So Close.. Almost - Miss Philippines on Miss Universe 2012

Not sure if the Filipinos already move on to the results happened yesterday at Miss Universe 2012 held at Las Vegas, home of the Miss U organizer Donald Trump.  I myself still wonder is there really a politics behind the pageants, can they manipulate the tabulation and pick the choice they want, and if there is then what is the essence of organizing the competition and sending your delegates only to find out that at the end the winner is picked not by the judges but by the influence of the organizers themselves. Lets look at the top 5 and their answers to find out who you think has the most chances in winning the crown.

The two closest to the crown were Miss USA and of Course the very own Miss Philippines. They were asked different questions from different judges. Let start from the Philippines, The Judge ask “As an international ambassador, do you believe that speaking English should be a prerequisite to being Miss Universe? Why or why not?”and she answered gracefully “For me, being Miss Universe is not just about knowing how to speak a specific language. It’s being able to influence and inspire other people. As long as your heart wants to serve and you have a strong mind to show people, then you can be Miss Universe.”Lets move on to Miss USA, The judge ask "what was something that she regretted most" she replied "I'd like to start off by saying that every experience no matter what is good or bad, you'll learn from it that just life but something i've done I've regretted is probably picking on my siblings growing up, because you appreciate them so much more as you grow older".

Even as Miss USA Olivia Culpo was crowned Miss Universe 2012 and the most beautiful woman in the world, her victory came as a big surprise as a majority of viewers were expecting Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon to win the crown.
Tugonon ended up in second place, but a number of users, especially Filipinos, exploded on Twitter with their disappointment over the loss.
The Philippines has not won the pageant since 1973 when Margarita Moran won. The only other time that the country has won the contest was in 1969 when Gloria Diaz was crowned Miss Universe.
Shortly after her first runner-up finish in this year’s Miss Universe pageant, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon shared her disappointment at not winning the crown.
Janine said she honestly thought that she could have easily become the third Filipina to get the coveted Miss Universe title.

Christmas Preparation & Celebration - Philippines

Paskong Pinoy is one of the world's longest running Christmas celebrations, usually beginning as early as the arrival of the "-ber" months (September, October, and so on). Filipinos from all over spend this entire season with enormously rich yuletide traditions of merry-making observed up to the present day.The word Pasko is derived from the Spanish "Pascua de Natividad", which literally means "Easter of the Nativity." However the word "pascua" is associated with "solemnity" or "celebration" for the Spanish, and used for other religious feasts. Historical records show that even before Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines in 1521, an Italian Franciscan friar named Odoric de Perdenon and his colleagues had already landed on the shores of Pangasinan (formerly called “Thalma-sin”). Their arrival marked the country's first Christmas Mass as de Perdenone celebrated a Natale Mass with a group of native folk on the 25th of December. It was only later in 1565, during Miguel Lopez de Legaspi's rule, when the first official celebration of the Feast of the Nativity happened.However, even before Spanish colonizers came to the country, the natives had long been practicing thanksgiving rituals in the early mornings before working in the fields. Thus, Filipinos' Christmas traditions at present have their roots in this practice.

Christmas season is the most awaited celebration for the Filipino people. It is the best time of the year for Filipinos who worked overseas, and those who migrated to other countries to visit their homeland, the Philippines and spend holidays with their loved ones. Young and old are excited when Christmas season comes. Everybody is busy decorating their houses and offices with sparkling "parol" or lanterns, putting colorful Christmas lights, preparing for Christmas party, buying and wrapping of gifts, cooking different recipes for relatives and friends to partake, travel to other provinces to visit relatives, enjoying the holidays with loved ones.
In the Philippines, the spirit of Christmas filled in the air starting on the month of September. You can hear Christmas songs played in Malls, radio stations and even in their homes. People will start to decorate their houses, offices, business areas like malls, restaurants and even in parks and plazas. Colorful Christmas lights. lanterns and Christmas trees are present everywhere which make everybody feels that Christmas is here. It adds to the excitement of the Filipinos to see Christmas promos and sale of all goods in most department stores. malls and supermarkets. Almost all business sectors have their own way of promoting their business On Christmas season. Most Filipinos, young and old are looking forward to this time of the year. Here's how they prepare for Christmas celebration.

What makes the Filipino Christmas unique? Filipinos have a lot of Christmas tradition which makes us different from the other, here are some of them.

• Parol - Filipino Christmas Lantern As early as November, Filipinos houses offices, schools, shoppingmalls and even streets are adorned with these star-shaped multicolored lanterns.

• Filipino Christmas Tradition - Simbang Gabi "Simbang Gabi" a Filipino Christmas tradition, it is is a series of nine (9) dawn masses, the mass starts as early as 4:00 a.m. It begins on December 16 and ends on the midnight of the 24th of December.
• Monito Monita - Exchange GiftsChristmas is the season of gift giving. In keeping with the tradition of giving, Filipinos have their own version of exchanging gifts or Kris Kringle, it is called Monito - Monita
•  Christmas Caroling in the Philippines  - Once the "Simbang Gabi" starts, children like to form groups and enjoy hopping from one house to another every night singing Jingle Bells, Silent Night and traditional Filipino Christmas songs.

Halloween - What does it really symbolizes?

Halloween

-- Still Defying The World-Order
For centuries, the celebration of "Hallowe'en" has withstood the opposition of disapproving entities such as religious hierarchy, government officials, and superstitious populace. Currently, the ancient celebration - aka - "All Hallows Eve", is drawing vehement criticism from fundamentalists.
The accuracy of the historic roots of the famed harvest festival are still argued by scholars worldwide; however the origin of the festival is believed by most to have evolved from pagan tradition. The influence of the ancient Celtic pagan festival known as "Samhain" has been widely accepted as the predecessor to the modern day version of the haunting holiday. Early tradition included the belief that departed souls would visit the living on Hallowe'en night; Christian observance would follow on November 1^st - "All Saints Day".
Eerily feeding the mortals fascination of breaching the boundary between life and death, Halloween has been glorified by novels, tales, media and cinema. The obsession with the dark festival has manifested its continuous resurrection - despite numerous global adversaries.
The transformation of Halloween from harvest festival, to honoring the deceased, to costume eccentricity has defied controlled order; the festival has now evolved into a commercial holiday rivaling Christmas. Celebrated October 31^st, the holiday continues to evolve and spread worldwide -- in further defiance of the increasing pressures from many religious organizations. News stories concerning the Vaticans condemnation of Halloween on October 31, 2009, were later countered by damage control experts deflecting the articles -- arguably to prevent alienating youth from church membership.
While the anticipation and exuberance of "trick-or-treating" in costume remains the attraction to millions of children around the globe, the role playing innuendo allows adults to stray from conservatism undaunted. Halloween has surreptitiously regained its pagan fertility; merging fantasy and costumery with sexuality -- while honoring the mysterious dark side -- feeding on the human instinct.
Although

adults have conveniently masqueraded sexuality in an excusable, yet acceptable atmosphere on Halloween, the transformation to erotic Halloween costumary has inundated the teen market as well. Not only have the boundaries between the living and the dead been crossed on Halloween -- the religious right has proclaimed that the boundaries for costume guidelines have been crossed even more.
Merging gothic influence, paganism, vampirism, sexuality and occultism together, Hallowe'en may very well have succeeded in pleasing the heathen ghosts from centuries ago -- much to the disapproval of conservatives universally.
Halloweens advantage over its adversaries is also bolstered by its ability to reinforce the economy -- 1.6 billion dollars was spent on Halloween candy last year in the US. According to the National Retailers Association, approximately 2 billion dollars was spent on costumes. In addition, 1.7 Billion dollars will be spent on Halloween decorations in the US this year. Adding alcohol, food, party supplies, rentals and events to the list - the total estimated flow of US Halloween Dollars is a staggering 9 Billion dollars.
As millions more people become infected with Hallowe'en fever around the globe each year, and the spending increases economic movement, opponents of the pagan holiday lose influence. The souls of the departed have repeatedly emerged to haunt and defy the conservative world order -- and the ghosts of Hallowe'en continue to win.

3 Days Mega Sale - Cubao Philippines

Being able to stay for a while here in Manila due to a lot of paper works, hassles and stress, Cubao Area offers a one of kind sales in all outlets. First time again after quite a while absence in this kind of adventure.  Not sure what they will offer for people who have tight budget but willing to spend at least for the their hard work and labor outcome.

Aside from the great opportunities of sales across the board of all items, expect also crowded people who will be lining for this 3 days event. Traffic will also be a great deal as there will be a lot of vehicles that will be flooded in all parking lots.

Things you need to consider on this kind adventure - Mega Sale Shopping:

1. Wear only comfortable clothes as this will be convenient to you when you shop.
2. Dont bring with you an Open shoulder bag wherein a thief will have a chance to shop inside your belongings.
3. Never bring too much money nor too much credit cards as you will be tempted to buy more that are unnecessary to your personal needs.
4.  Be specific on what you will be buying to avoid stress in scrambling yourself to people.
5. Make sure you have enough energy and stamina in cultivating some if not all sale items.
6. Never bring a child nor someone that will be needed by your company as this will be added to your responsibility - a liability.
7. Always secure items that you have purchased in that way it will be not be stress or losses on your part.
8. Shopping in a crowded place will be a hassle to people who are not really interested so it is important to relax once in awhile as sale will be extended.
9. Window shopping can also be applied but it is important to know that Items will not be available by tommorrow.
10. Enjoy the mega sale shopping with no worries and fun in  taking the advantages of the discounts. 

After all, shopping on a great deal of discounts is really fun and adventure so make the best of getting what they offer. 

Passing of our Love Ones

Lately, this year we mourn the passing of some of the famous clebritties and politicians in the Philippines and and majority were touched by how this people contributed in some way to the hearts of the many. Some says it was a great loss as he still have so many things to do here others are just casual and embrace the the new journey that he will take part.

Lets look at the burial of Dolphy Quizon, A comedy King as they say. contributed a lot in the Film Industry, a great man with a great humor, many blessed children with a loving partner. At age 83, they say its still too young and still many more to do and share. The typical mourning with each and everyone saying so many good things to the person, some shared the happy moments when he was a alive, others just simnply sing for the sake of being present. there was also a shared laughing when a celebirity comedian joked about how this man and his children were brought up. I can see that the people grieved and affected with his loss, so much has been said with his passing but the end of the day, the normal activities of this common "Tao" again started.

Another case just recently is the passing of what they say a Public Servant that hates Advertising and imaging himself on the credits that he made in his works. Jesse Robredo again touches the lives of the Filipino people with his simple life doing of works and reaches out the very least common masses. The entire nation mourn on his unttimely death. The Admnistration of Pnoy gave him the highest rank of recognition for his great work yet never was published nor sensationlized to the public. I kept wondering while I was back home then hat his name was never brought up nor I heard that his doings were already been recognized. I simply cant remember that he already touches the lives of this people even way back to his home town Naga.  I must admint he was just wanted to work and do the best without making it more complicated and publicized.

Dont seem to understand but let the reader judge on how State Funeral will be celebrated or mourned. They say that they dont want the person who died to see that his love ones are suffering to the loss,others want to just simply mourn quiet and respect the families with great outmost condolences.

A New Beggining- A New Life and Hope

Starting out again is never easy. Disappointments come and go but life still moves on. So, no matter what problem you are facing, you can always start afresh, with God guiding you through. And there is always a glint of hope even in the darkest hour. -Lawrence-

Changing careers in midlife can be an opportunity for you to…

• get in touch with your dreams and passions
• imagine new possibilities
• design a life/work based on your life purpose
• create a better balance between your work and your life

But midlife can also be a time of confusion and uncertainty.

• What used to be true for you may no longer be a good fit.
• You feel lost and unsure about the road ahead.
• And maybe you don’t feel like you have choices at all… you’re forced to find a new direction due to lay-offs, restructuring, or health issues.

“In the middle of the journey of our life I came to myself within
a dark wood where the straight way was lost.”
~ Dante Alighieri

Dante’s description of midlife, written in the 14th century, is still true today. We spend the first half of our lives following the “straight way”, living by others’ rules and expectations. But in the second half of life you have the chance to figure out what you want to do and discover who you really are. Today, it’s possible to make a career change after 50.
It’s like standing at a crossroads. One road stands for safety and security, and the other leads to creativity and growth. You know you feel dissatisfied and restless, and yearn for something more, but thinking about midlife career changes can be frightening. You haven’t yet learned how to create your own path out of the forest.

New Possibilities

“We must be willing to give up the life we’ve planned, so as to have
the life that is waiting for us.”
~ Joseph Campbell

I believe what we call a “midlife crisis” is the discomfort we feel as our true selves struggle to be recognized. It’s important for you to grieve the loss of your former self and then let go. Only then are you truly free to begin exploring and discovering, preparing to move forward once again.
Follow Your Bliss
Changing careers can be a way for you to express your new identity in the world. Joseph Campbell often spoke about the importance of following your bliss. To follow your bliss means to find out what it is that you are truly passionate about and then commit yourself to it. By committing yourself, you fulfill your potential and at the same time can be of authentic service to others.
The ancient Greeks had a word, kairos, which meant a critical or defining moment in your life, a turning point. What matters is not the moment itself, but what you do with that moment. Do you let your true self emerge and pursue your dream, or do you stay where you are?

The law of attraction - "The Secret"

The Secret describes the law of attraction as a natural law that determines the complete order of the universe and of our personal lives through the process of "like attracts like." That is, as we think and feel, a corresponding frequency is sent out into the universe that attracts back to us events and circumstances on that same frequency. For example, if you think angry thoughts and feel angry, you will attract back events and circumstances that cause you to feel more anger. Conversely, if you think and feel positively, you will attract back positive events and circumstances. The law claims that desirable outcomes such as health, wealth, and happiness can be attracted simply by changing one’s thoughts and feelings.
The law of attraction takes cues from "The Master Key System"^{[citation needed]} and from Napoleon Hill's classic Think and Grow Rich. Behavioral psychologist Alfred Adler pioneered a means of therapy called "act as if" in which patients, as part of the therapy, were instructed to "act as if" they already had the confidence, mental strength, etc they desired.^{[citation needed]} Many patients did see success with this type of therapy