BLOG-PH.com — Manila, Philippines

"Men In Black 3" Time-Travels in IMAX 3D! (Opens May 23)

2012-05-23T17:32:00.000+08:00

IMAX Corporation and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that the sci-fi, action comedy Men In Black 3 will be released to IMAX 3D theatres in the Philippines simultaneously with the film's grand opening in Digital 3D and regular theaters on May 23.

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Men In Black 3 is the first in the franchise to be released in IMAX. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones reunite as the title chatracters. The film also stars Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, and Emma Thompson.

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Win a 3D2N Stay at The Bellevue Resort Bohol!

2012-05-23T17:23:00.000+08:00

Calling all travel junkies! Join "The Great Bellevue Resort Getaway Photo Contest" today to stand a chance to win a 3D2N stay at the up-and-coming The Bellevue Resort Bohol! Contest Period: May 18, 2012 to June 22, 2012

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All Systems Go for '2012 Brigada Eskwela'

2012-05-19T15:17:00.000+08:00

More government and private corporations join the 2012 Brigada Eskwela, the annual national schools maintenance week spearheaded by the Department of Education which kicks off on Monday, May 21, in Justo Lukban Elementary School in Manila.

Brigada Eskwela enjoins the whole community to do repairs, maintenance and clean up of public schools prior to the opening of classes. This year’s Brigada is slated from May 21 to 26.

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Online Reputation Management

2012-05-15T21:31:00.000+08:00

It has become a common practice for people to surf the web for news and information about people, places & companies. Researching new products and services is commonplace.

It is expected that a prospective employer will conduct a thorough online search of any serious candidates for employment. Google has become the online manifestation of Orwell's imagined "Big Brother". If the algorithm has dealt you a bad hand, it is best you learn how to confront it rather than hoping it will disappear by itself.

As a service to the companies and individuals for whom a search yields negative results, or may suffer from this precarious condition in the future, we offer insights into the world of online reputation management.

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President PNoy's Speech During the #Palaro2012 at Lingayen

2012-05-07T13:10:00.001+08:00

Below is full text of the speech of His excellency, Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philipines during the opening ceremony of Palarong Pambansa 2012 held earlier at Narciso Ramos Sports Complex here at Lingayen, Pangasinan.

"Nagagalak po akong maparito sa Lingayen, Pangasinan, upang pasimulan ang pinakamalaking sports event sa Pilipinas ngayong taon: ang Palarong Pambansa 2012.Unang-una po, congratulations sa lahat ng nandito ngayon—mula sa mga kabataang atleta, hanggang sa inyong mga mentor at coach, sa ating sports officials, at sa bawat indibidwal at organisasyong nagsumikap upang matagumpay nating mailunsad ang pagtitipon at paligsahang ito.Ito pong Palarong Pambansa ang nagsisilbing pinakamalaking entablado upang maipamalas ng lahing Pinoy ang kanyang angking-kagalingan sa larangan ng palakasan.

Sa mga susunod na araw po, masasaksihan ng sambayanan ang pagtatagisan ng galing, ang mga patalasan ng dunong, ang pagpapamalas ng husay ng mga atletang Pinoy mula sa iba’t ibang larangan, mula sa iba’t ibang rehiyon ngPilipinas.Mahigit anim na dekada na nga pong nagbibigay-daan ang Palarong Pambansa para malinang ang kakayahan ng ating mga atleta para sa mga lokal na kompetisyon. Ito rin ang nagsisilbing lunsaran ng ating pagtuklas sa mga kabataang Pilipinong magdadala ng karangalan sa bansa sa mga pandaigdigang entablado.

Dito nga po sa PalarongPambansa unang ipinunla ang mga alamat nina Lydia de Vega at Elma Muros para sa Athletics, Danny Ildefonso at Marlou Aquino para sa basketball; Susan Papa at Eric Buhain sa swimming; at Chiefy Caligdong at Kristopher Camcam ng Azkals para naman sa football.Mulat po tayong lahat:tulad nila, hindi lamang kayo bumangon isang umaga, at natuklasang kayo na ang pinakamahuhusay sa larangan na inyong kinabibilangan.

Namuhunan kayo ng pawis at panahon; nagsakripisyo kayo para marating ang puntong ito. Alam kong hindi biro ang pagbabalanse sa paglalaro, at sa pagbabasa ng libro sa ekswela. Mulat akong may mga oras na kinakailangan ninyong isakripisyo ang panahon sa pamilya at mga kaibigan, para lang makatutok sa inyong kasanayan.Pero tulad nga po ng kasabihan ng mga matatanda: “Kung may tiyaga, may nilaga.” Tagumpay ang bunga ng pagtatambal ng talento at pagsisikap. Kayo ang nagpapatotoo: walang pinanganak na kampeon—ang mga tropeo’t medalya ay nakakamit mula sa disiplina at puspusang dedikasyon.

Sa inyong lahat na nandito ngayon: saludo ako sa inyo. Nawa’y maging mabuting halimbawa kayo sa mga kapwa ninyo kabataan. Nawa’y maging bukal kayo ng inspirasyon sa iba pa ninyong mga kababayan.Asahan naman ninyo, patuloy ang suporta nginyong pamahalaansa pagpapabuti at pagpapaigting sa larangan ng sports sa bansa.

Paranga po sa Palarong Pambansa 2012, naglaan ang Department of Education ng mahigit dalawandaang milyong piso. Ito po ay upang matiyak na sapat ang mga kagamitan ng ating mga atleta, at masigurong tatakbo nang maayos ang paligsahan.Bukod naman sa pakikituwang sa DepEd sa pangangasiwa sa mga kompetisyon, nakalatag na rin po ang 2011-2016 Philippine Sports Roadmap ng Philippine Sports Commission. Kabilang dito ang tinatawag nating “focus sports policy,” kung saan tututukan ang pagpapaunlad sailang mga napiling larangan, kabilang na ang boxing, taekwondo, athletics, swimming, wushu, archery, wrestling, bowling, weightlifting, atbilliards. Halos dalawandaang milyon po, o 33% ng tinataya nating annual remittance sa ilalim ng National Sports Development Fund angilalaan para sa pagpapaunlad ng mga sports na ito.

Pagdating po sa larangan ng palakasan at kalusugan, hindi rin po natin kinakalimutan ang mga kababayan nating higit na nangangailangan—kasama na ang mga inmates, Persons with Disabilities, at mga kabataan.Nitong taong 2011, muli na po nating nailunsad ang Batang Pinoy, isang programang naka-sentro sa paghuhubog sa kaugalian ng mgakabataan sa pamamagitan ng sports at iba pang mga laro. Ibabalik dinpo natin ang Philippine National Games bilang national try-out para sa mga atleta natin mula sa grassroots level—upang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong makalaro sa Philippine team.

Gaganapin po ang susunod na paligsahan sa Dumaguete City sa buwan ding ito.Aabot naman po ng limang milyong piso ang inilaan nating pondo para sa mga Persons with Disabilites, upang maipagpatuloy ang kanilang pakikilahok sa iba’t ibang sports events. Gayundin, halos walong libong inmates mula sa iba’t ibang piitan sa bansa ang regular nating binibigyan ng fitness regimen upang mapangalagaan ang kanilang pangagatawan at kalusugan.

Nais ko naman pong magpasalamatsa probinsya ng Pangasinan—sa inyong pagsusumikap sa pagiging hostng Palarong Pambansa sa taong ito, at sa mainit ninyong pagtanggap sa bawat isa sa atin ngayon dito.Sa atin namang mga atleta ngayon: pagkatapos ng kompetisyon,ito sana ang maging bitbit ninyong pabaon—hindi natatapos ang labansa tunog ng pito, sa hudyat ng batingaw, o pagtapak sa Finish Line. Paglabas ninyo sa basketball court, sa swimming pool, o sa boxing ring, marami pang pagsubok sa tunay na buhay at kalakhang lipunan ang darating.

Nawa’y gamitin ninyo ang lahat ng inyong natutuhan dito sa pagdaig sa mga hamong humaharap sa ating bayan.Patuloy sana kayong mangarap. Patuloy kayong mangahas sapag-abot sa kung anumang minimithi ninyo sa buhay. Tuloy lang ang pagsisikap, tuloy lang ang disiplina, tuloy lang ang sakripisyo, at tiyak na sa mas malaking entablado na kayo paparangalan at hahakot ng mga tropeo’t medalya.Sa inyong lahat: good luck sa inyong mga laban. Mabuhay po ang kabataang Pilipino; mabuhay ang atletang Pinoy.Maraming salamat po."

Channing Tatum Shows Funny Side in "21 Jump Street" (Opens May 9)

2012-05-06T16:41:00.000+08:00

One of Hollywood’s most sought after young actors today and has established himself among the next generation of leading men. Best known for action thrillers (“G.I. Joe”) and romantic dramas (“The Vow,” “Dear John”), Channing Tatum now stars in his first comedy film ever, Columbia Pictures' hilarious high school send-off, “21 Jump Street.”

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INTEL ISEF 2012: Ingenuity Knows No Age, Innovation Knows No Bounds

2012-05-06T16:32:00.003+08:00

(L-R) ISEF delegates Paul Caesar Flores, Julian Paolo Biyo, Hazel Anne Hernandez, Ven Gabriel Tan, Elson Ian Nyl Galang, Carla Beatriz Lazara, Lanz Gabriel Jabla and Bryce Abraham Años)

Being handpicked to represent the country is a rare privilege only the best and the brightest enjoy. Each year, young achievers in the field of science and engineering are given the opportunity to share the fruits of their research with a global audience.

Given the unparalleled prestige of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the premier international science competition for students in grades 9 – 12, those who make the cut are undoubtedly worth their salt.

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Sunset BBQ Party at Skye Lounge with ADIDAS Ambassador Neil Armstrong

2012-05-06T16:18:00.001+08:00

adidas Global Brand Ambassador, DJ Neil Armstrong, who is also a Filipino, will be coming to the Philippines next week, May 12, to launch the newest line for adidas Originals.

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DepEd, Pangasinan ready to open 2012 Palaro

2012-05-06T06:06:00.001+08:00

The Department of Education has completed the preparations for the 2012 Palarong Pambansa and is all set to kick off the national sporting event in Lingayen, Pangasinan tomorrow, May 6.We are confident to say that all necessary arrangements have been secured to make this year’s Palaro truly remarkable and successful,” DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said.

The Secretary also promised a clean, green, and hi-tech Palaro this year.DepEd tasked the National Screening and Accreditation Committee to facilitate the screening and accreditation of athletes and coaches using stricter implementation of the guidelines.The provincial government of Pangasinan promises to provide tight security inside and outside the Palaro venues. A security officer will be assigned in every billeting quarter to monitor and ensure the safety of Palaro delegates

Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino has also assigned a medical team from local hospitals to look after the athletes during the sports competitions.As part of the preparations for the major sporting event, the provincial government of Pangasinan has partnered with DepEd in launching the new website for the 2012 Palaro.

The new website boasts of its high functionality and uniqueness and promises to deliver the ‘most digital’ coverage in the history of Palaro,.It features individual sports channels for 17 sports categories for live streaming with real time scoring and replays of the games. The Palaro 2012 TV will also be launched to showcase extraordinary stories of athletes and their journey at the Palaro, messages from guests, and other interesting stories.

The Palaro will use the breakthrough Social Media Command Center for faster response to queries and suggestions. The command center will serve as the central network of connection among participants and officials.

DepEd has also partnered with social news network Rappler as its official social media partner. Updates may be viewed viahttp://www.rappler.com/sports/palarong-pambansa-2012.

Organizers are aiming for Palarong Pambansa to trend worldwide on twitter for the duration of the games by using #palaro2012 for all Palaro related updates.

New Talents to Rise in 2012 Palarong Pambansa

2012-05-05T06:37:00.000+08:00

For years, the Palarong Pambansa has never failed to produce notable athletes in different fields of sports. Some of them gained popularity not only in the country but also in the international sports scene. Athletes like Lydia de Vega and Dyan Castillejo serve as an inspiration to the many young athletes hoping to establish their own names in their respective sports.

Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC reiterated that Palarong Pambansa is more than just a national sports competition. “While we expect that Palarong Pambansa will boost regional pride among our competing regional athletic associations, to the athletes, joining the competition has a deeper meaning. It could be the first step to reaching their dreams in the world of sports since it opens many doors of opportunities to unfold their full potentials,” said Luistro.

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"The Dark Knight Rises" Trailer

2012-05-05T06:31:00.000+08:00

Warner Bros. has just revealed the full trailer of its upcoming blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises,” the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

The trailer was unveiled at Warner Bros. Philippines' youtube channel at http://youtu.be/5ZCxj6vErGk.

Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar® winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter”) again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie en Rose”), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake.
Returning to the main cast, Oscar® winner Michael Caine (“The Cider House Rules”) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

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Enjoy 2 Treats with 1 Nokia Dual SIM Phone!

2012-05-05T06:19:00.000+08:00

Summer is all about having fun and staying in touch with your friends. With Nokia’s Dual SIM, Dual Treats promo, you can now enjoy both of these with just one stone – or in this case, one phone. To join, visit any participating Nokia stores from April 23 to May 31, 2012 and buy any of the Nokia Dual SIM Phones (Nokia 101, Nokia C2-00, Nokia X1-01, Nokia C2-03 and Nokia Asha 200). Upon purchasing, you will get a free Globe Prepaid SIM Card plus a Jollibee Dual Treats Coupon.

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Kristen Stewart in “Snow White and the Huntsman”

2012-05-05T06:05:00.000+08:00

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen Oscar® winner Charlize Theron out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman Chris Hemsworth (Thor and The Avengers) dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.

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Logan Marshall-Green's Q&A About “PROMETHEUS” + Featurette

2012-05-05T05:56:00.000+08:00

Logan Marshall-Green is known for recurring guest roles on “24” and “The O.C.” In theatre, he's the recipient of a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Neil LaBute's “The Distance From Here.” His feature film debut came in 2005 with “The Great Raid”, and he portrayed Paco in Julie Taymor's “Across the Universe” in 2007. He can also be seen in “Brooklyn’s Finest,” as Melvin Panton and 2010's “Devil,”, based on a story by M. Night Shyamalan.

On the set of Ridley Scott's PROMETHEUS, Marshall-Green discusses his character Holloway, working with one of sci-fi's greatest pioneers, and the themes of the film.

Q: What can you tell us about your character?
A: I play Charlie Holloway, who is a scientist and the love interest of Elizabeth Shaw, Noomi Rapace’s character. They are a team. If she’s the brains, he’s the legs. I wouldn’t go so far to say muscle, but he’s the legs. He’s the one who leaps before he looks, and sometimes it hurts them as a team but a lot of the times it’s helped them. He takes a lot of chances and so far so good. This mission is one of the chances. The beautiful part is Noomi and I are teamed, but we actually differ in our philosophies as to exactly what we want or what we believe. She’s the believer. I’m the scientist. I’m the skeptic. I’m the atheist, if you will. But we complete each other, for lack of a better word. We make a whole in that sense. I think its what’s drawn the characters together romantically as well. It’s just this kind of respect, full respect but my skepticism matched with her beliefs, her faith.

Q: How do you react to a call saying Ridley Scott is interested in talking to you about a sci-fi project?
A: One word, “Sure.” And then, “Sign me up.” It’s funny, the story for me is – without giving too much away – I auditioned for the scene that I had understood to be a science fiction scene. So that was already exciting knowing it was the scene for a Ridley Scott movie. He hasn’t done a science fiction in 30 years. So I’m reading the scene, I’m doing the scene and I find out that they might want to offer me this role and I say to myself, “Well, I need to read the script.” Even though I know it wouldn't take much for me to sign up. So I’m reading the script, and I have to go back to the office to read it, it's a super secret script. I realise it's this great script. This character is really good. This is a science fiction and all of a sudden I get to – I won’t say what, but something happens – and I couldn’t believe it. My jaw hit the floor. At that point it was, where do you sign me up? Where do I get in line? Because I’m a fan boy. Ridley is really one of the reasons not only that I act but that I love cinema. He defined modern science fiction. It was a very easy choice. If he says, “Jump,” I say, “How high?”

Q: The story deals with some pretty big themes, which is quite rare of a blockbuster of this scale.
A: Rare definitely for most cinema, but not so rare for Ridley. I think Ridley, he’s a man who deals in detail and spirit and in big questions. He’s not just going to make another ALIEN movie. He’s not going to make just another GLADIATOR movie. He’s going to ask the bigger questions as well. It’s all in the detail with the man. It’s just astonishing to see the detail in the world. How truly realized his future is. It allows you just to sit in it and then get to know the characters.

Q: The crew of the Prometheus all have their own reasons for being on the ship. How has the interaction been to play with the other actors?
A: It’s been kind of beautiful. Like you said, everybody is kind of there watching everyone else. But there are these really beautiful duos where you have Noomi’s character and my character who really hold on to each other because they are surrounded by people who don’t believe in them and want to destroy them. And then you have Rafe Spall's and Sean Harris’s characters and you have Charlize Theron's and Idris Elba's character. All the pairs are kind of watching the rest.

Q: How have you enjoyed working with Noomi?
A: The experience with Noomi has just been a dream. I rate my experience with working with actors on their work ethic. Nobody has a better work ethic than Noomi. We got kind of thrown into it together. We had to really show our history of being romantically linked, professionally linked. I just couldn’t have asked for a better actress to dive in with and get physical and do little idiosyncratic things. I think she and I both had our eyes on the exact same prize, and hopefully it shows. Without giving anything away, the relationship is essential for the story. Instead of showing the relationship, we try to attack it with idiosyncrasies that are innate in strong relationships. Did she just feed him a frozen space raspberry? Yes.

Q: Does it raise your game when you're working with such talented co-stars?
A: You want to play with the best. Hopefully, you want to learn from the best and steal from the best, and do your best. Ridley is one of those guys who is an A guy. Ridley gets A people. B people get C people to make them feel like A people. Ridley surrounds you with a cast of A people, a crew of A people, designers of A people, and also he needs you to help him tell the story. The collaboration that’s happening in this massive motion picture, where we have the time to find these scenes and work the script so that it’s right and not just so that we make our day, I had never been a part of that before. It starts with Ridley and then it ends with us. I have never been part of the cast that is so cohesive; socially as well as professionally.

Q: You talked about Ridley's attention to detail, is he a precise director?
A: My big thing is I need a director I trust. The way I trust directors is when I'm that they know what they way. No one knows what they want more than Ridley. He has that beautiful attribute of being able to let some decision-making go to the actor. Again, allow the crew and the cast to help him tell the story. He knows what he needs in any given moment. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. He’s working not just on a different plane, he’s working on 15 different planes. While he’s talking to you, he’s storyboarding for the camera, he’s watching 10 screens. He’s an octopus.

Q: Can we expect a lot of action from the film?
A: Yeah. It’s not going to bore you at all. It’s not going to trick an alien through 80 pages and then deliver the alien. It’s not going to do that. It’s going to trick a philosophy and a world. Once chaos happens, it happens. That’s kind of the beauty which has always been inherent in these kinds of movies. We’re doing something different. No one is going to be bored in this movie.

Q: Have you been enjoying the chaos?
A: Yes! So far we’ve never been hurt. It’s chaotic, there is no doubt about that. We’re not CGI-ing the storm later. You’re being blasted with storm and chaos and it’s wonderful. It’s just ideal to act in.

Below is the latest trailer of “PROMETHEUS” released on Youtube, the video was titled, "Prometheus Featurette (Creation)" PROMETHEUS 3D will open June 7 in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

PROMETHEUS LANDING:
HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET WHAT YOU CAME ALL THIS WAY FOR?

Edgar Allan Poe's Horror Tales Inspire Real Murders in “THE RAVEN”

2012-05-05T05:44:00.000+08:00

The macabre and lurid tales of Edgar Allan Poe are vividly brought to life – and death – in Intrepid Pictures' new stylish, gothic thriller “The Raven” starring John Cusack as the infamous author. The film will be shown soon exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3 and Trinoma).

When a madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Poe’s darkest works, a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans) joins forces with Poe in a quest to get inside the killer’s mind in order to stop him from making every one of Poe’s brutal stories a blood chilling reality. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues, which escalates when Poe’s love (Alice Eve) becomes the next target.

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DepEd Comes Out with Landmark Child Protection Guidelines

2012-05-05T05:34:00.000+08:00

What constitutes child abuse? How do we protect children from violence and exploitation? Public and private schools can find the answer in the landmark Child Protection Policy and Guidelines developed by the Department of Education in partnership with members of civil society groups, teachers groups, private and public school representatives, international agencies and other child protection advocates.

DepEd’s Policies and Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and Other Forms of Abuse is launched today by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC at the DepEd Central Office.

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SKYFALL's Cast Arrives on Location in Istanbul

2012-05-05T05:23:00.000+08:00

Daniel Craig and cast and filmmakers of SKYFALL, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time, have arrived in Istanbul, Turkey. Their arrival marks the third time a James Bond adventure has filmed in the historic city. Previously, Istanbul served as a backdrop for scenes in FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.

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Lenovo IdeaPad U300s Ultrabook: Technology Meets Fashion

2012-05-05T05:16:00.000+08:00

Fashion is a daily choice. What we wear. What to bring. It’s a statement of who we are. It is a storyteller that talks about the wearer. It is also ever changing. Fashion is influenced by the latest movies, books, television, musicians and cultural icons.

Lenovo, an icon in the world of technology, has created an image fit for men and women who hold sway in the realm of high fashion. Let Haute Couture welcome its latest member -- the Lenovo IdeaPad 300s Ultrabook.

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AYOSDITO.PH : No-Frills Hassle Free Way of Buying & Selling Online

2012-05-05T04:59:00.000+08:00

Aside from having an account over at Facebook, there is a new online passion sweeping the Pinoy online community---buying and selling. More and more Filipinos are using the Internet as a platform for selling and buying big-ticket items throughout the country.

Before, buying and selling is a problematic activity. For one to succeed in buy and sell, you need to post an ad in a newspaper. Now, there’s a cheaper, hassle-free and fast way of offering pre-loved items to those who need it—visit and post free ads on online websites such as www.AyosDito.ph.

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Philippine Contenders in the Running for 'SEXIEST VEGETARIAN' Title on PETA

2012-05-05T04:45:00.000+08:00

FHM cover girls Alicia Mayer and Geneva Cruz, model Sandra Seifert, Kapuso star Yasmien Kurdi, and Delara frontwoman Lougee Basabas are solidly in the running among Asian contestants in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest on PETAAsiaPacific.com. Other contenders from the Philippines include models Isabel Roces and Raya Mananquil, newspaper columnist RJ Ledesma, singer-songwriter Nityalila Saulo, and actors Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Juliana Palermo, Carlos Agassi, and Raymond Bagatsing.

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Third "Men in Black" Journeys Back to the Past

2012-05-05T04:12:00.000+08:00

It has been ten years since the Men in Black were last seen protecting the Earth from the scum of the universe, and since then, there has been rampant speculation about a third film. But Will Smith says that it was always a given that there would be a third film. “We came to a point where we all felt that we had a fresh and compelling story that took the audience to a time and place they had not seen in this franchise,” says Smith.

In Columbia Pictures' highly anticipated action adventure comedy “Men in Black 3,” Agents J (Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him -- secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.

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DepEd Unveils School Calendar for 2012-2013

2012-05-02T15:48:00.000+08:00

School year 2012-2013 for public elementary and secondary schools nationwide starts on a Monday, June 4, 2012 and ends on a Friday, March 22, 2013 comprising 200 school days, 180 days of which are non-negotiable student-teacher contact time.

This was announced by Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC as DepEd comes out with a new school calendar that synchronizes all events and teaching-learning activities to optimize the use of the prescribed 200 school days.

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“THE AVENGERS” Makes P281-M in 5 Days, Biggest Opening Ever in History!

2012-04-30T23:53:00.000+08:00

It's the superhero team up of a lifetime. Now, it's shaping up to be the highest-grossing film – for all time!
“Marvel's The Avengers” rewrote Philippine box-office record books when it grossed a monumental P281-million opening weekend gross nationwide – the biggest debut ever in history, this was revealed by Victor R. Cabrera, managing director of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Philippines.

“It's practically a box office tsunami that has so far drowned, wiped out and rewritten every local record in its first five days of play,” adds Cabrera.

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Regal Films' "THE MOMMY RETURNS" (Opens May 9)

2012-04-30T23:19:00.000+08:00

BLOG-PH.com was present at the presscon of "The Mommy Returns" that was held at the Imperial Palace Suites. The upcoming movie is topbilled by Pokwang, Ruffa Guttierez & Gabby Concepcion and will open on May 9, 2012 in theaters nationwide.

"THE MOMMY RETURNS" is a family comedy-horror movie about a mother, Ruby (Pokwang) who dies right on the day of her 25th wedding anniversary with gorgeous husband, William (Gabby Concepcion). With her untimely death, she is temporarily trapped in PURGA (short for Purgatory) with its guardian, Dyoga (John Lapus, ang diyosa ng purga) and the pesky Manny, the chicken pet of San Pedro.

Enter CATHERINE (Ruffa Guttierez) - a younger, fresher, and much, much prettier woman who comes into the life of William. When she threatens to take Ruby's place as mother to her three beloved children (Kiray, Gerald Pesigan and Jillian Ward), hell (er, purgatory) breaks loose as Ruby escapes back to earth as a ghost to scare and drive Catherine out of the family she left behind!

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CJ Corona to Witness for Himself

2012-04-29T15:32:00.000+08:00

Chief Justice Renato Corona is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of thePhilippines. But he is facing a grave problem in relation to his high position in court, as he is facing impeachment. In this article, we will tackle about the CJ Corona Impeachment case and the latest developments about it, and also about the issues aboutCoronawitnessing for himself in the ongoing impeachment case.

The Corona Impeachment Case

But what is this impeachment case all about? Why is Chief Justice Corona being impeached? First chapter of the summary is that Renato Corona was appointed as new Chief Justice to replace the retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno. But the wayCoronawas put to the position was controversial, as it was via Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s appointment on days after the 2010 presidential elections. Arroyo should not have been legally allowed to appoint him as Chief Justice but the Supreme Court ruled that the president’s ban on appointments does not extend to the judiciary, and since then, the Supreme Court has been accused of ruling unfavorably of the Aquino administration regarding cases concerning Arroyo, which of course may have been a reason for the Aquinos to retaliate via the impeachment case filed against him.

Secondly, the hot issue about the Hacienda Luisita may also have been a major reason for his impeachment. Hacienda Luisita is a vast sugarcane plantation owned by the maternal relatives of the President Benigno Aquino III which are the Cojuancos. But due to unfair treatment of the hacienda owners to its farmer tenants, the hacienda have been decided by the Supreme Court to be bought by the government and be distributed its more than 6,000 farmer beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Chief Justice Corona and all other members of the court came up with a unanimous decision last April 24, 2012 to fully distribute the 4,335 hectares of land to its beneficiaries. The decision on which scheme to use for the distribution of the asset was decided on November 2011 and also announced its finality also on April 24, and the decision was a split 8-6 to use the 1989 value of the estate which is valued at 40,000 Pesos per hectare which is a total of 173 Million Pesos, and to fully distribute the land to all concerned beneficiaries but payment will be required first from all beneficiary tenants. The Cojuancos filed for reconsideration last December 2011 about the valuation order by the court, saying that the value of the hacienda should be pegged at its 2006 estate property value at 2.5 Million Pesos per hectare or a total of 9.75 Billion Pesos as the property value has risen since then due to the development of malls and other residential entities around the area, and that full land distribution should not be executed, but instead only stock options should be given to the beneficiaries. The filed reconsideration aims to benefit the Cojuancos as the government will pay them more money for the property and that they won’t have to give up total land distribution of the hacienda, but instead give only stock options to the beneficiaries, but the court lead by Corona turned down the reconsideration plea on the mentioned April 24 unanimous decision, which most probably irritated the Aquino administration, which may have triggered the regime to impeach Chief Justice Corona.

Thirdly, he had clearly failed to disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN), which is legally required under the constitution upon his appointment as Chief Justice, which consequently led to a public uproar and controversy, and a clear violation or what legal terms would put it as betrayal of public trust.

These 3 may be the most major reasons behind why Chief Justice Renato Corona is being impeached. The impeachment case started on January 16, 2012, and the Senate received the prosecution and defense teams. The prosecution is headed by Niel Tupas, Jr., while the defense is lead by Serafin Cuevas. Each sided presented their cases and statements which have gone on for 34 days and since then was adjourned for the Lenten break.

Latest Developments of the Impeachment Trial

Day 34, March 22, 2012, is the latest day of this trial, and the summary of this is that the prosecution and defense talked about the Corona properties, and that Senator-Judge Loren Legarda asks Serafin Cuevaas about Corona’s SALN and asked if will he amend it by April 15 in response to having a truthful SALN content, and Cuevas responded that he has yet to ask Corona if he will indeed amend it. Lastly, the prosecution stood by their offer of evidence that Chief Justice Corona has 21 properties, while the defense insists of defending their statement aboutCoronahaving only 5.

Issue Behind Corona Witnessing for Himself in the Impeachment Trial

Now, one mingling issue is that whetherCoronashould testify on his own behalf by being his own witness. Throughout the case, the wife of Renato Corona, Cristina Corona, was the one who is testifying and taking the bullet on his behalf, and the prosecution including Deputy Speaker Tañada challengedCoronato take the stand instead of using his wife as a shield. But the defense said that Cristina’s testimonies hold valuable information about Chief Renato’s SALN, properties, and secret multi-million bank accounts, and that they won’t allowCoronato take the stand as it is deemed unnecessary as the prosecution has yet to prove anything.

Tañada said that Cristina’s testimonies will be essential to the case, but it will be better to let the Chief Justice himself respond to all the allegations filed against him. Again, the issue is that the prosecution still have no conclusive evidence presented to prove without any reasonable doubt that all accusations againstCoronaare true. Even Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the impeachment court’s presiding officer, expressed opinion that Renato Corona himself will be in the best position to explain about the undeclared SALN, bank account and among others, but the defense refuses to put Renato on the stand as they demand more evidences and grounds from the prosecution. Though the defense claims that it will be a possibility of presenting him, but it should be decided carefully and unanimously by the whole defense team.

Currently, the defense is still adamant that there is indeed no need for the Chief Justice to take the witness stand for himself. One of the defense counsels, Tranquil Salvador III, said that the impeachment case should be based on evidence, and added that it will be up to the prosecution to present evidences and a “new twist” that may trigger the defense to finally present CJ Corona as witness for himself.

During the period of March 10-13, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a survey, and they concluded via their data that most adult Filipinos believed thatCoronakept hidden wealth, and that he intended to help former President Arroyo to flee the country and that he accepted special favors in office. Also, the survey concluded that 46% believed that people power should be used to oustCoronafrom his position should the Supreme Court decide to acquit him. Despite the negative results of the survey presented towards Corona and the defense, these are only opinions and not facts which may be used to further pressure the defense to defend itself and to finally force Corona to the stand to be his own witness.

Wrapping Things Up About the Trial

Come May 7, depending on what the prosecution will present, Coronamay some day be his own witness and take the stand. Normally, the accused should defend himself by taking the stand, but it should come in valid grounds and with corresponding evidences as it will be unfair to Coronato accuse and question him without these grounds and evidences. Let us all wait for the 35^th day of this controversial impeachment trial, as the possible eventual scenario of Corona himself taking the witness stand will prove to be crucial to the case and will surely be worth seeing so stay tuned!

Author Bio:

Abigail Ang is an aspiring writer and a former Backpacker. She is into almost all types of music. she also has a passion in singing and an interest in sports particularly Ultimate (Frisbee) and running. Abigail is also one of the editors of Interaksyon- The Online News Portal of TV5