Wednesday, March 25, 2009

LRT ART 2009 Painting Competition!



A Painting Competition geared towards the promotion of art while raising the consciousness among Filipino commuters the advantage of patronizing the LRTA trains

The Competition



• is open to all Filipino artists age 18 and above
• entries must respond to the theme: “LRT at ang Buhay Pinoy
• entry size requirement is 3 feet by 4 feet, horizontal or vertical, and must be done in either oil or acrylic on canvas
• entries must be original and have been done within 2009, not been exhibited nor entered in any other art competitions
• entries must be submitted ready for hanging on May 30, 2009, Saturday at the LRT Cubao Station West Side in Quezon City
• other rules and guidelines and offi cial entry forms will be available for download at the LRTA website, www.lrta.gov.ph by the launching date, March 18, 2009, or at the NCCA Arts Division c/o Ferdie isleta, and at the CCP offi ce of the VisuaL Arts
• Awards include: One Grand Prize with Php 200,000.00 cash; Five Jurors’ Choice with Php 100,000.00 cash; and Six Finalists with Php 50,000.00 cash
• Awarding of winners and opening of the exhibition of selected entries will be on July 11, 2009 to coincide with the LRTA anniversary
• All winning entries shall automatically be the property of the LRT Authority
Information

You can download the entry form here.

You can view the entire mechanics here.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Vote Efren Peñaflorida for CNN 'Hero' Search!


CNN is honoring ordinary citizens who have done outstanding works for the community in a program called CNN Heroes. Efren Peñaflorida, a 27-year-old Filipino teacher and youth worker from Cavite, is among the 32 nominees all over the world for his work at the Dynamic Teen Company.




At a year-end gala, CNN will honor the 10 heroes and reveal the “CNN Hero of the Year” who will receive $100,000. In its second year in 2008, the multiplatform initiative received nearly 4,000 submissions from 75 countries. A special CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute program will then air globally on CNN International, CNN/U.S. and CNN en Español.

According to a CNN backgrounder, Peñaflorida experienced “hell” in high school. He was constantly harassed and threatened by the local gangs that terrorized his school. Students had few alternatives to the gangs. They were either forced into joining or they dropped out of school. Despite the pressure, Peñaflorida was determined to complete his education.

Growing up near the slums of Cavite City, he knew that, despite his problems, he was lucky. A lot of kids with his background didn’t have the opportunity to go to school. At 16, Peñaflorida decided to combine two problems to create a solution. He recruited three fellow high school students to go to the slums on Saturdays to teach younger kids. That was the beginning of the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).

Ten years later, DTC’s membership has grown to around 10,000 members and they have tutored approximately 1,500 children from the slums. DTC became the solution Peñaflorida envisioned. It gives high school students an alternative to gangs and young children access to education.

Peñaflorida continues to share the gift of learning. He teaches at a local private school in Cavite City and still accompanies DTC to the slums every Saturday. His deep commitment to education continues to change the face of his community.

You can help make Peñaflorida the “CNN Hero of the Year.” The winner will be chosen by a Blue Ribbon Panel via voting at the CNN website, www.CNN.com/Heroes. Vote now!

(Note: For more information, visit www.CNNPressr-oomasia.com.)



Sunday, March 22, 2009

Application for Seamen's Book now available online!

As part of its effort in expediting the application and release of important documents to the Filipino seafarers, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) announced that seamen can now file their applications on the internet to get authenticated copies of their Seamen’s Identity Record Book (SIRB) and it will be sent directly to you for your convenience.



Filipino sailors who wants to get their SIRB renewed needs to log in www.sirb.com.ph or dial 737-77-37 (for Metro Manila based seafarers) for additional details to start the process rolling.


Te site was activated early this March, seafarers will no longer need to line up for hours or even days at the SIRB Processing Center in Manila and thus will cut on the cost of the public doing business with the maritime regulator.


Seamen who filed their SIRB applications online can also check the release date of their documents on the website.




Thursday, March 19, 2009

Recruitment for 2009 Kiddie Crew Summer Workshop of McDonald's is now on!





McDonald's Philippines is calling all children aged six to 12 for the 2009 Kiddie Crew Workshop. The McDonald’s Kiddie Crew Workshop is a yearly event specially designed for kids to learn the values of hard work, friendship, team work, self-confidence and cleanliness while having fun. Over 20,000 McDonald’s Kiddie Crew members from all over the country — the biggest in Kiddie Crew history — are expected to join this summer!



The McDonald’s Kiddie Crew is a five-day workshop over a six-week period from March 31 to May 15. There will be several batches of Kiddie Crew Workshops to be held per day in each participating store. It has three main activities per day — a values formation lecture that fosters a different value per day, on-floor training and art workshop. With a healthy mix of fun and learning activities, the kids will be taught how to man the counter, greet and serve guests and how to clean up. Fun art classes will also be held. Kiddie Crew members will be making Ronald and the Gang Sock Puppets, a McDonald’s Mosaic and a special treat for moms. All these activities are anchored on promoting positive values among the kids.

At the end of the program, a special graduation celebration will be held for the Kiddie Crew members together with their parents; a salute to a fun and memorable summer at McDonald’s.

The Kiddie Crew Workshop, the first of its kind in the country, started in the mid 1980s. It is conducted under the McDonald’s Kids On The Go program, a global brand initiative that features activities sponsored by McDonald’s to champion the well-being of children. Since its beginning, hundred of thousands of kids have joined and successfully graduated the workshop.

Bring your kids to a participating McDonald’s store now and sign them up for the biggest and most exciting Kiddie Crew Program yet. Give your child the best summer yet and experience all the fun only at McDonald’s.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Sophistication Hair Show and Seminar on March 16!


International master hair designer Hilbert Ng is in town with his team to grace Sophistication 2009 Hair Show and Seminar on March 16, 1 p.m. at the Hotel Rembrandt Grand Ballroom, Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City.





Ng is renowned for establishing Hit Salon and Academy, a training salon and educational center for hairdressers worldwide. He opened and currently operates MOMO, one of the first studio salons in Guangzhou, China and takes pride to be a top designer of Salon Vie on the East Coast of Florida. He took advanced seminars from Vidal Sassoon, Tigi, Mahogany London, UK and is currently an educator and senior member of Pivot Point International of Chicago, USA.

Maureen Larrazabal hosts the event and will delight participants and guests with her melodious voice.

There will be lots of give-aways and raffle packages from sponsor Mondes International Beauty Products, Inc. Jackpot prize is a complete salon package worth P20,000.

For details call 482-28270 or 0919-4312071.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Philippine Medical Scholarship Program is now open!

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Department of Health (DOH) offers the Pinoy MD scholarship for those aspiring to become doctors.



I. SCHOLARSHIP PACKAGE:

1. Tuition Fees
2. Miscellaneous/Laboratory Fees
3. Living Subsidy
4. Lodging Allowance
5. Daily Transportation Allowance
6. Book and Uniform Allowance

List of accredited schools and requirements are listed here.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must have an NMAT percentile score of 40 and
above.
2. Must have at least two (2) character references.
3. Must be physically and mentally fit.
Priority will be given to:
1. Applicants who have a combined Gross Family
Income of Php 50,000/month or Php
600,000/annum or lower.
2. Applicants who are part of, or are children of
Barangay Health Workers, government
employees or Indigenous People (IP).

III. OBLIGATION:

1. Must render two (2) years of service to the
government for every year of study/scholarship.

IV. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested parties may contact their preferred Medical
Schools (see Pinoy MD Medical Schools Information
Directory) for further inquiries on eligibility, documentary
requirements and application processes.
National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT):

Applicants who have not yet taken the NMAT are advised
to coordinate with the Center for Educational
Measurement, Inc. for NMAT schedules:

Contact Nos: CEM NMAT Secretariat
(02) 813-3686 / 813-3691 to 95
loc. 106


For further inquiries, you may contact Mrs. Amy David or Mr. Erick Villaflor at our
Pinoy MD Hotlines: (02)781-1723, (02)743-8301 loc 4204, 4203

Cebu Pacific offers P188 domestic; P1,488 int’l seat sale!

Cebu Pacific (CEB) is offering a seat sale from all its hubs – Cebu, Clark, Davao and Manila – starting March 10 to 13, 2009, to keep travel affordable in these challenging times.

The promotional seat sale is valid for travel from April 1 to July 31, 2009. Domestic fares are all-inclusive; Regional passengers need to pay travel taxes, except OFWs and foreigners staying in the Philippines for less than a year who are exempt. Promo fares are non-refundable.


Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said, “The current seat sale supports the focus on tourism to tide the country over the financial crisis. Cebu Pacific has always been keen in making travel more affordable for Filipinos.”

CEB is offering a P1,488 one-way ‘Go Lite’ fare for its Manila-Kota Kinabalu and Manila-Kaohsiung services. This is also extended to services from Clark to Bangkok; Hong Kong; Macau; and Singapore.

The budget airline is also offering a one-way P1,388 ‘Go Lite’ all-in fare for its Manila to Cotabato and Butuan services.

From Cebu, the airline is offering a one-way P188 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to Bacolod, Butuan, Du-maguete and Surigao, and a one-way P488 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to: Cotabato; Dipolog; GenSan; Legaspi; Ozamiz; Puerto Princesa; Siargao; Tacloban; and Zamboanga.

From Davao, the airline is selling a one-way P488 all-in ‘Go Lite’ fare to Iloilo and Zamboanga.

‘Go Lite’ fares are for passengers traveling with no check-in baggage. Passengers with check-in bags just have to add P200 to the fare.

Passengers can book online at www.cebupaci-ficair.com or call reservations at 70-20-888, or visit their nearest travel agents.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

DFA extend passport processing on some Saturdays!

The Passport Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced it is now open on some Saturdays to provide services to applicants who are not available during weekdays.


The DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) said they have decided to extend their operation to Saturday to give opportunity to applicants who are working or are in school to apply for their passport without having to miss work or class.

The extension of operations is expected to address the increasing number of passport applicants, which usually soars during the summer.


“To avail of the Saturday processing, applicants need to set an appointment through the Internet or through the regular appointment system,” a Consular Affairs official said.

A P750 uniform fee shall be charged for passports during the Saturday processing.

The Saturday operations started on Feb. 21.

They will also be open on March 21; April 4 and 18; May 2, 16 and 30; and June 6.

Monday, March 9, 2009

15-inch Butanding found in Sorsogon!



A 15-inch whale shark, locally known as butanding, has been found in Sorsogon.



World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) reported That a baby whale shark was caught yesterday in a nearby San Antonio, a barangay of Pilar town just adjacent to Donsol, Sorsogon where it was about to be sold in the local market. It is believed to be the smallest whale shark in the country, and perhaps in the world, might lead to answers to the mystery of where the sea creatures breed.

The authorities in the area was then alerted and they took over the custody of the whale shark and after some documentation it was again freed in the deep part of the ocean.


Saturday, March 7, 2009

Bb. Pilipinas 2009 Winners!



Bb. Pilipinas Coronation night was held at the Araneta Coliseum last night!



melodygerbarch

Bb. Pilipinas International - Melody Gersbarch





pamelamanalo

Bb. Pilipinas Universe - Pamela Bianca Manalo



maryannumali

Bb. Pilipinas World - Mary Ann Umali


richell


1st Runner-up - Richelle Angalot


reginahahn


2nd Runner-up - Regina Hahn


Friday, March 6, 2009

No NAMFREL quick count for 2010 Elections!

The 2010 Election will be automated next year because of these developments NAMFREL decided to forego next years election quick count.



But instead they will still conduct a parallel tally for audit purposes, NAMFREL will deal mostly with technical matters in the election system such as the bidding process, training of volunteers for the automated polls and auditing of the results.


Under the law, one copy of the election returns (ER) will have to be provided to the accredited citizen’s arm. Namfrel-PPCRV will file this month for accreditation as citizen’s arm in the May 2010 polls.

In next years automated election, where machines perform the counting and tallying of votes and the results readily received by Comelec, a quick count operation will no longer be necessary.

But Namfrel will still conduct its own parallel count using its ER copies, as a post-validation process.

This is necessary to uncover discrepancies, if any, in the results of the local and national elections.

The ER copies of Namfrel have proven to be crucial in the last-minute attempts to rig the results, especially in local races.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Pink Dolphin spotted!


Pink dolphin seen and it looks not so real!


The Pink Bottlenose dolphin, which is an albino, is the odd one out within its pod and after being spotted last year has been wowing visitors at a lake in Louisiana, US.

The mesmerising mammal was photographed making a splash by local charter boatman Captain Erik Rue, 42.

Cpt Rue has been studying the dolphin since it first surfaced in Lake Calcasieu, an inland saltwater estuary, north of the Gulf of Mexico.

Source

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

2010 Election will be automated!

Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo announced yesterday the full automation of next year’s elections.

Speaking to reporters, Melo said the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Election System has given the Comelec the go signal to start the process of bidding for the automated electoral machines.



The supplemental budget for the automation of the election are already in its final stage and the biddng for the machines to be used have already started and the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy for the 2010 election has been move to about three months earlier, or to Nov. 30, 2009. Thus the new timeline would give the Comelec ample time to design the ballots for the automated polls in 2010.

Although the filing of the certificate of candidacy is earlier the campaign period for the 2010 election still remains the same. Candidates for national posts could only start their campaign 90 days before the May 10 elections

Monday, March 2, 2009

SPED Seminar Series in March!

Patricia Muñoz, a fully credentialed special education teacher in California, will conduct the following SPED seminars:
  • Implementing an Effective Inclusion Program on March 8
  • How to Cope When Your Child or Student is Special, March 15, with Virgilio Antonio
  • Utilizing Effective Strategies to Serve the Needs of Special Children, March 22
  • Preparing an Effective IEP, a Vital Tool in the SPED Program, March 29.




All seminars will be held at Protégé SPED Center, Unit 1A Rexxon’s Arcade, 36 Xavierville Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City (with tel. nos. 0918-3588855, 436-2620 or 434-6064).

Seminar hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration starts at 8 a.m.

Protégé conducts weekday classes on SPED teaching strategies and IEP Process and Writing.

Muñoz also offers consultancy on setting up special education schools and programs.

For details, e-mail patmunoz2001@yahoo.com.