One of my best buddies, Tipin, or Stephen S. Galaga is currently celebrating his birthday today! He turns 18 today.

Before anything else, I want to sing a birthday song to you:

•Happy Birthday Tipin,

Happy Birthday Tipin,

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Tipin! •

So Tip, where are we going to celebrate today?

You can greet him through his friendster

MANILA, Philippines — (UPDATE) The television network of a news team that was abducted in Sulu by alleged members of Abu Sayyaf paid P3 million in ransom for the release of their staff, the lawyer for the accused disclosed Monday.

Based on the affidavits submitted by witnesses, ABS-CBN paid the ransom for the release of its reporter Ces Drilon, her two cameramen, and a professor who was supposed to be their guide in the province where they were hoping to secure an interview with a known leader of the Abu Sayyaf, said Firdausi Abbas.

The ABS-CBN money was on top of the P2 million given by the family of Drilon, and another P15 million by still unidentified people who were identified as “Madame X” and Mr. X,” said Abbas, lawyer for the accused Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji and his son Haider.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, however, Bong R. Osorio, ABS-CBN head of corporate communications, said the network “stands by its ‘no ransom’ policy.”

“We are cooperating fully with the police and are confident that any credible and thorough investigation will bear us out,” the statement said.

ABS-CBN had said that it would stick to its no-ransom policy because paying ransom would only "embolden kidnap for ransom groups to abduct other journalists, putting more lives at risk."

On the first day of the Department of Justice’s preliminary investigation Monday, Drilon, her crew Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama were asked if they would submit a supplemental affidavit or would amend the one they had filed as Abbas argued that the affidavits of the victims did not point to the Isnajis as their captors.

Abbas also said the affidavits were not complaints, which would make the kidnapping charges against the Isnajis weak.

Drilon’s camp asked Senior State Prosecutor Minette Delos Santos to reserve the right to submit a supplemental affidavit, which the prosecutor said would be forfeited if they would fail to do so in five days.

Delos Santos also summoned Philippine Star writer, Tanya Lara, for an interview she had conducted with Drilon.

The hearing was reset to either June 30 if Drilon would submit a supplemental affidavit or July 7 if they would not amend their affidavits.

Meanwhile, the Isanjis will continue to stay at Camp Crame’s Custodial Center.

Drilon, her team, and professor Octavio Dinampo were kidnapped by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group last June 8.

Valderama was released last June 12 upon payment of “board and lodging fee” while Drilon, Encarnacion, and Dinampo were freed last June 17.

Authorities had claimed that no ransom was paid.

The Isnajis were accused of pocketing P3 million of the P5 million alleged ransom money and handed over P2 million to the band that had held Drilon.

Razon said bases for this claim were several pieces of evidence gathered by the PNP, including a photo showing the Isnajis and other officials counting the supposed ransom money.

Jessica Alba’s costars Justin Timberlake and Mike Myers in The Love Guru showered the new mom with well-wishes Monday.

"Congratulations Jessica!" said Timberlake at a press day in L.A. for the comedy. "She seems very patient, and I would assume that’s what it takes to be a good mother, a good parent for that matter."

Alba, 27, and her husband Cash Warren, 31, welcomed daughter Honor Marie Warren on Saturday in Los Angeles.

"Honor Marie – that’s a cool name," Timberlake says. "I’m happy for them. It’s beautiful."

"She’ll be a great mother," adds Myers. "She’s smart, she’s talented and she’s one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever worked with."

And Guru costar Romany Malco says, "I would see her as being the type of mom who’s hip, hot, and at the same time very stern."

LU! India has released its official statement last 18^th of May 2008, announcing that they, in coordination with LU! Philippines will be merging Indian Ragnarok Online to our very own Philippine Ragnarok Online. According to their statement, the said move was done “to ensure that the quality of experience does not suffer“. Starting May 20, 2008, Ragnarok India’s servers will be down to give way to the start of the migration of the Indian Ragnarok Servers to Philippine Ragnarok Servers. The full details of the said merger are yet to be announced soon.

As LU! India released its official statement; concerns have been raised both from the Indian and the Filipino Ragnarok players. Ragnarok India now is only currently at Episode 11: Einbroch, The City Of Steel, while Ragnarok Philippines is now getting geared up for Episode 17: Nameless Island. The big gap between the patches of Ragnarok India and Philippines will mean that Ragnarok India players will have much coping and adjusting to do, in terms of character builds, weaponry and armor, and other in game concerns. Another of the concerns is the language and cultural barrier that both sides will be experiencing once the merger has been done. How would the two factions communicate with effectively to each other? Using English may be an answer to this concern, but we know that not all Indians and Filipinos are well versed with the language, and this might cause misunderstanding between the two factions. Both Ragnarok India and Philippine players are also concerned about the server in which Ragnarok India will be merged, for it will greatly affect the server’s performance, population and economy. Meanwhile, one of the biggest concerns of the Ragnarok Philippines players is the effect of the said merger to Ragnarok Philippine Championships 2008, for if the current Ragnarok India server will be merged with one of the Ragnarok Philippine servers now, it will surely make a big change for the championship season of that server. These are just some of the issues accompanying the said merger.

As of now, LU! Philippines is yet to release their official statement about the said merger. According to a reliable source, the said merger is indeed going to happen. The details are still being finalized both by LU! India and LU! Philippines.

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For more info:

Two of the biggest games of the year have finally arrived and they could not be more different.

read more | digg story

BERLIN (AP) — German luxury carmaker Porsche SE has filed a criminal complaint with authorities regarding a suspected attempt to eavesdrop on chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking, the company said Sunday.

read more | digg story

Megan Fox surpassed the sexy likes of Jessica Biel, Katharine Heigl and Scarlett Johansson on FHM’s annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll among FHM readers, who anticipated her to be “poised to take Hollywood by storm for many years to come.” Megan Fox, the 21-year-old model/actress who had her big break with Michael Bay’s box office smash “Transformers,” as the love interest of Shia LaBeouf’s character, was voted Sexiest Woman in the World for 2008 by FHM readers - nearly 9 million votes were cast for the 14th edition of the annual poll, the magazine said. Fox debuted on the annual list in 2006 at No. 68 and ranked at No. 65 in 2007. This year however she managed to oust 2007’s Sexiest, “Fantastic Four” star Jessica Alba, who fell two places to No. 3. Jessica Biel was voted No. 2. Also in the top ten are, in descending order, Elisha Cuthbert, Scarlett Johansson, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hilary Duff, Tricia Helfer, Blake Lively and Kate Beckinsale. Angelina Jolie came twelfth, Rihanna fourteenth, Natalie Portman twenty-fifth and Adriana Lima thirty-sixth. “Juno” star and Academy Award nominee Ellen Page entered the list at No. 61, well appreciated for making pregnancy “funnier and more attractive” while at the same time boasting an “all-action ability in her locker, notably as Kitty Pride in X Men: The Last Stand.” The Queen of Pop entered the poll at No. 87, for proving, says the magazine, “to be an ageless wonder.” The readers enjoyed Madonna’s latest video with Justin Timberlake, “4 Minutes,” where she “proves she can still fill out a skin-tight body suit.” In other places, Lindsay Lohan ranked sixteenth, Heidi Klum came in at No. 22, Latin superstar Shakira at No. 55 and Playboy star Pamela Anderson, without whom it is “unfathomable” to concoct the FHM 100 Sexiest, at No. 75, as she is “still every bit the slice of busty perfection we fell in love with in that red swimsuit.” Britney Spears came in last place at No. 100. The magazine acknowledges it has been “a rough year for the world’s most Googled woman” and muses that the glory days when she topped this poll seem “but a distant sexy memory.”

Shock, grief, anger, betrayal. These were the feelings that swept through the Idoldome after the stunning dismissal of Carly Smithson, the contestant this column has called the most electrifying in Idol history. But the tidal wave of horrified feelings was entirely in the audience. On stage Carly Smithson herself, always the most spirited and nurturing of this year’s contestants, stayed upbeat and even cheery as she said her goodbyes and took a last look around from the Idol stage, knowing perhaps that for a talent such as hers, now that it has been loosed to the world, the journey is only beginning. It is the funny thing about mortality –- we never ever have enough time. Although there is only a month left in this marathon, and although the spots on the Nokia stage are in all likelihood locked up by Davids Cook and Archuleta, meaning that all the others will meet their ends very soon, Carly’s departure brings floods of anger and sadness. While there was still a hope, while there were still lesser candidates on the field, it seems impossible to let go of every moment we might have spent with Carly on the Idol stage. After the show, the crowd shook with resentment towards perceived undeserving survivors, akin the impotent frustration of people on the losing end of a stolen election. But such is why American Idol remains so compelling in its seventh season - this ability to summon such emotion from its various partisans, even when they are miserable, only fuels its strength. From the beginning, there was an odd, jittery feeling in the Idoldome, presaging strange things to come. This deep into the season, the stakes for each elimination are all the higher, driving the collective nerves to new heights. Before the top of the show each week the judges play a game with how late they can come in before airtime, striding in generally with only a minute or two to spare. Wednesday night, two of the judges (Paula and Simon) missed the cold open entirely, and had to sneak in while the opening credits sequence rolled causing stage manager Debbie Williams, for whom getting the judges in their seats is the bane of her existence, to warn the crowd not to cheer for them as they slipped across the room. Simon’s hi-jinx continued during the group number. As they sang, one of the vocal coaches came into the audience and stood next to the judges desk so that he might conduct the contestants through the number. However, ever the mischief maker, Simon grabbed a makeshift baton and offered his own rival conducting along a different beat. At the next break, Debbie admonished “Simon was a bad boy. He conducted the children wrong.” The hi-jinx however, took a more dramatic turn after Brooke and Syesha took their turns on the stage. Once Angel of Death Seacrest gave Brooke the all clear, she rushed to collapse on the couch, lying face down once the show went to commercial and openly weeping, a spectacle which summoned Paula to the stage to comfort her and raising many an eyebrow about her seeming bottomless well of neediness. Meanwhile across the stage, Syesha alone on her death stool, turned her back to the audience to let her tears flow, clearly thinking, I gave it my greatest performance and I’m still here on these damn stools. What more can I do for you people? Throughout the season, Carly has very much played the den mother on elimination night, being the first to comfort the eliminated or the merely rattled, joking around, keeping the atmosphere light even as Angel of Death Seacrest flapped his wings nearby. So when her turn at last came, had she demanded her share of comforting, especially considering the outpouring of affection for her, she would have been within her rights. But all class to the end, she stayed smiling, cheery and grateful in her last minutes, seeming to comfort Syesha and Brooke rather than receiving reassurance herself. So what are we to take away from this? Right now, in the hours after Angel Seacrest wrapped Carly in his icy embrace, it still seems much too soon to say goodbye, and the reality that she will not be with us for Neil Diamond week seems too harsh to accept. It will take years for historians to have the time and perspective to sort through the meaning of what happened tonight, but in attempt to write a first draft of history, let us consider the following winds that for all her talent, were blowing against Carly from the start: + The Youth Vote. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times in this column, the children can not be ignored. One 11-year-old supporter is worth literally several hundred grown up supporters given that is how many times they will call. Carly’s was the maturest of talents of this group; she and Michael Johns both offered in their singing and personas very grown-up styles and appeal. We can hope this will serve the both of them well in their post-Idol careers. + Pastels tones. The finalists on American Idol are almost without exception those whose auras radiate in bright, soft, warm colors. Jordin Sparks was pure pink. Blake Lewis shone in azure. Taylor Hicks was green teal. Katharine McPhee – a light red. Carly’s aura is a deep complex magenta (when she performs at least, unlike her chatty aura which is very sunny). + Female rockers. Seven seasons in we can affirmatively say, they don’t seem to fare well on Idol. From Nikki McKibben to Gina Glocksen to Amanda Overmyer to Carly (who was only half rocker) it’s a tough road. + Definition. Without a clear, easily describable in two words or less, outline of what kind of singer you are, it makes it hard to gather a consistent reliable demographic group and a singer is forced to ride the waves of fortune week to week. + The judges. This season, Simon in particular seems to have an outsized effect on the results, writing the story of how every performance is seen. He was, ironically favorable on her final night but that came after weeks of very grudging compliments at best. We will be debating what happened for ages to come, but whatever the reason for her elimination, let us rejoice in the hours we spent together. Critics threw stones at the fact that Carly had a recording career prior to Idol, but it always seemed to me that as a result of her past she brought to the stage a richer, more complex and fascinating history then any other contestant. The narrative I constructed for myself of Carly’s story based on her comments and what we know of her history went something like this: Carly step foot on the stage professionally very very young, touring with Les Miz as early as age eight. After devoting much of her youth to music and performing she finally at the end of her teens lands the big one –- a record deal with a major label. She moves all the way to Hollywood from Ireland thinking she is on the cusp of her dreams coming true. However, for whatever reason –- poor marketing, youth, etc. –- the record does not take off. In the wreckage after the deal falls apart, Carly flees Los Angeles for San Diego where she waitresses at a bar through what must have been very dark times wondering after a life spent wanting to break into music, and no doubt feeling cast aside by the industry, what does she do next? The only hint of her dreams, the weekly show she performs at her bar. Years pass. Taking a crazy chance, she tries out for American Idol, and is picked from the auditions to move forward. But because of problems with her immigration status, she is unable to be on the show. It must have seemed that fate was irredeemably against her. More years pass. She marries. She keeps singing in her bar. And finally she auditions again. And makes it through. Every night she went up on the Idol stage Carly projected both the sure hand of someone who had spent her life working for this moment, and the gratitude of one who has learned that life doesn’t owe her anything. Hers was the joy not of a dream that felt the world had an obligation to fulfill, but of a dream that had been forced to hide away until its flame was so tiny it was this close to being blown out. And finally, when it seemed just about to disappear forever, to be allowed to shine once again! No other contestant’s story could match depth and poignancy to Carly’s euphoria at being given this chance once again, to paraphrase her countryman, WB Yeats, a lonely impulse of delight drove her to this tumult among the clouds, which is why I called her the most electrifying performer ever to take the Idol stage. No one could match that intensity, but we take comfort in knowing that that flame now burning so so brightly can no longer be extinguished and like many before her who came to this stage, even if they did not make it to the final rung of this competition, her career will undoubtedly continue and we will see its fire again and again in the years ahead. And so I close tonight with the words of the poet CP Cavafy, and his poem “The God Abandons Antony” which reminds us, difficult as it may be, not to be filled with recrimination for what now passes, not to second guess the way things have gone, but to draw on the strength that brought us to these heights to get us through and cherish the sublime moment we have known. And in Carly’s case, we can close this chapter knowing this ending will be the beginning of a new journey greater than anything that has come before it. “When suddenly, at midnight, you hear an invisible procession going by with exquisite music, voices, don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now, work gone wrong, your plans all proving deceptive — don’t mourn them uselessly. As one long prepared, and graced with courage, say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving. Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say it was a dream, your ears deceived you: don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these. As one long prepared, and graced with courage, as is right for you who were given this kind of city, go firmly to the window And listen with deep emotion, but not with whining, the pleas of a coward; listen — your final delectation — to the voices, to the exquisite music of that strange procession, and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.”

April 23,2008-United Kingdom

A leading Government minister is opposing a mass walk out in schools by members of the National Union of Teachers.
The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls believes that "the majority" of teachers do not wish to take strike action on Thursday.

"Teachers should not be walking out," Mr Balls said. "I’m very disappointed and I think that parents across the country are disappointed."

It is reported that the strike could close or disrupt more than 6,000 schools in England and Wales.

Schools in inner London authorities have not yet announced school closures but this could push the number even higher.

It is likely that schools in Leeds, Cardiff, Suffolk and Cumbria will all suffer from the walk out.

Opposing views between the NUT and the government about the level of inflation used to determine pay increases has instigated the strike.

However, NUT members voted by a three to one majority to support the action.

The late Steve Sinnott, General Secretary for the NUJ had commented: "Members voting 3 to 1 in favour of action is a clear mandate."

Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary for the NUT said in a letter to FE college lecturer members: "Taking strike action will never be an easy choice for those involved in education, but action now may help prevent increasing damage through FE teacher shortages and low morale."

Among the conditions teachers are calling for is a 6% increase of £1,500, or whichever is higher, a minimum hourly rate of £7.50 and "meaningful negotiations" on the establishment of common conditions of service across all colleges that are appropriate to the category staff concerned.

Junior Schools Minister Jim Knight is also disappointed at the strike action but that it is "nothing compared to the disappointment of parents".

Ivan Ould, Chairman of the National Employers’ Organisation for School Teachers also opposes the strike action. "Children so close to their exams will lose out on invaluable study time," he said. "The NUT should pause for thought before embarking on action that will affect large swathes of the country."

Mr Ould added: "Councils and schools are working together to ensure that if the strike does happen then the minimum possible disruption will occur to children and parents."