CITIZEN-XPINOY

PINOYS GET TO ASK PNOY ON YOUTUBE - WORLDVIEW

2011-11-02T23:04:00.000-07:00

Remember MTV's "Enough is Enough" somewhat town hall interview of then would-be president Bill Clinton where someone asked Clinton, "Is it boxers or briefs?" Tomorrow, 04 November 2011, around 1pm Manila Time, Youtube is sponsor the Youtube WORLDVIEW featuring Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.

The interview shall be conducted by Google Moderator Ross LaJeunesse, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Google Inc. in Asia Pacific. Prior to that, he used to work as Senior Advisor to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Again, the YouTube World View series will be on Friday, tomorrow, 4 November 2011, 1 PM, live via online streaming on http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/askpnoy and at YouTube World View’s official website at http://www.youtube.com/worldview. Watch the replay in ANC on Monday (Nov 7), 7 PM.

VOTE NOW! 8 DAYS LEFT FOR PUERTO PRINCESA IN NEW 7 WONDERS

2011-11-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER

We have 8 days left to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD.

Text PPUR and send to 8261 or go to www.new7wonders.com to vote. VOTE NOW!

LINK: http://thebeachwanderer.blogspot.com

Help Support WOW Philippines!

2011-03-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Please visit WOW PHILIPPINES (http://www.facebook.com/wowphils) fan page and 'Like' us today. Help support tourism in our country.

ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO YOUR LOVE ONES...

2011-02-25T16:56:00.000-08:00

A SMALL TOUCHING STORY MAINLY FOR PROFESSIONALS. ..

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON : 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD : 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.

SON : 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD : 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON : 'I just want to know.. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD : 'If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.'

SON : 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $10.00 ?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10..00 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked..

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man.

'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you.

Here's the $10.00 you asked for..'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow.. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts..

Do remember to share that $20.00 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

PLS READ WITH FAITH.. This is an awesome prayer..

Believe it and you shall be blessed.

The problem with many of us is that we don't believe that God will open a Window and pour out blessings that we won't have room to receive them. I dare anyone to try God. He is true to His word. God cannot lie and His Promises are sure.

My prayer for you today:

The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hands that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying Amen to this prayer shall laugh forever. Remain in God's love as you send this Prayer to everybody y on your list. Have a lovely journey of life!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will never fail you because He is AWESOME! If you truly need a blessing, continue reading this email:

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you abundantly bless my family and me. I know that you recognize, that a Family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you. Father, I send up a prayer request for blessings for not only the person who sent this to me, but for me and all that I have forwarded this message on to.. And that the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything.. I thank you in advance for your blessings. Father God, deliver the person reading this right now from debt and debt's burdens. Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a good steward over all that You have given me Father, for I know how wonderful and mighty you are and how if we just obey you and walk in your word and have
the faith of a mustard seed that you will pour out blessings.. I thank you now Lord for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come because I know you are not done with me yet.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen

TAKE 60 SECONDS and send this on quickly and within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to God for each other.

Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.

Remain Blessed!!!

Manny Pacquiao's L.A. House featured in MTV Cribs.

2011-02-06T00:11:00.000-08:00

Watch this vid of Manny Pacquiao's house in L.A. courtesy of MTV Cribs

Ondoy Typhoon Anniversary

2010-09-26T04:20:00.000-07:00

In remembrance of the Ondoy Typhoon Anniversary, we show this clip from ASAP, Rico Blanco's BANGON

What Filipino Politicians can learn from Naruto (and maybe other relevant anime)

2010-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

I got this cool blog post from juancountry.com, by Carlo Ople (Grandson of the late Senator Blas Ople). It has a very appealing title to me (since I am an anime and manga addict - specially, Naruto). It's entitled What Filipino Politicians can learn from Naruto. I just added the (and other relevant anime) in my title since I have something from another favorite anime to add and also since some anime are not politically or even socially relevant.

Here is some of his post.

What Filipino Politicians can learn from Naruto
by Carlo Ople

There’s one lesson that politicians and Filipinos in general can learn from the hit Japanese animation series, Naruto Shippuuden. It’s amazing how such a simple cartoon series offer so much insights and values which we can apply to local politics and to nation building. This lesson is something that needs to be heard by political dynasties and especially by the “elder” senators who have served multiple terms already. This likewise also has to be heard by the Filipino youth. It’s about believing in the next generation.

To those who don’t know what the basic story of the animation is here’s a summary. It’s basically about a young ninja named Naruto who initially is hated by his village because he’s the host of a demonic beast. Eventually though Naruto wins the admiration and respect of his peers and elders. He becomes a well-loved hero who protects the village and the Ninja world.

In episode 158, the Hokage, or the leader of the village, Tsunade, berates both of her advisers when they tell her to keep Naruto hidden because their enemies, the Akatsuki, are looking for him. The advisers want to keep Naruto hidden so that they can use him as a “secret weapon” when the time is right. Tsunade grabs both advisers and throws them to the floor and explains to them that they should stop thinking of Naruto as just as a kid or a secret weapon. She then says that both of her advisers don’t have one trait that previous great leaders had in the Ninja world. Tsunade explains that unlike the legendary leaders of the past, they didn’t believe in the next generation. They didn’t want to trust them enough to give them bigger responsibilities in changing the future of their village.

To watch this episode, CLICK here and just fast forward to the 10 minute mark. You’ll be able to watch Tsunade talk to the elders there.

"...My duty is to be a model to the next generation and to help them out. For that, I’d happily give my life." – Jiraiya

True Mark of a Statesman

I believe that one of the marks of a true statesman and leader is when he or she knows when it’s time to step aside and let the next generation take on bigger responsibilities. Instead of constantly being in the spotlight, an alternative is to pass on the knowledge and experience that you’ve accumulated over the past few years to the next batch of leaders. However you have to give up your slot and give it to them so that they can learn from themselves. Yes, they will make mistakes. But that’s why the elders will be there to support and train them as their mentors and advisers.

There are several politicians who have literally grown too old already and they cling on to power because it’s their only remaining purpose in life. But they should realize that by staying on in power they are denying the country fresh faces that can bring us new perspectives and ideas that can propel us forward in the 21st century. The same can be said to politicians who know in their hearts that they didn’t do a good job and yet the run again for another term because they have a huge chance of winning because of the exposure they’ve gotten as public officials or even in their movies or commercials.
.....

To the politicians: please be like Tsunade, Sarutobi, and Chiyo. Learn to trust, let go, and let God. And to the youth – step up and stop being apathetic. Learn as much as you can, gain as much experience, and then serve. We all have just one life to live. Let’s all make it count.

SOURCE : www.juancountry.com

Here's is something I just want to add to Carlo's view. The value/trait of SELFLESSNESS. Its just what Ninoy showed when he said "...the Filipino is worth dying for" this reminds me of the HOKAGES of Konoha. They all died defending Konoha (the Hidden Leaf Village), except for Tsunade who is the current reigning HOKAGE.

Also, something I want to end this post add more still related to selflessness is a quote from Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood.

"...A king exists for his people. If he serves only himself, then he ceases to exist"
- Prince Ling of Xing Empire (Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood)

NOYNOY ROCKS! INVADES APP WORLD

2010-05-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Noynoy Aquino (Benigno Aquino III) is currently dominating the Philippine Presidential polls, but he is not stopping there. The election gave rise to the Noynoy Rocks Mobile App, available in iTouch, iPhone and iPad. (download for FREE in the Apple iTunes App Store, developed by Whateverr Games & Entertainment Inc). To Interact with Noynoy, Poke him! Shake your iPhone/iTouch! See why he truly rocks! (with proper manipulation, you can make him do the Hawaiian Hula dance while singing his campaign rap song)

But it does not end there. Another interesting part of this app is if you click the "i" by the lower right hand side of the screen and out comes a digital comic book that the Aquino campaign commissioned.

The digital comic book isn't as fancy as ComiXcology's nor the marvel app. It simply scrolls down. There is no pinch to zoom or tap to zoom. The presentation is simple, but gets the job done. (comic strip image taken from www.thepoc.net)

The comic is about a speech that Aquino gave during the EDSA People Power celebration. The colors are vibrant, and the text clear. Most certainly this is a campaign material similar to a flier or the website. That is the limit of its interactivity. That's not bad either.

Social Networking sites do not monopolize election campaigns anymore. Information provided in Mobile apps, just like texting blackpropaganda, can digitally distributed? From Candidate information to agenda, to platform, to debates to secure volunteer social networking to donation buttons, and paraphernalia all in one app.

This app is an example of what the future could be. It is the grandfather of what the future might hold.

JEJEMON - the JOLOGS-INATOR!!!

2010-04-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

MGA MADLANG PIPOL (Fellow Pinoys)

funny, cool, whatever! nakakaenjoy (enjoyable) ang JEJEMON! topic of the decade grabe!
Its like a the article I read once in the Philippine Daily Inquirer in year 2000. I think the title goes like this "Txtng... mrdring the eng. lang. (Texting...Murdering The English Language)"

Visit below link below. Input a phrase on the left box and hit the TRANSLATE button then check the funny translation on the right box.

Tip: try to translate questions... of course place a question mark (?) in the left box.

The Jologs-inator

Admiring Beach Resorts of the Philippines

2010-04-12T09:03:00.001-07:00

Are you in the midst of planning a vacation to the Philippines? There are many reasons to consider a vacation to the islands that make up this beautiful country and there are thousands of miles of beach in pristine condition that are filled with white sand to lay out upon, as well as many others.

The fabulous San Antonio Resort Village is considered to be one of the best beach resorts in the area, located a mere fifteen to twenty minutes from the airport and located on Baybay Beach, one of the largest bays in the world. There is much to experience here and you will find the majority of time can be spent outdoors as the area boasts more than three hundred and twenty sunny days each year. This luxury beach resort offers more than nine hundred lots that are available throughout the development that include amenities that are only seen through the best Philippines beach resort properties.

Boracay Regency is a popular choice for those seeking undeveloped beach that can be visited through their beach vacation. Through the many amenities and miles of beaches that are seen through the resort including pools for children, as well as adults that are visiting the resort. Visitors can also take advantage of the beautiful views through Boracay Beach and restaurant services that are available and specialize in both International and local cuisine! The Mediterranean architecture that can be seen through the property is inspiring and complimented through the well-designed rooms that are available to choose from.

At the Hotel Isla Boracay Beach resort, located on the Southern End of the white Sandy beaches that can be seen through Boracay cove, has been designed for those that want to experience everything that a vacation in the Philippines has to offer. At Hotel Isla, all of the rooms are offered with Ocean views, one of the only resorts in the area that offer this feature and therefore you can feel as if you are in front of the ocean, regardless of your room type within the resort. Through all of the underwater adventures that can be experienced through the cove, you can relax in the lush rooms in the evening, resting up for future adventures.

Are you looking for beach combined with gardens, and mountain terrain that can be seen through the popular resorts? Cebu is the island for you! Through the Waterfront Hotel Cebu you can experience everything that there is to offer inland, while experiencing everything that you should experience about the beaches of the Philippines. As one of the most highly rated five star hotels in the area, it is close to the beach and adventures, but also close enough to the city that you can experience the financial district, shopping and markets that are offered through the island. This is a great choice for those wanting the best of both worlds for their Philippine Vacation.

Philippines is gifted with beautiful white-sand beaches and luxurious beach resorts. San antonio is such a beach resort with perfect balance of amenities and services it makes you feel being at home beside the beach in the Philippines.

SOURCE :
http://www.booshnews.com/
http://thebeachwanderer.blogspot.com/

Check out carribeantour.info for resorts, tours, travel, cruises, villas and vacation packages

Philippines featured on BBC Show- Fast:Track

2010-03-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Philippines featured on BBC Show- Fast:Track

Philippines featured on BBC Show- Fast:Track

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Philippines featured on BBC Show- Fast:Track

We are pleased to report that BBC World has featured the Philippines in their travel show "Fast:Track", a tourism program hosted by Carmen Roberts and Rajan Datar. These were aired last 12-15 March 201.

The program is split into three segements with the first featuring Rajan discussing the "Filipino factor" and its role in the global tourism industry. He also gives a brief profile of the country and the attractions it offers in contrast to its Asian neighbors.

Watch Now:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/8569932.stm

The second segment shows Carmen discussing her experience island hopping across a few of the 7,107 islands. Her journey takes her to El Nido for its amazing limestone formations and white sand beaches and Bohol for its Chocolate Hills and miniscule tarsier among others.

Watch Now:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/8570563.stm

The third and last segment of the program, features Joel Sibayan from the BBC World Global Minds forum, presenting five "free things" to do in Manila.

Watch Now:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/8570570.stm

DOT London assisted in the visit of Carmen roberts and the BBC camera crew last 17 February to 01 March 2010. While the program normally may not be viewed in local British channels, BBC World nonetheless draws the attention of a wider global viewership and, as such, proves to be an excellent medium to promote tourism to the Philippines.

To read back issues of News@Philippines, please click here.

Copyright © 2006 Philippines. All rights reserved.

Check it on this site : http://thebeachwanderer.blogspot.com/

ARNEL PINEDA to Sing Philippine National Anthem on PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY FIGHT | Looking for Pacquiao vs. Clottey Free Live Stream

2010-03-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

I just heard last night that Arnel Pineda, the Filipino lead singer of the popular American rock band "Journey', will sing the Philippine National Anthem (Lupang Hinirang) on the PACQUIAO VS. CLOTTEY FIGHT (THE EVENT). THE EVENT, the boxing fight between Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Ghanaian Joshua “The Grand Master” Clottey on March 13, 2010 (March 14, 2010 - Manila Time) at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The JOURNEY's front man, ARNEL PINEDA, confirmed that he was personally invited by Manny Pacquiao to sing the national anthem in this upcoming fight. In Pacman’s previous fights, he asked Arnel to sing the national anthem, but was not able to do so due to conflict in schedule of the band "JOURNEY". This is the third invitation from Manny and at last, it is Arnel's time to sing in the boxing ring.

Arnel will be leaving for Dallas today to sing in Pacquiao’s fight.

Anyone knows any Pacquiao vs. Clottey Free Live Stream? Please inform me on your comment.

WATCH STEVE JOBS UNVEIL THE NEW APPLE "iPAD"

2010-01-28T07:52:00.000-08:00

STEVE JOBS officially unveils Apple's iPad

STEVE JOBS officially gives a demo of the Apple's iPad

iPad - The best way to experience the web, email, photos

APPLE TO LAUNCH NEW TABLET / SLATE DEVICE

2010-01-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

According to Steve Jobs, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Over the years, we have received the most distinguished products from APPLE, with the leadership of Steve Jobs. There is the Macintosh or "the Mac", the iPod, the iTouch, the iPhone, and the iTunes. Personally, iPod... iTunes and iTouch, therefore I am (huh? what's the connection?). Joking aside and going back to the topic, rumor has it that APPLE is about to launch / unveil in their line a tablet device the name of which is still shrouded in mystery, a lot of people are coining a lot of terms lately. There is the iTablet, iGuide, iSlate, iPad, Canvas and the MacBook Touch (where's the 'i' in the last 2?). Apple sent to media and analysts an invitation telling them to “come see our latest creation” expected anytime today, 27 January 2010

The Tablet product from various consumer electronics manufacturers proved to be less successful in previous years but with the launch of this product from APPLE, let's see what happens next. How will Steve's innovation distinguish tablet from its predecessors? and if proven to be a success let's see how players in the tablet industry react / follow in such yardstick of quality? Will APPLE's product bring a whole new meaning to "let your fingers do the walking" ? Or are we just talking about a bigger iPhone folks?

Watching Steve Jobs work, I gues we just have to expect the unexpected. A lot of us expect it to be feature rich and function heavy.

So what will be like?

Hand maneuvers in navigating around the device will be familiar to iPhone and iPod touch owners. Probably users will be able to use their whole hand to open programs and flick through pictures on the device. The tablet will be 2D only. Apps – which have proved such a success on the iPhone. The Apple tablet is expected to have a 10in touch-screen, and internet connectivity over Wi-Fi and 3G. Expect to see digital versions of your favourite books, newspapers and magazines available on the device. If, as expected, the tablet has 3G connectivity, enabling it to access the internet over the mobile phone network, then many of these publications could feature rich multimedia content, enabling users to watch videos or listen to audio reports while reading an article, or enjoy an interview with their favourite author before they start reading their new book. Movies, music and apps should all be a key focus of the tablet, and some rumours suggest the device could even double as a home entertainment hub – streaming content from the internet to a television, or being used as a home games console.

Source :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7038125/Apple-iTablet-rumour-round-up.html

In my view, if proven successful in the market, the iPad / MacBook Touch will simplify the home entertainment experience. It may become an alternative, if not replace the Yellow Pages "where it's the fingers that do the walking". It will introduce new ways of interacting with the world around us.

I may sound arrogant in this remark but I have great confidence and respect in Steve Job's works. He has been a great force not just playing but dominating in various industries such as Computers (APPLE), Music (iPod and iTunes), Entertainment (Pixar) and Telecommunications (iPhone). I will not be surprised if one day he takes on the Food Industry (Mac and Cheese, Baked Mac, APPLE's pies and many other corny Apple jokes related to Food, haha). I wish Steve Jobs a lot of luck. I think he does not need it. Steve, to your success and to the people who work for you. CHEERS !!!

WANTED: WATCH PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY FIGHT STREAMING

2010-01-24T04:54:00.000-08:00

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Free Online Live Streaming Free probably is the best thing that Boxing fans could be able to watch this coming March 2010.

There are many people who got disappointed, but still at least we could be able to Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Online Live Streaming Free this coming March as we all know that Mayweather cannot be able to beat Pacquiao.

It would be just a waste of time energy and money if the Mayweather Pacquiao fight pushed through since we all know who will win in the end. It would be much better to Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Online Live Streaming Free as many fighters were said to be afraid of Joshua Clottey because of his high powered punches which could prove if Pacquiao is really the king of the ring. I know that you would also love to Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Online Live Streaming Free so one should better start looking for a way to watch it like streaming video sites and the like.

So if anyone of you out there know a site offering FREE LIVE ONLINE STREAMING of the PACQUIAO VS CLOTTEY fight, please feel free to share on the comment box.

Let us support and VOTE for Efren Penaflorida

2009-10-05T05:54:00.000-07:00

This is inspiring... Don't forget to cast your vote!

CNN featured :

Efren Penaflorida, from Manila, Philippines is amazing!! He is doing a great
and hard job for the other kids and showing them there are options beside
the "Gang"and the "street". PLEASE Check the site below and VOTE FOR HIM.

The winner takes $100,000 to support their mission. Efren definitely can use
the money so he can get more "Portable Class" push carts
AND PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERY CONTACTS YOU HAVE!

Efren and the kids back home need your help!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/05/heroes.efren.penaflorida/index.html_

Help Flood Victims

2009-09-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is a shout-out / broadcast of Brother Bo Sanchez's appeal to the world. Please help our flood victims here in the Philippines

Help Flood Victims

This will be short.

I’m sending out an appeal to the world.

As I write this article, thousands of people are still trapped in the floodwaters of typhoon Ondoy—or in relocation sites that have no food and drinking water. (Just in case you don’t know anything about what’s happening in Metro Manila and Rizal province, here are photos of the storm: http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/ondoy.)

My friend, Sonia Lozada, is owner of Trinity restaurants. Since yesterday, her five restaurants have been cooking like crazy and sending packs of cooked food to devastated areas.
Sonia was right about cooked food. Because if you’re trapped in floodwaters, uncooked food is useless. You can’t cook anything. Sonia has also been delivering cases of bottled water—but they weren’t enough. One bottle of water was shared by three people.

With our financial support, Sonia’s team will continue to feed people today and tomorrow. I will personally be there, giving out food and drinking water to Flood Victims today. My team will be there as well—all of us who can help.

But cooking food today and tomorrow is only an emergency measure.

In the next few weeks and months, the real work will begin: All our organizations—Light of Jesus, KerygmaFamily, etcetera, will do the hard work of helping people rebuild their homes damaged by the floods—thus helping them rebuild their lives. It will be a long and difficult work—but we’ll be there for them.

This is what Jesus wants us to do.

Friend, you may not be here physically to help, but you can be our spiritual and financial support. First, pray for the victims. Pray for strength that they regain their hope. Many are devastated emotionally.

Second, if you can, make a donation and help them.
If you want to be part of our efforts to help Flood Victims, you can make a donation. Any amount will do. You can make your deposit online or through a bank.
Click below to help our Flood Victims now.

“Yes Bo, I want to help!”

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

PS. I know God will bless you abundantly. He will reward you for your kindness! That’s for sure. To make a donation, click below.

“Yes Bo, I want to help!”

UAAP'S LA SALLE-ATENEO GAME: A TRIBUTE TO TITA CORY

2009-08-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

I never knew that this day could posssibly take place. Speaking of UAAP, the greatest rivalry there is ever, La Salle and Ateneo. What happens if BLUE and GREEN got UNITED. Defying the color wheel, it is YELLOW. Looking in my TV Screen right now, there are BLUE and GREEN but
dominantly on both sides is YELLOW. Both sides at war but raising the same LABAN SIGN This game is a tribute to Former President Corazon Aquino.

A very wonderful woman once united a country is now uniting two rivals. If only we can set aside our differences and use our diversity for the common good, what we will get is something magnificent.

Tita Cory ... Via con Dios!

FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO (1933-2009)

2009-08-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

The whole country is mourning for the passing of its icon of democracy,
former President Corazon "Cory" C. Aquino. Even in her death, she continues to rock the country as Filipinos set aside divisions in this time of mourning and as well as rocking the internet as news of her passing spreads through cyberspace like wildfire.

Below is a newsclip from Philstar.com.

Cory Aquino 1933-2009
By Joanne Rae Ramirez

MANILA, Philippines - The icon of Philippine democracy is gone.

Corazon Aquino, the country’s first woman president, died yesterday at 3:18 a.m. at the Makati Medical Center after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

She had fulfilled her mission to lead her people from the oppression of a dictatorship toward democracy. And, once there, she never let her guard down. The world honored – and continues to honor – her for this.

“Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., Aug. 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest,” Mrs. Aquino’s only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III announced from the
lobby of the Makati Medical Center around 6 a.m. yesterday. Even as Senator Aquino spoke, thousands of yellow ribbons fluttered on the streets around the hospital, the avenues winding through the metropolis, the thoroughfares crisscrossing country. Yellow was the color of protest against the Marcos dictatorship and Mrs. Aquino ascended to the presidency clad in fighting yellow.

Last night, she lay in state in a yellow gown at the De La Salle Greenhills Gymnasium, even in death, a symbol of the continuing struggle to safeguard democracy. Her son said his mother would have a private funeral, not a state funeral, as she had preferred to be a private citizen after her presidency. The former president will also not lie in state in Malacañang.

She would be buried beside her husband at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City on Wednesday, after a two-day wake at La Salle, and another two-day wake at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.

Although the wake would be a private ceremony, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will provide honor guards hourly before her casket. Canon shots will be fired from all major military camps every half hour in deference to the late commander-in-chief.

Senator Aquino said the La Salle gym was chosen because of its capacity and La Salle’s significance in the safeguarding of votes during the snap elections of 1986.

“It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country,” Senator Aquino said, adding that he and his siblings were drawing strength from each other.

News of Mrs. Aquino’s death was met with deep sadness by many, with hundreds of thousands crying, “like we had lost a member of our family,” said a US Embassy employee who found herself in tears the whole day.

“A part of all of us died with President Aquino. In darkness, she was our strength. In despair she was our inspiration. In her dying moments, she united the nation in prayer,” a lawyer-CEO, who was among the thousands who trooped to the La Salle gym yesterday to pay his last respects to Mrs. Aquino, told The STAR.

“Let our people go!” the housewife and mother of five declared in 1986 when she accepted the challenge to lead the opposition out of the dictatorship and into the Promised Land of democracy. Twenty-three years later, before she passed away surrounded by her daughters Ballsy Cruz, Pinky Abellada, Viel Dee, Kris Yap, sons-in-law and grandchildren, Mrs. Aquino was all too aware that she was amidst a robust democracy, an active political opposition, a free press, and a citizenry jealous of the freedoms they won in a bloodless revolt in 1986.

Mrs. Aquino fought hard to vanquish her cancer, the disease that claimed her mother Demetria Sumulong Cojuangco, and even underwent laparascopic colectomy and radiation in May this year. Relatives said the former president was in “excruciating” pain during her last days, and was being given morphine.

Senator Aquino said his mother would sometimes grimace in pain, but never complained. In an interview after she discovered her cancer in March 2008, Mrs. Aquino told The STAR, “We all have to suffer in life. Jesus Christ did not commit any sin, and yet he suffered greatly.”

She had once told her children she did not wish to see them in tears, but yesterday they lovingly bid their mother a tearful goodbye. It was the one wish they couldn’t grant her.

“I have led a full life. I cannot complain,” Mrs. Aquino said in March 2008 when she was told that she had stage 4 cancer of the colon. “I cannot ask for more.”

Family friend Boy Abunda, who was with the family in the hospital room, said the family was praying the rosary, and was precisely on the fifth decade of the sorrowful mystery, when Mrs. Aquino breathed her last.

In one of her last interviews with The STAR, a chemotherapy bag slung over her shoulder and a smile on her face, Mrs. Aquino had said she was prepared. “If this is the end of the road for me, so be it.”

Also hailed as the “guiding light of Philippine democracy,” Mrs. Aquino burned brightest in adversity, and fought the last battle of her life with the same courage that sustained her through her life’s many trials. She suffered through her husband’s seven-year incarceration and his assassination. She bravely went against a well-entrenched dictatorship in 1986, wrote “housewife” in her form for candidacy. She said she had indeed no experience in “lying, cheating and assassinating political opponents.”

The first woman commander-in-chief, she repelled seven attempts to topple her administration in the six years she was in office. There were times in her presidency that Mrs. Aquino stared death in the eye – when rebel soldiers stormed the gates of her home near Malacañang in 1987 and 1989. She didn’t blink each time.

But yesterday, Mrs. Aquino surrendered to the will of God, as she had always done in her life. She had kept the faith, unbowed by the pain she underwent.

During a visit to the shrine of St. Francis of Assisi shortly after her presidency, she was told that St. Francis had always prayed to God for more suffering. When she got back to her hotel room, Mrs. Aquino said she went down on her knees and told God, “I will not ask you for more suffering. But if more suffering comes my way, I will not complain.”

She had won virtually all her life’s battles and liked to say she also won the final contest in her presidency, when the man she endorsed to take her place, retired Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, trumped his opponents. She proudly handed him the reins of government in a shining moment for democracy in June 1992 – the first peaceful turnover of power in two decades.

And she saw how the people power revolution she inspired created a tsunami for democracy that saw dictatorships tumble around the world. She became the first Asian woman and only the third woman to be hailed Time magazine’s “Woman of the Year.” In August 1999, she was again recognized by Time as one of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the Century. She also was conferred the Martin Luther King Jr. Non-Violent Peace Prize and the 1998 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding.

Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, who served as Mrs. Aquino’s justice secretary, said the “restoration of democracy was a legacy Cory wanted to leave the Filipino people. And she succeeded because of her strong moral leadership.”

In the cover story written by Pico Iyer in 1986 announcing the magazine’s choice of Mrs. Aquino as “Woman of the Year,” Time said:

For her determination and courage in leading a democratic revolution that captured the world’s imagination, Corazon Aquino is TIME’s Woman of the Year for 1986.

Whatever else happens in her rule, Aquino has already given her country a bright, and inviolate, memory. More important, she has also resuscitated its sense of identity and pride. In the Philippines those luxuries are especially precious. Almost alone among the countries of Asia, it has never been steadied by an ancient culture; its sense of itself, and its potential, was further worn away by nearly four centuries of Spanish and American colonialism. The absence of a spirit of national unity has also made democracy elusive. Even Jose Rizal, a political reformer shot by the Spanish and a national hero, called the Filipinos “a people without a soul.” Yet in February, for a few extraordinary moments, the people of the Philippines proved their bravery to the world, and to themselves.

Aquino’s revolution with a human face was no less a triumph for women the world over. The person known as the “Mother of the Nation” managed to lead a revolt and rule a republic without ever relinquishing her buoyant calm or her gift for making politics and humanity companionable. In a nation dominated for decades by a militant brand of macho politics, she conquered with tranquility and grace.

A recent nationwide survey showed that she was considered by Filipinos “the least corrupt” of all the presidents mentioned in the survey. Mrs. Aquino said she would have been “horrified” if the results were any different. After her presidency ended in 1992, Mrs. Aquino went home to a modest bungalow on Times Street in Quezon City, which, to this day, people miss for its nondescript façade. Callers often knock on the more affluent homes next door.

Mrs. Aquino saw for herself, in no uncertain terms, as she watched television from her sickbed, that the Filipino people respected her and appreciated her sacrifices for the country. She responded gratefully by saying that she, unlike Ninoy, was luckier in that respect. She heard the applause. She saw the yellow ribbons. She was bathed by yellow confetti in the drought of her fight for democracy. She was never alone.

Her long-time assistant Margarita Juico said Mrs. Aquino had once confided to her that she longed to be reunited with her husband and in fact expressed a wish that one day, her bones be interred with the bones of Ninoy, who died on Aug. 21, 1983.

Mrs. Aquino once told The STAR she never questioned God about her cancer and never considered her illness the greatest trial of her life, “because it involved only me.”

Selfless even in the midst of her own pain, she said her greatest trial was Ninoy’s seven years and seven months in prison, which she said prepared her for the pain of his death. She shrugged off her own pain, saying she had told her youngest daughter Kris, “Everybody has to experience suffering.”

She said she also reminded her children Ballsy, Pinky, Noynoy, Viel and Kris that despite everything, “We are luckier than most.”

In 2004, while in the pink of health, she wrote a “Prayer for a Happy Death.”

“When the final moment does come,” she wrote, “let not my loved ones grieve for long.”

“Let them know that they made possible whatever good I offered to the world.”

The girl who would be president

According to Mrs. Aquino’s niece Marisse Reyes McMurray, “My grandfather’s family would always associate the year of Cory’s birth, 1933, with some very happy memories. The blessing of their new house, which was finally built from scratch on Agno Street, coincided with her baptism.”

When she grew up, Cory was transformed from the shy child to the school achiever. “Unnoticed as the sixth child (of Jose and Demetria Cojuangco), Auntie Cory’s mettle was strengthened by the furnace of war. Her oldest living brother Pedro had always been the star, the perennial honor student. During the war years, Auntie Cory had found a prescription for attention: ‘To be noticed in a large family, you would have to excel in your studies.’”

She majored in Math and French at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York, but her law studies were cut short when she met the dashing Ninoy Aquino. On their wedding day in 1954, a dove from the ceremonial bell at the reception landed on Cory’s head, and people saw it as a good sign that Ninoy would be president.

Mrs. Aquino would later confide that no one knew then the dove landing on her head would mean she, not Ninoy, would be president someday.

Thirty-two years later, that day would come to pass.

GET A FREELANCER : for my "KABABAYAN" FREELANCERS

2009-06-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

Mga Kababayan ko (my fellow FILIPINOS). If YOU are a freelancer in here sa 'Pinas or overseas, I got GOOD NEWS for YOU, YOU can find a lot of project offers for freelancers at this site's right side bar, courtesy of GET A FREELANCER.

So if YOU are looking for a project to bring in some money, CHECK OUT MY RIGHT SIDE BAR. Ther is definitely a project waiting for you.

Guide for Legacy depositors: How to claim money from PDIC

2009-02-22T05:11:00.000-08:00

Kababayans, locally, besides the Global financial crisis that dominates the news is the problem with Legacy bank being bankrupt. Currently, the matter is being probed in the Senate. While, they discuss who is to blame for the financial tragedy I got this news/guide from the Internet. This is a GUIDE FOR LEGACY DEPOSITORS: HOW TO CLAIM MONEY FROM PDIC. For the concerned readers, I hope this will be of great help.

GUIDE FOR LEGACY DEPOSITORS: HOW TO CLAIM MONEY FROM PDIC

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is now processing the claims of depositors of the following Legacy rural banks with deposit balance of P100,000 and below.
Please refer to the following for a guide on how to get your money back.
Claims Processing Dates and Venues

For depositors of the following banks, visit the branches on the following schedule, Monday to Friday, during office hours.

1. Rural Bank of Paranaque (RBOP)
Head Office - Parañaque Super Palengke ng Parañaque, Quirino Ave., Brgy. La Huerta, Parañaque City (February 13 – March 6, 2009)
Las Pinas - Real St., Brgy. Talon I, Las Pinas City (Feb. 13 – Mar. 4, 2009)
Marikina - E. Rodriguez Ave., Brgy. Concepcion I, Marikina City (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Pasig - G/F Parc Chateau Condominium, #5 Onyx Road, Pasig City (Feb. 13 – Mar. 4, 2009)
Antipolo (Masinag Market) - Sumulong Highway, Brgy. Mayamot, Antipolo City (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)

2. Rural Bank of San Jose (Batangas), Inc.
Makalintal Ave., San Jose, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)

3. Pilipino Rural Bank, Inc.
Head Office - Mandaue R. Senido Bldg., A. C. Cortes Ave., Cambaro, Mandaue City, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Argao - Corner T. S. Kintanar & M. J. Cuenco Sts., Argao, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009) Dumaguete - Corner Pinili & Perdices Sts., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Tagbilaran - Asian Lending Bldg., C. P. G. North Ave., Tagbilaran City, Bohol (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)

4. Rural Bank of Bais (Negros Oriental), Inc.
Head Office and Extension Office – Bais City Poblacion, Bais City, Negros Oriental (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Tanjay - City of Tanjay, Negros Oriental (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009) Mandaue - Mandaue City, Cebu (Feb. 13 – 17, 2009)
5. Bank of East Asia [Banco Rural de Bisayas (Minglanilla, Cebu)], Inc.
Head Office – Minglanilla Poblacion, Minglanilla, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009
Balamban - Aliwanay, Balamban, Cebu (Feb. 13 – 17, 2009) Bogo Cantecson St., Gairan, City of Bogo, Cebu (Feb. 13 – 20, 2009)
6. First Interstate Bank (Rural Bank of Kananga, Leyte), Inc.
Head Ofice – Kananga 354 F. A. Larrazabal St., Kananga, Leyte (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009
Baybay - M. L. Quezon St., City of Baybay, Leyte (Feb. 13 – 20, 2009)
Carigara - Real St., Poblacion, Carigara, Leyte (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Hilongos - R. V. Villaflores St., Hilongos, Leyte (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Maasin - Kanglaon St., Agbao, Maasin City, Leyte (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Palo - Brgy. St. Michael, Palo, Leyte (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
7. Philippine Countryside Rural Bank (Cebu), Inc.
Executive Office – Lapu-Lapu City - M. L. Quezon Highway, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Liloan, Cebu - Poblacion, Liloan, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Banilad - A. S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City, Cebu (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009
Consolacion - Poblacion, Consolacion, Cebu (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Mandaue - Rizal St., Ibabao, Mandaue City (Feb. 13 – 20, 2009)
Naga, Cebu - Naga, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Cagayan De Oro - Lapasan, Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Catarman, Camiguin - Catarman, Camiguin (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
8. Dynamic Bank [Rural Bank of Calatagan, (Batangas)], Inc.
Head Office – Balayan - 148 Antorcha St., Poblacion, Balayan, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Batangas City - Brgy. Calicanto, Batangas City, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Lucsuhin, Calatagan - Brgy. Lucsuhin, Calatagan, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Sto. Domingo, Calatagan - Sto. Domingo St., Poblacion, Calatagan, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Lemery - Rizal St., Poblacion, Lemery, Batangas (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
Poblacion, Los Baños - 30 Rizal St., Brgy. Timugan, Poblacion, Los Baños, Laguna (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Calamba - National Highway, Brgy. Pansol, City of Calamba, Laguna (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
San Antonio, Los Baños - National Highway, Brgy. San Antonio, Los Baños, Laguna (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
9. San Pablo City Development Bank
Head Office & Money Shop – San Pablo - 72 Crispin Calabia Ave., Brgy. San Francisco, San Pablo City, Laguna (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
10. Nation Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank)
Head Office – Bacolod Corner Libertad & Lopez Jaena Sts., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Binalbagan San Gregorio Village, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental (Feb. 13 – 20, 2009)
Bago City Araneta St., Bago City, Negros Occidental (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
Sta. Barbara, Iloilo Arroyo St., Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City, Iloilo (Feb. 13 – 17, 2009)
La Carlota City Corner Yunque & Valois Sts., La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (Feb. 13 – 27, 2009)
11. Rural Bank of DARBCI (Polomolok, South Cotobato), Inc.
Gaisano Mall Bldg., J. Catolico Ave., Lagao, Gen. Santos City, South Cotabato (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
12. Rural Bank of Carmen (Cebu), Inc.
Poblacion, Carmen, Cebu (Feb. 13 – Mar. 6, 2009)
How to Claim your Money from PDIC
a. At the premises of the bank, get a Numbered Claim Form from the PDIC personnel stationed at the bank. Show your original savings passbook to get the form.
b. File your claim before the PDIC Claims Personnel on the day of your respective appointment date. Refer to the appointment date posted at the bank premises. Appointment dates correspond to the number indicated on the Claim Form.
c. Personal appearance is required for all depositors, except only when the depositor is
below seven (7) years old;
abroad; or
physically incapable of personally appearing before the PDIC Claims Personnel due to serious physical injury, condition, ailment, or infirmity due to advanced age.
d. Present the following when filing claims:
Duly accomplished Claim Form;
Original evidence of deposit such as savings passbook, certificate of time deposit, or bank statement including unused checks (For joint accounts: “OR, AND/OR, AND”, passbook should be photocopied as many copies as there are depositors to the account.)
Original and photocopy of two (2) valid IDs with signature, one of them must contain a photo of the depositor (Sample valid IDs: Driver’s license, SSS/GSIS ID, Senior Citizen’s ID, Passport, PRC ID, OWWA/OFW ID, Seaman’s ID, Alien Certification of Registration ID, Voter’s ID, Company/ School ID, Postal ID, TIN, Philhealth, Voter’s Registration Receipt);
For depositors below 18 years old, copy of Birth Certificate certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or the Local Civil Registrar;
Other documents that may be required by the PDIC to establish the identity of the depositor
e. Payment and refunds shall be made on valid claims and with complete documentation.
Depositors with balances of more than P100,000 and above will have to wait for further announcements from PDIC regarding the processing of their claims.

SOURCE : http://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/2009/02/17/pdic-claims-legacy-banks/

REFUSE TO JOIN THE RECESSION !!!

2009-02-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

There is a Gaelic proverb that says this :
"People can be divided into three groups: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened."

I guess the worst news I heard/read/watch in years is this Financial Turmoil hitting the world hard. Whether in the radio, newspaper or in TV, they all talk about this RECESSION. In the proverb above, for those who just watch things happen and those who wonder what happened, I just want to share with you some pics I got from a friend at work on HOW COMPANY LOGOS WILL LOOK LIKE AFTER THE CRISIS IS OVER. I don't know if this is a laughing matter to some people (specifically those employed by these companies and those who own a interest in these companies). Bad publicity is not my intention, these pictures are available in the Internet. I am not even the author of this idea (I think I saw one logo here in SPOOFS Unlimited). I just want share these to the readers. I do not have any ill intentions to anyone but I apologize if anybody will be offended.

I don't take pleasure nor amusement in other's shortcomings. I hope these pictures will serve as a wake up call/warning of what might happen for us to better prepare ourselves. Here they are:

Seeing what could happen after the crisis, what are we to do? Let us not treat this pictures as eye-candy. Instead of just watching doom and gloom happening, Join the REVOLUTION! REFUSE TO JOIN THE RECESSION!!! Join us in this Social Networking Site, http://refusetojoinrecession.ning.com/ created by Trace Trajano, Author of Think Rich - Quick! with Dr. Larry Gamboa of Think Rich Pinoy! Be inspired and learn from people who succeed over this time's global financial crisis. I joined last week! For those who want to succeed against this recession, if YOU want to be one of those who MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, TAKE THIS FIRST STEP! Good luck and God Bless!

WOWOWEE extends help to 30 Dubai Runaway OFWs

2009-02-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I am not a fan of noontime game shows/variety shows. However, as appreciation to this game show's gesture of help I am letting this article be seen on this site. To Willie Revillame and the good people of WOWOWEE... God Bless you all.

Wowowee sponsors 30 OFW Dubai runaways

EmailWritten by internettrend on Feb-3-09 10:26am

From: www.winwab.com

After the success of Wowowee’s show in Dubai, with almost 20,000 Filipino’s and other foreign people gathered to watched the most popular game show in the Philippines, Willie Revillame together with he president of ABS-CBN Charo Santos and other respectable people visit the Philippine embassy and the OFW runaways in Dubai.

After the meeting with the 69 runaways, Willie made an announcement that 30 of them will be sponsored by Wowowee for them to be able to go home and be with their families. After hearing this, the runaways were overjoyed and others cant help themselves from crying. Willie said, after seeing them, he was motivated to work hard more to help fellow Filipinos, to make them happy and was inspired to continue what he was doing. He even said that some of their families will be a participant in one of the games of the show.

SOURCE : http://www.zimbio.com/wowphilippines/

Also, below is a video clip from YOUTUBE of the news.

The TABO Scandal: An Essential read for all Pinoys !!! -direct from Australia

2009-01-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

To give you all a little background (for my dear non-Filipino readers), TABO (not TABOO) in English is "DIPPER". Its what we all use here in the Philippines to scoop water from a bucket in the bathroom to bathe ourselves (instead of using a shower). Another use for it is for washing. Another use for this is for washing our rear ends after potty time. For some cultures, it seems disgusting. What the heck? I respect the fact of everyone's differences. But for the true story below, how outrageous could it be? All because we wash our rears instead of just wiping them with toilet paper. Upon reading this, you would either be infuriated or just cry laughing.

Have fun reading the below article from TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN in Australia.

Townsville toilet row – man sacked over bathroom habits

LENDL RYAN

January 24th, 2009

A TOWNSVILLE man has been sacked for `un-Australian' toilet habits.

Amador Bernabe, 43, uses water to clean himself instead of toilet paper.

Mr Bernabe, a machine operator on a working visa from the Philippines, said it was his culture.

But on Thursday he got the shock of his life when his foreman followed him into the toilet questioning his toilet hygiene.

Mr Bernabe said his employer Townsville Engineering Industries (TEI) sacked him yesterday for not going to the toilet the Australian way.

TEI, which is located at the Bohle, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The move has angered union bosses and politicians on the Australia Day weekend.

"I went to go to the toilet and I took a bottle of water when my foreman saw me and he said `you can't bring the water in there'," Mr Bernabe said.

"I asked why and he said it wasn't good but I said it's our way and he followed me into the toilet.

"I said it's my personal hygiene. I didn't break any law, I didn't break any rules of the company, why can't I do this, and he said he would report me to the manager.

"The next morning when I came in I went to punch my time card and he told me the manager wanted to talk to me in his office.

"He asked me what had happened and I explained to him and he said if I didn't follow the Australian way I would be immediately terminated and I said `sir, then you better terminate me'."

Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union state organiser Rick Finch said the incident was shocking.

"I think it is atrocious, an invasion of a person's rights and cultural beliefs," he said.

"The paradox of the toilet and a person's actions is something that no boss can even think about interfering with and the thought that bosses think they have the control to get involved in the toiletry is a gross invasion of an employee's privacy.

"If it wasn't so disgusting it would almost be laughable."

Mr Finch slammed the move as `bigoted'.

Greens spokeswoman Jenny Stirling praised Mr Bernabe for standing up for his rights.

"I commend the man for standing up for himself and I encourage the employer to have further talks with the union and the employee and I am sure commonsense will prevail," she said.

"I would like to see how Australians feel when they go to Europe where in places they don't have toilet paper."

Thuringowa MP Craig Wallace said the company should re-evaluate their priorities.

"Employers should be worried how their business operates rather than what their employees do in the loo," he said.

"I know in a number of cultures using paper to clean yourself is considered an offence because of their beliefs.

"If he is being hygienic and not bothering anyone else then good luck to him."

Mr Finch said employers should be more tolerant of their employees, especially in Mr Bernabe's case where he has been brought to the country by TEI on a 457 visa.

"At the end of the day we are a multicultural society and if they want to import workers then they need to be tolerant of other workers and other cultures," he said.

"They don't own these workers, they are borrowed and hired to carry out a job.

"The thought these bosses think they can lord it over these workers is insane.

"What it shows is the company's complete arrogance for workers' rights."

Mr Bernabe, a father of four, had been with the company since April 2008 and said he had no problems until yesterday.

"It's hard work but it is my skill so it is good," he said.

"The only problem was yesterday."

SOURCE : TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN

PHILIPPINE GREEN PASSPORT...NO LONGER VALID BY JANUARY 2010

2009-01-20T09:12:00.000-08:00

I got this info via email last week. FYI to all my readers. This advisory has been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Agency Section. When I searched this on GOOGLE, its quite surprising that a lot of forum threads on the web has this as well for their respective readers. THIS IS A MUST READ. To those who are affected by this advisory, be responsible for yourselves.

ADVISORY
Department of Foreign Affairs
Travel Agency Section

Please be advised that effective January 2010, the green colored Philippine passport will no longer be accepted even if it is still valid. Below are the list of new requirement for the application and renewal of Philippine Passport.

FOR RENEWAL MINOR AND ADULT

REQUIREMENTS:

1. OLD PASSPORT
2. 3 PASSPORT SIZED PICTURES W/ROYAL BLUE BACKGROUND WEARING DARK COLORED POLO /BLOUSE
3. PROPERLY ACCOMPLISHED APPLICATION FORM
4. IF 18 YRS OLD & BELOW, SUBMIT PHOTOCOPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND ORIG. PASSPORT OF MOTHER (TO BE SIGNED AND THUMBMARKED BY MOTHER ON THE APPLICATION FORM AND UNDERTAKING)

PROCESSING TIME: 10 to 12 WORKING DAYS for Overtime 15 to 20 working days for Regular Processing

FOR NEW PASSPORT (ADULT)

REQUIREMENTS:

1. AUTHENTICATED BIRTH CERTIFICATE, IF LATE REGISTRATION SUBMIT 2 OLD DOCUMENTS (EG. BAPTISMAL WITH DRY SEAL, FORM 137, VOTER'S AFFIDAVIT)
2. IF MARRIED WOMAN, AUTHENTICATED MARRIAGE CONTRACT
3. Three (3) PASSPORT SIZED PICTURES W/ROYAL BLUE BACKGROUND WEARING DARK COLORED POLO/BLOUSE
4. ORIGINAL I.D. (COMPANY, SSS, VOTER'S, DRIVER'S)
5. FILLED UP APPLICATION FORM WITH SIGNATURE IN UNDERTAKING (2ND PAGE OF APPLICATION FORM).

FOR NEW PASSPORT/MINOR BELOW 18 YEARS OLD

1. AUTHENTICATED BIRTH CERTIFICATE
2. AUTHENTICATED MARRIAGE CONTRACT OF PARENTS IF MARRIED. IF PARENTS ARE NOT MARRIED, AFFIDAVIT OF ILLEGITIMACY
3. THREE (3) COPIES PASSSPORT SIZED PICTURE W/ROYAL BLUE BACKGROUND WEARING DARK COLORED POLO/BLOUSE.
4. DULY FILLED UP APPLICATION FORM, IF 8YRS OLD & ABOVE DON'T SIGN AND DON'T AFFIX THUMBMARK. BUT IF 7 YRS & BELOW, FORM SHOULD BE SIGNED AND THUMBMARKED BY MOTHER
5. ORIGINAL VALID PASSPORT OF MOTHER
6. PHOTOCOPY OF SCHOOL I.D. IF STUDENT
7. IF TRAVELLING WITHOUT PARENTS NEED DSWD CLEARANCE AND ORIGINAL PASSPORT OF TRAVELLING COMPANION

NOTE

1. FOR MINORS BELOW EIGHT (8) YRS OLD NEW AND RENEWAL, MOTHER IS FOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT DFA.

2. FOR 8-17 YRS OLD NEW AND RENEWAL, APPLICANT AND MOTHER ARE FOR PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT DFA
3. FOR 18-64 YRS OLD NEW AND RENEWAL, PERSONAL APPEARANCE IS A MUST. ONLY 65 YEARS OLD & ABOVE ARE EXEMPTED FROM PERSONAL APPEARANCE

PROCESSING TIME: 10 to 12 WORKING DAYS AFTER PERSONAL APPEARANCE for Overtime and 15 to 20 Working days for Regular