Magellan’s CrossCebu’11

…But now we have this

Cebu’11

PROLOGUE.

Changed my DP!

I can’t believe my cousin’s girlfriend just won the Ms. Earth - Philippines pageant. Wow. O_O

Ama Namin

It is traditional Filipino practice to hold hands when praying/singing the Our Father at Mass.

Garlic flavored Boy Bawangs:)!

Cousin 1: Who are you webcamming with?

source: Ben de Jesus

Can’t imagine that Manila (Makati) will be this Beautiful at night. Napaka-romantic ng view.

T: “Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not going with your Mom to the Philippines this time since it tried to kill you last time.”
C: “And marry me off.”
T: “Yeah, who knows what else it’ll do to you?!”

Turon or Fried banana spring roll(?) #philippines #manila #foodtrip (Taken with instagram)

maglagay daw ako ng maraming pictures sa blog ko.

Ehhhh tamad akong mag upload ng pictures eh.

Kunsensiya: Nag blog kapa?

Ako: Shaddap!

Lawton Bridge at 3:30 in the morning

Philippine National Anthem - Lupang Hinirang

My family wanted to join in the celebration for the Independence Day. So, we decided, as suggested by the government, to hang a flag of the Philippines in front of our house.

“Quiapo Church”

Maynila, 2011

Ewan ko lang kung tama yang spelling ko. Feeling ko kasi ganyan ako eh. Sa una lang hyper pero pag tumagal na, nawawalan na ng gana. Minsan kasi marami kang pinagkakainteresan na bagay. Gusto mo yan, gusto mo to pero ang totoo, di mo naman talaga ang alam ang gusto mo. Nahilig ako sa cellphone kaya lahat ng klaseng cellphone na try ko na. Hindi ko man binili eh hiniram ko sa mga kaibigan. Nahilig din ako sa photography kaya ayun, bumili ako ng DSLR at halos 6 months din akong nabaliw at naaliw sa kaka picture. Lahat na lang nakahiligan ko. Pati nga pag cross stitch pinasok ko na. 

Ngayon, natitimang na naman ako. Wala na akong hilig.

Minsan kasi sa buhay gusto lang natin ng excitement. Bagong laruan, bagong damit, bag, sapatos, bagong PSP, bagong bahay or bagong pag-ibig. Pero napatunayan ko sa sarili ko na hindi pala okay ang ganito. Mas maigi pala kung alam mo talaga kung ano ang gusto mo at doon ka mag focus. Ilalaban mo to ng patanayan hanggang sa kahuli hulihan. Pero talagang mahiwaga ang utak ng tao. Sa kagustohan mong maranasan lahat, inakala mo na magiging masaya ka sa lahat. And ending tuloy, walang kahit na ano ang nakapag pa kuntento sayo.

Ningas Cogon, yan daw ang tawag sa taong laging may panandaliang aliw. At lahat ng bagay ay hindi natatapos. Di pala pwede yun sa real life? Anak ng teteng naman, makabalik na nga sa Engcantadia. Mas okay dun. Walang hassle. Walang RH Bill. Walang Ampatuan. Walang Buhay.

source: Ben de Jesus

I heard a lot about the Mall of Asia before coming to the Philippines. One of the largest malls in the world? Fantastic! However, I’m a bit let down by it.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some great things about the Mall of Asia. The fact that there is a skating rink inside is pretty fantastic. Nonetheless, in my opinion, the best part about the Mall of Asia is actually the outside, behind the mall. The mimes, food carts, bars, and view are all a million times better than the mall itself.

at the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Eastridge Classic

We went dolphin watching! :D

Pinoy Classic- the best!

KAWIT, Cavite—Hoisting the national flag in the same town where revolutionaries proclaimed Philippine independence 113 years ago, President Benigno Aquino III promised Filipinos a country free from corruption and a nation no longer like “a paper boat drowning in a sea of lies and anomalies.”

“The time to be ashamed as Filipinos is behind us,” Mr. Aquino said in an Independence Day speech from the balcony of Emilio Aguinaldo’s mansion here.

Now a shrine, it was where the young Aguinaldo as the country’s first President unfurled the Philippine flag in 1898 and proclaimed “Filipinas is for Filipinos,” signaling the colony’s separation from Spain.

Mr. Aquino led the flag ceremony, grasping the rope tethered to the flag and vigorously pulling, until the red-blue-and-yellow banner was unfurled at the top.

In his speech that was by turns serious and light, he trumpeted the reforms his administration had launched to give Filipinos a taste of “true freedom.” He lashed out at irregularities in the past administration.

At one point, underlining the urgency of reforms, he referred to the NBA basketball finals’ rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat.

“Whether you’re rooting for Dallas or Miami … we only have one sentiment as a Filipino: We don’t like the situation we’re in. There’s something better than this, and we want to achieve that.”

The wisecrack drew a few half-hearted laughs.

True freedom

Mr. Aquino was the first president in 12 years to preside over Independence Day ceremonies in Kawit. Then President Joseph Estrada did the same in 1999. Generally in the past, Freedom Day rites had been held at Manila’s Rizal Park.

Mr. Aquino cited key reforms he said had been put in place in his 12 months in office to curb corruption and poverty, introduce electoral reforms and boost tourism.

He vowed “a new chapter” in Philippine history where justice, quality and dignity would reign.

“All of these we have done to show true freedom for our countrymen. True freedom is freedom from hunger, ignorance, poverty and lack of jobs. True freedom is freedom with dignity and honor,” he said.

He specifically mentioned the approval of the Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations’ (GOCC) Governance Act, the synchronization of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections with the May 2013 elections, expansion of the conditional cash transfer program, and the implementation of the “pocket open skies policy.”

It sounded like a preview of his July 25 State of the Nation Address before Congress.

‘Sea of lies’

Mr. Aquino acknowledged that the country’s presidents had harped on the fight against poverty in their Independence Day speeches but said the people knew why this had not been won.

“As long as the corrupt are not wiped out, the poor will remain in our midst. If we want to free our country, we must free the government and ourselves from greed,” he said.

Mr. Aquino cited alleged irregularities in a jab at the past administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“To make money, they would import twice the need and leave the rice to rot in warehouses,” he said.

“The generals would be sent off with truckloads of money, but the soldiers who were in the line of fire were shod in holes-filled boots. The whole country was made to ride in a paper boat eventually to drown in a sea of lies and anomalies.”

Drawing cheers

Mr. Aquino arrived at the shrine at around 6:30 a.m. and laid a wreath at Aguinaldo’s tomb amid a shower of rose petals from two helicopters.

At 7 a.m., he appeared at the balcony with former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, who is an Aguinaldo grandnephew, and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr.

In his speech, delivered in Filipino, the President said he would like to believe that all Filipinos agreed that “we had sown reforms” to put a stop to the cycle where “those fighting poverty are themselves the ones causing it.”

While he had come under fire over some decisions, Mr. Aquino said he did not mind criticisms so long as his efforts produced results.

“If others think it’s a mortal sin to court ladies even though I’m a bachelor, buy a second-hand car with my own money and sing out of tune, that’s not a problem with me,” he said.

“What’s important to me is the result, not earning brownie points, not making headlines and, most especially, not clinging to power,” he added, drawing loud applause and cheers.

Mr. Aquino conceded there was still much to be done to address the lack of classrooms, hospitals and the supply of rice.

Int’l recognition

But he also said the Philippines was gaining international recognition. Proof of this was Brunei’s request for assistance on branding products and Cambodia’s invitation for the Filipinos to set up businesses there, he said.

“The time to be ashamed as Filipinos is behind us. With our heads held high, we can say we are Filipinos, capable of being helped by our government, capable of helping our countrymen and the rest of the world,” he said.

The big crowd included war veterans, students, government employees and tourists. It was the biggest in years to attend the Independence Day rites in the town, according to Kawit Mayor Reynaldo Aguinaldo, a grandson of the revolutionary leader.

People waved flags fashioned from cut-up cardboard and paper. More flags hung on the walls and facades of some stores and residences.

Children too young to appreciate history mingled with grandparents who had seen and lived it.

High school sophomore Rica Mhay Quion, 13, who was on assignment for her school paper, said she was “happy and proud” to be part of the event. She said Independence Day for her meant enjoying her rights to express her opinion freely.

Palace reception

After Kawit, Mr. Aquino hosted in Malacaסang a vin d’honneur for diplomats.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and lawmakers were present, along with prominent businessmen.

Crowds at various parts of Rizal Park who came to attend the celebration totaled about 100,000, according to police.

Instead of tanks, heavy guns and trainer aircraft depicting the country’s modest military firepower, a fleet of yellow-colored electric tricycles rolled past Quirino Grandstand, capping a long parade of soldiers and policemen.

For Mr. Aquino, the parade of over 15 “e-trikes” was a symbol of the country’s freedom from the bondage of oil imports, and its commitment to a cleaner environment.

“When these e-trikes hit the road, it will help curb worsening pollution that destroys our environment and endangers our health,” he said in his Rizal Park speech.

He said the e-trike project, part of his Public-Private Partnership program, would put more food on the table of the country’s 3.5 million tricycle drivers.

The main stage was bedecked with indigenous fruits and vegetables—from green mangoes and bananas, to pineapples and string beans— and fish nets.

The extravagance that marked previous Independence Day parades at Rizal Park was replaced by a more humble but still festive show, kicked off by a 300-member choir from various government agencies clad in brightly hued Filipino costumes and singing the national anthem.

On the main float of the parade was a statue of a woman in a Filipino native dress holding a dove to symbolize independence.

Elsewhere, more than 100 laborers and activists accused Mr. Aquino of being a US puppet and demanded higher wages.

They attempted to march to the US Embassy, carrying an effigy of Mr. Aquino hanging on strings held by an image of Uncle Sam on a US aircraft carrier, but were blocked by riot police.

Job fair

The Rizal Park festivities included a job fair and colorful cultural dance and musical performances.

Nursing graduate Louvimin Cabanting, 21, was one of those who came to the job fair.

“I graduated last year but until now, I am still looking for a job,” said Cabanting, who came all the way from Isabela. “I am willing to take a job even if it is not related to my degree.”

Other graduates have the same problem.

Lovelyn Gregorio, 20, from Aklan, graduated with a degree in BS Home Technology. The job of a saleslady was on the list of positions she wanted to apply for. With reports from Jocelyn R. Uy, Maricris Irene V. Tamolang and AP

Credits/Article

“INITIATION: Get Accepted” A Freshmen Kick Off Party! :D

Thank you to all those who came and to the organizers who are so helpful and fun to be with, till our next event! :)

MANILA, Philippines - With a stroke of the keyboard and a click of the mouse, the lives of more than 200 children in Zamboanga have changed.

Upon seeing the plight of dozens of children from the poverty-stricken barangay of Talon-Talon in Zamboanga during one of his visits in 2010, blogger and government employee Jay Jaboneta realized something had to be done.

To get to school, elementary students have to traverse miles of water everyday in the remote village of Layag-layag.

“The taller kids wade through the chest-deep water, but the small ones really had to swim,” Jaboneta said.

Seeing what the children had to go through everyday for the sake of education prompted Jaboneta to post their story on the social networking site Facebook.

New Hope

Jaboneta’s friend, Josiah Go asked him: “Are we going to just stop at telling their story?”

In an interview for ANC’s Headstart with Karen Davila, Jaboneta said this challenge made him start the Zamboanga Funds for Little Kids.

Through the foundation, he was able to solicit funds through social networking sites to provide the children with transportation to ferry them to and from school.

And in a week’s time he was able to gather P70, 000, enough to build one boat.

The first boat, aptly named Bagong Pag-asa (New Hope), was built through the collective effort of Jaboneta and some of his friends.

Jaboneta shared that even the builders of the boat did not ask for a labor fee anymore.

Confiscated logs were also donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“It was really a bayanihan story,” he said.

But the boat, which can only carry 20 children at a time, is not enough for more than 200 pupils living in the area.

Jaboneta said the organization is currently working to build two more boats.

He also said the children’s parents, who happened to be seaweed farmers, help each other to provide gas money for the boat.

The farmers, according to him, can use the boat for farming but are required to set aside money for the boat’s maintenance.

Ripple effect

Not long after the founding of Zamboanga Funds for Little Kids, friends of Jaboneta in the blogosphere also shared a story similar to that of the Talon-Talon children.

He said they were able to identify a location in Ginhadap, Masbate where some pupils also have to swim in order to reach school. This gave birth to the Philippine Funds of Little Kids.

“It really creates a ripple effect,” he said.

Running for government?

Jaboneta, who is currently part of the Aquino administration’s communications group, said he has no plans of running for government in the future.

Asked why he is not using his connections in Malacanang in order to help the children, he said the people from Layag-layag are not just after dole-outs.

“Maganda talaga na may participation ng mga tao,” he said.

International recognition

Through his simple act, Jaboneta was hailed as one of Yahoo! Southeast Asia’s “7 Modern Day Pinoy Heroes” along with Commission on Audit whistleblower Heidi Mendoza, environmentalist-blogger Anna Oposa, bibliophile Tzarina Saniel, inventor Alexis Belonio, anti-human trafficking advocate Jean Enriquez and “Step Juan” founder Tomas Leonor.

Also recently, he was invited to the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, California, USA to join a group discussion and share the inspiring success of his foundation, making him the first Filipino ever to be invited in the social networking site’s office.

“A single Facebook status can make a difference,” he said. “It can change lives.”

He also revealed that a group from the popular social networking site might come to visit the village of Layag-layag soon.

FOR THE SOURCE OF DETAILS, CLICK HERE.

CYRUS VIRUS

Ahhhh I can’t believe I get to see her perform live in 5 freakin days. Loed her from that very first episode of Hannah Montana, now I’m 20 and still a major fan, though my preferences on music has changed. Miley will always be my girl :)

one of the awesome views in the Eastridge Golf Course…

the AROG Team at work!


with the Tournament Organizers


Shhh... they are about to tee off!


Dominic interviews Juvic Pagunsan

at the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Eastridge Classic

'Laughing' insects among new species discovered in PH

went to bohol but it was raining… so didn’t enjoyed much of the trip

Above is the Philippine flag.

I will be posting this since I am a proud pinoy, and yesterday was the day in the year 1898 that we were free from all countries who tried and conquer our beautiful and amazing (if I do say so myself) island. 

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands, which is devided into 3 larger islands; Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Luzon:

Luzon is the largest and most economically and politically important island in the Philippines. It is also the name for one of the three island groups in the country centred on the Island of Luzon, the other two being the Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon as an island group includes the island of Luzon itself, plus the Batanes and Babuyan groups of islands to the north, and the main and outlying islands of Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, and Mindoro in the south. It is home to the capital city, Manila. [Source]

Visayas

The Visayas  or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines,  along with Mondanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea. Its population are referred to as the Visayans.

The major islands of the Visayas are Panay, Negros, Cebu Bohol, Leyte, and Samar. The region may also include the islands of Romblon and Masbate, whose population identify as Visayan. [Source]

Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The Land of Promise. Mindanao is the only area of the Philippines with a significant Muslim presence. [Source]

The Philippines was conquered by a lot of countries. Mostly by the Spanish, which lasted more than a hundred years. Right now, I guess I’m boring you with what is most like a history lesson, but you are welcome to stop reading right now. Just giving the heads up.

So, yeah, the conquerors. 

There were a lot. Spain, USA, Japan, that’s all I think. Sorry if I missed some.

So today, I would like to give a delayed thank you to the brave soldiers who were included in the death march, and the long historic wars of our country, the Philippines.

If it wasn’t for you; we would still (probably) be colonized. 

I would just like to pray that a war won’t break out due to the Spratly Islands.

Thank you to the government especially Emilio Aguinaldo for having made a peaceful country back then. I don’t know if I can say this is still peaceful. Wars? Poverty? Everything? Squaters? Maguindanao Massacre? Sometimes, it truly scares me, but being a Filipino, I have great faith in God. (Which is also a thank you to Magellan for teaching us about him.)

Please NoyNoy, make this country better.

Thank you to Jose Rizal. [Who celebrates his 150th birthday this Sunday.]

Thank you to Cory Aquino.

Thank you to every single one who has helped the Philippines climb up one more step towards not being a 3rd world country.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. A Happy (late) Independence Day to you all!

The Largest and Best Organized Body of Men which had yet met American troops.

The Battle of Zapote Bridge or the Battle of Zapote River, one of the bloodiest and second to the largest battles of the Philippine-American war, occurred on June 13, 1899. American forces composing General Henry Lawton with his 3,000 men, emerge victorious over 5,000 Filipinos under Pio del Pilar.

The New York Times reported that the Filipino army was “The Largest and Best Organized Body of Men which had yet met American troops.”

Zapote River currently separates Las Piñas City from Bacoor, Cavite. The ruins of the Zapote bridge still stands along Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway near Manila Bay.

DEAR VALUED CUSTOMERS,

In compliance with the new SMOKING ORDINANCE REPUBLIC ACT Section 5, No. 9211, please be advised that effective June 27th, all Starbucks stores nationwide will be smoke-free. 

All previously designated smoking outdoor areas will be converted to non-smoking.

Thank you so much in advance for your cooperation.

-Starbucks Coffe

Manila, Philippines —

In response to the existence of Catholics™ for RH (C4RH), the Catholic™ Bishops Conference of the Philippines have trademarked the term, “Catholic™.”

An official of the CBCP said Monday that the term “Catholic™” is reserved for those who obey the Pope’s teachings and are granted an official license by the Vatican through its newly formed franchising agent in the Philippines, the CBCP Commission on Franchising and Life (COFAL). COFAL recently filed a complaint with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines against C4RH.

“Catholics™ for RH are not authentic,” added Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, COFAL president. “They are not recognized as Catholics™.” Last week, Archbishop Palma refused to meet members of the group unless it changed its name. “Either they change the ‘Catholic™’ part or they change the ‘for RH’ part. As it stands their name is an oxymoron, let alone illegal.”

In accordance with the guidelines of COFAL, Laguna Bishop Leo Drona, COFAL vice-president, issued a “clarificatory note for the guidance of all Catholics™ so that they may not be deceived or misled by C4RH.”

Bishop Drona added that COFAL “does not consider nor recognize this group to be an authentically Catholic™ association or group since it espouses and supports a stand contrary and in direct opposition to the magisterial teachings of the Church. Their group violates not only Canon laws but intellectual property laws as well.”

According to Drona, trademarking the term prevents the formation of other groups such as Catholics™ for Divorce, Catholics™ for Abortion, Catholics™ for Euthanasia, Catholics™ for LGBT rights, and Catholics™ for Choice.

Because of the CBCP’s recent actions, some Catholics™ said that they’d leave the Catholic™ Church and form their own.

COFAL President Palma casually dismissed these threats. “They can do whatever they want in their own church but it is useless,” said Arhbishop Palma. “The sacraments, the prayers, even the bread and wine have no holiness or power unless properly franchised by the Catholic™ Church.”

COFAL have recently filed applications to trademark the terms “moral,” “family,” and “life.”

—

http://filipinofreethinkers.org/2011/06/13/cbcp-trademarks-the-term-catholic/

—

I am laughing my ass of right now. Can you see if I shit my pants just yet?

This is killing me to my wits. Oh my. ROTFLMFAO.

Please. Hahahahaha

If by any chance you did not get it. This is a satire. ;)

From one of the writers of Filipino Freethinkers.

Saw that lilttle island over there? :D

Challenge the Stigma - Send us your stories

bago ka pa awayin ng girlfriend mo, unahan mo. AWAYIN ANG SARILI :D

Calabarzon, Philippines

I’d much rather be here.

Moalboal Cebu, Philippines.

The Philip Doll

UP Manila to require freshmen of 5 health colleges to sign a contract that mandates them to work in the country for 2 years after graduation? What? hahahaha   UP or the Govt is now making the thing we call ”Desperate Measures” hehhehe

Source: GMAnewstv

Anawangin wasn’t crowded then :) #anawangin #nature #philippines #igersmanila (Taken with instagram)

Project Started!

A man bringing in the materials for the construction of water pipes at S. Abeto Elementary School.

If you are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, we would like to hear how stigma & discrimination has affected you. Send us your stories thenodaybuttodayproject@gmail.com