Tzu Chi Foundation Taiwan

I first heard it over Ted Failon’s DZMM program “Failon Ngayon.” They were talking about the extent of Tzu Chi Foundation’s help to our fellow Filipinos affected by super typhoon Yolanda. It is good to know that there are institutions/organizations who are helping other people regardless of their religion.

Tzu Chi Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in the impoverished east coast of Taiwan. The Foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan for nearly 50 years. Master Cheng Yen firmly believes that suffering in this world is caused by material deprivation and spiritual poverty. She felt that "lack of love for others" has been the root of many problems in this world. "To save the world, we must begin by transforming human hearts." Click here for the complete information on its origin.

Supreme Court: PDAF is unconstitutional

It is UNCONSTITUTIONAL. The Supreme Court has declared the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as the “pork barrel” as unconstitutional. With a unanimous vote of 14-0 (Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. inhibited because his wife is a party-list representative), they find the system as unconstitutional for allowing legislators "to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget executions" thus violative of the principle of separation of powers. The ponencia was made by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe.

For more information on the ruling visit: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/19/13/sc-pdaf-unconstitutional

Philippine billionaires aid to Yolanda victims

Yolanda victims also received help from the richest men in the Philippines:

• Mall tycoon Henry Sy, donated P100 million for rebuilding homes, community centers, schools and churches damaged in typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas.
• Lucio Tan also donated P100 million for clean water. He also provided personal jets to ferry relief goods from Manila to the affected areas.
• Andrew Tan of Megaworld, meanwhile, donated P50 million through the Red Cross, ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and UNICEF.
• ICTSI’s Enrique Razon did his part by helping rebuild the Tacloban airport.
• The Ayala group and Metrobank’s George Ty donated P10 million and P25 million, respectively.
• A number of corporations also did their share by sending cash donations and transported relief goods to the victims.

Dumaguete City's Sandurot Festival

Locals of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental annual held the SANDUROT FESTIVAL every 9th to 15th of November. It is a joyful celebration of the people of Dumaguete, their innate hospitality, friendliness, and their propensity to live harmoniously with people of different race, religion, and cultural beliefs. They have been known eversince to welcome strangers from different shores and countries, and to live with them in complete peace and understanding. “Sandurot” means a unity and genuine harmony.

Donate to Yolanda relief effort information

The Philippine government website (www.gov.ph) posted a “donate to Yolanda relief effort information” where various donors from local and international, cash and in kind, will be properly guided including the contact details.

Link:  http://www.gov.ph/2013/11/12/donate-to-yolanda-relief-effort-information/

Together we stand, divided we fall. It is another instance for Filipinos around the world to show their love and support to their fellow Filipinos badly devastated by typhoon Yolanda. We may not instantly bring back what they have lost but slowly we can help them start a new life.

Oratio Imperata for the victims of the disaster

Oratio Imperata for the victims of the disaster (Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz)

Oh, God our Father:

In faith we acknowledge your paternal care over us, your sons, daughters and children. In hope we trust in your divine providence of giving us wisdom and courage as we face the challenges in life. In love we invoke your help and guidance during these difficult days of death and destruction in our dear country.

Our is a prayer of thanksgiving for once again reminding us that ours is an imperfect world, that heaven is not on earth and that nature every now and then tells us not to abuse her. Ours too is a prayer of repentance for calling upon you when we are in need and desperation but forgetting you in favorable times and pleasing occasions. Ours as well is a prayer of petition as we say:

Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives. Embrace the children who died in their innocence. Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.

Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes and properties, and to once again stand up and rebuild their future.

Bless all those who extend their helping hands to those in need of food, shelter and clothing, who share their time, talents and resources with others.

Inspire more people to be men and women for their neighbors, convinced that the more they are for others, the taller they stand before you.

Spare us please from other natural disasters and devastation if this be according to Your will and for our own spiritual good and growth.

[Amen.]

GR 175490: SC reduced interest and penalty charges

G.R. 175490 - Macalinao vs BPI Case According to Supreme Court: The Interest Rate and Penalty Charge of 3% Per Month or 36% Per Annum Should Be Reduced to 2% Per Month or 24% Per Annum

Macalinao petition on this issue was granted by the Supreme Court. It stated that the interest rate and penalty charge of 3% per month by the Court of Appeal should be equitably reduced to 2% per month or 24% per annum. Although it is in the Terms and Conditions Governing the Issuance and Use of the BPI Credit Card, the Supreme Court declared the 3% interest rate as void and as if there was no express contract thereon. The same ruling was applied to the penalty charge, citing Article 1229 of the Civil Code in addition.

Since credit cards usually charge more than 3% interest rate per month, you can benefit from this specific ruling of the Supreme Court. When you become delinquent on your credit card, keep the communication open. Ask for a re-computation of your account/s based on this ruling. Also, it would be better if you kept your monthly statements of account so that you yourself can plot the transactions in your computer and be able to re-compute your account as how the Supreme Court did it.

Transcript of the ruling: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/september2009/175490.htm

Math Student Teacher @ MariSci

Last week, our daughter was chosen by her Math teacher (adviser as well) Ms. Rafaela Arlene Gupit to be her “Student Teacher” for 2 days (October 2-3) in celebration of the “World Teachers’ Day.” Preparations were indeed painstaking but enriching for her. She made her PowerPoint presentation for the 2 topics: Laws of Exponents and Scientific Notation. It seems to be an old topics for her but needed to explore deeply so that she can efficiently and effectively deliver the facts. She made some exercises as well. For 2 days she experienced again how it is to be a teacher especially in Math wherein many students find it hard to deal with but many thanks to the guidance and support of her teacher and she managed to perform her task.

Monday, October 7, surprisingly they had a short program to recognize the Student Teachers. Fortunately, our daughter Ysabel got 2 recognitions for her performance. She got the BEST STUDENT TEACHER for Grade 7 Level and for MATH DEPARTMENT as well. She’s indeed very happy for the recognitions and once again experienced the hardships but rewarding of the noble profession of teaching.

Our heartfelt congratulations to you our dearest daughter! Keep up the good work, keep reaching for your dreams and job well done again. Maybe someday you’ll be a Math teacher. What do you think?

@YsabelNicoleTaruc
@Marikina Science High School

Scientific Notation

I am guiding my daughter in preparing her PowerPoint presentation for her 2-day duty as Math Teacher in celebration of the World Teachers’ Day. One of the 2 topics is she was tasked to discuss was Scientific Notation. Find it easy or hard? I guess pretty easy because you just need to remember simple things in converting numbers from standard form to scientific notation and vice versa. Recall the following:

* Scientific notation is a method of writing numbers as the product of two factors where the first factor is a number greater than or equal to 1 but less than 10 and the second factor is an integral power of 10.

* When the decimal is moved to the left the exponent gets larger, but the value of the number stays the same. Each place the decimal moves, increases the exponent by one (1). If you move the decimal to the right it makes the exponent smaller by one (1) for each place it is moved.

Pointers:

* In writing numbers in scientific notation, you must remember the 2 factors wherein the first factor is equal or greater than 1 but less than 10 & the second factor is an integral power of 10.

* When it comes to decimal point, going LEFT the exponent gets larger and so going RIGHT the exponent becomes smaller. Add 1 to the exponent each place the decimal moves. Going LEFT the exponent is POSITIVE and ergo going RIGHT the exponent is NEGATIVE.

Now get a pen and paper and try the following problems: 1.)  6.8270 x 10^7 ;  2.)  0.000728  3.)  6 271 973 000 000

REMEMBER! The essence of Math education is to make complicated things simple, not the other way around.

Plunder case vs Napoles

An airtight case will be filed against Janet Lim Napoles not later than Monday, September 16,according to President Aquino. This was revealed in an interview to him after the 7th ASEAN Navy Chief's Meeting in Makati. This time the case is in connection with the controversial P10B pork barrel scam. The president will be briefed by the lawyers on the case as to its theory, evidence as well as the analyses and possible defenses.

The president must indeed ensure an airtight case on this issue because the Filipino people will always be watching on every development to see to it that justice will be served and that the culprits will find its way behind bars. As to the politicians involved, I think it's not only the evidence/s of receipt of the blood money that can pin them down on this case but the mere fact or evidence of wasting people's money.

This could be a long battle not only for the government but moreover for the Filipino people against corruption.

PNoy: Plunder case vs Napoles to be filed by Monday

McCann Senior Ad Manager Kae found dead

Last Friday, a senior account manager of advertising agency McCann Worldgroup Philippines, Inc. KRISTELLE “KAE” DAVANTES went missing. On Sunday, Kae was found dead at the Tibagan Bridge in Brgy. Sabutan, Silang Cavite at around 6am. She was brutally murdered: she had several wounds on her neck, her mouth was covered with a handkerchief while her hands were tied with a seatbelt. The victim was last seen in Fort Bonifacio driving her silver Toyota Altis with plate number PIM961 which remains missing. Family and friends created “Justice for KAE” last Monday on social networking site Facebook. Family and friends on Monday created a page on social networking site Facebook named "Justice for KAE."

Missing advertising exec found dead in Cavite 
Calls for justice pour in for Kae Davantes

Buyogan Festival @ Abuyog, Leyte

BUYOGAN FESTIVAL is an annual celebration in the town of Abuyog, Leyte. It is being held in conjunction with the time leading to the town's fiesta which is August 29, the St. Francis Xavier feast day. The highlight of this festival is the Buyogan Parade of brightly coloured bee dancers performing a choreographed bee dance with children buzzing around in a bee-like manner. Other participants put tribal henna designs on their faces and bodies which represent the ethnic history of the town.

The term "Buyogan" is derived from the town's name Abuyog. According to legend during the Spaniards time, Spaniards asked for the name of the town and an inhabitant mistakenly thought that they were asking for the swarm of bees flying around and the man answered "Ah! Buyog." Buyog is a waray term for bees and the rest is history.

Right Click Now: Assisted Living Software

Technology is being constantly developed and enhanced to be of help to humanity, to meet its needs from basic to complex ones. Whether it is for personal, community, institution, business and even governmental use, technology plays an indispensable role in the system not only to satisfy needs but to make it easier and save money. That is why there are many technological approaches readily available in the market that can best satisfy a person or group’s needs.

Have you heard of Right Click Now? Their mission is to provide integrated Assisted Living software that is easy to use and affordable to the user. They want their clientele’s administrative and information system be simply done so that they can focus on more important things like giving quality services to their employees and customers while saving time and money. Right Click Software saves time, easy to use, increase revenue, manages expenses, great value and secure. By giving their software S.A.F.E. features will enable smooth and simplifies business operation:

Sharing of Information – immediate availability and security of all information for its users
Accountability – measures the performance, goals against actual results
Flexibility – can be designed to adapt to its customer’s business
Efficiency – guaranteed efficiency with minimum effort

One complex job in every business is the accounting aspect of it. Many transactions mean many recordings, analysis, reports, etc. I know by heart because I am an Accountant who worked for almost 7 years in a radio broadcast company. Dealing with the day to day recordings of the network from small to big expenses and transactions from the head office down to its subsidiaries really exhausted me for years. But it is where assisted living software comes to rescue the tiring daily life of accountants.

At http://www.rightclicknow.com/, will give you an overview of what these assisted living software can do to your life, community and the business you may in right now. Give them a quick visit and be amazed how technology can easy your life and live a quality one.

No classes because of Maring

While spending Sunday at home with the family, my kids and I are guessing if there will be classes or none by Monday, August 19. It seems that since Friday we were experiencing constant rains and heavy ones especially this day. Then not so late, my daughter's friend gave her a call and told her that Marikina Public Information Office declared no classes on all levels, public and private, in Marikina. That includes their school, Marikina Science High School, so calls and text messages began to spread about the so-called "good news." It so happened that there are no classes in Rodriguez, Rizal too so her brother will be at home too.

Still need to guess what will keep them busy on Monday? I don't think so. Be safe everyone. God bless.

Warrant issued against Janet Lim Napoles & brother

Makati City RTC Branch 150 under Judge Elmo Alameda issued a warrant of arrest against Janet Lim Napoles and her brother Reynald “Jojo” Lim. The said warrant resulted after the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Napoles and Lim, the alleged brains in the P10-billion pork barrel scam, for serious illegal detention of whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima revealed to the press that a warrant was released by Makati RTC Branch 150 and elaborated that no bail was recommended by the court. She immediately instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to immediately secure the copy of the warrant so it can be served.

Arrest warrants out vs Janet Napoles, brother for serious illegal detention 

Pinay Ponzi schemer Razel Canedo sentenced to jail in US

Ponzi schemer Razel Canedo was sentenced to 24 months in jail and 3 years supervised release thereafter. She was dubbed by her victims as the “Bernie Madoff of the Filipino Community.” Canedo pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Judge Loretta Preska ordered the restitution amounting to $949,200 to be given to the known victims of Canedo. Canedo admitted in court that she tried to set up and run a “nanny service and nursing agency business” to bring Filipino nurses from the Philippines to work in the US. She recruited professionals who in turned invested their hard earned money in her business that turned out to be scam.

Judge Preska told that “it’s one thing to steal people’s money, but it’s another thing to destroy people’s lives as a consequence of the criminal act.”

Pinay 'Ponzi schemer' sentenced to jail in US 

Lal-lo, Cagayan Cabibi Festival

Photo by Travel Philippine Island 

CABIBI FESTIVAL is the patronal town fiesta of Lal-lo (former Ciudad Nueva Segovia during the Spanish colonial period) in Cagayan from August 1-4th of the year. The four-day festival features trade fairs and street dancing to celebrate the town’s transition from paganism into Christianity during the Spanish colonization. Cabibi is a local term for the shells found on the banks of Cagayan River.

Napoles charges against Luy, PDI & Atty. Baligod

Many things have been reported about this so-called PORK BARREL SCAM, the mother of all scam considering the P10B worth of funds allegedly wasted and went to the pocket of some. Napoles camp thru their lawyer Atty. Lorna Kapunan now files different charges against whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Merlina Sunas of perjury charges, libel against the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), estafa case against Benhur Luy, collections case against designer Eddie Badeo and disbarment case against Atty. Levito Baligod.

The P10B funds involved in this scam is super huge that our government especially the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Commission on Audit (COA) should bring the matter to the proper forum. The taxes being collected from the people should and must not just be wasted like this, going unaccounted for a long period of time and allegedly seized by some for personal gains.

Napoles camp to file raps vs journalists, whistleblowers
Jeane Napoles owns a Ritz-Carlton unit 
Jeane Napoles and gifts for the super rich 
Lawyer defends Jeane Napoles' ritzy lifestyle

Sex video of Chito Miranda & Neri Naig

I felt sad as a mom that another sex video scandal went viral again in the internet. What I am pointing here is the recent sex video scandal of band member CHITO MIRANDA and his girlfriend NERI NAIG. Irresponsible netizens feasted in spreading the said video in the internet believed to come in the hard drive allegedly stolen according to the couple.

Sex video of Chito Miranda and Neri Naig goes viral

Socorro, Mindoro Oriental Pakapya-Agtike Festival

The people of Socorro, Mindoro Oriental show their gratefulness and thanksgiving through an annual festivity called PAKAPYA-AGTIKE FESTIVAL for their bounty and blessed harvest. Every 26th day of July, they have lots of activities such as cultural shows done by people of Socorro, parade of colorful floats and the highlight of the event which is the street dancing competition done by the group of Mangyan Tribes, students, schools and barangays showing how blessed they are in terms of agriculture. It is also held in honor of their patron saint the Holy Family as a thanksgiving and to achieve a better harvest for the coming years.

Photo by: www.digplanet.com

Libon Paroy Festival of Albay

Photo by:  www.byaherosnapshots.com 

LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL is an annual festival held for four days from July 22-25 in Libon, Albay in honor of their patron Saint James the Greater. Libon is a first class municipality in Albay, its industry focuses on agriculture and it is known to be the Rice Granary of Albay thereby making rice crops as the foundation of their economy. Because of this rice economy situation rise the celebration of LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL which is also called KATALLINGKASAN which means renaissance and freedom. It has the intention of reviving the rich culture and heritage of the municipality that is why every barangay is encourage to participate in the occasion.

Pahinungod Festival of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Photo from: xxxmehide.blogspot.com 

The PAHINUNGOD FESTIVAL is Mardigras-like celebration which is performed around the streets of Carrascal in honor of their Patroness, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel every July 16th in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.

Slideshow of 2013 FHM 100 Sexiest Women

This year's much-awaited FHM Sexiest Victory Party was held at the World Trade Center last Thursday. Actress Marian Rivera was dubbed by the readers of FHM Philippines as the sexiest woman in the country for 2013 and lead the catwalk together with other celebrities and models.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/07/11/13/marian-rivera-leads-fhm-sexiest-party

Inquirer: 28 solons linked to scam

The week is being started with a big bang about 28 solons being linked to scam, according to a series of reports of Inquirer. The 4th installment reported that there were 5 senators and 23 members of the House of Representatives that were allegedly made available their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or pork barrel worth over P10 billion to dummy non-government organizations for purported ghost projects over the past decade. Said information was according to the affidavits submitted by the whistleblowers to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

28 solons linked to scam
(First of a series) NBI probes P10-B scam
(Second of a series) ‘I am not involved in any scam’
(Third of a series) How P10-B racket works

Rachel Donaire saved drowning boy

Even on her 9th month of pregnancy Rachel, wife of ESPN’s Boxer of the Year 2012 Nonito Donaire, did a heroic act by saving a drowning boy. The incident happened in the 4th of July when a friend’s son disappeared. Rachel, not minding the risk to her pregnancy, jumped to save the boy but injured herself in the incident. She suffered from a strained ligament but the yet unborn baby, a boy, is safe according to tests.

It just shows how great as a mom Rachel would be, and as a person indeed. God bless you.

Source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/487283/20130708/heroine-very-preggy-wife-filipino-boxing-champ.htm#.Udw1bTtwr44

Angono Petroglyphs

I helped my daughter did her research this weekend about Rizal Province specifically regarding food, crafts, crops and arts. We encountered this so-called "Angono Petroglyphs" which was discovered by our National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco in 1965. The said rock art is believed to be around in 3000 BC making it the most ancient prehistoric art work in our country. There are rock engravings of human and animal figures which made it to be part of World Inventory of Rock Art.

Thank you http://www.travelblog.org/ for this picture.

Alaska plane crash, 10 killed

A certain de Havilland DHC3 Otter air taxi crashed Sunday just after 11am at the airport in Soldotna. It killed 10 people on board, nine passengers and the pilot, according to Clint Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

NTSB: 10 Killed in Alaska Plane Crash

Kris Aquino & James Yap compromised agreement

After the conference with Judge Christina Sulit, both celebrated ex-couple Kris Aquino and James Yap looked satisfied with the decision. They have come to a compromise for their son James "Bimby" Yap Jr. but due to court gag order details were not disclosed. An insider told ABS-CBN show "The Buzz" that one thing confirmed in the former couple's agreement is that James Yap will be paying for the education of their son. The source also divulged that Kris had been paying an international school of P700,000 per year for her son's education.

Details of Kris-James compromise revealed 
Kris, James meet again in court 
James Yap, blonde woman get cozy in photo 
Kris, James Yap lawyer trade barbs 
James Yap's camp to Kris: Enough of this drama 
James Yap posts photo with 'mystery girl' in Italy 
Why James Yap won't see Bimby soon

Math Topic: Integers

My Grade 7 daughter Ysabel who is currently studying in Marikina Science High School have her Math assignment checked by me. Integers??? Well kind of easy coz it's still in my memory and I hope my memory serves me well.

For me, this is one easy topic among the others :) There is zero then comes the positive and negative integers as shown in the above image. Just like whole numbers, integers have their own operations and properties. You can check out this link, http://math.tutorvista.com/number-system/integers.html, for information and online tutorial.

You just need to focus on the operation sign and the value of the number whether it is a positive or a negative in performing a certain given problem. In order to determine the final value of a number before solving the problem you just need to remember this: addition sign multiply by positive integer and minus sign multiply by negative integer the final value of the number will be POSITIVE, addition sign multiply by a negative integer and minus sign multiply by a positive integer the final value of the number will be NEGATIVE. After knowing all the values of your numbers in the problem you can proceed now in solving it. The value of your final answer will depend which one, positive or negative numbers, has the higher numerical value among the given.

Good luck!

My 40th birthday

Does really life begins at 40? Well I guess for me living life with a more mature perspective can be a good start of a new and promising life and age doesn't matter. Maybe it just coincided in my 40th birthday that I have been through many troubles of life in the past, even in relationship, that I could say this birthday of mine marks a new life and start of a new beginning for me.

A new life and a start of a new beginning with lessons learned of the past in mind, with a more open and understanding mind and heart, a more mature mother and wife and a stronger faith in God. 

I thank God for the things that had happened, the good and the bad, the happy and sad ones because it made me mature as a person. I thank you for the people around me who loves and truly care for me. I thank you for giving 2 angels in my life that serves as my sources of strength, inspiration and courage. I thank you for giving me my husband. Apart from the flowers and cake he gave me on my birthday, I thanked him for everything that had happened between us. A relationship we always managed to stand up for amidst any troubles and issues. A love that survived, continue to mature and keeps stronger than ever because of the past. The happy moments he showered me and the sad ones he tried to avoid on happening again. Those special moments and heart-to-heart talk of assurance that it's only me and the kids that matters him most. The seen and unseen make ups for his shortcomings. For his understanding and support to me.

I thank you Lord for everything and may you continue to shower me with your blessings and guidance. Make me worth the life I borrowed from thee.

Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts

The Viva Vigan Festival of Arts, held every first week of May, is one of the biggest festivities and cultural events in the north. The festival is held in the historical town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur featuring various events that demonstrates the cultural inclination and historical significance of the place.

The week-long celebration is filled with different merry-making activities held in the major streets of the town, like Plaza Burgos, Quezon Avenue, Liberation Boulevard and Crisologo, and Florentino Streets. The festive mood is characterized by Binatbatan street dancing. Other activities during the festival include Calesa parade, Karbo festival, ramada games, religious rituals, Santacruzan, trade and food fairs, Abel Iloko fashion shows, and exhibits.