Basically when we hear this term, in Filipino, it is called ” sintunado” or ” singkopado “, but does we really know what tone deaf means?. For those who are in a group of singers like choirs and bands will definitely notice this problem. According to a research, Tone deafness is the lack of relative pitch, or the inability to discriminate between musical notes. It is also associated with hearing impairment that appears to be genetically influenced, though it can also result from brain damage. Tone-deafness runs in families, and estimates of how many people have the problem range from 4 to 17%. It is also associated with other musical-specific impairments such as inability to keep time with music (lack of rhythm), or the inability to remember or even recognize a song. These disabilities can appear more likely in tone deaf people. Do’nt be left behind. All you have to do is some piece of advice and a lot of training as well, with that, you will be soon be confident enough to sing your heart out, this time with the audience praising you for your good performance.

COMELEC has issued a new election schedule specially for those who will be aspiring for a position in the Government. According to COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, anyone is allowed to do their under oath for those who will be running for a party-list, local and national post. Here are the schedules;

November 20 -  Filing of COC’s ( Certificate of Candidacy )
February 9 – May 8, 2010 – Campaign period for Presidential, Vice- Presidential, Senators and Party list groups candidates
March 26 – May 8, 2010 – Campaign period for Congressional and Municipal Positions

Election day will be on May 10,2010  starting at 7:00 a.m. up to 6:00 p.m

Overseas Absentee voting was scheduled on April 10,2010 ( host country time) up  to 3:00 p.m.

0f May 10,2010 ( Filipino Time )

Good news! A ” Big Time Price Rollback ” was announced by Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. that gives P4.75 per liter for gasoline, P3.50 for diesel and P1.50 for kerosene. According to Unioil general manager Chito Medina-Cue Jr., the rollback was made to give motorists the lowest gasoline price in the market wherein all motorists, regardless if they are credit card or cash customers, will be given outright discounts on their products. The latest price cuts run counter to the usual market strategy of other oil firms of cross-subsidizing diesel prices by setting gasoline prices at much higher levels. Unioil’s Rollbacked products includes unleaded gasoline sold for P39.69 per liter; Quantum Premium Gasoline, P40.19; Regular unleaded, P39.41; E10, P39.44; Pure Diesel Plus, P31.04; and kerosene, P39.94.

A new regulation was released by the NTC or the National Telecommunications Comission to ban service providers from sending “push messages” and other forms of offerings to mobile phone subscribers. Under MC No. 03-03-2005A or the Rules and Regulations on Broadcast Messaging Service, it will prohibit the use of push messages to mobile phone subscribers such as sending promotional advertisements without NTC’s consent. This was after they received numerous complaints of deceitful and unwarranted text messages for which recipient subscribers were eventually charged. Those who will violate the said memorandum will be apprehended in accordance with the law. The new NTC circular will take effect 15 days after its publication.

Recruitment consultant Emmanuel S. Geslani said that Guam is in need of Construction Workers and Health Personnel for the relocation of 8,000 US Marines and their 15,000 dependents from Okinawa, Japan in 2012. There would also be a double patient capacity of the US Naval Hospital in Guam currently numbering 14,000. With that, they will be needing health workers as the relocation of the US Marines and their dependents will start in 2012. Aspiring Filipino nurses and doctors were advised to prepare by taking the necessary US exams like NCLEX, CGFNS, IELTS, and US Board certifications to be qualified for the job. Medical technicians in radiology, cardio labs, CT-Scan, occupational and physical therapists plus medical transcriptionists and medical administrative personnel will also be needed. This would all possible as Guam transforms itself into a major US military base in the Pacific.

Here are the list of the annual 10 Top Outstanding Students of the Philippines from different Universities nationwide.

1. Roger Flores – Philippine Military Academy
2. Miguel Antonio Garcia – University of  San Carlos
3. Aidel Paul Belamide – University of the Philippines-Los Baños
4. Ann Crusit – University of Bohol
5. Paul John Gesta – University of Cebu
6. Adrian Clarc Mundin – Ateneo de Manila University
7. Stacy Danika Alcantara - Silliman University
8. Stephen Alexeus Baltazar - University of San Carlos
9. Nicole Marie Villarojo – De La Salle University
10.Carlos Gerogalin Jr. – West Negros University

The Department of Health recently confirmed a total of 1,709 cases of A-H1N1 in RP as of June 27, but the good thing was, 1,485 patients have already recovered from that dreaded disease that means, only 14%was still undergoing treatment. DOH is anticipating more cases in the coming months that would institute effective mitigation measures to save lives and prevent deaths and to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our nation and the economy.

Diabetes is one of the leading cause of death in our country today. Most of the people suffered from this disease cannot afford to sustain proper medications like insulin intakes and supplements to maintain its sugar level. That’s why, Pharmaceutical company like the Sanofi-Aventis that launched a new program that aims to deliver diabetes medication at a lower cost to low-income Filipinos. Dubbed as “Innovation for Life,” it aims to to allow increased access to Lantus, an injectible insulin glargine medication that helps control blood sugar levels in the body. And were lucky enough to be the first country in the world where the program will be implemented. Lantus is injected only once a day as it releases insulin into the body over 24 hours. In the initial stages of Innovation for Life, the lowered-price Lantus vials will be made available to the patients of ISDF ( Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation ). Through this, thousands of low-income patients will benefit from the program. After ISDF, Innovation for Life may possibly be implemented in government and military hospitals.

Two soldiers were infected with the A(H1N1) Influenza virus as reported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Yesterday. According to AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, two of their Navy Personnels were infected of the said virus and sent home for 10 days self-quarantine. Brawner also suspected that the two soldiers got infected to their homes since they go out in weekends. Meanwhile, military top brass earlier ordered troops to take steps to prevent the spread of the swine flu virus. They also ordered to observe proper hygiene and as much as possible avoid close contact to avoid getting infected from the disease. the country has a total of 861 confirmed mild A(H1N1) cases with one related death based on its Friday Tally.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr. advised the public not to worry about the United Nations official’s warning of a possible magnitude-7 quake in Metro Manila. Solidum explained the scenario presented by UN official Arjun Kartoch was based on a worst-case scenario used for mapping out rescue plans. He also added that preparation is the proper response because there is no way to predict accurately when and where an earthquake would strike. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Arjun Kartoch. OCHA coordinates with the Philippine government through the NDCC to train local response groups and international organizations.

PNP chief Director General Jesus A. Verzosa will launch a crackdown to gun owners who failed to renew their licenses. They will be conducting a surprise visit to remind them of their responsibility to renew their license. Otherwise, they can surrender their firearms to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division. According to Officials, there were a total of 559,326 unrenewed firearms to date. Police patrols will be used to serve Notification Letters to negligent gun holders’ residences that will be followed by a House-to-house visits by policemen after. PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Leonardo A. Espina also said that more than half have expired licenses in an estimated total of 1.1 Million loose firearms. PNP’s “Kontra Boga” prescribes additional guidelines and procedures on the campaign against loose firearms. Under this, PNP shall conduct aggressive police operations targeting unlicensed firearms in the hands of threat groups and civilians.

Two of the Big oil players have increased again their gas and diesel prices by 50 centavos and kerosene price by P1 per liter effective today, June 16. According to Mr. Roberto Kanapi, Shell’s Vice President for communications, the increase is due to the continued rise in prices of oil in the world market. based on DOE’s monitoring, crude oil and petroleum products prices have increased for the past five consecutive weeks . This is another burden for those oil consumers as they were about to make another adjustment regarding their budget. It will also reflect the prices of basic commodities as days comer and this oil prices continues to boost up.

For those who wants to apply for a job, there will be a 3 – day Kalayaan 2009 Mega Job and Livelihood Fair which is the biggest job fair in the country’s history that was set in the celebration of the 111th anniversary of Philippine’s Independence. This will be held at the Luneta Park as the host for the said event. On June 12, Today, jobs will be offered by various government agencies looking for professionals or people who have civil service eligibility. On June 13, Private local companies, and on June 14, employers will offer overseas employment for Filipino workers. Secretary Marianito D. Roque of DOLE said that there will be a total of 271 government agencies, 436 overseas recruitment agencies and 761 local private employers who will participate in the said Mega job’s fair. For more information visit, http://phil-job.net.

PDEA had already released the result of their tests to the suspected energy drinks with traces of cocaine and it turned out to be negative. They have conducted series of test to the sample energy drinks as endorsed by the Bureau of Food and Drugs. Energy drinks like Red Bull Supreme, Sting, Ion, Power Gold, Bacchus, and Lipovitan brands are safe for public consumption and cocaine-free. Cemist conducted this tests after reports from Hong Kong and Thailand that some of their brands contains cocaine, a stimulant drug. Meanwhile, two other variants of Red Bull Supreme were subjected to undergo series of tests.

Globe Telecoms has extended the coverage of its breakthrough Duo service, that combines mobile and landline in one,these includes prepaid subscribers in Metro Manila and Cebu. Globe Duo is now available in prepaid in Metro Manila starting June 5 after it was introduced in Cebu last May 25. New Globe prepaid subscribers can get the special Duo prepaid SIM pack at only P45 to enjoy Globe Duo, after which they can experience the ultimate in unlimited mobile and landline calling within Metro Manila and Cebu for five days for just P125 and P350 for 14 days. It is now available in Globe Business Centers and partner retailers in Metro Manila and Cebu areas. Duo service is the first and only unlimited mobile and landline call service in the world, a 2-in-1 service that makes use of just one SIM so a subscriber gets to carry around just one mobile phone for all his calling needs.