Bisaya Bloggers

the time was 3 something a.m. i became very hungry, probably from overanalyzing again. so many important things are about to change and happen in my life, but there are equally as many things i still have to understand (and learn to accept) about life and the world—sometimes, even about my “hidden” self (that part of my being which is incredibly hard to fathom).

overthinking makes me hungry. and whatever happened to all the beef, fruit and veggies i had for dinner, i’m still not sure (haha!). i commanded my tummy not to feel hungry, but i was reminded of the time my mom worried about my starvation symptoms and thought i was developing anorexia.

we gotta be kind to our poor, insatiable tummies, diba? so off to the food cabinet i went and found manna from heaven: some easy-to-make kimchi and noodle-y smelling ramen. yeahhh!!!



it wasn’t the best-tasting kimchi ramen, i have to admit (especially because the kimchi was processed and because i was too hungry to make the egg, meat and veggie toppings). but speed-cooking and eating helped me stop overanalyzing about change and uncertainty for once. (why not take bold leaps of faith instead?) really, i was happy with the ramen—and so was my tummy. it had a good effect on my cluttered head, too, it seems.

gooood morrrniiing!

WHICH BROWSER DO you use when you surf the ‘Net? Chances are, it’s Internet Explorer, because most of us use Windows, and this browser comes bundled with Microsoft’s operating system. Here’s a breakdown of browser usage all over the world (Jan.-Feb.2008 figures. Source: TechCrunch):

Internet Explorer (“IE”) is now on version 7. And I must say––without prejudice against the other browsers––it’s a huge improvement over its previous release. But there’s a problem here: too many people are still using Interne Explorer 6 (“IE6”). If you take a look at the table above, more than a fifth of Internet users around the world are still stuck at version 6.

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I couldn’t believe I let myself walk into a McDonald’s today. It was past one in the morning and none of my preferred joints were open anymore, and I was hankering for french fries. Still, I didn’t order any of their meat burgers — I had a Fillet-o-Fish, believing as I want to that  it’s a less unhealthy form of fast food. (Wonder what kind of fish they put in it though…)  It tasted awfully like cardboard.

The whole time since after college, I’ve eaten at McDonald’s (or at Jollibee for that matter) maybe a little more than a dozen times all in all. No kidding. Aside from fast food being full of fat, cholesterol, sodium, etc., somehow the McDonald’s outlets here in Davao just aren’t the same.

In my college days at the Ateneo de Manila, the McDonald’s across from the campus was almost part of my daily lunchtime or merienda routine. Fast food joint that it was, you could always expect the same taste and the same level of service any day. Probably anywhere in Metro Manila, that was a standard at any McDonald’s. I guess that’s what people have come to rely on in these fast food chains.

So how come, here in Davao, that’s not the case? For example, the quarter-pounder, which was my favorite way back then, just couldn’t ever taste the same at any of the outlets here. Fact is, it doesn’t only taste differently (read: bad), even the service is terrible.

OMG! the customer service at McDonald’s shops in Davao! Counter personnel chatting needlessly in front of customers… managers with PMS… sloppy handling… It’s appalling.

Why do I even bother? Well, actually I don’t. Thank goodness!

So why eat at fast food chains at all?? It’s not even cheap.

You Could Easily Become Violent

You generally deal with problems and conflicts peacefully. However, your emotions are intense - and your temper is a bit out of control. You may want to work on some anger management... before your anger gets you in trouble.

Could You Be Violent?

HUh! I was raised in a violent surroundings.Both my father and mother were so mean to me when I was a child.They could easily hurt me physically and emotionally especially my mother.She would likely to hurt me in any means even if I only committed a very small "sala".I can never forget that because that is how I raised.I am afraid I could do the same to my baby.Hopefully not.I would just try to hold my temper and remember to be good to her.

As part of Havila's tour of the Angono area, we visited the Balaw-Balaw Folk Art Museum of the late Perdigon Vocalan for lunch. It's more known as the Balaw-Balaw Restaurant which serves both local specialties and exotic foods. For the brave, try ordering uok (larva of beetles that are found in coconut trees cooked as adobo or steamed in tamarind fruit and tomatoes just like escargot), nilasing na palaka (frogs marinated in wine and cooked as adobo), kamaru (a popular Kapampangan cricket dish), Soup No. 5 (cow butt and balls), bibingkang abnoy (aborted duck eggs cooked in banana leaves) or palos (freshwater eel cooked as adobo).

There are also unusual salads such as rose petal salad, rose petal tempura, bougainvillea salad, or crispy alagaw leaves (like crispy spinach or kangkong). But for today, they served us the traditional foods.

If you're a group, you might to their Minaluto which is a little of everything such as chicken and prok adobo, various seafoods and vegetables, steamed with a heaping mound of rice and served in a large bamboo container lined with banana leaves. Minaluto is another term for binalot or a meal with rice packed in banana leaves. It's a little over PHP1100++ if I remember it right.

Above and around the restaurant are paintings and sculptures of Vocalan, a lot of them! Indeed, the place was a feast for the eyes, mind and stomach.

Part 1: Art gallery overload in Angono, Rizal
Part 3: Nemiranda and the Blanco Family Museum

Related entries
Viva San Clemente! Higantes of Angono, Rizal
Angono is the Art Capital of the Philippines
Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan, Rizal

John 3: 7-15 Acts 4: 32-37 / Ps 93: 1-2,5 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? (John 3:12) What seemed like a great tragedy Was mankind’s shame in Calvary... But now Your cross has made us see How God’s great plan set mankind free. Jesus [...]

I copied this meme a week or weeks ago - couldn't remember and wanted to do this. Or was I tagged to do this? Argh! But if I was, forgive me for forgetting.

Anyway...

This is how it works:

1. Post these rules on your blog.
2. Just list 10 things that won’t likely ever come out of your mouth.
3. High-five (or ‘tag’) any amount of people to do the same on their blog.
4. Then come back here to Lifesong and let me know that you did it.

So, here are 10 things you will never hear me say:

1. I hate you. I hate your guts.


2. I'm an atheist.


3. Wow, that's a cute dress. Can you buy it for me?


4. I'm going to withdraw some money to buy that watch now.


5. B*tch.


6. Can I have some Coke please?


7. It's okay to do drugs when you're young.


8. Abortion is an option.


9. F-word you.


10. I love to be in GMA's shoes.

Now I'm tagging Serena and the Storyteller.

Please drop by LivinWithMe for more Meme Monday participants.

Happy April 1! Well, in my part of the woods it is! I’ll start off doing this March round up then;-)

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
~I ‘m browsing and reading the Understanding Exposure again..And some photography books. I’m still not sure if I can remember them all..lol And then parenting online..

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?
~LOST TV series!!! Jumper, The Notebook-thanks Chi, I never saw this before! Step Up 2, Elizabeth, Michael Clayton, Blueberry Nights, Mary Antoinette..Not much!

What special days did I celebrate and how?
~Hmm…Sakura{Cherry Blossoms} viewing for sure!

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Angono, Rizal is indeed the Art Capital of the Philippines. It's actually the center of an artists haven which includes the neighboring towns of Binangonan and Morong, an area which abounds with art galleries, museums, shrines and studios.

We went around Angono today courtesy of Havila since they wanted to show us the wonderful and conducive environment their communities are built in. So after a brief tour of their various developments, we went to Angono.

Our first stop was the house of Carlos "Botong" Francisco, National Artist for Visual Arts, along Dona Aurora Street. When Botong was still alive, his house also served as his studio. In front of it is the gallery of its current occupant, his grandson Carlos "Totong" Francisco II named The Second Gallery.

Dona Aurora Street is actually famous for its concrete street murals, contemporary works by artists Charlie Anorico, Gerry Bantang and Ebong Pinpino depicting the different paintings of Botong Francisco. Almost every house has at least one mural. And we were lucky to chance upon Charlie Anorico working on a new mural.

At one end of Poblacion Itaas are the busts of the towns national artists namely Botong and Lucio San Pedro, National Artist for Music. At the opposite end, the notes of San Pedro's immortal lullaby Sa Ugoy ng Duyan are inscribed on the walls of one of the houses. Indeed, a walk through Dona Aurora Street in Pobalcion Itaas gives us a glimpse of Botong's paintings.

Part 2: Lunch at Balaw-Balaw Restaurant in Angono
Part 3: Nemiranda and the Blanco Family Museum

Related entries
Viva San Clemente! Higantes of Angono, Rizal
Angono is the Art Capital of the Philippines
Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan, Rizal

The Oh So Cool Tag

Ivy knew I was bored and so she gave me something to do.This tag was given to me by Ivy which is very entertaining to do.I had so much fun doing this.I would like you guys to do this too; Rose, Annie,Ritchella,Mizz J!
(Note: Please do not copy my graphics here,get your own graphic as instructed below.Be original and do your own thing.)
heres the direction

1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box.
3. Use only the first page.
4. Insert the picture into your Blog.




1. What is your relationship Status

2. What is you current mood?

3. Who is your favorite band/artist?


4.What is your favorite movie?

5. What kind of pet do you have?

6. Where Do you live?


7. Where do you work?

8.What Do you look like?

9. What do you drive?

10. What did you do last night?


11. What is your favorite TV show?


12. Described yourself?

13. What are you doing today?

14. What is your name?

14. What is your favorite Candy?

When I read some medical article, I found out that there’s a “high percentage rate” of people who died from horrible disease compare to those who died from age. With the types of food people are eating nowadays, lots of chemicals and preservatives no wonder so many died from cancer and other horrible disease.

But experts never stop on researching and experimenting for possible solutions. There’s a supplement that has been tested and guaranteed that we can take to live longer and healthier lives. And Barbara Walters is doing a special on "living to 150" and will interview Dr. Sinclair regarding the said product that can help us live longer and healthier as everyone would wish to.

This product is called Resveratrol, a U.S. Lab Tested Resveratrol where you can get at MyRevGenetics.com. It’s the only Resveratrol that have been tested by Biomol. Biomol and Dr. David Sinclair discovered Resveratrol as the most potent activator of the SIRT1 Gene.

Resveratrol was first isolated from the roots of hellebore that later on also isolated from the roots of Polygonum Cuspidatum, a traditional Chinese and Japanese medicinal plant. Research have discovered that Resveratrol can prevent or slow down a wide variety of illnesses from Cancer and Alzheimer’s to cardiovascular disease.

When it comes to buying drugs to help cure the illness you are suffering is not easy at all.First is you have to consult a doctor inorder for you to get prescribed,the doctor then will give you the kind of drug that would help ease the pain or cure a certain illness you have. You cannot buy drugs unless of course you the prescription with you when going to the pharmacy.One of which is the U.S. Lab Tested Resveratrol,but this is one is a supplements to help you live longer and healthier lives being engineered by RevGenetics.Revastrol is the "red wine molecule" that is becoming notorious in the medical field for its potential to help combat cancer, viral infections, and the effects of diabetes, as well as age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's and arthritis. You are assured that their products R300 and R500 capsules offer the highest concentration of resveratrol currently on the market,yes.The people behind this will be interviewed by Barbara Walters,she will be doing a special on "living to 150". She will be interviewing Dr. David Sinclair about their resvertrol formulation.

Wish I can watch the show because it is very interesting to gain some information about this certain product for I have a mother who is suffering diabetes and my father has high bloood pressure.

It is a good thing to help other people especially children who needs education. For us fortunate people who had a mission to do to help these young people out of poorness and to their education. Join me in a Donate my Boat to Charity to a Boat Donations and get ready for fun you [...]

During my time of my school days I consider myself as a little above average student.Not so dumb not so smart either.I would say I am somewhere in between.There were certain subjects that I was really good at,Science and Health in Elementary,English,Science and Biology and Geography were my favorite ones during highschool.Never get to the top though but it's ok atleast I had my strength.My weakness? MATHEMATICS and PHYSICS.I hate those.

In college I still like English. I don't know why could be because I was really determined in marrying an American guy for me so perhaps that is how I learned to love the subject.I may not have that much vocabulary but I know and aware of my basic grammar and that is all that matters for me. When to use present,past and future tenses is important.

Viewing funny videos online when I am bored is just one of the many ways to entertain myself.I find it totally cool when a certain video can really make me laugh to death. Popular site such as youtube is a good place to be watching such cool videos like the one of Johnny B. Wilson. You can Watch it now. if you like and beware though that it may contain a little bit of sensuality,if you feel uncomfortable just watch it moderately.

I haven’t written anything like this in a loooooooooooooooooooooong time.

***

Hey Dennis,

Nice to hear from you again. Haha, I’m guilty of not revisiting you on the music marketing for your bar, I’ve been unreasonably busy. But when I talked to Rocky I actually appreciated some of his choices, and I’ve discovered something new from him too (which is something vintage i.e. 80’s German/Euro Electro-clash-pop). And speaking of Electro-clash-pop and depending genres, I’m really in to it since two or three years ago when I discovered my most favorite Swede-band, who was on the rise then (The Knife) along with them guys from LCD Soundsystem who released their first album in 2005. Plus there’s Thom Yorke, who finally (as expected) made an all electro-album. (a) By the way on Thom Yorke going electro, he just had to go out of control SOLO because people were starting to blame him for Radiohead’s inadvertent shift from their trademark electric guitar rock band to the synthetic but very bop not-everyone-buys-it sound, (b) Radiohead’s new album is a personal favorite because they noticeably LESSENED Thom Yorke’s electronic ambitions in their band by letting him vent it all out on his own & (c) Best part about it, they haven’t broken up. ANYWAY, you don’t want to hear me wax poetic about it but they’re my staple tips to people lately.

Last year, I had PJ Harvey on my playlist - 2007 was her most melancholic album among ALL her melancholic albums. Also listened to some Bjork (2007 - Volta) because I like how she makes an effort to be avante garde all the time, which is always good for innovation. New discoveries: this band called Spiritualized. They claim to be Space Rock but they basically sound like a mild version of Red Sparowes cross-bred with Film School’s deadpan vocals. You might like “Ladies and Gentlemen we’re floating in space”, or their collaboration with Yoko Ono, “Walking on thin ice”. The latter was once Ono’s electronic single which has Lennon legacy all over it. Sigur Ros released their album last year, very good…Wait, I’m giving you a really melancholic lineup. They’re all worth checking out anyway. What genre did you have in mind? If you like Rock, basic(ally), I liked Deerhunter’s new album, it’s very fresh and very Indie(gnified). The New Pornographers are getting more overrated by every album but they’re still worth a shot in small doses… If you listened to Sonic Youth at one point in your life, they released an album last 2006 which I still listen to. And according to a lot of hipsters (who probably heard of them just recently because of Juno), their old track Carpenters rendition of the song “Superstar” is a winner. If you haven’t heard of it, you’ll probably like it. I liked it at first, really, but my ears would bleed if I hear it one more time from some hipster who just watched the movie Juno and came back liking SY and then The Moldy Peaches. Also check out Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible, if you haven’t already and tell me what you think because I’m running a random poll about it.

Sorry I got carried away with the nerd talk there. One last thing: Last year was a great year for Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene. He collaborated with the same bunch of guys for his solo project, “Spirit if…” Very charged rock and still the same Indie sentimentality you get when artists really want to be profound, lol. It’s scary, it’s been the goal of a lot of these artists lately that I don’t know what to make of it - whether or not it’s still as deviant as Indie. Or maybe I’m getting tired of it. This week, I’m listening to instrumental music again. Post-rock, i.e. Mogwai and The Album Leaf. I don’t know if you’ll be into that since you like Kings of Leon who are unpretentiously rock. I liked half of last year’s album because I haven’t gotten around to listening to everything since I’m in this sort of phase. So far, so good. No dramatic changes really. But for some reason, the Europeans really liked it. It’s one of those albums you listen to over and over again and never get tired.

Oh and yes! Keep me posted about the Cerveza Negra. As it is, there are only two places in Davao City who sell the local Dark Lager: that’s at MTS and this place called “Some place else” at Rizal. I’m really puzzled why not too many people have heard of it when it’s actually San Miguel’s best brew out there. Hola Espana, your bar’s competitor at Damosa, sells Guinness Stout and Murphy’s but they eat through people’s pockets. I seriously hope that people here would open up to the world of great tasting beer. Cerveza’s like a poor man’s alternative haha.

Ciao,
Kim

Tags: Arcade Fire,, Bjork,, Broken Social Scene,, Deerhunter,, Juno,, LCD Soundsystem,, Mogwai,, Kevin Drew,, PJ Harvey,, Radiohead,, Sigur Ros,, Spiritualized,, Sonic Youth,, The Album Leaf,, The Moldy Peaches,, The New Pornographers,, Thom Yorke,, Yoko Ono

Oh wow it's raining in here! I love it when it rains here rather than being too hot. It also makes me feel I am in the Philippines right now. I am used to rain in the Philippines for we only have two seasons there, the rainy and sunny season. Oh gosh it also makes me more sleepy and wanted to go back to bed and just stay asleep until 1 o'clock lol. But I need to earn money so I better not do that. Need to get a cup of hot chocolate to wake up myself and not feel sleepy grrr..

Tú que eres tan compasivo, fiel, amoroso; Tú eres nuestro Padre. Te pedimos que engrandezcas nuestra fe y nuestro amor hacia ti, y así podamos usar los blogs como instrumentos para cumplir con tus propósitos. Debemos convertirnos en bloggers de verdad y promotores de la paz. Ayúdanos a ser firmes en nuestra responsabilidad de cristianos y [...]

March has been a tremendous month for this blog. Finally there seems to be a definite direction for this blog to take. If you think this is still all over the place, you should have visited me a few months ago. The month of March saw this blog reach new heights in terms of daily traffic and posts. I won’t mention the average daily traffic now (it’s laughable by other people’s standards) but it is a personal best.

I’ve also come to some realizations this month. Chief of them is that sponsored posts will forever drag your blog to muck and back not to mention that you don’t exactly endear yourself to Google. Why endear ourselves to Google? Well if you haven’t noticed, the internet this days has become Google’s playground, and as they say, when in Rome..

The Mac, unfortunately I have to say this, rules. There are some things you can do with the Mac that PC users can only dream about. If you’ve read the article I did on breaking the Entrecard Bank, and I even audaciously mentioned that I will be sharing that one here. I’m going back on my word on that. I am about to get a much faster internet connection and we’ll see if things will turn out a lot better for that system that I made.

I’ve already applied my system to other internet related things and it’s very, very successful. Mac users who are still not on to this thing may want to start asking themselves what has the Mac got that the PC doesn’t, and what has it got to do with Entrecard? There I’m already giving myself away.

I have also convinced myself that affiliate programs is the way to go. Sure it takes a lot of effort and will need lots of traffic to succeed but then again, what kind of endeavor doesn’t require work? And if there is, where’s the fun in that?

The next month will see me focusing on the following areas, Freelancing as a money making activity, rounding off the best ebooks around (frankly we need to read a lot about this thing called the internet and blogging in general), and of course my obsession with free blogging templates.

I’ll be making up topics as I go along so I hope you enjoy this ride with me.

By the way, if you feel that we have related blogs, you could always send me a note for a link exchange at pop.javi(at)yahoo.com.

Here’s to another month of blogging!!

DAVAO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 31, 2008) – Communist rebels on Monday warned of more attacks against government and military targets in the southern Philippines.

The rebels, belonging to the New People’s Army, also vowed to execute soldiers and policemen who committed serious violations of human rights and civilians working as spy for the Philippine military.

“Combatants of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and their intelligence officers and operatives, those who have committed serious violations of human rights, worst plunderers, persons who have blood debts against the people and the revolutionary movement and the most horrible type of criminals have all the reason to worry about the New People's Army,” Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman, said.

The NPA also took responsibility for the killing of a militia leader, Nelson Sam-o, in a raid March 28 in Compostela Valley province. Sam-o was also the village chieftain of San Jose, a hamlet in Monkayo town.

Sam-o was the second village chieftain killed in just ten days in Mindanao. On March 18, rebel forces also executed Custodio Varona, of Fatima village in Paquibato district in the outskirts of Davao City.

“Combat troops of the AFP, PNP and paramilitary forces are legitimate military targets. Under the Geneva Convention and its Protocols, the members of parties in armed conflict, except their medical personnel and chaplains and those considered hors de combat, are legitimate military targets,” Sanchez said.

The outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) last week ordered the NPA, its military wing, to intensify attacks on government and military targets as part of its new offensive. It said the main purpose of the offensive is to seize weapons and increase the number of rebel forces in the country.

The CPP broke off peace talks with Manila in 2004 after the United States on the government's prodding, listed the communist groups as foreign terrorist organizations and froze their assets abroad.

Last week, more than 2,000 people, mostly members of the anti-communist group called the National Alliance for Democracy, held an indignation rally in Tambulig town in Zamboanga del Sur province.

Major Gamal Hayudini, commander of the military's 4th Civil Relations Group, said more and more people are joining anti-communist rallies in the southern Philippines to denounce the NPA atrocities.

“The NPA is just echoing its frustrations; it is act desperation of the part of the CPP and NPA. It is just a deception, it’s an old story. The people are supporting us, they are supporting the government and as a matter of fact, many rebels and their supporters have returned to the folds of the law,” Hayudini said.

The NPA, which celebrated its 39th anniversary March 29, is still fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

one of the postcards from postsecret this week.

i really like it. feels very positive and hopeful. so i say the same thing to everyone out there. :)

Summer is almost here in the Philippines! Another great season of fun in the sun! The invigorating smell of sea water, the sticky-fresh breeze, the sun beating down on your skin! It was my second time to go to Batangas, now it would be for the first summer outing of SEO.ph members at Laiya, Batangas last [...]

1. CD-R King. I was in SM last week to buy some CDs and DVDs. I was about to get my priority number but found out that nihubas na ang ilang butanganan. But I guess I was fortunate enough coz there was this old woman (gikapot na tingali to siyag huwat) which gave her number to me. It read 27. And they are serving 15. Meaning, next batch nako. But at least kay 1-50 ra sila. After 25 minutes (more or less), gitawag na akong number. Daghan man gud pud ang wala pagtawag nila (siguro giapangkapoy na). Ug sa dihang binundakay ang show. I don't understand why they have to show to their customers that they are annoyed... Ug kung gikapoy sila, nganong apilon man ang customer. Kinahanglan na gyud na nila i-overhaul ilang system of serving their customers para mas dali, efficient and dili mag-antos ang mga mamalitay.
2. Capitol Post Office. Kani, grabee gyud ni. It caused a heartache gyud. Pirte nako kapungot ani kay nagdali ko bah nga makapadala sa mga newspaper to the LPP. I went there twice. First in the morning but ABSENT daw ang in-charge so wala. I went back in the afternoon only to be told that I can't buy the stamps 'coz busy ang in-charge (nag-audit ang in-charge). i asked if kinsa man pwede mu-take charge coz after all, it is a post office. Ug sa dihang giingnan ko nga dili pwede kay walay lain nga pwede mubaligya! What the f*^*k! Ana diay nah? maypa manira na lang sila. I went back there ganiha. Wala nay available na 20-denomination said the in-charge. Ug sa dihang pwede ra diay nga dili stamp kay naa silay sticker! Pasabta ko! Nganong wala naman lang gyud ko ingna nga nila ana. Kinahanglan pa gyud ko magbalik-balik??? Are we going to blame it on the system again? Or tapulan ug walay initiative lang gyud sila. Nah! If makasuway mo anang naa sa window nga babaye kay maPikal gyud ka. Murag nakaminos. Isog kaayo nga murag dili musugot nga mu-mail ka. Sakto man unta sila sa weldo. Unsay problema? Tapulan lang gyud ug wala kaila kung unsa ang SERVICE.
   

Kani lang sa tingali kay naghuna-huna pa ko sa uban. Mao lang ni anag naka-paulbo sa akong kaspa last week.

A

Last weekend, Davao’s finest — the PNP Regional Office 11 — and the Task Force Davao military unit were able to apprehend an Al Qaeda poseur here in the city. Identified as Romie John C. Rosalia (according to this report), the authorities alleged that he was extorting money from corporations and individuals via email. He was caught at an Internet café called Quagmire (how very apt!) on Bonifacio street.

One of the individuals he had threatened was my friend, Bob Martin, who wrote about his experience via his über-popular site, Live in the Philippines. But two weeks ago, Bob told me about the email that he’d received from Rosalia, who’d identified himself as an ‘Al Qaeda operative’ to him. In the email, which the perpatrator sent via a contact form on one of Bob’s blogs, Rosalia said that he’d “make history” by blowing up one of the convenience stores in the city.

Bob, an American national who’s been living in Davao City for almost a decade now, told me 2 weeks ago that the anti-terrorist soldiers of Task Force Davao were immediately dispatched to assist him and his family. He said that the authorities were very helpful and professional.

And last 25 March, Rosalia was apprehended, thanks to the concerted efforts of the military and the Davao police. It’s good to know that our security officials are not as low tech as we might sometimes think. I assume that the identification of the suspect and the eventual arrest was possible by scrutinizing his emails.

Here’s to the PNP and TFD!!! I salute you guys!

I just returned from Mainit to speak before the 129 new graduates of Mainit National High School, my high school Alma Mater, last 28 March 2008.

For me, it was my first opportunity to give my wholehearted thanks to the school that prepared me to survive my post high school life, particularly the urban jungles and unfamiliar and highly competitive environments outside Mainit. I made sure that before I begun my speech, I asked the 129 graduates to stand up for a full round of applause to give thanks and respects to the parents and relatives who labored hard and supported their high school education, and another round of special applause for the faculty and staff of MNHS who guided them for four years (or more), like me.

I spoke in mix English and Surigaonon... emphasizing that being a Mainitnon, being a Pidjanga, being a Surigaonon, is something to be proud of... and when a Mainitnon goes out of Mainit, each one should show that world how special we are... how talented we are. And it should always be a pride to speak our Suriganonon, our Minainit.

I think my speech was delivered for more than an hour, which I dreaded, because, I've learned from the Jesuits that there is no salvation for homilies beyond 30 minutes. Being conscious of that, and thinking that each of the graduates already looked forward to the graduation ball that will be done in the evening (unoy baroon na gown, unoy imnon - Emperador ba o Gilbeys -, umay sumsuman, etc), I already warned them that my talk might take more than 2 hours. So, having it just over an hour was, I think, just enough to expound the 3 main messages I prepared for the graduates, and make their attention kept on me. I don't know how to summarize the messages but I think these can be in following short paragraphs:

1. Continually examine your life. Reflect on your experiences. Learn from your mistakes. Just like those who are icons of success, everyone will experience failure. But make sure that on every downfall, one has to strive to rise up again. Poverty is a common cause of disappointment and discouragement. But, it has been proven time and again, that poverty is not a hindrance to success. And being a poor Mainitnon will NEVER be a hindrance in reaching the top. I mentioned a number of us Pidjangas, who have successfully reached our goals, despite being poor, despite being "just" a Mainitnon.
2. Burn the attribute of discipline (borrowed mainly and acknowledging that it came from the speech of Butch Jimenez). I don't need to emphasize this here but I told the kids that one cannot reach the top or achieve one's dreams if one has no discipline. And the beauty about discipline is that you compete with yourself. And if you loose, no one else looses, but yourself. I gave few concrete examples based on my personal experiences in MNHS which, as I see nodding and responses, and laughs, from the audience, were fully understood, and were very relevant to their situations.
3. Giving back to the country, giving back for Mainit, paying it forward. I mixed the Jimenez message on this with the key learnings from the movie Pay it Forward. I gave concrete examples on how to help the country and how to help Mainit, wherever one is. I gave some samples of what we had been advocating here in the Pidjanga Blog... conserve Lake Mainit, promote eco-tourism, plant trees and help stop the flooding, the sand quarrying, illegal and over fishing, among others.

I concluded that I would have enumerated the many values that each one can learn from but I chose the three above because these have molded my personal and professional life, and I can speak of them with great enthusiasm. The three messages were already too much, so I challenged them to just remember at least one, which hopefully one day I will see them back in Mainit telling me that they have reached the top and they have given back for the development of Mainit... which I know they can and they will, because other Mainitnons have done it...

I had a standing ovation from the crowd after the speech. All the teachers in the stage congratulated me and some of them had very, very inspiring notes of praises, which mostly I did not understand (namagdungan na pagsulti - an ako alima may panyo, program, tubig, in short - hapit magkajagi-jagi). I went to the Sunday Mass the following day and I still received beautiful messages of admiration from teachers, parents, and students.

You see, as I also started my speech, that I almost forgot that the graduation is all about the 129 graduates starting a new life and needed to be challenged, and not about me and not about my speech. So, I should conclude this blog post by congratulating the new graduates and I really, really wish that I have inspired them through my speech.

Here are few caps from the graduation.
(Click photos to enlarge)

The 129 MNHS Graduates.


The topnotchers led by the Class Valedictorian, Rowell Cortes (extreme right), while taking their Pledge of Loyalty to MNHS.


The graduation program.


The Pidjanga Blogger (Zimm) with MNHS Principal - Dr. Estrella Mordido and Surigao del Norte Department of Education Assistant Schools Division Superintendent - Mr. Gregorio Caneda.


Photo: John Karachi Mosende (Concon)
Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Crossposting: http://www.bisayabloggers.com/; http://zimmbodilion.multiply.com/journal

Good day to Sam, Daddynator, Raymond, Maiagirl, and Bugsybee, I would like to recruit you into an experiment that may provide an insight into how blog ranking works and how to work it. Thank you Panaderos, for the tag and the idea for a new post.

What is blog authority / blog rank?

Technorati Authority is the number of blogs linking to a website in the last six months. The higher the number, the more Technorati Authority the blog has.

It is important to note that we measure the number of blogs, rather than the number of links. So, if a blog links to your blog many times, it still only count as +1 toward your authority. Of course, new links mean the +1 will last another 180 days.

Technorati Rank is calculated based on how far you are from the top. The blog with the hightest Technorati Authority is the #1 ranked blog. The smaller your Technorati Rank, the closer you are to the top.

Since at the lower end of the scale many blogs will have the same Technorati Authority, they will share the same Technorati Rank.

—What is Authority? from Technorati.com

The Short Story

The tag rules mandate that you tag 5 other bloggers and to just keep adding to the list. No replacements, just additions.

Tag others and see your Technorati Authority explode. Please let me know if you wish to participate so I can email you the list in copy-paste-able html format, or web-savvy individuals can just view this page’s source and copy the code in the following paragraph. Thanks in advance to all of you.

And these are the people who already took part in this tag:
*Blognation, Pinoytek, Reyna, Bluep, Kotsengkuba, Buraot, Iris, KCee, Banco De Reyna, Mitch, Melai, Malen, Beng, Sasha, Divaness, Jojitah, Joanjoyce, Gzel, Panaderos, Bambit, (you!)

The Longer Story

When comparing Google’s PR and Technorati ranking, I’d certainly be in favor of Technorati. While Google’s PR has been proven to be manually manipulated by Google (search Google for the term “Google-slap”), Technorati’s ranking system is not only more reflective of your blog’s actual performance, but also encourages you to have constantly current content.

While this can work even if you don’t have a Technorati account, it always helps if you do. If you don’t have a Technorati account yet, go on over to their website and sign up for one. Once you’re on you’ll be guided on how you can “claim” your blog. I’d adivse the quick claim procedure as it’s, well, quicker. Once you’re up and running, get the Authority and Rank Widgets from the Technorati Widgets page and stick them on to your blog, so you can monitor your blog’s performance right on your homepage.

Good day guys! How is your day? For me here,it's kinda boring and pretty slow day for both of me and my baby.Hubby is at work so we're in prison now.

Anyways,I want to share my terrible dream last night.In real life my highschool principal just passed away recently because of cancer.She was one of the many old women who was fortunate enough to see America for visiting purposes but then luckily she found an American guy of her age to marry.She's been here I think more or less than 10 years.She only went back home when she got ill of cancer and died just this month,March.

It always frighten me knowing a person in real life is dead and seeing her in my dreams is just scary.I dreamed that we were in a church then I happen to sit on a chair behind her.At first I didn't realize that it was her but then she turned around and smiling at me,I was jerking and went wide-eyed that it was Mrs.Villegas,the principal...

Man I was so scared.I ran immediately away from her.I tried to get rid of her as fast as I could but the more I do that,the more she will keep up with me and tease me.I even climb the wall only to get lost of her sight but she followed wherever I go.Very terrible.

I woke up in reality catching my breath with goose bumps feeling cold and so scared of what I just dreamed.I hate it when it happens to me,a dead person visiting me in my dreams yucks ewwwwwwwww...I don't know what is the message she wanted to relay though we were neighbors in the Philippines but we weren't that close or friends.

At first I was kind of wondering what tadalafil is all about.I did a research about this drug and that is how I know that Generic Tadalafil that it is similar as viagra.It is a medication that helps men with erectile dysfunction that is increasingly common with age, and more than half of all men over the age of 40 will experience erectile dysfunction at some point.If you are suffering this dysfunction and would want to give your sex life back to its hot moment then you should try this one.

Oh gosh,I forgot,I thought it's Monday already because hubby has to go to work.I woke up early and didn't realize that it's Sunday diay.Here I am,up in the computer in PPP site refreshing and I suddenly remember that it still weekend.

I really feel it's the beginning of the week for our weekend is over.Felt like Monday here in this house.Argsss if I only knew I could have gotten back my sleep.Nah hala gonna make this post a short one for I need to go back to bed and snore...HAPPY WEEKEND GUYS!

The biggest fear I don't want to experience is being stolen my identity and losing my reputation.Once somebody can enter to your personal accounts and destroy your name this only means that you lost everything,lost your business as well and for that I want to have a reputation management even on the internet so I will be protected.