RANDOM (Because ANGEL MEG can blog anythin' under the sky. =) )

I am pretty afraid of committing mistakes. Who isn't?
Thank God, there's the art of editing... with humility. =)
-angelmeg9

I have inserted this quote in one of my blogs here. I was checkin' my previous posts kasi and I felt uneasy with some of my errors. I used to be Editor in Chief na super OC-OC. Pero now that my life is pretty fast-paced, who cares about forgetting the other ")" in my "=)'s"? After all, smileys are not yet "standard." =)

Errata...
Passable, I hope. =)

A phone number was written as +915 instead of +63915. =)

"Oblation run, anyone?" could have been more effective in modifying if it's put at the last part of the paragraph. =)

"Nose Bleed" was capitalized on purpose. =)

And more! But I need to tell you that more and more BRIDENGELs are supporting me with love and care:

Tere (my bride last Feb 5 at Cabuyao): Hi sis, congrats to your new shop. we're really proud of you. we wish you more success. God bless! (with a sweet call pa! =)

Florie (my bride last August 7, 2007 at Paranaque): Sis, kunin ka namin ulit na Wedding Planner sa 08.08.08 sana. Thanks nga pala sa lahat! I am pregnant at manganganak na.... Textmates tayo mare ha? =)

Din (my bride last December 1): Sis, ninang ka ha? Salamat sa lahat!!! We owe you a treat next time. Thanks!!! (Personal meeting at Pancake House. =))

Suzi's Friend (Wedding's on 08.08.08=) : Hi angel! I talked with your host already and it was a really nice chat. Now I'm more comfortable to assure my friend to let him do this major task. He will show me some pics din plus he wil have his lady friend tag along daw as his partner free of charge! Anyway, thanks so much! =)

Ai*en (Wedding's on 2010): hiya!!! mine # is 0927*137470. Email- aim*n1021@yahoo.com. ok, ill drop by minsan sa shop nyo...i need a checklist kasi...kulang pa ko sa mga small details..salamat hah...atleast may contact nako...salamat uli!!!mwuah mwuah mwuah:-*

Also, sa dalawang Che na brides ko this year;
at sa lahat ng mga nag-inquire na mabait at magalang tulad nina future brides...
Arlene, Bryandana, kc, Dev and a lot more!

In lessons or in blessings,
luck and destiny are usually intertwined.
-angelmeg9 ^_^

ON BRIDENGELS* =)

Who practiced Arianism? Is it the Ostrogoths, Vandals or the Visigoths? =)

I really thought that it was Friday kanina kaya nag-shopping na naman ang lolah ninyo ng napakaraming history books. (Ooops! For my English students, your "jologs" mentor would be "taglishing" again ha? I write faster this way kasi. For my serious blogs, my pen name is D*** (Ahem! =))

As I was saying, I went to SM Sta. Rosa today to get the ff:

1. 200pcs of 4R pix (P7 each) = P1,400
Less discounts for 40pcs 280
Equals to P1,120 only =)

2. More and more books! (Honestly, books are my mental treats! =))
From Dictionary to Graphic Design to Candles and Floral Arrangements
to Female Empowerment to whatever! Compulsive shopper that I am,
a sale is somethin' that I can not miss... ever! =) Super sale po kasi!
The actual cost should be more than P 7,500. But I got it all for only 2500!
Thus, a savings of more than 5K! =)

3. When I was giving a P20 tip on the tricycle driver, he said that P10 would be enough. Whoa! I gave him P50 instead nga. Kaka-aliw po kasi. As I have reiterated before, I value integrity or the willingness not to compromise what shouldn't be compromised. Sinabi ko na lang na "para po sa baby ninyo." After hearing that, sinabi niyang I am a blessing to many.=) One of the immediate evils that follows on the coattails of love for money is the loss of a person's character. And I am just so glad to see a gem kay manong driver kanina.=)

Nweys, because of all these discounts, I ended up treating my family pa. Yahoo! Thank God! =)

But a realization came: we all crave for discounts and freebies.

As much as possible, I give value on my clients' money. I believe that all wedding planners will admit on this fact: We are only human beings; thus, we err and can sometimes play favorites. We can really do special favors for *bridengels (aka bride angels; the opposite of bridezillas =))

Fact: If a bride respects and values our expert opinions, we felt more motivated and joyful in creating her perfect moment. =)

Thus, the latest I-am-so-happy-to-serve-this-lovely-bride award goes to:

http://chingandemie.weddingannouncer.com/vendors.html

She wrote there: if you're looking for a wedding planner/coordinator who's got it all...(parang SM ^_^ ) i firmly and strongly suggest MEG!!! she's a superwoman with gazillion ideas!!!!not your ordinary coordinator..she's a brilliant lady!!

(Emie & Ching, I love you more! You just don't know how much you mean to me. Mwaaaah! =))

And now, my parents can understand why I love SM. Para daw akong SM eh. How nice!=)
I want to meet Sir Henry Siy in person nga po eh. Idol! Hay! Wish ko lang, hehehe!=) Calling Ms. Vicky Morales, please? Papaturo nga po ako talaga kasing mag-business. Sino pa nga ba? Ay, si Sir Concepcion! The Nego Author! =)

Ooops, so daldal! By the bye, I got sweet messages from Nemia G (2010 Wedding sa Fernbrooks at Las Piñas =), Joyce (2011 Wedding pa at Laguna =), Shepichell (2008 Wedding; Seeyah in Macau, hehehe!=) and a lot more! =))

Again, cheers for all the kind and superb bridengels! =) Cheers as you all deserve more and more discounts! Yehey!
Enjoy, everyone! =)


PS
My instincts dictated me to...

1. Reply immediately. My instincts told me to send BLUE as Suzi's host on August 8
(another 08.08.08 1500H Wedding at LB) Note: Kanina lang po nagpa-book=).
She's another bridengel!=) After a while, she informed me (via text) that, coincidentally, BLUE is also their motif. Galing2x naman! =)

2. Accept the 20+ invites in my fave Friendster accounts, except for the ff:

http://profiles.friendster.com/*6324344..
http://profiles.friendster.com/5005288*.

3. Remove Nathaniel in my Glisten Concepts account. =)

4. Create a NEW promo for my NEW shop.
Especially for November, my off-peak season.
Hmmm...

Speaking of the said new shop, I need to:
1. Buy more "benta" items. Candles, veils, cords, souvenirs, etc. =)
2. Put the air conditioner's hood.
3. Create more "art" out of indigenous materials. On sale! =)
4. Bring the DVD samples.
5. Solicit from colleagues, ahem! =)
6. Display the medals, trophies, etc.?
>>> This suggestion came from a pal. No need na siguro, hehehe! =)
7. Bring my fave wedding bed cover.
8. Do artistic personalized signs...

And, hmmm, there are actually more!

So, ciao for now! Smile! =)

If the urge to blog should ever leave me,
I want my last blog to reflect me well.
- angelmeg9, 2088 Nobel Prize in Literature (my dream, hehehe!=))-

Cruisin' JOKES On Detergents + =)

~ ~ ~ On Ariel and Tide ~ ~ ~

Promoter: Misis, kapag pinaghalo ang Ariel at Tide, bubula kaya?

Misis: Aba, siyempre!

Promoter: Mali!

Misis: Bakit naman?

Promoter: Wala pang tubig, excited ka? =)

~ ~ ~

Lolz! Thanks, 09161166324! My textmate for the day! Di raw niya alam if we're friends,
pero she texted me nice quotes kaya sige na nga, friends na tayo! Hahaha! =)
(Now, I wonder why I keep on wondering pa rin kung bakit marami akong stalkers.
Masyadong publicized ang aking number na 09163763718. Hahaha! =))

But this number, 09**6843012, was so "taray". I was just inquiring on his/ her products.
But then, he/she texted me "Ano ba? Bibili ka ba? Sinasayang mo lang load ko!"

I went to my dad and made "sumbong", hehehe! Here's our conversation: =)

Dad: Naka-ilang text ka ba?

MeG: More than 3.

Dad: Vague answer. I won't assume pero baka nangungulit ka na naman, hija.

Mom (nakiki-join=): Responsibility niya 'yun as seller. Si Meg nga, kahit na mga bogus
texters, hindi inaaway.

MeG: Less than 6 text messages lang naman po 'yun. Magalang naman po ako. Medyo magulo po kasi 'yung specs niya sa text eh.

Dad: Load-an mo na lang siya. And don't buy his/ her goods. Salesmen should always be pleasing in their negotiations.

MeG: Okay, will be sending her... (I texted a friend to do the load sharing =)

Dad: How much would you be sending?

MeG: P10 po.

Dad: Double it.

Mom (umeentra talaga=): Naku, okay na yan!

Dad: You'll never know how the law of karma shall work upon us. Be safe by favoring on the side of generosity.

MeG: Hmmm, okay na po! Alright pa! Hehe! =)

After a moment of silence...

MeG (winking): Hmmm, can I now get your promised gift?

Dad: What do you mean?

MeG: You know, the cash for my upcoming travel abroad? I want to go on a cruise, rem?
(Best wink ;-))

Dad: We're on a budget. Meralco bill natin tomorrow. More than 10K din 'yun, hija! Iilan lang tayo dito sa house tapos ang mahal mahal... blah-blah-blah... 'Yung internet, phone, ... , etc. bills pa...

MeG: Oh dad, you'll never know how the law of karma shall work upon us. Be safe by favoring on the side of generosity =).

Mom (umentra ulit, on her sweetest tone na =): At samahan mo na rin ng pang-groceries at pang-shopping ko tomorrow.

At wala na namang nagawa si dad. Ayos! =)

The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can a man do to me? =)

Did you know that Attila the Hun died of Nose Bleed?

Anyways, I am currently reading two History books. My super fave!=) I make sure that I can read a chapter or two every day. I feel like feeding my brain cells with interesting anecdotes po kasi. I am somehow in need of variation. (Puro Chemistry at Events na lang ang laman ng utak ko e. =))

I am now at the 4th century. I met the Four Great Fathers of the Latin Church (namely Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine and Gregory the Great) already. On my next read: Manichaeism.

I was also having a little chat with my (lawyer) dad. (And as usual, nose bleed na naman ang lolah ninyo. Hehehe!=)) My (pretty) mom and I ended up talking na lang about my most fave topic. Events management, that is. =)

Actually, my folks and some of my friends dislike the idea that I am so fascinated with this career. I was offered a Mall Manager position three weeks ago kasi. And gee, the pay was so tempting! With car plan, insurance and lots of perks! And last sem, several friends even recommended me to be their School Director, Marketing Head, Chief Editor, etc. Now, that's the ultimate dream for many people. Tanga na nga lang daw ang tatanggi duon. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, "tanga" ako. Hehehe! C'mon, that's a comic gold. =)

As for me, nothing beats the excitement of events. It's just so thrilling!!! After all, it's for and all about people. And I love human beings, hehehe! =) Kiddin' aside, I was never tempted with money. I would still cheerfully serve to as many people as possible kahit walang bayad. But, of course, it would be (more than) naive for me to say that I don't need it. It's just that I was not raised to love money. According to the book that I read last time, "everything is passing, nothing is secure."

I also believe in equality and that there's plenty for everyone. In fact, I believe in the virtue there is in generosity. Whenever I commute nga po, which is my way of life, my (one-way) transpo cost should be only P8.50, right? There are amiable drivers who still give me a "Student Discount" pa nga e. But I give them P10 instead. My fave line to whoever renders me with a great service is to "please keep the change." Alam po ninyo, whenever my bill arrives and the service is remarkable, my tip is automatically set at 10%. VAT inclusive pa ha?=) Sana po I can convince you more with the blessings of being a cheerful giver now. After all, my dealings are all from God. =)

As long as my family, friends and I are havin' healthy and happy lives, I believe that I have all that I need. Note: I seldom do follow ups on my clients' inquiries. I believe that He chooses the clients for me. And that my surplus is for all His goodness.

My money in the bank may be worthless in few more years; the insurance may even be out of business when I need 'em most. But there's only thing that remains forever, and that is the love of God. =)

And yes, my faith would be more than my personal history;
it'd be my personal legend. =)

FW: Ateneo Writers' Workshop offers fellowships =)

The Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP) now accepts applications for the 8th Ateneo National Writers Workshop (ANWW) to be held on October 20-25, 2008. Each applicant should submit a portfolio in triplicate of any of the following works: five poems, three short stories, written in Filipino or English, with a title page bearing the author's pseudonym and a table of contents.

The 8th ANWW will not be accepting portfolios for one-act plays as a separate workshop will be conducted for this. Details will be announced later this year. The portfolio must also be accompanied by a diskette containing a file of the documents saved in Rich Text Format. All submissions must include a sealed envelope containing the author's name, address, contact numbers, e-mail address, and a one-page resume including a literary curriculum vitae with a 1x1 ID picture. Twelve fellows will be chosen from all over the country. Food and accommodations will be provided. Please address entries to: Alvin B. Yapan, Acting director of AILAP c/o Department of Filipino 3F Horacio de la Costa Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City Deadline of submissions is on September 8, 2008. For inquiries, please call 426-6001 local 5320-21 or e-mail ayapan@ateneo.edu. =)

Themes... Themes... THEMES! =)

Source:
http://shindigzparty.wordpress.com/category/weddings/

* 4th of July Party
* Abby Cadabby Party
* Adult Birthday Parties
* Anniversary Party
* Asian Party
* Baby Shower
* Bachelorette Party
* Bar/Bat Mitzvah
* Barbie Party
* Baseball Party
* Basketball Party
* Batman Theme Party
* BBQ Party
* Birthday Blowout Party
* Birthday Party
* Bohemian Party
* Bowling Party
* Bridal Shower
* Business Party
* Cake Ideas
* Candy Cane Party
* Casino Party
* Cheerleading Party
* Choppers Party
* Christmas Party
* Cinco de Mayo Party
* Cinderella Party
* City Theme Party
* Classroom Party
* Cocktail Party
* Construction Party
* Costume Party
* Couple's Shower
* Customer Stories
* Dance Party
* Decorating Basics
* Dinner Party
* Disney Fairytale Friends Party
* Dora the Explorer Party
* Earth 2 Jane Sleepover Party
* Easter Party
* Election Party
* Engagement Party
* Fairytale Princess Party
* Fall Harvest Party
* Fall Party
* Family Reunion
* Fiesta Party
* Fifties Party
* Fighter Pilot Party
* Football Party
* Girl Time Birthday Party
* Girl Time Cheer Party
* Girl Time Dance Party
* Glitzy Girl Party
* Going Away Party
* Golf Party
* Gossamer Tips
* Graduation Party
* Greek Party
* Gymnastics Party
* Halloween Decorations
* Halloween Party
* Hannah Montana Party
* Hanukkah Party
* Hat Party
* Hello Kitty Party
* High School Musical Party
* Hocus Pocus Party
* Holiday Decorations
* Holiday Open House
* Holiday Party
* Hollywood Party
* Housewarming Party
* Jungle Party
* Kentucky Derby Party
* Kids' Birthdays
* Leap Year Party
* Luau Party
* Mardi Gras Party
* Masquerade Party
* Memorial Day Party
* Mother's Day
* Movies Party
* My Little Pony Party
* Nautical Party
* New Year's Party
* Oktoberfest Party
* Parade Floats
* Paris Party
* Party in Paradise
* Party Recipes
* Party TipZ
* Patriotic Party
* Pirate Party
* Political Party
* Pool Party
* Press Releases
* Princess Party
* Progressive Party
* Puppy Party
* Quinceanera Party
* Reasons to Celebrate
* Rehearsal Dinner
* Retirement Party
* Retro Party
* Safari Party
* Shep's Corner
* Shopping Party
* Slumber Party
* Snow Party
* Soccer Party
* Sports Party
* St. Patrick's Day
* Star Party
* Summer Olympics Party
* Summer Parties
* Super Bowl Party
* Survivor Party
* Tea Party
* Thanksgiving Party
* Time to Party Birthday Party
* Toga Party
* Transformers Party
* Under the Sea Party
* Vacation Bible School
* Valentine's Day Party
* Weddings
* Wendy's TipZ
* Western Party
* Where's ANGEL MEG?
* Winter Party
=)

FW: History Of PROMENADE =)

A History of Prom

Proms of the twenty-first century are elaborate affairs dominated by designer dresses, fancy stretch limousines,
and incredible competition for a place in the prom court. Popular literature and movies of the day increasingly
focus on prom themes, and teenagers may spend months planning and preparing for the all-important night. With all of
the significance attached to the proms of today, it seems a bit surprising that the event has existed in all of its
splendor only since the 1950s. While formal dances for young people were common as early as the late 1800s, proms
began to take on today’s iconic status in a teenager’s life only as America recovered from the Great Depression and
World War II. During their relatively short history, proms grew from simple affairs in Sunday dress to extravaganzas
where competition for the best prom dress, the best date, and the best prom court distinction took center stage.

Prom Etymology
The term “prom” comes from the word “promenade,” meaning a march of guests into a ballroom to announce the beginning
of a formal event or ball. During the Victorian era in the United States, when social class distinctions were much
more important than they are today, it was not uncommon for members of the upper class to hold grand balls where
each guest was announced before entering. A similar event for younger people, the debutante ball, was also quite
common among the upper classes. In a debutante ball, girls who were entering a certain stage of adolescence
officially “came out” into the dating scene to meet appropriate suitors their parents had selected. Strict etiquette
was a must at these balls, and young girls and their escorts wore only the finest of apparel.

First Proms
The first proms came about as middle-class replications of the grand debutante balls. Parents in the middle class
noticed and admired the poise of the debutantes and wished the same for their own young teens. Thus, proms were
created as less expensive, less elaborate affairs where teenagers could meet in their finest clothes to share dinner
(and sometimes dancing) while learning social etiquette together.

While evidence of the first high school proms was not recorded in high school yearbooks until the 1930s and 1940s,
historians believe proms existed at the college level well before that time period. Taking evidence from the journal
of a male student at Amherst College from 1894 which detailed a prom he had attended at earby Smith College,

historians believe proms were common affairs at colleges in the nineteenth century (Marling 2004). While “prom” may
have then been nothing more than a fancy name for a regular junior or senior class dance, its classification as a
special night was definitely in existence and it would only continue to grow in status during the coming century.

Proms and High School
At the high school level, proms were likely a regular event by the early 1900s. These turn-of-the-century proms were
generally simple affairs where youth came only to dine together in their Sunday best. However, by the 1920s and
1930s, dancing had also become an essential element of the prom. Rather than a simple gathering, the prom was now an
annual class banquet where students met with each other and danced afterward.

By the 1950s, Americans were enjoying more affluence than ever before, and the importance and fancy nature of proms
grew in relation. Proms began to move from high school gyms to hotel ballrooms or country club banquet halls, and
competition for the best dress and the best escort greatly intensified. Prom also developed into a hallmark moment
in a teen’s life, and being voted “prom queen” became a very important aspiration and distinction for young girls
(Marling 2004). Indeed, as expensive prom dresses and fancy tuxedos became the norm, prom became less of a simple
gathering of young people and more of a time to show off and be admired.

Proms of Today
Today, prom continues to be an important event in a teenager’s life. The prominence of prom and prom themes in
popular literature and films attests to its importance at the high school level. However, while expenses and
extravagant themes for prom continue to rise, proms are also beginning to grow more and more liberal in the twenty-
first century. It is now not always required for a teen to have a date to attend the prom--and many teenagers are
choosing to attend the prom in groups, making the night less of a date event and more of a meaningful way to
commemorate high school friendships. Gay and lesbian youth are also revolutionizing the meaning of a “prom date,” as
same-sex couples are becoming increasingly more common at proms. While the prom will likely continue to be an
important event in most teenagers’ lives, in many ways its meaning and iconic status are splintering. Some youth see
it as the ultimate high school event, while others see it simply as a fun and fancy way to celebrate high school
life and friendship.

References
Marling, Karal Ann. 2004. Debutante: Rites and Regalia of American Debdom. University Press of Kansas.
=)

In Time For SONA =)

The 'seven curses' of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Source: www.pcij.org

Posted by Isa Lorenzo


EVEN before she could deliver her eighth state of the nation address (SONA) this coming Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already been weighed and found wanting by over 80 former senior government officials. In their own take on the state of the nation after seven years of the Arroyo administration, the former officials, who served in the four post-Marcos governments and collectively called FSGO, castigated the President for being "the worst threat to the state of our nation." "The person pretending to tell us about the dire state of our nation next Monday," FSGO said, "is the very same same person who has done the most to destroy the very foundation of our nation, sell its future to its exploiters and abusers, and consign the poor and middle class to deeper poverty and worse despair." The group identified seven curses that it said Arroyo has wrought upon the nation.

*1. The curse of a country unable to feed its own people* FSGO noted that rice self-sufficiency was a priority in Arroyo's first SONA in 2001 and that she reiterated the promise of food on every table in her 2003 address. "Yet, in every year throughout her administration thus far, the country was importing increasing quantities of rice every year, that this year the Philippines achieved an odd milestone in rice self-sufficiency: our becoming the world's largest rice importer." The government has also failed to implement the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization program, says FSGO. It adds that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has never received P17 billion in incremental funds provided for by law. Worse, the President "let loose" people like Jocelyn 'Joc-Joc' Bolante in the DA. A former agriculture undersecretary, Bolante has been implicated in diverting P728 million in fertilizer funds allegedly for Arroyo's 2004 election campaign. Furthermore, the agricultural trade deficit ballooned to over P1.5 billion in 2006. "The high food prices pushing more people into hunger and poverty are a direct result of our government's neglect of agriculture," the group added.

*2. The curse of worsening poverty and increasing disparity between the rich and poor * This, said FSGO, is due to "economic mismanagement that ignores the needs of the many to serve the interests of the few." It pointed out that the ranks of the unemployed number 2.9 million, while another seven million are looking for additional work to supplement their income. Poverty incidence increased to 26.9 percent in 2006 from 24.4 percent in 2004. This means that there are 4.6 million poor families. Elementary school attendance fell to 83.2 percent in the school year of 2006-2007 compared to 90.3 percent just three years ago. Again, the group said, the government is to blame. "Public education's ability to rescue poor families from the poverty trap has suffered due to severe underspending by the government." The Estrada administration had a "more constrained" budget, but it spent P5,830 per student from 1998-2001 while the Arroyo government spent only P5,304 per student from 2001-2006. The country remains one of the lowest spenders on education in Southeast Asia, FSGO pointed out. Once a leader in education-for-all indicators during the 90s, the country now lags behind Indonesia, Mongolia and Vietnam.

*3. The curse of deteriorating basic social services essential to the survival and welfare of the people * "Our current fiscal state was improved, not by sold revenue effort, but by deep cuts in social and economic spending," FSGO said, pointing to the government's allocation of resources for development expenditures which has been the lowest in the region. Worse, the group said, the allocation, management and use of public funds are "marked by such greed and disregard of the public good that can only be condemned as scandalous." While much of Visayas was being devastated by Typhoon Frank last month, Arroyo and her entourage were on a "junket" to the U.S., said FSGO, estimating the cost of the Philippine delegation visit to be at least P300 million. "In contrast, how much did our government spend on relief for the typhoon victims?" asked the group. Of the eight million people affected by disasters from 2004 to 2006, it said, only half received assistance from the government and private sector. Meanwhile, a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, already contracted and delivered in 1997, has yet to be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

*4. The curse of the national government gripped by a metastatic cancer of corruption*
The Philippines has made a dismal showing in global corruption rankings. In 2007, it was reported as the "most corrupt" among ten of East Asia's leading economies by the World Bank. In 2005, Transparency International ranked the Philippines in the category of countries perceived to suffer from severe corruption, the 117th most corrupt out of 159 countries. "Corruption has become pervasive, persistent, prolific. And the President, instead of fighting it, has become its prime practitioner and protector," said FSGO, accusing Arroyo of corrupting "the already weak" electoral process, "the already diminished" civil service, and the "already politicized" public investment and fiscal programs.

*5. The curse of wanton abuse of presidential prerogatives* FSGO said that the balance of power within the Arroyo administration between its "dark and bright sides" has tipped radically in favor of the dark side. "A new type of presidential appointee along the Joc-Joc Bolante brand dominates. The appointments of others already rejected by the electorate in 2007 will further darken the complexion of her Cabinet." Social Security Services administrator Romulo Neri merits special mention. Neri, a former socioeconomic planning secretary and higher education chairman, "became one of the keepers of evil secrets, protected by the talisman of 'executive privilege' as long as he remains in a Cabinet position." The government has also been packed with ineligible bureaucrats.

*6. The curse of an illegitimate president * The president has consistently promised clean, computerized elections — in her 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006 SONAs. But the group said that after seven years, she has yet to take any sure steps toward this. Nor does her recent appointment of unknown commissioners to the Commission on Elections bode well for future elections. "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised us a strong Republic. We have realized that she is running a stolen Republic. Thus far, we have seen her trying to keep only what was stolen."

*7. The curse of a nation robbed of its dignity, unity and future* Aside from the country's "global reputation for pervasive corruption, " the Philippines has also been investigated by international organizations for extra-judiical killings. FSGO said that our national patrimony, from mineral resources to possible oil deposits have been peddled to foreign interests like ukay-ukay (used clothing). "The loss of our country's good international standing and credibility has been a sad victim of Arroyo's bad governance." While the President cites the legions of overseas Filipino workers as an achievement of her administration, the group warned of the ills of a remittance-driven economy, including reduced competitiveness of manufacturing and tradeables from export and impot-competing sectors, and less demand on infrastructure, which has led to less necessary public investment. FSGO described this type of economy as "limited and self-undermining because remittances cannot be expected to remain high and grow at an increasing rate." In response to the FSGO statement, Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde told the Inquirer: "These people would know how difficult and how challenging governance is…this administration can stand on its record, and its record is better than how [they] managed their respective government positions during their time." FSGO, however, disagreed. In an internal survey among its members, the former government officials rated the current administration a dismal 1.1 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Despite its bleak assessment, however, FSGO remains hopeful. It plans to continue working with political institutions as "instruments for reform and justice, not parties to anomalies and scandals," and to continue the "search for a presidency that fights the enemies of social justice instead of serving its cronies." "We can re-imagine the nation as something far better and more capable than the one that the President will paint in her SONA this Monday," the group said. "This administration may have stolen the Republic, but it will not rob us of our hopes."


~ ~ ~

Pahabol Script: (Taglish mode again =)

I received more than ten text messages from my students. They were asking me the most dreadful Q, "Ma'am, may pasok po ba bukas?"

I wasn't able to reply because... naubusan ako ng load! Hahaha! Prepaid! =)

Pero may pasok nga ba?

Naalala ko tuloy ang aking younger years sa UPLB, kapag SONA na,
reaction paper agad ang dapat naming gawin. Kahit hindi naman ito ipapasa.

At bilang mga aktibista, malaya kaming nagpahayag ng aming mga opinyon nuon, sa panulat, sa barikada (at opo, nakikihiga rin ako nuon sa kalsada!=) o maging sa larangan ng sining... may saplot man (Oblation Run, anyone?=) o wala.

By the bye, naaalarma lang ako sa mga sosyal na estudyante ko. Tinanong ko kasi sila sa kanilang exam ng ganito: "Who is your most admired leader in the whole world?"

Ang ilan ay si Gandhi; mayroon pa ngang nag-Hitler at Alexander the Great! Yung iba naman, mas idol raw ang kanilang mga magulang. Touching, di po ba?=) Pero ang kalahati sa kanila, as in 20 out of 40, ay si PGMA ang isinagot.

Napaisip ako.

Sa mata ng ating mga kabataan, talaga bang mataas ang rating ng ating pangulo?


PPS

I went shopping again with my friends. We spent thousands of pesos... for the betterment of our country? Our countenance? Errr... on VAT alone! =(

Likas na mayayaman na ang mga ito pero kahit sila raw ramdam na ramdam na din nila
ang hirap ng buhay dito sa Pilipinas. System loss nga daw, ala-Juday. Punta na lang daw sila sa States.

Pero ako, I am not giving up on our beloved country.
If each and everyone of us will do our part, Filipinos will be admired worldwide.
And I am happy to do my share. Give until you bleed, ikanga ni Lucy Torres.

Oh, by the way, there are blessings in our poverty.
Isa po ito sa mga naging diskusyon namin ng mga housemates ko sa UP Diliman.
At marami pa! (Ipo-post ko po sa aking ika-labintatlong blog ang aking political insights.
Of course, hindi na po as Meg, The Wedding Angel. Oops! In-emphasize ko ang "po" kasi na-realize ko na kahit Taglish, mas maganda pa rin pala pag may "po." Si Raymond Gutierrez kasi kanina, hindi nangungopo ke Pidol o Sir Dolphy. Taglish kasi? E bakit naman si Ate Shawie, nangungopo kina Boy Abunda at Cristy Fermin (Happy Birthday po, Tita Cristy!=) Ooops, di nga pala showbiz ang site na ito, pang-kasal nga po pala. Hehehe! =)

And as a wedding planner, nabanggit nga rin pala nila na sayang naman ang "talino" ko sa business na tulad lang ng ganito. Sayang na sayang daw, ala-Manilyn Reynes. Ouch! =(

Pero I managed to focus on the positive side, as always!=),
"matalino" rin naman pala ako sa tingin ng mga friends ko.
Akala ko kasi maganda lang, hehehe! Joke! =)

Hay! Sana nga ay hindi maging isang malaking JOKE ang SONA mamaya.

Pero, hindi nga, talaga bang mataas ang rating ng ating pangulo?!

Your Most Loved Wedding Store =)

GLISTEN CONCEPTS
(A One-Stop Wedding Shop)
is opening in Cabuyao!

You are cordially invited to

celebrate the opening of

our new store in Forab Complex

(10 steps away from NESTLE)

Private Opening - August 1-3
Grand Opening Celebration - August 16

Tell this code (Holly-8 Wood-1)
for a chance to get 20% discount or more
in our events services, seminars and goods!

No dress code =)

Just please RSVP ANGEL MEG

09163763718

Fw: I SURRENDER na po, Lord God! =)

To have a victorious life we need to surrender our lives to God every day. It is the daily-ness of full surrender to God that leads us to a victorious life in Christ. For full surrender to God, we can follow these seven steps:

1. I SURRENDER my family and friends. I do not give up on them; I simply surrender them to the will of God so that even if their wills conflict with the Father's will, I will do only that which God calls me to do.

2. I SURRENDER my goals, my job, my career, my future.

3. I SURRENDER my reputation, what people think of me and say about me. I must care more about what God thinks of me than what people do.

4. I SURRENDER my finances, my possessions, all that I claim is mine.

5. I SURRENDER my social life, my recreations, my pleasures, my amusements, as well as my relationships with the opposite sex.

6. I SURRENDER my daily schedule. I give God not only my days and hours but my total life and all of my time.

7. Most importantly, I SURRENDER my will, my very self, my fears, my ambitions. And if I can do this, then I don´t have to worry about the first six steps. This one step takes in all the others, and this surrendered life is what leads us to daily victory.

A Very Touching VIDEO! =)

The All-Time & Leading Leader =)

How is my favorite reunion master, the all-time leading leader and events planner?
-> got this text from a colleague. =)

I was a bit surprised that there are just so many happenings this August.
For one, the opening of my 2nd shop (and the 5th satellite store, actually=).
Three reunions (high school & orgs).
Plus my (higher) studies, more than 10 events (weddings and debuts) and part-time jobs.
But still, I am enthusiastic!=)
I can't wait to see the unveiling of the said events in my life.
Life gets better and better, indeed, with PRAYER. =)

PRAYER IS
THE WORLD IN TUNE,
A SPIRIT VOICE,
AND VOCAL JOYS
WHOSE ECHO IS HEAVEN'S BLISS.
- H. Vaughan

Oops! According to Blogger: Scheduled outage at 4:00PM PDT.

Therefore, got to go muna.
With prayers, I am enthusiastic in everything!
For you, for me, for all of us!
Yey! =)

FW: World's Top Photo Show Visits Manila =)

World's Top Photo Show Visits Manila

The internationally acclaimed annual World Press Photo Exhibition will be on view in three venues in Metro Manila, for the second year in a row, from August 1 -22.

The exhibit, featuring about 200 photos that won awards in the 2007 World Press Photo Competition, will be open to the public for free at The Podium, Aug. 1-7; SM Mall of Asia, Aug. 8-13, and The Block SM North-EDSA, Aug. 14 -22. A partnership project of the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University(ACFJ) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the show has also drawn support from The Podium, SM Supermalls and Unilever Philippines.

The competition’s photo of the year – an image of an American soldier resting at a bunker in Afghanistan, taken by the British photographer Tim Hetherington and carried by Vanity Fair – top bills the exhibit. The picture bested about 80,536 photographs submitted to the competition by 5,019 photographers from 125 countries.

The exhibit is part of ACFJ’s photojournalism program which was initiated in 2006 with the support of the World Press Photo. At the heart of the program is the Diploma in Photojournalism, a seven-course online learning program for photojournalists. The program has drawn some of the country’s finest young photojournalists as students and is run by an international faculty of senior photographers and academics. One of its graduates, Jaime “VJ” Villafranca, freelance photographer, recently won the Ian Parry Scholarship 2008, an international competition run by The Sunday Times (London), with a photo essay on youth gangs that was the major essay in the portfolio he submitted for the diploma program.

The competition and the traveling exhibit have been run since 1955 by the World PressPhoto, the Amsterdam-based media NGO that is reputed to be the world’s most significant and prestigious platform for press photography.

Shown each year at about 85 venues in 40 countries, the exhibit features the year’s top photo along with award-winning images from each of the 10 contest categories including spot news, general news, people in the news, nature, contemporary issues, sports actions, sports features, daily life, portraits and arts and entertainment.

The high quality of photojournalism involved is considered to set a standard in the field.

Filipino photographer Albert Garcia won the first prize in the nature and environment category in the 1991 competition for his picture of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

Last year the exhibit was also shown in the same three venues, drawing huge crowds thatwere invariably awed, fascinated and moved by gripping pictures of the news stories that hugged the headlines. The show was likewise co-sponsored by ACFJ and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with support from The Podium and SM Supermalls.

This year the group, along with Unilever Philippines, aims to bring campus journalists to the exhibit through guided tours and lectures.

Unilever, an Anglo-Dutch group of companies, brought the exhibit to Manila in 2001. According to Jika Mendoza-Dalupan, corporate relations director, Unilever’s support to World Press Photo stems from the company’s mission of supporting the arts and culture of the countries where it operates.

For more information about the exhibit in Metro Manila, contact:

ACFJ

Jimmy A. Domingo (+639189212878)

Rona Saipudin (+639274703701)

Telephone Nos.: +63.2.9263253

+63.2.4266001 ext 5215 or 5216

Fax No.:+63.29263254=)

PS

'Though I have 3 major meetings today, I still managed to blog. Hahaha! =) My system needs it kasi. =)

My Marketing Is Not In The MAGS Yet. It's In The STREAMERS!=)

~ ~ ~

In need of DEBUT / WEDDING PLANNER?

DEAL with ANGEL MEG
(Laguna's Best)
0916 376 3718
angelmeg9@yahoo.com

COMPLETE PACKAGES for as low as P 65,ooo.

Food, Photovid, Gown,Flowers,Souvenirs,Invis, etc.

With FREE HOST, SINGER & CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!=)

~ ~ ~

End of Ad. Hehe! =)

Cel's Memory's FULL's Blog's Updates =)

Florist Yane +63926425954*
Villa Salud +639174*87818
Bus Transpo +639178872443
TICC Tagaytay 0464134240

Thelma Dress +63915*444031..

Tagaytay Hi-Lands +6391634236*4
Tess Church +6391943*3681
Sybert's Waiters +63921515*352.

Sta. Rosa Romy +6392062*5332
Sounds & Lights +6392062*5401.

Sir Sonny Makeup +639184488*78
Sally +63928275560*.

Rosalee Tradecon +639228178*71
Raoel Host +6392825*2771
Pianist Roy 2371000820736
Photovid Jess +639194619*11
Photovid Jam +63917*527162.

Aida Cater +639266734*10
Ailene Singapore +6391737021*2
Alan K +639207777*80
Aquers Ganda +63915*132053.; +6392732*1128
Aries Drives +6391656*2408; +6391822*7784
Ate Dhessa +63920907578*
Mhela Host +63918569519*
Baby Damit +639155(54)4647..

Banjo Band +639063*57903
Barong 02 8617951
Belle +639209129*28
Benj Photovid +639193*42504..

Bridal Expo +639183040410
Bez Ama 028476992; +639206340*13...

Photovid Cholo +6391863*2003..

Conie Web +639266704427..

Designer Dheng +639103311089
Diana +63920233561*..

Wedding Digest +639266303378;
Loida +639282868489
Dolores +6391837276*2.

Evelyn Music +6391552331*1..

Ewa Photovid +63918721*011..

Francis Photovid +6392857*7352.

Irenemojica_12 +639278301*84
Ivy Herbs +6391789*1852
Jeep +6391984*0368
Jp of M Planet Mobile +6392040479*2

Kuya Boy Marquez +639207*20146..

Loi of Dianas +63928307139*

Luisa +639167860*45.

Ma'am Pio +639184*37511.

Makeup Aiko +6391921*6313.; +63926661104*...

Michel Lagbo +63917800*203
Musicians Gems +63917*244931
Mike 9216886; +639165501386
Myrtle +63918311505*
Muziko Et Al +63916760251*
Nancy Cater +639182162*58

Photovid Nel +63927318023*.

Photovid Don +63918365*155..

Cater Diana +639186634*48
UPLB Carla +6392674*1876.

Miw Students? +63927*486112; +639272*53532;
Textmate: +639276016288

=)