UNTV 37-Isang Araw Lang Campaign_ Perils of Smoking.flv

Sa aking mga minamahal, sana pagbigyan nyo na yung request ko na mag quit smoking na kayo. Di man para sa akin kundi para sa inyong kalusugan. At lahat ng friends ko sa dito sa Multiply, mahal ko kayo. Yung wala pa sa friends list, mahal ko din kayo kaya para sa lahat ang request na ito.
Panoorin ng Perils of Smoking at sana mag quit na kayo. Kaya yan at puede rin ask nyo ako paano ako naka QUIT after 15 years of smoking.
Watch at YouTube>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8HP8oI1gTs&feature=player_embedded#!

How Nora Ephron Changed Movies for Women

How Nora Ephron Changed Movies for Women
http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/nora-ephron-changed-movies-women-194800639.html

"When Harry Met Sally" was released in theaters, July 14, 1989, the same day as "License to Kill." For those gambling on the romantic comedy, the odds were already against them.  How could two people arguing about love compete with James Bond? Never underestimate the power of Nora Ephron. After the screenwriter's romantic comedy earned almost a $100 million at the box office worldwide nobody ever did again.

Ephron, who died Tuesday at the age of 71, was for a long time Hollywood's stand-alone proof that women writers aren't just funny, they're financially viable.

Her string of box office hits changed the canvas of entertainment from the inside out. In the '70s, romantic comedies were a man's game. "The Heartbreak Kid," "The Graduate," Phillip Roth's "Goodbye Columbus," and Woody Allen's string of critical hits reflected the anxiety of a generation of commitment-wary men in search of the perfect woman. Even those rare breakthrough female characters, like Diane Keaton's Annie Hall, were penned by men.

Then in 1976, Ephron, a former print journalist, then married to Watergate investigative reporter Carl Bernstein, joined her husband in revising the script for "All the President's Men." Their draft didn't make the final cut, but it earned Ephron the attention from Hollywood insiders. Not that it got much easier for her.

"They were women that the men felt comfortable putting in the one slot that they knew they had to have a woman in, they really didn't pay a huge amount of attention to them," Ephron once said of her early years as a screenwriter.

Ephron's first film, 1983's "Silkwood," penned with friend Alice Arlen, followed the true story of a woman bravely exposing corrupt working conditions at a power plant. The character's war with a well-established male-dominated industry set the tone for future parallels in Ephron's life and work. It also earned both Ephron and Streep Oscar nominations.

Another Streep-led drama followed in 1986. "Heartburn" was Ephron's thinly veiled account of her ex's (Bernstein) infidelity. Though a drama, Ephron's comic reflections on being a woman seeped into the script.

"I don't want to do it, honey. Can't we get somebody else to do it?" Streep's character, Rachel, begged her husband during labor.

The film made an impressive box office debut, ranking just behind the action horror "Aliens" on its opening weekend. It was the first sign that Ephron's voice spoke to a broader range of movie-goers.

Enter Harry and Sally. According to legend, even Billy Crystal worried about the film's ability to compete with summer blockbusters. It was the year of "Batman" and the third installment of Indiana Jones. Larger-than-life male heroes were the hallmarks of the big movie business, until a food-phobic, quick-witted and highly emotional Sally entered the fray.

The infamous Katz' Deli scene epitomized a character who, despite her "high-maintenance" tendencies, didn't shy from a challenge, especially if it meant setting a guy straight.

But what made Ephron's film such a critical and financial success was her ability to write not only from a women's perspective but also from a man's point-of-view.

"It is so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk," says Crystal's Harry, who also famously broke down the consequences of driving a woman to the airport. ("It's clearly the beginning of the relationship.")

Even director Rob Reiner saw himself in Ephron's script. "It was about everything I'd been going through," Reiner recalled in a 2003 interview with the Washington Times.

Four years later, Ephron followed up with another box office hit, and a second Oscar nomination for "Sleepless in Seattle." Meg Ryan's Annie, much like the male characters of 1970's rom-coms, was afraid of committing to Mr. Right, or Mr. Right on paper. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks' Sam was grappling with raising a child on his own. A classic cinematic love story with a more contemporary approach to gender politics, Seattle struck a cord with pretty much everyone, grossing over $227 million worldwide.

The secret to Ephron's success lay in her characters. The men were never classic super-heroes or Prince Charmings. Instead, they were allowed to be just as complicated as women. They struggled with cultural expectations of manhood and their own desires for more profound connections. They were also, unlike many male Hollywood characters, attracted to funny women.

At the same time, Ephron's women were speckled with autobiography: they were  professionals, largely writers, with a healthy dose of insecurity and a desire for something more. They were also always surrounded by funny, straight-shooting female friends.

True to life, Ephron kept a close-knit stable of female companions she both confided in and championed, including "Sleepless in Seattle" producer Linda Obst and sister Delia Ephron, her co-writer on "You've Got Mail," "This is My Life," and later, a series of monologues called, "Love, Loss and What I Wore."

Longtime collaborator Streep also reunited with Ephron for her last film, "Julie and Julia." The adaptation of Julie Powell's best-selling book was about food, yes, but it was also about women leaping across generation gaps to inspire each other.

Again, Ephron's work rang true to life. Ephron's legacy is everywhere from snappy confessional blogs like Jezebel to today's female comedy renaissance.  Specifically, when Tina Fey announced plans to write a memoir (later to become the bestselling "Bossypants") it was first described as a work "in the style of author, screenwriter and film director Nora Ephron." What better example of a comic screenwriter successfully bouncing from film and TV to memoir and back again?

"Bridesmaids" writer Kristin Wiig and "Girls" scribe Lena Dunham, also have Ephron to thank for breaking through the male movie plexiglass. When the American Film Institute released its top ten romantic comedy picks of all time, two ("Sleepless" and "When Harry") were by Ephron. Seven others were written by men. Ephron's transcended the token label "great women writer" to become known simply as a great writer. It's a hard-won accomplishment in any industry, but particularly in Hollywood.

At their best, Ephron's films were financial juggernauts, critical darlings, and most importantly, cinematic epiphanies not only for women, but for men and even kids. It's a gold standard too many screenwriters have tried and failed to bottle. But to Ephron, the secret was simple: "I try to write parts for women that are as complicated and interesting as women actually are."

Why should we remember Michael Jackson?

ASB: Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
I myself have never been a big fan of Michael and even an hour earlier (having noticed thru the net that today was his death anniversary) in the purpose of making a post about his missed opportunity to earn more respect for his fellow African American, because I once had the impression that he "choose" to change his physical features, moving away from his "natural" self.
 After reading portions of

Michael Jackson: Setting The Record Straight (a Q&A)...

 ... it's about time for me and maybe others to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Michael Jackson: Setting The Record Straight (a Q&A)

"While I was never a strong supporter of Jackson in the past (or even a huge fan of his music) I have nevertheless found him to be a very fascinating and inspirational figure in popular culture. Lately I've taken it upon myself to read more into his life, his achievements and the plethora of rumors which have surrounded his character for so many years. And what I've learned has not only surprised me, but has given me a new outlook on human nature and all that it's capable of; the good and the bad."

To read in full, visit this link>>> http://www.squidoo.com/MichaelJacksonQuestions

Why should we remember Michael Jackson?

I've heard many people go on about why should Michael Jackson get as much coverage as he does, why should people appreciate Michael Jackson, and why should Michael Jackson be remembered. Most of the arguments on his defense say that Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer who ever lived, the greatest singer, or that he paved the way for African Americans and made MTV what it is today. All of this may be true, but I think the most important thing to remember about Michael Jackson is his acts as a humanitarian.

Michael Jackson devoted his entire life to love and togetherness. You hear this in his interviews, acceptance speeches, and even his music. One of the greatest tragedies is that when people listen to Michael Jackson's music they only focus on the killer beats, the amazing vocals, and catchy choruses. But if you pay attention to what Michael Jackson's actually saying then you can see who he truly is. I could go through here and write out the lyrics for you. Maybe go on a rant about how "Beat It" is speaking against violence or something like that. But I'm not going to do that. Instead, I will just tell you some of what he has done. And maybe after knowing that, then the music and Michael Jackson's legacy will become more clear.

+After suffering second degree burns to his scalp on January 27 of 1984 -- after pyrotechnics accidentally set his hair on fire during a Pepsi Cola Commercial -- PepsiCo settled a lawsuit with Michael Jackson out of court. Michael Jackson then gave his $1.5 million settlement to the "Michael Jackson Burn Center" which was a piece of new technology to help people with severe burns.

+January 10, 1984: Michael visits the unit for burn victims at Brotman-Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.

+April 9, 1984: David Smithee, a 14-year-old boy who suffers from cystic fibroses is invited to Michael's home. It was David's last wish to meet Michael. He dies 7 weeks later.

+April 14, 1984: Michael equips a 19-bed-unit at Mount Senai New York Medical Center. This center is part of the T.J. Martell-Foundation for leukemia and cancer research.

+On May 14, 1984, Michael Jackson was invited to the White House To Receive an award, presented by President Ronald Reagan, for his support of charities that helped people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.

+July 14, 1984: After the first concert of the Victory Tour, Michael meets 8 terminally ill children backstage.

+After the 1984 Victory Tour, headlined by The Jacksons, Michael Jackson donated his $5 million dollar share to charity.

+Michael Jackson co-wrote the charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie, which was released worldwide to aid the poor in Africa and the US. He was one of 39 music celebrities who performed on the record. The single became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions of dollars donated to famine relief.

+During The Bad World Tour, Michael Jackson performed a total of 123 concerts to a total audience of 4.4 million people. During the trip he invited underprivileged children to watch for free and gave donations to hospitals, orphanages and other charities.

+February 28, 1986: After having had a heart-transplant, 14-year-old Donna Ashlock from California gets a call from Michael Jackson. He had heard that she is a big fan of his. Michael invites her to his home as soon as she is feeling better. This visit takes place on March 8th. Donna stays for dinner and watches a movie together with Michael.

+September 13, 1987: Michael supports a campaign against racism. He supports efforts of the NAACP, to fight prejudices against black artists.

+October 1987: At the end of his Bad Tour, Michael donates some personal items to the UNESCO for a charitable auction. The proceeds will be for the education of children in developing countries.

+April 1988: Free tickets are given away for three concerts in Atlanta, Georgia to the Make A Wish Foundation.

+May 22, 1988: Michael visits children who suffer from cancer in the Bambini-Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome. He signs autographs and gives away sweets and records to the little patients. He promises a check of 100,000 pounds to the hospital.

+July 16, 1988: Before a concert at Wembley Stadium Michael meets the Prince of Wales and his wife Diana. He hands over a check of 150,000 pounds for the Prince's Trust, and a check of 100,000 pounds for the children's hospital at Great Ormond Street.

+July 20, 1988: Michael visits terminally ill children at Great Ormond Street Hospital. At a unit for less critical patients he stays a little bit longer and tells a story.

+August 29, 1988: At his 30th birthday Michael performs a concert in Leeds, England for the English charity-organization "Give For Life". The goal of this organization is the immunization of children. Michael presents a check for 65,000 pounds.

+December 1988: Michael visits 12-year-old David Rothenburg. His father had 5 years earlier burned him very badly in an act of revenge against his former wife.

+January 1989: The proceeds of one of Michael's shows in Los Angeles are donated to Childhelp USA, the biggest charity-organization against child-abuse. In appreciation of the contributions of Michael, Childhelp of Southern California is founding the "Michael Jackson International Institute for Research On Child Abuse".

+January 10, 1989: The Bad Tour comes to an end. Under-privileged children are donated tickets for each concert and Michael donates money to hospitals, orphanages and charity-organizations.

+February 7, 1989: Michael visits the Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California. Some weeks earlier a 25-year-old man had fired at the school's playground. 5 children had been killed and 39 had been wounded.

+March 5, 1989: Michael invites 200 deprived children of the St. Vincent Institute for handicapped children and of the organization Big Brothers and Big Sisters to the Circus Vargas in Santa Barbara. After this event he invites them to his ranch to introduce his private zoo at his Neverland Ranch to them.

+November 13, 1989: The organization "Wishes Granted" helps 4-year-old Darian Pagan, who suffers from leukemia to meet Michael. Michael invites the little boy to a performance of Canadian acrobats.

+January 6, 1990: Michael invites 82 abused and neglected children through Childhelp to his Neverland Ranch. There are games, a Barbeque and a movie show provided for them.

+July 1990: 45 children from the Project Dream Street, Los Angeles, for children with life-threatening illness are invited to Neverland Valley.

+August 18, 1990: Michael invites 130 children of the YMCA summer program of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to his Neverland Ranch.

+From 1985 to 1990, Jackson donated $500,000 to the United Negro College Fund, and all the profits from his single "Man in the Mirror" went to charity.

+December 1991: Michael's office MJJ Productions treats needy families in Los Angeles with more than 200 turkey dinners.

+In 1992 Michael Jackson founded the "Heal The World Foundation". The charity organization brought underprivileged children to Jackson's ranch, to go on theme park rides that Jackson had built on the property after he purchased it. The foundation also sent millions of dollars around the globe to help children threatened by war and disease. After completing the five month long Dangerous World Tour, where he performed to 3.5 million people in 67 concerts, all the profits went to the "Heal The World Foundation", raising millions of dollars in relief.

+December 28, 1989: Young Ryan White, who suffers from hemophilia, spends his holidays on Michael's ranch. Ryan had been infected with AIDS by contaminated blood transfusions in 1984. After he was excluded from his school in Kokomo, Ryan fought against the discrimination of AIDS victims.

+Following the illness and death of Ryan White, Michael Jackson helped draw public attention to HIV/AIDS, something that was still controversial at the time. He publicly pleaded with the Clinton Administration at Bill Clinton's Inaugural Gala to give more money to HIV/AIDS charities and research.

continued...

+May 6, 1991: Michael is invited to the Jane Goodall Charity event. Michael supports her, an advocate of behavioral research concerning chimpanzees in Gombe, Nigeria for more than 30 years.

+July 26, 1991: Michael pays a visit to the Youth Sports & Art Foundation in Los Angeles. This Foundation supports families of gang members, and helps dealing with drug-abuse. Michael talks to the kids and presents them with a wide-screen TV set and a financial gift.

+February 1992: Within 11 days Michael covers 30,000 miles in Africa, to visit hospitals, orphanages, schools, churches, and institutions for mentally handicapped children.

+May 6, 1992: Michael defrays the funeral-expenses for Ramon Sanchez, who was killed during the Los Angeles riots.

+June 26, 1992: Michael presents the Mayor of Munich, Mr. Kronawitter, with a 40,000 DM-check for the needy people of the city.

+June 29, 1992: Michael visits the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam and presents a check for 100,000 pounds.

+July 1992: Michael donated L. 821,477,296 to La Partita del Cuore (The Heart Match) in Rome and donated 120,000 DM to children's charities in Estonia and Latvia.

+July 25, 1992: On the occasion of a concert in Dublin, Ireland, Michael announces that he will give 400,000 pounds of the tour earnings to various charities.

+July 29, 1992: Michael visits the Queen Elizabeth Children's Hospital in London. To the surprise the children, he brings Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Euro-Disney to the hospital.

+July 31, 1992: On the Eve of his second concert at Wembley Stadium, Michael presents Prince Charles with a check of 200,000 pounds for the Prince's Trust.

+August 16, 1992: 6 year old Nicholas Killen, who lost his eyesight caused by a life aiding cancer surgery, meets Michael backstage in Leeds, England.

+September 1992: Michael donated 1 million pesetas to charity headed by the Queen of Spain.

+September 30, 1992: President Iliescu of Romania inaugurates a playground for 500 orphans which Michael has financed. Michael discusses his Heal The World Foundation.

+October 1, 1992: Michael chooses a concert in Bucharest, Romania for worldwide television broadcast. Bucharest is a logical choice due to the numerous orphanages the country is known for.

+November 24, 1992: At Kennedy Airport in New York, Michael supervises the loading of 43 tons of medication, blankets, and winter clothes destined for Sarajevo. The Heal The World Foundation collaborates with AmeriCares to bring resources totaling $2.1 million to Sarajevo. They will be allocated under the supervision of the United Nations.

+December 10, 1992: During a press conference at the American Ambassy in Tokyo Michael is presented with a check for $100,000 for the Heal The World Foundation by Tour Sponsor Pepsi.

+December 26, 1992: During a broadcast request for donations to the United Negro College Fund, Michael declares: "Black Colleges and Universities are breeding some of the leading personalities of our time. They are on top in business, justice, science and technologies, politics and religion. I am proud, that the Michael Jackson Scholarship Program enabled more than 200 young men and women to get a qualified education."

+January 26, 1993: At a press conference held at Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Michael is presented with a $200,000 donation from the National Football League and the Sponsors of the Super Bowl. He gets another $500,000 from the BEST Foundation for his Heal The World Foundation. At this occasion the foundation of "Heal L.A." is officially announced.

+February 1993: In association with Sega, launched an initiative to distribute more than $108,000 of computer games and equipment to children's hospitals, children's homes, and children's charities throughout the U.K.

+March 1993: The foundation of an independent film company is announced. They will produce family-oriented movies. A part of the earnings will go to the Heal The World Foundation.

+March 27, 1993: At a meeting at Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, Michael gives a 5-minute speech to 1200 teachers and politicians.

+April 26, 1993: Within his "Heal LA" tour, Michael visits the Watta Health Foundation, and two schools in Los Angeles South Central.

+May 5, 1993: Former President Jimmy Carter and Michael, who are chairmen of the "Heal Our Children/Heal The World" initiative, are in Atlanta to promote their "Atlanta Project Immunization Drive".

+June 1993: Michael has announced that he will donate $1.25 million for children who have suffered from the riots in Los Angeles.

+June 1993: 100 children from the Challengers Boys and Girls Club visit Neverland.

+June 10, 1993: Michael promotes the new DARE-program. The purpose of the program is to inform children about the dangers of drug abuse.

+June 18, 1993: Michael pays a visit to a hospital in Washington. He spends several hours with the young patients and plays chess with some of them.

+August 1993: With Pepsi-Cola Thailand, donated $40,000 to Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's charity, the Rural School Children and Youth Development Fund, in support of school lunch programs in rural villages in Thailand.

+August 1993: In conjunction with Pepsi-Cola International, donated new ambulances to the Contacts One Independent Living Center for Children in Moscow, Russia and the Hospital de Ninos Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

+October 1993: Donated $100,000 to the Children's Defense Fund, the Children's Diabetes Foundation, the Atlanta Project, and the Boys and Girl Clubs of Newark, New Jersey.

+October 22, 1993: Michael visits a hospital in Santiago.

+October 28, 1993: Michael makes it possible for 5000 underprivileged children to visit the Reino Aventura Park, where the whale Keiko ("Free Willy") is living.

+November 5, 1993: Michael is guest at a children's party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Mexico City.

+December 1993: With the Gorbachev Foundation, airlifted 60,000 doses of children's vaccines to Tblisi, Georgia.

+December 16, 1993: The Heal The World Foundation UK supports "Operation Christmas Child" delivering toys, sweets, gifts and food to children in former Yugoslavia.

+1994: Michael donates $500,000 to Elizabeth Taylor's AIDS Foundation.

+January 7, 1994: On the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Michael gives a party for more than 100 underprivileged children at his Neverland Ranch.

+February 22, 1994: "The Jackson Family Honors" is televised. The earnings of the show are given to their own newly formed charity, "Family Caring for Families".

+August 6, 1994: Michael and his wife Lisa Marie are visiting two children's hospitals in Budapest. They distribute toys to the ill children.

+1995: Michael wants to free dolphins who have been locked up for years. He believes there should be legal guidelines about the way dolphins have to live in zoos and parks.

+March 1995: Little Bela Farkas received a new liver. Michael and Lisa Marie met this 4-year-old boy during their trip to Hungary in 1994. Michael did everything to help Bela, whose only chance to live was getting a new liver. The Heal The World Foundation covered the surgery and the cost for caring.

+June 21, 1996: Michael donated a four-times platinum disc of "HIStory" in aid of the Dunblane appeal at the Royal Oak Hotel, Sevenoaks in England.

continued...

+July 18, 1996: In Soweto, South Africa Michael is laying down a wreath of flowers for youngsters who have been killed during the fights involving Apartheid.

+September 1996: The first Sports Festival "Hope" was held for orphans and disadvantaged children. 3000 children and 600 volunteers took part in the Sports Festival and Michael Jackson was a special guest.

+September 6, 1996: Michael visits the children's unit of a hospital in Prague.

+October 1996: Michael visited a hospital for mentally challenged children in Kaoshiung, Taiwan and offered 2,000 free tickets to the sold out performance in Kaoshiung.

+October 1, 1996: Michael donated the proceeds of his Tunisia concert to "The National Solidarity Fund", a charity dedicated to fighting poverty.

+October 3, 1996: Michael visits a children's hospital and brings small gifts for the patients during a HIStory tour visit in Amsterdam. A room in the hospital (for parents who want to be with their children) is named after Michael.

+November 1, 1996: Michael donates most of the earnings from a HIStory concert in Bombay, India to the poor people of the country.

+November 7, 1996: Before his first concert in Auckland, New Zealand, Michael fulfills the wish of little Emely Smith, who is suffering from cancer, who wants to meet Michael.

+November 25, 1996: Michael visited the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, delivering toys, signing autographs, and visiting with children.

+December 9, 1996: During a HIStory tour visit in Manila, Michael visits a children's hospital. He announces that a part of his concert earnings will be donated to the renovation of the hospital.

+January 25, 1997: Michael waved his personal fee for his Bombay appearance and donated $1.1 million to a local charity helping to educate children living in slums.

+April 4, 1997: British magazine "OK!" is publishing exclusive photos of Michael's son Prince. The magazine pays about 1 million pounds for the photos. Michael donates the money to charity.

+June 18, 1997: Michael signed the "Children in Need" book auctioned by the charity UNESCO.

+September 1998: Michael meets 5 year old Aza Woods, who suffers from cancer, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. Michael introduces Aza to the attraction "Star Trek: The Experience" and spends the rest of the afternoon with the little boy. Finally Michael invites Aza to spend some time with him at his Neverland Ranch.

+November 16, 1998: Michael arrives in Harare, Zimbabwe. He is a member of the American Delegation invited by the Minister of Defense. The delegation thanks the government of Zimbabwe for helping to keep the peace in this area.

+Throughout June 1999, Jackson was involved in a number of charitable events. He joined Luciano Pavarotti for a benefit concert in Modena, Italy. The show was in support of the non-profit organization Warchild, and raised a million dollars for the refugees of Kosovo, as well as additional funds for the children of Guatemala. Later that same month, Jackson organized a set of "Michael Jackson & Friends" benefit concerts in Germany and Korea. Other artists involved included Slash, The Scorpions, Boyz II Men, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, A. R. Rahman, Prabhu Deva Sundaram, Shobana Chandrakumar, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. The proceeds went to the "Nelson Mandela Children's Fund", the Red Cross and UNESCO.

+In 2000, Jackson was listed in the book of Guinness World Records for his support of 39 charities, more than any other entertainer or personality.

+January 22, 2000: During Christmas last year a violent storm ravaged the park of the Chateau de Versailles and destroyed 10,000 trees in the park. The estimated cost for rebuilding the park is around $20 million. Some celebrities are supporting the restoration of the park. French officials are reporting that Michael Jackson is one of them. He was one of the first people to donate money to this cause.

+October 28, 2000:Michael painted a plate to be auctioned for the "Carousel of Hope Ball" benefiting childhood diabetes research.

+March 6, 2001: Michael donated a black hat, a birthday phone-call and a jacket worn at the Monaco Music Awards in 2000 to the Movie Action for Children auction, an event being given by UNICEF with all proceeds will going to UNICEF's efforts to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in Africa.

+March 26, 2001: Michael handed out books to young people at a Newark, NJ theater. The event, which helped to launch the Michael Jackson International Book Club, part of his new Heal the Kids charity, aims to promote childhood reading and encourage parents to return to reading bedtime stories.

+In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Michael Jackson helped organize the United We Stand: What More Can I Give benefit concert at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The concert was aired on October 21, 2001, and included performances from dozens of major artists, including Jackson, who performed his song "What More Can I Give" as the finale.

+September 15, 2002: Michael donated 16 exclusively autographed items consisting of CD's, videos and 2 cotton napkins to aid in the support of the victims of a severe flood in Germany. These items were auctioned off for charity and managed to raise 3935 Euro (US$ 3,814).

+October 12, 2002: Michael Jackson invited more than 200 Team Vandenberg members, who recently returned from overseas deployments, and their families to his Neverland Ranch. This was to show his appreciation for the sacrifices the military in his community make.

+November 19-29, 2002: Michael donated an autographed teddy bear dressed in his likeness to Siegfried & Roy's celebrity teddy bear auction. This auction benefits Opportunity Village which is a non-profit organization based in Las Vegas (USA) that enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Michael's autographed teddy bear raised $5,000 for the charity.

+November 21, 2002: Michael donated a jacket to the The Bambi Charity Event in Berlin which raised $16,000.

+April 25, 2002: Michael Jackson performed at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee at the Apollo Theater in Harlem helping to raise nearly $3 million dollars towards voter registration.

+June 2003: The Wolf family, who experienced serious damages to their belongings during the flood in Saxony, Germany last August, was invited to Berlin by Michael Jackson when he was at the Bambi Awards. On that occasion Michael invited them to Neverland. In June, they spent three days at Neverland, meeting Michael and his children.

The 39 known charities Michael Jackson supported
AIDS Project L.A.
American Cancer Society
Angel Food
Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
BMI Foundation, Inc.
Brotherhood Crusade
Brothman Burn Center
Camp Ronald McDonald
Childhelp U.S.A.
Children's Institute International
Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
Dakar Foundation
Dreamstreet Kids
Dreams Come True Charity
Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Love Match
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Minority Aids Project
Motown Museum
NAACP
National Rainbow Coalition
Rotary Club of Australia
Society of Singers
Starlight Foundation
The Carter Center's Atlanta Project
The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
Transafrica
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope
Volunteers of America
Watts Summer Festival
Wish Granting
YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw

All of this is exactly why we should be remembering and appreciating Michael Jackson. Even in his will, Michael Jackson left a portion of his money to a children's charity organization.

We need to realize that his impact on the world was not strictly in entertaining us, but it was in helping us. It's not very often that a man with as much power, money, and influence as Michael Jackson comes along and uses each and every one of those tools for the purpose of good. We couldn't appreciate it while he was alive, so we should at least appreciate it now that he's gone.

June 24: Feast of St. John the Baptist

Pista ng Bayan  ng San Juan

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/pista_ng_san_juan.htm

All towns and suburbs named San Juan (St. John the Baptist) celebrate this feastival, which involveds playfool "baptism" with ilang-ilang scented water and is ment as a coy filtration between the sexes. It can degenerate into a free-for-all water fight with much drenching and laughter. Places to see and be drenched include San Juan in Metro Manila; Baylan in Batangas, which stages a lechon parade; Punta in Taytay, near Bacolod City, in Negros Occidental and Camiguin, North Mindanao.

Feast of Saint John the Baptist: San Juan! San Juan! Basaan!

People in Xishuangbanna, southwest China, douse one another with a basin of water to usher in spring. In Thailand, people sprinkle water on guests at a water festival in April. The Philippines has its own version of these Buddhist traditions, when it celebrates the Feast of San Juan Bautista, or St. John the Baptist.

In many parts of Europe and North America, people kindle bonfires on hilltops at the approaching summer solstice, when the days begin to grow shorter. To this ancient ritual are added other festive activities like games and parades, street dancing, outdoor eating, carnival attractions, and fireworks. Such gaeity may well be their version of a Philippine fiesta, but for the fact that the custom coincides with the Feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24.

West meets east in the Philippines when June 24 is celebrated by dousing and sprinkling of water or by family outings to the beach or riverside.

This Filipino custom is the most appropriate way of commemorating the only saint, other than Mary, whose birth is celebrated in the Christian liturgy. (Feasts of other saints fall on the day of their death.) After all, Saint John is the precursor who prepared people for the coming of Christ by baptizing them with water.

Matthew 2:11 quotes Saint John as saying: "I indeed baptize wou with water unto repentence but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he sahll baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire."

Anyone who goes to the town of San Juan, Metro Manila on the morning of June 24 cannot stay dry. neither will anyone who visits small towns near a stream, a river, or the sea before noon. The experience is supposed to remind one of one's baptism. Small childre nuse a tabo, usually an empty can used as a water dipper, to douse strangers with water. Older perspns my fill theor ancient coconut shells with perfumed water to sprinkle on passersby. Others get their bamboo cylinders fitted with pistons to squirt water on whoever passes by. Still others use water pistols. Unfortunately, the tradition is being threatened by killjoys or local bullies who douse car owners or jeepney riders wuth water from open ditches. Their actions have made others question the very idea of the festivity.

Text and Image Source: Filway's Philippine Almanac Centennial Edition

ASB: Marcos 7:7 Sinasamba nila ako nang walang kabuluhan, na nagtuturo ng mga turong utos ng tao.

Never Ever Wear Shades in A Running Competition

Sports/Video: Region VI earns first Palarong Pambansa gold medal in a dramatic fashion, www.rappler reports

Posted: 06 May 2012 02:59 AM PDT


LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Dexter Galos of Region VI takes the gold from CAR region's Arnold Galap in a dramatic fashion to earn the first Palarong Pambansa gold medal.

Galos was the champion of the 5000 meter dash. - Rappler.com

http://www.rizalnewsonline.com/2012/05/sportsvideo-region-vi-earns-first.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RizalNewsOnline+%28Rizal+News+Online%29

In Honor Of Trayvon Martin

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In Honor Of Trayvon Martin

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Trayvon Martin for their loss and for everyone involved in this terrible tragedy.

“We support our players and join them in hoping that their images and our logo can be part of the national dialogue and can help in our nation’s healing.”

– Official statement released by the Heat Friday.