UP Ibalon Bicol: Brazil

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Brazil and Paraguay hit by massive blackouts

11/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Because of malfunction of a dam between Brazil and Paraguay, neighboring countries in Latin America, were stricken with severe electrical outages that rendered key cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo in darkness.

Relying on electricity from the Itaipu dam, both countries were without lights. The the breakdown of the dam knocked out power in at least 26 Brazilian states. Among the affected were areas in the southeastern industrialized regions. The entire Paraguayan territory which largely gets power from the damaged dam experienced transient loss of electric power.

According to Jorge Samek, the manager of the world’s biggest hydroelectric plant said the dam malfunctioned--- plunging many places in Brazil into chaos. Traffic slowed causing vehicles to clog major roads and highway. Although airports did not suffer significant delay of flights, the subway transport system was interrupted forcing thousands of Brazilians to walk on the tracks on their way their destination. Rio de Janeiro state governor deployed additional police to maintain safety in the streets while the public waited for electrical power to return.

In Paraguay meanwhile, 90% of the nation had its electrical power dead for about 15 minutes, but it was quickly restored. An estimated 17,000 megawatts as much as what Soa Paulo state consumed is lost. With high volume of tourists and visitors, Brazil is the largest economy in the whole Latin America. (Photo Credit: www.photo4travel.com) =0=

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Labels: black out, Brazil, electricity, hydroelectric plant, Paraguay, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, Totie Mesia

17 bodies recovered from Air France crash site

6/08/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After days of fruitless search, rescuers of Air France flight no. 447 which crashed last week in the Atlantic ocean reported finding at least 17 bodies floating at sea. The remains were probably part of the 229 passengers and crew who died when the plane mysteriously fell from the sky. To bodies would be brought to the mainland in the coastal city of Recife for identification.

The disaster is the worst aviation accident since 2001, and unprecedented in Air France's 75-year history. ---www.channelnewsasia.com / AFP (06/08/09)

With no hope of finding survivors, Brazilian and French authorities continue to search an area of 1,1000 kilometers in the northeast coast of Brazil to recover remnants of the aircraft whose black box is yet to be recovered. They are still investigating to determine the cause of the fatal disaster. (Photo Credit: Reuters / Brazilian Airforce) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Air France crash mourners in Paris, France" Posted by mesiamd at 6/06/2009

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Labels: Air France, airplane, aviation, Brazil, crash, disaster, France, investigation, mortality, Paris, rescue, Totie Mesia

Air France crash mourners in Paris, France

6/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Relatives and friends of those who vanished with the ill-fated Air France carrier which plunged in the Atlantic Ocean gathered outside the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France on June 3, 2009. In a solemn remembrance, they recalled the memory of the 228 passengers and crew still missing since the AF Flight 447 crashed on Monday, June 1. 2009 on the way Paris to Rio de Janeiro.

Attempts to find the exact wreckage location and the plane’s black box have so far been unsuccessful. No traces of survivors or bodies of those who might have died are recovered. Pieces of wreckage reported to be from the ill-fated aircraft turned out to be debris from other sources. The cause of the crash remains a mystery. (Photo Credit: (AFP/POOL/ Edme, B)=0=

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Labels: Air France, Atlantic Ocean, aviation, black box, Brazil, crash, France, missing, Paris, Recollection, rescue, Rio de Janeiro, Totie Mesia

Crash site of Air France flight #447 confirmed; Filipino seaman among the missing

6/03/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

With no survivors so far reported, the tragedy could well be the worst aviation mishap of Air France through its years of operation. The crash site of the Air France jetliner was confirmed by fuel oil floating at sea, an aircraft passenger seat and pieces of metal debris seen in deep sea, a three-mile path of wreckage between the coasts of Brazil and Africa. Six hundred fifty (650) km northeast of Fernando do Noronha archipelago, the pieces of debris in the Atlantic Ocean were reported by the Brazilian Air Force.

The appearance of aircraft fragments is bolstered by a report that a pilot of TAM, a Brazilian airline saw glowing spots on the sea surface in what was thought to be site where the plane fell from the sky. Continued effort to find the plane’s black box to explain the circumstances of the crash is underway. In spite of the tragedy occurring during a supposed inclement weather, terrorism and sabotage have yet to be ruled out by investigators.

Among the 228 on board the airbus A330 are 12 crew members and Pinoy OFW Arden Jugueta counted among the missing with very little chance of surviving. On a connecting flight en route to Paris from Rio de Janeiro, Jugueta was on his way to Manila when the horrible mishap occurred. This was relayed by the French Foreign Ministry (FFM) to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA.)

In accordance to the rules of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA,) the family of Jugueta is entitled an accident insurance benefit of P200,000 plus a burial compensation of P20,000 once the seaman’s death is ascertained. OWWA promises to bring back the victim’s body to the Philippines if found.--- AP (06/03/09 Pia Lee-Brago)

As the personal heart-rending details of the disaster are disclosed, the magnitude of human suffering becomes more obvious. People learn that the missing passengers are human beings with jobs, children and social roles to play in society. Their families and friends are from more than 30 countries in disbelief, waiting for the news of the search teams---- rushed to rescue their loved ones from the coldness of the ocean. (Photo Credit: AFP/ Vanderlei Almeida) =0=

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Labels: Africa, Air France, airplane, Arden Jugueta, Brazil, crash, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), disaster, flight, OFW, Overseas Workers Welfare Association, OWWA, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Totie Mesia

Air France jetliner with 228 passengers vanished on the way to Paris

6/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The search of the missing Air France jetliner with 228 passengers is on. The aifcraft lost communication on its way from Rio Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France last night. The plane reported the loss of pressure and some electrical problem before it vanished in the radar screen.

It is believed that the twin engine airbus AF Flight number 447 was somewhere between Natal on the Brazilian shore and Cape Verde, off the coast of Senegal when it encountered bad weather and crashed in the Atlantic Ocean.

So far the search has not yielded the location of the missing plane. French President Nicolas Sarkozy told worried relatives that the chance of having survivors in the vast plane crash area is nil.

Most of the victims are French and Brazilian nationals, but there are passengers from about 30 countries including American, Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, German, and Moroccan. A French doctor and his wife narrowly escaped the tragedy when they were refused to board because the aircraft was full. (Photo Credit: caribb) =0=

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Labels: Air France, aviation, Brazil, crash, France, missing, Paris, Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy, Rio de Janeiro, Totie Mesia, travel, traveler

Young Brazilian beauty queen dies of sepsis

1/25/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The 20 year old Brazilian beauty queen Mariana Bridi da Costa died of the effects of sepsis after weeks of fighting an overwhelming systemic infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative bacteria.

In late December 2008, the young model and family breadwinner who represented her country in international beauty contests was initially suspected to have kidney stones and urinary tract infection (UTI) which worsened and led to septicemia (presence of infection in the bloodstream,) loss of consciousness, and the amputation of both her hands and feet.

Pseudomonas is commonly found in soil and water and can cause a gamut of conditions ranging from mild local skin infections to systemic overwhelming ones which involve deep-seated body organs. In severe cases, like the case of Da Costa, the virulent organism can cause poor blood circulation (hypoperfusion,) shock, and breakdown of tissues leading to organ failure, and eventual death.

A rare cause of UTI, the bacteria can be anti-biotic resistant. It may infect patients with low immunity (immunocompromised,) diabetes, cystic fibrosis, hospitalized patients, and those made vulnerable because of certain debilitating illnesses. Known to be in good health before her illness, Da Costa's infection has baffled her doctors.

The death of the beauty queen on January 24, 2009 sent shock waves to those who admire her. Many concerned individuals who learned about her plight expressed their sympathies and prayers. Her website was overwhelmed by outpouring or support from people all over the world. (Photo Credit: AP)=0=

Labels: beauty queen, Brazil, death, illness, infection, Mariana Bridi da Costa, Medicine, Pseudomonas, Totie Mesia

Filipina is Miss Earth 2008

11/10/2008 | Posted by dusktildawn | Edit Post

The Philippines’ Miss Karla Paula Henry was crowned Miss Earth 2008 at the Clark Expo Ampitheater in Pampanga Sunday besting a field of beautiful, talented and environmentally- conscious girls from 85 countries. It was the first time that a Filipina won the Miss Earth pageant which is considered as among the top 3 pageants worldwide.

Other winners are Tanzania’s Miss Miriam Odemba 25,1st runner-up, who was crowned Miss Earth Air; Mexico’s Miss Abegail Elizalde Romo 23, 2nd runner-up who was crowned Miss Earth Water and Brazil’s Miss Tatiana Kelen Alves 24, 3rd runner-up who was Miss Earth Fire. Aside from the four, those who made it to the top eight were: Spain’s Miss Adriana Reveron Moreno, 23; Colombia’s Miss Ariane Rodriguez Merchan, 22; Venezuela’s Miss Daniela Torrealba Pacheco, 19 and Switzerland’s Miss Nasanin Nuri, 19. Rounding up the top 16 were Thailand, Poland, Nigeria, Czech Republic, Romania, USA, Russia and Korea.

The question and answer portion was the clincher for the Filipina where the final four were all asked the same question, “ If you are given the chance to speak with newly-elected US President Barack Obama about the state of our global environment, what will you tell him?” Karla Henry said that she would encourage Obama to implement an environmental subject in the curriculum of schools. She added that it is important to teach the youth knowledge about the environment so that in the coming years, they will take care of Mother Earth. “I believe our future lies in the youth”, she concluded.

Karla won US$20,000 while the three others won US$2,000 each on top of other prizes and perks. Karla also won as Miss Photogenic aside from winning the very first Fashion Design competition held at the Amazing Theatre in Pasay City on November 4, 2008. She wore an Ivan Raborar creation.

Miss Venezuela’s Daniela Torrealba wearing a luscious and elegantly-designed dress which complemented her classy personality won the Best in Long Gown Award during the long gown competition held at PAGCOR, Grand Theatre in Paranaque last November 3, 2008. Miss Talent was won by Australia’s Rachael Smith during the Talent Competition held last November 2, 2008 at Tamayo’s Villa Immaculada in Manila.

The preliminary swimsuit competition was held last October 25, 2008 in three locations: Sabang Beach Resort, Puerto Princessa, Palawan; Golden Sunset, Calatagan, Batangas and Manila, Philippines. The candidates were divided into three groups and the top 15 in each group then competed in the final swimsuit competition held at the Fontana Leisure Park in the Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Pampanga last November 1, 2008. The Best in Swimsuit and Miss Fontana awards were garnered by Miss Mexico Abigail Elizalde and Miss Philippines Karla Paula Henry respectively. The National Costume competition was held at the PAGCOR Grand Theatre in Paranaque City last October 28, 2008. The Best in National Costume was won by Miss Panama Shassia Ubillus who was unanimously chosen by the members of the press.

The Miss Earth candidates have been touring the country’s different tourist destinations like the Philippines’ bets in the New 7 Wonders of the World- The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Mayon Volcano, Chocolate Hills and other sites planting trees, picking-up garbage and promoting the message to protect our Mother Earth. Several of them including Miss Earth Japan, Hungary, Netherlands, Guam, Israel, Liberia, Brazil and Mexico were here in Legazpi City last October 22-24 planting trees, promoting Mayon Volcano and joining the Parada de Legazpi last October 23. Among Legazpi’s visitors were Mexico’s Miss Earth Water Abegail Elizalde who was also the Best in Swimsuit and Brazil’s Miss Earth Fire Tatiana Alves.

Photo credits: XINHUA/ Reuters

Labels: Abegail Elizalde, Brazil, Dan Daz, Karla Henry, Legazpi City, Mayon Volcano, Mexico, Miriam Odemba, Miss Earth 2008, Philippines, Tanzania, Tatiana Alves

UP Ibalon Bicol

Brazil and Paraguay hit by massive blackouts

17 bodies recovered from Air France crash site

Air France crash mourners in Paris, France

Crash site of Air France flight #447 confirmed; Filipino seaman among the missing

Air France jetliner with 228 passengers vanished on the way to Paris

Young Brazilian beauty queen dies of sepsis

Filipina is Miss Earth 2008

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