along the paradise

Paradise Philippines!! That's how I see our beloved country. Finger-licking foods, very hospitable people, two fun-loving season (summer and rainy), and of course very awesome, very beautiful
places to travel.

I know most of us are well aware of the beautiful places in the Philippines. We are well-informed about them because we love to travel to those places. But  do you know that there are
tourist spot places that are not so developed and considered as poor?

Although most of the poorest provinces in the Philippines are in Mindanao area, I still felt a little bit sad to learn that one of the listed provinces is in Bicol (well, I came from Bicol, though not Masbate).

The ten poorest provinces (in order of poverty incidence) are 

1. Tawi-Tawi, 


2. Zamboanga del Norte, 

3. Maguindanao, 

4. Apayao, 

5. Surigao del Norte, 

6. Lanao del Sur, 

7. Northern Samar, 

8. Masbate,

9. Abra and

10 Misamis Occidental.

 If you noticed most pictures are of water, well, I love water even if I'm not a good swimmer. Water gives me peace and calms my soul.

These poorest provinces result was conducted by NSCB in 2006. So does your province in the list? How does it feel? Isn't it sad to hear that your province belong to the poorest provinces in
the country? I feared that our province would be included in the top ten poorest provinces, hah, imagine my relief to learn that despite the lack of opportunities, the lack of employment and agricultural development, we still beat some of them, that we still crawl our way up. Higher than these ten. But not to be too negative, I believe these places also holds so many tourist spot
places, specially the Surigao del Norte - the surfing capital of the Philippines - isn't that a boast? Something to be proud of?!

They may be poor, but they have something that richier provinces envied..right?

octuplets in one womb

Single, twins, triplets, quadroplets .. you name it.. it's normal.. but OCTUPLETS?.. Wwhat?!?!

Please excuse my surprise, but really, I gaped when I heard of it. I maybe late in the news, well, what can I do? I'm not the type of person who stays on t.v., or radio, or even the net to gather news..

I was visiting my brother's place in Cavite and while having our siesta and we are having quality time
(together with my nephew), the television was switched on to a local channel. I don't mind what they are showing, it's boxing anyway.. not much fan..hehehe.. oh well, back on track.. after the main event they showed what's coming next.. and I really watched that show. I got interested in it..since it says "Interview with the Octuplets".

I didn't imagine it could be true, I wonder how can it be? How those eight babies fit on the mother's womb? How does she looked like - how big her tummy must be - while in pregnancy?

Nadya Suleman, the mother of the octuplets was born in Fullerton, California, the only child of Edward and Angela Doud, married in Las Vegas in 1974, and divorced in 1999.

The Suleman octuplets are six male and two female children conceived via in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and born on January 26, 2009. Suleman has other six children prior to the octuplets and
in that six, she has a set of twins. The children carries their biological fathers' last name - Solomon. David Solomon was allegedly the single sperm donor for the octuplets as well as Sulemans' other six kids.

The Suleman octuplets are the second set of octuplets in United States to be born alive and the longest survival-rate for a complete set of octuplets set by the Chukwu octuplets of 1998. The discussion on the interview and also the facts I gathered in the internet is interesting and also complicated, so I won't be discussing it here. I am just so surprised to learn that more babies could fit in a single womans' womb, or that you could implant an embryo to a woman and have kids out of that. Science is really amazing but I would still prefer God's will. ^_^

The octuplets have interesting names though, and they are relatively weightless.

* Noah Angel Suleman - male; 2 lbs 8 oz
* Maliyah Angel Suleman - female; 2 lbs 2 oz
* Isaiah Angel Suleman - male; 3 lbs 1 oz
* Nariyah Angel Suleman - female; 2 lbs 3 oz
* Makai Angel Suleman - male; 1 lbs 12 oz
* Josiah Angel Suleman - male; 2 lbs 9 oz
* Jeremiah Angel Suleman - male; 1 lb 13 oz
* Jonah Angel Suleman - male; 2 lbs 7 oz

local makati official named!

It is just one night after the election day, and yet local official winners are already named!

Wow, look at that. In the previous elections we have had, it takes weeks before a winner in the election was named. It takes weeks before each and every ballot was counted.

This year, we have our first automated election, wherein a machine counts the votes electronically. It lessen the burden for the board of election inspectors, election officers and watchers. They don't have to sacrifice days and days before a ballot was passed to the commission on election or even before it was counted.

This time however, twenty-four hours after the election, we already have our winner for local official and at least 90% for the national candidates were counted.

One of the first cities who declare a winner here in NCR is our city - Makati City. We have a tight fight here for mayoral position. Ernesto "Nestor" Mercado - an incumbent vice mayor and long time running mate of vice presidential candidate JoJo Binay; Jojo Binay's son - Jejomar Erwin "JonJon" Binay; and Attorney Erwin "Win" Genuino (who was a rival of Abigail Binay for congressman position in 2007 election). Although we have five candidates for mayoral position, only these three are on the tight fight.

People in Makati were also divided among them. Even in our family - me and two of my sibling sisters who are also a registered voter here in Makati have different bets among them. (though it was only me who chose differently, both of my siblings chose the same person..
(-.-), but they lost and I won! lOlz (^_^)

It was so new and amazing, most people are amazed by how fast our election today is. We are so used to the old times, waiting for the result, but today, you don't even have to fear about the treats (though in some places on urban areas still have some security problems, in general it was a good and safe election).

Here are the elected officials for the city of Makati:

Mayor - Jejomar Erwin "Jun Jun" Binay, Jr
Vice Mayor - Romulo "Kid" Peña
1st district congressman -Monique Lagdameo

2nd district congressman - Abigail Binay

happy mothers' day!!!

To the person i owe my life to - next to God. The person who sacrifice part of her life, who carried me for almost a year, who fed me and take care of me. The woman who is most responsible for whom I become. The most contributor to my development. I owe her everything I am now.

I thank the Lord for her. I am very grateful for her. I am very indebted and very much thankful because God choose her to be the woman I would cherish. To the most wonderful woman - I thank you - mama. You are my inspiration and my motivator. Your sacrifices are very much appreciated.


This mother's day, I would always remember you for everything you did and for everything you still do. And I wish you would have a long life. That we will still be together for long. I love you 'ma. May God Bless you with God Health and Longer Happy Life.

This post is also for every woman, every mother out there. 'You' are the gift of God. You are blessed and you may stay always be blessed.


Happy mothers' Day! I cherish you and may God Bless You

2010 presidentiables

Two days before election time. Let's recap the official candidates for President and Vice President this coming 2010 national election.

presidents

Benigno Aquino III - Liberal
Incumbent Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 2007
Member of the House of Representatives from Tarlac's 2nd district
        June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Birth name         Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III
Nationality         Filipino
Spouse(s)          Single
Alma mater        Ateneo de Manila University
Occupation        Politician
Religion             Roman Catholicism
Born                 February 8, 1960 (age 50) 

John Carlos de los Reyes - Ang Kapatiran

Member of the Olongapo City Council
        June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
Born                  February 14, 1970 (age 40)
Spouse(s)          Dunia Valenzuela
Residence         Olongapo City, Zambales
Occupation       Civil servant
Profession         Professor
Religion             Roman Catholicism 

Joseph Estrada - PMP
Birth name         Jose Marcelo Ejercito
13th President of the Philippines
        June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001
11th Vice President of the Philippines
        June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998
Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
Mayor of San Juan
        1969–1986
Born                 April 19, 1937 (age 73)                 
Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Alma mater       Ateneo de Manila University,
                        Mapua Institute of Technology
Profession         Actor

Richard Gordon Bagumbayan-VNP

Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 2004
Secretary of Tourism
        February 12, 2001 – February 23, 2004
Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
        March 13, 1992 – June 30, 1998
Mayor of Olongapo City
        June 30, 1988 – June 22, 1993
        June 30, 1980 – April 23, 1986
Delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention
        June 1, 1971 – November 29, 1972
Born                     August 5, 1945 (age 64)
Residence             Olongapo City, Zambales
Occupation           Civil servant; Lawyer; Politician
Profession             Civil servant; Lawyer; Politician
Religion                 Roman Catholicism

Jamby Madrigal Independent
 Senator of the Philippines
      June 30, 2004
Presidential Adviser for Children’s Affairs
     1999–2001
Undersecretary of Social Welfare and Development
    June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998
Born                April 26, 1958 (age 52)
Residence        Batanes
Occupation      Civil servant
Profession        Politician
Religion            Roman Catholic 

Nicanor Perlas - Independent
Birth Name         Nicanor Jesus Pineda Perlas, III
Born                   January 10, 1950 (age 60)
Manila, Philippines 

Gilberto Teodoro - Lakas Kampi CMD
Philippine Secretary of National Defense
        August 3, 2007 – November 15, 2009
Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Tarlac's 1stdistrict
        June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2007
Birth Name                Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Cojuangco Teodoro, Jr.
Born                          June 14, 1964 (age 45)
Nationality                 Filipino
Spouse(s)                  Monica Prieto-Teodoro
Residence                  Carabaoan, Mayantoc, Tarlac, Philippines
Alma mater                Xavier School, De La Salle University
                                  University of the Philippines
                                   Harvard Law School
Occupation                Lawyer
                                 Politician
Religion                     Roman Catholicism


Eddie Villanueva Bangon Pilipinas
Birth Name               Eduardo C. Villanueva
Born                         October 6, 1946 (age 63)
Spouse(s)                 Adoracion "Dory" Villanueva
Occupation              Televangelist
                                Owner of ZOE Broadcasting Network
                                Author
                                Speaker
Religion                    Evangelical Christian

Manuel Villar, Jr. Nacionalista
Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 2001
President of the Senate of the Philippines
        July 24, 2006 – November 17, 2008
President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
        2001 – August 12, 2002
Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
        July 27, 1998 – November 13, 2000
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the Lone District of LasPiñas City
        June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Born              December 13, 1949 (age 60)
Birth Name     Manuel Bamba Villar, Jr.
Nationality      Filipino
Spouse(s)       Cynthia Villar
Residence       Las Piñas City, Metro Manila
Alma mater     University of the Philippines
Occupation     Businessperson; Politician
Profession       Businessperson; Politician
Religion           Roman Catholicism

vice presidents

Jejomar Binay - PDP-Laban
Mayor of Makati City
Born             November 11, 194 (age 68)
Nationality     Filipino
Spouse(s)      Elenita Binay
Residence     Barangay San Antonio, Makati City

Dominador Chipeco, Jr. - Ang Kapatiran


Bayani Fernando Bagumbayan-VNP
7th Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
        June 5, 2002 – November 25, 2009
Mayor of Marikina City
        June 28, 1992 – June 28, 2001
Born              April 25, 1946 (age 63)
Nationality     Filipino
Spouse(s)      Ma. Lourdes Fernando
Residence      Marikina City, Metro Manila
Alma mater    Mapua Institute of Technology
Occupation    Mechanical engineer; Politician
Profession      Mechanical engineer; Politician
Religion         Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Loren Legarda NPC
Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 2007
Senate of the Philippines
Senate Majority Floor Leader
        2001–2004
Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2004
Born               January 28, 1960 (age 50)
Birth name        Lorna Regina Bautista Legarda
Nationality        Filipino
Spouse(s)         Antonio Leviste (1989-2003)
Residence         Manila
Alma mater       Assumption College
                        University of the Philippines
Occupation       Senator
Profession         Journalist; Environmentalist
Religion            Roman Catholicism

Edu Manzano - Lakas Kampi CMD
Vice Mayor of Makati City
        1998–2001
Optical Media Board chairman
        2004–2009
Born                 September 14, 1955 (age 54)
Birth name         Eduardo Barrios Manzano
Nationality         Filipino, American
Occupation        Actor; Television personality
Profession         Actor; Television personality
Religion            Roman Catholicism
Military service
    Allegiance United States
    Service/branch U.S. Air Force
    Years of service 4 (1973-1977)
Commands Missile Engineering Group, Strategic Air Command

Mar Roxas Liberal
Senator of the Philippines
        June 30, 2004
Secretary of Trade and Industry
        January 2, 2000 – December 10, 2003
Member of the House of Representatives for Capiz's 1st district
        June 30, 1992 – January 2, 2000
Born             May 13, 1957 (age 52)
Nationality     Filipino
Spouse(s)      Korina Sanchez
Residence      Roxas City, Capiz
                      Makati City
Alma mater     Ateneo de Manila University, University of Pennsylvania
Occupation     Economist; Politician
Religion          Roman Catholicism

Jay Sonza - KBL
Born            September 20, 1955 (age 54)
                     Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines
Birth name    Jose Yumang Sonza
Spouse(s)     Ma. Thelma Hernandez
Profession     broadcaster

Perfecto Yasay - Bangon Pilipinas

2010 automated national election

a few days only left and its a big day. we will choose our leader, our President, but the question is.. are we ready?

It will be a very different voting. It is different from the traditional voting since we are using the automated voting machine for our national election. What is the assurance that this machines are accurate? What are our assurance that our vote will be counted fairly and that it wouldn't be in vain?

Most of the machine are tested ... and yet most of the machine also encountered malfunction. Although the COMELEC (commission on election) assured us that they will change every machine that dysfunction, we are not sure they can everything on time.

If the agencies responsible for the preparation for the country's big day are not yet 100% ready, are the voters the same? Have they chosen their best bet? Are their list complete?

Truth be told, me myself isn't ready yet, there are still a lot of gaps in my list. But I will make sure that by the time May 10, 2010 election arrive, my list will be complete.. (^_^)

I hope you too.. and i hope everything will be okay, and that the machine will be reliable enough..

Choose wisely and pray for peaceful election and for our nations' future.. *_*

laBor Day

it's our day..the worders' day!!

How i wish this day we won't have to report to the office, it's our day..it should be our rest day in a year..

Labor Day in Philippines was observed since 1903 so it's already history..and i believe, it's the only regular holiday that the PGMA administration since "her" administration..and since "she" started moving holidays to different dates..cannot move to any date..

Well, I am still looking forward to that additional rest day this week.. :D