Let’s show our love to Pasig River this Yuletide season

Idea is dumb when it is not shared or realized. This is the thought that I had as I am doing my New Years Resolution. I am currently doing a proposal for the environment and suddenly saw this article which is worth posting. Making me realize my reason of joining “Run for Pasig River” and the thought that nothing can beat a good intension. I will be the change that I want to see - the only new years resolution that I will live within the year. That hope everyone will do the same ”

In his novel “El Filibusterismo” José Rizal describes how a captain navigates his old and ponderous steamer “Tabo” on the Pasig River to the Laguna Bay. The river meandered  and the narrow fairway was marked by wood stakes only insufficiently. Sandbanks blocked the way of the river again and again. The Pasig is not yet canalized and has no bank reinforcement. It “glitters in the morning sunlight”. Little carpets of water lilies are slowly drifting down the river. The Pasig is rich in fish, many fish traps are laid out. Mangroves and bamboo bushes line the banks. Bathing people enjoy themselves in the river, often they can still see the bottom of the river. And let us hope that they did not meet one of the crocodiles which are still shall in the river and adjacent Laguna sea. The quality of water plays already an important role. When in 1820 a Cholera epidemic broke out, foreigners are accused to have poisoned the Pasig. Some of them are massacred. The water of the river was regarded as sacrosanct.  

There are various speculations over the origin of the river name “Pasig“. Some say it derives from the Tagalog and stands for sandbank. Others suspect that the name could be a spoonerism of the name of Legaspi, the first Spanish general governor. Already before the arrival of Spanish colonizers – when Manila was still ruled by Muslim Rajahs - the Pasig was an important traffic route on which goods and persons were transported.

Let’s add some data about the river itself. The Pasig is only about 25 km long and connects the Manila Bay with the Laguna lake.

The Laguna Bay with its 922 km² (almost the double of the area of Lake Constance) is one of the biggest freshwater lakes of Southeast Asia and has an average depth of water of only round about two meters. Into which direction the rivers flows depends on the water level of the sea in the Manila Bay and such of the Laguna Bay. It varies seasonal. If the water-level of the Laguna lake sinks in the dry season (March - May) and high saltwater floods of the Manila Bay press in the Pasig then the water can stand or even can flow backwards. The fishermen of the Laguna Lake are ascribing positive effects to the saltwater influx into the Laguna Lake and they argued therefore against the erection of a dam between river and the lake.

Nowadays the river is between 120 (Manila Bay mouth) and 60 meters wide and four to six meters deep. It flows through a densely populated area. It is estimated that actual approx. 4.4 million of the 15 million people in Manila are living on or nearby  the river and his 13 tributaries ⁽²⁾. The river system of the Pasig passes in the area of Manila eight towns and three larger communities. North of the river are e.g. the villages of Binando, Quiapo, Sampalag, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa and Tondo, in southern direction we can find among others Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, San Andres, Bukid and Sta. Anna.

Again back for the history of the river. At the end of the 19th century the port of Manila was extended further and the Pasig canalized. The canalization enabled a safer and more economic use of the waterway to the Laguna Bay. Then the first four big bridges over the were built. Today eight bridges span over the Pasig in Manila. It was chic to live and to promenade at the banks of Pasig. The rich had their houses near the river and the presidential palace Malacanang was also built near the Pasig. A bit to flamboyantly the river was compared with the “Canale Grande” of Venice.

Later the industrialization starts  and more and more factories were settled at the waterfront. Today the number of factories is round about 300. The water quality of the Pasig begins to worsen. The fish populations decline in the thirties and warnings are issued not to bath in the river. A decade later laundry is practically not more washed in the river. The river begins to stink. Instead of water lilies now more colored plastic bags with waste could be seen swimming on the surface. The business activities shift more and more to Makati, the richer persons are looking for new attractive residential areas. The riverside region loses housing quality. Now the “Canale Grande” has become a sewer. The water pollution comes mainly from domestic and industrial sources. According to a newer UNO report of 2006 150 tons of domestic solid and liquid waste and 75 tons of industrial waste are dumped into the Pasig daily - that’s about 82,000 tons waste a year ⁽3⁾. Pollution from leachate because of bad sanitation and sewerage cannot be measured exactly but has enormous dimensions. Especially the squatter colonies lined at the banks the river became a target of criticism.

The squatters are sometimes also called - less discriminatory - “Informal Settlers” or “Urban Poors”. As of the sixties they began to settle at the river banks in increasing number. They left their impoverished homes in the provinces in the hope Manila would offer them more better earnings. Mostly, they settle on public ground without any permission or renting contract. They   live in very modest quonsets with plywood walls and without connection to the waterworks systems. The huts are often standing on stilts because in the rainy season the Pasig frequently bursts its banks. The number of the squatters on the Pasig is not constant and can only be estimated. In 2000 it was supposed that round about 60,000 families are directly living at the river banks. That correspondents to 300.000 persons, if we assume five persons in a average family ⁽⁴⁾. In his profound article on the squatters Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff even reckons the number of river-residents at 350,000 ⁽⁵⁾. If we follow this author, almost a third of the population of Metro Manila can be classified as squatters.

Since the squatter families do not connections to the main water supply, they have to look, if there is a public water installation or faucet, have to tap a water pipe illegally or they have to buy drinking water, which can be expensive. And where to go with the domestic waste, if no garbage collection or a sewage system exist? One possibility could be to deposit it secretly in the neighborhood area. However, the more direct and faster way leads to the Pasig river, which then becomes a substitute sewer. There is another estimate after which the Pasig-Squatters transfer daily approximately 35 tons solid and 150 tons liquid waste into the river ⁽⁶⁾. 

In connection with this we should mention that the sewer system in Manila is one of the poorest in South East Asia. More than 11 million inhabitants of Metro Manila (approximately 85%) do not have proper access to sewerage facilities  according to the Environmental Management Bureaus (EMB). Only almost 15% are connected to sewer lines managed by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and private concessionaire Manila Water Co. 85 per cent of the population discharge its toilet waste into tanks, which are not cleaned or treated for years and /or conduct the untreated water via channels into the Pasig ⁽⁷⁾.  So the groundwater in Metro Manila is contaminated in high extent and it has already penetrated into the public water line system. The World Bank values the annual economic losses caused by water pollution at about P67 billion  and the same institution is reporting that between 1996 and 2000 about 31% of the monitored illnesses can be explained by dirty water (particularly diarrhoea). These special health costs are estimated at P 3.3 billion per year ⁽⁸⁾ .

For government circles the squatters were always a disgrace and annoyance. Already under president Ramos resettlements of squatters were carried out. From the approx. seven resettlement places especially Dasmarinas, Cavite and Kasiglahan Village I in Montalban - also called “Erap City” centre - have become known. Erap City is more than twenty kilometers from the outskirts away from Manila and offers only few work opportunities at the place. Therefore it is not surprising that an investigation showed, that already in the first two years 30 - 40 per cent of the resettlers returned from their tenement houses back to the Pasig River. In the long term the percentage increased even to 80 per cent. Time and time again there are disputes between the squatters and the officials about the question which limit distance between the hats and the banks of the river should be respected. The squatters prefer – if at all – a three metre distance,  the municipal authorities demand a distance from ten meters.

The dispute escalated in September 2000 at the place Pineda. Time before the authorities ordered already a compulsory evacuation of 12,000 families. Another 270 huts should be demolished now. The dispute resulted in physical attacks, a demolition worker was killed. The situation would have kept on worsening, if not the Asian Development Bank, the financier of the project, would have insisted on more peaceful measures of enforcement. The resettlement conflicts are not cleared up to this day. Now a gradual proceeding is announced. First the families very near to the river should be resettled, those living away from the river should follow later.  

To the contamination of the Pasig contribute also round about 300  of the 2000 commercial enterprises. Partly they discharge  their sewages untreated into the river. Between 1980 and 1990 they contributed to about 44 per cent to the pollution. In 2000 especially the glassworks “Republic Asahi” and the chemistry factory “Chemphil” - next to the textile processing factories - became a target for environmentalists.

Greenpeace could prove by taken samples that they are substantially responsible for the discharge of noxious metallic substances  High levels of copper and manganese and to a lower extend of lead, nickel and zinc). In recent time, however, there are indications that the industrial water pollution is regressive. Cleaning standards and efficient means of control are still missing, however. The government tries to resettle some industrial plants and to use the new free areas for residential buildings and parks.

In view of this deplorable state of affairs the intentions for the rehabilitation of the river are quickly listed:  

- Improvement on the water quality by short-term cleaning measures in the river (e.g. excavation the river sludge and  removal of ship wrecks) and long-term elimination of the pollution sources

- Improvement in the environmental conditions at the river (squatter resettlements, creation of parklands and recreation areas)

- Reduction of the river floods

- Improvement in the transport conditions on the river

Those responsible were very optimistic about the realization of their program and referred to  successful river rehabilitations in abroad (Rhine, Thames, Seine). The realization, however, did not come up to the expectations. The enormous financial expenditure was neglected and measures started only very selectively in the past. The areas of responsibility were fragmented, decision-making processes unnecessarily bureaucratized and the means of control deficient.

Already Imelda Marcos - as governor of Manila - dreamt about making the Pasig more attractive for tourists by the establishments of casinos and restaurants. However, her dreams resulted only in the color painting of some river walls and the planting of few trees. As of 1989 the responsible  start with foreign help at least with analyses and inventories. The Pasig River Rehabilitation Program (PRRP) got adopted. It included provided 21 different projects with a total cost expenditure of 420 millions US$. The expectation was that the most necessary would be done within 10 -15 years. But, to this day, the Herculean task is far from its end. Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff judges harshly : The old programs “have cost a lot of money and caused little” ⁽⁹⁾.

In 1999 President Estrada established the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), which is now responsible for the river rehabilitation together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In 1990 the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a credit of 176 million US$  for the rehabilitation of the Pasig. The paying out of the credit tranches depends on successful measure steps. The ADB checks and corrects. Now the expectation is that the Pasig  could be brought into a tolerable waters class up to the year 2014.

After years of the relative indifference a modest progress is made. Already in the nineties, the dredging out of river started. The deposition of the morass still causes problems. Sunk boats and barges which endangered the navigation were raised. Some industrial plants were resettled, for example to Calabarzon.

Already 1990 there was a first attempt to improve the passenger transport on the Pasig. A  relatively reasonably priced ferry services with “River Buses” and seven hold stations was established. In 30 - 40 minutes people could be transported from Bambong in the east up to the river muzzle in the west. The favourable point is the time advantage. The chronically blocked traffic needed double time. However, the ferry traffic was stopped after two years, because it operated not cost-effectively. Another reason was, that in the summer time the passengers turned up their noses because of the stench of the river water. In spring 2006 the establishment of a new ferry-line was planned.  It should operate with six ships – each with a seating capacity of 150 persons -  end of this year. 14 hold stops are planned. The intention is to transport at least 28,000 passengers daily ⁽¹⁰⁾. It remains to be seen if this new passenger service gets accepted. It could make a contribution to the traffic relief of the streets.

The river is cleaner than in the nineties and it is told that the smell is not anymore so pungent. The harmful industrial discharges have been reduced and the resettlement actions are at least partially successful. Promenades are connecting 15 amusement parks, particularly in Makati. which are, however, not fully accepted by the population. It remains a lot to do until the river has found its original beauty and dignity. The time presses.  

 Pasig River needs our help, and it is worth helping considering it as a face of the country’s history and future outlooks.

Who am I? At the perspective of my parents.

It is very though to describe oneself but I just wanted to see myself as a combination of - who my parents are?

My Mom, Mama, Mommy, Okasaan, Ina, Mother goose, and Mother dear is Celeste Goleta Redondo (with her maiden name). She is a jolly person, times of being nagger but it’s manageable I believe. Also she is a woman with a green thumb, Oh yea, a person who can put any plants in to life, making her pursue the Agricultural Education. Somehow minor (as what my dad said), but I adore my mom for that. She had worked as a teacher and an office girl at MIAA until we got born. Hard worker and Frugality is very natural to her. But she was cool though - also loves to dance (awkwardly with me haha) and working out in our mini gym with me (bonding moments) - she is real chubby - but hell yes, she had a slim and sexy body with a 26 waistline before and a long slender, flawless legs (making my dad fall in love with her lol). And obviously, she was attractive making her to broke a lot of hearts (XD). Got the Spanish good looks of Redondo Family, fair skin and the height that I got?! She was a family person. Have an intimate relationship with her siblings - and I suppose she is also the bread-winner in the family. And Yes! she used to be very supportive to me when I am applying for my US Internship - I know and I can feel that she is proud of me and my siblings - and I know that she also want to visit the family in San Diego - that I will work out in the future.

Yes of course, my dad, daddy yo, daddy dear, boss daddy, Otousan, Col. Nestor Relles Pastoral. Indeed he is a very strict dad, making us to be the most disciplined children ever (I suppose). But despite of that militarily stiff looking guy is a kind and loving dad. Yea I admit being a daddy’s girl, I always come and hang out with my dad coz I enjoy it. We have the same interests (jogging, aero soft, firing, even drawing, architecting, engineering - got my artistic side to him) and principles in life (I adapt to him most of my attitude towards life - not to go with the flow, go to what you think is right - and dreams - that I will be in my best potential). He always give me his words of honor, inspiring me to succeed. I am his side kick, secretary, beautician, manicurist etc. And yes, I know him a lot! His success and downfalls, His Impatience and Hitler look when he doesn’t like what you were doing. And yes, he is an ambitious but simple man. And he made it in life! He is a leader, had been the Chief of Police of Paranaque, R5, DPD, and COP of different provinces in the country. But due to his love for the family, he would always wanted to be assigned where he can see us growing. I am very proud of my dad. He is one and only dad - the most generous person for me, and people around him, hmm exact opposite with my mom But since then both of them have this common goal - to live and give a good life for us and live a simple farm life in the province where they both came from and started it all - Nabua, Camarines Sur.

To wrap it up, I am a perfect combination of this two amazing person. I love them so much, they were idols - my inspiration in my life. I will never be me without them. Making me believe that I will be someone in this world and in my own ways, I can change and make my mark in this world like them.

~ps, just thinking, when will I meet the person for me? I never had a boyfriend out a promise with my dad - that I’ll finish my study first, but what if that time comes? May God evesing me

USA Student Cultural Exchange & Travel (Cheene’s ground breaking step)

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It’s Christmas time

“Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love.”
Indeed. I deeply felt so much love this Christmas. I received the gift of joy as I celebrate the whole day with my family, it’s an exceptional and rare event for us to bond this way. Together we go to church, pray, cook our own, shop, dine, eat, sing, carols, videoke, dance, jokes, laughs, sermons, greetings, business, work, water refil, wash, clean, exchange gifts, pictures and party party!

This Christmas has been so wonderful. Such an accomplishment for me to attend Simbang gabi / misa de gallo simultaneously from the time I started Dec. 17-Dec. 24. Learnings and realizations: Never shortcut Christmas to xmas, order inside the church, parable of prodigal son, step for Ama Namin, the story of gift, Ameen, Ameen, Amen Amen.(that part make me =).  and Lasalle kadiwa(resident priest of DLS-HSI said it) haha. Hmm Waking up so early, and a little sacrifice of sleep to reflect and celebrate with the upcoming birthday of Jesus Christ our Lord, oh yes, whats next again?.. is another momentous event for me - yipee who’s turning 19?

make sense for quizbee

Philippines: A Land of Superlatives

With over 7,100 islands, there’s no doubt the Philippines got breathtaking resources. This is precisely our reason why we named our company Cultureight Travel. We believe that people, once properly introduced to the Philippines (Culture) could fall in love with the country forever (eight). Here, we list endemic qualities as well as achievements that can make us proud of what has been bestowed to us. Hopefully, you can share this and share your own too.

1. As early as 1908, Filipinos has been swinging golf clubs in Ilo-Ilo. In fact, the oldest golf and country club in the Philippines can be found there.
2. The world’s longest underground river system - two kilometer navigable underneath a karst or limestone mountain formation - accessible to man can be found in the Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It is the center of a huge protected area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1995. It also features centuries old stalactites and stalagmites.
3. The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a seriously endangered specie of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It is found only in the island of Mindoro. It is also the reason behind the declaration of Mts. Iglits and Baco National Park (mindoro) as ASEAN Heritage Sites.
4. Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.
5. Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.
6. The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.
7. The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.
8. The word “boondocks,” which is now a part of the English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word “bundok,” meaning “mountain.”
9. The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
10. The Philippine flag is the only flag in the world which is hoisted upside-down when the country is in war.
11. Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. “Anilao” book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.
12. The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is located on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.
13. The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.
14. Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
15. The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
16. The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.
17. There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or “Glory of the Sea” is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
18. Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
19. Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.
20. Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.
21. The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the second building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
22. The largest bell in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as 8 km. away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
23. The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is contested annually by the national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
24. Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).
25. The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.
26. Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art. Besides being the country’s oldest “work of art” it also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the “100 Most Endangered Sites of the World.
27. Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.
28. Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison. British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
29. San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world
30. Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, “mix-mix”. And its is just that: a mixture of sweetened fruits and beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes), sugar and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You know its summertime when halo-halo stand start sprouting by the roadside and by the beach, all whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your own by selecting and mixing your ingredients to make a perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely, unforgettably Filipino!
31. Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids, the Philippines has one of the richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Most grow only in old-growth forest, often on branches of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest floor.
32. The world’s largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the “Pearl of Lao-Tzu”, the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
33. The world’s second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
34. Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the “Rome of the Philippines” because of the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous cathedral located in it.
35. Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued” because of the frost during the cold months
36. Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world’s largest shells, and Pisidum, the world’s tiniest shell, can be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter long. A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in the Philippines and considered as one of the most expensive shells in the world.
37. Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.
38. Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest fish in the world. Locally known as “butanding”, whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20 tons.
39. The Philippines is home to some of the world’s most exotic birds. 
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.
40. Palawan bear cat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae (civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years. It uses its tail for climbing and holding on to branches of trees.
41. Calamian Deer - Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.
42. World’s Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world’s smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
43. Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn’t have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada. 
In Mindanao, people call it “kagwang”. Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur.
44. In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced. The Filipinos developed the “bomba” or kill, and called the hitter a “bomberino”. (source: http://volleyball.org/history.html)

45. The PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the 2nd largest bird on the planet (next only to the American Condor)….
46. The Philippines is 17th in the world rank in total diversity and 15th in the world rank in endemism?
47. There are 13,500 species of plants found in the Philippine forest which represent 5% of the world’s flora.
48. There are 576+ species of birds recorded at which 195+species are endemic; 204 + species of mammals, 111+ species are endemic; 101+ species of amphibians, 70+ species are endemic; 258+ species of reptiles, 170+ are known to be found only in the country.
49. There are 4,951 species of marine plants and animals found in the Philippine coastal and marine areas.
50. Some of the country’s bests are inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List? The Tubbattaha Reef, The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Churches of Miagao (Iloilo), San Agustin (Manila), Paoay (Ilocos Norte) and Sta. Maria (Ilocos Sur) Vigan Heritage Village, for its outstanding development in architecture, urban planning and landscape design; Hud-Hud, an Ifugao epic, as among the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
51. The world’s smallest edible fish, the sinarapan, is found in Lake Buhi, Camarines Sur.
52. The lurung, a rare freshwater fish (also called the Pacific Salmon), is described as the Presidential fish because it is the country’s most expensive fish?
53. The endangered golden-crowned fox which feed on fruits and can only be found in the Philippines is actually a bat?
54. The tarsier, the smallest primate in the world can be found in Bohol? It’s hairless tail is an integral component of the animal’s locomotive system and functions as a fifth limb.
55. Mount Isarog (Camarines Sur) is home of the Philippine Falconet, which is considered the smallest raptor in the world. This inactive volcano is the highest forested peak in Southern Luzon and is home to 143 kinds of birds, 15 of which are endemic to Luzon.
56. The Olango Island Bird Santuary (Cebu) is an internationally-recognized bird sanctuary. It is an important stop for flocks of migratory birds on their way to their “summer homes” in Australia and New Zealand.
57. The Turtle Islands, situated along the national treaty limits, is home to marine green turtles. Of the nine islands of the island group, six belong to the Philippines, and three to Malaysia. And, the Philippines is reported to have five of world’s eight marine turtle species.

the Philippines has placed a ban on the catching of whales and dolphins.

58. In the Philippines, the government placed a ban on the catching of whales and dolphins in 1992, and again in 1997, in an effort to protect and conserve the species.
59. The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).
60. Calbiga Cave is the Philippines’ biggest karst formations and one of the largest in Asia. The 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean watercourse.
61. Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and nowhere else in the world.
62. The Hundred Islands National Park in Pangasinan is home to 123-124 islands and islets. About 30 of these were named either after former Presidents of the country or for features unique to each. The 30+ named islands include the three major developed islands: Quezon, Children`s and Governor`s Islands; islands with caves include Marcos, Cuenco, Cathedral, Century, and Virgin; and other relaxing getaways namely, Guiya, Milagrosa, Lopez, Scout, Old Scout, Bangar, Ma. Liza, Clave, Quirino, Ramos, Martha, Braganza, Romulo, Abad Santos, Hernandez, Avelino, Monkey, Cariaz, Sison, Shell, Camantiles, Devil, Sulpot and Turtle.

randomly-odd description of myself

“People find it difficult to describe me, like i can’t fit well into a description” - and saying good things about yourself may sound awkward/foolish right?

Ok, to make this nicer to read, I’ll just pretend that I am talking about someone else.. haha! So here are some random stuffs that’s uniquely Mary Cheene - that slightly odd name. rawr.

She’s apparently in love with the hardcore music.
She can spend 24 hours of her life in front of the computer.
She learned piano and guitars with the help of Youtube.
She just love her husky karaoke voice.
She admit being a grade conscious.
She have a good but quite selective memory.
She just love collecting quotations of Paulo Coelho.
She’s an explorer - like Dora. Always on the go.
She heart dressing up like any other kids. model wanna be.
She like cosplays, animes, online games and stuffs.
She celebrate the same birthday with Hayley Williams.
She can write with her both hands spontaneously, but her right penmanship will always be better.
She have pets named Pu-chino & Pu-chini (both were wild civet cats).
She eats men-sized meal, only when she’s at home
She can finish 20 inches of pizza in one sitting.
She love the most hated food - okra.
She have a great passion in cooking.
It’s awkward for her to introduce herself in first day of class.
She uses ponds facial wash and cream for her underarms.
She’s the best beautician for her dad.
She can do t-shirts, interiors, fashions and web designs for everyone.
She use to say wishes to shooting stars/airplanes in the night sky.
She’s a self-proclaimed artist.
She painted her room big and lively tree and cloudy blue sky with glowing stars.
It is her habit to do rituals (praying + yoga exercises) before she sleep.
She’s used in sleeping with a full straight body the whole night.
She cried so hard when her pet doggie died.
When she saw a cadaver, she almost forgot she once dreamed to be a doctor before.
It may not be obvious, but she also do taekwondo?
She will always be the biggest fan of her parents.
And always be a follower of God.
Oh yes, and is she’s one of those NBSB?!
Lastly, She can never be perfect but can always be the best version of herself!

And who might have thought that - it’s me. haha.

pbb teen clash 2010

Watch live video from http://pbb.uwebb.com on Justin.tv

OH YES! IM OFFICIALLY HOOKED UP! Live Streams of PBB Teen Clash of 2010 ♥

my personality analysis

ok it’s always awkward to talk about yourself, haha. but since this is the outmost trending topic in my head so i decided to type it out.

Mary Cheene Redondo Pastoral is really me, i don’t know if i am the only person who owns that name yet i believe that its only me. I can say that I am living in a real comfortable life, im not saying that we are rich - means that I have the direct contact to these resources and almost got everything that I need. I am from a cool family, my dad was a police supt, my mom is managing our businesses, I have a nursing student sister, a cool dude who’s in NTMA, naugthy little brother and of course me, a BS Tourism Management student of DLSU-d.

Speaking of my parents, definitely I am a Daddy’s girl. I enjoy his company: jogging, taekwondo, travelling etc. Obviously I pay so much respect to my dad. I adore his principles in life and the way he want us to grow accordingly. Even though many says that I didn’t get any of my physical attributes from him, I firmly believe that we have a lot of similarities in terms of values, behavior and outlook in life. To be fair, I will also decribe my mom. Oh Yes, I maybe a Photocopy of her looks, maybe her genes is just too strong. My mom have a Spanish blood, making our nose tall, much moles/freckles, slender body and indifferent height.

Ok lets go to my height, Yeah right. This would be the most noticeble aspect of me. In the age of 18, I am 5′8 feet. causing a lot of advantages and disadvantages in my being. One primary reason why I want to be either a flight attendant or do modeling, and ambitiously, a beauty queen. haha wth* am I losing my sanity?? hahahahaha. im serious…kiddin….

Anyways, presently I guess I am suffering in IDENTITY crisis. Who am I? I personally get confused with myself. haha reason why I am writing out this my weird thoughts about myself, to modify everything i’ll wrap the different aspects of the cheene that I know:

Socially, I have 688 friends in my facebook account but I don’t know personally all of them. In reality, I attach myself to only few friends - my best friends. I am easy to be with, I am nice to everyone, unless you’ve done something wrong to me or you are one of those bullies! haha.

Oh Yes, I am a certified N.B.S.B! as in No Boyfriend Since Birth. not because I am a man hater (actually I have a lot of crushes hohoho)  nor nobody get the chance to court me, apparently there were some attempts haha. But maybe because of the very reason that I am so much commited with my studies, and of course being a daughter of a police colonel - having one would really be a awful thing. haha. 

I used to expose myself to school activities that can enhance my social being. Long ago during my elementary, I used to be team leader of my co-girl scouts. during highschool, I joined a COCC- stands for Cadet Officer Candidate Course, but my stay in the org didn’t take too long. Then presently, I am an officer in our school organization -TLS. Wherein I built a lot of friendships.

Yeah I am so much open to new friendships. But there where times that I get a little bit shy to introduce myself and get along. I am used in waiting for people to approach me first, reason why some think that I am snob and unfriendly? There were also times that I get a little intimidated and shy to a person especially if he/she is someone that I really adore.

I am a highly appreciative. I pay more of my attention in the good side/beauty of a person, or anything. yea, I’m Optimistic because I have God with me. 

I am Emotionally unstable. My emotions are quite shallow. Anyone can make me smile in funny gestures and corny jokes. and as a typical teen age girl, I show my emotions and symphaty thru my tears of joy and sorrows. I am also a high-blooded creature. There were some instances that I get no control with my feelings and emotions - making me a real human being.

Plataporma de gobyerno : Vote Hon. Edgar Pastoral for mayor!

I think it would be better if you’ll hear this directly from uncle edgar, but to prove to you that Hon. Edgar Pastoral is diligent enough for the position, that he has concrete platforms for the good of everyone.

Actually, his speech takes more than an hour so I’m not sure if this is complete. Better yet i suggest that to know more about his platforms, please also do patiently attend meetings that has been and will be conducted to a barangay near you. Thank you very much and God Bless us all

VOTE : EDGAR PASTORAL - the hope of Nabua

Vote for Hon. EDGAR PASTORAL as municipal mayor for his courage to fight the Simbulan Dynasty that started the dirty politics in our beloved municipality, Nabua.

Sana natuto na tayo, Let’s use our vote to save our beloved hometown from those corrupt Pampanguenios and Bulakenyas.

who am i?

“there’s many things i wish i didn’t do, but i continue learning”

This lenten season would be the perfect time for me to reflect and repent on all that i’ve done on my life - wether good or bad. truly, i can say that my eighteen years of stay here on earth is not absolutely perfect - i have done a LOT of mistakes. Maybe in a point of view its worthwhile in a sense living and enjoying accordingly the life that God has given but i guess i have more than enough to do. I know that God is a little frustrated with what i am doing in these life that he entrusted me.

Yes I am a sinner, and just like in everyone i am also used in commiting sins from simple white lies to greed and wrath. Sins which is the greatest enemy of our soul that had been a part of our being. WIth that I want to make a reflection on a very timely, eye opening and shaking documentary about us - the sinners.

.Sinful Structure, Sinful situation and Sinful attitude.

Widespread poverty. Greed for power. Terrorism. Vulgar corruption. Devastation of the environment. Drug abuse. Proliferation of pornography. These are not the only problems plaguing our society. These are also the rotten fruits borne by our changing concept of what is right and wrong.

Are we still affected by the wrongs we commit and sins we witness everyday? Or has the violation of moral rule become so commonplace that our conscience has been dulled and we are now so jaded by sin?

These are the topics discussed in ANG AMING MGA SALÁ (OUR SINS), a two-part docudrama produced by Jesuit Communications. People from different walks of life will share their experiences related to the Seven Capital Sins and tell the tale of their journey towards change and redemption. The special also brings to light a new kind of sin that could soon be part of the Catholic Church’s list of Capital Sins.”

http://pinoycrib.blogspot.com/2010/04/ang-aming-mga-sala-part-1-april-2-2010.html

Apparently, i failed to watch the first part of it since i go to the church with my family. But fortunately i saw it uploaded on Pinoy Crib site! and here’s the link so you yourself can watch. Try to relate the story to your own and i know that you will also see yourself in the story. Let’s Reflect. Repent. and Change!

school aches

im currently feeling a lot of frustrations and disappointments today and the only way that i can do is to blog it out, this is something that i cant tell to my mom or siblings.. need keep this to myself and try to hide what i feel, and wait until chances tell them.

yes im angry, not to my prof but to myself! true i have been so confident about my performance at school and that causes my aches now.. i thought that my grades will forever be high since most professors know that i am a certified academic scholar from first year and they will always be in favor of me.. but thats not what happened.. not all profs were the same.. not all will be considerate. nakahanap ako ng katapat! i admit.. i didnt perform well during prelims but i did my best in midterms causing me to forget that im still in danger in the subject - my final grade will decide.. “Nasa Huli ang pagsisisi’ now i guess its too late for me to realize, now grades are encoded in the portal! and that technical writing subject! arrgg.. its really hard to correct those people who see you small.. its hard to question those close-minded people.

I know, may laban pa ung grade ko sa kanya.. i know that he commit mistakes in recording my grades, i just saw my papers, that instead of 14, he put 7 which is maybe the grade of my other classmate.. but how was that, tapos na.. na encode na.. pano na ang scholarship.. ang deans list.. ang expectations ni Daddy!

Hayyy! still i need to cheer up! smile! as if nothing happened! learn from it! bare in mind to always DO YOUR BEST AND GOD WILL DO THE REST! i will never commit the same mistake and do my best next sem!

Life with no regrets

the month of FEBRUARY had been so tiring but indeed a Fruitful one! it seems like i have something important to do everyday but i enjoy them all! i find my HAPPINESS with all this buzzyness!

FEB 8-12

yes the month started with our midterm EXAMS which had been a bit difficult and confusing XD . but it doesnt end here, our quiz bee review with our coach sir gio is also scheduled in the same day ! waa im about to leave and take a break in ilocos but another dilemma is coming out again.

FEB 12-16 (valentines in ilocos)

then right away, the night after our exam - we had our ILOCOS tour. its my first time to ilocos so i got so excited and almost forgot about exams and school works. yeah! I fell in love in the fascinating beauty of the place.. from mysterious churches and monasteries such as Paoay Church, Sta Monica and St. Andrews Cathedral, the striking sun of Pagudpud beach! the amazing Bangui Wind Mills that will bring you to Australia and Cape Bojeador that will bring you to taiwan haha, the nostalgic streets of vigan and its bright lights, oh yes! i have the chance to see the remains of my idol FERDINAND E. MARCOS which i believe that its really him and only his face is out of wax! my favorite Baluarte of tame animals such Tom the Tiger *rawwr up to the great great selection FOODS, vigan longanisa, calamay, tinubong etc..and of course our Awesome Hogwartz like hotel “Fort Ilocandia” that i dont wanna leave XD

ITs reallly educational! though my personal purpose on going there is to chillax and leave for a while problems in my bustling life. To wrap it up.. I had a very memorable and worth while valentine experience at Ilocos !

FEB 17

i take part on my org Genshiken activity, “Maid Cafe” wherein i dressed up like a rocker maid cosplaying Yuki of cherry girls

FEB 18

i attended Kathleen’s debut at Tagaytay Highland country club. i used to love the photoboot!

FEB 19

i watch Ms Tourism Philippines pre pagent .. talent portion is really outrageous

then of course i studied or should i say review for the National Tourism Quiz Bee.. i try to seat back and surf the net to get some more trivia but facebook distract me though, also that night i received a lot of text message and call from classm8s, professor and our college chair to show their support for us XD

FEB 20

National Tourism Quiz Bee domesticwhiz held at DENR building by UP asian institute of tourism.. we started the game right being the first in the easy and average round. yet yet yet there’s a lot of question that i should have answer coz i really know them arrgg . started with The Maliputo of Taal Lake which i personally know since its my dad’s favorite but my memory fails me! then the terminologies such as GREENWASHING which i accidentally browse in the wikipedia just the night before and the f*ckn date of earth day APRIL 22, 1970 which i made April 2,1970.. hmffness truthfully i know those answers, its just that i have no sleep and my mind is boggling and my memory failed me ! with that our school only got the 2nd place and PUP got the 1st! its really tremendous but i have recovered from it. and makes me think that What a COINCIDENCE that i almost accidentally browse the exact question in the quiz bee? I believe that my loving God guides me and gave me a hint that i didnt notice and pay my attention. yes, maybe its just that my mind is boggling with all our aching activities! and right.. there’s still the next year and the other more year for our school to bring back our crown anyways im only 2nd year

 then go to PTTC to give te not so happy news but they show us their contentment with our performance .. after that we treat ourselves at mall of asia (though the cash prize is not yet given to us up to NOW!), i tried to find paramore concrt tickets but i failed to find some XD. then we go back to PTTC to witness th coronation of the Ms. Tourism Philippines which is an event of our 3rd year students (which we should continue next year? ow) the girls were really pretty but the contestant nmbr 12 got my attention fr she walks like me , the boyish and siga walk! hahaha. suprisingly, she won the 2nd place and Ms. Lyceum Batangas won which i expect from the start! as we go home, i still have something to do. i am one of the head of our foods and beverage committee, so i need to do my part.

apparenltly, i still forgot something .. i failed to have my passport interview which is scheduled on the same day.. and now i am having a problem about it!

FEB 23

CIHM Grand General Assembly at Animo Center which is a red carpet night that we need to be in long gown. Fortunately, i recieved an award of appreciation out of active participation ad national quiz bee.  

FEB 25

rocking out with KJWAN! one of my favorite band came to our school, lasal. it is really unplanned! yet I am so fortunate to have the chance to meet and greet personally my respectd idol MARC ABAYA! its just that my sister knows someone in the backstage . haha yes Marc is so down to earth and he even praise me for my height haha. just a realization, Pause(my fav) was not sang by Marc rather its Boogie Romero’s heart melting voice!

Eco Lingo

http://ecotourismphilippines.com

(culled from the Operating Guidelines for Executive Order(EO) No.111 “Establishing the Guidelines for Ecotourism Development in the Philippines”)

Ecotourism Product - a combination of ecotourism resources, facilities, activities, and services resulting in enhanced commitment to protect the natural and cultural heritage areas.

Major Ecotourism project - an integrated ecotourism development project located in a clearly defined area usch as tourist zones, protected areas, and other such areas as may be proclaimed or designated.

Tourist Zones - geographic area with well-defined boundaries proclaimed as such by the President or by acts of Congress.

Protected Areas - identified protions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, and protected against desctructive human exploitation.

Natural Areas - areas that remain in their natural state, thus maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes.

Ecotourism Resources - natural and cultural assets that attract visitors including, but not limited to, landscapes, endemic or rare flora and fauna, cultural festivals and historical monuments.

Ecotourism Services - basic services for tourism activities including, but not limited to, transportation, food, guiding, and interpretation of services.

Recreational Zones - areas of high recreational, tourism, educational and/or environmental values where ecotourism may be allowed in protected areas.

Tourism Estate - a large tract of land with well-defined boundaries and prescribed carrying capacities of tourism facilities and activities located in priority areas identified in the Tourism Master Plan, Regional Master Plans, as well as those proclaimed by the President and/or by Acts of Congress. Such land shall be suitable for integrated tourism development under a unified and continuous management.

cheene @ 18

another turning point -

It is almost a week of preparation since ofcourse i still prioritize my exams before thinking of that day. At first i have no idea if it will come out accordingly but with all the harships of the people that i really love, my parents, siblings, cousins, lola, uncles, aunts, family friends and even neighbors - i came to this point of my life. a moment where i am the center of their attention. though its a little frustrating that a lot of my invited classmates and blockmates didnt make it, i still enjoy the night. whats important for me is that i have with me my family, my very supportive parents who finance everything and gave me a very inspiring message, sister neecel who worked so har and served as my mc with his friend kuya errol, my little brother john dave who became my instant escort, my little brother dadaw who became my second dance, my relatives from bicol who travel so far just to be with me in my birthday, to my best friend leslie who cried while giving her birthday message to me, to my hi ghschool classmates and blockmates,  to aica who willingly and shamelessly dance with ate bing, to my 18 roses and candles. haha i really enjoyed every single moment of it. and to all who has been a part of that very remarkable night. to all birthday presents that i recieved, i promise treasure it all. im really happy and i really appreciate every one. such a blessing, i dont know what to do without you. i love you all peeps.

and now that im eighteen, i promise to be a much better person, much hardworking student, much loving daughter, sister and friend, much responsible and sensitive Christian, i’ll be more mature and be the best that i can be. XD

chicosci?

oh yes i ended my year with the band. they complete my 2009. those few hours made me really happy, it would be the best gift that ive gave to myself after my 18th birthday. chicosci in the stage with fire, seeing them on flesh and amazing fireworks after their performance. 

its so cool for a typical fan like me. i remember those highschool days where i have been so  addicted with the band, yes ive been collecting posters, magazines, cds, i memorized all their songs and i make it to the point to always check their gigsked and comment to everything that they post in their myspace account, even named my pet dog: mong and miggy . I just realized as i finally saw them in person that it seems that being a fan of a screamo band like them is kinda unappropriate and outrageous for a nice girl like me with a very shy, nerdy and timid personality. something that you might not never thought when you see me in person.

i dunno why my reaction is like this. am i obssessed? is it about their music or is it about them? i admit, i had a crush on mong alcaraz before, reason why i discovered the band. i was 2nd year highschool that time when i first caught him with sandwich. that time, im after mark abaya because he is my idol eversince but when i saw mong performing full of energy and hyperness i get so infatuated. haha yes he is my first crush so he is someone special for me. all i know is that their cd also captivates me, a promise, the devil made me do it, sweet maria, knives, csvc etc. cd that i bought for me to see them at the first time they had been to sm dasma, but i failed to see them, reason: it was postponed out of the undisciplined vampires. hmf i dont know why im with these people, exerting so much effort just to see the band.  haha part of childhood.. 

haha too much for this, i dont know why im blogging this out. haha

shinning inheritance

Go Eun Sung’s (Inna) life is similar to Cinderella’s. After her father died, her step-mother, Baek Sung Hee, took away all of her assets and her younger brother, Eun Woo, suddenly disappears without a trace. Despite this, Eun Sung preservers and works really hard to fulfill her dreams. When the CEO of a food company, Jang Sook Ja, suffers demesia and can’t remember who she is Eun Sung takes her in. However, Eun Sung does not know that she is the grandmother of Sun Woo Hwan, the man who she switched bags with at the airport. As grandma takes back her memory, she ask Eun sung to stay with her home  In the latter part, Sun Woo Hwan, notice Eun Sung and falls in love with her. so sweet right?

 realizations: compassion is different from symphaty 

dragon ball evolution (review)

haha. yes Im a fan of Dragon ball since the age 6 or 7.. and its really cool to hear that it’s now showing on the wide screen not as an anime but live in action.

Yet, unfortunately, they failed some of my expectations
they rushed the story line and almost the whole story was changed too much.

Goku’s character in the movie was really different compared to the anime.. Just imagine, how could Goku be a hs student? (yet i understand that they need to do that for Goku - Chichi love team) ^^

Another thing, i’m so disappointed in the look of piccolo.. apparently turned out like a froggy old monster. haha and master Roshi, i think he must be bald and his talking turtle (i forgot the name) is missing in the movie..
I just get a little confused in the grandpa of Goku, which is Gohan, i think Gohan is the son of Goku and not his grandpa..(waaa. am i right?)
and their hammehammehaa effect is somewhat frustrating, it looks like a smoke in the movie and also fight scenes are lacking, i guess it must be action packed the next time. Another, I guess Goku is not an Ozaru but a saiyan. ayt? haha

Hmmm.. Above all..
Justin Chadwit looks good as Goku, i love his aura.. the problem is in the director and writer. i think they didnt know the DB legend.. haha

just an advice, if you havent see the movie and want to see it, hmm let yourself forget about the DBZ anime otherwise your brain would explode. My point is that dont expect that Dragon Ball Evolution is a copy of the Dragon ball series. 
hahaha

BELIEVE!

Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death!

God bless you .

say cheeeeezzz!

Everybody likes clean white teeth. Whitening methods or actually getting your teeth clean enough to be a very bright white, can make your whole appearance more attractive.

Here are simple, easy, and natural ways to remove surface stains:

- Baking Soda - Get Arm & Hammer or another baking soda brand in a small box. First clean your toothbrush thoroughly. Now, shake your toothbrush fairly dry and dip it in the baking soda so it is completely covered. Brush in light circular motion. Another option is to mix baking soda and your favorite toothpaste and brush as usual. Do this once a week.

-Hydrogen Peroxide - mix 50% hydrogen peroxide with 50% mouthrinse of your choice. Use cotton ball to wipe on tooth surfaces. This will have a bubbling effect while cleaning the surfaces of your teeth. Remember to rinse properly and don’t swallow the solution.

General mouth hygiene is a great defense. Brush and floss after every meal.
Whether using a combination toothpaste or one of the recommended substitutes above, you should brush and floss thoroughly after every meal each and every day.