Coron: The Most Beautiful Island in the World

[image by triptheislands]

Imagine yourself in front of these naturally carved beauty marveling on their structure and wonderful formations.  This picturesque spot is courtesy of the most beautiful island in the world. Rich in marine life sanctuary and listed as one of the best scuba diving sites by Forbes.  Coron Island is just one of the Philippines’ many top tourist destinations. It can be found in the province of Palawan, one of the largest among the archipelago islands of the country.  Coron is just less than 450kms away from the Philippine’s capital city of Manila or just an hour long trip using a local airline and one can see the most beautiful island in the world. The impressive mysterious fortress like rocky formation which was home to its ancient inhabitants called the Tagbanuas who lived during the early times by fishing on the surrounding lakes of the rock island.

The mysterious rocky cliffs.

The enchanting and unique karst rock formations of Coron were originally made from corals reefs formed about 260 million years ago that rifted and shifted through tectonic movements some 30 million years ago from its original position of the main Calamian group of islands.  The islands are part the connecting islands of the Southeast Asian ridge and those of China’s continental crusts to its existing position north of Palawan. Great wave erosion and heavy monsoon rains helped created these towering cathedral-like limestone formation that further move north of the archipelago region. The formation have also risen dramatically by 400 meters above sea level through time. And due to these natural Earth movements, the area was made not only by these gigantic gray limestone but also with numerous coves, lagoons and blue-green lakes.

The Tagbanua people and the mystery tales of the waters.

Palawan specifically the Calamian group of islands to which Coron belongs was a rich source of folklores and ancient mythological superstitions dating back to the early people inhabitants of the Philippines.  The Tagbanuas belong to the ancient tribe people called Taga Banwa literally translated as ‘from the inland area’ which was believed to have come from Borneo and Brunei. The Tagbanua tribe believes that the surrounding lakes of the coral island were sacred burial grounds of their ancestors and visitors are highly restricted unless they have parts to do in the rituals performed by these ancient tribe. According to the myth, the place was inhabited by spirits and ghostly creatures from the dead such as the Bal-bal or the corpse thief and other dark creatures such as the Aswang. Amalanhig and Busaw. Folks are cautioned not to even mention their names so as not to disturb them and attack the living. Myths like these are in present in some hidden scenic spots all over the country to ward off visitors from spoiling these paradise-like places.  But most adventurers find these myths an equal excitement adventure to discover the place. And they have truly found the place one of the most unspoiled and captivatingly amazing.

[image by allaboutgoodlife]

Discover beautiful Coron!

Visiting the most beautiful island in the world was not just about enjoying its enchanting rock formation, swimming and diving on its fine beaches and the blue-green waters. Coron is simply but a great escape from the turmoil of urban living and the rewarding feast on discovering the ultimate beauty of nature. Come, start your life’s greatest adventure. Discover Coron, the most beautiful island in the world and experience nature’s paradise at its best!

[image by allaboutgoodlife]

A Hope called Tumbles

Tumbles, the 2-legged puppy
[image courtesy from itv.com]

Athens, Ohio

Nov. 17, 2015

In Athens County, Ohio shelter house Friends of the Shelter Dogs (FOSD) recently announced that the six-week old terrier beagle mix puppy named Tumbles, the 2-legged puppy under their care was the recipient of a specially designed tiny 3D walking cart wheel. The puppy which was rescued from the cold when he was just barely 2 weeks old was born with no front paws. Unlike other dog puppies, Tumbles move around inch by inch tipping his nose and the rest of his body flipping and rolling most of the time.

The mini wheelchair will be able to make Tumbles practice walking with it and help build muscles for his body and his remaining hind legs.  The tiny 3D designed wheelchair was made especially for him by the Ohio University Innovation Center. Watch this video clip from Kazamiza's Youtube channel as Tumbles tries on his new walking wheel.

Hope springs anew for this cute little bundle of joy and inspiration. Tumbles is currently not up for adoption according to the shelter officers.

Peace for Paris [Updated]

[France flag image from foxnews]

[Lebanese flag: image from aawsat]

*Updated
YellowChevy is one with every person in the world in praying for the eternal peace of the wasted lives in the recent Paris terrorist attacks as well as in other places such as in Beirut, Lebanon. May they finally rest in peace as we, the living continue to seek attaining worldwide PEACE. No one deserve such heinous acts of crime and violence. Terrorism has no religion and has no place here on Earth!

Imagine….Peace At Last!

October 9…

Imagine...

There’s no countries

It isn’t hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for…

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace.

So goes the song 'Imagine' by the Beatles back in the 60s. The song which broke music records all over the world. The song which has become the inspiration of many peace advocates and aspirants.

Although the song conveyed ideals of a man on how he perceive PEACE should be in a world full of chaos, hatred and disbelief. The song became a universal symbol of universal socialism different and apart from the communist manifesto observed by Communist Russia and China or any other countries with communist governance.

John Lennon's ideas when he wrote the song were inspired and came from a Christian prayer book. According to John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, John’s perception and inspiration about peace in his mind was that we are all one country, one world, one people. Rolling Stone magazine described John Lennon’s lyrics as the plain and simple faith in the power of the people united to repair and change itself.

The power of the people united in purpose to heal, fix and change from worse to a better environment, a better place, better people, better country – a better world. The desire by one’s untainted innocence and desire to attain peace.

Here again are the thoughts of John Lennon when he penned them for the song he sang along with his band, the Beatles back in the 60s:

 Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try; 
No hell below us 
Above us only sky.


Imagine all the people living for today…
It isn't hard to do;
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too.
Imagine all the people living life in peace…
I wonder if you can;
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man.


Imagine all the people sharing all the world…
I wonder if you can;
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man.
But I'm not the only one;


I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.
But I'm not the only one;
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.

Imagine…

If John Lennon was alive today

He will now be 75 years old

October 9, 2015.

Flashing the PEACE sign

As he share a smile at every one of us.

But John Lennon was gone. He was murdered last Dec. 8, 1980 by Mark David Chapman. A person obviously distraught with chaotic insanity and delusional psychotic mind. A person who needed PEACE so much in his life who have based his crime killing John Lennon to a book he has just read.

And as his birth anniversary nears, let us join John Lennon’s desire to finally have PEACE not only within ourselves, but for all people and all countries who are suffering because of aggression, oppression, anarchy, hatred and other ill-feelings and acts to make this world a safer place, a better place.

Imagine…

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one;
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.

Women Power in the Philippines

With the recent announcement of the ruling Liberal Party in the Philippines, there seems to be an ongoing trend that the next person to govern and lead the Philippines are going to be WOMEN of action. When the Philippines had its first woman President in the person of the late Corazon Cojuanco Aquino, the widow of the assassinated Marcos opposition senator  Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino in the year 1986 most citizen in the country doubted if she could really run a country barely rising from the coup de etat that reinstated her. But President Cory Aquino curbed her critics and run the country for a single term of 6 years from 1986 through 1992. Reinstating the government to democracy following the dictatorship government of Ferdinand Marcos who was exiled in Hawaii after the People Power revolution that toppled him. Aquino restored the country back to socially responsible economic health, confidence and trust in government. Unfortunately, the effect of decades of corruption, plunder and anarchy during the Marcos era has yet to fully turn the Philippine economy into a progressive state like that of other neighboring progressive Asian countries like Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. Even with further successors, including his own son Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino who was currently in service, the Philippines remains to etch its own niche into the economic growth like that of its neighboring countries.

And now, the Philippines will once again vote its new president to lead its government. It seems the women in Philippine politics competes with men ruling and governing the country. After President Cory Aquino, the Philippines was ruled by other presidents one of which was another woman in the person of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who came in succession following the impeachment of President Joseph Estrada in the year 2001 due to plunder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Arroyo as the Vice President elect succeeded Estrada. Arroyo during her term gave pardon to the detained Estrada. Athough Estrada run as President again in the year 2010, he lost to the current President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino. Arroyo was currently detained due to plunder and election sabotage.

With lady presidential aspirant Grace Poe popular in the surveys and the announcement of the ruling political party's lady Vice Presidential candidate Leni Robredo who was the widow of the late Interior and Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo and currently representing her home province.  The Philippines seems to empower more women into governance. Will the next Philippine President and Vice President be women leaders? Will the power of the people power up these women to lead the Philippines to rise among Asian nations and the world? Who knows? Philippine election is just around the corner and we are just to wait a little more time to see WOMEN POWER in the Philippines.

Gummy Bear it to Lift Your Breasts!

The quest for those perky breast is on. In the world of plastic surgery, breast implant technology are constantly revolutionized. The latest addition to the popular line of breast implants comes in a more stable form of pliable yet firm silicone gel implants that mimics the consistency of the yummy gummy bear candies that sweet tooth lovers enjoy.

According to Dr. Paul D. Feldman, a board certified plastic surgeon from Atlanta’s leading plastic surgery center, Advanced Aesthetics, gummy bear implants offers long lasting safety features and the best natural look of the ideal woman’s breasts. Board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Edward S. Gronka and Dr. Joseph Raniere, Jr. both agree that the firm and flexibility of the implant will benefit more women who desired that much natural looking breast tissues.  Women without much natural breast tissues like athletes and women needing breasts reconstruction are most likely candidates for filling their breasts with gummy bear implants after a thorough consultation and examination.

Remembering Hiroshima Through a Tree of Life

Hiroshima…

[image from The Telegraph]

August 6, 1945, 8:15AM

Remembering Hiroshima is a very painful thought but this lone tree have survived and was a witness to its horrors. The tree was believed to be around 390 years old since it has lived in 1765. It was raised and owned by  the family of Mr. Masaru Yamaki who have donated it to the National Arboretum in Washington DC despite some secrets it holds as per Mr. Yamaki. It has been speculated that it must  have been behind the wall of the bonsai nursery of the Yamaki family home when the US war planes dropped the atomic bomb some 2 miles away wiping out everything and anything in the area. Miraculously, the tree survived and witnessed the horrors of war: torn houses and structures and death everywhere. Wasting everything in the area including thousands and thousands of people.  The area became the scene of a horrific sight where people are walking with torn, burnt and mangled body parts from everywhere. 

Thus, it maybe the best way that Mr.Yamaki have donated it instead of keeping it as a prize for the meticulous, long time and hard way of nurturing the said tree however precious and priceless this tree of art has been. For him, maybe the tree is definitely not a prize to celebrate about and donated it instead of selling it at a very huge value. The tree's survival has the memory of more than hundred thousand people's horrific death. Even with the longevity on the life of this tree it simply cannot bring back the lives of those who died in the F bomb live again. Looking at it is very sad and traumatic and one cannot consume thinking its a tree of life tainted with blood and horrors. If only the tree could send messages to those who have died that their fallen lives were as precious and valuable even though they were now just memories of a past worth to be forgotten. A very sad tale for a tree of survival living.

I am Bruce. No, wait! I AM CAITLYN…

The transgender.

A sexual orientation. 
A privilege. 
A right. 
A classification. 
A sex. 
A group 
A relationship. 
A fad. 
A specie.

A he or a she. 
A boy or a girl. 
A man or a woman. 
A man trapped in a woman’s body. 
A woman trapped in a man’s body. 
A term synonymous to LBGT. 
A transsexual. 
A transvestite. 
A cross dresser. 
A gay. A bisexual. 
A homosexual. 
A homophile. 
An outcast. 
A misfit.

What really is a transgender?

A transgender is person whose sexual orientation does not match its normal physiological aspect or assigned sex from birth. The same is the case of most gay people like the celebrated case of the former Bruce and now Caitlyn Jenner.

Ever since Caitlyn Jenner graces the cover of a fashion magazine, everywhere and anywhere issues about transgender and transgendering has been a hot topic. From the cover of people magazines to newspaper to advertising billboards. Even in politics, churches and the army. The issue about transgenders were spreading like fire on a hot summer day.

The Pride march.

Ever since Bruce Jenner came out in the open about his transition, the world is never again in silence about it. The gay group has become even more visible and open to the public. The rainbow flag rises and the Pride group marches out from every corner of the world.

But these advocacies on gay people were not new. The emergence of the gay advocacy have been around as early as the 17^th century. Although their cry had become socially unacceptable starting from the 18^th century due to the imposition of the crimes against sodomy and moral laws.

Caitlyn and the 21^st century.

Caitlyn may have opened the Pandora’s Box on homosexuality for the21st century but the gay cry has been a significant voice even before religion, values and laws were introduced to humanity. The path of a gay person like Caitlyn was not an easy one. She has to live a life of a celebrated macho man in the 70s and undergo physical and mental anguish just to fight and let Caitlyn comes out in the open. The same way that many gay and transgender has gone through sufferings, persecution, trauma and even life threatening experiences. Many like Caitlyn emerge like a catalyst and blooms but many were also unfortunate and died living their fight and transition.

Lives were lost along the way. But for Caitlyn, her coming out of the cocoon is a reason. A reason for someone who at this moment may be suffering and struggling to come out and fight for right. Fight to gain. Fight to come out. Fight to survive. Fight to live.

A life to love.

A transgender may be a he or a she or something in between but definitely they are human just like you and me. Filled with sense, spirit and emotions. Whatever term you call them they are still perfectly human in every sense. Let us welcome them with open arms and loving hearts. For LOVE maybe the only thing that is needed to let them live.

Aruna Shanbaug: No more darkness and pain, free at last!

[image credit:  bbc.com]

It was in November 27, 1973  when then 25 years old Aruna Shanbaug was on duty as a junior nurse at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Parel, Mumbai when she was brutally sodomized by a ward boy that goes by the name of Sohanlal Bhartha Walmiki. Aruna was strangled by her assailant using a dog chain cutting off oxygen supply to her brain and leaving her in a vegetative state and cortically blind since then. Her unconscious body was discovered in the hospital basement by a cleaner the next day splattered all over with blood.

Her assailant was charged not of the case of rape or sodomy but of robbery and attempted murder. The facts of the case were concealed by the complainants maybe to avoid social rejection of the young nurse. Walmiki was sentenced to double seven-year term in prison and was suspected to have changed his identity in order to hide from the public eye.

Aruna since then was lying in a hospital bed in vegetative state. And for over 42 years, hospital staff took turn watching over her and keeping her alive. In December, 2010, Aruna's case caught the attention of Pinki Virani, an activist-journalist who sought the medical condition of Aruna from the hospital to plead euthanasia for her case to India’s Supreme Court.  Under the Court’s directive, Aruna’s medical condition was affirmed being that of a permanent vegetative case. But in February of 2014, a three-judge panel of the Supreme Court have observed some wrong interpretation and inconsistencies in the judgement of Aruna’s case based on the constitution leading to the rejection of the euthanasia plea.

In the early days of May this year, Aruna developed pneumonia and was later moved to the intensive care unit of the hospital and put on a ventilator. She died last May 18 freeing her body from the almost perpetual pain and darkness for over 42 years. A moment she probably have wanted despite what her body have endured for so long. Go forth Aruna! There'll be no more pain and darkness for you to wherever you will go through from hereon.

Enclava: A Kingdom Born From a Patch of Terra Nullius

What’s it like to live in a terra nullius patch of land claimed by a group of Poles as a kingdom? The Kingdom of Enclava, a 1,000 square foot patch of no man’s land near the Slovenian town of Metlika and about 30 miles west of Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. Enclava, a self-declared Balkan country is in the border between Slovenia and Croatia which might unlikely to be given international recognition yet its founders claim sovereign rights since neither Croatia nor Slovenia have no established claims over the said suburban garden-sized like kingdom.

A kingdom with no citizen.

Micro nations are being born everywhere in the world for decades with only ‘virtual citizens’ as inhabitants recruited over the internet.  And in relation to Enclava, its founding claimants said they wanted to have build the kingdom as an ideal community where its people will enjoy tax free living and will have 5 official languages namely:  English, Polish, Croatian, Slovenian and in the very bizarre inclusion of the Mandarin the language spoken by the Far Eastern Chinese.  More than 5,000 people have signed into its honorary membership while the supposed constitution was being drafted. The concept was to build a nation of ideal minded people who will be able to freely express their minds and speak up regardless of race, skin color, religion and nationality, as pointed by Piotr Wawrzynkiewicz, one of its founders. Both the government of Slovenia and Croatia has not commented about the proclamation of the newly emerged self-proclaimed kingdom nation in their border.

An inspiration.
Enclava’s founders must have got its inspiration from Liberland, a similar micro nation declared last month. Liberland is actually a stretch of woodland along the banks of the Danube. Liberland, also a self-declared independent micro nation by its self-appointed ruler, Vit Jedlicka even carries its own flag featuring an eagle and the sun. Their motto goes something  like that of the lyrics from a popular song – “To live and let live.” Like the kingdom of Enclava, Liberland also couldn’t stop 300,000 people from across the globe in applying for citizenship. Mr. Jedlicka claimed that they were part of a great libertarian movement that is now emerging around the world and that, “Governments are becoming increasingly unpopular,” claiming as the reason why they exists.

Plus Size, MomBod, DadBod, Are you a Selfie IN or OUT?

[image credit: francetvinfo]

Men and women shares on various social media network images of their body that many think are not within what others are saying as not within the standard measure of ideal.  To them, it is their own way of self-expression and conquering their doubts and fears about self-esteem and confidence. It is their way of bravely finding out whether their current physical appearance is something accepted within their circle and beyond if it goes viral and hit.

Dare to bare.            

Cellulites, skin flabs, stretch marks, baby bumps, saggy skins, muscles and all. Piercings, tattoos, holes and body markings. Those are what you can notice on many of the images posted in various social media. Are people getting more and more daring just for the sake of finding out what’s beauty and ideal? Or was it just a fad of flaunting one’s confidence and ego in competing with those who most people think are beautiful and ideal?

Ideal is a just a state of the mind.

Are people getting more and more overconfident deterring that being ‘ideal is just a state of mind’? Are people making the social media a mirror to see if they still appeal despite their looks, whatever other people might think or say? Is it really just about conquering one’s fear of being tagged as unlikely or likely despite the odds that people might say? Is the act a way of getting sympathy and justice for what one’s body has become?

The Selfie generation.

Ever since ‘Selfie’ hype was introduced in the social media circulation, more and more people are making it a standard of what was ideal and acceptable.  The hype pushes the different social media network to police and impose standards and censorship on what images are acceptable to be posted without going through the boundaries of pornography, self-expression morals and decency. The various social media networks tried hard by warning and closing out accounts of those supposedly violating the rules. But because of the global and worldwide circulation of their pages and the laws and rules governing each region and nation, it’s like going into the slim and narrow eye of a needle on every standard and rules being observed by every region in the world. As such, restriction on image viewing greatly lies on every region’s internet access and digital refinements.

A personal choice.

Whichever state of reason or advocacy you may have in showing off your body over social media networks it is definitely changing everyone’s perception and outlook of what was the standard of idealism in terms of beauty and likeness.  A way to outsmart one’s imperfections and regain your lost esteem and confidence. Perhaps, something alternative to fight bullies and avoid going into artificial ways of physical changing of going under the knife of physical makeover. A way to stand by your own personal choice and uphold what you believe suits and is best for you.

What about you?

Are you brave enough to show what you’ve got and be awesome?

Are you IN or OUT?

Building Instant Islands, the China Way of Changing Territorial Maps

[image credit: philstar.com]

All across the world, there is no doubt that the China is  growing as fast as it could be. As their population breaks population charts, so was their rising economy breaking stock exchange tradings. And now there is another venture China is getting into. China is into building instant islands on disputed waters west of the Philippine seas.  Out of nothing, the water territories on the Asian disputed seas suddenly grew islands that in no time became small archipelago-like in the area. China is changing their territorial map by building instant islands on hotly disputed waters. Complete with airstrips and military zones for battle aircraft carriers, the islands are now being inhabited on what China claims as maritime observation facilities. But neighboring countries are getting into the idea that the area could become a military defense zone with all the possible military armaments that could be brought to the site like long range sensors, missile systems and other sophisticated military arsenals. The area seems to be getting more and more a fortress for China's battleground defense in these territorial waters claimed by the neighboring Asian countries other than them..

Death for ousted ex-President Morsi!

[image credit:  hayatalvi from wordpress]

CAIRO, May 16 2015.  The verdict of death was given to Egyptian ousted ex-President Mohamed Morsi by the Egyptian court presided by Judge Shaaban el-Shami . The non-binding opinion according to Egypt’s mufti and top Muslim theologians sentenced Morsi along with other 20 people involved in the crime in what was recorded in history as Egypt's 2013 coup de etat. 

Morsi is Egypt’s first independently elected president but was ousted following a military coup led by Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb and oppositionist Mohamed ElBaradei.  He was convicted last April 21 this year along with former MP Mohamed Beltagy and his other cohorts on the crime and currently serving the 20-year sentence accorded to him.

Marlisa in Manila

After winning Australia's 6th Australian X Factor, Marlisa is finally heading home to her roots in the Philippines.  Bringing home the success and fruits of her singing prowess, 15-year old Marlisa  have emerged and wowed the Australian audience and the X Factor judges which includes her mentor-judge Ronan Keating of the famed Boyzone boy group. An astounding standing ovation has graced Marlisa's performances in the 6th Australian X Factor series. Marlisa will be performing live at the Lucky Chinatown Atrium and Eastwood Mall Open Park on February 13 and on Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill on Valentines Day, February 14. Join in the fun and experience Marlisa as she sings cut from her latest self-titled album which include her debut single 'Stand by You,' a consistent top-charter and was certified gold and platinum.

Congratulations Marlisa and Welcome home!