Vietnamese Father & Son Chose to Live in the Forest Since 1972

Father and Son Who Survived the Viet War 40 yrs ago

Father and son who fled during the Vietnamese war 40 years ago have been coaxed from their hut deep in the forest. In the photo, Ho Van Lang, now 42, is wearing loincloth made from tree barks. The father, 82 years old Ho Van Thanh, then a communist soldier is already frail and has to be carried in a hammock. Thanh ran and took his then 2 years old boy after an American bombing transpired in central Quang Ngai province back in 1972, where he also witnessed the death of his mother and two other children.

In 2004, Thanh’s younger son already taken the pair back to the village but they cannot adapt and choose to fled back to their forest home. There, they would forage and plant corn. The younger son will then visit annually to bring their necessities. But locals started spotting the pair up and reported them back to the authorities.

Local official Hoang Anh Ngoc told the media that “The son is afraid of the crowds. He will not talk to strangers… but he talks inside their family.” The official also assured that the government is also to spend $2,300 to build the men home and facilitate Thanh’s medical condition.

 

Typhoon Labuyo

Storm Utor or Labuyo

As of 11:00 am today, Typhoon ‘Labuyo’ continues to intensify as it nears Northern Philippines specifically the Luzon area. It now has an expected 150 kilometers per hour (kph) maximum winds—up from 140—and last spotted 160 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 270 kilometers east northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte. With this huge change, PAG-ASA raised storm signal number 3 in Catanduanes along with the Camarines provinces, the Northern Quezon Province, Polilio Island, Aurora and Isabela.

labuyo typhoon

Signal number 2 is also up in:

Albay
Sorsogon
Rizal
Rest of Quezon
Laguna
Bulacan
Nueva Ecija
Quirino
Nueva Viscaya
Benguet
Ifugao
Mt. Province
Kalinga
Cagayan

While signal number 1 is up in:

Metro Manila
Babuyan Group of Islands
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
Apayao
Abra
La Union
Pangasinan
Tarlac
Zambales
Pampanga
Bataan
Cavite
Batangas
Marinduque
Burias and Ticao Islands
Northern Samar

 

What Happened, Reese?

It is okay to come to your husband’s defenses even if he is clearly driving under the influence of liquor, but bullying an officer is definitely not smart, Reese. Still, we should give the girl mad props for publicly apologizing on ‘acting like a diva’ so fast. This should be a good example to all celebrities. None of you is above the law and bullying is no longer accepted in this modern world.

So what’s up with Jim Toth and Reese Witherspoon after the Friday arrest? You’ll think that the two would lie low but they are back to business. Jim is back at CAA and Reese is all smiles wherever she goes. Everybody has to move on, so do they yeah?

 

Photos from TMZ

 

114th Philippine Independence Celebration Today

114th Philippine Independence Celebration

Join the Filipinos, here and abroad, in celebrating the Philippines 114th Independence Day today. This year’s commemoration of the nation’s freedom from Spanish rule will be celebrated in different historic sites: Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan; Rizal National Monument at Luneta in Manila; Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City; and Pamintuan mansion in Angeles City.

The President will lead the celebration in Malolos, while Vice President Jejomar Binday will lead the rites in Luneta, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas in Kawit, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in Caloocan City, and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. in Angeles City.

This year’s celebration is headed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), which has the theme “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan.” The new sites for this year’s celebration were all hand-picked for their significance in attaining the country’s freedom 114 years ago. Malolos city, the center of the celebration is the renowned “cradle of the first republic in Asia”, while Angeles city is where the first commemoration of Philippine Independence from Spain was held. The NHCP chair is Dr. Maria Serena Diokno.

 

Nel Claveria Jr. Makes it to the Finals

Nel, Fab Four in PRP 3

For the first time in its three successful seasons, the Project Runaway Philippines (PRP) 3 is going to the finals with 4 finalists!

This was after the judges battled over Nel Claveria Jr. and Amor Albano. Nel designed a simple but sleek high-fashion gown after the shadow-effect painting of the Filipino masters, while Amor did her own interpretation of a flower painting. Although the judges adored Nel’s creation, they found the front’s simple and neat design boring and the behind design a little troubling—Apples calling it a super power launcher. As for Amor, the judges thought of her white and peach gown as very feminine and teeny. Finally, the committee decided that Nel, despite his shortcomings, is as deserving as Amor to join Cheetah and Milka in the finals. Thus, for the first time, PRP Finals will have Cheetah, Milka, Amor, and Nel—dubbed as the Fab Four.

The Fab Four will advance to the finals after stunning the judges with their awesome high-fashion designs for the L’Oreal Paris woman. Cheetah won the challenge with her lacy black gown, which Guest Judge Lucy Torres describes as the gown that needs to be looked at. Seasoned Judge Apples also cried out her admiration for Cheetah’s works and claimed that she is already a fan.

Nel is an overseas fashion designer and is a native of Camarines Sur.

 

First Steps for a Hurricane Plan

Take the First Steps for a Hurricane Plan
If you are under a hurricane watch or warning, here are some basic steps to take to prepare for the storm:
 Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
 Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
 Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it.
 Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, stocks, etc.
 Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
 Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly or bedridden people, or anyone with a disability.
 Make plans to ensure your pets’ safety
Emergency Supplies You Will Need
You should stock your home with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period. At a minimum, these supplies should include:
 Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person).
 A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food.
 A first aid kit and manual.
 A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
 Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
HURRICANE READINESS
Nurse Des
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
 Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
 Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
 Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
 Disposable cleaning cloths, such as “baby wipes” for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
 Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
 An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
Preparing to Evacuate
Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. The PAG-ASA will issue a hurricane watch when there is a threat to coastal areas of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
A. When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:
 Fill your automobile’s gas tank.
 If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
 Fill your clean water containers.
 Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
 Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
 Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
 Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills etc.
 Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.
 Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
 Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
 Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
 Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.
Nurse Des
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
B. If you are ordered to Evacuate
Because of the destructive power of a hurricane, you should never ignore an evacuation order. Authorities will be most likely to direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the storm. Be aware that most shelters and some hotels do not accept pets. If a hurricane warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:
 Take only essential items with you.
 If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
 Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.
 Make sure your automobile’s emergency kit is ready.
 Follow the designated evacuation routes. Others may be blocked and expect heavy traffic.
C. If You Are Ordered NOT to Evacuate
The great majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts caused by flying glass or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds resulting from exposed nails, metal, or glass, and bone fractures.
To get through the storm in the safest possible manner:
 Monitor the radio or television for weather conditions, if possible.
 Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over.
 Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed the calm “eye” of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when strong winds resume.
 Stay away from all windows and exterior doors, seeking shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials.
 Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor’s home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel
Complete Your Family Disaster Plan  Contact your local Red Cross and ask what types of disasters are most likely to happen.  Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster.  Complete the disaster plan checklist.  Practice your plan

 

CWA: “Why Shipping Call Centers Jobs Overseas Hurts Us Back Home”

 

How would you feel if your personal data is open to the public? That is basically the sentiment of every American as reported by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Legislative Director Shane Larson. Larson claimed that “there’s a lack of security protection for your data when it’s housed overseas. “I think that Americans would be outraged if every American knew that their data is that open to identity theft”. Her recommendation was for the US to be stricter in screening overseas call centers’ data privacy security with the help of the U.S. Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3496). This is a recent bi-partisan bill introduced by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Rep. Dave McKinley (R-WV), co-sponsored by Reps. Michael Michaud (D-ME), Gene Green (D-TX), Michael Grimm (R-NY), and 57 others. It prohibits companies that employ overseas call centers from receiving federal grants or loans for at least 5 years. It also intends to provide consumers their basic rights such as knowing where the call is being placed and being transferred to a US-based call center if they wanted to. “A foreign, overseas call center must notify a U.S. consumer where they are located, and that you also have a right to ask to be transferred to a call center based in the United States.”

 

Aside from that, sending call center jobs overseas had hurt the US economically. Recently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that some 500, 000 American call center jobs have already been sent overseas. This means that more than half a million American workers have lost their jobs in favor of overseas workers. That is getting attention in the congress as it is not acceptable at this time when every US leader is trying to get more job openings for their constituents. 

Source: <a href=”

http://www.fowlertribune.com/news/x248718062/Report-Consumer-Info-At-Risk-in-Overseas-Call-Centers“>Flowler Tribune</a>

 

Lawmaker wants reciprocal services for CCT

 

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara proposed a bill requiring Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) recipients to render environment services in exchange of the government program. He cited that “There must be reciprocity in the current Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program to erase criticisms that the program is just another form of a dole out.”

 

It can be recalled that the approved 4Ps program is expected to benefit around three million beneficiaries or indigent households in the country. The program is dubbed “lifeline to the poor” because it aims to provide financial assistance amounting to P39.5 billion without any expected return.

 

But recently, the country is experiencing continuously growing climate change threats. Juan Edgardo Angara, Representative of Aurora believes that it would be more than fitting for 4Ps benefactors to lend a hand in promoting awareness and safeguarding the environment of their respective barangays. With 3 million households working hand in hand with the LGUs and DSWD in cleaning waterways and planting trees, the task will be a lot easier. 

 

PAL Fires 2,600

At least 2,600 Philippine Airlines (PAL) catering, calls center reservation, and ground handling service departments employees were fired today to cut costs.  PAL, the national flag carrier of the country and the oldest airline in Asia, claimed that this is the only solution to the current status of the company. PAL also assured the riding public that the same fine services can be expected from the airline as replacement workers are already deployed.

 

Although the airline ensured that their former employees were well-provided during the separation, most were not satisfied with the company’s decision. In fact, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea) are urging Tourism Congress to do an inquiry about passenger safety issues after ‘untrained’ contract workers were put into crucial positions of laid off personnel.

 

To date, labor dispute against PAL is still on-going.  Supporters from Church Labor Conference (CLC), Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and Partido ng Manggagawa have also expressed their take on the situation. They call for “a just and equitable resolution”.

 

5 killed, 8 injured in Subic shipyard accident

Five Keppel Subic Shipyard workers were killed while eight others were injured in Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales when the platform they used as bridge to a ship that is under repair named MV Tombarra fell. It happened at 10:20 of today according to Edgardo Ladao, the Chief Superintendent of the Region 3 police.

 

The victims were rushed to Olongapo City’s Our Lady of Lourdes International Hospital where the rest of the injured workers are still undergoing medical treatment.

 

Please wait for further report on this as authorities are still looking into the accident and verifying reports from witnesses in the area.`