My Magick Basket

White Water Rafting in CDO

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Last weekend I faced my fear of the water by going white water rafting in the Cagayan de Oro River with my old friend and a new one. I was quite scared at first but after the initial four rapids, I got used to it and had so much fun! I even jumped off from that big rock and dunked into the water!!!

Thanks to Odessa and Anya for sharing that experience with me and more thanks to the river guides who made sure we were not harmed.

Until then...

I want to go rafting again and again and again and again... Hahahaha!

Music: Blur - Song 2 Remix
Photos: Kagay White Water Rafting Tours

CDO Bloggers Group Hosts Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3!

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:16:00 +0000

(Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines – October 21, 2009) – It’s all systems go for the Cagayan de Oro Bloggers (CDO Bloggers) as they play host to the much-awaited Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, an annual gathering of Mindanao-based bloggers, IT industry experts, community leaders and new media advocates, on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. Roughly 300 bloggers are expected to attend this year’s summit.

With the theme, “Mindanao: Bag-Uhon Ang Panan-aw,” (Changing The Way People See Mindanao) the event aims to uphold the beauty and strength of Mindanao, to highlight the diverse cultures and fascinating tourist spots that are uniquely Mindanao and to provide a platform where bloggers and other new media practitioners can discuss concerns related to Mindanao – all with the help of new and emerging technologies.

“Mindanao is the home of everything fascinating or in bloggers’ lingo – bloggable. Through the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, it is the hope of the CDO Bloggers, along with our partners and generous sponsors, that we listen to knowledgeable resource persons, meet other Mindanaoan bloggers, share and maximize all of our skills and resources and adopt tried and tested practices that can help us to fully promote Mindanao and for us to become better bloggers as well,” emphasized ChiQ Montes, president of CDO Bloggers.

“Of course, we also want all of the participants to have a good time and experience the sights and sounds of Cagayan de Oro,” Montes added.

Montes said that apart from Mindanaoan bloggers, the summit will also see the participation of some bloggers from Luzon and Visayas.

Expected to grace the summit are United States Embassy’s new Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett, Atty. Adel Tamano, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula.

Considered unprecedented in the Philippine blogosphere, a top ranking United States Embassy dignitary is set to deliver the keynote address. Bassett’s trip to CDO will be her first trip to Mindanao since assuming office in June. She previously served as DCM in Mexico.

“We are deeply honored. We’re certain that the summit participants will be delighted to meet her and we can’t wait for her to see our beautiful city,” Montes said.

Other speakers during the whole-day affair include Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constanton "Tinnex" Jaraula, Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza and Atty. Adel Tamano.

Google’s Philippine representative Aileen Apolo, whose talk will focus on beginners, Digital Filipino’s Janette Toral, who will discuss blog advertising and Lyle Santos, who will talk about making money online will also be present. Representatives of other blogger groups including those in Davao City, General Santos City and Zamboanga will also give updates.

After the summit proper, participants have the choice of joining either the city tour (Xavier University Museum, Cathedral, Divine Mercy Shrine, Opol Aviary, Limketkai Mall) or the whitewater rafting adventure.

Also happening on October 24, right after the MBS 3, is the Philippine Blog Awards – Mindanao awarding ceremonies.

CDO Bloggers, Inc., a group duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is the lead organizer of this year’s Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3. Previous summits took place in Davao City and General Santos City.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is generously supported by SMART Communications Inc, Nokia, Syntactics, Inc., STI, Rafting Adventure Philippines, MakatiAve.com, Majesty Sales Center, Havaianas Philippines, OLX Philippines Free Classifieds, Clara Shoppe, ASTERISK Events and Communications, RG & K Construction, Paguia’s Cottages, ThePacificaCompanies.com, The Site, Spruce, The City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Office of CDO First District Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy, SM City Cagayan de Oro, Ultra Craft Advertising Corporation, Magnet Advertising, Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao Bloggers community. Media partners include Papa Ardie’s Concepz, STI, ABS CBN, MOR 91.9 and HOT FM 106.3.

For more information about the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

About CDO Bloggers
CDOBloggers or Cagayan de Oro Bloggers, Inc. is a duly SEC-registered organization that promotes Cagayan de Oro through blogging. Among the group’s goals are to create impact in society through blogging, to help promote Mindanao to the world as a bustling and peaceful land, to promote Cagayan De Oro City and Kagay-anons around the world with a sense of pride and to use blogging as a media platform.

The CDO Bloggers group is the main organizer of the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (MBS 3). For more information about MBS 3, log on to http://www.mbscdo.com

For more information about CDO Bloggers, visit http://www.cdobloggers.com or send email to cdobloggersinc(@)gmail.com

About Mindanao Bloggers
Mindanao Bloggers aims to unify the island through this exciting new medium — the way of the blog — thereby promoting deeper understanding of our different cultures and beliefs. Thus, it is hoped that this community blog will help in presenting to the world at large the true beauty of the Philippine South, as well as the marvelous diversity of the peoples of Mindanao. For more information about Mindanao Bloggers, visit http://www.mindanaobloggers.com

- 30 -

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
ASTERISK Events and Communications http://www.asteriskeventsandcommunications.com Mobile number: (+63) 919 238 6575 / (+63) 922 478 5218 Email address: asteriskEC@gmail.com

Gratitude

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Androcles and the Lion

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.

As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.

Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

_______________________________________________________________

When I was younger, my mother made me read, read, and read. I remember she let me read Aesop's fables and this story about Androcles and the Lion was part of that compilation. The original story was said to be by Apion but this version on my post is attributed to Aesop since it has a "moral" at the end of the story.

Gratitude may be a sign to indicate the nobility of a soul but then we should alsobe aware on what we should be grateful for.

I am grateful for every day of my life. Yes, even the bad days. ;)

Amazing Grace

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:17:00 +0000

Amazing Grace (Bagpipes) - Watch more funny videos here

The Philippines: Man Loses His Own Life After Saving Dozens From Floods

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:18:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this story from The Age and I want to share it with all of you... Thanks to The Age...

_____________________________________________________________

Philippine man loses own life after saving dozens from floods
September 28, 2009 - 2:28 PM

An 18-year-old construction worker braved rampaging floods in the Philippines to save more than 30 people, but ended up sacrificing his life in a last trip to rescue a baby girl and her mother who were being swept away on a styrofoam box.

Family members and people who Muelmar Magallanes saved have hailed the young man a hero, as his body lay in a coffin at a makeshift evacuation centre near their destroyed Manila riverside village.

"I am going to be forever grateful to Muelmar," said Menchie Penalosa, the mother of the six-month-old girl whom he carried to safety before being swept away himself. "He gave his life for my baby. I will never forget his sacrifice."

Mr Magallanes was at home on Saturday with his family when tropical storm Ketsana unleashed the heaviest rains in more than 40 years on the Philippine capital and surrounding areas.

At first the family, long used to heavy rains, paid little attention to the storm.

But Mr Magallanes and his father quickly decided to evacuate the family once they realised the river 800 metres away had burst its banks.

With the help of an older brother, Mr Magallanes tied a string around his waist and attached it one-by-one to his three younger siblings, whom he took to higher ground. Then he came back for his parents.

But Mr Magallanes, a strong swimmer, decided to go back for neighbours trapped on rooftops.

He ended up making many trips, and eventually saved more than 30 people from drowning, witnesses and survivors said.

Tired and shivering, Mr Magallanes was back on higher ground with his family when he heard Ms Penalosa screaming as she and her baby were being swept away on the polystyrene box they were using in an attempt to cross the swift currents.

He dived back in after the mother and daughter, who were already a few metres away and bobbing precariously among the debris floating on the brown water.

"I didn't know that the current was so strong. In an instant, I was under water. We were going to die," said Ms Penalosa, her eyes welling with tears and voice choking with emotion.

"Then this man came from nowhere and grabbed us. He took us to where the other neighbours were, and then he was gone," Ms Penalosa said.

Ms Penalosa and other witnesses said an exhausted Mr Magallanes was simply washed away amid the torrent of water.

Neighbours found his body on Sunday, along with 28 others who perished amid Manila's epic flooding. The official death toll stands at 100 with 32 missing.

Standing next to his coffin, Mr Magallanes' parents paid tribute to their son.

"He always had a good heart," said his father, Samuel.

"We had already been saved. But he decided to go back one last time for the girl."

His mother, Maria Luz, wept as she described her son as incredibly brave.

"He saved so many people, but ended up not being able to save himself."

AFP

_____________________________________________________________

Now that's a real hero! Helping others without expecting anything in return! Mr Magallanes was just one of the many simple folk who risked their lives just to save others from the great deluge this country has experienced in the past few days. It's so sad yet inspiring to read this story. He will be remembered by the lives he saved and by everyone who views him as a hero myself included.

Now now... What have I got to say to those people who are taking advantage of the situation and are "helping" the flood victims by giving out food and clothing with their names emblazoned on those stuff? Shame on you... If you really want to help, you don't need to advertise your names to further your political ambitions. Just HELP...

To those who would like to help victims of typhoon Ondoy, you can help by donating to the Red Cross Rescue and Relief Operations.

Text: Red AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart).

The AMOUNT can be 10, 25, 50 or 100.

You can also help the flood victims through the details in this Google page.

Prayers will also do. In times like these, we need FAITH...

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:02:00 +0000

My Sweet Lord
by
George Harrison

George Harrison is my favorite Beatle and this song is one of my favorites. I am just grateful with how things turned out in the past few weeks and I am looking forward to greater things. Life is not simple; we have to learn to go with the flow...

Life is never easy but it's better if we face the vicissitudes of life with optimism.

One more thing, never ever forget to be grateful always... ;-)

Blood Head Sculpture Acquired By The National Portrait Gallery

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:42:00 +0000

Self, Marc Quinn (2006)

Click image to go to original story

Most museums that hold precious art in their premises protect their art by maintaining a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit in their halls. In the National Portrait Gallery in London, a colder climate is needed for its newest acquisition, a work known to be one of the most important works of the BritArt era.

The National Portrait Gallery has purchased a newly minted version of Marc Quinn’s Self sculpture; the artwork is the fourth reproduction of the British artist’s head made out of nine pints of his own frozen blood. Three previous versions of the art piece sit in private collections yet this one was acquired by the gallery in order to show to the public.

The Art Fund, a charity in the UK that is devoted to collecting important works for public collections contributed £100,000 to the £300,000 ($500,000) cost of the sculpture. It was already an arranged discounted price since the work was intended for the museum. The remainder of the funds used to purchase the blood head sculpture came from other nonprofit organizations.

The National Blood Service in the UK recommends that there should be a 16 week waiting period in between blood donations. If Quinn follows the necessary protocol, it takes him almost three years to collect the necessary amount of blood to make another version of the sculpture. If Quinn aspires to create another version, the next sculpture will be available for sale in 2011.

Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Mindanao is a big, beautiful island and it has a lot of interesting sites, people, and traditions. Since pre-colonial times, the island of Mindanao has captivated many people from near and afar and it still continues to do so with more people from a wider scope. Mindanao has kept abreast with changing times and through the internet, it remains an important place that should not be missed.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit is an important event that allows bloggers from and of Mindanao to convene and uphold the goal to celebrate and promote Mindanao. Now on its third year, the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 aims to change the way people see Mindanao.

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 has the theme “Mindanao Bag-ohon ang Panan-aw” and it will be held on October 24, 2009 at Pearlmont Inn, Limketkai Drive here in Cagayan de Oro City.

The following is the schedule of activities for Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3:

October 24, 2009, Saturday
7:00 – 8:30 : Registration
8-30 – 8:45 : Opening Prayer & National Anthem
8:45 – 9: 00 : MBS3 Introduction – ChiQ Montes
9 :00 – 9:30 : Welcome Speech – Mayor Tinnex Jaraula
9:30 – 10:00 : Introduction on Mindanao Bloggers – Blogie Robillo
10:00 – 10:30 : Adel Tamano/ Khalid Dimaporo – State of Mindanao
10:30 – 11:00 : AVP on Mindanao and BREAK
11:00 – 11:30 : Tourism Director
11:30 – 12:00 : Keynote speaker
12 :00 -1:00 : LUNCH BREAK
1:00 – 1:30 : Aileen Apolo – Target: Beginners
1:30 – 2:00 : Janette Toral – Blog Advertising
2:30 – 3:00 : BREAK
3:00 – 3:30 : Lyle Santos – Make money Online/ Adsense
3:30 – 4:00 : Davao Bloggers Update
4:00 – 4:30 : GenSan Bloggers Update – Avel Manansala
4:30 – 5:00 : Zamboanga Bloggers Update – Ryann Z. Elumba

At 7pm, the Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao Awards Night will take place and make MBS 3 a more memorable event!

If you would want to be part of the said event, pre-register now and hope to see you soon!

The Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 is organized by the CDOBloggers, Inc.

Do You Remember The Time?

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:26:00 +0000

I had quite a lot of adventures and (misadventures) way back in my younger days. I just had fun reminiscing about those times and believe me I still wonder how I lived through them. I lived one day at a time and sometimes the days were too fast they passed by like a blur…

I wasn’t being fair to some people especially to my parents since they never knew (and still have no idea) that I had wasted a lot of money on mindless things. Back then it was cool to drink, smoke, and just let things be. Now I have realized it’s not easy to spend hard-earned money if you are the one doing all the earning… Spending is easy if you never had to lift a finger to earn the dough.

Cleaning and sobering up could be a sign of maturity in my own vocabulary even though to some it is not the case. Who cares anyway? But I am glad I’m over it and I am more than glad to say that I have a lot of stories to tell when I’m older. I never regretted a moment in my past. There were some things I silently wished never happened but right now, I’m glad they did. I’ll never get to where I am today if I never did all those crazy stuff back then.

Life is weird and so was I and I am still.

-reposted from a Hubpage dated 06/02/08

Black Woman, White Kids

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Black Brazilian mother with albino children

A black woman has puzzled many scientists because three out of her five children are white. Rosemere Fernandes de Andrade and her partner Joao are Afro-Brazilian must be carriers of the albinism gene since it requires both parents to be carriers in order to produce albino offspring.

The genetics professor Valdir Balbino of the Federal University of Pernambuco said that it is a very rare occurrence since the parents and two other children are black.

The family lives in the slum area of Olinda in north-east Brazil and the children have been ridiculed by the other students at their school. Mrs. Fernandes struggles to pay the medical bills for her children Ruth, 10; Esthefany, 8; and Kauan who is just 5. She must also buy the children expensive sunblock and extra clothing to protect their skin. The mother of five has also been challenged by security guards who insisted she could not be the children’s mother because they look different.

Albinism affects around one in 17,000 people and those with albinism do not produce enough melanin which gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes and protects the body from the sun’s harmful rays. People with albinism often suffer from extreme short-sightedness and a severe sensitivity to light.

In several parts of the world, people dare to pass judgment on people with albinism, calling them names that could only hurt. People with albinism did not wish to be born that way and most of them are having a hard time coping up with the people around them. Be nice to them!

If you would want to help people with this condition, read on to the original article. Thank you.

Kahlil Gibran On Love - The Prophet

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:16:00 +0000

On Love:

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Earn Money Through Blog Advertising!

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Hey folks! It’s been a while since I have posted something here and now I’m back! During my hiatus I came across this site that will help bloggers generate money through their blogs: LinkFromBlog.com!

LinkFromBlog.com is a fast growing blog advertising company that connects bloggers and advertisers through an online marketplace. Advertisers have the opportunity to advertise on thousands of blogs while bloggers can make money through blogging!

LinkFromBlog.com has the following advantages for advertisers:
• Advertise business in high traffic and ranked blogs;
• Set price for original reviews;
• Get your website noticed;
• Get more visitors to your website;
• Make more profit from your business!

Bloggers will have the following advantages from LinkFromBlog.com:
• Make money just by writing about the advertisers’ products or services;
• Get maximum possible payment for reviews;
• Refer new bloggers to the site and earn money and free gifts;
• Make money online and be a blogging sensation!

So friends, if you want to earn through your blog, better check out LinkFromBlog.com and blog your way to success!

You can click the following icon if you want tips from LinkfromBlog!

I Want Pain Relief

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:03:00 +0000

Body aches are normal for most of us who are busy with our daily lives. Work, exercise, and other strenuous activities are good for the body and mind but pushing ourselves to the limit will cause us to feel different kinds of body pains.

I don’t know if you would agree with me but I believe that pain relief is essential if we are experiencing chronic pain. We do need to relieve our pain especially if it is already affecting our lives.

When I was 19, I went through a lot of stress from school and I was experiencing severe pain and swelling in the joints. I sought a doctor and I was prescribed with different kinds of medicines and was advised to watch my diet. I never wanted treatment but then when things got better I realized that arthritis pain relief is essential especially in situations that can’t be controlled anymore. Arthritis is incurable but it can be relieved.

Lately I have been experiencing back pain from working overtime and sometimes when I get home I would just directly go to bed to rest and ease the pain. I have searched means for back pain relief and I believe that I would only have to change my lifestyle and posture yet when all else fails, I have to seek medical treatment. I would love it if I would not have to suffer from back pains anymore.

I do believe that “pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.” We could not escape from pain especially when it suddenly hits us but we can choose to let it linger on or not by seeking and applying pain relief.

To Catch a Thief

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:18:00 +0000

My mobile phone got stolen tonight... Oh well, that's life!

If you are one of my friends/contacts, please send your contact info through private messaging... Thank you...

You can also post them as comments...I will not publish them for the world to see...

Ninoy: The Filipino Is Worth Dying For

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:40:00 +0000

This exact date twenty-six years ago, I was still a one year old tot who played with sand on the beach. My family spent time together and celebrated my mother's birthday a day ahead. August 21, 1983 was a Sunday that's why we were at the beach with our relatives. That day became a memorable day in history, when we got home, the grown-ups found out about the assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr., better known as Ninoy Aquino to Filipinos.

Ninoy sacrificed a lot for the nation and with his death, many changes were brought to the Philippines. His spouse Corazon Aquino became a president of the country as she was supported by the people who helped her overthrow a dictatorship.

Ninoy did not die in vain and his spirit will keep on burning for the country. Such a remarkable man will never be forgotten ever.

The Words and Inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:41:00 +0000

Some pages of the book...Click to enlarge image ;-)

Be the change you want to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

Yesterday I went walking around the mall and stumbled upon another book sale. I love book sales and every time I stick my nose into one, I always end up finding treasures I never let go off my hands.

As I was rummaging through the old, previously owned, and new books, I cam upon this shelf of new books still sealed in plastic. Some stuff from Blue Mountain Arts caught my attention and my heart really beat faster when I saw one of the volumes: The Words and Inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent peace leader when he was still alive and even now, decades since his death, he continues to inspire people from all over the world. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 2 October 1869, the Indian political and spiritual leader was a pioneer of resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience founded upon total non-violence has led his nation to independence from the British.

Gandhi was born into a middle class family and studied to become a lawyer but his love for his country and fellowmen made him give up all of the possible wealth he could have achieved. By giving into his calling and doing what he was supposed to do, Gandhi gained something more that inspired many nations and many generations all over the world.

Gandhi is more known to the world as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma is a Sanskrit word that means Great Soul, and it was first applied to Gandhi by another great man, Rabindranath Tagore.

Gandhi has touched lives on many people and improved the living conditions of his fellowmen. Through non-violent protests, the man has promoted peace without having to harm other people. He became the concrete example of a man who conquered his enemies without using firearms. His wisdom, tolerance, and belief of a better future and justice brought him to his victory.

A man who could have worn a suit with a tie chose to wear the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, lived a simple life, yet overthrew an empire and regained the country for his fellowmen. A man whose gentle ways sent out roaring messages that brought down walls of disillusionment and tyranny. A person who will remain idolized by people who love peace and who believe that there is still something good to look forward to in this otherwise disenchanted world.

Mahatma Gandhi is officially honored in his beloved India as the Father of the Nation and his birthday, October 2, is a national holiday. It is also the International Day of Non-Violence.

Thank you for the inspiration Great Soul... With what you have shown the world, we could always give peace a chance...

Deranged Woman Throws a Cup at the Mona Lisa

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:41:00 +0000

Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa

It's not the first time that the world's most recognizable portrait has suffered an attack from a viewer; in fact the Mona Lisa has had suffered a lot of woes from people who must be out of their minds.

I have read from a website just recently that the famous painting got attacked on 2 August 2009 -- a Russian woman hurled a ceramic cup at the Mona Lisa out of frustration from being denied French citizenship!

The Mona Lisa is a portrait known the world over for its enigmatic smile and for its artist, the great Leonardo da Vinci. A portrait of Francesco del Giocondo's wife, Lisa Gherardini, the Mona Lisa is also refered to as La Gioconda. The painting was created with great skill with Leonardo's own sfumato technique and brilliant artistry. The painting is owned by the Government of France that is why it is gracing its own wall at the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris.

The woman visited the museum on a Sunday when the entrance to the museum is free and suddenly threw the cup out of frustration. The Mona Lisa went through that attack unharmed since it is covered in bulletproof glass. The Russian woman however, was arrested by the police and underwent psychiatric testing for her behavior. She was eventually released but the Louvre filed a legal complaint against her for the incident.

I have watched several documentaries about the Mona Lisa and it is deemed to be da Vinci's most favorite of his works because he always took it with him while traveling from one place to another and had it with him until his death.

My friend Odessa is a big fan of da Vinci and the Mona Lisa...I wonder how she'd react to this weird piece of news in the art world.

I was appalled when I first read the headline... Thank goodness for bulletproof glass I can still keep dreaming of seeing her someday!

Rest In Peace and Thank You President Corazon C. Aquino

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:14:00 +0000

artwork by KDLIG

SALAMAT...

Ipinagmamalaki ko na ako ay isang Pilipino.

You may not be her first, her last, or her only...

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:19:00 +0000

You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters?

She’s not perfect, you aren’t either, the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, admit to being human & making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can.

She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break; her heart.

So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze, and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.

-Robert Nesta Marley a.k.a. Bob Marley

Goodbye Tita Cory

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Like that morning in June 25, 2009 I woke up emotional and distraught. The time for one great woman to return to her Creator finally came. Former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino passed away today, August 1, 2009 at 0318h.

I know a lot of people have already made blog posts since the news broke out and I would not want to say anything more than what had already been said.

To the woman who served as a mother to the Philippines before, during, and after her term; and the woman whose strength and faith inspires me and makes me proud to be a Filipino woman, Tita Cory, rest in peace. Thank you for everything you offered to your country and fellowmen!

Outside The Wall

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:57:00 +0000

It's my first time to watch Pink Floyd's The Wall in its entirety and I must say that the film is something worthy to see. The plot, the sequence of scenes, the Freudian animations, the actors, and of course, the soundtrack rocks!

Outside the Wall

All alone, or in two's,
The ones who really love you
Walk up and down outside the wall.
Some hand in hand
And some gathered together in bands.
The bleeding hearts and artists
Make their stand.

And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall.

Digital Filipino in CDO

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:39:00 +0000

photos by ChiQ Montes

17 July 2009, 6pm, Philtown Hotel, CDO – One of the Digital Filipino Club’s distinguished members Ms Janette Toral was in the city to talk about the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2009 Writing Project with the local bloggers of CDO. The weather had been bad but those who braved the heavy rain were in for a treat!

The program started with Ms Toral introducing herself then she handed the microphone to the participants so that they (umm it’s actually WE because I was there together with other CDOBloggers hahaha!) can introduce themselves and talk about their blogs. Some of the participants in the event were newbie bloggers while some were not new to the blogging world.

After the introductions were made, Ms Toral presented the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2007 and 2008 and stated the reasons why those bogs ended on the lists of both years. They were all amazing and had various unique content! Ms Aileen Apolo who was one of the influential bloggers in 2007 was at the event and shared her blogging experiences too!

Ms Toral encouraged Cagay-anons to unite and nominate blogs by local bloggers to be part of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs 2009. There’s barely two weeks left for Cagay-anons to come up with nominations! I hope there will be a local blogger who can make it to the top 10!

The event was sponsored by Syntactics, Inc. who also introduced their project LetIThelp.org that helps give training and employment to underprivileged local graduates.

The night ended with good cheer and most of the participants were cam whoring (forgive the term hahaha). When we left the halls of Philtown, we had to face the rain again but it was ok. It all had been worth it!

One Love

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:55:00 +0000

I grabbed another video from YouTube courtesy of one of my friends on Facebook. I have loved this Bob Marley song from the very first moment I heard it years ago and since then, what had been Bob's dream of a united world started to become my dream too. This version just touches my heart...

from the video info:
From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song "One Love" with Keb' Mo' and Manu Chao. This is the third video from the documentary and a follow up to the classic "Stand By Me" and the incredible "Don't Worry." Released in celebration of Bob Marley's birthday on February 6th, this tribute to the legend is performed by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.

ONE LOVE

Relax and be Entertained with Numerous Channels on Your TV

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:21:00 +0000

My friend from high school is now living in the US and the last time we talked online, she told me about her new favorite shows she watches on Direct TV. She said that the satellite service allows her to surf numerous channels and keeps her up to date with the latest soaps, sitcoms and talk shows. It also keeps her tuned in to the latest news from different part of the planet.

My friend lives quite a busy life in NY yet she unwinds by doing yoga or just watching the shows she told me about. She learns tips on how to live a balanced life, gathers recipes of food she would love to try and cook by herself, and collect valuable information she comes across on knowledge channels. Directv has also helped her find out about the latest news happening here at home and she said it made her more homesick.

My dear friend said she’ll be coming for a visit this Christmas so that we can hang out and she can ease the homesickness. For now, Direct TV in New York will keep her company and put a constant smile on her face.

Thriller Acapella Style

angelamp69@gmail.com (Angela MP) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:15:00 +0000

I was watching videos on YouTube and stumbled upon this really interesting music video. This French guy François Macré created his own version of Michael Jackson's Thriller using only his own voice! He never used instruments, synthesizers or other stuff just 64 acapella tracks!

Here's what he wrote in the "more info" section of this vid:

Here is a remake of the "Thriller" song that I've entirely recorded with my own voice, using 64 A'cappella tracks. There is therefore no instrument, synthetizer, beatbox, or even to sampler, but only the sound of my voice livened up with Reverb, Equalization and slight Chorus. Regarding looping parts, I've simply used the "looping" technique.

I've accomplished this non-commercial project at home, only with a laptop , microphone, headphones and webcam. It's just an artistic challenge, accomplished during my hours of free time, whose purpose is to surprise my close circle and net surfers.

I hope you'll have as much pleasure to hear and watch it as I had to accomplish. Don't hesitate to leave me your comments, or to contact me through my MySpace's profile : http://www.myspace.com/francoismacre

«THRILLER» Original Song :
Lyrics and Music by Rod TEMPERTON
© RODSONGS

All I can say is that what this guy did to Thriller is way too cool to compete with! Two thumbs up for this really talented guy!