What: OtakonEK 2008
When: Sunday, September 28, 2008
Where: Enchanted Kingdom

Get to see your favorite characters from anime, to toys, to manga in Enchanted Kingdom this coming Sunday, and win fabulous prizes if you join the various contests open for everyone. Continue reading here…

Through the ages of mankind, the topic of LOVE is always been a favorite preference of any piece or work of art! It’s because LOVE is one of the foundation why we keep breathing and living in this world full of surprises. No matter what medium it is conveyed, the theme of love always moved people. It’s powerful and it’s domineering.

I stumbled one time reading comments on some sites and learned that many Rainbow advocates and supporters had watched the movie: Love of Siam. It is a Thai romantic-drama film. There is one scene that is a focal point of controversy (watch video below). It is simply a gay teen romance of two teenage boys (Mario Maurer as Tong and Witwisit Hiranyawongkul as Mew) but the film’s story revolves around the value of friendship, loving and being loved, family’s quest for unity of a loss member, separation and loneliness, identity crisis amidst affection, obedience of a son and protection of a mother, camaraderie and understanding of friends, musical talent and how gifted the young of today, infatuations and unrequited admirations as part of teen life, the many diversities of emotions, and of course, the right to choose the kind of sexual preference you want to live.

The controversial kissing scene after the jump at http://www.obnoxiousqueer.com

If you found out your close friend is cheating on her husband or his wife, boyfriend or girlfriend will you call their attention or even tell their spouse or beau?

Read more…

I received an overseas call from my friend Claire in Manila.  Upset and almost crying, she asked me if I know how she could reach her husband who’s working in the same company with my brother here in Riyadh.  I told her that I will send her a message later with her husband’s company contact number.

That was yesterday.  Until this time, I still don’t know if I should give his number or not.

Mike and Claire have been married for 8 years with 2 kids.  When Mike left to work here in Riyadh almost a year ago, Claire stopped working to personally take care of their kids.  With Mike’s promise of a bulky monthly remittance from this oil- rich country as a Civil Engineer, Claire didn’t hesitate to leave her job to become a full time mom.

But two ago months, I was shocked to hear that Mike wanted to marry another girl.  Later on, he invited me, my husband and my brother to attend their wedding reception in a restaurant near the Phil. Embassy where their wedding took place.  I was not sure how they managed to get “married”. I heard that the “bride” also has a family in Cebu with 4 kids but she’s still proud to “marry” Mike who’s a well known family man too.

Sadly, the Philippine government has been focusing on a massive labor deployment abroad as a major economic strategy of the Philippines, despite the negative social impact to Filipino families.

Several support groups who are helping families of OFW’s have noted an increasing number of complaints against immigrants abandoning their brood- mostly because several OFW’s have gotten involved in illicit affairs with other OFW’s and already have formed new families in their host countries.

Meanwhile, what happens when the OFW family back home stops receiving support from their overseas-based breadwinners for a reason that their parent has engaged with another affair abroad? How many Claire’s, who dream of a better life for her kids, wake up from a nightmare when the man he loves who promised good life for their family abandon them for another woman?

Here in Saudi Arabia, adultery is punishable by death.  Still, countless Filipinos involve themselves with the obscenity.  I hear stories of “couples” who use fake marriage licenses- most of them have their own families in the Philippines.  Some of them admit connivance from some crook Embassy staff forging marriage documents for money.  Other Filipino men convert to Islam to “legalize” their desire to marry other women. Many of these men are convinced with the assumption that Islam is a religion that has introduced polygamy by allowing man to marry more than one wife.  However, they do not follow the rule of Islam which pertains to the religious side of holy matrimony as well as the financial and the social sides. Islam organizes all aspects of life for its followers and not limited only to religious aspect. Thus, full consent is a major corner of the marriage contract in Islam where a wife has full right to refuse a polygamous marriage.

Claire’s story is not new.  Since more than 10 percent of Philippines’ populations are overseas workers, the absence of one parent or both has always created an impact to Filipino children left behind.  Some grandparents become surrogate parents for these children.

Still, some are left among themselves, being forced to early responsibility of “parenting” to their younger siblings. It is a usual case that when an overseas worker acquires a new family in the host country or engages in extramarital affairs, the spouse left behind becomes unfaithful.  In either case, their children suffer from the family’s collapse.  Children become rebellious.  They abhor the idea of their parents’ mere irresponsibility- parents who deprived them of their basic right to a home where their biological parents are united in marriage and in a commitment to support them. In turn, they become socially tormented, and may further become social problems themselves.

The breakup of families and the problems associated with marital discord because of immigration should not be left without a response from the same government who encourages Filipinos to work abroad in order to keep the Philippine economy afloat.  There should be more advocacy efforts from our government to look after the families left behind by OFW’s.  Philippine embassies in host countries should take necessary steps to stop the growing number of illicit affairs among Filipino expatriates.  It is enough for Filipinos to be renowned worldwide for skills, talents, and professionalism.  We should not let some “kabayans” tarnish our image of Filipinos with good family values and strong family ties.

A family is considered the most basic social entity.  How could we expect our society to uphold its dignity if the very basic unit is already disintegrated?

Finally, I’ve decided to send a message to Claire about his husband, Mike.

I’m sure you are so excited today because it’s Beijing Olympics today! Yeah! But are you forgetting something today? Something much more important than the Beijing Olympics. Something that has more weight and will affect you and your descendants forever. It’s ASEAN Day today – August 8, 2008.

Do you know this year’s theme? I’ll tell you now: One ASEAN Identity, One ASEAN Community by 2015. ASEAN Community by 2015, do you know that it means integration of 10 South-East Asian countries? But haven’t you realized or even asked the question:

What is an ASEAN Identity? Come share your point-of-views before you glue your eyes and ears with the Olympics.

Continue reading here….

Earlier today, sweetie expressed -”its a good thing you do not ask me to accompany you when you go shopping”. I asked him why he asked and if he wanted to go (because I would ask him if he wanted). He shook is head, grimaced and said – absolutely NOT.

Read more…

Public service lang po. My friend asked me to spread the word.

LIFE Seminar for Women Loving Women

A talented team of women, leaders, entrepreneurs, psychologists, under the name of Quanta are producing the Ultimate Life Seminar for Women. The designated participants in the upcoming weekend experience are lesbians and women who love women. It will be held August 15 – 17 at the AIM Conference Center Manila in Makati. The object of the seminar is achieving the life balance that is just right for each participant. Each person will be led to accelerate the discovery process of “who you are and how to become all you want to become.” Each person finds their shortcut to enjoying and thriving in their chosen relationships — personal and romantic, family and business. The dynamic interactive three-day seminar has three stages beginning with the discovery stage — discovering one’s true passions, one’s really treasured values and beliefs, one’s true friends, and one’s self-imposed obstacles. The result is: at long last “you become an expert on you.” In the second stage “you become the architect of the life and life balance you have always wanted. In the final stage of the Life Seminar “you see through the obstacles” and utilize the your new insights, along with a life coach, by which you actually begin to focus on attaining the change and achieving the Life Balance in the person who will be the “new you.”

For more information, visit my blog.

Breaking up is always hard to do. Millions of books have been published and many songs have been written about how hard it really is to break up with someone.

Read more…

I had a special love for cats. Among all the pets that I can have, I think cats are animals that have something you can call a ‘personality.’ They can be aloof, a bum, sweet, playful, wild (cats playing with yarn balls) or whenever there’s food, they can be all over the place. In short, they can be unpredictable. One minute you’re playing with them, another minute you have a scratch in your hand. Not that it’s their fault. They still think you’re playing them. Maybe I just love cats because of their purring (scientists say it’s some form of communication). Read more …

Notice I used “probably” in the title instead of “surely”? Well that’s because there’s a slight chance that I’ll marry someone who will totally be OK with my brilliant ideas like pizza for breakfast everyday. Lots of crazy chicks running around these days.

A few days ago, a discussion was started on Twitter about baby names. I’d like to link to the relevant tweets, but I’m lazy. Yay me! Besides, you’d be lucky to read those tweets because Twitter’s being a douche these days. Anyway, that discussion reminded me of one baby name that I really loved ever since high school. “Scarlett”. I don’t know, there’s something about that name that evokes strength and femininity. But I stopped loving it when Scarlett Johansson became a prominent fixture in Hollywood. Just think about it. If I name my future daughter “Scarlett”, the first thing that will come to mind whenever I say her name is this:

That would be totally weird. So I’m thinking maybe it’s time I think of new baby names that I’ll try to give my future kids and will probably be rejected by my future wife who will totally be a pain in my future ass. Here’s what I came up with:

» Read the rest of the entry

About two weekends ago, Honey threw his back after exercising. Suddenly, he couldn’t move and he was in excruciating pain. I panicked. What was I to do? Who’s going to cook my lunch?

Well, you know the rule here in Cambodia where emergency and hospital services and facilities are not yet very good and medical evacuation is ridiculously expensive – Bawal magkasakit sa Cambodia (You are not allowed to get sick in Cambodia).

So I was about to do the only Filipino-style first aid remedy I know – apply White Flower. Thank God that Evil Big Brother (and I say evil with much affection) had the foresight, good sense, and presence of mind to marry a physical therapist who I called up immediately. I must say that although I got a great family discount on the consultation fee (i.e. pro bono, gratis, or free), it still ended up expensive due to the high overseas calls rate.

Read more here.

More info on the Moments with Daddy at Market! Market! Photo Contest at Shutter Box Philippines.

This essay was reportedly written by a Korean English student who was more grieved for our country than we are.
Please read with a grain of salt, ponder on his/her words, and maybe, just maybe we can collectively repent and decide to start working to uplift our country.

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently
studying in the Philippines to take advantage of
our cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the
same time.
This is an essay written by a Korean student i
want to share with you. (Never mind the grammar;
it’s the CONTENT that counts) Maybe it is time to
think about this in the midst of all the confusion
at present.
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in
the Philippines . Do you really think the corruption
is the problem of the Philippines ? I do not
think so. I strongly believe that the problem is
the lack of love for the Philippines .
Let me first talk about my country, Korea .
It might help you understand my point.
After the Korean War, South Korea was one
of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans
had to start from scratch because entire country was
destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no
natural resources.
Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for
Filipinos were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like
Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine.
My father & brother also died because of famine.
Korean government was very corrupt and is still very
corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was
able to develop dramatically because Koreans really
did their best for the common good with their heart
burning with patriotism.
Koreans did not work just for themselves but also
for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired
young men with the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the
government to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money
from other countries, but it was not possible to get a
loan and attract a foreign investment because the
economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had
only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine
workers and nurses to Germany so that
they could send money to Korea to build a factory.
They had to go through horrible experience.
In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow
money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the
airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw
the President Park . They asked to him, “President,
when can we be well off?” That was the only question
everyone asked to him. President Park cried with
them and promised them that Korea would be well
off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the President
of Germany got the strong impression on them
and lent money to Korea . So, President Park was
able to build many factories in Korea . He always
asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.
Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA
came back to Korea to help developing country
because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their
best for Korea . They always hoped that their children
would live in well off country.
My parents always brought me to the places where
poor and physically handicapped people live. They
wanted me to understand their life and help them..
I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army..
The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we
have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my
neighborhood. Have you cried for the
Philippines ? I have cried for my country several
times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many
poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid
prison. What made me sad in the prison were the
prisoners who do not have any love for their country.
They go to mass and work for Church. They pray
everyday.
However, they do not love the Philippines . I
talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound,
and both of them said that they would leave the
Philippines right after they are released from the
prison.

They said that they would start a new life in other
countries and never come back to the Philippines .
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that
we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood.
The owners of factory and company were distributed their
profit to their employees fairly so that employees could
buy what they needed and saved money for the
future and their children.
When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and
wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines ,
I completely lost my faith.
I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable
situations in the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad,
and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic
country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here.
People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has
been changed.
My parents came to the Philippines last week and
saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer
than the present Philippines when they
were young. They are so sorry that there are so
many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan,
I forced my parents to take a boat because
it would fun. However, they were not happy after
taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat
again because they were sympathized the
boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a
small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.
But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love
for them.
My mother who has been working for Catholic Church
since I was very young told me that if we just go to
mass without changing ourselves, we are not
Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things
for them because all of us are same and have received a great
love from God. I want Filipinos to love their
neighborhood and country as much as they love God
so that the Philippines will be well off.
I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos
should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once.
It should start from person. Love must start in everybody,
in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot of
things happen if we open up to love. Let’s put away
our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.
I discover that every person is worthy to be
loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible.
Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and
relationships. It changes the world. Please love your
neighborhood and country.
Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we
do to Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who
are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love.
If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines .
Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.
That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

This environmental phenomenon is out of our control as people. When the vast skies shed its tears, it pours down to flood the earth. And our day might begin as restless or as comfy as it could ever be. It does affect our mood sometimes. When day plans are set to change due to weather conditions. Well, it has in deed changed mine! Life is unpredictable as always!

I wouldn’t complain if it rains and he is with me! What you think?

Read more on its details at http://www.obnoxiousqueer.com

I’m acting so strange this week. I don’t know if this is the effect of being disconnected from the internet. Hate Globelines for that! So what’s keeping me insane? Hmmm… someone just went inside our house and robbed my heart out! I don’t know if he’s returning it or not, but I beg not to! He’d rather keep it!

In this time of boredom, I wrote a long POEM! Yes! Long! Duh, dedicated to the culprit who stole my vulnerable pump machine!

Here’s my fave stanza I’ve written:

“Catch me I’m falling down my knees
The way you look at me is killing me softly
I’m drowning in the pool of infatuations
I think I need CPR from you, boy!”

Read the full POEM after the jump:

I have just launched a new website for my accounting practice and consultancy. As mentioned in the website, my services will be geared towards small and medium enterprises, or SMEs, as well as online or internet ventures in the Philippines.

I believe that, unlike large companies which have huge accounting departments with ready access to established accounting and auditing firms, SMEs usually make do with the crudest record-keeping by its owners and managers as source of financial information.

Read more at Pinoy Seminars.

Hello KABAYANs im Jeriel from manila im here to share my story regarding , i can say My Success in finding a Legit way to make Cash Online without spending any single penny . Im sure that some of you have also tried looking for online jobs or a way to make money tru Internet . Some of you may end up failing and some succeed for my experience yes there are lots of way to make cash online some are PTC, PTR, GPT, if youre not familiar those are the one , you check email and you get paid , or clicking adds and doing surveys. I fed up using those programs because the money that they pay me i’snt good enough. Then one day i searched Google for more moneymaking sites and end up with the Free Online Cash System , i checked the site and it says Make 150S – 1500$ Immediately with No Out of Pocket Cost ! I said wtf this is impossible , but later that night it came to my mind what if its TRUE ? Then i checked google and research about this Program i was shock that i found lots of Proofs from you tube , forums etc that this program really works . Then after that i went back to the site and register , and then after that they scheduled me for a LIVE CONFERENCE CALL where in they thought me how the program works , it was really simple its a STEP BY STEP process which i believe that anyone Can do it , there are no necessary experience needed.

If you guys are interested in givn up 45mins of your day , heres the site which will lead you to your success..

www.makefreecashonline.info

Planning to rent or buy a house in General Trias, Cavite?

The two-storey house below, located in Chateau Real Homes, Manggahan, General Trias Cavite is ready for immediate occupancy.

The subdivision is 400 meters away from Walter Mart, Eagle Ridge Golf & Country Club, Mercury Drug Store, McDonalds, Jollibee, KFC, 7-11, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino restaurants. 2 Kms away from Lyceum University Dasma, 3 Kms away from Gateway Business Park. 6 Kms away from SM City Dasma and Robinson’s Mall. Only 30 minutes drive to scenic Tagaytay City.

The garage has enough room for two cars and has plant boxes for aesthetic gardening. Large luminous switches were used and safety electric receptacles that fit both flat and round plugs.

(more…)

The ASEAN Charter, the talk of the year. The new Constitution that is greater than our respective National Constitutions. ASEAN on the road to becoming a supra-”nation” if you will. But for us ordinary citizens, like me, what are the interesting parts?

Read on to know what interests me with the ASEAN Charter, now that the final “signed” version has been released officially….

This is a story of a British man who has an extreme case of psychosis. He believes (or dreams) that an entire hospital, real estate company, and his Filipina girlfriend are in cahoots just to extort Php100,000 from him. Please read the whole story and forward it to as many friends and people as you can.

CLICK HERE TO READ COMPLETE STORY