Sunday, August 29, 2010

Planetary Alignment - December 21, 2012 = DoomsDay

December 21, 2012 has been called doomsday, the day of enlightenment, and even the day the earth will turn upside down by many different culture and civilizations throughout history. Although the prediction on what is actually going to happen is vague modern day scientists know we our planet is aligning with the galactic equator.


Every few years, doomsayers start popping up and talking about the planets in the solar system lining up. This alignment, they claim, will cause earthquakes, floods and in some cases split the planet in two like a cleaver through a head of lettuce. The last time this happened was in 1982, which, you may remember, is notable as the date on which the world did not end. The next alignment, so they say, is in May of 2000. Many doomsayers also point out that that's the year of the millennium (they're wrong, but that's another Bad Astronomy issue altogether)! Are we doomed this time? 

The Geometry of Planetary Alignments

First of all, it is impossible for all the planets to form a straight line out from the Sun (or viewed superimposed on each other in the sky) because each planetary orbit is tilted slightly (and sometimes not slight at all in the case of Pluto) with respect to the Earth's orbit (whose plane we trace out on the night sky as a line completely around the sky and is called the ecliptic). These zealots confuse the term planetary alignment with the more accurate words that should be used, planetary configuration or a loose grouping of the planets in the sky. Actually the event that occurred in 1983 was that the planets (all eight of them -- we are on the ninth, Earth) would be within 96° of each other in the sky -- not in a straight line as most people would misinterpret with the term alignment. To have all of the planets on the same side of the Sun and virtually all within the same quadrant (i.e., 90°) happens approximately once every 200 years -- rare as far as humans are concerned, but not rare as far as the solar system is concerned.
The last series of planetary configurations or perhaps more accurately called multiple planetary conjunctions occurred in the year 2000. Did the Earth tilt over? No. Did tidal forces trigger earthquakes? No. Did the polar ice caps melt? No. Were you even be able to see the conjunctions? Not really.

For a detailed description of the origin of the Planet X / Nibiru cult see the discussion by Phil Plait on his Badastronomy website,

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Crowned Miss Universe 2010 -22 year old from Mexico

A 22-year-old Mexico woman won the Miss Universe pageant Monday night after donning a flowing red gown and telling an audience it's important to teach kids family values.


Jimena Navarrete of Guadalajara was first to answer an interview question Monday night and the last of 83 contestants standing in the headline-grabbing pageant on the Las Vegas Strip.

Her one-strap dress flowed behind her like a sheet as she walked during the evening gown competition. Earlier, she smiled in a violet bikini as she confidently strutted across the stage.

The show was without any major gaffes, except for Miss Philippines' answer when asked what her biggest mistake in life was and how she fixed it.

"In my 22 years of existence, I can say there is nothing major," Venus Raj said.

Before the pageant, Raj was rated among the top contestants in an online poll on the pageant's website. She finished in fifth place.



Sunday, August 22, 2010

Petrol Price to rise-up again in UAE for the third times in 2010

Abu Dhabi: Petrol prices in the UAE are set to rise a third time this year. Sources from oil company Adnoc told  that the fuel distribution companies are about to increase price on fuel.



The source added that in private meetings of the boards of directors of the fuel suppliers it turned out that they fear to report significant losses if the prices remain at the current levels. The increase will be 20 fils per liter. This means that the cost of Special fuel will increase from Dh1.72 to Dh1.92 per liter.
The source, added that the increase will become effective "a few weeks after Eid holiday." The previous increase happened just last Thursday 15th of July 2010.

The price of E-plus will increase from Dh1.61 to Dh1.81. Diesel will increase from Dh2,35 to Dh2,55 per liter.

Source: Gulfnews

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Filipino Photography Biennial - Gulf



RULES ON PARTICIPATION

Who May Enter
The project is open to all Filipinos (or other nationals of Filipino lineage) who are residents of the GULF Region – UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, of any age, and all photography levels (professionals, hobbyists, amateurs, etc.)


How to Enter
• 2010’s theme is “The Gulf through the Eyes of a Filipino Photographer.”

• There are five photographic categories: Local Landscape and Architecture, Local Heritage and Culture, Pinoy Slice of Life, Fashion and Beauty (Filipino). Please see category guidelines for more information.

• Each participant may submit in any category, and up to 10 entries in total, at any time during the submission period. Each entry must comply with the aforementioned Photography Requirements.

• Submissions should be sent to: filphotobiennial@gmail.com or in a properly marked CD delivered to Illustrado’s Dubai Media City office.

• DEADLINE: Submissions should be sent to Illustrado on or before the 25th August 2010. Target launch date is Q4 2010.



Photograph Requirements
• Photographs must be in digital format. However, the photograph need not be shot with a digital camera: scans of negatives, transparencies, or photographic prints are also acceptable.


• All are requested to submit:
o August 25 Deadline - for the SELECTION PROCESS (only): JPEG, Medium resolution, 100DPI – 1 to 2MB, around A5 to A4 size

o After the selection process, qualifying photographers will be asked to urgently submit publishing grade files with the following specs: 300DPI, 30 to 40MB, jpeg format file; suitable for possible reproduction of min. A4 max. A3 size

• Submitted photographs could be from any period/date, but should be strictly “unpublished”, and may not previously have won an award in any contest. Commissioned works will not be accepted as entries.


• POST PROCESSING:
We encourage all photographers to submit “REAL” photographs and discourage over manipulation or heavily digitally altered photographs. To wit –

o Dodging, burning and color correction: Minor dodging (to brighten shadows), burning (to darken highlights) and color correction is fine. The goal is to make the photographs naturally beautiful (based on reality).
o Other effects or filters - solarization, mezzotint, duotone, etc – Discouraged as it constitutes visual gimmickry.
o Black-and-white images: Acceptable.
o Cropping: Acceptable.
o Stitched panoramas and High Dynamic Range (HDR) images: Acceptable as long as all sections or combined parts have been shot at the same time frame and therefore have a consistent look. If your entry is an HDR image, kindly indicate this in the caption.
o Specifically for beauty and fashion category – liquify, distortion, etc. - Acceptable at a certain degree and if done skillfully. The objective should be to refine the image, not to alter the subjects. Subjects/models should look natural and not radically different from reality.
o Graphic art and other composite images: Images containing graphic arts or collaged visuals (usually done to achieve a surreal or hyper-reality effect) are NOT part of this project.


Releases
• For photographs that include MODELS, the photographer is responsible for securing MODELs RELEASE. This release form should be provided to the Publisher upon submission of final selected images.

• The same applies for photographs that include works of art, like painting, sculptures, etc. Photographers should provide the necessary release and ensure that their work is not an infringement of another party’s copyright or a fraud.

• The photograph should be an ORIGINAL WORK in its entirety. By joining the project, participants confirm that all submitted photographs are their sole original work, and that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim, or interest in the photograph.

• Photographs submitted should be in accordance with the cultural and religious sensitivities of the region and should not contain any obscene, sexually explicit or inappropriate content. Photographers who are submitting entries should always be reminded of the cultural and religious sensitivities of the Middle East, thus photographs of nude physiques, religious symbols and blasphemous images are not allowed. Even though countries such as the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar allow some level of religious freedom, publication of Christian images are not permitted.


Selection Process
• Selection of qualified photographs will be done using a “blind selection system” where participants will not be named. Photographs will be assigned reference numbers for scoring.

• The selection process will be done in two stages:
• INITIAL SELECTION – where the selection panel will be composed of the Publisher, appointed third parties, as well as representatives from participating Filipino photography clubs.

• FINAL SELECTION - pre-production, where Publishers reserve the right to remove entries which do not meet with Publishing Standards (whether technically or contextually) or may be deemed inappropriate.

• See separate Selection Process Criteria.



License
By joining the project, all participants grant an irrevocable perpetual, nonexclusive license to the Publisher, to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works of the entries (along with a name credit) specifically in connection with the Illustrado Filipino Photography Biennial – GULF project, in any media, including but not limited to: book publication, display at a possible exhibit, publication in Illustrado magazine or any title in connection to the promotion of the project both print and online, display in a possible website, any other distribution as Public Relations or possible advertising. The Publisher will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use. Usage of the photographs for purposes other than this project will be treated separately.



Limitation of Liability
By entering this project, all entrants agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless the Publisher and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this project or any related activities.


Conditions
By entering this project, all participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules, and that the selection the selection panel and the Publisher is final with all matters relating to the project.


CATEGORIES & SELECTION INFO.


Category Guidelines
There are five photographic categories:

• Local Landscape and Architecture
o Photos should be taken within the region and should communicate a distinctly “local” flavor. Architecture photos could include both old/native and modern structures in the region.
o Taking photos of famous landmarks in most places is allowed, but be careful that military bases and important government buildings are not captured in the image, as this is not allowed in many cases.

• Local Heritage and Culture
o Photos should be taken within the region and should communicate a distinctly “local” flavor.

• Pinoy Slice of Life
o Photos depicting the “Pinoy way of life in the region” from a myriad of angles.
o Photos depicting a darker or negative subject can be considered. However, we would also request all photographers to provide a more balanced and uplifting view, at the same time.
o The main task of the book is to uplift the image of the Filipinos. The book is not a photojournalistic tome meant to focus on the sad issues and heart-wrenching plight of the Filipinos in the region. Although negative portrayal of the Filipinos is not disallowed, it is not encouraged.


• Fashion
o Photographs submitted in the category of fashion will not only be judged based on typical photography criteria, but also according to credibility as an actual professionally executed fashion photograph – which takes into account models (look, stance, proportions, etc.), fashion (styling, make-up, fashion story, etc.), overall fashion aesthetics.
o Models could be of any nationality. Stylists, hair and make-up artists could be of any nationality as well, but we would encourage tapping Filipino talents in the community.

• Beauty
Subjects should be Filipino or of Filipino lineage – all ages and genders.


Selection Criteria

All photographs will be assessed according to the following criteria –

• Technical criteria - Exposure Focus/sharpness, depth of field, color and/or tonal rendition, contrast, lighting

• Visual and aesthetic criteria - Framing and choice of viewpoint, background, design elements and principles, appropriate application of photographic techniques and elements, visual impact

• Content – Information, emotion, mood, feeling, denotative and connotative content, symbolism, metaphor, meaning, communication through the language of photography and visual art, the moment, relevance, subject impact

• Viewer’s response – Visual, aesthetic, intellectual, emotional, excitement, interest

• General characteristics – Originality, style, context, photographic vision, empathy, insight, validity

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

EPPCO / ENOC to hire workers from Philippines

Emirates Petroleum Products Company or EPPCO was looking for 700 Pinoy workers who will be assigned as gasoline station attendants and staff of a convenience store in Dubai.

The employer prefers applicants who are between 20 to 28 years old. EPPCO said those beyond the age bracket are often prone to illnesses particularly because of the hot weather in Dubai.

Applicants must also have a one-year experience for the position they are applying for.

Eppco representatives will start the recruitment in Metro Manila and Cebu on August 15 at CDK International Manpower Recruitment.

Tita Morales, owner of the recruitment firm, said the monthly salary for gasoline attendants and customer service assistants is at P18,000.

The applicants will shoulder an estimated P5,000 for documentation, medical and other fees before they fly to Dubai. The workers need not pay placement and visa fees and their travel expenses will be shouldered by the company.


TO Apply Please Call the Agency below:

CDK INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES CORP.
S2,3 &13A(GF) MIDLAND PLAZA ADRIATICO ST ERMITA, MANILA
Tel No/s : 5368350 / 5238665

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Ramadan

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑdˤɑːn]) (also Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn until sunset. Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality and is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله‎, trans: Allah) and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about ten days each year depending on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.



Ramadan Tips/Reminder for non-Muslims in the UAE

· Eating and drinking in public is banned across the UAE during Ramadan, and strict penalties are levied on those who break the rule. Most eateries are closed during the day for the month, but some restaurants do offer delivery services.


· Avoid eating or drinking in front of colleagues who are fasting in office.


· Do not get into arguments with those who are fasting; be patient and show consideration for the long hours of fasting.


· Dress and behave modestly, avoiding animated behaviour that could cause offence.


· Try to understand Ramadan better by involving yourself in the spirit of the month. Saying 'Ramadan Kareem' to Muslims and attending a fast-breaking feast, or iftar, would be appreciated by most Muslims.


· Do not play live music as it is banned through the month.


· Shopping malls and supermarkets are expected to be open late at night.


· Since cultural consciousness is also high during the month, Ramadan can be a good time to connect with the local and Muslim cultural scene by attending the various musical and social events, as well as trying local and regional cuisine that is popular during the month of fasting.

Saturday, August 07, 2010

The Show Must Go On

Please watch this video... Very Funny especially the young boy in diapers...



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