ur best blog: June 2008

Jun 30, 2008

Manny Pacman Pacquiao Mix-Seek and Destroy

After a nine-round fight with David Diaz, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao won the lightweight title. The fight was held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas last June 28, 2008.

This is the fourth title belt of Manny.

Jun 28, 2008

Iraq Bombing Again

June 17, 2008---Two insurgent bomb blasts struck at pro-American Iraqi targets in Anbar province just west of Baghdad and in the northern city of Mosul on Thursday, and the police said at least 30 people were killed and 80 wounded.

Iraqi police officials said three American marines were among the dead in the Anbar attack, which came just as the American military command was preparing to hand control of the province, once considered the hotbed of the insurgency, over to Iraqi forces.

The bombings extended a pattern of multiple-casualty attacks in recent days that are clearly intended to kill local Iraqi leaders, in particular those who are believed to have collaborated with American forces against insurgents.

Both attacks on Thursday raised questions about assertions that Al Qaeda in Iraq and other Sunni extremist groups had been largely vanquished. Sheiks, who survived the suicide bombing in the Anbar attack on their weekly meeting in the city of Garma,accused Al Qaeda in Iraq, a home grown Sunni extremist group, of responsibility for the bombing.

In Mosul, the attack came on the heels of an announcement by the American military that its forces had killed the Al Qaeda in Iraq leader in Mosul, Abu Khalaf, a former associate Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who led Al Qaeda until he was killed by the Americans in 2006.

In both places, there have been substantial military campaigns by American and Iraqi forces to try to root out the insurgency.The American pacification of Anbar — once considered the country's most dangerous province at the height of the Iraq war a few years ago — has been so successful that American forces there were preparing to hand control of the province back to the Iraqi government.The Garma attack was clearly aimed at participants at a weekly meeting of the leaders of the local Awakening Council, the Iraq police said. Initial reports from the police were that the bomb killed 12 people and wounded 27.

The other bombing, in Mosul, targeted the provincial governor and killed 18 and wounded 61, according to local security forces. The governor was unhurt.

The group was meeting in a tent when the bomb exploded at about 10 a.m. There were conflicting reports from people who were there about whether it was detonated by a man wearing a suicide belt or was an improvised explosive device.

The Garma bomb came on the eve of a ceremonial American handover of security responsibility for Anbar to the Iraqis. The anticipated handover had been announced a few days earlier. The bombing in Mosul, was the second largest bombing in the city in the past two days.

Over the past week there has been a stream of attacks against local leaders both in small neighborhoods such as Abu Dshir on the southern edge of Baghdad and Madaen, which lies just southeast of the city, as well as an attack Tuesday on the Sadr City neighborhood council, which killed six Iraqis and four Americans and their Iraqi—Italian translator.

Man-made Tornadoes Could Power the Future

Coiled up in a tornado is as much energy as an entire power plant. So a Canadian engineer has a plan to spin up his own twister and extract energy from its tethered tail.

It all depends on heating the air near the surface so that it is much warmer than the air above.

"You can generate energy whenever you have a temperature gradient," said Louis Michaud.

"The source of the energy here is the natural movement of warm and cold air currents."

These so-called convective air currents are only useful if they can be channeled in some way.

That is why Michaud proposes using a tornado as a kind of drinking straw between the warm ground below and the cold sky above. Wind turbines placed at the bottom could generate electricity from the sucked-up air.

Whirlwind tour Tornadoes and hurricanes form when sun-heated air near the surface rises and displaces cooler air above. As outside air rushes in to replace the rising air, the whole mass begins to rotate.

Michaud got the notion of a man-made tornado — what he calls the Atmospheric Vortex Engine (AVE) — while working as an engineer on gas turbines.

"When I looked further into it, I didn't run into anything that was impossible," Michaud told LiveScience.

The AVE structure is a 200-meter-wide arena with 100-meter-high walls. Warm humid air enters at the sides, directed to flow in a circular fashion. As the air whirls around at speeds up to 200 mph, a vacuum forms in the center, which holds the vortex together as it extends several miles into the sky.

The concept is similar to a solar chimney with the swirling walls of the vortex replacing the brick walls of the tower. But the AVE can reach much higher into the sky where the air is colder.
With wind turbines at the inlets to the arena, Michaud calculates that as much as 200 megawatts of electricity (enough for a small city) could be extracted without draining the vortex of its power.

"Look at natural tornadoes that destroy a house or carry off a car and still have plenty of energy left over," he said.

Waste heat Michaud imagines the AVE could get its warm air from the exhaust of a power plant.
"Most power plants reject more than half of the heat that they make," he said.

The AVE could generate energy from this waste heat because it connects the ground to the upper atmosphere where the temperature gets as low as negative 60 degrees Celsius (80 degrees below zero Fahrenheit). This cold reservoir draws the warm air up fast enough to turn turbines.

"All you have to do is send the heat up there," Michaud said, and the extra energy from the AVE could increase the output of a power plant by 40 percent.

Making the tornado dependent on a waste heat supply would also be a built-in safety feature. "If it came off the base, there would be nothing to sustain the vortex," Michaud said.

He said the vortex might produce a little extra precipitation in the surrounding area.

To build a 200 megawatt AVE facility would cost $60 million, Michaud estimates. This implies a cost per megawatt that is lower than all existing power generation technologies.

Michaud has tested many small prototypes and is currently working on a 4-meter wide AVE near his home in Ontario. The research comes mostly out his own pocket book, as he has not found an investor yet.

"Utility companies are risk-adverse," he said. "They prefer to buy from established vendors."

Filipino Short Film Wins in Beijing

The 30-minute film of Pedro “Joaquin” Valdes “Bulong” won the Golden Duck award for Best Short Narrative at the 2nd New Beijing International Movie Week.

According to the actor-director, the original list of 150 entries was later trimmed down to the 25 short and feature-length films that were screened at the film fest.

The screenings for the films were held in clubs and bars, as well as in the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) and the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) to reach a wider audience.

Valdes said, “In spite of the language barrier, the Chinese students who watched the movie at the CAFA got it, and the students were shocked to learn that my budget was only US$4,000 (about P200,000).”

He stressed that he was dedicating his film to today’s youth. “I want to address the issue of apathy among Filipino youth. We cannot just watch from the sidelines. We should all be catalysts for change.”

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

Jun 22, 2008

Pacquiao-Pound-for-Pound No. 1

When Manny Pacquiao fights David Diaz on June 28, he will carry with him the awesome reputation as the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

Formerly ranked No. 2 by FightFan.com, the Filipino ring icon was elevated to the top on Sunday following the retirement of former topnotcher Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday.

The Filipino ring superstar also used to hold Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound honor.

Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Council titlist, is seeking Diaz’s WBC lightweight belt at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

A victory over Diaz will make the GenSan superstar the first Asian to hold four crowns in different divisions and the first Filipino to rule the 135-pound category.

The 29-year-old Pacquiao, also acclaimed as the world’s best fighter in 2006, made his professional debut at 106 lb in 1995 and has been fighting top boxers since 2003.

Among Pacquiao’s prominent victims are Mexican greats Marco Antonio Barrera, whom he beat twice, and Eric Morales, whom he defeated twice in their fight trilogy.

Pacquiao beat World Boxing Organization British super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe for the honor.

Another Mexican, Juan Manuel Marquez, from whom Pacquiao wrested the super featherweight crown in March 15 also in Las Vegas, was rated No. 3.

Mexican WBC super bantam champion Israel Vasquez came in fourth, followed by unbeaten Puerto Ricans Miguel Cotto, the WBA welterweight champion, and Ivan Calderon, respectively.

Ranked from seventh to 10th were Bernard Hopkins, Kelly Pavlik, Winky Wright and Rafael Marquez.

Meanwhile, Diaz turned 32 on Sunday in his hometown in Chicago, where he has been in training at the JABB gym since last month.

But Pacquiao should have been more careful for what he wished for because he is going to be in the fight of his life. The battle is on and I am going to leave the ring as boxing’s new No.1 pound for pound fighter.‘ - Marco Antonio Barrera.

Three Filipinos to carry 2008 Olympic Torch

Three Filipinos will carry torch in the 2008 Olympic torch in China, including CNN's Beijing bureau chief Jaime FlorCruz, his daughter Michelle FlorCruz, and marketing executive Maroc Torres.

Mr. FlorCruz was scheduled to carry the Olympic torch on August 6 in Beijing, two days before the opening ceremonies of the Games.Michelle, a student at the International School in Beijing, will carry the torch on August 3 in Tangshan City, and Torres on July 5 in Lanzhou, Gansu province.

FlorCruz and Michelle, 17, were selected by the Beijing City government for their contribution to China, while Torres placed second among eight foreigners selected by an Olympic sponsor company to carry the Olympic torch through an Internet voting competition called "expats for Olympic torchbearers" last year.

Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Cataumber Brady said it would be a "great honor" for the Philippines to be represented in the event.

"We also hope that during the Beijing Olympics, we will finally win our very first Olympic gold medal," she said.

FlorCruz, was a former Time magazine Beijing bureau chief, he first arrived in Beijing in August 1971. One of the 15 Filipino youths who were invited by the China Friendship Association for a three-week study tour, FlorCruz stayed on when martial law was declared in the Philippines; he has remained there for the past 37 years.

"I covered the 1988 Seoul Olympics for Time Magazine and Sports Illustrated. Now I am looking forward to covering the Beijing Games as well, this time as CNN's Beijing Bureau Chief. It would be fun not just to report on it but to actually participate as one of the torch bearers during the relay," he said.

His daughter Michelle has this to say about her forthcoming experience: "I was "Made in China," born in the Philippines, and bred in Beijing. I guess that makes me a top quality product, a fusion of different cultures."

"I love Beijing and I love the Olympics. Proof of this is that I declined an opportunity to move to Shanghai if only for the Olympics. I also know now that my destiny of being in the Olympics will be fulfilled," Torres said.

Pagulayan the Man to Watch

Alex “The Lion” Pagulayan, a World Pool Championship in 2004, is the man to watch in the Cebu leg of the Senate President Manny Villar Billiards Cup at the Atrium of SM City Cebu on June 20 to 22.

Even though he played poorly in last week’s Guinness 9-Ball Tour at the Genting International
Convention Center in Malaysia, I’m picking the 29-year-old Pagulayan to figure prominently in Cebu City against a star-studded field that includes the fabled Efren “Bata” Reyes and Ronnie Alcano, who are both former world champions; former world No. 1 Francisco “Django” Bustamante and current world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo.

Not to be ignored, too, is Cebu native and three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Warren Kiamco, who will be gunning for back-to-back wins after ruling the inaugural leg of this nationwide tour at the Star Mall in Muntinlupa City last May 10.

Despite Pagulayan’s loss to upcoming Marvin Gentapa of Cebu City and rising star Joven Bustamante in the recent Magnificent 7 Winner-Take-All 9-Ball Invitational in Mandaue City, Alex still managed to win the championship.

I feel Alex is well-placed to win in Cebu because he is playing on familiar territory.
Sometime last year, at the height of his falling out with the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines, Pagulayan proved his critics wrong by winning, with a flourish, a major tournament in Cebu.

While Pagulayan is not yet in the class of Hall of Famer Bata Reyes, Alex is pleasant to watch. He dazzles pool circles with his relentless, often comic, ways in establishing himself as a terror with the cue stick.

“I’m always nervous when I compete,” Pagulayan admitted. “However, I’m confident of doing well in this (Cebu) event.”

Jun 14, 2008

Pacquiao Versus Hatton in November

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao wants British ring icon Ricky Hatton for his next fight in November 2008.

That dream megabuck bout, however, is dependent on Pacquiao emerging victorious in his June 28 showdown with Mexican-American David Diaz for the latter’s World Boxing Council crown in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Though, Hatton is a natural light welterweight (140 lb), Pacquiao, who started his professional career at 112 lb, believes the weight difference won’t really matter.

Pacquiao explained that he tipped the scales at 145 lb when he bested Marquez in their rematch, also held in Las Vegas, and is used to sparring with fighters who weigh between 140 lb and 150 lb.

Actually, Hatton has been on Pacquiao’s radar ever since Manchester’s finest was beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr. last December.

Hatton’s father, Ray, confirmed that Pacquiao indeed approached them after the Mayweather fight and that they are still considering the Filipino lefty’s (fight) proposal.

“Pacquiao’s big at his weight and it would be a wonderful fight,” the elder Hatton told Sporting Life.

“They’ve just about got the two biggest followings in the world—where would you stage a fight like that?”

Even before his showdown with Marquez, however, Top Rank chief honcho and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum broached the idea of staging Pacquiao-Hatton either in Dubai, United Arab Emirates or Las Vegas in November.

There may be a hitch, though, as Hatton—who is fresh off his victory over Juan Lazcano last month—is also keen on battling Italian-American Paulie Malignaggi in November

Jun 10, 2008

She Was Kidnapped

Suspected Muslim extremists Sunday seized Ces Drilon, a senior anchorwoman of ABS-CBN broadcast network, her two TV crewmen, and a Muslim academic accompanying them.

Regional police chief Superintendent Joel Goltiao said there was a "great possibility" that the journalist would be freed, but would not say who was involved in the negotiations.

"Negotiations are being conducted," Goltiao said on radio.

"There is a great possibility that we will obtain the release of Ces Drilon... but we cannot give an exact date."

No ransom demand has been made public, but unconfirmed reports say the kidnappers are asking for between $227,000 and $454,000 for the hostages' safe release.

Authorities say Drilon and her group are being held by the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim extremist group linked by intelligence agencies to the Al-Qaeda terror network.

To read more about this article click here.

Ejay Falcon - The BIG Winner

Ejay Falcon - "The Hottie Promdie of Mindoro" was held as the big winner of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus. He garnered an average score of 36.31 % (or 620,934) of the total votes. Ejay took home P1,000,000, a condo unit at Château Valenzuela, a business franchise from Crystal Clear drinking water and a Sony Bravia plasma TV.

Robi Domingo was second big placer who garnered 34.39% or 588,115 votes. Nikki with 18.39% or 314,582 votes and Beauty with 10.91% or 186,523 respectively.

To see more of the BIG NIGHT pictures click here.

Jun 5, 2008

The BIG FOUR

It is down to the BIG FOUR!

Last June 04, 2008, the Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus announced its final big four. Alex Esmoso Anselmuccio was the last evictee of the edition. But, he go out with less tears and surprisingly he hugged and jump to his father. The loving father has just arrived from Italy to support his son.

Before Alex (and the rest of the housemates) was evicted, he was put to test as to whether he will sacrifice his clothes or not. The clothes was about to burn because of the promise to Mr. Primo who was a guest during the escapade of Ejay, Beauty, Valerie, and Nan in Palawan.

Anyways, here are your BIG FOUR (to more about them just click "PROFILE"):

Name: ROBI DOMINGO – “Tru-Blue Atenista”
Nickname: “Robi”
Location: Quezon CIty
Age: 18
Profile

Name: EJAY FALCON – “The Promdie Hottie”
Nickname: “E-J”
Location: Oriental Mindoro
Age: 18
Profile

Name: NICOLE UYSIUSENG – “The In-Chick”
Nickname: “Nikki”
Location: Cebu
Age: 17
Profile

Name: Christine Marie Gonzalez – “The Rebellious Beauty”
Nickname : “Beauty”
Location: Dumaguete
Age: 16
Profile

Only a few days left before the Big Night! No more evics, but the polls are still open to determine who among the remaining housemates will be hailed this season’s Big Winner. The one who had the largest number of votes accumulated from the 31st to June 7 will win the title. Be involved and actively support the teen you believe deserves the title! Vote online or text BB (name of housemate) and send it to 2331 (for Globe, Sun and TM subscribers) or 231 for (Smart and Talk N Text subscribers). Kuyanatics in UAE may also vote by texting BB (name of housemate) and sending it to 4200 (for Etisalat subscribers).

Jun 1, 2008

Pacquiao-Diaz's MAKE or BREAK Fight

This is the official poster of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and David Diaz' fight. The "MAKE or BREAK" will be held in Las Vegas this Saturdaym June 28, 2008 at 9PM ET/6PM PT.

Boxer's Profile

Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), an American who became an unlikely champion two years ago, arrived first at the latest stop on the fighters' coast-to-coast publicity tour for one of the summer's biggest bouts.

Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), the Philippines' most popular celebrity, wins another title belt in his long-anticipated move up to lightweight.

Gallego beats Parica in 10-Ball Match

Filipino cue master Ramil "Bebeng" Gallego beat comrade Jose "Amang" Parica, 9-5, to win the overall championship at the Hollywood Billiards Memorial Day 10-Ball in California.

A report posted on BilliardPhilippines.com said the Japan-based Gallego pocketed the $1,600 top prize of the two day event that ran from May 24 to 25 at the Hollywood Billiards.

On the way to the finals, Gallego defeated American Louis Ulrich in the semis, 7-1, to arrange a finals showdown with the US-based Parica.

Before their finals meeting, Parica beat Gallego, 7-5, in the winner's brackets.

Gallego had to dispose all his opponents in the loser's side to force a rematch with Parica, the acknowledged leader of the Filipino invasion in the US in mid 80's.

Parica went home with the runner-up prize of $1,000.