L.E.N.S.(Lifestyle, Events, News, and Society)blogs

Renaissance Woman

2012-01-30T22:23:00.000+08:00

Uno Magazine is holding another fashion event for a cause for the benefit of World Vision. Renaissance Woman by Naomi is showcasing eight limited edition pendants. Two of these will be auctioned and the other six will be available for purchase.

Limited Edition World Vision Pendants by Naomi

The pendants will be showcased by Naomi endorser Precious Lara Quigaman, Uno cover girls Aubrey Miles, Kat Alano, Michelle Quizon and World Vision ambassador Miriam Quiambao. Naomi COO and head designer Joel Paguio designed the pendants inspired by the World Vision logo. One of the special pendants made of 100 pieces of multicolored Sapphires with total carat weight of 27.84 and 1.7 carat checkered Citrine in the center.

World Vision is a non-government agency known for looking for child sponsorship in schooling. Besides child sponsorship, World Vision also does relief operations and community development. Renaissance Woman fashion and auction event will be held at the Genting Club, Resorts World on February 3, 2012.

Naomi Jewelry Store in SM Megamall

WWFX CHAMPIONS SHOWCASE TOUR 2012

2012-01-27T17:00:00.005+08:00

PRESS RELEASE:

A new brand of live American pro-wrestling comes to Manila featuring all your favorite TV superstars as you have seen on WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown! World Wrestling Fan Xperience is coming to the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Saturday Feb. 4th for the CHAMPIONS SHOWCASE TOUR 2012. Featuring more former world champions on one card than any other event ever held in Manila and the only pro-wrestling event where you, THE FAN, have the opportunity to "XPERIENCE" and meet the Pro-Wrestling Superstars live and in person!

Former 3-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, 5-time WWE Tag-Team Champion, and ECW World Champion John Hennigan, who performed on WWE RAW & SmackDown! As John Morrison, will be wrestling live in person for the WWFX World Championship in our MAIN EVENT! John’s opponent will be an equally decorated champion and the most gifted athlete in professional wrestling today. This challenger is another former 3-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion and 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion. Competing against John for the WWFX World Championship will be former RAW & SmackDown! Superstar Shelton Benjamin!

In our co-main event former WWE United States Champion, WWE Tag-Team Champion, and Intercontinental Champion, M.V.P. will be in action with his explosive strength, power, and new ghetto-strong style of striking combat, and will take on former WWE superstar; the 6’6” 320lbs. muscle bound powerhouse Chris Master who performed on WWE RAW & SmackDown! As “The Masterpiece” in what is guaranteed to be one of the hardest hitting, physically tolling brawls on the WWFX Champions Showcase Tour.

Come see all your favorite former WWE superstars such as former WWE Intercontinental, United States, and Tag-Team Champion Carlitos, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Hurricane Helms, former ECW World Champion Rhino, Snisky, Luke Gallow, Daivari, Jimmy Yang, Billy Gun, and the beautiful women’s wrestlers of WWFX; former WWE the record setting 3-time WWE Women’s Champion and 2-time WWE Divas Champion Melina will be in action competing against another former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall!

Seven amazing matches in one action packed, star studded event, loaded with more former champions than ever seen before in Manila.

World Wrestling Fan Xperience presents: WWFX CHAMPIONS SHOWCASE TOUR 2012 live in Manila Feb. 4th, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ticket prices are as follows: Ring Side P4,770, Patron P3,710, Lower Box P3,180, Upper A P2,120, Upper B P1,060, General Admission P530. Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets or call 911-5555 for reservations. This event is brought to you by Dayly Entertainment and Midas Promotions.

EastWest Bank: Looking Back and Forward

2012-01-26T11:56:00.000+08:00

EastWest Bank has been in the banking for seventeen years and is one of the most respected banking institutions in terms of growth and profit. Now ranked "17th largest among 38 commercial banks in the Philippines", they opened its 122nd new branch along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati before 2011 ended that totals nine new branches for 2011.

EastWest Bank event with its new logo

EastWest Bank had a post-Chinese New Year feast with the media to show appreciation what 2011 made EastWest Bank prospered and achieved. It seemed fitting because the Chinese New Year is a good time to be thankful for what they prospered in the previous year as EastWest Banks looks forward another greater year.

Poultry symbolizes Fertility

The feast provided was no ordinary Chinese dish. The Chinese dishes are also symbolic so it does not only nourish our bodies if you believe in Feng Shui. Food attracts good luck. Each dish has its own symbolism. The Barbecue Combination Platter is mostly pork which symbolize unity. Poultry like the Peking duck symbolize fertility. Seafood symbolize prosperity. A Chinese feast would not be complete without noodles which symbolize long life. The list of dishes with symbolism goes on and it's customary to take part on each dish served.

EastWest Bank President and CEO Mr. Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr.

EastWest Bank President and CEO Mr. Antonio C. Moncupa, Jr. said this event is a way of appreciation of the good year that passed and also a good relationship with the media. Besides the feast, EastWest Bank now had a new logo. When asked why changed the logo colors, Mr. Moncupa answered, "They want to break away from the pack." Almost all banks have the common blue or red colors in their bank name and logo. Mr. Moncupa adds that the new colors have its own symbolic meaning. The green color symbolizes freshness, growth and transformation. The magenta symbolizes royalty.

Geomancer giving a prediction

EastWest Bank also invited a Feng Shui master or Geomancer, Master Wong, to give his predictions in this year of the Water Dragon. Master Wong said that the changing the logo's colors is a good sign and he predicted that look opportunities not only in the front but also back and there are more opportunities in Asia than in the Europe or U.S. Mr. Moncupa was asked if he believes in Feng Shui. Mr. Moncupa answered that that Feng Shui serves as a guideline since there's also practical logic to it but what is more dominant is the rules of entrepreneurship.

Besides the new logo, EastWest has a new tagline, "YOUR DREAM OUR FOCUS", which makes it more personal approach to what the customers need. Besides the usual promotion in billboards, EastWest also acknowledges the growth in the online community and they also have a Facebook page: EastWestBanker. The interactive page enables to educate the followers about EastWest Bank.

Mr. Gotianun and Mr. Moncupa

I admire the tandem of leadership between CEO Mr. Anthonio Moncupa and Chairman Mr. Jonathan T. Gotianun. Mr. Gotianun said, "Tony (Mr. Moncupa) is an activist, I am a dreamer." This is essential in leadership: vision and action.

For more updates and promos about the services of EastWest Bank, visit their website: http://www.eastwestbanker.com/ or their Facebook page: EastWestBanker

Welcome Josephine Arce as Contributor of L.E.N.S. Blogs

2012-01-23T01:30:00.000+08:00

I am pleased to welcome Jo Arce as a contributing author of the LENS Blogs. Besides being a blogger, Jo is also a registered nurse. You can check out her blogs at Wallflower Of The Jeepney. Her first post as contributor of L.E.N.S. was about Rotavirus Vaccine http://mvlnunez.blogspot.com/2012/01/draft-rotavirus-vaccine.html

Rotavirus Vaccine

2012-01-21T21:07:00.006+08:00

Being a nurse means a lot of responsibility. The uniqueness of nursing has its focus on the care of the client, the community and society. Nurses provide care for the sick and are the first providers of primary health care, wellness and self- care.

So when I was invited to an event that talks about improving the lives of our Filipino people, especially targeted for the infants, I was so glad and excited to present this post to everyone since I am a nurse. I could relay this post to my fellow nurses as well and truly they will appreciate it, and maybe support the program afterwards. Not only nurses will benefit from this program but what the Department of Health or DOH will be targeting are the Filipino families.

So what's this for?

Do you remember the days when you experienced DIARRHEA? If not, maybe your loved ones or friends may have experienced it and recount the story to you how bad it was. Really, it is no joke. In fact, Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death of children aged less than 5 years old not only here in the Philippines but worldwide as well. Everyday, 1,500 children around the globe die because of ROTAVIRUS-RELATED DIARRHEA.

via. Rotavirus under microscope.

Diarrhea affects nutrient absorption. It leads to lasting impact on the growth and development of a child. In fact, it has been calculated that children who are regularly suffering from it in the first 2 years of life can lead to a loss of 10 IQ points and 12mos. of schooling by age 9 years.

Rotavirus infection often causes vomiting, which makes oral rehydration theraphy far less effective. It is highly contagious and stable in the environment. It can survive on hands for hours, on solid surfaces for days and remains stable and infectious in stools for a week.

via. Signs and Symptoms of Rotavirus Diarrhea

The treatment? Nothing. Since it's a virus, not a bacteria. But it is highly preventable through vaccination.

The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) recommends that rotavirus vaccines should be included in all national immunization programs, particularly in countries where diarrhea deaths account for more that 10% in children younger than 5 years. In the Philippines, diarrheal deaths account for at least 12% among children under five.

"We need to be serious about saving our children from the grip of this burdensome but highly preventable disease. And there is no better way than to vaccinate our children to protect them from rotavirus." --- According to Dr. Salvacion Gatchalian, Director, Clinical R&D and Medical Affairs from GlaxoSmithKline Philippines. "If properly implemented, the Philippines may be the VERY FIRST COUNTRY IN ASIA TO INCLUDE ROTAVIRUS VACCINE IN OUR NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM."

Rotavirus Vaccination in the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) for The Department of Health is aligned to P-Noy's direction of Universal Health Care Program. This is to reduce the infant mortality rate of Filipino infants.

ROTAVIRUS VACCINE is the most effective way to prevent diarrhea and is best given to babies as early as 6 weeks up to 8 months of age. It is administered ORALLY with 2-3 doses, depending on the brand of the drug.

RotaRix (GlaxoSmithKline) - 2 doses

SPREAD THE WORD! Let us all help in saving our Filipino infants! Fight Rotavirus with the Rotavirus Vaccine!

SOLENN STARTS 2012 WITH A BANG

2012-01-17T14:48:00.001+08:00

2011 was a very good year for Solenn Heussaff. This French-Filipina ‘multi-slashie” had filled up schedules for her endorsements and very successful TV shows like Captain Barbell, Party Pilipinas and Fashbook plus movies such as “Temptation Island” "My Valentine Girls" and most recently, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, a hit entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival. It was also this year that she signed the coveted record deal with MCA Music and released her self-titled album which is presented by Antonov Vodka and featured the hit singles “Fire” and “It’s Our First Time”. The album entered the charts of top music retailers like Odyssey and Astroplus. She also held her first major concert which showcased her live musical skills and got busy with the promotions of her album via mall shows and signing sessions.

This 2012, she starts the year with a bang as Solenn treats her fans again with back to back mall shows at Robinsons Pulilan on January 15 (Sunday), Robinsons BF on January 22 (Sunday) and SM Pampanga on January 29 (Sunday). All shows start at 5pm. Get a free poster upon purchase of the album at the said venues and have it signed by Solenn herself after the show. Watch out as she releases her third single off her debut album. Solenn is also set to star in another TV series on GMA.

“I’m looking forward to doing more exciting things this 2012 and I hope my fans keep on supporting me especially my music,” Solenn said.

Solenn’s debut album is still out in CDs complete with fantastic mini-mag of her images under MCA Music and is presented in cooperation with Antonov Vodka: Vodka On The Go. To download Solenn’s music on your cellular phone, just text SOLENN to 3456.

WFP and Julie's Bakeshop Joins Fight Against Hunger

2012-01-16T00:24:00.001+08:00

Cebu is know for it's danggit and historical landmarks like the Magellan's Cross. It is also known as the place of origin of Julie's Bakery, which has many store franchises nationwide.During the Sinulog 2012, Julie's Bakeshop and the World Food Programme joins the parade with their own float that shows their partnership in battling hunger. Also riding the float was WFP Country Director Stephen Anderson and Julie's CEO Joseph Gandionco. Julie's is having it's own fundraising drive called "Bayan Bread", were proceeds goes to help feeding school children in conflict and in Sendong-affected areas.

Update: The Gal Who Lived

2012-01-15T00:00:00.001+08:00

I wish this were untrue, and I wish I could undo this, but it needs to be shared.

At around 7:00 pm I withdrew money from Security Bank Annapolis GH branch, near my office. At 7:30-ish pm, I was hailing a cab. I only remember the cab being a beat-up white four-door sedan car with plate number TYL 409.

I can't recall who the driver was at the time and the name of the cab as written on the cab body outside sadly. I do now recall the locks were faulty, that the front windshield had the "cleanfuel" sticker (signifying it's using LPG gas power instead of gasoline), and black rubber at the back windows. The seats were all black leather and had the taxi information, which should be printed legibly, all blurry/erased.

We made the turn from Annapolis, to EDSA, and then the U-turn under Ortigas flyover. We entered corner to White Plains, at Temple Drive, past People Power Monument. At a vacant lot nearby (before Meralco), and ironically while I was in the middle of texting my family my whereabouts, four men came in and they kicked him out of the cab.

A short description of the four (images here):

Man 1 (guy by my right, "Badong"): Crew cut, chiseled face, somewhat pointy chin, small eyes, muscular build but slightly big stomach, with stubble, dark-skinned
Man 2 (guy by my left): Dark-skinned, round face, chubby cheeks, bulging eyes, no beard/moustache, short hair parted at the middle, wearing blue long-sleeved Adidas sweater with white stripes at shoulders and sleeves, had a baseball cap that looked a lot like the red Air Asia cap with white text, pudgy arms and legs
Man 3/”Boss”: Square face, flat cheeks, moustached stereotypical bad guy minus the big beard, dark-skinned, far-set bulging eyes, light moustache, beard, wearing blue long-sleeved Adidas sweater with white stripes at shoulders and sleeves, parang may white shirt sa loob, with grey beanie hat, had tubo, gravelly voice, muscular arms, pudgy legs
Man 4/Driver ("Bobot"): White cap, white shirt, circular glasses, features remind me of Brod Pete (a local comedian), thin, dark-skinned

I heard someone say “pasensya na (I’m sorry)” but I don’t recall who it is. I do recall the perpetrators drove me around EDSA from Ortigas Avenue to Quezon City, as far as the U-turn right before SM North. They kept threatening to bring me to Bulacan and rape me especially when I initially refused to give them my belongings. They took my ATM cards (Security Bank, BPI Express Teller), my Metrobank credit card, my black BlackBerry Torch 9800 with black Otter protective case, my personal Nokia phones (one is a pink 6020, the other is a black 2700 Classic), my Sony Cyber-shot silver T-100 digital camera, and my black Sony Vaio laptop. After “Boss” made some calls via mobile (they were very clever at keeping the numbers hidden), the gang dropped “Boss” off at Cubao walkway underpass, EDSA southbound at around 9:00 pm so he could withdraw money. He came back and tried to strangle, punch, slap, throw shoes/slippers at me when he couldn't get my credit card PIN out of me (it's fairly new and I don't memorize the PIN at all). They took turns trying to beat me up at some point, except for Driver because he was driving. I fought back, and they told me they would rape me because I wouldn't give them enough money (they needed PhP20,000 and even used Typhoon Sendong as a reason to hold me up). At around 10:00 pm they turned into NIA Road near BIR/PDEA in QC, and threw me out the cab. When Boss tried to hit me with a pipe/tubo, I vaguely remember clawing and kicking back, taking whatever was left of my things, and ran. I found myself at the QC Post Office security guard house (at the gate), and made phone calls to the QC PD, my mother's office, and my best friend's house as those were the only numbers I could contact.

With my family finally arriving around 11:30 pm to almost midnight, I went to the QC Police Department at Kamuning/EDSA. We waited for a graying-haired 40-ish cop in a white undershirt and police uniform pants named SPO4 Patricio Sanoza (Sanyosa) to whom I gave my statement, which is attached. I told him about what I recall about the cab, but he did not ask at all about identifying the criminals.

My SIMs have all been blocked/disabled, as have my ATM and credit cards. Unfortunately they have switched off all phones so I am not sure if they can be traced at this point. They are able to trace the ATM withdrawal transactions at Metrobank Valencia Hills though. I am cooperating with QCPD in catching the perpetrators.

The following day, a friend gave this information about the cab that held me up:

Plate Number: TYL 409 / E#: 2E-3254892 / C#: EE110-8009918 / MV#: 138000000225318 / Col: Freedom White / Sticker#: 2011122773755 / MVType: Car / TradeName: / Make: Toyota/ Series: COROLLA XL M/T / YRModel: 2001 / MVClass: FOR - HIRE / Org: MARVIN SANTOS.. / OR#: 000201111852482 / CR#: 000000005541645 / BType:sEDAN - 4-DOOR / FRegDate: 09-25-2001 / LRegDate: 09-30-2011 / Fuel: GAS / Route: MARIKINA ANY PT TO LUZON / Franchise#: 96-945 / FEDate: 12-31-2007 / Total Apps: 0 /Total Alarms: 0 / Customer ID CO1378000031312 / Add: 10 MAYSAN ST. VALENZUELA

Separately, I dropped by the QCPD Kamuning once more to get the official, correct copy of the police report I originally filed. There I met a woman named Donna Araujo who was held up on Christmas Day from Main Avenue in Cubao and dropped off at Balete Drive which is very similar to what happened to me. I am trying to get her assistance as she saw the name of the car, which is made purely of consonant letters.

Please stay safe everyone. Hope your Christmas is better than mine. I've seen posts where people blame me for not being vigilant -- excuse me, but I was held up right in the middle of sending my parents an SMS where I was riding, the point here is not whether or not I should've been vigilant but that they still ambushed me anyway even after acting towards my own self-preservation!

And to these motherfuckers who hurt me and others like me, I hope and pray you lose everything you hold dear -- every body part, every item, every person, every business, every bit of cash, and every generation of your beloved families and clans -- as befits the punishment you have long tried to avoid.

Links:

My original Facebook post on this subject = https://www.facebook.com/ligayaharuka/posts/10150479183713815
The ABS-CBN/Bandila news clip (December 23; easily viewed outside the Philippines via The Filipino Channel) = http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/metro-manila/12/23/11/cops-warn-modus-during-holidays
The ABS-CBN text version of the same news (December 23) = http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/12/23/11/woman-attacked-robbed-inside-taxi
NEW: I finally managed to scan the cartographic sketches I had asked a key contact (who must remain anonymous until this case is solved, I owe this man and the people who got me to him greatly as I cannot achieve this drawing style myself) make. Here they are:man 1, man 2, man 3 (minus the beanie, which I tried to describe and even draw but somehow didn't make it to the sketch), and man 4.

For My Uncle, Victor Noel Lorico 1958-2012

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000+08:00

VICTOR NOEL LORICO

1958 - 2012

Decendant of Victorino Lorico Sr. and Ruth Arnaldo Lorico

Son of Victorino (Jr.) and Cresencia Lorico

Siblings: Marilyn Nunez, Edwin Lorico, Alvin Lorico, and Miriam Senedrin

Born August 30, 1958

Married to Lorna Baylosis Lorico

Children: Allen, Noel Andrew, and Victor Kristopher

We will be having a small service for him today even though his remains are still in Dubai.

Testimonies for Tito Boy:
Noel Andrew Lorico
Papa, I really miss you so much, sayang di na tayo nagkita as a family for the last time. Ofcourse, you will always be in our hearts. Remembering those times when i was still a little boy and how we use to play makes me feel sad now. Goodbye papa. Jan din naman tayo pupunta lahat diba... love you

Miriam L. Senedrin
Yes, BOY, you became a father to maan & jomar. i remember maan said when she was in high school, "namimiss ko tito boy kasi masarap minsan ung may nagiistricto s kanya". that time was un bf ni maan si john2 at si jan naman bf si toops. Not only that, you have made Jomar a man, not just a man but a responsible man...maglinis, magluto, maggawa ng mga sira-sira kaya tuloy nabansagan kang "I BUTING-TING ALL" . sabi mo pa, lahat ng nabeso-beso mo na gf ni jomar hindi nagkakatuluyan. do you mean si MIMI is the one? kasi hindi mo siya nabeso-beso eh". we'll see your powers. sa magkakapatid, tayo ung dog & cat ng family but as we grow & mature naging very much concern tayo sa bawa't isa & to the rest of our family...ung you are willing to fight for the family. ayaw mong masasaktan lalo n ang mama....i agree with all of them who says... " YOU HAVE A GOOD & LOVING HEART". we know you can read all these messages for you... WE LOVE YOU BOY.

Marjorie Lorico

you're like a father to me... samin ni jomar. lagi kang handang tumulong kahit malayo ka...napakabuti ng puso mo... bakit tito? bakit ang aga?
God has a reason for everything.. mahal na mahal ka namin ni jomar...
lahat ng alaala mo nasa puso namin...

John Mark Senedrin
Since I was a young boy, you are the one who always teaches me everything. From cleaning the house, fixing broken stuff, cars even makes our own house. It’s a great honor to be part of your life tito.
I could still remember the time that you and tito eddie always making me cry, to make you laugh when you have session (inuman). I feel afraid but in some point I feel happy that in certain part of my life there is someone who stands beside me as my father.
Thank you tito for everything you taught me I will use it not only to reach our goals and plans. But used it to become a good son, friend, and a good man. We will miss you. Like what’s KV shirt said (Hip-Hop isn’t dead it leaves inside me). For me (TITO BOY ISN’T DEAD HE LEAVES INSIDE ME).
Tito just to inform you, your with tito eddie now ( sa langit walang alak), but still continue your session praising the Lord.
I love you tito, you are always in my heart. My friend, my mentor, my uncle, my father.

FROM GOLDEN TO BLACK

2012-01-13T07:51:00.001+08:00

By Rev. Osmundo ABAKAN de los Reyes

Monday 9 January 2012

The story of the golden calf is a familiar Sunday School lesson. The passage above taken from the Book of Exodus needs no further explanation. "The main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things," says my Seminary professor, Dale Bruner. Aaron was guilty of clinging to the tangibles! Such is human nature --- fallen and sinful! Again, focus is the key. When they have not seen Moses for quite sometime, they wanted"something" to feel secure. Even today, we are tempted, if not at all give in to, what pleases our eyes --- what consoles our touch. Until you have it and hold it, you are not contented! It was only sometime ago that the Ten Commandments were give to the Hebrews.How they easily and quickly forgot. Yes, it is because they wanted tangibles. Their fanaticism towards the tangible led the Hebrews into revelry. And when revelry steps in, it becomes beyond control, difficult to stop. The LORD had to tell Moses to go down from the mountain to rebuke the people.

We are very far away from the Hebrew waywardnes in the wilderness. By this time we should have learned from their mistake --- their sin of IDOLATRY! We have already received the Gospel of Salvation from JESUS our LORD GOD. We have a complete Bible of sixty-six Books. We need not look for "anything else" because the WAY to Salvation had been revealed and given us through JESUS the ONLY SAVIOR!

Like the golden calf, the black nazarene of the Saint John the Baptist Parish Church suffers the same story to be told. The Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, illiterately called, "Quiapo Church", has again brought out the black nazarene icon to be hugged, kissed, embraced by the fanatic illiterates. The parish priest does not seem to mind the long history of violence, accidents, even deaths of many come the fiesta of the district of Quiapo year after year.

I wonder what he preaches everytime he ascend the pulpit?

I wonder what his ecclesiastical authorities tell him to do?

It seems that even the CBCP is mum about the revelry...the mob...aye, even the deaths it brings...

I have met many other Roman Catholics who smear and scorn at such foolishness. They know that the LIVING GOD cannot be made by hands. The hadkerchief, the handtowel they use to wipe onto the icon and then wipe the same onto their faces is filled withmicroscopic parasites, not to mention the irresponsible habit of many without soaping one's hands even after picking one's nose or scratching ones anus because of itch. Yuk! Yet, the illiterates do not mind. They insist in their fanaticism that a "miracle" will definitely happen. Aye, they even claim of such happenings in their lives. Needless to say, it is definitely untrue. Isaiah 44:9-14succinctly and tersely says:

⁹ All who make idols are nothing,
   and the things they treasure are worthless.
Those who would speak up for them are blind;
   they are ignorant, to their own shame.
¹⁰ Who shapes a god and casts an idol,
   which can profit nothing?
¹¹ People who do that will be put to shame;
   such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
   they will be brought down to terror and shame.

¹² The blacksmith takes a tool
   and works with it in the coals;
he shapes an idol with hammers,
   he forges it with the might of his arm.
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
   he drinks no water and grows faint.
¹³ The carpenter measures with a line
   and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels
   and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in human form,
   human form in all its glory,
   that it may dwell in a shrine.
¹⁴ He cut down cedars,
   or perhaps took a cypress or oak.

Idolatry offends the ONLY TRUE GOD ---THE TRIUNE GOD! Golden or Black will definitely bring one to Hell!

⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

(Revelation 21:8)

Trails Unlimited: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Disaster response program for...

2012-01-12T01:53:00.000+08:00

Trails Unlimited: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Disaster response program for...: Last September 2011, Metro Manila and some parts of Central Luzon experienced another dose of destruction brought about by Tropical Storm Pe...

Expanded early school registration set on January 28

2012-01-11T22:31:00.000+08:00

Expanded early school registration set on January 28

No one left behind. Everybody goes to school.

This is the goal set by the Department of Education as it declares January 28, 2012 as early registration day for School Year (S.Y.) 2012-2013 in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

Last year, the early registration covered only kindergarten which jumpstarted the K to 12 basic education reform program, as well as Grade 1 pupils and First Year high school students. This year, DepEd has expanded the target of early registration to include out-of school children (OSC) and out-of school youth (OSY), and learners with disability.

“We have set aside this day for the early registration of out-of-school children, out-of-school –youth, children and youth with learning difficulties along with kinder, Grade 1 and incoming first year high school students,” said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC.

Luistro said, the Philippines is firmly committed to meet the goals of universal basic education and Education For All being advocated by the United Nations.

The early registration seeks to reach out to all five year-old children to enrol in kindergarten and for six year-olds to enlist for Grade 1.

It also aims to guarantee enrolment of OSC and OSY from the disadvantaged groups, indigenous peoples and street children ages 5 to 18 in their preferred delivery system. They can choose between formal schooling through alternative delivery mode (ADM) or informal mode via the alternative learning system (ALS).

The early registration also aims to keep track of OSC and OSY with disabilities whose ages range from 5 to 18 across grade levels and provide them with appropriate education intervention. “The state mandates that all Filipinos with or without learning disabilities must have access to education and the early registration aims to count them in,” the education chief explained.

In line with this, Luistro has asked the central, regional and division offices of DepEd to prepare the Three-Year Catch Up Plan in Basic Education from S.Y. 2012-2013 to S.Y. 2014-2015 in order to accommodate the increasing number of learners.

The early registration will also enlist the cooperation of the local government units, barangay officials, parents-teachers associations, civil society and the business sector. “With the help of our partners in education in this undertaking, we can make the necessary preparations and address potential resource needs in time for the opening of classes in June,” Luistro pointed out.

DepEd has always tapped the cooperation of the whole community to ensure that all learners are in school and that they stay in school through various intervention programs that will prevent them from dropping out.

UIP-Solar's 2012 Line Up

2012-01-10T02:24:00.002+08:00

Manila, Philippines –United International Pictures. together with its local affiliate Solar Entertainment Corp., one of the country’s leading film distributors, recorded its biggest year of all time in 2011 at theatrical grosses of PHP1.600 billion and still counting, announces by Mr. Wilson Tieng President of Solar Entertainment Corp. Surpassing Warner’s Bros. 2010’s record of PHP1.3 billion

Tent-poles films, which were mostly great sequels, such as Fast and Furious 5, Kung Fu Panda 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Marvel’s Thor quickly escalated the gross tallies to 1 billion in the second quarter of 2011. Tent-pole films on the horizon also have all the potential, to reach 1 billion this oncoming year with firestarters left and right such as Universal Pictures’ Battleship, Snow White and the Huntsman, Safe House, Bourne Legacy, American Pie: The Reunion, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, 47 Ronin, and Les Misarables; Paramount Pictures’ G.I. Joe Retaliation, and the re-envisioning of the classic tale Hansel and Gretel: Witchhunter; and DreamWorks’ 3D animation Madagascar 3 and Rise of the Guardians.

BATTLESHIP. An epic action-adventure that unfolds across the seas, in the skies, and over land as our planet is forced to fight for survival against a superior armada of unknown origins.

Kristen Stewart as Snow White

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN. In the epic retelling of the classic tale Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays as the one person in the land fairer than the Evil Queen (Oscar® winner Charlize Theron) who dispatches the Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) to destroy her. Unknown to the Queen, The Huntsman becomes the protector of the young woman threatening her reign, training her in the art of war. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White's beauty and power. This breathtaking new twist of the legendary tale is from producers Joe Roth (Alice in Wonderland), Sam Mercer (The Sixth Sense) and acclaimed commercial director and state-of-the-art visualist Rupert Sanders.

Washington and Reynolds in Safehouse

SAFEHOUSE. An action-thriller lead by Oscar® winner Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds (Buried, Green Lantern). Washington plays a dangerous renegade from the CIA, who returns onto the grid after a decade on the run. When the South African safe house he’s remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.

BOURNE LEGACY. A spy fiction thriller story centered on a new CIA operative in the universe based on Robert Ludlum's novels. Jeremy Renner stars as Aaron Cross, succeeding Matt Damon in the long-running critically-acclaimed movie series.

AMERICAN PIE: REUNION. In the comedy American Reunion, all the American Pie characters we met a little more than a decade ago are returning to East Great Falls for their high-school reunion. In one long-overdue weekend, they will discover what has changed, who hasn’t, and that time and distance can’t break the bonds of friendship. It was the summer of ‘99 when four small-town Michigan boys began a quest to lose their virginity. In the years that have passed, Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Allyson Hannigan) married while Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Vicky (Tara Reid) said their goodbyes. Oz (Chris Klein) and Heather (Mena Suvari) grew apart, but Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) still longs for Stifler’s(Seann William Scott) mom. Now these lifelong friends have come home as adults to reminisce about—and get inspired by—the hormonal teens, they once were, that launched a comedy legend.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

DR. SEUSS: THE LORAX. The fourth feature film based on a book by Dr. Seuss. The story tells of a boy (voiced by Zac Efron) who tries to discover the story of The Lorax (Danny DeVito), hoping to the one thing that will win him the affection of Audrey (voiced by Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams.

47 RONIN. Keanu Reeves stars as Kai in this fantasy-adventure period film depicting a band of samurai swordsmen led by Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada, The Last Samurai) who seek to avenge the murder of their master in 18th century Japan, embarking on a journey of insurmountable odds.

LES MISERABLES. Based on Victor Hugo’s all time classic novel of a convict imprisoned and released for stealing a loaf of bread and is pursued for years by an obsessed police official. As time passes, the convict takes on a new identity, adopts an orphaned girl and fights in the French Revolution. Les Miserable will be starred by the all-star cast of Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen; it will be directed by Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech).

Channing Tatum as Duke

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION. The upcoming sequel to 2009’s sci-fi-action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra, Retaliation continues where Rise of the Cobra left off. The G.I. Joe team is framed as traitors by Zartan, last seen disguised as the U.S. President). The Joes gather their numbers to expose the truth, and stop Cobra. Channing Tatum, Arnold Vosloo, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce and Lee Byung-hun reprise their roles as Duke, Zartan, Snake Eyes, The US President, and Storm Shadow, respectively, with the star addition of Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson.

Madagascar 3

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED. Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schimmer reprise their roles as Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe in the third installment of the computer-animated comedy of the Madagascar movie series. The bands are still fighting to return to their beloved Big Apple after escaping from Africa and ending up on a European detour; King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen), Maurice(Cedric the Entertainer) and the Penguins(Tom McGrath, Chriss Miller, John DiMaggio and Christopher Knights) are all along for the adventure. This time the road takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent, Madagascar style!

HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTER. Witch Hunter is just one of numerous supernatural action movie re-envisionings on the horizon, and it features rising stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the adult versions of the famous fairy tale siblings, in this twisted retelling, who are now highly-skilled professional bounty hunters who track, yes, witches.

RISE OF THE GUARDIAN- This upcoming 3D computer-animated action adventure comedy follows a group of kid’s mythic heroes who join forces to stop an evil creature. It is based on The Guardians of Childhood books written by William Joyce, who will also direct, with Guillermo Del Torro (Pan’s Labyrinth) producing. It will have an ensemble cast in the persons of Jude Law, Hugh Jackman, Chris Pine, Isla Fisher, and Alec Baldwin.

90S MUSIC COMES ALIVE! BE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENS!

2012-01-09T23:38:00.000+08:00

WFP HELPS PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT REACH REMOTE AREAS AFFECTED BY TROPICAL STORM WASHI

2012-01-07T02:01:00.001+08:00

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Philippine Government are extending the emergency response to Tropical Storm Washi to focus on remote, cut-off areas around Iligan City.

Working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and with airlift support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, WFP has already supplied emergency food assistance to almost 3,300 people stranded in Mungulong, outside Iligan City.

Plans are now underway to airlift food rations to other isolated communities around Iligan City such as Panoroganan where almost a thousand people are in need, and Mainit, where another 1,350 people require assistance.

“WFP continues to support the Philippine government’s relief efforts, and we are grateful to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for providing the necessary logistical support that enables us to reach people in these remote areas,” said WFP Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson. “These are vital supplies which will help them get through this difficult time.”

WFP is also dispatching rice and vegetable oil in trucks provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to the areas of Santiago, Hinaplanon, Mahayahay and Tipanoy within Iligan City, and beyond to Rogongan, Digkilaan, Bonbonen, and Kalilangan.

In response to a request from the Department of Education, and in coordination with UNICEF and Save the Children, WFP will also provide short-term emergency school meals to 40,000 displaced children returning to school.

As part of recovery efforts, WFP is stepping up its support to initiatives such as debris clearing and school repair activities through food-for-work projects.

WFP, in partnership with DSWD, is currently conducting relief and early recovery operations in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and parts of Lanao del Sur. A total of 207,500 people affected by Tropical Storm Washi have been reached by WFP emergency food assistance since relief operations began on December 19.

# # #

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss.

MAMMA MIA! The Global Smash Hit Opens in January

2012-01-06T00:00:00.003+08:00

Finally, Manila is ready to watch MAMMA MIA! The international tour of the highly-anticipated musical, supported by the classic songs of ABBA, will be staged at the CCP Main Theater starting 24 January 2012 for a limited season only.

MAMMA MIA! creative producer, Judy Craymer, first met Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, the song-writing geniuses behind ABBA. She was specially inspired by the song ‘The Winner Takes It All,’ its lyrics telling a roller-coaster story of love and loss, which became the basis in creating what would become MAMMA MIA!

Craymer did not change the lyrics because if audiences really listened to ABBA’s songs, they would notice how they fell into two different generations – the innocent, playful songs like ‘Honey, Honey’ and ‘Dancing Queen’, and the more reflective, emotional songs such as ‘The Winner Takes It All’ and ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’. From the lyrical prowess of ABBA, the idea of a cross-generational love-story was conceived.

The story of MAMMA MIA! unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of Sophie Sheridan’s wedding, she goes on a quest to discover the identity of her father and brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels an enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship.

MAMMA MIA! 10TH ANNIVERSARY ON BROADWAY

It was 10 years ago when MAMMA MIA! had their Broadway premiere of at The Winter Garden Theatre. MAMMA MIA! then opened to one of the biggest advance sales in theater history.

MAMMA MIA! celebrated its 10th anniversary on Broadway last October - the Empire State Building was lit up pink, white, and blue in honor of MAMMA MIA! and at the performance New York's Mayor Bloomberg presented Judy with an official proclamation marking the occasion and declared 18 October 2011 'MAMMA MIA! Day.' MAMMA MIA! Broadway also became the 10th longest running show in Broadway history, surpassing the record previously held by Miss Saigon.

MAIN CAST

The world-class cast of Mamma Mia premiered their English-language International Tour in Dublin in 2004 and are now currently past their 2000th performance, which was performed in Zurich, Switzerland last 2 November. Included in the Manila Season are Sara Poyzer, Sophie Sheridan, Rosie Heath, and Tasha Taylor Thompson.

Actress Sara Poyzer plays Donna Sheridan, the mother of Sophie Sheridan, played by Charlotte Wakefield. Poyzer has performed in hit shows like Othello, Billy Elliot – The Musical, and Merchant of Venice. Wakefield made her West End debut starring in Spring Awakening and also nominated for Best Actress In A Musical at the 2010 Laurence Olivier awards.

Rosie Heath and Tasha Taylor Thompson plays Ali and Lisa, Sophie’s best friends who help her find her father. Heath trained in Musical Theater and Dance from Master Performing Arts College and has performed in Aladdin, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind, and Les Misérables. Thompson trained in National Youth Music Theatre; and Marilyn Baker School of Dance, Doncaster. She has also performed in Starlight Express, Sylvia in Howard Goodall’s The Dreaming, and is the captain in Call Me Madam; Frank, Dean and Sammy - Live in Las Vegas.

The International Cast has enthralled audiences in Dubai, Germany, Sweden, Prague, New Zealand, Turkey, China, and Tapei. In the UK, MAMMA MIA! International Tour became the highest grossing musical the New Castle Metro Radio Arena has ever hosted and has sold over £1 million worth of tickets in the first fortnight at the Bristol Hypodrome. To date, over 4 million people all over the world have now seen the tour and have fallen in love with MAMMA MIA!

ABBA MUSIC

The musical has become a global entertainment phenomenon; but it is one that works on a far more elemental basis in which its creators have never lost sight of what they are seeking to achieve. MAMMA MIA! personalizes ABBA songs in a fresh, vital, and immediate way that simultaneously retains their pop integrity yet also does something more that is an essential requirement of good musical theatre: to advance an appealing story and comment on it.

MAMMA MIA! has not only seen theatergoers dancing in the aisles - reliving memories or discovering the ABBA sound for the first time – but has also seen ABBA GOLD back in album charts everywhere the show has played.

A legacy of extraordinary songs and worldwide record sales of over 360 million have ensured ABBA a lasting popularity. ABBA GOLD, first released in 1992, spent 206 weeks in the album charts, where it debuted at number one. It was re-issued in 1999 to commemorate ABBA’s 25^th anniversary and remains one of the biggest selling music albums of all-time.

With at least 3,500 records still being sold every day around the world, the ABBA phenomenon is seemingly unstoppable.

The production features 22 Of Abba’s Hits Including: Chiquitita, Dancing Queen, I Have A Dream, Knowing Me, Knowing You, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Take A Chance On Me and Voulez-Vous.

HISTORY

MAMMA MIA! premiered on April 1999 at the prestigious Prince Edward Theater in London’s West End. The audience was charmed and one British critic even said “MAMMA MIA! could put Prozac out of business!”

Since October 2003 MAMMA MIA! has opened fourteen non-English language productions in Tokyo, Seoul, Madrid, Stockholm, Moscow, Barcelona, Berlin, Mexico, Milan, Paris, Brazil, Copenhagen, and China, Dutch, and Spanish tours. The musical has risen to the challenge of translating both Catherine Johnson’s heart-warming story of a mother and daughter and Björn’s legendary lyrics. MAMMA MIA! plays to 17,000 people a night around the world and has been seen by over 50 million people.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

The International Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM.

Visit the MAMMA MIA! website for more information at: www.mamma-mia.com or the Manila Season Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MammaMiaManila

TICKETING INFORMATION

Weekday rates are priced at P750, P1500, P3000, P4000, P5000, and P6000; including shows on Sundays, 8pm. Weekend matinee rates are P1000, P2000, P3500, P5000, P6000, and P7000.

Family Package: buy 4 tickets to get 40% discount on 3rd and 4th tickets. Groups of 20 or more can also get a 10% discount. Senior citizens also enjoy a 20% discount.

Book your tickets now! Call 891 9999, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

SPONSORS

MAMMA MIA! is presented by Infinity, powered by Smart and Citibank. Special thanks to our sponsors San Miguel Premium All Malt Beer, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Dusit Thani Manila, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Ayala Cinemas, Ayala Malls and OOCL.

MAMMA MIA! would like to thank media partners ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World, Philippine Star, and Manila Bulletin, ETC, 2^nd Avenue, Jack TV, Crossover 105.1 FM, Monster Radio RX 93.1, and Radio High 105.9FM. MAMMA MIA! is brought to you by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, Hi Definition Radio, Inc., and Concertus, Inc.

For block buys, sponsorships, call Concertus at 403 8678 or Hi Definition Radio, Inc. at 706 1580.

“90S MUSIC COMES ALIVE WITH SAMSUNG GALAXY S WIFI 5.0” “90S MUSIC COMES ALIVE WITH SAMSUNG GALAXY S WIFI 5.0”

2012-01-05T07:59:00.001+08:00

What do you remember most about the 90s? Gadgets like the Discman on which you listened to music, the Tamagotchi which served as your pet, or those big cellular phones? Was it the movies, like when you watched “Titanic” three times (or more), got “Clueless” with Alicia Silverstone, or melted over the line “You had me at ‘hello’,” from “Jerry Maguire”? Or was it the TV shows, like when you got hooked on “Friends”, “Beverly Hills 90210,” or “Melrose Place”? Or was it the music? Of course, there has to be music.

That is why MCA Music, in cooperation with Samsung’s ultimate MP3 evolution, the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0, gives tribute to the music that defined a generation via the album “90s Music Comes Alive,” featuring MCA artists’ take on hits from the 90s. It is bannered by “Unbelievable,” an EMF original given new life by one of the country’s top bands, Chicosci.

The album is packed top-to-bottom with a spectacular lineup of signature 90s tracks re-imagined by today’s artists. Take, for example, the Madonna original “This Used To Be My Playground” reinterpreted by Urbandub, or Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” reengineered by Franco. There’s also Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait” by December Avenue, The Cranberries’ “Linger” by Miguel Escueta, Keith Sweat’s “Twisted” by Typecast, Radiohead’s “Creep” by Tanya Markova, Indigo Girls’ “Power of Two” by Nyoy Volante, Eric Clapton’s “Change The World” by Krissy & Ericka, Lisa Loeb’s “Stay” by Toto Sorioso, Blind Melon’s “No Rain” by Sabrina, Sugar Ray’s “Someday” by The Lamars, Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” by Solenn Heussaff, and Lou Bega’s sassy “Mambo No. 5” by Richard Poon.

Reminisce over the good times, or simply savor a fresh take on music from before the new millennium with “90s Music Comes Alive.”

And to make it come even more alive, listen to it digitally on the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0. With proprietary SoundAlive 3D surround sound technology, you get a fully-immersive on-the-go music experience in an astonishingly compact device. While its expansive 5-inch touchscreen and powerful 1GHz processor deftly let you plow through your other favorite forms of entertainment (from the 90s, or otherwise) like full HD movies and thousands of games from the Android market.

“90s Music Comes Alive” is now out in CDs at leading record stores under MCA Music, and is presented by Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0. To download the music of “90s Music Comes Alive” to your mobile phones, just text NINETIES to 3456. Catch these artists as “90s Music Comes Alive” will be having a grand launch this January 13 (Friday), 7pm at Eastwood Central Plaza and January 14 (Saturday), 7pm at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.

THE GAME IS ON IN “SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS”

2012-01-04T07:57:00.004+08:00

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his friend and colleague, Dr. Watson, in Warner Bros.’ new action-adventure “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.”

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie returned to direct “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” the follow-up to the smash hit “Sherlock Holmes.” The sequel also reunited producers Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Bruce Berman and Steve Clark-Hall served as executive producers.

In her first English-speaking role, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, who gained international attention in the Swedish film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” plays a mysterious Gypsy named Sim, who becomes allied with Holmes and Watson in their quest to stop Moriarty. Jared Harris (TV’s “Mad Men,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) joins the cast as the notorious Professor Moriarty. Stephen Fry (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”) plays Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s decidedly eccentric older brother.

Returning from the first film, the cast also includes Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler; Kelly Reilly as Watson’s bride, Mary Morstan; Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade; and Geraldine James as Holmes’s long-suffering landlady, Mrs. Hudson.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” was written by Michele Mulroney & Kieran Mulroney. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were created by the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and appear in stories and novels by him.

Ritchie once again collaborated with the behind-the-scenes team from the first movie, including director of photography Philippe Rousselot, production designer Sarah Greenwood, editor James Herbert, costume designer Jenny Beavan, and composer Hans Zimmer.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

DepEd opens special classes in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan

2012-01-03T20:01:00.000+08:00

The Department of Education has made preparations for the opening of schools today in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City after the Christmas break and in the aftermath of typhoon Sendong which devastated a big swatch of Northern Mindanao.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said however that some schools will not hold regular classes yet but instead use alternative delivery mode of lessons. In some schools, school heads will focus more on stress debriefing and play therapy in affected divisions. “We have to respond to the immediate needs of both teachers and students and for now, it is important that we introduce activities that will bring back normalcy in their lives,” the education chief said.

He added that DepEd is now making the final list of schools being used as evacuation centers. “We have agreed with our counterparts in the Department of Social Welfare and Development that if our schools are still needed by evacuees we will hold classes in temporary learning spaces including the use of tents provided by UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children, among others. While there are shortages in tents, donations are still coming in.”

DepEd has also expressed its appreciation to parents, military, police, students, non-government organizations and evacuees themselves for helping in the cleanup of schools in order to prepare them for the holding of classes. ”What we see here is an off-season Brigada Eskwela where every concerned citizen pitches in to bring back order in schools and in the community.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Antonio Ledesma of Cagayan de Oro has offered his parish for temporary relocation while the Jesuit-run Xavier University said it has five hectares in Lumbia also for relocation. For its part, the local government of Cagayan de Oro has made available another 3. 5 hectares as relocation site.

“This is a welcome development and slowly, internally-displaced residents are moving on to rebuild lives in relocation sites,” said Luistro.

“DARK KNIGHT RISES,” “THE HOBBIT” LEAD WARNER’S 2012 LINE-UP

2012-01-02T01:28:00.002+08:00

Twenty twelve is shaping up to be another banner year for Warner Bros. whose upcoming line-up consists of the formidable tent-pole releases (“The Dark Knight Rises,” “The Hobbit”), blockbuster sequels (“Wrath of the Titans,” “Sherlock Holmes 2”), potential franchise-starters (“Jack and the Giant Killer,” “Dark Shadows”) and prestige titles (“Gravity,” “J. Edgar”). With all these surefire bets, what's not to like?

The Dark Knight Rises. The epic conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Christian Bale again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Marion Cotillard, as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Wrath of the Titans. A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) —the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson)—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. But Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades (Ralph Fiennes) makes a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus.

Jack, the Giant Killer. An ancient war is reignited when a young farmhand (Nicholas Hoult) unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. “X-Men's” Bryan Singer directs.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” the new 3D family adventure begins when young Sean (Josh Hutcherson) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. Unable to stop him from going, Sean’s new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze who's still struggling with his curse as the devil's bounty hunter. He is recruited by a secret sect of the church to save a young boy from the devil. At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider, but it is the only way to protect the boy - and possibly rid himself of his curse forever.

Dark Shadows. Director Tim Burton brings the cult classic series to the big screen in a film featuring an all-star cast, led by Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter.

Rock of Ages. The film adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew, who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. Their rock ‘n’ roll romance is told through the heart-pounding hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake, and more. Tom Cruise leads the powerhouse cast.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, this drama starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock tells the story of one young boy’s journey from heartbreaking loss to the healing power of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of the tragic events of September 11.

J. Edgar. During his lifetime, J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo DiCaprio) would rise to be the most powerful man in America. As head of the FBI for nearly 50 years, he would stop at nothing to protect his country. The Clint Eastwood film explores the personal and public life and relationships of a man who could distort the truth as easily as he upheld it during a life devoted to his own idea of justice, often swayed by the darker side of power.

The Apparition. When frightening events start to occur in their home, young couple Kelly (Ashley Greene) and Ben (Sebastian Stan) discover they are being haunted by a presence. Their last hope is an expert in the supernatural (Tom Felton), but even with his help they may already be too late to save themselves from this terrifying force...

The Lucky One. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive—a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door. Despite her initial mistrust, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

Gangster Squad. A colorful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film stars Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling as the LAPD’s Sgt. John O’Mara and Jerry Wooters; Sean Penn as real-life mobster Mickey Cohen and Emma Stone as Grace Faraday, Cohen’s moll and the object of Wooters’ attention.

Rivals. Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play rival politicians in a small congressional district in South Carolina.

Argo. Based on true events, the film chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis—the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. Ben Affleck stars and directs.

Burt Wonderstone. Steve Carell and Jim Carrey star in this comedy that deals with rival stage magician teams in Las Vegas. The titular Wonderstone, is one half of a two-man group who has to rediscover his love of magic after the loss of his partner.

Prisoners. A desperate father (Michael Fassbender) turns vigilante and abducts the man he suspects is behind the disappearance of his eight year old daughter and her best friend, after cops fail to find the little girls.

Gravity. A 3D space film about the leader of a team posted at a remote space station. While he (George Clooney) and a female colleague (Sandra Bullock) are traveling outside the space station, the other team members are decimated by debris from an exploded satellite.

20TH CENTURY FOX SETS SAIL FOR 2012 LINEUP

2012-01-01T01:22:00.001+08:00

20^th Century Fox anchors in 2012 with big screen adaptation of classic favorites from television and books, phenomenal movie franchises and a novelty of ideas captured in unparalleled 3D technology employed by the Fox lot.

Chpwrecked

The returning cast of “Alvin and the Chipmunks” strikes a third in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” where Dave (Jason Lee) is on board a luxury cruise liner with the gang for a well-deserved break. Incidentally, they find themselves in a deserted island after going overboard during the trip. Thinking that they have found a tropical paradise, they soon found out that they are not alone.

We Bought A Zoo

From the life-affirming bestselling memoir“We Bought A Zoo” by Benjamin Mee, director Cameron Crowe translates Mee’s inspiring journey on screen with much poignancy. Starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johannson, Elle Fanning andThomas Haden Church, the movie is a story of triumph over adversity to save Dartmoor Zoo in order to save the lives of the exotic animals that were destined to be put down.

Darkest Hour

Infused with electrifying 3D effects,“Darkest Hour” director Chris Gorak whose unforgettable art direction includes “Fight Club” and “Minority Report” gives the audience anew a movie experience like never before. Starring Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella and Olivia Thirlby, the group is in Moscow when they were suddenly trapped in an alien attack catching all off guard. It soon becomes apparent that the aliens have an impenetrable defense and the humans are left helpless.

The Phantom Menace 3D poster

Supervised by George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic, “Star Wars Episode 1: the Phantom Menace” undergoes meticulous technological and artistic conversion for its long-awaited 3D movie release. Navigating within a galaxy far, far away, the movie conversion is set to deliver most of the Saga’s amazing scenes from the peaceful planet of Naboo to nearby ally and warring galaxies.

Tom Hardy, Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon

Tom Hardy and Chris Pine face a kind of war that’s hard to admit defeat when they both find out that they are battling for Reese Witherspoon’s undivided attention in“This Means War.” Inseparable since they were kids, both became the best CIAoperatives (Pine and Hardy) who now turned against each other and start utilizing their technical skills to defeat one another.

Chronicle

“Chronicle” asks what are you capable of? Directed by Josh Trank, the movie is reminiscent of hit thrillers shot in real time documentary-style such as “The Blairwitch Project” and “Cloverfield.” Three high school kids unwittingly took matters into their own hands when they suddenly acquire special powers after being exposed to a mysterious substance from the woods and their darker sides soon begin to take over.

Titanic 3D

Coinciding with Titanic’s centennial year since sailing, James Cameron’s “Titanic” will be re-released in 3D which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Rose DeWitt Bukater (Winslet) is a 17-year-old, upper-class American who falls for a free-spirited young passenger named Jack Dawson (DiCaprio). Once he opens her eyes to the world that lies outside her gilded cage, Rose and Jack's forbidden love begins a powerful mystery that ultimately echoes across the years into the present and not even the sinking of Titanic can come between them.

Three Stooges

From television’s classic black & white tubes, “The Three Stooges’” hilarious slapstick goes all color on the big screen brought about by the dynamic filmmaking duo Farrelly Brothers. Starring Will Sasso, Sean Hayes and Chris Diamantopoulos, this is the story of three orphans named Larry, Joe and Moe remotely raised by nuns. But time came when they have go out into the world to save the orphanage from being shut down. Hilarity ensues when the world collides with these three nitwits as they raise money for the orphanage the only way they know how.

Prometheus

Known for his visceral presentation of the future from his movies “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” Ridley Scott’s latest 3D vision of the future will soon be revealed in “Prometheus (3D).” Starring Michael Fassbender (“X-Men: First Class”) and Charlize Theron (“Aeon Flux”), the film introduces a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest and most dangerous corners of the universe. Testing their physical and mental limits, they soon discover that they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

Benjamin Walker and Timur Bekmambetov behind the scenes

From the pages of Seth Grahame-Smith’s“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”stars Benjamin Walker directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Like the pop-novel mash-up on which the movie is based, the movie follows Lincoln from his boyhood on the frontier through his assassination by John Wilkes Booth and beyond. Young Lincoln, having learned that his grandfather and mother were killed by vampires, vows to kill every last blood-sucker in a country that is crawling with them.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

From the hugely successful “Ice Age” franchise, the endearing fun troupe of Manny and Ellie the mammoths along with Diego the saber-toothed tiger, Sid the sloth, Scrat, possums Crash and Eddie are back. In “Ice Age: Continental Drift (3D),” Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences -- a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all.

Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn reunite in “Neighborhood Watch” about a man who moves from the big city to the suburbs, and worries that his life will be boring now he’s away from the excitement of the metropolis. But after signing up for the local neighborhood watch patrol, he’s soon thrust into uncovering a massive conspiracy.

Based on the best-selling kid-friendly book by Jeff Kinney of the same title,“Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw” finds Greg Heffley in a dilemma over his wimpy ways. Having realized that hard habits are hard to break, Greg couldn’t just make his father understand that he will never change being wimpy despite efforts to make his son toughen up.

A follow up on Luc Besson’s 2008 surprise hard-core action film “Taken,” Liam Neeson’s character Bryan Mills shares more of the action with Maggie Grace’s Kim in“Taken 2.” Mills, having been captured by a nemesis whose son was killed exacts revenge and lays the burden on Kim to save her parents.

Speak Out In 2012

2011-12-27T10:35:00.005+08:00

Galileo Galilei

Unlike our history’s dark ages, we are living an age where we are more liberated to think for ourselves. Back then, an idea is bad when the general society rejects it. The example of this was the case of Galileo Galilei. He made a discovery that the world we are living is not the center of the universe but the sun which was rejected by the church and was declared a heretic.

In local history, our national hero Jose Rizal was also given an enemy treatment for writing against the Spanish friars. Even the Lord Jesus Christ was executed in humiliation for preaching the Good News. These people were able to voice out their ideas even at the costs of their lives and change the course of history.

Even in our modern 21^st Century, there are still people that still living like the dark ages. People like the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. were able to speak out but were assassinated. There are also media personalities in the provinces that get killed because of speaking the truth. The reason for this is that the people responsible are afraid to lose their power that is why they are inflicting fear so no one will follow in their footsteps. These are the forms of bullying just like we encountered in school. The most recent of these bullying was the Maguindanao massacre.

But there are those who even the odds for the cause. Recently, Carlos Celdran voiced his views about the Reproductive Health Bill in front of the church altar which led him to jail. These acts of ideas are only the first step. In the movie Inception, “an idea is the most resilient virus. Once an idea is formed, it sticks.” This is what happened when ideas were formed. Just like what happened to Carlos Celdran and the historical figures I made example, their quests became a crusade.

Just last month, I was able to voice out my stand about the unresolved justice of the Maguindanao massacre. This was a follow up on my post about the massacre. The reason for my concern is that I have friends who were news people and I always meet them during events that I went to. It is also my concern since I also took up Broadcasting Communication. During its second year, I was able to join the activities to commemorate the event at the National Press Club.

Sadly, the internet is also a venue for cyber bullying. Instead of taking advantage of it to speak out, we are more dreadful to even begin. Fear is irrational. If you can speak your mind, it might also spread like a virus. It may also become a crusade. Who knows what possibilities this can accomplished. If the Mayan calendar is really proven true, then we are now on limited time. As a famous quote from Dead Poets’ Society says, Carpe Diem (Latin, Seize the day). Live your life to the fullest. Use this page to speak your mind. Comment below what would you like to say.

Logitech Christmas Special

2011-12-26T15:13:00.001+08:00

Logitech recently launched its Christmas Special. Offering a whole new array of choices for your essential peripherals this Christmas holiday. It’s a perfect gift for yourself and your love ones this season.

From Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, Logitech is giving free S150 Digital USB Speaker headset for every purchase of Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 or Wireless Combo MK220, or free Logitech USB headset H390 for every purchase of Logitech Anywhere Mouse M905 or Wireless Solar Keyboard K750. It will also give away Logitech Stereo Z110 for every purchase of Logitech Couch Mouse M515 and Logitech Ultra Flat Keyboard Dark Shine for every purchase of Logitech Wireless Mouse M505.

Founded 30 years ago, Logitech is a Swiss public company listed. Logitech is a world leader in personal peripherals, driving innovation in PC navigation, Internet communications, digital music, home-entertainment control, gaming and wireless devices.

This Christmas, the company will only be too happy to assist tech shoppers buy what they want. Some of the Logitech peripherals up for grabs are:

Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 Powered By Light — Even Indoors

Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 — the company’s first light-powered keyboard. The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard powers itself whenever there’s light, even indoors, making battery hassles a thing of the past.

“The keyboard is still the best input device for typing emails and IMs, updating your Facebook™ page or posting responses to your favorite blogs — and the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is the next big innovation in keyboard technology,” said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech’s keyboards and desktops. “The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard is powered by light but can work in total darkness for up to three months. Plus, with its PVC-free construction and fully recyclable packaging, it’s designed to minimize its footprint.”

Powered by Light — Even Indoors

To give you hassle-free convenience, the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard powers itself through its integrated solar panel — no power bricks or charging cables needed.

The included solar power app (available for download at logitech.com/k750/solarapp) makes it easy to get at-a-glance information about battery levels, alerts you when you need more power, and even includes a lux meter to help you get the necessary light.

Logitech’s first solar keyboard can be powered by indoor light and stays charged for at least three months in total darkness. Plus an integrated power-indicator light eliminates surprises.

Only 1/3-Inch Thick

But Logitech did much more than bring solar power to the keyboard.

At only 1/3-inch thick, the sleek Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard looks good. With its rounded edges and thin profile, this stylish, streamlined keyboard is a joy to hold and behold.

Feel-Good Typing

The low-profile keyboard features Logitech Incurve keys™. Using a concave design, Incurve keys support the shape of your fingertips, while helping guide your fingers to the right keys. In addition, the soft, rounded edges make it easy for your fingers to glide from key to key.

Powerful, Reliable Wireless Connection with Logitech Unifying Technology

The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 offers Logitech Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, keeping you connected with virtually no delays or dropouts, so you get all the benefits of a cord, with the convenience of wireless. Logitech Advanced 2.4 wireless also includes 128-bit AES encryption with the keyboard — one of the highest levels of security available.

Plus, the tiny Logitech® Unifying receiver is small enough to stay in your laptop, so there’s no need to unplug it when you move around. And you can easily add up to six Logitech Unifying and Unifying-ready mice and keyboards — without the hassle of multiple USB receivers.

New Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Make Perfect Space-Saving Pair

Wireless Combo MK220 – a compact keyboard-and-mouse combo with all the right keys, reliable long-range wireless and long battery life.

The Logitech Wireless Combo MK220’s minimalist design makes it a great addition to your home or work computing setup. The devices blend in beautifully with your décor and require very little space. The keyboard is about 36 percent smaller than standard keyboards but still has all the standard keys. And no extra space between the buttons makes it compact as well as sleek. The simple, software-free setup will have you tweeting, blogging and IMing in no time. You simply plug the tiny Logitech Unifying receiver into a USB port on your computer and immediately get going on all your activities.

Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology gives you a long-range connection of up to 10 meters (33 feet) away, depending on environmental and computing conditions. With up to 24 months of battery life for the keyboard and up to five for the mouse – plus auto-sleep – you can virtually forget the hassle of changing batteries. In addition, 128-bit AES keyboard encryption helps keep your information secure.

WFP supports the Government of the Philippines Response to Sendong-affected communities

2011-12-25T00:29:00.001+08:00

Tropical Storm Washi (locally known as “Sendong”) which hit Northern Mindanao over the weekend, caused massive flooding, flashfloods and landslides, resulting in the death of over 1,000 people. Some 285,000 people have been displaced, many of whom are taking refuge with relatives or in makeshift structures. The World Food Programme (WFP) is responding to the Philippine Government’s request for international support and is mobilizing to assist 220,000 of the most vulnerble persons, many of whom have limited access to nutritious food and clean drinking water. Augmenting government’s relief efforts, WFP assistance, at the initial phase of the response, focuses on providing fortified ready-to-eat foods as well as logistics support to the Philippine government and humanitarian agencies.

Photo credit: WFP/John Javellana/Philippines

World Food Programme/Philippines’ National Ambassador Against Hunger, KC Concepcion, and WFP Country Director and Representative, Stephen Anderson visitcommunities affected by Tropical Storm Washi in Cagayan de Oro City. WFP, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, is distributing fortified ready-to-eat food to highly affected families in evacuation centers.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org. For more details see:http://www.wfp.org/rss

WFP has a dedicated ISDN line in Italy for quality two-way interviews with WFP officials.

5 GREAT WAYS TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS!

2011-12-24T01:37:00.001+08:00

5 GREAT WAYS TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS!

1. Plan your Christmas break wisely. Make sure to spend quality time with your family and loved ones.

2. It's the season for dates and parties but make sure to eat and drink in moderation.

3. Have enough rest and sleep after all those get-togethers and reunions.

4. Take time to reminisce the year that was. Thank all the people who have helped you throughout the year.

5. In this joyous merrymaking and endless parties, remember this: THOU SHALL NOT WEIGH MORE THAN THY REFRIGERATOR! Hahaha.

Happy Nativity, everyone!

Everyone be careful when taking taxi cabs these days

2011-12-23T18:04:00.000+08:00

A female friend was abducted by 4 men, held hostage for 3 hours, mugged and nearly raped by a taxi with plate number TLY 409 last night coming from Annapolis St., Greenhills. They took her to NIA Road, QC. She fought back and was able to get away. Tell your friends and family to watch out for this cab.

TYL 409 Car Details

P#: tyl409 / E#: 2E-3254892 / C#: EE110-8009918 / MV#: 138000000225318 / Col: Freedom White / Sticker#: 2011122773755 / MVType: Car / TradeName: / Make: Toyota/ Series: COROLLA XL M/T / YRModel: 2001 / MVClass: FOR - HIRE / Org: MARVIN SANTOS.. / OR#: 000201111852482 / CR#: 000000005541645 / BType:sEDAN - 4-DOOR / FRegDate: 09-25-2001 / LRegDate: 09-30-2011 / Fuel: GAS / Route: MARIKINA ANY PT TO LUZON / Franchise#: 96-945 / FEDate: 12-31-2007 / Total Apps: 0 /Total Alarms: 0

Logitech Christmas Promo

2011-12-22T11:02:00.001+08:00

This Christmas, the company will only be too happy to assist tech shoppers buy what they want. Some of the Logitech peripherals up for grabs are:

Logitech® Wireless Mouse M325, designed for How You Use the Web

Logitech® Wireless Mouse M325, featuring a precision scroll wheel with up to four times as many ratchets as a standard scroll wheel for smoother scrolling. Based on the contoured shape of the best-selling Logitech® Wireless Mouse M305, the Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 helps make everything you love to do online even better.

Most standard mice have a scroll wheel with 18 to 24 ratchets. Each ratchet corresponds to about one line of scrolling. When you quickly scroll down a page, skipping from line to line, moving from one ratchet to another, the on-screen motion will appear choppy.

You can reduce that choppiness by moving in smaller increments. Our precision scroll wheel contains 72 tiny, rugged ratchets. As a result, the ratchets are small enough so the wheel spins smoothly. And you’ll have the precise control you need for websites, spreadsheets, slideshows and other presentations.

A true wheel for the Web, the precision scroll wheel not only makes surfing smoother; when tilted to the right or left, it also moves you backward or forward from one webpage to another.

The Logitech Wireless Mouse M325 also includes Logitech Advanced Optical Tracking, so you can forget about your laptop touchpad. Instead, enjoy precise clicking and pointing while navigating all your favorite websites.

The Wireless Mouse M325 works with Windows® XP, Windows Vista® and Windows® 7, as well as Mac OS® X 10.5 or later and Linux® kernel 2.6.

Logitech Couch Mouse M515 Makes Browsing from the Couch Easy

Logitech® Couch Mouse M515, delivering easy navigation from soft surfaces like your couch, bed or a pillow. The Logitech Couch Mouse M515 features a sealed bottom case that makes gliding on fabric easy and worry free, and a hand-detection sensor so the mouse is only active when you want it to be.

With its hand-detection sensor, the Logitech Couch Mouse M515 is active only when you’re gripping it — the mouse is only active when you want it to be, and it stays asleep when you don’t. A sealed bottom — so fabric fuzz won’t collect in the sensor opening — gives you cursor control no matter what surface you’re using your mouse on. And the easy-gliding base makes mousing around on couches (and blankets, cushions, clothing, carpets, even desks) easy.

Also featuring effortless Logitech® Hyper-Fast Scrolling, the M515 mouse lets you coast smoothly through long blogs or social networking feeds. And you can switch to click-to-click mode when you need more control.

Logitech Anywhere Mouse M905 Feature Darkfield Laser Tracking

With Logitech® Darkfield Laser Tracking™, you can use your mouse virtually anywhere you want – including clear glass and high-gloss surfaces. This new technology is available the Logitech® Anywhere Mouse M905, giving you the option of a full-size mouse or a more compact, notebook mouse.

Logitech research showed that 40 percent of people have a glass surface in their home. This coupled with the increase in the popularity of laptop computers, means that people are moving around and coming into contact with a multitude of surfaces – like granite and lacquered wood – that challenge the tracking capabilities of standard mice.

To track on glass (that’s at least 4 mm thick), Logitech Darkfield uses dark field microscopy to detect microscopic particles and micro-scratches on these surfaces, rather than tracking the surface itself. Similar to the way in which our eye sees the clear night sky, the mouse’s sensor sees the clean areas of glass as a dark background with bright dots – the dust. Then, the sensor interprets the movement of these dots to track exactly where you’ve moved the mouse.

Logitech® Wireless Mouse M505, get more done, more comfortably, in more places

With the Logitech Wireless Mouse M505 you get the just-right combination of form and features to help you get more done, more comfortably, in more places. There’s more battery life so you can stay productive. The laser sensor lets you use it on more surfaces. There’s a more convenient wireless receiver that you can plug and forget – and pair with your other favorite peripherals. And there’s the ergonomically designed shape and soft rubber grip for more comfort.

Logitech® Wireless Mouse M505 gives 15 months of battery life virtually eliminates the hassle of changing batteries, as well as the hassle, expense, and waste that go with it.

The On/Off switch saves power. And a battery-indicator light eliminates surprises. It also has Laser tracking delivers smooth, responsive, precise cursor control on surfaces that cause problems for optical mice, such as polished or wood-grain tables.

The Logitech® Unifying receiver stays in your notebook. There’s no need to unplug it when you move around, so your keyboard is always connected. Plus, you can easily add a compatible wireless keyboard or number pad, or even another mouse – without the hassle of multiple USB receivers.

Its ergonomically designed shape with soft rubber grip conforms to your hand to be naturally comfortable, yet is small enough to easily take with you.

It has Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity gives you the reliability of a cord plus cordless convenience and freedom—fast data transmission, virtually no delays or dropouts, and 128-bit AES encryption.

To avail of the promotion, visit selected IT stores in Metro Manila from December 1-31, 2011, per DTI-NCR permit no. 8703 Series of 2011.

DepEd Update And Advisory Regarding Sendong

2011-12-21T14:46:00.000+08:00

The Department of Education has ordered the release of P.5 million in the regional office in Northern Mindanao to be used as operating expense in schools being used as evacuation centers as well as in clean up operations.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro also said that families of teachers who died during the catastrophe will be given P10,000 each in financial assistance while teaching and non-teaching employees will be provided with calamity loans through DepEd’s provident fund.

DepEd is mobilizing its engineering and health units in assessing the damage and needs of affected schools in the aftermath of typhoon Sendong which ripped through Northern Mindanao last week.

Luistro who personally led the inspection team of DepEd officials reported that, based on initial assessment, some 28 schools in four schools divisions were affected. Hardest hit by rampaging floodwater spawned by the typhoon were Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan. Also affected were schools in Agusan del Sur, Lanao del Sur.

Reports as of December 20 revealed that damaged classrooms total 167. DepEd engineers and health professionals continue to validate and consolidate damage reports.

PRESS RELEASE : Distribution of teachers Christmas bonus almost complete

2011-12-20T16:10:00.000+08:00

The Department of Education (DepEd) reports that the distribution of Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) to public school teachers is proceeding well and expected to be completed by Friday.

“Our finance personnel are working round- the-clock to ensure that teachers have something to take home in time for Christmas,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro. To ensure that teachers get their PEI before Christmas, DepEd already made initial preparations in anticipation of fund transfer from DBM.

As of Monday (December 19), reports from the field indicate that DepEd offices in Regions 1, 2, 7, Central Luzon (Region 3) and the Cordillera Administrative Region have completed payment of the bonus to teachers.

Education officials in Regions 4A, 5, 6, 11, and Caraga expect to complete payments today while public school teachers in Regions 4B, 9, and the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive their incentives by Tuesday (December 20).

Meanwhile other regions (8, 10, 11 and 12) are working hard to pay out the incentives before Friday.

“We are working closely with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to remedy any cause for delay and to make sure problems are swiftly resolved,” Luistro said.

The P10,000 PEI is commonly referred to as the Christmas bonus.

Funds are transferred directly from DBM Regional Offices to DepEd’s implementing units. These are the central, regional, and division offices and some secondary schools that are authorized to manage funds released to them in accordance with DBM and Commission on Audit rules and regulations.

MCA MUSIC ARTISTS HONORED AT 24TH AWIT AWARDS

2011-12-15T23:17:00.000+08:00

Sabrina

MCA Music artists took home honors at the recent 24^th Awit Awards held at the Music Museum. One of the top honors went to King of Acoustic Pop Nyoy Volante who bagged the Best Performance by a Male Artist for the song “Someday”. The single is included on his album “In You”, his debut album under the multi-national record label.

Asia’s acoustic sweetheart Sabrina was the recipient of the International Achievement Award for achieving Platinum and Gold status in Indonesia and Thailand for her albums “I Love Acoustic”, “I Love Acoustic Too” and “I Love Acoustic 3”. She was also awarded as I-Gateway Mobile Philippines Inc. as the “Most Downloaded Artist for 2010”.

R&B artist Kris Lawrence also walked off with 2 digital awards: EGG's Allhits.ph Most Downloaded Song for 2010 for "Careless Whisper" and the Most Downloaded Artist for 2010. His cover of the Wham! Original is included in his album “Moments of Love.”

The wacky trio of Boys Night Out (Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG) got the “Best Novelty” award for the song “Shawarma”. The song, produced by Francis Guevarra and sung by Shivaker, is in their self-titled debut album under MCA Music.

The Awit Awards is a prestigious award-giving body, spearheaded by PARI (The Philippine Association of the Record Industry, Inc.), that gives recognition to Filipino performing artists and people behind the making of Filipino recorded music.

Nyoy Volante

Sykes' Christmas The Mardi Gras way

2011-12-12T12:35:00.010+08:00

Mardi Gras is a French festival which begins on Ash Wednesday. It marks the last day of pigging out before start fasting on Holy Week. It also a time where there are colorful parades with costumes and carnivals. It was more popularized when it reach United States especially in the French quarter of New Orleans.

Here in the Philippines, Mardi Gras is not different. We also have colorful parades all through the year, all over the islands. Sykes, the pioneer call center industry in the Philippines, choose the Mardi Gras theme for their Christmas celebration so they will have a festive mood to celebrate Christmas. It is also the best time to reward the Sykes agents for what they worked hard for.

The call center industry is one of the booming businesses here in the country. The work here is no joke. You have to take many inquiries from abroad especially U.S. and most of the time, is very stressful. This is the best time to unwind so the customer service representatives or CSR will have a fresh start for the new year.

The event was also participated and prepared by Sykes employees. The floats and their costumes are all made by the employees. They paraded the grounds with such enthusiasm. There are also booths, gimmicks, raffle, and performance by Urbandub. Each float and parade participants are represented by the branch/office and prizes were given to the best float and parade presentation.

Urbandub

I was privilege to be invited by Sykes that I can see how much they value their workforce. So if you consider to work in a call center industry, go to Sykes. I can guarantee this because I have friends in the call center industry mostly connected with Sykes.

About SYKES

SYKES is a global leader in providing customer contact management solutions and services and has more than 50 years of combined experience in the industry. With its more than 51,000-strong employees, it services Fortune 1000 companies around the world.

In the Philippines, SYKES is officially recognized as a pioneer in the industry and is consistently ranked among the top call centers in the country. It has over 14,000 employees deployed to the following sites in Metro Manila and Cebu: One San Miguel Avenue Building in Ortigas Center, the Robinson’s Summit Center building and Burgundy Corporate Tower in Makati City, the World Corporate Center building along Shaw Boulevard, the K-Pointe building in Quezon City, the E-Com building and Riverbanks Annex in Marikina City, and the Synergis IT Center in Cebu. To know more about SYKES, log on to ph.sykes.com

Torque Generation

2011-12-11T07:52:00.011+08:00

As the texting capital of the world, people realize how important mobile phones for everyone so we can get in touch with people. Torque releases the new phones that will be suitable for everyone. Not only that these phones are suitable but also stylish that will fit the lifestyle of the user.

The first basic features available in mostly all of Torque's mobile phones are the dual S.I.M. feature. This is will provide more mobility of the user to maximize the use of two networks.

The next basic feature is the Qwerty keypad to make it more easier to write a message to send. If you are not the qwerty type, there are touch screen phones that may suit you.Prices ranges from 1,099 to 3,988 for the qwerty phones and 1,999 to 3,988 for touch phones. Bar phones prices ranges from 899 to 1,988.

Beside the phones, there are also android phones and tablets using Android 2.2(Froyo)and 2.3(Ginger bread) Android units price ranges from 3, 699 to 12,699. These phone are available in the market this month. These are the ideal gifts for the holiday season.Visit any nearest Torque outlet now.

DepEd: Make Christmas celebration simple and meaningful

2011-12-10T07:38:00.001+08:00

The Department of Education announces that Christmas vacation in public schools starts on December 21 and classes resume on January 3, 2012 to give students and teachers time to observe the holiday season.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that schools may hold their Christmas party on December 19 or 20 which is an annual tradition before the long holiday break. Luistro, however, cautioned the schools to refrain from holding a lavish and compulsory holiday celebration.

“I want to reiterate that Christmas parties should be simple and meaningful and if ever there is going to be any form of contribution, it should be voluntary,” Luistro advised.

The education chief said that teachers and school officials must see to it that the guidelines contained in DepEd Order 114, series of 2009 on the holding of simple Christmas celebrations are strictly observed.

“Jesus Christ led a simple life so we can do no less,” added Luistro.

He warned that school officials will be held liable if the department receives complaints and that they may be faced with administrative sanctions if proven guilty of insubordination

MEET AND PIC WITH THE CHIPMUNKS

2011-12-09T07:35:00.001+08:00

Scene from Chipwrecked. Photo courtesy of 20^th Century Fox

The chipmunks and the chipettes are back with an all-new adventure that takes them back to the forest in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.” Having gone domesticated, famous, pampered and civilized – the chipmunks are relearning the ways of the wild while Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is on a quest to find them.

20^th Century Fox gleefully joins the holiday merriment in malls with the chipmunks characters – Alvin, Theodore and Simon. Currently touring in SM malls, the mascots will next be seen in SM Clark and SM Pampanga (Dec. 11), SM Bacoor (Dec. 14), SM Southmall (Dec. 15), SM Calamba and SM San Pablo (Dec. 16), SM Dasmarinas & SM Molino (Dec. 17), SM Manila (Dec. 18), SM Muntinlupa and SM Sta. Rosa (Dec. 19), SM Taytay (Dec. 20), SM Fairview (Dec. 21), SM Masinag (Dec. 22), SM Batangas and SM Lipa (Dec. 23).

The latest Alvin film “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” brings more adventure, music and mayhem as Alvin and the troupe run amok in a luxury cruise liner that brings them to a deserted island where they survive on their own instincts and tricks.

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” opens nationwide (Phils.) on January 8 from 20^th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Get a Caritas Combi Plan and Get a Day Pass at EK

2011-12-08T23:46:00.002+08:00

Get a Combi Plan of Caritas and you will get a Day Pass at Enchanted Kingdom. I only have one so whoever gets to close a contract first and pay the initial amount gets it. To know more about Caritas, information and link below.

Excerpt from Combo Plan post:

Caritas Financial Plans, Inc. is known for its mother company, the Caritas Health Shield. For years, Caritas was able to provide assistance in health concerns in various hospitals nationwide. Besides the recognized hospitals, Caritas also has its own hospital.

From Health Shield, Caritas also opened its horizons with Caritas Financial Plans, Inc. Unlike any insurance, Caritas Financial offers non-traditional financial programs that can help you for your needs in the future.

VICTORIA COURT’S THEMATIC SUITES

2011-12-08T07:43:00.054+08:00

The thematic rooms/suites are the reason why Victoria Court attracts more guests. Whether it’s for parties or couples, it sparks the interest to make it more memorable and romantic.

According to Ms. Darlyn Halili, Victoria Court’s Business strategist, the thematic rooms are built to give a fantasy theme for couples or the best party venue experience for the groups. Arch. Omar Palero is the mastermind behind the interior design of these thematic rooms. Arch. Palero designs the rooms based on the theme and research. I was able to ask him about the Star Trek theme. He says that the Star Trek theme is a generic Federation Starship bridge set. He said he had to watch Star Trek series to build a concept.

Princess Jasmine Room

The first room I got to see first was The Princess Jasmine Spa Room. The Jasmine Room is named for the Jasmine incense for the room and it has nothing to do with Aladdin but it has a feel of Arabian Nights and it has a mock magic carpet that you can seat on. It has a Jacuzzi, a massage area and a steam bath area. Ideal for a spa party. It can accommodate 15 to 25 people. The Princess Jasmine room costs PhP 12,000.00 for 5 hours.

Whirlpool of the Jasmine room

The next room is one fantasy I want to be in. I told the Victoria’s Court people that I am a Trekkie, a term for Star Trek fan, and a member of a local Star Trek club. This really got my geekiness out. It turns out that Arch. Palero was also in my group mailing list. We were exchanging ideas about the Star Trek theme. What you can see is only a generic bridge set that looks like from the Next Generation timeline. It has the captain’s chair, the bridge controls in front and at the two rear corners and a view screen on the wall which was only projected from the front console. This room makes me feel like I am on a TV studio set or the Star Trek experience at Las Vegas. The captain’s quarter is the bedroom, where Kirk can “’bag’ all the women”. The Enterprise Room can accommodate 15 to 25 people and costs PhP8,000.00 for 5 hours.

The Enterprise Room

The last room I will feature for now is the Oval Room. Patterned after the most powerful office in the world, it gives you that feel like you are touring the White House. The Oval Office can accommodate 15 to 30 people and costs only PhP12,000.00 for 5 hours.

The Oval Office Room

The amenities of these rooms includes air condition, Cable LCD TV, Private whirlpool, Hot and cold shower, Entertainment system, Ipod dock, Free Wi-Fi connection, Buffet set-up, Provision for one private car park but additional parking slots can be arrange during reservations, Freebies and souvenirs.

Whirlpool at the Oval Office room

There are also food packages inclusive of beer available but you can bring food and drinks if you can also pay their corkage fees of PhP2,000.00. Bringing beer is not allowed. As a treat for the holidays, try out their seasonal dishes.

In case of exceeding the capacity of the rooms, there’s a PhP350.00 charge for additional guest/s. If the guests wishes to extend, there’s also a rate in excess of 5 hours of PhP900.00 for 5K-8K rooms and PhP1,400.00 for 12K rooms.

These are just some of the rooms. There are more choices to consider. These rooms are ideal for parties and photo shoots. When I went to see the Oval Office, a magazine publication is starting to prepare a set for photo ops. Book these rooms for the holidays at your nearest Victoria Court branch. Contact Ms. Jhoan Garcia at 0917-5965840 or 671-5246 local 202. Visit victoriacourt.biz to look up your nearest branch. See you at the Court.

Blogger on the bridge

Victoria Court's Evolution

2011-12-07T07:40:00.000+08:00

Bedroom of the Oval Office theme

Motels here in the Philippines have a negative image unlike in the U.S. One of the well-known motels operating here is Victoria Court. A friend back in college was writing a thesis about hotel and motel operations, what she didn’t expect to see that Victoria Court is not just a place for couple to have a short time, but also an ideal party venue for friends. She was led to one of the suites with a sports theme. It has a billiard table and lots of indoor sports games ideal for a group of guys.

I was able to join a tour for media in the Pasig branch of Victoria Court. I also found out that travel writer Mr. Lito Cinco now works at Victoria Court for its marketing and promotions. I first met Mr. Cinco when we are touring Camarines Norte during the first leg of its quadricentennial celebration of their churches.

Mr. Cinco said that “Victoria Court is still a motel. It only depends what is the purpose of the guests when they avail of the rooms. There was a time when an employee can’t tell his/her family that he/she is working for Victoria Court instead telling them that he/she is employed to King’s Court which is also true since Victoria Court is operated by King’s Court.” Mr. Cinco shares.

Just about the same time when my friend was working on her thesis, it was only during the nineties that Victoria Court accepting guests for group party venues. Mr. Cinco shares, “Before it was only guys who go to Victoria Court for a short time or for bachelor parties. Since the nineties, they had more women patrons for shower parties than bachelor parties because the women are curious about motels and it was the first time the women entering motels without going with any man.

Mr. Cinco told me many true stories that are really funny. There was one time a guest asks if Victoria Court accepts children but answered, ‘No, we only accept cash.’ What the patron was really asking if they are allowing children entering. Most motels don’t accept accommodating children for the right reasons because it is not really a place for them. Victoria Court accepts families for accommodation.

Victoria Court is not only a venue for parties, but also for photo ops. During the tour, I came across a set for a pictorial for a magazine. There are many publications doing on-the-set photo ops done in one of Victoria Courts thematic suites. Two of my friends made a short video for an online contest hosted by Victoria Court. There are many unique suites that can satisfy any fantasy depending on the branch. I’ll continue my post about Victoria Court’s thematic rooms in my next post.

I Voted For BLOG-PH.COM for the Blogger's Choice Awards

2011-12-02T18:19:00.000+08:00

There are many bloggers but only few who influenced the most readers. One of them is a fellow blogger named Jay-L Aquino. He has gathered 40000 views in a month for one year. His site has been voted 37 times for Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011. In addition to this, he is well-respected in the blogging community and his blog post are always updated.

I vote for BLOG-PH.com for this year’s Philippine Blog Awards Bloggers’ Choice.

Nov 26: Social Media Users' Day of Action Against Child Abuse!

2011-11-25T16:07:00.000+08:00

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We know it happens. We know we can stop it. We are not powerless.

As a FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE PLUS User, you can HELP. Join the SOCIAL MEDIA USERS' DAY OF ACTION AGAINST CHILD ABUSE.

Show your solidarity with victims and survivors of child abuse and exploitation. Show your support of NGOs, government agencies, people's organizations, baranggay volunteers, police officers and others working to prevent and address incidences of abuse.

Join the first ever Social Media Users’ Day of Action on 26 Nov. 2011 and be a voice for the millions of Filipino children suffering abuse in silence. Show your condemnation of child abuse by doing any, or even all, of the following:

(1) CHANGE YOUR PROFILE PIC OR PROFILE COVER

Choose an image below and use it as your profile photo or profile cover starting on November 26, Saturday:

Dislike CHILD ABUSE: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEAbuse
Dislike CHILD PORNOGRAPHY: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEChildPorn
Dislike CHILD TRAFFICKING: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEChildTrafficking
Dislike CHILD LABOR: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEChildLabor
Dislike BULLYING: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEBullying
Dislike CHILD EXPLOITATION: http://on.fb.me/DISLIKEChildExploitation

(2) LIKE AND SHARE LINKS ON YOUR WALL

LIKE and SHARE http://facebook.com/parasamgabatangpinoy to get news, information and other articles about children. SHARE OUR VIDEOS TOO!!!

On November 26, tell the world you are gravely concerned about children's protection. Show everyone that social media is a powerful tool to disseminate important information to prevent child abuse. SHARE articles, hotline numbers and helpful links on your WALL.

(3) JOIN THE ONLINE FORUM ON NOVEMBER 26

You can join the ONLINE FORUM which will be facilitated on November 26 at this site: http://facebook.com/parasamgabatangpinoy

It will feature the LIVE BROADCAST via live stream and live blogging of the activity: Para Sa Mga Bata: Social Media vs. Child Abuse. An Online and Real Space Forum happening at Astoria Plaza on the same day from 9:00am to 4:30pm.

TOPICS:
• Social Media and Citizens' Participation
• Child Rights
• Children's Participation in Media
• Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Child Labor and Child Trafficking
• Positive Discipline, Bullying and Children in Conflict with the Law

(4) TWEET ABOUT US

--- MAKE A STATEMENT and USE THE HASHTAG #parasamgabata
--- SHARE the link: http://facebook.com/parasamgabatangpinoy for updated information on children's welfare.
--- SHARE the website www.parasamgabata.org, a site designed to promote online awareness on child abuse. Launch is on November 26, 8am.

(5) BLOG ABOUT US

--- Write and post a short entry and share our www.parasamgabata.org and www.facebook.com/parasamgabatangpinoy links on your blogs.
--- Use any of the banners available on our site on your blog and help us spread the word.

BGC Run Registration extended until today.

2011-11-25T13:21:00.000+08:00

First ever ‘Family Congress’ to be held next year

2011-11-24T07:28:00.003+08:00

How is the Filipino faring in the 21st century? How are media, the Internet and social networking sites affecting today’s children? These are some of the issues to be discussed in “Family Congress 2012” to be held on Feb. 18, 2012 at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City. The Congress has as theme “BFF: Building the Filipino Family.” The event is jointly organized by the Love Institute, Galileo Enrichment Learning Program and FID Events Services.

The Congress aims to reaffirm the value and relevance of the Filipino family in the face of changing times. The Love Institute has enlisted esteemed experts in their fields to talk on issues concerning children, relationships and families. Guest speakers include psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang, educator Dr. Queena Lee-Chua, inspirational speaker Francis Kong, and parenting and relationship experts Allan and Maribel Dionisio.

Workshop topics to be discussed during the Family Congress include “Bridging the Facebook Fad: How Can Parents Manage the Invasion of Media and Technology,” “Built for Forever: Preparing Singles for a Lifetime Relationship,” “Being Friends Forever in Marriage: Learning the Art of Fighting,” and “Teaching Parents to Talk to Kids and Teens about Sex and Relationship.”

The Love Institute was founded by marriage and family counselor Maribel Sison-Dionisio and corporate trainor and relationship counselor Pia Nazareno-Acevedo.

Says Nazareno-Acevedo, “Love Institute was born out of the acceptance of the fact that there is just not enough systematic knowledge available out there for all those who take their love relationships seriously.”

The company offers various classes and seminars on relationships and love in a small group setting to set the foundation of loving relationship and balanced individuals. One-on-one and couple counseling sessions are also offered, as well as individual evaluations and assessments (compatibility, self-esteem, life plan, etc) to provide the individual with their needed life skills and knowledge.

Both Sison-Dionisio and Nazareno-Acevedo took graduate studies in Family Ministries at the Ateneo de Manila University. They both have extensive experience in counseling and training, which they put to use at Love Institute.

Galileo Enrichment Learning Program is headed by Ma. Rowena J. Matti, who has had an involvement in the education industry since she was a child when her mother founded the Sacred Heart School in Malabon. Galileo offers enrichment programs to children ages three to 12 by making learning a happy experience. It offers programs in Math and English.

FID Events Services is headed by Fides M. Reyes whose expertise in PR and events organizing has been strengthened and refined by over 30 years of experience. She is passionate in the ministry of strengthening relationships within the family. She serves at the Light of Jesus Community of Bo Sanchez as pastoral head and part of the creative media team.

Participation in the Family Congress is priced at P1,500 per person, inclusive of seminar fee, congress kit and meal.

However, there is an early bird fee for those who will register before the congress. Participants who register by Dec. 15 only need to pay P1,300 per person, while those registering by Jan. 15, 2012 will only be charged P1,400.

There is a special group rate for families joining the Congress. For every six paid participants, a seventh member will be admitted for free in the Congress.

For inquiries about the Family Congress, e-mail familycongress@gmail.com. You may also call the Love Institute at 436-4143 and 0922-8944143, or Galileo Enrichment Center at 810-8506.

UNREST: 11/23/09 (Maguindanao Massacre)

2011-11-21T09:55:00.000+08:00

UNREST | 11.23.09

A Concert to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre
National Press Club of the Philippines | Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag | Burgos Media Center | Free Music Network | College Editors Guild of the Philippines – National Capital Region

Where is justice?

With almost two years after the Maguindanao Massacre, justice remains elusive for its 57 victims along with their awaiting families, friends and colleagues. With them, the nation is on the same way hopeful for significant and meaningful results from the bureaucracy that will ensure prosecution and punishment of its masterminds.

Also on its upcoming second anniversary, press freedom continues to face grave and serious threat as the present government keeps doing nothing to resolve this gruesome mass killing, which involved 34 members of the Philippine press. Culture of impunity endures as architects of the massacre were not yet penalized and some of the culprits were still at-large.

These occurrences further poses question of how sincere really is the State in protecting the welfare of our mass media institutions. Under the government of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, journalists all over the country continue to face threats and harassments. To date, nine members of the press were killed under the Aquino administration.

As known pillar of democracy in the country, it is only just and rightful for the government to ensure that press freedom is being protected and that safety of media practitioners were at all times guarded. It is the moral obligation of the State to uphold freedom of the press at all cost and with no compromises.

Social unrest may erupt if justice will remain not granted to the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre and as negligence and incompetence of the Aquino administration in doing it so will prevail. Clamor for justice keeps on amplifying loudly to further give strong warning to the enemies of press freedom to stop harassments and slayings.

In one voice, members of the fourth estate and the Filipinos must unite to make our calls resound:

End Impunity!
Justice for the Victims of Maguindanao Massacre Now!
Stop killing Journalists!
Uphold Press Freedom!

UNREST: 11.23.09

We will never forget!

This will be the theme of the upcoming concert on November 23, 2010 at the NPC Grounds in time of the commemoration of the second anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre. The National Press Club, Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag, Burgos Media Center, Free Music Network and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-National Capital Region will be part of the event organizers.

Dubbed as ‘UNREST: 11.23.09,’ we aim to put together and unite the most number of journalists, reporters, media practitioners and advocates of press freedom, as well as artists and other cultural groups in a common battle-cry and demand for justice to the victims of Maguindanao Massacre and for freedom of the press and expression. Aside from bands to perform, media groups and different organizations will also give their speeches.

Part of the itinerary will be as follow:

01:30 PM:
Assembly for the Motorcade at the National Press Club Grounds

02:00 PM:
Motorcade

04:30 PM:
Mass for Justice to the Victims of 11.23.09 Massacre and Media Killings

05:30 PM:
Ceremonial Unveiling of the NPC’s Commemorative 11.23.09 Marker for the Maguindanao Massacre Victims and Candle Lighting Activity

06:00 PM:
UNREST: 11.23.09 | A Concert to Commemorate the Second Anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre

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you're like a father to me... samin ni jomar. lagi kang handang tumulong kahit malayo ka...napakabuti ng puso mo... bakit tito? bakit ang aga?God has a reason for everything.. mahal na mahal ka namin ni jomar...lahat ng alaala mo nasa puso namin...

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VICTORIA COURT’S THEMATIC SUITES

The thematic rooms/suites are the reason why Victoria Court attracts more guests. Whether it’s for parties or couples, it sparks the interest to make it more memorable and romantic.

Victoria Court's Evolution

I Voted For BLOG-PH.COM for the Blogger's Choice Awards

Nov 26: Social Media Users' Day of Action Against Child Abuse!

BGC Run Registration extended until today.

First ever ‘Family Congress’ to be held next year

UNREST: 11/23/09 (Maguindanao Massacre)

you're like a father to me... samin ni jomar. lagi kang handang tumulong kahit malayo ka...napakabuti ng puso mo... bakit tito? bakit ang aga?
God has a reason for everything.. mahal na mahal ka namin ni jomar...
lahat ng alaala mo nasa puso namin...