No classes in Metro Manila, Philippines, Sept. 26, 2011

Classes in private and public schools (preschoo, elementary, high school) have been suspended starting 12NN today (Sept. 26) in the Philippines's Metro Manila region (comprising several cities and municipalities, including capital city Manila). Authorities have issued the suspension because of typhoon "Pedring" that the weather bureau says will bring in more rains this afternoon. Well, it's already raining hard this morning. I hope this afternoon's predicted heavy rains will not bring in much floods and destruction. Especially since today marks the "anniversary" of 2009's typhoon "Ondoy" that brought in much devastation and deaths to the Philippines.

Aquellos Ojos Verdes--The Green Eyes

This is one of my favorite music pieces, Aquellos Ojos Verdes or The Green Eyes. I think this was composed in the 1920s, years before I was born. The melody is so beautiful. But for years I didn't know its title. I don't remember anymore how I came to finally know what it's called. But then I forgot the title again after that, silly me. The only thing I could remember about this musical piece, aside from the melody of course, was that the title started with "Aqua," or "Aquo," or something. Finally, after long periods of trying to find this music on YouTube, I finally found it. Yes!

And I'd like to share it with you, courtesy of Luiz1948's YouTube channel.

Photo contest in Asia-Pacific region--for APEC

DFA invites photographers to

join APEC contest

09/17/2011 | 02:32 PM

Photographers from the Asia-Pacific region are invited to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) photo contest seeking to highlight the regional grouping’s key thrusts, the Philippines's Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has announced.

The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers in all APEC economies.

The DFA said contestants may submit photos inspired by three categories: (1) strengthening regional economic integration and expanding trade; (2) promoting green growth, and (30 advancing regulatory convergence and cooperation.

"The contest's themes reflect the policy priorities that APEC set for 2011," the DFA said.

APEC Secretariat Executive Director Ambassador Muhamad Noor said the photographic inputs will help inform the decisions the APEC makes as it moves its agenda forward.

"We recognize the challenge that we have put before the contestants but we know that the region's innovative spirit will produce photographs that capture a compelling visual narrative," he added.

Mechanics

Winners will be selected based on the quality of photograph, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit, as well as how well it represents the three themes.

Submitted photos must be the photographer's original work. Those who wish to enter the competition should fill in a form and send their entries to contest@apec.org.

Contestants can submit up to three photos during the submission period, which closes on October 10.

Over SG $5,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winners.

The three winning entries will be chosen by a panel of international judges including including AFP Photo Editor-in-Chief (Worldwide) Eric Baradat, AFP Photo Editor-in-Chief (North America) Mladen Antonov, Reportage by Getty Images Photographer Palani Mohan, Ambassador Noor and US APEC Senior Official Ambassador Kurt Tong.

Winning entries will be announced in Honolulu in November during the lead-up to the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
— ELR/LBG, gmanews.tv

Music and sound FX for your multimedia presentations

Here are some Internet websites where you can download usually free music, sound effects, or other accessories to use in your audiovideo presentations, podcasts, and similar media to be created.

1. themusicase.com
2. royaltyfreemusic.com
3. beatsuite.com
4. danosongs.com
5. loopsound.com
6. partnersinrhyme.com
7. royaltyfreeclassicalmusic.co.uk
8. magnatune.com
9. soundclick.com
10. royaltyfreemusicclips.com
11. ccmixter.org
12. podsafeaudio.com

Online or printed?

I read an article in the website of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, my favorite newspaper in the Philippines, that said that a recent survey (done by Synovate) in the country found out that since 2007, more consumers in urban areas are getting their media and entertainment fix from the Internet. The survey also pointed out that a decline in readership of print media (mainly newspapers) noted in a survey before the current one seems to have recovered somehow, with 30 percent of those now surveyed still reading printed materials. Well, this survey said that 30 percent is an improvement from the number obtained in recent past years.

Actually, I believe that despite the fantastic popularity of online media and the greater accessibility of people to more gadgets that make going online as easy as eating biscuits, print media will always be around in the Philippines or, at least, will take several generations before it loses mass appeal. And this is because of the geographical and economic make-up of the country where print media is still the most attractive, most accessible, and most informative reading material for many Filipinos who, in great numbers, live in places where electricity is not constantly available and who also, because of their state in life, will prioritize food over buying electronic information technology gadgets.

Happy Birthday!

To Mama Mary :)

When the doctors are suddenly out...

My mom had two recent unfortunate incidents with two doctors. Last week, I went with her to a surgeon for a 10 A.M. appointment where the doctor was supposed to see a small lump on her buttocks. We waited for like an hour-and-a-half at the hospital's waiting area before one the women in the receiving area had the brilliant idea of looking for the doctor. After making a few phone calls, the woman said to us that the doctor wasn't available after all because he was in the operating room with a patient and would be available in the afternoon yet. She asked us if the doctor really knew we had an appointment with him. I said of course he did, he was even asked by the person I was talking to over the phone two days before that, and I heard him say that yes, he was available at 10 A.M. that day. Anyway, maybe the operation he was doing when we came in was an emergency. Maybe he didn't really forget our appointment with him. We didn't anymore return that afternoon. But I took pity on Mom because she wasn't really feeling well, and we had to sit it out for more than an hour in the hospital for a doctor who never was to come anyway.

Today, since my Mom had been sneezing and coughing for over two weeks already, she decided to see a pulmonoligist referred by a friend of hers. The doctor was supposed to have a clinic from 11 AM - 1 PM (in the same hospital we went to last week). I called up the doctor's secretary at 10 AM to ask if the doctor was coming. The secretary said yes. My brother came with my Mom to the hospital this time. A few minutes past 11 AM, my brother called me up to say that the doctor wasn't coming because she had to go to a burial (I hope the dead person wasn't her patient!). I wondered how long it took for the doctor to decide or to know that she was to attend a burial that morning. Her clinic was supposed to open at 11 AM. She could've at least advised her secretary a bit earlier that morning that she wasn't be going to have patients that day to avoid inconveniencing patients, especially the older ones. Poor mother of mine again didn't have a luck with her doctor today.