At work, at play, the Philippines grooves to Papaya beat

See the You Tube Feature above.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080208/lf_nm_life/philippines_papaya1_dc_1

The Latest on US Market and Economy

A. Wall Street mainly lower after economic stimulus bill passes 9 Feb, 2008, 0353 hrs IST, AGENCIES NEW YORK:

US stocks finished mostly lower Friday as investors remained skittish a day after Congress approved an economic stimulus plan of some 150 billion dollars to help lift sagging growth...

Goldman said the market was seeing unusual swings amid a highly uncertain economic outlook.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Market_News/Wall_Street_closes_mainly_lower/articleshow/2768622.cms

B. US recession to be longer than usual: UMich
8 Feb, 2008, 2145 hrs IST, AGENCIES

YORK: The U.S. economy has entered a recession that will be more painful and drawn out than the usual downturn,

With Americans getting hit with everything from a housing downturn to excess borrowing, things will get worse before they get better. "Consumers must take more drastic steps to stabilize their finances in the midst of high fuel and food prices, stagnant incomes, and record debt," Curtin said.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Global_Markets/US_recession_to_be_longer_than_usual_UMich_/articleshow/2768076.cms

Philippine Political Zarzuela

A. Arroyo fights corruption charges

Filipino president Gloria Arroyo is once again using all her political armour to fight off the latest corruption allegations against her. But in this case the charges are coming from the man who was once her closest political ally.

Jose de Venecia has just been ousted as Speaker of the House of Representatives. It's said to be payback after his businessman son testified that Mrs Arroyo's husband received lucrative kickbacks from a state contract. Now the former speaker has his own serious charges to make against the woman he's spent much of his career protecting.

Read all - http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/s2157735.htm

B. Philippines' Arroyo Orders DoJ To Find Culprits In NBN Deal

The order comes amid revelations by former government consultant Rodolfo Lozada Jr. that the NBN contract awarded to China's ZTE Corp. was allegedly overpriced...

Meanwhile, a former political ally of President Arroyo on Thursday said he is prepared to expose widespread corruption within the administration.

Former House of Representatives speaker Jose de Venecia told foreign correspondents that Arroyo's husband, two sons and a brother-in-law bribed legislators using public money to oust him from the post he held for 13 years.
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080207%5cACQRTT200802070618RTTRADERUSEQUITY_0281.htm&

US Economy in Freefall: No End In Sight Yet

The US Sharesmarket made the biggest fall since February 2007. US recession could be worst in 20 years. The global markets ups and downs are unprecedented. This may severely impact your life, if it has not already. Read these links and take note:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10491004

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aFgM.erEfhes&refer=home

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10491051

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/327408/1/.html

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080206/19/15r8q.html

Thank you

A big thank you for the great tribute for all the Filipinos overseas! That is very true and wherever we go we still long to go back home for it's there that we belong.Missing you all back home.See you in the near future. Nelia

My stand on Valentines Day.

Dear All, Wether it's paganism or superstition we have to give importance to our hearts.After all,it's the most important part of our body,for without it there's no life.It is the part of our body that supplies blood and oxygen to the diff.organs of our body.As soon as the heart stops pumping,everything stops.We celebrate all kinds of holidays,why not celebrate one thing that gives us life. It is also the most beautiful part of our body because it gives us the feeling to love one another,and for me love is so important for our existence.It can create so many wonders beyond words.I'm not a poet or a writer,it just popped up from my imagination while watching the breath-taking sceneries in our country.So, I have to stop watching for a while and put this in our blog.Happy Valentines Day everybody,let's keep celebrating this very important day.This is what brought us together to have our High School Reunion, "LOVE". I LOVE YOU ALL! P.S. I'd like to remind each one that what everybody is doing for our blog is a labor of love.

To Emma and Family

On the untimely loss of your much-loved brother, our heartfelt condolences.
JRI Orion Batch 1963.