Presenting the Other Side of the Tree Cutting Controversy

I was fortunate to be present in a blogger's chat with DENR7 spokesperson Dr. Eddie Llamedo who presented their side of the tree cutting controversy. To recall there is an ongoing debate whether to cut the trees lining the highway in the South such as Naga City. On one side, they are saying that they should be cut since it already poses a danger to those passing the roads where the trees stand as they are old. On the other side, they are citing that the trees should be rehabilitated, pruned or preserved since these are heritage trees. They added that DENR should be for the preservation of trees and not for cutting them.

I will not try to present my own views here. I will just echo what I got from the DENR spokesperson and I will leave the decision to you whether to agree or disagree with him.

Here are some points he mentioned (this is not verbatim, OK?) along with the provincial government environment officer.

1. The trees are too old. The kind of trees found in Naga City (from what I understand) have an effective "lifespan" of just 100 years. (I do not know what is the proper term to use honestly, if it's relly lifespan). According to him, studies have shown that rehabilitation efforts cannot do much to these kinds of old trees as they are practically dead - hollow in the center and "gabuk".
2. The danger to those passing the highway or the roads where the trees are is real. Trees such as the narra trees in Naga, have superficial lateral roots according to him. As roads are made and various constructions are done, these lateral roots are cut perhaps unconsciously. The cutting weakens the hold of the roots. With age, the roots of the tree become very vulnerable and with time, the said trees are in danger of falling down to an unsuspecting loaded vehicle or person.
3. From what I understand also, according to Dr. Llamedo the forest expert who was previously asked regarding his stand on the cutting of the trees which eventually recommended not cutting the said trees was not a tree pathologist. The tree pathologist is the better judge whether the tree is for cutting or not based on its state of "health".
4. The government including the DENR is not promoting the cutting of trees and they are said to be also for a livable community. However they mentioned that how can a community be livable when upon passing a road, you are always scared about what might happen to you if that big old tree will fall on you? It's just those trees that pose a danger that they recommended for cutting. And they will plant more to replace the cut ones.

So there you have it. Does this change your view or not?

Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA Philippines Schools and Coaches' Clinic 2014 presented by Alaska

The Philippines being a basketball-loving country has plenty of NBA fans, young or old, male or female. No wonder the NBA decided to return to the Philippines for the 7th consecutive Jr. NBA Schools' Clinic as well as the Coaches' Clinic now expanded to include a program specifically for girls, the Jr. WNBA program. The said program kicked off last January 18 in Manila along with the 2014 Search for Jr. NBA and WNBA Coach of the Year and now it is in Cebu.

January 25 is the date of the school clinic while January 26 will be the Coaches Clinic both at the Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu at H. Abellana St., Mandaue City at 9 AM. Gracing the event are Carlo Singson (NBA Asia Country Manager, Philippines), Sefu Bernard (Senior Director Basketball Operations, NBA Asia), and Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Vice President for Business Development and External Affairs, Jr.NBA All Stars Alumni).

The Regional Selection Camps will be be held in March and April, after which the top 50 boys and top 24 girls from all over the country will participate in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 25-27, 2014. The National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of 10 Jr. NBA and 4 Jr. WNBA All-Stars, providing these select campers with a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a counterpart team from another country later in the year.

The Coach of the Year award winners will be announced at the National Training Camp, which will be attended by an NBA Legend and a WNBA Player/Legend, and feature NBA Cares community outreach.

The future of basketball in the country will be brighter with this Jr. NBA/WNBA program.

If people complain about how government handles the Post-Yolanda situation, LET THEM.

A friend of mine from abroad requested to repost this on my wall and on this blog to just air his/her sentiments regarding what is regarded by others as blaming/complaining. here it goes...

Right at this moment, I am in the comfort of my home, very far from my country, the Philippines. I think I am a very spiritual and prayerful person. I don't usually post my opinions on Facebook. My family in Cebu, although they experienced the tragedies, didn't suffer the consequences of it (scampering for food and water, lying beside their dead, not knowing what the future lies for them....almost apocalyptic situation and mindset). 

Like others who call our government into action (well, interpreted by others as complaining, blaming) I am almost sure that majority who "complain" have done a lot with regards prayers, donation, convincing others to donate and helping locate people who have been missing. I hope some people will stop saying, "KEEP SILENT, just pray and do your share". What you may see on their posts or reposts as complaints/rants are just a fraction of what they are actually doing to help. I just think that most people who complain about the latest events have done a lot of action already and are still right at it (from a distance or right at ground zero), that is why they feel they have the right to complain.

When I eat and drink, I think of those people I saw on the TV coverage, scooping filthy water from dirty water pipes. When I sleep on the comfort of my bed, I think of those who have to sleep on the rubbles, amongst their dead. When I call my family back home, I think of all those who lost their loved ones and have no one to call family anymore. When you allow yourself to be in the middle of all these, you would think all the help coming in is too slow or inefficient. Imagine yourself being in their situation. I'm not saying you don't feel the same way. You can choose to be silent (still very noble) or you can choose to complain and BE THEIR VOICE.

In the middle of that Pork Barrel Scandal, I had a lot of opinion about it but I kept it to myself, not posting/ranting. I chose not to judge the people who do because they have their concerns about it on a personal level. People already knew and experienced the effect of this, way before the scandal came out....they just chose to KEEP SILENT. Now, if people do complain about how the higher government handles this situation on the tragedies....let them.

The events that are about to unfold, as a result of this tragedy, are predictable. Everyone will be equally affected. There will be more poverty, sickness and crime...maybe not now, but it could happen. When that time comes, my family back home will be DIRECTLY affected. I don't want to wait for that to happen.

Like there is a formula for repacking relief goods, here's a formula for doing your share: PRAY + DONATE + CAMPAIGN FOR OTHERS TO DONATE + HELP SPREAD INFO ABOUT LOST FAMILY MEMBERS.......if you have done at least one or most of these and you don't see progress....you have the right to "COMPLAIN".
At this time, particularly for this event in our country, what will this "trying to keep people silent" on social media achieve as compared to what the people who complain wants to get achieved?

If you really choose to be silent, stick to your word. Refrain from making a "shout out" telling people who complain not to complain. You don't exactly know what they're going through. If you are sick of their posts, delete them from your list of friends. Easy.

Medifund: Possible help for Medical students

We have heard of online fundraising sites to help fund medical expenses but during the second Startup Weekend Cebu, there is a potential fundraising startup that was formed to help medical students who have problems keeping up with  high tuition fees.

The startup which hopes to launch soon a site to raise funds thru crowdsourcing is known as Medifund and it is made up of a team composed of a Nigerian medical student studying in Cebu City, a Japanese and six Filipinos.

The idea for Medifund came up out of the desire of Nigerian founder Jossy Onwude to help a good friend who is struggling to pay for the medical school tuition fee. He combined forces with their current team members and Medifund was born.

The idea is that through crowdsourcing, benefactors, supporters or generous donors will be able to chip in until the financial goal is met much like other online fundraising sites except this is geared specifically toward medical students needing financial backing. In exchange, donors will enjoy rewards including possibly free consultation and the medical student finishes medicine in the process and potentially saving more lives.

Get to know more about their team and Medifund in this slideshare slide.

The first student they are helping out is Kristine Bless of MHAM-Southwestern University and here is her campaign page.

I am hoping that Medifund will indeed be formed fully and (hopefully also) succeeds in the future in achieving their goals so that many lives would be saved potentially by the future doctors that they will help.

Medifund fundraising site will soon rise here.

8 Things You Might Not Know about Senatorial candidate Teddy Casino

The Philippine Senatorial Elections 2013 is just weeks away and I am sure students during this summer vacation are researching on the different candidates as they try to get to know the possible future senators of the country.

When word came out of Congressman Teddy Casino's visit to Cebu, I also grabbed the chance to get to know him more.

Seeing him in person, he looks to be a simple man. He was wearing a blue polo shirt and was pleasant to talk with.

When he was asked by a reporter about projects planned for Cebu, he somewhat reminded the audience that in the Senate, it's more about legislation than projects (and he is right). People tend to forget that the Senator's job is to make legislation and only because of the pork barrel that these projects arose.

He thinks legislation regarding industrialization will benefit Cebu best since Cebu is known to be a manufacturing city in the 70's according to him.

On some people telling him he does not have the political pedigree, money and resources: "...This candidacy is not about me. It's about you and the kind of representation you want in the Senate. It's about what we are willing to do to bring that new voice in the Upper House."

Here are 8 Things you might not know about him:

3. His parents were devout Catholics. Casino was once an altar boy and he once wanted to be a priest or a La Salle brother. His oldest brother was the one who ended up in the seminary.

4. His political awakening so to speak came during his high school days at La Salle Green Hills when he volunteerd for NAMFREL in the 1986 snap elections.

5. He also has a love affair with writing and journalism. He had a brief stint as reporter for ABS-CBN's Hoy Gising and the Correspondents. He wrote columns for People's Bagong taliba, Frontpage, Pinoy Gazette and online newsmagazine bulatlat.com.

6. He was awarded one of the Ten Outstanding Congressmen for 2012 by the Publisher's Association of the Philippines, Inc.

7. He declined a scholarship in De La Salle University to study at UPLB where he became a student leader. Despite his extracurricular activities as student leader, he consistently made it to the honor roll.

8. He entered the UP College of Law in 1996 only to leave it for three days as it interfered with his work in the labor sector. According to Casino, "I said to myself, why spend another four years in law school when there are so many things that need to be done right now."

9. Changes sought if given the chance in the Senate: Lower prices of good and services, good governance, people empowerment, agrarian reform, national industrialization, respect for human rights in all aspects, truly independent foreign policy and comprehensive political settlement of the Muslim and Communist rebellions.

10. He is the principal author of the Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653), Public Attorney's Act of 2007 (RA 9406), Tax Relief Act of 2009 (RA 9504) and Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745). He is the principal author of the Whistleblowers' Protection and Rewards Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and House version of the Anti-Epal Bill.

Pre-algebra help needed? Eduboard to the rescue

This is a sponsored post. However, all opinions are 100% mine.

One should not ignore early life education. What we learn during our childhood could prove very useful later in our careers or profession, even in medicine or allied health science careers. One such subject that is very useful but is quite challenging in our early days of schooling is Math, specifically Algebra. And in order to understand Algebra, one needs to have a good background in Pre-Algebra.

Pre-algebra concepts include concepts such as:

• integers
• fractions
• factorization of natural numbers
• decimals
• absolute value
• square roots
• inequalities
• ratio, rates and proportions
• slopes
• basics of equations
• and many more

Remember encountering difficulties then? Well, I do remember some. It took practice and some help from those older than me. But the problem sometimes is, these people I asked for help do not remember already much of the basics since they are not professional tutors or teachers. These times, a reliable tutor may prove useful. 

Your child may encounter math difficulties also. Being part of the Net Generation proficient in computers and the internet, it is but natural that they seek help online. Why not guide them to the right website where qualified and reliable tutors can help with pre-algebra difficulties? Why not lead them to http://eduboard.com/math/pre-algebra/ for a complete study help from their online tutors?

With eduboard, they provide among many other nice offerings:

• 24/7 tutoring services
• assistance with preparing for quizzes and tests
• a comfortable online classroom environment so that learning is fun
• a choice of your favorite online tutor

Still having doubts? Pay them a visit and check them out at http://eduboard.com/math/pre-algebra/. Oh, by the way. Their online tutors also provide assistance for other subjects from elementary to university subjects.

Remember, early life education plays a role in your child's future.

Discovering your potential thru AIESEC, a global student organization

During my early college years in a university when I was still not connected to the healthcare field, a student organization caught my attention. It was very visible in that university and the members always had activities.

That organization was AIESEC.

AIESEC is a global platform for the youth to discover their true potential. It is a non-profit organization run by students and recent graduates of institutions of higher education. When you talk of AIESEC, you associate it with leadership and management.

Watch the video below to know more about AIESEC...

Cool, isn't it? Perhaps you want to join this group. If there are still questions regarding this group, just visit the following links...

AIESEC website

AIESEC Cebu Facebook page

Email: rhyle.sayat@aiesec.net

RAFI, greening back Cebu, then the Philippines

Recent events have shown the vulnerability of the Philippines to the ill effects of climate change. Flooding and landslides have done considerable damage to life and property in various parts of the country. And the effects are worsened with continuing loss of forest cover.

According to the environmental science news site Mongabay.com, the Philippines lost a third of its forest cover between 1990-2005 endangering not just humans but more especially the indigenous wildlife that depend on it.

Luckily, an organization from Cebu is bringing back the green in the environment, taking the lead, not just in preserving our forest but in making them --- the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. or RAFI.

RAFI is a family-based social development foundation founded by Don Ramon Aboitiz in 1966. It began as a philanthropic undertaking supporting the causes of charitable groups. 

Continuing what Don Ramon started was Eduardo, Don Ramon’s son, who institutionalized RAFI, making it a people-oriented, social development organization.

RAFI's vision is “Touching People, Shaping the Future” and it is working towards “elevating lives through a comprehensive approach that champions best practices in community development. RAFI has five focus areas of its programs and services, namely, Microfinance and Entrepreneurship, Culture and Heritage, Leadership and Citizenship, Education, and Integrated Development.

The GREENIN Philippines Program of RAFI which stands for Generation Redemption and Expansion of Natural Resources Initiatives Philippines Program is geared towards the advocacy of protecting and rehabilitating the environment with Cebu as starting point. This program includes tree-planting activities however they are not of the traditional kind.

For one, the program uses native trees for forest development to help restore the country’s natural heritage, native wildlife species and local endangered tree species.

Prior to tree-planting, potential areas are surveyed and studied to determine which tree species would likely succeed to grow. With running as a sport currently popular in Cebu, tree planting activities have been preceded by a fun run.

To ensure that the planted seedlings grow to become forests, post-planting activities and follow-ups like the Run to Take Care were done with the guidance of forestry experts and the cooperation of local government units, volunteers and those who originally planted the seedlings. Others like Adopt-a-Mountain and the Tree that Binds, a social networking approach that gives “tree owners” the chance to communicate about their tree growing activities and progress are lined up as well.

For its efforts in restoring the health of the environment, RAFI has tapped various sectors of society.

It partnered with local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), schools, youth leaders, hotels, mountaineers, bloggers, and business groups among many others to help develop forests in areas under the program. And many have responded to the call.

To support the forest development initiative, native tree nurseries are established where seedlings are maintained not only in RAFI’s main nursery but also in qualified satellite nurseries in the localities. These nurseries become sources of quality native tree seedlings for the different tree planting activities.

To encourage wider participation of the public in the conduct of seedling production and subsequent planting in the barangays even outside Cebu, RAFI has tied with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Billion Trees Program. And RAFI continues to look for more partners in this particular advocacy as they upscale this collaborative program nationwide.

RAFI's advocacies including that for greening is worth the support of the students and the youth sector.

To know more about RAFI and its other projects and initiatives, visit http://rafi.org.ph/.

Cebu Blog Camp 3: Being Part of a Community

I have joined Cebu Blog Camp in the past. What is nice about the blog camp is that you get to meet other bloggers. I belong to Cebu Bloggers' Society and Cebu Blog Camp is an occasion where I have the opportunity to meet bloggers outside the Cebu Bloggers' Society. It makes me feel that I belong to a big community of bloggers.

This year, I expect to meet more bloggers and would-be bloggers. It is a holiday and the number of people appreciating social media even more (including blogs) is becoming larger.

And of course, the topics are always interesting. This year the topics center around the theme "Building Blogging Communities".

Included in tomorrow's program are the following topics:

• The Rise of Google Communities - Fleire Castro
• E-commerce and the community - Clarissa Briones
• Community Branding: Globe Tattoo Community - Coy Caballes
• The Extraordinary Individual - Anthony Gomez
• Empowering your Community - Ruben Licera Jr.
• Becoming a Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur - Janette Toral

Be part of a community. REGISTER NOW here ---> http://www.cebublogcamp.com/the-event/registration/

Join the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Cebu Run 2012

The above is the singlet for the GK Cebu Run 2012. Cool isn't it? But what is more cool is if you really get to join this running event on November 25, 2012 with the gunstart of the first category at 4:30 AM.

Perhaps you have heard of GK or Gawad Kalinga already. It is a "global movement that aims to build communities for the poor". There are currently 16 GK communities in Cebu and over 2,000 communities all over the Philippines.

In taking part of this run, you can help more communities and spread awareness of GK's cause.

The run will be held in Parkmall, Mandaue City with several categories like 3K, 6K, 12K and 21K with registration fees of P300, P400, P500 and P600 respectively. Below is the GK run route map:

Be a hero and run for a cause. Run for GK Cebu! Registration is from 1:00pm to 8:00pm daily at RUNNR, Ayala, right across Timezone/Sbarro, and TOBY’S, U/G Floor, SM, beside ACE Hardware.

You may check also out the fbpage at www.facebook.com/gkceburun2012 for more information.

Social Good Summit Cebu on September 22: Using Social Media for Social Change

Social Good Summit organized by Mashable is a 3-day conference from September 22-24 with a shared goal of "unlocking the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place, and then to translate that potential into action."

In Cebu City, the Social Good Summit Cebu is organized by the Cebu Bloggers Society and will be held on September 22, 2012 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 NOON at the Marcelo Fernan Cebu Press Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City. The focus of the discussions is using social media to bring about social change as well as promote responsible use of social media.

This local event will be highlighted by talks or discussions which may prove useful especially to students who among other groups are more commonly engaged in social media. Topics include "State of the Social Media Scene in Cebu", "Social media Responsibility Defined", "Inspiring Change through Blogging and Social Media", "Social Movement via Social Media", "Impact of Social Media Influencers in Social Media" and "Social Media Engagement, Ethics and Legal Issues."

Another highlight also will be the launching of Cebu Bloggers Society's "ActNow Campaign", a special website where anyone could make a difference headed by CBSi Outreach Committee, Jaysee Pingkian.

For those interested to participate in this event, you may register here.

Let us use social media for good. Attending this event is a good start.

August 2012 Physician Board Exam Results Released

The PRC has just released the results of the August 2012 doctors' or physicians' licensure exam with most of the top ten examinees coming from University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Top ten as posted in the PRC website

Among medical schools in Cebu, Cebu Institute of Medicine got the highest passing rate at 98.28% with 57 board passers (based on what was released by PRC) followed by Cebu Doctor's University College of Medicine with 93.02% out of 43 total examinees.

It is to be noted that some exam takers may have filed an application to take the exam but did not actually take the exam which could affect the passing rates mentioned.

Search for Most Outstanding CIM Alumni or MOCA 2012

by: Henry Yu, MD

The Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) in its objective of seeking to give recognition to exceptional and outstanding achievements of its graduates is now accepting nomination for the Most Outstanding CIM Alumnus Award (MOCA) .

 

The MOCA Award envisions to give recognition to the alumnus whose exceptional achievements in the art and science of medicine fall under any of the following categories:

1.     The achievements are widely perceived to have benefited a large segment of society or the community.

2.     The achievements are unique in nature and have contributed to the better understanding of a disease and/or its control.

3.     The achievements are of lasting significance and have resulted in changes in current perception of medical practitioners.

4.     The achievements represent years of dedicated service.

5.     The achievements are recognized by his/her peers either locally, nationally or internationally.

6.     The achievements are shining examples to all alumni and students of the Cebu Institute of Medicine.

 

Any individual, public or private entity, organization and association, may nominate one or more alumni for the award by filling up for each nominee the nomination form which is available at the Dean’s Office, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Cebu City. Any alumnus of CIM may be nominated. For further details, you may call: (032)-253-7412 or (032)-253-3124.

PSMID Midyear Convention 2012 in Cebu A Success

More than 300 people comprised of nurses, medical technologists and physicians including municipal health officers and other doctors from various parts of the country attended the successful 9th PSMID Midyear Convention held last July 5-6, 2012 at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel.

The theme of the convention was "X-pose of X-plosive weaponry against X-tremely dangerous bugs". It was hosted by the PSMID Cebu chapter.

In the superhero-inspired convention, the topics included (but was not limited to the following):

• Batman Begins: Community-acquired infections in metamorphosis.
• X-Bugs First class: Multi-drug-resistant bugs
• Mystique: Cutting Edge Beauty (Dealing with Infectious Risks in the Quest to be the Fairest)
• The Avengers: Tackling HIV Chronicles

Speakers from various specialties and locations include Dr. Mediadora Saniel, Dr. Jaime Montoya, Dr. Roentgene Solante, Dr. Elizabeth Nuqui, Dr. Raul Destura and Dr. Michael Lloyd Towns among many others.

One of the highlights of the convention was the presentation of the latest figures in Cebu regarding HIV and the "Creative" Session on Pediatric Infectious Controversies and Dilemmas.

Unilab Ideas Positive Finalists undergo social marketing bootcamp

Here is an update of the Unilab Ideas Positive this year.

12 finalists have already been chosen with seed money of P100,000 each. In preparation for the implementation of their respective projects, teh finalists underewent a social marketing bootcamp at the Unilab Bayanihan Center in Mandaluyong City recently.

The teams are the following:

1. Focusing on the problem of malnutrition through fun and innovative ideas are: 
   1. Team Five for Life (Metro Manila), 
   2. Tamang TEAMpla (Metro Manila),
   3. Team Kabataang Katipuneros (Iloilo City) and 
   4. Team Green Label (Davao City)
2. Focusing on the improvement of hygiene practices of native settlers are:
1. Team Ba (Baguio City)
2. Team FNEC (Bicol)
3. Taking on the challenge of environmental preservation and care:
1. Team Protogenia (Batangas)
2. Team W.A.Y.A. (Iloilo City)
4. Seeking to establish cleanup efforts for their rivers are:
1. Team Matalaw (Batangas) and 
2. Team JEYTUDITUSI (Cavite)
5. Developing water-filtering systems are:
1. Team Bang (Cebu) and 
2. Team Transit (Cebu)

Social marketing bootcamp

As part of their learning adventure, the students spent time with the country’s best industry

practitioners: social marketing guru Dr. Ned Roberto, social entrepreneurs Mark Ruiz,

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Jayson Lo, Krie Reyes-Lopez and Chit Juan, and creative and

communication strategist Peachy Pacquing. Dr. Ivanhoe Escartin of the DOH National Center

for Health Promotion gave the students an overview of the country’s health and wellness

landscape. 

Meanwhile, social marketing consultants and academicians Harvey Keh, Ma.

Christine Reyes and Dr. Sylvia Claudio, among others, dug into the implementation details

of the students’ projects to ensure smooth rollout. Social advocate Jay Jaboneta and award-

winning director Jim Libiran also inspired the participants with their stories of their own

advocacies.

The teams were also brought to the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm in Bulacan to witness

social marketing and innovation in action, led by a talk by GK Founder and President Tony

Meloto.

Previous Unilab Positive Ideas winners also shared about their bootcamp and project implementation experience.

Looking forward to implementation

In the next six months, all 12 student teams will be implementing their projects in their

respective communities, mentored by social marketing practitioners from around the country.

From the 12, the five most successful youth teams in project implementation will advance to the

finals for a chance to become the Unilab Ideas Positive 2012 grand winner.

For more information on the event and each team’s progress, visit www.Facebook.com/

Unilab.IdeasPositive and www.unilabideaspositive.com.

“Unilab Ideas Positive was developed to create meaningful change towards the nation. We

seriously take our role as a health and wellness company in building the nation, which is the

reason behind the nationwide expansion of the program this year,” - Unilab Ideas Positive program lead Barry Barrientos.

Reasons why you should consider buying a Nokia Lumia smartphone

No question, Nokia is a global leader in mobile communication and has become part of millions of people's lives. It is known for durable mobile phones also like the iconic 5110. With the entry of smartphones, Nokia has also started to adapt while still offering quality Symbian lines of cellphones.

Nokia's latest line of mobile phone is the Lumia series of smartphones, a Windows Phone and there are many reasons why you should consider buying this phone:

1. It's more fun with Nokia. (The design and the colors, especially). The Lumia series has a distinctive profile with finely beveled metallic edges. It has just the right thickness and size and comes in colors of magenta, cyan, white and black. Browsing in the web is convenient as theya re equipped with Internet Explorer 9. Nokia Lumia 710 is a trendy unit that features swappable covers and changeable homescreen colors.
2. The features considering the price. The Nokia Lumia 610, which is the entry level smartphone for example, has a suggested retail price of just Php 10,980. At that price, it already provides intant access to social networks and brings contacts from various social networking and email accounts into one place. It also comes with Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive which doesn't need the internet for it to be useful.
3. The large display and sensitivity of the touch screen. The unit responds well to touch unlike other smartphones and the display is clear. The Nokia Lumia 800 for example, features a 3.7-inch AMOLED ClearBlack curved display blending seamlessly into its sleek body.
4. Large internal user memory of 16GB for the Nokia Lumia 800 plus SkyDrive storage of 5GB.
5. Instant-share camera experience wherein media like images and videos can be shared to your social networks in just one click and in as fast as 20s seconds. Not to mention the Carl Zeis optics technology in Nokia Lumia 800.
6. Availability of plans. The Lumia 800 is avaialable to Globe subscribers, free at Unlisurf Plan 1799. Lumia 710 with Smart postpaid data plan 1000.
7. The chance to fly all over the Philippines for free with Nokia Lumia. If you buy from May 18 to June 15, 2012 at a participating slect Nokia, Globe, Smart stores and retail outlets nationwide, you can have a chance to explore the country AS MUCH AS YOU WANT without having to worry about spending a large amount for the airfare. Yes baby. You have the chance to win unlimited Philippine Airline (PAL) flights.

Mechanics for the contest:

1. One you have your Lumia, retrieve its IMEI number by typing #*06# on your homescreen. 
2. Then text I CAN LUMIA /
   / and send to 2960 for Globe and Smart subscribers. This will serve as your entry to the grand electronic raffle on June 17, 2012 where 100 lucky Nokia Lumia users will win UNLIMITED ROUNDTRIP PAL flights within the country!

For more information, you may visit www.nokia.com.ph or www.facebook.com/nokiaphilippines.

SRP for Nokia Lumia is Php 10,980. For Nokia Lumia 800 is Php 23,500. The Nokia Lumia 900 is set to arrive in the Philippines in June 2012.

At least 22 Museums and Heritage Sites participating in RAFI's 2012 Gabii sa Kabilin on May 25

You got it right, 22 museums and heritage sites.

Each year, there are more of them participating. Thus there is more to look forward to in this year's Gabii sa Kabilin or Night of Heritage.

It will be from 6 PM to 12 midnight. With one ticket just worth 150 pesos, one can choose to visit any of the following cultural heritage sites or museums:

1. Aboitizland Heritage Pocket
2. Alternative Contemporary Arts Studio (ACAS)
3. Ayala Center Cebu Cinema and The Terraces
4. Basilica Minore del Santo Niño through the Santo Niño de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF)
5. Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Museum
6. Cathedral Museum of Cebu
7. Casa Gorordo Museum
8. Cebu City Museum
9.Cebu Normal University (CNU)
10. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11. College Assurance Plan (CAP) Theater
12. Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple
13. Fort San Pedro
14. Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum
15. Mandaue City Plaza
16. Museo Parian sa Sugbo
17. Museo Sugbo
18. Plaza Independencia
19. Sacred Heart Parish Church
20. University of San Carlos Museum
21. University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Rizaliana Museum
22. Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House


Museum goers can choose to ride a tartanilla (Pinoy horse-drawn carriage) or buses designated for the
event which is paid for already by the same 150-peso ticket.

I am sure this will be another exiting edition of the Gabii sa Kabilin which will not feature the usual museum exhibits but also local food and music among many other heritage items.

So what are you waiting for? Everyone, tourist and Cebuanos, especially the local youth and students should grab this chance to know Cebu more. Reserve a slot now.

LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARENTS

Guest post by:  Dr. Henry Yu

April 26, 2012

 

 

Dear Parents of the Graduates,

 

Today, I join you in thanking God for this significant milestone in the lives of your children, as graduates of the Cebu Institute of Medicine. 

Truly, the road to becoming what your children are today has never been easy. I am a witness to that. It entailed long years of study, rigid academic training and discipline, lots of stresses, burn-outs and fatigue brought about by a smorgasbord of exams that they have to hurdle in order to be able to graduate.

 

As you look back to your children’s medical journey at CIM, give time to pause and ponder and realize that it is only in looking back that you will come to appreciate and put value to what they have gone through, to what they have done, to what they have achieved, and be happy about.

 

Today is indeed a reason to celebrate. And I share your feelings of joy, pride and fulfillment – of seeing a dream come true. I am one with you in thanking God Almighty for giving your children the honor and privilege of finally finishing their M.D. degree. To God be the glory.

 

Again, I join you in this celebration of a lifetime. Congratulations. Godbless.

 

 

Very sincerely yours,

 

Henry L. Yu, M.D.

Live, Work, Play at the NEW Ayala Center Cebu

Want to discover the new look of Ayala Center Cebu while getting the chance to win cool prizes like a 3 days 2 nights trip for two to Hongkong Disneyland?

Then here's how:

The promo is from April 25 to May 13, 2012 and is open to Cebu residents currently residing in Cebu, Philippines.

Pictures of the winners will be posted on Ayala Center Cebu's Facebook album named "Live Work Play Grand Winners".

The rest of the detailed mechanics is in this link or go to Ayala Center's Facebook Page.

GT Cosmetics has a new celebrity endorser

GT Cosmetics is an emerging proudly Cebuano company offering a line of beauty products that leave women, mostly students, wanting for more.

Among their best sellers are the GT Bleaching Soap and the GT Carrot Soap. These are products that my wife also uses and she is satisfied with them.

And GT just keeps getting bigger and better as it is sold in big stores and malls and is expanding its operations to areas outside the Visayas.

College students are among their loyal customers and word of mouth has helped perhaps with consumers satisfied with the products' results. No wonder that beautiful college students were among its early endorsers.

During the Visayas Blogging Summit last November 2011, participants lined up to have a picture taken with GT's College student endorser, a very lovely lady with GT (Gandang Tunay) characteristics.

This year, GT is taking one step higher by introducing its first celebrity endorser. Clue?

She recently played a lead role in a local indie film.

She is a weekend TV show host and occasionally has appearances in a morning TV show.

She is none other than....

PHOEBE KAYE FERNANDEZ!

 Phoebe Kaye was introduced to the media last March 30, 2012 as GT Cosmetics' first celebrity endorser at Cabalen Restaurant SM City Cebu.

Isn't she the perfect fit for GT Cosmetics?