Nonito Jr. and Rachel Donaire spend holiday in Bohol and other tidbits

Wake-uppers:
Scene: November 23, 2011 is the International Day to End Impunity as the nation remembers the 2nd anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre which claimed 58 victims on November 23, 2009 -- 32 of them were journalists. After two years, justice is nowhere in sight, “the wheels of justice, which have always ground slow, appear to have stalled to an almost dead stop and, worse, remain in danger of being reversed,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a press statement.  As we wait for action, we grieve for the martyred journalists who believed the Constitutional protection of their rights was enough. Bared requests readers not to forget...

Scene: The 3rd induction and turn-over ceremony of the Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Boholana Kisses is on Dec. 8, 2011, 6:30 p.m. at the Metro Centre Hotel.  JCI Member Arizza Nancy Jule “Tukay” Tirol is the incoming president. She is one of the youngest presidents in JCI Philippines at the age of 21. With this year’s JCI Boholana Kisses theme “Work as One, Succeed as One!” Pres. Tukay continues to pursue their projects with the province of Bohol and their organizational projects.

Arizza Nancy Jule “Tukay” Tirol, JCI-Boholana Kisses incoming president

Scene: A group of beauty watchers is strongly pushing for the delisting of a beauty queen who was “caught in the act” by a housewife-beauty queen. “Last week, the beauty queen resigned from the office after a complaint was filed against her. The beauty queen’s “fairy godmothers” are also planning to leave Bohol after they were implicated on the incident as tipsters causing internal turmoil. The beauty pageant committee is brink of being disbanded,” said VRS.  

Scene:  Netizens were abuzz moments after Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said he is willing to cut off one of his balls if his clients, the Arroyos, do not return to the Philippines after their planned trip abroad to seek medical treatment. "I'm willing to do the worst. Ipatatanggal ko itlog ko 'pag di bumalik ang mga Arroyo," he said. The hashtag #itlognitopacio became the top trending local topic on microblogging site Twitter. Netizens poked fun at Topacio's "offer" on Twitter saying “Atty. Topacio didn't say kung sinong gusto n'yang tumanggal sa isang itlog n'ya. I'm not sure if Sec. De Lima's willing to do that.” 

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If you haven’t noticed, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. and wife, Rachel had a surprise visit to Bohol last week, days after their church wedding held on Nov. 11, 2011 or 11-11-11 (said to be a lucky date).

Nonito Jr, also known as Jun-Jun, called Tessie Labunog-Sumampong (owner of Loboc Riverwatch Floating Restaurant, +638537-9460/+639173060010) to prepare sumptuous meal for the group (mostly Americans) who were amazed of the beauty of the Loboc River cruise.

“Jun-Jun and Rachel are very sweet. She is blooming!” said VRS.

 Jun-Jun with Tessie Labunog-Sumampong….

…and  dancing the kuradang with the Loboc folks

While in Bohol Jun-Jun and her entourage savored the island’s famous tourist attractions like a visit to a tarsier sanctuary, the Loboc River cruise and a trek to see the world-famous Chocolate Hills.

Jun-Jun was mobbed by fans upon arrival at the Loboc River. Same thing happened anywhere he went.

“He was very good in singing while at the floating restaurant. He danced well while joining the local entertainers at the Loboc River bank,” added VRS.

The group also tried the zipline, the newest attraction of Loboc town before going to Talibon.

The couple visited Bohol in 2009 after Jun-Jun won the fight against Raul Martinez. It was also a “sentimental journey” because Jun-Jun went emotional when he visited the old house in Talibon where he was born.
   

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Forever Living is back!

Forever Living is back! Bohol welcomed Asia’s number one Forever Living Diamond Manager Edmund Ramos on Nov. 7 at Informatics Computer Institute Conference Room. 

Forever Living Products website says: Forever Living Products are the World's leading grower and processor of Aloe Vera. Why we chose aloe vera? “The amazing qualities of this plant have been known and used for centuries.  Produced from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf, cold processed and stabilized directly - not freeze dried and reconstituted. This ensures that none of the aloe goodness is lost.
In the range you will find excellent natural health and beauty products including moisturizers, lotions, toners - all containing natural Aloe Vera. In addition we have drinks in various flavors, and a wide range of minerals, vitamins, and other supplements.

“Everyone who wants to be healthy knows that the closer we stay to nature, the better we feel. That is why Forever Living’s mission is to give you the purest health and beauty nature products,” says Shem Quezon who is business builder.

To become a FLP distributor or business builder, you can contact Shem Quezon - +63910-970-1285 and Alvin Acuzar - +62917-304-2900)

If Bohol is a fruit…

Ariel Llanos

Meeting people of different nationalities and culture is challenging and exciting as well. Ask Ariel Llanos, the “walking encyclopedia” and the charming front desk officer at the Metro Centre Hotel, who met different nationalities and have taught him a lifetime’s worth of lessons.

“For one,” Ariel begins, “my work has taught me all about adaptability. I had no idea how much it would broaden my horizons and open up my mind.”

Ariel has learned to control his temper when some guests got mad or vehemently complaint on anything.

But he knows he can’t complain or else. 

“I stay focus and poise,” he relates.

Ariel has noticed the increasing number of tourists who are visiting Bohol. Most of them are locals, Koreans, Japanese and Americans.

“If Bohol is a fruit, it is mango. The sweetness of the Boholano hospitality is really superb!” says Ariel.

“If Bohol is a delicacy, it is Star Peanuts. One you have taste it, you always want it,” adds Ariel.

Bohol, Ariel explains, has blessed with wonderful places and people.

According to Ariel, the 5 Must-Visit Places in Bohol are Chocolate Hills, Danao (for extreme adventure),  Panglao (Panglao Island Nature Resort),  Tagbilaran City (Metro Centre Hotel) and  Loboc. The 5 important places to dine are Wok Express, Gerry’s Grill, Asiatika, SunBurst and Payag.

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Real-life No Other Woman scene and other tidbits

Wake-uppers:

Scene: For the third time, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will battle it out as welterweights when they meet at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 12 (Nov. 13  in the Philippines, live this Sunday morning on GMA 7). Geresonic (along Ma. Clara Street) and Diccion Electronics (along CPG Avenue fronting the Bohol Cultural Center) will have free showings.  If you want to witness the fight on a wide screen, go to Island City Mall Screenville Cinema (for P300) and BQ Mall Cinema (for P300).

Scene:  This eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of the third millennium, the “hot number" at Philippine Charity Sweepstakes' numbers game betting stations was the combination 11-11-11.  It was the birthday of UB’s network/systems administrator Art Magno (Nov. 11). Other November birthday celebrators are Tsino Lim (Nov. 10), provincial board member Freda Olavides-Tirol (Nov. 8), Tagbilaran City Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes (Nov. 7), Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso (Nov. 6) and Tagbilaran Science High School principal John Ariel Lagura (Nov. 6).

Add caption

Seen: Fashion icon EJ Relampagos has proven his exemplary talent when he was awarded as Best Dressed of the Night during the Queen of Cebu 2011, a pageant for the alternatives, organized by Clothes for Life Foundation of Cebu headed by Cary Santiago.” EJ was chosen from among Cebu’s elite and who’s who that attended the pageant last Nov. 5 at the Waterfront Hotel,” shared Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal.

Seen: Elizabeth Padillo Olesen, the mother of Miss Denmark Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen, one of the four Filipinas competing in Miss World 2011 (won by Miss Venezuela Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares and Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais was 1st runner-up), commented on The Bohol Chronicle website: “Venezuela is Miss World. Miss Philippines is second. Miss Puerto Rico is third. But Maya has won the hearts of many Filipinos and Danes and it is like winning a grand prize.” On her Facebook account, Olesen posted: “Maya was actually born at the Cebu Community Hospital, the UCCP-owned hospital at Jones Avenue and she spent three years in her life commuting from Hingotanan to Cebu where my husband and I had our work, related to church life in the ecumenical Visayas jurisdiction of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. At the pageant in London yesterday Maya got the 32nd place out of the 122 candidates. Thanks for giving a space on the participation of Maya during this World event. We are very happy, however, that our Philippine candidate was chosen to be the first runner up. IN a way, the Philippine beauty is revealed and admired throughout the world.”

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It's been a month since the movie “No Other Woman” premiered in theaters nationwide and I still can't get over this movie. The movie (starring Anne Curtis as Kara Zalderiaga, Cristine Reyes as Charmaine Escaler and Derek Ramsay as Ram Escaler) which raked in millions at the box office revolves on a man’s journey on becoming a successful working husband whose perfect marriage becomes complicated when he commits into an adulterous affair that changes his life.

Don’t look now but that movie reminds us of a real-life situation just happened recently. The “scandal” is highly-sensitive, so don’t expect any tell-tale clues to the identities of the “who’s who” involved. Just pay close attention to the Freudian slip between the lines, okay?

Suspecting that her hubby was philandering, a housewife-beauty queen herself (who’s a daughter of a prominent family in Bohol) tried everything to uncover the truth. Acting like a detective, the wife learned that her husband brought the girl (who is a beauty queen) in their apartment. The housewife-beauty queen herself slipped unnoticed into the apartment and, true enough, she caught him in bed with the beauty queen. “Caught in the act! The discovery resulted to a karambula, but surprisingly, the husband sided the other woman!” shared Bared’s VRS known as the high-profile AC.  

 “The couple broke up immediately after that. The hubby went to the “empire land” leaving his business. The beauty queen successfully destroyed the couple. What a home wrecker!” lamented AC.

The incident stirred the pageant committee where she came from. Also, the handler of the beauty queen keeps mum about the issue. “They have prevented anyone from talking about the incident anymore and bury the same into the whirlpool of oblivion,” said the lawyer-friend of the beauty queen.

“Hayaan muna natin siguro yung bata mapag-isa, makapag-reflect, makapagmuni-muni, makamove-on. Wala ng nanay, may sakit ang ama. Some of her friends betrayed her, iniwan na  siya ng boyfriend niya. Sobrang daming pinapasan na problema. Siguro, I will advise her to move to other place. Yung lugar na walang nakakilala sa  kanya. Bohol will never be a good place for her to thrive anymore,” added the lawyer-friend of the beauty queen.

The lawyer-friend of the beauty queen gave the scenario: “If cases will be filed, then it will be talked about. If parties will just be silent on it, learn lessons and move on, then the issue will eventually be forgotten. Besides it will remain a rumor until a court of law or a competent tribunal like the fiscal’s office makes factual findings that it really happened. It could be a slight misunderstanding among parties involved.”

Bared asked the handler of the beauty queen to know their side of the story and the handler’s text message read: “Sorry for the late reply. As far as I’m concerned my comment towards those allegations and issues would be “no comment”. She and the rest of my colleagues are happy, blessed and well in the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

A popular beauty-watcher who learned of the “scandal” commented: “When this news explodes, the title of the Miss (name of the beauty pageant) would forever be stained by the scandal and its prestige further diminished.”

Right now, the wife is in healing process. “The incident is very painful for her because never in her wildest dream that her hubby would do such thing. She may plan to file annulment or may forgive and forget and accept him back,” said AC.

It can be noted that in the 90s, a wife made “sulong” with the beauty queen who was “romantically” linked to her lawyer husband. That scandal was selling like pancakes that the issue died after a year.

“If you’re into Freudian slip don’t do “it” inside your home. Find another place. Ayaw jud pasakop, if masakpan ka, deny lang jud. If nakit-an mo nag-ukob na, deny to death nga wala moy gibuhat,” said another beauty watcher.

“Disappear! Plain and simple: If you can’t stand the heat, don’t go near the fire,” added by another wellness and personality guru.

The who si beauty queen?

Clue: She was the first girl to win for her town one of the province’s most prestigious beauty titles.

Clue 2:  She won over the taller and lovelier candidates because of her depth, sincerity and substance of her answers.

Clue 3: She likes to dance under the sun!

The who si hubby?

Clue: Picture! Picture!

(Sssh! Quiet now or else…. )

By the way, another thing that I like about “No Other Woman” is the intense, witty and sometimes sarcastic quotable quotes, dialogues and movie lines like:

“We’re just two consenting adults having fun, there’s no emotional attachment.” - Kara Zalderiaga

“Anong gagawin niyo if the only man that you love is unfortunately married?”- Kara Zalderiaga

“Paano mo naman malalaman na masarap pala pag di mo titikman? Kahit alam mong bawal, labanan mo cos’ eventually your body will just get used to it.”  -Kara Zalderiaga

“There’s no other woman better than I am!”- Kara Zalderiaga

“Mababaliw siguro ako kung malaman kong may babae siya.  Baka mapatay ko yung kabit, silang dalawa actually.”- Charmaine Escaler

“Having fun? Ngayon yes fun!  Pero paano pag iniwan ka na niya? Paano pag pinili na niya ang asawa niya?  Paano pag na skandalao na ang pamilya mo?  Fun pa rin ba!” – Ricci Chan

“Ganyan talaga ang makating Dikya, Nagmamarka!” - Carmi Martin

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STI holds 2nd Voice of the Youth National Oratorical Contest

Do Filipino values still exist especially among the youth today?

With the theme “Rediscovering Filipino Values: I See. I Act. I Advocate.” 10 student orators from the different public and private schools in Bohol made a stand in the STI’s 2nd Voice of the Youth National Oratorical Competition as they took the challenge of reliving Filipino values.

According to Arturo Carballo, STI-Tagbilaran president, this year's contestants were crème dela crème of their schools. No wonder the board of judges (Dr. Fely Lagonoy, John Maraguinot and yours truly) had a hard time picking the winners.

The oratorical contest is a learning opportunity for high school students as it encourages them to write and deliver original orations that will inspire belief or reinforce conviction.  This competition is a joint venture among STI and its network of schools, the STI Foundation, National Youth Commission (NYC), and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Jenny Galanida of Mansasa National High School was declared champion who delivered her piece ‘Rebirth of Filipino Values.”  Galanida was accompanied by her coach Crystal Hyacinth Sumatra. Beverly Ann Villanueva of Valencia National Technical Vocational High School was second placer and Mariz Pague of Baclayon National High School was declared third placer.

Other participants were Dimple Reo M. Cuajao (Saint Teresa Academy, Loon), Gladys Loremia Quiao (St. Anthony’s Academy), Rhea Mae de Leon Antigua (Holy Trinity Academy), Ladie Lyn Fuderanan (Manga National High School), Kimberly Joy Taghap (Sandingan National High School), April Chin Lim (San Roque High School); and Beau Marie Tinio (Tagbilaran City Science High School).

Contestants were made to pass their oratorical pieces prior the event day which were also submitted to the board of judges. The oratorical competition was judged based on these criteria: Content-40%, Delivery-40% and Interview-20%.

Each winner in the divisional competition received a medal, certificate and trophy for the student, coach, and school respectively. Galanida, the champion in the divisional competition, shall move on to the cluster level of the competition this January 2012.

The Voice of the Youth Oratorical competition in the division level was organized by the faculty members of STI College Tagbilaran spearheaded by the dean of academics Alberto Arbasto with Ma. Ligaya Torralba, Maria Cristine Margate, JayRalph Valleser, Mary Jill Baugbog and Jerry Dorupan.

Jenny Galanida has challenged her fellow Filipinos:  “My fellowmen, never say never. We have all the chance to change. To rediscover the different Filipino values which were taken for granted. Try to look at the past, adopt and apply the values. Do not allow influences to ruin our traditions and cultures as a true Filipino. Let us join our hands to rebirth it. With open hand, let’s be united and well-determined to possess it, treasure it and most of all care for it!”

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Interview with a ‘Vampire’

Olesen

Wake-uppers:

Scene: The new Miss World 2011 will be chosen at the London Earls Court Arena in London on Nov. 6 (to be aired live by GMA 7 on Nov. 7 starting at 9 a.m.) and beauty-watchers from Philippines are hoping that another one of their kind will bring home the crown for the first time. No Filipino woman has captured the title in the pageant’s 60-year history. The highest placement for the Philippines was Evangeline Pascual’s first runner-up finish in 1973.

Seen: Miss Denmark Maya Celeste Padillo Olesen, one of the four Filipinas competing in Miss World 2011, is a Boholana by blood.

Scene: The Loboc Children's Choir received 3rd prize in the Children's Choir Category of the Tolosa Choral Contest in Spain.

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Is Melchor “Meljun” Daniel Jr., a real vampire?

“I’m a real person who has a serious fascination with vampires.”

Does he consider himself a gorgeous bloodsucking gentleman?

“Bloodsucking? No. Gorgeous gentleman? Maybe…Ha Ha Ha Ha!”

Is he easily attracted to women? (In Dracula, it unravels the secret of Dracula’s attacks on young women, who themselves become vampires.)

“I’m not easily attracted to women. I can very well separate my vampire side from my real side. Vampirism to me is just literature. Vampires, by nature, are extremely monogamous. They fall in love with only one.
The others are just meal.”

Those are the questions Meljun has to “grapple” with everytime he faces the people, such as weeks ago when Bared sat down with him while judging for the City Division Schools Press Conference, his fangs, yes, have caught the attention of many people, are not inspired by the vampire flicks (Twilight, New Moon, etc.) which are the current rage in Hollywood.

Did you know that Meljun, one of the gorgeous and super cool teachers in Bohol tried cigarette smoking when he was in college and he, voluntarily stopped smoking?

“It didn’t make me feel macho or anything. It gave me respiratory problems instead,” he confessed.

He ended loving vampires and reading Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles and Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

“I’ve always been a fan of vampires, most especially LESTAT, a character created by Anne Rice.”

Years later, he developed fangs, a long, pointed teeth used for biting and tearing flesh. Thanks to his dentist for the ‘fashion statement’ —he looks like a real vampire— the one and only in Bohol.

“It’s something that’s never been done before at least in Bohol,” said Meljun.

Like actor Robert Pattinson, Meljun has also revived interest in vampires for sure because he’s gorgeous-looking that nobody will ever refuse to be bitten — take note, not eaten — by him. In the photos he sent to Bared, Meljun does it with such flourish that biting into the neck of a woman seems as easy and as yummy as licking a cone of ice-cream.

Find out more about Meljun’s “vampire” side in the following interview:

Do you know Dracula? “Of course! I think everybody does. But I know Dracula more than the average person.”

What did your wife say seeing you having fangs? “I would never do anything without letting my wife know first. She’s totally behind me on this.”

How about your students? “My students find it fascinating. They are very attentive in class.”

Do you have a temper? “I do, so does everybody. I think.”

What makes you angry? “Tardiness makes me angry. The attitude that people have towards time is just insane. I hate it when people are late.”

How do you unwind? “I stay at home and play with my kids while we listen to the music of the Beatles. I sometimes play Red Alert and CS.”

How do you divide your time between family and work? “I don’t bring work at home. So when I’m not at work, I am at home with my family.”

When did you have your last executive check-up? “I’ve never had executive check up. I went to see a doctor a couple of times before I left for France last April.”

Vulnerable part of your body? “ Armpit. I can’t stand being tickled.”

Part of a woman’s body that you look at first? “Uhhmm, the neck? Ha Ha Ha Ha! Seriously, I look at the eyes, then the face.”

How much sleep do you get per night? “I get an average of 5 to 6 hours every night.”

Favorite sleep wear? “Sleeveless shirt and a pair of boxers.”

When you were single, did you bring girls home? “I did a couple of times, but only because I wanted the family to know who I was seeing.”

Do you drink? “Lately, I have become an extremely moderate drinker.”

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep? “I pray, and then
I think of my favorite things.”

What do you like most about yourself? “I like my facial hair. Ha Ha Ha Ha!. It’s not very common among us Filipinos to have beard and mustache.”

What do you usually pray for? “I pray for good health for my family and myself and long, fulfilling life.”

Any favorite saint? “None in particular. I like Mama Mary best of all.”

First thing that you do when you wake up? “I do 10 to 20 reps of dive-bomber push-ups, or 40 to 50 push-ups.”

What was the last movie that you saw? “I saw “The other woman” with my wife. I thought it was good.”

What’s your outlook in life? Are you a worrier or an optimist? “I don’t worry much about tomorrow. I take each day as it comes. One day at a time so to speak.”

Do you and your wife take a shower together? “Only when we are in a hurry.”

How do you cope with stress? “I don’t allow myself to get into stressful situations. I don’t get stressed.”

Who’s your model, somebody you look up to? “I look up to all great fathers and great husbands out there.”

Name three Boholana women that you consider sexy. “My wife, Rich Asuncion and others… Ha Ha Ha Ha!.”

When did you lose your innocence (to a younger woman or older woman)? “I’d rather not comment on this.”

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Boholano icons in heaven

So many Boholanos icons have been leaving us that there appears to be a “traffic jam” as far as tributes to the dear departed in the community are concerned.

Can you imagine having the best pool of talents there — made up of great Boholano artists who have all gone ahead of us?

Since there’s only happiness in heaven, and, Boholanos like tapuk-tapok, they can organize a show.  Bohol’s most illustrious son Carlos P. Garcia can be the over-all chairman of the Boholano gathering in heaven. He can name it Tigum Bol-anon sa Langit.

Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr. and Cecilio Putong can host the gathering. For the intermission, what about a vaudeville production number from Pinay? Since Yoyoy Villame is also there, give him a song-and-dance number since he’s good at both. And Karyapa and Inday Potenciana? They’ll make the event more memorable of their poems and songs.

If they wish to make a drama, Justino Romea can direct it. They will hear the love song Ako Kang Paabuton, the folk song Sa Daplin sa Baybayon as well as most of the songs featured in the annual 'drama' presentations in his native Napo, Loon, for which he served as writer, director and musical arranger. Justino’s father Berrnado “Leon,” can help write the script or direct.

Carlos Garcia and Cloviz Nazareno can read their poems.

What about a dance number in heaven? Oscar Real can be there, along with beauty queen Marecor Recio-Boligao. Linoi Almirol can provide gowns for the show.

Do they make movie in heaven? They can since the empress of drama is already there: Rebecca del Rio, the first Filipina to win the Asia’s Best Supporting Actress.

Oh, surely they would need media coverage. Bohol’s dean of journalists Atty. Zoilo Dejaresco can take care of that — with wife Charing.

Francisco Dagohoy, Tamblot, Datu Si Katuna, Anoy Datahan, Vicente T. Cubero a.k.a. Captain Francisco Salazar, Alberto Cainglet, Tomas Cloma, Myla Miravillosa, and Vicente Nunag can be the sergeant at arms during the program.

Other Boholano luminaries who attend the tapuk-tapok are Celestino Gallares, Macario Sarmiento, Fernando Rocha, Eutiquio Boyles, Filomeno Caseñas, Agapito Hontanosas, Conrado Marapao, Perfecto Balili, Jacinto Borja, Juan Pajo, Esteban Bernido, Lino Chatto, Esteban Bernido, Venice Borja-Agana, Pio Castro, Simeon Toribio, Nino Ramirez, Honorio Grupo, Don Aniceto Clarin, Simplicio Apalisok, Venancio Inting, Pedro Belderol, Genaro Visarra, Alfonso Uy, Salustiano Borja, Anecito Clarin, Olegario Clarin, Jacinto Borja, Claudio Gallares, Juan Torralba, Miguel Parras, Jacinto Remolador, Gregorio Peñaflor, Timoteo Butalid, Andres Torralba, Mariano Capayas, Socorro Tallo, Antonio Ong Guat, et al.
Carolina Alvarez and Iluminada Tirol can prepare sumptuous meal. Osang, Bohol’s Broa Queen can prepare refreshment, too.

This is just a thought.

As Abraham Joshua Heschel taught, “death is the end of doing, not the end of being”. As we troop to the cemeteries, we can reflect on how our memory of those who have died is shaped by our ongoing experience and the experience of the particular holiday.

Thank you, Jose Mari Chan

The next night, my friends and I were at the Panglao Island Nature Resort for a nostalgic date with Jose Mari Chan’s “Constant Care” for the Inyong Alagad of dyRD, Bohol’s first radio which turns 50.

Jose Mari Chan, already into his 60s, looked young and sounded almost like the way he did during his heyday years ago.

His Bohol show featured all the songs Boholanos have learned to cherish through the years, like the classic hits Beautiful Girl, Constant Change, Please Be Careful With My Heart, Can’t We Start Over Again, and others.

Good show, Jose Mari Chan!

His illustrious four-decade career has made him a musical legend. With over 100 hits for the past 52 years Chan’s reputation as a hit-maker is firmly etched in the hearts of music lovers in the country.

“Nainlove ko balik,” said a 50-something mother who was seated beside us, “Idol jud nako siya!”

***

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Thank heavens for Doc Ale, Prony & MariMar

Wake-uppers:

Seen: An urban legend: The real reason why Filipino high jumper Simeon Toribio failed to clear the bar and settled for the bronze medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics was because he was already feeling the call of nature but was not allowed to take a bathroom break.

Scene: The 3rd annual MG Halloween Party is on October 31, 2011, 8 p.m. at the Metro Center Hotel. Members of www.mikeygatal.com and www.boholster.com are also invited to celebrate the 41st birthday of US based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal. “Wear your wackiest and scariest Halloween costumes, this is going to be fun ever,” says Roger Gatal.

Seen: Mama Rene Salud is in Bohol. The famous designer is here for a vacation with a “friend”.

Scene: The Jose Mari Chan Concert on Oct. 28 at the Panglao Island Nature Resort. The charity concert is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bohol’s first radio, dyRD. Donations for dyRD’s Inyong Alagad are now accepted during the radio program while donors will be given concert tickets.

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Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla (right) has witnessed the release of JT, a hawksbill sea turtle treated by the team of Dr. Alessandro Ponzo (left) of Physalus.

Edward Guyano (aka Inday Charity) and I were very early in Jagna to witness the release of the hawksbill sea turtle which was treated for four months after it ingested at large amount of plastic (bags and red balloon).

"The turtle was nearly dead because the stomach is full of plastic. It was too weak.  It has lung and intestinal infections as well as pneumonia,” said Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, D.V.M. of Physalus.

The turtle is now safe, to say the least. Anyway, here is a backgrounder of “JT” courtesy of Julissah C. Evangelio, MSc. Ecological Marine Management:

A hawksbill sea turtle called JT was released last Friday at the Marine Protected Area of Brgy. Cantagay, Jagnal. The release was witness by the Physalus Team headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo, BRUMM, Juliet Paler of DENR, Leonarda Vallejos of BEMO, representatives from BIDEF, KAYAKASIA team, MAO and LGUs of JAGNA, Cantagay Brgy. Captain Joel Rosario, Jeremy Horowitz, Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla and some residents of Cantagay.

JT was found floating lifeless by a fisherman in the sea waters of Brgy. Can-upao, Jagna on June 18, 2011. With the help of Ms. Mytee Palo of BANGON and the Jagna MAO’s, JT was handed over to Physalus and the team managed to get hold of the turtle and started the therapy as soon as possible. It was very sick, with lung infection and gastric problem and did not eat for the first few weeks to almost a month. This was due to the ingestion of plastic bags and plastic balloons found in the stool after more than 2 months. The plastic caused the obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, preventing the animal to feed and debilitating the animal. Unfortunately some of the foods that turtles commonly eat, like jellyfish and squid, resemble the shape and colors of plastic bags and deflated balloons and they can get easily confused. That is why the ingestion of plastic is one of the major threats for most of the marine wildlife in the world.

The turtle has been treated daily with vitamins and antibiotics for the first two months by the medical team of Physalus headed by Dr. Alessandro Ponzo.  In collaboration with the Bohol Rescue Unit for Marine Mammals, the Municipal Agricultural Office and the LGU of Jagna, it has been taken cared 24/7 for more than 4 months by its expert marine biologists to be able to ensure the successful rehabilitation of the animal. JT was being tube fed for 2 months and slowly fed with whole squids. After JT had fully recovered and became very active, it could consume 10-12 squids a day and gained almost 2kgs from 4.2kg since the day it was stranded to 5.75kg after 4 months.

"We will have our BYOP or Bring Your Own Bayong.  We urge the people not to use plastic because it is non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment, "said Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla.

Again, thank you, Doc Ale for reminding us to take care of our marine animals. Thank you for teaching us the importance of “reduce, reuse and recycle.”

(Oppss! Edward also discovered that the turtle “JT” was named after Justin Timberlake.)

And thank you, too, Prony & MariMar

After Jagna, Edward and I were at barangay Sta. Fe, Alburquerque to attend the 15th birthday of Prony (Python reticulates), the biggest and longest python in captivity.

MariMar entertains the crowd in her deadly “animal show.”

A visit to Bohol is not complete without Prony (and MariMar), the superstars of Albur!

After singing “happy birthday,” Georgia “Jing-Jing” Salibay, the python lady gave Prony a kiss! Visitors had the chance to have photo ops with Prony inside the cage. Of course, Jing-Jing was there to assist those who have phobia.

“Taga-saan po kayo Madam? Sir?” asked MariMar.

“Taga-Manila po kami,” answered by a visitor.

“Taga-Manila din ako! Taga-Manila Zoo!” answered MariMar.

The audience once again thrilled to MariMar’s “animal show” with her deadly acrobatic movements like that of kagwang or flying lemur. MariMar was also getting the biggest applause.

Good show, MariMar!

Jing-Jing Salibay and Prony

The whole barangay was invited for food and fun!

The feeling of nostalgia was heightened by seeing Prony so big and healthy. I saw Prony when she was small.
“Prony is a self-developed and trained Python found in the Philippines.  If she is a human being, she is now a dalaga like me” said MariMar.

It was on October 21, 1996 when Prony was found by Sofronio Salibay which measured 5 feet and 5 kilograms. Now, Prony weighs 250 kilos and measures 26 feet long.

Animal and snake experts says that the growth of Prony is abnormal as pythons which live in the wild with the same sizes are already 50 years old comparing to Prony who is only 15 years old.

Prony is very choosy snake! They fed Prony live chickens before but due to her large consumption and the cost of chickens, they fed her with virgin dogs. However, the animal rights activities protested the feeding of dogs. From then on, the Salibay decided to give her two goats or one white pig, and they must be live during feeding time or Prony will just snub them. After eating, Prony can sleep for the whole month!

“Prony is really a superstar!” gushed Edward. She is rubbing elbows with politicians and celebrities (including Richard Gutierrez, Dra. Vicky  Belo, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Cesar Montano, Kim Atienza, coach Freddie Roach, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, et al) who are starstruck by the snake's star appeal.

***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter or email at Facebook.

Sexy talk with Dobap

Members of the Loboc Children’s Choir with Azkals Goalkeeper Roland Mueller (front, partly hidden) in Cologne, Germany. Contributed photo

Wake-uppers:
Seen: After Italy and Germany, the members of the Loboc Children’s Choir (LCC) will be in Netherlands. The Philippine Embassy in Netherlands takes pride in welcoming LCC in 2011 for a series of fund-raising concerts in the Netherlands from Oct. 19- 21. This will be the second performance of LCC in the Netherlands whose first concert was held in 2003 in Rotterdam during their first international concert tour.   It was during this concert tour that LCC won the grand prize in the 6th International Folksongs Festival “Europe and its Songs” in Barcelona, Spain.  LCC also won the first prize in the youth category in the same competition. In 2011, LCC will be competing once again in Spain at the Certamen Coral de Tolosa from October 29- Nov. 1, 2011.

Scene: We didn’t feel Ramon even Pag-asa declared storm signal no.1 in Bohol.

Seen: The “Chocolate Hills of Bohol” can also be found in the neighboring Leyte island. The sun-kissed mounds form part of the Nacolod Mountain Range or San Francisco Nature's Park.

Seen: Bohol's first radio, dyRD, is celebrating its 50th anniversary by hosting the songwriter and singer Jose Mari Chan. Chan will be performing live on stage at the Panglao Island Nature Resort on Oct 28. The concert will be totally a charity event where all its profits will be going to "Inyong Alagad" of station dyRD. Donations for Inyong Alagad (P500 and P1,000) are now accepted during the radio program while donors will be given concert tickets. So be ready, donate and join Jose Mari Chan in Bohol and enjoy an unforgettable night with his outstanding performance.

 

***

I am sharing this inspirational story to all people out there: One day, a rich dad took his son on a trip. Wanted to show him how poor someone can be. They spent time on the farm of a poor family. On the way home, dad asked, "Did you see how poor they are? What did you learn?”

Son said, "We have one dog, they have four, we have pool, they have rivers, we have lanterns at night, they have stars, we buy foods, they grow theirs, we have walls to protect us, they have friends, we have encyclopedias, they have Bible." Then they headed, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."

Moral lesson: It's not about money that makes us rich, it's about simplicity of having God in our lives.

***

Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio: Sexiest part of my body? My beer belly!!

As everybody probably knows, Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio is very visible and popular in the many activities of Junior Chamber International (JCI) - Bohol Sandugo and Daganista. That’s why his colleagues, and even acquaintances, love Dobap dearly.

He can comfortably mingle with everyone. What you see is what you get. That is Dobap way kurat!

A triathlete, Dobap likes scuba diving and mountain climbing. Since 1999, he has conquered most notable mountains in the country including Mt. Apo (the highest mountain in the Philippines), Mt. Dulang Dulang (the second-highest mountain in the Philippines found in Bukidnon), Mt. Kitanglad traverse, Mt. Kanlaon, Mt.  Hilong Hilong in Agusan del Norte, Mt. Lumot in Butuan, Mt.Talinis in Dumaguete, Mt. Malindang in Ozamis, Mt. Silay in Bacolod, all peaks in Cebu and Mt. Hibok-Hibok  in Camiguin.

“It is very safe to climb in most parts of the Philippines, for locals and foreigners alike,” said Dobap.

He said that he plans to climb Mt. Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia next year.

I bet you didn’t know that, as part of his community service, he is faithfully cleaning the belfry of St. Joseph Cathedral. 

“Helping others with open heart, that makes community service more enjoying with no regrets,” said Dobap.

In the face of temptation, Dobap wants to stay single (forever?). “I’m 33 years old and still single and willing to mingle. Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Asked when he will settle down, Dobap laughed aloud and said, “Maminyo? Ug makaon na ang white sand sa Alona Beach!” No comment.

In the meantime, Dobap engages Bared readers in a “sexy talk.”

What is sexy to him?
“Sexy? hhhmmmpppp... it depends on the person... for me everybody is sexy.”

When does he feel sexiest?
“When everybody appreciate of what I’m doing.”

What part of his body does he consider sexiest?

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha my beer belly!”
What part of a woman’s body does he find sexiest? 
“The curve.”
    
When did he lose his innocence?
“After high school.”

To a younger woman or an older woman?
“Older women are hot ha ha ha ha!”

Sexiest…

Song
“Reggae and RnB.”

Books
“ Law Books.”

Mag
“FHM (I like the ladies confession section)”

Woman’s face
“The eyes.”

Clothes
“Anything will do as long as presentable.”

Perfume
“Tanang panghatag.”

Food
“Baboy before, now isda and gulay.”

Time of day
“Late afternoon.”

Part of the house
“My crib.”

TV show
“Discovery Channel.”

Fantasy
“To climb the highest mountain of the world!”

Things done
“Not yet soon.”

Done for a woman
“Make her proud.”

***
Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter or email at Facebook.

Which part of your body would you give?

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Last Sunday’s scoop about the concert of Pilipinas Got Talent champion Jovit Baldivino drew a reaction from another VRS. “It will be K Brosas and Pooh who will be the highlight of the Valentine 2012 concert and not Jovit Baldivino although Jovit will perform together with Angeline Quinto and Marcelito Pomoy. Please watch ha? The BQ Management is doing their best to give us pure entertainment. Ang saya, saya!” adds VRS.

Scene: More and more people love to visit Gerarda’s along J.S. Torralba Street, Tagbilaran City to taste their great food (Asian fusion, Chinese and Filipino cuisines)! Don’t forget to order dinakdakan!

Scene: The music video “Let's Roll” has received positive feedback from music lovers on youtube. Let’s Roll features the siblings Knive Everdope (Kevin Alturas) and BigRam (Rammy June Alturas) with “artists and small time entrepreneurs who keep pushing forward everyday.” Knive pioneered the hiphop scene in Tagbilaran after a long stint with Six3hundred Crew in 2002, the only hiphop group able to reach number 1 in the charts for Kiss 102.3. Due to some events, he went to Cebu having a three-year hiatus in the hiphop community.

***

A friend got her driver's license duly issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO). She also signed up to be an organ donor through the license card.

“When I’m gone, I’m still here,” she said.

Then, she asked me these mind boggling questions:


Leo, what if you were lying in a hospital and about to die, and the doctor asks you if you would like to donate a part of your body so that another person (complete stranger) could survive, which would it be and why? Or, would you rather not donate anything? (Oh no, not yet!)

Leo, if you were to be killed, what part of your body would you donate and why? (God forbid!)

“Organ and tissue donation is a gift you leave others when you die. Organ donation saves lives. These transplants can mean a second chance at life,” adds my friend. “While it's also possible to donate organs while one is still living, more often donation takes place upon death.”

“You can donate your lungs, heart, kidneys, intestines, pancreas and liver and tissue such as bones and bone marrow, corneas, veins, skin, heart valves and tendons,” says the Human Organ Preservation Effort (Hope), a non-profit organization in the Philippines under the umbrella of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

The question: “If you were to donate a part of your body, what would it be and why?”

Some of our Boholano friends asked simply ignored the question. Here are those who did:

Rep. Rene Relampagos: My heart but I would die. So one of my kidneys na lang so I would still live to continue doing good!

Cesar Montano: I can’t donate any part of my body now to anybody because I’m still using all of them. I believe I can help more people if all of my body parts are intact with me.

Reigh Monreal: If I were to die and left a will to donate an organ, that would be my kidneys. Doing so will save at least one living person’s kidneys. Voluntary donations of such organs from living persons is on the rise to abject poverty.

Stela Coronica: I would like to donate my eyes. I just wanna share the beautiful things around us to those people who did not get the chance to experience that.

Boy Pernia: Eyes and heart. My eyes serves as posts of my heart to guide me on my journey.

Oscar Glovaza: I would like to donate my heart. Hopefully, the recipient will be a loving person as I am.

Ryan Sines: I will choose my eyes! I want the person to see God’s beautiful and wonderful creation. As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to our soul.

Morris Sarabia: Is there any unimportant part of the body? I think every part is important for me to live. So I’m not donating any as long as I’m alive. Or blood, I’ve donated blood a couple of times.

JunJun Karaan: If I were to donate a body organ I would like to donate my eyes specifically my corneas so that the worthy recipient would also appreciate how our Father provides us beautiful creations here on earth.

Dr. Alessandro Ponzo: I’ll say all..most important..liver, kidneys and heart..because there is a great need and in a single operation it can save another person.

Dominic “Dobap” Aparicio: I will donate all my organs specifically my heart because I’m a lover boy.

Tagbilaran City Councilor Kit Opus: My hands because there’s so much that it can do and express.

Mayor Niño Rey Boniel: Eyes-para makakita pa tanan tawo nako especially my family.

Ariel Fullido: Organ donation is a desecration of the human body but when it is for medical research that would be my whole body. Mo exception!

Charmaine Agas: It would be my heart so that I can help him/her live life again to the fullest and give him/her the chance to achieve his/her mission in life that is to realize his/her dreams and do good things for others.

Ted Ramasola: In case I die I would allow the donation of whatever organ/s that would still be of use to someone else. As for the rest of my remains? I'd live that to the living to decide.

Mayor Bert Salinas: My eyes because I want also the blind people to see the beauty of nature, God has given us.

Atty. Gregory Delgado: Heart-to share my passion in living life.

Benjie Oliva: My heart. So that the recipient will share the same love and passion for public service with utmost integrity, honor, transparency and accountability.

Bienna Ursula Bautista: I would donate all my vital organs with the condition that I am dead. I give my body high regard since it’s a gift from God. As generous as I would like to be, I don’t think it is very possible for me to reach that kind of generosity.

Inday Rufing: Eyes tungod kay sa mata makikita ang muta he he he he Bitaw, it is simply because in the eyes you can appreciate the beauty of nature and life that made for us.

Shirly Gatal: I think I would like to donate any or all organs that can qualify as donations. I know there are many people who await donors for different body parts and I think it would be nice if I can donate as many as allowable so that even after death I can help as many people as possible.

Butch Bernas: My eyes so that when I’m gone, I can still see things and my loved ones in the world.

Leo Plazos: I will donate my heart which is full of good intentions to make life meaningful here on earth.

Fiel Angeli A. Gabin: Many years back, I opened to my husband Jerome the idea of being an organ donor when I die which, to me, is a noble act of sacrifice. He then said he would rather want to keep my heart. As for my personal choice and decision, I will share the pair of eyes that I have so that another human being will have the opportunity to see the many beautiful things in life that our dearly beloved Lola Pining Balatero Espejo became totally blind for 34 years due to glaucoma until the day she died.

Dr. Homer Singco: I want to donate my heart because it’s useless. I am 32, and I’m still loveless. My heart and mind are not compatible.

Katrina Schoof-Chu: I would probably donate my eyes. Because I would like to give someone the opportunity to see the many beautiful things and places I have seen and have not yet seen and at the same time for him or her to do change on the things he or she sees that are not right.

Rainer Maria Cabagnot Aumentado: I would rather donate my kidneys to those who are in need.

Dodong Almedilla: Only my blood. Kay ako man sab ang maglisod.

Leah Tirol-Magno: I would donate my eyes so the recipient, like me, will also always see the brighter side of any situation.

Pinay Adiong: When I die, and it is possible, I will donate all my organs so someone else can use them.

Liza Macalandag: My heart, it’s probably the healthiest organ I got.

Inday Charity: My heart, too. It is most important to me.

Lyndon Boiser: Kidney. Dialysis is so expensive for people who cannot afford the treatment three times a week.

Nekolo Gonzales: I want to donate my eyes for others may have a chance to see the wonders of God’s creations and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the beauty of great people who have meaningful contributions in his/her existence on earth. Thank you! Viva Brazil!

Mayumi Lugod: It will be my eyes so that my recipient be able to see kung unsa ang hitsura sa higimo ni God.

Joven Menorias: My eyes, too! For those who wish and longing to see, even if they can’t speak and walk, but the eyes could lead to any ways.

Tessie Labunog-Sumampong: Eyes for those who haven’t seen the beauty of God’s creation!

Neil Balaba: I want to donate my heart because I know myself that I have a clean, kind, has capacity of loving without malice.

Regil “Pipay” Gucor: My heart, too! The recipient would be so lucky because I’m God-fearing, humble and most of all romantic.

Meljun Daniel: One of my kidneys. I have two of them and I can manage with only one.

Mayor Jono Jumamoy: I would donate my heart. It’s essential to life, and signifies that one is mortal, represents my soul and death which comes to everyone.

***

Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter or email at Facebook.

Memorable quotes from Steve Jobs

It Is Amazing How Many Ways Steve Jobs Changed Media! RIP Steve!

Incredible words from an incredible businessman, designer, and fellow human.

On computers
“It takes these very simple-minded instructions—‘Go fetch a number, add it to this number, put the result there, perceive if it’s greater than this other number’––but executes them at a rate of, let’s say, 1,000,000 per second. At 1,000,000 per second, the results appear to be magic.”
[Playboy, Feb. 1, 1985]

On design
"It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them."
[BusinessWeek, May 25, 1998]

The best sales line ever?
"Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?"
[The line he used to lure John Sculley into becoming Apple's CEO, according to Odyssey: Pepsi to Apple]

On character
"I'm the only person I know that's lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year.... It's very character-building."
[Apple Confidential 2.0]

On good design
That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
[BusinessWeek, May 25, 1998]

On his outlook
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”
[The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 1993]

On his role at Apple
"This is not a one-man show. What’s reinvigorating this company is two things: One, there’s a lot of really talented people in this company who listened to the world tell them they were losers for a couple of years, and some of them were on the verge of starting to believe it themselves. But they’re not losers. What they didn’t have was a good set of coaches, a good plan. A good senior management team. But they have that now.”
[BusinessWeek, May 25, 1998]

Having pride in your product
Playboy: "Are you saying that the people who made PCjr don’t have that kind of pride in the product?"
Jobs: “If they did, they wouldn’t have made the PCjr.”
[Playboy, Feb. 1, 1985]

He'll always come back
“I’ll always stay connected with Apple. I hope that throughout my life I’ll sort of have the thread of my life and the thread of Apple weave in and out of each other, like a tapestry. There may be a few years when I’m not there, but I’ll always come back."
[Playboy, Feb. 1, 1985]

Have faith in the future
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”
[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

On your working life
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

On the importance of death
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."
[Stanford commencement speech, June 2005]

Don't sit still
“I think if you do something and it turns out pretty good, then you should go do something else wonderful, not dwell on it for too long. Just figure out what’s next.”
[NBC Nightly News, May 2006]

Other memorable quotes are:

 "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

 "Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new."

 "We're here to put a dent in the universe."
 

STEVE JOBS
Born: 24 February 195
Birthplace: San Francisco, Californi
Died: 5 October 2011 (cancer
Best Known As: The co-founder and mastermind of Apple computers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lSiQA6KKyJo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ob_GX50Za6c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CW0DUg63lqU

For papogi points, DPWH Photoshop Fail!!!!

I just want to repost this important article of Pierre Albert San Diego (http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/dpwh-photoshop-fail/)

DPWH Photoshop Fail September 28, 2011

Posted by quiapo in badtrip na naman si pierre, Gripes / Flames / Rants, Photos.
Tags: DPWH, Photoshop, photoshop fail
trackback I’m a civil engineer by profession and I love my job and if there’s one thing I hate it’s people that fabricate their inspection reports. Why? Inspection reports are very important in our field, if the inspection report is erroneous, this might lead to a wrong and/or costly design. Aside from that, it might lead to a very difficult project implementation, and worse, not prepare others from potential safety risks of the site.
Which is why  I was uber-pissed when I was checking my updates in FB at around lunch time yesterday and I saw this:

click on the image to enlarge

Now, if you didn’t have knowledge in Adobe photoshop, you would’ve just glanced at it and moved on with your life, but I’ve used the software since I was in high school (I’m 30 now) so I kinda noticed something weird. Here’s the blow-up of the image from DPWH:

click on the image to enlarge

WTF?! Those three guys seem to be floating on air.
So I re-checked the image and concluded that DPWH fabricated this picture. Why they had to edit it and not just simply compose a photo with all three guys, I do not know. Although my evil mind tells me that the DPWH wants a pogi photo showing their bosses in deep thought while assessing the disaster site, and they didn’t have the opportunity to pose because those guys were probably there for 15 minutes max – so they just lasso tooled the hell out of that pic.
Here are my findings on how lame this photo was ‘shopped.

click on the image to enlarge

Shit, even my mom can do that in CS5. I didn’t even go to lighting analysis because I’m not a photoshop expert, but I sure as hell know that I’m better at photoshop than the guy that did this hack job.
Some say this is a very minor issue, but I see this as a nice sample of DPWH’s lack of integrity. If they can fabricate simple things like this, just imagine what these guys can do to progress billings and acceptance of projects. Also, while relatively mild, isn’t this a classic example of “Utak Wangwang?” While unethical and unnecessary, they thought they could get away with fabricating photos so they tried to.
As of this writing, the DPWH has not apologized for this grave indiscretion.
=========
Update: After more than a day, they apologized for posting an *uncleared* pic. They didn’t say anything  about how much they rely on photoshop though… http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/hey-hey-the-dpwh-apologizes-sort-of/
Update2: My bad, I was sleepy and thought DPWH claimed the inital pic wasn’t photoshopped. I misread it, yung *official pic* pala ang sinasabi ni Mr. Santiago. The initial tirade against Santiago that I posted here was uncalled for. But I’m still pissed at their stupid reasons for the mix-up.  Here’s the inquirer.net article: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/67533/photo-of-%E2%80%98floating%E2%80%99-dpwh-officials-causes-uproar-in-cyberspace
Update3: another bopols move by the DPWH  http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/another-bopols-move-for-the-dpwh-kisses-bosses-ass-before-appeasing-noynoys-bosses/
Update4: Found a nice fb page collecting photoshopped DPWH images. Check out DPWHERE to de-stress. Also check out plop-culture, one of the first sites that posted DPWH meme images.
Update5: It’s now in the Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/philippines-officials-photoshop-themselves-into-typhoon-cleanup-photo/2011/09/30/gIQA09OhAL_blog.html
Update6: Pakiusap lang sa mga nagsasabing nakakahiya ang Pilipinas at maging Pilipino dahil sa insidenteng ito.  http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/10/01/pakiusap-lang/
Update7: DPWH Secretary Singson is embarrassed, aims whip at photographer: http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/dpwh-secretary-singson-embarrassed-aims-whip-at-photographer/
Update8: WTF? Could Sec. Singson’s excuse/reason be made in China? http://quiapo.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/does-singson-dpwh-have-no-originality-pointing-the-blame-on-the-photographer-is-first-made-in-china/

Charlow Arbasto-Raul Gatal war heats up

Wake-uppers:

Scene: Read the famous TV ad lines of a noodle brand.
"Ang tunay na lalaki marunong maghintay!"--- Char!
"Ang tunay na lalaki binibinyagan muna bago ikasal!" –Somewhat true!
"Ang tunay na lalaki ay nauubos na!!"---- True! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Scene: Chenny Lyn Rana was crowned Miss Jagna 2011 last Sept. 27. This year’s Miss Jagna focused on environmental issues as well as setting awareness campaigns for the proper care of the environment.

Miss Jagna 2011 Chenny Lyn Rana with one of the pageant’s judges Bohol’s fashion icon EJ Relampagos

Scene: The members and officers of Jagna Association of Southern California had their fiesta celebration last Sept. 24 in Buena Park, California, in honor of Saint Michael the Archangel.  “Some great entertainment, good foods, and line dancing marathon,”  US-based socialite Mikey Gatal reported. Miss Conbusac 2001 Lauren Anne Chavez attended the event.

Seen: The BQ Mall Management is now busy preparing for the Valentine 2012 concert. “They might bring Pilipinas Got Talent champion Jovit Baldivino,” says VRS, who is known as Lady Char. “However, the management has to decide if they have to include Sarah Geronimo.  They need to finalize everything this first week of October. The BQ Mall Management has been so successful organizing Valentine concerts,” adds VRS. 

Seen: WARNING: Do not read this blind item if you are eating. A government employee in the business corner of the higher building (GEHB) left a disgusting impression to people of the building of the highest ranking official (PBHRO). “GEHB who is pasosyal-sosyal, excused herself for a quick "CR" break. Knowing her for her kaartehan, she stayed in the toilet for hours,” said VRS. After GEHB left, the PBHRO smelled something bad that when they checked the toilet they saw the yuckiest sight -- GEHB's toughened golden remnants clogged the toilet bowl. The clue? She’s always happy and she is the favorite subject of PBHRO because of her personality problem.

Seen: One of Tagbi’s hunkies looks barely recognizable with all the facial hair. This hunky turned bearded man had a tough time in a faraway place, you know, to heal a broken heart (his girlfriend of how many years junked him for a common friend). Love hurts!

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You, too, must have been wondering whether or not Bohol’s seasoned host Raul Gatal and make-up genius Charlow Arbasto are quarrelling or not.

If you're going to look back at the Facebook posts of Charlow, it's very clear that there's a “rift” (take note: in quotation marks) going on between the two.

Para Bellum?

Friends or enemies? (L-r) Charlow Arbasto and Raul Gatal together in this undated photo. Contributed photo

“I don’t believe in plastic surgery, But in your case, Go ahead. RAUL GATAL...,” posted Charlow.

According to Charlow, he was hired by Raul to make-up and provide gowns for Holy Name University’s contestants for the PRISAA 2010. Charlow exposed that Raul didn’t pay him.

Really now, while other (fighting?) friends would rather keep things under wraps, Charlow is open about their "rift" in social media like Facebook for public consumption.

Here’s the catch: Charlow’s patience is “ming-awas na ang gantangan.” In a text message he sent to Bared last night, Charlow said, ”La najud ko other way para macontact siya.  Gekapoy nako ug wait then I have the right nga maningil kay dugay na intawon. Sige g likay. Dili ko ganahan nga makuwetz ra tanan aq getrabahuan. Baga siyag skin.”

Other Charlow’s angry Facebook posts last Thursday were deleted last night. 

However, Charlow still considers Raul as a friend. “As what I’ve said a while ago, I don’t hate him, I just don’t appreciate his existence.”

Bared tried contacting Raul for a comment but he was not answering his phone. He had been evasive in the past when asked about personal issue.

(Paging Raul/or Charlow: Bared is open for your reaction, whether a confirmation or a denial, anytime you are ready. Feel free.)

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Top 50 pick up lines

Ask your friends and they will swear that they are using pick up lines to start a conversation and to flirt. Thanks to the ever-so dead and dull nature of the sentences! Here are the 50 most famous pick up lines which are patronizing, dismissive and yet incredibly widespread (the sobrang cheesy lines!):

May kakambal ka ba? Kasi you’re in my heart yet you’re in my mind.

Kung magiging subject ka, gusto ko ikaw ang pinkamahirap pra sa ‘yo lang ako babagsak!

Ang ganda naman ng damit mo bagay sayo, pero mas bagay tayo.

Hindi lahat ng buhay ay buhay, tulad ko, buhay pero patay na patay sayo.

Sa hinaba-haba man ng tulog ko.ikaw pa rin ang dahilan ng pag-gising ko

Alam mo gusto ko sanang mag pulis para ikaw ang MOST WANTED KO!

Pag ikaw ang kasama ko, tinatamad na ako kasi ang sarap magpahinga sa piling mo.

Sana ulan ka at lupa na lang ako. Para kahit gaano kalakas ang patak mo, sa akin pa rin ang bagsak mo.

Maghanda ka na ng salbabida…Kasi lulunurin kita sa pagmamahal ko.

Isang beses lang kita minahal…Pagkatapos nun, hindi na natapos.

Bagyo ka ba? Kasi the moment you left my area of responsibility, You leave my heart in the state of calamity.

Hindi na ko mahuhulog sa ‘yo.. Kasi ‘pag kasama na kita, lumulutang na ako.

Bagay sa ‘yo maging amo…Inalila mo kasi ang puso ko.

Buti pa email…May attachment.

Marunong ka bang mag-ayos ng cellphone? Sira yata itong iPhone ko… Wala kasi yung number mo.

Para kang algebraic expression. Minsan mahirap maintindihan. But when you’re in the simplest form. The best ka talaga naman mathemagician.

Hindi ka naman camera. Pero tuwing nakikita kita. Napapangiti ako.

Kung maging superhero ako, Hindi ako si Superman, Hindi rin si Batman O si Spiderman I’m Your Man… KailanMan!

Maliit ba ako? Di kita maabot eh!

Diabetic ka ba? Kasi i’m planning to be the sweetest person for you!

Buti pa ang keyboard ng pc… Lagi magkatabi ang U and I…

Calculator ka ba? Kasi sa ‘yo pa lang, solved na ako.

Para kang test paper, Nauubos ang oras ko kakatitig lang sa ‘yo

Pakipulot naman yung puso ko…Nahulog na kasi sa ‘yo.

Dalawang beses lang naman kitang nais makasama…… Now and Forever.

Facebook ka ba? Gusto kasi kita i-Like eh.

Para kang tindera ng sigarilyo…You give me “hope” and… “more”.

Google ka ba? Kasi lahat na ng hinahanap ko nasa iyo na eh.

Aanhin pa ba ang relo, kung titigil din pala sa ‘yo!

I didn’t know that angels could fly so low!

I’d better get a library card, because I’m checking you out.

If I said you had a beautiful body would you hold it against me?

I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?

Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off?

Was your father a thief? ‘Cause someone stole the stars and put them in your eyes.

What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?

Is it hot in here or is it just you?

Where have you been all my life?

Your legs must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all night.

I hope you know CPR, cos you take my breath away!

If you don't wanna have kids with me, then why don't we just practice?

That outfit would look great in a crumpled heap next to my bed.

Were you arrested earlier? It's gotta be illegal to look that good.

Am I dead, Angel? Cause this must be heaven!

Apart from being sexy, what do you do for a living?

Be unique and different, just say yes.

Damn girl, you have more curves than a race track.

Do you know karate? Cos damn it honey, your body is really kickin.

Excuse me. I'm from the FBI, the Fine Body Investigators, and I'm going to have to ask you to assume the position.

Gee, that's a nice set of legs, what time do they open?

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