For someone special, you wouldn’t like to feel that you are away from him or her. You’ll be wanting to talk more, and be with you more. However, the distance, the time, and even the expense of getting yourself in touch with your loved ones, is keeping you from expressing your appreciation fully. I for one, would like to keep in touch with my special someones at the lowest price possible. Given the times we have, it pays to have an effective way in communication. Good thing though, mas abot mo ang mundo, pati na ang iyong mga minamahal sa buhay as Globe unveiled its newest perk–Globe Super One.

Now, you can communicate with your special someone better and be with them longer, with unlimited calls and texts to one favourite Globe number of your special someone–for the whole month, starting at PhP150.00 for postpaid and My Fully Loaded plan subscribers, to PhP175.00 for My Super plan subscribers. It is one way of making your special someone, THE super one!

To try, for Globe postpaid and My Fully Loaded plan, just text SUPERONE <the Globe or TM number of your “special someone,” a friend, family or colleague”> ON and send it to 8888. For Globe’s SuperPlan subscribers, text MY SUPERONE <the Globe or TM number> ON and send it also to 8888.

Also at the same time, for making Globe the super preferred choice, they’ll be giving away a brand-new a brand-new Samsung Galaxy S Android phone! for one lucky blogger for the Super One Blog Contest. How to get that savvy phone? Just make a blog post on your blog with the topic “Who is your SUPER ONE and why?” Post it, together with a video or a photo of your Super One and link it to Globe’s Super One site. After creating a blog post, leave your blogpost’s URL at the Super One Blogger’s Contest site to have it validated. Deadline is on August 8, 2010 at 1 in the afternoon, Philippine Standard Time.

So, think beyond just being special, think SUPER!

With the sun setting for Arroyo’s administration, its a high time on how we could analyze and evaluate the nine years of management of the state. The book “Beating the Odds” by Renato Velasco and Ricardo Saludo, analyzes the policy-implementation of the Arroyo administration in managing the archipelago nation for almost a decade. Leaving the fiasco of a’la telenovela political drama, the book turns into the policies in political, fiscal and social sectors that served as a guide throughout the rest of the administration, which in turn, may be used as a reference for the future administrations to come.

The Republic of the Philippines has long endured political and social trials, since the time of the colonial era, all the way to the contemporary period. Despite all of these challenges that Filipinos encounter on day to day basis, they still find themselves resilient and go forth with their heads up high. In 2001, the country fell into significant change of tides as Gloria Arroyo, daughter of a former Philippine president, was installed in power by a bloodless revolt. In 2004, she was then again elected as the chief of state. With her nine years closing, managing a country that is so divided in poverty, corruption, sleeping with the enemy and the threat of our national coffers running kaput, how did she and her administration managed to “beat the odds” of a seemingly fragile republic?

The book discusses six issues that mired the republic. Six things that was dealt with within this administration. However, the most significant were that of peace and order process in Mindanao and of budget management.

Mindanao has been a long standing issue in terms of peace and development of the republic. A leader that would be able to pacify the restlessness in this region could provide development alongside tracking down of terrorists that plagued the island for the long time. Two chapters of the book dealt with confronting terrorism and how the administration was able to maintain its pacifist stand for development of Minadnao while tracking down terrorists.

On the other hand, the Arroyo administration claims that its best legacy was the effective budget and fiscal management of the republic. We all do know that we were swamped with foreign debt and an unstable economy that harbours poverty within the state, however, it was within this nine years that the gross domestic product rose with consistency, increasing jobs and made the country a better place for investment. A chapter analyzes the socio-economic impact of the policies that was implemented by the administration.

As the dawn of a new administration unfolds, the Filipinos would look onto future with a clear and better vision, together with hope. However, it wouldn’t be complete if the Filipinos somehow would not look into the past. There is an old Filipino maxim, “ang di marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan, ay di makakarating sa parorooan.” Despite the “primetime political drama” that was, it is high time for the Pinoys to study the policies that the outgoing administration left in order to secure the progressive future for the future. Reading “Beating the Odds” is one way to start.

Like what they say, “life is short, enjoy it!” Indeed. Why thinking miserable if you could make the most out of life itself? Sometimes, it doesn’t take the most complicated things to enjoy life…well that’s based on my opinion. For me, traveling and sharing my knowledge to the public is what makes me happy when I blog. I feel rewarded upon giving my local knowledge for those who seek help. My passion for writing, this is another way of enjoying blog posts. I’m more of an expressive type of person. Through this, I can vent out or express whatever I want. Because of blogging, I get to meet new people and add friends. Simple it may be but it is something worthwhile. Rewards will come if you enjoy what you are passionately doing.

Now, how about you? What do you enjoy in your life?

How about sharing that thing you do to enjoy and be rewarded? How’s that? By just joining Enjoy Philippines‘ “1 Minute Fun Flick Fest” and get a chance to win an iPad! Don’t believe me? Just try joining. How? Very simple.

Just be a fan of Enjoy Philippines on Facebook, then create a 15 to 60 second video of you promoting an activity you like to do. Have it uploaded to Enjoy Philippines Fan Page videos with the title starting with “I Enjoy…” Invite your friends to like Enjoy Philippines on Facebook and at the same time, vote for your video by just clicking “Like” on your entry! A bulk of judging criteria would be coming on the number of votes your entry receives while 30 per cent goes on your creativity. That means, think out of the box and get some fans to like it!

Every week, there would be a featured video which corresponds to PhP1,000 of gift certificates prize! Three fans who voted would also get a chance to win PhP500 worth of GCs! Enjoy Philippines announces the weekly winners every Monday, while the grand prize winner will be announced on 2nd of July, 2010.

The deadline of uploading the videos is on 24:00 (Manila time) of June 15, 2010! So, better hurry uploading those flicks!

Grand prize winner will win a 16GB iPad plus other prizes for the second and third placers. For fans, the first prize winner is an 8GB iPod Touch!

See, by just sharing what you enjoy with, great rewards come! Start uploading those vids and show to the world that enjoying life is something worthwhile!

These days, when prices of commodities jack up, our wallets feel the pain. For motorists, they think of innovative ways to make up the most of the limited resources. Gasoline nowadays is a precious commodity and Filipinos can be creative in how to save fuel consumption.

In my personal experience as a motorist, fuel consumption has always been essential wherever I drive. At most, checking the engine, tyre pressure and turning off the car instead of running it on idle are just some of the things that I do to save gas. Also, I limit my speed to as much as 80 to 100 kilometers an hour. Beyond that, the engine would exert effort and would increase consumption. Another thing, if you are driving on manual transmission, avoid reaching the maximum rpm for a single gear. When you think the car has somehow reached near maximum, go changing gears.

With these such tips and ingenuity, Shell recognizes the Filipino motoristas by inviting them to share their ideas on how to make the most out of your gasoline consumption, and get a chance to join Team Philippines in Shell’s Eco-Marathon Asia.

Joining it is easy. Just have a valid driver’s license, shoot a video demonstrating ways to save gasoline and end up the video with “Ang Pinoy na matipid sa gasolina, _______.” Then, your fuel saving tips can be uploaded at www.topgear.com.ph/shellsmartestdrivers. Deadline of submission is on June 20, 2010.

All who have joined will have Shell premium items. The lucky ten finalists will receive P10,000 worth of Shell fuel vouchers and join the fuel saver’s camp on June 26. The best among the rest would be declared as “Philippines’ Smartest Drivers” and would join Team Philippines in the first Shell Eco-Marathon Asia in Malaysia on July 8th to 11th. The event would make the best out of Asian drivers and get a chance to win a fuel-efficient car!

So, have your knowledge shared to the rest of the Filipinos on how to save gas on driving and get a chance to be the Philippines’ Smartest Driver!

For more information, click on the image below:

Arroyo Fountain, the logo for Panubli-on

After several years of dormancy, Panubli-on: The Iloilo Heritage Blog, will come back. To bring Iloilo’s rich cultural heritage and history into the cyberspace. Sharing the legacy of Iloilo’s glorious past and for a brighter future. Soon, we’ll be adding up articles, activities and a whole lot more. For now, a bit of tweaking in the blog is needed.

Iloilo-Guimaras Investor's Forum in Manila Invitation

Due to its success in it’s first Investor’s forum in 2008, The Iloilo Economic Development Foundation, Inc. together with the city and province of Iloilo and the province of Guimaras brings you the Iloilo-Guimaras Investment Forum in our nation’s financial hub, Makati City in Metro Manila on September 04, 2009 at Hotel Intercontinental’s Ballroom.

Marketing the best and tackling the issues of socio-economic profile of Iloilo and the mango-island province of Guimaras, it has been brought to Manila as to bring Iloilo and Guimaras closer to the Ilonggos at the capital, and at the same time to the Manileños and a bigger market as well. Agri-business, tourism, ICT and all other economic prospects that would be tackled in this half-a-day forum.

Discovering the benefits, exploring the possibilities and investing in the central Philippine city of Iloilo, the province of Iloilo and Guimaras.

For more information and reservations, please call:  +63(2)426-0093 and +63(2)436-6581 or e-mail the secretariat at: meet[at]ibahn.net.ph. Only 200 seats available, reservations are made upon first come-first serve basis.

Iloilo-Guimaras Investor's Forum in Manila Schedule (To Zoom, click on the photo)

August 21, 1983 – Twenty-six years ago in the tarmac of then-newly built Manila International Airport Terminal (now NAIA Terminal-1), blood was spilt in Philippine soil. Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was shot dead by unknown assailants, probably that of the presidency of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The death of the opposition leader shook the Philippine consciousness that led to the dismantling of twenty years of oppressive rule that became one of the world’s most remarkable and inspiring People Power revolt of 1986.

The Assassination of Ninoy Aquino at Manila International Airport Tarmac

“The Last Journey of Ninoy” is a docu-drama, produced by Unitel and Benigno S Aquino Jr Foundation and directed by critically acclaimed Jun Reyes, traces Ninoy’s own Via Dolorosa from Boston in United States heading back to the Philippines. With stops in the journey, it is intertwined with the life story of Ninoy, from being a talented journalist, to a politician, from his victories and struggles of life and of his family, and the resolute spirit of fighting for what the Filipinos should have…freedom.

Actual archival photos, videos and audio clips together with the docu-drama’s present clips, were used in this film. The narrative of Ninoy and Cory became the voices of the motion picture and some things that our schools have never thought about Ninoy were given emphasis.

The Late Former President Corazon Aquino in her final interview with the media (Courtesy of Unitel)

The movie also showed the last interview of any media with Cory.

The aim of the producers is to bring out the “Ninoy in us.” Sounds familiar? Yes, it is also part of the Foundation’s “I am Ninoy” campaign to give awareness of heroism and taking part in our country’s society to the younger generation whom they only know Ninoy as the guy in the 500-peso bill. It is one way to create understanding that we young Pinoys have something to do for our country in order to move forward…there is always hope in the Filipino nation.

Ninoy Aquino on TV

The “Last Journey of Ninoy” will be shown at ABS-CBN on Sunday, 23^rd of August at 9:30PM on Sunday’s Best, with replays that will be shown on ANC.

At Gate 13 of Manila International Airport, one afternoon of August 1983, Ninoy indeed has shown to the world, that the “Filipino is Worth Dying For.”

Okay, I may not be that be a devout Catholic but I am really fascinated about on how our fellow kababayans would really put their faith to the test through devotion to a certain patron saints and images. Seemingly, Christmas here in the Philippines isn’t done yet as thousands of devotees flock Manila’s Quiapo District for the upcoming feast of The Black Nazarene this 9th of January.

I’ve been to big fiestas of the country such as those of the Santo Nino and Candelaria but nothing compares to the devotion and intense drama that is happening in Manila’s street every January. Tourists be warned: People die here or get injured…yet with their faces usually aglow seeing their patron touched their lives with miracles and wonders. 

So what’s the history behind the devotion? The Nazareno was first brought by Agustinian Recollects in 1600′s from Mexico. They say that it wasn’t black then and was sculpted by an Aztec. The Recollects promoted intesely the devotion to the suffering of the Christ…Now that is different from that of Visayans which venerates the child image of Christ. In 1787, Archbishop of Manila Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina ordered the transfer of the image to Quiapo from the Recollect church. From then on, it survived several fires, earthquakes and the destructive 1945 “Liberation” efforts of Manila.

Remember that Quiapo is a place of intense devotion, even during the Spanish colonial era. It was even a place of envy for several priests like the one mentioned in Rizal’s “El Filibusterismo.”

Every January 9, the streets of Quiapo fill up with maroon and yellow clad men and women who are waiting for the procession of the image. A lot of people believe by touching the image, all of their problems will be removed, even if they throw the hanky and pat it on the image and thow back to the crowd. Another focus of devotion is pulling the cart of the image. Even if they’ll get injured or die during the feast, it is somehow their way of fulfiling their life because they do believe that the suffering that they experience during the feast and the life here on Earth will be rewarded with salvation and eternal life. Its like replicating the passion of Christ also as a sign of penance.

If you’re talking about strict Catholicism, you may consider this as “folk Catholicism” which is syncretic of the old traditions of pre-Hispanic Philippines which people then held feasts of same aspect to the anitos or dieties and images.

These are the things that devotee would like to do during the feast. Its so crowded and sometimes so rowdy that casualties are inevitable due to stampede or any accident or heart attack. The drama and the atmosphere is very intense…To be honest, I want to witness this upcoming Friday…well wish me luck..and to the devotees, ingat po at nawa’y maging mapayapa ang inyong pag-diwang sa Pista ng Poong Nazareno. 

The intense devotion to the Suffering Image of Christ has been a landmark for most Manilenyos and devotees a like. Their unwavering faith and resolute panata to their image is a manifestation on how colourful Filipino culture is. 

2009 Feast Route Changes. This was taken from Wikipedia and was announced last Friday. Those people heading to Manila, please be advised that the route would include Santa Cruz, Lawton and Luneta area starting morning.

On January 2, 2009, the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene decided to change the route of the procession of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. Instead of beginning the procession at 3 P.M. from the Quiapo Church, the procession will begin from Jose Rizal’s Park in Luneta and will end its procession ending in the Quiapo Church. The Archdiocese of Quiapo has decided to change routes to prevent injuries and deaths that has happened in the previous years due to the large crowds and stampede of the procession. 

-Wikipedia

And here are the details from Inquirer.net

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin…arene-schedule

Black Nazarene schedule 
By Maila Ager | INQUIRER.net | 01/02/2009

MANILA, Philippines — This year’s January 9 celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene will start a day earlier with a healing mass at the Luneta Park in Manila, Monsignor Jose Clemente F. Ignacio, parish priest of Quiapo Church announced Friday.

At 5:00 pm on January 8 (Thursday), Ignacio said the healing mass would be followed by the traditional “Pahalik sa mahal na Poong Nazareno [A Kiss for the Black Nazarene]” and the vigil.

A concelebrated mass at 7:00 a.m. the following day, January 9, will be officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, after which the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene will start from Luneta to Quiapo Church at 8:30 a.m., Ignacio said in a statement Friday.

The planned route will be from be from the Quirino Grandstand, passing through Burgos St., McArthur Bridge, Rizal Avenue, Claro M. Recto, Legarda, Arlegui St., Quezon Boulevard, Palanca St., Villalobos, Plaza Miranda, and then Quiapo Church, where the procession is expected to end at 3:00 p.m.

“Upon the request of our beloved Cardinal [Rosales] and Manila Mayor [Alfredo Lim] and for the safety of our devotees, the celebration will start at the Luneta so that we would not be too crowded at Quiapo Church,” Ignacio said in Filipino.

“At the same time, the procession will pass only through the wide streets to avoid accidents,” he said.

And since many devotees from Mindanao might not be able to join the celebration in Manila, Ignacio said the pilgrimage image or “Callejeron” would just be brought to Cagayan de Oro.

Novena masses, however, began last

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More Random Quiapo pictures: