I Invoke My Right

" I invoke my right!", these are the words that Janet Lim Napoles kept on saying when she was questioned by the different Senators regarding the Pork Barrel Scam this morning at the Senate Hearing. A lot of people including myself was really disappointed with what's going on in the Senate hearing. It was so obvious that Janet Lim Napoles was lying. All she said was " I invoke my right" "I don't know" "I don't remember" etc.

I just feel so disgusted by this woman and those people who are behind this pork barrel scam. I don't know how they can sleep at night knowing they stole people's money. While so many Filipinos are becoming so poor and needs help, these people were and still are enjoying the money they took from the Filipino people.

I just hope and Pray that justice will be served, if not, I believe in Karma and I know God is always watching.

Kris Aquino vs. James Yap

Kris Aquino vs. James Yap? No matter what, nobody wins in this situation, I just hope whatever problems they have will be fixed soon for the sake of their son, Bimby!

Rest In Peace Dolphy

Yesterday morning I saw my younger sister's post on facebook about the King of Comedy in the Philippines' death. I was really saddened by the news. Dolphy has been my idol since I was younger, I remember my daddy used to take us to the movies to watch Dolphy's movies.

Anyway, I would like to say thank you Dolphy for bringing joy to us for decades, may you rest in peace now.

Prayers For The Victims Of Typhoon Juan

It is really painful seeing what Typhoon Juan left the Philippines. Atleast 10 people were listed dead due to Typhoon Juan. The Philippine government still accounting mounting farm and infrastructure damage in Northern Luzon, an official said yesterday.

Damage to national roads, bridges and schoolbuildings in Regions 1 (Ilocos) and 2 (Cagayan Valley) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will reach billions of pesos, Benito T. Ramos, executive director of National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) said in a phone interview."Billions [of pesos] in Regions 1, 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region," Mr. Ramos said, adding damage estimates will be released today after concerned agencies have assessed the extent of destruction.A total of 2,268 families or 10,434 persons in Regions 1, 2, 3, CAR and Metro Manila have either been displaced or affected by typhoon Juan due to landslides, storm surges and floods, according to an NDRRMC report.The provinces of Cagayan and Isabela in Region 2 recorded the most number of evacuees with 3,998 persons. About 80% of houses in three of 37 Isabela towns have been devastated by the typhoon, according to NDRRMC.

Let's us all Pray for the victims of Typhoon Megi (JUAN). Thanks to bworldonline.com for the informations.

OFW from Abu Dhabi found dead on Gulf Airplane's Toilet

I just watched the news about an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) from Abu Dhabi who was found dead on Gulf Airplane's toilet just before the airplane was about to land. Here's the news I've found online.

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 3)—A Filipino found dead in the toilet of a Gulf Air plane Wednesday has been identified by the airline’s local station manager as Marlon Cueva, 36, of Lubang Island, Mindoro Occidental. He was an electrician who worked in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Pasay City police chief Senior Supt. Napoleon Cuaton said Cueva was found hanging inside the toilet at the rear of the plane by a flight steward around 11:20 a.m., shortly after Gulf Air flight GF 154 from Bahrain landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

Cueva apparently committed suicide, NAIA 1 General Manager Octavio Villalina told Radyo Inquirer, although it was not clear how he took his own life inside the toilet.

Cuaton told reporters, “The injuries seem self-inflicted. He probably used a clothing article to hang himself. There were no ropes or wires. We will leave it to our forensics experts to establish the suicide. The lavatory was intact.”

Pictures of the scene showed Cueva slumped on the aisle leading to the right lavatory where he was left by a Filipino nurse who tried to revive him but failed.

Cueva wore a black jacket and a blue shirt.

The police had yet to take the corpse out of the plane as of 3 p.m. Cueva’s wife, Vilma, and two other female relatives were waiting at the NAIA medical office.

“I don’t know why he did this. There’s no reason at all. We wonder why he would do this,” she said before asking mediamen to go away and give her privacy.

Gulf Air station manager Khaled Ahmed Abdulrahman apologized to some 300 passengers waiting for plane’s return trip. The plane was supposed to leave NAIA at 12:30 p.m.

Thanks to newsinfo.inquirer.net for the informations.

Typhoon Megi ("Juan") Leaves 12 Dead in the Philippines

I couldn't help myself but to shed a tear when I was watching the news about what's going on in the Philippines right now. I would like to share this news that I've found online with you all.

MANILA, Philippines—The strongest typhoon in the world this year hit the country, making its way out of northern Luzon but its howling winds and continuous rains from Monday night to Tuesday morning left at least 12 people dead.

“Juan” is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday afternoon after slowing down in the South China Sea.

In another Inquirer.net report, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tuesday that Typhoon “Juan” could be pushed back to the Philippines by two weather systems in the vicinity of China which were holding the typhoon back from its northwesterly track.

Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, PAGASA officer-in-charge, said "Juan" had become “quasi-stationary” as it moved away from the Philippine area of responsibility because of the two high-pressure areas northwest of the archipelago.

Many areas in northern Luzon remained without power and communications facilities a day after Super-typhoon “Juan” (international code name: Megi) ripped over the region with gusts of 260 kilometers per hour.

“The waves in Maconacon were as big as houses and swamped the town plaza facing the Pacific Ocean,” Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy said over dzBB radio as he appealed for help.

Dy said water, food and medicine were desperately needed in Maconacon, a village of about 4,000 people that remained isolated and only accessible by helicopter or by small boat.

Three people in Maconacon drowned in the storm surge and many others were wounded on Monday, he said.

Dy said he could not give a full report of the damage to all coastal areas because the 240-kilometer northeastern shoreline of Isabela remained difficult to reach.

The super-typhoon destroyed huge tracts of rice and corn crops, an official said, warning the country could be forced to import more rice.

Nearly 100,000 hectares of rice and corn crops had been destroyed across Isabela, one of the Philippines’ key farming regions, Governor Dy said.

The Philippines, the world’s largest rice importer, imported 2.4 million tons of rice last year.

Initial field reports are not encouraging, with the governor of the key agricultural province of Isabela estimating 385,000 tons of rice and 46,400 tons of corn will be lost.

Damage to agriculture was initially placed at more than P1.55 billion, with rice and vegetable farmers taking heavy losses, the Department of Agriculture said.

Assistant Agriculture Secretary Salvador Salacup said the figure was a “conservative” estimate.

The strong winds had dissipated after Juan moved off the west coast of Luzon early on Tuesday morning. But it continued to unleash rain after its trajectory toward China stalled and it hovered near Luzon throughout Tuesday.

“Its radius is 300 kilometers so even if it has left the country, rains will continue to affect us, probably until tonight,” said Benito Ramos, head of the national disaster monitoring council.

As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Juan was spotted 280 km west northwest of Dagupan City, moving at 7 kph toward China. At its fastest, Juan moved at 24 kph.

The typhoon carried maximum winds of 175 kph near the center and gusts of up to 210 kph in the open sea.

At a 5 p.m. briefing Tuesday, Aldczar Aurelio, a junior government forecaster, said the typhoon was almost stationary in the South China Sea Tuesday morning. A high pressure area northwest of Juan prevented it from moving further for a few hours, he said.

Due to bad weather, eight flights to and from Batanes and Palawan were canceled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Tuesday.

Schools were suspended in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon amid fears of flash floods, while rescue workers tried to reach villagers stranded in remote areas that were cut off by the typhoon.

Buri Tree Kills 3

Elsewhere in Luzon, nine people were reported killed.

In Pangasinan, a mother and her two children were killed on Monday night in San Fabian town after a buri tree pinned them down while the typhoon was raging.

Paterno Orduña, executive officer of the provincial disaster council, identified the victims as Ana Vidal, 29, and her daughter EJ, 4, and son Ogie, 2.

The three were lying on the floor and were about to sleep at 7:30 p.m. when the tree fell on their house.

Their deaths brought to four the number of typhoon-related fatalities in Pangasinan. On Monday morning, Reddy Espinosa, a farmer in Mangatarem town, died after he was hit by lightning.

In Nueva Ecija, the provincial disaster council said Roberto Alcaybar drowned while he was crossing a river in Carranglan town on Monday night.

Thanks to newamericamedia.org for these information. God Bless the PHILIPPINES!

Dengue Outbreak in The Philippines

It's really alarming with what is going in the Philippines right now. I cannot help but to get sad when I watch the news and learn with what is going on with the Philippines. There are so many Filipinos that got affected by dengue especially young children. Some were successfully discharged and cared for, while there are others who didn't survive the deadly disease and died.

I hope and Pray that the Filipino people will overcome this problem. The agent of cause of Dengue fever are particularly a class of Aedes mosquitoes which thrives on swampy places or areas with stagnant waters and tropical climates. All I can say is that we have to keep our surroundings clean and get rid of all those dirty water.

Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino

I think Benigno or also known as NoyNoY Aquino is the new elected President of the Philippines. Voting has been finished but the counting is not yet done. I keep watching the news to learn more about the newest elected officials in the Philippines right now. Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino is leading the race for Presidential in the Philippines. He got more than 13 million votes and still counting, next to him is Erap Estrada who got more than 8 million votes and then Manny Villar with more than 4 million votes.

Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino comes from a great family, his parents were known as Bayani or Hero in the Philippines. Well, who ever wins, I hope and Pray that they will do great in the Philippines...Gooodluck and Congratulations!

Congressman Manny Pacquiao

World boxing champion Manny Pacquiao won the election and is now Sarangani's Representative. Manny Pacquiao also run for Congressman last election in General Santos City, Philippines but he lost with his opponent Congresswoman Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

I really couldn't believe it when I saw the news and learned that Manny Pacquiao is the newest Congressman in Sarangani, Philippines. I was rooting for Roy Chiongbian (Manny Pacquiao's opponent) since his family have done a lot of great things in Sarangani. Well, I was kind of dismayed but there is nothing I can do. I just hope and Pray that Manny Pacquiao will do great things in Sarangani.

Congratulations Pacman and good luck to your new found profession.

Praying Over Manny Pacquiao

This video was taken during the Mass given for Manny Pacquiao before his fight with Joshua Clottey on March 13, 2010 at the Gaylord Texan Resort Convention Center, Grapevine Texas. Before the Mass ended, the Priest asked all the people who attended the Mass to Pray over Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao defeated Joshua Clottey by unanimous 12-round.

Pacquiao-Clottey Fight

My family and I watched Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey's fight in Arlington,Texas last Saturday. Manny Pacquiao won the fight over Joshua Clottey but there are so many people that were complaining about the game, they said it was a boring fight. I would say that it was really a boring fight because Joshua Clottey was covering his face all the time. It looked like it was a one sided fight, Manny Pacquiao was the only one who kept throwing punches. Anyway, I would say it was a good one because Manny Pacquiao won, he brought another victory to the Philippines. Congrats Manny,thank you and we're so proud of you!

Baby Philippine Eagle

I got really so happy and excited when I saw on the news (Unang Hirit) about the 23rd eaglet born under the (PPhilippine Eagle Foundation’s EF) conservation breeding program in Davao City. Dubbed “Chick No. 23,” the new eaglet is an offspring of rescued eagle pair Tsai and Princess Maasim (Maasim - is my province), which are 30 years old and 18 years old, respectively, PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said Monday. The Philippine Eagle is one of Philippines finest treasured animal. If anyone of you wants to see the Philippine Eagle, you can always visit The Philippine Eagle National Center.

R.I.P. Cory Aquino

My family and I are watching Cory Aquino's burial ceremony right now...We could not help but cry watching it especially when Kris talked about her mom...The Philippines just lost its Mother...Thank You Cory Aquino for everything that you have done to our Country...You will never be forgotten and You will be in each and every Filipino's heart...Rest in peace our beloved Cory Aquino....We all salute you!

Prayers For Cory Aquino

We all know that Ms. Cory Aquino is very sick, she is fighting a deadly disease. Each and every Filipino are Praying for our beloved ex-President. She was the first female President of the Philippines and was Asia's first female President. She is a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. Please let us all Pray that she will recover soon from her sickness soon! God Bless You Ms. Cory and your family!

New Bb. Pilipinas Ms. World

I was watching TV Patrol on youtube and I have found out that there is a new Binibining Pilipinas World.Janina San Miguel backed out and gave up her crown.The new Binibining Pilipinas World is a Fil-Am,a full Filipino but was born abroad,her name is Danielle Castaño. Janina San Miguel's reason for backing out was kept private but it was said that it's a personal reason. Well,goodluck to the new Binibining Pilipinas Ms. World!

The replacement of Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) World Janina San Miguel on Tuesday showed that she is better than her predecessor in one respect: her English-speaking ability.

That's because 19-year-old Danielle Castaño, who formally assumed the duties of Binibining Pilipinas Ms. World after San Miguel officially quit on Monday, is a Filipino-American.

The Binibining (Bb.) Pilipinas Ms. World 1st runner-up was born in the US and has been living in the Philippines for just over a year.

"Ms. Araneta called me and she told me that I have to be there in an hour...Actually, I was at Malate," Castano said with a strong American accent.

She was referring to Ms. Stella Marquez Araneta, organizer of Binibining Pilipinas, the franchise holder of the Ms. Universe, Ms. World, and Ms. International contests.

Castaño, however, sounded just a bit better than San Miguel when it comes to grammar. "I'm very proud that I was choosed (sic) by Mrs. Araneta."

San Miguel won the Bb. Pilipinas Ms. World despite having difficulty answering in English a judge's question on what role her family played in her bid to be Bb. Pilipinas Ms. World.

The Ms. World 2008 beauty contest is scheduled to be held on December 13 at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Contestants have to be in the South African city by November 16.

Chatting Time With My Mom

My mom and I are chatting.We were not able to chat for I do not know how long.We are just talking about what is happening in the Philippines,it is so sad and heartbreaking!We are worried about my uncle and his family because they live in Iloilo.We hope and Pray that my uncle and his family are doing okay.Let us all Pray for our countrymen and the Philippines!Typhoon Frank has already left the Philippine territory but the damages that it caused is really bad.

20 Dead,57 Survivors and 787 Missing From Philippine Maritime Disaster

Official death toll and number of survivors of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars continued to climb two days after the passenger-cargo vessel capsized off the coast of Romblon province. According to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Monday evening, 20 are confirmed dead and 57 survivors have been accounted for from the Saturday’s maritime disaster. This means 787 remained missing from the Sulpicio Liner-owned vessel, which had a total of 864 passengers and crew onboard. Aside from the ferry disaster, possibly the worst in the Philippines in over 20 years, at least 155 people were killed, largely by drowning, in a torrent of floods in various provinces across the country, the Red Cross said.

"Courtesy of ABS CBN News"

Pope Assures Special Prayers For Philippine Ferry Victims

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Benedict XVI pledged Sunday to say a "special prayer to God" after a typhoon-stricken ferry sank with more than 700 people on board in the Philippines, a mainly Roman Catholic nation.

"It is with deep emotion that I learn this morning of the sinking in the Philippines of a ferry hit by Typhoon Fengshen (local codename Frank)," the pope said after reciting the Angelus prayer following his Sunday mass at the Vatican.

Expressing "spiritual closeness" with islanders living in the typhoon's path, he said he would be making "a special prayer to God for the victims of a new tragedy at sea, in which it appears many children were involved".

The M/V Princess of the Stars listed and sank in just 15 terrifying minutes Saturday in the typhoon-battered seas of the central Philippines, leaving only four survivors so far.

Pope Benedict was invited to visit the Philippines, where eight out of 10 people are Roman Catholics, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last year. The last papal visit to the southeast Asian nation was by the late John Paul II in 1995.

Courtesy of ABS-CBN News!

Typhoon Frank Leaves The Philippines

Typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen) moved towards China Sea Sunday night after almost two days of battering provinces from south to north with rains, wind and high surf. If “Frank” will not change course, Luzon will still experience rains Monday, while the Visayas regions will have clearer skies, the weather bureau said. There will be general improvement in weather all over the country starting Tuesday. It left a trail of hundreds dead, more than 80,000 families displaced, and millions worth of damaged infrastructure. With gusts of up to 170 kph, “Frank” was difficult to forecast as it changed course several times. It was expected to batter the Bicol region after hitting the Visayas region but it changed directions Saturday when it barreled its way towards southern Luzon. Domestic and some international flights were delayed, many roads were blocked and power cuts were widespread. Various parts of the country—from Cavite City to Iloilo City to central Maguindanao—reported extensive flooding, resulting in massive evacuations in safer areas, such as schools. Classes in all levels in 13 affected provinces were called off Monday. “Frank” exited the country through Pangasinan province Sunday night.

Got this article from ABS-CBN News web site.