{E} BLOG ADVISORY: (Dec. 29, 2012)

This is to inform my blog readers that the URL of this blog has been changed from joeunderprocess.blogspot.com to joeco0327.blogspot.com.

If you happen to visit the former address, all you can see is this:

Meaning, the former address has become a dead link. No automatic redirects.


Why the change?
Main purpose: To have consistency with my usernames in all my online accounts.
For more details, see "Major change in my online accounts" post.

And as the year 2012 ends, I take this chance to say THANK YOU for patronizing my blog and the posts in it.

One of my wildest dreams, which is reaching every people, regardless of race and culture, in each continent of the world is now realized through the virtual power of the net, and that is through this blog.

I hope I could write more interesting and exciting blog posts in the coming year 2013.

To all my loyal blog viewers and readers, I wish you a peaceful and prosperous new year!

>> rrj@chn_2012-12-29

{E} A major change in my online accounts

By Jan. 1, 2013, all of my social network profiles and e-mail addresses are systematized to a unified, easy-to-remember username.

The username is "JoeCo0327", taken from the first syllable of my first and last names, and from my birth date March 27.

As of Dec. 23, 2012, the following web accounts and e-mail addresses were changed to the said username:
1. Twitter

• twitter.com/Joe27Tweets, @Joe27Tweets (Changed to...)
• twitter.com/JoeCo0327, @JoeCo0327

2. Wikipedia

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Roadrunner272008 (redirects to...)
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:JoeCo0327

2. 4shared

• joeco0327

3. Yahoo! Mail (Primary E-mail)

• joe_at_phil_chi@rocketmail.com (Will be inactive after Jan. 1, 2013)
• joeco0327@yahoo.com.ph (New e-mail address)

4. QQ Mail (Chinese E-mail)

• roadrunner272008@qq.com (Changed to...)
• joeco0327@qq.com

5. Windows Live Mail (Alternate E-mail)

• joe_at_phil_chi@rocketmail.com (Changed to...)
• joeco0327@live.com.ph

All other web accounts will follow the renaming spree, such as:
1. Facebook

• facebook.com/roadrunner272008 (Dead link after Jan. 01, 2013)
• facebook.com/JoeCo0327

2. Blogger

• joeunderprocess.blogspot.com (Dead link after Jan. 01, 2013Redirects to...)
• joeco0327.blogspot.com

Moreover, my online accounts have better inter-connectivity to prevent and discourage hackers from controlling them.

Just in case, if hackers successfully take control of one of my web accounts (for example, Facebook), I will use other accounts (such as Twitter) to refute any statements they may post and will utilize all of my e-mails to recover the hacked account.

Another thing, I will change my usual "digital signature" at the end of every Facebook and Blogger post. Well again, in case of hacking (or not permitted access), is for my FB friends and blog readers to differentiate the real from not. You'll just see the new one at the start of the new year.

For now, I greet everyone Happy Holidays!

>> rrj@chn_2012-12-23

{E} "The Mayans did not even predict of the Doomsday."

“The Mayans did not even predict of the Doomsday”

By: Shi Jingbao, Nandu Daily Journalist

From: Nandu Daily, Page A26 December 07, 2012 Issue

(Translated from the original Chinese text.)

“The Mayans did not even predict of the Doomsday”

An American archaeoastronomer believed that the myths of the end of the world shall not be treated as a proof, and should not be regarded as a prediction.

In reality, Mayans do not like making predictions, their understanding of the times are mostly directed to the past, not to the future. –Dr. Anthony Aveni, Researcher on Mayan Civilization

Today is December 7, 2012, and there’s half a month to go before the so-called Doomsday. The Ipsos Public Affairs Department recently conducted a survey and it revealed that 10% of the world’s population believes in the Mayan calendar which [apparently] predicts that the world will end on December 21, 2012. In the Mainland [China], the word “doomsday” has been reaching its peak. A Mexican astronomer however stated that this [belief/phenomenon] has “wrongly judged” the Mayans, for the real prediction of the doomsday came from an “American”, and [such] predictions were just guesses by the modern people.

A few days ago, Nandu Daily and Guangdong Science Center held a discussion and a Mexican archaeologist – one of those who were very familiar of the Mayan civilization, Prof. [Jesus] Galindo showed a photo of the “Madrid Codex”.

Prof. Galindo said that the Mayan calendar has been in use for 3,000 years, and there are two kinds of calendars that they were using: the first one is what was known to us as the “solar calendar”, with 365 days a year, 18 months a year, twenty days a month; and the other is their religious calendar of 260 days. These two calendars meet every 52 years and because of this  gap, [numerous research about the Mayan civilization had differences in the calculations of the two calendars]. “If we look on the discoveries that we have [right now], those are just calendars, [yes,] there are predictions, but most of them are just guesses by the modern people.” Some scholars believed, the Mayans did not predict of the doomsday, but they did of a disaster.

The Mayan prediction according to what was written on their annals,  it will be a major change of climate and a major natural catastrophe [at the end of the world]. Nevertheless, myths about the doomsday can be found [or heard] not only from the Mayans but also from other several cultures. Anthony Aveni, a researcher of the Mayan culture and an archaeoastronomer from Colgate University in the United States believes that these myths can’t serve as a basis, and should not be accepted as a prediction. In one of his research, he said that the Mayans in reality are not even skilled in predicting things. “Their understanding of the times is mostly directed to the past, not of the future. [The ruler who can tell of the times long ago would make him worthy and righteous of ruling over the Mayans].”

Being the “origin” of the prediction, do Central Americans believe in the Mayans? Prof. Galindo revealed, South Americans [might] say that the prediction was spread from the United States; Mexico and other South American nations do not actually believe. “The Mayans indeed had predictions, but most of these are all about natural disasters like drought and floods."

...

Scenes of exaggeration

SICHUAN - "Doomsday" rumor caused the people to buy candles and firewood

"When the darkness comes on December 21, 2012, the Earth will continue to be in the dark for three days." Recently, this rumor is still being [heard] in some places in Sichuan, and those who have heard started buying candles and firewood. In a certain neighborhood, a person was seen December 4 buying candles and firewood at the market, most of the people were buying in bundles, the least was three or four and the most was more than ten.

SHANGHAI - The police received more than 25 "Doomsday" rumors

[The Shanghai police] received more than 25 reports of the police intelligence [allegedly] publicizing "Doomsday". According to the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Command Center, from 7:00AM December 5 until 7:00AM of December 6, they received a total of 25 reports saying that [there were persons] going to houses publicizing the Doomsday rumor [which was allegedly from the police intelligence]. Days ago, in Nanjing, a woman who heard of the "Doomsday" message, mortgaged her almost three million yuan house (RMB3 million is approximately USD480,000 or PHP19.74 million) without telling her loved ones and is preparing to donate it to the out-of-school children.

>> rrj@chn_2012-12-15

{E} Latest Track for Typhoon BOPHA (PABLO)

PAGASA Track

Final Track of Typhoon "Pablo" (Bopha)
From: PAGASA-DOST

Typhoon2000.com Track

Final Track of Typhoon "Bopha" (Pablo)
From: Typhoon2000.com

University of Central Florida

Final Track of Typhoon "Bopha" (Pablo)
From: University of Central Florida

Japan Meteorological Agency

Final Track of Typhoon "Bopha" (Pablo)
From Japan Meteorological Agency

>> rrj@chn_2012-12-03

{E} BLOG ADVISORY (Oct. 16, 2012)

Hi there, my dear blog readers!

Since my blog started in March this year, it has reached all the six inhabited continents of the world. It exceeded 1,000 mark for its all-time views -- in just no more than half a year.

I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

In the past seven and a half months, based on the statistics provided by Blogger itself, I noticed that my blog viewers' most preferred language, generally speaking, is English. In other words, the posts with the Type {E} sign were the most frequently viewed than those of Types {M} and {P}. 

In fact, six of the blog's all-time top ten posts are Type {E} posts, with Celebrate Valentine's Day.....EVERY MONTH??? topping the list followed by My First Research on Philippine Tiong Se Academy.

Whilst viewers from the Philippines preferred Type {M} posts more than {E} and {P}.

Based on these findings, I will still maintain in posting {E}'s and {M}'s more than {P}'s. Admittedly, Type {P} posts do not attract more audience, surprisingly, even viewers from the Philippines (which is this type's target audience). But this does not mean I won't post Type {P}'s anymore.

However, despite of good reception, there were only a very few people who engage in blog interaction, like posting a comment. This is a major problem for me not knowing if they did really like the post or not. Perhaps, I hadn't opened the blog for commentaries even for anonymous viewers at that time.

But if you notice, I made my blog open for all viewers to comment, yup, all viewers. But the comments are to be screened and approved before showing it to the digital world.

Moreover, I created a page (C&S Page) for your comments and suggestions, that is located after the "Contact Me?" tab below the blog title.

I am in need of your opinions for my blog's improvement. Tell me what you feel. But remember to "think before you click" in expressing your thoughts.

God bless!

>> rrj@chn_2012-10-16

{E} Unconditional Love of a 94-Year-Old Woman to her 2 Sons

From Nandu Daily (南方都市报), a local periodical in Guangzhou, China.
Page A09, October 5, 2012
Editor: Huang Jie (黄杰)
Art Editor: Lin Yongxi (林泳希)
Art Assistant Editor: Zhu Lumin (朱卢敏)
Proofreader: Liu Junwen (刘俊文)

**Translated from the original Chinese Text.

"I Bore Him, He is My Son"
The 94-year-old Mai Ronghuan (麦容欢) has been taking care of her two mentally challenged sons for more than half a century, she said this is just a part of being a mother.

The Tranquil Life of the Three Aged Persons
     The sun sets earlier when the autumn season comes. September 27, it was not yet six o'clock in the evening, but the skies over Xigubu Village, Dongfeng Town of Zhongshan City had gone dark. A ninety-four-year-old Mai Ronghuan, as usual, carried a basket and went to her vegetable plots in front of her house. Though her back is a bit bent [already], but she still can walk safely.
     The vegetables in the plots looked good, Mai Ronghuan leaned down to pick and examine them. The ones whose leaves were yellow and those whose roots still had soil were taken off. The old woman said, it was she who used to plant these vegetables before, but because she is getting old, her good neighbors started to help.
     When the old lady was still busy [in her work], her 72-year-old eldest son A-Man (阿满) got ten yuan (that is, 10 renminbi [RMB], approximately equivalent to US$1.50) from his mother and went to Xigubu Village Market. Although his two feet could move fast[?], but he had difficulties in moving forward -- the journey to the market is just ten minutes for ordinary people, but he finishes it in forty minutes, for his foot was severed by a car a few years ago.
     A-Man, after being discharged from the hospital, was still restless, he went out everyday to go shopping; nevertheless, whenever noontime or evening came he went back home in time for their meal. According to Mai, A-Man is "smart", but he is quite lazy, moreover, his heart is a bit "wild".
     In the market, A-Man went straight to a roasted meat stall. He and the stall owner (he is very familiar of A-Man) did not exchange words, the latter would just slice pieces of roasted goose, put them in a plastic bag and hand it to him, then he received 5 RMB as payment. "It goes like this every time, I know what he wants to buy even though he does not tell me," the stall owner said.
     Six o'clock in the evening, by the time A-Man came home, his 68-year-old younger brother A-Fu (阿富) had already washed the vegetables. He quietly sat beside his mother. Whenever the reporter looked at him, he always smiled. In comparison with his brother, A-Fu is more of being a "house man"; he doesn't want to get out of the house. He can do almost all the household chores like dish washing, cooking and house cleaning.
     The sky had turned dark. A-Fu, after being called by his mother, turned on the light and their house was illuminated instantly. A-Man, following his mother's instructions, ignites the incense and puts them in proper order, according to the position of the gods and the spirits. Quickly, the house became brighter. A-Fu [started to prepare the food, he cooked and later] a tray of vegetable was served.
     Roasted goose, vegetables, and the food that was cooked moments ago, this is the dinner of this family of three. After dinner, A-Fu, as usual, served a cup of tea for his mother.

30 Years of Teaching the Sons on How to Take Care of Themselves
     If we look at them, Mai's family of three is living peacefully; to us, it may seem normal. But in reality, A-Man and A-Fu both have congenital mental retardation, their level of intelligence is only equivalent to that of a child. The two siblings, from the time they were being taken care of up to this day, learned self-care, it took Mai thirty years in teaching them how.
     As she went back 72 years ago, Mai was twenty years old, a time when she was still an adolescent. Under the commands of her uncle and aunt, she left a nearby village and went to Xigubu, there she married a man who is 17 years older than her. Two years after their marriage, she bore A-Man, which gave intense joy to Mai as a first-time mom. But as the child grew up, she and her husband discovered that "something is wrong", A-Man can't speak, he started to walk by his own only at age five. Later, they found out that he is mentally retarded. Mai said, she at first thought that the younger A-Fu would be a normal one, but unexpectedly he's also a retard.
     Two sons are both retard, Mai said she herself could not bear it at first, especially when [she heard] other children called them "idiots", "...got angry, but later [I] gradually accepted it." Because of low intelligence, A-Man and his brother never went to school, they were just playing in the house. For this reason, the couple agreed to increase the height of the fences surrounding their house.
     The two children had their naughty times also, they sometimes tried to topple the fence down to escape their way outside to play. When the temper was at its peak, Mai said she wanted to reprimand (or curse) them, but she kept on holding back, "If I reprimand them, they won't understand, I am the one who's hurt." The two children are now old, Mai said that through the past decades she did not reprimand them, not even a single sentence.
     A-Man and his brother are both adults, but they still need care [and supervision] from the older ones. However, in 1982, Mai's husband passed away. After his death, then 64-year-old Mai worried that she will pass away soon, she decided to teach her two sons how to cook.
     In this cooking matter, A-Man did not show any interest; but A-Fu was very willing [and eager] to learn, however, after quite a long period of time, he could not get the gist. "[At that time, when he cooks, he] puts a lot of salt; [there are some times that] he pours a little amount of water, or the food is not yet cooked..." Mai said she sometimes felt hopeless, felt that he is [too] stupid [to learn], but she saw A-Fu's eagerness to learn that's why she did not blame (or gave up on) him. Later, A-Fu learned to cook simple dishes; he even learned to wash clothes, sweep the house and [do] other household chores.

Retard Sons Learned to Take Care of Their Mother
     Though she is already 94, Mai's body still seemed to be strong, her sense of hearing and memory skills are very good, but her vision is not the same as before. Some time ago, she was confined in the hospital for [the treatment of] her bones. While their mother was in the hospital for more than a month, A-Man and A-Fu were left in the house. What made the old lady pleased was, [in spite of her absence,] they were able to take care of themselves, there were also some good neighbors who helped [to look after them]. Moreover, the two had become healthier.
     But, there are still other areas that they need Mai's help. Sewing buttons, cutting the nails, these might seem easy for us to do but they don't know how, they only rely on their mother [to do these for them]. Currently, Mai is still the backbone of the family, she still plans for them all.
     The two sons also learned to take care of their mother. Aside from doing most of the chores, A-Fu always gives his mom a massage, serves a cup of tea and boils bath water for her everyday. While A-man, every time he wanted to go out shopping, would go to his mother to "make request". Though Mai most of the time did not understand their "yi yi ya ya" words, but when she observed A-Man's actions, she would know that he wanted to get out.
     Mai said, she worried for her sons' future for a long time, but "[I] don't worry anymore." She said, her sons basically can take care of themselves; the local government some time ago helped them rebuild their old house; many good-hearted people came frequently to look after them; and, nowadays [they have] the social security pension and some financial help, if were added up, it would amount to thousands of money.
     Based on what we (the reporter) understood, in the recent years, the Dongfeng Town of Zhongshan City upheld [a system] to set aside sufficient amount of government's funds to improve the quality of life of the poor, to establish [assistance programs], to [provide] social security, medicare and various allowances. Using Mai Ronghuan's family as an example, the monthly social security pension and other allowances of the three amounts to more than 4600 RMB. At the same time, the village had assigned medical personnel to conduct medical check-ups at an appointed time.
     The deed of an old person taking care of two mentally challenged sons, through the reports of the media, has [become well-known,] a lot of people through numerous ways had expressed great respect for this great mother. Many people has been coming to their house to look after them. But, Mai [simply] considers her deeds as part of being a mother, "I bore him, he is my son."

Post script
     "I just think of how to have a good day everyday."
     Mai Ronghuan said she is happy, being taken care by her sons is enjoying life.
     In the span of 94 years, Mai Ronghuan [experienced a lot of sufferings], when she was a child, [she] lost both of her parents; after marriage, she has to take care of her two mentally challenged sons; at age 64, she lost her husband; a few years ago, her obedient daughter left the earth before her.
     As she recall her life, she said that she really had a life full of bitterness. But she later said that she is now happy with it. Nowadays, this old woman's life became simpler yet [she lives in] a regular pattern, she wakes up as the day starts, sleeps on the sofa in the afternoon, in the evening she watches TV. The day's three meals are basically being done by A-Fu. She said, being taken care by her sons is enjoying life.
     Mai loves to smile and loves to tell stories. Recently there were a lot of reporters who came to her house, each time, she would tell her stories for a long time. If she was asked whether she was tired or not, she said she's not, not even a bit, for she becomes very happy whenever there was somebody she can talk to. In the eyes of her neighbors, good-natured Mai is deserving of respect, [saying,] "Her life is really not easy, she is already more than 90 [years of age], but she has to take care of her two sons." There was one neighbor whose surname is Ye said, "[She is] really very great, if I were on her shoes, I might send my sons to a home-for-the-aged."
     Mai said, she is very happy right now, she never thought of how long she would still live, she just think of how to have a good day everyday.

>> rrj@chn_2012-10-13

{E} BLOG ADVISORY (4th May 2012)

There will be no new blog posts until 16th May 2012 (Wednesday). I don't have much time for posting blog posts for two reasons:
1. I'm busy with our university's annual International Culture Fest (to be held on 13th May).
2. My participation to the 5th Chinese Bridge Chinese Competition for Foreign Students (Provincial Level) which eliminations will be held on 16th May.


Thanks for viewing my old blog posts. Sorry for the long "blog vacation".


>> rrj@chn_2012-05-04

{E} Visual Tests

1. Below is a static image. The more pressure you have in life, the faster the picture "rotates".

2. The lines below are ALL straight lines. The more social involvements/commitments you have, you can see lesser straight lines.
How many straight lines do you see?

3. How many human faces do you see in the picture below?

Evaluation:
0-4 faces: mentally retarded; 5-8: normal person; 9-11: exceptionally emotional; 12-13: schizophrenic


4. At first, what animal do you see? A duck or a rabbit?

Evaluation:
If you're a TRUE MAN, you saw a duck.
If you're a REAL WOMAN, you saw earlier was a rabbit.


5. If the image below seems to be moving, it means you have mood swings.

6. Look at the picture below and it will dictate what you feel at this moment.

Evaluation:
If you saw the side view of a pretty girl, you are feeling happy.
Otherwise, if you saw an ugly witch's face, you seem to be sad.


7. At first look, if you see angels, you are a good person. If devils...you know what you are.

8. Persons with severe near-sightedness could clearly read the message below. If you're a person of good eyesight, kindly squint your eyes, thou shall see it clearly too.
(Note: They are Chinese characters. It works only to those who can read Chinese.)

9. This will test your intelligence. How many human faces are in the picture?

Evaluation:
1-3 faces: poor; 4-6: average; 7-10: above average; 11-15: genius!


10. Can you find a man's face within a minute?

Source: From an undisclosed user of qzone.qq.com.


>> rrj@chn_2012-04-25

{E} My First Research on Philippine Tiong Se Academy: A Summary

Note: Translated from the original Chinese text, written as an assignment for my "Practical Writing in Chinese II" class last 4th March 2012.

My First Research on Philippine Tiong Se Academy: A Summary

Joemar L. Colinares

      Philippine Tiong Se Academy (PTSA) is my country's oldest Chinese school, founded in 1899, has written more than a hundred years of history, and has given great contributions to Chinese education in the Philippines; thus, making the school itself deserving of further researches (in the Chinese education field).

I. Background

      In December 2011, an alumnus of PTSA, Mr. Rolando O. Uy, initiated the move for the application for the installation of a historical marker at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, requiring for further in-depth research about the school. I, upon learning of it, started to look for sources and articles about PTSA.

II. Gathering of possible helpful sources

      When I went back to the Philippines during this year's winter break, I informed Mrs. Margarita Gutierrez, PTSA school principal, that I will conduct research about the school. She, being supportive of this event, permitted me to borrow two (2) anniversary books: the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Golden Jubilee Book (published in 1949) and the Anglo-Chinese School 70th Anniversary Book (published in 1973). Mrs. Gutierrez gave me a copy of the Philippine Tiong Se Academy Centennial Anniversary Book (published in 2002), and lent me her own copy of Philippine Chinese Education Research Center 1995-2004 Annual Report.

      Before leaving for China (last February), I returned the books (except for the Centennial Book) to the principal. I will borrow them again upon returning to the Philippines this July for my second research.

III. Results of the Research

      1. Had an in-depth knowledge of PTSA's glorious past
          During this research. I found out a lot about PTSA. From 1899 to date, the school has had seventeen (17) principals, one of them is the Sino-Japanese War (Second World War) martyr Gan Bun Cho. The school faced many challenges: 1942-45 World War II; school building razed by fire in 1969; the Filipinization of Chinese schools in 1973; increasing problems concerning nearby informal settlers in the 90s; and the city government's effort to commercialize Meisic-Sta. Elena area in 2007.

(above) Martyr Gan Bun Cho,
PTSA's sixth principal
served: 1918-1941

          Also, I learned of PTSA's contributions to Philippine Chinese education: PTSA wrote the first pages of Chinese education in the country; in 1921, the school is the first to use Mandarin as the medium of instruction in Chinese classes; this year, the school has been starting to hold "Chinese Culture" classes, in which a few Chinese schools have this kind of subject, that is to educate the today's generation of Filipino-Chinese of their rich culture.
            Lastly, the school's contribution to the Philippine and Fil-Chi society was uncovered by yours truly. in 1937, during the outbreak of Sino-Japanese War, the school initiated a military training class and had monthly donations to support the needs of the war. Claudio Teehankee, Sr. was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the republic in 1986. Teehankee Sr. is a graduate of ACS Batch 1929 English day class.
      2. Uncovered reasons for school population decline
(Undisclosed, will be revealed if I got the permission from PTSA Administrators)


IV. Loopholes of this research
          The school's library has a copy of the 30th Anniversary book of then Anglo-Chinese School (which is rarely seen in the Philippines and is believed that apart from PTSA's copy, there's no other copy of the said 1929 anniversary book), however, I was not able (or, I'm not that willing) to borrow it. Firstly, I can't understand ancient Chinese way of literature; secondly, I can't understand Chinese calligraphy in semi-cursive (xingshu) and cursive (caoshu) script.
          My Chinese proficiency has limitations, I may not recognize some characters (all of those books I borrowed are in traditional Chinese characters, I'm now used to reading the simplified ones) which can possibly affect my comprehension of several details in every article that I read.
          I haven't gone to several public libraries to further expand my research coverage. It makes this research a bit subjective.


>> rrj@chn_2012-04-17

{E} Philippines' population now at 92.34 million!

The National Statistics Office of the Philippines has recently released the final and official count of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing conducted almost two years ago on May 1, 2010.


It revealed that there are 92,337,852 people in the Philippines, including over 2,000 Filipinos in Philippine embassies, consulates and missions abroad; higher by more than 15 million compared to the 2000 census.


It also made me aware that the annual population growth rate of my country has gone down to 1.90% (based on 2000 and 2010 results), compared to 2.34% based on 1990 and 2000 results.


My hometown Manila as of 2010 has a population of 1,652,171. Still, the most densely populated city all over the world with the density of 42,858 per square kilometer.


As compared to other countries, the Philippines is still on the 12th spot behind Mexico (2010 census: 112,336,538) and before Vietnam (2011 estimate: 87.84 million).


My thoughts:
1. I was double-counted, well, because I was counted in the May 2010 census in the Philippines and I was also counted in the November 1, 2010 Chinese census (Yup! I was counted in!). Statisticians have to exclude me from the China count, so that their calculations for the world's total population will be more accurate! Haha!
2. I'm happy with the decline of the annual population growth. It will be a big help in my country's economy. I just thought of population explosion which has been a worldwide problem and the Philippines somehow has just proved that it is not very keen in "participating" in it.
3. Having a huge population must not be a basis for "competing" with other countries. Statisticians and other people interested in this field like me just do comparisons, and it never encourages any country to exceed other country's population. China, for the fact that it is the most populated country in the world, has never been boastful of having that international recognition.
4. I can't really think of an absolute reason for the decline of annual population growth of the Philippines. But I think education, especially of the teens, has been one of the major factors which made them aware of the probable effects of the fast-growing population.


Sources:
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2012/pr1227tx.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population


>> rrj@chn_2012-04-10

{E} BLOG ADVISORY (2nd April 2012)

1. This pre-Easter season, my blog will not be having new posts from Maundy Thursday until Black Saturday (5th-7th April 2012).
2. The next day, which is the Easter Sunday (8th April 2012), new graphics for the blog post language classifications will start to appear.

For Type E blog posts:

For Type M blog posts:

For Type P blog posts:

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone! Take care while in vacation!

>> rrj@chn_2012-04-02

{E} My blog's first month

{E}
This blog post is suitable for worldwide English-speaking readers.






A big big thanks for giving my blog a good start!


As of 30th March 2012, my blog has reached at least eight (8) countries around the world, mainly from the United States, the Philippines, Russia and People's Republic of China.


The total month views for my blog last month (1-31 March 2012) is 231, which translates to at least seven (7) views per day. These values are of a good impression, though it did not meet the target of 300 views, for a blog that has been running for more than a month only.


Last month's number of blog posts were only 14. Busy schedule resulting to lack of time is a major factor influencing the frequency of blog posts published here in my blog. Another factor is that some of my posts required detailed and accurate translations from their original Chinese texts (i.e. Pimples are "signs" of several illnesses, Celebrate Valentine's Day.....EVERY MONTH???, Some signs that a guy is in love with a girl) for these posts took days before it could be published on my blog.


As a matter of fact, I deleted already my "FB Primetime" fan page, not only because of very poor reception, but also to refrain from making too many updates in a day, aside from posting on my Facebook timeline alone, thus, leaving more time for my school assignments and for making new blog posts.


This month of April is a month of change, particularly change in posting time because netizens in the Philippines, which is the primary audience of my blog, have been adjusting or even prolonging their time on the net due to summer vacation.


In fact, the peak of Facebook primetime (FBPT) has been between 10:30PM to 11:30PM Philippine Time as of last week of March. Average FBPT is between 9:00PM to 10:00PM. This means that my blog has to adjust its posting time, especially when most netizens are glued to their computer screens during FBPT.


Hope that everyone is enjoying reading my blogs. I'm open to suggestions and comments. My profiles are being displayed as links on my blog. Feel free to contact me.


Thanks to all of you again for patronizing my blog!


>> rrj@chn_2012-04-01

{M} Sunday Music Wishlist (Week 3) BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

{M}
This blog post contains mixed English and Filipino languages.


Good day to all of you! This is my birthday special of the weekly Sunday Music Wishlist.


Regarding last Sunday (18th March), hindi po ako nakapag-post nito for I can't spend time for making and posting blogs.


I returned to Blogger this week for I have more time for this already, at tsaka, nalalapit na ang aking birthday.


This week's edition doesn't feature any featured words. However, ipapakita lang ng limang kantang ito kung paano sila naging o magiging parte ng maglalabinsiyam na taon ko dito sa mundo.


Let's start na!


Ang unang kanta ay ang napili kong "Theme Song of the Year" para sa aking ika-19 na kaarawan. If you can still remember, I chose "Defying Gravity" as my last year's theme song dahil I turned 18, meaning hindi na ako menor de edad, and it calls me to do what I haven't done before entering the age of majority, "defying gravity" 'ika nga.


I chose this song because I liked 'yung part na "I get knocked down, but I get up again" na paulit-ulit na binabanggit sa kantang ito. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan ko, ako po'y nadapa, pinadapa, at pilit idinadapa, but thanks be to my sandigang hindi natitibag, si God, in spite of those things, I'm still alive.


Here is "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba, released in 1997.


Before you watch it, sabihin ko lang po that the video below is not it's official music video. For some reasons, it doesn't work here. So I just posted a different yet humorous video.





Next song is a thirty-five year old song, ito 'yung pinapatugtog ng Papa ko sa radyo nung bata pa ako (casette tape pa 'yun) para makatulog kami ng kapatid ko (si April).


A lot of years had passed, I hadn't heard of this, the song that used to be the "lullaby" for us to fall asleep. Yet, last 2010, my Indonesian roommate asked me if I know this song. At first, I said no, but when he played it on his laptop, woah, I knew this! I knew this! I was brought back to my childhood days then.


This is "Ballade pour Adeline" played by Richard Clayderman (1976).





Going back to that song, I'm sure your parents (if the reader is in the Philippines) know this, this song is the OST for "Lovingly Yours, Helen" broadcast on GMA-7 (a major national television station in the Philippines) which ran from the 80s to the early 90s. The said TV show is very popular at that time.


When I was a kid, I liked singing, well, now I still do. When we went on a vacation to my mother's hometown in Sorsogon more than a decade ago, I always go to the hut where the karaoke is located, and always sing there. Lagi nga 'kong pinagbabawalan kasi madalas lasing Tiyo Tony ko noon, natatakot silang pagbalingan ako, but I don't really care, siyempre bata, may pagka-willful, so I still sing, in spite nga na lasing nga si Tiyo. And the songs I used to sing back then were "Spanish Eyes", "Quando Quando", and other Frank Sinatra and Engelbert Humperdinck songs.


Itong ipi-feature ko dito ay isa rin sa mga iyon, at applicable siya sa current status ko. Here is "A Man Without Love" by Engelbert Humperdinck (1968).





For the record, Mr. Humperdinck is still living, he's now 75 years old. 'Nu kaya masasabi niya if he will compare the music of 40 years ago at 'yung music natin ngayon?


'Nung kabataan ko rin, nakahiligan ko ang mga masasayang awitin, 'yun din kasi ang panahong naglabasan ang mga songs under the "Bubblegum pop" genre. Bihira na lang ito ngayon. Examples po n'yan ay "Doctor Jones" at "Barbie Girl" at "Tarzan and Jane" ng grupong Aqua, gayundin ang "This Is How We Do It" ng Solid Base, puro 'yan between late 90s at early 2000s na awitin.


Ang susunod na video ay isa sa mga halimbawa ng bubblegum pop na kinahiligan ko rin, entitled "Superhero" ng Daze (1997). [HQ]





Lastly, we're jumping from me being a seven-year-old kid to being a person who is in my late teens.


Aside sa "Theme Song of the Year", ako rin po'y pumipili ng "Love Song of the Year", kaso ito'y pinipili bago pa magsimula ang isang bagong taon.


Ang mga napipili kong "Love Song of the Year" ay pawang naglalahad ng aking current status sa lovelife sa panahong piniipili ko ang awitin. I listen to the lyrics many many times just to choose a love song for the approaching new year.


Ang mga napili kong "Love Song of the Year" ay ang "Falling Away" ni Miguel Escueta (for 2008); "Crush" ni David Archuleta (for 2009); "Can't Keep On Loving You" ni Elliott Yamin (for 2010); at ang "Where Are You" nina Natalie at Justin Roman (for last year).


The last video of this week's edition of SMW is my 2012 Love Song of the Year. It's "Just So You Know" by Jesse McCartney (2006).


Note: 95% of the lyrics, in my lovelife's case, are true.





Hahay...hahaha....naibahagi ko na naman a bit details of my life.
Hanggang sa muli, salamat sa pagtangkilik sa aking blog!


>> rrj@chn_2012-03-25

{E} Picture Gallery: Winter Break in Manila 2012 (INC.)

{E}

This blog post is suitable for worldwide English-speaking readers.

My former Math teacher, Mr. Oliver Mariano (center) talking with his former colleagues at PTSA. At the back is my high school schoolmate, Jeanelle Erive, singing. (15th Jan. 2012)

At Youth Gospel Center, we were playing billiards when this fail thing happened. (20th Jan. 2012)

My Music teacher, Mrs. Revie Ann Simpliciano, preparing for the Battle of the Bands (18th Jan. 2012)

Elementary students singing "Seek Ye First" as part of the Doxology.
(18th Jan. 2012)

My batchmates, Carol Patrimonio and Cathryn Joy Gargar! They also witnessed this year's Battle of the Bands. By the way, their band was the champion of the very first Battle of the Bands of our school way back in 2009. Proud to be Fly High-ers! (18th Jan. 2012)

One of the bands who performed at the contest. I forgot the band name already (sorry 'bout that). Anyway, they are from the Fourth Year level, namely (from left) Christopher Lee, Yvonne Yap and Paula Pavon.
(18th Jan. 2012)

My Music teacher's daughter! Cute! She always faces the lens of my cellphone camera. (18th Jan. 2012)

The school's Chinese New Year Celebration, taken before everything started. (20th Jan. 2012)

Lion Dance performed by PTSA Wushu Team, with some of them are alumni of the school. (20th Jan. 2012) 

My lil sis, taken after they performed at the stage. (20th Jan. 2012)

There are more photos to come!>> rrj@chn_2012-03-17