PP UNDERGROUND RIVER IS OFFICIALLY ONE OF THE New7Wonders of Nature

check more photos of PP Underground River
 in HOLAGWAY.com

Underground River which is located in Puerto Princesa, Philippines was officially declared as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. This was declared by Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, last January 28, 2012. Weber congratulate all Filipinos, most especially those who supported the finalist in the Global campaign.

“When your very own President Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously,” said Weber. “Fans of PPUR all over the world responded to his call for action by voting in record numbers and today’s confirmation is the well-earned reward for this extraordinary display of enthusiasm,” he added.

This declaration was done during the meeting of Weber together with the Mayor of Puerto Princesa, Edward Hagedorn, Nardz Villafranca, PPUR campaign coordinator and Jean-Paul dela Fuente, New7Wonders Director. During the said meeting, they discussed about the official inauguration event of the PPUR and a strategic plan of promoting the Underground River now that it's one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

“This confirmation is wonderful news for Puerto Princesa, and a great example of how now its more fun to be in the Philippines,” said Mayor Hagedorn. “World-wide exposure of our natural beauty on this level is critical both for tourism and for our image nationally and internationally.”

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FIRE IN HIPODROMO, CEBU CITY - JANUARY 24, 2012

Just awhile ago, one of the urban places in Cebu City  was set on fire. It started around 10:00am. Fire Department immediately responded the alarm. As of now, no reports yet if how many houses were burned or how big was the damage cost. Also, no clear reports yet if how long was the Fire Department defused the fire. But base on my observation, the fire was already aided before 11:00am.

Below are the images of the actual fire taken in a distance.

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WHALE SHARK BEGGING FOR FOOD IN CENTRAL PHILIPPINES

Image via Wikipedia
A debate has sparked between the Philippine Marine Biolosits and the government of Oslob, Cebu, Philippines regarding the feeding of the world's largest fish, Whale Shark. Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren said that the practice of feeding the whale shark is good for their tourism and does no harm. But the environmentalists have recommended to halt the said feeding of the giant fish.

IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES by DOT Philippines

As declared by the Department of Tourism, "It's More Fun In The Philippines" is there new slogan. This is their strategy to promote Philippine tourism. To encourage more tourists to come over in the Philippines and discover the wonders of nature and tourist spots that can only be found in the Philippines.

This new slogan of DOT Philippines is now trending worldwide as confirmed. DOT Philippines want to extend their thanks to all who make their new slogan trending in twitter most especially to all Filipinos.

LOW PRESSURE AREA SPOTTED NEAR ZAMBOANGA

At 2:00 p.m today, the Low Pressure Area was estimated (LPA) based on satellite and surface data at 130 km Northwest of Zamboanga City (8.0°N, 119.4°E). Tail-end of a cold front affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas.

Gale Warning 


Issued at: 5:00 p.m., Today, 27 December 2011
Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE (KPH)/(KNOTS) SEA CONDITION WAVE HEIGHTS (meters) THE SEABOARDS OF VISAYAS AND THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF SOUTHERN LUZON CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED TO WIDESPREAD RAINSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS (52 - 71) / (28 - 38) ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH 3.4 to 5.5 THE SEABOARDS OF NORTHERN LUZON AND THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF CENTRAL LUZON MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED RAINSHOWERS (52 - 71) / (28 - 38) ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH 3.4 to 5.5 THE WESTERN SEABOARD OF SOUTHERN LUZON CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED TO WIDESPREAD RAINSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS (52 - 68) / (28 - 36) ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH 3.4 to 5.0 THE WESTERN SEABOARD OF CENTRAL LUZON MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED RAINSHOWERS (52 - 68) / (28 - 36) ROUGH TO VERY ROUGH 3.4 to 5.0

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

source:  pagasa.dost.gov.ph

24 HOURS HAD PAST AND A MALL IN CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES IT STILL BURNING

Gaisano Capital, one of the malls in Cebu City, Philippines, set on fire yesterday, December 23, 2011. Cebu City fire station received the alarm 12:42 a.m. from the guard on duty when the fire was started. But when the fire fighters arrived, some unidentified men blocked them from getting inside. The time hey were allowed, they've got a very hard time to see anything inside due to the very thick black smoke.

About 1, 000 employees of the said mall afriad they would loose their job because of the accident happened. Employees supposed to receive their salary but no report yet if it was given to them or not.

Until today, December 24, 5:30 p.m., black smoke were still coming from the mall. Fire fighters said that the thick black smoke slowed them down to permanently eleminate the fire inside.

Actual Video of the thick smoke coming out from Gaisano Capital South Mall


                                                                     courtesy of youtube

NO WORK - NO CLASS ON NOVEMBER 7, 2011: HOLIDAY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PHILIPPINES

via wikipedia

Philippines - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III declared that there will be NO WORK nor CLASS on November 7, 2011. This is to respect the one of the two greatest feast of Islam, Eid Ul Adha.


Eid Ul Adha means "Festival of Sacrifice". It is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isma'il) as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead. The meat is divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the other third is given to the poor and needy. 


Below is the copy of the declaration of the President.

From Tropical Depression to Tropical Storm "RAMON" - Now Went to Signal #2 in some Areas of Visayas and Mindanao

FORECAST AS OF 4:00 AM

At 4:00 a.m. today, Tropical Storm "RAMON" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 80 km East Northeast of Surigao City (10.1°N, 126.2°E) with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move Northwest at 17 kph.

Below is the Released Forecast this 5:00 AM:

CENTRAL AND EASTERN VISAYAS AND NORTHEASTERN MINDANAO WILL  EXPERIENCE STORMY WEATHER WHILE
MASBATE, ROMBLON, SORSOGON AND WESTERN VISAYAS WILL HAVE RAINS AND GUSTY WINDS AND THE COASTAL WATERS
ALONG THESE AREAS WILL BE MODERATE TO ROUGH. CENTRAL AND THE REST OF SOUTHERN LUZON  AND THE REST OF MINDANAO WILL EXPERIENCE MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES WITH SCATTERED RAINSHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. NORTHERN LUZON WILL BE PARTLY CLOUDY TO CLOUDY WITH ISOLATED RAINSHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS.
                        MODERATE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING FROM THE NORTHEAST TO NORTH  WILL PREVAIL OVER  SOUTHERN
LUZON AND COMING FROM THE NORTHWEST TO SOUTHWEST OVER THE REST OF MINDANAO. THE COASTAL WATERS ALONG
THESE AREAS WILL BE MODERATE TO ROUGH. ELSEWHERE, WINDS WILL BE LIGHT TO MODERATE BLOWING FROM THE
NORTHEAST TO NORTH WITH SLIGHT TO MODERATE SEAS.

Signal #2 (Winds of 61-100 kph is expected in at least 24 hrs)

AFFECTED AREAS:

• Visayas
• Western Samar 
• Eastern Samar 
• Leyte Provinces 
• Biliran
• Camotes Island
• Northern Cebu
• Bohol  
• Mindanao
• Surigao del Norte 
• Siargao Island
• Surigao del Sur
• Dinagat Island
• Camiguin Island
• Agusan del Norte

Potential Impacts of the Wind

1. Moderate damage to agriculture 
2. Rice and corn adversely affected 
3. Few large trees uprooted 
4. Large number of nipa and cogon houses partially or totally unroofed 
5. Some old galvanized iron roofing may roll off 
6. Travel by all types of sea vessels is risky

Signal #1 (Winds of 45-60 kph is expected within the next 36 hours)

AFFECTED AREAS:

• Luzon
• Marinduque  
• Mindoro Provinces
• Romblon
• Camarines Sur
• Southern Quezon
• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Burias Island
• Sorsogon
• Ticao Island 
• Masbate  
• Visayas
• Northern Samar
• Panay Island
• Guimaras
• Negros Provinces
• Rest of Cebu
• Siquijor Island
• Mindanao
• Misamis Oriental 
• Agusan del Sur

Potential Impacts of the Winds 

1. Twigs and branches of trees may be broken
2. Some banana plants may tilt or land flat on the ground 
3. Rice in flowering stage may suffer significant damage  
4. Some nipa and cogon houses may be partially unroofed 
5. Sea travel of small seacrafts and fishing boats is risky

REMINDERS

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals are alerted against possible flashfloods, landslides and storm surges. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone. 

Estimated rainfall amount is from 10 - 30 mm per hour (heavy) within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Storm. 

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today. 

Typhoon "RAMON" - 2nd Update

via weather.gov.ph

At 4:00 p.m. today, Tropical Storm "RAMON" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 180 km East Northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur (8.9°N, 127.9°E) with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move Northwest at 17 kph.

"RAMON" has intensified into a storm as it continues to threaten Eastern Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao.



The Following are the Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal # 2:

• Visayas
• Southern Leyte
• Eastern Samar
• Mindanao
• Surigao del Norte
• Siargao Island
• Surigao del Sur
• Dinagat Island

Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal # 1:

• Luzon
• Masbate
• Ticao Island
• Romblon
• Sorsogon
• Visayas
• Northern Leyte
• Biliran Island
• Bohol
• Cebu
• Northern Negros
• Northern Samar
• Western Samar
• Panay Island
• Guimaras Island
• Mindanao
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin Island

Tropical Depression "RAMON" - Update

via ndrrmc.gov.ph

Executive Director of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, USec Benito T. Ramos, has issued the latest update of the tropical depression of "Ramon".

As of today, Oct. 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM, Topical Depression "Ramon" has maintained its strength as it continues to threaten eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao. 10:00 AM this morning, Ramon was located 245 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with the maximum strength of its wind is 55 kph near the center.

The following are the affected area:

• Visayas:
• Eastern Samar 
• Western Samar 
• Leyte Provinces 
• Bohol 
• Biliran 
• Camotes Island 
• Northern Cebu 
• Northern Negros 
• Northern Iloilo 
• Capiz 
• Masbate 
• Ticao Island

• Mindanao:
• Surigao Del Norte 
• Siargao Island 
• Surigao Del Sur 
• Dinagat Group of Islands 
• Agusan Del Norte 
• Camiguin Island 
• Agusan Del Sur 

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under PSWS are alerted against possible
flashfloods and landslides

Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 – 25 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within the 300
km diameter of the tropical depression


Click here to View the complete report of NDRRMC.

Special Non-Working Holiday Declaration - October 31, 2011

via gov.ph

Below is the copy of the declaration of Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III that October 31, 2011 will be a non-working holiday. 

If you want to have the copy of the formal letter of this declaration, click here.


_________________________________________________________________________________

MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 265

DECLARING MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2011, AS A SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 84, dated 20 December 2010, declared Tuesday, 1 November 2011, as a special (non-working) day;

WHEREAS, Monday, 31 October 2011, falling between Sunday and Tuesday, 1 November 2011 (All Saints Day), has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country;

WHEREAS, to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe the day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions of the country. Monday, 31 October 2011, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Monday, 31 October 2011, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 10^th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.

Executive Secretary

__________________________________________________________________________________

courtesy of gov.ph

FLOODS IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES

If other countries were having some political issues that results to unnecessary wars, in the Philippines, it starts with a heavy rain with strong wind and then create storms in different parts of the country.

As I recall, last August 11, 2011, a PUJ driver was killed after a 100-year old acacia tree falls down due to heavy rain in Zapatera, Cebu City, Philippines.

And last August 20, 2011, another heavy rain strikes in Cebu, Philippines that results to Flood.

In Banilad, Cebu, Philippines, heavy rain flooded the street. Some vehicles, mostly motorcycles needs to slow down to prevent accidents.

                                                      [ Banilad, Cebu City Philippines ]      

Heavy  rain didn't affect some drivers. Some of them still recklessly droves and result to accidents. Along the way, I've seen two vehicular accidents. First was along the high way of Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., near ERUF. Second was in Cebu Business Park, Samar Loop St., in front of China Bank.

           

                                            [ Crossing of Sikatuna St. and A. Bonifacio St. ]

The video above shows that some homes were affected of flood. Waters came in to their houses. Some vehicles, most especially motorcycles didn't make it to cross the street and that needs to went back and find another route.

Heavy rain doesn't stop there. On the following day, August 21, 2011, another heavy rain with a strong wind strikes again in Cebu, Philippines.  I've heard that some parts of Cebu City suffered from flood. To confirm the news, I went to one of the places that was reported by flood, in front of University of San Carlos, talamban St. [ check video below ]

                                          [ in front of University of San Carlos - Talamban ]

As you can see on the video above, drainage couldn't handle all the waters to pass through. Or might be some garbage just stock in the drainage that blocks that water and flooded on the street.

                                          [ in front of University of San Carlos - Talamban ]

This flood blocked the street and prevent all the vehicles to pass. Some public vehicles need to went back and find another route and some were just stock on the flood and needs to wait until the water lowered down.

MAN BURNED ALIVE BY PHILIPPINE SOLDIERS

Abdul Khan Ajid, 39, was captured by the Philippine Soldiers last July 23 at the Southern portion of the Abu Sayyaf Territory in Basilan. Abdul was alleged by the Philippine Soldiers that he is a member of the Muslim extremist group, Abu Sayyaf. Philippine soldiers forced Abdul to confess of being amember of the said group. Since Abdul didn't confess anything, Philippine soldiers poured gasoline on him and set him on fire.

Doe to this inhuman act, the soldiers who were part of the torturing, including a junior officer, was arrested. The head of the military's human right office, Domingo Tutaan said that they will not tolirate this kind of inhuman act of torturing to the innocent civilian.

Abdul is currently on a critical status. The family of Abdul said that he had a 50-50 chance of surviving due to his critical burns all over his face, torso, and groin.

PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III: STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS [ SONA ]

State of the Nation Address of
His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
To the Congress of the Philippines

[Delivered at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on July 25, 2011]


Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Bise Presidente Jejomar Binay; mga dating Pangulong Fidel Valdez Ramos at Joseph Ejercito Estrada; Chief Justice Renato Corona at ang ating mga kagalang-galang na mahistrado ng Korte Suprema; mga kagalang-galang na kasapi ng diplomatic corps; mga butihing miyembro ng Kamara de Representante at ng Senado; mga Local Government officials; mga miyembro ng ating Gabinete; mga unipormadong kasapi ng militar at kapulisan; mga kapwa ko nagseserbisyo sa taumbayan;

At sa mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang aking butihing mga boss:

Humarap po ako sa inyo noong aking inagurasyon at sinabing: Walang wang-wang sa ating administrasyon. At ngayon, patuloy nating itinitigil ito. Naging hudyat at sagisag po ito ng pagbabago, hindi lamang sa kalsada, kundi pati na rin sa kaisipan sa lipunan.

Sa matagal na panahon, naging simbolo ng pang-aabuso ang wang-wang. Dati, kung makapag-counterflow ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan, para bang oras lang nila ang mahalaga. Imbes na maglingkod-bayan, para bang sila ang naging hari ng bayan. Kung maka-asta ang kanilang mga padrino’t alipores, akala mo’y kung sinong maharlika kung humawi ng kalsada; walang pakialam sa mga napipilitang tumabi at napag-iiwanan. Ang mga dapat naglilingkod ang siya pang nang-aapi. Ang panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod—iyan po ang utak wang-wang.

4 PLUNDER CHARGES AGAINST GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

Four plunder charges was submitted and filed at the Ombudsman against former President Gloris Macapagal-Arroyo.

1. Last July 10, 2010, Bayan Muna filed a plunder against Arroyo at the Ombudsman for cited the $329 million NBN-ZTE contract anomaly as basis.

2. Last April 26, 2011, former Solicitor General Frank Chavez and Gabriela filed the second plunder case against Arroyo for cited alleged misuse of Php530 million OWWA funds.

3. Last June 01, 2011, Kilusang Magbubukod ng Pilipinas filed another case for the alleged corruption related to the Php728 million fertilizer fund.

4. Lastly, last July 12, 2011, alleged allocation and misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's Php150 million intelligence fund by Bayan Muna.

FORMER PRESIDENT GLIRIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO MAYBE IMPRISONED FOR A LIFETIME

After former Commission on Elections supervisor Lintang Bedol came out, he revealed more than we expected. Base on his statement, last 2004 presidential election, it was supposed to be Fernando Poe Jr. won as Philippine's new president and not former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And that Arroyo had cheated that's why she won.

If this alleged will be proven as true, Arroyo maybe facing life impresonment as mentioned by the lawmaker.

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said that the charges are not bailable and are punishable by reclusion perpetua if they are carried on by the court.

LINTANG BEDOL CAME OUT AFTER 4 YEARS OF HIDING

The former Maguindanao election supervisor  Lintang  Bedol had came out after 4 years of hiding.

If we can still recall, Bedol revealed the poll cheating in Mindanao during the 2007 mid-term election. After  this big revelation, he decided to hide for the reason that the people involved on the said poll cheating want him dead and may include his family.

Last Thursday, July 14, 2011, at around 5 P.M., Bedol arrived in Manila and brought directly to a safe-house somewhere in Metro Manila by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with heavy security escorting him.

MOTHER, KILLED AND ATE SOME BODY PARTS OF HER BABY

A mother in Isabela, Philippines killed her own baby and was arrested.

Base on the interview from the neighbors, they just saw Carol (not her own name) carrying a sack with blood on her mouth. When Carol through the sack, it exposed her one year old baby girl full of blood and no life.

On the autopsy result, the baby got a serious wound on her neck and a hole on her stomach. It also apears that the heart of the baby was missing. They concluded that if it's not eaten by her mother, it was being thrown.

Husband of Carol said on the interview that her wife was looking for a knife early in the morning that's why he decided to hide all their knives.

Carol feel sorry on what happened on her baby. "You're not supposed to be dead is just the demon didn't killed you", Carol said.

Base on the check-up, Carol has a mental disorder called Schizophrenia.It is any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact.

Caro lwas brought to mental hospital but said to be filed a case of Parricide.

Reasons Why Some SSS Members still haven't receive their SSS Member ID

I'm also a member of Social Security System or SSS. I went to  their office here in Cebu last March 22, 2010 to capture a photo of mine for my SSS ID. But until now I still haven't receive my SSS ID. So I decided to call their office and ask for a reason why I still don't have my ID? The lady who answered my call told me that my ID can be claimed one month after the captured date. So I ask why is it now more than a year and still I don't have my ID? She answered me that the production of SSS Member's ID had stopped between third quarter and fourth quarter of 2009 until now. I tried to ask why but she also don't know. fyi: their production area is in Manila.

Anyone out their knows the reason why did they stop the SSS Member's ID production?

2 Earthquakes Hit the Philippines

Image via Wikipedia

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology ans Seismology or PHIVOLCS, last Monday, March 21, 2011 at 6:37 PM local time, a 5.7 magnitude of earthquake hits the coast of Mindoro with the epicenter measurement of about 12 kilometers northeast of Lubang Island and a depth of 74 kilometers.

The result shaking of the said quake reaches Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

Intensity 4:

• Talisay, Batangas
• Tagaytay City
• Manila

Intensity 3"

• Quezon City
• Makati
• Malabon
• Muntinlupa
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Intensity 2:

• Plaridel, BUlacan
• Lucban, Quezon
• Cabanatuan City
• Baguio City

At 9:29 PM on the same date, another quake htis Luzon with the magnitude of 4.7. The trembling measures 29 Kilometers Northeast of Pili, Camarines Sur and a depth of 20 Kilometers.

With these two quakes, no damage has been reported.