Pinay mexican Jessica sanchez celebrates birthday on ‘Idol’ tour
MANILA, Philippines – Filipina-Mexican-American Jessica Sanchez, the runner-up in “American Idol” Season 11, turned 17 on Saturday.
The now 17-year-old singing sensation celebrates her birthday on the road, as she embarks on a concert tour across the United States along with nine other “Idol” finalists.
Despite being on tour, Sanchez kept in touch with her followers, who she endearingly calls “blujays,” via micro-blogging site Twitter.
On the eve of her birthday, the term “Jessica Sanchez Birthday Countdown” was among the top trending topics on the social networking site.
Also on Twitter, her fellow “Idol” finalist Hollie Cavanagh encouraged Sanchez to go “shopping” on her birthday: “Happy Birthday @JSanchezAI11 ❤ have a lovely day! Bring on the shopping! (:”
‘Idol’ journey
A year earlier, Sanchez was among the aspiring contestants of reality singing contest “American Idol.” Born in Chula Vista, California, the teen singer with Filipino roots finished second on the show.
Her journey on the “American Idol” stage was closely watched and passionately supported by her legions of fans, Filipino-born and otherwise.
Among other worthwhile efforts, her mother’s hometown in the Philippines organized viewing parties for her champion bid, while Filipinos in the United States made organized efforts to vote for the teen singing sensation.
Best known for her rendition of the Dreamgirls hit song “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” during her “Idol” stint, Sanchez has since earned a record deal with Interscope Records.
Coinciding almost with her 17th birthday, Sanchez also recently revealed that she is in a relationship with fellow “Idol” finalist Deandre Brackensick.
Along with other “Idol” alumni, Sanchez continues touring North America for “American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012.” The concert series is set for its finale show on September 21 in the Philippines.
source: abs-cbn news
China hits back at US over South China Sea
China warned Saturday that American criticism of its decision to set up a new military garrison in the South China Sea sent the “wrong signal” and threatened peace in the hotly disputed waters.
Washington on Friday accused Beijing of raising tensions in the sea after it announced last week the establishment of the tiny city of Sansha and a garrison on an island in the disputed Paracel chain.
The move has infuriated Vietnam and the Philippines who accuse Beijing of stepping up harassment at sea.
But China reacted angrily to the American intervention, with the foreign ministry voicing its “strong dissatisfaction and opposition”, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
In a strongly worded statement, ministry spokesman Qin Gang warned that the US remarks had sent a “seriously wrong signal” which could undermine efforts aimed at “safeguarding the peace and stability of the South China Sea”.
China says it controls much of the sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam all claim portions.
State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement Friday the US was “concerned by the increase in tensions in the South China Sea and are monitoring the situation closely”.
Ventrell said the establishment of the garrison and Sansha “runs counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region”.
He also pointed to “confrontational rhetoric” and incidents at sea, saying: “The United States urges all parties to take steps to lower tensions.”
Also on Saturday, a commentary on Xinhua said the US accusations were “groundless and irresponsible” and urged Washington to “draw back its meddling hand from the South China Sea disputes”.
The United States has rallied behind Southeast Asian nations, expanding military ties with the Philippines and Vietnam. In April, the first of 2,500 US Marines touched down in Australia in a further show of US power in Asia.
The US Senate approved a resolution late Thursday that “strongly urges” all regional nations to exercise self-restraint and to refrain from permanently inhabiting points in the South China Sea until a code of conduct is reached.
The resolution, sponsored by senators from both major parties, declared that the United States was committed “to assist the nations of Southeast Asia to remain strong and independent”.
During a 2010 visit to Vietnam, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared that the United States had a national interest in freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, through which half of world cargo passes.
The State Department statement on Friday reiterated that the United States has an interest in stability and “unimpeded lawful commerce” in the South China Sea but that Washington does not take a position on rival claims.
Southeast Asian nations faced deep divisions last month during annual talks in Cambodia, preventing them from issuing a customary joint communique and holding up progress on reaching a code of conduct with China.
The code of conduct would aim to set rules to reduce the chances of a spat over fishing, shipping rights or oil and gas exploration tipping into an armed conflict.
source: yahoo.com
Olympic Boxing: Philippine’s Barriga loses to Kazakh in rough and tumble match
Light-flyweight contender Mark Anthony Barriga lost a close 17-16 encounter to Kazakhstan’s Birzhan Zhakypov Friday, signaling the end of the road for the lone Filipino boxer in the London Olympics.
Barriga was leading the match, 10-8, heading into the third round, when a visibly desperate Zhakypov became more aggressive. The Kazakh wrestled Barriga to the ground three times, but it was the Filipino fighter who got a warning for ducking and headbutting late in the round, giving Zhakypov two extra points that ended up being the difference in the match.
The loss spoiled the sensational second round by Barriga, which he won 6-3. The 19-year-old Barriga, whose stamina was tagged as a weak spot in his arsenal, looked visibly winded to end the fight.
Zhakypov moves on to an encounter with defending champion Zou Shiming of China in the next round.
source: interaksyon.com
Travel: Tagaytay, Philippines
Tagaytay [1] is part of the island of Luzon, Philippines.
Caldera lake
Understand
A popular destination, especially for residents of Manila and Metro Manila, Tagaytay has a mild climate and dramatic scenery.
The weather in Tagaytay is mild & average temperature is from 22 deg Celsius (71 F) to 25 deg Celsius (77 F). There are only two ‘seasons’, wet and dry.
Get in
By plane
The closest major airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila).
By Car
Driving directions to Tagaytay for those with private cars, vans or taxi cabs:
[The following tips are taken from Backpacking Philippines website c/o “Tutubi”)
Option 1: via SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit, the most popular and easiest, is a straight drive all the way to Tagaytay Public Market (and right smack into Tagaytay Econo Inn) where you turn right going to Tagaytay city proper and Nasugbu/Balayan/Lemery Batangas or left going to People’s Park in the Sky. Usual travel time from Makati CBD is 1.5 hours.
Option 2: SLEX Greenfields Exit, an alternate route to Tagaytay that pass by Pramana, Nuvali, Eton City and Paseo de Sta. Rosa, ideal to avoid traffic buildup on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay National Road on Saturday mornings thus making it the fastest route to Tagaytay on weekends.
Option 3: SLEX Southwoods exit then Governor’s Drive in Carmona going to Dasmarinas. Turn left on Maguyam Road just before the Shell Station to your left.
Option 4: Roxas Boulevard, Baclaran, Coastal Road, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas via Aguinaldo Highway. Not recommended due to presence of heavy traffic made worse by SM Dasmarinas and Robinsons Palapala. At the end of Aguinaldo Highway is the Tagaytay Rotonda (roundabout) where a statue of Ninoy Aquino, a BPI with ATM, Days Inn, Max’s Restaurant and 7-11 store as landmarks.
Option 5: Another route for the adventurous to Tagaytay is via Daang Hari that passes by Molino, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang. It bypasses the traffic chokepoint of Bacoor rotonda but not SM Dasma and Robinsons.
Option 6: From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok, not for the faint of heart and newbie drivers)
If you’re a foreigner, you can hire vans to get there or an airport taxi. Some taxi drivers charge a fixed rate or double the meter fare plus toll fees.
By bus
Coming from Manila by bus
Information taken from “Tagaytay blog” – More details can be found here .
Take one of the following buses from the Cubao bus terminus (in order of priority and frequency) – 1) San Agustin 2) Erjohn & Almark 3) Golden dragon
The buses go to Nusugbu (final destination), but have “via Tagaytay” written on the signboard next to the driver. Frequency = one bus every about 30 minutes.
Travel time = 2 hours
Disembark at a crossroad called Olivarez square (now shown on google maps). Easily spottable due to the large KFC restaurant / Andok’s / Jollybee (if you are on the right side of the bus) and “Pure Gold” and Mc Donalds” signs if you are on the left side of the bus. After this stop lies the Rotunda (with a statue in the center and colourful lights at night) – this forms the center of the town of Tagaytay.
Tagaytay does not have a dedicated bus terminus – buses just stop at this part of the road. Ask the bus conductor to tell you when the stop for “Tagaytay” or “Olivarez plaza” comes.
Avoid taking buses going to Batangas or Balibago. Avoid JAM transit.
From Manila Airport to Tagaytay City: the cheapest way is to ride the shuttle service from all terminals that pass by MRT Taft Avenue Station and ride BLTB or Crow Transit Buses to Tagaytay. Alternatively, hire a taxi to take you directly to Tagaytay.
From Mandaluyong to Tagaytay: Ride vans (V-Hires) bound for Batangas and Tagaytay in front of Starmall at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard (walking distance from MRT Shaw Boulevard station). Fare as of posting time is PhP150.00 (this is the best option for those living in Rizal province)
From Laguna to Tagaytay: In Pagsanjan Public Market, there are vans/fx/V-Hires going to Palapala in Dasmarinas Cavite. On reaching Pala-pala transport terminal (near Robinsons Dasmarinas and SM Dasma), transfer to a bus going to Tagaytay where it’s less than an hour away.
Calamba to Tagaytay: ride shuttle service at the public market beside Waltermart Calamba or at the Calamba Central Terminal. Cheaper alternative, ride a jeepney going to Balibago complex in Sta. Rosa then transfer to Tagaytay-bound jeepneys.
Balibago to Tagaytay Public Market: Regular jeepneys plying the route to/from Balibago Transport terminal in Sta. Rosa Laguna to Tagaytay Public Market route.
From Alabang: ride the van/fx at the terminal at the corner of SLEX and Alabang-Zapote Road, Filinvest Festival Mall, or still another at Starmall (formerly Metropolis Mall Alabang)
From Cubao, Quezon City: ride buses going to Nasugbu, Lemery or Calatagan at Cubao Bus Terminal in front of Ali Mall.
Shuttle service (vans, FX, V-Hires) in front of EGI Mall (Jollibee) at the corner of Taft Avenue and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave (Buendia) going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery, Batangas that all pass by Tagaytay.
Shuttle service (vans, FX, V-Hires) going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery at Metropoint mall basement at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue (accessible from LRT EDSA Station or MRT Taft Avenue station, this is also the so-called EDSA Rotonda though there’s really no rotunda there). Current fare is PhP160.00 (regardless of where you’re going since it’s a derecho trip…information provided by Tutubi’s officemate who lives in Balayan, Batangas)
Buses to Tagaytay:
JAM Transit has trips to Tagaytay, Balayan, Batangas, Lemery. Jam Transit terminal is at Taft Avenue corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue accessible from LRT Buendia station.
Crow Transit (Crow bus terminal at the corner Taft Ave & EDSA right below MRT Taft Avenue station and walking distance from LRT EDSA station, same terminal as Erjohn & Almark and Genesis behind Sogo Hotel and MacDonalds) has buses to Nasugbu/Calatagan/Balayan in regular schedules.
Kirby Bus to Tagaytay from Lawton
San Agustin bus with signboard “Mendez-Tagaytay” from Harrison Plaza on Vito Cruz (Pablo Ocampo) or Baclaran via Coastal Road, Aguinaldo Highway to the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang before reaching Tagaytay. (note this is a slow route due to lots of chokepoints in Cavite)
Celyrosa Bus Lines, in Pasay City (note this is a slow route due to lots of checkpoints in Cavite)
Just put in mind that traveling via Coastal Road and Aguinaldo/Tirona highways requires a lot of patience since grave traffic problems takes place along this roads which can waste your time for 1 to 4 hours.
Samsung vies for spotlight ahead of iPhone launch
SEOUL, South Korea — Samsung Electronics Co. plans to show what it says is a new mobile device in late August, trying to stay in the consumer spotlight ahead of Apple’s expected release of the latest iPhone in September.
Analysts said the device is likely an update of the Galaxy Note, which has a screen bigger than smartphones but smaller than tablet computers and can be used with a stylus pen.
Samsung said Friday the device will be unveiled Aug. 29 in Berlin, two days before Europe’s biggest consumer electronics show.
Samsung and Apple Inc. are facing off in a U.S. court over smartphone and tablet intellectual property. The product launches will be their first following the trial.
Samsung said it sold 7 million of the first generation Galaxy Note between October and May. – inquirer
Philippines may soon own vast gas-rich area
The Philippines will gain 13 million hectares in additional territory, an area slightly smaller than Luzon, should the United Nations approve next year the government’s claim on a region off the coast of Isabela and Aurora, Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje said on Monday.
Paje said the undersea region, called Benham Rise, could turn the Philippines into a natural gas exporter because of the area’s huge methane deposits.
Studies conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the past five years indicate large deposits of methane in solid form, Paje said after a Senate budget hearing.
The government is only awaiting a formal declaration from the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (Unclos) that Benham Rise is on the country’s continental shelf and therefore part of its territory, Paje said.
Legal basis
Once the Unclos establishes that Benham Rise is part of the Philippines, “we would have legal basis to enter into exploration agreements with private companies to explore… (the area’s) resources,” said Sen. Franklin Drilon, chair of the chamber’s finance committee.
Drilon said a favorable Unclos declaration would mean “increasing our territory from present 30 million hectares to possibly 43 million” with the inclusion of Benham Rise.
Discussion over Benham Rise generated excitement especially after Paje said that Philippine representatives were just awaiting one more meeting “to answer questions” before a special Unclos committee.
Only claimant
Paje said there was no reason for the Unclos committee not to issue a decision favorable to the country “since we are the only claimant, unlike in the western side (where the Spratly Islands are).”
“We have submitted a claim under (Unclos) sometime in late 2008. We got a reply from the UN lately (asking us) to answer some questions. They intend to pass a resolution sometime in mid-2012 to approve our claim (that it is) part of the Philippine continental shelf,” Paje told reporters after the hearing.
Records showed that the Philippines officially submitted a claim with the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in New York on April 8, 2009.
Davide submission
Hilario Davide, then Philippine ambassador to the United Nations, filed the country’s partial submission with the commission.
The United Nations says the continental shelf is “the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea” up to 370 km (200 nautical miles) from the archipelagic baseline. An extended continental shelf goes farther than 370 km.
The Philippines claims that Benham Rise is an extension of its continental shelf.
Paje said Benham Rise was within the country’s 370-km exclusive economic zone.
American geologist
The environment secretary said an American geologist surnamed Benham discovered the area that was between 40 and 2,000 meters below the waterline in 1933.
“But we are able to define categorically that it is attached to our continental shelf only recently. We have proven (to) Unclos that it is attached. So now the UN is considering it for decision sometime in 2012,” Paje said.
He said gas deposits in the area would enable the country to achieve energy sufficiency.
“Benham Rise is very relevant because of its gas deposits (which has been) confirmed particularly by (the) National Mapping Resource Information Agency. It has given us the data that (the area) contains solid methane. We have not explored it but we have found nodules of methane in the surface and this is very important to us,” he said.
Kalayaan, Scarborough
The Kalayaan Island Group, which is part of the disputed Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal, both located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and claimed by the Philippines, are also believed to contain oil and natural gas.
Paje said there was the possibility that the country could export gas in the future.
The secretary added that there would be a demand for gas deposits in Benham Rise “because it’s much cleaner than (other) fossil fuels.”
The DENR formally submitted its proposed P16.99-billion budget for 2012 to the Senate finance committee. – inquirer
8 Richest Athletes at the 2012 London Olympics
8th:
Deron Williams
Sport: Basketball
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold
Total earnings: $18.2 million (June 2011-June 2012)
The 2011 NBA lockout didn’t stop point guard Deron Williams from making bank. During the lockout, Williams played for a basketball team in Istanbul to supplement his income. This summer, Williams netted a deal with the Brooklyn Nets and also has lucrative endorsement deals with Red Bull, Metro PCS and Audi.
7th:
Chris Paul
Sport: Basketball
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold
Total earnings: $19.2 million (June 2011-June 2012)
Not only does Chris Paul have records, awards, a gold medal and a huge salary; he also owns pop singer Avril Lavigne’s former Bel Air, Calif., mansion. Not exciting enough for you? The 6-foot-tall point guard has endorsement deals with Powerade and Nike’s Team Jordan brand, which bring in about $6 million, according to Forbes.
6th:
Usain Bolt
Sport: Track
Olympic medals pre-London: 3 gold
Total earnings: $20.3 million (June 2011-June 2012)
Jamaican-born track star Usain Bolt earns relatively little in terms of salary – just $300,000, according to Forbes. However, he gets $20 million from endorsement deals, including $9 million per year from Puma. Bolt’s earnings for the year equal out to about $2.1 million earned for every second of his 9.69-second 100-meter world record in Beijing.
5th:
Novak Djokovic
Sport: Tennis
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 bronze
Total earnings: $20.6 million (June 2011-June 2012)
In 2012, Serbian tennis professional Novak Djokovic earned more than $5 million on the court, according to Tennis.com. Bringing more “love” to his bottom line? His family’s Novak Cafes in Serbia and a lucrative endorsement deal with Japanese brand Uniqlo. We can’t find any (foot) fault with that.
4th:
Carmelo Anthony
Sport: Basketball
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold, 1 bronze
Total earnings: $22.9 million (June 2011-June 2012)
Who says you need a college degree to make big bucks? Carmelo Anthony left Syracuse University for the NBA after one year and has been alley-ooping his way to the bank ever since. In addition to his multimillion-dollar NBA salary, the small forward earns up to $10 million in endorsement deals, not to mention the untold millions he receives for the Nike Air Jordan Melo line.
3th:
Kobe Bryant
Sport: Basketball
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold
Total earnings: $52.3 million (June 2011- June 2012)
The five-time NBA champion from Los Angeles had the biggest salary in the league for the 2011-2012 season (a measly $20.3 million), according to Forbes. As the same time, however, his pay and endorsement deals took a blow after his wife filed for divorce in December.
2nd:
Roger Federer
Sport: Tennis
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold
Total earnings: $52.7 million (June 2011-June 2012)
Like LeBron, Roger Federer is currently the best in his sport. Ranked numero uno by the Association of Tennis Professionals, the Swiss sportsman was also voted the second most trusted and respected person in the world (next to Nelson Mandela) in a South African poll.
1st:
LeBron James
Sport: Basketball
Olympic medals pre-London: 1 gold, 1 bronze
Total earnings: $53 million (June 2011-June 2012)
Not only is he considered today’s best NBA player by ESPN and other sports media, “King James” also boasts two Olympic medals and an NBA championship title. Will he bring the heat to the London games?
source:. thefiscaltimes.com
North Korea says nearly 170 died in recent floods
SEOUL, South Korea —North Korea says recent floods have killed nearly 170 people and left 400 missing across the country.
The official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that floods also displaced about 212,200 people and submerged more than 65,000 hectares (160,000 acres) of farmland between late June and the end of July.
The flooding occurred on the heels of a severe drought and renewed concerns about North Korea’s ability to feed its people. In June, the United Nations said two-thirds of the country’s 24 million people were facing chronic food shortages.
The World Food Program said earlier this week that it is sending emergency food aid to the North’s flood-ravaged parts. – Philippines Daily Inquirer
Court of Appeals orders reopening of “reckless imprudence resulting in homicide” case against Richard Gutierrez
Pinawalang-bisa ng Court of Appeals ang naunang dalawang desisyon ng Department of Justice (DOJ) na ibasura ang kasong Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide na isinampa laban kay Richard Gutierrez.
Ang kaso ay isinampa ni Lorayne Pardo, biyuda ng dating personal assistant ni Richard na si Nomar Pardo, noong July 23, 2009, sa Office of the Provincial Prosecutor ng Imus, Cavite.
Nasawi si Nomar sa isang vehicular accident na nangyari noong Mayo 22, 2009, sa Tagaytay-Sta. Rosa Road, sa Silang, Cavite.
Si Richard ang nagmamaneho ng sports car nitong Nissan Skyline nang maganap ang aksidente.
Ayon sa ulat ng news program ng GMA-7 na 24 Oras kagabi, Agosto 2, nakalagay sa resolusyong inilabas ng Court of Appeals, na may petsang July 19, 2012, na “sufficient” ang basehan ng pagpa-file ng naturang kaso laban sa Kapuso actor.
“All told, we hold and so rule that probable cause sufficient to warrant the filing of a case for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code against private respondent, Richard Rama Gutierrez, has been established.”
Gayundin, “annulled” at “set aside” din daw ang mga unang resolusyon ng DOJ na nagbabasura sa kasong isinampa ni Lorayne laban kay Richard.
NOT YET FINAL. Ayon naman sa abugado ni Richard na si Atty. Gener Asuncion, hindi pa pinal ang desisyong inilabas ng Court of Appeals.
Wika ni Atty. Asuncion, “‘Yong dismissal ng kaso filed against Richard Gutierrez, may probable cause daw. Therefore, sabi ng Court of Appeals, that should be re-filed.
“Within the fifteen day period, we may file for motion for reconsideration with the Court of Appeals or go direct to the Supreme Court.” pep.ph
Theimahe 