WOW Pinoy

Philippines Short Films Wins in China

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Wednesday, June 18, 2008

After being featured in the non-competition Short Film Corner of the Cannes International Film Festival, actor-director Pedro 'Joaqui' Valdes 30 -minute film Bulong won the Golden Duck award for Best Short Narrative at the 2nd New Beijing International Movie Week on June 7.

The news was confirmed by Valdes in the phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment on Wednesday, a day after his return from China. According to Valdes, the original list of 150 entries was later trimmed down to the 25 short and feature-length fils that were screened at the film fest. He recalled that at least nine other short films competed in his category.

"Screenings for my movie were held in clubs and bars, as well as in the Beijing Film (CAFA)," he related. Valdes said the awards were announced at a dinner held in the home of a film professor from BFA. Response to his film was "overwhelming," he said. "Inspite of the language barrier, the Chinese students who watched the movie at the CAFA got it," he recounted. "The students were shocked to learn that my budget was only U.S. $4,000 (about P200,000).
He explained that he is dedicating his film to today's youth. "I want to address tha issue of apathy among Filipino youth. We cannot just watch from sidelines. We should all be catalysts for change."

He also met the festival guests speaker Rick Stevenson, the U.S. filmmaker behind Expiration Date. "rick saud that if I were a Chinese director, my film would've been considered controversial because it questioned the system," he recalled. "The festival definitely opened doors to me."

Valdes is now working on two movies: Hamog, an indie horror flick set in Mountain Province; and Hakaw, a celebration of food and family as experienced by three generations of Chinese-Filipinos.

Father in Different Languages

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Sunday, June 15, 2008

MANY WAYS TO SAY IT

* Afrikaans : vader
* Albanian : baba ; atë
* Apalai (Amazon) : papa
* Arabic : babba ; yebba ; abbi (classical)
* Aragones : pai
* Asturian : pá
* Aymara : awki
* Azeri (Latin Script) : ata
* Bangla : Baba ; Abba
* Basque : aita
* Bergamasco : pàder
* Bolognese : pèder
* Bosnian : otac
* Brazilian Portuguese : pai
* Bresciano : bubà ; pàder
* Breton : tad
* Calabrese : patre ; patri ; pa ; papà ; papallu ; patra
* Caló : batú ; bato ; batico ; dadá
* Catalan : pare
* Catanese : pattri ; opà
* Chechen (Caucasus) : daa
* Chechen : da
* Cree (Canada) : -papa
* Croatian : otac
* Czech : táta, otec
* Dakota (USA) : ate
* Dutch : vader ; papa ; pappie
* Dzoratâi : pére
* East African : baba
* English : father ; dad ; daddy ; pop ; poppa ; papa
* Esperanto : patro
* Estonian : isa
* Faeroese : faðir
* Filipino : tatay, itay, tay ; ama
* Finnish : isä
* Flemish : vader
* French : papa
* Frisian : heit
* Galician : pai
* German : banketi, Papi
* Griko Salentino : ciúri
* Guaran : túva ; ru
* Hebrew : abba(h)
* Hindi : Papa ; Pita-ji
* Hungarian : apa
* Hungarian : apa ; apu ; papa ; édesapa
* Icelandic : pabbi ; faðir
* Indonesian : bapa ; ayah ; pak
* Irish : athair ; daidí
* Italian : babbo
* Japanese : otosan, papa
* Judeo-Spanish : padre ; baba ; babu
* Kikuyu : baba
* Kiswahili : Baba
* Kobon (New Guinea) : bap
* Kurdish Kurmanji : bav
* Ladin : pere
* Latin : pater ; papa ; atta
* Latvian : tevs
* Leonese : pai
* Ligurian : paire
* Limburgian : vader ; vajer ; pap
* Lingala : tata
* Lithuanian : tevas ; pradininkas ; protevis
* Lombardo Occidentale : bubà
* Lunfardo : viejo
* Luo (Kenya) : baba
* Maasai : papa ; paapa ; olaiiu
* Malagasy : ray
* Malay : bapa
* Malay : bapa
* Maltese : missier
* Mandarin : bà ; bàba (informal)
* Mandarin Chinese : baba
* Mantuan : upà ; papà ; babbo
* Maori : haakoro ; kohake
* Mapunzugun : chaw ; chao
* Modern Greek : babbas
* Moravian : tata
* Mudnés : pèder
* Nadsat : Pee
* Nahuatl (Mexico) : ta’
* Napulitano : pate
* Nepali : buwa
* Norwegian : pappa ; far
* Occitan : paire
* Parmigiano : päder
* Persian/Farsi : pedar, pitar ; simply Baabaa
* Piemontese : pare
* Pipil (El Salvador) : tatah
* Polish : tata ; ojciec
* Portuguese : pai
* Quechua (Ecuador) : tayta
* Quechua : tata ; churiyaqe
* Rapanui : koro ; matu’a ; matu’a tane
* Reggiano : peder
* Romagnolo : bà
* Romani : dad
* Romanian : tata
* Romanian : tata ; parinte ; taica
* Romansh : bab
* Russian : papa
* Saami : áhcci
* Samoan : tama
* Sango : baba
* Sanskrit : tàtah ; janak
* Sardinian (Limba Sarda Unificada) : babu
* Sardinian Campidanesu : babbu
* Sardinian Logudoresu : babbu
* Shona : baba
* Sicilian : patri
* Slovak : otec
* Slovenian : ôèe
* Spanish : papá ; viejo ; tata
* Swahili : baba ; mzazi
* Swedish : pappa
* Swiss German : Vatter
* Tagalog : tatay ; ama
* Triestino : pare
* Turkish : baba
* Turkmen : däde ; kaka
* Urdu : Abbu ; Abbu-ji ; Abbu-jan ; bap
* Valencian : pare
* Venetian : pare ; popà ; 'opà ; pupà ; papà
* Viestano : attèn'
* Wallon : pére
* Welsh : tad
* Xhosa (South Africa) : -tata
* Yiddish : tatti ; tay ; foter ; tateh
* Zeneize : poæ

Mangoes from Pangasinan to US

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Saturday, June 14, 2008

The provincial board here has certified Pangasinan free from mango pests, paving the way for the shipment of local mangoes to the United States.

In a resolution, Board Member Danilo Uy said the US Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Plant Industry found in a survey in 2007 that mangoes in the province were free from mango pulp and seed weevil, two pests that previously prevented shipment of Philippine mangoes to the US.

Vincent Adorna, USDA-BPI regional project coordinator, said in a letter to the provincial government that Hernani Golez, chief of the National Mango Research and Development Center, certified that "not a single specimen of the weevil (egg, larva, pupa and adult) was found" in the mangoes produced in Pangasinan.

The province topped mango production with its output of 24.93 metric tons of mangoes a hectare, according to the 2007 data found in the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (Amas) of the Department of Agriculture website.

The province was followed by South Cotabato (18.21 metric tons per hectare), Pampanga (17.02 MT/ha), Zamboanga del Sur (12.81 MT/ha) and Ilocos Norte (11.91 MT/ha).

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said 40 percent of mangoes in the Philippines came from Pangasinan. However, only mangoes from Guimaras are currently accepted in the US mainland.

'Mabuhay,' says Obama to Filipinos on Independence Day

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, June 13, 2008

Acting very presidential, the United States' Democratic Party's presidential nominee US Senator Barack Obama on Thursday (Chicago time) greeted Filipinos "Mabuhay (long live)" on the Philippines' Independence Day.

"Today, I extend my warm wishes to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the people of the Philippines. Let us join with Filipinos worldwide and Filipino Americans to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. Mabuhay!" he said.

Obama's statement, available at the website of Asian Americans for Obama, acknowledged the contribution of Filipino veterans who fought in the Second World War.

"During World War II, Filipino and American troops fought bravely together under some of the most trying conditions suffered by any forces during that conflict, forging a historic bond between our two nations and their people. Filipinos displayed great courage alongside American soldiers at Bataan and Corregidor, only to be denied their just benefits by our government," he said.

He thus urged members of the US Congress to pass the Veterans' Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 which would honor the service of all US veterans, including these Filipino World War II heroes.

"The Senate passed this bill last April. I urge my colleagues in Congress to take note of this day to honor the heroic service of Filipino World War II veterans by finally turning this important legislation into law," he said.

Obama recognized the long history and the special relationship between the US and its former colony.

The US Democratic Party's presidential nominee, who spent some time in Hawaii, where Filipinos make up most of its residents, also recognized the positive contribution of migrant Filipinos to the US.

"On this anniversary, we also must recognize the enormous contributions of generations of Filipino immigrants to building a more vibrant United States of America. Indeed, more than 60 years after World War II, Filipino-Americans continue to serve brilliantly and bravely as members of our fighting forces," he said.

"I grew up in Hawaii, where Filipinos have had an enormous positive impact on the culture and economy. As dedicated military and civil servants, lawyers and bankers, artists, engineers and entrepreneurs, agricultural and industrial laborers, healthcare providers and customer service workers, caretakers for our elderly and youth, Filipino Americans -- four million strong -- have enriched our country, embodied our nation's highest ideals, and reflected the very best that the Philippines has to offer," he added.

Projecting into the future, the Illinois senator expressed his desire to work with the Philippines and Filipinos.

"I look forward to working with the Filipino people and their government, as part of the global community, to combat poverty and generate wealth, build healthy and educated communities, and change the odds for generations to come," he said.

The statement, characteristically inspiring, acknowledged the richness of the Philippines and committed to helping it through its many problems.

"But as a nation rich in natural and human resources, with a proud legacy as the first democracy in Asia, the Philippines also holds great opportunities and hope for the future. An ongoing challenge of the 21st century will be to ensure that these opportunities to make a better life are open to all," he said.

"In part because of our shared history, we cannot ignore the fact that the Philippines continues to confront many difficult challenges, including persistent poverty, natural disasters, and political division," he added.

Vote Philippines for New 7 Wonders

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Saturday, April 26, 2008

I found out that some of Philippines nice places are nominated for New 7 Wonders of Nature. And wow, this is good news but Philippines can achieve it if we vote on any of those listed in

Please vote Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Mayon Volcano of Albay, Tubatahha Reef, Pueto Princessa National Park. To all my Kababayan and also some of the other people to vote here for the sake of saving these wonders.

Filipino still world's 3rd largest remitters - WB

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Philippines remains the third largest recipient of remittances in the world, next to India and Mexico, according to a World Bank report. In its latest Migration and Remittances Factbook 2008, the Washinton-based lender said the top four recipients of migrant remittances in 2007 were India ($27 billion), Mexico ($25 billion), Philippines (17 billion); and Frances ($12.5 billion).

"The united States was also the top immigration country in 2005, with 38.4 million immigrants, followed by Russian Federation (12.1 million), and Germany (10.1 million)," the World Bank said.

Among lowincome countries, India had the highest immigration volume (5.7 million), followed by Pakistan (3.3 million). The report provides snapshots of statistic on immigration, recorded remittance flows, and skilled emigration for 194 countries and 13 regional and income groups.

For 2007, recorded remittances flows worldwide are estimated at $318billion, of which $240billion went to development countries. These flows do not include informal channels, which would significantly enlarge the volume of remittances if they were recorded.

"In many developing countries, remittances provide a life line for the poor" said Dilip rathe, senior economist, and author of the factbook with zhimei Xu. They are often an essential source of foreign exchange and a stabilizing force for the economy in tribulent times."

Rich countries are the main source of remittances. The United States is by far the largest, with $42 billion in recorded outward flows in 2006. Saudi Arabia ranks as the second largest, followed by Switzerland and Germany

'The best herbs in the world are found in the Philippines

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Wednesday, April 09, 2008

The success of the company founded by retired multinational corporation executive Ramon tan is due to one undeniable fatc, he says. In terms of sheer variety and efficacy, Philippine herbs are the best in the world. Consider that the Philippines lies near the equator, with fertile volcanic soil and plenty of wind, rain and sunshine.

One of richest sources of herbal medicine is something that Filipinos take for granted, the coconut tree. Growing all over the country , it has often been called the "tree of life.""Nothing",he says, "beat the coconut virgin oil" in delivering good health to those who take it regularly.

Flowers, roots, crops, and all sorts of plants parts mean the Philippines has more than 5,000 possible herbal products which serve as remedies to just about any ailment besetting modern man. Philippines fruits are also the rrichest in the world in terms of vitamins, anti-oxidant and other nutrients. Local noni juice is not miraculous, he adds, but is most certainly effective for numerous types of aches and pains. And because the country is no stranger to lightning storms, Tan feels that even rarest and most expensive type of mushroom - the ruffle - is likely to be found in forest areas.

Tan says that the nutritious herbs, plants, fruits and crops found in the remaining Philppinr forests are a veritable cornucopia of wonder medications. "In hospitals, the oxygen is stable and virus and fungal levels are high," he says, "the oxygen level is higher in the forest."

Carica Herbal Health Products, Inc. has tested and produced a wide variety of nature's medicine and has come up with likes of lauric acid from virgin coconut oil; enzymes from wild green papaya; xanthone from mangosteen; proxeronina from wild noni; and anthocyanine from topical forest berries.

The list goes on and on. Now covering 300 plants. Among Carica's herbal teas are anona, ampalaya, banaba, bayabas, coconut, co-enzyme Q-10, green, lemon grass, lagundi, mangosteen, papaya flower, sambong, tsaang gubat, and pito-pito. Among Carica's energy drinks are calamansi, dalandan, lacto-bacillus and mangosteen. And the company's dietary aids are slim 7, fruit fiber, and candies made of carica, papaya ginger, herbalberry and noni.

Tan's company even has a variety of soaps for different skin characteristics and herbal cigarettes to help one quit smoking. Tan is a one-man research and development department. He says he will never stop searching for every possible herbal remedy that the Philippines has. Ha may, he adds, slow down when he reaches the age of 100. But for now, the search continues.

Playboy to launch in Philippines, eyes mature Dads

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Saturday, March 29, 2008

MANILA (Reuters) - Playboy magazine is launching in the Philippines next month and will be targeting mature men who like well-written articles and tasteful photographs of semi-nude women.

"Maxim and FHM are called laddy magazines. We can be called a Dad magazine," Beting Laygo Dolor, Playboy Philippines' editor, told Reuters on Thursday.

"We are targeting a more mature market, Filipino men, 30 and above."

"There will be no full frontal nudity."

Mens' magazines with risque photos are already sold in the Philippines, which despite being a largely Catholic country has a macho culture that encourages promiscuity.

Although rural areas are more conservative, Manila and other large cities have a relaxed attitude to sex.

Dolor, who describes himself as a "bad Catholic," said the religion's values had influenced the decision not to go for a raunchier look for the magazine.

"I don't want to be ashamed to show it to my mother," said the father of four. "I have daughters in their twenties. It's something that I want them to also enjoy. I want them to be proud of their Dad."

Founded in 1953, Playboy has some 20 local editions around the world that cater to local taste rather than simply exporting and translating its U.S. content.

The magazine will be sold across the Philippines at a cost of 199 pesos ($4.76) and 70 percent of the content will be local.

Playboy's first edition in Indonesia in 2006 sparked protests although it had no nudity and less flesh visible in the issue than many other magazines on sale in the world's most populous Muslim country. Its editor was cleared of distributing indecent pictures last year.

Dolor said he didn't expect any uproar when his magazine hits the news stands on April 3.

"It's supposed to be a very good read," he said.

Ways to Know If You Are Filipino

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, February 29, 2008

Lots of us here in United States (like me) or in other country, Filipino culture is still at home even far away from the Philippines. From the food we eat like "ulam at kanin". We can't resist eating it every single day. Our elders want us youths to still have the knowledge about our Filipino culture. Like saying "po" and "opo" to our elders or saying "ate" and "kuya" to our brother or sisters. It means even you are born in America or other country and you have one or both parents that is Filipino, You are still Filipino, in short "Pinoy". And nobody can erase that.

I have kids of my own and I dont want them to forgot what is being Filipino is, the culture, the tradition, the food, being respectful and they must learn that. Even though we all know that the country we came from is a "Corrupt Country". You know us "Pinoy" most important thing to us is our family. We love helping each other. We don't want to forget want we really are.

Mabuhay ang pinoy!

FilAms Join Annual Rose Parade

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, January 25, 2008

by Joseph Pimentel
AsianJournal.com

Pasadena, CA - At 4 am.,New Years, FilAMs Jack Pimentel, 19, and Laarni Cordero, 16, woke up for a new experience.

While some kids thier age were still in bed or barely getting home from New Year's festivities, Pimentel and Cordero were preparing to be part of the 119th Anniversay of the Rose Parade.

They were part of the Lions Club International Tournament of Roses that celebrated the New Year commemorating the United Nations.

Pimentela nd Cordero are two of the 30 young Leos statewide carrying the of the countries that make up the United Nations.

"This is the first time that we've invited the young Leos to be part of the float," said Mahedta Amarasuriya, the President of the International Association of Lions Club, one of the world's largest service organizations.

The 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade featured 46 floats, 22 marching bands, and 19 Rose equestrians.

As the Lions group converged at the Double Tree Hotel in Montebello, excitement filled the chilly morning air.

"Oh yeah, I'm excited," said Pimentel. "This is definitely an honor."

Pimentel and Cordero sat in front of the bus resting for what would be a seven mile walk in front of millions of people in Pasadena and televised worldwide.

"I just hope I don't trip," said Cordero.

Rose Bowl
At 5:30am, cars lined the entrance of the once empty parking lot beside the Rose Bowl. Parking was an adventure. Those who didnt want to pay the $30 parking rate, tried their luck by circling the local neighborhoods walkeed in pitch-black streets a good two to three miles away from the parade route. People were seen carrying blankets, seat warmers, and wore thick jackets to weather the chilly morning air.

ROse Parade Officials said people started camping on the parade route as early as New Year's Eve afternoon.

"But this really start getting crazy until 6:30 or 7 am." said Tom Fuelling, a Rose Parade Volunteer.

Tom O'Hara, Bob Spears, and a group of 20 friends were part off the Foothill Flyers Funning Club. Every New Year's morning, the group meets at the entrance of the Arroyo Seco Bridge known as the gateway into central Pasadena. The group runs three miles to preview the floats on the parade route on orange Grove and heads back to the bridge to watch the fighter jets fly over.

"It's become annual tradition. We've been doing this probably for the past sis to eight years," said O'Hara. "But the club itself has done this for 20 years,"

"There is nothing like this in the world," said Spears."We run to the parade route, look at the floats, take pictures and run back just in time. We have the best view."

"Afterwards, we all eat breakfast. We're an eating club with a running problem," O'Hara added.

International Audince
Groups of weary-eyed people wearing hooded sweaters inside their sleeping bags, or covered in warm thick blankets littered the sidewalks of Orange Grove Blvd. Some slept perched up on their lawn chairs.

Ben Silva arrived at 11pm the night before.He came to the event, along with a small number of El Salvadoreans, to show their national pride. This year tthe Rose Parade featured a 230-member youth marching band, the Nuestros Angeles de El Salvador.

"We're all her for them," he said, flanked by the few compatriots waving the blue-white-blue flag of El Salvador. "This is our chance to see them live."

Filipino Daryl Famirasan, the field director for the Socio-economic Uplift Legacy Anthropological and Development Service (SULADS), traveled from Mindanao, Philippines, Famarisanm the National Awardee for Bayaning Pilipino Award, said he specificaly wanted to see the bands and hear the music.

Famirasan arrived at 5am with friends Jocelyn Sonsonam and Dolly and Mike Sarsoza. Thier small group perched up four lawn chairs just at the start of the parade route on Del Mar and Orange Grove.

"The last time I came here was 17years ago with my kids", said Dolly Sarsoza. "This is worth waking up early for."