for the NOAA alert – check this post

ZULU TIME is *almost* the same as UTC, UTC1, GMT]

0527Z (or 0527 Zulu Time) is the same as 1327H GMT+8 or 1:27PM Manila Time

(this is the earliest expected time that the Tsunami is supposed to hit the Philippines although reports in Hawaii indicate the tsunami is hitting 14 minutes earlier)

#tsunami in the #philippines tracking is using the #SHOOnami hashtag

Tsunami in CNNWorld

TSUNAMI SURVIVAL 101

• Many Will Survive the Earthquake
• Heed Natural Warnings
• Heed Official Warnings
• Expect Many Waves
• Head for High Ground and Stay There
• Abandon Belongings
• Don’t Count on the Roads
• Go to an Upper Floor or Roof of a Building
• Climb a Tree
• Climb onto Something that Floats
• Expect the Waves to Leave Debris
• Expect Quakes to Lower Coastal Land
• Expect Company

If you’re a member of the Association of Information Management (AIM) in De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde and would like to help disseminate information about the Tsunami by blogging here or tweeting please buzz me on Facebook or Twitter

There was a time about 3 years ago when I could not imagine a life void of physical activity. I loathe couch potatoes and the TV only serves me at night when I watch late night shows while trying to sleep. I was always on the move, had a busy schedule at and outside work. There was no time for sitting still. I was so much into sports and badminton, playing with different groups and even training for competitive games. I thrived in competition and the courts was where I lived, breathed and eventually fell in love.

Read more…

I have a severe case of “Last Song Syndrome”. The song “Balik sa Bohol” kept on playing in my mind from the first time I’ve heard it at the very scenic Loboc river up to the departure area of Tagbilaran airport.And just like the song, images of the scenic Bohol also kept on flashing in my head as I relish the moments I was there.

Read more from the links below:

• Bohol Island Basics
• Chocolate Hills:Bohol’s Signature Must See
• Sandugo Shrine:Something to Skip or Stop to Appreciate More
• Loboc River Cruise: The Place Where You’d Like to Sleep After a Heavy Lunch
• Stop, Open Your Eyes and See the Tarsier
• Baclayon Church: A Long Walk Away
• The Hanging Bridge, Simple Yet Fun
• Alona Beach, Panglao Island: Teeming with Marine Life
  • The Beach Area and Marine Life
  • The Resorts
  • Bohol Diver’s Club
  • Dining at Alona Beach
  • Going Around Panglao from Alona
• Reliving Francisco Dagohoy’s Legend at EAT Danao
  • Extreme Road Trip to Extreme Activities
  • Take The Danao Plunge
  • SuiSlide, More of a SereneSlide
  • The Most Important Adventure: Eating at EAT Danao
  • Not Much Time? Stay at the Park!

The Transfiguration was not just a one-of-a-kind moment when the glory of Jesus as God successfully broke through his humanity. It had something to do with his Baptism and with the profession of faith by Peter at Caesarea Philippi. Their common denominator was his passion, death, resurrection and ascension that was still to come. (2 Sunday of Lent)

Just how the turnout of events can truly be unpredictable, the supposed biggest fight in boxing history between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. set for March 13th this year has come to an official end after the two parties agreed to all terms but one- the drug test. Now they are facing different opponents disappointing fans from both sides who were eagerly anticipating the big fight. Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. on different occasions.

CONTINUE READING HERE…

read more [itpinoy.blogspot.com]

U.S. says IT firm underpaid H-1B workers
Labor Department seeks $1.9M in back wages and penalty payment from N.J. company
By Patrick Thibodeau

February 24, 2010 06:56 AM ET

Computerworld – The U.S. Department of Labor is alleging that a Newark, N.J., software company, Peri Software Solutions Inc., underpaid its tech workers on H-1B visas and owes some $1.45 million in back wages to 163 people. The Labor Department is also seeking to hit Peri with a $439,000 civil penalty and a two-year debarment from the H-1B program. About 20 H-1B employers are on the department’s current list of debarred organizations. Peri officials are not commenting on the action, but Labor Department spokeswoman Leni Fortson said the company is seeking an administrative hearing to challenge the finding. “Everything is contingent upon the outcome of the administrative hearing,” she said. In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said that the company’s alleged actions “demonstrate the kind of abuses that our laws are designed to prevent. “Every worker deserves to be paid for his or her work, and the Labor Department is committed to holding those companies that violate our nation’s labor laws accountable.” Specifically, Labor Department investigators contend that Peri failed to pay prevailing wages to workers hired under the H-1B program. The company also “forced employees to sign employment contracts and then sued them when contracts were broken,” said the Labor Department. Peri was approved to hire nearly 190 H-1B workers in recent years — 120 in 2007, 64 in 2008 and three in 2009, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services records. More broadly, immigration authorities have been increasing enforcement of the H-1B program and demanding more evidence to support visa applications.

Article Appears in Computerworld.

Information Supplied By: NACHMAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Immigration and Nationality Attorneys

VISASERVE PLAZA

487 Goffle Road

Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

Phone (201) 670-0006 (x100)

Facsimile (201) 670-0009

WE ALSO HAVE NEW YORK OFFICES LOCATED AT 7 WEST 36TH STREET, 14TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10018 (NEAR FIFTH AVENUE).

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR OFFICES IN MONTREAL AND TORONTO, CANADA AND OUTBOUND IMMIGRATION OPTIONS TO CANADA PLEASE E-MAIL US AT INFO@VISASERVE.COM.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT US ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AT WWW.VISASERVE.COM.

The photos must have been taken in different years, from the mid 1950′s to the mid 1960′s, judging from the car models (though some cars are pre 1950′d). Where is O’Henry’s Coffee and Donut shop in Plaza Sta Cruz (Plaza near Escolta & Reina Regente)?

Can you recognize the cars? Chevy Bel-air 1958, Simca 1961-62s, Toyopet 1960s, VW Beetle 1960′s, early 1960′s Mercedez Benz 220…

Take note, naka sapatos ang mga tao, walang naka tsinelas kahit sa Avenida. It’s clean and the people are very disciplined.

Read more at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

USCIS to Offer Free E-Verify Informational Seminars for Federal Contractors.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites federal contractors

and subcontractors affected by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause to attend

a free E-Verify informational seminar on Feb. 23 or 24 at 2451 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va.

Each two-hour seminar will include a demonstration of the E-Verify system, presentations

concerning issues related to the employment verification process, and question and answer

segments with government representatives.

The seminars are being offered twice each day from 10 a.m. until noon and again from 2 p.m. until

4 p.m.

To register for a seminar, e-mail E-VerifyOutreach@dhs.gov with your company name, telephone

number, number of guests, and date and time of desired seminar. Advance reservations are

required; a registration confirmation will be provided.

More than 183,000 participating employers nationwide currently use E-Verify to electronically verify

their workers’ employment eligibility. Since Oct. 1, 2008, more than 3.9 million employment

verification queries have been run through the system and about 97 percent of all queries are now

automatically confirmed as work-authorized within 24 hours or less.

USCIS operates E-Verify in partnership with the Social Security Administration. More information

on the program is available on the E-Verify Web site at www.dhs.gov/e-verify. E-Verify customer

support is also available by calling toll free (888) 464-4218.

Contact Us
Nachman & Associates, P.C. is a Business Immigration Law Office located in NY, NJ and Canada. Nachman & Associates, P.C. provides guidance on I-9 Form issues and with regard to Social Security No-Match issues and E-Verify compliance. Our staff of immigration law professionals also assist with visas, green cards and work permits. We are sensitive to the needs of our clients and the members of their families. Many members of our staff are themselves foreign born and have family and/or friends who have gone through the immigration process. As a result, our staff of business immigration law professionals have a personal and unique approach to processing visas and for dealing with our foreign national clientele. Our legal team can clearly explain how to process temporary and permanent work permits in the U.S. The PERM Labor Certification Process is time-consuming and complex and our staff of business immigration law professionals can clearly explain the process in Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Tamil, Hindi, Slovak, Czech, Russian, Chinese, German and English.

To schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact Nachman & Associates by e-mail at info@visaserve.com or call 1-866-599-3625.

Very truly yours,

David H. Nachman, Esq.

NACHMAN & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Immigration and Nationality Attorneys

VISASERVE PLAZA

487 Goffle Road

Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

Phone (201) 670-0006 (x100)

Facsimile (201) 670-0009

WE ALSO HAVE NEW YORK OFFICES LOCATED AT 7 WEST 36TH STREET, 14TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10018 (NEAR FIFTH AVENUE).

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR OFFICES IN MONTREAL AND TORONTO, CANADA AND OUTBOUND IMMIGRATION OPTIONS TO CANADA PLEASE E-MAIL US AT INFO@VISASERVE.COM.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT US ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AT WWW.VISASERVE.COM.

Wondering who will be speaking at the 6th iBlog? Check the sched at Pinoy Seminars.

Read the rest here.

http://filipinaonflipflops.blogspot.com

Jesus was tempted in the desert. Temptation must be attractive in order to be tempting. But what is so attractive about the three temptations offered by the devil? (First Sunday of Lent)

If you have dirty balls that need cleaning, check out this very important message from Axe.

Watch at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

Amanda Evora, a Filipino-American woman, together with partner Mark Ladwig, competed in the figure skating pairs competition in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

They didn’t win a medal but came up with personal bests in their first ever Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old Filipina who trains in Florida and Ladwig posted a personal best score during the competition.

Their score of 114.06 points, based on difficulty of elements and grades of execution, was their best of the season by more than 15 points. Combined with their personal best in the short program Sunday, their total score of 171.92 points put them in 10th place.

Read more at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

Gone are the days when you have to go some library and take from a shelf the latest edition of Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA) to find jurisprudence on an issue which you cannot even describe as recent.

Taking advantage of all these and with the goal of being able to help all lawyers and law students alike, LawMonitor.Net is launching its Recent Philippine Supreme Court Decisions and Resolutions Search Tool which you will find on our right side bar.

Check it out at LawMonitor.Net.

First Prize

1. Windows7 Network Icons and Vista DB Network icons Package worth $ 180
2. Custom Flash banner design from bannerwind.com worth $ 199
3. Text link ad from bizbrim.com worth $ 10 (One month) – for related websites only
4. 5 GB Linux Reseller Hosting and a 2 GB Windows Reseller Hosting from webspace2host.in for one (1) year

Second Prize

1. Get any one brochure package from brochuremonster.com worth $ 149
2. Custom logo or WordPress theme worth $ 99
3. 2,000 MB hosting from http://www.bhardwajweb.com for one year
4. 1000EC credits http://i-heart-contest.com

Third Prize

1. Two Joomla templates and sharepoint templates from buytemplates.net worth $ 116
2. One year membership at memberwind.com. Get free access to 6 product sites that have various products, such as web templates, brochures, banners, icons, logos, and illustrations for member download.
3. Text link ad from http://www.stunningmesh.com for 1 month

There’s more! Anyone who participates will receive a professionally designed web template from the sponsors!!!

Read more: Contest: Win prizes worth hundreds of dollars from Mukhang Pera « Mukhang Pera http://mukhangpera.com/2010/02/contest-win-prizes-worth-hundreds-of-dollars-from-mukhang-pera/#ixzz0fsmBC2Ec
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

· Hydroquinone or HQ is an active agent in skin whitening products manufactured and sold locally.

· Skin whitening products are supposed to be used to treat hyperpigmentation or darkened skin.

· The popularity of skin whiteners in the Philippines is mainly due to the belief that whiter skin makes a person more attractive.

· The problem is that in recent years, it was found that HQ poses some health risks to users .

· There have been reports of complications arising from the unsupervised use of HQ-based products ranging from nail discoloration to ochronosis, a condition where the skin darkens and grey-blue bumps on sun-exposed skin areas appear, to fish odor syndrome, a condition where the body emits a rotting fish odor.

· Recent studies in the United States also indicate that the unsupervised use of HQ can encourage cells to develop into cancerous cells.

· HQ products have already been banned in Europe, Australia and Japan since 2001. HQ has also been banned by the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive.

· Local skin whiteners have HQ formulation ranging from 2% to 4%,.

· In other countries where HQ formulated products are still being sold (like the US), the sale of HQ-based products is highly regulated precisely because of the dangers of “HQ overdose.” Products with HQ are sold as prescription drugs – meaning its use is subject to the supervision of a doctor.

· But here in the Philippines, skin whiteners with HQ formulation are sold over-the-counter regardless of concentration. You can buy 4% HQ formulated skin whiteners freely in most supermarkets.

· There are a number of popular brands of skin whitening astringents and exfoliants in the Philippine market which contain from 2% to 4% Hydroquinone. These can be bought easily in supermarkets without the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

· Another local product is simply branded as “Hydroquinone” and has 4% HQ formulation and is manufactured by a local company.

· It is high time that the warning bells are sounded and Filipinos are educated on the proper use of HQ formulated skin whiteners.

· In Europe, medical researchers have called the continuous and unsupervised use of HQ-positive products as “a time bomb waiting to explode.”

· The House of Representatives had, at one time, sought to limit the OTC sale of skin whiteners with HQ (House Resolution 464 was authored by Reps. Imee Marcos, Ferjenel Biron and Gilbert Remulla which sought an inquiry into the hazardous effects of HQ and hydroquinone methylether with the end in view of determining whether there is a need to reclassify and regulate the use of such chemical substances. This was in 2005).

· Because of the harmful effects, some Congressmen have proposed that medicines containing 2% HQ or less should be classified as pharmacy-only medicines, while those with 1%or less as general sale medicine in hair and skin preparations. All other preparations should be prescription medicines, they added.

· The Department of Health issued Administrative Order 90 in September 2003 which reclassified and revised the use of HQ preparations in skin whiteners. The AO says: “All preparations containing HQ as the only active ingredient with the corresponding concentrations are classified as:

1. HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES – for preparations containing less than or equal to 2% HQ. They can be dispensed without the supervision of a licensed pharmacist;

2. OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS – for preparations containing more than 2% but less than or equal to 4% HQ. They must be dispensed under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist;

3. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – for preparations containing more than 4% but less than 5% HQ. They must be dispensed only by licensed pharmacists of registered drug outlets upon the presentation of proper prescription;

· The Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) also said that there are some unethical practices by some manufacturers which indicate disguise Hydroquinone by using synonyms like “1,4-benzenediol”  or  “p-diphenol.”

· There is a real danger in the unsupervised use of skin whiteners with HQ, especially if it is used indiscriminately over a long period of time.

Getting Beta Keys for Hon (Heroes of Newerth) BETA Keys) is easy. There’s quite a number of sites that’ll give away HoN Beta Keys and invites readily.

One such contest is Atma Xplorer‘s Heroes of Newerth BETA Key giveaway!

All you need to do is post a comment on why you want to get the Heroes of Newerth Beta Key, and Subscribe to the feeds. It’s that EASY!

Read the full details:

Heroes of Newerth BETA Key giveaway!

Negoskwela is still a great provider of very affordable trainings and seminars for people like us continue to strive for financial freedom. Here is their schedule for March 2010.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw at linggo, parang sunod-sunod ang mga presidential forums na naganap. Kamakailan, meron pong FOCAP, nung minsan, may forum ng Inquirer sa UP, noong isang linggo sa Merriam College, tapos meron din sa La Salle at Ateneo. noong dati sa UST, meron din sa AIM at kung saan-saan pa. OK po ang mga forums, kaso parang medyo nakakasawa na kung pare-pareho lang ang style. Parang nawawalan po tuloy ng saysay.

Para po maging exciting at makabuluhan ang mga forums na ito, may mga suggestions po ang Sentro ng Katotohanan. Sana po ay makarating ang mga suggestions ko sa mga nag-o-organize ng forums para na rin makatulong sa kapakanan at kaalaman ng ating mga kababayan:

1. Sana po, imbis na forums, debate ang gawin. Kung ang forums po ay tatanungin lamang ang bawat isa sa mga kandidato, e para saan pa kung bakit inimbitahan sila ng sabay-sabay? Pwede naman po silang tanungin ng hiwa-hiwalay, hindi po ba? Ang mainam po sa debate, makikita ng mga tao ang pag-kakaiba ng mga kandidato. Hindi po kagaya kapag forums lang, parang pare-pareho lang ang kanilang sinasabi. Nalilito tuloy tayo lalo kung sino ang dapat iboto.

2. Dahil hindi naman po iisa lang ang gagawing debate, dapat po ay paghiwa-hiwalayin ang mga issues sa bawat debate. Isang araw po ng debate ay puro lamang sana sa ekonomiya. Isang araw po ay puro lamang tungkol sa OFWs. Isang araw po sana ay puro lamang sa paglaban sa graft and corruption. Isang araw po sana ay puro naman tungkol sa Reproductive Health at population. Ibang araw naman ay tungkol sa Charter Change. Ang nangyayari po kasi ngayon, bawat isang forum ay pilit na itinatanong lahat ng mga tanong. Tapos ganun din ang nangyayari sa susunod na forum. Hindi naman po nakukumpleto ang sagot ng mga kandidato dahil nauubos na ang oras. Parang hindi na tayo natatapos sa pare-parehong tanong, nasasayang tuloy ang panahon at pagkakataon.

3. Sana po sa mga debate ay isang tao lang ang magtatanong o magmomoderate. Sa mga forums po na nakikita ko, ang daming nagtatanong. Lahat po yata ng mga tumulong mag-organize ng forum ay gustong magtanong. Ang nangyayari tuloy, walang nagiging follow-up sa mga kasagutan at wala rin tayong natatapos. Wag na po sanang pumapel lahat ng organizers, hindi naman po tayo lahat mahusay mag-tanong o magmoderate ng forum o debate. Sana po ay humanap ng isang professional at patas na tao, na may expertise sa issue na pag-uusapan, para magtanong o magmoderate sa bawat isang debate.

4. Dapat po ang mga tanong ay puro tungkol sa policies. Wag na po sana yung mga personal o yung mga iba’t-ibang issues laban sa kandidato. Kasi po yung mga tanong na iyon ay dapat sa individual interviews ginagawa, hindi na po sa debate o forum. Nakakadagdag lamang po sa paghihintay ng ibang kandidato, hindi naman din po nasasagot ng husto dahil nagmamadali na sa oras.

5. Sana po ay gawing televised sa primetime sa gabi ang mga debate sa maraming channels. Sana ay may replay din kinabukasan ng tanghali. Sana po ay i-sponsor na lang ng COMELEC ang mga forums o kaya ay i-air sa mga government stations. Kasi po, may mga ibang channels na parang may kinikilingan o may nilalabanan. Kung walang channel na may exclusive sponsor ng debate, mas mainam po at parang mas patas ang usapan. Hindi naman po dapat exclusive ang mga debate at forums sa isang channel, dapat po ito ay open sa lahat ng mass media.

6. Sa parte naman po ng iba sa mass media, sana po, ang lahat ng TV, radio at dyaryo ay mag-cover sa mga debate. Ang mali pong nangyayari, parang kanya-kanya ang mga media stations. Yung forum sa ABS-CBN, hindi konocover ng GMA, yung sa GMA hindi naman kinocover ng kabila. Kahit po iyong sa Inquirer hindi gaano kinover ng mga TV station. Para pong may kumpetensya pa. Public service na lang po sana ito, hindi na competition sa business. Kasi ang eleksyon po ay para rin naman po sa ating lahat, kasama na ang atin mismong business interests.

Ito po ang anim kong suggestions, ulitin ko lang po:
1. Debate po sana at hindi lamang forum, para makita natin ang pagkakaiba ng mga kandidato
2. Hiwa-hiwalayin po sana ang mga issues, iba-ibang araw ng debate po sana bawat issue para makita natin talaga ang mga solusyong ibibigay ng mga kandidato
3. Isang moderator po lamang sana bawat debate, hindi po kailangang lahat tayo ay magtanong.
4. Policy debates po sana ang gawin, wala na po sanang mga personal questions at mga issues na pwede namang gawin sa individual interviews.
5. I-televise sana ng live ang mga debate, sa prime time TV at open sa lahat ng mga channels, hindi exclusive.
6. I-cover po sana ng lahat ng mass media ang mga forums, para po mas marami ang makaalam sa lahat ng issues, Itigil na po muna sana ang kumpetensya sa mga media outlets.

Kami po sa Sentro ng Katotohanan (DWBL 1242KHz 8.30-9.30PM T-Th), ay umaasa na sana ay makita natin itong mga improvements na ito tungkol sa debate at forums. Maraming salamat po!