UP Ibalon Bicol

Princess Diana remembered

9/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Princess Diana
1 July 1961 - 31 August 1997

“…that girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age.”

In the early morning of August 31, 1997, Princss Diana died of injuries sustained in a horrible car crash in Paris as reporters hounded her. The memory of her short life receded in time, but one could recall that on September 6, 1997, her brother Earl Charles Spencer delivered a breath-taking tribute to the world’s Queen of Hearts--- that was during her interment, 12 years ago. (Photo Credits: Rosi)

At Westminster Abbey where the tombs of England’s monarchs rested, the irreplaceable Diana was eulogized that stirred the feelings of those present and the millions who watched in anguish in TV.

Tony Blair called her the people's princess. For her philantrophic works on landmines and babies wih AIDS, Daily Express referred to her as an "international angel of mercy." Part of Spencer's eulogy to the lady with a "sparkle in those unforgettable eyes" beautifully reads:

“Today is our chance to say thank you for the way you brightened our lives, even though God granted you but half a life.

We will feel cheated always that you were taken from us so young and yet we must learn to be grateful that you came along at all. Only now that you are gone do we truly appreciate what we are now without and we want you to know that life without you is very, very difficult.

We have all despaired at our loss over the past week and only the strength of the message you gave us through your years of giving has afforded us the strength to move forward.

There is temptation to rush to canonize your memory. There is no need to do so. You stand tall enough as a human being of unique qualities not to need to be seen as a saint. Indeed, to sanctify your memory would be to miss out on the very core of your being, your wonderfully mischievous sense of humor with the laugh that bent you double, your joy for life transmitted wherever you took smile, and the sparkle in those unforgettable eyes, your boundless energy which you could barely contain.

But your greatest gift was your intuition and it was a gift you used wisely. This is what underpinned all your wonderful attributes. And if we look to analyze what it was about you that had such a wide appeal we find it in your institinctive feel for what was really important in all our time.” =0=

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Labels: Earl Charles Spencer, eulogy, human interest, In Memoriam, Milestone, Prncess Diana, speech, Totie Mesia, transition, tribute

Green czar resigns; raises questions on the need for the other “czars” in the White House

9/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The czar system that provides counsel to Pres. Barack Obama gets a beating with the resignation of Van Jones, the White House green jobs and energy adviser.

Van Jones’ being forced to leave office casts doubts on the usefulness of the “czars” who serve as presidential advisers whose backgrounds and expertise aren't properly vetted. With practcally no one to answer to except the president, their positions aren't approved by congress, hence the question of propriety, competence, and accountability.

Among the 31 “czars” working for the White House, Jones is supposed to be an “expert” on environmental quality jobs and energy issues. He was heavily criticized for his radical left-wing political alliances and derogatory comments against the Republicans. A known civil rights activist and lawyer before he became an ”environmental expert,” his extremist background was exposed in stunning detail by Fox News TV host Glen Beck.

In the past, Jones engaged in abrasive rhetoric and he stated that the Bush administration might have been complicit in the “staging” of the 911 attack. In defense he said, he was a victim of “vicious smear campaign” forcing him to resign so he would not come on the way of Obama’s agenda. While others are relieved of Jones' decision, his supporters, mostly from the democratic party, expressed regrets over his resignation. (Photo Credit: AFP; Getty Images; Bucci, V.) =0=

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Labels: activist, civil liberties, Czars, energy, environment, Glen Beck, jobs, liberal left, politcs, Totie Mesia, Van Jones, White House

Ferry capsizes in Southern Philippines; 9 drowned, 63 missing

9/07/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Super Ferry 9 with about 1,000 people on board sank in in Siocon Bay in Zamboanga, Southern Mindanao on Sunday, September 6, 2009. As of latest report 9 passengers died and 63 were declared missing. 925 pnicked passengers were rescued from the ferry which tilted for hours before it keeled and went down the sea.

So far only two fatalities were identified: 2 year-old James Patrick Galero and 45 year-old Fernando Estrada. According to the Coast Guard, the survivors were taken to vessels who responded to the emergency---265 were rescued by MV Ocean Integrity, 446 in MV Myriad, 170 in a Philippine Navy vessels, 26 and 19 in fishing boats Sierra and Julius respectively.

The immediate cause of the mishap was unclear. Coast Guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the ship left General Santos City at 8:45 a.m. Saturday and was heading for Iloilo when it began having problems with its generator. The ferry was abandoned at 4:40 early Sunday morning.

Owned by the Aboitiz Transport System Corporation, the ill-fated ship had history of engine troubles. The last incident was in May 2009 when its travel was interrupted for 12 hours in Camiguin Province because of mechanical trouble.

This recent sea tragedy is another mishap that isn’t unexpected. The Philippines has a very poor record of maritime safety (see related blogs). In June 2008, Princess of the Stars sank off Romblon during Typhoon Fengshen claiming the lives of more than 800 passengers. In 1987, greater thn 4,000 people were lost in a fiery collision between the ferry Dona Paz and an oil tanker near Mindoro Island, the worst in memory.

In spite of the outrage and calls by concerned citizens to step up safety and regulations to avert deaths, nothing seems to have improved. The governmet seems helpless in preventing the sea disasters. Souces: GMA.newsTV; Guardian.co.uk (Photo Credit: Reuters) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: RP’s maritime disasters: a harvest of blame and shame Posted by mesiamd at 11/08/2008; "Ferry boat sinks in Masbate killing 40" Posted by mesiamd at 11/04/2008; "Boat mishap in Iloilo, 9 dead" Posted by mesiamd at 01/06/2008; "The need for witnesses in the Princess of the Stars toxic chemical recovery" Posted by mesiamd at 9/25/2008; "Endosulfan safely retrieved: where are the other toxic chemicals?" Posted by mesiamd at 10/07/2008 ; "Toxic Cargo" Posted by mesiamd at 6/28/2008.

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Labels: Aboitiz, Aboitiz Transport System, Coast Guard, Dona Paz, maritime disasters, mishap, Princess of the Stars, ship capsizes, ship sunk, Super Ferry 9, SuperFerry, Totie Mesia, Zamboanga

Liz Taylor bids farewell to Michael Jackson

9/06/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

On Thursday, Septermber 3, 2009, movie actess Elizabeth Taylor went to the burial of close friend Michael Jackson whose death was ruled as homicide resulting from toxic levels of a cocktail of medications that included a powerful anesthetic.

Celebrities who attended the ceremony 70 days after his death were Lisa Marie Presley, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Macaulay Culkin, Corey Feldman, Mila Kunis and Barry Bonds.

Riding a wheel chair and clad in black, 77 year-old Miss Taylor came teary-eyed to the Los Angeles Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale to also pay her last respects. The private interment was attended by Michael's children, immediate family, and close friends.

The King of Pop was interred in a golden casket under very tight security. The cost of burial was estimated to be $1 million dollars on top of the $1.4 million dollars prviously spent in a televised memorial service last July. (Photo Credit: Getty Images/ BBB.nes.com) =0=

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Labels: burial, California, celebrity, Elizabeth Taylor, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, MJ, movie star, Naga Camarines Sur. Totie Mesia

Four million Filipino child-laborers

9/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

With the objective to lower down the incidence of exploitation and child labor in the Philippines, the ABK2, a project funded by the US Department of Labor recently helped in rescuing about 6,800 child laborers--- at least 1,984 in in Cebu and 4,863 in Negros Oriental.

The children were removed from difficult and hazardous working conditions and were offered some education through the coordinated work of the World Vision Development Foundation, ChildFund International (formerly known as Christian Children’s Fund), and ERDA.

Child Laborers at a Glance:

Number: 4 million child laborers

Ages: 5-17 years old

Work Hours:
1 to 4 hours---2 million;
5-8 hours---1.3 million;
8 hrs plus---360,000

Areas of employment:
Scavenging
Prostitution
Agriculture
Fishing
Quarry &Mining
Domestic work

Education:
No schooling: 1.3 million

Before their rescue, the children were engaged in scavenging, peddling sex and drugs, doing domestic work, working in mines, fishing, agriculture, and quarry. They were part of an estimated 4 million children between ages 5 to 17 years in the labor force around the country.

A third of these children (1.3 million) do not attend school. Of those who attend school, they face problems such as learning difficulties, lack of school supplies, unsupportive teachers, and lack of time to study.

“In Negros Oriental, 4,591 children who were working in sugarcane plantations were pulled out from their workplace, followed by 162 kids in domestic work and 110 child laborers from commercial agriculture.

Nationwide, the project has rescued and assisted 23,095 child laborers. But ABK2 Project Director Daphne Culanag said the figure is insignificant compared to the estimated four million child laborers around the country. “The figure is just a drop in the bucket of the four million child laborers we want to help,”---Manila Bulletin (09/04/09, Mosqueda, MW Jr.)

The staggering number of children being exploited in the country belies the progress that is usually harped by the government. Social inequity has trickled in among the most vulnerable in society. In spite of efforts to generate jobs locally and abroad, the need for work to survive has forced young boys and girls to forgo their childhood, be independent, and help in keeping the family alive. (Photo Credit: Claude Barutel) =0=

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Labels: Agriculture, cheap labor, children, exploitation, Filipinos, jobs, labor, mining, poverty, scavenging, sex worker, Totie

55,000 mourners pay tribute to INC's spiritual leader

9/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Since the mortal remains of Erano Manalo, Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) supreme spiritual leader was shown for public viewing, an estimated 55,000 mourners came to pay their respect.

President Gloria M. Arroyo declared a time of national mourning till the burial of the religious leader on September 12, 2009. Manalo, the son of INC founder Felix Manalo got tributes from public officials and from about 2 to 8 million church members for all over the world. (Photo Credit: Malaya/ Rolly Salvador) =0=

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Labels: death, Erano Manalo, Iglesia ni Kristo, INC, religion, Totie Mesia, transition

Ibalon daughter passes physician’s licensure

9/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

UP Ibalon-Bicol congratulates Dr. Irene Gaile C. Robredo for passing the recent natioal board examination for physicians given by the Professional Regulations Commission PRC).

The only daughter of fellow-Ibalonian Jose (Butch) Robredo, Jr. and niece of Ibalonian Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc and Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, Gaile graduated from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center and took her internship at UP-PGH. She finished her pre-medical education at Ateneo de Manila University. Her oath-taking is scheduled in September. (Photo Credit Kaiyanwong) =0=

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Labels: board exam, Butch Robredo, Dr. Irene Gaile Robredo, Dr. Josephine Robredo-Bundoc, Jesse Robredo, Milestone, Physicians, PRC, Totie Mesia, transition

90 perish in NATO airstrike in Afghanistan

9/05/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

An airstrike targeting two fuel vehicles had caused the deaths of at least 90 Afghanis, many civilians. Taken by Taliban militants the trucks were brought to Aliabad town in Kurduz province. About 50 Taliban insurgents died. The casualties were trying to pilfer gas from the hijacked vehicles on Friday, September 4, 2009.

An investigation is on-going. There is resentment of the village people regarding the deaths and Pres. Hamid Karzai expressed that “targeting civilians is unacceptable.” The deaths of undetermined number of civilian in the crossfire have drawn the human rights groups complaining. They say killing of civilians results to more recruits to terrorism---in support of the call of Taliban extremists.

In July there was an order from U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal to avoid the use of airstrikes precisely to avoid casualties. (Photo Credit: media =0=

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Labels: Afghanistan, air strike, casualty, insurgents, warTaliban

Wild imagination of a Japanese prime minister's wife?

9/04/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

Eyebrows rise when she tells you of a visit to the planet Venus. Your skepticism gives way to bewilderment if it is the wife of the Prime Minister of Japan who says it.

"While my body was asleep, I think my soul rode on a triangular-shaped UFO and went to Venus," she explains in the tome she published last year. "It was a very beautiful place, and it was very green." ---www.independent.co.uk (09/03/09, Popham, P.)

Yes, Miyuki Hatoyama, the 62 year-old wife of Japan's Prime Minister-elect, Yukio Hatoyama makes claims of her exotic Venusian trip. She also says she has known American actor Tom Cruise in a past reincarnation. And that she was abducted by aliens while she slept 20 years ago. Creepy claims huh?

What is in Mrs. Hatoyama’s mind is anybody’s guess. Is she in a parallel universe---a world operating in a different plane? Anybody there in Japan to check?

The Japanese lady is a former dancer, a retired actress, a lifestyle guru, a macrorbiotic enthusiast, and am author of cook books. Perhaps, there is something the Japanese is missing. Her husband Yukio, the prime minister, whose serious job is to steer the country away from recession says his wife could just be dreaming. (Photo Credit: www.psychologytoday.com) =0=

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Labels: American dream, extraterrestial, Miyuki Hatoyama, parallel universes, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Totie Mesia, Venus

Nepenthes attenboroughii: tanom na na-nga-ngakan nin kino, aninipot, sagkod amamangui

9/03/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

“An dahon kan burak naserbing higda’an nin sarong nobya na ang Amang Diyos iyo an na-guibo---kurtina na pano nin olor, malumoy na mga hamot…”---Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778)

Naturaleza nin Kinaban

Talagang may mga tanom na na-nga-ngakan nin mga hayop. Haloy ng nadiskubre iyan--- panahon pa ni Carl Linnaeus. Tubong Uppsala, Sweden, gikan sa Unibersidad de Lund asin Harderwijk (Netherlands), si Linnaeus sarong mahigos na maestro. Siya nagpa-uso kan pag-adal, pag-grupo (taxonomic classification), pagdiskubri nin mga tinanom sa kinaban. Prominenteng nag-contribuir sa sciencia nin Botaniya. Saro sa mga enot na scientipikong nag-tukdo sa pag-apreciar kan kagayunan nin azul na planeta.

Experiencia sa Pilipinas

Kan tiempong Hapon an mga soldados na Amerikano tinukdu'an kun paano mabuhay sa kadlagan nin Pilipinas habang ang guerra ipinaglalaban. Inaram ninda ang mga tinanom sa gubat na pwedeng kakanon, mga yierbas na dapat dulagan ta nakakalason o tanom na na-nga-ngakan nin hayop o tawo!

Ang Amerikano natakot sa mga plantas na karneboro. Paglakaw ninda sa kadlagan, pirme sindang handa! Ang saindang sundang pirmeng matarom, an badil naka-kasa ingkaso. Arog sa takot sa halas o linta, ang mga guerrero maingat na naglikay. Kaipuhan ninda sa sobrevivir (survival) sa marambong na kagubatan.

An tanom na pitsil

Sa www.popsci.com, kan naka-aguing bulan, nabasa ko ang mga Nepenthes, sarong grupo nin plantas na natutuparan sa kadlagan kan Pilipinas. Sarong pagpaguiromdom nin natural na yaman kan satuyang isla sa Asia na dapat tang atamanon.

Si Stewart McPherson sagkod si Alistair Robinson, mga Britanikong dalubhasa (botanists) nin mga plantas nag-anuncio na pinangaran ki Sir David Attenborough (personalidad sa telebisyon, sarong mahilig man sa flora,) an misteriosong tanom sa kagubatan sa satuyang lugar----Nepenthes attenboroughii. Pambihira ang tanom na ini, pero magayon. Maka-nga-ngalas! Uyogon mo, na-nga-ngakan nin kino sagkod alibangbang!

Hilinga ang ang kagayunan kan Nepenthes sa mga retrato. An hitsura garo pitsil na nakolektang tubig sa ambon, ragiri, sagkod uran kan kagubatan. Makolor. Igua siya nin mahamis na taguk na gusto nin animales. Kun mapano ang pitsel kan Nepenthes nin tubig, nakakalamos ini nin mga namok, tanga, aninipot, gamo-gamo, paru-paro, kuto, mga bubuyog atbp.

Pag ang mga insekto nagadan sa pitsil, si sustansiya kan tinanom iyo ang nalusaw kan saradit na hayop. An proceso siempre luway-luway, hanggang mahigop kan Nepenthes an restos asin sustansiya kan mga insekto.

Tan’o ta maski ma-ulyas na kino pwedeng kakanon kan tinanom na ini? Kun an pistil kan Nepenthes dakula, an tubig hararom, pwedeng ang babu, halas, gamgam o ano man na hayop na daradakula mala’om sa pistil. Pwede sindang magkagaradan arog kan mga sadit na duli-duli sagkod mga amamangui.(Photo Credito Red Fern Natioal History/ www.popsci.com x 2)=0=

Nepenthes attenboruoughii among 120 species

Found in the remote mountain in Palawan, Philippines, Nepenthes attenboroughii was discovered in 2007 and was officially named this year after naturalist and TV personality David Attenborough. The plant enthusiast featured the species in his TV series Zoo Quest and also The Private Life of Plants in 1995. It’s one among 120 diverse species so far described by botanist-taxonomist Stewart McPherson in the last three years. About 30 of them are encountered in Palawan, most of them have not been fully studied and described in publcation.

The carnivorous plant produces enzymes that dissolve small mice and insects in a pitcher-like receptacle. The only pitcher plant larger than N. attenboroughii is N. rajah which British naturalist Spencer St John observed in Borneo to have drowned and digested a rodent in 1862.=0=

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Labels: Botany, conservation, environment, flora and fauna, Linneaus, man and nature, nature, Nepenthes, Nepenthes attenboroughii, pitcher plant, plants, rat-eating plant, science, Totie Mesia

UP Ibalon Bicol

Princess Diana remembered

Green czar resigns; raises questions on the need for the other “czars” in the White House

Ferry capsizes in Southern Philippines; 9 drowned, 63 missing

Liz Taylor bids farewell to Michael Jackson

Four million Filipino child-laborers

55,000 mourners pay tribute to INC's spiritual leader

Ibalon daughter passes physician’s licensure

90 perish in NATO airstrike in Afghanistan

Wild imagination of a Japanese prime minister's wife?

Nepenthes attenboroughii: tanom na na-nga-ngakan nin kino, aninipot, sagkod amamangui

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