President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino recently appointed PNP Chief Director General Ricardo Marquez as the new PNP Chief to replace the dismissed former PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima. During Purisima’s term, the so-called “White House” (the official residence of the PNP chief in Camp Crame) became controversial after reports came out that the re-construction in 2013 allegedly cost P25 million. But it was denied and the PNP claimed that only P11 million was spent for the renovation and generously donated by Purisima’s friends in the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. The newly appointed PNP Chief Marquez opened the said house to guests and media people as a part of transparency under his leadership.
I have heard the speech of PNP Chief Marquez and all I can say is that may he be able to fulfill most, if not all, of his objectives before his retirement in August 2016. May he be able to dump the “bata-bata” (patronage system) among men in uniform, cleaning up of the scalawags, salary adjustment and benefits of the PNP, and more. But I guess the most difficult task of the new PNP chief is to regain the people’s trust over his people.
Early morning today, at around 3:45am, a portion of the northern edge of Panian mine in Caluya, Antique collapsed according to Semirara Mining and Power Corporation. There are five people who are confirmed killed and four others reported missing but also presumed dead. Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said it had been raining in the province for the past few days that might led to the said incident. The local government will conduct an investigation why the second incident occurred after the first incident of landslide in the same site happened in 2013 where five miners were also killed.
Search for “Abstract Artists.” It was the recent assignment of my Grade 9 daughter in her Music, Art, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) class. With the help of the internet, research assignments like this come in handy. So let me share with you at least three out of the ten abstract artists she listed in her notebook.
Kahlo is a strong and brave woman who shared in her craft even the saddest and painful ones of her personal experiences. She is a Mexican, she suffered from polio as a child and was in a bus accident as a teenager where she nearly died. She underwent several operations and made painting her pursuit while recovering.
She had almost 200 paintings and most of it focused on her life experience: a child, a teenager, a woman and a wife. Her self-portrait “The Wounded Table” in 1940 was not only one of her two largest paintings, but moreover, it showed her pain and disappointment in life, and hatred over her husband Diego Rivera. Currently, her works are being sold at high prices and are on display in the Frida Kahlo Museum in Coyoacan, Mexico.
Dali is a prominent, well-rounded Spanish surrealist painter with high imagination, extensive symbolism, extraordinary and extravagant behavior as a person and an artist. His artistic skill was not only limited in paintings, but also stretched out in film, sculpture and photography. He had over 1,500 paintings, produced illustrations for books, lithographs, designs for theater sets and costumes, drawings and sculptures, and other projects. His best known work as a surrealist painter was “The Persistence of Memory” in 1931.
Kandinsky is not only known as a great abstract painter, but also with his theoretical writings. A very deep artist and active leader of the abstract movement, he encouraged other artists to create masterpieces not only with what they saw in nature or what surrounds them, but moreover to create something based on inner feeling and emotion as well. His “Blue Rider” in 1903 was one of his most influential creations wherein he left to his viewers’ thoughts what he’s trying to portray in this piece.
Monday, July 16, 1990, at around 4:26pm, the densely populated island of Luzon was shocked with a magnitude of 7.8 earthquake.
Looking back 25 years ago, I was a B.S. in Commerce freshman student of the University of Santo Tomas. I was in the 3rd floor of our building when the big quake took place. Blinds, chairs, tables and people were moving involuntarily. Classes were suspended and commuting was really terrible and walking was the best way to get home then.
It was in the news where I saw how devastating the July 16, 1990 earthquake was. Seeing those buildings crumpled, I can’t helped but thank God that it didn’t happened to the building where I was then because our school building was already old.
With the advisory of the PHIVOLCS about the coming of another big quake in Luzon, I just hope that people will really take seriously the necessary preparations needed to lessen the aftermath of the said “Big One.”
Hotel de Oriente was built in 1889 in Binondo, Manila specifically in Plaza Calderon de la Barca (now Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz). The creation of this Hotel was made possible by Don Manuel Perez Marqueti together with the helped of Spanish architect Juan Jose Huervas y Arizmendi. It had three floors with 83 rooms, stables for 25 horses, an attic, and a broad entrance floored and roofed in red clay tiles.
For more historical details and amazing pictures of this Hotel de Oriente, you can visit Manila Nostalgia.
When you go to a hair salon, you might not know what to expect as some of the best hair salons in Portland often offer different services. Most salons will style hair in various ways. There are hair treatments as well that can be done, such as conditioning treatments and hair coloring. Oxygen hair treatments are also an option. Some of the larger salons can perform services that include perms, rebonding and hair removal on various areas of the body.
If you don't want anything done to your hair, there are other services that salons offer to make you look and feel beautiful. Most locations do manicures and pedicures. Some will do facials, using safe materials that will remove the top layer of the skin so that you have a softer touch on the face. Body scrubs are also performed in order to remove the impurities. A hair salon could also give foot massages and back massages if there are qualified personnel who work at the location. Most salons offer packages if you want more than one service, or you can choose which service you want based on the price and how you want to look. Some salons sell gift certificates so that you can give the gift of beauty and relaxation to friends and family.
The highest and longest adventure in the island of Splash, the Zip Line Adventure. A sure adventurous adults and kiddos would never miss this aerial runway across the island's "Harbor" and "Agos Grande."
Beat the heat. Feel the fun, excitement and thrill at Splash Island.
For thrill seekers and real adventurers. Try this High Rope adventure at Splash Island with your family, friends or co-workers and have fun as you grasp and walk on the ropes across the island.
Beat the heat. Feel the fun, excitement and thrill at Splash Island.
Be eaten by a shark or a humongous dinosaur, surf like a pro, you in a big cup of coffee or maybe in a fallen rock debris. It may not be real but at least you can make the adventure picture-real at Splash Island's newest 3D adventure.
Beat the heat. Feel the fun, excitement and thrill @ Splash Island.
Beat the heat of 2015 summer at Splash Island. Managed by Global Gutz Parks Philippines, Inc. and located at Southwoods Ecocentrum Biñan, Laguna, Splash Island is known to be the biggest waterpark in the Philippines. Bring your families, relatives, friends, co-workers, employees and enjoy a complete day of fun and aqua adventure at Splash Island.
Beat the heat of 2015 summer at Splash Island. Managed by Global Gutz Parks Philippines, Inc. and located at Southwoods Ecocentrum Biñan, Laguna, Splash Island is known to be the biggest waterpark in the Philippines. Bring your families, relatives, friends, co-workers, employees and enjoy a complete day of fun and aqua adventure at Splash Island.
Beat the heat. Feel the fun, excitement and thrill only @ Splash Island.
Looking for a place to celebrate your wedding, wedding anniversary, adult and kid party, company’s team building, group getaway, reunion, or any occasion to celebrate in a picturesque venue? Minerva’s Picnic Garden offers not only the grandiose view of nature in Batangas but surrounds you with nature as you celebrate, have fun and make memories to treasure in this newly built picnic garden.
Whether caused by heavy winds, electricity overloads or a disaster of some sort, downed power lines are an inconvenience that cuts off energy sources to households for, sometimes, an extended time. In certain situations, power outages can be a safety risk to your family, as well. If you live in an area that is prone to power loss or just want to prepare for an occasional crisis, the following information is beneficial for your household members to learn and remember.
Educate your kids about electricity in advance: To help alleviate your children's fears about electrical outages, explain how power restoration works. Ask if local schools and power companies participate in power and electricity education with resources programs designed to teach children about electricity and its related issues.
Keep backup energy sources on hand: Emergency electrical sources, including battery packs and outdoor generators, are ideal to have in the event of a power outage. Ensure that you have a cellular phone charged and ready. A wood-burning stove is also something to consider as an extra heat source.
Protect your home against carbon monoxide emissions: Breathing in carbon monoxide can be fatal so, if you are experiencing a power-related disaster, refrain from using grilling devices, propane heaters, gas ovens or any other energy source that emits carbon monoxide indoors. Burning candles is generally safe if your home has plenty of ventilation and you don’t leave them unattended.
Follow food-safety guidelines: You can take several steps to prevent your perishable food from spoiling during a power outage. Freeze containers of water in advance, and use these to chill food during the crisis. Also, be sure to keep your freezer and refrigerator doors shut as tightly as possible.
Have a plan to check on friends and family:Share your preparation tips with friends, family members and neighbors in order to ensure that they will also stay safe when power lines go down. Remind others to keep a cellular or handset phone available so that you are able to check in during a disaster.
Turn electrical sources off: While the power is out, conserve energy by turning most appliance and light switches to the “off” position. Exceptions include the freezer and refrigerator: You want to preserve the food and you have one light source to signal that your home's power has returned.
Ensure that you can enter your home and car without power: If you are accustomed to entering and leaving your home through an electric garage door, then you should establish the habit of carrying an emergency door key at all times. This also applies to your vehicle in the event that you need to drive during a power outage.
Keep your gas tank full: Make it a practice to keep your gas tank at least half-full at all times if you live in an area that experiences frequent power loss. Remember that gas pumps will not be in operation when an electrical crisis is underway.
Zulkifli Abdhir alias “Marwan” is still alive according to the spokesman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) spokesman. Marwan and Basit Usman, a Jemaah Islamiyah bomb-making expert, were the subjects of the bloody police operation in Tukanalipao village in Mamasapano. But MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said Marwan wasn’t even in Mamasapano but actually in Lanao.
Both Marwan and Usman are said to be top members of international terror group Jemaah Islamiyah and the United States has offered a $5 million reward for him, while a $1 million reward has been posted for Usman.
Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. met and exchanged numbers when they met each other at an NBA game. Both were at the courtside when the Miami Heat hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Arena.
The boxers who are in the midst of negotiations for a May 2 fight were introduced on the arena’s big screen with a video board read “Coming on 2015?”
More than 22 percent of all children in the United States live in families below the federal poverty level. Children living in poverty are disadvantaged from the start. Poor families are typically unable to provide proper nutrition for physical and mental health and often cannot afford medical services to keep children fit. Children who live in impoverished areas are less likely to be exposed to books and early learning than children in higher economic regions. Research shows that giving poor children access to the right food and educational experiences can change the cycle of persistent poverty. There are ways you can help children in your own neighborhood overcome the tremendous obstacles they face and get on track to break the cycle and live full and happy lives.
Feeding Little Bodies to Help Them Grow Strong
Children who don’t get enough to eat struggle in every aspect of their lives. Learning and cognitive skills are impaired and their immune systems are weakened, leaving them vulnerable to chronic illnesses. One of the best ways to improve the lives of poor children is by making sure they get enough nutritious food. Local food banks and homeless shelters are often primary sources of food for poor families. Donating food is an excellent way to help. Unfortunately, many food donations are obvious rejects from the donator’s cabinet.
Here are some tips to remember when donating food to make sure your donations do the most good:
Donate non-cook food: Items like tuna, peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruit and granola bars are ideal for families that may not have a way to cook.
Watch the packaging: Donated food should be in its original packaging. Do not donate items contained in glass. Easy open packaging, such as pouches or canned foods with pull-top lids, is preferred.
Consider the nutritional value: Low sugar, fat and salt content and whole grain types of items are healthier than junk food.
Consider the shelf life: Foods like soup, pasta, spaghetti sauce, crackers and cereal all have long shelf lives and can be used as needed.
Do not donate bulging or dented cans, expired items, home canned goods or open packages. Never donate anything you would not eat yourself.
Another way to help is to volunteer your time. Contact the homeless shelters and food banks in your area to find out what kind of help they need and spend a few hours a week volunteering your time. Monetary donations are also welcome.
Mentoring
Research shows that the influence of a supportive adult in the lives of at risk children is the key to protecting them from repeating the cycle of economic poverty. One of the most well-known mentoring organizations in the United States is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Big Brothers Big Sisters has over 340 agencies across the nation, serving approximately 200,000 children and their families. The organization’s mission is to provide children facing adversity, many from single parent homes with fathers or mothers who are incarcerated, in the military or otherwise not involved in their lives, with an adult role model and mentor dedicated to changing their lives for the better.
A study conducted by Public/Private Ventures, an independent national research organization, found that after spending 18 months in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, children were less likely to use drugs and alcohol, less likely to skip a class or school day and less likely to resort to violent behavior than their non-participating counterparts. They also performed better in school, reported more self-confidence and got along better with other family members.
Mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters work because they give a child the chance to experience everyday activities like going to movies, sightseeing, attending sporting events and just hanging out with a caring adult who supports them. Many pairings result in lifelong friendships.
Tutoring
Children in the lower economic brackets don’t always get the solid academic foundation they need to succeed in school and, tragically, most never catch up. Children who receive supplemental instruction from tutors, either on a one-on-one basis or as part of a small group, however, show significant academic improvement and often carve out a path for school and career success. If you have expertise in a specific field, tutoring is a great way to help disadvantaged children in your neighborhood.
If you don’t have a specific field of knowledge, you can still help. The volunteer reader program administered by the United Way is designed to assist children between kindergarten and third grade acquire reading and comprehension skills. Volunteers read stories, ask questions to encourage understanding and help students learn to read on their own.
Check with the schools in your area about existing tutoring and reading programs already in place or contact the United Way for more information about their programs.
The Black Nazarene (Spanish: El Nazareno Negro), (Filipino: Poóng Itím na Nazareno), is a holy life-sized iconic statue of Jesus Christ carrying the cross to Calvary Hill in the Philippines. It displays one of the stations of the cross during the journey of His crucifixion. The image is one of two statues sculpted from pure ivory and were burnt aboard a ship during the Manila galleon expedition from Mexico leaving the other destroyed. The descriptive name of the sculpture is then taken it being "Black" resulting from the incident that happened. The older and more popular copy belonging to the Recollects was destroyed in the Second World War during the Liberation of Manila in 1945. Originally both of fair complexion referring to the natural skin tone of Jesus Christ as an impression of the artist. The statue is well-renowned in the Philippines and is believed to be miraculous and a religious pilgrimage to many Filipino Catholics.
The Black Nazarene is currently in its resting place at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Basilika Minor ng Itim na Nazareno)(colloquially known as the "Quiapo Church"). In honour of the statue, the image is carried and brought around the streets of Manila as an event of the "Fiesta of the Black Nazarene" (Pista ng Itim na Nazareno) displaying the importance of the Holy Stations of the Cross. The event is removed from public procession from its home basilica on two of three annual occasions on New Year's Day, Good Friday and is only currently being held on January 9 of its first novena feast. The January 9 feast was chosen as a date for the original transfer in 1787, the ninth day after New Year's Day and an enshrinement in the present Basilica is commemorated. The event is attended by millions of devotees that crowd the streets of processional route.
SAHM from the Philippines.. letting time pass by without doing anything productive is like going to school knowing nothing.. make life to its fullest.. :)
