Aftermath of typhoon ONDOY

On our way last Sunday to visit some in-laws in San Mateo, Rizal whose houses were devastated by typhoon Ondoy were depressing scenes of people, businesses and properties. Truly miserable and heartbreaking but who can be spared when nature strikes back. No electricity, no telephone lines and even cellphones were hardly useful.

What happened last Saturday was indeed a wake-up call to all of us about climate change and towards our social obligations. The above pictures were shots in the stretch of barangay at the back of San Mateo Market and along Araneta Avenue on our way to San Juan Agora Mall.

The aftermath of typhoon Ondoy in terms of properties, businesses and lives were indeed gloomy. We felt helpless when nature attacks. Maybe it is high time that we care and love our nature so it will give back the same to us.

iLASIK "You Gotta See This" Video Contest

Improved and better vision not only enhances and makes one’s life easy and more manageable but it can give you thousands of bucks. How? Have you heard the iLASIK Video Contest “You Gotta See This”? That is the answer. Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), they are the global leader in laser vision correction, wants to know how our better vision could or has improves our lives. In relation to that they came out with this video contest where users make and submit a video in one of the following categories:

• “My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
• “My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
• “You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”
  

Of course the contest doesn’t end there. Once you submit your video don’t forget to tell your friends about it and VOTE for it. Yes! Your friends’ votes are very indispensable so that your video will have a higher probability of winning the contest. So hurry and make that video right now. After that inform as many friends as you can to vote for it. Why? Well, check out the following valuable prizes at stake in this contest:

• One Grand Prize winner will win $5,000 — selected from all submitted videos
• Three First Prize winners will win an HDTV package(a $2,500 value) — one per video category
• Three Second Prize winners will win the Flip UltraHD™ camcorder (a $199.99 value) — one per video category
  

Remember! Users can submit videos, view and vote on all entries at www.GottaSeeThisNow.com. Not only that you can share how great to have a perfect vision and what others are missing having poor vision but it can give you the thousands of bucks if your video will receive the most votes above all other entries. So make it quick and good for a sure win. Good luck!!!

Michael Jackson's burial @ Forest Lawn

Finally the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, will be buried near Los Angeles on Thursday evening, 70 days after his death, and authorities are going to tighten the securities to ensure he will rest in peace. The historic cemetery at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the city of Glendale, where the pop star will be laid to rest, has been closed to all but members of the Jackson family and friends attending the 7 p.m. PDT (0200 GMT Friday) funeral.

Jackson will be in stellar company at Forest Lawn, a stately park dotted with elaborate mausoleums and rolling lawns. Celebrities buried there include Walt Disney, singers Sam Cooke, Sammy Davis Jr. and Nat "King" Cole, and Hollywood icons Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable.

Jackson died of a drug overdose on June 25, at age 50, in what the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled last week was a homicide.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino for president, yes or no?

Will Senator Benigno “NOYNOY” Aquino III finally say YES to the 2010 presidential race? It is really hard to be on the situation where Senator Aquino is in now. While considering the privacy and reluctance of his family for him to run, his endorsers continue to rise in number as days go by.

But why Noynoy? Maybe because of his parents who served the country with pure heart and dedication. Maybe because we are thinking that he will not disgrace the names of his parents. Maybe because he also has a pure heart and dedication to be of service to the people. Maybe because among others we think that he is the better or right choice to lead the country in the 6 years to come.

As he goes on for a retreat to discern and find some enlightenment to make the right decision, may other candidates find their way to do the same. Each and everyone of us (politicians and voters) must seek enlightenment for a better Philippines. We all have our share to achieve what’s best for us and for our country.

May the 2010 election be the answer and the start for a new and better Philippines. God helps us.

Senator Roxas withdraws, Senator Aquino uncertain

Today at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II made his formal announcement about his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race. Said was made in support for his partymate Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III who was then being pushed by several organizations to run for the presidency.

Some said that Noynoy is not yet ready to hold the highest position in the land. He is still inexperience and still needs to prove his worth. But for me, maybe I can go for someone who might be yes inexperience but with a pure heart to lead our country. The big issue now among our politicians is the issue on morality which I think the late Senator Benigno and Cory Aquino was able to hand down to their children.

On the other hand, Senator Roxas’ withdrawal was indeed comes very surprisingly as he was came prepared and planned with his campaigns. Of course we have to take from what he said: For the party (Liberal Party) and for the Filipino people. Although after the withdrawal, Senator Roxas’ political plans was open ended because there’s no clear statement from him as to what happens next. And as for Noynoy, his decision is still on cue until upon a certain time when he reveals his political plans for the coming 2010 election. Read here for more details.