Unplanned Road Trip to South of Metro in Search of "The Beach"

Truckload of Sugarcane along Nasugbu, Batangas

Finally, I'm back to writing on this blog.

It's been a dizzying 10 months as I had to adjust to new challenges of my job and did a lot of traveling. I'm back in Manila (and will be off again soon) and the last article about the South of Metro I wrote was in June 2011. Whew! Yes, that long.

I've been to a lot of places in almost a year and I saw it fit to kick-off my 2012 summer blog with something about our unplanned road trip to Batangas in time for my kids' summer vacation.

The goal was to look for new beach spot south of the metro. It shouldn't cost an arm and a leg but should have white sand, a pool, and a feel of exclusivity in a tropical forest setting.

We searched the Internet and Tripadvisor the night before our trip. I printed some maps and target spots then went to sleep.


We were up late (around 9am), prepared our stuff good for 2-3 days, and had breakfast at McDonalds near our village. We discussed our options of either taking the Sto. Tomas (towards Laiya) or Sta. Rosa (towards Nasugbu or Calatagan) exits. We called up 2 places in Laiya and reserved for 2 days just in case we won't be able to discover a new spot.

While at SLEX, we decided to exit at Sta. Rosa towards Tagaytay and even thought of going to Taal. The trip, being a Holy Monday, was easy going up to Tagaytay that we eventually decided to look for some places in Calatagan.

St. John the Baptist, Lian, Batangas

We passed by Lian and took some photos of the Shrine of St. John the Baptist. It was midday so it was scorching!

Still, the kids went down the car to take some pics.

It took us 2.5 hours to get to Calatagan. We heard from the locals that the Stilts was the best place in Calatagan.

Unfortunately, the sea was rough and the Stilts Beach Resort was fully booked.

Though we decided to look for Ronco beach which was in our map, we couldn't find it and ended up in a single-lane paved road which was really scary. This was way after Playa Calatagan. There were no structures on either side of the road and some farmers beside the road gave us questioning stares -- as if asking, "where the hell are these guys going?"

On the way back, we still gave Calatagan a shot. We passed by this old rustic blue-roofed house with a Suntan-lined long driveway. It had a small round-about infront of the house. The kids gave it one look and said that it looked like scary mansion more than a resthouse.

Calatagan beach as seen from the road

View from SLEX

We continued on and passed by the Matabungkay area. We decided to take a peak. The SK of the area charged 5 pesos per head at the entrance to the barangay. As our car slowly edged towards the area, a bunch of so called "beach agents" approached us and were leading us toward their resorts. It reminded me of the old-fashioned way of getting into beach resorts in Cavite and Batangas where there seemed like a bid for each customer. It was bordering on chaos with summer beach goers flocking to the area. Well, we were really for a more private area, so we turned around again towards the main highway. Mission failed.

We drove towards Nasugbu. We had one more shot for day. We could stay at Johndel or El Cacar in Barangay Wawa for the night then head off to the pricey Canyon Cove in the morning.

Old-style Mercury Drug, Nasugbu town proper

After a quickstop at the local pharmacy (an old-style Mercury Drugstore) and a quick meal at Chowking at the Nasugbu town proper, I asked recommendations from a local traffic enforcer. He obviously endorsed the local resorts but whispered the better settings at Munting Buhangin, Canyon Cove and Terrazas (famous for Ogie and Regine's wedding). Hmmm...interesting.

Fisherman on their way to work at dusk

A few meters away from Chowking, we turned left on the road after Andoks. As we approached Johndel and El Cacar beach resorts, "beach peddlers" went about flashing pictures of their "choice" places. We parked at El Cacar to check out the beach. The kids were obviously disappointed with grey sand and lack of privacy. One peddler flashed a picture of a place with white sand which he said was only 15 minutes away by boat. The kicker was the price. It was half of what one would pay at Canyon Cove.

In 10 minutes, we were on board the banca captained by "Ama," a veteran with more than 20 years experience. We securely parked our car at Aling Ana's residence (she is the caretaker). Overnight parking is 200 pesos and the cost of the banca (round-trip) ranges from PhP1,200 for a direct deal, and PhP1,500 it goes through a peddler.

Costa De Oro

Costa De Oro beach line

This place is truly amazing!

Costa de Oro is located in Barangay Natipuan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

It's the same area where the rich and famous have their rest houses in this part of Batangas. The houses dot the coastline and beside the hilly areas of the island. You would also notice that the more affluent have their yachts parked on the shore.

Resort's own banca (P1,200 fee round-trip)

It didn't appear in any Internet searches and was believed to be known only to locals and foreigners (mostly Japanese). There is no road leading to it. Just reachable by banca or yacht.

However, club  members of Terraza can gain access to it via a 5-minute walk from the beach, and those from far away Munting Buhangin can walk the beach in about 15 minutes. Otherwise, it's faster and more enjoyable to reach the place via banca ride if you come from other parts of the island.

The Main Villa

Owned by a British couple (the wife is Pinay), Costa De Oro is well maintained and has the luxurious feel of a private resort with its own swimming pool and covered by forest. During the day, you'd hear different calls of birds -- reminiscent of the Mocking Jays in Hunger Games. At night, you'd hear the sound of Geckos (local: Tuko).

Living area (Main Villa)

The airconditioned rooms are large enough to accommodate as much as 7 people. There's a spacious kitchen, dining, and living area in the main villa where we stayed. To get to the main villa, you'd have to walk a 3 flights of cobbled-stone stairs. Since there was a huge lanai (by the pool), we would bring our things for the day and just hangout by the pool. The beach is a few meters away.

Main pool and lanai

In the main pool area and lanai, you can either buy fresh seafood to be cooked by Chef Baggy -- a veteran cook and chef from the old Anito and Victoria lodges. Thus, we bought fresh lobsters and tuna from fisherfolk, had them grilled also by them, then order the rest from Chef Baggy. I even ordered fresh Talbos ng Kamote (Camote Tops) which he picked from the garden!

The long beach is shared by the more exclusive Terraza and Canyon Cove. There are 2 more small resorts in the area where locals usually stay to rent cottages for the day. Some even bring their own tent.

Typical food fare: Freshly grilled Lobsters & Tuna!

During the day, local banceros can take you on a boat ride towards the whole island, even as far as Fortune Island and Twin Island. From across Costa De Oro, you can see exclusive summer dwellings of the titled few and see their parked yachts and sailboats. It is said that the island hosts the likes of Aga Muhlach, Rica Peralejo, The Marcoses and even FVR. Willi Revillame's yacht is also seen docked across Costa De Oro.

How much does it cost?

For 2 days, inclusive of all the frills, fresh bounty and banca ride, it only cost us less than P20,000! There were 5 of us. Not bad, eh?

Things to Note:

The author amidst the forest

1) Getting there is via Nasugbu route (Town proper), then park your car c/o Aling Ana's residence. Drop me a comment if you want to get in touch. Only personal referrals allowed by her.
2) You need a banca to get to the island.
3) Stay away from peddlers if you want to make the most of your money.
4) Discover the Islands of the Philippines





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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development in Digital Media http://homernievera.net

Vacation Time? B-L-O-W B-A-G!

By Jonathan de Santos | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Going elsewhere this Holy Week? Make sure your house is safe.

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday released public safety tips against crimes and accidents during the Lenten break.

If going out of town and leaving the house unattended, the PNP suggested making sure appliances are unplugged, gas stoves are shut off,  and all doors and windows are locked.

Although it is best to tell a trusted neighbor that you are going away and when you will be coming home, avoid leaving notes outside the house telling people you are away. The PNP suggested leaving a radio turned on to make it seem like somebody is home.

Bicycles, laundry, and vehicles left outside the house should also be secured before leaving.

On the Road

Before heading out, check your vehicle with this handy mnemonic device:

B       - Battery                       B       - Brakes

L       - Light                            A       - Air

O       - Oil                             G       - Gas

W      - Water

Make sure all your documents, like license and registration, are in order before leaving the city. Also make sure you brought early-warning device in case you need to do road-side repairs. Bring a flashlight or emergency light, and, for long drives, bring a driving buddy who can take the wheel when you get tired.

If traveling on public transportation, the PNP said you should put away your jewellery and cellphone and avoid bringing large amounts of cash. It is also best to travel light so you won't have to keep an eye on too many bags. Travelers should also keep an eye out for suspicious bags and packages that may contain bombs, the police said.

If traveling with children, make sure they have an ID or at least a piece of paper with their name and important contact numbers. This will help in case they get lost in the crowd at churches or at the beach.

The PNP also reminded travelers to take note of the nearest First Aid stations or police assistance desks in case of emergencies.

Aside from setting up assistance desks, PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome also ordered Police Regional Offices and units to coordinate with local government units and volunteer groups for "a collaborative and unified delivery of public safety services and assistance."

Source: Yahoo News

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Rediscovering Corregidor, the brave little island

By Elizabeth Lolarga, VERA Files


It is the island fortress where the blood of Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers was spilled, all of them convinced it was for a cause bigger than them.

Visitors who choose Corregidor as a summer destination this year will find many other reminders of its place in history from the time the Spaniards set it up as a correctional institution for prisoners doing hard labor to the time coastal inspectors or correctors were stationed there to check if ships entering Manila Bay had the proper papers all the way to this era when it has become a living museum.

Situated between Cavite and Bataan, the  island, also known as the "The Rock", because its rocky landscape, has often been mistaken as part of the latter province because its original name was Isla de Mariveles. It is actually part of Cavite.

With Sun Cruise tours in place and when the waters are not choppy and storm signals are not raised, Corregidor has more to offer than three decades ago.

Once tourists get off the wharf on the lowest level of the isle, also called Bottom Side, they can board the open-sided tranvia that sits 35 people inside.  The fleet of tranvia, replica of the original trams, is a reminder that the island once had 13 miles of railway. The pseudo-trams are really mini-buses.

Barracks. Photo by Mila D. Aguilar

Tour guide Jose Baja runs through the entire history of Corregidor as the tranvia slowly makes its way to the highest site, sometimes called Swiss site, too, with some 10-15-minute pit stops along the way for picture-taking and a walk around some ruins like bombed-out craters that are cordoned off. The Swiss site is where surviving Japanese soldiers who did not want to be caught by returning Americans near the end of World War II jumped to their deaths "in the way of the warriors," Baja says.
Before the war, there were five communities of civilians living on the island in Barrio Lourdes, including Chinese-Filipinos who supplied the groceries. Today there are no permanent residents. Island employees and vendors go home to any of the nearby provinces or Metro Manila.

The American colonial masters spent $150 million to fortify the 900-hectare island whose mission then was to deny the enemy entry to Manila to the extent that their soldiers were required not to surrender.

The stops include Battery Way, a cannon that could then be fired in any direction and hit a target eight miles away. It was the last big gun to be fired before the Americans surrendered to the Japanese.

Baja says the silent Battery Hearn, named after a US corps commander, had a longer radius (17 miles). It was the most publicized at the time, the spot where Japanese soldiers posed and cried, "Banzai!" to show they had conquered the Philippines.

At the Topside, the ruins of the mile-long barracks can be found. The parade grounds and golf course there was where 1,300 paratroopers landed to liberate the island although the Americans caused the most destruction during Liberation.

Baja says before the Japanese invasion, Cine Corregidor was "the best movie house in the Philippines." The last movie shown, a foreboding of what was to come, was Gone with the Wind.

Tranvia.Photo by Mila D. Aguilar

The white Pacific War Memorial that resembles a parachute commemorates soldiers who died in the battle for the island. The museum displays, among others, a Coke bottle, broken china, a mosaic of the war's Pacific Ocean areas, money bills and coins from the American and Japanese periods, the first US flag hoisted on the island (that flag had only 45 stars), spent mortars, a soldier's goggles.
Outside a towering sculpture in orange, an abstraction of the eternal flame, has these words carved on stone: "To live in freedom's light is the right of mankind."

Baja says Japan's timetable of conquest was delayed because Filipinos put up a good fight. Six years ago, the widow of Lt. Norman Reyes, who read the announcement over the Voice of Freedom that "Bataan has fallen," requested that her husband's ashes be scattered in the lawn behind the flame.

The Filipino Heroes Memorial depicts revolts throughout Philippine history. It includes the statue of a Filipino peasant who is a guerrilla in disguise. The Spanish Museum recreates a tiny pueblo with 60 steps leading to a lighthouse. The Japanese Memorial, opened in 1991, perhaps a work in progress, has a traditional Oriental arch and a few display cases showing wartime Japanese bills and coins.

A must-stop is "The Malinta Experience," billed as National Artist Lamberto Avellana's "final tribute to valor, peace and international understanding." The diorama of sound and light recreates how the tunnel was used as storage facility, then later served as subterranean shelter as the Japanese closed in.

Baja assures visitors that storied Corregidor does not harbor ghosts, adding, "They are all at peace."
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")



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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development in Digital Media http://homernievera.net

PETA and PORN? You gotta be kidding!

Attention. Good marketing has to catch attention. But up to what extent?

Read this article from Yahoo! and tell me what you think:

PETA to launch its own porn site: Does exploiting women promote animal rights?
by Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Manage Your Life, on Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:05pm PDT

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the animal-rights group known for its controversial ads featuring nearly naked starlets, is taking their "I'd rather be naked than wear fur" idea to a new level by launching their own XXX porn site.

That's right: The same organization that fights to protect animals plans to do so via a medium that often exploits and denigrates women.

"We're hoping to reach a whole new audience of people, some of whom will be shocked by graphic images that maybe they didn't anticipate seeing when they went to the PETA triple-X site," Lindsay Rajt, PETA's associate director of campaigns, told Reuters

The X-rated site will show pornographic content and images from PETA's more risque ads, Rajt said. Those images will be interspersed with pictures and videos showing animals being mistreated—and (we're not making this up) links to vegan and vegetarian "starter kits" and recipes.

"When people first visit the site, it will be very enticing and once they go just a little bit deeper, that's when they'll be confronted with images that we hope will make them stop and think and get them talking and hopefully encourage them to make a lifestyle change to a plant-based diet," Rajt said.

Yes, they expect it to be "enticing." But to whom? People who like crush films, porn that shows women killing small animals by stomping them to death?

It seems unlikely that people who are drawn to both pornography and violent video about abused animals would be looking for a way to convert to vegetarianism. But that's PETA's plan.

Other animal rights activists are skeptical about the idea.

"It's like promoting robberies as an alternative to assaults," said Brian M. Messenheimer, an Army veteran who does animal rescue work in the Boston area.

Adult film stars Sahsa Grey, Ron Jeremy, and Jenna Jamison have all appeared in PETA's ads and have had very successful careers in porn, and PETA insists that the women they'll feature on their port site are willing participants as well, so exploitation doesn't enter into the equation.

"Our demonstrators, the models, all chose to participate in our campaigns," Rajt pointed out, before invoking the "F" word: "It's not a very feminist thing to do to turn to women and tell them whether or not they can use their voices, their bodies to express their voice."

But for countless other women who were forced into the porn industry or are stuck in sexually violent relationships, being a "willing participant" doesn't mean they aren't also victims of abuse. Messenheimer looks at it in terms of animals. "Does it lessen the fact that dogs trained to fight are willing participants?" he asks.

Pornography and feminism aside, PETA has also been criticized for its treatment of the animals it claims to have rescued. According to their own data, filed with the Department of Agriculture in Virginia, in 2010 PETA took in 2,345 homeless dogs and cats—and euthanized 2,301 of them.

What do you think? Is pornography a valid way to promote animal rights?


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MMDA Suspends Coding Today

From MMDA Twitter

MMDA suspended number coding in Metro Manila except in Makati and Las Pinas September 27 due to typhoon Pedring which hit landfall today. Elementary and high school classes in NCR are all suspended. Almost all colleges and universities have suspensed classes as well.

Keep safe!



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DOH Acknowledges use of Tawa-Tawa vs. Dengue Fever

Even here in the former land of milk and honey, I have seen many reports on the onslaught of Dengue Fever in the Philippines.

The DOH has finally recognized the use of the Tawa-Tawa (Gatas-Gatas) weed as an alternative herbal medicine against Dengue Fever. Though it doesn't fight the virus, it has properties that increases platelets and rehydrates early-stage patients.

Here's how the Tawa-Tawa weed or plant looks like:

Here is how to prepare the concoction taken from a fellow blogger:

1. Take 5 to 6 full whole Tawa Tawa plants.
2. Cut off the roots
3. Wash and clean
4. Fill your boiling pot with clean water.
5. Boil the Tawa Tawa for 1 (one) minute in a slow rolling boil.
6. Pour the tawa tawa water and let cool.
7. Let the dengue fever victim drink only the tawa tawa water for 24 hours.
8. Sip 1 to 1.5 glasses of tawa tawa water every 1 hour

Be safe!

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HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development in Digital Media
http://homernievera.net

Words of Wisdom from Napoleon Hill

Sharing you Napoleon Hill's inspirational words of wisdom:



More from Napoleon Hill here.

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HOMER NIEVERA
Business Development in Digital Media
http://homernievera.net

Warning: New Carnapping Modus

Warning Warning against new carnapping modus
Aug 18, 2011 7:12 PM
THIS PERTAINS TO EVERYONE--MEN INCLUDED.

Warning..!!!! Warning....!!!!

Just last weekend on Friday night we parked in a public parking area. As we drove away I noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When I took it off after I got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily my friend told me not to stop as it could be someone waiting for me to get out of the car . Then we received this email yesterday:

------------------------------------------
"Warning from Police"

THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--
NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating. You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse.

When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.

And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car.

So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity arenow compromised!

BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.

If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.

Please keep this going and tell all your friends.
PermaLink Posted in: Uncategorized


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Senator Zubiri resigned

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Senator Migz Zubiri resigned today from the senate. He feels so much pressure from alleged election fraud.

Today, after more than a week of class observations at a prestigious International School (College level), I was made to do my demo teaching to Psychology Majors (juniors), and observed by no less than the Chairperson of the Psychology Department and the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and Education.

Of course, it was pressure enough to teach a Development Psychology subject, but to be observed and evaluated by the top officers of the school in front of college students put a lot more pressure on me.

I was only given 1 day to research on my topic -- The 5 Laws of Attraction.

I had a whole day of preparation for my powerpoint presentation and gathering of some materials for activities. Being a department head at the office helped as I was able to juggle my time between meetings and doing my school stuff.

I was given a "Very Good!" by my teachers-supervisors in the feedback sheet.

After which, I was invited to the College Dean's office where they verbally communicated they elation on my first demo teaching. I was given a few tips on getting insights from students which I really appreciated -- coming from seasoned professors. The clincher for me was when the Dean told me that I will be a very good professor/lecturer. I was even tipped on a possible slot to handle a Psychology course.

I will have my second and more rigid practice teaching from Monday onwards initially teaching the subject "Intelligence," a General Psychology course for non-majors.

I am really excited about today as it has opened me to something which I love to do -- teaching -- but did not have time to do all these years.
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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Online Degrees

Sharing...

Online Degrees

online degrees refers to college degrees (sometimes including high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely through the use of an Internet-connected computer, rather than attending college in a traditional campus setting. Improvements in technology and the increasing use of the Internet worldwide have led to a proliferation of online colleges that award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.


The goal of educational accreditation, according to the U.S. Department of Education, is to ensure that programs provided by institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality.[citation needed] In the area of online education, it is important to avoid diploma mills that offer fake degrees at a cost. Students seeking valid online degrees should obtain proof of accreditation from a regional or national/specialized accrediting body in the United States. Online colleges that are fully accredited have earned a widely recognized form of university accreditation from one of six regional accreditation boards.
Each of the six geographic regions of the United States has a non-governmental, regional agency that oversees and accredits degree-granting institutions headquartered in their areas. There are
six regional accreditation boards:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Western Association of Schools & Colleges

The recognition of the quality of online degrees compared to on-campus degrees varies. While most major online colleges are regionally accredited, the public perception of their quality is in dispute. Some experts argue that degrees in certain fields are more accepted online than in others, while some programs are less suited for online-only schools.


A survey by the Distance Education and Training Council found that 100 percent of employers who responded felt that distance education program graduates performed better on the job as a result of their degree (as compared to their previous performance). Additionally, employers felt that an employee receiving a distance education degree compared favorably, in terms of knowledge learned, to someone with a resident degree.On the other hand, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in January 2007 on a Vault Inc. survey that found 55 percent of employers preferred traditional degrees over online ones. 41%, however, said they would give "equal consideration to both types of degrees."
The Sloan Consortium, an organization funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to maintain and improve the quality of distance education, publishes regular reports on the state of distance education in the U.S. In its 2006 report "Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006," it stated that "in 2003, 57 percent of academic leaders rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face. That number is now 62 percent, a small but noteworthy increase."


In some instances, an online degree may be no different than a degree earned in a campus-based program. The instruction is often exactly the same, and the online degree contains no special designation. An example of this is the degree offered to Columbia University students who earn a degree through the Columbia Video Network (CVN) versus the campus-based program.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted a distance education study based on the 2001-2002 academic year at 2-year and 4-year Title IV (Federal Student Aid)-eligible, degree-granting institutions. The study reported that 56 percent of all institutions surveyed offered distance education courses. The study also found that public institutions were more likely to offer distance education than were private institutions.


The Sloan Consortium, based on data collected from over 2,200 colleges and universities, reports that nearly 3.2 million students took at least one online course during 2005 (a significant increase over the 2.3 million reported in 2004). According to the same report, about two-thirds of the largest institutions have fully online programs

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Nestle's Value-laden short film: Unplugged

 Something worth sharing and watching.

Nestle has done a good job with it's array of short films. Here's "Unplugged"....



Like It on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/unpluggedfilm

Congrats to my friend Ricky Baizas!


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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
http://homernievera.net

Beware: New Rape Modus from Marikina Police

I am reposting this from my friend who also reposted on his wall, the source reportedly from the Marikina Police:

"This message is for every girl who goes out from home, office or school alone. if you find any child crying on the road showing his address & asks you to take him to that address, take the child to the police station & don't take him to that address. It's a new way of a gang to RAPE women/teenage girls. Pls forward 2 all female or boys having sisters/gf. One message can save a million."

I recommend you pass this on. Better safe than risk ignoring this type of warning, whether there's an incident that happened or none.
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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
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Prayer to the Cross

You can save the above image and use as background for your IPhone or Cellphone.
Put your thumb on the Cross and recite the Prayer.
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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
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Hand in Hand: A rare ballet

 An awesome example of graceful triumph....



Choreography: Zao Limin
Performed by: Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei

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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
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New Traffic Rules on SLEX (South Luzon Expressway)

Sharing you something emailed to me by a friend on SLEX Traffic Rules:

1. Speed limits - min 60 kph, max 100 kph, be careful to observe this
speed limit. May mga speed radar enforced strech sila sa SLEX. They have
speed radar with telescope which can see you hundreds of meters away
whether you're under or over speeding. You can break the rules on some
segment but better to observe it because they are really dead serious to
implement the law inside the SLEX.

2. Emergency Shoulders - don't pop out on the right and take this as the
faster lane. In some stretch, biglang may haharang sa iyo and you may
not be able to handle your brakes and accident may happen. They are that
crazy, believe me.

3. Yellow with White Lines approaching the exits - Go inside this line
kung e-exit ka na. Avoid abrupt swerving or riding on this lane kung
hindi ka e-exit sa next tollgate. Gustong-gusto ng PNCC men manghuli dyan.

4. Abrupt Change of Lanes - May mga PNCC men on pick-up trucks na
naka-monitor sa mga ilalim ng overpasses. Normally nanduon sila sa mga
may vantage view na kitang-kita yung stretch.

5. Littering - got an extra 1,000 pesos dun ka magkalat sa SLEX mas
maganda.

6. Checkpoints or Radar Enforced Segments - On the last post of the
Skyway in Bicutan, duon sa on and off ramp ng Skyway, may spotter dyan,
approx. 300 meters before Alabang viaduct southwards meron din dyan, sa
ilallim ng Susana heights overpass meron din dyan, sa ilalim ng Carmona
overpass, sa may Sta. Rosa, Sa may Cabuyao, Silangan and all the way to
Calamba. They may not be there all the time pero iyang mga lugar na yan
ang checkpoints.

7. Sa Skyway - they'll just compute the time it takes you to enter the
Skyway until the time na mag-exit ka. They've set standard times so kung
napabilis ka, may TVR ka agad.

8. Lights - Busted Signal lights and Brake lights, Dirty Plates are a
violation inside the SLEX. May TVR ka rin dyan.

9. Reckless Driving - Kahit saan naman bawal yan siyempre, pero kung
gusto nyong subukan puwede rin sa SLEX.

10. Bribery - Never attempt to bribe those PNCC men, they know their
job. Period! Now, paano ka nila mahuhuli? Since they have telescope and
radios, they can see way, way far ahead and scan your speed of course if
you're going under or over, they'll radio you on all exits plus dun sa roaming
enforcers nila. Magugulat ka na lang they'll send you on the side and
ask for your license and give you a TVR, lalo na sa exits. Pag-claim ay
problem rin because they'll send it to LTO East Avenue and after a week
mo pa matutubos yon.

IN THE FUTURE, they'll have disguised vehicle sa SLEX which is fully
equiped. You'll never know na huli ka na cause they'll just use their
high-speed cameras and get a front clear shot of you plus your car and
your plate number with speed written on it, dates etc, all digitally
encrypted. They make use of the LTO system to locate your address and send
it to you there.

South Luzon Expressway (SLEX)

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X-Men First Class Trailers & Video Clips

Find here complete list of trailers and video clips of X-Men First Class.



Source: Yahoo! Movies

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HOMER NIEVERA Business Development. Social Media. Digital Marketing.
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St. Padre Pio on Hypocrisy

In a 1945  interview with William M. Carrigan, one of Padre Pio's closest friends, said:

"Hypocrisy is the greatest evil of our time. It exists in all levels of our society, in high places and in low places" 

Padre Pio had no claim to scholarship, but his deep wisdom concerning the spiritual welfare of man flowed through his life and works, and touched all who came into his sphere.

Hypocrisy In Our Day...

We are all familiar with hypocrisy in Politics - in Education - in the Courts - in Medicine - in Advertising - in Religion. We see it constantly in the Media. TV Newspapers - and Magazines as well as Radio and Theatre - all find it good stock in trade.

Few of them will pass up the use of half truths - prejudices - slanted reporting - calumny - detraction - mythical argument - distortion of facts - falsifications - pretense of virtue while supporting vice - glorification of violence....if they add to the saleability of their stocks in trade. These hypocritical forms are found constantly in the media. So common are they that they have been acceptable methods of selling ideas. They are the reason for so many ethics standards appearing in govemment and business.

A Kind of Brain Washing. . .

The sales pitch for almost everything that touches our lives includes hypocrisy. To convince the gullible, nearly everything from cosmetics to religion is presented as seeming different than what it really is. We see in politics, promises that are impossible to honor, in education theories that could destroy society, in medicine false arguments which prevent the next generation from arriving on the earth, in commerce most advertising on TV and in the press distorts the truth, the porno people and the amoral sales people sell their stuff with the argument that somehow `what is adult' is sinless, that what may be bad for children is not had for adults.

In religion - how the struggle goes on for souls! Those who truly seek God are entrapped in a thousand schemes to lead them to God by this or that road, and often worldly advantages are part of the package.

Hypocrisy is rampant in the whole spectrum of moral consequences in human conduct. Humanism is taking its toll among our children "Seek your own value system" is drummed into them in school, on T.V. and in the media generally. When they ask "When do we know we have a value?" they are told "As long as you are comfortable with it." No one seems to remember that God gave us our value system through Moses. Padre Pio never thought there could be a better one.

In the Days of Christ...

How many of these same hypocritical forms were used in Christ's time! Did He not strike out at hypocrisy in the temple and in the hearts of men from the earliest days of His ministry!

How old and how new is the evil! Was it not hypocrisy among the Politicians and the religious leaders that brought Christ to Pilate - before the Soldiers who beat Him to exhaustion - forced Him under the heavy cross - and drove the nails into His body and made Him a common criminal to die on the cross with thieves?

Padre Pio understood hypocrisy in Christ's time. For 50 years he shared the five wounds of Christ in his body - and he experienced some of the hypocrisy of the politicians and other authorities through those long years in his own life.

Christ on The Cross...

This season we again commemorate the suffering of Jesus on the cross. This season tens of thousands of Padre Pio's devotees throughout the world have greater undestanding of the meaning, of the suffering of Christ on Calvary because Padre Pio conveyed that understanding to them through his own sharing of Christ's wounds and his extraordinary example as an altar christus, an annointed Priest.


Holy Week on The Gargano...

Padre Pio always placed special emphasis on Holy Week. Thousands of his spiritual children found their way up the mountain of the Gargano - which formed the spur of the boot of Italy - to participate with him in reviewing the events of Christ's last days on earth.

No spiritual experience quite equalled Holy Week with Padre Pio. His Masses convinced the most incredulous of the truth and meaning, of the Last Supper. For many he became the answer to the crises of faith. Conversions were commonplace at this time. Many vowed to change their way of life - some found vocations to the religious life. Credibility is what they found in Padre Pio - credibility in belief that Christ is really what He said He is.

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Source: Padre Pio

Also read: About Padre Pio

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Batangas Fish Kill: Woe to Fish Pens!

Climate change didn't kill the Bangus and Tilapia in Batangas this weekend. The fishpens did.
This is according to my old UPIS classmate and U.P. Professor Dr. Benjamin Vallejo, with a PhD in Marine Biology, in his Facebook post in reaction to the Inquirer.net's report. In his status post, Dr. Vallejo said, "A drop of temperature does not cause a lowering of oxygen levels since dissolved oxygen doesn't escape as rapidly into the air if the water is cool. Also the rainy season is not due to climate change!"

Queried on his opinion on the reason for the fish kill, Dr. Vallejo gave this explanation: 

They (the Bangus and Tilapia ) feed the fish in high densities ad libitum. The huge amount of fecal waste and uneaten feed end up on the lake floor. Since tropical lakes are stratified by density differences (in Greek "meromixis"), the waste on the bottom are degraded by bacteria. This is an oxygen consuming process. Thus bottom water has little oxygen while surface water (where the fish cages are) has oxygen mainly due to gas exchange with the atmosphere and photosythesis. However deep tropical lakes like Taal are what we call as "polymictic" which means the bottom layers get mixed up at least once or even twice or more times a year. In monsoonal climates the SW monsoon is strong enough to cause this turnover. Taal is a big lake and there is enough fetch to allow this natural process to happen. Taal is an abused lake and so nature can take "revenge" for all these abuses. When the lake overturns, the poorly oxygenated water ends up on the surface causing the fish kill which poor aquaculture management guaranteed this would happen. The overturning is natural. If there was no high fish density and fish waste at the bottom, there should have been no fish kill.


When asked how this can be remedied, Dr. Vallejo replied: "Take out all those fish pens and cages and let the lake recover!"

What can you say, BFAR?
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Windows Phone Mango on IE9: Take it for a Spin!

The Windows Mango Phone is way too cool with the IE9 as its main feature.

Though it still doesn't have a Flash Player (they've got Silverlight, that's why) and Thethering, it's worth a second look. It highlights smart communication, apps and the web. Watch the video here for a spin:





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