Why we love our animal friends

We can better understand something about ourselves by thinking about why we want pets around. We humans have a unique lifelong need to nurture, to take care of other living things. Those of us who have children to nurture typically have them in our homes for only about one-third of our lives, but the need to give and receive love lasts throughout our lives. Many people meet this nurturing need with hobbies such as gardening or collecting. A pet fulfills our nurturing need more efficiently than such hobbies because it returns some of our care and affection.

A friend of mine captured the essence of pets when he described them as “four-legged Peter Pans caught between culture and nature.” As part of our culture, we communicate with pets as we would with other people. As part of nature, the animals we keep are innocent, independent, honest, and free. They respond to situations based on their natural instincts. Because we share evolutionary emotions, gregariously sociable dogs in particular understand our body language and a variety of our words and actions. The relationship we build with a family pet can be as intense as one with another human being.

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DUNGOG: Indigenous Peoples Festival 2009

The first Spanish settlement was established in the Philippines in 1565, marking the onset of Spanish colonial rule. The Philippines before it was colonized by the Spaniards our ancestors who first live here. Most Filipinos are of Malay descent. Filipinos of mixed descent (through various combinations of Malay, Chinese, and Spanish intermarriage) have traditionally formed the country’s elite in business and politics. Despite of hundred of years changes in our community we the Filipinos still embrace the old traditions, customs, belief, arts and culture most of them are the indigenous people. The people of the Province of Capiz are inviting you to celebrate the DUNGOG: Indigenous Peoples Festival 2009 on October 2–6, 2009 at Villareal Stadium, Roxas City, Capiz. It was hosted by the Provincial Government of Capiz and with the Partner Agency the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The DUNGOG: Indigenous Peoples Festival 2009 is a venue for the Indigenous Peoples (IP’s) to celebrate the richness of their unique culture and allowing a cultural exchange that will foster deeper cultural understanding on the role of culture and the IP’s community in Eco-Tourism. The main purposes of these events are deepening awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the diversity of Filipino culture and other communities particularly the students from various schools, colleges and universities; Recognition of the expertise and works of cultural community masters; Opportunity for dialogue between legislators, local government executives and IP leaders on IP rights and other concerns; And for advocacy to preserve and integrate traditional culture and its various creative expressions as a dynamic part of the national mainstream. Part of the said event is Creativity Workshop and Techno-Demo were there going to tackle the IP Craft Production and Design Enhancements, Traditional Performing Arts, IP Musical Instruments Making, Indigenous Culinary and Food- tasting, IP Games and Sports and lastly the Cultural Presentation and Festival Showcase. Come and watch DUNGOG: Indigenous Peoples Festival 2009 at Villareal Stadium, Roxas City, Capiz and let’s celebrate our Filipino heritage and traditions!

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Martin Nievera and Gary V. Showdown: As1 Concert

The big showdown of the top two male performers in the country, the concert entitled As1, is scheduled on September 19 (Saturday), starting at 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds. Isn’t it time we knew who really rules the concert scene, who performs better, who can shake the crowd, who deserves to be ranked No. 1. Well this is now the time. The two considerable icons have guest in each other’s shows both here and abroad but it’s the first time they have agreed to do a concert together. Who is really the better performer Gary V. or Martin Nievera? Well in my own opinions Martin is the better singer and Gary V. is the better dancer; Martin is the total performer while Gary V. is Mr. Pure Energy; Martin is an original while Gary V. is a clone of Michael Jackson (actually he admitted it that he is a great fan of Jackson). I have a choice of who is the better one is but I’d rather keep it to myself.
So once again the Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano’s As1 concert on September 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds is a production of Star Media Entertainment, Big Mouth Productions International and Management, Genesis Entertainment & Management, Inc. Avail of an early-bird promo and get 20 percent off in ticket prices. For details, check out the official concert posters or call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

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Miss Universe 2009 Live on ABS-CBN

This is the third consecutive years that ABS-CBN was chosen by the Miss Universe organization to be its exclusive media partner here in the Philippines to watch Miss Universe 2009 live. About 80 of the finest and most gorgeous women from across the globe will gather in Bahamas to compete for the world's most coveted beauty title of Miss Universe 2009. When the best from all creation come together, it is the most beautiful day in the universe. Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, who hails from Venezuela, she will crown her successor in August during the pageant to be hosted by Billy Bush and Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia. ABS-CBN also aired the 1994 Miss Universe pageant held in Manila, where Miss India Shusmita Sen took home the crown. Who will be crowned the next Miss Universe 2009? Watch it happen in the Miss Universe 2009 pageant live on ABS-CBN on August 24 at 9:30 AM; on August 25, 8 PM on Studio 23; and on August 27, 10 PM on ABS-CBN.

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The Vampire Diaries

Hollywood Movies and TV series are now making films and shows about vampires. Like Hollywood movie courtesy of the highly successful "Twilight" and now with its upcoming new sequel “Twilight Saga: New Moon” and a TV series on HBO's "True Blood" continues to break ratings records with each succeeding episode. And now, new TV series that blood thirsty fans will absolutely watch “The Vampire Diaries”. The Vampire Diaries Plot: Four months after the tragic car accident that killed their parents, 17-year-old Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), are still adjusting to their new reality. Elena has always been the star student; beautiful, popular and involved with school and friends, but now she finds herself struggling to hide her grief from the world. Elena and Jeremy are now living with their cool-but-overwhelmed Aunt Jenna (Sara Canning), who is doing her best to be a surrogate parent. Elena manages to find some comfort with her familiar social circle – best friend Bonnie (Katerina Graham), frenemy Caroline (Candice Accola), and former boyfriend Matt (Zach Roerig), but Jeremy is on a more dangerous path, hanging out with the stoners and using drugs to hide his pain. Jeremy is also trying to figure out why Matt's sister, Vicki (Kayla Ewell), is suddenly rejecting him and hanging out with Jeremy's rival, Tyler (Michael Trevino). As the school year begins at Mystic Falls High, Elena and her friends are fascinated by a handsome and mysterious new student, Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Stefan and Elena are immediately drawn to one another, although Elena is puzzled by Stefan's increasingly bizarre behavior when he appears suddenly at the cemetery where her parents are buried. What she doesn't realize is that Stefan is hiding a dark, deadly secret of his own – the fact that he's a vampire. At a bonfire party the next night, Elena and Stefan are just getting to know each other when chaos erupts after Vicki is attacked and left bleeding from a savage bite to the neck. Fearing that he knows who is responsible for the attack, Stefan returns home and finds his older brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder), whom he hasn't seen for 15 years. Damon is also a vampire, and the two brothers have a long and bitter history. Damon ridicules Stefan for rejecting their legacy of violence and brutality, but he understands his brother's obsession with Elena, since she looks exactly like a woman Stefan loved more than a century ago; a woman that Damon tried to make his own. Now these two vampire brothers – one good, one evil – are at war for Elena's soul and for the souls of her friends, family and all the residents of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith. The Vampire Diaries is set to premiere on September 10, 2009 8/7 C.

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What are Swine Flu or A(H1N1) Virus Symptoms?

Swine flu is caused by viruses. Pigs can get influenza (swine influenza) just like human beings, but swine flu viruses are not the same as human flu viruses. As such, swine flu doesn’t often infect people, and very rarely only have infected people who have had direct contact with pigs. However, the current swine flu outbreak is different. It’s caused by a new strain of swine flu virus that has spread from person to person and it’s happening among people who haven’t had any contact with pigs. Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, also known as A(H1N1), is a subtype of influenza virus A. Symptoms of influenza can start a quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chilly sensation and fever is also common in the early of the infection with body temperature raise up to 38-39 º C or 100-103 º F. Some of people are so sick or ill and they tend to rest in bed for several days, with aches and pain throughout their bodies. Other symptoms of influenza include:

1. Extreme cold and fever
2. Body aches
3. Sore throat and cough
4. Fatigue
5. Headache
6. Abdominal pain (Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu

These symptoms are not exactly exclusive to flu but can also be caused by many other conditions. This makes the diagnosis of swine flu extremely difficult if just based on symptoms. It would require a lab test to tell whether it is actually swine flu or some other condition. That is why people who possess such are advised to immediately have their physical check up. It is likely that the swine flu virus spreads just like normal flu. It can be spread directly from an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. That’s why you should make washing your hands a habit. The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick. Keep these tips to keep you away from sickness. Common sickness they may seem, but they may threaten our health. Health is wealth.

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The Fantastic Four

If you watched the funeral procession of the late President Corazon Aquino, you would have noticed the four honor guards who stood beside the former President’s coffin atop the flatbed trailer truck. The family of former President Corazon Aquino will personally thank and honor the three soldiers and one policeman who stood guard around her casket en route to her interment last Wednesday at August 21, 2009, the memorial day of her husband Ninoy Aquino. The four honor guards stood on the hearse carrying Mrs. Aquino's remains despite of strong winds and rains. They endured almost nine hours of standing by moving their finger and flexing their toes and tasting the rain water to quench their thirst during the funeral procession from the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros to the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Wow! Just imagine that.

The family will personally thank Army Private First Class Antonio Cadiente, Airman Second Class Gener Laguindam, Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez, and Police Officer Danilo Maalab PNP, who stood at full attention atop a slow-moving flower-decked truck that bore the casket of the former President. The honor guards caught the public’s attention after displaying “discipline" in performing their tasks on the grueling funeral procession without lifting a single finger. I believe these four deserve our thanks. And they humbly say that they did it for the service to President Corazon Aquino and their country. That's why a resolution commending the four honor guards of the late former President Corazon Aquino during the funeral procession will be filed at the Senate were these soldiers were role models of what a public servant should be. They also receive a P25,000 each, a gift courtesy of former senator Agapito "Butz" Aquino, brother-in-law of the late president, and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

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I Have Fallen In Love (With The Same Woman Three Times) lyrics

(from the poem written by Benigno Ninoy Aquino Jr.
for her wife Tita Cory at Fort Bonifacio on October 11,1973 for their 19th
weddding anniversary. Music by Jose Mari Chan arranged
by Louie Ocampo)

I have fallen in love
with the same woman three times
in a day spanning nineteen years
of tearful joys and joyful tears

I loved her first when she was young
enchanting and vibrant,eternally new
she was brillant,frgrant and cool
as the morning dew
I fell in love with her the second time
when first she bore her child and mine
she's always by my side the source
of my strength
helping to turn the tide

but there were candles to burn
the world was my concern
while our home was her domain.
and the people were mine
while the children were hers to
maintain
so it was in those eighteen years
and a day
till I was detained, forced in prison to stay
suddenly she's our sole support
source of comfort, our wellspring of hope
on her shoulders fell the burden of life

I fell in love again with the same
woman the third time
looming from the battle her courage
will never fade
amidst the hardships she has
remained
undaunted and unafraid
she is calm and composed. She is
God's lovely maid.

Tita Cory will always be remembered as an icon of freedom and democracy. With her passing be an instrument of healing for our country. May it unite us all. She will be truly truly missed by all Filipinos.

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Thank You, Tita Cory

I share with the grief of knowing that our beacon of hope for the restoration of freedom and democracy during the dark days of the Marcos era, Tita Cory Aquino, is fighting her last battle. Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was a President of the Philippines and a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. She served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and was Asia's first female president. Tita Cory died of cardiopulmonary arrest after complications of colon cancer at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009, 3:18 a.m., at the Makati Medical Center. Tita Cory was the most-loved, most-prayed for, most-revered and most-idolized President ever. She had served our beloved Motherland with utmost truthfulness, humility and selflessness. Her genuine concern for us all was clearly and consistently manifested in word and in deed even up to her dying moments and thereafter. That Tita Cory, an icon of democracy, had left us on the same month of her husband’s martyrdom carries enormous significance! To both Ninoy and Tita Tita Cory we owe the air of freedom we breathe and the democracy we now enjoy! It was a husband-and-wife tandem unparalleled and unmatched in our history! Both devoted their lives for the welfare of our beloved land with all their hearts and might. Ninoy and Cory came into our lives at the most opportune time — at the crossroads of our country’s history. Both had the moral courage and indomitable spirit to reunite us and rescue us from the bondage of the dictator then, and now from the forces that continue to threaten our freedom and democracy.

As we express our superb admiration and bow our heads in respect, prayers and gratitude, may Tita Cory’s eternal love and sense of patriotism rub off on all of us — particularly on our leaders and officials, that they may discharge their duties and responsibilities to our country and people, whom they had sworn to serve … truthfully, selflessly, responsibly. Then and only then can we all claim that Ninoy and Cory’s deaths are not in vain. That truly, the Filipino is worth living and dying for! Tita Cory, maraming salamat sa ipinakita mong kagandahang kalooban sa aming mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa ating Bayan…mabuhay po kayo!

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