Oprah ends her daytime TV show in 2011

The queen of daytime talk show Oprah Winfrey announced her decision to quit her show on September 2011. The popular entertainment host who graced TV show audiences and endeared her fans since 1986 planned to confirm the news in her Friday appearance in one of the most watched programs in television.

Wealthy, famous, and a prominently influential Afro-American in the entertainment trade, Oprah has a viewership which ranges from 3 to 7 million in more than a hundred countries. For a long time, she reigned as the best-rated daytime show in town.

According to observers, she earns a fabulous pot of $270 million yearly. Her future plans is unclear after she leaves the 25th season of her very successful syndicated show. It appears what lies ahead is unsettled since she has involved herself in politics by supporting current Pres. Barack Obama--- a move that may eclipse her fame and fortune. (Photo Credit: cbc.ca) =0=

===============================================================

Actor Johnny Delgado dies of lymphoma

Philippine veteran TV and movie actor Johnny Delgado succumb to malignant lymphoma, a form of lymph node cancer on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the age of 61. Two days before his death, he was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital suffering from complications of the disease and chemotherapy.

The entertainment celebrity was popular in his many film and TV appearances which spanned for four decades. In the 1980’s he was a regular actor in “Goin’ Bananas.” He played a role in “Tanging Yaman,” a drama which gained him a FAMAS Award as the 2000 best actor. Johnny was the husband of Laurice Guillen and father of Ben Feleo---both film-makers by profession.

A devout Catholic Christian, Johnny’s remains was brought to New Manila, Quezon City at our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine for viewing prior to the burial at the Loyola Memorial Park on November 24, 2009. (Photo Credit: Weiss08) =0=

==============================================================

Naga City Rotarians donate for the Center for the Blind

Housed in the Raul Roco Library, the Center for the Blind in Naga City is the recipient of charitable donations from the Rotary Club of Naga-Camarines Sur and the Rotary International District 3820.

Benefactor Rotarian Jose “Chingsan” Ranola and fellow local Rotarians give away computers and equipment to the center set up for the benefit of those with eye-sight impairment.

Patronized by mostly students, the facilities help the visually challenged in their studies and researches. The center offers a comprehensive training and education for the blind.

Adding to the facilities were computers given by the family of city mayor Jesse Robredo. The donation beefed up existing computer and IT facilities in the center ---some solicited from other organizations and private individuals. (Photo Credit: localcville) =0=

=============================================================

RP’s improvement in corruption index doesn't mean much?

This year’s report by the Transparency International on corruption perception has placed the Philippines in a better position. From last year’s 141st ranking in a field of 180 sovereign states, the country placed 139th, an improved corruption index. RP's rank is shared by Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Belarus.

Trailing in the bottom end of the list are nations with the strongest corruption perception--- Iraq, Myanmar, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Somalia. These are countries which have worrisome peace and order problems.

It is unlikely that the improved rank of the Philippines opens a significant dent against its culture of corruption. However, the perception that graft abates in the islands is a bright spot---a source of consolation. It points to an opportunity for for advancement. Sadly, by indications, corruption still threatens RP's progress and stability.

High in the list of less corrupt countries are New Zealand, Denmark, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland.

The United States slid down from 18th to 19th place raising concerns of growing dishonesty especially in the business sector. It is unsure if what Pres. Barack Obama plans will effectively combat corruption.

The healthcare reform bill Obama supports has avoided the issue of fraud in medical services and reimbursements. The economic difficulties in the US have spawned the rise in corporate crimes which erodes trust and stifles development. (Photo Credit: Donnali) =0=

==============================================================

Dr. Doom thinks the worse is yet to come

In an article written for the Daily News, Nouriel Roubini, better known as Dr. Doom predicted that unemployment would be worse next year. From the official jobless rate of 10.2% the NYU economics professor who foresaw the economic meltdown spoke grimly of greater loss of work ---probably now hovering at 17.5% if those who stopped looking for jobs or remained underemployed were included.

“The long-term picture for workers and families is even worse than current job loss numbers alone would suggest. Now as a way of sharing the pain, many firms are telling their workers to cut hours, take furloughs and accept lower wages. Specifically, that fall in hours worked is equivalent to another 3 million full time jobs lost on top of the 7.5 million jobs formally lost.

This is very bad news but we must face facts. Many of the lost jobs are gone forever, including construction jobs, finance jobs and manufacturing jobs. Recent studies suggest that a quarter of U.S. jobs are fully out-sourceable over time to other countries.”----Daily News (11/15/09, Roubini, N.)

Roubini suggested that in the coming year the unemployment rate will hover high at about 11%, but it will be far worse in the following two years. Because of a weak labor market, he says the economic growth and recovery will be slow.

The budget deficits will rise accompanied by slowing in the real estate market. Delinquencies on mortgage payments, larger budget deficits and a fall of real estate prices are expected. If these scenarios occur, banks and lending institutions will bear much of the pain.

Roubini’s prescription is for the government to embark on another stimulus---creation of jobs by investing on infrastructure. Giving away unemployment checks is not enough. Those without work must find a way to have one and be productive.

Judging from the falling popularity of Obama, there is doubt if the US president can steer the country to better economic times. As he rounds up his visit to Beijing, China, Obama speaks of a double-dip recession if debt and spending are not controlled. =0=

=============================================================

Lea Salonga helps raise P9.3 million for Filipino flood victims in Hawaii

In the last days that she assumed a role in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables in New York City, I waited outside in a chilly evening to come close to Lea Salonga--- just to greet her and be thankful for the intense beauty of her performance. Among the lauding fans, I was there to shake her hands, watching her engage the crowd. I noticed the Broadway star was serenely polite --- her winsome smile was part of her persona which was endearing to her admirers.

In Hawaii, Philippine officials thanked the talented songstress for helping raise P9.3 million for the calamity victims--- 2,000 of them died as a result of the horrible floods brought by typhoons Ondoy and Peping. In her kind-heartedness, Lea gave a portion of the ticket sales in her sold-out November 10 concert in Blaisdell Arena. She joined the organizers in asking help for those who suffered the brunt of the wicked storms.

Such act of generosity should not remain unnoticed and must be commended. Along with volunteers and supporters the world-famous musical artist again brought an inspiring example to her kababayans. Thank you so much Lea Salonga! (Photo Credit: last.fm) =0=

===========================================================

For poverty reduction, RP gets a $405 million loan from World Bank

To lessen the incidence of poverty and hunger, the World Bank (WB) makes available a $405 million loan for the Philippines to support projects that will alleviate the impoverished condition of about 350,000 households.

About 1 in 6 people worldwide experiences hunger each day and poor Filipinos are no exception. To lessen the incidence of poverty and hunger, the World Bank (WB) makes available a $405 million loan for the Philippines to support projects that will alleviate the impoverished condition of about 350,000 households.

About 1 in 6 people worldwide experiences hunger each day and poor Filipinos are no exception. By estimates, the number of individuals suffering from lack of food will reach 1 billion this year throughout the world as the economy stalls. Cielito Habito, an economics professor of Ateneo de Manila says of the 90 million Filipinos, 35% (31.5 million) of them live below the poverty line. It is unlikely that the country, a UN-member nation, will meet its goal of reducing poverty to half its rate by 2015.

To counter the effects of poverty, international groups help indigent nations in maternal and child health, education, employment, and food production. Such money allocated for these projects are needed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in assisting families come out of economic difficulties.

The WB assistance must go hand-in-hand with the government addressing problems of the economy--- particularly the concentration of economic growth benefits in cities and lack of them in the countryside. (Photo Credit: mykworks) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Donations sought for this year’s 1 billion hungry people worldwide " Posted by mesiamd at 11/16/2009
===============================================================

Gov. Sarah Palin: more of fans’ admiration & detractors’ condescension

A year after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s devastating defeat in the vice-presidential race, the beauteous Republican conservative who stands against abortion and “death panels” in healthcare commands stronger attention these days. She is a visible advocate for the disabled and a supporter of drilling fuel in the US territory to be energy sufficient.

But the condescension of her political enemies who make fun of the former beauty queen-governor as a dumb incoherent public figure, is ever strong. They continue to punch on her tearing the benign soul of those who watch her derided in public.

Perhaps part envy and part dread for the political impact of the views she espouses, Palin has been a continuing magnet of fascination and vilification. Even her daughters (as in case of TV host David Letterman making fun of them in a late night comedy show) aren't spared. For being openly religiously conservative, liberal feminists do not appreciate her.

Her popular book “Going Rogue: An American Life,” a instant current best seller has the Associated Press (AP) scrambling to seek for errors assigned 11 of its staff. Their review concluded the autobiography of the self-confessed hockeymom showed indications of a campaign manifesto. The news media is strict on Palin's written work. But they were not strict enough to check the accuracy of the recent books by Pres. Barack Obama, Sen. Ted Kennedy, vice-president Joe Biden, and autobiographies by Bill or Hillary Clinton.

Gov. Palin reacted to the media saying:

"Imagine that," the post read. "11 AP reporters dedicating time and resources to tearing up the book, instead of using the time and resources to 'fact check' what's going on with Sheik Mohammed's trial, Pelosi's health care takeover costs, Hasan's associations, etc. Amazing…."

They're obsessed with trying to discredit her," said Adrienne Ross, New York state organizer for the 2012 Draft Sarah Committee. "Because she's a conservative woman, they make fun of her accent, comment about her looks. She doesn't come in the package they want her to come in."---ForxNews.com (11/17/0, Shaffer, R.)

Yes, there are more important issues roiling the country than Sarah. Political observers see how the journalists and celebrities have treated her with unusual unfairness. In a Newsweek cover this week, she is shown in a “sexist” pose smiling in red tops, shorts, and sneakers which the magazine defended as the “most interesting” picture there is for a Palin cover.

The unfazed Alaskan ex-governor seems to ride the tide well--- bringing along attention for her populist wit, her ideas, and gaining more critics and fans on the side. Without much of political campaign she is accused of, Palin is now dubbed as a "minor Evita," in reference to the commandingly (in)famous Evita Peron of Argentina who in her time blazed through politics "beyond expectation." (Photo Credit: Newsweek) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Genealogists trace Gov. Sarah Palin's family tree & Brigitte Bardot whips her" Posted by mesiamd at 10/09/2008

==============================================================

Majority of US voters oppose civilian trial of suspected 911 terrorists in NYC

Citing safety concerns, majority of American voters do not want to the Guantanamo prisoners to be housed in prisons in the United States out of safety concerns. Fifty-five (55%) of the same group are not in favor of closing the Guantanamo prison in Cuba. With a large majority (76% vs. 24%), Americans don't want to give the suspected terrorists the same rights as civilians. For being part of a global war, the public wants the terrorists be tried in military courts. These findings by Rasmussen survey are consistent to the majority---51% who are opposed to have self-confessed 911 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and 4 others stand trial in a New York City courhouse close to the scene of the crime.

The opinion above is a reaction to the radical liberal view of US Attorney General Eric Holden and the Obama administration desiring to showcase the "superior" legal system working in America. Critic's of Holden's decision on Khalid expects a trial that will be costly, put blame and exact accountability on Bush policies, heighten the anger of the victims' families, and refocus New York City as a target of future attack.

An NYC trial will bring a protracted "circus" to the public exposing the legal system's weaknesses (in spite of claims that it's the best in the world.) By probing the CIA (i.e. waterboarding, enhanced interrogation used on the suspects) the Bush policies which have made USA safer after 911 can re-ignite controversies from the old administr5ation and send to jail those guilty of a crime. (Photo Credit: andyworthington.co.uk.) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Gov. Paterson against 911 trial in NYC" Posted by mesiamd at 11/17/2009

==============================================================

18,837 teachers get their PRC licenses

It's the lack of classrooms and school facilities that the Philippines has been having problems with. Teachers and students are ready to teach and learn in school.

In the October 2009 licensure test given by the Philippine Regulations Commission (PRC,) for high school teachers, 10,792 passed. Another 8,045 examinees passed the examination for elementary teachers. =0=

=================================================================