SONA 2011 Live Stream Video

Watch as President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (PNoy) delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) through the live streaming feeds below. The SONA 2011 live stream video is scheduled to start broadcasting at 2 p.m. on July 25, 2011 (Monday):

SONA 2011 live stream Video | Courtesy of AksyonTV

What to expect in SONA 2011?

"President Benigno S. Aquino III will highlight what he has done in his first year in office as well as where he intends to bring the country next year, when he delivers his state-of-the-nation (SONA) on Monday," Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

'[Video] OSLO Security Camera Captures Blast' is a Facebook scam

A Facebook scam has emerged following the bombing incident in Oslo, Norway.

"[Video] OSLO Security Camera Captures Blast" is a Facebook Scam

Through his blog, Chester Wisniewski, a Senior Security Advisor at Sophos Canada, said the scam started within hours after the bombing.

"Unfortunately within hours of the bombing Facebook scammers have latched on to the news and are trying to take advantage of the Facebook communities interest in learning the details of what happened," he said.

"The message spreading across thousands of people's walls on Facebook reads: "[URL] [Video] OSLO Security Camera Captures Blast! [Video] OSLO Security Camera Captures Blast!" Wisnieski wrote.

Wisniewski added that when the scam link is clicked the users will be redirected to an offsite page that looks like Facebook with a fake Youtube video player. He said, "a screen is grayed out until you agree to take survey to prove you are 18 years of age and click "Jaa".

"If someone is tempted to fill out the survey they are presented with an IQ test. Upon completion they are asked to enter their mobile phone number and will be charged two dollars per trivia question SMS'd to them four times per week."

"Keep your eye on the ball and expect these types of scams when tragedies are in the news," Wisniewski advised.

No classes in kinder, elem, HS on July 25 in Quezon City - DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced suspension of classes in kindergarten, elementary and high school levels in Quezon City on July 25, 2011 through its official Twitter account Friday.

"No classes in Quezon City on Monday, July 25, for kinder, elementary & secondary, both private and public schools." the announcement reads.

According to an ABS-CBN report, the advisory came from Quezon City OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Corazon C. Rubio.

"In view of the forthcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III on July 25, 2011, Monday, please be informed that classes in all levels (Kinder-Elementary-Secondary) both public and private schools are hereby suspended," the advisory stated.

However, to compensate for the class hours that will be missed, "Saturday classes will be held."

Rupert Murdoch, News Corp CEO, attacked with pie during phone-hacking scandal hearing (Video)

Rupert Murdoch, the chairman and CEO of News Corp, was seemingly attacked by a protester wielding a shaving foam pie while he was giving his testimony on the phone-hacking scandal before the British lawmakers Tuesday.

The protester apparently hit Murdoch in the face with cream while reportedly shouting, “You are a greedy billionaire.”

Murdoch's wife Wendi Deng was quick to defend her husband. She swung at the foam attacker and then fell to the floor.

Moments later, the police arrested the attacker.

The incident prompted the parliamentary committee to call a recess.

Check out a video of the incident below:

Rupert Murdoch attacked with pie during phone-hacking scandal hearing | video courtesy of Skynews

Boracay, Philippines, one of the 'Top 10 Best Islands in the World' - Travel + Leisure

The island paradise of Boracay has been recognized by a US magazine, Travel + Leisure, as one of the 'Top 10 Best Islands in the World" for this year.

Beach Scene at an area in Boracay, Philippines | Photo courtesy of Krizzyla

The magazine ranked the Philippine tourist destination number 4 on its Top 10 list. Boracay was also named "World's Best debut" among the 10 islands which made it to the list.

Check out below Travel + Leisure's 2011 "World's Best Islands":

1. Santorini, Greece
2. Bali, Indonesia
3. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
4. Boracay, Philippines
5. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
6. Sicily, Italy
7. Big Island, Hawaii, USA
8. Kauai, Hawaii, USA
9. Maui, Hawaii, USA
10. Galápagos, Ecuador

The Top 10 were determined through the data collected from the questionnaires given to and answered by the magazine's readers. The following criteria were used: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.

Just last April, Boracay was also listed in the "Top Beach Destinations in the World for 2011" by a popular travel website where it placed second. Check out the details here: http://noypistuff.blogspot.com/2011/04/boracay-philippines-2nd-top-beach.html

Mother eats 1-year-old daughter's organs after killing her

Psychotic symptoms of Schizophrenia | Source: NIH.gov

A mentally ill mother has been apprehended by the police after killing her own 1-year-old female baby in Ilagan, Isabela.

According to an ABS-CBN report, authorities are suspecting the mother to have fed on the vital organs of her daughter after slashing the infant's throat.

The authorities were alerted by the said woman's neighbors after they saw her bloodied and was about to throw a sack which contained the dead baby.

After a series of medical interventions, it was confirmed that the woman is suffering from a mental health condition called schizophrenia. She is now scheduled to be admitted in a medical facility.

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EuroMillions Result - July 12, 2011 (Video)

The 397th EuroMillions draw took place at 10pm CET (9pm UK time) on Tuesday July 12, 2011 . Check out the winning numbers for the said draw below:

EuroMillions Result - July 12, 2011

17 - 19 - 38 - 42 - 45 | (9) - (10)

 

Update: Here's a recorded video of the said draw:




The jackpot for the draw reached £166million which is the said lottery's cap. This means that it will remain at £166million until a ticket-holder matches all seven numbers. Any additional prize money will be added to the jackpot pool for the next lower prize level containing at least 1 winner.

It has been reported that whoever scoops the £166million jackpot will instantly become the 418th richest person in the United Kingdom. (We are still waiting for the official website to give the details about the winner, if there's any.)

EuroMillions is a pan-European lottery held every Tuesday and Friday night. A standard EuroMillions ticket costs €2.00, £2.00 or CHF3.00 per line played. All prizes, including the jackpot, are paid in lump sum and are tax-free.

Update: The jackpot has been won by a lone bettor! The largest in history. Here's a tally of the number of winners courtesy of the EuroMillions official website:

Prize:	Euro Value (€)	GBP Value (£)	Dollar Value ($)	Winners:
Match 2:	€4.00	TBC	$5.59	3,226,558
Match 2 and 1 Star:	€9.00	TBC	$12.58	1,454,004
Match 1 and 2 Stars:	€14.00	TBC	$19.57	332,005
Match 3:	€12.00	TBC	$16.77	224,075
Match 3 and 1 Star:	€16.00	TBC	$22.36	100,310
Match 2 and 2 Stars:	€27.00	TBC	$37.73	63,155
Match 3 and 2 Stars:	€80.00	TBC	$111.80	4,534
Match 4:	€100.00	TBC	$139.75	5,100
Match 4 and 1 Star:	€227.00	TBC	$317.23	2,247
Match 4 and 2 Stars:	€5,020	TBC	$7,015	116
Match 5:	€77,639	TBC	$108,501	15
Match 5 and 1 Star:	€2,435,077	TBC	$3,403,020	11
Match 5 and 2 Stars:	€185,000,000	TBC	$258,537,500	1

K-ON! Complete Special July 13 on Animax!

There’s nothing more irresistibly adorable than five talented young girls playing in a band. Meet Yui, Ritsu, Mio, Tsumugi and Azusa as they take on an amusing and cheering journey to become the best musical group in their high school.

K-On! Special on Animax this July 13

K-On!, Japan’s hottest kawaii buzz hits the screen in its complete form of two full TV anime seasons along with an unaired OVA show set with Japanese audio and English subtitles, starting this July on Animax!

Ritsu, not wanting her talents to be taken aside, is super excited to form a band together with her friend, who is a bassist, Mitsu. The two take on the school’s pop music club thinking they could easily showcase their talents, with Ritsu on the drums. However because it’s just the two of them, the band is being threatened to close. Luckily with Tsumugi coming in to play the keyboard, they need just one more member to keep the pop music going.

The trio finds Yui, a musical newbie whom they thought was a sensational guitarist, not knowing that what she can only play is a set of castanets. Yui eventually learns the guitar and even becomes the band’s lead vocalist. Later on another guitarist, Azusa, joins in on the fun and becomes part of the band as well. Five young talented individuals formed, the girls then go on to become a full-fledged pop band, finally! Just in time to play for the school’s festival.

In season 2, the girls in their third and final year are back to practice in their favourite music room, becoming even better than they were before and determined to go on the quest of recruiting more members in the club. Fans can look forward to catching the bonus OVA episode that follows at the end of the second season, previously not shown on Animax.

From Kyoto Animation, the studio which gave us hits like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, K-On! is set to bring the audience fun and laughter with their comical ways. K-On! is definitely not to miss with its Blu-Ray DVDs as top sells and a music album hit at the Japanese national music chart.

Stay tuned to this blog next week as we reveal the awesome Animax K-On! promo which will give you readers a chance to win exciting premium items!

Casey Anthony Sentencing Live Stream - July 7, 2011

Casey Anthony will appear in court once again today (July 7, 2011) for her sentence on four (4) accounts of providing false information to law enforcement officers (i.e. lying to police officers). On July 5th, Casey Anthony was acquitted of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee after a Florida jury did not find enough evidence to prove she committed the crime.

Casey Anthony Sentencing Live Stream Video below will start broadcasting when the court session starts at around 9:00 a.m. EDT (9 p.m. Philippine Time):

Casey Anthony Sentencing Live Stream - July 7, 2011 | Courtesy of Wesh

Background: Casey Anthony was a suspect in the murder of her 2 year-old daughter, Caylee Marie Anthony, in 2008. However, Casey claims that she did not harm her daughter and that she is not guilty of any of the charges filed against her.

Here's a Wikipedia entry of Casey Anthony's Case:

Disappearance

Caylee Anthony was reported missing to the Orange County Sheriff's Office (Orlando, Florida, United States) on July 15, 2008, by her grandmother, Cynthia (Cindy) Anthony. Caylee had lived in her grandparents' home with her mother, Casey Anthony, until June 15, 2008. According to George Anthony, Caylee's grandfather, Casey left the family's home on June 16, 2008, taking Caylee, who was almost 3, with her. Cindy asked repeatedly during the month to see Caylee but Casey stated she was too busy with a work assignment in Tampa. At other times, she said Caylee was with a nanny at theme parks or the beach.

Casey Anthony was first arrested on July 16, 2008, and was charged the following day with giving false statements, neglect of a child, and obstruction of a criminal investigation. The judge denied bail, saying Casey had shown "woeful disregard for the welfare of her child".

Investigation

When Detective Yuri Melich, with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, began investigating Casey Anthony, he found discrepancies in what she had told law enforcement in her signed statement. When questioned, Casey said her child was with a nanny. The nanny, however, was never seen by Casey's parents or her friends, boyfriends, family, or acquaintances.

On August 11, 12, and 13, 2008, tips of a suspicious object found in a forested area near the Anthony residence were called in to police by a utility worker. After another report on December 11, 2008, the remains were found in a plastic bag. On December 12, the remains were tentatively identified as Caylee's.

On August 21, 2008, Casey Anthony was released after one month of incarceration. She was released from the Orange County jail after her $500,200 bond was posted by California bail bondsman Leonard Padilla.

She was arrested again on August 29, 2008, on charges of forgery, fraudulent use of personal information, and petty theft for forging $700 worth of checks and using her friend's credit cards without permission. Leonard Padilla subsequently rescinded the $500,200 in bail due to a lack of cooperation from Casey Anthony.

On December 15, WFTV reported that more bones were found in the wooded area near where the skull was discovered. On December 19, 2008, medical examiner Jan Garavaglia confirmed that the remains found were those of Caylee Anthony. The death was ruled a homicide and cause of death was listed as undetermined

For more of the article please visit WIKIPEDIA.

Facebook video chat launched

Facebook now has a video chat feature. Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced on Wednesday a partnership with Skype to integrate video calling function in the popular social networking site.

Facebook partners with Skype to provide video chat service

Through the new feature, Facebook users will be able to perform a video call with someone on their "friends list". To do this, a user only need to download a small plugin which is accessible through the chat tab and ta-da — instant video messaging.

In addition to Video Calling, there is also an update to Group Chat that allows for ad-hoc group messaging with a brand new look that would ease finding buddies that are online.

The new Facebook chat features reportedly will begin rolling out to millions of users today.

For more info, please proceed HERE.

October 2011 Civil Service Exam applications now accepted

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced today that it is now accepting applications for the Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional Paper-and-Pencil Test which will take place on October 16, 2011 in various testing centers, nationwide.

The CSC added that the applications will be accepted until September 1, 2011 only.

Since CSC Regional/Field Offices may stop accepting applications when the said offices have reached their quota and thus, the applicants are advised to file early.

Here are the qualifications for taking the October 2011 Civil Service exam:

1. Must be a Filipino citizen;

2. Eighteen (18) years of age and above (regardless of educational background); and

3. Has not taken the same level of examination in less than three months

Meanwhile, check out below the requirements for taking the exam:

1. Properly accomplished Application Form (CS Form No. 100, Revised 2008 available at any CSC Regional/Field Office and downloadable from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph);

2. Four pieces of recently taken (not more than three months ago) passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) I.D. pictures with white background, showing the applicant’s bare face (without eyeglasses or any accessory that may cover facial features), and with hand-held name tag bearing the applicant’s first name, middle initial, last name, and extension name, if any;

3. Original and photocopy of any valid I.D. card, such as Driver’s License, SSS ID, GSIS ID, current Office ID, Postal ID, BIR ID, Barangay ID, Voter’s ID, valid Passport or Police Clearance with the applicant’s name, picture, date of birth and signature, and the authorized issuing officer’s name and signature; and

4. P500 examination fee.

The October 2011 Civil Service Exam is the second and last scheduled CSC exam for this year.

Mayor Sara Duterte punches sheriff in the face (Video)

Mayor Sara Duterte of Davao City was caught on video punching Abe Andres, a sheriff of the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 15 who was carrying out a demolition order Friday morning.

Mayor Duterte punching a sheriff in the face | A screen grab of an "ANCalerts' video on Youtube

Mayor Duterte got furious when the sheriff did not obey her order of having the demolition postponed in 2 hours since she was attending another problem in another area - the sheriff ordered his team to start the demolition right away, instead which caused tension between the residents and the police officers.

When Mayor Duterte arrived in the area, she reprimanded the team since a number of people were hurt in the demolition. She then asked the sheriff to come near her before punching him in the face, repeatedly. The mayor was blaming the sheriff on people being hurt.

ABS-CBN News was there to cover and was able to capture the incident on cam.

In a TV Patrol report, Andres said he'll leave the decision to the national association of sheriffs and added that he had forgiven the mayor. Mayor Duterte, on the other hand, said bringing the sheriff to the hospital was enough for a sorry.

Meanwhile, at the moment, the two ("Mayor Duterte" and "Sheriff") are trending on Twitter. Here are what people are saying in the microblogging site:

"Just goes to show that people in Mindanao are good boxers. Pacquiao and Mayor Duterte LOL" -@bebejedko

"whatever mayor duterte's reasons are, still, she should have not done that. public servants must be a good example to their constituents." -@dqrivera

"Mayor Duterte's violence is shocking and unpardonable for a city executive. She does know how to put on a show!" -@blogie

"From what Mayor Duterte said, she wasn't against demolition. She requested the leeway so she could personally ensure it didn't turn violent." -@anjo_bagaoisan

"for those condemning Mayor Duterte's punching, better understand the whole situation first on why she punched that dumbass "sheriff" -@migswagger

Here's a video of Mayor Duterte punching the sheriff, courtesy of "ANCalerts" of Youtube:

DOT launches controversial tourism ad

The Department of Tourism (DOT), in cooperation with giant telecom company Smart, has begun its “Pilipinas, Tara Na!” domestic tourism advocacy program. But it seems like the government agency kicked things off with a controversial print ad. Check it out below:

This DOT "Tara Na! Tourism Ad" compares Phuket, Thailand to El Nido, Palawan | Photo courtesy of Jayvee Fernandez

The following are written on the bottom of the ad:

"** This value driven campaign promotes the Philippines to its own people, many of whom opt to travel abroad unaware of their country’s beauty. “Tara na” means let’s go."

Although the "comparison" makes the ad controversial, it has been well received by a number of people who said that it is "catchy" and "effective".

In the coming weeks the DOT is expected produce more print and TV advertisements and billboards which aim to further stimulate growth of the domestic base.

Metro Manila universities suspend classes on June 25, 2011 due to heavy rains and floods

The following universities and colleges have announced suspension of classes on June 25, 2011 (Saturday) due to heavy rains and floods in Metro Manila:

Adamson University

Arellano University

Ateneo de Manila University

Centro Escolar University

City College of Manila

Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

De La Salle University

Far Eastern University

Infotech Pasig

Lyceum of the Philippines

Mapua Institute of Technology - Makati and Intramuros

Miriam College

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay

Philippine Best Training System Colleges in Rizal

Philippine College of Criminology

Philippine Merchant Marine School

Philippine Normal University

Philippine Women's University

Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Republican College, Quezon City

Samson College of Science and Technology

San Beda College-Mendiola and San Beda College-Alabang

St. John Bosco-Pio del Pilar and Ampid, San Mateo

St. Paul College Makati

St. Paul University- Quezon City and St. Paul University-Manila

St. Scholastica's College

Taguig City University

Trinity University of Asia

Unibersidad ng Maynila

University of Asia and the Pacific

University of the East-Caloocan

University of Sto. Tomas

University of the Philippines College of Law

University of the Philippines Manila

List of schools courtesy of ABS-CBN.

Meanwhile, check out the latest on Tropical Storm Falcon here: http://noypistuff.blogspot.com/2011/06/pagasa-weather-forecast-bagyong-falcon.html

DepEd announces suspension of classes in Metro Manila, NCR on June 24, 2011

Update: The following have just been posted on the official Twitter account of DepEd:

"All schools in NCR - Preschool, Elementary and High school no classes tomorrow, June 24, both public and private. -Dir. Elena Ruiz" - posted at 9:22 p.m. on June 23, 2011

"Cavite City: classes in Preschool, Elementary and High School suspended tomorrow, June 24. - Dir. Lorna Dino" - posted at 9:55 p.m.

"Antipolo City: no classes in preschool, elementary and high school tomorrow, June 24." - posted at 10: 25 p.m.

"Isabela and Cagayan under storm signal no. 1 therefore all Pre School classes are automatically suspended tomorrow, June 24." - posted at 10:26 p.m.

"Calamba City: no classes in all levels tomorrow June 24 as declared by LGU." - 10:24 p.m.

"Subic district - classes in all levels suspended tomorrow, June 24." -10:53 p.m.

"Malolos: City Mayor declared suspension of classes in all levels tomorrow, June 24." - 10:54 p.m.

"Bataan and Balanga City: classes in all levels suspended tomorrow, June 24." - 12:07 a.m., June 24, 2011

"Classes in Kinder, Elementary and High School in BATAAN, ZAMBALES & PANGASINAN suspended tom upon the recommendation of PAGASA and NDRRMC." - 12:21 a.m.

"Classes in Angono, Rizal & Rosario and Bacoor in Cavite suspended today, June 24." - 5:48 a.m.

"Bulacan: classes in kinder, elementary and high school suspended today, June 24." - 5:50 a.m.

"Sta. Cruz, Laguna: classes in kinder, elementary and HS suspended today June 24."- 6:05 a.m.

"Dasmarinas City, Cavite: classes in kinder, elementary and HS suspended today June 24." - 6:09 a.m.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced suspension of classes in preschool, elementary and high school on Friday, June 24, 2011 in Metro Manila. There will be no classes in both public and private schools in these levels tomorrow due to heavy rains and flash-floods brought about by Tropical Storm Falcon which has gained strength after merging with a Low Pressure Area.

The announcement was delivered by DepEd National Capital Region Director Elena Ruiz in an interview with dzMM on Thursday.

Colleges and universities are under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and thus, they are not covered in this notice.

Quoting CHED Executive Director Julito Vitriolo, ABS-CBN Breaking News posted on Twitter that suspension of classes in tertiary levels is dependent on the heads of schools. College students are advised to contact their school directly to know whether they have classes or not.

Meanwhile, the Guidelines of suspension of classes are posted here: http://www.deped.gov.ph/e_posts.asp?id=475.

Also check out the latest on Bagyong Falcon here: http://noypistuff.blogspot.com/2011/06/tropical-storm-falcon-meari-june-24.html

Jose Rizal 150th Birthday Bash at the CCP | Schedule of Activities

Jose Rizal, the National Hero of the Philippines, was born on June 19th, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. This year marks the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Jose Rizal at 150 | Photo courtesy of CCP

In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will be holding a series of activities. Check out below the schedule of CCP's activities in celebration of the special event:

Date	Time	Activity	Venue
May 27-June 30		SI JOSE AT SI ANDRES VIDEO DOCUMENTARY BY MALOU JACOB	CCP WEBSITE
June 17-August 21 June 17	9:00am to 5:00pm 3:00pm	PAINTINGS ON RIZAL by J.PASENA Formal Opening	CCP Main Gallery
June 14-16 June 17	9:30am to 4:00pm 9:30am to 3:00pm	FILM SCREENING: EDDIE ROMERO’S NOLI ME TANGERE with lectures for teachers	CCP Dream Theater
June 14-16 June 17	9:00am to 4:00pm 9:00am to 3:00pm	EXHIBIT OF BOOKS & FREE VIEWING OF VIDEOS on RIZAL	CCP Library
June 15-16	2:00pm to 4:00pm	MGA KWENTONG RIZAL by the Alitaptap Storytellers	Multi-Purpose Room
June 17-July 31 June 17	9:00am to 3:00pm 3:00pm	MURAL EXHIBIT by Pilipinas Street Plan Formal opening	2nd flr Hallway
June 17	4:00pm to 6:00pm	J.P., ang gig ni RIZAL Awards & Musical Revue	Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater)

Is June 20, 2011 a holiday? Yes, it is. Find out why.

Is June 20, 2011 a holiday in the Philippines? Well, yes. June 20, 2011 was declared a holiday by President Beningno Aquino III after the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that the commemoration of Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary on June 19 which falls on a Sunday be moved on June 20 (Monday) to allow more people to participate in various activities related to the event.

Six days to go before Jose Rizal's 150th Birthday | Photo courtesy Rizal 150 to 150 Facebook Fan Page

Through Proclamation No. 154 on April 26, the president declared June 20, 2011 as a special non-working holiday nationwide. Check out the full text of the proclamation below:

MALACAÑAN PALACE

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 154

DECLARING MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011, AS SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, Sunday, June 19, 2011, marks the 150^th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero;

WHEREAS, to give all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies, the National Historical Commission ofthe Philippines (NHCP) requested that Monday, June 20, 2011, be declared as special non-working holiday instead of June 19, 2011, which falls on a Sunday.

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, June 20, 2011, as 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 26^th day of April, 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

New 7 Wonders of Nature 2011: Government campaigns for Palawan Underground River

The New 7 Wonders of Nature finalists have been determined and the Palawan Underground River or the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines made it to the list.

PNoy, photographed inside the Palawan Underground River

Philippine government officials including President Nonoy Aquino (PNoy) have appealed to Filipinos to vote for the country's entry in the online contest. They are optimistic that the majestic underground river will get plenty of votes since there are eight million Filipino mobile phone users nationwide.

Filipinos abroad were also called to help in the country's endeavor by the different embassies, consular offices, and labour offices of the Philippine government overseas.

To vote, just text PPUR and send it to 2861 or log on to www.new7wonders.com to cast your votes online.

New7Wonders of Nature was started in 2007. It is a global campaign which aims to create a list of seven natural wonders in the world through an online poll. It was initiated by New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss government-controlled foundation.

After over 100 million votes cast in 2007, the 440 entries is now shortlisted to 28 official finalists. The final voting has started and will end on November 11, 2011.

Meanwhile, here are excerpts of PNoy's speech at the official launch of the Puerto Princesa Underground River Campaign on June 6, 2011, as posted on the Official Gazette:

The Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, Philippines is composed of a long mountain landscape and a beautiful, breathtaking subterranean river that winds through a cave that has been carved into shape by the giant hand of nature. So it comes as no surprise that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has made it as one of the 28 finalists in the global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The competition is tough, but if there is a site that should be in the top seven, then it should definitely be the Puerto Princesa Underground River. That is, of course, my unbiased opinion.

Aside from its staggering length and shape, within it lie unique discoveries, which were, until recently, unknown even to those who had frequented the site. For the last several months, an Italian group called La Venta has been conducting studies there, and they have made some stunning discoveries—such as the fossils of sea cows or Sirenia dating back to the Miocene period—roughly 20 million years ago. Aside from being rare fossils previously found only in Java, Indonesia, these findings also emphasize further the sheer historic value of our Underground River and of the country we live in.

I urge everyone to take part in this democracy-in-action on behalf of our own environment. By voting online at www.new7wonders.com, or—simpler—by texting PPUR to 2861, we can help the Puerto Princesa Underground River, as well as the Philippines, garner a distinct spot on the international tourist map. I leave the mode of choice to you, but please remember to vote, and vote to the maximum.

While winning a place in the top seven bolsters our sense of national pride, recognition is not the only thing we can gain. We must also remember that the tourists we can potentially attract will redound to thousands of employment opportunities; our success here will ultimately breed success for Filipinos everywhere.

Cebu Pacific June 8, 2011 Seat Sale Alert! Zero fare for all domestic and international flights!

Cebu Pacific, the largest low-cost carrier in the country, has announced another seat sale called "National ZERO Day." That's zero fare or free fare for all domestic and international flights catered by Cebu Pacific on the following dates: September 1 - November 30, 2011. However, one must still pay for the taxes and other fees.



Booking for the seats on sale started at 6a.m. today June 8, 2011 and will end until "seats last." Cebu Pacific said there are more than 130,000 seats available.

Here are more details of the said seat sale:

* Domestic and International Zero Fare Seat Sale.
* Booking Period is from June 8, 2011 or until seats last.
* Pick your favourite Domestic seat from as low as P0.
* Pick your favourite International seat from as low as P0.
* Supersize your baggage! Pre-book and SAVE up to 50%.
* Get insured in travel insurance.
* Choose from available domestic and international rooms with Hotels.
* Quoted fares are one way
* Limited availability.
* Fare are exclusive of government fees and taxes.
* International fares are exclusive of fuel surcharges. For Osaka, Japan surcharges will take effect on April 1, 2011.
* Fares are non-refundable.
* Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
* Go Lite Fares are available upon booking for guests traveling without check-in baggage.
* Add P 100 to fare upon booking if traveling with check-in baggage.
* CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply.

Coverage:

All Domestic Flights

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Arisxandra Libantino gets axed from Britain's Got Talent

Arisxandra Libantino, the 9 year-old Filipina who wowed the judges of Britain's Got Talent with her audition, has been axed from the show.

The young Pinay diva who belted out "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" by Jennifer Hudson, got the judges' 3 "yes's" during her audition. Her story was even published in major news websites in UK even before the show aired its premier episode.

However, it has now been reported that despite all the buzz surrounding Arisxandra, the producers of the show have decided to cut her from their final 40. Her audition video was not even shown. According to reports, it was because of time constraints in the series.

Arisxandra Libantino is a daughter of two Filipinos working in London, Elma and Aristotle, who both originally from Nueva Ecija in the Philippines.

Check out below a video of Arisxandra Libantino sing Charice's "A Note To God" on Youtube: