and berry sensation or maybe Japanese Sencha green tea infused with vanilla. Get your cuppa tea, savour the taste and reap the benefits of it.


Photo from TwiningsUSA.com

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13 March 2008

Weird Jobs

I was browsing workabroad.ph for obvious reasons. I had a friend who got his job from the website and he almost always recommend the site whenever somebody ask for a job.

I was tempted to register at the said site because I have met people from the Department of Trade and Industry who openly brag their jobs waiting in Dubai. Of course, with salaries much higher than here in the Philippines who would not leave the country?

While browsing from the pages for possible jobs (there are thousands, I tell you) I noticed some weird-sounding jobs from the site. So I listed them down for you to see. Share your comments at the first glance/read of the jobs. But wait- I think these are much better jobs than the one featured at the Discovery Channel (Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe).

  • Sewer (I thought they were interested with our sewerage system in the country)
  • Female Sewer
  • Boring Technicians (Huh!)
  • Roughnecks
  • Air Diver
  • Night Tool Pushers (What tools again?)
  • Erectors (Now this is quite handy ha)
  • Crawler (Where?)
  • Light Drivers (Later they will be driving me crazy)
  • Mess Supervisor (Cleanliness is priority)
  • Execution Manager (Patay ako dito)
  • Erection Coordinator (Viagra?)
  • Scaffolding Trainer (Dapat pa bang i-train ang mga scaffoldings?)
  • Pickaway
  • Lubrication Mechanic (Hmmm)

There are more weird jobs at the site but my head aches from looking for them.



Cartoon from http://newsday.typepad.com/impulsemovies/gear_stuff/index.html

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Russia Charges Blogger for Inciting Police Hatred

Copied from Wired Blog Network
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By David Kravets
March 12, 2008 | 4:56:22 PM

Russian blogger Savva Terentyev is being charged for inciting hatred toward the authorities for a post that, among other things, labeled the police "uneducated representatives of the animal world."

Terentyev said Wednesday that the charges were a result of a February 2007 posting in which he chastised local authorities for raiding an opposition newspaper.

Terentyev's comments, first published by The Associated Press, come amid a government crackdown on Russian internet and media outlets.

"They're trash - and those that become cops are simply trash, dumb, uneducated representatives of the animal world," Terentyev wrote. "It would be good if in the center of every town in Russia ... an oven was built, like at Auschwitz, in which ceremonially, every day, and better yet, twice a day ... the infidel cops were burnt. This would be the first step toward cleaning society of these cop-hoodlum scum."

If Terentyev doesn't like restrictions to his voice in Russia, he should move to the United States.

That's the country where President Bush, as commander in chief, has drift-netted American's electronic communications in a bid to protect their freedoms, including the right of free speech. It's also the country where web sites critical of the police are taken down for murky reasons.

12 March 2008

Blog of Note

I was blog hopping today and found this wonderful blog site of wonderfully creative if not mad people whose madness you would envy each time you see their projects.

The blog is called Scrapiteria- a conglomeration of "...collagists who work in the traditional cut and paste method. Each week, one of the members posts a new theme which we all intrepret in our own way."

Their works are truly awesome! I find this one very creative and hilariously done.


Collage from Scrapiteria.

For The Singing Wannabes and Those Who Are Trying to Be One

Woke up with an urge to sing today. Actually I am no singer and even hate karaoke sessions. The last time I performed in public singing and old song was when I was in Grade 2. And my trainer had a hell of a time practicing my innocuous voice. After that, I shy away from the limelight hahaha.

So I actually find American Idol amusing especially during their states-wide search for qualifiers because some gutsy people really stole the show with their theatrics and not with their voices.

Speaking of singing and American Idol, I happened to read this nice article by Nestor Torre of Inquirer Entertainment entitled Lessons learned from AI very encouraging and full of hints for those who wanted a career out of singing. I am quoting the article in full here for my future use (or yours) .

Viewers who regularly watch “American Idol” on TV don’t just get entertained and caught up in the excitement of the ongoing singing tilt; they also get valuable pointers on how to make it big in the pop music field.

They get this informal “education” from the comments of the show’s judges, who don’t mince words when they analyze the finalists’ performance in excruciatingly minute detail.

The advice they give may occasionally be painful or insulting to the tilt’s young singers—but, if they could get past the initial hurt or embarrassment, they would benefit from the jurors’ candid comments and analyses.

The first key factor in doing well in the singing competition appears to be: Choice of song. At first, this would seem to have little to do with musical talent, but it turns out to be a key consideration, because the right song presents the singer at his or her best.

It showcases the individual singer’s unique combination of vocal quality and range, emotive and interpretative ability, temperament and personality. This indicates that an effective musical performance only partly depends on a good singing voice and banks more on a combination of plus points that sum up the singer’s entire artistic identity.

Thus, depending on his or her choice of songs to perform, a competing singer can be a winner one week and a loser the next. So, contestants are urged to think long and hard before they decide on a song to interpret.

Fresh interpretation

And they should know themselves really well, so they can most judiciously choose the song that best reflects who they are as performers—and individuals.

The second factor may appear to be too obvious to mention, but the tilt’s judges insist that it’s also key: Don’t forget the lyrics!

Why do they belabor the obvious? Because, when a singer forgets the lyrics to the song he’s singing, he betrays his lack of discipline, competence and professionalism—and is no winner in anybody’s book.

Next: Give an old song a fresh interpretation. Meaning, don’t copy famous singers’ performing styles. Instead, put your own stamp on the old standard, and thus make it your own.

This piece of advice is most relevant to many singers here, new as well as experienced, because we love to imitate famous performers, especially when they’re First World talents.

Blame it on our own “deathless” colonial mentality, which predisposes some of us to believe that we’re intrinsically inferior to stars “from abroad,” so the best we can do to succeed is to copy their singing styles, note for note.

Real deal

This explains why we have a hard time making it internationally, because a copy, no matter how exact, is never as good as the real deal. So, the sooner we can stop settling for being “gaya-gaya, puto-maya,” the better for us!

Other factors: Be confident about your ability. Look your best. Exude charisma, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Discipline yourself to become a consistent performer. Have the right kind of attitude in performing—meaning, love your audience more than yourself. Want to make people happy with your performance!

Be comfortable with the song you’ve chosen to sing. Show off your musical range. Develop rapport with your audience. Don’t over-analyze your approach to a song; just perform it intuitively and viscerally!

So many factors to think about—or, not. The path to stardom, on “Idol,” or elsewhere, is fraught with tests, risks and dangers at every turn. But, if you know what’s expected of you, you could survive longer, and even make it—all the way to the top!



Drawing from pupster.wordpress.com
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My Horrorscope for Today


My Horoscope - Aquarius
March 13, 2008

How can you move beyond past mistakes when you won't let yourself forget them? The only person who is still beating you up over what you did is you -- so stop it! You are a wonderful person who isn't perfect, but then again, no one is. Holding yourself to a higher standard is not going to force you to rise to your expectations. It's only going to make you feel like you're not doing your best -- and you know that you are. So give yourself an emotional hug today.

10 March 2008

Getting Even: Naming Names of Socialites and Other Social Climbers so His Money Be Returned

I was actually enticed by Misterhubs to this blogsite where several names of "famous" socialites were exposed due to some money stolen or borrowed without being returned. See what money can do?

I was actually hooked, reading the stuff (lots of stuffs I mean) for an hour or so. The names did not struck a chord. They were just Lopezes, Tinios, Montanos, etc. Maybe because I am only a probinsyano who does not know what goes on at imperial Manila. Except of course that Tim Yap something because I happen to see him every now and then flashing those weird outfits in the pages of Inquirer.

For those of you who wanted juicy items just like me, this is the site.


By the way, the Gucci Gang as Brian revealed includes the following:

  • Tim Yap
  • Celine Lopez
  • Jackie Cohen Antonio
  • Wendy Puyat
  • DJ Montano
  • Chut Cuerva
  • Marcel ( forced to be in it)
  • Marco Antonio
  • Tina Tinio
  • Hindi Weber Tantoco
  • Jenni Epperson
  • Xeng Zulueta
  • Ana Angara
  • Manny del rosario
  • Ricky Delgado
  • Ipe Cruz

Does anyone, anybody knows them?



Photo of Montano from PinoyExchange; Lopez from Showbizpinoy News

And They Are Crowning Bobitas Now



OH MY GOD!

Are beauty pageants in the country invaded by politics or politicians? Why are they crowning
bobos now?

The Philippines is digressing down to this level.

=====================================================================
Transcript from the Q&A of Bb Pilipinas World:

Question: What role did your family play for you as candidate to Binibining Pilipinas?

Answer: Well, my family's role for me es so important, becos... der was dow, dir, dey was da one... whoo's...very. .. haha... oh, I'm so sorry. Um, my pami-ley, my fami-ley... oh my God. I'm... OK, I'm so sorry. I, I told you dat I'm so confident. Eto, ahmm wait: Ahahahaha. Um, sorry guys becos des was really my perst pageant ever! Because I'm only seventeen years old. And, ahaha-hee. I, I did not ikspek dat I came from... I came from one of da taff ten. Hmm... So... but I said, dot... my family es da most important persons in my life. Thank you.



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08 March 2008

Avalanche in Mars!


Wow! When I received this photo from National Geographic I was literally glued on the monitor to see the pic! I'm stunned. So they have spring there too. Nice!

See the full story here.

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GOOD FOR HER!

Foreigner banned after insulting Filipinos
By Tetch TorresINQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:25:00 03/07/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- For insulting Filipinos in public and bad-mouthing an immigration officer, a foreigner has been banned from entering the country by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

Libanan issued the blacklist order against Jenifer Sharmila Kalka, 42, identified as a Dutch national.The incident occurred at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) immigration arrival area last February 8, minutes after Kalka arrived aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Hongkong, Libanan said.

NAIA-BI officials reported that Kalka allegedly refused to answer routine questions from immigration officer Fortunato Manahan who was on duty at the NAIA-BI counter. He asked her purpose in coming to the Philippines and after being politely advised to fill up the disembarkation form, she refused to do so.

Instead, the woman allegedly turned rowdy and said: “You Filipinos are f___ing lazy!” which caused a commotion among the other passengers, according to Libanan.

Kalka reportedly continued to shout her invectives even after she was warned that she won’t be allowed to enter the country.When brought to the airport’s immigration office, the woman allegedly repeated her unkind remarks, saying “you Filipinos are f___ing lazy. That is why you are poor,” according to Libanan.She was thus refused entry, issued an exclusion order, and booked on the first available flight to her port of origin, said Libanan.

Libanan said Kalka was among thousands of foreigners who have been blacklisted by the BI for being rude and arrogant towards immigration officers.

Libanan noted that Kalka and many of the other foreign travelers who were blacklisted also uttered insulting remarks about Filipinos, an act which, he said, was “an affront to the dignity of our people and to our sovereignty as a nation.

A foreign tourist who exhibits arrogance and rude behavior upon his arrival in the Philippines should be turned back right away for he does not deserve the hospitality of our country and people,” the BI chief said.

Ninong na Naman Ako






...at ka-birthday ko pa si Ashley Ann Visarra (pictured here with her Mom).

07 March 2008

Viva La Cher?

O my gash!

The Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art in London must have gone crazy!

But well- considering Cher- that lady who have withstood the test of time, maybe they were right to consider her as a Martian and should be idolized as the female Che.

People!

Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, opening today at London's Barbican Art Gallery, presents contemporary art the way, well, Martians might see it— that is, stripped of context and considered solely as enigmatic sociological detritus. What, for example, did the Earth people do with Sherrie Levine's bronze-cast urinal? Is it an altar, or a pissoir? And—once it's bleached of all that presumptive irony—surely Scott King's Pink Cher, pictured, proves a call to join the subject's revolution. Gimmicky? Perhaps. But co-curator Lydia Yee, for one, is gamely staying in character. "Art is a particularly difficult concept for Martians to grasp," she explains. "They tend to try to make sense of artworks as artifacts with a functional purpose. Therefore, ready-mades and artworks that include everyday terrestrial objects are particularly confusing from the Martian point of view." In other words, the day E.T. finally comes to town, we should all expect to be greeted with a resounding "Huh?"

Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, today through May 18, Barbican Art Gallery, Silk St., London, 020-7638-4141, barbican.org.uk

MAYA SINGER

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New Home, New Life

Whew! I never experienced being too tired moving to a new home. Old age? After several pushing, heaving, climbing stairs, cleaning up closets and dark corners, I got the cold virus. The dusts ignited my troubled sinuses again.

And when I am busy moving in, so many meetings to attend to suddenly crop up. Of all times, why this? So I have to hiss and slurp my sinusitis while discussing weird things with people. My head aches due to some creative bombardments(?). When it rains, it pours.

Having no internet connection at this time I have to go down town to a cafe and do this and so many things. Maybe you have noticed my absence. Or I noticed my absence from the postings hehehe.

I am glad it rained hard today. Got the chance to wake up early and walk under the rain. I am glad too, that the guy at this cafe allowed my presence despite my dripping situation. Oh I am so cold. The aircon is full blast.

I hope Smart will be able to connect me today. I miss blogging. I miss connecting with friends.

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Rainy Days and...

...and Fridays make me wake up early, take a walk outside and feel the rain and have a hot hot chocolate from Jollibee.

Sarap!