A Teacher's Lesson (Short Story) ♥

 

There is a story which happened many years ago about an elementary teacher. Her name was  Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her fifth grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie :facepalm: . Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same :love: .

However that was impossible because in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stewart :yes: .  Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy :O_O: the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath=( . Furthermore, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" :mad: at the top of his papers. :angry:

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records :yes: and she put Teddy's record off until the last :plotting: . However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise :O .

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around :O ."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student :wow:, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled :turbopoke: because his mother has a terminal illness :( and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him :cry: . He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest :no: and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken. :("

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class :no: ."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse :no2: when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag :plotting: .

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh :facepalm: when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. However she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was before wearing it and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed back after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour :cry:. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy :lala:. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest :wow2: children in the class and despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets." :o


A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life :xixi: .

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, was third in his class and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. :xixi:

Four years after that, she got another letter saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. :heart:

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. However now his name was a little longer - the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stewart, M.D. :thumbsup: :love:

The story doesn't end there. There was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to get married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson would agree to sit in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom at the wedding :excited:. Naturally, Mrs. Thompson did. Guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing :O. She also made sure that she wore the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. :love:

They hugged each other :hug: and Dr. Stewart whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you." :B

Credit: JaChriz

7 LOVELY LOGIC.

1.) Make peace with your Past so it doesnt spoil your Present.

2.) What others think of you is None of your Business.

3.) Time Heals almost everything. Give the Time.... Some Time..

4.) No one is the reason of your Happiness except You... Yourself.

5.) Dont compare your Life with others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

6.) Stop thinking too much. Its alright not to know all the answers.

7.) Smile You don't own all the Problems in the World.

credit: clets_simple

Spell Beautiful

Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”  Nothing could be closer to the truth.  But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Stop spending time with the wrong people.– Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.

Stop running from your problems.– Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.

Stop lying to yourself.– You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.

Stop putting your own needs on the back burner.– The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

Stop trying to be someone you’re not.– One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you likeeveryone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

Stop trying to hold onto the past.– You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.

Stop being scared to make a mistake.– Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing.  Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.

Stop berating yourself for old mistakes.– We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.  Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.

Stop trying to buy happiness.– Many of the things we desire are expensive.  But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.

Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness.– If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.

Stop being idle.– Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.  Evaluate situations and take decisive action.  You cannot change what you refuse to confront.  Making progress involves risk.  Period!  You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.

Stop thinking you’re not ready.– Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises.  Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.

Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons.– Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.

Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work.– In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.

Stop trying to compete against everyone else.– Don’t worry about what others are doing better than you.  Concentrate on beating your own records every day.  Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.

Stop being jealous of others.– Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.  Ask yourself this:  “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”

Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself.– Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.

Stop holding grudges.– Don’t live your life with hate in your heart.  You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate.  Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.”  It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.”  Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself!  And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too.  If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.

Stop letting others bring you down to their level.– Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.

Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others.– Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway.  Just do what you know in your heart is right.

Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break.– The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.  Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.

Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments.– Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.

Stop trying to make things perfect.– The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.

Stop following the path of least resistance.– Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile.  Don’t take the easy way out.  Do something extraordinary.

Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t.– It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.

Stop blaming others for your troubles.– The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.

Stop trying to be everything to everyone.– Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out.  But making one person smile CAN change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  So narrow your focus.

Stop worrying so much.– Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy.  One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time?  Three years?  Five years?”  If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.

Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen.– Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.

Stop being ungrateful.– No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

Thank You JESUS!

Two-thousand years ago there was a baby boy born,
This baby was the Son of God in human flesh and form.

Born of the Virgin Mary who was Joseph's chosen wife,
This baby's name was Jesus, Who would change my mortal life.

For Jesus grew into a Man, a Man with Godly favor,
To change a world so marred in sin and then become our Savior.

But until destiny came forth, the Lord became a Friend,
To people who were sick or dead, He gave them life again.

For those that no one else would touch, my Jesus showed compassion,
To break their chains of bondage or to give them love that's lasting.

And everyone He touched within His thirty-three short years,
While He was living on the earth, were changed when He appeared.

The lepers' sores were cleansed and then the lame were made to walk,
The blinded eyes were opened and the dumb began to talk.

And those possessed with spirits of the devil were delivered,
He ate with tax collectors and the children were considered.

Then seeing hungry thousands, He divided fish and bread,
And then He prayed and blessed it, and He saw the hungry fed.

He let a sinful harlot wash His feet with her perfume,
For He was her Salvation to deliver her from doom.

But as it is today, there were the ones who'd hate His story,
Who'd try to stop Him from His acts of kindness, love and glory.

A plot was made and then a plan to have King Jesus tried,
To torture and accuse Him and then have Him crucified.

They captured and they brought Him into Pilate's judgment hall,
But in His heart of love the Lord would still forgive them all.

And then they came to beat him, and He bore thirty-nine stripes,
His calloused, cold accusers then set out to take His life.

A crown of thorns was placed on Him as drops of blood were lost,
And then they laid upon His back a heavy, rugged cross.

And as He walked the Via Dela Rosa to His death,
He suffered for my purpose in the drops of blood He bled.

Then upon dark Golgotha's hill in Jesus' hand and feet,
Were driven dirty, rusty nails to hang on Calvary.

But as they spat upon Him while they cursed His holy Name,
My Jesus showed forgiveness while He bore our sin and shame.

His friends were broken-hearted for they loved Him and they cried,
They watched their precious Savior as He hung His head and died.

Then three days later after they had placed Him in a grave,
The Heavens had the last word and the stone was rolled away.

My Lord emerged in victory for Heaven won this fight,
Not only did He live again, His death had saved my life.

This story has not changed in centuries for it is true,
My Savior would have died if it had been for only you.

Because of God's unselfish love, the price for me was paid,
My life was changed the grateful day Christ died and I was saved.

So now I'll spend my days on earth declaring all my life,
The message of the gospel and the passion of the Christ.

Tinapang Bangus

Photo from: sweetbitesbybang.wordpress.com

Amazing Arts

The Marks Of Manhood

1.Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
“A man must be ready to lead his wife and his children in a way that will honor God, demonstrate godliness, inculcate Christian character, and lead his family to desire Christ and to seek God’s glory.”

2.Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
“True masculinity is not a matter of exhibiting supposedly masculine characteristics devoid of the context of responsibility.  In the Bible, a man is called to fulfill his role as husband and father.”

3.Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
“A real man knows how to hold a job, handle money with responsibility, and take care of the needs of his wife and family.”

4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
“A boy must be taught to channel his developing strength and emerging size into a self-counciousness of responsibility, recognizing that adult strength is to be combined with adult responsibility and true maturity”

5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God’s purposes.
“…the true Christian man practices sexual integrity, avoiding pornography, fornication, all forms of sexual promiscuity and corruption…but rejoices in the sexual capacity and reproductive power God has put within him, committing himself to find a wife, and to earn her love, trust, and admiration—and eventually her hand in marriage.”

6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as an example of righteousness.

“The Christian man is to be an example to others, teaching by both precept and example.”

7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.

“The indecisiveness of so many contemporary males is evidence of a stunted manhood…A real man knows how to make a decision and live with its consequences—even if that means he must later acknowledge that he has learned by making a bad decision, and then by making the appropriate correction.”

8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.

“An inversion of values marks our postmodern age, and the predicament of modern manhood is made all the more perplexing by the fact that many men lack the capacity of consistent worldview thinking…The Christian man must understand how to interpret and evaluate issues across the spectrum of politics, economics, morality, entertainment, education, and a seemingly endless list of other fields.”

9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.

“While a man is to demonstrate emotional strength, constancy, and steadfastness, he must be able to relate to his wife, his children, his peers, his colleagues, and a host of others in a way that demonstrates respect, understanding, and appropriate empathy.”

10. Social maturity to make a contribution to society.

“A boy must learn to fulfill a political responsibility as a citizen, and a moral responsibility as a member of a human community.  The Christian man bears a civilizational responsibility, and boys must be taught to see themselves as shapers of a society…”

11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.

“A man must be able to speak, to be understood, and to communicate in a way that will honor God and convey God’s truth to others.”

12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.

“In the end, a man’s character is revealed in the crucible of everyday challenges.  For most men, life will also bring moments when extraordinary courage will be required, if he is to remain faithful and true.”

13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.

“While God has appointed specific officers for his church—men who are specially gifted and publicly called— every man should fulfill some leadership responsibility within the life of the congregation.”

http://www.lessonsofadad.com/2012/07/what-real-manhood-means-and-its-getting.html

Definitely Filipino Wallpaper

http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/df-wallpaper/

Sign the Petition!

No Shortcuts BUT Name Dolphy National Artist

Bienvenido Lumbera said: “. . . We are a people without a nation, a people in constant risk of losing our identity. We need our artists to help us remember our past and put us in mind of our future. The National Artist Award insists that even without a nation, Filipino artists must be nationalists, artists whose triumphs are landmarks toward the eventual achievement of a genuine ‘sense of Filipino nationhood.’”

Dolphy is known as a very humble person. He knows that he is already a national artist in the hearts of the Filipino people, and for sure, he will respect the process and understand that the reason and agenda behind having the National Artist Awards is bigger than all the national artists combined. Even without him saying it, it’s already a given that the cause of Filipino nationhood is also near and dear to him.

Source: Atty. Jojo M. Liangco of http://www.philippinenews.com

Sign the Petition!

http://www.change.org/dolphy#

God Bless her.

Pinoy Childhood!

PAYPHONE

BRICK GAME

TIRADOR

Things that Filipinos are sentimental and have cherished especially during childhood. It also includes those from outside the country that brings nostalgia whenever they see one.

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To REALIZE...

To realize The value of a sister:
Ask someone Who doesn't have one.

To realize The value of ten years:
Ask a newly Divorced couple.

To realize The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize The value of one year:
Ask a student who Has failed a final exam.


To realize The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.


To realize The value of one month:
Ask a mother who has Given birth to a premature baby.

To realize The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.


To realize The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.


To realize The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.


To realize The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.


To realize The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has
Won a silver medal in the Olympics.


To realize the value of a friend
Lose one.

My prayers were answered.

"I asked for strength,
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom,
and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity,
and God gave me brawn and brain to work.
I asked for courage,
and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love,
and God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favors,
and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed.
My prayers were answered. "

Statement of President Aquino on the passing away of Dolphy Quizon, July 10, 2012

Pahayag

ng

Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III

Pangulo ng Pilipinas

Sa pagpanaw ni Rodolfo Quizon Sr.

[Ika-10 ng Hulyo 2012]

Mabuting tao si Dolphy, at kinatawan niya ang karaniwang Pilipino: malalim magmahal, masayahin, may respeto sa kapwa, at handang harapin ang mga hamon ng tadhana. Nagmula siya sa isang henerasyong dumaan sa maraming pagsubok—at sa pakikipagsapalaran ay natutong maging mapagpakumbaba, matapat, at matulungin. Hindi kailanman niya tinalikuran ang mga kaibigan, at ang sambayanang naging bukal ng kanyang mga tagumpay.

Sa loob ng mahabang panahon, ipinakita sa atin ni Dolphy na anumang pagsubok ay may katuwang na pag-asa at ligaya; mulat siyang anumang problema ay mapangingibabawan ng positibong pagtanaw sa kapalaran. Binago niya hindi lamang ang kaniyang industriya, kundi maging ang pambansang kamalayan: sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang sining, pinalawak ni Dolphy ang ating pananaw, at binigyan tayo ng kakayahang suriin, pahalagahan, at hanapan ng ngiti ang mga pang-araw-araw na pangyayari sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino.

Nakikiisa ako at ang aking pamilya, sampu ng ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, sa pagluluksa ng Pamilya Quizon ngayong gabi. Ang pagpanaw ni Rodolfo Quizon Sr.—ang nag-iisang Hari ng Komedya—ay tiyak na nagdudulot ng lumbay sa isang bansang matagal niyang pinasaya.

http://www.gov.ph/2012/07/10/statement-of-president-aquino-on-the-passing-away-of-dolphy-quizon-july-10-2012/

Rest In Peace DOLPHY

Makati Medical Center statement on Dolphy's passing

We would like to inform the public that Mr. Rodolfo "Dolphy" Quizon, passed away today, at 2034H (8:34PM) due to Multiple Organ Failure, secondary to complications brought about by Severe Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Acute Renal Failure.

We join the entire Filipino Community in praying for the soul of Mr. Quizon and his dearly beloved family and friends.

To the Quizon Family, we extend our deepest condolences.

Trust GOD!

You say: "It's impossible "
God says: All things are possible

You say: " I am too tired"
God says: I will give you rest.

You say: " Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you

You say: " I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps

You say: " I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things

You say: " I am not able"
God says: I am able

You say:" It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it

You say: " I can't forgive myself"
God says: I forgive you

You say: " I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs

You say: " I'm afraid "
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

You say: " I am always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on me

You say: " I don't have enough faith "
God says: I have given everyone a measure of faith

You say: " I am not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom

You say: " I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you.

Pinoy Food

1. Adobong Pusit (Squid cooked in an ink and vinegar stew)

2.  Spanish Paella has become "Pinoyed" on food 

 

3.  Daing na Bangus

4. Oyster or Talaba

5. Baked Salmon

I am because we are!

An anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the kids that who ever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: ''UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?''

'UBUNTU' in the Xhosa culture means: "I am because we are"

Boracay named world’s BEST ISLAND!

Boracay, world famous for its fine white sand beaches, is the best island in the world for 2012, according to a survey recently conducted by international magazine Travel+Leisure.

Earning a score of 93.10 from the magazine readers’ votes in a poll for this year’s “World’s Best Awards,” Boracay went up from fourth last year, topping other beach destinations, including 

Bali, Indonesia (No. 2, with 90.41 percent) and 

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (No. 3, 89.55).

Last year’s Top Island Award went to 

Santorini, Greece, which fell to No. 6 (89.20) this year.

Rounding out this year’s Top 10 Islands list are

Maui, Hawaii (No. 4, 89.53); 

Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia (No. 5, 89.28); 

Kauai, Hawaii (No. 7, 89.09); 

Big Island, Hawaii (No. 8, 87.95)

Sicily, Italy (No. 9, 87.87); and 

Vancouver Island, British Columbia (No. 10, 87.48).

“This is important, Boracay. It beat out Bali, No. 2,” said Travel+Leisure editor Nilou Motamed, in an interview with Today host Willie Geist. “It’s one of those islands you should know about if you’re interested in culture and value.”

The magazine’s editor-in-chief Nancy Novogrod, in a press statement, said, “Even after 17 years, the opportunity to see what travel experiences resonate with our readers still intrigues and delights me. While some passions change over time, the allure of the exotic and the new remains as strong as ever, as does the attraction to trips that provide distinctive and long-lasting memories.”

Geographically a part of the municipality of Malay, Aklan, Boracay is approximately 10 square kilometers. It is located two kilometers off the northwest tip of Panay in Western Visayas and is approximately 315 kilometers (196 miles) south of Manila.

Boracay’s Discovery Shores also bagged this year’s Best Hotel Spa Award in Asia, up from No. 7 last year.

Published by the American Express Publishing Corp. since 1937, the New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Co., led by president and chief executive officer Ed Kelly.

The 2012 World’s Best Awards winners will be feted in a ceremony on July 19 to be hosted by Novogrod herself and the magazine’s vice president and publisher, Jean-Paul Kyrillos, at the spanking Conrad New York. (With reports from ABS-CBN News Online, travelandleisure.com, and amexpub.com)

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/boracay-named-worlds-best-island/

Choose PHILIPPINES

Marco Alcaraz Wedding Vow

Marco Alcaraz and Lara Quigaman say their ”I dos”

"Whatever words may come out of me today, Lord, they are just part of what I feel... because I am just so overwhelmed by your goodness and love for having sent me a person like my Jiampong, my Jiamps, my precious one — as my wife.

"I want to walk through my years right beside you Precious Lara as your best friend, your soul mate, your lover... I will be your true partner in every adventure... wherever, whenever, forever...

"God really works in mysterious and sometimes funny ways. Dati, napapanood lang kita sa sitcom na That's my Doc. Ngayon, 'pag nakikita kita, I can now proudly say 'That's my wife!'

"Ironic that I have to experience an injury in basketball for us to meet in show business. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, 'Kapag si Lara ang naging girlfriend ko, titino na ako...

"True enough, salamat naman, minahal mo ako... kahit hindi ako masyadong mayaman, kahit hindi ako masyadong mature katulad ng dati mong boyfriends, at kahit na may itsura ako nang konti sa kanila.

"I thank you Miss Precious Lara Quigaman—for being the most unselfish, generous, loving eprson that I know. I feel more deeply in love with you when I see the way you treat your family, your relatives, and even my family and myself... Thank you for bringing out the best in me... and for showing me the things, and the people that really matter.
"And most important of all, thank you for bringing me closer to the Lord... I'm sorry Lara... for the pains you had to go through with me. I am not perfect but I will always try to work hard to be the best husband to you and father to our children.

"I love you, Lara and I promise to love you unconditionally, without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage and support you to achieve all your goals and dreams—I love you Lara—that I want to laugh with you, learn with you and grow with you in mind and spirit all my life...


"And lastly, you may be Miss International to everyone, but for me Jiamps—you will always be my precious one. And I commit to taking care of you with all my life, my precious one—plus... our forthcoming son—and you both will be my precious two.

"I love you... I really love you! Thank you!"



pep.ph

Shadow

Big Brother’s words of advice

“91 days inside my house is not enough for you to completely change. Hindi dapat minamadali ang lahat ng bagay. Hindi dapat nira-rush. Hindi dapat fina-fastforward. Wag magpadala sa bugso ng damdamin… Sa impluwensiya ng TV, movies, at internet… O peer pressure. Hindi lahat ng bagay ay puwedeng balikan. Hindi pwedeng i-undo. Lalong-lalo na ang panahon.”
— Big Brother’s words of advice

When I say..."I am a Christian"

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not shouting, "I am saved"
I'm whispering, "I was lost"
That is why I chose this way.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

3:16

Yahoo OMG! Awards 2012 Winners

Anne Curtis reigned on top as she was named Celebrity of the Year in this year’s Yahoo OMG! Awards held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, July 6.

Anne, who is currently in Portugal, sent a video message to Yahoo! Philippines OMG! to thank her followers and those who voted for her.

Vilma Santos bested four other big names to win the Major Impact award. The Batangas governor won by landslide of 101,827 votes against Dolphy, Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, and Bong Revilla.


Two Kapamilya stars won in the top acting categories. Coco Martin was proclaimed Actor of the Year while Angel Locsin triumphed in the Actress of the Year category.

Star Magic talents Kim Chiu and Xian Lim took away the Breakthrough Actor and Breakthrough Actress awards, respectively.


Here are the complete list of winners in this year's Yahoo! OMG! Awards:

Male Singer of the Year: Christian Bautista
Female Singer of the Year: Sarah Geronimo
Breakthrough Actor of the Year: Xian Lim
Breakthrough Actress of the Year: Kim Chiu
Child Star of the Year: Xyriel Manabat
Male Radio DJ: Papa Jack
Female Radio DJ: Nicole Hyala
Best Radio Show: The Morning Rush
Best FM Radio Station: WLS FM 97.1
Band of the Year: Parokya ni Edgar
Comedian of the Year: Vice Ganda
Comedienne of the Year: Eugene Domingo
Male TV Host: Luis Manzano
Female TV Host: Bianca Gonzalez
Female Newcomer of the Year: Solenn Heussaff
Male Newcomer of the Year: Daniel Padilla
Most Promising Actor: Enrique Gil
Most Promising Actress: Kathryn Bernardo
Fan Club of the Year: KimXi (Kim Chiu-Xian Lim fan club)
Love Team of the Year: Kim Chiu and Xian Lim
It Couple of the Year: Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband
Major Impact: Vilma Santos
Movie of the Year: Unofficially Yours
Actor of the year: Coco Martin
Actress of the Year: Angel Locsin
Celebrity of the Year: Anne Curtis
Hosted by Kapuso celebrities Raymond Gutierrez, Solenn Heussaff, and Isabelle Daza, this year’s edition of the Yahoo! OMG! Awards garnered a total of over four million votes.


Source:  http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/winners-of-yahoo--omg--awards-2012-revealed.html

Larong Pinoy

1. JACKSTONE! Girls love playing this! Do you still remember your "exhibitions" to get your "baboy" ? :D

(Photo by Cherisse)

2. Chinese Garter is a popular street game for Pinoy kids, especially girls, that requires flexibility, balance and coordination. 

The game is played by two teams using a garter from a sewing store. The objective of the game is to be able to successfully jump over the garter as it is gradually held higher by the opposing side (Level1-10). The team leader or "Mother" can "save" her team from elimination if she can make her team's final jump. 

(photo from mylot.com and text from WikiPilipinas)

3. LUKSONG TINIK, childhood game played outdoors or along the streets. Have you played this? :)

(painting by Dante Hipolito)

4.  PITIK-BULAG. A game that involves 2 players. One covers his eyes with a hand while the other flicks a finger (pitik) over the hand covering the eyes. The person with the covered eyes gives a number with his hand the same time the other does. If their numbers are the same, then they exchange roles in the game. Did you have FUN playing this? :)

5. Dampa

(Photo from: Richard Parker)

Isn't it strange

1. Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill
seems like such a large
amount when
you donate it to church, but
such a small amount
when you go shopping?

2. Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when
you're at church, and how
short they seem when you're
watching a good movie?


3. Isn't it strange that you can't
find a word to say when
you're praying,
but you have no trouble
thinking what to talk about
with a friend?


4. Isn't it strange how difficult
and boring it is to read
one chapter
of the Bible, but how easy
it is to read 100 pages of
a popular novel or ZANE GREY book?

5. Isn't it strange how everyone
wants front-row-tickets
to concerts or
games, but they do whatever
is possible to sit at the last
row in Church?


6. Isn't it strange how we need to
know about an event for Church 2-3
weeks before the day so we can
include it in our agenda, but we can
adjust it for other events at
the last minute?

7. Isn't it strange how difficult it
is to learn a fact about God to share it
with others, but how easy
it is to learn, understand,
extend and repeat gossip?


8. Isn't it strange how we
believe everything
that magazines and newspapers
say, but we question the words in the
Bible?

9. Isn't it strange how everyone
wants a place in
heaven, but they don't want
to believe, do, or say anything
to get there?


10. Isn't it strange how we send
jokes in e-mails and they
are forwarded right away,
but when we are going to send
messages about God, we think
about it twice before we share
it with others?

God Exist!

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen. It's an explanation other people will understand. 

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. 

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." 

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. 

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things." 

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. 

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." 

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" 

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." 

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me." 

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

More FUN in the Philppines

 Pundaquit, Zambales

LAKE BULUSAN in Bulusan, Sorsogon

Mayon by Night

(photo by Imelda Bingga)

SMITH VOLCANO (a.k.a Mount Babuyan) on Babuyan Island in Luzon, is one of the two volcanoes in the Babuyan Islands. This cone-shaped volcano has a height of about 688 meters above sea level. It has erupted six times, the last of which was in 1924. Looks amazing... isn't it? :)

(Photo by : Bing Ramos)