Mood Swings? Blame your Blood Type!

Are you moody? Or eccentric? Ambitious? Do you love Bach? Perhaps it's down to your blood type.

The four groups A, B, AB and O could be responsible for a lot more in our lives than we think.

What do Elvis Presley Prince Charles, Al Capone and Charlie Chaplin - not to mention around 26 million people in Britain - have in common? Well, they are all blood group O - the most common blood group in the world.

As a donor you'll have been told your blood group - O, A, B or AB. But did you realise what an influence your blood group may have on you?

The famous geneticist Steve Jones's book In the blood describes how researchers have measured the heart rates of people of different blood groups while they listened to music.

They found that group As were attracted to harmony, Bs to rhythm, Os to melody and ABs liked all three (especially Bach)!It’s in the bloodIn Japan they attach particular importance to blood groups.

On the island of Miyajima, there's a special post 'box with four slots, each marked with a different blood group. For a few yen you can put your hand in and pull out a fortune written according to your group.

So, if you're A you'll discover you're conservative and cooperative, Bs will find out they're eccentric, Os, relaxed, ambitious, but poor on detail, and AB types moody and standoffish!

As and Bs should avoid each other as partners, but either would be happy with an AB partner. Os should stick to their own type, and steer clear of Bs.

Japanese couples planning to marry sometimes ask each other their blood group. In business some offices even attempt to get the right blend of blood groups to ensure working harmony!

Ang Dugo....Bow!

They only discovered that blood came in different types in 1900. The National Blood Service was set up 46 years later to collect and provide blood supplies for all the hospitals in England and North Wales. 8,000 units of blood are needed every day to meet this demand, which keeps rising.

Blood comes in four main types - O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common which means it's in demand the most. But blood can also be subdivided into its main components - red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Unfortunately red cells only last 35 days and platelets are only good for five days.

Want to know what the top 10 uses of blood are?

1: Straight in is General Surgery with a whopping 23%.

2: We have General Medical with 15%.

3: Cardiothoracic (that's heart and chest surgery to you and me) with 13%.

4: A figure of 11% puts Orthopaedics here - that's anything to do with bones and bone diseases.

5: Haematology (blood diseases) with 9%.

6: Accident & Emergency (what you see on "Casualty" every week) with 8%.

7: Renal or anything to do with the kidneys with 6%, along with

8. Neonatal & Paediatrics, which is the treatment of newborns and children.

9: Intensive Care with 4%.

10: Obstetrics & Gynaecology (anything to do with pregnancy and childbirth) weighing in with 3.5%

It's a given fact that people in different countries are, well, different. Languages, attitudes, eating habits, that sort of thing. Well, the same holds for their blood groups and distribution too.

Almost all South American Indians are group O, while about 25% of Asians are group B. Only about 9% of Caucasians have that particular group. And should you find yourself in Norway requiring a blood transfusion, let's hope it's group A you need, because that's what they've got the most of up in that part of the world.

Blood groups have other uses too. Anthropologists can do their stuff, tracking the movement of ancient peoples and tribes by studying the difference in blood groups. For example, they've discovered that gypsies have a very similar blood distribution to the natives of North West India. Linguists already think the two were connected. The blood evidence confirms it.

The best place to find group O is in the north of England - a throwback to before the 8th century when everyone was that group, and before the Vikings came and messed up our gene pool.

But the South of England has a greater preponderance of group A. That'll be all those European invasions over the centuries. And if you're looking for group B, then look no further than among the Asian or Chinese communities. Almost anyone between the ages of 17 and 60 can become a new blood donor.

And those regular donors who are still in good health can still show up and donate for right up to the age of 70.

You've got about 5 billion red blood cells in every litre of blood (that's 5 followed by 9 zeroes, so all in all, it's quite a lot). Which means you have on average 25 billion red cells running around inside you, although 25 million (or 0.1%) of them die every day. That works out at roughly 300 a second, so it's quite unlikely you're going to run out of them.

William Harvey was the first physician to discover that blood circulates round the body back in 1628.. The first successful blood transfusion was carried out in 1665 by Dr Richard Lower, using animals as subjects. When they started performing transfusions on humans, initially with animal blood, they couldn't understand why their recipients kept dying. It wasn't until 1900 when Dr Karl Landsteiner of Vienna discovered that blood comes in four different groups. He got the Nobel Prize for his discovery. Didn't stop him dying of a blood clot though.

Angayang Atimanon, Tan'awon

Medication Recall- Mainly Flu / Cold

STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been linked to
increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain) among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA recommended that everyone (even children) seek alternative Medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or orange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold & Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy & Fever Relief
Day & Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu & Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold & Allergy Chewable Tablets
Dimetapp Cold & Cough Liqui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold & Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp 4 Hour Liquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus & Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Relief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest & Head
Triaminic Syrup Co ld & Allergy

Triaminic Triaminicol Cold & Cough

They are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a c ertain
ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children:

Orange 3D Cold & Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold & Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant


PLEASE PASS THIS ON. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed.

They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the following:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Information Page

Update - On December 22, 2005 the FDA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (notice) for over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant and weight control products containing phenylpropanoloamine preparations. This proposed rule reclassifies phenylpropanolamine as nonmonograph (Category II) not generally recognized as safe and effective. Written and electronic comments and new data can be submitted by March, 22, 2006.
Phenylpropanolamine-containing products (OTC); tentative final monographs [PDF] [HTML]


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to remove phenylpropanolamine (PPA) from all drug products and has requested that all drug companies discontinue marketing products containing PPA. In addition, FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning phenylpropanolamine. This drug is an ingredient that was used in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in OTC weight loss products.

In response to the request made by FDA in November 2000, many companies have voluntarily reformulated and are continuing to reformulate their products to exclude PPA while FDA proceeds with the regulatory process necessary to remove PPA from the market.
We have received numerous requests for a list of products containing PPA. Since companies continue to reformulate their products, FDA is not maintaining a comprehensive, updated list of products that still contain PPA. FDA is aware of emails circulating widely that list many products allegedly containing PPA. These emails, however, generally contain dated and inaccurate information and should be ignored.

The FDA recommends that consumers read the labels of OTC drug products to determine if the product contains PPA. The Agency believes this to be the most accurate method for determining the PPA content of OTC products rather than providing an incomplete or out-of-date list of products that may have already been reformulated and no longer contain PPA. (Introduction updated 03/07/2003)

Scientists at Yale University School of Medicine recently issued a report entitled "Phenylpropanolamine & Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Final Report of the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project." This study reports that taking PPA increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very low, FDA recommends that consumers not use any products that contain PPA.

FDA’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee recently discussed this Yale study along with additional information on phenylpropanolamine. The Advisory Committee determined that there is an association between PPA and hemorrhagic stroke. It recommended that PPA be considered not safe for over-the-counter use.

For more information on this public health advisory, please see the items below.
FDA Talk Paper on Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
Public Health Advisory. Subject: Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) 11/6/2000
Questions and Answers about Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
Science Background Statement on Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
FDA Letter to Manufacturers of Drug Products Containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) dated 11/3/2000. Optional Format: PDF Posted 11/6/2000
Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting: Safety Issues of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in Over-the-Counter Drug Products, (10/19/00). This link leads to the meeting agenda, roster, questions, presentation slides, and briefing information, including the Yale Hemorrhagic Stroke Project: Final Study Report
Federal Register Announcement: Phenylpropanolamine; Proposal to Withdraw Approval of New Drug Applications and Abbreviated New Drug Applications; Opportunity for a Hearing. Pages 42665-–42671 [FR Doc. 01-20300] [TXT] [PDF]
Back to Top Back to Drug Information
PDF requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader

Date updated: December 23, 2005
product contains PPA. The Agency believes this to be the most accurate method for determining the PPA content of OTC products rather than providing an incomplete or out-of-date list of products that may have already been reformulated and no longer contain PPA. (Introduction updated 03/07/2003)

Scientists at Yale University School of Medicine recently issued a report entitled "Phenylpropanolamine & Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Final Report of the Hemorrhagic Stroke Project." This study reports that taking PPA increases the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very low, FDA recommends that consumers not use any products that contain PPA.

FDA’s Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee recently discussed this Yale study along with additional information on phenylpropanolamine. The Advisory Committee determined that there is an association between PPA and hemorrhagic stroke. It recommended that PPA be considered not safe for over-the-counter use.

For more information on this public health advisory, please see the items below.
FDA Talk Paper on Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
Public Health Advisory. Subject: Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) 11/6/2000
Questions and Answers about Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
Science Background Statement on Safety of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). 11/6/2000
FDA Letter to Manufacturers of Drug Products Containing Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) dated 11/3/2000. Optional Format: PDF Posted 11/6/2000
Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee Meeting: Safety Issues of Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) in Over-the-Counter Drug Products, (10/19/00). This link leads to the meeting agenda, roster, questions, presentation slides, and briefing information, including the Yale Hemorrhagic Stroke Project: Final Study Report

Federal Register Announcement: Phenylpropanolamine; Proposal to Withdraw Approval of New Drug Applications and Abbreviated New Drug Applications; Opportunity for a Hearing. Pages 42665-–42671 [FR Doc. 01-20300] [TXT] [PDF]

Why Tikay's Not a Boxing Fan! :)

Fan Pud Ko ni Beckham, Kapamilya!

Beckham stands down as England skipper

2 July 2006by FIFAworldcup.com

David Beckham has announced that he is standing down as England captain in the wake of their defeat in the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Portugal in Gelsenkirchen.

Beckham made the announcement in an emotional statement during a press conference this morning. He said that after almost six years in the job, earning 58 of his 95 caps as skipper, he believes the “time is right to pass on the armband” as England enter a new era under Steve McClaren, the successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson who’s last game in charge coincided with England’s departure from the Germany tournament.

Reading from a statement he said he had written last night, Beckham, 31, said: “I have lived the dream and have been extremely privileged to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I’ll always be grateful.”

The Real Madrid player, who was forced off with a knee injury during Saturday's game, stressed that he intended continuing as a player for his country. The decision to relinquish the captaincy, he said, had been made “some time ago” but he’d hoped to have announced it on the back of success in Germany.

“This is the most difficult decision of my career to date,” he added. “I have discussed it with my family and those close to me and the time is right.
“Our performances in this World Cup have not been enough to progress further and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realise. I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain, Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches.

“I’d also like to thank the press and of course the England supporters who have been great to me and my team-mates and for me it’s been an absolute honour.”

Beckham’s first game as captain came on 15 November 2000 in a friendly game with Italy while Taylor was in temporary charge, prior to the appointment of Eriksson.

Under him England reached the quarter-finals of both the 2002 World Cup (losing to Brazil) and UEFA EURO 2004 ( where they lost, as in 2006) to Portugal on penalties.

Sample Resume'

Denise F. Moore
2657 Uphill Ave. Somewhere, CT
06677 800/555-1212
denisefmoore@jobweb.com

Objective
To obtain an entry-level position requiring strong analytical and organizational skills in the engineering department.

Education
University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Engineering B.S., Mechanical Engineering with focus in automotive engineering, May 2003

Honors: Daniel M. Joseph Prize in Mechanical Engineering, 2003
Phi Beta Kappa

Experience

Co-op engineer, Ford Motor Corp., Detroit, MI, Spring 2002Worked on advanced test project that involved mechanical design, CAD/CAM composites technology, automobile structures, and coordination among project groups.

Mini-Baja Team Participant, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Fall 2002. Worked on six-member team of students to design and build a miniature stock car for competition in National Society of Automotive Engineers competition. Our car won.

Intern, General Motors Corp., Detroit, MI, Summer 2001Assisted in experimental and literature research, prepared figures and data for technical papers, and computed engineering calculations.

Assistant Mechanic, Dewey's Garage, Trumbull, CT, Summer 1999 and 2000. Performed oil changes, tire rotations, radiator flushes, troubleshooting problems with customers' cars.

Related Course Work
Thermodynamics, deformable solids, statics, materials science, basic circuits, fluids mechanics, controls, heat transfer, vibrations, statistics, design, turbomachinery, automotive structural design.

Computer Skills
CAD, AutoCAD, MathCAD, C++, Word, Access, Excel.

Activities
President, Society of Automotive Engineers, campus chapter, Fall 2000-present
Peer tutor
Intramural baseball, 1998-2001 Intramural basketball, 1998-2001

For Jobseekers!

Employment Interview Quiz

1. You should arrive at a job interview

a. On time b. 5-10 minutes early c. 20 minutes early

2. At the interview:

a. You should know the company's history

b. Ask about the company's history

c. Ask about the products the company makes

3. It is illegal for a potenial employer to ask your marital status

a. False b. True

4. The person interviewing you is probably:

a. A trained interviewer

b. Trying to psych you out

c. Just as nervous as you

d. Trying to trap you

5. The secretary who greets you before an interview:

a. Should only ask your name

b. Will be asked by the interviewer to give an opinion of you later

c. Will get you coffee if you ask

6. Thank you notes:

a. Are an old-fashioned device no longer necessary

b. Should be sent to the interviewer within 2 days

c. Should be sent to the interviewer only after the job is obtained

7. You should ask questions when the interviewer asks if you have any

a. True b. False

8. It is okay to speak negatively of a previous employer

a. True b. False

9. You are a first time interviewee at a firm. The interviewer keeps you waiting 15 minutes past your appointment time, sits you in a seat where the sun hits your eyes, and is critical of whatever you say. What type of interview are you experiencing?

a. Directed Interview

b. Board Interview

c. Selection Interview

d. Stress Interview

10. It's okay to ask about salary

a. True b. False

Angayang Hinumduman inig Sulat ug 'Resume'

Seven Tips for Effective Resume Writing

Pay attention to detail—Don't cut corners by, for instance, not proofreading the cover letter, failing to include information the hiring manager asked for, or beginning the cover letter "Dear Sir or Madam" when the hiring manager's name is on the company web site. Take the time to make sure the correspondence and information sent is correct and error-free.

Do the basics—Proofread for spelling, grammar, and tone, and make sure you have followed the instructions of the employer. Firing off an e-mail is a convenient method of communication. However, don't let the sloppy nature and informality of e-mail correspondence seep into your communications—whether it's e-mailed or written—with potential employers.

Construct an effective resume—Organize your information in a logical fashion and keep descriptions clear and to the point. Include as much work experience as possible, even if it obviously doesn't relate to the job you are seeking. Also, use a simple, easy-to-read font.

Customize their response—Address the hiring manager directly, and include the name of the company and the position for which it is hiring in your cover letter/e-mail response.

Make it easy for the hiring manager—Use your name and the word "resume" in your e-mail header so it's easy to identify. If the employer asks for information—such as references or writing samples—provide it.

Focus on what you bring to the employer, not what you want from the job—This is an opportunity for you to market yourself and stand out from the other candidates. What can you do to make the hiring manager's life easier? What can you do to help the company?

Be professional—You won't be taken seriously if you don't have e-mail or voice mail/answering machine. If you don't have e-mail, set up a free account through Yahoo! and Hotmail. Provide the recruiter with a cell phone number if your voice mail/answering machine doesn't pick up when you are online. Also, it's a good idea to ditch the cute e-mail address or voice mail/answering machine messages in favor of something that sounds professional.

Typos, Grammatical Errors Most Common Resume Mistakes

Like lifeguards protecting their organization's waters, recruiters look for reasons to blow the whistle and tell job seekers to get out of the candidate pool. According to the results of a survey by Accountemps, careless students often oblige. In fact, slightly more than one-third of executives surveyed recently cited typos or grammatical errors as the most common mistake on resumes.

The national poll includes responses from 150 senior executives—including those from human resources, finance, and marketing departments—with the nation's 1,000 largest companies. Executives were asked, "In your opinion, which of the following is the single most common mistake job seekers make on their resumes?" Their responses:

Typos or grammatical errors—34 percent

Including too much information—22 percent

Not listing achievements in former roles—17 percent

Poor layout and/or design—17 percent

Including too little information—7 percent

Other/don't know—3 percent

Men are From Mars... Women from Venus?!

Balay Ni Tikay Goes Islam

DYAB Anchor Tisha Ylaya invited Voice of Islam Foundation Head Ustadz Najib Rasul to her weekly radio program 

"Myth" Ra Diay Tu?!?

Source: Johns Hopkins School Of Public Health
Posted: June 18, 1998

Women Not Neccessarily Better Drivers Than Men

Although men are three times more likely than women to be killed in car crashes, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health have found that, when the total numbers of crashes are considered, female drivers are involved in slightly more crashes than men. Overall, men were involved in 5.1 crashes per million miles driven compared to 5.7 crashes for women, despite the fact that on average they drove 74 percent more miles per year than did women.

The investigators, who published their results in the July issue of Epidemiology, found that although teenage boys started off badly, with about 20 percent more crashes per mile driven than teenage girls, males and females between ages 20 and 35 were equally at risk of being involved in a crash, and after age 35 female drivers were at greater risk of a crash than their male counterparts.

Lead author Guohua Li, MD, PhD, associate professor of Emergency Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, said, "Although risk-taking behaviors may contribute to the excessive injury mortality among men and younger drivers, up to now age and sex discrepancies in death rates from motor vehicle crashes have not been well understood."

The researchers used 1990 crash statistics gathered by the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), the General Estimates System (GES), and the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS) and applied an innovative method called "decomposition" to break down the data into new categories and weigh the relative contributions of three variables: crash fatality, incidence density (that is, number of crashes per million person-miles) and exposure prevalence (annual average miles driven per driver). Traditionally, the death rate ratio has been considered to be a function of just two factors: fatality rates and accident rates.

The investigators determined that about half of the 3.1-fold difference between the sexes' fatal crash involvement rates was due to the fact that males' crashes were more severe. Another 40 percent was due to the fact that men, who on average drove many more miles than women, thus had a greater opportunity of being in a crash; and 8 percent because of gender differences in "crash incidence density," the number of crashes per million person-miles.

Each year, highway crashes claim about 40,000 lives, cause three million injuries, and cost the nation $140 billion.

The study was supported in part by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Co-authors: Gabor Kelen, MD, professor and director, Emergency Medicine, the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; and Susan P. Baker, PhD, professor of Health Policy and Management, the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Mother's Day 2006!

How Mother's Day is Celebrated Around the World

Mother is said various ways around the world such as :-

France - Mere

Germany - Mutter

Hindi - Maji

Urdu - Umee

English - mummy, mum, mom, ma, mamma, mommy.

African Mother's Day

Some tribes like the Assam in Africa, don't call themselves families. They call themselves "maharis", or "motherhoods."

Chinese Mother's Day

Chinese family names are often formed beginning with a sign that means "mother". It's a way of honoring their moms long past.

Greek Mother's Day

The ancient Greeks celebrated Mother's Day in spring. They used to honor Rhea, "mother of the gods" with honey-cakes and fine drinks and flowers at dawn.

The Greek word "meter" and the Sanskrit word "mantra" mean both mother and measurement.

Japanese Mother's Day

Japan's Imperial family trace their descent from Omikami Amaterasu, the Mother of the World.

Indian Mother's Day

Hindu scripture credits the Great Mother, Kali Ma, with the invention of writing through alphabets, pictographs and beautiful sacred images.
Buddha honored mothers when he said, "As a mother, even at the risk of her own life, loves and protects her child, so let a man cultivate love without measure toward the whole world."

In India there is a ten-day festival known as Durga Puja which is held in early October. The festival honors Durga, the "Divine Mother". She is the most important of all Hindu goddesses.

American Indian Mother's Day

Native American Indian women have long been honored with the name, "Life of the Nation" for their gift of motherhood to the tribes.

Egyptian Mother's Day

Ancient Egyptians believed that "Bast" was the mother of all cats on Earth, and that cats were sacred animals.

English Mother's Day

In the 1600's, England celebrated a day known as Mothering Sunday, celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Mothering Sunday honored the mothers of England.

As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the Mother Church - the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebration.

People began honoring their mothers as well as the church. During this time many of the England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers.

A special cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along to provide a festive touch. Sometimes furmety was served - wheat grains boiled in sweet milk, sugared and spiced.

In northern England and in Scotland, the preferred refreshments were carlings - pancakes made of steeped pease fried in butter, with pepper and salt.

In fact, in some locations this day was called Carling Sunday.

Another kind of mothering cake was the simnel cake, a very rich fruit cake. The Lenten fast dictated that the simnel cake had to keep until Easter. It was boiled in water, then baked, and was often finished with an almond icing. Sometimes the crust was of flour and water, colored with saffron.

French Mother's Day

Children in France spend days drawing a card and practising a poem as a surprise for their mothers. This springtime Sunday is refered to as Fete des Meres, and it provides children and adults throughout France with the opportunity to make their mother the centre of attention, and give her gifts and treats.

Mother's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in May. It is treated more like a family birthday. Everyone in the family gathers for a special meal. This may be at home or in a restaurant. At the end of the meal the mother is presented with a cake.

Swedish Mother's Day

In Sweden Mother's Day is on the last Sunday in May and is a family holiday. The Swedish Red Cross sells small plastic flowers on the days leading up to Mother's Day. The money raised from the sale of the flowers is used to help needy mothers and their children.

Spanish Mother's Day

In Spain Mother's Day is celebrated on 8th December. It is closely linked to the church, especially to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Special cards are sent for Mother's Day and many of these are made by children. Shops sell chocolates, flowers and other Mother's Day presents, but many children make their own presents for their mothers.

Portuguese Mother's Day

In Portugal Mother's Day is celebrated on 8th December. It is closely linked to the church, especially to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Special cards are sent for Mother's Day and many of these are made by children. Shops sell chocolates, flowers and other Mother's Day presents, but many children make their own presents for their mothers.


European Mother's Day

As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church"--the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebration. People began honoring their mothers as well as the church

Motherhood Trivia

Rosa Parks was the mother of bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama that launched the Civil Rights Movement.

Mother Shipton was a Prophetess in Britain 500 years ago. She could see the future, and predicted that another Queen Elizabeth would sit on the throne of England. (QE II)

Mother's Day is now celebrated in many countries around the world. Australia, Mexico, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Russia, China, Thailand, all have special celebrations to honor Mothers, but not in the same way or on the same day as the United States.

In the Bible, Eve is credited with being the "Mother of All the Living."

Mother Goose is one of the most popular of all children's entertainers. Her books and stories have been loved for many generations.

Mother Earth is also known as "Terra Firma". That title is a Latin translation of some lines from one of the Greek poet, Homer's, greatest poems.

Famous Mothers Quotes

Michelangelo's Mother:"Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?"

Mona Lisa's Mother:"After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?"

Columbus' Mother:"I don't care what you've discovered Christopher. You still could have written!"

Napoleon's Mother:"All right, Napoleon. If you aren't hiding your report card inside your jacket, than take your hand out of there and prove it!"

George Washington's Mother:"The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance good-bye!"

Abraham Lincoln's Mother:"Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?"

Humpty Dumpty's Mother:"Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times not to sit on that wall. But would you listen to me? Noooo!"

Goldilock's Mother:"I've got a bill here for a busted chair from the Bear family. You know anything about this, Goldie?"

Albert Einstein's Mother:"But Albert, it's your senior picture, Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something?..."

Babe Ruth's Mother:"Babe, how many times have I told you? Quit playing ball in the house! That's the third broken window this week!"

Batman's Mothers:"It's a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?"

Superman's Mother:"Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we've decided you can have your own telephone line. Now will you quit spending so much time in all those phone booths?"

Barney's Mother:"I realize strained plums are your favorite, Barney, but you're starting to look a little purple."

Mao Nang Wala Ko'y Credit Card Sukad Masukad!

Sure, debit cards work just like cash. But just like credit cards, they make it easy to lose track and overspend. That's why the key to your budget may be cash.

By Liz Pulliam Weston

In a world where people use plastic to buy lattes, Stacy Jo McDermott feels like a bit of an oddball. But after running up $35,000 in credit card debt, the San Francisco Bay-area resident decided her relationship with money had to change.McDermott tried different ways to monitor and control her spending as she paid down her debt. The method that she hit on several months ago seems to work best: using cash.Every two weeks, after her paycheck is direct-deposited into her bank account, McDermott slips $125 into a checkbook register to pay for food. "About 70% of that goes for groceries," she said, "and about 30% for eating out."

Another $60 goes into her wallet to pay for gas. A final $30 stash is tucked into a zippered pocket in the wallet for what she calls "treat money"-- little splurges like a movie or a magazine.McDermott, a saleswoman, still carries an American Express card for business travel and a debit card for emergencies, like the new battery her car recently needed. Her monthly bills are paid with checks. Otherwise, though, she pays with the green stuff."When I use cash, I stop and think," McDermott said. "Do I really need this?"It's still plasticPlastic surpassed cash years ago as consumers' payment method of choice. People now use debit, credit or prepaid cards in 56% of their in-store transactions, according to the American Bankers Association, with cash comprising 33% of the transactions and checks 11%. Indeed, plastic forms of payment have plenty of advantages for money management:

They're convenient. You can buy what you need when you need it, as long as you're not already over your credit limit or overdrawn at the bank.
They're easier to track. With debit and credit cards, you know exactly what you've spent where. You can check your transactions and balances online and track them with personal-finance software like Quicken or Money. Dollars in your wallet, by contrast, tend to disappear without a trace unless you're diligent about writing down your purchases or retaining receipts.
They offer some protection. Credit cards, and debit cards with MasterCard or Visa logos, promise "zero liability" for consumers if the cards are lost or stolen. Credit cards also serve as a middleman in transactions, so that if you have a dispute with a merchant, you don't have to pay the charge until your beef has been investigated.

They give you rewards. Many credit cards and even some debit cards offer reward points, frequent-flier miles, cash back or other fringe benefits. The more you use them, the more rewards you pile up.

The envelope systemDebit cards, in particular, have soared in popularity in recent years, with their use for in-store transactions climbing 45% between 1999 and 2005. Since debit-card transactions come directly out of your checking account, you don't have to worry about facing a big, unexpected bill and possible finance charges at the end of the month, as you could with a credit card.Still, it's possible to overspend with a debit card, just in a different way. You might buy too much at the grocery store, for example, and discover too late that you don't have enough left for rent. Couples may find themselves in constant conflict because they've essentially spent the same dollars twice.The desire to earmark money for different purposes without worrying about overspending is what led Carolyn Pittman of San Dimas, Calif., to set up her cash-based envelope system nearly two decades ago, when her now-grown sons were still in elementary school.

Pittman keeps seven envelopes on hand, labeled:

Home, for small home repairs.

Entertainment, which includes weekly dinners out with her husband, Richard.

Gas. The envelope is kept in her car.

Trips, for weekend getaways.

Barber, for haircuts.

Clothing.

Food.

You can't spend what you don't have

"If I have the cash put aside, it's harder to overspend," Pittman said. With plastic, "you're tempted to buy everything you see."The Pittmans know something about money management -- Caroline was an accountant before becoming a full-time mother, and Richard works for a credit-counseling organization, ByDesign, as vice president of fund development.Richard Pittman said the system works well for the couple and occasionally wins them price breaks."I had my car repaired (recently) and got a discount for paying cash," he said. "Small businesses are often willing to do that to avoid paying merchant fees" that banks charge for plastic.The couple has credit cards for travel, but Pittman said she's never felt a need for a debit or an ATM card. She gets her cash the old-fashioned way: from a bank teller.Recently, one of them tried to convince her she needed an ATM card. Pittman said the teller asked her what she would do if she ran out of money on a Sunday, when the bank's branches were closed."I said, I don't run out of money because I budget my money," Pittman recalled. "If you have an ATM card, you can keep pulling out money whenever you want."

'If you can eat it, drink it or wear it...'

Credit counselors, who traditionally put their debt-strapped customers on cash-based spending plans, are now likely to view cash and debit cards as pretty much synonymous, said Dianne Wilkman, president of Springboard credit counseling.But Wilkman still advises using bills rather than plastic for certain expenses when she's counseling young people and others who are trying to create a money-management system that works for them."We say, 'If you can eat it, drink it or wear it,' " Wilkman said, " 'it's always good to use cash.'"High-school science teacher Brendon Bookman of Merritt Island, Fla., uses cash for those purchases -- and just about everything else.

Bookman has been without a credit card for more than a year after getting frustrated with soaring interest rates and high fees."You start out with a rate that's 2.9%, you're late with one payment and the rate goes to 20%, 30%," Bookman fumed. "It's so easy to get buried."Like McDermott, Bookman keeps a debit card for emergencies. He doesn't travel much and so hasn't needed to use a credit card (although airlines and some hotels and rental car offices do accept debit cards, should the situation arise). He doesn't use checks, either, since he finds it too easy to get overdrawn. His bills are paid with postal money orders, which can be replaced if they're lost or stolen.The day may come, Bookman said, when he'll get another credit card. But he said he'll insist on a low limit and pay it off in full every month. In the meantime, he likes knowing exactly where he stands by using cash."It's not always convenient," Bookman said, "but it works."3 keys to the cash systemIf you think you'd like to try a cash-based system, consider the following:Expect some trial and error. Any budget can take a while to perfect, and you may well find yourself raiding one envelope (or bank account) when another runs dry. For more information on how to budget, check out MSN's Learn to Budget Decision Center and read "A simpler way to save: The 60% solution.”

Don't carry big wads of cash.

You're not protected against loss or theft as you are with plastic. When Carolyn Pittman starts feeling nervous about how much cash is accumulating in an envelope, she deposits it in the couples' savings account and puts an IOU in its place.Mind your credit scores. Even if, like Bookman, you feel like swearing off credit cards forever, consider the future. You might want to apply for a mortgage, auto loan or other credit someday, and it will help to have good scores. To do that, you generally need to keep at least one open credit account. (For more on how credit scores work, see MSN's Decision Center on the topic.)

Liz Pulliam Weston's column appears every Monday and Thursday, exclusively on MSN Money.

Wala'y Mawa'a Kung Muto-u... :)

A Poem That Gives You Goosebumps...


A drunk man in an Oldsmobile
They said had run the light
That caused the six-car pileup
On 109 that night.

When broken bodies lay about
"And blood was everywhere,"
"The sirens screamed out eulogies,"
For death was in the air.

"A mother, trapped inside her car,"
Was heard above the noise;
Her plaintive plea near split the air:
"Oh, God, please spare my boys!"

She fought to loose her pinned hands;
"She struggled to get free,"
But mangled metal held her fast
In grim captivity.

Her frightened eyes then focused
"On where the back seat once had been,"
But all she saw was broken glass and
Two children's seats crushed in.

Her twins were nowhere to be seen;
"She did not hear them cry, "
"And then she prayed they'd been thrown free, "
"Oh, God, don't let them die! "

Then firemen came and cut her loose, "
"But when they searched the back, "
"They found therein no little boys, "
But the seat belts were intact.

They thought the woman had gone mad
"And was traveling alone, "
"But when they turned to question her, "
They discovered she was gone.

Policemen saw her running wild
And screaming above the noise
"In beseeching supplication, "
Please help me find my boys!

They're four years old and wear blue shirts;
"Their jeans are blue to match.""
"One cop spoke up, ""They're in my car, "
And they don't have a scratch.

They said their daddy put them there
"And gave them each a cone, "
Then told them both to wait for Mom
To come and take them home.

"I've searched the area high and low, "
But I can't find their dad.
"He must have fled the scene, "
"I guess, and that is very bad."

"The mother hugged the twins and said, "
"While wiping at a tear, "
"He could not flee the scene, you see, "
"For he's been dead a year."

"The cop just looked confused and asked, "
"Now, how can that be true? "
"The boys said, ""Mommy, Daddy came "
"And left a kiss for you."" "

He told us not to worry
And that you would be all right, "
And then he put us in this car with
"The pretty, flashing light. "

"We wanted him to stay with us, "
"Because we miss him so, "
"But Mommy, he just hugged us tight "
And said he had to go.

He said someday we'd understand
"And told us not to fuss, "
"And he said to tell you, Mommy, "
"He's watching over us."

The mother knew without a doubt
"That what they spoke was true, "
"For she recalled their dad's last words, "
"I will watch over you."

The firemen's notes could not explain
"The twisted, mangled car, "
And how the three of them escaped
Without a single scar.

"But on the cop's report was scribed, "
"In print so very fine, "
An angel walked the beat tonight on Highway 109.

"The 7 Second Prayer, Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves.

"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless my
family, my home, my friends, and me. Amen. "

Ngano Mang Gidid-an sa Pagminyu ang mga Paring Katoliko?

Why are Catholic priests not allowed to marry?

MATTHEW PINTO

Q: Why are Catholic priests not allowed to marry?

A: Although the early Church allowed married clergy, the Church later came to see celibacy as a better example of the norm and model of Jesus’ priesthood.

In referring to celibacy, St. Paul says: "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God . . .Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do" (1 Cor. 7:7-8). He goes on to say: "An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided" (1 Cor. 7:32-34).

Jesus said: "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life" (Mt. 19:29).

Celibacy is a discipline, not a dogma. This means that the Church could change the rule. In fact, there are a few instances when the Church has allowed married clergy, such as with some Eastern rite clergy and in the case of some Protestant ministers who converted to the Faith. These, however, are the exception.

It is unlikely that the Church will change this teaching at all, or any time soon, because of the many positive and practical benefits of celibacy. Here are 10 reasons why a celibate clergy makes good sense:

It leaves the priest free to more fully commit his life to the service of the Lord and the laity.

The Church has found it is better to keep priests moving from parish to parish every few years, perhaps for a few reasons, including the desire to prevent a cult of personality from building around a particular priest. This situation can put too much focus on the man rather than on the Gospel message. So, the Church prudently moves priests around. Can you imagine how much stress it would cause a priest to have to move his wife and family each time he is assigned to a new parish? Having a celibate priesthood also enables the bishop the full flexibility he needs to move priests around.

To be able to lay his life down for his flock. Because a celibate priest does not have the obligation of a wife and children, he can give of himself more easily, including his own life, if necessary. For example, Blessed Damien de Veuster of Belgium was able to work with lepers on the island of Molokai, Hawaii, because of the freedom he had in being a celibate minister. This work eventually led to his contracting and dying from leprosy.
It is a sign of contradiction and a great Christian witness to our society, which is flooded with sexually permissive messages. Celibacy surely gains the Catholic clergy a hidden respect from many people.

It gives the priest greater credibility when he asks the laity to make sacrifices, because the laity knows that celibacy involves sacrifice.
It helps the priest master his passions amd also gives him more time for prayer, which is the lifeblood of any ministry.

It enables a priest to be more objective when counseling married couples. Because he is not married, he is not going to project any personal marriage problems or biases onto the the couple he is counseling.
In many cases it enables the priest to be a "spiritual father" to more people than he would as a married man (1 Cor. 4:15).

It allows the Church to put the hundreds of millions of dollars it saves in priestly salaries to the evangelization and charitable assistance of a needy world. Although priests do receive salaries, they are much lower than they would have to be if they had families to support.

It’s a foreshadowing that there will be no marriage in heaven (Mt. 22:30).

No one is required to live a permanently celibate life (Mt. 19:12). The Church says that people are free to marry. In fact, the Church glorifies the married state. Only if one wants to become a priest, brother, or religious sister does he or she have to live a celibate life. The religious life, and the requirements that come with it, do not have to be chosen by anyone. However, when it is chosen, it needs to be followed in the manner our Lord and His Church requires.

Sure, celibacy can be difficult, especially in this sexually permissive age. But if a priest has good seminary formation that strongly supports celibacy and if he stays close to our Lord in prayer, he will be able to turn this sacrifice into a wonderful aid to his work.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Matthew Pinto "Why are Catholic priests not allowed to marry?" Apologetics: "Question of the Week" Ascension Press.
Reprinted with permission of Matthew Pinto and Ascension Press.

THE AUTHOR

Matthew Pinto is a co-founder of CatholicExchange.com, a premiere Internet portal for Catholics. He is also a co-founder and former president of Envoy Magazine, which received the 1st Place award for General Interest Catholic magazines in 1998 and 1999 from the Catholic Press Association. The co-author of Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer (Ascension Press, 2002) and Did Adam and Eve have Belly Buttons?… and 199 other questions from Catholic Teenagers (Ascension Press, 1998) and creator and co-author of the Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards, Matt is a well-known speaker whose work has focused primarily on youth and young adults.

Pangandam na for Summer!

Cagayan de Oro

City of Golden Friendship

Cagayan de Oro, the capital of Misamis Oriental, is one of Mindanao’s most progressive cities, and one of its most picturesque. Surrounded by mountains and bordered by the majestic Cagayan River and Macajalar Bay, Cagayan de Oro exudes freshness and innocence. Vast pineapple plantations define its landscape; and rainforests and wildlife continue to thrive under its care and protection.

GEOGRAPHY

Cagayan de Oro is located along Macabalan Bay in Central Coast of Northern Mindanao. It serves as Regional Center for Region X, bounded by Barangay Bugo on the east; on the west by Barangay Iponan; and Barangay Tumpagon on the south. Its total land area is 48,885 has. or 488.8583 sq. km.

CLIMATE

Cagayan de Oro has a climate characterized by relatively dry season from November to April. Wet season is May to October. Heaviest rainfall is June to October. Driest month is March with an average of 27.42 mm. of rain.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

PUEBLO DE OR GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB - An 18-hole par 72 world classes all weather championship Golf Course designed by world- renowned designer Robe Trent Jones II. It is complete with facilities and amenities such as modern clubhouse, functions rooms, pro-shop, driving range, practice putting greens and others.

VICENTE DE LARA PARK situated in front of the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental with age-old mahogany trees that provides a therapeutic canopy for the promenades.

LA CASTILLA: Museum of Philippine household heirlooms and antiques. This is the Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez family memorabilia. Administered by the Liceo de Cagayan University.

THE CATHEDRAL: The home of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City, this place of worship is also famous for its century old stained glass windows… Catanico Falls - Concealed by huge boulders, the rapids, cascading falls and natural pool of Barangay F.S. Catanico. Only 20 minutes by car and 45 minutes by foot from the city center. Makahambus Cave - Explore underground caves and a 130-foot circular gorge. The ravine is thick with various species of plants and huge trees. Malasag Reforestration Area - Rolling hills ideal for horseback riding, mountain climbing/biking. Sunrise and sunset are best in the hills of Malasag where one has a panoramic view of the city and the bay.

GETTING THERE. From Manila, domestic flights leave several times a day for Cagayan de Oro. Passenger ships also arrive regularly from Manila and the Visayas.

GETTING AROUND. Air-conditioned taxis are readily available. Cagayan has extensive bus connections around the region. To reach Camiguin island, take a ferry from either Cagayan de Oro harbor or Balingonan town; flights directly to the island may be available from Cebu.

Exam Pud Ta, Kapamilya!!! :)

PASSING REQUIRES 4 CORRECT ANSWERS.

1. How long did the Hundred Years War last?

2. What country makes Panama hats?

3. From what animal do we get catgut?

4. In what month do Russians celebrate October Revolution?

5. What is camel's hair brush made of?

6. The Canary Islands in the Pacific is named after what animal?

7. What was King George VI first name?

8. What color is purple finch?

9. Where does Chinese gooseberries came from?

10. What is the color of the blackbox in a commercial plane?

ALL DONE??? CHECK YOUR ANSWERS BELOW.

1. 116
2. ECUADOR
3. SHEEP & HORSES
4. NOVEMBER
5. SQUIRREL FUR
6. DOGS
7. ALBERT
8. CRIMSON
9. NEW ZEALAND
10. ORANGE, of course.

Dagan Na!!!

PINAY IN ACTION

5/10km walk/run
in celebration of Women's Month
March 19, 2006
Bonifacio Global City (near Adidas Sports Camp)
Registration Fee is P150.00

You may pre-register at :
www.cayetanofoundation.com
Maxibear Stores
(Glorietta 2, Festival Mall & Shangri-la Mall)
Maxitolylab Stores
(Glorietta 2, Alabang Town Center & Shangri-la Mall)
Maxiworks Stores
(Power Plant Mall, Alabang Town Center, Eastwood City Walk 2)


Late registration will be on the event day at 5-5:30am.
Race promptly starts at 6am.

We will also be holding a Women's Expo that will showcase different women's groups. In this light, we would like to invite your company or group to set up a booth and have free consultations. Feel free to decorate your booth in any way or as colorful and attractive as you would like it to appear. Booth Fee is P500.00 only. It will also be nice if your female members/ employees can participate in the 5/10km walk/ run.


Brought to you by Comapañero Rene Cayetano Foundation, Inc.
For more info you may email bikeforhope@yahoo.com
or call Vib at 552-6683/09274045187.

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for

Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism.Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him.

President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea wo! uld be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines.

I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.

When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith.

I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sa! d, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young! told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.

I discover that e! very person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people,contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country.Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love.

If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.