Philippines Earthquake - October 15, 2013

October 15, 2013 was such a sad day for the Philippines, specifically to the people of Central Visayas that was most affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

The tremblor hit at exactly 8:12 AM of Tuesday, with epicenter located 2 kilometers southeast of Carmen, Bohol.

It was so powerful, however, to have affected even the nearby province of Cebu, where it was felt at Intensity 6.

As of 8:30 PM Tuesday, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Central Visayas says 86 have already been recorded dead due to the quake, while 261 are injured and 7 are still missing.

@PIACentralViz: RDRRMC Sitrep As of 8:30PM/Oct. 15: 86 dead, 261 injured, 7 missing in #VisayasQuake #earthquakePH

The October 15, 2013 Bohol earthquake is the 6th most powerful earthquake to have hit the country for the last 50 years. Topping the list was the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that hit Moro Gulf in 1976, killing nearly 6,000 people.

My mother cried while watching the videos of the earthquake’s aftermath shown on TV this morning. While I almost cried because I still haven’t visited those ruined Catholic churches.

Meanwhile, CCTV camera footages shared by those who experienced the earthquake first hand let us virtually experience the earthquake. And I just know I’d freak out especially when I’m near this pool shown in the video below.

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Bonifacio Global City belongs to Makati

The Court of Appeals has declared that parts of Fort Bonifacio that includes the posh area of Bonifacio Global City are indeed part of Makati City.

The decision was released Tuesday, overturning the ruling made by the Pasig Regional Trial court in July 2011 that declared the disputed 729.15 hectares of land under Taguig jurisdiction.

"Contrary to the findings of the lower court as between pieces of evidence presented, Taguig was not able to prove this greater weight of evidence to merit a favorable decision," said the Court of Appeals in the 37-page decision.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, however, said the decision was wrong.

"The CA decision, with due respect, is erroneous," Cayetano said. "We will fight to make sure that the disputed land remains with Taguig," she added. "We are confident that we will ultimately win this fight."

It will be such a big loss to Taguig in terms of tax revenues if the BGC is taken away from the city's jurisdiction.

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Mountaineer goes missing in Mt. Maculot

Another mountaineer has gone missing.

Victor Joel Ayson went on a solo dayhike up Mount Maculot on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. It was 2:30 AM when he left his bag at Mang Manuel’s store.

He successfully reached the Rockies campsite because he was seen buying a bottle of mineral water at the campsite store (which mountaineers fondly call 7-11) around 9:00 AM.

After not being in contact until Monday, his friends and family started getting alarmed. Search and rescue operations have been organized since Monday night but all were unsuccessful in finding him.

According to Mang Manuel, an experienced Mt. Maculot guide and owner of the Mountaineer’s Stop Over & Store in Barangay Tico, there have really been instances when even the locals would get lost in Mt. Maculot due to engkanto or the entities that we do not see with our naked eyes.

I have personally traversed the said mountain twice and has done four solo climbs of the Rockies campsite, and I must say I believe in what Mang Manuel suspects of what happened to Victor.

But the news didn’t say if the missing mountaineer only climbed up to the Rockies or did the traverse. Did anyone know of his exact plans that day? The Rockies is just a one-hour hike and if he climbed at 2:30 AM alone and was still at the campsite at 9:00 AM, he might have found a company (made a new friend or bumped on a mountaineer that he knew) for him to have lasted such long hours up there. That, or he’s a better loner than I am.

Next point, did he buy a big bottle of mineral water? If he did, it could be that he was preparing for a traverse. I’m sure, however, that someone has noticed where he went after the campsite. Aside from the fact that it was a Sunday, and an Easter Sunday at that, the campsite store only operates whenever the place is crowded. And with a crowd at the campsite, someone could have noticed where he headed.

The “barangay” should check with the mountaineers that are on the log book from Black Saturday to Easter Sunday. And just to be sure, ask those that have climbed on Monday, too.

The Rockies can be very dangerous especially with strong winds. And I only stayed at the campsite during those times I was alone. Why? Because I could have easily slipped and fell and disappeared without anyone knowing. Falling to the waters of Taal Lake would be a “better” accident if you knew how to swim, but falling towards the forested area several meters down below would be very tragic because (correct me if I’m wrong) that is an unexplored area (read: no one goes there).

But what if he did the traverse. Alone. That instantly gave me the goosebumps. Why? Because going back to what Mang Manuel said, those entities are indeed true. Read about my scary traverse of Mt. Maculot here: http://profoundbliss.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-do-maculot-romelo-and-manabu-have.html

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photo: Victor Joel Ayson’s Facebook

Malls, LRT and MRT Sched for Holy Week 2013

For those staying in the metro for the Holy Week, I guess we are left with nothing to do from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday as the malls are closed and even the LRT and MRT won’t operate until Sunday.

Check out the sched below.

SM MALLS

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

AYALA MALLS (including Alabang Town Center, Glorietta, Greenbelt, Market! Market!, Trinoma, Abreeza, Ayala Center Cebu, Centrio):

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

ROBINSONS MALLS

Maundy Thursday
Robinsons Luisita, Tagaytay, Pangasinan and Palawan: Regular Mall Hours
Other Robinsons Malls branches: CLOSED

Good Friday
Robinsons Luisita and Tagaytay: Regular Mall Hours
Other Robinsons Mall branches: CLOSED

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

POWER PLANT

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 10:00 PM

Easter Sunday
10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

EASTWOOD CITY

Maundy Thursday
All shops are closed except for selected restaurants

Good Friday
All shops are closed except for selected restaurants

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

NCCC MALL DAVAO

Maundy Thursday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
Regular Mall Hours

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

GREENHILLS SHOPPING CENTER

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

SHANGRI-LA PLAZA

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

FESTIVAL MALL ALABANG

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

GATEWAY

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

STA. LUCIA EAST GRAND MALL

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

TIENDESITAS

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LANDMARK

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LUCKY CHINA TOWN MALL

Maundy Thursday
Closed

Good Friday
Closed

Black Saturday
12:00 NN to 9:00 PM

Easter Sunday
Regular Mall Hours

LRT 1 and 2

Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday
Closed

MRT

Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday
Closed

RH Bill attends Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi started today (last night for others) and I forced myself to sleep at 1:00am (I usually sleep at 3) so I could catch some before attending the 5:30am mass. I really wanted to attend the 4:00am service but that would mean I wouldn’t sleep at all.

Anyway, I found the second service less chaotic because there were fewer people. I remember completing the 4:00am masses two years ago and the experience was almost like Pulp Summer Slam.

The service this morning went smoothly aside from a noisy mother at my left who was having her own homily to her young son, but I took care of the situation by staring at her. She went quiet after my second stare.

Towards the end of the Holy Communion, the advertisements were read. I actually prayed (having just received the Blessed Sacrament) while half-hearing notices about the second collection and the Belen that needs to be completed before the 24th and so on.

When the priest stood up, I thought he was gonna give his final blessings already so I also stood up, only to hear him say, “Please remain seated.” LoL! So I sat again.

He also had some advertisements pala, like the book the parish was selling as well as a compact disc collection of songs sung by the parish priests and more. What surprised me, though, was when he said he was going to read a letter from the CBCP regarding the RH Bill.

Huwatt?

I wanted to stand and be rude. To leave the church as a sign of protest that I really don’t approve of the church getting into political issues; that I don’t approve of how they seem to influence the views of the people regarding RH Bill and the likes.

But, I never left a mass before the final blessing. It’s something that Nanay (who’s now a born-again Christian) has taught me way back.

So I just sat there, thinking of unholy thoughts while being forced to listen to something I’d rather not; while the priest talked about premarital sex and how contraceptives would readily be available and free for even minors at the local health clinics.

Anyone can actually go on and on talking about the connection of free condoms to premarital sex but still, what’s more important are the core values these kids learn in their homes. It’s really how parents raise their kids that would matter and not if contraceptives are free or not.

Because come on, magkano lang ba ang condom?

Anyway, I hope RH Bill wouldn’t be a permanent topic in the remaining 8 masses of Simbang Gabi. If it would be, I pray that I will be able to stop myself from walking out while the priest is still talking.

Tomorrow is the third reading of the RH Bill. And tomorrow morning at mass, I will pray that there will be less street children, less kids with grumbling stomachs, less kids who can’t go to school; I will pray for the success of RH Bill’s approval.

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Sinking

Panoramic view of Manila and the rising Pasig River during the unforgettable Southwest Monsoon of August 2012.

Ang liit. Click the photo to go to the source.

photo: gmanews

Class Suspension for August 8, 2012

It’s been raining non-stop in Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces. Quezon City is submerged in flood waters, as well as Valenzuela, Bulacan, and even the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas.

This is Ondoy part 2, if you would ask me. I’m just a little luckier here in our side of Taguig that we are not touched by flood ever.

Classes have been suspended since Monday in most areas and for those curious which areas have No Classes for tomorrow, August 8 (Wednesday), here’s my list via announcements made by LGUs on Twitter and Facebook. And I am updating this post as new info becomes available.

Metro Manila:

• Caloocan City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Las Piñas City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Makati City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Malabon – all levels (public and private schools)
• Mandaluyong City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Manila City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Marikina City– all levels (public and private schools)
• Muntinlupa City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Navotas – all levels (public and private schools)
• Parañaque City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Pasay City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Pasig City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Pateros – all levels (public and private schools)
• Quezon City – all levels (public and private schools)
• San Juan City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Taguig City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Valenzuela – all levels (public and private schools)

Provinces:

• Angeles, Pampanga
• Antipolo City – all levels (public and private schools)
• Bataan – all levels (public and private schools)
• Batangas (province-wide) – all levels (public and private schools)
• Binangonan, Rizal – preschool to high school (public and private schools)
• Bulacan – all levels (public and private schools)
• Cabanatuan – all levels (public and private schools)
• Cainta, Rizal – all levels (public and private schools)
• Cavite (province-wide) – all levels (public and private schools)
• Laguna (province-wide) – all levels (public and private schools)
• Montalban, Rizal – all levels (public and private schools)
• Nueva Ecija – preschool to high school
• Olongapo City
• Pampanga – all levels (public and private schools)
• Pangasinan – all levels (public and private schools)
• Paombong, Bulacan
• Rizal – preschool to high school
• Rodriguez, Rizal – all levels (public and private schools)
• San Jose del Monte, Bulacan – all levels (public and private schools)
• San Mateo, Rizal – all levels (public and private)
• Tarlac – preschool to high school (public and private schools)
• Taytay, Rizal – all levels (public and private schools)

Schools:

• Adamson University
• Arellano University
• Ateneo De Manila University
• Ateneo Law School
• Centro Escolar University (all campuses)
• Chinese General Hospital Colleges
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• Colegio de Sta. Cecilia, Valenzuela (including office work)
• De La Salle University
• Don Bosco (Mandaluyong)
• Far Eastern University (all campuses)
• Fatima University
• Jose Rizal University
• Malayan Colleges, Laguna
• Manila Tytana University
• National College of Science & Technology, Cavite (including office work)
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Sta. Mesa, Manila; San Juan; Taguig campuses)
• Technological University of the Philippines
• Trinity University of Asia, Quezon City
• University of Perpetual Help (Las Piñas, Molino, Calamba)
• University of the Philippines Los Baños
• University of the Philippines Manila (including office work)
• St. Paul College, Pasig

It’s more like an eye than a ring

Okay, I was sleeping when the solar eclipse was happening. Good thing about the internet is that you can get updated on things in your own chosen time.

With that, I found this video of the eclipse so cool. It was recorded by the Panasonic employees in Osaka, Japan using the brand’s AF100 and AC160 cameras.

The full eclipse looked like a ring of fire, but did look like an eye to some.

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between earth and the sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on earth. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the sun, causing the sun to look like an annulus (ring), blocking most of the sun's light. An annular eclipse appears as a partial eclipse over a region thousands of kilometers wide. This is also known as Ring of Fire. –wikipedia

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Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 1

Mayon Volcano has been put under alert level 1 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

It doesn’t mean that the volcano will erupt anytime soon, but just the same, the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) should be avoided.

Here’s what the Phivolcs bulletin says:

“Mayon Volcano's (13.2500°N, 123.6833°E) seismic network did not detect any volcanic earthquake during the past 24-hour observation period. Steaming activity was wispy. Crater was visible last night but no glow could be observed. Measurement of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rate last 28 February 2012 yielded an average of 56 tonnes per day. Ground deformation survey (precise leveling) conducted last 1–5 February 2012 showed no significant change compared with the November 2011 survey.

“Mayon Volcano's alert status remains at Alert Level 1. Although this means that no eruption is imminent, it is strongly advised that the public refrain from entering the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the threat of sudden steam-driven eruptions and rockfalls from the upper and middle slopes of the volcano. Active stream/river channels and those identified as perenially lahar prone areas on all sectors of the volcano should also be avoided especially during bad weather condition or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. DOST-PHIVOLCS is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano's activity and any new development will be relayed to all concerned.”

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photo: travelphilippinesnow.com

Fukushima pets need to be rescued

Pet owners in Fukushima had to leave their homes during last year's nuclear crisis. Sadly, they could bring with them as much, leaving the pets behind.

Animal welfare groups were allowed to enter the area around Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant last December to rescue the pets who had to suffer high radiation, severe lack of food and extreme winter weather.

So far, the United Kennel Club of Japan has rescued 290 cats and 34 dogs from the region. But there are still many of them left out in the cold. Animal footprints were reported to be seen in the snow. These animals are fighting to survive.

Unlike the well-fed pets, starving animals cannot keep themselves warm because they little to no body fat left. They cold would eventually kill them.

Many of the pet owners go back to their radiation tainted home every now and then with hopes that their pets have returned. One man even leaves food for his cat saying, "I just want my cat to be alive."

It has been 10 months since the earthquake that struck Japan has resulted into a tsunami and nuclear meltdown. But we can never blame the government. They had to save the people first, we understand.

This makes me want to hug my dogs. We're very, very lucky we're not in that situation.

My heart goes out to all the dogs and cats left starving in the cold, and to the pet owners whose hearts, I'm sure, are still breaking until now.

May all those pets who have not survived rest in peace, and those that are still alive be immediately rescued.

PS
I'm literally crying while writing this.

Wikipedia on a Black Out

And I thought Wikipedia's black out will affect me not.

Until I Googled something, clicked a link that brought me to a Wikipedia page, and while reading the article, the page shifted into that picture above.

Let's admit it, Wikipedia is currently the largest source of information on the web. It's accessible wherever there's internet.

The US Congress is considering an anti-piracy legislation "that could fatally damage the free and open Internet." That's the reason why Wikipedia will black out their site. To protest. To raise awareness.

My stand on this one: everyone's entitled to free information.

DOT Unveils New Logo and Slogan

#ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines and #1forfun trended on Twitter 30 minutes after the Department of Tourism (DOT) released its new campaign logo and slogan, "It's More Fun in the Philippines" on Friday, January 6, 2012.

The logo, which is a banig weave forming the Philippine map, and slogan will be used to promote Philippine tourism starting April 2012 to kick off an ambitious campaign to attract 12 million tourists annually to visit the country.

Outdoor Addicts Issues a Statement Regarding Adrian Alba's Demise

Outdoor Addicts, the mountaineering group Adrian Alba was with on that fateful Sunday when he got swept away by the Wawa River, has finally released a statement via their Facebook page.

The group's "non-participation" during the time Adrian's body was missing is what Adrian's family has been so angry about. They wanted to get statements from the group their loved one was with, they wanted to know the full account of what happened, but none among the group would come out and explain.

This morning, though, at exactly 10:42 AM, Outdoor Addicts posted a note titled "Our Sincerest Sympathy" on their groups Facebook page. It provides some information about how Adrian Alba was swept away by the current while they were doing a rope-assisted river crossing.

The note reads:

Our Sincerest Sympathy

We are deeply saddened by the untimely demise of our comrade Adrian Alba. We were witnesses to his spirit of adventure in the short time that we were acquainted with him. His passing is a reflection of our own mortality which we so often take for granted in our quest for discovery.

Mountaineering is a risky undertaking. The advances in technical skills and equipment are no match against mother nature. The strongest of mountaineer equipped with the most modern tools could never conquer the mountain. The mountain conquers us.

Adrian is among the brave who wanted to experience the magnificence of God’s creation. He faced the risk head-on mindful that only those who dared are rewarded. Unfortunately we mortals are no match against the raging fury of the river that washed away the life of Adrian.

Adrian spent his weekend absorbing theories and techniques in his quest to become a better mountaineer. But the Great Creator has other plans for him. He was about to cross the river brimming with excitement that a new door of adventure has been opened to him. As he was making his crossing his backpack got tangled with the safety line which prompted him to take off his backpack. Alas, as the fury of the river raged, Adrian’s grip on his lifeline loosened. His comrades risked lives and limb trying to effect his rescue but it proved futile against the river’s wrath.

The accident that caused the untimely demise of Adrian has caused us to reflect and ponder on our own mortality as mountaineers. Advances in technology could never tame nor predict mother nature. The best efforts to minimize the risk did not result to eradicating deaths. At most, it only resulted to fewer deaths. It is very tragic that it has to happen to Adrian.

Adrian may not have fulfilled his dream as a mountaineer here on earth but surely he is now in a better place than us. He has climbed the mountain yearned for in the Book of Psalms, Chapter 23, “O send out Thy Light and Thy Truth; let them lead me; Let them brim me unto Thy Holy Mountain, and to Thy dwelling place.”

We extend our sincerest sympathy to the family and friends of Adrian. We could not dare to imagine the anguish that his passing has brought and we could only hope and pray that there is anything in our power that would ease their pain.

OUTDOOR ADDICTS

Missing Mountaineer Adrian Alba Found Dead

25-year-old mountaineer Adrian Alba was found dead near a hanging bridge on Wednesday morning, three days after he was swept away by strong river current of the Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal.

According to news reports, a boy saw an arm dangling near the banks of the river some 45-minute walk from the Wawa Dam. A group of barangay tanod, who was there to help in the search and retrieval operations, identified the lifeless body as that of the missing mountaineer's.

Search and rescue teams had been on the move since Adrian was reported missing last Sunday, September 4, 2011. He was doing a rope-assisted river crossing with a 22-member team when he allegedly got swept away by the current. Adrian was reportedly with the mountaineering group Outdoor Addicts. He was the group's guest climber that day.

To everyone's dismay, though, no one among the 21 other mountaineers Adrian was with that Sunday has come out to give a full statement of what has transpired.

The team reportedly paid a "gate pass" at the town's barangay office but skipped registering at the tourism office which would have required a guide to assist them in their activities. The tourism office is also responsible for allowing or rejecting any activities at the Pamitinan Landscape - which the Wawa River is a part of - depending on how strong the current of the river is.

Sir Adjhong, as he is fondly called by his mountaineer friends, has died doing what he loved. His remains lie in state at his residence located at Block 61, Lot 3, Mabolo St. Barangay Rizal, Makati City (near Market Market, Global City). For additional information, you may contact his sister, Ms. Faith Alba at the numbers 0920.223.7469 and (02) 903-0851.

My deepest condolences go out to Sir Adrian Alba's family and relatives. May his soul rest in peace.

Mountaineer Adrian Alba is Still Missing

Filipino mountaineer Adrian Alba got swept away by the strong current of the Wawa River in Rodriguez, Rizal while his team was doing a rope-assisted river crossing yesterday, September 4, 2011. Adjhong, as his friends call him, is still missing up to now despite various search and rescue operations done yesterday and today.

The Facebook wall of Adrian, 25, is now filled with messages from his friends – some are worried for the worse that could happen, while some are positive that the waters just brought Adrian somewhere and he's already safe. They know Adrian as a fighter, someone who doesn't easily give up. His close friends are sure Adrian wouldn't give up without a fight.

A news report said that the 22-member team was there for a Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) with river crossing. And if that is Adrian's first BMC, it's just too bad that the hands-on came a little too early.

It has also been reported that the team paid a gate pass at the barangay office saying they would only do sight-seeing. The team also failed to get proper permits from the tourism office of Rodriguez, Rizal. Had they done so, assistance could have been given to them as it is part of the town's ordinance to give assistance to whoever will hold activities inside the Pamitinan Protected Landscape where the Wawa River is located. It is also the tourism office's role to give permission or reject any activities depending on how big and strong the river's currents are.

Latest news reports said that Adrian's backpack has already been recovered. Also the Philippine Coast Guard has already joined the operation, which has gone from Search and Rescue to a saddening Search and Retrieval.

A comment thread on the Pinoy Mountaineer Facebook page said something saddening. I'm not really superstitious but I have heard of places, especially bodies of water, that regularly take away lives, especially of strangers visiting the place for the first time. The commenter said the Wawa River is one of those places.

Right now, all we can do is hope and pray that Adrian Alba is safe somewhere along the banks of the Wawa River, just resting to muster enough strength to look for his way back home.

Through this post, I'd like to reach out to his family to say that I, along with Adrian's mountaineer friends as well as those who have just known him through this bad news, will continuously pray for his safety until the time he comes back.

Below is the video of the news report regarding the Wawa River incident involving Adrian Alba.

* I took the liberty to use one of Adjhong's Facebook photos. I hope he doesn't mind.

Magnitude 5.8 Quake Rattles New Jersey and New York

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered in Virginia shook parts of New Jersey and New York 1:51 PM of August 23, 2011. Although no injuries or structural damage was reported, it caused buildings in the area to sway, causing fear among the residents.

The earthquake was also felt in Washington, D.C. and North Carolina.

U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was northwest of Richmond, Virginia, about halfway to Charlottesville. Geophysicist Julie Dutton said an earthquake that big is rare for the East Coast but since quakes move more easily through the bedrock, the effects are widely felt in the region.

The earthquake was a shallow 6-kilometer deep. and the composition of the earth's surface in the East Coast is the reason why the earthquake was felt in a wide range.

There are fault lines throughout the East Coast but the location of the main ones haven't been identified yet.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Husch, chair of the department of geological, environmental and marine sciences at Rider University in Lawrenceville said that earthquakes in the East Coast are not common, but they are not unusual. The recorded magnitude 5.8 quake, though, may be the largest ever recorded in that area.

photo: usgs.gov

Proclamation 234 Declares August 30 as Regular Holiday

There's going to be a "long weekend" towards the end of August 2011. While August 27 and 28 are weekends, August 29 is National Heroes Day and August 30 is the end of Ramadan.

Just a while ago, Proclamation 234 has been issued declaring August 30, Tuesday, a regular holiday throughout the country in observance of Eid'l Fitr.

I'm sure a lot of us will go on a short vacay because "long weekends" like these are becoming rare. Better plan your vacation early so you'll enjoy the 4-day weekend better.

No booking is needed for me, though. The mountains are spacious enough to accommodate flocks of hikers.

Too Much

I have friends in Laurel, Batangas whose houses are just a few meters away from the shores of Taal Lake. I've actually been there twice - summer of 2000 the first time and fiesta season of the following year the second time.

I was in awe to see a Styrofoam box full of such big and live fresh-from-the-fish pond tilapia during my first visit. The box of fishes became our dinner, our pulutan came nighttime, and our lunch the following day.

Needless to say, I looked forward to again indulge in such big tilapia on my second visit. But it was the town fiesta and the locals seemed to focus more on pork and chicken to offer their guests.

It was during that second visit, though, when I experienced going in one of the fish ponds in the middle of the lake. It was owned by one of my friend's cousins and I remember being ecstatic when I saw their little kubo in the middle of the lake. They even let me swam in the fish pond saying it's still safe cuz it's not yet the harvest season. They explained that during harvest seasons, the fishes have already grown big that being attacked by a school of tilapia could actually kill me.

It was the last time I went there, though. I still have communication with my friends from Laurel until now, but invitations to come over became elusive as they got busy with their lives (read: getting married and raising a family).

Anyway, it was such a sad thing that that exact lake which is part of my happy thoughts of Batangas is now home to dying fishes. I guess I won't be looking forward to eating tilapia from there anymore in many years from now.

I just hope people would not only think about making money but also think about the harm they do to the environment in the process.

Building fish ponds had given these people money, but building too much of it had taken their income away.

Now what is that phrase about too much of something? Or is that a song from Spice Girls? Well, even too much love will kill you, right?

Anyway, I hope we support this campaign against irresponsible fish farming. GMA News and Public Affairs is really incomparable (at least locally) when it comes to things like this.

Ineng!

The typhoon with an internatinal name of "MA-ON" has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), reports PAGASA at 11:30 AM today, July 17, 2011.

The typhoon was given the local name of INENG.

It's not going to stay in the PAR long, though, and it will not affect the sunny weather in most parts of the country.

That's good news. Cuz I'm climbing with two girl friends tomorrow.

7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hit Japan's Northeastern Coast, July 10, 2011

A tsunami warning was again prompted for the Northeastern coastal part of Japan as a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit that part of the country on Sunday morning July 10, 2011, around 9:57 AM.

It was the same area devastated by tsunami last March 11 when an 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit the coastal area.

Residents were advised to evacuate as the 7.1-magnitude quake felt earlier could generate a tsunami.

They surely wouldn't want the March 11 tragedy to repeat itself.