FACTS ABOUT THE FEAST OF BLACK NAZARENE

Today, January 9 is the Feast of Black Nazarene. The annual event see millions of pious devotees expected to flock the procession of the image from the beginning and within the route of the procession. The veneration of the people to the Black Nazarene is such that a massive crowd of passionate devotees around the image slows down the procession to Quiapo Church which usually last for 18 - 24 hours. The Black Nazarene is said to be miraculous and a countless number of miracles to the people from sicknesses being healed to success in life to regaining a relationship that was lost and even complete transformation of the people is attributed to praying and unwavering faith to the Nazarene or the Christ passionately carrying the cross. On his feast day the people believes that by just grappling and gripping the cord which carry the carriage of the image or struggling to get close to the statue just to wipe its face, cross or any parts of the statue and kiss it will answer all their prayers which testified to be true by a lot of its devotees and followers. I am also fervently praying to the Black Nazarene that it will grant my prayers and also by spreading the devotion to the Black Nazarene through any means including this article feature in this blog will grant me something that I have been praying for quite sometime.

Anyway to tell more about the Black Nazarene, here are some of the trivia about the deeply revered Christ:


1. It is called El Nazareno Negro, Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno in Spanish while it is called Poong Itim Na Nazareno or Señor Nazareno in Filipino.

2. The statue derives its name from "Nazarene", which is a title of Christ identifying him as being of Nazareth in Galilee.

3. Traslacion (Spanish word for passage or movement) commemorates the 1787 solemn transfer of the image to its minor basilica in Quiapo from its original location in what is now Rizal Park.

4. The image was created by an anonymous Mexican sculptor and was brought to Manila from Acapulco, Mexico through the galleon trade on May 31, 1606. It was widely believed that during its voyage the ship carrying the image caught fire and charred the statue thus its present day color.

5. Monsignor Sabino A. Vengco, Jr. from Loyola School of Theology however validated that the statue is not charred but actually really dark to its core due to the mesquite wood used to carve out the image which actually is a popular medium in the period the statue was carved.

6. Pope Innocent X approved veneration of the statue in 1650 as a sacramental, and authorised the establishment of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Jesus Nazarene.

7. Pope Pius VII gave the statue his Apostolic Blessing in 1880, which granted plenary indulgence to those who piously pray before it.

8. St. John Paul II recognized the church as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene because of its role in strengthening a deep popular devotion to Jesus Christ and because of its cultural contribution to the religiosity of the Filipino people.

9. Devotees walk and follow the procession in barefoot as a symbol of humility.

10. The traslacion procession attracted millions of faithfuls annually and increasing in number every year.



Photo Source:

www.mtxtremist.blogspot.com
www.demotix.com

Iloilo Ang Banwa Ko

This is Iloilo province most popular folk song which is already anthemic to the people of the place. Written in Hiligaynon, the song evokes a sense of pride, loyalty and patriotism to the land where we born and grow up. Included here is the lyrics of the song in Hiligaynon with its English translation.

Iloilo Ang Banwa Ko Song featuring all the towns, festival, events and happenings in Iloilo 

Iloilo Ang Banwa Ko Reggae Version 

Iloilo Ang Banwa Ko performed by the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra



ILOILO ANG BANWA KO


Iloilo ang banwa ko guinahingadlan
Matam-is nga pulong ang amon guinmat-an
Indi ko ikaw bulagan
Banwa kong nahamut-an
Ikaw ang guintunaan sang kalipayan

Ilonggo ako nga tunay
Nga nagapuyo sa higad sang baybay
Manami magkiay-kiay
Sa tagipusuon
Bug-os ang kalipay



ENGLISH TRANSLATION


My beloved hometown Iloilo
Sweet words which we grew up with
I will not leave you my dear hometown
You are the source of joy and happiness

I'm a true Ilonggo
That lives by the coast
Beautifully swaying hips
In my heart full of joy 


Video Courtesy of:

Youtube Channels:

Ulysses Loresto
MrAlmio's Channel
Bernardo Arellano III

Mr. Gay World 2013 Winners and Result

Mr. Gay World 2013 Finale 

Mr. Gay World 2013 - Christopher Michael Olwage from New Zealand 

Mr. Gay World 2013 - Christopher Michael Olwage from New Zealand  

Antwerp. Belgium - Mr. Gay World 2013 Finals was held last August 4, 2013 at Elckerlijc Theatre, Antwerp, Belgium. The male pageant for gays which runs from July 31 - August 4 saw 25 male contestants competing for the title. Mr. New Zealand, Christopher Michael Olwage was named Mr. Gay World 2013 at the end of the event. 1st runner-up is Hong Kong, 2nd runner-up is USA and the rest of the top 5 were Aruba and Namibia. Special Awards like Mr. Congeniality and Best in National Costume were given to the deserving winners.  Amaryllis Temmerman, Brigitte Derks & René Vanhove serves as the presenters of the finals night competition. Mr Gay World is an annual contest for gay men, seeking to establish ambassadors for Gay and Human Rights, with winners of national contests competing as delegates in a variety of categories. This competition is the most publicized gay contest in the world.
    Here are the official results of the male pageant competition:


Mr. Gay World 2013: New Zealand - Christopher Michael Olwage
1st Runner-Up: Hong Kong - Benjie Vasquez Caraig
2nd Runner-Up: USA - Matthew "Matt" Simmons
3rd Runner-Up: Aruba - Ashley Karym Peternella
4th Runer-Up: Namibia - Ricardo Raymond Amunjera


Top Ten:
Australia - Aaron Taylor
India - Nolan Lewis
Mexico - Jaime David Montes Bernal
Philippines - Erimar Sayo Ortigas
Taiwan - Darien Chen


Special Awards:




Mr. Gay Congeniality - Canada - Danny Dionysios Papadatos
Mr. Gay Photogenic - Mexico - Jaime David Montes Bernal
Best In National Costume - New Zealand - Christopher Michael Olwage
Mr. Gay Popular Vote - Philippines - Erimar Sayo Ortigas
Mr. Sports Challenge - Aruba - Ashley Karym Peternella
Mr. Gay Swimwear - New Zealand - Christopher Michael Olwage
Mr. Gay Art Challenge Award - New Zealand - Christopher Michael Olwage
Mr. Gay Culture Award - New Zealand - Christopher Michael Olwage
Eric Butter Philanthropy Award - NO8H Campaign

Judges:

Eric Butter - President of Mr Gay World (Australia)

Adebisi Alimi - Public speaker and a Sessional University Lecturer (Nigeria)/span>

Beverly Vergel - Training Specialist, Image Consultant (Philippines)

Kristof De Busser - Chief Inspector and Member of the Diversity Team of the Antwerp Local Police (Belgium)

Michiel Vanackere - Field coordinator for a European HIV prevalence research project at the Institute for Tropical Health in Antwerp (Belgium)

Francois Nel - Mr Gay World 2011 (South Africa).

Photo Source: 

MrGayWorld.com 
Mr. Gay World Official Facebook Page

A Message Conveyed Through My Dream

I dream of something beautiful this afternoon. I am in the mall looking around when all of a sudden four people carrying a patient in a mobile stretcher. They are striding on my way upstairs to the highest floor of the mall towards where the theater is located. Then I realized the familiar scene I've seen on a popular tv show and it comes to my senses that the show is brought to life. A lot of people are going upstairs to see the movie on the theater so I went with them. There are a lot of people going up and down the narrow stairs of the big mall that people are squeezed by the jostling crowd in the stairs. I am always waiting for the stair to clear of the massive crowd and when the stair is clear I continue climbing upstairs to the highest floor where the theater is located. I take my time in climbing but sometimes when the stairway is clear and there are a lot of space in front of me and some people behind me are in a hurry, they ask me if they can go ahead so they can reach the top as soon as possible and I allowed them gladly and all of them who ask are women. When I am almost at the top, the stairway becomes shaky and fragile and there is a tendency to crash and topple down but still I continue making my way to the top. When I reached the top, the stairway is still shaking and the floor near the stairway is only made of plywood but beyond that in all other area in that floor is made of concrete solid material that can withstand a strong earthquake. I became shaky and afraid that I wanted to go down to the ground floor but a guy in his twenties blocked my way in the stairway and stopped me. He even threatened me that if I really decide to go down he will push me or make me crash to the ground fatally and I became so afraid much more to the taunting and teasing of another guy behind me. I am very afraid at that time and undecided when I suddenly woke up. When I regained consciousness, I realized that this is the guide to life much more the way to success. I need to prove something. I need to triumph and be victorious despite the insurmountable odds.

Mr. Gay World 2012

         Mr. Gay World 2012 Contestants In Their Official Swimwear


                 Mr. Gay World 2012 Contestants In Their Official Shirt



  Mr. Gay World 2012 Winner - Andreas Derleth from New Zealand

Mr. Gay World 2012 Finals was held last April 8, 2012 at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg. The male pageant for gays which runs from April 4 - 8 saw 25 male contestants competing for the title. Mr. New Zealand, Andreas Derleth was named Mr. Gay World 2012 at the end of the event. 1st runner-up is South Africa, 2nd runner-up is France, 3rd runner up is USA and 4th runner up is Netherlands.Special Awards like Mr. Congeniality and Best in National Costume were given to the deserving winners.  DJ and television presenter Soli Philander and freelance actress Cathy Specific hosted the spectacular event which saw some performances from popular artists such as local African group Umoja, Ukraine pop star Kamaliya, singer Baby M from Japan and South Africa's very own actor and television producer Terence Bridgett and Alexander Steyn, dancer, singer and actor and of course, Mr. Gay South Africa 2011 first runner up. Mr Gay World is an annual contest for gay men, seeking to establish ambassadors for Gay and Human Rights, with winners of national contests competing as delegates in a variety of categories. This competition is the most publicized gay contest in the world.
    Here are the official results of the male pageant competition:


Mr. Gay World 2012: New Zealand - Andreas Derleth
1st Runner-Up: South Africa - Lance Weyer
2nd Runner-Up: France - Remy Frejaville
3rd Runner-Up: USA - Kevin Scott Power
4th Runer-Up: Netherlands - Thom Goderie


Top Ten:
USA - Kevin Scott Power
Canada - Thomas Egil
Australia - Benjamin Michael
France - Remy Frejaville
Netherlands - Thom Goderie
Hong Kong - Jimmy Wong
South Africa - Lance Weyer
New Zealand - Andreas Derleth
Czech Republic - Tomas Fryda
Philippines - Carlito Floro Rosadino, Jr.


Special Awards:





Mr. Gay Photogenic - Argentina - Gonzalo Enrique Bagalor
Mr. Gay Outreach - Czech Republic
Mr. Congeniality - Netherlands
Mr. Formal Wear - Netherlands
Mr. Sport Challenge - New Zealand
Mr. Swimwear - New Zealand
Best In Interview Challenge - New Zealand
Best in National Costume - Philippines
People's Choice Award - Philippines 
Top Score In The MGW Written Exam - South Africa

2012 Eric Butter Philanthropy Award - Coenie Kukkuk

Judges:

Brian Bedford-Eichler - Editor in Chief, Spartacus International Gay Guide

Eric Butter - President, Mr. Gay World Organization

Andrew Creagh - Editor in Chief and Founder, DNA Magazine Australia

Frank Malaba - Zimbabwean actor, human rights activist, playwright and radio producer/host, anchor and producer of Radio Today Outspoken, the only LGBT talk show in Africa

Dr. Pubern Padayachee - doctor, tv presenter and part-time Bollywood actor

Remco Teppema - co-founder and co-publisher of gay publications, Winq and Mate Magazine Holland.

Terry Tucker - professional geoscientist and senior executive in the mineral exploration, mining and finance industry

My favorite contestants were from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Philippines, South Africa, Switzerland, USA

Photo Credits Courtesy of: Mr. Gay World and Mr. Gay Europe

Information Courtesy of: Mr. Gay World Official Website and Wikipedia

Help The Victims Of Mindanao Flood

Tropical storm locally named Sendong slash and hit east and central Mindanao and Visayas leaving hundreds dead, hundreds of others missing and thousands of families affected by the sudden ravage of flood water. Worse hits are the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and also affected Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Davao and Negros Oriental provinces. Please those with some extra, be generous enough to help these people in dire need this holiday season. Give them some reason to hope and be thankful for this Christmas.

Philippine Government Under President Benigno S. Aquino III Administration Shaky, Ineffective and Illegitimate

             Philippines is making a headline again this week because the Department of Justice cabinet secretary of President Aquino, Secretary Leila de Lima made a serious offense by ignoring Supreme Court ruling of temporary restraining order of hold departure list implemented by her office on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and she insisted on it. The hysteria was triggered when the critical health condition of the ailing former President was decided for her to seek treatment in other countries where medical expertise is sufficient for her illness. According to Secretary Leila de Lima, Arroyo already has a pending case that allowed their office to issue a hold departure list for her. Former President Arroyo is faced with several lawsuit including election manipulation in the 2004 Presidential elections or electoral fraud and also countless of graft and corruption charges. De Lima insisted that the temporary restraining order by her office will not work against the hold departure list order and she is ready to face the contempt of court in doing so defending her claim and order.The Aquino administration said that it is just doing their job right to sweep clean the dirty government left by previous administration meeting their goal and party slogan "matuwid na daan" (straight path). There is a gap between the present administration and the Supreme Court because the present administration feels that the Supreme Court which consists of members mostly appointed by the previous administration will do favors for Gloria Arroyo who appointed them and that they are bias justices and some people fear that these irreconcilable differences and dispute may lead to Constitutional Crisis and that the present administration feel is more than the martial law implemented by former president Ferdinand Marcos for human rights abuse to anyone including but not limited to the former president regardless of who she was. It is fine to prosecute someone who made a serious offense and also to make a sincere determination to begin a upright government for the people and for the nation but without depriving one's rights. The present administration is not fair in treating other individuals who were persecuted by the law because they are warm and friendly to a former president and a convicted criminal and former police chief because the present president has close ties or friendship with the mentioned men. The former was convicted and imprisoned before but was pardoned by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the latter after the court finds him guilty based on sufficient evidence enough to implicate him for his crimes went on hiding in other countries but after President Aquino was elected and made sure that he will be safe and guided accordingly if he returns home, surfaced out of nowhere surprising the people. Nowadays, the former police chief and now a senator is free and happy and no pending case is filed against him. The militant protesters are surprisingly quiet this present administration because they know many blind and ignorant people are patronizing the president and a son of former President Corazon Aquino and the assassinated senator Benigno Aquino Jr. but during the previous administration when there are lots of complaints and issues even sensationalized by the media, these militant protesters are very noisy, rowdy and violent riding on the sentiments of the masses just to gain sympathy for their group. Presently, the present administration has no clear policies and platforms underlining his government and what can it attain in the next six years of his presidency yet the administration is only proud of its accomplishments. He is a very ineffective, inefficient and very disappointing president but I don't care because I did not vote for him and there will be no regrets for me unlike millions of Filipinos now who are full of regrets and remorse for electing a lousy and ineffective leader of a country.
            The present administration under Benigno S. Aquino III is illegitimate because it does not respect and follow the Supreme Court decision and orders thus, does not uphold the law saying that the Chief Justice and most Associate of the Supreme Court were midnight appointees of the past corrupt president and therefore they know no Supreme Court and laws but their own laws because their law is an upright law not the Supreme Court appointed by previous administration. I don't know if the present administration is really sincere to have an upright government with a very disciplined people to attain his goal of a "matuwid na daan" for a "Brighter Philippines."

Rainbow Colors Making A Headline These Days

       Rainbow color fly high these days making headlines and news around the world. News of tragedy, happiness and hopes gives us a wake up call and raises our awareness on our gay brothers and lesbian sisters, their issues, stories and concerns matters most and gives impact to how we should live and treat each other.

      With the recent DADT policy ban repeal, lots of closeted gays and especially from the military come out to their family, friends and comrades to confess their sexual preferences. One touching viral video of an airman calls his dad in the early morning to tell him he's gay hits millions of viewers. Below is the video of the gay Air Force Man confessing to his dad.

A 14-year old teen high school It Gets Better film maker died of an apparent suicide due to bullying from fellow students from the school he is studying. Bullying aside from his other personal problems was mention in his video. Hope this tragedy wakes us up and raises awareness on bullying and step up to make laws protecting the victims from bullying and even worse, subject the bully to gas chamber as a punishment. Click the link below for the story.

News On The 14 Year-Old Teen It Gets Better Film Maker Commits Suicide

       On the other hand, a 13 year-old gay teenager shots his 16 year old aspiring hairstylist gay lover in an incident that took place inside a shopping mall in San Fernando, Pampanga some 44.36 miles north of Manila, capital of the Philippines. A supposedly third party is thought to be the reason of the shooting. Shortly thereafter, the 13 year-old suspect committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. They were pronounced dead Wednesday, September 21. The families of victims, thinking their family members' purpose in life, later donated some of their organs to the lucky recipient so that parts of them are still living and around them all the time. This awakens mall, places and the hired agency to tighten security around public places such as mall to protect the people around its vicinity.

The body of the slain gay lovers shortly after the incident

The 13 year old High School dropout (left) shoots his 16 year old aspiring hairstylist gay lover (right) in a SM mall in Pampanga due to a suspicion of a third party of the 16 year old involved. Two were pronounced dead Wednesday, September 21.

The suspected third party

Here is one of the countless number of gays coming out of the closet after gay marriage is legalized in New York City and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy ban repeal.

Life Is Beautiful Images

Cyrah Jane: You know what, Cherry Ann I have been to Spain and night life is fun. Lots of boys there. Its beautiful to live in Ibiza.

Cherry Ann: It's fine with me. I've been to Bahamas as well and it's fun. I love to stay there.

Cyrah Jane: Look at my hands, four. I visited four countries in Europe.

Cherry Ann: I still have to count how many places I visited in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Cherry Ann: Horse, we are cute right?! Wide grin of course.

Horse: I agree I almost kiss both you. You are adorable kids.

I wonder if they are related in any way to Miss Universe 2008.

I took this picture in one of the beaches here in Iloilo, Philippines. I never expected to take a candid shots as natural and as memorable as this one. I post the following images here as part of the unforgettable images permanently etched in my memory.

Philippines' Dragon Boat Team Wins Gold Without Government Support

Tampa, Florida - The Philippine Dragon Boat Federation win five golds at the just concluded 10th IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships held last August 3-7, 2011 at Tampa Bay, Florida, United States. The Philippine team named "The Dragon Warriors" dominated the competition winning the golds in the following events: 1000 meter men's event, 500 meter men's event, 500 meter mixed event, 200 meter men's event, 200 meter mixed event. In an astonishing world-breaking fashion that made their feat a headline back home, the accomplishment achieved by the team was made possible without the financial and moral support of the government but sponsored by private companies. They almost skipped the world championships this year in Tampa Bay where if not for the generosity of some private companies which came up with the substantial amount of money enough for them to participate in the event. The sad thing about the team is that they have modest meals sometimes with just green shells and rice and their family selling some scraps just to save and/or earn money for their trip, they also practice in the murky, toxic waters of Manila Bay but the most disheartening of all is that some of their team mates left them to join the rival group for lack of support or subsidy from the government. According to the Philippine Sports Commission, the national governing body for the national team of different sports, the reason why they do not support the team because it is not a recognized national team because they do not follow and abide by the sports commission and the International Olympic Committee rules and regulations but I was saddened by the reason of the dragon boat team that they do not abide by the rules is the sad reality that they are a victim of too much politics and corruption. They rather ask for sponsorships and help from private sectors because it is a sincere help and no strings attached in the donations. They are even forced to resign by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)because they are overage and for other reasons stated by the PSC. These obstacles that they only take as motivations inspired every Filipino who learn about their story. They earn my respect and admiration because, braving against all odds, in the end they triumph over adversity. Again, Congratulations to the Philippine Dragon Boat Team!

Couple First Dated 06-07-08 Will Wed On 09-10-11

        When New Jersey massage therapist Ericka Randall first met Patrick Evans, she was in a bad mood. She was turning 30, and all her friends had forgotten her birthday. She connected with Evans, now 42, on a music social networking site. He had no photo posted and she didn’t know much about the health care worker from Pennsylvania, but she found herself venting to him about her disappointment. To her surprise, the kind stranger she met online volunteered to make up for her disappointment and plan her a 30th birthday. "He had flowers and a 'happy 30th birthday' sign and surprised me by reserving a section of the restaurant." His thoughtful gesture won her over and on 06-07-08 – the day of the birthday party – the couple officially began dating.
        The serendipitous alignment didn’t end there. As they were getting to know one another, the music aficionados had odd coincidences like naming their favorite songs at the exact same moment (both simultaneously blurted out the Eric Benet song, “The Last Time”). A year later, Evans surprised Randall with a New Year’s Eve proposal in 2009. After their 06-07-08 meeting, Randall's “yes!” was followed by wedding plans that continued their numerical streak.
       “We decided on a destination wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica,” said Randall, 33. And the date that “lined up perfectly” was none other than 09-10-11.
       The couple feels no pressure to keep the numeric magic alive, though Randall says she can’t resist one surprise on 09-10-11. “I’m planning to send him a gift at 12:13 that day, before we get married at 3 p.m.,” she laughs. “It has to be worked in there!”

Source: Yahoo! Shine

Our Deepest Sympathy To The People Of Norway!

We people from the Philippines convey our sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family of the bereaved and the people of Norway for a heartless tragedy that took place in your peaceful, free and wonderful country committed by a disoriented, disturbed extremist. Hope this will never happen again and unity and love will triumph over evil. This tragedy is an opportunity to learn and to be vigilant and to be alert at all times and crimes, small or big shall not be tolerated. We condemn the senseless act and losing precious lives. May the souls of the departed rest in peace and may peace and resiliency will rule in Norway!

Why Does Philippines' Provincial Universities and Colleges In The Provinces Are Discriminated And Unrecognized in Manila?

             If you are from the provinces and is applying for a job in Metro Manila and surrounding cities, a Filipino employer, recruiter or interviewer will ask you about your education background and if you answer that you have studied and graduated in the province, chances are they will fail you or will not accept you in the company and their main reason - because they only accept and hire employees who studied and graduated from Metro Manila cities' universities and colleges because those are the superior schools and are the only best school because the rest are inferior or low performing school according to them. I was so disappointed by how immature and ill qualified those sick people are and the stigma reflects all over. Only Metro Manila universities and colleges are the best, competent and recognized and appreciated and the rest of the schools in the provinces are non-existent, discriminated and undermined. It is so sick and immature to believe and perceive that quality education can be afforded only in Manila and surrounding cities and is out of reach from the countryside. Even outside the country, if you say you have studied in the provinces chances are they will overlook or ignore you. Hope they mature and change this sick and shameful perception to provincial universities and colleges and be open to accept people with untapped potentials regardless of the school they attended from. It's time for universities and colleges in the provinces like Ilocos, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Laguna, Bicol region, Palawan, Mindoro, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Oriental, Cebu, Misamis, Davao, Cotabato, Lanao and Zamboanga to be appreciated, recognized and accepted.

Signs He Can Be A Good Dad

     With Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s no surprise that your dear old dad is on your mind. But if you’re also looking forward to the day when you can give your significant other a Father’s Day card, too, you might want to evaluate his parenting potential. What can you tell now about whether he’ll be a great father down the line? Check out these telling traits.

1. He treats his mother well. What kind of family man will he be? First look at his relationship with his mom. Does he respect her? Laugh with her easily? Enjoy visiting her? Help out with chores or errands? “If the answer is yes, all of this means she did a good job raising him, he naturally likes women, and will like the mom you will become,” says Wendy Allen, Ph.D., a psychotherapist specializing in couples and marriage therapy in Santa Barbara, CA. In fact, respect in general — to other family members, to kids, and to you — should be at the top of the “what to look for” list.

2. He’s selfless. What’s the number one thing you learn when you become a parent? You never come first anymore! So if you’re with a guy who thinks he’s the center of the universe, beware. For Jackie Baker, a Valdosta, GA, mother of one, it was easy to see she wasn’t dating an egomaniac when she found out that he’d spent much of his time caring for his 17-years-younger sister. “One of his major responsibilities was to take care of her in the afternoon when he came home from school,” she says. “He didn’t really go on dates or get to hang out with his friends. I thought, any teenage boy who is willing to give up his time for his sister is a great man. Even to this day he helps out with his sister’s homework whenever he can. I knew when I saw him taking such an interest in his family that he was going to be a wonderful father.”

3. He’s not easily grossed out. Surprise! Kids are messy. There are dirty diapers, vomit — and dirty diapers and vomit happening at the same time. Being a parent means getting comfortable with the eewwww factor. Good fathers are the ones “who jump in to clean up a gross mess and help out when someone else isn’t feeling well,” says Dianne Couris, an author and parenting coach in Oldsmar, FL, and president of Family Choices & Solutions, Inc. Christine Louise Hohlbaum, a mother of two, found this out years ago while on a tumultuous, three-hour ferry boat ride around the Greek Islands. Hohlbaum got seasick five times. “Each time, my then-boyfriend would take my barf bag to the front of the boat to retrieve another one,” she says. “As we pulled into the dock, I knew this man would make a great father. Childbirth and parenting would be a snap for a guy who can carry puke across the Mediterranean without blinking an eye.”

4. He’s a great uncle. “Nephews and nieces are the stepping stones to your own kids,” says Allen. “Does he call them on their birthdays? Does he make dates where he actually has to show up and take them to the movies or an amusement park?” Varina Caton, a Wilmington, DE, mother of two, witnessed such dedicated affection with her future husband and his nieces and nephews. “He would have his nieces and nephews fly out to stay with us,” she says. “He has always made a point of staying in contact with them. He sent some of them to summer camp because their Mom was unable to come up with the money. He has mentored them as they have matured, introducing money management (for obvious reasons!), job skills, people skills and most importantly setting goals. Because of his involvement with his sibling’s offspring I knew he would make a great dad, and he has!”

5. He doesn’t mind taking direction from his partner. “If a man resents being told what to do, then working with him on his children’s schedule and responsibilities could get tense,” Couris says. “Running a family schedule is usually [the mother’s role] and the father typically needs direction.” How can you tell if he’ll respond well to family life? Notice how he takes to your suggestions (“I think you should pack more than one pair of underwear for our week at the beach”) and how he reacts to your plans (“Don’t forget: Thursday is my uncle’s 73rd birthday and we’re all going to dinner”). If you get a positive reaction, you’re onto something!

6. He likes ketchup. And he understands the importance of blowing the paper cover off of a straw and seeing if it can reach across the table. In other words, he has a playful sense of fun, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Those could be the most telling sign of all. You’ve got to have a sense of humor to get through life with kids.

Now, here are a couple of signs maybe he’s not destined to be the world’s best dad:

1. He can’t go with the flow. A good dad needs to be flexible, easygoing and not easily flustered. Having a kid means that dinners will get canceled, and vacations will be marred by bouts of the flu. If he’s the type who sweats the small stuff and can’t easily adapt to change, he may be in for a tough time as a dad. “I dated one guy who planned every weekend as if it was a military operation, and he totally blew a gasket if there was any fluctuation from his plans,” recalls Elizabeth Bach of Westfield, NJ. “He wasn’t so into the idea of having kids anyway, and I thought that was a good thing — he’d probably be one uptight, inflexible dad!”

2. He doesn’t pitch in around the house. “Any man who considers himself above anything… is going to have trouble serving his or her majesty: the baby,” Allen says.

Source: Match.com
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Erika Rasmusson Janes is a New York–based freelance writer whose work has appeared in Redbook, Modern Bride and Good Housekeeping.

Father's Day Trivia

           Today, June 19, 2011 is the 101th year of celebrating fatherhood. We shoud always strive often to please our father as much as we please and love our mother. As the formidable wall of our homes, he is always the provider and breadwinner of the family and is often dependable so we must honor and respect him. One way of pleasing, honoring and remembering his good deeds as a father is to spend some quality time with him and engage in worthwhile activities where both of you can enjoy most. That is the reason why a special day is appropriated exclusively only for fathers and today is their special day held annually. Did you know that we are celebrating this special occasion for fathers for over a century now.
          Did you know that the Father's Day that we celebrate today with a lot of pomp and show actually had to cross several hurdles to be made an official holiday? Surprising isn't it? A day dedicated to fatherhood, it gives every child an opportunity to cherish the endless sacrifices of his dad and render heart-felt thankfulness for the same. There are a number of stories attached with the occasion and a number of theories explaining the evolution of Father's Day. All such stories have gone down in the pages of history as trivia related to Father's Day. Some of the most popular trivia associated with Father's Day are:

Father's Day Trivia

• The first Father's Day was celebrated in Fairmont, West Virginia.
• The first Father's Day was organized by Mrs. Grace Golden Clayton.
• The first Father's Day celebration that was globally recognized was held in Spokane, Washington.
• The first globally recognized father whose life was celebrated and after whom the special day was dedicated was William Smart.
• The first Father's Day was celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
• Since Sonora Dodd was the girl who first started the tradition of Father's Day in the US, she had campaigned for her Father's birthday June 19 to be declared Father's Day in the US.
• It was President Woodrow Wilson who first said that Father's Day should be given the status of a national holiday in the year 1916.
• President Calvin Coolidge announced on the third Sunday of June in 1924 that Father's Day can be observed and celebrated all over America but did not pass a bill in Congress that would convert the day into a national holiday.
• The first presidential declaration designating the third Sunday of June as Father's Day was made by President Lyndon B Johnson in the year 1966.
• It was President Richard Nixon who declared Father's Day, the third Sunday of June as a national holiday in 1972.
• Father's Day today is one of the most popular events in the United Sates of America.
• Records say that as much as $100 million worth cards are sold on Father's Day. Cards and gifts are gifted to not only fathers but also uncles and grandfathers and sometimes also husbands and sons-in-law.
• Card making company Hallmark says that Father's Day is the fifth largest card selling occasion n America.
• The most popular gift of Father's Day in the US is a necktie.
• There have been many debates surrounding the spelling of Father's Day. Even though it is a day of all fathers, the occasion is spelt as Father's Day instead of Fathers' Day.
• It was the Associated Men's Wear Retailers which formed the National Father's Day Committee in New York City in the 1930s to promote the concept of Father's Day all over the country and the world.
• The centennial Father's Day celebrations were held at Spokane in the year 2010. These celebrations were accompanied by events held all over the month of June.
• The idea of Father's Day was conceived in Spokane, Washington by Sonora Dodd while she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.
• Dodd (now known as "the mother of Father's Day") wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm.
• The following year, June 19, 1910 was chosen for the first Father's Day celebration, proclaimed by Spokane's mayor because it was the month of William Smart's birth.
• Decades later, the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Father's Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

Father's Day by the Numbers

• This is a big day for the 66.3 million fathers in America.
• Nearly 95 million Father’s Day cards were given last year in the United States, making Father’s Day the fourth-largest card-sending occasion.
• Sons and daughters send 50 percent of the Father's Day card to their dads. Nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands. That leaves 30 percent of the cards which go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and “someone special.”
• While not everyone in America is a fan of Father's Day, 72 percent of Americans plan to celebrate or acknowledge Father’s Day.

Gifts for Father's Day

• Neckties are an old standby and lead the list of Father’s Day gifts. A good place to buy dad a tie or a shirt might be one of 9,189 men’s clothing stores around the country.
• Other items high on the list of Father’s Day gifts include those items you may find in dad’s toolbox such as hammers, wrenches and screwdrivers. You could buy some of these items for dad at one of the nation’s 14,864 hardware stores or 5,795 home centers.

Other traditional gifts for dad such as fishing rods and golf clubs make for a happy Father's Day for the 22,410 sporting goods stores in America.
• More than 68 million Americans participated at a barbecue in the last year — it’s probably safe to assume many of these barbecues took place on Father’s Day.

Mr. Mom

• Mr. Mom is becoming a more common sight at parks across America with 147,000 estimated “stay-at-home” dads. These married fathers with children under 15 years old have remained out of the labor force for more than one year primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers cared for 268,000 children under 15.
• The dads seem to stay home more with younger children. Preschoolers claim 20 percent of fathers with employed wives who were the primary caregiver for their preschooler. In contrast, only 6 percent of fathers provided the most hours of care for their grade-school-aged child.
• Many families split the responsibility of child care. Many Dad's (32%) with full time jobs regularly worked evening or night shifts and were the primary source of care for their preschoolers during their children’s mother’s working hours.

Hence, the next time when you celebrate Father's Day or any other paternal bond, always remember the trivia that is associated with this special day.

Archaelogists Unearthed World's Oldest Gay Caveman Near Prague

         Kamila Remisova Vesinova and her team of researchers from the Czech Archeological Society believe they have unearthed the remains of an early homosexual man. The remains date from around 2900-2500 B.C., on the outskirts of Prague.
        That claim stems from the fact the 5,000-year-old skeleton was buried in a manner reserved for women in the Corded Ware culture: its head was pointed east rather than west, and its remains were surrounded by domestic jugs rather than by hammers, flint knives and weapons that typically accompany male remains. (Should you eat like a caveman?)
       "From history and ethnology, we know that people from this period took funeral rites very seriously so it is highly unlikely that this positioning was a mistake," Vesinova said at a press conference. "Far more likely is that he was a man with a different sexual orientation, homosexual or transsexual."
       Katerina Semradova, another member of the team, admitted there have been other instances of men being buried with implements reserved for women and vice versa. Her colleagues previously unearthed a female warrior from the Mesolithic period who was buried in the fashion of a man. And she noted that latter-day male Siberian shamans or witch doctors were buried with ornate funeral accessories, like jewels, to reflect their elevated position in society.
       But those burials reflected the dead's position in society, not their sexuality. "This later discovery was neither [a warrior nor a witch doctor], leading us to believe the man was probably homosexual or transsexual."

Filipinos Sarcastically Laughing At Problems

Congressman Manny Pacquiao is being convinced by other politicians and groups to run for presidency in the future. He is pictured here as a woman considering his affiliation to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He is heavily criticized because he has recorded patriotic and nationalistic songs in the market today yet he is earning dollars or foreign money, working and has properties abroad.

            Filipinos nowadays are fond of laughing sarcastically even at a slight provocations of other people speaking their usual negatives, acerbic commentaries, views and opinions on Philippine social issues recurring for over a century. They laugh at people who always say bad about the sad and hapless plight and conditions of the country. Some famous celebrities, politicians, broadcaster, reporter and journalists are known to have horrendous, maniacal laughter. They admit that it is already a hopeless case but refuse to accept the reality. It signifies the fall and hopeless case scenario of the doomed country and laughter, as a means of self-denial, is their best antidote, defense mechanism to counter or to block negative sentiments to sink into their sense and make them realizes about the grim realities of the country.

        The Philippines is really helpless and hopeless about anything bad and worse happening affecting the country. Recent news like execution of three Filipinos in China due to illegal drug smuggling, a fugitive statesman who returned to the country and resurface after a year of hiding, divided nation because the very vocal and influential church condemned the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill in Congress meant to control population boom or explosion and avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, the endless bureaucratic corruption from the time of colonialism until now even worse, the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the worst offender are just a few of the problems that will never vanish in the country always haunt them that eat their senses, rational thinking. These problems are endless, recurring and no solutions from the personality, attitude or character of the people here, you will know that indeed a cursed hellish place to live. People are slave of ignorance and immaturity. The only solution left for other decent, clean and honest people are to pack their clothes, leave the country and settle for good in another country. Sad but true so all these vulnerable slaves can do is to laugh and laugh and laugh and make some sarcastic comments and satire about others. Sorry doomed country of the Philippines only a glimmer of hope come from some few provinces and cities in the country who lived in peace, honesty, orderly and harmony.

Photo credits: www.sorsogonunited.wordpress.com, http://postmessages.blogspot.com, Chris Gregerson, 2005 www.cgstock.com, www.gettyimages.com, www.wn.com

Barack Obama Signs Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy Repeal

WASHINGTON (AP) – Declaring that members of the military will no longer be asked to lie, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign promise Wednesday and signed a landmark law repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the armed services.

     "This is a good day," a beaming Obama said. "This is a very good day."

The service chiefs must complete implementation plans before lifting the old policy — and they must certify to lawmakers that it won't damage combat readiness, as critics charge.

But the signing ceremony was a breakthrough moment for the nation's gay community, the military and for Obama himself. The president vowed during his 2008 campaign to repeal the law and faced pressure from liberals who complained he was not acting swiftly enough.

For Obama, it was the second high-profile bill signing ceremony within a week. On Friday, he signed into a law a tax package he negotiated with Republicans that extended Bush-era tax rates for two more years, cut payroll taxes and ensured jobless benefits to the unemployed for another year.

The two events, however, could not have been more different in tone.

The tax deal divided Democrats and forced Obama to accept extensions of tax cuts for the wealthiest, a step he had promised to not take. With Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell at his side, Obama seemed dutiful and subdued.

The signing of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" had the feel of a political rally. Speaking in the Interior Department's auditorium, Obama appeared in his element as shouts of "Thank you, Mr. President!" interrupted him.

Obama hailed the "courage and vision" of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and praised Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who advocated changing the 17-year-old policy.

"No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love," Obama said.