School is out on February 25!

In lieu of the 25th anniversary celebration of the 1986 People Power Revolution in EDSA (EDSA I), Malacañang has announced that there will be no classes in all school levels on February 25, 2011 (Friday).

Yes, February 25 has been declared a special holiday for schools only. It will be a regular working day for employees. However, Malacañang urged employers to allow their workers to leave early on that day.

The 1986 EDSA Revolution led to the proclamation of the late Corazon Aquino, mother of PNoy, as the 11th President of the Republic of the Philippines. The historical event ousted the 14-year martial rule of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and thus, bringing back the country's democracy.

China Uses Top Gun Footage to Fake Military Strength

On Jan. 23, China's state broadcaster, CCTV, ran a story about an air force training exercise that contained some suspicious footage.

Around the segment's one minute 12 seconds mark (see above), as the China-U.S.-oriented blog Ministry of Tofu pointed out, "the way a target was hit by the air-to-air missile fired by a J-10 fighter aircraft and exploded looks almost identical to a cinema scene from the Hollywood film Top Gun."

Viewers were led to believe that what they were seeing was a live fire exercise. But according to Ministry of Tofu: "A net user who went by the name "刘毅" (Liu Yi) pointed out that the jet that the J-10 'hit' is an F-5, a US fighter jet. In Top Gun, what the leading actor Tom Cruise pilots an F-14 to bring down is exactly an F-5. Looking at the screenshots juxtaposition, one cannot fail to find that even flame, smoke and the way the splinters fly look the same."

Not convinced? The Wall Street Journal's China Real Time Report put the videos side-by-side.

The seemingly doctored footage has been removed from CCTV's website. But Real Time China Report notes that Chinese media has in the past been caught red-handed lifting fictional U.S. material in news reports.

"In 2002, the popular Beijing Evening News tabloid translated and published as genuine a satirical news article by The Onion about U.S. Congress threatening to leave Washington D.C. unless the city built them a new building with a retractable roof," writes Josh Chin. "Five years later, the state-run Xinhua news agency infamously used an x-ray image of Homer Simpson's head to illustrate a story about the discovery of a genetic link to multiple sclerosis."

CCTV has declined to comment in media reports.

Meebo

No Web-based instant messaging application can exactly replicate the experience of using a desktop software client--but in the case of Meebo, that may be a good thing. This Web service offers most of the features that your desktop application does, without requiring you to download any extra software. Meebo has a sleek interface, provides access to most IM networks you're likely to need, and lets you start using it within seconds of firing up the Web page.

From its home page at Meebo.com, Meebo offers access to Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, AOL's AIM, MySpace, and MSN Messenger. (The service also lets you connect via iChat, ICQ, and Jabber, though it doesn't link to them directly from the home page.) To connect to an IM service, you simply enter your existing screen name and password in the spaces provided. You can connect simultaneously to as many services as you'd like.

You then jump to a personalized Meebo page that tells you which services you're connected to. Your buddy list appears in a window on the right side of the page; if you're connected to more than one service, Meebo merges all of your buddy lists into one. Each buddy is marked with an icon denoting which service the person is using; and when you click to send a message, Meebo automatically connects you to the compatible service.

Messages appear in pop-up windows on the Meebo page. You can undock both the buddy list window and the message window from the Meebo page, which makes it look and feel more as if you were using a desktop application. (You'll have to disable your pop-up blocker to do so.) But if you navigate away from the Meebo.com page, your IM session will terminate.

Like all Web-based IM services, Meebo has some difficulty notifying you when a new message arrives. To make the browser tab blink, or to set a flashing icon in your system tray, you'd have to download software--which defeats the primary purpose of using a Web-based service, so Meebo doesn't offer this option. If you're on the Meebo page or you have the message window in view, you'll probably see a new message appear. If you have the window minimized, the text in the title bar will change to display the name of the message sender and a brief snippet of the message, but this signal is easy to miss if you're working on something else. You can receive audio notification of new messages, however, which makes them much easier to notice.

Among Meebo's nice touches are a typing indicator (so you can see if someone is responding to a message you've sent) and a time stamp (so you know when messages arrived). The service's software also lets you mouse over names on your buddy list to see how long they've been connected.

Meebo doesn't require registration, but you get some added functionality if you do choose to register. One extra is a single sign-on for all of your IM accounts. Meebo allows registered users to save chat logs, store conversations, and add personalized touches such as icons and skins to the application.

Overall, Meebo gives you a handy way to access your IM account when you're away from your PC. And it's so easy to use that you may want to consider it as a replacement for your bloated desktop client.

16th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (Press Launch Photos)

16th Hot Air Balloon.President Benigno N. Ricafort of Clark

Development Corporation expresses his excitement at the press launch of the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival to be held on Feb. 10 to 13 at the Clark Freeport Zone. Ricafort was informed during the press briefings Sunday at the SM Clark's event center that at least 28 hot air balloons from 10 countries will participate in this year's event.

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Joy Roa, chair of the Hot Air fest, informs media of the various activities to be held at 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival on Feb. 10 to 13 at the Clark Freeport Zone. At least 28 balloons from 10 countries will participate in this year's balloon fest in Clark.

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Joy Roa, chair of the Hot Air fest (extreme left) discusses some of the innovations and other activities to be held during the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival to be held on Feb. 10 to 13 at the Clark Freeport Zone. Also in photo during the press briefings held at the Event Center of SM City Clark on Sunday are President Benigno N. Ricafort of Clark Development Corporation (2nd from left) and SM Asst. Mall Manager Anna

Datu.

Firefox Helps Clean Up Windows

Here is a video on how FireFox can really help clean your Windows


Watch:

‘American Idol’ Will Issue an Apology for Steven Tyler’s Behavior

Television and radio host Ryan Seacrest said on his radio show today that the producers of American Idol will be issuing an apology on tonight’s episode for new judge Steven Tyler.

“There is a black card that starts the show tonight, comes up on the screen. I just want to tell you part of it…it starts with ‘American Idol would like to apologize for last week’s outrageous behavior by Steven Tyler,” Ryan Seacrest said.

The concession is also for the Aerosmith frontman’s eccentric facial expressions and interesting choice of words.

Tyler is in his rookie year at the critics panel for the show alongside singer Jennifer Lopez.

As to whether his words are worse than anything that former judge Simon Cowell has ever said to merit issuing an apology is up to the viewers.

Tonight’s episode will feature the auditions conducted in Austin, Texas.

Kristine and Oyo wedding video now up!

The wedding video of Kristine Hermosa and Oyo Sotto can be seen now at the Vimeo account of wedding videographer Bong Sare.

And as of this posting, the said Oyo-Tin wedding video now has more than half-a-million hits since it has become available for viewing last Sunday, January 30, 2011.

Bong Sare actually first posted it on Vimeo on January 13, a day after the wedding of Kristine and Oyo at Club Balai Isabel in Batangas, but it was set to private. It's only last Jan. 30 that the video becomes open for public viewing.

The couple's wedding video is so cool and really shows how happy they were on that special day.


Click this link to watch the video:
http://vimeo.com/18737272

Love Quotes!

Love month na! Panahon nanaman ng pag-ibig!
Pero amin natin hindi lahat sa'atin ay masaya, lalo na pag dating sa love.
Eto ang ilang love quotes para sa matitinding tinamaan ni kupido:

• Ang love parang sugal. minsan talo, minsan panalo, minsan tiba-tiba, minsan bawi lang . pero alam mo kung ano masakit? ang makta mong panalo ka sana. kaso hindi ka tumaya..

• Maskit kapag nakikita mo yung mahal mo nasasaktan dahil sa mahal niya. wala kang magawa kasi wala ka namang karaptan. maiisip mo na lang bigla, “bakit ang taong pinapangarap ko, binbasura lang ng ibang tao?”

• Maling isipin sya pero ginawa ko. maling mag-alala sa kanya pero ginawa ko. maling mahalin sya pro gnawa ko. pro ang klimutan xa. “un sna ang tama pro bkt d ko mgawa?”

• Sabi mo di ka nanghihinayang na nawala siya sa’yo. o nagsisisi na iniwan ka niya, sa totoo lang, hindi ako naniniwala, dahil nakatulog ka’ng lumuluha sa tabi ko, habang pabulong kong sinasabi, “ako kaya iiyakan mo?”

• Paulit ulit lang  buhay pag-ibg ek, makikilala ko, mahuhulog ako. magmamahal ako, mamahalin ako. iiwan ako iiyak ako. kung mahal mo na'ko puwede hanggang dun na lang? wag mo na'ko paiyakin.
• kagabi ng-usap kami ni Lord. sbi ko sa kanya “Lord bakit po ang sakit-sakit? nag-mahal naman ako diba? niyakap Nya ako sabi Nya ‘anak, sobra kasi..."
• siguro nga di sa lahat ng oras eh aasa tayo sa mga pangarap natin. masasaktan lang tayo. kasi di lahat ng pangrap natin para sa'tin, natutupad. parang ako, pangarap lang  kita.. hanggang pngarap lang.
• pag mahal mo, masaya ka pag lagi syang kasama. pero pag biglaan kang inwan agos ang luha mo masasabi mo na lang sa sarili mo. ”kahit mahal ko sya. #@*+! nya!”
• mahal mo siya kaya siya lang nakikita mo, di ko naman pwedeng pagpilitan sarili ko sa di ako mahal di ba? pero bakit ganon kahit mukha na kong tanga habang minamahal mo sya, bakit mahal pa rin kita?
• Heto ako, malapit na sa taas. Tapos na sa pag-iyak, tapos na sa lahat. Bakit ngayon, ngayong nasa may dulo na ako, saka ka pa dumating? Mahuhulog na naman ba ako na walang sasalo sa akin?
• nang iwan mo'ko, 'la ako nagawa kahit masakit, tinanggap ko kasi mahal kta... pro ng nakita kita umiiyak, isa lang nasabi ko… “ni minsan di kita ginanyan bakit mo kasi ako iniwan”
• Sabi nila “iwanan mo na”. sabi ko “ayoko”. sabi nila “okay pa?” sabi ko “ayos lang”. then tinanong nila ko isang araw “kaya mo pa ba?” napaluha ako habang sinasabi, “mahal ko eh, kaya kakayanin ko”.
• Mahirap umasa sa wala. Mahirap magmahal sa taong may ibang mahal. Mahirap ipagtanggol ang taong walang paki sa nararamdaman mo... at higit sa lahat, mahirap masaktan ng wala kang karapatan.
• Bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko, sabi ko okay lang, kahit wala ka, kaya ko. sabi ko tigilan mo na ko dahil kaya kong wala ka. sabi ko walang kwenta sa'kin ang nangyari sa tin... pero bakit ang sakit sakit ng nararamdaman ng puso kong nangungulila dahil sayo... bakit mahal pa rin kita?
• bakit ganon? hindi pala lahat ng akala mo totoo noh? dahil akala ko di kita kailangan. akala ko di kita mamahalin pero mali pala ako. at nung inaakala kong minamahal mo ko, ni minsan di pala nagkatotoo.
• pag mahal mo gagawin mo lahat... kahit masakit... kahit di mo na kaya... pero bakit ba ngiging masakit? kasi patuloy ka pa rin umaasa na mamahalin ka rin nya, kahit alam mong malabo.
• Ask ko si God, sabi ko “Bakit mo siya kinuha sa kin? binigay ko naman lahat?” Sabi niya “Di ka kasi nagtira para sa’yo” sabi ko, “Ganito po kasi ako magmahal.” sabi niya, “Kaya pala lahat kinalimutan mo pati ako”
• Ano ba ‘to? ikaw na naman iniisip ko. Kaya ang hirap makatulog sa gabi eh, di kita makalimutan. Pero nakatulog din ako, alam mo kung paano? Sinabi ko sa sarili ko “Tanga, may mahal na yon... tulog ka na.”
• Bakit kaya minsan minamahal natin yung taong bawal mahalin? nakakainis di ba? bakit sila pa? ang dami naman dyan... bakit kaya... ikaw pa?
• Bakit ganon? Kahit anong sakit naman tiniis ko, kahit anong hirap tinago ko, kahit sinong masaktan binalewala ko, kahit sobra sobra pagmamahal ko sayo, bakit ganon?  Di mo pa rin makita?
• Inisip ko andaya mo, kasi nangako ka di mo ako iiwan, pero minsan iniisip ko kung ano mas madaya... Yung iwan mo ako? O yung pinilit kitang mangako?
• nasaktan ka ba nung malaman mong may mahal siyang iba? sana nga andun ako. nabulong ko sana. “yan din yun naramdaman ko.. nung sinabi mo na kayo na pala..”
• kunwari, masaya ako... kunwari, ok ako... kunwari, wala akong problema... kunwari, nasa langit ako... ok lang ba kung isipin ko’ng kunwari mahal mo ‘ko? kunwari lang naman eh.:)
• bakit ganon? noon sabi mo maghintay ako kasi meron pang ‘kayo’, ako naman naghintay nga... nung wala na kayo ngumiti ka at akaLa ko meron ng ‘tayo’, yun pala may iba at bagong ‘kayo’ na… :c
• minsan, kapag mahal mo, kahit magkamali, tahimik ka lang - kahit sobrang sakit na.. kailan ko kya masasabi sayo na mahal kita at sinaktan mo ako? 
• mahirap pala magmahal ng dalawang tao,nakakalito! Isa bahagi ngayon ng buhay mo,isa bahagi ng nakaraan... ang pagkakaiba lang, yung ngayon ayaw mo saktan... yung nakaraan gusto mo balikan!
• isang araw nawawala ka rin sa isip ko,meron din papalit sayo, di’ko alam kung sino, pagdasal mo naman oh?!wag sana nyang saktan ang puso ko tulad ng ginawa mo.
• Thank you! Tanong mo siguro  kung bakit... di dahil tinanggap mo ako o pinakita mo sa akin na importante ako... salamat kasi, hinayaan mo kong makilala ka... yun lang... napasaya mo na ko nun.
• Sabi nila.. 'pag di ka makatulog may nagiisip sayo, may nagwowori, at sigurado, yung taong yun miss ka nya, kaya pag di ka makatulog, sorry ha!! 'Di ko mapigilan e, namiss kita!!
• Everyone needs someone to be with, but often, they try to choose the best... I may not be the best among them, but I promise not to leave you... Aalis lang ako pag sinabi mong “'di na kita kailangan…”
• isipin mo na lang, parehas tayong umiyak, parehas tayong nasaktan, at parehas tayong nahirapan. pero bakit ganon? sa huli, sino lang yung natira? ako lang di ba?
• pag wala na ko, siguro di yun kawalan sayo, di yun makakaapekto sayo. pero gusto ko lang malaman mo… lungkot ako.. bakit? kase wala ka ginawa, hinayaan mo lang ako mawala..
• pumayag akong mawala ka dahil dun ka masaya... pumayag akong masaktan dahil dun ka masaya... pumayag akong umiyak dahil dun ka masaya... napilitan akong pumayag kase alam ko sa iba ka sasaya..
• Madalas kong isipin, san ko ba ilulugar sarili ko sa’yo? O, kung may lugar pa ba ako? Kapag bibitiw na ko, dumarating ka at pinaparamdam mo na meron pang pag-asa.. Ngayon, darating ka pa ba? Kasi bibitiw na ko..
• Nasubukan mo na bang magmahal??? Yung bibigay mo ang lahat... Oras... atensyon kasi akala mo mahal ka rin niya... Hindi pala... Ako, nasubukan ko na... Nung minahal kita
• Eto na yung huling araw na papangarapin kita.. Huling pagkakataon na iiyak ako.. At huling sandali na papayagan kong saktan ang sarili ko.. Bukas pag nakita kita,ibubulong ko.. “tama na,masyado na kitang minahal...”
• It’s hard letting go of someone specially if he/she became an important part of your life. But if you feel that you’ve given everything but still nothing happens, set him/her free. “mas madali siguro ang bumitaw kesa maghintay
• Nung nawala ka, ask ko si God bakit mo pa siya binigay kung babawiin mo lang din? Sinagot niya, maging masaya ka na lang, kahit sandali naging sa yo siya! Nakalaan kasi siya sa iba!
• Sana.. Di na lang kita nakilala... masaya naman ako nun eh, kahit nung wala ka pa! Di tulad ngayon.. Pinapahirapan mo lang ako, alam kong di mo sinasadyang makilala ako.. Ako rin eh, di ko sinasadyang mahalin ka!!!