Paula Abdul Fired From X-Factor

X- Factor Season 2 will return for new faces. Paula Abdul was informed through her lawyer that her service won't be needed anymore for the next season.Nicole Scherzinger  of Pussycat Dolls quit the show to focus on her music.Steve Jones went to his Twitter to announce that he won’t be back as well ,"I won't be hosting next season's X FACTOR which is a shame, but I can't complain as I've had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show." The only ones staying are Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid .

Simon Cowell personally recruited Paula  after she quit  from American Idol in 2009.They were both American Idol judges  from 2002-2009.He left the show in 2010 to launch  "X Factor".Paula did not  receive an explanation for the decision, but a source close to the show says Cowell has decided that the show needs a bigger celebrity on the panel next season.Mariah Carey’s name is being mentioned as a possible judge.

Recall your Mother's Best Meal

After a busy day at work or school, we cannot wait for one of our mom's delicious lunch or supper.For me, some of my mom's best menu consists of Pork Sinigang (buto buto or liempo), pork chop, beef steak, chop suey.On special occasions, she cooks her famous pancit palabok, rice cake(biko), lumpiang sariwa and bopis. In addition, of course, New Year is not complete without her Bulalo (Filipino beef bone marrow soup)

I always remember my mother preparing our food everyday, going to the market to buy anything that will fit to her tight budget but she always make sure that get all the nutrition we needed and at the same enjoying the food she is serving us.Mom's scrumptious meals are always something to look forward to .But now that I am a mother myself, I make sure that my children enjoys my cooking just like when I was a kid.This post reminds me too of my mom's birthday next month .She will be 70 years old and will be throwing a big party.Sadly,me and my kids cannot be there  on her big day.Happy birthday mother dear!We love you.

Pork Sinigang

Ingredients:

1 kilo pork, cut into chunks

2 pcs. onions,sliced

2 big tomatoes, quartered

1 bundle kangkong, cut into 2 inches long

1 bundle sitaw/string beans, cut into 2 inches long

2 pcs. raddish,sliced

3 pcs. gabi(taro)

4 pcs. jalapeño pepper(siling pangsigang)

3 tbsp fish sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

10 pcs tamarind or 1 packet sinigang mix

Coooking Instructions:

Boil sampalok in water until soft ,strain to get all the juices and the water out of the tamarind,set aside.

In a large pot, boil pork. remove scum .Add tomatoes ,onion,taro and continue boiling until the meat is tender.

Add the tamarind extract or the sinigang mix. Put enough amount according to your taste. Add fish sauce ,salt and pepper to taste.

Add the remaining vegetables. Let it boil for 2 minutes or until the vegetables are done but not over cooked.

Serve hot with rice .

Easiest Step to Put Facebook Comments on Your Blog

Plugin is the easiest way to connect your  blog to Facebook .I tried to put facebook comments many times  following tutorials from fellow bloggers but it  was a failure until I gave up.Until I found out the plugin .I tried it again ,followed the steps  and was happy about it.Here is the simple step:
https://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/comments/
1.) Put your blog's URL.
2.) Click the "Get code", copy the first plugin code.

3.)Go to template ,Edit HTML,expand widget and insert the first plugin right after the opening< body >tag.
4.)Save Template.
5.)Copy the second plugin code .Go to your blog layout/design, add gadget ,click HTML, paste the code  and place it under your blog posts or wherever you want it to appear.

6.)Save arrangement
7.)View blog URL and type first FB comment on your site.

Parenting- Emotional Needs

Last night while  I was putting on my 3 years old sons  pajamas he said "Mommy,I can't draw,I can't draw a circle ,I can't draw a triangle" with his left hand held up making  circles. I told him ,"It's okay, baby just keep on trying ,I know you can do it,don't worry about it, just keep practicing". At his age he already worries about school. And as a parent,I was alarmed how his school performance affects his young mind..Children  may be little but they have feelings too and we should be sensitive about it .The way family members treats each other greatly influences a childs emotional health and development.Our childrens emotional needs are important and these are:

1. Love- Our child needs love.As your child grow older, let them know often of your love by sharing your time,listening  and being involved in their activities.The infants needs holding ,smiling ,singing ,cuddling  and simple games.

2.Security-Parents love is the best security we can give them.Never threaten to abandom them if they don't listen or stubborn. And if you are busy working mom ,make sure to choose a babysitter that your children like and know.

3.Praise- We should learn to praise our children even if they did not make it to the top or are not succesful .It can be verbal or a hug or a simple pat on the back.When you praise them ,they even try harder.

4.Acceptance-Don't dwell on your chidrens shortcomings.Encourage your child to improve in weaker areas and praise their successes.

This is the paper doll that they did yesterday that makes him worreid because he can't draw a face using shapes.


As of this writing ,my son came back from school and I asked how was school and if he was able to draw a circle.He answered quickly and cheerfully "yes,I did it!"! while raising his left hand up in the air.My eldest son also told me that his classmate even said inside the school bus that J draw a circle. Well,what else can I say.He figured out his own worry and I praised  him for it.

Katy Perry Kissing Ivan Dorschner In Manila

 

 

I had fun watching the video like a teenager.It is my first time to see the boy who was a PBB contestant.He is cute.I was just wondering why he does not have a shirt.But then reading the comments at you tube,I learned that he was asked to take off his shirt as part of the concert.I think that was a part of the show to make the audience more entertained . According to some You tube video comments, Katy wanted to give some message to her ex-husband named Russel Brand, whom she just divorced.Saying to him like, “Screw you. I’m free and I can do whatever I want to do. I don’t love you anymore.” Something like that..Back to the kissing scene,I was curious because I thought that they kissed each others lips.

Fort Towson High School -" A" Honor Roll

My eldest came home from school with a newspaper.He was so proud to show me what is inside of it.He is included in the superintendent's "A Honor List" and was also posted on the local newspaper.To be included on the list,a student should have an straight  A's grade.My son knows what makes me happy,an straight A's grade.He learned that from the moment he lived with me in Qatar.Being an OFW,he grew up with my parents and siblings in the Philippines for 7 years.I left him when he was only 4 months old. He turned out to be a spoiled brat because of the special attentions he receives from my family.But with me and my husbands guidance  he turned to be a responsible and obidient son.He knew that getting the highest and  not only the  good grades in school is what I want from him.For other people you may think that I expect too much from my son but I only do it because I know I can push him to the limit. .Being in a foreign country,I want him to stand out in class and not just an ordinary foreign student.Any way, his high grade gets compensated by giving him whatever he wants as long as we can afford it. Here is my other post on his School Achievements .

Toni Gonzaga, Nilaglag si Fafa P. - Highest Page Views

Yesterday , I was surprised to the the page views of this site. I got 1,334 pageviews in one day ,my highest so far.I was thinking of the Ramgen – Janelle Video Scandal post but it was not .The post was Toni Gonzaga, Nilaglag si Fafa P. .It was a video of how Toni indirectly doubted about Piolo's gender.But knowing Toni and how good an actress she is, the segment is no doubt scripted just to awaken the fans curiosity of the truth behind this controversial showbiz gossip.But anyway, the video was deleted already for some reason.

In one day too,it has become my second most popular posts next to Some of my Favorite Faceboook Quotes and Comments  with "0" comments for almost 2 years but remains on the top from the time I published  it.

True, popularity of the posts really depends on the keywords or most search words.Now ,I am beginning to learn about keywords and trending posts and some blogging techniques but I still need a lot of work to do to improve my writing.

Toni Gonzaga, Nilaglag si Fafa P.

Nakakaaliw naman itong si Toni, pakikay ang sagot na binuking si Piolo Pascual. Scropted man ito or nadulas lang or sinadya, well marami ang natuwa sa episode na yon at naging viral pa itong video.

source:Mark Deleon

Flowers of the Philippines

Flower is my favorite subject for photo shoot .I am a frustrated photographer because I can't seem to get a good shoot of my subjects even if I use the DSLR except for the flowers of course .I got the camera on 2005 where DSLR was not so popular to common people.I remember when hubby bought it at Carrefour,Qatar,nobody was interested to check the display because of the high price and at the Qatar Asian Games before the year ends, hubby was the only few who has the camera and a big carry bag with him while everybody else has the point and shoot cam only.All of a sudden everyone has a camera and wants to be a photographer .

Gumamela -Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in english is a tropical shrubs or trees from the Philippines have large, showy, variously colored flowers with numerous stamens united into a tube surrounding the style.

Kalachuchi has scientific name Plumeria acuminata are also known as Frangipiani, graveyard or temple flower.The flower comes in pinkish,reddish or white color.It is a small tree with an oblong shaped leaves, smooth and shiny stems with abundant latex juice which is good for skin deasease.

It looks like Sampaguita but it is not .I wonder what the name is?I have been looking for this online but all I have found is the Sampaguita which is almost similar .



Ramgen – Janelle Video Scandal

Ramgen and Janelle video is the hottest  google search  nowadays in Philippines. Their naked photos and sex video were all over the networking sites. I 've been out of the country for more than 10 years and I don't know  these showbiz personalities are. So, I got curious and googled about the two and the scandal video thing. Honestly, I don't want to watch the video, I was just curious about them and what made them so popular to the Filipino people. Today, I found out that Ramgen was the son of the late actor and politician Ramon Revilla Sr. And that Ramgen was murdered last October 28, 2011 inside their Paranaque residence and the primary suspect is his half sister Ramona Revilla  who fled the country. Janelle Manahan got shot twice on her face but fortunately survived the attack. According to sources, someone has uploaded the scandal video of Ramgen and Janelle via Facebook and YouTube obviously to discredit Janelle. The legal concluson could only be that Ramgens mother  or any of her children  were responsible for uploading the sex video, said by Argee Guevarra, Jannelle's lawyer.

As I was reading several posts about the couple, I am saddened about his death and feel sorry for those people who uploaded the sex video. It is a" couple thing "so Janelle has nothing to be ashamed of actually. Whoever spread the video must not be in their right  mind  and should be the one to be ashamed of themselves for what they have done. I just hope that justice be served to both Ramgen and Janelle.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

My children loves  the karaokee(magic sing) that I bought from the Philipines 5 years ago.Sometimes,me and bunso were the back up dancers while kuya is singing.And of course our show is not complete without the little boy singing his all time  favorite song Twinkle Twinkle.He is also obsessesd with the score that he will get at the end of the song.Funny thing is ,he was really trying to read it by himself .Last week,after he sung ,he excitedly said,"look kuya ,I got 36" .We bought laughed out loud ,because the screen says"06". Then he sing again for the second time and this time I have the camera ready for him and the score. He's kuya asked him what did he get after the song.He answered "it's zero" .He read it right this time .I'm so proud of him.

The English lyrics were first published as a poem with the title "The Star" by sisters Ann and Jane Taylor (1783–1824) in Rhymes for the Nursery in London in 1806.

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star,

     How I wonder what you are.

     Up above the world so high,

     Like a diamond in the sky.

     When the blazing sun is gone,

     When he nothing shines upon,

     Then you show your little light,

     Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

     Then the traveller in the dark,

     Thanks you for your tiny spark,

     He could not see which way to go,

     If you did not twinkle so.

     In the dark blue sky you keep,

     And often through my curtains peep,

     For you never shut your eye,

     Till the sun is in the sky.

     As your bright and tiny spark,

     Lights the traveller in the dark.

     Though I know not what you are,

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     How I wonder what you are.

     Up above the world so high,

     Like a diamond in the sky.

     Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

     How I wonder what you are.

     How I wonder what you are.

The Ugly American

A Korean-American who holds a top position at the US Embassy shouted invectives at a young Filipino woman whom he nearly bumped with his car last Friday.
Dean I. Chang, the American Embassy’s second secretary, cursed Princess Cordova, 22, after he got out of his Toyota Forerunner car with a Korean-looking woman, apparently his wife.
“You’re a bitch, you’re a bitch!,” Chang was heard shouting at the shocked Cordova who was crossing the driveway of a Korean restaurant  on Jupiter Street, Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City.
Chang and his wife were apparently in such a hurry to get into Kaya Restaurant and nearly ran over Cordova, who was also entering the same restaurant with a female friend.
When Cordova told her uncle, Dindo Danao, an advertising executive, about the incident outside with Chang, Danao told her to go to Chang’s table to apologize.
Danao, who was waiting for Cordova inside the restaurant, told his niece she was probably at fault and that’s why the man was angry.
Even if she knew she was not, Cordova nevertheless obeyed Danao and went to Chang to apologize.
She got another mouthful from  a man who’s supposed to act like a gentleman since he’s a diplomat.
“Next time I’ll run you over if you get in my way,” Chang shouted at Cordova.
When Danao protested the shabby treatment his niece got from the Korean-American, Chang reportedly challenged him to a fight.
“You wanna square off with me?” Chang said.
Danao called the police.
Chang was arrogant with responding policemen. He wouldn’t show his ID, but gave his name and his position at the US Embassy.
Chang’s identity was confirmed when the head of the responding team, Insp.Rico Ramos, checked with the US Embassy through the numbers Chang gave him.
Ramos told Danao they couldn’t hold Chang as he has diplomatic immunity.
Danao called this columnist who asked to talk to Ramos.
I said that Ramos could hold Chang for a while until members of the media came.
Ramos said he couldn’t do that, but didn’t prevent Danao from barricading Chang’s car.
Chang refused to talk to the media and went back to the restaurant with another US Embassy official who came after he phoned for help.
While Chang, his wife and the other American diplomat talked inside the restaurant, I took down the plate and windshield sticker of Chang’s car.
I surmise that based on his car stickers, Chang is a US serviceman.
One sticker reads: Dept of Defense, B6B 3C3, West Point, New York.
Another sticker says: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, 20-6-12, No. 0806947.
He has a temporary plate: 097 Diplomatic.
*  *  *
This is probably the first time a ranking US diplomat quarreled with a Filipino outside the embassy grounds, and a young woman at that.
At the risk of generalizing, in Korea, home of Chang’s forebears, most men have a very low regard for women.
A joke goes that during the Korean War, an American soldier at a checkpoint noticed a man walking some distance behind his wife.
When the American GI asked the Korean man why he walked far behind his wife, the Korean said: “She step on land mine, me safe.”
*  *  *
Chang is not alone.
The US ambassador, Harry Thomas, is so different from his predecessor, Kristie Kenney.
He once said that foreign tourists came to Manila for sex.
These “diplomats” remind us of that 1960s movie “The Ugly American,” based on a novel by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer about Americans  in Southeas Asia.
I’m not referring to their looks, but their character .

By Ramon Tulfo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/125295/the-ugly-american

Signs of a Troubled Relationship

   

                                                                                              photo by: Nur Emir

How do you know when the relationship is in trouble? Do we need help to save it or just say goodbye and walk away? Some couples wait too long to ask for help. They were hoping that the relationship can be repair and strengthened  if they give it a time and consideration  too long until  it is already beyond repair. The sooner we sought for help the better chance of  recovering. The longer we wait, the chance and hope for a change is lost. At a certain point we don't even want change anymore. We just want it to be done and get a new life.

Here are the warning signs that a relationship is in trouble :

1. There is no more intimacy in your relationship. No more sweet kisses, both of you were sleeping in different rooms, you do talk but will only end up into anger.
2. Fighting has been a part of your life. There are always reasons to hurt each others feeling as the days pass by.
3. No more attraction. You even can't remember what attracted you to your partner. The thought that he/she was the most amazing man/woman you have ever met was gone.
4. You spend little time with each other. You feel better with other people. Friends are more important than going out with your partner.
5. There is a feeling that the relationship is over but you don't know where to go or how to start all over again.
6. You feel lonely even if he is around trying to make you happy. You don't care about how much he tries to make you happy anymore.
7. You find comfort, understanding and care to other people.
8. You don't want to talk about your plans and thoughts with him.
9. You hate to see his/her face or even hear the once sweetest voice you ever heard in your entire life.
10. You lost interest with his activities.
11. When you no longer worry where your partner's at.

So before you reach the critical point or something more drastic things happen such as physical and or verbal abuse, look at the warning signs and do something before it's too late. Talk to a religious adviser or a leader of your church. Seek  a marriage counselor or a psychotherapy. Someone who has a Christian counseling degree may be able to help you. Reading books will help too. Without help, the relationship will not get better and might become worse. Take immediate action to save the relationship and if all things done and nothing has changed then that is the time to walk away and say goodbye.

It's More Fun in the Philippines

Tourism department's local campaign slogan.



Tourism department's international campaign slogan.

It’s more fun in the Philippines is the  new tourism slogan  by the Department of Tourism.Despite the  recent calamities in our country we still believe that the country is still worth visiting for.Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said during the event that they "want the world not to watch but to participate" in the new campaign and that we need a line that is easily understood.So what is "more fun" to do in the Philippines?see their new website  http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/ .The DOT is confident to reach the target  of 10 million tourist by year 2016 and expects some 4.2 tourist this year.The Philippines has  not only the best tourist attractions in the world  but wherever you go, it's the Filipinos that will make your holiday unforgettable.In fact, Lonely Planet guidebook calls us 'among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere,'" the website said.


Here are some of the place worth visiting for.
Palawan, known for  white sand beaches , exotic wild lifeand the underground river.
Banaue Rice Terraces,described as the Eighth Wonder of the World
Boracay, world's famous  beach.
Corregidor Island, a historical site and a tourist destination
Bohol, which has the world famous Chocolate Hills and  diving spots like Panglao and Balicasag
Vigan City ,Ilocos Sur, where you can find the St. Paul’s Cathedral - built in 1790-1800,Palacio de Arzobispado,Old Vigan Colonial Houses
Tubbataha Reefs, an excellent diving spot located in the Sulu Sea of the Philippines.


I agree that the Philippines has lots to offer but there  are also a lot  of things to be done such as the airport where in the corrupt immigration and custom personnel are waiting , the dirty environment surrounding the airport , heavy traffic and more.

Good luck Philippines ! May the new slogan boost the tourism industry.

Phil Health Circular No.22 s.2011 - New Premium Contribution

Circular No. 22 s.2011.

Subject: New Premium Contributions to the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) in Support to the Attainment of Universal Health Care and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2011/circ22_2011.pdf

So this is it, the goverment already made it clear to the public that whether we like it or not especially the OFW's, the proposed Phil health payment will be implemented. The rate will increase starting July 1 ,2012 from P900 to P2,400.More than one hundred percent increase is unacceptable even if we say that all the medical expenses rate is high.

Obviously ,this circular was made for all the OFW to comply.It is compulsary , else we will not be allowed to leave the country.They know better than us that all OFW's will pay no matter what the costs are just to leave and work overseas.It is an opportunitiy for the POEA  to get hold of the OFW'S hard earned money with consent.A legal way of  thief and robbery in my opinion.Just imagine how many OFW's are processing their exit document daily .It would be  millions of pesos yearly that only a few will benefit or shall we say the corrupt government will benefit the most.

Is Marriage Really Important at All ?

photo by:Nur Emir

Or shall we just stay out of it? Why do people get married? Is it because of love or companionship? What difference does it make if we just live together, have children without a piece of paper called marriage license?Do not get me wrong, I am not against marriage .In fact, I am happily married and if I have to choose between being single and married, I would definitely choose the last one.

I have been married twice, obviously the first one was a failure .We ended up into a divorced  but that experienced did not stop me from falling in love again and enter into a complicated yet fulfilling family life once more. My  husband  now is a wonderful man and I cannot ask for more. But ,marriage is not always a bed of roses ,couples do argue and fight once in a while which is normal .I mean normal in the sense that none of you hit each other, throw furnitures  into each others face or anything which is beyond your control. A petty lover's quarrel and little misunderstanding added spice in a couple's life.I remember one time, we just got married when we had our first and only big fight over a pair of shoes. I want to keep them inside the cabinet shelves together with some other shoes while he wanted it right on his bedside. We argued over it. I got mad and did not talk to him for a day. He was pissed off  for the silent treatment  so he packed all of my things  to throw me back into my company hostel. I got up from the bed, grabbed my purse, said "Bye!" and headed to the stairways. He stopped me and was pleading to talk things over and  not to leave him. Luckily we did end up together again  and his working pair of shoes still stays on his bedside until now. I guess, he won or we both won?.But who cares anyway.What I like from my husband is his being sweet and understanding and most of all, he loves me more than I love him. Oh, if given a chance to go back from my past, I will still choose him .

There are people who prefers live-in over marriage.Whatever their reasons are is non of our business.We all have choices to stay in love and  that is to find the right one to grow old together whether by getting into a marriage or just living in together for good or for a short period of time. Whatever it is, one thing is for sure,love always finds a way. Don't stop from loving all over again if things did not work out for the first time.

Happy New Year

Year 2011 may not be one of the best year for me.There were ups and downs  but that  is a part of life, the important thing is how well I handled whatever problems I  encounterd along the way .For years that had passed ,I learned to be happy and contented with what I have.I may not be rich financially but I am proud to say that I have all the things I want in my life  now and I cannot ask for more.

As for my blogging ,I started with "Blog and Me"2 years ago  followed by 'Food Corner" a follow up blog which was made because of my love for cooking .The 3rd one, "My Other Blog" was made for my love for contests and give aways posts. Unfortunately ,I haven't win yet  with all the contest that I joined in but still hoping to win the best ever blog contest someday.I may not be one of the best blogger or one of the  top ranking blog but I don't care as long as I enjoyed wrting and happy to know that there are some people who visits and enjoys reading my posts. I can say that the best thing that happened to me was the Filipino Bloggers Worldwide group in Face book .I created the group on November 1,2011 out  of my love for blogging.I was able to connect with other bloggers and gain a lot of friends  through this group.My Alexa ranking goes up and my '"Blog and Me " made it to the final 3 for Lifetime Achievement Award in TABA : The Annual Kalsada Blog Awards 2011.

This is my 1st post for the year 2012 and definitely the last one for the year 2011. I hope your year was as good as mine and whatever you want to accomplish this year .I wish you all the best and may your dreams come true.

Goodbye 2011 and Hello 2012.