Monday, March 31, 2014

Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Winners

The Grand Coronation Night of the 51st Binibining Pilipinas was held last Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Winners:

  1. Bb. Pilipinas Universe - Bb # 25 Mary Jean Lastimosa, 26 years old from Tulunan, North Cotabato
  2. Bb. Pilipinas International - Bb #  22 Mary Anne Guidotti, 24 years old from Taguig City, Metro Manila
  3. Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental - Bb # 13 Kris Tiffany Janson, 24 years old from Cebu City, Cebu
  4. Bb. Pilipinas Supranational - Bb # 35 Yvethe Marie Santiago, 20 years old from Daraga, Albay
  5. Bb. Pilipinas Tourism - Bb # 4 Parul Shah, 25 years old from San Nicolas, Pangasinan
  6. Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner up - Bb # 11 Laura Victoria Lehmann, 20 years old from Makati City, Metro Manila
  7. Bb. Pilipinas 2nd-runner up - Bb # 27 Hannah Ruth Sison, 25 years old from Makati City, Metro Manila 

Special Awards:


  1. Bb. Friendship - Bb # 21 Racquel Kabigting, 22 years old from Mariveles, Bataan
  2. Bb. Talent - Bb # 33 Gabrielle Erika Tilokani, 22 years old from Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
  3. Bb. Best in National Costume - Bb # 13 Kris Tiffany Janson, 24 years old from Cebu City, Cebu
  4. Bb. Best in Long Gown - Bb # 22 Mary Anne Bianca Guidotti, 24 years old from Taguig City, Metro Manila
  5. People's Choice Award - Bb # 25 Mary Jane Lastimosa, 26 years old from Tulunan, North Cotabato
Screenshot from Bb. Pilipinas The Pageant 2014


References:
Binibining Pilipinas 2014 Current Winners
Real BB Pilipinas Facebook
Binibining Pilipinas 2014

Sunday, March 30, 2014

12 Reasons Why PLDT (Home Bro) Is Lame

PLDT Home Bro Bundle Plan 1799

These are all based on experience just this month of March, 2014. I availed of their promo of Plan 1799 with 2Mbps Unlimited Internet plus HP Laptop and Printer last March 1, 2014 at their booth in Session Road, Baguio City during the Panagbenga Festival. I paid Php2000.00 for it.
Here are the lame reasons why availing the PLDT Home Bro was really unfortunate and a big mistake which I regret I would pay for 2 years installment.

  • The canopy they installed was not the small canopy but rather a big canopy which the technician informed was just the same with the small canopy. It was the external canopy and not the small internal canopy.
  • I sent a text message to the PLDT sales agent to follow up the laptop and printer last March 17, 2014 and I received no reply from her.
  • It's been a month already and I still have not receive the free HP Laptop and Printer which are included in their Php1799 promo.
  • We have tried to call them through their PLDT hotlines and it took almost 5 minutes before our call can be answered.
  • We have called them 5 times already and on the first call, they informed me that it was escalated already and a report was made and we need to wait another 7 to 10 days for the result upon receipt of the escalated report.
  • For the second call which was cut because of low battery issues on our phone, it was purely excuses on why there was a delay of delivery.
  • For the third call we have made, they informed us that because of many subscribers who availed the promo, the courier of which they are not kind enough to tell who, was not able to deliver immediately the laptop and printer.
  • For the fourth time we made a call, they informed us that it was reported already and we will just receive a call or text from them but no text or call was received from them.
  • For the fifth time we made a call, they informed us that it was already reported and the billing department will make adjustments because of the delay. How much rebate or the time of arrival was not even assured.
  • Why it was a lame service? Because it is clearly indicated in their Home Bro FAQs that the Laptop and Printer will be delivered within 7-10 days upon successful activation of internet. 
Screenshot of the Delivery Period from PLDT's Website

  • They have an intermittent internet connection. The reason I only availed of this promo was because of the HP Laptop and Printer that was included and not the internet. We have DSL connection which is faster than their HomeBro which they are currently promoting now.
  • As of this writing, March 30, 2014, I received a text message from someone on their sales group informing me about my PLDT Home Bro account number when in fact and as previously mentioned on this list, I inquired to follow up about the laptop and printer last March 17, 2014 and there was no reply and now their reply was only to inform me about my PLDT Home Bro account number of which I already knew.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

12th Mt. Ugo Invitational Summer Climb

Tinongdan Barangay Hall
Barangay Tinongdan Council of Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet is inviting everyone to the 12th Mt. Ugo Invitational Summer Climb on April 4-6, 2014 with the theme "NURTURING NATURE FOR A BETTER ADVENTURE". This annual event already received the award for the Best Tourism Event-Sport and Wellness Category in the 13th National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) held last 2012 in Dapitan City, Zamboanga Del Norte. ATOP is the national organization of more than 1,000 local tourism officers and legislators with a major aim of promoting tourism in the Philippines.

Also, in the 14th National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) held last 2013 in Legazpi City, Albay province, Mt. Ugo Climb of Itogon, Benguet was one of those that were inducted in the Pearl Awards' Hall of Fame along with the Sagingan Festival of Tubod town, Lanao del Norte province and the Coco Festival of San Pablo City, Laguna province. Winning the top prize in their respective categories for three consecutive years will earn the Hall of Fame Award. According to ATOP president Miguel Sison, the Pearl Award is a collaboration with the Diliman Preparatory School and the Department of Tourism that recognized best practices by local government units that serves as benchmark for tourism programs in the Philippines.

Below is the schedule for this year's 12th Mt. Ugo Invitational Summer Climb:

DAY 1 (April 4)

  • 5:00 A.M Registration/Assembly at DOT-CAR, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City (Fronting Baguio City National High School)
  • 7:45 A.M Prayer/Orientation/Briefing
  • 8:30 A.M Kick-off. ETD from Baguio to Ambuklao - Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road
  • 11:30 A.M ETA @ Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Boundary at Mt. Cemento Waiting Shed via Indupit
  • Start trek at Mt. Cemento-Domolpos Campsite (Sponsored pack lunch at Cemento)
  • 4:00 P.M. ETA @ Domolpos Campsite/Set camp
  • 6:00 P.M. Dinner/Social Night/interaction with community & I.E.C. Program
  • 10:00 P.M. Lights out
 
DAY 2 (April 5)

  • 5:00 A.M. Wake up call/Bath/Breakfast
  • 7:00 A.M. Break camp/clean-up
  • 8:00 A.M. Warm up exercise/turn-over of Donations/Briefing/Prayer
  • 8:30 A.M. Summit assault
  • 11:00 A.M. ETA @ Summit/Tri-boundary viewing/Summit lunch/Group picture taking
  • 12:00-1:00 PM INDIGENOUS PRAYER/ OFFERING OF WATER AND FOOD – Before having lunch at SUMMIT
  • 1:00 P.M ETD for second camp @ Lusod Community
  • 3:30 P.M. ETA @ campsite/Set Up camp/Sunset viewing
  • 7:00 P.M. Dinner/Socials/Impressions/Intercultural show of participants
  • 10:00 P.M. Lights out

DAY 3 (April 6)

  • 5:00 A.M. Wake up call/Sunrise viewing/Breakfast/Break Camp/Warm up exercise
  • 7:00 A.M. Kick-off Prayer/Photo Ops/ Formation of Big “U” by participants & crews
  • 10:00 A.M. ETA @ Anawang (PUJ’s will fetch the participants to Barangay Hall Ground)
  • 11:00 A.M. ETA @ Barangay Hall, Tinongdan/Lunch (Bath & Washing at Barangay Hall (9 available washrooms)
  • 12:00 P.M. Washing Relaxation
  • 1:00 P.M Cultural Show & Presentations/ Dance
  • 3:00 P.M. Awarding ceremonies (Certificates, Special Awards & Tokens)
  • 5:00 P.M. ETD for Baguio City

WHAT TO BRING:

A View From Tinongdan
  1. Thick/warm clothing, sleeping gears, camping equipment (temp may range from 7˚C-10◦C)
  2. Food for 5 meals/5 snacks and extra food.
  3. Proper back packs.
  4. Flash lights/head lamps with extra bulb and battery.
  5. Drinking water bottles/canteen cups.
  6. Camera/binoculars (optional)
  7. Proper shoes & slippers
  8. Guitar (optional)
  9. First aid kit/medicines
  10. Rain gear
  11. The desire and determination to experience the wonders of nature and culture.


REGISTRATION FEES OF P1,600.00 INCLUDES:

  • a.) Transportation from Baguio City via Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya “Indupit /Mt.Cemento” and Tinongdan Brgy. Hall via Baguio City only
  • b.) Souvenir Yearbook /T-Shirt/Token
  • c.) Certificate of Participation
  • d.) ID
  • e.) Barangay Entrance Fee
  • f.) Sponsored 2 dinner( Domolpos & Lusod on the 1st & 2nd day ) and 1 Lunch Indupit/Mt. Cemento on the 1st day and 1 lunch at Barangay Hall on the 3rd day

REGISTRATION CENTERS:

  • DOT-CAR -09189593009- (Director Purification S. Molintas)
  • Provincial Tourism Affairs Office – 074-422-1116 (Ms. Claire Prudencio)
  • SB Committee on Tourism- 09102508492 (Councilor Norberto I. Pacio)
  • Itogon Mayor’s Office – 09208050314 (Ms. Laurie F. Pangda)
  • Tinongdan Brgy. Hall – 09082637134 (PB Benjamin N. Medino)
  • Secretariat: Ms. Evelyn Balbines @ 09282890886, Ms. Jerda D. Sanil @ 09398345655

Registration Forms are available at http://www.itogon.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=172&Itemid=145

Friday, March 28, 2014

12 Featured Movies of the National Film Festival 2013







12 movies were featured by the Film Development Council of the Philippines or FDCP at the Cinematheque Baguio last January 2014 which were all part of the National Film Festival 2013 "All Masters Edition" and were shown at all SM Cinemas last September 11 to 17, 2013. This March, 2014, 4 of the 12 movies were scheduled as follows:

March 4 to 9, 2014 Badil
March 11 to 16, 2014 Ang Tag-araw ni Twinkle
March 18 to 23, 2014 Otso
March 25 to 31, 2014 Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap

The ticket prices for each movie was only 100 pesos. FDCP Cinematheque in Baguio City is located at Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road.

Below were the 12 movies featured last January 2014 at FDCP Cinematheque Baguio:


  1. Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? by Jose Javier Reyes
  2. Badil by Chito S. Roño
  3. Bahay ng Lagim by Celso Ad Castillo
  4. Bamboo Flowers by Maryo J. Delos Reyes
  5. Lauriana by Mel Chionglo
  6. Lihis by Joel Lamangan
  7. Otso by Elwood Perez
  8. Sonata by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes
  9. Ang Tag-Araw ni Twinkle by Gil M. Portes
  10. Tinik by Romy V. Suzara
  11. Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag by Lino Brocka
  12. Genghis Khan by Manuel Conde

Also this March, 2014, there was a scheduled Spanish Female Filmmaker Festivals on all FDCP Cinematheques in the Philippines. The film festival which started last March 7 at Zamboanga, were also scheduled on Davao from March 14 to 16, Iloilo from March 21 to 23 and lastly, Cinematheque Baguio from March 28 to 30.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

12 Summer Destinations in the Philippines

March is also the month of summer. It's summer time so it is good to know 12 destinations that can be visited in the Philippines.
  1. Calaguas Island (Camarines Norte) - a group of islands in Camarines Norte that includes the major islands of Tinaga Island and Guintinua Island, the minor Maculabo Island, as well as several other minor islands. Calaguas Island is dubbed as "The New White Sand Adventure in Bicol". Website: http://www.camarinesnorte.gov.ph/ and http://www.camarinesnorte.net/
  2. Batanes - the smallest province located in the region of Cagayan Valley and located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. Batanes is dubbed as "Home of the Winds". Website: http://www.batanesonline.com/
  3. Nagsasa Cove, Zambales - Zambales has many coves that can be visited and the most popular among them are Anawangin Cove, Capones Island and Camara Island. But very few people have seen and known about Nagsasa Cove.  Campers can also fall in love with the beauty of Nagsasa Cove if they have learned to love the beauty and serenity of Anawangin Cove. Zambales was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as having the "sweetest mangoes in the world" and the Mango Festival is held in the provincial capital in Iba every April. Zambales is dubbed "Home to the Famous Crystal Beach Surf" in the town of San Narciso and also known as the "Surfing Paradise nearest Manila". Website: http://www.zambalesnow.com/
  4. Coron, Palawan - a wedge-shaped limestone island, with mangrove forests covering few of its coastal areas, in Palawan. It has seven lakes but only 2 lakes are open to the public, famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake and also Barracuda Lake. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world. Coron is known for Barracuda Lake which is dubbed as “The Craziest Dive Site in the Philippines”. Website: http://www.coronphilippines.com/about.php
  5. El Nido, Palawan - a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan. It is about 420 kilometres southwest of Manila, and about 238 kilometres northeast of Puerto Princesa which is the capital of Palawan. El Nido is dubbed as "The Last Ecological Frontier of the Philippines". Website: http://www.visitpuertoprincesa.com/
  6. Tabuk, Kalinga - a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region of Luzon. Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north. Kalinga is dubbed as “Valley of Gamonangs”. Website: http://e-kalinga.com/
  7. Siquijor - an island province located in the Central Visayas region. White sand beaches make up most of the 102-kilometer coastline of Siquijor. Siquijor is dubbed as "The Island of the Black Magic". Website: http://siquijor.netne.net/ and http://lgumunicipalityofsiquijor.gov.ph/
  8. Romblon - an island province located in the MIMAROPA region and was formerly called "Lomlon" or "Domblon" It lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate.  Romblon is dubbed as "Marble Country" Website: http://www.romblonprov.gov.ph/ and http://romblonprovince.webs.com/
  9. Bohol - home of the famous Chocolate Hills. The second smallest primate, Philippine Tarsier, is indigenous to the island. Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines. Bohol is dubbed as "Cave Country" and "God’s Little Paradise". Website: http://bohol.gov.ph/ and http://www.bohol.ph/
  10. Baguio City - the lone Philippine destination in the 2011 TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Destinations Awards, Asia category, with the city being among the top 25 destinations in Asia. Tourism is one of the city's main source of income primarily because of Baguio's weather and history. During summer, especially during Holy Week, tourists from all over the country flock to the city which doubles the city's population. There are more than 80 hotels, inns and transient houses that can accommodate tourists. The famous Panagbenga Festival is celebrated during the month of February. Baguio City is dubbed as "Summer Capital of the Philippines" and "City of Pines". Website: http://www.baguio.gov.ph/?q=frontpage
  11. Apo Reef Island, Mindoro Occidental - known to be the world's 2nd largest contiguous coral reef system encompassing 34 square kilometers within the waters of Occidental Mindoro. The reef and its surrounding waters are administered as a National Park as part of the Apo Reef Natural Park project. Occidental Mindoro is dubbed as "Marine Wonderland" while Apo Reef is dubbed as "Asia's Largest Atoll-like Reef". Website: http://www.occidentalmindoro.ph/
  12. Palaui Island, Cagayan - located off the northeastern extremity of Luzon. The northern point of the island is called Cape Engaño where the ruins of Cape Engaño Lighthouse is located. Engaño Cove or Siwangag Cove is a small cove southwest of the lighthouse where supplies for the station were previously landed. There is a trail and a 229-step concrete stairway from the cove leading to the lighthouse. Camping is allowed within the vicinity of the lighthouse. The competitive US TV reality show Survivor , filmed its 27th season in Palaui Island. Cagayan is dubbed as "Smiling Land of Beauty". Website: http://www.cagayan.gov.ph/ and http://cagayano.tripod.com/officials.html

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

12 Common Interview Questions

March in the Philippines is graduation month. For newly graduates, it is the time to start job hunting and for others, it is the start of a long vacation and there will be students who will be looking for summer jobs.

To guide job-seekers, below are the 12 typical interview questions I have already heard (and answered) from employers based on personal experiences and prepare to answer them confidently.

  1. What can you say about yourself that is not in your resume?
  2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  3. Why should we hire you?
  4. Are you amenable to work in a shifting schedule or are you willing to work longer hours or are you willing to extend your time after office hours?
  5. How do you handle stress?
  6. How much is your preferred salary?
  7. What is your most embarrassing moment or your most unforgettable moment?
  8. What are your plans 5 years from now?
  9. What is your motto in life or what do you believe in?
  10. What motivates you to work or what will motivate you to work every day?
  11. Do you think you are qualified with this job or are you qualified with this job?
  12. What can you contribute to the company or what can you offer to the company or what can you do for this company?

Hopefully, with these questions, you will be confidently ready to answer them at your own way with your own words while showing coolness under pressure and be successful with your job application.

Happy job hunting!!!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Top 12 Runners of LUUM 3 50K Ultramarathon

Below are the Top 12 Runners of the recently concluded 50K ultramarathon (also called ultra distance) run of LUUM 3 or La Union Unity Marathon held last March 22, 2014 in which the starting point is at City Hall of San Fernando City, La Union and then ending at the La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden in Barangay Cadaclan, San Fernando City, La Union.

For the complete list of finishers and assorted pictures of runners in this grueling ultramarathon, wherein I finished 23rd, please see the iRunners Facebook page.

La Union Unity Marathon 3
Result: 50 Kilometer Run (Male and Female)

1. 51 50K (M) ANTIFINO Herald 4:00:00 8:59:49 04:59:49
2. 54 50K (M)ALIGAN Jeffrey 4:00:00 9:24:02 05:24:02
3. 67 50K (M) NIRO Christian Catap 4:00:00 9:43:53 05:43:53
4. 24 50K (M) DOMINGO Francis 4:00:00 9:50:16 05:50:16
5. 33 50K (M) CRUZ Erick 4:00:00 9:57:05 05:57:05
6. 63 50K (F) ORPILLA Leda 4:00:00 10:10:23 06:10:23
7. 58 50K (M) EJIC CDT Galo 4:00:00 10:21:37 06:21:37
8. 31 50K (M) LUCENA Benjamin 4:00:00 10:32:48 06:32:48
9. 88 50K (M)ARELLANO Jonathan 4:00:00 10:35:29 06:35:29
10. 28 50K (M) GANAYO Ariel 4:00:00 10:36:23 06:36:23
11. 85 50K (M) DE LA CRUZ Jeffrey 4:00:00 10:38:36 06:38:36
12. 03 50K (M) Jack Ammo 4:00:00 10:41:22 06:41:22

Monday, March 24, 2014

12 Municipalities of Camarines Norte

Camarines Norte is a crescent-shaped province that stretches northwest to the southeast, facing Lamon Bay and the Pacific Ocean on the northeast and is bounded on by Camarines Sur on the south and a portion of Quezon. Rolling hills and mountains on the inside terrain and fertile plains and valleys along the coast composed the total land area of 211, 249 hectares.

In the year 1636, the province of Camarines was created from Bicol province which was founded in 1573. The province was divided in 1829, creating Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur and were briefly merged from 1854 to 1857 to make Ambos Camarines (ambos is Spanish for "both") and divided again and were merged into Ambos Camarines in 1893. Finally, in 1917 the province was divided into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Camarines Norte is divided into 12 municipalities, 283 barangays and 1 congressional district. A municipality or bayan, munisipalidad in Filipino and balen or balayan in Kapampangan, is a local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns (which is actually a better translation of "bayan"). Daet is the capital of this 3rd class province in the Philippines.

Below are the 12 municipalities of Camarines Norte:

  1. Basud - a third class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.
  2. Capalonga - a third class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. 
  3. Daet - a first class municipality on Luzon island in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the provincial capital. The first monument in honor of the first Filipino hero, Dr. José Rizal, can also be found here in Daet. The municipality is a popular surfing spot among surfers worldwide.
  4. Jose Panganiban - a second class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the May 2010 census, it has a population of 55,557 with voting population of more than 20,000. The town of Jose Panganiban was formerly known as Mambulao, a word taken from “mambulawan,” meaning bountiful in gold. It was renamed to honor Jose Maria Panganiban on December 1, 1934.
  5. Labo - a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. 
  6. Mercedes - a second class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.
  7. Paracale - a third class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. 
  8. San Lorenzo Ruiz - a fifth class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It was formerly called Imelda.
  9. San Vicente - a fifth class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.
  10. Santa Elena - a 4th-class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.
  11. Talisay - a fourth class municipality in the Province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It has a total land area of 3,076 hectares (7,600 acres), making it the smallest municipality in the province. The town, which was named after the big trees that abound in its poblacion.
  12. Vinzons - a third class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. The Calaguas Islands are part of Vinzons. The very first recorded name of Vinzons was Tacboan and was later changed to Indan at which time the Mayor was Pedro Barbin. The town was then renamed "Vinzons" in honor of Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, a former governor of the province. He was the youngest delegate to the Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1935, and a guerilla leader martyred by the Japanese during World War II.

CamarinesNorte.Net is the official website of Camarines Norte province.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

12 Notable Filipinas in Sports

March being a Women's History Month, below are 12 Filipino women (Filipinas or Pinays) who made history as being first in the field of sports.
  1. Eden Serina - the first Filipina and only Snowboard Racer from the Philippines on the World Cup Circuit
  2. Victoria Manalo Draves - (AKA Victoria Taylor Manalo) the first Filipina-American, first Eurasian and first Woman Olympic Gold Medalist in both platform and springboard diving events in the 1948 London Olympic Game
  3. Ani De Leon-Brown - the first Filipina Ironman in Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii (2008)
  4. Luz McClinton -  the first Filipina to win the Pro Fame Figure World Championship in the USA in 2010 and the only one with a figure bodybuilding title, who was also declared the world’s best at the 2012 World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (WBFF) Southwest U.S. Championship in Oklahoma, USA. Other awards she have won were the 2012  Phil-Asian Pacific International Body Building Competition in Cebu City, the 2012 Cebu Philippines and 2012 UBFFP Ms. Phil- Asia. Also, she was the Fame International 2010 Champion, Iron Pinoy Figure Champion 2010, Overall National Cebu Champion 2010, Fame Muscle Model Silver 2010, Ms. Boracay 2010, Ms. Physique Philippines 2009, Ms. Universe Figure 2009 and Ms. Fitness Philippines 2006.
  5. Monica Torres - the first Filipina to compete in the Professional category of the 2013 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines
  6. Noelle Wenceslao - one of the First Filipina Everest Summiteers who reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 20, 2007 at 6:20 a.m. Nepal time (8:20 a.m. in Manila) 10 minutes earlier than Carina Dayondon of southern Bukidnon
    who is also one of the First Filipina Everest Summiteers. Noelle is a member of the Philippine Dragon Boat team, an expert biker and extreme adventure athlete. The third member of the team was Janet Belarmino who reached the summit three hours later. Wenceslao and Belarmino are both from Luzon. 
  7. Bong Coo - (AKA Olivia Garcia Coo) the first Filipina athlete listed in the Guinness Book of World Records (1979). She is also the first Filipina Bowler to establish the first commercial synthetic bowling lanes in the Philippines (1995), first Filipina Bowler enshrined in the World Bowling Writers International Bowling Hall of Fame (1993), first Filipina Bowler to pioneer in the Pro Shop business (Bong Coo Sports, 1991), first Filipina Bowler who became the first Philippine member of the International Bowling Pro Shops and Instructors Association (1991), and first Filipina Bowler to win a Gold Medal in Women All Event of the IX World Championships (1979).
  8. Joy Rojas - the first Filipina and first Southeast Asian woman to run across 3,107 miles across the United States (2009) and first Filipina to run across the Philippines, from Davao City to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, in 46 days (2005).
  9. Weena Lim - (AKA Amparo Lim) the first Filipina badminton Olympian (1996 Women's Singles - Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia), first Filipina Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist (with doubles partner Kennevic Asuncion as the 1st Filipino SEA Games bronze medalist, 1997), first Filipina badminton player to achieve the first ever international badminton title for the Philippines (Asian Prince Junior Tournaments in Hong Kong, 1985), and first Filipina to win all badminton matches at the Asian Prince Junior Tournaments in Hong Kong (1985).
  10. Jennifer Rosales - the first Filipina golfer to win on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour
  11. Layla Loxa - (AKA Lelit Biolango Stephens) the first Filipina-American World Bodysurfer Champion in Women’s 18-29 category of the 26th Annual World Bodysurfing Championship (2002)
  12. Jujeath Nagaowa - the first Filipina MMA fighter to see action in ONE FC 2013 (ONE Fighting Championship: Moment of Truth) at the Mall of Asia Arena.. She is a former WBC Asia Atomweight champ (12 wins, 13 losses) looking to transition over to MMA. She will fight again in ONE FC: Rise of Heroes on May 2, 2014 at the Mall of Asia (MOA).

Thursday, March 20, 2014

2013 Top 12 Celebrity Endorsers in the Philippines

  1. Kris Aquino
  2. John Lloyd Cruz
  3. Kim Chiu
  4. Piolo Pascual
  5. Judy Ann Santos
  6. Anne Curtis
  7. Sarah Geronimo
  8. Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi
  9. Robin Padilla
  10. KC Concepcion
  11. Daniel Padilla
  12. Michael V
Based on Philippine Daily Inquirer's Business Friday.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The 12th Planet

One of the few scholars able to read and interpret ancient Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets, Zecharia Sitchin (1920-2010) based his bestselling The 12th Planet on texts from the ancient civilizations of the Near East. Drawing both widespread interest and criticism, his controversial theories on the Anunnaki origins of humanity have been translated into more than 20 languages and featured on radio and television programs around the world.

Read more about Zecharia Sitchin who wrote book "The 12th Planet" here sitchin.com

Over the years, startling evidence has been uncovered, challenging established notions of the origins of life on Earth - evidence that suggests the evidence of an advanced group of extraterrestrials who once inhabited our world.

The first book of the revolutionary Earth Chronicles series offers indisputable documentary evidence of the existence of the mysterious planet of Nibiru and tells why its astronauts came to Earth eons ago to fashion mankind in their image.

The product of more than thirty years of meticulous research, The 12th Planet treats as fact, not myth, the tales of Creation, the Deluge, the Tower of Babel, and the Nefilim who married the daughters of man.

Rate the book 'The 12th Planet" here at goodreads.com

"This book suggests that we are not alone in the solar system. Yet it may enhance rather than diminish the faith in a universal Almighty for, if the Nefilim created Man on Earth, they may have only been fulfilling a vaster Master Plan"

Read the review of "The 12th Planet" here at bibliotecapleyades.net

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The First 12 Numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence

Fibonacci was an Italian mathematician, considered by some as "the most talented western mathematician of the Middle Ages". Leonardo Pisano Bigollo was his name and was also known as Leonardo of Pisa, Leonardo Pisano, Leonardo Bonacci and Leonardo Fibonacci. He was best known in Europe for spreading the use of Hindu-Arabic numerical system when his book Liber Abaci (Book of Calculation) was published. Fibonacci sequence was used as an example in this book by introducing it as an exercise involving a population of rabbits in 1202. This sequence of numbers was named after him but he did not discovered it, rather it was already appeared in the natural world that dates back to over two millenia and was first use by Indian mathematicians.

His sample problem:

"A certain man put a pair of rabbits in a place surrounded by a wall. How many pairs of rabbits can be produced from that pair in a year if it is supposed that every month each pair begets a new pair from which the second month on becomes productive?" (Liber abbaci, chapter 12, p. 283-4)
Solution:

At month zero, there is one pair of rabbits. At the beginning of the first month (January 1st), there is one pair of rabbits that has mated, but not yet given birth. At the beginning of the second month, the original pair gives birth, giving rise to another pair of rabbits...and so on. After one full year, there are 377 pairs of rabbits.
The Fibonacci numbers was formed from a recurrent sequence. Beginning with 1, each term of the Fibonacci sequence is the sum of the two previous numbers.

   0+1=1     1+1=2     1+2=3     2+3=5     3+5=8    5+8=13

Fibonacci began the sequence not with 0, 1, 1, 2, as modern mathematicians do but with 1,1, 2, etc.

Hence, the first 12 numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are:

   1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144

Monday, March 17, 2014

12 Ways to Avoid Conflicts in the Office

Below are 12 ways on how to avoid conflicts in the office as shared by Management expert Michael LeBoeuf in his book Working Smart: How to Accomplish More in Half the Time:
  1. Make the effort to be an effective communicator. Understand the true meaning of what people say.
  2. Be open. When you are perceptive to the opinion and feelings of others, they will not be defensive.
  3. Present criticisms in a spirit of kindness, helpfulness and tact. Focus on the behavior that needs correcting, not the person.
  4. Be assertive, not aggressive.
  5. Mind your own business.
  6. Live and let live. One man's right ends where another man's nose begins.
  7. Keep your cool. Delay an explosive emotion.
  8. Remember that arguing for the sake of arguing is a needless waste of time.
  9. Don't belittle or ridicule another person's achievements.
  10. Don't be a prophet of gloom and doom.
  11. If a major ongoing, unavoidable conflict hinders your work or someone else's, discuss it with those involved.
  12. To work less and accomplish more, remember this: It is easier to work with people than to work against them.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

12 Months of the Year

The original Roman calendar which began with Martius (March), consists of 10 named months namely: Martius (March), Aprilis (April), Maius (May), Junius (June), Quintilis (July), Sextilis (August), September (September), October (October), November (November), December (December) and probably 2 unnamed months during winter when there is no agricultural happenings that occur. Due to some reformation, the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius added two months which are Januarius (January) and Februarius (February) and also changed the beginning of the year to Januarius (January). A believer in luck, he changed the number of days in several months to odd number, a lucky number. After Februarius (February), there was an additional month of Intercalaris (intercalendar) added occasionally which is the origin of the leap-year day in February. Another reformation occurred in 46 BC and the Roman calendar became the Julian calendar in honor of Julius Caesar who also changed the number of days in many months and removing the original occasional month, Intercalaris.

What we are using now is called the Gregorian calendar. A refined Julian calendar that started in 1582. The reformation was motivated to bring the date of the Easter celebration to coincide to the time of the year in which the First Council of Nicea had agree upon in 325. This reformation was initially adopted by Catholic countries in Europe while Protestants and Eastern Orthodox countries followed after some time to avoid confusion in international trade. Greece was the last European country to adopt the reform in 1923.

There are 12 months in a year. Each month having a different name and how it came to be, you will be able to know here. First, let us start with a rhyme which every child was taught to learn in order to memorize the number of days of each month.

There are 90 variations of "The Month Poem" which is a traditional mnemonic English rhyme that dates back to 1425 and since this site is the12list.com, below is the version 12:

30 days hath September
April June and November
all the rest have 31
except for February which alone
has 28 and 1 day more, 1 year in 4


Now that you know the number of days for each month, let us now proceed with the origin of the names of each month.

January - named after Janus, a two-faced Roman god of gates and doorways. From the Middle English word Januarius.

February - named for Februa, not a god, but considered a Roman feast of purification and atonement held every 15th of February. From the Latin word februa which means "to cleanse.

March - named after the Roman god of war, Mars, who is also known as Ares in Greek mythology. March was the original beginning of the year and also the time for resumption of wars or military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter.

April - named after the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, who is also known as Venus in Roman mythology. Old English is April(is), Latin is Aprilis, Etruscan is Apru, Greek is Aphro which is short for Aphrodite.

May - named after the daughter of Faunus and wife of Vulcan, Maia (Greek, Roman, Italian), goddess of spring who oversaw the growth of plants.

June - named after the Roman goddess of marriage and the well-being of women, Juno, who is the wife and sister of Jupiter and also known as Hera in Greek.

July - named after the Roman dictator Julius Caesar who reformed the Roman calendar in 46 B.C. and renaming the fifth month, Quintilis, after himself. With the help of Sosigenes, developed the Julian calendar, which is the precursor of the Gregorian calendar commonly used today.

August - named after the first Roman emperor Augustus Caesar, grandnephew of Julius Caesar, who completed the calendar reformation of Julius Caesar. In the process, he renamed the sixth month of the Roman calendar, Sextilis, after himself.

September - named after the Latin word septem, meaning seven, which is the seventh month of the early Roman calendar.

October - named after the Latin word octo, meaning eight, which is the eight month of the early Roman calendar.

November - named after the Latin word novem, meaning nine, which is the ninth month of the early Roman calendar

December - named after the Latin word decem, meaning ten, which is the tenth month of the early Roman calendar.

As you can see, 5 months were named after gods and goddesses of famous mythologies. 1 month is named after a festival. 2 months were named after two historical figures. The remaining 4 months were originally named after there equivalent numerical meanings in Latin.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Why 12?

The following are just snippets of the significance and meaning of the number 12 in our life taken from various sources worldwide.



  1. The word "twelve" is the largest number with a single-morpheme name in English. 1
  2. Twelve is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. The sun which "rules" the day, and the moon and stars which "govern" the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year. 2
  3. Twelve is the product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly of what is material and organic). While seven is composed of 3 added to 4, twelve is 3 multiplied by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the twelve. 3
  4. Twelve is the number in scripture which is one more than eleven; eleven being the number of the disintegration of fleshly perfection, twelve reverses that process of disintegration. Twelve is therefore the number which demonstrates spiritual foundation, spiritual perfection and completion. This is true whether it is concerned with the seed of the serpent as symbolized by Ishmael and his "twelve princes," or whether it is dealing with the seed of the woman, as symbolized by Isaac who later, after the natural was manifested first, had Jacob who also had 'twelve princes.' 4
  5. The number 12 is strongly associated with the heavens—the 12 months, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the 12 stations of the Moon and of the Sun. The ancients recognized 12 main northern stars and 12 main southern stars. There are 24 = 2 × 12 hours in the day, of which 12 are daytime and the other 12 nighttime. The number 12 is the product of the sacred and the secular (3 × 4); it is the sum of the numbers of life and good fortune (5 + 7). It thus incorporates many distinct virtues. In Christianity it is the number of Christ’s disciples, and it occurs many other times in the Bible—for example, the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Several cultures have used numbers based on 12 (duodecimal); the 12 inches in a foot are one familiar relic of such a system. 5
  6. The number 12 is the most ancient of the "combination numbers" being the first actual combination which can be made without duplication in the Arabic numeral system. It is equivalent to the letter z, which Americans pronounce "zee" and Canadians pronounce "zed 6
  7. The meaning of the number twelve is the meaning of maximum number of parts in a system. Twelve represents the borders, or supports of the world. 7
  8. There are three dimensions to physical space, which is typically represented by a cube. It takes twelve lines to draw a cube, just as the year has twelve months. 8
  9. Twelve is an integral part of time. The solar year is composed of twelve lunar months. 9
  10. Magnesium is the element that is atomic number 12 on the periodic table. 10
  11. slang for head, dome, oral sex, or pp in the mouth. Originates from mcdonald's and their #12 Dome piece chicken 11
  12. It is a combonation of urination and defacation in the same restroom visit. Derives from from the words number 1 and number 2. 12