This Philippine Traffic Cop had Balut for breakfast before reporting for work.

If you’re in need for road directions while in the Philippines, it is best you seek it from an Undertaker or die laughing while getting it from a Philippine Traffic Cop.

R O V I E
First commenter for this post…

Typhoon Sendong which wrought havoc to Cagayan De Oro City and Iligan was earlier identified to be a “weak” typhoon. No one has ever warned that it could be very deadly as it claimed the lives of more than a thousand people and damaged millions of properties.

With the recent PAG-ASA weather forecast, I can’t help but feel scared. I am from GenSan and my imagination has gone wild after seeing the weather forecast on TV last night indicating that a Low Pressure Area is developing in the very City where I reside.

Just as the residents of CDO and Iligan were trying to rise up from the devastation caused by the destructive deluge last month, I ask, are we all prepared for another slap by Mother Nature? What is the government doing to prevent another onslaught to its populace? We can’t simply sit back and relax but later on be caught off guard with such disaster claiming many more lives right before our very eyes.

Sometimes online school sources have emergency prep classes. Make sure you can take care of yourself until government help kicks in.

Since we could not entirely rely on our government to do things for us, I deemed it best to republish fromHubpages the safety precautions during typhoons.

These are the following:

1. Keep your radio on and listen to the latest weather bulletin and announcements.
2. Don’t pay attention to rumors.
3. Stay away from low-lying beaches or other locations which may be swept away by high tides or storm waves. If your only passage to high ground is over a road likely to be under water during a severe storm, then leave early.
4. If your house can’t be affected by a high tide and is well-built or anchored, then it is probably the best place to be during a storm.
5. Board up and securely fasten windows. Makeshift boarding may do more harm than good. Whenever applicable, anchor the house with strong wires.
6. Get extra food, particularly those that don’t need to be cooked and are easy to prepare. Remember that electric power may be cut off.
7. If emergency cooking facilities are necessary, be sure they work.
8. Store water as water service may be cut off.
9. Always keep a flashlight handy.
10. Check everything that may be blown away or turn loose. Flying objects are dangerous during typhoons.
11. If the eye of the typhoon has passed your house, there may be a lull lasting for a few minutes to half an hour. Stay in a safe place. Make emergency repairs during the lull if necessary. But remember that the wind will return suddenly from the opposite direction with even greater violence.
12. Be calm. Your ability to handle an emergency will inspire others and help them.

Be safe everyone!

UPDATE: As per recent reports from PAG-ASA, the low pressure area (LPA), which was estimated to hit GenSan and nearby areas including some parts of South Cotabato, would no longer develop into a tropical cyclone as earlier reported.

A L G E N E
First commenter for this post…

Food is often a big part of a date. Whether it is ‘dinner and a movie’ or just ‘dinner’, when it comes to dating we like to go all out to make the other person feel special.

But when Valentine’s Day or anniversaries come around sometimes it’s hard to remember how to be original. People meet in a variety of ways now, the traditional ‘at work’ or ‘through friends’ is no longer the common way to meet others. For example, nowadays people internet dating at eHarmony.co.uk find long-term partners.

In order not to succumb to the clichéd candle-lit dinner at an overpriced French restaurant, here are a few tips to make meal times a special occasion for that special someone.

Breakfast in bed

Nutritionists agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but too often in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day routine we end up frantically swigging lukewarm coffee in the morning before dashing out of the house or grabbing a chocolate bar for an instant morning sugar rush.

On a Saturday or Sunday though, it’s a nice idea to surprise your partner with a tray of freshly-squeezed orange juice, the morning paper and hot croissants. It won’t take hours to prepare and is guaranteed to start off the day with some romance.

Picnics

Reminiscent of childhood memories and leisurely days in the park, who doesn’t love a picnic? Meeting your partner for lunch is a nice way to break up the day and for an added touch, there are some simple recipes to make delicious treats from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen.

Lunch with a twist

Instead of a sandwich at the office or a Sunday roast, sometimes it’s nice to mix up lunch time a little bit. With a partner, there are some excellent sushi-making lessons in many cities in the UK. This will be a nice change and make you engage in doing something new together before sitting down to enjoy your creations. It’s sure to top dating in Bristol pubs or London clubs and it will definitely give you something to laugh about afterwards.

Ultimate romance

The dinner date is the holy grail of couples, and even though it is the most obvious way to spice up a week it can be all too easy to get into the habit of ordering take out and a movie in the comfort of your own home.

It’s always a lovely gesture to reserve a table at the first restaurant you went to together. There you can go back to the beginning, if just for a night, and get dressed up and ready for an evening dedicated to your loved one.

To add thoughtfulness, bake your partner’s favourite desert and eat it together at home, making it the perfect intimate end to an evening.

Death. The mention of this word inhibits fear perhaps even leads others into despair. Death is portrayed as a punishment, foreboding.

No matter how death is deliberately obscured it is the only certainty about life. It is inevitable and more misconstrued than life itself. To add more mysticism to death we have the soothsayers, the diviners, the mystics, the philosophers, the religious teachings, the stories retold of those who claim to having been there after miraculously cheating death, dreams and imaginings and let’s forget the writers who earn a fortune from their macabre writings about it.

I chose to write about death today simply because it of its intensity. The same intensity I suppose that has spawned all that can be said about it by medical definition or by spiritual beliefs or even by what modern technology evolves its laborious search for the longevity of human life and of other futuristic possibilities.

Death. A morbid subject to write about one would chide because to speak of death, it hits the raw nerve. It freezes the adrenalin and sends massive shock waves of regret, sadness, grief and perhaps in extremity it has the propensity to cause insanity for some.

Death. It has been a multi faceted motivator. The victors celebrate deliverance of death to their the foe. In most parts of the World, the law uses as the ultimate punishment and the prospect of punishment by death in order to maintain social justice. Medical research regards death as a defeat in their quest to overcome diseases. Even in this unscrupulous Age of Industrialization, death is traded off as a worthy alternative for economic gain.

Death. It is a poignant fact that is swept aside and yet every living person dies with each passing day – another day closer to D Day. Ironically, humans regard each day as having lived another day and another and yet another.

Is not death an emancipator? Does not death free man from being shackled with physical pain and suffering? We die every day. Hence, why should death be shunned as though it is taboo in any given circumstance? If R.I.P. means Rest In Peace, wouldn’t that also mean Rise If Possible?

My usual hyperbole repartee to several who greet me with a question – “How are you?”
I reply -“I am still alive.”

And I mostly get a quizzical demeanour from the other party which simply shows that people do not give death much of a conscious reality.

The matter of life after death was broached for discussion between a Catholic priest and I.
After a lengthy discourse, I said that as I see it, life after death is a state of mind. I departed from the Christian tenet about the soul of the departed; Instead, I debated it in this manner.

God is Omniscience. He is the All-Knowing. The Infinite Wisdom.

That would be unchallenged by believers in Religion. From that I extended it to support my theory that since God is Omniscience, therefore the human mind is the closest reflection of His Divinity.

Life after Death

I compare the human mind to that of two glasses of different capacity. For this example, let me assume one glass has a capacity of 20 cc and the other glass a capacity of 40 cc.

If both glasses are filled to the brim, neither glass is less filled than the other.

Equate the glass as being the mental ability (human intelligence?) that every human is endowed from birth. In what measure and to what ends that mental ability is used during a human’s earthly life would determine to what form of life it meets in the hereafter.

Therefore, giving the benefit of this theory, it means that whatever form of existence life after death is, it is the attainment of the level of mental attainment that a human has put to use throughout his earthly existence.

As it were, when it is said that the physical body dies but not the soul. So too it may be said that it is the physical body that dies but not the mind.

I remember when my Grandpa passed away. I was instructed to wait outside and the nurse pulled a curtain around Grandpa’s bed. The doctor made a brief body check and left. The nurse in attendance soon came out from behind the curtain. She spoke in a soft voice to me and informed that the doctor has pronounced that Grandfather was dead.

I ran in to his bedside, threw my whole torso onto Grandpa, wept as I grabbed him by this shoulders and yelled out his name several times. He was motionless. As the Nurse pulled me away from Grandpa, I looked at his face and noticed that Grandpa lips had a weak smile.

That scene since then has led me to believe that although the rest of the human body is declared dead; no longer able to function without the circulation of blood and oxygen, however, the human mind is still alive and able to hear. Perhaps for metaphysical or religious expression that which is immortal about human is an intangible entity and termed as being the Soul. In plain tangible terms I refer it to the human mind.

Note: This post was authored by Windy which was published on August 3, 2008 at the defunct Windmill of My Mind

My Share For:
Writer’s Weekend Retreat

It won’t be news to anyone reading this that the Philippines is a rather warm place. However, if you travel to other countries, you’ll find that, to save money on expensive heating bills, the temperature in many people’s homes is often in the middle or even low sixties, which feels much colder when you are in a drier climate. Even the relatively warm United States West Coast can feel shockingly chilly. On a frosty-feeling San Francisco day in a friend’s house, you will understand the appeal of thick woolly bath robes after a shower. It’s especially nice if the robe has just come out of the dryer. It’s just one of the nicest feelings ever.

Of course, if you’re going to wear bath robes here, it’s often more about modesty than keeping warm. The tendency is generally to purchase lighter materials and perhaps shorter kimono-style cuts that can look very attractive on the right person. Of course, a lot of people here and all over the world don’t even bother with robes, just jumping into jeans and a t-shirt or whatever form of household casual wear they prefer. It’s just like the way in some countries years ago it wasn’t considered quite decent to sleep in anything other than pajamas, while today there is more of an anything-goes approach. Surely clothes manufacturers are not overly happy about that.

Still, it’s definitely easy to be pro-robe. Even in relatively warm weather they can feel quite cozy and, especially in a damp climate like ours, sometimes towels don’t really do the job in terms of drying off completely, so bath robes can make a good middle step between the shower and your actual clothes for the day.

Of course, then the question becomes what colors are best. Pink for ladies is always a solid option and baby blue looks good on just about everyone, as does white. For some reason, you almost never see a black bath robe. Don’t ask us why.

I love this Christmas season. This is the time where all the shopping malls and the streets are lighted up so glamorously. I can feel the beautiful and divine atmosphere of Christmas especially during eve of this festive season celebrated in church. Prior to that, wedding bells are also in the air and when I attended the wedding last week, I fell in love with the bride’s pendant around her neck. I wonder whether the exquisite looking pendant is one of the synthetic diamonds solitaire pendants found here in this website or not. Oh..how I wish someone were to buy this beauty for me! *hinting*

Now here’s what I’ve been waiting for. I have been wanting to hear Windy’s elaboration on why Balut is the cause for unwanted pregnancies.

I got this from the commentary section of the article Bad News for All Balut Eaters:

Lainy,

Before I start my dissertation about the foul Balut which is inscrutably elevated as a gourmet item by die-hard Baluters (baluter = a person who eats Balut), let me first bring to your attention the axiom of Cause and Effect.

Do I have to explain what Cause and Effect means? A simple example then; “No poke, no fun. No f*#!, no son”.

Now, hoping that Cause and Effect is understood, I shall expound Why Balut is the cause for UNWANTED PREGNANCIES.

Unwanted Pregnancy (Photo grabbed)

For the Nature Loving Baluters

After having had a terrific meal, what do you think the diners would talk about? Yeah, the mouth watering meal that they just had and would love to have another go at it.

So too, when nature loving Baluters finish eating their Balut, they would talk about the innocent, virginal aborted embryo that they just ate.

It would summon images to their minds, other like embryos and start their hormones to “knock” at their “gates”.

They just abetted committing an act of “cannibalism” on an aborted embryo. Their stomach insides begin to curl and they think, “Oh! what a cruel thing we’ve done.”

Now, the repentant nature loving Baluters feel that the only way to appease their pained conscience is to have an embryo of their own and not abort it. And this would absolve them of the heinous “cannibalistic” act.

For the rebellious Baluters.

Like their nature loving Baluters, the rebellious Baluters after eating their Balut have their own reaction and reason but contary these are impassive with their conscience.

The rebellious Baluter looks at the lame, luckless, aborted embryo and thinks “What the heck! its so simple. There is always a way to get around the problem if my girl gets pregnant”. And for her, she would find a similar, “So what? Balut can, I can too!”

Yeah, the solution is to have the starry, wet eyed girl “BALUTED”!

For both Baluters, the nature loving and the rebellious, the rule of association (besides other factors which will be expounded after this passage) has a psychological influence on the totally unsuspecting Baluter.

The evil that lives on.

The Balut was probably the brainchild of a grossly sexually dissatisfied man or woman and who also had a huge insatiable sexual appetite.

Balut embryo (Photo grabbed)

(S)He knew that the Balut is the cheapest and an equally effective sex stimulant. It being full of protein, the Balut would be a potent Sex Potion and it would nationalize balut-orgasms for those who become addicted to eating it.

Who in the Philippines is bothered by the pong from the Balut? At the height of their romansa, other dizzy strains of bodily romansa scents would outdo and outlast the Balut pong.

What about facing the girl’s bewildered parents?

Oh easy! BLAME IT ON THE BALUT. Her parents went through the same Balut route too and they would understand.

Did you consider?

I have not come across any scientific or laboratory tests conducted and reported on the Balut that prove its benefits.

Any form of growth produces its own toxins. An embryo gelled from incubation and then boiled to make it edible does not ensure that such toxins from the embryo is neutralized.

There is no assurance that the duck eggs are incubated by methods that are acceptable and safe for consumption. Is there any certification that the Balut eggs are produced through a process that is perfectly safe for repeated human consumption?

And now, if you do not accept all this load of bullsh*t that I write, it explains why you are a DIE HARD BALUTER!

A L G E N E
First commenter for this post…

There is no greater moment for a family than the arrival of a child. You can just imagine the family’s hoopla when our Morning Dew was born. Being the first nephew/ grandchild in the family, Xyle was undoubtedly everyone’s apple of the eye.

Our Morning Dew crying non-stop

Mom tried to comfort him by giving him his feeding bottle

The joyful moments of his birth till he celebrated his first month were one of the many significant experiences especially for his parents.

Xyle at 1 month

One more milestone in Xyle’s growing up was experienced via a dedication service at Church. His parents showed their utmost appreciation to our Lord God Almighty and through this solemn act, the parents acknowledged God’s sovereign power not only over the child, but to them as well.

The dedication service at Church

A minister led the dedication service through a powerful prayer. He asked for wisdom and grace in carrying out the parents’ responsibilities towards the baby. Most importantly, it was asked in prayer that the baby be given the best opportunity to grow towards faith in Jesus.

Xyle was fast asleep the entire time :-)

After the dedication service, the family posed for the camera.

Morning Dew with parents

Xyle with the doting Tita Mom

We then proceeded to have dinner to celebrate the occasion at no less than Manny Pacquiao’s fave restaurant, Ranchero.

The famous Ranchero

The native piece of chandelier at Ranchero

We feasted ourselves on the sinfully delicious specialty of the house, baby back ribs.

Baby back ribs, delicioso!

One more time- up close! Isn't it so obvious that I am making you drool? Hahaha!

We ordered some more glorious and heavenly foodies.

Roasted beef with pineapple orange

Roasted beef up close

We can't leave this out- the famous kinilaw!

Beef shank stew (Sinigang na baka)

We haven’t had enough of sinigang na baka, so we ordered one more big bowl, hahaha! Believe me, it’s so yum!

Big bowl of sinigang (2nd order, LOL!)

Our Morning Dew also got some dedication souvenirs and oh yeah! The richly chocolate flavored cake from Red Ribbon!

The choco dedication cake surrounded by the souvenirs

Nice smiles for the cam except for Xyle, LOL!

Xyle still asleep with the souvenirs and cake in the background

We tried to kill the time waiting for my Mom to arrive by taking some more pictures at Ranchero’s vicinity.

My SIL and I

Yours truly and my siblings with Xyle

Paseo Del Sol is a garden function area just beside Ranchero. It's here where my friend's wedding took place (TWERLYN)

The night was almost spoilt when it took so long for my Mom to arrive at Ranchero. It was a little late when I realized that I told her the day before that we’re going to dine out at a hotel’s restaurant. It was at the last minute that we decided to change venue. I then looked for the contact number of that restaurant over the phone directory and described what my Mom looked like. The hotel’s receptionist told me that she’s been there awaiting for us for hours!

Mercy!

We have been contacting her to no end but she can’t be reached. It turned out that her phone’s battery died on her and her other phone was left at home. Her face when she finally reached Ranchero can’t be described, haha! She even refused to pose for the camera.

My Mom carrying Xyle with that trademark smirk on her face

The happy mood was restored after a hearty meal. Each one sliced a cake and posed for the camera. You see, I only took Sexy KM’s suggestion, hahaha!

My brother jointly slicing a cake with Cha

My SIL

My Mom's turn

My turn; so excited to have a taste of the cake

Taking a family portrait can’t be forgotten:

A family pose

The night ended up with a silly gesture of my brother imitating Xyle while feeding on his bottle. We found it so hilarious!

Xyle obviously hungry

The youngest brother acting silly!

Two grown ups acting like little kiddos, LOL!

My Share For:
Yummy Sunday | Blue Monday | Mellow Yellow Monday | Green Monday | Amaze Me Monday | Ruby Tuesday | Orange Tuesday | Wednesday Whites | Food Friday | Food Trip Friday | Yummy Sunday |

R E C E L
First commenter for this post…

There are many many types of loan options out there today for everybody. Today we are going to talk about car title loans. These loans can be a monstrous journey for some and other just plain scary to many who don’t know much about it. It’s not that car title loan is a bad thing, it’s just that people are under educated and dont know alot about the process. To them there are about scams and only hear bad reviews, that is why they have a bad outlook on it. The more you know about something and learn, you will learn about it and find our if is right for you. The large question most individuals are always contemplating about getting a car title loan loan is, is it safe? That is in fact a very good question, one I hope to answer for you in the upcoming paragraphs.

People fear what they don’t know. And a car title loan is something that has taken a lot of heat in the last few years. So I can see when people may be hesitant to get money from these types of companies. Most people think that because of how easy it is to get a loan that there must be a catch. There is a fee for a car title loan, but not what you think. It is just like a credit card in terms of interest. But, because you must realize that the rates might be higher, since all you are putting against the loan is the value of the car. And not the whole value, just enough to make a small short term loan. Dont be fooled it will only be around 1 to 5 K in loan amount. This is where the gamble comes into effect. You give them a item worth 10k and you only get 5K. They do not do background or credit checks so this is the payoff.

So for what reason would anyone in there right mind want to get a car title loan? Well there are multiple reasons why people would want to get a loan like this, and it’s usually because of a need for fast cash. Whether it’s for an emergency like unemployment, medical or something of that nature or a personal need for cash, it doesn’t matter, once you’re approved for a car title loan, it will only take 24 hours to get your money. This is a plus for people that have very bad credit that need money fast. Just know that you need to repay as contractually obligated or the fees go up and you could possibly loose your car that is valued much more than the loan. This is something that you must consider before entering into this kind of deal. So now you know, What will you decide. It is up to the individual if it is the right thing to do.

As you very well know it, I have been pretty preoccupied preparing all the needed stuff for my upcoming travel very soon. This time, it won’t be out of the country. It is actually about 10 hours travel by land. It will be the very first time that I am going to hurdle quite a long trip like this one.

Anyhow, I feel very excited. It has been a while since I traveled. The last time out, it was out of the country for our Malaysia- Singapore escapade. Though this time, it is going to be an official travel that is work-related, we were told that a little bit of leisure is included in our itinerary.

Upon our arrival, there is going to be a Welcome Party, Bienvenida a Zamboanga, where we have to show off our best Hawaiian get ups. The highlight for the night’s event shall be the Dance Sport Competition. The tourney shall then officially begin on the next day after a motorcade around the City of Dapitan. The highlight of the evening shall be the dart/ bowling/ billiard competitions. I shall be competing for the dart tourney. The last day of the event shall be the continuation of the sports events and the last night shall be the Goodwill Party to which we have to sport our formal attires.

Geez!

With that kind of schedule, I wonder if we still can tour around the place. But hey! I am still not done preparing all the stuff that I need for that particular event. I am still in the lookout for my Hawaiian and Formal Costumes. And of course! The accessories that I need like the fashionable hats and women’s sunglasses. I have been trying to search online for some of these stuff. Good thing I have found http://www.glasses.com.

This coming weekend, I plan of just searching for my attires for the event. I only have roughly two more weeks to complete the purchase of all the things that I need. I can only hope I won’t have so much difficulty looking around for the best stuff that I’d fancy. I am keeping my fingers crossed on that