TITANIC IN AWESOME 3D!

To commemmorate its 100 years after setting sails on April 10, 1912, Titanic, the movie of star-crossed lovers Jack and Rose will be released again in theaters worldwide but this time, in 3D!

James Cameron, the director, writer and producer of this movie has personally supervised the conversion of this film to 3D and proudly said in one of his interviews: "There's a whole generation that's never seen Titanic as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen. And this will be Titanic as you've never seen it before, digitally remastered at 4K and painstakingly converted to 3D. With the emotional power intact and the images more powerful than ever, this will be an epic experience for fans and newcomers alike."

The movie stars Leonardo diCaprio and Kate Winslet. It was released back in 1997 and was nomimated for 14 Academy Awards and won a record of 11. The film has achieved both critical and commecial success and has remain as the highest grossing film of all time for twelve years until ovethrown by Avatar, another film of James Cameron in 2010.

The greatest movie of all time (for me) will sail back to theaters on April 6, 2012.

GARAGE SALE!!!

Closet/Cabinet - P2,500.00

Electic Fan - P250.00

14" TV (Flat Screen) - P2,500.00

Electric Pot - P100.00

Electric Iron - P200.00

Plastic Storage Box - P300.00

The Here and There of a Dead's Wake

Last night, we went to the wake of a colleague’s father who died of cancer. It was at St. Peter Memorial Chapels along Quezon Avenue. The place was quite put out of place, I think. It was located along a very busy street. Next to the building was an adult entertainment house that goes by the name of a flying horse. When we get inside, it was like going inside a mall. Of course, a lot of people was there visiting other wakes but what confused me was outside at the front hall, there was this promotional campaign for the memorial chapel. It was like a party of some sort, loud music and all. Well, what better place to hold the promo but on the place itself. There was a flat lcd screen outside to tell you if you don’t know what chapel you will go.

Back in the province where I come from, there are no memorial chapels. The wake is being held in the residence of the departed. The coffin, for those who can’t afford buying an expensive one, is just carpentered out of plywood, painted to look presentable. Here, the cost of the coffin alone is equivalent to the over-all expenses for the entire wake including interment in the province.


The chapels have evolved. Packages now include a room complete with bathroom that nobody will use for add-on convenience. Only to discover it becomes a “bodega”. And recently, they have introduced new innovations like “eBurol” and “eLiving”. No need for relatives to go home especially if they live abroad. They just log in to the internet and watch the wake from the computer. While in the province, there’s no need for that, the house becomes fully packed of relatives from far places who will surely go home just for the wake. Sometimes, wakes are being extended to weeks for someone important has yet to arrive.

In the chapels, seldom we see someone cries. If someone cries, you will only see tears. So unlike in the province, that if you see someone cries, you hear them loud and clear.


The only one thing that I don’t notice in the chapel that is very, very usual in the province is gambling. In the province, if someone dies, gamblers are always present.
Well, the truth is we all have to die but not sooner. No matter where someone dies, no matter where someone’s wake is being held, all of us will only have one direction to go. Up there, Someone is waiting for us.

Pilipinas Got Happy Feet!

The recently concluded Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 has showed the diverse talents of the Pinoys from all over the world. Many flocked to auditions just to show what they got. But what really catched my attention was this brothers from Libona, Bukidnon. Their talent: tap dancing!

They were able to reach the grand finals! And the audience has expected them to win, including me. I voted for them. I like them a lot. Their talent is unique and very rare for two brothers to share the same passion. A passion that's difficult to do, i tried doing it. Hehehe.

Here is the video for their Finals perfomance:


I hope since this brothers has captured the heart of the millions of Pinoys, they will continue with their dreams and continue to love each other.

Marcelito Pomoy of Batangas emerged as the big winner, bringing home with him P2 million.

Philippines' Largest National Flag Carrier

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Cebu Pacific welcomes you to Manila… Cebu Pacific, the Philippine’s largest national flag carrier.”
Every touchdown in Manila aboard Cebu Pacific flight, this is what I hear from the flight attendants over the microphone. And I always wonder whatever happened to Philippine Airlines (PAL). As we all know, PAL is the first airlines in the Philippines since 1941. They have international flights as far as the Middle East, Australia and the US. And Cebu Pacific started operating in 1996 only and does not have international flights in the Middle East, Australia and the US, only Asia Pacific. What could have been the basis for being the LARGEST? Fleets? PAL aircrafts are way too far bigger the Cebu Pacifics. Destination? Hmmm, they have domestic routes unreachable by PAL like Tawi-tawi. Number of passengers onboard? I am really sure. I really don’t know, that’s why I wonder.

Here’s a comparison of Cebu Pacific to Philippine Airlines courtesy of wikipedia.org:


I don’t have anything against the two airlines competing with each other. I don’t know if both airlines are of the same level of competition. Both airlines have unique qualities in them. Cebu Pacific for having the earliest flights possible and domestic routes that PAL doesn’t have. And PAL has free snacks on board, sophisticated planes and international flights as far as the US.

Well, I think the passengers are the ones who benefit most from this competition of airlines. The fare for air transport has been reduced since the introduction of low fares from Cebu Pacific and other airlines are following.

The Rightful Owner of Spratly Islands

One of the problems our nation is facing right now is the claim to the Spratly Islands. As of now, neighboring countries of the Philippines are also claiming ownership of the islands. They are People’s Republic of China, Taiwan (as Republic of China), Malaysia, and Vietnam. Majority of the islands are occupied by the Philippines including Thitu, the second largest island has an airstrip being used by the military and telecommunication is available. Itu Aba, the largest of the islands is occupied by Taiwan.
Compose of 650 islets, reefs, atolls, cays and islands in the South China Sea now called West Philippine Sea, the Spratly Islands is located in between the Philippines and Vietnam. Coral reefs predominantly structured these islands. Little vegetations provide foods for the wildlife composed mostly of seabirds and sea turtles. The discovery of Camago-Malampaya oil reserves in Palawan has just proven that the islands may contain a rich deposit of oil and natural gas as indicated in the surveys.
Our nation claims the islands on the basis that the islands were discovered by Tomas Cloma, a Filipino citizen. He named the islands, Freedom Islands (Kalayaan) and turned it over to the Philippine Government. Ferdinand Marcos in 1972 declared Kalaayan as a municipality and was incorporated in the Province of Palawan. The second argument used in this claim is the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) which states could claim two hundred miles of jurisdiction beyond its land boundaries. The Spratly Islands as you can see on the map is located just off the coast of Palawan.

On the other hand, China has based their claims on the belief that the islands are in a way part of their history as archeological surveys had shown that relics of their history are found in the islands. They claim to have discovered the islands since 2 BC in the Han Dynasty. They are not occupying any of the islands, but controls several reefs. There are frequent visits of the Chinese Military vessels on the islands.
Taiwan (as Republic of China) who ruled mainland China before they were confined in the island of Taiwan, insists that they have the right to claim as much as the People’s Republic of China. Malaysia claims on the basis that the islands are part of their continental shelf as it is near Sabah, Malaysia. However, Sabah, is being claim also by the Philippines. While according to the Vietnam atlas, the islands are part of their territory and that these has been recorded in the Vietnamese literature and history since 17th century.
Until now, the dispute over these islands is still unsolved prompting United Nations to investigate. Our political leaders are divided in their stand against the claim as many fear that if this dispute is not settled peacefully, the other claimants will resolve to war, which our nation is not ready at all.

Forbes' 40 Richest Filipinos

Forbes.com has just released its list of the richest Filipinos and according to the website, thirty-two tycoons are richer. The list's collective worth is $34billion, up from last year's $22.8 billion.
This year's list is a record breaking as the number of billionaires has more than doubled to 11. Four from 2010 list were replaced. Newcomers includes a property developer, a founder of biscuit maker and the youngest in the list, who sold a barbecue chain to Jollibee.

Here is the complete list:

#1 HENRY SY - $7.2 billion

#2 LUCIO TAN - $2.8 billion

#3 JOHN GOKONWEI JR. - $2.4 billion

and the rest of the list:

4. Andrew Tan - $2 billion
5. David Consunji - $1.9 billion
6. Jaime Zobel de Ayala - $1.7 billion
7. Enrique Razon Jr. - $1.6 billion
8. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. - $1.4 billion
9. Roberto Ongpin - $1.3 billion
10. George Ty - $1.1 billion
11. Tony Tan Caktiong - $1 billion
12. Inigo & Mercedes Zobel - $980 million
13. Emilio Yap - $930 million
14. Andrew Gotianun - $795 million
15. Jon Ramon Aboitiz - $760 million
16. Beatrice Campos - $685 million
17. Manuel Villar - $620 million
18. Vivian Que Azcona - $555 million
19. Robert Coyiuto Jr. - $400 million
20. Mariano Tan - $375 million
21. Alfonso Yuchengco - $370 million
22. Enrique Aboitiz - $310 million
23. Oscar Lopez - $280 million
24. Jose Antonio - $245 million
25. Eric Recto - $200 million
26. Gilberto Duavit - $190 million
27. Menardo Jimenez - $185 million
28. Alfredo Ramos - $180 million
29. Betty Ang - $165 million
30. Felipe Gozon - $163 million
31. Tomas Alcantara - $160 million
32. Benjamin Romualdez - $155 million
33. Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. $150 million
34. Manuel Zamora Jr. - $145 million
35. Jacinto Ng Sr. - $115 million
36. Frederick Dy - $110 million
37. Luis Virata - $100 million
38. Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. - $95 million
39. Eugenio Lopez III - $90 million
40. Edgar Sia II - $85 million

KHAMAKA "ek ek" BREKKER

I think this video is the funniest thing on youtube.com. I can't help but laugh everytime i play it. Well, i really don't know if this one is a real call or just a plain call center training simulation. Whoever uploaded this one on youtube, thanks for sharing this. But on the other hand, i realized, it's a bit sad because what if this one is a real call. The caller had almost cried because he doesn't know what to do. Did the caller find Khamaka Brekker in the end? I hope he has.
Well, it's better if you take a look at this video and find out if you will laugh or be sad for this poor guy.

ZXReader on my N5800XM

Finally, a free ebook reader on my nokia 5800 Xpressmusic. Hehehe, yeah, i have an old nokia phone but i'm proud to say, this phone is very useful in anyway.
Sadly, it can't open pdf files but i have found a way. I convert pdf to txt and viola! my free ebook reader!!! I rate this application very useful and efficient.


Key features:

» Supported formats: TXT, FB2, ZIP (containing TXT or FB2), TCR;
» Support for most encodings;
» Automatic change of portrait/landscape mode when the phone turns;
» Support touch control;
» Full screen mode;
» Fonts settings, including third-party *.ttf;
» Pages autoscrolling;
» Backlight control: brightness, constancy;
» Text processing: hyphenation words, bonding lines (cutted into the line of certain width in text editors);
» Split screen on a few active zones, for each of which can to set a certain command.

What’s new:

» Fixed bugs with RTF.
» Return to the Menu from other windows if they were called from the Menu.
» Background image for Read mode – Setting in the Screen section.
» Scaling pictures in the book to the full screen, if width is greater than 75%.
» Books are not entering into any group to list on a par with the groups.
» Implemented a multi-level grouping in the library.
» To group 1 level added option – by source.
» Folders in the library now have a lower height than the book, to save space on the screen.
» Fixed bug examining sections of a title as different chapters in the TOC.
» Fixed bug when closing the program transition to a chapter in the first page of which is the picture.
» If the mapping section with specific settings, string ends with unneeded character, then they are transferred to the next line.
» For N8 improved protection against hidden icon display the menu if no other keys are configured/zones for the menu.
» Added possibility to set/unset the tag “Favorite”.
» Added filtration of Menu of the library – show all books or just favorite ones
» Added command – Show Favorite.
» Fixed a significant inhibition at the opening of library with a large number of books with disabled cover.
» Fixed display contents fb2, when name of the head contains a few paragraphs.

[NOTE]: Symbian 9.1 – not supported!

TRUE BLOOD SEASON 4

With the season finale of Game of Thrones is the eight minute season 4 sneak peek of True Blood.

Here's the trailer.

The Music of Rodrigo y Gabriela

From pop to alternative rock, to ballads and soundtracks and world music, my type of songs has always been diverse. Lately, I happen to listen to Rodrigo y Gabriela by accident. I was downloading a different album and then what was downloaded was the new album of this duo “11:11”. Curious, I listen to it and without thinking anymore, I looked for their debut album “Rodrigo y Gabriela”.
The duo hails from Mexico and specializes in playing fast and rhythmic acoustic guitars. Members are Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero.
Here are some of the albums of this dynamic duo:

Rodrigo y Gabriela

11:11

THE GOLDEN WEDDING OF THE DECADE

June 18, 1961. My Tatay Basilio happily married my Mama Minda. They made their vows and promised each other to live for better or for worse, till death do they part.
Fifty years later, on June 18, 2011, my parents renewed the same vows they have promised each other. This time, witnessing while they made their vows were fourteen children (including in-laws), twenty-seven grandchildren (including in-laws) and sixteen great grandchildren.

Best wishes to Tatay and Mama!

The Children

Manang Belen's Family

Manang Belinda's Family

Manang Tating's Family

Manoy Biboy's Family

Ate Daisy's Family

Manoy Kristo's Family

My Family

Spot the Difference

You may want to spot the difference between my company's brand logo


and the ad for free shuttle service from Resort World

RIZAL: Haligi Ng Bayan

On June 20, not only the Philippines will commemmorate the 150th Birthday of Jose Rizal but the entire world. I heard of news that there will be unveiling of Rizal's monument at the Vatican, a Rizal center in Czech Republic, a room named after the national hero at a military fortress in Barcelona, Spain and among others.

But this one has caught my eye. A proposed 150 peso-bill.



Nice.

MY DINOSAUR KID

I have a 3 year old son. We call him Buboy (real name is Liam Anghel).
He is a typical 3-year-old-kid who runs around everywhere and out to destroy almost everything he touches. I guess this is pretty normal for kids his age. He played with almost all kinds of toy, he even played with this “Baby Alive” baby which he occasionally borrows from his Ates. Surprisingly, what he really, really, really loves are his dinosaur toys. He has plenty of dinosaur toys, he even had this huge T-rex from Jurassic Park Merchandise (thanks to Ate Yammie!). I bet, kids his age, are afraid seeing/playing with a T-rex toy that big.
I guess he started liking big animals from watching too much tv/movie. When he was younger, we allowed him to watch National Geographic shows on all sorts of animals. It’s pretty gross and scary given the documentary style of filming and its realistic approach but he enjoys all of it and it is pretty educational to us watching with him. He liked watching the lions at first and then the elephants and eventually the crocodiles. By the way, aside from these animals, he also liked big trucks, as in construction trucks, especially the backhoe and the crane.
Today, aside from playing with his dino-toys, he can’t eat without watching some dinosaurs. Not normal I guess but what can we do, he likes eating his breakfast, lunch and dinner while watching and with his dinosaur toys.
Here’s a list of his favorite dinosaur movies:

Walt Disney's Dinosaur

Jurassic Park Trilogy

The Land Before Time Series

KingKong (the dinosaur fight)

Godzilla(looks like a dinosaur to him)

THE END IS NEAR!

And it's on July 14 in the Philippines!

Ten years after, the end of the JK Rowling's epic is here. The second half of the film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be shown beginning July 14 in cinemas everywhere.






Plot synopsis from www.imdb.com:
With three of Voldemort's six horcruxes destroyed, Harry, Ron and Hermione must find the rest. One of them is a fabled Cup that once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, one of the founders of Hogwarts, but the other two remain mysteries. They deduce both Gringotts and Hogwarts are likely hiding places, but will the mystical yet real Deathly Hallows prove to be a crucial part in the unfolding of events? Lord Voldemort has gained possession of the all-powerful Elder Wand, strengthening him further, but who really is its true master? Did the fateful events of 16 years ago have even more impact than Harry thought? All of these questions must be answered for ultimate Battle of Hogwarts, where the final showdown between Harry and the Dark Lord will determine the fate of both the wizarding and muggle worlds for the rest of eternity.

Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley continue their search for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes, which ultimately leads up to an epic battle at Hogwarts

ABS-CBN's New Lupang Hinirang MTV

This is the newest Kapamilya Lupang Hinirang video produced by Star Cinema for ABS-CBN.



Goosebumps!

PHILIPPINES : A nation of longest, shortest, fastest and other extraordinary world records

It is official!
Guinness World Records has declared Junrey Balawing of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte as the shortest man alive on his 18th birthday. He stands at 23 inches, 3 inches shorter than the former record holder from Nepal.



In addition to the newest record added, we have listed herein the other Guinness World Records from the Philippines:
The Leaf Musician - Levi Celerio
The Woman With 3,400 Shoes - Imelda Marcos
Largest Loot In History - Marcos Regime
Largest Shoes - 18.2 feet long at Marikina City
Largest Golf Event - Fil-Am Golf Championship in Baguio City
Largest Synchronized Aerobics - 107,000 participants
Largest Lantern - 26.8 meters in diameter at San Fernando, Pampanga
Fastest Reader - 80,000 words per minute by Maria Teresa Calderon
Sili King - Eriberto Gonzales of Albay
Sweetest Fruit - Mango from Guimaras
Largest Legal Tender - Brobdingnagian Bill (P100,000 commemorative bill)
Largest Bamboo Organ - Las Pinas City
Largest City - Davao City
Largest Volume of Text Messages - 240 million text messages daily
Largest High School - Rizal High School at Pasig City
Longest Barbecue - Dagupan City
Largest Flower - Uruy (Rafflesia) 22 inches in diameter
Largest Salad - Baguio City
Largest Durian Candy Bar - Davao City
Longest Mat - Basey, Samar
Largest Pearl - “Pearl of Lao-Tzu” found in the Palawan Sea
Largest Covered Coliseum - Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City

Experience The Game Of Thrones

I develop a liking of watching HBO Series since True Blood. Sadly, they are not being aired in the Philippines. And so, thanks to the internet, I was able to see it by download.

Currently airing is Game of Thrones, an adaptation of the novel by George RR Martin. Honestly, I have never heard of the book and so I am not really familiar with its story line. But base on what I have heard with the critics, it was really well-made and is reaping good reviews.

Personally, I really like the opening credits and the music. It reminded of the younger days in school when we made diorama and other art stuff. Here’s a storyline taken from imdb.com :
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue is pervasive. The dominant families are the Houses Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as Hand of the King, or highest official. Secretly warned that the previous Hand was assassinated, Eddard accepts in order to investigate further. Meanwhile the Queen's family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take power. Across the sea, the last members of the previous and deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also scheming to regain the throne. The friction between these clans, and with the remaining great Houses Greyjoy, Tully, Arryn, and Tyrell, leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest North. Amidst war and the political confusion, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the icy horrors beyond. Written by Tfilm78 and Cajunman

It was a story full of politics, intrigues and sex. I am not really familiar and not particular how true it was to the book but I think I really don’t care at all. I am being entertained and I like it and that’s all I care.