BlogSmorgasbord

Social Group

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:07:00 +0000

Throughout the world, societies are split into distinct, albeit sometimes overlapping, social groups.

While self-definition - and self-defined belonging to groups - widely varies over time and situations for even the same individual, there are several indicators and features along which the researcher can build clusters of people.

Indeed, the atomistic idea according to which everyone feels to be dissimilar from anybody else is a realistic picture only of very extreme social conditions. Networks of people linked by communication and emotional lines are very common, while their collapse into monistic units of disconnected individuals is more the result of crashes in the social texture than the standard state.

This is very important for economics since, for instance, social groups are important for consumption as visible behaviour can become a standard with which to compare your owns. Peer groups are often the reference for choosing whether a certain good is a "must have", engendering an imitation dynamics.

In this vein, another name for "social group" is "market segment", seen from the point of view of a seller or a mass medium, to which a differentiated product can be addressed.

Social groups defined along income and non-income axes

A basic axis of social differentiation is personal income. A three-category distinction among the poor, the middle class and the rich, as the one we proposed here, can be too rough to capture all the intermediate nuances but still help characterize different societies.

The unit of analysis can be - but not need to be only - the individual. A second element should be kept into account when judging the individual's position: the size and composition of the household to which he or she belongs. Larger families pay less per-person for certain shared expenditure (like housing) and they can have more than one income-bearer. If not, a large family with only one income-bearer would be much poorer than a one-component family.

A third consideration is linked to the stability of income over time, with people having larger fluctuations in income belonging to different social groups than people reaching systematically and without renegotiation similar levels of income.

Another crucial axis of social differentiation is the ownership of assets. Families that own their home - having already paid back any financial instruments to buy it - can devote more money to active savings and consumption than families with the same level of income but that have to pay the rent. The ownership of durable goods is an important status element aiding different aspects of life. Financial assets (as Treasury bonds, shares, controlling majorities in firms,...) can constitute elements of common material interests for certain social groups.

Employment is an extremely important element in defining identities and common interests, common languages and values. Equally important are culture and levels of education.

The Philippine Election 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:26:00 +0000

To All Filipinos around the world, It is time for us to use our right to vote even though we are far away to our beloved country. Choose who are the true Leaders, check their accomplishment, their status in life, choose those that has a political will to saves us in this "miserable life others are always saying instead of showing up the good and the wonderful things happened in our country. Why they are saying this? because they used this as their tickets/coupons to get the sympathy of the people.

Now is the year of thinking, think who the real leaders and vote. Explore this coming historic event so the world may see, and let all Filipinos to know their right. Our vote is very important. Think first who is the real sucker of this country's economy, think who is giving us the miserable life, and they are living in a luxurious life. Many are disguising that they are pro-people. Many are only promising,too much promising, a promise that no explanation on how they will applied it. We have the process to follow in our constitution.

Take note of this:
Make an investment without gaining profits and Interest? DON"T BELIEVE IT.

Look at this people saying that they will change the life of the Filipino people: just asking a question and to my countrymen. think of the past scenario since 2001, remember that most of this person are in the Government services too, working in the House of representative, House of the Senate, e.t.c.. but remember this? WHERE are they? when natural calamities came to us? where are they? when most of disastrous problem arise in our economy? WHERE THEY ARE? Murmuring, investigating, they do nothing to help the people, because they can't care about us people, because they wanted to say for real." why am I going to help? I am not the President of this country, maybe I will help if I'm the President.. I will change the Life of the people." LOOKS WHO IS talking?

When the disaster came to us this past years name EARTHQUAKE, Typhoon FRANK, Typhoon UNDOY and many more typhoon, THINK !!!!! Where ARE they????? Now , they need our vote,, and NOW promising too many just to get our vote, Where are they???THEY ARE BUSY OF IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, WITH THE HELP OF THIS MEDIA MEN CLOSES TO THEM, MAKING THINGS PUBLICIZED TOO MUCH.

JUST REMEMBER THIS PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES/ THINK OF THE PAST, THINK WHAT THIS PEOPLE GAVE TO US IN TIME OF PROBLEM, THAT WE ALL KNOW THEY TOO ARE WORKING IN THE GOVERNMENT., THEY TOO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO MAKE HELP.

DID WE PEOPLE SAW THIS PERSONS NOW PROMISING THAT THEY WILL CHANGE OUR LIFE????

NONE !!!!!

WHO SHOULDER ALL THE PROBLEM???? WHO IS THE ONE DOING VERY BEST TO HELP THE PEOPLE??? WHO IS THE ONE DOING THE VERY BEST TO BRING THIS COUNTRY UP NOT DOWN??? ONLY ONE.

2010 ELECTION IS NEAR, THINK THINK THINK THINK.

CHOOSE WHO IS THE REAL LEADERS TO BE!

OUR VOTE IS BLESSED NOW. OUR VOTE WILL CHANGE OUR LIFE , OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, GRANDSONS, ALL GRANDS,,,,,,,,,

VOTE TO THE ELECTION 2010!!!

VOTE!!

Sermon on the Mount

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 23:02:00 +0000

"
The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Christians believe that Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6). His famous Sermon on the Mount, the mount representing Mount Zion, is considered by some Christian scholars to be the antitype of the proclamation of the Old Covenant by Moses from the Biblical Mount Sinai"

In the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Sermon on the Mount is a compilation of Jesus' sayings, epitomizing his moral teaching. According to chapters 5-7, Jesus of Nazareth gave this sermon (estimated around AD 30) on a mountainside to his disciples and a large crowd. Matthew groups Jesus' teachings into five discourses, of which the Sermon on the Mount is the first. The others concern instructions for the disciples, parables of the Kingdom, instructions for the church, and a harsh denunciation of scribes and Pharisees.

The best-known written portions of the open-air sermon comprise the Beatitudes, found at the beginning of the section. The sermon also contains the Lord's Prayer and the injunctions to "resist not evil" (5:39) and "turn the other cheek", as well as a version of the Golden Rule. Other lines often quoted are the references to "salt of the earth", "light of the world" and "judge not, lest ye be judged."

Many Christians believe that the Sermon on the Mount is a form of commentary on the Ten Commandments. It portrays Christ as the true interpreter of the Mosaic Law. To many, the Sermon on the Mount contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship, and is considered as such by many religious and moral thinkers, such as Tolstoy,[4] Gandhi, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Martin Luther King, Jr. It has been one of the main sources of Christian pacifism

About Climate Change: Explore Information "my views"

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:39:00 +0000

DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS
THE MAJOR ECONOMIES FORUM

ON ENERGY AND CLIMATE

We, the leaders of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States met as the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in L’Aquila, Italy, on July 9, 2009, and declare as follows:

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As leaders of the world’s major economies, both developed and developing, we intend to respond vigorously to this challenge, being convinced that climate change poses a clear danger requiring an extraordinary global response, that the response should respect the priority of economic and social development of developing countries, that moving to a low-carbon economy is an opportunity to promote continued economic growth and sustainable development, that the need for and deployment of transformational clean energy technologies at lowest possible cost are urgent, and that the response must involve balanced attention to mitigation and adaptation.

We reaffirm the objective, provisions and principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Recalling the Major Economies Declaration adopted in Toyako, Japan, in July 2008, and taking full account of decisions taken in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2007, we resolve to spare no effort to reach agreement in Copenhagen, with each other and with the other Parties, to further implementation of the Convention.

Our vision for future cooperation on climate change, consistent with equity and our common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, includes the following:

1. Consistent with the Convention’s objective and science:
Our countries will undertake transparent nationally appropriate mitigation actions, subject to applicable measurement, reporting, and verification, and prepare low-carbon growth plans. Developed countries among us will take the lead by promptly undertaking robust aggregate and individual reductions in the midterm consistent with our respective ambitious long-term objectives and will work together before Copenhagen to achieve a strong result in this regard.

Developing countries among us will promptly undertake actions whose projected effects on emissions represent a meaningful deviation from business as usual in the midterm, in the context of sustainable development, supported by financing, technology, and capacity-building. The peaking of global and national emissions should take place as soon as possible, recognizing that the timeframe for peaking will be longer in developing countries, bearing in mind that social and economic development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities in developing countries and that low-carbon development is indispensible to sustainable development.

We recognize the scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed 2 degrees C. In this regard and in the context of the ultimate objective of the Convention and the Bali Action Plan, we will work between now and Copenhagen, with each other and under the Convention, to identify a global goal for substantially reducing global emissions by 2050. Progress toward the global goal would be regularly reviewed, noting the importance of frequent, comprehensive, and accurate inventories.

We will take steps nationally and internationally, including under the Convention, to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and to enhance removals of greenhouse gas emissions by forests, including providing enhanced support to developing countries for such purposes.

2. Adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change is essential. Such effects are already taking place. Further, while increased mitigation efforts will reduce climate impacts, even the most aggressive mitigation efforts will not eliminate the need for substantial adaptation, particularly in developing countries which will be disproportionately affected.

There is a particular and immediate need to assist the poorest and most vulnerable to adapt to such effects. Not only are they most affected but they have contributed the least to the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Further support will need to be mobilized, should be based on need, and will include resources additional to existing financial assistance. We will work together to develop, disseminate, and transfer, as appropriate, technologies that advance adaptation efforts.

3. We are establishing a Global Partnership to drive transformational low-carbon, climate-friendly technologies. We will dramatically increase and coordinate public sector investments in research, development, and demonstration of these technologies, with a view to doubling such investments by 2015, while recognizing the importance of private investment, public-private partnerships and international cooperation, including regional innovation centers. Drawing on global best practice policies, we undertake to remove barriers, establish incentives, enhance capacity-building, and implement appropriate measures to aggressively accelerate deployment and transfer of key existing and new low-carbon technologies, in accordance with national circumstances.

We welcome the leadership of individual countries to spearhead efforts among interested countries to advance actions on technologies such as energy efficiency; solar energy; smart grids; carbon capture, use, and storage; advanced vehicles; high-efficiency and lower-emissions coal technologies; bio-energy; and other clean technologies. Lead countries will report by November 15, 2009, on action plans and roadmaps, and make recommendations for further progress. We will consider ideas for appropriate approaches and arrangements to promote technology development, deployment, and transfer.

4. Financial resources for mitigation and adaptation will need to be scaled up urgently and substantially and should involve mobilizing resources to support developing countries. Financing to address climate change will derive from multiple sources, including both public and private funds and carbon markets. Additional investment in developing countries should be mobilized, including by creating incentives for and
removing barriers to funding flows. Greater predictability of international support should be promoted. Financing of supported actions should be measurable, reportable, and verifiable.

The expertise of existing institutions should be drawn upon, and such institutions should work in an inclusive way and should be made more responsive to developing country needs. Climate financing should complement efforts to promote development in accordance with national priorities and may include both program-based and project-based approaches.

The governance of mechanisms disbursing funds should be transparent, fair, effective, efficient, and reflect balanced representation. Accountability in the use of resources should be ensured. An arrangement to match diverse funding needs and resources should be created, and utilize where appropriate, public and private expertise. We agreed to further consider proposals for the establishment of international funding arrangements, including the proposal by Mexico for a Green Fund.

5. Our countries will continue to work together constructively to strengthen the world’s ability to combat climate change, including through the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate. In particular, our countries will continue meeting throughout the balance of this year in order to facilitate agreement in Copenhagen.

Why People Take Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:10:00 +0000

And just as there are many kinds of drugs available, there are as many reasons for trying them or starting to use them regularly. People take drugs just for the pleasure they believe they can bring. Often it's because someone tried to convince them that drugs would make them feel good or that they'd have a better time if they took them.

Some teens believe drugs will help them think better, be more popular, stay more active, or become better athletes. Others are simply curious and figure one try won't hurt. Others want to fit in. A few use drugs to gain attention from their parents.

Many teens use drugs because they're depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems. The truth is, drugs don't solve problems — they simply hide feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain, or become worse. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life.

Here are the facts on some of the more common drugs.
Alcohol

The oldest and most widely used drug in the world, alcohol is a depressant that alters perceptions, emotions, and senses.

How It's Used: Alcohol is a liquid that is drunk.

Effects & Dangers:

* Alcohol first acts as a stimulant, and then it makes people feel relaxed and a bit sleepy.
* High doses of alcohol seriously affect judgment and coordination. Drinkers may have slurred speech, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss, and slow reaction times.
* Large volumes of alcohol drunk in a short period of time may cause alcohol poisoning.

Addictiveness: Teens who use alcohol can become psychologically dependent upon it to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. In addition, their bodies may demand more and more to achieve the same kind of high experienced in the beginning. Some teens are also at risk of becoming physically addicted to alcohol. Withdrawal from alcohol can be painful and even life threatening. Symptoms range from shaking, sweating, nausea, anxiety, and depression to hallucinations, fever, and convulsions.

Drugs: What you should know?

related articles:
Amphetamines Anabolic steroids Club drugs Cocaine Heroin Inhalants Marijuana Prescription drugs

DRUGS? What You Should Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 02:08:00 +0000

These days, drugs can be found everywhere, and it may seem like everyone's doing them. Lots of people are tempted by the excitement or escape that drugs seem to offer.

But learning the facts about drugs can help you see the risks of chasing this excitement or escape. Here's what you need to know.
The Deal on Substances

Thanks to medical and drug research, there are thousands of drugs that help people. Antibiotics and vaccines have revolutionized the treatment of infections. Medicines can lower blood pressure, treat diabetes, and reduce the body's rejection of new organs. Medicines can cure, slow, or prevent disease, helping us to lead healthier and happier lives. But there are also lots of illegal, harmful drugs that people take to help them feel good or have a good time.

How do drugs work? Drugs are chemicals or substances that change the way our bodies work. When you put them into your body (often by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting them), drugs find their way into your bloodstream and are transported to parts of your body, such as your brain. In the brain, drugs may either intensify or dull your senses, alter your sense of alertness, and sometimes decrease physical pain.

A drug may be helpful or harmful. The effects of drugs can vary depending upon the kind of drug taken, how much is taken, how often it is used, how quickly it gets to the brain, and what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry.

Although substances can feel good at first, they can ultimately do a lot of harm to the body and brain. Drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, taking illegal drugs, and sniffing glue can all cause serious damage to the human body. Some drugs severely impair a person's ability to make healthy choices and decisions. Teens who drink, for example, are more likely to get involved in dangerous situations, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex.

related articles:
Amphetamines Anabolic steroids Club drugs Cocaine Heroin Inhalants Marijuana Prescription drugs

Amphetamines

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:53:00 +0000

Amphetamine (amfetamine (INN)) is a psychostimulant drug that is known to produce increased wakefulness and focus in association with decreased fatigue and appetite. Amphetamine is related to drugs such as methamphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and levoamphetamine, which are a group of potent drugs that act by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, inducing euphoria. The group includes prescription CNS drugs commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used to treat symptoms of traumatic brain injury and the daytime drowsiness symptoms of narcolepsy, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Initially, amphetamine was more popularly used to diminish the appetite and to control weight. Brand names of the drugs that contain, or metabolize into, amphetamine include Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine, as well as Benzedrine in the past.

Anabolic steroids

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:52:00 +0000

Anabolic steroids officially known as anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are drugs which mimic the effects of the male steroids testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing properties, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as the growth of the vocal cords and body hair. The word anabolic comes from the Greek anabolein, "to build up", and the word androgenic from the Greek andros, "man" + genein, "to produce".

Club drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:51:00 +0000

Club drugs are a loosely-defined category of recreational drugs which are associated with discothèques in the 1970s and dance clubs, parties, and raves in the 1980s to the 2000s. . Unlike many other categories, such as opiates, which are established according to pharmaceutical properties, club drugs are a "category of convenience", which includes drugs ranging from phenethylamines such as the popular ecstasy to the lesser known 2C-B, inhalants (nitrous oxide and amyl nitrite "poppers"), stimulants (such as amphetamines and cocaine), and hallucinogens such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. Dancers at all-night parties use these drugs for their stimulating or psychedelic properties. "Club drugs" vary by country and region; in some areas, even opiates such as heroin are sold at clubs though this practice is relatively uncommon

Cocaine

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:50:00 +0000

Cocaine (benzoylmethylecgonine) is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant. Specifically, it is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which mediates functionality of such as an exogenous catecholamine transporter ligand. Because of the way it affects the mesolimbic reward pathway, cocaine is addictive.

Heroin

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:49:00 +0000

Heroin, or diacetylmorphine (INN), also known as diamorphine (BAN), is a semi-synthetic opioid drug synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. It is the 3,6-diacetyl ester of morphine (di (two)-acetyl-morphine). The white crystalline form is commonly the hydrochloride salt diacetylmorphine hydrochloride, though often adulterated thus dulling the sheen and consistency from that to a matte white powder, which heroin freebase typically is

Inhalants

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:48:00 +0000

Inhalants are a broad range of drugs in the forms of gases, aerosols, or solvents that are breathed in and absorbed through the lungs. While some inhalant drugs are used for medical purposes, as in the case of nitrous oxide (a dental anaesthetic), this article focuses on the non-medical use of inhalants, as recreational drugs that are used for their intoxicating effect. Most inhalant drugs that are used non-medically are ingredients in household or industrial chemical products that are not intended to be concentrated and inhaled, including organic solvents (found in cleaning products, fast-drying glues, and nail polish removers), fuels (gasoline (petrol) and kerosene) and propellant gases such as freon and compressed hydrofluorocarbons that are used in aerosol cans such as hairspray, whipped cream and non-stick cooking spray. A small number of recreational inhalant drugs are pharmaceutical products that are used illicitly, such as anaesthetics (ether and nitrous oxide) and volatile anti-angina drugs (alkyl nitrites).

Marijuana

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:47:00 +0000

Cannabis, also known as marijuana,marihuana, and ganja (from Sanskrit: गांजा gañjā, meaning "hemp"), among many other namesa[›], refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. The most common form of cannabis used as a drug is the dried herbal form.

The typical herbal form of cannabis consists of the flowers and subtending leaves and stalks of mature pistillate or female plants. The resinous form of the drug is known as hashish (or merely as 'hash').

Prescription Drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 01:46:00 +0000

A prescription drug is a licensed medicine that is regulated by legislation to require a prescription before it can be obtained. The term is used to distinguish it from over-the-counter drugs which can be obtained without a prescription. Different jurisdictions have different definitions of what constitutes a prescription drug.

Drugs and Young People

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:08:00 +0000

Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Drug abuse in children and teenagers may pose a greater hazard than in older people. This is because their brains are not yet fully developed. As a result, the brains of young people may be more susceptible to drug abuse and addiction than adult brains.

Abused drugs include

* Amphetamines
* Anabolic steroids
* Club drugs
* Cocaine
* Heroin
* Inhalants
* Marijuana
* Prescription drugs

There are different types of treatment for drug abuse. But the best is to prevent drug abuse in the first place.

"Club drug" ecstasy risky for healthy youth

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:07:00 +0000

The so-called "club drug" ecstasy is more likely than other stimulants like speed or crystal meth to kill young, healthy people who are not known as regular drug users, British researchers said on Friday.

A study of stimulant-deaths in Britain between 1997 and 2007 found that those who died after taking ecstasy were mainly younger and healthier than those who died after taking amphetamines.

Fabrizio Schifano of the University of Hertfordshire, who led the study, said his results were worrying because they appeared to show young people are particularly vulnerable to ecstasy -- and this age group is the most likely to take it.

"This is a big public health concern," he said in a telephone interview.

Schifano used data from the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths database and the British Crime Survey. He found 832 people died from taking amphetamines and methylamphetamines, such as speed and crystal meth, over the 11 year study period, while 605 deaths were related to ecstasy.

Deaths from ecstasy were more common in "victims who were young, healthy, and less likely to be known as drug users," he wrote in the study in the Neuropsychobiology journal.

Schifano said the results suggested young people aged between 16 to 24 "seem to suffer extreme consequences after excessive intake of ecstasy," but it was not clear why.

"Ecstasy and amphetamines are very similar -- they are part of the same pharmacological group," Schifano said. "But ecstasy does seem to show an intrinsic toxicity that is higher than that of amphetamines."

Schifano said it may be that young peoples' brains, which are still developing at the age of 16 and 17, are more vulnerable to the effects of the drug.

Ecstasy is currently ranked in Britain as one of the most dangerous Class A drugs, alongside heroin and cocaine.

source: LONDON (Reuters)
By Kate Kelland

Philippines Trivia

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:03:00 +0000

# In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.

# The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's premier and the world's second oldest professional league.

# Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.

# The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.

# Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the first television station in the country, went on the air in 1953.

# The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.

# The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino invention? It was coined by R. McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist working for the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering it was the most common name in blotters.

# Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the “Rome of the Philippines” because of the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous cathedral located in it.

# Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold, thus earning the monicker “Golden Valley of Mindanao”

# Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas built by Augustinian Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the biggest catholic church in East Asia. It is so huge that it can house another big church

# Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued” because of the frost during the cold months

The World's Most Exotic Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:20:00 +0000

The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds.
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.

Palawan bearcat
Is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae (civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years.

Calamian Deer
Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.

World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal
South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.

Flying Lemur
One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada.
In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur.

Philippines Trivia

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:05:00 +0000

About the Philippines

# The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art.

# Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar.

# The world’s longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan.

# The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a species of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It is found only in the island of Mindoro.

# The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).

# Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was the first bowler to be elevated to the International Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The Philippine Congress has named him “Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time.”

# Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French, and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is done!")

# The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.

# Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.

# Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.

# Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.

# Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.

# The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.

# The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney, the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route, found in many countries.

# The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.

Philippines Travel Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:12:00 +0000

• Dress for the weather – hot! Light clothing is ideal year-round, and absolutely during the hot and dry months from March to May. Temperatures average from 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C. Mean humidity is at 77%.

• Never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the rainy months from June to October as well as when setting out to the mountainous areas.

• When shopping in a public market, it is perfectly acceptable to haggle for the cheapest price.

• English is the most widely spoken next to Filipino/Tagalog, the national language. Learning the basic local phrases may come in handy. Over 111 local dialects are spoken in the country.

• Comfortable yet sturdy footwear are best, as traveling the islands will often involve some walking.

• When headed to the remote areas, come prepared with an insect repellant and even your own water in handy containers. Always have the island map with you.

• Prepare to hop in a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab – exotic modes of land transport that are the most commonly available for going around. Always bring loose change when taking public transport.

• Know the transport schedules. Some destinations are only being serviced intermittently, not to mention extreme weather conditions that will affect these schedules.

• Casual clothing is acceptable inside churches and business offices. Dining establishments and hotels impose no dress code but shorts and slippers are deemed improper.

• For formal occasions, the traditional Barong Tagalog, the Philippine national costume for men, is just as suitable as the suit-and-tie.

• When traveling by car, be mindful of the number coding ordinance for vehicles that is being implemented strictly in selected cities.

• Do not miss visiting during the summer, when there is a concentration of major festivals, celebrations, and events.

• Adopt to local customs; accept local differences. The Filipinos are divided culturally into regions a total of 16, at present, each with its own distinct traits and traditions.

• The Philippine monetary unit, the peso, is generally preferred for financial transactions. Money-changing shops are available in key cities and towns.

• Tipping is expected for many services. The standard amount is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that include a service charge, which is often 10% as well of the total bill.

• Be sure to sample the endless variety of native delicacies and local cuisine, which differ in every region. The Philippines is made up of 7,107 different flavors that you will want to take home with you.

• For tourist information and assistance, get in touch with the Department of Tourism and any of its accredited offices nationwide.

Kultura Filipino

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:06:00 +0000

Kultura Filipino

Intramuros, City of Manila
A glimpse of Philippine culture through traditional dances and songs performed by some of the country's best dance groups.

Roman Catholic Church Built in 1630

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:03:00 +0000

Barasoain Church (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, the most important religious building in the Philippines , and the site of the First Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical importance among Filipinos.

The Largest Lake in the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:00:00 +0000

Laguna de Bay (Filipino: Lawa ng Bay; English: Laguna de Bay is the largest lake in the Philippines and the third largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia (in terms of surface area) after Tonle Sap in Cambodia and Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia. It is on the island of Luzon between the provinces of Laguna to the south and Rizal to the north. Metro Manila lies on its western shore. Its surface area is 949 square kilometers and has an average depth of only about 2 meters. The lake is shaped like a stylised 'W', with two peninsulas jutting out from the northern shore. Between these peninsulas, the middle lobe fills a large volcanic caldera. Laguna de Bay drains to Manila Bay via the Pasig River. The lake is one of the primary sources of freshwater fish in the country.

Philippine Politics

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:21:00 +0000

Philippine Politics
May. 10, 2010 Election

Sukatan 2010 Not a debate. Not a competition. Not about grandstanding. Nor sweet talk.

The contenders for the country’s top spot . . . Will sketch their blueprint… Bring real solutions… Outline their plan... For building this nation....Which of them will measure up?

SUKATAN 2010 was shown (aired) yesterday on free tv in North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. In the Philippines.

I was surprise, aspirant to become the next President of our beloved country Philippines, answering the question given by some audience. They (candidates) seems to be serious about the matter, answering briefly and in focus, as our beloved Pastor Quiboloy made his comment after about the matter saying In his message that he is happy knowing “ there are many Filipinos who want to serve the country and are willing to dedicate their lives for public service.” He further stressed that being a political leader in a country is a destiny, thus, it should be prized.

As I watched the television, I realized the many questions I want to have an answer, answer I got from this forum, thanks to.. (SMNI Broadcasting). Question from different sector of society about popularity and eagerness to lead a country , who will I vote for?.

Now is our time to choose who will be the next President, we need to choose wisely and think for the future of our child for the next generation. Let’s unite for the sake of our country, help our leaders not hate, protect them from evil, we Filipinos are kindhearted people.

Let’s unite to build this country up not down, most especially those in the media sector which for me is the voice and the mirror of a country through out the world. Resfect our Country, resfect our people, and most of all Resfect the one who Lead our country.

Mar.10, 2010
by edroque

Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

noreply@blogger.com (Virginia Lentijas Diaz Roque) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (born April 5, 1947) is the fourteenth and current president of the Philippines. Arroyo is the country's second female (after Corazon Aquino) and second longest serving (after Ferdinand Marcos) president, she is also the daughter of late former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal and is of the royal blood due to ancestral lineage tracing her to Don Juan Macapagal, a great-grandson of Lakandula the last reigning Rajah (King) of Saludung.

A professor of economics, Arroyo entered government in 1987, serving as assistant secretary and undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry upon the invitation of President Corazon Aquino. After serving as a senator from 1992 to 1998, she was elected to the vice presidency under President Joseph Estrada,

In 1961, when Arroyo was just 14 years old, her father was elected as president. She moved with her family into Malacañang Palace in Manila. She attended Assumption Convent for her elementary and high school education, graduating valedictorian in 1964. Arroyo then studied for two years at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. where she was a classmate of future United States President Bill Clinton and achieved consistent Dean's list status. She then earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Assumption College, graduating magna cum laude in 1968.

President of the Philippines

Incumbent

Assumed office
January 20, 2001
Born:
April 5, 1947 (1947-04-05) (age 62)

San Juan, Philippines

Political party :
Lakas-Kampi-CMD (2009–present)

Other political affiliations
LDP (Before 1998)
KAMPI (1997–2009)
Lakas-CMD (1998–2009)

Spouse(s) :
Jose Miguel Arroyo

Alma mater :
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
Assumption College
Ateneo de Manila University
University of the Philippines School of Economics

Profession :
Economist

Religion :
Roman Catholicism