Typhoon Glenda and Preparedness

I find it a little strange how people can celebrate escalating winds and storm signals just to have work suspended or canceled. I appreciate holiday from work and would likely do cartwheels every time I get some bit of separation from it, but not at the cost of dangerous weather forecasts since a degree of risk, whether to us or other people, is always attached to it. PAGASA is always scrutinized being a work in progress (aren’t we all) but shouldn’t we all be silently praying that the storm changes direction and never hit any part of the country? Or do we just find satisfaction in proving someone wrong?

PAGASA reports that Typhoon Glenda as of 12pm today is at 40km northeast of Catarman, Northern Samar.

PAGASA advised the public to prepare and take pre-cautionary measures.

PAGASA urges public to constantly monitor weather updates.

PASAGA expects typhoon Glenda to intensify further with likelihood to raise storm signals to Signal #3.

Check Typhoon Preparedness Advisory from time to time.

Below are some practical preparedness tips we sometimes overlook, time to double check:

Keep all your mobile phones, laptops, and other communication means fully charged.

Disseminate information on weather and warning advisory to your family members, friends and colleagues. Check on them and ask them to go home already soonest possible time.

Store an adequate supply of food and clean water. Prepare food that need not be cooked.

Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within easy reach.

Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.

Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, first aid kit, candles/flashlight, battery-powered radio, food, water, among others.

Typhoon Glenda is expected to hit Metro Manila this afternoon.

[Read more…]

Typhoon MEGI Expected to Hit Philippines Tonight

 

As of the PAGASA’s Press Conference at 530PM today, October 15, 2010:

Typhoon MEGI is expected to enter Philippines’ area of responsibility tonight.

 

Typhoon MEGI will reach the Extreme Northern Luzon by Monday afternoon.   Landfall expected around the same time.

 

Typhoon MEGI has maximum winds of 120 kph with gusts of 150 kph.

PAGASA advised the PUBLIC to prepare and take pre-cautionary measures.

PAGASA urges public to constantly monitor weather updates.

PASAGA expects typhoon MEGI to intensity further.

For weather updates: http://www.twitter.com/dost_pagasa

For the latest news: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Some safety/survival tips:

 

1. Stock on food at home, car, office and in your bag.  No one knows how long this climate will last or when a state of emergency happens.  It’s always better to be armed with necessary stocks at home like:

 

Food

Bread -gives the carbo load you need in replacement of rice.  Rice still has to be cooked.

Biscuits/cookies –alternative to bread, sugar helps relieve pangs of hunger

Candies –the sugar will help ease acidity in case there are more eminent task at hand than eating

Canned goods (like corned beef, Vienna sausage, tuna, pork and beans, chili con carne, corn) –not easily perishable and ready to eat

Instant Noodles –are also ready to eat although it’s best enjoyed cooked.  Snack on the noodles like crackers.

Bottled water

Carbonated drinks/Coffee

Items

Flashlight and Batteries

Thick Blanket/Comforters/Mattress Covers/Pillows

Jacket/Sweaters/Socks/Caps/Rain Boots

Radio and Batteries

Umbrella/Tents/Mono Block Chairs

Towels

Knife, Candles, Matches, Plastic Wares, Plastic Utensils, Napkins, Plastic Bags

Empty plastic bottles

Lifesavers/Old Tires/Styrofoam

Big Pails

Slippers

Antiseptic/First Aid Kits/Medicine bags

**If possible, keep all items in one area or fit everything in one “EMERGENCY BAG,” so it’s easy to locate and grab.

2. Unplug all appliances (particularly on the first floor) and keep a watchful eye on refrigerator and electricity outlets.

3. Always have extra cash handy.  ATMs might not be available or accessible.

4. Improvised flotation device can be made out of empty Coke/Pepsi/C2/Juice/Water plastic bottles.  Just securely tie the plastic bottles together (4-10) and it can work as a flotation device.

5. If possible, charge all equipment necessary, emergency light, mobile phones (for communication), etc. 

 

Glutamax Unveils Its New Endorser in La Greta

 

 

Photo Credit:

http://www.earthlingorgeous.com

http://www.yousaytoo.com 

http://www.carloscpalma.com/

 

Glutamax revealed its new endorser last Wednesday at the Eastwood Central Plaza.  Gretchen Barretto is now the new face of Glutamax, replacing Jinky Oda “Jacqui O.” who the brand originally launched with.  The TV ad campaign was also presented in the same event showing Gretchen taking off make-up, jewelry and pricey dress signifying that she shines without all of that only attributed to one reason… what she referred to as her “hidden wealth” –beautiful glowing skin (“Kutis Mayaman”).  That “hidden wealth” she mentioned is a sharp line to end the ad with, biting yet witty.

 

 

And according to her, what helps her maintain that beautiful white glow is Glutamax.  More of her interview during the event, she shares that she is very happy to be part of the new campaign and be part of the Glutamax family.

 

 

Before the big reveal, the first part of the event was the awarding of “The New Me” Blog Contest.  Jose Paul Legaspi, Healthwell president and CEO, partnered with Nuffnang (www.nuffnang.com), Asia Pacific’s biggest online community network company to stage this blog contest about “personal transformation”, which is part of their global promotional campaign for Glutamax.

 

Learning about the contest from the Nuffnang’s site, I joined with my “The New Me” entry.  Before they announced the winners, a string of wonderful music filled the event venue with Nyoy Volante, Julie Ann Santos (I’m not sure if I got the name right) and popular Filipino violinist Jon Lesaca taking the stage.  A segment of the program also showcased a slideshow of the contest participants flashing their “Before and After” photos in the wide screen.  Mojo and Suzie of Magic 89.9 hosted that evening’s Glutamax event.  Friends from the media were also present.

 

 

The esteemed Glutamax team went on stage and welcomed Gretchen Barretto to their family.  Jon Lesaca went back on stage and serenaded the new endorser at the pleasant request of the latter.

 

 

The night ended with a big buzz when Gretchen supposedly “walked out” of the mini-press conference that was held after the event.  The alleged “walk-out” happened after Gretchen was asked how she feels about her “Maalala Mo Kaya” back-to-back shows being pitted against Claudine’s show in the rival channel.  She vibrantly replied that she was extremely happy and proud that the Barrettos occupy that specific timeslot on Saturdays –implying that there’s more gain than loss for both sisters.  I think the media wasn’t satisfied with the answer and kept prying about how she really feels that made her storm out of the conference apparently with tears in her eyes.

 

—-

 

 

And on a different note, they announced the winners.  Congratulations to:

 

5th Prize: Lizz of http://lizzbuenaventura.com 

http://www.lizzbuenaventura.com/2009/12/new-me.html

4th Prize: Sophie of http://www.beautynomics.com 

http://www.beautynomics.com/blog/2009/12/31/the-new-me/ 

3rd Prize: Jeff of http://www.aspacio.net 

http://www.aspacio.net/2009/12/new-me.html

2nd Prize: http://jonnieanzures.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-me.html 

 

 

 

Until now writing about this, I have butterflies in my stomach remembering the moment they announced the first-prize winner.  I heard Mojo say Jane and say Chua and Sophie cheering and congratulating me… I think in my joy, I even hugged Sophie!  In my mind and heart, I felt like I did hug her (she was beside me) but I’m not really that sure now because everything felt like a blur.  I walked to the stage (shaking) and accepted the prize.  My mind was completely in pieces and when asked the question, I just stuttered my way through the answer –still in disbelief that I won the Mac Book.

 

 

Another highlight of the night for me was my bonding moment with Jed.  Jed is the cute, smart, and sweet son of Jeff and Jen Aspacio who was feeling bad because he thought I left without saying goodbye.  Bubba was so huge that he was covering Jed’s view.  I walked over to a pouting Jed.  I explained that I didn’t leave yet and I would of course say goodbye to him if I left.  I hugged him and said sorry.

 

 

He was quietly pouting for one whole minute… then he suddenly hugged me tight and broke down to tears saying he thought I already left.  After that, we talked about his favorite color and mine, butterfly kisses and his flat whistle and both of us left in a happy, beaming mood.

 

 

Thanks again Nuffnang for holding this contest and Glutamax for picking me as a winner.  I enjoyed writing the piece and I hope the entry truly inspired others take a step towards their own transformation –inside and out.

 

XOXO,

Janey

 

Related Entries:

Nuffnang’s Who’s the Fairest of Them All?

Earthlingorgeous’

Marriage and Beyond’s

Literary Bulimia’s

Yousaytoo’s

The New Me

 

GlutaMAX – The New Me

 

Friends, even newfound ones, often remark that I’m noticeably such a happy person.  I wasn’t always like this before.

 

 

 A Vibrant and Visibly Happy Change!

(35 lbs and a couple of shades lighter and happier)

 

Switch to a Lighter You!

 

What’s my beauty secret? 😉

 

Growing up, my dreams were countless.  There were so many things I wanted to do with my life.  At 21, I was already going through a mid-life crisis –castigating myself for not finishing law school.  Feelings of being unappreciated and identity loss in a previous relationship also gave a jarful of insecurity, inadequacy and anxiety.  I was stricken with fear of trying new things at the risk of failure again.

 

  

It didn’t help that I gained almost 30 lbs during a month-long study program in Osaka and Tokyo Japan that brought me to slip to this unhealthy and unhappy persona.  Since I am not supermodel tall (fine, I’m not even average tall 😀 ), being 132 lbs was not the comfortable weight for my height. 

 

 

I had a hard time buttoning my pants, my shirts/tops/dresses became too tight and much emphasis was put on my mid-section that people usually mistake me for being preggers.  My skin also started deteriorating.  Uneven skin tone and dark spots loom on my face.

 

 

I used to dress up in pricey cloaks that I thought covered the untidy chaos within me.  They say shopping is retail therapy –but no amount of shopping can silence the noise inside.

 

One day, I stripped myself naked of the things that were weighing me down.  No more excessiveness, no more self-doubt and fears, or discontentment.  No more measuring myself up to others.  I wrote every word that was negative in me on different rocks and pitched them out the distant sea. 

 

 

It was like taking it out of my system and hurling it away from me.  It was symbolic and therapeutic.  Try it, it is quite a release.  A creative one in fact.  Very ceremonial.  The healing began.

 

 

I even let go of the relationship that I felt impeded my growth.  I welcomed the independence and newfound strength.  I didn’t find the need for striking clothes or late night drinks either. 

 

 

Setting a goal

I started working out diligently at the gym, boxing, cardio-running and toning.  It was very therapeutic to sweat out at the gym and sauna.  I was slowly returning to my comfortable weight. 

 

 

Detoxify

I scheduled a fruit diet day at least once a week to cleanse my digestive system.  Living a healthy lifestyle is the way to go.  Fast foods are excessive in oil.  Junk food only supplied unnecessary calories. 

 

Craft

No matter how difficult life can be.  Happiness is a choice.  The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything.  They just try to make the best of everything.  Shaping your body is achieved by working out.  Happiness is achieved by shaping our mind to be positive and see the best in life and in people.  It is very lifting to observe all the wonderful things around us.  An honest smile.  Tender hug.  A family to come home to.  A peso in your pocket.  An old photograph.  Another couple in love.  I even greet my problems with a smile –it is an opportunity for me to learn and grow and test the mettle of my strength.  Yes, I feel low from time to time, but it’s no big deal.  I know that in due time, I will be happy again just as surely as the sun rises in the morning.

 

 

Knowing yourself

Self-realization sets in and instead of distinguishing who or what I am not, I began appreciating who I actually am.  Loving yourself is the wisdom to loving other people.  Self-esteem frees us from self-consciousness and self-doubt.  A sound self-esteem allows us to experiment, innovate and try and try again to achieve our goals.  Failures won’t be the gauge anymore of accomplishments, but self-worth is by now my claim of victory.

 

 

The less I care about seeking approval, the more approval I seem to get.  People are drawn to those with a quiet, inner confidence, people who don’t need to make themselves look good, or be “right” all the time, or steal the glory.  Most people love a person who doesn’t need to brag, a person who shares from his or her heart and not from his or her ego or image. 

 

 

It was quite the breakout year for me.  Sheer confidence got me trying out adventure races and a new career path. 

 

 

I took up new hobbies like photography.  I found my wanderlust spirit and traveled to different local and international destinations. 

 

 

And the most wonderful of it all, Love also found me. 

 

                     

We became each other’s source of friendship, inspiration and companionship.  We always enjoy the time when we are together –even to something as ordinary as standing in line or listening to music in the car.  He makes me feel like a natural woman –loving me for every flaw and appreciates me for every inch of my being. 

 

 

The Secret – Clarity

Beautiful skin starts from within.  With a peaceful mind and a happy heart, natural beauty will radiate easily off you.  While staying content, we always strive for excellence.  In the pursuit of perfection, I was introduced to a product that knows skin best.  The new Glutamax Lightening Soap scrubs away my unwanted spots and blemishes while it gently whitens the skin, leaving me feeling fresh and smooth (and smelling great too!).  Taking OUT the dark in me, the transformation turned complete when my skin became lighter as well.  It is so in sync when I feel lighter both inside and outside.  Glutamax effortlessly matches my fresh and vibrant outlook in life. 

 

In mind, body and skin, be completely transformed to the NEW YOU! 

 

Feed the world good energy and good things will gravitate toward you.  Shine with a positive attitude and attract the cheerful vibe.   Glow in love and in beautiful skin too… with Glutamax, lovely and vibrant white skin is at our fingertips. 

 

I fill my heart with love and my mind positive things, and I see the face of success every time I look in the mirror.

 

 (The secret to clarity: Glutamax -Reduced Glutathione Dietary Supplement 500mg. 

Pop it and Radiate 🙂 )

 

Glutamax, see the results! 😉

 

———————————————————————————————–

 

*This is my official entry to the Nuffnang/Glutamax The New Me contest.

 

 

 

Brittany Murphy’s Husband Simon Monjack Found Dead –Brittany Murphy Dies at Age 32

 

UPDATE as of May 25, 2010  -Britanny Murphy’s husband and director Simon Monjack was found dead at his home.

 

From Associated Press:

The husband of Brittany Murphy was found dead by his mother-in-law late Sunday at the Los Angeles home he shared with the late actress, the coroner’s office said. Simon Monjack’s death was reported as a possible heart attack and appeared to be from natural causes, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said. Monjack was 39.

 

“He was discovered by Brittany’s mom as being unresponsive” in the master bedroom of the Hollywood Hills home at about 9:40 p.m. Sunday, Winter said. Sharon Murphy called paramedics, who pronounced him dead.

 

 

There were no signs of foul play or physical injury to his body, Winter said.

 

Prescription medications belonging to Monjack were found in his bedroom, but there was no immediate indication that he overdosed, Winter said.

 

An autopsy was planned Tuesday, but a final cause of death would await results of planned toxicology tests, Winter said.

 

Murphy died last Dec. 20 after collapsing in the home.

 

At his wife’s funeral, a visibly emotional Monjack talked about their relationship and called her his best friend and soul mate. The two married in 2007. He had said they were planning a family and contemplating a move to New York.

 

 

—-

Brittany Murphy Dies at Age 32

 

I was just watching Brittany Murphy in the movie “Ramen Girl” a few weeks back and now the news that she died at a young age of 32 is a complete shocker.  Murphy was the chubby girl in “Clueless” and the love opposite of Eminem in his first full movie “8 Mile.”  I loved her in “Just Married” with Ashton Kutcher and “Uptown Girls” with Dakota Fanning.  She also gave voice to character “Gloria” in the 2006 animated feature, “Happy Feet.”

 

 

I haven’t seen her in movies in recent times except when I caught “Ramen Girl” on Star Movies.  It was reported that she died in Los Angeles over the weekend with no determined cause of death.  Los Angeles County coroner’s official however said that it appears to be of natural causes.

 

Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and somebody placed a 911 call.  The Los Angeles Fire Department was first to respond at 8 am at her house in Hollywood Hills.  Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but it appears that she might have died instantaneously.  She was married to British screenwriter Simon Monjack.  Murphy’s husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared “dazed” as firefighters tried to save her.

 

 

Authorities are currently looking into her medical history.  An autopsy will be conducted for Monday or Tuesday.  Winter said Murphy’s family was cooperating with the coroner’s investigation. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

 

She dated Ashton Kutcher, who costarred with Murphy in 2003’s romantic comedy “Just Married.”

 

 

Kutcher sent a message on Twitter Sunday morning about Murphy’s death: “2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine,” Kutcher wrote. “My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany’s family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon.”

 

 

December 2009 Holidays

 

 

Is it a long Christmas break for you? 🙂  I sure hope so.

 

I’ve already filed a leave for Dec. 23, 28 and 29 :p

 

 

December 2009 Holidays

 

Dec. 24, 2009

Special Holiday

Christmas Eve -Proclamation No. 1699

 

Dec. 25                  

Regular Holiday                  

Christmas Day -Executive Order No. 203

 

Dec. 30                  

Regular Holiday                  

Rizal Day -Executive Order No. 203

 

Dec. 31  

Special Holiday

Last Day of the Year -Executive Order No. 203

 

Jan. 1, 2010           

Regular Holiday                  

New Year’s Day -Executive Order No. 203

 

Where are you off to this Christmas break? 

 

 

I think employees who are assigned to work on these days will be given premium pay in accordance with their existing company policies.

 

 

 

Palace Retracts November 27-28 Holiday, Except in ARMM

 

 

November 27-28, 2009 is no longer a national/regular holiday.  Malacañang has issued Proclamation No. 1808-A on October 26, 2009 declaring Feast of Eid’l Adha as Regional Holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao only.  This means business as usual in Metro Manila.

 

People in the Metro who have booked flights/vacation on that supposedly long weekend holiday must be really upset with the holiday “retraction” in Metro Manila.  Businessmen must be pretty pleased about it (quite understandable).  I almost booked a flight.

 

Image Source: coolrain44.wordpress.com

 

(I know someone who works in Singapore and is coming home that weekend to spend time with family during the long holiday  in Manila, only to find out that they are supposed to go to work.)

 

“We apologize for those who have been inconvenienced by the change. Trade Secretary [Peter] Favila and the Department of Trade and Industry appealed for the change in behalf of the business community to limit the nonworking holiday to the ARMM because of the number of holidays declared for November plus the fact that we are still recovering from the twin tragedies of Ondoy and Pepeng that hit Metro Manila and Luzon,” Remonde

 

Palace Sorry for Changing Nov 27-28 Holiday Link

 

Between Bites’ Bloggers’ Choice Award Vote Goes To…

 

 

 

Between Bites votes for FRANNYWANNY

Bloggers’ Choice Award – National

2009 Philippine Blog Awards

 

Goodluck sweetie!

 

Urgent and Simple Tips From Samsung Public Relations

 

In the aftermath of the destruction left by typhoon Ondoy, some of us may have been affected by it.  For those Samsung products that were flooded, here are some tips on what to do that are advised by our Technical Support team.

 

Refrigerator

Please clean the refrigerator with cloth (take extra care in doing so).  Let it dry.  And let it stand for 2-3 days before turning it on.  If timer / control was drained or submerged into water, need to render SVC.  Contact CCC at 580-5777.

 

Washing Machine, TV and other Brown Goods, IT Products ASC

Need to check-up.  DO NOT PLUG.  You may bring the unit to the SVC Center or contact CCC.

 

HHP

Do not turn on the mobile phone.  Bring to the nearest SVC Center for check-up.