Palaro 2009 Memories: That Feels Good with Ate Tricia

When I'm still on the media scene during the Leyte Palarong Pambansa 2009 in Tacloban, I'm just a simple but informative student journalist who wrote any news from both inside & outside of the Leyte Sports Development Center. But one day, one girl that I caught my attention was:  Patricia Mae Santos, an athlete from Davao City.

And on May 1, 2009, when I'm on my 'interview' mode with her, I'll keep my feelings for her a secret. For short, I'm on 'love at first sight' mode during the interview. On the same day at the media center, I'll write up this simple introduction about her because of only one thing: I've fallen in love with her.

This is the whole story of my writings about her:

Can I share with you my Inspirational Quote of the month?

"Who says Ate Tricia is beautiful? They should get their heads examined! Their eyes checked! They should go back to grade school & learn what beautiful means. For the last time, I'm going to say it that Ate Tricia isn't beautiful, ok? 

She's cute.." 

Gosh! I can't believe it...

I started writing this crazy introduction about my crush when I was a young, green, idealistic & immature 13-year-old Freshmen student without a care in the world.

Wow.

Listen: It's so hard to make these things. So, before any other ideas come to your minds, I'm going to straighten things out for you.. only!

As you already know, I'm a hopeless romantic. My one recurring fantasy is to make my very own sentimental & crazy introduction & read it to the lady of my dreams (corny, hah?)

As I remembered, I kept asking myself why I made my life so tender & sweet by giving Ate Tricia. Why her? Why not Aimee or Krystel? One lonely night in my bedroom after my work at the grandstand, I had to make a very important decision about my life. And I was deeply disturbed. I realized sometimes that I had to seriously face my own inner desires & be brutally honest with myself.

Nothing, that is except one: a desire for her.

Yeow! Questions like that that make my stomach do triple somersaults inside... but instead of screaming till my lungs, "I feel in love with Ate Tricia!" I answer thier question with great solemnity.

You know?

Whatever I find myself lovable or not, I love Ate Tricia.

Period.

I'll just have to accept that as a fact of life...

And does that feels good with her!

Where does Palawan belong: Luzon or Visayas Island Group?

When I'm still in First Year High School, I was fond of researching anything, especially the questionable ones.And this is the one of my most unforgettable question still in my mind today: "Where does Palawan belong: Luzon or Visayas Island Group?"

In my elementary grades, my teacher in history told me that Palawan is a part of Region IV-B. And in my first try in secondary, my teacher scratched her head and asking: "Why is it that Palawan is still the part of Region IV-B?" At that time, the case is open for research.

First, I want to know what's the actual political subdivision in the country. And this is the one who caught my attention:

Executive Order  # 103 of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recognizes the formation of Region IV-A or CALABARZON. 

And on the other page, I read this one:

Like Region IV-A, Region IV-B was formed under Executive Order  # 103 of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This region was known as MIMAROPA. However, under Executive Order # 429, the region was reorganized with the exclusion of Palawan which now belongs to the Western Visayas Region (Region VI).

And now, why is it that the history teachers in elementary did not recognize this Executive Order? Simple one thing: Maybe they don't read or know about that Order. (Pardon my language..) Actually, this work is good for the sake of my fellow students to know the truth about this. So, maybe next time you ask me about Palawan's location, I'll told you: "Read your book first & explain anything you want.."

Just take a closer look to the reverse of the new 500-peso bill. Palawan is there, right?
When I watch the video presentation about the all new money, it  says that Palawan is now in Visayas! It's still unpredictable to the elementary grades because Palawan is still in Region IV-B! (according to their hsitory books) Maybe I'll ask DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro to revise the books of the elementary students about the reorganization of Palawan to Region VI (Western Visayas Region) so that when they are now in the in Freshmen level, they answer it promptly. Actually one day, in our Social Studies subject, my teacher asks this question to the very sleepy classmate of mine: "Where is Palawan?" And she's thinking deeply & I told her, "Region VI!!" She snubs me.. so, she answered: "Region IV-B, teacher!" And when my teacher listened to what I say to my friend, she told her: "Cecilio is correct! Palawan is now in the Western Visayas Region under E.O. 429 of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo, signed May 23, 2005." Incidentally after the recitation, she cried. Why? Because she's only focused on her elementary history.

Friends, this is the true answer: Palawan is the fifth largest island of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas Region.

The New Generation Philippine Banknotes: A Preview

After several years, Philippine bank notes get a much-needed overhaul. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) unveiled the bank notes’ new designs, as well as its new security features. Amando Tetangco, BSP Governor said the new currencies took three years to complete, from conceptualization and printing. He said the new bills will make it “difficult for counterfeiters to copy while easier for people to determine counterfeits.” Tetangco said the new bank notes “combine new and familiar elements.” 


“We retained colors to make sure people don’t get confused,” he added. 


The bills will be in circulation last December, 2010 while the old bank notes will still be accepted within the next three years. On December 16, 2010, the new design for Philippine banknotes were released. However, the P500 bill now features former President Corazon Aquino, whose photo is placed beside her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. It also depicts a smiling Ninoy, a far cry from his forlorn image in the current P500 bill.

“The decision to honor Cory Aquino in the P500 note was announced in the week that she passed away, long before their son ran for president,” said Tetangco.

The P500 bill also makes history by having both parents with the signature of their son, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, added Tetangco.

Pres. Aquino said it makes him happy “as a son and as a Filipino” to have his parents on the same bank note where his signature appears.

“It is a testament to what they sacrificed for our people, and a testament to their love for our country,” said Aquino.

The 50-year-old bachelor President also said it serves as a “constant reminder for me that my parents were more fortunate than I in finding that person that made them whole and allowed them to achieve the heights that they did.”

All six denominations — P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, and P1,000 — have new designs and security features. Below are the new designs:

> P20 bill

Obverse: Pres. Manuel L.Quezon, the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth & the Father of the Philippine Language.

Reverse: Banaue Rice Terraces and a palm civet from the Cordilleras, which are famous for producing the alamid coffee.

> P50 bill

Obverse: Pres. Sergio Osmeña, second President of the Philippine Commonwealth, who led our country from the critical stages at the end of the World War II as well as our transition to an independent nation.


Reverse: Taal Lake and the Giant Trevally

(locally known as Maliputo), a delicious milky
fish which thrives only in the waters of the lake.

> P100 bill

Obverse: Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, last

President of the Philippine Commonwealth

Republic & First President of the Third Republic, who prioritized the crafting of the Central Bank Charter & providing the leadership for the re-construction of our country from a devastation of the Second World War.

Reverse: Mayon Volcano and “butanding” or

whale shark, the world’s largest living fish which is the main attraction of Donsol, Sorsogon.

> P200 bill

Obverse: Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the fifth President of the Third Republic who started Land Reform & restored the celebration of Philippine Independence to June 12.

Reverse: Chocolate Hills and the Philippine

tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates.

>P500 bill


Obverse:Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the first lady President of the Philippines & Mother of Philippine Democracy who restored democracy after the historic & peaceful

EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 and Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., who stand up against Martial Law.

Reverse: Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River National Park and the blue-naped parrot, which thrives in the forests of 
Palawan and Mindoro.


> P1, 000 bill

Obverse: The three war-time heroes: Josefa Llanes Escoda, founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines(GSP) who showed her  extra-ordinary courage to help the prisoners of war; Brig. Gen. Vicente 
P. Lim, the first Filipino Westpoint graduate who directed the military activities even in his hospital bed; and Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court Jose Abad Santos who was murdered from refusing to cooperate  with Japanese forces.

Reverse: Tubbataha Reef Marine Park and theworld famous South Sea Pearl, which is 
produced by oysters that thrive in the South Seas which the Sulu Sea is located.

The images of the national figures on the obverse side of the bills show them at a younger age. Fe Dela Cruz, director of the BSP’s Corporate Affairs Office, said in an ambush interview the younger images were chosen because the public servants and heroes on the bank notes served the country during their prime.

The new security features of the bank notes include embossed prints, serial numbers, security fibers, watermarks, security thread, optically variable device, optically variable ink, and a see-through mark. The features increase as the value of the note goes higher.

The see-through mark is the word “Filipino” written in Baybayin, a pre-Spanish Philippine writing system, which is only seen in complete form when the note is viewed against the light.

A banknote’s design is first conceptualized before it is drawn by an artist into a prototype banknote. Once the prototype has been approved, printing plates will be produced.

The production of banknotes consists of litho printing; intaglio printing; sheet inspection; numbering; tinning (where numbered sheets are inspected every tenth sheet to check if there are defects); and finishing which includes cutting, counting and packaging, according to the BSP.

The inclusion of Pulau Karakelong of Indonesia

Several errors have been discovered on banknotes of the New Generation series and have become the subject of ridicule in social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter & Google. Among these are the exclusion of Batanes island from the Philippine map on the reverse of all denominations, the inclusion of Pulau Karakelong of Indonesia on the reverse of all denominations, the dislocation of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Underground River on the reverse of the 500-peso bill and the Tubbataha Reef on the 1000-peso bill, and the incorrect coloring on the beak and feathers of the blue-naped parrot on the 500-peso bill.The scientific names of the animals featured on the reverse sides of all banknotes were incorrectly rendered as well.

Watch this video to know better about the New Generation Banknotes. 

Crazy bin Laden! (Funny Messages)

Do you think I'm crazy? No, I'm not..

This is one of funniest video about Osama bin Laden

I found in YouTube:

Bin Laden has giving his acceptance speech
 for the Academy Award's Best Most Wanted Artist!

His message for the beautiful girls because 

he wants a nice booty!

Just for fun!

Enjoy watching, friends! And have fun.. =)

Congratulations!!

Crisamina Martinez, Opong's pride
was awarded as Best in Talent.

"In every contests, there is only one Winner. 
But for all of us, there are all Winners.." 


- my own quote  in the Division Arts Contest in Palo, Leyte, way back 2008. This is my first time to leave such a wonderful quote for the winners in this school.  And it will serve as my reminder in every  contest that I joined. It is also encourages me not to lose hope &  
become fully-determined.

Actually, this is my first time on my blog to greet this lovely ladies who are joined the Search for G. at Bb.  Tolosa 2011 last May 4, 2011.  During the pageant,  (I'm just in the corner of the plaza) I'm keep on praying that my friend will win the title of Bb. Tolosa because I believe in her ability.  But it's unexpected that Ate Crisamina Martinez,  my friend from Brgy. Opong, was not able to achieve her simple dream. She is only receiving the  Best in Talent title. However, as my friend, she's my Bb. Tolosa because of her youthful beauty.

Alona Robedillo from Brgy.Telegrafo,
was declared Ms. Tolosa 2011.

And my observation during the coronation night of Search for G. at Bb.  Tolosa 2011 was: many people rushed to the town plaza to support their respective candidates. I'm just a silent person who watch & enjoy the show without any noise. Speechless about what's happening on the stage. But the only thing I caught my attention was when Ate Crisamina passed out during her acting presentation. Many people were surprised what's happening to my friend. But, it's her style to impress the people, to get emote with her presentation. For short, she acted like a true actress  in a Teleserye series called.. 'Mara Clara' (Ano daw?)


And how about Ate Alona's performance, what is it? Actually, she did her presentation before the coronation night. And I can't remember the date of the G. at Bb.  Tolosa 2011 Talent Presentation. I'm still asking my friends when is the Talent Presentation.
  

According to my friend, he said on his status on Facebook a hour after the competition: 

"A great night yesterday :D" Yes, it's a very great night! But I won't be able to watch the rest of the show. Because of being 'maantukin'! (Haha..) And I think that this lovely ladies will surely amazed why is it that the judges chose them? Simple answer: because of their proper use of beauty & brains. (Estoryahe! :D)

And one day, my friend asked me: "who is your bet during the Ms. Tolosa?" Honestly, all of them are eligible to hold the title. But there is only one choice: the person who has excellent actions, splendid performance & participation, and most of all: beauty & brains. Actually, I'll vote for Ate Crisamina, because she is my friend. Not just a friend, and as her supporter as well. Even we're not close, still in my heart, we're Best Friends Forever. (Wew.. Haha..)


In a very special way, my warmest salute to Ate Crisamina Martinez for holding the title of Best in  Talent & to Ate Alona Robedillo for being the Winner of the Search for G. at Bb. Tolosa 2011. I'll also like to greet to the losers of this competition. Better luck next time na lang. And to all the people behind this successful activity, especially the Hermana Mayor for this year's Fiesta Celebration in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, the Firmo family & to Mayor Erwin Ocana.

A million 'Congratulations' to you!!