Ms. Universe 2011: Vote Ms. Shamcey Supsup

I'm not a fan of beauty pageant but since this beautiful and gorgeous lady represent my country Philippines. As I Filipino, we should support our fellow Filipinos that represents and bring the name of our country Philippines.

We have a lot of fellow Filipinos whether groups or individual bring the name of Philippines. They are trying to give the best shot on their path career. Lately, we have the Philippine Dragon Ball Team, Aragon, Charice, Philippine Azkals, Philippine Rugby Team and a lot more.

They excel on their field because of the support of our fellow Filipinos. This time, Ms. Shamcey Supsup will try her best to give honor to her country Philippines by getting the crown as Ms. Universe 2011.

As we remember, Ms. Venus Raj was the 3rd runner-up of last Ms. Universe. Many beauty pageant fan would say that Ms. Venus Raj will be crowned as Ms. Universe if she answered the question perfectly without repeating the word "major". That statement was trending after the pageant.

Again, we should support again another representative of the Philippines Ms. Shamcey Supsup to be the Ms.Universe 2011 by voting her and spread the word to your friends.

Go to Ms.Universe website and find the name of Shamcey Supsup and click the vote button. One vote is enough to show our support to her.

To view the profile of Ms. Shamcey Supsup, click here >> Ms. Universe: Ms. Shamcey Supsup

image credit to ms.universe

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Vote Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park for New7Wonders

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located at Puerto Princesa, Palawan. PP Underground River is the other name of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.


PP Underground River was nominated for New 7 Wonders at voting will ends on November 11, 2011. Currently, PP Underground River is rank 11 for the New 7 Wonders. Let's help to make it the Top 7.

Let's cast our voting by two easy way:
1. Go to http://www.new7wonders.com/ and click Vote at the menu tab.
2. via SMS: Text PPUR and sent to 2861. Cost per each SMS sent: PHP2.00 (Sun) PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)


Let show to the world the beauty of our Punta Princesa Subterranean River National Park. If the PP Underground River make to the Top 7. The Tourism industry of Philippines will boom because it will be one of the number one tourist spots in the country.

The Tourism industry contribute a big help for the Philippine economy. Let us help our economy in just a simple way of voting through online or SMS.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park showcase the perfect rock transformation naturally and the turtle at the river.

Snapshots of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Vote now for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

via SMS: PPUR send to 2861

Images from : images.google.com

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Find your career with CareerJet

Everybody wants to get job with a good compensation. But unfortunately, some can't achieve their goal because of some reasons.

I want to list why they can't get their desired job.
1. Knowledge and Skills
2. School Attainment
3. Financial
4. Lack of confidence
5. Search engine for job.

If you want to achieve your goal, go to Careerjet, the search engine for jobs

Careerjet.ph is a search engine that maps an extensive selection of job offerings by listing worldwide job vacancies in one database. We drive traffic to the original job listing website (company websites, recruitment agencies, newspapers, etc.) and earn revenue based on a pay per click principle and an auction system.

You can also find here a job through their search engine.

Jobs by Careerjet

You can find job here by their Job Box.

Jobs in Philippines

Careerjet, the search engine for jobs

They are currently looking for web partners to join their Careerjet publisher programme. You can also do partnet with them through this banner.












Build your career at CareerJet.ph

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New Design of Philippine Peso Bills

Last Thursday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas revealed the newly designs of the Philippine Peso Bill and new security features of each peso bill.

It took three years to complete the new currencies from conceptualization and printing according to Amando Tetangco, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor. 

Tetangco added that new bank notes "combine new and familiar elements." According to Tetangco that the colors of the bills will be retained to ensure people won't be confused.The new design of Philippine Peso Bill will be circulated this December but the old Peso Bill is acceptable within next three years or until 2013. 

As honor to the former Philippine Presidents, Senators and war heroes like Manuel Roxas, Sergio Osmeña, Manuel Quezon, and Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo, Ninoy Aquino, Josefa Llanes Escoda, Vicente Lim, Jose Abad Santos are still featured on the peso bills.

For 500 Peso Bill:

The former President Corazon Aquino is placed beside her husband Senator Ninoy Aquino in the new design of 500 Peso Bill.

The new 500 peso bill makes a history by having both parents with the signatures of their son, the current President Noynoy Aquino.

The P500 bill feautured Puerto Princesa’s Subterranean River National Park and the a blue-naped parrot.

For 20 Peso Bill:

At the back, Banue Rice Terraces, and an animal, Palm Civet or Alamid in local language.

For 50 Peso Bill:
The new of 50 Peso bill is the darker color of red, Taal Lake, and Maliputo. Maliputo is a fish can be found only in the wates of the Taal Lake.

For 100 Peso Bill:
The color of the 100 Peso Bill is almost purple. At the back it shows the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano and Butanding. Butanding is a whale shark and main attraction in Sorsogon.

For 200 Peso Bill:
The almost-green P200 bill shows Bohol Chocolate Hills and the world’s smallest primate found in the Philippines, the Tarsier.

And, Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s photo taking oath is now in front of the P200 bill but is almost not visible.

The color of 200 Peso Bill is almost green. Bohol Chocolate Hills and Tarsier featured at the back portion of 200 peso bill. Tarsier is the world's smallest primate that can be found only in the Philippines. At the Front portion of the bill it show the photo of Former President and now Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Oath taking as her first President Term.

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Laoag City Gymnastics Group - One of the Best Gymnastics Group of Philippines

Showtime is the show that catered the talents of every Filipinos. Watching the contestant performed on the stage in Showtime can make you a Filipinos because it shows how Filipinos talented is. Showtime is aired every afternoon in ABS-CBN before Pilipinas Win na Win.

Last Season in Showtime, XB Gensan was declared as First Grand Champion of Showtime. They came from the General Santos City where Manny Pacquaio lived.

This Season who will be the next Showtime Grand Champion? But before that, I will features that might be the next Showtime Grand Champion.

They are gymnastics group from the City of Laoag. The Gymnastics group composed of students and teenagers who mastered the field of gymnastics. They shown their talents last Saturday (December 3, 2010) as a weekly finalists. If they win in the weekly finals they will get a slot for Monthly Finals and if they win again they will have chance to be the next Showtime Grand Champion. The Hurados(Judges) and Madlang Pipol(audiences) made a standing ovation as they spectacular performance.

To those who watch their performance you will experience a different feeling. But if you haven't watch yet you can watch their performance by this video:

Comments of Hurados:

Geneva Cruz: "World Class talent kayo, perfecto"

Karylle: "Bravo,talaga. standing ovation. Nagparty2x dance pa ang madlang pipol at mga hurados dahil sa sobrang tuwa sa ipanakita nyo.Excited na ako sa Grand Finals"

Ney Dimaculangan: "Hindi kayo tao, hindi kayo tao. Nakasisira kayo ng ulo dahil sobrang galing nyo. Tapos na ang Laban!"

Ryan Bang: "Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.Hindi ako sinungaling kinalibutan ako sa performanace nyo. Wala akong masabi. Nakita ko maraming performance but your performance was the best. Bonggang-bongga yon. Ang husay ng sayaw."

Vice Ganda:"Nakakaloka, huminto ang mundo sa lahat ng taong nakikita sa ipinakitang sayaw nyo......I have never seen any performance as astonishing as yours in this entire season....That can only be seen in Showtime only in the Philippines.....Hindi kayo deserve sa ten bagay sa iyo 20 pa nga eh.......Hindi kayo tao, hotdog kayo dahil bibbo kayo."

Hope to see more talents as Laoag City Gymnastics Group and XB Gensan shown at Showtime. God Bless to Showtime and Good Luck to Laoag City Gymnastics Group.

Follow me on Twitter: @itsblogjomar
Visit my other blog: Quest Toad, Download Central Hub, Buzz Central

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August 30 - National Heroes Day

In the Philippines, we have a different celebrations that's not listed in the World Celebrations but the Filipino Community in other countries celebrate too.

Every 29th day of the month of August, Philippines celebrate as "National Heroes Day". As current celebration in Philippines August 29 declared as a non-working holidays in memory of the heroes of the Philippines because of their love of the Republic of the Philippines.

Currently, the late President Corazon Aquino considered as a hero because of the Freedom of her fellow countrymen.


This coming August 30,2010 palace declared as a non-working to have a long vacation since Saturday, Sunday is a non-working days. Since, August 29 is fall into a regular non-working holidays. Palace move it to August 30,2010 to have a long weekend vacation.

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New PAGASA Chief in Aquino Administration

The newly elected President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III announced last Friday (August 6,2010) that he replaced Dr. Prisco D. Nilo as director of the country’s weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
President Aquino the reason to the reporters last Frifay afternoon due to the "differences" with his "immediate superior" in the Department of Science and Technology(DOST), government agency directly supervised by PAGASA.
Although the President did not name the "immediate superior," a check with PAGASA showed that it is directly under the DOST underesecretary for research and development, with the post currently held by Graciano Yumul.
A Special Order (S.O) from Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo dated August 5 designated Undersecretary Yumul as PAGASA’s officer-in-charge, replacing Nilo. Aquino reprimanded Pagasa last month for failing to predict that typhoon Basyang would ravage Metro Manila. Aquino said Nilo "never really bothered to explain" why Typhoon Basyang moved in a different direction.

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PBA 100th Finals: Alaska vs. SMB

PBA: Alaska Team

Photo by: PBA
News: Yahoo News


After a gruelling quarterfinals series that went the distance, they had to endure the torture that was Talk and Text in the semis. But Alaska outlasted its determined foes and will now gun for the franchise’s 13th title since joining the Philippine Basketball Association in 1986.
Winning this title is made even more special as it is the 100th championship series since the league started. While Alaska is looking for its 13th crown, defending champion San Miguel, which has won the most titles in the PBA, is gunning for No. 19.
The Aces lost their starting center Sonny Thoss four minutes into the opening quarter of Game 5 and missed the next following battles. But turning a problem into an opportunity, the Aces worked with what they had and outhustled the fully loaded Talk and Text platoon. They were a smaller but faster team. The likes of Rey Hugnatan, Tony dela Cruz, Joe Devance and Mark Borboran responded to the challenge and joined the concerted effort to survive their opponents’ incredible talent and firepower.
But the Aces could get their ceiling back in the middle of the finals.
“We found out from Dr. (George) Canlas that the chip bone (on Thoss’ right foot) is an old injury with the national team. So we X-rayed it again and it had healed. It was diagnosed as a second-degree sprain on his ankle so we’re hoping he can get back maybe Game 3 or 4,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone. “We will need Sonny Thoss because we’re similar in size. It’s really early for Sam (Eman) to get into Sonny’s role right now, but that is part of the plan for him. We need help from Sam. SMB is big and tough. We have to be creative.”
Coach Tim shared that he asked his wards: “Are we ready to play after all we’ve been through? Are we ready to go for another two-and-a-half weeks?” His players all gave a resounding: “Yes!” More than the commitment, Cone has been impressed with the team effort, even in practices.
Meanwhile San Miguel has had five days of rest. But their definition of rest is being relentless in practice and determined in hitting the weight room. Although Dorian Peña cautioned that rest sometimes equals rust.
“Sometimes the team that comes straight from a series and jumps right into another one has the momentum and if they are rolling like Alaska, they are hard to stop. So hopefully we will be able to defend against the triangle,” Peña said.
San Miguel Coach Siot Tanquingcen had the pleasure of attending the Alaska-TNT Game 7 live and had a closer look at the opposition. It will be his first finals showdown against Coach Tim and it will take incredible effort to outsmart one of the league’s most decorated.
The Fiesta Finals battle starts Friday. Fifty-three out of 81 teams which took a 1-0 lead in a best-of-7 series went on to win the series, which means a 65-percent chance that whoever emerges victorious tonight will win it all.

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Does P-Noy happy in "Bahay Pangarap"?

"Alam mo yung pakiramdam na ‘Eto na, eto na kulungan’? Parang di ka magmamadaling pumasok (You know the feeling of, ‘Here it is, here’s my prison cell’? You wouldn't be rushing to enter it)," Aquino told reporters in jest.

President Benigno Aquino III's first night in the newly spruced-up Bahay Pangarap was not all that dreamy.

President Aquino slept in his new house for the first time last Thursday night, he's still in the period of adjusting especially in his new bed, and even to the unfamiliar position of the light switches.

Three additional rooms — a guest room, a room for Aquino's household staff, and a room for his close-in security — have been added to the originally one-room Bahay Pangarap.

As a remember, Bahay Pangarap is located inside Malacañang Park, which is on the opposite side of the Pasig River fronting Malacañang proper.

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LPA to Cyclone "Ester": 10 Areas under Signal 1

The Low Pressure Area(LPA)intensifies into a tropical depression according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) early Saturday.

The Philippine Atmospheric , Geophysical and Astronomincal Services Administration (PAGASA) called the cyclone "Ester" is moving toward Cagayan Area.

Storm Signal No. 1 declared in place of Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Northern Isabela, Batanes, Babuyan Island, and Calayan Island.

As of 4 a.m., Ester – the fifth cyclone in Philippine territory so far this year – was estimated at 190 km southeast of Basco, Batanes.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster coordinating councils concerned to take appropriate actions.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale force winds will affect the western seaboard of Central Luzon and the seaboards of southern Luzon and the Visayas.

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PAL Flights Cancelled

Phillipine Airlines(PAL) is one of the largest airlin company in the Philippines. They hired skilled and experiencable pilots.

But at this moment, they face a big crisis in their company. Some of PAL Pilots resign and transfer to other company because of bigger compensation. 11 domestic and international flights of PAL yesterday was also cancelled including the flight to Cebu and Visayas Province.

At Breaking News, Eight more flights in four local destinations of embattled flag-carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) have been scrapped due to the abrupt exodus of a number of their greenhorn pilots, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Sunday.

On Saturday, at least 23 flights were disrupted after a number of the company’s pilots abandoned their aircraft to find better paying jobs overseas. The company management had said it was looking into holding these pilots accountable for their action.

Here are some PAL flights cancelled.

PAL cancelled its flights from Manila to Cagayan, Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo, the MIAA advisory said.
PAL’s PR 181, which should have departed Manila at 4:45 a.m. bound for Cagayan and its return flight PR 182 at 8:15 a.m. was shelved, as well as PR 847 which was scheduled to leave the capital at 7:30 a.m. Sunday for Cebu. Its return flight PR 848 slated to fly out of the Queen city of the south at 10:55 a.m. was likewise put off.
Also, PAL’s trips to Bacolod involving PR 133 (Manila-Bacolod) and PR 134 (Bacolod-Manila), which were to leave their points of origin at 8:40 a.m. and 11:35 a.m., respectively, have been cancelled as well.
Lastly, the flag-carrier’s flights to Iloilo – PR 147 bound for Iloilo at 6:35 p.m. and the return flight PR 148 at 9:30 p.m – were likewise scrapped. -- source: inquirer.net

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SONA: President Noynoy Aquino III

15th President of the Philippines - President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III known as "P-Noy".

July 26, 2009 is the day to make the newly elected president of the Philippines President Benigno Aquino III known as P-Noy his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is very confident that he could revive the hope, which has been rocked by anomalies and corruption of the past administration.

P-Noy’s first SONA was peppered with figures and accusations of missing funds and wasteful spending against the previous administration- Administration of Congressman Gloria - Macapagal- Arroyo.

President Aquino is to hoping to correct the wrongs of the past administration, Aquino also said many of these problems had been “kept secret” from the public.

In his first State of the Nation Address, he exposed the anomalies in some agencies including exorbitant bonuses of the Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the supposed “30 months” pay of most of its government employees.

“Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees,” Aquino added.

He also reveal the growing government budget deficit.

“Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos,” Aquino said. 

Aquino also revealed the anomalies of National Food Authority were tons of rice supply have gone to waste due to excess buying but poor distribution.

“Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas,” he added.

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Official List Of Paypal Philippine Bank Codes

 Do you have paypal account and you want to link bank debit card to your paypal account? Or an EON Card or SmartMoney Card and you want to use this following cards to get verify your paypal account. After verifying your paypal account you use or withdraw the money in your paypal account.


OFFICIAL LIST OF PAYPAL PHILIPPINES BANK CODES

Bank Name                                                                               Bank Code
ALLIED BANKING CORP                                                     010320013
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND                                               010700015
ASIA UNITED BANK                                                             011020011
BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS                                    010030015
BANGKOK BANK                                                                 010670019
BANK OF AMERICA                                                             010120019
BANK OF CHINA                                                                  011140014
BANK OF TOKYO                                                                 010460012
BANCO DE ORO (& EQUITABLE PCI BANK)                    010530667
BANK OF COMMERCE                                                        010440016
BANK OF THE PHIL ISLANDS (BPI)                                   010040018
CHINA BANKING CORP                                                      010100013
CHINA TRUST COMML BANK                                           010690015
CITIBANK N.A.                                                                     010070017
DEVT BANK OF THE PHILS (DBP)                                     010590018
DEUTSCHE BANK                                                                010650013
EAST WEST BANK                                                               010620014
EXPORT & INDUSTRY BANK                                            010860010
FUJI BANK                                                                            010640010
HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK (HSBC)                010060014
INTL COMML BANK OF CHINA                                       010560019
INTL EXCHANGE BANK                                                     010680012
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK                                                010720011
KOREA EXCHANGE BANK                                                010710018
INTL NEDERLAND BANK                                                  010660016
LANDBANK OF THE PHILS                                                010350025
MAYBANK OF THE PHILS                                                 010220016
METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST CO                             010269996
PHIL BANK OF COMMUNICATION                                 010110016
PHIL TRUST COMPANY                                                     010090039
PHIL NATIONAL BANK (PNB)                                          010080010
PRUDENTIAL BANK                                                           010150018
PHIL VETERANS BANK                                                     010330016
RIZAL COMML BANKING CORP (RCBC)                       010280014
SECURITY BANK & TRUST CO                                        010140015
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK                                     010050011
UNITED COCONUT PLANTERS BANK                           010299995
UNION BANK OF THE PHILS (UBP)                                010419995
UNITED OVERSEAS BANK                                               010270189

Note: Be sure you have debit card from the following bans to use the bank codes.


Philippine banks with Paypal bank codes: Allied Bank; Asia United Bank; BSP; Banco de Oro (BDO); Equitable PCIBank (same as BDO bank code); Bank of Commerce; Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI); China Bank; China Trust; Citibank; Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); Deutsche Bank; East-West Bank; Export Bank; Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC); Landbank of the Philippines (Land Bank); Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank); Philippine Bank of Communications (PBCom); Philtrust; Philippine National Bank (PNB); Prudential Bank; Veterans Bank; Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC); Security Bank; Standard Chartered; United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB); UnionBank of the Philippines (Unionbank); United Overseas Bank.

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President-Elect Noynoy Aquino III. Inauguration

Aquino-Binay Administration - (Photo By: Jomar L. Lipon)

President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr. (Photo By: Jomar L. Lipon)

Personalized Logo of President Aquino Inauguration - (Photo By: Jomar L. Lipon)

After the Election Day in the Philippines last May 10,2010 using the newly technology machine called PCOS Machine with the help of SmartMatic-TIM and Commission on Election they formally proclaimed the newly and 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines President-Elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino Jr. and newly elected Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. This is the first automatic election of the Republic of the Philippines.


Some issues discuss after election:

1. Vote Buying
2. Flash Card Issues
3. Election Returns
4. Special Election in Mindanao Region
5. Conceding Lost Candidates
6. Result of the Election
7. PCOS Machine
8. so forth..

After a days after proclaiming the newly elected officials of the Republic of the Philippines Local or National Officials. The President-Elect Noynoy Aquino Jr. and Vice-President Elect Binay will having inauguration this coming June 30,2010. It will be a historical day in the Philippines.

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Bayanihan still alive!

Reading and surfing in the net of the latest news. I'm amazed that in the Philippines the Filipino traits of "Bayanihan" is still alive in Zamboanga City.

The Philippine Marine Troops,US soldiers, parents and teachers bring back the bayanihan spirit in the Philippines when they build a classroom in Sulu, the Southern part of Zamboanga City.

It was built for the Maharadja Abduraup Elementary School in the village of Buansa, Indanan where there are at least 400 enrollees for the school year 2010-2011.

Bayanihan is still alive. Bravo! Philippines

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My President

The Election Day in the Philippines is fast approaching.

This coming election we will vote not only for local but national which means we will vote the following:

1. President

2. Vice-President

3. Senators

This 3 is some of the important officials that we should vote correctly. Because they are the one who will rule our country for six years.

Who is my President?

I will not state my President at this time but I will let you know how I choose my President. I will not vote those Presidentiables that always saying Fight but in his/her political career he/she do nothing even making some efforts of making law. Obviously, this Presidentiable is the one who will make a law in the Philippines. The President should have a track record that he/she make his/her life success with his/her own not because of the family name. The President should have an experience within his/her political career even in short time.

I will not believe to the surveys that have been published by survey company. Because they only ask a small percentage of voters. They only ask a thousands or more respondents for their surveys. The surveys is not accurate because the voters i guess is greater than millions how come that only thousands have been asked, how about the others.

Let's Vote Wisely this coming elections. 1 Vote might be the reason we will have change in our country. Let's Help our Election be Cool and Green

Follow me in Twitter: ItsBlogJomar

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CNN Hero - Efren Peñaflorida (Championing Children

CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member.
"My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life," says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. "We were pressured to join."
He's not alone. In the Philippines, teenage membership in urban gangs has surged to an estimated 130,000 in the past 10 years, according to the Preda Foundation, a local human rights charity.
"I thought I'd get stuck in that situation and that my life would never improve," recalls Fajardo. "I would probably be in jail right now, most likely a drug addict -- if I hadn't met Efren."
Efren Peñaflorida, 28, also was bullied by gangs in high school. Today, he offers Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education.

"Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old," says Peñaflorida. "They are all victims of poverty."
For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. Their main tool: A pushcart classroom.
Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.
Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future.
"Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education," he recalls. "I will strive hard; I will do my best."



In high school, Peñaflorida faced a new set of challenges. Gang activity was rampant; they terrorized the student body, vandalized the school and inducted members by forcing them to rape young girls, he says.
"I felt the social discrimination. I was afraid to walk down the street."
Peñaflorida remembers standing up to a gang leader, refusing to join his gang. That confrontation proved fateful. At 16, he and his friends "got the idea to divert teenagers like us to be productive," he says.
He created the Dynamic Teen Company to offer his classmates an outlet to lift up themselves and their community. For Peñaflorida, that meant returning to the slums of his childhood to give kids the education he felt they deserved.
"They need education to be successful in life. It's just giving them what others gave to me," he says.
Today, children ranging from ages 2 to 14 flock to the pushcart every Saturday to learn reading, writing, arithmetic and English from Peñaflorida and his trained teen volunteers.
"Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children," he says.
The group also runs a hygiene clinic, where children can get a bath and learn how to brush their teeth.
Since 1997, an estimated 10,000 members have helped teach more than 1,500 children living in the slums. The organization supports its efforts by making and selling crafts and collecting items to recycle.
Through his group, Peñaflorida has successfully mentored former gang members, addicts and dropouts, seeing potential where others see problems.
"Before, I really didn't care for my life," says Michael Advincula, who started doing drugs when he was 7. "But then Efren patiently dug me from where I was buried. It was Efren who pushed me to get my life together."
Today, Advincula is a senior in high school and one of the group's volunteers.
Peñaflorida hopes to expand the pushcart to other areas, giving more children the chance to learn and stay out of gangs.
"I always tell my volunteers that you are the change that you dream and I am the change that I dream. And collectively we are the change that this world needs to be."

Watch Peñaflorida and his group in action with their push cart classroom »

Take a look at the slums where Peñaflorida and his group spend their Saturdays »

Watch Advincula describe how he met Peñaflorida in the slums »

Source: CNN

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