By: TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—The business process outsourcing (BPO) and electronics industries are not covered by the Palace’s proclamation of Monday as a non-working holiday, Malacañang said Saturday.
The BPO and electronics industries requested the exemption through Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said over government-run dzRB.
”We all know that the operations of the BPO and the electronic industries are 24/7,'' he said.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday night declared September 7 as a non-working holiday in light of the scheduled funeral of the late Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eraño “Ka Erdy'' Manalo.
Arroyo also declared September 21 as a non-working holiday to mark Eid'l Fitr, or the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
source
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Cory Aquino: From housewife to president
Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine president Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who died Saturday at the age of 76, was a reluctant leader despite guiding her nation through a revolution that restored it to democracy in 1986.
For three days in February of that year, the world watched as the woman in a bright yellow dress led millions in a peaceful uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled with an iron fist for two decades.
During the next six years, Aquino – a devout Roman Catholic – changed the country's Constitution. She also overhauled the election process, released political dissidents and engaged insurgents in dialogue.
But her presidency was marred by at least six failed military coups, political squabbling, insurgent attacks and her failure to change a political system dominated by elite family clans.
Time magazine made Aquino its woman of the year in 1986, the year she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2006 named her one of Asia's heroes.
The magazine praised her "quiet courage," describing her as "the symbol of People Power and an inspiration to others around the world struggling against tyranny."
The 76-year-old Aquino, who suffered from colon cancer, reportedly refused further medical treatment after she was admitted to a Manila hospital in late June, with family members by her side and the country praying for her recovery.
US President Barack Obama led international reaction to Aquino's death, describing her as a historic figure.
Obama "was deeply saddened" by news of Aquino's death, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
"Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines," the statement read.
Singapore's foreign ministry called her a "remarkable woman" who would be remembered for her devotion to her friends.
Born into the Cojuangco clan in the northern province of Tarlac on January 25, 1933, Aquino was a product of privilege, power and wealth.
Educated in the United States and Manila, she entertained no political ambitions – but all that changed when she met and married Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, a bright young journalist from another prominent Tarlac clan, in 1954.
Ninoy was seen by many as a president in the making but for Marcos the then-senator was a threat. In September 1972, Marcos declared martial law and jailed hundreds of his opponents and critics, including Ninoy, who subsequently went into exile for medical reasons.
Corazon Aquino helped keep the opposition alive, speaking out on behalf of her husband and demanding change.
In 1983, against the advice of friends, Ninoy flew back to the Philippines from exile in Boston to seek an audience with the ailing Marcos. He was gunned down by assassins as he stepped off the plane.
His grief-stricken widow flew back to the Philippines, where she was quickly thrust into the role of uniting the opposition.
"I don't seek vengeance, only justice, not only for Ninoy but for the suffering Filipino people," Aquino declared as she reluctantly accepted the nomination of her peers.
After Marcos won the 1986 elections, which were marred by massive irregularities, the Aquino-led opposition, backed by the Catholic Church, soon rallied about one million people on the streets.
"People Power" was born, Marcos was ousted and forced to flee and Aquino took the presidential oath of office.
She quickly set up a commission to draft a new constitution, dismantled the network of Marcos cronies that controlled the economy and freed scores of political activists.
Aquino also began talks with communist and Muslim insurgents but her efforts would soon be undermined by problems within the coalition government she built. She later survived a series of bloody coup attempts.
In retirement, and until her illness, Aquino remained in the public eye, often speaking out against alleged abuses in government.
She became a vocal critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose family has been accused of massive corruption, and joined street protests against Arroyo until she was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year.
In the 1990s, Aquino said the presidency had taught her a valuable lesson in governance.
"I realized that I could have made things easier for myself if I had done the popular things, rather than the painful but better ones in the long run. After all, in the long run, I wouldn't be around to be blamed," she said.
source
We will never forget Cory, the mother of democracy...a strong and a great woman!
MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine president Corazon "Cory" Aquino, who died Saturday at the age of 76, was a reluctant leader despite guiding her nation through a revolution that restored it to democracy in 1986.
For three days in February of that year, the world watched as the woman in a bright yellow dress led millions in a peaceful uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had ruled with an iron fist for two decades.
During the next six years, Aquino – a devout Roman Catholic – changed the country's Constitution. She also overhauled the election process, released political dissidents and engaged insurgents in dialogue.
But her presidency was marred by at least six failed military coups, political squabbling, insurgent attacks and her failure to change a political system dominated by elite family clans.
Time magazine made Aquino its woman of the year in 1986, the year she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2006 named her one of Asia's heroes.
The magazine praised her "quiet courage," describing her as "the symbol of People Power and an inspiration to others around the world struggling against tyranny."
The 76-year-old Aquino, who suffered from colon cancer, reportedly refused further medical treatment after she was admitted to a Manila hospital in late June, with family members by her side and the country praying for her recovery.
US President Barack Obama led international reaction to Aquino's death, describing her as a historic figure.
Obama "was deeply saddened" by news of Aquino's death, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
"Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines," the statement read.
Singapore's foreign ministry called her a "remarkable woman" who would be remembered for her devotion to her friends.
Born into the Cojuangco clan in the northern province of Tarlac on January 25, 1933, Aquino was a product of privilege, power and wealth.
Educated in the United States and Manila, she entertained no political ambitions – but all that changed when she met and married Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, a bright young journalist from another prominent Tarlac clan, in 1954.
Ninoy was seen by many as a president in the making but for Marcos the then-senator was a threat. In September 1972, Marcos declared martial law and jailed hundreds of his opponents and critics, including Ninoy, who subsequently went into exile for medical reasons.
Corazon Aquino helped keep the opposition alive, speaking out on behalf of her husband and demanding change.
In 1983, against the advice of friends, Ninoy flew back to the Philippines from exile in Boston to seek an audience with the ailing Marcos. He was gunned down by assassins as he stepped off the plane.
His grief-stricken widow flew back to the Philippines, where she was quickly thrust into the role of uniting the opposition.
"I don't seek vengeance, only justice, not only for Ninoy but for the suffering Filipino people," Aquino declared as she reluctantly accepted the nomination of her peers.
After Marcos won the 1986 elections, which were marred by massive irregularities, the Aquino-led opposition, backed by the Catholic Church, soon rallied about one million people on the streets.
"People Power" was born, Marcos was ousted and forced to flee and Aquino took the presidential oath of office.
She quickly set up a commission to draft a new constitution, dismantled the network of Marcos cronies that controlled the economy and freed scores of political activists.
Aquino also began talks with communist and Muslim insurgents but her efforts would soon be undermined by problems within the coalition government she built. She later survived a series of bloody coup attempts.
In retirement, and until her illness, Aquino remained in the public eye, often speaking out against alleged abuses in government.
She became a vocal critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose family has been accused of massive corruption, and joined street protests against Arroyo until she was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of last year.
In the 1990s, Aquino said the presidency had taught her a valuable lesson in governance.
"I realized that I could have made things easier for myself if I had done the popular things, rather than the painful but better ones in the long run. After all, in the long run, I wouldn't be around to be blamed," she said.
source
We will never forget Cory, the mother of democracy...a strong and a great woman!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Entire nation brings Aquino to final rest
By Dona Pazzibugan, Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—One by one, friends, family members, employees of former President Corazon Aquino paid tribute to her through anecdotes, painting a picture of a woman who eschewed the trappings and temptations of her office and who was steadfast in her faith and service to the people.
During the three-hour necrological service at Manila Cathedral Tuesday, 19 people gave their heartfelt tributes, most of them ending up sobbing along with the audience.
Ms Aquino’s four daughters especially the youngest, Kris, openly cried upon hearing the tributes. Her only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was able to hold back from sobbing.
The senator spoke last, summarizing previous speakers’ testimonials.
He recounted how his mother insisted on going to Fort Bonifacio during the Marines standoff in February 2006, at the height of the protests against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations that she cheated during the 2004 elections.
The senator said he was opposed to the idea of his mother joining the chaos in Fort Bonifacio, where tanks and heavily armed soldiers were on standby.
But his mother won in the end. Noynoy recalled her saying: “It is my obligation to go there. It is my obligation to prevent bloodshed.”
When he and the former President arrived near the gates of the military camp, they found the people agitated.
“When she arrived, she took out her rosary and started praying. The people calmed down,” the senator said.
He told the crowd at the cathedral that he chose this story because it encapsulated everything about his mother.
“This was the loving Cory, who’s ready to do what is right despite the consequences and who has full faith in God. She believed in doing whatever we can and letting God do the rest,” Noynoy said in Filipino.
Swipe at political mess
The senator took a swipe at the political situation, saying there seemed to be no change in the country. The former President had been a vocal critic of Ms Arroyo.
“When I see the state this country is in—there are people who follow the law, who strive to study to be better, who are true to their fellowmen and are still asking ‘Why are we still in need?’ It hurts,” Noynoy said.
“There are those who fought before us. But we are still here, fighting,” he added.
There’s hope
On behalf of his family, Noynoy thanked the people who gathered in the streets to bid her mother farewell when her casket was transferred on Monday to the cathedral from the La Salle Green Hills stadium in Mandaluyong City.
He apologized to those who were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the former President’s remains.
The senator said he was struck by how children, who did not see the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and her mother’s presidency, expressed gratitude to his late mother.
“These were elementary children. They said ‘Thank You, Tita Cory,’” he said. This is proof that there is still “hope” for the country, according to Aquino’s only son.
Fought good fight
At the end of his speech, the senator said of his mother: “I really truly believed without an iota of doubt that you fought the good fight, finished the course, and undoubtedly kept the faith.”
Former employees and friends of the late President said they were struck by her humility and simplicity, even while she was the leader of the country.
Read more
Cory Aquino will forever remain in the hearts and minds of every filipino for the restoring back democracy in the Philippines.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—One by one, friends, family members, employees of former President Corazon Aquino paid tribute to her through anecdotes, painting a picture of a woman who eschewed the trappings and temptations of her office and who was steadfast in her faith and service to the people.
During the three-hour necrological service at Manila Cathedral Tuesday, 19 people gave their heartfelt tributes, most of them ending up sobbing along with the audience.
Ms Aquino’s four daughters especially the youngest, Kris, openly cried upon hearing the tributes. Her only son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III was able to hold back from sobbing.
The senator spoke last, summarizing previous speakers’ testimonials.
He recounted how his mother insisted on going to Fort Bonifacio during the Marines standoff in February 2006, at the height of the protests against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations that she cheated during the 2004 elections.
The senator said he was opposed to the idea of his mother joining the chaos in Fort Bonifacio, where tanks and heavily armed soldiers were on standby.
But his mother won in the end. Noynoy recalled her saying: “It is my obligation to go there. It is my obligation to prevent bloodshed.”
When he and the former President arrived near the gates of the military camp, they found the people agitated.
“When she arrived, she took out her rosary and started praying. The people calmed down,” the senator said.
He told the crowd at the cathedral that he chose this story because it encapsulated everything about his mother.
“This was the loving Cory, who’s ready to do what is right despite the consequences and who has full faith in God. She believed in doing whatever we can and letting God do the rest,” Noynoy said in Filipino.
Swipe at political mess
The senator took a swipe at the political situation, saying there seemed to be no change in the country. The former President had been a vocal critic of Ms Arroyo.
“When I see the state this country is in—there are people who follow the law, who strive to study to be better, who are true to their fellowmen and are still asking ‘Why are we still in need?’ It hurts,” Noynoy said.
“There are those who fought before us. But we are still here, fighting,” he added.
There’s hope
On behalf of his family, Noynoy thanked the people who gathered in the streets to bid her mother farewell when her casket was transferred on Monday to the cathedral from the La Salle Green Hills stadium in Mandaluyong City.
He apologized to those who were waiting for hours to get a glimpse of the former President’s remains.
The senator said he was struck by how children, who did not see the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution and her mother’s presidency, expressed gratitude to his late mother.
“These were elementary children. They said ‘Thank You, Tita Cory,’” he said. This is proof that there is still “hope” for the country, according to Aquino’s only son.
Fought good fight
At the end of his speech, the senator said of his mother: “I really truly believed without an iota of doubt that you fought the good fight, finished the course, and undoubtedly kept the faith.”
Former employees and friends of the late President said they were struck by her humility and simplicity, even while she was the leader of the country.
Read more
Cory Aquino will forever remain in the hearts and minds of every filipino for the restoring back democracy in the Philippines.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Cory Aquino Biography
Corazon C. Aquino
Born- January 25, 1933)
Seventh and First Woman President of the Republic of the Philippines
(Term: February 25, 1986- June 30, 1992)
Corazon Aquino was a political leader and president from (1986 to 1992) of the Philippines.
In 1983 she succeeded her husband and senator, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. as leader of the opposition to then president Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino was assassinated in the same year at the then Manila International Airport following his arrival from the US where he stayed for seven years.
No one could have imagined that Mrs. Aquino would become president, the first woman to lead the country after Marcos was ousted in a military-backed popular revolt that she spearheaded in 1986.
When Marcos called for a presidential election in February 1986, Mrs. Aquino became the unified opposition's candidate. Although she was officially reported to have lost the election to Marcos, Aquino and her supporters challenged the results, charging widespread voting fraud.
High officials in the Philippine military soon publicly renounced Marcos’ continued rule and proclaimed Aquino the Philippines rightful president.
On Feb. 25, 1986, both Aquino and Marcos were inaugurated as president by their respective supporters but that same day Marcos fled the country.
In March 1986 then president Aquino appointed a commission that would rewrite the Constitution.
The revised Charter was ratified by a landslide vote in February 1987.
Despite popular support, Aquino was accused of economic injustice, a problem exacerbated by continuing warfare between the communist insurgency and a military whose loyalties to Aquino were uncertain. In general, her economic policies were criticized for faltering in the face of mass poverty.
Aquino was born to a wealthy family in Tarlac on Jan. 25, 1933. Her parents were Don Jose Cojuangco and Doña Demetria Sumulong. She was the sixth among the eight children of the Sumulong. Corazon Aquino's children are Maria Elena Aquino, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Eliza, Senator benigno Aquino III, and Kris, a TV and movie personality.
In 1946, Aquino’s family left for the US and she enrolled at Ravenhill Academy in Philadelphia. She finished her junior and senior years at Notre Dame College in New York. She entered Mount Saint Vincent College in New York City in 1949 where she finished a Bachelor of Arts, major in French. In 1953, she returned to the Philippines to take up law at the Far Eastern University, but then abandoned further studies in 1955 to marry Benigno Aquino Jr., who was then a promising young politician.
Before her entry into politics, Mrs. Aquino was a housewife, content with supporting her husband and raising five children.
Source: www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_aquino.asp
INQUIRER.net
Cory Aquino is a strong woman, great person and a great president. Let us all pray for her and her family.
Born- January 25, 1933)
Seventh and First Woman President of the Republic of the Philippines
(Term: February 25, 1986- June 30, 1992)
Corazon Aquino was a political leader and president from (1986 to 1992) of the Philippines.
In 1983 she succeeded her husband and senator, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. as leader of the opposition to then president Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino was assassinated in the same year at the then Manila International Airport following his arrival from the US where he stayed for seven years.
No one could have imagined that Mrs. Aquino would become president, the first woman to lead the country after Marcos was ousted in a military-backed popular revolt that she spearheaded in 1986.
When Marcos called for a presidential election in February 1986, Mrs. Aquino became the unified opposition's candidate. Although she was officially reported to have lost the election to Marcos, Aquino and her supporters challenged the results, charging widespread voting fraud.
High officials in the Philippine military soon publicly renounced Marcos’ continued rule and proclaimed Aquino the Philippines rightful president.
On Feb. 25, 1986, both Aquino and Marcos were inaugurated as president by their respective supporters but that same day Marcos fled the country.
In March 1986 then president Aquino appointed a commission that would rewrite the Constitution.
The revised Charter was ratified by a landslide vote in February 1987.
Despite popular support, Aquino was accused of economic injustice, a problem exacerbated by continuing warfare between the communist insurgency and a military whose loyalties to Aquino were uncertain. In general, her economic policies were criticized for faltering in the face of mass poverty.
Aquino was born to a wealthy family in Tarlac on Jan. 25, 1933. Her parents were Don Jose Cojuangco and Doña Demetria Sumulong. She was the sixth among the eight children of the Sumulong. Corazon Aquino's children are Maria Elena Aquino, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Eliza, Senator benigno Aquino III, and Kris, a TV and movie personality.
In 1946, Aquino’s family left for the US and she enrolled at Ravenhill Academy in Philadelphia. She finished her junior and senior years at Notre Dame College in New York. She entered Mount Saint Vincent College in New York City in 1949 where she finished a Bachelor of Arts, major in French. In 1953, she returned to the Philippines to take up law at the Far Eastern University, but then abandoned further studies in 1955 to marry Benigno Aquino Jr., who was then a promising young politician.
Before her entry into politics, Mrs. Aquino was a housewife, content with supporting her husband and raising five children.
Source: www.op.gov.ph/museum/pres_aquino.asp
INQUIRER.net
Cory Aquino is a strong woman, great person and a great president. Let us all pray for her and her family.
Cory Aquino dies
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino has passed away.
She was 76.
Her son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed that she died of cardio-respiratory arrest at exactly 3:18 a.m. Saturday at the Makati Medical Center.
Mrs. Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month.
Mrs. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., will be remembered as an icon of democracy, having led a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 that ousted a dictator who ruled the country for 20 years.
At about 5 a.m. outside the hospital, Noynoy read a statement announcing the death of his mother.
The statement read:
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest.
“She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.
“Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang kaunting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina.
“Later today, we will be announcing further details of her wake para sa lahat ng ating mga minamahal na kababayan na nais magbigay ng respeto sa aming ina. Maraming salamat po.”
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her condolences to the family of the former President, Arroyo's press secretary said.
The President is set to declare a week of national mourning, said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a live phone patch from the US where he is accompanying Arroyo who is on official visit there.
Remonde said the President could cut short her trip but that they were going to discuss the matter when they get to New York, their next stop after Washington D.C. where she met President Barack Obama at the White House.
Arroyo is expected to be back in Manila on August 5.
Remonde also said that under the law, all presidents were entitled to a state funeral but added that this would be subject to the family's approval.
Popular TV host Boy Abunda, a close friend of the Aquino family, told reporters on Saturday that the Aquinos were praying the Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary when Cory gave her "last deep breath.”
Abunda said all five children of Mrs. Aquino, and her close friends and relatives were at her bedside when the former leader passed away.
After that last breath, Abunda said, Mrs. Aquino's children quietly cried.
"Malungkot. Tahimik na nag-iiyakan. Tahimik, except for Kris who was very quiet," he said, referring to the youngest daughter of Mrs. Aquino.
"Kris was very quiet. She was displaying such courage pero noong dindadala palabas mga labi ni Tita Cory... because you have to remember that Kris was in the hospital, Kris was by the side of her mother since July 20 hanggang sa mga oras na yun. Hanggang ngayon si Kris ay nasa tabi ng kanyang ina," Abunda said.
He said a Mass, officiated by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, was held after Mrs. Aquino's death.
Abunda said Arevalo is a very close friend of the former leader and had been officiating a Mass for her at the hospital.
A family driver of the Aquinos was seen loading stuff into a white Toyota Hi-Ace van parked at the back entrance of the hospital. He said the boxes and luggage belonged to Kris who left the hospital early Saturday morning.
source
Condolence to the Aquino family. Cory Aquino will be forever remembered in history for she was a great woman and a great president.
INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino has passed away.
She was 76.
Her son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III confirmed that she died of cardio-respiratory arrest at exactly 3:18 a.m. Saturday at the Makati Medical Center.
Mrs. Aquino has been diagnosed with colon cancer early in 2008 and has been confined at the Makati Medical Center for more than a month.
Mrs. Aquino, widow of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., will be remembered as an icon of democracy, having led a military-backed popular revolt in 1986 that ousted a dictator who ruled the country for 20 years.
At about 5 a.m. outside the hospital, Noynoy read a statement announcing the death of his mother.
The statement read:
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 a.m., August 1, 2009, of cardio-respiratory arrest.
“She would have wanted to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and your continued love and support. It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for our country.
“Hinihiling po ng aming pamilya ang kaunting panahon para makasama namin ang aming mahal na ina.
“Later today, we will be announcing further details of her wake para sa lahat ng ating mga minamahal na kababayan na nais magbigay ng respeto sa aming ina. Maraming salamat po.”
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed her condolences to the family of the former President, Arroyo's press secretary said.
The President is set to declare a week of national mourning, said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a live phone patch from the US where he is accompanying Arroyo who is on official visit there.
Remonde said the President could cut short her trip but that they were going to discuss the matter when they get to New York, their next stop after Washington D.C. where she met President Barack Obama at the White House.
Arroyo is expected to be back in Manila on August 5.
Remonde also said that under the law, all presidents were entitled to a state funeral but added that this would be subject to the family's approval.
Popular TV host Boy Abunda, a close friend of the Aquino family, told reporters on Saturday that the Aquinos were praying the Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary when Cory gave her "last deep breath.”
Abunda said all five children of Mrs. Aquino, and her close friends and relatives were at her bedside when the former leader passed away.
After that last breath, Abunda said, Mrs. Aquino's children quietly cried.
"Malungkot. Tahimik na nag-iiyakan. Tahimik, except for Kris who was very quiet," he said, referring to the youngest daughter of Mrs. Aquino.
"Kris was very quiet. She was displaying such courage pero noong dindadala palabas mga labi ni Tita Cory... because you have to remember that Kris was in the hospital, Kris was by the side of her mother since July 20 hanggang sa mga oras na yun. Hanggang ngayon si Kris ay nasa tabi ng kanyang ina," Abunda said.
He said a Mass, officiated by Fr. Catalino Arevalo, was held after Mrs. Aquino's death.
Abunda said Arevalo is a very close friend of the former leader and had been officiating a Mass for her at the hospital.
A family driver of the Aquinos was seen loading stuff into a white Toyota Hi-Ace van parked at the back entrance of the hospital. He said the boxes and luggage belonged to Kris who left the hospital early Saturday morning.
source
Condolence to the Aquino family. Cory Aquino will be forever remembered in history for she was a great woman and a great president.
10 musts when taking an entrance exam
Today and tomorrow is UPCAT day, entrance examination for those who want to study at UP campuses. I remember way back 1978 when i also took the exam. I think all i have those moments were prayers. Prayers are powerful. Here are 10 musts when taking an entrance exam not only for UPCAT takers but for everybody taking entrance exam or any other examinations: By Bianca Consunji
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1. Always bring extra pencils and erasers. Examination proctors recommend two or three—and don’t forget your sharpener, unless you want to keep bothering your seatmate to borrow his/hers. Be sure to use Mongol or similar brands, not mechanical pencils. Also, use a separate eraser. Built-in erasers tend to be abrasive and may tear the page if you rub too hard.
2. Don’t bring noisy or overly aromatic food. By this, we mean chicharon, crispy potato chips, adobo. The noise and the scent of the food can be really distracting to everyone in the room! Limit yourself to sandwiches and other small snacks so they’ll be easier for you to eat as well. Coffee in a thermos might be a good idea if you need energizing at regular intervals.
3. Get a lot of sleep the night before the exam. Don’t spend it trying to cram in some last-minute studying—it won’t work. Instead, relax and get at least eight hours of sleep, which will be more beneficial than panic-studying until dawn.
4. Get to the venue an hour before the start of the exam. You don’t know what obstacles could be waiting for you: horrendous traffic, last-minute venue changes, flood. Also, it’s best to check out the venue before the day of the exam so you can orient yourself and not spend the minutes before the test wondering if you’re in the right place. After all the fuss, you wouldn’t want to miss your exam.
5. Bring something that can help you relax. Whether it’s a rosary, a good-luck charm bracelet, aromatherapy essential oils or your mother’s special cookies, bring something familiar and comforting to your exam. Think of that object as something to hold on throughout the test, like Linus’ blanket.
6. Put together all your documents in a small envelope. Don’t stash your test permit in your pocket. If it gets lost, then all is lost as well. Make sure everything is neatly stored together. Make copies if you have to, just in case something happens.
7. If you don’t know the answer, move on. Don’t waste 10 minutes of precious exam time trying to figure out the best answer. Be honest with yourself and take a risk—do you have time to make an educated guess, or are you going to shade a random letter? Just know that your own fate is in your hands (and try not to guess too often).
8. Go over the test paper and read all the questions twice. To make sure you don’t skip any questions, cross-check the number on the questionnaire with the number on your answer sheet. Possible school careers have been ruined with carelessness.
9. Use your scratch paper. Don’t try to figure it all out in your head; writing things down can help you think clearly. Ask for extra paper if you need it. Also, seeing the solutions in your own handwriting makes it more real, and may help you recall similar problems you might have attacked before.
10. Relax. We know it’s your future on the line. But panicking won’t do you any good. Once in a while, close your eyes and meditate. Pray if you want. Then pick up your pencil again and go through the test with renewed energy.
source
Philippine Daily Inquirer
1. Always bring extra pencils and erasers. Examination proctors recommend two or three—and don’t forget your sharpener, unless you want to keep bothering your seatmate to borrow his/hers. Be sure to use Mongol or similar brands, not mechanical pencils. Also, use a separate eraser. Built-in erasers tend to be abrasive and may tear the page if you rub too hard.
2. Don’t bring noisy or overly aromatic food. By this, we mean chicharon, crispy potato chips, adobo. The noise and the scent of the food can be really distracting to everyone in the room! Limit yourself to sandwiches and other small snacks so they’ll be easier for you to eat as well. Coffee in a thermos might be a good idea if you need energizing at regular intervals.
3. Get a lot of sleep the night before the exam. Don’t spend it trying to cram in some last-minute studying—it won’t work. Instead, relax and get at least eight hours of sleep, which will be more beneficial than panic-studying until dawn.
4. Get to the venue an hour before the start of the exam. You don’t know what obstacles could be waiting for you: horrendous traffic, last-minute venue changes, flood. Also, it’s best to check out the venue before the day of the exam so you can orient yourself and not spend the minutes before the test wondering if you’re in the right place. After all the fuss, you wouldn’t want to miss your exam.
5. Bring something that can help you relax. Whether it’s a rosary, a good-luck charm bracelet, aromatherapy essential oils or your mother’s special cookies, bring something familiar and comforting to your exam. Think of that object as something to hold on throughout the test, like Linus’ blanket.
6. Put together all your documents in a small envelope. Don’t stash your test permit in your pocket. If it gets lost, then all is lost as well. Make sure everything is neatly stored together. Make copies if you have to, just in case something happens.
7. If you don’t know the answer, move on. Don’t waste 10 minutes of precious exam time trying to figure out the best answer. Be honest with yourself and take a risk—do you have time to make an educated guess, or are you going to shade a random letter? Just know that your own fate is in your hands (and try not to guess too often).
8. Go over the test paper and read all the questions twice. To make sure you don’t skip any questions, cross-check the number on the questionnaire with the number on your answer sheet. Possible school careers have been ruined with carelessness.
9. Use your scratch paper. Don’t try to figure it all out in your head; writing things down can help you think clearly. Ask for extra paper if you need it. Also, seeing the solutions in your own handwriting makes it more real, and may help you recall similar problems you might have attacked before.
10. Relax. We know it’s your future on the line. But panicking won’t do you any good. Once in a while, close your eyes and meditate. Pray if you want. Then pick up your pencil again and go through the test with renewed energy.
source
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
4 Reasons Why Baby Music Help Your Baby Sleep
Most parents will agree that one of the major challenges of parenting is putting the baby to sleep at night. There are a variety of solutions offered and using bedtime music is a popular choice.Many parents use bedtime music since it's natural and safe.
It also has the benefit of putting the parents themselves in a calmer, better mood as they prepare their baby for bedtime.
Bedtime lullabies have been used across the world for centuries to put baby to sleep. Almost all cultures have lullabies that passed from one generation to the next. In earlier times, it's probably the first music that babies hear - mom's melodic humming of lullaby. So it seems to stand the test of time as a way to put baby to sleep.
Most will agree music is beneficial to baby sleep but here's Why:
1) Babies have well developed hearing at birth
As more researches reveal how babies perceive sound and music, we now have more understanding than ever in the subject. It all began when the baby is still in the womb. Findings from a Belfast research with 400 fetuses demonstrate that reactive listening begins at 16 weeks, g.a.; even before the ear is structurally complete at 24 weeks. And at birth, baby's hearing is already well developed.
2) Newborns are sensitive to pitch and melody. They react more to high pitched sounds, like Mom's voice.
3) Researchers found that even as early as just a day old, babies already have a strong sense of rhythm.
4) Infants are more used to an environment of sound than a very quiet one. This is due to the fact that the womb was not an environment of absolute quiet So now we understand more about why music is effective in helping baby sleep, we can think about how to use music as part of a bedtime routine.
source
Music played however should be soft music and not so loud so as not to distract the baby.
It also has the benefit of putting the parents themselves in a calmer, better mood as they prepare their baby for bedtime.
Bedtime lullabies have been used across the world for centuries to put baby to sleep. Almost all cultures have lullabies that passed from one generation to the next. In earlier times, it's probably the first music that babies hear - mom's melodic humming of lullaby. So it seems to stand the test of time as a way to put baby to sleep.
Most will agree music is beneficial to baby sleep but here's Why:
1) Babies have well developed hearing at birth
As more researches reveal how babies perceive sound and music, we now have more understanding than ever in the subject. It all began when the baby is still in the womb. Findings from a Belfast research with 400 fetuses demonstrate that reactive listening begins at 16 weeks, g.a.; even before the ear is structurally complete at 24 weeks. And at birth, baby's hearing is already well developed.
2) Newborns are sensitive to pitch and melody. They react more to high pitched sounds, like Mom's voice.
3) Researchers found that even as early as just a day old, babies already have a strong sense of rhythm.
4) Infants are more used to an environment of sound than a very quiet one. This is due to the fact that the womb was not an environment of absolute quiet So now we understand more about why music is effective in helping baby sleep, we can think about how to use music as part of a bedtime routine.
source
Music played however should be soft music and not so loud so as not to distract the baby.
Baby girl with two heads born in Manila
A tricycle driver's wife gave birth to a two-headed baby girl at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, Tuesday night.
Salvador Arganda, tricycle driver and resident of Mutinlupa City, said his wife, Chaterian, gave birth to "Baby Girl Arciaga" around 8:45 p.m. He said he last saw their baby around midnight at the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit.
Arganda said they had suspicions that Chaterian was carrying two babies because both sides of their families have twin members.
He said their suspicion was erased after being told that there was only one baby inside Chaterian’s womb, based on her initial ultrasound.
On Saturday, Chaterian went back to the hospital for another ultrasound session and they were told that the baby would come out of her womb head first and that she would have to give birth by caesarean section.
Arganda said they were surprised when doctors told them that Chaterian gave birth to a baby with two heads.
The tricycle driver said he and his wife are praying for the baby to live.
"Sana mabuhay ang bata. Kakayanin naming mag-asawa iyon," he said when asked how will they take care of the child with his meager pay as a tricycle driver.
Dr. Ruben Flores, Fabella hospital's director, said the baby's case is called dicephaly monozygotic conjoined twins, which, he said, is a very rare occurrence.
Flores said they will use the hospital's resources to sustain the baby's life.
Dr. Melissa Juico of the hospital's newborn unit, meanwhile, said they will subject the baby to 2-D (two-dimensional) echocardiogram to determine if the child has only one heart.
Juico said the "twins" would not be able to live long enough with only one heart or if they are sharing vital organs.
A radio dzMM report said the baby was crying a lot and was very responsive.
The baby's grandmother, Celestina, told radio dzMM that their family would need financial assistance for the baby's medical expenses.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has pledged to help the baby's family and Bantay Bata 163, ABS-CBN Foundation's child welfare program has started extending assistance to the baby's family.
For those who would want to help Baby Girl Arciaga dial 163 or phone number 415-2272 local 5674.
source
We all should help and pray that the baby girl will survive.
Salvador Arganda, tricycle driver and resident of Mutinlupa City, said his wife, Chaterian, gave birth to "Baby Girl Arciaga" around 8:45 p.m. He said he last saw their baby around midnight at the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit.
Arganda said they had suspicions that Chaterian was carrying two babies because both sides of their families have twin members.
He said their suspicion was erased after being told that there was only one baby inside Chaterian’s womb, based on her initial ultrasound.
On Saturday, Chaterian went back to the hospital for another ultrasound session and they were told that the baby would come out of her womb head first and that she would have to give birth by caesarean section.
Arganda said they were surprised when doctors told them that Chaterian gave birth to a baby with two heads.
The tricycle driver said he and his wife are praying for the baby to live.
"Sana mabuhay ang bata. Kakayanin naming mag-asawa iyon," he said when asked how will they take care of the child with his meager pay as a tricycle driver.
Dr. Ruben Flores, Fabella hospital's director, said the baby's case is called dicephaly monozygotic conjoined twins, which, he said, is a very rare occurrence.
Flores said they will use the hospital's resources to sustain the baby's life.
Dr. Melissa Juico of the hospital's newborn unit, meanwhile, said they will subject the baby to 2-D (two-dimensional) echocardiogram to determine if the child has only one heart.
Juico said the "twins" would not be able to live long enough with only one heart or if they are sharing vital organs.
A radio dzMM report said the baby was crying a lot and was very responsive.
The baby's grandmother, Celestina, told radio dzMM that their family would need financial assistance for the baby's medical expenses.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has pledged to help the baby's family and Bantay Bata 163, ABS-CBN Foundation's child welfare program has started extending assistance to the baby's family.
For those who would want to help Baby Girl Arciaga dial 163 or phone number 415-2272 local 5674.
source
We all should help and pray that the baby girl will survive.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Palace lists holidays for 2010
Written by Mia Gonzalez
GIVING in to the clamor of the business sector, Malacañang has advanced the release of regular holidays, special nonworking days and special school holidays for 2010.
President Arroyo signed Proclamation 1841 on July 21, 2009, pursuant to Republic Act 9492, which provides that holidays, except those religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.
The President declared December 24, 2010, which falls on a Friday, as an additional nonworking day; and December 27, 2010, the Monday nearest Rizal Day on December 30, 2010, as a regular holiday, thus providing for a four-day Christmas weekend next year.
“In order to foster close family ties and enable our countrymen to observe Christmas more meaningfully, it is but fitting to declare December 24, which will fall on a Friday, as an additional special [nonworking] day throughout the country,” she said.
The President added that “this will also serve to strengthen family relationships by providing a longer weekend and renewing ties for a longer period of time, as well as promote domestic tourism.”
Under Proclamation 1699, the declared regular holidays are New Year’s Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday (April 1), Good Friday (April 2), Labor Day (May) 1, National Heroes’ Day on the last Monday of August (August 31), and Christmas Day (December 25).
Regular holidays observing the “Monday holiday” policy are Independence Day on June 14 (the Monday nearest June 12), Bonifacio Day on November 29 (the Monday nearest November 30), and Rizal Day on December 27 (the Monday nearest December 30).
The special nonworking days in 2010 are Ninoy Aquino Day on August 23 (Monday nearest August 21), All Saints Day on November 1, and Last Day of the Year on December 31.
The President also declared the Edsa Revolution anniversary as a special holiday for all schools on February 22, the Monday nearest February 25.
The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, and Eid’l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, “whichever is possible or convenient.”
The Office on Muslim Affairs shall inform the Office of the President on which days the holidays shall fall.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will promulgate the implementing guidelines for Proclamation 1841.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in his weekly news briefing that Malacañang decided to issue the list of holidays for 2010 way ahead of time to help businesses and schools prepare for them.
“It’s important to declare [the holidays early] because this is also what the foreign chambers and businessmen are looking forward to so that their business program would become more predictable,” Ermita said.
Ermita said the DOLE estimates an P8-million loss for each big business firm with each nonworking holiday declaration, and no pay for daily wage earners.
“Do you know that every time we declare a nonworking holiday, it means P8 million to [each] business firm whose employees go on a nonworking holiday? So it’s not just a matter of the Office of the President declaring a holiday as working or nonworking, there is a peso sign attached to it,” he said.
source
We should start planning on what to do on holidays!
GIVING in to the clamor of the business sector, Malacañang has advanced the release of regular holidays, special nonworking days and special school holidays for 2010.
President Arroyo signed Proclamation 1841 on July 21, 2009, pursuant to Republic Act 9492, which provides that holidays, except those religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.
The President declared December 24, 2010, which falls on a Friday, as an additional nonworking day; and December 27, 2010, the Monday nearest Rizal Day on December 30, 2010, as a regular holiday, thus providing for a four-day Christmas weekend next year.
“In order to foster close family ties and enable our countrymen to observe Christmas more meaningfully, it is but fitting to declare December 24, which will fall on a Friday, as an additional special [nonworking] day throughout the country,” she said.
The President added that “this will also serve to strengthen family relationships by providing a longer weekend and renewing ties for a longer period of time, as well as promote domestic tourism.”
Under Proclamation 1699, the declared regular holidays are New Year’s Day (January 1), Maundy Thursday (April 1), Good Friday (April 2), Labor Day (May) 1, National Heroes’ Day on the last Monday of August (August 31), and Christmas Day (December 25).
Regular holidays observing the “Monday holiday” policy are Independence Day on June 14 (the Monday nearest June 12), Bonifacio Day on November 29 (the Monday nearest November 30), and Rizal Day on December 27 (the Monday nearest December 30).
The special nonworking days in 2010 are Ninoy Aquino Day on August 23 (Monday nearest August 21), All Saints Day on November 1, and Last Day of the Year on December 31.
The President also declared the Edsa Revolution anniversary as a special holiday for all schools on February 22, the Monday nearest February 25.
The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, and Eid’l Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, “whichever is possible or convenient.”
The Office on Muslim Affairs shall inform the Office of the President on which days the holidays shall fall.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will promulgate the implementing guidelines for Proclamation 1841.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said in his weekly news briefing that Malacañang decided to issue the list of holidays for 2010 way ahead of time to help businesses and schools prepare for them.
“It’s important to declare [the holidays early] because this is also what the foreign chambers and businessmen are looking forward to so that their business program would become more predictable,” Ermita said.
Ermita said the DOLE estimates an P8-million loss for each big business firm with each nonworking holiday declaration, and no pay for daily wage earners.
“Do you know that every time we declare a nonworking holiday, it means P8 million to [each] business firm whose employees go on a nonworking holiday? So it’s not just a matter of the Office of the President declaring a holiday as working or nonworking, there is a peso sign attached to it,” he said.
source
We should start planning on what to do on holidays!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
The top five cancer-causing foods are:
1. Hot dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.
2. Processed meats and bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.
3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams, may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.
4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams.
5. Chips, crackers, and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.
BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS
1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.
5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain
The main causes of liver damage are:
1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause. 2. Not urinating in the morning. 3. Too much eating. 4. Skipping breakfast. 5. Consuming too much medication. 6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener. 7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit. 8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'
DO TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH..
1. Hot dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.
2. Processed meats and bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.
3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams, may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.
4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams.
5. Chips, crackers, and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.
BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS
1. No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.
3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.
4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.
5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.
6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.
7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.
8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.
9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.
10. Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain
The main causes of liver damage are:
1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are main cause. 2. Not urinating in the morning. 3. Too much eating. 4. Skipping breakfast. 5. Consuming too much medication. 6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener. 7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit. 8. Consuming raw (overly done) foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store. We should prevent this without necessarily spending more. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our bodies to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'
DO TAKE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH..
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins
AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY.
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10.Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11.An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON?
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104oF (40oC).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
f. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
g. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
h. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
i. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
j. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins:
1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.
2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.
3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.
4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.
5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.
6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.
7. Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.
8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.
9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.
10.Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.
11.An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.
WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON?
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104oF (40oC).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.
f. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup.
g. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
h. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
i. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
j. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Real estate law enacted, finally
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:29:00 07/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—After 20 years, the Real Estate Service Act (RESA) was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 29.
Republic Act No. 9646, hopes to professionalize and regulate the practice of real estate in the country through the development of technically competent, trained and accountable real estate practitioners in the country.
Under the new law, real estate consultants, appraisers, local government assessors and brokers will be overseen by the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They will be subjected to a licensing process that will require them to pass a technical examination, comply with the program of continuing education and training, and observe the Code of Conduct and Responsibilities.
Salespersons, although not considered part of the professional group, will be accredited by the PRC, after undergoing training and working under a licensed real estate broker.
RESA will require real estate practitioners to post a Professional Indemnity Insurance/Cash or Surety Bond upon taking their oath to practice the profession before the PRC.
The new law is expected to stimulate the property market, encourage investments in construction and development, generate employment and increase revenues for the government.
It was sponsored in the House by Iloilo City Representative Rep. Raul T. Gonzalez Jr., chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, and in the Senate by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, acting chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization.
The law, according to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, should protect the public from unscrupulous real estate service practitioners.
source
This is good news for everybody!
First Posted 08:29:00 07/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—After 20 years, the Real Estate Service Act (RESA) was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 29.
Republic Act No. 9646, hopes to professionalize and regulate the practice of real estate in the country through the development of technically competent, trained and accountable real estate practitioners in the country.
Under the new law, real estate consultants, appraisers, local government assessors and brokers will be overseen by the Professional Regulatory Board of Real Estate Service under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
They will be subjected to a licensing process that will require them to pass a technical examination, comply with the program of continuing education and training, and observe the Code of Conduct and Responsibilities.
Salespersons, although not considered part of the professional group, will be accredited by the PRC, after undergoing training and working under a licensed real estate broker.
RESA will require real estate practitioners to post a Professional Indemnity Insurance/Cash or Surety Bond upon taking their oath to practice the profession before the PRC.
The new law is expected to stimulate the property market, encourage investments in construction and development, generate employment and increase revenues for the government.
It was sponsored in the House by Iloilo City Representative Rep. Raul T. Gonzalez Jr., chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation, and in the Senate by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, acting chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization.
The law, according to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, should protect the public from unscrupulous real estate service practitioners.
source
This is good news for everybody!
Arroyo signs Rent Control Act
By TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:25:00 07/14/2009
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law on Tuesday the Rent Control Act of 2009 that would impose a year-long moratorium on rent increases, a move seen to provide relief for 1.6 million renting families.
The new law, Republic Act 9653, will not allow increases in housing rental for a year, and after that, it puts a cap on any increase to only seven percent until 2013.
The law will benefit some 1.6 million families renting homes across the country, majority of whom are paying a monthly rent of P10,000 or less, according to officials.
The ceremonial signing by Arroyo at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, attended by authors and sponsors from Congress, came seven months after the old Rent Control Law expired in December 2008.
“Remember, we have an economic slowdown, and the significance of the Rent Control Law is that it would somehow assist or help our lesser privileged citizens so that they will not bear the burden of uncontrollable increases in rental of their places of abode,'' Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters.
For a year from the time RA 9653 takes effect, no increase will be allowed on the rent of any residential unit. After this, rent increase will be no more than seven percent each year.
The law covers all residential units in Metro Manila with a monthly rent of P1 to P10,000 and all units in urban cities with a monthly rent of P1 to P5,000.
Violators face a fine of P25,000 to P50,000, or imprisonment of one month and a day up to six months, or both.
According to the law, when a unit becomes vacant, the owner may set the initial rent for the next renter. In the case of boarding houses, dormitories, rooms, and bed spaces, no increase will be imposed more than once a year.
It also says that rent will be paid in advance within the first five days of every month, or at the beginning of the lease agreement unless the contract of lease provides for a later date of payment.
It forbids the owner from demanding more than one-month advance rent and more than two-months deposit. Any interest in the deposit will be returned to the renter at the end of the lease agreement.
If the renter fails to pay rent or utility bills or destroys house property, the deposit and interest shall be forfeited in favor of the unit owner in the amount that would cover the arrears or damages.
The law prohibits the sub-leasing of the unit without the consent of the unit owner. This, together with the failure to pay rent for three months and the owner’s need to repossess the property or make necessary repairs to make it more safe and habitable, are grounds for judicial ejection.
The renter, however, cannot be ejected on grounds that the unit has been sold or mortgaged to a third person.
The unit owner may engage the renter in a rent-to-own agreement, which will be exempt from coverage of the law.
source
This is good news to renters! It will benefit them because of the rising prices of commodities nowadays.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:25:00 07/14/2009
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law on Tuesday the Rent Control Act of 2009 that would impose a year-long moratorium on rent increases, a move seen to provide relief for 1.6 million renting families.
The new law, Republic Act 9653, will not allow increases in housing rental for a year, and after that, it puts a cap on any increase to only seven percent until 2013.
The law will benefit some 1.6 million families renting homes across the country, majority of whom are paying a monthly rent of P10,000 or less, according to officials.
The ceremonial signing by Arroyo at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, attended by authors and sponsors from Congress, came seven months after the old Rent Control Law expired in December 2008.
“Remember, we have an economic slowdown, and the significance of the Rent Control Law is that it would somehow assist or help our lesser privileged citizens so that they will not bear the burden of uncontrollable increases in rental of their places of abode,'' Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters.
For a year from the time RA 9653 takes effect, no increase will be allowed on the rent of any residential unit. After this, rent increase will be no more than seven percent each year.
The law covers all residential units in Metro Manila with a monthly rent of P1 to P10,000 and all units in urban cities with a monthly rent of P1 to P5,000.
Violators face a fine of P25,000 to P50,000, or imprisonment of one month and a day up to six months, or both.
According to the law, when a unit becomes vacant, the owner may set the initial rent for the next renter. In the case of boarding houses, dormitories, rooms, and bed spaces, no increase will be imposed more than once a year.
It also says that rent will be paid in advance within the first five days of every month, or at the beginning of the lease agreement unless the contract of lease provides for a later date of payment.
It forbids the owner from demanding more than one-month advance rent and more than two-months deposit. Any interest in the deposit will be returned to the renter at the end of the lease agreement.
If the renter fails to pay rent or utility bills or destroys house property, the deposit and interest shall be forfeited in favor of the unit owner in the amount that would cover the arrears or damages.
The law prohibits the sub-leasing of the unit without the consent of the unit owner. This, together with the failure to pay rent for three months and the owner’s need to repossess the property or make necessary repairs to make it more safe and habitable, are grounds for judicial ejection.
The renter, however, cannot be ejected on grounds that the unit has been sold or mortgaged to a third person.
The unit owner may engage the renter in a rent-to-own agreement, which will be exempt from coverage of the law.
source
This is good news to renters! It will benefit them because of the rising prices of commodities nowadays.
Swine flu now unstoppable, says WHO
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:34:00 07/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The swine flu pandemic has grown “unstoppable” and all countries will need access to vaccines, a World Health Organization official said on Monday, as seven new deaths were reported and a study raised fresh concerns.
Britain, Thailand and the Philippines all reported deaths on Monday, while Saudi Arabia shut an international school after 20 students were diagnosed with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
As the death toll increased, the WHO official said a swine flu vaccine should be available as early as September and all countries would need to be able to protect themselves.
A group of vaccination experts concluded after a recent meeting that “the H1N1 pandemic is unstoppable and therefore all countries would need to have access to vaccines,” said Marie-Paul Kieny, WHO director on vaccine research.
Health workers should be at the top of the list for vaccination since they will be in high demand as people continue to fall sick, she added.
Countries would be free to decide on their national priorities, but other groups should include pregnant women and anyone over six months old who has chronic health problems, the WHO official said.
Children as amplifiers
Particular attention would have to be paid to children since they are considered “amplifiers” of the spread of the virus, especially when gathered in schools, Kieny added.
Six public high schools, six public elementary schools and six private schools in the Philippines remain closed until July 20 for having confirmed cases of the flu, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday.
Some 187 students at San Pablo National High School in San Pablo, Laguna, are under observation after five students tested positive for the swine flu virus, the DepEd said.
More than 90,000 swine flu cases have been reported worldwide, including 429 deaths, the most recent WHO numbers from last week show.
Most of the deaths reported on Monday were in Asia, with Thailand reporting three fatalities and the Philippines two. Thailand’s death toll has now reached 21, while the Philippines has three deaths.
Elderly’s extra immunity
Several reports showed the new virus attacks people differently than seasonal flu—affecting younger people, the severely obese and seemingly healthy adults, and causing disease deep in the lungs.
The elderly seem to have some extra immunity to this new H1N1, which is a mixture of two swine viruses, one of which also contains genetic material from birds and humans. It is a very distant cousin of the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 million to 100 million people.
A study published in the journal Nature on Monday confirmed that the blood of people born before 1920 carries antibodies to the 1918 strain, suggesting their immune systems remember a childhood infection.
Obesity risk factor
The work by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka also supports other studies that this new H1N1 strain does not stay in the nose and throat, as do most seasonal viruses.
“The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs,” Kawaoka said. Other studies have also shown it can cause gastrointestinal effects, and that it targets people not usually thought of as being at high risk.
“Obesity has been observed to be one of the risk factors for more severe reaction to H1N1”—something never before seen, Kieny added. It is not clear if obese people may have undiagnosed health problems that make them susceptible, or if obesity in and of itself is a risk.
211 deaths in the US
On Friday, a team at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Michigan reported that nine out of 10 patients treated in an intensive care unit there were obese.
They also had unusual symptoms such as blood clots in the lungs and multiple organ failure. None have recovered and three died.
The CDC estimates at least a million people are infected in the United States alone and clinics everywhere are advised not to test each and every patient, so keeping an accurate count of cases will be impossible. The United States has documented 211 deaths.
More damage to lungs
While most cases have been considered mild, a study released on Monday said the virus causes more lung damage than ordinary seasonal flu strains but still responds to antiviral drugs.
Virologists tested samples of the virus taken from patients in the United States as well as several seasonal flu viruses on mice, ferrets, macaque monkeys and specially bred miniature pigs.
They found that A(H1N1) caused more severe lung lesions among mice, ferrets and macaques than the seasonal flu viruses.
But it did not cause any symptoms among the mini-pigs, which could explain why there has been no evidence that pigs in Mexico fell sick with the disease before the outbreak began among humans.
First line of defense
The team also found that the virus was highly sensitive to two approved and two experimental antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu, now being hurriedly stockpiled around the world.
This confirms the drugs’ role as a “first line of defense” against the flu pandemic, the team said.
The worry about the present strain of A(H1N1) is that it could pick up genes from other flu strains that would enable it to be both highly virulent and contagious, said the new study.
Another concern is that the virus could acquire mutations enabling it to be resistant to Tamiflu.
Australians to be immunized
In Australia, authorities scrambled Tuesday to immunize its entire population against swine flu if necessary.
Australia, where the swine flu strain has infected almost 10,000 people and been linked to 19 deaths, said it was placing an advance order for 21 million courses of a vaccine that is now under development.
South Korea has reported no deaths but is also ordering vaccines, in its case enough for 13 million people—more than a quarter of the population.
2M high-risk people
Densely populated Hong Kong, which was paralyzed by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003, said this week it was buying enough swine flu vaccine to cover two million high-risk people.
Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Baxter, Schering-Plough’s Nobilon, GlaxoSmithKline, Solvay, CSL and AstraZeneca’s MedImmune are among those working on flu vaccines. Reports from Reuters, AFP and Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
source
Everyone should be very careful and take all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic flu virus.
First Posted 04:34:00 07/15/2009
MANILA, Philippines—The swine flu pandemic has grown “unstoppable” and all countries will need access to vaccines, a World Health Organization official said on Monday, as seven new deaths were reported and a study raised fresh concerns.
Britain, Thailand and the Philippines all reported deaths on Monday, while Saudi Arabia shut an international school after 20 students were diagnosed with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.
As the death toll increased, the WHO official said a swine flu vaccine should be available as early as September and all countries would need to be able to protect themselves.
A group of vaccination experts concluded after a recent meeting that “the H1N1 pandemic is unstoppable and therefore all countries would need to have access to vaccines,” said Marie-Paul Kieny, WHO director on vaccine research.
Health workers should be at the top of the list for vaccination since they will be in high demand as people continue to fall sick, she added.
Countries would be free to decide on their national priorities, but other groups should include pregnant women and anyone over six months old who has chronic health problems, the WHO official said.
Children as amplifiers
Particular attention would have to be paid to children since they are considered “amplifiers” of the spread of the virus, especially when gathered in schools, Kieny added.
Six public high schools, six public elementary schools and six private schools in the Philippines remain closed until July 20 for having confirmed cases of the flu, the Department of Education (DepEd) said Tuesday.
Some 187 students at San Pablo National High School in San Pablo, Laguna, are under observation after five students tested positive for the swine flu virus, the DepEd said.
More than 90,000 swine flu cases have been reported worldwide, including 429 deaths, the most recent WHO numbers from last week show.
Most of the deaths reported on Monday were in Asia, with Thailand reporting three fatalities and the Philippines two. Thailand’s death toll has now reached 21, while the Philippines has three deaths.
Elderly’s extra immunity
Several reports showed the new virus attacks people differently than seasonal flu—affecting younger people, the severely obese and seemingly healthy adults, and causing disease deep in the lungs.
The elderly seem to have some extra immunity to this new H1N1, which is a mixture of two swine viruses, one of which also contains genetic material from birds and humans. It is a very distant cousin of the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic that killed 50 million to 100 million people.
A study published in the journal Nature on Monday confirmed that the blood of people born before 1920 carries antibodies to the 1918 strain, suggesting their immune systems remember a childhood infection.
Obesity risk factor
The work by Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka also supports other studies that this new H1N1 strain does not stay in the nose and throat, as do most seasonal viruses.
“The H1N1 virus replicates significantly better in the lungs,” Kawaoka said. Other studies have also shown it can cause gastrointestinal effects, and that it targets people not usually thought of as being at high risk.
“Obesity has been observed to be one of the risk factors for more severe reaction to H1N1”—something never before seen, Kieny added. It is not clear if obese people may have undiagnosed health problems that make them susceptible, or if obesity in and of itself is a risk.
211 deaths in the US
On Friday, a team at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Michigan reported that nine out of 10 patients treated in an intensive care unit there were obese.
They also had unusual symptoms such as blood clots in the lungs and multiple organ failure. None have recovered and three died.
The CDC estimates at least a million people are infected in the United States alone and clinics everywhere are advised not to test each and every patient, so keeping an accurate count of cases will be impossible. The United States has documented 211 deaths.
More damage to lungs
While most cases have been considered mild, a study released on Monday said the virus causes more lung damage than ordinary seasonal flu strains but still responds to antiviral drugs.
Virologists tested samples of the virus taken from patients in the United States as well as several seasonal flu viruses on mice, ferrets, macaque monkeys and specially bred miniature pigs.
They found that A(H1N1) caused more severe lung lesions among mice, ferrets and macaques than the seasonal flu viruses.
But it did not cause any symptoms among the mini-pigs, which could explain why there has been no evidence that pigs in Mexico fell sick with the disease before the outbreak began among humans.
First line of defense
The team also found that the virus was highly sensitive to two approved and two experimental antiviral drugs, including Tamiflu, now being hurriedly stockpiled around the world.
This confirms the drugs’ role as a “first line of defense” against the flu pandemic, the team said.
The worry about the present strain of A(H1N1) is that it could pick up genes from other flu strains that would enable it to be both highly virulent and contagious, said the new study.
Another concern is that the virus could acquire mutations enabling it to be resistant to Tamiflu.
Australians to be immunized
In Australia, authorities scrambled Tuesday to immunize its entire population against swine flu if necessary.
Australia, where the swine flu strain has infected almost 10,000 people and been linked to 19 deaths, said it was placing an advance order for 21 million courses of a vaccine that is now under development.
South Korea has reported no deaths but is also ordering vaccines, in its case enough for 13 million people—more than a quarter of the population.
2M high-risk people
Densely populated Hong Kong, which was paralyzed by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003, said this week it was buying enough swine flu vaccine to cover two million high-risk people.
Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Baxter, Schering-Plough’s Nobilon, GlaxoSmithKline, Solvay, CSL and AstraZeneca’s MedImmune are among those working on flu vaccines. Reports from Reuters, AFP and Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
source
Everyone should be very careful and take all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic flu virus.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Dead Michael Jackson Has Nowhere to Go but Up
Thu., Jul. 9, 2009 12:19 PM PDT by Joal Ryan
It's been said that Michael Jackson is more popular dead than alive. Now it's been demonstrated that it'd be virtually impossible for the entertainer to be less popular dead than he was alive.
According to Q Scores, the company that polls the public on celebrities' likability, along with their recognizability, Jackson was rating just a 9 on the favorable scale in the most recent survey before his June 25 death.
"On the scale of 0-100, 9 is pretty low," Henry Schafer, executive vice president of Marketing Evaluations, which runs Q Scores, told E! News today.
Stars with similar paltry scores, per Schafer: Tori Spelling, David Beckham and Lindsay Lohan.
Jackson's negative Q Score, meanwhile, was 67—an "extremely high" number, per Schafer, that put the entertainer up, or down, there with polarizing figures such as Don Imus, Rosie O'Donnell and the Kobe Bryant of 2003-2004, circa his (ultimately dismissed) sexual-assault charge.
The good news for Jackson's estate, if not his legacy, is that death definitely does become stars.
Per Q Scores, Elvis Presley's favorable rating jumped 36 percent after his 1977 death, while his unfavorable rating fell 50 percent. Johnny Cash's favorable number zoomed 74 percent after his 2003 passing; his unfavorable dropped 50 percent.
Schafer predicted that in the next Dead Q survey Jackson's positive rating would double from 9 to 18, an average score for a celebrity, and nowhere near Presley's 34, but still "a really significant jump," according to the exec.
Similarly, Schafer predicted Jackson's negative rating would drop a "very significant" 25-30 percent.
That next Dead Q poll, by the way, isn't due to be conducted until late September—a time lag that suits the market-research firm just fine and, according to the market-research firm, should suit Jackson just fine, too.
"Especially in a case like Michael Jackson, we don't want an immediate emotional reaction," Schafer said. "Michael Jackson will definitely at some point start to balance out in terms of positive and negative in the next few years."
source
Yes, Michael now that he is dead, should really go up...
It's been said that Michael Jackson is more popular dead than alive. Now it's been demonstrated that it'd be virtually impossible for the entertainer to be less popular dead than he was alive.
According to Q Scores, the company that polls the public on celebrities' likability, along with their recognizability, Jackson was rating just a 9 on the favorable scale in the most recent survey before his June 25 death.
"On the scale of 0-100, 9 is pretty low," Henry Schafer, executive vice president of Marketing Evaluations, which runs Q Scores, told E! News today.
Stars with similar paltry scores, per Schafer: Tori Spelling, David Beckham and Lindsay Lohan.
Jackson's negative Q Score, meanwhile, was 67—an "extremely high" number, per Schafer, that put the entertainer up, or down, there with polarizing figures such as Don Imus, Rosie O'Donnell and the Kobe Bryant of 2003-2004, circa his (ultimately dismissed) sexual-assault charge.
The good news for Jackson's estate, if not his legacy, is that death definitely does become stars.
Per Q Scores, Elvis Presley's favorable rating jumped 36 percent after his 1977 death, while his unfavorable rating fell 50 percent. Johnny Cash's favorable number zoomed 74 percent after his 2003 passing; his unfavorable dropped 50 percent.
Schafer predicted that in the next Dead Q survey Jackson's positive rating would double from 9 to 18, an average score for a celebrity, and nowhere near Presley's 34, but still "a really significant jump," according to the exec.
Similarly, Schafer predicted Jackson's negative rating would drop a "very significant" 25-30 percent.
That next Dead Q poll, by the way, isn't due to be conducted until late September—a time lag that suits the market-research firm just fine and, according to the market-research firm, should suit Jackson just fine, too.
"Especially in a case like Michael Jackson, we don't want an immediate emotional reaction," Schafer said. "Michael Jackson will definitely at some point start to balance out in terms of positive and negative in the next few years."
source
Yes, Michael now that he is dead, should really go up...
A Michael Jackson burial site remains a mystery for now
By Scott Collins and Susan King
July 11, 2009
This summer at Dearly Departed Tours, business has never been better -- and that was before Michael Jackson's sudden death. In the days since, the company that drives tour buses to spots where celebrities have met their end has added a stop at the rented Holmby Hills mansion where the pop star collapsed.
People are so fascinated with Hollywood's history of death and crime that Dearly Departed has added 100 tours a month compared with a year ago, said owner Scott Michaels. His clientele have always wanted to see where the Manson family murders took place, where Marilyn Monroe lived. These days, Michaels said, the first thing people ask about is the Jackson site.
That leads to the inevitable speculation about the final disposition of his remains, so far shrouded in mystery.
"If he's buried somewhere where the public has access to it, it's going to be Graceland West," Michaels said.
The real Graceland, Elvis Presley's world-famous mansion, attracts 600,000 visitors annually and is one of the top home tours in the country. A "VIP tour" that includes a swing past Presley's grave costs $69 per adult.
Assuming Jackson's body ends up in a tomb that fans can find, the spot could become a shrine for the ages, experts in celebrity worship say, akin to Graceland or Doors frontman Jim Morrison's grave in Paris, a mecca for rock pilgrims, a magnet for makeshift memorials and an eternal nuisance to French authorities.
Wonder why there's no pilgrimage to the tombs of rock stars John Lennon and Kurt Cobain? Their families had their remains cremated, with ashes either scattered or given to a survivor, leaving no shrine for posterity, no scene for the hordes.
On the other hand, visit Bob Marley's mausoleum in Jamaica, said to be sacred to Rastafarians, and you can buy souvenirs of the late reggae star at the adjoining tourist center.
Visitors steadily trek to Monroe's grave in Westwood -- and for those who can't make the trip, there are video tours on YouTube.
Soon after news of Jackson's collapse June 25, mourners and looky-loos jammed the street outside his home. Michaels waited five or six days to bus in customers, after "the mental people started leaving."
Some might object to such a description of celebrity death-worshipers, the kind of devotees who imbue these grave sites with the hushed reverence accorded saints' tombs. But even academic research suggests that celebrity death fixation can get a little, well, crazy.
In a recent study ("Elvis: Dead and Loving It -- the Influence of Attraction, Nostalgia, and Risk in Dead Celebrity Attitude Formation"), four researchers at the University of Memphis noted that "celebrity worship is often associated with poor mental health, such as social dysfunction, depression, and anxiety" as well as a "lack of education."
Yet ours is a celebrity-obsessed culture, and even for the sane among us, that obsession does not necessarily end with a celebrity's death. Before Jackson's passing, the university researchers polled 161 college students and discovered the most popular dead celebrity among the students was Chris Farley, followed by Heath Ledger, Bernie Mac, Marley, Tupac Shakur and Presley. Monroe was No. 9; Morrison did not make the list at all.
"There's a thread running there," USC professor Leo Braudy, who has extensively studied celebrity culture, said of the roster.
Braudy argues that show business is a "secular religion," and thus certain dead celebrities come to be seen as "secular martyrs" worthy of elaborate displays of devotion.
"It's someone who's committed suicide or has died before his time," he said. "Someone cut off, a person of lost potential." Thus the posthumous cults for Cobain, Lennon and James Dean, all of whom died unexpectedly (and violently) and who, perhaps as a consequence, ranked high in the dead-celebrities survey.
The phenomenon of the celebrity martyr, Braudy said, can be traced to silent-movie star Rudolph Valentino, whose 1926 death after an appendicitis operation sparked a riot at the New York funeral home where the service was held.
But fame is relative and memories can be short. Today, Valentino's crypt in the Hollywood Forever cemetery attracts scant attention beyond film buffs. On a recent visit, the crypt was bedecked with vases of dead flowers. Three tourists snapped a picture but then quickly wheeled away to look at the crypt for actor Peter Finch.
As Braudy said, "Once the generation passes that had an emotional connection" to the dead celebrity, the worship phenomenon is "more of a historical interest."
But as long as a VIP's memory remains fresh, his or her grave site can become a major hassle for the living.
source
To me what is important is that michael jackson should be buried.
July 11, 2009
This summer at Dearly Departed Tours, business has never been better -- and that was before Michael Jackson's sudden death. In the days since, the company that drives tour buses to spots where celebrities have met their end has added a stop at the rented Holmby Hills mansion where the pop star collapsed.
People are so fascinated with Hollywood's history of death and crime that Dearly Departed has added 100 tours a month compared with a year ago, said owner Scott Michaels. His clientele have always wanted to see where the Manson family murders took place, where Marilyn Monroe lived. These days, Michaels said, the first thing people ask about is the Jackson site.
That leads to the inevitable speculation about the final disposition of his remains, so far shrouded in mystery.
"If he's buried somewhere where the public has access to it, it's going to be Graceland West," Michaels said.
The real Graceland, Elvis Presley's world-famous mansion, attracts 600,000 visitors annually and is one of the top home tours in the country. A "VIP tour" that includes a swing past Presley's grave costs $69 per adult.
Assuming Jackson's body ends up in a tomb that fans can find, the spot could become a shrine for the ages, experts in celebrity worship say, akin to Graceland or Doors frontman Jim Morrison's grave in Paris, a mecca for rock pilgrims, a magnet for makeshift memorials and an eternal nuisance to French authorities.
Wonder why there's no pilgrimage to the tombs of rock stars John Lennon and Kurt Cobain? Their families had their remains cremated, with ashes either scattered or given to a survivor, leaving no shrine for posterity, no scene for the hordes.
On the other hand, visit Bob Marley's mausoleum in Jamaica, said to be sacred to Rastafarians, and you can buy souvenirs of the late reggae star at the adjoining tourist center.
Visitors steadily trek to Monroe's grave in Westwood -- and for those who can't make the trip, there are video tours on YouTube.
Soon after news of Jackson's collapse June 25, mourners and looky-loos jammed the street outside his home. Michaels waited five or six days to bus in customers, after "the mental people started leaving."
Some might object to such a description of celebrity death-worshipers, the kind of devotees who imbue these grave sites with the hushed reverence accorded saints' tombs. But even academic research suggests that celebrity death fixation can get a little, well, crazy.
In a recent study ("Elvis: Dead and Loving It -- the Influence of Attraction, Nostalgia, and Risk in Dead Celebrity Attitude Formation"), four researchers at the University of Memphis noted that "celebrity worship is often associated with poor mental health, such as social dysfunction, depression, and anxiety" as well as a "lack of education."
Yet ours is a celebrity-obsessed culture, and even for the sane among us, that obsession does not necessarily end with a celebrity's death. Before Jackson's passing, the university researchers polled 161 college students and discovered the most popular dead celebrity among the students was Chris Farley, followed by Heath Ledger, Bernie Mac, Marley, Tupac Shakur and Presley. Monroe was No. 9; Morrison did not make the list at all.
"There's a thread running there," USC professor Leo Braudy, who has extensively studied celebrity culture, said of the roster.
Braudy argues that show business is a "secular religion," and thus certain dead celebrities come to be seen as "secular martyrs" worthy of elaborate displays of devotion.
"It's someone who's committed suicide or has died before his time," he said. "Someone cut off, a person of lost potential." Thus the posthumous cults for Cobain, Lennon and James Dean, all of whom died unexpectedly (and violently) and who, perhaps as a consequence, ranked high in the dead-celebrities survey.
The phenomenon of the celebrity martyr, Braudy said, can be traced to silent-movie star Rudolph Valentino, whose 1926 death after an appendicitis operation sparked a riot at the New York funeral home where the service was held.
But fame is relative and memories can be short. Today, Valentino's crypt in the Hollywood Forever cemetery attracts scant attention beyond film buffs. On a recent visit, the crypt was bedecked with vases of dead flowers. Three tourists snapped a picture but then quickly wheeled away to look at the crypt for actor Peter Finch.
As Braudy said, "Once the generation passes that had an emotional connection" to the dead celebrity, the worship phenomenon is "more of a historical interest."
But as long as a VIP's memory remains fresh, his or her grave site can become a major hassle for the living.
source
To me what is important is that michael jackson should be buried.
INSIDE STORY: Michael Jackson's Plastic Surgery By Charlotte Triggs
For years, fans looked on as Michael Jackson radically transformed his appearance. But despite his obviously altered look, the singer only ever admitted to two nose jobs – and blamed his progressively paler skin on the condition vitiligo.
In fact, says a Los Angeles surgeon who shared a practice with one of Jackson's surgeons, the King of Pop – who died of cardiac arrest June 25 – was a frequent customer.
"He had multiple surgeries," says Dr. Wallace Goodstein, who worked beside Jackson's surgeon in the 1990s. "He came in approximately every two months. It was about 10 to 12 surgeries in two years, while I was there."
As for the specifics, says Goodstein, Jackson "had multiple nose jobs, cheek implants and he had a cleft put in his chin. He had eyelid surgery ... You name it he had it." Goodstein also opines that Jackson underwent operations that he never should have: "He had so many things that were inappropriate."
Clandestine Visits
Like many patients, Jackson sought to hide his cosmetic surgery from the public, says another source with knowledge of the situation. "Michael Jackson always wanted to do these operations in a clandestine manner," says the source. "They were done in the evening when personnel had to come in so no one else in the office could see him going in or out."
Eventually, the surgeries took a toll on his face. "His nose became so small because he was operated on repeatedly," says the source. "He has barely anything left for a nose."
Reversing the Procedures
Jackson eventually turned to dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein for a solution. "I rebuilt it [his nose] ... using fillers," Klein revealed in a July 8 interview with Larry King. "I used hyaluronic acids, and they worked very well. It's an arduous procedure, because you don't want to put too much in. And you have to do it exactly, so you can flow the material so it's perfectly smooth."
Jackson was pleased with the results, says his dermatologist. "I'm telling you that he was beginning to look like the nose was normal again," Klein – who recently addressed rumors that he is the biological father of Jackson's children Prince, 12, and Paris, 11 – said in the TV interview. "And that's all I wanted, and [to] regain the breathing passages of his nose, because there was a total collapse of the cartilage."
Pale Skin
Klein says Jackson also relied on him to help in treating the skin condition vitiligo, which destroys pigment-producing cells and can cause patches of uneven tone. "His was bad because he began to get a totally speckled look over his body," said Klein. "[It was] all over his body, but on his face significantly [and] on his hands, which were very difficult to treat."
"You have one choice where you can use certain drugs and ultraviolet light treatments to try to make the white spots turn dark," Klein explained. However, Jackson’s vitiligo "became so severe, that the easier way is to use certain creams" – very likely hydroquinone derivatives, say other industry experts – "that will make the dark spots turn light so you can even out the pigments totally."
The treatment resulted in a uniform – albeit pale – skin tone. "That's ultimately what the decision had to be. He would have to wear heavy, heavy makeup on stage, which would be ridiculous. And he couldn't really go out in public without looking terribly peculiar."
source
I don't have much idea on this thing. It does not matter to me anyway. What is important are his songs.
In fact, says a Los Angeles surgeon who shared a practice with one of Jackson's surgeons, the King of Pop – who died of cardiac arrest June 25 – was a frequent customer.
"He had multiple surgeries," says Dr. Wallace Goodstein, who worked beside Jackson's surgeon in the 1990s. "He came in approximately every two months. It was about 10 to 12 surgeries in two years, while I was there."
As for the specifics, says Goodstein, Jackson "had multiple nose jobs, cheek implants and he had a cleft put in his chin. He had eyelid surgery ... You name it he had it." Goodstein also opines that Jackson underwent operations that he never should have: "He had so many things that were inappropriate."
Clandestine Visits
Like many patients, Jackson sought to hide his cosmetic surgery from the public, says another source with knowledge of the situation. "Michael Jackson always wanted to do these operations in a clandestine manner," says the source. "They were done in the evening when personnel had to come in so no one else in the office could see him going in or out."
Eventually, the surgeries took a toll on his face. "His nose became so small because he was operated on repeatedly," says the source. "He has barely anything left for a nose."
Reversing the Procedures
Jackson eventually turned to dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein for a solution. "I rebuilt it [his nose] ... using fillers," Klein revealed in a July 8 interview with Larry King. "I used hyaluronic acids, and they worked very well. It's an arduous procedure, because you don't want to put too much in. And you have to do it exactly, so you can flow the material so it's perfectly smooth."
Jackson was pleased with the results, says his dermatologist. "I'm telling you that he was beginning to look like the nose was normal again," Klein – who recently addressed rumors that he is the biological father of Jackson's children Prince, 12, and Paris, 11 – said in the TV interview. "And that's all I wanted, and [to] regain the breathing passages of his nose, because there was a total collapse of the cartilage."
Pale Skin
Klein says Jackson also relied on him to help in treating the skin condition vitiligo, which destroys pigment-producing cells and can cause patches of uneven tone. "His was bad because he began to get a totally speckled look over his body," said Klein. "[It was] all over his body, but on his face significantly [and] on his hands, which were very difficult to treat."
"You have one choice where you can use certain drugs and ultraviolet light treatments to try to make the white spots turn dark," Klein explained. However, Jackson’s vitiligo "became so severe, that the easier way is to use certain creams" – very likely hydroquinone derivatives, say other industry experts – "that will make the dark spots turn light so you can even out the pigments totally."
The treatment resulted in a uniform – albeit pale – skin tone. "That's ultimately what the decision had to be. He would have to wear heavy, heavy makeup on stage, which would be ridiculous. And he couldn't really go out in public without looking terribly peculiar."
source
I don't have much idea on this thing. It does not matter to me anyway. What is important are his songs.
Michael Jackson's dad, Joe, suspects 'foul play' in death of King of Pop BY Brian Kates DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Michael Jackson's grieving father said he suspects "foul play" in the 50-year-old King of Pop's untimely death two weeks ago.
"I do believe it was foul play," Joe Jackson told ABC News Friday. "I do believe that. Yes."
The 79-year-old family patriarch said he wanted to know why his son died so suddenly, but added that a second autopsy commissioned by the Jackson family has yet to reveal any answers.
Jackson did not elaborate on why he suspected foul play.
"I just couldn't believe what was happening to Michael" as he was being rushed to the hospital after collapsing on June 25, Jackson told ABC News' Chris Connelly.
Los Angeles police are waiting for the coroner's report, which hinges on crucial toxicology tests.
Detectives were looking at the singer's history of prescription drug use and trying to question his former doctors.
"Based on those we'll have an idea of what we're dealing with," Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton said. "Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?"
Jackson said he didn't know anything about the drugs his son used.
"I don't even know the name of them," he said. "I do know that whatever he was taking was to make him rest because he had been working so hard."
An attorney for Michael Jackson's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, told the Los Angeles Times that subpoenaed medical records had been turned over to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
After the singer's death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who had worked for him, told The Associated Press she repeatedly rejected his demands for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, also known as Propofol.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general's office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators.
Meanwhile, the elder Jackson - who was to attend another memorial service in the singer's hometown of Gary, Ind., Friday - told ABC that he and his wife, Katherine, should have custody of the superstar's three children.
"There's no one else to do what we can do for them," he said. "We should keep them all together and then make them happy, feed 'em like they're supposed to be fed, and let them get rest, plenty of sleep and grow up to be strong Jacksons."
He said Michael's daughter, Paris, 11, whose emotional words at the Stapels Center memorial service on Tuesday, brought tears to fans across the world, is taking the death hard.
"When you start talking about Michael she starts crying," he said.
Jackson said he hoped Paris might have a future in the entertainment business along with the youngest son, Prince Michael II, 7, nicknamed Blanket, who "can really dance."
The children have been under the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson who is gearing up for a custody battle.
Joe Jackson was left out of their son's will, which designated his wife as the first-choice legal guardian. The two are still married but reportedly living separately.
A hearing on the custody of the children has been scheduled for Monday.
source
I believe that an in depth investigation should be conducted to determine the actual death of the king of pop
"I do believe it was foul play," Joe Jackson told ABC News Friday. "I do believe that. Yes."
The 79-year-old family patriarch said he wanted to know why his son died so suddenly, but added that a second autopsy commissioned by the Jackson family has yet to reveal any answers.
Jackson did not elaborate on why he suspected foul play.
"I just couldn't believe what was happening to Michael" as he was being rushed to the hospital after collapsing on June 25, Jackson told ABC News' Chris Connelly.
Los Angeles police are waiting for the coroner's report, which hinges on crucial toxicology tests.
Detectives were looking at the singer's history of prescription drug use and trying to question his former doctors.
"Based on those we'll have an idea of what we're dealing with," Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton said. "Are we dealing with homicide? Are we dealing with an accidental overdose? What are we dealing with?"
Jackson said he didn't know anything about the drugs his son used.
"I don't even know the name of them," he said. "I do know that whatever he was taking was to make him rest because he had been working so hard."
An attorney for Michael Jackson's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, told the Los Angeles Times that subpoenaed medical records had been turned over to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
After the singer's death, Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who had worked for him, told The Associated Press she repeatedly rejected his demands for the potent anesthetic Diprivan, also known as Propofol.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the state attorney general's office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators.
Meanwhile, the elder Jackson - who was to attend another memorial service in the singer's hometown of Gary, Ind., Friday - told ABC that he and his wife, Katherine, should have custody of the superstar's three children.
"There's no one else to do what we can do for them," he said. "We should keep them all together and then make them happy, feed 'em like they're supposed to be fed, and let them get rest, plenty of sleep and grow up to be strong Jacksons."
He said Michael's daughter, Paris, 11, whose emotional words at the Stapels Center memorial service on Tuesday, brought tears to fans across the world, is taking the death hard.
"When you start talking about Michael she starts crying," he said.
Jackson said he hoped Paris might have a future in the entertainment business along with the youngest son, Prince Michael II, 7, nicknamed Blanket, who "can really dance."
The children have been under the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson who is gearing up for a custody battle.
Joe Jackson was left out of their son's will, which designated his wife as the first-choice legal guardian. The two are still married but reportedly living separately.
A hearing on the custody of the children has been scheduled for Monday.
source
I believe that an in depth investigation should be conducted to determine the actual death of the king of pop
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Neda Agha-Soltan - An Unlikely Martyr
TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- The young woman who last weekend emerged as a powerful symbol of opposition to the Iranian government embraced life in many ways, but there was little about her that would have led her friends to predict she would become a martyr, one of them told CNN.
Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, rose to prominence within hours after a crudely shot video documenting her final moments was uploaded to the Web shortly after she died Saturday from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
"It's heartbreaking," President Obama said Tuesday in Washington, referring to the video of the woman the world has come to know simply as Neda, which means "divine calling" in Farsi. "And I think anyone who sees it knows there's something fundamentally unjust about it."
Since Saturday, the Iranian government has sought to minimize the impact of her death, but one of her friends on Tuesday described her to CNN in an attempt to inject life and context into what has been -- for much of the rest of the world -- just a few seconds of powerful, if grainy, video.
Much about her remains unclear, but here is what CNN has learned from at least one source:
The second of three children, Neda lived with her parents in a middle-class neighborhood east of Tehran.
She was a happy, positive person. Though she studied philosophy and religion at the Azad Islamic University, she was more spiritual than religious. She also loved music. She once studied violin but had given it up and was planning to take up piano next. She had just bought a piano, but it had not yet been delivered.
Her demeanor was typically calm, even serene, but she had a quirky, playful sense of humor. A friend recalled that once, when Neda was visiting her friend's house, she picked up a white Teddy bear, took off her big, purple-studded earrings and put them on the bear. Then she removed a necklace from around the neck of a friend and put it around the bear's neck, taking delight in the bear's transformation.
She liked to travel, having visited Turkey three months ago with a tour group. And she believed in human rights, her friend said.
Neda’s death is really heartbreaking. She was a victim of turmoil happening in Iran. She was so young, so full of dreams but everything is gone now...
Source
Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, rose to prominence within hours after a crudely shot video documenting her final moments was uploaded to the Web shortly after she died Saturday from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
"It's heartbreaking," President Obama said Tuesday in Washington, referring to the video of the woman the world has come to know simply as Neda, which means "divine calling" in Farsi. "And I think anyone who sees it knows there's something fundamentally unjust about it."
Since Saturday, the Iranian government has sought to minimize the impact of her death, but one of her friends on Tuesday described her to CNN in an attempt to inject life and context into what has been -- for much of the rest of the world -- just a few seconds of powerful, if grainy, video.
Much about her remains unclear, but here is what CNN has learned from at least one source:
The second of three children, Neda lived with her parents in a middle-class neighborhood east of Tehran.
She was a happy, positive person. Though she studied philosophy and religion at the Azad Islamic University, she was more spiritual than religious. She also loved music. She once studied violin but had given it up and was planning to take up piano next. She had just bought a piano, but it had not yet been delivered.
Her demeanor was typically calm, even serene, but she had a quirky, playful sense of humor. A friend recalled that once, when Neda was visiting her friend's house, she picked up a white Teddy bear, took off her big, purple-studded earrings and put them on the bear. Then she removed a necklace from around the neck of a friend and put it around the bear's neck, taking delight in the bear's transformation.
She liked to travel, having visited Turkey three months ago with a tour group. And she believed in human rights, her friend said.
Neda’s death is really heartbreaking. She was a victim of turmoil happening in Iran. She was so young, so full of dreams but everything is gone now...
Source
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Prevention and Treatment
Prevention & Treatment of Influenza A (H1N1) virus
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against novel H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Other important actions that you can take are:
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Influenza A (H1N1) virus
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against novel H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Other important actions that you can take are:
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care:
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Influenza A (H1N1) virus
What is the new influenza A (H1N1) virus, How does it spread, What should we do from getting infected
What is the new influenza A (H1N1) virus that has been causing recent outbreaks globally?
The recent outbreaks of disease in people globally are caused by a new influenza (or “flu”) type A (H1N1) virus. There is a human H5N1 virus circulating and causing seasonal influenza and in the past, very occasionally, H1N1 viruses from swine have infected humans. The specific type of the H1N1 virus causing illness now is new or “novel” and in the current outbreak it is clear that this virus is able to infect humans and be passed from person to person. Although part of the virus may have originated from pigs, there is no evidence that the current spread of infection is coming from that source.
How does the influenza A (H1N1) virus spread?
Spread of this new virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What should I do to keep from getting infected by the influenza A (H1N1) virus?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Having knowledge on the said virus and knowing preventive measures to avoid it will keep us away from the dreaded influenza virus.
Source:
Caroline Vaughan, Ed.D., OHRM, vaughan@un.org
and Esther Tan, M.D., OHRM tan2@un.org
The recent outbreaks of disease in people globally are caused by a new influenza (or “flu”) type A (H1N1) virus. There is a human H5N1 virus circulating and causing seasonal influenza and in the past, very occasionally, H1N1 viruses from swine have infected humans. The specific type of the H1N1 virus causing illness now is new or “novel” and in the current outbreak it is clear that this virus is able to infect humans and be passed from person to person. Although part of the virus may have originated from pigs, there is no evidence that the current spread of infection is coming from that source.
How does the influenza A (H1N1) virus spread?
Spread of this new virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What should I do to keep from getting infected by the influenza A (H1N1) virus?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Having knowledge on the said virus and knowing preventive measures to avoid it will keep us away from the dreaded influenza virus.
Source:
Caroline Vaughan, Ed.D., OHRM, vaughan@un.org
and Esther Tan, M.D., OHRM tan2@un.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)