NASA's Mission to Mars - An Event to be Remembered

The Icarus Syndrome

The aspiration of man to travel in the sky is early recorded in the times of Icarus in Greek mythology. He is the son of a master craftsman Daedalus. His attempt to escape the island of Crete by using wings (made of feathers and wax) created by his father. He fell because he didn't followed his father's instruction not to fly too close to the sun.

Today, due to Icarus' popularity, the Hellenic Air Force Academy is named after him. It is also the manifestation how Greece is aiming to conquer the skies.

As we all know, it evolved into the fierce competition between the United States of America and former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) by sending mission to the moon (the nearest satellite on Earth) and rocket ships navigating the skies since the 1960s.

As the Cold War ended, the two super power nations joined missions in order to have successful landings on the moon and build facilities on space in order to monitor weather, the sun and other planets of the system, including foreign bodies entering the Earth's atmosphere (like meteors).

Space explorations brought mankind to a new level of understanding regarding our solar system and other features of the space or galaxies.

Based from the Biblical account, God created all the things we are appreciating and discovering.

Scientists continue to oppose this as Big Bang theory came into the scene of our existence.

Man's curiosity is endless, so every year, space scientists or astronomers continue to discover new things.

Planet Mars is not an exception.

The red planet, also visible in the naked eye, is the focus of the recent mission initiated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of the USA.

This hubber is excited to partake in this spectacular endeavor.

It's not only for the benefit of Americans. It will be credited to all mankind.

It started on the "Leap of Mankind" to the moon.

Now, the next destination will be Mars.

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is spending the seventh anniversary of its landing on Mars investigating a crater called "Santa Maria," which has a diameter about the length of a football field. (Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell/ASU)

The Mission of Mars Rover Curiosity

On August 5, 2012, citizens of USA or perhaps, enthusiasts all over the world will converge as Mars Rover Curiosity will descend on the soil of Planet Mars for the following missions:

1. evidence that Mars had environments
2. chemical ingredients favorable for microbial life

Since its launching on November 26, 2011, the public have been invited at NASA Ames Exploration Center through its mobile laboratory.

As the mission progresses and comes to culmination on the said date, the public is once again called upon to witness another exciting event.

The whole day and night of August 5th, 2012 will be a very busy day to interested US residents and the scientists who are stationed at the mobile laboratory of the said NASA facilities.

Included in the activities will be the registration of the participants and the answers that will be provided by NASA personnel for the questions that will be given by participants (the public) about the situation on the surface of Mars as relayed by Rover Curiosity.

As for me, I'll be joining Filipinos who will be watching on television for updates regarding the mission to the red planet.

This time, questions about Mars will truly be answered as our eyes will focus on the progress of Rover Curiosity's discovery on its atmosphere.

Is there life on Mars?

In time it will be answered.

     Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Animation c/o JPLnews

          Mars, The Red Planet

There are lots of similarities that this planet, Mars, possess when compared to Earth.

Early astronomers and scientists drawn many hypothesis and assumptions that the qualities that this planet manifest will hold and support life, from microbial or human existence.

However, due to a very minimal oxygen and water content of the planet, a lot of skeptics are arguing regarding the bold ambition of mankind to invade the planet for occupancy in the future.

Factors that will hinder such ambition will be time travel and human body composition that is solely adopted to planet Earth only.

It will need more research, trial and error testing in order for this ambition to be successful.

The question is how far mankind's ambition will go.

The 3rd SONA of P-NOY

"Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan." President Benigno Aquino III, during his first State of the Nation Address in 2010. Aquino has made pursuing peace a pillar of his administration, with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process saying a peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front could happen this year. "Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon," he also said in 2010. 


I just got this caption from Yahoo! News written by Jonathan de Santos.

The photo taken during his first SONA, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III was full of hope in order to promote peace as the foundation of progress.

According to P-noy, "It is the duty of every Filipino to be vigilant with the leaders they put in position. Start it as being concern and participate. Because those who are keep on criticizing, they have never-ending complaints. Those who are participating in the government's programs, they share with the proper solutions on the perennial problems of the country." 

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom published this 3rd SONA (State-of-the-Nation) address Briefer .

 On July 23, 2012, President Benigno S. Aquino III will deliver his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) during a joint session to mark the opening of the third regular session of the 15th Congress of the Philippines.

There have been 72 SONAs, and the forthcoming address of President Aquino III will be the 73rd since 1936 and the 26th since the restoration of democratic rule under the Fifth Republic in 1987.

The SONA delivered by the President is a yearly tradition wherein the chief executive reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and may also propose to Congress certain legislative measures. The SONA is a constitutional obligation, as written in Article VII, Section 23 of the 1987 Constitution: “[t]he President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session.” Moreover, Article VI, Section 15 prescribes that the Congress “shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session.”


Unfortunately, I cannot attend P-noy's 3rd SONA, although, I've been writing about his achievements plus criticisms. In fact, some students of known universities  here in Metro Manila contacted me and requested that they will include my write-ups in their thesis writing assignments.

It is interesting to know that the SONA of P-noy is being delivered in Filipino language, our very own instead of English (as the international language). I'm sure there will be translated copies of the SONA to be distributed for the foreign media.

I still have high hopes with this present administration and the 15th Congress.

LET'S TRUST OUR HONEST LEADERS and DENOUNCE THOSE WHO ARE NOT !!!

DJ CHAM Z Club Mix Demo 03042012 (Live Mixset) Clean

DJ CHAM Z Club Mix Demo 03042012 (Live Mixset) Clean

It's always been an exciting episode each time I listen to the mixes of this awesome Fil-Am DJ in the USA.

To tell you frankly, I've been downloading some of his series of club mixes starting 2011.

You'll be addicted to DJ CHAM Z as he brings out the kind of music you want to hear if you'll be club-hopping.

Since, I've been limited to downloading his works, I might as well share with you this good news in the club music scene.

Don't hesitate to listen. You'll never regret you did!

Philippine Money - Peso Coins and Banknotes: Peso Fuerte

Philippine Money - Peso Coins and Banknotes: Peso Fuerte

What's this Protect IP and SOPA? Online risk against free speech or US manipulation?

Most online writers (bloggers, hubbers or in between) will be greatly affected by the latest innovation on internet censorship by the US Congress.

Recently (as of November 18, 2011), I've read from the HubPages staff Simone Smith, also a hubber, regarding the danger those two legislations pose on HubPages and other legitimate sites, like Facebook, Twitter. Wikimedia and the like.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) encourages all online users to support their fight against the blacklisting of many websites around the world that can put a very HUGE changes in social media.

This is not only about the hovering danger in the US online atmosphere but in the entire globe as well.

To mention a slash but important component of EFF's appeal to all online users:

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has placed a hold on the Senate version of the bill, taking a principled stand against a very dangerous bill. But every Senator and Representative should be opposing the PROTECT IP Act and SOPA. Contact your members of Congress today to speak out.

The emergence of Protect IP (Intellectual Property) Act and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) aim to stop online PIRACY, but could these two acts stop people from downloading free movies and music?


All online users always want freebies. For example, I want to download my favorite song or movie, I can easily have those movies and songs by just going through a free site. 


YouTube is one of the targets of these bills than can be abused by those who are in the government.


The dawn of stopping freedom of expression  online is now starting. I think it will be a HUGE BLAST come 2012 and God knows how we'll we fare at the internet.


So, please, let us not take this for granted. We will all be greatly affected by this development. One voice cannot be heard alone.


You can share, tweet, email or holler this information; or even text it to your friend.


I'm a blogger, hubber and writer rolled into one. Those online readers who used to get my articles for their assignments or TV productions (through their staff) will be greatly affected.


The MEDIA should and could put a stop on this kind of political maneuvering.


Let's join hands and DO IT NOW.


My fellow hubber, Simone Smith, wrote this appeal:


HubPages does not stand alone in its opposition to this legislation. Other businesses, such as Google, Yahoo, Facebook, LinkedIn, eBay, and AOL, as well as human rights organizations such as Reporters Without Borders, Wikimedia, Human Rights Watch, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are against SOPA and Protect-IP.


You know how to react on this, I'm sure.

The Papier Tole Shop at Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

If you happen to travel in Metro Manila, Philippines, you must include Intramuros in your itinerary. There are lots of souvenir shops that are still existing and thriving money-wise because of the tourist influx in this walled city in the metro.

It's Hispanic influences are well-preserved, from the sentries or guards with its 18th century uniforms and the existence of caretelas or horse-driven carriage that fetches tourists to tour the very small city.

The baroque-styled church at Beaterio street is often photographed by the tourists and city dwellers as well due to its grandiose presence.

Since Intramuros is also the place where my manning agency (for my work overseas) is located, I used to take photos of what interest me inside the walled city.

The souvenir shop where I used to visit is The Papier Tole Shop, established in 1668 as major hub for recycled paper products. The Spanish regime left a very important contribution to the Filipino people by utilizing their artistic talent and skills as it leave unique masterpieces for the unique paintings in 3D or in watercolor, paper dolls, necklaces and other paper products.

The blogger @ The Papier Tole Shop (backside)

 The Papier Tole Shop is now owned and managed by Mrs. Ruby Lee. Thanks to the ever humble shop attendant-worker Meliton Batac for giving me an overview about the souvenir shop and gave me access to take photos, so that I can complete this blog.

The 3D paintings I used to gaze and admire are masterpieces of Filipino artists, like Antonio Mendoza. 

The additional souvenir items, aside from recycled paper products are also getting noticed by the tourists.

For a sampler, I bought a P40-peso notepad (3 pcs for P100 pesos) for my personal notes.

One of the shop attendant-worker

OKB-Gayon Bikol 2011

When I say 'GAYON', it is the sweetest word that you'll hear among Bicolanos, young and old, when they appreciate 'BEAUTY'. So, as the legend narrates, Daragang Magayon (beautiful maiden) of Albay became synonymous with the beautiful attraction of the province, which is the Mayon Volcano.

From then on, the curiosity among the neighboring residents from the rest of the provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have been triggered by the colorful history of the Bicolanos. 

I remember my history teacher retelling the plight of Bicolano historians trying to save the documents left from the burning pueblos done by the invading Moros during the early years of Spanish colonization of the Bicol Peninsula.

Although, traditions and customs, and the way of life were handed down from generation to generation, fortunate sons and daughters of the region (from artists, politicians to businessmen or entrepreneurs) are continuing to give back the knowledge they've learned by converging into a yearly exhibit of Bicolano ingenuity or craftsmanship as it showcase the different facets of life in the six provinces, namely: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.

It's been happening for the past decade, 15 years as I heard it from the statements of Bicolano officials at the DTI-Department of Trade and Industry and DOT-Department of Tourism and local government officials.

Ma'am Linda Rebosura-Corsiga - owner/general manager of Sorsogon Foods Enterprises

People who are worthy of, both mentioning and appreciation include: Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, Daet Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion (cousin of the former) and DTI and DOT people, DirectorsJocelyn Blanco and Maria Ravanilla of DTI-Region V and Tourism Usec Ma. Victoria Jasmin and the people who are untiringly contributing to make the Bicol Expo a success.

If you're not acquainted with the food, culture, craftsmanship and other activities happening in my region, you better be one of the tourists or be a buyer of our local quality products that are now being exported to other progressive/developed countries.

Have you ever heard of Pili marzapan and other native delicacies? Or better yet, the sumptous and exotic Laing or Pinangat? How about a transfo-bed (transforming bed into a luggage, drawing table and the like)?

This year, I personally like the exhibit of pottery products from Buhi, Camarines Sur and Native lampshades of Daet and other handicrafts from Labo, all of Camarines Norte. Sorsogon's products are also in full force, especially the award-winning coconut nectar (coconut sap called tuba in Bicol dialect) turned into a sweet vinegar that is so good for salad marinade. If you're interested with the products (bags, organizers, etc.) derived from water hyacinth or water lilies, then you can make it a business to visit Naga City.

Gov. Salceda of Albay with Usec Ma. Victoria Jasmin and Daet Mayor Tito Sarion

I might have missed the gist of the message of Governor Joey Salceda, but I will never forget what he added that we can have a progressive region if all the sectors will help or converge for a common goal for the BANWAAN (community or region-I shouted the right term when he asked about the Bicol word for it). And the bottomline of it is PROGRESS.

As Usec Jasmin reiterated, there must be 5 As that Bicol should possess to be totally of service to the international and local tourists as well. It includes amenities, accommodation, attraction, activities and appreciation (Did I enumerated it right?).

The following photos are just a documented evidence that our businessmen or entrepreneurs are ready to show the world hot Bicol fare in the Philippines when it comes to OTOP (One Town, One Product)  and other attractions for the tourism and trade industries.

I can never get enough with Bicolano products, services and amenities. 

Ms. Nancy Talay of LGU-Milaor, Camarines Sur


It's good to stay at the exhibit for the entire period. You may run out of money, but the inspiration in attaining success will only be inculcated in the minds of new entrepreneurs.

Engineer & Mrs. Nestor Flores of Nitz Furniture in Naga City with their multi-awarded tranfo-bed

Pili nut products, marzapan, candies and tarts

It's just the opening day. Bicolanos will never rest on their laurels as they showcase other talents as exciting as being skilled on handicrafts and home cooking.

OKB-Gayon Bikol 2011 Ribbon-Cutting

Part and parcel or the gist of what Governor Salceda shared in his speech, regarding the death of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs and the importance of entrepreneurship in our country was recorded in this video.

I've relayed the information that transpired during the first day  to my fellow Bikolanos by linking this blog at their Tourism sites. I even told my fellow Minalabacquenos (of Minalabac, Camarines Sur) about the bright possibilities and opportunities when joining such trade fair/exhibit.

There's more than meets the eye, as critics will say.

More homegrown projects and livelihood, more jobs that the initiators can offer with their neighbors. It's not as easy as it seems but starting a livelihood will bring hope to residents of each town to dream BIG.