I Set No Corner

Southern Philippines was struck by a magnitude 5.0 earthquake yesterday (Monday) at 12:15pm. This is according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The epicenter of the earthquake which was tectonic in origin is about 16 kilometers, 26 degrees of Mati, Davao Oriental with a depth of 1 kilometer. Barangays Mayo and Poblacion, both in Mati City, felt the quake at intensity 5 and 4, respectively. Tarragona town in Davao City felt it at intensity 4.

No reports of casualties or damages have yet been reported.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde was declared dead 11:51am at the Makati Medical Center.

He was found unconscious in the bathroom of his home in Bel-Air Village in Makati by his personal staff. He arrived at the MMC emergencey department at 11:20 unconscious and without pulse and heartbeat. Despite efforts to revive him, the secretary died at age 51.

Dr. Anthony Leachon, Remonde’s personal physician, said:

“Sa tingin ko cardiac arrest secondary to myocardial infarction … Baka nagkaroon siya ng irregular heartbeat na naging cause ng pagkamatay niya.”

Remonde became Press Secretary in February 2009 after he became Director General of the Presidential Management Staff for more than two years. It was in 2001 when he joined the present administration working in various government media agencies.

Remonde’s vacated job will be filled in by Conrado “Dodie” Limcaoco Jr.

The suspect for the killing of a Palace official’s son – Jason Ivler, was arrested this morning in Quezon City by the National Bureau of Investigation. Ivler has a 1-million peso reward for information leading to his arrest.

Ivler was being hunted since November by the authorities for shooting Renato Victor Ebarle Jr., son of assistant secretary Renato Ebarle, Sr.

Ivler reportedly exchanged gunfire with operatives of NBI’s special action unit at his home in Blue Ridge A Subdivision in Quezon City sustaining gunshot wounds. He was taken at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center. Media members were also caught in the crossfire.

Efren Penaflorida Jr. the first and only Filipino to make it to CNN’s Top 10 Heroes have just been named the Hero of the Year among his peers. The gala event, taped before an audience of 3,000 at the Kodak Theatre, premieres on Thanksgiving, November 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the global networks of CNN.

Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry,” Peñaflorida said upon accepting the honor. “Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

~ Kuya Ef!

Cebu Pacific will be having a three-day seat sale starting October 28 to October 30, 2009. So Fare, So Good is valid for selected local and international destinations for flights covering December 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010.

As per Cebu Pacific’s website:

Local flights

888 pesos
- Manila to San Jose (Mindoro) or Tagbilaran
- Cebu to Clark

International flights

999 pesos
- Manila to Kota Kinabalu
- Clark to Hong Kong

1,999 pesos
- Manila to Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur
- Cebu to Hong Kong

The prices might have additional charges for taxes so make sure to check their online booking for detailed flight itinerary and total amount to be paid.

No matter where you plan to travel, be it in Kuala Lumpur or an orlando vacations, take a lot of photos for keep sake and enjoy your vacation!

Efren Penaflorida is the first and only Filipino who made it to CNN’s Top 10 Heroes for 2009. He founded a group called Dynamic Teen Company who is currently teaching kids in the slum area with basic reading and writing as well as right hygiene.

The Hero of the Year will be determined via online voting which open until November 19. Let us support our fellow kababayan. As Sec. Durano said, “People like Efren remind us that our country is blessed not only with natural resources, but with true wonders such as individuals who dedicate their lives to heroic work.”

To make voting a lot easier, I have prepared a simple tool to help in my power voting that I would like to share with you. Go to this link to Power Vote!

The month of November is a good time to go out of town to take a break from the usual as the Philippines will have two long weekends this month.

The first will be a three-day weekend that will start October 31st to November 2. November 1 (All Saints’ Day) and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) are both special non-working holidays. As we all know, this is probably one of three holiday seasons when people return to their home provinces.

The second will be a four-day weekend commencing November 27 and ends November 30. This is because of a new movable special non-working holiday just signed this April – the observance of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice. The feast is held by our Muslim brothers after the annual visit to Mecca. November 30 on the other hand is Bonifacio Day.

Among the many video interviews I saw featuring Ef, I would say that this one is my favorite.

Efren Penaflorida is the first and only Filipino that made it to CNN’s Top 10 Heroes. Voting is currently ongoing until November 19, 7PM to determine the Hero of the Year. Please support him by voting and placing on your website a campaign badge that redirects to his voting page.

Filipino Efren Peñaflorida of the Dynamic Teen Company earns a coveted spot in this year’s CNN Top Ten Heroes list. They will be honored at the Kodak theater on November 26th (Thanksgiving Night) when the winner will be announced.

The winner will be chosen by the public via online voting starting Oct. 1, 2009 at 11PM ET (8PM PT, 11AM Friday, Manila time). At this same time, a special edition of “AC360,” profiling this year’s honorees and their causes — “Change the World, You Vote, CNN Heroes” — airs on CNN and CNN International.

Vote for Efren by clicking the badge below or by going to CNN’s Voting Page. Voting continues until Thursday, November 19, 2009 (6 a.m. ET). There is no limit on the number of times you may vote for the Hero of the Year.

To read about his work, check out CNN’s Pushcart classes help break gang chain.

During times of calamity, let us do what we can do to help. Up to this time, there are families that still need to be rescued and people without food and clothing. If you are in a capable position to help, why hesitate?

For a comprehensive summary of ways to help, check out the link below:

http://www.google.com/landing/typhoon-ondoy.html