Watch Pacquio vs Clottey Live Stream this March 13, 2010 (US) and March 14, 2010 (PH). Manny Pacquiao will face Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium. They’ll be fighting for the World Weltherweight Champion.

Full details at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

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

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

· 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.

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!

Andrew Hedrich, an 8 year old kid recently set the world-record for bench press with the Raw Powerlifting Federation, at a competition in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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

Sentro ng Katotohanan (8.30-9.30PM, T-Th, DWBL 1242KHz) seeks and is open to interview and feature all senatorial candidates in the coming May 2010 elections. If you are a national candidate, or works for a campaign or knew someone who does, or just plainly want us to invite someone, please comment here or email us at lead.philippines(at)yahoo.com (or send an SMS to 0929-799-8308) and provide us information how to get in touch with the candidates.

Sentro is a fresh new program on AM radio that centers on topics related to the coming elections. In the past, Sentro has interviewed JC Delos Reyes, Nic Perlas, Bayani Fernando, Jun Chipeco, Alex Lacson, Sonia Roco and other national candidates. The Sentro interview touches on many topics of interest to voters, including the candidates’ personal lives and past achievements. Of course Sentro also asks about platforms (and legislative agenda for senatoriables) of the candidates, as well as their reaction to different national issues. It may be noted that Sentro interviews does not shy away from asking direct, even controversial questions, and as such has in the past elicited candid responses from featured guests.

Sentro ng Katotohanan is co-anchored by Arnel Endrinal and Ms. Iya-J.

www.leadphil.blogspot.com

During a news interview with Macquarie bank and with the bank’s trading desk in the background. A worker was caught looking at scantily clad photos of women on his computer. In case you’re wondering who the girl in the photo is, it’s Miranda Kerr

Watch the video at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

Want to know who really are running? Here is a quick run down of Presidential, Vice-Presidential and Senatorial Candidates for the May 10, 2010 Elections based on the official certified list from the Law Department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Read the full post at Pinoy Seminars.

Apple has unveiled it’s new tablet computer called the iPad.

It is basically a large iPhone with 9.7″ screen, LED backlit IPS display, WIFI 802.11n built in, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and optional 3G radio.

All iPhone and iPod Touch apps runs on it unmodified. It runs on the new 1Ghz Apple A4 chip and includes 16-64Gb of flash storage. It’s 0.5″ thin and 1.5 pounds. Full capacitive multi-touch display.

They are offering the iPad with AT&T 3G for $14.99 for 250mb of data and $29.99 for unlimited data. It is also unlocked and no contract so you can move to any carrier you want.

It plays Youtube HD video and it also looks like the games on the iPad are smooth.

Prices start at $499 for the 16Gb model, $599 for the 32GB model and $699 for the 64Gb model. If you want the 3G built-in, it’s an extra $130.

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

On an interview on CNBC today, McGraw-Hill CEO, Terry McGraw confirms that they have been working with Apple on the rumored tablet and that it will be based on the iPhone OS.

Watch the interview at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

New video by the Dancing Inmate of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison. They were treated to a visit by Michael Jackson’s long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT.

Watch the video at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

FAQ ON HYDROQUINONE

Q. What is hydroquinone?

A. Hydroquinone (HQ), which is a hydroxyphenolic chemical, is also known as 1,4 dihydroxybenzene. It is usually used to lighten the skin. It can be found naturally in wheat, berries, coffee and tea.

Q. Where is it used?

A. HQ is commonly used in skin lightening products as an active agent to decrease pigment production. HQ used in skin lightening products is already synthetically derived. Used for treating darkened skin (hyperpigmentation), HQ is the main active ingredient to treat common problems of hyperpigmentation. These include facial spots (e.g.freckles) and patches (e.g.melasma), blotchy complexion due to sun damage, and discoloration or dark scars due to trauma and skin disease (e.g. acne or chickenpox).

Q. Why is HQ is commonly referred to as an effective way to treat darkened skin?

A. Its qualities often allow for faster results but not necessarily safe results. Higher formulation of HQ in some skin lightening products sometimes produces faster results (which is why we hear those advertisements claim “…lighter skin in only XX days…”).

Q. Does HQ have any side effects?

A. Studies have shown that the unsupervised use of HQ has resulted in side effects ranging from skin discoloration and disfiguring to “fish odor syndrome,” a condition where the body exudes an offensive odor through the breath, saliva, sweat or urine. Side effects have resulted in HQ being banned in Europe, Australia and Japan. In 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed the ban of HQ in over-the-counter (OTC) skin bleaching products in the US due to “significant new data on the safety of HQ.” The National Toxicology Program (NTP) stated “some evidence” that orally administered HQ caused cancer in animals. Furthermore, studies have indicated that HQ can seep into the bloodstream at all concentrations. Thus, the FDA declared that potential cancer risk from HQ absorbed through the skin could be possible.

Q. Is HQ dangerous?

A. Studies and tests have shown that there are indeed side effects to prolonged and unsupervised use of HQ in excess of the acceptable formulation and dosage. The US FDA has described HQ as a “possible carcinogen” and said it has documented links to a skin-disfiguring condition called ochronosis. Ochronosis is a dermatological disorder that results in the adverse pigmentation of cartilage from a long-term buildup of phenylalanine or tyrosine. (Phenyalanine is an amino acid which is one of the many amino acids needed to build the protein molecule. It is present in many sugarless gums and mints, snack foods, and sugarless soft drinks. Tyrosine is also an amino acid.) Pigmented cartilage may appear blue, and to a lesser degree, this may be true for skin with dermal deposition of this pigment.

Q. Are there any regulations about the use and sale of HQ-based products?

A. Yes. The popularity of skin whiteners here makes it imperative for Filipinos to be fully aware and conscious of the effects of HQ. The Philippine Dermatological Society says Filipino consumers are prone to using high concentrations of HQ on large areas of their body over a prolonged period of time, from several months to several years. Unethical practices by some manufacturers compound the problem. The accepted HQ concentration in a skin whitener is 2 to 4%, although PDS says some products have been found to have an HQ concentration of up to 6 to 8.5%. At 4% HQ, doctors highly recommend limited use under supervised conditions. The problem in the Philippines is that skin whiteners with 4% HQ are sold over-the-counter without need for a prescription.

Q. If unsupervised use of HQ poses a threat to the health of the Filipino consumer, what should be done?

The House of Representatives sought to limit the over-the-counter sale of skin whiteners with HQ. Because of the harmful effects, congressmen proposed that medicines containing 2% hydroquinone 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. The Bureau of Food and Drugs allows manufacturers to use HQ in concentrations of less than 2% and supports the regulated use of HQ. On the part of PDS, dermatological experts maintain three positions: the outright ban of HQ ; the removal of formulations containing HQ from the over-the-counter market while maintaining them in the prescription market; and additional research to more accurately determine HQ’s cancer-causing potential. Furthermore, linking from the PDS print ad published a few months ago, to help prevent the abuse of HQ usage, the PDS supports moving for a stricter regulation on HQ-containing products as proposed by the PFDA, such as making all concentrations of HQ available only upon the presentation of a proper prescription. But in the end, the best weapon against the HQ threat is information. The lack of knowledge on the possible ill effects of HQ is still the biggest threat to the health of the Filipino consumer.

Q. What are the skin whitening products with HQ formulation being sold in the over-the-counter market?

A. PDS and PFDA can provide the list of these products.

posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo

A hydroquinone primer from the Philippine Dermatological Society in the Philippine Daily Inquirer – read on!

For the full two-page primer, click here

Posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo

ABS-CBN’s Showtime was suspended by the MTRCB for 20 days for so called “insults” by Rosanna Roces about teachers.

Watch at http://palaisip.blogspot.com

Voter’s Education Night at Saguijo pictures! by BagongBotante.ph

Check the

Thanks to the artistes: DRIP, Malay, Keyk, Wagyu, Prank Sinatra, The Lowtechs, Techy Romantics, The Camerawalls, December Avenue and Beatbox Philippines for playing; for Ms. Gaye Cabalo for doing the PCOS demo and for Ms. Noelle De Guzman for hosting!

posted by Paul “The Pageman” Pajo

(Commercial muna: Naghahanap ako ng mga bagong borders sa pansitan.net. Kontakin nyo ako sa atesienna at gmail dot com kung interasado kayo.)
Winter pa rin.

Ekshuli, unusual itong winter na ito kasi masyado syang malamig. Kung kachika ko si pareng Al Gore, ang sasabihin nun, “Global Warming yan, lukersh.”

Sundan ang buong kwento sa Pansitan ni Ate Sienna.

The stumbling block in the most-awaited boxing fight in recent history, the planned Manny Paquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr., has been the insistence of Mayweather’s camp and the refusal of Manny Paquiao to undergo Olympic-style drug testing which requires blood testing and not just urine testing. What really is the difference? Read urine testing vs. blood testing in Paquiao vs. Mayweather at Pinoy Seminars.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, United States—Manny Pacquiao will not fight Floyd Mayweather next March because a blood testing stalemate wiped out what could have been the richest fight in boxing history, promoter Bob Arum said Thursday.

The planned showdown between Filipino hero Pacquiao, a seven-division world champion, and unbeaten US star Mayweather could have brought each fighter as much as $40 million in a rare Las Vegas mega-fight spectacular.

Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, said Mayweather’s request to have stricter US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) testing methods, including possible random blood tests within days of the bout, killed any hope of reaching a deal.

“It’s over,” Arum said. “As far as I’m concerned the fight is over.”

Read the full article at palaisip.blogspot.com.