Hubert Webb, et al Acquitted by Supreme Court

Google for the photo

After 15 years and 6 months of being imprisoned, the Supreme Court reversed the life imprisonment verdict of Hubert Webb, et al. They were convicted from the controversial Vizconde Massacre which happened 15 years ago.

Today, it was announced: “The court has acquitted Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Pyke Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Gerardo Biong,” Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez told a press conference.

According to the Supreme Court, the prosecution failed to prove the accused guilt beyond reasonable doubts; thus the acquittal was given to them.

The Vizconde massacre happened in 1991 and Hubert Webb's alibi was he was out of the country when it happened. Primary witness Jessica Alfaro's testimonies were the basis of the lower court's decision 15 years ago. Albeit, Supreme Court said that the witness' testimonies cannot be relied on.

Lauro Vizconde, the father of Carmela and Jennifer and husband of Estrellita (all were murdered in the massacre) said that he will respect the decision of the Supreme Court. But he still seek justice for his murdered family.

What is your point of view about the Supreme Court's ruling on the acquittal of Hubert Webb et al. ?

Dad, Is there Really Santa Claus?

Our home is all set for Christmas and kids are pretty much excited about it. My son Jeon how is now 4 years old is actually doing the countdown. He is very eager to receive gifts from Santa Claus. Every night he prays to Jesus that He would let Santa Claus know that he is a good boy and deserves to have Christmas presents. His wish? Transformer robots (Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee).

In fact, he often asks me and his mom, is there really Santa Claus? Where does he live? Does he live from afar that he only give gifts during Christmas day? I would like my child to believe that there is Santa Claus; but I would not want him to focus on Santa Claus rather than the true meaning of Christmas. That is why we encourage him to pray to Jesus about his Christmas wish.. I would like him to believe that a jolly old man goes out during Christmas eve to give gifts to those who were on Santa's "Nice list". Let him discover in due time that Dad and Mom are Santa Claus, when he reach the right age. As for now, when he asked me again if there is really Santa Claus I would gladly tell him that there is. Santa Claus is waiting instructions from Jesus Christ on who are the "naughty and nice".

Facebook Hacker Cup

December 11 was the inauguration day of Facebook Hacker Cup. This time Facebook challenges all the social networking king first's Faceboook Hacker's Cup. It is set to kick off January of 2011 and final round will be on March.

This competition is open to all software hotshots around the world. There will be top 25 contestants in the online rounds to come to California for the final stage of the competition. It will be an all expense paid trip by Facebook management.

The winner will receive $5000 and will definitely have the chance to be hired by people from Facebook. If you are one of those people who are interested in becoming the first Facebook Hacker Cup champion; registration will start on 20th of December. For further details about the contest, click here.

I wonder if all the information and photos on my FB account would still be safe once a winner emerge in this hacking contest.

Seventeen Rules For A Better Way To Live

Life is not always smooth sailing; as we journey through life we experience a lot of difficulties. Some times we feel like giving up and ask ourselves why do we have to through such difficulties in life.

I came across these 17 Rules For A Better Way To Live by Og Mandino. Read on the excepts and get motivated by it:

Rule One...
Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you... with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.
Rule Two...
Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!
Rule Three...
Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't look back at it too long. Mistakes are life's way of teaching you. Your capacity for occasional blunders is inseparable from your capacity to reach your goals. No one wins them all, and your failures, when they happen, are just part of your growth. Shake off your blunders. How will you know your limits without an occasional failure? Never quit. Your turn will come.
Rule Four...
Always reward your long hours of labor and toil in the very best way, surrounded by your family. Nurture their love carefully, remembering that your children need models, not critics, and your own progress will hasten when you constantly strive to present your best side to your children. And even if you have failed at all else in the eyes of the world, if you have a loving family, you are a success.
Rule Five...
Build this day on a foundation of pleasant thoughts. Never fret at any imperfections that you fear may impede your progress. Remind yourself, as often as necessary, that you are a creature of God and have the power to achieve any dream by lifting up your thoughts. You can fly when you decide that you can. Never consider yourself defeat again. Let the vision in your heart be in your life's blueprint. Smile!
Rule Six... 
Let your actions always speak for you, but be forever on guard against the terrible traps of false pride and conceit that can halt your progress. The next time you are tempted to boast, just place your fist in a full pail of water, and when you remove it, the hole remaining will give you a correct measure of your importance.
Rule Seven...
Each day is a special gift from God, and while life may not always be fair, you must never allow the pains, hurdles, and handicaps of the moment to poison your attitude and plans for yourself and your future. You can never win when you wear the ugly cloak of self-pity, and the sour sound of whining will certainly frighten away any opportunity for success. Never again. There is a better way.
Rule Eight...
Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge when it comes along. This applies to play as well as work. A day merely survived is no cause for celebration. You are not here to fritter away your precious hours when you have the ability to accomplish so much by making a slight change in your routine. No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!
Rule Nine...
Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find "tomorrow" on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, "If I had my life to live over again..."Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day!
Rule Ten...
Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.
Rule Eleven...
Laugh at yourself and at life. Not in the spirit of derision or whining self- pity, but as a remedy, a miracle drug, that will ease your pain, cure your depression, and help you to put in perspective that seemingly terrible defeat and worry with laughter at your predicaments, thus freeing your mind to think clearly toward the solution that is certain to come. Never take yourself too seriously.
Rule Twelve...
Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.
Rule Thirteen...
Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday. Be a self- starter. Let your first hour set the theme of success and positive action that is certain to echo through your entire day. Today will never happen again. Don't waste it with a false start or no start at all. You were not born to fail.
Rule Fourteen...
You will achieve grand dream, a day at a time, so set goals for each day -- not long and difficult projects, but chores that will take you, step by step, toward your rainbow. Write them down, if you must, but limit your list so that you won't have to drag today's undone matters into tomorrow. Remember that you cannot build your pyramid in twenty-four hours. Be patient. Never allow your day to become so cluttered that you neglect your most important goal -- to do the best you can, enjoy this day, and rest satisfied with what you have accomplished.
Rule Fifteen...
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.
Rule Sixteen...
Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well through all the darkest valley you must traverse. Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the mountaintop. So will you learn things in adversity that you would never have discovered without trouble. There is always a seed of good. Find it and prosper.
Rule Seventeen...
Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

AFF Suzuki Cup 2010

I have always been a fan of football; in fact I am part of the football varsity of Don Bosco Academy Pampanga during my high school days and in college, I was also able to play football for Don Bosco Technological College. Football is not as popular as basketball here in the Philippines. But in most parts of the world, the World Cup is one of the most anticipated sports event. However, it is slowly but surely gaining its momentum and becoming a favorite sport among many Filipinos.
The Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2010 ,the Filipino football team known as the Azcals made it to the semi-finals. Their victory over the defending champion Vietnam made them qualify for the semis.

 Even President PNoy is overwhelm by the team Azcal's victory. True indeed that whatever it is that the Filipinos put their hearts into; they would surely achieve it. I just wish that pretty soon more and more Filipinos would learn how to play and love the game of football as much as I do.

Cold Weather Every Morning

I hate the cold weather every morning; it makes waking up for work harder and harder to do! It is the perfect bed weather; so every morning is a struggle for me to go out of the bed because of this morning cold weather (aside from the fact that I still want to sleep with wifey).

With the cold weather, my nasal allergy often attacks. I hate that too! Sometimes, the weather can give us colds and flu. I can't afford to get sick; because I just started with my new job. Green tea can help combat colds and flu because it has antioxidants and is believed to help boost one's immune system. It helps kill the influenza viruses.

A cup of green tea every morning would help me combat not only the cold weather every morning but also it will help me fight viruses and bacteria.

Holiday Traffic

It's only 18 days away before Christmas, and those who live in the Philippines would say that traffic is horrible during this season. To resolve this major issue in traffic, MMDA came up with the so called Christmas lanes.
According to MMDA to would somehow give comfort to travellers; they would not have to pass through the location of the huge malls.

thanks to MMDA Official Website 

Private vehicle owners can use this map to pass through the MMDA Christmas/Mabuhay lanes from North to South.

To check the detailed instructions of these lanes you can visit : http://www.mmda.gov.ph

Keep your cool while on the road and maintain road courtesy at all times. Don't get agitated by heavy traffic, it won't do you any good. Drive home safely!