Manny Pacquiao KO David Diaz

Manny Pacquiao win with a crushing knockout at 2:24 of the ninth round over WBC lightweight champion David Diaz at the Mandalay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. Congratulations Manny! Mabuhay!

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao started his professional boxing career in 1995 at 106 pounds (Light flyweight) at the age of 16 with his best friends namely Ryan Diwa, Joel Alconvidas, Erick Alcantara, Christopher Hernandez and James Linatoc. His early fights usually took place in small venues and were shown on Vintage Sports' Blow by Blow evening boxing show (hosted by John Ray Betita). His professional debut was a four-round bout against Edmund Ignacio on January 22, 1995, which Pacquiao won via decision, becoming an instant star of the program.

His weight increased from 106 to 113 pounds before losing in his 12th bout against Rustico Torrecampo via a third round technical knockout (TKO). As well-known sportscaster Joaquin "Quinito" Henson observed, Pacquiao clearly had not made weight, so he was forced to use heavier gloves than Torrecampo, thereby putting Pacquiao at a disadvantage.

Shortly after the Torrecampo fight, Pacquiao settled at 112 pounds, winning the WBC Flyweight title over Chatchai Sasakul in the eighth round only to lose it in his second defense against Medgoen Singsurat, or Medgoen 3K Battery, via a third round knockout on a bout held at Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Technically, Pacquiao lost the belt at the scales by surpassing the required weight of 112 lb (51 kg).

Following his loss to Singsurat, Pacquiao gained weight anew, this time stopping at the super bantamweight division of 122 lb (55 kg) where he picked up the WBC International Super Bantamweight title, defending it five times before his next world title fight came.

Pacquiao's big break came on June 23, 2001, against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao stepped into the fight as a late replacement and won the fight by technical knockout to become the IBF Super Bantamweight champion on a bout held at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. He defended this title four times and fought to a sixth round draw against Agapito Sanchez, in a bout which was stopped early after Pacquiao received a headbutt.

Department of Science and Technology

The Philippines' Department of Science and Technology (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya), abbreviated as the DOST, is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for the coordination of science and technology-related projects in the Philippines and to formulate policies and projects in the fields of science and technology in support of national development.

EXCELLENCE, RELEVANCE, COOPERATION and COST-EFFECTIVENESS

The logo of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) consists essentially of four circles joined together side by side to form a square. The circles symbolize unit particles, the building blocks of nature which are the subject and substance of science and technology.

The circle design gives an illusion of movement signifying progress through Science and Technology.

The space in the center of the joined circles forms a four-pointed star symbolic of scientific creativity.

The logo' s three-color scheme represents the unknown(black), truth and enlightenment (white) and progress (blue).

The logo's four circles represent the four guiding principles in our S&T development: EXCELLENCE, RELEVANCE, COOPERATION and COST-EFFECTIVENESS.

The DOST was formed as the National Science Development Board in 1958, during the administration of Carlos P. Garcia. It was originally mandated to survey the state of science and technology development in the Philippines at the time. By 1982, during the administration of Ferdinand Marcos, it became the National Science and Technology Authority, or NSTA.

In 1987, when Corazon Aquino rose to power and in a shake-up of the executive departments, the NSTA was elevated to cabinet-level status to become the present-day DOST to meet the demands of the burgeoning fields of science and technology and increased calls from various sectors of Philippine society for state intervention in the fields of science and technology for the sake of national development.

Philippine Science High School System

The Philippine Science High School System is a specialized public high school system in the Philippines that operates as an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology.

The PSHS System offers scholarships to Filipino students who are exceptionally gifted in the sciences and mathematics, "helping the country reach a critical mass of professionals in science and technology." Admission to the PSHS is by competitive examination only, and only Filipino citizens are eligible to attend. Graduates of the PSHS are bound by law to major in the pure & applied sciences, mathematics, or engineering upon entering college.

The school holds the highest percentage of entrance test passers in premiere colleges in the Philippines like the University of the Philippines (Batch 2008: ~97%) and the Ateneo de Manila University. Also, Philippine Science High School is known for its outstanding performance in bagging the top scholarships of these universities such as the Oblation and Intarmed Scholarships for University of the Philippines, Merit Scholarships and Director's List for Ateneo de Manila University, and Star Scholarships for De La Salle University.

PSHS also has two publications, namely The Science Scholar, and "Lagablab", where Pisay is definitely one of the national leaders and award baggers in competitions. However, Pisay is more known for its more than impressive performances in both national and international science, technology, and mathematics competitions, such as the Sipnayan, Kapnayan, Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge, Philippine Mathematics Olympiad, Pisikaalaman-Philippine Physics Olympiad, Philippine Chemistry Olympiad, Australian Mathematics Competition and Australian Chemistry Quiz. Through private funding, students enter, bring honor and successfully reap awards in the Taiwan International Science Fair and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair; and of course, the prestigious International Science Olympiads such as the International Math Olympiad, International Junior and Science Olympiad and International Physics Olympiad.

A movie has also been released in honor of Philippine Science. Entitled "Pisay", the movie has acclaimed not only national recognition, as it won Best Director in the 2007 Cinemalaya awards, but also international recognition as it was sent to the Toronto International Film Festival. "Pisay" was directed by an alumnus of the school, Aureus Solito.

UPCAT

The University of the Philippines College Admission Test is part of the admission requirements of the University of the Philippines System, administered to graduates of Philippine and foreign high schools. The UPCAT (pronounced "oop-cat") is considered to be one of the most competitive college entrance exams in the country.

A student must specify two campuses from the U.P. System's nine campuses, ordered according to preference. For each campus chosen, two degree programs must also be specified. UPCAT applications are processed according to the order of these preferences.

The top-ranked applicants (according to the UPG) based on the quota and cut-off grade of each campus are eligible to enter. For degree programs, different grade predictors are applied for each. Top-ranked qualifiers are accepted depending on the slots available in that program.

If one does not qualify for the two chosen campuses, the applicant's UPG might fall within other campuses' cut-off scores and, if slots are still available.

The five hour exam covers language proficiency, reading comprehension, mathematics, and science. UPCAT questions can be in English or Filipino. The UPCAT is usually held on a Saturday and Sunday in early August with two batches of examinations per day in the morning and in the afternoon.

UPCAT test centers are found in major schools throughout the Philippines, including the different UP campuses. Close to 30,000 applicants take the UPCAT in UP Diliman alone. Because of this, and that the campus is open and connected to major public roads, heavy traffic is expected at this time of year. Food stalls and other tiangges set up shop everywhere around the Diliman campus, especially the Academic Oval, to take advantage of the numerous parents and guardians that accompany and wait for the applicants taking the test.

Cabuyao

Cabuyao is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 205,376 Inhabitants (106,630 people in 22,552 households in census 2000).

Cabuyao is currently the fastest-growing municipality in Laguna, as evidenced with a large populace of migrants working in the town's industrial estates.

Nestlé Philippines, Asia Brewery, Inc. and Malayan Colleges Laguna are located in Cabuyao.

Cabuyao used to be named Tabuko, but this was misinterpreted by the Spaniards as Kabuyaw (named after a tree).

After the colonization of Manila by Miguel López de Legazpi in 1570, he instructed Capt. Juan de Salcedo to conquer all barangays around the lake of Ba-i, which is now called Laguna de Bay. Just like the settlement of Ba-i, Tabuko had large plain area and rich forestry and the climate was suited to farm crops. On January 16, 1571, it was announced by López de Legazpi that Tabuko be considered as encomienda or a town under Gaspar Ramirez.

The town of Tabuko was located near the corner of a river and the lake of Ba-i which was made bancas or raft as the common means of transportation going to the town of Tabuko. There were many trees of kabuyaw growing around the area. The fruit of kabuyaw was used as shampoo. So, when the priest asked for the name of the place, the native females readily answered "kabuyaw", thinking that the priest was asking for the name of the trees growing around the wharf. From then on, the priests and other Spanish officials called the town of Tabuko as Kabuyaw.

Charice Pempengco

A series of YouTube videos in 2007 brought Charice to the attention of Ten Songs Productions, a record company based in Sweden. On June 2007, she traveled to Stockholm, Sweden and recorded seven songs which were released digitally.

Another YouTube video performance of Jennifer Holliday's "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" brought Charice to the attention of South Korea's Seoul Broadcasting System to perform on a talent show called Star King on October 2007. Her performances were well-received, and she earned standing ovations in all of them.

On November 28, Charice' performance on Star King was featured on a The Ellen DeGeneres Show segment in which DeGeneres showed web videos of different people she wished would guest on the show. She later personally invited the young singer to perform. On December 19, Charice appeared on the show, performing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Will Always Love You." She received her first standing ovation from the American audience.

On April 8, 2008, Charice' first European appearance was in London's The Paul O'Grady Show where she performed the same two songs. She earned two standing ovations, the first one to receive since the show premiered according to O'Grady.

On April 26, Charice performed on the 36th Anniversary Awards Benefit Dinner of SIPA (Search to Involve Pilipino Americans) "The Future of Our Community" in Los Angeles, California.

On May 12, Charice appeared on Oprah and was featured on the episode entitled [[World's Smartest Kids]]. She performed Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" and received a standing ovation from Oprah and the audience. After her performance, an emotional Charice told Oprah, "I'm always dreaming that someday I can be a part of your show. I can’t believe I'm here standing with you. This is my dream come true."

On May 17, Charice performed on the grand opening of MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut with David Foster, Alicia Keys, Jamia Simone Nash, Nick Cannon, John Mayer, and Josh Groban among others. Charice received a standing ovation, the only performer to receive one that night, and therefore the first performer at the MGM Foxwoods to receive a standing ovation.

On May 23, Charice again performed this time on David Foster and Friends, a one-night tribute concert at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her performances of "I Have Nothing", "I Will Always Love You", and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" earned her again two standing ovations. The performers also included Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, and former American Idol finalists Katharine McPhee and Michael Johns. During the concert, David Foster praised Charice by saying, "A star is born tonight!".

Currently, Charice is in negotiations with Clive Davis for a contract and record deal.

Philippine nationality law

Philippine nationality law is currently based upon the principles of jus sanguinis and therefore descent from a parent who is a citizen/national of the Republic of the Philippines is the primary method of acquiring Philippine citizenship. Birth in the Philippines to foreign parents does not in itself confer Philippine citizenship, although RA9139, the Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000, does provide a path for administrative naturalization of certain aliens born on Philippine soil (Jus soli).

Belgium and France have similar provisions under their respective nationality laws.

Republic Act No. 9139, The Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000, provided an administrative route to naturalization for aliens 18 years of age or older, who had been born in the Philippines and had resided in the country since birth, and who meet certain other qualifying requirements.

John Hay Air Base

John Hay Air Base, more commonly known as Camp John Hay, was a major hill station located near Baguio City used for rest and recreation for personnel and dependents of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines as well as Department of Defense employees and their dependents. It was last run by the United States Air Force. While officially designated a communications station, the facility was mainly used for rest and recreation. The facility housed The American Residence as well as Broadcasting facilities of the Voice of America.

John Hay Air Base was established on October 25, 1903 after President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order setting aside land in Benguet for a military reservation under the United States Army. The reservation was named after Roosevelt's Secretary of State, John Milton Hay. For a time, elements of the 1st Battalion of the Philippine Division's 43d Infantry Regiment (PS) was stationed here. Prior to World War II, a number of buildings had been constructed on base, including a U.S. Army Hospital and the summer residence of the Governor-General of the Philippines, later to be known as The American Residence, which is now used as the summer house of the United States Ambassador to the Philippines.

Laguna

Laguna is a province in the Philippines. It is one of the most progressive, historical and cultural province in the Philippines.

Laguna lies on the southern shores of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. On the southern border of the province are Mt. Makiling (Maquiling) and Mt. Banahaw, both are long dormant volcanoes, but still sources of geothermal energy. Mt. Makiling is popular for the numerous hot spring resorts that are found on its slopes. Pagsanjan Falls, is a popular waterfall that tumbles down a deep gorge in the hills.

The eastern portion of Laguna straddles the southernmost portions of the Sierra Madre mountain range.

El Cielito Inn, Sta. Rosa Tagaytay Road, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Philippines, +632-837-2895 to 96. The El Cielito Inn, a member of the respected family of Philippine low-cost, high-quality inns, is conveniently located near the Convention Center and SM City. Best rates on official website start at US$40.

San Pablo City

San Pablo City is a city in Laguna in the Philippines. Maharlika Highway passes the outskirts of the town.

Sampaloc Lake is beautiful, almost in the city centre - good markets, great old church - nearby are the other 6 lakes, Villa Escudero (worth a visit), and Alaminos (on the main road about 7 km before San Pablo) which is the departure point for Hidden Valley springs (also worth a visit, even if rather expensive).

Get In to Baguio by Bus

From Manila

This is the most common and economical way to get to Baguio from Metro Manila. Several bus lines ply the Metro Manila to Baguio route with terminals scattered across the metro. It generally takes about 5 to 7 hours to get to Baguio by bus. An hour longer than it would by car due to stopovers along the way.

Victory Liner has hourly bus service to Baguio from its Monumento Main terminal in Caloocan City, Cubao (+632 727-4534) and Pasay (+632 833-5019 to 20) terminals. Buses are generally modern and air-conditioned but seats are sized generally for Filipinos and tall people would need to take advantage of the various stopovers to stretch their legs. Cost is just under 400 Pesos per person one way. A non-stop deluxe bus service is also available for 600 Pesos per person one way, snack is served during the trip.
Dagupan Bus, Edsa cor. New York St., Cubao, Quezon City, Tel. +632 929-6123, 928-5639, 727-2330, 727-2287. Also serves the Manila to Baguio route via its Cubao Terminal. Buses leave on an hourly basis.
From Clark airport

Partas Bus operates a bus service that stops at Clark airport and heads north from there, departing the airport at 5:00 PM. Get off at Sison (arrival there around 8:00 PM) and cross the road to the restaurant stop opposite and get on a Victory Liner bus that does a dinner stop there. The fare from Clark airport to Sison on Partas Bus is 193 pesos, then from there by Victory Liner to Baguio is an additional 90 pesos. Travel time is 3 hours Clark to Sison, then 1 1/2 hours Sison to Baguio, plus some waiting time at Sison.

Panglao Tropical Villas

Panglao Island, Bohol Philippines, Panglao Tropical Villas is Located on the Beautiful Island of Panglao, Bohol in the Philippines ... for a peaceful Bohol beach resort setting amid swaying palm trees and white sand beaches. If you are looking for a peaceful setting amid swaying palms and white sand beaches, retreat to Panglao Tropical Villas we are directly on the beach next to the pool for a great view of the Philippines sun set.
Guests can also enjoy a relaxing swim in the pool or beach. The Resort offers snorkeling, diveing, sailing, island hopping, and whale and dolphine and watching.

Angeles

Angeles City is in Pampanga province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. The city is rich in history and heritage, with old and historical significant buildings dotting its landscape, but these days it's perhaps best known for its notorious nightlife.

Angeles is a thriving city often compared to the Philippine capital and largest city, Manila. In 1899, it became the seat of the Philippine government under General Emilio Aguinaldo and the site of the first anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence.

The city is a booming nightlife center and tourist destination. Its capital, Balibago, is especially known for its bars and nightclubs, including what may well be the world's largest cluster of go-go bars. Adjoining Clark Freeport Zone is the site of world-class resorts, casinos, duty-free shops and beautifully landscaped golf courses. The city, and the rest of the Pampanga region, is known as the "Culinary Center of the Philippines."

Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef located in the Sulu Sea, 98 nautical miles (181 km) southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park.

Declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 1993, it is under protective management by the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND). It is under technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) & the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). It is administered as part of Cagayancillo town on Palawan. It is also nominated in the new 7 wonders of nature.

The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 km (5 miles) wide.

Over one thousand species can be found in the reef; many are already endangered species. Animal species found include manta rays, lionfish, pawikan or tortoise, clownfish, and sharks.

Aside from being a marine sanctuary, Tubbataha is also renowned for being a bird sanctuary. A lighthouse islet, at the southern tip of the South Atoll, supports a large number of seabirds which nest there. Around the Tubbataha, there are tens of thousands of masked red-foot boobies, terns, and frigate birds resting during their annual migrations. To minimize any external intrusions, the Philippine Coast Guard maintains a small monitoring station on one of the many permanent sand bars.

Tubbataha National Marine Park is truly a national treasure worth protecting.

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