A Prosperous New Year to All!

Happy New Year to All! Welcome 2008!

2008 - Year of the Rat

According to a Feng-shui expert based in the Philippines, Charlie Chao, The Year of the Earth Rat promises money and good fortune.

Luckiest are those born in the year of the Dragon, wherein they can expect promotions from their jobs.

Also lucky are those born in the year of the Snake, lucky for those who have their own business, or plans to start one.

Equally lucky are those born in the year of the Goat and Monkey, albeit they should be careful as they are supposed to be an eye-candy for thieves.

Those born in the year of the Rabbit are also lucky in terms of financial aspects.

Unexpected winnings and surprises awaits those born in the year of the Rat. If you're one of them, better buy those lottery tickets!

Those born in the year of the Ox and Tiger can expect a very warm lovelife. For those married, it may pose problems as temptations are always on the way.

For those born in the year of the Horse, this may be your unlucky year (oh my God, that includes me (1978)). Horse-people are prone to accidents so be always vigilant.

Equally unlucky are those born in the year of the Pig and Dog. They should always be health-conscious and avoid food and activities that may affect their health.

For those born in the year of the Rooster, avoid having confrontations as you may be involved in fights.

Taylor Hicks in Manila

George-Clooney-look-alike American Idol Taylor Hicks is in Manila for a series of FREE shows. Yes, FREE!

Catch him at your favorite Ayala Malls for his free concert at 7:00pm on the following dates:

December 18 - Glorietta 4 Park
December 19 - Greenbelt 3 Park
December 20 - Trinoma Activity Area

Misa de Gallo - The Philippine Experience

Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo (direct meaning: mass of the rooster) is a traditional 9-day novena before Christmas day. It it celebrated at dawn (usually at 4am), about the time where roosters do their wake-up calls. It was said that the mass was done this early because Filipinos during the early days time work at farm fields, so that after the mass, they can go straight to their fields to do their farming. Some Filipinos, also during that time, are fishermen. They start fishing at midnight and have done their catch at dawn. They can attend the mass after they have done their fishing.

This tradition is unique in the Philippines and is known worldwide as a Filipino tradition. Filipino immigrants around the world still continue to celebrate Simbang Gabi albeit at a different time, usually at 8pm and not at dawn due to the weather of the country they now live.

Nowadays the Simbang Gabi may be celebrated at a different time, not the usual 4am as was once done. There are churches that celebrate this mass at 8pm, some have two dawn masses, one at 4am and the other at 5:30am. This is done to accommodate the large following of the faithfuls, while most churches give consideration to the elders who can not join the usual 4am mass because it is usually too crowdy.

The Simbang Gabi is culminated by the Misa de Aguinaldo, done during Christmas Eve, at around 10pm.

But Simbang Gabi is more than a tradition, it is an experience. Festive and jolly that the Filipinos are known for, Simbang Gabi is a fiesta. An hour before the mass, jolly Christmas carols are played to call on the faithfuls. Bells are continuously rang. The church is adorned by colorful Christmas decorations and bright lights, and the patio at some parishes have colorful banderitas. After the mass, you can feast your taste buds with the traditional Christmas delicacies like the immortal puto-bumbong (bamboo rice cake) and bibingka with topped salted eggs, with salabat, corn broth or hot chocolate for beverage.

However, the Simbang Gabi nowadays also becomes a hype, as most teenagers attend the Simbang Gabi just for the sake of attendance, without understanding the true meaning of it. You can see them at parking lots and patios of churches, chatting with their peers. It is as if they just want to have the experience of waking up early, and maybe having their food trip after the mass is done. Sadly, the tradition may have been too commercialized.

But for most of us faithfuls, the Simbang Gabi is a sacrifice, a devotion, a spiritual preparation. The 9-day novena prepares us for the coming of the Messiah, the "word became flesh", the Emmanuel, the Son of Man. It is during this 9-day novena where in we repent for the sins we have done, thank the Almighty Father for the continuous grace that he have and will bestow, and rejoice, for Jesus Christ is born!

ABS-CBN versus AGB Nielsen

ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation has filed a civil case against media research agency AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines. The latter was said to have breached their contract with regards to the confidentiality of metered households.

In a statement by ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, the network discovered a systemic, organized and well-funded attempt to cheat in the ratings.

An informant from Bacolod City reported to ABS-CBN that another network hired him to locate metered households. Upon location of these households, bribes were offered to change the programs they were watching in the Negros Occidental capital. ABS-CBN did not name the informant for security reasons.

As a way of gathering data, a digital meter box is connected in the circuitry of a television set, wherein it records the frequency of the tuner at a certain time. A certain frequency band is assigned to a television channel, for example 55.25MHz (video carrier frequency) for channel 2 on-air television broadcast.

Images and video courtesy of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.

"Rehas (Jail)" - Maalaala Mo Kaya (Remembering)

Watch and get touched once more with this award-winning episode of Maaalaala Mo Kaya entitled "Rehas".

This episode is based on a true story of Reming, a mother of 5 from Aklan, Philippines. Three of her children, Violeta, Judy and Joel, experienced nervous breakdown and went out of their minds. Desperate and helpless, Reming, at one time, cursed God for all that has happened to their family despite being obedient to Him. But realizing that only God can help them, she turns to Him once more and asked for continuous strength.

So far "Rehas" has won four awards from local and international award-giving bodies, and as of press time, an international nomination for the New York Festival next year.

The first time this episode was shown on air, help for Reming's family began to pour. And as of this time, Judy and Joel, who both undergone medication in Manila, was cured of their illness and are once more reunited with their family.

For the rest of the videos, visit Kapamilya Overload.

Christmas Wish ni Lolit

Christmas wish ni Lolit na sana ay magkaayos na sila nina Piolo at Sam. Wala naman daw siyang galit kina Piolo at Sam.


Nakaschedule ang hearing ng kaso ngayong Dec. 6 at 13.

Images and video courtesy of TV Patrol World, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.

Kitty Girls on Wowowee

Ang "Pussycat Dolls" ng Pilipinas ay nag-opening number sa Wowowee, ang Kitty Girls.



Ang Kitty Girls ay binubuo ng limang half-Filipino ladies na sina Nicole Deen, Ayana Oliva, Jocelyn Oxlade, Tanya Yuquimpo, at Veronica Scott.

Maging Sino Ka Man trailer

The most phenomenal teleserye will come back this December 10.