Governmentt Ready For Today's Transport Strike

The Light and Metro Rail Transits (LRT-MRT) are ready to accommodate commuters who may get stranded by the transport strike called by militant public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators on Thursday.

LRT Authority and MRT Spokesman Hernando Cabrera said LRT Lines 1 and 2, and MRT Line 3 expect peak ridership on Thursday as a number of PUVs join the national day of protest called by militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operaytors Nationwide (Piston).

However, other transport groups refused to heed Piston's call.

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap) said its members won't join Piston's demonstration as long as the government pursues the plan to give one-month fuel subsidy for PUVs.

Although the provisional fuel subsidy was already discussed in the Cabinet, the President has yet to decide on the proposal to grant legitimate franchise holders a fuel discount of P3 per liter for a month, beginning the second week of April.

Malacañang said the entire fuel subsidy is expected to cost P600 million and that funding for the program could be sourced out from the President's contingency fund, or a windfall from value-added tax (VAT) collections on oil.

Aside from Fejodap, the Association of Concerned Transport Operators, Pasang Masda, and the South Luzon Bus Operators Association are not joining the transport protest.

But Piston said some 500 transport leaders, operators, and drivers will join its transport caravan from Quezon City Memorial Circle to Mendiola, Manila. Organizers said at least 200 jeepneys, buses, express service vans, and taxicabs are expected to join the caravan to demonstrate their grievances against the unabated oil price hikes.

With the planned transport caravan, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised motorists to avoid areas around the Quezon City Memorial Circle and take alternative routes.

In its traffic advisory, the MMDA listed alternative routes that motorists may take.

From Quezon City Memorial Circle, motorists may turn right to North Avenue, straight to EDSA, take the U-turn slot at SM North, turn right to West Avenue, turn right to Del Monte, left turn to Araneta Avenue, turn right to Ma. Clara Street, straight to Andalucia Street to their destinations.

For East-bound motorists from Recto, they may take Sergio Loyola Street, straight to Matimyas Street, right turn to E. Rodriguez Avenue, left turn to Banawe Street or go straight to Araneta Avenue then straight to EDSA to their destinations.

Should the transport protest paralyze major commuting routes, Cabrera said commuters along Taft Avenue and Avenida in Manila to Caloocan, Aurora Boulevard from Manila to Quezon City and Epifanio delos Santos Avenue may rely on the LRT and MRT.

Cabrera assured the public that there will be enough trips for regular and casual LRT and MRT riders and that overcrowding will be minimized because of the decrease of passengers due to the students' summer break.

Likewise, the Philippine Coast Guard said that it will deploy 6x6 trucks to ferry stranded passengers.

Lieutenant Commander Armando Balilo, Coast Guard public affairs chief and deputy chief of staff for community relations services, said that upon request by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), they will deploy their two 6x6 trucks in various strategic locations in Metro Manila just in case many commuters will be stranded.

-Source

Statement of the Presidential Spokesperson on the execution of the three Filipinos in China, March 30, 2011

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:

On the execution of Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain in Xiamen and Guangzhou, China on March 30, 2011

[Read by the Deputy Spokesperson during a press briefing at Malacñang on March 30, 2011]

We have been informed that Ramon Credo, Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, and Elizabeth Batain were administered lethal injections to carry out the sentence imposed by the courts of the People’s Republic of China this morning. Our government had taken every available opportunity to appeal to the authorities of China for clemency in their cases, to which the Chinese government responded with a postponement of the execution. In the end, however, the sentence was imposed.

The nation sympathized with the families of the condemned, sharing their sense of looming loss. We sympathize with these families now. Their deaths are a vivid lesson in the tragic toll the drug trade takes on entire families.

We are resolved to ensure that the chain of victimization, as pushers entrap and destroy lives in pursuit of their trade, will be broken. Those who traffic in illegal drugs respect no laws, no boundaries, and have no scruples about destroying lives. Our response must be relentless, with government and the citizenry working together to ensure vigilance and mutual support to prevent our countrymen from being used by drug pushers as sacrificial pawns, whether at home or abroad.

DepED Summer Jobs For Students

The Department of Education (DepEd) is now accepting applicants for its annual program called Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) which gives opportunity to the youth to work in private organizations and government offices and be compensated for their services.

SPES is being implemented in pursuant of the Republic Act 9547 entitled “An Act Strengthening and Expanding the Coverage of the Special Program for the Employment of Students, Amending for the Purpose Provisions of Republic Act No. 7323 otherwise knowns as "An Act to Help Poor But Deserving Students Pursue Their Education By Encouraging Their Employment During Summer and/or Christmas Vacations."

The successful applicants will be doing clerical and office jobs for a total of forty (40) days, from April 14 to May 25, 2011. They will be receiving the current minimum daily wage

To qualify for the SPES, applicants must be at least 15 years old but not more than 25 years old; combined annual net income after tax of parents, including the applicants’ income, if any, should not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six as determined and provided by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) which is at PhP143,000.00; and has an average passing grade during the last school/term attended.

Interested qualified applicants may apply during office hours starting March 28, 2011 to April 9, 2011 everyday, including Saturdays, at the Office of Executive Director Joey G. Pelaez of the DepEd – Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs (CSCA), Ground Floor, Mabini Building, DepEd Complex, Pasig City. He/She should bring the following requirements.

a. Biodata/ Resume with picture (preferably 2x2)

b. Photocopy of Birth Certificate

c. For college students, Recent Grades and School Registration (preferably second semester or if not available , first semester grades and registration) For Out-of-school youth, grades available before dropping out of school and Certificate of Indigence from the Barangay chairman where applicant resides.

d. Photocopy of the recent Income Tax Return (ITR) of both parents or,

If non-filers of ITR, parents (not the applicant) should secure an affidavit from a notary public or lawyer stating that:

1. They are the parents of the applicant for the SPES; and,

2. Their combine net income after tax is not more than P36,000.00 (Please specify the exact amount).

Interview will follow immediately after submission of complete requirements.

For inquiries and additional information, log on to www.deped-csca.com or like the DepEd CSCA Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/csca.deped) or call telephone number 636-3603.

Robin Tomas' Designed T-Shirt Now Sold at Bloomingdale's

Another source of Filipino pride has figured in local fashion news recently. Robin Tomas, the son of veteran actress/comedienne Tessie Tomas, is reportedly debuting his winning t-shirt design from last year’s Supima Design Competition in Bloomingdale’s flagship store in New York this weekend, as reported by ABS-CBN’s North American Bureau on March 22.

Tomas, a UP Diliman graduate with a degree in graphic design, entered Parsons (whose famous fashion alumni include Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Tom Ford and Anna Sui, among others) in 2002 after working for two years in an advertising agency in Manila. He underwent simultaneous internships at Valentino and Anna Sui and further honed his creative skills designing menswear for the likes of GAP, J. Crew, and Tommy Hilfiger.

By Januray 2010, Tomas was recognized in the Supima Design Competition, held at the Time Center in Manhattan’s Garment District where he won the award for the best reinvention of the men’s T-shirt. It was his first try at designing a t-shirt, one that would land him an impressive exposure in an iconic American department store no less.

Also according to ABS-CBN North American Bureau, Tessie Tomas had flown to New York from the Philippines to support her son. “Ang pinakamalaking payo ko sa kanya habang nakasuot ako ng isang Tomas outfit, by the way, ginawa niya ito sa Pilipinas, ah huwag siyang magbago, be proud to be Filipino,” she was quoted in the report.

The TOMAS t-shirt is a V-neck layered shirt in layered tonal Supima cotton knit. In time for the Spring Season kink-off, it was launched on March 19 with a cocktail reception at the store. The shirt will be exclusive to Bloomingdale’s New York store, a limited edition product available only until supplies last.

Tomas is reportedly also currently showing his Fall 2011 collection in New York.

Fil-Am Yen Baet Wins NatGeo Photo Contest

Fil-Am photographer Yen Baet bested five other finalists in National Geographic’s Exceptional Experiences Photo Contest to bag the coveted top prize.

“It's official! ‘Rainy Night in Hallstatt’ takes Grand Prize at NatGeo Photo Contest. Thanks for the support!,” Baet broke the news via her Twitter account on March 17.

The contest result was likewise posted on the National Geographic website last week. It also stated that the grand prize winner will get a nine-day National Geographic Expedition to Peru for two, approximately valued at $13,000 (more than P 550,000).

The winner of the photo contest was determined via online public voting that ended on March 10, but only residents from the US were allowed to participate.

Baet’s winning entry, titled “Rainy Night in Hallstatt,” was taken “two years ago during a rainy and cold autumn day in Hallstatt, Austria,” she told filamako.com in an interview dated Feb. 18.

More, she said that she submitted the photo “on the day of the deadline not thinking much of it and was surprised to get an email from National Geographic congratulating me for being one of only 6 finalists.”

Interestingly, she also mentioned in the same interview that this was the first photo contest she ever joined.

The now England-based photographer acknowledged her supporters via her website, rainprel.wordpress.com, on March 18.

“A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to vote, and to those who were not eligible to vote but helped spread the word, cheered me on and supported me in however way they can. Those votes were definitely hard-earned, and I can’t stress that enough.

“Most of it came from people I don’t even know and spurred on by genuine friends and family who believed that this was so important to me, enough for them not to ignore or consider trivial,” she said.

More, an interview with GMA News Online on March 7 quoted Baet as saying that she’s “proud to represent the country,” being “the only Filipino who made it to the finals.”

Baet, a full-blooded Filipino, was born in Ozamis, Mindanao. According to her filamako.com interview, she and her family moved to the US in the early 90s and became American citizens not long after.

“It is only when I moved to Europe that I discovered photography,” she added.

Source

SM Ticket System Goes Online

SM Tickets unveils www.smtickets.com allowing patrons to reserve and buy tickets online doing away with long lines at ticket counters.

Once you’ve purchased your tickets, you will be given a choice of either receiving an SMS (eTicket) or printing the e-mail verification. Scan the eTicket on your mobile phone or your printed copy on Bcode machines located at the venue and your ticket will print instantly. For more details, www.smtickets.com.

Bench's Green Incentive

From today until April 3, 2011, bring your own shopping bag and enjoy a 10 % discount when you buy any of the following items at any Bench stores nationwide (applicable to cash purchases only):

Bench Green Tee



Bench Organics Body Lotion or Whitening Soap
(The Complete Bench Organics Lotion Collection)



Environmental Bag
(Bench Eco Bag)



Envi Line Bamboo Cotton Products

Earthquake Hits Manila

Earthquake felt in Manila, Philippines at exactly 06:36:49 PM.

According to the USGS it was a 5.4 magnitude quake with epicenter at Mindoro.

Help TEAM MANILA Help Department of Tourism Through "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" Campaign Logos

From Team Manila:

We took a couple of hours on working on our version of DOT's Local campaign.
The design takes a contemporary look that can rival other destinations around the world.

Some of the studies are revisions from the concept of DOT: the idea of traveling through water, land and air.

We think it's our responsibility to help out the image and branding of our country through design exercises like this."

Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logos #1, 2, 3




Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logos #4, 5




Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logo #6




Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logo #7




Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logo #8




Pilipinas, Tara Na! Logo #9

What do you think of these "Team Manila" studies for the "Pilipinas, Tara Na" logos?


Source: Showbiznest

September 2010 Bar Exam Results - March 2011

Out of the 4,847 Law graduates who took the September 2010 Bar Exam, only a total of 982 (20.26%) examinees successfully passed. The list of exam passers has been released by the Supreme Court on March 17, 2011.

The SC also announced the Top 10 Examinees of the Philippine Bar Exam last September 2010. They are as follows:

Top 1 - SINGZON, Jr. Cesareo Antonio S., Ateneo de Manila Univ. 89.00%
Top 2 - JAVIER, Filemon Ray L., Ateneo de Manila Univ. 86.95%
Top 3 - TOLENTINO, Paolo Carlo C., Arellano University 86.80%
Top 4 - ANCOG, Janette R., Ateneo de Davao University 85.90%
Top 5 - SUNGA, Johana T., Ateneo de Manila University 85.85%
Top 6 - POBLACION, Krizelle Marie F., University of the Philippines 85.65%
Top 7 - ORTUA, Maria Christina C. & UY, Krystal Lyn T., UP 85.05%
Top 8 - CAPONES, Joanna Eileen M., University of the Philippines 84.80%
Top 9 - GAN, William Benson S., Ateneo de Manila University 84.75%
Top 10 - CARAMPATANA, Glenn C., Univ. of San Carlos & SALIPSIP, Darren L., Arellano Univ. 84.55%

To view the full list of September 2010 Bar Exam Passers, click HERE.

What You and Your Children Should Know About Earthquake Safety

(For more detailed information about earthquake safety, please click HERE)

Earthquakes can be scary for people of any age, but especially for children. For children, the things they do not understand can be the scariest and can make them anxious. The most important way to keep your kids safe during an earthquake is to teach them about earthquakes and prepare them ahead of time.


Teach children what earthquakes are.

Since the unknown is so scary, help children to understand what earthquakes are and why they happen. You do not need to go into great detail; it is enough to let them know that sometimes parts of the earth's crust shift and move a little. This movement can cause an earthquake.


Teach basic earthquake safety.

Teach your children the following things about earthquakes to help keep your whole family safe:

- In an earthquake, stay calm and do not run or panic.

- If your child is in bed and she feels an earthquake, that is probably the best place to stay. She should pull the covers over her head to help protect her from any falling debris.

- In an earthquake, it is best to avoid large areas of glass such as windows, mirrors and chandeliers. If you are standing or sitting next to one of these, calmly and quickly try to move to a location without these things - an indoor wall is best -- or go under a heavy piece of furniture such as a dining table or desk. If no furniture is available, but there is a throw or blanket nearby, they should pull that over them to help protect from debris. You can practice looking for the best spot in a room and moving to it with your child.

- Try to avoid any cabinets with glass, crystal and china or heavy objects in an earthquake. All large items should be mounted to the wall studs for earthquake preparedness, but if they are not attached, avoid standing or sitting near anything heavy that could fall. This includes appliances like refrigerators.

- If your child is outdoors in an earthquake, she should stay in an open area, away from buildings, trees and power lines if possible.

- If you have older children who are likely to be home alone, make sure they know how to shut off the gas and water mains to the house and are familiar with the smell of gas.

- Your family should have a contact plan that includes a place to meet outside of your house and a person out of the local area that you can each call to check in and exchange messages. Often, it is easier to make long distance calls than local ones after a quake. If you have older children, it is important to teach your child about the contact plan and to practice using it. Make sure you post this information with your emergency kit and near your phone.


Be prepared yourself.

Make sure your home is prepared for earthquakes and that you have all the proper emergency supplies on hand. Involve your child in this process to give her a feeling of control and to make her aware of the measures you are taking to keep your whole family safe and prepared.

Some of the items you should have on hand that your child can help you gather are:

- Extra bottled water

- Flashlights and batteries

- Portable radio and batteries

- Any medication your family members could not do without

- Canned or dried food such as nutrition bars, soup, fruit cocktail, crackers

- Baby food or formula and diapers if you have an infant

- Pet food for each of your family pets

- A portable grill with fuel or fondue pot and Sterno to allow you to heat food if the electricity and gas are shut off

- A first aid kit

- A gas line shut-off wrench

- Garbage bags and a shovel (for dealing with waste if the water is shut off and you can not use the plumbing)

- Fire extinguisher (you should have one of these in your house, anyway!)


What to do after an earthquake:

- Stay with your child and keep your family together; this is the best way to reassure your children.

- Stay calm yourself; your children look to you for how they should behave in new situations. In addition, make sure you say calming and positive things.

- Allow your child to talk about the earthquake and try to answer her questions as honestly and cheerfully as you can. - Source

What to Do When Tsunami Strikes

Here's a simple, informative, and entertaining way to educate your family, friends officemates, and everyone around you about Tsunami:

How to keep yourself alive in the event of a Tsunami?

Tsunamis are a mass of sea waves that are usually caused by an earthquake in the floor of the sea. Tsunamis travel rapidly in the open ocean, sometimes at speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour. When the tsunami hits shallow water, the height of the tsunami can rise rapidly. This can cause devastation to the land near the shore where the tsunami hits.


The First Isn’t the Worst.

The thought that the first wave of the tsunami is the strongest and hardest is a misconception. Oftentimes the successive waves are larger than the first. The can occur minutes apart and may continue for several hours after the first wave hits.


You May Have Only Minutes.

If the earthquake that causes the tsunami happens far out in the ocean away from the shore, there should be ample time for the authorities to issue a tsunami warning. If, however, the earthquake happens close to shore, there may only be minutes between the earthquake and the arrival of the first wave.

If you feel the ground shake and you know an earthquake has occurred or if you notice a sudden change in the sea level, you should evacuate to high ground as soon as possible. If possible, make sure that you are at least fifty feet above sea level. At this height, you should be clear of any waves that are headed your way.


Be Prepared.

Before a tsunami hits, you’ll want to have a disaster plan prepared with your family. Everyone should know what signs to look for and where to go should a tsunami be approaching. In addition to a disaster plan, you should prepare a disaster kit. Make sure each kit contains provisions for at least three days.

This kit should include food, medical supplies, a flashlight, batteries, clothing, a blanket and photos of each family member.

One kit is not enough. You need to have a separate kit for your home, your car and your workplace.


Stay Away From Shore.

While it may be tempting to watch a tsunami from the coast, never, ever give into this temptation. Do not assume you can outrun the tsunami as many people cannot run faster than a tsunami can travel.

It is also important that you do not assume that it is safe to return to shore after the first wave. As explained before, tsunamis are a series of waves with subsequent waves being stronger than the first. Wait until the authorities state that it is safe to return to shore before doing so.

By taking the appropriate measures, you and your family can be prepared should a tsunami strike and your changes of surviving the tsunami will be drastically increased. - Source

Videos to Watch: Tsunami Hits Japan After a Massive 8.9-Magnitude Earthquake

Cars, trucks, boats, and buildings are swept away by the force of tsunami waters caused by a powerful earthquake in Japan.

CNN's Ivan Cabrera reports as a powerful earthquake triggers tsunami waves in Japan.





Cars and boats are submerged in water after an 8.9 magnitude quake hits Japan.





CNN's Rosemary Church talks to Matt Alt who experienced the earthquake in Japan.

Heal Mother Earth by Switching Off on March 26, 2011

On March 26, at exactly 8:30 p.m., lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour.

The public event which starts at 7pm, will see candles and lamps being lit as participants sit together to think of what they can do to heal Mother Earth.

Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 to raise awareness on climate change. For details on Earth Hour, log on to www.60earthhour.org

Make Your Home Awesome with PLDT myDSL

"Mara Clara Reaction: How Mara Clara affects my sister :))" Video Reaches Half a Million Views on Youtube

A video of a very young girl who is an avid "Mara Clara" viewer is now getting viral on the internet.

The young girl's over-acting reaction when "Mara" (played by Kathryn Bernardo) died on the hit ABS-CBN Teleserye as shown on its episode last Friday, March 4, that was caught on video and was posted on Youtube hours after watching that heartbreaking episode already hits 511,698 views.


Watch "Mara Clara Reaction: How Mara Clara affects my sister :)) funny video here:

Poor girl. She really believes Mara died, just like other viewers who were affected by that scene. What it was quite obvious (si Mara kaya ang bida so imposibleng mamatay sya) that it was Lenita (Jamilla Obispo) who got burnt and died.

It just goes to show how effective 'Mara Clara' is, even if that explosion scene and the protagonist appeared to have died have been used many times already as plot line in previous ABS-CBN soaps such as 'Mula Sa Puso' and most recently in 'Alyna' and 'Kristine'.

Well, let' expect the little girl to get featured in the news this week.

Next-Generation Portable "NGP" (PSP2)

TOKYO (01/27/2011) - Sony has unveiled a successor to its PlayStation Portable, a new handheld gaming device that will go on sale at the end of 2011. Provisionally dubbed the "next generation portable," or NGP, the device has a 5-inch OLED touchscreen, WiFi and 3G, front and rear cameras and, answering the calls of many gamers, dual analog sticks.

Apple iPad 2

The Apple iPad 2 has been unveiled on March 2, 2011 by Apple.

The new iPad is dual core, front and rear facing cameras, an all new A5 dual core CPU, a better screen, more RAM and storage and a nine times more powerful GPU and also available in white color.

The new iPad is also 33% thinner, with the 8.4mm frame even sleeker than the iPhone 4, and is down to 1.3 pounds (590g) in weight, which is around 15% lighter than the first version.




FEATURES

1. Thinner and Lighter - 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter

2. Dual-core A5 chip - two powerful cores in one A5 chip means faster web surfing, watching movies, making FaceTime video calls, gaming, and going from app to app to app.




3. Superfast graphics - up to nine times the graphics performance, gameplay on iPad is even smoother and more realistic.

4. 10-hour battery life.

5. Two cameras - one on the front and one on the back. Especially designed for FaceTime video calling. The front camera puts you and your friend face-to-face. Switch to the back camera during your video call to share where you are, who you’re with, or what’s going on around you.

6. iPad Smart Cover.

7. LED-backlit display - 9.7 inches of high-resolution photos, movies, web pages, books, and more. LED backlighting makes everything you see remarkably crisp, vivid, and bright.

8. Multi-Touch.

9. iOS 4 - the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.

10. Instant On.

11. Wi-Fi and 3G enabled.

12. Gyro, accelerometer, and compass.

13. AirPlay - all the great stuff on your iPad — your music, photos, and video — can now stream wirelessly to your HDTV and speakers via AirPlay-enabled speakers or Apple TV on a Wi-Fi network.

14. Video mirroring - video mirroring is new for iPad and for every app, web page, presentation, video, movie, or photo you want to show a big audience.

15. AirPrint - Print your email, photos, web pages, and documents right from your iPad over Wi-Fi.




BUILT-IN APPS

1. FaceTime

2. Photobooth

3. Mail

4. Safari

5. iBooks

6. Videos

7. Photos

8. Find My iPad

9. iPod

10 iTunes

11. App Store

12. Maps

13. Youtube

14. Game Center

15. Notes

16. Calendar

17. Contacts

18. Apps for iPad. Made by Apple.




PRICE (possible selling price in the Philippines)

Wi-Fi
16GB – 24,000 pesos
32GB – 29,000
64GB – 34,000

Wi-Fi + 3G
16GB – 31,000 pesos
32GB – 36,000
64GB – 41,000

Adidas Originals Releases Mega 2011 Sneaker Line

Adidas Originals releases the Mega 2011, a sneaker line that promises to provide improved comfort and cushioning using upgraded versions of the decades-old technologies Torsion and Soft Cell. The street-style collection offers high-top and low-top models in a variety of colors for men and women.

The Mega 2011 (P3,695 to P4,695) is available at the Adidas Originals Corners in Adidas SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, Glorietta, Rockwell, Trinoma, Robinson's Place Ermita and Eastwood.

P4,695

Mega Softcell RL (P4,295)


Mega Softcell BHL (P4,695)


Mega Softcell RH (P4,695)


P4,295


Mega Softcell RL W (P4,295)


Mega Softcell RL W (P4,295)


Mega Softcell RH (P4,695)


Mega Softcell BHL (P4,695)


Mega Softcell RL W (P4,295)