Pinoy Blog Machine (Beta)

All occupational therapists are invited to the Occupational Therapy Association of the Philippines’ Annual Convention on March 29-30, 2008. This year’s theme is “Occupational Therapy in a World of Diversity.” The convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Clark Philippines, Mimosa Drive, Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark, Pampanga, Philippines.

Keynote Speaker
Chetwyn Che-hin Chan
BScOT (Alta), MSc(Hull), PhD(Alta), ABDA, PDOT(HK), OT(C)
Professor, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Registration Fees
Early Bird (on or before 8 March 2008)
Student Member - PhP 2,500
Life Member - PhP 3,000
Regular/Graduate/Technician Member - PhP 3,300
Non-member - PhP 4,000
Foreign Delegate - US$ 120

Regular/On-Site (after 8 March 2008)
Student Member - PhP 3,000
Life Member - PhP 3,500
Regular/Graduate/Technician Member - PhP 3,800
Non-member - PhP 4,500
Foreign Delegate - US$ 150

Registration fees include 4 snacks, 2 lunches, handouts and certificate of attendance.

For inquiries and registration, please contact Chare Carlos at Skill Builders Telephone # 63-2-536 7444, The Able Center Telephone # 63-2-895 5523 or send an email to otap_2008@yahoo.com.

Here is Kaba's segment during the auditions for America's Best Dance Crew.

The UP College of Education Reading Education Area cordially invites you to the Seminar-Workshop entitled Using Literature in Teaching Reading and the Content Areas presented by Manhit Institutes for Literacy Education Series in cooperation with the Philippine Dyslexia Foundation.

Morning Plenary will feature Dina Ocampo, PhD and Nemiah Hermosa, PhD. There will be afternoon demonstration lessons on Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Literature for different grade/year levels as well.

When & Where
Saturday March 8, 2008 8AM - 5 PM
Benitez Theater

Fees
Only limited slots are available. First come, first served.

Registration fee: Php 1,000 (inclusive of kit, lunch, snacks)
Reservation fee: Php 300 (non-refundable, deductible)

Call or text 0917-8581124/ 981-8500 loc. 2185, send an email to reading.diliman@gmail.com, or visit Room 200, Reading Department, College of Education, for more information.

For occupational therapists planning to migrate and work in Canada, the latest document released by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) titled “Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada: 2007” is a must read.  CAOT provides a brief description of this document.

In the fall of 2005, the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) launched a project to revise and update the Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada. This document is used by CAOT for many important activities, such as defining the national certification examination blueprint and expected outcomes of occupational therapy education for academic accreditation. The intent of the new Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada: 2007 (Practice Profile) is to reflect current evidence in the areas of competency and occupational therapy practice and integrate new information and models within a continuum of skills and knowledge needed by the occupational therapy workforce to meet health needs.

Download Profile of Occupational Therapy Practice in Canada: 2007 here.

Source: CAOT

“Sixty years after shedding the yoke of the British Empire,” The Irrawaddy’s Aung Zaw writes in the magazine’s January 2008 edition, “Burma is still colonized—by its own military generals. The fight for true independence is not over.”

Independence lost
Aung Zaw
Jan. 3, 2008

When Gen Sir Harry North Dalrymple Prendergast led his gunboats up the Irrawaddy River to Mandalay in November 1885, King Thibaw and his army were ill-equipped to defend the city, let alone protect the nation.

The last Burmese monarch, who was 28 years old and had hardly ever been outside the confines of his palace, was quickly shipped into exile. Burma, a country that had in its recent history expanded to conquer neighboring countries, had lost not only its king, but its independence.

Thibaw and his queen were quietly escorted onto the steamer Thooreah by British troops and sent to Rangoon. Burmese subjects were later shocked to learn that king had been captured and exiled by the British colonialists to Madras. He never returned.

To the British and Gen Prendergast, invading Mandalay was like picking fruit from a low-hanging tree. The locals, however, refused to condone the kidnapping and resentfully determined not to welcome the self-styled “deliverers from tyranny,” as the British liked to consider themselves.

King Thibaw was pathetically weak and had not been a visionary in any way—prior to the British invasion, he received bad press in the West. He was portrayed as a monster, a mass murderer who killed princes and princesses, a womanizer and a drunkard.

Newspapers in Rangoon financed by British merchants had often called for an invasion or annexation of upper Burma. The British colonizers sought regime change and Thibaw was deposed.

Thant Myint-U, the author of “The River of Lost Footsteps,” suggested that Mandalay was a stepping stone to unopened markets in Asia for the British merchants.

The Burmese historian wrote: “Years of British machinations had also produced a lively exiled opposition, and more than one of Thibaw’s brothers were plotting to overthrow him from beyond the kingdom’s borders. That Burma was a potentially rich country no one seemed to doubt, certainly not the increasingly vocal Scottish merchants in Rangoon, eager for unfettered access to the teak forests, oil wells, and ruby mines of the interior. What seemed even more tempting was the prospect of a back door to China’s limitless markets.”

Click here for rest of The Irrawaddy article that comprehensively chronicles Burma’s fight for true and complete independence, starting with the British occupation up to the present military junta lording over the country. The photo above, which the magazine published along with Aung Zaw’s story, shows British forces attacking the fort at Syriam in August 1824.

If the current administration gets away again with the national broadband network controversy, then it is almost sure to expect more alleged corrupt and brazen deals from the government in the near future. If all these alleged corrupt deals continue all the way to 2010--further damaging what are already weak institutions to begin with and at the expense of our democratic values and freedoms--what will be left for us by then?

And that is, if we are too optimistic--or maybe naive or even outright dumb--to think that Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo leaves by 2010. Granted she does that, she will make sure that the next president will not come from the opposition, but someone who will make sure that she--and her family and cabal of sycophant allies and supporters--be free from and get away with accountability.

One thing is sure: Arroyo has provided an instruction manual on how to do politics and run governance in this country. She, the epitome of the flawed elite political culture in this country, has shown future leaders the way how to run this country and how to keep oneself in power. The Reign of Greed (also the alternative English title for Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo) continues.

Below is the homily Fr. Manuel "Manoling" Francisco gave earlier today at the Thanksgiving Mass for Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada Jr., Senate witness in the alleged anomalous national broadband network (NBN) contract.

Reclaiming our Humanity
Mass For Jun Lozada Jr.
La Salle Gymnasium, Greenhills
Feb. 17, 2008

On this Second Sunday of Lent, during which we are asked to reflect on the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, I wish to touch on three themes that have to do with our moral transformation as a people: first, Ascertaining Credibility; second, Rediscovering our Humanity; and third, Witnessing to the Truth. In so doing, I hope to invite all of you to reflect more deeply on how we, as a nation, might respond to the present political crisis in which our identity and ethos, our convictions and integrity, in fact, who we are as a people, are at stake.

I. Ascertaining Credibility

Jun, as Sen. Miriam Santiago has grilled you to ascertain your credibility (or was it to undermine your credibility?), allow me to raise some important questions to consider in the very process of discerning your credibility. Allow me to do so by drawing on my own counseling experience.

Very often, a young rape victim initially suppresses his or her awful and painful story, indeed wills to forget it, in the hope that by forgetting, he or she can pretend it never happened. But very often, too, there comes a point when concealing the truth becomes unbearable, and the desperate attempts to supposedly preserve life and sanity become increasingly untenable.

At this point the victim of abuse decides to seek help. But even after having taken this step, the victim, devastated and confused, will tell his or her story with much hesitation and trepidation. It should be easy to imagine why. In telling the truth, one risks casting shame on himself or herself, subjecting oneself to intense scrutiny and skepticism, and jeopardizing one’s safety and those of his or her loved ones, especially when one dares to go up against an older or more powerful person.

Similarly, it is easy to imagine why Jun would initially refuse to challenge the might of Malacanang. Who in his or her right mind would accuse Malacanang of crimes against our people and implicate the First Family in a sordid tale of greed and corruption, knowing that by doing so, one endangers one’s life and the lives of his or her loved ones? We are, after all, living in dangerous times, where the government has not hesitated to use everything in its power to keep itself in power, where it has yet to explain and solve the numerous cases of extra-judicial killings.

But Jun is in his right mind. His story rings true especially in the face of the perils that he has had to face. And by his courage, Jun has also shown that it is not only that he is in his right mind; his heart is also in the right place.

Hence, my personal verdict: Jun, I believe that you are a credible witness. And if hundreds have gathered here this morning, it is probably because they also believe in you. Mga kapatid, naniniwala ba kayo kay Jun Lozada? Naniniwala ba kayo sa kanyang testimonya? Kung gayon, palakpakan po natin ang Probinsyanong Intsik, si Mr. Jun Lozada.

Jun, we hope that by our presence here, you may find some consolation. Pope Benedict XVI writes that “con-solatio” or consolation means “being with the other in his or her solitude, so that it ceases to be solitude.” Jun, be assured that your solitude is no longer isolation as we profess our solidarity with you. Hindi ka nag-iisa. We are committed to stay the course and to do our best to protect you and your family and the truth you have proclaimed.

II. Rediscovering our humanity

What makes Jun a credible witness to us?

I think Jun is credible not simply by virtue of his being an eyewitness to the unmitigated greed of some of our public officials. Perhaps more importantly, Jun is credible because he has witnessed to us what it means to be truly human.

Which leads me to my second theme: What does it mean to be human? How might we rediscover our humanity?

Allow me to quote Pope Benedict XVI, who in his latest encyclical, Spe Salvi, has written: “the capacity to accept suffering for the sake of goodness, truth and justice is an essential criterion of humanity, because if my own well-being and safety are ultimately more important than truth and justice, then the power of the stronger prevails, then violence and untruth reign supreme. Truth and justice must stand above my comfort and physical well-being, or else my life becomes a lie. . . For this … we need witnesses—martyrs …. We need them if we are to prefer goodness to comfort, even in the little choices we face each day.”

Our Holy Father concludes, “the capacity to suffer for the sake of the truth is the measure of humanity.”

Isn’t this the reason we emulate our martyrs: Jose Rizal, Gomburza, Evelio Javier, Macli-ing Dulag, Cesar Climaco and Ninoy Aquino? They have borne witness for us what it means to be truly human—to be able to suffer for the sake of others and for the sake of the truth.

I remember Cory recalling a conversation she had with Ninoy while they were in exile in Boston. Cory asked Ninoy what he thought might happen to him once he set foot in Manila. Ninoy said there were three possibilities: one, that he would be rearrested and detained once more in Fort Bonifacio; two, that he would be held under house arrest; and three, that he would be assassinated.

“Then why go home?” Cory asked.

To which Ninoy answered: “Because I cannot allow myself to die a senseless death, such as being run over by a taxi cab in New York. I have to go home and convince Ferdinand Marcos to set our people free.”

Witnessing to one’s deepest convictions, notwithstanding the consequences, is the measure of our humanity. Proclaiming the truth to others, whatever the cost, is the mark of authentic humanity.

Jun, we know you have feared for your life and continue to do so. But in transcending your fears for yourself and your family, you have reclaimed your humanity. And your courage and humility, despite harassment and calumniation by government forces, embolden us to retrieve and reclaim our humanity tarnished by our cowardice and complicity with sin in the world. You have inspired us to be true to ourselves and to submit to and serve the truth that transcends all of us.

III. Witnessing to the truth

This leads us to our third and last theme: witnessing to the truth. In his encyclical, Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII exhorts that it is the fundamental duty of the government to uphold the truth: “A political society is to be considered well-ordered, beneficial and in keeping with human dignity if it grounded on truth.” Moreover, the encyclical explains that unless a society is anchored on the truth, there can be no authentic justice, charity and freedom.

Every government is therefore obliged to serve the truth if it is to truly serve the people. Its moral credibility and authority over a people is based on the extent of its defense of and submission to the truth. Insofar as a government is remiss in upholding the truth, insofar as a government actively suppresses the truth, it loses its authority vested upon it by the people.

At this juncture, allow me to raise a delicate question: At what point does an administration lose its moral authority over its constituents?

First, a clear tipping point is the surfacing of hard evidence signifying undeniable complicity of certain government officials in corruption and injustice, evidence that can be substantiated in court.

Hence, during the Marcos Regime, the manipulation of Snap Election results as attested to by the tabulators who walked out of the PICC was clear evidence of the administration’s disregard for and manipulation of the collective will of the people in order to remain in power..

During the Erap Administration, the testimony of Clarissa Ocampo, claiming that Pres. Erap had falsified Equitable Bank documents by signing as Jose Velarde, was the smoking gun that triggered the rage of our people.

Allow me to respond to the same question by pursue an alternative track of argument: an administration loses it moral authority over its people when it fails in its fundamental duty to uphold the truth, when it is constituted by an ethos of falsehood. When a pattern of negligence in investigating the truth, suppressing the truth and harassing those who proclaim the truth is reasonably established, then a government, in principle, loses its right to rule over and represent the people.

Regarding negligence: Do the unresolved cases, such as the the failed automation of the national elections, the fertilizer scam, the extra-judicial killings, and the “Hello, Garci” scandal, constitute negligence on the part of the GMA Administartion to probe and ferret out the truth?

Regarding covering-up the truth: Does the abduction of Jun Lozada and the twisting and manipulation of his narrative by Malacanang’s minions constitute concealment of the truth? Was the padlocking of the office of Asst. Gov’t Counsel Gonzales who testified before the Senate regarding the North Rail project anomaly an instance of covering-up the truth?

Regarding the suppression of the truth: Does the issuance and implementation of E.O. 464, which prevents government officals from testifying in Senate hearings without Malacanang’s permission, constitute suppression of the truth? Was the prevention of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Senga and six other officers from testifying before the Senate with regard the “Hello, Garci” scandal tantamount to a suppression of the truth? Was disallowing Brig. Gen. Quevedo, Lt. Col Capuyan and Lt. Col. Sumayo from appearing before the Lower House an instance of hindering the truth from surfacing?

And regarding harassment of those who proclaim the truth: Are the abduction of Jun Lozada and the decision to court-marshall Gen. Gudani and Col. Balutan for disregarding Malacanang’s order not to testify before the Senate examples of punishing those who come forth to tell the truth?

By conflating one’s responses to all these questions does one arrive not at hard evidence showing culpapility on the part of some government officials, but a ghestalt, an image which nonetheless demands our assessment and judgment. I invite all of you then to consider these two methods of evaluating and judging the moral credibility of any government, the moral credibility of our present government.

Allow me to end with a few words about an Ignatian virtue, familiaritas cum Deo. To become familiar with God involves the illumination of the intellect, coming to know who God is and what God wills. But it also involves the conversion of the affect, the reconfiguration of the heart. Becoming familiar with God entails trasforming and conforming my thinking, my feeling and my doing in accordance to the Lord’s, which can only be the work of grace.

Familiarity with God thus entail rejoicing in what God delights—the truth; abhoring what God detests—falsehood; being pained by what breaks the heart of God—the persecution of truth-seekers. Familiary with God means sharing the passion of God for the truth and the pathos of God whenever the truth and the bearers of truth are overcome by the forces of the lie.

On this Second Sunday of Lent, as we contemplate the transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Horeb, we pray that our hearts and minds be so transfigured and so conformed to the mind, heart and will of the Jesus, our way, our life, and our truth.

May the Lord bless and protect you, Jun, and your family. May the Lord bless and guide us all into the way of truth. Amen.

Black and White Movement posted this statement from convener Vicente "Enteng" Romano III two days ago:

Lesser Evil No More
Black and White Movement
Feb. 15, 2008

There is a story going around about how Secretary Ermita was fuming mad at Mike Defensor. The budgeted hush money for a scandal of this scale was P5.0M. And so, the story goes, the envelop was passed from Ed to Mike. But as the money exchanged hands through the bureaucracy, only P50,000 reached the intended recipient – Jun Lozada.

This would be a rather amusing story were it not reflective of the pervasive culture of corruption that Lozada has vividly detailed. It is more than just dysfunctional. It is naked greed abetted by grave abuse of power.

Another facet of this regime’s evil persona is its human rights record, with hundreds of unresolved killings and disappearances. The public couldn’t care less. In their minds, the disappeared are just “communists”. But then, Lozada’s kidnapping drama brought to life an otherwise staid statistic of the disappearances and killings. The whole nation saw how the full force of the state’s resources was mobilized, first – to prevent Lozada from testifying, and later – to cover-up its criminal acts. Brazen and shameless, the snatching of Jun Lozada was carried out with Mafia-like impunity.

Read more here.

Meanwhile, the government has warned media organizations against airing the "Hello, Garci" tapes. The warning came after the Supreme Court ruled that government warnings to media against airing the controversial recordings is a form of prior restraint.

Ghosts are slowly coming back to haunt this government anew. "In the face of lies, someone has to insist on the truth. In the face of impunity, someone has to insist on accountability," the Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial said yesterday . "In the face of a growing conspiracy to use our institutions to isolate the citizenry and keep each Filipino feeling powerless, it is incumbent on every Filipino to declare, 'Bring it on!'"

It has been 9 years ago since I engaged myself into web development. Eight years ago, I was introduced to PERL programming and started to appreciate how the web can dynamically process information at a real time speed. Five years ago, PHP hit the scene and gave us a wider view on how powerful the web can be in terms of data processing, storage and presentation. Two years ago, AJAX hit the scene. Again, the web proved its power by showing us a more dynamic application of its technology through AJAX.

The web is improving every day. And each day, new applications are developed for the Web. I have encountered one application called MerchantOS. It's a web-based point of sale system. The concept behind this MerchantOS service is to provide an easy way of managing the sales of your establishments. Instead of buying expensive custom made POS System applications, the web-based pos can be a good alternative.

Who knows, there will be more technologies that can be developed in the web. I have tried developing my own POS system before using ajax. The application I developed was functional but it can't compete yet with the commercially available POS. My AJAX skills during that time was still premature as well.

Developers from Google even made office applications available in the web. Who knows, maybe voice recognition, biometrics and other applications may be available in the web in the near future.

The 13th Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists Scientific Meeting will be held in Tokyo from October 30th to November 2. This year’s theme is: Recent Changes in Pacific Rim Psychiatry: Evolution of Multicultural / Multidisciplinary Mental Health.

Venue
Toshi Center Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
2-4-1 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0093, Japan
http://www.toshicenter.co.jp/e

Key Deadlines
Abstract Submission - April 20, 2008
Notification of Acceptance - July 31, 2008
Early-Bird Registration - August 31, 2008
Pre-registration - September 30, 2008 (*After October 1, 2008, please register on-site.)

The participation fee for allied medical professions is discounted. Any OT, especially from Asean Region, who is interested in attending the conference, is appreciated to contact with Noriko Tomioka at ntomiok@ybb.ne.jp.

For more information, click here.

Yes, I know after a month or so, this is my second PhotoHunt entry and the theme for this week is free. I keep on forgetting the theme for each week, that's why I keep skipping each saturday. :( Im lame. 

For more info on the mechanics of photohunt go here.

There is a recent article in the New York Times which featured occupational therapist Jodi Levin. The article “Coaching the Comeback” written by Jan Hoffman has successfully captured the true essence of occupational therapy. This is a good article to recommend to people who are still clueless on what the field of occupational therapy is all about.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Ms. Levin, 28, has worked on the brain injury unit here for six years. Daily, she confronts the fallout from behavior that has been reckless or cruel, with injuries caused by drug overdoses, drunken drivers and drive-by shootings. Many of her patients have had strokes or brain tumors. She has also treated Iraq war veterans, who are now trickling into nonmilitary facilities like Kessler largely because of the persistence of their relatives.

Her treatment plans adjust to the serendipity or horror of a split second: a hit during a football game, a slip on an icy patch, a veering car. Annually in America, there are 1.5 million traumatic brain injuries, a category that includes external blows to the head but excludes damage caused by illness.

The extent of destruction to a brain, the possibility of recovery for each patient, hinges on so much — and so little. Ms. Levin’s definition of optimism for one patient may be regaining the ability to drive. For another, it may be the ability to blink in assent.

Read more »

Wanna hook up with Kaba on MySpace? Check these out:

• Kaba Modern: http://www.myspace.com/kabamodern
• Cindy Minowa: http://www.myspace.com/dancindiva825
• Lawrence Kao: http://www.myspace.com/lawrencekao
• Mike Song: http://www.myspace.com/mrsong
• Tony Tran: http://www.myspace.com/nonstoptones
• Yuri Tag: http://www.myspace.com/tagalicious

Anyone know Jia Huang's MySpace?

This one is my favorite. Kaba Modern at the 2007 Hip-Hop International Finals where they took second place! It doesn't get any better than this!

1st was Eclectic from Trinidad & Tobago
2nd Kaba Modern from USA
3rd Philippine All-Stars from well, The Philippines

Enjoy!

Here is another awesome performance by Kaba at Fusion 8.

Fusion 8th Annual Hip Hop Competition
April 15, 2007 @ UCSD Rimac Arena

Does anyone know the song list and who choreographed these dances?

Here is a performance from KB from a few years ago at Vibe 10. This particular clip is one of the most viewed Kaba Modern videos on YouTube and is copied by many dance crews in the US and internationally!

Imitation is the best source of flattery... they say!

Here is the song and choreographer list:

• Christina Millian-"Whatever You Want" (Alex Nguyen/Jia Huang)
• PCD-"Dont Cha" (Cindy Minowa/Mary Neville)
• JT-"Take it From Here" (Cio Malonzo)
• Michael Jackson-"Off the Wall" (Len Ignacio)
• Snoop Doog ft. Pharell-"Drop it Like Its Hot" (Ben Chung)
• Monica ft. Dirtbag-"Set it Off" (Cio Malonzo)

Welcome to the unofficial Kaba Modern blog! We'll post videos, photos and updates on the dance group Kaba Modern.

About the Workshop
Parents strive to be the best advocates they can for their child, but understanding the child’s rights under the ever-changing laws and regulations in special education can be challenging. Parents and professionals are invited to participate in a comprehensive workshop designed to familiarize participants with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and how to secure appropriate special education and related services.

Topics to be covered include:

• Special Education Laws and Regulations: an overview of IDEA, FAPE, LRE and IEP;
• The IEP Process: learn how to create a comprehensive education plan and identify appropriate and meaningful goals;
  Advocacy Techniques: discover successful negotiation, preparation and organization strategies, and ways to handle conflicts with your school district;
• Due Process and Pendency Proceedings: learn about the procedure of appealing an inappropriate placement and what rights your child has during pendency;
• Assessment and Evaluations: understand the different evaluation procedures, discover which tests are meaningful and why, and how they become critical to sustaining burdens of proving appropriateness;
• Additional Legal Considerations: learn about special areas such as estate and financial planning, guardianships and supplemental needs trusts.
• Mock CSE Meeting: participants will be given the opportunity to take part in a staged CSE meeting to learn effective techniques and ways to avoid common pitfalls.

Presenters
Sheryl Frishman, Esq.
Jill Faber, Esq.

When & Where
Friday, 14 March 2008
Greenville Community Church
270 Ardsley Road, Scarsdale, NY
9:00 am to 5:00 pm 
Registration begins at 8:30 AM.

Course Fees
Members - $25
Non-Members - $75

Lunch is included. Workshop is limited to only 50 participants early reservation is encouraged.

You may download the registration form here.

Source: Navigating the Spectrum

I'm feeling adventurous so I didn't bought a direct Manila-Iloilo-Manila ticket. Alternatively, I booked a flight to Roxas City, Capiz via Philippine Airlines which will leave 5:30 am tomorrow. It would just be a 1 hour flight so I expect to be out of the airport before 6:00 am. Roxas City is dubbed as the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines" but I don't expect to eat seafood that early in the morning. It will be my 4th or 5th time to visit Roxas City so I don't anymore plan to go sightseeing. I just plan to have my breakfast in a local restaurant and I will be off to my father's town in Dingle, Iloilo for a good 2 hrs. van/bus ride.

If I only book a direct Manila-Iloilo ticket I'll expect somebody to fetch me at the Iloilo Airport. I specifically directed my dad not to fetch me anymore because he doesn't know that I will be coming from Capiz.

The party for my grandfather will be in the afternoon so I have time to spare for my Capiz-Iloilo solo roadtrip. It is also time for meeting distant relatives for the first time. I expect that it would be a fiesta-scale of people attending from the afternoon 'til the evening as I heard that they ordered two lechon baboy. It would not be an ordinary party as what my tita told me because she ordered 100 sets of invitation and giveaways here in Manila.

My return flight would be at 5:20 pm the next day via Philippine Airlines also but this this I will be more practical so I will be departing from Iloilo. I don't know if I still have the time to go to Iloilo City to buy pasalubong for my friends and officemates.

A

I haven't been out on a date during Valentine's Day, believe it or not. I’d rather stay home and watch movies and eat ice cream with the person, I don’t know, I find it embarrassing the same way I find carrying a bouquet of flowers embarrassing. LOL. What a weird huh? Back in school, I would always hate those who’d give me flowers (not that I was always given one, but I think it’s the lack of flower givers that made me feel awkward every time I got one) cus the bouquets are big and I can’t figure out a way to exit school premises without people noticing it. Also, I. AM. NOT. DEAD. So don’t give me flowers, give me chocolates instead, that’s what I’d always say. I’m not against Valentine’s though, plus it’s Kris Aquino’s birthday, another reason to celebrate it more. LOL. I don’t think lover and I have any plans for tonight…beer? No? I know we're alone, it sucks. 

For those who have dates and/or a couple, have fun tonight, I hope you made reservations cus waiting in line outside a resto is not fun. Also leave early, cus traffic is awesome in the Philippines, didn't you know? You know what else ain't fun? If your date stood you up. Bah.  Got someone in mind? Well, HURRY. THE. FUCK. UP. and ask her/him already, what are you doing here reading? Did I not tell you about the restos being full and the awesome traffic? But then again, there's tomorrow or the day after, which is NOT V day anymore! What no date? Don't be bitter, you'll get one next year.

A text message I got this morning : Love with all your heart and accept the unlovable side of others. Anyone can love a rose, but very few and only a great heart can include the thorns. WHAT A GAY.

HAPPY HEARTS DAY EVERYONE!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all our readers! For fellow therapists who have children, the following are Valentine’s Day tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). These tips were also featured in ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners website.

• Use plenty of positive words with your child. Try to avoid using sarcasm with your child. They often don’t understand it, and if they do, it creates a negative interaction.
• Respond promptly and lovingly to your child’s physical and emotional needs and banish put-downs from your parenting vocabulary.
• Make an extra effort to set a good example at home and in public. Use words like “I’m sorry,” “please,” and “thank you.”
• When your child is angry, argumentative or in a bad mood, give him a hug, cuddle, pat, secret sign or other gesture of affection he favors and talk with him about his feelings.
• Use non-violent forms of discipline. Parents should institute both rewards and restrictions many years before adolescence to help prevent trouble during the teenage years. Allowing children of any age to constantly break important rules without being disciplined only encourages more rule violations.
• Make plans to spend time alone with your young child or teen doing something she enjoys.
• Mark family game nights on your calendar so the entire family can be together. Put a different family member’s name under each date, and have that person choose which game will be played that evening.
• Owning a pet can make children, especially those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, feel better by stimulating physical activity, enhancing their overall attitude, and offering constant companionship.
• One of the best ways to familiarize your child with good food choices is to encourage him to cook with you. Let him get involved in the entire process, from planning the menus to shopping for ingredients to the actual food preparation and its serving.
• As your child grows up, she’ll spend most of her time developing and refining a variety of skills and abilities in all areas of her life. You should help her as much as possible by encouraging her and providing the equipment and instruction she needs.
• Your child’s health depends significantly on the care and guidance you offer during his early years.  By taking your child to the doctor regularly for consultations, keeping him safe from accidents, providing a nutritious diet, and encouraging exercise throughout childhood, you help protect and strengthen his body.
• Help your child foster positive relationships with friends, siblings and members of the community.
• One of your most important gifts as a parent is to help your child develop self-esteem. Your child needs your steady support and encouragement to discover his strengths. He needs you to believe in him as he learns to believe in himself. Loving him, spending time with him, listening to him and praising his accomplishments are all part of this process.
• Don’t forget to say, “I love you” to children of all ages!

Source:  AAP

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. ~ Mother Teresa

Christmas may be long over but Valentines’ Day is definitely just around the corner. If you are wondering what to give your loved ones on this special day, physiotherapists from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have come up with a guide on the ‘healthiest’ gadgets, designed to help get the most out of your presents.

Research shows the average person will spend £419 on presents this year and it is gadgets like MP3 players, mobile phones and games consoles that will feature strongly on many wish lists. The great news is many of these gadgets can also be used to help you get into shape.

MP3 players are excellent for providing extra motivation to be physically more active and can make activities like brisk walking pleasurable. Games consoles have the potential to offer a workout by enabling users to simulate physical activity and there are even easy exercises to do whilst watching commercial breaks on the high definition television.

Download the CSP tips here for other great ideas.

Calling all fellow travelers!

The 15th edition of the Travel Tour Expo being organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City from Feb. 15 to 17, 2008. It will be the biggest event for the travel and tourism industry here in the Philippines this year. There will be over 150 participating companies which include airlines, hotels, foreign tourist organizations, resorts and of course tour operators occupying more than 300 booths.

Exhibition Hours:

15 February - Friday
10 AM - 8 PM

16 February - Saturday
10 AM - 9 PM

17 February - Sunday
10 AM - 8 PM

Here are the names of the examinees who topped the recent licensure exams for physical and occupational therapists held earlier this month.

TOP 10 PHYSICAL THERAPISTS EXAMINEES
1. Aldwin Galang Gregorio, Mariano Marcos State University-Batac — 84.10%

2. Minerva Zaniebeth Agudon Gomez, University of the Philippines-Manila — 83.80%

3. Mary Acelle Gonzales Garcia, University of the Philippines-Manila — 83.50%
Suzanne Marie Quidayan Ilagan, University of the Philippines-Manila — 83.50%

4. Sheila Marie Lampa Laurido, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center — 82.55%

5. Rosary Ocampo Moscoso, Pines City College (Pcec) — 82.20%

6. Ciari Aileen Lamosa Ribleza, University of the Philippines-Manila — 82.10%
Khristin Tamayo Sanico, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Health Science Campus — 82.10%

7. Shaena Mae Sazon Gonzalez, University of the Philippines-Manila — 81.90%
Madelaine Alcantara Yulo, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Health Science Campus — 81.90%

8. Hayley Chua Go, Cebu Doctors’ University — 81.80%

9. Gregorio Tercero Soriano, Dorado University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center — 81.75%

10. Lawrence Emmanuel Prado Perlas, Iloilo Doctors’ College — 81.55%

TOP 5 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EXAMINEES
1. Ma Louise Marquez Laceda, University of Santo Tomas — 80.80%

2. Winlove Lovije Alzola, Perpetual Help College of Manila — 79.80%

Angelica Perez Yanga, University of the Philippines- Manila — 79.80%

3. Everjane Talattad Espiritu, Perpetual Help College of Manila — 79.60%

4. Dwight Ivan Guilambo Bautista, University of the Philippines – Manila –79.40%

5. Mary Jane Aldacan Emong, Emilio Aguinaldo College-Manila — 79.00%

Congratulations to all our successful examinees!

Source: Inquirer.net