June 9, 2011-Philippine Classes Suspended- PAGASA weather update- 5:00 a.m., 09 June 2011

The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that classes in the preschool, elementary and high school levels are suspended in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions 3 and 4 due to heavy rains.

Administrators of colleges and universities may suspend classes at their own discretion. The rains are brought about by a low pressure area or LPA.

Here is the latest weather update from PAGASA as at 2:00 am today, the low pressure area (LPA) was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 90 km West Northwest of Metro Manila or 70 km South Southeast of Iba, Zambales (14.6°N 120.2°E) embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting the country.

A low-pressure area west of Luzon has intensified into a tropical depression before noon on Thursday and Metro Manila and six other areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Forecast:

Central and Northern Luzon, and the western section of Southern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Central Luzon which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest and Southeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southwest and southeast with slight to moderate seas.

source:PAGASA

Representative Anthony Weiner admits he sent lewd photos

Representative Anthony Weiner, a Democrat from New York’s 9th congressional district, now admits that he sent lewd photo to a woman. Rep. Weiner said 'I Have Made Terrible Mistakes'. 

photo source

video credit New York Post

Earlier Weiner originally stated that his Twitter account had been hacked and that the perpetrator send a lewd photo of a non-nude man’s crotch to a 21 year old woman.

On Monday afternoon, Rep. Anthony Weiner held a press conference ath the Sheraton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, New York and there Weiner admitted that he's the man in the lewd photos posted on Andrew Breitbart's website and that he was the one who publicly tweeted one photo on Twitter by mistake last Friday, June 1.

Weiner, 46, is married to Huma Abedin, an assistant to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They got married only last July, that means they will be celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary in just a month from now and definitely, this Weiner's photo scandal is bringing so much pain for his wife.

video courtesy of AP

Philippine Independence Day on June 12-Sunday is June 13, 2011 Holiday?

The 113th Independence Day in the Philippines on June 12 falls on a Sunday, however Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte reiterated that Malacañang will not be moving the Independence Day holiday from June 12 to June 13.

June 12 is an annual celebration Philippine Independence and is one of the listed regular holidays for 2011 under Proclamation No. 84 signed by President Benigno Aquino III.

Proclamation No. 84 eliminates the holiday economics policy, that moves holidays within the week to the nearest Monday, used by the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In the Philippines, Independence Day (Filipino: Araw ng Kalayaan) is an annual national holiday observed on June 12, commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence fromSpain on June 12, 1898. It is the National Day of the Philippines.
The declaration of Philippine independence from the colonial rule of Spain concluded the Philippine Revolution. Philippine independence, however, was not recognized either by theUnited States or by Spain. The Spanish government later ceded the Philippine archipelago to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, and the United States granted independence to the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila.[1]
July 4 was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962. On 12 May 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential proclamation No. 28, which declared Tuesday, June 12, 1962 a special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence.[2] On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed the July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed the twelfth day of June is as the Philippine Independence Day, and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe 12 June with rites befitting Independence Day.[3] June 12 had previously been observed as Flag Day.

source:Wikipedia 

Chile- Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Eruption- Video

The Chilean volcanic eruption on Saturday, June 4, 2011 reached six miles up into the sky and sent a plume of ash toward Argentina.

Bariloche. Image Credit: Fabio.com

Puyehue volcano in Chile erupted on Saturday 4th June 2011 after 51 years of inactivity. On the 3th June a seismic swarm occurred with 1450 earthquakes registered at the volcano, associated with magma movement under the volcano. The earthquakes has a focus of 2-5 km depth on the southeast flank of the volcano.

Massive Volcano eruption Chile Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Chili Massive ash clouds. 05-06-2011. Columna de humo producida por complejo volcánico Puyehue-Cordón Caulle June 5 2011

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DepEd launches Oplan Balik Eskwela- DEP-ED Hotlines

As the Department of Education scales up its preparations for the opening of classes on June, the DepEd is again launching the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) Information and Action Center Task Force (IAC) as part of the OBE Project.

To assist concerned individuals by providing them helpful information, handling complaints and routing mechanism during the OBE implementation, the department has set up the OBE-IAC that will last from May 30 to June 10 at the DepEd Central Office.

“The Oplan Balik Eskwela is a part of our commitment to EFA goals. This project will ensure smooth opening of classes so that the school children are properly enrolled and all school children are in school on June 6, the first day of school year 2011-2012,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Luistro added that the department is seriously looking into filling up the essential learning resource gaps.

“These shortages have been the perennial problem of the basic education system. While interventions are now in place, we cannot stop from there. We will continue to explore different avenues to make ends meet.” Read More..

HOTLINES FOR THE 2011 OPLAN BALIK ESKWELA

2011 OBE Information and Command Center
May 30- June 11, 2011, 7:00 AM- 6:00 PM
DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City

For information and questions on enrollment and opening of classes, you may access/ call the following:

A. Telephone Numbers:

Main Hotline: 636-1663

633-1942 634-0222
636-4880 635-0552
637-4211 635-6550
638-7529 635-9817
638-7530 637-3743

B. DepEd Text Messaging Service

0919-4560027

C. E- Mail Address:
action@deped.gov.ph

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

6.3-magnitude quake hits Honshu, Japan- June 3, 2011-Phivolcs allays tsunami fears

An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted off the east coast of Honshu, Japan at 09:05: 03 a.m. local time (00:05:03 GMT) on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The USGS said the quake was recorded at 8:05 a.m., with the epicenter off the east coast of Honshu in Japan.

It said the epicenter was 270 km east of Iwaki; 287 km east-southeast of Sendai; 308 km east of Fukushima; or 412 km east-northeast of Tokyo.

According to GMANews:
State seismologists allayed fears of a destructive tsunami reaching the Philippines after a powerful quake rocked Japan Friday morning.
But the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it will continue to monitor the aftermath of Friday's quake.

What is DEHP? Lists of Products from Taiwan contaminated with DEHP

More than 60 products from Taiwan which was contaminated by DEHP is being recalled by DOH-FDA from the Philippine Market since the chemical can cause problem in kidney and reproductive organs.

What is DEHP? DEHP is normally used in the manufacture of plastics and, if consumed, can lead to a hormone malfunction in children.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, commonly abbreviated DEHP, is an organic compound with theformula C6H4(C8H17COO)2. It is sometimes called dioctyl phthalate and abbreviated DOP. It is the most important "phthalate," being the diester of phthalic acid and the branched-chain 2-ethylhexanol. This colourless viscous liquid is soluble in oil, but not in water. It possesses good plasticizing properties. Being produced on a massive scale by many companies, it has acquired many names and acronyms, including BEHP and di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate.

Earlier China on banned imports of some food products and additives from Taiwan after authorities in Taipei warned they were tainted with a chemical used in plastics, prompting a health scare.

South Korea announced a similar ban on Wednesday. Hong Kong on Tuesday banned two Taiwanese drinks after tests showed they contained excessive levels of DEHP.

Before this, Taiwan last month issued a major recall of products, including more than 460,000 bottles of sports drinks and fruit juice, over fears they contained the chemical.

Meanwhile check the LIST OF IMPLICATED PRODUCTS WITH DEHP advisory from BFAD: [Click Here!]. FDA inilabas ang listahan ng kontaminadong produkto mula Taiwan.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meets with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

US First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied President Barack Obama  on the second leg of his six-day European tour, to the UK, where she visited with the Queen and Prince Philip, and the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, and chatted with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, also a style icon.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama talk with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in London, England, May 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza).

While visiting the UK, President Barack and Michelle Obama stopped by the Buckingham Palace and had a brief chat with Prince William and Kate before a luncheon which was to be held by Queen Elizabeth.

Check out The Guardian’s report on the speech or read it in full here; or watch it here (uploaded by a big fan of the President).

RH Bill: The Grand Debate Airs Again This Saturday due to insistent Public Demand

Due to insistent public demand, GMA News TV will air once more the most talked about debate on television - the RH Bill: The Grand Debate - this Saturday on Channel 11.

Pitting lawmakers versus lawmakers, the church versus the church, and women versus women, GMA News TV brings together debaters from each camp to discuss the impact of the Reproductive Health Bill on the country's economy, on the morality of Filipinos and on the health of women. Compelling arguments for both sides are given equal airtime in this enlightening and often surprising two-hour special.

Rep. Janette Garin, one of the primary authors of the proposed bill is pitted against Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay on the issue of the RH Bill's effect on poverty. Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. and Bishop Efraim Tendero, National Director of the Philippine Council for Evangelical Churches debate on the issue of morality. Celebrity mom and RH Bill advocate Pia Magalona faces off against University of the Philippines Prof. Aliza Racelis on women's issues in relation to the bill.

A panel of interrogators subject the debaters to intense grilling. Outspoken RH Bill activist Carlos Celdran, former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and UP Prof. Dr. Sylvia Claudio make up the pro-RH panel while the anti-RH panel members are Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr., University of Asia and the Pacific College of Arts and Science Dean Antonio Torralba, and Dr. Deane Campo-Cruz. Congressman Manny Pacquiao makes a surprise appearance during the debate.

RH Bill: The Grand Debate gives viewers the chance to quietly listen to both sides and appreciate their arguments. The program aims to shed light on this divisive issue instead of simply generating more heat. Hosted and moderated by Mel Tiangco, together with Pia Arcangel and RJ Ledesma, RH Bill: The Grand Debate airs again this Saturday, May 28, at 10:10 pm.

-source

US "Memorial Day" on May 30, 2011

US Embassy in Philippines Public Announcement: "The U.S. Embassy will be closed for business on Monday, May 30, 2011 in observance of the U.S. Holiday, Memorial Day. Regular office will resume on Tuesday, May 31, 2011.". Check their announcement on its Facebook page,

"Memorial Day Message US Troop Commanders Iraq Brig. Gen. Don S. Cornett Jr., Commanding General of the 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Command Sgt. Maj. Debbie Schroder, Command Sergeant Major of the 310th ESC give a Memorial Day message from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, recognizing the Service Members deployed through out the world and those who gave their lives answering the call to duty."

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the United States' service.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11.

It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, according to an article on a website on the holiday.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states, the article said.

But the South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war, it added.

The article said Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May, following the National Holiday Act of 1971, to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays.

source:GMANews

Philippine Flag Upside Down! Is Philippines in War?

The Philippine flag has been displayed upside down with the red field of the flag on top of the blue field on the President's official government website (www.president.gov.ph). 

An inverted flag of the Philippines with the red part on top of blue has been posted above an article about the "National Flag Day" on May 28.

Philippine flag, upside down on the President's website

If you're a Filipino Students wherein you're doing this 'Lupang Hinirang' Flag Ceremony (where the Philippine is raised) every Monday it is a common knowledge that our National Flag should always have its Blue Section of the Flag on top of the Red section. Filipino students are very much aware that if the Philippine flag is shown inverted it indicates that the country is at war.

According to Republic Act 8491 Section 10: 'The flag, if flown from a flagpole, shall have its blue field on top in time of peace and the red field on top in time of war; if in a hanging position, the blue field shall be to the right (left of the observer) in time of peace, and the red field to the right (left of the observer) in time of war.'

The Malacanang said that they did not mean to post an inverted flag of the Philippines on the President's website. They have taken down the flag already.

In September last year, the US government apologized for displaying the Philippine flag upside down during President Aquino's state visit in the White House. It was an honest mistake, a US official said.

Typhoon Chedeng Update- PAGASA - May 27, 2011- 5:00 A.M.

Here's PAGASA Update on Typhoon Chedeng  issued on May 27, 2011- 5:00 A.M.

At 4:00 a.m. today, the eye of Typhoon "CHEDENG" was estimated based on radar, satellite and surface data at 250 km East of Tuguegarao City (17.2°N, 124.3°E) with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is forecast to move North Northwest at 19 kph.

Forecast:
Batanes group of islands will experience stormy weather while the eastern sections of Northern and Central Luzon will have rains with gusty winds. The rest of the country will have monsoon rains.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to northwest will prevail over the rest of Northern and Central Luzon and coming from west to southwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Typhoon Chedeng- PAGASA Weather Update-May 25, 2011- 5:00 P.M.

Here is the latest update on Typhoon Chedeng- PAGASA Weather Update-May 25, 2011- 5:00 P.M.

At 4:00 p.m. today, Typhoon "CHEDENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 310 km East Catarman, Northern Samar (12.8°N, 127.7°E) with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph.

Forecast:
Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas will have rains and gusty winds becoming stormy over Bicol region and Samar provinces while Mindanao and the rest of Visayas will experience monsoon rains. The rest of Luzon will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over Central Luzon and coming from Southwest over Mindanao and the rest of Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas.

source: PAGASA

GMANews Live Video Update as of May 25, 2011- 6:48 P.M.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

RH BILL: THE GRAND DEBATE - Replay

RH BILL: THE GRAND DEBATE. One big issue. One station. One grand debate. On May 22nd, GMA News TV will gather representatives from the government, religious groups and the women’s sector to debate one of the most controversial issues facing the country today - the Reproductive Health Bill.

If you can't get enoigh of the debate on RH Bill here's another tossed from Conressman Edcel Lagman and Congressman Manny Pacquiao.

Cong. Manny Pacquiao interpoloates Cong. Edcel Lagman in a plenary debate in Batasang Pambansa regarding the RH Bill. May 18, 2011. The session was adjourned after the interpolation said to be resumed on Monday.

Videos courtesy of GMANews

Meanwhile Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, author of the Senate's version of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, on Monday said the Senate will probably begin its debates on the controversial measure in August.

Santiago said that since there are only two weeks left in the Senate session, the debates will probably have to wait until session resumes after President Benigno Aquino III's State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

Our Voting Poll Update: RH BILL: THE GRAND DEBATE - Are you Pro or Contra? Anti Rh Bill is leading with 59% of the total votes. This poll will be closed after the Senate Debate on RH Bill.

QuestionsView Results

Typhoon Chedeng- PAGASA Weather Update-May 24, 2011- 5:00 A.M.

Typhoon Chedeng- PAGASA Weather Update-May 24, 2011- 5:00 A.M..

At 4:00 am today, Tropical Storm "CHEDENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 540 km East of Borongan, Eastern Samar ( 11.9°N, 130.8°E) with maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 17 kph.

DOST PAGASA MTSAT

Forecast:
Eastern and Northern Samar provinces, Sorsogon and Catanduanes will have rains and gusty winds while the rest of Visayas and Southern Luzon and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thundestorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over Mindanao and the rest of Visayas and Southern Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the East to Southeast with slight to moderate seas.

source:PAGASA

Is Typhoon Chedeng the manifestation of the start of rainy days in Philippines?


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Joplin, Missouri tornado (Twister Videos)

Joplin, Missouri - The destructive tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on Sunday has been considered the deadliest single twister in America's 6-decade history as the death toll has now risen to at least 122, Associated Press reported.

The Joplin. Mo twister which crushed cars like soda cans left a mile wide and six mile long path of destruction.

About 8,000 structures in Joplin, Mo were reportedly damaged by the tornado, injuring 750 people. Joplin’s main hospital had also been destroyed by the twister.

Video description: The video i took while at Fastrip on east 20th street. We huddled in the back of the store until the glass got sucked out , then ran into the walk in storage fridge. Sorry for the lack of visuals but the audio is pretty telling of how intense the storm was. The tornado hits at around 1:20 seconds.




 "ABCnews" youtube Video: Video description: Tornado chaser catches sights and sounds of the storm.


Youtube username: "RussiaToday"

Video description: A massive tornado that swept through the US state of Missouri on Sunday claimed the lives of at least 89 people in the city of Joplin. Authorities warn that the toll could rise as rescuers continue searching for victims. The twister destroyed homes, churches and businesses, damaging about 30 per cent of the city. The same storm system that produced the Joplin tornadospawned twisters along a broad swath of the Midwest, from Oklahoma to Wisconsin. At least one person was killed in Minneapolis.



source:noypistuff

Typhoon Chedeng Update- PAGASA - May 23, 2011- 5:00 P.M.

Here is the latest update from PAGASA weather forecast issued at 5:00 PM.

"At 2:00 p.m. today, Tropical Storm "CHEDENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 720 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar (11.4°N, 133.2°E) With maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 15 kph. ''

Forecast:
Palawan, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Southern Luzon and of Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. Northern and Central Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the East to Southeast with slight to moderate seas.

source: PAGASA PWF

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Typhoon Chedeng- PAGASA Weather Update-May 23, 2011- 5:00 A.M.

At 4:00 a.m. today, Severe Tropical Storm "CHEDENG" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 880 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar (10.5°N, 134.7°E) With maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 13 kph.

Forecast:
The whole countrty will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the Northeast to Northwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

source:PAGASA

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Tropical Storm SONGDA- PAGASA Weather Update- 5:00 PM, May 22, 2011

Tropical Storm SONGDA- Pag-asa Weather Update- 5:00 PM, May 22, 2011. At 4:00 p.m. today, Tropical Storm (SONGDA) estimated based on satellite and surface data at 1,050 km East of Northern Mindanao,(10.0°N, 136.2°E) with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 11 kph.

Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Light to moderate winds blowing from the East to Southeast will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the Northeast to Northwest over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

source:PAGASA