Storm 'Marce' in, storm signal up

e Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has reported the presence of a new storm within the Philippine area of responsibility. PAGASA named the severe weather disturbance as Tropical Storm "Marce," which was spotted at about 240 kms west of Iba, Zambales on Wednesday afternoon. In its 5 pm update, the state weather bureau said "Marce" packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near its center and a gustiness of up to 100 kph, prompting Public Warning Storm Signal #1 over Bataan and Zambales. Pagasa warns affected areas will experience 30 to 60 kph-strong winds in the next few days. Moving in a slow south southwest direction at 7 kph, the storm would reach 420 kms west of Manila by Thursday or about 630 kms west of the capital by Friday, weather forecasters said. Pagasa also warns the new storm will dump moderate to intense rainfall or 10 to 25 mm amount of rainfall in areas that will be covered by Marce’s 400-km diameter. PAGASA also warned the storm will enhance the rain activities of Southwest Monsoon, bringing in a stormy weather in the rest of Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Bicol regions.

Pinoy netizens ‘go black’ on Facebook to protest Cybercrime Law

Filipino netizens are turning their Facebook profile photos into black as a sign of protest against the controversial Cybercrime bill. A group called Philippine Internet Freedom Association is currently encouraging more people to switch to the "black" profile photo to support mounting protests against the Cybercrime law. For weeks, the debate has moved away from the political and "industry expert" circles to the citizens who are now taking action against what is perceived to be a draconian law covering the Internet. As part of a personal protest, some people also carry Facebook status messages that shows a "black bar" that is followed by "[STATUS BLOCKED] (RA NO 10175)." Senator Francis Escudero is set to file amendments to the bill on Tuesday, as he earlier admitted he made a mistake of signing this law. Earlier, Senator Teofisto Guingona who is among the more vocal opponents of the Cybercrime bill, says that the law, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, violates the Constitution. Senator Guingona hit on the law's vague provisions, including one on online libel, which can supress the citizen's right to freedom of speech and expression. Hacktivists, dubbed Anonymous Philippines, had been defacing government websites to protest the Cybercrime law, that is to take effect on October 3. Among the government websites that were hit include the National Telecommunications Commission, the Philippine Information Agency, the Food Development Center, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Metropolitcan Waterworks and Sewerage System. One of the controversial provisions of the law will throw anyone in jail for 12 years if they're found posting defamatory comments on social networks, which is a tougher penalty versus an existing libel law that applies to "traditional media." According to this Interaskyon story, there will be more government websites that will be attacked due to mounting opposition to the Cybercrime law. +++ What are your thoughts about the Cybercrime law?

Palace: Thou shall not fear cybercrime law

Hackers and not the government are the ones depriving Filipinos of Internet access, the Palace said, amid mounting protests against the Cybercrime Prevention Act which takes effect Wednesday. "[H]ackers who claim to be aligned with critics of the Cybercrime Act are the ones who have engaged in online vandalism, depriving the broader public of access to much needed government information and services online," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement. Several government websites have been crippled in the days leading to the law's Oct. 3 rollout, with netizens floating the possibility that even the government's main portal gov.ph as well as websites of the Senate and House of Representatives have been compromised. The Cybercrime Law's critics should condemn "online vandalism and bullying with as much vigor and passion," Lacierda said. "[V]igilantism harms the cause of freedom of expression and civil liberties for all netizens," he added. This, as Lacierda assured the public that the new law will not rob Filipinos of online rights. "[N]o government entity has moved to deprive anyone of access to the Internet or to suppress civil liberties as exercised online," Lacierda noted. "The Cybercrime Prevention Act was enacted by Congress to address legitimate concerns about criminal behavior on the Internet and the effects of abusive behavior," he added. Lacierda also noted that the government "recognizes and respects" proposed amendments to the law as well as efforts at raising questions about the constitutionality of some of its provisions. At least seven petitions against the new law have been filed before the Supreme Court, which said Tuesday that it will not move to block the Cybercrime Act's implementation. Senator Francis Escudero meanwhile said he will file a bill seeking to repeal the law's libel provisions, which has drawn most flak from freedom of expression advocates. "In the meantime we believe there is an opportunity for reasonable discourse between concerned stakeholders and the Department of Justice," Lacierda said. He also urged "fullest and widest participation" of stakeholders in drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Heavy rain floods parts of EDSA, Valenzuela City

Parts of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) were flooded amid heavy rain Wednesday morning, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said. In posts on its Twitter account, the MMDA said gutter-deep floods were noted along the P. Tuazon tunnel and at a portion of EDSA in Pasay City. The MMDA said the flood at P. Tuazon Tunnel was gutter-deep as of 8:51 a.m. Gutter-deep floods were also noted at the southbound part of EDSA near Zamora Street and Taft Avenue. Meanwhile, in Valenzuela City, the city government reported floods in the following areas as of 8 a.m.: Dalandandan: G. Lazaro St. (4-5 inches) Pasolo: Pasolo Road (12 inches) Bisig: Corner Bisig (3-4 inches) Isla: Corner Isla (2-3 inches) Mabolo: MH Del Pilar (11 inches); Espiritu St. (16 inches) Poblacion: In front of BFP (10 inches); VC Emergency Hospital (6-8 inches) Balangkas: P. Deato (12 inches) Malanday: MH Del Pilar Tiwala (6-8 inches) Coloong: MH Del Pilar Coloong I (4-5 inches) Tagalag: Tagalag Road (5-6 inches) Bisig: Brgy. Hall (15 inches)

A yogurt a day keeps the doctor away

Yogurt has long been recognized for it many benefits, especially when it comes to the gastrointestinal tract. Now, current research says it may also prevent high blood pressure. A study conducted at Tufts University in Boston, revealed that people who ate at least one serving of yogurt every three days had a 31% lower risk of developing hypertension versus people who avoided the stuff. The protection increased as the subjects upped their intake of this non-fat dairy product. How it lowers hypertension How can yogurt prevent hypertension? Yogurt contains probiotics. These are live microorganisms that benefit the body in several ways. The “good” organisms prevent the overgrowth of the “bad” bacteria in the intestinal canal, thus preventing diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and lactose intolerance. Recent data shows that probiotics also provide protection beyond the digestive system. They prevent certain metabolic disorders such as hypertension and even diabetes. The presence of the organisms on the surface of the intestinal cells acts as a barrier that decreases the body’s absorption of cholesterol and sugars from the food we eat. High cholesterol levels contribute to the development of high blood pressure. Photo by Yahoo! Lifestyle Entertainment Immune responses Probiotics also induce a series of immune responses to prevent the release of renin. Renin is an enzyme produced by the kidney which induces high blood pressure. Although the explanation may sound technical, the call to action is obvious: take a serving of yogurt every day to stay healthy. I’m glad there’s yogurt. An apple a day was getting to be a wee bit boring. ***

Oh-my-gulay salad suggestions

Are you on a low-carb, no-rice diet? Trying to eat healthy? Or, are you simply craving for something light for lunch or dinner? Regardless of your reason, a good alternative to "full" meals (a.k.a. rice meals) is to replace your grains with salad. You can eat as much lettuce as you like without adding much calories to your daily count. Just remember not to drown your leaves in dressing and you'll be fine. Here are a few salad ideas that are definitely not boring: Prawn Salad with Pesto Dressing. Butterfly your prawns (about 2-3 pieces per serving), season with salt and pepper and grill. Set aside and prepare your pesto dressing. Combine 3 teaspoons each of plain yogurt and olive oil and add 2 teaspoons of pesto (bottled or homemade) and mix well. Assemble your lettuce and other preferred veggies on a plate and top with the three butterflied prawns. Drizzle with a few spoonfuls of pesto dressing and serve. Grilled Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Reduction and Feta. Grill yellow and red peppers, eggplant, onions and mushrooms and set aside. Make balsamic reduction by simmering 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar until reduced and thick. Drizzle over grilled vegetables and add crumbled feta right before serving. Italian Salad. Mix lettuce with bits of mozzarella and either fresh or sundried tomatoes (both available in delis and larger supermarkets). Add a handful of basil leaves and drizzle top with olive oil and lemon. Brie Salad with Honey Vinaigrette. Cut up pieces of brie, a soft cow’s cheese available in delis and larger supermarkets, and set aside. Make honey vinaigrette dressing with 3 teaspoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper, thyme and a teaspoon of honey. Add a squeeze of lemon if you wish. Add pieces of brie and a handful of walnuts and grapes to your salad. Drizzle with honey vinaigrette and serve. Meat Lovers Salad. Can't live without your meat? Grill a few pieces of lean beef strips marinated in Korean or Japanese barbecue marinade and set aside. For dressing, combine 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, 2 teaspoons Japanese mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce and 2 teaspoons of the barbecue marinade. Add a squeeze of lime if you wish. Top salad leaves with beef strips and drizzle with dressing. Finish off with toasted sesame seeds.

Natural Wonders: Avocado

This creamy flavor-filled fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients. It helps fight cancer, keeps your heart healthy and can also delay aging. Avocado, a powerhouse of nutrients! Avocado and its nutrients: Avocados are getting popular as your neighborhood fruits vendor too has begun to stock them. This creamy, delicious fruit contain many essential nutrients such as folic acid, potassium, fiber, vitamin E, B-vitamins. In addition this fruit is known as a nutrient-booster as it aids better nutrient absorption. Health benefits of avocados: Protection against oral cancer: Research suggests that certain compounds in avocados manage to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them, without causing any harm to healthy cells. Keeps breast cancer away: Avocado also helps prevent breast cancer. Like olive oil, this fruit is high in oleic acid, which according to many studies is known to prevent breast cancer. Protects against prostate cancer: Avocado also inhibits the growth of prostate cancer. For a healthy heart: Studies show that people who eat foods rich in folate have lesser chances of developing health diseases. A cup of avocado meet b23% of the recommended value of folate, so make it a part of your daily diet to keep heart diseases at bay. Additionally, avocado contains good amounts of vitamin E, monounsaturated fats and glutathione, which are good for you heart. Prevents stroke: This fruit contents high amounts of folic acid, which as per various studies is known to help prevent strokes. Lowers cholesterol: This fruit is high in a compound called beta-sitosterol, which studies say can lower cholesterol. Another compound, oleic acid is also known to help in lowering cholesterol. Nutrient-booster: Avocados help greatly enhance your body’s ability to absorb the health-promoting carotenoids (organic pigments like lycopene and beta carotene) from vegetables. So add some slices of this yummy fruit to your salad and reap its benefits. Source of vitamin E and antioxidants: Avocados are rich in vitamin E and an antioxidant called glutathione, both these help protect the body against damage from free radicals. For healthy eyes: Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein in comparison to any other popular fruit. This compound is known to protect eyes from muscular degeneration and cataracts, both age-related eye diseases.