The regional election for Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao or ARMM will be completely automated on August 11, 2008. Two technologies will be used, namely Direct Recording Election (DRE) technology which will be provided by Smartmatic-Sahi Technology Inc. and Optical Mark Reader (OMR) technology provided by Avante International Technology, Inc. 
The voters in the province of Maguindanao will be using Automated Voting Machines (AVMs) at the precint level while voters in the other five provinces (Shariff Kabunsulan, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will vote by canvassed in pre-determined consolidation and canvassing centers throughout the region.
It is expected that COMELEC will be able to proclaim the winning candidates in less than 36 hours.
ARMM election: Automated
Marian Rivera Scandal
Marian Rivera is one of the most popular and successful young actress in Philippine Showbiz. But what is this "Marian Rivera Scandal"???
Marian was born in Spain but she grew up in Cavite. She had a 3-month practicum at the National Mental Hospital, after which she graduated with a degree of A.B. Psychology at De La Salle University - Damarinas. Her breakout role was when she starred Philippine remake of Marimar.
In a shooting of Dyesebel, a controversy surrounded on a YouTube video named "Marian Rivera Scandal". It is all about the shouting of vulgar words and slapping of her poor fan. An unidentified man caught her using a recording camera but Rivera got angry and shouted him to stop and unexpectedly said bad words. According to Marian, she has no PA (personal assistant) in the set because the said PA is pregnant. A said video about a feud of Rivera and an unidentified man was a verbal issue and not a slapping issue. She threw her words about a video "Kahit payat at maliit ako, hindi ako papayag apihin. Caviteña ako, lalaban ako! Walang nang-aapi sa akin!" ("Even I'm slim and petite, I will not be oppressed. I'm a Caviteña, I will fight! No one can oppress me!"). She denied that she was snobbish to him and no evidence on the said unedited video that she said any vulgar words.
MV Princess of the Stars Update
Suspension on passengers vessels lifted wants Sulpicio Lines Inc, owner of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars, on Tuesday formally moved for the "urgent" lifting of the suspension on its passenger vessels.
A GMA’s Flash Report said on MV Princess of the Stars Update, officials from the shipping firm submitted an “extremely urgent motion" before the investigating body of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).
According to Sulpicio, it has already incurred huge losses in revenues due to the government’s order grounding the company’s passenger vessels.
Sulpicio's operations were suspended late June after the MV Princess of the Stars capsized on June 21 off Romblon at the height of typhoon "Frank."
The television report said Marina officials asked the prosecution team to first submit a formal comment on Sulpicio’s motion before they could arrive at a decision.
Marina said it could decide on Sulpicio’s urgent motion in two week’s time at the latest, around the same time the maritime agency said it could also complete its investigation into the June 21 sea tragedy.
Marina administrator Vicente Suazo Jr had earlier noted how Sulpicio Lines, in the past marathon hearings, has become “desperate" in asking the investigating body to dissolve the suspension order.
"There has been a clamor for the lifting of the grounding… At the moment, the Sulpicio is desperate," Suazo had said.
The Marina team conducting the probe is one of two government bodies tasked to conduct hearings on the capsizing of the MV Princess of the Stars.
The other investigating body is the Philippine Coast Guard’s Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI), which Sulpicio claimed does not have the authority for such maritime probe.
The BMI has completed its investigation and submitted its findings and recommendations to the Philippine Cost Guard.
The PCG however has since twice returned BMI’s report, saying it needed to include more supporting documents and strengthen its recommendations regarding the toxic endosulfan loaded in the ship.
Last week, a meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Sulpicio officials led to the lifting of the suspension on its cargo vessels.
However Sulpicio first has to pass an audit by the Marina before its first batch of eight cargo ships will be allowed to sail anew.
Concerns were raised regarding the economic effects of continuing to ground the cargo vessels of Sulpicio since they account for some 45 percent of cargo operations in the country.
The capsizing of the 23,800-ton MV Princess of the Stars - the latest Sulpicio vessel to emerge in a maritime tragedy – led to the death of hundreds of people and triggered a public outrage against the embattled shipping firm.
Through the Public attorney’s Office, at least five multimillion-peso damage suits have already been lodged against Sulpicio Lines.
Thomas Beatie - The Pregnant Man
Three months after the revelation of a pregmant man, Thomas Beatie also known as the “Pregnant Man” - a female-to-male transsexual gave birth to a baby girl on July 3, 2008. Baby Susan Juliette was born at the St Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon on June 29 weighing 9 lbs 5oz.
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PRC Board Exam Result for June and July
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces the board exam result held on June and July. Congratulations to all the successful examinees!!!
To view the names of successful examinees, just click in the following links or just visit the PRC Board Exam Result homepage for more info...
Nursing Board Exam Result for June 2008 (A-C)
Nursing Board Exam Result for June 2008 (D-K)
Nursing Board Exam Result for June 2008 (L-Q)
Nursing Board Exam Result for June 2008 (R-Z)
Pharmacist Licensure Examination Result for June 2008
Forester Licensure Examination Result for July 2008
Agriculturist Licensure Examination Result for July 2008
Special Certification Examination in Ocular Pharmacology for Optometrist
Licensure Examination Result for July 2008
Architect Licensure Examination Result for June 2008
Marine Deck Officer Exam Result for July 2008
AJ "Bazooka" Banal vs. Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion fight
AJ "Bazooka" Banal vs. Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion fight is coming! The country's next potential boxing superstar AJ "Bazooka" Banal will be fighting for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight crown against Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama.
The explosive fight will be telecast "live" on July 26 at 7:30 p.m. over Studio 23 with a reply at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday (June 27) over ABS-CBN Channel 2.
Concepcion who turned 26 last June 24 has a record of 10-2-1 with 6 knockouts.
Totoy Bato | Robin Padilla | GMA-7
Since he started as an action star, people have always seen Robin Padilla in good shape—not too fat and not too thin. But what if he adds 50 more pounds in his weight?
This will be the goal of Robin Padilla for his next project for GMA-7, which is Totoy Bato. In fact, after doing his upcoming movie Sundo, the Philippine's prime action star will start gaining weight and having lean muscles for the TV adaptation of the 1979 movie Durugin si Totoy Bato, which topbilled the late King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe, Jr.
"Mahirap po 'yon," said the 160-pound action star. "Sabi nga po nung trainer ko, medyo masama daw ho 'yon, masama daw 'yong bigla. Kasi ang nangyari sa akin, kasi nagpa-slim ako sa Joaquin Bordado; 'tapos ngayon naman magpapalaki [para sa Totoy Bato], medyo ang katawan naguguluhan."
Despite this warning, Robin is confident to do it because he is sure that professional trainers would closely watch him.
He said, "Ako naman ay nakikitrabaho sa mga propesyonal. Ang humahawak ng katawan ko ay mga propesyonal naman so talagang pinag-aaralan. Hindi ito 'yong hulaan lang. Katulad ng pagkatapos ng Sundo, 'yong gagawin kong pelikula, dadaan muna ako sa general check-up, malalaman muna namin kung paano 'yong paraan ng pagpapalaki. Hindi kasi pwede 'yong bigla, magko-collapse tayo."
In the last quarter of the year, Robin might go to Australia not only to visit his wife Liezel Sycangco but also to train—through football or rugby.
"'Yon po ang sinabi sa akin ni Direk Val Iglesias," explained Robin. "Ang gusto niyang style ng fighting ni Totoy Bato, e, football, so pinagra-rugby niya ako. Baka sumama siya sa akin sa Australia kasi doon 'yong proper training ng rugby, e."
He even added, "Hangga't hindi ko nakukuha 'yong 200 lbs, hindi ako babalik dito. Kailangan makuha ko ho 'yon."
The 40-year-old actor is also aware that there are people who gained weight and are now having hard time getting back in their old shape.
"'Yon ang unang-una kong sinigurado sa trainer ko," said Robin. "[Tinanong ko], ‘Kaya mo ba akong paliitin ulit? Baka naman paglaki ko niyan, ganun na lang din ako.' Sabi niya, ‘Depende 'yon kung ano ang ilo-load nating pagkain.'"
Robin would be following a high-protein diet, which his trainer advised to him, to get lean muscles. He said, "Kailangan lumaki ka pero hindi dapat fat, dapat protein lang para mas mabilis."
Can't they use a trick instead of really adding up some weight?
He answered, "Ayaw ni Direk Val. Gusto ni Direk Val Iglesias iba talaga. Kasi 'yong una kasing Totoy Bato, boxing 'yon, e. Ngayon, mixed martial arts na. Parang mapapanood natin na ang makakalaban natin dito iba-iba nang nasyon, e."
HONORED TO ACT AS TOTOY BATO. Robin said the he felt honored when he found out that he was chosen to be the lead star in the TV remake of Totoy Bato. One of the reasons is because this was played by the late FPJ.
"Isang malaking karangalan muli," said Robin. "Katulad na Joaquin Bordado kay Ramon Revilla po ito, ngayon naman kay Fernando Poe, Jr. Isang malaking karangalan. Siyempre, pasalamat muna tayo kay alamat, Carlo J. Caparas."
He also admitted that this privilege comes with pressure for him and for the whole production team.
"Mataas ang pressure kaya kami nahihilo. Ang katunayan niyan, may mga nagsasabi na dapat pelikula nga ang Totoy Bato. Ako naman ang nagsasabing kapag ginawa nating pelikula 'yan, mas mahihirapan tayong malagpasan ang pelikula.
"Mas magandang kahit na matapatan lang natin ang pelikula na TV tayo. Kasi mas mataas ang pressure ng pelikula. Mas gusto ko na TV siya kasi kahit paano walang kaming balak na malagpasan siya. Iyong mapantayan namin siya, masayang-masaya na kami."
Right now, the storyline of Totoy Bato is not yet finished. However, Robin is sure that he will be working with daughter Queenie, Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, and veteran actor Eddie Garcia in this teleserye, which is set to premiere in the first quarter of 2009.
Connection problem with my Smart Bro
I always have a connection problem with my Smart Bro. I’ve been using Smart Bro for almost one and a half year. At that long period of time as a subscriber, I have experienced different kinds of connection problem… to slow, on and off connection and totally no connection. Everytime I have a connection problem, I always call at their hotline which is *1888 to report it. They told me all the troubleshooting procedure, it works but after an hour or couple of days, connection problem happens again…
Last week, my internet connection status is limited or no connectivity. This is the worst! I’ve done all the troubleshooting but still no connection. And then finally, they discover that the problem is my antenna and they replaced it after 3 days of no internet connection.
My friends told me that connection problem with my Smart Bro is normal, but I don’t like it anymore. I want to subscribe to other network company but I don’t know which the best is. Is it PLDT myDSL or Globe broadband?
Eraserheads Reunion Concert
Good news to all the fans of the legendary rock band Eraserheads! They will be having a Reunion Concert stated for August 30 at the CCP Open Grounds.
The original members Ely Buendia, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and Raimund Marasigan will sing their hit songs including Ang Huling El Bimbo, Toyang, Alapaap, etc.
The news came from a source of Philippine Star. Eraserheads Reunion Concert should make their fans very happy!
UFC Fight Night Silva vs Irvin Video
Watch UFC Fight Night Silva vs Irvin video free online
After victorious fight of Griffin against Jackson, prepare yourself for a non-title light heavyweight bout. The UFC Fight Night 14 main event is between Anderson “The Spider” Silva vs James “The Sandman” Irvin.
The Silva vs. Irvin fight event will be on Saturday July 19 2008 6pm PT / 9pm ET at The Pearl - Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
To watch the UFC Fight Night follow this link >> Silva vs Irvin Video
Eat Bulaga Grand Fiesta sa U.S.
Good news to all Filipinos in America because the longest running noontime show in the Philippines will visit you there!!!
Eat Bulaga Grand Fiesta sa U.S. will bring joy, fun, laughter and luck this coming July 19, 2008 (Saturday), 7:30 pm at Los Angeles Sports Arena, California USA with special guest Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes of Dyesebel.
For tickets/more info: pls. call Starmedia at (818) 549-9005 / (818) 547-1456 or visit any ISLAND PACIFIC supermarket branch.
The most beautiful women in the universe
The most beautiful women on the universe will vie for the much coveted crown as Ms. Universe 2008. This Monday, July 14th, 80 of the loveliest ladies from all over the globe will gather for one spectacular pageant.
The prestigious event will be broadcasted live on ABS-CBN straight from Khanh Hoa, Vietnam and will be hosted by Jerry Springer, host of NBC’s "America’s Got Talent", and Melanie Brown, known as Mel B of the Spice Girls.
The Philippines will be represented in the Miss Universe 2008 by reigning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Jennifer Barrientos. This 22 year old, 5’8" tall lady is a perfect beauty and brains embodiment and is an active youth leader in their church ministry. Jennifer is a former welcome ambassador for the Star World Hotel in Macau and is now a part-time model.
The winner of Miss Universe 2008 will follow in the footsteps of Riyo Mori, the crowned Miss Universe 2007. After winning the title, this beauty queen from Japan has traveled the globe as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation.
Aside from the live telecast, ABS-CBN will also air a special pageant primer on Boy & Kris at 8:30 AM. Find out who among the 80 pretty ladies has the strong chance of bagging the crown. Miss Universe 2008 will also have special telecast on Studio 23 and on Velvet.
Blogroll
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Pacquiao vs. Hatton
BRITISH SUPERSTAR RICKY HATTON wants to end his fight career by taking on either Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao or charismatic Oscar de la Hoya early next year.
That is, if Paulie Malignaggi won’t step aside in their showdown for the IBO and IBF light welterweight title and allow a megabuck Hatton-Pacquiao showdown in November.
In an interview with BBC Sport, the 29-year-old Hatton said he will fight twice more before hanging up his gloves against either Pacquiao or De la Hoya at Wembley Stadium, where he hopes to lure 100,000 fans.
“I don’t want to go on forever and would have done everything I dreamed off, so two more fights and then I think I’m done,” the 29-year-old Hatton said.
After wresting the World Boxing Council lightweight crown of David Diaz on Saturday, Pacquiao announced his preference to challenge Hatton in the 140-pound division.
Malignaggi, however, insists Pacquiao will have to wait until 2009 to get a crack at Hatton, who enjoys a huge following in Britain.
“I’ve heard talk that I could step aside for Pacquiao, but I don’t see the necessity for that,” Malignaggi told Edwin Anderson of Mirror.co.uk. “There’s no need for me to take step-aside money. I’m going to fight Ricky Hatton in the fall.
“This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for and if I took step-aside money, I’d basically be selling out and not giving myself the opportunity I’ve always craved.”
If Malignaggi remains adamant, Pacquiao will defend his 135-pound title against Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero on Nov. 8 in the United States.
Makati, Cabanatuan, Tagbilaran are RP's best cities to live in
Among the best cities in the Philippines, Makati City, Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, and Tagbilaran City in Bohol offer the best quality of life, according to a new survey of the Asian Institute Management (AIM).
These three cities ranked highest in the quality of life category among 25 cities that made it to the AIM’s Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2007, a survey of cities’ global competitiveness.
The cities were separately ranked according to size. Makati, Cabanatuan, and Tagbilaran were categorized as metro, mid-sized and small-sized, respectively.
Quality of life is one of six categories in AIM’s survey. The other categories are cost of doing business, dynamism of local economy, human resources and training, infrastructure, and responsiveness of local government units (LGUs) to business needs.
Unlike its previous surveys, AIM decided not to rank the cities based on total performance.
This is the 5th round of the AIM survey on Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking.
Quality of life is considered one of the yardsticks in determining which cities have successfully developed and which have succumbed to the ills of urbanization.
Among the relevant aspects of quality of life are social welfare of the people, peace, and order, quality of living environment, and local amenities.
Cabanatuan and Tagbilaran ranked first in their respective city sizes, rating 7.17 and 7.97, respectively. The highest rating is 10 points. The average rating in their city sizes is 6.31 and 6.43, respectively.
Makati ranked second among metro cities, with a rating of 6.98. The average rating of metro cities in terms of quality of life is 6.06.
Cabanatuan was credited for its good access to commercial banks, low or non-existent informal fees, and total crime solution efficiency.
Tagbilaran was noted for its low or non-existent informal fees, good supply of water, and low water rates. Its local environmental planning and management program was also praised.
Makati was recognized for its good access to commercial banks, total crime solution efficiency, and supply of potable water among others. AIM also noted its programs such as the Makati Health Program, the “Yellow Card,” the Makati Command Center, and its Satellite Real Property Tax collection.
A total of 90 cities were surveys—20 metro cities, 25 mid-sized cities, and 45 small-sized cities. The AIM survey was conducted in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation, International Finance Corporation, International Labour Organization, SM Investments Inc., and Petron Corporation.
The following is the complete list of the top performing cities.
Metro Cities:
1. Davao
2. Lapu-Lapu
3. Makati,
4. Manila
5. Marikina
6. Quezon City
Mid-sized Cities:
1. Cabanatuan
2. General Santos
3. Lucena City
4. Olongapo City
5. San Pablo City
6. Tagum
7. Tarlac
Small-Sized Cities
1. Bayawan
2. Calapan
3. Calbayog
4. Dagupan
5. Dipolog
6. Laoag
7. Malaybalay
8. Naga City-Camarines Sur
9. San Fernando City-La Union
10. Surigao
11. Tagbilaran
12. Tuguegarao
Big welcome to Manny Pacquiao today
Newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao returns to another hero’s welcome today.
Thousands of Filipinos are expected to greet "The People’s Champion" on his arrival from San Francisco.
Pacquiao snared the WBC lightweight crown with a ninth-round knockout of Mexican-American David Diaz at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last Sunday to become the first Asian to win four world crowns in four different weight divisions.
Pacquiao is the ninth boxer in recorded history to register this feat, joining Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran, Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, Leo Gamez, "Golden Boy’ Oscar de La Hoya, "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Roy Jones Jr.
Pacquiao is scheduled to attend Mass at the Quiapo Church after his arrival at the airport, then pay a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at 10:30 a.m. before proceeding to the Department of Environment and Naural Resources for a noontime meeting with Secretary Jose Atienza Jr., his longtime supporter and friend.
At the DENR, Pacquiao will face a press conference before leading a motorcade around the city that will start at 1:30 p.m.
As in his previous fights, people from all walks of life in the entire archipelago were glued to their television sets, gathering at public staging areas, or intently listening over the radio last Sunday to capture the blow-byblow account of the bout.
For the good part of last Sunday from morning to afternoon, major thoroughfares in the metropolis and other urban centers were free of traffic and the police reported zero crime activity in that span.
The bout turned out to be lopsidedly in favor of Pacquiao – his swiftness, stamina, and power very evident from the opening bell.
Pacquiao bloodied the corner of Diaz’s right eyebrow in the second round and continued to punish the Mexican-American in the ensuing rounds until Diaz went down head first in the ninth round for the Filipino’s knockout win.
At the end of the bout, Pacquiao was given the accolade as the best poundfor-pound fighter, garnering the adulation of even the members of the newly crowned National Basketball Association champions, the Boston Celtics.
Pacquiao, who befriended and won constant support from Secretary Atienza ever since he started his boxing career in 1995, got a rousing welcome from DENR employees when he went home after a hard-won rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez last March. During this DENR visit, Pacquiao announced his support for the conservation of the endangered Philippine Eagle.
Pacquiao first visited DENR in late 2007 after his victorious rematch over another Mexican, Erik Morales, who defeated him in their fight at the MGM Grand in 2005.
Apart from the Philippine Eagle, Pacquiao has also called for the conservation of the Bohol tarsier. He also formed a task force that will help the government monitor and prosecute environmental law violators.
Electronic SSS Reports
An average of 72,300 companies use electronic technology to submit monthly collection reports to the Social Security System (SSS), which resulted in quick posting of contributions of more than four million employees last year, a senior official said.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo said contributions could be posted in two days for employees of companies that submit computer-based reports.
We strongly encourage other companies to automate reporting of contributions so employees could immediately avail of SSS benefits and loans,? she said.
The state-run institution cited findings of a National Competitiveness Council study, which said the SSS? manual posting of contributions takes up to two months. The SSS has been waging a campaign to compel employers to automate submission of their reports to avoid posting delay.
Contributions can be posted in five days under the R-3 Diskette program, and in only two days under the SSSNet facility. Postings that run from one to two months refer only to companies that submit reports using the SSS contribution collection list or R-3 forms, which are sent quarterly.
Paper-based reports, which we receive only at the end of the quarter, take time to encode, especially if there are errors such as inaccurate SS numbers or misspelled names of employees,? de la Paz-Bernardo said.
The SSS offers employers two electronic modes for sending contribution reports: through its R-3 Diskette program, where companies encode their collection lists in a diskette and submit it with the payment receipts, and the SSSNet program, which uses electronic data interchange technology.
Electronic reports are validated upon submission and are automatically uploaded to the SSS Contributions Posting System.*
An average of 70,180 companies, from a minimum number of 45,079 to a maximum of 82,046, which represent 3.98 million employees, sent monthly reports through the SSS R-3 Diskette program in 2007.
A monthly average of 2,120 employers, ranging from 1,543 to 2,540, availed of the SSSNet facility, which allowed computerized transmission of collection reports through the Internet. -source: www.sss.gov.ph
