WVRAA 2011Meet Literary Musical Contest Results

Iloilo City, Philippines - Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet 2011 opened last Sunday, March 20, 2011 in a simple ceremony and a 30 minute fireworks display. More than 3,000 athletes, coaches, sports officials, Department of Education and government officials attended the ceremony. This annual gathering of potential young athletes across the region converged in Iloilo City to see who's the best who will later compete at the national finals to be held in May in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines.The sports competition is divided into two levels: elementary and secondary level boys and girls.

The WVRAA 2011 Literary Musical Contest was held last March 19, 2010 at the Cinema 6 of the SM City Iloilo Mall. Here is the official result of the concluded 2011 WVRAA Meet Literary Musical Contest. The result here includes the name of the contestants, in the parentheses the name of the school and the town or city they came from and also the province they represent. I could not find some contest piece information but I only included the contest piece of some I know.

Elementary Level:

English Declamation

Champion - Danelle Rose Ampunan
(West Visayas State University - Integrated Laboratory School - Elem., Lapaz, Iloilo City) Iloilo
Contest Piece: A Real Break For Me

2nd place - Diocel Glaiza Dalida
(Pres. Manuel A. Roxas Memorial School – North, Pres. Roxas) Capiz
Contest Piece: Ambush Vacation

3rd place - Mar Annli Soldevilla
(SPED Training Center, Cadiz City) Negros Occidental
Contest Piece: Wishful Thinking

Filipino Declamation 
Champion – Uzziel Faith Delamide
(Pilar Elementary School, Pilar) Capiz
Contest Piece: Alis Dengue

2nd place – AJ Khaner A. Rendaje

(Badiangan Central Elementary School, Badiangan) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Ibigay Ang Hilig

3rd place - Reian Ionne Keyth Boladaco

(Concepcion Elem School) Antique

Vocal Solo (Classical) 

Champion - Ann Mariel Salazar

(Libacao Elementary School, Libacao) Aklan

Contest Piece: Anak Dalita

2nd place – Harzen Joy C. Sampollo

(Miagao Central Elementary School, Miag-ao East) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Bakit Ba Tayo Isinilang?

3rd place – Rizza Mae Layza

(Tugas Elementary School, Tugas) Capiz

Contest Piece: Ang Maya

Vocal Solo (Pop)

Champion - Lirah Lin Paz Bermudez

(Pres. Roxas SPED, Pres. Roxas) Capiz

Contest Piece: And I Am Telling You

2nd place – Parl Ryan Arcolas

(A.L. Jayme Elementary School, Bacolod City) Negros Occidental

Contest Piece: Magsimula Ka

3rd place – Leann Ganzon

(Ateneo de Iloilo, Iloilo City) Iloilo

Contest Piece: And I Am Telling You

Folk Dance 

Champion - Pavia Pilot Elementary School, Pavia - Iloilo

Contest Piece: Kiriwkiw

2nd place – Supang Elementary School, Buenavista – Guimaras

Contest Piece: Tiksiw

3rd place – Francisco R. Flores Elementary School, Bacolod City – Negros Occidental

Contest Piece: Kiriwkiw

Secondary Level:

English Declamation 

Champion - Japhet Khid Dueñas

(Maayon National High School, Maayon) Capiz

Contest Piece: My Family and My Country

2nd place – Micah A. Papillero

(Antique Vocational School, San Jose) Antique

3rd place – Maicah Mae M. Fernandez

(St. Paul School, Barotac Nuevo) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Hitch Your Wagon To A Star

Filipino Declamation 

Champion - Laires Jan Sobremente

(Pavia National High School, Pavia) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Tataro

2nd place - Jeanelle Alfon

(Holy Family High School, Bacolod City) Negros Occidental

Contest Piece: Bidang Ina

3rd place  - Maria Kassandra Garcia

(Naisud National High School, Naisud) Aklan

Impromptu Speech 

Champion - Augil Marie Robles

(Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Binalbagan) Negros Occidental

2nd place – Romulus Jacob A. Calanza

(Iloilo National High School, Iloilo City) Iloilo

3rd place – Christel Lyann Quanico

(Antique National High School, San Jose) Antique

Vocal Solo (Classical) 

Champion - Merrel Mei Secondes

(Don Felix Serra National High School, San Joaquin) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Mutya ng Pasig

2nd place – Pearl Agpalo

(Ivisan National High School, Ivisan) Capiz

Contest Piece: Tag-araw

3rd place – Pearl Xela Jay Endrina

(Negros Occidental High School, Bacolod City) Negros Occidental

Contest Piece: Ang Maya

Vocal Solo (Pop) 

Champion - Dorothy Joy Siy

(Capiz National High School, Roxas City) Capiz

Contest Piece: Stand Up For Love

2nd place – Angieluz T. Motus

(Regional Science High School For Region VI, Kalibo) Aklan

3rd place – Wilrose Carmona

(Passi National High School, Passi City) Iloilo

Contest Piece: Listen

Folk Dance

Champion - Colegio de la Purisima, Roxas City - Capiz

Contest Piece: Bilaskogay

2nd place – Passi National High School, Passi City – Iloilo

Contest Piece: Karansa

3rd place – Belison National High School, Belison – Antique

Contest Piece: Bilaskogay

WVRAA 2011 Meet Literary Musical Contest Folk Dance Secondary Level Winner - Colegio de la Purisima, Capiz, "Bilaskogay"

WVRAA 2011 Meet Literary Musical Contest Folk Dance Elementary Level Winner - Pavia Pilot Elementary School, Iloilo, "Kiriwkiw"

For more videos, click the following link for the winning performances at WVRAA 2011 Meet Literary Musical Competition

WVRAA 2011 Meet Literary Musical Contest Vocal Solo Classical Secondary Level Winner - Merrel Mei Secondes

WVRAA 2011 Meet Literary Musical Contest Vocal Solo Pop Secondary Level Winner - Dorothy Joy A. Siy

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

12 Million Filipinos Shop Online

   A record for the Philippines. 12 million Filipinos shops online on stores and auction sites like eBay and Amazon and large department stores or supermarket like Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Neimann Marcus among others.

Yay Philippines Qualify for 2012 AFC Challenge Cup

Yangon, Myanmar - Philippines win over Bangladesh 3-0 qualifies them for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in which the winner will be automatically qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The first goal came from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo native Ian Araneta and the last two goals came from the Filipino- Spanish Angel Aldeguer Guirado to cap the winning performance and seal the fate of the country for Asian soccer football tournament. The Philippines is the leading team in Group A of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying rounds after accumulating a total of 5 points playing against Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh in which the latter is the newest casualty of the fierce, brave and fast Azkal team. Palestine is the second team to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup after accumulating 4 points. This is the first time in Philippine football history that the country has qualified to play for the Asian Football Confederation football tournament, one of Asia's most premiere soccer tournament after the Asian Cup. 
     Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo is known as the Football Capital of the Philippines since football is life of the people in that simple small town in northern Iloilo, Philippines which they already sent players to the national team and some of them are already playing for other countries football clubs. It is also home to the National Football Training Center.

Maalaala Mo Kaya Song Lyrics (Will You Remember) With Translation

Huwag mong sabihing ika'y hamak
Kahit na isang mahirap
Pagka't ang tangi kong pag-ibig
Ganyan ang hinahanap

Aanhin ko ang kayamanan
Kung ang puso'y salawahan
Ang nais ko'y pag-ibig na tunay
At walang kamatayan

Maalaala mo kaya ang sumpa mo sa akin
Na ang pag-ibig mo ay sadyang di magmamaliw
Kung nais mong matanto, buksan ang aking puso
At tanging larawan mo ang doo'y nakatago

Di ka kaya magbago sa iyong pagmamahal
Hinding-hindi giliw ko hanggang sa libingan

O kay sarap mabuhay, lalo na't may lambingan
Ligaya sa puso ko ay di na mapaparam


English Translation:

Do not say you're small or belittle yourself
Even just a poor
Because my only love
That is what it is looking

What can my treasure do
If the heart is fickle
What I want is true love
And immortality

Would you remember your oath to me
That your love will never fade
If you want to realize, open my heart
And only your picture is hidden there

Will you not change your love
I will never my love to the grave

Oh how so sweet to live, especially with tenderness to someone
Joy in my heart will not vanish

Filipino Classic Movies Should Be Preserved!

Maalaala Mo Kaya (Will You Remember?) (1954) Memorable Scene

The golden years of Philippine cinemas were the classic Filipino movies spanning 50 years from 1930 to 1980 proved to be the most beautiful movies made in the country and probably the world. The Film Academy of the Philippines should preserved these movies online, should be watched by many for FREE so people of today will appreciate its beauty and craft and will not forget it and it should be replicated so that we may not lose it for good so we can still see it with our very naked eye and not just in memory!

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 1/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 2/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 3/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 4/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 5/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 6/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 7/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 8/9

Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954) Movie - Part 9/9

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Telecast and Preliminary Judges

          Since 2011 is a very competitive year for the country's premier national pageant that around 40 equally stunning, gorgeous and fierce women of substance are fighting for just 5 crowns, Binibining Pilipinas, Inc. should invite pageant website owner/administrators and staffers like OPMB Worldwide, Mabuhay Beauties, Voy Forum/13953/ and Missosology because it will be hard to choose which among them has the total supermodel and "IT" factor to jaw drop everyone at international competitions.
       Preliminary judges, which will choose the 15 or 20 semifinalist to make it to the next round in the finals night and finally be chosen through a final question should consists of stylists, fashion magazine editor, fashion designer, hair experts and make up artists and please, please avoid politicians and old ambassadors because they are tacky and this is the new millenium which pageant standards strictly choose the complete or total package in a woman with substance.

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Breaking News: Another Candidate Has Been Disqualified

           As I said in my previous article that there are more to be disqualified in the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 when it has already started. This time around the victim is Candidate No. 28 Ma. Paula Bianca Paz touted as the Most Photogenic candidate. The infamous, scandalous and controversial Philippine national pageant which is badly tarnished by its reputation of disqualifying delegates when the competition is heating up once again is under fire for disqualifying another delegate in the name of Paz while the competition has just started.
        The disqualification should have been done during the screening process period prior to the announcement of the official delegates which is very ugly and damaging both on the delegates and the organization. Local provincial competitions should have been created so that every provinces should be represented at the national finals and has the equal chance of representing the country at international competition and to avoid disqualification during the event since it is really dirty and could tarnish the already damaged name of Binibining Pilipinas, Inc and this shameful act of former Miss International 1960, the cruel evil Stella Marquez Araneta could humiliate the Philippines, herself because I know politics also has an influence in this pageant with lots of influential backers and handlers bribing Stella Marquez to let their bets win one of the titles. Metro Manila, Luzon and Cebu beauties usually win the national pageants because they are so pathetically starving for honor, recognition and awards. Earlier, Grendel Alvarado and Jen Olivar were disqualified after sexy provocative photos of them showing some skin but not totally nude and profane surfaced online prompting the Binibining Pilipinas organizers and Araneta herself disqualify them for good and blacklisted them from joining Binibining Pilipinas forever.
         Miss Stella Marquez Araneta is just awaiting her execution and who knows, a Filipino will assassinate her if she don't make good with the pageant. The pageant loving Filipinos are just waiting for Mr. Donald Trum, Miss Paula Shugart and the Miss Universe Organization intervention so that they can award the Miss Universe franchise to a pure Filipino and not a Colombian, organizing the beauty pageant of the Filipinos.

Compelling Video Of A Man's Best Friend

          Watch the inspiring video of a dog loyal to his ailing friend protecting him and caring for him until it restores back to health and that rescue may come upon them.
       A ray of light shines through us amidst these trying times, calamity and tragedy. It also tells us that animals can be more humane than humans. These days here in the Philippines, much more here in Amparo St. Alimodian, Iloilo, evil reign supreme where drugs, violence and wicked acts do prevail. People here feels good when they do evil and feels happy when people got hurt, damage or something bad happen to them. They like satanic ways more than good ways.

       Here is an English translation of the voice-over exchange between the two reporters in the clip (translation courtesy of Toshiyuki Kitamura):

We are in Arahama area. Looks like there is a dog. There is a dog. He looks tired and dirty. He must have been caught in the tsunami. He looks very dirty.

He has a collar. He must be someone's pet. He has a silver collar. He is shaking. He seems very afraid.

Oh, there is another dog. I wonder if he is dead.

Where?

Right there. There is another dog right next to the one sitting down. He is not moving. I wonder. I wonder if he is alright.

The dog is protecting him.

Yes. He is protecting the dog. That is why he did not want us to approach them. He was trying to keep us at bay.

I can't watch this. This is a very difficult to watch.

Oh. Look. He is moving. He is alive. I am so happy to see that he is alive.

Yes! Yes! He is alive.

He looks to be weakened. We need to them to be rescued soon. We really want them rescued soon.

Oh good. He's getting up.

It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It's just amazing that they survived through this all.

Source: Yahoo! News

Philippine Azkals Football Team Advances To The Next Stage; Mongolia Wins The Game

Ulan Bator, Mongolia - Philippine Azkals Team played against Mongolia last Tuesday, March 15, 2011. Azkal's made the first score of the game in the first few minutes of play thanks to James Younghusband. In the end, Mongolia won the game 2-0 but with the aggregate score 2-3, Philippines advanced to the next stage of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match which will resume next week playing against the teams of Myanmar, Palestine and Bangladesh.

Here is the Official FIFA Rankings of 202 Countries As Of March 11, 2011

FIFA World Rankings Updated March 09, 2011

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Update: Cumbia Fashion Show At Gateway Mall

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 candidates struts their stuffs, polished the runway with their stunning catwalk skills wearing cocktail dresses and evening gowns sponsored by Cumbia which is owned by Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta and Binibining Pilipinas boutique. The stunning ladies with their gorgeous runway skills make up for the old recycled gowns of Mrs. Stella Marquez Araneta which were used by former Philippine representatives to Miss Universe and Miss World from 2001 - 2007. Good save of the ladies made for those wasted trash or garbage gowns. Here are the two videos of the fashion show held last March 12, 2011 at Gateway Mall.

Binibining Pilpinas 2011 Fashion Show Part 1 - Cocktail Dress

Binibining Pilpinas 2011 Fashion Show Part 2 - Evening Gowns

Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Update: Press Presentation

The press presentation of the 2011 Binibibing Pilipinas, which will choose the Philippines' representative to the Miss Universe and Miss International among the 5 international title being competed by 40 delegates, took place last March 7, 2011 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. I only watched the videos of the press presentation of delegates as I am not a media representative nor am I invited to such event. After watching the video clips, here are my own top picks based on the the presentation skills of ladies wearing their swimsuit.

My top picks:

Candidates No. 5

Candidates No. 6

Candidates No. 13

Candidates No. 20

Candidates No. 25

Candidates No. 26

Candidates No. 32

Candidates No. 34

Candidates No. 36

Warming Up or Bubbling Up: Candidate Nos. 22, 25, 29, 31, 33, 39


To see the Official List of Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Candidates Click Here

To see the video clips of the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 Press Presentation of Candidates, click the following links.

Candidates No. 1 - 20
Candidates No. 21 - 40

Let's Pray For Japan

After an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that rock Japan last Friday, a huge tsunami follows as the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquake in history. People lost lives, billions of dollars of properties, crops and products have been damaged, work, businesses has been stopped for awhile and services have been halted for an uncertain period of time making life more difficult for the people in Japan. Help should come from the world community to a country who is known to be a volunteer country ready to help to every known calamity, disaster or phenomenal event. Let us pray for their safety and hoping they would recover as soon as possible.

I Will Promote Gadgets Of Different Companies If...

     I will be very glad to promote the gadgets designed by tech companies if they give me the gadgets for FREE and in return I will promote it online and on everyday use. Just like they did to important and high profile personalities around the world.

Inside the Oscars: Moments You Didn't See On TV (AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The highest concentration of cameras anywhere in the world Sunday was probably at the 83rd Academy Awards. Besides the hundreds of TV cameras on the red carpet, and a worldwide broadcast beamed to more than 200 countries, there were webcams in almost every corner.

But there are places inside and outside the Kodak Theatre hidden from the camera's eye, and that's where we are.

      From the theater wings to a private balcony box in the house, to nooks and crannies along the carpet, here's a running account of moments you couldn't see on TV:

3:21 p.m. PST: With almost two hours to showtime, a radiant Oscar co-host Anne Hathaway emerges from the Kodak Theatre in a shiny red dress, with two assistants behind her carrying its train, and heads toward the red carpet.

3:32 p.m.: Hathaway runs into the Oscar show's producer, Bruce Cohen, on the red carpet. "Do you like my dress?" she asks. "It's kinda pretty, huh?"

3:52 p.m.: "That's who that guy was!" Kevin Spacey gets a big reaction from the fan bleachers — once he removes his sunglasses.

3:57 p.m.: Jeremy Renner arrives with his mom, and the family resemblance is clear.

4:13 p.m.: Helena Bonham Carter and her boyfriend, director Tim Burton, pose for photos together. Then Burton steps back and let's his Oscar-nominated friend have the spotlight.

4:25 p.m.: Who needs a personal assistant? Director Taylor Hackford walks behind wife, Helen Mirren, gently holding up the train of her body-hugging silver gown.

4:56 p.m.: "And the Oscar for the first nominee to take her seat at the Kodak Theatre goes to ... " Well, there isn't one, but if there had been, Hailee Steinfeld would have collected it. Close behind is fellow supporting actress nominee Melissa Leo, who struts over to give her 14-year-old competitor a hug.

5 p.m.: With 30 minutes to showtime, Gwyneth Paltrow crosses paths with Jake Gyllenhaal. "Hey, I'm sitting right behind you," he tells her. "Oh good, I'll throw up on you then," says Paltrow, who will perform the nominated song from "Country Strong."

5:07 p.m.: There's major mingling inside the theater now. On one side, Colin Firth kisses Amy Adams on the cheek. In the center, Hugh Jackman is shown to his front-row seat before bouncing away. On the other side, Jake Gyllenhaal greets Marisa Tomei and Hilary Swank. "We're sitting next to each other," Swank excitedly tell Gyllenhaal.

509 p.m.: Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks, walking with a stage manager, is overheard asking, "Where do I go? What do I do?" The stage manager shows him the way.

5:18 p.m.: "Please take your seats," a voice from somewhere inside the theater announces. "This is the last call. You will not be able to take your seats until the first commercial, 20 minutes from now."

5:25 p.m.: Kevin Spacey stands alone in this third row seat adjusting his cuff links. One row in front of him, Andrew Garfield from "The Social Network" is fidgeting with his bow tie. Then Garfield sees someone he knows several rows back and playfully gives him the finger.

5:31 p.m.: Stage manager Dency Nelson holds a tiny flashlight above Tom Hanks' head as a makeup artist applies a last dusting of powder before he takes the stage.

5:40 p.m.: Hanks let's out a hearty guffaw at the Marky Mark joke James Franco's grandma's delivers from the audience during the show's opening segment.

5:48 p.m.: Presenters Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis run into the night's first winners backstage. "Your speech was great. You did great," Timberlake tells them. "Now go get a drink."

6:03 p.m.: Speaking to the backstage thank-you cam after her supporting actress Oscar win, Melissa Leo thanks "everyone I have ever met." "Really and truly," she adds.

6:04 p.m.: Instead of a numerical countdown like in years past, the winners are faced with an upside-down white triangle that slowly appears on the TelePrompTer before the words "PLEASE WRAP UP, followed by "WRAP UP NOW." Melissa Leo spoke for several seconds before her triangle began appearing, but the "Toy Story 3" and "The Lost Thing" filmmakers were met with the three-sided object as soon as they were handed their Oscars.

6:09 p.m.: Anne Hathaway surprises everyone by coming out on stage during a break with a spinning raffle drum. She announces that she will be giving away a plate of sushi to the seat number she selects from the box. She's not kidding, either. There's a guy dressed like a butler who is holding a large platter of the stuff. The winner is someone in seat D71 in the top balcony.

6:46 p.m.: For the record, Matthew McConaughey was ad-libbing. There wasn't anything on the TelePrompTer about repeatedly saying the word "sound" in unison with Scarlett Johansson as they presented the awards for sound mixing and editing.

6:48 p.m.: Uh oh. Here's something you don't normally see at the Oscars, empty seats. Mark Wahlberg and his wife were somehow able to vacate their chairs without a seat-filler getting there in time to take them.

6:47 p.m. Apparently someone just couldn't wait to congratulate Atticus Ross for winning the Oscar for best original score for "The Social Network." "My phone was vibrating like crazy up there," he tells co-winner Trent Reznor as they leave the stage with their awards.

6:49 p.m.: Too much information. Russell Brand filling in Helen Mirren backstage on his plans after the two finished their Oscar presentations: "I'm going for a wee, then I'm going to sit with my mom."

7:04 p.m.: He wasn't the only one needing a bathroom break. Penelope Cruz and her husband, Javier Bardem, are seen ducking into a backstage bathroom together.

7:16 p.m.: Luke Matheny, the director, screenwriter and star of the live action short "God of Love," didn't let being stuck in the back of the orchestra section stop him from getting to the stage to collect his Oscar. The lanky filmmaker came barreling down the aisle faster than any winner this evening.

7:17 p.m.: Oprah Winfrey sums up what it was like to present an Oscar. "That was fun," she says to no one in particular as she leaves the stage.

7:27 p.m.: Wow. Billy Crystal just earned more laughs from this crowd with his first joke than Hathaway and Franco have all night.

7:35 p.m.: Talk about a close call. Kirk Baxter almost mowed down a cameraman while running down the aisle with Angus Wall to accept their best editing trophies for "The Social Network."

7:47 p.m.: Perpetual Oscar nominee Randy Newman leaves the crowd in stitches with his off-kilter acceptance speech after winning for best original song, only his second Oscar in 28 nominations. He apparently pleased the control room, too. He didn't get the dreaded "PLEASE WRAP UP" message after he went well over his time limit.

7:52 p.m.: There was no favoritism for any of the deceased during this year's in memoriam segment. Before Celine Dion takes the stage, the announcer suggests that everyone hold their applause until the end. They do.

8:03 p.m.: When complimented on his striped bow tie, Francis Ford Coppola proudly declares, "I tied it myself. ... No one ties their own ties anymore."

8:17 p.m.: Natalie Portman's family got a bird's eye view of "The Black Swan" star accepting her best actress Oscar. They were watching from a balcony box overlooking the audience. Portman's mother couldn't hold back the tears when her daughter's name was called.

8:30 p.m.: No racing for the parking lot tonight. The show is almost over, but you wouldn't know it from everyone still milling about in the theater, basking in the afterglow of Oscar.

8:41 p.m.: Those energy bars they handed out before the show's final hour must have really worked. Anne Hathaway is still charged up, rushing over to hug as many of the kid singers from New York City's Public School 22 as possible before dashing toward the audience to chat up Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter. Then it's time to pose for photos — with anyone who approaches.

Miss Universe - Miss Photogenic 2005, 2006 2007 Triple Win

<$BlogFeedsVertical$> Miss Universe 2005 - Gionna Cabrera

Venue: Bangkok, Thailand

Miss Universe 2006 - Lia Andrea Ramos

Venue: California, USA

Miss Universe 2007 - Anna Theresa Licaros

Venue: Mexico City, Mexico

Worthy Miss World 2005

<$BlogFeedsVertical$>Carlene Aguilar, Philippines

Iloilo City, Philippines Now A TWIN CITY Of Yulin City, China

Iloilo City, Philippines - We are happy to say that Iloilo City, Philippines and Yulin City, China are now the so-called "TWIN CITY" after a sisterhood pact was signed yesterday, March 3 by Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Yulin City Vice-Mayor Jiang Guo Cheng, who was the head of the Chinese delegation who arrived in the city days ago for the agreement and to have a city tour. Among the places the Chinese delegation visited is the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Tigbauan, Iloilo, the leading fishery study and breeding center in Southeast Asia. According to a Chinese official the visit is a good opportunity to learn how to put up and maintain a fish facility in their native city, Yulin since they do not have any facility on fish breeding yet. In exchange, they would like to share their knowledge about their progressive agriculture industry to the city and province of Iloilo. Yulin is the second largest city in the Guangxi Province, China.

   The sisterhood agreement would help build a better cultural and educational exchange at the same time economic and trade relations between the two city.

Mystery Solved In The Death Of Japan's Beloved Dog Most Loyal Man's Best Friend

     These are just two pics of Hachiko's statue mounted in his honor. Below this article are the real pictures of Hachiko while he is still alive

     Scientists have settled a decades-old mystery by naming a cause of death for Japan's most famous dog, Hachiko, whose legendary loyalty was immortalized in a Hollywood movie starring Richard Gere.

     They say Hachiko died of cancer and worms, not because he swallowed a chicken skewer that ruptured his stomach — as legend had had it.

     Hachiko was considered such a model of devotion that his organs were preserved when he died in 1935.

     For years, Hachiko used to wait at Shibuya train station for its master, a professor at the University of Tokyo. Even after the professor died, the dog went to the station to wait for his master every afternoon for a decade until he finally died.

     Tokyo residents were so moved that they built a statue of Hachiko at the station, which remains a popular rendezvous spot for Japanese today. He was also the hero of Japanese children's books.

     The dog's story turned into a 2009 Hollywood film, "Hachi: A Dog's Story," starring Richard Gere — a remake of a 1987 Japanese movie.

     Rumors had it that Hachiko died after wolfing down a skewer of grilled chicken — Japanese barbecue called yakitori — that ruptured his stomach.

     But University of Tokyo veterinarians examining his innards said Wednesday that they found Hachiko had terminal cancer and also a filaria infection — worms.

     Four yakitori sticks remained in Hachiko's stomach, but they did not damage his stomach or cause death, said Kazuyuki Uchida, one of veterinarians.

     "Hachiko certainly had yakitori given by a street vendor at Shibuya," he said. "But the sticks were unrelated to his death, and the rumor is groundless."

A Compelling Story Of Loyalty Shown By Man's Best Friend

"From man's best friend’s unceasing loyalty, mankind should master." -- Scott Latham

     I watched the movie based on this real life loyal dog Hachiko of Japan which starred Richard Gere and I was moved so I feature it here.

     Professor Hidesaburō Ueno lived in Tokyo with his beloved Akita named Hachiko. Everyday Hachiko would see Ueno off to work from his home and then, at the end of the day, greet him at the nearby Shibuya Train Station.

    One day in May 1925 would be the end of their daily routine together, for Ueno suffered a fatal stroke during his day at work. He never returned to his faithful friend that day nor any day thereafter.

    Some of the people at the train station recognized Hachiko from his prior rendezvous with Ueno. Knowing about Ueno's death, they were deeply touched by this act of loyalty and brought him food. Eventually the story spread about Hachiko.

   A former student of Professor Ueno's heard of Hachiko's vigil and went to the station to see the loyal Akita. Fascinated by Hachiko, the former student wrote several papers on him. In 1932, one of these papers was published in Tokyo's largest newspaper. This article threw Hachiko into Japan's national spotlight.

   Hachiko became the personification of loyalty. School teachers and parents would use him as a teaching model for dedication and loyalty. In 1934, a well-known Japanese artist sculpted a likeness of Hachiko to be placed at the entrance of Shibuya Station; in the same area he waited for his long-deceased master. Hachiko himself was there for the statue's dedication.

   Hachiko was given away to new owners but the loyal dog always ran off in search of his true master. After returning to Ueno's former home several times, Hachiko realized that he did not live there anymore. Hachiko then searched for his friend at the train station. There he perpetually returned everyday henceforth, always at the end of the day and at the precise time of Ueno's scheduled arrival. Hachiko waited there in vain every day for 11 years.

   On March 8 1935, eleven years after it started, Hachiko's vigil came to an end. At almost 12 years old, the Akita succumbed to heart-worm disease. The nation of Japan mourned the loss of their most beloved canine.

   Hachiko's long wait was over and finally he is reunited with his beloved master at Rainbow Bridge.

   Below are the video tributes to the great loyal man's best friend Hachiko and the scenes are taken from 1987 movie Hachiko Monogatari, the very first movie about the caring and loving Akita dog...

Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Hachiko

Miss Universe 1974 Amparo Muñoz Dies At 56

Amparo Muñoz declared Miss Universe in 1974

      Miss Universe 1974 Amparo Muñoz, who was crowned in the Philippines when the international beauty pageant was held here, has died after a "long illness" at her home in Malaga, Spain, reports Typically Spanish. She was 56 years old.

      The actress was the first Miss Spain to be crowned Miss Universe but she renounced the title six months later due to discrepancies with the organizers, reports Typically Spanish. After winning the pageant, she returned to the Philippines to shoot the movie Hayop sa Ganda with 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz says Ricky Lo, shownbiz columnist of The Philippine Star. However, she "went home in a huff after she clashed with a producer-talent-scout with whom she swapped court charges."

     More than a decade ago, Muñoz was rumored to have died from AIDS, according to Lo's column in 2006. That year, Lo wrote that Muñoz told Spanish newspaper Cronica that she suffered from a cerebral disease, not AIDS, a few years ago.

      Lo quoted Muñoz, "I got sick the same day my Papa died of pulmonary infection... I was devastated by his death because I wasn't able to ask forgiveness from him for everything that I did. At first, I felt little symptoms. I would get dizzy when tying my shoes."

      She added, "So I consulted a doctor and at first he told me, 'I'm afraid that you have cancer of the brain.' Soon, I was vomiting and feeling tremors. I was checked again by my doctor who found an abnormal growth in my cerebellum. So I underwent chemotherapy."

       For more on this story, log on to Typically Spanish and The Philippine Star.

Source: Spot

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