PLANT NAMES WITH THE PREFIX "OX"

Oxeye Daisy

Oxlip - Primula

Oxalis violacea

Oxheart Tomato

Oxalis debilis var.

LOVELY LORE ABOUT OXEN YEAR

LOVEGEVITY
Or what you need to know about "Ox" folk before you date, go down the garden path, or get hitched to these heavenly creatures.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE "OX"
A compact compendium of interesting things about the "Ox" in Chinese astrology.

HERDING THE OX
"Herding the Ox" - A Zen Allegory (or all about searching for, finding, glimpsing, catching, leading, and riding the ox, not to mention transcending the ox (when one has no need of the ox any more).

HOW BABE THE BLUE OX LOST HIS HEAD
A titillating tale about how Paul Bunyan's famous sidekick, ("Babe - The Blue Ox"), lost his head.
THE OX AND THE DONKEY
A timeless tale from the Arabian nights.

MORE ABOUT THE OX PERSONALITY
The Ox has good points and pointless ones as well.

DAILY OX HOROSCOPE
Here's a glimpse into the daily astrological life of the "Ox".

CHINESE OX ASTROLOGY
Did you know that there are four kinds of "Ox" in Chinese astrology?

THE LEGENDARY OX BAKER
You wouldn't want to mess around with this dude on a dark night in Dallas.

WHY NOT DONATE TO OXFAM?
In "2009 Year of the Ox", it is most appropriate indeed to donate to an international aid organization named, "Oxfam".

CANNIBAL OX
This dandy duo from New York make killer hip-hop music!

A LIMERICK OX
"A Limerick Ox" - a blog about modern music.

UNMUZZLED OX
A little magazine of poetry, art, music, and politics.

OXO GRAVY TRAIN FOR ARTIST
Who'da thought you could create a sculpture made from nothing but OXO cubes?

LOVE ASTROLOGY - YEAR OF THE OX
Oxen may not be the Romeos and Juliets of the zodiac, but you may be titillated just a tad when they woo you with their words of endearment.

BEST CAREERS FOR THE YEAR OF THE "OX"

In Eastern philosophy, the Ox symbolizes the mastery of human nature and of contemplative learning.

Throughout the Orient, where it was the power that could pull plows and aid in agriculture, it was also a symbol of quiet strength and unassuming kindness.

Since the "Ox" is noted for his ability to work well with his hands (not to mention work hard without breaking a sweat), he is also known for his courage under fire, and his dedication in working towards a goal. The ox prefers a stable occupation in a established institution or investing his talent in building communities or enhancing the health and well-being of others.

-- Archeologist, Academic, Architect, Draftsman, Artist, Interior Designer

-- Carpenter, Engineer, Farmer, Food Processing Specialist,Florist or Horticulturalist, Mechanic

-- Counsellor, Physiotherapist, Osteopath, or Surgeon

-- Army Officer, Banker, Investment Broker, Manager, Real Estate Agent.

ABOUT THE YEAR OF THE OX

Position in the Zodiac: 2nd

Ruling Hours: 1:00 - 3:00 am

Season/Month: Winter, January

Similar to Western Astrological Signs: "Capricorn" with some features of "Taurus"

Gemstone: Onyx

Colors: Yellow and blue

Polarity: Yin

Element: Water

Positive Traits: Calm, dependable, honest, caring, honourable, intelligent, industrious, modest, patient, practical, responsible

Negative Traits: Petty, inflexible, possessive, dogmatic, gullible, stubborn, critical, intolerant, materialistic

Associated With Following Countries: Countries Switzerland, India, Cuba, Yemen, Finland, Ukraine

Very Compatible with Following Animals: Rat, Snake, Rooster

Incompatibile with Following Animals: Tiger, Horse, Goat, Rabbit, Monkey

The Ox

Sturdy, earthy, no-nonsense - that's the Ox. Affectionate and easy-going, the Ox can show a fierce temper when agitated. He is neat, tidy, quiet and studious, with a great love of his home. Music can be a great love. Family life and a loving partner are high on the Ox's priorities. A wonderful loyal friend.

Forecast for 2009 The Ox will see an overall improvement in his situation during his birth year, particularly enjoying interaction with others, either with friends and family. A key phrase to bear in mind this year is 'hold fast'. There may be some setbacks or delays, but if the Ox remains calm and persists, all will be well. There will be an opportunity to study and learn (in common with other signs this year) which should appeal to the Ox not to mention the pride that comes with what is achieved. Between May and July there are significant developments on the work front, in particular important talks with a boss or superior, while September to November will see interesting and delightful romantic encounters!

Me...a poka dot personality

Year of the Ox or Brown Earth Cow

In China, oxen are put on a pedestal but in western society the odd one or two are found in china shops, while the rest find their way into America's favorite food, a beef burger.

"Ox", "Buffalo" or "Brown Earth Cow" are people who were born in the following years: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, and 1997.

Those born under the influence of the "Ox" are said to be stable, persevering, tolerant folks with a strong character.

They seem to enjoy plodding along from day to day without griping or complaining and are seldom associated with flashy, get-rich-quick schemes.

Honest, open-minded, and meticulous when it comes to their responsibilities, "Ox" folk rarely lead you down the garden path or change their minds once they've made a decision...which can make them a tad obstinate according to the other animals in the blessed barnyard of life.

Beneath the placid, easy-going and unpretentious exterior of the "Earth Ox" lies a heart of gold, a modest amount of ambition, and a willingness to bear heavy burdens that might overwhelm others, not to mention a strong sense of loyalty and compassion towards family and friends.

With all this going for them, it's not surprising that they might also have a few niggly, not-so-nice characteristics as well like being a titch stubborn, a teensy-weensy bit too methodical, a little feisty with a fierce sense of competition.

OX'S STORY a Christmas Tale

Listen brothers, sisters, said the Ox, for I have a story to tell.

One freezing, cold, night, long ago, a man helped his wife, who was

Heavy with child, to lay down in the straw of this very stable.

All the animals gathered near, the cows, the oxen and the sheep,

To block off the wind, and, on that bitterly cold, night,

A tiny Baby was born.

A halo shone roundHis head,

more radiant than any the star's.

Angels singing in voices full of reverence and joy,

Announced that to men,

a King had been born!

But, brothers and sisters, it was not men

Who gathered round to shelter

HimIt was not men who shared their living warmth with Him,

It was such as you and me.

And as we watched

Him sleep, we kept the icy wind and cold from Him.

Therefore, is He not our King, too?

And so every Christmas in the frozen, star-lit night,

The animals gather close around the ox, to hear again, the story

Of the Baby King and the animals that kept Him warm.

WELCOME TO "2009 YEAR OF THE OX

January 26, 2009, (or the year 4707 in the Chinese calendar), begins the "Year of the Earth Ox".

This light-hearted lens is devoted to the "Ox" (also known in North America as the "Buffalo"). If you're a fan of humongous heroes, then you probably know all about Paul Bunyan and his famous sidekick and "Cowabunga" cutie named "Babe the Blue Ox".They are revered animals who symbolize diligence, reliability, sincerity, strength and sound judgement. But, don't expect these lumbering souls to have a sparkling sense of humor or be style conscious...it's not part of their precious package!

Pinauuwi na ang OFWs sa Cyprus

Hindi na pinagre-renew ng kanilang kontrata at sa halip ay pinauuwi na sa Pilipinas ang mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na nagtatrabaho sa Cyprus.

Ito ay makaraang magpasya ang pamahalaan ng naturang bansa na ipra­yoridad ang kanilang mga kababayan sa local job opportunities.

Sa ilalim ng batas ng Cyprus, kailangang tuluy-tuloy na magtrabaho at manirahan sa kanilang bansa ang isang dayuhang manggagawa bago ito magkuwalipika na kumuha ng ‘permanent residency’ ngunit sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi ito ipinagkaloob ng dayuhang gobyerno sa kuwalipikadong mga Pinoy workers at sa halip ay pu­wersahan na itong pinababalik ng Pilipinas pagkatapos ng kanilang kontrata.

Isa si John Tumagda sa mga OFW na patapos na ang 5-taong kontrata at nakatakdang bumalik ng Pilipinas. Kahit umano ‘in demand’ ang mga Pinoy chef na tulad niya sa Cyprus ay hindi pa rin ire-renew ang kanyang kontrata dahil ito ang polisiya ngayon ng naturang gobyerno.

Kaugnay nito, iniulat naman kahapon ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) na umabot na sa 312 ng kabuuang 439 nasisante at nagsiuwing OFWs ang natulungan na ng pamahalaan at naipila sa mga recruitment agencies para muling makapagtrabaho sa abroad.

Pinakabatang Pinoy pina-deport ng Iran

Isang bagong silang na sanggol ang pina-deport mula sa pagkaka-stranded sa Kish Island sa Iran, kasama ang nagluwal na inang Filipina.

Ang sanggol ay kinilalang si Kish Andrew Bautista samantalang ang ina nito ay isang nagnga­ngalang Noreen Bautista, Filipinang na-stranded sa naturang isla at inabutan na ng panganganak doon. Ang mag-ina ay pang-apat at panlimang Pinoy na pina-deport ng Iranian government simula noong Nobyembre. Ang naunang tatlo ay nakilalang sina Noron Abdullah, Marcial Hanopol at Carlo Medina.

Ayon kay Benito Valeriano, Philippine consul general sa Dubai, si Kish ang pinakabatang pina-deport ng gobyerno sa Pilipinas mula sa Kish Island.

Nabatid na hinihintay ni Noreen ang kanyang visa sa Kish Island upang muling makapasok at makapagtrabaho sa Dubai nang abutan ito ng panganganak doon.

Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat and Iskul Bukol top MMFF

Star Cinema’s “Ang Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat” topped box office receipts in the first day of the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Thursday, taking in P20.9 million in ticket sales nationwide, according to this year’s MMFF executive committee.

The sequel to “Ang Tanging Ina,” which stars ace comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas, beat M-Zet Productions’ “Iskul Bukol 20 Years Later.” The TVJ (Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon) starrer has earned P18.9 million.

In the movie, delas Alas plays a struggling mother of 12 children who, in an odd twist of fate, ends up running for president of the Philippines.

Both “Ang Tanging Ina Niyong Lahat” and “Iskul Bukol” are being shown in two cinema houses at SM Megamall.

Regal Films’ and RMM’s “Shake, Rattle & Roll 10” (P13.1 million) came in third followed by “Desperadas” (P7 million), “Baler” (P5.3 million), “One Night Only” (P1.5 million), “Dayo” (P1.2 million), and “Magkaibigan” (P600,000).

MMFF’s executive committee said the film festival’s total earnings Thursday reached P68.6 million, up 13.4 percent from last year.

More update coming.

Manny Pacquiao chosen as Fighter of the Year

Here's another addition to Manny Pacquiao's list of achievements this year.

After being named boxer of the year by the World Boxing Council, international sports magazine Sports Illustrated and British newspaper The Sun, the Pambansang Kamao has also been chosen by Yahoo Sports as its Fighter of the Year,

According to Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole, picking this year's fighter of the year was as easy "as falling asleep on the couch after a large holiday meal. It doesn’t take much effort."

In his column, Iole cited Pacquiao's various achievements for 2008 including a win via split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 to win the WBC super featherweight title; a technical knockout of David Diaz to win WBC lightweight title on June 28; and the masterful win via TKO over Oscar De La Hoya on December 6 in a non-title welterweight bout.

"He was 3-0 with wins against quality opponents. He fought in three weight classes. He established himself clearly as the best pound-for-pounder fighter in the world. He took on the most significant challengers and came out on top," Iole said in his column "Meet The Fighter of the Year."

Pacquiao bested other top boxers for the honor including Antonio Margarito (2), Juan Manuel Marquez (3), Joe Calzaghe (5) and Bernard Hopkins (6).

Iole also picked Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, as the Trainer of the Year for methodically molding the Pinoy pugilist into the world’s greatest fighter.

"Roach helped Pacquiao improve his balance, increase his defensive awareness,develop his right and tighten his punches. Roach is almost a master game planner as well as a sharp eye in the corner. He’s able to suggest subtle changes during a fight that can make the difference between winning and losing," Iole said in describing Roach's achievements.

Singer Eartha Kitt Patay na

Nagluluksa ang Ame­rican music industry dahil sa pagpanaw noong Pasko ng legendary singer na si Eartha Kitt. Colon cancer ang ikinamatay ng singer na pumanaw noong Huwebes sa Columbia Presbyterian Hospital sa Connecticut.
Kinikilala si Eartha bilang isa sa mga versatile performer sa Amerika.

Nagwagi siya noon ng dalawang Emmy Awards at tumagal ng anim na dekada ang kanyang singing career.
Naging kontrobers­yal si Eartha dahil sa pagbatikos niya sa Vietnam War nang dumalaw siya sa White House noong dekada ‘60.
Lumaking ulila si Eartha. Hindi malilimutan ng publiko ang kanyang pahayag tungkol sa pagiging ulila niya: “I’m an orphan. But the public has adopted me and that has been my only family. The biggest family in the world is my fans.”

Pinay Domestic Helper in Abu Dhabi

Umaabot sa 224 ang bilang ng mga kaso ng mga nag­layas na Filipino domestic helper (DH) sa Abu Dhabi pagtungtong ng kalagitnaang bahagi ng 2008 hanggang bago tuluyang magtapos ang kasalukuyang taon.

Karamihan sa mga naglayas na Pinay DH ay nakaranas ng hindi makataong pagtrato sa kanilang mga dayuhang employer at halos wala na umanong pahinga kung pagtrabahuhin sa banyagang lugar.

Ayon kay Nasser Munder, labor attaché ng Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Abu Dhabi, bukod sa nararanasang pagka-api ng mga Pinoy workers ay mayroon pa umanong mga pagkakataon na ayaw umanong ibigay ng mga employer ang kanilang mga travel documents.

Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Munder na mas madali naman ang pagpapauwi sa mga distressed workers na nagi­ging biktima ng panggagahasa at physical abuse.

“Rape, physical abuse and any criminal case against the employer even make it easier for us to repatriate these distressed workers because we just take the runaway maids for a medical examination and file the case in court,” ayon kay Munder.

Kagyat umanong ibinibigay ang pasaporte at pinag­ka­­kalooban din ng plane ticket pabalik ng Pilipinas ang Pinay DH kung may kinalaman sa ‘criminal act’ ng kanilang employer ang kanilang desisyon ng paglalayas.Sa kabila nito, marami pa rin umanong mga ‘runaway maid’ ang stranded sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) dahilan sa pagtanggi ng mga employer na ikansela ang kanilang mga visa.

Maraming job opening sa abroad

Maraming Filipino ang gustong mag abroad, may magandang balita ang ating gobyerno na madaming trabahong sa abroad ngayong 2009. paki basa lang po sa baba.

http://qatarpinoy.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-jobs-await-ofws-in-2009.html

sana hindi kayo magsawang magbasa rito sa blog ko about life in qatar. salamat po sa inyo

chocolate lovers

to all chocolate lovers i want to share some of my recipes.

http://mycookingobsession.blogspot.com/2008/12/chocolate-fudge-layer-cake-recipe.html

enjoy! have a blessed merry christmas

121,924 jobs 'exclusively' reserved for Pinoys in Qatar

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque revealed Saturday that the state of Qatar has reserved hundreds of thousands of working visas for Filipino workers for next year.

"Our counterpart, the labor minister of Qatar said he had reserved, approved [work] visas for Filipinos. A total of 121,924 new visas exclusively for Filipinos," Roque told radio dzMM.

Roque said the Qatar labor minister showed him the reserved visas during President Arroyo's visit last December 14.

Quoting the foreign labor minister, Roque said Qatar wants to double the number of Filipino visitor workers by 2009. There are at least 149,000 Filipinos currently working in Qatar, the labor secretary said.

"The labor minister of Qatar told me that he wants Filipino workers to be the second biggest population of guest workers in Qatar next year," he said.

The labor secretary said among the companies that are planning to have an all-Filipino crew are Lulu Supermarket and a big bus company.

He said Bektel, one of the biggest companies in Qatar, is also planning to open jobs for Filipinos in 2009.

Roque said hundreds of other jobs may also open in Qatar, which is being developed as the "education center" of Middle East, which translates to thousands of construction job openings for Filipinos.

He said the Qatar government prefers Filipinos than other nationalities because they are hard-working and hygienic.

He added that Qatar employers mentioned to Mrs. Arroyo during her visit that Filipinos' work are spotless and they are more peace-loving than other nationalities.

Meanwhile, Roque said his department has already started working with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for the job placements and skills training qualifications for Filipinos who would want to work in Qatar.

Another explosive found in Iligan City

Ordnance squad members secure an 81mm explosive contained in a bomb bag (left) in Iligan City, southern Philippines, yesterday

Iligan City, A second unexploded bomb was recovered in a southern Philippine city yesterday, three days after twin explosions killed three people, police said.
The explosive, made from an 81mm mortar shell, was found in a garbage dump in Iligan City, 810km south of Manila, police said.

It was the second unexploded bomb found in the city since two shopping centres were bombed on Thursday, killing three people and injured scores.
On Friday, a bomb was found inside a bakery just hours after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left the city.

Arroyo visited the victims of Thursday’s explosion.
Police investigators said the same group was believed to be responsible for all incidents.

Authorities said no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, but they noted that the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) operates in the area.
The MILF denied involvement in the bombings.
The MILF has been fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines since 1978.

Meanwhile, the European Union yesterday announced an additional 2.5mn-euro assistance to thousands of civilians displaced by hostilities in the southern Philippines.

The new funding is on top of 7mn euros approved in October for short-term humanitarian assistance and long-term rehabilitation aid in the southern region of Mindanao.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, head of the Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines, said the additional aid would ensure continued care for the displaced.

“The situation remains very serious with some 310,000 persons still displaced and with almost 60,000 of those taking shelter in evacuation centres, which are by no means adequate for anything more than short-term relief,” he said.

“Many of the IDPs (internally displaced persons) have been in evacuation centres for five months now, with little prospect of being able to return to their homes while the risk of conflict remains,” he added.

The hostilities worsened when MILF rebels launched a series of attacks to protest a Supreme Court decision to stop the signing of a key agreement that would have expanded an autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao.

More than 200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in those attacks and subsequent fighting. More than 500,000 people were also displaced at the height of the fighting.

The EU reiterated its call for the Philippine government and the MILF to resume stalled peace talks to prevent more violence in Mindanao.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had dissolved the government’s peace negotiating panel with the MILF due to the fighting in August.

Earlier in the month, Arroyo appointed a new chief negotiator with the MILF in what could be the first step towards resuming the peace talks with the rebel group.

Philippine Maoist rebels declare holiday truce

MANILA Maoist rebels in the Philippines declared a 5-day ceasefire over the Christmas period on Friday, after the government said it would not launch any offensive operations in the period.

A rebel statement posted on the website of the Communist Party of the Philippines said New People’s Army (NPA) fighters were restrained from initiating offensives to allow the country to celebrate a violence- free Christmas holidays.

“In unity with the Filipino people’s holiday traditions, the NPA was instructed to observe truce from December 24 to 26 and December 31 and January 1,” the rebel statement said. The rebel leadership said the 5,000-member NPA, active in 69 of 81 provinces in the country, would remain in a defensive mode because it did not trust the military to abide by its own ceasefire.

The government has said its forces will observe the truce on December 24-25 and December 31-January 1. The rebels will also observe a truce on December 26, the anniversary of the 1968 founding of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The communist insurgency has killed about 40,000 people and stunted economic growth in the country.

Arroyo visits victims of twin bombings in Iligan

ILIGAN CITY (PHILIPPINES) President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday visited the people injured in two bombings in a southern Philippine city.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Arroyo went to Iligan City in Lanao del Norte province, 855 kilometres south of Manila, and visited the hospital where 41 people wounded in the attacks were being treated. Arroyo also visited the funeral home where two fatalities from the twin bombings were taken. Police officials said only two people, not six as earlier reported by city officials, were killed in the bombings of the Jerry Bargain Centre and Unicity Mall.

Investigators said the bombs were left at the baggage counters of the two shopping malls by women wearing veils. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, who are active in the province, denied involvement in the bombings. Eid Kabalu, MILF civil relations chief, said he talked with rebel commanders operating in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and all of them said they had nothing to do with the attacks.

“There must be a thorough investigation before blaming groups like us,” he said. “We express our sympathies to the families of the victims.” The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for a separate Islamic state in the southern region of Mindanao.

Hostilities between the military and the rebel group flared in August when the guerrillas launched a series of deadly attacks after a setback in peace talks with the government.

Qatar National Day every December 18

Every December 18, Qatari nationals and other nationalities celebrating Qatar day.
here's a full story.

Qatar Celebrating National Day Today

Qatar residents is very excited for this event. here's the full story.

Exclusive working visa sa OFW para Qatar

Kabuuang 128,000 mga bagong working visas na ekslusibo lamang para sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) ang binuksan ng bansang Qatar.
Sa nasabing bilang, 37,000 sa mga ito’y may aktuwal nang job contracts para sa mga OFWs na siyang unang inihayag ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo noong bumisita ito sa Qatar nitong weekend.

Sa panayam kahapon sa Malacañang, sinabi ni Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sec. Peter Favila na ang pagbubukas ng mga bagong working visas sa mga OFWs ay isa sa napagkasunduan sa pakikipagpulong ni Pangulong Arroyo sa mga government officials ng Qatar nitong weekend.

Ani Favila, karamihan sa mga OFWs na mabibiya­yaan ng working visas ay sa propesyon ng engineering ngunit may iba pa aniyang skilled jobs na nasa talaan ngayon ng Department of Labor and Employment.

45,000 apektado sa bank holiday sa Cebu

Umaabot sa 45,000 depositors ang direktang apektado sa pagsara ng ilang bangko sa lungsod ng Cebu, ayon sa isang opisyal ng Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC).
Sinabi ni Ferdinand Beluan, PDIC member, na kasalukuyan pang tinatamasa ng kumpanya ang records ng Bank of East Asia, Pilipino Rural Bank at mga sangay nito sa nasabing lungsod, Philippine Countryside Rural Bank at mga bangkong may kaugnayan sa Legacy Group of Companies.
Aniya, kinakailangang kumpleto at bukas ang lahat ng records ng mga nasabing bangko bago isasailalim ang mga ito ng PDIC sa isang malalimang ebalwasyon.
Bukod dito, sinabi ni Beluan na inaatas pa nito ang release ng P250,00 na hinihingi ng mga depositors.
Ayon naman kay Nathaniel Tumbokon ng finance department ng PDIC, 98 porsiyento ng depositors ay saklaw ng PDIC at ang 2 porsiyento ay ng bank’s assets.
Siniguro rin nito sa mga depositors na makukuha nila ang kanilang insurance.
Sa panig naman ni Awin Lim, miyembro ng Cebu federation of Rural Banks, huwag umanong mabahala ang mga depositors at dagdagan pa ang kanilang tiwala sa mga rural banks.

May nadisgrasya na namang motorized banca sa Cagayan

Kahapon ay may nadisgrasya na namang motorized banca sa Cagayan.

Bagama’t may bagyo at sinasabing malalaki raw talaga ang alon sa karagatan ng Calayan Island nang mangyari ang trahedya, isa sa sinisilip ngayon ng mga awtoridad ay ang sobra-sobrang pasahero nito.

Sa inisyal na report ay 50-katao lang daw ang limitasyon ng bangka, kasama na ang mga tripulante. Pero ang nangyari ay halos umabot yata sa 100 ang sakay nito kahapon. Hindi pa naman ito kumpirmado pero ito ang lumilitaw sa inisyal na ulat, base na rin sa lumolobong bilang ng casualties.

Nakakalungkot dahil magpa-Pasko pa naman. May mga naulila na namang pamil­ya. At ang higit na masakit, maaari sanang naiwasan ang trahedya kung hindi nasilaw sa malaking kita ang shipping company na may-ari ng bangka. Pero gaya nga ng ipinapaliwanag namin, iniimbestigahan pa ang pangyayari at lahat ng napapaulat, pati na ang ‘overloading’ ay inisyal na report pa lang.

Gayunpaman, mayroon nang history ang mga shipping companies dito sa Pilipinas e. Tuwing ganitong panahon ay malimit na nangyayari ang trahedya sa dagat at maraming kaso nito ay dahil sa overloading.

Palibhasa’y peak season ang Kapaskuhan at talagang dagsa ang mga pasaherong nagsisiuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsya sa ganitong panahon, nagsasamantala naman ang mga kumpanya. At sa kagustuhang masagad ang kita, kahit malagay sa peligro ang buhay ng mga pasahero ay isinusu­gal na nila.

Ang sa kanila siguro ay tiyempuhan naman ang disgrasya. Malas na lang kung madale.

Nakakatakot ang ganitong mentalidad. Sila bilang ship owner at operator, pinili nilang isugal ang kanilang sasakyan. Pero ang pagsusugal sa buhay ng mga pasahero ay hindi kailanman saklaw ng kanilang karapatan.

Kaya dapat ay mabigyan ng leksyon ang mga ship owners at operators sa nakaraang mga trahedya para talaga matuto ang mga ito. Palibhasa’y nalulusutan nang ganun-ganon lang ang mga kaso, kaya marami pa rin ang sumusunod sa yapak ng mga nakasuhan nang shipping firms.

Tayo naman, bilang mga pasahero ay maging responsable rin tayo sa ating sariling kaligtasan, lalo na nga kung bibiyahe tayo na kasama ang ating pamilya, partikular ang mga bata. Maging conscious tayo sa ating kaligtasan. ‘Wag natin itong ipaubaya sa profit-
oriented na mga ship owners.

Importanteng alamin n’yo ang passenger limit ng sinasakyang mga barko o bangka. At kung alam n’yo na ito, alamin din kung pang-ilang pasahero na kayo. O kaya naman, kung makikita n’yong pati pasilyo ng barko ay tinutulugan na o kaya ay tayuan na sa bangka, siguradong overloaded ‘yan.
Kayo na mismo ang umatras at hintayin na lang ang susunod na biyahe.

Hindi baleng maantala ng dating sa pupuntahan kaysa naman manganib ang buhay n’yo at ng inyong pamilya sa kamay ng iresponsableng mga ship owners at operators.

Mrs. Philippines 2009 makikilala na!

Matapos ang mabusising proseso sa pagkuha ng mga aplikante para sa Mrs. Philippines, 30 naggagandahang kandidata ang napili.

Ang lineup ng Mrs. Philippines 2009 candidates ay ipinakilala noong Disyembre 3, 2008 sa Fernwood Garden, Quezon City.

Ang naturang masweteng mga babae ay mga plain housewives to entrepreneurs, educators, corporate managers, athlete, TV host, models at ngayon pwedeng maging beauty title holder.

Ang Mrs. Philippines 2009 candidates ay magkakaroon ng hectic schedules kung saan haharap sila sa pre pageant activities kasama ang community works (milk feeding, free pregnancy tests, tree planting, atbp.) cooking showdowns, fashion shows, at TV guestings. Kasama pa rito ang usual swimsuit, talent at Q&A, at evening gown competitions.

Gaganapin ang Mrs. Philippines pageant sa Disyembre 17, 2008 sa Aliw Theater, Pasay City. Mapapanood ito sa QTV 11 sa Disyembre 20, 2008, 9-11 PM

Wag na Wag Video by MoyMoy Palaboy

Kanta ni Kitchie Nadal nga gihimuan ni MoyMoy Palaboy ug kaugalingon video.





Kanta ni Kitchie Nadal nga gihimuan ni MoyMoy Palaboy ug kaugalingon video.

Hapit na 2009 Sinulog Festival

Hay! hapit najud ang sinulog festival sa Cebu. After christmas ug new year mao napud ni ang dakong celebrasyon nga ginahulat sa tanang bisaya. Ginacelebrar ni every third sunday of January. Sa mga deboto ni Senor Sto. Nino viva Pit Senor!
Dili lang diri saCebu, bisag unsang dapit sa Pilipinas ug sa abroad ga sinulog sila.
Excited na kaayo ko sa Sinulog, daghan napud bag ong nawong atong makita ug ma kauban.

Daghan pang update ani ako ipost sunod.

STO. NINO FESTIVAL (Nationwide)

A grand procession of over two hundred well-dressed images of the Child Jesus.

History:

The Santo Niño de Cebú ("Holy Child of Cebu") is a Roman Catholic depiction of the Child Jesus, similar to the Infant Jesus of Prague, and other venerated statues. Like them, it is clothed in textile robes. Santo Niño de Cebú literally means "holy child of Cebú." For centuries Santo Nino served as the patron saint of Cebu, and continues to be celebrated at the Sinulog, the primary festival of Cebú. Currently, the statue is the oldest Roman Catholic relic in the Philippines, and it is located at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City, Cebu.

In April 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in the service of Charles I of Spain, arrived in Cebu during his voyage to find a westward route to the Spice Islands [1]. He persuaded Rajah Humabon and his wife Hara Humamay, to pledge their allegiance with Spain. They were later baptized into the Catholic faith, taking the Christian names Carlos and Juana. Magellan gave Juana the Santo Nino as a symbol of the alliance. However, Magellan died during the Battle of Mactan later that month, and the alliance became more or less moot.

The Spanish returned to the Philippines in February 1565. Cebu was the first stop of Basque explorer Miguel López de Legazpi, who would later found Manila. He defeated Rajah Tupas (nephew to Humabon) on April 27, destroying the village in the process. The Santo Nino was found relatively unscathed in a burnt-out dwelling. This event was quickly acknowledged as miraculous, and a church was later constructed on the purported site of the discovery. Today, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño is an important historical and religious landmark in Cebu, with devotees forming long line up to pay their respects to the Holy Child.

The Holy See has approved special liturgical texts for use during the local Feast of the Santo Niño in the Philippines, set on the third Sunday of January. The festival that follows is known as the Sinulog, which combines the street festivities and religious devotion of the Cebuano people.

More updates about Senor Sto. Nino Festival (Sinulog Festival)