There are only two types of Pinoys in the country: those who prefer to travel to Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong Disneyland for vacation because it seems more economically convenient to do so, and those Pinoys who have fallen in love with the Philippines and have committed to discovering its beauty and hidden gems, proud to put local exploration before foreign travel. So, which one are you?

via OAP: ” Top 5 Awesome Travel Experiences in 2010!” | OUR AWESOME PLANET.

Excellent list of places to visit in the Philippines!

With the deal gutted, the heads of state session concluded with a final battle as the Chinese delegate insisted on removing the 1.5C target so beloved of the small island states and low-lying nations who have most to lose from rising seas. President Nasheed of the Maldives, supported by Brown, fought valiantly to save this crucial number. “How can you ask my country to go extinct?” demanded Nasheed. The Chinese delegate feigned great offence – and the number stayed, but surrounded by language which makes it all but meaningless. The deed was done.

via How do I know China wrecked the Copenhagen deal? I was in the room | Mark Lynas | Environment | The Guardian.

Taking a vacation and using the Mayon Volcanic activities as excuse initially infuriated be when I read the reports. I am less mad now. I believe the President didn’t know if she was going to be China or USA’s lackey, might as well not get in the oven and get burned in the process. Shrewd move.

Ka Erdy interment set on Monday

By Abigail Kwok

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 19:33:00 09/04/2009

Filed Under: death notices, Obituary, Religions

MANILA, Philippines—The funeral of Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Erano “Ka Erdy” Manalo is set on 12 noon Monday, a spokesman for the religious group said on Friday.

via Ka Erdy interment set on Monday – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

The nationwide survey of 1,500 respondents was made June 19 to 22, a few weeks before the death of the late president Corazon Aquino which is believed to have changed the political landscape for the 2010 elections.

via Villar again tops new SWS survey – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

The Philippines’ stalwart consumers saved the economy from the recessions that plagued its more export-dependent neighbors. Remittances proved surprisingly resilient despite the global economic slowdown as Filipino laborers, especially professional or skilled workers, continued to find strong demand overseas. This was partly due to the government’s diligence in forging new hiring agreements with several countries. Unperturbed remittance growth shielded domestic demand from high unemployment rates at home, which is obscured by the country’s very loose definition of employment. In the meantime, however, dependence on external demand for Filipino labor denotes a lack of progress in developing the local economy. Apart from land grabs by Persian Gulf countries, the Philippines has attracted little foreign investment of the kind needed to create jobs and lift Filipinos out of the poverty that afflicts a third of the country’s 90 million people. (For more, see Philippines 2009 Growth Outlook: A Recession-less Bright Spot in Asia?)

via RGE – Are There Bright Spots Amid the Global Recession?.

By Dona Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 19:48:00 07/23/2009

Filed Under: Churches (organisations), Religions, Anniversaries

MANILA, Philippines—The Iglesia ni Cristo, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary on Monday, announced Thursday it will hold huge religious assemblies in 14 venues around the country and in five sites in four other countries.

Tens of thousands of delegates are expected to congregate at designated venues in each of the regions in the country to celebrate “Iglesia ni Cristo Day,” read a statement issued by the Iglesia ni Cristo.

In Metro Manila, the gatherings will be held at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, and at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.

The five-hour special gatherings would begin at 4:30 pm.

Malacañang last month announced July 27 of every year as a special day to commemorate the founding of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo‘s last State of the Nation Address to Congress, which is expected to draw large mass actions, falls on July 27.

The Iglesia ni Cristo said local authorities have issued traffic advisories to avoid congestion on major roads leading to its venues.

In the provinces, delegates will assemble at the following venues: Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan del Norte; Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement grounds in Legazpi City, Albay; Cebu Sports Center in Cebu City;

General Santos City Oval Plaza, South Cotabato; Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field in Davao City; Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Central Integrated Terminal in Santiago City, Isabela; Ashton Field Subdivision grounds in Calamba City, Laguna;

Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; Villa del Sol Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan; and Ipil Sports Complex in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga-Sibugay.

Gatherings will also be held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, USA; Central Hall Westminster in London, UK; Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, Italy; and Hills Center in Sydney, Australia.

The rest of the local congregations in the Philippines which are too far from the announced venues, as well as congregations in countries outside of the US, UK, Italy and Australia will also hold celebratory gatherings in their respective houses of worship simultaneously with the big assemblies.

The Iglesia ni Cristo is an independent Christian religious organization registered with the Philippine government on July 27, 1914.

It was first preached by the late Brother Felix Y. Manalo, its first executive minister, who hailed from Tipas, Taguig City.

Under the present executive minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, who assumed overall leadership of the Church during its 49th year of establishment, the Iglesia ni Cristo became global.

Its first local congregation outside the Philippines was organized in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA on July 27, 1968.

At 95, the Iglesia ni Cristo has over 5,400 local congregations (roughly equivalent to parishes) in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities

This weekend, July 25 and 26, Iglesia ni Cristo thanksgiving worship services would be simultaneously conducted by all local congregations

A TV anniversary special will also be aired on Sunday at 8 p.m. over GEMTV-49 and Net-25.

Last Saturday, July 18, the INC through its “Lingap sa Mamamayan” socio-civic program, conducted a health service mission in the village of Maharlika in Taguig City as part of its anniversary celebration.

Around 20,000 residents benefited from the free medical and dental services, vitamins and medicines, and a package of rice and canned goods.

via Iglesia ni Cristo to hold huge assemblies – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

With the victory, Ginebra, which secured an 18th championship appearance, became the first defending champion to return to the finals since Talk N’ Text pulled off the feat in the 2004-2005 Philippine Cup.

via Gin Kings reach finals – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

Mayor sued over boys paid to play in briefs

By Thea Alberto

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 18:41:00 06/16/2009

Filed Under: Children, Sport, Crime, Graft & Corruption, Local authorities

MANILA, Philippines—The mayor of a sleepy town in Bataan province had been charged with prostitution and lewd show for allegedly paying some 40 teenage boys to play basketball while in their underwear, a lawyer said Tuesday.

Lawyer Harry Roque said the charges against Bagac Mayor Ramil Del Rosario have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, following the supposed non-action of the local offices of the Interior and Local Government and the Social Welfare and Development

via Mayor sued over boys paid to play in briefs – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.

via Op-Ed Columnist – Cum Laude in Evading Bandits – NYTimes.com.

via The Way I Work: Matt Mullenweg | Printer-friendly version.