What went wrong to OPLAN EXODUS?

MANILA - Police commandos sent to arrest terrorist bomber Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, were prevented from completing Operation Plan: Exodus without casualties due to unfamiliarity with the terrain, the vast marshland, strong current of rivers, wide open cornfields and irrigation canals.

Director Benjamin Magalong, Philippine National Police-Board of Inquiry chief, said yesterday these are among the factors that delayed the movement of the 392 commandos – divided into subgroups – to their entry and exit waypoint areas.

In his presentation before a joint inquiry of the Senate committee on public order and committee on peace, unification and reconciliation on Monday, Magalong said a gap existed between the plan and the actual operation.

“Except for the Seaborne Unit, the other units did not reach their designated positions,” he said.
Magalong said the PNP Board of Inquiry also noted that the 84th Seaborne Company under Supt. Raymond Train took two hours longer than they had planned.

“They were delayed by the difficult terrain and the strong river current near the target,” read Magalong’s report.

“The departure of the support groups accordingly were delayed because the plan called for synchronization of their movement with that of the Seaborne. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seaborne was still able to reach its objective and neutralize Marwan.”

The Seaborne company comprised the assault team tasked with the main effort to go after Marwan.
Eight of the 36-member team were killed during the ensuing shootout with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Relieved Special Action Force (SAF) commander Director Getulio Napeñas told The STAR BIFF “casualties” included both the dead and the wounded.

Some affidavits gathered from the police commandos revealed that they indeed took time traversing the terrain and rivers.

Magalong refused to give a categorical answer when sought for comment if the delays in the deployment of troops compromised the operation.

“That would be part of the findings,” he told The STAR.

The director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said the operational audit team has yet to wrap up its work on the affidavits of the police commandos involved in the Mamasapano operation.
The BOI will look into the lapses in operational matters of PNP and SAF officials from the planning of the mission, implementation of the operation plan up to the execution of the entire mission, he added.
Napeñas said he had conducted a threat assessment on Marwan.

“The capability of the target, location of friendly forces, terrain as well as the obstacles during the mission” were some of the factors considered, he said.

Napeñas said the mission planning also assessed the type of vehicles to be used in the operations.
“This is the intelligence preparation in the battle field, so that our men tasked to operate will be fully informed (of the challenges they may face during battle),” he said.

Magalong said the 392 commandos were assigned to 12 different operating groups: one was the assault force, four for support, two as blocking forces, and two for route security.

The 84th Special Action Company was the assault force tasked to enter Marwan’s hut and arrest him.
Magalong said the commandos killed Marwan in a shootout after he fired when the police entered his lair.

“The plan called for the deployment of the 55th, 45th, 42th and 41st special action companies as containment forces along the entry and exit routes of the Seaborne,” read Magalong’s report.

Mamasapano Mayor Datu Ampatuan disputed yesterday the claims of Napeñas that his men were able to inflict casualties on the MILF and BIFF last Jan. 25.

“We did not see the bodies,” he said.

Ampatuan cited the official count wherein 18 MILF members were killed and 14 others wounded.
Ampatuan said the SAF vehicles did have proper government identification.

He learned from Barangay 2 Tukanalipao that gunshots were heard in their area between 5 and 6 a.m., he added.

Ampatuan said he, the police and the military tried to stop the fighting at about 7 a.m. that Sunday.
“There was heavy exchange of fire from 7 a.m. up to 1:30 p.m.,” he said.

Ampatuan said local government officials accompanied members of the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities, the MILF and the government panel to help them enter the battle zone, he said.
They were able to extricate bodies of the first batch of slain SAF commandos at about 5:30 p.m. near a river dike, he added.

Ampatuan confirmed the claim of Napeñas that an MILF commander was living about 500 meters away from the house of Marwan

Nikki Gil officialy engaged!

 

NIKKI GIL finally admitted that she’s officially engaged to her non-showbiz businessman BF, BJ Albert, nephew of singer Joey Albert with whom she’s been on for over a year now. It was on Dec. 13 of last year that BJ formally proposed to her and yes, she’s now proudly wearing her engagement ring. BJ did it while she’s in a corporate event.

“First, he asked my parents’ permission. Pagdating ko sa corporate event, he proposed. Hindi ako agad nakasagot. But I said yes nu’ng medyo nag-sink in na sa akin that he’s proposing marriage. Then all of our friends came out to greet us,” she says.

She considers BJ an answered prayer after she got heartbroken with Billy Crawford who was her BF for five years. She earlier admitted that one reason Billy dumped her is because she wants to stay a virgin, her personal decision for which we admire her in this day and age when sluts are a dime a dozen.

Nikki and BJ have agreed to have their wedding sometime this year, but no details yet. Nikki and BJ join the list of showbiz couples who are already officially engaged, like Toni Gonzaga and Director Paul Soriano, John Prats and Isabel Oli, Yeng Constantino and Yan Asuncion, Patrick Garcia and Nikka Martinez. Another engaged couple is tying the knot on Sunday, February 15, Heart Evangelista and Sen. Chiz Escudero, in a private ceremony at Balesin Island.

Toni Gonzaga, engaged na nga ba?

Toni Gonzaga on Sunday skipped “The Buzz” due to “something very personal” which she refused to disclose.

In a statement read by co-host Kris Aquino during the Sunday showbiz talk show, Gonzaga apologized for not being present even if she when she was supposed to celebrate her birthday in the program.

“I am very sorry. I know it’s my birthday celebration sa 'Buzz.' I’m very sorry but I cannot attend 'The Buzz' this Sunday. I love my 'Buzz' family so you will be the first people to know why. I’m just going through something very personal and I’m really sorry for the short notice,”she said.

While she is also clueless as to why Gonzaga missed the show, Aquino said she does not think the TV host is going through something sad.

“I don’t think she’s sad. Sometimes, something personal is something you like to keep private for a little bit. But she said tayo sa 'Buzz' ang unang makakaalam. Sa pagkakakilala natin kay Toni, she doesn’t like to burden us with problems. The fact na nakalagay doon na ‘I love my Buzz family at dito ko una ipapaalam,’ ang interpretation ko lang ay hindi ito malungkot na balita,” Aquino said.This then triggered some netizens to speculate that Gonzaga probably got engaged.

For someone as professional as Gonzaga, Aquino said the reason of her absence must really be something major and she is just hoping that she would share happy news when she gets back.

“Ka-text ko siya. Sabi ko, ‘Ikaw talaga naghanda ako ng gifts.’ Sabi niya, ‘Ate pasensya na. Promise next week nandiyan ako. Babawi ako ng bonggang bongga.’ Sabi ko I’m really just hoping na happy news ito. Tapos hindi na siya nag-reply,” Aquino said laughing.

Despite the speculations that her absence on “The Buzz” has caused, Gonzaga has yet to confirm whether she is indeed engaged to film director Paul Soriano, her boyfriend of over seven years.

Kamikazee, BUWAG NA!

After a fruitful 14-year journey, OPM iconic band Kamikazee will disband next year, the band members announced in a video on Sunday.

In the video posted on their official Facebook page, lead vocalist Jay Contreras said that the breakup was due to the members’ desire to explore their future outside the band.

“Nagdesisyon po kaming lima na ngayong 2015 ang huling taon na magkakasama tayo dahil gusto namin masubukan ang buhay-buhay sa labas ng banda, ‘yung mga trip na puwede pa namin gawing iba,” Contreras said.

Drummer Allan “Bords” Burdeos said the members were happy about the decision while denying it was due to any internal rift.

The members thanked their fans and asked them to continue patronizing original Filipino music.
Many netizens expressed sadness upon knowing the band’s decision.

The band was able to produce four studio albums in their 14-year run and are remembered for releasing memorable songs like “Narda”, “Huling Sayaw” and “Wala”, among other hits.

GUSTO NIYO BA MALAMAN KUNG ANO ANG SINULAT NI POPE?

THANK YOU POPE FRANCIS! MABUHAY KA!

Pope Francis' inscription on the Malacañan Palace guest book:

"On the President and people of this beloved land of the Philippines, I ask Almighty God's abundant blessings of wisdom, discernment, prosperity and peace. 16.1.2015. Francis."

MAHAL KA NAMIN SANTO PAPA

Pope Francis called on bishops, priests, and the religious in the country to “become poor” themselves and to combat inequalities that have become embedded in Philippine society.

In his homily before representatives of the Catholic community, Pope Francis said: “[The] Church in the Philippines is called to acknowledge and combat the causes of the deeply rooted inequality and injustice which mar the face of Filipino society, plainly contradicting the teaching of Christ. The Gospel calls individual Christians to live lives of honesty, integrity and concern for the common good.”

He said taking the poor away from the gospel is “not understanding the message of Jesus Christ.”
He said becoming ambassadors for the Church is to “reject worldly perspectives” and to “acknowledge our failings and sins and embrace the path of constant conversion.”

“The great danger to this, of course, is a certain materialism which can creep into our lives and compromise the witness we offer. Only by becoming poor ourselves, by stripping away our complacency, will we be able to identify with the least of our brothers and sisters,” he said.
He specifically asked young priests, religious to make the church a Church of hope to those trapped in injustice and on the brink of giving up.

CONFUSING PRESENTATIONS

In a political statement that could spur debates in the coming days, however, he also told the young to “proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and the family.”

“As you know, these realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation and betray the very values which have inspired and shaped all that is best in your culture,” he said.

The Mass at the Manila Cathedral was the first Eucharistic celebration in his five-day visit.
A total of 2,000 bishops, priests, and religious met with Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral, tagged as the country’s premiere basilica.

Manila Cathedral rector Rev. Monsignor Nestor Cerbo said it is the basilica of popes, with previous visiting popes holding masses there.

“It’s actually not the first, but it became a basilica in a special way through Pope John Paul II in 1981. He told then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, ‘I will make this a basilica,’” Cerbo said.

Pope Francis started his homily with: “Do you love me?”
Before he could continue, those present made a resounding “yes”.
Chuckling, the pope thanked them and said he was only quoting the Bible

Kapwa Congressman pinagtanggol si Manny Pacquiao

MANILA - Some lawmakers rose to the defense of Sarangani congressman and boxing champ Manny Pacquiao after he was identified as one of two top absentee lawmakers of the House of Representatives in 2014.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said Filipinos should be more understanding of the fighting congressman, saying Pacquiao's frequent absences is because he has to train for his boxing matches.

Pampanga Rep. Joseller Guiao, meanwhile, said if Pacquiao should be sanctioned, it should be done by his own constituents in Sarangani since they voted him into office.

House records showed Pacquiao and Negros Occidental Representative Julio Ledesma IV were present in only seven of the 70 session days from January 20 to December 17, 2014.

Former Senator Rene Saguisag earlier said the House of Representatives should consider suspending Pacquiao for treating his legislative work as a "hobby."

"The House should consider suspending Pacquiao up to the end of his term as he treats House work as a hobby or sideline," said the former legislator, who now practices law.

"If it is true that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather will fight on May 2, 2015, it seems only proper for the House of Representatives to decide what it will do with someone contending for the title 'House Top Absentee.'"

Saguisag said being a congressman or senator means serious work and should not be taken lightly.
He added that if Pacquiao is serious about running for the Senate and even the presidency, then he should retire immediately and do his homework.

Malacañang releases list of 2015 holidays

There will be 17 public holidays this year, including eight long weekends.

By virtue of Proclamation No. 831 signed by President Aquino on July 17, 2014, 10 are regular holidays while seven are special non-working holidays for 2015.

Regular holidays include: New Year’s Day (January 1 – Thursday); Maundy Thursday (April 2); Good Friday (April 3); Araw ng Kagitingan (April 9 – Thursday); Labor Day (May 1 – Friday); Independence Day (June 12 – Friday); National Heroes’ Day (August 31); Bonifacio Day (November 30 – Monday); Christmas Day (December 25 – Friday); and Rizal Day (December 30 – Wednesday).
The special non-working days include: January 2 (Friday); Chinese New Year (February 19 – Thursday); Black Saturday (April 4); Ninoy Aquino Day (August 21 – Friday); All Saints Day (November 1 – Sunday); Christmas Eve (December 24 – Thursday); and New Year’s Eve (December 31 – Thursday).

The Edsa People Power Revolution anniversary celebrated on February 25 (Wednesday) will also be a special holiday for all schools.

This year, the public can anticipate eight long weekends: January 1 and 2, New Year (Thursday and Friday); April 2 (Maundy Thursday), April 3 (Good Friday), and April 4 (Black Saturday); May 1, Labor Day (Friday); June 12, Independence Day (Friday); August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day (Friday); August 31, National Heroes’ Day (Monday); November 30, Bonifacio Day (Monday); and December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 25, Christmas Day (Thursday and Friday).

A separate Proclamation declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fit’r and Eid’l Adha will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar, lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible and convenient.

Lahit may cancer "BEST SENATOR pa rin!"

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is still the senator who filed the most number of bills and resolutions among her colleagues, despite her battle with lung cancer.

 

As of 17 December, the last session day of Congress in 2014, Santiago has filed a total of 1,007 bills and resolutions.

She was followed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada with 604 bills and resolutions; Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with 307; Sen. Lito Lapid with 219; and Sen. JV Ejercito with 217.


Santiago has consistently been the Senate’s top performer since her election in 2004. She is also credited for sponsoring or authoring the following laws: Reproductive Health Act; Biofuels Law; Renewable Energy Law; Sin Tax Law; Magna Carta of Women; Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act; Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity; Cybercrime Law; Seatbelt Law; Exact Change Act; Philippine Standard Time Act; Motorcycle Helmet Act; Kasambahay Law; Anti-Bullying Law; Archipelagic Baselines Law; and Climate Change Act.

She meanwhile urged the passage of the following bills before her term ends on 2016: the Anti-Commercialization of Human Organs, Tissues or Parts of Living Persons Bill; the Anti-Epal Bill; the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill; Billboard Regulation Bill; Call Center Bill; Child Care Centers Bill; Certificate of Intention to Run for Public Office Bill; Clear Sidewalks Bill; Compulsory Teaching of Ethics Bill; Deceased Donor Bill; HIV and AIDS Bill; Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Sector; Pthalate-Free Toy Bill; Special Education Bill; Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom; and Whistleblowers Bill.

Among the 538 bills she filed in 2014 were proposals for the institutionalization of an age-appropriate curriculum to prevent the abduction, exploitation, and sexual abuse of children which are prejudicial to their development (Senate Bill No. 2339); stricter monitoring of bank accounts of politically exposed persons (Senate Bill No. 2438); part-time employment in place of retrenchment (Senate Bill No. 2470); and increasing court-awarded damages for death (Senate Bill No. 2513).
Santiago also filed resolutions urging the Senate to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation on the alleged Binay farm; projects by controversial Hilmarc’s Construction Corp.; the constitutionality of the Visiting Forces Agreement; and the series of abduction cases in Makati, among others.
As chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, Santiago presided over hearings on the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement and the murder of transgender woman Jennifer Laude. She also secured Senate ratification of important treaties, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response.

The senator also participated in plenary debates on the Freedom of Information Bill. In November, Santiago delivered a privilege speech slamming the 2015 budget for its redefinition of “savings” and retention of pork barrel-like funds.

Santiago chaired the foreign affairs committee of the Commission on Appointments (CA) until the end of her term in the bicameral body in December. The senator’s committee was also the top performer in the CA, having secured the confirmation of more than 300 ambassadors, consuls, and other high-level officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In July last year, Santiago announced that she had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She later revealed that she is in remission. But the senator said, “Only my body is sick, not my brain.”

CBCP Priest sholud live SIMPLICITY

 

Priests should observe discipline and simplicity in their life so that the gospel to the poor may "better glow" through them, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said yesterday.

In a circular, Villegas reminded the clergy that 2015 is the Year of the Poor and of Consecrated Life for the Church as willed by Pope Francis.

Villegas urged the clergy to return to their original reason for desiring to be priests and reminded them of their life in the seminary.
 
"We wanted to be priests, hence nothing was unbearable," he said. "Avoid as much as you can foreign travels and frequent recreation in expensive tourist destinations. Even if such are paid for by friends and family, it is best to decline and choose austerity and simplicity."

Villegas said luxurious recreation is disrespectful to the poor.

He said priests should avoid expensive vehicles and "loud colored signature shirts and pants."\

"To be simple is to be great in the eyes of God. The poor priest does not need to dress sloppy. We must give dignity to our vocation," he said.

Villegas said it is a "serious sin of omission" for a priest not to have a regular poor person to help whether for education, health or livelihood.

“It is a scandal for a priest to die a rich man. We bring to heaven only what we give away on earth,” he said in the circular.

He also exhorted priests to be honest in reporting to the Curia the financial condition of their parish or school.

There are no fixed rates for offerings for masses, confirmations, funerals, weddings and other sacraments, he said.

Villegas also told the prelates to be careful about what they keep in their bedrooms. “A priest’s room and a bachelor’s pad are exact opposites. Is the Lord our only companion in this sacred space of the rectory?”

He also told them to always give alms to the poor who come to them.

“If you have to make a mistake, make a mistake in being too charitable, in being too kind. There is no excess in kindness. We cannot outdo Christ in kindness,” he said.

Katrina Halili balik sa pagpapasexy

Ten years after she posed for FHM, Katrina Halili once again graces the cover of the popular men's magazine.

The sexy actress said in an interview with the magazine that posing for the cover was a great reminder that she should take more care of her body. “This cover is more of a reminder, hindi lang para ipakita sa iba, pero para sa sarili ko na rin—it's a reminder to take care of myself more," she stated.

Katrina also confessed that there was a point in time that she felt like she lost her self-worth. She also admitted that she truly missed working. "All the things I went through made me feel na parang ang dami kong ayaw gawin. Dahil sa mga pinagdaanan ko, dumating ako sa point na feeling ko wala akong halaga. Nawala 'yung self-confidence ko. But I realized that I need to work and I want to work,” she said.

Before going back into the limelight, Katrina made news recently with her breakup with singer Kris Lawrence with whom she has a daughter named Katrence Lawrence Halili Cadeida (fondly called “Katie”). In a recent interview with Push.com.ph, Katrina relayed that she has already moved on from the breakup. “Matagal na akong nakapag-move-on. Okay naman kami ni Kris. Desisyon ko na tapusin na yung sa amin kasi hindi na nagwo-work. Saka na-realize ko na madami pa pala akong gustong gawin sa buhay ko. Marami akong napabayaan at kailangan kong bumawi. Sira kasi ang diskarte ko sa buhay kapag may lalaki ako," she admitted.

Katrina said that she would be focused on taking good care of her child. "Kaya ngayon, no boys muna. Hindi rin muna ako magpapaligaw. Kay Katie lang muna ang focus ko at sa trabaho ko," she said.

Lebron James pahinga muna sa paglalaro ng dalawang linggo.

UMALIS - BUMALIK NGAYON PILAY!

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is expected to out of action for two weeks while he receives treatment for a strained left knee and lower back pain, the National Basketball Association (NBA) team said on Thursday.

James, 30, was evaluated on Wednesday at the Cleveland Clinic where he had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam and radiograph tests.

The team said on its website that the four-time NBA most valuable player will be treated with anti-inflammatories, rehabilitation, training room treatments and rest. 

James is averaging a team-high 25.2 points per game for the Cavaliers who have the fifth best record in the Eastern Conference at 18-14.

2015: Araw ng mga AHAS

2015 is fast approaching. For those of us who believe in astrology, the approaching year's astrological forecast for our sign is of extreme importance: for money, health, love, and work.

World-renowned Feng Shui expert Marites Allen gives us her 2015 forecast for every Chinese astrological sign here on Yahoo Philippines from December 22 to January 1. We hope these readings may help you plan your 2015 better, and that the new year may be your best year yet.

Feng Shui 2015 forecast for people born on the Year of the Snake (1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013) 

WealthQuality more than quantity is the way to go when building wealth. You have the opportunity to make money; just stay committed to doing your best effort in profiting from all your hard work. Do not try to grab every lead there is; instead, choose the real meaty ones and give them your best shot. Seek advice from financial experts before making important decisions.

Health
You may have some wealth luck this year, but unless you have the energy to match that, the opportunities may just get wasted.  Do not let minor health issues develop into worrisome situations. You may face injuries and even accidents if you’re not careful. Do not sacrifice your health for the sake of making big money. Keep yourself strong; that’s what matters.

Relationship
Single Snakes are more focused on establishing their careers rather than on establishing romantic relationships. That is no big problem as they can always catch up at a later time. Those who are married may find health-related issues interfering in their union. That is no reason to lose hope as that’s what marriage is all about—being there for each other in good times and in bad.

Career
Plenty of good news in your career area. Put more effort into pushing your career further. There will be more opportunities for you to progress and have better income. You may also benefit from the experiences of helpful mentors who are just willing to help you through your objectives.

Hobbit, di papatalo sa MMFF

The last movie of Peter Jackson's three "Hobbit" films rode to a second consecutive win atop US and Canadian weekend box office charts, selling $41.4 million worth of tickets to triumph over new releases "Unbroken" and "Into the Woods."

"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" grabbed another $13.1 million from Christmas day screenings for a combined four-day total through Sunday of $54.5 million and a domestic haul of $168.5 million since its Dec. 17 release, according to estimates from tracking firm Rentrak.

Director Angelina Jolie's World War Two drama "Unbroken" finished second with $31.7 million after winning the box office duel on Christmas, narrowly edging out another new film, the musical "Into The Woods" which claimed the No. 3 spot with $31 million.

"Unbroken," Jolie's second directorial effort, tells the real-life story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini's two years as a prisoner of war in Japan.

"None of us ever would have thought a picture like this -- an

inspirational

story about a World War Two hero and Olympian -- would have performed at this level," said Nikki Rocco, president for domestic distribution at Universal Pictures, the Comcast Corp unit that released the film.

 "We would have been happy at $25 million," Rocco said, adding that the release had capped Universal's most profitable year.

"Into The Woods," the adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical which puts a dark spin on fairy tales, stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp.

The film, which saw the biggest opening in history for a screen adaptation of a Broadway musical, added $15.1 million from Christmas day screenings for a four-day total of $46.1 million, distributor Walt Disney Co. said.

"Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb" took fourth place in its second week of release with $20.6 million, while the musical "Annie" rounded out the top five with $16.6 million. In a rare feat, box office sales for both films exceeded their opening weekend numbers.

Another new release, "The Gambler," opened in seventh with $9.3 million, behind "The Hunger Games"' $10 million take. The low-budget film, which stars Mark Wahlberg, is a remake of the 1974 James Caan classic about a professor with a devastating weakness for high-stakes gambling.

The relatively solid box office numbers put Hollywood on track to end the year down just over five percent from 2013's record performance, an improvement over the double-digit falloff that was in place during the summer, according to Rentrak.

Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros. released "The Hobbit."

PBA Alaska Star Calvin Abueva tinotolerate ng PBA

You commit a very flagrant and unsportsmanlike foul, you and your team suffer the consequences. That’s the rule.

To some people, Alaska’s Calvin Abueva makes the PBA exciting. That is if you like dirty play and you like a player punching another player for no reason at all.

Abueva hit Rain or Shine’s Jonathan Uyloan in the stomach as they bounded down court last Thursday, sending the Elasto Painter grimacing on the floor.

Abueva was ejected, slapped with a Flagrant 2 foul and walked to his bench, smirking and smiling and perhaps thinking he should have hit Uyloan harder.

There was no expression of remorse or feeling sorry at all for what he just did. Why he did it no one knows. There was no previous altercation, no body contact no trash talk. He probably just felt like doing it, maybe because an unknown spirit moved him. Or, even if there was an altercation, a punch is hardly the right response.

What followed the day after, however, was more bizarre.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud slapped him with a P20,000 fine for the transgression and perhaps, after the conclusion of their meeting, wished the guy good luck in his next game.

Wow, P20,000 fine for punching another player. Heck, Yeng Guiao is fined more than that by saying officiating sucks.

Compare Salud’s action to that of the NBA. On Christmas day, in a game between the Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks, a scuffle broke out between the Wizards’ John Wall and the Knicks’ Quincy Acy.

Acy shoved Wall and Wall retaliated and Acy retaliated. Acy was ejected, Wall got a technical. You know what the NBA did? Acy was suspended one game for the kind of infraction that happens in nearly every PBA game. Wall was fined $15,000.

It is the kind of lenient treatment accorded Abueva that makes the PBA and NBA worlds apart. It is also the reason why the Abuevas of the PBA continue to peddle their brand of lunacy that makes the league look like a cheap tournament and the PBA commissioner an inconsistent disciplinarian.

This is the playoffs, the commissioner intoned. He said he can’t allow one team to lose a player for an important game. Well, in that case, Rain or Shine and Alaska players had just been given the go-signal to proceed with their “stupid move,” the term used by Guiao to describe Abueva’s moment of insanity.

They now can hit, trip or mangle each other and feel safe with the thought it’s a mere fine waiting for them.

Remember the time when the Phoenix Suns’ line up was almost decimated in the course of the NBA playoffs because some players were suspended? They were suspended for entering the court not for joining the scuffle. (May 15, 2007)

That doesn’t ring a bell of course to Salud whose recent actions and inactions have made the commissioner’s office a, shall we say, laughing stock.

Just two instances: The “magic hand” that selected the Number 1 pick that went to Globalport during the PBA draft and, more recently, the silent treatment on Talk ‘N Text’s Coach Jong Uichico who branded officiating biased and unfair.

If the commissioner can suspend and fine players in innocuous occasions such as pre-season and exhibition games, the more he should use an iron fist during playoffs.

As they say, it may be unfair, but it’s correct.

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Miranda!

Despite all odds, pinatunayan niyo ang tunay na pagiibigan at wagas na pagmamahalan. Pinakita niyo na kahit artista kayo ay tao lang kayo na gagawin din ang ginagawa ng ibang tao kahit ito pa ay mali para sa  mata ng iba. Saludo kami sa inyo! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Miranda!

On behalf of her husband, Parokya ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda, Neri Naig expressed her gratitude to all those who attended their civil and garden wedding ceremonies over the weekend.

In an Instagram post, Naig shared how thankful she is for their guests, who stayed and celebrated with them even if they all got soaked in the rain.

The actress said she was not feeling well days before the special occasion, but everything still went according to plan.

She wrote in one of her posts, unedited: "2 days before the wedding, nagkasakit ako...pero gumanda pakiramdam ko nung araw mismo ng kasal. I had the perfect wedding dress. Very simple. Just the way I pictured it. It was raining and was super windy...pero I kept on telling my coordinator not to worry about it.”

“Basta gusto ko na maglakad sa aisle at makasama ang mga mahal ko sa buhay regardless kung maputik o liparin yung veil ko... Then the rain stopped just long enough for me to walk the aisle. The mood was perfect. Kahit nabasa sa ulan yung mga bisita, they were all having fun, dancing, laughing and getting drunk, and they all stayed and celebrated with us throughout the entire ceremony.”
Naig went on to thank the team behind all their wedding preparations.

“Gusto ko pasalamatan yung family at mga kaibigan namin. Kayo ang perfect na bisita dahil kayo ang perfect set of friends. Salamat din sa buong team behind our wedding. Ang sarap ng food, gaganda ng mga photos, ganda ng set up, at sa pag asikaso sa mga makukulit naming family and friends,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, Naig said she will forever be thankful for being blessed with a “perfect husband.”

“Salamat po, God. Biniyayaan mo po ako ng dalawang mapagmahal at mabubuting pamilya.Binigyan mo pa po ako ng crazy friends. At higit sa lahat, biniyayaan mo po ako ng perfect husband,” she wrote.

Last May, Miranda's romantic proposal to Naig went viral online. Miranda set up a fake music video shoot at a private resort in order to surprise the actress.
The two have been a couple for two years.

Pinay nakagat ng Lion PATAY!

"Grabe naman ito nakakawa! Kailangan makiisa tayo para sa hustiya!"

The family and friends of a Filipina household service worker who was attacked by a lion are seeking justice for her death. The victim, Lourdes Hingco Abejuela, died days after being attacked by a lion owned by her employer.

She suffered deep bite wounds on her left legs, according to her friend, Nieva Edullantes.
"Naiyak ako, ang sakit. May mga mahal kami sa Pilipinas iniwan naming pamilya namin tapos ganito lang ang mangyayari? Nasaktan din ako, gusto ko rin magkaroon ng justice kahit sino naman po," said Edullantes.

On December 6, Abejuela was able to inform family and friends about what happened to her by posting on Facebook.

Initial investigation showed that Abejuela was doing laundry on the rooftop where the lion is also kept. The cage was left unlocked and the lion attacked Abejuela.

"Inattack daw siya ng leon. Dinala siya sa ospital. Pagkatapos, iyong ospital na iyon hindi alam na kinagat siya ng lion. Iba daw ang sinabi kasi bawal daw. Nakiusap daw ang amo niya na huwag sabihin. So nung nasa ospital na siya, pinalabas siya agad," recounted Edullante.

Abejuela had been working for her employer for 15 years. She was discharged after her employer lied to doctors at the hospital, saying that a dog attacked her.

Under Kuwaiti law, residents are not allowed to own lions and other wild animals as pets.
According to Abejuela's boyfriend Danny Lagrimas, she was rushed back to the hospital the following day, December 7.

"Sabi niya pinauwi raw siya ng doktor kasi hayop lang daw ang nakakagat sa kanya. Sabi ko, bakit pinauwi ka? Malaki yung kagat ng leon," Lagrimas said.

On December 10, the 50-year old Pinay OFW from Bagacay, Ozamis, died.

"Ang sa aking lang naman po, kahit yung mga kasamahan ko sa bahay, gusto namin yung justice. Kahit pa po mabait pa yung amo niya, iyon ang sabi niya sa amin. Mali po eh, kahit kami mga katulong, gusto namin ng justice," Edullante said.

The legal counsel of the Philippine Embassy filed a case of criminal negligence resulting to homicide against the victim's employer.

"For the repatriation of the remains of this person will be done by the embassy quickly, and of course, we also have an angle, we have to see what happened in the hospital. She should have been admitted but she's an outpatient, which is some kind of a medical malpractice that occurred there," said charge d'Affaires Atty. Raul Dado.

Philip Salvador pinagtanggol ang isang Filipino waitress

 

KAHIT SINO GAGAWIN ANG GINAWA MO! IPAGTANGGOL ANG MGA FILIPINO...

Actor Phillip Salvador had a heated confrontation with a Norwegian national at a mall restaurant on Monday, after the foreigner reportedly humiliated a waitress by calling her "stupid."

The incident took place at the SM Megamall branch of Italian restaurant Sbarro at around 1 p.m., according to a report published on entertainment news site PEP on Tuesday.

Salvador confirmed a source's account of the confrontation, claiming that the foreigner called the Filipino staff of Sbarro "stupid" and a "bunch of idiots."

The actor said he was with his wife, Emma Ledesma, when he heard the Norwegian national complaining about the spaghetti he had ordered. Salvador described the man as 6-foot-3 and in his mid-40s.

According to Salvador, he could not not help but confront the foreigner when he kept shouting at the waitress, who was already crying.

"Who the f*ck are you?" Salvador, in his interview with PEP, quoted the Norwegian as saying. He replied: "I'm the f*cker who's going to beat your ass if you don't apologize to them."

When the foreigner threatened to call the police, Salvador said, "Hurry up! Please tell them to be here in five minutes, and I will tell them to throw you out of this place!"

"You don't insult the Filipinos. Let's get out of this place, I'm going to fight you. You only know how to scream at girls!"

Salvador said he does not mind if a video of the confrontation is uploaded online, when told of the source's account that a bystander recorded the shouting match on his cellphone.

The actor added that even if the staff had committed a mistake, this does not give the Norwegian a right to insult and berate them.

The management of Sbarro has yet to issue a statement on the incident.

Pacquiao vs Mayweather

 

"LABAN NA! WAG PURO SATSAT!"

Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao vowed to chase Floyd Mayweather into ring submission after his US rival offered to fight him next year in a blockbuster world title face-off.

"He (Mayweather) has reached a dead end. He has nowhere to run but to fight me," Pacquiao told AFP late Saturday, hours after the undefeated Mayweather issued the May 2 challenge on US television.

The two were long-time rivals as the "best pound-for-pound" boxers of their generation, but the dream fight has never materialised to the disappointment of the boxing world.

"I will try my best to (make) this a thrilling and entertaining fight. But I doubt if he's gonna engage me in a slugfest," said the Filipino, winner of an unprecedented eight world titles in different weight classes.

"You all know his fighting style. Most of his previous fights, if not all, induced us to sleep," said Pacquiao from his southern Philippines home city of General Santos.

Should the fight happen, Pacquiao, who turns 36 on Wednesday, said he will do to Mayweather what he did to another previously undefeated American, Chris Algieri, who lost to the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion in Macau last month.

"I know what I have to do. I will chase him wherever he goes just in case he decides to run around the ring. We will devise a good fight plan against him," Pacquiao added.

Speaking to Showtime Sports in the US on Friday night, Mayweather, 37, said he wants his next fight to be against the Filipino star.

However, the American nicknamed "Money" said -- without giving details -- that the expected richest fight in boxing history will only happen if he receives a much bigger share of the purse than his opponent.

In 2012 there was speculation that a fight between the two could lead to the first $200 million purse in boxing history with much of that money coming from pay-per-view sales.

At one point Pacquiao says Mayweather offered him a $40 million purse on the condition Mayweather would keep the pay-per-view money, which would have amounted to more than double what Pacquiao received.

Previous talks were also scuttled because Mayweather says Pacquiao refused to submit to random blood testing.

"Mayweather can get the amount he wants. As early as January this year, I challenged him to a charity fight. Until now, he has not agreed to it. So, money is not the issue in our fight," Pacquiao said Saturday.

"This fight is about legacy, this is about making the fans happy and, above all, this is for the good of boxing."

Buhay Call Center, Buhay BPO!

 

Working in a call center is a tough kind of job that may not be desired by most individual.

Some of the common reasons why they choose to work in this kind of life are the salary, the benefits offered by the company, the great experience and the chance of getting a good career.

Life in a BPO industry is very dynamic. If you were a person who has great determination and focus, it would not be hard for you to be recognized and simply get a post in the company.

However, that may sounds vague sometimes because not all your expectation can easily be reach. It would be a bucket of trials and adjustments once you venture yourself into much awaited yet challenging world.

Talking of challenges, let’s discuss the normal adversities that are often encountered by most people working in the BPO industry.

Here are some of the common pressures that exist in a BPO industry:
Hitting Business Standards
It is very common in an industry or any institution to set a business goal. Being in line with the BPO employees nowadays, it is your goal to meet up the requirements that the company ask you to perform. It can’t be denied that this can add up the pressure in absorbing and adjusting the traditional practices in a call center.

*Dealing with Indifference
It is also normal in a BPO industry that injustices happen since every program are often divided into different folds of team. Different behaviors and attitude of an agent are quite normal in this kind of environment. Peer pressure is also one of the subjects that ignite the temperature that roams around the team. It’s really not easy to deal with different individuals and understanding difficult people.

*Handling Relationships

Many relationships are often ended in a single beat of time due to the irregular schedule, practiced by most agents. Working in a BPO industry sometimes deprives your moment to spend a long week with your family.

*Coping with Health Issues
There are two common health conditions that normally exist when working in a BPO industry. It would either be a hypertension which known as High blood pressure or the hypotension that used to give you a lower blood pressure. An agent should be wise enough in taking care of her body, by taking vitamins and supplements.

*Understanding the Schedule
It is understood that most of the BPO has different schedules. We have the graveyard and the morning shifts. There are teams or departments that use to shift schedules weekly and it seems to be a daunting task.

"Life can only be complicated if you don’t know how to discipline and handle pressure in every type of work. So, if you are aiming to have a good career in a BPO industry, be flexible in every way!"