Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

Global issues like poverty are extremely complex. There is no simple, clear answer. By asking thousands of different people to give their viewpoints and opinions, Blog Action Day creates an extraordinary lens through which to view these issues. Each blogger brings their own perspective and ideas. Each blogger posts relating to their own blog topic. And each blogger engages their audience differently.

First and last, the purpose of Blog Action Day is to create a discussion. We ask bloggers to take a single day out of their schedule and focus it on an important issue.

By doing so on the same day, the blogging community effectively changes the conversation on the web and focuses audiences around the globe on that issue.

Out of this discussion naturally flow actions, advice, ideas, plans, and empowerment. In 2007 on the theme of the Environment, we saw bloggers running environmental experiments, detailing innovative ideas on creating sustainable practices and focusing audience’s attentions on organizations and companies promoting green agendas. In 2008 we aim to again focus the blogging community’s energies and passions, this time on the mammoth issue of global poverty.

From the smallest online journals, to huge online magazines, to EU ministers, to professionals and amateurs, Blog Action Day is about mass participation. Anyone is free to join in on Blog Action Day and there is no limit on the number of posts, the type of posts or the direction of thoughts and opinions.

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

While the whole UP population in Diliman were rejoicing about the cancellation of classes, which they only knew when they were in UP already for their classes, we were south-bound to the hallowed halls of the Senate (as Tenai said) “in pursuit of knowledge” and experience.

The itinerary was a.) to meet up at Quezon avenue MRT station (9am) b.) to discuss with the Senate Secretariat the process of passing a law “How A Bill Becomes A Law” (11am) c.) to have lunch with Senator Miguel Zubiri (12nn) d.) to attend either of the two committee sessions *on the discussion regarding OFW labor issue or the privileged speech of Senator Joker Arroyo regarding Trillanes’ status as Senator (1pm) e.) to attend the plenary session (3pm) and f.) to go home (5pm).

But with the relentless and unforgiving strength of Storm Karen, the Senate staff and the people in the Senate were already allowed to go home 1pm. The afternoon itinerary was destroyed. The Committee and Plenary sessions were cancelled; thus, we were left to touring the Senate Museum and roaming around the Senate instead.

The Senate museum was great, though it housed fairly small amount of tokens, memorabilia and displays, I find it very educational and awesome.

All the Senate Presidents have portraits lined up on the walls of the museum. I took photos with my favorite Senate Presidents - Manuel L. Quezon, grandfather of Manolo, The Explainer, and Ferdinand Marcos.

We were called back to the Senators Lounge because Senator Zubiri was already there for our lunch. We hurriedly went back to the lounge, and he arrived shortly after us. I shook the hands of the senator. We discussed about pertinent issues the country is facing, and I think, with that encounter, I can say that he’s really knowledgeable and is hands-on with his work. He’s also very game in answering whatever we ask about.

After the lunch, we were left to ourselves, to wander (well at least that’s what we did) and take pictures of or with the stuff along the corridors (like the photo above with pictures of the senators on the wall).

After a while, we left already and went on our own separate ways. A lot of us, on the other hand, went to the Mall of Asia (including myself). Some of us haven’t been there before, and thus, they were really excited stepping on the grounds of the largest mall in Asia, for the first time.

You can see more pictures from the visit here at my Multiply Account. Photos of the event were taken using Athena’s camera and can be viewed here. The title of this post has no pun intended.

Admit it… you run either to stay fit or to win. Now, it’s time to put your money where your foot is… This August, make a difference! Lace up your running shoes and be counted! Tiffy and I are going to face the challenge; the question is, ARE YOU UP FOR IT?

The Men’s Health 10,000km Miracle Run
is a unique event that will gather all sorts of runners—those who run to compete or simply those who want to push their limits. This time, they’re all running for those who can’t.

Be part of this unique running event where finishing first or last doesn’t matter at all.

Be one of more than 1,000 runners who will run a 10km. course (OR a cumulative total distance of 10,000 km.) for the benefit of those who can’t.

Now you won’t just be cheering for the first ones to finish!

What’s at stake?
There are no losers in this event. Everyone who signs up is already a winner. For every finisher, Men’s Health will donate P200 to GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. If all runners finish the course, the event will donate a minimum of P200,000!

http://www.menshealth.com.ph/miraclerun/

This song really stuck in my mind after I heard it the first time last week from Dee. I kept on singing this since then. I think this encapsulates the theme of the Beijing Olympics 2008. Here’s an MTV of the song, which I got from YouTube. I also found some English lyrics translation online. Go Philippine Team! Go Philippines!

I knew Fr. Mena when he was the Treasurer of Xavier School. Though I’ve only gotten the chance to talk to him and get to know him better only when I was in 3rd year.

The strongest memory I have of Fr. Mena, besides the batch mass he did for our class during my 4th year, was that he is a man with a passion.

He has this huge collection of stamps, which I really admire. During that time, when he displayed his collection in the HS LRC, I was a frequent visitor. I was amazed at the enormous set of stamps, which covered more or less 13 countries from around the world. Ever since, I became more thrilled in expanding my collection. Thanks to Fr. Mena, I learned to appreciate the stamps that I have in my collection even more.

For more, I got really excited, and was very thankful because he shared his collection (excess) to the students who want to have stamps or who want to collect them. I remember that he had this whole big 2-3 foot box full of stamps.

Besides the stamp collecting, he was passionate about Xavier. His years of service to Xavier and, of course, his book, Luceat Lux, says it all. Without Fr. Mena, I personally think that Xavier wouldn’t be what/where it is today.

Early last Monday morning, the 14th of July 2008, Fr. SANTOS MENA, SJ joined his Creator after years of fighting cancer. He was 79 years of age. Upon his request, Fr. Mena returned to Spain to stay in the Jesuit Infirmary in Salamanca, Spain, where he received the medical care that he needed.Born in Cevico-Navero (Palencia), Fr. Mena entered the Novitiate in Salamanca on 30 July 1947. Soon after entering the Society, he was assigned to the China Mission. He was ordained a priest on 18 March 1962.

A memorial Mass will be held in honor of Fr. Mena today, Friday, July 18, 6:00 pm at the Xavier School Multi-Purpose Center. Alumni, colleagues, and friends of Fr. Mena are all invited to honor this great missionary who spent most of his life serving in Xavier School.

Notes of condolences may be sent to his sisters, Ma. Socorro Gonzalez Mena (Cisneros 6, 2 Izqda., 34004 Palencia, Spain) and Ma. Angeles Gonzalez Mena (Apartado de Correo 733, 34080 Palencia, Spain).

This was what happened last year. (See pictures below) Now, if you want Celebrities to serve you while you dine with good food, plus you get to help the less fortunate children, this is the event for you! Contact Digicon Wizard Events Group at 09173251218 or email them at events@digicomwizard.com.

Pictures from Kimberly Ong

I’m actually really happy right now to find out that Gian took the duty as head of the Appreciation Day Committee. The Appreciation Day Committee or the A-day Committee is responsible for the events for that single day in the last few weeks of September (September 26 for this year) wherein students recognize and feel proud of their teachers and other school staff and employees.

I was once the head of it when I was back in 4th year high school, and I am proud to say that since then, all the heads of the A-day Committee (Sherwin, Rod, and now Gian) was with my team back in 2006. Go Gian! Continue the Legacy!

Related Articles:
A-day 2005 Photo Gallery
A-day 2005: Buhay Superstar!
Appreciation Day 2005

I was able to hunt down the very endangered/elusive species - the Toki - for more, the FREE RIDE Toki jeep, which I rode from the College of Arts and Letters area going to NCPAG. I must admit that I felt happy that I got to ride in it. Hey, it’s not everyday you can see free rides in UP–so don’t blame me ^^;;

Not only that, after my class in NCPAG, I wanted to ride the Free Toki going to the Arts and Sciences building (Palma Hall), but I failed to do so because the jeepneys weren’t stopping for us. That’s so unfair and so infuriating, really. There were 3 Tokis that passed us, but they weren’t stopping or giving a hint that they’ll stop at all; this is why I opted to ride the Free Ikot instead of waiting for nothing.

Another thing that I noticed is the ignorance of people about the free ride. They still try to reach and give their payment, only knowing after the driver says “libreng sakay po” (the ride is free) that the ride is really free.

Well, to emphasize, it’s true that not everyday you get free rides in UP, so I guess people were really confused at the same time really thankful for it.

Because of this treat con advertising promo of Accenture (yes, fine, there, free advertising for the company…haha) I was able to save 28 pesos — not bad, not bad! That’s one very cold drink from CASAA or some place else to quench my thirst from the very warm and humid mornings in UP.

I am sure that this free ride every Tuesday until December thingy going around made everyone happy today, even though they don’t really know why they are given such comfort. But after a while, I think they’ll be aware of this and would kill one another just to get a free ride? (I hope not!)

Thank you for the free rides!