Monday, May 30, 2011

X - MEN: First Class (X - MEN NEW OFFERING)


X-MEN NEW OFFERING
Another exciting film is coming to unfold in the big screen this June, and it's the movie X-Men: First Class, an upcoming 2011 American superhero film directed by Matthew Vaughn. It is based on the characters appearing in Marvel Comics and is the fifth installment of the X-Men film series and prequel to X-Men. It is scheduled for release on June 1, 2011 in the UK and June 3 in the United States.

PROLOGUE OF THE MOVIE
In 1963, Charles Xavier starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr, his best friend, also known as Magneto, and his future archenemy. X-Men: First Class portrays younger versions of characters from previous Marvel movies, as well as introducing mutants not yet seen on the silver screen.
Set during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, First Class shows Dr. Xavier (played by James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) as contentious allies, training mutants to harness their newfound powers and eventually intervening in the seminal Cold War conflict.
The film will focus on the relationship of Professor X and Magneto, and also the origin of their groups, "the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants." The film stars James McAvoy as Professor X, and Michael Fassbender as Magneto. Other cast members include Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Zoë Kravitz, and Lucas Till. Mostly, the film was shot in England and other parts of the United States. Fox have envisioned this film as the first in a new trilogy. A marvelous one to see.

OVERVIEW OF THE FILM
Though intense sequences of action and violence and some sexual content including brief partial nudity and language is seen, still, this new offering is a must see movie this 2011.
I believe that an X-Men fan doesn’t need the dialog from the trailer to know that eventually Xavier and Magneto’s worldview on how to treat humans — coexistence versus elimination, respectively — drives the two main characters apart. The good and the bad apart.

Friday, May 27, 2011

DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. MIAMI HEAT Fight Results / Predictions


IT'S MIAMI HEAT VS DALLAS MAVERICKS
NBA's Western vs. Eastern Conference Finals matchup, as what we could see, is an exciting match to watch. So sitback guys and enjoy the show!! And it should be a great show for sure.

VIEWER'SPECULATION
What do you think, seven-game series? or a four straight victory?? Dallas or Miami?
Remember, both teams are playing spectacular game right now, each team's stars have been shining brightly throughout the postseason.
Having watched each team win three series, I feel like it's a toss-up for the trophy. Treating us up to Game 7 in this one.
To many, this has been an exciting, high-octane postseason, one of the best I should say as compared to other post season's finale.
For me, I'm sticking with the Miami Heat to win it all. Miami is playing so well, coming on so strong in games and closing out victories.

GAME SCHEDULES
The NBA Finals series has been moved up to begin on Tuesday, May 31.
Games 1 and 2 are both in Miami, May 31 and June 2, at 9 p.m. Eastern time.
Game 3 is set for Sunday, June 5 in Dallas at 8 p.m. EDT, and Game 4 is Tuesday, June 7 in Dallas at 9 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, will also be in Dallas, at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 9. And if necessary, Games 6 and 7 will be held in Miami, on Sunday, June 12 at 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 14 at 9 p.m.

Monday, May 23, 2011

HAROLD CAMPING'S RAPTURE, ANOTHER FAILURE


AFTER MAY 21
After what transpired last weekend, it's really hard to feel bad for someone whose doomsday predictions, like what happened in 1994, have caused so much anxiety, but for Camping's recent admission, this sounds somewhat pitiful.

GONE HOME
Emerging from his Alameda, California home for the first time to talk to a reporter, he said "It has been a really tough weekend," it's really tough though that he still emerged after this second failed prediction.
The group is "disappointed" that 200 million true believers weren't lifted up to heaven on Saturday while everyone else suffered and eventually died as a series of earthquakes and famine destroyed the Earth. Many were truly dissapointed thinking that the group even posted 2,000 billboards around the country warning of the rapture, while Camping--an uncertified fundamentalist minister, still - spread the word on his radio show.

FAMILY RADIO TODAY
Camping's Family Radio, which airs on 66 U.S. stations, has apparently rebranded itself quickly.
Some of his followers say, he was still holding out hope that they were one day off. Another believer asserted that their prayers worked: God delayed judgment so that more people could be saved, but the end is 'imminent,'"
Now, withstanding all that happened, would Family Radio reimburse their followers who spent their savings in anticipation of the rapture, but that's a big question, and they can't guarantee it.

PROTESTERS AGAINST CAMPING
Protesters gathered outside Camping's radio headquarters to mock the false prophecy over the weekend. Some of them set aloft a toy cow with balloons to lampoon the idea that a select elite would ascend to heaven. Meanwhile, other religious groups tried to recruit disappointed Camping followers.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Harold Camping May 21 Rapture


Who is Harold Camping?
A U.S. evangelical broadcaster, a civil engineer who ran his own construction business before turning to evangelism, predicts that Judgment Day will come on Saturday - May 21, expecting to stay close to a TV or radio station to monitor the unfolding events in his so called - "apocalypse".
Who would forget Harold Camping, 89, who previously made a failed prediction that Jesus Christ would return to Earth in the year 1994? Barely 17 years ago. This year, Camping says he is sure that an earthquake will shake the Earth on Saturday, sweeping true believers to heaven and leaving others (unbelievers) behind to be engulfed in the world's destruction over a few months, and unto the lake of fire.

No Doubt at All
For him, "without any shadow of a doubt this thing is going to happen," said Camping. For his supporters, they have posted around 2,200 billboards around the United States regarding the coming apocalypse, and about dozens of followers are driving across the country to spread the news.
He even had volunteers handing out pamphlets and warning about May 21 as far as the Philippines, telling people that God had left clear signs that the world was coming to an end.

1994 vs. May 21st Predictions?
Like his last failed prediction, Camping's doomsday date is also based on his reading of the Bible and a so-called timeline dating back to ancient events including the time of Noah's Ark.

Impact to many Christians
To many, Christians, believers or unbelievers alike, Camping's pronouncement of a specific date for the apocalypse puts him outside the Christian mainstream.
But his contention that the souls of believers will leave their bodies and enter heaven in a rapture is a well known doctrine within many Christian churches today.

My Point of View
Let just wait and see whether his predictions would unfold, or his predictions would again be a failure, for me, what's truly important is, we should learn from our mistakes, for if we failed to do so, history would truly repeats itself - as what happened in the time of Noah, only eight survived the great flood.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

End of the World May 21st?


May 21, 2011 may seem random, but according to Harold Camping, the president of Family Radio, a religious broadcaster based in California, it is based on a numerical analysis. He quotes:

"According to Genesis, when the flood occurred in the year 4990, God told Noah that in seven days he would destroy the earth," Manny explained. "And he destroyed it in seven days."
"But Peter quoted God saying: 'I know that one day for me is like a thousand years.' So 4990 plus 7001 years (the equivalent of seven days) equals 2011," he explained.
Not only that, May 21 coincides with the 17th day of the second month of the calendar used during the Biblical flood, according to Camping.

And now, barely a day before May 21, many are waiting, asking themselves, is it the end of the world? seriously, if I were to answer that question, after reading Camping's personal interpretation, I would categorically say NO.... and why? simply because it's not the end of the world yet. But I should say, however, that the end of the world is truly near.

THE END IS NEAR
Today as we hear and watch the news happening around the globe, many are asking when is the end of the world? others might answer, or say, it's on May 21st, some would say its on 2012.

IS May 21st Doomsday?
As one evangelist predicted, he said, that the world ending is on Saturday, May 21st. Many reacted, personally they say that it's a big NO. While his followers on his radio network are running hundreds of billboards across the country, extolling that the apocalypse is very near. Causing panics to many.

NOT A NEW THING ANYMORE
Doomsday, End of the World, Christ's 2nd Advent, are not new to our ears, for many false preachers today predicted the exact date of the end of the world or "doomsday" - but nothing happened. As a result, many dissapointed followers left and never returned to their churches. But today, it's a different thing. If it doesn't happen, disappointed/unfulfilled believers will then come out and have a party for them, it is "a big nonsense." As one billboard suggests, Rapture: You Know It's Nonsense: 2000 Years of "Any Day Now!"

IMPENDING DANGER ON THE PUBLIC
There's a societal danger involved especially when people (believers, faithfuls) sell their belongings or liquidate their assets to support apocalyptic
crusades, like what happened to Howard Camping's Family Radio Network, indicative of the problems with their religion.

WHAT MUST WE DO?
While we are all waiting for the so-called "DOOMSDAY", still, we are obliged to continue focusing our minds on how to solve many social, political, economic and environmental problems that the world face today, but above all, its our moral obligation to have ourselves spiritually prepared and well equipped come Judgment Day - IN ORDER TO BE SAVED. Let us turn back ourselves unto God and follow His commandments, seek first the kingdom of God, and the rest would be added to us by God through His unwavering love and blessings.

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT DOOMSDAY OR THE END OF THE WORLD
If we are to ask the Bible, quoting the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, it says:

"No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come--neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows. The coming of the Son of Man will be like what happened in the time of Noah. In the days before the flood people ate and drank, men and women married, up to the very day Noah went into the boat; yet they did not realize what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Two women will be at a mill grinding meal: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.
MATTHEW 24:36-44 Today's English Version

From what we see, after quoting the words of God from the Bible, I am truly certain that it is God alone, who knows the exact time and date of Christ's 2nd Advent.
Only the Father knows. "No one" as in nobody, and that includes me, you, and Camping's family radio. And not anyone can give their own interpretation on what is written in the Bible.

According to Apostle Paul,

"And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!"
Romans 10:15 RSV

"Let us give glory to God! He is able to make you stand firm in your faith, according to the Good News I preach about Jesus Christ and according to the revelation of the secret truth which was hidden for long ages in the past."
Romans 16:25 TEV

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

What the Bible Says: About Purgatory



Purgatory defined by Catholics

In accordance with Catholic teaching, it is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions, or sins.



What is Temporal punishment?

According to Catholics, Temporal punishment is due to sin, even after the sin itself has been pardoned by God, is clearly the teaching of Scripture. God indeed brought man out of his first

disobedience and gave him power to govern all things, but still condemned him "to eat his bread in the sweat of his brow" until he returned unto dust. God forgave the incredulity of Moses and Aaron, but in punishment kept them from the "land of promise". The Lord took away the sin of David, but the life of the child was forfeited because David had made God's enemies blaspheme His Holy Name. In the New Testament as well as in the Old, almsgiving and fasting, and in general penitential acts are the real fruits of repentance. The whole penitential system of the Church testifies that the voluntary assumption of penitential works has always been part of true repentance and the Council of Trent reminds the faithful that God does not always remit the whole punishment due to sin together with the guilt. God requires satisfaction, and will punish sin, and this doctrine involves as its necessary consequence a belief that the sinner failing to do penance in this life may be punished in another world, and so not be cast off eternally

from God.



What is Venial sin?

According to Catholics,All sins are not equal before God, nor dare anyone assert that the daily faults of human frailty will be punished with the same severity that is meted out to serious violation of God's law. On the other hand whosoever comes into God's presence must be perfectly pure for in the strictest sense His "eyes are too pure, to behold evil". For unrepented venial faults for the payment of temporal punishment due to sin at time of death, the Church has always taught the doctrine of purgatory.



If we are to seek the true teachings from the Holy Scriptures, what does the Bible say about the doctrine taught by the Catholics regarding purgatory?



"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun."

ECCLESIASTES 9:5-6 NKJV



We cannot read it in the Bible: such idea is against the teachings of God. So what is the essence of praying the rosary for the dead?



But why can't the dead benefit from whatever the living do?



"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish"

PSALMS 146:4 KJV



Let us remember that the dead have no more thoughts, so Biblically speaking, the dead can not benefit from whatever we do under the sun.So it is wrong to say that men will receive his reward right after he ceases his breath.



When will the rewarding of men take place?



"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: MATTHEW 25:31-34, 41 NKJV



Let us remember that the rewarding of men will take place only on the second coming of Christ, there is no third place or purgatory.

The doctrine about Purgatory is indeed against the teachings of the Bible. Adding such is against God's will like what is writen in:



"Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." - DEUTERONOMY 12:32 NKJV

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

PACQUIAO VS. MARQUEZ Fight Results / Predictions


PACQUIAO MARQUEZ THIRD OFFERING
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, best pound for pound fighter, will be facing another exciting boxer, Juan Manuel Marquez, in a boxing encounter that many consider as the most exciting fight this year taking place in Las Vegas on Nov. 12, 2011.
Promoter Bob Arum confirmed it and said this fight is almost finalized, and once again, his opponent will not be Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Instead, Pacquiao is in the process of signing a contract for a third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

HOW MUCH WOULD THIS FIGHT COST?
According to the news, this fight would pay Marquez at least $5 million at a catch weight of 144 pounds or 65 kgs.
Once the contract is signed, Golden Boy Promotions, Marquez Promoter, still must provide its final "approval and consent" for the fight to take place. It is believed Top Rank and Golden Boy have agreed to a deal to make Marquez fight boxing legend Pacquiao.

MARQUEZ VS. PACQUIAO
Juan Manuel Marquez, who will turn 38 in August this year, fought Pacquiao to a draw in 2004 and lost a split decision in 2008, and has since coveted a third try at the Filipino champ. Marquez was soundly defeated by Mayweather in 2009.
Manny Pacquiao, who battered Shane Mosley in a unanimous decision last May 7, currently holds the WBO welterweight title, and has not lost a fight since 2005. Pacquiao has won 14 matches in a row and has won titles in a record breaking eight different weight classes.

BOXING WELL WISHERS
The boxing world has long wished for a dream matchup of Pacquiao against Mayweather Jr., but that fight has not materialized. Both sides have accused the other of holding up a deal to determine whose the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

FIGHT OVERVIEW
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Fight Results Predictions
What's your Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight results prediction? Share your comment below and make exciting insights on the forthcoming fight.

MAY 21st DOOMSDAY, MALAYAN 2012: NOT BIBLICAL


This news is widely spreading everywhere, doomsday, judgment day, or the 2nd Advent, different names, but only one meaning: The End of the World.

HOW DID IT ALL BEGAN?
One evangelist predicted that the world ending is on Saturday, May 21st. Followers on his radio network are running hundreds of billboards across the country, extolling that the apocalypse is very near.
As a result, to others, If it doesn't happen, disappointed/unfulfilled believers will have a party. Counter-billboards are now rising to point at what they see as "a big nonsense." It says, "The Rapture: You Know It's Nonsense: 2000 Years of "Any Day Now!" Similar signs are in Houston, Wichita, Kan., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

WHAT OTHERS SAY?
There's also a societal danger involved especially when people (believers, faithfuls) sell their belongings or liquidate their assets to support apocalyptic
crusades,like what happened to Howard Camping's Family Radio Network. To others, they feel that Camping's well-intentioned rapture campaign is indicative of the problems with religion.
To many, instead of focusing on how to solve the many social, political, economic and environmental problems we face today, he appealed to fear and a sense of defeatism.

MALAYAN 2012 CALENDAR
With humanity coming up fast on 2012, publishers are helping readers gear up and count down to this mysterious — some even call it apocalyptic — date that ancient Mayan societies were anticipating thousands of years ago.

MALAYAN CALENDAR DEFINED
"For the ancient Maya, it was a huge celebration to make it to the end of a whole cycle," To render Dec. 21, 2012, as a doomsday or moment of cosmic shifting, it is "a complete fabrication and a chance for a lot of people to cash in."
Part of the 2012 mystique stems from the stars. On the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years. This means that "whatever energy typically streams to Earth from the center of the Milky Way will indeed be disrupted on 12/21/12 at 11:11 p.m. Universal Time, they say it's the doomsday.

WHAT OTHERS SAY?
Many Scholars today doubt the ancient Maya extrapolated great meaning from anticipating the alignment — if they were even aware of what the configuration would be.
Even Astronomers generally agree that "it would be impossible the Maya themselves would have known that," What's more, Astronomers say "we have no record or knowledge that they would think the world would come to an end at that point."

WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
If we are to ask the Bible, quoting the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, it says:

"No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come--neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows. The coming of the Son of Man will be like what happened in the time of Noah. In the days before the flood people ate and drank, men and women married, up to the very day Noah went into the boat; yet they did not realize what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Two women will be at a mill grinding meal: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.
MATTHEW 24:36-44 Today's English Version

Friday, May 13, 2011

Are You Truly Wealthy?


TOP BILLIONAIRES
For many, every year they are waiting for the so-called Billionaires List, and for many, Bill Gates didn't lose his title as the world's richest man last year; for we know that he gave it away by plowing billions into his charitable foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which focuses on global health and development and U.S. education.

FORBE'S TOP TEN
And now, as Forbes will release its 2011 billionaires list on Wednesday and Gates, investor Warren Buffett and last year's richest man, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, will almost certainly be in the top three. But let us remeber, it would be no contest if Microsoft co-founder Gates had not already given away more than a third of his wealth to their foundation. With Gates, now currently worthing about $49 billion, behind Slim, whose fortune was estimated at $60 billion. Buffett, also a philanthropist, is now worth some $47 billion. But had Gates not given away any money, he would be worth $88 billion, but Gates and his wife Melinda have so far given $28 billion to their foundation, so far the largest in the United States.

2010 BILLIONAIRES
Last year, Forbes' 2010 billionaires list put Gates' fortune at $53 billion, but he was knocked into second spot by Slim's $53.5 billion, losing the crown for only the second time since 1995. Slim has said businessmen do more good by creating jobs and wealth through investment, " and not by being Santa
Claus," and while he has still pledged several billion dollars to charity, his efforts have been a fraction of Gates', being a philanthropist.
Buffett, who Forbes ranked as the third richest man in the world last year with $47 billion, has also pledged almost all of his fortune to the Gates Foundation and has given $8 billion to the organization since 2006.
But Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has fared better than Gates' Microsoft. Microsoft shares now trade about where they were a decade ago, while Berkshire shares have roughly doubled. Since the end of 2009, Microsoft shares have fallen 16 percent, while Berkshire shares are up 29 percent. Slim's major companies, which include Mexico's former state telecoms monopoly Telmex, have also seen gains in their stock prices.

PHILANTHROPIC INFLUENCE PAVED ITS WAY
Gates and Buffett have joined forces to encourage other billionaires to publicly pledge to give away at least 50 percent of their wealth during their lifetimes or upon their death as part of a campaign called "The Giving Pledge".
Glen Macdonald, president of the Wealth and Giving Forum, said Gates' philanthropy had influenced the way other rich people in the United States approach their own philanthropy.
Now, 59 billionaires have joined The Giving Pledge, publishing their letter at www.givingpledge.org. The campaign does not accept any money nor tell people how to give away their wealth, it just asks for a moral commitment. For Paul Schervish, director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, said Gates' influence had been "dramatic" and likened philanthropy to a gem, saying Gates was "changing the facets by learning and teaching others."

For Schervish, "He would be the first to admit that he is not the origin of the movement, of all the ideas in the movement, for which he is a leader,"
"One of the things we're dramatically finding is (many more) people beginning foundations and endowing them at higher levels while they are still alive," he said.

TRUE WEALTH VS. EARTHLY WEALTH
For many, their utmost importance is inclined in gaining money, wealth and power, but if we are to ask the Bible, hear what it says:

"Does a person gain anything if he wins the whole world but loses his life? Of course not! There is nothing he can give to regain his life."
MARK 8:36-37 Today's English Version

What is more important than gaining wealth?

"I am the door, anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe"
JOHN 10:9 Revised English Bible

The flock or the fold referred to is the Church of Christ,

"Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, overwhich the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, to feed the church of Christ which he has purchased with his blood."
ACTS 20:28 LAMSA Translation

Let us remember that come the day of Judgment, no money or wealth can save men, as it says:

"The great day of the LORD is near--very near and coming fast! That day will be bitter, for even the bravest soldiers will cry out in despair!
On the day when the LORD shows his fury, not even all their silver and gold will save them. The whole earth will be destroyed by the fire of his anger. He will put an end--a sudden end--to everyone who lives on earth."
ZEPHANIAH 1:14, 18 Today's English Version

For our true wealth is with God, if we're His sons and daughters,

"God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory."
ROMANS 8:16-17 Today's English Version

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Transformers 3)


After 2 part series, the movie TRANSFORMERS is now coming with its 3rd offering, Transformers: Dark of the Moon will be released on July 1, for sure it’s going to be a good day when you wake up seeing a teaser trailer for the new Transformers movie in your inbox. For those who saw Michael Bay’s Transformers: Dark of the Moon, starring Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel and Patrick Dempsey, and want to tell everyone about it. The teaser was played in 3D at a large convention called the Giornate Professionali di Cinema di Sorrento in Sorrento, Italy.
The teaser is rumored to be attached to The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader and TRON: Legacy in the coming weeks.

I have seen the Transformers: Dark of the Moon, teaser trailer, where it plays on conspiracy theories related to the moon landing. First part of the movie alternates images of the control room at NASA and of the astronauts on the moon. The landing is what we know well, including some of the famous words about the “giant leap for mankind.” But what we did not know was the journey of the astronauts to the dark side of the moon, until the control room tells them that “… we are not alone.” Then there we see some Transformers. Then the camera comes close to the eye of one of them, which starts to flash. But the camera does not stop, and takes us inside the robot and its mechanisms, making us understand that it’s coming back into action. They added that, without any real action or film footage, it’s hard to understand the quality of 3D in the movie but they felt the idea it presents is presented well.

For me, this trailer sounds almost exactly like teaser for the first Transformers film where a Mars rover finds a robot on that planet. The problem is, if they found Transformers on Mars in the first movie, that obviously happened way after the Moon landing, so just from a space exploration perspective, it doesn’t make much sense for a Moon movie to be after a Mars movie. Accidentally, that would lead us to believe that the government had interaction with Transformers before Sam crossed paths with Optimus Prime in addition to the whole Megatron thing, Hoover Dam operation. Those guys acted like they’d never seen a Transformer alive before and this trailer seems to go against that. Sad thing though. Hopefully, as we see more from the movie, my confusion clears up.

What do you think of this description? Does it get you excited for the film? Are you surprised there’s no real footage? And how this movie will relate to the first one?
And just as a reminder, here’s the original Transformers teaser trailer that this new teaser for Transformers: Dark of the Moon is obviously playing off of.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: On Family Planning


Family planning through the use of artificial methods is not wrong. In fact, it is accordance with the will of God. Remember when God created the first man and woman, He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth with people. But in due time, though, God commands man to "subdue it" or curb the population:

"Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
GENESIS 1:28 NKJV

Thus it is right to use artificial methods as legitimate means of spacing the birth of children or limiting their number as long as these methods are not abortifacients or methods inducing abortion. A married couple can agree as to what contraceptives to use after seeking advice from a medical expert.

Why not use the rhythm method?
Rhythm or the so-called "natural method" is against the Bible because it runs counter to apostolic teachings:

"Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
I CORINTHIANS 7:5 NKJV

Aside from being an ineffective form of contraceptive and a cause for strife between couples due to the long period of abstinence, the rhythm method is against the commandment of God. For this reason, it is wrong to advise anyone to use such method. Instead, one can use the artificial means of contraception.

Remember, with the widespread economic crisis today, parents with low income will find it hard to meet all the needs of a large family. Thus, it is right to say that with correct family planning, responsible parenthood can now be achieved as an integral part of our ever-growing populace.

What the Bible Says: PURGATORY


Purgatory defined by Catholics
In accordance with Catholic teaching, it is a place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God's grace, are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions, or sins.

What is Temporal punishment?
Temporal punishment is due to sin, even after the sin itself has been pardoned by God, is clearly the teaching of Scripture. God indeed brought man out of his first
disobedience and gave him power to govern all things, but still condemned him "to eat his bread in the sweat of his brow" until he returned unto dust. God forgave the incredulity of Moses and Aaron, but in punishment kept them from the "land of promise". The Lord took away the sin of David, but the life of the child was forfeited because David had made God's enemies blaspheme His Holy Name. In the New Testament as well as in the Old, almsgiving and fasting, and in general penitential acts are the real fruits of repentance. The whole penitential system of the Church testifies that the voluntary assumption of penitential works has always been part of true repentance and the Council of Trent reminds the faithful that God does not always remit the whole punishment due to sin together with the guilt. God requires satisfaction, and will punish sin, and this doctrine involves as its necessary consequence a belief that the sinner failing to do penance in this life may be punished in another world, and so not be cast off eternally from God.

What is Venial sin?
All sins are not equal before God, nor dare anyone assert that the daily faults of human frailty will be punished with the same severity that is meted out to serious violation of God's law. On the other hand whosoever comes into God's presence must be perfectly pure for in the strictest sense His "eyes are too pure, to behold evil". For unrepented venial faults for the payment of temporal punishment due to sin at time of death, the Church has always taught the doctrine of purgatory.

If we are to seek the true teachings from the Holy Scriptures, what does the Bible say about the doctrine taught by the Catholics regarding purgatory?

"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun."
ECCLESIASTES 9:5-6 NKJV

We cannot read it in the Bible: such idea is against the teachings of God. So what is the essence of praying the rosary for the dead?

But why can't the dead benefit from whatever the living do?

"His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish"
PSALMS 146:4 KJV

Let us remember that the dead have no more thoughts, so Biblically speaking, the dead can not benefit from whatever we do under the sun.So it is wrong to say that men will receive his reward right after he ceases his breath.

When will the rewarding of men take place?

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: MATTHEW 25:31-34, 41 NKJV

Let us remember that the rewarding of men will take place only on the second coming of Christ, there is no third place or purgatory.
The doctrine about Purgatory is indeed against the teachings of the Bible. Adding such is against God's will like what is writen in:

"Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." - DEUTERONOMY 12:32 NKJV

Sunday, May 8, 2011

POUND FOR POUND KING DOMINATES SUGAR SHANE MOSLEY


ANOTHER VICTORY FOR PACMAN
Again and again, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, pound for pound king, dominated the fight over Sugar Shane Mosley to retain his World Boxing Organization welterweight title via a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

THE FIGHTING FILIPINO ATHLETE
Manny Pacquiao repeatedly attacked Mosley, peppering him with sharp combinations, forcing the American to be on the defensive for much of the bout. Pacman floored Mosley in the third round with a right straight-left hook combination from which Mosley never fully recovered. Now, after tasting the sting of Pacquiao's punches, the former three-division champion rarely went on the offensive, and have spent much of his time anticipating where Pacquiao's next blows would come from. Sad thing for Mosley.

THE VERDICT
After the bout, three judges scored it 120-107, 120-108, and 119-107. A sure unanimous victory of Manny Pacman Pacquiao over the ill fated American boxer.

THE DEFENSIVE AND COUNTER-OFFENSIVE SIDE
But then, Mosley was credited with a knockdown in the 10th round after Pacquiao fell back on his behind. Replays showed that Pacquiao was pushed and it also appeared Mosley was stepping on Pacquiao's foot. Pacquiao was so dominating that round that based on the official scorecards, none of the judges gave Mosley the standard 10-8 score. Another sad thing for Mosley.

ANALYST'S POINT OF VIEW
For the sports analyst, it was all Pacquiao. Mosley was never into the fight, unable to get any type of offense going and at times already cringing even before a Pacquiao punch landed. My friends say that "based on a yahoo article, it said that Mosley got $5 million... you know that even after all the taxes and fees are paid, he at least made $2 million... but come on, at least stand toe-to-toe boxing a person if you're gonna net about $2 million... all he did was run around trying to survive. A friend of mine added, "Maybe, Mosley didn't want to get his face busted. after he was knocked down so he just ran around."

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE?
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, the fighting congressman from Sarangani is slated to face Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12, while the 39-year-old Mosley will likely retire after losing badly for the second time in his last three fights. For Pacquiao, he improved his record to 54-3-2 while Mosley slipped to 46-7-1 with one no-contest

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Manny Pacquiao vs. Sugar Shane Mosley Fight Results / Predictions

Pacquiao vs. Mosley Fight Result
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, the so called best pound for pound fighter, will be facing another exciting boxer, Sugar Shane Mosley, in a boxing encounter that many consider as the best fight of the year. This will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, May 7, 2011 (May 8 in the Philippines).

Pacquiao urged his fans
Manny Pacman has asked his fans to wear yellow clothing for the fight to promote a “team sports” environment among the sold-out crowd for Pacman's title contention.

“The biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country. This Saturday I will wear yellow gloves as a symbol of hope and poverty. And I would like to invite you all to wear yellow. We have to be united”, utterred Manny Pacquiao in a conference Wednesday.

Pacquiao, an prominent figure in the Philippines, where he was elected representative for the Sarangani region last year firmyly believe that this yellow theme could make for a spectacular visual scene in Las Vegas, with most of the people expected to comprise Pacquiao fan base.

“It will make my heart happy to see yellow colors in the crowd,” according to Pacquiao.

“It will be a beautiful and special thing for everyone to unite in this way, with boxing, and hope and charity. It will be like everyone is supporting a team, like in basketball”, he added.

For Mosley, he is expected to wear red gloves as per usual in his ambitious intention to cause what his advisor James Prince admits would be the “biggest upset in the history of boxing.”

Freddie Roach ask Pacquiao to knockout Mosley
Roach believe that in order to make the victory against Mosley more appealing, he needs to send the future hall of famer Mosley to the canvass to be the first ever fighter to do such.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Sugar Shane Mosley Fight Results Predictions
What's your Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight results prediction? Share your comment below and make exciting insights on the fight.

Monday, May 2, 2011

LIVING HEALTHY: SAVING BABIES FROM MENTAL RETARDATION


FAQ's About New Born Screening

What is newborn screening or (NBS)?
It is a simple procedure, a way to find out if a baby has a congenital metabolic disorder that may lead to mental retardation or even death if untreated.

Why NBS is important?
Babies with metabolic disorders look "normal" at birth. By doing NBS, metabolic disorders may be detected even before clinical signs and symptoms are present. As a result, treatment can be given early so as to prevent consequences of untreated state.

When it is done?
New Born Screening is ideally done on the 48th - 72nd hour of life. However, it may also be done 24 hours from birth.

How is it done?
For a few drops of blood taken from the baby's heel, blotted on a special absorbent filter card and then sent to Newborn Screening Center.

Who will collect the sample for newborn screening?
The blood sample may be collected by the following: physician, nurse, medical technologist or a trained midwife.

Where is newborn screening available?
It is available in hospitals, Lying-in Clinics, Rural Health Unit, and Health Centers.

How can results be claimed?
Results can be claimed from the health facility where NBS was done. Normal NBS results are available 7 - 14 working days from the time samples are received at the Newborn Screening Center. Positive NBS results are then relayed to the parents immediately by the health facility. Please ensure that the address and phone number supplied to the health facility are correct.

What is the meaning of the Newborn Screening result?
A negative screen means that the Newborn Screening result is normal.
A positive screen means that the newborn must be brought back to his/her health practitioner for further testing.

Why do some babies need to be retested?
Here are some possible reasons for retesting:
- If the sample was taken less than 24 hours from birth.
- If there is a problem with the the blood sample.
- If the first test showed a possible health problem

Remember, your attending health practitioner will contact you if your baby needs to be retested. Get it done right away to avoid the baby from serious illnesses.

What should be done when a baby has a positive Newborn Screening result?
Babies with positive results should be referred at once to a specialist for confirmatory testing and further management.

HELP US SAVE THE 33,000 BABIES AFFECTED BY ANY OF THESE DISORDERS:
1. Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) - results from lack or absence of thyroid hormone which is essential for the physical and mental development of a child. Baby with CH may suffer from growth and mental retardation if not detected or if hormone replacement is not initiated within two weeks.
2. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) - a endocrine disorder that causes severe salt loss, dehydration and abnormally high levels of male sex hormones in both boys and girls. If not treated early, babies with CAH may die within 7-14 days.
3. Galactosemia (GAL) - a condition in which babies are unable to process galactose, the sugar present in milk. Accumulation of excessive galactose in the body can cause many problems, such as liver damage, brain damage and cataracts.
4. Phenylketonuria (PKU) - is a rare condition in which the baby cannot properly use one of the building blocks of protein called phenylalanine. Excessive accumulation of phenylalanine in the blood causes brain damage.
5. Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (G6PD def) - is a condition where the body lacks the enzyme called G6PD. Babies with this deficiency may have hemolytic anemia resulting from exposure to oxidative substances found in drugs, foods and chemicals.

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