Absolutely Joro

Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Happy Chinese New Year!)

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:54:00 +0000

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of a Golden Tiger, which begins on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The first day of the lunar New Year 2010 falls on the 14th day of February, which is Saint Valentine's Day, so it is a day the West celebrates as a lovers' day, a day of romance. To the Chinese, it is the start of the Golden Tiger Year. The Tiger is the third sign in the cycle of Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animal signs. It is a sign of courage. This fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household: fire, thieves and ghosts. On New Year's day itself, it is beneficial to celebrate, to be happy, to have smiling faces, and to refrain from scowling, quarreling, or criticizing anyone.

In the Philippines, a Tsinoy is a Filipino of Chinese heritage. It is a combination of "Tsino" meaning Chinese and the slang word "Pinoy" meaning Filipino. (The term Intsik has fallen out of favor.)

There has been a significant Chinese presence in the Philippines even before the Spaniards arrived in the 15th century. Chinese Filipinos currently number four million, making up five percent of the Philippine population.

Chinese Filipinos celebrate the Lunar New Year in January or February. It is not an official holiday in the Philippines, but students in Chinese schools are let out early.

CHINESE-FILIPINO TRADITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR
The food most fondly looked forward to during Chinese New Year in the Philippines is tikoy, a treat made from sticky rice. You can buy it from stores only at this time of the year (January and February) but don't forget that you have to cook it first before eating!

RED ENVELOPES. Red is considered the luckiest color and everyone tries to dress in it and have red things all around. Children expect to receive fresh peso bills inside bright red envelopes on which are written Chinese characters. They are called hong bao in Mandarin or ang pao in Hokkien, the language used by Chinese Filipinos.

Want To See More Snow?

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:05:00 +0000

I love taking photos of the snow. When I went for a class at the Birmingham City University, I brought my camera in order to take photos of the snow. Eventhough I've been here in the UK for a while but still, I really like the snow. Photos below were taken at the Birmingham City University.

Snow Update

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:44:00 +0000

I know you will be bored of looking these snow photos but it's worth to look at. Photos below were taken opposite our hospital in which there were so many kids and teens sledging down the hill. You can also see my bike that I used to drive.

Happy Sinulog 2010

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:11:00 +0000

fluvial parade carrosa del So. Nino de Cebu procession of Sto. Nino
The celebration of Sinulog is the grandest of all the pageantry in the Philippines. I was once a dancer of the Sinulog during my college days and it really felt me the spirit of the HOLY INFANT JESUS. Sinulog is a way of worship. By this time, they danced not to worship their native idols but to signify their reverence to the Santo Niño, now enshrined at the San Agustin Church (renamed Basilica Minore del Santo Niño). Through the years since 1521, the dance was a small ritual danced by a few in front of the Santo Niño. At the Santo Niño Church where the image is consecrated, only the candle vendors could be seen dancing the Sinulog and making offerings.

Happy New Year to all!

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:24:00 +0000

Year of the tiger, 2010 is already knocking our doors. We can say goodbye to 2009. Here in Britain, lavish and extravagant fireworks display will be showcasing in the River of Thames in London with the beautiful landmark of London Eye as its backdraft. Last year was a very succesful event. And I think today as well, New Year's Eve will be outlasting the previous display. Today's temperature have plummeted to minus 6 degrees centigrade.

But I am interested in our customs and traditions in my home country Philippines.

In Philippines the families gather together at midnight on New Year and eat a midnight meal. This is believed by the people in Philippines would ensure plenty of food in the coming year. The children in Philippines follow a custom of jumping up and down 10 times to grow tall in the coming year. This custom is believed would make the children taller for the coming year.

Fireworks are an important part of the New Year celebrations in Philippines. The people in Philippines set off fireworks as a symbol of happiness on New Year. The fireworks are seen as a traditional way to greet the New Year with joy.

The preparations for the New Year in Philippines begin a few days ahead of New Year. Although the customs of celebrating New Year in Philippines may have changed a little but the spirit of the New Year celebrations remains the same among the people of Philippines on New Year.

The custom of wishing everyone luck and happiness and seeing off the old year and welcoming the New Year is still prevalent in Philippines. Dance music and other amusements are the other customs that the people in Philippines follow on New Year.

Media Noche or midnight is an important custom that is followed. On New Year's Eve families in Philippines gather to have this midnight mass. This midnight mass is believed by the people in Philippines to symbolize their hopes for a prosperous New Year. The custom of making noise and merrymaking is not only meant to have all the fun on New Year but also to drive away evil spirits. The people in Philippines believe banging on pots and pans and blowing on car horns to be the safer methods of merrymaking on New Year.

The wide populaces in Philippines believe displaying colorful fruit and wearing clothes with dots and other circular designs would be lucky as they symbolize money. Just like the New Year custom of other countries the people in Philippines believe in following the custom of eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year. This would bring them good luck for the coming year. Opening the doors during the first day of the New Year is a custom that is followed to bring good luck for the New Year.

Related Links below:
Joro Livelihood
Joro, The New Beginning
Absolutely Joro
The World Of Joro
The Tale Of A Bukidnon Lad
Baconchezjoro Multiply

Merry Christmas To All!

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:43:00 +0000

God is Love
Christmas is all about love
Christmas is thus about God and Love
Love is the key to peace among all mankind
Love is the key to peace and happiness within all creation
Love needs to be practiced - love needs to flow - love needs to make happy
Love starts with your partner, children and family and expands to all world
God bless all mankind

Today is the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ

Let us pray together for peace on earth.

World Record For One-Finger Press-Up

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:59:00 +0000

A kung fu master has given his rivals the finger after breaking the world record for doing push-ups... with one finger.Fu Bingli - who has been studying martial arts for 32 years, since the age of just seven - scooped the Guinness World Record on Monday for completing 12 press-ups on just one finger of his right hand.
'I've been training since I was seven years old and my index finger has as much strength in it as most people's entire body,' said Fu, with masterful understatement.
Fu, of Lianyungang, eastern China, also claims that he can stand upside down supporting himself on just a single finger, but we'll probably wait for pictures of that before we're entirely convinced.

Painful Stunt

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:58:00 +0000

Sorry for the late post. I'm so busy in facebook but I leave you with this astonishing stunt.

Well, as you can see the photo of a man pulling the van with his eyelids, it makes you sick and terrified. But that's exactly what this martial arts enthusiast is doing, as he pulls the vehicle along with a rope connected to his eye sockets.

The demonstration of his eyes' pulling power happened during a performance in Hefei, in China's Anhui province. It's not entirely clear how far he managed to pull the van, or how his eyes felt about the whole affair. And to do this, only an expert can do.

My Birthday Review

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Have a read and look at the photos of my recent birthday party which took place few weeks ago. I got the chance to do this post by now. The reason for the delay is that I was so busy for the past few weeks due to virtual cooking game..hehehe.

Bacon is also celebrating her birthday together with her children like Chez, Joro, Sikyu, Sweetie, Booh, Pinky, Panda and Bulilit. What a party which was attended by my Filipino community friends with their families.

The food was awesome catered by Orly's catering at a very reasonable price. I was the only preparing the party, moving the furnitures and setting up the place plus the after care which I did it by myself, so tiresome but I enjoyed it well.

Click here for more.

Halloween Treat At The Warwick Castle

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Warwick Castle is located in Warwick, Warwickshire, England and not far from where I live. Ruby, my friend from Germany who came over here for a holiday had spent our day in the castle. The theme of the day, is of course, Halloween. The castle and the pathway to the hill is adorned with pumpkins, vampire bats, cobwebs and creepy creatures. There was a white lady as well roaming around or sat in the couch inside the castle. That's scary.

Anyway, we enjoyed our day out and perhaps, it is Ruby's glorious moments when she visited the famous castle of England.

Happy Birthday To Me

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:46:00 +0000

Happy BirthdayRolly Bacon Chez Sikyu Sweetie Panda Booh Joro Pinky BulilitToday, October 25 is my natal day. There will be a birthday party for my close friends here in Birmingham. It will be catered by Orly Catering. Hope you can come and join the fun.

Mutya Thinking Of A Reunion

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:07:00 +0000

I'm an avid fan of the original SUGABABES girl band group and I even watched their concert here in Birmingham in National Indoor Arena few years back. I managedto get a front seat but unfortunately, my camera was confiscated in the entrance due to the size of my camera. They said that professional cameras are not allowed inside but my camera was not a pro but an ordinary one, only it is quiete bulky.

Anyhow, ex-member MUTYA BUENA is a Filipino in origin and she got a wonderful voice. Could we soon see the original Sugababes line-up fighting it out in the charts the with the current Sugababes? If founder member Mutya Buena has her way, we will.

The band was formed in 1998 by teenagers Mutya, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy. After their initial success, Donaghy left the band in 2001 amid rumours of bullying at the hands of childhood friends Keisha and Mutya. She was replaced by Heidi Range.
This line-up lasted until late 2005 when Mutya, left the band to focus on giving birth and raising her daughter.

This September, Keisha Buchanan, became the last of the original trio to leave the band – and ever since there has been widespread speculation about the possibility of the three founder members recording together.

Manila Drowned Part 3

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:13:00 +0000

This is a continuation of the flood photos. At the moment, there are some parts of Manila that is still submerged into waters. But the relief goods are pouring to the affected areas.

There are so many kindhearted kababayans and people abroad who sincerely sent their help through pledge donations like cash or in kind.

Manila Drowned Part 2

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Some photos here for you to see.

What a disaster and tragedy. I could not believe that it happened in just a clap of hands. The water rose so quickly that even the rich people mansions were not spared.

Lessons to learn? Love our environment.

Manila Drowned

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:17:00 +0000

This is a bit old news but I'm only sharing some of the horrific photos during the massive flooding in Manila and the rests of Luzon that was being affected by the typhoon Ondoy. So many died due to drowning and so many have been evacuated to schools, halls and gymnasium.

But the Filipino spirit of helping those who are in need is the best asset that we have. Donations and relief goods poured to the evacuees and the affected. The government is helping them out and the crisis will end soon.

We Will Miss You

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:29:00 +0000

In the pond of our hospital, there were our new darling for all the staff, patients and friends. The wild ducks with the mother duck and her 7 ducklings. The mother duck was the frequent visitor of the pond for her stopover for her search for food. One day, she hatched 7 ducklings and we adored them as they walked and wandered in the pond. The door was shut to protect them from going outside the pond. They waded in the pond and was fed by the kitchen staff. If you have only seen them, for sure, you will like them.

We witnessed them as they grew older. Everytime I passed there, I gave them a good kiss. They are adorable. There was a discussion about their rights to stay there and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA)insisted that they should live in their normal habitat. They were taken away and put in the conservation camp before they will be released.

I really them and I love them and now, I started missing them. Hope they will come back one day.

Knife Embedded In Her Bum

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:37:00 +0000

This is a weird news about a cheeky robbers that left a mugging victim with a mystery pain that doctors only got to the bottom of four months later – when they found a knife buried in her buttocks.

Being robbed is a pain in the rear end at the best of times, but as you can see from this remarkable X-ray Ying Shi, 26, was left with a nasty reminder of the ordeal. Doctors found a razor-sharp six-inch blade buried so far into her bottom that it was pressing into her bladder.

'All I remember of the night was a stabbing pain in my backside. I thought they had just slashed me, I didn't realise the whole blade had gone all the way in,' she said.

Doctors in Shanghai, eastern China, were stumped by Ying's stomach complaints, until they performed a scan.

'I am amazed they missed it the first time around but very relieved that they've found it now,' she said.

Another Hats

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:20:00 +0000

Continuation of the hat fashion collection. Humans have covered their heads since time immemorial. Initially headwear offered protection from the elements and from injury from falling rocks, weapons or masonry. Later head coverings became symbols of status of authority. Soon after hats progressed to become not only a uniform, but also an art form.

In fashion terms, hats are a very noticeable accessory because the onlooker’s attention is first drawn to the face. A hat is the most noticeable fashion item anyone can wear. The old saying goes 'if you want to get ahead and get noticed, then get a hat'. Indeed the word 'ahead' means just that one head further forward.

Since some body heat is lost through the head, in inclement conditions it is important to cover the head. Babies in particular lose heat rapidly through the head, thus ensuring a baby or toddler has a warm covered head in winter is important.

Incridible Hats

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:16:00 +0000

A hat is a head covering. It may be worn for protection against the elements, for religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status. In the military, they denote rank and regiment.

But I think, having these hats, it will look you silly when wearing this in public or in streets. I give merit to the designer of these fabulous hats. They look weird but incridible.

Information About Stroke or CVA

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:25:00 +0000

I received this forwarded email message from my friend Gemma in Sweden and I found out that this is a more comprehensive and compact detailed information about stroke and I found out very interesting eventhough I am already working in medical field.

A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia (lack of blood supply) caused by thrombosis or embolism or due to a hemorrhage. As a result, the affected area of the brain is unable to function, leading to inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or inability to see one side of the visual field.[1] In the past, stroke was referred to as cerebrovascular accident or CVA, but the term "stroke" is now preferred.

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW.........................
Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue
RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke --------
Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

Latest Hats In Town

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:19:00 +0000

My apology for not entering a post here for weeks as I am so busy with the virtual farming called farmtown. But here I am again, writing about this fashionable hats that I encountered in the net.

I don't know if you can wear this in the streets or anywhere. I thought fashion designers are a bit odd in choosing or presenting their designs which I think, bizarre.

But in contrast, it's funny in the other sense and very creative and imaginative these designers are.

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:03:00 +0000

This is a continuation of the weird advert of one of the group called Lipping Mad from Facebook. They had announced about their challenge for everybody regarding their call about posing in a lipping position, facedown, arms to the sides and legs straight.

And the advert is successful with so many interested members who joined the group and gathered thousands of photo.

Rest In Peace, Pres. Cory

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:17:00 +0000

World leaders have expressed their condolences on the passing of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino, who died early Saturday morning after battling colon cancer for more than a year.

United States President Barack Obama was deeply saddened by the news of the death of Aquino.

“Ms. Aquino played a crucial role in Philippines history, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent "People Power" movement over twenty years ago,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

Gibbs extended the American people and the President’s deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the Filipino nation.

“Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation,” he said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Aquino “helped bring back democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered."

The former US First Lady added that Aquino was beloved and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after her husband Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino’s assassination and during her service as president.

“Like millions of people worldwide, Bill and I were inspired by her quiet strength and her unshakable commitment to justice and freedom. We join the American and Filipino people in honoring her life and memory,” Clinton said.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said Aquino’s “courage in the face of tragedy and the peaceful restoration of democracy made her an icon for freedom-loving people everywhere”.

Aquino passed away Saturday morning. Her family said the former president peacefully passed away of cardio respiratory arrest after more than a year of battling colon cancer.

Kenney said Aquino had worked closely with the US embassy for the past 20 years. She helped select the annual recipients of the Ninoy Aquino Fellowships given for public service and journalism.

“We will deeply miss her personal warmth and her tireless zeal on behalf of talented Filipinos emerging as leaders in those fields.”

“Our deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with the Aquino family and all those who, like us, loved her," she said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was earlier interviewed by ABS-CBN North America News Bureau. She said Aquino was a “woman of courage” and an “inspiration” to many.

Aside from the US, the international community also joined the Filipino people in mourning Aquino’s death.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines also expressed his deepest sympathy to the Aquino family and the Philippine nation.

"My heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy go to the family of President Aquino, and to the Philippine nation, on this very sad occasion,” said MacDonald.

Aquino, MacDonald said, became a beacon of democracy in the Philippines in 1986 and “an inspiration for many others around the world”.

“Throughout her Presidential term, and notwithstanding a number of severe challenges, she never flinched in her determination to ensure that the Philippines would not veer from its democratic path,” MacDonald added.

The government of Singapore is also deeply saddened by the death of a former president which it described as a “symbol of democracy” in the Philippines.

“The Government conveys its condolences to her family, the Government and the people of the Philippines,” Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

The statement added that Aquino had worked “tirelessly for the betterment of the Philippines”.

“She is a symbol of democracy in the Philippines and will long be remembered and respected both in the Philippines and internationally for her devotion to her people,” it stated.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva meanwhile praised Aquino's contribution to peace and development of democracy in the Philippines.

"The Government and the people of Thailand have learned with deep sadness of the demise of Her Excellency Corazon Aquino and we join the Republic of the Philippines in mourning," the message posted on the Thai Foreign Ministry web site said.

"Her Excellency Aquino’s contribution to the development of the country and her tireless devotion to peace, stability and democracy for the people of the Republic of the Philippines are well recognised throughout the world and will always be remembered and cherished by all of us with admiration and respect," it said. With a report from the Agence France-Presse

Challenge In Facebook

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:40:00 +0000

photos courtesy of facebook Lipping Mad

Lipping Mad had announced about their challenge for everybody regarding their call about posing in a lipping position, facedown, arms to the sides and legs straight.

And the advert is successful with so many joined the group and gathered thousands of photo.

Facebook Group Has Announced A Challenge

rollymarcial@yahoo.com (Baconotte) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:36:00 +0000

photos by LIPPING MAD

I read it first through Metro newspaper when I boarded the bus in going to duty. I read it straightaway because it interest me. It's about a facebook group called LIPPING MAD and the challenge is to do a lipping position with your face down and straight arms and legs.

Well, the announcement really work as they garnered a lot of audience and members that participated to the challenge. If you ask me, I think I am willing to do if compelled to do. I mean, if I have a strong guts to do it.

Anyway, just look at the photos and you will find it amusing.