Wednesday, November 26, 2008

7 Wonders of Nature: Palawan Underground River or Sulu Tubbataha Reef



   


As the deadline draws closer, the Philippines must choose between the Subterranean River National Park in Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea as its official entry in the online search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

A country must name just one official entry for the New 7 Wonders of Nature in online contest.

Palawan’s underground river remained at the top not only of the list of Philippine nominees but also of the overall global roster of at least 400 contenders as of Nov. 25, according to Organizer New7Wonders Foundation.

With Tubbataha Reef ranked No. 4, the Philippines has the biggest number of nominees in the Top 10. Chocolate Hills in Bohol is at No. 5 and Mayon Volcano in Albay at No. 10.

"This ranking can change at anytime, according to the voting," the N7W Foundation said.

"The top-ranked national nominee on Dec. 31 will represent the Philippines in the next phase of the New7Wonders of Nature campaign."

"Should Puerto Princesa be the natural monument of which the people are the most proud, which should embody the beauty of the country?" the group said. "The people of the Philippines must choose their favorite now."

Giving the Philippines tough competition is neighbor Vietnam, which has three nominees in the Top 10 — Ha Long Bay (2nd), Pho Nha - Ke Bang National Park (6th) and Fansipan Mountain (8th).

Other nominees in the Top 10 are Cox's Bazar Beach in Bangladesh (3rd); the Ganges River (7th) and Sundarbans Forest (9th), which are both shared by India and Bangladesh.

Natural wonders shared by more than one country, like the Ganges and Sundarbans, are exempt from the so-called national qualification requirement and will automatically continue into the next stage of the popularity competition.

The N7W campaign, done mainly through www.new7wonders.com, is aimed at raising awareness and generating more tourism income to help natural treasures to be better preserved for future generations.

New7Wonders Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Switzerland, is the same group that conducted an online search for the New 7 Wonders of the World last year.

From the current nomination round, the search will move on to the national qualification stage next year that would result in a shorter list of qualified nominees. The list will be further pared down to 21 finalists.

The "Official New 7 Wonders of Nature" will be announced in 2011.

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer





Friday, November 21, 2008

Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity was proven right



   

Einstein's e=mc2 formula for Special Theory of Relativity proven right after 103 years.

PARIS (AFP) – It's taken more than a century, but Einstein's celebrated formula e=mc2 has finally been corroborated, thanks to a heroic computational effort by French, German and Hungarian physicists.

A brainpower consortium led by Laurent Lellouch of France's Centre for Theoretical Physics, using some of the world's mightiest supercomputers, have set down the calculations for estimating the mass of protons and neutrons, the particles at the nucleus of atoms.

According to the conventional model of particle physics, protons and neutrons comprise smaller particles known as quarks, which in turn are bound by gluons.

The odd thing is this: the mass of gluons is zero and the mass of quarks is only five percent. Where, therefore, is the missing 95 percent?

The answer, according to the study published in the US journal Science on Thursday, comes from the energy from the movements and interactions of quarks and gluons.

In other words, energy and mass are equivalent, as Einstein proposed in his Special Theory of Relativity in 1905.

The e=mc2 formula shows that mass can be converted into energy, and energy can be converted into mass.

By showing how much energy would be released if a certain amount of mass were to be converted into energy, the equation has been used many times, most famously as the inspirational basis for building atomic weapons.

But resolving e=mc2 at the scale of sub-atomic particles -- in equations called quantum chromodynamics -- has been fiendishly difficult.

"Until now, this has been a hypothesis," France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) said proudly in a press release.

"It has now been corroborated for the first time."

For those keen to know more: the computations involve "envisioning space and time as part of a four-dimensional crystal lattice, with discrete points spaced along columns and rows."

source: news.yahoo.com





Wednesday, November 19, 2008

National Geographic discovers new videogames



   

The monthly issue magazine National Geographic famed for its glossy photographs and stories from obscure corners of the world, is venturing into videogames.

The magazine announced on Tuesday that its first game, "Herod's Lost Tomb," would come out this month ahead of the December 2008 issue which features an article on the biblical figure known for his architectural exploits.

The game will be available for free online at nationalgeographic.com/channel and will also be downloadable for PCs, Macs and iPhones, National Geographic said in a statement.

National Geographic said "Herod's Lost Tomb" was the first in a number of "family-friendly" games it would publish this year.

Other titles include "National Geographic: Panda," "National Geographic: Africa" and "Sudoku Traveler: China."

It said it was partnering with Namco Bandai Games America and Sony Computer Entertainment to distribute the National Geographic-banded games on handheld devices and gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3.

by: Agence France-Presse
INQUIRER.net





Pacman game plan



   


Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao
game plan: Wear out De La Hoya

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao will have one significant edge when he fights Oscar De La Hoya and that is concentration, trainer Freddie Roach said.

According to Roach, the 35-year-old De La Hoya has changed since his younger days as one of the most dominant fighters.

“He’s not quite as active, he’s a little more patient, and he tires a little bit quicker,” Roach said on Monday at the Hollywood gym where he trains Pacquiao. “He has had trouble focusing on the game plan. His mind wanders in there.

“He’s weak-minded. I’m not saying nothing bad about him. But some people are very strong-minded, like Manny Pacquiao, and he can hold the game plan throughout.”

Pacquiao, who faces De La Hoya in a “Dream Match” on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, is also concentrating on his preparation ahead of the bout.

“Spiritual, physical and mental. You have to focus on that,” the 29-year-old Filipino said.

Roach, who has produced 22 world champions, predicted De La Hoya would not last the pace.

“You look at the history of boxing when the older guy fights the younger guy, like when (Muhammad) Ali fought (Larry) Holmes or when Joe Louis got beaten by Rocky Marciano,” Roach told Reuters.

“It’s the younger man’s time. I am 100 percent confident. I don’t think Oscar will be able to keep up and I think we will knock him out in the late rounds.”

Pacquiao, who first fought at 106 pounds, will be fighting at the welterweight limit of 147. He has gained weight, while De La Hoya has been losing. The taller De La Hoya has fought at 160 pounds but is down to 145.

‘Speed will be key’

Pacquiao, who weighs 151 pounds, noted the difference in height, but did not seem concerned about any weight issues for the bout.

“I’m very comfortable at this weight. There are a lot of people saying that Manny Pacquiao is moving up a weight division and, ‘Is he going to be fast or is he going to be slow’?” Pacquiao said.

“In training, we focus on speed, because the speed will be the key in this fight,” he added.

Heavier but stronger

Roach thinks weight also will be a factor that will work in Pacquiao’s favor. After the weigh-in for his 134-pound bout against David Diaz in June, Pacquiao was up to 147 pounds when he stepped into the ring.

“I expected him to be sluggish, though he put too much weight on,” Roach said.

“You know what? He didn’t. He was great that night, he was explosive. I think it was the best fight he’s ever fought. He was very disciplined. There’ll be a lot of similarities in this fight.”

Pacquiao stopped Diaz in the ninth round.

Roach said Pacquiao was stronger now that he had gotten heavier, adding De La Hoya “might be at weight now, but I know he’s killing himself making it and I think he’s going to be weak going into the fight.”

De la Hoya’s jabs

Pacquiao says he is preparing for whatever tactics De La Hoya uses.

“My concern is if he jabs and is running, running,” he said. “We have been working on that. And we are prepared if he’s going to come in and fight toe to toe.”

Training at the Big Bear retreat in the California mountains, De La Hoya said he had dropped pounds but not his punching power.

“Training camp is going well. Being up here has once again ignited that fire in my belly that hasn’t been ignited in many years,” De La Hoya said.

“Now that many weeks have passed by, I feel very comfortable with welterweight. I don’t think we’re sacrificing any power. We’re punching harder than ever.”

Stamina is key

De La Hoya said that when he first reached the welterweight limit, “I did feel a little light headed and weak” and noted that stamina “can be a big problem.”

“I don’t know how my body is going to react come fight night,” he said. “Conditioning is my primary concern.”

Pacquiao will enter the ring 47-3 with two draws and 35 knockouts, while De La Hoya is 39-5 with 30 knockouts.

“I will be extremely disappointed if this fight does not end in a knockout,” De La Hoya said. “It would be a total disaster for me ... I feel very strong.”

He added: “We will put boxing back on the worldwide stage. I beat a young lion like Manny Pacquiao to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, it helps me prove I can do this and move on and still be successful.”

Grudge fight

“I’m oozing with motivation, that’s for sure,” De La Hoya said.

That stems from a seven-fight deal worth at last $35 million that Pacquiao signed with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in 2006, only to return the bonus money two months later and stay with promoter Bob Arum.

“We signed the deal and he turned his back on me and he’s going to have to pay on Dec. 6,” De La Hoya said. “That moment is what makes it personal. I don’t want him to talk about how he honors honor. He didn’t honor me. I’m not going to honor him.”

source: sports.inquirer.net






Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Microsoft will giving free software for students



   


It's true, the Microsoft will giving its software free for students. Here is the news from the Daily Inquirer.

By offering its software for free to students, Microsoft is hoping to help address the need for more skilled professional developers in the country.

Called DreamSpark, this program gives students access to developer tools, such as Visual Studio and other platform, tools such as Windows Server and Windows Sequel Server database.

DreamSpark was first announced by Microsoft founder and former chairman Bill Gates himself last February. It was initially offered to more than 35 million college students, according to Microsoft.

Locally, Microsoft is working with the Junior Philippine Computer Society (JPCS) and targeting the latter's membership base of around 4,000 students nationwide.

Students will be given invitation codes directing them to a website where they can download the software and get a one-time activation key.

Microsoft is insisting these software tools are not trial versions and are exactly similar to those used by professional developers. Thus, there is no expiry date and students are prohibited from using these tools to design commercial software.

Still, when asked about the possibility of replicating downloaded software, Microsoft local officials admitted they can only rely on the one-time activation key, not necessarily monitor activations.

Also, eligibility to download and use would depend on checking with JPCS database if users are still duly enrolled.

"We wanted it simple as possible (for students). We will be offering more products but for now it will be primarily developer and gaming tools," said Tim Vergel de Dios, academic developer evangelist for Microsoft Philippines.

DreamSpark also offers XNA Game Studio, a developer platform for designing games on the Xbox, Microsoft's gaming console.

source: INQUIRER.Net





Bill Gates donates $1M to poor farmers



   

The foundation set up by Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is to donate almost $1 million to help poor farmers in developing countries get insurance against natural disasters, the UN said Monday.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will give $998,000 to fund research as part of an initiative organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the two UN agencies said in a joint statement.

The UN says more than one billion people live on less than one dollar a day and that three out of four live in rural areas in developing countries.

"Most depend on agricultural activities for their livelihoods yet lack the institutional and financial capacity to withstand the impact of extreme weather events," the statement said.

So-called "weather index-based insurance schemes" are being tested in a number of countries, including Ethopia, Malawi, Nicaragua, Honduras and India.

source: Inquirer.net





Monday, November 17, 2008

PRC Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) September 2008 Results



   

The Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for September 2008 finally released after months of waiting. With a total of 17,816 elementary teachers out of 58,471 examinees and 18,801 secondary teachers out of 53,195 examinees have successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers given by the Board of Professional Teachers in September this year.

The Board for Professional Teachers is composed of Dr. Brenda B. Corpuz, officer-in-charge; Dr. Josefina T. Cunanan, vice-chairperson, Dr. Flordeliza P. Mayari and Dr. Norma A. Adamos (members)

Registration for the issuance of the Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration will be announced later, the PRC said.

View results of successful elementary teachers.

View results of successful secondary teachers.


source: INQUIRER.net





Friday, November 14, 2008

Two Mindanao parks nominated for UN World Heritage List



   


Two Mindanao parks the Mount Apo - Philippines highest peaks and Mount Hamiguitan - habitats of the endemic but endangered Philippine eagle, were nominated for inclusion to the highly prestigious World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

UNESCO World Heritage List - Mount ApoMount Apo

Davao Oriental tourism officer Cynthia Rodriguez said Gov. Corazon Malanyaon has been exerting efforts for Mount Hamiiguitan Range and Wildlife Sanctuary to be included in the list.

Backed up by environment groups and local officials in Davao Oriental province, Governor Malanyaon asked the UNESCO Philippine office to include Mount Hamiguitan in the World Heritage List to boost their environment conservation drive and to put Davao Oriental in the world eco-tourism map.

UNESCO World Heritage List - Mount HamiguitanMount Hamiguitan

As this came, Ambassador Preciosa Soliven, secretary general of the UNESCO Philippines, sent a team of experts to Mount Hamiguitan to evaluate the outstanding universal value of the site.

In an official statement, the UNESCO Philippines concluded that Mount Hamiguitan and Mount Apo – the country’s highest peak, are part of the Sanctuaries of Endemism in Southern Mindanao.

It was gathered that the two prime sites placed the Philippines on seventh rank among the 17 biological rich countries of the world.

The Mount Apo and Mount Hamiguitan are declared protected areas under Republic Act 9237 and Republic Act 9302.

Governor Malanyaon said that the Protected Area Management Board and the Protected Area Wildlife Bureau of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources managed the two sites.

On the other hand, UNESCO Philippines said the nominated areas represent the fast disappearing habitats of globally important species of plants and animals.

Mount Apo is a Pliocene-Quaternary volcanic terrain that provides opportunity for diversity of habitats and plant and animal species, while Mount Hamiguitan is an ultramafic terrain giving rise to ultramafic forest and associated diverse habitats and flora and fauna, the UNESCO said.

Mount Hamiguitan is also one of the habitats of the endemic but endangered Philippine eagle whose remaining population is believed to be only around 500.

Earlier, aviator Charles Lindbergh of the World Wildlife Fund described the Philippine eagle as the noblest flyer.

source: goodnewspilipinas.com






New Asian chic books authored by 3 Filipinas



   

International Publisher Marshall Cavendish has coveted, not just one, not only two, but three Filipina writers to launch the Asia version of their runaway success chick lit in the US and UK called “Asia Chic” books.

The first selection of three Asian Chic books are:

Asian Chic - Undercover Tai Tai by Maya CalicaUndercover Tai Tai by Maya Calica

Asian Chic - Amazing Grace by Tara SeringAmazing Grace by Tara Sering

Asian Chic - Mrs-Mismarriage by Noelle Chua
Mrs-Mismarriage by Noelle Chua.


Women in Asia have found a new voice today. A voice that is reflected in a fun, sassy and witty chick lit genre that is written by Asian women, for Asian women set within the Asian socioeconomic milieu.

All three authors (two of whom are Singapore-based) are encouraged by the worldwide success of books such as Bridget Jones Diary, The Devil Wears Prada and Sex And the City.

Their being chosen to launch the initial Asian Chic books is a true testament of the talent of Filipino authors worldwide.

Set within the Asian context, the three original “Asian Chic” works are a collection of Asian chick lit, written by Asian women for Asian women, uniquely portraying the Asian personality and voice as reflected in the books’ characters.

Chick lit’s popularity is largely due to its witty and humorous writing and engaging plots and characters that many of its female readers, mainly within the 20-30 something age group, can identify with. The story line usually evolves around female protagonists who are often single, twenty-to-thirty-somethings, navigating the urban jungle, while faced with a myriad of love, career and family issues.

Read More...

source: goodnewspilipinas.com







Thursday, November 13, 2008

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - The next epic chapter



   

World of Warcraft launches a new extension "Wrath of the Lich King". World of Warcraft which already has a claimed 11 million players worldwide.

"Wrath of the Lich King" releases in Europe and the United States at midnight in what has been called "the next epic chapter" in the life and times of Azeroth, a medieval fantasy world that smartly links into affairs of the real universe.

While the game world remains similar from day to day, seasonal events such as Halloween, Christmas, Olympics have been added, regional editions modified -- in China flesh was placed on the living dead -- and pop culture celebrities such as Jean-Claude Van Damne or William Shatner used to sell it.

First released in 2004 in North America and 2005 in Europe, the online role-playing game sees competitors line up as members of eight races divided into two opposing good and evil factions, the Alliance or the Horde.
The "Lich King" throws adepts into a new cold and inhospitable environment set four years after the previous extension and ruled over by Lich monarch Arthas Menethill.

In gaming terms, players can increase the powers of their character avatars to a level of 80, compared to 60 when originally launched and 70 on the launch of the first extension "The Burning Crusade" early 2007.

It also throws out a new race of super-heroes, the Deathknights.

Following on the huge sales of "The Burning Crusade", which sold 2.4 million copes on the first day of release, Activision Blizzard, which is owned by French group Vivendi, is organizing a giant launch campaign.

source: INQUIRER.net





Another outsourcing jobs for Pinoys



   


Theirs another good news for Filipino that our computer savvy at the end of this year. Here is the news I found which can help to inform and employ Filipinos that have IT skills.

A London based outsourcing firm Logica is looking at expanding its services in the Philippines and doubling its workers by year-end, a top executive said.

The company began its business process outsourcing business in the country in 2007 and currently employs more than 400 workers in a local office, which provides software support services for SAP customers.

"We are studying the recruitment market here. We are looking at opening new offices and expanding our services further," said Andy Green, Logica's chief executive officer, in a briefing here.

Green said he was in the Philippines on a "fact finding mission" to look at specific information technology skills that will fit Logica's "blended" global delivery model.

"We are building our enterprise content management portfolio with various applications," Green added.

This translates to added support services that can be migrated to the Philippines.

Logica serves the European outsourcing market which, according to Green, is catching up with the United States in terms of demand.

Formerly called LogicaCMG, the company acquired French company Unilog and Sweden-based WM-data, resulting in the name change and integration of different units under the single European brand.

Earlier this year, Green announced a restructuring program aimed at generating 80 million euros in cost-savings by 2010. Part of that plan is to migrate some of the company's operations offshore.

By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net






Himala is best Asian film at all time



   


The Filipino classic film was voted as best movie of all time in the Asia-Pacific region. The through the Cable News Network entertainment website were visitors voted Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala,” which starred Nora Aunor as a simple provincial girl turned faith healer, as the best movie of all time in the Asia-Pacific region, outclassing such greats as Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” and Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Justify FullHimala Asia’s best film everHimala was written by Ricky Lee and originally released in 1982 for the Metro Manila Film Festival, was announced the top vote-getter in the popular vote and named the winner of the CNN-APSA Viewers Choice Award for Best Asia-Pacific Film of All Time on Tuesday at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Others in the top 10 that vied for the honor, in which “Himala” was the only Filipino film, included Andrew Lau and Alan Mak’s “Mou Gaan Dou (Infernal Affairs)” from Hong Kong, Chan-wook Park’s “Old Boy” from South Korea, Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)” from Japan, Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali” from India, Peter Weir’s “Gallipoli” from Australia, Wong Kar Wai’s “Chung Hing Sam Lam (Chungking Express)” from China, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s “Gabbeh” from Iran.

According to the CNN website, critics, industry insiders, Asian film stars, and CNN viewers chose the movies that landed in the shortlist of ten films. The online poll that ran in October determined the winner.

Also hundreds of film industry luminaries from around the world attended the event.

This is another victory for Philippines cinema, as another thing that a Filipino should be proud of.

Mabuhay ang pinoy...

source: INQUIRER.net







Monday, November 10, 2008

Miss Earth 2008 - Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry



   

Miss Earth 2008 was crowned to Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry, Asia'a first ever candidate and Filipina who crowned as the 8th Miss Earth Beauties For A Cause. Once again the Philippines was back on the race for bagging the another title in one of the prestigious beauty pageant on Earth, the Miss Earth 2008 beauty for a cause. It was held at Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines, evening of November 9, 2008.

Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry Photos:

Miss Earth - Miss Philippines Karla Paula HenryHeadshot

National Costume - Miss Philippines Karla Paula HenryMiss Earth 2008 National Costume Competition

Swimsuit Competition - Miss Philippines Karla Paula HenryMiss Earth 2008 Swimsuit Competition

When I was 13, my father and I left Canada for the Philippines. I saw two different worlds in many respects. There is so much to be done in our environment but once we commit to doing it, the Philippines can be the best island paradise in the world. We can do it!

- Karla Paula Henry


image source: www.yardloo.com & www.missearth.tv





Miss Earth 2008 Winners, Special Awards and Results



   


Miss Earth 2008 Winners, Special Awards and Results on the 8th Miss Earth Beauties For A Cause pageant. Hosted by Philippines and was culminated at Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, last evening of November 9, 2008.

Miss Earth Winners:

Miss Earth 2008 : Miss Philippines -Karla Paula Henry
Miss Air 2008 : Miss Tanzania - Miriam Odemba
Miss Water 2008 : Miss Mexico - Abigail Elizalde
Miss Fire 2008 : Miss Brazil - Tatiane Alves

Special Awards:

Miss Photogenic : Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry
Best In Swimsuit: Miss Mexico - Abigail Elizalde
Best in Long Gown: Miss Venezuela - Daniela Torrealba
Best in Talent: Miss Australia - Rachael Smith-Como

Other Awards:

Miss Earth Fontana 2008 : Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry
Miss Active White : Miss Guadeloupe - Heidi García

The Semi-Finalist are the following:

Miss Mexico - Abigail Elizalde
Miss Spain - Adriana Reverón
Miss Thailand - Piyaporn Deejing
Miss Poland - Karolina Filipkowska
Miss Brazil - Tatiane Alves
Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry
Miss Nigeria - Uko Ezinne
Miss Czech Republic - Hana Svobodová
Miss Columbia - Mariana Rodríguez
Miss Romania - Ruxandra Popa
Miss USA - Jana Murrell
Miss Russia - Anna Mezentseva
Miss Tanzania - Miriam Odemba
Miss Korea - Seo Seol-hee
Miss Venezuela - Daniela Torrealba
Miss Switzerland - Nasanin Nuri





Miss Philippines - Miss Earth 2008



   


Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry is Miss Earth 2008, Karla Paula Henry will be the first ever Miss Philippines and first Asian to be crowned as Miss Earth on its 8th Miss Earth beauty for a cause pageant. For Miss Air 2008 crown goes to Miss Tanzania - Miriam Odemba, Miss Water 2008 goes to Miss Mexico -Abigail Elizalde and Miss Brazil - Tatiane Alves for Miss Fire 2008.

Miss Earth 2008
Miss Earth 2008 - Miss Philippines Karla Paula HenryMiss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry

Miss Philippines also gather the specials awards as Miss Photogenic, she also the finalist for best in swimsuit and won as Miss Earth Fontana 2008.

The Filipino people in the Philippines, especially the Cebuanos and of course the Filipinos in all parts of the world will be proud and honor for the success of our very owned Miss Philippines - Karla Paula Henry.

Congratulations and Mabuhay ang Pinoy...





Friday, November 07, 2008

Pinoy students invited to Barack Obama oath-taking



   


Anne Marie Liwanag and Paul Michael Thomas Cruz students from Quezon City got their invites as early as March this year to the oath-taking of the 44th US president.

The two classmate students have received invitations to go to Washington and be in the front seat of history when Barack Obama, the first black and 44th president of the United States, of America, formally lays claim to the White House on January 20, 2009.

They were selected by the organizers of the University Presidential Inaugural Conference (UPIC) for their outstanding achievements during the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) held in June 2007 in Washington and New York, according to Emil Ong, a director at the Reedley International School in Libis, Quezon City.

The two students were Reedley high school seniors when they represented their alma mater in the GYLC. Liwanag, 18, and Cruz, 19, are now college freshmen.

According to its website, UPIC offers delegates “the opportunity to take part in and personally witness the historic event of the presidential inauguration and challenges students to greatly enhance their understanding of a presidential campaign.”

“I dropped the invitation on the table the first time I read it, and had to read it at least five times to make sure it really had my name on it,” Liwanag told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday at her Parañaque City residence.

“Just the thought of being in the same room (with Obama) makes me giddy. I showed the invitation to everyone in school, and everyone got really excited,” she added.

Should she be granted an audience with Obama, Liwanag said, she would pose some tough questions for the new leader of the free world: “What was he doing when he was 18 years old and what can he do for the Philippines?”

Liwanag said she rooted for Obama in the Nov. 4 presidential election, but admitted she earlier favored New York Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries.

The invitation, however, is a not an all-expenses-paid affair.

Liwanag said she would have to raise around $4,000 (roughly P200,000) to cover UPIC “fees” and airfare for the trip. “I could not hide my excitement, I really want to go, but the problem is, I am still raising the funds to make it to the inaugural,” she added.

The UPIC website said “tuition” charged for its program covers the cost of events and activities, hotel accommodation for four nights, meals, and transportation during the conference, hotel tips and taxes, and group insurance.

Conference participants—also called “inaugural scholars”—are responsible for their own travel to and from the Washington DC area, it added.


Ong said the UPIC invitation was made on behalf of members of the US Congress, particularly the Honorary Congressional Board of Advisors.

“On behalf of the (UPIC), it is my great pleasure to inform you of your selection to come to Washington as an inaugural scholar and take part in this historic occasion,” UPIC Managing Director of Education Donna J. Synder said in a letter to Liwanag.

As inaugural scholars, Liwanag and Cruz will be part of a five-day series of special events and activities commemorating the inauguration of the US president and vice president, the letter said.

The students will join other invited participants at the National Mall in the morning of Jan. 20 and experience firsthand the grandeur of the inaugural parade and presidential motorcade that will take the new US leaders from the Capitol Building to the White House, the letter added.

According to their itinerary, Liwanag and Cruz would also have an opportunity to meet members of the US Congress, White House officials, presidential historians, political experts and other government personalities. The students would cap their activities by attending a black-tie inaugural gala at the White House.

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer





Thursday, November 06, 2008

Jurgenne Primavera Time magazine's hero of the environment 2008



   


Once again another Filipino was chosen as one of Time magazine’s in “Heroes of the Environment 2008.”

image source: Time Magazine

Featured in the October 6 issue of the global publication, Jurgenne Primavera, a retired Iloilo-based scientist is among 30 activists, scientists, celebrities, innovators and financiers all over the world cited for their contribution to environmental protection.

What they have in common is the passion and resourcefulness to confront environmental threats, Time said.

“They cannot solve climate change alone or save endangered species single-handedly. But by their example, by their willingness to dedicate themselves to what too many still dismiss as a hopeless case, these heroes of the environment provide light in the darkness.”

Primavera, 61, was lauded for her “groundbreaking studies” on the life cycle of tiger prawns in the country which “helped galvanize an aquaculture revolution.”

The magazine cited her campaign for sustainable fish-farming in order to protect the mangrove forests that act as a fish nursery and a crucial buffer zone between land and sea which help block floods and tsunamis.

Primavera, who has already received various awards, honors and citations from the academe and scientific community, including an honorary doctorate from the Stockholm University in 2004, said she was happy to be among Time’s choices because this would bring her campaign to a wider audience.

“It’s not I and my peers who will ultimately save the environment. It’s the laymen, the common folk, who will,” she said.

She also hopes that the fame will inspire young people to take up marine biology and focus on mangroves. She stressed the importance of educating children about environmental issues and preservation efforts.

“Start with the children because the values they learn will stay with them for a lifetime, the same way my experiences shaped my beliefs,” she said.

“We need a few well-placed fearless fighters for our environment,” Primavera said.

source: www.inquirer.net





Pinoy won international surf competition



   


Edito “Piso” Alcala local of Siargao surfed his way to a victory during the recently concluded Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational. His win over defending champion Wade Goodall (Aus) is only the second time a Filipino has won the international event in Siargao, the first being back in the late 1990s by Rodolfo “Osot” Alcala.

The international competition held at Cloud 9, is among the most prestigious in Asia and is watched closely by surfers around the world. It attracts high profile professional surfers from Australia, Israel, Japan, Hawaii and France among others.

The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational creates a limited number (48) of slots for invited international pro surfers plus the top 12 finishers from the Siargao National event and four wild cards. The format allows the competitors to help make decisions on when to run their heats during the seven-day window scheduled for the competition.

This year’s crop of international competitors included returning surfers David Reardon-Smith (USA), Jason Shibata (Hawaii), and Tipi Jabrik (Indonesia) as well as high profile first timers Marlon Gerber (Indonesia), Granger Larsen (Hawaii) and big wave rider Laurie Towner (Australia).

The days leading up to the finals had been less than ideal, with smaller wave swell than is usually encountered in Siargao. But on September 26, Cloud 9 turned itself on overnight to deliver those perfect right-handed barrels that have made it world famous.

In an exciting 35 minute heat, Alcala chased Goodall’s scores wave for wave but continued to lag behind. In the final five minutes, it was announced that he needed a 9.0 score to move into first place. With under two minutes, Alcala paddled into a deep overhead wave, pulled into a hollow barrel and snagged a 9.43 score from the judges.

Goodall tried his best to make up the deficit but couldn’t quite make the grade.

As the final buzzer sounded, hordes of surfers -- both local and foreign -- ran across the dry reef to greet the new champion. Hoisted upon the shoulders of his friends, the 20-year old sudden hero was carried to the base of the judging tower, where Billabong officials awarded him with a whopping US$7,500.

Goodall took home US$4500 for his second place finish.

source: goodnewspilipinas.com






Wednesday, November 05, 2008

World Hunger Survey Philippines Rank 5th



   


In the recent global survey on hunger the Philippines ranks No. 5 in the world when it comes to citizens who have had “little or no food at all” in the past year.

Gallup International, a Zurich-based international group, conducted the interviews between June and September for its World Food Survey.

Gallup International asked over 58,000 people from 55 countries this question: “Have there been times in the last 12 months when you and/or your family have not had enough to eat?”

Four in 10 Filipinos or 40 percent said they “often or sometimes” lacked food in the past year, according to Gallup International-Voice of the People 2008.

Topping the list of hungry nations was Cameroon (55 percent), followed by Pakistan (53 percent), Nigeria (48 percent) and Peru (42 percent).

Following the Philippines, and completing the top ten, were Bolivia and Guatemala (tied at 35 percent), Ghana (32 percent) Mexico and Russia (tied at 23 percent).

Worldwide, around two in ten people or 19 percent said they lacked food “often or sometimes” in the past year. Moreover, 13 percent said there were rare occasions when they had no food to eat.

On the other hand, 66 percent said the problem never affected them.

“It is shocking to see that still so many people don’t have enough to eat even in the most developed regions,” Gallup International secretary general Meril James said in a statement.

Not surprisingly, hunger was prevalent among those with low incomes (25 percent), less educational attainment (29 percent) and no employment (27 percent).

Regionally, Africa remains the most affected by hunger, with almost half the population declaring they did not have enough food to eat “often or sometimes” in the past year, with only three in ten Africans saying they did not lack food in the past year.

source: Philippine Daily Inquirer






44th President of the United States - Barack Obama



   

US Presidential election 2008 made a history after Barack Obama elected president.

Barack Obama - 44th President of the United StatesBarack Obama
44th President of the United States America.

Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States. After a tight battle against Republican Sen. John McCain, Obama has become the first African American president in the history of the United States. He wins California, Hawaii, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, and Washington, giving him 338 electoral votes to McCain's 127.

Obama is set to address his supporters from Chicago's Grant Park.

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware will be accompanying Obama to the White House as his vice president. Biden made his first unsuccessful bid for president in 1988, and again this year before dropping out. A six-term senator, Biden is the chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. One of his adult sons from his first marriage is currently serving in Iraq.

On June 4, Obama won the Democratic presidential nomination, beating Sen. Hillary Clinton in a tight primary race. The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois stepped into the national spotlight in 2004, delivering the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

By now, Obama's personal history is well-known: He was born in Hawaii, the son of a white mother and Kenyan father. Obama's father returned to Kenya when Obama was two years old, leaving him to be raised by his mother and her family, including his beloved grandmother, "Toot," who died one day before her grandson was elected one of the most powerful leaders in the world.

After graduating from Columbia University, he went to Harvard Law School, becoming the first African American president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, where he sits on several committees, including Foreign Relations, Homeland Security and Veterans' Affairs.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, have two young daughters, Malia and Sasha.

source: news.yahoo.com


Related post:
44th US President will make history
Pinoy Obama look-a-like version





Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Miss Earth 2008 Swimsuit Winner



   


Miss Mexico Wins Miss Earth 2008 Best in Swimsuit

Miss Mexico, Abigail Elizalde, bested 14 other shortlisted body-beautiful contestants of Miss Earth 2008 by winning the crucial Best in Swimsuit award.


Miss Earth 2008 Swimsuit Winner Miss MexicoMiss Mexico received her trophy during the swimsuit finals Saturday at the Fontana Leisure Resort, Pampanga. The ladies who also stood out the swimsuit competition that night were the delegates from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Guam, Netherlands, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand and Venezuela.

Two special awards were also given that night. Karla Paula Henry, Miss Philippines, won as Miss Earth Fontana 2008 while the delegate from Guadeloupe was named Miss Active White.

Miss Earth 2008 Swimsuit Winner Miss Mexico
courtesy of Boris Torneros of Mabuhay Beauties and Boyetblas.com for the photos.






Miss Earth 2008 Media Presentations



   

Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant, will be held on November 9, 2008 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. 85 delegates from different country around the globe will compete in the said title. The pageant will be broadcasted live via ABS-CBN in the Philippines and to many countries worldwide via Star World, The Filipino Channel and other partner networks. At the conclusion of the final night of the competition, outgoing titleholder Miss Earth 2007, Jessica Nicole Trisko of Canada will crown her successor.


Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniMiss Earth 2008 contestants display cards during media presentations in Manila olast Oct. 28, 2008. Eighty-five beauties from around the world declared their personal environmental campaigns, with the theme for this year’s competition focused on “green lifestyle.”

Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniCandidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display a message while holding tree saplings.

Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniCandidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant display messages. Eighty-five candidates from around the world are vying for the Miss Earth title, which is the only beauty pageant with a cause to save mother earth.

Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniMiss Earth 2008 contestant Tanvi Vyas, 22, of India, waves during the media presentation.

Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniMartina Totova of Slovakia, a candidate for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant.

Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentationsFrom right, Akemi Fukumura of Japan, Seo Seol-hee of South Korea, Yllka Berisha of Kosovo, Anita Baltruna of Latvia, and Rudina Suti of Albania, candidates for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant.


Miss Earth 2008 contestants media presentations - swimsuit bikiniCarolyn Elizabeth Duffy of England, a candidate for the Miss Earth 2008 beauty pageant, holds a placard with a message during a media presentation.

image source: www.winnipegsun.com





Spiderman 4



   


For the 4th time, Spiderman 4 will be on the big screen again. According to Spider-Man producer Laura Ziskin revealed that Spiderman 4 is tentatively scheduled in May 2011. Moreover the screenplay of Spiderman 4 is not even finished yet, neither Director Sam Raimi nor Actor Tobey Maguire is yet confirmed for this fourth movie installment of the Spider-Man franchise.

Spiderman 4 Trailers










Sungha Jung genius kid playing guitar



   


Sungha Jung a 12 years old boy from South Korea who's dream is to become a professional acoustic fingerstyle guitarist.

He had been watching his dad playing a guitar before finally starting playing with him self about three years ago. Currently Sungha Jung taking weekly classical guitar lessons and learned by him self the fingerstyle guitar.

His videos like in youtube gather a thousands of viewers and he was called a genius kid playing guitar. One of his popular music was the theme song from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean and Mission Impossible Theme, and also top hit songs like Wake me up when september ends, More than Words, All You Need is Love and more.

Here are some videos of Sungha Jung from youtube.


Pirates of the Caribbean



Mission Impossible Theme



Wake me up when september ends



More than Words




All You Need is Love







Air Cars



   

Air Cars: A New Wind for America's Roads?

A new carmaker has a plan for cheap, environmentally friendly cars to be built all over the country

Air CarCourtesy of MDI

An air-powered car? It may be available sooner than you think at a price tag that will hardly be a budget buster. The vehicle may not run like a speed racer on back road highways, but developer Zero Pollution Motors is betting consumers will be willing to fork over $20,000 for a vehicle that can motor around all day on nothing but air and a splash of salad oil, alcohol or possibly a pint of gasoline.

The expertise needed to build a compressed air car, or CAV, is not rocket science, either. Years-old, off-the-shelf technology uses compressed air to drive old-fashioned car engine pistons instead of combusting gas or diesel fuel to create a burst of air to do the same thing. Indian carmaker Tata has no qualms about the technology. It has already bought the rights to make the car for the huge Indian market.

The air car can tool along at a top speed of 35 mph for some 60 miles or so on a tank of compressed air, a sufficient distance for 80% of consumers to commute to work and back and complete daily chores.

On highways, the CAV can cruise at interstate speeds for nearly 800 miles with a small motor that compresses outside air to keep the tank filled. The motor isn't finicky about fuel. It will burn gasoline or diesel as well as biodiesel, ethanol or vegetable oil.

Air CarCourtesy of MDI

This car leaves the highest-mpg vehicles you can buy right now in the dust. Even if it used only regular gasoline, the air car would average 106 mpg, more than double today's fuel sipping champ, the Toyota Prius. The air tank also can be refilled when it's not in use by being plugged into a wall socket and recharged with electricity as the motor compresses air.

Automakers aren't quite ready yet to gear up huge assembly line operations churning out air cars or set up glitzy dealer showrooms where you can ooh and aah over the color or style. But the vehicles will be built in factories that will make up to 8,000 vehicles a year, likely starting in 2011, and be sold directly to consumers.

There will be plants in nearly every state, based on the number of drivers in the state. California will have as many as 17 air car manufacturing plants, and there'll be around 12 in Florida, eight in New York, four in Georgia, while two in Connecticut will serve that state and Rhode Island.

The technology goes back decades, but is coming together courtesy of two converging forces. First, new laws are likely to be enacted in a few years that will limit carbon dioxide emissions and force automakers to develop ultra-high mileage cars and those that emit minuscule amounts of or no gases linked with global warming. Plug-in electric hybrids will slash these emissions, but they'll be pricey at around $40,000 each and require some changes in infrastructure -- such as widespread recharge stations -- to be practical. Fuel cells that burn hydrogen to produce only water vapor still face daunting technical challenges.

Second, the relatively high cost of gas has expedited the air car's development. Yes, pump prices have plunged since July from record levels, but remain way higher than just a few years ago and continue to take a bite out of disposable income. Refiners will face carbon emission restraints, too, and steeply higher costs will be passed along at the pump.

Tata doesn't plan to produce the cars in the U.S. Instead, it plans to charge $15 million for the rights to the technology, a fully built turnkey auto assembly plant, tools, machinery, training and rights to use trademarks.

by Jim Ostroff
source: finance.yahoo.com





Monday, November 03, 2008

11 year old boy plays Pirates Of The Caribbean theme



   

Sungha Jung the next John Denver, a 11 year old boy plays lays down the pirates of the carribean theme with ease.





video source: youtube.com





Low Cost Food Choices



   


No matter what your economic hardships are, you always want to invest in your own health and eat the foods that will nourish you and give you valuable nutrients. There is no substitute for proper nutrition, and today's savings on foods can spell tomorrow's medical bills. That said, there are ways to have it both ways - healthy and economical. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Produce that is big in health, small in price
Here are some healthy autumn staples that won't break the bank.

• Vitamin-rich vegetables can become the centerpiece of your meals without putting a dent in your wallet. In season right now are broccoli, mustard greens, arugula, bok choi, chard, carrots, onions, parsnips, sweet potatoes, leeks, beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms, and squashes of all shapes and sizes.

• Opt for apples, pears, and cranberries for inexpensive fruits packed with nutrients.

• Some healthy, flavorful foods that can spice up any dish are ginger, garlic, burdock, scallions, and parsley.

2. Get protein from less expensive sources

Soy Products: Get in touch with tofu, which is much less expensive than high-quality meat. Tofu, or bean curd, has very little flavor of its own, so it can be seasoned or marinated to work with any dish. You can get more mileage out of your scrambled eggs by combining half soft tofu and half eggs. How about making a vegetable stir fry that is seventy percent bean curd and thirty percent meat. Low in calories and relatively high in protein, iron, and fiber, soy is filled with histidine, an amino acid that helps your body digest protein, protect red blood cells, and maintain healthy immune function.

Beans and legumes also cost very little, but bring a robust flavor and a bounty of benefits to your health. Beans and legumes are packed with protein and fiber, provide the good kind of fat, and are loaded with complex carbohydrates, the nutrients that provide energy to the body. And you can buy in bulk - another savings tip - because dried beans and legumes will keep their quality for 6-12 months in an airtight glass container stored in a cool, dry place.

Whole Grains: Few other foods offer such a diverse array of benefits at such a small cost. A good source of dietary fiber, protein, and essential fatty acids, whole grains are filling and delicious. Also, there is much evidence that suggests eating whole grains reduces the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Try barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum, spelt, organic wheat pasta, buckwheat pasta, and amaranth. Again, you can buy in bulk and store in glass containers for up to 6 months.

3. Smart tips about leftovers
When you make more than one meal at a time, you save money and time. The trick is to plan in advance so that nothing goes to waste. Get creative so that you don't end up eating the same meal over and over. Yesterday's chili can be today's Southwestern quesadillas and tomorrow's stuffed bell peppers.

4. Soup: the low-cost, low-calorie superhero
Not only is soup one of the healthiest ways to fill up, due to the ease at which the body can assimilate liquid nutrients, it is also one of the most cost-effective. Yet another bonus? Studies have shown that soup, because if its liquid content, is a wonderful way to lose weight. You can use the vegetable scraps from the preparation of other meals to make your own vegetable broth. Nothing could be simpler than throwing in leek tops, onion remainders - whatever is left over - in boiling water with a couple of garlic cloves. It's healthier than the high-sodium canned broth found in the market, and perfect for making soups or sautéing vegetables with.

5. Eat in
Eating out is fastest way to blow the budget. Get in the habit of bringing lunch with you. Be adventurous; bagged lunch doesn't have to be a sandwich every day. Get a short wide stainless steel thermos and bring soup, marinated vegetables and couscous, or eggplant parmesan - whatever will satisfy and inspire your tastebuds.

For dinner, why not prepare a fancy, candle-lit meal? Go all out and have an appetizer, a main course, and even a dessert, just like the restaurant you are dreaming of going to. To make it yourself is an enjoyable, creative experience - and it will cost less and taste better. Another option is to throw a party. Have a potluck where each of your friends brings a dish, and have fun being on a budget together.

6. Leave the bottle behind
Buying a bottle of water every day, or sometimes several times a day can really add up! Instead of subtracting from your wallet and adding to the recycling bin, invest in a water filtration system. What seems like a big cost at first ends up saving you money - and the environment - in the long run. To learn about a high-performance filtration system that I recommend, click here.

7. Grow your own food
Bring back the victory garden! Start simply by just growing your own sprouts in a jar. Then upgrade to making your own yogurt. Eventually, as weather in your region allows, start planting a garden of fresh herbs and vegetables that will bring you a bounty of health benefits. Take it one step farther and learn how to preserve your food - you will be stocked no matter what. And nothing tastes better than food you have grown and prepared yourself.

source: Dr. Mao's Secrets of Longevity