Why the world admires Overseas Filipino Workers?

Filipinos are known great employees or workers that is why we are scattered all over the world working in different jobs making us heroes of our nation by  increasing the economic growth of our country through remittances. In the past three years, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) reported that there were estimated of more than 10 million Filipinos working overseas. There is a sum of more than US$20 billion amount of remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers in 2011. In the midst of poverty and calamities, OFWs sacrificed leaving their motherland just to provide more income and sustain their families in the Philippines. As they say, in almost every country, there were Filipinos working and we might feel a little homesick but for sure there were kababayans scattered everywhere.

So what are the qualities we Filipinos do possess that make us a huge part of a work force abroad? From the in demand health care professionals, engineers, seafarers, teachers to domestic helpers, we are considered modern day heroes and a great pride for our country. Here are some of the qualities we Pinoys have.

1. COMPASSION:  In everything we do, we Pinoys consider the situation of others. Our professional healthcare providers like doctors, nurses and caregivers work compassionately and take care of our patients in a very compassionate way with love and genuine care like they were our family members. We treat our co-workers with consideration and a ready hand to help in times of need and hardships.

2. GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS: There is no doubt that we Filipinos are globally competitive. We work excellently in different fields, reason why no wonder we are in demand. Pinoys have talents, skills and intelligence making us gives quality services to our employers.

3. HARDWORK AND DEDICATION: We Pinoys work hard and value our commitment in every job we do. Filipinos go to work with passion no matter how stressful the situations are and finish their assigned tasks as needed resulting in productivity.

4. HUMILITY: As workers, we Pinoys could reach out and have good relations with all kinds of people no matter the age, race and status. We also could handle criticisms in a good way and be assertive to others with respect with and down-to-earth personalities.

5. LOYALTY: When Filipinos commit to something or someone, they will hold that as they were supposed to. Being devoted to work and to our employers is such a priceless quality we Pinoys do possess. Our loyalty is immeasurable that is why we tend to gain the trust of our institution, co-workers and superiors. -FAF

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[Sports] A List of 10 Most Attractive Women's Volleyball Players ofUAAP Season 77 (2014-2015)

What makes a woman attractive? It may be the looks, charisma or being smart but what more when we see them play?

Since then, Men’s Basketball used to be the only mainstream and much anticipated sports event in the Philippines as well as in collegiate sports. People were in such frenzy whenever they support their Alma matters or just their favorite players.  These past few years, Women’s volleyball slowly is becoming main stream. Last year’s Season 76 was indeed very historic due to the intense excitement we had seeing very enthusiastic and passionate girls play their best for their thirst to become champions, we fell in love with them for that and volleyball rose to become the next big thing in Philippine sports. A game that requires speed, strength and mental toughness, these women captivated our hearts winning our support and admiration whenever they battle in between the net.

In this article is my list of ten incredible young volleyball ladies whom we love and admire. Forgive me for the order, they were all the best. We may have different rankings based on our personal favorites. Peace be with everybody! *smiles*

HERE GOES MY TOP 10:

10. NICOLE ANN TIAMZON

Court Nickname: Nicole

SCHOOL (TEAM): University of the Philippines (Lady Maroons)

POSITION: Open Spiker

Photo By Arvin Lim for ABS-CBN Sports [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

The great thing to describe the Maroons is that they were a fighter no matter what the results or difficulties they were facing. A known great scorer and fatal attacker, Nicole never fails to make us see how strong and smart she is, aspects that make her attractive.

9. KIM KIANNA DY

Court Nickname: Kim

SCHOOL (Team): De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)

POSITION: Middle Blocker

Photo By: GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Aside from her cutie pie mysterious chinky eyed serious stare, this charmer is an achiever since her junior days. She was UAAP Season 73’s junior MVP.  More charming and attractive when in serious mode for me, a kind of aura with intense enigma and at the end of the day, our eyes would thirst to see her more.

8. CARMELA TUNAY

Court Nickname: Mela

SCHOOL (Team): University of Sto. Tomas (Lady Tigresses)

POSITION: Open hitter

Photo Credits to the owner. No Copyright Infringement Intended. [Sorry owner, just found this without watermark. Thank you.]

Almost all of us get easily attracted to meztiza girls but morena girls they say could nail their sex appeal on us. There is no wonder why Mela is one of the most popular Tigress nowadays. This kalog but sweetheart kind of a darling transitioned into a cultured young woman from baby fats. In between her sophistication as a student as part of her reputable school and pang masa Filipina beauty, we will miss her in yellow and black when her college days end.

7. ISABELA BEATRIZ DE LEON

Court Nickname: Bea

SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)

POSITION: Middle Blocker

Photo Credits to Arvin Lim. [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

At this very moment, I am claiming that Bea, the most promising rookie of all will become the next volleyball superstar in the future. As part of the team where all hearts are strong, there is talent and greatness in her might.

6. ALYJA DAPHNE SANTIAGO

Court Nickname: Jaja

SCHOOL (Team): National University (Lady Bulldogs)

POSITION: Middle Hitter

Photo Credits to MB Sports Digest [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Statuesque with towering height, we see her gentle ness and enjoying aura inside the court, a very lovely lady indeed with a bulldog’s drive.

5. ALYSSA VALDEZ

Court Nickname: Alyssa/ Aly

Moniker: Volleyball Phenom

SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)

POSITION: Outside Hitter

Photo By Ramil Basical for Yahoo! Sports Philippines [No Copyright Infringement Intended].

What is the best word to describe Aly? Phenomenal. This young woman is undoubtedly the current face of Philippine collegiate Volleyball and we would expect her to be in the whole Philippines in the future. Highly gifted and passionate, we will never ever forget when she led her equally heartstrong fellow Lady Eagles to victory last season. A name dominating almost all individual awards tally and talk of the town in terms of her sport, an academically excellent student in her school and an always humble smiling face, who wouldn’t love Aly?

4. AMANDA MARIA VILLANUEVA

Court Nickname: Amanda

POSITION: Outside Hitter

SCHOOL (Team): Adamson University (Lady Falcons)

Photo Credits to MB Sports Digest [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

The kind of look that we always see in movies due to her “princess like beauty”, imagine a princess inside the arena spiking hard and running fast? Well, we are not in a storybook, it is just Amanda’s charm bewitching us. Charming eyes and glowing skin, aren’t we on a daydream?

3. MIKA AEREEN REYES

Court Nickname: Mika

POSITION: Middle Blocker

Moniker: Taft Tower

SCHOOL (Team): De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)

Photo Credits to Ms. Tin Pe Benito and GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Immeasurable charisma, strong personality, rosy white skin plus deadly blockings are just some of the factors why this Ms. Taft Tower since her rookie days has won the toasts of collegiate volleyball enthusiasts. Her charm is natural and without efforts, she could turn heads. The simplicity and genuineness in Mika make us adore her more and more.

2. DENNISE MICHELLE LAZARO

Court Nickname: Denden

POSITION: Libero

SCHOOL (Team): Ateneo de Manila University (Lady Eagles)

Photo Credits to GoAteneo.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended[

They say that you couldn’t have it all. When we think of Denden, surely we will doubt that thought. Athleticism? She’s the best digger and receiver in town. Brains? This gal is a BS Biology student aspiring to become a doctor someday. Attitude? She is Confident and heart-strong. Beauty? Need I say more? Oh  Denden, ikaw na!!!

1. VICTONARA GALANG

Court Nickname: Ara

Moniker: Aramazing, Taft Talent

POSITION: Open Hitter

SCHOOL: De La Salle University (Lady Spikers)

Photo Credits to The Score of ABS-CBN Sports. [No Copyright Infringement Intended]




Photo Credits to Scooper Ong and GoArchers.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Many of you may expect someone like Mika or Denden to top the list but I am sorry for not being sorry. Please give me this moment to explain. Back in season 74, we saw this sweet humble rookie playing like a pro, no wonder she won the ROY from the start of her playing years. Her greatness today had been expected by some of us in the past and is not surprising as her hits on the court. We remember how cute and sweet she smiles on her braces back when she was younger to a very captivating sexy smile she gives us today and whenever that happens, our hearts melt in chaos of kilig and faster heartbreats. To add, her humility and quiet but excellent qualities are exceptional. She may be different compared to some of the girls in this list in terms of her outlook and preferences but my reason of why she topped my list is that she has this thing of capturing the hearts and attentions of not just boys but girls as well. Whenever I browse the comments of her Instagram posts, statements of admiration and even sexual identity crisis were all that I see and I can’t blame them. That is one thing that makes her exceptional among other girls.

Some aspects of being a winner, requires hardwork, dedication and learning but seeing Ara? SHE WAS BORN TO PLAY. Her form when giving those deadly spikes and service aces leaves us always gaping and asking “Is she human?” She has this strong sex appeal that just gives justice to her famous moniker “Aramazing.” --FAF

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[Food] Elit Gourmet Collection- Chocolate Truffles

We all know that chocolates have been one of the most favorite comfort food of people around the world. From the early 19th century, European food chemists innovated cocoa and its extract was then used to make the modern chocolate we know. Here in a middle eastern country, everybody loves sweets and they always give chocolates as gifts, consume in snack time and is widely a popular ingredient in baking. Yesterday, one of our patients gave this truffles collection as a gift and I would say that the taste is excellent and classically sweet.

The box contains of three flavors of chocolate truffles: Dark (My favorite), White and Milk Chocolate. Sweetness is sinful. Obviously, there is a high sugar content so here I am advising you to take it on moderation. You will love the soft truffle inside as the taste will conquer and make your taste-buds on a high. This would be perfect to give on your lovers, family members or eaten in celebrations.

The box collection our patient gave weights 1.62kg in net weight and 12 x 135g in commercial. If you are living or working in the middle east, you can check the mall near you. The brand, as what I have research about is based on Turkey and they have an outlet store there. You can check on their site at http://www.elit-chocolate.com. It is also available on neighboring countries like UAE and KSA.

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[Movies] Burlesque (2010)

Burlesque Official Poster

MAIN CAST:

Cher as Tess

Christina Aguilera as Ali

Eric Dane as Marcus

Cam Giganet as Jack

Alan Cummin as Alexis

Peter Gallagher as Vince

Kristen Bell as Nikki

Stanley Tucci as Sean

DIRECTOR/ WRITER: Steve Antin

GENRES: Romance and Musical

Age Group as per MPAA: 13+

TITLES OF SOUNDTRACKS PER MUSICAL PERFORMANCE (IN ORDER):

1. Something's Got A Hold of Me [Christina Aguilera]

2. Welcome to Burlesque [Cher]

3. Wagon Wheel Watusi [Christina Aguilera]

4. You Haven't Seen the Last of Me [Cher]

5. Show Me Your Burlesque [Christine Aguilera]

NOTABLE AWARDS:

Golden Globes 2011

[Winner] Best Original Song - Motion Picture for "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me" by Diane Warren

[Nominee] Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

[Nominee] Best Original Song - "Bound to You."

The storyline started when Ali (Christina Aguilera) a waitress in Iowa decided to leave her homeland and went to Los Angeles to follow her dreams of becoming a professional singer. Well, like other cliche, she underwent into so much hardships and failures as she tried her luck in a different environment. By chance she saw a Burlesque club, setting her feet into a world where sensual and artistic performances were a living. Like the usual success tales, she was rejected, then tried again working as a waitress and when Tess (Cher) challenged her to perform like she owns the stage, the start of her sparkles came in. Seeing her memorize all those dance steps and songs is a great wonder to me. How could a simple girl instantly got "Wagon Wheel Watusi" in just a snap of time?

As a cinephile/ Christina Aguilera-fan-since-then, I could say that the movie has this excellent and unique musical scores as well as the dance scenes. Cher and Aguilera, were a great pair because they have their names in the music industry. Christina's voice is so powerful with all those high notes plus great choreography would make the viewers entertained. The impeccability of club scenes and musical numbers including to that of Kristen Bell's were really fantastic with regards to the costumes, the stage and the dancers.

Of course we could experience the drama revolving around the lives of our two women protagonists. Tess is having a hard time thinking how to save the club who had been a sentimental part of her life. In the midst of all her adversities, Ali came like a savior angel who by her talent and voice, gave new changes to the performances in the club because she can sing live. In the end, Ali is a hero by finding about the air rights and Marcus' evil plans to build a skyscraper making the contractor buy the air rights above the club. On the other side, while on her flourishing career, Ali was in the middle of attraction to Jack, her knight in shining armor who saved her homelessness and one of the main reasons why she had the chance to stay at the club as a waitress. When an infatuated Marcus lifts her up and gave her a gift, Jack tried to tell her that some people were just into her because she is famous. The theme of the movie is all about pursuing your goals and to overcome difficulties. These two woman have their struggles and adversities and what is common about them is that they were fighting. One is passionate and driven to make her dreams come true and would gamble for chances and the other one is fighting to prevent the most important thing in her life from vanishing.

The love story of Ali and Jack for me is commonplace but sweet. Comedic parts were infused, I like the scene were Jack repeatedly said good night and end up making love with her.

Overall, I would say that this movie is great regarding the songs and dance numbers that we would not forget the quality of songs and performances. The acting were not that superb but we should thank Christina and Cher's voices for bringing nourishment to the film that it made the movie soundtrack an A quality. If you loved musical movies, then I expect that you already watched this.

Why you should watch?
1. Christina's vocal range and dance moves.

2. Cher appeared in a movie after quite a long time.

3. The soundtrack is absolutely amazing. You'll love the songs.

4. Cam Giganet is hot.

MY RATING: 3/5

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[Food] Murtabak a.k.a Muttabaq

As an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) here in an Arab country for two years, I experienced new things within a different culture from my motherland. One of those was the food and right now will feature one of my favorites, the Murtabak, also called Muttabaq from the word “folded” in Arabic.

This delicious traditional street food is said to be originated from Saudi Arabia and Yemen and then spread by Indian traders to Asia, the reason that aside from the Middle East, is it also popular in South East countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Muttabaq stuffed with herbs.

Being part of everyday dish on the said countries, its popularity among people resembles culture. Flavors and ingredients of this food vary from vegetarian, meaty and sweet in some countries.

There were two kinds of Muttabaq that I had the chance to taste here. First is the one with herbs and minced beef inside, from what I have learned, it is covered with egg and flour coat. Then the other one is the egg and cheese type. Both are delectable especially when sprinkled with lemon juice extract to enhance the flavor. Well, we all could benefit from protein, carbohydrates and vitamins from the herbs and is perfect to eat on breakfast, lunch or even snack time. -FAF

Stuffed with cheese and eggs.

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This is What Happy Looks Like [Book Review]

Title: This is What Happy Looks Like

Author: Jennifer E. Smith

Date of Release: April 2, 2013, Jennifer E. Smith Inc.

The story is about two young teenagers whose affections broke the line between the worlds of fame and being kept. Graham Larkin is a superstar, in the other side he is just like any other ordinary adolescents. He fell in love and experienced things beyond the silver screen for an ordinary girl he met in the cyber world. Ellie has this red hair and passion for poetry whose mother is persevering just for her to Harvard. The mother and daughter have dark secret which made them run away years ago to prevent her father, a politician from ruining his career. Yes, they were the illegitimate family until her mom decided to take her away and go far away from his father. What would it be like when these two worlds: One, succumbed into the people’s attention and the other one, must hide from the world? In a very modern but almost unimaginable way, they met online, become friends and developed intimate feelings which would encourage Graham to choose Maine, the state where Ellie lives (and his family too at the moment) to be their place of setting for their movie shoot. When they met, there were unexpected commotions of emotions, confusions and realizations.

ABOUT THE CHARACTERS:

The characters were very modern. These times one of the uses of the internet is to connect with people, including strangers no matter where we are in the world. Fate made these two young people to accidentally meet through e-mail, the rest of the story follows. Is it possible for two young people to truly to fall in love in the world of worldwide web? They resemble teenagers though in different world, have something within their hearts, things they want but they do not know, deep ones that could make them happy.

In the story, Graham was this young boy, famous, rich and admired by many as an actor, in the novel, it is said that he loves his career and would rather continue than pursuing his education as advised by his parents while Ellie, an ordinary girl, not rich and is a “nobody” compared to him is a young lady who dreams of meeting her father someday. To see your father on television and you cannot go see and get near him because he is unreachable and is prohibited by fate and even doesn’t even know you are kind of sad and lonely things. Trying hard to survive a fatherless life with a goal to enter college and save and there comes this Mr. Idol who at the end saved the day and her future.

ABOUT THE PLOT:

The story has a lot of commonplace elements. I would say that it has this usual storyline where Mr. Great falls for Ms. Nobody then they have to endure everything. This suits young readers who are dreamy and hopeless romantics who fancy knights in shining armours ready to save damsels in distress. For the cyber friendship, the author infuses norms of modern present society that is so much into modern technology and the way we could make the world small by e-mails, chatrooms and social networks. The fantasy of meeting someone great online and finding true love, in this scenario, it happened to two different people who became friends and shares their thoughts in their everyday lives.

On the deeper side, Ellie’s mother disagreed to continue her blossoming connections with Graham the fact that she was afraid the Press (the world) would discover who they were and avoid what consequence it could inflict to them and her father. There is a very short time frame if Graham finding out the secret, then why did the senator try to do so? Did he happen to have an effort to find them or just secretly support her daughter even though her mother hides her from him? For sure he has these connections and power. The climax that I expected is that the senator and his long lost daughter would have the chance to talk and acknowledge each other than what happened in the book that she just shook hands with him as a stranger. That moment was her chance, her first and maybe the last to tell him who she really was.

The ending I would say is realistic though in a sense that Graham was still Graham and Ellie, due to his love for her was financed to go to Harvard to study. The author did not close the story if they ended up as lovers together or not; the ending just showed that it was not the end because they will still e-mail each other. What does happy looks like? As the title asks the readers, it is about contentment and feeling complete for whatever life brought or might bring for us.

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Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): What could a typical netizen do to help?

Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda):  What could a typical netizen do to help?

International typhoon Haiyan (also known in the Philippines as Yolanda) devastated the South East Asian nations such as Micronesia, Southern China, Vietnam and the Philippines. The second deadliest typhoon that killed an estimated number of 3,633 people and still counting, destroyed houses and properties and collapsed transportation and communication lines in the country.  Arriving with strong 10-minute sustained winds of 230km/hr, the terror of the days between November  3-11, 2013 broke the hearts of Filipinos as evidenced by the bodies of casualties on the streets, lost children searching for their parents and vice versa, extreme starvation and lack of clean water to drink and destroyed shelters. This cyclone terrorized the Visayan Islands and the most dreaded affected areas were Samar and Leyte.

Photo By: NOAA/AFP/Getty Images/ National Geographic News (No Copyright Infringement)

            

9

Photo By: mirror.co.uk (No copyright infringement intended)

Concerned countries, NGOs and International Organization donated what they could offer to help those victims to provide food and basic needs for their survival. So if you were just an ordinary person with no riches and checks to donate but still want to help, what could you do? Or what could we do? Being connected to the internet with just your typical computer or smartphone on hand could mean a lot. All we have to do is be aware and share information that could help and bridge people to reach out the calamity victims of the typhoon. Here are some:

• If you have a Twitter of Facebook account, you can RETWEET tweets from OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS of government agencies, organizations, and concerned individuals assigned and those information fed by media personalities and agencies like updates about missing people, conditions of the families there, electrical lines and so on.
• You can re-post videos of news clips from television stations and institutions but make sure they were from a credible official source.
• You can lead or form a group and team up to gather things that you could donate or volunteer by group by using the social media as a tool for reaching your friends and relatives.

In these times, social media can be used as a helpful tool to reach and help others, all we have to do is think of smart and spread the correct and helpful information for a good cause.

Here are some links of my favorite/trusted institutions in the Philippines case that you guys are searching.

• Philippine National Red Cross
• ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya
• World Vision Philippines
• Habitat for Humanity Philippines
• Caritas Manila

            

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2013 Wow Korea Supporters Orientation

The country where art, music and beautiful scene and people live - KOREA. Nowadays, Filipinos patronize the country's culture and beauty through it's media (K-Pop music and Korean drama series) and these aspects makes us curious about what other wonderful things the country is having like more of their food, technology and beautiful nature and cultural sites found in this country of cute and talented people rich in history.

Korea Tourism Organization Manila was established to promote Korea as a leisure destination among Filipinos who dream of getting a chance to step their feet on the amazing land someday and to discover what more wonders it could give as a very beautiful and rich country.

Last October 10, 2013 at the Korean Wave Hall of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, K-Pop fans/ Korea Supporters were gathered to be appointed as Wow Korea Supporters at the 2013 Wow Korea Supporters Orientation. Their aim is to promote the country's tourism and culture within the best of their passion and love for the country. Among the lucky chosen ones was my dear friend, Grachelle Valencia aka Ylla who loves the country as though as it was her alter ego nationality. Here are some of the photos from the event, all credited to her and KTO as well. More great works and good job to the Wow Korea Supporters. Aja! --faf

You can Visit Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office at 26th Flr Tower 2 The Enterprise Center 6766 Ayala Avenue cor. Paseo de Roxas, Makati City.

Ther Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/ktomanila

Photo By: Grachelle Valencia

Photo By: Grachelle Valencia

Photo By: Grachelle Valencia

Photo By: Grachelle Valencia

Photo By: Grachelle Valencia

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SHANE FILAN Live! In Manila Tour at Skydome

Photo By: Karen Feaster

Shane Filan performing at the Skydome. PHOTO CREDITS: Myphotographics and Shane Filan Fan Club Philippines Fanpage

Westlife has been a part of our musical world since late 90s up to present. The boyband made impact to the world of music with their sweet to live pop songs and even their covers and remakes. To the adult to young adult women of today's generation, these lads were prince charmings who serenaded their radio and ipods and so were the concert grounds all over the world. All things they say should come to an end for the better and just last year, they decided to disband and go on separate ways and one of them is their front man who possesses  amazingly powerful voice, Shane Filan. Just last September 28, 2013 at SM North EDSA Skydome, the nightingale lad graced his Filipino fans for the fifth time but as a solo artist promoting his album. There were a hundred lucky fans who had a chance to meet him face to face before his performance. 

The event started at 6PM, with a front act from acoustic artist Sabrina. Shane serenaded the crown with his first song "Everytime" from his "Everything to Me EP". Girls from every age stages shouted and screamed due to the ecstatic and euphoric mood. The night ended with the song "Everything to Me", hi debut song. Following that was the autograph signing that completed the day and made fans' hearts tattooed  with happy hearts. -faf

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Voluminous Weakness

Voluminous Weakness

--Flordeliz Fullo

In this new door I entered, there is a large mighty tree

It has strong built with colorful leaves of wisdom

I was a savage little grass flower sprouted as you see

The shades of that tree supported me giving me freedom.

In a world of new things I am not sure I could survive

There you are giving me a hand making me feel alive

Your wisdom waters my tiny stem to firmly stand

You might be mixed up but you are a gem of the land

Day by day your extravagance weakens me

Those strong branches of you feel so hard to climb on

Stubborn, I am, for I feel nearly lost to losing on your shade

I want to feel you sway again but I am faint and afraid

Please forgive me for this flaccidness in me

It might not matter to you but now you matter to me the most

This tension of conflicting battles deep inside

I am still tugging these clashing things I have to set aside.

Meeting you once in a lifetime made me learn

You are one of the strongest and brightest trees of your kind

Thankful, I am to have witness your wit and charm

My apology for everything, this waywardness made me blind.

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Turning Back

Running in the middle of nowhere

Not knowing the direction, I am lost.

Seeing those enchanted stars yet no one is there

Oblivion and strange emptiness in everywhere

In this forever-like and exhausting journey of escape

Sudden impulses and temptation of looking back with gape

Destroying tiny fragments I tried to glue

Shattering my heart once more to becoming blue

This waywardness from weaknesses protrudes my desires

In spite of my other protesting convulsive sides

Seeing him not knowing me anymore with bliss

This old person in me gnaws in twist.

About The Poem:

Once in our lives, we become stupid never minding our pride, we look back into things which had make us happy. We are fools of our own confinement because we have loved and as tragic as things may seem, we will never forget that moment in our lives when we gave everything. Turning back is difficult, they say only strong people are those who won't look back but maybe it is our hearts. Recently, I tried to look back and I saw the world which I am not existing anymore, the world that became my world once, it shattered me. From that moment, I promised myself to never ever look back and continue running along this rocky journey. Soon I will find happiness, I decided to just keep on running even my feet are sore and my breath is short, maybe someday, someday, God will give me what I deserve or the one meant for me.

--Flordeliz Fullo

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TIUperman Chris Tiu is the new PBA All Stars 3-Point Shootout King for 2013

How high a starting PBA rookie could fly? Last May 03, 2013, PBA’s Annual All Stars Event for 2013 was held at the amazing province of Davao del Sur. After the star studded motorcade and opening ceremony, players from different teams competed in the very tough 3-Point Shootout game. Darling of the masses and one of the newest and most popular rookies, Chris Tiu of Rain or Shine Elastopainters was one of the power cast participants and viewed as the dark horse of the said competition. Tiu had won in various the same championships when he was still playing for the elite Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP-NCAA All Star Games but winning in this contest gained him numerous praises and added admiration from basketball fans and enthusiasts.

Photo Credits: Mr. Nuki Sabio for PBA Images [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Photo Credits: Mr. Nuki Sabio for PBA Images [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

After being away from the ball since their team’s loss on a knockout quarterfinals game versus Ginebra, his morning shoot around at Camp Genesis added by confidence and good form paved his way to winning the 3-Point Shootout Crown. He scored 17 points in the elimination which also happens to be his legendary jersey number from Eagle days, Smart Gilas days to playing as an Elastopainter, a good omen to consider. As a fan, I felt like my heart halted because he continued shooting in good form beating Nino Canaleta of Air 21 with 18 points and his former Gilas team mate/ college basketball rival Jayvee Casio of Alaska Aces who earned 13 points by his record tying 21 points.

Screenshots By: Ms. Leigh Ann Mora

Screenshots By: Ms. Leigh Ann Mora

This is a good sign for Mr. Tiu’s very promising basketball career. What more could TIUperman show in the future? We will continuously anticipate for more. I am a super proud fan!

-Flordeliz A. Fullo

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Paperbooks vs. E-Books: Traditional Treasures or High Tech E-Reading?

Reading books is one of the oldest hobbies in the world and it is the most essential source of learning, entertainment and communication. From ancient tablets, to papyrus and scrolls then came the modern paperbound. Books should be considered treasures for their importance in many aspects of our learning, leisure and career growth. They have this sentimental values to their owners. In this rapidly progressing technology we have nowadays, this essential hobby was also being innovated in the form of electronic reading wherein publishers are now eager to also publish modernized electronic books we call “E-Books” in the form of a computer/digital file with formats varying on the Electronic E-Book Readers they are compatible with e.g. the popular PDF format for Adobe Reader, the EPUB format for Apple iOS devices and the very fast spreading MOBI files for Amazon Kindle/Kindle devices. As an avid reader and a blogger, I weighted their PROs and CONs and what method should we choose to use. With the question of “What is much better?” we will try to dissect their capabilities and values in this blog article.

PAPERBOOKS: Sentiment and Physical Attachment

My old books from textbooks to novels.

PROS: Owning a physical hard paperbook no matter how much the price is like owning a piece of treasure. After a long period of time when you look at your old closet, cabinet or storage room and see your old Mathematics textbooks or your first fairy tale book would make you feel a sense of connection with your past. One thing that could make us attached to a paperbook is its cover and paper, admit it or not, the colorful images and letters in a book cover is one factor of why we were attracted on buying them and it feels different turning paper pages and seeing your reading progress by looking at the thickness of remaining pages. With these factors, these books’ value lasts. They are physically yours that you could pass them on your grandchildren and friends. They are also convenient to people with vision problems and physical limitations.

CONS: Compared to E-Readers that could contain thousands of E-Books, paperbounds are heavy and they are sometimes burdensome for an avid reader to carry on travelling. You may bring one or two but you can’t carry much when you’re on a mountain hiking or skiing. When not taken care very well, they could be eaten by mice, cockroaches and be physically damaged by rain or flood.

E-BOOKS: HANDY AND TECHIE

My EPUBs.

PROS: For people who are always on the go and techie-geeks, owning an E-Reader and putting lots of E-Books on it feels like heaven. You can think that you’re carrying a huge library on your pocket or bag and can read them while you’re on a vehicle, waiting for someone in the mall or just strolling in the park. The price of E-Books today is slightly cheaper than paperbooks. Some aspiring authors tend to focus on winning the eye of the masses than to seek paperbook publishers and wait for ages.


CONS: Some says that the problem is you only buy the license from the publisher for you to have permission to read the content but you can’t legally pass the rights to others. There is a feeling of sentimentality on a paperbook and deep connections as they say could not be found on E-Books. In the aspect of technology evolution, let us face this fact that when time pass, old methods would be replaced including E-Book formats and E-Readers, let us just pray that if this happen, they could provide a way to convert old format books to new formats because we paid for them.

MY VERDICT

I would choose both. Though I am now more on E-Books because of their handiness and affordability, old paperbooks are like old teachers that we could put on shelves and our bedside table. E-Book readers are electric devices that could not remain alive if there is a brownout or power shortage. Both have PROs and CONs but beneficial and important.

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Cavite and its top ranked Tourism

History, Nature and Adventure – these are the three things that sum up the historical capital of the Philippines’ tourism. Cavite indeed is the home of important milestones of the country’s rich history from being the birthplace of national independence to its rich bouquets of cultural festivities and remarkable contribution to revolution during the Spanish era. Its name is derived from “kalawit” which means “hook” in relation to the peninsula hooking the Manila Bay. The province is indeed the closest to the NCR (National Capital Region) in the South making it the most accessible tourism spot to those who want to unwind in just a nick of time without hassle of traveling several hours. With its preserved forests and wildlife, surely everybody will enjoy nature while having break from the busy and stressful workplaces for a while.

According to NSO (National Statistics Office), Cavite ranked second place after NCR (National Capital Region) in terms of domestic visitors. With all its scenic nature and historical sites, no wonder why 7 million tourists visited the province last year in only just a six month period time.

Posted here are pictures of Cavite's rich and breathtaking wonders, reasons why you should visit and experience the province. -faf

Disclaimer: I do not own these pictures but you can click them to visit the site of where I got them from. Also, I included credits of their own respective web addresses for you to visit if you want to read more stuff and information about the province's rich and marvelous tourism.

HISTORICAL SITES

Photo Credits: heritageconservation.wordpress.com [No copyright Infringement Intended]

Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit, Cavite)

Photo Credits: explorecavite.blogspot.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Bonifacio Trial and Execution Shine (Maragondon, Cavite)

Photo Credits: www.cavitetourismboard.org [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Battle of Zapote Bridge (Bacoor, Cavite)

Photo Credits: Wikimedia [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Battle of Alapan Monument (Imus, Cavite)

NATURE AND RELAXATION SPOTS

Photo By: mrtravel.com.ph [No Copyright Infringement Intended] 

Tagaytay Ridge

Photo By: asias-world.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Taal Lake and Volcano

NATURE AND ADVENTURE SPOTS

Photo Credits: pinoymountaineer.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Mt. Pico de Loro

Photo From: cavite.info [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Malibiclibic Falls (Ternate)

Photo Credits: trekearth.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Balite Falls (Amadeo)

Photo By: tourism-philippines.com [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Mt. Palay Palay (Ternate)

FAMOUS RESORTS

Photo Credits: Island Cove Philippines Website

Island Cove Resort (Kawit)

Photo Credits: pinoyphotography.org [No Copyright Infringement Intended]

Puerto Azul Beach Resort (Ternate)

References and Related Links:

• Manila Bulletin: Cavite Ranks Second In Tourism
• Province of Cavite Official Site: Tourism
• Cavite Tourism Fanpage
• Tourism-Philippines: Cavite
• Wikipedia: Cavite

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