CNN Hero of the Year 2009

A true Filipino Pride. Being optimistic in spite of life's tragedies makes a man achieve his goals.

Maguindanao Massacre

This is a repost from another site. It’s sad that Philippines now beat Iraq, not on oil but being the worst country for journalists. It's atrocious, barbaric, gruesome, horrible, nightmarish, so evil to the highest degree; how could they do these to women, children, reporters and innocent civilians. There certainly is no law on the land to serve justice to these evil deeds, they should be stripped of their humanity!

5th COMMANDMENT: THOU SHALL NOT KILL

Please display this black ribbon in your blogs, Tweeter account and Facebook accounts as we, in unison, mourn the victims of yet another atrocity in the hands of merciless politicians.

Some Names of Maguindanao Massacre victims:
Andy Teodoro, Southern Forum
Ian Subang, publisher, Socsargen Today
Jimmy Cabello, correspondent, Midland Review
Marife Montaño, Saksi
Benvinido “Jun-jun” Legarta, Frontera
Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, Manila Bulletin
Victor Nuñez, UNTV
Marites Cabletas, News Focus
Gina dela Cruz, Saksi
Rey Merisco
Joy Dujay
Arturo Betia
Ruel Becena
Juvy Legarta
Atty. Connie Bresuela
Atty. Cynthia Oquindo
Bai Farinah Mangudadatu
Vice Mayor Bai Eden Mangudadatu
Jenalyn Mangudadatu, wife of Vice-Mayor Ismael Mangudadatu
Abdila Ayadi
Wilhelm Palabrica
Jun Oquindo
Eduardo “Nonie” Lechonsito
Mercy Palabrica
Daryyl Palabrica
Narcia Palabrica
Zorayda Bernan
Pinky Mangayan
Rahina “Toto” Palawan
Farida Sabdula
Rowena Ante-Mangudadatu
Miriam Calimbol
Wahida Ali Kalim
Ela Balarman
Marities Cabletas
Raida Sapalon

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (who earlier declared a State of Emergency in Maguindanao), the media and press people, the religious and even the US government condemned the merciless killings.

As of press time, forty seven (57) cadavers have been recovered while 4 victims survived. The Maguindanao Massacre survivors are now in the custody of proper authorities and were reported to have been placed under the witness protection program by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Meanwhile, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) strongly urged its members to wear a black ribbon or arm band to protest the Maguindanao Massacre and to show sympathy to the victims’ families.

JUSTICE is what we need now, so help us, dear God. May their souls rest in peace.

JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS!

Top Entrecarders for November

Better late than never.  Here they are, my Top Entrecarders for November:

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Blog Description (chronological order): 

Business Sphere

A blog on business advice, entrepreneurship ideas and consulting for business.

Did I Miss Something
I like talking about the news, working from home, other blogs I read, and what I see from day to day.

I Will Have The...
Food, restuarant, eating, drinking, review, cooking, recipe.

Bible Examples
Practical lessons based on Bible examples.

Art Shout
Art Shout Photo Blog - Art To Rock Your World.

BadGalSays
BadGalSays is the Blog for BadGalsRadio.com. We give you Roots and Truth 24/7. GalBassed Reggae Radio and Daily Diasporic and Music News. We blog daily and podcast weekly; so there's lots of fresh crispy goodness widely syndicated nightly.

Buy-Tees.net T-Shirts
All the latest on the best t-shirts on the planet. Reviews, news, bargains galore. Latest from independent graphic t-shirt designers! Not accepting paid ads.

Fledgling Blogger

Awesome blogging experience!

My Meme Mania
This blog hosts a meme that celebrates accomplishments and victories over procrastination.  It also is used to participate in a variety of other memes.

Get Outside
Outdoors, hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling, off roading.

There you go folks, Happy weekend!

Manny Pacquiao - Boxing Legend

Despite the storm, the corruption and all the problems facing Filipinos today one thing is for sure, they're united today to cheer the victory of their beloved Manny Pacquiao, who just won the seventh weight class title adding to the number of his collection of boxing title belts.  Just minutes after he defeated Cotto, fans chanted "We want Floyd, we want floyd" so I guess that's what we would be seeing next.  We can't be so sure if that would turn out to be the next on Pacman's list but he surely wanted to enjoy for now.


“I just want to take a vacation first,” Pacman said. “My job is to fight in the ring and it’s up to my promoter to negotiate for my next fight.”

Recently, Floyd Mayweather Jr's win over Juan Manuel Marquez in September was overwhelming.  It broke the record for a rare one-million pay-per-view.  If this recent bout between Manny and Cotto exceeds that (let's reserve our expectations for now 'til the results are out) of Floyd and Marquez, there is a big chance both will see each other on the ring the soonest.  After all, Floyd is running out of challengers. With Pacman's 50-3-2 record against Floyd's 40-0, this would be the dream match of the year. With the year almost over, this fight would be enough entertainment for this year.  If Floyd or Bob Arum want this fight, they could surely come to an agreement and let's hope for a dream fight in 2010.

Back to School!

It's school time again! Second semester here in the Philippines starts on the first week of November. I managed to enroll this time since my new work schedule allows me get the morning and early afternoon class schedules. I only have an hour and a half extra to prepare for school and to commute. My last subject ends at 6PM so I'd only have basically less than 5-hours of sleep. Hoping I would fare well with balancing my work and studies.

I know I'd be lagging with my blog but rest assured if you drop by and leave some drops, you'll definitely get in return. Got someone to reciprocate and thanks ahead for the visits!

Vote For Your Hero Now!

How to Release Phlegm Naturally

I found an article online on how to remove/release phlegm naturally, I thought I'd share (excuse me for the topic).  Certain conditions could trigger these specially to pregnant women, allergic people, sudden weather changes, etc.  In my case, I am prone to this especially with sudden weather changes plus I got allergic rhinitis and sinusitis that could easily lead to flu and block the passage of air on my nostrils. I also learned that you don't have to be sick to have a lot of them on your body. So what is phlegm anyway?

Phlegm is a sticky fluid secreted by the mucous membranes of humans and other animals. Its definition is limited to the mucus produced by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum). Its composition varies, depending on climate, genetics, and state of the immune system, but basically is a water-based gel consisting of glycoproteins, immunoglobulins, lipids, etc. ⁽¹⁾

For those who are in distress because of from  phlegm, there is a natural way of removing/releasing it.  This can be done during your idle hours when you want to nap for a while or while resting.  You would need around 3 pillows for these and that you have to lie down to do this.

Below are the steps taken from the post of  ⁽²⁾Tammy Lawrence-Cymbalisty, owner of TLC Services, on the HOWTODOTHINGS website.

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Step 1:

Prepare to lie down:  You can lie down on a yoga mat or a bed if you are not comfortable on the floor.

If you are pregnant, you will lie down on your left side; everyone else should lie on their right side with the legs straight. Lying on the right helps the heart muscle to relax in your chest.

The arm should be straight up by your head on the side you are lying on.  You can relax the opposite arm in front of your chest.

Step 2:
Stack your pillows:  Place two stacked pillows under your feet.  The last pillow should be placed under the right armpit; for pregnancy, this will be your left armpit.

Step 3:
Relax:  Stay in this position for five to fifteen minutes.  You can repeat this several times a day.  Put on some relaxing music or use the down time for meditation.

Step 4:
Why do inversions help release phlegm?
Gravity!  Although this is not an inversion like headstand, it is still a mild inversion. 

Water will always flow to the center of the earth.  In the body, it will flow to its lowest point. Think of doing a headstand.  Stomach acid is stopped from moving into the esophagus because there is a flap at the top of the stomach to prevent the stomach acids (water) from flowing upwards;  if there was no flap, the esophagus would be burned or eaten by the acid, leaving a large hole. The nasal cavities do not have anything to stop them from draining which is why mucous (water) will flow downward, removing the excess.

Another way to understand it would be to take a bottle of water and turn it upside down.  Gravity will obviously pull the water to its opposite end, similar to the body in this position. 

Step 5:
Zero side effects.  The best part about releasing phlegm naturally, using this mild inversion is that you will only experience positive benefits.  When you get up off of the floor, you will find your sinuses are clear, almost like magic!

Keep in mind the colour of your phlegm can tell you much about what is happening in your body.  You may need to see a doctor also, especially if symptoms persist.

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⁽¹⁾Taken from wiki;

⁽²⁾Tammy Lawrence-Cymbalisty is the owner of TLC Services A Certified Yoga Teacher, HypnoBirthing Practitioner and Reiki Master. She is the Author of How to be Soul Strong: a user's guide to life on planet earth which can be found at http://www.howtobesoulstrong.com.

October 2009 TOP EC Droppers

This is too late but they deserve a space here. I got busy with some online commitments that I could hardly cope up with my posts.

These are my TOP EC Droppers for the Month of October, '09. Try to visit them as well and drop on their EC, they'll surely do the same if you do. Below are their links and blog description:

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Below are the blog description (in chronological order as shown above):

Business Sphere
A blog on business advice, entrepreneurship ideas and consulting for business.

Serian Man
Some thoughts on teaching and the exploration of the land of the hornbills, my beloved Sarawak, on the island of Borneo.

Fledgling Blogger
Awesome blogging experience!

Bible Examples
Practical lessons based on Bible examples.

Just My Two Cents
Thoughts on politics varying from the mundane to the rarely profound.

Rambling Thoughts in SMK Serian
My rambling thoughts in a school I teach and learn.

wiredpnoy
A place to talk! Your word matters. TOPIC includes the blogging, environment, gadgets, games, moneymaking online, manga, politics, sports, or just anything... share your thoughts and speak up your mind!

Videos 4 U
The only online video list you will ever need.

Monkey Arcade
If you are looking for free online games as well as free flash games, check out Monkey Arcade! If you are also looking to play online games, come to Monkey Arcade to play games.

The Cooling Stream
rambling thoughts and reflections on life issues and faith.

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Thanks so much guys for sharing your time in visiting my blog. More power to you and your blog(s).

Being Health Conscious

For three weeks I was keeping myself on track. Graveyard shift, insomnia, acute gastroenteritis and today, battling dry cough with phlegm.

The other day, I was absent due to acute gastroenteritis. The nurse gave me Buscopan and 2 Imodium, since I was having LBM (excuses!)in the afternoon, and this is to be taken simultaneously after taking a meal. So I took it and there I was, I felt relieved of my LBM but my stomach seemed bloated. It pains every once in a while and I can hear sort of commotion in my stomach. I couldn't help it, I gotta work and have to endure this feeling.

Our office is too cold and I happen to be stationed to the direction of the air flowing out of the air conditioner. Guess when you're trying your best to be careful that's also the time when your patience would be tested. So anyway I gotta bear with it else I won't have a workstation. When my shift is about to end, I realized something blocks my air passage in the esophagus and my voice began to fade. It's the phlegm which started to build up plus the nasal drips, I got allergic rhinitis, not sure if I got the term right but that was it.

I decided to see the doctor for the cure. The doctor is not really that old, she got glasses but looks classy and chic. Put it simply, she's beautiful. I liked it when she attentively listened to me whining, feeling comfortable eh, but hey that wasn't an excuse, she got me with an Rx amounting to 1k inclusive of the vitamins.

Well I guess with all the hard work, the body wants to claim it's share, not a bad deal. So I guess next time I see the doctor and thought of not spending much, I'll have her guess what else is not functioning well with my system other than me telling her my story, juz kidding. So folks, take care of your body, drink plenty of water and exercise a bit. Any exercise will do, so long as you sweat :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

UPDATE CALL FOR PNRI AND BAYANIHAN

I was looking for a way to be able to send a donation online so at least I could help at least to the victims of Tropical Storm Ondoy. It's my daily habit to read news and I got some news sites bookmarked so I could easily browse for news. What I was looking for was an article that has any link for online donations but I can't find any.

Anyway, I thought I would send money online through Philippine National Red Cross. I was glad at first that there are options and instructions on the front page.

ONLINE DONATION - SO JURASSIC

So I clicked on the online donation for credit cards, the button that says "DONATE TO US" with the credit card image. I was hoping I could fill in the card details and the amount so I could send but I was headed to a form like a sponsor where you have the option to choose either monthly, quarterly or annually. This is not what I was hoping to be led. I tried navigating the website but there’s really nothing there where you could donate online, but there’s an option to send bank order though or to send your card details and the amount that you intend to donate. I just don’t feel comfortable with that. I’ve even read an article from another online national newspaper about the frustration of a certain Paulo Coelho, author of “The Alchemist” who I guess tried to donate through the PNRI website but failed to do so. It’s just not possible. He posted on his twitter account his frustration about PNRI’s “Jurassic methods”, his terminology of the process, of collecting donations.

PNRI DONATIONS AND PAYPAL

Maybe I can understand that PNRI might be really busy with their job. I also thought, there must be someone who is in-charge with the web updates and adding this feature won’t even take 30-minutes. I hope they could actually set up a paypal account and make that donate button for real. This won’t take 30-minutes of their time. The procedure to do it can be searched from the paypal website paypal.com. This would greatly help PNRI to collect more donations especially that we have also OFW’s who are willing to help.

SUNSTAR HELPLINE

For those who would like to donate online, Sun Star also set up a special helpline webpage to help Ondoy victims. You may visit the site here. For donations, you may donate via paypal here or by using the button below.

Please donate any amount, we greatly appreciate your generosity.

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MAGBAYANIHAN PO TAYO : HOW TO DONATE

I was able to obtain a list as to where you could make donations. I got this moving list from another blogger FRAN whilst reading news. I commented on her site and asked permission to repost the same list. I posted in advance though, ^_^ and am sure it's okay with her. Please the best way you could help or send your donation from the lists below:

MALLS AND COMMERCIAL OUTLETS

Aranaz Stores (Rockwell & Greenbelt) – accepting donations of any kind for Payatas communities

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (all branches) – canned goods, water, clothes, blankets, towels, medicine, and emergency supplies (no cash)

LUCA stores (Rockwell, Shangri-la, Eastwood, or GA Towers) - Send your old clothes & donations (no cash pls)

Mail & More, FedEx & Air21 outlets – now accepting donations. For locations, pls call +6328794789 or log to www.mailandmore.com.ph

McDonald’s (all branches in MM) – accepting donations as of Sept. 28, 12NN

MOONSHINE boutique (Rockwell) - accepting relief goods to help Ondoy victims in Marikina and Cainta.

Papemelroti stores (91 Roces Ave. / Ali Mall Cubao / SM City North EDSA / SM Fairview / SM Megamall / Glorietta 3 in Makati / SM Centerpoint / SM Southmall) – accepting relief goods (canned goods / milk / bottled water / clothes – NO CASH pls.)

PowerPlant Mall – accepting donations for ABS-CBN Foundation. Drop-off at Admin Office, P1 level.

7-Eleven (all branches) – serve as drop-off points for relief supplies such as ready-to-eat goods, mats, mosquito nets and water jugs.

Starbucks – accepting blankets, rice, instant noodles and bottled water. These items will be delivered to Ateneo de Manila University.

Team Manila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk,Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas.

GOVERNMENT/RELIEF AGENCIES/ OTHERS

AKBAYAN - taking donations, call 433-69-33/433-68-31 to donate or volunteer.

BAYAN MUNA – bring donations to 45 K-7th St.. Bgy. West Kamias, QC. Tel 921-3473

Move for Chiz – asking for volunteers at Bay Park Tent, along Roxas Blvd., beside Max Restaurant and Diamond Hotel in Manila, or at Gilas Minipark at Unang Hakbang St., Gilas Q.C.

Worldvision Foundation – accepting donations/volunteers to pack relief goods in QC. For $ donations, BPI: USD acct #4254-0050-08

Philippine National Red Cross – visit their site HERE for various ways to donate.

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan is accepting donations @ AGS Bldg Annex, 446 EDSA Guadalupe Viejo. Contact Vina Vargas at +632917-8081247

WITHIN METRO MANILA

Cavite

NCST (Dasmarinas Cavite) – Volunteers/donations welcome. Call (046)416-6278 Ms. Angie

Makati

Assumption College (San Lorenzo Village) – Please drop donations off at the AC guardhouse.

Binalot (Greenbelt 1) – call Tetchie Bundalian at +632922-8573277

Whitespace (2314 Chino Roces Ave Ext) – Makati drop-off for relief goods

Mandaluyong/San Juan

CFC Center Ortigas (right side, immediately after you come down EDSA flyover) – open for donations in cash or kind. Call +632-7270682 to 87 or text +632922-2542819

La Salle Greenhills – drop off your donations (clothes, food, etc) at Gate 2 on Monday, Sept. 28, or volunteer from 9am to receive, sort, repack the donations.

Xavier School – canned goods, bread, noodles. Please bring to Multipurpose Center (MPC). Accepted till Monday, Sept. 28.

ICA Greenhills - accepting donations and open to volunteers too

Manila

Caritas Manila Office (Jesus St., Pandacan Manila near Nagtahan Bridge) - call +632-5639298, +632-5639308

MINISTOP IBARRA (Espana cor. Blumentritt, Sampaloc Manila) – Food (non-perishable goods only) Clothing, Medicines, Beds, Pillows, Blankets, Emergency Supplies

Muntinlupa

Hillsborough Village Chapel – Water, blankets, shoes, and clothes. These will go to families whose houses were washed out in the nearby sitios.

Paranaque

Alabang Town Center Concierge – acts as drop-off point for donations

Operation Rainbow (Zac Faelnar Camara) at Ayala Alabang Village - needs Canned Goods, Ready-To-Eat Food, Bottled Water, Ready-To-Drink Milk/ Juice, Clothing, Blankets, contact (+632-4687991)

Playschool International (47 Ghana St., Better Living Subd., Paranaque) - open to receive donations (NO CASH, PLS) for relief goods. Please feel free to send your donations there. Teachers/staff will coordinate sending these to the centers.

Pasig

Miriam Quiambao – drop off point: One Orchard Road Building in Eastwood, or message http://www.twitter.com/miriamq for more details.

Relief Efforts for Pasig at Valle Verde 1 Village Park – contact +632916-4945000, +632917-5273616

Donations and manpower needed at Megatent, Meralco Avenue, Ortigas beside Renaissance Towers. it will be open 24 hours til Friday

RENAISSANCE FITNESS CENTER (2nd Floor, Bramante Building, Renaissance Towers Ortigas, Meralco Avenue) – Donations can be brought starting Monday, Sept. 28/9am – 7pm. Contact Person: Warren Habaluyas (+632929-8713488) or email at luzonrelief@gmail.com

RFM Gym (Pioneer) – donations are being requested by GAWAD KALINGA. Call/text +63917-8888109 /+63917-8888304

Quezon City

ABS-CBN through Banco de Oro account number 56300-20111; account name: ABS-CBN Foundation Incorporation (NOTE: This account # needs verification because on the ABS-CBN Foundation website, the account # is 5630060113)

Ateneo de Manila University – cooked or ready-to-eat food, clothes, medicine, blankets, water. Donations may be dropped off at the MVP, University Dorm, or Cervini lobbies.

Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health - accepting donations of medicines. A center in Pasig has more than 1,000 evacuees, mostly kids suffering from colds and fever. Call Louie Montalbo: (0918) 936-2095.

Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Quezon Ave. corner EDSA, QC - drop-off center for donations

Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC) – Relief goods for typhoon victims being accepted at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, QC. Tel (+632-9299820/22)

CONTEND-UP, UP Diliman Faculty Center -drop-off point for donations

Erica Paredes (Katipunan), +63917-4741930 – they need bread, packed juice, sandwich filling (tuna, chicken, anything) You can help her make them, deliver the sandwiches to her house, or help her distribute! Call for more details.

Kabataan Partylist, 118-B Scout Rallos, QC) – drop-off point for donations

KADAMAY (Urban Poor Group) – accepts donations of relief goods at 12-A Kasiyahan St, Bgy Holy Spirit, Commonwealth, QC Tel 427-4315

Manor Superclub (Eastwood City) – will accept goods and other emergency items starting Sunday, Sept. 27, at 10 am.

National City United Church, Times St., Q.C. -drop-off pt for donations

NoyMar Relief Operations – contact Clare Amador (+63928 520 5508) or Jana Vicente (+63928 520 5499). Drop-off for relief donations is at Balay Expo Center across Farmers Market Cubao. 8am – 9pm throughout the week until further notice. Donate drinking water, old medicines, clothing, blankets, canned goods, noodles. Volunteer to man stations and repack food.

Our Lady of Pentecost Parish (12 F. Dela Rosa corner C. Salvador Sts., Loyola Heights, Quezon City) – call +632-4342397, +632-9290665

Philippine Army Gym (inside Fort Bonifacio) or GHQ Gym (Camp Aguinaldo) - now distributing donations for Ondoy Victims.

Radio Veritas (Veritas Tower West Ave. cor EDSA) – call +632-9257931 to 40

Tulong Bayan, Cubao – needs clothes, salt and cooking oil in sachets: 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122

UP College of Arts and Letters (Diliman) – Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda). Look for: Guard on Duty (in UP CAL). Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday, Sept. 30, tentatively. Donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food to be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

UP College of Law – Kindly drop off goods at Student Lounge or contact Dean’s Office

UPD- University Student Council, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Q.C. -drop-off pt for donations

Taguig

Enderun Colleges (The Fort) – needs volunteers to chop, cook and pack food. They are on 24-hour duty.

PROVINCIAL

Bacolod

CAFE BREIZH – drop off center for donations. Text 09193651101 for details.

ONLINE DONATIONS OR VIA MOBILE

Ayala Foundation USA – click on their DONATION PAGE. Look for the link “partners’ profile and projects“, look for “Browse Organizations” dropdown menu and choose PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RED CROSS.

MyAyala.com site for Jesuits (from Fr. Johnny Go) – You can use your CREDIT CARD and donate ONLINE. Go to www.myayala.com/sjph/. On the line “I would like to donate to:”, write “xs4ondoy“.

Red Cross Load Donations – Right now the easiest way to make donations from the seat of your chair is via mobile phone load. The Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations. To donate, text RED and send to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). You can donate 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 300 pesos. (Update as of 9/28/09: Globe has waived transaction fee for donations to Red Cross)

TxtPower – now accepts donations via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal.

Via www.philippineaid.com – some of the people behind this site are blogger friends. Donations are via Paypal or credit card. The ChipIn widget visible on the site tracks all donations.

Worldvision Foundation – For $ donations, BPI: USD acct #4254-0050-08

IN THE USA

New York

Ondoy New York Disaster Relief drop off center - @ Pandayan Center, 406 W 40th St. Between 9th and 10th Aves.

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Please act now and together let’s save lives. We must renew the spirit of “bayanihan” in us. However small, if we act collectively we can make a difference. I’ve done my part, I’m hoping you would too. God Bless to you and your family.

GOD BLESS US ALL AND OUR NATION!