Niña Jose is Maxim Philippines February 2009 Cover Girl

After Wnedu Valdez and Saicy Aguila, another Big Brother's house mate gone wild on Maxim Philippines' cover this February. Niña Jose was one of the first set of teen house mates who enter Pinoy Big Brother House on its first teen edition where Kim Chiu was announced as the Teen Big Winner in their batch. Niña Jose's TV and movie appearance includes,Pedro Penduko with Matt Evans, My Girl (Philippine Version), My Only Hope, Shake, Rattle and Role X and Desperadas 2.





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May Bukas Pa

After Kokey, Super Inggo, Sarah ang Munting Prinsesa at Maria Flordeluna ay muling gagawa ang ABS-CBN ng isang teleseryeng pambata na may kurot sa puso at ito ay ang May Bukas Pa na pinagbibidahan ni Zaijan Jaramilla bilang si Santino ang Miracle Boy, kasama sina Dina Bounavie, Albert Martinez, Precious Lara Quigamann, TonTon Gutierrez, Maja Salvador, Rayver Cruz, Jaime Fabregas, Dominic Ochoa at Lito Pimentel, para sa isang bata kagaya ni Santino simple lang ang buhay kasama si "BRO" pero naroon ang kahilingan na magkaroon ng isang tunay na pamilya darating na siya sa Primetime Bida simula sa February 2.

www.ABS-CBN.com






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Kiong Hee Huat Chai!

Sa mga kapatid kong mga Tsinoy at sa mga kamag-anak ko sa father side ko (hehehehe) Happy Chinese New Year --- Kiong Hee Huat Chai! Nawa'y maging mabiyaya ang taong 2009 sa ating mga negosyo, trabaho, pamilya at sa ating mga sarili. Maging maganda nawa ang Year of the OX sa ating lahat para masabi nating OKS na OKS sa Year of the OX :)





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Kris Aquino celebrates her birthday on Star Studio Magazine on February Issue!

February 2009

It’s February—the month of hearts. So who better to grace the cover of this month’s issue of StarStudio than Kris Aquino?

Not only does Kris’s birthday fall on Valentine’s Day, but her love story is one for the books. In this issue, she tells StarStudio what life with her husband James Yap—whose birthday falls on the same day as hers—is like and how they make their marriage work despite their differences.

The couple also appears in a fashion editorial wearing their collection of Custo Barcelona shirts, which is also their first time to ever appear in such a feature.

Kris also shared fashion and makeup tips (plus photos of her very own makeup collection which she uses for work every day), photos of her recent trip to Macau with her family and much more in the 23-page feature that the StarStudio team put together. Yes, you read that right—23 pages of this month’s issue have been dedicated to one of show biz’s most fascinating people. Consider it a fitting tribute to Kris on her birthday.

One of the best parts of the Kris feature is a fashion spread on one of her absolute fashion must-haves—the little black dress, or LBD as some call it. We show you the ones that Kris owns and we tell you how you can steal her look for less.

In this issue, we also have back-to-back stories on two of today’s hottest stars. Jericho Rosales and Cristine Reyes bare their souls and their bodies, in Back Where He Belongs and As She Sizzles, respectively. And if you really love Echo and Cristine, then you won’t want to miss our giant poster, which features sexy solo photos of them, shot by celebrity photographer Doc Marlon Pecjo.

We also have a story on Pops Fernandez, in which she discusses the most anticipated concert event of 2009 to date—her onstage reunion with ex-husband Martin Nievera.

All that and more in StarStudio’s February issue, available where magazines are sold for P85. Grab a copy and fall in love now






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Nominees for the 81st Academy Awards or Oscars

Here are the list of nominees for the 81st Acadamy Awards or Oscars as formally announced on January 22, 2009.

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
• Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
• Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)
  

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
• Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
• Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)
  

Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
• Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
  

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
• Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
• Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
• Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year

• “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
• “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction

• “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography

• “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

• “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
• “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
• “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature

• “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
• “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
• “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
• “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
• “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject

• “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
• “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
• “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
• “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors
• Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

• “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
• “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
• “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
• “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
• “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
• “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
• “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
• “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
• “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
• “Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Nominees to be determined
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film

• “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
• “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
• “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
• “Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
• “This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes
• Best live action short film
• “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
• “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
• “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
• “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
• “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing

• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
• “Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
• “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
• “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
• “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay

• “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
• “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
• “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
• “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
• “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay

• “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
• “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
• “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
• “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
• “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

The Awards Night will be on February 22, 2009.





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OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON GMA 7 EXECUTIVE'S "SINUNGALING" ACCUSATION VS. DYAN CASTILLEJO

ABS-CBN stands by its earlier statement that its senior sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo interviewed Manny Pacquiao at a recent victory party for only 35 minutes.

In fact, Castillejo and her team waited patiently for two hours before they were asked to start the interview, which was done with the prior knowledge and permission of Pacquiao and the host of the party.

It is conduct unbecoming of a TV executive to be calling Castillejo "sinungaling." It is certainly not our style to feed misleading information or invent details for the media.

Despite the negative campaign, Castillejo has remain unfazed and will continue to deliver news stories that matter to the Filipino people such as the triumphs of Pacquiao, who serves as an inspiration to our countrymen.

We thank the public for their continued patronage of our news and current affairs programs.

MR. BONG OSORIO
Head, ABS-CBN Corporate Communications





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President Barack Obama's Inauguration Speech

President Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America sworn in the office on January 20, 2009 at the West Front, U.S. Capitol with his Vice President Jose Biden. Here is his inauguration speech that is divided into two, his message to those who supports his campaign to bring change to the nation and his call to his country men to stand and face the challenge that USA is facing right now.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.

The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.

The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world…that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it].”

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.






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Barack Hussein Obama II: The 44th President of the United States of America

Yes We Can --- this was the heart of the now United States of America President Barack Obama’s platform during his campaign as the presidential candidate of Democrat Party with his Vice President Joe Biden versus the Republican’s Edward Mccain and Sarah Palin. Believing not by President Obama alone but believing to themselves who believes in him was the main message of his speech in Grand Park, Chicago when he won the presidential election last November 4, 2008 with 365 electoral votes against McCain's 173.

Being the first African-American president Barack Obama never his dark complexion as a hindrance of loving his country and serving his countrymen. On January 20, 2009, 10:00am -12:00pm Eastern Standard Time, on the West Front of the U.S Capitol or in the Philippine Time 01:00am - 3:00am January 21, 2009, Barack Obama will take his Inauguration as the 44^th President of the United States of America succeeding the out-going President George W. Bush. President Obama will be using on his out the bible used by the late President Abraham Lincoln who was one of his inspiration in serving the country same with Martin Luther King who was his idol in terms serving his countrymen and his fight for democracy.

Here are the activities for the inauguration:

- Musical selections of The United States Marine Band, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

- Call to order and welcoming remarks - Sen. Dianne Feinstein

- Invocation - Rev. Rick Warren.

- Musical selection of Aretha Franklin.

- Vice President Joseph Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

- Musical selection of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet).

- President Barack Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Scheduled around noon.

- Inaugural address - President Barack Obama

- Poem - Elizabeth Alexander.

- Benediction - Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.

- The National Anthem - The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

But despite of the celebration the newly seated president will face the issues concerning economy including the looming global crisis that started last 2008 that leads the mass lay-off of employees, forced shut down of companies due to bankruptcy and inflation. Also as the powerful man in the world he will also takes the challenge of foreign policy and security including the civil war in Gaza City where everyone is waiting for his mediation to stop the war in Gaza City like the one he was promoting in Iraq the pull out of US troops.

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Vote www.ABS-CBN.com for Philippine Web Awards!

May dalawang paraan lang para sa mga addict sa texting:
> To vote using your mobile phone, text WEBBYS VOTE 57 to 2973 (Globe and TM subscribers) or to 2955 for Smart and Talk N' Text subscribers.

At para sa mga online lagi mag lag in sa Philippine Web Awards website:
> To vote online, register at to www.philippinewebawards.com/pages/register.asp to vote.

So alam na ninyo ang ways to vote may mobile at online kaya hindi excuse ang hindi pag boto :-p






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Bebe Gandanghari: Rustom Padilla no more

Nakilala natin si Rustom Padilla sa pelikulang Maruja na kung saan kasama niya ang dati niyang asawa na si Carmina Villaruel na machong-macho ang hitsura niya pero mula noong nagkahiwalay sila ng dating asawa noong 1997 ay nanirahan sa US si Rustom at nagbalik siya sa Pilipinas para sumali sa unang celebrity edition ng Pinoy Big Brother noong February 2006. Ang Rustom Padilla na dating macho ay isa nang skinny na lalaki na pumasok sa loob ng Big Brother house, kasama niya dito ang mga artistang kagaya sina John Prats, Bianca Gonzales, Aleck Bovick, Zanjoe Marudo at si Keanna Reeves na kung saan unang pinagsabihan niya ng kanyang totoong pagkatao. Inamin ni Rustom na siya ay isang homosexual kay Keanna habang nasa loob sila ng Big Brother house, at mula noon ay naging malaya na si Rustom sa pagpapakita ng kanyang totoong pagkatao sa likod at harap ng camera. Unang nakita ang kakaibang anyo ni Rustom Padilla noong lumabas siya sa Gawad Urian noong Octorber 2008 na nakapangdamit babae at iba na ang kanyang hitsura at mas lalo niya itong ipinakita sa paglabas niya sa mga pelikulang pinagbidahan niya tulad ng ZsaZsa Zaturnah at Happy Hearts at ngayon sa show na kasama niya si Cristine Reyes ang Eva Fonda na mapapanood sa ABS-CBN. At ngayon ay humarap na siya sa The Buzz para ipakilala ang kanyang pagbabagong anyo bilang si Bebe Gandanghari bilang pagtalikod niya sa kanyang dating pagkatao na si Rustom Padilla.




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Tayong Dalawa ngayong January 19 na!

Matatapos na ang matagal na paghihintay sa pinaka-aabangang teleserye ngayon, ang Tayong Dalawa, na mapapanood na sa Januray 19 sa ABS-CBN Primetime Bida

Ang kwento ay umiikot sa dalawang lalaking (Gerald Anderson at Jake Cuenca) may iisang pangalan, iisang pangarap at iisang minamahal (Kim Chiu). Tatalakayin sa teleseryeng ito ang ilan sa mga isyu sa buhay tulad ng —kayamanan, kapangyarihan, kalayaan, pamilya, galit, pagpapatawad, mga sikreto, iba’t-ibang rebelasyon, at pag-ibig

Dahil sa mga patikim (teasers at full trailer) na ginawa ng ABS-CBN para sa Tayong Dalawa, lalong nasabik ang mga masusugid na fans ng tatlo sa pinaka-mainit na artista ng kanilang henersayon na sina Kim Chiu, Jake Cuenca at Gerald Anderson.

Bibigyang-buhay din ng mga batikang artista ang ilan sa mga karakter sa teleseryeng Tayong Dalawa: Cherry Pie Pecache( ang bayarang-babae na may wasak na puso), Gina Pareño( ang makabagong Magdalena), Helen Gamboa ( ang ambisyosyang ina), Agot Isidro (ang sekretaryang naging butihing ina), Mylene Dizon (ang martir na asawa), Ricky Davao (makapangyarihang tao na may mahinang damdamin), Alessandra de Rossi (ang kina-iinisang kaibigan), Jiro Manio( ang minaltratong anak), Coco Martin (ang nagpapanggap bilang maamong tupa) at si Baron Geisler ( ang pinuno ng Mafia)

Sa direksyon no Ruel Bayani at Trina Dayrit, tunghayan ang dalawang tao na may iisang pangalan, humaharap sa magkaibang realidad, at umibig sa iisang babae sa pagsisimula ng teleseryeng Tayong Dalawa ngayong January 19.

Check out the official websites of Tayong Dalawa; www.ABS-CBN.com and tayongdalawatv.multiply.com




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Ploning didn't make it to the Oscars

It's January 17 and still I'm in the denial that Ploning didn't make it to the 81st Academy Awards or Oscars para sa category na Foreign Language Film. The only entry that made it to the shortlist of 9 and will move to the next set of nomination: Revanche (Austria), The Necessities of Life (Canada), The Class (France), Baader Meinh of Complex (Germany), Waltz with Bashir (Israel), Departures (Japan), Tears This Heart Out (Mexico), Everlasting Moments (Sweden, and E Monkeys (Turkey. Awards night will be on February 22 at the Los Angeles. Pero kahit hindi man nakapasok ang Ploning sa Oscars ay masasabi nating may quality ang industriya ng pelikula sa Pilipinas dahil bukod sa Ploning, ay marami pa tayong mga pelikulang nanalo ng awards sa loob at labas ng bansa.




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Doña Mary passed away at the age of 103

Mamayapa na sa edad na 103 years old si Doña Mary Ejercito, ang ina ni former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, noong January 13, 2009, 4:15PM sa San Juan Medical Center. Ang kanyang mga labi ay nakalagak ngayon sa St. John the Baptist Church sa San Juan City.

Nakikiramay ang may akda ng blog na ito sa pamilya ng yumao.




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Dra. Vicky Belo joins I Love Betty La Fea

Last night ko nakita ang plug na ito sa I Love Betty La Fea and i got this video from ilovebettylafea.multiply.com, kasama si Vicki Belo, as announced sa www.ABS-CBN.com na part na siya ng show, siya ang magiging surgeon ni Betty na in real life si Bea ang isa sa mga endorser ng Belo Med kasama sila Sarah Geronimo at Claudine Barretto. I love the concept of the reality show pero what's more fun ay kasama si Candy Pangilinan at Pooh sa story.






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Bea Alonzo's Kagandahan (I Love Betty La Fea's Official Sound Track)

Ada of Adaphobic.com texted me last Friday regarding kung sino ang kumanta ng Kagandahan yung slow version na ginagamit na scoring sa I Love Betty La Fea especially kapag nagsususlat si Betty sa diary niya, I said it was Bea Alonzo, and to be honest I missed listening to that song kasi mas nagfocus ako sa up beat version nila Poy Palma, Frenchie Dy at Mau Marcelo. Magkaiba ang 2 versions talaga in terms of paano ito ideliver, the up beat is something na parang palaban ang approach na pang eye opener, while the one Bea's version is more on parang nagbibigay ng advise sa mga listener about the true meaning of beauty. Sharing you the lyrics of Kagandahan, Bea Alonzo's version.

Ang tao madaling humusga
Mahirap mabuhay sa isang mapait
At mundong kay lupit
Kapintasa'y laging nakikita

Pinipilit na hindi maalis
Ang tiwala sa puso'y nananatili
Kailanma'y 'di susuko ang pagkatao
Darating din ang araw na hinihintay ko

Kagandahan ang tunay mong makikita
Sa puso 'yan ang mas mahalaga
'Wag magpadaya sa nakikita
Lahat ng iya'y lilipas lang

Kagandahan ng puso tapat kailanman
Umasa hindi ka masasaktan
'Di iiwanan magpakailanman
Ang tunay na kagandahan

Karamihan nagkukunwari
'Pag nakaharap sa akin nakangiti
Kasalanan ko bang pangit ang iyong nakikita

Kumukupas ang gandang panlabas
'Di lilipas kaloobang wagas
Aking tatanggapin ganda'y "di sa akin
Busilak na puso'y "di kayang kunin

Kagandahan ang tunay mong makikita
Sa puso 'yan ang mas mahalaga
'Wag magpadaya sa nakikita
Lahat ng iya'y lilipas lang

Kagandahan ng puso tapat kailanman
Umasa hindi ka masasaktan
'Di iiwanan magpakailanman
Kahit 'di yan ang kagandahan
Sa puso lang ang tunay na kaligayahan

Kagandahan ang tunay mong makikita
Sa puso 'yan ang mas mahalaga
'Wag magpadaya sa nakikita
Lahat ng iya'y lilipas lang

Kagandahan ng puso tapat kailanman
Umasa hindi ka masasaktan
'Di iiwanan magpakailanman
Kahit 'di yan...

'Di iiwanan magpakailanman
Kahit 'di yan...

Kumukupas ang gandang panlabas
'Di lilipas kaloobang wagas

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Philippine Institute for the Deaf ABS-CBN Commercial

Having faith and a very strong one, ito ang nakita ko sa Philippine Institute for the Deaf ABS-CBN Commercial na inilabas last December 2008. Ito ang mga kabataang pinagkaitan ng tadhana ng kakayahang nakarinig at makapagsalita ng maayos, pero sa kabila ng kanilang kakulangan ay hindi ito naging hadlang para gawin ang kanilang mga pangarap at mabuhay kagaya ng mga ordinaryong tao.

Strong faith at napakalaking pag asa ito ang pinapakita ng mga kabataang ito pero ang nakakalungkot nito ay kung sino pa ang kumpleto ang pangangatawan ay sila pa ang may kulang nito.





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Eraserheads Reunion Part 2: The Final Set – March 7, 2009

After the nakakabitin na historical concert ng Eraserheads sa kanilang unang reunion concert last August 30, sa Bonifacio Global City Open Field na kung saan ay naputol sa kalagitnaan dahil sa kinailangan dalhin si Ely Buendia sa ospital dahil sa chest pain. Ibinalita ni Diane Ventura ang wife at manager ni Ely ang dating frontman ng Eraserheads kasama sina Raimund Marasigan Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro na magkakaroon ng part 2 ang reunion concert ng banda na magaganap sa March 7 and will be entitled “The Final Set” but the venue is to be announced yet whether it will takes place sa Mall of Asia Ground. Hope I can get the chance to watch the concert lalo na isa akong diehard fan ng E’heads. :)





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Sa Pula Sa Puti: DOJ VS PDEA VS ALABANG BOYS

We are missing the point here…

Noong Sunday inutos ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang leave of absence ng mga piskal na may kaugnayan sa issue ng suhulan ng korte kaya nabasura ang kaso ng droga ng tinaguriang Alabang Boys na nahuli ng PDEA noong nakaraang taon.

Tulad ng isang sabungan ay nag pula ng kasuotan at arm band ang mga nagtratrabaho sa Depratment of Justice bilang protesta sa kautusan na leave of absence ng kanilang mga kasamahan habang all white naman ang PDEA bilang pagpapakita ang kalinisan daw ng kanilang mga konsensya.

Pero sa bagay na ito sino na naman ang naguguluhan sa batuhang nagaganap sa pagitan ng PDEA at DOJ, maaari ngang may nagaganap na anomalya pero ang totoo nalilihis tayo sa totoong issue na dapat ay matagal na nating inaayos lalo na ang mga nasa gobyerno at iyon ay ang sugpuin ang issue ng drugs sa Pilipinas. Natawa na lang ako noong sinabi ng PDEA last week sa balita na ang Pilipinas ay ang bansang may mataas na Drug Case sa buong ASIA, ito lang ang tugon ko, nasasabi nga ninyong ganyan nga ang estado ng bansa tungkol sa kaso ng DROGA, may concrete plan na ba tayo para sugpuin ito o patuloy pa rin ang iringan ng dalawang kampo. Kung may sinasabi ang PDEA na may suhulang nagaganap sa DOJ, sabihin nila ang pangalan ng diretsuhan kaysa ipa-LOA ito ni PGMA kaso mas tumatagal ang imbestigasyon mas nagiging matagal ang kaso at ang dapat sanang ginugugol na para mag-isip ng matibay na kampanya laban sa droga.

Again we are missing the point here…






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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's statement on the Leave of Absence of DOJ's officials and prosecutors

I'm sure some of you guys are clueless sa nasabing statement ni PGMA sa kautusang leave of absence ng ilang opisyal at prosecutors ng Department of Justice na kung saan di umano'y sangkot sa suhulang naganap para sa pagbabasura sa kaso ng Alabang Boys na ayon na rin sa bintang ng PDEA. So ito ang statement ni PGMA kayo na bahala ang humusga.

***

Sunday, 11 January 2009
Statement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: From Malacanang sa Sugbo
Re: “Alabang Boys” case

Today, I instructed Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to require leave of absence of all officials and prosecutors of the Department of Justice alleged to have received bribes in exchange for the release of suspected drug dealers from certain rich and influential families.

No one should be spared.

The full force of the government’s powers to act against those that betray public trust should be applied swiftly and unequivocally. More so in this case which involves illegal drugs -- society’s cancer -- on the one hand, and supposed pillars of the justice system on the other.

We should not allow a breach in our determined war against the menace of illegal drugs and against narco-politics on a broader level. We are witness to the tragedy that befell countries that have taken a pause on their war on illegal drugs.

From a public realm, I state this: Our war on drugs should be vigilant and unrelenting. It should not be compromised.

From a personal realm, I state this: I am a mother who is bothered by an alleged conspiracy to let loose on our streets anew pushers of illegal drugs. What if they lurk on my street?







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McDonald's Huling El Bimbo Plug

Finally Mc Donalds releases a new plug after the Burger commercials and all it versions, thanks to neilke93 of youtube that she copied the plug and posted online. The plug is not that happy or comical like what McDo usually produce, its about childhood memories and love that started in Mcdonalds but it doesn't ends like what other McDo commercials used to end, its a sappy and heart breaking 30 seconder plug but something to look forward to watch again everytime it airs on TV.




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Usapan ukol sa Panatisismo ng Filipino sa Itim na Nazareno

Nais ko lang ibahagi ang isang bagay na kung saan naibahagi sa post ni DJB sa FilipinoVoices.com sa article na Black Nazareno Cloned, Goes To Mindanao…Ngek!

Ito ang article ni Dean Jorge:

First let me say, I am glad to see that the religious impressarios organizing the annual Black Nazareno procession wisely decided to move its usually crowd-lethal starting point to the Luneta since fatalities and injuries had been multiplying in the last few years. On second thought, I detest the idea that they chose the Luneta. Methinks the Catholic Bishops and the Philippine Daily Innuendo were actually rubbing salt in the wounds of the Other Hero and Martyr there present. Frankly, if I were to succumb to the mortal sin of idolatry being urged on the masses, I would pick the German-made graven image in stone, not the Mexican Wooden Indio pretending to be the Son of God in Pinoy drag. But wait! Here is the latest contribution of the Catholic Taliban to the Mindanao Peace Process…Ngek!

The Roman Catholic Church of the Philippines has recently cloned the original and true miraculous wooden idol called the Black Nazarene of Quiapo–a kind of graven image of a graven image–and sent it off to Cagayan de Oro because “there are so many devotees there”. At a time when all-out war is being threatened if not quite carried out by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, honestly folks, how smart of an idea IS this??

Now what were we just talking about on Rizal Day?
As the Catholic Taliban Sing Hallelujah!
Fuego!

At ito Ang Sa Wari Ko:

Aminin natin na para sa isang Katolikong bansa tulad ng Pilipinas, parte na ng kaniyang pananampalataya at paniniwala ang pagiging panatiko niya sa mga pistang kagaya nito. Marahil para sa akin na minsan ay nasasabing taliwas na sa paniniwala ang nangyayari sa Pista ng Nazareno at gayon din sa iba pang pistang kagaya nito ay ang "Idolatry", marahil maaaring mali, pero sa kabila nito ang punto ng isang ordinaryong tao pagdating sa kanyang pamumuhay at pananampalataya ay nakaugat alinsunod sa nakasanayan niya at panata. At hindi natin sila masisi lalo na't ito ang tanging pananampalatayang pinanghahawakan nila sa mga bagay na nangyayari sa buhay nila at sa pamamaraang ito humahanga ako sa mga taong ito sa kabila ng terminolohiya ng "Idolatry".

Sa usapin ng "cloned" Nazareno na ipinadala sa Cagayan de Oro, tulad ng sinabi ko sa una taliwas man sa batas at paniniwala ng Simbahan ang maling tulad ng Idolatry ay maaaring nagiging tama dahil sa bagay na ito may sumisibol na pag asa sa kabila ng problemang hinaharap ng mga kapatid nating Katoliko at Muslim sa Mindanao.






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2009 Holidays!

There will be 10 long holidays in 2009.

Last Christmas eve, Arroyo signed Proclamation 1699 that lays out the holiday schedule this year.
First on the holiday list is a three-day weekend before the Easter break.

The observance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9 (Thursday) was moved to the nearest Monday which is April 6.

This will be followed by the Easter holidays from April 9 (Maundy Thursday) until April 12 (Easter Sunday).
The other regular holidays are:

Labor Day-May 1(Friday);
Independence Day- June 12 (Friday);
National Heroes Day- August 31 (Monday);
Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Monday);
Christmas Day- December 25 (Friday); and,
Rizal Day- December 30 (Wednesday).

Special Non-Working Days:

Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Friday);
All Saints Day - November 1 (Sunday) and All Soul’s Day - November 2 (Monday);
Christmas Eve - December 24 (Thursday); and,
New Year’s Eve - December 31 (Thursday).




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Happy Feast Day of the Black Nazarene

Maligayang Araw ng Pista ng Itim na Nazareno!

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Blessed New Year to ALL!

May 2009 be fruitful year for us, for our family, for our work and businesses and for our country. God Bless us ALL!

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Pagbabalik tanaw sa taong 2008

Hindi man naging komprehensibo ang mga nilalaman ng blog ko at hindi ring anon kabibigat ang minsan tinalakay ko ay may ilan ding mga bagay bagay na binigyan kong diin at naibahagi ko sa mga taong patuloy pa rin nagtyatyagang magbasa ng mga blog entries ko, kaya narito ang mga ilan sa mga naisulat ko sa loob ng isang taon, ang taong 2008:

Sa pagpasok ng unang buwan ng 2008, January 17 ay hindi pa rin natatapos ang usapin ng Cheap Medicine Bill, ang kautusang magiging regalo sana ng gobyerno sa mga taong bayan, ang batas na kung saan mag re-regulate sana sa presyo ng gamot para maging abot kaya nganit sa kasamaang palad ay hindi magkasundo ang kongreso at senado dahil sa isang provision ang “Generic Only” na pagrereseta na kung saan ay nagbanta nang hospital holiday ang ilang mga doctor bilang protesta sa provision na ito na kung saan nire- require ng panukalang ito na tanging generic names lang ng gamot ang dapat ireseta at hindi brand. Bukod sa usapin ng kalusugan, nais tugunan ng Department of Education ang bumababang bilang ng guro dito sa Pilipinas kaya ipinakilala nila ang programang Teacher Ko, Idol Ko, isang programang maglalayong bigyan ng scholarship ang mga kabataang nais maging guro lalo na sa mga subjects kagaya ng Math at Science na kung saan matapos silang makatapos ay kailangan nilang bumalik sa kanilang probinsya upang magturo sa mga public schools na siya naman magiging kapalit ng nakuha nilang scholarship.

Napatuyan na pagdating sa pulitika ay walang kumpare, kumare at kamag-anak lalo na sa mga sigalot sa pamahalaan hindi naging maganda para kay dating Speaker Jose de Venecia ang buwan ng Pebrero dahil ito ang huling buwan niya bilang House Speaker ng kongreso matapos na kabilang Datu Arroyo at Mikee Arroyo na pawang inaanak niya sa kasal at kasama sa kongreso ay nagsulong ng pagkakatanggal niya sa posisyon at ni Congressman Prospero Nograles ang siyang naibotong humalili sa kanya, at ang dahilan ng pagkakatanggal sa kanya, ang usaping ZTE Broadband Deal na kasama ang kanyang anak na si Joey De Venecia laban sa mag asawang Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Mike Arroyo. Habang sa usapin pa rin ng education, ay patuloy pa rin ang pagharang ng simbahan sa panukala ng pagkakaroon ng Sex Education sa subject ng pampublikong paaralan.

Ang buwan ng Marso ay naging nagsilbing eye opener para sa lahat, ang una ay ang sa pamilyang Corazon at Kris Aquino na kung saan at ibinalita ni Kris na may colon cancer ang ina niyang si dating President Cory Aquino at matapos ang pagbabalitang ito ay panibagong balita mula sa kanilang pamilya at iyon naman ay ang miscarriage ni Kris na dapat sana ay ipagbubuntis niya ang ikalawang anak nila ni James Yap. Pagpapahala sa kalikasan at karapatan, ito rin ang tema ng Marso na kung saan ay nagbalik ang mga Sumilao Farmers sa Malacañang upang hilingin ang karapatan nila sa 144 hectares na lupain na sinasaka nila sa Sumilao Bukidnon na ilang metro ang kanilang nilakad mula sa kanilang lugar patungo sa Malacañang. Sa buwan ding ito ay sama samang pinahalagahan ng lahat ng tao sa buong mundo ang Inang Kalikasan na kung saan lahat ay nagpatay ng kanilang mga ilaw sa loob ng 60 minutes o 1 hour bilang pagmulat sa unti unting pagkamatay ng ating kalikasan sa pamamagitan ng taunang proyekto nilang Earth Hour.

Mainit ang April kasing init ng mga revelation sa buwang ito, mula sa mahabang pila ng mga NFA Rice sa mga munisipyo at palengke sa buong mundo dahil sa sinasabi nilang mayroong Rice Shortage, sa nakakagulat na pag amin ng isang lesbian na Filipino na si Thomas Beatie siya ay nagdadalang tao pagkatapon niyang dumaan sa artificial insemination, ang Canister Scandal na kung saan nagpataas sa mga kilay ng mag sumabaybay at natanong natin ang mga credibility ng mga doctor at nurse na kasangkot dito at ang mala teleseryeng buhay ni Brian Gorrell na kung saan dinawit niya si DJ Montano at ilan pang mga miyembro ng elite society sa usapin ng drugs, sex and money na naging sentro ng kanyang mga blog entries na sinubaybayan ng lahat.

Malungkot ang Mayo para buong bayan nang nagpaalam ng tagapagtanggol ng manggagawang Filipino na si Crispin Beltran at ang karumaldumal na bank robbery sa RCBC Cabuyao Laguna.

Nagpaalam naman ang batikang actor na si Rudy Fernandez sa pagpasok ng buwan ng Hunyo habang nagbibighati ang industriya ay nakakita naman tayo ng pag-asa at paglaya na kung saan ay nakalaya si Ces Drilon sa kamay ng ma bandidong dumukot sa kanya ng ilang linggo at ang pag-launch ng ABS-CBN ng bago nitong programang tutulong sa kampanyang solusyunan ang problema sa kahirapan ang BAYANIJUAN.

Patuloy ang pagluha ng industriya ng entertainment nang namaalam naman ang director na si Gilbert Perez. At napuno rin ng pangako ang buwan ng Hulyo nang inihatid ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang kanyang State of the Nation Address sa taong 2008.

Pagpapaliwanag at pagkagulat ito ang tema ng Agosto, mula sa pagkagulat ng lahat sa inasal ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa pagtataray niya sa kanyang mga staff sa harap ng media. At ang pagpapaliwanag kung bakit kailangan magkaroon ng Psychiatric test ang mga Overseas Contract Workers na kung saan ipinapanukala ng Department of Foreign Affairs tila yata mas nag iisip sila ng mas ibang solusyong hindi naman tuwirang sagot sa issue ng violence at pagyurak sa karapatan pang tao sa ating mga OFW, at tinatanong na rin natin ang pamahalaan kailangan ba talaga natin ang Charter Change na parehong nakatala sa mga unang entry ko sa FilipinoVoices.com

Patuloy ang pagtatanong ko noong September na kung saan aware tayo sa kakarampot na budget ng edukasyon sa pampublikong paaralan, mula sa kakulangan sa facility kagaya ng upuan, libro, blackboard, at iba pang mga instructional facilities sa paaralan at ang kakulangan sa silid aralan at ang mababang sweldo ng mga guro, ay may lumabas sa balita na nasasayang ang pondo ng Department of Education dahil sa hindi maayos na paggastos nito.

Karapatan ito ang hiniling ko sa mga blog entries ko noong October mula sa karapatan ng mga taong alamin kung paano sugpuin ng issue ng kahirapan sa Blog Action Day na patungkol sa mukha (uri) ng kahirapan, at gayun din ang karapatan ng mga OFW lalo na sa issue ng diskriminasyon, na kung saan naging sentro ang isang Pinay Domestic Helper sa isang palabas sa BBC na kung saan object ito ng katatawanan na kung saan ay umani ito ng napakaraming batikos.

Pag-asa at Umaasa, ito ang mukha ng Nobyemre nang hiranging unang black president si Barack Obama ng United States of America na kung saan umani siya ng pagrespeto at inspirasyon mula sa mga taong sumabaybay sa kanyang kampanya hanggang sa kanyang pagkapanalo. Umasa naman si Jejomar Binay na kung saan naging inspirasyon niya si Barack at nag announce siya ng kanyang pagtakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas. At mas umasa naman si Press Secretary Jesus Dureza sa kanyang dalanging pahabain pa ang termino ni PGMA lagpas pa sa 2010 ang taong nakatakdang matatapos ang kanyang termino sa pagkapangulo.

Mabibigat na statement ang naglabasan sa buwan ng Disyembre, mula sa paglipat ni Karylle sa ABS-CBN pagkatapos ng kanilang paghihiway ni Dingdong Dantes, ang malawakang kampanya ni Judy Ann Santos para maipasok sa Oscars ang pelikula niyang Ploning, ang paggamit ng internet sa mga pagkontra sa charter change at iba pang katiwalian sa gobyerno na hatin ni Juana Change, at ang humabol bago matapos ang taon ang issue ng pag-adopt ng ABS-CBN sa movie na Twilight na kung saan umani ito ng batikos at mariing itinanggi ng TV Network ang adaptation ng palabas na ito.

Maraming nagyari sa 2008, kontrobersyal na nakakainis, nakakaiyak, nakakaawa, at nakakatawa nasa atin na lang kung anong stand natin sa mga pangyayaring ito. Maging aral sana ang mga naganap sa 2008 para hindi na maulit ang mga ito sa 2009 o alam na natin ang gagawin natin sa mga pangyayari kung sakaling maulit ito. Sigurado mas marami pang mga bagay bagay na kakatuwaan natin, iiyakan, kakaawaan, kakainisan at katatawanan, at sigurado rin ang ilan doon ay makikita nyo uli dito sa blog na ito.






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