Miss Philippines Earth Pageant Show was held  at the Grand Ballroom Crown Plaza Galleria last night and was hosted by Rafael Rosell, Nikki Gil, and Ginger Conejero.  The Miss Philippines Earth 2008 title got by Karla Paula G. Henry  from Cebu City. Other major awards listed below :

Miss Philippines EcoTourism 2008 - Maria Venus B. Raj (Legazpi City)
Miss Philippines Fire 2008 - Ma. Kristelle M. Lazaro (Municipality of Candaba)
Miss Philippines Water 2008 - Marian Michelle T. Oblea (Municipality of Obando)
Miss Philippines Air 2008 - Marie Razel T. Eguia (Dipolog City)
Miss PAGCOR International Tourism Ambassadress - Melanie Felix

Special Awards:
Miss Congeniality - Jaydielou B. Dilidili
Miss Photogenic - Nikki A. Martin
Best in Talent - Marian Michelle T. Oblea
Best in Cultural Attire - Ma. Kristelle M. Lazaro
Best in Long Gown - Marian Michelle T. Oblea
Best in Swimsuit - Nikki A. Martin

After the successful event at SM Mall of Asia, The next stop of team PLDT myDSL Unlimited Plan 990  is Greenhills Promenade. So, if you want to catch and see hottest drift cars in the country accompanied with hottest babes free the date May 24, 2008 on your calendar and head up to Greenhills.

Since she released her third album last October 2007, Vanessa Carlton continues to promote some of her new songs included on the Heroes and Thieves album. Her latest and second single entitled ‘Hands on Me” came strong on US Billboard and other music charts across the globe.

Her fans in the Philippines will be happy to see her perform live at TriNoma Mall in Quezon City on May 9, 2008 - 7PM. Do check her out!

They are the band that made the popular songs like Jenny and Empty from the album Modern Minds and Pastimes that was released last year. 

The month of May will be a very busy  month for the band as they will be performing live on different countries here in Asia which includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines. The band will be performing live in Manila on May 30, 2008 with the following ticket prices at P3,675, P2,940, P1,890, P1,260, P840, P420. Contact ticketnet at call 911-5555

The Aliwan Festival 2008 was held here in Manila from May 1 to 3, 2008. Official list of participants include:

1. Pakalog sa Pasig
2. Pangisdaan - Navotas
3. Panagbenga - Baguio
4. Lang-ay - Bontoc
5. Pamulinawen - Laoag
6. Gakit - Angadanan, Isabela
7. Desposorio - Hagonoy, Bulacan
8. Boling Boling - Catanauan, Quezon Province
9. Peñafrancia Voyadores and Pilgrims Festival - Naga
10. Pintaflores - San Carlos , Negros Occidental
11. Saad - Leganes, Iloilo Province
12 Dinagyang - Iloilo City
13. Halad - Midsayap
14. Sinulog - Cebu City
15. Sinulog sa Carmen - Carmen, Cebu
16. Alikaraw - Hilongos, Leyte
17 Buyogan - Abuyog, Leyte
18 Bakhawan - Zamboanga Sibugay
19. Shariff Kabunsuan Festival - Cotabato City
20. Meguyaya - Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan
21. Kang’Gelal - Sultan Kudarat
22. Buklod - Parang Maguindanao
23. Kalilintad - Mamasapano, Maguindanao
24. Lami Lamihan - Lamitan Basilan
25. Kasag Festival - Banate, Iloilo
26. Kadayawan - Davao City
27. Zamboanga Hermosa - Zamboanga City

by: Russet

H-E-R-O… sinong hero? Hero Bautista? Bayani Casimiro or Bayani Agbayani? Lemme check… (press shift+F7).. hmm… the word hero means a “brave man” or an “idol”.. ah.. idol.. si April Boy! (ngek!)… baka yung tinatawag nilang “the wind beneath my wings”… (is that another typhoon coming?)

So, why this article about “hero”? Well, for your information, on the 25th day of this month of August, we celebrate National Heroes Day. Or do we really celebrate it?

With over three hundred years of Spanish colonization, followed by American invasion then Japanese occupation, our history have shown how the Philippines have been subjected to a lot of battles and have resulted to a long list of “heroes” for this country. Indeed, many may have tried to conquer this group of islands in the Far East, but sadly, they all had to confront the strong opposition of its people.

The words from our very own National Anthem — “Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo” - clearly speak of how our forefathers would compromise their lives for our beloved country. Who would ever forget the aggressiveness of Lapu-lapu, Sultan Kudarat, Andres Bonifacio, Diego Silang and his wife Gabriela, Emilio Jacinto, or the strength Rajah Soliman, Jose Ma. Panganiban, Francisco Dagohoy in leading their people, or the mighty pens of Jose Rizal, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo del Pilar, Mariano Ponce and Leona Florentino, and the brain power of Apolinario Mabini, notwithstanding physical disability? Or have you forgotten?

And even the more recent events like the First Quarter Storm, the two-part Edsa Revolutions, can prove that we are a people who want to enjoy the blessings of independence and freedom, and convinced that, as Ninoy Aquino said, “the Filipino is worth dying for”.

But, to many of us, this special day seems to be long forgotten. And for those who remember, we simply give a cold treatment. How pathetic that in this new millennium, a lot of our countrymen would care less to remember our rich history and the gallantry of our ancestors.

It cannot be helped though. With majority of the Filipinos hardly making both ends meet, with political warfare entering the statuesque walls of Congress, with the Peso-Dollar rate still standing at the P50/$1 level, and budget deficit ballooning, many of us are too much pre-occupied with the battle for survival.

So, we now ask, is it still worthy for us to celebrate National Heroes Day in this time and age? And whom do we consider “heroes” then?

Our country has truly evolved throughout the years, and with this goes the broader meaning for the word “hero”. It does not only connote those “Filipinos who died for this country” but has likewise include “living” Filipinos who have touched lives in their simple ways and have shared their little acts of kindness to give hope for this country.

It could be your neighbor who would offer to give you a ride every morning to work; or the postman, who tirelessly delivered your mails throughout these years (despite the preference for emails nowadays); or the “taho” vendor whom you would wait every morning from your childhood days; or your teacher who is so dedicated to impart knowledge to you (even with meager income they receive); or your classmate who would supply you with a piece of paper during surprise quizzes or share his “baon” with you; or the school’s janitor who would tirelessly clean the floors of your classroom each day; or the garbage collector who would pick up your trash without complain; or your officemate who would wait for you during lunch breaks so you have someone to share your stories with….. the list could go on… and on….

And if only we can stop for a while to care about what is happening around us, if we could only be a bit optimistic, if we can only be a little grateful for all those help we have received from others, then we would surely realize that we are surrounded by so many “heroes” for us to make it through yet another day.

Definitely, we still need to commemorate our National Heroes Day this August. But let us not only think of our forefathers who shed blood for the freedom we now enjoy. We must give time to thank those people who continue to provide us with the inspiration and hope that our country is indeed a better place to live in - those “living heroes” in our respective lives.

So, together with this little celebration, let us also find ways to be “heroes” to others. As that fave song goes.. (ehem.. ehem.. akina ang mic) “there’s a hero, if you look inside your heart, you don’t have to be afraid of who you are..”

Undeniably, this country deserves every heroic deed we can do. Now I ask, can you be my hero?

This month in the Past
August 23, 1896 - The Cry of Pugad Lawin
August 30, 1896 - First Major Battle of Pinaglabanan
August 31, 1896 - The Start of the Philippine Revolution in Cavite