Will Eat. Will Pray. Will Love? Hmmm.

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At long last, I have finally found the right time to actually blog. Thank God!

As you all know, I am currently in my homeland, the Philippines, for my short but sweet 2-week vacation leave. Yes, that's about 14 days of "R and R" with my family, friends, former co-workers and naughty neighbors. I opted to take such a swift vacation in order to preserve my dying savings account. *sigh*

Well, after watching the movie "Eat. Pray. Love." starring Julia Roberts about a month ago, I suddenly realized that my vacation should focus and revolve on those 3 words: "Eat" the cuisines that I like, "Pray" as much as I can, and "Love" like there's no tomorrow. I know, I know. The last one's quite impossible but let me explain, please?

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="aligncenter" width="472" caption="Native Desserts? Yummy!"][/caption]

Eat. I haven't been doing anything but eat. The edibles kept on coming and coming and it turns out that I haven't been eating right for the past 2 years or so. A former co-worker of mine was flabbergasted to see how much weight I seriously lost. "Paulo! Grabe, pumayat ka! Anong ginagawa mo dun sa Egypt?" she exclaimed outside a famous coffee shop. I shrugged her comment stating the obvious fact that I have been doing straight night shifts, plus the indecent gossip roaming the hospital premises. Haha. :-D

This part also entails learning how to cook a few simple recipes that would boost my life's Curriculum Vitae. With the help of my trusty yet perky mother, I am currently learning how to prepare scrumptious meals and award-winning viands that would aid me and my not-that-good eating habits. Bon Appetite!

[caption id="attachment_1373" align="aligncenter" width="472" caption="Monasterio de Santa Clara, Quezon City"][/caption]

Pray. I am a devout Catholic since birth and I am very fond of attending mass at any given day, preferably Sundays so I thought of doing a sort of pilgrimage or something in order to recharge my spiritual energy. I've been to the Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church inside the UST grounds and the famous Monastery of Saint Clare along the C-5 Katipunan Avenue. I also plan to visit the Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage-Immaculate Conception Parish Church in Antipolo, City by the end of the week. Woohoo! Road trip, anyone?

[caption id="attachment_1374" align="aligncenter" width="475" caption="My Naughty Cousins!"][/caption]

Love. This is the tricky part. Where should I begin. Hmmm. Well, this does not necessarily mean that I am to "fall in love" with anyone in particular while I am in Manila. Although I wish that would happen some time soon (*fingers-crossed*). Nevertheless, I plan to strengthen my ties with the people who love me for who I am without any restrictions or hidden agendas. They are the chosen few who will listen to what I say regardless of their personal biases and social status because of the things that we have done for each other in the past. Yes, I was not able to greet them during their birthdays or give them cool things from Egypt but it does not matter. It's the time and effort that I have shown while I am amidst them that truly counts.

To my one and only best friend, Ma. Carina Camacho: Thank you for the instantaneous yet fruitful lunch at Taco Bell. It was a blast. To Earl Paulo Diaz: Thank for the wonderful dinner at Teriyaki Boy. I needed that.

So, what now? Aside from the fact that I'm currently broke and I still have tons of friends to meet, I plan on staying at home to chill and unwind my young but wounded body. Haha. *grin*

*****

See you in a few days, Cairo. I know you missed me!

Coffee, anyone?

Headshot

Justin Bieber just got PAWNED!

This video is so epic that I seriously need to post it in my blog. :-D

Coffee, anyone?

Uniquely Unique

Hmmm. Interesting. Very interesting, indeed.

Un, Deux, Trois, Vive La France!

Coffee, anyone?

GMA 7's Celebrity Duets Season 2

[caption id="attachment_552" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Image courtesy of igma.tv"][/caption]

Celebrity Duets Season 2 is finally here! I've been dying to see the entire show all over again since its Philippine debut last year. Yipee!

The show features a number of contestants from different Philippine industries with a little background on music, singing with a professional Pinoy singer. Of course, as the week progresses, a contestant will be eliminated till the finals night. The winner will be determined by tallied text votes from the TV viewers and the winner will share his or her price money with a chosen charity.

Season 2 contestants will include the following celebrities:

1. MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando


2. Former Bb. Pilipinas World Carlene Aguilar


3. Actor-Comedian-Politician Joey Marquez


4. Former Ms. International Melanie Marquez


5. Renowned Fitness Guru Corry Quirino


6. Ka-Toque Chef JL Cang


7. Fashion Designer JC Buendia


8. Professional Soccer Player Phil Younghusband

Season 2s judges has been revamped and they include:

• Freddie Santos - Concert & TV Director


• Danny Tan - Composer & Arranger


• Tessa Prieto-Valdes - Season 1 Grand Champion

And, as seen from the image above, singer-songwriter, Ogie Alcasid and Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez will still host the star-studded singing competition.

My bet? Errr. I'll have to wait and see their initial recital. I don't want to preempt anything. Although Chairman BF has an edge over the other 7 since he has been singing with other cabinet members, or so I've heard.

I can't wait for the premier on Saturday, the 23rd of August, 2008 after Manny Pacquiao's Pinoy Records. This is a MUST SEE show for me! I can't wait to laugh my heart out! Haha. :)

Coffee, celebrities?

Coca Cola's Olympic Bird's Nest Ad

I terribly love this Ad by The Coca Cola Company! Kudos!

Coffee, anyone? :D

Tennis Rankings

[caption id="attachment_528" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk"][/caption]

And so the rankings came.

After 4 and half years of tennis supremacy, Swiss superstar Roger Federer dropped to the 2nd spot by 770 points behind Spaniard Olympic gold medalist, Rafael Nadal, according to the August 18, 2008 Men's Tennis ATP Rankings.

As shown in ESPN.com, Nadal leads the pack with 6700.0 points, thanks to his French and Wimbledon Titles, not to mention his Olympic gold medal. Federer tags at No. 2 with 5930.0 points while Serbian Novak Djokovic kept his 3rd spot with 5105.0 points. David Ferrer (No. 4), Nikolai Daydenko (No. 5) and Andy Murray (No.6) also retained their positions.

Argentinian David Nalbandian climbed a notch from No. 8 to No. 7 with 1975.0 points while American James Blake dropped 2 places to No. 9 with 1825.0 points. Federer's doubles partner, Stanislas Wawrinka, held his No. 10 status, whereas Olympic silver medalist Fernando Gonzales climbed 4 notches to No. 11 with 1615.0 points.

[caption id="attachment_527" align="aligncenter" width="185" caption="Photo courtesy of timesonline.co.uk"][/caption]

In the women's division, also shown in ESPN.com, French Open champion Ana Ivanovic reclaimed the No. 1 rank as fellow Serbian Jelena Jankovic settled for No. 2 after failing to reach the Olympic finals. Ivanovic has 3612.0 points while Jankovic earned 3515.0 points. Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova (No. 3) and American Serena Williams (No.4) stayed in their spots with 3455.0 and 3341.0 points respectively.

Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva climed 2 places to No. 5 (3194.0) while Australian Open champ Maria Sharapova dropped to No. 6 (3131.0), followed by Olympic silver medalist Dinara Safina at No. 7 (3077.0). Chinese sensation Na Li also moved 6 places to No. 36 with 795.0 points.

Of course, the rankings are bound to make some movement after the upcoming 2008 US Open, which commences in Flushing, New York City from the 25th of August to the 7th of September, 2008. God bless to everyone! :)

Coffee, anyone?

On Michael Phelps

[caption id="attachment_512" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Image courtesy of Reuters Staff/reuters.com"][/caption]

8 Gold Medals=Olympic Greatness

Last Sunday (Aug. 17), the world saw how 23-year-old American swimmer Michael "The Baltimore Bullet" Phelps earned his 8th gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, giving him an exclusive pass to the pantheon of Olympic achievements along side Soviet gymnasts Alexander Dityatins and Larrissa Latynina.

According to wikipedia.com, Phelps got an Olympic gold medal in the following swimming events in Beijing alone:

1. 400m Individual Medley - World Record


2. 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay - World Record


3. 200m Freestyle - World Record


4. 200m Butterfly - World Record


5. 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay - World Record


6. 200m Individual Medley - World Record


7. 100m Butterfly - Olympic Record


8. 4 x 100m Medley Relay - World Record

(In a British accent) Absolutely astonishing, if I say so myself!

On a heavier note, he wants his Olympic accomplishment to be an igniting force that would take swimming to another level outside the Olympic arena. "I don't want this sport to be an every-four-year sport," he said Sunday after gaining his 8th gold medal. "I think, yeah, we get the most attention every four years. But in between those four years there's really not as much exposure for us as I would like. I just want more people to get involved in the sport. I really think it's going to happen. I think over the next four years it's going to happen more and more."

Unattainable, eh? Probably not.

36 years after Mark Spitz made his mark in the Munich Olympics with 7 gold medals, a young man from Baltimore who likes to eat pizza and hates waking up early broke the so-called "Spitzean Feat."

"It goes to show you that not only is this guy the greatest swimmer of all time and the greatest Olympian of all time, he's maybe the greatest athlete of all time," Spitz told The Associated Press after Phelps matched his 7 Olympic gold medal triumph. "He's the greatest racer who ever walked the planet."

"I hate to lose," Michael said. "When I lose a race like that, it motivates me even more to try to swim faster." He was only 19 when he first got his Olympic shot at Athens, where he got a Bronze Medal at the 200m Freestyle. It was his only loss.

Seriously, my Thesaurus ran out of superlatives that would best describe his superb accomplishment.

What's next for Michael Phelps? According to an interview, he wants to continue his Olympic winning streak to the 2012 London Olympic Games. But for now, he just wants to, at least, lie on his bed for about 5 minutes or so, then play golf. A well-deserved break, I suppose, fit for a king.

Coffee, Michael? :D

Nadal wins Olympic Gold for Spain

[caption id="attachment_507" align="aligncenter" width="494" caption="Photo courtesy of Clive Brunskill/Getty Images"][/caption]

He officially rules the world now.

Rafael "El Toro" Nadal of Spain just added an Olympic Gold Medal in his recent achievements after defeating Fernando Gonzales of Chile in the Olympic Men's Singles Tennis Finals, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.

The 22-year old Spaniard was ruthless in all aspects as he capitalized on Gonzales' crumbling court performance. Fernando tried to cling on to a 2-5 slate during the 3rd set but Nadal's unbreakable execution converted his fourth match point into a Gold Medal.

Nadal will claim the top of the Tennis Rankings tomorrow, Monday, ending Roger Federer's 4 and a-half year supremacy. Additionally, this is the first ever Olympic gold medal in tennis for Spain.

Serbian Novak Djokovic claimed the Bronze Medal yesterday after conquering American James Blake, 6-3, 7-6(4) in the Bronze Medal Match.

[caption id="attachment_506" align="aligncenter" width="244" caption="Photo courtesy of reuters.com"][/caption]

"I just want to enjoy this moment because I'm having an unbelievable year," Nadal said. "It's more than my best dreams so I want to enjoy the moment. I know how difficult it is to win these things, especially here. Winning for me is unbelievable."

Coffee, Rafa? :)

Federer wins 1st Olympic Gold with Wawrinka

[caption id="attachment_495" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="AP Photo/Elise Amendola / August 16, 2008"][/caption]

Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer, alongside 23 year-old Stanislas Wawrinka (No. 10), won the Olympic Gold Medal for the Men's Tennis Doubles Saturday night.

The Swiss pair dispatched Sweden's duo, Thomas Johansson and Simon Aspelin, 6-3 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court.

"It's a magical moment. Something incredible in my career, and I enjoy that," uttered the 5-time Wimbledon champion. "I have tried for several times (to get a medal), and I came really close to the medal in Sydney where I finished fourth."

"Since then I can't stop thinking that If I am the best player in the world, I should do the same in the Olympics, and then finally I made it, it is really special also because it is for Switzerland, you know, our country cannot get so many medals at one Olympics, maybe one or two, but this time I got a gold medal, it is for my country, I really feel different, it is for my country, and it is different from the Grand Slam where I did it for just myself."


[caption id="attachment_494" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Photo courtesy of zisch.ch"][/caption]

Both Swiss athletes left their singles Olympic bid earlier on but muddled through to win their doubles attempt.

He added "It's incredible that we managed to stay on track to win in doubles."

On the other hand, the American Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, took Bronze against the French pair Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Bob and Mike won all Grand Slam Doubles Titles but, identical to Federer, failed all previous attempts at the Olympics.

Federer's quick and nifty volley during the early part of the fourth set broke Aspelin, the former serving out of the match.

According to Bill Dwyre of the Chicago Tribune:

He is the ultimate Swiss timepiece now. Gold, no less.

Coffee, anyone? :D

Pinoy Idol Finals Night

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Just saw the final performances of the top 3 Pinoy Idol contestants. Frankly speaking, I was quite taken aback on how fast things were moving during the entire show. Nevertheless, all 3 performers were good in their own musical genre and one can easily see how each contestant evolved into a shining performer.

Here are the songs that the Top 3 Pinoy Idol hopefuls sang earlier.

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Jayann Bautista

1. Judge's Choice - I'll Never Love This Way Again (Wyngard Tracy)


2. Mentor's Choice - You'll Never Walk Alone (Regine Velasquez)


3. Personal Choice - Proud Mary

[caption id="attachment_489" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="Photo courtesy of Pep.ph"][/caption]

Ram Chavez

1. Judge's Choice -Bridge Over Troubled Water (Ogie Alcasid)


2. Mentor's Choice - I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing (Jaya)


3. Personal Choice - Handog

[caption id="attachment_490" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="Photo courtesy of Pep.ph"][/caption]

Gretchen Espina

1. Judge's Choice - For Your Eyes Only (Jolina Magdangal)


2. Mentor's Choice - Stand Up For Love (Jaya)


3. Personal Choice - Ngayon

Whoever becomes the first ever Pinoy Idol will win 5.7 Million Pesos worth of prizes and a ticket to musical stardom, or so to speak. My bet, Robby Navarro, got booted out of the competition earlier on, so I'm not that enthusiastic about the results to be announced tomorrow night.

Good luck and God bless na lang sa mananalo. :)

Coffee, anyone?

Update: Gretchen Espina of Biliran City won the aforementioned competition, thereby becoming the first ever Pinoy Idol. She also bagged the Pinoy Idol song "To You" composed by singer, songwriter and Pinoy Idol judge, Ogie Alcasid and arranged by Pinoy Idol musical director, Danny Tan. :)

Federer's Olympic Retribution

[caption id="attachment_424" align="aligncenter" width="294" caption="(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)"][/caption]

It ain't over till it's over, eh?

After his painful loss in the 2nd round of the 2004 Athens Olympics to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, Swiss Tennis star Roger Federer is back to reclaim a possible Olympic gold medal.

Federer defeated Berdych 6-3, 7-6 (4) last Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Men's Singles. He was shouting "Yes!" and kept on punching the air after a service winner at match point.

The Swiss Superstar is seeking his first ever Olympic medal after being excluded in the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. Furthermore, this could possibly end his dry spell after failing to claim any major title this year. He is currently 2 titles away from Pete Sampras' 14 Grand Slam titles.

Roger will now face James Blake, ranked No. 8, for the quarterfinals and possibly meet Rafael Nadal in the battle for the gold medal in the Sunday finals.

Nadal also advanced to the quarterfinals after beating Russian Igor Andreev, 6-4, 6-2. He is now likely to meet (No. 3) Novak Djokovic in the semifinals after Djokovic dispatched Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Nevertheless, Rafael Nadal will become the world's number 1 Tennis player when the rankings come out next week.

"I am playing close to my best level," Nadal said. "My goal is try to continuing playing like this."

Note: I am a Roger Federer Fan. Haha. :D

Coffee, Roger?

Update: Unfortunately, James Blake Defeated Roger Federer, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). :(

June 1 & 2, 2008 NLE Results

Just click the bear for the complete list.

Congratulations to everyone!:)

Coffee, anyone?

Mom Fights Church Ban on Autistic Son

I was, yet again, browsing some health news online (thank God for Google News) when I saw this striking and alarming article. Flabbergasted, I read the whole story that goes...

Mom Fights Church Ban on Autistic Son
Woman Fights Church That Said Autistic Son a Threat, Banned Him From Services
By SCOTT MICHELS
Photo by Dave Kolpack/AP Photo
June 2, 2008

A Minnesota woman pleaded not guilty today to violating a restraining order that barred her autistic son from attending mass at a local Catholic church and vowed to fight for the rights of disabled people to attend church.

In an unusual conflict between a pastor and a member of his flock, the Church of St. Joseph in Bertha, Minn., filed a restraining order last month to stop congregation member Carol Race and her 13-year-old son Adam from attending church services.

In court papers, the church pastor, Daniel Walz, says Adam, who is autistic, is disruptive and dangerous to other parishioners. He claims the 6-foot, 225-pound boy has hit another child, spat at members of the church and urinated in the church.

Adam's mother Carol Race denies that her son is dangerous and says it's important for him to be able to attend Sunday mass.

"I know the church firmly teaches that all people are welcome to come to mass," she said. "My son has a right to be there. And the pastor really does not have the authority to tell an individual that they can't come to mass."

Carol Race was cited last month for coming to church with Adam, in violation of the restraining order. She said she pleaded not guilty this afternoon and is scheduled to attend a mediation session with church leaders later this week.

Neither Walz nor Diocese of St. Cloud spokeswoman Jane Marrin could be immediately reached for comment on Monday.

Race said that church officials offered to have Adam watch mass from a video feed in the basement. She rejected that offer. "From a spiritual standpoint, there's nothing that says watching mass on TV is the same as being present," she said.

She said Adam has had what she calls "meltdowns" while at church. He lies on the floor and flails his arms and legs. Race and her husband have at times needed to sit on Adam or bind his arms and legs with a strip of fleece to get him to calm down, she said.

She said that Adam's behavior has improved in the last few months, but also admitted that Adam once ran into the parking lot after church services, turned on a car and revved the engine.

"Adam's continued presence on parish grounds not only endangers the parishioners, it is disruptive to the devout celebration of the Eucharist," Walz wrote. "I have repeatedly asked John and Carol to keep Adam from church; they have refused to do so."

Carol Race and several friends who have autistic children are asking churches across the country to reserve a pew for families with autistic children or who otherwise may not have been welcome.

"I think there are thousands of families across the country who are not going to church because they have not been welcome in the past," she said. "I think that's why this story is so important to so many families out there."

First reaction: SERIOUSLY?! The Catholic church?!

Second reaction: Is this seriously true? Obviously, it is true and that it is currently happening in the US. After reading the whole thing, I suddenly found myself surrounded with sweet nostalgia: thinking back on my basic theological classes in high school and college, the church accepts anyone who desires to enter it REGARDLESS of age, sex, race, condition, et al. Am I right or am I wrong?

Anyways, Autism is a developmental disorder in the brain that impairs a child's social relations and communication. It causes limited and monotonous behavior before a child turns 3 years old. Classic signs and symptoms include ritualistic and compulsive behavior, limited focus, hand-flapping, head rolling, and resistance to any form of change. Management includes improving the family's quality of life and reducing the stress on the family. Unfortunately, there is no cure. Some recover after years of intensive therapy while others don't.

It actually saddens me how the Catholic church is, to some extent, violating some of its own teaching. Yes, I am a devout Catholic since birth and my faith is, undoubtedly, on solid ground but this issue seriously struck me. What is happening to this planet? Is it me or its just me? :(

Coffee, anyone?

Idol Contestant Luke Menard Diagnosed With Cancer

I was reading some health news on Google when I suddenly stumbled upon this article about Luke Menard. Of course, we all remember him from his short skit on American Idol Season 7 and making it to the top 24 Idol hopefuls. It goes...

Idol Contestant Luke Menard Diagnosed With Cancer
Hollywood (ChattahBox) - Former American Idol contestant Luke Menard has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer.

Luke Menard managed to gain many fans making it to the top 16 in American Idol season 7, which was eventually won by David Cook.

Menard saw his doctor after complaining of a persistent cough that would not go away. Tests done by his doctor revealed the mass behind his heart.

Menard’s acapella group, Chapter 6, put out a statement that he has a very curable cancer and is in good spirits.

The group made it clear to his fans that “the prognosis is good.”

Hodgkin's lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's Disease, is a form of malignancy occurring from a patient's lymph nodes spreading in an orderly manner. It is often characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells on lymph node biopsy and histo-path examination. Common signs and symptoms include lymph node enlargement on the neck and shoulders, non-specific back pain, hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen), weight loss, and fever. Treatment includes radiation therapy and/or combination chemotherapy.

I certainly hope that he'll be able to conquer and overcome this obstacle just like the AI7 auditions. :)

Coffee, anyone?

New Nursing Curriculum

I have been hearing a lot of fuzz about this new nursing curriculum imposed upon by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) effective this coming academic year. Luckily, I stumbled upon this fruitful and enlightening article from Inquirer.net that states and I quote:

Schools buck new nursing curriculum

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:54:00 05/23/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The largest consortium of private schools on Thursday demanded that the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) immediately stop implementation of the new nursing curriculum, saying its imposition was done without consultation and the curriculum posed too much of a burden on students.

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) described CHEd’s Memorandum Order No. 5 released last week which directed nursing schools nationwide to add new subjects and increase hospital hours for students starting this school year, as a “disastrous” policy that would do more harm than good.

The order had added 28 units and three summer classes to the nursing curriculum’s 169 units. Practicum hours would also increase to 2,703 hours from the current requirement of 2,142 hours, Cocopea said.

CHEd said the new policies were aimed at further honing students’ technical knowledge and skills, making them more competent and competitive to employers.

Unfair to students

But Cocopea said the imposition of additional subjects was unfair to schools and students.

It also accused CHEd of failing to consult schools and colleges about the new policies. “Due process was clearly not observed,” the organization said.

Fr. Rod Salazar, Jr. SVD, Cocopea chair and president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), urged the suspension of the order until after all stakeholders had discussed ways of improving nursing education.

“We are appealing to CHEd to suspend the implementation until we have considered in depth and at length how we can truly improve the quantity and quality of the nurses we educate,” Salazar said.

The additional units would also increase the financial burden of students and parents and cause a logistical problem to hospitals and colleges, the group said. It pointed out that there might not be enough hospitals to satisfy students’ need for hands-on learning.

“We have barely two months to go before the academic year will start and we, as heads of our respective institutions and educational associations, feel that the implications of the proposed changes in curriculum are too heavy for our educational system to implement this soon,” Salazar said.

Cocopea officials said implementation of the curriculum may prompt many students to discontinue pursuing nursing careers.

Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, CEAP regional director and president of the Ateneo de Naga University, said, “It is a disastrous policy. It will make us choppy and will force students to drop out.”

Cocopea is composed of 2,500 schools, colleges and universities.

Honestly, this so-called "new" curriculum is, to some extent, unfair and painful to every one concerned. I'll try to dissect the matter at hand for a clearer and better picture. But, do take note that this is from my standpoint only and I am not an expert on the technical aspects of the nursing academe and profession. Here goes nothing... :)

1. To the parents - 5 years of nursing education=5 years of pain-staking tuition fee that increases every year. Trust me on this one. During my 1st year in college, my tuition fee was around Php22,000. 6 years later, it increased dramatically to about Php36,000. Astounding, right?


2. To the students - More duty hours and more work load. Come on! All work and no play makes a wise man super dull. Study hard. Party harder. Pray the hardest. Haha. :)


3. To the Nursing institution - Increased need for clinical instructors, classrooms, and specialty facilities to train their staff and students. With the current exodus of Pinoy nurses to greener pastures abroad, there will be a significant decrease in the number of highly qualified professors to educate the next generation of nurses. Not to mention the increased expenses to properly operate the institution itself. Gosh!


4. To the health care industry - Augmented duty hours does not necessarily mean better nurses in the future. I have often observed in the past that staff nurses educated from other nursing schools with a greater number duty hours are, at times, inconsiderate and often disregard the fundamental stuff, which are essential to the nursing profession. Do the math, okay?


5. To the government - Continuous escalation of nurses per year yet there are less hospitals for employment. This is the bloody part. There are thousands of nursing graduates every year and yet there are no vacancies for practice. Seriously, I have tried to apply to various institutions here in the metro. Unfortunately, there are no vacant positions available. Unemployment s*cks big time! Argh!

Well, with all of that crappy stuff said, I seriously think that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should definitely reconsider its so-called "new and efficient" curriculum. I mean rebuffing the current nursing curriculum during this trying times does not exactly produce immediate and lasting results necessary to redeem our aching profession. Why can't they try to close down sub-standard nursing schools all over the country for a change?! That is easier than just imposing a new program and it will absolutely procure clearer and superior results at the soonest possible time.

Coffee, anyone? :D

iPhone in Pinas

Seriously?! As in SERIOUSLY?!

According to Mac-A-Doodle, Singaporean Telecommunications (also known as SingTel), along with its partly-owned affiliates, has secured agreements with Apple to release the Apple iPhone in Singapore (on SingTel), Australia (on Opus), India (on Bharti Group) and the Philippines (on Globe). We all need to wait some time later this year for further juicy details.

Yipee! :D Good thing I'm using Globe. Haha. I just can't wait to get my hands on that nifty and fashionable device. Save money. Save money. SAVE MONEY!! Grrr.

Coffee, anyone? :)

Homosexuals are Hellbound

Click the image above to read the full article.

Seriously, I don't know what to make out of this thing. As my college professor would usually point out, "Res Ipsa Loquitor" (the thing itself speaks).

I read this off from my Multiply Inbox (the author deleted her original post due to tons and tons of hate mail/comments, so I google-d the exact article just to make my point) and it really caught my quasi-sensitive attention. At first, I was, obviously, intrigue and curious about the whole article because of its very catchy title and the fact that most of stuff there are, to some extent, factual and accurate. But, as I read on, I got pissed with the monotonous stand that "ALL" homosexuals are bound for hell. Come on! Seriously, I don't know why narrow-minded individuals and homophobic neanderthals still think of homosexuals as such. Come on again! Yes, I know that we are all entitled to our own individual opinion on almost about everything, but this is undeniably way below the belt.

This is definitely an alarming concern that needs urgent and drastic action from proper authorities. Serious issues need significant undertakings, right? :)

Coffee, anyone?

A Green Shirt on Earth Day

In line with the forthcoming Earth Day Celebration on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, the Ateneo Environmental Science Society urges everyone to wear a green shirt on the said day. Earl sent me an e-mail with this message the other day so I thought of helping him on this advocacy. :)

Please wear a green shirt on that day and join us in the fight to save mother earth.

Coffee, Mother Earth? :D

Bb. Pilipinas Controversy

Paolo Bediones: Janina, how are you?
Janina San Miguel: I'm fine.
Paolo Bediones: Alright, so you won two of the major awards - Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimsuit, do you feel any pressure right now?
Janina San Miguel: No, I don't feel any pressure right now.
Paolo Bediones: Confident! Alright! Please choose a name of the judge.
Paolo Bediones: We have Miss Vivienne Tan.
Vivienne Tan: Good Evening.
Janina San Miguel: Good Evening.
Vivienne Tan: The question is, what role did your family play to you as candidate to Binibining Pilinas?
Janina San Miguel: Well, my family's role for me is so important b'coz there was the wa- they're, they was the one who's... very... Hahahaha... Oh I'm so sorry, Ahhmm... My pamily... My family... Oh my god... I'm... (Paolo Bediones: Pwede ka magtagalog,ok lang) Ok, I'm so sorry... I... I told you that I'm so confident... Eto, Ahhmm, Wait... Hahahaha, Ahmmm, Sorry guys because this was really my first pageant ever b'coz I'm only 17 years old and ahahaha I, I did not expect that I came from, I came from one of the taf 10. Hmmm, so... but I said dot my family is the most important persons in my life. Thank you.

Sometimes, I don't know what's happening to this jungle of a country. A faulty quasi-dictator/cheater for a president, a shaky/slumped economy, law makers who break the laws they make, and relentless traffic. ANO BA NAMAN YAN!

Why was I born in this country?!

I was watching the whole pageant on TV, courtesy of my mother and sisters. And when the judge blurted her question, I was expecting something elegant and stimulating from the aforementioned contestant. Unfortunately, it was the other way around. During the entire fiasco, I was covering my ears and pretending not to hear anything. Too bad the whole nation saw the said disaster and posted every single detail on Youtube. Haha. :)

Seriously, she should have followed Paolo's brilliant advice and ditched the whole "trying-hard-to-speak-in-full-English" skit. Not to mention that her answer was pathetic, irrelevant and definitely pointless. To think that she's in college majoring in Communication Arts. Grrr. How fitting for a candidate with that major. Ughh. I am, of course, with faults myself but even a 5-year old kid could've given a better and brighter answer with tons of substance, material and relevance. Come on! What was she thinking?!

What really bugged me was the impression she made on Chris Tiu. Hmmm. I bet he was laughing his brains out with the crowd during the whole cockup. Haha. :)

Anyways, I just wish that before the 58th Miss World Beauty Pageant on October 4, 2008, at the Ukraina National Palace in Kiev, Ukraine, her prominent flaws would hopefully turn into stunning/deadly claws that would grab the coveted crown and bring pride to the Republic of the Philippines. That would actually silence every single individual about her Binibining Pilipinas flop.

And that includes me. :)

Coffee, Janina?

Pacquiao-Marquez Fight

Manny Pacquiao won the WBC Super Feather Weight Championship of the world after 12 rounds of intense boxing via split decision. Yipee! :)

The scores are as follows:

• Marquez: 115 - 112 - 113


• Pacquiao: 112 - 115 - 114

We heard the 45-minute fight over the radio live since the delayed television telecast takes ages, plus the 15 or more commercials in between makes the whole ordeal seriously unbearable. ARGH!

Eat 'em all up, PACMAN! Haha. :)

Anyways, kudos to Manny Pacquiao for uniting the Filipino people even for a day. :)

Coffee, Manny?