Wednesday, October 24, 2007

My daughter and I were curious to know the size of San Diego Wildfire and the only way to find out is find the map of the Philippines.

Arrggghhh... it's like 5-6 times the size of Metro Manila!

Anyway, I was mad early this evening because I didn't have Bayantel DSL connetion for almost an hour. I called several times but no one's answering.

When DSL was restored, I couldn't do anything either. I had Bicol Express for lunch and since then, I feel like vomitting. When Randy comes back online I was still chilling, I couldn't find any reason why I had a fever.

Randy sounds sick as well and been coughing. After we recited the rosary, I logged out so both of us can rest. The air quality in San Diego is getting worse.

Randy told me the authorities are doing their best to handle the situation. Half a million residents evacuated already and hotlines 211 for fire info; 511 for traffic and road closures; aside from 911 emergencies, are on standby to those who remain at home.

Firefighters get break from winds, aircraft and chopper attack the flames with water, calming the tail of Harris Fire on advancing near Randy's area. I could hear most of nbcsandiego live news feed via Skype while Randy and I are playing uc.

On the lighter side, Randy's daughter, Judy, bought me some game points in Tribal Wars - World 10. I started playing it two nights ago while busy monitoring the situation in San Diego's website while Randy was at work.

It is past 11 pm on Randy's side, he said the fire near his area was put out, no orange skies but, no one knows what comes next, when everyone is asleep....

I hurriedly logged online as soon as I woke up and found Randy still at home...

Randy has been watching news all day. He said that it is the biggest catastrophe in San Diego's Fire History. Sta. Ana winds started last Monday (Sunday in San Diego) and will last for some time.

The Qualcomm Stadium where the Chargers play is the new and biggest evacuation center at the moment, after Ramona Fire spreads out to the previous evacuation centers. Civility reigns at San Diego Stadium, evacuees enjoy live band and lavish gourmet buffets. Donations flooded evacuations centers...

I will blog more later... my entry kept disappearing... will check with Ploghost, my webhosting provider about this...

Randy and I had been monitoring the whole day the wildfires in San Diego County.

In fact, Randy was sent home from work so he can monitor the safety of his household. Based on the above map, an evacuation might be possible, depending on latest advisory prior to movement of fire. All major highways are closed to traffic, air quality is real bad, and everyone is advised to stay indoors. Cases of looting had been reported by homeowners who abandoned their homes.

It's hard for me to accept that this is happening in Randy's place... I hope, as I wake up tomorrow, he's still there at home, safe, and waiting for me to come online...

Monday, October 22, 2007

I'm very much worried about Randy's situation. Harris fire is just few miles away from his area...

Thousands of people living in affected areas were evacuated for their safety. At past 3 pm when Randy went to bed, there were two fires only: Witch Creek and Malibu Fires.

At 4 pm, my daughter and I did some grocery shopping and we hurriedly came back home to monitor the latest news in San Diego. I couldn't watch the live news feed from San Diego due to lousy Bayantel DSL connection, so, I cooked Pork Sinigang for dinner.

When Randy came back online at 9 pm, I found out from him that 6 more fires were reported. I checked nbcsandiego.com earlier but overlooked the new reported fires. Several new fires sprouted and continued to rage overnight (pls see 2007 Firestorm Image Gallery):

• Malibu
• Agua Dulce, Canyon Country
• Lake Arrowhead
• Orange County
• Castaic
• Porter Ranch
• Witch Creek Fire Merges With San Pasqual Valley Fire
• Aguanga
• Portrero

Our local news says, "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties."

Randy left to work but, I told him to call me by phone if they are sent home, in case of emergency... I just wish everything will be fine soon... :-(

Monday, March 08, 2004

While Police have arrested two men for allegedly stealing and then peddling body parts in Los Angeles, California; a woman discovers fingertip in salad in Canton, Ohio; AND, in Tagaytay City, Philippines, a decapitated head of a man was being carried by a stray dog.

I have read in Manila Bulletin Roundup section of Provincial Bulletin page that the decapitated head was inside a Rustan plastic bag when local residents found it at 10 o'clock Thursday morning, March 4...

Meanwhile, retrieval operations of 112 missing persons from the Superferry 14, owned by William Gothong and Aboitiz (WG&A), bound for Bacolod City that caught fire early Saturday morning, February 27, near Corregidor island, in Bataan were getting harder and difficult as days passed by. Rescuers told that body parts of victims were seriously burned, tiny dilapidated body parts floating and were scattered in waters, causing offensive smell inside festival ferry. View list of SF14 Survivors at WG&A website.

To all survivors and families of these victims, my sincerest condolence and may the souls of your loved ones rest in peace. I know how painful it is to lose someone you dearly loved, may you all recover from this tragedy and heart-breaking loss real soon...

Monday, March 01, 2004

"Black Money" (dyed black cash to get through customs) or "419 Scams" (named after the section of the West African country's criminal code that prohibits fraud) are advance-fee frauds, by e-mailers announcing themselves as corrupt Nigerian businessmen. I often received mails like these but, I read no further. Somehow, only businessmen capable of overseas transactions are at risk here. This Nigerian Scam was defined since 1996 but still, many businessmen fall victims through international web of deceit.

Read more about these interesting "Black Money" scams on BBC NEWS

Saturday, February 21, 2004

ATTENTION LADIES:

Are you ready to raise a family and currently looking for an extraordinary man? Try this man.

You have to fill up a form and see if you are qualified. Goodluck!

Friday, February 20, 2004

If you are depressed, what are the unusual things or habits do you do to alleviate your pains and misery?

While Imbestigador featured a Filipina about two weeks ago who had a habit of biting and swallowing her hair when depressed, a 62-year-old man who had a history of major psychiatric illness had swallowed around 350 coins -- $650 worth -- along with assorted necklaces and needles, which French doctors discovered as the reason for a patient's sore, swollen belly. READ MORE

CNN.com described the patient's rare condition - called pica - a compulsion to eat things not normally consumed as food. Its name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird thought to eat just about anything.

Somehow, I still consider myself normal when depressed except that I overeat (normal food) and blog more than once a day OR not at all...

Sunday, December 14, 2003

Friday, December 12, 2003

• Miss Ireland, Rosanna Davison, wins the title as Miss World 2003.
• Miss Canada, Nazanin Afshin-Jam, First Runner-up.
• Miss China, Qi Guan, Second Runner-up.
• Miss India, Ami Vashi, Third Runner-up.
• Miss Philippines, Maria Rafaela "Mafae" Yunon, Fourth Runner-up.

Saturday, December 06, 2003

LONDON -- A British father, Peter Randall, 49, is auctioning one of his kidneys over the Internet to fund pioneering treatment he hopes to earn 100,000 pounds (173,000 dollars, 143,000 euros) from the sale, will allow his disabled six-year-old daughter, Alice (suffers from cerebral palsy), and wants her to walk, a London newspaper reported. READ MORE

• UNDERGROUND SALE OF ORGANS STILL RAMPANT
• DOCTORS WHO 'STEAL' ORGANS FACE JAIL

Sunday, November 30, 2003

While Tanya Andrews was enjoying a family holiday in Costa Rica,
a mosquito had delivered a tiny botfly egg onto the surface of her scalp,
hatched into a maggot and burrowed deep inside her head.

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Since 1962, we celebrated the true date of our independence, on June 12, under Republic Act No. 4166 which changed the date of Philippine independence day from July 4 to June 12 - thanks to the vision and patriotic efforts of one man, Prof. Gabriel F. Fabella of Romblon.

Prof. Fabella's original proposal was to make the Fourth of July Thanksgiving Day in the Philippines.

Why June 12? On this day in 1898, the Filipino people solemnly and publicly declared their independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Why not July 4? On this day in 1946, the government of the United States of America under the Tydings-Mcduffie law (for the adoption of a constitution later to be known as the 1935 Philippine Constitution, for a Commonwealth Government starting 1935) "merely recognized" the independence of the Philippines. Source: Long Live America! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! by Rinzi Fadrilan

On September 21, 1974, Anniversary of the declaration of martial law. Marcos issues Presidential Decree 557 creating the barangay as the smallest form of government. This, according to the decree, would enable citizens to take part in the shaping of government policies. September 21 henceforth becomes Barangay Day. Source: The Beginning of the Revolution: Timeline of Rebellion

Marcos proclaimed September 21 as the national thanksgiving day to conceal the repressive character of the New Society. Source: Why Commemmorate July 4? By Mong Palatino

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Enclopedia.com: Ramadan, (rämädän´, rămedän´) , in Islam , the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which all Muslims must fast during the daylight hours. Indulgence of any sort is forbidden during the fast. There are only a few who are exempt, e.g., soldiers, the sick, and the young. Because of the purely lunar calendar, Ramadan falls in different seasons.

The final day of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, is celebrated by a day of feasting. The first revelation of the Qur'an is commemorated in this month.

Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2003 occurs on November 26. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques. Source: Factmonster.com

This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and overlaps Hanukkah. But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God). Source: Factmonster.com

Monday, November 24, 2003

Monday, October 27, 2003

We watched Miss Asia-Pacific Quest 2003 last night, aired over GMA 7, the 26th, and Miss Russia Tatiana Nikitina was crowned this year's Miss Asia-Pacific in ceremonies at Teatro Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines.

For Miss Asia Pacific,
LOVE comes before career

MISS Russia (Winner, APQ 2003) and Miss India (First Runner-up) gave similar answers to the final question about "what women really want," but the former's two major special awards (best in swimsuit and evening gown) helped her edge out the latter to become Miss Asia-Pacific Quest 2003.

Andrea Ovares of Costa Rica was second runner-up, Tracy Freundt of Peru was third runner-up, and Wong Wye Yeng of Malaysia fourth runner-up. Miss Philippines Jamie Liz Castillo won the People's Choice award. READ MORE on Miss Asia Pacific 2003.

Tuesday, July 08, 2003

After 29 years stuck together, two conjoined adult Iranian twins -- both law graduates -- were willing to accept the risks of surgery for the chance of separate lives... unfortunately, they both died.

"The team of surgeons were told that Ladan's and Laleh's wishes were to be separated under all circumstances - to continue with the most risky part of the surgery.

This is very sad, and, somewhat a setback in medical history...

Read the Full Story of two conjoined adult Iranian twins...

PRAYER FOR THE TWINS

O Lord, hear our prayers. And let our cries come to you.
O God, creator and redeemer of all the faithful,
grant to the souls of your departed servants
Ladan Bijani and her sister Laleh

the forgiveness of all their sins.
Through our prayers, may they obtain the pardon they have always desired.

Amen
-Psalm 130 (129)