Xmas countdown: November 30: 25 days to go!

Xmas countdown: November 30: 25 days to go! According to Celtic and Teutonic legend, mistletoe is magical — it can heal wounds, increase fertility, bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe didn't begin until the Victorian era, a surprising origin given the stuffy and sexually repressive behavior of the time. Actually, it's not very surprising at all.

Happy 150th birthday, Supremo..

Kahit di na kita nakikita sa limang pisong papel, maligayang 150th kaarawan, dakilang SUPREMO! "Mga maginoong namiminuno, kasapi at mga kapatid: Sa inyong lahat ipinatutungkol ang pahayag na ito. Totoong kinakailangan na sa lalong madaling panahon ay putulin natin ang walang pangalang pang-lulupig na ginagawa sa mga anak ng bayan, na ngayo’y nagtitiis ng mabibigat na parusa at pahirap sa mga bilangguan. Na sa dahilang ito’y mangyaring ipa-tanto ninyo sa lahat ng mga kapatid na sa araw ng sabado, ika-29 ng kasalukuyan, ay puputok ang panghihimagsik na pinagkasunduan natin, kaya’t kinakailangang sabaysabay na kumilos ang mga bayanbayan at sabaysabay na salakayin ang maynila. Ang sino pa mang humadlang sa banal na adhikang ito ng bayan ay ipalalagay na taksil at kalaban maliban na nga lamang kung may sakit na dinaramdam o ang katawa’y may sama at sila’y paguusigin alinsunod sa palatuntunang ating pinaiiral." — Bundok ng Kalaayan, ika-28 ng Agosto ng 1896, May Pagasa. :

Xmas countdown: November 29: 26 days to go!

Xmas countdown: November 29: 26 days to go! The poinsettia, a traditional Christmas flower, originally grew in Mexico, where it is also known as the ‘Flower of the Holy Night’. Joel Poinsett first brought it to America in 1829.

Xmas countdown: November 28: 27 days to go!

Xmas countdown: November 28: 27 days to go! Contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn't actually mention a specific date for Jesus' birth. In fact, most historians believe he was probably born in the spring, hence the Bible's description of shepherds herding animals. But in the 4th century, when the Catholic Church decided to recognize Jesus' birth as an official holiday, Pope Julius I chose December 25 for the Feast of the Nativity. That the date happened to coincide with the pagan festival known as Saturnalia must have been pure coincidence.

 

 

XMAS Countdown: Nov27: 28 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov27: 28 days to go! Many European countries believed that spirits, both good and evil, were active during the Twelve Days of Christmas. These spirits eventually evolved into Santa’s elves, especially under the influence of Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas (1779-1863) illustrated by Thomas Nast (1840-1902).

 

 

Happy birthday Ninoy - november 27

Happy birthday Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr.(November 27, 1932 – August 21, 1983), - Ninoy was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. Shortly after the imposition of Martial Law, he was arrested in 1973 along with other dissidents and incarcerated for seven years. Aquino was permitted to travel to the United States for medical treatment following a heart attack. He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in 1983 upon returning from his self-imposed exile. His death catapulted his widow, Corazon Aquino, into the political limelight, and prompted her to run for President as member of the UNIDO party in the 1986 snap elections.
Among other public structures, Manila International Airport has since been renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honour, and the anniversary of his death is a national holiday.

November 26, 1942: Casablanca's premiere

 Dateline November 26, 1942: Casablanca premiered at the Hollywood Theater in New York City on November 26, 1942, to coincide with the Allied invasion of North Africa and the capture of Casablanca. It  is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and based on Murray Burnett and Joan Alison's un-produced stage play Everybody Comes to Rick's. The film stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid; and features Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in the words of one character, "love and virtue". He must choose between his love for a woman and helping her Czech Resistance leader husband escape the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.

November 25, 1977: Ninoy guilty by the military court

• Dateline: November 25, 1977 – Former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. is found guilty by the Philippine Military Commission No. 2 on trumped-up charges of murder, illegal possession of firearms and subversionand is sentenced to death by firing squad.

Xmas Countdown: Nov25: 30 days to go!

Xmas Countdown: Nov25: 30 days to go! The traditional three colors of Christmas are green, red, and gold. Green has long been a symbol of life and rebirth; red symbolizes the blood of Christ, and gold represents light as well as wealth and royalty.

 

 

XMAS Countdown: Nov24: 31 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov24: 31 days to go!Commissioned by Sir Henry Cole (1808-1883), British illustrator John Callcott Horsley (1817-1903) invented the first Christmas card in 1843.

Darwin's Origin of Species

DATELINE: NOVEMBER 24, 1859. - On the Origin of Species, published on 24 November 1859, is a work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin which is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. Its full title was On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. For the sixth edition of 1872, the short title was changed to The Origin of Species. Darwin's book introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. It presented a body of evidence that the diversity of life arose by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. Darwin included evidence that he had gathered on the Beagle expedition in the 1830s and his subsequent findings from research, correspondence, and experimentation.

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferences drawn from them, which biologist Ernst Mayr summarised as follows:^[3]

• Every species is fertile enough that if all offspring survived to reproduce the population would grow (fact).
• Despite periodic fluctuations, populations remain roughly the same size (fact).
• Resources such as food are limited and are relatively stable over time (fact).
• A struggle for survival ensues (inference).
• Individuals in a population vary significantly from one another (fact).
• Much of this variation is inheritable (fact).
• Individuals less suited to the environment are less likely to survive and less likely to reproduce; individuals more suited to the environment are more likely to survive and more likely to reproduce and leave their inheritable traits to future generations, which produces the process of natural selection (inference).
• This slowly effected process results in populations changing to adapt to their environments, and ultimately, these variations accumulate over time to form new species (inference).

Various evolutionary ideas had already been proposed to explain new findings in biology. There was growing support for such ideas among dissident anatomists and the general public, but during the first half of the 19th century the English scientific establishment was closely tied to the Church of England, while science was part of natural theology. Ideas about the transmutation of species were controversial as they conflicted with the beliefs that species were unchanging parts of a designed hierarchy and that humans were unique, unrelated to other animals. The political and theological implications were intensely debated, but transmutation was not accepted by the scientific mainstream.
The book was written for non-specialist readers and attracted widespread interest upon its publication. As Darwin was an eminent scientist, his findings were taken seriously and the evidence he presented generated scientific, philosophical, and religious discussion. The debate over the book contributed to the campaign by T.H. Huxley and his fellow members of the X Club to secularise science by promoting scientific naturalism. Within two decades there was widespread scientific agreement that evolution, with a branching pattern of common descent, had occurred, but scientists were slow to give natural selection the significance that Darwin thought appropriate. During the "eclipse of Darwinism" from the 1880s to the 1930s, various other mechanisms of evolution were given more credit. With the development of the modern evolutionary synthesis in the 1930s and 1940s, Darwin's concept of evolutionary adaptation through natural selection became central to modern evolutionary theory, now the unifying concept of the life sciences.

XMAS Countdown: Nov23: 32 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov23: 32 days to go!Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system. 

 

 

XMAS Countdown: Nov21: 34 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov21: 34 days to go!A paról[ is an ornamental, star-shaped Christmas lantern from the Philippines. It is traditionally made out of bamboo and paper and comes in various sizes and shapes, but generally the basic star pattern remains dominant.The design of the paról evokes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Kings to the manger. It also symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the Filipinos' hope and goodwill during the Christmas season.

XMAS Countdown: Nov20: 35 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov20: 35 days to go!During simbang gabi, Vendors offer many native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, cooked using coal burners above and under); putò bumbóng (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, buttered then sprinkled with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat). Drinks include coffee, salabát (a ginger tisane) and tsokoláte (thick, Spanish-style hot chocolate). Some Aglipayan churches invite the congregation to partake of the "paínit" (literally, "heater"), a post-Mass snack of mostly rice pastries served with coffee or cocoa at the house of the Mass sponsor.

XMAS Countdown: Nov19: 36 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: Nov19: 36 days to go! In different provinces and schools, the journey of Joseph and the pregnant Virgin Mary in search of lodging is re-enacted. The pageant, traditionally called the "Panunulúyan", "Pananawágan", or "Pananapátan", is modelled after the Spanish Las Posadas.The Panunulúyan is performed after dark, with the actors portraying Joseph and the Virgin Mary going to pre-designated houses. They perform a chant meant to rouse the "owners of the house" (also actors) to request for lodging. The owners then cruelly turn them away, sometimes also in song, saying that their house is already filled with other guests. Finally, Joseph and Mary make their way to the parish church where a replica of the stable has been set up. The birth of Jesus is celebrated at midnight with the Misa de Gallo.

XMAS Countdown: November 18: 37 days to go!

XMAS Countdown: November 18: 37 days to go! The Tagalog word Pasko derives from the Spanish word Pascua. Although the word Pascua means Easter, Pascua de Navidad refers to Christmas

 

 

WINNERS: 2013 CinemaOne Originals filmfest

Main Awards, Plus Category:

• Best Director: Borgy Torre, “Kabisera”
• Best Actor: Joel Torre, “Kabisera”
• Best Actress: Angelica Panganiban, “Ang Alamat ni China Doll”
• Best Supporting Actress: Bing Pimentel, "Kabisera"
• Best Supporting Actor: David Chua, "Saturday Night Chills"
• Best Sound: “Alamat ni China Doll”
• Best Music: “Alamat ni China Doll”
• Best Editing: “Alamat ni China Doll”
• Best Production Design: “Blue Bustamante”
• Best Cinematography: “Alamat ni China Doll”
• Best Screenplay: "Sitio" by Mes De Guzman
• Jury Award: “Sitio”

Main Awards, Currents Category:

• Best Director: Arnel Mardoquio, "Riddles of My Homecoming"
• Best Actor: Rayver Cruz, Matteo Gudicelli, Joseph Marco, "Saturday Night Chills"
• Best Actress: Vivian Velez, "Bendor"
• Best Supporting Actress: Anna Luna, "Bendor"
• Best Supporting Actor: Peque Gallaga, "Woman of the Ruins"
• Best Sound: “Islands”
• Best Music: “Riddles of My Homecoming”
• Best Editing: “Saturday Night Chills”
• Best Production Design: “Riddles of My Homecoming”
• Best Cinematography: “Riddles of My Homecoming"
• Best Screenplay: “Bukas na lang Sapagka't Gabi Na” by Jet Leyco
• Jury Award: "Riddles of my Homecoming"

Special Awards:

• Audience Choice: "Woman of the Ruins" by Keith Sicat
• Biogesic Ingat na Damang Dama Sineserye (by students): "Magic Touch" by Students from UE Caloocan
• Philippine Cinema Originals Award: Director Elwood Perez and Producer Lily Monteverde

This year's winners:

• Best Picture Currents: “Bukas Na Lang Sapagka't Gabi Na” by Jet Leyco
• Best Picture Plus: “Alamat ni China Doll” by Adolfo Alix Jr

Best films from the past years:

• "Sa North Diversion Road" by Dennis Marasigan (2005)
• "Huling Balyan ng Buhi" by Sherad Anthony Sanchez (2006)
• "Confessional" by Jerrold Tarog and Ruel Dahis Antipuesto (2007)
• "Imburnal" by Sherad Anthony Sanchez (2008)
• "Wanted: Border" by Ray Defante Gibraltar (2009)
• "Layang Bilanggo" by Mike Dagñalan (2010)
• "Ka Oryang" by Sari Raissa Lluch Dalena (2011)
• "Pascalina" by Pam Miras (2012)

Xmas Countdown: November 17: 39 days to go!

Xmas Countdown: November 17: 39 days to go! The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins.Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

 

 

XMAS Countdown: November 15: 41 days to go

XMAS Countdown: November 15: 41 days to go.Morning observance of Simbang Gabi begins as early as 03:00 PST, while in some parishes, anticipated Masses begin the previous evening at 20:00 PST. After hearing Mass, Catholic families buy traditional Filipino holiday fare for breakfast outside the church and eat it either within the church precincts or at home. Vendors offer many native delicacies, including bibingka (rice flour and egg-based cake, cooked using coal burners above and under); putò bumbóng (a purple, sticky rice delicacy steamed in bamboo tubes, buttered then sprinkled with brown sugar and shredded dried coconut meat).

 

 

XMAS Countdown: November 14: 42 days to go.

XMAS Countdown: November 14: 42 days to go. The Tagalog word for gift is regalo, but Filipinos have a special word for "Christmas gift" — pamasko. The Filipino version of Secret Santa is called Monito Monita or Kris Kringle. Students in their classes and office workers all hold gift exchanges during the Christmas season. Children receive fresh bills of money called aginaldo, usually when they visit their godparents and elderly relatives on Christmas morning.

 

 

Xmas Countdown: November 13: 43 days to go!

Xmas Countdown: November 13: 43 days to go! The Tagalog word Pasko derives from the Spanish word Pascua. Although the word Pascua means Easter, Pascua de Navidad refers to Christmas.

 

 

The stone guards of Angkor

Nāga bridges are causeways or true bridges lined by stone balustrades shaped as nāgas.

In some Angkorian nāga-bridges, as for example those located at the entrances to 12th century city of Angkor Thom, the nāga-shaped balustrades are supported not by simple posts but by stone statues of gigantic warriors. These giants are the devas and asuras who used the nāga king Vasuki in order to the churn the Ocean of Milk in quest of the amrita or elixir of immortality. The story of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk or samudra manthan has its source in Indian mythology.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_architecture

Xmas countdown: November 11, 45 days to go!

Xmas countdown: November 11, 45 days to go! Simbang Gabi (Filipino: Night Mass; Spanish: Misa de Gallo, "Rooster's Mass") is a novena of dawn Masses from 16 December to Christmas Eve. The Simbang Gabi is practised mainly by Catholic and Aglipayans, with some Evangelical Christian and independent Protestant churches having adopted the practise of having pre-Christmas dawn services. Attending the Masses is meant to show devotion to God and heightened anticipation for Christ's birth, and folk belief holds that God grants the special wish of a devotee that hears all nine Masses.

Xmas Countdown: November 10: 46 days to go!

Xmas Countdown: November 10: 46 days to go! The Philippines has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season,[1] with Christmas carols heard as early as September and lasting until Epiphany, the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9 or the Feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú on the third Sunday of January.

Xmas Countdown: November 9

Xmas Countdown: Nov9. 47 days to go. "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other"

 

 

XMAS Countdown: November 8.

XMAS Countdown: November 8. 47 days to go! “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” Bob Hope

ChristMAS Countdown: November 7

XMAS Countdown: November 7. 48 days to go! "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. "- Norman Vincent Peale

 

 

Christmas countdown: November 6

XMAS COUNTDOWN: November 6: 49 days to go!" The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." Charles Dudley Warner

Tea drinking in vietnam streets

My last night in vietnam is gimik while sitting in bangkito at the middle of the street drinking C2 tea and eating singkamas and mangga

Tea is sold commonly in “quán cóc” - or street vendors - which can easily be found in front the gate of bus terminals, train stations, schools, offices or even in some corners in quiet alleys. “Quán cóc” with hot or iced green tea is an interesting piece of Vietnamese street culture, where people, especially workers and students, often come to have some rest in short breaks of utterly exhausted working time, waiting for friends or for picking up children after school. “Quán cóc” connects people, from strangers they become friends, sharing stories and hearing latest news happening while smoking cigarettes or having some peanut candy.

 In recent time, Hanoi youngsters have found out a new trend: gathering around and chill out at new type of “quán cóc” called “trà chanh”, or “tea with fresh lemon”. A few plastic short-legged stools, a small dish of roasted sunflower seed, and certainly, a glass of “trà chanh” for each; those are enough for everybody to have a great time at a very low price. “Trà chanh” is so popular that it even becomes a slang used widely by youngsters referring to “hang out”. The most boisterous and exciting place to drink “trà chanh” is at the area around Saint Joseph Cathedral, where one will get a chance to have a close approach to daily life of young Hanoians, listening to their talks about all the hottest events, fashion vague, technology and any gossips that one can think of!