My favorite breed of dog

Of all breeds of dog, my favorite is a Toy Fox Terrier. I want this breed of a dog because compared to the others, a Toy Fox Terrier is small, easy to carry or bring somewhere, and doesn't take up so much space at home. I like this compared to other because it is very different for the reason that it combines terrier traits such as being (strong, impulsive spunky, energetic,) with toy breed traits such as (more responsive, likes to cuddle, and most importantly more trainable than most terriers). I also like this kind of dog because it is very comical, lighthearted and loves to play ball just like me. Many Toy Fox Terriers love to play ball and do an excellent job of exercising themselves indoors. In my case, I also use this as my assistant whenever I play my little brother basketball toy wherein it has a small ring and a small ball. Whenever I make a long distance shot, my Toy Fox Terrier dog easily rush and get the ball and carefully hands and brings it back to me. Even without training, he easily learns how to fetch a ball. In contrast to others, Toy Fox Terrier dog learn fast in different thing such as going up and down in the stair, sitting down and lying down. In short, Toy Fox Terriers are very bright compared to other breeds of dog that’s why I selected it as my favorite breed.
Both toy traits dog and terrier dog influence personality as well as character. As a terrier, the dog is alert, proud, and spunky and as a toy, the dog is of quieter demeanor and furthermore loves to be hold.
The most important aspect that I want in Toy Fox Terriers that other breeds don’t have is their loyalty to their owner. As a person who watched and observed a Toy Fox Terrier grow, I noticed that this kind of dog always protect his master at all times. One good scenario is when he sense that I was angry to this person, he usually barks until me and the person continues talking. As long as we don’t stop, he also doesn’t stop barking, and when everything is alright he simply sits and observes. Most importantly since Toy Fox Terriers are very bright, it’s easy to teach them whatever kind of things you want him to do, and as a result you don’t have a hard time getting along with this kind of dog.
In other concern, I think an important factor when taking care of a Toy Fox Terrier dog is with regards to their suspiciousness. Almost all breeds of dogs are alert, but in 2 years of experience of my Toy Fox Terrier I must say that they are more attentive and watchful compared to others. Even a little footstep going up and down in the stair and a slight sound of a door will make them vigilant. Another important factor in having this kind of breed is their “mind their own attitude”. Since this breed is very bright, they have an independent mind. With all the good and excellent qualities a Toy Fox Terrier has, it surely is a fantastic pet dog to have.

Mafia Wars: A Popular Online Game

Mafia wars is an online game that can be found and played in a social networking site like Facebook and My Space. Discussing the game play of the game, Mafia Wars is set in New York City with the choice for players to travel between Cuba (if the player reaches level 35+), and Moscow (if the player reaches level 70+) and Bangkok. The game involves doing and mastering jobs in order to receive or collect cash and experience, with the objective of establishing and advancing ones criminal realm. Players create mafias by recruiting players and using reward points to hire extra mafia members. Social networking sites such as Facebook and My Space allow players to recruit from within their network of friends to build their mafia and fight against other players. In this game players can also improve their statistics by going to the Godfather or making a micropayment.
As a player myself, I enjoy playing Mafia Wars because of its unique style of game play, it is different to other online game because it doesn’t consume much time while playing this game. Compared to other online game, wherein you need to online your character in order for you to get strong and increase your level, Mafia Wars is very different because you can compete well with other players even though you don’t put so much of your time playing this game as long as you know the flow of the game.
Another good aspect of Mafia Wars is you don’t have to install something in your computer in order to play this game; it is only an online browser game wherein users need only a facebook account in order to access and play this game. Another thing with Mafia Wars, is that it not hard to understand compared to other online games wherein you need the advice of others who knows that particular game in order for you to understand and enjoy well the game. On facebook alone as of the end of October 2009, MW has an estimate 26 million monthly active accounts.
Before I play this game, I carefully chose what character will be best compare to other. After a few minutes of thinking I decided to select “Maniac”, a character which specializes in energy. Compared to other players, I must say that I’m more successful than the others in playing this game, because as an experience online gamer I make sure that every decision that I make is good, beneficial and helpful in the future. As a result, all of my assessment regarding my judgment in the beginning for example what character to choose, what statistics to fill on and etc help me to get my character strong and most importantly it entertains me more and don’t make me feel bored which is very significant in playing online game.
As a result of my 45 days of playing Mafia Wars, I reach level 250, which is very high compared to other players, I also have high results of fights and most importantly I earned numerous achievements in the game.

What is Christmas?

Christmas. What does it really means? Christmas is the season of joy and gladness. And the key to all our celebration is Jesus our Savior. This is a season of sounds and sights, of carols, lights, pleasant weather, family visitation, and reunions. This all add up to the spirit of joy that should be ours as we praise and thank the lord for the gift of the savior.
Christmas is also a time of surprise. We would always be amazed by surprises it may be may be a gift or a visit from a long lost relatives or friends we haven’t see for years. Christmas is also sharing and spending time with our love ones, friends and relatives. It may even be just going to church together, malling, sharing sad and happy stories together, and watching our favorite movies together.
Christmas also is a time when our heart overflows with gratitude. Gratitude for having many blessings in spite of hard times. Gratitude for having a loving and supportive family, friends and relatives. Come to think of it, we must remember that Christmas really means seasons on of reconciliation and repentance brings peace with oneself and everyone. Forgive those who have sinned against us, or even saying “I’m sorry” to person we have hurt or offended. This would lead to peace between enemies and maybe peace between conflicting countries. Repentance on the other hand means changing for the good of one’s self and others. Each one should be selfless; one should think not just oneself but also of the welfare or good for others.
All of this mention may truly be the true meaning of Christmas. No matter how many meanings Christmas have, it leads only to one thing Jesus Christ our Lord. Times now may be hard we should always think positive, look up in the sky, see the stars and we can find him them there. Christmas would always mean happiness and the reason mainly because of the joyful reality that Christ came to our world. That is the true genuine meaning of Christmas

Is Santa Claus Real?

Generally speaking, the existence of Santa Claus if it is for real or not is varied to everyone. For some, Santa Claus exists and for others Santa Claus is only a character made by old people to make their children more inspired and imaginative. As a person who did not grow up knowing much about Santa Claus from the very beginning, I simply believe that Santa Claus does not exist.
As a realist, I want to see a phenomenon first before I believe in it. In case of Santa Claus, I didn’t remember an incident wherein I saw Santa Claus so definitely I didn’t believe in him. In case of other people, they also have an opinion regarding Santa Claus whether he is for real or not. The belief of a person may also be influence with regards to his/her religion of the existence of Santa Claus. If a person is more of a religious one, he/she would think that Santa Claus exist, because Santa Claus was actually declared as a Saint (St. Nick) because of the wonder of delivering presents to children throughout humanity. However if a person think skeptically, then most likely he/she don’t believe in Santa Claus, most often this people grow older and come to realize that only their parents are doing this Santa Claus thing.
In the end the existence of Santa Claus is merely as subjective as anybody else. If a person is aged 10 years below, they would probably believe in Santa Claus, however if this person is older than 10 years old, they come to think that Santa Claus is the giving spirit of Christmas. It concerns giving to others as well as being selfless, meaning to say the older the person is, the deeper he/she understands and perceive.
More importantly, Santa Claus existence whether true or not, is not a big deal at all, if someone tells that he exist, we should let it be, because beliefs should be respected and if someone tells that does not exist, we should also respect what he believes.

The Best Pizza Place in Town

The best pizza place in town for me is Pizza Hut. My criterion for selecting is based from its taste from the crust to its different toppings. Out of the 6 pizza parlors that I experience to eat which include Sbarro, Yellowcab, Little Ceasars, Shakeys, Greenwhich the taste of Pizza Hut is more mouth-watering and very excellent to me.
As a person who likes pizza very much, I’m very glad the moment I bite the pizza, for me it taste heavenly, I seen addicted to it, you will crave for more once you start eating it. Usually, whenever I eat pizza in town I’m with a member of a family and friends, so it adds a lot to eating more, you are with persons you like. As a regular customer of different pizza companies, I frequently order beef related toppings and sometimes I try also their special menus.
Every now and then, I’m very satisfied whenever I eat pizza. Either I eat it at home or at town, I always contended and satisfied. As a sign of showing that pizza is one of my favorite foods to eat, I usually order whenever I see a pizza commercial on television. Since Pizza Hut is my favorite, I regularly dial their hotline when I’m starving and craving for pizza. When I’m all alone, I just order a regular size of pizza and when I’m with someone I always order a large size. Another sign of showing that pizzas are my favorite and Pizza Hut is one of the best for me, most of the time I pass by a Pizza Hut “hate late” stall I purchase their buy one take one promo for a small amount of money. I like this kind of promo besides it is cheaper it is delivered right away, you don’t have to wait extra minutes when ordering in a normal pizza store or ordering at home.
In the end, I wish that pizza companies continue to produce delicious and yummy pizzas in order for us customers to continue buying their product. I also want in the days to come to create other kind of toppings in order for customers not to hate the product, some people can easily discontented especially if the food if there are no other choices to select from. As a consumer myself of different pizza companies, I like to see an improvement in taste whenever I buy their product. Honestly, if I will be given a chance to do a business in a future, I prefer having a franchise of a Pizza Company because I believe ones success depends on what they actually preferred.

My Favorite Poetry

My favorite poetry came from the Soviet literature called “The City of Yes and the City of No”. I selected this poetry as my favorite because the author Yevgency Yevtushengko uses unique words in describing a situation or a context, this significantly captures my attention.
As a reader I find it interesting because it was contextualize in a way that it was experienced by different people in the world. In this poetry, the writer uses a unique style of differentiating two contrasting circumstances wherein he uses the poetry “the City of Yes and the City of No”.
Based from what I understand, City of Yes is compared to nature which is best without walls, and the in the City of No, there is a denial/rejection, that which could not accept the place or the atmosphere.
Reading the lines of the poem makes me feel interested because it forces me to choose what preference I want more. It will oblige the readers to think what side is more challenging and what is best.
After reading this poem I obviously decided to pick the City of Yes, because my present free life tells me to live in a manner that I am free from all sadness, fear, and restraint. My present free life diminished my capacity if it didn’t take away all of it, I should be grateful for a life such that in the other City. My acquaintance with laughter and open activities would make me feel uninterested and threatened in the City of No for the reason that there are no such things existing in it. I desire the City of Yes over the City of No not because it is better, but relatively it is due to my biases and my capability as person to live in it.
In the end, I choose it as my favorite because it portrayed an aspect in the society wherein everybody experiences this kind of life.

Poverty in the Philippines

Almost all third world countries experience poverty. Here in the Philippines, poverty is prevalent. The Philippine society is experiencing poverty right now. In my own estimate I must say that 50% of the Philippine population is on the poverty level. This people who is experiencing poverty is scattered around the Philippine archipelago. I believe will continue to increase if there is no intelligent social action between the government and the people.
Among the economies of East and Southeast Asia in the 1980s, the Philippines were exceptional: its economy was shrinking, not growing. Only after 1993 did the economy at last begin to grow strongly, and not at the rates achieved ten years earlier in the rest of Southeast Asia. Filipinos are justifiably proud of the recovery, but many regret the unfavorable comparison with their neighbors. At the same time, they can point out that relative positions have changed often over the centuries.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the mid-sixteenth century the archipelago was one of the few extensive areas in eastern Asia without a form of political state. It then became for a time the largest colonial area east of India, but at the end of the nineteenth century it was the first Asian colony to reject imperial control and proclaim an independent republic. Although that was immediately overthrown by the new imperial power of the USA, in 1946 the Philippines were the first East Asian colony to gain independence peacefully (that is, excluding the colonies freed from Japanese control). The independent Philippines became one of the first countries in the region, after Japan, to begin industrializing protected by tariffs and other barriers. By 1960 the values of its manufacturing output and of its exports exceeded those of Taiwan or the Republic of Korea. This was, though, more or less the peak of its comparative performance. Its growth continued in the 1970s but at rates ever further behind its neighbors, until the crisis of regression came in the 1980s. The economy was in a serious condition for a decade: major problems became obvious in 1981, grew very rapidly worse from 1983 to 1986 and were then stabilized but not entirely resolved.
This situation arose under the most explicitly developmentalist government in Philippine history, the twenty-year rule of President Marcos, who claimed that he had declared martial law in 1972 precisely to remove the political and bureaucratic obstacles to more rapid and egalitarian development. His government formulated many new policies, affecting all sectors of the economy, yet the sought-after transformation was achieved in very limited areas, while the economy as a whole slid into profound crisis. Businesses closed, workers were laid off and social unrest intensified.
Even after the fall of Marcos, political problems persisted, with a fissile Congress and seven attempted military coups against President Aquino. Not until 1993 did local and foreign investors regain enough confidence to renew investment on a significant scale, reviving growth and restructuring the economy further, with a fall in the incidence of poverty. The changes made after 1986 enabled the Philippines to survive the East Asian crisis of 1997-8 better than its neighbors, but growth remained spasmodic. Cronyism and corruption re-emerged at the highest levels, culminating in a new political and economic crisis in 2000-1, and President Estrada left office after his impeachment was aborted.
The worldwide focus on the last phase of the Marcos regime showed how the characters of the president, his wife and certain close associates had contributed to the crisis of the 1980s and to the incomplete restructuring, but the responsibility did not lie with them alone. Their rule was never absolute. Many other political and economic actors, including individuals and institutions within and outside the Philippines, made decisions that affected the national economy, through processes sometimes at the local or regional level, sometimes at the global level. Such decisions often had ambivalent results. Some undoubtedly contributed to the concentration of flows of income and wealth, to foreign indebtedness, to outflow of capital, to environmental degradation or to other problems. Even so, some decisions helped to diversify the economy, induced the acquisition of new skills, raised productivity in various industries and contributed to export earnings or replacement of imports. The impacts on different regions and on different categories of people varied, because of their characteristics and historical experiences. The Philippines is plural in character as well as in name (cf. Steinberg 1982). In other words, the varying patterns of change had both spatial and social elements. In some cases, change would be better described as regression than as development, so that the long-standing condition of uneven development continued.
This all suggests that, in order to understand the years of political and economic instability in the Philippines, and prospects for its future, it is necessary to look at the sources of uneven development. Social and spatial inequalities are, of course, normal, but each developing society has characteristics that make it different from all others. Therefore, certain structural and behavioral traits of Philippine society need to be examined.

Christmas Wish

During the month of December, people start to think of what would be there wish for Christmas. Traditionally, whether it will be given by God or other people, wishes gives happiness to everyone especially if it granted to him/her.
They say that the key to Christmas is happiness. Each and every one of us has wishes during this season of joy and gladness. Wishes which are sometimes hard to obtain and attain. The sum of all of these wishes is for us to be happy.
So what may be our Christmas wish to make each one of us happy? Some may say many blessings for the year to come, good health, having lots of friends, wish to be slim, wish to be more understanding and patient and many more. For those who are poor, they wish for material wealth, for those who are sick, they wish for good health, for the oppressed, they wish justice, for those who are in prison they wish for freedom, for the silent and marginalized they wish for a voice.
If we just sit down and reflect for a while and think of the one thing which one must wish for. The answer is only one thing LOVE. Love with one another. If we love one another there would automatically be sharing and giving, the rich will help the poor, the oppressed will be given justice, the prisoner would be pardon, the silent would be given a voice in a society. If there is love, people will forgive one another for one’s mistakes; ask for the forgiveness for wrong things they did.
Love would make the person change for the better. There would be understanding between one another, between world leaders and nations; there would be peace and recognition all around. All this would lead to happiness brought about by the one thing that one would wish for which love is. Remember that God so loved us that he sent his son Jesus Christ to save us, so I may say that love is the only thing that one may wish for this Christmas.

Collection of Best Love Quotes

Honestly speaking, among all the quotations, love quotes is one of my least likes, that’s why I don’t remember any love quotes that I encountered, read or hear in my life. I am not a romantic person that mainly is the reason why I don’t like reading compilation of love quotation and another reason is that, it does not suit my personality.
I’m a type of person who likes to read or like to engage myself in social issues and current events. As a person who is interested in different issues and significant events, I’m more expose in different people’s expression or sentiments or in short I’m more familiar to what the masses tells and says.
If I will be given a chance to collect love quotes, that would be an inspirational love quotes, meaning to say I want to collect love quotations wherein it motivates and encourage me to do things that will be helpful and beneficial to me in the future. In connection to this, I want to collect a love quotation wherein I can read it over and over especially when I’m in a dilemma or when I’m in trouble with regards to life and love. I want an inspirational love quotes because I need something that will develop or recover my confidence whenever I experience failure in terms of problems in life that I will encounter.
An example of love quotes that I like, which I come to browse while doing this work is from Henry David Thoreau which states that there is no remedy for love but to love more, I found this quotes as simple but very meaningful. In order to remember something, the idea should be clear and concise. In this quotation I understand right away the idea of Thoreau on what he was trying to express.
Since I don’t have a collection of love quotations, the previously love quotations of Lao-Tzu, Voltairre and Aristotle which I came to browse once again while doing this paper is a good start to collect if given a chance to collect love quotes in the future.

2010 Philippines Election

The 2010 election is another milestone for Philippine history. It is a much awaited event that is very significant for the country and its people, the outcome of this event is where their future depends on. The election that will be happening in the Philippines in 2010 includes both the national and local government; meaning from the highest position of the country (president) up to the lowest (councilor) is in contest. On the other hand, the battle for barangay leadership is still in hold whether or not they will be included in this coming election.
As a democratic country like the Philippines, every vote of a citizen is very important; it is the only way that they can exercise their right. Under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, the right to suffrage is given to an 18 and above years old citizen to choose and elect whom they like to be a leader of their locality and the leader of their country.
As early as now, people who will be running for the 2010 election are preparing all their mechanism in order to get an edge with their opponent. In a presidential position, from a hundreds of people who filed their candidacy only 8 are chosen by the Commission of Elections and the rest are considered as nuisance, this is also what happened to the vice presidency aspirants. On the other hand, the rule in executive department is different in the legislative wherein everybody can run as long as he/she is qualified to run. In terms of election in the local government, majority of those running are re-electionist, some are former mayors who seek another term in office and some are local officials who are running for higher office from their previous position.
Another thing to watch out in the 2010 election is the newly implemented automated style of election wherein the Philippines will be using for the first time. From traditional manual election, which is considered by many that is always manipulated and cheated, they will use the automated way of election in May 2010 election. Another observation for the 2010 election is that many of the candidates who will be running for public office came from one party to the other.
In the end, this coming election is very crucial for the future success of the Philippine, as days continue to pass; election date is becoming nearer. The battle is so intense, the team’s strategy are being intensified and most of all the eagerness of all the candidates to lead is seen in their interviews, advertisement, forums and debates which can be read, listen and watch every now and then left and right

Diet, anyone?

So, what diet are you in?
“ I need to lose weight, “ is a common phrase that is heard from those who are either overweight or from those who would plainly want to look thinner for pure aesthetic purposes. For some years now, diet plans and diet programs have gained popularity and earned media attention. Restaurant owners have increased their product lines to serve the needs of those who are on strict diets. A show titled as The World's Biggest Loser that deals with obesity and weight loss was produced.
To effectively lose weight, doctors agree that exercise and rigid adherence to diet plans are needed. With the variety of diet plans for the weight conscious, choosing one to follow may be difficult. Perhaps it's time to look at what researchers and doctors say about two of the popular diet programs we often hear of, South Beach and Atkins.
Atkins diet was developed in 1973 by a medical doctor named Robert Atkins. Atkins diet is founded on the basic premise that severe restriction of carbohydrates in your daily food intake will allow your body to go into ketosis since a human's body gets its energy from either fats or carbohydrates. Ketosis is the point where the fats are burned to become fuel. Weight is reduced as fats get burned.
There are phases in the Atkins diet. Phase one bans almost all kinds of carbohydrates except for broccoli, some salad greens and Zucchini. In lieu of carbohydrates, red meat, fish, poultry and fatty food can be taken. In phase two, small amounts of nutrient-based carbohydrates such as quarter cup of blueberries are added back to the diet. Once desired weight is achieved, whole grains can be taken.
One of the studies show that Atkins diet resulted to greater weight loss as compared to the low calorie diet. However, researchers also point out that Atkins diet is effective only in the short term, and may be harmful in the long run. Nutritionists are particularly concerned with the high-fat diet that Atkins encourages since this might be bad for the heart. The lack of fiber that might lead to colon related disease also causes other medical practitioners to worry.
South Beach diet on the other hand, was conceived by Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist from Florida. It is also known as “ Atkins lite”. In South Beach, saturated fats that are found in butter and red meat which are allowed in Atkins are prohibited. This diet is also liberal with the amount of carbohydrates that can be taken in as long as these carbohydrates are those that are longer to digest.
Just like with Atkins, phase one bans consumption of all kinds of carbohydrates. After the initial phase, carbohydrates can be taken as long as they are the “good carbs” or those food with low ratings on the glycemic index. Glycemic index is used to measure how much a particular food increases blood sugar as compared to a similar quantity of white bread.
South Beach diet is said to be an improvement of Atkins since it allows intake of a healthier variety of food. However, as with Atkins and other kinds of diet,losing weight is easy, but maintaining the weight lost may prove to be more difficult.

Thoughts and Words

A writer. I’ve always dreamed of becoming one. From my early childhood until today, I’ve always believe that one day, I could be one of those whose words are printed on a paper and from those words, different lives are touched and could changed in some ways.
Neil Armstrong, the legendary “moon-walker”, once said that a journey to a thousand miles begins with a single step. I’d say that a journey to a thousand thoughts would always begin with a single word. One word can mean so much that thoughts are formulated and it takes only a writer to organize them. To write is an art and definitely, a writer is an artist. I’d like to believe that I could be one – just as Armstrong believed that he could set his foot on the moon one day and inspired millions that any dream can come true.

Poems. That was where it all started –when my byline happened to appear in my elementary school paper along with my Tagalog poem I wrote in class. The discovery of it, to me then, was still fresh and wonderful. The desire to see and read my name with the words I formulated on a printed paper has become strong that it drove me to go on writing and hone the skills I know I possess.

My father was my ultimate motivator. I remember when he used to pay me P5 for each good poem that I read to him and the not so-good-ones are left unsold. It was through my father that I understand the need for a writer to be a keen observer, fast learner and with a wide perspective on things around.

Some people would consider that writers are born; some consider them to be made. To me, it is both. Each of us is granted with wonderful and God-given talents and with the main purpose we have here on earth is to work on it and utilize this talent in order for us to share it with others. In some opportunities of life, I was given the chance to use my talent. Being the editor in chief of the college school paper was my ultimate dream come true during my student life of becoming a writer. I also know that it was my first, single step of becoming who I want to be – Someone whose words are being read, whose thoughts can elicit reactions and comments, whose own sentences can touch lives and perhaps change others.

In a busy and harass world of today, people can tend to forget their truest desires in life. The world can offer us a lot of options that anything can be just “ok”. Our childhood desires can now be left out that we desire the one’s that grown-ups want-- to be rich and to practically provide food in the table no matter what it takes. We tend to forget the things that would certainly make us happy.

Recently I became one of these people who slowly forget the biggest dream I had during childhood. I am employed just for the sake of providing, not realizing that I already fail to remember who I want to be. However, if given with chances and the options, I would certainly go against the tide and pursue this dream.

I certainly feel in the deepest of my heart that with thoughts and words, I would surely be happy.

Travelling

Traveling is one of the most exciting activities for young and old people. We all travel regardless of race, color, religion, and lifestyle. Most people travel because they want to visit their families and relatives who are living in far flung places. For some other reason, people travel because they want to study and work in other places to seek greener pasture and to pursue higher degrees in their field of specialization. Other places pay lucrative rates for their employees. Moreover, people travel because they are writers. They want to write relevant topics about their traveling experience especially when they are writing poem and story about that particular place. In addition, people travel because they want to relieve from stress fast-paced-work, relax, and have fun. Also, people travel particularly photographers because they want to capture the scenic and tourist spots for publication. Furthermore, people travel because they want to meet their soul mates. Some people believed that there is one person destined to become their soul mate and their figured out that they are living in other place. Likewise, people travel because they want to experience and learn from others cultures. They want to see the differences between their customs and traditions from other cultures. They want to know the values of other nationality. One specific thing about values is the hospitality and religiosity of people. Ideally, we have different beliefs and outlook in our God.

Traveling is for all. You can travel as long as you can afford it.

There are many places to visit in different parts of the world. In Europe there are many cities that have its beautiful spots such as Barcelona in Spain, Paris in France, and Athens in Greece. If you can afford to go to these places, your trip will definitely memorable and exciting. There are many wonderful tourist spots in Barcelona like Sagrada Familia, Ramblas, Casa Mila(La Pedrera) Catedral de Barcelona, and Castell de Montjuic.* Paris is the most artistic city in Europe. Some of the tourist attractions are Eiffel Tower, Louvre pyramid, Musee d’ Orsay, Musee Rodin, Catedrale Notre Dame de Paris, Arc de Triomphe, Patinoire de la Tour Eiffel(Ice Skating Eiffel Tower) Conciergerie(La) Disneyland Resort Paris, Sainte Chapelle, Opera National de Paris, Jardin de Luxembourg,and Hotel de Ville. For people who want to visit the ancient city, Athens has many tourist spots such as Olympic Sports complex, Sacred caves-cave of Apollo, Cave of Aglauros, and cave of Pan; Statue of Athena, Theatre of Dionysos, Roman Theater,Garden of Athenian Agora, Athens City Museum, Athens Festival, Byzantine museum, Academy of Plato, and Academy of Arts.

For the people who cannot afford to travel in foreign countries, they can travel enjoyably to the island of the Philippines in Palawan, Batanes, Ilocos, Batangas, Camiguin, Surigao, Cagayan, Isabela, Boracay, Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Bicol region. Definitely, these islands have unique and wonderful attractions that young and old people will appreciate. Travel could be exciting if you appreciate the beauty of places.

God's Covenant

We woke up early to a cold and rainy Saturday morning of September 26, 2009 to prepare for By-Ann’s Outreach and sports fest practice at school. Ruben accompanied By-Ann to school because I wanted to be sure she arrived safe in school because of the unusual rains.
Ruben left for the BCBP Breakfast and Badminton play afterwards. I stayed home with Michelle, Pancho and Manang.
Around nine in the morning, the girls told me that there was water building up on our street. We even watched the dried coconut that drifted or would get stuck awhile in front of our house.
An hour later, the water was already approaching our garage. Never had floodwater approach us that close so I asked the kids and Manang to bring all that they can to our second floor. I could hardly help because of my recent surgery.
By past one in the afternoon we could no longer see our gate. That means the water from our street is already about five feet deep.
Michelle and Pancho were both afraid to see the rising floodwater because they never experienced this in their entire life. They saw these phenomena only in the news. Out of great fear, they both prayed the Holy Rosary twice.
As the floodwater surged, we prayed and asked that God take control of the situation and protect our family. We also surrendered those who live near the rivers and creek side, those who are afraid for their lives and their loved ones, those who do not have anything to eat and who could have lost their tiny homes.

Even after praying, Michelle was still troubled that she refused to eat. So I reminded them of God’s covenant to his people… the Rainbow. “Let’s claim God’s covenant”, I urged them.
I asked Michelle to open the Holy Bible and read aloud the Scripture in Genesis 9. Verses 11-13 read as: “I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” God added: “This is the sign I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
After reading the Scripture, even as the floodwater continued to rise, we praised and worshipped God the Father, Creator of the rain and sun. We begged for His love, mercy and protection through Jesus Christ, Mama Mary and our Saint friends. We claimed His words in Genesis 9:11-13. I asked the Lord Almighty to show His mighty power to my children by giving us a sign of His protection.
We also discussed if we would leave the house and take the bold step of going to safer land but we had to go against the strong current in the murky and deep floodwater. Michelle then uttered: “Ma, let’s stay here. This is a test of our faith.”
Around 3:25 P.M. on top of the car’s hood, as the water moved, was God’s Covenant with us: HIS RAINBOW! Soon after, the floodwater started to recede.
I thank the Father, for answering our prayers and for honoring His covenant with us. I thank him for the sign of His love and protection and for the gift of faith He has given us. Lastly, I thank, Jesus for the hope in His resurrection.

Climate change

One of the effects of the unprecedented surge in world-wide economic activity is the rampant and excessive abuse of our natural resources and pollution brought by industrialization. The adverse impact of this abuse could be felt in every corner of this planet in the form of climate change.

The earth's climate is changing over a period of time, but the climate change that we experience since 1800s is caused mainly by human activities. As humans burn coal, oil and fuel, the gases are trapped in the atmosphere forming a “greenhouse effect.” The increasing temperature in the atmosphere affects “rainfall patterns, snow and ice cover, and sea level.”

Developing countries recognize their role in minimizing the adverse impact of global warming. The Kyoto protocol signed in 11 December 1997 set commitment targets to 37 industrialized countries to cut on their green gas emission in a way that it will not jeopardize development. These targets are achieved by emissions trading, Clean Development Mechanism and joint implementation. However, the Kyoto protocol's failure to enable countries especially the developing ones are blamed on it's provisions are not consistent with economic development; are considered “unworkable” or may highlight the vulnerabilities of developing countries in one ADB study.

The failure of countries around the world to make a sincere and concerted effort against global warming which causes abnormal climate change since 1997 caused a toll on thousands of lives and destroyed properties in unimaginable proportion. In 2005, the Hurricane Katrina which swept the state of Louisiana in the United States claimed 1,800 lives and damaged 18 billion dollars worth of properties. In 2005, a great quake and a tsunami in Aceh Indonesia almost converted the whole area into a ghost town. Billions of dollars were lost in property damage and hundreds die in that devastating natural disaster. In 2003, extreme rise in temperature killed 35,000 people in Europe-a figure worse than the number of people who died of SARS in the continent. Global temperature is projected to rise at the end of the century. In the Philippines, the recent flood waters unleashed by typhoon Ondoy and Peping are the result of the climate change. Scientists say that the forest fires in California, Europe and Australia are also linked to the said climate change.

These natural disasters prompted developing and developed countries alike to renew their commitment against global warming and climate change. Climatologists set target to China to cut on its greenhouse gas emission by 2050. In 2008, China leads the world in emitting the highest amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Reports said that if China will not exert more effort in minimizing its greenhouse gas emission, it could experience worse natural disasters.

In the United States, President Obama moves to push congress in favor of facilities which greatly contributes to global warming. Facilities which emit 25,000 tons of carbon dioxide are the subject of the government regulation.

As states and governments are taking steps to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, every human being who knows the tremendous negative impacts of global warming and climate change should make every effort to save the environment. Up to this date, the earth remains to be the only planet in the universe to hold human and other life-forms. It should be taken cared of and despite rapid and unstoppable economic development, there should be something that the people of today could give to the next generation. Sustainable development is a way in which the economic demands of today are met without jeopardizing the future generation's use of the resources. Sustainable development may be achieved if sanctions are imposed on states which emit huge amounts of carbon in the atmosphere. The lack of it would only reduce every global warming or climate change effort into a copy of the Kyoto Protocol.