Philippine Bird Festival at the Manila Bay Philippines

Here is the schedule of the mini-lectures and forums to be conducted during the upcoming Philippine Bird Festival. There are lots of interesting topics lined up! We invite everyone to attend the lectures. Invite your family and friends too!

8PBF MINI-LECTURES & FORUMS
DOT Building, Valencia Circle, Rizal Park, Manila

Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) 

07 DECEMBER, FRIDAY [ROOM 202, 2/F]

08:00 - “Shorebird Migration & Flyway Concept” by Godfrey Jakosalem, PBCFI

09:00 - Back-to-back:
“Ecosystems along Manila Bay: Connecting Biodiversity and Habitats” by Nikdye Realubit, WBCP
“Birds of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA)” by Mark Jason Villa, WBCP

10:00 - “Plants of Beach Forests and Mangroves” by Jasper Obico, PNPCSI

11:00 - “Green Living” by Gawin Chutima, Thailand Cycling Club

13:00 - “Philippine Crocodile Conservation in Isabela Province” by Marites Balbas, Mabuwaya Foundation

14:00 - “The Plight of the Philippine Cockatoo” by Peter & Indira Widman, Katala Foundation

15:00 - “New Philippine Owls” by Lisa Paguntalan, PBCFI

Photo by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines

08 DECEMBER, SATURDAY [ROOM 404, 4/F]

09:30 - Ecotourism Forum
Moderator: Carmela Balcazar, WBCP
Panelists:Victor Yu, Taiwan Ecotourism AssociationNahar Muhammad, Gujarat Tourism Opportunity LtdBobby Alex, Sabah Tourism BoardCaloy Libosada, UP Asian Institute of Tourism

14:00 - Bird Strike Forum
Moderator: Ipat Luna, WBCP
Panelists:Rey Aguinaldo, Project Manager, LPPCHEACarle Burke, former Wildlife Hazard Management Coordinator, Sacramento International AirportAlvin Candelaria, OIC, Airport Operations Department of the MIAAAnna Maria Gonzales, Architect and Urban PlannerArne Jensen, former Bird Strike Advisor for Copenhagen Airport Authority

Birdwatchers in the Philippines

The 8th Philippine Bird Festival - Manila Bay
Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Rizal Park
December 7-8, 2012
FREE ADMISSION !

An Open Letter About my Father, Celso Ad Castillo by Christopher Ad Castillo

A touching letter by the son of Celso Ad Castillo, one of the Philippine's greatest filmmakers known as the "Messiah of Philippine movies" who died recently. Taken from Facebook:

"AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT MY FATHER, CELSO AD. CASTILLO

As soon as I received the news that my father had passed, I sat there not knowing what to do. I didn't cry. I couldn't. So I did the only thing my father loved doing the most - I went to the movies. I watched Lincoln. The little kid in him had always admired Spielberg. They had met before and he was going to direct a movie for him at one point.

And inside the dark theater, I cried.

As the images flickered on the screen, as Lincoln fought for the future of humanity, I saw my father fighting all his life for his vision, his morals, his values. He was going to make the films he wanted to make. No matter the personal cost. He was The Kid, The Messiah, the Philippine's first truly independent and renegade filmmaker. The man who was larger than life. Fitting.

I am the first born son of Celso Ad Castillo. Growing up on film sets, I was destined to follow in his footsteps. Never to eclipse him but to be the best that I can be in using the gifts he gave me. My path had always been set. As my mother always said, I am my father's son.

We had spoken recently about some exciting things that the future was going to bring. My project with producer Alemberg Ang was short listed in the upcoming Cinemalaya 2013 and after I finished my interview with the selection committee, it dawned on me the excitement that I might have a chance to work with my father once again. But this time with with me in the director's chair and he as an actor. Our last talk was about the long awaited and much anticipated "Ang Lalaking Nangarap Na Maging Nora Aunor" which was going to be his FDC film. It would be his swan song, a tribute to his love for Philippine Cinema. He would be Salvatore in Cinema Paradiso. I was going to write it for him.

As I sit here and pen this missive, not just for me but for everyone that admired and was influenced by him, I always think back to a night in San Francisco over two decades ago that truly defined who he was. When for the first time, he explained to me the reason why our family broke apart. We were living in Las Vegas at that time when he came to join us for good but decided to leave after a couple of months back to the Philippines. He told me that he made the hardest decision of his life. He had to choose between his art and his family and he chose his art. And from that decision came some of the greatest films cinema has ever seen. I have never begrudged my father for what he did. I have never questioned his love for us. I have always understood him and felt sadness that he was put in that situation. No one should ever have to make those kinds of decisions. But all of us in his life have always competed with the characters in his head and stories in his mind.

Film was his family. Film was his life. And we are all the better for it.

We will celebrate the man and his films. We will honor him with words and tributes. But let us not forget the greatest gift my father gave us. The strength and courage to be an original, to be rebellious without fear, to dig deeper into ourselves and embrace the madness within us, to question art and mold it to our own perception, to test people's comfort zones, to force the audience to watch what is uncomfortable in their own lives.

So to those filmmakers influenced by him, continue the fight to make the films you truly want to make and extend the path that he paved and pass along the gift that he gave to you to the next generation of filmmakers. It would be the only thing he would ask any of you. I wish all of you would have met hm. Then you would see the true man behind the legend. A man of wit, wisdom, and a huge sense of humor.

To some people, he was the greatest filmmaker of his generation. To me, he was simply a wonderful father. I will truly miss him until I see him again.

- Christopher Ad. Castillo

George Anikow Murder Suspects Photos Released by Philippine Police

UPDATE on the George Anikow Murder Case as of November 27, 2012:

The 4 suspects have refused a drug test. Their lawyers were adamant about it. Makati Police have finally released photos of the suspects .

Crispin Dela Paz

Gino Datu III or Galicano Datu III

 

Osric Cabrera was the stylish one wearing a dinner jacket as seen on the CCTV footage

 

Osric Cabrera's Dad: Still in Denial about his son's involvement

George Anikow lies fighting for his life. Also on the photo is the security guard who was unable to stop the fight, but was quick enough to radio for help and a road block set up.

 

Alfonso Abastillas was the main assailant with the knife who stabbed Anikow in the back and neck.

Crispin Dela Paz and Alfonso Abastillas

US Marine George Anikow Murder by DLSU Alums Caught on CCTV Cam

US Marine Major George Anikow of #9, Soler Street, Bel-Air Village was killed 4:20 a.m. Saturday at the Bel-Air guard house. 

As a sports utility vehicle tried to gain entry into the Bel-Air village, the guard on duty asked the men on board to present their ID which they refused.

Anikow called them out and tapped the side of the SUV which pissed off the suspects.  

The suspects ran after Anikow and proceeded to maul and stab him in front of the security guard. The group then threatened the guard not to report the incident.

The suspects then fled the scene and headed along Rockwell Drive toward Palm Village, where one of the suspects owns a house.

Evidence of the bloody senseless murder 

 But the Makati police were quick to set up a road block, the four suspects were arrested:

Osric Cabrera 

Osric Cabrera Malabanan

In the Philippines, crime suspects or persons of interest are allowed to cover their faces from the public.

Juan Alfonso Abastillas

As seen on the video, suspects Crispin dela Paz, 28 years old of Unit 2B, Luna Apartment, Buendia;  

Juan Alfonso Abastillas, 24 of Unit AB 130 Galeria de Magallanes, Lapu-Lapu ave. Makati; 

Unconfirmed Photo of Galicano Datu III

Osric Cabrera Malabanan, of Lot 19, Block 3, Bougainvillea Street, Barangay Pembo 

Galicano Datu III, 22 years old of P. Ocampo, Malate.

Bel-Air Incident Murder weapon

 The US Embassy condemns the attack that led to the murder of the US Marine.

Anikow, father of 3 kids and wife to a US embassy diplomat died at the Makati Medical Center around 7am.

Major Anikow with his US Diplomat wife, Laura Anikow and eldest son. (photo source Huffpo)

The suspects were quick to deactivate their Facebook and Twitter accounts when the early morning news and CCTV footage of their Bel-Air stabbing spree was finally leaked on Youtube.

The suspects have since lawyered up and are reportedly from rich Philippine families.

Watch the CCTV footage by ABS-CBN News, a Philippine Prime Time News Channel.

Jennifer Lopez Concert in the Philippines

Highlights of the Jennifer Lopez concert in Manila, Philippines.

This fab photo of JLO was taken by Miss Anne Curtis Smith who was seated at the VIP section with other local celebs like Kim Chiu.

The American Idol judge, dancer and pop singer performed at the SM MOA’s The Arena last night November 26, 2012.

JLO's ripped hardcore abs!

The hot cougar mama JLO is joined by her sexy cub Casper Smart.

Kim Chiu inside the Arena with her VIP ticket that costs P25,000.

Ampatuan Massacre: November 23, 2009 - A Day We Will Never Forget

58 people, including 32 of journalists, were brutally killed in the Ampatuan massacre 3 years ago.

The case can go on for years while relatives of the Ampatuan clan still go on on their political bid for power.




Video features:
CATHY NUNEZ -- mother of UNTV Reporter Victor Nunez
MYRNA REBLANDO -- wife of Manila Bulletin Reporter Bong Reblando
MARRIETTA TIAMZON -- daughter of Daniel Tiamzon, UNTV Media Worker
GRACE MORALES -- Sister OF MARITES CABLITAS (Wife of Rossel Morales) 

Higantes Festival 2012 in Angono Rizal

Brace yourselves the Higantes are coming!

Higantes Festival
Parada ng Bayan (Cultural Mask Parade)
Nov. 18

Angono Town Fiesta
Kapistahan ni San Clemente
Nov. 23

AMALAYER Memes

If you can't get enough of the LRT La Consolacion College student Paula Salvosa and her epic breakdown. Here some Memes found all over FB & Twitter!

Her school refused to give a statement to the media as of today- so does that mean she got kicked out because her meltdown went viral? Or is the statement 'May Pinag-aralan akong Tao!" really bordered on frickin' insane PMS and rudeness!

AMALAYER! Paula Jamie Salvosa

Laban ka sa Ingles ni ateh!? Best LRT Meltdown ever!!

Here's the complete transcript of the LRT outburst:

So loud you're making me look like a liar!
Amalayer! So you're telling me amalayer!!? Answer me amlayer!? 
Sorry po, sorry, sorry You really shouted at me!!! Ateh may pinag-aralan akong tao!
I'm just returning the favor...
No, no, no, alam mo ba kung paano mo ako tinanong? Paano mo ako tinanong?
Sabi mo 'Ate ano bang problem mo?' Did I Oh my gawd, she's a liar! Ohmygaaawd you're a frickin' liar Miss!

Manong Guard: Calm Down! Calm down! 

Miss Amlayer: Anu sabi mo 'ano bang problem ko?' Bullshit! 

Paula Jamie Salvosa should really be banned from taking the LRT for life. LOL. This little amlayer had it coming, the LRT ladyguard should get a lawyer. Jusme. Miss Amalayer has anger management issues.Kinabog mo na sa pagka-palengkera si Marian Rivera!