Mar, Korina tie the knot

MANILA - Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and broadcaster Korina Sanchez on Tuesday afternoon exchanged "I do's" at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. The ceremony started at 4 p.m. Tuesday as thousands of guests and well-wishers arrived to witness the union.

Crowds outside the church cheered and shouted "Korina!" as Sanchez, wearing a Filipiniana gown, stepped out of the bridal car. A white sheet held up by several ushers prevented people from seeing Sanchez until the start of her bridal march.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers sang “Ave Maria” as the entourage marched toward the altar.

As she was walking down the aisle with his brother, Sanchez shed tears of joy while Ray An Fuentes' “Umagang Kay Ganda” was being played in the background. Roxas, who was waiting at the altar, was also seen wiping away tears.

In his homily, Fr. Tito Caluag reminded the couple to love and serve one another throughout their married lives. "I believe that giving one's self to love brings blessing to one's self and to society," he said.

A veritable who’s who of the Philippine society attended the wedding ceremony. Political and show business personalities as well as representatives from various political organizations and non-government organizations have been invited to the event.

Among those spotted at the church were Randy David, Rey Langit, Pitoy Moreno, Paeng Nepomuceno, Vehnee Saturno, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Basil Valdez, Wilson Tieng of Solar Films, ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, former Senator Letty Ramos Shahani,Ralph Recto, Lily Monteverde, Teodoro Locsin, former President Joseph Estrada, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and his wife, US Ambassador Kristie Anne Kenney;

Broadcasters Bernadette Sembrano, Ina Reformina, Willard Cheng, Alex Santos, Ted Failon, Joey Villarama, Julius and Christine Babao, and Doris Bigornia, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Congressmen Teofisto Guingona III, Antonio Cuenco and Neptali Gonzales, Lopez family patriarch Oscar Lopez. Fernando Zobel, Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III and wife;

Jacqui Aquino, Maurice Arcache, Viel Aquino, Joselito Payumo, Joey Lina, Lauren Dyogi, Greggy Araneta and wife Irene Marcos-Araneta, Cesar Purisima, Karina David, Renato Constantino, Sister Mary John Mananzan, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Fr. Tito Caluag and Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada.

White roses and sampaguita, Sanchez's favorite flowers, adorned the church. Sponsors and guests wore Filipiniana attires.

Fans and supporters of the couple also gathered in church ground to get a glimpse of the bride and groom.

The principal sponsors are Chief Justice Reynato Puno, former Senate President Jovito Salonga, Eugenio Lopez III, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Jorge Araneta, Ms. Rosa Rosal, Helen Costales, Ruby Roxas, Cecilia Lazaro, and Maria Fores.

Roxas’ 16-year old son, Paolo Zaldarriaga, stood as the senator’s best man, while Dang Cecilio-Palance was the matron of honor.

The ring bearer is Kris Aquino’s son, James Yap Jr., while Miguel Sanchez and Matthew Garcia are the coin and Bible bearers.

In their earlier interviews on radio dzMM, both Sanchez and Roxas could not contain their excitement. "Hindi na yata mapipigilan ito," Sanchez said.

"Parang bungee jumping. Para siyang isang malalim na malalim na talon tapos hindi mo talaga matitiyak kung ano ang kala-landingan mo. Pero dahil mahigpit ang pagkakatali sa iyong binti ng lubid ng pagmamahal, alam mong ligtas ka na la-landing…. it's really a very exciting adventure," Sanchez added.

The senator, for his part, said he felt both tense and excited after waking up on Tuesday, knowing that he would be a married man at the end of the day.

"Ang unang agenda sa abot kaya ng panahon at tuhod ko ay magkaroon ng mga anak...Ang sarap isipin na sana may mga chikiting kami at nakaupo kami sa sofa. Nai-imagine ko ‘yong Sunday lunch na magkasama kami at mga anak namin at mga apo sana. Komportableng-komportable ‘yong imahe sa puso ko at sa kaisipan ko. Kaya dumating na 'This is it!'" he said.

There will be no grand reception after the ceremony. The senator from Capiz and the veteran broadcast anchor decided to donate the money to 6 charity organizations providing assistance to victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

After the ceremony, the couple is set to meet with their guests in the courtyard where food and refreshments will be served.

Reports said more than 200 police have been deployed in the area to maintain peace and order. With reports from Reyma Buan-Deveza and Boy Villasanta, abs-cbnNEWS.com, and ANC

Arroyo reveals 2nd reason for nationwide state of calamity

GMANews.TV - Saturday, October 3

Aside from allowing local governments to access their calamity funds, President Arroyo bared a second reason Saturday for placing the entire country under a state of calamity: to go after profiteers.

Fears have been raised that the government was taking advantage of the crisis caused by tropical storm “Ondoy" to raise funds for next year’s general election.

Critics wondered why other provinces not affected by Ondoy were also being allowed to tap emergency funds when they are not really suffering from a state of calamity.

But Mrs. Arroyo explained that the nationwide state of calamity will allow government to run after traders who will go to areas not under a state of calamity to sell their products at higher prices.

“What was observed was that when there was price control imposed in a given area some supplies were diverted. So (this was also) for purposes of price control," she said at a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

On the other hand, she said one of the shortcomings of the present Price Law is that the local government can use the calamity funds in an actual state of calamity and not for risk reduction.

Earlier, Favila admitted the decision stemmed from the executive session of the NDCC in Cainta, Rizal, where they discussed the matter.

“There are unscrupulous traders who go to nearby areas not under a state of calamity, then sell at higher prices. We discussed it in the NDCC meeting’s executive session," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the nationwide state of calamity was a recommendation of the National Price Coordinating Council. - GMANews.TV

Rizal farm admits crocs escaped

ABS-CBN - Thursday, October 1

But all were recaptured, says farm OIC

MANILA - Environment and local government officals conducted an investigation into the origins of a crocodile that was seen swimming in Cainta floodwaters after tropical Storm Ondoy hit Luzon last Saturday.

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) personnel went to the Coral Agri Venture Crocodile Farm in Teresa municipality in Rizal province on Wednesday. Earlier reports indicated this was where the crocodile escaped from.

Brian Sibongga, officer-in-charge (OIC) at the farm, admitted that 5 crocodiles escaped from their holding pens at the height of the storm on the evening of September 25, but that the reptiles were immediately recaptured along the farm's perimeter fences.

"Maswerte po tayo at meron po tayong perimeter fence. So narecover po natin ang ating buwaya. Imposible po na nakapunta po sa area ng Cainta yung buwaya kasi kung makikita niyo po talagang walang access," Sibongga told ABS-CBN News.

(We are lucky that we have perimeter fences. So we recovered the crocodiles. It is impossible that a crocodile escaped to Cainta becase there is no access [out of the farm]).

The Coral Agri Venture farm harvests crocodile meat, an "exotic food," and crocodile skin for belts and handbags.

Though all 9,000 crocodiles at the 3-hectare farm were accounted for, CENRO officials warned farm administrators about lapses in their security.

"Bakit naglagay kayo ng perimeter fence...at papano sila nakalabas? (Why did you put a perimeter fence... and how did they escape?)" said CENRO officer Antonio Diwa.

Diwa said the farm should report incidents like escaping crocodiles and damaged holding pens to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Teresa Municipal Mayor Rodel de la Cruz assured alarmed residents within the area that no crocodiles went loose from the Coral Agri Venture Crocodile Farm. He said the area looked "properly secured."

Earlier, residents of Greenpark Subdivision in Cainta reported seeing a 5-foot crocodile, initially said to have escaped from the Pasig Rainforest Park.

Cainta Police Supt. Nereo Torrecampo said this was immediately recaptured. Police are unsure, however, whether a crocodile is still on the loose.

CENRO, meanwhile, is continuing investigations as to where the crocodile that was sighted in Cainta could have escaped from. Officials will reportedly inspect a neighboring crocodile hatchery in Teresa, Rizal. Report by Gus Abelgas, ABS-CBN News.

here are some other photo's from the typhoon last week....

hope the new typhoon, typhoon pepeng will not be as strong as typhoon ondoy

Typhoon Ondoy @ UERM Campus Pt. 2

Typhoon Ondoy @ UERM Campus Pt. 1

Craig David : Insomnia Lyrics

I never thought that I'd fall in love, love, love, love
But it grew from a simple crush, crush, crush, crush
Being without you girl, I was all messed up, up, up, up
When you walked out, said that you'd had enough-nough-nough-nough

Been a fool, girl I know
Didn't expect this is how things would go
Maybe in time, you'll change your mind
Now looking back i wish i could rewind

Because i can't sleep til you're next to me
No i can't live without you no more
Oh i stay up til you're next to me
Til this house feels like it did before
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah

Remember telling my boys that I'd never fall in love, love, love, love
You used to think I'd never find a girl I could trust, trust, trust, trust
And then you walked into my life and it was all about us, us, us, us
But now I'm sitting here thinking I messed the whole thing up, up, up, up

Been a fool (fool), girl I know (know)
Didn't expect this is how things would go
Maybe in time (time), you'll change your mind (mind)
Now looking back i wish i could rewind

Because i can't sleep til you're next to me
No i can't live without you no more (without you no more)
Oh i stay up til you're next to me (to me)
Til this house feels like it did before (Because it)
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah
Feels like insomnia ah ah (Ah), Feels like insomnia ah ah

Ah, i just can't go to sleep
Cause it feels like I've fallen for you
It's getting way too deep
And i know that it's love because

I can't sleep til you're next to me
No i can't live without you no more (without you no more)
Oh i stay up til you're next to me (to me)
Til this house feels like it did before
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah

Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah
Feels like insomnia ah ah, Feels like insomnia ah ah

Craig David - Insomnia Acoustic HQ

MMDA chief on floods: Blame me

MANILA - Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando on Monday shouldered the blame for the massive flooding that hit the National Capital Region over the weekend but said he will not resign from his post.

In an interview, Fernando said the responsibility of enhancing Metro Manila's flood control system falls on his shoulders as MMDA chief. "Blame it on me kaysa sisihin pa natin ang Diyos. It's up to them what they want to do with me but I will not resign as MMDA chairman," he told ABS-CBN.

The MMDA chief said government officials in areas affected by the floods should also take part of the blame since they did not ensure the safety of their constituents. He said the increase in infrastructure in every city takes a toll on the environment.

Fernando, who is mulling a possible presidential bid next year, said last Saturday's massive flood could happen again if no solution is found. "It's a 100-year cycle. It will keep repeating itself unless someone with political will will lead the country," he said.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council earlier said at least seven people in Metro Manila have died due to floods brought on by tropical storm Ondoy last Saturday.

On Monday, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando appealed for more food, water and blankets for residents staying in evacuation centers. She also appealed for more volunteers to help in the task of clearing the roads of debris and retrieving bodies in various parts of the city.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque visited Malanday Elementary School in the city, which has served as a makeshift evacuation center for 100 families. Duque said the department will provide medicine and vaccines to many of the evacuees who are experiencing cough, colds, flu and stomach ache.

Senior Superintendent Robert Po of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group also confirmed that oil from Noah's Paper Mills near SM Marikina is seeping from the firm's storage tank and into the Marikina River.

Po said the oil pipe connected to the 65,000-liter storage tank and into the plant was either ruptured or disconnected after floodwaters moved the tank slightly from its cement base. He said bunker oil then spilled from the plant to SM Marikina and into the river.

THE GREAT FLOOD (by ONDOY)

last weekend, we experienced a very terrible storm, Typhoon Ondoy, the rain was pouring for 24 hours straight, a lot of cities and most especially families were greatly affected. We don't have electricity, and water.... it was a total disaster!

I have friends who were affected by the storm Ondoy and lost almost every material things that they have, good thing they were able to evacuate before its too late....

yesterday i received a forwarded email from one of my co-worker in the office, she e-mailed us the aftermath of the storm, here is the e-mail with pictures that she sent us.

People are stranded in Cainta, province of Rizal , eastern Manila

Aida De Leon grieves in Pasig City , east of Manila .

An aerial view aboard a Philippine Air Force chopper shows devastation brought by Tropical Storm Ketsana in Cainta, province of Rizal , eastern Manila.

residents are evacuated by police boats during flooding in Cainta Rizal, east of Manila .

A Philippine Air Force aerial shot shows damaged houses in Marikina City , Metro Manila. More than 70 people were killed, Manila was blacked out and airline flights were suspended as a powerful tropical storm battered the main Philippines island of Luzon

Residents wait to be evacuated from a partially submerged house during flooding in Bocaue, north of Manila .

Thousands of people in the Philippine capital and nearby towns were marooned by flash floods after a strong tropical storm hit the main island of Luzon , disaster officials said.

Residents cross a flooded street with the use of a rope in Quezon City .

A boy is lifted onto the roof of a building to escape the flooding in the Quezon City suburban of Manila . Nearly a month's worth of rain fell in just six hours Saturday, triggering the worst flooding in the Philippine capital in 42 years, which stranded thousands on rooftops in the city and elsewhere.

Residents clamber on electric wires to stay out of floodwaters while others wade neck-deep in Cainta Rizal, east of Manila .

A victim of floodings is rescued in Pasig City , east of Manila . Authorities rushed rescue and relief to thousands of people who spent the night on the roofs of their submerged houses in Manila and surrounding provinces.

Commuters wade through waist-deep floodwaters after heavy rains dumped by Tropical Storm Ketsana (locally known as Ondoy) on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Manila , Philippines .