Top 25 BitTorrent sites for 2009!

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2010 Dates of Philippine Holidays and long weekends revealed!

Here is the schedule of Philippine holidays and long-weekends for 2010 based on RA 9492 and Proclamation 1841:

• January 1 (Fri) - New Year's Day (five-day long weekend from December 30 to January 3)


• February 22 (Mon) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (holiday for schools only, three-day long weekend from February 21 to 23)


• April 1 (Thu) - Holy Thursday


• April 2 (Fri) - Good Friday (four-day long weekend from April 1 to 4)


• April 9 (Fri) - Araw ng Kagitingan (three-day long weekend from April 9 to 11)


• May 1 (Sat) - Labor Day


• June 14 (Mon) - Independence Day (three-day long weekend from June 12 to 14)


• August 23 (Mon) - Ninoy Aquino Day (three-day long weekend from August 21 to 23)


• August 30 (Mon) - National Heroes Day (three-day long weekend from August 28 to 30)


• September - Eid'l Fitr (to be announced, calculated September 10, possible three-day long weekend from September 10 to 12)


• November 1 (Mon) - All Saints Day (three-day long weekend from October 30 to November 1)


• November - Eid 'l Adha (to be announced, calculated November 16)


• November 29 (Mon) - Bonifacio Day (three-day long weekend from November 27 to 29)


• December 24 (Fri) - Non-Working Holiday


• December 25 (Sat) - Christmas


• December 27 (Mon) - Rizal Day (four-day long weekend from December 24 to 27)


• December 31 (Fri) - Non-Working Holiday


• January 1 - (Sat) New Year's Day (three-day long weekend from December 31 to January 2)

Davao's growth should not outpace basic infastructure!

The chief of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (IPC) said the economic growth of this city, the premier port in Mindanao, should not outpace its basic infrastructure that has become constricted and outdated.

Roberto Teo, chief of the IPC here, said that the city has experienced the highest growth this year in a decade that is about to close, reaching P5.1 billion.

Eighty percent of this growth has been powered by consistent investments in real estate, mostly in housing projects targeting the middle and high-end market, and in tourism, which would continue to carry the growth in the next decade, Teo said.

The growth curve continues its upward path despite the global financial crisis and the intermittent fighting in the central and southwestern part of Mindanao that dragged the city down in terms of the repercussion in foreign travel advisories and sudden disinterest in business and travel to any part of the island.

“So far, the growth can still be manageable, but while we strive for more and bigger investments in the city, we also don’t want to have a growth faster than we can absorb,” he said. “We don’t want traffic congestion and pollution, and we don’t want flooding and garbage problems.”

He said the drainage system in the city is already more than 50 years old “and we are spending a lot, but only for remedial measures to contain the flood. We need much more budget to put up a modern system.”

He said the road networks and garbage remained manageable although the traffic gridlocks could occur occasionally. On garbage management, the city has prided itself with the reputation of being one of the cleanest cities in the country.

Teo warned, however, that the growth could still shot upwards if the city would be successful in its repeated promotion of being the safest place in Mindanao. “In fact, many people even from Metro Manila and Luzon have found the city ideal for comfortable living, with affordable food and rental rates.”

In tourism, the Department of Tourism has logged 700,000 visitors last year, up from only 100,000 in 2002. “We are one of the preferred destinations for Lakbay Aral, receiving at least one visit per week, aside from being the favorite venue of national conventions and conferences.”

“These growth indicators could have been much higher if we can persuade and assure visitors and investors that Davao City is far from the areas of conflict and we are the safest place for people to reside and invest,” he said.

Teo said that residents should develop more entrepreneurial efforts “to increase economic activity.”

He said that this city of 1.3 million residents is estimated to have an economy worth P175 billion, “based only in the business name registrations that we got.”

“We have a budget of another P3 billion, the amount of money that the local government is pouring into the local economy every year. That’s the money in circulation every year,” he said. “If many of us here would try to capitalize on that money in circulation, we would see a lot more business activities and purchasing power of local consumers.”

“From the business point of view, that is a lot to go around,” he said.

With the national elections next year, he said he would not expect new investments coming election funds, “but more consumer spending instead. Politicians are giving away money and people would only be too happy to spend them, too.”

“We would expect sales to increase among those engaged in the printing business,” he said.

Source: Manuel T. Cayon, BusinessMirror.com.ph

facebook users be aware!

Have you ever “Googled” yourself? Then try and see for yourself!

If you are a social media networking addict and joined LinkdIn or Twitter. . .  chances are, you will find yourself in Google search engine. That is because those social media sites are “indexed”. That means that every little thing you post on facebook, your naughty vacation, drunk pics with friends that were tagged, likes and dislikes are now searchable in "Google".

The companies who are hiring employees are now also going techie , as more and more company’s HR department are googling potential employees or current employees, so be aware of what you post on these social networking sites.

But, on Facebook there is something that you can do to protect yourself from being googled.

Here is how:

• Go to your Facebook profile’s “Settings” page


• Privacy settings > Search


• Toggle the option that allows indexing under Public Search results no

Do this now before you land on the search engines of Bing and Google.

Once your information is “cached”, it’s next to impossible to remove them.

Again – To adjust your search privacy settings click on Settings>Privacy Settings>Privacy>Search>Public Search – - Uncheck Allow Indexing.

"Simbang Gabi" start tomorrow!

Tomorrow, December 16 is the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi dawn mass for nine-days in keeping with one of the most popular holiday family traditions in the Philippines.

The “Simbang Gabi” tradition started out in the very first midnight mass of thanksgiving held in the fields of Mexico in 1587 by farmers and their families to celebrate a rich harvest. The practice has since spread to other nations with dominant Catholic populations come Christmas time.

The first Christmas in the Philippines was celebrated by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. Even in October you can see shopping malls and hotels decorated with bright Christmas decorations. Seeing a shop or hotel in the UK (http://www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/norbreck-castle) or the United States decorated so early is rare. In the Philippines however, you can even hear some Christmas songs on the radio as early as September. Already by then people are planning for their holiday celebrations and looking forward to the traditions such as Simbang Gabi. Since then, it has become the longest and best-loved festival among Filipinos. Even in October you can see shopping malls and hotels decorated with bright Christmas decorations. In the Philippines however, you can even hear some Christmas songs on the radio as early as September. Already by then people are planning for their holiday celebrations and looking forward to the traditions such as Simbang Gabi.

The dawn masses came to be called “Misa de Aguinaldo” by the Spaniards, which means “gift masses” in English that were later introduced to the Philippines from Mexico.The “Simbang Gabi” has become an essential part of the Filipinos’ Christmas traditions.

Up to this time it is still being practiced by most Filipinos.

Do you still go to dawn masses?

Do you complete the nine days of dawn masses before Christmas?

2010 Datu Bago Awards Nomination is now open!

The Datu Bago Award is the highest award bestowed by the City Government of Davao on a resident of Davao City in recognition of his or her achievements in certain fields. The nominations for 2010 Datu Bago Awards is now officially open. The awards will be given on Araw ng Dabaw Celebration next year.

Since Datu Bago Foundation (DBF) Inc.  institution in 1969, during the mayorship of Elias B. Lopez, a total of 143 individuals have been bestowed with the city's most prestigious award. Some of the prominent awardees include:

• Soledad "Nanay Soling" R. Duterte,


• Antonio O. Floirendo,


• Tomas Monteverde,


• Jesus V. Ayala,


• Emilio Palma Gil,


• Patria G. Montemayor,


• Aida Rivera Ford,


• Msgr. Clovis Thibault, PME.

The search is open to all persons of any nationality, living or dead, born in Davao City or who have been residents of Davao City for at least 10 years.

He or she must have demonstrated exemplary competence and dedication in the service towards Davao City's development. He or she must have served as a model of excellence and an inspiration to the residents of Davao City.

A person must be nominated by a person residing in or an organization operating in Davao City. A living nominee must accept the nomination before he/she can be considered for the award. Previous nominees who have not been recipients of the award may still qualify.

Deadline for submission of nominees, including all documentary requirements, is on January 15, 2010.

All nominations will be received by the Datu Bago Foundation Inc. President, Mother Ma. Assumpta M. David, RVM at the University of the Immaculate Conception, Fr. Selga Street, Davao City.

Nomination forms are available at:

• Datu Bago Foundation Inc. c/o AACCTS Center #16 Jade St., Do¤a Luisa Subdivision, Phase I Matina, Davao City


• Dr. Melliza's office care of the President's Office of the Holy Cross of Davao College, Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City


• Dr. Rosita Fundador c/o Christian Colleges of Southeast Asia, Tulip Drive, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City

Contact number is 221-3008.

Bay Walk, Mall of Asia!

Roxas Boulevard Bay walk was closed since Mayor Lim of Manila started his term. Now Bay walk Mall of Asia is the place to got to if you want to unwind and see the famous Manila Bay Sunset. This is where rows of restaurants and coffe shops are located. There are a lot of open spaces to walk to and enjoy your afternoon or night togeter with your family and friends.
This has become the premier tourist attraction in Manila. People of all walks of life enjoy the natures open air and the view of the sunset is marvelous. You cannot compare what nature paints everyday, you will cherish the different colors that it offers.
More pictures after the jump!

You can bring your car and have no problem finding a parking slot.

Look at the marvelous place.

Enjoy sitting and drinking your cup of coffee or a bootle of beer al fresco!

Spending your time in an open space away from the hustle and bustle of the city within the city.
Priceless!