Philippine Independence Day, June 12

On June 12, 1928, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo (who later became the Philippines' first Republican President) declared Philippine independence and proclaimed the sovereignty of the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

The United States recognized Philippine independence only on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila.  Because of this, Independence Day was observed in the Philippines every July 4 until, upon the advice of historians and at the urging of nationalist politicians, President Diosdado Macapagal signed into law Republic Act No. 4166 on August 4, 1964, designating June 12, previously been observed as Flag Day, as the country's Independence Day.

Mastering Twitter

I am sure you have heard already of Twitter, the social networking and micro-blogging service that enables users to post updates of up to 140 characters.

On Twitter, users post updates known as tweets on the service's website, or reply to or re-post (retweet) other people's tweets.

Twitter also allows you to follow your favorite celebrities and read their updates as soon as they are posted. It is like constantly following them celebrities without being accused of being a stalker.

And there's more. I have discovered that a combination of applications actually allows you to post updates via text to Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo Messenger and even your blogs.

Here's how. Register at PHTwitters.com. Then turn on the Twitter application on Facebook. Next, install the Yahoo Messenger plugin Twitter-Sync.

Finally, if you are using blogger.com, you can add this code to your blogs to show your Twitter updates.

Try all these and experience mobile blogging in the truest sense. And, in case you are interested, feel free to follow me (gelumantao) on Twitter. I would be glad to follow you too.

Negoskwela's Schedule for June 2009

June is known for a lot of things. It is a great month for weddings, which why we read about Jude brides everytime. It is also the start of classes in the Philippines. Literally millions of children troop to public and private schools to learn new things. This they start doing in a month the rains fall almost daily, causing floods, landslides, and a whole range of calamities and inconvenience.

June is really a reminder to our people to continue to strive for learning and education despite everything. And this should not stop even after formal education, or despite having been deprived of it. All of us should try to learn new skills. Just like the ones they offer at Negoskwela. Check out their schedule for the early part of June 2009.

Earn money through PayDotCom, a great affiliate marketplace

You may have heard of Clickbank.com. Or, even if you have not but you want to make profits online, then you may want to check this asap.

While I like Clickbank and it is a great marketplace, I realized that it has a lot of limitations and restrictions on selling products or earning affiliate commissions.

Thus, I was happy to have discovered PayDotCom. It is a new free marketplace where you can sell any product you want, either your own or that of others as an affiliate.

PayDotCom is very powerful. It allows you to become an instant affiliate for any item in their huge marketplace. And, joining is absolutely free.

They have their an affiliate program that pays you cold cash just for sharing the site with people just like what I am doing now.

They also give you cool tools like blog widgets and even have advertising program to help you get traffic to your site.

If you want an army of affiliates to sell your products for you, they also allow you to have free placement in their marketplace.

If your product becomes one of the top 25 products in its category (which is not that hard to do), then you will get free advertising on the blog widget which is syndicated on thousands of sites world wide and gets millions of impressions per month.

What are you waiting for? PayDotCom pays. Get your free account now. Click here to join.

Less-known facts about Manny Paquiao

Now that Manny Paquiao is now being referred to by many as "the greatest fighter" that has ever lived, I am sure people around the world would like to know more about him. Here is a list of some less-known facts about Manny.

(1) His real name is Emmanuel Dapidran Paquiao. He became known in the Philippines as Manny Paquiao. It was only in the US where he earned the monicker "Pacman" obviously due to their initial difficulty in pronouncing his last name.

(2) His real "hometown" is General Santos City, not Sarangani Province. Although he was born in the province of Bukidnon (translates to mountainous in English), he really grew up in General Santos City, known as the tuna capital of the Philippines. He has transferred his residence to Sarangani to run as congressman (member of the Philippine House of Representatives) for the province's lone legislative district.

(3) Paquiao's record is not spotless. Early in his career, he lost to fellow-Filipino, Rustico Torrecampo, via a third round knockout.  Later, he also lost to a Thai, Medgoen Singsurat, also known as Medgoen 3K Battery, after struggling to make weight. Finally, he lost to Erik Morales via unanimous decision in the first match of what later became a trilogy.

(4) Like majority of males in the Philippines, Manny loves basketball. As was shown in the Paquiao vs Hatton HBO 24/7 reality show, he actually plays with neighbors on an outdoor cement court near his mansion in General Santos City. He also owns a basketball team known as MP Warriors of Gensan which plays in the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association league. (Added on May 6, 2009)

(5) Paquiao is the only Filipino who was voted among Time Magazine's list of 100 most influential people in the world for 2009. He ranked no. 22 ahead of Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and the Dalai Lama. He is one of the few athletes on the list, together with Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal and Alex Rodriguez. (Added on May 6, 2009)

Know more about our Pambansang Kamao? Please tell us by posting it on the comments section or any where else for that matter. Congratulations to Manny. You really make us proud.

Lahing Pinoy: The Manny Paquiao Fight Song

Lahing Pinoy

By Manny Paquiao

Music by Lito Camo

Lagi kong itataas bandila ng Pilipinas

Saan mang sulok ng mundo iwagayway ko ito

Kahit saan, kahit kailan basta’t kung para sa bayan

Buhay ko’y ilalaan para sa lupa kong  inilangan.

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Sumigaw ang Pinoy (Hoy), ang lahat ng Pinoy

Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo.

Lagi kong isisigaw mabuhay ang Pilipinas

Ang bayan na pinagmulan, kaya ako ay malakas

Dugong bayani ay taglay, ang syang nalalaytay

Sa nag-aalab kong kamay, pag sumuntok todo bigay.

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Sumigaw ang Pinoy (Hoy), ang lahat ng Pinoy

Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo.

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Sumigaw ang Pinoy (Hoy), ang lahat ng Pinoy

Ang lahi ng Pinoy sa mundo.

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ang lahi ko

Pilipino, Pilipino, Pilipino ako.

Negoskwela Schedule for May 2009

Here is a complete list of seminars that Negoskwela will be offering this month of May 2009.

Computer/IT/Electronics Courses

• Computer Basic
  
• Computer Repair and Networking
  
• Desktop Publishing
  
• Macromedia Flash
  
• Access Programming
  
• TV and Monitor Servicing
  
• Web Publishing
  
• Cellphone Repair
  

Regular Courses

• Thai Massage
  
• Lutuing Pinoy
  
• Bag Making with Sewing
  
• Scented and Decorative Candle Making
  
• Basic Fiber Glass Making
  
• Project Feasibility Study
  
• Hair Cutting for Men and Women
  
• Basic Mandarin Language
  
• Animal Feed Production and Formulation
  
• Bangus Culture
  
• Pares-pares Toppings with Rice
  
• Pedicure, Manicure and Foot and Hand Spa Massage
  
• Rugs and Doormat Making
  
• Silkscreen Printing
  
• Massage and Aromatherapy
  
• Laundry Operation Business
  
• Basic Beadworks
  
• Catsup, Toyo and Vinegar Making
  
• Basic Balloon Arrangement
  
• Accounting and Bookkeeping
  
• Herbal and Transparent Soap Making
  
• Tilapia Hatchery and Nursery
  
• Polyester Resin
  
• Goat Raising
  
• Special Pancit and Mami
  
• Spreads and Jams
  
• Fruit Juice and Concentrates
  
• Chicken Layer Production with Fieldtrip
  
• Basic Baking for Cakes
  
• Basic Dress Making
  
• Flavored and Fortified Juice
  
• Shawarma Making and other Mediterranean Dishes
  
• Laundry Detergent, Dishwashing Soap and Fabric Softener
  
• Money Changer Business
  
• Franchising for Filipino Entrepreneur
  
• Reflexology and Acupressure
  
• Commercial Hydroponics
  
• Perfume and Cologne Making
  
• Pastillas Making
  
• Franchising Food Cart Business
  
• Chocolate Molding
  
• Setting-uUp Water Refilling Station
  
• Sizzling Dishes
  
• Shiatsu Massage
  
• Waitering and Bartending
  
• Bookbinding
  
• Intensive Tilapia in Tank
  
• Setting-up and Operating a Travel Agency Business
  
• Export-Import for Small Scale Business
  
• Duck Raising
  
• Setting-up Computer Ink Refilling Business
  
• Jewelry Appraisal and Pawnshop Management
  
• Wedding Planning and Coordination
  
• Pizza Variation and Pasta Sauce Making
  
• Basic Fresh Flower Arrangement
  
• Starting and Managing your Own Business
  
• Fish Processing
  
• Rice in a Box
  
• Passporting and Visa Processing
  
• Cakes and Pastries
  
• Starting and Operating Pre-School Day Care Center
  
• Paper Recycling and Novelty Items
  
• Managerial and Supervisory Skills Development
  
• Social and Business Events Planning.
  
• Micro Lending Business
  
• Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables
  

Comprehensive Courses

• Commercial Breadmaking and Bakery Management
  
• Commercial Sorbetes and Classic Icecream
  
• Setting-up T-shirt Production
  
• Meat Shop Operation and Meat Processing
  
• Catering, Restaurant, Carinderia and Fast-food Business
  
• Masteral Cake Decorating
  
• Bedcover, Comforters, Pillow Case Curtains and Quilts Making
  
• Native Kakanin
  
• Touch Therapy
  
• Comprehensive Beadworks
  
• Chinese Cuisine, Siopao and other Dimsum
  
• Setting-up Party Needs Busines and with Complete Lesson in Balloon Art
  
• Starting and Organizing your Own Beauty Parlor.
  

With our rising unemployment rate, these courses really provide us with alternatives. For more info, check out Negoskwela's schedule for May 2009.

Free business lectures and videos

There is really so much you can learn from the net. Take this one website for example. Smallbizbee.com lists 105 business lectures and videos available for free online which, according to them, saves you thousands of dollars in business education.

The lectures and videos include those on general business - getting started, startup, entrepreneurship, strategy, business tips, marketing/advertising, small business accounting, financing, business plans and business planning, leadership, social media for business, branding, business profiles and interviews.

In learning online, your investment in the form of time and focus takes the place of the expensive fees that you have to pay if you attend similar lectures physically. Like Smallbizbee.com, I have no doubt that you can learn as much online than in the real world.

Also posted at www.libre-libro.blogspot.com.

Pandemic vs. Epidemic

What is a pandemic? How is it different from epidemic? With all the news about a possible swine flu pandemic, I am sure all of you want to know. Martin F. Downs of WebMD explains.

According to the feature, pandemic is the sixth most frequently looked-up word at Merriam-Webster's online dictionary this year. It is defined there as "occuring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population".

Is it the same with an epidemic? It is not. It seems an epidemic is determined by a certain percentage of deaths above what is considered normal for a period. That percentage is called the "epidemic threshold".

On the other hand, a pandemic is characterized by a new strain that has not infected people before, it is on a global scale, and it is unusually deadly. Apparently, this is now a very real possibility with swine flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a system of identifying where we stand with regards to pandemic flu. The system has six phases:

• Phase 1 -- No new influenza virus has been found in people or animals.
• Phase 2 -- New virus has appeared in animals, but no human cases.
• Phase 3 -- A new strain of animal influenza virus infects humans, but there have not been human-to-human infections.
• Phase 4 -- The new virus passes from person to person, but transmission is limited and confined to a certain location.
• Phase 5 -- There is frequent transmission of the virus between people in a particular place, but it hasn't spread to the rest of the world.
• Phase 6 -- Pandemic. The virus is widespread worldwide.

As of this posting, it has been reported that we are now at Phase 4.

Swine Flu medication

More on this swine flu thing. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, past flu vaccines will not work against swine flu. Fortunately, there are anti-viral medication which work against it.

One is called Oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, and the other Zanamivir, also known as Relenza. Out of curiousity, I checked the Mercury Drug website for these drugs and am happy to report that Tamiflu capsules seems to be available.

For more info, listen to this podcast by the US CDC.