Home Beekeeping

Many beekeepers have bee hives in their back yards. They are those who practice Home Beekeeping. Some bees are even kept on city roof-tops. Bees can travel several miles to collect nectar and pollen, so they do not need flowering plants close by. Most suburbs have plenty of flowers, and bees can make a good crop of local honey.

Bee stings are usually neighbors' biggest concern. But a good practice of Home Beekeeping is to allow neighbors to feel safe and comfortable in their yards.

Many Home Beekeepers learn through the ranks of great grandparents, grandparents, and parents and it's just a family tradition and way of life that's taught to children. As with other farm products, honey production began as a chore, but eventually gained profit through being taken to the market.

Loosing weight

My friends have been noticing that I am getting bigger.

This prompted me to stare at the mirror analyzing the reflection of myself. After hours of studying the form and contours of my body I was convinced that yes I am bigger than before. Bigger in the sense that my so-called "beer belly" is looking much of a "beer jug".

I planned to loose weight and eventually convinced myself of getting back to the gym. And in a panic also decided to run every morning before going to the office, to shake up those guts that are building and then do some sit ups to burn those fats on the abdomen area and on the sides. To sum it all up, I planned to lose weight.

It went fine on the first day even with those deep breaths I experienced while running. I kept telling myself "naninibago ka lang, mejo matagal ka na rin kasi natigil sa ganyan kay nag-aadjust pa katawan mo" followed with the old adage "no pain no gain". Second day was quite alright also and then the third and the fourth. Wow I am starting to shed some weight. I even noticed that my belly was not that big-looking already.Whoa! So I continued doing the activity but then came the fifth day.

Morning of the fifth day I started to feel sick. It was flu-like symptoms but I ignored it and went to the office. After lunch I started to get cold and even ask my office mates if I could turn off one of the air cons. At 4pm, I had to go home for I couldn't take the cold anymore. I feel like I should lay this down and get some medicines for it.

Long story short, I got sick. I stayed in the house with flu for 3 days. I got the rest I wanted and whoala I weighed and looked smaller. Not the recommended way to shed weight but hey I got what i wanted. hehehehe

Lomography: Fisheye2

Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique."

I was with a couple of friends walking around MOA (Mall of Asia) hopping from one shop to another looking for a shirt of the recently concluded Reunion Concert of the Eraserheads that time when I came upon this eye catching, head turner camera. It was the first of its kind in my humble brain. I literally stopped and looked at the camera with a keen amused childish wonderment of seeing a toy so cool.

It was automatic right there and then, I wanted to buy that camera. Even though I still dont know its specifications, as crazy as it seems I really wanted to get that camera. It was the fisheye2 camera.

fisheye2

It was good thing that I havent brought along my cash card and also another was that it was out of stock at that time for if not I may really had bought it.

Heres a sample of the kind of pictures you may take using it:

pic taken with a fisheye2

As usual, a sample was posted to serve as comparison when I post my own pic. hehehehe. :) :) :)

A leaping year

Its August 25, exactly 21 days before my birthday,again.

The whole year of my age right now is really coming to end soon. Sooner I'll add 1 to my current age.

Looking back, I may had the roughest and biggest times yet.

I had those nerve cracking headaches one could ever imagine at both personal and work. I had disappointments that made me cringe at life. I had those small achievements that made me say I'm lucky to be living.

Those experiences made me what I am this day. Without those, ME, would not be complete.

I know its still a month before I should make this kind of whatever you may want to call it but I am. I am saying this now for I may never have the chance to say this ever again. What happened, happened. Be it good or bad, right or wrong, happy or lonely, silly or just plain retarded I needed those to be me.

Life does not end and soon after a year I'll be writing another one of this again. But this day I say, I am looking forward to another year.

Another leaping year.

Infomercials: A thought on Philippine Politics

Philippine Presidential election will not be until May 2010 but nowadays we are bombarded of countless infomercials of those aspiring to be president by 2010.

Heading the list is Manuel Villar. A senator of the republic who was accused of double insertions on the construction of C5 extension road in Paranaque-Las Pinas area. With the infomercials starting from showing the roots of Manuel Villar as a used to be vendor whose family sayed in a rented starting to break down house that sips in rain on rainy days. A popular personality, Boy Abunda was also in this infomercial.

Jejomar Binay, mayor of Makati city started his infomercials with those showing how makati is doing today under his leadership and that he hopes that it would be copied to the entire nation under his leadership.

Then there is Mar Roxas, also a senator of the Republic. As if his coming wedding with another popular TV personality Korina Sanchez is not enough to create a buzz has his own "Padyak" infomercials.

Lets also not forget those cabinet secretaries and or members having their own infomercials about their respective agencies doing this and that. It would be stupid not to think that they have done this to let the people know that they have their service to the public and may server even more when elected in office. As if.

I am a taxpayer and like every taxpayers I know have these questions for them:

1. Where are they getting the money to pay for their infomercials?
2. Why boast of what you have done (if its really true) when it is your job, and we are all paying your salaries to do those things?

Are Filipino voters still that dumb to go for this trickery?

I sure hope not.

Miss Venezuela: Miss Universe 2009 ; Miss Philipines; Miss it

Philippines bet on the recently concluded Miss Universe Pageant held at Nassau, Bahamas failed to make it on the top 15.

Bianca Manalo whos said to have ample of support from the pageant official may have been a victim of press sensationalism. ABSCBN who covered the Miss Universe Pageant along with Dyann Castillejo as the primary reporter have been reporting in the philippines via its News and Current Affairs Programs, that Miss Philippines was a favorite and "shoe in" to make it to the top 15 if not the finals itself. But then again, reality check. Miss Philippines failed to even qualify to the top 15.

Maybe its time to stick to reporting the truth not those make believe stories just to sell the news.

Miss Venezuela won the title with Miss Dominican Republic as first runner-up. Those who made it to the top 5 includes: Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia and Miss Puerto Rico.

There are only two Filipinos who where crowned Miss Universe so far. Gloria Diaz won the 1969 Miss Universe pageant in Florida, US, at 18 years old, while Margie Moran-Floirendo topped the 1973 competition in Athens, Greece, at 19 years old.

Ninoy Aquino's alleged undelivered speech

(This is the entire statement as it appears (all-caps, italicized quote, and all) in “A Testimony by Ninoy,” a pamphlet published on September 1, 1983 by the Human Development Research and Documentation office of the La Ignaciana Apostolic Center as Human Society No. 21)

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.
I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.
A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.
I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.
I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the WILLING sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.
Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.
During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for Habeas Corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for Habeas Corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.
The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution — the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nation-wide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.
So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my IMMEDIATE EXECUTION OR SET ME FREE.
I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a Dictator. No compromise with Dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions; it can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom, and

5. For the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish:
“How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer — faith in our people and faith in God.

Cory Monument at Luneta

As the country comemorates the 26th death anniversary of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the preseident of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the construction of a monument for the late President Corazon C. Aquino. President Corazon C. Aquino was the wife of Ninoy. President Cory was well known to be the mother of democracy of the Philippines as she stood up ang led the nation against the dictatorship of then president Ferdinand Marcos.



Cory Aquino died at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009 after a long battle with colon cancer. She was instrumental in the installation of President Gloria Arroyo in power during the 2001 EDSA Revolution that ousted then President Joseph Estrada. A veteran of the first EDSA Revolution (People Power ) where she succesfully with the help of the entire Philippine Nation came to power in what is known to be the bloodless revolution of the philippines.



The monument is aimed at honoring President Cory Aquino. The construction was based on the recommendation of the National Historic Institute which will also oversee the project. It is said to be completed within six months.



Two monuments of well known leaders and advocates of democracy in a bloodless form of acquirement may be seen in Luneta Park by next year. Dr. Jose P. Rizal and President Corazon C. Aquino.

Youth Activism

Yesterday while watching the news I chance upon a report regarding 50 students/activist that were arrested while having their demonstration at Malacanang Palace. The students were comprised of about 200 to 300 in numbers who stormed to the palace to protest the alleged pricey dinner of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her entourage in the United States when they visited early this month.
The students were shouting at the top of their lungs, the alleged corruption of Mrs. Arroyo's government popularly known to the common tao as the doing of the president's husband,First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. The protests now were being done in the most recent accusations against the Arroyo government of the luxurious dinner that the President and the whole entourage of her visit to the United States mainly comprised by Senators, Congressman, and Advisers had while the nations grieves the passing of Former President Corazon C. Aquino. The president whom have appeared in ads and interviews regarding how the government should lead by example in being thrifty and conscious about spending in these time of financial crisis seems to have forgotten what she said. As the nation suffers the lingering effect of the Global financial crisis that has affected both those developed and developing countries, there they were enjoying themselves with luxurious foods for the night that the price equivalent could very well feed thousand of families for two to three weeks in their own country.
The report also noted the arrest of 50 or more students whom the police said were being an annoyance to the peacefulness of the state. Almost all of those arrested and not sufeered minor to major bruises when the Presidential Security Guards (PSG) used force to disperse the protesting students.

Proud to be Ala-Eh!

My family hailed from Batangas Province specifically in the town of Rosario on a Barangay called Alupay. My mom and dad met, got married and had us (me and my brother) in there. Sa salitang batangenyo: ay talaga namang batanguenyo sa dugo! hehehe.

I was surfing through the internet for something that would reflect my being batangenyo when I came across this letter posted by batanguenyo entitled "Ang Love Letter ng tunay na Batanguenyo". It made me smile and decided it was worth sharing. To the batanguenyo soul that posted this, "ay aking sisipiin laang at ng makita at mabasa rin ng iba".

For those Batanguenyos and Batanguenyas here is something to remind us of our roots.

here goes:

mahal,

kamusta na ga?
magkita tayo sa gawing ilaya ng bakor sa tarangkahan ni kakang igme mamayang gab-i. matatan-awan mo duon ang bay-ong na may lamang guyam. iburbur mo iyon sa gura ng kaka para pumatikar palayo sa ating dadaanan.. yaan mong mausbaw..

nakahanda na ang paragos, iniisod ko na at sinipitan ng kitsi para hindi ga umandar. baka kasi mapansin ng kahanggan at sumaliboyby pa kung makitang umandar eh. ala eh kapangkal ng nahiram kong kalabaw. hindi makatabang e. unat laang ng unat ayaw naman tumunghay. pagor ata sa paggamas, lagunos ng bumaliktar e nung hinila ko. pero hinala ko e nagbusisi ang animal.
ngise ang may-ari nung winika kong nagbusisi.. tawaren. kawasay sya ang bumusisi, pusngat na ang sip-on sa paghagalpak. palibhasay barik. harindat e

mulay laang ang natira sa aking kalpe, kaya balinghoy at sagimis na laang ang ating baon.

hanggang dine na laang muna.. alisin ko muna ang puronggo, natisor ako sa tangkal e nung nag igib ako sa tuklong.. napatan aw kasi ako sa pumalakat na pagirper.

kita na laang tayo sa gab-i.

(some texts were edited due to some typo errors)