Anything Under the Sun

Saloobin para sa "El Filibusterismo"

2009-02-23T18:19:00.000+08:00

by: Jenny Mae S. Saldaña

Ang akda ni Jose Rizal na pinamagatang " El Filibusterismo" ay sumasalamin sa pagmamalabis na ginawa ng mga prayle sa mangmang at walang alam na mga Pilipino. Ginamit nila ang kanilang mga kapangyarihan upang mapasailalim at mapasunod nila ang mga Pilipino sa kanilang mga kagustuhan. At dahil sa takot na naramdaman ng mga Indiyo ay hindi sila gumawa at nag-isip ng paraan upang mapalaya sa anino ng kalupitan ng mga kastila. Ang aking saloobin tungkol sa nobela ay galit, habag at pagkamangha. Galit, para sa mga prayle na lumapastangan sa dignidad ng mga kababaihan, at tumapak sa prinsipyo ng bawat Pilipino. Habag, para sa mga taong mas pinili na mahalin ang kultura ng mga dayuhang kastila at nagtakwil sa sariling bayan. Pagkamangha, para sa mga taong nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan. Nabigyang buhay ng mga tauhan lalung-lao na ang mag-aalahas na si Simuon, Basilio, mag-aaral na si Placido Penitente, tulisan na si Kabesang Tales at marami pang iba ang maalab na kwento ng "Paghahari ng Kasakiman".

"Ang Ama"

2009-02-23T17:54:00.002+08:00

Magkahalo lagi ang takot at pananabik ng mga bata kapag hinihintay nila ang kanilang ama. Ang takot ay alaalang isang suntokna nagpapamaga at nagpapatulo ng dugo sa labi. Ang pananabik ay sa pagkain na paminsan-minsay iniuuwi ng kanilang ama- malaking supot ng pansit na iginisa sa itlog at gulay. Ang pansit ay para lang talaga sa kanilang ama ngunit dahil marami ito, may pinaghahatian na lang din pati ng kanyang mga anak.

Anim lahat ang mga bata. Ang 2 pinakamatanda ay lalaki (12 anyos) at babae ( 11 anyos). May kambal na pawang mga lalaki (9 anyos), maliit na babae (8 anyos) at isang paslit pa (2 anyos).

Natatandaan niula ang isa o dalawang okasyon na sinorpresa sila ng kanilang ama dahjil nagdala ito ng pansit na pinagsaluhan nilang lahat. Ngunit hindi na naulit pa ang pangyayaring iyon dahil kapag umuuwi ng lasing ang kanilang ama, pasigaw-sigaw, at padabug-dabog, ay siguradong walang pagkain at sila ay magsisiksikan dahil sa takot. Madalas na masapok ang kanilang ina at ang mga mata at pisngi nito ay mamamaga kung kaya naman nhindi ito nakakalabada sa malaking bahay.

May mga pagkakataon naman na ilalayo ng mga bata si Mui Mui dahil bukod sa ito ay sakitin, ito rinay palahalinghing na madalas kainisan ng kanilang ama. Mahaba at matinis iyon at tumatagal ng ilang oras, habang siya ay nakaupop sa bangko sa isang sulok ng bahay o namamaluktot ng paghiga sa banig kasama ang ibang mga bata, na di makatulog.

Noong gabing umuwi ang ama na masamang-masama ang timpla dahil nasisante sa trabahoat si Mui Mui ay nasa gitna ang mahabang halinghing at di mapatahan ng kanyang mga kapatid. Nang walang anu-ano ay tumama ang kamao ng ama sa nakangusong mukha ng bata na tumalsik sa kabila ng kwarti kung saan ito nanatiling walamng kagal;aw-galaw.

Pagkaraan ng 2 araw ay namatay si Mui Mui at tanging ang ina lang nito ang umiyak habang ang bangkay ay inihahandang ilibing sa sementeryo ng nayon at ang ama ay nagmumukmok na nakaupo sa buong araw. Ang balitang tungkol sa malungkot niyang kinahinatnan ay nakarating sa kanyang amo at dahilsa kagandahang loob ay pinabalik siya sa trabaho at nagbigay ng tulong na salapi.

Ngayo'y naging napakalawak ng kanyang awa sa sarili bilang isang malupit nqa inulilang ama at madalamhati siyang nagtatawag, "kaawa-awang Mui Mui, kaawa-awa kong anak."

Tinuyo ng nagdadalamhating ama ang kanyang mga luha at saka tumayo. Naisip niya na magiging mabuti siyang ama. Matibay ang pasya na lumabas siya ng bahay. Pinagmasdan siya ng mga bata at nagtataka sila kung saan siya pupunta. Nang nakita nilang papunta ito sa bayan ay nalungkot sila dahil akala nila na iinom \na naman ito ng alak.

Pagkatapos ng isang oras, ay bumalik ang kanilang ama dala ang isang malaking supot na may maliit na supot sa loob. Nagatlo ang mga bata kung ano ba talaga ang laman ng supot. Di nagtagal ay lumabas ito, nakabihis at lumabas ng bahay. Sinundan nila ito at nakita nila na pumunta ito sa libingan sa tabing-gulod. Lumakjad ito at dinukot ang mga laman ng supot na dahan-dahangf inilapag sa puntod, habangpahikbing nagsalita, "pinakamamahal kong anak, walang maiaalay sa iyo ang iyong ama kudi ang mga ito. sana'y tanggapin mo. Nagpatuloy itong nakipag-usap sa anak. Madilim na ang ang langit ng umalis ito. Sa isang iglap, ang kanina pang inip na inip na mga bata ay dumagsa sa yaman. Pinagsaluhan nila ang dala ng kanilang ama na tulad ng isang piging na alam nilang di nila mararanasang muli."

The Glass Hour

2009-01-20T10:14:00.000+08:00

She was hot. She was terribly hot.
Memories of the past occupied Amanda’s thoughts. She remembered the days she was full of joy, hope and happiness and the days she felt unbearable pain and sorrow. Life was once pleasant until everything turns appalling.

“Get yourself ready Amanda. Anytime now the guest would soon arrive.” As soon as she heard her mother’s voice she hurriedly wore the pink dress her mother bought her. Her maid arranged her auburn hair on top of her head skillfully. Although she is still young, she is often mistaken as a lady and many suitors come from far away lands to see her beauty and ask her hand in marriage. Her father is a baron and her mother is a grand daughter of a viscount. In short, she is a noble. She is considered as one of the most charming and wealthy young lady.
She felt very giddy and anxious all at once for she is to be presented to the noble tonight and it is her first time to dance at this social event. This ball is very important to her and she promised to herself that she mustn’t make any mistake. She heard a faint knock at the door and she opened it. It was her older brother. He made a silly smile at her and made a comment on how different she was that night. He offered his hand and they went downstairs. At the hall, everything was glittering including the guests. The women were clustered at one side and the men at the other. As they went down the stairs everyone look up and smiled. She was so happy that these people like her. She was first introduced the Duke and Duchess of Cabria, then to the Count of Montefort and many more nobles. She danced almost every man in that hall and she was getting tired of smiling. She excused herself for a while and she went to the balcony. After inhaling enough air, she was about to go back when a dark figure caught her eye. It was just at the corner of the balcony, standing and looking above the sky. Slowly the figure turned around and was stunned to see her there. She took a step forward and she saw it was a man.
“I apologize, sir, if I have disturbed you with your musing.” She said as she swept aside an invisible speck on her dress. “No, it is all right. It was me who’s supposed to say sorry.” He replied. She nodded and decided to go back inside. But she was bother about the interest of the man and she asked “Did you find the ball distasteful that you decided to go here outside?” “Actually I wasn’t supposed to be in here. You see I’m--” He was cut short when Amanda heard her mother called for her and she said goodbye to the young man. She left without knowing the young man’s name.
He couldn’t believe his luck. He was talking to Amanda, the lady of this manor. He was not supposed to be in this ball. He wasn’t even one of them. All he wanted to do was ask her to dance with him but he was afraid that someone might recognize him. So he went outside to the balcony. He didn’t saw her come outside and when he turned he saw her standing there. She was so beautiful in her pink dress accented with her auburn hair. She looked like a goddess. He couldn’t believe that he could talk to her naturally but deep inside he was melting. He decided he wants to see her again.
Amanda couldn’t sleep that night. She was thinking about the man in the balcony. She saw some part of his face but what captivate her are his eyes. It was gentle and warm. She lost track of the time and when she knew it, it was almost morning.
Amanda went to the stable to do her daily routine. It was her favorite part of the day – the horseback riding. She went inside the stable and ordered the servant boy there to prepare the horse. He turned around and when she looked into his eyes it was the same eyes she saw last night. She couldn’t believe it. This man standing in front of her is the same man she met last night. She thought he was a noble because every guest was supposed to be a noble.
He eyes rounded and his mouth slack opened. He was happy that he met her again but he didn’t want to meet her again in this way. He was so embarrassed that he lost words to greet the lady. He abruptly bowed and went to fetch the horse. But he was stop at his track when a hand touched his sleeves. He looked into the eyes of the woman she adored with a questioning look.
“I’m sorry sir but why are you here in the stable doing the servant’s work?”
“My lady as you can see I-I-I’m not a lord of a vast land. I’m just a common servant here in your manor.”
“But if you are only a servant then why did you come last night?”
“I wanted to see and dance with you.” He exclaimed. At that, she blushed. Then she slowly said “Then I demand to know your name commoner.”
He looked at her and smiled. “Evan. Evan Malcolm.”

Everyday they met each other at the stable. They became good friends and gradually their feelings for each other grew. They would secretly go to the lake and have picnic in there or they would go to the ruins and tell each other secrets. But the days of laughter would soon come to an end. Amanda’s father decided that she was now old enough to get married. Her father constantly reminded her that she is arranged to marry a lord’s son. Amanda was sad and she would tell it to Evan. Since Evan loved her, he promised that he would be knight and he would marry her. That’s why on that same year, Evan went to join the crusade to become a knight. He made Amanda promised that she would wait for him. They parted with tears in their eyes.
Many years had passed but still Evan hasn’t returned yet. His last letters were dated 9 months ago and her father would keep on informing her that she must now marry but she continued to ward off suitors that come to their house everyday. She waited and waited. She never lost hope. She always told herself “He would soon come home.”

The crusade was not successful. The crusaders had lost. Many were captured. Many died. But some did survived and Evan was one of them. But he was not the Evan before. He forgot his identity. He lost his memory.
Back in England, Amanda continued to wait for Evan. She will wait for him even in the after life. Another year had passed and a letter had arrived. She hurriedly opened the letter but she was disappointed that it came from her sister in France. As usual her sister asked about the health of their parents and of her. But there was something extraordinary about the letter. Her sister wrote to her that she is going to get married. She was so happy for her. Then she opened another package and she saw that it was a portrait. It is a picture of her sister and the picture of her fiancé. Her vision suddenly got blurry and tears begun to roll down her eyes. Pain strikes her chest and her breath falter. “Tell me the reason why. How can you do this to me? You break my heart and you made me cry.” She slowly said.

She was hot. She was terribly hot.
Memories of the past occupied Amanda’s thoughts. She remembered the days she was full of joy, hope and happiness and the days she felt unbearable pain and sorrow. She would always dream about the one she loved. The days they were together and the promised they had made. She really wanted to see him again but she was so weak now. She couldn’t even sit on the bed. Her thoughts would return again to Evan. She couldn’t believe that he would break his promise. She was so worried about him that she couldn’t sleep at night. She must be grateful to God that he is still alive and well. After all she was the one who is at fault. If she only obeyed her father’s demand, he would be still here working in the manor house. Although she may marry another man at least she can still see him.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a faint but vague familiar voice talking softly to her. Gently, she opened her eyes. Her vision was still unclear but the blurriness slowly gained color and definition. It was Evan sitting beside her. Is this a dream? But his hands felt so real. She wanted to touched his faced but she don’t have the strength to raise her hands instead she put up a smile. He was there sitting beside her. His eyes were red and his hands were wet.
“Amanda, forgive me. I forgot about you. I broke my promise and now I’m ashamed of myself. I’m so sorry.” He told her while he kept on caressing her face. He was weeping. She could feel the shudders inside him as he tried to conceal his tears.
“Evan, I’m so happy you’ve came back.” She touched his hand lightly. “What matters to me is you’re alive and well. I am so happy that I met you. I enjoyed the days when I was with you. Always remember that you will always be my confidant, my date, my knight and my love.”
Little by little she closed her eyes forever.

‘’When I was on the crusade all I ever think about is you. I always dream about the day we will be together. During one of the most horrible fight we have, I struck my head in a rock. From that day I lost my memory. One of my companions took me along with him back to France. I was took care there by a young woman. She became my friend. I always told her about my dream. My dream is about a woman with auburn hair and a smile that could take my breath away. I thought I was dreaming about her but all along I was dreaming about you. As I begun to know more about her, I fall in love with her. She also told me that she loved me and we decided to get married. And because I’ve lost my memory and if I ever found out that she was your sister I would have never let her send the portrait. The portrait which causes the deterioration of your health that eventually led to your death. I’m sorry. When your sister learned about your illness, we opted to visit you. When I saw the lake and the ruins that’s when my memory came back. Then I remembered you. The next thing I’ve recall was that I was sitting beside you apologizing for what I’ve done. Although I’ve regained my memory, I have lost you. I was too late but always remember that I love you and you will always have the largest portion of my heart.”
Evan looked into the sky and smiled. He knew he was forgiven and the burden he had carried was now vanished. He stood up and lay down the flower he brought beside a cold stone. Engraved on the stone was this:
“In here rest Amanda – the woman fit to be loved.”

[JPop] Color Album - NewS (Released November 19, 2008)

2008-11-24T05:20:00.002+08:00

Johnny’s group NEWS started off the year on their NEWS CONCERT TOUR Pacific 2007-2008, and it’s been nonstop bustle since with a tight schedule of group and solo achievements. The group released three top-charting singles, making them now second only to Kinki Kids for the record of longest streak of consecutive #1 singles since debut. Fans should be happy to know that NEWS will be ending the year the same way they started it: on tour. What’s more, they’re going to ring in 2009 at the Tokyo Dome as part of their nationwide 2008-2009 winter tour. New tour means new songs which is where NEWS’ third album Color comes in!

The 14-track Color comes with all of NEWS’ singles since pacific including the GReeeeN-composed uptempo, tongue-twisting weeeek; Kurosagi theme song Taiyo no Namida; smiley summer number SUMMER TIME; and the group’s most recent Happy Birthday, a carefree, feel-good birthday song composed by SEAMO. NEWS winter favorite SNOW EXPRESS also makes it to CD for the first time, along with many brand new songs.

NEWS - color
Release Date: November 19, 2008
Language: Japanese
Genre: Pop
Artist: Male group
Tracklist:
01. weeeek
02. STARDUST
03. SUMMER TIME
04. SNOW EXPRESS
05. Forever
06. MOLA
07. Kesenai
08. ordinary
09. Minna ga iru sekai wo hitotsu ni ai wo motto Give & Take shimashou
10. Murarisuto
11. Taiyou no Namida
12. Smile Maker
13. Happy Birthday
14. FLY AGAIN
15. Towairo no koi
Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ldzdblwj2jf

One-Winged Angel

2008-09-26T23:36:00.003+08:00

How much time has passed since I last spread wings?

Been searching, been hoping, for what the future brings.

Patiently waiting for the destined one,

For him to accomplish what should be done.

The first time I met you, I heaved out a sigh.

Silently asking, “Will you help me fly?”

Trying to discover from the liar in me

What it feels like to be free

Tired of faking, tired of pretending

The world around me is slowly changing

Forever trapped in this endless masquerade

All hopes and dreams slowly fade.

If I become a bird, if I become the wind

Will my wish be fulfilled?

Clear up the mist until I can clearly see

A one-winged angel I will forever be.

Crossroads

2008-09-26T23:29:00.001+08:00

It started where it all began… to the place where we first met… with the girl of my dreams…

It was a sunny day two years ago. I was walking my dog at a neighborhood park when I saw a teenage girl just about my age, crying. Being the concerned person that I am, I nonchalantly approached her, sat down beside her and offered my handkerchief. She looked up at me with that teary face and I ended up staring deep into her eyes. How beautiful, I thought. Then she began crying again. “What’s wrong?” I asked her. “My boyfriend just broke up with me,” she said and continued to cry. To lighten up the mood, I tried my best to make her laugh. I told her several jokes, some I didn’t even think were funny, just too see what her smiling face looked like. The more I tried to comfort her, the more she seemed to cry. So I kept quiet and listened to her suppressed sobs. Slowly, I felt my hear being crushed.

A year later, I was walking at the school corridors. Beside me was the girl I tried to comfort one year ago, but now she was happy and smiling. Back then I didn’t even think we’d become this close, sharing jokes and stories with each other like the best of friends. Our friends kept teasing us, saying we looked like lovers. I wished with all my heart that she could be mine. Not just as friends but more than that. I know its impossible but I can’t stop myself and how I feel for her.

Another year passed, we were at school having a good time. She’s now the most popular girl in campus. Now I’m sure that we cannot be together. I could feel the jealous stares of the guys around me. I like being beside her but I know it’s wrong. Is this a love worth risking?

Now its two and a half years after the day we first met... at the same park… with the same tearful face… I tried my best to comfort her again but just like before it had no effect. She looked up at me again with the same eyes full of tears. I felt that my heart and soul was dying. Then out of the blue, she confessed her love to me. A love she’s been hiding for almost two years. I couldn’t believe what I just heard. The most famous girl in school, the girl admired and loved by everyone, the girl I fell in love with at first sight said she loves me. My happiness was beyond the limit. I held her hand and told her that I loved her too ever since I saw her tearful face. I hugged her tightly, a hug full of love and affection. Then we looked at each other’s eyes and kissed a deep, passionate kiss. I didn’t care about the stares we kept receiving from the people around us. I was kissing the girl I loves and that’s all there is to it. This is the moment that I have been waiting for and there’s no turning back. The time has come. This is it. My final turning point... My first big step to homosexuality.

H2O ~ Footprints in the Sand ~

2008-09-13T17:49:00.003+08:00

Title: H2O ~ Footprints in the Sand
Genre: comedy, drama, school life, romance, slice of life, supernatural
Studio: ZEXCS

Plot Summary:

The anime is about a blind young male who was traumatized as a child by the unexpected death of her mother. To rehabilitate, he moves to his mother's hometown where he also enters school. there he met three different girls: Kohinata Hayami, an unsociable girl with a sad past; Kagura Hinata, a kind and clumsy girl and is also the granddaughter of the village headman; and Otoha, a cheerful girl who calls herself “A fairy of time and sound”.

As Takuma interacts with these girls, his medical condition gradually begins to heal. Meanwhile, many sad secrets unfold in the village...

My Cat-Dog!

2008-07-08T20:53:00.002+08:00

I have a cat and a dog. My cat's name was Adelaide, based from the popular cartoon series “Heidi”. On the other hand, my dog was named Pipay, short for Chipipay. Both of them were cute and both had a unique pair of eyes that twinkles through the night. Both were also adopted and was given as a remembrance from close acquaintances.

Adelaide, was the laziest and the most ill-mannered cat present on my existence. He's always on the rooftop, slouching and sleeping all day long. Imagine, little rats were already passing in front of him, and all he did was watched! It's as if, a parade of some sort passed in front of him, while, he, on the other hand, was rather enjoying it. Aside from that, Adelaide, was a very sensitive cat, always protecting his “precious” feet and tail away from danger.

Unlike my cat, my dog, Pipay, was the one with the superb manner. Actually, she was the “rat-catcher” in our entire household and the one who treat rats as a “life-long pest”. Pipay was also a very civilized dog. She never dumps any waste inside our house, but, rather, go outside to face her “call of nature”. Pipay was the one who works longer but eats lesser than our cat, who only returns to collect his part of the meal and sleeps all day long!

Books and Internet

2008-07-08T18:52:00.003+08:00

Books and internet are proven to be useful in our society. Both help us learn something new, give us information and widen our knowledge. But many people believe that internet has a big advantage over books. Well, we can say that internet has many uses. It can be use for communication, interaction with other people and sharing latest updates of musics, movies, celebrities and news. In terms of completeness, internet thus certainly provide any information under the sun and beyond our imaginations. Although, we can also use books to search for answers we need, we still have to jump from one book to another. When we talked about time, internet surely gives us information faster than books. Just a click and in a second the answers is right in front of your eyes while in books we have to read the whole chapter just to get the concept or the idea of a topic. However, when we use books, the retention of what we've read is longer than what we've search in the internet.

Precious Moments

2008-07-08T10:44:00.004+08:00

I've been alive for already 16 years in this world. I've grown up, gained knowledge and understanding, met different friends, and surpassed difficulties. My life has been pretty exciting so far; and most of the memories I've brought with me is from my school days. A very big part of my life happened in school. It's funny how day by day, we think nothing has changed but when we look back, everything is completely different. That's why every time I reminisce about the past, it always brings tears to my eyes. My elementary years is mostly like any other. It consists of studying and playing. An afternoon never passes without me getting wet all over after playing round after round of children's games. Back then I didn't think about my appearance, my grades, my image, or anything. I just do what I do and had fun. But the moment I entered high school, everything changed in an instant. I became very grade conscious, which is the #1 caption for our section. I also became worried about my appearance although I don't have a guy I like in particular. I felt like entering high school was the first step into becoming a full grown teenager. Still, I know I'm still a child at heart. However different it may seem, they are both parts of my school life and they both consist of two vital components in my life, FUN and EXCITEMENT.

Fast-Growing Careers With High Salaries

2008-06-23T22:58:00.002+08:00

by Gabby Hyman, career writer

We gladly acknowledge this information taken from Mr. gabby Hyman, who has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK. An information for each and everyone of us especially those people who are going to college to search for their career in the years to come. Now, as you can see these are the fats-growing and high-pricing jobs for those who are looking for a better and sensible career in the future. So why worry, if you can already see and determine fast-growing jobs with certain and great salary which is the thing most career people wish to have. Hope you can consider these certain careers and think over it many times.

Commercial Loan Officers
Commercial loan officers work for banks, credit unions, and other lenders to help them analyze loan applicants for their consumer credit history and financial status. You'll need strong financial skills and a degree in business, economics, sales, or banking. Many online finance or management programs can get you up to speed in a hurry.

According to Salary.com, the national average of entry level earnings for commercial loan officers ranges from $55,475 to $71,382 with $3,000-$7,000 in bonuses. After six to eight years of experience, commercial loan officers can earn between $95,015 and $116,670, to a top salary of $128,034.

Financial Analyst
Financial analysts develop critical revenue projections and investment analyses for individuals or companies. There are online MBA or undergraduate business degree programs offering courses in statistics, accounting, economics, and business law that can prepare you for this fast-growing field.

The national annual salary range for entry level analysts is between $40,632 and $51,982, but with seven years experience, you'll leap into the $90,690 to $99,972 range.

Senior Database Administrator
A senior database administrator can design, maintain, and crunch a company's database to dramatically affect the operational bottom line. An online computer science degree or computer programming degree can provide fundamental skills necessary to thrive in this IT career. You'll need at least a bachelor-level IT degree to play on this rewarding field.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that senior database administrator jobs will grow faster than the average rate for all career groups through 2014. And you'll look forward to your paycheck. Top salaries range from $90,690 to $113,849, with a top tier around $125,379.

Network Security Administrators
Like their database cousins, network security administrators are among the fastest-growing career groups in the nation. In this role, you'll be the architect and security watchdog for an organization's voice systems, LAN/WAN, and telecommunications networks.

You'll need at least an IT bachelor's degree to compete, and you can better your prospects through online IT network certification and graduate degree programs. But it's worth it. Top annual salaries range from $61,117 to $100,685, with a high end around $123,585.

Registered Nurses
There's no shortage of nursing jobs. According to the U.S. DOL, nurses make up the second-largest career group in the country. There are registered nurses and registered nurses with bachelor's degrees. The difference in earnings and the ceiling on your career can depend on your willingness to enroll in an online RN to BSN degree program.

Consider the evidence: entry level wages for an RN floor nurse range $53,398 to $68,263. Nurses who want to move into supervisory positions better their chances for advancement with a BSN degree. For example, head nurses average between $74,965 to $97,276, and head operating room nurses average from $80,084 to $112,090.

Web Interface Design Directors
Among all the graphics design professions, the U.S. DOL predicts that Web designers with animation experience will have the best job prospects through the decade. And, among these, Web interface design directors are the best earners. You can enroll in online graphics design degree programs and software courses to bone up on the latest graphical user interfaces (GUIs), usability trends, and code management techniques.

In return, look for the national earnings average of $47,551 to $66,277 for entry level designers to ramp up to a muscular $121,310 to $141,662 range -- with top salaries at $148,374 -- for senior interface design directors.

Restaurant General Managers
Restaurant general managers work for major restaurant chains, private bistros, hotels, resorts, and casinos. The Department of Labor predicts best opportunities will be for salaried managers than self-employed restaurateurs. You'll prosper from completing online hotel and restaurant management programs.

National average wages for restaurant GMs range from $53,255 to $60,765, with an average at $70,546 for managers of fine restaurants.

Paralegals
Paralegals provide critical support to attorneys, law offices, corporate legal departments, courts, and government agencies. The Department of Labor predicts brisk growth in the field, especially for graduates of paralegal courses offered through online paralegal degree programs.

The national salary range for entry level paralegals is from $36,641 to $49,754, however, paralegals with eight years experience may earn upwards of $86,666.

MS EXCEL: FORMATTING WORKSHEETS

2008-06-17T10:41:00.003+08:00

1.) Formatting the Font

* To Apply Font Formatting Using the Formatting Toolbar
Select the cell or cell range that you want to format.
Do one or more of the following:
--> Change Font Style of the text by clicking the Bold, or Underline Buttons on the Formatting Toolbar.
--> Change the Font Size by selecting the point size from the Font Size List.
--> Change the Font Color by selecting the color from the Font Color List.

* To Apply Font Formatting Using the Format Cell Dialog Box
Select the cell or cell range that you want to format.
Right-click the cell or cell range, and then select Format Cell from the Shortcut Menu.
Click the Font Tab, and then specify the font formatting that you want to apply.

2.) Formatting Numbers

* To Apply Number Formatting Using the Formatting Toolbar
Select the cell or cell range you want to format.
Click the appropriate Number Formatting Button(s) on the Formatting Toolbar.
The buttons are the following:
--> Currency
--> Comma
--> Percentage
--> Decrease and Increase Decimal

* To Apply Number Formatting Using the Format Cell Dialog Box
Select the cell or cell range that you want to format.
Right-click the cell or cell range, and then select Format Cells from the Shortcut Menu.
Click the Number Tab, and then specify the Number Formatting that you want to apply.

3. Modifying Cell Alignment

* To Change Cell Alignment Using the Formatting Toolbar
Select the cell or cell range.
Click the appropriate Alignment Button (Left, Center, Right, and Merge and Center) on the Formatting Toolbar.

* To Change Cell Alignment Using the Format Cells Dialog Box
Select the cell or cell range.
On the Format Menu, click Cell.
Click the Increase Indent or Decrease Indent on the Formatting Toolbar.

* To Indent the Text In a Cell.
Select the cell or cell range.
In the Format Menu, click Cells.
Click the Alignment Tab.
Select the Merge Cells Checkbox and then click OK.
* To Rotate the Text in the Cell
Select the cell or cell range.
In the Format Menu, click Cells.
Select one of the options of the orientation section or adjust the angle by dragging the Text Rotation Tool.
Click OK.

4. Adding Borders
* To Add Borders Using the Formatting Toolbar
Select the cell or cell range that you want to add border(s) to.
Click the Border Style List Arrow on the Formatting Toolbar, and then select the border that you want.
* To Add Borders Using the Format Cells Dialog Box
Select the cell or range.
On the Format Menu, click Cells.
Click the Border Tab, and then select the border(s) that you want to add.

5. Applying Colors and Patterns
* To Apply Colors Using the Color Palette
Select the cell or range.
Click the Fill Color List Arrow in the Formatting Toolbar, and then select the color that you want to apply.

* To Apply Colors Using the Formatting Toolbar, and then select the color that you want to apply.
Select the cell or cell range.
In the Format Menu, click Cells.
Click the Patterns Tab, and then select the color or pattern that you want to apply.

6. Row and Column Formatting
* To Adjust the Column Width
Right-click the Column Header. Select Column Width from Shortcut Menu, and then enter the column width.
Select the Column Header(s). In the Format Menu, point to Column, and then choose Width from the menu, and then enter the column width.

* To Adjust the Row Height
Right-click the Row Header.
Select Row Height from the Shortcut Menu, and then enter the row height.
Select the Row Header(s). In the Format Menu, point to Row, and then choose Height from the menu, and then enter the row height.

* To Automatically Adjust the Width of a Column or Row
Click the column heading to select the column and on the Format Menu, point to Column, and then choose Autofit.
Double-click the right border of the column.

7. Using Format Painter
* To Copy Format to a Cell or Range
Select a cell or cell range that has the formatting options that you want to copy.
Click the Format Painter Button on the Standard Toolbar.
Select a cell or range where you want to apply the copied formatting to.

* To Copy Format to Several Cells or Ranges
Select a cell or range that has the formatting options you want to copy.
Double-click the Format Painter Button on the Standard Toolbar to apply formatting to several locations.
After copying the formatting, click the Format Painter again.

8. Using AutoFormat
Highlight the range of cells to be formatted.
In the Format Menu, choose AutoFormat.
Select your desired format from the list.
Click the Option Button. Select the formatting that you want to apply.
Click OK if you’re done.

9. Using Style

* To Define a Style
Select a cell and apply formatting.
In the Format Menu, click Style.
Type you desired Format Name in the Style Name Box.
Click Add to add your style.
Click OK.

* To Apply a Style
Select a cell or cell range that you want to apply the style formatting to.
In the Format Menu, click Style.
Select the style from the Style List, and then click OK.

* To Modify Style
In the Format Menu, click Style.
Select the style from the Style List, and then click OK.

* To Remove a Style
On the Format Menu, click Style
Under the Style Name, choose a style name that you want to delete.
Click Delete.
Click OK.

10. Conditional Formatting of Cells or Cell Ranges
Select the cell or cell range you wan to format according to a specific condition.
On the Format Menu, select Conditional Formatting.
Click the Format Button, and then specify the formatting that you want to use if the condition is true.
If you want to specify additional conditions for the selected cells, click the Add Button, otherwise, click OK.

11. Finding and Replace Formatting
On the Edit Menu, click Find.
Click the top Format Button, specify the formatting options you want to search for and then click OK.
Click the Format Button, specify the new formatting options and click OK.
Click Find Next to find each occurrences of cell formatting, and then click
Replace to replace the cell formatting or Click Replace All to replace all occurrences of the cell formatting.

MS EXCEL: MODIFYING WORKBOOKS

2008-06-16T15:07:00.005+08:00

1.) Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns

* To Insert a Row or Column
Select the Row or Column Heading(s) where you want to insert the column or row.
Right-click the selected Row or Column Heading(s) and select Insert from the Shortcut Menu.

* To Delete a Row or Column
Select the Row or Column Heading(s) that you want to delete.
Right-click the selected Row or Column Heading(s), and then select Delete from the Shortcut Menu.

2.) Splitting and Freezing a Window

* To Split Panes
Select a cell. On Window Menu, click Split.

* To Freeze Panes
In the Window Menu, click Free Panes.

* To Unfreeze Panes
In the Window Menu, click Unfreeze Panes.

3.) Hiding and Displaying Rows and Columns

* To Hide Row(s) / Column(s)
Select the row(s) or column(s) heading.
On the Format Menu, point to Row or Column and choose Hide.

* To Unhide Row(s) / Column(s)
On the Format Menu, point to Row or Column, then choose Unhide.

4.) Adjusting the Zoom Setting

* To Change the Zoom Setting
In the Zoom Box, click the size that you want, or enter a number from 10 to 400.

5.) Switching to Different Sheets in a Workbook

Switch to a workbook by clicking its Sheet Tab at the bottom of the screen.
Right-click the Sheet Tab Scroll that lists all the worksheets in the Shortcut Menu.

6.) Inserting and Deleting Worksheets

* To Add a New Worksheet
On the Insert Menu, choose Worksheet.
Press Shift + F11.

* To Delete a Worksheet
On the Edit Menu, choose Delete Sheet.
Right-click on the Sheet Tab and select Delete from the Shortcut Menu.

7.) Renaming Worksheets

Double-click the Sheet Tab, and then enter a new name for the worksheet.
Right-click the Sheet Tab, and then select Rename from the Shortcut Menu, and enter the new name of the worksheet.
In the Format Menu, click Sheet, choose Rename. Enter a new name of the worksheet.

8.) Moving and Copying Worksheets

* To Move the Worksheet along the Same Sheet Tab
Click the sheet on the Sheet Tab to be moved.
Drag the selected sheet along the Sheet Tabs. A small triangle and a blank paper appear as you drag the sheet.
Release the mouse at the point where you want to move the sheet to.

* To Copy the Worksheet along the Same Sheet Tab
Click the sheet on the Sheet Tab to be copied.
Hold down the CTRL key and drag the selected sheet along the Sheet Tabs. A small triangle appears and a paper with a plus sign as you drag the sheet.
Release the mouse before you release the CTRL key.

* To Use the Move or Copy Dialog Box
Right-click the sheet on the Sheet Tab to be moved.
Click Move or Copy.
To move or copy the selected sheets to a new workbook, click New Book.
Click OK.

9.) Adding Color to Sheet Tabs

Select the sheet(s) that you want to color.
In the Format Menu, point Sheet, and then choose the Tab Color.
Select the color that you want to apply, and then click OK.

10.) Working with Several Workbooks and Windows

Click the Select All Button to select all the cells in a worksheet.
Switch between open window by selecting Window Menu, and then selecting the name o the workbook that you want to view.
In the Window Menu, click Arrange All to view multiple windows at the same time.
Click the Window Maximize Button to maximize a window, or click the window Restore Button to return the window to its original size.

11.) Referencing External Data

* To Reference a Cell of Range in another Worksheet (Typing)
Click the cell into which you want to enter the reference.
Type the equal sign (=).
Click the workbook on the Taskbar (if the sheet containing the cells that you want to reference is in another workbook).
Click the Sheet Tab of the worksheet containing the cell that you want to reference. Click the cell or range that you want to reference.
Press Enter.

* To Reference a Cell or Range in Another Worksheet (Clicking)
Click the cell into which you want to enter the reference.
Type the equal sign (=).
Click the workbook on the Taskbar (if the sheet containing the cells that you want to reference is in another workbook.)
Click the Sheet Tab of the worksheet containing the cell that you want to reference. Click the cell or range that you want to reference.
Press Enter.

* To Reference a Cell or Range through the Paste Special Command
Click the cell you want to be referred to.
Right-click the cell, and then choose Copy.
Switch to the worksheet or workbook in which you want to put the reference.
Click the cell that you want to enter the reference.
Right-click the cell, and then choose Paste Special.The Paste Special Dialog Box appears.
Click the paste Link Button.

MS EXCEL: WORKING WITH CELLS AND CELL DATA

2008-06-16T14:30:00.004+08:00

1.) Entering Texts, Dates, and Numbers

--> Text
Any combination of numbers, spaces, and non-numeric characters.
By default, it is left aligned in the cell.

--> Date
By default, it is right aligned in the cell
Press Ctrl + ; to enter the current date

--> Time
By default, it is right aligned in the cell
Press Ctrl + Shift + ; to enter the current time

--> Numbers
By default, it is right aligned in the cell

2.) Using AutoComplete and Pick list

-->To Use AutoComplete
Excel automatically completes the text when you type the first few characters in a cell that match an existing entry in that column.

-->To Use Pick List
Right click the cell wherein you want to enter a label.
Select Pick from List from the shortcut menu, ad then select the entry from a list.

3.) Inserting, Deleting, and Moving Cells

--> To Insert Selected Cells
Select the cell or range.
In the Insert menu, click Cells.
Choose from the Insert Cell Options.
Click OK.

--> To Delete Selected Cells
Select the cell or range.
In the Edit Menu, click Delete.
Choose one of the Delete Options.
Click OK.

--> To Move Cells through Drag and Drop
Select the cell or range.
Drag the selection by its outside border to the upper left cell of the area where you want to move the cell or range into.
Release the Mouse Button.

4.) Using Find and Replace

--> To Find Information
In the Edit Menu, click Find.
Enter the texts or numbers that you want to search for in the Find What Box.
Click the Find Next Button. You can click the Find Next Button if there is more than one occurrence. Do so until you find the text that you’re looking for.

--> To Replace Information
In the Edit Menu, click Replace.
Enter the text that you want to search for in the Find What Box and the text that you want to replace it with in the Replace With Box.
Click Find Next Button to find the text and the Replace Button to replace the text.

5.) Sorting a List

--> To Sort a List by One Field
Select the cells in the column to which you will apply the command. Click either the Sort Ascending Button or Sort Descending Button on the Standard Toolbar.

--> To Sort a List by More than One Field
Activate the cells within the list. Select Data Menu, and then click Sort.
Select the first field that you want to sort from the drop-down list, and the specify Ascending or Descending order.
Select the second and the third fields that you want to sort (if desired).

6.) Filtering a List

--> To Use the AutoFilter
Move the cell pointer anywhere within the list.
On the Data Menu, select Filter, and then AutoFilter.
Select the filter criteria from the drop-down arrows by the field names of the header row.

--> To Remove an AutoFilter
In Data Menu, select Filter, and then AutoFilter.

--> To Create a Custom AutoFilter
Move the cell pointer anywhere in the list.
In Data Menu, select Filter, and then AutoFilter.
Click one of the drop-down arrow options in the field names of the header row. Select Custom from the list.
Specify your filter criteria in the Custom AutoFilter Dialog Box.

7.) Working With Series
A series is a sequence of cells that form a logical progression.

--> To Use the Fill Handle
Enter the first item of the series in the given cell.
Move the Mouse Pointer to the bottom right corner of the cell to the Fill Handle (the pointer changes to the black plus sign).
Drag the Fill Handle.
Release the Mouse Button to complete the series.

--> To Create a Custom Series
In the Tools Menu, click Option.
Click the Custom List Tab, and then select New List.
Click the Add Button to enter items in the list.
Type the entries into the List Entries Box. Press Enter after each entry.
Click the Add Button again.

--> To Use the Series Dialog Box
In the given cell, enter the first item of the series.
Highlight the range of cells that will be included in the series.
In the Edit Menu, click Fill, and then select Series.
In the Series Dialog Box, click the Series in Option.
Choose the Type option.
Type the value for Step Value and Stop Value.
Click OK to complete the series.

7 Things

2008-06-16T13:36:00.006+08:00

Title : 7 Things
Artist : Miley Cyrus
Producer(s) : John Fields
Label : Hollywood

Review

This newest single from Miley Cyrus, entitled “ 7 things” will definitely rock up your world! Like the previous songs of Miley Cyrus that reached the top spot of music charts, this song will probably follow their path. The song is somewhat a combination of pop and rock for listeners to indulge on their valued hours and absolutely with head-banger choruses that makes it more “special”.Other than that, Miley Cyrus’s husky voice just added the spices of the song, and somewhat reminiscing to Ashlee Simpson. Take note guys this song was dedicate to Nick Jonas who was miley cyrus' ex-boyfriend.

Closer

2008-06-16T12:43:00.006+08:00

Title : Closer
Artist : Ne-yo

Review:

This song is the newest single from the international R&B artist Ne-yo which turns out to be a new variety of music from inspiring pop to a dance anthem. It is rather similar to Rihanna’s “Please Don’t Stop The Music”. The video is also interesting enough to attract attention from valued fans. The video has some oldie style that will definitely thumps and bumps your appetite to watch!

OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB

2008-06-16T12:41:00.006+08:00

TITLE : Ouran High School Host Club
GENRES : Romance, Reverse Harem. Comedy
AUTHOR : Bisco Hatori
STUDIO : Bones

Plot Summary:

The story is abut Fujioka Haruhi, a smart and independent girl. She earns scholarship in Ouran High School, a prestigious academy for rich students and heirs to different corporations in Japan. Because of her family’s financial situation, she is unable to afford their school uniform resulting to her wearing long slacks, polo shirts and vests which looks very similar to the boy’s uniform. Thus, people often had mistaken her as a boy.

One day while looking for a quiet place to study, she enters Ouran’s 3rd Music Room which is the room of the Host Club. She accidentally breaks an expensive vase worth 8 Million Yen and is instantly in debt. To compensate for the vase, she works as the Host Clubs “Dog” and is soon promoted to become one of the Club’s Hosts.

ALICE ACADEMY

2008-06-16T12:38:00.008+08:00

TITLE : Alice Academy
GENRES : Comedy, Supernatural, Magic
STUDIO : Group Tac

Plot Summary :

The story is about Mikan Sakura, a ten years old girl, who fled home in search of her best friend Hotaru Imai. She found out that Hotaru is studying in an academy where students have supernatural abilities. She wanted to study in that academy but she can only be accepted if she can prove that she also has her own supernatural ability. Upon her arrival she encountered a dangerous-looking boy named Natsume Hyuuga that will change her existence forever.

D.N. ANGEL

2008-06-16T12:36:00.004+08:00

Title : D.N. Angel
Genres : Comedy, Fantasy, Perfect Romance
Studio : Xebec

Plot Summary :

The story is about a boy named Daisuke Niwa who suddenly turned into a legendary thief, popularly known as Dark Angel on the exact date and time of his fourteenth birthday. Dark is Daisuke’s counterpart. The only thing that can change him back into his own self is the picture of his long-time crush, Risa Harada. As time goes by, little did he know that his affection was transferred to Risa’s twin sister, Riku. The conflict starts when he came across his greatest against him using his adopted son, Satoshi Hiwatari, who’s the counterpart of Krad. It’s an anime you wouldn’t want to miss.

SAMURAI X (RUROUNI KENSHIN)

2008-06-16T12:31:00.008+08:00

Title : Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin)
Genre : Chanbara, Romance, Adventure
Studio : Sony

Plot Summary :

It started when a girl named Kauro Kamiya, mistake Kenshin Himura as a Battousai The Slasher but when she saw the reverse sword carried by Kenshin she doubt if he was really the murderer. Kauro invited Kenshin to live with her in the Kamiya Dojo and Kenshin agreed but the past of Kenshin begun to hunt them and tear their love apart.

NARUTO

2008-06-16T12:18:00.008+08:00

Title : Naruto
Genres : Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Studio : Studio Pierrot

Plot Summary :

It is a story of a boy named Uzumaki Naruto. He was shunned by the people lining in the ninja village named Konohagakure because the nine tailed demon fox who once attacked the Konohagakure was sealed inside him by te 4th Hokage. However, that soon changed when he graduated from the ninja academy. He and his friends started an adventure full of mischief and pranks.

All In Once Pc Built Inside Computer Keyboard

2008-06-15T16:55:00.001+08:00

All in once PC's are typically a monitor with all the common technology located inside the monitor rather than a separate unit, the iMac is a prime example of such a design. Monitors are not upgraded all that often so this approach appears to be logical, and great in terms of space. Now, how about an all in one PC which stores the separate unit not inside the monitor but inside the keyboard? It may sound like impossible, but the keyboard essentially is the same size as a laptop and opens up in a similar fashion. On the positive side, in comparison with the iMac, the keyboard all in one package allows for you to upgrade your monitor without having to upgrade the entire system.

USB Photo Scanner Preserves Your Memories

2008-06-15T16:44:00.003+08:00

Photographs are, for some of us, our most prized possessions allowing memories to be taken in a snapshot, saved and shared. With the digital age now upon us, storing images and pictures onto digital media is much preferred to preserve photographs and memories, ensuring that you have a backup and cannot be damaged by lying around in a box. Transforming normal photographs into their digital equivalents is no easy task, but it has now been made easy thanks to the USB Photo Scanner. Armed with a 5 Mega-pixel CMOS sensor, scanning a photo takes a few minutes, much faster than most modern scanners. As you filter each photograph into the tray and slide them into the converter.

RaySat SpeedRay 3000

2008-06-15T14:54:00.003+08:00

The idea of an internet hotspot on wheels might sound far-fetched. But one of the products on show at CES can turn any vehicle into a wi-fi zone.

The newly invented gadget called SpeedRay 3000 developed by RaySat is a round, low profile antenna designed to go on the roof of a vehicle and access satellite TV and broadband. The system is said to provide an always-on connection on the move, using GPS technology to track the location of a satellite. Inside, the antenna rotates and tilts to adjust its position.
"As long as you have line of sight to the satellite, you are fine," said RaySat's Lynette Henley, adding that the signal would drop somewhere like New York because of the skyscrapers.
People who own motor homes are seen as the main audience for the system, as well as the emergency services and the military. But communication on the go comes at a high price, with the antenna costing $7,000, together with monthly subscription costs. It is due to go on sale in the US in the summer.

eMagin Z800 3DVISOR

2008-06-15T14:34:00.003+08:00

Video game makers often talk about creating immersive games where players can lose themselves in virtual worlds. A company called eMagin believes the answer lies not so much in the games, but in how they are viewed. It has come up with a 3D visor that uses two micro displays to create a stereo vision of a game. The headset has a tracking system using gyroscopes that lets players look around a game by moving the head from side to side. "It is a much more immersive experience than looking at a big screen," said eMagin's Bruce Ridley. "Most PC games will work with it," he said, adding it would also work on the new Microsoft Xbox 360. The company is talking to all the major console makers about the headset. "Nintendo has even purchased some," said Mr Ridley. The company has been selling the headset via its website since July.

Celestron’s Skyscout

2008-06-15T14:23:00.004+08:00

GPS technologies nowadays are normally associated with satellite navigation systems. But others are still looking at innovative ways of tapping into the potential of GPS. But the Celestron Company has taken its background in making
Stargazers will find answers with this celestial gadget telescopes, to come up with a handheld gizmo that can identify thousands of objects in the sky.
They call it the SkyScout where it uses GPS technology to work out the location of celestial objects that can be seen with the naked eye and find out what it is you are looking out. The unit has a built-in database with some 6,000 entries. But it can be updated via its USB port or the SD memory card slot. It is now possible that stargazers will find answers with this celestial gadget.
"It is like a planetarium except that you are actually looking at the stars and there is a new comet discovered, you can download the information from our website," said Celestron's Jennifer Adams.
The Celestron’s Skyscout product has been in development for three years and is expected to hit the shops in the US in March.

How to Reformat a Windows XP Computer Hard Drive

2008-06-15T06:30:00.000+08:00

The following tutorial will help you to reformat your Hard Drive and reinstall the Windows XP. We personally consult the brother of Keinne Ross Tripoli to give us tips for this tutorial. The number one reason why we are reformatting the Hard Drive just because of some viruses that infected and corrupted our files and programs inside. He said that before we reformat the Hard Drive we should delete or uninstall all the drivers that we don't necessarily used and make sure you have everything backed up your important files. According to him, anyone can reformat their own computer and taking their own risk. You will only need an important things when you reformat the Hard Drive.

Windows XP Console Driver CD
Windows XP Serial Number
Administrative Password(if you have set any)
Cup of Coffee(for nervous and first timer people)

Follow these step by step instructions on how to reformat your Windows XP:

Step 1

Reboot your computer

Step 2

You need to go into your BIOS to change the boot sequence. Make sure that CD ROM Drive is first. (The BIOS is found in setup)

Step 3

Now put your "Windows XP Console Driver CD" into the CD ROM Drive. Reboot your computer again.

Step 4

Now when your computer is booting up look for a message similar to: "To boot from CD ROM Drive press any key" As soon as you see this message, press any key.

Step 5

As soon as the setup screen of Windows XP has appeared. Now wait about 10seconds for the setup utility to be loaded. When asked if you want to set up or repair, press Enter to setup Windows. Read the license agreement and hit F8 if you agree.

Step 6

If the setup program detects an existing installation of Windows and asks if you want to repair it, press Esc to skip the repair. The setup program will ask you where to install Windows.

Step 7

Highlight the existing "C: Partition1" partition and press D to delete it. Press L to confirm.

Step 8

Next, hit Enter to install Windows on the "Unpartitioned Space". Format the space as NTFS - You will get an option to choose full or quik format. If the disk has not been formatted, then you will have to use the standard format option.

Step 9

During the installation process, your computer will reboot. You will then see a message to press any key to boot from cd. Do not press any key a second time, otherwise the installation will start from beginning again.

Step 10

Complete the next several screens on the setup process and make sure you do not leave the administrator password blank. After following these steps, setup should be complete.

Step 11

Firstly you should install your antivirus software and enable the windows firewall by going to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet Connections > Network Connections (icon on the bottom-right) > Right-click the Local Area Connection > Properties > Advanced tab > Check the box next to "Protect my computer and network..." > OK. After this has been done. Then install all drivers from your motherboard utilities CD. Now it is time to install your programs.

Step 12

You should store back the backed up files that you made from the first that contains your important files.

Source: Keiven Roi C. Tripoli, BSIT-4th year

Alicia Keys Invades Manila Again

2008-06-15T04:34:00.002+08:00

27 years old phenomenal American RNB singer-songwriter, pianist, actress and 11-time Grammy Award Winner Alica Keys is coming back to the Philippines to perform another concert in SM Mall of Asia and Araneta Coliseum produced by MTV Philippines and Music Management International. This concert will be part of her world tour for her latest album "As I Am".

Alicia Keys became the best selling new artist and best selling R&B artist in 2001. Her first album’s first single Fallin’ spent six weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Songs In A Minor, her debut album, was given five Grammy Awards in just one night in 2002. Aside from Grammys Award, Alicia Keys has been recognized by other award-winning bodies such as Billboard Music Awards and American Music Award among others. She has also sold more than 25 Million copies of her album around the world as of last year 2007.

Alicia Keys is the voice behind the popular songs such as “If I Ain’t Got You”, “My Boo”, “Diary”, “Fallin’”, and “You Don’t Know My Name”. Her latest album called “As I Am” includes the following promising songs:

As I Am
Go Ahead
Superwoman
No One
Like You’ll Never See Me Again
Lesson Learned
Wreckless Love
The Thing About Love
Teenage Love Affair
I Need You
Where Do We Go From Here
Prelude To A Kiss
Tell You Something (Nana’s Reprise)
Sure Looks Good To Me

We asked for Ces, got Angelo instead

2008-06-14T17:28:00.001+08:00

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- THE negotiators were asking for broadcast journalist Ces Drilon, and got her cameraman, Angelo Valderama.

Valderama was released Thursday night by a still unknown group of gunmen to members of the Indanan police in a forested area of Sitio Danasih in Barangay Sinumaan, Talipao, Sulu. He was among the four people—an ABS-CBN team of three and a professor of the Mindanao State University—abducted in Maimbung, Sulu, on Sunday.

“Our objective is to secure Ces and the whole team,” Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji , one of the negotiators, yesterday told the Inquirer on the phone. “[The abductors] are the ones making the decisions, not us, and it was they who released Valderama.”

Drilon, her other cameraman, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Prof. Octavio Dinampo, a peace advocate, are still being held by their captors.

In a press conference held in Jolo, Sulu, Isnaji said he and his fellow negotiator, Sulu Vice Gov. Lady Ann Sahidulla, had asked the abductors to release Drilon.

“We asked for a release. We requested the release of Ces or even just one of their victims. I was expecting it to be Ces, but instead they sent Angelo,” he said.

Immediately after his release, Valderama was taken by policemen to the residence of Isnaji, where he stayed overnight. He was flown to Zamboanga City yesterday.

Isnaji refused to give details of Valderama’s release, saying it might jeopardize the negotiations for the freedom of the remaining captives.

Source: Mindanao Bureau, Julie Alipala, Ed General, Mindanao Bureau

Opinion: We asked for Ces, got Angelo instead

Even though Ces Drilon wasn't the one who got release as asked by the local government, it is very pleasing to know that one of their companions have been released and already ensure their safety from the hands of the abductors. Valderama's family will surely be assured that he is in safe condition and is alive.

As to the local government, good thing they have acted fast for the release of the said journalist and her crew member, though it is a bit disappointed to know that still not all of them have been released by the abductors. The government have already negotiated with the captors and maybe sooner or later all of them will be safely released from their captivity.

Everyone of us are hoping that everything will be alright after a series of negotiation by the local government to the abductors. Those captors should stop disturbing the lives of everyone especially the journalists who are just doing their job for the service of Filipino people. Most of us condemn the kidnapping of journalists and should therefore our government to enforce peace talk and negotiation to those rebelled group for the sake of each and everyone's safety.

How To Fix Overheating Computers

2008-06-14T17:22:00.000+08:00

Introduction

Computer overheating is mainly due to three causes. The airflow inside the case may be insufficient and cause heat to build locally. Certain components may overwork and generate more heat than usual. A high room temperature will create overheating. Errors caused by heat show as blue screens, system freezes, random shut downs or untraceable errors regardless of the application running. If component rearrangement doesn't do the trick, products that do PC cooling can help.

Things You'll Need

* Cooling fan
* Liquid cooled computer case

Steps

Step One - Ensure that the errors are caused by overheating. Move your computer to the coolest place of your house. You may choose to lower the temperature of the room instead by cranking up the air conditioning. Operate the computer and see if the same problems appear. If they don't that is a fair indication that overheating occurs.

Step Two - Proceed to the following steps if you believe overheating occurs based on what you found in Step 1. Otherwise, if you can't fix the problem using system tools and anti-virus software, take your PC to the manufacturer or to a technician.

Step Three - Check for dust. Remove the computer's outer cover and see if dust has built up. Dust can reduce the airflow, it can slow down the fans or other mechanical components it gets into, or it can act as an insulator causing heat to increase. Use air pressure to remove the dust.

Step Four - Determine if you have components that are set to overwork. If you assembled the computer yourself, you may have adjusted certain components to higher settings for boosting their performance. If you have a device working at a higher voltage or higher clock cycles, lower down its setting or remove it altogether, if possible.

Step Five - Inspect the temperature around the components that use the most power. These are, the CPU, the graphics processor, the power supply and the hard drives. Use your hand to assess the ambient temperature. It shouldn't be more than 2 degrees Celsius warmer than the room's temperature, while the computer is running. You can tape temperature sensors bought from a computer store, if unsure. Change the placement of the components or the fans to improve the airflow, if you found components blocking the air intake.

Step Six - Buy and install a cooling fan. Choose a fan that can lower temperature of your motherboard by as much as 5 degrees Celsius.

Step Seven - Use liquid cooling as an alternative to a cooling fan.

Tips & Warnings

- Do not make changes in your computer if you have no previous experience with opening computers. Take it to its manufacturer or to a carefully selected technician.

Fuel costs push up US inflation

2008-06-14T17:19:00.002+08:00

(Drivers across the US are facing higher gasoline bills)

US inflation rose at its fastest pace for six months in May because of sharply higher energy costs.

Consumer prices rose 0.6% last month, government figures showed, the steepest monthly increase since last November.

Petrol costs surged by 5.7% last month, driven by the soaring global cost of oil which recently reached more than $139 a barrel.

Rising inflation is a worry for the Federal Reserve, which has cut rates aggressively to stimulate growth.

Opinion: Fuel costs push up US inflation

Consumers needs are clearly rising and Americans are also finding it hard to adjust to a higher price due to world crisis. They're economy status are starting to worry people because what is happening to the world market are clearly connecting to every country and it is genuinely a big global issue to our society. These great troublesome situations are affecting the lives of people especially to those who are living with their own families.

Even the government are finding it hard to maintain in their economy status due to the uprising of the products in the world market like the oil price , food products especially the slowly shortage of rice that affects everyone. With all honesty, everyone is suffering to the world economic crisis.

The increasing oil price in the world market, not only Americans but everyone of us has to limit their expenses to their basic needs and be cautious to every products they buy so that they can still maintain in providing their families needs. In conclusion, increasing of fuel that affects and worries everyone are connected to the different products that increases the consumers' needs and making them financially deficit are not just worrisome but causes great uproar to the lives of everyone.

Quake kills two in northern Japan

2008-06-14T17:14:00.001+08:00

(This road in Oshu buckled as a result of the quake)

At least two people have been killed and about 60 hurt by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake which struck the north of Japan's main island.

The epicentre was in Akita prefecture, 100km (60 miles) north of the city of Sendai, at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

The tremor rattled buildings in nearby towns and in the capital, Tokyo, 390km (240 miles) to the south.

All high-speed bullet trains in the area were automatically shut down.

Two nuclear power plants nearby were being inspected but there were no immediate signs of damage, officials said.

Several people were reportedly buried under mud at a hot spring hit by a landslide, with up to 100 more reportedly trapped.

Source: BBC News

Opinion: Quake kills two in northern Japan

The earthquake disaster in Japan had killed several lives and properties. Japanese transportations have been disrupted due to the said phenomena which staggers the daily activities of Japanese people. It is disturbing to think that these phenomena causing commotion to the people who are living in normal activities.

Occurrence of earthquake in Japan which is also known as one of the earthquake prone in the whole world serves as a message to the global and environmental situations that are happening nowadays. The nature are slowly deteriorating and disasters mostly happen. A great awareness should be implemented these days so that there will be less damage on properties and less people dying if another disaster happen.

Believing in Japanese character, they can rise again and continue their lives again. A common thing people believe that it is hard to adjust and experience fatal earthquake attacks but with them, no matter how big the disasters might be, through their cooperation and concern on one other they can uplift their lives and save many people. In reality, hoping those people who are affected, buried alive and trapped can already be found and rescued so that they can return to their families, dead or alive.

Blast in China mine kills dozens

2008-06-14T17:08:00.001+08:00

(Some miners escaped the blast)

An explosion at a coalmine in northern China has killed at least 27 miners with rescuers still working to free another seven people who are trapped.

A number of other miners either escaped or were rescued after the explosion on Friday morning in Shanxi Province.

China's coalmines are the deadliest in the world, with an average of 10 miners killed every day last year.

Elsewhere in Shanxi, a landslide buried a brick factory, killing 19 workers, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

More than 300 people and 20 bulldozers are being used in the rescue effort at the site, a mountain near Shang'an village, officials said.

Source: BBC News

Opinion: Blast in China mine kills dozens

The explosion in China is purely tragic for the families of the people who died and those who were injured. It is a common knowledge to everyone that all mines are hazardous, especially coalmines because of the presence of combustible substances: coal and gas. Being a miner is a very dangerous job for your health as well as welfare.The accident reinforces the importance of recognizing the potential hazards in underground coal mining, and the need for systematic safety and health vigilance.

It is horrifying to lose someone's life during their work, making efforts to dig and discover resources for their country to prosper. Miners should be admired by people despite that they are the kind of manpower who destroys the nature. It is difficult to imagine them stuck in underground with soil, seeking for help and assurance as well as thinking if they will survive or not.

The experience from the accident is very essential for mine companies to ensure the safety of their workers through researching more on the mechanisms they are using. They should provide more applicable and safe devices that cannot tend to harm the nature as well as their people. They should also be cautious and careful to check on the safety of the location so that as far as it follows, their would be less damage and safer mining activities.

Egypt bans 92-year-old's marriage

2008-06-14T16:57:00.001+08:00

(Egyptian law limits the age gap between spouses to 25 years)

The Egyptian authorities have banned a 92-year-old man from marrying a 17-year-old girl, the Egyptian al-Akhbar newspaper has reported.

The ministry of justice invoked a law which says the age gap between spouses should not exceed 25 years.

Egypt brought in the law prohibiting the marriage of elderly men to very young girls during the Gulf oil boom.

It was an effort to prevent wealthy men from the Gulf states seeking young poor brides from the Egyptian countryside.

Not much is known about the 92-year-old man who tried to marry an Egyptian girl of 17 except that he is an Arab from the Gulf.

An Egyptian justice official said by refusing to endorse their marriage it would now be impossible for the girl to travel abroad with her husband.

However, in special cases, the justice ministry does allow foreign men to marry Egyptian women more than 25 years their junior if they deposit a very large sum of money in the name of their wife at the Egyptian National Bank.

Both husband and wife also have to report in person to the ministry which checks their marriage is genuine to prevent any kind of trafficking in women.

According to the al-Akhbar newspaper, 173 such marriages were allowed in the past year after the foreign husband deposited a sum equivalent to about US $8,000 and was screened.

Source: BBC News, Frances Harrison

Opinion: Egypt bans 92-year-old' s marriage

Marriage is a very sacred and powerful thing between any man and women. It is the real fusion of a husband and wife who starts their new life and journey. As for the marriage of a 92-year-old and a 17-year-old, it was unethical for the Egyptians based on their marriage law that states regarding the span of 25 age gap of marriage.

As successors of eve, we are aware of our rights and desires as a woman and we are cautious of the age gaps in a relationship of a couple. We believe that the laws of marriage were made to safeguard and protect the rights of both men and women. Men who marry such young girls, at such an elderly age, are not thinking of the women they take in marriage, they are not protecting the rights of women and they are trying to twist the laws just to satisfy their welfare.

There are relationships that has a very long age gap in which they believe love means no boundaries, but as a conservative girl, it is our right to choose a male partner whom can do the duty as a husband and fulfill the any young girl's desires. He may die early in their marriage and left his wife a widow at a young age in which they will have a very short journey as a couple. If it is in the case that the old man is wealthy and the girl is poor, in most people's eye is that the old man takes advantage of the girls status and therefore is corrupting minors.

We take marriages not for our convenience but for the thought of our future. An important thing to ponder regarding marriage aside from loving each other is that they should consider their ages for the sake of their good and harmonious relationship. We must think rationally on the guidelines of a marriage or their expectations regarding it so that they can have a more time to know each other physically, emotionally, spiritually and intimately.

MS EXCEL: LEARNING ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTALS

2008-06-14T14:16:00.000+08:00

1.) Navigating the Microsoft Excel Program

2.) Activating and Selecting Cells
- A cell is the intersection of a column and a row.

To Activate a Cell

-> Click the cell you want to activate.

To Select a Range of Cells

-> Click the first cell that you want to select.
Drag the mouse to highlight the selected cells.

To Select Multiple Ranges

-> Click the first cell of the range.
Hold down the CTRL key, then drag to select the second cell or the range of cells.

To Select an Entire Column

-> Click the Column Heading of the column that you want to select.
Please CTRL + Spacebar to select the row in which the active cell belongs to.

To Select an Entire Row

-> Click the Row Heading of the row you want to select.
-> Press SHIFT + Spacebar to select the row in which the active cell belongs to.

3.) Creating a New Workbook
- A Blank Workbook is an empty workbook file with the default settings of Excel.

To Create a Blank Workbook

-> On the File Menu, click New. Click Blank Workbook on the New Workbook Task Pane,
-> Click the New Button on the Standard Toolbar.
-> Press CTRL + N.

To Create a Workbook Based on a Template

-> In the File Menu, click New.
->Choose General Template on the New Workbook Task Pane.
-> Click the Spreadsheet Solution Tab or the tab listing your custom templates.
-> Double-click the template for the workbook that you want to create.

4. Saving A Workbook
- A workbook file name can be as long as 255 characters, inclusive of spaces. A file name cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? “ < >

To Save a Workbook for the First Time

-> Click the Save Button on the Standard Toolbar.
-> On the File Menu, click Save.
-> Press CTRL + S.

To Save a Workbook Under a Different Name, File Type and/or Location

-> On the File Menu, click Save As.
-> Press F12

To Save Changes to a Workbook

-> Click the Save Button on the Standard Toolbar.
-> On the File Menu, click Save.
-> Press CTRL + S.

5.) Protecting a Workbook

To Protect a Workbook from Viewing

-> On the File Menu, click Save As.
-> Choose the Tools Menu, and then click General Options.
-> Type a password for Password to Modify.
-> Click OK.
-> Retype your Password to Modify for confirmation.
-> Click Save.

To Protect a Workbook from Editing

-> On the File Menu, click Save As.
-> Choose the Tools Menu, and then click General Options.
-> Type a Password for Password to Modify.
-> Click OK.
-> Retype your Password to Modify for confirmation.
-> Click Save.

6.) Locate a File

To Search for a Workbook File Containing a Specified Text

-> Click Search on the Standard Toolbar.
-> On the File Menu, click Search.
-> Choose Search on the Task Pane.

To Search for a Workbook File Based on One or More Properties

-> Click Search on the Standard Toolbar
-> On the File Menu, click Search.
-> Choose Search on the Task Panel.

7.) Getting Help
- Office Assistant is an animated character that appears on your screen and responds to your questions.

To Use of the Office Assistant

-> In the Help Menu, click Show Office Assistant.
-> Press F1.

To Change the Office Assistant

-> Right-click the Office Assistant.
-> Choose Choose Animate. The Office Assistant Dialog Box opens.
-> Click the Gallery Tab.
-> Click Back or Next to see other Office Assistants.
-> Click OK to change the Office Assistant Character, otherwise, click Cancel.

To Use the Ask Question Box

-> Click the Ask a Question Box on the Menu bar.
-> Type your question and press the Enter key.
-> Click one of the topics that encompasses your question (The Help Window displays the topic.)
-> Click the Help Window Close Button to close Help Window.