Monday, August 25, 2008

"Malling" consumes shoppers in the Philippines

By Marnette Federis
MANILA (Reuters) -

In the Philippines, "malling" has become a verb, the act of going to a shopping mall and whiling away the hours.


The Southeast Asian country has three of the world's 10 largest shopping centers, two of them in the capital, Manila. Scores of others, ranging from modern glass and steel structures to older, fading buildings, dot cities across the archipelago.


Although over 40 percent of the country's 90 million people live on $2 or less per day, malls here are crowded at all times, and especially packed at weekends.


Around 80 percent of the Philippines' population go to shopping centers and around 36 million people visit shopping plazas once or twice a month, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Shopping is only an option at Manila's malls...

Read more:
"Malling" consumes shoppers in the Philippines

Friday, August 22, 2008

Just In Case USA Politics Interest You

Thursday, August 21, 2008
by Jeff SchreiberAmerica's Right.com

A prominent Philadelphia attorney and Hillary Clinton supporter filed suit this afternoon in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic National Committee and the Federal Election Commission.

The action seeks an injunction preventing the senator from continuing his candidacy and a court order enjoining the DNC from nominating him next week, all on grounds that Sen. Obama is constitutionally ineligible to run for and hold the office of President of the United States.


Read more:
Obama Sued in Philadelphia Federal Court on Grounds he is Constitutionally Ineligible for the Presidency

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pray for Our Homeland

Rebel commander declares 'all-out war' against Philippines

by Jason Gutierrez Wed Aug 20, 10:30 AM ET
MANILA (AFP) -

A Muslim rebel commander behind deadly raids in the southern Philippines declared on Wednesday an "all-out war" against the government, saying his fighters were willing to die in battle.


Abdurahman Macapaar of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also known as Commander Bravo, taunted the military and said his mujahedeen, or holy warriors, were willing to engage them in firefights anytime.


"We are prepared to trade fire with them until we are decimated. If they cannot finish us, we will finish them," Bravo said over the Radio Mindanao Network. "We are prepared to kill, we are prepared to be killed."


He said attacks on several Christian towns in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Sarangani on Monday that left 38 dead were led by "mujahedeen" angered by an aborted land deal with the government.


"What the Muslims want is Islamic justice in Mindanao," Bravo said, referring to the country's main southern island where the MILF has been waging a separatist rebellion since 1978.


"In the eyes of Allah we are not terrorists," he said, reacting to accusations by some government officials that he and his rebel unit no longer follow the MILF chain of command.


Read more: Rebel commander declares 'all-out war' against Philippines
Philippines peace in tatters after rebel attack
Grenade blast wounds four in southern Philippines

Monday, August 18, 2008

To my JRIORIONBATCH1963 Family...A sharing of joy - Marc Hil & Sharmaine Miguel - Macalua

Thanks so much for the warm greetings for our son, Marc Hil and our new daughter-in-law, Sharmaine, on the occasion of their wedding last August 9 at the historic San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

That post in our blog by Ms. OrionJri, on behalf of our batch, made the event more meaningful, because it came from you, folks, whom I care for so deeply.

It was a beautiful wedding, as all weddings are. God blessed us with a very fine weather, so the invitees, coming all the way from the U.S., Bataan, Tarlac, Leyte, Cebu, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Metro Manila, and other places, were able to make it to the affair.

Amidst all the frenzy of the wedding preparations, everything went on smoothly, with the professional touch provided by an event's managing group, GEMBSO EVENTS, headed by its very competent founder/coordinator-manager, Majella.

The gowns, from the bride to the flower girls, were amazing creations done by Ninang Alice. Most of the body measurements were only emailed to her. I really marveled at her expertise, for no alterations were needed when we tried them on. The color motif was the very unlikely combination of blue and brown. Marc's favorite color is his alma mater's Ateneo blue, while Sharm's wardrobe is mostly in various shades of brown. Ninang Alice chose the fabrics in the perfect hues, that complemented each other. The gowns were done along simple but very elegant style. No wonder, because Ninang Alice prepared the wedding trosseau with 'tender loving care.'

Sharm's wedding gown was in a darker shade of beige, with chantilly lace for the bolero, and a detachable train held on by a giant bow along her tiny waistline. The hemline is in the current style craze called bubbles.
She was covered from head to toe with an illusion tulle that extended many yards along the red carpet as she walked down the aisle of the San Agustin Church. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue"
"The heirloom set of diamond jewelries given by her mom, her wedding gown, her fan , her torquise high-heeled wedding shoes." Sharm's hair and make-up were done by Nerrie, a friend who provides the beauty needs of some of the more popular socialites and showbiz personalities. Nerrie did everything for free. It was her wedding gift for the couple.

Sharm's bouquet was a rounded style of different kinds of flowers and flowerettes in a profusion of colors, but predominantly in my favorite yellow color.

Marc wore a tuxedo, custom made by Frankie de Leon, a Makati couture. I'm glad that he chose to wear one because he looks better in a tux than in a Barong Tagalog, probably because of his built. All the other coat and pants and the blue neckties were done by the same couturier. The male members of the entourage wore buttonnaires of carnation/ rosebuds on their lapel.

Two of our priest friends from Florida,U.S.A. and Leyte flew in for the wedding ceremony. Rev. Fr. Gerald T. Alcantara, who co-celebrated the mass and gave the beautiful homily, and Rev. Fr. Arnold M. Aurillo, who officiated in the wedding rites.

We had to smile tlll our jaws got tired, because the ten photographers of East Digital Photography were clicking their cameras like mad. It was not easy, because we had to do that since we started dressing up at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza where we were billeted, till the end of the cocktails and wedding reception at the One Esplanade Events' Center, near the Mall of Asia in Roxas Boulevard.

Catering was by Josiah's - a very good choice. From the superb cuisine, to the personalized service, from the venue furniture and decor to the carved-ice Ateneo eagle centerpiece. Ms. Jet, the proprietress, treated us like family from day one, giving in to all our whims and fancy. To top it all, she did not charge for the extra 25 pax, outside the 230 pax that we booked for the reception.

Deviating from tradition, there were no wedding give aways. The budget for them was donated by Marc and Sharm's to their favorite charity.

The wedding drama...
Of course, this mother of the groom shed tears, when her son, held her hand so tight, tears welling up in his eyes, as Sharm was walking down the aisle. Also when he had to stop in the middle of his marriage vows, not able to speak anymore, all choked up and overwhelmed with happiness, after saying, :Sharm, you are my childhood dream, come true." They were all tears of joy, because I felt how happy my son was. What a grace to marry one's true love! My son got that divine grace.

We are so happy, too, that he married to a family who also adored him. A family who accepted him sincerely, the way that we welcome Sharm to ours.

They are having a delayed honeymoon in the U.S. in November, when Marc goes there for their company's bi-annual business planning.

So instead of our 4M's (Myra, Marc, MicMac, & MonMon), we now have 6 children with our 2 in-laws, (Ian and Sharm). It's true that in marriage, one gains children, not lose them. We will wait patiently for a little Macalua from Marc and Sharm, so our only apo, Iya, will have a first cousin. BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY, FOLKS.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A Step Closer to Being Invisible at Will

WASHINGTON - Scientists say they are a step closer to developing materials that could render people and objects invisible...

The new work moves scientists a step closer to hiding people and objects from visible light, which could have broad applications, including military ones...

Read more: Poof! Scientists closer to invisibility cloak

No more clumsy evasive tactics or crouching in closets to hide from persistent bill collectors and irate ex's etc.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Shame! Bleating SHAME!

Couples for Christ row far from over - CBCP


MANILA, Philippines - A year after it started, the legal woes of the Couples for Christ (CFC) continue to rage, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines lamented Sunday.

In an article on its website

, the CBCP said the bone of contention now involves the organization's copyrighted moniker, making the matter a legal battle in court.Couples for Christ Inc., which stemmed from a religious movement that began in the Philippines in 1981, has sued for trademark infringement four organizations that use the CFC tag.

The Couples for Christ chapter based in West Palm Beach, Florida, has three registered US trademarks, including "Couples for Christ," "CFC," and a stylized cross design. The organization provides educational services and religious and relationship counseling to couples and individuals, according to an Aug. 1 complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court.

Couples for Christ USA of Renton, Washington; Couples for Christ-Nor Cal, of Modesto, California; and Couples for Christ USA Southern California are all accused of infringing on the trademarks, the CBCP said.

It cited court papers indicating Couples for Christ Inc. claimed it repeatedly asked the defendants to quit using the marks, but they have repeatedly refused.The organization asked the court to order the defendants to quit using the marks and for unspecified money damages. It is asking that the damages be tripled to punish the defendants for their acts of infringement.

Edward Schwartz, Thomas Daily and Steven Lauridsen of Pasadena, California's Christie, Parker & Hale represent Couples for Christ. Earlier this year, the Couples for Christ was rocked by an internal dispute that spilled over to the Securities and Exchange Commission and courts in the Philippines.The parties involved included the Couples for Christ Foundation Inc. of Frank Padilla and the Couples for Christ Global Mission Foundation identified with Gawad Kalinga's Frank Meloto.

While the SEC ruled in favor of Padilla's group, Meloto's camp vowed to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court. - GMANews.TV.

Couples for Christ row far from over - CBCP

Hey, what do they call themselves? What religion do they profess to practise?

Friday, August 8, 2008

Monday, August 4, 2008

A Birthday Blog






Well, I know, I am too old for this kind of stuff , but bear with me, sharing my simple joy,batchmates .

My birthday, July 29 was an ordinary workday . Although I wanted to have a birthday leave that day, the usual workloads spoiled my plan.But that day turned out to be a great day !! I had lunch with an old friend whom I have not meet after our 15 days sojourn in Lebanon and Syria in 2000.It was a memorable moment looking back at our adventures and misadventures in Beirut and Damascus . He also opened an opportunity for me to be busy after I retire in 2009 .Being a management consultant, he invited me to be in his pool of resource speakers and facilitators in the various training programs he is conducting in some organizations. Of course ,I accepted it. That is an extra source of income . The afternoon of that day was spent with my staff and officemates...a simple celebration took place .I shared pancit, spaghetti and puto for the snacks .With their birthday greetings and happy birthday songs, I really enjoyed my "26th" birthday !

Indeed, Birthdays are for Senior Citizens too ! Take a look at the photos !

Friday, August 1, 2008

What Will Scientists Work on Next?

Are you LAZY? Have you been told that you are? Have you ever wondered if you are ? And if you think you may be, do you wonder WHY? Scientists are actually doing a research on this.

NOT KIDDING!


If you can be bothered, read more: Is There a Laziness Gene?