Aethen

This is serious. There is a high aids scare in the country. Survey revealed a significant rise in the prevalence rate of HIV among men and women having unprotected sex. Recent news reported that Gensan’s last count was 21. The country? It now has over 900 cases but in 2007, it was only 280. Scary, right? But hey, I am not a victim.; just building an awareness. How does one get HIV? I read in positivism.ph, HIV is primarily found in the blood, semen, breast milk or vaginal fluid of an infected person. HIV is transmitted through these bodily fluids in 3 main ways: 1. Having sex without a condom with someone infected with HIV. 2. Sharing needles and syringes with someone infected with HIV. 3. As a fetus or infant, being exposed to HIV before or during birth or through breastfeeding. But the virus is not transmitted through day-to-day activities such as shaking hands, hugging, or a casual kiss. Meanwhile, here’s a video for everybody to think about (and laugh). I know th...

Last Saturday marked a record in blogging history in the Philippines this year as t he first WordCamp in the Southeast Asia and was hosted by the Mindan ao bloggers . On that date, WordPress users and soon-to-be users, developers and advocates gathered to camp at De La Salle – College of St. Benilde, Manila. The event served as a venue for socializing with other WordPress users, sharing, networking and learning more about WordPress and its future. About 300 bloggers attended the event (also blogger-platform bloggers were there to compare and learn WordPress). There were many interesting WordPress and blogging topics divided in different sessions and schedule to accommodate campers and to fit the time in schedule. The morning sessions were breakaway ones, campers has options to attend in the sessions they were interested whether they were developers or users.My first session was Blogging 102 by Jayvee Fernandez . I really did not intend to attend in his session, I was just not sure t...

Aethen for Bariles Republic Congratulations to Ms. Janette Toral for the successful writing project this year, the search for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs , last Monday, 11 August 2008 , at The Legend Villas, Mandaluyong, Manila . The project acquired a remarkable response from bloggers across the blogosphere. I was not a winner or a nominee in this year’s search but was privileged to have had witnessed the naming of the most influential bloggers 2008. This year's most influential bloggers with project organizer Janette Toral. Photo credit to http://www.manilablogtimes.com/ One of the winners was Sir Avel Manansala of Bariles Republic who was from General Santos city and a fellow SOCCSKSarGen blogger . His blog becomes the definitive source of bits and pieces of info about the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. And in-behalf of him, I ( subbed ) received the award for being identified as one of the new and emerging blogs that were making an impact to its readers in thi...

Making a positive difference is possible when one is moved and inspired to effect a change to the lives of some people who are marginalized or small. There are so many ways to contribute for a betterment of a situation and there are endless possible means for a change. Sometimes change can come from the simplest of ideas. Take, for example, the Black Pencil Project . This is a very simply project which I really appreciated. I was happy (no I feel more than being happy, maybe joy) to read this blog because we share the same passion. The idea behind the Black Pencil Project is to give out pencils to disadvantaged students from grades one to three in public schools. It seems almost trivial but what we take for granted can be so critical for those who don't have the means. From the group's web site: Black Pencil Project is a personal initiative to help provide pencils through resources mobilizations to public elementary schools in the remote barangays accross the country. It a...

I am inviting you to attend this great event (open to everyone interested) The CESB and AYLA with AdMU School of Social Science will be spearheading an Inter-generational Leaders' Dialogue on AUGUST 08, 2008 (Friday) from 8am-6pm at Leong Auditorium, Ateneo de Manila University R egistration fee of P100 each , which includes lunch, snacks, and kit for the event. The dialogue will bring together senior leaders and executives representing various government agencies and young leaders whose involvements and interests are related to the work of the government agencies present. Targeted agencies and session topics cover the areas of governance, environment, technology, trade and commerce, civil service, human rights, disaster response, peace, social welfare, education, among others. Respected speakers and moderators will be invited to share their personal journey in making a difference in the fields/issues identified, and to ensure the quality of exchange of thoughts in...

Every year, outstanding students across the country are given the chance for their achievements to be recognized. Areas that are taken into consideration include superior academic performance, remarkable leadership skills, altruistic community involvement and praiseworthy personal values. This is made possible through the prestigious Search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines. This is annual youth program of the RFM Foundation in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and National Book Store and the Rotary Club of Makati Central . This year Gerry Roxas Foundation has forged partnership with RFM Foundation. TOSP embarked on a National search in 1994 although it was launched on June 19,1961. Notably, TOSP has produced many awardees that became great national figures such as the late Senator Raul Roco, Ayala Foundation President Vicky Garchitorena and TV personality Ricardo "Dong" Puno, Jr., to name a few. This year, I was been chosen as on...

the doubling of rice prices spark concerns One of the world's largest rice importers, the Philippines, is on a problem that is being described as ‘rice price crisis’ but I believe that this is experienced worldwide. Yesterday I was saddened of the doubling of the rice price here in South Cotabato, where in a fact that our province is named as the rice granary of the country, where in the production of rice is very abundant and enough. I believe we don't have a food crisis but, rather, a rice price crisis. We sell rice in our store in the subdivision and in my free time I help in playing as tindero in our store. Lately, I observed that mostly of our neighbor in the subdivision or even outside the subdivision purchase rice in our store and I always hear them complaining about how the rice price increase everyday but they were thankful because our store is selling good quality rice at and keeping a break-even price. My parents who run the store were not considering the profit the...

If you learn about eye procedures cosmetic surgeons can perform why don’t also learn about participating in nation building? An interfaith prayer rally in celebration of EDSA I and for call and search for TRUTH was organized last February 25, 2007 in Koronadal City . The prayer rally was participated in by the Catholic clergy, Kabataan Party List, Gabriela, Sector of Farmers, and us, the students who participated and represented the few students in the University but declares ourselves us individual supporters. The chamber of Commerce in the Province, and many on truth-side government officials and employees joined the rally. It was mainly organized to awaken the minds of the Filipino people to participate in search for truth and stop corruption. It was lightly organized and ended peacefully with lighting a candle and dancing and singing of the truth. A Piso Para Kay Jun Lozada movement was also made to support him. The rally was entertaining yet substantial. I was rea...

Just this after I got my graduation picture. It was digital and edited. I appear clean and nice-looking in my picture. It was taken by the tessar , the official photo shop of the University. They do photo-editing services, developing, and they also offer video coverage for special events. The photo shop was partnered by our school because they are the only photo shop in Koronadal City that offers cheap and quality photo-editing service. The place is also accessible from the location of the University. My classmates got their graduation pictures also. You laughed at how different we appear in person and in picture. Some really look different because some impurities on their face were removed (edited) by the technology. But, one guy from IT Department feels unfortunate because his damaged and darkened tooth was not edited. He was disappointed because he had a great smile and he love to smile always in picture taking. We advice him to put a tooth veneer made of porc...

Making college more accessible - http://www.schoogle.ph/ I want to share with you the new feature on Pathways' newest pet project. It is called Schoogle . It is a portal designed to help high school students find information on how to apply for scholarships offered by reputable local universities and foundations in the country. Primarily, 'Schoogle' provides RP college scholarship info to students. In short, It's an online resource for kids who want to enter college. Schoogle, a play on the words "school" and "Google," is currently limitedto schools in the National Capital Region. But the project proponentsintend to make it nationwide next year. The online database currently has data on 40 schools and 20 foundationsthat offer scholarships to students. Please support this project so that we can make more paths for better Philippines. :) *** The Search for Outstanding Volunteers 2007 (SOV) , sponsored by the Philippine National Volunteer Service C...

AYMC 2007 Button Pin Design I've just finished the official tshirt design [ to be posted ] of the Philippine delegates and button pin design for the Asian Marist Youth Congress 2007. There are only 3 days left before the congress at Mariapolis, Tagaytay City. The four-day congress is focused on the roles of the Marist Youth in addressing and taking an action in the problems and issues that of Country is facing. It will be participated by other Marist youth from South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, India, and Philippines. Bro. Vince Celeste of VinceCeleste.com - I Am Balong Blog will also attend the congress. *** It was just before my Data Communication class when I learned that I still have so many things to do. I was been too excited of the upcoming congress and of some unplanned activities I have had this past weeks. I over-spent my time in treating my self and taking a vacation. I hope I can still do all the other activities in the near deadlines. I...

Calling all young leaders of the Country to join the AYLC 2008 (Ayala Young Leaders Congress) The Ayala Young Leaders Congress is an annual summit that brings together about 70 of the most promising student leaders from colleges and universities from all over the country. The Congress is keystone of the Ayala group’s youth leadership development program called “Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders”, which was launched in December of 1998. Ayel is one of them. I only qualify to the Top 150 most outstanding Ayala Young Leaders 2007. I was invited to the Interview phase at Ayala Tower one, Makati city. The congress is a bonus to the Top 70 young leaders who topped the screening process. Learn more about AYLC 2008 and check if you are qualify to join. Download AYLC 2008 Student Application Packet. Go lead and serve!

I’ve been tagged by Bro. Vince Celeste to blog seven random stuff about me, but now I’m not only giving you random facts about me but I’m sharing with you feedback of my friends and advicers on my strenghts and weaknesses. I seem prefer to do things by myself. Effective time management scheme. Can't say No for a good cause. has a sense of leadership and very passionate. Weak but determined. Need to be more stable both mental and emotional. Skill in Public Speaking. I always have butterflies in my stomach whenever i am to give a speech. Here, I would like to tag these bloggers and I hope you make your own version, too. And of course, please tag another seven-friend bloggers as part of this rule Ariel Lalisan , Jehzeel Laurente , Quincy John Tampo , John Paulo Aguilera Lamano , Winston Almendras , CourtChief , and Nash - Wonderboy . I hope it’s just okey for all of you, guys. ;) God bless. *** The Genekewel '07 had concluded just this day. The programs and activities we have h...

The National Volunteer Movement(NVM) opens the Search for Outstanding Volunteers (SOV) this year. The Search for Outstanding Volunteers is a major activity of NVM that confers awards and special citations to deserving volunteers nationwide. The Search is open to all Filipino citizens and Filipino volunteer organizations. It aims to highlight and recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country through volunteerism. The University where I am enrolled was affiliated with SEC and been qualify to nominate Individual volunteers and Volunteer-based organizations for the search. The Project Officer for Educational Development, Ms. Sandra Mae Bonrustro nominated me for the said Search. I feel happy about it at first but I am not confident for such nomination. The screening process will undergo a rigid and difficult evaluation. I was nominated for the Youth [Individual] Category where no...

While the COMELEC and NAMFREL is still doing their "quick" count and the country awaits the results, let this humble writer give some citations and awards to the deserving winners for the following categories on my Own List of ELEKSYON AWARDS '07: Most Creative Campaign: Prospero Pichay Most Garapalan Campaign for a Partylist: Prospero Nograles on his KALAHI partylist Best Father- Daughter Tandem: Mayor Rodrigoand, Vice Mayor Inday Sarah Duterte of Davao City, Mayor Binay, and Congresswoman elect Abigail Binay of Makati Most Deserving Underdog: Congresswoman Darlene Antonino- Custodio Most Big- Headed Candidate: People's Champ - Manny Pacquio Most Creative Campaign (local): Mabel Sunga- Acosta Janus Awardees (in other word Balimbings): Joker Arroyo, Tessie Aquino- Oreta, Tito Sotto Most Unexpected "Winner": Lt. Sgd. AntonioTrillanes, IV. Highest Voter's Turn-out Province: Maguindanao (with 10, 559 registered voters, it is a miracle that 10, 440+ ...

I am a first time voter and I am very excited to exercise my Right of suffrage and to participate in this year’s elections. Whaah! Finally, I’ll be experiencing how indelible the ink they will be using to mark my involvement. With that mark, I hope my vote can effect change in the situation of our country. Please have time to make effort to know our candidates and make an informed comparison of the choices before us. We must guard our votes once we have cast them, by taking part in citizens’ actions to ensure that are votes are properly and accurately accounted for. And importantly, we must vote for candidates according to their potential for responsible leadership, and not for any other reason. If we fail in these most basic of our democratic responsibilities, then we cannot complain about the people who rule over us, for we always get the leaders we deserve. Below is the list of [10] senatorial candidates that I would probably entrust my vote with. Under their name are the platforms ...