Two Icons In One Day

It was a day of great sorrow and grief when the stars, two great icons in music and movies stop illuminating. They both died of a dreaded illness that cut short of their life, mutilated the peak of their career, and even shattered the hearts of many. Michael Jackson (1958-2009) the "King of Pop" died of cardiac arrest while Farrah Fawcett (1947 - 2009) one of the original member of "Charlie's Angels" succumbed to anal cancer.

Michael Jackson should not be blamed for the scandals and controversies he took headlines most especially with children because he himself was a victim as young kid. Young Michael Jackson was molested by his father and never fully enjoyed his youth because he already seriously working at a young age. Instead, we should remember and let us be reminded by the legacy he left us. His music, pioneering dance styles, his charities and ideals must serve as an inspiration to many. On the other hand, Farrah Fawcett should be commended for her exemplary life. She showed extreme strength and endurance despite the unbearable sufferings, she is losing ground with her battle against cancer yet she is a valiant warrior. A symbol for women and a woman of austerity behind the glamour of limelight.

The world is weeping over the loss of these two icons in just one day because they will surely miss them but by reliving their music, dance, movies and charities they will always be alive in our hearts.

Farrah Fawcett Loses Battle With Cancer at 62

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Farrah Fawcett has died after a long battle with cancer, Access Hollywood has confirmed.

Farrah died at 9:28 AM on Thursday at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, Calif. She was 62.
"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Farrah's longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal, said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

The actress, best known for her role in the '70s TV show "Charlie's Angels" and her iconic hair, was in the hospital earlier this month and a source close to Farrah told at the time that she was not doing well.
While her condition was deteriorating, those closest to Farrah wanted to take her home for her final days.
Her death comes just days after O'Neal revealed he had asked Farrah to be his wife.

"If she's feeling a little better, I've asked her to marry me again and she's agreed," Ryan said in a new interview with Barbara Walters for ABC's "20/20," set to air June 26.
"We will as soon as she can say, 'Yes.' Maybe she can nod her head. I promise you, we will."
However, a source has confirmed to Access that Ryan and Farrah did not get married prior to her death.

In addition, Ryan and Farrah's son, Redmond O'Neal, did not get to see his mother a second time on a court-allowed visit from jail. The last time Redmond saw Farrah was during his first and only court-allowed visit on April 25.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department told Access no requests had been made to transport Redmond to see his mother before she died.
Following her diagnosis with anal cancer in 2006, Farrah waged a very public battle against the disease, documenting her fight in "Farrah's Story," which aired in May on NBC and will re-air on June 26 at 8 PM. After several rounds of chemotherapy treatments, Farrah announced that she was cancer-free, but in May 2007, the cancer had returned and she underwent further treatment in Germany.

The star was born on February 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Even at a young age, Farrah caught people's attention - she was given the title "Most Beautiful" in high school.
She became an icon for her role as Jill Munroe in "Charlie's Angels" in the mid-'70s, inspiring fans to imitate her feathered blonde hair. She rose to sex symbol status thanks in part to a now-legendary swimsuit poster that sold over 12 million copies.

Farrah left the popular show after a single season, going on to star in a number of films, television shows and made-for-TV movies such as 1984's "The Burning Bed," which earned her an Emmy nomination.

The actress made further headlines in 1995, when she posed for Playboy at age 48.
Farrah is survived by her father James, longtime partner Ryan O'Neal, their son, Redmond O'Neal, who has dealt with numerous legal issues over the last few years, including most recently, an arrest for allegedly trying to bring heroin into an LA-area jail facility on April 5.

Michael Jackson, "King of Pop" Dead at 50

Los Angeles (AP) - Michael Jackson, the "King of Pop" who once moonwalked above the music world, died Thursday as he prepared for a comeback bid to vanquish nightmare years of sexual scandal and financial calamity. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him.

"It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known," his brother Jermaine said. Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.


His 1982 album "Thriller" - which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" - is the best-selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide and also the world's longest music video with a duration of 32 minutes.


At the time of his death spread, MTV switched its programming to play videos from Jackson's heyday. Radio stations began playing marathons of his hits. Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital. In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.


"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend had sent him. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."


The public first knew him as a boy in the late 1960s, when he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the singing group he formed with his four older brothers out of Gary, Indiana. Among their No.1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC" and "I'll Be There."


He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks, as was his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.


"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just dont' have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."


Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. He united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie, and Jackson's death immediately evoked comparisons to that of Presley himself, who died at age 42 in 1977.


As years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure - a middle- aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He often wore a germ mask while traveling, kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions, and surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, a storybook playland filled with toys, rides and animals. The tabloids dubbed him "Wacko Jacko."


"It seemed to me that his internal essence was at war with the norms of the world. It's as if he was trying to defy gravity," said Michael Levine, a Hollywood publicist who represented Jackson in the early 1990s. He called Jackson a "discipline of P.T. Barnum" and said the star appeared fragile at the time but was "much more cunning and shrewd about the industry than anyone knew." Jackson caused a furor in 2002 when he playfully dangled his infant son, Prince Michael II, over a hotel balcony in Berlin while a throng of fans watched from below. In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him, and of engaging in strange and inappropriate behavior with other children. The case followed years of rumors about Jackson and young boys. In a TV documentary, he acknowledged sharing his bed with children, a practice he described as sweet and not at all sexual. Despite the acquittal, the lurid allegations that came out in court took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.



Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. He was 4 years old when he began singing with his brothers - Marlon, Jermaine, Jackie and Tito - in the Jackson 5. After his early success with bubble soul, he struck out on his own, generating innovative, explosive, unstoppable music.



The album "Thriller" alone mixed the dark, serpentine bass and drums and synthesizer approach of "Billie Jean," the grinding Eddie Van Halen solo on "Beat It," and the hiccups and falsettos on "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The peak may have come in 1983, when Motown celebrated its 25th anniversary with an all-star televised concert and Jackson moonwalked off with the show, joining his brothers for a medley of old hits and then leaving them behind with a pointing, crouching, high-kicking, splay-footed, crotch-grabbing run through "Billie Jean." The audience stood and roared. Jackson raised his fist. By then he had cemented his place in pop culture. He got the plum Scarecrow role in the 1978 movie musical "The Wiz," a pop-R&B version of "The Wizard of Oz," that starred Diana Ross as Dorothy. During production of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, Jackson's scalp sustains burns when an explosion sets his hair on fire.


He had strong follow-up albums with 1987's "Bad" and 1991's "Dangerous," but his career began to collapse in 1993 after he was accused of molesting a boy who often stayed at his home. The singer denied any wrongdoing, reached a settlement with the boy's family, reported to be $20 million, and criminal charges were never filed. Jackson's expressed anger over the allegations on the 1995 album "HIStory," which sold more than 2.4 million copies, but by then, the popularity of Jackson's music was clearly waning, even as public fascination with his increasingly erratic behavior was growing.


Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in 1994, and they divorced in 1996. Later that year, Jackson married Deborah Rowe, a former nurse for his dermatologist. They had two children together: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., known as Prince Michael, now 12; and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 11. Rowe filed for divorce in 1999.
Jackson also had a third child, Prince Michael II. Now 7, Jackson said the boy nicknamed Blanket as a baby was his biological child born from a surrogate mother.


Cardiac arrest is an abnormal heart rhythm that stops the heart from pumping blood to the body. It can occur after a heart attack or be caused by other heart problems.


Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde said Jackson's star power was unmatched. "The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it," Werde said. "He's literally the king of pop." Jackson's 13 No. 1 one hits on the Billboard charts put him behind only Presley, the Beatles and Mariah Carey, Werde said. "He was on the eve of potentially redeeming his career a little bit," he said. "People might have started to think of him again in a different light."

United States upsets Spain 2-0 in Soccer

Bloemfontein, South Africa - The world will surely take notice of this. The U.S. soccer team is in the final of the Confederations Cup, beating mighty Spain 2-0. Even more stunning, the Americans were on the verge of elimination and ready to head home last weekend before a reversal of fortune. On Wednesday, goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey led to an upset of the planet's top-ranked team. Call it a miracle on grass - maybe not the World Cup, but still an American soccer echo of the U.S. hockey team's upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. By winning, the maligned United States advanced to its first men's FIFA final since starting play in 1916. Altidore scored in the 27th minute and Dempsey added a goal in the 47th as the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania in November 2006.

"It goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring," said U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made eight saves as he frustrated David Villa and Fernando Torres."Sometimes football is a funny thing." Now the U.S. will play defending champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday's final, which concludes a two-week tournament designed to prepare the organizers of next year's World Cup. "Regardless of whether we play Brazil or the Bafana Bafana, the challenge will be great," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the U.S. coach, will miss the final. He received a red card for a late challenge in the 87th minute, the third American ejection of the tournament. Still, American players had much to celebrate, given how slim the chances of such a U.S. victory seemed just a few days ago. Or any victory, for that matter. The 14th ranked Americans were soundly defeated in their first two games in this event. "I think it just shows that we can compete with the best. Now we need to do it on a consistent basis," U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said.

Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and had tied Brazil's record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996. The United States had been 1-7-1 against No.1 teams beating Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup and tying Argentina last summer in a exhibition at Giants Stadium. "This is an accident, a little step backward, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We have to look forward with optimism." Altidore got the first goal when he outmuscled Joan Capdevila, his teammate on Spain's Villareal, to send an 18-yard shot in off the hand of goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Capdvila thought he was fouled by Altidore, who had engaged in some trash texting a few days ago. "I told him,'Be careful of the USA.' And he tried to say I didn't understand Spanish, so it was just all fun and games," Altidore said. "We're teammates and we were just messing around with each other a little bit, but in the end we had the last laugh."

Altidore, a 19-year old forward from New Jersey , was so excited after he scored that he took off his jersey as he ran toward the stands in celebration, drawing a yellow card. It was the first goal against Spain in 451 minutes, since Turkey's Semith Senturk scored on April 1, and just the third goal the Spaniards allowed in 17 games dating to last summer's European Championship. Dempsey sealed the victory, scoring from 6 yards when he pounced on Landon Donovan's cross, which had bounced off Gerard Pique and the foot of Sergio Ramos. "There will ups and downs in any cycle," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "I think this tournament makes that point very clearly. Tonight was a very big up."

The U.S. opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champion Italy, then was outclassed by South American champ Brazil in a 3-0 defeat. The Americans advanced over the Italians on the second tiebreaker - total goals - only by beating Egypt 3-0 on Sunday as Brazil defeated the Azzurri by the same score. "Three games ago I think it would have been impossible to think about a night like tonight," Howard said. "We've had our fair share of critics, but we stood up and took it on the chin and kept going."

While the U.S. women have won two world championships, the men have long been outsiders and didn't even qualify for the showcase event between 1950 and '90. This ranked alongside the upset of Brazil as one of their top wins, just below victories over England in the 1950 World Cup, Portugal and Mexico in the 2002 World Cup and Colombia in the 1994 World Cup. Spain outshot the U.S. 29-9 in near-freezing conditions at the Free State Stadium, but Howard came up big every time he was needed. "We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward," Dempsey said. "We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out o the final."

The United States had lost its three previous matches against Spain, including 1-0 in an exhibition on June 4 last year at Santander. But the Americans were boosted by Bocanegra, who had been sidelined since injuring a hamstring during a World Cup qualifier on June 6. He played left back instead of central defense. On this night, everything came together. "This win is huge for American soccer," Dempsey said. "This one is much sweeter because we were down and out, came back fighting."

Korea held by Iran

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung scored a second-half equalizer to give Korea Republic a 1-1 draw against Iran and close out their FIFA World Cup qualifying without a loss. The goal from team captain Park means Asian Group 2 winners Korea Republic end their qualifying campaign with four wins and four draws from their eight games, along with a coveted place at the table at South Africa 2010. Iran finish with 11 points and their hopes for advancing hinged on the result of the Saudi Arabi-Korea DPR match, which is to begin later today in Riyadh.

The scoring opened early in the second half when Mohammad Nosrati lofted in a cross that was met by a pack of Iranian and Korea Republic players in the goal mouth. Korea Republic keeper Lee Woon-Jae dived to deflect the ball, which replays appeared to show bounced off the leg of the charging Masoud Shojaei in the 51st minute.

Seven minutes later, Lee was tested again when he jumped to punch out a free kick by Mehdi Mahdavikia over a crowd of Iranian players. Korea Republic's Park Chu-Young had two close calls as the hosts tried to level the score.

In the 63rd minute, the Monaco forward dummied two defenders deep in the box to launch a left-foot shot, but Iranian keeper Mehdi Rahmati saved it with his left leg from point blank range. Two minutes later, Park banged a free kick off the left post with the frozen Rahmati helplessly looking on.

Salvation came for the Korea Republicans in the 80th minute, when Park Ji-Sung drove hard down the left wing. After a nifty back and forth with Lee Keun-Ho deep in the box, Park's shot sailed past defenders and the diving Rahmati.

A reinvigorated Korea Republic, already assured o first place in their group before the match, continued to press and very nearly won. In the 89th minute, Wigan's Cho Won-Hee had an open net to himself after some fine footwork in the box, but lost control of the ball.

Korea Republic had dominated early and Iran could not muster a shot on goal in the opening 25 minutes. But then Javad Nekounam tested Korea Republican keeper Lee Woon-jae from left of the arc to jump start Iran.

In the 26th minute, Mehdi Mahdavikia rolled a mid-range shot toward the net and forced Lee to make a diving save to his right. Nekounam bounced a free kick just inches past the left post in the 41st minute. In the dying moments of the first half, Masoud Shojaei intercepted a Korean back pass to unleash a left-foot strike. Lee barely got a piece of the bouncing shot and pushed it out of bounds.

Australia downs Japan, What Is The Next Target

Australia came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 and finish top of Asian Zone qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The mercurial midfielder popped up for his brace after Australia had conceded their first goal in eight qualifiers to keep the team unbeaten as they head to South Africa along with Japan for next year's FIFA World Cup finals.

Cahill scored in the 59th and 76th minutes to continue his "lucky charm" effect on the Socceroos and conjure memories of his late double when Australia came from behind to beat Japan 3-1 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. Cahilll now has 16 goals in 33 internationals.

"This is a step forward for us, it's great to finish top of the group," Cahill said. Skipper Lucas Neill said Australia were up against it in the first half before mounting thei second-half comeback.

"They really played the game with intensity and they were running us ragged for a bit and we couldn't get ourselves in the game," Neill said.

"But we went out to make sure we had the first blow in the second half and we put enough pressure on them to make it show," Neill said.

Australia finished Group A with 20 points and inflicted Asian rival Japan's first defeat in 11 qualifiers in this campaign. Japan last lost 1-0 to Bahrain in Manama on 26 March last year. But for a time it looked as though Japan would register a prestige win in front of almost 70,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Japan's Brazilian-born defender Tulio broke the deadlock and ended Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer's seven-match run of clean sheets with a headed goal in the 40th minute. Tulio got above Nicky Carle and drove home Kengo Nakamura's corner to stunned silence from the Australian crowd. It was the first goal Australia have conceded in their eight qualifiers since a 1-0 loss to China in Sydney a year ago.

Japan almost grabbed a second goal right on halftime when Keiji Tamada's free kick just outside the box was headed off the line by Socceroos' skipper Lucas Neill. But Cahill proved Australia's hero with a trademark header 15 minutes after halftime.

Cahill and giant striker Josh Kennedy both climbed for Vince 
Grella's lofted free kick, but the diminutive Everton midfielder got his head to the ball first and arced it beyond goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki into the far top corner. His goal energised the Socceroos and they had a lively spell at the Japanese goal. Cahill scored his second 14 minutes from time when he volleyed home Carle's corner from close range.

"We don't see any drastic changes needed because of the defeat tonight," Japan coach Takeshi Okada said. "Both Japan and Australia rested five or six players, but the Australian team is very high quality as they showed at the last World Cup.
"We shouldn't be too pessimistic about our performance tonight. Of course, our fans must be disappointed and they want us to be stronger for next year's World Cup."

Australia fielded just three survivors, Schwarzer, Jason Culina and Mile Sterjovski, from last week's 2-0 win over Bahrain in Sydney, while Japan had seven members of the team who started in the 1-1 draw with Qatar in Yokohama. The Socceroos went in with two inexperienced wide defenders, leftback Shane Stefanutto [1 cap] and debutant Rhys Williams on the right.

More Iloilo Colonial Pics

pictures clockwise from top left: Oton Church was the largest and most beautiful church in Panay during the colonial regime before it was toppled by an earthquake few years after the war; the original clubhouse of Sta. Barbara Golf and Country Club that was established and built in 1907 and opened to public in 1913, Asia's oldest golf course; Muelle Loney pre-war picture; Jose Calugas of Leon, Iloilo, the first Filipino to be awarded the highest military honor in US, the US Congressional Medal of Honor; JM Basa 1928 known as the Calle Real during the colonial period touted as the "Escolta of Iloilo" due to its progressive district

More Iloilo Colonial Pics

pictures clockwise from top left: the Malays, who first settled in the Visayas are known for their painted bodies as a status symbols so the Visayas is called during the colonial period as Islas de Pintados as the explorer noticed the natives; Iznart street 1950s; Inocencia Solis of New Lucena the first Filipina to be called "Asia's fastest runner"; Iloilo front of old Capitol building, nothing remains of the structure on the right side but the old building on the left still exist until today; Iloilo Port of Entry 1930s.

There's Still More To Play For Asia, How Ironic for Philippines

After Korea Republic, Japan and Australia booked their places at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa at the weekend, the results on 10 June mean competitionfor the remaining automatic qualifying spot and two third-place berths should go down to the wire.

Needing a point away against Australia to seal third place in Group A, Bahrain failed to achieve their goal, slumping to a 2-0 defeat. This result leaves the Gulf side needing a draw from their decisive final match at home against Uzbekistan in a week's time.

Meanwhile, there will be no such opportunities for Qatar, who despite bravely holding hosts Japan to a 1-1 draw in their final game, were eliminated after taking only six points from eight qualifiers. Following the lead of the United Arab Emirates, the Qataris became the second side to bow out on the Asian Zone's final qualifying round.

Over Group B, Saudi Arabia's goalless draw in Korea Republic kept them level on 11 points with Korea DPR, though the latter are still ahead on goal difference. Iran, for their part, notched their first win in four games with a narrow home defeat of UAE to keep their faint hopes of reaching South Africa 2010 alive.

England Edge Closer, Admires Philippines

Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe both scored twice as England gave 58,000 fans, who refused to be beaten by a London travel nightmare, ample reward for their defiance with their biggest win in a competitive game since 1999.

      After hitting their part-time opponents for six at Wembley, just as they did against Luxembourg a decade ago, the Three Lions know a win against Croatia on September 9 will seal a place at next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa with two games to spare.
      And if England make it, Fabio Capello will want Rooney in the same form as he has showed this season, his latest brace enough for him to streak clear in the FIFA World Cup qualifying sharp-shooters table with eight goals.
       Frank Lampard's effort was sandwiched in between and half-time substitute Defoe scored twice in as many minutes before Peter Crouch netted his 14th goal in 16 international starts to take England's overall tally to 26.
       While Defoe could be particularly pleased with his cameo, Rooney was the name on supporters lips as they began a journey home somewhat more testing than anything Andorra provided for their team.
         In a bid to get the most out of Rooney, Capello came up with a a rather simplistic hint for the Manchester United striker, get in front of the goal while it would be slightly silly to offer Sir Alex Ferguson any advice, given the wider role as he was given at Old Trafford, Capello's way is better.

Certainly the statistics, eight goals in seven qualifiers compared t0 12 in an entire Premier League season, seem rto bear that theory out.

Defoe took his chance well scoring twice, Johnson setting up the first to take his number of assists to three, in a similar manner to Rooney before Crouch tapped home after a woeful mistake from Alvarez.

Capello will realise his team must overcome far stiffer tests if they are to emulate the 1996 heroes who got long overdue medas to mark their achievement. But the signs are undeniably positive. And, one senses, in his own understated way, the Italian knows it and the Filipino knows it better. Because England is under Philippines.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Coverage

Starting today, I will give some news, trivia, statistics and other information from time to time regarding football. This is for the coverage for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

Text for the pics below

Many archaeological sites in the Philippines are actually burial grounds that go back several centuries, with the dead buried either as mummies, in burial jars inside caves, or inside coffins in church yards. The pre-colonial sites are often the most exciting because the dead were often buried with all kinds of goods, giving us glimpses not just of our ancestors' views about death but also their social life.
One burial site in Oton, Iloilo, believed to date between the 14th and 15th centuries, yielded a gold death mask, consisting of an eye mask, nose and mouth shield. This burial artifact tells us that the elite had it good, and were quite willing to splurge on luxuries. Our ancestors certainly found it important to take some of their wealth into the grave in a last show of status and prestige.

More Iloilo Colonial Pics

Iloilo Capiz railway, Iloilo during the American occupation February 20, 1901, Felipe Landa Jocano, famous anthropologist.

Other Iloilo Colonial Pics

beads dating back 900 A.D. bullcarts Iznart St. 1907, Capitol Building, 1920s, Curtis Oriole - the first passenger airplane driven by an Ilonggo Jose Tinsay

Gay Platonic Mutual Relationship

I can't!

I don't know. But it's pretty pathetic to be in a relationship without sex. I've undergone four serious relationships, two of these had this problem. Hot for two, or three months, then gone. Not even declining. ZERO. And I always asked...WHY??? And what is the point staying on if the sexual component is gone?

It's pretty tiring to f*ck around without assurance of companionship. You may have a taste of different recipes day in and day out, but maybe a lot of guys would agree with me that it is best to have an exclusive partner with whom you can have a healthy sexual relationship with. It is best to do it with a person YOU LOVE. And yes, I've seen the difference for myself.

For man-woman relationships (I don't want to call them "normal couples"), as per the law of marriage, the loss of sex, or lack of it thereof, is a ground for annulment. Although, many couples last even with sex disappearing after a few years, they stay because of the fact that their marriage are bonded by law, written on legal paper, and blessed in church with the accompanying marriage vows. A stronger reason could be the presence of kids to whom the focus of the marriage has shifted. Well it is reasonable indeed to stay on for their future and to redirect goals towards the betterment of these would-be citizens who may still live longer to make a difference.

However, we're gays here. We can't bear kids. The things binding man-woman relationship are not with us. Our relationships here are floating, and the only thing we can have in common with our partners is SEX. Minus sex, what would relationships here become? Friendship? Business partnership? Without sex, what is there to call us a "couple"? Without having sex, what is there to do? Maybe eat, watch movies, go places, sleep, hug, cuddle... can't ordinary close friends do these? Engage in business, save mone, build a house, buy cars... can't business partners do these?

They say SEX is just the "cheese" in the SPAGHETTI. Oh well, yes, it may be.

Iloilo Firsts and Greatest

Pictures (clockwise from top ): Oton Church, Pura Villanueva Kalaw, Calle Real 1900s, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Blessed Pedro Calungsod

The Solar house of businessman Robert Lopez Puckett Jr. is the latest addition to Iloilo's firsts. Visitors to the city will see the" Iloilo Firsts" list upon arrival at the now defunct Mandurriao Airport, which contains a record of "historical firsts" held by the city and province and those established by its sons and daughters. It was compiled in the 1970s by the late Norberto Baylen, former Iloilo City Schools Superintendent and publisher-editor of the weekly Visayas Tribune.

Here are some of the entries:

1. Iloilo is the site of the Malayan landing in the Philippines, according to the Maragtas legend.

2. The first school for boys in the Philippines was founded in Tigbauan, Iloilo, by Jesuit priest and historian, Pedro Chirino, in 1592.

3. The first place to put up a Christian church in the country was Jalaud (now Barangay Ermita in Dumangas town) in 1566.

4. The first city outside Manila to have a foreign business house (Loney and Co.) and the first foreign vice consul.

5. The only province to have two cities during the Spanish time: Iloilo City, chartered in 1890, and Jaro in 1891.

6. The biggest province in the Philippines in population, income and economic production during the 19th century.

7. The best and biggest producer of textile during the Spanish era.

8. The first city outside Manila to have electricity, telephone, telegraph, railway, ice plant, automobile and other modern conveniences.

9. The first golf course in the Asia was the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara town established in 1907.

10. The first province outside Luzon to fly the Philippine national flag, in Sta. Barbara town on Nov. 17, 1898.

11. The first department store in the country (Hoskyn and Co.) established in 1877.

12. The first city outside Manila to have direct shipping links with Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Europe and the Unied States.

13. The first commercial airline in the country was Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co.

14. The first Philippine airline after World War II was organized by Ilonggo brothers Eugenio and Fernando Lopez, Far Eastern Air Transport, Inc.

15. The first provincial high school in the country was the Iloilo High School

16. The first elementary school in the country established under the Americans was the Baluarte Elementary School in Molo, Iloilo City.

17. The first Protestant barrio in the country was Barangay Calvario in Janiuay.

18. The first Baptist church in the country was the Jaro Evangelical Church.

19. The first luxury liner in the country was the SS Don Esteban of the De la Rama Lines.

20. The first city to have double-decked buses, modern cinema houses and theaters outside Manila.

21. The first concrete road in the country was the road from Forbes bridge to the Jaro Plaza.

22. The first city to have a car assembly plant (Taller Visayas de Strachan and MacMurray Ltd.). The car assembled was the 1920s "Deiler."

23. The first Filipino to launch the Propaganda Movement in Spain - Graciano Lopez Jaena of Jaro

24. The only Filipino nominated to the Supreme Court of Cuba - Raymundo Melliza of Molo

25. The first Filipino to fly a passenger plane - Jose Tinsay of Jaro in 1925 flying the Curtiss Oriole, the first passenger plane.

26. The first Filipino to earn Doctor of Laws degrees from Oxford University - Melquiades Gamboa of Jaro.

27. The first Filipino Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science - Victorino Domondon

28. The first Filipino Doctor of Education - Pedro E.Y. Rio of Iloilo City.

29. The first Filipino woman Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering - Josette Garcia Portigo of Pototan.

30. The first Filipino doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology - Felipe Landa Jocano of Cabatuan

31. The first Filipino to win the US Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest US military honors, during World War II - Capt. Jose Calugas of Leon.

32. The first Filipino soldier in the American army to win medals for heroism and courage from the government of the United States, Belgium and France during World War II - Sgt. Ramon Subejano of New Lucena.

33. The first Filipino girl to be called the fastest woman in Asia - Inocencia Solis of New Lucena.

34. The first most bemedalled Filipino girl swimmer - Nancy Deaño of Dingle.

35. Asia's first chess grandmaster - Eugene Torre of La Paz.

36. The first Filipino woman to win a cultural heritage award - Magdalena Jalandoni of Jaro.

37. The first Filipino feminist - Pura Villanueva Kalaw of Molo - she was also the first Miss Philippine Carnival in 1908, Asia's first true national beauty pageant.

38. The first Asian to win the Bowl of Hygieia award in Pharmacy - Rosita Jara Mesa.

39. The first bookstore and printing shop in the Visayas and Mindanao - Libreria la Panayana.

40. The only province to have an antibiotic drug named after it - Ilozene and Ilotycin which are brands of erythromycin, a wonder drug developed from a soil sample from Iloilo.

41. The first province to export sugar to Australia.

42. The first province to produce many millionaires and the first city to have a millionaire's row.

43. The first community school movement originated by Supt. Jose V. Aguilar.

44. The best organized guerilla unit during World War II under Gen. Mariano Peralta

45. The first guerilla unit to contact, by radio, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and President Quezon during World War II.

46. The first modern and most beautiful custom house in the country.

47. The first government constructed museum building in the Philippines - Museo Iloilo.

48. The first gravity irrigation system outside Luzon - Sta. Barbara Irrigation System.

49. The first successful compact farm in the country - Tagsing Buyo, Sta. Barbara.

50. The number one food-producing province of the Philippines today.

51. The first and only town in the Philippines to produce four justices of the Supreme Court, seven senators, seven governors, and seven cabinet members.

52. The site of the first international research center in the fishing industry, the SEAFDEC in Tigbauan.

53. The biggest public school division in the country is the Division of Iloilo.

54. The first city, which initiated a free education program is the elementary schools by eliminating the matriculation fees and providing free school supplies and the elimination of tuition fees in public secondary schools.

55. The first Asian to play for Europe's top football club, Spain's Barcelona FC - Paulino Alcantara of Jaro, Iloilo.

56. The first Visayan to be beatified on March 5, 2000 and later will be canonized as the second Filipino saint - Blessed Pedro Calungsod of Molo, Iloilo.

57. Panay's largest and most beautiful church during the colonial period was the Oton church.

Conversations Radio Program

Listen to this radio program to know what is going on with the world, share the latest trends and tips and suggestions about everything, trivias and some people can phone in to ask questions and also share some views.. Interesting program that tackles some of your interesting topics about life, relationships, family, music and events! Here is the site online where you can tune in.

www.accesssacramento.org

Motivational LIVE Real Time Program

Several people here are wanting to hear some of our original songs about what's going on with the world. Got to www.clarkhoward.com and scroll down to the Debts & Money Threads and read what's written under "Another Way Out" & "Disaster Safeguards". You can leave questions or comments too! You may have to register though. Clark has a popular nationwide audience daily on radio, two hours eah day, and also is on two weekend tv broadcasts.

James Fortune and Iya "I Trust You" Music Video

Listen to this heart warming music video.. It is an inspiring video that moves every person by trusting each other... Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0F7g4T4Lao&feature=channel_page

Amazing - I Wonder Why America?

There are instances where you have to think deeply and through your heart, discover things which are surprisingly and unexpected to come out. You never know what to do and you will never know what is the right thing to do unless you do it and follow what your heart is saying and keep on pushing you to go for. Things, in this case, are meant to be in action and properly manifested, which has to be processed well by our mind and has been configured and ratified by the heart. (Well, this is not philosophy! Hehe..)

A Compassionate Mission and an Exemplary Philanthropy : Tales of Transformation Worthy of Emulation by Dr. Napoleon A. Allones

With all the negative news about the country being fed daily by newspapers, radio and television, one could not help but feel distressed with the dark thought that the nation seems heading towards self-destruction. That's why people who want to avoid stress and feel relaxed avoid buying newspapers, listening over the radio or viewing the newscast on TV. A righteous person's reaction to a sensational news item could be hazardous to his health. However, some articles could be inspiring like what is narrated below:

              A front page article of the Philippine Star, Oct. 22, 2007 issue, caught my attention and upon reading it, I was extremely touched by its awe-inspiring story. It was entitled, "Angel of the Dump Saves Lost Souls". It tells the story of a 43-year old former British publishing house executive named Jane Walker who was so deeply touched with Christian pity and empathy towards the scavengers of Smoky Mountain that she left her lucrative publishing job in her native Britain to put up her Philippine Christian Foundation which funded the establishment of an elementary school at Smoky Mountain, Tondo, Manila upon her immigration and relocation to Manila.
              Arriving in Manila as a tourist in 1996, Walker was shocked to see the object poverty and distressing squalor of the community of scavengers at Smoky Mountain which transformed her into a real Christian with a missionary zeal. Returning to Britain, she quite her publishing job, took on three others to save more money to put up her foundation. When her partner left her after the birth of their son, she left Britain and lived in Manila where she put up an elementary school without any government help. The school now has dozens of volunteer teachers and health workers to attend to around 500 pupils who are provided with free books and supplies.
Walker could be considered as the modern Mother Teresa of Manila in terms of her missionary work. While the Philippine government, throught the city government of Manila and te MMDA, painted the roofs of the tenement houses of the squatters ot hide the ugly eye sores from the eyes of the visiting dignitaries, no government agency paid attention to uplift the living condition of the poorest of the poor in Metro Manila. It takes a foreigner to take action and improve the plight of the destitute among our countrymen. This classic example of man's humanity to man could likewise be expressed in philanthropic acts.

In Aklan, where I am presently assigned as Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, I learned of two philanthropic and charitable families who were duly recognized as great benefactors of two schools. One is the Repiedad family of Linabuan, Banga, Aklan. The family patriarch, the late Mr. Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr., was once the Schools Division Superintendent of Capiz but later on transferred to Aklan. Due to the absence of a public secondary school in that community, the former principal of the Linabuan Sur Elementary School envisioned a public secondary school established annexed to the elementary school site. So he asked the Repiedad family for a donation of a lot for the secondary school. The Repiedad family readily donated one-half hectare initially in 2003 and another one-half hectare last 2007. Furthermore, the family donated an amount of P168,000 for the air conditioning unit, percussion musical instruments for the school band and a grass cutter. The school is now named as Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School.
Another story is the family of Rizalina Raz Feliciano of Bacan, Banga, Aklan. She was PGH nurse in 1939 but immigrated to the US in 1955. Retired in 1984, she lived in Malate, Manila. When she visited Bacan National High School in 2001, she was shocked by the pitiable sight of the office building so she promised to help. Within a year, a new Administration Bldg. was constructed complete with tiled floors, water and electrical facilities. With the support of the whole Feliciano family, mostly residing in the U.S., two years later, a new Library Bldg. and Media Center was constructed, complete with adequate supply of books, magazines and periodicals sent from the US. Later on, a Computer Laboratory Room was likewise constructed. All of these infrastructure projects and facilities were funded solely by the Feliciano family through their Fund for the Lord. The two buildings were named after her parents and after Mrs. Rizalina Raz Feliciano, respectively.
          I'm writing these aforementioned stories of missionary compassion, benevolence, charity and philanthropy as an eye-opener to our countrymen abroad who left their homeland to seek greener pastures and become naturalized citizens of their adopted country. It is with fervent prayer and hope that some of our countrymen upon reading those stories, might be touched and awakened in their dormant sense of patriotism so that they could also share a part of their God-given bounty to the less fortunate and needy town mates, especially for any worthy and noble projects and undertakings for community welfare. To quote Mrs. Feliciano, "God has given us the gifts so we give some of it to others and be a part of that gift because we have a philanthropic mission." Charles Simons said: "If you would take your possessions into the life to come, convert them into good deeds."