Thursday, October 31, 2013

Map of Philippines with Manila, Cavite & Bicol

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 11:37 AM
Subject: Map of Philippines with Manila, Cavite & Bicol

Map of Philippines with Manila, Cavite & Bicol

When I found the Map, 
I came across this info about retiring in Philippines, 
just something to think about.

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Update: 2013 Nov 14

I read the the news that said that 'Typhoon Haiyan' will hit 'Makati' but now the news reads that it hit 'Tacloban, Palo' instead. Click HERE to read all about it.

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Makati

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makati
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Ph_locator_ncr_makati.png



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Map of Philippines with Bicol Region

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Bicol Region
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bicol Region (FilipinoKabikulanSpanishBicolandia) is one of the 17 Regions of the Philippines, designated as Region V. Bicol (also spelled Bikol) is composed of four provinces in the Bicol Peninsula, the southeastern end of Luzonisland, and two island-provinces adjacent to the peninsula.[2] The regional centre is considered to be in Legazpi CityAlbay.[3][4]


Geography

The Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The total land area of the region is 18,054.3 km2 (6,970.8 sq mi),[5] which or 5.9% of the total land area of the country. Around 69.3% of the total land area is alienable and disposable while the remaining 30.7% is public forest areas.[2]
The region is bounded by Lamon Bay to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and Sibuyan Sea and Ragay Gulf to the west. The northernmost province, Camarines Norte, is bordered to the north by the province of Quezon, thereby connecting the region to the rest of Luzon.

History

Albay's archaeology shows concrete evidence of trade with ChinaMalaya and Indonesia going back two thousand years. The first Spanish contact was in 1565, when a treasure-galleon returning to Cebu from Acapulco, Mexico, was swept off course and the captain recorded his awe at the sight of Mt. Mayon erupting.[cit

Language

Further information: Bikol language
The people of the Bicol region, called Bicolanos, speak any of the several languages of the Bikol sociolinguistic language, also called Bikolano, an Austronesian language closely related to other Central Philippine languages such as Cebuanoand Tagalog. Bicol languages include the Inland Bikol of Bikol-Rinconada (Rinconada area), Bikol-Cam. Sur (Buhi, Cam. Sur; Libon, Oas, Daraga, Albay and Donsol, Sorsogon), Bikol-Pandan (Northern Catanduanes). Standard Bikol is based from the coastal Bikol language of the dialect of Legazpi City and is understood widely throughout the region even though they cannot speak it fluently.
Bikol is the dominant language of the region. The Filipino language (Tagalog) is also spoken in northern parts of Camarines Norte as well as in the municipality of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. Two Visayan languages, Sorsoganon and Masbateño or Minasbate, are spoken in Masbate and Sorsogon; they are collectively referred to as Bisakol.

Religion

The region retains Roman Catholicism as the overwhelming religion of the great majority. The Catholic religion has the highest number of followers than any other area in the Philippines.
Fiestas (Feast day of saints) are annual celebrations of parishes, from a simple barrio fiesta honoring a patron associated for good harvest, to a town fiesta honoring a miraculous saint, a diocesan fiesta like the feast of Our Lady of Salvation, or a regional one such as the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Fiesta, a week-long celebration to honor the Virgin Mary, dubbed as the "Patroness of Bicolandia". It is widely acknowledged that in Luzon, it is Bicol Region that holds the most number of men entering the seminary for Catholic priesthood, or women entering the religious life to become Catholic nuns.[citation needed]

Geology

Bicol region is volcanic in origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known as the Bicol Volcanic Arc or Chain, the volcanoes are the results of the Philippine Sea Plate subducting under the Philippine Mobile Belt, along the Philippine Trench. Volcanism is evident by the number of hot springscrater lakes, and volcanoes that dot the region starting from Mount Labo in Camarines Norte to the Gate Mountains in Matnog, Sorsogon.[14] Mayon Volcano is the most prominent of the volcanoes in the region, famous for its almost perfect conical shape and for being the most active in the Philippines. Its eruptions have repeatedly inflicted disasters on the region, but during lulls in activity, it is a particularly beautiful mountain. The southernmost tip of the peninsula is dominated by Bulusan Volcano, the other active volcano in the region. Tiwi in Albay and the Bacon-Manito area between Sorsogon and Albay are the sites of two major geothermal fields that contribute substantially to the Luzon Power Grid.[15][16]
Mayon Volcano, the highest at 2,463 metres (8,081 ft), is also the most popular in the region for its beautifully symmetrical cone. It is also the most active in the country.[22] The volcano is one of the protected areas of Region V under the name Mayon Volcano Natural Park encompassing 5,776 hectares (14,270 acres).[18]
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The Singapore Sampan

Just in case, a 'sampan' is a 'small boat'. It is a Malay small boat.

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Thursday, October 24, 2013

Don't Drink and Drive ~ Or Any Other Help

I was drawn to the news article about 'Don't Drink and Drive' and then to this website 'Because I Said I Would' which I thought was a very good positive movement. Hopefully this post will help those of us in need of help in one way or another.

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Blog to Follow
~ actually, YouTube to Follow

Because I Said I Would
http://www.youtube.com/user/becauseisaidiwould


Because I said I would is a social movement dedicated to bettering humanity through the power of a promise. To encourage positive change and acts of kindness, we send "promise cards" to anywhere in the world at no cost. Because I said I would executes charitable projects in support of other non-profit organizations and good they bring into the world.
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Here's one very good sample which is actually a true story.
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YouTube View
"I killed a man."

Published on 3 Sep 2013
This video was released on September 3rd, 2013. Since the release of this video, Matt has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. His court date is on September 18th. He will plead guilty. At this moment, Matt can be bailed out of jail and has the means to meet those bail requirements. Instead, he chooses to stay in jail.

Why did Matt initially plead Not Guilty? 

The Assistant County Prosecutor, Keith McGrath, assigned to Matt's case said that "It's just how our court system works, you have to plead 'Not Guilty' to get that random judge, then plead guilty." 

This guy's job is to Matt in prison for THE MAXIMUM sentence. 

Mr. McGrath stated "...Matt has no choice on how the court process works." 

If Matt didn't get a random judge, they could have accused him of "judge shopping" down the road. Judge shopping is when you just wait until the week your favorite or most lenient judge is working and you just "happen" to plead guilty that week (no random selection). 

For more information:
http://becauseisaidiwould.com/whynotguilty/

This video contains a typo, the video was recorded on August 27th and released on September 3rd. He wanted to wait to notify the victim's family.






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Matthew Cordle's first message to... 
'Because I Said I Would'


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News Article 1
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/world/story/
youtube-drunk-driving-confessor-gets-6-12-years-prison-20131024


YouTube drink-driving confessor gets 6 1/2 years in prison
Published on Oct 24, 2013
6:12 AM

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The young Ohio man whose remorseful video claim of responsiblity for a fatal drink-driving accident has gone viral on YouTube was sentenced on Wednesday to 6 1/2 years behind bars.

Matthew Cordle, 22, stood passively and attentively as gravel-voiced Judge David Fais sent him to jail after replaying in court the emotional video confession that has now been seen online more than 2.3 million times.

"It should have been me (who died) that night, instead of an innocent man," said Cordle, who had earlier pleaded guilty, as he publicly apologised to the family of the victim, Vincent Canzani, 61.

"The true punishment is simply living - living with the knowledge that I took an innocent life. That pain and weight will never go away," he told the court, dressed in a green prison T-shirt and flanked by his lawyers.

Picture Caption:
Matthew Cordle, right, stands before a judge during sentencing on Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013, in Columbus, Ohio. Cordle, whose remorseful video claim of responsiblity for a fatal drunk-driving accident has gone viral on YouTube, was sentenced on Wednesday to 6 1/2 years behind bars. -- PHOTO: AP


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News Article 2

Matthew Cordle sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison 
after confession to killing man while driving drunk
OCTOBER 24, 2013

A MAN has been sentenced to 6½ years in prison for causing a fatal wrong-way crash after a night of heavy drinking, which he had confessed to in an online video.

Matthew Cordle, 22, had faced up to eight-and-a-half years in prison.

Franklin County Judge David Fais sentenced Cordle to six years for aggravated vehicular homicide and six months for driving under the influence of alcohol. He also revoked his driving privileges for life as required by Ohio state law.

Cordle's guilty plea last month came just a week after he was indicted in a speedy process absent of the numerous court filings that usually cause such cases to drag on for weeks or months.

The victim, Vincent Canzani, was a talented artist and photographer who enjoyed working out and spending time with friends and family, his daughter Angela told the court.

"My father got a death sentence and did nothing wrong," Angela Canzani told the judge, asking for the maximum sentence.

Ms Canzani said her children and her sister's children will never get to see their grandfather again.

The judge also read a letter from Vincent Canzani's ex-wife, who said she believed Vincent Canzani would not have wanted a maximum sentence. She said she believes Cordle will keep his promise never to drink and drive again.

Cordle's father, Dave Cordle, told the judge he was "disappointed, disgusted and heartbroken" at the choices his son made that night. He did not ask for leniency, and told Canzani's family his heart was filled with sorrow at their loss and hopes someday they can forgive his son.

In a three-and-a-half-minute video posted in early September, Cordle admitted he killed a man and said he "made a mistake" when he decided to drive that night.

"My name is Matthew Cordle, and on June 22, 2013, I hit and killed Vincent Canzani," he says somberly. "This video will act as my confession."

Cordle acknowledged having a drinking problem after the crash and entered a treatment program as prosecutors gathered evidence against him. He told his attorneys early on that he wanted to plead guilty but made the video against their advice.

Prosecutors say a heavily intoxicated Cordle denied causing an accident or killing anyone when he was first taken to a hospital after the crash, in which he suffered broken ribs and a fractured skull. His attorneys say he may have suffered a brain injury.

Cordle, who lives in Powell, a Columbus suburb, told Judge Fais last month that he had no recollection of the crash, how much he'd had to drink that night or whether he'd had anything to eat.

"I drank so much I was blacked out," Cordle said at the Sept. 18 hearing where he pleaded guilty.

Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said he believed Cordle's remorse in the video was genuine, but he said any further interviews would be self-serving. He also disputed Cordle's assertion in the confessional video that he could have fought the case against him, which Mr O'Brien called "a slam dunk."

Mr O'Brien sought the maximum sentence of eight-and-a-half years. Cordle's attorneys asked for a sentence that was fair.

The video posted on YouTube has been viewed more than 2.3 million times. It begins with Cordle's face blurred as he describes how he has struggled with depression and was simply trying to have a good time with friends going "from bar to bar" the night of the accident.

He then describes how he ended up driving into oncoming traffic on Interstate 670. Cordle's face becomes clear as he reveals his name and confesses to killing Canzani.

He ends the video by pleading with viewers not to drink and drive.
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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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Posted by at 
Labels: 

Ingredients:
• 2 scoops Vanilla or Cookie-n-Cream ice cream.
• 1 small cup of Very Thick Coffee without sugar. (Kopi-Tiam one also can)
• 1 tsp. of Oreo Cookie-n-Cream Biscuit crumbs (preferably without the cream)

Directions:
• Place two large scoops of Vanilla or Cookie-n-Cream ice cream in a glass.
• Prepare a small cup of Thick Coffee without sugar (the Ice-cream is sweet enough).
• Put the Coffee in the Fridge to chill it cold so as not to melt the ice-cream.
• Pour this small cup of thick coffee over the ice cream.
• Pound the Oreo Cookie-n-Cream Biscuit into crumbs and sprinkle on top. Perfect!

Here are some pictures:
(Click on image to enlarge)

 

 

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Recipe ~ Cavatelli with Broccoli & Oregano Flowers

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To search for this Recipe...

I did some searching. 
I still could NOT find the said recipie below.

However... I found these... I'm sure you have more imagination than me...

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~ Cavatelli with Broccoli & Oregano Flowers 
~ by Chef Giorgio Nava of Italy

A simple plate of cavatelli contains
~ small pasta shells
~ broccoli
~ oregano flowers

Giorgio Nava, an Italian chef based in South Africa, won the World Pasta Championship in the Italian city of Parma on Saturday with a low-cost recipe that he said suited Italy's deep economic crisis. 

"Simplicity was the key. I presented a recipe that is very cheap but very tasty," "Others competed with expensive fish-based recipes but right now, given the economic situation in Italy, it did not seem right to come forward with extravagant dishes." "My dish is something easy to make, anyone can cook it a home," "After all, simple things are often the best."
Chef Giorgio Nava of Italy

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News Article

Italian named world's top pasta chef for recession-inspired dish
Published on Jun 16, 2013 at 6:25 AM

Picture Caption
Chef Giorgio Nava of Italy poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the Pasta World Championship in Parma on June 15, 2013. Nava, an Italian chef based in South Africa, won the World Pasta Championship in the Italian city of Parma on Saturday with a low-cost recipe that he said suited Italy's deep economic crisis. 
-- PHOTO: REUTERS

PARMA, Italy (REUTERS) - Giorgio Nava, an Italian chef based in South Africa, won the World Pasta Championship in the Italian city of Parma on Saturday with a low-cost recipe that he said suited Italy's deep economic crisis.

Nava, who has won awards for his work at the Cape Town restaurants '95 Keerom' and 'Carne SA', wooed the public and the jury with a simple plate of cavatelli - small pasta shells - broccoli and oregano flowers.

"Simplicity was the key. I presented a recipe that is very cheap but very tasty," Nava told Reuters after his victory. "Others competed with expensive fish-based recipes but right now, given the economic situation in Italy, it did not seem right to come forward with extravagant dishes."

The pasta championship, which was held for the first time last year, took place at the Barilla Food Academy in Parma, considered Italy's food capital and best-known for Parmesan cheese and cured Parma ham.

Twenty-four carefully selected cooks, including Hong-Kong born John Leung, competed in the two-day championship.

Participants were given 40 minutes to complete their dish in the first round of the championship on Friday and only 30 minutes during the final on Saturday.

"My dish is something easy to make, anyone can cook it a home," said Nava. "After all, simple things are often the best." Last year's award went to Japanese chef Yoshi Yamada.

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Links to the image of this dish



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Joke ~ I'm Schooling

Damn!

The the only thing I have over him is that I am currently 1 cm taller at 1.83 cm

Back in the day, when I enlisted in the army, I was measured at 1.85 cm, but the short girl measuring me had her ruler slanting upwards, thus, giving me an extra 2 cm, and I did not correct her mainly due to vanity, but I'm over that now.

Some other things to note in this news. I also have cousins with this surname, Schooling which is quite unique. My dad kept telling me this story of my cousin's answer to this question every time when asked, 

"What's your surname?", 

to which the reply would be, 

"I'm Schooling", 

and that would cause the questioner to do a double take and ask the question again.

Hey Joseph Schooling, all the best in your quest for the Olympic medal in 2016.
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Sports News
Joseph Schooling sets sights on Olympic medal
by ADELENE WONG
Monday, 2013 Oct 21
http://www.todayonline.com/sports/schooling-sets-sights-olympic-medal
http://www.todayonline.com/print/307961

Picture Caption:
Singapore's Joseph Schooling (pictured) is now the 10th fastest swimmer in the men's 200m butterfly after setting a national record of 1min 56.27secs in the event's semi-finals at the 2013 FINA World Championship. But it was not enough to see him through to the final. TODAY FILE PHOTO.

Click on Picture to enlarge

Track record and progress in recent years have given him self-belief

SINGAPORE — Ang Peng Siong came close in 1984 in Los Angeles, and Tao Li came closer five years ago in Beijing. Now, Joseph Schooling believes he can end Singapore’s wait for its first Olympic swimming medallist.

Widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents, the 18-year-old, who is based in the United States, is now aiming to finish on the podium at the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

According to US swimming records last month, Schooling, who specialises in the 100m and 200m butterfly events, is ranked in the top-five with Americans in his age group.

In the 100m fly, his time of 52.33secs is just behind 18-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps (51.10). He is also ranked third in 200m fly (1:56.27) and fifth in the 200m individual medley (1:59.99).

Schooling, a final-year student at the Bolles School in Florida, told TODAY his track record and progress in recent years have given him that self-belief.

“I have been steadily improving in my swimming over the past few years, so that is why I think I have a shot,” he said in an interview last week. “I want to bring glory to Singapore and win an Olympic medal in 2016 when I will be 21. Every competition is a stepping stone … I am getting closer (to my dream of winning an Olympic medal) every time I race.”

Ang and Tao have come closest to winning Singapore its first Olympic medal in swimming. At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Ang was ranked ninth overall in the men’s 100m freestyle after winning the event’s “B” final for the eight fastest swimmers outside of the final. Twenty four years later at the Beijing Olympics, Tao became the first Singaporean to reach a swimming final, finishing fifth in the women’s 100m fly final.

Singapore have won four Olympic medals: A silver and two bronzes from table tennis and a silver in weightlifting.

Schooling made his Olympic debut in London last year, but was distracted after an official ruled just minutes before his 200m fly heats that his cap and goggles were not approved for the Games, leading to a disappointing time of 1min 59.18secs, well below his then-personal best of 1:56.67. But he said “champions don’t make excuses” and vowed to bounce back.

Since then, he has chalked up strong performances, including at the World Championships in Barcelona in July, where he lowered his own national 200m fly record to 1:56.27.

At the London Games, Phelps won the 100m fly in 51.21, while South Africa’s Chad Le Clos took the 200m fly in 1:52.96, and Schooling is under no illusions about the difficult task ahead, saying there “needs to be a right balance” for all the moving parts to come together.

One vital component is his application for deferment from National Service (NS) so that he can maintain his momentum to the 2016 Games. A spokesperson from Singapore’s Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday that Schooling had “made a deferment request for NS”, but declined further comment until a Parliamentary sitting today, when the topic of providing a more flexible approach to NS enlistment for male athletes at their prime will be raised.

Choosing a university with a suitable academic and swimming programme is also important for Schooling. Several American colleges are reportedly keen on him, with the University of California at Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin and University of Florida among those on his shortlist.

In the meantime, preparations for the Dec 11-22 South-east Asian Games in Myanmar are on track as he aims to win all his seven events. Trained by Spain’s 1988 Olympic 200m breaststroke bronze medallist Sergio Lopez at Bolles, Schooling has added 4kg of muscle to his 1.82m tall frame to improve his speed.

Said Schooling: “If I pace myself properly, I am confident of going a lot faster.”
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