Vote for our Philippine Wonders at the New 7 Wonders of the World now

Click the link below and vote now!  Help increase our Tourism stats and the Philippine Economy now.

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/

Go tell everyone you know, feel free to repost this entry.

Our frontrunning bets are:

Tubbataha Reef

PHILIPPINES

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

 

Current rank: 3

Chocolate Hills

PHILIPPINES

The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name ''Chocolate Hills.''

 

Current rank: 4

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

PHILIPPINES

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The underground river is reputed to be the world's longest. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

 

Current rank: 8

Mayon Volcano

PHILIPPINES

Mayon Volcano is an active volcano on the Filipino island of Luzo, 15 km northwest of Legazpi City.It is classified by volcanologists as a stratovolcano (composite volcano). Its symmetric cone was formed through alternate pyroclastic and lava flows. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years, and is a part of what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire.

 

Current rank: 11

Equal rights for Filipino US War Veterans now!

Sign the petition here:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/EquiAct/petition-sign.html

Brugge per il Signorino

My Everyday Scenes

Flowers to My Monica

It's been 10 days since my dog Monica died.  I'm still grieving.  

I remember how she used to force herself to sleep again and then again, while waiting for me to wake up late into the middle of the day.  

I remember how she used to amuse herself by running the first few meters of our long hallway, and then continue by sliding till the end of the hall, again and again . . .

I remember how she used to demand her daily drives every morning from my Dad, waiting for her turn to be driven around . . . she seemed to know each time, which car will be used when.

I remember how she used groan and cry-growl at me, trying to beg-demand for her to be scratched and petted . . .

I remember when she used to be so mad at me for leaving her alone in my condo for hours on end, she'd chew each and every phone charger's end I had in the house.

I remember how she got dognapped, in my condo and returned three days after.

I remember how she used to own the leather couch in my first apartment, when she was still a pup, she'd try to scare people who sat on the couch, since she was always on top of it.

I remember how she used to bully our huge Rottweiler Napoleon, despite their size difference.  Napoleon always defers to royalty.

I remember how she used to bully the help around the house . . . and demand for whatever it is she wanted at the moment.

I remember how she used to demand for her bath, every 2 or 3 days, she would wait at her doggy bath tub until someone finally came to give in to her need.

I remember Monica, my dog.  Don Miguel's princess pup.  

She's now peacefully buried by her favorite tree in a corner of our garden.

Ricardo Gomolon: Cabuyao RCBC Killer (?)

What sort of a man can stomach having to shoot and kill 9 innocents, execution style at the back of theis heads while kneeling down blindfolded?

Innocent until proven guilty, but let it be told . . .

This man, Ricardo Gomolon, is the prime suspect and for good reason . . . IF it is true indeed, shame to his parents shame to his family, woe to this man.

The Ignacios in Paris May 2008 (part 2 of series, Family Pictures)

The Ignacios in Paris May 2008 (part 1 of series, Family Pictures)

(Taken from all our four cameras) il Signorino Don Miguel II, with hisparents, the original Don Miguel and Mom Ma. Cecilia, and sis, Anne, going up and about the whole of Paris, the city of lights . .. 10,761 km. from Manila, up theTour Eiffel and a whole day in the Louvre, shopping and window shopping at the Champs Elysees and making full use of the Metropolitaine . . . this was my birthday gift to all four of us in the family (we're all born in May and June) . . . 

Paris and shots of the Louvre Museum by Don Miguel, part 3 of Series (May 2008)

Don Miguel's Paris Shots (Part 1 of Series)

In Memoriam, Princess Monica, HRH

Princess Monica, HRH  

(Born 4 December 1998 - Died 20 May 2008, 10:00pm)

descended from a line of Royal Tibetan Court Canines

She came like a cotton furball, fluffy and white 

This tiny fiesty little pooch

Jetset little princess

Gave us 9 joy-filled years of sheer happiness

And was my personal tail, followed me like a shadow, wherever I went

She adopted my family as her own, routinely escorting my mom every meal and back

She orders the help around for water, food, and even when she felt like taking a cool bath

Family meals were never complete without her being served as well

Monica lived a full-life of love and care

And she never hesitated to show her love in return

A Cherub she must have been, sent from heaven and in the form of a Dog

To guard me and my family, provide joy and fun

She came like a cotton furball, fluffy and white

and now she is gone . . .

Don Miguel will forever cherish his Monica, il Signorino's Royal Dog

Don Miguel is Distraught, beloved dog Monica is sick back home

My beloved pet lhasa apso, Monica, HRH, is sick.

She must have been so depressed that my folks left her 2 weeks ago, to visit me here in Europe, for 2 months, and her resistance levels dropped.   (She gets so depressed when I say goodbye, like for instance, she purposely stays  in my room for days without stepping out at all, after I would have left for Manila or Europe after a weekend or a week in Roxas.  They have to feed her in my room.)

Members of our household had to rush her to the vet yesterday and the vet found that she was anaemic, thus the lack of appetite.  She has not been eating for the past three days and they are spoon feeding her.  Dr. Corros, our City Vet, also said, she might be suffering from anaemia.  He injected her with a dose of iron, and 2x a week hence.  She's also on a dose of complex anti-biotics.

Don Miguel is so distraught.  Monica's been my superstar dog since 9 years ago.   She lived the highrise life, with me in my condos in Manila, and she was even dognapped by a stupid neighbor, and  returned 3 days after I raised hell for it.   She's been a jetsetter as well, flying 4 times with me to Roxas and back, she's an addict for long drives, and has been driving with me and back to Tagaytay, Batangas and the Beach in Roxas.

When we eat at home, she will be outraged if she does not get served her own portion.  and won't stop demanding for her food from the help, and if they won't budge, she'd promptly tell my mom on them.

My dear friends, please pray for me for Monica's swiftest recovery.  I hope she will be there to greet my folks as usual when they go back in July. 

Playing photographer for the family at the Grand Place, Brussels

WTF????? CHARICE PEMPENGCO Asked by His Father Not to Use His Last Name

Here's an articled i pulled form the net 

http://showbiznest.blogspot.com/2008/04/charice-pempengco-asked-by-his-father.html  

WTF???????

Charice's has got every right to use her last name, and the friggin' Dad's got no place to stop her from using it.  Especially now that's she's sure to rake in the big bucks big time, I wouldn't be surprised if he came crawling to her for a reconciliation after 12 years.   He better not.

CHARICE PEMPENGCO Asked by His Father Not to Use His Last Name

Let’s start with the sad news: Henceforth, Charice will be known simply as Charice — not Charice Pempengco as she used to be — because her estranged father (and his family) have asked her to stop using that surname.

Well and good because, according to Charice, who’s turning 15 on May 10, the last time she saw her father, Ricky “P,” was 12 years ago. That was the time when Charice’s mom Raquel and Mr. “P” separated.

“I haven’t been in good terms with him since then,” said Raquel, who has another child, Carl (13), by him. “I’ve always been a single mom.”

The good news is that, Charice announced during her surprise guesting on dzMM’scelebrity show that she is now recording a few songs before the release of her self-titled album.

The album will include two original songs titled “Born to Love You Forever” and “It Can Only Get Better” composed especially for her by Swedish song artists. It will also include a revival of Whitney Houston’s “And I’m Telling You.”

You guessed it: The album is titled simply Charice.

The name Charice sounds even better without Pempengco, doesn’t it?

Our hearts bleed for the murdered Bankers in Laguna

Woe to the the robbers who killed the 10 bankers. . .

Today we send our most heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of these brave innocent souls.

Today 10 lives have been ended, many more lives of their loved ones shattered, the futures of their children uncertain.

Requiescant in Pace . . .

Bank robbers massacre 10
The Philippine Star

Ed Amoroso 
Saturday, May 17, 2008

CABUYAO, Laguna – Nine bank employees and a security guard were lined up and shot dead yesterday in what police described as one of the bloodiest bank robberies in history.

Nine of the victims were found sprawled on the floor of a branch of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in Barangay Pulo here, after the bank failed to open as scheduled at 9 a.m., triggering the suspicion of customers who alerted the police, according to Calabarzon regional police director Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla.

The 10th victim, also a ranking employee of the bank, succumbed to gunshot wounds in the head while being treated at the St. James Hospital.

Police identified the victims as Roberto Panganiban Castro, the bank’s branch manager; Ferdinand Bernard Antonio, bank teller Benjamin Manalo Nicdao Jr., bank commercial manager Bernardo Lapaan Jr., operations assistant Noel Olaes Miranda, janitor Juan Marza Layva and security guard Aguilando Baltazar.

The two female victims were Olga Gonzalez and Teresita Umayao.

The bank’s customer relations manager Isagani Pastor later died at the hospital.

All were found sprawled on the floor with a single gunshot wound to their heads. Two bodies were found inside the open bank vault.

Police said the bodies showed no bruises or other signs that they resisted.

“This is the handiwork of the devil and we will not let this pass,” Padilla said. “They were killed in a gangland-style execution – each of the victims shot in the head while lined up.”

Condiments Condiments

Decanter is the correct word?

Antwerp, Just Antwerp, no Ants, no Twerp!

some photographs in Antwerp, Diamond Capital, taken by myself, il Signorino, while on a trip to Antwerp last Monday with the parents.

Don Miguel's photo of "Benefits Supervisor at the Park"

In relation to that recently very famous bigger than life-sized painting of that rather big Benefits Supervisor*, Don Miguel searched high and low, and searched every Avenue and Rue in Brussels to find himself a model for Benefits Supervisor at the Park, in the hopes that his photograph of the "same" Benefits Supervisor, now fully dressed this time, will fetch him even just a fraction of that whopping $33.6 million paid for that other artwork.

*"Benefits Supervisor Sleeping," a life-sized painting of a rather obese woman — in real life, she is a job-centre supervisor (whatever that means) named Sue Tilley — asleep on a couch. Painted by Lucien Freud (grandson of that other Freud), it sold at auction this week for $33.6-million, a new record price for the work of a living artist.